“The space-time gourd and the Nine Orifices Exquisite Heart cannot be exposed. From now on, the book of contracts will be the Spiritual Root displayed externally,” Zhuang Buzhou immediately decided in his heart.
At the same time, he once again focused his mind on the Nine Orifices Exquisite Heart. With a thought, Zhuang Buzhou’s external body vanished into thin air, reappearing in a special space.
Upon closer inspection, this space was extremely small, only about one mu in area.
There was land and spring water.
Within the space, one could seemingly sense an extremely rich Spiritual Qi. However, it was bare everywhere, with no life visible. Upon stepping in, a subtle sense emerged. Here, the entire space was under his control; with a single thought, he could change everything.
“This is the Other Shore Space, the Land of the Other Shore, which can transcend everything. Here, one is not bound by Karma, nor does one sink into the Sea of Bitterness. If the Nine Orifices Exquisite Heart reaches Perfection, it is entirely possible to achieve eternal existence, the state of Other Shore Immortality. This space, its time and space, are already independent of the Ten Thousand Worlds. It is not affected by the external Time-Space River. The Time-Space River within the Other Shore Space originates from the space-time gourd. However, it is not yet the true Other Shore; it still needs more Spiritual Roots to complete.”
The existence of the space-time gourd laid the most solid foundation for the formation of the Other Shore Space.
In the Gui Xu Sea, the Origin power from the fallen billions of Death souls only opened up this one-mu-sized space. This space was as small as it could possibly be. Moreover, this space possessed the characteristics of the Other Shore, allowing it to transcend the Sea of Bitterness and not sink within it. This, however, did not guarantee that the space would not be destroyed; it only ensured that every inch of space, every inch of soil, and every drop of water here was real.
It was as if the Sea of Bitterness was a vast ocean, the Ten Thousand Worlds were islands within that ocean, and this space was a floating island suspended above the sea. It was cut off from time and space, not even belonging to the same Time-Space River, with its source within himself. Great power converged upon him.
“This is the Other Shore, yet not eternal. However, with the characteristics of the Other Shore, whether I can transcend still requires effort. Grotto-Heaven Space, Minor Thousand Worlds, Middle Thousand Worlds, Major Thousand Worlds, and the One True Realm. Only a One True Realm with Other Shore characteristics can truly be considered transcendence. However, such a space, a space unique to me, why is it not my Other Shore? This is my Other Shore.”
Zhuang Buzhou had already understood the Origin of this space from the information he received.
In fact, the Nine Orifices Exquisite Heart itself was equivalent to a small Chaos World, capable of opening up an Inner World. However, an Inner World opened in that manner would be connected to the outside world, to the external Time-Space River. Naturally, it could not be considered transcending to the Other Shore. In fact, if it weren't for the space-time gourd, his innate Spiritual Root, he might not have been able to leverage the opportunity of his Awakening to derive this Other Shore Space.
“Other Shore Space, Other Shore characteristic, Other Shore Spiritual Vein.”
Within the Other Shore Space, Zhuang Buzhou was like the Dominator of heaven and earth. Everything within the space could not escape his perception. Within this space, there was indeed a Spiritual Vein. This Spiritual Vein was, in fact, the core of the Other Shore Space, a Spiritual Vein containing the characteristics of the Other Shore. This Spiritual Vein would provide Spiritual Qi to the Other Shore Space, but its size was less than a meter long, hidden within the earth, truly so weak that it was unbearable to witness.
“Although it’s just one mu of land, it’s my trump card for future survival. This place still needs to be properly developed. Moreover, with the Other Shore Space, the book of contracts, and the space-time gourd, my original plan can now be fully attempted. Furthermore, for the Other Shore Space to grow, the nourishment it needs is no longer ordinary resources.”
A powerful fighting spirit surged within Zhuang Buzhou.
With a thought, he stepped out of the Other Shore Space.
When he reappeared, he was back in his original position.
Looking at the sky, it was almost dawn. He thought for a moment, then quickly walked out of his courtyard. Not long after, he arrived at a timber merchant’s shop, where he sent thick logs into the Other Shore Space, leaving the corresponding money in the shop along with a note indicating it was for the purchase of timber.
He then went to other shops that sold Materials needed for building houses and took some Materials. Of course, during this process, he left enough money for the purchases.
This process did not take long. Before dawn, Zhuang Buzhou returned to his own residence. Then, he quickly entered the Other Shore Space, where a large pile of timber had already accumulated.
“Here, there must be a residence.”
As his words fell, logs could be seen flying into the air, converging in the center of the space, directly forming a house. The ground was naturally level, and the residence was elegant and grand, built as a three-story pavilion, almost occupying most of the one-mu land.
On the pavilion, a plaque appeared—Other Shore!!
On both sides, a couplet hung.
