Before the South Heaven Gate.
The celestial soldiers guarding the South Heaven Gate did not make things difficult for Su Qing or obstruct her entry into the Heavenly Palace.
They merely gave a routine greeting, asked a couple of questions, and let her pass quite easily.
Passing through the South Heaven Gate, Su Qing originally intended to go straight to Tushita Palace in Lihen Heaven to find Taishang Laojun and seek the Body Outside Body Technique.
However, not long after she entered the Heavenly Palace, she was called out to by an old acquaintance.
Well, she couldn't exactly call him an old acquaintance; she was just very familiar with him, as he was a household name.
"Sovereign, please wait!" Upon seeing Su Qing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li walked over quickly and called her to a halt.
Heavenly King Li was also somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected to bump into Su Qing here.
But since they had met, he figured he might as well offer a greeting and ask about a few matters.
Su Qing turned to look at Heavenly King Li and asked curiously, "So it's Heavenly King Li! Does the Heavenly King have some business with me?"
"Haha, nothing in particular. I just happened to run into you, Sovereign, and came over to say hello," Heavenly King Li said with a chuckle. "By the way, you haven't visited the Heavenly Palace in a long time. Do you have some important business here today?"
Su Qing didn't hide it and replied casually, "I've come to find Senior Taishang Laojun..."
"So you're looking for Laojun! He's likely still refining pills in Tushita Palace in Lihen Heaven. You can go straight there to find him later," Heavenly King Li said with a smile, then asked, "Speaking of which, do you still remember that Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat Spirit you encountered on your journey?"
Su Qing looked at Heavenly King Li with a hint of confusion.
Why was Heavenly King Li suddenly bringing up that Rat Spirit?
But as for whether she remembered, she certainly did. She had spent quite a bit of time teasing that Rat Spirit back then to pass the time!
"Of course I remember... Why do you ask, Heavenly King?"
"It's nothing much. I just heard that she didn't recognize you before and accidentally offended you, so I wanted to apologize on her behalf. If you wish, I can bring her to apologize to you in person next time."
"Uh... that's really not necessary. She didn't actually offend me; we just met on the road," Su Qing was left at a loss by Heavenly King Li's behavior. Was there really a need to be this cautious? "So, Heavenly King, please put your mind at ease."
"You are most generous, Sovereign." Hearing this, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li breathed a sigh of relief. "Since you don't mind, then I won't disturb you further. Next time you are free, I shall invite you for tea."
Su Qing nodded slightly and said, "Take care then, Heavenly King."
Su Qing was also a bit baffled by Heavenly King Li... she really couldn't understand what was going on in his head.
Watching Heavenly King Li walk away, Su Qing shook her head slightly and soon put the matter out of her mind, no longer caring.
She set off again, heading toward Tushita Palace in the thirty-third heaven, Lihen Heaven.
Before long.
Su Qing arrived outside Tushita Palace on her cloud.
The fragrance of pills wafted through the palace, making one feel exceptionally refreshed.
Su Qing entered Tushita Palace and soon encountered a Daoist boy.
"Little Daoist boy, tell me, is your master in?" Su Qing asked.
"So it is the Sovereign. Are you looking for Master? Master is currently refining pills in the Eight Trigrams Furnace! You may go straight in. Master said that if you come, Sovereign, there is no need for formalities," the Daoist boy's expression changed slightly upon seeing Su Qing, and he spoke to her hurriedly.
Su Qing nodded, thanked the boy, and immediately headed toward the location of the Eight Trigrams Furnace.
Su Qing had been to Tushita Palace many times and was very familiar with the layout.
Beside the Eight Trigrams Furnace, the white-haired and white-bearded Taishang Laojun was forming hand seals, controlling the flames within the furnace...
The flames were incredibly hot; even Su Qing, standing at the entrance, could feel their power.
These flames far surpassed the intensity of the Flaming Mountains.
Su Qing did not interrupt, simply standing to the side and watching Laojun refine pills.
After all, the greatest taboo during pill refining was being disturbed...
Moreover, Laojun seemed to have reached a critical moment, so she naturally couldn't interfere.
But Laojun was Laojun, after all. Su Qing only waited a short while.
She saw a brilliant golden elixir fly out from the Eight Trigrams Furnace.
Laojun rose slowly, took out a gourd, and cast a spell, instantly drawing the golden elixir into it.
Having finished this, Laojun broke into a smile.
He first tucked the gourd into his sleeve and then said, "My apologies! I've kept you waiting, little friend."
"I didn't wait long at all..." Su Qing shook her head and said, "Besides, watching you refine pills, Senior, has given me some inspiration."
