Chapter 24: Living Spaces

At first, Shao Shao had no desire to speak, nor did she want to forge any relationships with others. But to escape the torment of the wicked uncle, she had no choice but to respond to Jingni’s attempts at conversation. Still, Shao Siming spoke little—most of the words were exchanged between Jingni and Moon Goddess.

“These years have been hard for Shao Shao; the King was right, her cultivation method will eventually consume her soul,” Moon Goddess remarked, aware of Shao Siming’s fate.

What does that mean? Shao Siming’s gaze stilled—she hadn’t realized that her myriad petal flying technique could ultimately kill her.

Jingni gently stroked the girl’s hair, speaking tenderly, “Shao Shao, you mustn't practice your technique anymore. When the time is right, I'll help you find a new one.”

Shao Shao wanted to evade her, but she knew this elder sister was formidable—and, moreover, the wife of the wicked uncle.

“Alright, I won’t cultivate it anymore,” she replied, though in her heart, she couldn’t bear to part with it; as for the soul issue, she would consider it.

With Shao Shao’s arrival and the addition of Moon Goddess, Lin Shu was particularly delighted today, though regrettably, there was no grain for him to brew a few cups of wine. After supper, the cheerful Lin Shu urged the three women to board the carriage.

The enormous dragon horse was somewhat intimidating. The thought of being confined within the small carriage made Shao Siming even more uncomfortable.

Upon entering, Moon Goddess frowned at Lin Jun. The mattresses had vanished, the bedroom transformed into a small sitting room; fortunately, her personal chest remained.

“Hey, Jingni, come with me.”

A door appeared at the rear of the carriage, and at Lin Shu’s words, Jingni eagerly followed him. Moon Goddess moved quickly, but the door had already disappeared without a trace.

“What... Moon Goddess?” Shao Shao couldn’t help but turn to her elder sister.

Moon Goddess calmly shook her head. “No matter, just wait a moment. And Shao Shao, don’t call me ‘Goddess’ anymore—just call me Sister Xiaoyue.”

“Alright!” Shao Shao nodded, her eyes fixed on the vanished door.

Once inside, Jingni found herself in a transformed world.

“Husband, is this the inner space of the divine carriage?”

The most wondrous aspect of the carriage was its ability to absorb and contain all things—Jingni had long suspected the existence of its inner space.

Fifty square meters, three point two meters high, complete with a bathroom, a large bath, a two-meter soft bed, wardrobe and more. The room was adorned with violet-blue patterned wood, surrounded by fresh green leaves and tender blossoms; the ceiling was a night sky, a glass mirror reflecting a starry expanse.

“Wife, this will be our home from now on.” At that moment, little Yan’er, sucking on her pacifier, appeared in Lin Shu’s arms.

Husband—child—home—Jingni pressed her lips tight and nodded fiercely. “Yes, husband, this is our home. You must never abandon us.”

“I never will. If you truly disagree or don’t like it, I won’t touch anyone else.” It was the only promise Lin Shu could give; he admitted he was tempted by both Moon Goddess and Shao Shao.

Jingni nodded in satisfaction, crouching slightly and leaning her entire body against Lin Shu’s broad chest, which comfortably accommodated both mother and daughter.

Wow—mother and father’s faces pressed together, ignoring her. Little Tian Yan’s big eyes instantly brimmed with tears.

After soothing her daughter, Jingni remembered the others in the carriage. “Husband, what about Moon Goddess and Shao Shao? Why move all the beds out?”

Lin Shu didn’t answer, simply leading Jingni out of the master bedroom.

“So many doors—are these all rooms, husband?”

The two-meter-wide corridor stretched a hundred meters, lined with dozens of doors. Jingni counted—there were at least several dozen.

“Yes, these are just ordinary rooms on the first level. Our master bedroom and several secondary bedrooms are on the topmost floor. It's a hundred meters long and wide, and aside from these rooms, the surrounding space is currently empty.”

As soon as Lin Shu finished speaking, he and Jingni found themselves on the highest floor.

Jingni looked around—sure enough, the surroundings were vast, six or seven meters high, with large transparent windows offering views of the military camp outside. The master and secondary bedrooms were centrally located, and Lin Shu hadn’t yet decided how to arrange the rest.

Level-three carriage living space: one hundred meters in length, width, and height; standard circulation system capacity: fifteen hundred people.

Meaning, Lin Shu could bring over a thousand armored soldiers with him if necessary.

“Husband, may Moon Goddess and Shao Shao come see our home?” Jingni asked joyfully, unable to resist sharing her delight with her sisters.

Joy unshared is like a fine garment worn in darkness; she guessed her husband wouldn’t object to letting them in.

“Very well, I’ll let them come.”

Lin Shu nodded; even if Moon Goddess and Shao Shao never joined him, they would become his trusted aides.

The missing door in the carriage appeared again, but Moon Goddess pretended not to notice.

The next moment, however, they had no choice but to move.

“Ah, Moon Goddess—” Seeing Moon Goddess also pulled toward the door, Shao Shao stopped calling out.

Moon Goddess was unconcerned, though her face bore a trace of anger.

In a flash, the world widened; Shao Shao surveyed the vast space, almost unable to believe her eyes.

“Hmph! Sister, your husband is bullying us again!”

With a grumble, Moon Goddess immediately drew Jingni to her side, deliberately interposing her body between them.

“Yes, Xiaoyue, I’ll deal with him later,” Jingni replied.

Nothing outside drew their attention; Jingni promptly led Moon Goddess and Shao Shao into their master bedroom.

Above them, stars twinkled—the night sky Moon Goddess loved most. The floor was covered with violet-blue petals and scattered pink blossoms; Shao Shao felt as though she’d entered a tiny flower garden.

“Sister, is this room real?” Was it an illusion? Even Moon Goddess couldn’t be certain.

Shao Shao nodded as well—how could a few-meter carriage suddenly expand into a palace-like space? It was almost absurd.

Jingni laughed lightly. “Sisters, this is the inner space of the divine carriage—just one level, and no illusion.”

Jingni said no more, as this was one of their most closely guarded secrets.

Moon Goddess believed her; she trusted her elder sister would not deceive her.

“Sister, if you live here, what about Shao Shao and me?”

Suddenly, Moon Goddess no longer wished to stay in the small carriage.

“Of course not. Come with me—there are several rooms beside ours.”

There were five secondary bedrooms, each a thirty-square-meter suite.

Soon, the three women finished exploring, Moon Goddess choosing a black-blue cosmic room, while Shao Shao selected the one surrounded by blue sky, white clouds, trees, and grass.

In Moon Goddess’s room, one felt as if surrounded by the universe, stars glittering above.

In Shao Shao’s room, it was as if she was nestled in a quiet grove, surrounded by grassy meadows—the floor painted like real grass.

After choosing their rooms, Shao Shao brought her luggage in from outside the carriage and secluded herself to cultivate.

Once Yan’er was asleep, Jingni took Moon Goddess to tour the military camp, for the six thousand-strong army of wild men required their guidance and supervision.

[Commander, the ladies have gone far.]

As his eyes opened, the drowsy, rotund uncle became alert. Shao Shao was the beloved he had dreamed of for years; now that Jingni was absent, finally he had his chance.

[Commander, Shao Siming is cultivating.]

The carriage not only didn’t hinder cultivation—it acted as a spiritual gathering array; cultivating inside was better than any celestial mountain or blessed land.

The room’s cultivation effects were superb, but the issue of her technique still troubled Shao Shao. Without cultivation, what could she do? She was born for cultivation.