Daoist Master Fuxuan raised his brows slightly, then immediately lowered his head. "Yes."
Silence lingered in the cave for a moment. Daoist Master Yuanshang shook his head and said, "As for what I promised Chi Buzi, that must be asked on his behalf. I will write a letter and inquire about Puyu's intentions... Back then, Yuansu and Zimu were closest to him, yet he is someone who keeps no close ties. No one would dare claim to be his intimate friend. Whether he comes will depend on both my standing and Chi Buzi's."
Fuxuan bowed and withdrew quickly, leaving the old Daoist Master sitting alone within the silver light. He stared at the jade box before him, his expression heavy, unable to speak for a long time.
Who sent this... That one of Pristine Water? Unlikely... His thoughts run deep and he keeps apart from worldly affairs. Aside from Suiguan, who could act on his behalf? thought Daoist Master Yuanshang.
————
Eastern Sea.
Chi Buzi sped along without rest, traveling day and night outward from the Eastern Sea. This time, he did not head toward the outer reaches of the Peacock Sea, but instead followed the Shiqi forward, descending into one of the most remote regions.
Only after reaching the deep underground did he find a place devoid of spiritual energy, carve out a cave dwelling, and sit cross-legged in quiet reflection.
Yuanshang is indeed still alive... Chi Wei was right. [Profound Radiant Illumination] stabilizes the six senses, gathers essence, evades detection, and avoids calamity. This old man must be one of the longest-lived among cultivators. Though he cannot leave, he still has at least another decade...
His gaze remained calm as he continued to calculate, Does the Underworld's judiciary know that the [Supreme Circuit Spirit Mirror] is ownerless and no longer wielded by Jiequn? There is no way to hide it from them. I suspect they believe he can pursue Metal, so they've come to an understanding with him. In any case, the mirror cannot sustain him for long. They might as well grant him some face.
As for Penglai, Chi Buzi's intent was no passing whim. Not only did he wish to meet Puyu, he also intended to make a trip to the [Quhai Sect] of Penglai.
According to my plan, once I abandon the Pristine Water Dao, I must seek a future life. Meeting Puyu is certain, but whether it succeeds or not, it is worthwhile either way. And if I can enter the Penglai Grotto Heaven, that would be even better!
There was no other reason. Penglai was an extremely special place.
Penglai is the Dao lineage of an Immortal Lord, the inheritance of Immortal Lord Chufu. It bears lingering auspicious signs of immortality and must not be profaned. I have also heard that Immortal Lord Chufu possessed great merit, and all Daos hold him in high regard. Its status is entirely different...
Penglai Grotto Heaven was one of the rare places in the world confirmed to be suppressed by an Immortal Artifact. Chi Buzi could not be certain, but he was already eighty to ninety percent sure. Once he set foot in the Penglai Grotto Heaven, the threads of fate tied to him would grow a hundredfold more complex and undergo a qualitative leap!
Even if I remember nothing by then, it will still make the profound mysteries surrounding me harder to deduce... reducing the risk even a little is worth it.
Chi Buzi assumed the worst from beginning to end. If Pristine Water were injured, it might ignore him entirely and descend straight into [Pristine Cadence Heaven]. But for Chi Buzi, he only had one life. No level of caution was excessive!
Beyond this, a greater worry was brewing in his heart, As time draws closer day by day, immortal merits grow harder to obtain. The day I can successfully exchange them... becomes ever more distant...
Chi Buzi had already spent all his previous immortal merits in exchange for guidance from a Dao lineage. To be honest, these few battles and schemes were nothing compared to the value of what he had received. He had never regretted it. But what ultimately limited him was time.
Moreover, the risk of this matter kept rising as he slew demons and even killed several Merciful Ones, which only caused more tension, If I can obtain a technique this time, all the better... If not, what comes next will be far too dangerous... But even if I do obtain one, the method of seeking Metal is worth hundreds or thousands of times more. How difficult will that be?
He could only close his eyes and pray silently, "This humble cultivator Chi Buzi respectfully invokes the Supreme Yin..."
As streaks of white light passed before his eyes, the sensation of weightlessness returned. Chi Buzi stepped forward into empty air. His vision brightened, and he appeared once more within that courtyard.
Even after experiencing it many times, Chi Buzi still found it hard to comprehend. The higher his cultivation, the more he understood just how terrifying it was to be seized and transported across countless miles.
The four white jade lamp pedestals appeared before him once again. The place remained unchanged, its Bright Light pure and luminous, as if as eternal as the grotto heaven itself. Chi Buzi paused slightly and found the courtyard empty.
That stupid donkey is slacking off again!
By now, Chi Buzi was quite familiar with the place and knew many things. Aside from the first time, when that donkey had been on duty for the first time and waited in advance, it had almost never been punctual since. So he stepped out from the central circular pool and waited quietly to the side.
After only a moment, the courtyard gate creaked open. A young Immortal Official with pale green eyes pushed the door open and entered briskly as he called out, "Oh! Grand Daoist Master Chi has arrived!"