How did the Divine Palace find me? And how did they know I was Hu He? Teng Qingshan secretly wondered. Back when he roamed the Northern Great Plains under the name 'Hu He' and even secured the position of 'Guest Elder' at Mount Tianshen, upon returning to Jiuzhou this time, neither he nor Xiao Jun had made any announcement; very few people knew.
A myriad of possibilities flashed through Teng Qingshan's mind in an instant. He chuckled, "Haha, the Divine Palace is indeed formidable to find me so quickly."
"Lord Hu He, we have been searching for you for over three years," the stern man in black said, cupping his hands. "May I ask, where is the Goddess?"
"You came looking for Li Jun?" Teng Qingshan frowned slightly.
"Finding the Goddess is one matter, but we are also looking for Lord Hu He," the black-clothed man, 'Cao Yan,' suddenly changed his expression.
Nearby, a gigantic creature began to emerge slowly from the surface. Its massive triangular head, two slender antennae, and the frighteningly extended pair of giant, blade-like legs glowing with cold, golden light... The Six-legged Blade Cicada poked its head out of the deep pit, clearly startling Cao Yan greatly.
The Six-legged Blade Cicada cast a cold glance at Cao Yan.
"What a powerful demonic beast," Cao Yan muttered internally. Even as an upper-echelon member of the Divine Palace who had seen many Innate Golden Core demonic beasts, seeing the Six-legged Blade Cicada put immense pressure on him. "This Hu He is truly worthy of the title 'Arada the Demon'; defeating the First Divine General proves his astonishing strength. Not only is he powerful himself, but even his demonic beast is this terrifying!"
Instantly, Cao Yan's regard for Teng Qingshan rose significantly in his estimation.
...
Just as Cao Yan was feeling apprehensive, suddenly—
"Who?" A voice called from the distance, and a figure in white fluttered over gracefully.
Teng Qingshan turned to look and revealed a slight smile; the person arriving was none other than Li Jun.
Li Jun looked at the toppled large tree and the devastated training ground, astonished. As she ran toward Teng Qingshan, she looked questioningly at the black-clothed man, 'Cao Yan.'
"Cao Yan pays respects to the Goddess," the black-clothed man Cao Yan said with a smile.
"Commander Cao?" Li Jun walked to Teng Qingshan's side, looking at Cao Yan with surprise, mixed with a little delight. "Commander Cao, what brings you here... Eh, how did you know I was here?"
Seeing Li Jun's expression, Teng Qingshan smiled, "Xiao Jun, you know him?"
"Yes, when I was learning Beast Language from Martial Uncle, Commander Cao came to visit Martial Uncle once. I saw him then," Li Jun smiled, then turned to the black-clothed man Cao Yan. "Commander Cao, you haven't changed at all since that time."
"Goddess, you have changed vastly since then," Commander Cao shook his head and smiled. "In just a few years, our Divine Palace's Goddess has already married. If this news spreads, I fear many young men in the entire Divine Palace will be disappointed."
Li Jun smiled.
Teng Qingshan remained silent, watching from the side.
"Commander Cao," Li Jun asked with a smile, "What is the purpose of your visit this time?"
"We discovered the Goddess's reappearance, especially your marriage... This matter has greatly surprised many people in the Palace! Even the Cult Master has come personally," Commander Cao looked at Li Jun. "Goddess, no matter what, you should have informed the Cult Master before getting married. You should know the Cult Master's feelings for you."
Teng Qingshan was puzzled, Cult Master?
"Xiao Jun, who is the Cult Master?" Teng Qingshan asked.
"That's the one who took my Master away," Li Jun replied.
Teng Qingshan also knew that Li Jun’s master was a woman who cared for Li Jun deeply, treating her like a daughter.
"Big Brother Hu He and I got married because we were on a remote island overseas at the time, so we couldn't notify Master. We acted first and reported later," Li Jun said playfully.
"Reckless, utterly reckless," Commander Cao shook his head.
To a super-major sect, the status of a Beast Language Master was exceptionally high, and with Li Jun's talent, the Divine Palace regarded her as the foremost Beast Language Master within the sect. How could the Divine Palace possibly allow such a talent to marry an outsider? However, Li Jun's decision to act first and report later had indeed angered many in the Divine Palace.
"Is Master angry?" Li Jun asked with a hint of apprehension.
"Of course, she's angry," Cao Yan shook his head. "During the battle at Tian Shi Island that year, Guest Elder Hu He sailed out to sea, and you, Goddess, suddenly vanished! At Mount Tianshen, we knew you were close to Lord Hu He, and at that time, we guessed... that the Goddess must have sailed out to sea with Lord Hu He. Now it seems our guess was correct!"
"Goddess, the Cult Master has already arrived in Yangzhou," Cao Yan stated. "It is best if you meet the Cult Master."
"Master has come to Yangzhou?" Li Jun's eyebrows moved slightly.
"Lord Hu He," Cao Yan turned to Teng Qingshan. "The Cult Master has also ordered me to have you accompany the Goddess to meet her. The Cult Master wishes to see you as well."
"See me?" Teng Qingshan looked at Li Jun. "Xiao Jun, are you going?"
"En."
Li Jun nodded, a flicker of longing in her eyes. "Master has shown me great kindness, and I haven't seen her in over three years; I also want to see her."
Teng Qingshan nodded. "I will accompany you." This so-called summons from the Cult Master was something Teng Qingshan did not care about; he was certainly not the kind of person who would come whenever called. Moreover—Teng Qingshan's identity was that of a 'Guest Elder.' The relationship between a Guest Elder and the Divine Palace was one of mutual support, not subordination.
