The special exhibition “Zodiac Animal Head Bronze Statues” had not yet ended when another bronze statue was added.
Other countries also placed new acquisitions prominently in their museums.
Many people passionate about their national culture celebrated as if it were New Year’s, bringing family and friends to visit and admire.
Of course, at the same time, the underground world’s bounty on the artefact thief increased by another fifty million US dollars.
Lu Zheng sighed. “If we were not already short of money, I would definitely find a scapegoat and claim those few hundred million in rewards.”
…
After spending the weekend with Lin Wan touring the world, Lu Zheng traversed back to the ancient era. Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying had already prepared gifts for Daoist Wan Song.
Two jin of Qingqi Spiritual Tea.
A set of Go with pieces carved from white jade and obsidian, and a board of Fenghabitat wood.
A set of purple sand teaware handcrafted by a Wusu descendant, bought by Lu Zheng online.
Additionally, a set of celadon and a set of white porcelain artistic wine vessels, elegant and generous.
Though none were particularly valuable, Daoist Wan Song truly lacked for nothing. These items were practical for him and clearly chosen with care.
Lu Zheng nodded. This would do.
“Let us go!”
This trip to the southern borders did not require walking as when attending Hu Zhou’s wedding last time. Lu Zheng waved grandly. They soared on clouds, the three flying straight towards the southern borders.
…
Lu Zheng flew with the two women. Whenever they spotted majestic mountains, forests manifesting anomalies, or great lakes shrouded in deep clouds and mist, they detoured far around, just in case.
Flying high in the sky amid dense white clouds, no foolhardy figures came to provoke them.
Thus, they arrived smoothly at Wan Song Mountain in the southern borders.
“Senior Wan Song! Lu Zheng pays respects!”
As soon as they entered Wan Song Mountain’s domain, Lu Zheng transmitted his voice loudly.
“Little Friend Lu has come?”
Daoist Wan Song’s warm voice rang in their ears.
“Please come quickly.”
In the next moment, points of emerald green fluorescence appeared in the sky, flickering and floating around them as if in welcome.
Lu Zheng sensed the vibrant spiritual qi rippling in the emerald lights. He was inwardly shocked. One could only say that after receiving the Red Pine Master’s inheritance, Daoist Wan Song had advanced further, his cultivation even stronger.
Lu Zheng held hands with Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying. They stepped on clouds and flew straight to the summit of Wan Song Mountain.
Soon, layers of cloud seas parted. The mountain peak revealed itself. Lu Zheng saw Daoist Wan Song seated under an ancient pine at the top, beside a stone table.
However, this time Daoist Wan Song was not playing the eternal game against himself. Opposite him sat another figure.
Crimson palace robes with golden hundred-bird-towards-phoenix patterns, a phoenix-spread-wings gold-threaded crimson pearl hairpin. Willow brows slanted into cloud-like temples. A pair of phoenix eyes flowed with extraordinary light. It was a woman of stunning beauty with a cool, detached expression.
Lu Zheng led the two women down from the clouds, landing directly on the mountain summit.
“Senior Wan Song!” Lu Zheng cupped his hands in salute.
Liu Qingyan curtsied. “White Fox Liu Qingyan pays respects to Senior Wan Song!”
“Peach Blossom Shen Ying pays respects to Senior Wan Song!”
Daoist Wan Song stroked his beard and smiled. His calm gaze appraised the two women briefly. “Good, good.”
Then he gestured towards the woman opposite. “This is Si Lingxi, Lord of Phoenix Mountain.”
“Lord of Phoenix Mountain?” Lu Zheng and the two women were momentarily stunned, then instantly realised. This Phoenix Mountain was naturally not that Phoenix Mountain.
“Greetings to Immortal Si!” The three saluted in unison.
Si Lingxi turned to glance at them, nodded, then fixed her gaze on Shen Ying. “Peach Blossom Immortal?”
“In the presence of Senior, I dare not claim the title of immortal,” Shen Ying curtsied modestly.
“No need for formality. After all, you avenged my maid.” Si Lingxi said.
Shen Ying blinked, puzzled. This was our first meeting, was it not?
Si Lingxi beckoned. From Shen Ying’s sleeve flew a tiny inch-long fan. It grew in the wind, instantly becoming a foot-wide round fan that landed in Si Lingxi’s hand.
“This fan…” Shen Ying’s eyes flickered. She instantly recalled its origins. “So that is it. I wondered how that wild boar demon obtained such a treasure. It turns out it belonged to Immortal’s maid.”
That year, the wild boar demon had considerable cultivation. He abducted Tao Zhen. Later, Shen Ying slew him and obtained this round fan. She had judged it something he robbed from elsewhere. Now it seemed she had found the rightful owner.
But…
Considering Si Lingxi’s demeanour before Daoist Wan Song…
That wild boar demon was truly bold. With only three or four hundred years of cultivation, he dared provoke this figure’s maid, yet safely escaped all the way to the Central Plains?
Si Lingxi’s fingertips ignited points of star fire. She lightly drew several strokes on the fan. A wisp of star fire curse seal flashed briefly, then merged into it.
She extended her hand. The round fan drifted lightly back to Shen Ying. “On behalf of Zi Qing, I thank you. Thank you for avenging her.”
“Thank you, Senior, for bestowing the treasure. This junior merely acted conveniently,” Shen Ying accepted the fan without ceremony, storing it in her sleeve.
A trace of satisfaction flashed in Si Lingxi’s eyes. Then she looked at Liu Qingyan, commenting, “Merit golden light awakened the heavenly fox bloodline. Not bad.”
Finally, she turned to Lu Zheng. Curiosity finally appeared in her eyes. With some surprise, she asked, “You actually defeated the old pine tree, helped it win the dream chess game, and obtained the Red Pine Master’s inheritance?”
Lu Zheng was indeed proud inwardly, but merely smiled and nodded. “Good luck.”
“Good luck?” A smile curved Si Lingxi’s lips.
“Mainly, I did not expect Senior Wan Song to be so formidable,” Lu Zheng laughed. “Now that Senior has broken the dream chess game, his chess skill has advanced greatly. The current me is no match.”
Daoist Wan Song could not help smiling. He pointed at Lu Zheng. “Since you know you cannot beat me, why not come last year to practise chess? Did I not say one year of seclusion would suffice?”
Lu Zheng laughed. “Things have been busy. My cultivation has progressed considerably these two years. I even found another successor for the Red Pine Master’s Left Precepts Jade Water Elixir Classic.”
Daoist Wan Song looked at Liu Qingyan, naturally detecting her medicinal fragrance. “You truly recommend the worthy without avoiding kin. Little girl, any questions in cultivation?”
Before Liu Qingyan could speak, Lu Zheng patted his gourd, took two porcelain bottles, and sent them floating through the air to Daoist Wan Song. “These were refined by Qingyan. Senior, please appraise?”
Daoist Wan Song accepted the bottles. Without opening them, his eyes brightened. He appraised Liu Qingyan up and down. “Less than five hundred years of cultivation, only two years of practice, yet such ability?
Not bad. A fine seedling for cultivating the Jade Water Elixir Classic. And just at a bottleneck. Thus… stay at Wan Song Mountain to cultivate for a time. Speak again after breakthrough.”
