The wooden door to the attic was pushed open, and several beautiful female disciples of Jade Pool, dressed in white, filed out and lined up on both sides.
Finally, the Jade Pool Holy Maiden, shrouded in mist, slowly emerged.
She stood by the lake, her graceful figure shrouded in a hazy glow, as if she were standing in the Guanghan Palace, holy and distant, breathtakingly beautiful, yet seemingly forever unattainable.
"Holy Maiden." The surrounding Jade Pool disciples all bowed in respect.
The Jade Pool Holy Maiden nodded slightly, her gaze falling on Li Qingshan, and her heavenly voice rang out. "Fellow Daoist Li, what do you think of this place? Is it to your liking?"
"Born of exceptional beauty and natural charm, this place truly lives up to its reputation as a supreme holy site. Cultivating here will undoubtedly yield twice the results with half the effort."
The saint's elegant playing was almost divine, truly admirable.
Li Qingshan sincerely praised him. His words were not merely polite; the environment here was indeed excellent, greatly benefiting his consolidation of his realm and his comprehension of the Great Dao.
"I'm glad you like it, fellow Daoist."
The Jade Pool Holy Maiden spoke with a hint of a smile, "Please come inside for a chat."
The group entered the lakeside pavilion.
The interior is elegantly decorated, with a faint, calming incense burning, and the view of the picturesque lake outside the window is breathtaking.
After the guests and hosts were seated, female disciples served fragrant tea.
The tea is emerald green, exuding a delicate fragrance; one look and you know it's no ordinary tea.
The Jade Pool Holy Maiden dismissed her disciples, leaving only two of her most respected elders to keep her company.
She took a sip of fragrant tea, her gaze seemingly piercing through the mist to land on Li Qingshan, and said bluntly, "Fellow Daoist Li, please forgive my intrusion."
When you observe that you are in harmony with all the Dao during your tribulation, and that the laws of heaven and earth are actively drawn to you, this quality is very similar to a supreme physique recorded in my ancient Jade Pool books.
The Innate Dao Embryo.
"I wonder, fellow Daoist, do you know your own physical constitution and origins?"
Although he had suspected it before, Li Qingshan was still slightly moved when the Jade Pool Holy Maiden pointed it out so directly.
He put down his teacup and said frankly, "The Holy Maiden has discerning eyes. My constitution is indeed that of Innate Dao Embryo."
He did not mention his self-proclaimed status as a " Innate Immortal Fetus ".
After all, no one would believe it if they said that his physique, after being blessed by the Stone Gate, far surpassed that of an ordinary Innate Dao Embryo; they would only think that this was the true Innate Dao Embryo.
Since the other party referred to him as " the Innate Dao Embryo," he readily acknowledged it.
Upon receiving confirmation from Li Qingshan, despite being mentally prepared, the Jade Pool Holy Maiden and the two old women still shone with astonishing brilliance, their excitement barely contained.
"As expected! It really is Innate Dao Embryo!"
An old woman's voice trembled, "Heaven has eyes! It has allowed us, in our lifetime, to witness the reappearance of a being of the same origin as the Western Emperor Ancestor!"
Another old woman exclaimed excitedly, "Fellow Daoist Li, do you know what this means?"
The Innate Dao Embryo is the source of my Jade Pool Dao lineage!
The Western Emperor Ancestor attained enlightenment through this very physique, thus establishing the eternal foundation of our Jade Pool lineage!
The Jade Pool Holy Maiden remained relatively calm, but her voice carried a hint of unease. "Fellow Daoist Li possesses this body, thus having an unbreakable connection with my Jade Pool. I wonder, does Fellow Daoist possess any imperial lineage?"
She asked the most crucial question.
A complete transmission of the Imperial Scriptures is crucial for people of any constitution.
Li Qingshan shook his head, his expression calm. "By chance, I awakened my physique and received some ancient Dao techniques, but my knowledge of the mysteries of the Innate Dao Embryo is still superficial, and I have not received a systematic and complete inheritance."
