Chapter 97

Everyone worked together to drive Geng Kun away. Xiaonan from Tianqian Mountain roughly knew that there were many experts here, and coming here rashly would not be beneficial. Moreover, he had already decided to stand with the Emei Sect, so he never showed up. Many people were quite disappointed, especially the irascible Elder Yuan, who complained more than once, “Fusang’s reputation is great; I originally wanted to challenge him.”

Yue Qing said, “From today’s actions of Xiaonan from Tianqian Mountain, there will be no shortage of battles in the future. You can look forward to it!”

Liu Buxu came over, took out three crystal-clear pearls the size of plums, and handed them to Yue Qing.

Yue Qing took a look and said, “These Nine Heavens Cold Soul Pearls that Geng Kun spent hundreds of years cultivating, gathering the cold essence of the moon, can unleash a devastating cold force when activated. Within hundreds of miles, everything is enveloped in a brutal cold, causing the sky to collapse and the earth to shatter. All living things will either be shattered or frozen into ice, and all will perish. If it weren’t for the True Spirit Position Map, although we wouldn’t have been harmed today, it wouldn’t have been easy to subdue him so easily. In the future, it will take a lot more effort to counter the Earth Fire True Flame.”

Liu Buxu whispered to Yue Qing, “Xun Lan Yin had a hidden treasure in her sleeve and several times wanted to use it but held back.”

Yue Qing laughed as he walked, “Although I can’t figure out what treasure they used, it must be the nemesis of the Heavenly Gang Pearl or the Cold Soul Pearl. They came here to win over the Laoshan Sect and curry favor. The Heavenly Gang Pearl is one thing, the Cold Soul Pearl is another, and if Xiaonan from Tianqian Mountain were to come and challenge, that would be another. If they succeed, the Laoshan Sect will owe the Emei Sect a huge favor, and in the future, during the three sword battles, the Laoshan Sect will find it hard to stand on our side.”

Liu Buxu said, “When I left, my brother said that in recent years, the Emei Sect has suffered consecutive setbacks, with four elders falling one after another. The Three Immortals and Two Elders are not easy to deal with, and the situation has changed greatly from before. He told me to be very careful and to guard against their desperate actions.”

Yue Qing nodded, “In the past, a small sect like the Laoshan Sect, which can only cultivate to the realm of immortals, wouldn’t even be in their eyes. Even if they went to beg, they wouldn’t get a good face. They considered themselves high and mighty, dismissing all others as heretical. Now, Bai Yuanjing and Xun Lan Yin have come to congratulate, which is a sign. Sitai Xu may think he has a lot of influence, but in reality, he doesn’t. However, the Emei Sect can only use small tricks against us now. They can’t act rashly. The Ciyun Temple is right in front of them, and the Qingluo Valley is nearby. They can’t come to the north in large numbers to fight us until these two places are dealt with.”

The two walked with the crowd up the mountain, returning to the left hall of Taiqing Palace. Xu Feiniang had gone to meet Bai Lingxian and the others and hadn’t returned yet. A serving Taoist boy brought a local specialty tea to serve them. Yue Qing took out a Primordial Gold Pill and put it in the tea, handing it to the boy, “Go and water the peonies and mountain tea outside the hall. Don’t drink it this time. I’ll give you another one later.” The little Taoist boy nodded and left.

Liu Buxu, holding his teacup, smiled, “Brother, you really go to great lengths.”

Yue Qing said, “The Emei Sect is not only powerful but also full of cunning and devious people. When our teacher was alive and fought them, he often lost more than he won. I am not as capable, so I must be extra cautious. One wrong move could lead our Wutai Sect and our allies into an irreparable situation!”

As they were talking, a little Taoist boy came in to report, “Holy Mother Jinzhen is here with her daughter to pay respects.”

Yue Qing and Liu Buxu exchanged a smile, “Please bring them in.”

Holy Mother Jinzhen was a Taoist nun in her sixties, wearing clothes made of golden silk, which was soft and fine, light as air, and shimmered with a golden luster as she moved. In recent years, due to the approaching heavenly tribulation, she had become more low-key, washing away the golden luster with medicine and refining it to a dark gold. She was still very noticeable wherever she went. Her face showed the first signs of wrinkles, and her gray hair was neatly combed into a noblewoman’s bun, with seven small golden swords pinned to it.

