The Last Immortal

Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Nine

The Nine Palaces Tower—wine, lust, wealth, anger, greed, hatred, delusion, and martial prowess—layer upon layer of trials. The first illusion was hatred, the eighth was martial prowess. By the time these eight trials were overcome, only five remained among the Heavenly Palace’s High Immortals, including Feng Yin: Yu Feng, Hua Shu, the Kunlun Patriarch, and Supreme Venerable Yan Huo.

Outside the Nine Palaces Tower, the Celestial Emperor and a host of Immortal Lords quietly awaited the outcome within the tower. None noticed that the Emperor seated upon the throne was merely a hollow, illusory projection. Among the Immortal Lords, the Peacock King also appeared wooden and expressionless, blending into the crowd without distinction.

The gate to the ninth palace tower swung open before Feng Yin, Yu Feng, and the other three. Upon seeing the scene inside, they all paused in surprise.

The final level of the Nine Palaces Tower was an exact replica of the Heavenly Palace’s Hall of Imperial Cosmos. Floating above the imperial throne was an object emitting a soft, radiant white light—none other than the Celestial Emperor’s seal. The five of them simultaneously narrowed their eyes. By boldly placing the seal upon the throne, the Emperor was clearly inviting the High Immortals who entered the ninth level to compete with their Immortal Power, with the victor seizing the imperial seal. Compared to the intricate trials of the previous eight levels, the contest for victory in this ninth palace tower was strikingly straightforward.

Among the five, only Feng Yin had attained the realm of a Demigod. In a one-on-one challenge, the other four would undoubtedly be defeated. Yet, ganging up on her would be unjust to Feng Yin.

Yu Feng glanced at Feng Yin, then turned to the others. “All of you are pillars of the Immortal Tribe. Whoever seizes the imperial seal would be worthy of ruling the Immortal Realm. However, this contest for the throne must not harm the harmony among us. Luck is also a factor in any trial. Why don’t we draw lots to determine the order, with two facing off at a time? The one who draws a bye will then compete against the strongest among the victors.”

As the foremost Celestial Venerable, Yu Feng’s proposal was fair and showed no favoritism. Apart from Hua Shu, the other three nodded in agreement.

Yu Feng turned to Hua Shu. “Does Venerable Hua Shu have any objections to this venerable one’s proposal?”

Hua Shu’s expression was cold and somber, a trace of hostility hidden between her brows. She swept a glance at Feng Yin and replied slowly, “Venerable Yu Feng, the Phoenix Sovereign has already attained Divine Attainment, and her Spiritual Power surpasses ours. If she draws the bye, what difference would it make from her directly claiming the imperial seal?”

Yu Feng’s expression turned solemn, his voice grave. “Venerable Hua Shu, this venerable one just stated that luck is also a form of strength. If the Phoenix Sovereign draws the bye and ultimately claims the imperial seal, we would willingly step aside and honor her as Emperor.” His gaze bore down heavily upon Hua Shu. “Your Highness, the Immortal Tribe shares a common bond. Before entering the tower, the Celestial Emperor repeatedly emphasized that this trial is solely to select the Emperor and must not cost any lives. Does the High Venerable still remember this?”

Hua Shu’s hand, hidden within her sleeve and clutching the Demon Gathering Banner, stilled. Avoiding Yu Feng’s intense gaze, she nodded in response. “The High Venerable need not worry. This venerable one naturally remembers the Celestial Emperor’s instructions.”

Though Hua Shu replied thus, she pondered inwardly. The Immortal Power of anyone within the tower was not to be underestimated. If Feng Yin drew the bye, even if she were to unleash the Demon Gathering Banner, eliminating the other four would still be challenging. She glanced upward, narrowing her eyes slightly. Outside the tower, Feng Ran and the other High Immortals were watching the selection of the new Emperor. Her father had said he would handle matters outside the Nine Palaces Tower, but she wondered if his arrangements were in place.

Feng Yin’s gaze swept over Hua Shu’s face as if she hadn’t noticed her expression.

While Hua Shu hesitated, Yu Feng had already conjured a lot-drawing tube and tossed it into the air. Five emerald-green jade lots spun within the tube.With a wave of Yu Feng's hand, all five pointed a finger toward the sky, each drawing a jade-green slip from the lottery tube into their grasp. They opened their hands simultaneously: the Kunlun Patriarch drew first place, Feng Yin second, while Yu Feng and Supreme Venerable Yan Huo took third and fourth respectively. Hua Shu, surprisingly, ended up as the fifth and final one—the one who would sit out this round.