Su Qing wasn't lying...
Laojun was a grandmaster of pill refining. Although Su Qing had studied the craft for a long time, she still couldn't compare to someone like Laojun, who had been refining pills for countless years. Even now, observing him provided her with significant insights.
Furthermore, Laojun was also Su Qing's teacher in the art of pill refining.
"Hahaha, you girl are still as silver-tongued as ever!" Laojun shook his head with a chuckle and said, "Come! This is no place for idle talk. Let's find somewhere else to chat."
Su Qing did not refuse, nodding and following Laojun to a courtyard within Tushita Palace.
This courtyard seemed to be a place for growing medicinal herbs; the flowers and plants planted there were all rare ingredients.
But even as medicinal herbs, they still served as excellent decorations in the courtyard.
Complemented by the medicinal fragrance, it made one feel much more refreshed.
The two took their seats.
Laojun got straight to the point, asking, "Tell me, what business brings you here, girl? I know you're the type who never visits unless you need something. No, to be precise, you wouldn't come looking for an old man like me unless you had a problem. Coming to see me today, you must have a favor to ask, right?"
Su Qing and Laojun had known each other for many years. How could Laojun not know when this little one would come looking for him?
Su Qing gave a slightly embarrassed smile upon hearing this.
"Coming to find you this time, Senior Laojun, I really do have something to ask of you," Su Qing nodded and said.
Though she was a bit embarrassed, Su Qing didn't plan to hide it... after all, she really was here for a reason.
As for losing face?
It's fine, I have a very flexible bottom line for my dignity.
Laojun chuckled and stroked his beard, saying, "I knew it... tell me then, what is it! If it's something I can help with, I certainly won't be stingy."
Laojun was indeed very good to Su Qing...
Most of the time, when Su Qing asked for help, he would do his best to assist.
To Laojun, Su Qing was not just the disciple of his old friend, but also practically a disciple of his own.
Because Su Qing had also studied pill refining under him.
So, she naturally counted as one.
Seeing that Laojun had spoken thus, Su Qing told him her thoughts...
"The Body Outside Body Technique? Hmm, I do have that... but it's a bit troublesome to cultivate."
Laojun stroked his beard and, after a moment of thought, said:
"However, I can give you some materials for refining a body outside the body, allowing you to master the technique faster... but there are drawbacks to doing it this way. It will be difficult for the body to exert your full strength; being able to exert about half is already extraordinary."
Laojun then explained some related details of the Body Outside Body Technique to Su Qing...
After listening for a long time, Su Qing rubbed her chin and said, "This sounds a bit like a puppet?"
"A puppet? Actually, it's not wrong to say that. In any case, the Body Outside Body Technique and puppet techniques share many similarities... but with the Body Outside Body Technique, you can directly project your mind to control it." Laojun nodded and said, "So, the Body Outside Body Technique is like having a second body. Overall, it's still better than puppet methods. Well? Do you still want to learn this spell?"
Su Qing naturally nodded...
After all, she had asked her way from Chang'e to Laojun. Now that she finally had a lead on the Body Outside Body Technique, how could she not learn it?
As long as she had it, she wasn't one to be overly picky.
A small drawback didn't matter.
Besides, she didn't need too much power for her actions in the mortal world.
Even if she really encountered a demon that her avatar couldn't defeat...
It wouldn't matter.
At worst, she could just ride her Somersault Cloud and deal with the demon herself!
After all, the Somersault Cloud was incredibly fast.
"Since you want to learn, I shall teach you." Seeing that Su Qing was determined, Laojun said no more. He simply placed a gourd on the table and said, "These are the materials for refining the body. Additionally, this book contains the incantations for the Body Outside Body Technique."
Su Qing looked at these items, her eyebrows twitching slightly as she asked, "Why do I feel like you already knew I wanted to cultivate the Body Outside Body Technique, Senior? Everything is prepared."
Laojun was stunned for a moment, then chuckled and said, "You're overthinking it... with my abilities, I can produce whatever I want at a moment's notice."
Su Qing didn't commit to believing him or not. Whether Laojun had known beforehand that she wanted to cultivate the Body Outside Body Technique didn't really matter to her...
The point was that she had obtained the method.
"Forget it, I can't be bothered with your business, Senior. You old seniors have far too many secrets," Su Qing said with a pout. "By the way, besides this technique, there's one more thing I'd like to ask your help with, Senior Laojun."
Laojun was genuinely surprised this time.
He asked curiously, "What else is there?"
Su Qing said, "I want to ask where my master is. I'd like to see him. There are some things I want to ask him."
