377: Chapter 378 Three Young Girls Become Apprentices; No Negligence Allowed

The motorcade spiraled up the winding mountain road.

The difficulty of the Shu road is harder than ascending to the blue sky.

But for this group, it was like walking on flat ground.

The horses pulling the carriages had wind under their hooves and long, steady breaths; they were clearly no ordinary steeds.

The guarding Embroidered Uniform Guards had sharp eyes, moving silently.

The Golden Summit of Emei was visible in the distance.

A sea of clouds churned, supporting a brand-new palace complex.

Unlike the common red walls and yellow tiles, this grand hall was built entirely of cyan jade, with roofs covered in blue glazed tiles, shimmering like flowing water under the sunlight.

The eaves were upturned, hanging with bronze bells; when the mountain wind blew, they chimed with a clear and melodious sound.

Above the hall entrance hung a huge plaque, neither gold nor wood, glowing faintly. On it were three ancient, simple seal characters written by Lu Chen himself — "Three Xiao Palace".

"Your Majesty, this craftsmanship," Yin Susu raised an eyebrow, "looks even more imposing than the Zhenwu Hall of that old Daoist on Wudang Mountain."

Lu Chen said calmly, "The ones enshrined here are my three Senior Sisters, so naturally, it must be more magnificent."

The carriage stopped steadily in the huge square in front of the Three Xiao Palace.

The square had long been swept clean, paved with bluestone slabs, spotless.

The Disciples of the Emei Sect had all changed into brand-new water-blue Daoist robes, with cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs and hems.

Arranged by seniority and cultivation, they stood neatly on both sides of the square, holding their breath and standing solemnly with hands lowered.

The Twelve Jing of Emei had returned with the imperial carriage, but they had ridden fast to return to Emei early to prepare for the arrival.

"Emei Disciples, respectfully welcome Your Majesty! Respectfully welcome the consorts! Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!"

The voices were uniform, filled with excitement and awe.

Their eyes looking at Lu Chen were filled with fanaticism.

This Emperor had not only conferred a title on Imperial Concubine Fang, raising the status of the Emei Sect, but had also personally designated Emei to build this Three Xiao Palace, allowing the entire School to climb the towering tree that is the Jie Sect!

What kind of grace was this? What kind of Luck?

"At ease." Lu Chen waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the square and the brand-new palace, nodding slightly.

Not bad, the construction quality was good; the Ministry of Works hadn't slacked off.

He strode towards the main hall of the Three Xiao Palace.

Yin Susu, Fang Yanqing, Ji Xiaofu, Yang Huangyi, and Dai Qisi followed closely behind.

Fengling Shitai and several Elders followed respectfully to the side and behind.

Stepping into the hall, a fresh and majestic aura rushed towards them.

The interior of the hall was extremely spacious, with high domes painted with the stars of the universe and fairy islands in the sea of clouds.

The floor was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the scene in the hall.

Directly in front were three huge statues.

In the center was Goddess Yunxiao, with a dignified and compassionate face, holding the Hunyuan Golden Dipper.

On the left was Goddess Qiongxiao, heroic and spirited, holding the Golden Dragon Scissors.

On the right was Goddess Bixiao, with a slightly naive air, holding the Dragon-Binding Rope.

The three statues were all carved from rare warm jade, with light flowing through them, vivid and lifelike, as if they would walk down from the altar at any moment.

On the incense table in front of the statues, incense burners, candlesticks, and offerings were all complete.

"Your Majesty, since the day the palace was completed, Emei Disciples have been chanting scriptures day and night, and the incense has never ceased." Jingxuan reported respectfully.

Lu Chen didn't speak, but walked to the incense table.

He took three long incense sticks that had been prepared from the hands of Zhu Jiuzhen, who was standing to the side.

Pointing his fingers like a sword, he lightly tapped the tips of the incense.

Whoosh!

The three incense sticks ignited without fire, rising with three straight wisps of blue smoke. The smoke condensed in the air, faintly forming the shapes of lotus flowers, auspicious clouds, and cranes, lingering for a long time.

The fragrance permeated, clear and sweet, making people feel refreshed and relaxed, as if all fatigue had been washed away.

The mere act of lighting the incense shocked the Emei Disciples.

Lu Chen held the three incense sticks and bowed slightly towards the statues of the Three Xiao Goddesses.

Only then did Lu Chen speak in a tone as if chatting about daily life: "Three Senior Sisters."

The voice was not loud, but it echoed clearly in the empty hall.

"Your Junior Brother here has been experiencing the Lower Realm and, by chance, became the Emperor of the Great Ming in this mortal world."

