Q: What is the best way to apologize to your wife?

A: According to Gong Jingcui!

Early the next morning, Lu Zheng lay on a rocking chair under the old peach tree in Taohua Village, swaying back and forth while playing with the Fish Scale in his hands, "The Cloud Palace Treasure Mirror can't show how severe Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo's injury is, I'd better go to White Cloud Mountain and invite the master there."

Si Lingxi turned the teacup in her hand, creating a small whirlpool with the tea inside. After pondering for a moment, she nodded, saying, "Innate Cloud Qi is dense and seamless; if Dongyangzi takes action, it will indeed make things a lot easier."

Lu Zheng raised his eyebrows, "Shall we go together?"

Si Lingxi nodded with a light laugh, "Alright."

Shen Ying waved her hand, "I won't go; the level of this battle is too high. Even if I go, I won't understand it. I don't want to be a hindrance."

Lu Zheng nodded, "I'll make spicy fish head for you when I return."

"Are you sure?" Si Lingxi raised a corner of her lips, "The Black Fish's form is a bizarre fish with a bull's head and fish's body. Are you sure you want to make spicy fish head?"

Shen Ying, "…"

Lu Zheng, "…"

... 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Outside White Cloud Mountain, Lu Zheng and Si Lingxi arrived riding clouds and landed at the mountain foot, walking up the mountain, only to coincide with Daoist Yuanlin, who was coming down.

"Senior Brother!"

"Junior Brother?"

Seeing Lu Zheng again, Yuanlin was slightly stunned. I told you to come back often, but you just left three days ago and now return with your wife, isn't that a bit excessive?

"Senior Brother Yuanlin, may I ask if the master is in the back mountain?" Lu Zheng inquired.

"Master?" Yuanlin blinked instinctively, "I don't know; he should be. Master does not often come down the mountain. Since returning from the last flood, he's been at the back mountain. Of course, if Master wants to go out, he wouldn't tell me. Why are you looking for him?"

Lu Zheng nodded, "I've encountered a formidable demon and wish to ask Master for assistance."

A formidable demon? Requesting Master's assistance?

Upon hearing this, Yuanlin was stunned, looking at Lu Zheng and then Si Lingxi, involuntarily drawing a sharp breath. With Si Lingxi present, Lu Zheng still called a demon formidable and sought help, how powerful must the opponent be?

"Follow me!"

Yuanlin's expression dramatically changed, not daring to dally. He gestured to lead them and turned back.

Lu Zheng and Si Lingxi followed, asking, "Can we go directly without informing the Sect Leader and such?"

Encountering Dongyangzi while wandering the back mountain was a casual matter, but when dealing with serious business, shouldn't they follow procedures?

"With your and my status, we can directly pay respect to the master." Yuanlin said, "Moreover…"

Yuanlin didn't continue but made it clear that with Si Lingxi's identity revealed, not many in the White Cloud Temple would be eligible to face her directly, perhaps even requiring Dongyangzi to preside over matters.

Yuanlin led Lu Zheng and Si Lingxi swiftly to a wooden house in the back mountain, where they saw Dongyangzi lying on a lounge chair at the door. His gray Daoist Robe was clean, his snowy hair and beard washed with sunset gold, eyes slightly shut, appearing calm and ethereal like an immortal.

As they approached the wooden house, Dongyangzi rose slightly, looking at Lu Zheng and Si Lingxi with eyes full of curiosity.

"Greetings, Master." Lu Zheng bowed.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Dongyang." Si Lingxi nodded politely.

"Greetings, Sect Leader Si, the arrival of the Palace Master makes White Cloud Mountain honored." Dongyangzi gave a formal hand salute, blinking curiously, "I wonder which high master could distress Sect Leader Si?"

Dongyangzi immediately saw through their purpose for coming.

Si Lingxi was not surprised; it would be surprising if Dongyangzi didn't see through it. So she simply replied, "Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo."

Dongyangzi raised his eyebrows, "Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo?"

"Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo is still in Great Jing." Lu Zheng interjected.

"Hmm?" Dongyangzi's eyes flashed; this time Lu Zheng's words indeed surprised him, "Hasn't he returned to the Southern Border? He's still in Great Jing?"

Lu Zheng nodded, "Right near the junction of Yinan Dao and Jiangdong Dao."

Indeed, Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo has changed locations, possibly sensing his Fish Scale flash briefly three days ago, prompting caution. When Si Lingxi viewed using the Cloud Palace Treasure Mirror yesterday, his position had shifted east of several thousand miles to the junction of Yinan Dao and Jiangdong Dao, yet remains near the Yi River.

In other words, Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo ignited sparks with a village girl in a mere three-day period.

Furthermore, Si Lingxi used the Cloud Palace Treasure Mirror to directly span thousands of miles, bypassing Lingbei Dao and seeing the easternmost part of Yinan Dao, demonstrating that Si Lingxi's Dao Practice was profound indeed.

Hearing Lu Zheng's words, Yuanlin again drew a sharp breath, while even Dongyangzi's face turned solemn as he nodded, looking to Si Lingxi, "I see, thank you, Sect Leader Si."

Si Lingxi shook her head, "No need to thank me; I have grievances with that Black Fish as well."

Dongyangzi smiled slightly; he didn't believe it. Even if Si Lingxi had grievances with Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo, it wouldn't reach the point of life and death. Wasn't it because of Lu Zheng that Si Lingxi agreed to take action?

Why would Lu Zheng want to destroy Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo? Of course, because he's righteous at heart! Splendid! Splendid! As the sect master of Lu Zheng's sect, the ultimate force of White Cloud Temple, and a top-tier expert of the Central Plains Daoist Sect, naturally, he must show crystal-clear intentions!

"The old Taoist has not exercised in a long time; Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo, famed for a thousand years, I have not crossed paths. It's quite regrettable." Dongyangzi stroked his beard and laughed, "Since he comes to the Central Plains as a guest, how could the old Taoist not show due courtesy?"

Dongyangzi, get ready!

Yuanlin's eyes gleamed brightly nearby, cautiously asking, "Master, what about me…"

Dongyangzi considered for a moment, looking at Si Lingxi, then nodded, "Stay by my side and do not stray."

Yuanlin's potential is significant; he's destined to be the foundation of White Cloud Temple in the future. Taking him along to gain experience wouldn't hurt, especially with Si Lingxi present. The two joining forces will certainly triumph over Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo, even in prime state, let alone now?

"Thank you, Master!" Yuanlin quickly nodded, then turned to Si Lingxi and Lu Zheng, "Thank you, Sect Leader Si! Thank you, Junior Brother!"

Lu Zheng blinked, "Why thank me?"

Yuanlin blinked back, exchanging a knowing smile, leaving Lu Zheng dumbfounded, completely bewildered.

On the other side, Dongyangzi asked Si Lingxi with a smile, "Since that's the case, let us depart. Where is Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo?"

Si Lingxi nodded, grasping with a hand and revealing both the Black Fish Scale and the Cloud Palace Treasure Mirror, casting a spell on the spot to dispel layers of mist, soon revealing the image of Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo.

Dongyangzi's eyes moved, feeling the gentle Cloud Qi on the Treasure Mirror quite affectionate, the puzzled heart then captivated by the Mirror's image, exclaiming, "I didn't expect Sect Leader Si to possess such a powerful treasure for identifying Qi and seeking people."

Si Lingxi smirked, "Oh right, this is Lu Lang's treasure, originally Divine Monarch Xuan Yin's Profound Yin Treasure Mirror."

Dongyangzi: ???