Time flies, and twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, inside the residence of the Sky-Patrolling Bureau, Xu Xiao awoke from his cultivation, his body radiant with light and the flow of Dao principles.
Its aura was several times stronger than when it first arrived in the Heavenly Court.
With a radiance shifting around him, Xu Xiao's aura returned to the Heavenly Immortal realm, and he then stepped out of the mansion.
"My lord, you have emerged from seclusion."
Wen Yuan, accompanied by several minor officials, had been waiting outside the mansion. Upon seeing Xu Xiao emerge from the pass, they immediately stepped forward to greet him.
"Hmm," Xu Xiao nodded, then asked his subordinate as usual, "Has anything gone wrong in the Three Realms this past month?"
"No, no," Wen Yuan hurriedly waved his hands.
" The Three Realms are as they always have been, without any abnormalities; cause and effect, destiny, are all the same as always."
Since Xu Xiao extorted money from Guanyin, his reputation in the Heavenly Court has soared, and the celestial officials under him both respect and fear him.
Fortunately, Xu Xiao was not a demanding person. Since his trip to Flower-Fruit Mountain, he had rarely gone out.
Under normal circumstances, he stays within the Heavenly Palace, using the All-Heavens Star Mirror) to survey the Three Realms and heavens, and rarely leaves his residence.
Even if there was anything that required him to go out, he would send his subordinate celestial officials to run the errand. After all, these people were idle anyway, and they were originally there to be used by him.
This action infuriated those in the Western Sect who wanted to subtly retaliate, but they were powerless to do anything about it.
Since Guanyin was brought to the Heavenly Court by the Great Emperor Ziwei, and in front of all the immortals her Magic Power and supernatural abilities were restricted, and she was subjected to a severe punishment of thunder and fire, she has devoted herself to her South Sea Dojo and has not shown her face for twenty years.
Even the details of the Journey to the West journey were discussed by Maitreya Buddha, that kind-hearted old man, who consulted with the Heavenly Court.
Anyone with eyes to see knows that the Western Sect has been humiliated by the Daoist Sect and is holding back its anger, but it just can't find Xu Xiao as the target or a pretext.
Xu Xiao, of course, wouldn't give them that chance. Being able to exchange a few blows head-on didn't mean he could withstand the Western Sect's schemes and plots.
He's not even Golden Immortal yet; he's already pledged his allegiance to the Daoist Sect Guanyin. There's no need for him to keep standing out.
"Judging by the time, it's about time."
"You all should keep a close watch on the Three Realms. I'm going to the Tushita Palace myself."
Xu Xiao transformed into starlight and vanished from the Sky-Patrolling Bureau in an instant.
Thirty-Three Heavens - Tushita Palace
Ordinary celestial officials and deities are not qualified to come to such a place, but Xu Xiao is an exception.
Starlight fell upon the Thirty-Three Heavens, revealing Xu Xiao's appearance. From now on, he could no longer proceed so recklessly.
A white cloud lifted Xu Xiao's body and soared towards the Tushita Palace.
Outside the Tushita Palace, the elixir energy swirled, forming unique rings of elixir clouds; a single breath of it could slightly enhance one's Magic Power.
These are just waste pill clouds to Laojun, but they are highly nourishing natural treasures for ordinary cultivators.
Without lingering on the periphery, the clouds dispersed spontaneously, and Xu Xiao rode the clouds straight into the Tushita Palace, landing at the entrance.
A boy with rosy lips and white teeth was already waiting there. Upon seeing Xu Xiao, he bowed and greeted him.
"Zhi Cao, the master said you should have arrived today, but I didn't expect you to be here so soon."
" Kinkaku Fairy, thank you for waiting. I figured it was about time, so I came to pay my respects."
Xu Xiao bowed respectfully. The boy in front of him was Laojun's attendant. Although he looked inconspicuous, Xu Xiao was not as impolite as a monkey.
The fire-tending boys may look young, but they are all at the level of Golden Immortal. They are always by Laojun's side, and their magical treasures and supernatural powers are unfathomable.
Those who blocked the monkey's path on their Journey to the West journey, even without Laojun's treasures, would have been able to put up a good fight against the monkey if they hadn't had a mission from the Heavenly Court.
In addition, Xu Xiao himself had karmic connections with the Three Pure Ones Daoist School sect, so the two were considered family, and thus both treated him with courtesy.
"Don't be so polite, Master Cao. He has been waiting in the inner room for quite some time. Please follow me."
Kinkaku smiled slightly, then waved to welcome Xu Xiao inside.
Upon entering the Tushita Palace, the first thing you see is the enormous alchemy furnace shrouded in purple mist. Laojun is sitting with his eyes closed, his whisk lightly resting on his arm, as if he is dozing.
"Disciple pays respects to Laojun." Xu Xiao bowed respectfully.
Laojun opened his eyes, his gaze calm and unfathomable. "You've come at the right time; your magic weapon is complete."
With a flick of his sleeve, a beam of azure light flew out from the alchemy furnace and hovered in front of Xu Xiao —it was a three-foot-long azure sword, its blade as clear as jade, with flowing willow-like patterns. The sword had not moved, yet it had already cleaved the surrounding space, revealing its sharp aura.
"This sword is named ' Tribulation Cause '. It is Guanyin on Guanyin's willow branch, infused with Ziwei star sand and Zhenwu thunder essence, and further enhanced with a wisp of my old Doushuai fire," Laojun said calmly.
"Of course, it also relies on your Dao of Variables as a foundation, and now this treasure is quite good."
"Severing cause and effect, cutting off destiny, it can slice away a thousand years of cultivation from anyone below the Golden Immortal level with a single sword strike. Even those above the Golden Immortal dare not easily face its sharp edge."
Products made by Laojun are guaranteed to be of the highest quality.
If even Laojun of War) says it's good, then this longsword must be at least a Acquired Numinous Treasure treasure.
Unfortunately, Innate Numinous Treasure require at least a wisp of Innate Qi from the creation of the Medium Chiliocosm to forge. Otherwise, with the full assistance of Ziwei, Zhenwu, and Laojun, it wouldn't be impossible to forge an Innate magic treasure.
The Tribulation Cause Sword hovered in mid-air. Xu Xiao could feel a resonance between this magical weapon and himself. With a gentle wave of his hand, the longsword flew into his hand.
The sword's edge trembled slightly, as if it were playfully teasing its master.
"Great, great, a wonderful product."
Simply by holding the Tribulation Cause Sword, Xu Xiao felt his power of cause and effect and the Power of Variables were strengthened, as if it were another Great Dao that had separated from his body.
They share the same origin as each other, reflecting each other and enhancing their control over power.
The Tribulation Cause Sword was forged Reversing the Dao of Cause and Effect and the Power of Variables. It can grow by absorbing the Power of Variables in the world, just like him.
Given the right opportunity, it's not impossible to Return from Acquired to Innate and break through one's own limitations.
"This disciple is deeply grateful Laojun Laojun; I will never forget your kindness..."
"Alright, alright, why are you acting like a little girl?"
Laojun Teuchi Xu Xiao's thanks, then spoke with a serious expression:
"Judging from your furrowed brow, besides coming to retrieve your magic weapon, you must have something else to tell me. Go ahead."
" Laojun is wise; then this disciple will continue to ramble on..."