The Little Tai Sui’s hostility towards the True Nature Sword was obvious, but the True Nature Sword paid it no mind. After bowing to Wei Yunshu, it transformed into a faint, ethereal shadow like light smoke, and moved towards Wei Yunshu’s body until it disappeared. The True Nature Sword was not in a good state, and Wei Yunshu currently had no time to nurture it.
Seeing the True Nature Sword disappear, Little Tai Sui, its heart filled with dissatisfaction, snorted. It landed back on Wei Yunshu’s shoulder, patted her with its wings, and urged, “I’ve brought the things for you. Let’s hurry to the Wu Xiang Heaven Domain.”
Wei Yunshu said, “Alright.” But she couldn’t be the only one who knew about the situation in the Shang Qing Divine Realm. With a thought, several Dharma talismans flew from her sleeve, sweeping towards the various pagodas in the flying palace. Before long, Ran Xiuyun, Xie Zhichao, Yu Changfeng, and the others walked out, their faces showing some fatigue, but their vital energy was gradually becoming full, much better than when they had just left the Fu Li Immortal Realm. When Wei Yunshu saw them coming, she transcribed several copies of the jade slip and handed them to them. One by one, they immersed their consciousness into the jade slips, their brows furrowed at times and relaxed at others, their expressions constantly changing.
After a long while, Chi Fengchao said, “When those people were intercepting and killing heart-cultivating Dao cultivators, They relied solely on official registers and accusations from other cultivators, not using any specific method. This means that as long as we don’t reveal ourselves, they won’t be able to tell the difference.” After a pause, she added, “Right now, ‘Xuan Tian Ji’ is in opposition to the six domain sect forces, and there are occasional demonic disturbances. It seems peaceful, but in reality, chaos has already begun. I think this is a good opportunity to spread the Dao.”
Wei Yunshu replied, “Yes.”
Chi Fengchao pondered for a moment, stood up, and solemnly bowed to Wei Yunshu, saying seriously, “The path ahead is unclear. If we all stay together, it will not be good if we fall into the hands of the cultivators of the Shang Qing Divine Realm. I want to lead the disciples of Cloud City to explore other places.”
Wei Yunshu was not at all surprised that Chi Fengchao would have such thoughts. She composed herself and did not stop her. Instead, she said softly, “Fellow Daoist Chi, you can make your own decisions regarding the affairs of Cloud City. Just be very careful when you travel, and prioritize your own life.”
Chi Fengchao looked at Wei Yunshu for a long time before humming in agreement. After these few days of probing, they discovered that all memories concerning Cloud City and Luo Lingfeng in Wei Yunshu’s consciousness had been erased, and the missing time had been filled with the deeds of Buzhou. She had called Xie Zhichao “junior sister” before, also because she considered herself an orthodox disciple of Buzhou. “We will be careful, and we’ll find a place to hide first. We are different from the Daoists who cultivate ‘Severing All Selves’; we don’t need to advance in specific locations.”
In the past six thousand years, because of the news about the “Realm of Ruin,” the cultivators of the Shang Qing Divine Realm had thought of many ways. Creating beings with intelligence was one, and establishing ‘Path-Walking Dao Palaces’ and ‘Demon-Hiding Caves’ was another. The six major heavenly domains all established rules, only allowing cultivators to break through in the ‘Path-Walking Academys,’ and then the severed “non-selves” would all flow into the Demon-Hiding Caves, instead of scattering everywhere. Later, when cultivators used the created beings with intelligence, those rules became much more relaxed, but they did not disappear. Because the cost of creating beings with intelligence was high, not everyone could afford it.
After hearing the conversation between Wei Yunshu and Chi Fengchao, Yu Changfeng also said, “I want to go to the Wu Shi Heaven Domain.” She vaguely sensed that she had an opportunity in that land.
Wei Yunshu’s eyelids drooped. “Alright,” she said. She turned to Jiang Jiuxiao and asked, “What about True Monarch Jiang? What are your plans?”
