The Celestial Emperor Descends to the Mortal Realm
The Mortal Realm.
Light Stream Town.
Having bought clothes, Chen Ping'an and Su Ling chatted and laughed as they headed back to their courtyard.
Chen Ping'an carried a newly purchased umbrella in his hand.
The change in the sky earlier had given him quite a fright.
Not only did the sky suddenly darken, but there was lightning and thunder, and the ground even trembled slightly.
It was as terrifying as if the heavens were about to unleash a deluge.
Fortunately, it only lasted a short while before the world returned to calm.
Chen Ping'an found it extraordinarily wondrous.
As for Su Ling, she remained adorably radiant, completely unfazed.
When she smiled, her cute little fang peeked out, and two shallow dimples appeared on her cheeks.
Chen Ping'an really wanted to seize the opportunity when Su Ling wasn't paying attention and plant a kiss on those rosy cheeks.
They were just too tempting.
Su Ling was delighted.
This time, Chen Ping'an had bought her five outfits in total, so she could wear a new one every day.
Before reaching the courtyard gate, Chen Ping'an noticed someone standing outside.
It was Long Aotian.
Chen Ping'an's eyes lit up as he quickened his pace and smiled, "Long, why don't you go inside and have a seat? You haven't been waiting out here this whole time, have you?"
The moment Long Aotian saw Chen Ping'an, his eyes widened in shock.
In his eyes, it seemed the entire world around Chen Ping'an was filled with dao principles and rhymes!
Witnessing this astonishing sight and recalling the terrifying kitchen knife from earlier, Long Aotian gazed at Chen Ping'an with utmost reverence.
He was certain that dreadful kitchen knife must be Chen Ping'an's weapon!
Without a doubt!
"Greetings, senior!"
Long Aotian bowed deeply with the utmost respect before answering Chen Ping'an's question, "Since you weren't here, senior, I didn't feel right going inside."
His reasoning was simple.
He couldn't do anything that might provoke his senior's ire.
Not even the slightest misstep!
He wasn't just afraid of the terrifying beings in the courtyard, but also feared offending Chen Ping'an by barging in uninvited.
After all, everyone had their privacy.
Having lived for so many years, he was well aware of such social etiquette.
Chen Ping'an felt helpless about Long Aotian's behavior but didn't stop him, knowing it would be futile.
"From now on, just go inside and wait whenever you come, Long. Last time I was rather rude, so this time I need to properly receive you."
With that, Chen Ping'an smiled and led the way inside, deciding to serve Long Aotian some of his prized tea leaves.
Long Aotian nodded and followed.
As he did, he also glanced at Su Ling.
Su Ling smiled and called out "Grandpa" to him in an extremely well-behaved manner.
This was the second time Long Aotian had seen Su Ling. The first time, he was frightened by her powerful aura. But now, observing her closely, he was stunned again.
What an adorable little girl!
Wow, I want to pinch her cheeks!
Long Aotian's withered old heart instantly melted.
Once inside, Long Aotian's gaze wandered around the room.
He noticed the magical artifact in the corner, reminding him of the earlier events.
Then his eyes swept across the space, searching for that kitchen knife capable of destroying the heavens and earth.
As they entered, he peered through a narrow gap towards the kitchen.
And that's when he saw it!
Lying quietly on the chopping board was the kitchen knife. Long Aotian's breathing quickened as his body trembled uncontrollably.
He looked back at Chen Ping'an.
Just who are you, senior?
You say you're an immortal, but I don't think that's it!
Yet I truly don't know what existence lies beyond an immortal!
Long Aotian sat down but didn't forget his purpose for coming. He quickly took out an exquisite white crystal box adorned with snowflake patterns from his ring.
"Senior, what you asked for is inside," he said.
Chen Ping'an's eyes flashed as he carefully opened the box.
A chilling air rushed out, causing him to shiver.
Damn!
Seeing the contents, Chen Ping'an couldn't help but exclaim in praise.
It wasn't ice, but a translucent crystal rod about the size of a palm.
Chen Ping'an could sense the temperature inside the box was well below freezing.
"Excellent, many thanks, Long!" Chen Ping'an smiled at Long Aotian, mentally noting the favor.
He did feel a bit guilty since he hadn't actually purchased it.
Thinking he would have to give Long Aotian something good in return later.
Long Aotian waved his hands dismissively, "You jest, senior. I have no use for this, so I should rightfully gift it to you."
Chen Ping'an nodded, simply noting the favor.
"Please have a seat, Long. I'll brew some tea."
Chen Ping'an turned to Su Ling with a smile, "Little Ling, go get some money from my room and buy a watermelon from that old man we saw earlier."
With this good stuff, the watermelon would taste even better.
Su Ling's eyes lit up as she ran into the room for money before scampering out, giggling happily.
Long Aotian watched with melted eyes.
Chen Ping'an first entered the kitchen and placed the Celestial Ice Crystal into the sealed wooden box he had prepared the night before.
After securing the crystal, he took out his finest tea leaves to brew tea.
Soon after, Su Ling returned carrying a watermelon, laughing merrily.
At that moment, not far from Light Stream Town in the mountain forest, a black void suddenly appeared.
A middle-aged man stepped out from within.
He was the ruler of the Divine Realm, the strongest being across the myriad realms - the tyrannical Celestial Emperor!
After emerging, he first surveyed his surroundings before closing his eyes to carefully sense the cultivators' auras within a hundred-mile radius.
Just before Su Ling ran into the courtyard, his eyes snapped open.
"A Spirit Element cultivator's aura!"
But in the next instant, that aura suddenly vanished without a trace.
No matter how he probed, it had disappeared completely.
However, he had locked onto its location.
With one step forward, space became illusory.
In the next moment, he appeared before a large courtyard gate.
Narrowing his eyes at the courtyard, he sensed that the aura from before had dissipated right here.
The person must have entered this courtyard, then?
The Celestial Emperor didn't care anymore and proceeded inside.
But just as he crossed the threshold...