Chapter Nineteen
"Alright, rise now. This old Daoist will soon undergo Ascension. Since fate has brought us together, I shall accept this bow from you, which can be considered a bond between you and our Great Marsh Mountain." Dong Hua smiled kindly. Seeing Ayin stand up, he turned his gaze toward Gu Jin beside him. "A Jin, from now on, Ayin will share your seniority. As the senior disciple, you must set an example and diligently cultivate your Immortal Power, striving to achieve enlightenment as soon as possible."
Gu Jin had never been particularly diligent since childhood, only improving somewhat in recent years. Dong Hua had always been lenient with him, but now, on the verge of Ascension, he felt uneasy and offered a few words of advice.
Gu Jin's face flushed slightly as he lowered his head and replied, "Yes."
"Master, rest assured. Your disciple will devote himself wholeheartedly to cultivation from now on, striving to reunite with you in the Divine Realm as soon as possible."
He said this with such natural confidence that Xian Shan and Xian Zhu, unaware of his true identity, exchanged amused glances, thinking to themselves how youthful and naive their junior brother was, unaware of the hardships of cultivating immortality and divinity. In over sixty thousand years in the Lower Three Realms, only their master had achieved enlightenment and attained divinity. Entering the Divine Realm was no easy feat.
Yet Dong Hua did not reprimand him, only nodded with satisfaction and winked at his young disciple—a silent understanding between the two.
At such a joyous moment, Gu Jin sighed and looked at Dong Hua, hesitating to speak.
Dong Hua thought to himself that his disciple's heart was as vast as the Four Seas, and the only thing that could trouble him was that one matter.
"A Jin, are you worried about the Little Phoenix of Phoenix Tree Island whose soul has scattered?"
Ayin's ears perked up nearby, and she listened intently. When Gu Jin was confined in the Forbidden Valley, he had often spoken of this Little Phoenix Lord of Phoenix Tree Island, showing how deeply he was haunted by the regret of that past incident.
Gu Jin nodded, his usually lively expression turning solemn. "Master, back then, I was ignorant and foolishly intruded into the ancient phoenix tree where Feng Yin was undergoing Nirvana Rebirth, causing her soul to scatter and her spirit to disperse. The Three Realms are fraught with dangers, and over these years, I have devoted myself to cultivating immortal arts, hoping that once I leave the valley, I would have the ability to recover Feng Yin's soul and give an account to Phoenix Tree Island and the Celestial Emperor. However, I know very little about searching for souls and have no idea where to begin."
Dong Hua stroked his beard. "After returning from Phoenix Tree Island back then, when you were confined to the back mountain, I entrusted the task of searching for the Little Phoenix's soul to your two senior brothers. Xian Shan, tell us about the progress over these years."
Xian Shan had long known that Dong Hua would inquire about this matter after emerging from seclusion, so he recounted the hardships of these years slowly: "Master, ever since the Little Phoenix Lord fell into slumber, I have dispatched our adult disciples of the Qing generation to search the Three Realms for her soul, carrying soul-lanterns with them. They return to the mountain every six months to report, and over the past ten years, through cold winters and hot summers, they have scoured every mountain, river, and sea across the Three Realms, yet they have found nothing. The Phoenix Clan has also never ceased their search. Every winter, I personally visit Phoenix Tree Island to inquire with the Phoenix Clan's Grand Elder for news..." Xian Shan sighed as he spoke. "Unfortunately, they have had no success either. For over a decade, there has been no trace of the Little Phoenix's soul in the Three Realms. The Celestial Emperor secluded himself on the overseas Phoenix Island many years ago, and the Phoenix Clan is at a loss, with no solution in sight. Master, with your vast knowledge and experience, do you know how we might search for the Little Phoenix Lord's soul?"Gu Jin had been confined to the Forbidden Valley all these years, completely unaware that for the past decade, everyone at Great Marsh Mountain had been working tirelessly to make up for the mistakes he had made back then. No wonder those white-bearded senior disciples who had once doted on him so dearly rarely visited him in the Forbidden Valley. Upon emerging from seclusion this time, he noticed that most of those he saw around the mountain were younger disciples. It turned out they had all been scattered across the Three Realms, searching for Feng Yin’s soul. His momentary lapse in judgment had led to a grave mistake, yet his sect had shouldered the burden all this time. Only now did Gu Jin learn of the twists and turns that followed the incident at Phoenix Tree Island, and his face flushed with shame.
