Chapter Thirty-Three
“Gu Jin of Great Marsh Mountain greets Princess Jing Zhao.”
The gentle breeze atop Guixu Mountain scattered and rose again, golden dragon flowers blanketing the ground. After a long silence, the quiet young man finally cupped his hands and offered a half-bow to Jing Zhao.
Jing Zhao was over twenty thousand years his senior—by both sentiment and reason, she was an elder.
The tragedies of those years were Wu Huan’s fault; Jing Zhao was merely a vessel for that tragedy, left alone in her fate. What use was there in him, having lost his father-god, directing his resentment toward her?
A century later, the now-grown Yuan Qi was no longer the unruly Little Divine Lord of Clear Pond Palace who, in a moment of righteous indignation, had sought to force Jing Zhao to bow her head.
“Gu Jin?” Jing Zhao repeated the name, her gaze still lingering on his eyes.
They were too similar. Having accompanied him in the Vault of Heaven for a century, she saw that this young Immortal Lord’s eyes had captured nearly all of his grace and spirit.
“To possess such profound Immortal Power at such a tender age—Old High Lord Dong Hua indeed has an eye for talent. Having long secluded myself in Guixu Mountain, I imagine you must be quite renowned throughout the Three Realms.”
“You flatter me, Princess. My master says my temperament is unstable, that I am reckless in my youth, and so he has had me secluding myself in Great Marsh Mountain for cultivation these past hundred years. Thus, I have seldom ventured into the Three Realms.”
In his childhood, Yuan Qi had looked almost identical to Bai Jue. When he descended to the Mortal Realm to study under his master at Great Marsh Mountain, Tian Qi had used Divine Power to seal his Primordial Chaos Power, even altering his appearance. Yet the spirit in these eyes was strikingly like Bai Jue’s—something even Divine Power could not seal or change.
“Oh?” Jing Zhao showed surprise. “The old High Lord is overly cautious. Young people ought to be bold and unrestrained—what need is there for such solemnity at a tender age? How has your master been lately?”
“My master achieved great attainment in his cultivation several months ago and Ascended to the Ancient Divine Realm.”
“To think that in just over a century, the old High Lord has transcended mortality and Ascended to the Ancient Realm. Should we meet again, I suppose I would have to address him as High God.”
Jing Zhao was taken aback, a complex emotion surfacing in her eyes. She had no desire to dwell on matters of the Ancient Divine Realm and brushed past it with a few faint words. After a pause, she gave a self-deprecating smile. “But since the old High Lord has become a god, transcending the Three Realms, I doubt we shall meet again. Why should I concern myself with such formalities?”
She then turned her gaze to Gu Jin. “Your junior sister mentioned earlier that you came to Guixu Mountain seeking something. Guixu Mountain has long been detached from the Three Realms. What could there be within this mountain that you desire?”
The Fire Phoenix Jade at his waist grew faintly warm, surely sensing the scattered soul fragments of Feng Yin within the heart of the phoenix tree. Gu Jin looked toward the phoenix tree behind Jing Zhao.
“Princess, have you heard of the birth of the Little Phoenix Lord of the Phoenix Clan several years ago?”
At the mention of the Phoenix Clan, Jing Zhao’s expression cooled slightly, likely recalling the past when the Heavenly Empress was expelled from the Phoenix Clan and Jing Jian fell in battle.
“Naturally, I have heard. Before that Little Phoenix Lord even hatched, invitations to the Phoenix Sovereign’s grand feast on Phoenix Tree Island were sent throughout the Three Realms. Now, over a century has passed—by my reckoning, that little phoenix should have hatched long ago. What does your coming to my Guixu Mountain have to do with it?”
“To be frank with you, Princess, in my youth, I was mischievous. Ten years ago, I went to Phoenix Tree Island on my master’s behalf to congratulate the Little Phoenix Lord on its hatching, but I accidentally strayed into the ancient phoenix grove and shattered the Little Phoenix Lord’s egg, causing it to fall into a deep slumber. I was confined to Great Marsh Mountain for ten years by the Phoenix Sovereign and my master. Only a few months ago, upon receiving news of Feng Yin’s soul fragments, did I descend the mountain and enter the world.”"Oh? I have rarely ventured out since entering Mount Guixu a century ago, so I hadn't heard of this matter." Jing Zhao's gaze swept over Gu Jin's face. "You certainly have some nerve—so young yet capable of causing such a catastrophe. The Phoenix Clan has always been fiercely protective of its own, and Feng Ran's temper is as fiery as they come. You shattered her disciple's soul, yet she only confined you to Great Marsh Mountain for ten years?"
