Chapter 1410: The Void Young Master of the Upper Firmament, Peerless and Unmatched in His Time
Xu Shenghua traveled without pause, heading straight for Yan Tianfei's domain. His Dao heart was firm, his mind focused without distraction. Although the temptation of the Grand Primordial Liquid was immense, he did not taste even a single drop.
Qin Mu often boasted about the strength of his own Dao heart, but his temperament was lively and unpredictable. He would frequently have a sudden idea and be unable to resist acting on it. But Xu Shenghua was different.
The Void Young Master of the Upper Firmament, peerless and unmatched in his time.
He was more composed, more reserved, and at the same time more humble and cautious than Qin Mu, possessing virtues that Qin Mu lacked.
Although his ideas were not as numerous or as ingenious as Qin Mu's, when it came to intelligence, Qin Mu would readily concede defeat. However, this was both his strength and his weakness. It was precisely because he was too composed, reserved, humble, and cautious that he was significantly lacking in pioneering spirit compared to Qin Mu.
But that was only when he had no opponent. If Xu Shenghua met his match, encountering a fellow Daoist or a powerful enemy, he would be stimulated to produce extremely powerful creativity. For example, the Surging River Divine Treasury was a treasury he had opened after making a bet with Qin Mu.
The Surging River Divine Treasury was also called the Heavenly River Divine Treasury. Without knowing that the Surging River was the Heavenly River, Xu Shenghua had forcibly opened this divine treasury before Qin Mu did. This single feat alone was enough to qualify him as a Heavenly Lord.
His other achievement was planting the innate Jianmu tree within the divine treasury, using the beauty of mathematics to connect the seven divine treasuries, unifying them into one. This was also a Heavenly Lord-level achievement.
With opponents and fellow Daoists, Xu Shenghua shone brilliantly, dazzling and radiant.
It was only because he was too humble and reserved that his reputation was far inferior to Qin Mu's, and also inferior to Yan Fengdi and the former National Teacher Jiang Baigui.
Xu Shenghua traveled all the way to Yan Tianfei's domain when suddenly another violent tremor came. The third great spiritual energy transfer bridge of the Heavenly Court was completed and opened, its light shooting into the sky, illuminating the night.
It was now night. Xu Shenghua glanced around, went to a divine city in Yan Tianfei's domain to rest for the night, and only when the sun was high in the sky did he enter the gateway to the Grand Beginning Mine Vein, presenting a visiting card from Mu Tianzun and requesting an audience with Yan Tianfei.
—Of course, Qin Mu had not given him any visiting card. The so-called Mu Tianzun visiting card was something Xu Shenghua had written himself the previous night.
After a moment, Xiu Hongsu came to greet him. She saw a breathtakingly handsome young master standing outside the gate, standing there quietly, making one feel the beauty of time itself.
Xiu Hongsu's heart unconsciously beat a little faster. She stepped forward to greet him, saying, "How should I address the envoy?"
"Xu Shenghua of the Upper Firmament Divine Sect of Yankang, sent by Mu Tianzun to pay a visit." Xu Shenghua returned the greeting. Every move and gesture was so perfect that no flaw could be found.
Xiu Hongsu felt her heart captivated, and she couldn't help but develop a deep fondness for him. "The Empress has already been informed. Please, Young Master Xu, come this way." As soon as she said this, she was startled inwardly.
As a being at the Imperial Throne realm, the senior disciple personally cultivated by Yan Tianfei, she held a high and powerful position. Yet she had unconsciously lowered her own status, addressing Xu Shenghua as "Young Master Xu"!
This had never happened before!
Xu Shenghua was from a sect in the small country of Yankang in the Yuan Realm, sent by Mu Tianzun. In terms of status and position, he was naturally far inferior to her. Yet she had lowered her posture—was she being seduced by male beauty?
Xu Shenghua's gaze fell upon her eyes, showing a hint of confusion. Xiu Hongsu, captivated by his look, suddenly came to her senses: "He's asking me why I haven't taken him to see the Empress yet, not sending me flirtatious glances. He is polite and courteous, and although he has doubts, he doesn't ask directly, unlike that crude fellow Mu Tianzun..."