"Senior brothers, I..." he stammered, his eyes filled with guilt. Facing two senior brothers tens of thousands of years his senior, he was so ashamed he wished he could vanish into the ground.
"A Jin, all of us at Great Marsh Mountain are united. Since we made the mistake, we must do everything we can to make amends to the Phoenix Clan. Don’t dwell on it," Xian Zhu said, waving his bone fan and patting Gu Jin on the chest to comfort him.
"Before today, even I had no solution," Dong Hua, seated upright, spoke leisurely, seeing his young disciple’s troubled expression. The others, lost in sorrow, immediately turned their attention to him.
"Master? Do you have a way to find Feng Yin’s soul?" Gu Jin’s voice trembled with excitement.
Dong Hua nodded, pointing with his dust whisk to the red stone tied at Gu Jin’s waist. "Is this the Fire Phoenix Jade you obtained from the little phoenix back then?"
It was well-known throughout the Three Realms that the little phoenix of Phoenix Tree Island had received a piece of Fire Phoenix Jade from the Ancient True God. When Feng Yin’s Nirvana Rebirth failed, the Fire Phoenix Jade shattered into pieces, only to reform into a complete stone after her soul dispersed. However, the reassembled jade had lost its Spiritual Power. Back then, Tian Qi had slapped Gu Jin from Phoenix Tree Island back to Great Marsh Mountain, and by some twist of fate, this Fire Phoenix Jade had ended up in his possession. Haunted by thoughts of the little phoenix, Gu Jin had since kept the jade tied to his waist, never parting with it.
"Yes, Master, this is Feng Yin’s Fire Phoenix Jade. Could this jade help me find her soul? But I can’t see anything unusual about it," Gu Jin quickly untied the jade from his waist and examined it closely.
"The Fire Phoenix Jade was forged by the Ancient True God using Primordial Chaos Power. Your Immortal Power naturally cannot discern its secrets," Dong Hua said, waving his dust whisk as golden Divine Power settled onto the fiery red stone.
With a crack, the dusty outer layer of the Fire Phoenix Jade fell away, revealing its radiant core. Though not as brimming with Spiritual Power as it had been when adorning Feng Yin’s forehead, it had regained a trace of vitality. Upon closer inspection, one could even see two delicate phoenix tails etched into the jade.
"Master, this is..." Though young, Gu Jin was not lacking in knowledge. Sensing the vitality within the Fire Phoenix Jade, his eyes widened in astonishment.
"Inside lies one soul and one spirit of the little phoenix."
Dong Hua’s words sent shockwaves through the room. For over a decade, Great Marsh Mountain and the Phoenix Clan had searched the Three Realms without finding even a trace of Feng Yin’s soul. How could one soul and one spirit be hidden within this Fire Phoenix Jade? Could they have been concealed inside when her soul shattered at Phoenix Tree Island?
Knowing their thoughts, Dong Hua shook his head. "This soul and spirit were not left inside back then. If they had been, both the Celestial Emperor and I would have detected them on Phoenix Tree Island."
"But I was directly punished by the Celestial Emperor and confined to the back mountain of our sect. I haven’t left in ten years," Gu Jin said, puzzled.
"A Jin, back on Phoenix Tree Island, where exactly did you find Feng Yin during her Nirvana Rebirth?" Dong Hua asked."In the ancient phoenix tree forest," Gu Jin replied, suddenly understanding the meaning behind Dong Hua's words. His voice rose, "Master, are you saying that within the Forbidden Valley of the rear mountain..."
