A Guest Arrives

ps: This chapter isn't part of the main story. Please check back later.

ps: This chapter isn't part of the main story. Please check back later.

ps: This chapter isn't part of the main story. Please check back later.

As soon as Qing Xuan reached the entrance of the courtyard, Nuwa came running out with Houtu in tow. Their eyes sparkled as they stared at the fish in his hands.

"An extra dish today!" Nuwa said with a grin, coming closer. "Little Gourd Vine, your fishing skills keep getting better."

Houtu obediently took the fish. "Brother Qing Xuan, I'll go get the grill ready." With that, she turned and ran toward the Three Lights Divine Water Pool.

Qing Xuan shook his head with a laugh. Those two girls were growing ever more devoted to good food. He walked to the pavilion by the pool and sat down, watching Houtu skillfully start a fire.

Fu Xi came out of the hall just then, carrying a jug of Immortal Brew. "We're in for a treat today." He set the jug on the stone table. "I just made it with Three Lights Divine Water."

Nuwa leaned over the jug and sniffed. Her eyes lit up even more. "Brother finally did something useful." Without a hint of ceremony, she poured herself a cup.

The four sat together in the pavilion as the aroma of grilled fish filled the air. Bai He stood obediently behind Qing Xuan, occasionally helping by passing him seasonings.

"Younger Brother," Fu Xi said, taking a sip of wine, "when do you plan to bring the Dragon Sons sent by the Four Seas Dragon Kings onto the island?"

Qing Xuan turned the fish over on the grill. "No rush. Let Ao Gan and the others teach them the basics first and help them work on their temperaments." He sprinkled on some spices. "The Dragon Clan is used to acting arrogantly. They need to learn to humble themselves first."

Nuwa chewed on a piece of fish and said indistinctly, "If you ask me, just toss them into the Three Lights Divine Water Pool and leave them there for a few hundred years. That'll knock the attitude right out of them."

Houtu covered her mouth as she chuckled. "Sister, with that method, you'd turn even a True Dragon into a loach."

As they joked, Qing Xuan suddenly furrowed his brow. He set down the grilled fish and looked beyond Fangzhang Island. "We have guests."

Before he had finished speaking, a clear voice came from outside the island. "I am Zhen Yuanzi. I have brought my friend Hong Yun to pay a visit to Qing Xuan Daojun."

Nuwa and Fu Xi exchanged surprised glances. Zhen Yuanzi was the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, while Hong Yun was renowned throughout the Primordial Wilderness as a kindly soul. Why had the two of them suddenly come calling?

Qing Xuan rose and straightened his robes. "Please, come in." He waved a hand, opening the Island Protection Grand Formation, and two figures floated gracefully inside.

Zhen Yuanzi wore a yellow robe and held a horsetail whisk. His expression was gentle and kind. Hong Yun wore a red robe and had a cheerful, smiling face that made him instantly likable.

"Please forgive us for coming unannounced," Zhen Yuanzi said, cupping his hands in greeting. "I heard that your Daoist abode was wondrous, Daojun, and came hoping to learn from you."

Hong Yun smiled too. "I was mooching Ginseng Fruit off Zhen Yuanzi at Five Villages View when he told me about Fangzhang Island in the East Sea. I shamelessly tagged along."

Qing Xuan returned their greeting with a smile. "It's Fangzhang Island's honor to have you both here." He led them into the pavilion and had Bai He set out cups for them.

As soon as Zhen Yuanzi sat down, his gaze fell on the Three Lights Divine Water Pool. "What a marvelous Place of Creation," he praised. "For its waters to nourish the Pure World White Lotus is truly extraordinary."

Hong Yun, meanwhile, was staring at the grill. "That fish smells delicious. You're quite the cook, Daojun." He made himself at home, taking a piece of fish and giving it a taste.

Nuwa chuckled at the sight and leaned close to Qing Xuan's ear. "That Daoist Hong Yun is quite the candid fellow."

Qing Xuan gave a slight nod and began discussing the Dao with Zhen Yuanzi. They spoke of earth veins, then Heavenly Secrets, of Spiritual Roots, then creation. The more they talked, the more they found themselves in agreement.

Zhen Yuanzi stroked his beard. "To be honest, Daojun, I came here today to ask you for a favor." He took out a Jade Box. "Please accept these Ginseng Fruits."

Three fruits lay inside, shaped like infants and giving off a fragrant aroma. They were the Ginseng Fruits that ripened once every ten thousand years.

