The Last Immortal

Chapter 110

In the study of the rear hall of the Heavy Purple Hall in the Demon Realm, Hong Yi’s mind drifted to the distant, indifferent expression of Feng Yin beneath Great Marsh Mountain. His hand, holding a memorial, paused, his thoughts restless.

Ayin had gone alone to the Heavenly Palace to search for clues. Would she be safe? The immortal who had colluded with the Demon Tribe back then had managed to deceive the entire Immortal Tribe without anyone noticing. If he now grew suspicious of Ayin, would he harm her?

As Hong Yi was lost in thought, a voice sounded by the window.

“Your Majesty, did the official who submitted that memorial have a grudge against you?”

Hong Yi snapped back to reality and realized he had crumpled the memorial in his hand. He set it aside and looked toward the window.

Yan Shuang was perched sideways on his windowsill, a blade of wild grass between her teeth, her eyes curved in a cheerful, roguish smile.

Seeing it was her, Hong Yi’s tense nerves instantly relaxed.

“What brings you here?”

“What? Can’t I come?” Yan Shuang jumped down from the windowsill, landing beside Hong Yi’s desk and raising an eyebrow.

“No, that’s not what I meant,” Hong Yi replied with a smile. “It’s just that I haven’t seen you at the Heavy Purple Hall much in the past six months.”

A thousand years ago, during the great battle between immortals and demons in Rakshasa Land, Yan Shuang had arrived at the critical moment. Although she had testified before the Celestial Emperor and the other immortals that Hong Yi had been deceived by the Demon Tribe during the massacre at Great Marsh Mountain, no immortal was willing to believe her at the time, as Hong Yi’s Demonic Qi had already been completely purged. Moreover, because she had testified for Hong Yi, the Eagle Clan gradually became estranged from the entire Immortal Tribe. Over the past millennium, the Eagle Clan’s situation had been quite awkward. Fortunately, the clan had always been aloof and rarely ventured beyond North Sea’s Eagle Island, allowing its members to remain on the island to cultivate in peace, detached from worldly affairs.

After Ayin’s death in Rakshasa Land, Hong Yi had blamed himself for her suicide, believing it was his decision to raise an army that had led to her demise. He had sunk into despondency and despair for some time, but Yan Shuang had stayed by his side in the Third Heaven, quietly accompanying him for a hundred years. It was only after Hong Yi regained his resolve that Yan Shuang felt at ease returning to the Eagle Clan. Still, every few months, she would visit the Heavy Purple Hall to share a drink with Hong Yi and reminisce.

Over the years, Hong Yi had grown accustomed to Yan Shuang’s presence. Though he despised the Immortal Tribe, he regarded her as his only true friend.

Hearing the note of longing in Hong Yi’s voice, Yan Shuang felt a warmth in her heart but sighed. “I’ll have even less time to come in the future, Your Majesty. I’m afraid no one will be here to drink with you.”

Hong Yi frowned, an involuntary sense of displeasure stirring within him. “Why? Has the Eagle King forbidden it?”

“My father has always let me do as I please,” Yan Shuang shot him a glance. “But in the past six months, more and more of our clansmen have gone missing on Eagle Island. I need to stay on the island with my father to protect our people, so I won’t be able to come to the Demon Realm for a while.”

“What’s going on?” Hong Yi, rarely concerned with matters outside the Demon Realm, asked. “Hasn’t it been many years since the Eagle Clan last experienced disappearances?”

“Actually, there have been disappearances over the years, just not as frequently as in the past six months,” Yan Shuang replied, a flicker of worry in her eyes. “My father’s old injuries have never fully healed, and he and my older brothers are struggling to protect Eagle Island.”

“I’ll send a team of demon generals to accompany you back to Eagle Island…”

“Forget it. If you send a team of demon generals with me back to the Immortal Realm, our Eagle Clan will likely be wiped out by the Heavenly Palace and the various Immortal Sects before we even figure out why our clansmen are disappearing,” Yan Shuang interrupted him, her tone exasperated.

Hong Yi now wielded immense authority in the Demon Realm, and even Sen Yu spoke to him with deference. Perhaps only Yan Shuang could scold him so casually and freely.Hong Yi wasn't annoyed by this. After a brief hesitation, he said, "A Shuang, the disappearance of Eagle Clan members is a serious matter. Actually, you could report it to the Heavenly Palace and let the Celestial Emperor and the High Venerables of the Immortal Tribe investigate the truth for the Eagle Clan."

