Chapter Thirty-Seven
Gu Jin and Ayin’s return to the mountain was a major event. The disciples of Great Marsh Mountain who had received the news waited eagerly at the mountain gate for nearly half a day before finally catching sight of their Little Martial Uncle and Little Martial Aunt. As soon as Gu Jin and Ayin stepped onto the stone steps of the mountain gate, they were warmly surrounded by the crowd and escorted up the mountain.
Qing Yi had steamed mung bean cakes early in the morning and waited among the crowd, but she couldn’t find an opportunity to get close to the two. She had no choice but to jog along, trailing behind everyone. Fortunately, Ayin’s nose was sharp, and she caught the scent of the mung bean cakes. Seizing a gap, she slipped away from the white-bearded disciples and secretly joined Qing Yi to snack together.
As they chatted, they fell far behind the group, and soon only the two of them remained on the stone steps, gossiping.
“Ayin, Ayin, Master Xian Zhu said you went to the Demon Tribe. What kind of demons did you see? Were they like the ones described in the Classic of Mountains and Seas in our library? As tall as mountains, with eyes as big as bronze bells, and as ugly as female demons?”
Qing Yi stuffed mung bean cakes into Ayin’s hands while gesturing curiously, enthusiastically asking about the sights beyond the mountain.
She had only entered the Immortal Sect in the past century. During these hundred years, hostilities between the Immortal Tribe and the Demon Tribe had ceased. Great Marsh Mountain was a pillar of the Immortal Tribe, and no demons had ever appeared there. Thus, her understanding of the Demon Tribe was purely theoretical.
Ayin rolled her eyes inwardly. A Jiu, hidden in the Cosmic Bag at her waist, angrily tapped the side of the bag to express his displeasure.
The Fox Demon Clan was renowned for their beauty and certainly wouldn’t tolerate such nonsense.
Ayin patted the Cosmic Bag to calm A Jiu down. She tapped Qing Yi on the head and said, “And you call yourself the ‘Know-It-All of the Three Realms’? What you’re describing are Demonic Beasts, not the Demon Tribe. A Jin and I went to the Fox race. The people there are all good-looking, no less beautiful than the ladies of our Immortal Tribe.”
Qing Yi tossed a piece of cake into her mouth, took a sip of Drunken Jade Dew from the small flask at her waist, and shook her head with a look of disbelief. “Ayin, don’t lie to me. No matter how beautiful the Fox race is, can they really compare to Princess Hua Shu of Hundred Birds Island? She’s the number one beauty of our Immortal Tribe.”
“Besides,” Qing Yi burped and spoke of Hua Shu with pride, “recently, Princess Hua Shu fought in place of her father against the Eagle King Yan Qiu and returned victorious. The Sect Leaders of our Immortal Tribe all praised her, saying that despite her youth, her Immortal Power is profound, making her the outstanding talent of our younger generation. This time, the Peacock King of Hundred Birds Island is holding a birthday banquet to celebrate Hua Shu’s achievements. All the promising young men of the Immortal Realm have rushed to attend, and even Supreme Lord Lanfeng will personally go to offer his congratulations.”
Ten years ago, Celestial Emperor Feng Ran entered seclusion for cultivation on Phoenix Tree Island, entrusting the Heavenly Palace to Supreme Lord Lanfeng and four other senior High Lords. Lanfeng, who governs the Emperor Star Constellation, had already been promoted to the rank of High Lord. He was generous, fair, and possessed profound Immortal Power, earning the support of all factions within the Immortal Tribe. Throughout the Three Realms, it was rumored that Celestial Emperor Feng Ran was by nature unrestrained and likely had no interest in the throne. It was said that once Supreme Lord Lanfeng cultivated to the level of a Demigod, the position of Celestial Emperor would be passed to him.
