Is the Old Mother Anxious?

Time passed, and it was soon the next day.

Su Qing was ready to leave the Dragon Palace and head back to the Changbai Mountains.

However, before departing, it was very necessary to bid a proper farewell to the Dragon Mother.

Even if Su Qing felt a bit of trepidation whenever she saw her.

It was mostly because she had been nagged so much that she felt a bit drained.

Sure enough, when Su Qing went to say goodbye, she was once again subjected to the Dragon Mother’s tireless nagging for quite some time.

Ao Ying, standing by her side, could not stop snickering.

It was as if she were taking revenge for the time Su Qing had left her alone to face her mother.

Su Qing could do nothing about it; after all, she was indeed the one in the wrong back then...

After a long while.

Su Qing emerged from the Dragon Mother’s chambers with a headache, rubbing her temples.

"Mother-in-law is still the same... truly terrifying," Su Qing muttered to herself.

Ao Ying looked amused and said, "My mother just wants what's best for us!"

"I know that, of course," Su Qing replied with a shrug.

The Dragon Mother didn't mean any harm; she was simply overbearing with her concern.

Talking as they walked, they soon encountered the Old Dragon King.

Since they were leaving today, a farewell to the Dragon Mother wasn't enough; they had to inform the Old Dragon King as well.

Upon seeing Su Qing, Ao Ying, and Gongsun Zhixue, the Old Dragon King naturally understood they were departing.

He said with a chuckle, "Is my worthy son-in-law leaving already?"

"Yes, I need to go back and keep an eye on the Changbai Mountains," Su Qing replied with a smile and a nod.

"Being a mountain god is no easy task."

"Indeed, it isn't easy at all," Su Qing replied shamelessly.

Only she knew just how much of a leisure life she led as a mountain god.

The Old Dragon King smiled and added, "By the way, I found the records for that sword you took yesterday in the treasury. Do you still want them?"

"Of course," Su Qing replied with a nod.

Although she had already given the sword to Leng Xiang, Su Qing was still curious and hopeful about its origins and purpose.

Hearing this, the Old Dragon King took out a silk scroll and handed it to Su Qing. "Everything has been transcribed onto this. You can read it at your leisure once you return."

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Elder." After taking the scroll, Su Qing tucked it directly into her Sleeve Universe.

The Old Dragon King chuckled and shook his head. "It's a small matter, a small matter. Just don't forget the second birthday banquet in a month's time."

"I naturally won't forget," Su Qing replied with a smile.

Su Qing could tell that the Old Dragon King was still somewhat worried she wouldn't show up...

Seeing this, the Old Dragon King said no more.

Nagging about it would only breed resentment.

If she got annoyed and decided not to come, he would be the one losing out.

He nodded with a smile and said, "Then I wish you a safe journey!"

"Take care, Elder. We're off!" Su Qing said, nodding slightly.

Beside her, Ao Ying also bowed. "Take care, Father."

Ao Ying's words to the Old Dragon King remained sparse; she saw no need to chat with him unnecessarily.

"Goodbye, Old Dragon King!" Gongsun Zhixue waved and bid her farewell with a beam.

Unlike Su Qing and Ao Ying, Gongsun Zhixue quite enjoyed the Dragon Palace...

She had reaped quite a few benefits during her stay here.

For most of their stay, Gongsun Zhixue and the Little Sparrows had been in the inner palace, enjoying fine food and drink with the Dragon King’s wives. They had a grand time playing with the dragon princes and princesses, and they even received various gifts.

In just those few days, Gongsun Zhixue felt as if she had gained weight.

There were simply too many delicacies in the Dragon Palace.

In fact, if not for the abundance of food and entertainment in the inner palace, she wouldn't have gone days without even looking for Su Qing.

To be honest...

If her home weren't on the Changbai Mountains, she really would have liked to stay in the Dragon Palace for a few more days.

Anyway, it wasn't like she was losing out.

But it was time to go; no matter how wonderful this place was, it wasn't home.

It was still more comfortable to be back in her own place.

After leaving the Dragon Palace, Su Qing and the others headed straight for the Changbai Mountains.

Before long, they were back home.