Dong Hua nodded. "Phoenixes perching on phoenix trees has been an eternal truth since ancient times. This one soul and one spirit should be guarded by the heart of the phoenix tree within the Forbidden Valley. The soul of the Phoenix Clan's royal lineage is not something an ordinary soul-burning lamp can draw out. The Fire Phoenix Jade is the vessel that carried Feng Yin's divine power and soul during her Nirvana Rebirth. The two attract each other, and by chance, this one soul and one spirit emerged from the heart of the phoenix tree and returned to the Fire Phoenix Jade. If I'm not mistaken, the other two souls and six spirits should also be hidden within phoenix trees somewhere in the Three Realms, outside of Phoenix Tree Island. That's why we've had no news of Feng Yin's soul for the past ten years."
"Master, so you mean that as long as we find the phoenix trees, we can find Feng Yin's soul?" Gu Jin's eyes lit up, and his hand holding the Fire Phoenix Jade tightened slightly.
"Phoenix trees are born from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. It is extremely difficult for them to grow outside of Phoenix Tree Island. The one in the rear mountain was planted from a seed I obtained from the Phoenix Clan's Grand Elder forty thousand years ago. I planted it in the spiritual eye of Great Marsh Mountain's mountain range, and only then did it survive. Places within the Three Realms with such spiritual veins..." Dong Hua sighed, his words trailing off.
Everyone in the hall was perceptive, and the meaning behind Dong Hua's words was clear. Phoenix trees are Supreme Treasures. They either grow in unclaimed lands with rich spiritual veins, but such places are inevitably perilous and inaccessible to ordinary people; or they are secretly hidden within grotto abodes across the Three Realms and Nine Provinces, like Great Marsh Mountain. In either case, finding the phoenix trees and retrieving Feng Yin's soul would be no easy task.
"Master, do you know where else phoenix trees grow outside of Phoenix Tree Island?" Dong Hua was the most senior Immortal Lord in the Three Realms. If he didn't know, no one else would.
"Phoenix trees are spiritual beings that grow between heaven and earth. Over the years, I've heard people mention seeing such trees in four places."
"Where?" Gu Jin perked up.
"One is in the Palace of Bell and Spirit of the Underworld's Ghost King, Ao Ge. Another is in the grotto abode of the former Heavenly Emperor Mu Guang, Guixu Mountain. The third is in the sacred land of the Fox Demon Clan, the Tranquil Serene Lake. The last one is only in legends; no one has ever truly seen it."
"Where is it?"
Seeing Dong Hua speak so solemnly, Gu Jin quickly asked. Xian Shan and Xian Zhu also looked curious. What place could it be that even their master had only heard of in legends but never set foot in?
Dong Hua looked up at Gu Jin, his eyes showing little concern. "This last place is said to be within the Nine Nether Purgatory of the True God Tian Qi. Since ancient times, countless demons and monsters have been trapped there, but no one has ever emerged alive from the Nine Nether Purgatory. So this is merely a legend; no one can confirm its truth."
"Nine Nether Purgatory?" Xian Zhu exclaimed in surprise. The Nine Nether Purgatory was refined by the True God Tian Qi in ancient times. It was said to be buried in the deepest depths of the Three Realms' hell, even more mysterious and eerie than the Underworld. It was the place where Tian Qi imprisoned the most vicious demons and monsters that brought calamity to the Three Realms. The last time the Nine Nether Purgatory appeared in the world was over a hundred years ago, when Jing Jian fell in battle on Rakshasa Land, Feng Ran underwent Nirvana Rebirth, and Qing Li of the Fox Demon Clan was punished by the Ancient True God Shang Gu. Without the power of a True God, the Nine Nether Purgatory would never appear in the world. How could anyone possibly enter to investigate?Xian Shan and Xian Zhu wore expressions of deep concern, while only Gu Jin and Dong Hua remained calm and composed. For these two, the Nine Nether Purgatory—the most elusive and difficult place to enter in the world—was actually the simplest among these locations. All Gu Jin needed to do was travel to Purple Moon Mountain in the Demon Realm, explain the reason to Tian Qi, and given Tian Qi's friendship with Feng Ran, he would surely allow Gu Jin to enter the Nine Nether Purgatory and retrieve Feng Yin's soul.
