Chapter 385: Wishing for Longevity Together, Seeking to Send Someone to the Heavens

Cangmang Mountain, Longying Cave.

The slanting sun shines on the sparse windows, and the evening glow falls upon the green gauze.

Surrounding the outside of the palace,

all kinds of immortal flowers bloom in unison, their rich and fragrant scent permeating the air, accompanied by the light cries of cranes, giving the palace a sense of stillness as if in deep autumn.

The hanging lamps are all lit, illuminating the interior of the palace, where treasures are stacked on jade tables and immortal quilts are folded like green clouds.

Qingli is dressed in a cool, light garment, a plain white robe draped over her body, her hair tied in a loose, messy bun; she wears no ornaments at all, her face bare, and is currently washing the tea set, preparing to brew tea for Fang Longye.

One can see her smiling and chatting, her dress imbued with fragrance, moving back and forth while humming an unknown tune.

Clearly, what happened before made her very happy. Fang Longye pushes aside the quilt on the couch, half-lying down with a "saintly as a Buddhist" expression; though he appears to have an empty mind, he is actually still thinking about things.

Just as he had anticipated, the feedback obtained from this fierce battle with Qingli has already allowed him to completely open the gateway to ascending to a Taiyi Golden Immortal.

Now, with just a single thought, he can break through to the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm.

As for Qingli, who has just ascended to a Taiyi Loose Immortal and whose cultivation base still appears shallow, her gains are even greater.

Through this bout of Dual Cultivation, not only have all the Dao Injuries on her body been completely eliminated, but the slight instability in her cultivation base—brought about by her inability to suppress the urge to break through her realm—has also vanished.

Her foundation has been mended and has become solid.

"The cultivation of a Taiyi Loose Immortal, the origin of a top-tier Xiantian Shengsheng..." Fang Longye's gaze is deep, revealing a hint of satisfaction within.

Even though he has already turned his attention back, he is still delighted by Qingli's transformation and breakthrough; it was worth the effort and resources he invested.

Of course, as mentioned before, Qingli is still very special to him.

Therefore,

he is not just happy about having one more capable subordinate with significant potential; he is more delighted that Qingli can keep up with his pace.

After all, Qingli was originally just an ordinary bamboo green snake with no special Bloodline to speak of.

Such an origin and Bloodline would not allow one to go far, and both her future and potential would be very limited.

Now that she has successfully performed a Reverse Innate, she can be said to have been completely reborn, showing a posture that breaks through her original shackles; only by continuing this way can she have a bright future.

The fact that she broke through to Taiyi Loose Immortal the moment Heavenly Luck first descended upon her is proof enough.

There is no helping it; in the Honghuang world, wanting to reach the peak depends too much on one's origin and Bloodline!

Just taking her previous state as an example, even though Fang Longye had always looked after her in this regard, helping her change her foundation and improve her aptitude from time to time,

her previous aptitude could only support her up to the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, but now, the origin of a top-tier Xiantian Shengsheng is enough to make it possible for her to achieve the Daluo realm.

Fang Longye looks at Qingli, who is busy brewing tea for him nearby, and smiles inwardly.

Since she has already proven that his investment was not in vain, he will continue to support her in further improving her origin to become a Xiantian Shengsheng.

After all, the origin of a Innate Saint only makes it possible to attain the Daluo realm, but the probability is too low! Do not think that just because Fang Longye has casually encountered quite a few Daluo that this realm is nothing special; that is merely an illusion—just like how in his past life, everyone on Zhihu seemed to earn millions and a monthly salary of over ten thousand, which had become commonplace, but in reality, it was just survivor bias.

In fact, since the opening of Honghuang, how many Xiantian Shengsheng with noble origins have fallen at this very step, their paths blocked halfway, never reaching the Daluo realm.

Even he cannot guarantee that he will be able to attain the Daluo realm with the body of a Xiantian Shengsheng.

Qingli is not someone with profound wisdom or immense fortune, so how could one expect her to surpass ordinary people and write some kind of legend?

Only by helping her raise her origin to that of a Xiantian Shengsheng can he increase that success rate a little.

Actually, it is not that he dislikes or looks down on those below the Daluo realm; after all, he himself is not yet a Daluo, just a small Taiyi True Immortal.

It is just that for a Daluo, who can overlook the long river of time, beings below the Daluo realm are like dreamlike bubbles—too unreal! These beings below the Daluo realm have not yet transcended time and space; a great power can change the trajectory of their fates with a mere flick of time.

Their very existence might even cease to be amidst the fluctuations of the long river of time. To a Daluo, is this not just like a dreamlike bubble? Even to a Daluo,

beings below the Daluo realm are like characters in a painting in their eyes; their thoughts and minds are laid bare, and every word and action can be seen through to the finest detail.

That is why he said he hopes Qingli can keep up with his pace and walk to the end with him.

It is simply because this is not just a gap in pure strength, but a gap in pure dimensions.

As time passes, facing the other party who can be modified at will just like a person in a painting, how many can keep their original intentions unchanged?

