Chapter 355: Eternal Universe Sutra
Back then, when he first saw Little Tingting, she was only about four years old, yet she was very sensible and well-behaved, wearing patched clothes, her little face rosy like a big apple. When white-haired Old Uncle Jiang was beaten until blood dripped from his mouth and fell to the ground, she cried heartbrokenly, her big eyes brimming with tears, pleading in her childish voice for them not to hit her grandfather.
Time flew by, and more than four years had passed in the blink of an eye. Thinking about it now, Ye Fan still felt a bit of a sour ache.
"Tingting, did you come back on your own?" Old Uncle Jiang asked kindly.
"Yes," Little Tingting replied crisply.
"Come in quickly, see who's here." Old Uncle Jiang took her little hand and led her inside.
"It's Big Brother!" Little Tingting exclaimed, her big eyes wide with surprise.
Ye Fan smiled and walked over, patting her head. The little one with the rosy cheeks from before had grown a bit after years apart.
"Big Brother, why are you here? Hide quickly, don't go out. Tingting heard that many people want to catch you." She looked up, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, a hint of worry in her eyes, but more than that, joy and happiness at their reunion.
Years apart, Little Tingting had grown taller, blossoming like a delicate porcelain doll. Dressed in pure white snow clothes, with jet-black silky hair and big, spirited eyes, she was very beautiful and adorable.
Outside, heavy snow fell and the cold wind howled, but inside the house it was warm. The wrinkles on Old Uncle Jiang's face had smoothed out, and his kind smile never faded.
Little Tingting was lively and cheerful, like a little angel carved from jade, endearing to all.
Ye Fan felt a bit relieved. He had worried that her physical condition might affect her personality, but now it seemed he had been overthinking.
"Big Brother, are you really not in danger? Tingting is still a bit worried." Little Tingting blinked her big eyes.
"Don't worry, no one can catch me." Ye Fan smiled and gently tapped her delicate nose.
"Tingting will work hard at cultivation and help Big Brother in the future," she said very seriously.
Ye Fan laughed and said, "Tingting, don't think about that. As long as you and Grandpa are happy, that's enough. Don't worry about these things."
He couldn't help but be amazed. Little Tingting was indeed at the Other Shore realm. In just over four years, this speed was truly astonishing.
He wanted to give her some gifts, but found he had nothing suitable. The Vajra Ring and the Dragon-Pattern Blackgold Holy Spirit Sword were what he most wanted to give, but they were too famous. If they fell into Little Tingting's hands, it would cause a series of storms.
As for other things, the Mother Qi of All Things and Phoenix Blood Red Gold were out of the question. Such sacred objects would be even more shocking and would be directly confiscated by the Jiang Family's higher-ups.
"I can't even give Little Tingting a small gift..." He shook his head helplessly.
"Tingting doesn't need gifts. Just seeing Big Brother makes me happy." The little girl was very sensible, smiling happily.
Ye Fan thought for a moment and decided to guide Little Tingting. He didn't dare teach her any supreme secret techniques, nor could he pass on ancient scriptures, as it would cause big trouble if the Jiang Family found out.
Little Tingting cultivated the "Eternal Universe Sutra" and didn't need other methods. After thinking it over, Ye Fan decided to teach her the principle of "One Art Breaks Ten Thousand Techniques."
She was currently at the Other Shore realm and hadn't yet entered the Dao Palace Secret Realm, so there was still time. With this in mind, he said, "Tingting, I'll teach you a method for forging artifacts."
The legend of "One Art Breaks Ten Thousand Techniques" had been around for a long time. Many people studied it, with varying results. Even if Little Tingting learned this forging method, it wouldn't expose anything.
Little Tingting was incredibly clever and grasped it immediately. Given time, she would surely master its supreme essence.
"Tingting, remember, if you have a choice, forge just one artifact. In the future, I'll give you the best one," Ye Fan said, but he knew the little girl was hiding her disappointment.
"Divine Source is nothing. I can give Tingting some." Ye Fan wanted to keep this child by his side and didn't want her to suffer unfair treatment.
But in the end, he could only shake his head. He was being tracked by the Holy Lands and couldn't do that.
"I'll give Tingting some Divine Source, but you can't take it back. Keep it sealed here with Old Uncle Jiang, and use it whenever you come back." Ye Fan didn't want to cause trouble for Little Tingting out of goodwill.
"Big Brother, keep it for yourself. Tingting doesn't need anything," the little girl said firmly, like a little adult.
After some persuasion, she happily held a fist-sized piece of Divine Source in her palm, examining it from all sides, overjoyed.
Old Uncle Jiang was very concerned about Ye Fan and asked in detail about his experiences over the past few years. Little Tingting was even more curious, pressing him about his cultivation journey.
Ye Fan only mentioned a few things briefly, as many matters couldn't be explained in detail, but even so, it amazed the grandfather and granddaughter.
Little Tingting thought seriously for a long time before speaking softly, "Big Brother, I want to give you a gift too."
With that, she ran into her room and didn't come out for a full half hour. She solemnly handed Ye Fan ten pages of paper, covered in delicate, small handwriting.
