Chapter 1222: Seeking Dao (II)

A man in blue robes appeared above the pool. Dangjiang still looked somewhat distracted, while Chi Buzi stepped out from within the pool, glanced around, and frowned when he saw that the fool standing bemused by the edge.

"What are you dazed about?"

Dangjiang snorted in laughter and shook his head as he said, "You suddenly demanded that so-called gift last time, don't think you're not going to repay me for it!"

He had suffered a great loss that time and had brooded over it ever since. He had complained about it to Chi Buzi two years ago, who had taken it as a joke. Hearing it again now, Chi Buzi merely laughed and replied, "You deserved it."

He hadn't come to argue with Dangjiang, though. Before the other could flare up, he furrowed his brow and said, "I've already captured that peacock for you. What about your end; is there any news?"

Dangjiang raised his brows and glanced over Chi Buzi. He noticed that the latter bore no wounds, and his aura was immense, with seemingly untouched mana. Though he was secretly impressed, his mouth was as sharp as ever as he said, "With what little you've managed to catch, your efficiency is pathetic. Those few demonic creatures were mere small fry of the Purple Mansion Realm. Take a good look at yourself before pestering me every day for news, won't you?"

Chi Buzi sneered coldly, "

Oh

, please. You with your empty-handed scheming; if I catch another one for you, it's out of generosity. So, do you have any news or not? What connections? Or were you just bragging?"

Dangjiang immediately lost his temper, and he snapped, "You ungrateful fool! Do you even know how I've schemed and maneuvered all these years, negotiating favors day and night without rest? How much I've spent from my own purse, just to secure you an audience with an immortal general! And this is the thanks I get..."

At that, Chi Buzi lifted his brows slightly and said in surprise, "An audience with an immortal general?"

Chi Buzi didn't believe for a moment that this fool had any grand strategy in mind. Two years ago, when they corresponded, Dangjiang had been vague and clearly uncertain; he had likely made no progress at all. Now, hearing him boast about careful planning, Chi Buzi guessed he must have stumbled upon some stroke of dumb luck.

𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

If he's truly arranged it, that's good enough. I'll meet this immortal general first... and then perhaps throw the fool a few words of praise.

Chi Buzi feigned a look of astonishment and offered a few reluctant words of thanks. Sure enough, Dangjiang burst out laughing, as he swelled with pride. After chatting for a while, Dangjiang suddenly seemed to recall something and said, still holding onto his grudge, "Have you managed to find Immortal Official Li yet?"

This was something Dangjiang had already instructed him about earlier, but unlike the Golden Core Dao lineage, this matter had no definite leads. Chi Buzi, being far more capable than Dangjiang, merely laughed. "What if I find him? What if I don't? Am I supposed to tell him outright about reincarnation? If that messes up the higher plans, will they punish you or me?"

That single retort left Dangjiang speechless. But he truly did not want to keep slaving away every day. After a long sigh, he said, "In any case... look for him. If he retains any memory, help me inquire a bit."

It was utter nonsense to Chi Buzi, but he still remembered the information clearly in his heart.

Through which family had he, Chi Buzi, first come into contact with the heavens and Dangjiang? The Li Family of Moongaze! And what was Moongaze Lake? It was once the foothold of the Moonlight Origin Mansion.

Everything in the heavens was tied, one way or another, to the Supreme Yin. Even if it bore little resemblance to the Moonlight Origin Mansion or Donghua Heaven as recorded in texts, the connection could not be denied. If this Immortal Official Li had indeed been ordered to reincarnate under his original name, then Chi Buzi's first thought was none other than Daoist Master Donghua, Li Jiangqun himself!

Daoist Master Donghua fit the picture too perfectly, possessing transcendent mastery in spell arts, astonishing sword intent, and formidable cultivation, all while carrying the title of the Moonlight Origin Mansion. How deep did these waters run? Though the Chi Family had once been involved, Chi Buzi himself, an unregistered Golden Core, had never received the full story, and he wasn't foolish enough to dig further.

Thus, he brushed the matter aside with a few words. Dangjiang then lifted his chin proudly and said, "First, I'll take you to meet my superior, the fairy of the Wu-Gui Lesser Yin. Do try to tidy up that rustic air of yours, so you don't taint her immortal grace."

Chi Buzi, eager to meet more people, followed him through the courtyard. Dangjiang drew a command token from his sleeve, placed it in Chi Buzi's hand, and said, "You have no Immortal Registry, so you'll need to carry this token. There will be many great figures along the way, so don't go staring about carelessly."

That caught Chi Buzi off guard. By all logic, since Yingze had been absent for so many years and even neglected the Mirrored Mirage Grotto Heaven of Green Pine Temple, there should have been fewer great cultivators in this place. Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent this fool Dangjiang to receive him.

After a moment's hesitation, he followed Dangjiang out of the courtyard and indeed saw a woman in a tea-white gown waiting outside. She had a pipa cradled in her arms, and a pale round mark glowed faintly between her brows as she lifted her gaze toward them.

"Greetings, lady of the Wu-Gui Lesser Yin!"

Chi Buzi bowed respectfully, and in that instant, comprehension dawned in his heart,

She's a great cultivator of the Lesser Yin, and her divine abilities are genuine. She's likely at the peak of the Purple Mansion Realm...

But before him, Shaohui paused slightly, a flicker of doubt rising in her heart,

How strange... the more I look at him, the more displeased I feel. His appearance isn't that annoying, so why does he irritate me so much?

But her expression gave nothing away. After a single glance, she turned and strode ahead. Dangjiang hurried after her, while Chi Buzi followed quietly. Though two rows of heavenly soldiers stood on either side, solemn and imposing, the man in blue did not spare them even a glance. Instead, his gaze lingered on the cultivators present.

No matter how disciplined these guards look, they could just as easily be puppets or manifestations of some divine ability...

Many cultivators paused to watch as he walked past, and a few of higher rank even exchanged greetings with Shaohui. Chi Buzi cast them a sidelong glance and thought to himself,

That fool's been putting on airs... not a single person has paid him any mind.

Together, they arrived at a jade-white platform engraved with moon patterns. Snowflakes drifted through the air, and streams of spirit water circled them. After a short wait, a handsome immortal general in silver armor approached, and Shaohui smiled. "Fellow Daoist Zhen'gao!"

Zhen'gao lifted his brows, glanced her way, and nodded in acknowledgment. "So, Shaohui, you've come..."

They exchanged brief courtesies. Shaohui, clearly not one for flattery, quickly shifted the topic and said, "Back then, when you entrusted Dangjiang to my supervision, I meant to consult you on a few matters—partly to fulfill my duty as his superior, and partly because it concerns the affairs of the Supreme Yin."

Zhen'gao nodded with a faint smile, his gaze passing lightly over the two others as he listened to Shaohui's account. Once she had finished, the fairy of Wu-Gui Lesser Yin, shook the sleeves of her tea-white robe and bowed, saying, "I shall leave the matter to your judgment, immortal general. It is not suitable for me to remain here."

She withdrew gracefully. Meanwhile, Dangjiang remained below, waiting. Although he had met Zhen'gao in private before, it had never been under such solemn and majestic circumstances. A quiet dread began to rise within him.

Chi Buzi, in contrast, stayed calm. Yet the sheer rank of this place had already exceeded his expectations several times over, and since the matter touched upon his own Golden Core Dao, a faint tension stirred in his chest. Watching Dangjiang stand frozen like a frightened turtle before the immortal general, he couldn't help but feel exasperated,

Idiot...