Cihang stepped out of the bamboo house and withdrew the protective formation, finally taking the time to admire Hundred Flowers Valley.
The valley's abundant vitality lifted Cihang's state of mind by several degrees.
Although the doubts in his heart had not been resolved, Cihang had gained quite a lot this time.
Not only had his injuries fully recovered during this seclusion, but his cultivation had also risen to the Mysterious Immortal Peak.
The only regret was that he had not inherited the cultivation techniques and divine abilities contained within those memories.
After all, his future self had cultivated both paths of Buddhism and Daoism, with extraordinary inheritances and achievements in both.
Although he did not intend to cultivate the Buddhist Path or the teachings of the Chan Sect this time, those supreme inheritances still held immense value for reference.
He could fully rely on his own wisdom to incorporate them into his own inheritance and forge a path of cultivation belonging solely to himself.
Now that he lacked those true meanings of the Great Dao, perfecting his techniques would require hundreds or thousands of times more time and effort.
This was not something that could be accomplished in a short time, nor was this the place to deduce his own cultivation inheritance.
"My injuries have recovered. It's time to leave!"
The thought of departing arose in Cihang's heart. Though Kunlun was good, it was not where he belonged.
He had left Mount Luojia after transforming into human form. Now, it was time to return. In the vast primordial world, only Mount Luojia was his true foundation.
As for seeking a master and pursuing the Dao, Cihang no longer had the slightest interest in it.
It was not that he had given up on cultivation, but that he no longer intended to place his hopes in others.
He believed that even by relying only on himself, he would carve out a path in the primordial world that belonged solely to Cihang.
"Cihang, Fellow Daoist Cihang, have you recovered?"
The moment Cihang sensed a disturbance in the formation, Qingniao had already arrived before him.
"Thank you for your concern, Fellow Daoist. Cihang has fully recovered. I was able to heal so quickly thanks to the spiritual fruit you gifted me!"
Seeing Qingniao, Cihang smiled as well.
Though he had not actually consumed the spiritual fruit, Qingniao was the first cultivator to show him goodwill after he entered Kunlun Mountain.
"If it helped you recover, then it has shown its worth. Fellow Daoist, there is no need to dwell on it.
"Hm? Not only have your injuries recovered, but your cultivation has improved as well. Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, on turning misfortune into fortune."
Qingniao suddenly noticed the change in Cihang's cultivation. They had originally been evenly matched, but now she could no longer see through him.
"I truly did turn misfortune into fortune this time!
"Now that my injuries have recovered, it would not be right for me to continue occupying your treasured land. Since you have come, Fellow Daoist, I will take this opportunity to bid you farewell.
"I am deeply grateful for your assistance. I happen to have a spiritual treasure here, so please accept it as a parting gift!"
Cihang took out a jade bottle and used his mana to send it before Qingniao. Inside was a drop of Three Lights Divine Water.
"Three Lights Divine Water? This is far too precious. I cannot accept it!"
Upon recognizing the Three Lights Divine Water, Qingniao immediately refused.
Though she had maintained a pure and kind nature under the protection of the Queen Mother of the West, that did not mean she lacked knowledge.
This Three Lights Divine Water was far more precious than her spiritual fruit.
"Please do not decline, Fellow Daoist. Compared to the help you have given me, this drop of Three Lights Divine Water is nothing!"
Cihang's attitude was equally firm. Qingniao's goodwill toward him alone was worth this drop of Three Lights Divine Water.
"Very well. Since you insist, I will accept it. Thank you, Fellow Daoist."
Qingniao did not refuse again, instead considering what she should give Cihang in return.
Having cultivated alongside the Queen Mother of the West, Qingniao was quite well-off and did not worry that she could not repay Cihang's favor.
"It was a gift for you in the first place, so there is no need for courtesy.
"Cihang will now take his leave. If you have the time, Fellow Daoist, you may visit Mount Luojia in the South Sea. Cihang will surely welcome you warmly!"
"Wait, weren't you here to seek a master and pursue the Dao? Why are you leaving already?"
