An Omen

That's right. Don't look at my age; I'm no old fogey who can't keep up with you youngsters.

Taishang Laojun felt Su Qing was praising him and said with a chuckle, "So, do you want this mirror? If you do, I can truly give you one."

Taishang Laojun, an old soul with a youthful heart, was indeed not someone out of touch with the times...

In fact, he was often at the forefront of innovation.

Every time he created some strange gadget, it would either make one's eyes light up or make them go dark with bewilderment.

Upon hearing this, Su Qing shook her head and said, "That won't be necessary..."

While the device was interesting, it wasn't very practical... she had no real use for it.

"Oh? That's a pity then." Taishang Laojun sounded quite disappointed, but he continued, "Forget it then! If you don't want it, you don't want it. So, what exactly brings you here today? You're not one to visit the temple without a reason. I don't believe for a second that you just missed your senior and came by for a cup of tea."

Taishang Laojun naturally understood Su Qing...

After all, Su Qing was practically his disciple. She had studied alchemy under him for many years, and after spending so much time together, how could he not know her?

Therefore, he didn't think Su Qing would come to find him for tea when nothing was happening.

She was much more likely to be off enjoying herself with her wives.

Su Qing smiled and nodded, saying, "Senior Taishang Laojun truly knows me well... I did indeed come today because I have something to ask you."

"I knew it..." Taishang Laojun rolled his eyes and said, "Speak then. What do you want to ask?"

Su Qing scratched her head and said, "It's about the North Sea..."

"The North Sea? Did something happen?" Taishang Laojun didn't know what had occurred there...

He had been very busy lately... He hadn't even refined much in the way of elixirs.

The few furnaces currently burning were elixirs he had started long ago, ones that required a significant amount of time to process...

That was why, when the Gold and Silver Boys contacted him, his first thought was worry over his elixirs... After all, he had invested a vast amount of energy and materials into them.

However, precisely because he had been so busy, the Old Dragon King hadn't been able to find him. Upon learning at Tushita Palace that Taishang Laojun was away, the Dragon King had simply left in silence, not daring to ask the two boys to contact him... nor telling them what urgent matter he had.

Thus, Taishang Laojun truly had no idea what had happened.

Su Qing nodded and briefly explained the situation in the North Sea.

Taishang Laojun listened intently...

As he listened, his fingers moved in a series of divinations.

Soon.

Su Qing finished her explanation.

Taishang Laojun was still calculating, not yet answering Su Qing's words...

Su Qing wasn't in a hurry. She had plenty of time, and since the matter was already resolved, there was no need for haste.

A long time passed.

Taishang Laojun finally stopped his calculations.

He silently stroked his beard.

"Does Senior know what that Black Water actually is? And why it appeared?" Su Qing hadn't forgotten the purpose of her questions and followed up immediately.

Upon hearing Su Qing's question, Taishang Laojun snapped out of his thoughts and sighed, saying, "You two, withdraw for now. What follows is not for your ears."

The Gold and Silver Boys looked at each other in surprise...

Clearly, neither had expected to be kicked out while they were just watching the show.

They wondered what monumental things the two were about to discuss.

However, regardless of their curiosity...

Since Taishang Laojun had ordered them to leave.

They naturally wouldn't disobey.

Thus, the two bowed slightly and silently withdrew.

After leaving.

The two didn't eavesdrop.

They simply went back to watch the elixir furnaces obediently.

If they were to eavesdrop, Taishang Laojun would certainly know...

Even if he wasn't physically present.

Once the two had left.

Su Qing spoke again, "It seems this matter is of great importance?"

Taishang Laojun nodded slightly and said:

"This matter... is indeed of great importance! This 'Black Water' is a type of omen for the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth. In fact, it's an even stronger omen than the ones you've seen before."

"Hmm? This counts as an omen of the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth?"

"Correct. Because that Black Water you mentioned is not so much water as it is a mutated Earth Vein..." Taishang Laojun raised an eyebrow and said, "Precisely because it is a mutated Earth Vein, it possesses such powerful spiritual energy and such intense pollution. It can even affect a person's temperament and cause fish in the sea to turn into demons."