Hearing Hong Yi say this, Yan Shuang was taken aback and looked at him incredulously. "You actually have a day when you trust the Heavenly Palace and the Immortal Venerables?"

Seeing that Hong Yi was about to speak, Yan Shuang waved her hand dismissively and rolled her eyes at him. "Do you think I haven't considered that? The Celestial Emperor has long resided on Phoenix Island and pays no attention to worldly affairs. Venerable Yu Feng hasn't left Wind Spirit Palace for a thousand years. The other three High Venerables have always ignored the mundane matters of the Heavenly Palace. Are you suggesting I go beg that female High Venerable who currently governs the Four Seas?"

"I heard the new Phoenix Sovereign has gone to the Heavenly Palace..." Hong Yi spoke slowly. "You could go to the Heavenly Palace and report the disappearance of Eagle Clan members to her."

Yan Shuang glanced at Hong Yi suspiciously. "That's true enough. But how do you know that little Phoenix Sovereign would stand up for our Eagle Clan? She's just a child—can she really outmatch that old peacock Hua Shu?"

"She..." Hong Yi's voice paused, as if he wanted to say more but ultimately didn't reveal Feng Yin's identity. "The Phoenix Sovereign is the Emperor of All Birds. If your Eagle Clan is in trouble, she won't ignore it."

Ayin has been reborn and returned. If she wishes, her current identity should be revealed by herself before Yan Shuang.

"Tsk tsk, you sound so certain. The Phoenix Sovereign has just descended into the world, yet you seem quite concerned about her. What, do you really want to marry her back to Tranquil Mountain as your demon queen?" Seeing Hong Yi's confident expression, Yan Shuang felt somewhat uncomfortable and joked.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Hong Yi's expression froze. "What demon queen? Who said I'm going to marry her?"

"Eh, you don't know? I heard that over a thousand years ago, on the day that little Phoenix Sovereign descended, Tribal Chief Chang Qin went to Wutong Phoenix Island to offer congratulations. In front of the entire Immortal Tribe, she said the Celestial Emperor had promised his disciple to you as your wife. This matter is known throughout the Three Realms—surely you must know about it?"

Hong Yi was suddenly stunned, surprise flashing in his eyes. "I didn't know. Aunt..." His expression grew complicated as he murmured, "A Shuang, are you telling the truth? Did Aunt really ask the Celestial Emperor to arrange a marriage between me and Feng Yin?"

Hong Yi's intense reaction caught Yan Shuang off guard—she had only been joking.

She paused, her voice somewhat hoarse, her expression complex. Suddenly she asked, "A Jiu, have you already met the Phoenix Sovereign?"

Hong Yi's hatred for the Immortal Tribe hadn't changed for a thousand years. Among the entire Immortal Tribe, he only showed any courtesy to her and Celestial Emperor Feng Ran. Why would he be so concerned about the Phoenix Clan's little Phoenix Sovereign? Was it because she was the Celestial Emperor's disciple?

Although Hong Yi wouldn't reveal Feng Yin's identity to Yan Shuang without her consent, he didn't want to deceive her about other matters. Seeing Yan Shuang's strange expression, Hong Yi nodded. "I have indeed met the Phoenix Sovereign."

Yan Shuang was stunned, disappointment flickering in her eyes. "She's just descended—how could you have met?"

"It was by chance. It's a long story," Hong Yi said solemnly. "A Shuang, the Phoenix Sovereign is pure and kind-hearted. Believe me, she definitely won't ignore the disappearance of Eagle Clan members. Go to the Heavenly Palace.""Pure and kind? You've only met her once and you already know she's pure and kind?" Yan Shuang snorted. "Fine, if the Phoenix Sovereign can help, my Eagle Clan might find life easier in the Immortal Realm. I'll make the trip to the Heavenly Palace." She walked toward the window. "I specifically begged my father for three days just to come bid you farewell. Now you're sending me off to the Nine-Layered Heavenly Palace to meet the Phoenix Sovereign—it'll be years before you see me again."

Hong Yi was taken aback and was about to call her back when Yan Shuang turned around, smiling at him and playfully blinking. "Hey, Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, while I'm guarding Eagle Island these next few years, you won't go and eagerly marry that pure-hearted little Phoenix Sovereign back to the Demon Realm, will you?"

