Chapter 138: Attending a Banquet in the Heavenly Court, Greater Arising Heaven, South Heavenly Gate, Sea Demon Attack!

After chatting and exchanging pleasantries with his fellow senior apprentices for quite a while, Lu Wufei was finally able to leave the main hall, making his way toward his residence accompanied by his senior apprentices Qingfeng and Mingyue.

"Hehe, it's finally our turn!"

Walking along the covered pavilion corridor, Mingyue could not suppress his joy as he recalled what their master had said earlier. "The Immortal Realm! I've never been there before. In the past, I could only hear the senior apprentices who had been there talk about the Immortal Realm and the magnificent sights of the Heavenly Court. This time, my wish is finally going to come true..."

Unlike Qingfeng and the junior apprentice Lu Wufei, whose expressions of joy remained rather calm and composed, Mingyue made no attempt to hide his excitement. The moment they stepped out of the main hall and away from the presence of their senior apprentices, he immediately voiced his elation.

"Senior apprentices..." Lu Wufei spoke up at this moment, asking, "Do either of you happen to know when the Queen Mother's birthday falls?"

Qingfeng replied, "The third day of the third month is the birthday of the Queen Mother."

"The third day of the third month..." Hearing this, Lu Wufei mentally calculated that although the temperature within the Wuzhuang Temple's blessed land was comfortably spring-like all year round, the outside world was currently in the dead of winter.

He then asked further, "When shall we set off with Master to attend the appointment in the Heavenly Court?"

Qingfeng answered, "Either tomorrow or the day after."

"Tomorrow..." Lu Wufei was momentarily stunned. Reckoned by the external seasons, it was at most the eleventh or twelfth month of the year, which meant there were still several months left until the third day of the third month.

Just as he was about to inquire further, he suddenly recalled the celestial adage from his memories: "A single day in heaven is equivalent to a year on earth."

Hearing Senior Apprentice Qingfeng mention that they would set off tomorrow or the day after made complete sense now.

"Junior apprentice..." Mingyue looked at Lu Wufei, upon whose shoulder the little white creature was resting, and asked, "You haven't been to the Heavenly Court yet, have you?"

Lu Wufei nodded upon hearing this and replied, "No, I've only ever heard of it. Back when I was merely a minor demon, I never once imagined that I would one day have the chance to visit the Heavenly Court... To think that day is now within reach."

"Hehe." Mingyue immediately chuckled upon hearing this. "This just shows that the junior apprentice has immense good fortune, encountering such a wonderful opportunity right after returning. Senior Qingfeng and I have been waiting for many years."

Lu Wufei smiled in response and said, "Senior apprentice speaks the truth."

Indeed. No sooner had he returned than a heavenly envoy arrived to invite their master to the Peach Banquet. Then, on the very first day back at the mountain gate, he was personally chosen by their master to accompany him to the celestial banquet. What incredible luck this was.

At this moment, remembering the white-robed, white-haired, and white-bearded envoy, Lu Wufei asked once more, "Who was that heavenly envoy in the hall just now? Do my two senior apprentices happen to know?"

"I know that one," Mingyue chimed in immediately. "That old man is the Jade Emperor's special envoy, Taibai Jinxing. Whenever the Queen Mother and the Jade Emperor invite Master to a banquet, he is always the one who delivers the message. He has visited our Wuzhuang Temple many times before."

"Taibai Jinxing." Lu Wufei understood now and nodded, saying, "So that's who he is. Thank you, senior apprentice, for clearing that up."

The three junior apprentices chatted as they walked. Before long, they arrived in front of a multi-storied pavilion, which was the very same dwelling Lu Wufei had previously lived in.

Qingfeng said, "Junior apprentice has just returned and must be weary from the journey. We won't disturb you any longer. Remember to come over to the small courtyard for dinner this evening."

"Then, senior apprentices, I shall see you later."

Watching Qingfeng and Mingyue turn and walk away, Lu Wufei finally pushed open the door before him. This residence inside Wuzhuang Temple was a place he had lived in for many years. The furnishings inside the room were exactly as they had been when he left.

