"Hahaha, this is your good fortune. Your magical power has increased severalfold! If you could bathe in the Misty Sea, it would help stabilize your foundation."
"Is that so? But how can we get there? I hope the Old Ancestor will guide us!"
Fu Ruhai said, bowing subserviently.
"I cannot help you with this. You should ask the Earth God Ancestor. Whether you have the opportunity depends on your fate! Oh, and take him with you; his birthplace is near the Misty Sea!"
As the Fu Ling Old Ancestor spoke, he handed the luminous pearl from Liu Sandao to Fu Ruhai.
"Very well, we bid you farewell!"
Fu Ruhai said to Bai Suxiang, and they withdrew from the Fu Hall.
"Don't the Earth God Ancestor and the Fu Ling Old Ancestor refuse to see each other? Why would he tell us to go find him?" Bai Suxiang asked, puzzled.
"Don't ask. Who can truly understand the affairs of the Three Realms? We will know once we try!"
Fu Ruhai said, leaping into the air.
Bai Suxiang followed closely behind. She could now easily control the art of flight, and it seemed she was no slower than Fu Ruhai!
They flew, one behind the other, and before long, they arrived at the Earth God Ancestor's territory. The Earth God Ancestor's domain was vastly different from the Fu Ling Old Ancestor's. One was filled with trees, the other with earth. The difference was that the earth here seemed alive, evoking a natural sense of closeness. Bai Suxiang thought this might be related to the saying that "earth is the mother of all things."
"Earth God Ancestor!"
"Earth God Ancestor!"
They repeatedly shouted towards the largest mound of earth in the center. Bai Suxiang was accustomed to such rituals. It seemed to be an unchanging rule for some elder deities; they would initially try their best to evade and escape, and one would never see them without considerable effort. There was no better way; they had to resort to this cumbersome method.
"Alas, is no one here? If he doesn't return, can Liu Sandao still be saved?"
"Don't worry, perhaps he is on his way back. Let's wait a little longer, just a little longer!"
Fu Ruhai comforted Bai Suxiang while walking towards the large mound of earth. The massive mound opposite them was as large as a castle. After walking for about a hundred steps, they still hadn't reached the base of the mound.
"Hey, this mound looks so close, but why does it seem to be getting farther away as we walk?" Bai Suxiang asked, confused.
Fu Ruhai was also perplexed. At his speed, he should have reached it in a hundred steps, or even a mile. Yet, the mound receded further and further, and in the brief moments they spoke, it seemed to be rapidly vanishing. It was truly strange.
"Mmm..." Fu Ruhai sighed, but an idea formed in his mind. In the Immortal Realm, everything relied on cultivation and comprehension. Some things were accelerated by haste, and others by patience; perhaps this was the principle at play.
"Follow me, close your eyes, concentrate your mind, and walk forward with a calm and peaceful heart!"
He closed his eyes first, calmed his mind, and took a step forward. Bai Suxiang followed his example, slowly taking a step. A moment later, feeling a distinct light shining on her eyelids, she slowly opened her eyes.
"Where is this place?"
"Shh!" Fu Ruhai signaled her to be silent.
This was a vast room. The furnishings were simple, indicating it was a place of cultivation. The surrounding walls were adorned with many diagrams of the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams, as well as depictions of the 'Hetu' and 'Luoshu.'
"Stop! Who are you?" A melodious and kind voice emanated from within.
"Reporting to the Old Ancestor, your disciple is Fu Ruhai, a minor deity from the Heavenly Court, here to pay respects to the Earth God Ancestor!" Fu Ruhai bowed and said to the front.
Bai Suxiang remained silent, but she followed his example, bowing in greeting.
"Hahaha!" After a burst of laughter, a white-bearded old man sat in the seat directly ahead.
"As the saying goes, one doesn't visit the Hall of Three Treasures without a reason. You must have something important. Tell me about it," the Earth God Ancestor said.
"To be honest, Old Ancestor, we have indeed come here with a request." Fu Ruhai was direct and explained the situation in detail.
The Earth God Ancestor occasionally nodded slightly, and at other times, shook his head in helplessness. Finally, he spoke:
"You have come to me, but I fear you have come to the wrong place! Who in this world doesn't know that that old man Fu Ling and I are at odds? He sent you to me, so I will not help you. Furthermore, isn't it just a water child? If he dies, he dies. It's no big deal. Does anyone in this world not know the principle that 'earth overcomes water'? You come to me, aren't you seeking your own demise? Listen to my advice and leave. The shore is the safe harbor. Or, go look elsewhere; perhaps the child still has a chance to live!"
The Earth God Ancestor made a gesture of invitation, implying that he was powerless and they should seek help elsewhere.
"This..." Fu Ruhai was momentarily speechless, unsure of what to do. Where else could they go to save Liu Sandao?
"Earth God Ancestor, would you permit this humble woman to speak?" Bai Suxiang asked urgently in her distress.
"Even if I didn't let you speak, you already have. So, speak then!" the Earth God Ancestor replied grumpily, much like a cantankerous old man teasing a child.
"The Fu Ling Old Ancestor mentioned a place called the Misty Sea. Do you know of it? And if so, please tell me how to get there!"
"Misty Sea? Hmph! Why would you go there! Do you know that going there means you will lose a layer of skin even if you don't die. I advise you to give up on that idea. What a terrible suggestion from that old man! Isn't he clearly trying to harm you? Listen to me, go back quickly! Go back quickly!" The Earth God Ancestor waved them away, telling them to leave.
"As long as Liu Sandao can be saved, I am willing to die!" Bai Suxiang said righteously, and the Earth God Ancestor's eyes brightened, as if moved by her spirit.
"Alas, but I don't know where the Misty Sea is! Besides, where in the world can water and earth coexist? Listen to me, you should keep your life and find a good place to bury that child, so he can be reborn quickly!"
"But, Earth God Ancestor, this..." Hearing the Earth God Ancestor's words, Bai Suxiang was at a loss. At this moment, Fu Ruhai's eyes suddenly lit up, and he slapped his forehead: "Ah, I understand! Thank you, Old Ancestor, for your guidance. Let's go!"
Saying this, he immediately turned and, pulling Bai Suxiang, walked out of the room. The Earth God Ancestor watched their retreating figures and nodded with a smile. Bai Suxiang, her doubts unresolved, reluctantly followed Fu Ruhai out.
"Hey, wait! Do you know where to go now?" As soon as they were outside, she grabbed Fu Ruhai and asked.