Chapter 118
"Chang Yun would like to ask: Is Your Highness Yuan Qi a Divine Lord of the Heavenly Palace, or the master of Clear Pond Palace?"
In the Hall of Imperial Cosmos, Chang Yun’s clear voice rang out.
Yuan Qi cast a faint glance downward. "What if I am a Divine Lord of the Heavenly Palace? And what if I am the master of Clear Pond Palace?"
Chang Yun looked at the celestial generals standing guard outside the hall with their long halberds and replied solemnly, "If you are a Divine Lord of this Heavenly Palace, then presumably Venerable Hua Shu has no authority to challenge Chang Yun overstepping Your Highness. But if you are the master of Clear Pond Palace..."
Her gaze returned to Yuan Qi, and she smiled, offering a light bow. "Clear Pond Palace transcends the Three Realms. Your Divine Light would then shine upon more than just the Immortal Tribe—our Demon Tribe would naturally also be under your protection. For Your Highness’s birthday, the Demon Tribe sends envoys to offer congratulations. This would be a fine tale across the Three Realms, wouldn’t you agree?"
Chang Yun’s question was carefully crafted. If Yuan Qi truly acknowledged that he was only the master of Clear Pond Palace and not a Divine Lord of the Nine-Layered Heavenly Palace, then in conflicts between the Immortal and Demon Tribes, Yuan Qi could no longer favor the Immortals. Yet now, the Demon Tribe had a Ten-Tailed Heavenly Fox Demon Emperor who had attained Divine status, with no intention whatsoever of ascending to the Divine Realm. Once Feng Ran ascended to the Divine Realm, wouldn’t the Immortal Realm be left at the mercy of others?
What a formidable Elder of the Fox race, Chang Yun—she truly embodied the cunning and sophistry of a Fox Demon. The old deities seated in the hall immediately bristled with anger, nearly forgetting their status as they wished to reduce Chang Yun to dust.
"Our two tribes have been at peace for a thousand years. Guests are guests. Whether it is Your Highness’s Clear Pond Palace or this Nine-Layered Heavenly Palace, since Elder Chang Yun has come to offer birthday congratulations, she may take a seat of honor."
Amid the silent tension, Yu Feng spoke clearly, waving for the celestial generals to withdraw.
Ever since Ayin was forced to her death in Rakshasa Land, Yuan Qi had not set foot in the Heavenly Palace. Although Feng Yin had returned, Yu Feng truly had no idea what Yuan Qi was thinking. Moreover, if there had truly been Demons stirring up trouble back then, the conflict between the Immortal and Demon Tribes a thousand years ago was utterly foolish and senseless. Yu Feng had always prioritized the safety of the Immortal Tribe and the Heavenly Palace, and this time, before everything was clarified, he would not repeat the same mistakes.
Seeing Yu Feng intervene to calm the situation, Hua Shu sat down resentfully, her eyes still burning with anger.
"A seat of honor is unnecessary." Seeing Yu Feng deflect the question, Chang Yun did not press Yuan Qi further for an answer. She waved her hand, and a Demon Monarch beside her stepped forward, holding a purple box.
"Divine Lord, this is the birthday gift our Emperor has prepared for you: Purple Qi Spirit-Condensing Dew."
As soon as Chang Yun finished speaking, the Immortals in the hall showed expressions of astonishment.
Purple Qi Spirit-Condensing Dew? Had the Demon Emperor been struck on the head with a club? Or was he deliberately causing trouble at Divine Lord Yuan Qi’s birthday banquet? Purple Qi Spirit-Condensing Dew was renowned throughout the Three Realms as a tonic for reducing internal heat and calming the spirit. It was typically used to nourish elderly deities or Demon Monarchs who were advanced in years and prone to fiery tempers. What was the point of giving it to Divine Lord Yuan Qi, who was in the prime of his life?
Yuan Qi narrowed his eyes, glancing at the ample supply of Purple Qi Spirit-Condensing Dew held by the ten Demon Monarchs, a hint of inscrutable meaning flickering in his gaze.
For a thousand years, he and that fox had despised each other. What was the purpose of this spectacle today?
Chang Yun felt uneasy under Yuan Qi’s gaze, but everything about this visit to the Heavenly Palace had been arranged in advance by Hong Yi. Her Emperor’s authority was immense, and she dared not deviate in the slightest from his instructions.