The Mortal World’s myriad temptations blind the eyes
The Sea of Bitterness is boundless, do not look back
“Very good, all is ready. Now it’s time to distribute invitation cards. For the invitation cards, I can start by casting them with ordinary Materials, such as wood.”
Zhuang Buzhou looked at the remaining timber around him. With a wave of his hand, the timber flew into the air, and under an invisible great power, it transformed into a mass of green liquid. Then, it was refined with the power of space-time, and a Mysterious and unpredictable Time-Space River appeared out of nowhere. This Time-Space River was very short and very small, having just been born.
Under the baptism of the power of space-time, the mass of green liquid quickly separated, then molded, transforming into green wooden cards.
On these cards, one could see very natural wood grain patterns. The front showed a line of text—Other Shore.
The back featured a magnificent Other Shore Flower. Around it were words—Buy anything, sell anything.
The entire card gave one an incredibly Mysterious feeling.
A total of one thousand such cards were produced. They were thin, like business cards, with a unique texture.
These cards were a medium, a medium for traveling to the Other Shore Space. They contained the power of space-time and could open a passage to the Other Shore Space. However, due to their Material, these cards were a one-time product; after one use, they would shatter and turn into nothingness.
Creak!!
Stepping out of the room, he looked towards the east, where a red sun was slowly rising.
Looking up, Zhuang Buzhou bathed in the sunlight, his entire body and mind seemingly completely cleansed, as if reborn.
“The sun has risen.”
A smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He reached forward, stretching slightly towards the sky, letting out a small yawn.
“Life has just begun. Only now do I know what it feels like to be truly at ease.”
A long-lost relaxed smile appeared on Zhuang Buzhou’s face.
His Spiritual Root had awakened, the problem of lifespan had found its root, and he already had a solution in mind, only needing practical verification.
“This skin can be shed. Only by shedding all restraints can I return to my true self. Only by shedding the shackles can I know that I am I.”
Before becoming a Cultivator, being a constable provided convenience and the money needed for life. But after becoming a Cultivator, it was no longer necessary. Qingyun City was too small; he wanted to see the outside world.
Without shackles, one could be truly free.
Zhuang Buzhou inherently carried a yearning for freedom deep in his bones.
He pushed open the main door and walked out of his residence.
Today, Zhuang Buzhou did not wear his usual constable uniform; instead, he wore a simple blue casual outfit, walking naturally towards the government office.
“Captain Zhuang, you’re going to the yamen for duty, haven’t you had breakfast yet? Here are some freshly baked meat buns; take two and eat them on the way.”
“Captain Zhuang, try my family’s fried dough sticks, they’re free.”
The street vendors, seeing Captain Zhuang, enthusiastically greeted him one after another.
Zhuang Buzhou smiled back, ordered a bowl of Chaos at a noodle shop, and ate five large meat buns.
“Zhuang Dage, why are you so early today? You’re usually not here at this time.”
In the noodle shop, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl walked out to help clear the bowls and chopsticks in front of Zhuang Buzhou. The girl was a bit thin, with two braids. Although she wasn’t a young lady from a prominent family, she had a charming, delicate beauty. Her name was Fan Xiaoya, and her nickname was Er Ya. She was the second child in her family, with an older brother who had passed away. So, she was called Er Ya, and everyone just got used to calling her Er Ya or Ya Ya.
Zhuang Buzhou often ate breakfast here, and over time, they had become familiar. The little girl was very endearing.
“Ya Ya, you put too much wonton in. Your family runs a small business, and every time I pay for one serving, you give me two. That’s not how you run a business. From now on, just give me the normal amount, or else I won’t come anymore.”
Zhuang Buzhou said with a smile, already knowing her family’s situation. There were five people in her family: Ya Ya’s grandparents, her parents, and Ya Ya herself. Their main source of income was the noodle shop. Don’t underestimate the extra portion; if it continued long-term, the lost profit would be considerable. Don’t think this is a small matter; for ordinary people, every penny must be carefully calculated.
Zhuang Buzhou didn’t want to take advantage of such a family. If they didn’t change, he really wouldn’t come again.
“Zhuang Dage, if you hadn’t driven away the rogue Zhou Laosan back then, and later specifically instructed the nearby Gangs to look after our shop, we wouldn’t be where we are now. This is just a small token of our appreciation.”
Ya Ya said sincerely.
“That was just my duty. It’s settled from now on, no more extra portions. If you add more, I’ll add more money. Here’s today’s money. I’ll leave it on the table. I have to go to the yamen. See you later.”
Zhuang Buzhou said with a smile, placing double the meal money on the table.
Some advantages could be taken, some could not.
He knew all this in his heart.
“Zhuang Tou!”
“Zhuang Tou, why did you come without your official uniform?”
Arriving in front of the government office, the two constables at the entrance quickly greeted him. One of them even curiously asked a question, which was quite unusual. In the past, no matter when he came to the government office, he would definitely wear his official uniform.
