Peace and quiet… for sleeping?
Hong Ning, who had never been particularly drawn to the immortal path, wasn’t afraid of offending him.
She spoke bluntly
“Since you were sent to manage the land and mountain gods, maybe you should sleep lessso you don’t mess things up again.”
The Bell Immortal didn’t take offense.
“If I could stay awake, I’d already be a High Immortal by now.”
Then, turning to Wen Xin, he remarked
“You have great dedication in your cultivation.
“Though you may not achieve ascension with your physical body, if you continue on this path, you will one day be entered into the Celestial Register.”
Wen Xin quickly bowed.
“Many thanks for your guidance, Immortal.”
The Bell Immortal nodded.
With the Divine Bell in tow, he slowly floated back toward the surface of the pool.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he turned to Hong Ning.
“If you happen to see the King of the Middle Heavens, be sure to pass along my greetings.”
Hong Ning was puzzled.
“…The King of the Middle Heavens?”
The Bell Immortal smiled.
“Yes, the Celestial King of the Middle Heavens.
“Didn’t you attend the gathering with him back then?”
He studied her for a moment before adding
“For a moment, I nearly didn’t recognize you.”
But before Hong Ning could question him further, he seemed too drowsy to continue.
Without another word, he and the Divine Bell sank into the pool.
The waters parted naturally around them
Then sealed shut once more.
The radiant glow faded.
Evil Dragon Pool returned to its usual stillness
Only a round moon reflected on its surface.
“Let’s go back.”
At some point, Bai Ling had appeared on the shore.
“Good thing it ended well.”
Wen Xin let out a long breath of relief, then turned to Hong Ning.
“You know that immortal?”
Hong Ning shook her head blankly.
Her mind was a tangled mess of questions.
Based on the Bell Immortal’s words, they had met before.
But she had absolutely no memory of him.
When had she ever attended a gathering with the King of the Middle Heavens?
A golden palace stood atop a towering platform
Jade pavilions and crystalline corridors gleamed beneath the sunlight.
Celestial melodies drifted through the air.
Wisps of fragrant mist curled like silk.
Beside a pool of celestial nectar, several lotus flowers stood gracefully, their petals glowing with divine light.
From the distant sky, a sea of auspicious clouds swept forward.
Atop the clouds
A young man stood.
His embroidered robes rippled in the wind, giving him an air of elegant nobility.
Up close, his brows were finely shaped, his phoenix eyes deep and expressive
His presence was both refined and captivating.
Two young women stood at his side, one to his left and one to his right.
Their beauty was as radiant as flowers in full bloom.
As the cloud descended by the Nectar Pool, he instructed the two women to stay behind
And strode alone onto the arched bridge.
In the center of the water pavilion, several deities sat in a circle, watching a Go match between two elder immortals.
Upon seeing the new arrival, they quickly stood and bowed.
“The Celestial Emperor has been longing for your presence.”
“At last, King of the Middle Heavens, you have arrived.”
Jin Xiu’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“You flatter me.”
“With my sins yet unredeemed, I am no longer the King of the Middle Heavens.”
The white-haired elder placed his Go piece down and shook his head with a smile.
"Your cultivation has already reached completion.
"It is only a matter of time before you resume your position as the Lord of the Middle Heavens
"No need for such humility."
Jin Xiu said no more.
“There are matters to attend to in Qing Jun Palace.
“I should return soon.”
The white-haired elder paused at his words, then hurriedly lowered his head, fingers moving swiftly as he performed a celestial calculation.
In an instant, his face drained of color.
“I was too engrossed in the game and nearly brought disaster upon myself!
“Fortunately, you reminded me in time!”
Without another word, he retrieved his horsetail whisk, bid a quick farewell to the gathered immortals, and
Taking his young attendant with him
hurriedly departed on a cloud.
Jin Xiu turned to the other deities.
“Where is His Majesty?”
The other immortals were still puzzled by the previous exchange and had yet to respond
When a small group approached.
Leading them was a broad-shouldered elder, dressed in a red robe with a jade belt, his imposing features exuding strength and authority.
Upon seeing Jin Xiu, he laughed heartily.
“Well, well
“I was wondering who it could be.
“So it’s the King of the Middle Heavens!”
Jin Xiu also smiled.
“Just a disgraced deity, nothing more.
“How have you been, King of the Northern Realm?”
The King of the Northern Realm replied,
“Are you here by summons of the Celestial Emperor?”
Jin Xiu nodded.
“The Emperor is in the Celestial Archives,” the Northern King said.
“He was just mentioning you earlier
“You should go in quickly.”
The speaker this time was a woman standing behind him.
She was dressed in pure white robes, her features exquisitely beautiful.
Though her demeanor was graceful and refined, there was an unmistakable, natural hint of allure in her presence.
Jin Xiu smiled.
“My thanks, Heavenly Maiden, for your guidance.”
The Heavenly Maiden pursed her lips in a subtle smile and turned her face away.
It was an unconscious gesture
Yet when she did it, it carried an irresistible charm.
After bidding farewell to the gathered immortals,
Jin Xiu lightly flicked his embroidered sleeves
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