Flower-Shifting Palace

Outside the cave, before the rainbow light even touched the ground, Little Red and Little Orange, who were guarding the cave entrance, let out a clear cry. Red and orange light swirled around them, and their aura continued to increase.

Inside the cave, the rainbow light fell to the ground and gradually solidified.

First, a pair of wings slowly unfolded.

Unlike Little Red's reddish wings, and unlike Little Orange's orange-glowing appearance.

The wings were gray and yellow, with a very faint gold at the tips, like reeds in a vast marshland dyed by the morning light. Then, the body, tail feathers, claws and beak appeared one by one.

A moment later, a bird slightly larger than Little Red and Little Orange stood in front of Su Yao.

Its feathers were predominantly grayish-yellow, with golden patterns adorning its wings and tail feathers. Its eyes were dark and bright, and it was tilting its head, curiously observing Su Yao.

This is indeed Shengyu.

Apart from a slight difference in plumage color compared to historical records, their appearance is otherwise identical.

It's likely that a spiritual entity from the Greater Yin Dao was infused with it before hatching, so it's normal for it to undergo some changes.

Su Yao gazed at the newborn bird before him, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Little Red and Little Orange belong to the colors red and orange respectively, Shengyu is yellow, corresponding one-to-one with the first of the seven colors of the rainbow. He stretched out his hand, Shengyu, as if by instinct, gently pecked his fingertips, letting out a clear chirp.

The cry was not loud, but it was long and drawn out, like the first cry of a crane coming from the depths of the great marsh.

"From now on, I'll call you..." Su Yao hesitated for a moment, "How about Xiao Huang?"

Shengyu tilted its head, seemingly not quite satisfied with the name it had casually chosen, but ultimately did not protest. It simply flapped its wings, shaking a few grayish-yellow feathers onto Su Yao's sleeve.

Su Yao examined it carefully for a moment. The Xiao Huang cat was born with a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. As expected, it was an unusual species of the Fu Water lineage, but its Shengyu Immortal Foundation was not the common "Overflowing Li Abyss," but rather "Dawn Cold Grows."

It must be due to the Essence Blood of the Nuoli.

As for Little Red and Little Orange, according to Su Yao's estimation, they should now be at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage stage. Little Red is an anomaly of the Rainbow Clouds Path, and his Immortal Foundation is the same as his, both being "Draped in Rosy Radiance"; Little Orange is the Azure Empyrean Sparrow, an anomaly of the Sword Path!

"Azure Firmament" is an elegant term for the way of the sword.

The Immortal Foundation Forge Azure Edge," but the Azure Firmament path only allows one to seek the method, not the Dao. Reaching the Purple Mansion is the pinnacle of cultivation.

Not to mention attaining enlightenment, even Divine Core would be difficult to achieve!

Su Yao comforted Xiao Huang for a moment, then sent him outside the cave. He closed the cave door and, taking advantage of his abundant spiritual energy, continued to comprehend the fourth Secret Method, "Rising Profusion."

Outside the cave, Little Red and Little Orange had been guarding for half a month and had long sensed the birth of their companion. As soon as Xiao Huang flew out of the cave, the two birds couldn't wait any longer and spread their wings to circle and fly with Xiao Huang above the cave abode.

The three birds chirped incessantly. Hearing the commotion, the people below rushed over. Seeing that Little Red and Little Orange indicated that nothing was wrong, they dispersed.

Another half month has passed.

Su Yao slowly opened his eyes, inwardly lamenting his failure to master the Secret Method to the fourth level in one go.

He finished his practice, stood up, and stepped out of the cave abode. The cold wind of the winter morning hit his face, but he only felt refreshed. The third Secret Method was completed, the third talisman was set up, the weakness of his Law Power was made up, and the Shengyu was successfully manifested.

Since descending the mountain, this important matter that has weighed on my mind for so long has finally been resolved.

In the distance, Little Red, Little Orange, and Xiao Huang sensed Su Yao's emergence from seclusion and immediately flapped their wings to catch up. Su Yao looked in the direction of the sound and saw the three birds flying over together, and his heart suddenly skipped a beat.

