The Osmanthus Tree nodded silently upon hearing her words.
"It would be best if you truly think that way," the Osmanthus Tree said, looking at Su Qing's gentle face.
Su Qing smiled and replied, "Rest assured, I wouldn't lie about something like this..."
The Osmanthus Tree merely gave a cold snort, clearly not entirely convinced by Su Qing's words.
'You, not lying? Only a fool would believe that.'
Su Qing knew what the Osmanthus Tree was likely thinking, but she didn't care. To her, it didn't matter.
She just said cheerfully, "Alright, alright, let's not talk about that. I just want to know, how do we enter that grotto-heaven?"
The Osmanthus Tree huffed and then descended to the ground. "Just follow me..."
Feeling that talking to Su Qing was somewhat exhausting, she simply decided to stop wasting words and prepared to lead Su Qing directly into the grotto-heaven.
Seeing her descend, Su Qing was momentarily startled. Just as she was about to speak, she saw the tree spirit walk straight toward the massive tree.
Su Qing immediately understood and quickly followed.
Reaching the tree, the spirit did not stop, walking straight into the trunk.
Su Qing narrowed her eyes. She truly hadn't expected the method of entering the grotto-heaven to be so simple. Could she come here to find Gongsun Zhixue in the future without the tree spirit's guidance?
The Osmanthus Tree seemed to guess Su Qing's thoughts.
"Don't get ahead of yourself," the tree spirit's voice echoed. "It is only because I am leading you that you can enter so easily. Without my permission, no one else can get in."
Hearing this, Su Qing just chuckled, thinking that this Osmanthus Tree was quite adept at reading minds. She stopped overthinking and continued to follow behind the spirit.
The passage into the grotto-heaven wasn't long, only a few dozen meters.
They soon passed through the tunnel and arrived inside. There were no buildings here, only flowers and trees, resembling a small forest. It was remarkably similar to the mental space in Su Qing's mind.
Su Qing stroked her chin and asked, "Where is Gongsun Zhixue?"
"There is only one ginkgo tree here. Just go find it yourself," the Osmanthus Tree said flatly. "Alright, go on."
"Aren't you coming with me?" Su Qing asked, looking at her.
"There's no need... everything you do here is within my sight. I can see every word and action... Don't forget, this is my grotto-heaven. And this grotto-heaven is inside my body," the tree spirit replied coolly.
Her answer made Su Qing understand everything instantly.
"I see..." Su Qing nodded. "Alright then! I'll go find Gongsun Zhixue."
The Osmanthus Tree gave a light smile and nodded, then dissolved into a flurry of osmanthus blossoms and vanished, just as she had appeared.
Su Qing watched the scene, clicking her tongue in wonder.
She had to admit, the special effect of her departure was quite beautiful.
'I should learn a spell like that later... even if it has no practical use, this kind of exit is truly cool. If I use it in front of believers, I might get quite a harvest. Even in front of non-believers, it would have a great effect...'
At this thought, Su Qing couldn't help but smile.
She really could relate everything back to Incense Power.
'Without realizing it, I've become someone who puts her whole heart into the Path of Incense.'
Su Qing shook her head with a chuckle and then walked quickly into the forest.
There were many trees in the woods, but Su Qing still found Gongsun Zhixue quickly. After all, there was only one ginkgo tree.
Su Qing walked under the ginkgo tree, which proactively transformed into human form.
"Sister Xiao Qing, you've come to see me again?"
Gongsun Zhixue walked toward Su Qing with a beaming smile, skipping like a child.
Unfortunately, Gongsun Zhixue's current appearance was no longer that of a young girl, but a tall, mature, and beautiful immortal. Consequently, the scene was both adorable and gave off the vibe of a big sister trying to act cute.
In short, the lethality was even stronger.
However, Gongsun Zhixue herself didn't seem to realize that her actions were somewhat inconsistent with her current look, nor did she know how much impact she was having.
Although Gongsun Zhixue had matured a lot, a child still lived in her heart. Especially when seeing Su Qing, the old friend who had accompanied her for countless years, she subconsciously reverted to the posture she used to have before her.
