Chapter Fifty-Seven
The three returned to the Palace of Bell and Spirit. The appearance of the special-class token made the guarding Ghost General both fearful and reverent as he respectfully ushered Gu Jin and his companions into the palace.
Although Ghost King City was modeled after Chang’an, the Palace of Bell and Spirit was compact and exquisitely refined. The entire palace was forged from spiritual jade, its structure emerald green and exuding a chilling coldness, presenting a scene of breathtaking craftsmanship.
The Ghost General led the three to the Peerless Hall and carefully served tea. The throne in the hall was empty, and Gu Jin looked up with a questioning expression.
The Ghost General hurriedly explained, "Immortal Lord Gu Jin, this humble general has already sent someone to inform His Majesty. Please wait a moment."
"Thank you for your trouble. His Majesty attends to countless matters daily; waiting a little longer is no issue," Gu Jin nodded.
Receiving this thanks, the Ghost General seemed somewhat overwhelmed by the honor and offered a strained smile before withdrawing.
"A Jin, do you think the phoenix tree in the Palace of Bell and Spirit might be the one Master sent all those years ago in exchange for the special-class token?" Ayin recalled something and asked thoughtfully.
Gu Jin raised an eyebrow. "Highly likely."
"With Master’s abilities, what could he possibly need to ask of Ghost King?"
"Ghost King governs life and death. Although Master’s magical power is profound, there are likely matters beyond even his reach."
"If Master gave the phoenix tree to Ghost Lord Xiuyan, why would it be in the Palace of Bell and Spirit? Could it be that Ghost Lord Xiuyan obtained the tree and wanted to curry favor with Ghost King, so he presented it here?"
The fact that Cultivation Speech Pavilion could openly sell tokens for entering the palace clearly indicated a close relationship with the Palace of Bell and Spirit, but the exact depth of that connection was beyond their speculation.
"Dong Hua used that phoenix tree to exchange for the life of his precious disciple."
Before Gu Jin could answer Ayin, a cold and authoritative voice suddenly echoed in the Peerless Hall.
The voice appeared without warning. The three looked up in surprise and only then noticed a misty shadow materializing on the throne. The shadow gradually condensed from darkness to clarity, slowly forming a human shape.
The figure had deep-set features, with a pair of profound crimson pupils that were dark and icy. He wore a king’s crown and imperial robes, his regal aura unmistakable—this was Ghost King Ao Ge.
Captivated by those crimson eyes, the three momentarily froze, averting their gaze from the Ghost King’s face before hurriedly rising to their feet.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," the three saluted with a bow.
"No need for formalities. Be seated," Ao Ge waved dismissively, distant and aloof. He turned his gaze to Gu Jin. "You are Dong Hua’s disciple?"
"Yes," Gu Jin nodded. "Your Majesty, may I ask which of my senior brothers Master came to the Ghost Realm to save back then?"
Gu Jin was genuinely curious. Throughout his life, Dong Hua had been free from desires and indifferent to fame and fortune, yet he cherished his three personal disciples deeply. Which senior brother had encountered such misfortune back then that it required their master to personally enter the Ghost Realm to rescue him?
Ao Ge did not conceal the truth. "Twenty thousand years ago, half of your second senior brother Xian Zhu’s Three Hun and Seven Po entered my Ghost Realm for rebirth. If Dong Hua hadn’t brought the phoenix tree to plead with me, and if I hadn’t retrieved his soul from the Six Paths, he would have long been annihilated, with no trace of his Immortal Foundation remaining."
Gu Jin was stunned. In his hundred years at Great Marsh Mountain, he had never heard that Senior Brother Xian Zhu had suffered such a calamity in his youth.