How could I forget what Little Red and Little Orange were like! Now I just hope Xiao Huang hasn't gone astray yet.

As they were gazing intently, footsteps came from below the stone steps. It was Liu Yunhe, who was hurrying up the mountain, carrying two booklets in his hands, with Li Siyi following behind him.

"Daozi," Liu Yunhe approached and cupped his hands, saying, "The invitations have all been sent. The Nanzhao royal family, the Qingshi prefect, the general, the Langqiong Zhao magistrate and chieftain, as well as the Purple Mansion immortal clans, mountain gods and local deities within a thousand miles, have all agreed to send disciples."

He paused, a look of hesitation on his face:

"As for the Lake God of Cibi Lake... his water palace reports that the Lake God is still in seclusion and it is unknown when he will emerge. The invitation has been left, but there is no confirmation yet regarding whether he will be able to come."

Su Yao nodded slightly, having anticipated this.

The Lake God of Cibi Lake had previously lost face because he killed the Turtle Prime Minister. Now that the Pear Garden is opening, he has sent him an invitation. Whether he comes or not is perfectly reasonable.

Seeing this, Liu Yunhe handed over the booklet in his hand:

"This is the agenda and seating arrangement for the opening ceremony, drafted by your subordinate. Please review it, Daoist."

Su Yao took the booklet and flipped through it page by page.

Liu Yunhe, and the procedures, from welcoming guests, ancestor worship, unveiling the plaque to the banquet, were all clearly defined.

"Good." Su Yao closed the booklet and handed it back. "Do it this way. However, if the princess of the Nanzhao Kingdom comes in person, her seating arrangement should be moved up half a step."

Liu Yunhe quickly wrote it down.

Li Siyi then stepped forward and said softly, "Daozi, I have something to report."

Su Yao looked at her, signaling her to continue.

"With the opening of the mountain gate imminent, although all the halls on the mountain are complete, we can't possibly do everything ourselves, such as daily cleaning, incense offerings, and communication. After all, the Pear Garden is a separate courtyard; though the temple is small, the rules cannot be abandoned." She paused, carefully choosing her words, "I was thinking, shouldn't we take in some young disciples?"

Su Yao pondered upon hearing this.

Li Siyi's words make sense.

Although the spoils from the White Sand Lu Household were plentiful, they could support a few disciples. However, if they were to recruit more young disciples, the expenses for pills, spiritual food, robes, and monthly stipends would all be considerable.

Conversely, if there are no servants to greet and sweep the gates after the temple is opened, it does look rather shabby and would be detrimental to the dignity of Qixia Temple.

He was about to speak when Liu Yunhe suddenly interrupted:

"Daozi, speaking of children, I'm reminded of a place."

Su Yao looked up at him.

"About two thousand li to the north, in the foothills of the Ailao Mountains, there is a separate courtyard of the Biyou Sect, specializing in the cultivation of the Flourishing Wood Dao," Liu Yunhe continued. "In this courtyard, there is a spiritual tree called ' Nurtured Splendor,' which produces a batch of spiritual embryos every sixty years. These embryos are shaped like infants, born with human form. If they are fed with Secret Method and spiritual objects, they can speak and walk upon birth, understand human affairs, and have a gentle temperament, making them most suitable as servants."

He paused, then added:

"These spirit wood children, though born with the bodies of plants and trees, have extremely long lifespans, often hundreds or even thousands of years. However, they are born with weak meridians, so they don't have much of a future in cultivation. Most of them stop at the Qi Refinement stage, and occasionally a few with exceptional talent can reach the Foundation Establishment, but it's rare for them to go beyond that. But they aren't needed for fighting and killing anyway. These Spirit Wood Child, and they are diligent and never complain. Most of the powerful forces around Nanzhao will go and ask for a few of these children, which saves them the trouble of recruiting ordinary children and they don't have to worry about their character."

Su Yao nodded upon hearing this and asked:

"I wonder which sect of the Biyou School is residing here?"

Liu Yunhe replied:

"Flower-Shifting Palace!"