Fu Ruhai presented the secret order and then called Liu Sandao to go with him, which was a surprise to Liu Sandao.
In the past, trips to places like the Heavenly Court were always handled by Fu Ruhai. Liu Sandao was not a full-time immortal in the Heavenly Court and had no desire to be involved. However, Fu Ruhai said it was Zhao Qiansun's request, so Liu Sandao had no choice but to accompany him.
This was Liu Sandao's first time setting foot within the Heavenly Court's domain. Strangely, he encountered no one demanding a declaration. Fu Ruhai was very familiar with the path, treading on clouds as they soared directly towards the Fu Hall.
The situation today seemed different from usual. The sky above the training grounds of the Blessing Spirit Ancestor was covered in dark clouds, a stark contrast to the usual clear and sunny weather. Liu Sandao initially thought this was the normal state of the place until he and Fu Ruhai met Zhao Qiansun in front of the Fu Hall. Of course, this was not unexpected, as Zhao Qiansun was the administrator of this particular directive.
"Old leader, why have you also come?" Fu Ruhai greeted Zhao Qiansun as soon as he saw him.
Zhao Qiansun did not reply. Instead, he gazed intently into the distance. Liu Sandao and Fu Ruhai followed his gaze and saw that the horizon was a tempest of swirling winds and clouds. Two immense forces were locked in a struggle, as if each intended to tear the other apart.
"This..." Fu Ruhai was about to offer his opinion when Zhao Qiansun interrupted him.
"Do not speak. This is a critical moment for the Blessing Spirit Ancestor. Try not to distract him."
Liu Sandao could not comprehend this scene. Although the two forces were powerful, they seemed to harbor no ill will towards their surroundings. It felt as though the two parties were acquainted, merely seeking to defeat, not kill, each other.
At that moment, a powerful gust of energy surged towards them. Zhao Qiansun moved slightly, but his body remained upright amidst the torrent. Fu Ruhai struggled to stay on his feet and instinctively grabbed Zhao Qiansun's arm, subtly shifting his position behind him. Liu Sandao, who had not paid much attention initially, was forced to exert a quarter of his strength when he encountered the energy wave.
This action did not escape Zhao Qiansun's notice. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes but quickly vanished. In an instant, a flash of red light appeared, and the two forces disappeared. The surroundings returned to their former sunny disposition.
An old man, smiling broadly, walked towards them.
"Greetings, Blessing Spirit Ancestor!" Zhao Qiansun said, cupping his fist in salute and bowing deeply. Fu Ruhai quickly followed suit, and Liu Sandao imitated them.
"You've arrived. Come in, all of you!" Zhao Qiansun turned and was the first to enter the Fu Hall with the old man.
"How was it this time? Has the new root been generated?" he asked. The Blessing Spirit Ancestor, however, did not reply. He walked towards the main seat within the hall. Taking his seat, he maintained his smile and stroked his beard.
"No, but that old soil immortal seemed a bit off. He used a small trick today, otherwise, he would not have succeeded."
It appeared he had been in a contest. Judging by his tone, such contests were likely commonplace. It was akin to two old friends playing chess; though neither would concede to the other verbally, there was an unspoken camaraderie between them.
"Oh," Zhao Qiansun replied softly, then changed the subject. "Ancestor, we are here today regarding the Virtue Manual. What are your thoughts on this matter..."
"Hahaha, what's there to discuss? Come if you must. It was decided long ago. Moreover, I received an official document from the Heavenly Court a few days ago, and I have already prepared it as you requested," the Blessing Spirit Ancestor said with a laugh. With a casual wave of his hand, two massive manuals appeared on the table before him.
Zhao Qiansun signaled for Fu Ruhai and Liu Sandao to quickly take out their manuals, and he bowed as he placed them together on the table.
"This manual has been divided into two volumes as requested. You two can each take one," the Blessing Spirit Ancestor said. The two manuals then automatically flew to Liu Sandao and Fu Ruhai.
Liu Sandao snatched one up immediately but still felt its distinct weight. The Virtue Manual could change its form at will, so he did not pay much attention to its thickness or size. Fu Ruhai, however, was visibly excited. "This, this is the Virtue Manual for all of Huaxia?" Because it was much thicker than his previous Virtue Manual, it implied that he was now the God of Virtue for all of Huaxia.
"That's right, Xiao Hai. From now on, the burden on both your shoulders will be even heavier!" Zhao Qiansun stated aptly. Although his words carried official weight, they still sounded natural. Even Liu Sandao felt a strong sense of responsibility bestowed upon him.
"Hahaha, this manual is nothing compared to the two booklets you had before. You can slowly comprehend the mysteries within. As for what achievements you will attain, that will depend on your own fortune!"
Liu Sandao did not know what was so special about this manual, but he felt that it was indeed different. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the group took their leave.
However, as they were leaving the Blessing Spirit Ancestor's domain, they were spotted by Gu Siyu and a newcomer who had arrived behind them. To avoid being discovered, they chose to remain hidden. Only after Zhao Qiansun and his companions had departed did they continue forward.
"Brother Gu, do you think this little spiritual root will be enough?" the newcomer asked doubtfully, referring to the stake for this endeavor.
"Remove the 'enough,' will you? This is the Ancestor's spiritual root, stemming from the same origin as the Fortune Fruit. Do you think it can be retrieved? Let me put it this way: they are like a cat and a dog from the same household. Though they look different, they are familiar with everything in the house and can find it. Once found, are you afraid there will be no way to bring it out?"
Hearing Gu Siyu's words, the newcomer became quite cheerful and immediately said, "Brother Gu, if this succeeds, rest assured. For your three years in the mortal realm, I guarantee you will not suffer any hardship!" He dared to make such a guarantee because the newcomer had already made arrangements in many places to ensure Gu Siyu would not suffer. With the newcomer's arrangements, Gu Siyu, despite being in the mortal realm for training, lived a life more leisurely than in the Heavenly Court. It was not that this was the Heavenly Court; in some respects, it was identical to the human world.
"Then why didn't you choose the root that aged five hundred years? This new root still looks a bit weak!"
"What do you know? If you had to choose between a teenager and a seventy or eighty-year-old person to work for you, who would you choose?" Gu Siyu said, turning his head dismissively.
The newcomer replied without hesitation, "It would definitely be the child, though it feels like they still need to grow up!"
"Hahaha, if you want to reap great rewards, I suggest you don't worry about the money. Besides, you don't seem like someone who lacks money!"
"For me, money is indeed not a problem, but a return is absolutely necessary!"