Chapter 866 - 301: Farewell, Xi Qianxue (Part 2)
The next day.
Mu Qingge, alone, with the invitation from the Divine Hall, walked toward the distinctive architecture at the center of Sky City.
If Sky City was above the clouds, then the Divine Hall and the symbolic spire were above the clouds. Surrounding the Divine Hall, mist floated everywhere, and those without approval couldn’t approach at all.
Unlike the hustle and bustle in the city, this place was filled with silence and solemnity.
Mu Qingge had just climbed the steps to the front gate when she was stopped by two Divine Servants. The gatekeeping Divine Servants crossed their long weapons, blocking the path.
"Who approaches!" one of them demanded sternly.
Mu Qingge glanced at them, noting their Realm. ’Using Golden Realm Second Layer cultivation to guard the gate? This Divine Hall is indeed wealthy and powerful!’
Mu Qingge took out the invitation delivered to the villa yesterday and handed it to the two.
Seeing the invitation with the Divine Hall’s emblem, the two Divine Servants retracted their weapons.
One of them took it, opened it, and inspected it carefully. When he saw the name Mu Qingge on it, both couldn’t hide their astonishment.
Closing the invitation, the Divine Servant stowed away his severe expression and said politely, "So it is City Lord Mu."
He handed the invitation back to Mu Qingge and, along with his companion, stepped aside, saying to Mu Qingge, "Please, City Lord Mu. Once inside, a Spiritual Magpie will guide you to meet the Divine Venerable."
"Thank you." Mu Qingge nodded and stepped into the Divine Hall.
Her figure disappeared into the thin mist, and only after she was out of sight did the two gatekeeping Divine Servants speak in low tones.
"They say this City Lord of Luoxing City, possesses a peerless, unmatched beauty. Seeing her today, it’s indeed true to her reputation."
"Had I not been on duty today and met her elsewhere, I might not have resisted, losing my composure."
"Heh, this City Lord Mu is no ordinary woman. If you fall for her, you might not even know how you died."
"Hush, don’t speak of it. If others overhear, you and I might not escape a scolding."
Mu Qingge emerged from the mist to the sound of a magpie’s call. She looked up and indeed saw a golden Spiritual Magpie flying toward her.
The Spiritual Magpie was only palm-sized, entirely golden, radiating a sacred glow, with a pair of eyes that were very sharp and quite intelligent.
It flew toward Mu Qingge, circling above her head as if signaling her to follow it.
The lively little creature made Mu Qingge smile. "Thank you, Spiritual Magpie, for leading the way."
After she spoke, the Spiritual Magpie seemed to understand, chirping merrily and flapped its wings forward.
Mu Qingge stepped forward, following it.
The Spiritual Magpie’s speed was not fast; it seemed to deliberately match Mu Qingge’s pace. If Mu Qingge walked faster, it flew faster; if she walked slower, it flew slower.
Occasionally, the little Spiritual Magpie would turn its head, looking at Mu Qingge, chirping away.
Such agile behavior amused Mu Qingge and made her smile.
Meanwhile, she couldn’t help but ponder, ’Who would have thought, in such a place brimming with Spiritual Energy and sacredness, hidden corrupt deeds are taking place?’
About other matters, she might not be clear.
However, from the several assassination attempts by the Divine Hall, she could conclude that the Divine Hall was far from the spotless and selfless image it presented to the world.
The Spiritual Magpie led the way ahead.
Mu Qingge followed, her peripheral vision frequently assessing the Divine Hall’s surroundings.
The Divine Hall of Central Continent Sky City was unlike those in other regions. Divine Halls in other State Mansions were always bustling, putting on a welcoming face, whereas here...
Mu Qingge walked for quite a distance, without seeing even common people, let alone many within the Divine Hall. Occasionally, there were figures passing at a distance, shrouded in mist, unclear.
However, perhaps due to her noticeable red attire, she could sense those passing at a distance glancing intentionally or unintentionally at her.
After traversing a large area of buildings, the Spiritual Magpie led her onto a maze-like Floating Bridge. This bridge, with multiple entryways, connected across the vast lake. Without a guide, one wouldn’t know how to navigate out.
Mu Qingge stepped onto the Floating Bridge, crafted entirely of Spirit Stone, emitting Spiritual Power that energized and rejuvenated her.
Mu Qingge remarked inwardly, ’As expected of the Divine Hall, others hoard Spirit Stones, and they use them as building materials.’
This understated luxury of the Divine Hall made her itch, really wanting to gather all these Floating Bridges into her personal space!
"Chirp chirp!" the Spiritual Magpie called to Mu Qingge.
It seemed to be urging her to move faster and not linger here.
Mu Qingge awkwardly smiled, composing herself and quickening her pace.
Winding through the Floating Bridge, following the Spiritual Magpie, Mu Qingge suddenly realized that she was already in the center of the lake. Before and after her were intricate Floating Bridges, and the entrance from which she came was long gone.
Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow, continuing forward.
...
The floating bridge of the Divine Hall is the passage connecting the Divine Hall and Lake Heart Island. Anyone who wishes to visit Lake Heart Island and meet the Divine Venerable must pass through this floating bridge maze.
