The Last Immortal

Chapter 116

A thousand years ago, San Huo had forged the Divine Transformation Pill for Ayin at the cost of his divine power within the Nine Nether Purgatory. It was also then that he discovered the stirring Demon Tribe within the purgatory. However, at that time, he still bore Tian Qi’s divine seal and was able to suppress the demons within the purgatory. Coinciding with the crisis at Great Marsh Mountain, before he could report the detailed situation of the Nine Nether Purgatory, Yuan Qi had already been recalled by the Heavenly Palace’s decree. After the battle at Rakshasa Land, both the immortal and demon clans suffered heavy casualties, and the accumulated resentment spread throughout the Three Realms. On that day, the seal of the Nine Nether Purgatory suddenly loosened. As the purgatory’s seal was on the verge of breaking and the ancient Demonic Beasts were about to break free and slaughter the Three Realms, San Huo, in desperation, attempted to use his lifebound dragon soul to reseal the purgatory but was stopped by Bi Bo.

That Water Condensation Divine Beast, who had hidden in the Lower Three Realms protecting its own life as if guarding a world heritage, at the final moment when San Huo was about to burn out his dragon soul, connected its beast soul with San Huo’s dragon soul. Combining the divine power of both, accumulated over tens of thousands of years, they resealed the Nine Nether Purgatory. The collision between the demonic power of the beasts and the divine power of the two stirred up a cataclysmic upheaval at Tranquil Mountain. By the time everything settled, the entire mountain of Tranquil Mountain had been completely sealed.

San Huo and Bi Bo had thought they would become mere remnants of souls on the seal for the world to admire, but to their surprise, upon awakening, not only were their lives intact, but they found themselves deep within the Nine Nether Purgatory, encountering the enigmatic Profound One.

He initially thought Profound One was the Demon Tribe leader who had always sought to break free from the Nine Nether Purgatory and wreak havoc upon the living, but his assumption changed the moment he sensed the demonic power emanating from him.

The vast demonic power on Profound One was something he had only witnessed on True Gods Bai Jue and Shang Gu. With such terrifying strength, the Nine Nether Purgatory could never contain him.

At that time, both he and Bi Bo had exhausted their divine power, barely able to maintain their beast forms, unable even to shape-shift into human forms. Their lives hung entirely at the mercy of that Demon Lord.

“Since you have the ability to thwart Qing Li’s plans and suppress the seal, this lord shall grant the Three Realms another thousand years.”

From beginning to end, that Demon Lord spoke only these words. After that, he and Bi Bo fell into a deep slumber. Five hundred years later, when he awoke, Bi Bo had already been neighbors with that mysterious Demon Lord for several decades. Deep within the cold and eerie God-Slaying Flower Sea of the Nine Nether Purgatory, that fearless plump bird had somehow managed to create a vibrant, bird-song-and-flower-fragrance backyard garden. Only the cold Demon Lord on the throne remained unchanged from a thousand years ago. He and Bi Bo could not leave this place, and the mysterious Demon Lord never spoke of releasing them. Thus, the two remained trapped within the God-Slaying Flower Sea for a millennium. The only thing they knew was that the seal they had laid outside the purgatory a thousand years ago had not been torn open by the Demonic Beasts imprisoned here, and the Three Realms remained at peace. But how long could this peace last? He could feel the seal’s power teetering on the brink. The Demon Tribe leader outside the God-Slaying Flower Sea and the ancient Demonic Beasts had never given up their attempts to tear the seal apart.

And what had become of the immortal and demon clans after the battle at Rakshasa Land? What of Yuan Qi, Ayin, and that little fox now?

San Huo opened his eyes, unable to conceal the worry in them. He quietly glanced up at Bi Bo, who was hanging upside down from a tree. The plump Water Condensation Beast rested its chin thoughtfully, gazing at the Demon Lord on the throne with a flicker of cunning in its eyes.Perhaps that Demon Lord was not quite the same as he was a thousand years ago. The worry in San Huo's eyes faded slightly. Since he was willing to tell Bi Bo about Yuan Qi's current safety, perhaps one day he would release them from the God-Slaying Flower Sea.

