Regarding the Three Sacred Mother

Upon hearing this question, even Su Qing was slightly taken aback.

She didn't quite understand why Yang Jian would suddenly ask this question, nor why he would abruptly shift the topic from Wukong and herself to the Three Sacred Mother.

Su Qing paused, not rushing to answer Yang Jian's question.

She merely smiled and said, "The Three Sacred Mother… isn't that your sister? Why do you call her the Three Sacred Mother instead of just 'sister'? So distant?"

Yang Jian showed no sign of annoyance at Su Qing's teasing and evasive answer.

He was no longer the youth who would be provoked by a few words.

Now, Yang Jian was exceedingly steady.

After all, if he weren't steady, he wouldn't have been an immortal for so long.

Yang Jian chuckled softly, then replied, "I was just worried you wouldn't know who I was referring to…"

Su Qing couldn't help but admire Yang Jian's composure, though it was only admiration. She maintained her gentle smile and said, "I've been a Heavenly Court immortal for many years, so I know a thing or two about your affairs. It's not like I don't even know who your sister is…"

Yang Jian shook his head and said, "I see… So, do you think I should stop her?"

Seeing that the other party clearly still wanted her opinion, Su Qing could only spread her hands and say, "Before that, you'll have to tell me… what exactly do you want to stop her from doing?"

Su Qing was quite speechless.

Yang Jian just asked for her opinion without explaining the situation. How was she supposed to give advice?

While her changing the subject was indeed partly to avoid answering, his failure to explain the matter was also a reason.

Yang Jian didn't feel the least bit embarrassed by this.

He simply nodded and said, "My apologies, that was my mistake. Actually… I wanted to ask you if I should prevent my sister from falling in love with a mortal and having that child…"

Su Qing blinked upon hearing this, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

She didn't understand how Yang Jian could know about Chen Xiang.

Such an event was supposed to happen in the future, wasn't it?

It couldn't be that the story of the Lotus Lantern had been brought forward because of her, could it?

But even if it was brought forward, it couldn't be by so much, could it?

Besides, at this point, Wukong hadn't even finished his pilgrimage.

How could he become the Victorious Fighting Buddha and teach Chen Xiang cultivation?

After pondering for a moment, Su Qing calmly asked, "Hmm? Why do you ask? Could it be… that the Three Sacred Mother has fallen in love with a mortal?"

Hearing Su Qing's question, Yang Jian calmly shook his head and said, "No… I merely foresaw… that old events would repeat in the future. My sister's child will do the same thing I did back then."

"You foresaw it?" Su Qing raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise, and asked, "How much did you foresee?"

Su Qing had a general idea of the Lotus Lantern story but was still curious about the extent of Yang Jian's foresight.

Yang Jian remained silent for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts.

"Not much… Only that it will be my sister's child with a mortal, and she will be imprisoned in her domain because of me. Her child will then split open that domain to rescue her… repeating my past mistakes."

Su Qing was also silent for a while after hearing this.

To be honest,

the story of the Lotus Lantern was essentially a re-telling of Yang Jian's own legend.

Both involved splitting a mountain to save their mother.

Only the ending was slightly different.

Because Chen Xiang had Yang Jian, a stern but caring uncle, while Yang Jian himself had truly fought against everyone alone.

'I seem to be thinking too far ahead…' Su Qing suddenly realized something, then chuckled inwardly, 'The Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth is imminent. Not even all the Heavenly Court immortals are guaranteed to survive until the Lotus Lantern story takes place. It doesn't make much sense for me to think so much about it.'

With this thought,

Su Qing shook her head and said, "I feel… there's no need to stop it. Even if what you've foreseen truly happens, as the person involved, you still have a lot of room for maneuver. Since you foresaw that he would split Mount Hua, did you also foresee why he would split Mount Mount Hua? Perhaps… his ability to split Mount Hua and rescue his mother is because of you! After all, even if a child born of an immortal and a mortal has high talent, it couldn't possibly surpass yours. I don't believe… he could achieve what you did back then without external help. And I suspect that external help… would be you! So why stop it? Wouldn't it be good to use this event to make up for some regrets?"