Jiang Jiuxiao raised her eyes and looked at everyone’s expressions. Speaking of which, among the people present, she was slightly more familiar with Chi Fengchao, and she didn’t want to go with Wei Yunshu and the others. After hesitating for a while, she finally made a decision and replied, “I’m not going to the Wu Xiang Heaven Domain either.” As soon as she said this, the sharp gazes of Ran Xiuyun, Xie Zhichao, and the others immediately fell upon her, with a hint of suspicion. But they did not say much. The Fu Li Immortal Realm had already been exposed before the eyes of the Shang Qing Divine Realm. Besides their own tracks, there was nothing left to hide.
“Since you have all decided, then drink this cup of tea.” As Wei Yunshu’s voice fell, she flicked her sleeve, and a small table appeared in the middle of everyone. On the table was a spiritual pot and several cups. With a surge of spiritual energy, the spiritual pot flew up on its own, pouring tea into the cups. This tea was called “Heart Forget.” After drinking it, they would forget their companions and only remember what they had to do. Only at the right time would they be able to remember the past. Such a thing that only shielded a very small part of their consciousness left very light traces. If they were unfortunate enough to fall into the hands of the disciples of the Shang Qing Divine Realm, they would not be seen through. Because the memories of the Fu Li Immortal Realm were still there, there were no gaps in their memories, only a slight twist in their perception.
Wei Yunshu added, “Everyone, take care on this journey. When we meet again, we will drink and be merry with you all.”
After reaching a secluded place, Chi Fengchao, Yu Changfeng, and Jiang Jiuxiao led their fellow disciples, who had concealed their auras with talismans, and left. Instantly, only a few people remained in the flying palace.
“I don’t know what the future will hold after this departure,” Ran Xiuyun said, her face filled with endless melancholy. Old friends and relatives were either dead or trapped in the Fu Li Immortal Realm; only they had come to Shang Qing. Now, they were facing a separation with an unknown future.
Ran Xiuyun sighed with emotion, “I originally thought that our generation would transcend the mortal world, unrestrained and unburdened. But now it seems, what ordinary people suffer, we also suffer. The feeling of parting is sorrowful.”
Xie Zhichao raised her eyebrows and said, “After all, we have not shed our human bodies, nor have we completely abandoned our human nature.”
Ran Xiuyun added, “What is the end of the Dao? We come from humans, and then after cultivating for thousands of years, do we abandon our human bodies and leave? The Daoist scriptures record that all beings have emotions while the Great Dao is emotionless. Is the Shang Qing Divine Realm based on this, severing all kinds of non-selves? After severing the non-selves, the true self remains, almost the same as the Dao.”
“The realm has an end, but the Great Dao is endless,” Wei Yunshu raised her eyes to look at the sky. “Our generation is born with a bit of spiritual nature, so we cannot abandon our spiritual nature and leave. If I am not me, then who is the cultivator? When heaven and earth were born, it was a ball of chaos, all things mixed into one. Then Taiji gave birth to two forms, and two forms gave birth to four phenomena. This is the nature of the Dao. Severing all selves is to return to a state of oneness, which goes against the myriad transformations of heaven and earth. It is not the path our generation wishes to take.”
Ran Xiuyun smiled and said, “Indeed.”
With a map and the guidance of the Little Tai Sui, they saved a lot of detours.
Two months later, the flying palace crossed thousands of mountains and rivers and finally arrived at the Wu Xiang Heaven Domain. Originally, this heavenly domain was in seclusion, and everyone could only see the palaces, pavilions, and city walls vaguely hidden in the clouds and mist, visible but unreachable. But after the sect opened, the situation was completely different. Countless palaces and buildings had descended from the ethereal to the real.