Before Hong Yi could respond, she pulled a small cloth bundle from her sleeve and tossed it to him. "Here, take it. I passed through Eternal Peace Street and bought it for you on the way."

Watching Hong Yi fumble to catch the bundle, Yan Shuang transformed into her golden eagle form and flew out of Heavy Purple Hall.

As the familiar golden eagle vanished into the horizon, Hong Yi felt a pang of loss. He opened the cloth bundle and froze.

Inside the pale blue cloth lay delicate, translucent osmanthus cakes, still warm.

He remembered this taste. Back on Eternal Peace Street, he had wanted to buy osmanthus cakes for Yan Shuang using the prayer beads his aunt had given him, but Yan Shuang had exchanged them for a gold leaf instead.

So many years had passed. Of those who once roamed the Three Realms together, some had died, others had scattered. Perhaps only he and Yan Shuang still remembered that night on Eternal Peace Street.

Ayin, Yan Shuang is coming to see you. Do you still remember her?

Hong Yi gazed up at the sky. In the study, a sigh fell.

"Not just that." A day after Yan Shuang spread her wings toward the Heavenly Palace, in the backyard of Xiuyang Hall, Jing Zhu bent down respectfully and said to Hua Shu: "High Venerables Jing Lei, Ling Dian, and Yan Huo, the Sect Leaders of the Three Mountains and Six Prefectures, and the Kunlun Patriarch have all heard that the Phoenix Sovereign has arrived at the Nine-Layered Heavenly Palace. They have just personally come to the Nine-Layered Heaven and entered the Hall of Imperial Cosmos to pay their respects to Her Majesty the Phoenix Sovereign."

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

When was the last time the Four Heavenly Venerables, the Sect Leaders of the Three Mountains and Six Prefectures, and the Kunlun Patriarch had all appeared together? How could a newly enthroned young Phoenix Sovereign manage to create such a stir?

The Ladies who had just been flattering Hua Shu exchanged uneasy glances, unsure what to do. Most were the cherished daughters of High Lords from various prefectures. Though their sense of political affairs within the Immortal Tribe was not as sharp as their elders', they now belatedly grasped the situation.

Whether Hua Shu could become the Celestial Emperor was still uncertain, but Feng Yin was already the undisputed Phoenix Sovereign. Even if she was young, the Wutong Phoenix Island behind her was an immovable colossus within the Three Realms. By abandoning an audience with the Phoenix Sovereign at Phoenix Roost Palace and instead smugly attending Hua Shu's small banquet, they had clearly offended the Phoenix Sovereign's authority.

The mere reopening of the Hall of Imperial Cosmos showed that the new Phoenix Sovereign was capable. Otherwise, why would the Four Heavenly Venerables, the Sect Leaders of the Three Mountains and Six Prefectures, and the Kunlun Patriarch all choose this exact moment to come to the Heavenly Palace?

Having understood the underlying dynamics, the Ladies looked at one another, their seats feeling as if they had sprouted spikes, making it impossible to sit still for another moment.Hua Shu could not fail to notice the change in their expressions. Though inwardly shocked and furious, she could not show the slightest hint of it on her face. Instead, she addressed High Lord Jing Zhu with perfect composure: "I had no idea that several High Venerables and the various Sect Leaders have arrived. Immortal Lord Jing Zhu, please inform High Lord Yu Feng that this venerable one was unaware of the Sect Leaders' arrival and failed to welcome them properly. Once I have properly concluded the small banquet at my Xiuyang Hall, I will proceed to the Hall of Imperial Cosmos to pay my respects to the Phoenix Sovereign, the various Sect Leaders, and the Elders."

"No need," Jing Zhu spoke as soon as Hua Shu finished. He remained as gentle as ever, yet there was an unyielding aloofness in his demeanor. "The Phoenix Sovereign has said that since the Ladies have traveled from afar and are esteemed guests, and since the High Venerable has already prepared a banquet, they may remain at Xiuyang Hall. There is no need to rush to the Hall of Imperial Cosmos. After all, she will be staying at the Heavenly Palace for some time, so there will be plenty of opportunities for the High Venerable to converse with her."

Having said this, Jing Zhu did not wait for Hua Shu's response. He simply bowed and withdrew, leaving behind a courtyard full of uneasy Ladies and a Hua Shu whose face alternated between pallor and flush.