"Guests are guests, and gifts are gifts. This lord accepts the Demon Emperor’s gift." Yuan Qi spoke calmly and waved his hand.The Immortal Attendant at the side stepped forward to take the purple boxes from the Demon Monarchs and withdrew.
High Lord Jing Lei was a hot-tempered one, harboring not the slightest goodwill toward the Demon Tribe, and lacking Yu Feng's good-natured disposition. With a stern face, he coldly said, "The birthday greetings have been offered, and the gifts have been presented. Elder Chang Yun, since you are unwilling to take a seat, please return. Our Nine-Layered Heavenly Palace will not keep you for this cup of birthday wine."
"High Lord Jing Lei, why the hurry? The Divine Lord's birthday gifts have been delivered, but there is still one more matter entrusted to me by the Demon Emperor." Chang Yun remained neither hurried nor annoyed.
"What else do you have?" Jing Lei looked astonished, then a flicker of vigilance appeared on his face. "What does Hong Yi intend to do now?"
Chang Yun smiled faintly. It was said that High Lord Jing Lei of the Heavenly Palace was an honest man, and indeed, it was not false in the slightest. As a mere Elder of the Fox race leading a dozen or so Demon Monarchs into the Nine-Layered Heavenly Palace, he was so openly on guard as if facing a great enemy.
Jing Lei came to his senses and felt he was being overly cautious. With all the High Lords and Celestial Venerables present in the hall, could she alone stir up trouble? He then sat down indignantly, his voice rumbling like thunder, "What exactly else does the Demon Emperor want?"
"This second matter, originally, Chang Yun intended to personally go to Wutong Phoenix Island to report to the Celestial Emperor. However, since the Phoenix Sovereign happens to be here, it is the same to speak with the Phoenix Sovereign." Chang Yun no longer paid attention to Jing Lei and instead turned to Feng Yin, who had been watching the spectacle from the high seat, and bowed.
Seeing Chang Yun involve Feng Yin, the immortals in the hall also frowned. The former tribal chief of the Fox race, Chang Qin, was a close friend of the Celestial Emperor, but Chang Qin had died a thousand years ago. Could it be that the Fox race now wished to curry favor with the Celestial Emperor?
"Oh? Elder Chang Yun, what matter do you have? Speak and let us hear." Feng Yin also had doubts in her eyes. Given A Jiu's temperament, he would never reveal her secret as Ayin before the truth of the past was uncovered. So why would he make such a grand display by sending Chang Yun to see her?
"Phoenix Sovereign." Chang Yun took a light breath and suddenly stepped forward. "Over a thousand years ago, before Your Majesty had undergone Nirvana Rebirth and descended into the world, the Celestial Emperor made a covenant with our tribal chief Chang Qin on Tranquil Mountain. If Your Majesty were to descend into the world and happen to be a Lady, our Fox race would form an Alliance of Marriage and pledge a Covenant of Ten Thousand Generations." Chang Yun paused and looked up at Feng Yin. "Now that the old tribal chief has passed away, today Chang Yun has come to see Your Majesty to fulfill the covenant made a thousand years ago on behalf of the Fox race, to propose marriage from our Emperor to the Phoenix Sovereign."
After speaking, she conjured a fiery red crown in her palm and presented it with both hands. "Your Majesty, this is the Fox Clan Royal Crown. The Fox race is willing to offer it as a betrothal gift to welcome Your Majesty back to Tranquil Mountain."
Chang Yun's words were resolute and powerful, spoken clearly and without omission under the astonished gazes of the immortals filling the hall.
The conflict between immortals and demons had lasted for over a thousand years, but the Phoenix Clan had long risen above the strife between the two races. If the Demon Emperor could marry the Phoenix Sovereign, the balance between the Two Realms would immediately tilt significantly. Speaking of which, Chang Yun was quite willing to undertake this task.
It was just... Chang Yun glanced at Feng Yin and Yuan Qi. She had heard some rumors these past few days and wondered whether her Emperor's plan to steal someone else's beloved would succeed.
Outside the hall, hidden behind the white jade corridor, Yan Shuang seemed unable to believe what she had just heard, her eyes filled with astonishment that gradually transformed into overwhelming fury.
Hong Yi had asked her to come to the Heavenly Palace to see what kind of person Feng Yin was. Could it be that he wanted her to witness him proposing to Feng Yin with her own eyes? She had accompanied him in the Demon Realm for a thousand years—had he truly never noticed her feelings at all?The Hall of Imperial Cosmos fell into silence. When the assembled immortals finally grasped the meaning of Chang Yun's words, they all turned their gazes in unison toward Yuan Qi upon the throne. The synchronized motion carried an almost ceremonial weight.
