At her words, tears welled up in Little Orange's eyes once more.
Unstoppable sorrow rose from her heart.
Her hands trembling, she gently touched the enormous peacock skeleton. The smooth, icy touch made her heart ache.
"Mother..."
Her mother had been a Daluo Golden Immortal renowned throughout the Immortal and Demon Realms, yet now her remains lay here, cold and lifeless.
Little Orange could no longer hold herself back and burst into loud sobs.
Xu Chunniang watched silently from the side, neither stopping her nor offering any words of comfort.
Only after Little Orange had cried herself out did she say, "Your mother was a Daluo Golden Immortal. Her divine soul is deathless and indestructible. Even if her body perished, her divine soul would not vanish."
Little Orange raised her head. Determined light shone through her tear-filled eyes as she nodded vigorously.
"You're right, Sister. My mother has only gone missing; she isn't dead. She must be somewhere, waiting for me to find her."
Seeing that Little Orange had come to terms with it, Xu Chunniang turned to look at the Chi Ghost beside them.
The Chi Ghost acted as though facing a great enemy, casting Xu Chunniang a wary glance.
"What do you want?"
"Why so tense? I merely have a few questions and would like your help clearing up my doubts."
A smile curled Xu Chunniang's lips. "Surely you know the whereabouts of the Peacock Immortal Mother?"
The black bird formed by the Chi Ghost shook its head hard. "I don't know. Don't ask me."
Although these questions did not concern heavenly secrets, why should he give the information away for nothing?
Having said that, the Chi Ghost clamped his beak shut, clearly unwilling to say more.
Xu Chunniang's smile deepened, her tone coaxing and persuasive.
"If you