She led the way ahead, and her words unconsciously became more numerous. Talking with such a handsome man was always a pleasant thing.
Xu Shenghua was a very good listener, always smiling as he listened to her, occasionally replying with a sentence or two. But those one or two sentences already made Xiu Hongsu very happy.
They arrived at Yan Tianfei's detached palace. Suddenly, Xiu Hongsu came to her senses: "Oh no! The Empress likes young and handsome men. If she sees Young Master Xu, even Xiao Qi might lose favor. His temperament is far too inferior to his..."
But they were already in front of the hall, and she couldn't leave now.
From within the hall came Yan Tianfei's voice: "Hongsu, invite the envoy in."
Xu Shenghua, with a smile on his face, walked toward the hall, his divine consciousness transmitting a message to Xiu Hongsu: "The purpose of my visit is to seek an audience with the Grand Primordial Ancient Gods through the Empress. I ask that you inform the Grand Primordial Ancient Gods on my behalf."
Xiu Hongsu was slightly startled, then understood his intention. She led him into the detached palace.
Inside the hall, Yan Tianfei sat on her throne, holding a white cat in her arms. She looked down at the cat, her delicate jade-like hand sliding from the back of its head down its back, then to its tail.
She was so engrossed in watching the cat that although she heard footsteps, she didn't lift her head. She laughed, saying, "As expected, the Grand Primordial Ancient God was right. Mu Tianzun still sent the Grand Primordial Liquid back. However, Mu Tianzun has miscalculated a thousand times, but he didn't calculate whether he could resolve his grievances with the Grand Primordial Ancient God. That still depends on my will. If I do not permit it, Mu Tianzun's envoy will never be able to see..."
She looked up at Xu Shenghua, and her gaze suddenly froze.
Xu Shenghua bowed in greeting. Although his actions were light and casual, without overstepping any rules, his own bearing and temperament formed an endless charm around him.
Suddenly, the white cat's fur bristled. It arched its back and let out a threatening "hiss" at Xu Shenghua.
Yan Tianfei stood up, threw the white cat to the ground, and then, with her body arched and her steps sideways, she came before Xu Shenghua. Her tail twitched like a snake as she circled around him, pacing.
It was as if she were looking at her enemy, ready to spring up at any moment and deliver a fatal blow.
"Xiao Qi, stand down. Do not disturb our honored guest."
At Yan Tianfei's command, the white cat, though unwilling, had to retreat.
"Hongsu, you may also withdraw." Yan Tianfei waved her hand and laughed.
Xiu Hongsu took the opportunity to withdraw.
Xu Shenghua said, "So, Empress, do you permit me to see the Grand Primordial Ancient Gods, or not?"
"Whether I permit it or not still depends on the envoy."
Yan Tianfei stepped closer, smiling sweetly. "The envoy is young and handsome, not only good-looking but also of extraordinary temperament. For someone like you to appear in the lower realm is truly an anomaly."
"Your praise is too kind, Empress."
Xu Shenghua slightly bowed, saying, "The Empress is exalted high above, blessed by the Heavenly Emperor's grace. I fear..."
"Fear what?"
Yan Tianfei hooked her arm around his neck and leaned into his embrace, her eyes seductive as she laughed, "He goes after other women, not even sparing my own sister. I am determined to sleep with every handsome man in the world to get back at him!"
Xu Shenghua smoothly wrapped his arm around her waist. Their eyes met, and Xu Shenghua looked directly into her eyes, speaking softly, "After you get back at him, Empress, do you feel any happiness?"
Yan Tianfei's heart trembled. The softest part of her heart was touched, and a wave of bitterness surged into her heart.
"No."
"I thought so."
Xu Shenghua still looked into her eyes, speaking gently, "Every time you get back at him, Empress, you recall his betrayal once more, and you feel pain once more. Your revenge does not hurt him; instead, it hurts yourself, time and time again. Empress, why do you torment yourself like this?"