San Huo closed his eyes and began the day-by-day, year-by-year process of repairing his Divine Power and Soul Power. No matter what, restoring his Divine Power was the priority.

On the throne, the indifferent Demon Lord glanced casually at the two beasts, and a faint trace of amusement flickered in his eyes, which had remained unperturbed for millennia.

Meanwhile, outside the God-Slaying Flower Sea, Qing Li gazed at the deep and mysterious sea of flowers, her eyes equally somber.

Her Demonic Qi was even stronger than before, and her face was almost entirely covered by God-Slaying Flowers. Several ancient Demonic Beasts in human form stood behind her, their previous outward obedience and inner defiance replaced by a slight fear.

These ancient Demonic Beasts were all vicious and ruthless, but they had never seen anyone torment themselves as much as Qing Li did. A thousand years ago, on the day of the Immortal-Demon War, she channeled the resentment from the conflict between the two races into Tranquil Mountain, leading the Demon Tribe in an attempt to break the seal, only to be defeated by the two beasts guarding it. Qing Li was severely weakened, and over the past thousand years, she had relied on devouring God-Slaying Flowers to restore her Demonic Power. Even now, she consumed large quantities of God-Slaying Flowers daily to enhance her power. The God-Slaying Flower was the most evil species in the world, and devouring it felt as if molten lava were pouring over one's bones—an unbearable agony. Even these Demonic Beasts, who had lived in Purgatory for tens of thousands of years, dared not provoke the God-Slaying Flowers lightly, let alone consume them.

Since the day she failed to break the seal a thousand years ago, the Demon Lord deep within the flower sea had shrouded his dwelling entirely in Demonic Power, no longer concerning himself with matters outside the flower sea. These ancient Demonic Beasts, desperate to break the seal of Purgatory and return to the mortal realm, abandoned by Profound One and having witnessed Qing Li's methods, naturally followed her lead.

They had struggled for a thousand years, and now the seal of Purgatory was loosening once more. In no more than three months, the seal would be completely shattered, and that would be the day they returned to the world.

"Demon Venerable, in just three months, the seal will be broken by us," one of the Demonic Beasts stepped forward and bowed to Qing Li. "Thanks to your relentless attacks on the seal with the God-Slaying Flowers over the past thousand years, we will soon see the light of day again. Rest assured, once we leave Purgatory, we will continue to honor you as our leader and support your great cause across the Three Realms!"

Only Qing Li, who had once been chosen by Profound One to be sacrificed to the God-Slaying Flowers, could command them. Without her, the seal of the Nine Nether Purgatory, laid down by Tian Qi, could never be shaken.

The Demonic Beasts behind Qing Li echoed in agreement, all wearing expressions of submission.

Qing Li coldly observed the Demonic Beasts behind her, a flicker of disdain passing through her heart.

These ancient Demonic Beasts were all arrogant and unruly. They submitted to her only because they were trapped here. Once they left Purgatory, they would be difficult to control.

But what did that matter? As long as she could lead these Demonic Beasts out of Purgatory, the Three Realms would surely be plunged into chaos. As long as she could destroy the Three Realms that Bai Jue and Shang Gu had sacrificed their lives to protect, she was willing to do anything.The scorching demonic power of the God-Slaying Flower within her body continuously gnawed at her heart meridian. Qing Li's eyes were filled with darkness. Once she escaped the Nine Nether Purgatory, the first one she would kill was that treacherous old scoundrel Hua Mo of the Peacock Clan. If Hua Mo hadn't seized the opportunity to devour half of her divine consciousness back then, severely damaging her divine meridians, how could she have been defeated by the San Huo demon dragon and that Water Condensation Divine Beast at the critical moment of breaking the seal, ruining the great cause of the Demon Tribe's return to the Three Realms? If she hadn't been unable to leave the God-Slaying Flowers in the Nine Nether Purgatory over this past millennium, she would have long gone to Hundred Birds Island to slaughter Hua Mo. Fortunately, although San Huo and Bi Bo had re-established the seal, they had also died by her hand. She had prepared for a full thousand years, and now that the seal was about to be broken, the scene from a thousand years ago was about to repeat itself.