However, since Li Jun was going, he certainly had to go.
Furthermore, this Cult Master was Li Jun's master. Li Jun currently had neither parents, so this master was effectively half a mother to her.
"Goddess, Lord Hu He, when do you plan to leave?" Cao Yan inquired.
"Where is Master in Yangzhou right now?" Li Jun asked immediately.
Cao Yan smiled. "She is in Liushi City, within the boundaries of Nanxing Prefecture."
"Ah." Li Jun exclaimed in surprise.
"How about this," Teng Qingshan spoke up. "It's already dark now. Let's set off for Liushi City tomorrow morning. Commander Cao Yan, you can stay here with me tonight."
Once Teng Qingshan spoke, both Li Jun and Cao Yan agreed.
...
Late at night.
Teng Qingshan leaned against the ** with his upper body bare, while Li Jun, wearing only thin innerwear, lay nestled in his arms.
"I'm excited just thinking about seeing Master tomorrow. I just wonder... if Master will be angry about my sudden marriage," Li Jun smiled, looking up at Teng Qingshan. "Qingshan, tomorrow when I see Master, do you think she will be unhappy and blame me?"
Teng Qingshan smiled faintly. "There might be a reprimand, but your Master should still be very happy, after all, master and disciple are meeting again."
"En," Li Jun nodded.
"Xiao Jun, your Master is the Cult Master? What kind of Cult?" Teng Qingshan asked. Although he knew Li Jun had a Master in the past, Teng Qingshan didn't know much detail about her.
Li Jun smiled helplessly. "I only know that my Master is the Cult Master of the Snow Lotus Cult. As for the internal situation of the Snow Lotus Cult, I'm not very clear. I learned from Master for a few months, then went to study Beast Language with Martial Uncle, and after that, I went to Mount Tianshen. I never managed the internal affairs of the Snow Lotus Cult."
"Snow Lotus Cult?" Teng Qingshan nodded.
"Yes. It's getting late, let's sleep. We need to go to Liushi City early tomorrow morning," Teng Qingshan smiled and gently flicked Li Jun's nose.
Li Jun sniffed, gave him a playful glare, "En, I'm sleeping," and curled up under the covers.
The next morning, Teng Qingshan instructed the 'Six-legged Blade Cicada' to remain quietly in the inner courtyard, advising it to travel underground if it had to go out, and to avoid trouble. Afterward, Teng Qingshan and Li Jun left Nanxing Prefecture City with Cao Yan, heading toward Liushi City, which was about two hundred li away.
For the two hundred li journey, Cao Yan and the other two rode superior warhorses, reaching Liushi City by noon.
"We've arrived at Liushi City," Cao Yan said with a smile, looking ahead.
"Liushi City!" Li Jun also showed a smile. She turned to look at Teng Qingshan, "Big Brother Hu He..." But she was surprised to find Teng Qingshan's expression rather solemn.
"What's wrong?" Li Jun asked softly.
Teng Qingshan gazed at Liushi City, his heart filled with shock.
Because—
Teng Qingshan clearly sensed that within his domain, and right inside Liushi City, there was a powerful aura—the aura of a Void Realm expert! The aura of a Void Realm expert in his domain was as dazzling as the sun among countless stars, easily detectable and perceivable.
"Such a small city like Liushi actually has a Void Realm expert?" Teng Qingshan was inwardly shocked. "Could it be... Xiao Jun's Master?"
Teng Qingshan couldn't help but form this speculation.
In his perception... that aura was clearly a lightning aura, like condensed bolts of thunder.
"Big Brother Hu He, Big Brother Hu He?" Li Jun called out twice.
"It's nothing," Teng Qingshan forced a smile.
Li Jun felt some confusion seeing this, but Teng Qingshan calmed his mind and thought to himself: This unknown Void Realm expert... judging by the aura, it is purely lightning energy. It seems their cultivation follows the Dao of Lightning, with no other 'Dao.' They probably have only mastered two or three tenths of the power of the Heavens and Earth.
"Let's go," Teng Qingshan smiled and urged his horse on.
...
After Teng Qingshan, Li Jun, and Cao Yan entered Liushi City, they were quickly led by Cao Yan to the front of a grand residence.
"It seems highly likely that this Void Realm expert is indeed Li Jun's Master," Teng Qingshan noted internally with shock.
He could clearly sense... the aura of the Void Realm expert was right inside the mansion before them.
"Let's go in," Cao Yan said with a smile, jumping off his warhorse.
Teng Qingshan and Li Jun also dismounted. The guards at the mansion gate immediately came forward obediently to take the horses, clearly recognizing Cao Yan... Guided by Cao Yan, Teng Qingshan and Li Jun entered the residence.
A moment later.
"Goddess, the Cult Master is in this garden," Cao Yan announced.
"Master." Li Jun looked at the vast and tranquil garden before her, feeling a surge of emotion.
"Cult Master, the Goddess and Guest Elder Hu He have arrived!" Cao Yan called out loudly, his voice carrying into the garden.
"Xiao Jun, aren't you coming in?" A pleasant female voice echoed from within the garden.
"It's Master," Li Jun excitedly looked at Teng Qingshan. Teng Qingshan smiled, took Li Jun's hand, and the couple entered the garden together. The garden was beautifully arranged; a bamboo forest rustled softly in the wind. Teng Qingshan's gaze traveled dozens of zhang across the distance until he saw something in the distance.
A woman dressed in a long blue robe stood there, and beside her was a colossal 'Divine Eagle,' seemingly the size of a small house.
"A Void Realm expert... Is, is it this Divine Eagle?" Teng Qingshan was greatly startled. Li Jun's Master was not the Void Realm expert!