With a soft squeak, having returned to his home in Wuzhuang Temple, little Bai leaped straight off his father's shoulder and scurried toward the large window by the bed. It quickly hopped onto the wide windowsill, stretched out its legs and body on the familiar spot, and relaxed completely.

Lu Wufei walked into the bedroom, breathing in the faint scent of a room that had been uninhabited for a long time, and exhaled a breath.

This breath rapidly expanded, quickly sweeping across the bedroom, rushing into the living room, and scouring the entire chamber before surging toward the windowsill. It gently lifted little Bai—who was resting belly-up in a four-legs-in-the-air posture—into the air, thoroughly cleansed the windowsill beneath it, and then fluttered out the window, vanishing into thin air.

Inside the bedroom, Lu Wufei sat down once more upon the meditation mat, and his body and mind finally relaxed completely.

He let out a soft sigh and subtly moved his divine sense.

A series of pale white, glowing virtual ink-font data began to materialize before his eyes:

[Host: Lu Fei]
[Realm: Early Human Immortal Stage (252236/1000000)]
[Experience Value: 8863/19000]
[Soul Power: 1]
[Cultivation Method: Hundong Zhengang Heavenly Scripture (Consummated); Demonic Qi Inhalation Method (Consummated)]
[Abilities: Seventy-Two Transformations (Great Accomplishment) (1926/2000); Staff Technique (Consummated)]
[Divine Powers: Universe in the Sleeve (Consummated); Law Heaven and Earth (Minor Accomplishment) (266/1000); Golden Light on the Earth (Consummated); Entering Dreams (Great Accomplishment) (97/2000)...]
[...]

Looking at the data continuously manifesting before him, Lu Wufei's expression remained calm.

Over the course of a full decade, his cultivation realm value had only reached about a quarter of the early Human Immortal stage. This was the result of consuming a massive amount of flesh from Demon King-tier beasts stored within his storage space, coupled with the cultivation buff "Heavenly Wolf Swallowing the Moon" granted by his consummated divine powers, along with the reinforcement of the consummated "Hundong Zhengang Heavenly Scripture."

The extreme slowness of his cultivation progress was already evident. Without the massive influx of spiritual energy provided by the physical bodies of the three Great Barrens Demon Kings, his cultivation speed would undoubtedly have been even slower.

Moreover, because he had asked the female fox demon ancestor of the Great Barrens Mountain for assistance prior to his arrival—whereby she had extorted a considerable amount of meat from him—coupled with his uninterrupted consumption over the past decade, the remaining flesh of the three Demon Kings in his spatial storage divine power was running quite low.

Continuing downward, the experience value for soul power showed very little movement and had hardly changed at all. With Lu Wufei's current strength, unless he slew opponents of the same rank, the experience points provided by opponents below the Demon King level were pitifully small, almost negligible.

And during his ten years presiding over Taiping Mountain, given his astonishing feat of single-handedly fighting and slaying three Demon Kings of the Great Barrens Mountain, no other blind-eyed demons dared to come and cause trouble. This left him with no opportunity to farm experience points or replenish his stock of meat.

As for the soul power column, only a single point remained, which was acquired back when he slew the three Demon Kings and was left over after reinforcing the "Law Heaven and Earth" divine power. Over the years, he had learned some special divine powers, but he had never utilized them. Because soul power was exceedingly precious, he intended to reserve it for major divine powers of immense value rather than squandering it on ordinary ones.

His cultivation method had long been consummated, so no further elaboration was needed. As for the marvelous skill "Seventy-Two Transformations" under the abilities column, the closer it got to consummation, the more arduous its progression became. However, Lu Wufei had long since grown accustomed to this and remained calm and untroubled.

In the final divine power column, "Law Heaven and Earth" remained as difficult as ever. Without soul power for reinforcement, its growth had reverted to its previous snail's pace.

Then came the newly added divine power, "Entering Dreams." Back when Lu Wufei had not yet achieved the Golden Elixir stage, while still residing in this very room, the crow monster Crimson-Skin and his brothers had a butterfly demon bring him a dream that left a deep impression on him. However, having achieved the Golden Elixir stage at the time, he had been somewhat cocky and full of himself. Upon returning to the Great Barrens Mountain, there were too many matters to attend to, causing him to delay and fail to learn the butterfly demon's divine power in time. Not long after, another war broke out between Great Barrens Mountain and Fengyun Ridge, resulting in the butterfly demon perishing in that conflict. Thus, even when he later wished to learn it, he had no opportunity.

