Chapter 103: Great Battle With Red Boy
However, Ao Tu accepted the task of delivering the pills, bid farewell to Golden Horn and Silver Horn, and took Little Flood Dragon out of Dou Shuai Palace.
The two arrived at Dou Niu Palace, where Ao Tu bypassed the outer guards and went straight inside.
Passing the outer palace, he saw in the pavilion that two Star Lords were standing together, arranging two star charts.
These two were from the Northern Xuanwu Seven Mansions: Dou Mu Xie and Niu Jin Niu.
Ao Tu watched intently and saw that one of the star charts was the ancient Southern Dipper Stars, governing the Seven Killers star cluster, totaling sixteen thousand stars in the cluster chart; the other was the current Southern Dipper Stars, Seven Killers star cluster, totaling five thousand four hundred stars in the cluster chart.
Time passes and situations change; many stars have already shifted positions.
The two Star Lords were comparing these two star charts, imitating the ancient to match the present.
Ao Tu watched for a while and also reached out to point out a few displaced stars.
The two Star Lords looked in the direction Ao Tu indicated and laughed, “Exactly! Exactly! These few stars…”
Suddenly, the two reacted, turned back, and saw Ao Tu.
The two said in surprise, “Great King, how do you have time to come here?”
Little Flood Dragon followed behind and, hearing this form of address, couldn’t help looking at Ao Tu with eyes full of confusion. This was the bit of connections Fifth Brother mentioned?
Ao Tu laughed, “Since we’re in the Heavenly Realm, don’t call me Great King anymore. I’m here to ask for your help.”
Ao Tu then stated his purpose.
Hearing this, the two hurriedly invited Ao Tu and Little Flood Dragon inside to the inner hall.
Inside, they met many more Star Lords, including Taibai Jinxing and Moon Star Lord.
Ao Tu chatted happily with everyone.
Taibai Jinxing said, “This matter is not difficult. The various sand star clusters have vacancies. I can recommend with the other Star Lords to make him an Underworld Water Star Official. How about that?”
Ao Tu laughed, “Thank you for your care.”
At this time, a Star Official came over and said to Ao Tu, “Your Majesty Gou Chen requests your presence.”
Hearing this, Ao Tu bid farewell to the immortals, followed the Star Official, and went over.
Crossing a star bridge, they arrived at an immortal hall. Entering, he saw Gou Chen the Great sitting at the head, wearing a crown with beads and a dragon robe, majestic and solemn.
Ao Tu bowed, “Your Majesty.”
Gou Chen the Great laughed, “I bet with Zi Wei. He said you took that sword and would need ten thousand years to recover; I said eight thousand years. Mother said it would be seen tomorrow, and sure enough, it has come true today.”
Ao Tu said, “It was just a bit of minor fortune. To be honest, my chest still aches to this day.”
Hearing this, Gou Chen the Great took out a blue jade treasure box and handed it to Ao Tu, saying:
“This is the medicinal paste given by Moon Star Lord, called the Great Medicine, colored like glazed tile. It can harmonize the Five Elements and raise and lower the two qi. Take it to heal your wounds; don’t refuse. First, to thank you for the formation diagram you gave; second, I’ve recently encountered some troubles and want to ask for your assistance.”
Ao Tu asked, “I wonder what troubles Your Majesty has?”
Gou Chen the Great said:
“In ancient times, there was a great war. Heaven tilted to the northwest, disaster struck the starry sky, causing stars to collapse and constellations to shift, leading to today’s pattern of mansions.
Zi Wei and I discussed reshaping the ancient stars, shifting stars and changing constellations to restore the ancient star pattern. This has three benefits:
First, the stars shining together can bless all beings; second, the Dipper handle returning to the wall can protect Ling Xiao; third, the ancient star formation can guard against future threats.
I asked Long Geng to petition, and the Jade Emperor, upon learning, has already approved.
However, the immortals petitioned: ‘The current star pattern must not be lightly changed. Moreover, the Three Realms are now peaceful, and the heavenly beings are submissive. Why take this extra step?'”
Ao Tu said upon hearing, “The immortals are only minding their own interests, hence these words.”