Hua Shu seemed somewhat taken aback as well, her brow relaxing momentarily before she quickly reined in her expression, realizing it had been too revealing. She raised a hand toward the other four and said, "Since the draw has turned out this way, I shall wait aside."

Yu Feng nodded gently. "Please remember to summon a protective barrier while observing, Supreme Venerable." He then turned to the other three, his expression solemn. "Although His Majesty has instructed that no lives be harmed, today's contest for the Celestial Emperor concerns the foundation of our Immortal Tribe for millennia to come. I ask that you all give your utmost effort to select an Emperor capable of leading our tribe, so as not to fail His Majesty's trust."

Feng Yin and the others nodded in agreement. After speaking, Yu Feng and the Kunlun Patriarch leaped into midair together. They conjured an immortal barrier, then closed their eyes and sat cross-legged. Instantly, phantom projections emerged behind each of them, clashing within the barrier. Both were among the most senior deities of the Immortal Tribe, and a battle of Primordial Spirits was far more perilous than one of flesh and blood. Such a contest was exceedingly rare to witness; any onlooker who observed carefully could advance their cultivation by at least a century.

The loose immortals outside the Nine Palaces Tower watched with keen interest, eagerly anticipating the clash between the Phoenix Sovereign and Supreme Venerable Yan Huo. However, as Supreme Venerable Yan Huo was only a first-grade High Immortal, it was likely he would struggle against the Phoenix Sovereign. Sure enough, Feng Yin raised a hand to conjure a divine barrier, drawing Supreme Venerable Yan Huo into it. Without wasting words, they began their contest directly.

Feng Yin and Yan Huo's confrontation was more straightforward than that of Yu Feng and the Kunlun Patriarch. Neither manifested their Primordial Spirits; instead, each summoned their spiritual weapon. Supreme Venerable Yan Huo's Lingyun Ring blazed with fierce, domineering flames. As for the Phoenix Sovereign's spiritual weapon, it was the first time the assembled immortals had seen it—a plain, unremarkable longsword, entirely silver-white, with an exceedingly ordinary appearance, though it carried a faintly ancient aura. The immortals were inwardly surprised by the simplicity of the Phoenix Sovereign's weapon. Only Supreme Venerable Yan Huo stared at the sword in momentary astonishment, his gaze toward the Phoenix Sovereign deepening.

Supreme Venerable Yan Huo's distraction lasted but an instant. Before the other immortals could detect anything amiss, his Lingyun Ring, wreathed in overwhelming flames, met the Phoenix Sovereign's longsword.

The moment their spiritual weapons clashed, Feng Yin's expression shifted slightly, and she sharply turned her gaze toward Supreme Venerable Yan Huo. Without halting her attack, she seemed to casually wave a hand, and the divine barrier around their battle suddenly grew hazy and misty. The immortals assumed it was due to the intensity of their spiritual power and noticed nothing unusual.

Within the barrier, Feng Yin pressed her lips together, glaring at Supreme Venerable Yan Huo, who held the Lingyun Ring, and whispered angrily, "Why are you here today, during the Immortal Realm's selection of an Emperor?"

The demonic divine power concealed within that Lingyun Ring might escape others' notice, but it could not deceive Feng Yin, who had attained Divine Attainment.

Hong Yi, as the Demon Emperor—how could he be contending for the position of Celestial Emperor under the guise of the Immortal Realm's Supreme Venerable Yan Huo, and even enter this Nine Palaces Tower?

Hong Yi, disguised as Yan Huo, blinked at Feng Yin. "Since this is a grand occasion for the Immortal Realm, naturally I should come and join the excitement. Besides..." He glanced toward Hua Shu's direction outside the barrier. "I have no intention of bearing those unsavory accusations placed upon me indefinitely."

"Does Master Sovereign know you've come to the Heavenly Palace?" Feng Yin asked with a frown.When Hong Yi heard Feng Yin's question, a trace of compassion and pity suddenly appeared in his eyes. He avoided Feng Yin's gaze and said, "Rest assured, everything is within the Celestial Emperor's expectations. I am here, and I will not hinder the important matters of your Immortal Realm. Ah Yin, fight with all your might. Let me see if, after a thousand years, you have earned the right to contend with me for a realm."

As Hong Yi spoke, he let out a long roar, and the flames on his Lingyun Ring blazed fiercely. Feng Yin, stirred by Hong Yi's words, unleashed the Divine Power on his silver sword, engaging in a fierce battle with Hong Yi's Lingyun Ring.