Su Qing spoke a lot in one breath, inadvertently revealing some things.

However, Su Qing didn't care much.

Yang Jian was an intelligent person; he probably knew many things himself.

Even if she revealed a few things to him, it didn't matter.

Besides…

The same point remained.

No one was guaranteed to successfully pass through the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth!

While such a thought might be somewhat pessimistic… it was always best to consider the worst-case scenario!

And if everyone successfully passed the tribulation and nothing ultimately happened…

Su Qing's advice wouldn't cause any major problems.

Because this was the original course of history, so in that case, nothing would have changed, and naturally, there would be no issues.

Of course,

Su Qing could also have given an opposing answer…

That would also solve all problems.

But doing so would only disrupt more things.

Moreover…

Some predetermined fates, even she couldn't change.

Because some people would actively work to restore these predetermined fates…

Just like the Eighty-One Tribulations.

Even if Su Qing disrupted many things, she still couldn't change some outcomes.

So she simply chose to let nature take its course.

Yang Jian wasn't too surprised by Su Qing's answer; in fact, it was quite to his liking.

Because he himself was hesitating, wondering whether to intervene, which was why he sought Su Qing's opinion.

If he wasn't hesitant, he could have made the decision himself; why would he ask anyone else?

Yang Jian looked at Su Qing, nodded slightly, and said, "Yes! You are right… In that case, let's do as you say! I will control the direction of the entire matter myself!"

"So… you plan to be the villain?"

"The villain?" Yang Jian chuckled, "It sounds quite good…"

Su Qing looked at him doubtfully, then spread her hands and said, "Fine, suit yourself! Alright, so you've finished asking that question, right? Do you have any other questions now?"

Su Qing had promised to answer a few of Yang Jian's questions…

Naturally, she intended to answer all he wished to ask.

However, Yang Jian merely shook his head and said, "I have nothing else to ask… These were the most important things I wanted to know. If I have any more questions in the future, I'll come find you to chat! Don't worry, I won't expect free answers."

Su Qing chuckled and said, "We're friends, why say so much?"

Regardless, pleasantries still had to be exchanged.

Yang Jian replied, "Even brothers keep clear accounts. Though we are friends, everything must be settled clearly."

"Ugh, I can't do anything with you. Then, next time you come to ask me something, just bring a jar of good wine! Chang'e and I both happen to enjoy drinking…" Su Qing shook her head helplessly and replied.

Su Qing lacked nothing and had little interest in accumulating endless magical treasures, talismans, or elixirs.

After all, she was an immortal, not the female protagonist of a dark cultivation novel, so those things held little meaning for her.

At most, they would just make her seem wealthy.

Therefore, compared to treasures, Su Qing felt a good pot of wine showed more sincerity.

Yang Jian nodded upon hearing Su Qing's words, saying, "Then it's a deal."

Su Qing smiled, then added, "It's a deal! Alright, since you've asked all your questions, can we spar now?"

Yang Jian nodded in response, saying, "Good! I'll go fetch my Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade! However, this is just a spar between us, so we'll stop before anyone gets seriously hurt!"

Su Qing naturally had no objections.

They were just sparring, not enemies; there was no need to fight to the death.

Seeing this, Yang Jian said no more.

He simply turned and retrieved his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade, changing into a new set of armor.

Then he led Su Qing away from his domain.

They arrived at an uninhabited mountainous area.

"A contest of martial arts, or actual combat?" Yang Jian asked, holding his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade.

Su Qing didn't hesitate, saying, "Actual combat, of course! Just a martial arts contest would be boring."

"Is that so? Then let's fight a bit higher up! To avoid leaving too many traces." Yang Jian nodded, pointing to the sky, and said.