After being away for a few days, nothing had changed, except for a few stray leaves that had blown into the courtyard and needed sweeping.

Looking at her spacious courtyard and the herb garden filled with rare plants, Su Qing couldn't help but smile.

It was so much more comfortable on the mountain!

She stretched her limbs and sat on a stone stool in the courtyard, opening the silk scroll the Old Dragon King had given her.

It was the scroll documenting the origins of the small Yuchang sword.

After reading it carefully, Su Qing raised an eyebrow...

The records regarding the small sword's origins were not detailed at all.

It merely stated that it was forged from a piece of rare iron that had fallen from the Thirty-Sixth Heaven...

Furthermore, this was only according to the person who had gifted the sword; there was no way to verify its truth.

As for its use and function...

What was recorded was even more frustrating.

Because there were only two words: "Ornamental."

"Great... in the end, I'm still as clueless as ever."

Su Qing pursed her lips, then chanted an incantation and burned the silk scroll with a flick of fire to save herself the annoyance of looking at it.

After burning the scroll, Su Qing shook her head and muttered to herself:

"Forget it. Whether its origin is real or fake, and whether it's just ornamental, it doesn't matter... I just picked it randomly anyway. It's just that all my guessing turned out to be completely wrong, which is a bit annoying."

Su Qing quickly put the matter out of her mind.

She hadn't actually expected the small sword to have an extraordinary background or great power...

She had taken it mostly out of curiosity.

It was just that her expectations had been raised for no reason... and then reality hit.

But to say the sword was truly useless would be wrong.

Naturally, that wasn't the case...

After all, wasn't it useful in Leng Xiang's hands?

If it really did give birth to a new sword spirit... that would be quite nice.

It would add a bit more life to the courtyard.

The matter of the small Yuchang sword was considered settled for now and was set aside.

Su Qing stood up and stretched, then said to Leng Xiang, who was sweeping, "Leng Xiang, I'm going out for a bit. I'll be back soon. You don't need to come along."

Leng Xiang paused and asked, "Where are you going, Master?"

"To see Elder Old Mother... I have some things to ask her," Su Qing replied with a smile. "Don't worry, I'll be back before lunch."

Leng Xiang thought for a moment and nodded. "Then please be careful, Master..."

"Mhm! No need to worry about that. I'm not one to go looking for trouble."

Su Qing smiled, then turned and soared toward Mount Li on a Somersault Cloud.

She hadn't forgotten about visiting Li Shan Lao Mu, nor had she just remembered... she had simply changed her mind and decided to send everyone home first before going to see her.

Before long, Su Qing arrived at Mount Li.

Outside the Old Mother's Temple, the Daoist boy seemed to have known she was coming once again and was already waiting for her.

"It seems... the Old Mother knew I would be coming." Su Qing gave the Daoist boy a helpless smile.

The Old Mother truly could calculate everything under heaven...

The Daoist boy smiled and said, "Mhm! Since some things happened recently, the Old Mother knew you'd definitely come to find her."

Su Qing nodded. Well, it seemed the Old Mother hadn't even used any divination; she had simply guessed based on Su Qing's personality.

"I see... as expected of Elder Old Mother."

"She is my master, after all! Isn't it normal for her to be powerful?" The Daoist boy smiled brightly, then tilted his head and asked, "By the way, Big Green Snake, where are the sweets you promised to bring me? Did you forget?"

Su Qing gave a helpless nod.

Every time she came to Mount Li, this kid would ask her for something to eat.

It seemed Li Shan Lao Mu was quite strict with him.

Su Qing smiled and handed the items over. "Alright, take me to see Elder Old Mother!"

The Daoist boy beamed and nodded quickly. "Mhm! Let's go. Master has been waiting for you for a long time."

They entered the side hall.

In front of the statue of the Old Mother, Li Shan Lao Mu sat on a prayer mat.

Seeing Su Qing, she smiled and said, "You really did come."

"Greetings, Elder Old Mother," Su Qing said with a nod. "Didn't you already know I would come?"

"Yes, you've just come a bit late."

"Uh... my apologies for making you wait, Elder," Su Qing replied with a helpless smile.

She didn't bother making excuses; after all, excuses were meaningless anyway.

