Moonlight Mystique

Chapter Sixty-Six

"The Phoenix Clan has resided here ever since migrating from the Divine Realm sixty thousand years ago. The place with the most abundant Spiritual Qi in the world is none other than this ancient phoenix grove."

A day later, a streak of spiritual light flashed across the sky above Phoenix Island. Moments later, Qing Yi was already leading Bai Shuo through the phoenix grove.

Bai Shuo gaped at the towering phoenix trees surrounding them. Truly befitting the most prestigious clan in the Three Realms—just the Spiritual Qi emanating from a single phoenix tree surpassed that of the entire Misty Island. No wonder beings in the Immortal Realm fought tooth and nail to join a prestigious sect.

Bai Shuo secretly rolled her eyes at Qing Yi. A-Zhao had to cultivate tirelessly for years just to earn the title of Immortal Lord and the right to enter Phoenix Island. Yet this little Daoist had not only bypassed the formalities of seeking an audience but had flown straight into the ancient grove without anyone stopping him. Life really was unfair.

"If you can't find a suitable sect, I can speak to His Majesty and arrange for you to stay here and cultivate…"

"Stay on Phoenix Island?" Bai Shuo, who had been busy looking around, shot him a sidelong glance.

This little Daoist from Daze Mountain certainly had a bold tongue.

Bai Shuo clapped a hand on Qing Yi’s shoulder and spoke with exaggerated solemnity. "A-Yi, given our life-and-death friendship, let’s not exaggerate, alright? Do you think the Phoenix Emperor is someone you can just meet whenever you please? He’s the only one in the lower Three Realms who…"

Before she could finish, a streak of spiritual light flashed, and a young attendant clad in ancient robes appeared behind them, wearing a phoenix feather headpiece. He bowed respectfully to Qing Yi. "Greetings, Lord Qing Yi."

Who? What did he just call him? Bai Shuo froze, then slowly turned her head toward the little Daoist beside her.

"Qing Yi? Lord? The First Disciple of Daze Mountain?" Bai Shuo uttered the three questions woodenly, her soul seemingly leaving her body.

"That would be me." Qing Yi nodded at Bai Shuo, still smiling gently.

Bai Shuo hiccuped involuntarily, swiftly retracting her hand. She carefully smoothed out the little Daoist’s robes, then stood ramrod straight with her head bowed submissively.

"Greetings, my lord. This humble immortal, Bai Shuo, pays her respects."

Qing Yi, the First Disciple of Daze Mountain, was no ordinary figure like Bei Chen or Nan Wan. His Grandmaster was Donghua, the first Immortal in sixty thousand years to ascend to godhood. His Junior Martial Uncle was the Heaven-Defying Phoenix Emperor, Feng Yin. Even the Golden Yao Celestial of the Nine Heavens Palace treated him as an equal.

To call him merely a disciple of Daze Mountain was an understatement—his status among the immortals was on par with the Celestial Lords of the Heavenly Palace.

And what had she just accused him of? Boasting? Oh heavens, she was doomed!

Bai Shuo was on the verge of tears.

Qing Yi watched her face cycle through a kaleidoscope of expressions before shaking his head in amusement and turning to the young attendant.

"Wu Shuang, it’s been a while. Is my Junior Martial Uncle here?"

"His Majesty has embarked on a journey. Before leaving, he left a message for you, my lord. He said he won’t be able to play chess with you for some time and hopes you’ll practice diligently—no slacking off."

Wu Shuang mimicked the Phoenix Emperor’s tone perfectly before adding, "The Elder learned of your arrival on Phoenix Island and sent me to escort you to the main hall to meet with Immortal Lord Jin Yao. And this is…?"

Qing Yi nodded. Seeing the attendant’s questioning gaze toward Bai Shuo, he quickly said, "This is Immortal Lord Bai Shuo. She once saved my life. Please ensure she is well taken care of."

"Understood." Wu Shuang nodded earnestly.

Qing Yi turned to Bai Shuo. "I must go to the main hall for now. You may rest here with Wu Shuang."

"Of course, of course! Take your time, my lord!" Bai Shuo agreed hastily, still refusing to lift her head.

Qing Yi chuckled helplessly before vanishing in a flash of spiritual light.

"Immortal Lord Bai Shuo? Immortal Lord Bai Shuo?!" The young attendant’s crisp voice called out several times before Bai Shuo snapped out of her daze. Only then did she realize she had unknowingly arrived at a secluded pavilion."Nine Splendors Pavilion?" Bai Shuo looked around. The pavilion was located at the southernmost part of the island, quiet and secluded, hardly resembling accommodations befitting the chief disciple of Daze Mountain.