Qing Xuan didn't take them. "Whatever it is, just ask, fellow Daoist. Such a valuable gift makes it difficult for me to speak."

Zhen Yuanzi sighed. "My Five Villages View is lovely, but I always feel it lacks a certain vitality. I'd like to ask you for a White Lotus to plant in the pool there."

He paused. "Of course, I don't mean something as exceptional as the Pure World White Lotus. An ordinary White Lotus that can bloom will do."

Hong Yun chimed in from the side. "Zhen Yuanzi here just loves tending to flowers and plants. If you're willing to part with one, Daojun, I'll owe you one on his behalf."

Qing Xuan smiled at that. "That's easy enough." He went to the pool, picked a White Lotus bud, wrapped it in Three Lights Divine Water, and handed it to Zhen Yuanzi.

"This White Lotus hasn't bloomed yet, but it has a good foundation. Nourish it with spiritual energy, and it should blossom within a hundred years."

Zhen Yuanzi was overjoyed and accepted it solemnly. "Many thanks, Daojun." He pushed the Ginseng Fruits toward Qing Xuan. "Please accept these, or I won't be able to put my mind at ease."

Seeing that he couldn't refuse, Qing Xuan accepted two of them and had Bai He take the remaining one to slice up and share with everyone.

Hong Yun ate with gusto. "Ginseng Fruit with grilled fish makes for a rather unique flavor." He wiped his mouth. "Daojun, I can't just enjoy your food without offering something in return."

He took a red-cloud-shaped Magic Treasure from his sleeve. "This is the Heaven Escaping Cloud I made. It isn't a Spiritual Treasure, but it's fairly fast. Take it as a means of transportation."

Qing Xuan accepted it and discovered that the red cloud could travel through space. It was a fine way to get around. "Thank you, Hong Yun."

As they chatted, Fangzhang Island suddenly trembled slightly. Right after that, Eight Dragon Roars rang out from eight directions beyond the island, shaking the Nine Heavens.

Ao Gan's voice sounded from outside the island. "Master, the Four Seas Dragon Sons have arrived. They're waiting outside."

Qing Xuan turned to Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun with an apologetic look. "Please wait here, fellow Daoists. I'll be right back."

He flashed outside the island and saw Ao Gan's Eight Brothers in their dragon forms, circling in midair. Below them, four little dragons of different colors hovered respectfully above the sea.

The four little dragons were only a dozen or so zhang long, and their cultivation was at the Heavenly Immortal realm. When they saw Qing Xuan, they hurriedly took human form and knelt.

"Your disciple Ao Jia of the East Sea pays his respects to Qing Xuan Daojun."

"Ao Yi of the West Sea pays his respects to Daojun."

"Ao Bing of the South Sea..."

"Ao Ding of the North Sea..."

The four little dragons gave their names one by one. Their manner was respectful, but their eyes still held the Dragon Clan's characteristic pride.

Qing Xuan swept his gaze over them. "Now that you've entered Fangzhang Island, you must follow its rules." His voice was calm, yet carried unquestionable authority.

"First, you may not leave the island without permission. Second, you may not bully the island's inhabitants. Third, you must train diligently and not slack off." With each rule he stated, the four little dragons lowered themselves a little more.

"Ao Gan," Qing Xuan called. "Take them to Hidden Dragon Abyss on the east side of the island and temper their dispositions for three years. After that, you can teach them the basic cultivation techniques."

Ao Gan acknowledged the order and swept up the four little dragons with a wave of his claw, carrying them toward the east of the island. There was a Cold Pool there, perfect for tempering restless minds.

At some point, Hong Yun had followed them outside. He clicked his tongue in amazement. "You're a strict teacher, Daojun." He smiled. "But the Dragon Clan is unruly by nature. They do need to be tempered."

Qing Xuan shook his head. "Whether they amount to anything will depend on them." He looked out toward the distant sea. "If they can't even endure this little hardship, they may as well return to the Four Seas and be carefree Dragon Kings."

When they returned to the pavilion, Zhen Yuanzi had already risen to take his leave. "We've imposed on you long enough today. It's time for us to go." He cupped his hands. "If you have some free time, Daojun, come visit Five Villages View."

Hong Yun patted his belly. "After eating your delicious fish, Daojun, I'll hunt some Spiritual Beasts and bring them as a gift next time." He transformed into a red cloud and departed alongside Zhen Yuanzi.