Fueled by their anger, the women shot out a stream of abusive remarks at her. Some accused her of taking advantage of her powerful Kung Fu, saying that she had cast some spell on the mirror to hide her real age.

Some said that she could actually be more than 11,000 years old and that she chose to disregard the courtesy of how people her age should behave, all because she wanted to fit in with the young and youthful.

The most vicious remark came from Fairy Yingxue. "As a senior at the age of 11,000, you are not considered that old. Why did you try so hard to conceal your age? Oh, I know why. There are rumors about you, saying that you actually fancy the young prince. Did you try so hard to conceal your age, all because you were worried that he would mind the age gap? Is that why you try to pa.s.s yourself off, by changing your age to 200 years?"

"Nonsense! Nonsense!" A voice of a child emerged from the sleeves of Gu Xijiu.

Soon, the mussel made its entrance into the hall. A child could be seen standing between sh.e.l.ls. His tiny face was entirely flushed with indignation. "My master is only 232 years old! Millions of lives from the mortal world can be her proof. 11,000 years old? There must be something wrong with the mirror, and perhaps even with you. You must be at least 4,000 years old by now. Are you dumb enough to trust the mirror, old woman?"

The celestial beings were in utter surprise. The celestial beings of the Saha World were all civilized with good manners. None of them had ever spoken as directly and rudely as the mussel just did.

Fairy Yingxue was embarra.s.sed by the mussel"s offensively and impolite remark but was too reluctant to argue with a mere mussel. Scornfully, she answered, "The Fairy Floral Feast is a sacred event. Why did you smuggle your majestic being here?"

"Exactly, it is against the rules!" A voice chimed in immediately.

"It is a violation!"

Smilingly, Gu Xijiu answered only to the Emperor Immortal, "Your majesty, I remember clearly that I am allowed to bring two friends along."

The Emperor Immortal agreed with a nod. "I had indeed allowed that, but I haven"t seen your friends anywhere."

"My friend is here," Gu Xijiu cleared his confusion by pointing at the mussel. The mussel flung back its head and seemed very proud. It was touched by her kind gesture, for she regarded it as a friend.

The crowd was, once again, speechless. In their eyes, there was a clear distinction between celestial and majestic beings. The majestic beings were animals, so they should never be mentioned in the same breath with the celestial beings, for one could never equate an animal as a friend. Mighty Immortal Gu was indeed different. The Celestial immortal heaved a helpless sigh. "Where is your other friend?" He asked.

"I am here." Another fluff rolled out from Gu Xijiu"s sleeves. It was Lu Wu. It soon spread all of its nine tails with pride, like a peac.o.c.k flaunting its bright plumage. "My master is only 232 years old. When she took me under her care, she was only 14 years old. I have been there throughout the years to witness her growth. Your vicious remarks have only proven your jealousy. You are all jealous about how excellent she really is. Since you have failed to find your advantage in response to her strength, you try to make yourself feel better by disclaiming her age. What you fail to notice is that you are all old women as compared to my master!"

The women were perplexed. The majestic beings surprised the crowd, for they had been more and more outspoken in their criticisms. Moreover, they managed to convey the very truth.

Fairy Yingxue was thoroughly embarra.s.sed. "I can see that you have painstakingly tried to conceal your age by telling lies to your majestic beings. It is a shame that the Bone Reflecting Mirror has revealed your true self. There is no way you can hide your age anymore. It is ridiculous for a woman of your age to fancy the young prince. Aren"t you worried that you will end up being a laughing stock across all three worlds?"

"Nonsense! My master has never fancied the young prince! She only said those things in a fit of rage, caused by the dumb, old men who have clearly outlived their usefulness."