The immortals outside the divine barrier could not clearly see what was happening inside, but they could feel the Spiritual Power vibrations from Feng Yin and Yan Huo's battle, which were even more intense than those from Yu Feng and the Kunlun Patriarch. They were astonished and speculated that Supreme Venerable Yan Huo must be extremely eager for the position of Celestial Emperor, which was why he was fighting so desperately against the Phoenix Sovereign.

Inside the two immortal barriers, the battles raged with fervor, and Spiritual Power overflowed. The immortals watching outside the tower were all stirred with excitement. It was at this moment that a hidden voice fell into Hua Shu's ear.

"In a moment, the four of them will decide the outcome. Before Yu Feng and the Kunlun Patriarch's Primordial Spirits return to their bodies, shatter the immortal barriers and damage their Immortal Foundations." This was none other than the Peacock King's sinister voice.

Hua Shu trembled slightly in her heart. She nodded imperceptibly and tightened her grip on the Demon Gathering Banner hidden in her sleeve.

The sinister voice vanished without a trace, and the battles within the two immortal barriers continued fiercely. Yu Feng, true to his reputation as the Heavenly Palace's First Venerable, had visibly exhausted the Kunlun Patriarch's Primordial Spirit, which was clearly no match for him. On the other side, Feng Yin's long sword remained locked with the Lingyun Ring, and the flames on the ring were gradually suppressed by the sword's light, dimming. The immortals watched intently, thinking that in just a moment, the four would decide the outcome.

At that very moment, two streams of emerald-green Immortal Power suddenly shot toward the two immortal barriers. The Immortal Power entered the barriers unimpeded—one attacked Yu Feng and the Kunlun Patriarch's Primortal Spirits, who were locked in battle, and the other struck Feng Yin and Yan Huo. Yu Feng and the Kunlun Patriarch's Primordial Spirits trembled simultaneously, forced back into their bodies in a panic as they shattered. The two opened their eyes, spat out mouthfuls of blood, and their faces instantly turned deathly pale. Being ambushed during a Primordial Spirit battle, it was only thanks to their profound Immortal Power and ten-thousand-year Immortal Foundations that they were not completely destroyed. Feng Yin and Yan Huo, also at a critical moment in their battle, though not as severely injured as Yu Feng and the Kunlun Patriarch, still paled, and the Divine Power on their Spiritual Power dimmed significantly.

Amid this sudden upheaval, Feng Yin managed to split his Divine Power into three streams, catching the severely injured Yu Feng and the other two in mid-air and bringing them safely down to the main hall.

All of this happened in an instant. The immortals outside the tower, recovering from their shock, looked toward the one who had unleashed the emerald-green Immortal Power with expressions of disbelief.

That person, taking advantage of the chaos, had leaped to stand before the imperial throne, only an arm's length away from the Celestial Emperor's seal.

How could it be Princess Hua Shu? As one of the Five Venerables of the Heavenly Palace and a candidate for Celestial Emperor, how could she use such despicable means to injure her fellow immortals and seize the seal in full view of everyone? Even if she obtained the seal, how could she command respect? Almost simultaneously, the immortals turned their furious gazes toward the Peacock King beneath the Celestial Emperor's seat, only to see the Peacock King looking dull and expressionless, while the Celestial Emperor on the throne remained equally unmoved.

Inside the Nine Palaces Tower, Hua Shu's gaze was profound. She brushed her fingertips over the imperial seal and looked proudly toward Feng Yin and the other three."I never imagined that Princess Hua Shu, the youngest of the Five Heavenly Venerables, has already attained Divine Attainment." Feng Yin's slightly raised gaze fell upon Hua Shu's face. After a long silence, she finally spoke.

Her words not only startled the immortals watching the battle outside the tower, but even Yu Feng and the other two, who had been resting with their eyes closed to heal their wounds, opened their eyes in astonishment.

"The Phoenix Sovereign's Divine Power is nothing more than this." Hua Shu glanced at Feng Yin's somewhat pale face, let out a careless hum, her eyes brimming with long-suppressed satisfaction and pride.

Feng Yin shielded the severely injured Yu Feng and the other two behind her, her gaze darkening as she looked at Hua Shu. "This Sovereign's meager Divine Power indeed falls short of the Princess's. However, I must admit my poor judgment and ask the Princess: how did you obtain this Divine Power? Without undergoing the tribulation, how did you achieve Divine Attainment?"