Su Qing looked at her, feeling a bit dazzled. She could only look up at her pretty face, nodding with a smile. "What? Am I not allowed to come and find you?"
"That's not it... I'm just a bit surprised."
Gongsun Zhixue shook her head, and her figure swayed along with the movement, which was even more distracting.
"But, did Sister Xiao Qing come this time just to play... or do you have something to tell me?"
Su Qing smiled and said, "I'm here both to play and to tell you something."
Hearing this, Gongsun Zhixue blinked and looked at Su Qing earnestly, as if asking what it was.
Seeing this, Su Qing didn't beat around the bush and briefly explained the matter of the Full Moon Banquet.
A look of surprise flashed in Gongsun Zhixue's eyes after she heard it. Clearly, she hadn't expected that after not seeing her for a while, Su Qing had gained another daughter.
She looked at Su Qing and remained silent for a moment before saying, "A Full Moon Banquet? It's truly unexpected. In such a short time, Sister Xiao Qing's household has added another member. Congratulations to you..."
Though she said congratulations, she felt somewhat dejected in her heart. She didn't quite understand why she felt this way.
After thinking it over, she felt... she was probably jealous.
'I really am like a child. Even though... I've already grown up,' Gongsun Zhixue thought helplessly.
Her body had grown, but her mindset was still lacking. No matter how much she disguised it, she was still far behind those old foxes.
Gongsun Zhixue didn't show it, and Su Qing didn't notice her psychological change.
Su Qing looked at her, nodded, and asked, "So, are you going?"
"Sister Xiao Qing has already invited me, so what reason do I have to refuse? Naturally, I'm going..."
Gongsun Zhixue did not refuse Su Qing and nodded to indicate she would attend.
"It just so happens that I've hit a bit of a bottleneck recently, so going out for a walk is perfect. Working in isolation rarely leads to true attainment..."
Gongsun Zhixue was going no matter what. After all, it was Su Qing's child's banquet; it would be inappropriate if she didn't attend.
Hearing this, Su Qing agreed and nodded. "Yes, cultivating in a vacuum really doesn't work. But regardless, the fact that you can come to this banquet is the best thing."
Gongsun Zhixue smiled and then started chatting with Su Qing about other things.
The matter of the banquet was settled in a few words. If they didn't find other topics, Su Qing would likely have to leave soon. Even if Su Qing didn't want to leave, the Osmanthus Tree would probably come out to chase her away.
Gongsun Zhixue didn't want the conversation to end so quickly, so she took the initiative to bring up other subjects.
She rarely chatted and even more rarely initiated topics, so the subjects she found were somewhat stiff and awkward.
Fortunately, Su Qing didn't mind the abrupt and clunky transitions. She cooperated with Gongsun Zhixue and chatted about other things, quickly taking control of the conversation.
Su Qing didn't want things to be awkward either, nor did she want to leave so soon. Even if Gongsun Zhixue hadn't changed the subject, Su Qing would have. It was just that Gongsun Zhixue was one step faster this time.
The two of them talked a lot and for a long time. Unfortunately, topics always run out eventually.
When Su Qing found herself reaching the end of what they could discuss, she had to take the initiative to mention leaving.
"It's about time, so I'll head out first! Be sure to remember to come for the Full Moon Banquet when the time comes."
Su Qing waved to her with a smile and then walked back toward the way she came.
Gongsun Zhixue nodded slightly, watching Su Qing leave.
After Su Qing had walked far away, the figure of the Osmanthus Tree appeared beside Gongsun Zhixue and said something to her.
Gongsun Zhixue was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Master... no matter what, she is my Sister Xiao Qing, a very important person to me."
To Gongsun Zhixue, the most important person was Su Qing. Even though Su Qing used to tease her often, and even though she used to involve her in her tribulations for no reason... she still felt Su Qing was the most important.
Because if it weren't for Su Qing, she might still be a ginkgo tree in that dilapidated courtyard, only capable of entertaining herself.