...
Outside the hall, Xiu Hongsu watched the furious white cat Xiao Qi as it stormed off. Her heart stirred, and she quickly called out to stop him, thinking to herself, "If I go to inform the Grand Primordial Ancient Gods, the Empress will surely trace it back to me. Although she is my master, our relationship is that of master and servant. I didn't climb to my current position easily. It's better to let someone else take this risk."
She then explained the matter to the white cat Xiao Qi in this manner.
The white cat Xiao Qi was overjoyed. He stood on his hind legs, cupped his paws together in a bow toward Xiu Hongsu, and said, "Thank you for the guidance, Senior Sister! That bastard Mu Tianzun sent this pretty boy to steal my luck and share the Empress's favor! I must not let him succeed!" With that, he hurried away.
After a short while, the two Grand Primordial Ancient Gods arrived together. The female ancient god said, "The Empress has stopped Mu Tianzun's envoy and won't let him see us. She must have some scheme!"
"No need to say more. We'll know once we see the envoy."
The two arrived before the detached palace. Xiu Hongsu quickly tried to block them, saying, "Two seniors, please allow me to announce your arrival!"
How could the two ancient gods be stopped by her? They simply walked past her, leaving Xiu Hongsu grasping at empty air.
Her scalp tingled. She hurriedly chased after the two ancient gods, inwardly lamenting, "What if they are in the middle of an intimate moment, with their clothes in disarray? What do I do then?"
She and the two Grand Primordial Ancient Gods burst into the palace one after the other. Xiu Hongsu's heart was pounding. She quickly looked up and was slightly stunned.
She saw Yan Tianfei and Xu Shenghua both sitting high on a cloud platform, chatting and laughing together. It didn't look like a scene of passionate pleasure at all. Instead, Yan Tianfei seemed to treat Xu Shenghua as a close confidant, talking and laughing with him freely, occasionally raising her silk handkerchief to cover her mouth as she giggled.
Xiu Hongsu was utterly astonished. This scene was something she had never expected. She had originally thought there would surely be a scene of romantic splendor, but she hadn't anticipated that faced with such an outstanding man, Yan Tianfei would still treat him with courtesy and speak heart-to-heart with Xu Shenghua.
"Dear Xu, you really should come often."
Yan Tianfei rose from the cloud platform, laughing, "Talking with you has made my heart much lighter. I have no close friends or kindred spirits. It's rare to meet such a thoughtful friend like you. I wish I could pour out all my sorrows. Unfortunately, you are Mu Tianzun's envoy, and I detest that ugly, stinking man like Mu Tianzun. That bastard constantly opposes me..."
Xu Shenghua said, "If the Empress does not mind, I can come often."
Yan Tianfei was overjoyed. She took his hand and walked down, saying, "With your words, I am reassured. Hongsu, from now on, when dear Xu comes to see me, do not block him."
Xiu Hongsu was even more bewildered, but she dared not show her surprise. She bowed her head in acknowledgment.
Yan Tianfei walked down from the cloud platform and released Xu Shenghua's hand, saying, "Mu Tianzun sent you to see the Grand Primordial Ancient Gods. Although I wanted to stop you and ruin his plans, I feared that if I did, that stinking man would punish you when you returned. So I will grant your wish. Hongsu, let's go. Let dear Xu speak slowly with the two ancient gods."
Xu Shenghua bowed in thanks.
Yan Tianfei quickly returned the bow and left the palace with Xiu Hongsu.
"What a wonderful person."
Yan Tianfei walked out of the detached palace, still couldn't help but praise, "For Mu Tianzun to have such a talented and virtuous person by his side is truly enviable."
Xiu Hongsu blinked, feeling strange inside: "Has the Empress changed her nature?"
The white cat Xiao Qi came running in a flash. Yan Tianfei ignored him. The white cat dared not jump into her arms to be pampered, feeling deeply aggrieved: "Have I come too late? That bastard surnamed Xu is indeed very 'empty' [a pun on his name, Shenghua meaning 'empty flower'], his speed is fast..."