His words were half true and half false. The Sun True Scripture is an imperial scripture, but it is not a complete transmission; only the first four volumes are available.
The exploration of one's physical constitution relies more on personal insight and serendipitous encounters such as enlightenment and cross-disciplinary connections.
Upon hearing this, the Jade Pool Holy Maiden and the two old women exchanged glances, each seeing the light in the other's eyes.
There is no complete lineage!
This means that Jade Pool's opportunity has arrived!
The Jade Pool Holy Maiden hesitated for a moment, then her voice became even softer, like a clear spring flowing. "Fellow Daoist Li, to be honest, although my Jade Pool lineage is not a descendant of the Western Emperor Ancestor, we have completely inherited her Daoist tradition."
In terms of understanding the Innate Dao Embryo, looking across the entire Big Dipper, probably no one can surpass Jade Pool.
She paused slightly, observing Li Qingshan's reaction, and continued, "Fellow Daoist, you possess a physique that originates from the same source as the Ancestor, yet you lack a complete lineage of guidance, which is truly regrettable."
Such talent, if wasted due to incomplete inheritance, would be a loss for us cultivators, and for the entire cultivation world.
She changed the subject, her tone becoming sincere. "Although I am a saintess, I have no right to directly pass on the ' Western Emperor Scripture ' left by the patriarch."
Such important matters must be reported to the Queen Mother and decided jointly by the Holy Land's resources.
However, I can promise here that Jade Pool is absolutely willing to forge this good relationship with you, fellow Daoist.
If you wish, I can immediately send a message to the Holy Land and personally introduce you to the Jade Pool to meet the Queen Mother.
As a fellow Daoist, the Queen Mother and the various Tai Shang Elders will surely treat you with utmost respect.
At that time, we may be able to discuss the study of the * Western Emperor Scripture *, and even deeper levels of cooperation.
The Western Emperor Scripture!
Meet the Queen Mother of the West!
Li Qingshan's heart stirred; this was exactly the result he had hoped for.
The Jade Pool Holy Maiden's statement demonstrates her sincerity, showing both Jade Pool's emphasis on the matter and adherence to the rules of the sacred land.
He knew all too well that obtaining the Imperial Scripture was no easy feat, and that Jade Pool's willingness to offer such a passage and promise already placed him in an extremely high position.
He did not agree immediately, but thought for a moment and asked, " Li Qingshan am grateful for the Holy Maiden's kindness."
"If I were to go to Jade Pool, besides the matter of the * Western Emperor Scripture *, what other expectations does the Holy Land have for me?"
The Jade Pool Holy Maiden smiled slightly, her celestial face appearing and disappearing in the misty haze. "Fellow Daoist, you speak frankly."
What I seek in Jade Pool is nothing more than to forge a good connection.
Fellow Daoist, you possess the body of the Ancestral Master, thus you have an unbreakable Cause and Effect with Jade Pool.
We hope that you, fellow Daoist, can regard Jade Pool as a friend, and that if you achieve something in the future, you can help us out to the best of your ability.
Furthermore, if you agree, we hope you can become a guest elder of Jade Pool, enjoying the offerings of elders, but without being subject to too many restrictions, and only providing assistance as appropriate when the holy land encounters a major crisis.
If I have free time on ordinary days, I can come to Jade Pool to exchange ideas and discuss the Dao with my disciples.
These conditions are extremely lenient, implying investment and goodwill, and are not forced upon you, demonstrating Jade Pool's magnanimity and long-term vision as a sacred place of supreme cultivation.
What they valued was the unparalleled potential of Li Qingshan's Innate Dao Embryo, and the heights he could potentially reach in the future.
Li Qingshan carefully weighed the options, and all the conditions were within his acceptable range.
The benefits of being a guest elder outweigh the advantages of preaching and exchanging ideas, as well as the future "care" are still a distant matter.
For him, obtaining an opportunity to access the " Western Emperor Scripture " and the potential ally, the Jade Pool Holy Land, is of paramount importance.
