Seven days passed, Little Taotie’s eyes shone brightly, as if filled with countless little stars, full of anticipation as she looked at Teacher Ma.
Teacher Ma glanced at her, then lowered his eyes and avoided her gaze.
Little Taotie’s heartbeat began to flutter in panic, as she stepped forward and tugged on the hem of Teacher Ma’s clothes, pitifully asking, "Are they... gone?"
She thought of the memories of the Ghost King, of those infants he had devoured—each one was either newly born, not yet born, but fully formed—each one in their purest, most innocent stage, having done no wrong.
Why must those who are innocent vanish into nothingness!
Teacher Ma let out a soft sigh, his gaze meeting the reddened corners of Little Taotie’s eyes, he whispered softly, "Knowing the answer is cruel, why then do you still seek it?"
"Are they really gone..." Little Taotie’s grip loosened, her head drooped down, the corners of her eyes reddened, her eyes brimming with tears as she tried hard not to let them fall; she bit her red lips, her small face blushing.
Teacher Ma picked her up and gently consoled her, "It’s because your teacher’s power is not yet enough, perhaps when Little Taotie grows up, such tragedies will not repeat themselves, and you can help them."
"Can I...?" Little Taotie’s voice trembled, she struggled to hold back the sadness, but tears still spilled out of her eyes, rolling down her plump cheeks to rest on her chin, gathering more and more until finally, they fell as a large droplet into Teacher Ma’s palm, scorching hot.
Teacher Ma took out the Glazed Glass Vial, inside which floated a flame-like golden glow, brilliant and dazzling.
Little Taotie, with tears in her eyes, looked at the Glazed Glass Vial, no longer able to sense any presence of a Spiritual Body, just the pure existence of the golden glow.
Little Taotie asked, "What is this?"
Teacher Ma answered, "It is Merit."
Was this the Merit that could repair the Little Beast Bai Bai’s Primordial Spirit?
In Little Taotie’s mind, Merit had been something elusive, and she was still somewhat unaccustomed to seeing it materialize.
She rubbed her eyes, but Teacher Ma took her hand.
Teacher Ma gave her a clean tissue, telling her that her hands were full of bacteria.
Little Taotie wiped away her tears, the corners of her eyes still red, her nose also a shade of pink.
A bit cute! Teacher Ma couldn’t help it and tapped her little nose with his finger.
Little Taotie wrinkled her nose, her nostrils flaring slightly, resembling a small animal foraging for food.
Even cuter! Teacher Ma couldn’t resist again and pinched the little girl’s cheek.
Little Taotie’s eyes widened, the eyes that had just cried shone brightly, like a deer’s eye washed with water, clear and pure.
Teacher Ma chuckled softly as he opened the Glazed Glass Vial in his hand, and the flame-like golden glow floated out.
"Spread open your palm."
Little Taotie obediently spread out her small fleshy hand, her palm soft and tender.
Teacher Ma guided the golden glow with his finger to land in Little Taotie’s palm, "Among those Spiritual Bodies, some had accumulated quite a bit of Merit in their lifetime. Although I couldn’t bring them back, their Merit has remained."
"It was you who avenged them; this Merit rightfully belongs to you. Now, clench your fist."
Upon hearing this, Little Taotie hesitated a moment, but then obediently clenched her fist.
The moment her fist tightened, she felt something travel from her palm up to her brow, a warm sensation.
In a distant place, the giant phantom above the Ice Coffin became a bit more solidified at that moment.
That night, Little Taotie entered her dreams once more.
She arrived at the Ice Coffin and saw that the huge phantom had become solidified, seemingly within reach. However, when she extended her hand to touch it, her hand still passed right through.