Zodiac Guardian

This is the second chapter of today.

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Qi Yue didn't notice the problem in Zagru's words and excitedly said, "So, I would be invincible in the world if I reach The Ninth Cloud realm, won't I?"

Zagru glanced at him and said, "You don't need The Ninth Cloud. You are the Four Auspicious Clouds Kirin. If your power reaches the sixth cloud, even if the Zodiac Guardians reach the highest Ninth Cloud, they can't compare with you. A Four Auspicious Clouds Kirin at the sixth cloud can almost rival two to three Ninth Cloud Zodiac Guardians. However, since the existence of Zodiac Guardians, only one Ninth Cloud Zodiac Guardian has ever appeared in history."

Qi Yue exclaimed, "No wonder you said I am the King of Zodiac. The title of Kirin is indeed well deserved. Alright, tell me how should I train. I will work hard to become superhuman."

Zagru said, "Someone will naturally tell you the method of cultivation. My task is already accomplished, and you're about to leave this place. I need to continue my meditation. As for what you need to do in the future, you will naturally find out."

"That's it? Is that all you have to tell me? What should I do when I leave here?" Qi Yue looked at Zagru with some surprise.

Zagru gave a faint smile, his eyes radiating compassion, "Qi Yue, you need to understand, whether it's Kirin or a Zodiac Guardian, they must realize the mystery of their abilities themselves. Only what you have comprehended yourself can be deeply imprinted in your soul. Comprehension is extremely important in any cultivation, trust yourself. As long as you're willing to work hard, you will gradually understand everything. As Skybringer and Kirin, we are destined to be friends, or you can say, partners. After leaving here, you will return to your own world. The so-called great art is hidden among ordinary life, only within your own world will you find the best place to practice, and only in your own world can you find the companions destined for you. Before you go, let me tell you a story."

Qi Yue looked at Zagru, feeling touched. Although Zagru didn't seem much older than him, he appeared like a caring elder brother in his eyes. They had known each other for a short time, yet everything Zagru had done seemed to be for his benefit. This brotherly feeling, for an orphan like Qi Yue, was a first for him in his life.

"Go ahead." Qi Yue sat up straight, quietly listening for once.

The light in Zagru's eyes softened as he calmly began, "Once upon a time, there was a man, who had four wives...."

Qi Yue was shocked, "Wouldn't he be guilty of bigamy then?"

Zagru glanced at him, and as Qi Yue met his gaze, he felt a sudden chill, like a child who had misbehaved, He sheepishly retorted, "Eh… go on. I won't interrupt."

Zagru gave a light laugh, then continued, "The fourth wife was his favorite. He would take her everywhere with him. Every day, he would personally take care of her meals, clothing, and baths. Whatever she wanted to eat, whatever clothes she liked, he did his best to provide, showering her with care and adoration."

At this point, both Zagru and Qi Yue were engross-ed in the story.

"The third wife was pursued by many men. It was through great difficulty, defeating everyone, that he obtained her. Therefore, he cared for her every day, was always sweet-talking her, and even built a beautiful house for her to live in."

"The second wife was his confidante. Whenever he had any worries or troubles, he would always go to her for comfort. They consoled and understood each other, felt satisfied when they were together, and missed each other when apart."

"As for his first wife, he barely paid her any attention, almost forgetting about her. But she worked tirelessly at home, dealing with all household chores, bearing many responsibilities and worries, yet receiving no attention or appreciation."

"One day, he had to leave his hometown for a distant place and he wouldn't be able to return. He said to his fourth wife, 'I have to leave now, why don't you come with me?'"

"The fourth wife replied: 'I don't want to go with you.' He was astounded and asked, 'I love you the most, I've always been at your beck and call, we've never been apart, why won't you accompany me now?'"

"'No matter what you say, I can't possibly go with you,' the fourth wife stated firmly."

He resented her coldness, so he called over his third wife and asked her: Can you go with me? His third wife replied: Even your most beloved fourth wife is unwilling to go with you, why should I?

He had no choice but to call over his second wife and said: You will accompany me, won't you?

The second wife said, 'Hmm, I feel sad that you're leaving, but I can only send you to the outskirts of the city. You will have to travel the rest of the road on your own!'

He didn't expect that his second wife would be unwilling to accompany him either, so he only then thought of his first wife, and asked her the same question.

The first wife answered: No matter where you go, whether in joy or grief, life or death, I will never leave your side. Wherever you go, I will go with you.

Only then did he realize that the only one who could truly never leave him was his first wife!

In fact, the place he was going to was the world of death.

The fourth wife represents one's physical body.

A person cherishes their physical bodies and all that is done to satisfy the material desires of this body is not unlike his attentiveness towards his fourth wife; but the body that you spared nothing for when alive, will not accompany you when you die.

The third wife represents the wealth of this world.

No matter how hard you have worked to amass your wealth, and hoarded treasures, you cannot take a single bit of it with you when you die.

The second wife represents wives, friends, and family.

In life, we are expected to care for each other, but people often forget the purpose of being human in the pursuit of human affection. Wives, relatives, and friends can only send you off as far as the cemetery after you die. They will mourn for a while and then continue to hustle for their own lives, slowly forgetting you. After a hundred years, no one recognizes anyone else anymore.

And the first wife, represents the human soul.

It stays by our side throughout life and death. Our relationship with it is so close, yet we tend to neglect it the most, instead concentrating entirely on the physical body and worldly desires. We indulge in our own selves, our family love, and money, not knowing that what is most important is our inner self and soul, which are the only things that will stay with us forever."

With a simple story, Zagru quickly finished in a calm tone. He looked kindly at the slightly stunned Qi Yue, and said, "Do you understand now?" He chose this story because he understood Qi Yue's character well; mentioning marrying four wives might make the story more memorable for him.

Qi Yue nodded and then shook his head, "I don't know if I understand or not. I know what you're trying to say, you want to tell me, cultivation starts with cultivation of the mind, and not to let anything from the outside world affect my soul. But I understand what kind of person I am, and I understand that what you said is right, but to be honest, I can't do it. At least not yet. All I can say is that in everything I do in the future, I will try to follow my conscience."

Zagru broke into a rare smile, saying, "I never asked you to do anything deliberately. Good, just remember these four words, 'follow your conscience'. In fact, it's also a method of cultivating one's heart. I've said everything I wanted to say. Now I want to introduce you to someone. She's going to be with you for a long, long time, answering your doubts and guiding your cultivation."

Qi Yue unconsciously smiled and said, "I bet you're going to send me a gorgeous beauty. This wouldn't be your style, though."

Zagru was silent with a smile, and at that moment, the door opened. A figure walked in from outside. Upon seeing who it was, Qi Yue's mouth dropped wide open, large enough to fit a big egg.

"Damn it, as it turns out, I am truly lucky - how did you guess right?"