"No matter... I assume you're here to ask about the changes in the world's spiritual energy?" The Old Mother shook her head with a chuckle. "Sit down first; don't just stand there."

Su Qing nodded and obediently sat down, preparing to hear what the Old Mother had to say.

"Elder... what do you think of it?"

"Regarding the changes in the world's spiritual energy... you already have the answer in your heart, don't you?" the Old Mother said with a chuckle. "Besides, hasn't your master already told you a few things? What I can tell you might not be much more than what he did."

Su Qing's brow furrowed slightly.

The Old Mother was right that she already had an answer... The main reason she had come to ask was to cross-verify her hypothesis and ensure she wasn't overthinking or mistaken.

"How did you know my master came to see me, Elder?" Su Qing couldn't help but ask.

Could the Old Mother even calculate her master's movements?

"Naturally, that old fellow Laojun told me... When that old man finds something interesting, how could he not share it?" The Old Mother shook her head and laughed. "Him? As long as it's not some monumental secret, he can't keep his mouth shut!"

Su Qing: "..."

Well, that certainly fit Laojun's personality as a lover of amusement.

"So, Elder, you also believe... that the spiritual energy will continue to rise for a while?" Su Qing pushed aside her stray thoughts and asked.

The Old Mother nodded. "It is the trend of heaven and earth, a natural occurrence..."

"The trend of heaven and earth? So it really is the prelude to the Great Heavenly Tribulation..." Su Qing sighed softly, voicing her suspicion without reservation.

Hearing this, the Old Mother neither nodded nor shook her head. She simply said with a smile, "It's enough that you know. Do not go spreading this carelessly."

Su Qing naturally wouldn't dare to spread it around...

After all, even she found it a headache. If others were to find out, who knew how they would react?

Disbelief would be the best outcome.

"I understand," Su Qing replied with a nod.

"Good!" The Old Mother nodded. "In the days to come, you don't actually need to worry too much. Just take things step by step."

Su Qing couldn't help but give a helpless smile. "How could I not worry at all?"

"You silly girl... If you must worry, worry about your own affairs. The world's matters have the Jade Emperor and us; don't think too much about it." The Old Mother shook her head and tapped Su Qing's head. "We old folks are still around! It hasn't come to the point where you youngsters have to hold up half the sky."

The Old Mother's words made Su Qing's mouth twitch slightly. She sighed helplessly and said, "I understand."

It was better not to argue with Elder Old Mother.

She wouldn't win an argument anyway.

Better to just be obedient.

"Alright, alright. If there's nothing else, you can head back," the Old Mother said, standing up.

"Cultivate well... If there's truly something you can help with, I'll call for you."

Su Qing nodded. "Then I shall take my leave."

"Oh, right. I almost forgot something else. Don't leave just yet." The Old Mother had intended to let her go, but just as Su Qing was about to leave, she suddenly remembered something and called her back.

Su Qing was taken aback but didn't say anything. She simply asked, "Elder? Is there something else?"

The Old Mother asked, "How far have things progressed between you and the Dragon King's daughter?"

Su Qing was completely bewildered. "What 'how far'? Elder, what are you talking about?"

"What do you think I'm talking about?"

Su Qing: "..."

How would I know what you're talking about?

If I knew, I wouldn't be asking.

Su Qing complained silently to herself.

Then she thought about it carefully.

Fortunately, her mind was sharp, and she quickly reached a conclusion.

She felt that the Old Mother was probably referring to her marriage with Ao Ying.

Seeing this, Su Qing gave a helpless smile. "Actually, things haven't progressed that far yet... the first stroke has barely been made!"

Hearing this, the Old Mother nodded slightly. "I see... In that case, I understand. From now on, come visit once every half year!"

Su Qing: "...??"

"What's wrong? You don't want to?"

"It's not that. I'm just a bit confused."

"There's nothing to be confused about. Just do as you're told."

"Fine..." Su Qing's mouth twitched.

She felt that the Old Mother was probably getting anxious about her disciple's marriage.

But Su Qing didn't expose her. She only asked, "Can I leave now?"

"Yes, go ahead," the Old Mother said.

Hearing this, Su Qing bowed in farewell and returned to the Changbai Mountains.