Chapter 1185 - 813: The Queen Mother of the West: I Know You Are an Anomaly!

Zhang Chen followed closely behind Lady Biyun, going with her to pay respects to the Queen Mother of the West. The palace was still that familiar sanctuary, with countless light veils hanging within its halls. The Queen Mother of the West was shrouded in a layer of divine light, making it so that Zhang Chen couldn’t clearly discern her visage through the veils.

"Greetings to the Queen Mother, Golden Armored Warrior Jia Shiba has completed his transformation. I await your instructions." Lady Biyun respectfully bowed to the Queen Mother, and Zhang Chen followed her lead, bowing as well.

Upon hearing Lady Biyun’s words, the Queen Mother of the West, who was sitting upon the cloud bed, slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes, radiant with divine light, fell upon Zhang Chen.

Just those two gazes landing on him made Zhang Chen feel as if time and space had frozen, as if two invisible mountains were pressing down, causing him to involuntarily bend down.

As the Queen Mother of the West shifted her gaze, the void seemed to twist and transform, with infinite power of the Dao suppressing him. In Zhang Chen’s perception, the Queen Mother of the West appeared as the incarnation of the Dao, her cultivation astonishing to the point of subduing eternity.

The Queen Mother of the West waved her hand, signaling Lady Biyun to step back. She then looked at Zhang Chen and gently spoke, "Jia Shiba, this palace knows you are a variable!"

Though the Queen Mother of the West’s words were soft, they seemed like the heavenly sound of the Dao, with endless Dao rhythm circulating in the void. Zhang Chen’s Primordial Spirit seemed to absorb a fraction of its essence, involuntarily advancing. However, what the Queen Mother said made Zhang Chen’s complexion change abruptly, causing his heart to race. Thankfully, Zhang Chen’s cultivation was commendable, and he quickly suppressed his heartbeat, maintaining composure and showing no abnormality. A thought emerged in his mind:

"The Queen Mother of the West’s cultivation has reached such a level? Can she see through my essence?"

Zhang Chen was utterly shocked. If the Queen Mother of the West could see through his essence, to what level must her cultivation have soared?

"Others who practice the techniques passed down from this palace will have their three souls and seven spirits gradually transformed into Primordial Qi, merging into the physical body. The three souls and seven spirits gradually refine into the flesh and then disappear. Yet, you’ve somehow birthed a Primordial Spirit during the process. Truly curious!" The Queen Mother’s voice was full of intrigue. "You are indeed a variable!"

Upon hearing the Queen Mother’s words, Zhang Chen’s heart surged with great waves of shock, but he secretly let out a sigh of relief. It seemed the Queen Mother of the West hadn’t seen through his origins, only noticing the cultivation of his Primordial Spirit.

Given the Queen Mother’s unfathomable realm, seeing through his Primordial Spirit didn’t seem unacceptable. However, the fact that she was aware of its existence, what did that imply? Coupled with the ’Giant Heaven Opening’ technique in her grasp, countless speculations flashed through Zhang Chen’s mind, yet he forced them down.

"I don’t quite understand what Your Majesty is referring to; what exactly is this Primordial Spirit?" Zhang Chen appeared perplexed, as if unaware of his accomplishment.

The Queen Mother of the West lowered her gaze upon Zhang Chen, but did not answer his question. She sat in silent contemplation. After an uncertain period, she finally spoke: "Consider yourself fortunate with your Creation. Since you have cultivated a Primordial Spirit, there is a task you must complete."

"Please instruct me, Your Majesty. I would not hesitate even if the task is perilous." Zhang Chen quickly replied respectfully.

A scroll shot out from the Queen Mother’s hand: "This palace desires to ordain the construction of an altar, which involves various array patterns, requiring one who has refined a Primordial Spirit. Initially, it required my personal intervention, but since you’ve refined your Primordial Spirit, the task falls to you."

"This scroll contains the technique for building the altar; comprehend it thoroughly before commencing construction. This palace requires you to complete the task within a thousand years. If you fail, you know well the means of this palace." The Queen Mother’s tone was indifferent, devoid of emotion, as if her words bore no fluctuation, and she called towards the entrance:

"Biyun."

"What are your orders, Majesty?" Lady Biyun entered from outside the hall, greeting the Queen Mother reverently.

"Grant him two three-thousand-year-old Peaches of Immortality, and allocate the warriors recruited alongside him under his command." The Queen Mother commanded.

Lady Biyun was visibly surprised as she glanced at Zhang Chen, not expecting him to receive such a reward of Peaches of Immortality so soon after becoming a Golden Armored Warrior – a historical first. Curiosity flickered in her eyes as she regarded Zhang Chen, uncertain of his unique qualities, but she quickly complied: "As you command."

Lady Biyun withdrew, and Zhang Chen held the scroll respectfully, awaiting further instruction from the Queen Mother. Meanwhile, the Queen Mother gave him a once-over before closing her eyes, ending the conversation. The hall fell silent, and Zhang Chen dared not speak, keeping his head bowed as he waited for additional directions.

After the time it takes for incense to burn, Lady Biyun returned carrying a red tray, bearing a peach the size of an adult’s head, soft pink in color. She addressed the Queen Mother respectfully: "The peaches have been retrieved, Majesty."

