Chapter 5, Reunion with a Benefactor
The man in white indeed sat down beside her, his voice becoming even gentler: "May I ask for the young lady's name, where she resides, and why she is out here all alone?"
Bai Ling seemed to have anticipated her response: "The Tianhe Temple in the eastern part of the city"
Is that so? The man slowly raised his face, and a captivating smile sparkled in his peach blossom eyes
The man's shoulders trembled slightly
Jinxiu indeed said no more, smiling: "Your Majesty's kind intentions, how could I dare to decline? Jinxiu expresses her gratitude."
Beautiful smile: "It has been a long time since we last met, and you have grown up."
The Divine Emperor nodded and said, "In these years, you should focus solely on your cultivation and go out less often"
The young lady seems to have become infatuated, nodding blankly and obediently departing
Time flies like an arrow; three years have passed in the blink of an eye. The few master and disciples have been cultivating in the mountains, gathering herbs, and their days have been quite leisurely. This time, Wenxin instructed the two to go into the city to buy some necessary items. Hongning did not know the Shrinking Earth Technique and originally did not want to go, but she felt too embarrassed to say so. Now, with Bailing's suggestion hitting the mark, she couldn't help but smile and say, "How do you know what I'm thinking?"
After a while, Jin Xiu softly asked: "Did you do this?"
Splendid Path: "Everything is left to fate, the Emperor need not worry."
The Divine Emperor sneered: "Although I was forced to leave the Heavenly Court, I have not wronged them. The day before yesterday, the Lord of Kunlun..." He paused.
Hong Ning tore off the last petal, casually discarded the flower stem and receptacle, and sighed: "I don't know, other flowers are all liked, but I just hate seeing the apricot blossoms. Perhaps I really had a grudge against it in my past life."
The Heavenly Book Pavilion is a crucial place for storing the Heavenly Books, unguarded by anyone. However, as soon as one approaches the entrance, the curtain automatically rolls up, revealing a large writing desk. Seated at the desk is a middle-aged man, dressed in a ceremonial robe adorned with the sun, moon, and stars, wearing a jeweled crown. He has a fair complexion and a black beard, exuding an imposing presence.
The young lady lowered her head and said, "Lu Lang."
Bai Lingdao: "I have said it."
The man in white instinctively caught it in his hand, and upon seeing it clearly, his expression changed drastically
A beautiful smile lowered its head: "I dare not."
Hong Ning nodded in confusion
Bai Lingdao: "Why waste it."
The man softly said, "Come, I will take you to a fun place"
The Heavenly King is being too distant. The Divine Consort set down her tea and stepped back to stand beside the Divine Emperor
The divine consort understood: "The Yaochi gathering is approaching, I will go prepare first, please excuse me."
The man smiled and lowered his head to kiss her
Jinxiu was momentarily stunned
"Jinxiu understands, the divine consort has put in much effort," Jinxiu replied calmly, "but I will leave it to the Emperor to decide."
Red凝呆
Hearing her speak so candidly without any reservations, Jin Xiu couldn't help but laugh: "Different species cannot unite, and the celestial and mortal realms are even more distinct; this is the way of heaven. Just as a husband cultivates immortality, if his wife hinders his merits, wouldn't that be a pity? If one only clings to the mortal world, how can they ascend in the future? The arduous path of cultivating immortality is precisely to sever all worldly ties. Mutual cultivation is merely a means of mutual benefit; the two share no feelings until they are recorded in the register of immortals"
Splendid Path: "I wish to hear more details."
Hong Ning did not raise her face to look at him: "I am tired from walking, let me sit and rest for a while"
"Have you always been protecting me?"
The Divine Emperor smiled and said: "You need not make excuses, the Northern Yao Celestial Maiden has been waiting for you for twenty thousand years, do not deceive me into thinking I am unaware."
The man in white quickly noticed her, squinting his eyes, stopping in his tracks, and turning to the young woman, saying: "San Niang, you go back first, I will come to find you again tonight"
Hong Ning felt a stir in her heart and half-jokingly said, "Do you really want me to pursue immortality?"
Splendid smile: "The path of immortality is eternal"
Jinxiu did not deny it
He was originally the son of the Fox Clan in the Northern Realm, named Lu Jiu. Due to his innate possession of three tails, he was deeply favored by the Northern Realm King and could not offend the King's dignity
Jinxiu shook her head: "How can one act hastily? Jinxiu has yet to return to her rightful place, and the calamity is approaching. Over the past few years, I had intended to devote myself to cultivation, but I fear there will be no time..."
