Su Qing was a little bewildered…
It was her first time hearing about the Thirty-Sixth Heaven.
“The place closest to Heaven? Does that ‘Heaven’ refer to… the instigator of the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth?” Su Qing rubbed her chin, and after a moment of thought, she asked.
Li Shan Lao Mu nodded at her words, saying:
“Precisely… that one. Going to the Thirty-Sixth Heaven is like going directly under that one’s nose… it’s an extremely dangerous undertaking. Especially with the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth drawing ever closer. Moreover, even without that one’s gaze, the Thirty-Sixth Heaven is still an exceptionally perilous place… It’s a realm of chaos, devoid of spiritual energy, where Dharma power cannot be restored, yet it harbors monsters that dwell within the chaos. Although it possesses a higher-grade Grandmist Qi, it’s not something we Immortals and Buddhas can utilize. Even the Three Pure Ones can only use a trace. Tell me… isn’t that dangerous?”
Su Qing nodded and said, “It’s truly terrifying… Then why would Senior Great Emperor of Antarctic Longevity go to the Thirty-Sixth Heaven?”
“Naturally, he’s striving to resolve matters concerning the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth…” Li Shan Lao Mu said helplessly, “Ahem, alright, let’s not talk about that anymore. At your current realm… knowing these things won’t be of much use.”
Hearing this, Su Qing understood that the Old Mother did not intend to delve deeper, so she obediently nodded.
Although she was curious about such matters, she could control her curiosity.
However, after these topics were dropped, Su Qing was momentarily at a loss for what to say.
Fortunately,
A sound came from inside the room at that moment.
Bai Suzhen had woken up…
“Sister, has Master arrived too?” Bai Suzhen’s voice drifted from inside the room, carrying a hint of weakness and grogginess, seemingly due to the secret method.
Su Qing replied, “Indeed, Senior has arrived…”
“Ah? Why is Master here? Wait a moment, I’ll come out once I’m dressed,” Bai Suzhen said hurriedly, seemingly perking up instantly upon hearing that Li Shan Lao Mu had truly arrived.
Li Shan Lao Mu rarely came here; she had only visited once yesterday, and now she was here again today, which truly surprised Bai Suzhen.
She hastily tidied her clothes, but felt utterly drained… even casting spells became much more difficult, as if her Dharma power was constantly draining away.
Her heart jolted, and she immediately performed an internal inspection of her body.
Thus, she discovered that the secret method had taken effect.
“How could it be so sudden?” Bai Suzhen was both startled and delighted.
Although this secret method was indeed potent and offered many benefits, it relied on probability… which made her quite helpless.
She hadn’t conceived not because she hadn’t used the secret method, nor because she intentionally didn’t want to conceive. It was simply that the secret method was so peculiar, like a lottery… she kept failing to win, which was why it had dragged on until now.
“No wonder… no wonder my Dharma power is depleted and my internal state is weak… so this is the reason. Since this is the reason, I can finally relax…” Bai Suzhen let out a long sigh of relief, then put on her clothes and walked out.
Although she usually paid no mind to her image in front of Su Qing, she behaved exceptionally demurely in front of the Old Mother.
She curtsied slightly and greeted, “Greetings, Master… Why have you come so early?”
Li Shan Lao Mu looked at the girl, her eyes swirling with Dharma light, seeing through Bai Suzhen’s internal state, then said with a beaming smile, “Naturally, I came for the life within your belly…”
“Master already knows?” Bai Suzhen was stunned, then suddenly understood, saying, “Of course, Master comprehends the ways of Heaven and Earth; it’s not strange for you to have divined it.”
“Divined it? No… it’s just that the commotion you two made last night was too great, and the secret method’s operation resonated with Heaven and Earth, causing an unusual phenomenon. That’s how I came to know of it,” Li Shan Lao Mu said with a smile, shaking her head.
She had no intention of bragging about herself… things were as they were.
Bai Suzhen nodded and said, “So that’s how it is…”
Li Shan Lao Mu looked at her and said with a chuckle, “Although the secret method is quite gentle, it still has some impact on your body… These days, remember to take more pills that replenish Qi and blood; that should help a lot…”
Bai Suzhen respectfully nodded at her words, saying, “This junior understands.”
“Alright, I’ve seen what needed to be seen, and said what needed to be said. I won’t disturb you two young ones’ sweet nothings anymore. This old woman will take her leave,” Li Shan Lao Mu said with a narrowed-eye smile, then stood up.
