Chapter 73: Golden Mother of the Jade Pool

"Cihang Dao Ren junior sister, you've returned!"

Wuliang Xianweng received the news and, surprisingly, personally went out to greet Cihang Dao Ren and Hetong.

From this, it can be seen that he still cares deeply about the situation in Morning Song.

"How so, what exactly is this so‑called demonic aura, and where does this evil spirit come from?"

Wuliang Xianweng asked.

Upon hearing this, Cihang Dao Ren and Hetong both fell somewhat silent; frankly, having experienced that incident, they had no heart to investigate the so‑called demonic aura—they only wanted to hide quickly and give birth to the child.

"Senior Brother, I fear there's a misunderstanding; Hetong and I have investigated, and there is no evil spirit in Morning Song City!"

Cihang Dao Ren said.

"Is that so? Then that's good; the Great Tribulation is about to begin—Morning Song City must absolutely not encounter any further problems."

Wuliang Xianweng let out a sigh of relief.

"Senior Brother, having gained a bit from my travels down the mountain, I need to enter seclusion for a while; I'm afraid I won't be able to help with the affairs of the Jade Void Palace."

Cihang Dao Ren said.

"Hehe"

Upon hearing this, Wuliang Xianweng gave a hehe laugh, stroked his beard, and said: "Junior sister, you're pretty much the same as Hetong—this trip surely brought you abundant gains; it seems we, too, must often go down the mountain to travel if we wish to advance our cultivation further."

Cihang Dao Ren and Hetong exchanged a glance, silently thinking, "The abundant gains are indeed true—and they've even overflowed."

However, I'm afraid this gain differs from what Wuliang Xianweng understands.

"All right, then I won't disturb you, junior sister!"

Wuliang Xianweng, not understanding, laughed and said: "Junior sister, go into seclusion and properly digest the gains from your travels; in the upcoming Great Tribulation, you are the foremost combat strength of our Chan Sect!"

Cihang Dao Ren was slightly silent, merely nodded, and then flew straight toward the Jade Void Palace.

"Master, my gains this time are also not small; I likewise need to return to the Crane Nest to enter seclusion for a period."

Hetong then spoke up.

"That's fine; the Deer Boy's side isn't short‑handed for now. Train well—the future of the Chan Sect still depends on you youngsters."

Wuliang Xianweng said.

He, too, has worried himself sick over the Chan Sect's future; yet seeing his disciples' growth, he is also quite gratified.

"If others had even half the diligence of Cihang Dao Ren junior sister and Hetong, why would I be so anxious?"

Wuliang Xianweng thought, and the image of Taiyi Zhenren inevitably surfaced in his mind.

"That Taiyi, his immortal brew almost turned Mount Rong into a fool; I need to bring this up properly with the master and rein in his lazy habits."

……

"Mother!"

Seeing Hetong return, a tiny figure fluttered the pair of small wings on her back, like a swallow returning to its nest, and flung herself into Hetong's embrace.

"Xiao Xiao He, have you forgotten the promise you made with your mother?"

Hetong's expression changed; she solemnly cupped Xiao Xiao He's little face and said:

Under her mother's gaze, Xiao Xiao He said in a wronged tone, "I know, Master!"

Afraid of leaking her secret, Hetong had agreed with her daughter that, in front of outsiders, they would address her as Master.

Although it pained her, to avoid drawing scrutiny from those with ulterior motives, Hetong could only wrong Xiao Xiao He.

"All right, don't be upset—Master has brought you a gift this time!"

Speaking, Hetong flipped her right hand and produced the Twelve‑Grade Heaven‑Earth Affinity Ball.

"Wow, what a pretty ball!"

Upon seeing the Twelve‑Grade Heaven‑Earth Affinity Ball in her mother's hand, Xiao Xiao He took an instant liking to it.

She stretched out her chubby little hands, embraced the Twelve‑Grade Heaven‑Earth Affinity Ball, shook it in her grasp, and laughed, saying, "Master, Xiao Xiao He loves this gift!"

"Mm."

Watching Xiao Xiao He's delighted expression, Hetong affectionately patted her little head.

"As long as you like it, it's a gift specially sent because others find Xiao Xiao He adorable."

"Huh? Master, who is it?"

Xiao Xiao He asked curiously.

Upon hearing this, a soft light flickered in Hetong's eyes as she drew Xiao Xiao He into her embrace.

"Someone very important to Xiao Xiao He!"

……

"Your Majesty, the matter of the Zhou Tian Star Dou Grand Formation is of utmost importance; the emperor has no choice but to command this old official to come borrow personnel!"

The white‑haired elder bowed and said.

"Hmph, he's incapable; even now he hasn't trained a few useful subordinates—is this still my fault?"

The Golden Mother of the Jade Pool's phoenix might swept over her; in an instant, the white‑haired elder's waist bowed even lower.

There's nothing to be done—this Golden Mother Lady has such a temper that even her boss avoids coming to the Jade Pool for long stretches because he can't stand her attitude.

Over the years they have been completely living apart, which also puts her subordinates in a difficult position.

After venting, the Golden Mother of the Jade Pool also gradually calmed down.

After all, although she is very dissatisfied with that side, she is not someone who fails to weigh priorities.

The Zhou Tian Star Dou Grand Formation, which involves the ancient demon court, absolutely cannot be ignored.

"Xuan Nu!"

She called out a name.

The next moment, a heroic female immortal with a golden sigil on her forehead, clad in golden battle armor, stepped forward.

Madam!

Jiutian Xuannü bowed and paid respects; as the foremost female war god under the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond, her status in the Jade Pond is second only to the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond.

"Xuannü, the matter of the Heavenly Stars Great Array reappearing in the mortal realm, you are responsible for investigating."

Golden Mother of the Jade Pond said: "All right, after you go down to the lower realm, by the way go check on Long Ji; that girl's recent responses have been somewhat hesitant and vague and unclear; I fear something has happened again, help me see what exactly she has done wrong again."

As she spoke, the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond suddenly had a headache.

Her husband, whose self-esteem causes trouble, has long been living apart in two places, which is already vexing; her only daughter, who is also a troublemaker who likes to cause trouble; as the chief of the female immortals, there are too many things to worry about, and even though she possesses quasi-saint cultivation, she too is plagued by headaches.

On the side, the chief of the Seven Fairies, Yuhuan dressed all in red, stepped forward and gently massaged the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond's temples.

"Mother, Little Sister Long Ji is just being playful for a moment; I suppose when she grows up she will understand your painstaking efforts, Mother!"

The red-clad Yuhuan comforted softly.

"Mm"

Golden Mother of the Jade Pond's expression gradually eased; she said with closed eyes: "Still, you seven adopted daughters are more reassuring to me, not like that Long Ji girl's temperament—otherwise I would have been angered to death!"

As it turns out, the so-called Seven Fairies of the Jade Pond are all the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond's adopted daughters.

"Madam, I will now take my leave!"

The white-haired old man bowed again and said.

"Mm, go on, tell him this is the only time; if there's anything else next time, let him come himself!"

The Golden Mother of the Jade Pond waved her hand and said.

Upon hearing this, the white-haired old man's face showed a hint of embarrassment; he dared not accept these words.

After all, he also knows why that person dare not come over here; the reason is not that the person before him is too overbearing, his boss simply cannot tolerate it.

Immediately, the white-haired old man took Jiutian Xuannü and withdrew from the Jade Pond.

"Tai Bai, regarding this matter of the Heavenly Stars Great Array, do you have any clues?"

Having left the Jade Pond, Jiutian Xuannü could not help but ask.