Upon hearing Luo Qingxian's words, Luo Xiu immediately perked up, "Hearing you speak like that, Xian'er, even without the Three-star Clan Leader, it's worth taking a trip to the Upside-down Sky."
Luo Qingxian giggled, "I knew His Majesty would say that."
Luo Xiu asked, "Do you know where the Upside-down Sky is?"
"In the direction of the Immortal Grass Forest, and it's not far from there."
Luo Xiu reached out to pat her head, "You've worked hard."
Luo Qingxian looked up at Luo Xiu obediently, "It's not hard. My sister mostly helped with gathering the information."
"I see."
Suddenly, Luo Qingxian tiptoed and gave Luo Xiu a quick peck on the cheek, "My sister said you should visit her when you have time; she wants you to repay her properly."
"Got it. I'll definitely visit when I have the time. By the way, Xian'er, have you had breakfast yet?"
"Not yet."
"Then shall I cook some noodles for you?"
"Yes!"
Off to the side, Ma Muyang timidly raised his hand, "Big Brother, I also want to eat the noodles you cooked."
"..."
...
After breakfast, Luo Xiu and his group prepared to set off for the Immortal Grass Forest.
While the ladies were busy packing, Ma Muyang pulled Luo Xiu to the tavern entrance and said, "Big Brother, this time I won't be going with you. I don't want to watch you all being lovey-dovey the whole way, and besides, I have to get back to the mortal realm to take care of things."
"Our Wushang Realm has business dealings with Yan Huang Star now, and I'm the main person responsible for that since my sister is busy with other things."
Luo Xiu patted him on the shoulder, "Alright then, you've worked hard."
"Hehe, it's no trouble." Ma Muyang laughed, "Oh, by the way, Big Brother, my sister has gone to Yan Huang Star again."
Luo Xiu teased, "So what? Are you going to match her to me again?"
"Come on, you can't force these things, right?" Ma Muyang waved his hand, "My sister, from a young age, never cared much for cultivation, and she enjoys studying whimsical things."
"This time she went to Yan Huang Star and talked with Elder Ao Si about setting up a base there like the Heavenly Qing Empire's, calling it the 'Heavenly Craft Institute' or something like that."
Luo Xiu nodded, indicating he understood.
Ma Muyang said, "And the establishment of the Heavenly Craft Institute was brought up by Sister Xi Yue at the meeting yesterday."
"Have you met her?"
"Yes, she's as beautiful as a fairy, the kind that's one in a million, and she's capable. Big Brother, you're really lucky!"
Luo Xiu laughed, "Keep it low-key, keep it low-key."
"By the way, Big Brother, where's Eighth Master?"
"Lao Ba went to Wutongzhou. Speaking of which, when you return to the mortal realm, remember to tell my sister and Qing Kuang to maintain good diplomatic relations with Wutongzhou."
"Okay, I've got it."
"Go on then."
"Oh, Big Brother, there's one more thing. I'm not sure if I should say it."
"Just say what's on your mind."
"It's just⦠I feel there's something off between Sister Xi Yue and Sister Qing Kuang."
Luo Xiu's mouth twitched, "For example?"
Ma Muyang decisively said, "It's a man's intuition."
Luo Xiu sighed, "They're the ones I'm most worried about."
"Anyway, Big Brother, it's your family matter. You'll have to sort it out on your own. I'm off now."
"..."
A little while later.
After seeing Ma Muyang off, Luo Xiu closed the tavern doors and set off with the four ladies for the Immortal Grass Forest.
Traveling along the way, they enjoyed the adventurous journey with ease.
Over the past few days together, Luo Qingxian had grown closer with Zhang Yi, Xu Qianqing, and Su Shanyue, sometimes even teaming up to tease Luo Xiu.
Even the Plateau Saintess had been influenced by Zhang Yi to learn quite a bit of cheeky banter.
Four days later.
A man and four women arrived at the Immortal Grass Forest.
Although the forest wasn't their destination, since they were there, they naturally wanted to visit Dou Dou.
Zhang Yi suddenly jumped onto a large tree, spread her arms, and sighed, "The wind that misses you has also reached the Immortal Grass Forest!"
