Chapter 45
Yan Shuang’s furious voice echoed through the strange stone formation, but Ayin’s expression was even more astonished than hers.
“When Hua Shu came to Great Marsh Mountain seeking help with the Sky-Shielding Umbrella, I heard her say with my own ears that it was your Eagle Clan trying to seize the Paradise Grotto of the North Sea that caused the century-long conflict between the two clans.”
“Nonsense,” Yan Shuang said coldly. “My father merely asked them to open the barrier of the Boundless Cave so our clan could investigate. For a hundred years, they refused, and now they claim our Eagle Clan covets the territory of their Hundred Birds Island. What a joke.”
“Boundless Cave?” Ayin frowned. “What is that place? Why do you need to enter it? And why won’t the Peacock King allow it?”
“The Boundless Cave lies in the northeast of the North Sea, a natural immortal cave formed between heaven and earth. Originally, it was just one among countless Paradise Grottoes in the North Sea. But strange things began happening in our clan a century ago.”
“Oh? What things?” Ayin asked curiously.
“Every few years, clan members with deep spiritual power would disappear. Our clan searched everywhere but found nothing. Later, even the Second Elder of our clan vanished. My father was furious and personally led the clan to search the North Sea. Only then did we detect traces of spiritual power near the Boundless Cave that matched the Second Elder’s. However, the Boundless Cave is under the Peacock Clan’s jurisdiction. To avoid damaging relations between the two clans, my father went to Hundred Birds Island in person to explain the situation to the Peacock King and request permission to investigate the cave. But Hua Mo refused to even see my father and drove him off the island. Enraged, my father issued a challenge, and the conflict has lasted over a hundred years.”
Yan Shuang’s eyes burned with anger. “My father explained the reason for entering the Boundless Cave to Hua Mo back then. Who would have thought he would twist the truth and accuse our Eagle Clan of coveting Hundred Birds Island’s territory? It’s absurd.”
“Hua Mo is the leader of his clan, and your clans are neighbors. With the Eagle King personally going to Hundred Birds Island to plead, logically, he shouldn’t have refused so harshly.”
Yan Shuang snorted. “I know the reason for that. The Peacock Clan has grown accustomed to dominating the North Sea. Over a hundred years ago, during the Immortal Realm’s Immortal Duel, my father fought the Peacock King and gave him a lesson, injuring him. Since then, our Eagle Clan and Hundred Birds Island have been at odds, with no further contact.”
Only now did Ayin understand the full story.
The Peacock Clan and the Eagle Clan were neighbors in the North Sea, both belonging to the Avian Clan. They had never been on good terms, and when the Peacock Clan was dominant centuries earlier, they likely acted arrogantly and domineeringly. Over a hundred years ago, during a duel between their leaders, Hua Mo was injured by Yan Qiu, damaging his Inner Core and hindering his cultivation of Immortal Power. When Yan Qiu’s request to enter the Boundless Cave to investigate the disappearances was refused, tensions between the two clans reached a peak, leading to the century-long conflict. Hua Mo never revealed the true reason for the Eagle Clan’s challenge, instead allowing outsiders to believe the accusation that the Eagle Clan sought to seize territory. The Eagle Clan had long lived in isolation in the North Sea, its members proud and aloof, rarely interacting with the outside world, which allowed the rumors to persist to this day.
In truth, after a century of conflict, it was difficult to determine who was right or wrong. But the Peacock Clan’s concealment of the true reason for the Eagle Clan’s challenge and their false accusations against them were truly disgraceful.Thinking of A Jin going to Hundred Birds Island to propose marriage, Ayin's expression turned serious. If what Yan Shuang said was true, and Hua Shu had been lying through her teeth that day at Great Marsh Mountain, then this woman was truly wicked, and A Jin must not marry her.
"Yan Shuang, are you telling the truth?" Ayin asked, her brow furrowed.
"Of course it's the truth. Back then, the challenge letter my father sent to Hundred Birds Island clearly stated that if our Eagle Clan won, we only needed to explore the Boundless Cave to investigate the matter. We never demanded to take over their Paradise Grotto from the Peacock Clan."
Yan Shuang spoke with conviction, her expression open and honest, showing no signs of deceit.
