Early morning.
As streaks of light began to rise from the eastern horizon, the night quickly faded away.
The sun rose from the sea level, dyeing the sky and the sea surface a shade of orange-red, with the sparkling sea surface looking like countless golden pearls gently dancing.
Countless Immortal Islands and Divine Mountains on the sea were draped in golden glow, resembling solemn and mysterious divine beings, quietly overlooking this boundless sea area.
Yu Yuan came out from Tian Yuan Palace and gently coughed twice in front of the gate's flowerbed.
Instantly, vibrant burst of colors flourished.
One could see a group of slender and beautiful little beings climbing up the branches among the flowers, all dressed in colorful skirts, rubbing their sleepy eyes while mimicking a salute towards him.
Yu Yuan nodded in satisfaction, reached into the air to draw out a Jade Bottle, and poured out some Spiritual Spring Water, transforming it into a fine, soft mist that fell in the flowerbed, delighting the flower and plant elves who repeatedly thanked him.
"It's been a thousand years now, and quite a bit of Spiritual Spring has been used up; I wonder when I'll be able to raise a group of Flower Immortals who are skilled in singing and dancing..."
Yu Yuan muttered softly, inadvertently revealing his preference.
He looked at the cluster of flower and plant elves in the flowerbed and instructed, "I am going out, you all take good care of the house."
Having said that, he summoned the Golden-eyed Five Clouds Camel, turned into a streak of Golden Light Cloud and left Penglai Holy Realm, heading towards Golden Turtle Island at great speed.
Last night, Duobao Taoist personally came to Tian Yuan Palace and gave him a thorough scolding.
Last time, Huo Ling'er went out with him, but he ended up leaving her with Bai Ling halfway through, and it has been almost three years since she last returned.
Duobao Taoist, who rarely let his disciples leave his side, was naturally worried and scared, so upon sensing Yu Yuan traveling through time and space and being struck by lightning, he immediately came knocking.
After scolding him thoroughly, he then ordered him to immediately go check on Huo Ling'er.
Yu Yuan, knowing he was at fault, and with this reason allowing him to leave Penglai with dignity, naturally had no reason to refuse.
Thus, after making some quick preparations, he set off early in the morning, planning to rush to the Southern Continent.
Soon, Yu Yuan arrived at Golden Turtle Island, which was as large as a piece of land.
Coincidentally, the one in charge of Curved Realm Ark today was again Bai Li Heavenly Monarch.
Last time he was here, he boldly wanted to trade the news of the Chaos Bell for Yu Yuan's Enlightenment Tea, but Yu Yuan immediately issued his decree on the Investiture of the Gods.
Fortunately, he quickly realized that Yu Yuan was not someone he could afford to offend and immediately made an oath under the Heavenly Dao, agreeing to gather information for him, which eased the tension between the two.
Upon seeing Yu Yuan's arrival, Bai Li Heavenly Monarch's expression slightly changed, but then he immediately put on a smiling face and asked, "Where is Daoist friend planning to go this time?"
Last time he called him "junior", now he calls him "Daoist friend."
Sigh, feelings have cooled.
Yu Yuan very politely responded, "Going on a trip to the Southern Continent, please assist, Uncle-Master."
"No trouble at all, no trouble, this is exactly what I am here for," Bai Li Heavenly Monarch hastily waved his hand and then spread a barrier to isolate the surroundings before whispering, "I use a Communication Jade Scroll every ten days to send the latest news to Tian Yuan Palace. I wonder if Daoist friend has received them?"
Yu Yuan nodded slightly and smilingly took out a basket of expensive Spirit Fruits and handed it over, "All the Jade Scrolls have been received, Uncle-Master is thoughtful."
Bai Li Heavenly Monarch quickly refused, "Daoist friend, there's no need to be so formal."
"It's what Uncle-Master deserves."
Without further discussion, Yu Yuan firmly handed over the fruit basket.
