The Last Immortal

Chapter One Hundred and Three

"Shang Bai? Shang Bai?"

Seeing the little disciple from Kunlun Mountain lost in thought, Feng Yin called him twice. The moment their eyes met, she was startled by the trace of nostalgia and pain in his gaze, which seemed entirely out of place for his age.

This child, so young—how could there be such sorrow in his eyes?

Yuan Qi, snapped back to attention by Feng Yin’s call, concealed the strange expression on his face and took the cloth bundle containing the mung bean cakes. As if explaining, he said to Feng Yin, "I have a little junior sister who loves mung bean cakes the most. Every time I went down the mountain in the past, she would follow me all the way to the mountain gate. It’s been many years since I last saw her. When the Phoenix Sovereign offered me these mung bean cakes, it reminded me of her..."

Feng Yin was taken aback, her hand holding the bundle pausing almost imperceptibly. A fleeting, indescribable expression crossed her usually calm and detached face. Then, she flicked Shang Bai’s forehead and smiled, saying, "How old are you? Your little junior sister is probably still stumbling around learning to walk. Hurry back to Kunlun, lest your master worry."

To keep up the act, Yuan Qi thought to himself that he would have to make a proper trip to Kunlun. He took the bundle, nodded, and turned to mount the Heavenly Steed prepared for him by Feng Yin, only to hear her call his name again.

He turned his head to see Feng Yin smiling at him. "I will be entering seclusion for cultivation in a while. If you need to use the Soul Suppressing Pagoda again, have your master send a disciple to inform me. I will have Elder Fengyun deliver it to you, so you won’t have to make the long and arduous journey to Phoenix Island again. This isolated island is surrounded by fierce beasts, and you are young with a weak Immortal Foundation. It’s too dangerous for you to travel so far."

Fengyun, who had accompanied Feng Yin to see Yuan Qi off, was startled and shot a suspicious glance at Feng Yin.

What did Her Majesty mean by that? Could she have seen through Divine Lord Yuan Qi’s identity? The entire island had been keeping it a secret for nearly half a month, and he had been watching over everything carefully—nothing had gone wrong, had it?

Yuan Qi was also taken aback. Feng Yin’s words were perfectly reasonable, full of concern and consideration for him. Yet, for some reason, he couldn’t help but feel that the Phoenix Sovereign was subtly telling him never to set foot on Phoenix Island again.

But during this half-month, he had gotten along well with Feng Yin, and her temperament was gentle. Surely, he must be mistaken. Yuan Qi pondered to himself, then nodded. "Thank you for your consideration, Phoenix Sovereign. The Soul Suppressing Pagoda is truly miraculous. Shang Bai will no longer need it to nurture his Immortal Power. I am grateful for your care these past two weeks. If fate allows, I will visit Phoenix Island again to pay my respects."

Yuan Qi clasped the bundle and bowed to Feng Yin, then turned and headed toward the Heavenly Steed.

From this parting onward, Feng Yin would remain in seclusion on Phoenix Island, while he... it was likely they would never meet again. This half-month of hidden identity and companionship would have to suffice as a way to make up for the regret of their fleeting encounter a thousand years ago.

The Heavenly Steed soared into the sky, carrying the little Immortal Lord from Kunlun, followed by a grand procession of guards and treasure chests.

Feng Yin stood at the edge of Phoenix Island, watching the fading figure in black and white disappear into the horizon, her eyes clouded with an inscrutable emotion. Her hands, hidden within the sleeves behind her back, trembled slightly, and the spot where she had touched the little Immortal Lord’s forehead burned with an inexplicable heat.

The Phoenix Sovereign lowered her gaze, a self-mocking smile curling at the corner of her lips.

It was nothing more than a fleeting, dew-like encounter from a few years a thousand years ago. Having crossed the Bridge of Helplessness dozens of times, what was there left to hold onto?

As the most revered Divine Lord across the Three Realms, Six Paths, Nine Provinces, and Eight Wastelands, unless she hid away on Phoenix Island for the rest of her life, the day of their reunion was inevitable.

"Your Majesty? Your Majesty?"Seeing Feng Yin remain silent for a long time, Feng Yun couldn't help but call out to her.