"A Jin, with my over sixty thousand years of experience, I only know of four places between heaven and earth where phoenix trees grow. My Ascension is imminent, and I can no longer remain in the Mortal Realm. You must rely on yourself to explore these places."
"Master, the grave mistake back then was entirely my doing. I have always felt remorseful toward the Phoenix Clan and Feng Yin. It is only right that I spare no effort to recover Feng Yin's soul."
Dong Hua stroked his beard, his eyes gentle and kind. "It is good that you have such resolve. Perhaps what happened back then was also part of the fate between the two of you. I will write personal letters to Ghost King Ao Ge and Chang Qin, the leader of the Fox Demon Clan. Carry them with you when you visit the Two Realms. Although they have had no dealings with our Great Marsh Mountain, out of respect for the Phoenix Clan, they will surely not make things difficult for you. Before the former Heavenly Emperor Mu Guang transformed into a stone dragon to guard the Immortal-Demon boundary, he personally sealed Mount Guixu. I do not know what state Mount Guixu is in now, so you must be extremely cautious and respectful when you go there. As for the Nine Nether Purgatory, it will depend on your fate and fortune."
Only two people knew Gu Jin's true identity, so Dong Hua's reminder could only go so far.
Gu Jin nodded, carefully committing Dong Hua's instructions to memory, and replied respectfully, "Master, I have remembered everything. Please ascend to the Divine Realm with peace of mind. I will surely recover Feng Yin's soul and give the Phoenix Clan an explanation."
Dong Hua nodded, waved his dust whisk, and a small umbrella appeared in mid-air, flying toward Gu Jin and landing before him. The umbrella's surface shimmered brilliantly, radiating profound divine power. The mountains, rivers, and landscapes depicted on it were vivid and profound, clearly no ordinary object.
"A Jin, this is a magical artifact I have carried with me since I began cultivating immortality. It is called the Sky-Shielding Umbrella. No one below the level of a Demigod can damage it in the slightest, and even a Demigod would find it nearly impossible to destroy its foundation without exhausting half a lifetime of cultivation. The Sky-Shielding Umbrella has always served as the protective immortal artifact of Great Marsh Mountain, guarding this hall. The places you must go to find Feng Yin's soul are far too perilous. Today, I give you the Sky-Shielding Umbrella to ensure your safety."
Gu Jin was taken aback and quickly refused, shaking his head. "Master, the Sky-Shielding Umbrella is the mountain sect's protective immortal artifact. I cannot accept it."
Dong Hua's voice grew stern. "When an elder bestows a gift, it must not be refused. A Jin, my ability to cultivate and become a deity is also due to some kindness I once received. As they say, where there is cause, there is effect. What is received must be repaid. This is my final wish in the Mortal Realm."
Dong Hua's words were profoundly mysterious, leaving the other three bewildered. However, Gu Jin recalled how, over a hundred years ago, his mother had brought him to Great Marsh Mountain to offer birthday congratulations and had gifted Dong Hua a Divine Pill to aid his cultivation. It seemed his master's gesture was to repay the karmic debt from his mother's kindness back then.
Remembering this, Gu Jin had no choice but to accept the Sky-Shielding Umbrella. He bowed deeply to Dong Hua. "Your disciple thanks you, Master."
"Very well, I have said all that needs to be said. Take Ayin and rest now. From now on, everything will depend on your own fortune. Take good care of yourself."Gu Jin felt a pang of bitterness in his heart and nodded solemnly. Seeing Ayin bid farewell to Dong Hua, he walked to her side intending to take her hand as usual, but suddenly remembered that Ayin was now a half-grown young woman. After a moment of awkwardness, he scratched his head, waved at her, and retreated toward the hall’s exit.
Ayin raised an eyebrow, a slight smile curling her lips as she skipped after him out of Shangshui Hall.
“Master, there’s something I don’t understand,” Xian Shan spoke up with a puzzled expression as soon as they left, turning to Dong Hua.
“What is it?”
