Conception

Su Qing explained everything thoroughly. While Bai Suzhen still had a hint of jealousy, she rarely teased her anymore.

"Sister, come sit inside with me first. It's not proper to talk standing by the door." Bai Suzhen took a deep breath, pulled Su Qing's hand, and walked into the inner room.

The room's furnishings were simple, without overly complex decorations. There were mostly cabinets and wood carvings, all products of Bai Suzhen's daily efforts, and some books. Besides a few spell manuals, there were more picture books of the erotic variety, or novels about strange tales and romance...

Su Qing was pulled into the room and sat down. Bai Suzhen simply used a spell to prepare a pot of tea and poured a cup for Su Qing.

"Sister, did you see my master when you came today?" Bai Suzhen rested her chin on her hand, sitting opposite Su Qing, and asked: "My master returned yesterday and just saw me... You came today, and she hasn't left yet, so you must have seen her, right?"

Su Qing nodded, replying, "Of course I saw the Old Mother..."

"What did Master say to you?"

This did not surprise Bai Suzhen. After all, every time Su Qing visited, if her master was present, her master would always meet with Su Qing.

Hearing this, Su Qing did not hide anything, saying, "She only spoke of some official matters, and then things related to you. The Old Mother is anxious to hold her grand-disciple..."

Hearing this, Bai Suzhen was not surprised. She straightened her posture and said with a smile, "Besides wanting to see her grand-disciple soon, Master probably also hopes I'll quickly break through my Fate and go out to gain experience with you! But she really is something... she was the one who trapped me here, and now she's anxious to let me out."

Su Qing smiled gently and said, "The Old Mother is also doing it for your own good... After all, if your Fate isn't broken, it will be quite dangerous."

"Sister, don't worry. I'm not someone who likes to make a fuss... I naturally understand that Master is doing this for my benefit." Bai Suzhen shook her head with a smile. "I just couldn't help but complain a little."

"Alright, stop complaining about the Old Mother. If she finds out, we'll both be scolded again." Su Qing said with a helpless expression, changing the subject. "Compared to that, I'm more interested in what special games you have planned for tonight. Teach me, and I'll play with you properly..."

Bai Suzhen was stunned by these words, her face flushed with crimson, and she coughed lightly twice, saying:

"Why is Sister so eager today? Are you trying to change the subject? Well, since Sister wants it, I naturally can't refuse! Let me think... Don't worry, I definitely won't let you be bored... Oh, right, I've recently refined some Dharma Treasures. Sister, would you like to see if any of them might be useful?"

Hearing this, it was Su Qing's turn to be stunned...

'This girl...'

'What strange things does she research when I'm not around?'

'But... it's fine, as long as it's not boring.'

Time flowed on.

As night fell.

Just like in the past, they enjoyed a good bath in the tub, having an exceptionally good time.

And after the bath, it still wasn't over...

Tonight was destined to be another sleepless night.

This night.

Their lives intertwined, spiritual energy converged, even the clouds in the sky were tinged with a jade-green hue... appearing exceptionally divine.

Yet, neither of them noticed...

Only focusing on their own affairs.

In the night sky.

Li Shan Lao Mu raised an eyebrow, a slight smile appearing on her face...

She did not disperse this beautiful sight. Instead, she took a detour, obscuring it from mortal sight to prevent exposure.

The next morning.

Su Qing's spirits were still quite good, her complexion rosy, and her lips a vibrant red...

She looked at the messy room, recalling the events of last night, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

She tugged at her thin inner garment, covering the exposed skin.

Then, with a spell in her hand, she tidied up the messy room...

Returning everything to its original place.

Su Qing's movements were light, as the person beside her had not yet awakened. After last night's exertions, it was normal for her to sleep in.

After tidying up, Su Qing turned her head to look at the sleeping Bai Suzhen beside her.

She saw spiritual light circulating around Bai Suzhen, spiritual energy swirling...

All her magical power was gathering towards her lower abdomen.

Seeing this, Su Qing narrowed her eyes and cast an Eye Technique, preparing to discern the essence.

She saw that within Bai Suzhen's lower abdomen, a tiny life was forming, gathered by the life-force spell.

Although it was very weak, and who knew how long it would take to fully form, there was indeed a life brewing.

Su Qing couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, recalling the events of last night...