He paused and glanced sideways at the five stunning women behind him.

"Look, these are your Junior Brothers' wives."

The corner of Yin Susu's mouth twitched imperceptibly.

Fang Yanqing remained expressionless, but her earlobes quietly turned red.

Ji Xiaofu and Yang Huangyi lowered their heads, extremely shy.

"You also know that our Jie Sect previously... well, had a little situation." Lu Chen said in a relaxed tone, "The Daoist temple was gone, and the incense was cut off."

"Your Little Junior Brother here felt bad about it."

"So, today, right here on Mount Emei, I am restoring the Daoist temple for the three Senior Sisters and reshaping your golden bodies."

He pointed to the three statues with the glowing light with the incense.

"This specification, these Materials, are definitely not worse than those guys from the Chan Sect! The standards are aligned with Wudang Mountain to ensure full signal in the Immortal Realm!"

This... why did it sound so awkward?

Everyone had completely given up on thinking.

Lu Chen inserted the incense into the burner and clapped his hands.

"Alright, the venue is set up for you."

"If the three Senior Sisters know about this in the Immortal Realm, please look after your Junior Brother more often."

"Bless your Junior Brother so that everything in this mortal world goes smoothly."

He touched his chin and added:

"When I finish my training one day and return to the Immortal Realm, I certainly won't come empty-handed."

"At that time, I will bring the three Senior Sisters several big boxes of... well, local specialties from the mortal world, to show my filial piety."

Several big boxes... of local specialties?

Filial piety?

Was this really talking to three powerful beings who shook the Primordial Era?

Inside the hall, there was a deathly silence.

Only the blue smoke in the incense burner curled upwards.

Lu Chen seemed very satisfied with his speech, turned around, and waved at the five concubines who were still stunned.

"Come, come, come, all of you come over."

"Get to know the place, kneel and pay respects to your Senior Sisters; these three Senior Sisters of mine will surely bless you."

The five women looked at each other and finally walked forward.

They looked at the three majestic statues, and then at Lu Chen, who had a "come and pay your respects" expression on his face, feeling complicated.

Yin Susu took a deep breath, stepped forward first, and bowed gracefully.

She raised her head, looked at the statues, and said in a clear voice: "Junior Sister-in-law Yin Susu, pays respects to the three Senior Sisters."

After bowing, she stepped aside and secretly glared at Lu Chen.

This seniority was a mess!

Fang Yanqing was the second to step forward, her movements crisp and neat, bowing slightly:

"Junior Sister-in-law Fang Yanqing, pays respects to the Senior Sisters."

She was still as cold as frost, but deep in her eyes, a strange light seemed to flash.

Ji Xiaofu and Yang Huangyi stepped forward together, their movements gentle and synchronized, their voices as soft as mosquitoes: "Junior Sister-in-law Ji Xiaofu (Yang Huangyi), pays respects to the Senior Sisters."

Both of them had flushed cheeks and did not dare to look up.

Finally, it was Dai Qisi, who shyly performed the etiquette of a Central Plains woman.

"Junior... Junior Sister-in-law... Dai Qisi... pays respects to... Senior Sisters?"

The five beautiful women of different styles had thus become the "Junior Sisters-in-law" of the Three Xiao Goddesses.

Lu Chen nodded with satisfaction.

"Mm, that's right."

He stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the three statues again, with a meaningful smile on his lips.

Karma, it must be planted first.

When he returns to the Immortal Realm in the future, this bit of incense connection will always be of some use.

As for the Emei Sect...

From today on, it belongs to the "Jie" Sect.

He turned his gaze to Fengling Shitai, his voice returning to calm:

"Jingxuan."

Jingxuan was startled and quickly stepped forward: "Junior... is here!"

"Emei must serve the three Goddesses well." Lu Chen instructed, "In addition, here are the Nine Yin Manual and the Nine Yang True Scripture. All the Twelve Jing of Emei can Cultivate them. As for the others, teach them according to their aptitude."

"As for the selection of the women's army officers, your Master will personally supervise it."

Jingxuan bowed again: "Thank you for Your Majesty's grace! The Emei Sect will never let down Your Majesty's trust, nor the favor of the Goddesses!"

Lu Chen nodded and looked at Yin Susu.

Yin Susu beckoned behind her, "Minmin, Li'er, Xiao Zhao, all three of you come here."

Lu Chen looked at the three girls; one was the daughter of the Marquis of Ruyang, one was Yin Susu's niece, and one was Dai Qisi's Han Zhao.

"From today on, you three will join Emei, follow Master Jingxuan to practice, and you must not slack off!"