Chapter Thirteen: The Number of the Grand Evolution

It is precisely because of this missing corner that all the pieces can move freely, giving rise to endless variations. This, astonishingly, embodies a fundamental idea in the ancient studies of the Book of Changes—the so-called “the one that escapes.” The Great Expansion's number is fifty, but only forty-nine are in use. It is precisely because of that one that disappears that the other forty-nine have room for transformation.

This box, even more ingeniously designed, is a detached sliding puzzle; all six faces—up, down, left, right, front, and back—can move. Yet altogether there are fifty pieces, with one piece missing. This perfectly reflects the principle of the Great Expansion's numbers.

“How interesting! What exquisite craftsmanship!”

“If the box alone is so special, what could possibly be inside?”

Curious, Wang Ling opened the box. Inside lay a treasure pearl, about the size of a hen’s egg, clearly not a mere pearl. Suddenly recalling something, Wang Ling covered the pearl with a blanket and looked at it—sure enough, in the darkness, the pearl emitted a faint blue glow.

“This is a Night Pearl!”

With just one glance, Wang Ling’s heart began to race. This old fox was indeed generous. In my previous life, such naturally glowing objects in the world were said to be radioactive. But in this world, where the mystical arts reveal their wonders, things are entirely different.

Any such treasure pearl is imbued with spiritual energy, capable of preserving a body for a thousand years and nourishing the soul. Thus, these pearls are often chosen as grave goods for royalty and nobility. Observing the faint earthy tint on its surface, Wang Ling understood at once.

This must have been excavated from an ancient tomb of a noble or king!

It isn’t just mice that like to burrow—even foxes, rabbits, and the like do. Sometimes, in the wild, their tunnels inevitably open into ancient tombs. That’s why, at first, Wang Ling was not surprised when the little white fox brought back some coins and jewelry.

But even a treasure pearl like this? That meant it was no ordinary tomb!

Such pearls are worth a fortune, often tens of thousands in gold, affordable only to the truly wealthy and powerful.

No wonder the old fox said he was giving this pearl to Wang Ling because he was a cultivator.

The pearl emitted a gentle glow, illuminating Wang Ling, accompanied by a subtle, elusive fragrance that cleared his mind and brought such comfort that he nearly sighed aloud. Lowering his eyelids, he looked inward, watching as a shaft of light from the pearl entered his sea of consciousness and, within his mind’s mirror, reflected a bright, full moon.

The moonlight shone upon his spirit, bringing a paradoxical sensation of coolness and warmth, making his soul feel exceedingly comfortable, even slowly growing stronger.

“What a treasure! A true treasure! A pearl of such grade—the legendary Marquis Sui’s Pearl or the Moonlight Pearl…”

Wang Ling could not help but marvel. Not only can this pearl preserve a corpse for a thousand years, but it also nourishes the soul.

It is said that any practitioner who has reached the soul-leaving stage, with this pearl in hand, can progress with half the effort. Even those who haven’t reached that stage yet, simply carrying the pearl will have their soul protected and nurtured.

The old fox had truly put thought into this gift!

Wang Ling shook his head slightly and placed the pearl back in its box. As wonderful as it was, it was simply too valuable—so valuable, in fact, that he dared not accept it. It was truly a priceless treasure.

This is no exaggeration. In ancient times, there were stories of a single pearl being exchanged for an entire city!

Such an object was far too precious. Wang Ling had only done a small favor, saving two foxes in passing, and to accept such a lavish gift left him uneasy.

Moreover, with his current status, carrying something like this would surely invite disaster if discovered.

Yet, the thought of returning it gave him real reluctance—not because of its monetary worth, but because of its immense value to his cultivation.

A person’s foundation lies in the soul. A strong soul brings keen senses, sharp thinking, powerful memory, and swifter progress in cultivation.

In this world, after completing the Qi Refining stage comes the Soul-Tempering stage.

That is the time to strengthen the soul.

With the pearl’s help, the results would be twice as good with half the effort.

This is the kind of treasure every cultivator in this world dreams of possessing.

“So be it. I’ll borrow it for now. When I reach the soul-leaving stage, I’ll return it to the Hu family!”

The box itself, however, was entirely different in style from the pearl, clearly not a matching set.

It must be that the old fox wanted to present a gift, but simply handing over the pearl would look unimpressive, so he found a beautiful box to contain it.

That must be it!

Wang Ling set the jade box aside and picked up the pearl, unable to put it down.

“To cultivate the Primordial Dragon-Tiger Thunder Pill, I need my soul to leave the body and bathe in the essence of sun and moon, to strengthen it.

But my soul is too weak—at this point, even a gentle breeze would be unbearable. I dare not let it leave my body.

Now, though, with this pearl, I can shield my soul, ward off wind and calamity, and dare to attempt soul projection.”

At this thought, Wang Ling grew excited, eager for nightfall, for the rising of the moon, so he could try at once.

Although tonight is not the full moon, the jade toad hangs high in the sky, bright and clear—the perfect time to nourish the soul.

With this pearl, he was ready to attempt his first soul projection, to bathe in the moonlight.

If he succeeded, his cultivation would enter the soul-leaving stage. At that point, his soul could depart from his body, and he could wield all manner of mystical powers.

This was a realm he had never achieved in his previous life. Only by being reborn in this world of manifest magical arts, and by dedicating himself wholly to cultivation, had he been able to reach the threshold at such a young age.

Beneath the moonlight, Wang Ling emptied his mind.

Years of cultivation in the mountains had filled him with powerful vital energy and a quiet mind. He not only entered a meditative state but easily visualized within his sea of consciousness a tranquil pool, upon whose shore he stood.

The surface was so still it was almost frightening, without a single ripple, reflecting a blurred image of Wang Ling, like a pale shadow.

This was the manifestation of Wang Ling’s soul—far too frail and insubstantial.

Ordinarily, it would not be strong enough for projection. But now, in the midst of the heart’s lake, a full moon was reflected—perfectly round and bright, embodying the scene of the moon shining in the heart’s sky.

That moon was the light of the pearl Wang Ling wore, cast into his sea of consciousness.

The moon was full and the pool desolate.

It appeared infinitely deep, as if dark as ink, unfathomable.

This pool, too, was called the Lake of the Heart.

It was akin to the Mirror of the Heart—both manifestations of the sea of consciousness.

Such methods of visualization have always been fraught with peril!