In the warm spring of March, the earth awakens, the scenery in the mountains is boundless, the water is clear and the grass is green, and the slopes are adorned with delicate apricot blossoms. A young girl in a blue dress, around fifteen or sixteen years old, walks along the mountain path with a boy in white. The girl is tearing a few apricot blossoms in her hand, leaving a trail of red petals behind her.
In a state of shock, she had not thought to be on guard at all. Unintentionally meeting his gaze, Hong Ning felt a wave of confusion wash over her, her mind clouded. She responded to his words, "Hong Ning."
The Divine Emperor nodded
Red condensation is greatly alarming
The Splendid Path: "The Labor Deity Lord is concerned, still lacking six years."
The man raised his eyebrows in surprise as he examined her: "I didn't expect you to be a practitioner. This little girl dares to play tricks. How can mere peach wood beads withstand our Three Flavor True Fire"
Bai Ling glanced at her and said no more: "You wait here, I will go buy it."
The young woman certainly possesses a certain beauty, but the man in white is an exceptionally rare handsome man, with a face like a jade crown, lips as if painted with rouge, and a pair of peach blossom eyes that are particularly enchanting. With every glance, he exudes a myriad of charms, to the extent that upon seeing him, one can overlook other flaws he may have, such as overly delicate eyebrows, overly soft facial contours, and a lack of masculine vigor. Hong Ning has always felt that Bai Ling's appearance is impeccable; however, this person's beauty extends beyond mere looks. Every gesture, every frown, and every smile is filled with captivating allure. One can easily overlook other flaws he may have, such as overly delicate eyebrows, overly soft facial contours, and a lack of masculine vigor. Hong Ning has always felt that Bai Ling's appearance is impeccable; however, this person's beauty extends beyond mere looks. Every gesture, every frown, and every smile is filled with captivating allure.
Jinxiu looked at her for a moment and sighed, "If you do not like it, there must be a reason for that."
The Divine Emperor declared: "I shall issue a decree immediately."
Jinxiu walked slowly to her front, looking in the direction where the white fox had escaped: "He ran away this time, but in fact, he did not cause any fatalities."
The Divine Emperor nodded and sighed softly: "In the future, when the Celestial God ascends again, there will inevitably be a great tribulation. With your level of divine power, it should not pose a problem, but I fear..." He paused.
Hong Ning said: "Moreover, practicing every day, devoid of emotions and desires, even if one achieves immortality, what meaning does such a life hold?"
Hong Ning felt a faint warmth on her face
The man in white gently lifted her chin and looked into her eyes: "Listen to me."
The light petals struck against my body, causing an unexpectedly unbearable pain
Seeing that he bore no resentment, Hong Ning let out a sigh of relief. She did not pay attention to the question in his words; she was merely surprised and uneasy. They had only met twice, so it was unreasonable to care so much about his opinion. Could it be... that he had already become so important in her heart?
The Lord of the Empire has made the decision.
Jinxiu Dao: "The meaning of the celestial maiden regarding this matter is still unknown..."
The man in white, unperturbed by the abruptness, slowly took the flower branch from her hand. His actions revealed a hint of frivolity, yet his tone was gentle and refined: "I too would like to rest here; I wonder if the young lady would be displeased."
"There has been an incident at the temple outside the city, I am going to take a look and will not be returning." Bai Ling's voice.
Hong Ning looked at the flower in his hand and bit her lip: "Of course, you can." She stepped aside.
The divine consort smiled beside him: "This was actually my idea. Your Majesty, please do not think me meddlesome. You are the only junior disciple of the Emperor, and I am very concerned about your matters. I always fear that there might be unforeseen circumstances when you ascend again in the future. Therefore, I thought to give you a reminder. The Northern Celestial Realm possesses unique celestial techniques, which can perfectly complement the shortcomings of our sect. In the future, with the assistance of the Northern Yao Celestial Maiden, it will be much easier to overcome the heavenly tribulation."
