A Visit to the Heavens

Ao Ning was quite a bright girl...

Her words were also very pleasant to hear.

Perhaps that was why Su Qing found it so easy to chat with her...

Su Qing smiled and shook her head, saying, "I don't actually care much about those things. If they want to spread rumors, let them... It doesn't have much of an impact on me anyway."

Su Qing didn't expect Ao Ning's words to change her image in everyone's hearts, nor did she want Ao Ning to waste her efforts on such a futile task...

However, she was still quite happy that Ao Ning thought that way.

Thank the heavens.

After all these years, there were finally a few people who could see through to her true nature.

She was no 'corrupter' of women, nor was she some expert at 'leading girls astray'...

These were all just pits dug for her and rumors spread by Guanyin Bodhisattva.

Ao Ning shook her head and said, "Even if the Sovereign doesn't care, the truth is the truth. I cannot ignore the facts and join others in slandering the Sovereign's reputation..."

Although Ao Ning was very good at humoring others and could chat with anyone, she still had her bottom line...

If she were to accommodate and follow others without any principles, how would she be any different from those who merely curried favor with the powerful?

As a princess of the Dragon Palace, even if there was a vast difference in status, it was impossible for her to shamelessly flatter others without a bottom line...

She could cooperate in a conversation by discussing topics the other person liked, sensing their thoughts, and saying things they enjoyed hearing, but if she were asked to abandon her principles, that was clearly out of the question...

And one of her principles was a refusal to distort the truth just to please others.

Especially when it concerned someone relatively important...

For example, her parents, or Su Qing.

It wasn't that Ao Ning had truly fallen for Su Qing. Although she wouldn't object to marrying Su Qing, it certainly wasn't 'love' or 'affection' yet... After all, they had only met once, and she was thousands of years old; she wouldn't fall in love at first sight so easily...

The reason she felt Su Qing was important was primarily because Su Qing was the benefactor of the North Sea Dragon Palace!

If not for Su Qing, the North Sea Dragon Palace would still be mired in danger!

Therefore...

If someone slandered her benefactor...

She would certainly fight back to the end.

Su Qing smiled and slightly shook her head, saying, "Fine, have it your way!"

Seeing this, Ao Ning gave a sweet smile, her two small dimples looking exceptionally cute...

Afterward.

The two of them wandered around the domain.

They chatted about many other random things.

The two of them had plenty of topics to discuss.

Additionally, Ao Ning was exceptionally good at talking and knew how to make others feel happy during a conversation.

Naturally, the two of them became quite engrossed and enjoyed their chat immensely.

Just like that, a long time passed.

In the blink of an eye, evening had arrived.

By this time...

It would inevitably be very late if Ao Ning were to head back...

Although as immortals, there was no difference between traveling by day or night—and there wouldn't be any danger anyway—Su Qing still decided to have her stay for a day.

"This... might not be appropriate," Ao Ning said, feeling a bit embarrassed upon hearing the offer.

Su Qing shook her head and said, "There's nothing inappropriate about it... It's fine to stay for a day before leaving. The domain is very large anyway, and there are plenty of places to stay... By staying another day, you and I can chat more..."

Ao Ning hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded and said, "Since the Sovereign has put it that way, I won't refuse any further... I shall trouble the Sovereign for a day then."

Ao Ning accepted once she realized Su Qing wasn't just being polite.

After all, the person had sincerely invited her to stay...

If she continued to refuse, it would be somewhat disrespectful.

Besides, staying for a night wouldn't hurt her...

Her father hadn't said she had to return on the same day.

So, she agreed.

Seeing Ao Ning agree, Su Qing also smiled and said, "Mm, that's more like it! In that case, come back with me! I'll have someone prepare a room for you. Or, if you don't mind, it wouldn't be impossible to make do with my daughter's room... she hasn't been home lately anyway."

Upon hearing this, Ao Ning naturally said, "Then I shall trouble the Sovereign... As for staying in your daughter's room, I think I'll pass... It's not that I mind, I'm just worried it might make her unhappy. After all, I don't have her permission. I'm just a bit curious, why is the Sovereign's daughter not by your side?"

Su Qing smiled and then began to explain.

See, I told you I have a lot to talk about with her!

And so...

The two of them talked as they walked, and soon returned to Su Qing's sleeping quarters.

