Chapter 136 Departure

That is right. This Holy Maiden of Wusheng is none other than the current Emperor's own sister, Princess Yuzhen.

Who would have thought that someone who should have been at the Yuzhen Taoist Temple in Chang'an would suddenly transform into the Holy Maiden of Wusheng of the Wusheng Sect.

Jiang Chen felt as if the world had become somewhat surreal.

Moreover, Princess Yuzhen's cultivation had also changed; she was already at the Life Wheel Realm.

Relying on her ability to peer into people's hearts, she had easily seen through the inner thoughts of everyone present, except for Jiang Chen and his companions.

Such a technique—used for good, it is righteous; used for evil, it is the greatest evil under heaven!

"This Daoist is unaware of when Princess Yuzhen, who should be far away in Chang'an, became the Saintess of the Wusheng Sect in Hao Prefecture."

"Giggle, giggle!"

Princess Yuzhen let out a soft laugh, her voice as crisp as a bell.

"There are many things that Junior Brother does not know. Maintaining a bit of mystery is what makes one more attractive, isn't it?"

Jiang Chen smiled slightly and said, "Since Your Highness is unwilling to speak, then so be it. I am just curious, who exactly is this The Unborn Venerable Mother?"

"Wrong, wrong. Junior Brother is wrong. Wusheng Laomu is not a person; she is a god!"

Looking at Princess Yuzhen's insincere expression, Jiang Chen could not tell for a moment whether she was being sarcastic or if she truly believed it.

"Wusheng Laomu naturally intends to spread divine grace across the land, benefiting hundreds of millions of common people."

Jiang Chen was just about to speak when, suddenly, a voice intruded.

"I was not aware that there was such a deity as The Unborn Venerable Mother in this world."

Princess Yuzhen's expression shifted slightly; she had not sensed any warning signs at all.

Hearing the voice, Jiang Chen realized who had arrived. He bowed toward the Void Realm, "Ancestral Master."

The phantom of Zhang Daoling felt his vanity greatly satisfied and manifested his form from the void.

Seeing the phantom of Zhang Daoling, Princess Yuzhen finally realized who had arrived.

Both the Imperial family and the Wusheng Sect had already received news of his arrival in the mortal realm.

"So it is the Ancestral Master himself. This Junior, Li Chiying, pays her respects to the Ancestral Master." Princess Yuzhen cupped her hands and bowed slightly.

"Since you know it is the Ancestral Master before you, why do you not perform the kowtow? Could it be that you feel I am unworthy?"

"This... this Junior would not dare." Princess Yuzhen's expression stiffened. After a moment of hesitation, she knelt down.

Resting her hands on the ground, she touched her forehead to the back of her hands and kowtowed three times. "This Junior, Li Chiying, pays her respects to the Ancestral Master True Lord."

Zhang Daoling curled his lip and said with disdain, "Forget it. You are not a Disciple of my Daoist sect, so there is no need for such formalities."

"..."

Princess Yuzhen's face went completely rigid. If she had not realized by now that the phantom of Zhang Daoling was intentionally toying with her, she would not be the sharp-witted Holy Maiden of Wusheng she was known to be.

Jiang Chen's mouth twitched. He felt that Zhang Daoling was going a bit too far, but why did he inexplicably feel a sense of satisfaction?

"The Unborn Venerable Mother, I would like to know which old immortal that is!"

The phantom of Zhang Daoling said coldly, and before Princess Yuzhen could react, he gently tapped her forehead with one finger.

But the next instant, he withdrew his finger. The process was so fast that Princess Yuzhen almost did not react in time.

The phantom of Zhang Daoling frowned slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he muttered, "Even I cannot probe the foundation. It must be some fellow who has hidden their name and origins, taking the Incarnation of The Unborn Venerable Mother. Their plans are not small."

Jiang Chen knew that the phantom of Zhang Daoling was saying this intentionally for him to hear, so that he would be vigilant in the future.

"Alright, little girl, go play in the mud somewhere else. When adults are talking, children should not listen."

Princess Yuzhen was somewhat incensed and said sullenly, "This Junior takes her leave." With that, she activated her movement technique and fled into the distance.

"This girl has quite the ambition..." The phantom of Zhang Daoling watched her retreating back and laughed. "However, the more ambitious a woman is, the harder she is to deal with. You must be cautious."

Jiang Chen did not know whether to laugh or cry: "Ancestral Master, I do not have those kinds of thoughts about her."

"I am just afraid she might have those thoughts about you."

"..."

"Ancestral Master, did you not go to have a Daoist duel with my Revered Master? What was the result?"

Hearing this, the phantom of Zhang Daoling immediately said with a hint of disdain, "That goes without saying. No matter how strong your Revered Master is, could he be my match? Have you ever heard the saying, 'Ginger is still spicier when it is old'?"

Meanwhile, far away at Mount Mao, Grand Master Sima Chengzhen suddenly felt something, frowned slightly, and performed a divination.

He could not calculate it, but by not being able to calculate it, he knew who it was. He chuckled, shook his head, stopped paying attention, and continued to focus his mind on Cultivation.

"I cannot stay in this mortal world for long. This time, I came only to bid you farewell."

Suddenly, the phantom of Zhang Daoling became somewhat melancholic. Jiang Chen was also silent. Although they had only known each other for a day, Zhang Daoling truly felt like an elder to him.

"Do not be sad. Since ancient times, who among mortals has ever escaped death?"

The phantom of Zhang Daoling consoled Jiang Chen, but after such consolation, Jiang Chen felt even more sorrowful.

"Besides, I am only leaving temporarily, not dying."

Jiang Chen choked, almost unable to hold back. Then what was all that foreshadowing you did earlier for? Just for fun?

It was like pushing someone into a furnace, only for a family member to suddenly arrive and say it was a mistake, and that the person inside was alive.

"Hehe." Having successfully teased Jiang Chen, Zhang Daoling smiled knowingly. Immediately, his expression became serious.

"I just do not know when I will wake up again, but remember one thing."

"External things are ultimately external. Only by constantly Cultivating oneself can one attain the One."

Jiang Chen was thoughtful: "This Disciple will remember it."

"Alright, I have said all that needs to be said. That is all. I should go and see the prosperity of the human world now!"

"Ancestral Master, will you not go back to Mount Longhu to take a look?"

"What is there to see with those little rascals? It is upsetting to look at them, better not to go."

As his voice fell, the phantom of Zhang Daoling had gradually faded into the formless, disappearing without a trace.

Jiang Chen stared at the place where he had vanished, unable to collect his thoughts for a long time. After a while, Princess Yuzhen walked over, not forgetting to glance around.

"Has the Ancestral Master left?"

"Yes, he has left."

Hearing Jiang Chen's tone, Princess Yuzhen did indeed misunderstand, thinking that by 'left', he meant dead.

After all, anyone would know that although Zhang Daoling had manifested in the mortal world, that state clearly could not last long.

"Junior Brother, you will not tell anyone about what you saw just now, will you?"

Princess Yuzhen asked with a beaming smile, though in that smile, there was somehow a sense of gnashing teeth.

"What does Your Highness hope I saw?"

"That is good. Are you heading south to pray for rain?"

Jiang Chen nodded: "That is correct."

"Then you have likely made a wasted trip. Most places in the Huainan Circuit have already had rain prayed for by various Daoist sects."

Jiang Chen felt no regret upon hearing this; if it could rain sooner, it would ultimately make things easier for the common people.

"However, you could go to Chuzhou. The evil spirits there have not yet been eradicated. With Junior Brother's strength, you should be able to get a share of the spoils."