"This pavilion is closest to the Ancient Forest. Divine Lord Yuan Qi often stayed here during his childhood visits to the island. Later, when Superior Immortal Qing Yi came, he also resided here."

Divine Lord Yuan Qi? The son of True God Shang Gu? The God of Hundun?!

Bai Shuo's heart trembled, and suddenly this ordinary-looking pavilion seemed mysterious and magnificent. She touched everything around her, sniffing here and there, wishing she could absorb more Hundun Spiritual Qi to extend her lifespan by a few hundred years.

Feeling a pair of burning eyes on her back, Bai Shuo snapped out of her reverie and saw the young attendant staring wide-eyed. Embarrassed, she scratched her head and chuckled, "Wu... Wu Shuang, right? I can rest here by myself. No need to mind me, you can go about your business."

"Understood." The attendant nodded and turned to leave but was suddenly pulled back. Bai Shuo poked her head out and asked, "Oh, by the way, little Master, can I ask you something? Do you know where Piaomiao and Haoyue are staying?"

Since they were brought by Qing Yi, Wu Shuang didn't hide it and pointed toward the easternmost part. "The Piaomiao Sect is staying at the Pine Crane Courtyard in the eastern part of the island. As for the Haoyue Palace..." The attendant pointed to the left. "The master of Haoyue Palace prefers quiet and is staying at the Carefree Pavilion next door."

Bai Shuo glanced left and saw a secluded pavilion faintly visible beneath towering ancient trees, just peeking out. She shuddered, coughing so hard she nearly choked.

"Immortal Lord Bai Shuo?"

"It's nothing, nothing." Bai Shuo's face turned bright red as she waved at Wu Shuang. "I caught a chill from the wind. I think I'll sleep now. Immortal Lord Wu Shuang, please make yourself at home."

With that, she darted into the Nine Splendors Pavilion.

Can Immortals even catch colds? Wu Shuang scratched his head in confusion and walked away.

A short while later, Bai Shuo pushed open the door of the Nine Splendors Pavilion and stealthily made her way to the neighboring pavilion through the courtyard trees.

"A divine sign appeared in the Abyssal Marsh?"

In the main hall of Phoenix Island, Jin Yao's expression changed as he looked at Qing Yi in shock.

Qing Yi nodded. "A few nights ago, Master observed the stars and noticed something resembling the Moon Star flickering above the Abyssal Marsh."

"What? The Moon Star? Isn't that..."

"The primary star of the Goddess of the Moon and Stars?" Feng Xian interjected, also looking astonished. "How is that possible? Goddess Yue Mi perished sixty thousand years ago. How could her primary star appear in the lower Three Realms?"

Since the destruction wrought by the Demon God sixty thousand years ago, when the Goddess of the Moon and Stars fell in the Annihilation Array, there had been no deity governing the constellations. The stars in the world now were all formed by the power of Hundun.

"That astral power vanished in an instant. Master couldn't be certain, which is why he sent me to investigate the Abyssal Marsh."

"What did you find there?" Jin Yao pressed.

Qing Yi shook his head. "I only reached the outskirts of the marsh when I encountered a strange tree spirit. Its spiritual power was extraordinarily high—I was no match for it. That's why I came to Phoenix Island to request the Immortal Seat and the Elders to accompany me back to the Abyssal Marsh."

Jin Yao's expression turned grave.

"Does the Immortal Seat have reservations?"

"The Immortal Seat fears this divine sign of the Moon Star might also be a trap set by malevolent forces." Feng Xian explained, recounting the incident at the Wuyan Banquet in the exotic city of Wutong.

The Abyssal Marsh was perpetually shrouded in sinister energy, mysterious and fraught with danger. This time, it might well be a trap deliberately set to lure the Immortals.

Qing Yi was stunned. "Someone dared to sacrifice an entire exotic clan?! Reversing a divine array—was their goal to kill the master of Haoyue Palace?""Not only that, if he succeeds, the younger generation of our Immortal clan will also perish alongside him," Feng Xian spoke gravely. "This person harbors sinister intentions—he likely seeks to incite chaos across the Three Realms."

"Since the Phoenix Emperor ascended to godhood, no one in the Three Realms has achieved divinity for centuries. The Shang Gu realm remains sealed, the Lower Realm's Spiritual Qi grows thin, the Dao wanes while demonic forces rise. Over the years, evil manifestations have emerged endlessly across the lands. The conflicts between our Immortal clan and the Yao Race over blessed paradises all stem from this."