Last night had been exhilarating, so she hadn't paid attention to the magical power at the time. She only felt the pleasure, but at the end, she was exhausted and panicked, and the two of them fell asleep unknowingly.

Only now, looking back, did she realize... last night, her magical power, and even her life force, had been stirred, connecting with Bai Suzhen's life force... converging into one.

Su Qing rubbed her chin, raising an eyebrow, and muttered to herself, "Thinking about it this way, it's quite similar to when Ao Ying used her secret method... The difference is that with Ao Ying, we worked together intentionally, but this time, it happened unintentionally... This secret method is truly fascinating."

'I wonder what kind of expression this girl will have when she wakes up and discovers this.' Su Qing chuckled softly, then covered the bare-chested Bai Suzhen with a blanket.

Only then did she get up, put on her clothes... and began to tidy herself at the dressing table.

Before long, Su Qing finished dressing and walked out into the courtyard to breathe in the fresh air...

But just as Su Qing stepped out of the courtyard...

She saw Li Shan Lao Mu standing in the courtyard, looking at the motionless jade-green clouds in the sky.

"Su Qing greets Senior." Seeing Li Shan Lao Mu, Su Qing naturally bowed respectfully.

And when Li Shan Lao Mu saw her, she smiled gently, her joy undisguised, saying, "You two certainly made quite a stir yesterday... Even the celestial phenomena were affected by you. If I hadn't noticed last night and cast a small spell to prevent nearby mortals from seeing this celestial sight, I'm afraid this jade cloud incident would have become a legend..."

The commotion between the two last night was considerable. The Old Mother, being the master of Mount Li, could notice anything within Mount Li... so she naturally saw it very clearly, referring, of course, to the matter of the clouds in the sky.

'The Old Mother certainly has no interest in peeking at people's bedroom activities!'

Su Qing smiled a little awkwardly, saying, "Thank you, Senior... We didn't notice any of this at the time. If not for Senior cleaning up the mess, it might have truly caused a lot of trouble."

"Hehe, it wouldn't exactly be trouble... I just don't know how mortals would spread the rumors. If they spread good ones, that's fine, but if they spread unpleasant ones, it would be vexing." Li Shan Lao Mu shook her head with a smile.

"By the way, Senior, is there something you need to instruct me on, coming so early?" Su Qing scratched her head and asked.

"Nothing much, just came to check on the situation since your secret method has been completed. But it seems that naughty girl isn't awake yet, so I'll probably have to wait a bit longer to see her condition..." Li Shan Lao Mu shook her head with a chuckle. "Since that girl isn't awake yet, let us old and young chat for a while first..."

Although Li Shan Lao Mu had indeed come because of Bai Suzhen and Su Qing's secret method, her visit wasn't solely for that reason... Since she was here, she would certainly discuss other matters.

Seeing that the Old Mother had other things to say, Su Qing naturally couldn't ignore her, so she said, "Then, Senior, let's talk inside!"

Talking while standing in the courtyard, whether it was awkward or not was one thing... More importantly, she was a senior, so how could she be made to stand in the courtyard to talk?

Greeting her earlier was fine, but when it came to serious matters, it naturally wouldn't do.

Li Shan Lao Mu chuckled, not particularly bothered, and simply nodded, sitting down with Su Qing in the living room.

Su Qing poured tea for the Old Mother, fulfilling all the proper courtesies...

Only then did she ask, "So, Senior Old Mother, what instructions do you have?"

Li Shan Lao Mu held the warm teacup, and after a moment of silence, she flipped her hand and produced an item...

It was a pair of earrings, seemingly made of red agate, but spiritual energy swirled around them, emanating the faint glow of a Dharma Treasure, clearly indicating they were extraordinary.

"Yesterday, the North Sea Dragon King came to me... hoping I could use my connections to ask you for a favor... This is the payment he offered. This Dharma Treasure is of good quality, quite high-grade... Take a look. If you wish to help, accept it. If you find it troublesome, I will help you return it." Li Shan Lao Mu placed the item on the tea table beside her, then took a sip of tea, quietly awaiting Su Qing's reply.

Yesterday.

Not long after Yuqing tore through space and left the Celestial Abode, Li Shan Lao Mu sensed someone approaching to pay respects through the incense path.

And after Li Shan Lao Mu received him, today's events unfolded.