Laojun's eyebrows jumped as he stroked his white beard, looking at Su Qing with surprise. "That's rare. You've actually taken the initiative to ask me for the whereabouts of that stubborn old man."
Su Qing pouted, not caring about the senior's teasing.
However, after teasing her, Laojun shook his head and said, "But, as much as I'd like to tell you where that old fellow Bodhi is, I promised him I wouldn't reveal his location to you... so I'm sorry, I cannot tell you where he is at the moment. Perhaps when he wants to see his disciple, he will show himself?"
Su Qing was momentarily stunned by these words...
After all, she hadn't expected... that her master would actually block her path so completely.
It seemed that her master really didn't intend to see her again.
Su Qing sighed helplessly and said, "Since you've promised my master, Senior Laojun, I won't make things difficult for you..."
Laojun also shook his head slightly at the sight.
He didn't intend to comfort Su Qing.
He knew she would be able to adjust herself quickly.
There was no need for him to say more.
After a while.
Su Qing let out a long breath and said, "I shall head back to cultivate this Body Outside Body Technique now. I won't disturb you any further, Senior."
Laojun nodded, thought for a moment, and placed a gourd of pills before Su Qing, saying, "These are Nine-Turn Golden Elixirs. Take them; I believe you will find a use for them later."
Su Qing did not refuse and accepted the pills.
After all, one cannot refuse a gift from an elder!
But she certainly still had to offer her thanks.
Laojun didn't say much, only nodding as he said, "Alright, go on then! Once you've mastered this technique, go and spread some incense power in the mortal world."
Su Qing nodded, bowed to Laojun, and turned to leave Tushita Palace.
Watching Su Qing leave.
Laojun stroked his beard and couldn't help but shake his head...
Laojun didn't know much about Bodhi's thoughts... he wasn't sure why he had suddenly made up his mind not to see his most beloved disciple this time.
But he was certain that Bodhi must have a very specific reason.
After all, others might not know, but how could he not? That old fellow doted on his disciples very much.
Refusing to see her must be due to some important and special reason.
"Forget it, forget it."
Laojun stopped thinking about it, simply turning to pluck a few flowers and herbs, preparing to refine some pills to calm his mind.
"However, that brat certainly has many ideas... actually thinking of using the Body Outside Body Technique to create avatars for collecting faith."
Though Bodhi's situation left him helpless, Su Qing's actions made him find it somewhat amusing.
On the other side.
After leaving the Heavenly Palace, Su Qing was in no hurry to return to the Changbai Mountains.
Instead, she prepared to make a trip to the Kingdom of Tianzhu.
Now that she had obtained the Body Outside Body Technique.
The things she had planned before could naturally be carried out along the way...
It was time to go to the Kingdom of Tianzhu and play with that silly rabbit.
After playing today, she would return to the Changbai Mountains...
The Somersault Cloud carried Su Qing at high speed, and in no time, she arrived within the Kingdom of Tianzhu.
This time, Su Qing didn't enter through the main gate to see the King and then meet Yuer, the Jade Rabbit who had transformed into the Princess of Tianzhu, as she had before.
Instead, she directly cast a spell and slipped into the imperial palace.
There were no cultivators in the palace.
Even if there were, they were far from being a match for Su Qing...
Thus, Su Qing could easily avoid everyone's gaze to find Yuer.
Within Yuer's chambers.
Yuer was sitting on the floor, gazing at the garden in the courtyard, looking quite bored. In her arms, she held a snow-white rabbit that was very well-behaved... it looked almost like a plush toy. If its nose weren't twitching, one really wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
Yuer was naturally aware of Su Qing's arrival...
After all, Su Qing hadn't bothered to hide her presence.
Yuer also hadn't hidden her power just because she had come to the mortal world...
"Why are you here?" Yuer turned her head to look at Su Qing and couldn't help but ask.
Su Qing sat down beside her with a beaming smile. "Didn't I promise you before that I'd come and play with you?"
"Is that so? I thought you were just saying that," Yuer said with a look of surprise. "After all, you're always tricking people! I didn't expect you to actually keep your word."
Su Qing was momentarily stunned by Yuer's words, then shook her head with a smile. "Of course I keep my word, especially a promise to a friend. Besides, if I didn't come, someone would look very pitiful."
"Are you talking about me? I'm not pitiful," Yuer pouted and said. "By the way, why do you smell of alcohol? You didn't go to the Moon Palace to drink with my mistress, did you?"
Su Qing was slightly startled; she hadn't expected this girl's nose to be so sensitive. "Are all rabbits' noses this sharp? Yes, before coming here, I went to see Sister Chang'e."
"And then she gave you a lot of documents for me to handle?"