At least he cannot do it.

After some deliberation,

Fang Longye collects his thoughts and picks up the small white porcelain cup to taste the new snow-peak tea brewed by Qingli.

After some flirting and joking with her,

Fang Longye does not immediately go into seclusion to ascend to the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, but instead instructs Qingli to summon Luming and Yuan Hong, as he has things for them to do.

"Understood, Master."

Qingli replies, lifting her skirt and walking away with a graceful gait.

In Longying Cave, floating colors shine in the air.

Luming wears a silver crown, and on his forehead are horns, resembling deer antlers, three or four feet high, golden and dazzling, illuminating the surroundings.

He wears a sword at his waist with apricot-yellow tassels hanging to the ground, walking with a shake of his sleeves, calm and unhurried.

He moves forward with his head held high, his posture elegant and refined, heading toward his Great King's Dao Palace.

Soon,

he arrives at the depths of Longying Cave.

He sees purple and blue rising into a sea all around, boundless and vast, yet there is a magnificent Dao Palace, lush like clouds, five-colored and mysterious yellow, suspended above it.

Surrounding the Dao Palace, starlight falls in long, continuous streams, stretching for who knows how many thousands of miles; above it, seven-colored brilliance surges, the sun and moon cast shadows, and all phenomena of the universe are contained within.

Back and forth, forth and back.

Just by looking at the entire Dao Palace with the naked eye, it gives one the impression of spanning from ancient times to the present. "Wanling Palace."

In front of the Dao Palace gate, on a purple-blue plaque with gold, three Daoyuan are engraved, each stroke etched into the bone, shining brilliantly, imposing and awe-inspiring.

Every stroke and every line contains immeasurable power, flying clouds and flowing colors, sun-shining and moon-haloed, radiating ten thousand rays of light.

Luming takes a look at the Dao Palace before him, a sense of yearning and awe rising in his eyes.

This Wanling Palace was no other place, but the very Dao Palace refined by their Great King; its grandeur was enough to make his mind lose its composure.

"I wonder, what is the reason the Great King has summoned me? Could it be the matter of going to the Heavenly Court mentioned last time?" Luming's thoughts surged as he pondered in his heart.

He let out a breath,

and straightened his attire, then entered the Wanling Palace with a leisurely gait, only to see the interior filled with clear light, clean and unstained by even a speck of dust~

Further inside, he saw tiles made of gold, doors of white jade, strings of hawksbill turtle shell forming beaded curtains, and coral serving as jade hooks. In the hall, precious trees were adorned with pearls, jade, agate, and emeralds, dazzling and eye-catching.

All around, lingzhi mushrooms grew horizontally, immortal flowers covered the ground, and the fragrance was sweet; mysterious sounds arose of their own accord, like whispers and murmurs, rising and falling incessantly, as if constantly narrating something.

The entire Wanling Palace was permeated with an inexplicable spiritual energy; as one inhaled and exhaled, it made one's wisdom start Generating Light.

Countless strands of Purple-Green Qi came from all directions, surging into the Wanling Palace, chiming as they brushed against the eaves, behind the stones, on the trees, and before the windows...

Walking all the way toward the main hall, he soon arrived before a magnificent precious hall.

There, one person had already arrived in advance and was standing outside the door.

"Chief Steward Luming~"

This person was none other than Yuan Hong, who had also been summoned by Fang Longye to meet.

He was tall and sturdy, clad in chainmail, and carried a Mixed Iron Rod in his hand. He was waiting before the door, and upon seeing Luming, he immediately greeted him.

"Chiming Divine General~"

Luming naturally returned the greeting with a smile, a flash of contemplation passing through his eyes.

Come to think of it, this Chiming Divine General was indeed lucky; for some reason, he was quite favored by the Great King, who had promoted him heavily over these years and even bestowed upon him many good things.

Cultivation techniques, divine abilities, Spirit Treasures, and even rare treasures greatly beneficial to his origin and Bloodline... it would be no exaggeration to say the Great King's kindness to this Monkey was like a rebirth.

However, this Monkey had not failed to live up to the Great King's cultivation of him; in a short time, he had gone from a mere minor demon to an Immortal Golden Immortal who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

Although the resources bestowed by the Great King certainly played the most critical role in this, if this Monkey did not truly possess some aptitude, he would not have progressed so quickly.

After all, mud cannot be plastered onto a wall.

If this Chiming Divine General were truly useless, it would be a waste no matter how many resources the Great King gave him~

Having served as the Chief Steward of Internal Affairs for many years, some of the rewards would inevitably pass through his hands to be distributed~

Therefore, he naturally knew that this Chiming Divine General was not a special case; his own Great King would provide a certain amount of cultivation to some subordinates, giving them techniques and resources.

It was just that the intensity of cultivation for this Chiming Divine General was slightly greater~ And among those who received the Great King's cultivation, this Chiming Divine General was the one whose own strength improved the fastest and who stood out the most sharply.