Feng Yin snapped back to attention and turned to enter Phoenix Island, only to find Feng Ran standing leisurely behind her, looking thoughtful.

"Master Sovereign, that little Immortal Lord from Kunlun certainly has a grand presence, to have even you come out to see him off?" Feng Yin said with a smile as she bowed in greeting.

Feng Ran caught the implication in Feng Yin's words and raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You noticed?" Seeing Feng Yin remain silent, she didn't spare her disciple any face. "If not, could it be that the vast Kunlun Mountain is incapable of protecting a single disciple to cross the sea and come to our Phoenix Island?"

With Feng Ran laying it out plainly, Feng Yin bowed respectfully and said, "Yes, I noticed."

"How did you notice?" Feng Ran leaned against a weeping willow by the shore and asked casually.

"That cloud-brocade immortal silk robe he wore—even in our Phoenix Clan's treasury, we've only accumulated enough to tailor three or four pieces over tens of thousands of years. No matter how favored a little Immortal Lord from Kunlun might be, he wouldn't be that precious. The Nine Splendors Pavilion has only welcomed one guest in over a thousand years. Given how much you care for that Little Divine Lord, Aunt, how could you let someone else stay in his courtyard?"

Seeing Feng Ran's expression urging her to continue, Feng Yin didn't stop. "Besides, the Ancestral Phoenix Tree is our Phoenix Clan's forbidden ground and Supreme Treasure. With you and the Elders on the island, how could you allow an outsider to approach so easily? When that little Immortal Lord accidentally bowed to me, our Grand Elder's face nearly trembled like a sieve. Apart from Divine Lord Yuan Qi of Clear Pond Palace, I truly can't think of anyone else in the Three Realms with such capability and prestige."

Hearing Feng Yin's teasing, Feng Yun's old face really did nearly wrinkle into a sieve.

"Is that all?" Seeing Feng Yin speak so seriously, Feng Ran approached her, straightened her expression, and asked again, "So that's how you guessed his identity?"

Feng Yin lowered her eyes.

Of course, it wasn't just that. All of those were merely guesses. Only that package of mung bean cakes truly confirmed Yuan Qi's identity.

How could an innocent child have such startling emotions in his eyes over a simple package of mung bean cakes?

Even if he still resented her for causing the deaths of his master and fellow disciples back then, Gu Jin should have felt some stirring for that Water Condensation Beast, Ayin, who died by his hand.

"Yes, after all, I've trained in the Mortal Realm for a thousand years. If I spent half a month with the Little Divine Lord of Clear Pond Palace and still couldn't guess his identity, how could I ever become the ruler of our Phoenix Clan, Master Sovereign?" Feng Yin looked up with a smile and blinked at Feng Ran.

Seeing Feng Ran frown and about to speak, Feng Yin quickly added, "Master Sovereign, rest assured. Although he caused my Soul to be Scattered and Spirit Dispersed back then, it wasn't intentional. I've long since let go of that little misunderstanding. Besides, he's the son of a True God and was raised by you, so he's practically like a half-brother to me. I'll definitely get along well with him. Master Sovereign, you can focus on your Ascension to the Divine Realm without worry. I won't cause any trouble in the Mortal Realm and will strive to cultivate diligently to become a deity soon, so I can join you in the Divine Realm."

All the words that had risen to Feng Ran's throat were blocked by Feng Yin. Seeing Feng Yin's carefree demeanor, she said no more and shook her head. "That sharp tongue of yours... Fine, I can't argue with you. Yuan Qi's identity is special; just be mindful of your own boundaries."

Feng Ran briskly returned to the back island, ultimately not mentioning Yuan Qi again in front of Feng Yin.Feng Yin thought to herself that her master was a shrewd one; this time, her probing into Yuan Qi’s identity had likely aroused Feng Ran’s suspicions. To avoid being seen through by Feng Ran, Feng Yin found an excuse to go down to the Mortal Realm for a leisurely trip. After informing Feng Yun, she quietly slipped out of Phoenix Tree Island.

Feng Yin wandered through the mortal world, stopping and going, listening to the wind and watching the rain. After drifting for several days, she eventually arrived at the foot of the imperial city. A thousand years had passed, dynasties had risen and fallen, and the imperial relatives and nobles had changed countless times. Only the Ghost Realm beneath the imperial city stood as steadfast as ever.