Ayin believed she was telling the truth and said solemnly, "Yan Shuang, back then, my senior brother thought your Eagle Clan had provoked and humiliated them first, which is why he lent the Sky-Shielding Umbrella to Hua Shu. He never intended to side with Hundred Birds Island against your clan. I hope you can understand."
Yan Shuang also knew that her clan was inherently proud and aloof, rarely interacting with other immortal mansions, which had led to the current misunderstanding. Since Great Marsh Mountain hadn't deliberately helped Hundred Birds Island, and it was actually beneficial to the Eagle Clan, plus A Jiu had just helped her obtain the Crimson Blood Lingzhi, she felt grateful and was willing to let the matter go. She replied, "It had nothing to do with you all in the first place. Since you helped me retrieve the Crimson Blood Lingzhi, consider the matter of lending the Sky-Shielding Umbrella to Hua Shu settled."
She carefully stored the Crimson Blood Lingzhi and said, "We can consider this fate. Since you've helped me, you're my friends. Ayin, didn't you say you came to the North Sea to look for someone? Who exactly are you searching for?"
Ayin sighed. "My senior brother, Gu Jin."
"One of the three venerables of Great Marsh Mountain? The third disciple of High God Dong Hua?" Yan Shuang exclaimed in surprise. "What is he doing in the North Sea?"
Seeing Yan Shuang immediately recognize A Jin's identity, Ayin belatedly realized that Gu Jin had become somewhat famous. She explained, "My senior brother came to Hundred Birds Island on behalf of our Sect Leader to offer birthday congratulations." She paused, then added with annoyance, "And incidentally, to propose marriage to the Peacock Clan's princess, Hua Shu."
Incidentally? Incidentally? Incidentally?
A Jiu and Yan Shuang beside her were both amused and exasperated by Ayin's tone and choice of words. Yan Shuang glanced at Ayin's expression and deliberately said, "I think your senior brother's proposal is the real reason, and the birthday wishes are just an excuse. Clearly, his intentions lie elsewhere—no wonder he was willing to lend the Sky-Shielding Umbrella to Hua Shu." She shook her head as she spoke. "To actually propose to Hua Shu... your senior brother's taste is truly something."
Ayin was left speechless by Yan Shuang's remarks but couldn't refute them. Gu Jin had held onto the kindness Hua Shu showed him on Phoenix Tree Island ten years ago for over a decade. Now, with his heart set on entering the island to propose, it wouldn't be easy to dissuade him.
"But if your senior brother Gu Jin is proposing to Hua Shu, why did you follow him to the North Sea?" Yan Shuang raised an eyebrow and asked.
"To stop him from proposing, of course," Ayin replied without hesitation. "My senior brother is simple-minded and kind-hearted. Someone like Hua Shu would never be a good match for him."
Hearing the words "simple-minded and kind-hearted," A Jiu snorted, practically scoffing in disdain. Gu Jin was clearly full of cunning and deep schemes—where was the simplicity? Where was the kindness?
"Well, you're straightforward. I like that," Yan Shuang said, suddenly leaning close to Ayin's face and blinking. "Ayin, let me accompany you to Hundred Birds Island and snatch your senior brother back."The Eagle Clan princess laughed heartily and slyly. Ayin narrowed her eyes and gently flicked her forehead. "If my senior brother abandons the marriage alliance with Hundred Birds Island, he will surely take the Sky-Shielding Umbrella back to the mountain. Without the protection of Great Marsh Mountain and the Divine Artifact, once the ten-year truce ends, Hundred Birds Island will inevitably struggle to resist the Eagle Clan..." Ayin imitated Yan Shuang's manner, blinking as well. "Right, Princess Yan Shuang?"
Yan Shuang was momentarily taken aback, then burst into laughter. This laugh finally carried a sense of mutual understanding.
"No wonder you're a disciple of the old High God Dong Hua. I truly can't hide anything from you." Yan Shuang nodded. "Our Eagle Clan and the Peacock Clan have been feuding for a long time, with deep-seated grievances that cannot easily be resolved. Moreover, our clan cannot give up searching for our missing clansmen in the Boundless Cave. We have never sought mediation from other factions to settle disputes. Once the ten-year period ends and my father's Immortal Power is restored, he will surely return to Hundred Birds Island for another battle. Helping you win back your senior brother is helping ourselves. This deal is not a loss."