“Master, over the years, many promising young talents of the Immortal Realm have sought to become your disciple. Even Celestial Emperor Mu Guang and several Dragon Kings once made requests on behalf of their descendants, but you refused them all. If others in the Immortal Realm learn that you’ve taken in a Water Condensation Beast as a nominal disciple, they might say that Great Marsh Mountain is arrogant and that the rules upheld for tens of thousands of years were merely for show. I fear for our mountain’s reputation…”
Dong Hua interrupted with a smile, “You place too much importance on the mountain’s honor. The bond between master and disciple is fated by heaven and cannot be forced. Great Marsh Mountain stands aloof from the Immortal Realm, never entangled in disputes among factions. Why concern yourself so much with others’ opinions and gossip? Your cultivation has stagnated all these years precisely because you’ve been too preoccupied with mundane affairs of the mountain.”
Xian Shan’s face flushed with shame and embarrassment.
Dong Hua had always valued his first disciple. After this admonishment, he patiently explained, “Before Ayin arrived, I cast a divination for her, but I couldn’t decipher her hexagram…”
Both Xian Shan and Xian Zhu were taken aback, exclaiming in unison, “Master, you couldn’t read her hexagram?”
Dong Hua was a master of divination and numerology, and now that he had attained godhood, the life of a mere Water Condensation Beast should have been easily discernible.
“I, too, find it surprising. Though I couldn’t deduce the course of her life, her hexagram revealed a deep connection between her and our Great Marsh Mountain. Since fate has destined her to be linked with our mountain, my actions are merely in accordance with heaven’s will.”
Xian Shan and Xian Zhu had never imagined that Dong Hua’s decision to accept Ayin as a nominal disciple held such significance. Upon hearing this, they felt at ease.
Dong Hua gazed in the direction the two had departed, fell silent for a moment, then beckoned to Xian Shan. “Xian Shan, come here. I have a message for A Jin, but now is not the right time to tell him. When the day comes that his Immortal Power reaches the level of High Lord, you must relay these words to him.”
Xian Shan looked puzzled as he leaned closer to Dong Hua. A low whisper reached his ears, and as he listened, his expression grew increasingly grave, finally turning pale with shock.
“Master, if A Jin learns of this, I fear he won’t be able to accept it…”
Dong Hua’s gaze grew distant. “It’s of no consequence. This is the karma of his fate. What is destined cannot be avoided. Just remember my words.” With that, he waved his hand. “Alright, you may both leave now.”
Xian Shan seemed to want to say more, but seeing that Dong Hua had nothing further to add, he could only withdraw from Shangshui Hall with Xian Zhu.
Outside the hall, Xian Zhu pulled aside his solemn-faced senior brother and couldn’t help but ask, “Senior Brother, what exactly did Master tell you? Does A Jin face some calamity in the future? If you tell him early, he can avoid it, can’t he?”
Xian Shan shook his head, the worry in his eyes undiminished. “It’s not what you think. Master said now is not the best time. Even if he knew, it would be of no use. When he attains the strength of a High Lord in the future, I’ll tell him then.”
Xian Shan sighed and walked away slowly, leaving behind a bewildered and anxious Xian Zhu.Dong Hua chose the third day after his seclusion to ascend to the Divine Realm. Only Xian Shan and Xian Zhu accompanied him during his ascension. Gu Jin, still youthful in nature and disliking farewells, silently watched from the rear mountain as the gate to the Ancient Realm descended upon the peak of Great Marsh Mountain.
"A Jin, are you reluctant to part with Master?" Ayin sat on a nearby rock, looking up at Gu Jin.
Gu Jin gazed toward the direction of the Ancient Realm gate and nodded silently. "I was born unruly. Over the past hundred years, I owe it to Master's careful guidance. Back then, it was also him who pleaded for mercy on my behalf at Phoenix Tree Island, which led the Phoenix Clan to punish me leniently."
"Will it be many, many years before we see Master again?"
Gu Jin patted Ayin's head, a faint melancholy in his eyes. "Yes, it will be many, many years."
Many years later, he might finally return to the Ancient Divine Realm.
