Chapter 1442 — The Firmament's Young Master Xu, Peerless Under Heaven

Xu Shenghua did not pause once along the way, heading straight for Consort Yan's domain. His dao heart was firm and his mind free of distractions; though the lure of the Taiji essence liquid was immense, he had not tasted a single drop.

Shen Mu often boasted of the strength of his own dao heart, yet his nature was flighty, and a sudden notion would seize him and he could not keep his hands still. Xu Shenghua was not like that.

The Firmament's Young Master Xu, unmatched in his excellence.

He was steadier than Shen Mu, more reserved, and at the same time modest and cautious, possessing virtues Shen Mu had never had.

His ideas, though fewer than Shen Mu's and less fantastical, were of a cleverness before which Shen Mu bowed his head. Yet what made him was also what undid him: precisely because he was too steady, too reserved, too modest and cautious, he fell far short of Shen Mu in pioneering spirit. But that was only when he had no rival.

If Xu Shenghua met his match, if he encountered a fellow daoist or a formidable foe, he would be stirred to a formidable creativity — the Surging River Divine Treasury, for instance, was opened by him after a wager with Shen Mu. The Surging River Divine Treasury is also called the Heavenly River Divine Treasury; without knowing that the Surging River was the Heavenly River, Xu Shenghua had opened this treasury before Shen Mu, and that feat alone was enough to rank him among the Heavenly Venerables. His other achievement was planting the Innate Jianmu within the treasury, using the beauty of the arts of number to link the seven great divine treasuries and unify the seven into one.

That too was a Heavenly Venerable-caliber achievement. With rivals and fellow daoists about him, Xu Shenghua blazed, dazzling and radiant.

Yet because he was too modest and reserved, his name was far less renowned than Shen Mu's, and less than Emperor Yanfeng's or that of the former Imperial Preceptor of Jingping, Jiang Baigui. Xu Shenghua traveled all the way to Consort Yan's domain, and suddenly another violent tremor came — the Heavenly Court's third great spiritual-energy translocation bridge was completed and opened, its radiance shooting into the sky and illuminating the night.

It was night now.

Xu Shenghua glanced around, came to the divine city in Consort Yan's domain to rest for the night, and waited until the sun was high before entering the gate of the Taishi mineral vein, presenting Heavenly Venerable Mu's card of introduction and requesting an audience with Consort Yan. Of course, Shen Mu had given him no such card; the so-called card of Heavenly Venerable Mu had been written by Xu Shenghua's own hand the night before.

After a moment, Xiu Hongsu came out to receive him, and saw a handsome young master standing quietly outside the gate, a sight to set the heart fluttering, so that one felt only that the years were fair. Xiu Hongsu's heart beat two beats faster without her knowing it.

She stepped forward and greeted him: "How shall I address the envoy? " "Xu Shenghua of the Shangcang Divine Sect of Jingping, come at the command of Heavenly Venerable Mu to pay his respects. " Xu Shenghua returned the greeting, and every motion of his courtesy was flawless.

Xiu Hongsu could not help but be enchanted; she felt a deep fondness for him, and said, "Her Highness already knows. Please, Young Master Xu, come this way.

" Only after the words left her mouth did she start inwardly. As an existence of the Imperial Throne realm, Consort Yan's eldest disciple, of high position and great authority, she had unconsciously lowered herself and addressed Xu Shenghua as Young Master Xu!

This had never happened before!

Xu Shenghua was from a sect of Jingping, a small country of the Yuan Realm, and had been sent by Heavenly Venerable Mu; in status he could not possibly compare with her, and yet she had lowered her own bearing — was she seduced by male beauty? Xu Shenghua's gaze fell upon her eyes, showing a look of puzzlement.

Xiu Hongsu, enchanted by his look, suddenly came to her senses: "He is asking why I have not yet gone to see Consort Yan — it is not that he is casting sheep's eyes at me. He is courteous; though puzzled, he did not ask outright, unlike a crude fellow like Heavenly Venerable Mu.

. .

" She led the way, and her words multiplied without her noticing; to speak with such a handsome man was always a pleasant thing.

Xu Shenghua was a good listener, always smiling as he heard her out, only occasionally answering a sentence or two, but a sentence or two was enough to make Xiu Hongsu very happy. They arrived at Consort Yan's side palace, and suddenly Xiu Hongsu came to her senses: "Oh no! Consort Yan likes young and handsome men; if she sees Young Master Xu, I fear even Xiao Qi will fall out of favor.

Xiao Qi's bearing is far inferior to his. . . " But they had already reached the hall, and she could not leave now.

Consort Yan's voice came from within the hall: "Hongsu, bring the envoy in. " Xu Shenghua, smiling, walked toward the hall, and his divine consciousness rippled as he sent a voice transmission to Xiu Hongsu: "The purpose of my visit is to seek an audience with the Taiji Ancient Gods through Consort Yan.

Please, young lady, announce me to the Taiji Ancient Gods. " Xiu Hongsu was slightly startled, then understood, and led him into the side palace.

In the hall, Consort Yan sat on her throne, a white cat in her arms, looking down at the cat, her slender jade hand sliding from the back of the cat's head down to its back, and then on to its tail. She gazed at the cat so intently that though she heard footsteps she did not raise her head, and said with a smile: "As the Taiji Ancient Gods expected, Heavenly Venerable Mu has indeed sent the Taiji essence liquid back. Yet for all Heavenly Venerable Mu's calculations, he did not reckon whether he can settle his grievances with the Taiji Ancient Gods — that still depends on this palace's inclination.

If this palace does not permit it, envoy of Heavenly Venerable Mu, you will not even see.

.

. " She raised her head to look at Xu Shenghua, and her gaze suddenly froze. Xu Shenghua made his salute; though light as the breeze and the clouds, never exceeding propriety, his own bearing and temperament formed in him an inexhaustible elegance.

Suddenly the white cat's fur bristled, and it arched its back at Xu Shenghua with a menacing growl.

Consort Yan rose and tossed the white cat to the ground; it arched its body and came sidelong, step by step, to Xu Shenghua's front, its tail quivering like a snake as it circled him, pacing around him. It was as though looking upon its enemy, ready at any moment to spring and strike a fatal blow.

"Xiao Qi, withdraw. Do not alarm our honored guest. " At Consort Yan's command, the white cat, though unwilling, had no choice but to retreat. "Hongsu, you may withdraw as well," Consort Yan waved her hand and said with a smile. Xiu Hongsu took the chance to withdraw.

Xu Shenghua said: "Then does Your Highness permit me to see the Taiji Ancient Gods, or not?

" "Whether I permit it or not depends on the envoy. " Consort Yan leaned close and said with a smile: "The envoy is young and handsome, and not only comely but of uncommon bearing.

That such a person should exist in the lower realm is truly a marvel.

" "Your Highness flatters me. " Xu Shenghua bowed slightly and said: "Consort Yan stands high above, enjoying the grace of the Heavenly Emperor.

This subject fears.

.

.

" "Fears what?

" Consort Yan hooked her wrist around his neck and let herself fall into his arms, her eyes like silk, and said with a smile: "He goes seeking other women, and does not even spare my own sister.

This palace means to sleep with every handsome man under heaven to take revenge on him!