Chapter 957: Having an Ancient Demon Grow

Bai Ruo, standing nearby, asked, "Master, if I go to Cloud Mountain Temple like this, will Daoist Qingsong allow me to borrow the Heavenly Book?"

"Don't worry, he knows everything. Take this as the object for divination."

"I understand, Master. Zaoniang, I will greet Sun Yaya for you. Master, then I'll be off."

"Mhm!"

After Bai Ruo left, Jiyuan looked at Zaoniang.

"Are you truly not going?"

Zaoniang simply smiled.

"Cloud Mountain Temple can be visited anytime. Mr. Ji, let me brew you some tea."

"Alright."

Jiyuan said no more. As Zaoniang went to the kitchen, he reached up, and a jujube branch laden with heavy fruit descended, falling right into his hand. Jiyuan gently snapped off the thin branch with the fruit.

Jiyuan lightly shook the jujube branch over the table, and the fruits fell beside the chessboard. He then gently brushed his hand over the branch, transforming the entire piece into a slightly curved wooden sword.

Afterward, Jiyuan formed a sword incantation with his fingers and touched the jujube wood sword twice. A faint sword intent permeated with sword qi spread over the wooden sword, which then slowly levitated, transformed into a beam of sword light, and soared into the sky.

Bai Ruo's flight speed was already considerable, and given her exceptional talent in sword arts, Jiyuan had recently focused on instructing her in swordplay. This indeed yielded pleasant surprises; some areas she grasped instantly, while her difficulty in others was simply due to insufficient cultivation.

With the sword intent enhancing her escape technique, although it wasn't yet true light-transformation sword-flight, Bai Ruo's speed had improved by at least one level. She left Ju'an Study in the morning and arrived above the Cloud Mountain range before noon.

Bai Ruo looked out and felt the mountain lived up to its name. Even nearing midday, the core area of Cloud Mountain was still largely shrouded in mist, with Cloud Mountain Temple situated above the clouds, most of its buildings located on Yanxia Peak.

Bai Ruo's heart was still somewhat agitated at this moment. After all, it was not only her first time visiting the mysterious Cloud Mountain Temple but also her first time coming here as Jiyuan's disciple. Fortunately, she knew Sun Yaya was inside Cloud Mountain Temple, so she wouldn't be completely without a familiar face.

'Master says Daoist Qingsong is a Heavenly Divination Master. Were it not for the Heavenly Secret Wheel, the Heaven's Dao Pavilion might not surpass him in divination alone. And Qin Zizhou, Lord Qin, should be the only true Boundary Traveling God in the world, a genuine Pure Yang Body. I wonder how they will perceive me…'

With these thoughts in her mind, Bai Ruo landed outside the main entrance of Cloud Mountain Temple, where she already saw two young Daoist boys, dressed in simple robes and no more than ten years old, waiting.

Upon seeing Bai Ruo descend from the sky, the two young Daoists quickly stepped forward a couple of paces and bowed together to Bai Ruo.

One of them was the first to invite Bai Ruo in.

"Immortal Sister, you've come a long way. Please come into the temple quickly."

The other added,

"The Temple Master, while lecturing on scriptures this morning, suddenly sensed an honored guest today and specially ordered us two to wait here. May I ask where Immortal Sister comes from?"

This morning? Master Qingsong sensed her arrival when her Master sent her? Bai Ruo was slightly surprised but still introduced herself.

"I am Bai Ruo, sent by my Master from Ju'an Study."

The two young Daoists paused slightly.

"Ju'an Study?"

As one whispered in confusion, the other softly mumbled into his ear,

"I heard it's where the Great Master lives, within the mortal world yet detached from it."

"The Great Master…"

As the two young Daoists discussed amongst themselves, their voices clearly reached Bai Ruo's ears, making her find the children even more adorable. After a while, they realized they should attend to their guest.

"Immortal Sister, please come inside." "Yes, yes, please come in quickly!"

This temple was much larger than the original old one. One young Daoist led Bai Ruo into a reception hall, while the other hurried off to report. As they passed through the central courtyard, some Daoists were practicing there; they all appeared young, even the oldest looking very youthful. One of them shouted to the rushing young Daoist,

"Did you receive the esteemed guest? Who is it?"

The young Daoist didn't stop, hurriedly replying,

"It's an Immortal Sister named Bai Ruo, from Ju'an Study."

The practicing Daoists immediately became excited.

"Ju'an Study?" "From the Great Master!"

"Bai Ruo? I know! It's Lady Bai!"

"Lady Bai?"

"Oh, you fool, isn't it Lady Bai from 'The White Deer Destiny'? Didn't we hear the story when we went down the mountain last time?"

"Ah! It really is Lady Bai! I want to see!" "Me too!"

A group of Daoists rushed out of the courtyard, trotting forward, knowing that Cloud Mountain Temple only had one spacious hall often used for guests, so she was likely there.

A moment later, Sun Yaya, having heard of Bai Ruo's arrival, arrived outside the hall ahead of Daoist Qingsong. She saw a group of young Daoists divided into two sides, secretly peeking into the hall from outside the door, which made Sun Yaya chuckle.