The Osmanthus Tree sighed and said, "Fine, have it your way! As long as... you can learn what I've taught you well. However... I don't want you to use what I've taught you to throw away your life in vain."
"Don't worry, I'll be careful," Gongsun Zhixue looked at the Osmanthus Tree and nodded gently. "I am also... someone who cherishes her life. Besides... in that Great Tribulation, Sister might not even need me."
Seeing this, the Osmanthus Tree said no more, only sighed again, and then vanished into petals.
On the other side, Su Qing left the forest and followed the path back, exiting the grotto-heaven shortly after.
She returned to the base of the Osmanthus Tree. Su Qing narrowed her eyes, smelling the fragrance of the blossoms and listening to the sound of Wu Gang chopping the tree, before letting out a long breath of turbid air.
Suddenly, Su Qing felt something and looked up at the tree. She saw petals drifting down, which then transformed into human form, appearing before her.
Seeing the Osmanthus Tree suddenly appear, Su Qing smiled and was about to greet her, but the tree spirit spoke first.
The Osmanthus Tree stared at Su Qing and said out of the blue, "Su Qing, I know you are a fickle person, and I know you have many lovers and are ambiguous with many people. However... I hope you remember not to fail anyone who is good to you."
Hearing this, Su Qing was stunned on the spot. She was completely bewildered, not knowing what madness had gripped the tree spirit to suddenly say such things to her.
However, Su Qing quickly regained her composure.
She looked at the Osmanthus Tree and said calmly, "First of all, I am not a fickle person, I have no lovers, and I am not ambiguous with anyone. I have always been pure and jade-like! Secondly, I will not fail anyone who is good to me. I will naturally respond with the same kindness they show me; I will never fail them, no matter what."
Although Su Qing didn't understand why the Osmanthus Tree said those things, she responded according to her heart.
The tree spirit stared at Su Qing calmly for a long time, then snorted and said, "It would be best if that is truly the case... Also, I hope you always remember your words today."
After saying that, the Osmanthus Tree vanished.
Seeing her disappear, Su Qing was full of questions and extremely frustrated. 'What kind of madness is this tree spirit having? Coming out to say a few cryptic lines and then vanishing just as suddenly! She didn't even bother to explain why she said all that...'
Su Qing was left feeling quite irritable.
Fortunately, her emotions were always stable, and after a short while, she managed to calm herself down. She looked at the Osmanthus Tree gloomily, sighed, and then turned to leave.
Su Qing left the tree behind, and once she was far enough away, she completely pushed that bit of unpleasantness to the back of her mind.
She wandered around the Moon Palace for a bit, then thought for a moment and decided to find Moonlight Bodhisattva.
Since she was already here, she might as well notify all the friends she knew.
Anyway, she was free at the moment.
Familiar with the way, she quickly found where Moonlight Bodhisattva was located.
At the Bodhisattva's residence, Moonlight Bodhisattva was chanting sutras—they seemed to be sutras for the deliverance of souls.
Su Qing was puzzled but still stepped forward to greet her.
"Greetings, Bodhisattva," Su Qing bowed.
Moonlight Bodhisattva smiled and said, "It is rare for the Sovereign to visit this poor monk. What brings you here?"
Seeing the Bodhisattva ask, Su Qing explained the matter. However, after hearing it, Moonlight Bodhisattva shook her head helplessly.
"Although I would very much like to go, unfortunately, I cannot leave right now."
"You cannot leave? Is there something urgent, Senior?" Su Qing asked, puzzled.
Moonlight Bodhisattva nodded and said, "Amitabha. Signs of the Great Tribulation have appeared within the Moon Palace. Many lost souls have appeared out of nowhere, so I must remain here to deliver them all."
"This... how could signs of the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth appear even in the Moon Palace?" Su Qing was stunned; she hadn't expected this at all.
Moonlight Bodhisattva sighed helplessly. "The Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth... the Moon Palace is also within this world, so it is only natural that it would be affected. It's not strange for signs to appear."
"Fortunately, they are only weak signs for now... I can suppress them by myself."
"If they become stronger in the future..."
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