"With the Holy Maiden and Jade Pool showing such sincerity, it would be ungrateful of Li Qingshan to refuse again."
Li Qingshan stood up, solemnly cupped his hands, and said, "I, Li, accept the appointment as a guest elder."
"The matter of traveling to Jade Pool to pay homage to the Queen Mother of the West will also require the Holy Maiden's introduction."
Upon seeing his agreement, the Jade Pool Holy Maiden and the two old women all showed genuine smiles.
Meanwhile, the two elderly women acting as protectors, outwardly calm, were secretly exchanging ideas through their divine senses. "This child is undoubtedly Innate Dao Embryo, exactly like the characteristics of the patriarch in his youth recorded in ancient texts. In fact, his vigorous blood and energy, and his innate Daoist aura, are even more remarkable!"
"The Holy Maiden's move is very prudent. She first stabilized him by appointing him as a guest elder, thus establishing a good relationship."
Such imperial bearing is rare throughout history, not to mention that he shares the same origin as the patriarch, he deserves to be enshrined in my Jade Pool!
Upon returning to the sacred land and meeting the Queen Mother, I must forcefully explain the advantages and disadvantages, and even if it means making an exception, this child must be established as the Jade Pool Holy Son!
Indeed!
The suppression of the Azure Emperor's Dao is showing signs of weakening, and the golden age prophesied in ancient texts is about to begin, with kings rising up and vying for the imperial path.
If my Jade Pool can obtain this child, we will gain the upper hand, and perhaps in the future we can reproduce the glory of the Western Emperor Ancestor and stand firm in this great world!
That's exactly right!
The Innate Dao Embryo has reappeared and entered my Jade Pool; this is the will of Heaven!
He must be kept here no matter what!
The two old women communicated with incredible speed through their minds, a hint of determination and fervor flashing in their eyes.
They knew all too well what this young man meant to Jade Pool.
This is not merely about gaining a genius disciple; it is a matter of crucial importance to the future rise and fall of Jade Pool for ten thousand years!
"Good!
Elder Li, you can rest assured. I will immediately use a secret method to send a message to Jade Pool and inform him of this matter.
The Jade Pool Holy Maiden's tone became lighter, " The Queen Mother will surely be overjoyed to learn that the Ancestral Master's physique has reappeared in the world."
I will personally accompany the elder to Jade Pool at that time.
"Thank you for your trouble, Holy Maiden."
A glimmer of hope also rose in Li Qingshan's heart.
His trip to Jade Pool may be a crucial step in his complete understanding of the origin of the Innate Dao Embryo.
Just then, a few commotions came from outside the pavilion, as if the front courtyard of the Immortal Stone Workshop had become lively.
A female disciple from Jade Pool entered and reported, "Holy Maiden, the Jiang Family, the people from Yaoguang Holy Land, several other successors from other holy lands, and many young talents, having heard of your presence, have all come to pay their respects and are currently waiting in the front courtyard."
The Jade Pool Holy Maiden seemed to have expected this, and said calmly, "Understood. Tell them to wait a moment."
She turned to Li Qingshan and extended an invitation. "Elder Li, would you be interested in accompanying me to meet the current generation of young people in the Northern Region?"
Li Qingshan's mind stirred slightly. This was a good opportunity to learn about the young talents of various forces in the Northern Region and at the same time to bring the name " Li Qingshan " into the sights of the Eastern Wasteland.
He smiled slightly, "Perfect, I'd like to see it for myself too."
Black Emperor, who had been lying down pretending to sleep, suddenly jumped up, ears perked up, and a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Woof woof! Finally, some fun!"
I, the Emperor, want to see what kind of scoundrels they are, daring to appear before the fairies of Jade Pool!
It stood upright, rubbing its paws together, looking more excited than anyone else.
The group then got up, left the lakeside pavilion, and headed towards the Immortal Stone Workshop in the front courtyard.
Li Qingshan walked side by side with the Jade Pool Holy Maiden, while the Black Emperor followed closely behind.