Originally, Bai Zi Hua wanted to directly fly back to Mt Chang Liu, until he suddenly realised that there was another person with him.
He heard Hua Qian Gu muttering to herself and turned around to look at her. He was shocked to see the little worm that had dropped into his wine cup sitting on her shoulder.
” Bai, Bai…… this is Tang Bao.” Hua Qian Gu introduced.
“I am not called Bai Bai.” Bai Zi Hua said as he gave a sigh.
Hua Qian Gu flushed embarrassedly. Why couldn’t she kick the bad habit of stuttering whenever she was nervous! She did not know what call him. She couldn’t call him Shi Fu now. Calling him uncle or sir didn’t seem appropriate either.
“You can just call me Zun Shang. ” Bai Zi Hua was amused by Tang Bao who was making faces and bowing to greet him.
He waved his hand and a cloud floated down from the sky.
As Hua Qian Gu was talking, Bai Zi Hua was already standing on the cloud, looking back at her.
She immediately started climbing up, tugging and pulling on the soft and fluffy cloud as she climbed on. Bai Zi Hua ignored her. After waiting for her to finally climb, the cloud immediately ascended into mid air before she could even sit tight.
Hua Qian Gu was so scared she hugged on tight to the cloud. She stuck out her head to look down. Nonetheless, they were really flying too high and too fast, she could not see anything clearly. Other than clouds, the only thing she could see were still clouds.
Nonetheless, this was much more comfortable and stable compared to the earlier tiny leaf boat that was tossed and shaken by the wind. The speed was astounding, like a sled was riding through the sea of clouds. The ascension of the cloud was also very comfortable. Furthermore, with a stretch of her hand, she could feel the floating clouds beside her. However,these clouds did not have a fixed shape like the cloud under her now.
It is probably formed using magic. I wonder if it can be eaten. Hua Qian Gu in moment of curiosity could not help but quietly take a bite. It was soft, cottony yet light, and melted into drops of sweet dew when it entered her mouth.
Hahaha, the taste is great!
She took one mouth, and another and yet another……
“Do you intend to eat up this entire cloud?” Bai Zi Hua had kept silent for the entire journey. His sudden words gave Hua Qian Gu such a shock that she nearly choked on the cloud.
“Keke.” Hua Qian Gu laughed embarrassedly. She did not know why the usually talkative her with so many questions to ask couldn’t say anything as she sat on the cloud looking at Bai Zi Hua’s back among the clouds.
On the other hand, Tang Bao was the one who kept asking him questions or making up questions when she had none.
” Zun Shang, how far is Mt Chang Liu from here?”
” We are now at Mt Kun Lun which is at the extreme east. Mt Chang Liu is far away at the east of the eastern sea. Hence it is still a little far.” Furthermore, he was not riding the wind and there was an extra piece of “baggage” on the cloud.
“Can I continue staying with Gu Tou Mama?”
Gu Tou Mama? Bai Zi Hua looked at Hua Qian Gu. Hua Qian Gu awkwardly lowered her head
"Yes."
"Oh yeah！This is great!" Tang Bao continued sleeping in Hua Qian Gu’s ear. Hehe, now I can rest easy. After all its an immortal mountain. Even if anyone is unhappy with a small sprite like me, nobody will dare to raise any objections since Zun Shang has personally given his approval. Hmph!
It was sunset when they reached Mt Chang Liu. If they relied on Hua Qian Gu’s legs, they probably would have to walk for a few years.
On hearing Tang Bao’s excited shouts and screams, Hua Qian Gu drowsily raised her head from the cloud.
She looked around her. They were surrounded all around by waters which were a deep cerulean blue. They had long reached the top of the Eastern seas. As the sea breeze blew past her, she felt much more refreshed. As she looked in front of her she was momentarily stunned, her mouth opened so wide that she could stuff her fist in. She could only stare wordlessly at the mirage-like Mt Chang Liu.
The golden rays of the setting sun looked as though they had spilled out from a golden hole in the skies. The reflection on the sea surface shimmered.
Once in a while, beautifully patterned birds flew beside and above them, their cries like the music of woodwind pipes. Hua Qian Gu rubbed her eyes and could hardly believe it as she looked at the paradise-like mountain before her. Originally she thought that the Immortal Pool of Kun Lun was already so grand and beautiful. To think that Mt Chang Liu would be even more stunning.