Previously, the Heavenly Sky Synchronous Flying Palace had always bypassed the immortal cities and traveled through the wilderness. But now, to enter the heartland of the Wu Xiang Heaven Domain, they had to pass through the immortal city. And the immortal city was filled with formations and restrictions. Under the illumination of spiritual light, the Heavenly Sky Synchronous Flying Palace was instantly revealed. Because of this, Wei Yunshu, Xie Zhichao, and the others got off the flying palace in advance.
The jade slip had little information about the Wu Xiang Heaven Domain, so they could only glean some things from the Little Tai Sui’s mouth. Perhaps because it had returned to its homeland and seen familiar scenery, the memories that had been suppressed in the Fu Li Immortal Realm slowly returned to the Little Tai Sui. After listening to a mixed introduction of chirps, Wei Yunshu and the others immediately understood. The immortal city they were currently passing through was named “Jade Terrace,” named after the largest force in this city—the Jade Terrace Sect. The sect master of the Jade Terrace Sect was at the Xuan Immortal cultivation level, named Zhongli Yue. This person didn’t care much about things, and his whereabouts were elusive, so there were few rules in Jade Terrace. Once you arrived at Jade Terrace Immortal City, as long as you had enough resources, even if you wanted to forge a name tablet, they would help you do it.
The Shang Qing Divine Realm was different from the Fu Li Immortal Realm; there were no rogue cultivators in the true sense. There were many sects here, from the ninth to the first class, with various names, but in the end, they all belonged to a certain heavenly domain. Every cultivator had a name tablet. For example, a certain disciple of Zhongli Yue would have a long string of characters on her name tablet: Wu Xiang Heaven Academy, Jade Terrace Branch, Xuan Immortal Zhongli Yue’s disciple, so-and-so. Among them, this academy was a new sect opened in the Wu Xiang Heaven domain, personally named by the Emperor Wu Xiang, “Wu Xiang Academy.” As for the Little Tai Sui, its name tablet had only a few words: Wu Xiang Imperial Envoy, Black Tai Sui. The shorter the name on the name tablet, the higher the status it represented.
After entering the immortal city, the Little Tai Sui declared, “No need for dan jade, cloud sand, or the like. I am familiar with Zhongli Yue. With just a word, you can get new name tablets.” It led Wei Yunshu and her party familiarly into the steward’s hall in the Jade Terrace Immortal City. Before Wei Yunshu could say no, it rushed in. However, in less than a moment, it was chased out by an undiscerning disciple.
“Go, go, where did this little bird come from!”
Xie Zhichao looked at the angry Little Tai Sui and couldn’t help but laugh.
As an “Imperial Envoy” who was used to being domineering in the Shang Qing Divine Realm, where had the Little Tai Sui ever suffered such grievance? It was so angry that its feathers stood on end, and its voice became several degrees sharper.
Wei Yunshu rubbed her forehead and sighed, “We have dan jade.”
The Little Tai Sui glared at Wei Yunshu and shouted, “Is this about dan jade!” This was the Little Tai Sui losing face, and weren’t Wei Yunshu’s dan jade all its? This was saving for itself! In the past, in the Fu Li Immortal Realm, the Little Tai Sui was lazy and wished it could sleep all the time. Now, spurred by anger, Wei Yunshu could not stop it. The spiritual energy on its body burned fiercely, and the pressure of a ten-thousand-year-old great demon suddenly appeared! After a high-pitched cry, the Little Tai Sui flew into the air and instantly manifested its colorful and magnificent phoenix true form.
Xie Zhichao clicked her tongue in admiration. She had heard about the Little Tai Sui’s origins before, but with that black lump of charcoal, she could never associate the Little Tai Sui with the Ancestral Phoenix. Now, seeing the phoenix’s true form, a hint of surprise appeared in her eyes.
The disciple who had chased the Little Tai Sui away was now looking at the sky with a face full of fear, afraid that balls of phoenix fire would fall. Just as the disciple was anxious, a stream of light streaked across the sky and landed on the ground, transforming into a young girl in a goose-yellow long dress, adorned with a light blue silk ribbon.
