Su Qing was stunned when she saw the two.
She had thought the senior mentioned by the Daoist child was someone she didn't know, but unexpectedly, it was someone she had met before.
As Su Qing pushed the door open and entered, the two elders naturally stopped their game of chess and turned to look at Su Qing.
The Old Mother smiled, "You're here? Sit down, we've been waiting for you for a while."
Taishang Laojun stroked his beard, looked at Su Qing, and said with a chuckle, "Little girl, do you still remember me?"
Whether Su Qing still remembered him, he wasn't sure.
However, he remembered this girl very clearly, even to the point of having a deep impression.
After all, there was an old eccentric who always brought up this girl to him, intentionally or unintentionally, during gatherings.
Saying how good this girl's cultivation talent was, how good her temperament was...
Or this and that... in short, praising this girl in various roundabout ways.
If a duller person couldn't hear it, then so be it...
But Taishang Laojun wasn't dull; even without deliberately thinking about the meaning, he could tell what that old eccentric was saying.
Taishang Laojun just wished he could give that old eccentric two punches to shut him up.
So even if he originally didn't remember Su Qing much, that old eccentric had made her unforgettable.
However, setting aside the influence of that old eccentric, if it were just his own opinion of Su Qing... he naturally quite liked her.
Upon hearing this, Su Qing straightened slightly, not rushing to sit down, but instead bowed to the two seniors, saying:
"Su Yingqing greets Senior Li Shan Lao Mu, and Senior Taishang Laojun. I apologize for making you wait!"
"This junior has naturally not forgotten the kindness of your guidance back then!"
Since she was facing seniors, basic etiquette naturally could not be forgotten.
Moreover, the Daoist child had reminded Su Qing that Taishang Laojun was a rather rigid person, and naturally placed great importance on etiquette.
Even if one couldn't perform the courtesy perfectly, one couldn't omit it entirely.
At least make a gesture.
Taishang Laojun chuckled and nodded upon hearing this.
The Old Mother, upon hearing this, laughed heartily, her tone like a cheerful elder sister, saying:
"Hahaha, alright, alright, we're not blaming you. You didn't know we knew you'd come; we were just waiting for you here ourselves. Stop talking, come sit down quickly!"
Su Qing nodded, thanked them, and obediently took her seat.
However, after sitting down, Su Qing felt a little awkward and didn't know how to start speaking.
After all, facing two elders at once, especially those of very high seniority and power, was indeed a bit daunting.
Su Qing wasn't a social butterfly who could calmly deal with elders, let alone babble freely.
However, Taishang Laojun didn't care, he just chuckled and said:
"You don't need to be reserved, and don't mind what that Daoist child said. Li Shan Lao Mu and I are not rigid people; we don't care that much about rules."
Taishang Laojun naturally knew what that Daoist child had told Su Qing.
But Taishang Laojun didn't blame the girl... after all, in her eyes, he was indeed a rigid person.
As for why? Naturally, it was because he always helped Li Shan Lao Mu educate this child.
The Old Mother, hearing Taishang Laojun's words, also chuckled and said:
"That's right, don't be too reserved. Just treat this as your own home, and us as your family elders. Your being so reserved makes it difficult for the two of us to speak."
These words were naturally meant to comfort Su Qing... just to make her less nervous.
Upon hearing this, Su Qing sighed in relief, and her body relaxed considerably.
However, she didn't completely abandon etiquette, nor did she directly tell the Old Mother that she was there to find Bai Suzhen.
After all, the Old Mother had already explicitly stated that she was waiting for her here, so the Old Mother must have something to say.
As for Taishang Laojun's purpose in coming this time... Su Qing didn't know.
Perhaps he wasn't here to wait for her, but simply to visit the Old Mother, and it just so happened that she came here today and they met by chance.
So Su Qing remained silent, sitting upright, waiting for the two seniors to speak.
A moment later, the Old Mother chuckled and said:
"Alright, alright, since this girl is here, let's talk about serious matters."
Taishang Laojun, upon hearing this, also nodded slightly and said:
"Indeed, let's talk about serious matters first! This girl probably isn't here for you; she's probably anxious to find that white snake! After we've discussed the main business, this girl can go reunite with your white snake."
Upon hearing this, the Old Mother couldn't help but shoot an displeased glance at Taishang Laojun.
In her heart, she thought, 'If you can't speak properly, then shut up.'
However, her expression remained the same; she didn't bother to argue with Taishang Laojun.
She knew much better than Taishang Laojun why this green snake had come here.
She looked at Su Qing and asked, "Girl, I ask you, do you know how old this world is now?"
Su Qing, hearing this, felt a bit baffled.
Why did the Old Mother suddenly ask her this question...
However, Su Qing didn't ask why she was asked this, but honestly thought of an answer:
"I don't know... Perhaps a few billion years old?"
Su Qing, being a person from the 21st century, regarding the Old Mother's question.
Subconsciously thought she was being asked how many years Earth had existed, or how many years the universe had existed.
"Hahaha, how could it be that old? Even if you add up all the cycles of reincarnation for this world, it probably wouldn't be more than a few billion?"
