Chapter 111
Last night, at the bamboo cottage in the backyard of Wind Spirit Palace.
A gentle breeze swept past the cottage, and the pressure of a Demigod filled the space inside and out. Yu Feng, who had been deep in meditation, suddenly opened his eyes. Surprise flickered in his gaze as he moved, appearing in the bamboo courtyard.
Feng Yin, dressed in white robes, stood beside the swaying bamboo grove. Seeing Yu Feng appear, she clasped her hands behind her back and called out calmly, "Venerable Yu Feng."
Yu Feng was taken aback. Even though he had secluded himself in Wind Spirit Palace, he was aware of the major event of the Little Fire Phoenix from Wutong Phoenix Island being reborn and succeeding as the Phoenix Sovereign. Yet, even he found it hard to believe when he saw Feng Yin, who had already attained the status of a Demigod.
"Could it be the Phoenix Sovereign from Wutong Phoenix Island?" Yu Feng could not hide his astonishment. Seeing Feng Yin nod, he could not help but sigh, "The Fire Phoenix lineage truly possesses remarkable heavenly fortune."
Without even undergoing the Thunder Tribulation for Divine Attainment, this young Phoenix Sovereign had already become a Demigod.
Yu Feng was twenty thousand years older than Feng Ran, yet he remained only at the peak of High Lord. Seeing that Feng Ran’s disciple had already attained divinity, he could not help but feel a sense of melancholy.
"The Phoenix Sovereign has come to attend Divine Lord Yuan Qi’s birthday banquet, I presume," Yu Feng said gently. "Your Majesty’s arrival at the Heavenly Palace should be welcomed by me and the other four Venerables. However, I have secluded myself for a thousand years and no longer concern myself with the mundane affairs of the Heavenly Palace. If Your Majesty has any curiosity about the Heavenly Palace, feel free to ask Venerables such as Jing Lei or Hua Shu. I apologize for my negligence, and I shall not keep Your Majesty any longer."
After speaking, Yu Feng turned to return to the bamboo cottage. After the battle at Rakshasa Land, he had become disheartened. For a thousand years, even Feng Ran’s repeated invitations had failed to draw him out to oversee the Heavenly Palace, let alone a visit from this young Phoenix Sovereign, Feng Yin.
"Has Venerable secluded himself in Wind Spirit Palace because of the death of the Demon Emperor and the chaos at Rakshasa Land a thousand years ago?"
Feng Yin’s voice rang out. Yu Feng paused in his steps and turned back, a flicker of anger passing through his usually gentle eyes. "Why bring up such old matters, Your Majesty?"
Even if his Divine Power was inferior to Feng Yin’s, he was still the foremost Venerable of the Heavenly Palace and an elder to Feng Yin. Hearing her mention his hidden pain, he could not help but feel anger.
"Naturally, it must be mentioned," Feng Yin said, disregarding the anger in Yu Feng’s eyes. She took a step forward, bowed to Yu Feng, and clasped her hands in a respectful gesture, speaking softly, "I have never had the chance to thank you, Venerable, for the kindness you showed me in healing my wounds at Phoenix Roost Palace back then. Though a thousand years have passed, please accept my gratitude with this gesture."
Hearing Feng Yin’s words, the anger in Yu Feng’s eyes faded, replaced by disbelief. "You... you are..."
"Ayin of Great Marsh Mountain pays her respects and thanks Venerable for your kindness back then," Feng Yin said, her hands still clasped in the respectful gesture.
Before her words had fully faded, Yu Feng had already stepped before her and raised her hands. "You are Lady Ayin?"
"Yes," Feng Yin replied with a smile, warmth filling her eyes. "Venerable Yu Feng, it has been a thousand years. How have you been?"
"Good, good," Yu Feng, tens of thousands of years old, was rarely this moved. "Are you truly Lady Ayin of Great Marsh Mountain? How did you become the Phoenix Sovereign?"
