The pristine realm of Yaochi was a far cry from its former glory.
Dilapidated palaces and fractured jade bridges could be seen everywhere.
As far as the eye could see, immortal qi drifted away and all things withered.
Yet right in the center of Yaochi, an isolated island still shimmered with flowing multicolored light and rising auspicious vapors.
Four figures sat cross-legged upon a flat jade platform at the heart of the island.
They were precisely the one man and three women Li Wei had previously encountered at the South Heaven Gate.
Jade Emperor, Queen Mother, Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden, and Mazu.
"Senior Mazu," Queen Mother Shen Yaochi spoke first, "when you propagate the faith across the realms of the Heavenly River, can you simultaneously establish the orthodoxy of the Jade Emperor..."
"Hmph!"
Before she finished speaking, Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden, Ma Sirui, suddenly let out a cold snort.
"Queen Mother, if you want to hitch a ride, just say so. Why talk about orthodoxy?"
"In these years at the Heavenly Ruins, which faction doesn't sweep the snow from its own doorstep? What, the matters that the Celestial Venerable doesn't even care about, you and... this Your Majesty the Jade Emperor want to manage?"
Shen Yaochi's figure paused slightly, momentarily speechless.
Mazu, seated diagonally opposite, acted as though the matter had nothing to do with her, maintaining her sleepy posture.
She only lazily adjusted her position when the Mysterious Maiden's tone rose slightly, making herself more comfortable.
The atmosphere atop the jade platform grew somewhat heavy for a moment.
"Heh!"
An intangible might emanated from the Mysterious Maiden, pressing straight down toward the Jade Emperor.
Yet the latter's figure, draped in the Black and Yellow Emperor Robe, remained as steady as a mountain, and the dao rhymes flowing around him