Now, her only unease was regarding Profound One behind this sea of God-Slaying Flowers. Why had Profound One isolated the sea of God-Slaying Flowers, never allowing her to enter again? What exactly had happened inside?

A flicker of contemplation passed through Qing Li's eyes. She took a deep look at the sea of God-Slaying Flowers before turning and walking toward the depths of the purgatory's magma.

No matter why Profound One had sealed off the flower sea, it could not change the fact that she was about to break the purgatory seal and lead the Demon Tribe's army back to the Three Realms.

The blazing ambitions of Hua Mo and Qing Li were hidden beneath the night sky, unknown to anyone, while the Heavenly Palace remained peaceful and lively. Feng Yin had blocked Yuan Qi outside Phoenix Roost Palace the previous day, slept comfortably, and woke up refreshed. As soon as she pushed open the door, her smile froze on her face.

Feng Huan was tremblingly standing before Feng Yin's palace door, her hand halfway raised to knock. Seeing Feng Yin open the door, her face looked utterly miserable.

Looking past Feng Huan's bitter expression, Feng Yin saw Yuan Qi sitting peacefully under the peach blossom tree in the courtyard, fiddling with a small pot on the stone table before him.

Behind him stood twelve immortal attendants of rank in an orderly manner—a formation reserved for the Celestial Emperor's inspections. Yuan Qi's display of such pomp was truly excessive.

"Your Majesty, Divine Lord passed by Phoenix Roost Palace early this morning and, seeing our peach blossoms blooming so splendidly, came in to admire them. You were sleeping soundly, and I didn't have time to report."

It wasn't that she didn't have time to report; it was clearly that Yuan Qi, flaunting his status as Divine Lord, had directly entered Phoenix Roost Palace and forcibly occupied her courtyard.

Hadn't she made herself clear enough yesterday? He could remain the Divine Lord of Clear Pond Palace, and she would remain the Phoenix Sovereign. They should stay as far apart as possible to avoid the discomfort of seeing each other.

Narrowing her eyes, before Feng Yin could speak to drive him away, Yuan Qi looked up and met her gaze.

"Auntie was very fond of peach blossom wine during her early years at Clear Pond Palace and even taught me how to brew it. It's been many years since I've seen peach blossoms blooming so beautifully, so I picked some to brew wine. I hope Your Majesty won't take offense."

His gentle apology invoked both his status as Divine Lord and her title as Master Sovereign. Feng Yin glanced at the twelve Heavenly Palace attendants standing like wooden stakes and swallowed the sarcasm on the tip of her tongue, transforming it into a warm, spring-like smile.

"What are you saying, Divine Lord? For the flowers and plants in my palace to catch your eye is a blessing they've cultivated over lifetimes. Please, use them as you wish."

"That's good to hear. It's still early, and the banquet won't start for a while. Since Your Majesty is awake, why not taste the peach blossom wine I've brewed and see how it compares to Auntie's?" Yuan Qi beckoned to Feng Yin, a gentle smile curling at the corners of his lips.Feng Yin was slightly taken aback. The moment Yuan Qi looked up and beckoned to her was strikingly reminiscent of their time together in the Forbidden Valley back at Great Marsh Mountain. A flicker of dazedness passed through her eyes, and by the time she regained her composure, she had already seated herself opposite Yuan Qi.

