Chapter 129: Return to the Star Temple, Ascend to the Immortal Realm Ahead of Time
"Master, what's wrong?"
The next day, upon seeing Zhimeng's expression as dark as water, Gu Qing couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Nothing!"
A trace of embarrassment flashed across Zhimeng's face.
She absolutely could not let Gu Qing know that she had been toyed with by a lowly scoundrel.
Indeed, Zhimeng was now certain that the one who had stolen her Primordial Qi of Xuanhuang was definitely a wretch.
Otherwise, there would be no reason for him to stop stealing her Primordial Qi.
Clearly, he must have realized that she was now on guard and didn't dare to act again.
And yet she, treating the matter like facing a mortal enemy, had humbled herself and fled in panic.
It was utterly humiliating—her lifetime of prestige completely tarnished.
The more she thought about it, the more ashamed she felt, wishing she could turn back time and slap herself twice.
She swore that if such a thing happened again, she would never retreat.
"Oh."
Gu Qing responded with a simple sound, not thinking much of it.
Zhimeng glanced at Bai Suying and smiled. "This is your Dao companion, Bai Suying?"
"Bai Suying greets the Goddess."
Bai Suying's heart tightened as she bowed respectfully.
"There's no need for formality."
Zhimeng lifted her hand slightly, a gentle force raising Bai Suying to her feet as she spoke kindly, "You possess the Yin Essence Glazed Body—not bad. I shall accept you as a registered disciple, so it'll be easier for you to cultivate within the Star Temple."
Although she looked down upon the Yin Essence Glazed Body, since Bai Suying was Gu Qing's Dao companion, she naturally had to pave the way for her.
Becoming Zhimeng's registered disciple was no different from being a true disciple of the Star Temple.
Even without performing missions, she would receive vast contribution points every month.
Moreover, as long as she had enough contribution points, she could exchange them for any treasure within the temple.
"Thank you, Master!"
Bai Suying was overjoyed, her excitement showing plainly.
To receive Zhimeng's acknowledgment was a great leap in status—a true symbol of power and prestige.
From now on, she would officially be Gu Qing's rightful Dao companion.
At the side, Bai Wuya was equally ecstatic, his expression filled with joy.
His daughter now had a peerless genius as her Dao companion and a Divine Fire Realm powerhouse as her master. This was an unimaginable fortune—her path to longevity was now within reach.
"This is the Saint Artifact, the Seven-Colored Phoenix Fairy Skirt. It's yours."
With a wave of Zhimeng's hand, a seven-colored glass-like immortal skirt appeared before Bai Suying.
"Hiss—"
Bai Wuya, his daughter, and several concubines gasped sharply.
A Saint Artifact!
It was a supreme treasure that countless people dreamed of but could never obtain.
Let alone owning one—even Bai Wuya himself, though a Venerable Realm expert, had only seen a few in his lifetime before meeting Gu Qing.
And now, it was simply being gifted away.
Such extravagance was staggering.
"If only I could become Brother Gu Qing's Dao companion too!" Chu Ling'er stood behind Gu Qing, peeking her small head out, her bright eyes full of envy.
"Accept it," Gu Qing said with a faint smile when he saw Bai Suying hesitating.
Hearing that, Bai Suying trembled slightly as she took it with both hands.
"Thank you, Master!"
Zhimeng nodded slightly, then with a flick of her sleeve, swept up several people. With a single step into the boundless starry sky, she shifted space and time, and in an instant, they returned to the Star Temple.
"From now on, you will live on the Goddess Peak," Zhimeng said to Gu Qing, a faint smile flickering in her usually cold eyes.
"Ah?"
Gu Qing was stunned and glanced at Bai Suying.
When he had lived alone, residing on the Goddess Peak wasn't a problem.
But now, he had a family.
"You can both stay together."
Cultivation transcended time—one closed-door session could last years, even decades.
They already spent little time together.
If Gu Qing were to move away, their time together would shrink even further.
So, for such a filial disciple, of course she wanted him to live close by.
"Alright."
Since Zhimeng had said so, Gu Qing didn't refuse, though he felt somewhat helpless.
In the future, even soaking in the hot spring would likely require activating a formation.
"Greetings, Goddess."
At that moment, a Venerable Realm elder approached Zhimeng and bowed deeply.
"Take him to complete the procedures for an Inner Sect Elder identity," Zhimeng instructed with a nod.
"Yes!"
"Much appreciated."
Bai Wuya left the Goddess Peak with his concubines, feeling a surge of emotion in his heart.
Truly, when one person attains enlightenment, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.
"I am Zhang Yunxiang. May I know how to address you, fellow Daoist?"
Zhang Yunxiang looked at him with open envy.
After all, an Inner Sect Elder of the Star Temple held great authority and few responsibilities—positions that countless Venerable Realm cultivators would break their heads over trying to obtain.
After all, there was only one seat for each role.
Without an elder position, even someone at the Venerable Realm could only serve as a peak elder or an Outer Sect Elder, and beneath that, the elders of various Deacon Halls.
