Chapter 122 - 80: A Visitor from Beyond the Heavens

Chapter 122: Chapter 80: A Visitor from Beyond the Heavens

Li Changfeng followed the Upper Profound Sect disciple up through the heavy clouds surrounding the Celestial Pillar. Gradually, he lost all sense of how far they were from the Divine Land below. The buildings in the sky also grew fewer and farther between.

At this moment, the two were walking along a plank path on the Celestial Pillar. To their left was the nearly vertical face of Celestial Pillar Mountain, and beyond the railing to their right was a clear sky. Looking up or down, all was a seamless expanse of pure white clouds.

A Suspended Stone Island appeared at the end of the plank path, connected to it by a thin bridge of clouds. Li Changfeng followed the Upper Profound Sect disciple onto it, and an invisible, buoyant force naturally rose up, supporting them as they walked toward the island.

Just as they stepped off the cloud bridge, Li Changfeng’s expression flickered. A hushed warning came from Jiaolong Liyun behind his ear, telling him to be on guard. Just then, a Cyan Jade Pixiu strolled out from a bamboo forest. Its eyes fixed on Li Changfeng as it spoke in a human voice, "So you’re Li Changfeng? Why do you carry the aura of a demon?"

Lieyun poked its head out from Li Changfeng’s collar. Li Changfeng could feel it arching its Jiao-dragon body, and he quickly said, "This junior is indeed he. I have come from Tai Su..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the Pixiu’s expression suddenly changed slightly. From within the bamboo forest, a pure white Unicorn Celestial Horse trotted out, calling, "Senior Brother Yu, why didn’t you wait for me?"

The Pixiu hastily shot back, "I know, I know! Just go into the bamboo forest yourself." It then bypassed the two of them and rushed onto the cloud bridge. The Unicorn Celestial Horse didn’t even spare them a glance as it galloped off in pursuit.

Li Changfeng and the Upper Profound Sect disciple stared at each other in bewilderment. The disciple quickly explained, "Those two were spiritual beasts of our sect. Junior Martial Uncle Yu, the Pixiu, is Junior Martial Uncle Zhong’s mount."

Li Changfeng said, "I see..."

The Upper Profound Sect disciple hesitated for a few moments, then said, "Since Junior Martial Uncle Yu gave an instruction, Daoist brother, please head into the bamboo forest on your own. I won’t accompany you any further."

Hearing this, Li Changfeng nodded and headed straight into the bamboo forest. He followed a small path through a stretch of verdant green and came upon an exceptionally clear pool. If not for the gentle ripples on its surface, one might have thought the pool was empty, that the water lilies, jade-like lotus roots, aquatic plants, and golden carp were all suspended in mid-air with nothing to support them.

A series of round stones formed a path across the water, leading to a single-eaved, hexagonal pavilion standing in the center of the clear pool. Inside, a handsome and dashing young Daoist with an ethereal, immortal bearing was admiring the scenery. Beside him, a fairy whose beauty could topple kingdoms and whose face was as lovely as a painting silently poured him tea.

’This must be Zhong Shenxiu.’ The moment he saw the young Daoist, a thought arose in Li Changfeng’s mind: ’Only a figure of such celestial grace and outstanding talent could be worthy of such a great name, and only he could compare to my own master.’

Seeing Li Changfeng emerge from the bamboo forest, Zhong Shenxiu’s expression shifted slightly. A clear, bright voice reached Li Changfeng’s ears, "You must be young friend Li Changfeng. Please, come into the pavilion for a chat."

Li Changfeng crossed the stone path over the pool and entered the pavilion. He respectfully clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Senior. This junior, Li Changfeng, has come to deliver a letter on my master’s orders."

"There’s no need to be so formal, young friend." Zhong Shenxiu picked up a cup of tea, placed it on the table before him, and said with a slight smile, "Please, have a seat."

Li Changfeng suppressed a wave of inexplicable nervousness, straightened his robes, and sat down before the stone table. He did not touch the teacup, however. Instead, he respectfully retrieved a letter and a jade box from his sleeve, presented them with both hands, and said, "This junior has a task from my master and dare not delay..."

Zhong Shenxiu accepted the letter and the jade box, asking, "And what is in this jade box?"

Li Changfeng replied respectfully, "My master only said it was a gift for you, Senior."

Zhong Shenxiu shook his head with a smile. He placed the jade box on the table and took out the letter to scan it.

At this, the fairy’s attention seemed to be captured by something other than pouring tea for the first time. Her eyes lit up, and she leaned forward to peek at the letter in Zhong Shenxiu’s hand.

"For Brother Daoist’s eyes only... I have long heard of your heaven-sent talent, which transcends this world. After our meeting at the Dharma Origin Grotto Heaven, I knew the rumors were true..."

Reading this, the corners of the fairy’s lips curled up, revealing a pair of dimples. A look of adoration for Zhong Shenxiu filled her eyes.

"...My apologies for making you wait, Brother Daoist. I have sent a humble gift..."

The fairy’s gaze fell upon the jade box, and she was about to reach out for it when Zhong Shenxiu, without any change in expression, called out faintly, "Junior Sister Lv."

Fairy Lv stopped, pouting in dissatisfaction. Seeing that Zhong Shenxiu had already folded the letter, she said anxiously, "Senior Brother, I haven’t finished reading it yet!"

Zhong Shenxiu said coolly, "What’s there to see?"

Fairy Lv was about to press further but was stopped by a look from Zhong Shenxiu. Only then did Zhong Shenxiu turn back to Li Changfeng and say, "I have received the letter. Please trouble yourself to inform Fellow Daoist Xu that it shall be as he says."

Li Changfeng hastily agreed. Zhong Shenxiu then added, "Would you like to rest on my island for a few days, young friend? I can have an attendant make the arrangements."

Li Changfeng clasped his hands and replied, "This junior wishes to hurry back to the Tai Su Orthodox Sect to report, so I will not impose on you any longer, Senior."

"Very well." Zhong Shenxiu smiled faintly. "Though your master and I have not known each other for long, we are kindred spirits. You have come a thousand li, young friend. It is only right and proper that I show some appreciation."

Ignoring Li Changfeng’s attempts to refuse, Zhong Shenxiu pointed a finger, and a ray of light shot into Li Changfeng’s brow. "This is a minor Daoist art I created," he said. "It is nothing precious, so there is no need to refuse it, young friend. Go now. You have your master’s orders to fulfill, so I will not insist on you staying."

Li Changfeng could only offer another respectful bow before turning and leaving the pavilion.

After seeing Li Changfeng off, Zhong Shenxiu made to stand up. Fairy Lv quickly asked, "Senior Brother! You still haven’t told me, did that Xuzhuang really send you a letter of challenge?"

Zhong Shenxiu asked, "What do you think, Junior Sister?"

Fairy Lv said indignantly, "We cultivate the Dao, not to prove our might or pick fights! If it were up to me, of course it wouldn’t be a challenge."