Transformation

Su Qing followed the Jellyfish Yaksa all the way to the Dragon Palace treasury.

The Dragon Palace truly lived up to its reputation as the wealthiest place in the East Sea; the treasury was filled with an endless array of treasures.

As for mundane gold, silver, and jewels, they hardly bear mentioning...

The treasury also housed numerous magical artifacts and various ancient relics.

Some appeared to be tens of thousands of years old.

This sight prompted Su Qing to sigh with emotion. It was no wonder the Dragon Palace constantly sought to recruit soldiers and win over hearts...

Such a treasury was bound to attract covetous eyes.

Su Qing quickly withdrew her gaze.

Her purpose in visiting this treasury was merely to obtain some seeds of spiritual herbs and immortal grasses.

No matter how many other valuable items the treasury held, they were irrelevant to her.

Before long, the Jellyfish Yaksa led Su Qing to the deeper reaches of the treasury.

Here, many jade boxes were arranged, each bearing a label indicating the type of spiritual herb it contained.

“Lady Azure Spirit, this is where the immortal herb seeds are kept. Please take whatever you need, Your Ladyship.”

The Jellyfish Yaksa spoke respectfully, then dutifully stepped back to the side.

Hearing this, Su Qing nodded slightly and began searching among the many boxes of immortal and spiritual herbs.

Most of what she took were spiritual herb seeds she would use for alchemy.

After all, her goal in cultivating herbs was for refining elixirs.

Taking anything she didn't need would simply be a waste.

However, as she searched, Su Qing suddenly heard Cold Fragrance's telepathic voice.

“Master!”

“What is it?” Su Qing asked, puzzled. “Have you found any spiritual herbs you want?”

Cold Fragrance replied telepathically, “Master, could you please retrieve that plum branch for me?”

Su Qing's gaze followed, and she saw a jade box labeled ‘Plum’ and ‘Vitality’.

“What kind of medicinal material is this?” Su Qing couldn't help but ask.

The Jellyfish Yaksa beside her, hearing this, also peered over and, after pondering for a moment, said:

“To answer Your Ladyship… this humble one does not know either.”

“This Dragon Palace treasury has existed for tens of thousands of years. There are some items within that even we, who manage the treasury, do not know the nature of.”

“However, since it is stored here, it must be some kind of immortal medicine.”

“If Your Ladyship desires it, please take it.”

Su Qing nodded slightly upon hearing this.

Although she wasn't sure what the item was.

But since Cold Fragrance wanted it, and the Dragon Palace didn't mind, she might as well take it.

Before long.

When Su Qing emerged from the treasury, her Sleeve Universe already held many seeds of spiritual herbs and immortal grasses.

Returning to the Crystal Palace, Su Qing met the Dragon King again.

“Many thanks to you, Senior Dragon King. These items are indeed of great use to me.”

“Haha, minor matter, minor matter,” the Old Dragon King chuckled. “These spiritual herbs and immortal grasses are merely collector's items to me; you may take them.”

“Nevertheless, I thank you again, Senior,” Su Qing nodded and said. “By the way, where is Ying'er?”

Hearing this, the Old Dragon King stroked his dragon whiskers and said:

“That girl went to the back garden to see her Mother Queen. If you wish to find her, I’ll send someone to escort you.”

“It’s a good opportunity for you to meet her Mother Queen as well.”

“Then I shall trouble you, Senior Dragon King,” Su Qing bowed and said.

The Old Dragon King shook his head with a smile, then called for the Old Turtle to escort Su Qing to meet the Dragon Queen.

The Old Turtle, of course, was the Turtle Prime Minister. The Turtle Prime Minister looked as he always did, showing no signs of age.

He merely remarked, “I truly didn't expect that in less than a few hundred years, the immortal who once rescued Her Royal Highness would now be the Mountain God guarding the Changbai Mountains, possessing such immortal power.”

Su Qing shook her head at this. “It’s merely good fortune, benefiting a little from the blessings of seniors.”

The Old Turtle laughed heartily. “Immortal Su is as humble as ever... Even with great destiny, ordinary people would find it hard to achieve what you have, Immortal Su.”

Su Qing shook her head, offered a slight smile, and did not continue the conversation.

Seeing this, the Old Turtle also remained silent, quietly leading Su Qing to the back garden.

“This is the back garden. This old turtle can only escort you this far. I cannot proceed further, so I must trouble Immortal Su to go on alone.”

Upon reaching the entrance of the back garden, the Old Turtle stopped, cupped his hands, and said.

Su Qing, hearing this, did not trouble him further, nodded her thanks, and entered the back garden by herself.

The back garden was vast, but finding Ao Ying wasn't difficult.

Within just a few steps, Su Qing saw Ao Ying in a small pavilion.

Beside Ao Ying, another woman was seated.