Li Shan Lao Mu had a gentle nature. When the North Sea Dragon King humbly sought her help, she found it hard to refuse. Since Su Qing was also on the mountain, she decided to lend a hand.

As for whether Su Qing would help the North Sea Dragon King, that was another matter entirely...

It was not her place to control.

Hearing this, Su Qing looked at the earrings and remained silent for a moment...

She lacked neither Dharma Treasures nor jewelry, so she had no covetous desire for the earrings.

She merely asked out of curiosity, "What exactly does the North Sea Dragon King need my help with? What kind of matter can only I assist with, and not others?"

"It seems he has already sought help from others, but as you know the situation in the Heavenly Court, most people are incredibly busy, and those like me have major tasks at hand, with even less time to concern ourselves with matters of the North Sea. Moreover, with the North Sea Dragon King's capabilities, he couldn't possibly invite someone of my status..."

Li Shan Lao Mu looked at Su Qing, chuckled softly, and said:

"As for what kind of help... it seems there's been some anomaly under the North Sea that the Dragon King can't handle... which is why he's been seeking help everywhere."

"Uh... doesn't the Heavenly Court handle such matters?"

"You've met Yuqing from the Thunder Department, right? The one from yesterday... He's been preparing to go to the Thirty-Sixth Heaven recently and has no time for other things... As for everyone else, without the Jade Emperor's command or his command, they can't be mobilized by the North Sea Dragon King."

Li Shan Lao Mu found this amusing as she thought about it...

The one currently sitting on the Jade Emperor's throne... is not the true Jade Emperor, but the Great Emperor Zhenwu filling in.

He hides from everyone daily, too lazy to attend court...

Naturally, he cares even less about other matters.

Most matters are judged by Taishang Laojun.

Hearing this, Su Qing frowned slightly, then shook her head and said, "Fine, since he's come to me for help, I'll make some time in a few days to go take a look."

"Hahaha, alright..." Li Shan Lao Mu chuckled, not at all surprised by Su Qing's answer.

After all, the North Sea Dragon King sought out Su Qing's help precisely because he knew Su Qing was easy to talk to, and with her (Li Shan Lao Mu) speaking on his behalf... Su Qing was even less likely to refuse, at the very least, she would go take a look.

"Don't force yourself. If it doesn't work out, then just leave it... The Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth is approaching, so it's not strange for any odd problems to appear."

Li Shan Lao Mu reminded her again, saying:

"However, the problem in the North Sea, I imagine, shouldn't be too major... Just handle it as you see fit."

Su Qing nodded. Before she could speak again, she heard the Old Mother continue:

"If you truly intend to help, don't forget to 'tap the North Sea Old Dragon's bamboo pole'... Although you don't lack Dharma Treasures now, you are short on Incense Power. There are many small islands in the North Sea, with many scattered inhabitants, and they are mostly people who easily believe in gods and Buddhas. If you have the Old Dragon King arrange something, it should significantly increase your Incense Power. Moreover, you would have shown him kindness, so he would be more diligent in helping you..."

Su Qing smiled and nodded again, saying, "This junior understands."

Li Shan Lao Mu was a very good elder... Although she sometimes incited Su Qing to trick people, it was always for Su Qing's own good, not wanting her to suffer losses.

"As long as you understand. I don't think you're someone who cares much about appearances anyway." Li Shan Lao Mu said with a chuckle.

Su Qing felt helpless. Did she really look like someone with a thick skin?

She coughed lightly and said, "Senior, I do care about appearances... By the way, Senior, what exactly is in the Thirty-Sixth Heaven? Even the Great Emperor of Antarctic Longevity needs to prepare for so long to go there."

Su Qing had noticed this when Li Shan Lao Mu mentioned it earlier... she said the Great Emperor of Antarctic Longevity was going to the Thirty-Sixth Heaven and was preparing for it. But if the Thirty-Sixth Heaven was a place one could just casually visit, why the need for preparation? Clearly, it wasn't an easy place to go.

Hearing this, Li Shan Lao Mu rubbed her chin and smiled helplessly, saying, "What's up there? It's a realm of chaos... the most dangerous of the heavens. Even the Three Pure Ones wouldn't dare ascend without thorough preparation... And it's also the place closest to 'Heaven.' So, naturally, it's dangerous..."

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