The main island had a radius of a thousand li (one li is around half a kilometre) and was in an odd trigram shape, floating in mid air. Slightly above the main island, it was surrounded by three small islands which was revolving around the main island like sun, moon and stars. A giant waterfall flowed down the three small islands like a ribbon. The waterfall was as majestic as the the flow of the Milky Way across Nine Skies and flowed from the three small islands onto the main island. In turn,from the main island, the waters flowed into the sea in all directions, forming a majestic and massive curtain of water in the sky. Under the scattered rays of the setting sun, it’s beauty was surreal.
A small handful of other islands and mountains of different sizes where scattered in the sky further away. Some were were exquisite and unique while others were rugged. Contrasted against the shimmering sea, the islands looked particularly alive.
In the future, I am going to live in such a beautiful immortal realm? Hua Qian Gu felt a little giddy at the thought.
“The main island in the middle is Chang Liu Mountain. There are over 8000 disciples on the mountain. After a year of preliminary training, a disciple will select and concentrate on one of the five elements, which are metal, wood, water, fire and earth respectively, according to their own body’s characteristics and abilities. Only after the Xian Jian Da Hui, can they formally acknowledge someone as their master and be imparted skills personally by their master. Those three small islands are respective Tan Lan Dian ( Tan Lan = Greed, Dian means Hall), Xiao Hun Dian (Xiao Hun = Lust), Jue Qing Dian (Jue Qing means Heartless or Devoid of Emotions). Disciples are normally not permitted go up to these three islands. There are many rules on the island. Someone will naturally teach you all these later on.”
“Which element do you specialise in?” Hua Qian Gu raised her head and looked at him. For a long time she did not shift her gaze.
“Water.” Bai Zi Hua blandly answered. His answer so cold it chilled her to the bone.
“Oh.” She was resoluted that she would learn water related magic well so that she could acknowledge him as her teacher at the Xian Jian Da Hui one year later.
She could vaguely see a a light barrier that seemed to be formed by the three smaller islands, enveloping the main island. However she did not feel anything when she passed through it with Bai Zi Hua.
As she moved closer to the mountain on the island, the main square and main hall also came closer. Hua Qian Gu saw many people dressed in robes of various colours meditating or practising their martial arts on the main square.
Bai Zi Hua avoided the front hall and directly landed in the middle of the back hall.
” Welcome back to the mountain Zun Shang……” there was a rustling of robes as all the surrounding people kneeled down.
Hua Qian Gu slightly flustered, leapt off the cloud and followed him into the main hall. She could not help but feel uneasy as she saw everyone quietly sizing her up.
She looked all around. The main hall was grand and majestic. Expensive agar wood incense was lit in all corners of the hall.
“Shi Yi (Shi Yi means eleven)” Bai Zi Hua called.
” Your disciple is here. What instructions does Zun Shang have?”
Hua Qian Gu looked up at the person who had just arrived. His hair was as black as ink and his eyes deep. His willowy figure accentuated the elegance of his green tunic.
“This is a new disciple. Please help her make some arrangements. If there is anything inappropriate about this, you can ask me again.” He turned to leave after saying this but felt something tugging onto him. As he turned back he saw Hua Qian Gu tugging at the corner of his sleeve. Her eyes seemed to reveal a slight unease.
“It will be alright. If you don’t know anything, you can just ask Shi Yi. He will bring you around and familiarise you with your surroundings. From now on, you are an official disciple of Chang Liu.”
As Hua Qian Gu looked at Bai Zi Hua slowly walk away without turning back, she felt that he was so far away that even if she used a lifetime she could not reach him, whatmore a mere year.
The man dressed in green before her had a calm expression. He placed both hands into he sleeves as he leisurely walked on.
“I am called Luo Shi Yi, I am Zun Shang’s Senior, Mo Yan’s eldest disciple.”
“I, I am called Hua Qian Gu.”
“I am Tang Bao.” Tang Bao quietly poked her head out from Hua Qian Gu’s ear. As she had expected, her powers were still too weak. While she was alright at the Immortal’s pool, once she came to Mt Chang Liu, she was giddy beyond relief.
Luo Shi Yi’s eyes lit up. However he quickly hid his excitement and fondness. However, his long, beautiful eyes ( the literal phrasing is feng yan, which means phoenix eyes) seemed to contain a small smile.