Chapter 265

Haotian opened his eyes, brimming with excitement, and sprang to his feet.

"I have finally awakened my divine communication!"

Haotian raised his head to the sky and let out a long, resonant cry, shouting as if to vent his emotions.

Gazing at the hysterical Haotian, Ao Ling was somewhat dazed—could this truly be the immensely majestic Jade Emperor her father spoke of? After Haotian finished venting, he exhaled deeply, turned his gaze to Chen Nuo, and said with a face full of respect: "Thank you, Shopkeeper Chen, for bestowing upon me the grace of divine communication."

As the awakener of divine communication, Haotian understood best the formidable strength of this "face-bestowing" divine communication, and how perfectly it suited him.

As the Jade Emperor, the supreme being, one could say that face is more important than anything else!

Chen Nuo casually replied, while silently thinking to himself: "Synchronized awakening."

How could such an interesting thing be missing him? Chen Nuo raised his eyebrows.

It seems that Haotian, Yaochi, and Tai Bai Jin Xing's divine communications all share a remarkable similarity—they can all subtly influence others.

Lacking combat ability, yet undoubtedly a divine skill.

Haotian then noticed the additional Ao Ling and nodded.

"Are you the new disciple Shopkeeper Chen has taken?"

Haotian opened his mouth to ask.

Though phrased as a question, his tone was utterly certain—Dragon Clan maiden, Golden Immortal cultivation, and exactly as Yaochi had described him.

"Yes."

Ao Ling tightly clenched the hand hidden in her sleeve, steadying her voice as she spoke.

Haotian's eyes shone with approval: "Not bad—facing me, you remain neither humble nor arrogant!"

To break through to Golden Immortal cultivation at such a young age—among the current Dragon Clan, this can truly be called a phoenix feather and unicorn horn!

After all, the Dragon Clan today has no pure-blooded members, so Haotian did not hold it against Ao Ling for not performing the ritual.

He felt it was entirely normal—after all, he is Shopkeeper Chen's disciple.

When facing Shopkeeper Chen, he always adopts an attitude nearly that of a junior.

Shopkeeper Chen possesses such vast divine communication that even his disciple can stand as an equal to him, requiring no excessive courtesy.

However, Haotian did not know that Ao Ling was not as indifferent as he imagined.

She thought: "Did I not lose face just now?"

Though her expression showed nothing, she still harbored a hint of panic.

Just a few days have passed, and the big shots in the shop keep coming one after another—you should know, any one of them would require her father king to look up to.

Watching this scene, Chen Nuo's eyes held a touch of satisfaction; the shift in mindset is not instantaneous, but for his disciple to reach this point already is quite commendable.

Fearlessness is usually merely the manifestation of ignorance—Sun Wukong in the original tale feared neither heaven nor earth, not because he truly had no fear, but because he did not know the terror known as the "gap." But this world's Sun Wukong, after being taught by him, is no longer the previous monkey who could only be toyed with, resorting to petty cleverness while being truly foolish and ignorant.

Although he did not reveal everything to the monkey, he also warned him against the folly of arrogant self-satisfaction.

Compared to the original trajectory monkey's heartless violence and tyrannical love of killing, today's Wukong's conduct is far superior to that in the original.

Chen Nuo's brows relaxed slightly; being able to nurture his childhood hero into talent filled his heart with pride that needed no words.

Since he is Shopkeeper Chen's disciple, Haotian pondered deeply for a moment, gestured with his hand, and a pearl overflowing with blue flowing light appeared out of thin air.

"Let this Ice Control Pearl serve as my meeting gift."

Haotian focused his mind, manipulating the Ice Control Pearl to fly before Ao Ling.

Ao Ling hesitated for a moment, unsure how to choose, turned her head toward Chen Nuo and revealed a pleading gaze; seeing his nod, she then set her mind at ease.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Ao Ling slightly inclined her body, carrying respect yet not humility in her words.

Haotian nodded: "No problem, it is only fitting."

As the exalted Jade Emperor, how could he possibly lack a meeting gift? That would be too embarrassing!

Golden Immortal treasures he cannot produce, and Great Luo Golden Immortal and above are far too superior in cultivation—giving them would be useless.