"A mutation of the Earth Vein?" Su Qing frowned as she listened. "I just didn't expect a mutation of the Earth Vein to have such an effect, to the point where the Earth Vein itself gained a bit of sentience?"

"Heh, naturally... Earth Veins are the source of spiritual energy. What's so strange about them having such abilities? Don't forget, even that junior brother of yours was born from a spirit vein of heaven and earth!" Taishang Laojun shook his head and said, "The Ancestral Vein is also an Earth Vein."

Su Qing nodded and said, "I see... But now that I've suppressed the Black Water, will there be any repercussions?"

Taishang Laojun chuckled and shook his head, explaining:

"Rest assured, you suppressed it well. Although the Earth Vein has mutated, it is still an Earth Vein. It absolutely cannot be uprooted. If it were... however much the Earth Vein had mutated would have to be removed. Setting aside the immense difficulty of such a task, even if it were removed, it wouldn't be a good thing."

"The Earth Vein is the foundation of a region. If an Earth Vein is removed, the area will suffer at best from chaotic and depleted spiritual energy, and at worst, it will become a barren wasteland where nothing grows and spiritual energy is severed... Therefore, the Earth Vein must not be removed... Suppression is the best choice."

"After all, even a mutated Earth Vein is still an Earth Vein and can still provide spiritual energy to the region."

"However, you likely only suppressed one part of the Earth Vein. In a few days, I will send some people over... to suppress the entire mutated area."

"Lest it crops up again from somewhere else later..."

Su Qing breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this... Although the matter sounded serious, fortunately, there were people to clean up the mess.

"Then I can rest easy," Su Qing said with a nod.

Taishang Laojun shook his head helplessly and said, "Don't rest easy too soon. This mutation of the Earth Vein... means the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth is one step closer to us."

Su Qing gave a helpless smile and said, "Another step closer?? Does this mean the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth is imminent? Tsk, I thought it would be a bit later! I didn't expect it to start so soon. Does that mean everything I did before was in vain?"

"No, no, no... What you did was not useless. This omen is still just an omen, only stronger than what you saw before." Taishang Laojun shook his head and said, "Furthermore, the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth has indeed been delayed. It's still as previously calculated—delayed by about one or two hundred years!"

Su Qing frowned slightly and asked, "If that's the case... then why..."

"Hehe, this omen looks very formidable, but since it could be suppressed by you, it means this omen is actually quite mild..."

Taishang Laojun stroked his beard. Inside the mirror, he looked up at Su Qing and said in a calm tone:

"If not for you disrupting Fate, this omen would have been far more violent. The decades leading up to the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth would also have been much more chaotic. But now, thanks to your interference, time has been bought, and the chaos between heaven and earth has been greatly reduced."

"Is that so? I didn't expect the Black Water, which almost polluted the entire North Sea, to be considered a 'mild' omen..."

"Yes, that's right... In truth, the influence of the approaching Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth began a long time ago... It's just that back then, it was subtle and silent, like a mist. Now, it's starting to rain. As for the actual storm... that is yet to come."

"...I see." Su Qing nodded and said, "But if this only counts as light rain, how terrifying will the storm be?"

"I don't know. But many people will certainly die..."

Taishang Laojun gave a thin smile, though it held no joy; it was more like a bitter grin. He continued:

"Especially immortals and demons... they will likely be the ones to die in the greatest numbers. As for mortals... 'Heaven' seems to want to carry the mortals into the new era while cutting off the path of the 'Immortals'. So, no matter how intense the chaos between heaven and earth becomes, mortals may die in large numbers, but they will not be wiped out... I suppose that's the only good thing about this Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth."

"Severing the path of Immortals to continue the path of Humanity? The thoughts of 'Heaven' aren't that hard to guess. I just didn't expect 'Heaven' to be so biased toward mortals!"

