Chapter 359 357: Meeting the Domain God

Not many days later, Elder Daoist Peng came again, asking to see Li Qiye. Chi Xiaodie had no choice but to relay the message.

The atmosphere in the room was serene and tranquil. Chen Baojiao was seated on an Imperial Consort's Throne. Though normally alluring and enchanting, she now appeared solemn and dignified, sacred and noble. This aura, combined with her captivatingly beautiful face, was truly a heart-stirring sight.

Li Qiye's head rested upon Chen Baojiao's beautiful thighs as she cradled it in her arms. Her ample bosom was so full it nearly enveloped his entire face.

Meanwhile, Li Shuangyan stood to the side, holding a Treasure Scripture. She chanted True Words, slowly reciting their Mystical Meaning. Her voice was clear and crisp, carrying a hint of frost. It was as if her chanting of the Immortal Scripture caused ice flowers to bloom from the very ground, unfurling like snow lotuses.

At this moment, Chen Baojiao's body was wreathed in a watery mist, like a surging Immortal Spring. A dense, holy aura that refused to dissipate filled the room. She seemed to overflow with Sweet Dew, nourishing Li Qiye as he rested on her lap.

Li Qiye, in turn, was wreathed in Chaos Qi, his entire body enveloped to the point where his features were nearly obscured. This Aura of Chaos felt like the most vital energy in existence; anyone who sensed it felt their own Blood Qi surge with vitality.

Standing at the doorway, Chi Xiaodie couldn't help but feel a sense of envy and longing as she watched. The harmony and tranquility of the scene slowly blossomed within her, making her heart flutter. It created an indescribable atmosphere, as if an Immortal King were enthroned before her, expounding the profound mysteries of the universe.

Finally, once Li Shuangyan had finished reciting a passage from the Immortal Scripture, Chi Xiaodie spoke softly. "Elder Peng from the Celestial Dao Academy wishes to see the Young Master."

If Elder Daoist Peng hadn't been so insistent on seeing Li Qiye, Chi Xiaodie would never have wanted to shatter this wonderful tranquility.

After a moment, Li Qiye opened his eyes. Inhaling all the Chaos Qi into his body like a whale drawing in the sea, he sat up and smiled. "Bao Jiao, your Overlord Fairy Spring Body is truly remarkable. The benefits are quite significant."

"I've benefited from your Chaos Qi as well, Young Master. If anything, I'm the one who gained the most." Chen Baojiao smiled softly, a heart-stoppingly captivating sight.

Li Shuangyan put away the Immortal Scripture. Even she, whose bearing was as cold and proud as a winter plum, offered a rare smile. "The body faces three tribulations. Being able to absorb your Chaos Qi and receive the essence of the Heaven and Earth Primordial Liquid will be immensely helpful for overcoming future Body Tribulations."

"In truth, there aren't three tribulations, only two. The period between the minor and major tribulations is simply a long process of cultivation. Some people can't persevere, and their hearts grow impatient, leading them to fall to their inner demons. That, in essence, is the only other 'tribulation' to speak of. As long as your Dao Heart is firm, what inner demons can possibly arise? Bao Jiao, even though your Overlord Fairy Spring Body isn't a true Immortal Body, its potential is still limitless. And Shuangyan, your Pure Body needs no further mention. You are both cultivating the best Body Techniques in the world. Reaching Great Success is an inevitability. The path may be long, but whose path of Cultivation isn't? Where is the need for impatience that could lead to inner demons?" Li Qiye said with a smile.

"Have confidence in yourselves, and have confidence in me. Your future success is guaranteed; there's no need to rush. An Immortal Emperor isn't made in a day, and a Divine Emperor isn't crowned in one!" Li Qiye said with unhurried confidence.

Chen Baojiao and Li Shuangyan both nodded. Standing to the side, Chi Xiaodie also committed his words to heart. 'Following Li Qiye, staying by his side... it's a blessing that will last a lifetime!'

"Alright, I'll meet with the old Daoist." With that, Li Qiye turned and left.

Inside, Li Qiye met with Elder Daoist Peng. The old Daoist was as grimy as ever, but a smile was plastered on his face, and his entire demeanor was visibly brighter.

"The great tribulation has passed. It's time for your Celestial Dao Academy to reap the harvest." Seeing the broad smile on Elder Daoist Peng's face, Li Qiye understood exactly what he was thinking.

Elder Daoist Peng grinned. "The Domain God is safe and sound! This time, it was a blessing in disguise for him. The old man is sure to be brimming with vigor for this entire generation."

"I understand what your Celestial Dao Academy is thinking. Of course you want him to live on forever. But why prolong the suffering?" Li Qiye said with a smile, gently shaking his head.

Elder Daoist Peng couldn't answer Li Qiye's question. It was an unsolvable dilemma. In truth, the Domain God himself had considered leaving before, but the Elders of the Celestial Dao Academy had repeatedly implored him to stay. And since the Academy was the only home the Domain God had ever known, he ultimately found it impossible to refuse their earnest pleas and continued to stand guard.

In the end, Li Qiye dropped the subject. It was the Celestial Dao Academy's inescapable predicament, a matter they had already debated for ages on end.

"What business did you have with me?" Li Qiye asked, glancing at Elder Daoist Peng.

Elder Daoist Peng grinned. "The Domain God has now fully recovered. He has also agreed to your terms. The promise he made you can be fulfilled at any time!"