"I'm not much of a drinker. At most, I can manage a couple of light sips to keep you company, Divine Lord," Feng Yin said with a smile, masking the unusual glint in her eyes.

"Who would have thought that even after all these years, your tolerance for alcohol hasn't improved much," Yuan Qi remarked with a sigh, ignoring the sudden chill in Feng Yin's gaze as he handed her a cup of wine. "The wine I brew isn't as strong as my aunt's. You can have a few more cups without worry."

"No, thank you. I've never been fond of drinking. Instead of spending time brewing wine in my palace, Divine Lord, you'd be better off staying in your own palace, enjoying the scenery and sipping slowly."

Feng Yin took the crystal cup and drank from it, her tone unapologetically blunt. It wasn't that she disliked drinking—over the years in the mortal realm, she had occasionally indulged to the point of drunkenness when the mood struck her. But she simply didn't enjoy sitting so calmly and drinking with Yuan Qi.

Drinking was meant to be a joyful affair. If the company was wrong, even one extra cup was torture, and one more glance was unbearable.

As the Peach Blossom Wine touched her lips, Feng Yin paused in surprise. The wine Yuan Qi had brewed was clear, mellow, and subtly sweet, with no trace of harshness—perfectly suited to her taste.

But no matter how delicious the wine was, she truly had no desire to share three cups with him. Feng Yin pushed the empty crystal cup back toward Yuan Qi, raised her chin, and tapped the table lightly. "Divine Lord, I'll accompany you for one more drink. After this cup, the wine will have been tasted, the flowers admired, and the company enjoyed. Tonight is your birthday banquet, and the female immortal lords waiting to pay their respects in advance are probably about to wear out the threshold of Sunlit Palace. I won't keep you any longer."

Seeing her eagerness to practically sweep him out the door, a shadow flickered in Yuan Qi's eyes. He glanced at the wine pot in his hand and suddenly said, "Although I've been secluded in Clear Pond Palace all these years, I've still heard the rumors circulating about me."

"Oh? What have you heard, Divine Lord?" Feng Yin raised an eyebrow.

"People say that Divine Lord Yuan Qi of Clear Pond Palace is exceptionally handsome, with looks that stand out even among the Three Realms," Yuan Qi said, pushing the crystal cup toward Feng Yin. Meeting her slightly stunned gaze, he smiled. "I suppose with such an appearance, it's only natural that the threshold of Sunlit Palace would be worn down."

As Yuan Qi finished speaking, Feng Yin's expression could no longer conceal its sheer absurdity. It was true—what people said wasn't wrong. Yuan Qi had inherited the fine features of the Ancient True God Shang Gu and True God Bai Jue, and his appearance, bearing, and status were truly beyond reproach. But while anyone else could say such things, hearing it from his own mouth was simply shameless.

Feng Yin curled her lip slightly, too lazy to engage with Yuan Qi. She picked up the crystal cup and downed it in one gulp, but before the wine could even reach her throat, Yuan Qi's voice sounded again.

"I just wonder if such an appearance of mine could still catch the eye of the Phoenix Sovereign?"

"Cough, cough, cough, cough, cough!"

Hearing these words, Feng Yin lost her composure, choking on the wine before it could go down.

The immortal attendants in the courtyard, who had been keeping their heads bowed and eyes lowered, all wore peculiar expressions upon hearing Divine Lord Yuan Qi's self-recommendation. Feng Huan gaped, looking from Yuan Qi to her own Phoenix Sovereign, then wisely shut her mouth, lowered her eyes, and focused inward, as still as a clay statue of a bodhisattva.

The only one in the entire courtyard still capable of speech was Feng Yin. Her face flushed red—not out of shyness from his words, but purely from choking on that mouthful of Peach Blossom Wine.Having experienced romantic entanglements in the mortal realm, she had nearly been swayed by a young man who had remained chaste and detached for over a thousand years due to a single misstep.

