Chapter 34: The Violet Cloud Jade Pendant

The first box Meng Wenxuan opened contained a jade gourd complete with leaves and vines. The carving was so three-dimensional that the gourd appeared as if it were truly growing from the vine. His grandfather’s artistic skill was unparalleled, and Zhao Chengye had perfectly reproduced the sketches into physical form, capturing every detail with lifelike precision.

The second box held a design of fish frolicking beneath lotus leaves; the fish looked so free and unconstrained that one could sense its spirit at a single glance. Jiaoyue once again admired Zhao Chengye’s craftsmanship in her heart.

The third box contained a pomegranate with a split, grinning husk, so realistic that one could almost smell the fragrance of the ripe fruit. The fourth box held a blooming lotus flower, reminiscent of the one beneath the feet of a Buddha.

Finally, amidst excitement, shock, and anticipation, Jiaoyue saw the pink jade. Meng Wenxuan had acted mysterious from the moment he took it out. Even Lin Yuntang, who was accustomed to fine treasures, was stunned. "Master Zhao’s carving skills are truly remarkable! At first glance, it even feels sacred. But what exactly is this carved into? Do you know, Wenxuan?"

Meng Wenxuan replied, "I asked, but Master Zhao said there is no need to know what it is; one only needs to know that wearing it will be beneficial for our daughter. I asked if I should let Yueya wear it, and Father said to let her decide for herself."

Meng Wenxuan did not know, but Jiaoyue did. In the world of immortal cultivation, everyone knew of the Purple Cloud Jade Pendant. She was deeply shocked; this was something she had never expected. The Purple Cloud Jade Pendant was said to be the only divine artifact in existence since the dawn of chaos, rumored to contain infinite mysteries that no one could fully comprehend, serving as a miraculous defensive magical tool. It was a treasure that cultivators dreamed of possessing.

Zhao Chengye had carved the pink jade into the shape of the Purple Cloud Jade Pendant; it differed from the true artifact only in color. Although Jiaoyue had never seen the original, she had seen illustrations of it. With her photographic memory, she could be certain that the pattern on the pink jade was identical. To carve it so accurately meant that he had either seen the real artifact and was very familiar with it, or perhaps he even possessed it. But why would he do this? Why carve this pink jade into the shape of the Purple Cloud Jade Pendant?

"Yueya, Master Zhao said you should wear this pink jade close to your body to protect you. Will you wear it?" Meng Wenxuan asked, looking at his daughter. He knew she could distinguish between good and evil, and he left the decision to her.

Jiaoyue channeled her spiritual sense to observe the pink jade. Sure enough, a layer of black aura clung to it—the very same dark energy she had seen emanating from Zhao Chengye’s hands. So, this black energy could persist even after leaving its master’s control? What kind of power was this? She felt a vague sense of familiarity, yet could not place it.

She reached out her small hand, and Meng Wenxuan immediately placed the jade in her palm, though he did not let go, fearing it was too heavy for her. As soon as the jade touched her skin, Jiaoyue sensed the black aura stirring as if it were alive, swirling around the jade. It did not invade her skin or body, and she felt nothing unusual.

Jiaoyue didn't understand the nature of this black aura, but she knew it was definitely problematic. After a moment of thought, she willed the pink jade into her Warm Jade Space and followed it with her consciousness to see if it would change. Once inside, the central pattern of the Purple Cloud Jade Pendant began to rotate as if alive. Suddenly, Jiaoyue sensed the spiritual energy from the spirit stones stored in her warehouse rushing toward the jade, and as soon as it touched the pink jade, the energy was absorbed.

Jiaoyue immediately took the jade out. Those spirit stones were the proof of her hard-earned livelihood in her past life; she couldn't let their energy be drained, or they would become useless rocks. However, through this, she understood Zhao Chengye’s intentions. No wonder she hadn't felt an instinctive repulsion toward the black aura—the jade was designed to absorb a specific type of energy from her, specifically, the energy of her fortune. Anyone who wore it would have their luck drained.

Was Zhao Chengye doing this out of his own knowledge, or was there someone behind him? Unable to speak, she couldn't warn her parents. Wearing the jade was out of the question, but how could she make them realize it wasn't a good item?

Seeing a pot of orchids on the side table by the window, Jiaoyue had an idea. She pointed her small finger at the orchid and made sounds. Meng Wenxuan and Lin Yuntang looked toward the plant.

"Yueya, do you want that flower?"

Jiaoyue pointed at the pink jade, then back at the orchid. Meng Wenxuan hesitated and asked, "Yueya, do you want to hang the jade on the flower?"

Jiaoyue pointed downward, and Lin Yuntang realized, "Yueya, do you want to bury the jade in the soil of the flower pot?"

"Ah!" Jiaoyue responded immediately. The pink jade’s purpose was to absorb fortune, and since all living things possessed it, she would let it absorb the orchid’s fortune. Once the orchid withered, it would prove the jade was malicious.

Meng Wenxuan looked at the precious pink jade in his hand, wondering if burying it in soil would be a waste of such a treasure. Lin Yuntang nudged him, "What are you waiting for? Just do as Yueya asks."

Meng Wenxuan hurried over, used a small dagger to dig a hole by the roots of the orchid, and buried the jade. "Is this okay?" he asked, carrying Jiaoyue over to let her see.

"Ah," she replied, thinking to herself that in a few days, her parents would understand the true nature of the jade. But once they knew, how should she dispose of it? Jiaoyue admired the pattern of the Purple Cloud Jade Pendant. It was carved so realistically; if she could cleanse the black aura and nourish it with her own spiritual energy, it might even retain some of the pendant’s defensive capabilities. But how could she erase the black aura?

Jiaoyue inspected the other four pieces of jade with her spiritual sense. Finding them safe, she stored them in her Warm Jade Space. Nothing was as safe or convenient as keeping them there. After all, only within that space could she move her body freely, escaping the boring life of an infant who could do nothing.

Meng and his wife were by now accustomed to her quirks. Though they didn't fully understand her reasoning, they trusted that her actions had purpose. The most likely scenario was that there was something wrong with the jade, and their daughter was using this method to warn them because she couldn't explain it in words. One had to admit, both parents were very sharp.

Jiaoyue's life continued in a steady rhythm, marked only by the liveliness of her one-month celebration. Although they didn't invite friends or relatives, her maternal grandparents sent many gifts—enough to fill three carriages.