She lingered outside the Gate of Life and Death several times but ultimately stepped onto the Yellow Spring Road she had walked for a thousand years.

The river beneath the Bridge of Helplessness remained unchanged, but the handsome Ghost Lord who once sat at the bridgehead, smiling as he waited for her, was no longer there. Ayin had long since died cleanly and thoroughly. Now, having undergone Nirvana Rebirth, Xiuyan, as a distinguished Ghost King’s avatar, would no longer linger on this lonely Bridge of Helplessness.

In this world, no one would remember the Water Condensation Beast from a thousand years ago. Whether it was disappointment or relief, Feng Yin couldn’t quite say. Her eyes felt hollow. Having been a ghost countless times, Feng Yin still felt a certain nostalgia for the Ghost Realm. She crossed the Bridge of Helplessness and entered the Ghost City.

Ao Ge had always preferred to govern the Ghost Realm as bustlingly as the mortal world. Though it was eternally night here, lanterns and decorations were hung every night, never less lively than the imperial city. Since Xiuyan’s soul was restored a thousand years ago, Ao Ge no longer forbade the Immortal and Demon Tribes from entering the Ghost Realm. As the enmity between the two tribes deepened, both sought to befriend the Ghost Realm. The Ghost King, offending neither side, made the Ghost Realm the most neutral place. The Ghost Realm was lively and, unlike the mortal world, had far fewer restrictions, attracting many Immortal Lords and Demon Monarchs to visit frequently. Nowadays, on the streets of the Ghost King City, one could often see Immortals surrounded by Immortal Qi and overbearing Demon Monarchs.

Feng Yin was merely reminiscing alone, with no intention of entering the Palace of Bell and Spirit to see Xiuyan again. After crossing the Bridge of Helplessness, she concealed her Divine Power, covered her face with a plain handkerchief, and dressed as an ordinary Female Immortal Lord, drawing no attention at all.

Even after a thousand years, the most prosperous place on Eternal Peace Street in the Ghost King City remained the brilliantly lit Cultivation Speech Pavilion. Revisiting this old place inevitably brought memories flooding back. Back then, even the cleverest Ayin could never have imagined that the Phoenix Sovereign’s soul she had desperately sought was none other than herself.

All her efforts, even sacrificing half her cultivation to save someone, had been to save her own life.

The cycle of cause and effect, the twists and turns of fate—this was likely how it was meant to be.

The Cultivation Speech Pavilion was the most expensive teahouse on Eternal Peace Street, frequented only by the wealthy and noble. Though Feng Yin was dressed plainly, she tossed ten gold leaves to the waiter upon entering. The ghost attendants of the Cultivation Speech Pavilion, assuming she was likely the treasured daughter of some Immortal Mountain grotto abode, respectfully escorted her to the best window seat on the second floor with the finest view and served her the pavilion’s most famous osmanthus wine.

Feng Yin took a sip of the floral wine, and her gaze inadvertently fell on the familiar rules inscribed on the wall, momentarily lost in thought.

It was in this very building that she had met Xiuyan and even transferred her Immortal Power to sustain his soul.

Yan Shuang’s crisp laughter, A Jiu’s striking fox-like eyes, and the gentle gaze of the young man in black robes flashed through her mind like fleeting shadows, only to slowly fade into grayish hues in her eyes.

Feng Yin took another sip of the osmanthus wine. What had tasted sweet just moments ago now carried a distinct bitterness.When Feng Yin was on Phoenix Island, she feared that Feng Ran and the Elders might notice something amiss, so she kept her past buried deep within, but prolonged melancholy inevitably took a toll on her health. Upon entering the Cultivation Speech Pavilion, memories from a thousand years ago resurfaced, and a hint of emotion flickered in her eyes. However, before she could truly begin to reminisce, a commotion in the distance interrupted her thoughts. She focused her gaze out the window and down below, only to realize that tonight on Eternal Peace Street in the Ghost Realm, there were more Female Immortal Lords than female ghosts. If she hadn’t known this was the Ghost Realm, seeing so many Female Immortal Lords filling the streets, she might have thought she had entered the Heavenly Palace.

