This is one of the marvels of the Other Shore Space. If in the future, the Nine Orifices Exquisite Heart integrates with more wondrous and special cursed relics, transforming into a symbiotic Spiritual Root, then these Spiritual Roots will directly manifest within the Other Shore Space, much like how the space-time gourd gave rise to the Time-Space River, bestowing upon the Other Shore Space an independent Time-Space River, unaffected by any external influences.
The Medicine Immortal Gourd bestows an invisible trait upon the Other Shore Space, increasing the growth rate of Spirit Medicine by ten times.
It may seem insignificant now, but over a long period, the benefits it brings will be quite substantial.
“Once we go out, I’ll ask Xiao Cui if she’s willing to come in. If she is, then you two will have company, and you won’t be too lonely when I’m not around. Also, we need to buy some daily necessities.”
Zhuang Buzhou looked around; there were still many areas that hadn't been utilized.
“Husband, after you go out, why not bring in some poultry? Firstly, it can make the Other Shore less empty, and secondly, once they multiply, the space can become self-sufficient in the future. If any accident truly occurs, we can live in the Other Shore for a long time.”
Li Yueru suggested after a brief thought.
“Good, I’ll go find Aunt Wang to buy some roosters, hens, ducks, and geese. Once they multiply in the space, we won’t need to rely on the outside world anymore. It will also add some vitality to the space.”
Zhuang Buzhou smiled and agreed upon hearing this, then looked at an empty plot of land and said, “Over there, we can open up a pond. We can raise fish and shrimp in the pond. And plant some lotus flowers. When the space expands further in the future, and we have leisure time, we can go boating on the lake together, enjoy the flowers, pick lotus seeds, and fish among the lotus leaves.”
“I believe it can definitely be realized.” A look of yearning appeared in Li Yueru’s eyes.
Her arduous fate had always instilled in her a longing for family and a desire for happiness stronger than anyone else's. Now, truly married to Zhuang Buzhou and having successfully consummated their marriage, becoming true husband and wife, even if she was subjected to the Red Chamber's curse and unable to leave the Other Shore for the outside world, she still felt no dissatisfaction or fear. With her husband by her side, this Other Shore was the most perfect paradise.
Compared to the outside world, why wasn't this place the Other Shore in her heart?
Having such a space as a place to live, no longer needing to succumb to fate, wasn't that good?
Where the heart is at peace, that is home.
Now, hearing Zhuang Buzhou’s plans for the Other Shore Space, she felt as if they were building and arranging their own little home together. Anticipation, yearning, and expectation filled her, as if she could already see the entire space evolving exactly as they had described.
That was something countless people dreamed of.
“Husband, why don’t we open up a piece of farmland to plant grains, and a vegetable patch to grow some vegetables and fruits?”
Li Yueru thought again and offered another suggestion.
“Yes, once we go out, I’ll collect common vegetable seeds. Then, when planted in the space, with the growth rate in the space, they’ll quickly mature and be ready for harvest.” Zhuang Buzhou also nodded in agreement.
As his greatest reliance and the Foundation for crossing the sea of suffering in the future, the Other Shore Space must have everything prepared.
In this world, there are too many accidents and countless oddities. He is currently too weak. Once he encounters a fatal danger, he must hide in the Other Shore. Therefore, building a complete food chain for survival and reproduction within the Other Shore is a must.
Even if one day he is truly trapped in the Other Shore Space and unable to leave, he can still ensure his stable survival.
At the very least, various supplies must never be lacking.
He must create a closed loop as suitable for survival as possible.
“Yueru, let’s rest together.”
After planning the new space, Zhuang Buzhou smiled and said to Li Yueru.
After coming out of the Red Chamber this time, the scenes in the Wind and Moon Tower had, after all, left a lingering fire in his heart that he couldn't extinguish. Moreover, it was their honeymoon, and with the beauty before him, how could he hold back?
Li Yueru saw this and knew exactly what he was thinking. However, during their honeymoon, when they were still savoring their newfound intimacy, she certainly wouldn't refuse, and there was even a sense of anticipation in her heart.
With a faint smile, he stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her waist, lifted her, and quickly walked into the room.
Before long, a tantalizing moan echoed.
As the poem says:
A spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold,
Flowers have a clear fragrance, the moon has shade.
The sounds of song and pipes from the tower are faint,
The swing in the courtyard, the night is deep.
The next morning.
As the sun rose, one could see that the Red Chamber, which had enveloped Qingyun City, had eerily vanished, as if it had appeared, and the vast mist had naturally hidden itself and dissipated.
“Oh my God, husband, why did you leave?”
“A dried corpse, how could this be?”
“Haha, it’s done! I’ve finally become a Spirit Master! From today on, I’m no longer the lowest-class commoner!”
“A profession! I’ve finally obtained a complete professional Legacy! In the future, my combat power will be stronger, and perhaps I can find an Opportunity in the Endless Sea and gain the chance for eternal life!”