Gou Chen the Great said, “Exactly. You’ve been in the Mortal Realm for a long time. Do you know of any fierce demons down there that can be used to warn the immortals?”
Ao Tu laughed, “Your Majesty, I happen to know a demon.”
Gou Chen the Great said, “What demon?”
Ao Tu said, “Named Sea of Blood Great King, truly extremely fierce.”
Gou Chen the Great said, “Sea of Blood Great King… I wonder about his abilities?”
Ao Tu laughed, “Your Majesty, rest assured. The truth will be seen soon.”
Ao Tu bowed farewell to Gou Chen and left Dou Niu Palace.
Little Flood Dragon stayed in Dou Niu Palace.
Underworld Water Star Official is just a minor position; such a small matter, Taibai Jinxing would arrange properly, no need for Ao Tu to worry.
Ao Tu left Dou Niu Palace and headed to Jade Pond.
Jade Pond was crowded with eyes everywhere, so Ao Tu couldn’t meet in his true form. Thus, he transformed into a crimson-robed male immortal and went to pay respects.
The one who came to greet Ao Tu was a Red Clad Fairy, beautiful in appearance and courteous in demeanor.
Seeing Ao Tu, she asked:
“I wonder from which immortal land you come, and what is your business at Jade Pond?”
Ao Tu said, “I am a mere itinerant cultivator, sent by Lao Jun to deliver immortal pills to Queen Mother.”
Red Clad Fairy said doubtfully, “I know everyone from Dou Shuai Palace. How have I never seen you?”
Ao Tu said, “I received the order by chance and am not from Dou Shuai Palace.”
Red Clad Fairy heard this and slightly looked down on Ao Tu, asking, “Where are the immortal pills?”
Ao Tu took out the treasure box.
Red Clad Fairy reached out, “Give the immortal pills to me, and I will pass them to Queen Mother.”
Ao Tu withdrew the treasure box and shook his head, “Please trouble Fairy to announce me.”
Red Clad Fairy said, “You itinerant cultivator really don’t understand affairs. Queen Mother is the foremost female immortal, handling ten thousand matters daily. How could she have time for such trivialities?”
Seeing this, Ao Tu thought for a moment, took out a Bodhi Seed that glowed faintly, emanating a serene and clear fragrance.
Ao Tu placed the Bodhi Seed in Red Clad Fairy’s palm and asked:
“Does Fairy know the origin of this item?”
Red Clad Fairy said in utmost surprise:
“This is a Western Bodhi Seed. I once saw at the Peach Banquet a Western Bodhisattva offering this to Queen Mother.”
Ao Tu laughed, “This item aids cultivation. Why doesn’t Fairy try it?”
Hearing this, Red Clad Fairy placed the Bodhi Seed on her forehead. Pure qi circulated, and she instantly felt her whole body enlightened, as if clouds had parted. All the previously muddled and obscure parts of her cultivation suddenly cleared.
Ao Tu asked, “Is it effective?”
Red Clad Fairy opened her eyes, held the Bodhi Seed like a treasure, looked at Ao Tu and said, “You itinerant immortal, why are you so good to me?”
Ao Tu laughed, “This is a small matter, nothing much.”
Red Clad Fairy pursed her lips, “You’re so good to me, but I have nothing to repay you with.”
Ao Tu laughed, “No need to repay. Just please announce me, so I can deliver these two items to Queen Mother.”
Red Clad Fairy nodded, about to agree, but suddenly thought of something and asked, “Two items? One is the immortal pill; what is the other?”
Ao Tu laughed, “It’s the Bodhi Seed! Haven’t I already given it to you? I once disrupted Queen Mother’s grand banquet; this Bodhi Seed is a gift of apology.”
Hearing this, Red Clad Fairy’s almond eyes widened as she stared at Ao Tu, utterly embarrassed and angry.
How could she not know Ao Tu was teasing her now?
Thinking of her earlier behavior, Red Clad Fairy felt both shy and angry, but helpless, so she stamped her foot in place and went to report to Queen Mother.
Seeing her leave, Ao Tu couldn’t help bursting into laughter.
In the flower pond nearby, a Crimson Pearl Immortal Grass also bent over laughing.
