Chapter 1443 — The Ethereal Form and the Material Frame
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 5
Xu Shenghua thought for a moment and said, "The Mu Heavenly Venerate walks in reverse. He can do what others cannot, think what others cannot. Lan Yutian practices non-action, while he practices non-inaction. He takes the universe within his body as his divine treasury, opens the ancestral court, evolves worlds, transforms mining districts, and cultivates in reverse to attain the Dao. His achievements are no weaker than Lan Yutian's—indeed, thus far, he is far more formidable than Lan Yutian. Compared to the two of them, I am greatly inferior. Each time I face them, I feel as though I am gazing up at a towering mountain."
The two Taiji Ancient Gods were lost in thought.
Xu Shenghua departed, following Xiu Hongsu to find Wei Suifeng. Along the way, he noticed a white cat following him, walking at his feet, bristling with killing intent, lifting its head to say, "Xu Shenghua, stay away from the Empress, or I swear I will never let you off!"
Xu Shenghua bent down. The white cat hesitated—it found him irresistibly approachable—and involuntarily leaped into his arms, crying, "Don't you dare touch my head! I won't fall for your tricks!"
Xu Shenghua stroked its head. The white cat was quite pleased and said, "A little lower with your hand... yes, right there!"
Xu Shenghua said gently, "I have a family and household. There is no conflict between us. I harbor not the slightest improper thought toward the Empress. She and I are Daoist friends who can confide in one another. Little Seven may rest easy. Your loyalty to the Empress, and your love for her, she naturally knows. By sharing her burdens, your position will only remain secure—and rise ever higher."
The white cat said gloomily, "I am merely a consort. I dare not harbor improper thoughts."
"Things depend on human effort, do they not?" Xu Shenghua gazed at it with warm eyes.
The white cat suddenly gave a snort, leaped from his arms, landed on the ground, and with tail held high and proud steps, walked away. Then it suddenly stopped, turned its head, and said, "You are not a bad person—not like that villain Mu Heavenly Venerate... Go back and tell the Mu Heavenly Venerate not to harbor improper thoughts about the Empress!"
Xu Shenghua assented.
Xiu Hongsu watched him. After a moment, she smiled and said, "Young Master Xu, how can there be such a perfect person in this world? Like the void—vast and humble—and like the most perfect of gods, inspiring not the slightest hatred."
Xu Shenghua intoned in a long, drawn-out voice: "The phantom flower of the sun's flame in empty space—how can it escape birth and old age? Better to embrace a hundred confusions than sit in silence and cut off all sorrow. Senior Sister, you envy me—yet I am still envying you."
"'The phantom flower of the sun's flame in empty space—how can it escape birth and old age?' Is this the origin of the name Xu Shenghua?"
Xiu Hongsu savored its meaning. The desire in her eyes faded, leaving only appreciation.
Wei Suifeng, seeing Xu Shenghua safe and sound, could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. He immediately took his leave from Xiu Hongsu, and without waiting for Xu Shenghua to take his leave of Yan Tianfei, he promptly pulled him toward the outside, saying in a low voice, "It is good that you are unharmed! This place is a dragon's pool and a tiger's den—the longer you stay, the greater the danger. Let us hurry back to the Hundred Thousand Sacred Mountain!"
Xu Shenghua said in surprise, "What dragon's pool and tiger's den? The scenery here is magnificent and beautiful, as pleasant as any other sacred ground in the world."
Wei Suifeng was stunned, then shook his head.
In the Hundred Thousand Black Mountains, Shen Mu gazed into the distance and saw the fourth pillar of light surging into the sky, piercing into the heavens above the Ancestral Court—magnificent beyond compare.