The Last Immortal

Chapter 104

The moment the celadon wine cup turned to dust, the divine power of the Fire Phoenix subtly leaked out. The youth beneath the peach tree seemed to sense something, abruptly raising his head to look toward the Cultivation Speech Pavilion.

Yuan Qi met those exceptionally cold and clear eyes by the window, his expression momentarily stunned before confusion flickered in his gaze.

He had spent nearly half a month with Feng Yin day and night on Phoenix Tree Island. Even if Feng Yin’s face were veiled, he would recognize those eyes.

But this icy Phoenix Sovereign was not the Feng Yin he had seen on Phoenix Island.

Hadn’t Feng Yin said she was in seclusion for cultivation? Why would she come to the Ghost Realm? And why would she look at him with such an expression?

Shang Bai could recognize the Phoenix Sovereign, but Yuan Qi should not. With just a fleeting glance, Yuan Qi concealed his doubts and withdrew his gaze.

Feng Yin did not flinch when Yuan Qi looked over. Seeing him avert his eyes, she lightly rubbed her fingertips, letting the celadon dust slip through them and fall to the ground.

The young waiter beside her trembled in fear from the divine power she had inadvertently released. If Feng Yin hadn’t immobilized him, he would have already knelt on the ground in disgrace.

“Hua Shu pays her respects to Your Highness.”

Not far away, the most esteemed Lady of the Heavenly Palace lowered her head, revealing her fair neck, her voice filled with undisguised reverence.

The female immortals, demons, and ghosts on Eternal Peace Street watched the two beneath the peach tree, thinking to themselves that given Divine Lord Yuan Qi’s status, in the Three Realms today, only Princess Hua Shu—one of the Five High Venerables of the Heavenly Palace—would dare to step forward and offer greetings.

It was said that after Divine Lord Yuan Qi entered seclusion in Clear Pond Palace a thousand years ago, he never received outsiders. Only on this day each year would he leave Clear Pond Palace and enter the Ghost Realm. No one knew why he did this, only that he stood guard beneath this peach tree on Eternal Peace Street year after year, as if waiting for someone to appear, never missing a year for a millennium.

Yuan Qi lowered his gaze to Hua Shu, who stood before him with her head bowed in greeting, a trace of indifference flickering in his eyes.

Not hearing Yuan Qi’s response, Hua Shu felt a hint of unease. She raised her head and smiled. “A few days ago, I sent Hong Que to Clear Pond Palace but did not see Your Highness. Immortal Lord Chang Que said you had left the palace to travel, so I specifically…”

“You wished to see me. For what purpose?” A cool voice rang out.

This was likely the first sentence Yuan Qi had spoken on Eternal Peace Street in a thousand years. The moment he spoke, all eyes on the street turned toward him.

A trace of embarrassment flashed in Hua Shu’s eyes. It was widely known throughout the Three Realms that she had arranged a birthday celebration for Yuan Qi in the Heavenly Palace. Now, she could hardly admit in front of everyone that she had not yet received Yuan Qi’s consent.

“A few days ago, several High Venerables gathered for a small gathering and mentioned that it had been a long time since they last saw Your Highness. Knowing you would come here these days, I came to invite Your Highness to the Heavenly Palace for a gathering.” Hua Shu gave a slight bow, her reply flawless.

A hint of amusement appeared in Yuan Qi’s eyes. “Is that so? The Princess now oversees the Four Seas, how thoughtful.” Seeing Hua Shu’s expression stiffen, he continued indifferently, “Since the Princess has come today, please relay a few words to Venerable Yu Feng and the others on my behalf. I prefer tranquility and do not enjoy leaving Clear Pond Palace. From now on, your annual greetings may be dispensed with. The High Venerables and you, overseeing the affairs of the Immortal Tribe, have heavy responsibilities. These gatherings for reminiscing may also be omitted.”

It was said that Divine Lord Yuan Qi of Clear Pond Palace was cold and unapproachable. Today’s encounter proved it true. Princess Hua Shu, such a great beauty and one of the Five High Venerables of the Heavenly Palace, received only such a cold and distant response. The onlookers on the street watched the embarrassed Hua Shu, feeling a secret satisfaction but also a shared sense of unease."Your Highness!" Hua Shu was stunned. Over the past thousand years, whenever she paid respects at Clear Pond Palace, although she had never received warm treatment from Yuan Qi, he had never been this cold—so much so that he would deny her any face before a street full of people.

"If you have nothing else, you may leave." Yuan Qi no longer looked at Hua Shu, turning instead to gaze at the peach tree behind him.

