Chapter Fifty-Three: The Woman and the Melon Have Nothing to Do with Each Other
Page 1/3
At the heart of the ninth layer of the Celestial Tower’s world, the Ten-Thousand Spirits Tree soared ten thousand feet high, lush and beautiful, sacred and resplendent, majestic and full of vitality. When its ancient leaves swayed, divine radiance sprinkled down like stars. Below, the world bloomed—spiritual flowers opened, exotic grasses sprouted, medicinal spirits exhaled fragrance—the scene was wondrous and extraordinary.
“Girls of the universe have no melons, only clever words and pleasing smiles.”
Qing sat quietly atop the tree. Her small, jade-like hands gleamed with crystalline light, holding a rare copy of “The Dream of the Universe Tower.” As she read an exciting passage, she sighed softly.
Her slender, graceful waist extended into a pair of long, snowy-pink legs resting on the trunk. Ten rosy-white toes curled charmingly together. The image was a feast for the eyes.
“The greatest beauty in a woman is kindness of heart. Amidst the noisy world, myriad forms abound, but the true heart remains undisturbed. Whether with melons or without, what does it matter?”
Qing closed the book and shook her head.
She was not truly delighted at finishing it. In “The Dream of the Universe Tower,” the author lavished words to tell the tale of four girls from the spiritual universe, their loves, melons, and rivalries—so much hostility pervaded the story.
“Is this book good?” asked a gentle, melodious voice. A shadow danced over and came to Qing’s side.
From the shadow emerged a little girl, her face clean and lovely, identical to Qing’s—now resting her chin in her hands, blinking, gazing at the book in Qing’s grasp.
“No, it’s not for children,” Qing replied, her pale moon-colored dress flowing gracefully. She smiled at the shadow, gently stroked her hair—a perfect elder-sister gesture.
“Mm.” The shadow nodded obediently. Suddenly she remembered something, looked up, and said softly, “Sister Phoenix went out this morning, carrying the Sky-Turning Shovel. She said she was going to dig for crystal springs to water Grandpa Ten-Thousand.”
“That little rascal,” came a helpless voice from the Ten-Thousand Spirits Tree.
Qing pursed her lips, unable to keep from laughing, “Let her go if she likes. If she finds a crystal spring vein, that would be remarkable. The ninth layer needs a crystal river—if we had one, it would be beautiful.”
“Sister Phoenix never takes me along,” the shadow’s lovely eyes looked wistful.
“If you went with her, it would be tough,” Qing told her seriously, patting her adorable head.
Celestial Moon Star—Nine-Star City encircles the star.
A little girl with purple hair, sweating profusely, her pretty white hands gripping a golden shovel, dug with all her might. Her bright, clear eyes brimmed with expectation.
Wisps of mist, rich with energy, drifted up from the spiritual soil.
Success was within reach!
Page 2/3
“Ah-choo!” Phoenix rubbed her little nose, plunged the golden shovel into the earth, and looked up at the sky, her brows furrowing, apricot eyes flashing. She murmured, “Who’s speaking ill of me?”
...
“By the way, a guest arrived at Nine-Star City today,” the Ten-Thousand Spirits Tree spoke kindly, its light shining brightly. Auspicious clouds and refined energy dispersed, rapidly making the whole ninth layer more comfortable.
“A guest?”
“A young man, leading a white horse, gentle as jade, dignified in appearance. I heard he was invited by Master Nine-Mad to be Fengxiang’s new teacher,” said the Ten-Thousand Spirits Tree.
Qing and the shadow looked at each other, both surprised.
Brother Fengxiang had been spoiled since childhood, prone to acting willfully. Before, Grandpa Da had found seven teachers for him, all driven away by his antics.
Could it be that Grandpa Da failed, and now Grandpa Nine-Mad had stepped in?
“Let’s go meet him!” the shadow’s eyes sparkled.
Qing thought for a moment and shook her head, “Better not yet. If he’s Fengxiang’s teacher, he’ll probably end up teaching us too.”
“Boom...”
Suddenly, a muffled sound echoed. A blue portal appeared in the void, and before Qing and the shadow’s astonished eyes, a youth and an elder walked out.
“We’re finally home.”
Fengxiang’s eyes shone brightly—the familiar ninth layer, the familiar Ten-Thousand Spirits Tree, and... his gaze fell on the two beautiful little girls.
“Brother Fengxiang!” the shadow called sweetly.
“Ying’er,” Fengxiang replied with a smile.
Qing looked away coolly, icy and reserved, reopening “The Dream of the Universe Tower” to reread.
“What book are you reading, Qing?” Fengxiang walked over.
Qing’s gaze remained fixed, silent, scanning line after line. She ignored the youth until his brows furrowed; then she looked up—her eyes clear and pure—and said something that left him perplexed.
“Brother Fengxiang, girls of the universe have no melons!”
“Why not eat melons?” Fengxiang asked, puzzled.
“Pfft.”
Even Qing, with her composure, couldn’t resist the power of those words. She laughed, lips curving, revealing a row of crystalline, snowy teeth.
Page 3/3
Her crescent-shaped eyes were especially lovely.
“So strange—melons taste so good. Read a book and suddenly you don’t eat melons?” Fengxiang muttered, thoroughly confused by this little homebody.
Reading has made her silly.
“Brother Fengxiang, do you think ‘girls of the universe have no melons’ means the girls of the spiritual universe don’t eat melons?” Qing’s laughter was bright, her icy demeanor melted, making her even more beautiful.
Fengxiang’s thoughts shifted. He snatched “The Dream of the Universe Tower” from Qing’s hands and opened to the last page, where eight bold characters stood out: Girls of the universe have no melons, only clever words and pleasing smiles.
“...”
Fengxiang’s expression became indescribable. He looked at the elegant and curious Qing, grunted, and returned the book to her.
Da Nine-Star found it amusing. After reading, he finally laughed aloud, “See? What did I say? Not reading enough leads to silly mistakes!”
Fengxiang gave him a sidelong glance, “Alright, if you’re so knowledgeable, tell me what ‘girls of the universe have no melons’ means.”
Da Nine-Star was speechless.
What does it mean? Girls don’t eat melons?
He shook his head. Books these days—always full of useless gimmicks.
The Ten-Thousand Spirits Tree shone brightly, its aura sacred, laughter ringing out, “How went your journey to the Sea of Flowers? Today a young man arrived carrying the Nine-Star Token—he seems well-regarded by Old Sloppy.”
“Nothing happened at the Sea of Flowers. You say... the one Nine-Mad invited, even the Drunkard approves?”
Da Nine-Star’s expression was odd—Old Sloppy actually liked that person.
He waved his hand and white light flickered, instantly projecting an image of Nine-Star City.
A young man in white sat quietly, with Old Sloppy reeking of alcohol beside him.
“Is this the one destined for sainthood?”
Fengxiang leaned in, even Qing and Ying showed curiosity—was this young man to be Fengxiang’s new teacher?
“Why does he look so familiar?”
Da Nine-Star paused. The young man felt strangely familiar. Suddenly, his eyes burst with dazzling brilliance.
“Ten-Thousand, do you remember Hua Saint?” Da Nine-Star’s voice carried a hint of surprise.
“I remember.”
“Huh! This young man’s aura is remarkably similar to Hua Saint’s,” exclaimed the Ten-Thousand Spirits Tree, its branches quivering, shedding endless light.
“Hua Saint—the first saint of the Star-Sea Cosmos?” Qing’s beautiful eyes sparkled with astonishment.