NOVPUBHearing the Dust Envoy’s words, Xu Zimei didn’t hesitate.
He followed the other party into the Divine Temple.
The temple was rather spacious, housing several large halls, with more than ten Dust Envoys coming and going, all busy with their tasks.
"Where did you get that token?" Da Zhi, the monk, curiously looked at Gu Yue on the way and asked.
"It was given to me by my mother. She said that if I encounter any danger here, I could show the token," Gu Yue replied.
"Your mother couldn’t possibly be a Divine Envoy, could she?" said Da Zhi.
"Within the Divine Maiden Palace, she must certainly have connections."
"I don’t know," Gu Yue said, her mood downcast.
"I also don’t understand why she sent me out of the Red Dust Palace and didn’t let me stay by her side."
"One may enter the Red Dust Palace, but not leave," Xu Zimei said with a smile,
"The fact that your mother was able to send you out indicates that she is no ordinary person."
The group followed the Divine Envoy into one of the large halls.
The hall was decorated simply, with blue and white windows and walls.
At the very front was also a statue.
This statue, several dozen meters high, depicted a woman ascending to the skies.
The woman wore a flowing robe of cloud-patterned silk, also in blue and white, with blue ribbons entwined around her.
"This is the World-weary Divine Girl, the founder of our Red Dust Palace," said the Dust Envoy, explaining to the group as they looked on curiously.
Xu Zimei nodded slightly.
The World-weary Divine Girl’s statue had no face, only a back was sculpted and it was hard to discern anything special about it.
"How long does it take to get from your temple to the Divine Maiden Palace?" Da Zhi asked from the side.
"At least one day, even though there is a Teleportation Array connecting us, the distance is still quite far," the Dust Envoy explained.
After speaking, he took a red token from his person.
He placed the token into the slot carved in front of the sculpture.
The next moment, a blue and white light shone down from the statue of the Divine Girl.
The light seemed to be reflected, starting to spin in one corner of the floor.
"You should enter quickly," the Dust Envoy said.
"The Formation is only open for a limited time." 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓾𝒷.𝒸ℴ𝓂
Once Xu Zimei and the other two stepped into the Teleportation Array, the light began to spin even faster.
The next moment, the light turned into a circular point, swallowing everything before vanishing into the void.
Watching the group leave, the Dust Envoy finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Have they been sent off?" A voice came from outside the door, and an elder with a walking stick ambled in.
"Elder Can, what brings you here as well?" the Dust Envoy quickly greeted.
"They’ve attacked us right at our doorstep, how could I not come out," the elder said with a smile,
"Did you compromise?"
"They had a Divine Envoy token," the Dust Envoy replied,
"I suspect there’s more to it than just that," the elder said with a chuckle.
The Dust Envoy was silent for a moment before saying, "I am no match for him."
"Let’s hope for calm seas ahead," the elder said softly shaking his head,
"The Red Dust Palace may seem peaceful, but many things hang by a thread, tightly strung indeed."
...
Xu Zimei and the other two traveled for about half a day before they reappeared in the outside world.
The journey was much quicker than expected.
The three figures emerged on the ground, surveying their surroundings.
It seemed they had already arrived within the Divine Maiden Palace.
This was a vast square.
Many statues were placed around the square, and a fountain was shaping various forms of water.
Two women in red robes were guarding the front of the Teleportation Array.
"What brings you to the Divine Maiden Palace?" the Divine Envoy on the left asked Xu Zimei and the others, her voice cold.
"We are looking for something," the monk Da Zhi said with a smile.
"What thing?" the Divine Envoy asked, puzzled.
"The Nirvana Beads, do you know where they are?" Xu Zimei inquired.
"What Nirvana Beads?" The Divine Envoy frowned slightly and asked, "Which Divine Temple are you from?"
Gu Yue timidly presented her Divine Envoy Token.
After receiving the token, both of them did not pay much attention at first.
"This is?" Then the Divine Envoy on the left slightly frowned, and suddenly her eyes widened.
"Isn’t this what the Palace Master ordered?"
Both Divine Envoys took a deep look at Gu Yue, and then said, "Please follow me to the Great Hall to wait for now. If there is anything, you may speak with our Palace Master."
Xu Zimei was not in a hurry and nodded slightly.
One of the Divine Envoys left with the token in hand.
The other led Xu Zimei and the three to a very serene yet majestic Great Hall.
The buildings here were made of blue and white stones, as transparent as glass.
At the top of the Great Hall, there was a chair, which appeared to be made of gemstones.
Sparkling and shining brightly.
The multicolored gemstones reflected various rays of light under the sun.
Xu Zimei and his party were seated at a table and chairs at the lower end and began waiting.
"How should I contact my mother?" Gu Yue asked expectantly.
"Let’s ask the Palace Master of the Divine Maiden Palace later," Xu Zimei replied.
"That token of yours is no small matter."
While everyone was speaking, the sound of melodious horns suddenly began to play outside.
"The Palace Master has arrived," announced a cool voice.
A woman, crowned and holding a Magic Wand, walked in slowly with the company of several red-robed Divine Envoys.
This woman carried an air of nobility and grandeur, dressed in a magnificent white robe with flowing clouds design.
The gown was one piece and appeared somewhat loose.
The hemline extended a meter long, held up by several Divine Envoys behind her.
The gown, embroidered with billowing sleeves and clouds, adorned with all kinds of pearls and gemstones, was luxurious and dignified.
As the woman approached step by step, Gu Yue’s eyes widened.
Just as she was about to speak, an astonishing aura suddenly burst forth from the Divine Maiden Palace.
Zhen, Gu Yue was about to speak but didn’t dare to utter a word.
"You may stand down," said the Palace Master of the Divine Maiden Palace, gesturing to the Divine Envoys on both sides.
The several Divine Envoys then saluted and withdrew.
"What brings you to my Divine Maiden Palace?" the Palace Master glanced at Gu Yue, then addressed Xu Zimei and the other.
"We heard the Nirvana Beads are here," Xu Zimei responded.
"Does it matter whether they are here or not?" inquired the Palace Master of the Divine Maiden Palace.
"We came specifically for the Nirvana Beads," the monk Da Zhi stood and said with a smile.
"Why not do us a kindness, Palace Master? Xu Zimei has a destiny with the Nirvana Beads. Gifting it to us would forge a good bond."
"I am not too clear about the Nirvana Beads. Why don’t you stay at my Divine Maiden Palace for now?
Once I find out more, I will deal with it then, how about that?" asked the Palace Master of the Divine Maiden Palace.
"I will wait for three days," Xu Zimei stated.
"If things can be resolved without a fight, naturally there would be nothing better."
Palace Master of the Divine Maiden Palace nodded. Her reaction and way of handling things somewhat puzzled Xu Zimei.