After putting away the Three Lights Divine Water, Qingniao hurriedly called out to stop Cihang.
"That was indeed my intention, but the truth has proven that I have no affinity with Kunlun. It is now time for me to return!"
After glimpsing the future, Cihang no longer intended to seek a master.
What he needed most now was a stable environment in which to deduce his own path.
The opportunities he had glimpsed also required sufficient strength before he could participate in and obtain them.
"Do not say I never gave you a chance. I told Your Ladyship about you earlier, and she is willing to meet you.
"You must seize this opportunity. If Your Ladyship takes a liking to you, she will surely accept you as her disciple.
"Though Your Ladyship rarely sets foot in the primordial world, her strength is no weaker than Sanqing's!"
Qingniao looked at Cihang with a smug expression.
Cihang was startled for a moment upon hearing this. He truly had not expected such a turn of events.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist. I have already given up hope of taking a master,
"but since I have entered Western Kunlun, I should pay my respects to Queen Mother senior.
"Could Fellow Daoist lead the way?"
After little hesitation, Cihang still decided to visit the Queen Mother of the West.
Since the Queen Mother of the West already knew of his existence, it would be discourteous if he avoided meeting her.
Though he no longer intended to seek a master, he did not wish to offend a top-tier expert over this matter either.
"Then let us go. Your Ladyship instructed me earlier to bring you to the Jade Pool once you had recovered!"
Qingniao took the lead, transforming into a streak of light and heading toward Western Kunlun's main peak.
Though Hundred Flowers Valley was also within Western Kunlun, it lay on the outskirts, still a great distance from the main peak. Cihang and Qingniao flew for several shichen before reaching Western Kunlun's main peak.
Before they even began their ascent, they could already sense the mountain's majestic grandeur and its boundless spiritual energy.
With Qingniao leading the way, they encountered no obstruction. Without pausing, the two headed straight for the Jade Pool Immortal Hall atop the mountain.
Like Jade Void Palace, the Jade Pool stood within Western Kunlun, yet was actually an independent blessed grotto-heaven.
"Your Ladyship, Qingniao has brought Cihang to pay his respects!"
Outside the great hall, Qingniao respectfully bowed and kowtowed.
"Enter!"
A commanding female voice came from within the hall.
"Let us go!"
Qingniao rose to her feet and led Ye Ling toward the hall.
The moment the two entered the hall, they stepped directly into another world.
What entered Cihang's sight was a lake formed from gathered innate spiritual water.
It was called a lake, yet its boundaries could not be seen. It filled the entire grotto-heaven world.
Countless immortal islands rested upon the lake, dreamlike and ethereal amid the innate spiritual mist.
This was a true immortal realm and grotto-heaven.
Within it, Cihang saw more than a dozen low-grade Innate Spiritual Roots, while Acquired Spiritual Roots were even more numerous beyond count.
At the center of the lake stood an Innate Spiritual Root that blotted out the sky and covered the earth, constantly drawing in and exhaling spiritual energy to enrich the immortal aura of the grotto-heaven.
As expected of a top-tier blessed grotto-heaven. Though my Chaoyin Cave is also a cultivation grotto-heaven, it falls far short of this Jade Pool.
Cihang could not help praising it inwardly.
The two did not linger and headed directly to a grand, magnificent palace at the center of the Jade Pool.
The moment he stepped into the hall, an invisible pressure washed over him. Seated in the center was a beautiful female cultivator dressed in splendid robes—the Queen Mother of the West of Kunlun.
"Cihang of Mount Luojia in the South Sea pays his respects to the Queen Mother of the West!"
Daring not to look further, Cihang hurriedly bowed in respectful salute.
The Queen Mother of the West of Kunlun was a cultivator of the same generation as Sanqing and Nuwa, and had even been appointed by Hongjun as the Head of Female Immortals.
Though her authority had been damaged after the establishment of the Heavenly Court, her strength still surpassed that of other quasi-sages.
Even Sanqing and Nuwa had to show the Queen Mother of the West some measure of respect.
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