“You said Hua Shu defeated Eagle King Yan Qiu?” Ayin frowned as she listened to Qing Yi’s praise of Hua Shu.Although the Sky-Shielding Umbrella is a Semi-Divine Artifact, its Divine Power is primarily defensive. The Eagle King is tens of thousands of years older than Hua Shu, with formidable Immortal Power—even the Peacock King struggles to match his might. Even with the Sky-Shielding Umbrella, Hua Shu could only protect herself at best. How could she have overwhelmingly defeated the Eagle King? Could it be that in such a short time, she encountered a celestial opportunity, and her Immortal Power advanced by leaps and bounds?
"Exactly. Even the Peacock King was defeated by the Eagle King. This time, Princess Hua Shu campaigned in her father’s stead and made a name for herself in a single battle. Not only did she preserve the Peacock Clan’s Paradise Grotto in the North Sea, but she also forced the Eagle King to pledge a ten-year truce. I heard the senior Immortals who observed the battle that day were full of praise for Princess Hua Shu’s Immortal Power. After this battle, Princess Hua Shu’s reputation has grown even greater. Ayin, I simply don’t believe anyone from the Fox race could surpass our Immortal Tribe’s Princess Hua Shu!"
Ayin was listening intently when a red shadow flashed by, and a young man’s dissatisfied voice rang out.
"Hmph, everyone says Great Marsh Mountain is the pinnacle of the Immortal Realm, but I think that’s an exaggeration. Little Taoist, you may be ignorant, but don’t drag my Fox race into it. Who wants to compare with that ridiculous Peacock Princess of yours? Covered in garish, multicolored bird feathers—utterly hideous."
A Jiu flew out of the Cosmic Bag, shape-shifted into human form, crossed his arms, and looked down at Qing Yi with a displeased expression.
His handsome youthful appearance immediately stunned the inexperienced Qing Yi.
"R-really... beautiful!" Qing Yi stammered, then, recalling A Jiu’s shape-shifting process, belatedly sensed the formidable Demonic Power emanating from him. Snapping back to reality, he let out a startled cry and jumped in front of Ayin. Though his face was pale with fear, he still spread his arms protectively in front of Ayin. "A fox? You’re from the Demon Tribe!" he shouted, waving frantically at Ayin. "Demon fox, how did you enter the mountain gate? Ayin, run! Quickly call Master A Jin and the others to capture this demon!"
A Jiu shot a sidelong glance at Qing Yi, who was trembling in panic. "Idiot, this lord is a man. If you dare call me beautiful one more time, I’ll tear your mouth apart."
"You!" The people of Great Marsh Mountain were always gentle and mild-mannered; Qing Yi had never heard such arrogant and unreasonable words before. Instantly, his round face flushed bright red. "You fox are so unreasonable! If you don’t like being called beautiful, then why did you get angry when I said Princess Hua Shu is more beautiful than your Fox race?"
"I—" A Jiu was caught off guard by Qing Yi’s retort and hadn’t yet countered when Ayin stepped between them, gently pushing Qing Yi aside. "Qing Yi, don’t be afraid. This is A Jiu. He came back with A Jin and me. Alright, A Jiu, Qing Yi is timid. Don’t scare him."
Qing Yi looked utterly bewildered, his eyes wide as he stared at Ayin. "Ayin, you brought this fox back to the mountain?" He quickly glanced around. "Ayin, he’s from the Demon Tribe! How could you bring him back? If the two masters find out, they’ll be furious!"
A Jiu observed this little Taoist. Though foolish, his sole concern was protecting Ayin, which made him seem much more agreeable.
"A Jin and I went to the Nine Nether Purgatory to search for Feng Yin’s Soul. A Jiu saved us from Demon Beasts and God-Slaying Flowers, but his Demon Core was injured. Only the Spiritual Power of my Water Condensation Beast can heal him, so we brought him back to Great Marsh Mountain."
After Ayin finished explaining, she was about to ask A Jiu and Qing Yi to greet each other when A Jiu instantly transformed into a young fox and darted back into the Cosmic Bag. Just as the Demon Beast’s aura vanished, several junior disciples appeared on the stone steps, calling out to the two of them."Senior Brother Qing Yi! Junior Aunt Ayin! Uncle Gu Jin has already arrived for quite some time. Sect Leader Master summons you both to the Hall of Blessed Marsh!"
