Shi Ji nodded. "His Majesty wants to host the Peach Banquet at the Turquoise Pool, but the pool is currently situated on the Thirty-fourth Heaven, which is still in a state of disrepair. So, I wanted to ask if it's possible to move the Turquoise Pool down first and refurbish it, to avoid losing face for the Heavenly Court."
The Jade Emperor's household doesn't have surplus grain, and the image-conscious Jade Emperor had no choice but to compromise. He nodded, indicating he understood and would discuss the specifics with the Jade Emperor later.
Shi Ji looked over at Nezha, who said to her, "Later, I'll hand you the second phase of the blueprints for you to study first. If there's anything unclear, co ask . Once you've studied them thoroughly, we'll start the work."
After a pause, Nezha asked, "Is there anything you want?"
That last question from Nezha left Shi Ji sowhat stunned. In truth, she was very satisfied with her current life. Not only were her cultivation resources a thousandfold greater than when she lived in a cave, but her status far surpassed what an outer disciple female immortal of the Jie Sect could hope for.
The tasks she handled were mostly related to working with sand and stone, which was quite enjoyable and easy for soone who had transford from stubborn stone into a spirit.
Nezha waited for a long ti, but seeing Shi Ji unable to co up with anything, his eyes twinkled as he suddenly had an idea. He reached into his sleeve and pulled out the Heavenly Patrol Mirror, which had been retired.
"How about I give you this mirror? Not only can you contact at any ti, but it can also keep you company and provide entertainnt. It's quite a decent magical treasure."
Although the Heavenly Patrol Mirror was retired from Nezha's service, that didn't an it wasn't good. In fact, this mirror was the latest model developed with Nuwa's involvent—it was multifunctional and even incorporated Demon Dao technology. Across the entire Primordial world, you couldn't find a second one like it.
Shi Ji, filled with curiosity, leaned closer to take a look, while Nezha demonstrated how to use it.
By channeling mana into the Heavenly Patrol Mirror, it instantly activated. The Mirror Spirit appeared, its face still as ingratiating as ever. "Oh! My glorious master, I've missed you so much!"
It followed up with a cheeky smile.
"How much have you missed ?"
The Mirror Spirit, initially just flattering Nezha, was suddenly caught off guard. After straining for a while, it finally squeaked out, "I've been thinking about you every single mont, every minute, and every second!"
As soon as the Mirror Spirit finished speaking and saw Nezha nodding in approval, it breathed a sigh of relief. But its comical expression elicited a light chuckle from Shi Ji, who watched from under her cloak.
Nezha didn't continue to make things difficult for the Mirror Spirit and resud demonstrating the mirror's functions.
"Mirror, oh magic mirror, tell : who within ten thousand miles is the most handso immortal?"
The Mirror Spirit imdiately flattered him, saying, "Of course it's you, my most dashing master!"
"And within a hundred thousand miles?"
"Of course it's still you, my most charming and handso master!"
"How about in the entire Heavenly Palace?"
"Naturally, it's still, still you—the most dashing, handso, and gentle master!"
Nezha nodded in satisfaction. "You, little mirror, have good taste. I particularly like your honest personality, just like mine."
"So, do you think I'm better than Yuan—"
Before Nezha finished the sentence, the mirror suddenly went black. The Mirror Spirit cowered inside, trembling and curled up into a corner. Its reaction seed to say that its master really hadn't changed his mischievous tendencies!
Shi Ji, who had watched the entire scene, couldn't help but laugh out loud. Beneath the cloak, the subtle rise and fall of her chest from her laughter revealed that Shi Ji was… rather well endowed.
Nezha looked a little awkward and muttered, "Yuanshi Tianzun isn't even ho; what are you afraid of."
"Haha, this Mirror Spirit is rather timid."
With that, Nezha removed his imprint from within the Heavenly Patrol Mirror and handed it over to Shi Ji.
"This mirror lets you contact anyti. If there's anything unclear about the blueprints, feel free to ask ."
Shi Ji played with the mirror and earnestly replied, "Alright."
Nezha briefly explained the other functionalities of the Heavenly Patrol Mirror before heading off to the Twelfth Heaven. Shi Ji, anwhile, imprinted her own mark on the mirror and activated it once more.
The Mirror Spirit glanced around nervously, but after confirming Nezha wasn't around, it let out a long breath of relief, suddenly bursting with energy.
"Oh! My new master, what are your orders?"
