Chapter 3, Seeking Disciples

The grand spells cannot be used, but the minor spells are still available. It is the spring season in the mortal realm, with lush green grass. Although it lacks the beauty of the heavenly realm, it possesses a different kind of charm. I was momentarily delighted by the sight and, feeling lazy, chose not to use the shrinking technique, opting instead to walk directly to the town. However, I soon noticed that every passerby was staring at me, which made my heart race with anxiety, leading me to suspect that there was a flower growing on my face.

I tidied up briefly and then sought out the Southern Celestial Star Lord to present the decree of the Heavenly Empress

As I watched, seven or eight ferocious thugs armed with weapons approached like wolves and tigers

However, the heavenly realm has strict limitations on descending to the mortal world in order to avoid interfering with human life

I stood by, at a loss for a long time, nearly struck by the vase, but ultimately managed to escape

Master, oh Master, why are the people of the mortal world so terrifying? No wonder you told me not to go outside

I am currently troubled by this matter," Le Qing fixed his gaze on my face and replied in great detail, "Just now, seventeen wandering souls came to me seeking justice. They are all literati from several neighboring counties, claiming that while they were out enjoying the spring in the Western Mountains, they were suddenly killed by a woman, yet they could not describe her appearance. The Inspectorate has investigated for quite some time without any results. Now, that group of literati is still causing a commotion in the City God Temple, shouting that justice is clear and unyielding, insisting that I conduct a thorough investigation and provide a fair resolution. However, how can a small City God Temple take charge of such a demon that kills? I can only organize the case files and report to the Heavenly Court, leaving them to deal with their troubles.

I hurriedly forced a smile, approached to inquire about their well-being, and asked: "Where is your father?"

After wandering and stopping, I finally found an abandoned city god temple that had been neglected for a long time. However, I saw that the window bars were covered with layers of spider webs, the red-painted and colorful statues had faded, and thick dust was everywhere. I covered my nose and took out a handkerchief to carefully wipe for a while, and after much effort, I managed to slightly clean the broken offering table and placed the child flat on it. Then I recited a spell to summon the city god of this place.

Let that small thought be forever buried in the ground

Le Qing's body stiffened for a moment before he gently broke free from my hand and took two steps back, saying: "I have been patrolling the neighboring counties for many years. Five days ago, I saw your esteemed master at the Fenglai Inn in Luoshui Town. He seemed to be concealing his celestial aura, pretending to be an ordinary person, traveling with his wife. I did not receive a summons, so I did not dare to disturb him"

The man once again clasped his hands and said: "This humble deity is called Le Qing, and I am the city god of this place. May I ask what instructions the esteemed immortal has?" After speaking, he raised his head to look at me, staring intently as if I were a rare curiosity, fearing that a mere glance would lead to a loss.

"It is— it is the Fairy Qing Yao—" The Southern Sky Star Lord randomly pulled out the register for descending to the mortal realm, poised to write, but the characters were either out of bounds or crooked and unrecognizable

I am an immortal made of jade, naturally without father or mother, and my friend, the vine flower fairy, cannot be considered an official either, only able to shake her head

The child no longer cries, yet my heart is filled with greater worry, not knowing where to search for the whereabouts of my master, whether in the south or the north.

She sneered, "Benefits? What benefits can you offer me? How much silver?"

Fighting is not an option; learning from the Bodhisattva to save the world is my duty as a celestial being. I quickly approached, circled around him a few times, and picked up a twig to poke at his face. Upon discovering he was still breathing, I exerted effort to pull him out and examined his injuries, only to find that this child possesses a trace of celestial essence.

The master has transformed me from a white jade stone into an immortal, and despite my foolishness, he has cherished me for two thousand years. His vision is quite lofty, and he usually does not regard other fairies; now that he has married his beloved, it is indeed a great joy. As his disciple, I should sincerely wish for him and the master’s wife to be like mandarin ducks, united forever. How could I let my petty temperament interfere?