In the early morning, the entire Qingyun City also awoke.
And with it came heart-wrenching cries. These were from those who had failed the trials in the Red Chamber and died tragically in various ways. Some returned home only to turn into dried corpses, completely dead—these were people whose vital essence had been drained in the Wind and Moon Tower, who had received a Fate Tablet but had not contracted a cursed relic in the Treasure Tower, or who had contracted one but failed. They, too, could not escape death.
There were also those who died silently at home, their bodies reeking of alcohol—these were those who had died drunk in the Drunken Immortal Tower. Not being a Spirit Master, they couldn't resist the invasion of the alcohol Qi. In their drunken dreams, they simply dreamed until death. This kind of death was considered peaceful.
In short, at this moment, hundreds, even thousands, of families in Qingyun City hung white banners and played funeral music.
The impact on various families was enormous.
Many of them were the pillars of their families; if they died, the consequences were unimaginable.
Of course, among those who died, some did not choose to exchange for and contract cursed relics in the Treasure Tower, but instead chose to exchange for a sum of money and treasures, bringing them home. Even if they passed away themselves, they still left a substantial amount of wealth for their wives, children, and elderly at home.
It must be said, this was a choice made out of care for their families.
Of course, there were also those who successfully contracted and fused with a cursed relic, officially becoming Spirit Masters, but still suffered a significant loss of Lifespan, belonging to the short-lived among Spirit Masters. Their Lifespan was calculated by subtracting their original Lifespan from a Spirit Master's one hundred years.
For example, if one could originally live for sixty years, then sixty years would be subtracted, leaving only forty years of Lifespan.
This was naturally a true short-lived species.
Of course, this was infinitely better than dying immediately in the Red Chamber. All who survived secretly felt fortunate.
“That was close, truly close! I didn’t expect that after entering the Red Chamber, we would still come out alive. This time, I thought we would die inside.”
“However, the Wind and Moon Tower was truly unforgettable. It’s truly romantic to die beneath a peony. After entering, I finally knew what a land of gentleness was. What a pity, what a pity, I’m afraid I’ll never be able to enter again.”
“Before, I thought it was a dream, but now it seems it’s all real. Before, Young Master Zhang Jinbao of the Zhang family seemed to have gone in too, and he even cut off his precious thing with a knife. I wonder how he is now? Can the cut-off thing grow back?”
Many of the survivors who had left the Red Chamber alive in the city couldn’t help but discuss, leaking some of the events from the Red Chamber as their own talking points, venting their inner anxiety and excitement.
But when Zhang Jinbao was mentioned, almost everyone instinctively squeezed their legs together, revealing a look of fear and apprehension.
Although they didn't know what Zhang Jinbao had obtained from it, they could be certain that he had survived and had become a Spirit Master. Whether he had received a Legacy was unknown.
Knock, knock, knock!!
A series of urgent knocks came from outside Zhuang Buzhou’s small courtyard.
Zhuang Buzhou, who had just come out of the Other Shore, heard it and quickly went forward to open the door.
Immediately, he saw Li Xian and Xiao Cui, along with a group of constables and yamen runners, standing outside the door. Each of them had an anxious expression on their faces.
“Buzhou, are you alright?” Li Xian’s face immediately showed joy upon seeing Zhuang Buzhou. He said, “That’s wonderful! Xiao Cui already told us about last night’s events. Knowing that you were taken into the Red Chamber, I didn’t sleep a wink last night. It’s good that you’re alright, it’s really good.”
Last night, the Red Chamber enveloped the entire Qingyun City, and mist obscured the sky. Upon receiving the news, they couldn't rush over. Only now, with the Red Chamber gone and the mist dissipated, did they rush over immediately. Along the way, they witnessed families wearing mourning clothes and hanging white banners, and their anxiety intensified.
“Uncle, please come in. We can talk inside about anything.”
Zhuang Buzhou nodded and greeted him.
“Alright!”
Upon hearing this, Li Xian straightened his clothes, composed himself, and said to those behind him, “You go to the city to visit and count how many people died last night because of the Red Chamber. After counting, report back to the government office. The adults from the Demon Suppression Division will arrive today. The matter of the Red Chamber will be fully handed over to the Demon Suppression Division for handling.”
“Yes, sir.”
The constables all responded.
“Zhuang Tou, we’re leaving.”
Then they cupped their hands and said to Zhuang Buzhou.
“Go. We’ll drink together when you have time.”
Zhuang Buzhou smiled calmly. He was very close to these constables; having spent two or three years together, their friendship was naturally deep.
Before they arrived, a hint of worry and anxiety could be seen on their faces.
“Alright then, Zhuang Tou, we’ll invite you for a drink in a few days.”
Fang Xiaodao said with a smile.
Immediately, the constables quickly departed.
This time, the impact of the Red Chamber was too great. No one knew how many had died, and no one knew how many had survived and become Spirit Masters. The arrival of the Demon Suppression Division was largely to count these people.