Time flies, and the seasons flow like a river.
In the blink of an eye, another five years have passed.
On this day, Xu Qing, with a stooped figure, arrived at the city gate on a cart.
The gatekeeper was a child from the family of Old Liu from Xinping Street, whose grandfather was once buried by Xu Qing's rites.
The two were somewhat acquainted.
"Old Master Xu, at your age, why are you going out by yourself? Your children should have been here to help take care of you..."
Xu Qing, sitting on the cart, replied with a smile, "The children are busy; I don't want to trouble them. Besides, I still get around quite well. If there comes a day when I can't go out, if they come back to send me off, I'll be content."
Watching Xu Qing leave, the gatekeeper shook his head.
Next to him, a soldier guarding the gate sighed, "Old Xu was such a good man. Whenever a family had no one to handle a funeral, Old Xu would step in. It's a pity such a good man doesn't have filial children; I've been at this gate for years and never seen his children visit."
"Exactly, I've heard his children and grandchildren are all in Central State. I saw his grandchildren many years ago, but never again since..."
The soldiers exchanged sighs. Those lonely widows, because of Shopkeeper Xu, have their afterlife affairs arranged. But Shopkeeper Xu, who has children and grandchildren, in the end doesn't see them return to enjoy family harmony.
Outside the city gate.
Xu Qing, riding a bony old horse, leisurely rode three miles. When no one was around, the skinny horse perked up, its bones crackling as it grew two and a half feet taller, transforming into a blood-flame divine steed.
At the same time, Xu Qing put away the cart. His stooped back straightened, and his white hair turned into black strands.
"Chasing Mourning, to the East Sea!"
Today marked the day when Shiyue completed her apprenticeship. Xu Qing had received Shiyue's message in the Blood Lake Realm. After not seeing her for many years, it was time for him, as the Sect Leader, to bring his goddaughter home.
In the East Sea, at the Demon Pill Temple.
The Great God Haikai looked at the lotus avatar, his apprentice who looked incredibly similar, feeling a great sense of accomplishment!
What reaction would the old master have upon seeing this grand-student...
"The lotus on Qianyuan Mountain is from the lotus seeds I left when I molded myself. Though it's not as good as my millennium lotus body, it absorbed over three thousand years of Sun and Moon Essence."
"This lotus avatar, with no soul or spirit, merges the body and true essence. With this body, you won't age, nor fear others' soul capture techniques."
"This is the Yimu technique, the way of Yin Wood. Those evil techniques or treasures targeting flesh are useless against you. If you encounter them, don't feel compelled to avoid them, and if you really can't fight, just mention my name..."
Shiyue didn't take these words seriously; her teacher's reputation could hardly match that of Lady Bao Sheng!
Even in the worst-case scenario, using the name of Cat Immortal Hall would be more effective than anything from the Demon Pill Temple.
Shiyue always saw the Great God Haikai as the private tutor hired for her by the Sect Leader.
If the two had to compete, her teacher was certainly not as formidable as her Sect Leader godfather!
Outside the small temple, Shiyue kowtowed to her teacher, who had taught her for five years. Although the Great God Haikai was reluctant to part with his little disciple, his senior brother had long been waiting at the Heaven Repair Passage, and he feared delay would cause great trouble.
Tearfully, Shiyue watched her teacher leave, and once he disappeared on his fiery wheels, she immediately collected her thoughts and reconnected with the Blood Lake Realm.
Soon after, accompanied by the neigh of a horse, a red-flame divine steed descended from the sky, exhibiting flying shadow and divine techniques.
"Sect Leader!"
Xu Qing looked at Shiyue, her red lips and white teeth, dressed in a lotus dress like a porcelain doll, and was momentarily hesitant to recognize her.
The identical lotus-root avatar, the same flaming spear, except without the red ribbon, looked like a miniature version of the Demon Pill Temple Master.
Xu Qing had expected the Demon Pill Temple Master might have a solution to Shiyue's 'condition', but he hadn't anticipated she would be transformed into a plant-like being just like himself.
This was not just learning skills; this was taking over the master's livelihood!
"Not bad, in just five years, your skills have almost caught up with your godmother!"
When Xu Qing mentioned Xiu Niang, Shiyue, who was previously all smiles, immediately became crestfallen.
Shiyue had learned that the lotus and lotus roots on Qianyuan Mountain could reshape the body and wanted her godmother to rebuild their foundations together with her.
However, the lotus root in that cave was only enough for her size, which was like that of a five or six-year-old child. If it were for a teenage body like the Great God Haikai, it wouldn't have sufficed.
The three-thousand-year-old lotus root was simply too limited.
Seeing Shiyue's dismay, Xu Qing comforted her, "You needn't worry about your godmother. She's an unmarried girl who never steps out, isn't part of Bao Sheng Temple, nor worshipped in any Immortal Hall. You see, those households with Family Guardian Immortals don't have her as part of their offering."
Xu Qing clicked his tongue and said, "They say that foolish people have foolish luck. I've seen more fortunate ghosts than your lazy godmother. If she enjoyed widespread incense offerings and became a household deity worshipped by thousands, she would have dissipated long ago."
Sometimes, destiny is indeed curious. Xiu Niang was originally an Earth-bound Spirit, with Shuimen Bridge Villa as her home; this timid girl was a true homebody ghost.
But it is precisely due to this nature that Xiu Niang has continued her cultivation in the layout full of Yin energy in the villa.
Currently, with the rise of demonic energy and the decline of the Dao, this place is known as a prime Haunted House in the entire Dayan, perfectly serving as Xiu Niang's best refuge.