Save someone to the end; escort the Buddha all the way to the West.
Jiang Chen could tell that this old man and young woman had clearly run out of all other options. Otherwise, they wouldn't have spent their time on a mere mortal youth like him.
For a martial artist of Shun Lao's caliber to spend three years secretly watching over a worldly disciple like himself — all for the sake of this young lady Huang'er's condition — it was nothing short of exhausting every effort.
And given that the other party had come to his aid on multiple occasions, there was no way Jiang Chen could hold back.
"Shun Lao, the Soul-Calming Wood requires fate and opportunity. If we can't find it, there's no way to completely remove the Hundred-Lifetimes Joined Hearts Curse. However, there are methods to delay its onset and reduce some of the suffering during its episodes. Still, I'll need some time to prepare."
Upon hearing this, Shun Lao's face lit up with delight. "Time is no issue at all! We can stay on this Immortal Spirit Mountain for another year or two without any problem."
Seeing the confusion on Jiang Chen's face, Shun Lao looked a bit sheepish and chuckled. "Actually, the activation array was only tampered with by me — I took the spirit stones. As long as they're put back and the array is reactivated, it's good as new. The four great sects originally planned for you all to stay here for three years. If I hadn't been so impatient, your trial wouldn't have been cut short. Others won't get to enjoy the full three years, but you certainly can."
Jiang Chen was stunned into silence. His curiosity about Shun Lao's strength grew even stronger. To casually tamper with an array right under the noses of the four great Sovereigns — that meant Shun Lao's power far surpassed theirs.
"Let me calculate... there should be at least a year and a half to two years left. I wonder if that's enough?" Shun Lao asked.
"That won't be necessary — three months will suffice."
Shun Lao slapped his thigh. "Then it's settled! Jiang Chen, whether this succeeds or not, I owe you a debt of gratitude."
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. He didn't place much weight on debts of gratitude.
Seeing Jiang Chen's nonchalant attitude, as if his promise wasn't particularly valuable, Shun Lao couldn't help but smile bitterly. He sighed, "Jiang Chen, do you have any idea what my debt of gratitude means?"
"Shun Lao, I, Jiang Chen, act only in accordance with my conscience. You've helped me twice already, and for Miss Huang'er's sake, I naturally will do my best. I wouldn't dare ask for any reward."
This was the honest truth — Jiang Chen genuinely wasn't seeking any return from Shun Lao.
Martial techniques? Guidance in cultivation?
All of that was optional for him.
Because Jiang Chen had such confidence, he could maintain his composure without being either servile or overbearing, paying no mind to the weight of Shun Lao's favor.
The people from the four great sects had stayed on the outskirts of the Immortal Spirit Mountain for ten days before departing separately.
So reactivating the mountain's array now meant there was absolutely no worry about anyone coming to disturb them.
The Heavenly Spirit District had plenty of vacant courtyards, and each of them claimed one for themselves — a very comfortable arrangement.
Jiang Chen gave Shun Lao a list of materials to prepare, as he intended to refine a pill for calming the soul and settling the mind.
This pill was called the Six Paths Pill, and its refinement was exceedingly difficult.
Beyond the Six Paths Pill, Jiang Chen also dredged up some information from the memories of his previous life.
In his past life, Jiang Chen had some knowledge of the Hundred-Lifetimes Joined Hearts Curse and thus knew quite a bit about countermeasures.
One was a sort of scripture called the "Brahmanic Soul-Ferrying Mantra," which, when chanted regularly, could soothe the soul and calm the mind, suppressing the disturbances within the spirit. This mantra was relatively easy to use and quite effective.
The other was a musical score titled "Celestial Harmony's Exquisite Melody." Like the Brahmanic Soul-Ferrying Mantra, it was designed for calming the soul, but its effect was far superior. Moreover, this score could be performed on a variety of instruments — particularly those with an ethereal, otherworldly quality. Ancient zithers, long flutes, konghou harps, and guzheng all worked beautifully.
Jiang Chen relied on his memory to produce both texts, which took a full half month. Afterward, he spent several more days refining and polishing them.
"Miss Huang'er, this Brahmanic Soul-Ferrying Mantra — you should recite it three times each morning and evening. Whenever you have leisure and feel mentally unsettled, you can recite it to suppress the disturbances in your spirit."
"As for the Celestial Harmony's Exquisite Melody, when the episodes grow severe, you can play it on an instrument to suppress the discordant noise in your soul. It has an excellent effect on calming the spirit. While it cannot cure the root cause, it is absolutely effective at delaying the curse's onset. Moreover, if used properly, it can protect you from the Hundred-Lifetimes Joined Hearts Curse for ten years. However, this curse is born of deep resentment and malice — it won't cease until death. If the root cause isn't addressed, over time it will eventually rebound upon you with tremendous force. So these two texts will keep you safe for ten years, perhaps even twenty. But thirty to fifty years... that I cannot promise."
Standing nearby, Shun Lao spoke with a firm and resolute voice. "I will find the Soul-Calming Wood and purge the curse from Huang'er's body!"
Jiang Chen nodded. Heaven never seals off all paths. This Miss Huang'er didn't look like someone destined for a short life — perhaps a turning point would appear in her fate. Who knew?
At the very least, this old pair encountering him was one such turning point.
Huang'er accepted the two texts, and a glimmer of emotion surfaced in her eyes.
"Young Master Jiang, because of my condition, you've gone to such lengths and expended so much effort. I truly feel terrible about it."