Chapter 716: Shangguan Haitang: A Marriage Alliance

After touring the Culinary God Academy, Gokou Ruri was greatly impressed.

The students here were a motley lot — there were chefs from Wu Xia worlds, demons and monsters from demon-kind worlds, and imperial cooks from feudal dynasties.

All manner of people gathered under one roof, the atmosphere of study was thick, and Gokou Ruri was itching to give it a try.

Unable to wait, she paid the points and officially became a member of the Culinary God Academy.

"Since you're a member of the chat group, you decide your own study time — come whenever you like, and I'll give you private lessons." Nakiri Erina was very affable, and shook hands with Gokou Ruri, which made her a little uncomfortable.

This Erina was nothing like the one she knew.

Why wasn't she being a tsundere?

Why wasn't she being overbearing?

"Because after joining the chat group, one's personality naturally changes." As if she had read Gokou Ruri's thoughts, Erina gave a light laugh. "Also, I can't read minds, so you don't need to be afraid."

Gokou Ruri instantly went numb.

Sure enough, this shrewd Erina she still wasn't quite used to — give her back that tsundere young lady!

…

The Great Luo Heaven.

"Wow, is this the immortal realm?"

A cheer rang out as a young woman of marriageable age skipped lightly about, running here and there, letting out exclamations from time to time.

"My lady, please be careful."

Shangguan Haitang was a little worried.

As Zhu Ignore's adopted daughter, she naturally had the duty of looking after this Yun Luo Junzhu who had come here together with her.

"It's fine, Haitang-jie! This is that Dao Lord's territory — how could there possibly be any danger!"

Yun Luo wasn't worried at all, leaping and bounding about, not a shred of Princess propriety in sight, which made Shangguan Haitang knit her brows.

However, seeing that there really was no danger, she said no more.

Once the safety of the situation was confirmed, she had the leisure to take in the scenery around her.

Looking up, she saw not far away a mountain range rolling on and on, its peak capped with Bai Xue, its base of blue-black stone — a delightful view.

On the other side stood tree after tree, blotting out the sky, each one bearing fruits of pleasing appearance.

"I wonder if they're tasty!"

At one glance, Shangguan Haitang felt the gluttonous worms in her heart stir mightily.

Screech!

Suddenly, a great golden bird plunged straight down from the sky, like a golden arrow.

Shangguan Haitang got a fright and pulled Yun Luo back a step.

The next instant, the golden bird revealed its true form — a colossal roc.

"Two guests, the Dao Lord summons you!" A clear little girl's voice rang out.

Yun Luo was astonished: "You can talk?"

"Of course I can talk." The great roc was very proud. "I was personally enlightened by the Dao Lord, my lord. Hurry up and climb on — once I've carried you, I still want to go play!"

Yun Luo gave a cheer and was about to climb onto the bird's back.

But, drawing near, she discovered the bird was fully several dozen meters tall.

Among rocs, this height could only be considered the juvenile stage, but for Yun Luo it was an enormous challenge.

Although she knew some Wu Gong, asking her to climb straight up several dozen meters was still a bit too much.

"I'll do it!"

Shangguan Haitang stepped forward, gathered Yun Luo into her arms, and with a light leap shot up several dozen meters into the air, landing on the roc's back.

"Wow, Haitang-jie, when did you get this amazing?!" Yun Luo was utterly shocked.

As far as she knew, although Shangguan Haitang's strength was considerable, it was never this terrifying.

"It was an elixir my adoptive father gave me just before we came." Shangguan Haitang explained.

"Off we go!"

Seeing the two of them on its back, the roc launched itself into the clouds, covering several hundred li in an instant, leaving Yun Luo and Shangguan Haitang dazzled by the passing scenery.

"Wow, so fast! Birdie, you're amazing!"

"That's nothing — once I'm grown, one leap of mine covers tens of thousands of li!" The roc was very pleased with itself, and, having received praise, flew with even greater gusto.

After traveling for a while, they saw a Daoist palace standing at the edge of the sky, auspicious radiance in ten thousand strands, immortal music winding about it; before they even drew near, Yun Luo and Shangguan Haitang were deeply awed.

"Is this where the Dao Lord lives?" Yun Luo's eyes shone. "Could it be that we'll get to live here too from now on?"

"Of course." The roc's voice was envious. "The two guests are blessed. Here you can not only watch immortal maidens dance and play music at any time, but also listen to the Dao Lord expound the Dao, and eat the finest immortal fruits. So many immortal birds and strange beasts are jealous!"

Yun Luo cheered and said, "Then come find me to play later, roc! If I have something to eat, I can share it with you too."

"Really?" The roc was overjoyed.

"Of course." Yun Luo said firmly. "But from now on you have to carry me around to play, okay?"

"Okay okay! I love flying too!"

The roc didn't mind this at all, and was instead quite delighted.

The next instant, the roc's body came to an abrupt halt, landing at the entrance of the Daoist palace.

"You two go on in, I'm off to play."

The roc gave a word of instruction and once more launched itself into the clouds.

"You two must be the guests from the Divine Marquess's side?"

Shangguan Haitang and Yun Luo had not waited long before they saw a regal, magnificent woman approaching.

She was dressed in ancient-style clothing, with a dangling hairpin in her hair, her bearing and temperament incomparably noble.

"Sister, I salute you!"

"I'm Huang Rong. My husband is in another world, so I'll be hosting you." Huang Rong smiled and led the two into the Dao Palace.

As Zhang Taixuan's first woman, her status was naturally beyond question—she was nearly the mistress of the Great Luo Heaven, and her skills in dealing with others had long been honed.

The group entered a Jiangnan-style estate.

Inside the estate, flowers bloomed year-round, emerald bamboos swayed, artificial hills and lakes complemented each other, offering a unique charm.

"This will be your residence from now on." Huang Rong clapped her hands and summoned two fairy maids. "These two fairy maids are also your subordinates. Whatever you need—food, clothing, or daily items—you can ask them. Whatever others have, you'll have too. Don't worry your husband will neglect you."

"Thank you, Sister!"

Huang Rong nodded and led them to the estate's banquet hall. She clapped her hands, and immediately a host of spirit fruits appeared.

"These are the Peaches of Immortality—each can extend life by thirty to forty thousand years. One for each of you, and with the cultivation method my husband created, you'll achieve eternal life."

"These are Blood Bodhi fruits. In other worlds they're treasures, but here in the Great Luo Heaven, people only taste them for flavor—think of them as ordinary grapes."

"These are Sunset Fruits, from the Teyvat Continent. The taste is also quite good."

Huang Rong introduced each one, leaving Shangguan Haitang and Yunluo utterly stunned.

In the outside world, each of these spirit fruits would be a priceless treasure beyond ordinary reach.

Here, they're merely everyday items.