To get someone to genuinely work for you, merely promising benefits isn't enough; some tangible incentives are also necessary.
With the sweet benefits received, Bai Li Heavenly Monarch felt much more relaxed.
During these days, his biggest worry was that Yu Yuan would not keep his promise and remove his name from the Investiture of the Gods, causing him to live in constant fear.
However, seeing Yu Yuan's attitude today, he understood the other's intentions—do the work honestly for me, and you will get the Enlightenment Tea, and eventually, your name will be removed from the Investiture of the Gods.
He removed the barrier isolating the surroundings and allowed Yu Yuan to enter the Great Formation, and specifically activated the Curved Realm Ark just for him.
"Click!"
The Great Formation activated, and a bowl-shaped light screen enveloping Yu Yuan, much like an inverted glass bowl, trapped him inside.
Space cracked open, revealing a pitch-black void.
Darkness, hollow, nothingness.
The bowl-shaped light screen, like a soap bubble blown by a gentle breeze, swiftly slid towards the dark space rift.
A moment later.
"Pop~"
Accompanied by a faint light sound, the "soap bubble" carrying Yu Yuan reintegrated into Heaven and Earth.
The entire process was very smooth, without a single tremor.
The scenery before him shifted from dark nothingness to a towering mountain reaching into the clouds, majestic and magnificent.
"Is this Zhongnan Mountain inside?"
Yu Yuan curiously surveyed his surroundings, seeing the mountaintop covered in white snow, sparkling like a solemn and mysterious Immortal, inspiring awe.
The middle of the mountain was shrouded in mist, appearing ethereal like an Immortal Realm; at the foot of the mountain, streams babbled, springs chimed, clear to the bottom.
Soon, he discovered a Spirit Energy-rich cave halfway up the mountain, with the cave's entrance inscribed, "Zhongnan Mountain Blessed Land, Jade Pillar Cave Grotto Heaven."
Yu Yuan landed in front of the cave and cheerfully said, "Is my great-nephew at home? Uncle is here to see you!"
The voice condensed into a beam and traveled into the cave.
After a while, with a "squeak," the door opened, and a naive-looking little Daoist boy emerged, visibly annoyed, rubbing his sleepy eyes and grumpily said, "Who is it that comes to our doorstep so early in the morning to take advantage of our master?"
Yu Yuan grinned and approached, asking, "Boy, is your master at home?"
Seeing the tall and heroic Yu Yuan, the boy's sleepiness faded significantly, and he hurriedly bowed and curiously asked, "My master is at home, indeed, but he's busy crafting Spiritual Treasures. If you, Immortal, have any urgent matters, please state your purpose, and I can pass the message on your behalf."
Yu Yuan thought for a moment and handed over a Flat Peach with a smile, "You just tell your master his uncle is here to see him."
"Huh?"
The little Daoist initially delighted at the sight of the Flat Peach, but upon hearing the latter remark, his face dropped, and he refused the peach, angrily saying, "If the Immortal continues to take advantage of my master, don't blame me… I..."
He glanced at the tall Yu Yuan, then at his diminutive frame, his face showing a hint of fear, yet he still insistently said, "Don't blame me for telling my master!"
Yu Yuan nodded, "Isn't that exactly what I'm asking you to do?"
The little Daoist: (´•︵•`)
He tilted his head in thought for a long while, eventually sulking as he went to relay the message.
A long time later, the little Daoist reappeared, looking somber as he said, "My master invites you, Immortal, to come inside."
Yu Yuan slightly raised his eyebrows.
He had thought that Yun Zhongzi would come out to meet him personally.
However, upon reflection, the conflict he had with Guang Chengzi, Yu Ding, and others must have reached Yun Zhongzi's ears.
He didn't take it too personally and followed the small Daoist through the cave entrance into a Small Thousand World abundant with Spiritual Energy.
Immortal Cranes flew and Spirit Deer ran; Divine Springs flowed, and the air was filled with spiritual miasma.