"That day will come," Li Qiye said with a smile. "However, speaking of him, I'd actually like to see him. There's a small matter I need to trouble him with."

"How small a matter?" Elder Daoist Peng's heart skipped a beat. He had a feeling that when Li Qiye called something a "small matter," it was bound to be a heaven-shaking event.

Li Qiye shot him a sideways glance. "What's the matter? Since when did you become such a cheapskate? Even the Domain God himself likely wouldn't refuse, so what are you so nervous for? Besides, your Longevity Academy has never meddled in these affairs. Why the sudden concern?"

"Heh, heh, it's true I don't usually meddle, but when it comes to Young Master Li's affairs, this old Daoist is, of course, exceptionally enthusiastic and zealous. Young Master Li is a distinguished guest of our Celestial Dao Academy; how could we possibly neglect you?"

Li Qiye gave him a cold glare. "Zealous? It looks more like you're guarding against a thief. Old man, I haven't even thought about making a move on your Celestial Dao Academy yet!"

Elder Daoist Peng immediately put on a look of solemn integrity, as if swearing an oath. "Absolutely not! Young Master Li, you're overthinking things. By heaven and earth, this old Daoist—no, our Celestial Dao Academy—regards Young Master Li as a guest of the highest honor!"

"Enough. Stop rambling and lead the way. I want to see the Domain God," Li Qiye said, cutting him off.

"Well, uh, about that…" Elder Daoist Peng wrung his hands, hesitating, unsure how to bring it up.

Li Qiye stared at him. "What? Is it so hard just to see the Domain God? Old man, if you have something to say, just say it. Don't beat around the bush."

Elder Daoist Peng gave a dry laugh. "Seeing the Domain God is no problem at all. It's just that… someone else wants to see you."

"Who—?" Li Qiye's eyes narrowed, but his expression immediately shifted. Few things could escape his perception.

Li Qiye took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on Elder Daoist Peng. The intensity of his stare made the old Daoist's hair stand on end. Finally, Li Qiye spoke. "Ma Gu?"

"Yes." Elder Daoist Peng rubbed his hands gently. "The Ancestor wishes to see you."?"Did you tell her?" Li Qiye's gaze sharpened on the old Daoist, who felt his heart pound in his chest, as if he were being targeted by a Fierce Beast. It had been a long time since he had felt such a thing, not since he himself had become an Elder Ancestor.

"No! You were unwilling, so how could I dare bring it up? In fact, I haven't even seen the Ancestor. A decree just suddenly flew out from the Longevity Pavilion today. I was the one who received it. It said the Ancestor wants to see you. I suspect she must have seen you when you were saving the Domain God."

Li Qiye fell silent for a long moment. 'Ma Gu... The years are so long, and time passes so relentlessly. How many memories should just be left behind? How much of the past should be allowed to fade away like smoke?'

"If you refuse to go, you'll put this humble junior in a very difficult position," Elder Daoist Peng said with a dry laugh, wringing his hands. "Hey, just go see her. It's not like it'll cost you anything. Go on. The disciples of our own Celestial Dao Academy can't get an audience with her even if they beg."

Li Qiye sighed softly to himself. "Very well," he said. "I'll see her." 'What's bound to happen will happen eventually.'

"Excellent! Nothing could be better." Elder Daoist Peng was ecstatic. He quickly said, "I'll lead the way right now. Hee hee, now I can finally report that my mission is complete."

"Let's see the Domain God first," Li Qiye said. "I'll discuss something with him, and then I'll go see Ma Gu."

"That works too." Elder Daoist Peng readily agreed. As long as Li Qiye was willing to see Ma Gu, everything else was easy. He smiled and immediately stood to lead the way, as if afraid Li Qiye might suddenly change his mind.

In the deepest reaches of the Celestial Dao Academy, Li Qiye saw the Domain God. Today, the Domain God appeared incomparably ancient and powerful. Though the old pine tree was not particularly tall, its presence seemed to pierce the heavens and sunder the Nine Realms. It was like a Giant standing there, forcing all who saw it to gaze up in reverence.

Of course, the Domain God could take human form, but being rooted to this spot, it preferred to appear in its true form.

"The younger generation is truly formidable. You resolved my calamity and saved the Celestial Dao Academy, yet you only asked for a single promise in return. The Academy has already gotten the better end of this bargain." An ancient voice rang out. The Domain God had not taken human form; its Divine Thought simply echoed like sound.

Li Qiye smiled. "It was a simple effort that created a win-win situation. Why wouldn't I do it?"

The Domain God, despite being a pine tree, actually nodded as a human would. "Whenever you need that promise fulfilled, you may come and claim it at any time."

"That day will come," Li Qiye said with a smile. "But before that, I actually have a small favor I'd like to ask of you, Domain God."

"Let's hear it. As long as it is within my power, I will certainly lend you a hand," the Domain God said. This was the Domain God, an existence considered invincible in the current age. The number of things "within its power" was immense; feats that others would find impossible were trivial for it to accomplish.

"I want to make a trip to the Ghost Sacred Realm," Li Qiye said. "The Domain God's power reaches across the Ten Thousand Realms, so I imagine this isn't a difficult task for you."

"To the Ghost Sacred Realm?" The Domain God sounded surprised. "Sending you to the Ghost Sacred Realm… it is not impossible. However, I cannot guarantee I can send you to a specific location there."