845 Interesting Events of the Southern Border (1/2)
Qin Mu ate the peach with a sullen face as he walked into the Dao Sect Academy. He turned around and looked back, the thousand miles of peach blossoms remained, the flowers swaying in the spring breeze.
The girls in the peach forest also remained, hiding in seclusion.
Qin Mu knew that Celestial Venerable Yue wouldn't remain in this forest forever. If there was an opportune moment, she would definitely come out of seclusion.
The peach blossom forest was a special heaven—it existed in the Primordial Realm. This meant that Celestial Venerable Yue still bore unwillingness to give up the secular world. She had the desire to return, and she was yet to be completely cut off from the emotions of the world.
Her taking Qi Xiayu in as a disciple was proof of this.
As her disciple, Qi Xiayu would enter and travel the secular world on her behalf—she symbolized Celestial Venerable Yue's desire to return to the secular world.
Even more curiously, Qi Xiayu was recommended to Celestial Venerable Yue by South Deity Zhu Que, and so she could also be considered to be South Deity Zhu Que's disciple.
As such, this was an interesting situation.
”Qi Xiayu is the disciple of both South Deity and Celestial Venerable Yue. Both of them have trained her well, allowing her to become a strong practitioner of the Emperor's Throne. Having undergone multiple betrayals, she grew from a leader of the phoenix race under Mother Earth to the Red Deity of the Southern Heaven.”
Qin Mu chewed on the peach until only the kernel was left. His gaze flickered as he revealed an amused smile and thought, 'The Guardian Pavilion of the celestial heavens is in possession of the jade scroll runes of South Deity Zhu Que. Evidently, there have long been plans to replace South Deity Zhu Que. In response, South Deity Zhu Que started to groom a successor during the High Emperor Era, eliminating the previous Red Deity first and then training her successor to become the next Red Deity. When the celestial heavens decide to kill her, she will then fake her own death and escape, allowing Red Deity Qi Xiayu to inherit her power. She will lose nothing while hiding in the shadows.'
Qin Mu blinked. Sister Zhu Que, standing at the head of the ship on the celestial river in her red clothing, was unexpectedly sly.
Blind didn't return to Dao Sect Academy—it seemed that he was fearful of Miss Yan'er and thus decided to escape.
In regards to his safety, Qin Mu was unworried. Blind had a burning curiosity, but it was already extremely rare to cultivate god eyes and god mind's eyes; moreover, his attainments in formation skills were second to none in the Eternal Peace Empire. As long as he didn't seek death on purpose, he wouldn't be in danger.
Celestial Venerable Yu wasn't very interested in algebra, yet he still managed to learn most of it in the past few days. The dragon qilin was better than him, while only the water qilin kept dozing off in class.
Qin Mu requested for dismissal from Dao Master Lin Xuan. ”Dao Master will require the assistance of an expert to break through the Divine Bridge Realm and open up the Celestial River Divine Treasure. If you are unable to find such an expert, go to Surging River Academy and look for First Ancestor Human Emperor, he has this ability.”
Dao Master Lin Xuan expressed his thanks, ”Cult Master, please don't worry. The sect master of Clear Sky Heaven should have this ability as well. Where do you intend to go after leaving the Dao Palace?”
”I intend to head to Li River Academy, Jade Capital Academy, River Tomb Academy, Imperial College, and the other academies to take a look and to study the results of the reform over the past years.”
Qin Mu looked around and continued in a low voice, ”When the seal of the Primordial Realm broke, both the real and fake Mother Earth emerged and battled against each other, resulting in great losses on both ends. This is why there hasn't been any movement from either. However, one of them is supported by the ancient Celestial Emperor, while the other is an ancient god—neither of them will remain quiet for long, they are simply waiting for the appropriate moment. When both Mother Earths act up again, the Dao Sect will not be able to stop them, and even the Eternal Peace Empire won't be able to withstand this. If the Dao Sect is in danger, Dao Master should lead the scholars into the peach forest to ensure your safety.”
Dao Master Lin Xuan replied, alarmed, ”Cult Master, did you find anything out of the ordinary when you entered the peach forest?”
”The one within the peach forest is a friend of mine, they bear no ill intentions.”
Qin Mu didn't elaborate further. ”In the coming days, Dao Master should send people to start gathering mortals from all over the world. We should be prepared when both the Mother Earths act up again. It would be meritorious if more people could be saved.”
Qin Mu took his leave.
Dao Master Lin Xuan looked to the peach forest and thought, 'An old friend of Cult Master Qin? He certainly has a wide circle of friends.'
Qin Mu left the Dao Sect Academy and headed towards the southern border. Peach kernels dangled all over the dragon qilin's head. The dragon qilin sensed that the girl beside Cult Master was still slicing peaches and feeding him.
Qin Mu was so full he released continuous burps. Upon finally finishing Yan'er's stash of peaches, he let out a sigh of relief. ”There's nothing else to feed me with, is there?”
Yan'er quickly said, ”I'm fast, I will fly back to the peach forest and pluck more for you, you don't have to wait for me!”
Qin Mu immediately held on to her hand and begged, ”Good sister, please stop feeding me. I really cannot eat anymore. I will make you some spirit pills, you can feed them instead.”
The dragon qilin, water qilin, and Celestial Venerable Yu revealed expressions of anticipation.
Qin Mu concocted over a dozen cauldrons of spirit pills in one shot, categorizing them and organizing them carefully. He pointed out to Yan'er which ones were for the dragon qilin, which were for the water qilin, and which were suitable for Celestial Venerable Yu, stating, ”Don't overfeed them, they'll grow fat.”
Yan'er took the spirit pills excitedly. Only god knows where she kept them, but they would reappear in her hands with a flip of her palm.
She hopped between the dragon qilin and water qilin, feeding the three of them busily. Happiness filled her heart, and she felt a sense of fulfillment that she had never experienced before.
Qin Mu watched this scene and grimaced. 'It won't take long before the three of them grow as round as balls... The spirit herbs in my taotie sack are also running out, we should find a city to stop by and replenish the herbs.'
Days passed, and Qin Mu had completely used up his spirit herbs. The Eternal Peace Empire of today was simply too vast. Qin Mu was unable to locate any cities along the way, so they could only continue hurrying along their journey.
Yan'er couldn't sit at ease now that she was no longer able to feed them. Qin Mu quickly assured her, ”In just over ten days, we will reach Li River Academy. There, we will be able to purchase more herbs. Sister Yan'er, please bear with it a little longer.”