A flicker of doubt appeared in Jing Zhao's eyes as she studied Gu Jin's face. Her expression grew serious, and an absurd thought suddenly surfaced in her mind... Could Feng Ran's lenient punishment mean this young Immortal Lord was...
"Back then, this junior committed a grave error, and the Phoenix Sovereign was enraged. Fortunately, my master personally went to Phoenix Tree Island and pledged the full strength of Great Marsh Mountain to retrieve Feng Yin's soul, pleading on my behalf. Only then did the Phoenix Sovereign show mercy." Sensing Jing Zhao's growing suspicion about his identity, Gu Jin sought to avoid further complications and explained.
Hearing Gu Jin's explanation, Jing Zhao's doubts gradually faded. "Feng Ran has always held Dong Hua in high esteem. With your master pleading for you, no wonder she was lenient. Your master truly dotes on you."
"Yes, Master has always been indulgent toward this junior. After emerging from the seal, I have been wholly dedicated to recovering Feng Yin's soul. Before his Ascension, Master told me that Feng Yin's soul fragments were hidden within phoenix trees scattered across the Three Realms. The one here in Mount Guixu happens to contain one of the Little Phoenix Lord's lost soul fragments. I beg Your Highness, in light of your past friendship with my master, to allow me to retrieve Feng Yin's soul, so that I may give the Phoenix Clan some measure of accountability."
The young man's resolute expression momentarily distracted Jing Zhao. She glanced toward the interior of Mount Guixu. "In the past, Mount Guixu was a place of lush blossoms and vibrant life. Who would have thought it could become so desolate and empty one day. The two of you are practically the only junior members of the Immortal Tribe I've seen here in a century. Since worldly affairs no longer concern me, what purpose would there be in making things difficult for you?" She looked at Gu Jin. "This phoenix tree was transplanted here from the Phoenix Clan thirty thousand years ago by my mother when my second elder brother, Jing Jian, was born—a gift for his birth. I will allow you to take Feng Yin's soul fragment, but you must not harm the tree's foundation or its heart. Can you do that?"
Jing Jian had died in battle at Rakshasa Land, a hero to the entire Immortal Tribe. Under Feng Ran's influence, Gu Jin held deep respect for this former second prince of the Immortal Tribe. Upon hearing Jing Zhao's words, he immediately nodded. "Your Highness, rest assured. I will only retrieve Feng Yin's soul fragment and will not harm this phoenix tree in the slightest."
"Good. As Dong Hua's disciple, I naturally trust your character." Jing Zhao nodded and stepped aside. "After you retrieve Feng Yin's soul fragment, leave as soon as possible. No outsiders have entered Mount Guixu for a century, and it is not convenient for me to host guests."
Seeing Jing Zhao step aside, Gu Jin advanced two steps, took the Fire Phoenix Jade from his waist, and activated it, sending it floating into the air. Guided by the Spiritual Power of the Fire Phoenix Jade, a faint golden soul fragment slowly rose from the phoenix tree. However, having been nurtured within the tree's heart for so long, as the soul fragment ascended, it inadvertently drew the tree's heart out along with it. Seeing this, Jing Zhao frowned.
Gu Jin waved his hand, channeling Immortal Power to drive the Fire Phoenix Jade toward the soul. Feng Yin's soul fragment touched the jade, emitting a joyful hum, and with a swift motion, flew into the Fire Phoenix Jade. Yet the Immortal Power did not dissipate; instead, it gently cradled the tree's heart and slowly guided it back toward the phoenix tree.
Jing Zhao's frown eased, and she looked at Gu Jin with a hint of approval in her eyes.
Gu Jin retrieved the Fire Phoenix Jade, turned, and cupped his hands toward Jing Zhao. "Thank you, Your Highness, for allowing this junior to successfully recover one of Feng Yin's soul fragments.""High Lord Dong Hua has bestowed grace upon the Immortal Realm for sixty thousand years, and in the past, he greatly assisted my father in defending the Immortal Tribe. As his disciple, this small request is nothing." Jing Zhao waved her hand. "Now that you have obtained Feng Yin's soul, you may leave the mountain. With the Boundary-Breaking Pearl, the seal at the mountain gate will not stop you."
After speaking, Jing Zhao paid them no further attention and walked straight toward the bamboo cottage amidst the sea of flowers.
"Yes, we take our leave."
Gu Jin and Ayin bowed and retreated. Ayin happened to catch a fleeting glimpse of loneliness on Jing Zhao's indifferent face, which stirred a pang of sympathy within her.