Hearing the call, the two remembered they had been snacking and gossiping along the way, completely forgetting that the Sect Leader was still waiting for them in the Hall of Blessed Marsh. They exchanged a glance, stuck out their tongues, and hurriedly ran up the mountain.
Inside the Hall of Blessed Marsh, Xian Shan and Xian Zhu were listening to Gu Jin recount the dangers he encountered on his journey. As the two entered, Gu Jin happened to be describing how he retrieved Feng Yin's soul fragment from Jing Zhao within the Guixu Mountain.
"So, there is one Hun and one Po of Feng Yin in the Forbidden Valley of our back mountain. One Po each was retrieved from the Nine Nether Purgatory, Tranquil Mountain, and Guixu Mountain. Does that mean the Fire Phoenix Jade has now gathered one Hun and four Po of the Little Phoenix Lord?"
With half of Feng Yin's scattered Three Hun and Seven Po across the Three Realms now recovered, there was hope for an explanation to the Phoenix Clan. Even the usually rigid Xian Shan relaxed his brow.
"Yes, Senior Brother," Gu Jin nodded. "Half of Feng Yin's soul has been recovered. With the spiritual power of the Fire Phoenix Jade nurturing it, the safety of this half of the soul is assured."
"Xian Zhu, send someone to Phoenix Tree Island to inform Elder Feng Yun of this good news, so that the Phoenix Clan can rest assured," Xian Shan instructed.
Xian Zhu nodded with a smile and dispatched a disciple to Phoenix Tree Island to deliver the joyous tidings.
"However, the Palace of Bell and Spirit in the Ghost Realm is the last clue left by our master. Surely, the remaining two Hun and three Po of Feng Yin cannot all be within the phoenix tree in the Palace of Bell and Spirit?" Xian Shan pondered aloud.
"Your concern is valid, Senior Brother. It is unlikely that all of Feng Yin's remaining soul fragments are in the Palace of Bell and Spirit. There must be other hidden phoenix trees within the Three Realms that even our master was unaware of."
The Three Realms are vast, and even with Dong Hua's seniority, he had not set foot in every region. But if even he did not know, others would be even less likely to.
Seeing Gu Jin somewhat disheartened, Xian Zhu closed his bone fan and patted it against his palm, quickly offering comfort. "Alright, Junior Brother, there's no need to worry too much. I believe that Little Phoenix Lord of the Phoenix Clan is blessed with fortune. Since you have already retrieved half of her soul, the remaining opportunities will likely present themselves in due time."
Xian Shan nodded. "Tomorrow, I will send letters to various mountain sects and grotto abodes to inquire whether their archives and collections contain any information about phoenix trees. A Jin, recovering the Little Phoenix Lord's soul is not a task to be accomplished in a single day. You must remember not to rush, lest you become agitated and risk losing all your progress."
"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. A Jin understands," Gu Jin replied, feeling somewhat relieved. Noticing Ayin and Qing Yi entering the hall, he cupped his hands and said, "Senior Brother, during this descent from the mountain, Ayin and I encountered another matter..."
Gu Jin hesitated mid-sentence. Observing his expression, Xian Shan dismissed everyone else, leaving only Ayin and Qing Yi behind.
Once the others had dispersed, Gu Jin fully explained the matter regarding Hong Yi, earnestly requesting Xian Shan and Xian Zhu to allow Hong Yi to remain at Great Marsh Mountain to recuperate from his injuries.
Seeing the two hesitate, Ayin quickly tapped her Cosmic Bag. "A Jiu, come out quickly and pay your respects to the two senior brothers."
A Jiu shape-shifted out of the Cosmic Bag. Before Xian Shan and Xian Zhu could react, he had already performed a deep, respectful bow, greeting them politely and straightforwardly as a junior. "Hong Yi of the Fox race, pays his respects to the two esteemed seniors."