Truly a battle-hardened clan that soars through the skies—such methods are indeed unusual among the Immortal Tribe. But Ayin particularly liked Yan Shuang's straightforward and decisive nature. She smiled and said, "Good, I won't deny it. Right now, I really do need your help."
She glanced at the sky. "Then let's set off now, so we don't miss the timing."
Yan Shuang shook her head. "Not now. I need to return to the Eagle Clan to give the Jade Blood Lingzhi to my father. Anyway, the Peacock King's birthday banquet is still three days away. You can come back with me to the Eagle Clan and stay for a day or two. It won't be too late."
Without waiting for Ayin's response, she transformed into a golden eagle and swiftly lifted her onto her back. After circling twice, she remembered A Jiu and swooped down to pick him up. With two loud caws, she flew into the sky, carrying the transformed little fox in her beak.
Meanwhile, Chang Qin quietly left Tranquil Mountain in the Second Heaven of the Demon Realm and headed toward Purple Moon Mountain in the Third Heaven.
Perhaps by some twist of fate, the path from Tranquil Mountain to Purple Moon Mountain passed directly through Rakshasa Land.
Although the war between the Immortals and Demons had ceased over a hundred years ago, the two realms remained as incompatible as fire and water. After Sen Jian succeeded as the Demon Emperor and took up residence in Heavy Purple Hall, the second prince, Sen Yu, was stationed at Rakshasa Land on the border between the Immortal and Demon realms, facing off against the armies of Jingyang for a century without ever leaving.
Chang Qin traveled day and night but stopped in the air above Rakshasa Land.
She had intentionally avoided this place. For over two hundred years, apart from a brief encounter at the memorial hall when the former emperor fell in battle, she and Sen Yu had never met again.
It is said that Immortals, Demons, Gods, and Devils live eternal lives, but who knows that the true sorrow lies in the passage of such long years?
Chang Qin glanced down at the crimson commander's tent in the Demon army camp below Rakshasa Land, concealed the loneliness in her eyes, and continued toward the Third Heaven.
Outside the commander's tent in Rakshasa Land, Sen Yu stood with his hands behind his back, clad in military robes. The moment Chang Qin flew away, he seemed to sense something and suddenly turned to look, but his eyes met only a vast, lonely night sky.
Sen Yu sighed softly, stroking the Sun-Moon Halberd beside him.
This weapon was a gift from Chang Qin when they fought side by side in the past. Ten thousand years later, he walked alone, the halberd still by his side, but the one who gave it had long since vanished.
Would Chang Qin ever forgive him in this lifetime? Would she be willing to meet him again?
After Chang Qin departed, a dark mist suddenly appeared where she had paused. The mist swirled, and the figure within was indistinct. It gazed fixedly at Sen Yu beneath the commander's tent for a moment before vanishing abruptly.Memories of the past surged to the surface, inevitably shaking her composure. Chang Qin left Rakshasa Land heading north, her mind somewhat unsettled along the way. When she passed Nether Mountain at the Barrier of the Third Heaven, she halted her steps.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" Chang Qin's cold shout pierced the night as she gazed toward a spot in the dark sky.
A sinister, chilling voice echoed, carrying a tone of casual mockery: "To actually detect this venerable one—truly worthy of the Demon Realm's fearsome War Goddess, the illustrious Fox Monarch Chang Qin."
A wisp of black smoke materialized not far ahead of Chang Qin. Within the smoke stood a figure with its back turned, revealing only a graceful, alluring silhouette and an aura of eerie, sinister Demonic Qi that enveloped it entirely.
"A Demon Creature?" Surprise flickered in Chang Qin's eyes as she quietly gathered Demonic Power in her palm. Given her strength and experience, it had been a long time since she had felt such wariness. Since ancient times, any Demon Creature capable of shape-shifting into human form had surpassed the peak of a Demon Monarch and possessed demi-god power.
Her expression turned solemn. When had such a shape-shifting Demon Creature emerged in the Three Realms? And why had this creature chosen to block her path?
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