This peach tree was seventy thousand years old, born alongside the Ghost Realm. It was the Ghost Realm's tree of rebirth, its countless blossoms containing the spiritual essences of billions of souls reincarnating in the mortal world. After Ayin's soul scattered and spirit dispersed in Rakshasa Land, Yuan Qi searched across the Three Realms but found not a single trace of her lingering soul. Convinced that Ayin had entered the cycle of rebirth, he came beneath this peach tree to search for her spiritual essence, hoping to find her reincarnation in the mortal world. Back then, he waited beneath this tree for years, yet still found nothing, ultimately leaving the Ghost Realm in disappointment. But every year on this day, he would return to the Ghost Realm's peach tree of rebirth, for today was Ayin's memorial day.

Feng Yin had wandered the mortal world for several days and entered the Ghost Realm today for the same reason.

From the window of Cultivation Speech Pavilion, those phoenix eyes gazed at the young man beneath the peach tree, filled with frost and weariness that had not melted for a thousand years.

She knew why Yuan Qi had come, but a millennium later, watching the two beneath the peach tree, she could only find it laughable.

He who had neither believed nor protected her back then—what face did he have to come and mourn on her memorial day now?

"Your Highness!" Hua Shu had not expected that, having come solely to see Yuan Qi, he would be so unfeeling. Over the past thousand years, she had enjoyed esteemed honor in the Heavenly Palace, her pride even greater than before. Humiliated, she spoke without thinking: "I and several High Venerables are all grateful for Your Highness's protection of the Immortal Tribe back then. Why must Your Highness be so cold? Though I am of lowly status and unworthy of Your Highness's attention, surely you cannot ignore the invitations of several High Venerables?"

Before Hua Shu's words had fully fallen, a sharp, icy gaze had already settled on her face. Yuan Qi turned and looked at her coldly.

Protect the Immortal Tribe? Protecting the Immortal Tribe had cost Ayin her life. How dare Hua Shu mention the past before him?

Seeing Yuan Qi's expression, Hua Shu suddenly realized she had said the wrong thing and instantly paled. A thousand years ago, during the war between immortals and demons, the Water Condensation Beast died tragically in Rakshasa Land. Although Yuan Qi had struck the final blow himself, he had not known at the time that the Water Condensation Beast had already endured six Heavenly Thunders from her. The last Heavenly Thunder, guided by the Primordial Spirit Sword, caused Ayin's soul to scatter and spirit disperse on the spot, perishing from the Three Realms. She had delivered those six Heavenly Thunders according to Yuan Qi's divine decree, impeccable in both duty and principle. Although the Water Condensation Beast's death was partly due to her, Yuan Qi could not lay any blame on her.

Hua Shu understood in her heart that Yuan Qi felt guilty over Lan Feng's death and, because she had once shown him kindness on Phoenix Tree Island, no matter how great his anger, he would never truly harm her. That was why, all these years, even knowing Yuan Qi held a grudge over the Water Condensation Beast's death, she still freely came and went from Clear Pond Palace—to make the Immortal Tribe believe she enjoyed unique favor before Yuan Qi, further solidifying her position in the Heavenly Palace.The gazes of the onlookers felt like needles pricking her skin. Hua Shu bit her lip and, before Yuan Qi could fully unleash his anger, offered another curtsy, her voice soft and tinged with grievance. "Your Highness, Hua Shu invited you to the Heavenly Palace not only to celebrate your birthday but also because Lan Feng's birthday falls around the same time. I held a ritual ceremony for him at the Jade Pool. If not for the honor of your birthday celebration, I would never have been able to invite the three venerable elders from Kunlun, Bodhi, and the Southern Sea to chant scriptures for Lan Feng. Please forgive Hua Shu for acting on her own."

As expected, Hua Shu sensed the chill emanating from Yuan Qi lessen slightly. She breathed an inward sigh of relief, knowing she had passed today's trial. Back then, if Lan Feng hadn’t lent the Jade Pool’s divine water to Yuan Qi to refine the Divine Transformation Pill for that Water Condensation Beast, Lan Feng would never have been beyond saving.

Hua Shu’s determination to see Ayin dead back then stemmed not only from jealousy over Ayin’s exclusive favor from Yuan Qi but also because she had learned from Lan Feng’s divine attendant that the Jade Pool’s divine water had been used to save Ayin’s life.

But before Hua Shu could fully release the tension in her chest, Yuan Qi, who had been standing beneath the peach tree, began walking toward her. With each step, a surge of divine power stirred, transforming into a transparent mist that enveloped the area under the peach tree, completely isolating the two of them from Eternal Peace Street.

Hua Shu was taken aback. Yuan Qi stopped just two steps away from her and leaned slightly forward. The female ghosts and immortals watching the spectacle gasped in unison, witnessing their one-and-only Divine Lord whispering into the ear of the Peacock Princess.

Shielded by divine power, no one could hear what the two were saying. But as the white-robed Divine Lord lowered his head, a stray lock of hair brushed against the Peacock Princess’s ear. From a distance, they looked like a perfect pair.

At the window of the Cultivation Speech Pavilion, Feng Yin, her expression indifferent, narrowed her eyes, revealing an inscrutable emotion.

