The speed of the Somersault Cloud goes without saying…
Before long, Su Qing had already arrived at Mount Li.
Su Qing stopped her cloud to observe, her gaze falling upon the Old Mother's Hall.
She saw people coming and going within the Old Mother's Hall, the Incense Power still flourishing…
Even early in the morning, many people were already there to pray and make wishes.
Su Qing watched for a while, then descended from the cloud, landing in the bamboo grove behind the Old Mother's Hall.
Once in the bamboo grove,
Su Qing looked around but did not see the gluttonous Daoist boy.
Su Qing stroked her chin, wondering where the girl had run off to, when she suddenly heard rustling sounds from behind her.
Su Qing raised an eyebrow, then turned her head to look.
She saw a girl, a stranger, approaching with a basket on her back.
The girl wore a simple indigo Daoist robe, utterly unadorned…
However, this plain attire did not conceal her beautiful appearance; instead, it added an ethereal quality, making one feel she was meant to be admired from afar, not casually approached.
Su Qing found the girl a little strange…
This was not a place ordinary pilgrims could enter; for them, it was like forbidden ground.
In fact, not only pilgrims, but even the Daoists living in the Old Mother's Hall were not allowed here without the abbot's permission, and for the abbot to permit it… someone from the Old Mother's side needed to nod in approval.
So, for this person to be here, she was either sneaking in, had stumbled in by mistake, or the Old Mother had given her approval…
However, these possibilities were not very high.
After all, judging by the girl's attire, she was clearly not an ordinary pilgrim, and her expression did not suggest she had stumbled in or snuck in.
In that case, the answer seemed clear.
“Could she be Li Shan Lao Mu’s new disciple?” Su Qing stroked her chin, thinking with a touch of curiosity.
Although the Old Mother had not taken any new disciples for a long time after taking in Little Bai, that didn't mean she wouldn't take any more… It wouldn't be strange if she had indeed taken a new disciple now.
And just as Su Qing was pondering the girl's identity,
The girl, noticing Su Qing, bowed to her and said, “Junior Si Lingxiu greets Azure Spirit Sovereign!”
Hearing the girl's voice, Su Qing snapped back to attention and glanced at her.
Clearly, Su Qing's guess was correct…
This girl was indeed Li Shan Lao Mu’s newly accepted disciple.
However, for a new disciple to know about her, Su Qing was still slightly surprised. She hadn't expected Li Shan Lao Mu to tell her new disciple about her.
Su Qing looked at Si Lingxiu and said, “Oh? You know me?”
Although Su Qing already had an answer in her heart, she still wanted to confirm it.
Si Lingxiu respectfully replied, “To answer Senior, my master told me. My master said you would be coming to see her today and asked me to wait here… So I've been waiting since early morning. However, after waiting for a long time and not seeing Senior, I went to fetch some firewood and rice. I didn't expect that in that brief delay, Senior would arrive.”
Su Qing nodded, then waved her hand, saying, “So, you are Li Shan Lao Mu’s new disciple?”
Si Lingxiu replied, “To answer Senior, this junior is indeed a disciple my master recently accepted.”
Su Qing nodded, “I see, I didn't expect the Old Mother to have taken a new disciple. By the way, where is the original disciple? The Daoist boy who usually waits for me here.”
Si Lingxiu was also stunned by this question…
She seemed not to have understood what Su Qing was saying for a moment.
However, after a brief silence, Si Lingxiu understood.
She quickly replied, “To answer Senior, my senior sister left with Master.”
Si Lingxiu’s words made Su Qing pause…
She frowned and asked, “Are you saying the Old Mother and she are not in the hall right now?”
Si Lingxiu quickly nodded, saying, “To answer Senior, Master and Senior Sister left quite a while ago. However, Master knew Senior would come, so she left an Incense Power manifestation in the side hall. If Senior has something to discuss with Master, you can go to the side hall to see her.”
After hearing Si Lingxiu’s words, Su Qing couldn't help but feel a little confused. Where had Li Shan Lao Mu gone?