Though Jin Yao had chosen Chong Zhao as the victor of the Wutong Martial Banquet, the Yao Race still insisted on negotiating the distribution of blessed paradises spanning two hundred li between their realms—this too was due to the same reason.

"Fortunately, this Martial Banquet has revealed another exceptionally talented rising star among our Immortal clan..."

"Does the Immortal Lord refer to that ethereal Immortal Lord Chong Zhao? I've heard he attained immortality merely three years ago, yet has already cultivated to the rank of High Lord."

"Indeed." Jin Yao nodded, his expression pleased. "This youth possesses a pure and steady Heart-Nature, with bone structure gifted once in a millennium. I intend to take him under my wing personally and guide his spiritual cultivation."

Qing Yi was astonished, never expecting Jin Yao to hold this ethereal Disciple in such high regard. He couldn't help but smile. "To earn such esteem from the Immortal Lord—I find myself growing curious about this Immortal Lord Chong Zhao."

"No need to hurry. At the inter-clan assembly two days hence, I shall introduce him to you personally." Jin Yao smiled. "The matter of the moon and stars' concealment concerns the Star-Moon Goddess—it is of grave importance. After the grand banquet concludes, you and I shall revisit the Abyssal Marsh to verify the divine traces. There's another matter—several months ago you reported to the Heavenly Palace that an Immortal attempted to assassinate the Purple Star in the human imperial capital. Have you identified who it was?"

Qing Yi paused, Bai Shuo's face flashing briefly through his mind. He shook his head. "No leads yet."

"With disorder beginning to spread across the Three Realms, we must uncover this person swiftly to prevent calamity befalling our Immortal clan."

"As you command, Immortal Lord."

A creaking sound interrupted as the hall doors opened. Fan Yue opened his eyes to find a plainly dressed child standing before him holding a plate of roasted chicken.

Fan Yue frowned.

"High Lord Tianhuo instructed—" Before Fan Yue could speak, the child recited woodenly.

"Leave." Fan Yue coldly cut him off, though he afforded the young Phoenix some courtesy.

"Yes." The child turned on his heel and fled. A breeze stirred, revealing the corner of a thin paper figure tucked beneath his collar.

Fan Yue's expression shifted slightly as he narrowed his eyes.

Outside in the corridor, a cool wind swept through. The child shuddered, clarity returning to his eyes. He stared blankly at the roasted chicken in his hands and the hall behind him, suddenly realizing what he'd just done. His eyes widened before he clutched the plate and bolted.

Beneath a tree, Bai Shuo wiped her nose, smearing ash across her face. She pouted. "Big monster, if you won't eat it, at least let my Mu Mu have some."

Her dejection lasted only a moment before she rolled up her sleeves and dashed back into the kitchen.

Boiling water and brewing tea in one smooth motion, half an incense stick's time later, a plainly dressed maid carried the tea into the great hall once more.

This time Fan Yue reclined silently on the couch. The tea's fragrance filled the air, and when he glanced up, the little maid had already finished arranging the cups with quiet efficiency. The figure before him kept her head bowed low, revealing only a smooth crown.

He was accustomed to her bristling defiance—such meek submission was a rare sight.

The teacup held scattered flower petals, the Spiritual Qi of the Jade Pool wafting from its surface.

He'd brewed this same spiritual tea countless times in that dilapidated thatched hut by South Sea City, each time eagerly presenting it to that person's lips just to earn a smile or word of praise.

He'd performed like a street entertainer to save spirit pearls for her, while she spent fortunes without a second thought on mere portraits of dubious authenticity.He carefully gathered Spiritual Qi for her, only for her to turn around and venture into a foreign land, risking her life for Chong Zhao.

Had she not been on the verge of death in the end, she might have coaxed him, a demigod, into playing the role of a locust tree spirit for a lifetime.

And she dared to come to Phoenix Island?

"Do you think you're that fox with nine lives?"

Though Fan Yue appeared lost in thought, his hand suddenly gripped the maid's chin as he coldly lowered his gaze.

Abruptly, his hand froze.

"Big monster, bleh bleh bleh"

The paper maid, painted with garish red lips and white teeth, stuck out an exaggeratedly long tongue, vividly making a face before planting her hands on her hips and laughing uproariously three times. With a whoosh, she turned to ashes in Fan Yue's grasp.

The Lord of Haoyue Palace's slender hand remained suspended mid-air, fingers slowly curling into a fist.

"Bai! Shuo!"

Those two words almost froze into ice within the empty hall!