The matter of tidying the room naturally didn't require Su Qing or Ao Ning to do it themselves; the four dragon girls would help set it up...

Since coming here, Su Qing's favorite people, besides Liu Xixi, were these four dragon girls... They could always help handle the housework perfectly, allowing her to focus on other things she wanted to do...

Of course, there was another very important reason: they were all dragon girls, and they were very beautiful.

However, please allow me to defend myself.

It wasn't that she truly had a unique obsession with dragon girls.

She just happened to like these specific dragon girls.

Su Qing and Ao Ning chatted...

And time slowly slipped away.

At night.

Ao Ning lay in bed with a pleasant mood.

Her mood throughout the day had been exceptionally good...

Because she and Su Qing really got along well...

It wasn't just because she humored Su Qing by discussing topics Su Qing liked.

It was more because the topics she and Su Qing liked were quite similar...

That was why they could talk so much and so happily.

'It seems that if the Sovereign were truly like the rumors say, it wouldn't be so bad... If I were to truly marry the Sovereign, life in the future would definitely not be boring. Unfortunately, the Sovereign is not like the rumors... she has no such intentions toward me.'

Before sleeping, Ao Ning's thoughts were still racing, thinking about many things.

'Hehe, what am I even thinking... I've truly been single for too long and have started having such delusional thoughts.'

After yawning a few times.

Ao Ning set aside her messy thoughts.

Being able to become good friends with the Sovereign was already very lucky... How could she think of so much more?

She should just have a good night's sleep, return to her North Sea Dragon Palace tomorrow, and then fulfill her agreement with the Sovereign.

Time flowed on.

A night without dreams.

In the blink of an eye, it was early the next morning.

Last night was exceptionally peaceful.

Both Su Qing and Ao Ning slept very soundly...

In the morning.

After handling the routine official business.

Ao Ning spoke up, stating that she was going back.

Since Ao Ning wanted to leave.

Su Qing didn't stop her this time.

She only said, "Mm, let me see you off! The North Sea isn't far anyway..."

"No, there's no need, I can fly back myself," Ao Ning shook her head and refused.

"It'll be faster if I send you... It's not a big deal anyway, and since I'm free, it's good to go out for a stroll." Su Qing smiled and said, "But remember to come and visit me often in the future; life on my side is quite boring."

"Since the Sovereign has said so, then I shall trouble you..." Ao Ning was silent for a moment but eventually accepted Su Qing's kindness.

Seeing this, Su Qing nodded with satisfaction and said, "Then let's go!"

With that, Su Qing formed a hand seal and summoned the Somersault Cloud...

Then, she rode the cloud and left with Ao Ning...

As for the official documents...

Su Qing wasn't in a hurry.

With Liu Xixi around, there wouldn't be any problems even if she was away for a while.

Sending Ao Ning didn't take much time.

In just a short while, she had delivered Ao Ning to her destination.

And after seeing Ao Ning off.

Su Qing wasn't in a hurry to go back either.

With the mindset of 'since I'm already out,' she decided to go find Taishang Laojun and the other to talk about the Black Water. It was just a quick chat anyway, and it wouldn't take much time.

Su Qing was the type of person who acted immediately once she made a decision...

Once she decided, she set off right away...

Riding the Somersault Cloud, she headed straight for the Heavenly Court.

Although she could likely find Taishang Laojun if she went to his domain, it was hard to say whether she would find his incense incarnation or his true self... After all, at that level of existence, he had far more clones than she did, and it was difficult to tell the real from the fake.

Therefore, rather than traveling all the way to his domain, it was better to go directly to the Heavenly Court to find him...

If she couldn't find him, she could also go directly to Great Emperor Zhenwu to ask.

In any case, with the abilities of these seniors...

Calculating what that Black Water actually was would be relatively easy.

It didn't matter who she asked.

If it weren't for the fact that Li Shan Lao Mu had been busy again lately, Su Qing even planned to go directly to her, which would be even more convenient, and she could also visit Bai Suzhen while she was at it.

Although they couldn't have a happy battle, they could still chat and talk.

Su Qing moved very quickly.

Amidst her thoughts, she had already arrived outside the North Heaven Gate.

The North Heaven Gate was guarded by heavenly soldiers and generals.

However, when these soldiers and generals saw Su Qing arrive.