Moreover, giving something too good—speaking frankly, he also feels pained, for this Ice Control Pearl is a Taiyi Golden Immortal-level treasure, capable of aiding in water control and ice formation, and is still quite a fine treasure.

Not too high, not too low—just right. Most importantly, it will not cause loss of face; Haotian may lack in other things, but he must have face!

With a thought, Haotian directly destroyed the seal placed within the Ice Control Pearl, rendering it ownerless, and the Ice Control Pearl fell straight down.

Ao Ling extended both hands to catch the Ice Control Pearl; upon touch, it felt icy cold, and her eyes instantly became snow-bright.

Liking it is good enough.

Haotian nodded with satisfaction.

For a Golden Immortal, the rarity of a Taiyi Golden Immortal treasure goes without saying,

but Haotian did not know that Ao Ling paid little attention to the treasure's grade.

Her reason for liking it is simply twofold: the Ice Control Pearl is a sphere, and it sparkles brightly.

Tai Bai Jin Xing clicked his tongue, reluctantly setting down his wine jug, and upon seeing this scene before him, felt an even sharper pang in his heart.

Well, Your Majesty has finished his affairs, now it's his turn to express his stance.

However, he cannot afford to give a treasure of Taiyi Golden Immortal level like Your Majesty's.

After all, he himself does not possess many.

He stroked his beard, Tai Bai Jin Xing revealed a friendly smile, stepped forward, and produced a strangely shaped object.

"Old man I am not wealthy either, but this Gold Crystal Stone is top-tier material for weapon refinement—take it.

It can be considered my meeting gift."

Tai Bai Jin Xing is old and crafty; his true form is the Gold Star, and the gift he gives is still the ore most abundantly produced in Gold Star.

Though relatively precious among the Three Realms, to him it is merely a drizzle.

"Thank you, Senior."

【60> Ao Ling happily accepted it, not knowing who Tai Bai Jin Xing is, but addressing him as "Senior" is certainly correct.

Clever happily took it, she didn't know who Tai Bai Jin Xing's Title was, but calling Cultivation Clan Honorific was definitely correct.

Someone as kind and approachable as a senior cultivator would never lie—if they say they're not well-off, they truly aren't.

Ao Ling originally didn't want to come, after all, the senior cultivator isn't having an easy time either.

But seeing that warm, friendly smile, Ao Ling couldn't bear to refuse the old man's kindness—he's already quite old, and life isn't easy for him either.

The value of a gift doesn't lie in its material worth; what matters is that the intention behind it is sincere.

Haotian watched, and inexplicably felt a surge of anger in his chest—a mere broken stone actually rivaled his Ice Control Pearl!

Damn it, Haotian thought, where is his dignity now—but he also knew this had nothing to do with Ao Ling at all.

It's clearly that dog of Tai Bai using his divine trickery again—truly outrageous!

Haotian's chest burned with frustration and resentment; once he returns to Tiānshàng, he'll make Tai Bai Jin Xing taste the bitterness of being overwhelmed by official duties.

He then turned his gaze toward Chen Nuo, who was watching the spectacle, and suddenly remembered another purpose for his visit.

"Chen Butler"

Haotian called out.

Chen Nuo raised an eyebrow and glanced at Haotian.

"I have some urgent matters to discuss with you, Butler."

Haotian glanced left and right, his eyes lingering hesitantly on Ao Ling for two more looks, but he didn't continue speaking.

Chen Nuo understood perfectly.

"Ling'er, you go back to your room to cultivate first—no need to work."

After the expansion of Chaos Residence, not only were his and Wukong's rooms preserved, but many more were added—there's no shortage, not even for Ao Ling.

"Yes"

Ao Ling nodded and silently withdrew.

Although she no longer resists working now, letting her cultivate is naturally best—since this isn't something she should know, she simply won't listen.

Seeing Ao Ling go upstairs.

Haotian lowered his voice, stepped closer, and said solemnly: "Chen Butler, your disciple Sun Wukong might be targeted by the Buddhist Sect."

Upon hearing that Sun Wukong might be targeted by the Buddhist Sect, Chen Nuo wore a look of utter bewilderment.

"Please—has the Buddhist Sect's scheming against Sun Wukong ever stopped? Journey to the West can truly be called the greatest monkey trickery in history!"