However, Su Qing did not show her confusion, merely nodding faintly, then said, “Hmm, I understand. By the way, is Bai Suzhen still here?”
Si Lingxiu quickly nodded this time, saying, “Senior Sister Bai did not leave with Master; she is still in the bamboo grove courtyard.”
Hearing this, Su Qing breathed a sigh of relief…
Although she didn't know where the Old Mother had gone or what she was doing, as long as Bai Suzhen was still here, everything was fine.
Her trip wouldn't be in vain.
Su Qing nodded and said, “That’s good… Then, please lead the way and accompany me to the side hall.”
Although Su Qing could find the side hall herself with or without Si Lingxiu leading the way, Su Qing still asked the girl to come along…
After all, turning and leaving without a word would be a bit impolite.
Even if the girl was a junior, one couldn't completely disregard her feelings.
Si Lingxiu nodded upon hearing Su Qing's request and led the way.
Along the way, Si Lingxiu remained silent, simply leading the path.
Before long, they arrived at the entrance of the side hall.
Si Lingxiu, just like the previous Daoist boy, spoke upon arriving, “I am not permitted to enter the side hall without Master’s permission… so this junior will not go in with the Sovereign. I will wait outside.”
Su Qing was not surprised by this, as even the previous Daoist boy was no exception, let alone a new disciple.
Su Qing nodded, saying, “In that case, please wait for me outside for a while.”
Seeing Su Qing say this, Si Lingxiu stood to the side, watching Su Qing enter the side hall.
Inside the side hall.
The furnishings were still very familiar to Su Qing, with no changes at all…
But unlike before, the Old Mother was not sitting there drinking tea; there was only a statue of Li Shan Lao Mu.
Su Qing lit three sticks of incense, bowed to the statue, and then saw several wisps of green smoke drift out from the statue, forming the image of the Old Mother.
The Incense Power manifestation of Li Shan Lao Mu was initially somewhat ethereal, but after a moment, it solidified…
And once the Incense Power manifestation solidified, it looked no different from her usual self.
Had Su Qing not witnessed the Incense Power condensing into the Old Mother's image, she would not have been able to distinguish at first glance whether this was an Incense Power manifestation or Li Shan Lao Mu's true body.
“Senior Old Mother.” Su Qing looked at the Incense Power manifestation and said.
With Su Qing's soft call, the Incense Power manifestation of Li Shan Lao Mu slightly opened her eyes and looked at Su Qing.
“You’ve arrived?” The Incense Power manifestation of Li Shan Lao Mu smiled, then said, “Don't be so formal, sit.”
Su Qing pursed her lips, shook her head, and said, “I'm not being formal… But Senior Old Mother, I truly didn't expect you to have taken a new disciple, and to have left with that Daoist boy. Speaking of which, where have you gone, Senior Old Mother?”
It wasn't Su Qing's first time here, so she naturally wouldn't be formal.
Since the Old Mother had already told her to sit, she naturally sat down on the cushion in front of her.
Li Shan Lao Mu smiled at this, then sat down opposite Su Qing.
She said, “You ask so many questions, girl. Don't rush, I'll answer them one by one.”
Su Qing, of course, had no objection…
After all, Li Shan Lao Mu couldn't answer all her questions in a single breath!
Li Shan Lao Mu was silent for a few seconds, then said, “Si Lingxiu is indeed my new disciple… Although I truly had no intention of taking any more disciples, during my last outing, I happened to meet that girl. I found her talent and temperament to be excellent, and she also had a connection with me, so naturally, I had to take her in. However, I don't know what her ultimate potential will be…”
Su Qing blinked, then her mouth twitched…
She felt that Li Shan Lao Mu had been a bit hasty in taking this disciple.
But this matter had nothing to do with her anyway…
After all, taking disciples was a personal matter.
She couldn't interfere too much.
The only thing Su Qing was truly curious about was why Li Shan Lao Mu had suddenly taken a new disciple.
“I see… This girl is indeed quite good.” Su Qing nodded, still offering a few words of praise.
Li Shan Lao Mu laughed heartily and said, “Good, yes, but don't you dare have any ideas about my new disciple, girl! She still needs to prioritize her cultivation!”
