Wu Chi: "..."
He carefully read the descriptions again, rubbing his eyes to ensure he wasn't mistaken.
A genuine Buddha relic and a method created by an actual Buddha?
And it was a technique designed to sever emotions and desires, leading to singular devotion to Buddhism?
"Teacher Luo, this requires a Buddha Bone and Wisdom Heart. I don't understand Buddhism, and I can't meet the requirements," Wu Chi said awkwardly, his expression stiff. "Could I… exchange it for something else?"
"That's why I gave you the Buddha Relic. Take a look!"
Fairy Luo suddenly smiled, her charming expression carrying a hint of mischief.
She placed the Buddha Relic atop the manual, and immediately, a notification appeared:
[Reminder: Possessing the Buddha Relic removes all restrictions for practicing Princess of Pure Mind.]
Wu Chi: "…"
Seeing the conflicted expression on Wu Chi's face, Fairy Luo finally felt avenged.
Previously, she had been caught off guard by Wu Chi's audacity. Now, seeing his hesitation was strangely satisfying.
The situation was complicated. Wu Chi hesitated for a while, staring at the Buddha Relic.
Completely sever emotions and desires? Dedicate myself to Buddhism?
What a joke!
He wasn't someone who would willingly abandon all desires for "Buddha's sake." That was impossible.
After some thought, Wu Chi rolled his eyes and grinned. "Teacher Luo, why not give me something else instead?"
"Buddhism really isn't my thing!"
"Since your world is full of beasts, why not give me a small feathered serpent or a little dragon instead?"
He chuckled. "That flood dragon earlier, even though it's just a child, was pretty amazing!"
"Oh?"
Fairy Luo rolled her eyes in exasperation. "You've got some nerve! Do you think you could even handle a dragon that size?"
"Of course not!" Wu Chi laughed.
Even if she were willing to give him one, he wouldn't be able to afford the cost of raising such a creature.
It would be better for his future development to grow steadily rather than taking shortcuts.
History was filled with cautionary tales.
Many clans and nobles had suffered because they gifted prodigious treasures to their young geniuses, only to face devastating consequences when their foundations proved insufficient.
Fairy Luo huffed, her sweet voice teasing him as it tickled his ears.
"You don't seem like someone pure of heart."
Then, with a faint smile, she said, "I'll give you a hero instead. Consider it a little extra from me!"
She produced a decree.
On its surface was the image of a holy fox.
"A hero from the Nine-Tailed Fox lineage," Fairy Luo explained. "Her origin was quite fortuitous. In Cloud Dream Lake, there was a mysterious fox with divine blood. Its bloodline mutated, producing an additional tail.
"One day, it lost a drop of its essence blood, which was picked up by a little girl who mistook it for candy and swallowed it. Her body couldn't handle the violent energy and was torn apart.
"Divine fox essence is not something an ordinary mortal can endure!"
"I happened to be in the area and resurrected her. Miraculously, she inherited the Nine-Tailed Fox bloodline and became a hero."
As Fairy Luo narrated the story, Wu Chi realized the vastness of Cloud Dream Lake.
Her domain was already at the level of a world, teeming with countless beings.
Humans were just one of many species inhabiting the territory.
As the world's ruler, Fairy Luo left most affairs to unfold naturally, and this hero's emergence was entirely coincidental.
"Why not keep her for yourself, Teacher Luo?" Wu Chi asked thoughtfully, gazing at the decree.
Fairy Luo rolled her eyes again. "What's the point? She essentially stole part of the divine fox's power. Letting her stay in Cloud Dream Lake as a hero would be meaningless!"
"Fair enough."
Wu Chi nodded.
Fairy Luo then produced a ring and handed it to him.
"This is a storage ring. Inside, there's one million Void Crystals and a special territorial building called Three-Light River."
"I can't help you with Void Source Stones, but Three-Light River is a priceless treasure that money can't buy. You'll see its value once you use it."
Fairy Luo smiled as she spoke, and Wu Chi could sense that Three-Light River was even more precious than the Golden Hero Decree.
Feeling her sincerity, Wu Chi nodded solemnly and accepted the items.
"By the way…"
Fairy Luo seemed to want to say something but hesitated. After a moment, she waved her hand dismissively.
"That's all. Don't complain about what I've given you. Everything is suited to your needs!"
"I understand."
Wu Chi wasn't greedy. He replied seriously, "Thank you, Teacher Luo."
Fairy Luo's eyes flickered slightly as she observed him.
She could tell Wu Chi wasn't motivated by greed.
He was neither arrogant nor servile, brave enough to face challenges, and willing to counter moral coercion with equal ferocity.
He was, in her eyes, near-perfect.
And yet… why did he also feel like a little troublemaker?
Fairy Luo sighed softly, her cheeks faintly flushed.
"Let's head back."
Without another word, she summoned a cloud to carry Wu Chi away.
Wu Chi opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything, he was swept away by the cloud and disappeared.
Watching him leave, Fairy Luo's expression shifted, turning cold and composed.
At that moment, a white holy fox emerged from the light, transforming into a humanoid figure.
It approached Fairy Luo and bowed. "Master, the Cang Ancient Realm has been completed!"
"Good. Release it now."
Fairy Luo's expression darkened, and her figure disappeared from the palace in an instant.
The holy fox turned and departed as well.
Back on the platform, Wu Chi slowly regained his senses.
His journey to Cloud Dream Lake had left him in high spirits.
"One day, my territory will become just as grand as Cloud Dream Lake—a vast world teeming with sacred beasts and endless wonders!"
Looking at the ring and decree in his hands, Wu Chi smiled contentedly.
Returning to his domain, Wu Chi immediately inspected the contents of the storage ring.
It contained not only the Void Crystals but also the model of a building.
With a thought, he materialized the building model in his hand.
It resembled a small river with three distinct colors, giving it an incredibly unique appearance.
"Let's see what you can do!"
Wu Chi placed the building model down. As it took root, a radiant light enveloped the area, signifying its activation.