Perhaps it was obvious that the few of them were being contemptuous. The squirrel said weakly, "Why not... I make a nest for you?" He knew how to make a nest. "It'll be a big one!"
The three of them: "..." Who wants a nest of yours!
"Forget it." Lonemoon pulled out a white box from his robes and handed it to Yi Qing. "This is a cave abode that Fatty created when he was trying his hand at refining things. It's not huge, but it'll do for now."
He pulled out a transmission amulet and called Fatty over quickly. "In a few days, I will go over and meet you all. Also..." He pointed to the demonic squirrel. "Find a place to let this mushroom go."
After leaving his instructions, he turned to study Shen Ying. Then, he summoned his flying sword. Just as he was about to fly away, he gritted his teeth and turned back. He took out the snacks that he confiscated from Shen Ying before and shoved it back at her. "Eat your fruits. Don't get lost again!"
Shen Ying's eyes brightened. "Yes, Father Niu. No problem, Father Niu!"
Lonemoon tried to keep his face from showing the fatherly worries he felt in his heart. He turned around and left to fight for the sake of his wastrel children.
——————
People who had not yet come into contact with immortal cultivators were pretty easy to deceive... No, they were pretty easy to publicize to. Lonemoon performed different types of simple sorcery at various places. Along the way, he also captured several trouble-making demons. Slowly, news that there was an immortal mountain in the east which people could ascend to pray to immortals spread throughout the mortal continent. Many people began to set out to search for this immortal mountain.
Lonemoon leaked several maps at appropriate times, and then spread rumors that the younger the people were, the higher the chances were of their prayers being answered. He guessed that there would be a significant number of people who would come forward. It was easy to advertise in this continent, but Lonemoon's heart ached the moment he thought about the two wastrel children of his. For some reason, it seemed like they could not sit still without causing trouble for him.
Thus, the moment he finished what he had to do, he hurried back. When he saw the mighty building sitting atop a high mountain floating in mid-air, with immortal Qi engulfing it, he did not know how to react.
Was this... what Chef and Shen Ying built?
(⊙_⊙)
Subconsciously, he released his divine perception to scan the building and mountain. He discovered that this was not made out of dharmic equipment. It was a real building, and a huge one at that. He could faintly feel the immortal Qi flowing through the immortal meridian in the ground. Yet, what filled the building was spirit Qi. They had even set up the system to transform immortal Qi to spirit Qi!
The wastrels in his house had suddenly become so capable and obedient. Lonemoon felt heartened!
He turned around and headed for the rear hall.
"Father Niu, you're back!" Shen Ying waved in greeting. Then, she quickly swept all the food on the table onto her own plate.
Lonemoon pursed his lips and sat down at the table. Looking around, he asked, "Chef, what's up with this building? Who did you capture to build this for you?"
"No one," Yi Qing answered seriously. "It was built by Master!"
"Shen Ying?" Lonemoon narrowed his eyes. "I'd believe you if you said she tore a building down. But you're saying she built one? Ha ha ha... Wait!" Lonemoon jumped to his feet and took a closer look at his surroundings. He was so shocked earlier that he was not thinking straight. "Why does this entire building look so familiar? Why does it look like Hong Meng's..."
"You've guessed rightly. This is the Purple Night Palace," Yi Qing answered him.
"You dragged Hong Meng here and told him to replicate his own palace?"
"No!" Yi Qing shook his head. "Master said it's too troublesome to build a building from scratch. She said it would be much easier to move Hong Meng's building over here to be used."
"So..." Lonemoon pursed his lips. "You moved the entire Purple Night Palace here?"
"That was the fastest way."
"Can I ask... What exactly is left there?"
Yi Qing thought for a moment and said, "There's the public square in the front." After all, there were still many people there meditating who have not yet returned to the present.
Lonemoon fell silent and sighed a long sigh. "Chef!" He clenched his fists by his side, then patted Yi Qing on the shoulder. WIth a somber expression... he gave him a thumbs up. "Good job!"
Yi Qing: "..."
Shen Ying: "..."
He'd taught these two for so many years, and they've finally learned something from their father. He was indeed heartened!
**
At the seaside.
There was nothing but an empty mountain left at where the Purple Night Palace once stood.
Hong-bankrupt-Meng stood on the public square, feeling as empty as the mountain.
"Brother Hong, do you want a carrot to calm yourself down?" Rabbit felt bad looking at him and offered him one of his carrots.
Hong Meng: "One might not be enough..."
"That's alright, I'll give you a bunch."
"..."
——————
The housing problem had been resolved. Lonemoon was eating in peace and was just about to ask about the spirit Qi around. After all, the Purple Night Palace was originally Hong Meng's palace – it should be filled with God Power. Cultivators would not be able to withstand God Power right away. In fact, they might not even be able to withstand immortal Qi if they were just starting out with their cultivation. Spirit meridians were the best for them under such circumstances. Yet, this plane had just started a while ago. There were immortal meridians and God Power everywhere, but spirit Qi and spirit meridians were few and far between.
Lonemoon was just wondering what kind of array he would have to set up after planting the immortal meridian, in order to change the immortal Qi to spirit Qi. He had not expected Chef to solve the problem before he could think of a solution.
Just when he was about to ask, Fatty entered the room and rejoiced upon spotting Lonemoon. "Master, you're back!" He walked briskly to Lonemoon's side. A little figure followed closely behind him, carrying a basket.
"Mm." Lonemoon nodded and glanced at the figure beside Fatty. He turned to Chef, "Why is this mushroom still here? You haven't let it go?" The thing beside Fatty was the squirrel demon.
"I... I'm very useful!" Mushroom took a step forward and gestured. "I know how to plant mushrooms!"
Who wants your mushrooms!
Lonemoon frowned.
"Master, the mushrooms that he plants can transform immortal Qi into spirit Qi," Fatty explained. "The spirit Qi here was produced from his mushrooms."
"He can transform immortal Qi!" Lonemoon exclaimed. He turned and studied the mushrooms growing around the yard. It was obvious that they were grown from some kind of dharmic spell. They were emanating spirit Qi. "How could this be?" How could demons have such a power? Unless...
"He might not be an ordinary demon," Yi Qing said in a low voice.
Yi Qing scanned the squirrel demon from head to toe, then raised his hand to conjure a seal. The squirrel's body swayed, and he transformed into his true form. The basket in his hands dropped down onto the ground, covering his body and pressing down on his tail. The squirrel began to panic and struggle to get out.
Fatty picked up the overturned basket to release the squirrel. The squirrel, however, was scared half to death. Within two moves, he climbed up onto Fatty's shoulder and hid behind his head. Two big, tear-filled eyes peeked out at Lonemoon.
Big or small, he was truly a squirrel. But why was it able to grow mushrooms that could change immortal Qi into spirit Qi?
"Fatty, bring him over." He wasn't Shen Ying – there was nothing to be afraid of.
"Don't be afraid!" Fatty comforted the squirrel demon. Then, he picked up the squirrel and handed him over to Lonemoon.