Taizhen and the Bird

West Queen Mother traveled straight to the Southern Sky region. Though she departed last, she was the first to arrive in the Southern Sky.

Upon entering the Southern Sky, West Queen Mother found the place incredibly hot, with fire spiritual energy filling Heaven and Earth.

While none of this affected her, she disliked it. Without any further delay, she headed directly towards the Phoenix Clan, her target obvious.

If something happened in the Southern Sky, it was bound to be related to the Phoenix Clan.

As she was about to enter the Phoenix Clan's territory, she saw a Qingluan Bird flying in the sky. Taizhen waved her sleeve and directly seized it.

The flying Qing Niao, still unaware of what was happening, suddenly found herself before West Queen Mother.

Qing Niao assumed human form, shook her head, and looked at the stunningly beautiful female immortal before her, adorned in luxurious clothing.

Her eyes showed disbelief. She shook her head again, only to find it wasn't an illusion.

She asked timidly, "Did I get lost while flying? Are you West Queen Mother, my lady?"

West Queen Mother felt a sense of familiarity with the Qingluan Bird before her but couldn't recall when she had met it. She nodded.

Seeing West Queen Mother nod, Qing Niao became so excited she danced with joy.

"West Queen Mother, my lady, my lady, it really is you! I thought I was lost while flying when I saw you."

"You know me?"

West Queen Mother truly couldn't remember ever meeting this Qing Niao. Furthermore, the Qingluan Bird's cultivation was low; it shouldn't have met her.

Qing Niao pouted but wasn't upset that West Queen Mother didn't remember her. She began to chatter excitedly.

"West Queen Mother, my lady, when I first became an immortal, I roamed Kunlun and once paid my respects to you. You even touched my head and said I was cute."

Hearing this, Taizhen recalled who this Qingluan Bird was.

However, calling it cute back then was just a way to describe it, as she didn't know how else to put it.

In reality, she had wanted to say the Qingluan Bird was a bit too simple-minded.

But seeing the excited Qing Niao before her, she didn't bother to explain.

Meeting her in person today, though this Qingluan Bird was naive and simple, it possessed a pure heart and was a good candidate for cultivation.

West Queen Mother: "Mm, I remember now. I did meet you. I recall your name is Qing Niao, correct?"

"Ah, yes, yes, yes! My lady actually remembers me! I'm so happy!"

Upon hearing West Queen Mother's words, Qing Niao jumped with joy.

After a moment, she realized her behavior was unseemly and stopped, sheepishly touching her head.

"My lady, please forgive me. I'm just so happy to see you in person and that you remember this humble immortal."

West Queen Mother said softly, "What's there to be happy about seeing me? West Queen Mother is just an ordinary cultivator."

"How can I not be happy? My lady, you are the foremost female immortal of the Primordial World, a goddess I've always admired. If only I could become a female immortal like you one day."

Hearing Qing Niao's words, West Queen Mother was both surprised and delighted. Surprised that this audacious little Qing Niao dared to call herself the foremost female immortal in the world.

Delighted that this little Qing Niao genuinely thought so.

She had received countless compliments before, but none had brought her this moment of joy.

The corners of her lips curled up slightly, a smile that could topple cities and nations.

Qing Niao was mesmerized and subconsciously said, "My lady, you are so beautiful."

West Queen Mother was speechless, but she truly fell for the little Qing Niao's straightforwardness.

Destiny truly was marvelous!

With this thought, West Queen Mother raised her hand and performed a divination. She discovered that she and the Qing Niao before her indeed shared a significant destiny.

"Alright, I have something to do in the Southern Sky. Can you take me to the Phoenix Clan?"

Qing Niao said happily, "My lady is really going to our Phoenix Clan? That's wonderful! When you get there, my lady must visit our Qingluan tribe. I can sing for you, my lady. My singing is very good."

Seeing Qing Niao's demeanor, West Queen Mother genuinely liked her from the bottom of her heart.