Zhang Yunxiang himself was an elder of the Flame Hall, responsible for registering new disciples and elders.
But Bai Wuya, an outsider, had suddenly been promoted to an Inner Sect Elder, personally favored by Zhimeng—his future prospects were boundless. It was a staggering stroke of fortune.
He couldn't help but feel envious.
"I am Bai Wuya. I'll be relying on your guidance in the future, fellow Daoist."
"Not at all, not at all. It is I who should rely on you, fellow Daoist."
…
"Come, I'll take you to meet that old fossil."
Zhimeng led Gu Qing into a self-contained world and directly entered a grand palace, its beams and pillars ornately carved, divine radiance flowing about—it resembled a true divine temple.
At the center of the hall stood a massive coffin.
It was entirely forged from divine iron and rare materials, capable of blocking heavenly secrets.
"Venerable Realm…"
"It's only been a few years, yet you've already broken through to the Venerable Realm."
The Old Ancestor's voice trembled with excitement as his gaze swept over Gu Qing.
Looking more closely, the Old Ancestor's heart was shaken to its core.
Gu Qing's blood and qi were robust, his entire being suffused with profound Dao resonance, and his aura exuded a sacred, transcendent purity.
Had Gu Qing already transformed his origin in advance, reversing the acquired into the innate?
Even if not, his strength was clearly not the result of relying on any external treasure.
His foundation was incomparably solid—unparalleled across the ages.
Even Jiang Yu and Zhimeng, in their prime, could not compare.
The Old Ancestor grew increasingly elated.
Their lineage would soon give birth to another peerless powerhouse.
"Disciple greets the Old Ancestor."
Gu Qing bowed deeply.
"Good, good! No need for formalities."
The Old Ancestor laughed heartily, unable to hide his exhilaration.
"Old Ancestor, you're getting too worked up," Zhimeng said faintly.
The Old Ancestor: …
A good reminder—but next time, keep it to yourself.
"Gu Qing," the Old Ancestor said, "do you wish to ascend to the Immortal Realm now? At the Star Dao Sect of the Immortal Realm, you would receive far better cultivation resources."
"This… how could that be possible?"
Gu Qing was taken aback. To ascend at the Venerable Realm—wasn't that far too absurd?
"I can arrange for a Divine Fire Realm expert on the verge of tribulation to ascend. At that moment, I will seal you within a special treasure, concealing your presence from the heavens, allowing you to ascend together," the Old Ancestor explained.
It wasn't their first time doing such a thing; they had experience, and it was perfectly safe.
"This… I'll have to think about it."
Gu Qing was tempted, but only slightly.
After all, he lacked nothing in terms of cultivation resources.
He didn't believe the Immortal Realm's immortal energy could surpass the Xuanhuang Mother Qi.
Besides, he had many confidantes—how could he just abandon them?
He couldn't, in good conscience, pursue his own future while leaving them behind.
"Very well. Once you decide, simply inform me," the Old Ancestor said with a trace of disappointment. Then, turning to Zhimeng, his tone grew less pleasant. "Stop shutting yourself in for seclusion. Focus on teaching him well—you'll benefit from it too."
He suspected that Gu Qing's reluctance to ascend stemmed mostly from emotional attachments.
Otherwise, who would give up such a chance to reach the heavens in a single step?
They had entrusted Gu Qing to Zhimeng, and not only had she failed to train him properly, but she had also let him become entangled in affection—utterly irresponsible.
"Old Ancestor, what's that supposed to mean? Gu Qing's achievements, surpassing all previous bearers of the Starry Cosmos Divine Body, wouldn't exist if he hadn't taken me as his master!"
Zhimeng refused to back down, spouting the lie without hesitation.
"You… Forget it."
The Old Ancestor didn't bother arguing further. Instead, he turned to Gu Qing and said, "You're still young. Love is fleeting pleasure. Do not lose yourself in it—pursuing eternal freedom is the true path of our kind."
"I understand, Old Ancestor."
Gu Qing's gaze flickered slightly, but he didn't argue. Instead, he said, "Old Ancestor, I wish to collect spirit herb seeds from across the myriad worlds. May I ask the temple to assist with this task?"
"Of course."
The Old Ancestor didn't even ask what Gu Qing wanted them for—probing into another's fortunes was taboo.
"Thank you, Old Ancestor."
Gu Qing expressed his gratitude with delight.
He could have asked the temple elders to collect them, but an order from the Old Ancestor carried an entirely different weight.
His own request might be met with perfunctory compliance, but an order from the Old Ancestor would ensure the full strength of the Star Temple was mobilized.
After chatting a while longer, Gu Qing finally took his leave.
Just as he returned to the Goddess Peak, Chu Ling'er flew into his arms.
"Brother Gu Qing…" Chu Ling'er clung to him, her eyes curved in a sweet smile. Her voice was soft and syrupy, like a tiny hook that made Gu Qing's heart itch unbearably.
He reached out and roughly rubbed her little head, pinching her chubby cheeks. "What is it? Speak."
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