Su Qing was silent for a moment, then smiled and said:

"But you're right... It is indeed a good thing that humanity can continue. However, I don't want to become a sacrifice just like that... I imagine other immortals feel the same way! Tsk, suddenly, I think I understand why you all insist on keeping this from the middle and lower-tier immortals and cultivators."

"What Heaven wants is the continuation of eras, the end of the cycle... It doesn't care who it carries over or whose path it cuts off. It just so happens that it carries the mortals and severs the path of the immortals."

Taishang Laojun nodded and said:

"Indeed... After hearing me say this, it seems you've also guessed what we fear and worry about!"

"Yes! I can guess a thing or two."

Su Qing nodded and said with a chuckle:

"After all, not all immortals can remain as calm as you seniors, seeking a way of Tuoshen while continuing to work for mortals. Immortals with slightly weaker temperaments might do many out-of-line things just to survive... At that point, immortals would be no different from demons."

Immortals were not selfless; most were just as selfish as anyone else.

The reason they worked for mortals was partly because they received offerings, and partly because of the constraints and salaries of the Heavenly Court.

Therefore, when death was at their doorstep...

Immortals would also do foolish things.

And if an immortal did something foolish, the harm would be far greater than that caused by a mortal.

"You truly are a clever girl..." Taishang Laojun nodded with satisfaction. "Originally, we didn't plan to tell you these things... After all, we were also worried you might go to extremes and eventually become our enemy."

"No wonder you all acted like riddlers at the beginning. So that's how it was..."

"It was merely out of many concerns. No matter how much we like you, our little disciple, there will always be worries."

"That's true. If it were me, I'd probably be even more cautious than you." Su Qing nodded, not blaming them at all. She simply said, "Anyway, let's not talk about those old stories..."

Upon hearing this, Taishang Laojun didn't say anything more. He just smiled, nodded, and said:

"In any case, the matter of the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth must be kept secret for as long as possible. Even if it is to be made public, it must wait until the matter of Tuoshen is fully settled. Only then can we better avoid chaos between heaven and earth... Those omens are already enough to make the world a mess; if the immortals and demons add to the chaos, it will only get worse."

"I understand... I will also do my best regarding this matter." Su Qing nodded and said, "After all, I don't want to see the world in chaos either..."

"Yes, we've put a burden on you."

"What burden?" Su Qing shook her head and said, "It's just doing a few small things."

Seeing this, Taishang Laojun said nothing more...

And Su Qing felt they had talked enough, so she spoke up, "Alright, I've asked what I wanted to ask. Senior Taishang Laojun, don't you still have things to do? I won't disturb you any further."

"Heh, you girl. You say it so nicely, but you've just finished your questions and are planning to head back!" Taishang Laojun laughed and shook his head. "Go then! Leave the aftermath of the North Sea to us of the older generation."

Su Qing smiled and nodded, saying, "Then, this junior shall take her leave."

Taishang Laojun nodded and said no more.

He simply waved his hand and extinguished the Magic Mirror.

Watching the figure in the Magic Mirror vanish.

Su Qing let out a long breath and turned to walk out of Tushita Palace...

The news she had received today had left her thoughts in a bit of a jumble.

Despite her calm demeanor in front of Taishang Laojun, she wasn't actually that composed...

Walking out of Tushita Palace.

Su Qing watched the immortals flying back and forth outside.

She thought to herself, 'Whatever, I'll do my part and leave the rest to fate! Now that I have a method ofsurviving the tribulation... and there are still so many years before the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth arrives, it's enough for me to take those close to me and escape together.'

'But... I am truly curious about how much the world will change after the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth.'

'In a future without immortals, will it be like my past life, developing technology?'

Su Qing naturally had no idea about that...

At most, it was just a bit of anticipation.

Soon.

Su Qing reined in her scattered thoughts.

She formed a hand seal.

Stepping onto her Somersault Cloud, she prepared to head back.

When she left.

Su Qing moved very quickly.

She did so specifically to avoid Yuelao.

After all, every time she met Yuelao, her reputation would suffer afterwards.

This time, Su Qing was lucky.

She hadn't run into Yuelao either coming or going.

She left the Heavenly Court without incident.