Su Qing had no objections, nodded, and said, "Good! Shall we begin?!"

"Good!"

After Yang Jian responded, he charged at Su Qing with his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade.

Seeing this, Su Qing's mind stirred, and she drew out her spear.

Yang Jian saw this and asked, "Aren't you skilled with a sword? Why aren't you using a sword? Are you perhaps holding back?"

"Leng Xiang isn't with me, and other swords don't feel as comfortable as this spear," Su Qing said calmly. "Don't underestimate my spear techniques either… Although my spearplay isn't as good as my swordsmanship, I've practiced it for many years."

Actually, it wasn't that other swords weren't as comfortable as the spear…

It was mainly because she tended to attract Artifact Spirits.

The items she used would always, unknowingly, develop Artifact Spirits.

If she frequently used another sword when Leng Xiang wasn't around, causing that sword to develop a Sword Spirit… Leng Xiang would probably be so jealous that vinegar prices worldwide would soar.

So, rather than using a sword, she preferred a spear.

If a spear developed an Artifact Spirit, at least it wouldn't be a Sword Spirit…

And Leng Xiang's jealousy wouldn't be as severe.

As for practicing spear techniques for many years…

That was, of course, a lie.

She hadn't practiced spear techniques for very long.

Her understanding of the spear could only be described as just having entered the basics.

Yang Jian nodded upon hearing this, saying, "I see…"

Afterward, Yang Jian said no more and earnestly began to spar with Su Qing.

Although they called it a spar, both used quite a few of their abilities.

One could say that aside from their ultimate trump cards, they employed all other techniques, essentially going all out.

And even so…

They fought until nightfall, still unable to determine a victor.

It could be said that their strengths were now evenly matched.

While the outcome might differ if they used their ultimate techniques, the result of this spar was a draw.

After all, neither was fighting to the death.

Night fell.

Su Qing also didn't want to continue fighting.

So, it ended in a draw.

"As expected of a martial general, your strength is truly impressive…" Su Qing praised.

Yang Jian shook his head and said, "Your strength is what truly surprises me… I always thought you were a mountain god who loved leisure and disliked fighting, but I never expected you to be so formidable in combat."

"I've merely learned many things… because I've had many teachers," Su Qing replied with a smile. "Alright, since we couldn't determine a victor this time, if there's an opportunity in the future, let's have another match."

Yang Jian had no objections, saying, "Alright, let's conclude for today…"

"That was my intention too…"

"Hmm, what are your plans next?"

"Next? Next, I'm naturally heading back to the Northern Continent."

"The Northern Continent? Aren't you in the Changbai Mountains? I recall the Changbai Mountains are in Southern Jambudvipa? Why would you go to the Northern Continent?"

"Uh… sometimes your information is a bit outdated, isn't it?" Su Qing's mouth twitched upon hearing this, then she explained the reason.

Yang Jian nodded after learning the reason, saying, "So that's how it is… My apologies, my information is indeed sometimes quite slow."

"…" Su Qing shook her head helplessly and said, "In any case, for the next ten years or so, I'll be staying in the Northern Continent… If you need to find me, just come to the Northern Continent."

Yang Jian nodded, "Good! I'll remember that."

"Alright, then I'll be going!" Su Qing didn't intend to continue chatting, so she waved her hand and prepared to leave.

Yang Jian didn't stop her, merely saying goodbye.

After Su Qing left,

Yang Jian put away his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade and returned to his domain.

On the way,

Yang Jian looked at the half-obscured moon.

He muttered to himself, "I should plan and prepare for my nephew's future matters. Regardless of whether the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth can be overcome… at least what needs to be prepared, should be prepared."

Meanwhile, Su Qing was currently riding her Somersault Cloud towards her domain in the Northern Continent.

Su Qing's Somersault Cloud was extremely fast; in no time at all, she had returned to her domain.

However, as soon as she landed in her sleeping quarters, she spotted an uninvited guest.