One can only say that, in the final analysis, it depends on oneself; even with the support of a noble person, if one's own ability is lacking and one is just a piece of mud, even the support of a noble person is useless.

"Chief Steward Luming, you have always been exceptionally sharp; do you happen to know why the Great King has summoned us?"

Yuan Hong was, after all, of the ape race; even with some restraint, the inherent monkey nature was still there, and he hopped over to Luming in a few steps to probe.

"How would I know the Great King's thoughts?"

Despite having already guessed the purpose of their Great King's summons, Luming remained calm and composed, even shaking his head and waving his hands.

It must be said that this Luming was a natural talent for officialdom, unperturbed by events and extremely tight-lipped~ It could be said that the Heavenly Court was truly the place for him to put his talents to use.

Fang Longye's plan to choose him to go to the heavens to preside over the various affairs of the Shuiyuan Shengjun Mansion was truly the right choice!...

"Come in!"

The two had gathered and chatted for a few moments when they saw the hall doors slowly open, and their Great King's voice came from within the main hall.

It made their hearts alert at once~ Exchanging a glance, Luming and Yuan Hong immediately lifted their feet and walked into the main hall.

The two entered,

both maintaining a respectful posture, following each other step by step, cautiously observing their surroundings.

They saw thirty-six bronze pillars in the hall, towering like mountains, intertwined with dragon patterns, supporting a dome like a starry sky above, and resting on green jade tiles that reflected light like a mirror below.

Circles upon circles of halos grew larger and smaller, silent and soundless, with only various forms of seal script emerging, resembling the shapes of divine dragons or the traces of the sun and moon.

Clear Qi drifted, ancient and solemn, presenting the latitude and longitude of time and space, flowing with brilliant colors, making one forget the mundane upon seeing it.

Wisps of Purple-Green Qi hung down, intertwining left and right, condensing into beast-faced precious lamps; the lamp flames were a single bright point, containing boundless light.

It illuminated the surroundings into a bright expanse.

Being in the main hall, there was exquisiteness within the ruggedness, and crisp sounds within the silence; it was unique.

And their Great King was sitting upright on a precious couch in the very center of the main hall, a canopy held high, adorned with pearls and jade, with time and space constantly changing behind him.

Vast, majestic, and high above.

"Greetings to the Great King!"

Seeing Fang Longye, the two hurriedly bowed~

"Hmm~"

Fang Longye's gaze was deep, containing a kind of overbearingness from above, as he looked at the two.

Feeling the scrutiny in his gaze, Luming and Yuan Hong, who already had their heads lowered, could not help but lower them a few inches more, becoming even more cautious and extremely respectful~ "Alright, you may rise!"

Fang Longye waved his hand, signaling for the two to stand up, a look of satisfaction appearing in his eyes.

Unexpectedly, he had gathered quite a few figures with extraordinary origins under his command; for instance, the Luming and Yuan Hong before him were the outstanding ones among them.

Of course, there were others, such as Long Xiang, Junyuan, Yun Ting, the Divine Turtle,... and so on and so forth.

The most critical point is,

these people were not recorded in the original Journey to the West, but were discovered by himself. In terms of origin and potential alone, they were not small at all.

Taken outside, no matter which faction they were in, they would at least count as half a heaven's pride.

Withdrawing his gaze, Fang Longye reached out and tapped on the desk beside him, appearing to be in deep thought~ A moment later,

he raised his head, cleared his throat, and said: "You two also know that I became the Water Origin Holy Lord of the Heavenly Court some time ago and have already established my office, but the time has been too short, and I am very short of manpower to manage things."

Seeing that the two were listening attentively, with faint excitement in their eyes, he nodded and said:

"That's right, you have not guessed wrong; my plan is to have you two go to the heavens to help me manage the specific affairs in this regard~"

"Firstly, you can broaden your horizons, and secondly, you can be considered as having a heavenly duty upon you."

"I wonder what the two of you think of this?"

"We shall naturally serve the Great King with the loyalty of dogs and horses!"

Because Fang Longye had mentioned a word or two about this to Luming beforehand, he naturally had foresight, and immediately spoke up first, bowing and saluting in agreement.

"Many thanks to the Great King for the promotion! With old Yuan here, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!" Yuan Hong realized what was happening and likewise patted his chest in assurance.

"Good,"

Fang Longye nodded, took out a Jade Talisman, channeled his Dharma into it, and it landed in Luming's hand.

"I have a Jade Talisman here, which is a Reception Talisman for going to the Heavenly Court, and it also serves as proof of your identity. You shall go together!"

"Once you arrive, there will naturally be people there to receive you, and my Divine Dao avatar is also in the Heavenly Court residence; there will be arrangements for you then~"

Seeing Luming carefully put away the Jade Talisman, Fang Longye immediately waved his hand, signaling the two to withdraw, and said:

"That is all! You may go down now! Do your work well, and if you do it well, I shall naturally have rewards for you~"

Luming and Yuan Hong looked at each other, immediately gave their assent, and withdrew respectfully as before.

(End of this chapter)