The woman bore a resemblance to Ao Ying, perhaps a third of her features, but appeared older and much more refined, exuding the elegance of a noblewoman in every gesture.

As for who this person was? Su Qing wasn't foolish; she naturally recognized her.

“Sister Xiao Qing!”

Ao Ying was chatting casually with her mother.

Suddenly seeing Su Qing approach, she couldn't help but stand up and call out.

Su Qing, hearing this, nodded slightly and walked over, then bowed to the woman beside Ao Ying, saying:

“Greetings, Senior Dragon Queen.”

The Dragon Queen chuckled upon hearing this, pulled Su Qing down to sit beside her, and said:

“Why be so formal? Just call me ‘Mother,’ like Ying'er does.”

Su Qing paused for a moment, unsure whether to speak or not...

Fortunately, Ao Ying tugged at her Mother Queen’s sleeve and said:

“Mother, don’t do that. Sister and I aren’t married yet! Calling her that would be improper.”

“Listen to you, it’s only a matter of time,” the Dragon Queen said with a faint smile.

“Mother~” Ao Ying said helplessly.

“Alright, alright,” the Dragon Queen shook her head, poked her daughter’s forehead, and said, “You silly girl. I’ve taught you so much, yet it seems to be all for naught.”

Su Qing, hearing this, looked at Ao Ying with a puzzled expression.

Seeing this, Ao Ying quickly changed the subject, starting to talk about other matters.

Su Qing, with no other choice, did not press the issue further.

She simply chatted about everyday things with the Dragon Queen and Ao Ying.

The Dragon Queen had a rather gentle and very approachable nature, so much so that calling her 'naturally familiar' wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Precisely because of this, Su Qing found herself somewhat unable to cope with the Dragon Queen's demeanor.

But to say she disliked the Dragon Queen was certainly not true.

After all, no one would dislike an elder who showed them such warmth.

However...

She wondered if parents in every world enjoyed recounting their children's embarrassing childhood stories.

During her casual chat with the Dragon Queen.

Su Qing truly heard many tales about Ao Ying's childhood.

And most of them were silly things she had done when she was young.

Hearing them, Su Qing couldn't help but smile knowingly.

Because Ao Ying had indeed done many foolish things as a child.

She was practically like a silly roe deer, both stupid and adorable.

However, Ao Ying, being the subject of these stories, felt a little uncomfortable... her mother was unearthing her embarrassing past to share with Su Qing.

It was practically a public execution.

And it was a public execution in front of the person she held dear!

It was mortifying, to say the least.

If there had been a crack in the ground, she would have burrowed into it to hide.

Su Qing chatted with the Dragon Queen for a long time, right until approaching noon, only then reluctantly bringing their conversation to an end.

As they parted, the Dragon Queen said, “Ah, I truly hate to see you go. But children grow up and should spread their wings.”

“Mother, don’t worry, I’ll come back to visit you often.”

“Enough, enough. You, just stay honestly by her side! When I’m free, I’ll come to visit you both! I’m also tired of staying in this Dragon Palace; sometimes I want to go out and wander around.”

The Dragon Queen shook her head, chuckling, then continued:

“Oh right, Xiao Qing, I have a little gift for you.”

Su Qing was stunned for a moment, then quickly shook her head, intending to refuse.

But before she could speak, the Dragon Queen cut her off.

“Don’t be so quick to refuse. You’ll definitely find this useful in the future! Besides, it’s a token of my affection, and if you refuse, I’ll be very sad.”

The Dragon Queen feigned a pitiful expression and said:

“Surely, Xiao Qing wouldn’t refuse, right?”

Seeing this, Su Qing sighed helplessly, nodded, and said, “Then this junior will brazenly accept it.”

“That’s more like it!” The Dragon Queen instantly smiled and said, “Come here, I’ll give it to you secretly. Make sure you don’t tell Ao Ying what it is.”

Su Qing found this a bit strange, but since she had agreed, she nodded.

The Dragon Queen pulled Su Qing aside, then took out a thick stack of books from her Sleeve Universe, handed them to Su Qing, and said:

“Keep these well; you’ll certainly find them useful later. But don’t read them now; wait until you get back and take your time with them.”

Su Qing, completely baffled, could only nod blankly, saying, “This junior understands.”

“Good! That’s right. But from now on, you mustn’t refer to yourself as ‘junior’ or call me ‘senior’ anymore. Just call me ‘Mother-in-law’!”

“I… I understand,” Su Qing nodded helplessly.

Regardless, it was best to agree for now.

“Alright! Now off you go!” the Dragon Queen said, satisfied.

After bidding farewell to the Dragon Queen.

Su Qing informed the Old Dragon King of her departure and prepared to return home.

However, before heading back, Su Qing naturally wanted to visit Flower-Fruit Mountain.