"Y-Your Highness," Hong Que called softly to Hua Shu. Hua Shu withdrew her gaze, the coldness within it causing Hong Que to shiver involuntarily.

The Ladies in the courtyard, noticing Hua Shu's strange expression, were just about to rise and take their leave when her voice rang out once more.

"The Phoenix Sovereign truly holds a lofty position. Not only has Venerable Yu Feng emerged from Wind Spirit Palace for her sake, but even the Sect Leaders and Elders of various sects have come together. Indeed, our Immortal Tribe has not seen such a figure in a thousand years." Hua Shu looked toward the direction of the Hall of Imperial Cosmos, her gaze distant and unfathomable, whether in self-mockery or lament. She waved a hand toward Hong Que. "Since it is the decree of Her Majesty the Phoenix Sovereign, this venerable one has no choice but to comply. Hong Que, go fetch some dew from the Jade Pool and brew fresh tea for the Ladies. With the peonies of my Xiuyang Hall blooming so splendidly, how can we not properly appreciate them?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Hong Que responded and went to fetch the dew from the Jade Pool. The Ladies in the courtyard, seeing Hua Shu's inscrutable and unpredictable expression, felt uneasy but found it inappropriate to take their leave. Thus, they remained, offering flattering words to please her.

Inside the Hall of Imperial Cosmos, the imperial throne stood empty. Yu Feng sat to the left, Feng Yin to the right.

Having personally witnessed Feng Yin, the various Sect Leaders and the three High Venerables suppressed their astonishment and willingly paid their respects to Feng Yin with a bow before taking their seats below the two.

No wonder Venerable Yu Feng had urgently invited the High Lords of the Immortal Tribe to the Heavenly Palace to pay homage to the Phoenix Sovereign—it turned out that Wutong Phoenix Island had produced another Demigod! These white-bearded High Immortals gazed at Feng Yin with mixed feelings. They were all old immortals who had lived for tens of thousands of years, diligently cultivating in their grotto abodes to arduously reach the rank of High Lord. Yet, the little Phoenix Sovereign had only been born a few months ago—how had she quietly become a Demigod? They remembered clearly that on the day Feng Yin was born, not only was there no Nine Heavens Thunder Tribulation, but not even a single spark of thunder had flickered.

Could it be that the Fire Phoenix clan was simply born lucky? The old immortals thought this, nearly moved to tears, deeply envious of Feng Yin's fortune in her rebirth.

However, when they unexpectedly met Feng Yin's deep, smiling eyes, all the old High Lords in the hall could not help but feel astonished. It was one thing for the little Phoenix Sovereign's Divine Power to have appeared inexplicably, but those eyes clearly seemed to have witnessed the vicissitudes of a hundred lifetimes—this was truly rather strange.Feng Yin had reincarnated for a thousand years, having been emperors and generals countless times, so she naturally recognized the doubts in these old deities at a glance. She had no desire to elaborate, but she took some care to exchange pleasantries with the various Sect Leaders. With her status as Phoenix Sovereign and the Divine Power of a Demigod, she intentionally lowered herself to engage with them. Soon, the entire hall of Sect Leaders and High Venerables developed a favorable impression of Feng Yin.

Feng Ran’s temperament was unruly and defiant. Even before becoming Celestial Emperor, she had always looked down on the High Immortals of the Heavenly Palace. After ascending as Celestial Emperor, unless it was a life-or-death crisis between the two clans, she never lingered long in the Heavenly Palace. The Immortal Tribe had a Celestial Emperor in name only, and over the past millennium, these old deities had felt quite stifled. Suddenly, the newly emerged Phoenix Sovereign treated them with such warmth and kindness. Having grown accustomed to Feng Ran’s arrogant and domineering demeanor, they were overwhelmed with emotion upon encountering Feng Yin, inwardly exclaiming that the Phoenix Clan had finally produced a Phoenix Sovereign who understood compassion and warmth.

Venerable Yu Feng, standing nearby, observed the expressions of the immortals and sighed softly. He glanced at the Phoenix Sovereign beside him, his eyes revealing a complex emotion.

The High Lords in the hall only saw the Phoenix Sovereign as someone of high status and gentle disposition, but none knew that the Phoenix Sovereign now seated high in the Hall of Imperial Cosmos was the Water Condensation Beast, Ayin, whom they had forced to her death in Rakshasa Land a thousand years ago.

If one day the truth were to unravel, how would these old deities of the Immortal Tribe face themselves?