Taishang Laojun couldn't help but laugh at Su Qing's words.
But Su Qing was stunned again. After a long while, she asked, "The world also has reincarnation?"
Su Qing recalled the information about the Journey to the West world in her memory... but she really couldn't remember anything about the world's reincarnation.
She was helpless, only regretting that she hadn't read the original work and didn't know much about most of its details.
Otherwise, she should have had some impression of it.
"Of course there is. Otherwise, what do you think 'coexisting with heaven and earth' means?" Taishang Laojun chuckled upon hearing this.
"Naturally, it means transcending the limits of lifespan, not entering reincarnation, and achieving immortality." Su Qing paused, then subconsciously stated her understanding.
Taishang Laojun smiled, "It's not just that... 'coexisting with heaven and earth' is literal, simply coexisting with heaven and earth... when heaven and earth perish, you perish with them. At most, it's only 129,000 years."
Upon hearing this, Su Qing paused, a little surprised.
But despite her surprise, she wasn't overly agitated... she just fell into a brief contemplation.
Thinking about some things.
Taishang Laojun didn't disturb her as she pondered... he just waited for her to voice her thoughts.
However, Taishang Laojun was quite satisfied with Su Qing's current demeanor.
Because he had seen many immortals behave comically upon learning that heaven and earth had a lifespan.
In contrast, this little girl, though deep in thought, was very composed.
That old eccentric was at least right about one thing: this girl was indeed steady...
After a long while, Su Qing shook her head slightly and said:
"To perish along with heaven and earth, isn't that also achieving immortality through cultivation?"
Taishang Laojun shook his head slightly, saying, "Immortality is immortality, but ultimately, one will perish along with heaven and earth. In the end, won't all great achievements amount to nothing?"
"So what? Since even heaven and earth have a day of demise, how can we escape that great calamity?"
Su Qing shook her head again; she was actually very open-minded about perishing with heaven and earth.
"Hahaha, not so, not so. This great calamity of heaven and earth is not impossible to overcome."
Taishang Laojun, seeing Su Qing's words, also shook his head slightly and smiled:
"Do you know how many great Heavenly Tribulations the Jade Emperor in heaven has already overcome?"
Su Qing, hearing this, pondered for a moment.
She didn't presumptuously state her guess, but humbly asked:
"Please enlighten this junior, Senior Taishang Laojun."
"There have been 1,750 tribulations already!" Taishang Laojun said, "It is precisely because the Jade Emperor has overcome 1,750 tribulations that he can enjoy this boundless Great Dao, rule the Three Realms, and sit high in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall!"
Regarding the matters of the Jade Emperor, Taishang Laojun did not explain in detail... after all, going into specifics would be quite complicated.
Su Qing couldn't help but feel a little surprised upon hearing this.
However, she didn't show it, merely lowering her head in thought.
After a long while, Su Qing asked, "Then, may I ask, how can one overcome that great Heavenly Tribulation like the Jade Emperor?"
Taishang Laojun was speaking enthusiastically, and just as he was about to explain, he heard the Old Mother cough, abruptly cutting off his words in his throat.
As a result, Taishang Laojun's words, which were on the tip of his tongue, changed, and he said:
"Heaven's secrets must not be revealed. You only need to cultivate diligently! When your realm is reached, you will naturally understand."
Taishang Laojun said this, looking at the Old Mother with some frustration, feeling a bit displeased that she wouldn't let him continue speaking.
However, the Old Mother transmitted her voice at this moment, "That's enough, you've gone off-topic. I haven't even said the main business yet!"
"..." Taishang Laojun felt a little awkward.
He had indeed gotten a bit carried away just now...
After all, such an opportunity was rare, and he couldn't help himself.
At this moment, he finally understood why Bodhi always liked teaching disciples...
After Su Qing heard Taishang Laojun's words, she pondered for a moment, then asked another question:
"Since how to overcome tribulations cannot be spoken of, could you please tell this junior what realms exist after the Heavenly Immortal realm?"
"There are no realms after Heavenly Immortal. Even at the peak, one is still a Heavenly Immortal... it's just that the difference between Heavenly Immortals can be immense."
Taishang Laojun casually replied:
"However, if one insists on making a clear distinction, among Heavenly Immortals, there are also Heavenly Venerates and Great Heavenly Venerates."
Su Qing suddenly smiled upon hearing this, then nodded slightly and thanked Taishang Laojun, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Taishang Laojun."
Taishang Laojun merely waved his hand, not paying much attention, as he didn't consider this guidance.
Seeing that Taishang Laojun had finally finished his part, the Old Mother couldn't help but cast a helpless glance at him, with a hint of displeasure in her eyes.
Then her gaze fell upon Su Qing, and she said lightly:
"Ah, I was interrupted by Taishang Laojun earlier, and now I don't know where to pick up."
"This time, I won't beat around the bush with you. After your conversation with Taishang Laojun just now, you must have done some thinking about the affairs of this world."
"So I don't need to prompt you with questions anymore."
"This time, I'll just tell you directly!"
Upon hearing this, Su Qing straightened slightly and said, "Please speak, Old Mother."
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