Chapter 289 - 158: A Soaring Ambition to Ascend the Nine Heavens and Gaze Upon the Star River

Chapter 289: Chapter 158: A Soaring Ambition to Ascend the Nine Heavens and Gaze Upon the Star River

Xue Yuren calmly wrapped her arms around the immortal crane’s long neck. "He’Er, don’t panic," she called out. "This is the Master’s spirit beast. It won’t harm you."

"Aiya!" At that moment, the Cyan-Scaled Jiao Dragon finally noticed the two ’little specks’. It took a closer look and was greatly surprised. It quickly retracted its massive body, transforming into a small, four-legged snake, and flew down. "So it is Lady Xue," it said with a fawning smile. "I hope you weren’t frightened."

This Cyan-Scaled Jiao Dragon was none other than Lieyun. As Xuzhuang’s spirit beast, it naturally recognized Xue Yuren. Though they weren’t very familiar, it wouldn’t dare be disrespectful. It plastered a fawning smile on its draconic head and said, "This venerable one has been away for a long time. In my excitement, I nearly collided with you, my lady. Please don’t take offense."

This lazy dragon had followed Xuzhuang to the Celestial Waterfall Realm, where it was dispatched by his decree to summon clouds and create rain. It hadn’t had a moment’s peace since!

It had been tolerable in Yunlan Province. Although the responsibility was significant, the province wasn’t large, so there was always some downtime to slack off. Mortals even worshipped it for bringing the rain, which made it quite pleased with itself.

Who would have thought that the True Form Temple would move to the Celestial Permanence Domain? That domain was vast beyond measure, larger than all sixteen provinces combined! Even with the help of the dragons from the Dragon Image Sect, it still had to work day and night without rest, exhausted beyond belief...

So, returning to the Profound Yellow Realm and Chongyun Peak naturally made it ecstatic.

Xue Yuren showed no sign of annoyance. Her emotional fluctuations were naturally more subdued than an ordinary person’s. She also didn’t feel that being the Master’s handmaiden put her on the same level as his spirit beasts or disciples, so she had never acted arrogantly toward others. She simply replied, "I was not frightened. Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on achieving the rank of Venerable and returning to the Profound Yellow Realm."

Lieyun grinned widely upon hearing this. Why had it taken so long for it to return to the Profound Yellow Realm?

First, the True Form Temple was not yet stable at the time. To govern an entire domain, its assistance was indispensable, so Xuzhuang had specifically left it behind.

Second, over the past few decades, summoning clouds and rain had also served as a form of cultivation for it, and its progress had been significant. Furthermore, Xuzhuang did have a shred of conscience after all. Seeing its hard work, he had given it many benefits, allowing it to cultivate diligently in the Celestial Permanence Grotto Heaven after its duties were done.

Therefore, it wasn’t until recently that it finally achieved a breakthrough. Only after forming its Demon Embryo Nascent Soul did it return to the Profound Yellow Realm.

"Thank you, Lady Xue," Lieyun chuckled. "Is the Master in seclusion? May this little beast pay its respects?"

Xue Yuren replied softly, "The Master has never neglected his cultivation, but he is not in seclusion. If Venerable Lieyun wishes to pay a visit, please follow me into the manor."

Lieyun quickly responded, "Excellent, excellent."

Xue Yuren rummaged through her embroidered pouch, took out a Spirit Pill, and fed it to the immortal crane. Only then did she send it on its way and turn to walk toward the cave mansion.

Lieyun stared eagerly at Xue Yuren’s pouch for a moment, then wagged its tail and flew behind her as if swimming through the air. As it followed her to the main gate of the cave mansion, it suddenly exclaimed, "Huh? When did the Master get a new gate? It’s much grander than before."

Xue Yuren didn’t answer. She formed a hand seal for a spell and opened the gate, revealing a White Jade Shadow Wall. Lieyun let out another sound of surprise. As it followed Xue Yuren around the wall and ventured further inside, it was met with a dazzling sight. "Why does the Master’s cave mansion look completely different?" it asked in amazement.

Xue Yuren replied, "This is a Magical Treasure Cave Mansion the Master recently acquired."

"A magical treasure?" Lieyun looked left and right in astonishment but couldn’t discern anything unusual. It was unaware that after several months of refinement, Xuzhuang was close to fully mastering the treasure restrictions of this Du Xu Palace.

Once the Du Xu Palace was situated upon the ley lines of Chongyun Peak and merged with the original cave mansion, an outsider could not easily tell the difference.

The two passed through the main hall, and Lieyun was surprised again to see an elegant woman approaching. The woman gave a curtsy to Xue Yuren, who then asked, "Shang’Er, where is the Master now?"

Shang’Er replied softly, "My lady, the Master is at Pianyu Pond."

Xue Yuren gave a slight nod and changed direction, heading toward the location.

Lieyun hurried to keep up, thinking to itself, ’Huh! In the past, you couldn’t even find a single female servant in the manor, not even a young girl. Now, not only is there a Lady Xue, but he’s even found such a beautiful woman?’