Back during the chaos at Rakshasa Land, Ayin had tragically died under the Thunder Tribulation. Yu Feng had always felt that her death was partly due to the pressure from the immortals of the Heavenly Palace. Over the years, he had carried a sense of guilt for this ill-fated disciple of Great Marsh Mountain.
"Ayin, the Water Condensation Beast, was one of the scattered fragments of my Soul across the Three Realms. After my death at Rakshasa Land, my Soul entered the cycle of reincarnation in the mortal world, undergoing trials for a thousand years before I could awaken and achieve Nirvana Rebirth," Feng Yin explained. "It is a long story. The night is pleasant—would Venerable have some warm tea to share with me?""Yes, there certainly is." Before Feng Yin could finish, Yu Feng raised his voice and called out, "Jing Zhu!"
The Immortal General Jing Zhu, who was guarding outside the bamboo cottage, hurried in upon hearing Yu Feng's summons. When he saw Feng Yin, he could not hide his astonishment. He was on duty at the bamboo cottage, yet he had not noticed anyone breaking in. The woman standing before him was dignified and majestic, her Immortal Power unfathomable, making it truly difficult to discern her origins.
"The Phoenix Sovereign has come to visit. Go brew a pot of fine tea. This venerable one wishes to catch up properly with the Phoenix Sovereign."
Even someone as straightforward as Jing Zhu couldn't help but be momentarily stunned.
So it was the Phoenix Sovereign—no wonder she possessed such profound Immortal Power. However, he had heard that this was the first time the Phoenix Sovereign had left Wutong Phoenix Island since her descent into the world. What kind of old memories could their High Venerable possibly be reminiscing about?
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and go."
"Yes." For the first time in a thousand years, Jing Zhu saw a flicker of emotion on his master's face. Delighted, he paid no mind to the reprimand and cheerfully ran out to brew the tea.
Inside the bamboo cottage, Feng Yin and Yu Feng conversed under the moonlight, with the warm tea steaming gently.
As the moon set and crows cawed, after hearing about Feng Yin's experiences over the past millennium, Yu Feng couldn't help but sigh deeply. "Your Majesty's fate has truly been shaped by remarkable fortune." He looked at Feng Yin, feeling a sense of insight, and couldn't resist adding, "Speaking of which, if not for the twists and turns of Your Majesty's fate, it would likely have been impossible to achieve Divine Attainment at the mere age of a thousand. Every gain and loss is predestined."
"High Venerable speaks truly. Since childhood, my nature has been restless. My Master Sovereign also said that without enduring these trials, I would likely never have amounted to much," Feng Yin replied with a smile. She spoke of the events of these years as if they had happened to someone else, a detachment that surprised Yu Feng.
Back then, the Water Condensation Beast had been wronged by nearly the entire Immortal Tribe and nearly met a tragic death. Now, having returned through Nirvana Rebirth as the Phoenix Sovereign, she bore no trace of resentment—truly a great blessing for the Immortal Realm.
"Your Majesty has come to the Heavenly Palace to see me this time, is it for..."
"Yes." Before Yu Feng could finish, Feng Yin nodded. "My entire lineage at Great Marsh Mountain perished at the hands of the Demon Tribe. If I do not seek justice for them, Feng Yin would be unworthy of this second life."
"The Demon Tribe?" Yu Feng's expression turned solemn. "It seems Your Majesty still believes, as you did a thousand years ago, that Hong Yi was controlled by demons when he committed that heinous crime."