I recalled the divination of the Snow Swallow Fairy, and with a bitter smile, I shook my head, fully aware that my fate with love has come to an end in this life

Taking advantage of my fervent determination, the next day I sought out the Heavenly Consort to request her permission to descend to the mortal realm. The Heavenly Consort, being gracious and understanding of my feelings, readily agreed without hesitation, even omitting any time constraints in her decree, allowing me to go for as many days as I wished.

The mistakes brought unexpected gains, which made me somewhat excited, and I inadvertently applied a bit more force than intended. The child slowly awakened, looked at me, and suddenly smiled.

On weekdays, the immortal takes on disciples, and both sets of parents are filled with joy and delight, having never heard of any flattery; I shake my head again.

After summoning repeatedly and waiting endlessly, the City God finally arrived, albeit belatedly. As I looked on with indifference, I was surprised to find not the usual elderly figure, but a young man in his twenties. He wore no official cap, dressed in simple black clothing, and had a handsome appearance. However, there was a hint of coldness in his eyes, and his hands bore several ink stains, clearly indicating that he had come in haste

A child of about seven or eight years old, covered in blood, showing no signs of life.

The pear trees, adorned with snow-like blossoms, are accompanied by the same gentle clouds and the same unparalleled tenderness

The child is still asleep, breathing evenly. I wet a cloth to wipe his little face, and the more I look, the more I feel that his features are strangely familiar. A curious thought suddenly flashes through my mind—could this child be the illegitimate son of my heartless, abandoned disciple's master who has run away?

After much research, I have finally discovered that there are very few mortals with celestial bones, while there are many lecherous men. As a dignified celestial maiden from the heavenly realm, I have been teased by them to the point of having to use invisibility, shrinking, and levitation techniques to escape in disgrace. Ultimately, I had no choice but to transform into a male figure, and then I stared intently at the young girls by the roadside, searching for those with celestial bones. As a result, their mothers hurriedly took their children back into the house, and while closing the door, they spat at me and scolded, "With such a good appearance, why not learn something worthwhile, but instead act like a lecherous man! Despicable!"

Le Qing looked at me for a while, then hesitantly asked: "Are you a celestial being descended to the mortal realm to resolve a love tribulation?"

His wife? Who is his wife? My tongue is tied, and I can hardly speak.

Since the disruption of celestial marriages by the red thread, countless bizarre love entanglements have arisen, leading many immortals to be compelled to descend to the mortal realm to face their tribulations. It is not surprising that Le Qing has been receiving them for many years and harbors such doubts

He realized belatedly: "This is the first time I have seen a living fairy, ah, my apologies..." After saying this, he blushed even more strangely

The child blinked and shook their head: "I don't know"

After several days of dodging and searching, I finally discovered a beautiful little girl, possessing a hint of ethereal grace. I then discussed with the woman who called her 'mother' for quite some time. The heavily made-up woman looked at me, unable to speak from her laughter, serving tea, pouring wine, and having the maid attend to us. Finally, she said: "If that child grows up, she will surely be a stunning beauty. Look at this young gentleman, tall and handsome, and she is indeed a match for him, a perfect pair of celestial beings. The mother is not a heartless person; if you truly wish to redeem her, a thousand taels of silver will suffice."

I was greatly astonished and fled again

The fairy's performance was truly excellent. As the melody gradually faded, Le Qing, who had been keeping his head down, quickly offered his praise

The immortal has descended to the mortal realm, with eighty percent of his powers sealed. At this moment, seeing his suffering, I find myself at a loss, feeling deeply distressed. I can only hold this child in my arms, softly whispering words of comfort. With my left hand, I exert effort to extract three strands of soul silk, quietly extending them into his mind for a simple examination, only to discover that two of his souls from the three souls and seven spirits have been damaged, injuring his life essence, hence feigning this state of foolishness.