Hong Ning felt a wave of regret as she was about to say something else, only to see him staring blankly at the petals scattered on the ground. She suddenly realized that plucking flowers and damaging the environment was not a noble act, especially since the other party might very well be a flower spirit who had saved her life. To commit such an act of forcing flowers to bloom right under his nose was indeed disrespectful
The Divine Consort suppressed a smile: "The King of the Northern Realm has a daughter, who was conferred the title of Northern Yao Celestial Maiden in her early years. She is exceptionally beautiful and intelligent. Moreover, the King of the Northern Realm has governed the Northern Immortal Realm for many years, and he often speaks highly of you. The Celestial Maiden and the Librarian frequently inquire about you, expressing great concern. The Emperor's intention is to establish her, but I wonder if the King of the Central Heaven is satisfied with this arrangement"
Believing that he was afraid, Hong Ning softened her tone: "Considering your arduous cultivation, I am inclined to spare you. That girl has fallen victim to your charm, and her primordial yin has been largely taken away, which will undoubtedly cause her severe harm. If you return the primordial yin you have absorbed as soon as possible, I will no longer pursue the matter."
The Divine Emperor fell silent for a moment: "Since your departure, the Central Heaven has been left unguarded. Do not let me down."
Why is a young lady here all by herself? The voice carried a hint of laughter
Hong Ning said: "Anyway, I am not cultivating immortality, so if the Flower Goddess wants to blame someone, let it be me"
The Kunlun Divine Clan is inherently connected to us, with deep roots. However, back in the day, the Kunlun Heavenly Sovereign was unable to transcend the heavenly tribulation, and the Emperor was appointed as the ruler of the Heavenly Court, which naturally caused their resentment
The path of the exquisite: "Immortals have their own ways, which may not be as heartless as you imagine."
The man reached out to embrace her, lifting her face to examine it closely for a moment, revealing a look of satisfaction: "This little bit of magic dares to subdue me, interesting. Why not spend a few more days with me for amusement."
Hong Ning has her own reasoning: "I have also heard my master say that the path of immortality is essentially about altering one's fate in pursuit of eternal life, which goes against the natural laws of the universe. Therefore, to become an immortal, one must endure several tribulations. This shows that the true way of heaven is to follow the laws of nature and to be a good person. Don't you think that what you are doing is actually going against heaven?"
Bai Ling has disappeared, and it is unclear whether she heard it or not
Hong Ning said: "You know him."
Hong Ning said: "Wait for me." She collected the talisman
Hong Ning suddenly awoke
In a brocade robe with an embroidered belt, standing tall and graceful, with a gentle expression, the phoenix-like eyes subtly contain a hint of a smile. Even from a distance, one can faintly catch the fragrance wafting from him. Perhaps it is due to his presence that the surrounding flowers seem to bloom even more vibrantly than before.
Bai Ling could not be bothered to pay attention to her and quickly walked away.
Three flavors of true fire! Hong Ning stepped back: "Are you a descendant of the Nine-Tailed Fox?"
With a wave of the divine emperor's hand, the golden small characters before him instantly vanished without a trace. He looked at Jin Xiu meaningfully and said, "If I remember correctly, it has been nearly 10,000 years since my junior brother has been in charge of the floral affairs."
Jinxiu Dao: "I will diligently follow your teachings"
It turns out that he specifically came to tell her that Hong Ning enjoys the feeling of being cherished. On one hand, she is concerned about his safety, and on the other hand, she is bored herself, so she immediately asked: "Where are you?"
Hong Ning hesitated for a moment: "Will he retaliate against you?"
Hong Ning deliberately exclaimed, "So the celestial realm also has emotions and desires?"
The brocade remains silent
I... Hong Ning was just about to speak when she suddenly stopped, as if recalling something. She raised her hand and threw him an object, asking, "Young Master, can you help me see what this is?"
Divine Emperor's Path: "How is the cultivation going?"
Looking into those bright, gentle eyes that resembled rippling water, Hong Ning found herself momentarily at a loss for words. Just then, the sound transmission talisman suddenly stirred.
He wrapped his arms around the girl's waist, whispering sweet words.
Jinxiu stepped forward to pay her respects: "Your Majesty summoned me in haste, may I ask the reason for your summons?"
Beautiful Sigh: "You better not run around recklessly, I cannot always rush to your aid every time something happens." It has become quite difficult for me to predict your matters.
The man chuckled softly, gently blowing a breath, and the peach wood bead in the palm of his hand instantly turned to ashes, scattering with the wind, leaving no trace behind
Do you still prefer it this way now
Noticing someone's strange gaze, Hong Ning remained indifferent and continued to ravage the flower: "There is no need to glare at me, there are plenty of flower pickers, and I haven't uprooted it."
Hong Ning hurriedly asked, "Master, do you know?"
Hong Ning stood up and coldly said: "You wicked creature, how dare you harm others with your seductive arts? Do you know your crime?" These were originally Wen Xin's words, and now she had learned them, surprisingly possessing a certain degree of intimidation.
