I conquer the immortal with my strength.

Chapter 587 Old Friend
"This is the Earth God Temple in the Immortal Realm. Although it is not magnificent, it is ancient and elegant, with a touch of immortal charm!" Xia Daoming looked at it with curiosity from afar, secretly praising it in his heart.

Suddenly, Xia Daoming's body trembled slightly, and his eyes revealed an expression of disbelief and surprise.

"Why is she here?"

Just as they were overjoyed, Cui Baisong and Du Shoulu carried the stretcher onto the stone bridge.

The sound of water mingled with the sound of footsteps, and a cool, moist breeze carried a refreshing and invigorating atmosphere.

After walking down the bridge and climbing the steps, you will reach the mountain gate of the Yujian Zhitu Temple.

Although the mountain gate is far less magnificent and imposing than the Qingyuan Gate in its heyday, it possesses a celestial charm that the Qingyuan Gate lacks.

“It’s not appropriate to carry him around in the temple anymore. Is it possible for Xia Zhuangshi to walk on the ground?” Cui Baisong stopped and stood in front of the temple gate, turning his head to ask.

"Thank you for your help, sir. I can walk now!" Xia Daoming replied.

"It's good that he can walk!" Cui Baisong said, gently placing the stretcher on the ground and then asking Du Shoulu to help Xia Daoming.

"No need, no need, I'm much better now, I can walk by myself." Xia Daoming quickly refused when he saw that Du Shoulu, a strong man, was going to help him, but he was very grateful for the help.

“Alright, Shoulu, you two accompany Warrior Xia slowly. I’ll go in first to report to the local deity,” Cui Baisong said.

After saying that, Cui Baisong went into the land temple first.

Xia Daoming and Du Shoulu slowly entered the temple.

Incense smoke swirled in the temple, the scent of sandalwood mingling with a faint hint of moisture, as if seeping from the ground.

The main hall is tall and spacious, with the beams carved with water ripples, stream fish, spirit turtles and dragons, as if an entire river has been frozen inside the hall.

At the center of the hall stands a jade water platform, from which a spiritual spring gushes forth and flows into a jade pool in front of the hall. Several transparent spirit fish swim leisurely in the pool, their spiritual light shimmering on the water.

In the center of the hall, on the incense table, sits a female earth goddess statue with flowing robes and a gentle face on a lotus pedestal. The statue's eyes seem to be watching the visitors, and its lips are smiling, exuding both majesty and compassion.

Inside the hall, temple servants stood in four directions, all dressed in blue uniforms embroidered with waves and flowing clouds, with copper plaques and short blades hanging from their waists, their expressions solemn. Upon seeing Du Shoulu and the others return, they all bowed and greeted them, then looked at Xia Daoming with curiosity, their eyes filled with both inquiry and a hint of speculation.

Xia Daoming paid no attention to these things, instead focusing intently on the statue on the incense table. The solemn statue sat regally on a lotus pedestal, its features clear and bright, its countenance serene and dignified. Amidst the swirling incense smoke, it seemed to be watching him across the dust and years.

Xia Daoming's heart trembled, his thoughts surging, and past events surfaced one after another, as if he had been reborn from another world.

"Brave warrior Xia, do not be rude! Quickly pay your respects to the statue of the great deity!" Du Shoulu scolded him in a low voice when he saw him lost in thought.

"Oh."

Xia Daoming snapped out of his daze, a faint smile appearing on his lips. He did as instructed, clasping his hands together and bowing to the statue.

Just then, the side door next to the statue opened gently, and Cui Baisong walked out, his face showing a mixture of contemplation and confusion. He glanced around the hall and then his gaze fell on Xia Daoming. His expression changed instantly, and he quickly stepped forward to greet him.

"Brave Warrior Xia, my local earth god invites you," Cui Baisong said, clasping his hands in greeting.

Du Shoulu and the other two all showed surprise. With Xia Daoming's cultivation at only the first tribulation stage, he should have only been given medicine and a greeting by his attendants. Why did the local earth god have to summon him personally? Such an honor was truly rare.

Xia Daoming remained calm, as if he had expected this. He had already secretly sent a message using his divine sense, and there was a reason for it.