Just as it was pondering this, it suddenly saw another palace-garbed handmaiden walk by, carrying a jade tray with pastries and a wine pot. The dragon was instantly dumbfounded. ’This is bad, the Master’s changed! Could it be the legendary entanglement of worldly illusions?...’

The palace-garbed handmaiden was oblivious to Lieyun’s wild thoughts. She gave the little dragon a curious glance, bowed slightly to Xue Yuren, and since they seemed to be heading in the same direction, they walked on together.

Before long, the melodious sound of singing mixed with the gurgling of a spring drifted from ahead, interspersed with the clinking of jade. It was a sound that would soothe any who heard it.

The two people and one dragon rounded a rockery. There, beneath a waterfall that resembled a hanging bolt of white silk, was a green pond. It wasn’t wide, but it was wreathed in a watery Smoke Mist. In the pond, a woman was visible from the waist up, her hands clasped to her chest as she sang loudly.

On the bank of the mountain pond, Xuzhuang was reclining on a wisp of Smoke Mist, a Daoist Scripture in his hand. It was impossible to tell if he was engrossed in the scripture or enjoying the song.

The woman in the pond had just finished her song. Seeing the two people and one dragon enter the area, a bashful look appeared on her face. Without a word of announcement, she vanished into the water.

Xuzhuang raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting from the Daoist Scripture. A single glance at the lazy creature, Lieyun, was all it took for him to understand.

In truth, whether it was Shang’Er or the palace-garbed handmaiden, they were all Soul Spirits residing within the Du Xu Palace. Although Xuzhuang wasn’t one to deliberately seek pleasure, since these beings were already living in his palace, he certainly wouldn’t exterminate them. It was better to put them to work, which in turn would put their minds at ease.

As a result, Xuzhuang’s manor was no longer so cold and empty. When friends from the sect came to visit, the hospitality was much more thorough.

As for the woman in the pond, she was different from the palace handmaidens. She was a type of spirit from the secular legends of the Profound Yellow Realm, one that sings in mountain ponds to lure men.

However, folk legends were often inaccurate. The Tan Nu, or Pond Maidens, were actually quite shy and would hide upon seeing strangers. That was why she had been frightened into hiding when Lieyun barged in.

Lieyun, still unaware that it had disturbed Xuzhuang’s pleasant mood, saw his master look over and immediately began to fawn, "This little beast pays its respects to the Master! This little beast hasn’t been able to serve at the Master’s side for decades, but the Master’s grace is as radiant as ever..."

Xuzhuang couldn’t be bothered to argue. He waved his hand to cut off the pointless flattery, sized it up for a moment, and said, "You finally refined a Nascent Soul. Not bad."

A mere Nascent Soul First Layer cultivation base was naturally nothing in Xuzhuang’s eyes. A simple "not bad" was already a rare compliment.

"Thank you for the praise, Master." Lieyun didn’t mind the brevity. It chuckled, and with a swipe of its claw, it retrieved a Chiwen Kui Body Burner from who-knows-where. "Master," it said, presenting the item, "this is the treasure Meng the Kid asked this little beast to return to you."

Xuzhuang took the Chiwen Kui Body Burner and lifted the lid. Inside, it was indeed filled to the brim with Celestial Purity True Sand. He nodded slightly and asked, "Is Nephew Meng well?"

Lieyun scratched its head. "Replying to the Master, Xiaomeng returned to the Profound Yellow Realm with this little beast. But he had to go register, so he didn’t come to pay his respects at the same time."

"Oh?" Xuzhuang raised his eyebrows slightly, understanding dawning in his heart.

He had heard that after he left, the sect had also sent a Great Cultivator, one who had long been at the third layer, to take over the True Form Temple in the Celestial Waterfall Realm.

This was naturally a good thing for the weakened True Form Temple. However, it also meant that the temple was no longer in the same hands-off situation it had been under the Tai Su Orthodox Sect. The new person’s management style would not necessarily be the same as Xuzhuang’s, so the True Form Temple had probably undergone many changes.

However, Daoist Zhang and Meng Fusheng were Registered Disciples of Daochen Zhenren. No matter what, they would not be oppressed, so Xuzhuang didn’t need to worry about them. Perhaps they chose to return to the Profound Yellow Realm because their old home had changed, or for the sake of their future cultivation, or because they missed their benevolent master.

Xuzhuang shook his head gently and didn’t ask any more questions. He said to Xue Yuren and Lieyun, "You’ve come at just the right time."

Xue Yuren had been about to report the results of her trip to the Ministry of Affairs Hall. Hearing Xuzhuang’s words, she held her tongue and listened attentively.

Xuzhuang glanced at the Daoist Scripture in his hand again and smiled. "I’ve gained some insights from reading the book left by Master Zhaokong, and it has piqued my interest. I wish to take the Du Xu Palace on a trip beyond the heavens. You two can come with me."

"What?" Lieyun’s eyes went wide. "A trip beyond the heavens?"

Xue Yuren, however, gave a slight curtsy and said, "Yes, Master."

Xuzhuang said no more. He formed a seal and pointed. There was no visible commotion, but the Du Xu Palace had already detached from the ley lines of Chongyun Peak, transforming into a brilliant beam of immortal light that shot toward the sky.