Ao Tu saw it, recognized it, and reached out a finger to tease it.
Crimson Pearl Immortal Grass angrily swatted Ao Tu with its branches.
Ao Tu laughed, “Don’t you remember me?”
Ao Tu released a wisp of his previous aura.
Crimson Pearl Immortal Grass remembered and gently rubbed Ao Tu’s finger with its branches.
Ao Tu then noticed that Crimson Pearl Immortal Grass had a bent injury at its waist, likely from an accidental fall during planting.
Ao Tu took out Moon Star Lord’s medicinal paste, scooped a little—glazed-tile-like—and applied it to Crimson Pearl Immortal Grass’s waist. The injury healed in moments.
Not only that, the paste’s power was extraordinary; it not only healed the injury but greatly boosted Crimson Pearl Immortal Grass’s cultivation.
Crimson Pearl Immortal Grass swayed gently, thanking Ao Tu.
At this time, Red Clad Fairy came out.
Ao Tu hurriedly straightened his posture.
Red Clad Fairy noticed nothing unusual and said seriously, “Queen Mother summons you.”
Ao Tu followed Red Clad Fairy inside.
Passing the emerald water mysterious platform and twelve jade towers, they saw three palaces: Green Peach, Blue Luan, and Stone Qilin.
Ao Tu followed Red Clad Fairy to the central Green Peach Palace.
Queen Mother resided in the hall.
Ao Tu paid respects according to etiquette and presented Lao Jun’s pills.
Queen Mother looked at Ao Tu and laughed, “I heard Old Mother Li Shan mention you. Why not show your true form?”
Ao Tu said, “I’m afraid others seeing it would cause gossip.”
Queen Mother said, “No matter. These are all my trusted people here.”
Red Clad Fairy stood to the side, her almond eyes glaring at Ao Tu.
After teasing her like that, she wanted to see what this person’s true form looked like!
Ao Tu was somewhat surprised in his heart; he hadn’t expected this Red Clad Fairy to be Queen Mother’s confidante. Previously, he thought she was just an ordinary fairy, so he teased her, but now…
Ao Tu thought no more and revealed his true form in the hall.
Red Clad Fairy saw it, her almond eyes flickering, her red lips slightly parted, thinking, “This guy has such a fine appearance, so why did he transform to hide it?”
Queen Mother praised, “Truly a man of talent and bearing.”
Queen Mother then invited Ao Tu to sit and chatted with him.
Just some casual family matters.
Ao Tu was somewhat puzzled.
After talking for about an hour and a quarter, Queen Mother let Ao Tu leave.
Outside, Ao Tu changed his appearance again.
Red Clad Fairy couldn’t help saying, “Changing appearance again, hiding this and that—you clearly aren’t a good person!”
Ao Tu smiled and said seriously, “Fairy, it was rude of me earlier. Seeing you unwilling to announce me, and unable to reveal my true form, I resorted to this lower strategy. Please don’t blame me.”
Ao Tu took out a pear, placed it in Red Clad Fairy’s hand, and said, “Consider this an apology.”
Seeing this, Red Clad Fairy, with red-rimmed eyes, angrily looked at Ao Tu, returned the pear, and said, “What do you take me for!” Then she stormed off angrily.
Ao Tu shook his head and sighed lightly.
Red Clad Fairy returned to her room, still feeling aggrieved.
Green Clad Fairy, White Clad Fairy, Black Clad Fairy, Purple-clothed Fairy, Yellow Clad Fairy, and Blue Clad Fairy came to ask what happened.
Red Clad Fairy at first didn’t say, but couldn’t withstand her sisters’ persistent questioning and told them everything.
Green Clad Fairy said angrily upon hearing, “How dare he bully Big Sister like that! Let’s report to Queen Mother and accuse him of improper conduct!”
The other fairies all agreed.
Red Clad Fairy hurriedly said upon hearing, “Don’t report to Queen Mother!”
The fairies crowded over and asked:
“Big Sister, why not go?”
“Big Sister, only by reporting to Queen Mother can we avenge you!”
“Yes, Big Sister!”
Red Clad Fairy lowered her head and said hesitantly, “Actually, I was also at fault…”