The disciple’s lips trembled, and he called out to the girl, “True Monarch Hua.”
The girl glanced at the troublesome disciple with a blank expression, then turned to the Little Tai Sui, which had retracted its Dharma Manifestation and landed proudly on Wei Yunshu’s shoulder. She respectfully bowed and said, “Hua Yangchun of Jade Terrace, by the order of my master, invites the True Being to the sect for a discussion.” From beginning to end, she only looked at the Little Tai Sui and did not even spare a glance for Wei Yunshu and her party.
Wei Yunshu, however, secretly sized up the girl. Her aura was prosperous and majestic, not much different from her own, and she should have cultivated to the Cavern Heaven realm. She looked no more than sixteen or seventeen, but her true age was obviously not so. She had originally wanted to act with a low profile, but with the unrestrained Little Tai Sui by her side, it was clear that she could not be low-key. Her thoughts churned, but she did not move.
The Little Tai Sui stubbornly looked at the steward’s hall, refusing to go with Hua Yangchun.
The disciple stepped forward and whispered a few words in Hua Yangchun’s ear, and Hua Yangchun immediately understood. She curled her lips into a radiant smile, bowed to the Little Tai Sui, and said, “Mere name tablets, I will surely handle them for the True Being’s friends.” When she said “friends,” Hua Yangchun glanced at Wei Yunshu and her party and thought, These few are not very old, and their bone roots and talent are both good. They were probably snatched by this one, which is why she is in such a hurry for new name tablets.
After Wei Yunshu, Xie Zhichao, and the others got their new name tablets, the Little Tai Sui reluctantly snorted, signaling Hua Yangchun to lead the way. As for itself, it stood on Wei Yunshu’s shoulder, combing its feathers, with no intention of moving. At first, Hua Yangchun only wanted to invite the Little Tai Sui, but now she found that she had to take the others with her, so she could only follow the Little Tai Sui’s wishes.
The Jade Terrace Sect’s sect was located in the southeast corner of the immortal city. A vast expanse of emerald green, as far as the eye could see, was suspended in mid-air. Winding stone steps extended downwards, covered with moss. It seemed like thousands of steps, but after only a few steps, they had reached the Jade Terrace Sect. On three sides were various pavilions, the one in the middle being the tallest, reaching into the swirling clouds and mist. On the plaque, the two large characters “Jade Terrace,” exuding a clear light, were inscribed.
“My master is in the hall, but you fellow Daoists—” Hua Yangchun sized up Wei Yunshu and the others and said seriously, “have to stop.”
Wei Yunshu nodded. It was already good that she could come here. She did not want to provoke a Xuan Immortal. The Little Tai Sui understood Wei Yunshu’s thoughts and did not make things difficult for Hua Yangchun, directly flapping its wings and entering the Dharma hall.
Outside the hall, Wei Yunshu and her party stood face to face with Hua Yangchun.
Hua Yangchun took the initiative to speak, “Are you fellow Daoists preparing to enter the academy?” She tactfully did not ask about the origins of Wei Yunshu and her party but found another topic to chat with them.
Wei Yunshu did not say much, only smiling warmly, “Precisely.”
Hua Yangchun also smiled, “My Wu Xiang Heaven domain has been in seclusion for a long time. Now, like the five major heavens, we have opened a sect that leads everything. But the Wu Xiang Academy is not that easy to enter. You have to go to the Demon-Hiding Cave to get the corresponding merit points. The Demon-Hiding Cave in our Wu Xiang Heaven domain is different from the other five heavens. The danger within is the first in the divine realm. Once you go in, you may not be able to come out. But fellow Daoists were brought by that one. I suppose you don’t need merit points and can directly enter the academy.” By the end, a hint of envy was unconsciously revealed in Hua Yangchun’s tone.
Wei Yunshu took the opportunity to inquire, “What’s the difference?”