This new divine power, "Entering Dreams," was precisely what its name implied: once mastered, it allowed the user to convey messages they wished to impart to someone through a method akin to dream-sending. He had learned this skill from a minor demon under his command at Taiping Mountain. It bore some similarity to the butterfly demon's divine power, but with greater limitations.

Because this divine power could only be used by someone of higher cultivation to send dreams to someone of lower cultivation—or between equals, but never in reverse—Lu Wufei could send dreams to the crow monster Crimson-Skin or even Bai Yunxiao, yet they were unable to communicate with him through the same method unless that minor demon who possessed the "Entering Dreams" skill also attained the Human Immortal realm. Compared to the butterfly demon's ability to transcend realms in dream-sending, this "Entering Dreams" power was somewhat inferior. Still, since it retained the capability to transmit messages, Lu Wufei had gone ahead and learned it. However, he chose not to reinforce it with the sole remaining point of soul power, as it simply wasn't worth it.

After quietly reviewing the changes in his stats, Lu Wufei dismissed the data and cleared away all distracting thoughts, steadying his mind and entering into meditative cultivation.

Time slowly passed.

By evening, just as night began to fall, Lu Wufei woke up precisely from his meditation.

When he stood up and walked into the living room, little Bai immediately awoke on the windowsill, nimbly jumped down, and darted onto Lu Wufei's shoulder. This hour was dinnertime. Little Bai had long been accustomed to bumming meals from its father and remembered it firmly in its heart. Furthermore, it had overheard Senior Apprentice Qingfeng's words earlier that day.

"Squeak, squeak..."

The freshness and deliciousness of the spiritual rice was something little Bai would never tire of. Standing on its father's shoulder, it cried out excitedly, instantly brimming with energy.

Lu Wufei smiled, stroked the little fellow's head, and opened the door to step outside.

"Junior apprentice Wufei..."
"Junior apprentice Wufei..."
"Senior apprentice Chen..."
"Senior apprentice Jin..."

Along the path to the kitchen courtyard, Lu Wufei familiarly exchanged greetings with his various senior apprentices. Before long, he arrived at the courtyard and once more saw his senior apprentices Qingfeng and Mingyue. Lu Wufei was thoroughly familiar with the place.

"Junior apprentice, you're here. Just wait a moment..." Mingyue greeted Lu Wufei and, after finishing serving meals to the rest of the senior apprentices, scooped up all the remaining spiritual rice from the steamer, piling a full bowl to hand to Lu Wufei.

Accustomed to this attentive gesture from his senior apprentice, Lu Wufei quickly finished the greater half and left the remaining smaller portion for little Bai.

At that moment, Mingyue finished his chores and walked over, saying, "Junior apprentice, I've already figured it out. We shall set off tomorrow with Master to attend the banquet in the Heavenly Court!"

"Oh?" Lu Wufei asked in surprise, "How did senior apprentice find out? Could it be that Master gave instructions?"

Mingyue shook his head. "No, Master didn't say anything, but this afternoon, he instructed Qingfeng and me to go to the ginseng fruit orchard early tomorrow morning to knock down two ginseng fruits to serve as a birthday gift for the Queen Mother."

"Ginseng fruit cannot be kept fresh for long," Mingyue said with absolute certainty. "Therefore, we will undoubtedly set off tomorrow morning without a doubt."

Qingfeng walked over at that moment and smiled, concurring, "Mingyue's deduction is correct. It should indeed be tomorrow."

"Heading to the Heavenly Court tomorrow..." Hearing this, Lu Wufei felt his anticipation grow even stronger, and he smiled, saying, "That would be simply wonderful."

"To think that I, a demon by nature, would also have a day when I ascend to heaven."

Qingfeng smiled and said, "Junior apprentice need not belittle yourself."

