Mysterious mirror hanging high

Chapter 974 Azure Dragon Water Mansion

Jing Yu naturally understood the other party's thoughts, but did not point it out. Instead, she said, "Fellow Daoist Qiu is too kind. It's just a casual trip."

He gestured to the honest-looking young man and said, "Since the dispute started because of him, and the stall owner has now been punished, I wonder if he can leave?"

Qiu Xu glanced at the human youth and waved his hand, "Of course! Although my demon market does not welcome humans, since you have entered the market to trade and the incident was not caused by him, you can leave safely."

His words were addressed not only to Jing Yu, but also to the demon cultivators around him who had not yet completely dispersed, setting the tone for the discussion.

Upon hearing this, the honest-looking young man's expression changed, and he said, "Can you sell me that cave? I'll offer 1,200 mid-grade immortal stones!"

Jing Yu was a little puzzled and asked, "Young brother, why are you so determined to buy that cave? Even at the risk of exposing your identity and venturing deep into the demon market?"

"I noticed that you used lightning magic just now, so you probably don't need that earth-elemental cave magic. Could it be that you're saving it for the younger generation of your clan?"

No wonder Jing Yu was baffled. [Earth Essence Soil] was merely spiritual material for those at the Nascent Soul or Divine Transformation levels. This young man had already achieved the Cave Heaven realm, so logically he had no need for it.

Unexpectedly, the young man honestly replied, "That cave was left behind by a human cultivator. I traveled with him, but we encountered a bandit on the way... I barely escaped, but he was killed by the bandit, and the cave and its treasures were stolen."

"Although I am not particularly close to this fellow Daoist, we have made an agreement that if one of us perishes while exploring the secret realm, the other will send the cave and treasures left behind by the other back to their home star field and entrust them to their descendants."

"Although that fellow Daoist did not die in the secret realm, I could not simply ignore it. I inquired along the way and finally found news of this cave in this demon market. But I never expected that weasel would drive up the price, and I was stuck here."

Jing Yu asked in astonishment, "A mere grotto-heaven, without any markers or location information, the Immortal Realm is vast, like finding a needle in a haystack... How long have you been searching?"

The honest-looking young man counted on his fingers: "It should be more than three hundred years ago."

Upon hearing this, Jing Yu was filled with respect: "Young brother, you are truly a man of integrity. You have spent over three hundred years searching for the remains of your old friend's grotto-heaven, which shows the spirit of an ancient cultivator..."

He immediately turned to Qiu Xu and said, "Fellow Daoist Qiu, I will buy that cave and give it to this young man. Name your price, how about two thousand mid-grade immortal stones?"

Qiu Xu laughed heartily and waved his hand: "It's just a small cave, why would Fellow Daoist Bai Yuan need to spend money? I'll give it to you."

Having said that, he used his magic to take the cave into his hand and handed it to Jing Yu.

Jing Yufu then handed the cave to the honest young man, who accepted it with profuse thanks, saying sincerely:

"Fellow Daoist Bai Yuan, I will always remember your great kindness. If my elder brother ever needs my help, I will risk my life without batting an eye."

"Fellow Daoist, why don't you leave me a communication talisman so we can keep in touch from time to time?"

"But I am in a hurry to give that fellow Daoist a proper burial, so I will take my leave first."

"Wait a minute."

Jing Yu stopped the young man, saying, "Young brother, now that you have the cave and can no longer fly away, why are you in such a hurry? If you would be so kind as to ask me to accompany you on your journey, and explore together?"

Jing Yu did not believe Qiu Xu's promise. Although he had stated that the demons of Qingqiu Star were not allowed to cause trouble for this human youth, such things were hard to guard against. If he was allowed to leave, he might be secretly harmed by some demon cultivator before even leaving the star.

It's better to keep him by your side; it might save his life.

The honest-looking young man hesitated, scratched his head, and looked at Jing Yu with a hint of gratitude. He simply nodded and said, "Thank you for considering my situation, Fellow Daoist Bai. I'm sorry to trouble you."

Jing Yu was slightly taken aback, vaguely sensing that something was amiss.

Before he could react, he heard Qiu Xu laugh loudly: "Don't bother... Fellow Daoist Bai Yuan, Qingqiu Star hasn't had a pure-blooded dragon descendant for hundreds of years. If I, Qiu Xu, just let you go like this, I'm afraid I'll get a big scolding from the elders in the manor."

"Why don't you stay at the Azure Dragon Mansion with this young human brother for a few days, fellow Daoist? That way, I, Qiu, can show you some hospitality."

Jing Yu knew that it would be unreasonable to refuse at this time, so she readily nodded and said, "Then I will trouble you."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Jing Yu, along with the honest young man and the two demons, the ox and the horse, left the demon market with Qiu Xu and his group, riding their escape light towards the northeast.

After walking for less than half an incense stick's time, a vast expanse of water suddenly appeared before us.

The waters stretched out to the horizon, shrouded in a light mist that shimmered under the starlight. Occasionally, the shadows of large fish would glide by, their scales flashing, reflecting off the water and making it sparkle.

Qiu Xu descended from the clouds and let out a loud laugh: "Fellow Daoists, look here, this is the gate of my Qingqiu Mansion."

After speaking, he raised his hand and gestured, a bluish-gray light flowing from his fingertips, which transformed into a mysterious talisman that fell into the water.

The once calm and mirror-like surface of the water suddenly rippled outwards from the center, and then the ripples expanded rapidly. The water surface seemed to be slowly parted by a pair of invisible giant hands, separating to the sides and revealing a bottomless passage below.

On both sides of the passage, the water flows against towering cliffs, yet remains stagnant. One can vaguely see aquatic plants swaying and strange fish swimming within, and even bright pearls floating within the water walls, their brilliance illuminating the path ahead.

At the end of the passage, the outline of a majestic and imposing shadow gradually became clear from the deep water.

It was a vast water palace, with towering walls and an air of ancient vicissitudes.

The gate was carved from a single piece of deep-sea cold jade, standing over ten zhang tall. Above the gate hung a huge plaque engraved with the two characters "Qing Qiu" (Azure Dragon), the strokes powerful and vigorous like dragons and snakes leaping, exuding a sense of majesty.

On either side of the gate stood more than ten demon cultivators, clad in heavy armor and wielding water-splitting halberds. They all exuded a deep aura and had cold eyes. Judging from their appearance, most of them had the characteristics of scaled aquatic creatures.

A faint halo of light circulates around the Water Palace, forming a transparent barrier that completely isolates the vast expanse of blue water from the outside. The palace is dry and refreshing, yet the spiritual energy is several times stronger than that outside. With each breath, one feels as if cleansed by a clear spring.

"I see."

Upon seeing this scene, a look of realization flashed across Jing Yu's eyes. She thought to herself, "Dragons are naturally associated with clouds and rain, and roaming rivers and seas. Deep in their blood, they are drawn to water and abysses. Although this Azure Dragon Mansion is not the palace of a true dragon, the Iron-Backed Azure Dragon is still a descendant of dragons. It is perfectly reasonable for it to build its mansion at the bottom of this vast marshland, using the water's power to nurture its dragon energy."

"Moreover, judging from the grandeur of this Azure Dragon Water Palace, it is in no way inferior to the True Dragon Palace, which clearly shows that the Azure Dragon is also a demon who cares a lot about his reputation."