"Not only that, I also suspect that someone within the Immortal Tribe is colluding with the Demon Tribe," Feng Yin affirmed. "High Venerable, you secluded yourself in Wind Spirit Palace, wasn't it also because you harbored doubts? Others might suspect that High Venerable is the culprit who infiltrated the Demon Realm to assassinate Sovereign Sen Hong, but I know that back then, High Venerable used your Innate Immortal Essence to heal my injuries. With the Immortal Power you possessed at the time, it would have been absolutely impossible for you to kill Sovereign Sen Hong. Yet, your immortal sword and Immortal Power, which only an immortal can wield, were found in Heavy Purple Hall. This indicates that an immortal stole your immortal sword and used it to kill Sovereign Sen Hong." Feng Yin's expression grew serious. "That immortal framed High Venerable to incite war between the two tribes, surely with some ulterior motive. The most likely possibility is that they colluded with that elusive demon from back then, seeking to profit from the chaos between the two tribes."Yu Feng listened as Feng Yin recounted the tale, his gaze holding a meaningful hint of approval. "Your Majesty truly possesses a heart of seven apertures and eight orifices." He nodded. "Indeed, after the chaos in Rakshasa Land, I pondered carefully and harbored similar suspicions, which I then reported to the Celestial Emperor and Divine Lord Yuan Qi. Unfortunately, after that battle, the Demon Tribe vanished without a trace, and that immortal never revealed the slightest flaw again. We were never able to uncover which immortal stole the immortal sword to assassinate the Demon Emperor. Later, the Celestial Emperor returned to Phoenix Island, Divine Lord Yuan Qi secluded himself in Clear Pond Palace, and I too retreated to my Wind Spirit Palace, quietly waiting for that immortal to slip up once more."
"So Master Sovereign and Yuan Qi knew about the injury to your life essence back then." Feng Yin was momentarily taken aback, then recalled that Feng Ran had advised her before she left the island that Yu Feng could be trusted. It seemed Master Sovereign had long known there was a traitor among the immortals but had never been able to identify who it was.
Yu Feng noticed that Feng Yin referred to Yuan Qi without any honorific and blinked in slight surprise.
He remembered how heartbroken Divine Lord Yuan Qi had been when Ayin died under the Primordial Spirit Sword. Over the past millennium, he had heard that Yuan Qi visited the Ghost Realm every year in search of Ayin's soul. It seemed Yuan Qi had never forgotten his junior sister. Yet now, seeing how calmly the Phoenix Sovereign mentioned Divine Lord Yuan Qi, it was clear she had no desire to dwell on the past.
Well, the tangled fate between Divine Lord Yuan Qi and the Phoenix Sovereign was not something he could meddle in. Best not to invite trouble. Yu Feng lowered his head and took a sip of tea, pretending not to have heard Feng Yin's rather disrespectful address, feigning ignorance.
"Has High Venerable discovered anything over the years?" Feng Yin asked.
Yu Feng shook his head, visibly disappointed. "After the great battle, the Celestial Emperor used his divine power to inspect all the High Venerables of the Heavenly Palace and the sect leaders. None of them carried any trace of Demonic Qi. That person must have known that the Celestial Emperor and I were suspicious and has hidden exceptionally well all these years, leaving no trace."
Feng Yin frowned. "All the High Venerables and sect leaders of the Heavenly Palace were inspected?"
Yu Feng nodded. "Without exception."
The collusion between an immortal and the Demon Tribe was a grave matter. As the foremost High Venerable of the Heavenly Palace, he took it especially seriously. Yet despite his and the Celestial Emperor's prolonged investigation, they had found not a single clue. With Ayin dead and no one able to prove he had injured his life essence, suspicion for assassinating the Demon Emperor and inciting conflict between the two tribes fell on him, forcing him to retreat and lie low in Wind Spirit Palace.
Feng Yin had already guessed that Yu Feng might not have uncovered anything over the years and was not disappointed. "High Venerable Yu Feng, Prince Jing Jian's soul is about to awaken. My Master Sovereign must remain on Phoenix Island to refine his Three Hun and Seven Po and cannot return to the Heavenly Palace now. Today, I have come to ask High Venerable to leave Wind Spirit Palace and take charge of the Heavenly Palace in Master Sovereign's stead."
