Although this place is the Ghost Country, it's not all gloomy scenes.
In the territory where Mrs. Pei hosts Tao Qian, directly called the [No Food Ghost Mother Temple], a vermilion gate with nails cast in gold hangs a plaque with the four big characters "Life and Death".
The door opens, stepping up into the room, immediately one sees vermilion rails, stone paving, painted pillars, carved beams, half-rolled bead curtains, and jade tables within.
At the same time, in Tao Qian's mind, records begin to emerge, sensing that the place was filled with a pure essence called "No Food Origin Qi," bringing many benefits.
Once seated, immediately, maids dressed in red skirts and green sleeves, spirit ghosts, came out to serve.
After all, this is a ghost realm, the served wines and dishes are vastly different from the common, whether mortal or Penglai Sea.
Mrs. Pei, with snow-white hair and skin, saintly and cold like a Bodhisattva of hell, pointed at those special items and said with a smile:
"You are the Spirit Treasure Daoist, Duo Bao's first disciple; I presume you've tasted various immortal wines and delicacies, dragon liver, and phoenix marrow."
"Since you've come to my No Food Country, you might as well try something new. They're not rare things, just some 'Forget Immortal Tea,' 'Heavenly Ghost Meat,' 'Mud Soup,' 'Undying Candle'..."
"If mortals or ordinary cultivators consume them, there could be harm, but with True Master's cultivation, there's no problem, yet can savor some different taste."
Upon hearing this, Tao Qian became interested and began tasting one by one.
Indeed, each carried a unique and extraordinary flavor.
And with each taste, records emerged that surprised Tao Qian greatly, enriching his knowledge.
Tao Qian now cultivates Three Meridians, with highly advanced levels.
But this does not include the Ghost Path.
They clicked instantly, creating a very lively atmosphere.
...
About an hour later, amidst the swirling ghost fog, two figures entered.
First was Lin Xiaohua, looking quite battered with a bruised face, followed by the snowy-white-clad, heroic Mrs. Pei Niannu.
The many beautiful female ghosts were nowhere to be seen.
Xiao Hua Daoist entered while chastising Pei Niannu:
"I told you not to be so harsh, not to threaten me every time with that thing, Shi Mo, and Sisi each has gentle temperament and adores me deeply. If you say you'll cut my arm off if they don't comply, they will surely reincarnate peacefully."
"You wield your sword like a shrew, threatening to cut my Pure Yang Root; they only worry I'd lose happiness in the future, how can they reincarnate at ease?"
Pei Niannu, while walking, gently wiped her treasure sword.
Casually responding: "Dear husband, how do you know I truly didn't intend to cut that thing?"
Lin Xiaohua was momentarily stunned upon hearing this.
Soon, inside the hall, he saw his mother-in-law engaging in philosophical debate with Tao Qian, both exchanging words like cryptic heavenly books.
Until the couple entered, Tao Qian and Mrs. Pei appropriately paused.
Lin Xiaohua, filled with nostalgia and emotion, approached Tao Qian, speaking rapidly:
"Brother Tao, since parting at Seeking Immortal County, I've missed you terribly."
"Though I predicted upon first meeting that Brother Tao would not remain confined and must achieve greatness, your swift progress is truly terrifying, surpassing me in Dao practice and divine powers, establishing extraordinary achievements, proving my foresight of Lin Xiaohua was indeed exceptional."
"I originally planned to visit Qiantang soon to see you and the two little ones, but you and I seem to share a mind; you sought me out first."
"By the way, where are Little Sui and Lian Jing'er?"
It's evident that without worrying for his life, navigating the Dao path smoothly, and finding success in romance, Daoist Xiao Hua's spirit was completely liberated, showing no worry, only joy.
Reuniting with an old friend, Tao Qian was also greatly pleased.
And replied with a smile:
"Daoist Xiao Hua's transformation is truly enviable."
"You've found the right path, I see that it won't take long for you to enter the Ultimate Happiness Realm, and becoming a Ghost Immortal is hopeful."
Tao Qian engaged in mutual flattery with someone else's wife and mother-in-law.
He then seized the opportunity to state his purpose.
"I presume you have seen the Qiantang incident. Lian Jing'er is exceptionally fortunate, having joined the lineage of Tianzhi Gong. Now, she is Sui Chaozi's true disciple, following in cultivation and refining the mechanical army in Qiantang."
