Chapter 356

Seeing Bie Xuening refuse, Xiang Yuanjun did not press the matter further, clasped her hands, and retracted the thin metal sheet.

"How has the revised plan for adjusting the communication channel tests progressed?"

"Naturally, it's completed—it's already been sent over some time ago."

Real-time communication is possible from the Tai Xuan Realm to this side, but not the reverse.

Messages sent from this side take a certain amount of time for Ning Ruo on the Tai Xuan Realm to receive.

During that interval, Xiang Yuanjun took the opportunity to design this new psychokinetic armor, whose upper limit is significantly higher than the original version.

She also slightly improved the nanoscale spirit insect body-enhancing tonic, whose effectiveness is about thirty percent higher than the experimental samples Ning Ruo sent her.

"I just wonder how long it'll take for her to reply…"

As she spoke, Xiang Yuanjun suddenly stopped and turned back toward the house; Bie Xuening beside her made the same motion.

Immediately, a gold-white object drifted out from inside the house and hovered between the two of them.

It was the Ascension Platform.

A beam of light shot forth, forming Ning Ruo's projection as before.

She glanced around: "Has Xu Dage not emerged from seclusion yet?"

"..." As expected, it was still this question. Xiang Yuanjun's expression remained calm. "No."

Hearing this, Ning Ruo finally withdrew her gaze from the small hut and turned toward the nearby waterfall.

Since this was merely a powerless projection, her senses were no different from an ordinary person's, and her range of movement was limited to the Ascension Platform.

"I've received your message. The revised plan is excellent—I just need to run one more calibration."

Next, she should have asked about the improvements to the experimental samples.

Thinking of this, Xiang Yuanjun produced the thin metal sheet in her palm, ready to present it.

"By the way, your little disciple has reached Jin Dan."

Hm?

She didn't ask at all!

"Following the same path as your senior disciple—using the 'Slaying Annihilation Sword Scripture' as the foundation, supplemented with sword techniques and spiritual powers from the 'Grand Void Sword Scripture.'"

She didn't mention how many transformations.

For all of them, it was generally assumed to be the Nine-Transformation Immortal Jin Dan.

Only if it were below that level would it need to be specified.

"Mm." Bie Xuening gave a slight nod, deeply satisfied.

She had only stepped out once, and both her disciples had now achieved Soul Transformation and Jin Dan.

Come to think of it, she hadn't really managed them much anyway…

Clearly, laissez-faire was the most suitable method!

After returning, it was time to arrange a starship for Little Yunlu—she couldn't favor one over the other.

As for that rebellious disciple…

She had originally planned to upgrade her starship once she reached Soul Transformation, but last time, under some pretext, she completely overhauled her own starship…

Anyway, her starship was already fitted with the latest modules—let her keep using it like that.

As she thought this, Ning Ruo continued:

"Also, Master Mei Zu asked me to deliver this to you."

She opened her palm, and another beam of light descended onto the Ascension Platform, forming a pattern of a "yellow duck holding a heart" in her hand.

Bie Xuening: "..."

In addition, Dao friends Die Yu, Cheng Meng, Han Liu, and Hua Xi each asked me to deliver a letter to Hong Zun Dao friend—please pass them on.

More light projections descended onto the Ascension Platform, forming four envelopes floating before Xiang Yuanjun.

"..." Xiang Yuanjun paused, unable to help asking, "Only these four?"

"The others seem to have quarreled and started fighting—I don't know the details," Ning Ruo said coolly.

She was merely a heartless messenger.

She had no interest in the inner workings of these matters.

"That's all." Ning Ruo glanced once more at the small hut. "Is there anything you'd like me to relay?"

Xiang Yuanjun held the metal sheet in her hand, lips parting as if to speak, but finally shook her head slightly.

"No."

"Neither do I," said Bie Xuening.

"Alright."

Immediately, Ning Ruo's projection vanished.

"..."

The waterfall beside them crashed down from above, roaring loudly.

After the previous rainfall, the water flow had fully recovered—and was even greater than before.

Xiang Yuanjun waved her hand, and the Ascension Platform, hovering between them, drifted back into the house.

But then Bie Xuening's flat voice came from beside her: "Aren't you eager to show off your improved psychokinetic armor? Why didn't you say anything just now?"

Hm?!

Xiang Yuanjun stiffened all over, gripping the metal sheet tighter—but Bie Xuening didn't stop.

"Or do you think speaking up would seem too obvious?"

"..." After a long pause, Xiang Yuanjun finally muttered, "You're overthinking."

Why are you so talkative now, when you never are otherwise?!

He immediately gave Bie Xuening no chance to speak further.

"I'll deliver these to my elder brother first."

"Hah."

Bie Xuening did not expose her; she let out a light laugh and turned toward the small cottage.

As if she thought I couldn't tell.

Xiang Yuanjun stood in place for a long while before raising her hand and slapping the four projected envelopes before her toward the horizon.

The illusory projected envelopes also turned real in the process.

…………

The Main World's Divine Court, the Ninefold Heavenly Palace.

Inside the Huangji Lingxiao Hall.

The Dharma Assembly had ended; most deities had left here due to matters concerning the Zhenjun of the Mortal Realm.

