Di Xiao seemed not to notice Yun Jin's tension, continuing his story as though immersed in memory.
"When our cultivation was still shallow, our progress was swift, a thousand miles in a single day, far surpassing all spirit beasts.
But as our cultivation advanced, the problems began to surface.
Yin cannot exist alone, nor can Yang grow in isolation. Our cultivation began to falter repeatedly. My younger sister advised me again and again to slow down. But I was arrogant then, consumed with the desire to reign over the Spirit Beast Forest. I thought myself the chosen of Heaven, untouchable by any setback."
A bitter smile appeared on Di Xiao's face. His voice grew quiet. "And then, my cultivation collapsed. I nearly lost my life. The only reason I survived was because my sister gave me her most precious possession. After that, she fell into eternal slumber."
Di Xiao fixed his gaze on Yun Jin. "Do you know what she gave me?"
A sense of dread welled up in Yun Jin's chest. She had a vague suspicion, but the words caught in her throat.
Di Xiao stretched out his hand. From within his body, a crystalline, translucent stone emerged, floating before him.
"This is the Xuan Yin Crystal." His eyes locked onto Yun Jin.
With another wave of his hand, a dazzling stone, radiant like the sun, appeared before him.
"And this is the Tian Zhao Stone."
His tone betrayed no joy or sorrow.
Yun Jin's heart trembled.
She could feel the profound bond between Di Xiao and the two stones.
If she were to take them away…
Di Xiao would not only be crippled, he might die. And his sister would lose her final breath of vitality.
In that instant, Yun Jin understood why Lin Xiao had sent her here, why he wanted her to make this demand in person.
To Di Xiao, her words could only mean: I want your life and your sister's life.
And how could the proud king of the spirit beasts endure that?
Di Xiao's voice grew heavier. "These two stones have been with my sister and me since our birth. Our bodies are unique. Even if our dantians are shattered, even if our primordial spirits are destroyed, we will not truly die. As long as these stones exist, even if our souls are extinguished, we will one day return in the distant future.
My sister gave me the Xuan Yin Crystal. I wanted to return it, but the Xuan Yin Crystal and the Tian Zhao Stone became bound together, inseparable. I could only watch as she sank into eternal sleep."
A flicker of sorrow passed through his eyes, vanishing almost instantly. He then glared coldly at Yun Jin. "And now you say you want these things?"
Yun Jin's mind raced. She spoke with utmost sincerity. "Senior, I did not know the origin of these spirit stones. Since they are so vital to you, I will never bring it up again."
Di Xiao's expression remained ice-cold. "Of course you dare not speak of it now. But Yun Jin, I must admit, in sheer talent you surpass even the Wandao Saint by far. You may not dare to demand them now. But a hundred years from now, a thousand years from now—when your strength eclipses mine—how could you possibly resist seizing them?"
Murderous intent surged in his voice.
For himself. For his sister.
The simplest path was to kill Yun Jin here and now. No one could spy upon this temple. If he killed her quietly, no one would ever know. This time, Di Xiao's killing intent was real.
Yet Yun Jin grew utterly calm. The temptation of power was great for every cultivator. But she knew herself well enough. She was not one of those ruthless monsters.
Convincing Di Xiao of that, however, would not be easy.
Her voice was steady. "Senior Di Xiao, do you know what my Dao is?"
Di Xiao narrowed his eyes. "Primordial Flame and Primordial Wood—you hold them in your grasp."
Yun Jin shook her head. "Those are paths of cultivation. What I ask is, the Dao within my heart."
The Dao within the heart?
Di Xiao studied her intently, curious, even expectant. He wanted a reason not to kill her.
Yun Jin's lips curved in a faint smile. "My Dao is the Path of invincibility.
From very early on, I swore an oath in my heart. I, Yun Jin, will do what ordinary people cannot, achieve what others cannot. Wherever my path leads, I will be invincible. None shall defeat me, none shall control me. My Path is invincibility."
Her words rang with iron resolve.
"There are four Holy Lands in this realm, lofty and untouchable above all beings. But even they are only milestones along my path. I, Yun Jin, will one day ascend to the Immortal Realm, to the Divine Realm, to uncover the true mysteries of this universe, to become the strongest, to obtain true freedom."
For a moment, Di Xiao was stunned, even shaken. In his youth, he too had been proud. But his greatest dream had been no more than becoming the strongest in the Spirit Beast Forest. As for the Immortal Realm, the Divine Realm—such distant horizons had never entered his mind.
But Yun Jin dared to dream them.
And she dared to declare them aloud with such righteous certainty.
Di Xiao's lips trembled. He wanted to sneer.
Yet the overwhelming confidence radiating from Yun Jin felt too real to dismiss. His words faltered.
Yun Jin went on. "You worry that when my cultivation surpasses yours, I will come to seize your stones."
"Can you swear you would not?" Di Xiao's stare was sharp as a blade.
Yun Jin laughed coldly. "Of course I would not. My Path of invincibility is founded upon myself. If I could only be invincible by relying on these two stones, then my so-called Dao would be nothing but a joke.
The Xuan Yin Crystal and Tian Zhao Stone may enhance the power of the Tai'a Sword for now. But what of when I step into the Immortal Realm, into the Divine Realm? Will such a minor boost still matter then?"
She arched a brow. "To destroy my Dao heart over two stones. Senior Di Xiao, do you truly think I would do something so foolish?"
Her voice was calm.
Yes, obtaining them would be ideal. But since they were bound to his very life, Yun Jin disdained to snatch them. Without them, perhaps the Tai'a Sword could not reach its perfect form in this world.
But did that mean she would not be invincible? Even without the stones, she would still be invincible. At worst, she would use an inferior star-forging method. When she reached the Immortal or Divine Realm, she could always seek substitutes. What of it?
She saw no reason to drag herself and Di Xiao into a life-and-death struggle.
Her words were arrogant.
Arrogant, yet carrying a certain truth.
Di Xiao studied her closely, weighing sincerity against deception.
Yun Jin did not flinch from his gaze.
Her actions were forthright. Perhaps not gentle, but free of shame.
At length, Di Xiao raised his brows and slowly put the two stones away.
"You speak of an invincible Dao heart. For now, it seems as firm as stone. Yet such a Dao heart, though powerful, risks crumbling from a single defeat."
Yun Jin was unconcerned. "Then let us wait until the one who can defeat me is born."
That actually made Di Xiao laugh.
This human, truly outrageous in her arrogance.
He extended his hand to her. "Two Shangqing Rejuvenation Pills. Lend them to me."
Yun Jin did not hesitate. She handed them over at once.
Di Xiao approached the coffin, eyes brimming with emotions too heavy to name. Slowly, he placed one pill into the lips of the sleeping woman. The Shangqing Rejuvenation Pill contained the purest life force. Perhaps, after so many years of slumber, she might awaken again with its aid.