Mingyue chimed in, "Hehe, the junior apprentice's luck is truly exceptional."

While the three senior apprentices were chatting and laughing, little Bai finished its spiritual rice, nimbly climbed back onto its father's shoulder, and rubbed its head affectionately against his cheek.

A thought suddenly occurred to Lu Wufei, and he asked, "Senior apprentices, do you know if I can bring little Bai along with me tomorrow?"

"Bring little Bai along..." Qingfeng and Mingyue were both startled by the question, and their gazes immediately fixed upon the white rat on his shoulder.

Little Bai had not fully comprehended the meaning of its father's words. Seeing all gazes suddenly focused upon it, it half-stood up, looking rather bewildered.

After a brief moment of silence, Qingfeng remained quiet, but Mingyue said, "We can give it a try. After all, the little fellow doesn't take up much space; hiding on junior apprentice's person will fit just fine."

Lu Wufei nodded at this, smiling inwardly as he looked at little Bai on his shoulder. If they really managed to pull this off, and the crow monster Crimson-Skin or even Bai Yunxiao and the other demons found out, there was no telling how envious they would be.

After helping Qingfeng and Mingyue finish cleaning up the remaining chores, Lu Wufei returned to his quarters.

The night passed in the blink of an eye.

Early the next morning, during the Mao hour, before the sky had fully brightened, Lu Wufei awoke from his meditation. He stepped out of his bedroom, purposely bringing little Bai along with him, and opened the door to walk toward the kitchen courtyard.

Even though he had attained the Human Immortal realm and his cultivation surpassed that of several senior apprentices, Lu Wufei remained the youngest junior apprentice in Wuzhuang Temple. His mindset was exceedingly calm; the very night he returned, he had pitched in with the chores, and at dawn the next day, he resumed his routine duties around the temple.

When he arrived at the courtyard, his senior apprentices Qingfeng and Mingyue had not yet arrived, so Lu Wufei began bustling about to steam the rice.

Before long, the sound of his two senior apprentices chatting and laughing drifted in from outside the courtyard. Soon, the three junior apprentices met up. After exchanging a few words and keeping in mind that they were to accompany their master to the celestial banquet today, they had all risen early.

Following the usual routine, they drew water and chopped firewood. Having accelerated through their morning tasks, it was nearly time for morning devotions. Qingfeng and Mingyue then led Lu Wufei to retrieve the golden striking pestle specifically used for harvesting ginseng fruits and a silk-lined tray, and they set off toward the ginseng fruit orchard.

Upon reaching the orchard, much like last time, Mingyue held the tray and waited beneath the tree. Qingfeng nimbly climbed up the fruit tree like a monkey, wielded the golden striking pestle, and precisely knocked down two massive ginseng fruits, which Mingyue steadily caught below with his tray.

With this task completed, the three junior apprentices carried the ginseng fruits and proceeded toward the White Jade Plaza, the designated location for their routine morning devotions.

When the three of them reached the plaza, the figure of their master, Zhenyuanzi, holding a whisk, had already materialized in midair. All the disciples immediately bowed in unison.

Zhenyuanzi looked at Qingfeng, Mingyue, and Lu Wufei, and said, "Come up here."

"Yes, Master." The three of them bowed collectively. Little Bai caught the continuous, wafting fragrance of the ginseng fruit nearby and several times wanted to poke its head out, but remembering its father's warning, it remained hidden against his chest and dared not reveal itself.

Hearing the master's voice, Lu Wufei felt a surge of joy and followed closely behind his two senior apprentices, flying up to stand beside their master.

Without a word of hesitation, Zhenyuanzi flicked his whisk and swept his three disciples away at tremendous speed.

Below them, all the disciples bowed in unison, calling out, "Respectfully seeing off Master."

Standing beside his master, before he even had time to react, Lu Wufei felt a flash of dazzling light stream past his eyes. The sky around them instantly cleared into a vast expanse of bright clouds and moonlit vistas. Opening his eyes once more, he found himself situated amidst a boundless, gorgeously magnificent high-altitude realm.

In the distant heights far ahead, an unimaginably massive golden palace spanning countless miles stood proudly atop an endless expanse of white clouds, radiating a brilliant, dazzling light.

