I Came Not to Sacrifice to Heaven, but to Save My Life

Pure spiritual currents curled through the air, while blue smoke drifted from the crane-shaped censer.

Immortal aura billowed; candlelight flowed from phoenix-patterned lamps.

Within Qingyang Cloud Palace, lamp flames swayed and cast bright light, while hazy incense smoke drifted from censers. The Universal Emperor gazed over this vast immortal cloud palace. Upon lotus-patterned stone stools stood pillars inlaid with gold-painted cloud designs, while the screens and wall fans on either side bore images of immortal hosts painted in blue-black ink.

The entire great hall did not appear luxurious, yet every corner exuded the airy naturalness of an immortal abode.

At the center of the hall, a pool rippled with waves. Lotuses bloomed within it, and golden-scaled fish leaped from the water.

Beside the pool, Jiang Sheng and the Universal Emperor sat opposite each other on either side of a cloud-patterned ice platform adorned with shattered jade and scattered gold. Several simple plates of fruit rested atop it.

Blue-jade gilt plates held dates, plums, and apricots. Each fruit was the size of a finger and gave off a faintly fresh aura.

Jiang Sheng and the Universal Emperor sat opposite each other on either side of the shattered-jade, gold-inlaid ice platform.

The Universal Emperor quietly watched Jiang Sheng brew tea. With a beckoning gesture from the Daoist, a stream of crystal-clear spring water flew in from beyond the Cloud Palace and fell into the teapot. In the blink of an eye, it came to a boil.

Only then did Jiang Sheng sprinkle in a little tea. As the tea broth rolled and boiled, Jiang Sheng smiled calmly. "This water is rain fallen from the heavens. Touched by the spiritual grace of the skies above Jinhua Mountain, it fell into the flowing springs of the mountain. It may be considered rootless water."

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