The waiter at the Cultivation Speech Pavilion was always sharp. Seeing Feng Yin looking out the window, he eagerly fawned over this generous patron and said with a smile, “Lady, have you come to the Ghost Realm today to catch a glimpse of Immortal Lord Pu Yan as well? This spot is the best in our Cultivation Speech Pavilion. Rest assured, Lady, sitting here, you’ll be able to see Immortal Lord Pu Yan clearly and in detail.”

Immortal Lord Pu Yan? Feng Yin paused for a moment before recalling that Feng Yun had told her that Yuan Qi had concealed his divine title and name a thousand years ago, and now went by the name Pu Yan.

Yuan Qi had come to the Ghost Realm? What was he doing here? Just as Feng Yin frowned, the waiter’s cheerful voice chimed in, “Ah, Lady, you know, although His Majesty has made the Ghost Realm lively and bustling, much like the mortal world, today of every year is even more festive than the Lantern Festival! Not only Female Immortal Lords, but even many female Demon Monarchs from the Demon Realm have secretly come, likely all drawn by that Divine Lord! I’ve heard that Divine Lord has been secluded in Clear Pond Palace for a thousand years and rarely appears. Yet, for some reason, he comes to our Ghost Realm every year on this day. Look, Lady, High Lord Pu Yan has arrived.”

Feng Yin’s heart trembled, and her gaze instinctively followed the waiter’s pointing finger toward the window.

With just one glance, her eyes slightly froze.

Under the peach tree at the corner of Eternal Peace Street stood a young man in white robes, looking from afar just as he had a thousand years ago.

Feng Yin suddenly remembered that five hundred years ago, on the Bridge of Helplessness, the female ghost Ayin had seen such a Yuan Qi. At the time, she hadn’t known that in that earth-shattering history of the Three Realms, the person who had been utterly destroyed, body and soul, by the Primordial Spirit Sword wielded by Divine Lord Pu Yan of Clear Pond Palace, was her.

Sipping cup after cup of peach blossom wine, Feng Yin gazed at the young man under the peach tree, lost in memories of the past, completely forgetting that she had an extremely low tolerance for alcohol.

Falling in love with the Demon Emperor, deceiving her sect, betraying the Immortal Tribe, wreaking havoc across the Three Realms… until her death, the Water Condensation Beast Ayin had carried these accusations.

The figure under the peach tree slowly overlapped in Feng Yin’s eyes with Yuan Qi from a thousand years ago, stern and cold, holding the Primordial Spirit Sword in Rakshasa Land. A flash of crimson swept through her pupils as she abruptly stood up, staring fixedly at Yuan Qi.

Yuan Qi, even if the world sees me this way, in your eyes, am I truly so despicable?

Should I, a thousand years later, ask on behalf of the one whose soul scattered and spirit dispersed in Rakshasa Land a millennium ago?

Just as Feng Yin’s body nearly leaned out the window, exclamations from the Ladies suddenly echoed through Eternal Peace Street.

A resounding neigh rang out in the sky as four Heavenly Steeds pulled a Heavenly Chariot, trailing silver light, crossed the boundary of the Ghost Realm and headed straight for Eternal Peace Street.

The Heavenly Steeds descended on Immortal Clouds, landing under the peach tree at the end of the street. The entire Eternal Peace Street fell silent, everyone speculating which immortal dared to be so bold as to ride a Heavenly Chariot into the Ghost Realm.Such a grand spectacle naturally roused the slightly intoxicated Feng Yin from her stupor. She withdrew her half-stepped body and also lifted her gaze toward the extravagantly luxurious Heavenly Chariot.

At that moment, a delicate hand lifted the carriage curtain, and a Female Immortal Lord clad in a golden flowing gown emerged from the Heavenly Chariot, making her way slowly toward the youth beneath the peach tree.

The moment this Lady revealed her face, the expressions of the Female Immortal Lords lining both sides of the street shifted. They all took half a step back, performing a respectful half-bow with caution, and reverently addressed her, "We pay our respects to Venerable Hua Shu."

On the Cultivation Speech Pavilion dozens of meters away, Feng Yin, who had been watching the graceful back of the Female Immortal Lord, narrowed her eyes slightly. Gazing at the two figures beneath the peach tree, the celadon wine cup she had been toying with in her hand had already crumbled into dust.