Hua Yangchun said, “Fellow Daoist is not from our Wu Xiang Heaven, so it’s normal that you don’t know. Our Wu Xiang Heaven does not have a Heavenly Mystery Institute, nor do we have created beings with intelligence to carry the ‘non-self’ thoughts like the five heavenly domains. When it’s time to advance, we can only go to the Path-Walking Dao Palace to sever the non-selves. And the ‘non-selves’ of the entire heavenly domain all flow into the Demon-Hiding Cave. When it accumulates more, the demonic creatures born from it will be even more powerful.”
Wu Xiang Heaven Domain does not have a Heavenly Mystery Institute? Hearing this news, Wei Yunshu was stunned for a moment. This meant that there would be no Xuan Tian Ji forces in the Wu Xiang Heaven domain, nor the disaster of “created beings.” If the cultivators in this domain were all accustomed to this order, it would probably be difficult to spread new Dao thoughts. Wei Yunshu thought for a while and sighed, “So that’s how it is.”
Hua Yangchun added, “But I heard that the five major heavenly domains have already found the whereabouts of the Realm of Ruin. We’ll see what happens in the future.”
In the Jade Terrace Hall.
The Little Tai Sui flew in and saw the jade chair in the middle at a glance. It fell like a ball of black fire, and then comfortably snuggled into the chair.
A moment later, a figure of a Female daoist in a jade-white Daoist robe, wearing a lotus crown, materialized from the ethereal. She was enveloped in starlight and cloud mist, with specks of stardust adorning her body, appearing hazy and ethereal like a true immortal who had attained the Dao. She held a celestial fungus in her hand, and with a flip of her wrist, a plate of spiritual fruits appeared out of thin air, landing on the jade chair that was only slightly occupied by the Little Tai Sui. Then she bowed to it, “This humble Daoist is Zhongli Yue, greetings, Black Lord.” Although she had already cultivated to the Xuan Immortal realm, in front of the Little Tai Sui, all pride and arrogance had to be restrained.
Hearing the words “Black Lord,” the Little Tai Sui narrowed its eyes, very pleased. It didn’t think too much, and after swallowing several spiritual fruits, it turned to Zhongli Yue and said airily, “What do you want from this Divine Lord?” It was here to get a new identity for Wei Yunshu, Xie Zhichao, and the others, but it didn’t intend to meet with Zhongli Yue.
Zhongli Yue didn’t know where the Black Tai Sui had been for the past few thousand years, only thinking that it had run off to other heavenly domains to cause trouble. Now, seeing it without its usual arrogance, she was very surprised. But her emotions were quickly concealed. She replied, “The White Lord has a letter.” The “White Lord” she spoke of was the White Tai Sui who currently managed all matters in the Wu Xiang Heaven domain.
The Little Tai Sui directly ignored her words and only said lazily, “I have a few friends who want to enter the Wu Xiang Academy. You arrange it for them.”
Zhongli Yue: “…” Was this something she could arrange? She replied, “Although the academy was founded under the Emperor’s decree, all internal and external matters are personally arranged by the White Lord. Even the rules for entering the sect were set by it and cannot be faked. This humble Daoist is afraid I am powerless to send those few little Daoist friends into the academy.”
The Little Tai Sui was a little unhappy. The boast she had made to Wei Yunshu and the others, not a single one could be realized. The spiritual fruits on the plate suddenly became tasteless. It stood up, looked up at Zhongli Yue, and asked, “Then what can you do?”
Zhongli Yue hesitated for a moment and said, “Escort those few little Daoist friends to the outside of the Demon-Hiding Cave?”
“Demon-Hiding Cave? What for?” The Little Tai Sui also knew of the existence of the “Demon-Hiding Cave.” Hearing this, it only felt that Zhongli Yue wanted to harm Wei Yunshu and the others, and its tone was immediately filled with dissatisfaction.
