Chapter 27: A Paradise on Earth

Summer turned to autumn, and the biting frost began to encroach. Soon, the harsh winter drew near. In the deep mountains and forests of the Ba Commandery, snowflakes danced in the air, creating a breathtaking landscape of silver-clad beauty—enchanting and ethereal.

It had been half a year since his return from the Guanmiao Terrace on Mount Taiyi. During these six months, Zhou Qing had not ventured out again, delegating various mundane affairs to Zong Quan. With his current level of cultivation, he could descend the mountain at any time, but contemplating the shifting tides of the world, he chose to remain patient.

Amidst the swirling snow, Zhou Qing stood atop a massive boulder on a mountain peak within the sect. A pale cyan aura pulsed around him, shielding him from the elements. His eyes were narrowed slightly as internal energy flowed through him, manifesting a faint, crystalline luster upon his skin.

Having reached the realm of Transforming Spirits and Mystery of the Soul, all impurities had been purged from his body. Standing in silence, he appeared as a graceful, handsome youth with red lips, white teeth, and refined features. Born to a concubine of the Qin royal house, his natural beauty was undeniable, bolstered by an even more refined royal lineage.

Every movement he made resonated with the fundamental principles of heaven and earth. As his mind shifted, so did his will; the surrounding snowflakes danced at his command, transforming into myriad shapes, drifting and weaving through the void with effortless grace.

With a flick of his hand, a resonant sword hum echoed through the air. He struck out at the void, and a hundred-meter-long blade of light surged forth. Wherever it fell, the snow within a hundred-meter radius vanished instantly.

"The Transforming Spirits and Mystery of the Soul realm is complete today. But when will I reach the realm of Returning to Emptiness?"

He had already learned the perfect cultivation system from his master; how to transcend it was a matter of individual destiny. Over the past year, the story of "The Creation of the World" had spread throughout the lands of the Xia, granting Zhou Qing millions of units of influence.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

As he meditated in the swirling snow, the sun was obscured by the blizzard, and time became indistinct. Before long, a pale yellow light rose from below, approaching Zhou Qing's side. Feeling the aura emanating from him, the newcomer could not help but sigh.

"Junior Uncle Xuanqing, your cultivation grows increasingly unfathomable!"

Zong Quan had been present when his Junior Uncle broke through to the Transforming Spirits and Mystery of the Soul realm. By sensing the profound energy released during that breakthrough, his own cultivation had advanced significantly, marking a major stride within the Hunyuan Innate stage.

Without his Junior Uncle’s assistance, he would likely still be stuck at the stage of Refining Qi and Clearing Meridians; entering the Innate stage would have taken several more years. Although his Junior Uncle gave him many tasks to handle, compared to the improvement in his cultivation, everything was worth it.

Thanks to his Junior Uncle's help, his current standing among the Taoist Heavenly Sect's generation was near the top. Such an opportunity was the envy of others, and for this reason, he became even more diligent with the tasks entrusted to him.

"There is always a higher mountain; there is no end to martial arts!"

"Zong Quan, how is the progress with 'Heavenly Paradise'?"

Heavenly Paradise was the project Zhou Qing had entrusted to Zong Quan before entering seclusion. In a year or two, he planned to descend the mountain. To travel the world, one needed both wealth and a network of eyes and ears.

Thinking of this, he had conceived of "Heavenly Paradise." The name was renowned in his previous life, and by borrowing it now, he was making the best use of it while satisfying a bit of his own dark humor.

During the Warring States period, though war was constant, it must be said that there had been significant developments in economy, politics, and culture. While the masses at the bottom still suffered, the wealth accumulated by the ministers and high officials was immense.

However, few forces in the various kingdoms could extract that wealth from them. After having Zong Quan spend a month gathering information, Zhou Qing had directly designated the establishment of Heavenly Paradise.

It would feature the most exquisite architecture, the most luxurious settings, the most renowned beauties, the most delicious cuisine, and be the most exhilarating place for leisure.

This place would rival the heavens themselves!

"In accordance with your instructions, Junior Uncle, I have invested heavily to acquire a large restaurant in Yingdu, the capital of Chu, and it is currently being renovated. It will be ready for operation by spring next year. However, the funds within the sect have been heavily depleted."

"But the papermaking technique you mentioned is also nearing success. Last month, they brought me the finished product. This is what they have produced recently; although the color is still somewhat greyish-yellow, it is more than sufficient for writing!"

Though Zong Quan did not fully understand why his Junior Uncle needed to use the sect's funds to build Heavenly Paradise, his actions were never things he could fathom. He stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and spoke slowly.

He reported the progress of the last six months one by one. Heavenly Paradise was one thing—at best, a place for the wealthy to squander money, a worldly establishment—but the other thing his Junior Uncle mentioned left Zong Quan deeply astonished.

The art of papermaking!

He had gathered loyal commoners from the Ba Commandery who were devoted to Taoism and put them to work testing the general methods described by his Junior Uncle. In the Ba region, there was no shortage of trees, thatch, or fallen branches and leaves.

After six months, there were some results. As he finished speaking, he hurriedly took a scroll of grey-white material from his robes. Beneath the crystalline glow of the snowflakes, the impurity of the grey-white material was obvious.

Even so, Zong Quan's eyes shone with excitement as he carefully handed it to his Junior Uncle.

"Not bad. Although it is still some distance from pure white, as long as the method is mastered, that stage will eventually be reached. Come with me to the bamboo house later; you can begin working on the other two things."

"The legend of 'The Creation of the World' has spread throughout the lands of the Xia, and now it is time for the next chapter!"

Taking the stack of grey-white paper from Zong Quan, Zhou Qing unfolded it slightly, his small hand stroking it slowly. A rough, unpolished texture met his touch.

He had not felt this familiar sensation in six years. A flicker of distant memory crossed his eyes before he held it to his nose and inhaled gently—the same familiar scent emerged.

Although the paper produced could only be considered mediocre, to achieve this much in half a year was no small feat. He was only six years old; there was still a long road ahead.

Changing the subject, he set the paper down, handed it back to Zong Quan, and stepped out. He rose on the wind and drifted away, transforming into a streak of pale cyan light, heading toward his bamboo house.

Zong Quan nodded, rolled up the paper, and tucked it into his robes. A faint mystical glow emanated from him as he followed closely behind Zhou Qing. Having heard his Junior Uncle’s words, it seemed that new stories were about to emerge.

"The Creation of the World" had spread across the kingdoms; it was simple and easy to understand. Anyone not living in a remote corner had heard the tale. Such profound and mysterious matters were exactly what both the common folk and the nobility loved.

Moreover, Zong Quan was very much looking forward to the continuation of the story. The decree of the Primordial Heavenly King, the emergence of the True Man Pangu, and the transformation of his body into all things—but what happened after that? How did the people of the Xia lands come to be?