In the Primordial World, many female immortals liked and admired her, but none were as pure as Qing Niao, whose admiration and affection were genuine and without expectation.

Qing Niao revealed her true form, transforming into a Qingluan, and allowed West Queen Mother to ride on her back.

West Queen Mother hesitated for a moment, but recalling the result of her recent divination, she didn't refuse and mounted her.

Qing Niao took flight, heading straight for the Phoenix Clan's territory.

Along the way, Qing Niao continued to chatter, and West Queen Mother listened patiently.

"My lady, you are truly kind, so amiable and approachable. You truly live up to being the foremost female immortal, the Head of Female Immortals, just like the Imperial Sovereign."

West Queen Mother heard this and asked, "Who is the Imperial Sovereign?"

Qing Niao: "The Imperial Sovereign is the Head of Male Immortals, His Majesty King Dong."

"You know Fellow Daoist Tai Wei?"

While flying, Qing Niao nodded her phoenix head: "Yes, the Imperial Sovereign is also very kind. He even said I was his friend."

West Queen Mother remained silent, not pressing Qing Niao further on how she knew Donghua.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Wei is also with the Phoenix Clan?"

Qing Niao: "Yes, the Imperial Sovereign is currently a guest at the Phoenix Clan. However, after being invited by the Great Elder over two hundred years ago, I haven't seen the Imperial Sovereign since."

Upon hearing this, the West Queen Mother confirmed that this matter was related to the Phoenix Clan. Yet, Donghua had already arrived there, and the Heavenly Dao was still sensing her presence in this place.

It seemed the trouble was truly significant.

Seeing that the West Queen Mother had fallen silent, Qing Niao hesitated before meekly asking, "Your Majesty, you won't pluck my feathers and roast me, will you?"

The West Queen Mother asked in surprise, "Hm? Why do you say that?"

Qing Niao: "The Imperial Sovereign said it, that you would pluck my feathers and roast me."

The West Queen Mother's voice held a hint of anger, "How could Fellow Daoist Tai Wei slander me behind my back like this?"

Hearing the West Queen Mother's words, Qing Niao immediately became anxious, feeling as if she were about to cry. She quickly said, "No, no, the Imperial Sovereign wasn't slandering you, Your Majesty. It was Qing Niao who misspoke that day."

Then, Qing Niao couldn't hold back anymore and recounted the events of that day.

After listening to Qing Niao's account, the West Queen Mother looked at the little bird in shock. This little lass was truly bold to dare to gossip about two Great Powers.

If she hadn't known this little bird's personality, she might have actually roasted her for meat upon hearing those words.

Sensing the West Queen Mother's calm expression, Qing Niao panicked and said in a flustered manner:

"But I truly believe Your Majesty and the Imperial Sovereign are a perfect match. And after I said it, the Imperial Sovereign even nodded in agreement. Elder Sister Jin Feng, Brother Changqin, and everyone else also agreed."

The West Queen Mother snorted upon hearing this, "Hm?"

Then, this foolish bird recounted the rest of what happened that day.

However, she naively believed that Donghua and the others' helpless nods were an affirmation of what she had said.

This had turned into a huge misunderstanding.

The West Queen Mother fell silent again. Perhaps Qing Niao realized she had said something wrong this time and lowered her head as she flew, not daring to utter another word.

Before long, they arrived at the Phoenix Clan's territory.

At that moment, the Phoenix Clan's Great Elder, Yuan Jin, was already waiting outside.

"This humble one, Yuan Jin, greets the West Queen Mother."

The West Queen Mother dismounted from Qing Niao's back.

"We are both Quasi-Saints, Fellow Daoist. You may simply address me as Taizhen."

After the two exchanged pleasantries, Yuan Jin prepared to lead the West Queen Mother inside.

As she was leaving, the West Queen Mother glanced at the flustered Qing Niao, feeling a little uneasy.

In their short time together, she had already understood Qing Niao's personality.