Xuanqing clicked his tongue inwardly at how happy she looked.
"All right, Luyao. Go over there and get used to your new body. Stabilize your cultivation, too," Xuanqing instructed.
"Yes, Senior!" Luyao bowed deeply again, then ran toward Side Peak.
Watching Luyao's retreating figure, Xuanqing turned his gaze away.
He had no time to babysit. The second lecture at Zixiao Palace was fast approaching.
Hongjun Dao Ancestor had set the rule: a lecture every three thousand years.
Though Xuanqing was cultivating in seclusion on Kunlun Mountain, that faint, mysterious sense of the approaching event was growing stronger.
After steadying himself, Xuanqing left his cave abode.
He didn't plan to go to Jade Void Palace and look for his master, Yuanshi Tianzun.
His master was a Sage-in-waiting, and Xuanqing couldn't match his speed.
If he traveled with his master, he probably wouldn't even get a good look at what the Chaos currents were like.
He planned to set out on his own and take in the scenery of Honghuang along the way.
Xuanqing turned into a streak of blue light, left Kunlun Mountain, and headed straight for Heaven Beyond Heaven.
Along the way, he saw plenty of familiar faces, as well as many beings he had never encountered before.
Honghuang was bustling these days. Dongwanggong was recruiting everywhere with his Dragon Head Cane in hand, while Dijun and Taiyi were busy establishing the Yao Clan.
Everywhere, the air was thick with the ambition to become the boss.
As Xuanqing flew, he suddenly sensed a powerful presence approaching from behind.
He stopped and turned to look.
A man in white robes was approaching on Auspicious Clouds.
He had a refined face and three long strands of beard. With a Feather Fan in his hand, he looked less like a cultivator than a schoolteacher.
"Fellow Daoist ahead, please wait!" the man called.
Xuanqing recognized him.
Baize.
One of the future Ten Great Demon Marshals of the Yao Clan, Baize was renowned throughout Honghuang for his knowledge of all things and his reputation as a brilliant strategist.
Baize had already reached the Golden Immortal realm, a whole major realm above Xuanqing.
Normally, a Golden Immortal would look down on a Great Yi Mysterious Immortal.
But when Baize landed before Xuanqing, he wore a warm smile and even greeted him with a cupped fist.
"I'm Baize. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Xuanqing."
Xuanqing's heart stirred.
Baize knew his Daoist name?
Though he hadn't made much of an appearance at the first lecture in Zixiao Palace, it seemed he had still caught the attention of those who took an interest in such things.
Or perhaps it was simply because his master, Yuanshi Tianzun, had such a resounding reputation.
"So you're Fellow Daoist Baize. I've long heard of your reputation." Xuanqing returned the greeting politely.
The two flew side by side toward Heaven Beyond Heaven.
"Fellow Daoist Xuanqing, you're so young, yet already at the late stage of the Great Yi Mysterious Immortal realm, with such a solid foundation. You truly are a worthy disciple of Sage Yuanshi," Baize praised as they flew.
Xuanqing chuckled inwardly.
Baize really did know his background.
"You're too kind, Fellow Daoist Baize. My meager cultivation is nothing compared to yours."
Baize shook his head. "You possess great merit and abundant fortune. That's something many mighty figures can only envy. Cultivation can always improve with time, but fortune and merit are Heaven's doing."
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Xuanqing didn't take the bait. He knew a clever man like Baize hadn't sought him out just to offer a few compliments.
Sure enough, after they had flown for a while, Baize turned the conversation to the Witch Clan.
"Fellow Daoist Xuanqing, I have something heartfelt to say. I wonder if I may speak freely." Baize waved his Feather Fan, his tone turning earnest.
"Go ahead."
"When I saw you outside Zixiao Palace last time, it seemed you were having a pleasant conversation with Ancestral Witch Houtu?"
Xuanqing's heart gave a jolt.
Good grief. Did Baize have surveillance cameras for eyes?