From another direction, Xi Qianxue slowly walked forward.
Following behind her were two maids.
These two, if Mu Qingge saw them, would definitely not be strangers, as they were the two maids who had accompanied Xi Qianxue to the West Continent Floating Sand City back then.
One of them had even been deceived by Mu Qingge.
"Goddess, why does the Divine Venerable not let you return to the Xi Family, but only allows you to move within the Divine Hall?" Wu’er asked curiously.
Her question also piqued the curiosity of Liu’er, who looked towards Xi Qianxue.
Xi Qianxue’s steps paused slightly, a hint of distraction in her eyes.
Over the past few years, she had been placed under house arrest. She knew the reason; her master had sensed her developing mortal feelings and even assumed that the person she liked was Wei Molili.
To protect Mu Qingge, she had no choice but to go along with this and silently accept it.
However, she had secretly communicated with Wei Molili, who also sent her messages saying he was willing to cooperate.
That was not all.
There was no future between her and Mu Qingge; staying in the Central Continent to practice was not a bad thing. At least it allowed her to focus on her cultivation. However, in the past half year, she increasingly felt that her master’s behavior was becoming stranger.
This strange behavior pertained to her master’s attitude towards her, making her feel inexplicably afraid during their solitary meetings.
She felt that her master’s eyes, when looking at her, seemed increasingly horrifying, as if something was about to break forth.
Recalling the Divine Venerable’s gaze, Xi Qianxue’s shoulders involuntarily trembled slightly.
"Goddess, what’s the matter?" Noticing Xi Qianxue’s anomaly, Liu’er hurriedly asked.
Wu’er also worriedly offered, "Are you feeling cold? I can go back and fetch a shawl for you."
"No need." Xi Qianxue shook her head, stopping Wu’er from returning.
She took a deep breath, composed herself, and said with pride, "Let’s go. After seeing my master, I will return to cultivate." Every three days in the Divine Hall, she had to pay her respects to the Divine Venerable, and today happened to be the third day.
Her words prevented Wu’er and Liu’er from saying more, prompting them to quicken their pace behind her.
Ahead was a turn, and after passing there and walking a short distance, they would enter Lake Heart Island. However, just as she was turning, she nearly collided with people coming from the other direction.
The imposing presence from the other side made her abruptly retract her advancing foot, maintaining a distance between them.
"Qian... So it is the Goddess." Mu Qingge, startled to see Xi Qianxue, was quite surprised. The words she initially uttered were ’Qianxue’, a name she had become accustomed to using in the Divine Demon Ancient Battlefield. Yet, before fully speaking, she remembered they were in the Divine Hall, surrounded by eyes and ears. If she acted too familiar with Xi Qianxue, it might bring trouble for her, so she altered her words in time.
The familiar voice reached her ears.
Xi Qianxue abruptly raised her head, seeing Mu Qingge’s face, and instantly froze on the spot.
She had never seen Mu Qingge dressed as a woman. Suddenly encountering her like this left her a bit at a loss, yet the longing in her heart surged like a tide.
She made every effort to not lose her composure, but couldn’t conceal the slight tremor in the fingers hidden within her sleeves.
Although Xi Qianxue’s expression seemed unchanged, her eyes were filled with excitement and complex emotions. She took several deep breaths, striving to calm her emotions, and with a faint smile, she asked, "City Lord Mu, what brings you here?"
She was somewhat worried about Mu Qingge’s presence here, wondering if it was related to her, or if her master had discovered something.
Mu Qingge smiled faintly, "I arrived in the Central Continent the day before yesterday at the invitation of the Divine Venerable, and came specifically to pay my respects today."
"I see," Xi Qianxue maintained her smile, seemingly polite yet distant. Outsiders looking on would not perceive any connection between them.
Xi Qianxue glanced at the Spiritual Magpie leading the way in front of Mu Qingge and with a wave of her hand, the Spiritual Magpie took flight, departing from Mu Qingge’s sight.
Mu Qingge’s eyes flashed, but she said nothing.
Xi Qianxue explained, "I was also on my way to see my master. Why don’t I take you there?" Then she turned to Wu’er and Liu’er, saying, "You two go back first."
Wu’er and Liu’er exchanged a glance, bowed slightly to Xi Qianxue, and retreated.
Afterward, only Mu Qingge and Xi Qianxue remained.
Even upon meeting again, despite the change in female attire, that awkward atmosphere between the two persisted.
Yet Mu Qingge did not understand why Xi Qianxue intentionally dismissed those around her.
"City Lord Mu, let’s go." Xi Qianxue walked to Mu Qingge’s side, reined in her excitement, and dispelled the awkward atmosphere between them.
Mu Qingge nodded and walked alongside her.
’Why did my master suddenly summon you?’ Xi Qianxue suddenly transmitted to Mu Qingge.
Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow.
Here, where no one else was present but the two of them, Xi Qianxue still transmitted her thoughts. It seemed the eyes and ears within the Divine Hall were even more intricate than she had imagined.