In a moment of celestial travel, overlooking the earth and sky, he glimpsed a plaque on an ancient temple.
It read 'Zhonghuang Temple'.
With joy in his heart, Xu Qing followed the memory and arrived at the temple indicated by the celestial seeking technique alone that night.
...
Zhonghuang Temple is also known as the Palace of the Goddess.
This temple is one of the few still worshipped by devout pilgrims since the Five Filthy Evil Worlds.
Xu Qing stepped into the main hall, gazing around, observing that the temple was still neatly maintained, suggesting someone regularly restored and cared for it.
After tidying his clothing, Xu Qing came to the altar with three sticks of Spirit Incense in his hands, bowing respectfully.
Here, the Goddess is a human progenitor deity, and he came seeking divine fortune, so he should pay respects to the master of the place first.
Three sticks of incense may be few, but the sentiment is sincere.
Murmuring words of blessing for the Lady's protection, Xu Qing wished for prosperity in his business, thriving of his sect, and extended blessings for the Lady's eternal grace.
After lighting the incense, he began to wander around the Incense Hall, hoping to find the source of divine fortune.
However, after searching back and forth for quite some time, he still did not find the so-called divine fortune.
Xu Qing furrowed his brows, and finally his gaze fell upon the Goddess statue in the center of the Incense Hall.
In the celestial seeking technique, he saw the Goddess as an ethereal beauty, lifelike and tender.
But the Goddess statue in the Incense Hall now appeared as a crude mud figure with hollow eyes and a stiff posture.
The rough texture was entirely incomparable to the celestial seeking technique's Goddess.
Xu Qing pondered for a while, then offered incense again in prayer.
"I, Xu Qing, dreamed of the Goddess's descent to save humanity from danger. Though my cultivation is shallow, I wish to walk the path of the Goddess and contribute a little to the common people..."
Nevertheless, the Goddess statue remained unresponsive.
Sighing inwardly, Xu Qing thought maybe the divine fortune of this place was not meant for him, and planned to return to the Jin Sect, following the apprenticeship model of the Demon Pill Temple, with the disciples of the three sects taking turns to visit.
But Xu Qing felt this method might not work, as the Goddess differs from the Great Sea Deity; the tricks employed at Demon Pill Temple might amuse the Great Sea Deity without concern.
But such tactics might not please the human Goddess.
Leaving the Zhonghuang Temple, a red moon hung in the sky.
Instinctively, Xu Qing raised his head towards the sky, seeing a deep crimson rift stretching from south to north, spanning a hundred miles.
Moreover, the rift seemed to expand slowly at an imperceptible pace.
Confused, Xu Qing instinctively began to use Purple Star Astrology to divine, but except for a sign of great misfortune, no other specific omens manifested.
Xu Qing shook his head, thinking it a normal celestial phenomenon revealed during times of calamity.
"What a pity for this divine fortune..."
If the divine fortune indeed related to the Goddess, Xu Qing couldn't think of anyone from Cat Immortal Hall or Bao Sheng Temple worthy of the Goddess's favor.
Foxes were out of the question, and aside from his own cat, Xu Qing had no other candidates in mind.
"The Zhonghuang Temple's Goddess is the human progenitor deity; if someone has great merit to humanity, there might be a chance."
Xu Qing felt a slight regret, yet regretted that Shiyue had already become a disciple of the Great Sea Deity, and her iconic lotus root embodiment couldn't be hidden.
As for himself, who knows if the divine fortune of Zhonghuang Temple passes only to women and not men.
"Apart from Shiyue, only the Qishan Clan from Bao Sheng Temple could give it a try..."
Yet the Qishan Clan had already been sent another opportunity by the Great Sea Deity and hadn't returned since.
"A shame, if Bao Sheng Temple had a female disciple capable of holding the fort, it would be good."
Just as Xu Qing thought of this, he suddenly paused.
Inspired by sudden insight, he hesitated, stroking his chin.
Upon reflection, it seemed there was another suitable candidate in his Bao Sheng Temple...
Clearing his throat, Xu Qing guiltily glanced back at Zhonghuang Temple, and seeing nothing amiss, he deployed the Divine Travel Celestial Scripture, appearing above the Fen River.
Afraid that it was still not far enough, Xu Qing proceeded to open the Yin River passage, entering it alone.
When he appeared again above the Fen River, he had transformed into the revered deity of Bao Sheng Temple.
The Great Luo Sect Leader might not win the Goddess's approval, but perhaps the Lady Bao Sheng could?
...
In Zhonghuang Temple, Xu Qing wore the Five Phoenix Golden Crown, draped in the robe of Bao Sheng Immortal, holding a jade ruyi scepter, exuding an ethereal transcendent aura!
Unaware, people might think the Goddess of Zhonghuang Temple had manifested!
Xu Qing stepped into the temple, burned a stick of incense, offering it before the Goddess's seat, and said: "I, a deity of Bao Sheng Temple, entrusted to protect mothers and infants and continue human lineage, come in reverence. The Goddess, ancestor of humanity, bestows her grace upon all. Having walked the path, I am deeply grateful and come to pay respect."
After speaking, Xu Qing deeply bowed again: "Besides, I have a request to ask. Now under the threat of calamity, demon aura rampant, humanity is struggling and unable to save itself. Though my magical power is limited, my heart yearns to continue the Goddess's great wish. I want to purge demons, cleanse the world, and restore peace on earth."
"If possible, I would like to ask the Goddess to be my mentor, to acquire a method of curing the world..."
After speaking, Xu Qing then opened the Blood Lake Realm, intending to present another stick of incense to the Goddess with millions of Wishing Power.
With Xu Qing clinging to this last possibility, as soon as he placed the Spirit Incense in the Incense Burner, the surrounding environment began to twist and transform.
The old incense table seemed to have its snow swept away, revealing new agarwood texture.
Looking at the main hall, golden incense burners gave off auspicious mist, purple clouds steaming, and silver candles brightened the divine platform, illuminating the hall in magnificent splendor.
Xu Qing lifted his gaze, seeing the face of the rigid mud statue now brightened, transforming into a vibrant throne adorned with dragons soaring and phoenixes dancing, cranes gliding and luan flying.