"This is..." Lu Wufei felt a sudden jolt of shock in his heart. They had just been above the blessed land of Wuzhuang Temple, yet in the blink of an eye, without knowing how many thousands of miles they had traversed or how many layers of heaven they had ascended, they had arrived here.

Gazing at the gigantic palace floating upon the clouds in the distance—a sight that inspired instantaneous awe with merely a glance—Lu Wufei felt a flash of enlightenment in his heart, realizing that this cloud palace must be the legendary...

"Master, is that the 'Heavenly Court' mentioned in the texts?" At this moment, Mingyue, his eyes wide open as he stared at the cloud palace, could not help but ask.

Lu Wufei and Qingfeng both looked toward their master as well. Although they each harbored their own guesses, with their master present, only his words would make it official.

"Indeed it is," Zhenyuanzi replied, stroking his fine beard as he nodded at Mingyue's query.

Hearing their master's confirmation, Mingyue's eyes lit up brightly, and he asked again, "Master, rumor has it that the Jade Emperor resides within the 'Hall of Miraculous Mist' in the Highest Heaven. Have we arrived at the Highest Heaven now?"

"Do not be insolent!" Zhenyuanzi rebuked sternly upon hearing his youngest disciple casually address the Jade Emperor by title.

Chastised by his master, Mingyue instantly shrank his head back and obediently replied, "This student knows he was wrong and will never dare do it again."

Only then did Zhenyuanzi nod and say, "This is indeed the location of the Highest Heaven, and the Celestial Lord resides within the 'Hall of Miraculous Mist.' Our destination right now is the South Heavenly Gate of the Heavenly Court."

Just when Mingyue had casually referred to the Jade Emperor earlier, Lu Wufei had sensed trouble. While they usually spoke without such strict taboos during casual chats, in the presence of their master, within the Highest Heaven, and right outside the gates of the "Heavenly Court," casually using such a direct address for the Jade Emperor was a severe breach of etiquette. Sure enough, he immediately heard his master's reprimand.

Zhenyuanzi sped onward, leading his three disciples swiftly toward the distant heavenly palace.

After a brief moment of quiet obedience, Mingyue inquired once more, "Master, this student has heard that the Heavenly Court possesses a total of four heavenly gates, corresponding to the four great continents. In that case, the one corresponding to our Western Niuhe Continent should be the West Heavenly Gate. Why are we heading to the South Heavenly Gate instead?"

Hearing Mingyue's renewed questioning, Lu Wufei, drawing upon his past life memories, harbored his own hypotheses. At that moment, a sudden disturbance came from his chest as a tiny head topped with pitch-black, alert eyes poked out. Staring widely at the surroundings, especially at the distant cloud palace, the little creature wore an expression of intense excitement.

Lu Wufei stroked the little fellow's head to signal it to stay quiet, and by this point, he no longer felt worried. The fact that his master hadn't spoken meant he tacitly permitted him to bring the little creature along.

"Because the South Heavenly Gate is the main entrance," Zhenyuanzi answered casually.

As they spoke, the group traveled at an astonishing speed. In the blink of an eye, a towering, majestic, and immensely dignified archway loomed into Lu Wufei's field of vision.

Upon the plaque at the very top were inscribed three dignified and archaic characters: **South Heavenly Gate**.

---

Far to the north of the Western Niuhe Continent, amidst the boundless, primordial wilderness of towering mountains, lay the territories of the Great Barrens Mountain and Taiping Mountain ranges.

High up in the sky, led by a tall, striking female figure with raven-black hair, red lips, an icy and captivating demeanor, and a magnificent black robe, a group of fierce-looking demons with overwhelming demonic auras stood proudly, gazing into the distance with soaring momentum.

High in the sky opposite the horde of demons, a vast expanse of surging water floated mid-air. Atop the crest of the waves stood a middle-aged man clad in golden armor, wearing a stern and naturally dignified expression, holding a long spear upright. Behind him, a massive host of aquatic half-demons bearing the distinct features of various sea creatures glared menacingly across the sky at the terrestrial demons opposite them.

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*(End of Chapter)*