"Big Brother, read them and then burn them. Never show them to anyone else." Little Tingting was very serious and earnest.
The moment Ye Fan took them, his eyes narrowed. The first thing he saw were five graceful ancient characters that shocked him: "Eternal Universe Sutra — Four Extremes Volume."
"Tingting, this..."
"Big Brother, don't say anything. Read it quickly, then burn it immediately." Little Tingting acted like a little adult, clearly having thought it through carefully, her expression solemn.
Ye Fan wanted to say more, but she stopped him, her big eyes filled with determination.
Ye Fan nodded without further comment, and then his mind was completely captivated by the Eternal Universe Sutra. Though it was only one volume of the ancient scripture, it was profound and extensive.
"Four Extremes" referred to the four pillars supporting heaven in ancient mythology, while in the human body, the four extremes were the limbs. These two words vividly described this secret realm.
What needed to be cultivated was not only unparalleled combat power but also the Great Dao. The limbs must connect to heaven and earth, extending far and wide. The body's four extremes connected to the Great Dao, reaching through heaven and earth.
The opening verses alone had him entranced, and the later passages were even more incredible, capable of deriving Dao spirits, approaching the Great Dao, and imprinting upon the void.
Ye Fan was utterly absorbed. The deeper he read into the Eternal Universe Sutra's Four Extremes Volume, the more extraordinary it seemed. He was completely immersed.
After who knows how long, he finally looked up, then lightly snapped his fingers, turning the pages to ash. But the scriptures were already imprinted in his sea of consciousness.
"Big Brother, did you remember it all?" Little Tingting asked seriously.
"Yes, I did. Tingting, you've really gone out of your way." Ye Fan patted her head and said, "In the future, I'll give you a weapon forged from a Great Emperor's sacred relic."
He stayed there for a few days, using exotic sources to cleanse Old Uncle Jiang's body and regulate his bones and tendons, greatly strengthening his vitality.
The effect was obvious. Old Uncle Jiang seemed younger, full of energy, and in much better physical condition.
The Jiang Family did have spiritual medicines that could extend a mortal's life, and Little Tingting had secretly brought some back, but Old Uncle Jiang always refused, afraid of outliving his granddaughter.
He was terrified that Little Tingting might die young. Over these days, Ye Fan repeatedly assured him that he would find a Ground Life Fruit, gradually easing his heart.
Ye Fan felt the pressure. Though he appeared relaxed on the surface, he knew that Ground Life Fruits, like Primordial Divine Medicines, were nearly extinct and not easy to find.
"What terrible weather. It's been snowing heavily for seven days and nights without stopping. Our Northern Domain is truly a bitter, cold land. Besides sources, there's nothing to compare with other places."
"Hey, I remember this little tavern is run by that old man. How about we stop here for some food and drink before continuing on?"
"Which old man?"
"Naturally, the grandfather of that short-lived little girl."
Hearing these words, Ye Fan stirred. His bones shifted, and he immediately changed his appearance.
"Grandpa, don't be angry." Little Tingting, afraid Old Uncle Jiang would be upset, held his rough hand and gently tried to soothe him.
"Good child, Grandpa isn't angry. I just worry about you being wronged." Old Uncle Jiang stroked her hair.
"Tingting isn't angry either. When I grow up, I'll live forever and show them," she replied childishly.
Just then, the door was pushed open, and several men walked in, bringing a blast of cold air.
One of them said, "Oh, business is good. There's even a customer in this weather."
Little Tingting turned around, lifting her childish face, and said, "You're not welcome here."
"So the little genius is here too." These were clearly young disciples of the Jiang Family.
As a Yin Extreme Physique, Little Tingting had only a few years to live and no close relatives, so these people didn't care about her at all.
Their only concern was that Little Tingting's cultivation speed was increasing rapidly, and she had recently gained the favor of an old ancestor-level figure from Divine King Jiang Taixu's lineage.
"We're just passing through for a meal. No other intentions," one of them explained, not very concerned.
"Leave now. The tavern is closed," Little Tingting said. She didn't want her grandfather to prepare food and drink for these people.
"Closed at noon?" one of them muttered.
"Fine, let's go." Another led the way out.
"She's just a little ghost with only a few years to live. What's there to fear?" Their voices drifted in from the wind and snow.
"If she brings up that old ancestor, we'll be in for it."
"Better to be careful. If they really rescue that Divine King ancestor from Purple Mountain this time, this little girl will become a true little princess. With a Great Accomplishment Divine King's heaven-defying methods, he might turn things around, change her fate, and break the curse of the Yin Extreme Physique."
The wind howled, and their words faded away.
But not long after, those people returned. Ye Fan's expression shifted. Besides them, there was a familiar face—it was Jiang Yichen.
Though years had passed, he recognized him at once.
Back in the Southern Domain, he had been chased for a thousand miles by the Jiang Family's knights, all because this man had instigated it, scheming to seize the treasures Ye Fan carried.
Everything that happened in the small town where Old Uncle Jiang and Little Tingting had lived was still vivid in his memory.
Jiang Yifei and Jiang Caidie had left a good impression on Ye Fan, but this Jiang Yichen was ruthless and vicious. That time, he had nearly killed Ye Fan.