The immortal has arrived, I apologize for my tardiness, but the small temple is in urgent need of funds, and I truly cannot produce even half a tael of silver, please forgive me... Is that a fairy?" He looked at me in astonishment, quickly straightened his clothes and hat, and vigorously patted the dust off his body, appearing quite nervous

I feel that his gaze is quite rude, and he has indicated his dissatisfaction several times with his eyes

A strong smell of blood assaulted my senses, and I couldn't help but feel nauseous, quickly turning to leave. However, I noticed a small figure move slightly among the pile of corpses

I am a cultivator from a family of immortals, and in the heavenly realm, one does not spend money, so how could I carry silver on me? I then laughed and said, "I, a humble immortal, have seen that your daughter possesses celestial affinity and wish to take her to the heavenly realm as my disciple. In the future, her ascension will undoubtedly bring her great benefits."

I hurriedly explained: "I am Yuyao, not Ziyao"

This thought stirred my mind into a bit of chaos, so I decided to wait until I wake up to ask him. If this child truly belongs to my master, I must confront him and clarify the reason for his disappearance over a thousand years ago.

She then asked: "Do you have any relatives or friends in government?"

That child is extraordinary; upon seeing my transformation, he was not shocked but merely stared blankly and said: "This appearance feels remarkably familiar."

In the afternoon, I continued to wander aimlessly when I suddenly sensed a wave of demonic energy coming from the west. I am neither a celestial general who subdues demons nor a warrior of great skill. Logically, I should avoid such matters to prevent being caught in the crossfire. However, that day, seeing a few pear trees growing there, I felt a surge of curiosity and could not help but want to take a look.

Le Qing also took a moment to observe, and suddenly said: "A few days ago, I had the honor of meeting your esteemed teacher."

A ripple suddenly arose in my heart's lake, and I made the decision to bring him back without any hesitation

After this battle, I have become thoroughly fearful, and my desire to take on disciples has diminished somewhat. I no longer yearn for the bustling towns, but instead wander through the mountains and fields, waiting for the day of my return to the heavenly realm.

Le Qing calculated briefly and then said: "This person does not belong to the area under my jurisdiction, nor do they have any background."

The beings of the celestial realm are not recorded in the mortal world. As I looked at that child, I was already eighty percent certain in my heart. Suddenly, all the blood rushed to my head, and I felt dizzy and lightheaded. Ignoring the filth, I leaned against the pillar in the temple to catch my breath for a moment.

I employed an invisibility technique and quietly approached. Fortunately, the demon had already left, leaving behind a chaotic scene of the dead. Many corpses had been severed into pieces by the monsters, their blood staining the pear blossoms red, transforming this spring landscape into a hell of asuras.

I suddenly realized and curiously asked him how he knew so much. The husband, seeing my ignorance, smugly declared that he was a frequent visitor to the brothel. Just then, his wife came in to deliver soup, and upon hearing this conversation, she immediately smashed the soup bowl, grabbed a broom, and engaged in a fierce struggle with her husband.

He was too weak... Soon he fainted again. I dared not recklessly use the Five Ghosts to transport him, fearing it would harm his vital energy, so I had no choice but to carry him down the mountain myself. After walking just a few steps, I began to gasp for breath and had to lay him down on the grass. I immediately searched for herbs to treat his wounds and, seeing that the wounds were not deep, I finally felt relieved

The celestial fairy rarely descends to the mortal realm, no wonder he has never seen one. I felt relieved, slightly returned the greeting, and then pointed at the child, saying: "I discovered several corpses in the forest to the north, with only this child surviving, thus I sought the city god's guidance on what exactly happened"

The child beside me slowly awakened, opening wide those distinctly black and white eyes, staring blankly at the surroundings, filled with unease, just like I was terrified when I stealthily took the jade rabbit from Chang'e's home to the Peak of Solace many years ago

Seeing him heavily intoxicated, I requested permission to take the pen and fill it out myself. However, I am a jade stone that has become an immortal, raised in the heavenly realm, and have never descended to the mortal world. Finding it fresh and interesting, I naturally wished to experience it for a few more days. Without a second thought, I filled in thirty days at the place of return, then obediently accepted the power seal, and excitedly set off to the mortal realm riding the Qingluan provided by the Southern Heavenly Palace.