Su Qing smiled and shook her head, saying, “How could Senior’s presence here be a disturbance? I would even wish for Senior to stay longer!”
“Oh? If you truly think so, that’s quite nice… However, I have other matters to attend to and cannot stay long with you.” Li Shan Lao Mu shook her head; regardless of whether Su Qing’s words were sincere or merely polite, she had no intention of lingering.
She felt somewhat in the way here…
Moreover, she had nothing left to say and indeed had other things to do, so it was natural for her to leave.
Seeing this, Su Qing no longer tried to persuade her to stay, merely cupping her hands in a respectful bow and saying, “In that case, Senior, please take care…”
Li Shan Lao Mu smiled, nodded, and then vanished.
After the Old Mother left,
Su Qing and Bai Suzhen celebrated. Su Qing spoke many words, clearly in high spirits.
“You’ll need to take some pills to replenish Qi and blood for a while. I’ll refine some for you,” Su Qing said. Although she knew Bai Suzhen didn’t lack such things, she still decided to make some for her.
After all, it was a gesture of goodwill!
Bai Suzhen also smiled and nodded, not refusing Su Qing’s kind offer.
Time flowed on.
Another day passed in the blink of an eye.
Last night, Su Qing and Bai Suzhen had been much more well-behaved, sleeping soundly through the night.
The next morning,
It was time for Su Qing to depart.
After leaving behind some of the Qi and blood replenishing pills she had refined yesterday,
She rode her Somersault Cloud and left Li Shan Mount Li.
When leaving Li Shan Mount Li,
Su Qing did not go to see Li Shan Lao Mu…
Because Li Shan Lao Mu had already left Li Shan Mount Li today, there was naturally no need to bid farewell.
As for where Li Shan Lao Mu had gone, how would she know? Even the Daoist boy didn’t know!
Su Qing’s Somersault Cloud was incredibly fast, and it wasn’t long before she returned to her domain in the Northern Continent.
In the domain, in the sleeping palace.
Several Dragon Girl attendants were tidying everything in the sleeping palace.
After Su Qing returned, the Dragon Girls respectfully bowed.
Su Qing didn’t care much for such formalities…
After giving a few simple instructions, she went to find Liu Xixi.
At this moment, Liu Xixi was sitting in the study, organizing the day’s official documents…
She rubbed her temples, her expression slightly grim, unsure if it was due to the sheer volume of documents or their content.
She was so focused that she didn’t even notice Su Qing appearing behind her.
Su Qing peered over her shoulder, glanced at the content of the official documents, and then raised an eyebrow.
It was indeed about the North Sea Dragon Palace.
Seeing this,
Su Qing patted her shoulder and said, “May I see these documents?”
Liu Xixi flinched at Su Qing’s pat, clearly startled by her.
She looked up at Su Qing’s calm and gentle face, then patted her chest, saying, “Sovereign Yuanjun, when did you return? Why didn’t you inform me beforehand, or even knock on the door? You walk so silently!”
Liu Xixi’s face showed some displeasure, but it quickly subsided.
One shouldn’t show too much emotion while working, but being startled like that did make her a little annoyed. It was fortunate that it was Su Qing who had startled her.
If it had been anyone else, it might not have ended so simply.
Su Qing took the documents from her hand, smiled sweetly, and said, “I just got back a little while ago. I intended to give you a surprise, but I didn’t mean to startle you. I apologize.”
As she spoke, Su Qing also looked at the documents in her hand…
They stated that:
Due to the anomaly in the Dragon Palace, tsunamis were frequent, maritime disasters were constant, and the coastal populace was suffering. Therefore, they implored Great Emperor Zhenwu to send people to provide disaster relief and eliminate the calamity.
Following that were some detailed contents…
After reading the documents, Su Qing checked who had sent them.
Sure enough, it was the North Sea Dragon King…
Seeing this, Su Qing couldn’t help but smile helplessly, saying, “This North Sea Dragon King is truly interesting… He even sought help from Great Emperor Zhenwu. First he sought me, then Great Emperor Zhenwu… Oh, no, although this fellow sought Great Emperor Zhenwu, he was actually still seeking me… After all, as the North Sea Dragon King, he couldn’t possibly not know that I am currently filling in for Great Emperor Zhenwu. So, is he just trying a different way to ask me for help? Heh… that old fellow has many schemes.”
In truth, it was quite normal for the North Sea Dragon King to seek help from Great Emperor Zhenwu… After all, the North Sea was within the Northern Continent’s jurisdiction, and naturally, also under Great Emperor Zhenwu’s governance.
