Cihang held the Queen Mother of the West in high regard. Whether in strength, temperament, or methods, she stood at the very pinnacle.
"Are you Cihang?"
The moment Cihang entered the hall, the Queen Mother of the West began sizing him up.
"This junior is indeed Cihang!"
Cihang answered cautiously.
"Not bad. The aptitude of a High-grade Innate Deity, cultivation at the Mysterious Immortal Peak, a solid foundation, and abundant mana.
But I am more curious—why did you refuse Fellow Daoist Yuanshi?"
The Queen Mother of the West had effortlessly seen through Cihang's cultivation and origins.
Cihang was startled that the Queen Mother of the West had seen through his true circumstances at a glance, but upon recalling her cultivation and strength, he no longer found it surprising.
His panic lasted only an instant before Cihang steadied his mind.
"Reporting to Your Ladyship, Cihang's aptitude is dull, and I feel myself incapable of inheriting Venerable Yuanshi's profound teachings. Refusing was an act of helplessness!"
Whether others believed it or not, this was the only explanation he could give now.
Perhaps not only the Queen Mother of the West, but even some great divine cultivators knew that he, an overconfident minor cultivator, had rejected Yuanshi, a future Saint.
Even when he traveled the Primordial World in the future, he would inevitably face strange looks.
Cihang had not wanted to enter the sight of the powerful in such a manner, but since he had done so, he had to bear the consequences.
"If you have dull aptitude, then how many in the Primordial World could be called talented?
Forget it. Since you do not wish to speak of it, I will not force you."
Every cultivator in the Primordial World had their own opportunities and secrets, herself included. The Queen Mother of the West had no intention of investigating further.
"Thank you, Your Ladyship."
Cihang bowed in thanks once more.
He was thanking the Queen Mother of the West both for her praise and for not continuing to pry.
"This visit was also meant to thank Your Ladyship for providing territory where Cihang could recover from his injuries.
Cihang has no way to repay you. I can only offer these three drops of divine water, and hope Your Ladyship will not disdain them!"
Cihang took out three drops of Three Lights Divine Water and presented them to the Queen Mother of the West.
Had the Queen Mother of the West not known that he had been healing in Western Kunlun, it would have been one thing. But since she knew, Karma had already been formed.
Settling that Karma with three drops of Three Lights Divine Water would spare him trouble in the future.
The Queen Mother of the West's power was beyond doubt, but she too would face endless troubles and Karma in the future.
With the Queen Mother of the West's strength, she would naturally be unharmed, but that might not be true for others.
Thus, although Cihang respected the Queen Mother of the West, he did not intend to have overly deep dealings with her for the time being.
"I did not expect you to possess such a treasure.
I find myself appreciating you more and more. Your aptitude and disposition are both exceptional. Why not cultivate under my Kunlun lineage?
I may not possess a Saint Position like the Sanqing, but none would dare bully my disciples, nor would any be able to."
Originally, the Queen Mother of the West had merely wanted to see what sort of cultivator would dare reject Yuanshi.
Was he ignorant and foolish, or arrogant and conceited? Yet after truly seeing Cihang, she found him to be neither.
With Cihang's temperament and aptitude, he could indeed bear her Great Dao inheritance.
As for the slight grudge between Cihang and Yuanshi, the Queen Mother of the West considered it nothing more than a trivial matter.
"Thank you for Your Ladyship's generous favor. However, Your Ladyship lives beside Venerable Yuanshi, and Cihang cannot affect the relationship between Your Ladyship and the Venerable because of himself."
Cihang respectfully bowed to the Queen Mother of the West and rejected her once again.
"Fellow Daoist Cihang, with Your Ladyship's strength, she can certainly protect you. Hurry and agree.
There are scarcely a few people in the entire Primordial World with strength like Your Ladyship's!"
Qingniao anxiously began persuading Cihang from the side.
"Qingniao."
The Queen Mother of the West stopped Qingniao from continuing her persuasion.
"So be it. It seems there is no fate of master and disciple between us."