Divine Lord Yuan Qi, the Demon Emperor has grown so bold as to poach right here in the Nine-Layered Heavenly Palace. Won't you say something?
Yet Yuan Qi remained silent. Under the expectant stares of the immortals, his expression grew solemn as he turned his gaze toward Feng Yin seated upon the adjacent throne.
His eyes were profound, carrying an inexplicable depth.
The moment Chang Yun spoke, Yuan Qi understood that Hong Yi already knew Feng Yin's true identity. Otherwise, why would Hong Yi seek to marry the Phoenix Sovereign before all the immortals of the Three Realms during his own birthday celebration? When had Hong Yi learned of this? Before him, or after?
The mountains of corpses and seas of flames from a thousand years ago gradually faded from Yuan Qi's vision, leaving only the image of that frail young girl who would rather die than let harm come to Hong Yi.
His gaze felt almost tangible, filled with silent questioning and obscure emotions.
Yet the very person who should have been squirming with discomfort sat perfectly composed upon her throne. Under the watchful eyes of the entire hall, she turned her attention to Chang Yun.
"The Demon Emperor seeks to marry this sovereign?" Finally, a voice broke the silence from the throne.
"Yes, Your Majesty. My lord is sincere in his proposal..." Hearing her tone, Chang Yun felt a sudden unease. This Phoenix Sovereign of Wutong Phoenix Island might not be easily dealt with. Could her lord's rash proposal have angered her?
"Spare me the formalities. This sovereign knows sincerity when she sees it. Is he following the agreement between my Master Sovereign and the former tribal chief Chang Qin?" Feng Yin waved her hand lazily, cutting Chang Yun off.
"Yes."
"Well then, that's splendid. Since it was my Master Sovereign who made the agreement, tell Hong Yi to go to Wutong Phoenix Island and propose to my Master Sovereign instead." Feng Yin smiled, resting her chin on her hand as she leaned forward to look at Chang Yun. "My Master Sovereign possesses celestial grace, beauty unmatched across the Three Realms, and overwhelming divine power. At her current age, she's in the prime of her youth. Since my Master Sovereign remains unwed, why should her disciple be in any hurry? If we're speaking of compatibility, it is a lady of my Master Sovereign's stature who would truly be worthy of your noble Demon Emperor."
Feng Yin delivered this entire speech without pausing for breath, then smiled brightly at Chang Yun, raising an eyebrow. "Don't you agree, Elder Chang Yun?"
A thousand miles away, in a stone cottage on the offshore Phoenix Island, Feng Ran—who had been carefully observing the increasingly vibrant soul power of Jing Jian within the Soul Suppressing Pagoda she held—suddenly felt a chill run through her heart.
Suppressing the faint unease in her heart, she sneezed loudly before happily returning to delighting in the little soul of her beloved.
Back in the Heavenly Palace's Hall of Imperial Cosmos, as Feng Yin's words settled, several barely suppressed chuckles quietly echoed through the hall. Many of the older Immortal Lords truly hadn't expected the young Phoenix Sovereign to be so forthright and unconcerned with conventional propriety. With a single statement, she had managed to mock both the Demon Emperor who came seeking marriage and the Celestial Emperor who had made the marriage agreement. Under normal circumstances, they would have considered this disrespectful and improper, but now they couldn't help but find it amusing, each feeling particularly satisfied in their hearts.
So you Demons dared to covet our Phoenix Sovereign? Serves you right! Hahahaha!Chang Yun's face turned as dark as a pot, and she even forgot her prepared speech for a moment. She had considered the possibility that the Phoenix Sovereign might refuse to comply with the master's decree and reject the marriage proposal on the spot. She had never expected to succeed in one attempt, after all, the Phoenix Clan was a treasure, and the Phoenix Sovereign's marriage could not be so hastily decided. However, the Demon Emperor's proposal could at least irritate the Immortal Tribe, preventing the Immortal Realm from remaining an impenetrable whole. Yet, she never imagined that Feng Yin would have such an audacious temperament, outright dismissing the Celestial Emperor's original agreement at the slightest disagreement, and doing so with such an air of self-righteousness.
After today, the drunken jest made back then by the Celestial Emperor and the former tribal chief could truly be considered null and void.
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