Shi Ji, staring at the Mirror Spirit's exaggerated and amusing expressions, couldn't help but ask, "Magic Mirror, oh magic mirror, who is the most beautiful woman within a thousand miles?"
The Mirror Spirit: ???
No, wait. The Mirror Spirit was about to explode internally—it just wanted so peace and quiet!
...
Unbeknownst to Nezha, Shi Ji was having her own amusing exchange with the Magic Mirror. Nezha had already arrived at a side hall of the New Lingxiao Palace. Unlike past scenes of Hao Tian quietly handling affairs, the Jade Emperor was now sipping fine wine and listening to music.
Seeing the Jade Emperor's relaxed expression, even Nezha felt a pang of envy.
Upon spotting Nezha, the Jade Emperor showed no formalities. He gestured for a few palace attendants to prepare a seat for Nezha, complete with fine wine and delicacies. Though the Heavenly Court was financially tight, the pinch certainly didn't extend to its top brass.
The bowl of Immortal Brew on the table alone was worth an ordinary immortal's thirty years of salary. Rank ca with resources; it couldn't be helped.
Nezha, without standing on ceremony, reclined and enjoyed himself with wine, music, and watching the palace maids dance. After climbing his way to the top, why not indulge?
Besides, if the upper ranks didn't enjoy life, how would the lower ranks be motivated to create value? (Sarcastic grin)
After a dance performance, the palace maids withdrew.
"Nezha, you're aware of the situation with the Peach Banquet. How do you think the venue issue should be resolved?"
Nezha had already thought of a solution before coming, and he shared it directly.
"Your Majesty, right now the Heavenly Court is in deficit, and austerity asures are necessary. But if we move the Turquoise Pool down, it'll be impossible to move it back up again later."
The Jade Emperor didn't hesitate. He knew fixing the Thirty-fourth Heaven would take ages, and the Peach Banquet was imminent. There was no question—move the pool!
The Turquoise Pool, now only a third of its original size, would still require refurbishnt. As for funding? Those on the Investiture of the Gods roster would have to tighten their belts.
Lifespan or wages—wasn't that an easy choice?
And why did peaches still exist if the Dragon Clan had stolen them? Don't ask—if you must ask, it's thanks to the Queen Mother's years of private stockpiling. Just be grateful you can have a taste; no one's questioning the source of supply, let alone the Queen Mother's accounts!
After hashing out a few more details with the Jade Emperor, Nezha left his resting chamber. As soon as he exited the Lingxiao Palace, he bumped into the patrolling Immortal of Colossal Spirit.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Emperor!"
Nezha glanced at the Immortal's sturdy physique and couldn't help but think, what a waste not to have him moving bricks.
"Old Giant, gather three hundred strongn to help move the Turquoise Pool down to the Eleventh Heaven. Afterward, each person will receive five hundred catties of Spirit Rice."
The Immortal of Colossal Spirit's eyes lit up. The Heavenly Court was in a severe recession, and wages were scarce. Though the Immortal hadn't been listed on the roster and avoided disasters, supporting a family wasn't easy.
The promise of five hundred catties of Spirit Rice in exchange for so labor was thrilling. Conservatively rationed, five hundred catties could sustain a family of three for a year.
In high spirits, the Immortal rushed off to gather workers, while Nezha casually waited. Truth be told, moving the Turquoise Pool himself would have been effortless, but with his current status...
If Nezha handled everything alone, what was the point of his subordinates? People below worked while the ones above benefited; this was how the world operated—unless, of course, brute strength could rewrite the rules.
As for the Spirit Rice, Nezha found it aningless, as it offered spiritual energy far too slowly. Better to distribute it to those who actually needed it.
The Immortal of Colossal Spirit, well-connected and efficient, quickly rallied three hundred strongn and presented them to Nezha.
Three hundred tall, brawny n, all standing at five ters, uniformly greeted him, "Greetings, Emperor Ziwei!"
Before anything else, just their booming voices were impressive enough.
Leading the three hundred strongn, Nezha arrived at the outer Thirty-fourth Heaven. First, he circled the Turquoise Pool to break open several key nodes, then directed the workers to lift the pool.
The conventional path would have been cumberso, so Nezha led them straight to a deep chasm. A shapeless field enveloped Nezha and the workers carrying the Turquoise Pool. As Nezha advanced, the disordered stones near him compressed into steps, while the distant ones shifted aside, forming orderly walls.
Within the maze of jagged rocks, the path straightened itself, forming an unobstructed passageway leading to the Twelfth Heaven.
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