None of them dared to stop her.

They didn't even ask for her purpose and directly let her pass.

It had to be said...

The status of a high-ranking official of the Heavenly Court was quite useful.

It bypassed the inspection process for entering the Heavenly Court.

It was much more convenient and saved a lot of trouble.

After passing the North Heaven Gate.

Su Qing didn't stop, fearing she might bump into Yuelao again...

After all, during her several visits to the Heavenly Court, she had run into Yuelao every time and been stuffed with many marriage-related items, which made her rumors even worse.

Therefore, she was truly a bit afraid of meeting Yuelao.

Thus, she arrived at the place where Taishang Laojun usually refined elixirs without stopping.

Tushita Palace.

Su Qing's arrival was not concealed... she simply knocked on the door.

Soon, a boy came to welcome her.

And the ones who came to welcome her were none other than the Gold and Silver Boys.

"Greetings, Sovereign. You are truly becoming more and more beautiful, and your strength is also growing ever higher..." Gold Boy was clearly not very good at flattering others; his words were dry and not very interesting.

However, it was only natural.

Although they were just boys, they were the ones by Taishang Laojun's side.

Therefore, their status was actually not low, and they rarely needed to flatter others, so it was normal that they weren't skilled in this area.

Su Qing waved her hand, not caring at all, and simply said, "I've come here to find Senior Laojun. I wonder if he is in Tushita Palace at the moment?"

"Master? Master is not in Tushita Palace today. However, if the Sovereign wishes to see him, we can use the Magic Mirror to contact him..."

Upon hearing this, Su Qing raised an eyebrow. She hadn't expected to come to Tushita Palace only to find no one there...

It seemed she would have been better off going directly to Mount Shouyang to find him earlier!

But Su Qing was too lazy to regret it...

She simply said, "Since you have a Magic Mirror that can contact Laojun, please help me contact him. I have some matters I wish to discuss with Senior Laojun."

The two boys nodded upon hearing this and said, "We understand. Sovereign, please come into the palace and sit for a while; we shall go and fetch the Magic Mirror."

The two of them naturally didn't carry the Magic Mirror with them; such a precious item had to be kept safely and couldn't be brought along.

Besides, the main gate was no place for a conversation, so they led Su Qing into Tushita Palace...

After Su Qing sat down, one of them stayed to chat with her while the other went to fetch the Magic Mirror.

The Gold and Silver Boys moved very quickly.

Su Qing hadn't even finished two sips of her tea.

Silver Boy had already brought the Magic Mirror over.

The Magic Mirror was very large, about the height of a person... However, although it had the word 'mirror' in its name, it couldn't reflect the figure of the person in front of it like a normal mirror. Instead, one could only see a pitch-black void... like the boundless universe.

Quiet, eerie, and oppressive.

This Magic Mirror was quite peculiar.

Although it was Su Qing's first time seeing this Magic Mirror, she wasn't overly surprised.

This was Taishang Laojun, after all.

It wasn't strange for this guy to come up with all sorts of bizarre things...

Moreover, looking at the appearance of the Magic Mirror, Su Qing could roughly guess how it was used.

Most likely, this Magic Mirror was meant to display Taishang Laojun's full body...

Sure enough.

As the Gold and Silver Boys worked together to activate the Magic Mirror.

A familiar figure truly condensed within it... Taishang Laojun.

The Taishang Laojun inside was lifelike, as if the real Laojun were right there, which was also quite remarkable.

It was very strange, very impressive, and also very redundant.

To this, Su Qing was also slightly speechless...

Laojun really did love researching strange Dharma treasures.

"Oh? I was wondering why these two fellows suddenly used the Magic Mirror to contact me. I thought they had blown up my elixirs! I didn't expect it to be you, Su Qing... But you really know how to pick your time. I just left not long ago, and you've already come to Tushita Palace to find me."

The Laojun in the mirror looked at Su Qing with a laugh and said:

"How is it? This Magic Mirror I made on a whim, isn't it? It's quite interesting, right? Do you want one? If you do, I'll refine another one for you, so you can contact others as handsomely as I do."

In front of the Magic Mirror...

Su Qing looked at the Laojun in the mirror, gave a helpless smile, and said, "As expected of Senior Laojun, your whims always manage to create something that makes one's eyes light up."