Although your master's wife is masked, her grace is captivating enough to topple nations and cities, and she is adorned with jade and golden pearls, making one forget the mundane...'' Le Qing, perhaps seeing my pitiful appearance as if I had lost my parents, quickly changed his tone, ''Actually, she is not that remarkable; perhaps it is just that your master has a limited perspective.

I do not appreciate the connection of picking a melon in the celestial realm along with a large vine, nor do I enjoy interpersonal interactions. After much contemplation, I have decided to go to the mortal world to find a well-behaved girl with celestial qualities, raised with the teachings of the heavenly realm.

You madman! With no money and no backing, what chaos are you trying to create? Just because you have a pretty face, do you think you can deceive people? This girl is a standard courtesan, meticulously trained to become a future top courtesan!" Mother tore off her smile, cursing loudly, and beckoned to those around her, "Shut the door and beat him! I'll take the blame if he dies!"

The mother stared at me in astonishment for a long time, and finally asked, "Do you have a mental disorder?"

Uncertain how much time had passed, he fell into a trance, ceased his weeping, wiped his reddened eyes, and sat quietly beside, seemingly in a state of confusion

"It hurts, my head hurts," the child clutched their head, tears and mucus streaming down together, then convulsed all over, unable to contain their suffering, persistently asking, "Who am I? Who am I?"

I shook my head

Le Qing saw me in such a state, reaching out to help, but immediately withdrew her hand.

I could not maintain my composure and almost pulled him, pleading for him to elaborate.

During a night of lodging, I encountered a kind couple. I posed this question, and the husband revealed the underlying truth—that was a high-class brothel for the wealthy in the world, and naturally, the women inside had to appear as noble as possible, making it incomparable to the shabby establishments on the street.

I nodded slightly and asked, "Do you know the background of this child?"

I was greatly embarrassed and fled

This child's eyes resemble those of the master too closely

The child continues to cry incessantly, leaving me at a loss for what to do. I recall the way my master used to soothe me to sleep. I draw a jade flute from my waist, infuse it with spiritual energy, and play a calming melody, gentle and soft, gradually soothing his emotions.

I believe it is reasonable and shall act accordingly

The little immortal did not come to take advantage of the autumn wind. The position of the city god in the lower realm is lowly, and for a long time, they must show filial piety to the descending immortals, so they are not particularly affluent, and most of them are old men with white beards. Looking at this strangely behaving young man, I felt quite confused, doubting whether I had recited the incantation incorrectly and inadvertently summoned the son of King Yan, which made me hesitate a bit

After running a considerable distance, I turned back in indignation to look at the serene pavilion hidden in the alley, unable to comprehend why the brothels of the mortal world could rival the boudoirs of wealthy young ladies.

Le Qing, after listening to the troubles, suggested: "Why not transform into the appearance of a revered master? If anyone has seen you, they will naturally come forward to recognize you"

I was momentarily taken aback and asked again: "What is your surname and given name?"

The Southern Sky Star Lord, still intoxicated at the Hundred Flowers Banquet, glanced at me a few times in a tipsy manner and, while burping, said: "Fairy Zi-Yao, due to the interference of the celestial beings in human wars in the past, which resulted in dire consequences, all celestial beings who descend to the mortal realm will have most of their powers sealed, rendering them unable to ride the clouds and mist. You must provide a clear time for the little celestial being to return, so that we can come to fetch you."

The master has chosen a wife, whose character and appearance must be exceptional, a rare find indeed. I was overwhelmed with joy. I desperately swallowed my tears and forced a smile. Once again, I held tightly to the child, who I suspected was the master's, feeling a deep sense of compassion. I resolved that if I could not find the master, I would take him back to the Peak of Solace to care for and educate him, ensuring he would not be lost to the mortal world.