"As for Little Sui, my wife Yunrong has taken him back to Jade Ring Mountain. This little fellow needs no worry, for the magic skill he cultivates is a secret in our sect, well-suited for him. After accompanying me to the mountain gate, he gained the affection of many uncles and aunts from the sect, never lacking heavenly materials and earthly treasures...."
"It would be easy for you to meet these two little fellows. Three days later, would you have time to attend my wedding banquet at Penglai Sea?"
As he finished speaking, Tao Qian directly handed out the invitation.
Immediately, Lin Xiaohua and Pei Niannu showed expressions of surprise.
Although the news of Tao Qian's 'marriage' had spread throughout the world these days, the No Food Ghost Country was somewhat special, and the news was not as readily accessible as in other cultivation forces.
Although Mrs. Pei had known earlier, at that time, Lin Xiaohua and his wife were deeply entangled in emotional tribulations, so she did not inform them immediately.
She thought that in due time, there should be an envoy from the Spirit Treasure Sect to deliver the invitation.
Little did she expect Tao Qian to pay a personal visit.
Tao Qian, unaware of this, assumed it was due to the Ghost Country's seclusion, so he smiled and added:
"My wife, Fairy Yunrong, is a disciple of Grandma Taizhen from the Jade Ring Mountain lineage."
"Grandma treats her as her own daughter. Once my tribulation was over, she ordered us to marry."
"The time had indeed come, so the wedding date was set."
"In three days, I hope you esteemed couple, along with Senior Pei, will all come to Penglai Sea."
"Great! That's wonderful!"
"I didn't expect that back then Tao brother couldn't attend my wedding, and now I can partake in Tao brother's wedding wine."
"As for Little Sui and Lian Jing'er, those two little ones, tsk tsk, they were pitiful elf hybrids back then, always starving while with me. Little did I know that their fortune would immediately reverse after joining Tao brother...."
Upon seeing a dear friend, joyous news arrived one after another.
Xiao Hua Daoist's mood also grew increasingly pleasant, and he held onto the invitation, dragging Tao Qian without letting him leave.
Chattering on, asking about everything.
As the reunion continued, he even outright expressed the desire to follow Tao Qian to Penglai Sea three days in advance.
Unfortunately, just as they were about to depart,
a peculiar incident exclusive to Xiao Hua Daoist suddenly struck, only to hear several maids from outside the Ghost Mother Hall reporting in succession:
"Reporting to the King and Princess, a new female ghost named 'Nie Xiaoqian' has arrived outside the Prince Consort's city, claiming that she had an emotional entanglement with the Prince Consort in a wild temple in a remote mountain, entwined for seven days and nights, pledging eternal commitment, yet on the eighth day, the Prince Consort left a small cultivation book and some spiritual objects and departed without a word."
"She has been searching for the Prince Consort for years. Recently, she heard the news and came seeking an audience."
"She also says that if the Princess does not mind, she is willing to be a concubine."
...
"Reporting to the King, a new spirit ghost with high cultivation has arrived in the country. She has already stepped into the Cavernous Mystery Realm, and it is suspected she inherited the lineage of Beimang Mountain. She calls herself 'Meng Jiang', stating that years ago, she was merely a lone soul, fortunate to have met the Prince Consort, who guided her towards Beimang Mountain to seek the Dao, ultimately achieving success in cultivation."
"She says that although her time with the Prince Consort was only for a single night, it planted deep emotional roots, making it impossible to forget."
"Her master has arranged a marriage for her with the Ghost Emperor of Beimang Mountain. She was about to accept her fate, but upon hearing that the Prince Consort was in the No Food Country, she fled from the marriage that night, rushing here to seek an audience."
"This person also says that if the Princess does not mind, she is willing to be a concubine."
...
As these reports reached the hall, Mrs. Pei and Tao Qian were alright.
Pei Niannu's face immediately turned as cold as ice.
As for Xiao Hua Daoist, he stood frozen in place.
Needless to say, his plan to follow Tao Qian directly to Penglai Sea was likely doomed.
...
ps: Regarding Lin Xiaohua's cultivation, it was previously mentioned in the full subscription side story "No Food Ghost Country's Enrollment Day, Xiao Hua Prince Consort Enters the Cavernous Mystery." Readers who haven't seen it can join the group to read, along with other side stories transmitted together.