He had only exchanged a few words with Houtu last time, and Baize had remembered it.
"We were just discussing some insights into Dao Methods. Why do you ask, Fellow Daoist Baize?" Xuanqing asked, feigning nonchalance.
Baize sighed. "You may not know this, Fellow Daoist, but the Witch Clan cultivates only the body, not the spirit. They're naturally violent and ignorant of Heaven's will. They're expanding throughout Honghuang and clashing with the Myriad Races. Our Yao Clan exists to bring order to Honghuang, yet the Witch Clan keeps obstructing us."
Xuanqing grumbled inwardly: Is that really about bringing order? You're just trying to collect protection money.
Baize continued, "You're a disciple of a Sage, with a noble status and boundless prospects. If you get too close to those Witches, who know nothing but slaughter, you may become entangled in needless Karma. Especially Houtu. Though she's gentler than the other Ancestral Witches, she's still one of the Witch Clan. You should keep your distance, lest it hinder your cultivation."
Xuanqing understood. Baize was acting as a spokesperson for Dijun.
Or perhaps he was trying to use Xuanqing to sound out Yuanshi and the other two Sages.
Unfortunately, Xuanqing knew what the future held. Houtu would eventually transform herself into the cycle of reincarnation—a feat of immense merit.
If he could guide her toward it ahead of time, he might even get a share.
And Xuanqing also knew that the Yao Clan and Witch Clan would eventually fight each other to a standstill, leaving the Human Race to benefit from their downfall.
"Thank you for the warning, Fellow Daoist Baize." Xuanqing's tone was calm. "I cultivate as I please, and I don't care what race someone belongs to. If we get along, then they're my friend. As for Karma, my master often says that as long as you're strong enough, Karma is nothing to worry about."
Baize heard the refusal in Xuanqing's words.
His grip tightened around the Feather Fan, but his smile didn't waver.
"You make a good point. It seems I was worrying too much."
Xuanqing wasn't used to people trying to sway his thoughts. He liked even less having someone buzz in his ear and tell him what to do.
Baize was smooth-tongued, but the scheming beneath his words made Xuanqing uncomfortable.
"Fellow Daoist Baize, I've just remembered that my master gave me an urgent task. I need to go ahead to Zixiao Palace and report back to him. I won't keep you company on this leisurely flight. I'll see you at Zixiao Palace."
Before Baize could react, Xuanqing activated the power of merit within him.
His steady mana instantly surged, and his speed multiplied.
A streak of blue light cut across the sky and vanished from Baize's sight in the blink of an eye.
Baize remained where he was, watching the blue light disappear as his smile slowly faded.
He waved his Feather Fan and murmured to himself, "Yuanshi's disciple certainly has a personality. Protected by merit and immune to all spells, he has every reason to be arrogant. But I wonder whether he'll be so carefree in the future."
Xuanqing flew a long way before slowing down, certain he had left Baize behind.
"These schemers have rotten hearts," Xuanqing spat. "They start sowing discord the moment they meet you. Do they think I'm some clueless little rabbit?"
As he flew, he pondered to himself.
This lecture at Zixiao Palace would probably be about the Dao of Quasi-Saints.
Slay Three Corpses.
It was Hongjun Dao Ancestor's signature technique, and an indispensable step for Honghuang cultivators on the path to the pinnacle.
Xuanqing was only a Great Yi Mysterious Immortal, still far from becoming a Quasi-Saint, but there was no harm in learning about it early.
Besides, once the lecture ended, it would probably be time for the Sages' seats to be assigned and for treasures to be distributed at Fenbao Rock.
That was the real main event.
After passing through layer upon layer of thunder and fire, Xuanqing reached the edge of the Chaos once more.
Xuanqing summoned the Merit Golden Wheel. Enveloped in rings of golden light, he stepped into the Chaos.
The Chaos currents, powerful enough to tear apart a Mystic Cultivator's body, slammed into the Merit Golden Light with a series of thuds.
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