"Not really. That woman has a low alcohol tolerance and passed out directly."
"What~ Mistress is still so useless."
"Haven't you always known she's useless? After all, without little Yuer, the Moon Palace can barely keep running!"
"I'm not that important," Yuer shook her head and said. "It's just that Mistress is too lazy."
"You have a point there," Su Qing nodded with a smile and said. "But since I'm already here today, how about it? Want to accompany me to play in the city? You look quite bored right now."
Yuer looked at Su Qing with surprise, seemingly considering it, but in the end, she nodded with a smile. "Fine, since you want to go to the city to play, I'll accompany you."
"You're still as dishonest as ever," Su Qing reached out her hand and said. "Let's go! Since we're both cultivators, there's no need to use the main gate!"
"Mm!"
"By the way, aren't you going to tell your father?"
"No need."
"Oh?"
"Let them look for a bit."
"..."
Su Qing nodded. Though she didn't know what the girl was thinking, since she had made the decision, Su Qing wouldn't argue.
And so.
Su Qing took Yuer out to the streets, playing around casually.
Yuer was clearly not the same type as Bai Yuhe...
Yuer knew this city much better than Bai Yuhe did.
She could even take Su Qing around to play wildly.
And Su Qing followed Yuer everywhere, having fun...
Watching Yuer play so freely, Su Qing couldn't help but show a happy smile... and at the same time, she felt much more relieved.
Su Qing knew Yuer's personality very well...
She wasn't the gloomy type at all, nor was she the type to worry about the whole world.
Seeing Yuer these past two times had made her feel that Yuer was under too much pressure, to the point where she had become somber.
Su Qing wasn't quite sure where her pressure came from.
But if playing with her could help her relax.
Then she was more than happy to accompany her.
The two played in the city for a long time...
Before they knew it.
The sky gradually darkened.
Yuer and Su Qing stopped at a small bridge.
Without Su Qing needing to say anything, Yuer knew it was time to go back.
"I'm going back to the palace now. Thank you for today, for playing with me for so long. I had a great time," Yuer said with a smile, leaning against the bridge's railing. "I never thought you'd enjoy wandering the streets so much too."
"Of course I enjoy it... after all, there are always many fresh discoveries on the streets," Su Qing nodded with a smile and said. "But you too... though I don't know why you're feeling so much pressure, don't be too hard on yourself. If you don't mind, talking to an old friend like me is always an option. Maybe I can help you."
Hearing this, Yuer shook her head and said with a look of wariness, "Trying to flirt with me? This method won't work! Don't worry, I don't have any pressure. Don't overthink it."
Su Qing's mouth twitched. How did this turn into her flirting with her!
Had the rumors about her already reached Yuer's ears?
"Pfft..." Seeing Su Qing's expression, Yuer couldn't help but laugh. "Alright! I'm going back now, and you should head back to the Changbai Mountains. You really don't need to worry about my business."
Su Qing was helpless and could only nod. "Alright then! But what I said just now still stands."
Yuer smiled, then waved at Su Qing, saying, "Yes, yes, I know. I'm going back to the palace!"
Seeing this, Su Qing had no choice but to turn and leave.
But she had only walked a few steps when she felt a pain in her backside, as if someone had kicked her.
She quickly turned around, only to see Yuer flying away on a cloud.
The other girl was moving extremely fast, as if she were escaping.
Su Qing: "..."
"It seems... Yuer really is in a good mood today." Su Qing's mouth twitched as she shook her head.
The fact that this girl remembered to kick her clearly meant she was in good spirits...
After all, a 'serious' Yuer wouldn't remember their 'grudges.'
Su Qing chuckled, then walked into a small corner, cast a spell, and rode her Somersault Cloud toward the Changbai Mountains.
Before long.
Su Qing returned to the Changbai Mountains.
It was currently sunset.
The courtyard in the Changbai Mountains was mostly covered in a layer of orange sunlight.
The people in the courtyard were each busy with their own tasks.
Though some only appeared to be busy.
But at least everyone was finding something to do.
Su Qing landed in the courtyard and walked over to Leng Xiang's side, chatting with her as usual.
"Master has been gone for several days this time..."
"Mm, because after going to the Women's Kingdom, I went somewhere else as well."
"Will Master be going out again after this?"
"There's nothing that requires me to go out for the time being." Su Qing shook her head with a smile and said, "Next, it's time to focus on cultivation."
Leng Xiang nodded and said no more.
After returning to the Changbai Mountains.
Su Qing's days passed one by one.
During this time, Su Qing also worked hard on cultivating the Body Outside Body Technique.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, several months had passed.
Before she knew it.
Spring had arrived once again.
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