Her daughter, Shilonggu, was only fifteen years old, with a charming face and a graceful figure. She still had the innocence of a young girl, but her eyes and brows hinted at a coquettish charm. She wore a light purple robe and walked in, holding her mother’s arm.

Yue Qing and Liu Buxu stood up to greet them. Holy Mother Jinzhen smiled and had her daughter bow to the two masters.

After they were seated, they exchanged pleasantries. Holy Mother Jinzhen repeatedly praised the Wutai Sect and Yue Qing’s flying sword. Seeing that Yue Qing and Liu Buxu seemed to understand her intentions, she got straight to the point, “To be honest, my heavenly tribulation will come in a few years. I’m not afraid to admit that I have little chance of passing it. I have no disciples, only this daughter. I know her character and abilities well. I can protect her while I’m alive, but if I’m gone, she will surely fall into evil ways.”

Shilonggu, hearing her mother speak about her, pouted in dissatisfaction, “Mother!”

Holy Mother Jinzhen patted her shoulder, “I’m talking to your seniors. Don’t interrupt.”

Shilonggu pouted and squatted down to massage her mother’s legs.

Holy Mother Jinzhen’s face showed both indulgence and helplessness, “I came today for two reasons. First, I know I can’t pass the heavenly tribulation, so I want to reincarnate before it comes. I saw that the flying sword you used to drive away Geng Kun was new and hadn’t been stained with blood. I want to use your flying sword to achieve a painless death, preserving my soul.” She carefully observed Yue Qing’s expression and continued when she saw no refusal, “The second reason is my daughter. I want her to join your sect after I reincarnate. I don’t expect her to learn any special techniques; I just want the sect leader to strictly supervise her, preventing her from being led astray. Even if she is confined to Wutai Mountain forever, I would be grateful. I am willing to offer my lifetime of needle techniques and the 81 Nüwa Needles I spent many years refining as a token of gratitude.”

Yue Qing held his teacup, gently stirring it with the lid, deep in thought. At this moment, Xu Feiniang entered with Bai Lingxian and the other disciples. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Holy Mother Jinzhen and smiled, “When did Holy Mother meet my junior brother, and why are you talking all night?” She waved to Bai Lingxian and Sheng, “This is the foremost expert in flying needles, the senior Holy Mother Jinzhen, who entered the path of cultivation even earlier than I. Come and pay your respects!”

Bai Lingxian and the others bowed. Holy Mother Jinzhen smiled, “Wanmiao Fairy is joking. It’s just some minor techniques, not worth mentioning.”

Yue Qing asked about their progress. Xu Feiniang said, “The Taiyin Earth Net, a treasure left by Yu the Great, is indeed powerful. One cast caught countless fish, turtles, and crabs. I selected some with good spiritual qualities and sent them back to the mountain with the Yaoguang Divine Talisman. I’m sure Liu Shixiong and Deng Shimu have already arranged their accommodations.”

Bai Lingxian presented a bronze ding with an ancient color, a black silk net, and four small flags embroidered with spiritual beasts, “Following Master’s instructions, I went to Yandang Mountain in Zhejiang, used the Four Primordial Spirit Flags to seal off Yan Lake, and fought the divine Yu for seven days and nights. I first seized his Yu Ding and then captured him. Since he was willing to surrender, I used the Primordial Gold Pill given by Master to help him transform, which took 49 days. I have brought him back for Master’s disposal.” She then had the boy behind her bow to Yue Qing.

Yue Qing looked at the boy, who was about 14 or 15 years old, with dark skin, long hair tied in three braids with red ribbons and five pearls, large and bright eyes, wearing a dark green robe, a jade belt, a white jade pendant, a sachet, and thin-soled boots, looking like a young nobleman.

Yue Qing smiled, “Is this how Ling dressed you?”

The boy answered honestly, “Yes, sister dressed me.” He then uncomfortably tugged at his belt.

Yue Qing looked at Bai Lingxian, “Have you already named him?”

Bai Lingxian said, “My younger brother, although he has great magical power and appears fierce, is actually simple and obedient. I liked him at first sight, so I named him Bai Yu.”

Yue Qing said, “The name Yu suggests he is a fish, just like Bai Shen. Your teacher used the homophone ‘shen’ to remind him to be cautious, so he named him Shen. But you can change his name.”

The boy said, “I am a fish and an outsider, born of heaven and earth. There’s no need to hide it. Sister’s name Yu is fine, no need to change it.”

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