He followed the small Daoist through a valley lush with green trees and fragrant with the songs of birds, walking along a winding, tranquil path. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a beautiful mottled pattern on the ground.
At the end of the path, a young Daoist with a well-proportioned figure stood firm.
He wore a Daoist robe with Eight Diagrams cloud patterns and a Jade Lotus Crown on his head, his face handsome and refined. Holding a silvery-white horsetail whisk, he radiated an otherworldly charm.
Yu Yuan immediately recognized him as Yun Zhongzi, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.
At this moment, the Fude True Immortal stared at him sternly and said, "There is something I must ask clearly first… Did friend perhaps take two of my senior brothers' Spiritual Treasures at Wuyi Mountain?"
Exactly as expected!
Yu Yuan inwardly sighed, knowing such a confrontation was inevitable.
With their affiliations to different sects, once he had conflicts with Chan Sect disciples, it was bound not to reach Yun Zhongzi's ears in flattering terms.
He didn't know exactly what Guang Chengzi and others had told Yun Zhongzi, but without a doubt, those Chan Sect Golden Immortals would have heavily maligned him.
Yu Yuan's thoughts raced, yet his face showed a look of rueful loss; he sighed heavily, "To think I came with great excitement to see you, only to be questioned by you right as I enter…"
"After all, the time we've recognized each other is short, naturally, you would trust your senior brothers more, right?"
"Ah, the affections have faded, how pointless it was for me to specially travel from the East Sea to bring you Enlightenment Tea…"
"Some things don't need explanation; those who should believe will always believe, and those unwilling to believe won't find explanations useful."
"Now I understand the saying 'even though he is an uncle, he's not as close as a senior brother'… even though I always think of him, and remember him for anything good, what's the use?"
"The affections have indeed faded…"
Yun Zhongzi: …
Did he say something wrong?
Was it not just a normal inquiry? Why has it provoked such a big reaction?
Could his question really have been too much?
Watching Yu Yuan sighing and lamenting, Yun Zhongzi pondered for a moment, barely squeezing out a smile, and earnestly said, "It pleases my heart that friend has come to Zhongnan Mountain, but…
To be frank, I was told earlier by my senior brother Ci Hang that you deceitfully snatched his Pure Glazed Bottle!"
"Not only his Pure Glazed Bottle," Yu Yuan replied coldly, laughing, "but also your Manjusri senior brother's Dragon Escape Stake is in my possession! However, they brought it upon themselves!"
He then detailed the events at Wuyi Mountain to Yun Zhongzi.
Upon hearing that Yu Yuan had preemptively claimed treasures in the valley using the Array Flag, Yun Zhongzi's expression slightly changed, and it worsened when he heard Yu Yuan was surrounded by Guang Chengzi and four other Chan Sect Golden Immortals.
"This is what happened at Wuyi Mountain!"
Yu Yuan glanced at Yun Zhongzi, whose complexion was complex, and said irritatedly, "This matter had many onlookers, if you don't believe me, feel free to inquire at Wuyi Mountain yourself."
"It seems I misunderstood friend; my senior brothers are arrogant and probably couldn't accept being defeated by you. They likely spoke disparagingly of you, and because I've been busy crafting Spiritual Treasures and haven't been out… But this shouldn't be an excuse for my misunderstanding."
Yun Zhongzi looked at Yu Yuan apologetically, his face full of regret: "You are right, my trust in you wavered…"
Yu Yuan waved his hand, "Let's not dwell on this matter. By the way, you just mentioned you've been busy crafting Spiritual Treasures, did you know that Yu Ding and his disciples have turned against each other?"
"Ah?" Yun Zhongzi looked at him blankly, "When did this happen?"
"Heh, you don't know?"
Yu Yuan smacked his lips, "It seems your senior brothers don't tell you everything. Well, since they won't tell you, let me fill you in properly."
…
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