Yu Feng paused, his expression shifting. "Take charge of the Heavenly Palace? Does Your Majesty wish to investigate something?"
Currently, Hua Shu managed the daily affairs of the Heavenly Palace. Feng Yin must have some purpose in mind to ask him to emerge from seclusion.
Feng Yin nodded. "All the calamities began with the death of High Lord Lanfeng. He fought that nine-tailed fox in the Hall of Imperial Cosmos back then, which might have left some clues. I wish to reopen the Hall of Imperial Cosmos to uncover the truth behind High Lord Lanfeng's assassination."
The Hall of Imperial Cosmos was where Lanfeng met his tragic end. If she rashly broke the seal, it would surely alert whoever was hiding in the shadows. Having Yu Feng take charge was the best course of action.Yu Feng pondered briefly and said, "Now that Her Majesty has returned, the matters of that year should be clarified. However, for Her Majesty to enter the Hall of Imperial Cosmos, I must find some pretext."
Feng Yin raised an eyebrow as Yu Feng's voice rang out.
"Jing Zhu!"
Jing Zhu entered upon hearing the call and bowed to the two.
"Send an Immortal General to Kunlun to invite the three High Venerables back, and deliver my written order to the Three Mountains and Six Prefectures, to the various Sect Leaders. Say..." Yu Feng laughed heartily, his expression showing a carefree ease unseen for a thousand years, "The Phoenix Sovereign has arrived at the Heavenly Palace, and this venerable one invites all immortals to a banquet to welcome Her Majesty!"
A night passed, and the Immortal General from Wind Spirit Palace quietly departed with Yu Feng's written order. A day later, the three venerables of the Heavenly Palace, the Kunlun Patriarch, and the Sect Leaders of the Three Mountains and Six Prefectures gathered at the Hall of Imperial Cosmos in the Heavenly Palace. Only Hua Shu was missing, as she was hosting a small banquet for a group of Ladies in Xiuyang Hall.
In the backyard of Xiuyang Hall, after the group of Ladies had finished savoring the leaf tea brewed by Hua Shu with water from the Jade Pond, a few astute Ladies were about to rise and bid farewell to Hua Shu. Before they could speak, Hua Shu flicked her sleeve, straightened her posture, and looked at everyone.
"I wonder if the flower tea from my Xiuyang Hall suits the tastes of my sisters?" Hua Shu asked with a smile.
None of the Ladies dared to express dissatisfaction, and all smiled gratefully as they thanked Hua Shu for her hospitality.
Hua Shu glanced at the sky and suddenly said, "I see the weather is still fine. A few days ago, I heard from an immortal maiden that the lotus flowers in the Immortal-Detaining Pond outside the Hall of Imperial Cosmos have bloomed. Those lotus flowers are also a unique sight in our Heavenly Palace. Since you sisters rarely visit the Heavenly Palace, you may as well accompany this venerable one to take a look."
Upon hearing Hua Shu's words, the group of Ladies exchanged glances. Following Hua Shu to admire the flowers at the Immortal-Detaining Pond at this time, if spotted by the Phoenix Sovereign, would surely cause a stir. The young Phoenix Sovereign had just emerged from Phoenix Island and was likely to be proud in nature. If she saw them having time to accompany Hua Shu to admire flowers instead of paying respects to her at Phoenix Roost Palace, how could she not hold a grudge against them?
The Third Princess Jin Yun from the Mansion of High Lord Jing Lei was a sensible person and refused to be used as a tool by Hua Shu to counter others. She was about to rise and take her leave but was gently pulled back by her cousin's wife.
Female Lord Mu Rong winked at her. In that moment of delay, Hua Shu had already made the decision, rising and leading the group of Ladies in a grand procession out of Xiuyang Hall.
Princess Jin Yun was well aware that her sister-in-law wanted to watch the spectacle. She glared at her in annoyance. Mu Rong blinked mischievously, pulling Jin Yun along as they swiftly followed behind the other Ladies.
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