The Queen Mother opened her eyes, her gaze sweeping over the peaches, before looking at Zhang Chen: "These two peaches are enough to strengthen your Primordial Spirit, enhancing its growth. Consume them, for I have further tasks for you later."

Upon receiving the Queen Mother’s command, Zhang Chen approached Lady Biyun. Observing the large Peaches of Immortality, he, wielding the Authority of the Five Elements, could sense the incredible vitality contained within. He promptly bowed to the Queen Mother: "Thank you for the reward, Queen Mother."

To be honest, the Queen Mother of the West rewarded him with two Peaches of Immortality right off the bat, treating him so well that he felt a bit guilty, thinking he shouldn’t have been so eager for that Heaven-Opening Fire Spirit.

Zhang Chen picked up a peach from the tray and gently took a bite. The peach melted in his mouth instantly, with an indescribable sweetness spreading through his heart. As the peach entered his body, it transformed into a mysterious qi mechanism, causing his Primordial Spirit to stir. Then, he saw his Primordial Spirit continuously grow stronger and larger under that mysterious qi mechanism.

"Such a miraculous peach, truly incredible!" A trace of shock appeared in Zhang Chen’s eyes. The effectiveness of the Peach of Immortality was simply against the natural order, and if he remembered correctly, the myths from his past life mentioned that these peaches had lifespans of three thousand, six thousand, and nine thousand years. What he consumed was merely the most ordinary three-thousand-year-old peach, which was only effective for mortals. Although he had refined his Primordial Spirit, he had not yet ascended to become an Immortal, so he was still a mere mortal. The augmentation the peach provided him was a bit excessive.

After finishing the two peaches, Zhang Chen’s Primordial Spirit had expanded tenfold, becoming more than ten times stronger than before.

However, Zhang Chen also knew that his Primordial Spirit had reached its limit, and even if he consumed more Spirit Roots, there would be no further benefits.

Nevertheless, he could seize this opportunity to refine his Primordial Spirit, continuously performing fine-tuning, since his Primordial Spirit had expanded quickly due to the peaches, leaving some feeling of instability for Zhang Chen.

After finishing the two peaches, Zhang Chen discreetly held the peach pits in his hand. Lady Biyun glanced at Zhang Chen but did not ask for them back, instead turning to look at the Queen Mother of the West, waiting for her command.

The Queen Mother of the West sat high on the cloud bed, carefully watching Zhang Chen for a while before saying, "You shall reside in the palace for now. I will lecture you for a year, teaching you about the mysteries of arrays and innate runes. I hope you do not squander my efforts and build the altar soon."

Upon hearing this, Lady Biyun’s expression changed again. Since the Queen Mother had established Kunlun, no one had been granted the opportunity to hear her lectures besides Jia Yi.

After Jia Yi, all techniques were transmitted through Jia Yi on behalf of the Queen Mother of the West.

Of course, the most notable aspect was the Queen Mother’s attitude toward Zhang Chen at this moment, which greatly astonished Lady Biyun. All Golden Armored Divine Generals needed to achieve merit to receive a Peach of Immortality. Yet, Zhang Chen was directly gifted two peaches right away, completely overturning Lady Biyun’s understanding.

"I wonder what this Primordial Spirit is. After Jia Shiba refined his Primordial Spirit, he received such favor from the Queen Mother of the West." A hint of curiosity appeared in Lady Biyun’s eyes, full of inquisitive intent.

"Many thanks to the Queen Mother?" Zhang Chen hurriedly offered a respectful bow, his heart filled with joy. Considering the Queen Mother’s all-encompassing cultivation, he couldn’t imagine the benefits of listening to her teachings.

"Biyun!" The Queen Mother of the West called out again.

"At your service." Lady Biyun responded respectfully.

"Take him to the Library Pavilion and grant him volumes one to thirty-two and volumes seventy-six to one hundred of the ’Compendium of Runes’ to review. Bring him to see me and listen to my teachings a month from now," the Queen Mother commanded.

Upon hearing this, Lady Biyun offered a respectful bow: "I will comply with the order."

The Queen Mother turned her head to look at Zhang Chen again: "To learn about arrays, you must first master runes. With the power of your Primordial Spirit, it will not be difficult for you to comprehend runes. Even if there are some challenges, I can offer a brief lecture a month from now to guide you and lead you into the realm. During this month, you must diligently practice with care and not show any negligence, or I will not hesitate to impose punishment."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen quickly bowed again: "I dare not let down the Queen Mother’s cultivation of me. I will diligently study the path of the runes."

"You may leave for now and come back to see me in a month," the Queen Mother waved her hand, signaling Zhang Chen to step down.

Zhang Chen and Lady Biyun left the palace, only to see Lady Biyun standing outside the main hall, her bright eyes spinning as she looked Zhang Chen up and down, with curiosity in her gaze.

"Why does Lady Biyun look at me this way?" Zhang Chen asked out loud.

"Don’t call me Lady Biyun. Others might call me that, but as for you... if you don’t mind, you may call me sister," Lady Biyun said with a smile.

Hearing this, Zhang Chen’s heart stirred, quickly responding, "Greetings, Sister Biyun. Little brother pays respects. Please, take care of me in the future."