Chapter 253

"Great Heavenly Venerable already knows my purpose; why not handle it yourself, or directly go see the future outcome?"

Yu Lin did not directly answer the Jade Emperor's question, but cleverly posed a counter-question, throwing the question back.

The Jade Emperor, hearing this, stroked his beard and smiled, his expression bearing a touch of transcendence and amusement.

"If all the answers to questions were known in advance, like reading a predetermined fate, what fun would there be in solving the mysteries of the workings of heaven and earth and the myriad forms of beings?"

He gave Yu Lin a deep look, then continued:

Furthermore, I may perhaps sense why you have come and what matter it involves, but as for exactly how you will act in the future and what changes it will bring, I neither can nor wish to clearly perceive.

Only then do I have expectations; speaking this way, are you satisfied?

Yu Lin hearing these words, his heart somewhat settled, he nodded slightly: 'If it is merely this, then it can be accepted.'

He then also seemingly spoke candidly: 'However, Great Heavenly Venerable also needs to know that even my present self is not entirely clear about exactly what my future self will do.'

It's nothing more than… take a step, see what happens.

The Jade Emperor listened to his answer, yet secretly thought this fellow surely wasn't telling the whole truth, hiding some little thoughts.

However, he didn't mind; having reached such a realm, over the long ages, being able to have some unexpected changes and interesting events occur is itself a kind of adjustment.

He merely needs to sit peacefully in this treasure hall, quietly observing Yu Lin's actions; when necessary, he could secretly give a push, or casually set up some trivial obstacles, to see how he responds—this too is quite an interesting affair.

Having decided in his heart, the Jade Emperor then opened his mouth and said: 'Since that is the case, then let it be as you just said.'

'Let my seven daughters go down to the mortal world to take a look, undergo some experience, that would be good. So they won't constantly clamor in my ears, bored to the point of wanting to move.'

'If you have any needs in your subsequent actions, you may come seek me again.'

Upon hearing his words, that is agreeing to Yu Lin's proposal, and also implying that he will to some extent cooperate with Yu Lin's actions thereafter; it can be said to be quite 'thoughtful'.

Yu Lin inwardly gave it a thumbs-up, then rose and clasped his hands, saying: 'Many thanks, Great Heavenly Venerable, for fulfilling this.'

'Since that is the case, I still have things to do, so I won't disturb you further; farewell.'

'Then go.' The Jade Emperor gave a slight nod, not stopping him.

Yu Lin turned and left the solemn and magnificent Supreme Purple Void Palace with composed steps.

Leaving the palace gates, he rode a cloud, flying toward the Southern Heavenly Gate, preparing to return to the lower realm……

……Eh? Not right!

The Jade Emperor raised his gaze and clearly 'saw' Yu Lin's cloud trace a barely perceptible arc in the air, not flying straight toward the Southern Heavenly Gate, but…… turning aside, flying toward the Lihen Heaven!

……This guy, how did he run to Tai Shang Lao Jun's Tushita Palace?!

Before the Tushita Palace gates, rosy clouds swirled.

A large azure ox, its hide glossy like green silk and its horns strong and coiled, was running with all four hooves kicking up wind.

On its back rode two children:

The boy wore his hair in an upward braid, a gold ring around his neck, his brows and eyes lively, revealing clever playfulness; the girl had her hair in double buns, silver bracelets on her wrists, carved like pink jade, her appearance cute and lovable.

'Oxie, run faster, even faster!'

The two children's bell-like laughter sprinkled the courtyard.

Not far behind, a purple-gold Dan Furnace was inhaling and exhaling Samadhi True Fire, unknown what elixir it was refining.

By the furnace, a white-haired old man lay lazily on a bamboo chair, occasionally swaying a palm fan, his gaze kind as he watched the playing children.

His visage was gaunt, his breath plain, not resembling the lofty, vast and exalted Virtuous Heavenly Venerable, but rather like a kind elderly neighbor in the Human World.

Perhaps this one is not truly the Virtuous Heavenly Venerable, but merely an incarnation.

Hearing the children's cheerful cries, Lao Jun slowly lifted his eyelids, with a hint of helpless smile, and called out loudly:

'Slowly, slowly run……'

'Be careful, don't again like last time, knocking down the wall of my Tushita Palace!'

The playing Golden Boy and Yu Nv, hearing the voice, replied in unison without turning their heads:

'I know——!'

Their voices were clear and crisp, yet did not in the slightest diminish the speed of the azure ox beneath them.

Two tiny figures rose and fell with the azure ox's galloping.

Until——

Bang!

With a thud, the head-down running azure ox collided solidly with a shadow that had appeared ahead at some point, hitting it squarely in the chest!

The azure ox's hide was thick and tough; it shook its head, unscathed.

That shadow, like a boulder, remained unmoving, standing firm in place.

Yet the huge recoil made the Golden Boy and Yu Nv on the ox's back cry out in alarm, their tiny bodies instantly flung outward!

Seeing they were about to fall, that shadow reacted extremely quickly, both hands darting out, precisely one each, securely gathering the two children into its embrace and gently setting them down.

He bent over, reached out to rub their heads, his tone gentle:

'Next time you play, pay attention to safety, don't run so fast again.'

Having said that, he straightened up and continued walking toward the old man by the Dan Furnace.

The Golden Boy looked at his back, blinked his big eyes, and curiously poked the Yu Nv beside him with a finger, asking softly:

'Where have you seen him before? What is his name?'

The Yu Nv likewise shook her head in bewilderment, her small face full of confusion: 'I haven't seen him before; he looks completely unfamiliar.'

She tugged at the Golden Boy's sleeve and proposed:

'Let's go ask the old man over there, wouldn't we then know?'

The Golden Boy thought it made sense, nodded vigorously: 'Yeah! Let's go, we'll go ask.'

The two of them immediately forgot the earlier fright, and with their little short legs, they followed closely behind that person, step for step.

Only that large azure ox remained where it was, shaking its big head and letting out a loud snort, seeming utterly indifferent to this accident.

Instead, he was happy to be idle, slowly bent his forelegs, lay comfortably on the ground—finally able to take a break.

"Yu Lin, I pay my respects to Lao Jun."

Yu Lin walked up to the Dan Furnace, facing Tai Shang Lao Jun who had already risen from his chair, and clasped his hands in a greeting.

Lao Jun wore a kind smile, gently waved his hand, and his tone was as gentle as ever:

"No need for formalities, no need for formalities."

"Little friend, what brings you here today?"

Seeing him directly ask about his purpose, Yu Lin did not conceal it, and pointed to the Dan Furnace beside him:

"A few days ago I accidentally obtained a Nine-Revolution Golden Core; after taking it, I felt its refinement would take a long time."

"So I came here especially, hoping to ask Lao Jun to send me into the Dan Furnace to refine it like the Great Sage does."

"To better digest its medicinal potency."

Lao Jun: "............."

"If you want to get an eye ailment like that monkey‑head, just say so."

"I happen to have a few pills here that can directly give you an eye ailment."

"I'll say this upfront: since I'm using the setting from Journey to the West, I won't be using anything from Investiture of the Gods."

"For example, figures like Hongjun, Tongtian, Xuandu, and Jieyin Daoist—those Investiture of the Gods characters I created won't be written either; I've also removed the name of the earlier Growth Heavenly King Moli Qing, leaving only Growth Heavenly King."