The Divine Emperor expressed satisfaction: "I have summoned you here to discuss a matter with you"
Hong Ning finally dared to look into his eyes and coldly laughed, "You demon fox, still trying to harm others!" It turned out that when he had looked at her earlier, she had already sensed something was amiss, feeling dazed as if she could not control herself, realizing it was a form of seduction magic. Therefore, she secretly took out the peach wood bead from her bosom and held it in her hand, throwing it at him when he was unprepared. Peach wood inherently possesses the ability to ward off evil, and Wen Xin had specially made it for her self-defense. After several rounds of refinement, ordinary demons should be unable to use any of their magical powers in its presence.
Splendid Path: "Naturally"
How dare I trouble the divine consort
It is you! Hong Ning exclaimed in surprise
A strong wind swept through, and countless petals fell from above like a sudden downpour.
The man let out a muffled groan after receiving a slap from her
The hem of the snow-white garment is adorned with silver threads, complemented by exquisite satin boots of the same pristine white, a typical attire of a wealthy young master. Knowing he stands before her, Hong Ning remains unfazed, lowering her head to continue plucking the apricot blossoms.
The Divine Emperor glanced at him, half in jest: "I see that you have no one by your side, which makes your affairs rather inconvenient. Since you are about to return to the position of a Celestial God, how about I recommend a consort for you?"
The Divine Emperor continued to gaze at the golden characters before him, raising his hand to gesture for him to sit: "If there is nothing of importance, then why has Junior Brother come?"
Bai Lingdao: "Do you have a grudge against it?"
The Divine Emperor and the Divine Empress exchanged a smile, both feeling a sense of relief
The Divine Emperor turned his face and gestured to his beloved consort: "You speak to him."
A person has a face, a tree has bark, feeling at a loss, yet unable to articulate the reason: "I don't know either, I just don't like it..."
The sun shone brightly overhead, perfectly harnessing the power of the sun's master. As Hong Ning recited the incantation, a faint radiance began to glow in the palm of her hand. With a single utterance of "strike," she directed her palm straight towards her opponent.
Who! The man quickly embraced Hong Ning to avoid, was about to get angry, but suddenly thought of something, his expression changed drastically, he let go of Hong Ning and transformed into a five-tailed white fox to escape
Hong Ning found a large white stone to sit on, casually plucking a few branches of apricot blossoms from the top of her head to continue her destruction. Soon, petals and stamens fell all around her. Just as she was engrossed in her play, a man's voice suddenly rang out, soft and pleasant, carrying an invisible allure that made her heart tremble. She looked up to see a girl of about sixteen or seventeen years old embracing a man in white, walking towards her.
The man's eyes glimmered: "What is your name?"
No one will protect others without reason, and Hong Ning can no longer use other excuses to explain. Her heart races, and she hurriedly lifts her foot to leave: "I am just going to take a look, thank you."
A splendid surprise
Splendid Path: "I dare not delay."
The sound seemed to possess a magical power, and at that moment, Hong Ning was completely unable to act on her own, indeed moving her steps to stand before him, gazing at him in a daze
Just as I sat down, a beautifully dressed woman with red lips and delicate eyebrows walked in from outside, holding a cup of tea in her hands. She smiled and said, "This is the premium Qinglian Jade Dew from the Yaochi. Your Majesty, please have a taste and see how it compares to your Hundred Flower Immortal Brew"
The Divine Emperor interrupted him: "No need to worry, I shall take the lead in deciding this matter. When you return to the Heavenly Palace in the future, we will proceed with the wedding gifts."
The regulations of the Northern Boundary Clan are extremely strict; since he has returned, there will naturally be someone to deal with him
If there is success in the future, I shall certainly share the burdens of the Emperor.
For some reason, when these words came out of his mouth, Hong Ning felt a rush of heat to her face. Looking at that handsome face, there was hardly any change compared to three years ago, which further solidified her suspicions. She composed herself and said, "Thank you for saving me again"
Hong Ning忍笑: "Do you mean that one must first suppress desires and emotions to cultivate immortality, and only after becoming an immortal can one indulge in pleasures?"
The Divine Emperor relaxed and changed the subject: "Have you heard about the Kunlun clan?"
Hong Ning called out to his retreating figure: "If you have something to discuss, just use the communication talisman to summon me"
Hong Ning came to her senses and smiled, saying, "I do not have that kind of enlightenment; I do not like cultivating immortality"