"Don't startle the guest. Don't you need to practice? The Temple Master is coming."

Upon hearing that Temple Master Qingsong was coming, the young Daoists immediately scattered like birds. Sun Yaya then stepped into the hall with a smile.

"Lady Bai, it really is you!"

"Yaya!"

Bai Ruo stood up, a smile on her face as she looked at Sun Yaya.

"Lady Bai, so many young Daoists were peeking at you outside just now."

"Truly adorable."

Bai Ruo smiled. She had always wanted to have a child with Zhou Lang, but alas, humans and demons were destined to be apart, and not only did it not work out, but it also harmed Zhou Lang. Therefore, she was especially fond of children.

"Lady Bai, I heard you came from Ju'an Study?"

"Yes, Mr. Ji accepted me as a registered disciple!"

Seeing the radiant joy on Bai Ruo's face, Sun Yaya was sincerely happy for her.

"Congratulations, Lady Bai, you've finally achieved your wish. Becoming Mr. Ji's disciple, you are certainly destined for enlightenment!"

While Sun Yaya was still speaking, Daoist Qingsong swiftly approached from outside.

"So it is Lady Bai who has arrived! I apologize for not coming out to welcome you; it is truly my oversight! Congratulations, Lady Bai, on becoming a disciple of Mr. Ji. In the future, among those who achieve the Dao in this world, Lady Bai will surely be one!"

"Daoist Qingsong, you flatter me!" "Temple Master!"

Everyone in the hall bowed and greeted Daoist Qingsong. The latter, not daring to presume, quickly returned the bow.

"Lady Bai, you must have an important matter for your visit. Let's skip the pleasantries and get straight to it."

"Yes, my Master wishes for you, Daoist, to divine the ancient demonic blood beneath the Mirror Sea Heavy Water of the Mirror Profound Sea Pavilion. This is the divination item."

Daoist Qingsong took the golden scale and nodded.

"Without further delay, I shall begin the divination."

As Daoist Qingsong began his divination, in the eyes of Bai Ruo and Sun Yaya, faint starlight appeared around him. His Daoist robe seemed to be adorned with stars and the moon, appearing brilliant yet not dazzling.

After a long while, Daoist Qingsong opened his eyes.

"A spiritual object similar to this scale is fleeing everywhere in the sea. It should not be demonic blood. Another kind of suppression is growing stronger. Is this demonic blood alive? Also, there's a peculiar sensation, as if it's not far from Northern Continent Hengzhou…"

Daoist Qingsong said, shaking his head.

"Alas, someone is obscuring the heavenly secrets. My cultivation is insufficient; I cannot divine anything more."

Bai Ruo frowned.

"Daoist, you are already very powerful. I will send a message to my Master immediately."

With that, Bai Ruo took out a small flying sword from her sleeve, imbued it with her spiritual sense, and then tossed it into the air, watching it transform into a beam of light and fly towards Jizhou.

"Lady Bai, since you are already at Cloud Mountain Temple, please take a look at the Heavenly Book."

"Thank you, Daoist. My Master also intended this. The second reason for my visit this time is to borrow a few Heavenly Books."

"Not at all, not at all. The Heavenly Books were originally gifted by Mr. Ji. Lady Bai, how can you speak of borrowing? Please, let us proceed to the Old Starlight Hall!"

Daoist Qingsong gestured with his hand, leading Bai Ruo to the Starlight Hall of the old Cloud Mountain Temple.

Soon, the entire Yanxia Peak was enveloped in starlight. This commotion startled all the Daoists within the Cloud Mountain range. Even the few Daoists who were cultivating alone on other peaks of Cloud Mountain looked towards Yanxia Peak and all flew back to Cloud Mountain Temple, unsure of what had happened.

Daoist Qingsong stood outside the Starlight Hall, nodding slightly. Qin Zizhou's figure also appeared outside the Starlight Hall shortly after.

"Lord Qin, Lady Bai is indeed worthy of being Mr. Ji's disciple. Her first viewing of the 'Genesis of Heaven and Earth' could cause such a phenomenon, truly with the aid of heaven and earth."

Qin Zizhou stroked his beard, looking at Bai Ruo inside the hall, beautiful in her white robes. Under the starlight, she appeared to possess an added sense of divinity.

"According to the novels circulating outside, this Lady Bai seems to be Mr. Ji's white deer mount, and merely a registered disciple. I wonder what kind of commotion the unfathomable Tiger Lord would cause when he views this Heavenly Book."

"I greatly look forward to it!"

Back at Ju'an Study in Ning'an County, not long after Bai Ruo viewed the 'Genesis of Heaven and Earth,' Jiyuan received her flying sword message. Upon learning the content of Daoist Qingsong's divination, he also shook his head slightly.

This indicated that most of the demonic blood must have fallen into the hands of some ancient being, becoming a supplement to enhance their power. He only hoped it hadn't fallen into the hands of the demonic blood's original owner.