The vast hall now held only a few lingering figures.

Yet the weight of their aura far surpassed when all the deities had been present!

Each figure seemed an embodiment of Heaven and Earth's Dao, a manifestation of the world's origin, still as a mountain, deep as a abyss.

The crimson-bearded, golden-scaled Sunburst True Dragons coiled around the pillars dared not swallow clouds or exhale mist; every divine maiden and heavenly consort still performing trembled in fear. At the highest seat sat the Tianzun, while the figures on either side were manifestations of the various Emperor-level deities.

Since it had been decided not to increase investment, naturally they would let events unfold, and use this final window to contemplate their authority and discuss with several Dao companions matters such as founding sects after the full rise of the Immortal Dao Age, and then…

Resume the music! Resume the dance!

In short, that was more or less the idea.

"According to the Covenant of the Epoch, during this Immortal Dao Age, my sect shall flourish for five hundred years in the Golden Age."

The speaker wore the Wang Guan, solemn and majestic, with twelve jade pendants hanging behind his crown.

His voice stirred a cold wind even within the Huangji Lingxiao Hall.

Zai Ming Di Jun, ruler of the Nether Court, sovereign of all spirits of the dead.

All living beings, upon death, enter the Underworld; every soul falls under the jurisdiction of the Nether Court, judged and punished according to the sins committed in life.

"Agreed." The response came from another Emperor-level deity, "Yet according to the Covenant, the Immortal Dao Seeds of this age must be selected first by me."

"The Spirit of the Sun is mine." Another Emperor-level deity spoke.

Not a single word, not a single syllable, not a single detail was missed!

"The Spirit of the Moon is mine."

One after another spoke, only the Tianzun at the highest seat remained silent.

To hold the supreme authority of this Divine Dao Epoch meant he had relinquished his claim to the division of the coming Immortal Dao Epoch.

Of course, the Immortal Dao is unfathomable; no one knows what the future may hold.

Just as he himself, once under the suppression of countless Tongxuan, had forcibly carved his way to victory and become the winner of that Immortal Dao Epoch.

As the Emperor-level deities divided their spoils.

Above them, a figure watched the scene below with keen interest.

It was Hong Zun.

But soon…

Shii-shii!

Four beams of light shot toward them at an inconceivable speed.

Hm?

Hong Zun raised his hand to intercept them; the force within made his palm tremble.

Emm…

What's going on?

Did my little sister eat dynamite today?

Even as he grumbled inwardly, Hong Zun turned his gaze to the beams of light.

When he saw they were four envelopes, his expression changed.

The inevitable had come.

Sss~

With a weary rub of his brow, Hong Zun hesitated for a long while before opening the first envelope.

After reading the first few lines, his expression softened considerably.

Die Yu was still very considerate.

But as he continued reading, Hong Zun's face grew stiffer and stiffer, until he swiftly closed the envelope.

He stood, his form vanishing from the Huangji Lingxiao Hall.

The remaining three envelopes vanished with him.

……

……

When Hong Zun reappeared, he stood beside a secluded pavilion by the Tianhe, unnoticed by all.

After confirming once more that no one was around, he sat again and opened the next envelope.

The opening lines were just as considerate, full of concern for his condition—but after that, it…

After reading two, Hong Zun's expression had grown utterly calm.

What's the big deal?

He opened the final envelope—the one written by Hua Xi.

This time the content was unusually short, just a few sentences.

【Husband, upon reading these words, know that I am with you.】

【Sister Lingrui and Sister Zhixing have quarreled again, and Sister Qian Shuang was hurt.】

【Aside from this, nothing else has happened; husband, you may rest easy.】

【May husband return soon.】

Hua Xi was always this clean and decisive, one of the quietest among his many romantic interests.

But why did Lingrui and Zhixing fight, and why did Qian Shuang get hurt?

No wonder there were only four letters.

Hong Zun: "..."

What a tragedy.

He sighed inwardly, then carefully put the letter back.

Afterward, he stared blankly at the distant lake, its surface shimmering with light, trying to empty his mind.

But he couldn't help thinking about how troublesome a situation he'd face upon reaching the Tai Xuan Realm...

Suddenly, he didn't want to go back at all!

After teasing himself, he began to comfort himself again.

emm...

Then again, what the Dao Brother might face later will probably be far more complicated than what I'm dealing with now...

After all, whether it's my little sister, the Sword Sovereign, or the Spirit Ancestor, none of them are simple people.

For now, it's fine—Cang Clan's affairs provide cover, and the Dao Brother pretends to be so proper all day.

But once the Cang Clan issue is resolved, things will get interesting.

With just those three, won't they tear a hole in the Tai Xuan Realm?

Not to mention Master Mei Zu stoking the flames...

"Hu~"

After imagining the future, Hong Zun finally let out a long breath.

People, at times like these, always think of things to comfort themselves.

And "comparison" is the best way to comfort oneself.

If the Dao Brother's future is already so miserable, what's this little trouble I'm facing now?

He stood up, took a step forward, and vanished.

The performance inside the Huangji Lingxiao Palace isn't over yet.

Resume the music!

Resume the dance! (End of Chapter)