However…
Now, the North Sea Dragon King was seeking Great Emperor Zhenwu, but was actually seeking Su Qing…
This made Su Qing unable to resist complaining.
Su Qing shook her head, then returned the documents to Liu Xixi, saying, “I will personally handle this matter… there’s no need to send anyone ahead.”
Liu Xixi took the documents and said, “Won’t this be a bit unsafe? Although Sovereign Yuanjun, your strength is formidable, this matter of the North Sea Dragon Palace seems rather strange. That Old Dragon King’s power is not weak, yet he’s begging everyone for help, which is clearly unusual… it would be better to send someone to accompany you.”
Although Liu Xixi had great faith in Su Qing’s strength and didn’t think Su Qing would likely encounter any mishaps, she still decided to remind her, just in case.
Facing these words,
Su Qing smiled and said, “No need to worry, my strength is quite good. But you’re right, I can indeed bring one more person… Hmm, I’ll go find Leng Xiang then.”
“My intention was… to call on General Snake or General Tortoise. If you call on Leng Xiang, what’s the difference between that and going alone with a weapon?” Liu Xixi understood Su Qing’s situation very well, and naturally knew Leng Xiang’s true nature.
But Su Qing shook her head and said, “I’m not very familiar with General Snake and General Tortoise, and it might be difficult to coordinate if we go together, so it’s better to call on Leng Xiang. Although Leng Xiang is a Sword Spirit, she’s also an intelligent Sword Spirit who can help me a lot… I’ve already decided this, so you don’t need to say anything more.”
Liu Xixi sighed helplessly at her words, saying, “I understand…”
She was, after all, Su Qing’s subordinate. Once Su Qing made a decision, she couldn’t say much more… so she could only nod obediently, indicating her agreement.
Su Qing smiled at this, saying, “Don’t worry, I have my own considerations… If it truly doesn’t work out, I will naturally seek the assistance of the two generals.”
“As long as Sovereign Yuanjun has a plan,” Liu Xixi looked at Su Qing, nodded, and said, “Then, Sovereign Yuanjun, can we start processing the official duties you left behind? You’ll be departing soon, so we can’t waste any more time.”
Hearing this, Su Qing scratched her head and also nodded, saying, “Alright, let’s begin then.”
Liu Xixi was as meticulous as ever…
Su Qing didn’t mind.
She simply began to deal with the official matters that had accumulated.
There were quite a few things.
Su Qing spent a considerable amount of time just stamping documents.
Fortunately, these were all matters that Liu Xixi had already processed, and all Su Qing needed to do was stamp them, so it was relatively easy…
This also showed how diligently Liu Xixi had worked during Su Qing’s absence.
Time flowed on.
Two days passed in a flash.
After Su Qing had almost finished processing all the official business, she prepared to make a trip to the North Sea…
The North Sea was not far, and Su Qing didn’t need much preparation… the time she had was already enough.
Now, she just needed to inform Liu Xixi to take over the affairs of the Northern Continent domain, and then she could depart.
“Sovereign Yuanjun, are you really not calling on General Snake or General Tortoise?” Liu Xixi still seemed worried and couldn’t help but ask.
Su Qing said, “I told you, there’s no need… you don’t have to worry.”
“Very well, Sovereign Yuanjun, as long as you have a plan. But I hope Sovereign Yuanjun can return soon… there have been quite a few official duties lately, and I’m a bit overwhelmed on my own,” Liu Xixi said with a helpless sigh after a moment of thought. “Also, Sovereign Yuanjun, don’t push yourself too hard… if things go south, remember to inform me.”
Hearing this, Su Qing said helplessly, “You too, don’t push yourself too hard. If you can’t finish it, just put it aside and I’ll deal with it when I get back! Don’t worry, it will be over quickly…”
With that, Su Qing decided not to waste any more words.
She simply formed a hand seal and set off to find Leng Xiang.
She was going to the North Sea, but before that, she had to take her sword with her.
After Su Qing left,
Liu Xixi looked in the direction Su Qing had departed.
She couldn’t help but touch her chest.
“Phew, this nagging sense of unease still won’t dissipate…”
The reason Liu Xixi had urged Su Qing to prepare more, or to call on General Snake and General Tortoise… was precisely because of this hint of unease in her heart.
She always felt that this matter seemed far from simple…
“Hopefully… I’m just overthinking it?”
Rate on N.U.