The Immortal Tribe princess, having experienced all the glories of life, had secluded herself alone in this desolate Guixu Mountain for a century—she must be profoundly lonely.
Noticing Ayin's distraction, Gu Jin took her hand and began reciting an Immortal Incantation, preparing to ride the clouds toward the mountain gate.
At that very moment, a fiery red phantom suddenly shot out from Ayin's waist and lunged toward the phoenix tree.
Ayin gasped in surprise. Gu Jin inwardly cursed and swiftly turned around, only to see A Jiu grabbing hold of the phoenix tree's heart.
"A Jiu! Stop!" Gu Jin shouted sternly, but it was too late. Without hesitation, A Jiu swallowed the phoenix tree's heart. A surge of golden Spiritual Power erupted from its body, and its fiery red fur grew even more dazzling.
With the heart consumed, the nearby phoenix tree lost its source of Spiritual Power. It withered at a visible pace, transforming into a lifeless, barren tree in mere moments.
"Wretched beast!" Jing Zhao, who had already entered the bamboo cottage, sensed the presence of the Demon Tribe. She rushed out just in time to witness A Jiu swallowing the phoenix tree's heart. Seeing the tree destroyed, her expression darkened. With a sweep of her sleeve, her Immortal Power transformed into a fierce sword aura, slashing toward A Jiu.
Jing Zhao had already reached the peak of High Lord status a century ago, and her sword strikes were relentless and unforgiving. A Jiu fled in panic, scrambling desperately across the mountaintop.
"A Jin, what do we do?" Ayin fretted anxiously nearby but was forced back several meters by the sword aura, unable to approach.
Gu Jin's expression turned cold and stern, his face darkening with anger as he watched the little fox being hunted down.
Three more sword strikes descended, one overlapping the other, forming a dense web of sword shadows that enveloped the little fox completely. Just as A Jiu was about to be slain within the sword light, a surge of Immortal Power suddenly intervened, sweeping aside Jing Zhao's sword aura and shielding A Jiu.
Recognizing the person now shielding the little fox, Jing Zhao's expression grew even colder. "I haven't even settled accounts with you yet, and here you are protecting this demon fox. You carry Dong Hua's Boundary-Breaking Pearl, so you must indeed be his disciple. But as a member of the Immortal Tribe, how dare you collude with the Demon Tribe? What disgrace you bring upon your sect and your master! Clearly coveting the phoenix tree's heart, yet you claim to have come for Feng Yin's soul. What a deceitful liar! How could High Lord Dong Hua, with his illustrious reputation, have taken on a disciple like you!"
Hearing Jing Zhao's furious rebuke, Ayin grew anxious and was about to explain on Gu Jin's behalf, but he waved her off, signaling her to remain calm.
"Princess, please calm your anger. I truly came only for Feng Yin's soul and had no intention of coveting the phoenix tree's heart."
"Hmph." Jing Zhao pointed toward the little fox behind him. "That demon fox has already stolen the tree's heart. How can you still deny it?"
Gu Jin turned to look at A Jiu. The little fox met his gaze, its eyes still brimming with defiance.
"A Jiu, return the phoenix tree's heart to the princess."
The little fox snorted, unmoved.
"If you need the phoenix tree's heart, I can find you another one. But not this one."The Primordial Spirit Sword behind Gu Jin trembled slightly, emitting a faint hum. He reached out toward A Jiu, "A Jiu, a nobleman stands between heaven and earth, knowing what must be done and what must not. You cannot touch the birthday tree of the Second Prince Jing Jian."
The little fox remained silent for a moment, then shook its head again. Gu Jin frowned deeply, his eyes filled with disappointment.
"A Jiu! Stop this nonsense and return the tree heart to the princess." Seeing A Jiu's stubborn refusal, Ayin, standing nearby, could not help but raise her voice.
"It's not that I won't return it, but the phoenix tree heart has already merged with my Inner Core. To retrieve the tree heart, you must take my Inner Core."
A clear, youthful voice emerged from the red fox's mouth. As demonic power surged around the red fox, the small fox gradually vanished, and a blurred human figure took shape within the swirling energy.
As the demonic power dissipated, a handsome young man stood beneath the withered phoenix tree.
The young man's eyes were blood-red, darker and more profound than the full moon of the Demon Realm.
Clad in the ancient crimson battle robes of the Fox Demon Clan, he stood barefoot atop the summit of Guixu Mountain. With a single turn, his youthful form seemed to eclipse the splendor of the entire mountain.
OpenNovel