"Brother Luo Xiu."
"Hmm?"
"How about we retire here in the future? The twelfth floor of the Divine Oracle Cave Heaven has no closing time, so we can stay as long as we like."
"I've thought about it too, but we'll have to wait."
"..."
Just then, two little elf girls wielding wooden spears hopped out of the bushes, sounding adorably aggressive.
"Who dares to trespass in the Immortal Grass Forest?!"
"Hurry up and state your name, or you'll regret it!"
Luo Xiu stepped forward, smiling, "It's me."
The two little elf girls' eyes widened upon seeing him, and they dropped their spears, gleefully rushing toward Luo Xiu.
"It's Elephant Trunk!"
"The Elephant Trunk Patron is here!"
"..."
Luo Qingxian glanced at Xu Qianqing curiously, "Why do they call His Majesty Elephant Trunk?"
Xu Qianqing stifled a giggle, "You'll have to ask him yourself."
...
Meanwhile.
In Everlasting City.
Inside the Queen's Sleeping Palace.
Dou Dou lay on the bed, her little legs swinging playfully, as she tinkered with a heap of miscellaneous magical treasures, humming a tune all the while.
Her only hobby in life was collecting various magical treasures.
"A crab, eight claws."
"Two big pincers, six little claws."
"Pinch tightly, pull can't let go."
"..."
"Argh, that useless Chen Shuisheng hasn't come to visit Dou Dou for so long!"
"Whatever, Dou Dou can play by herself."
While Dou Dou was talking to herself, a little elf girl hurriedly ran into the room.
"Your Majesty the Queen, the Elephant Trunk Patron has arrived!"
Upon hearing the news, Dou Dou's brow furrowed, "Is it Chen Shuisheng?"
"Yes!"
Dou Dou quickly rolled off the bed, "Bring out that pretty dress!"
"Dou Dou can't let Chen Shuisheng underestimate her, because now she's the Queen."
In a short while.
Once Dou Dou had finished dressing up, wearing a luxurious green royal gown, she went to the grand reception hall to find Luo Xiu surrounded by a group of little elf girls.
The little elf girls were tugging at his hands, hugging his legs, with some even climbing onto him, all calling out "Elephant Trunk," clearly very fond of him.
"Ahem, ahem!"
Dou Dou softly cleared her throat, taking a seat on a delicately crafted, vine-woven but grandiose throne, displaying a severe yet regal demeanor.
All the little elf girls hastily scattered, standing neatly on either side of the hall.
"Chen Shuisheng, why have you come to Everlasting City? Do you have business with Her Majesty?"
Luo Xiu looked at Dou Dou with a peculiar expression, "It's been a while, and now you're putting on airs with me?"
Dou Dou huffed, maintaining her regal air, "Show some respect to Her Majesty, or beware, I might have you locked up!"
Luo Xiu felt a headache coming on, doubting the elf queen's wits, "What 'Her Majesty'? You should say 'This Queen'."
"Mind your own business!"
Luo Xiu glanced around, "Speaking of which, where's An Ran?"
Dou Dou stated, "Hand over the snacks, and Her Majesty will tell you."
Just then, a little elf girl beside them piped up, "The High Priest's vacation is over; she's gone to the Celestial Realm to stand watch!"
Luo Xiu turned to the speaking elf girl, smiling.
He remembered that little elf girl, named "Tu Tu," from his last visit here.
"When will she return?"
Tu Tu answered, "In three hundred years."
"Alright." Luo Xiu turned back to Dou Dou, "I was just passing by and thought I'd stop in to see you. Want to go to the Upside-down Sky? There's treasure there."
Dou Dou's eyes sparkled at the mention, "Really? You better not be lying, or Dou Dou won't be happy!"
"How could I dare lie to you? You're the biggest authority here; you could have me imprisoned anytime."
Dou Dou replied seriously, "But Her Majesty is busy, dealing with affairs day and night."
Luo Xiu waved his hand dismissively, "Fine, don't come if you don't want to."
Dou Dou hurriedly said, "Hand over the snacks, and Her Majesty will go!"
"..."