He followed Cui Baisong through a side gate and slowly walked along a winding bridge covered with lotus leaves. A stream meandered around the hall, shrouded in mist, its shimmering light reflecting off the water, creating the illusion of swimming fish—it felt like stepping into a fairyland. At the end of the bridge, ancient pavilions stood majestically, their carved beams and painted rafters subtly reflecting the shimmering water.

Before the steps of the palace, a woman in a light blue dress stood quietly.

She was tall and slender, with long, ink-black hair cascading down to her waist. Her features were delicate yet imposing. Her eyes shimmered with azure light, like surging ocean waves. Her dress was embroidered with intricate shell and seaweed patterns, as if she were draped in an underwater dreamscape. A watery aura surrounded her, clear and refreshing like the tide, her presence powerful and profound, clearly indicating that she had already reached the Eighth Tribulation of Spirit Transformation.

Behind him were two white-clad maids, both beautiful and dignified, with cultivation levels of the sixth tribulation.

The moment Xia Daoming appeared, the woman's eyes narrowed, and tears welled up in them. Unable to maintain her composure any longer, she took light steps and quickly stepped forward to greet him.

The two maids were stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening and quickly followed.

"Brave Warrior Xia, the local deity has arrived, please do not be impolite!" Cui Baisong was startled and quickly reminded him in a low voice.

Before he finished speaking, he strode forward, knelt respectfully on one knee several feet away, clasped his hands, and loudly reported:
"Mountain Patrol Officer Cui Baisong, by order, led the brave warrior Xia Daoming of Zican Peak to pay homage to the local deity!"

However, he sensed something was amiss as soon as he finished speaking. Xia Daoming behind him not only did not kneel, but calmly walked past him and headed straight for the woman in the blue dress.

Cui Baisong's heart skipped a beat, and he knew something was wrong. Just as he was about to reprimand the local lord, he saw him bow gracefully with his sleeves tucked in, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Xingyi greets Master Xia!"

Her voice trembled slightly, and her beautiful face was filled with excitement.

"Elder Xingyi, it's been a long time. We've finally reunited."

Xia Daoming gazed at her, his heart filled with a mix of emotions. Memories of the Merfolk Sea from years past surged into his mind like a tidal wave.

It turns out that this land deity of Yujianzhi was none other than Xingyi, the former elder of Canglan Palace.

Back then, Bai Xuzi, a disciple of the Chixiao Sect, ran rampant, demanding mermaid women and even coveting Lanxi. Xingyi stepped forward and resolutely decided to dedicate herself and sacrifice herself.

Xia Daoming vividly remembered that courage and righteousness. It was for this reason that he had mentored her many times. Later, in the war against the Chixiao Sect, Xingyi led the army at the forefront. Now, she has transcended the mortal realm and holds a divine position.

"Over the years, I have never forgotten the Palace Master and Master Xia!" Xingyi's eyes were filled with tears, her voice trembling slightly, as if only she and the man before her existed in the world.

"Lanxi...isn't she here with you?" Xia Daoming's heart tightened suddenly, and he asked.

Xingyi paused, then whispered, "No. Back then, I..."

"Let's go inside and talk about it," Xia Daoming said slowly, his tone calm, but unable to hide the turmoil in his heart.

"Yes, Master Xia," Xingyi replied respectfully, her attitude extremely humble.

The two women in white behind her and Cui Baisong were dumbfounded, their hearts reeling.

The local lord is so noble that he is addressed as "Lord Xia".
But the other party is clearly only a Nascent Soul cultivator at the first tribulation stage!

Cui Baisong, in particular, couldn't understand how the person he rescued along the way, who was clearly a cultivator from Zishen Peak, could suddenly become Lord Xia, the local deity.
Moreover, even if this person is an old friend of the Land Lord, he is just a cultivator at the first tribulation stage. Given the Land Lord's status and cultivation, why would he be so humble?
Even thinking about this, Cui Baisong couldn't help but feel a little resentful towards Xia Daoming.

They felt that Xia Daoming had no self-awareness at all. He was only at the first stage of cultivation, yet he still dared to put on airs in front of the local earth god because of their past relationship!
"You can all wait outside!" Just as the three were secretly shocked, Xingyi's voice rang in their ears.

"Yes, sir!" The three men were jolted awake and quickly bowed to accept the order.

"Master Xia, please." Xingyi bowed slightly, inviting Xia Daoming to go first.

Xia Daoming nodded slightly, lifted his foot and went up the steps, with Xingyi following closely behind.

　That concludes today's update.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)