After all, since she was already here and Flower-Fruit Mountain was nearby, a quick visit wouldn't take much time.

Once again, she arrived at Flower-Fruit Mountain.

Su Qing descended on her cloud, landing before the Water Curtain Cave.

Outside the Water Curtain Cave.

Many more treehouses had been added to the settlement.

A glance revealed indeed many animals of other species.

Clearly, these monkeys hadn't taken Su Qing’s words lightly; they had taken them to heart.

Su Qing did not show herself to the monkey troop, instead turning and disappearing again, heading towards the Daoist temple on Flower-Fruit Mountain.

The temple, surprisingly, had flourishing incense power, though those who came to worship were mostly animals. Interestingly, besides monkeys, there were also other species.

Su Qing subtly connected her senses with the statue.

She immediately perceived the various wishes of these animals.

Most of these animals’ wishes and prayers were extremely simple and pure—merely small desires like hoping to eat their fill or not get rained on.

Compared to the various desires of mortals at the foot of the Changbai Mountains, these were much simpler and purer.

Su Qing nodded slightly, thinking to herself:

“Although most creatures have low intelligence and don’t generate a huge amount of incense power, at least I won’t hear too many troublesome wishes.”

“I might as well casually grant a few wishes, perhaps choosing those related to healing illnesses. Curing a few small animals poses no difficulty for me.”

After pondering for a moment, Su Qing performed a quick divination to identify those in need of treatment, then promptly sprang into action.

This task was not troublesome; in just a short while, Su Qing had cured the gravely ill animals.

Treating animals was much easier than treating humans.

After completing these tasks.

Su Qing summoned the Earth God again and handed him some incense and spirit money.

After all, there was nowhere on Flower-Fruit Mountain to purchase such items.

Thus, she had no choice but to resort to this.

“This humble one will certainly complete this task well.” The Earth God, having received benefits from Su Qing, was naturally happy to help her with this matter.

Su Qing said, “Then I’ll trouble you. I’m almost done here, so I should be going!”

“Travel safely, Immortal Su.” The Earth God dared not stop her, bowed, and let her depart.

After a tour of Flower-Fruit Mountain.

Su Qing naturally returned to the Changbai Mountains with Ao Ying and Cold Fragrance.

Just like when they came, it didn't take long.

Su Qing and the others returned to their courtyard in the Changbai Mountains.

Back in the courtyard.

Su Qing sat on the stone stool and took out the plum branch she had obtained from the Dragon Palace.

This item was requested by Cold Fragrance, but Cold Fragrance had not told her what purpose it served.

Now that she was home, Su Qing had some free time.

Naturally, she had to ask Cold Fragrance what use she had for this item.

“Speaking of which, Cold Fragrance… what exactly do you need this plum branch for?” Su Qing asked, handing the plum branch to Cold Fragrance.

Cold Fragrance took the plum branch from Su Qing’s hand and said, “For the primordial vitality within this plum branch, and to gain... a physical body.”

“A physical body?” Su Qing asked, puzzled.

Cold Fragrance nodded slightly. “Indeed... Master should know that although I appear to have a physical form, in reality, I am more like a sword spirit, correct?”

“I certainly know that, but how can this item help you gain a physical body?” Su Qing couldn't help but ask.

“...” Cold Fragrance pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then said, “Master… could you give me the Cold Fragrance Sword?”

Su Qing was somewhat puzzled, but she still handed the Cold Fragrance Sword to Cold Fragrance.

“Thank you, Master.”

Cold Fragrance took the Cold Fragrance Sword, looked at the plum branches entwined around it and the blooming plum blossoms, and revealed a smile.

Then she formed hand seals, making the plum branch settle upon the Cold Fragrance Sword.

She chanted an incantation, and the dried plum branch astonishingly burst into flames.

Moments later, the plum branch burned completely away, leaving behind a single drop of green liquid.

The liquid was rich in vitality, appearing like a medicinal essence condensed during alchemy.

Su Qing watched this scene, her brows furrowing slightly.

Her confusion seemed to clear a little.

The green liquid, she observed, dripped onto the plum blossoms on the sword.

In an instant, the plum branches on the sword began to grow wildly and eerily, coiling around the entire sword until it was completely engulfed, only then coming to a halt.

At this moment, the plum blossom and the sword had completely merged into one, no longer distinct.

And at the same time, Cold Fragrance vanished, integrating into the sword.

Su Qing watched this scene, finally understanding what Cold Fragrance had meant.

She knew she could no longer revert to being a separate demon, nor could she transform into human form like ordinary demons.

Therefore, she had to find another way, using an unconventional method.

That was to truly become a sword spirit! To completely merge with the Cold Fragrance Sword.

This way, she could directly transform and possess a physical body through the Cold Fragrance Sword, rather than being a mere spiritual entity manifested by the plum blossom through the sword.