"Ayin, after Master undergoes Nirvana Rebirth, I will go to the Demon Realm to search for the phoenix tree. You stay at the mountain sect and cultivate your Immortal Power diligently. Wait for me to return."
"No." The girl's clear and decisive voice rang out beside him, an outright refusal. "I'm going with you."
Gu Jin frowned. "The search for the phoenix tree is fraught with dangers and obstacles. Having you by my side would put you at risk."
"You know it's dangerous and difficult, so how could I let you go to such places alone?" Ayin waved her hand at him, her expression full of refusal. "I am a Water Condensation Beast. My Immortal Power naturally has healing properties—I can help you." As she spoke, she transformed into the form of a Water Condensation Beast, flew onto Gu Jin's shoulder, and settled there, speaking in human language. "A Jin, if we encounter any danger, I'll transform into an immortal beast. I'm just a tiny little thing, and my Immortal Power is low. Demon beasts wouldn't even find me appetizing. I'll be perfectly safe!"
Gu Jin had no resistance against Ayin, who had transformed into an immortal beast and was now acting coquettishly. Her soft little paws kept tapping on his shoulder, and his heart softened. He had already nodded in agreement.
Ayin cheered and began circling around Gu Jin, her little tail swaying and scattering dazzling specks of Immortal Power.
Just at that moment, Divine Light shone down from the Ancient Realm gate, enveloping Great Marsh Mountain. Dong Hua rode the wind and departed, entering the Ancient Divine Realm from then on.
Before the heads of the various grotto abodes in the Immortal Realm could arrive, Dong Hua had already ascended to the Divine Realm. He had always been low-key, and this time, aside from his disciples seeing him off, he did not invite any friends to witness his ascension.
After Dong Hua's ascension, Xian Shan, as the senior disciple, took over the mountain seal and officially assumed control of Great Marsh Mountain. Xian Zhu and Gu Jin were also promoted to Elders. The three of them, on behalf of Dong Hua, received and bid farewell to the immortal friends who came to offer congratulations. Ever since Feng Yin's failed Nirvana Rebirth at Phoenix Tree Island years ago, Gu Jin's reputation had circulated in the Immortal Realm for over a decade—though it was always the same few disparaging remarks about his unruly nature, low Immortal Power, and somewhat unrefined demeanor. This time, accompanying Xian Shan and Xian Zhu in receiving immortal friends from various sects in his capacity as an Elder of Great Marsh Mountain, he appeared mature and steady. Coupled with his handsome appearance, significant improvement in Immortal Power at a young age, and his current status as the junior brother of the Great Marsh Mountain head and an Elder of a major Immortal Sect, many heads of Immortal Mansions took note of him upon meeting. After observing him closely, they sighed in admiration, acknowledging that Dong Hua indeed had a discerning eye. This youngest disciple, who had been overlooked and underestimated in previous years, had now grown and matured. Upon closer inspection, he was truly a gem, likely destined to become a prominent figure in the Three Realms in the centuries to come.
Gu Jin had originally planned to set off with Ayin for the Demon Realm's Tranquil Serene Lake to search for the phoenix tree after accompanying his two senior brothers in seeing off the congratulatory immortal friends from various mansions. However, the scheduled date was delayed by half a month—by his own doing.Ayin had never been one to change her mind on a whim. After pressing Gu Jin for two days without getting a clear answer, it was Qing Yi—who had grown close to her over time—who quietly revealed the truth. A formal invitation had arrived from Hundred Birds Island two days prior, stating that the Peacock King was unwell and would be sending his daughter, Hua Shu, to offer congratulations in his stead.
Ayin let out a knowing "aha," realizing why everything had been pushed aside—even the search for the Phoenix Clan's little phoenix's soul. So it was Hua Shu, the Female Immortal Lord who had haunted Gu Jin's thoughts for over a decade, who was coming.
Ayin was naturally lazy and carefree, but for the first time since hatching, she felt a genuine curiosity about someone. She wondered just what kind of Lady could have kept Gu Jin thinking of her all these years. This time, having seized the opportunity, she was determined to get a good look.
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