The Black Lord was as uninvolved as ever, Zhongli Yue thought. She explained the connection between the Wu Xiang Academy and the Demon-Hiding Cave to the Little Tai Sui and then brought the topic back to the beginning. She said, “The White Lord said, please return to the Wu Xiang Dao Palace.”
“The White Lord may have already informed the lords of all immortal cities. When it has time, it may personally invite you back.”
The Little Tai Sui’s attention was finally brought to the words “White Lord.” It became inexplicably irritable, and the suppressed memories were once again pried open. Some jumbled thoughts flashed through its mind, making it very uncomfortable. “When I have time, I will return to the Dao Palace,” the Little Tai Sui said. Although it was eager to return to its homeland to find its master, now that it had arrived, it wanted to play outside for a while.
Zhongli Yue was not surprised by such a statement. She looked at the Little Tai Sui and said seriously, “The White Lord also said that the Langgan fruits on Dan Mountain are ripe.”
“Really?” The Little Tai Sui’s eyes suddenly burst with bright light. Although it did not want to hear the words “White Lord,” it had no rejection of the Dan Mountain Langgan, but was overjoyed. The Langgan tree was personally planted on Dan Mountain by its master and was its most beloved fruit. Counting the years, it had already missed sixty thousand years, at least sixty times! If it didn’t go back, what if the Langgan fruits were eaten by its bad sister? But if it left, what about Wei Yunshu and the others? The Little Tai Sui was immediately caught in a dilemma.
“Is the Black Lord concerned about those few little Daoist friends? I can give them a Dharma talisman that will protect them from external demons, ensuring their safety in the Demon-Hiding Cave. If they accumulate enough merit points, they can enter the Wu Xiang Academy. At that time, it will be very easy for you to see them,” Zhongli Yue said. Seeing the Little Tai Sui’s attitude soften, she continued to persuade it, “You snatched… brought them back, was it because you valued their talent? There is no place more suitable for them to cultivate than the Wu Xiang Academy.”
After hesitating for a long time, the Little Tai Sui finally made a decision and chose the Dan Mountain Langgan. But it was still worried about Wei Yunshu and the others. It earnestly instructed Zhongli Yue, “You must protect their lives. Oh, and their foundations cannot be damaged.”
How could she possibly take care of this? In the Demon Cave, it was difficult to even protect one’s life, let alone “foundation”? But since the Black Lord had spoken, she still had to agree. But she did not make her words too absolute, only saying, “I will try my best.” The Tai Sui glanced at Zhongli Yue and then haggled with the other party, seeking some benefits for Wei Yunshu and the others. When it came, it was empty-handed, but when it left, it was holding a full storage pouch.
Throwing the storage pouch to Wei Yunshu, the Little Tai Sui told her about having to go home to pick the Dan Mountain Langgan fruits and then said, “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have shown myself. If I hadn’t shown myself, I wouldn’t have been forced to go back and be a coolie picking fruits. I’ve been so good to you, don’t forget to repay me in the future.”
Wei Yunshu was a little moved, her heart soft. Reaching out and rubbing the Little Tai Sui’s head, she said seriously, “Great kindness and great virtue, I will remember it in my heart. If you need anything in the future, Bo will go through fire and water, without hesitation.”
The Little Tai Sui glanced at Wei Yunshu and said with disgust, “A mere Cavern Heaven, what can you repay?” Saying this, it flapped its wings and flew away without any reluctance.
Wei Yunshu: “…” Cavern Heaven in the Fu Li Immortal Realm was first-class, but in the Divine Realm, it was only mid-level. If she didn’t pluck the Dao fruit and become an immortal, wanting to solve the troubles of Fu Li was just a fantasy.
Xie Zhichao had a puzzled look on her face. “Dan Mountain Langgan? What’s that?”
Ran Xiuyun had read the contents of the jade slip many times. At this moment, she said calmly, “The favorite fruit of the phoenix lineage.”
The Little Tai Sui was indeed going back to Dan Mountain to pick fruits.
The place where the Langgan fruits would fall was probably its own belly.