Su Qing's mouth twitched at this, and she said, “Senior, why are you teasing me now? You know me, Senior… You know I wouldn't do such a thing.”
Li Shan Lao Mu squinted at Su Qing, a smile on her face, and said, “Haha, of course I know you, otherwise I wouldn't have reminded you.”
“…”
“Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore.” Li Shan Lao Mu shook her head, then said, “Who told you your reputation outside is so bad?”
Su Qing pouted and said, “My bad reputation has nothing to do with me! It's entirely due to misunderstandings and rumors.”
“Alright, alright! Let's just say these are all rumors.” Li Shan Lao Mu looked at Su Qing with amusement, then said.
Su Qing sighed helplessly, feeling exhausted from talking…
She said, “Never mind, Senior Old Mother, where exactly have you gone?”
Hearing this, Li Shan Lao Mu explained, “Naturally, I went to deal with a very important matter…”
“Is it related to the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth again?”
“Aside from that, what else could be important to me? Aren't you just asking the obvious?” Li Shan Lao Mu glanced at Su Qing as if she were an idiot, saying, “Actually, many of the old geezers went to help this time… Even your master is among them!”
“Ah? My master too?”
“Yes! This matter is very important, even your master couldn't refuse.” Li Shan Lao Mu said with some emotion, “Everyone is working very hard!”
“This… Senior Old Mother, please don't overwork yourself.”
“Heh heh, even if it kills us, it must be completed.” Li Shan Lao Mu shook her head helplessly and said, “Moreover, everything is still in its initial stages; it won't be completed anytime soon. For the next few years, you'll probably only see this Incense Power manifestation of me when you come here!”
Su Qing was stunned for a moment and said, “It seems this matter is indeed very important!”
“Why would I lie to you?” Li Shan Lao Mu rolled her eyes at Su Qing and said, “Many people are involved this time, so it might be troublesome when you try to find some of them later.”
“I don't usually have that much trouble.”
“You don't, but your little brother does!”
“Hiss…” Su Qing was reminded, and immediately reacted, rubbing her temples with a headache: “That's true… If I can't find anyone to help, I'll probably have to act personally.”
“Indeed!” Li Shan Lao Mu nodded and said, “However, your going to help is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, there are many beautiful female demons along that path! If you go to help, you might even be able to lure back a few more female demons.”
Su Qing's mouth twitched at this, and she said, “Senior Old Mother…”
Hearing Su Qing’s resentful tone, Li Shan Lao Mu laughed even more happily.
She said, “Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. If you don't want to act personally, you can go find Guanyin Bodhisattva! The Buddhist sect is quite idle lately! After all, their focus is on the Journey to the West.”
Su Qing nodded, enlightened…
That's right!
There was still Guanyin Bodhisattva!
Guanyin Bodhisattva had tricked her so many times, what was wrong with her tricking Guanyin Bodhisattva a little?
“Thank you for the reminder, Senior.” Su Qing nodded and said, “By the way, why did Senior also take that Daoist boy with you?”
“What? Do you miss my Daoist boy or something?” Li Shan Lao Mu looked at Su Qing suspiciously.
Although she had indeed been teasing Su Qing before, the girl's image was so deeply ingrained that her sudden question about her disciple made her wonder if the girl truly had some ideas about her little Daoist boy.
After all, her Daoist boy was very beautiful!
Just a little short in stature.
“I do miss her a little… Not seeing her ask me for candy this time still feels a bit unaccustomed.” Su Qing hadn't expected Li Shan Lao Mu to think that way, she just nodded and replied.
Li Shan Lao Mu stared at Su Qing, and after a moment of silence, said, “Oh? You're quite good to her. However, she won't be able to return for many years, as she needs to help me… Moreover, I don't feel at ease leaving her alone in the Daoist monastery. I'm afraid she might demolish my Old Mother's Hall.”
Su Qing: “…”
Good heavens, was that girl really that destructive?
Even the Old Mother was worried she'd demolish the place!?
Rate on N.U.