Xian Shan and Xian Zhu had cultivated for over forty thousand years and were of the same generation as King Hong Xuan. Great Marsh Mountain had always maintained goodwill and upheld virtue within the Three Realms, never involving itself in the conflicts between immortals and demons for tens of thousands of years. Therefore, Hong Yi regarded Great Marsh Mountain differently from other immortal realm grotto abodes.Ayin and Qing Yi, who had just witnessed his arrogance and rudeness, were startled by this respectful address of "senior," as if they had seen a ghost. Gu Jin, however, remained much calmer. He raised an eyebrow, his mind as clear as a mirror.
This young man from the Fox race was indeed cunning and obsequious.
Sure enough, Xian Shan and Xian Zhu, who had been hesitant moments before, softened their expressions as they looked at the young man bowing respectfully in the hall.
Xian Zhu unfolded his bone fan and fanned himself a few times, glancing at Hong Yi as he asked, "Are you the ninth son of King Hong Xuan?"
A Jiu replied in surprise, "Senior Xian Zhu knows of this junior?"
Xian Zhu’s eyes held a touch of nostalgia and melancholy. "Five thousand years ago, when I traveled down the mountain, I once met your father by the Southern Sea. We played a few games of chess and formed a bit of a friendship. During our games, we chatted briefly. King Hong Xuan mentioned that his wife had just given birth to their ninth son, who resembled him greatly. Seeing you today, it’s indeed true—you bear a striking resemblance to your father in both voice and appearance."
The Immortal Tribe and the Demon Tribe were like fire and water, incompatible. Although the two had felt a mutual admiration during their brief encounter back then, they never had the chance to renew their friendship. Later, when King Hong Xuan died in battle, Xian Zhu had lamented for some time.
Hearing Xian Zhu mention King Hong Xuan, A Jiu’s eyes reddened. Gone was his earlier smoothness, replaced by a stubborn and proud silence as he stood with his head bowed.
Seeing this, Xian Zhu felt a pang of pity and turned to Xian Shan with a pleading look. "Senior Brother, although Hong Yi is of the Demon Tribe, I can see that his nature is upright, not wicked. Moreover, he only damaged his inner core to save A Jin and Ayin. Senior Brother, what do you think…?"
Both of Dong Hua’s disciples were pure-hearted and benevolent. Seeing Xian Zhu plead for Hong Yi, Xian Shan knew his junior brother had taken pity. After a long moment of contemplation, he said, "You have done a great favor to A Jin and Ayin, so it is not unreasonable for you to stay at Great Marsh Mountain to recover. However, the Immortal and Demon Tribes have long been deeply hostile. If it were discovered that the prince of the demon fox race is hiding in Great Marsh Mountain, it would surely provoke discontent among other Immortal Tribes. If you are willing to conceal your demonic power, I will allow you to stay on the mountain. What do you say?"
If Hong Yi were to remain on the mountain, he would inevitably be seen by others. Concealing his demonic power could help avoid unnecessary trouble.
Seeing Xian Shan relent, A Jiu quickly nodded. "Sect Leader, rest assured. During my recovery at your esteemed mountain, I will not recklessly use my demonic power or cause any trouble for your sect."
Xian Shan nodded and took out a talisman from his sleeve, sending it flying toward Hong Yi. "This is a Demon-Concealing Charm. Tie it to your wrist, and it will naturally conceal your demonic aura. Among immortal beasts, there is also a branch of spirit foxes. You may transform into a spirit fox and stay by Ayin’s side to avoid arousing suspicion. Since you are hiding your identity, you cannot continue using the name Hong Yi. We will call you A Jiu, just like Ayin does."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"However, there is one matter I wish to ask you about. I hope you will answer truthfully." After instructing A Jiu, Xian Shan suddenly adopted a serious tone.
"What matter does the Sect Leader wish to inquire about?" Seeing Xian Shan’s stern expression, A Jiu also straightened his demeanor.
"The Nine Nether Purgatory is located within Purple Moon Mountain. Purple Moon Mountain is protected by Divine Lord Tian Qi’s Mountain Protection Array—even your aunt would not dare to trespass. Although your demonic power is not weak, it is far from the level of Upper Deity Power. Three years ago, how did you enter Purple Moon Mountain? And how did you make your way into the Nine Nether Purgatory?"
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