The Queen Mother of the West vaguely sensed that Cihang likely had some other reliance or plan.
Taking him as a disciple had merely been a passing impulse, so there was no need to force it.
The Queen Mother of the West could not help but wonder how far Cihang would go in the future, and whether he could survive this calamity.
"It is Cihang's own fortune that is meager and his affinity shallow. I have no fate with Your Ladyship's Great Dao!"
Cihang gave another deep bow.
Seeing that the Queen Mother of the West was not angered, Cihang also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He was still far too weak. A powerhouse like the Queen Mother of the West could easily control his fate.
If he wished to avoid being controlled, he could only grow stronger step by step and build up his own strength.
"Since we have no fate as master and disciple, I naturally cannot accept such a heavy gift from you for nothing.
This Three Lights Divine Water is indeed precious and is somewhat useful to me. Today, I shall bestow upon you an Innate Peach of Immortality!"
As the Queen Mother of the West put away the Three Lights Divine Water, she sent an Immortality Peach brimming with vitality and spiritual energy before Cihang.
Within that Immortality Peach, there was faintly a trace of the Ren Water Law flowing through it.
Looking at the Immortality Peach before him, Cihang was deeply moved.
Though both were Innate Spiritual Fruits, there was an enormous difference between them.
This was not one of those derivative Immortality Peaches from later generations, but a Spiritual Fruit from a true Top-tier Innate Spiritual Root, containing even a trace of the Ren Water Law.
Cihang possessed a water-wood divine body, so this Immortality Peach would be of immense benefit to him.
"Thank you, Your Ladyship, for bestowing this treasure!"
Cihang bowed in gratitude.
Cihang understood that he did not wish to owe the Queen Mother a favor, and the Queen Mother felt the same.
Moreover, this Immortality Peach could indeed greatly advance his cultivation.
"With your foundation and reserves, this Immortality Peach can help you break through to the Golden Immortal realm.
Have Qingniao take you to find a cave abode later. You may cultivate in Western Kunlun and make your breakthrough!"
The Queen Mother of the West had some appreciation for Cihang, so she offered him this kind reminder.
"Thank you, Your Ladyship. Receiving Your Ladyship's treasure is already great fortune. Cihang will not disturb Your Ladyship further!"
Compared with Kunlun, Cihang wished more to return to Mount Luojia in the South Sea.
"Do you know that once you leave, your journey is destined to be far from peaceful? Countless calamities may descend upon you?"
The Queen Mother of the West looked at Cihang with a solemn expression.
"Cihang understands. But as cultivators, we are destined to cut through thorns and brambles all the way forward in order to continually surpass ourselves.
Though Cihang's strength is meager, I possess a heart that seeks the Dao!"
Cihang's expression was resolute, carrying the determination to face anything.
"Very well. Since you possess such conviction, then go!"
The Queen Mother of the West waved out a gentle stream of mana and sent Cihang out of Western Kunlun.
"Your Ladyship, is Fellow Daoist Cihang truly in danger on this journey?"
After Cihang's figure vanished, Qingniao still looked worried.
"Although Yuanshi has not yet attained the Dao, he possesses immense fate. By provoking Yuanshi's displeasure and anger, Cihang has touched upon the backlash of the Sanqing's fate.
Cihang's fate is dim at this moment, so many calamities will naturally descend upon him!"
The Queen Mother of the West explained to Qingniao.
"Ah, how could this be? I will go bring Fellow Daoist Cihang back at once!"
Qingniao hurriedly prepared to seek out Cihang.
"There is no need. That Cihang is no easy person either. Though countless calamities will befall him on this journey, if he survives this trial, he will surely achieve something extraordinary in the future.
Rather than worry about him, you should cultivate diligently."
The Queen Mother of the West waved her hand and sent Qingniao out of the Jade Pool.
Since Cihang had rejected her kindness, she would not interfere too much further.
However, the Queen Mother of the West still had a premonition that this calamity would not be enough to trap Cihang.
Before you continue