Feng Yin narrowed her eyes, toying with the crystal cup in her hand as she glanced at the twelve Immortal Attendants behind Yuan Qi, whose expressions were peculiar. Before she could even step out of Phoenix Roost Palace, rumors of Divine Lord Yuan Qi’s affection for the Phoenix Sovereign would likely spread throughout the Heavenly Palace.

What exactly was Yuan Qi up to?

A flicker of doubt arose in Feng Yin’s heart, but she was not one to indulge in speculation.

With a slight arch of her brow, she suddenly rose and walked over to Yuan Qi, leaning down before him. A gentle breeze swept by, carrying the intoxicating fragrance of Peach Blossom Wine from Feng Yin to Yuan Qi’s nostrils. His expression remained unchanged, but his eyes deepened instantly.

A collective gasp echoed through the courtyard. Only when Feng Yin’s lips were about to touch Yuan Qi’s ear did she pause.

Beneath the peach tree, petals and leaves danced in the air, the aroma of wine permeating the scene. The intertwined long hair of the two made for an exceptionally enchanting and romantic sight.

“Yuan Qi, I’ve said all I wanted to say yesterday. There’s nothing more I wish to discuss with you. I am no longer that naive Water Condensation Beast from years past, and I have no time to indulge in romantic dalliances with you here. If you seek amusement or distraction, there are plenty outside Phoenix Roost Palace who would gladly keep you company.”

Feng Yin’s voice was so low that only Yuan Qi could hear her. After uttering these words, she straightened up and headed toward the inner hall, unwilling to exchange another word with him.

But as she turned away, Yuan Qi grasped her wrist. His hand was slender and fair, with distinct knuckles, warm to the touch. In a place unseen by others, Feng Yin’s lips pressed into a silent line.

“It was my fault for speaking out of turn and offending the Phoenix Sovereign,” Yuan Qi’s gentle voice rang out. He released Feng Yin’s wrist, stood up, picked up the crystal cup, refilled it, and offered it to her.

“This cup of wine is my apology to the Phoenix Sovereign. I hope you will overlook my earlier words in light of our past friendship.” Seeing Feng Yin frown silently at the cup, Yuan Qi lowered his gaze. “If the Phoenix Sovereign drinks this cup of wine as my apology, I promise that without your permission, I will never set foot in Phoenix Roost Palace again.”

Before Yuan Qi could finish speaking, Feng Yin snatched the crystal cup, drained it in one gulp, flicked it onto the stone table with her fingertips, and strode toward the inner hall without looking back.

“Feng Huan, escort Divine Lord Yuan Qi back to Sunlit Palace on my behalf.”

With these words from the Phoenix Sovereign, her sleeves fluttered, and in an instant, she vanished from sight.

Feng Huan, who had been standing by like a clay statue, shuffled forward hesitantly and stammered to Yuan Qi, whose expression had darkened, “Your Highness, my sovereign ordered me to… to…”

“Didn’t she give you your task? Don’t waste time on me. Go.”

After speaking, Yuan Qi cast a meaningful glance at the empty crystal cup on the table. Feng Yin had consumed three cups of Peach Blossom Wine—no more, no less, exactly half a jug.

With a casual wave of his hand, the wine jug and crystal cup on the table vanished into thin air, leaving only the lingering aroma of wine. Yuan Qi turned and left, leaving a bewildered Feng Huan behind.

In Phoenix Roost Palace, upon hearing Feng Huan’s report of Yuan Qi’s parting words, Feng Yin frowned. “Yu Feng must have told him about my investigation into the truth behind Lan Feng’s death.”

“Your Majesty, then I…”

“Ignore him. Focus on your investigation and uncover what happened before High Lord Lan Feng went to the Hall of Imperial Cosmos as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Feng Huan accepted the order and quietly withdrew.

Just then, the Azure Dragon Bell tolled, marking the beginning of the Heavenly Palace’s grand thousand-year birthday banquet for Yuan Qi.