Before Hua Shu could even blush, Yuan Qi’s voice rang out. "Princess Hua Shu, I recall asking you a question over a thousand years ago at the Flowing Cloud Pavilion on Phoenix Tree Island."

Hua Shu looked puzzled and raised her eyes to meet Yuan Qi’s gaze.

"What? You don’t remember?" Yuan Qi’s eyes were deep and unfathomable. "Allow me to remind you. That day, I asked you whether it was you who came to my aid in the Phoenix Tree Forest the night before. How did you answer me? You said it was a small gesture and that I need not dwell on it. Isn’t that right?"

Hearing Yuan Qi’s words, Hua Shu stiffened, a wave of unease washing over her. Why would Divine Lord Yuan Qi suddenly bring up this old matter? Could he have discovered her lie? Impossible. For over a thousand years, the girl who had helped Yuan Qi in the ancient forest had never reappeared. There was no way Yuan Qi could know she had deceived him.

"I remember. That was the beginning of Hua Shu’s acquaintance with the Divine Lord. Of course, I remember."

"What a fine beginning of an acquaintance," Yuan Qi said coldly. "Then let me ask you: what color were the robes I wore that night?"

Hua Shu’s expression shifted several times. That night, she had been sitting far away in a small pavilion atop a rockery, merely glancing impatiently at the commotion. Yuan Qi had been hidden among the rocks, and she had barely glimpsed his silhouette. How could she possibly have seen the color of his robes?

"I... I... It’s been so many years, and it was dark that night..."

"It was the fifteenth day of the lunar month, with a full moon illuminating the earth. How could it have been dark? Have you forgotten, or was the girl who helped me that night simply not you?" Yuan Qi looked at the flustered Hua Shu, mercilessly exposing her excuse.Hua Shu abruptly looked up, her eyes filled with panic. "Your Highness, I...!"

Her expression and reaction said it all. His suspicions on Phoenix Tree Island had indeed been correct. The person who had helped him out of trouble on Phoenix Island years ago, the one he had cherished in his heart for years, was Feng Yin—it had never been Hua Shu.

"If I hadn’t encountered Feng Yin on Phoenix Island this time and discovered she was the one who saved me, I would never have known I had been deceived by you a thousand years ago."

The reason Yuan Qi had used his divine power to conjure a thin mist to conceal their conversation was out of consideration for Feng Yin’s presence. Their fate had already been missed in the past, and now he was even more unwilling to let her know that he was Shang Bai.

Yuan Qi stood up and looked at Hua Shu. "Back then, you spun a web of lies, making me believe you were the one who came to my rescue in the Phoenix Tree Forest. Believing I owed you a debt of gratitude, I disregarded the objections of my senior brother and Ayin and lent you the Sky-Shielding Umbrella, a protective treasure gifted to me by the Master Sovereign. Yet, emboldened by this perceived favor, you audaciously refined and absorbed the Sky-Shielding Umbrella, turning it into your own magical artifact." Yuan Qi’s voice grew colder and colder. "If the Sky-Shielding Umbrella had been there to protect the mountain back then, perhaps it could have shielded Great Marsh Mountain to some extent, and my sect might not have..."

Yuan Qi’s voice abruptly cut off. The fury and self-blame in his eyes surged like raging waves, only to be forcibly suppressed. Their expressions and conversation were hidden within the mist-like divine power. The onlookers on Eternal Peace Street craned their necks, trying to peer inside, but none could discern what was happening.

Seeing Yuan Qi’s intense anger, Hua Shu was terrified, yet she knew she must not let others perceive Yuan Qi’s attitude. She quickly lowered her head, her face etched with bitterness and sorrow. "Your Highness, back then, Hua Shu was solely focused on resolving the crisis on Hundred Birds Island, which is why I deceived you. Later, in a moment of poor judgment, I refined and absorbed the Sky-Shielding Umbrella to protect my father and Hundred Birds Island. It was all my fault. I beg Your Highness to consider that I once lent you the sacred artifact, the Peacock Feather Crown of Hundred Birds Island, and Lan Feng’s divine water from the Jade Pool..."

"If not for that," Yuan Qi’s voice rang out coldly, deep and sharp, "do you think I would have let you live, given the six bolts of Heavenly Thunder you once inflicted upon her?"

These words struck like a thunderbolt. Hua Shu was startled by the killing intent in Yuan Qi’s eyes and took a step back in horror. Over the past thousand years, she had only seen Yuan Qi’s indifference and impatience, never realizing he had long harbored the intent to kill her.

"That you are still alive today is my way of honoring my promise to Lan Feng." Yuan Qi’s dark pupils held not a trace of pity. "If you fail to repent and commit further wrongs, I will no longer consider my ties to Lan Feng. You would do well to heed this."

As his words fell, the thin mist surrounding them gradually dissipated, and Yuan Qi vanished from the spot.