Seeing the confusion on the faces of Gu Jin and the others, the Ghost King’s lips curved slightly, and for some reason, his solemn posture carried a hint of mockery."Speaking of which, this was a major event back in the day. Your second senior brother went to the mortal realm for training and fell in love with a mortal woman. He violated immortal laws by bringing her into the Immortal Realm and even attempted to transfer half of his Immortal Power to her, hoping she could directly ascend to immortality and enjoy eternal life so they could be together. This matter was discovered by the four High Lords of the Heavenly Palace who enforce immortal laws and was reported directly to the Celestial Emperor. Celestial Emperor Mu Guang was furious and descended forty-nine Thunder Tribulations upon the two at the Immortal Execution Platform. After the Thunder Tribulations struck, the mortal woman's Soul was Scattered and Spirit Dispersed on the spot, turning to ashes. Dong Hua, setting aside sixty thousand years of dignity, entered the Heavenly Palace to plead with Mu Guang, retrieved Xian Zhu's corpse, and brought it back to the mountain. Only then did he discover that although Xian Zhu's Immortal Power had completely dissipated and two souls and seven spirits had entered the Ghost Realm for rebirth, one soul still remained within his body. Later, Dong Hua brought Xian Zhu's not-yet-fully-dead corpse to my Ghost Realm and exchanged the ancient phoenix tree for Xian Zhu's soul, which had been lost in the Six Paths of reincarnation, forcibly saving his life."
Ao Ge paused, a slight smile curling at the corner of his lips. "Your senior brother, cultivating immortality and the Dao for tens of thousands of years, turned out to be quite a sentimental soul. Refusing to believe that the mortal woman had truly perished, in the thousand years after he was revived, he invaded my Ghost Realm no less than a hundred times, guarding the Yellow Spring Road for a millennium before finally giving up hope."
Gu Jin and the other two were utterly stunned, never imagining that Xian Zhu, who was always cheerful and carefree, wielding a Bone Fan and treating the world as a game, had such a past.
Nine Heavens Thunder Tribulations at the Immortal Execution Platform, a thousand years of waiting on the Yellow Spring Road—even hearing about it twenty thousand years later, one could feel the sorrow. How much grief must Xian Zhu have endured back then to reach where he is today?
Gu Jin suddenly recalled the expression on Xian Zhu's face that day when he solemnly handed the Star-Adorned Phoenix Crown to him—the encouragement in his eyes concealing a faint, lingering pain and regret. At the time, Gu Jin hadn't noticed, but now, thinking back, he couldn't help but sigh with sorrow.
"Speak, then. Back then, Dong Hua entered the Ghost Realm to seek my help to save your senior brother. What is it you seek from the Palace of Bell and Spirit?" Ao Ge clearly had no time to indulge their melancholy, cutting straight to the point.
Reminded by his words, Gu Jin remembered his true purpose and hurriedly presented Dong Hua's letter, though he felt little worry in his heart.
Retrieving a shattered soul scattered across the Six Paths of reincarnation was harder than ascending to heaven. Back then, Ao Ge had agreed to help in exchange for the ancient phoenix tree, which showed how much the Ghost King valued that tree. But Gu Jin had only come for the soul of Feng Yin within the phoenix tree, not to take the tree itself. Surely, out of respect for Great Marsh Mountain and Phoenix Tree Island, the Ghost King wouldn't make things difficult—after all, Feng Yin was the future ruler of the phoenix clan.
Ao Ge took the letter, unfolded it, and skimmed through it, his expression revealing nothing. "You wish to take away the soul of that little phoenix within the phoenix tree behind my palace?"
Hearing this, Gu Jin's heart leaped with joy—Feng Yin's soul was indeed within the phoenix tree in the Palace of Bell and Spirit. He quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. Gu Jin has indeed come for Feng Yin's soul. I beg Your Majesty to grant permission for me to retrieve it, so that Feng Yin may awaken sooner."
Ao Ge narrowed his eyes. "Ten years ago, that little phoenix's soul suddenly flew into the phoenix tree within my palace. I have spent ten years nurturing it, expending no small amount of effort and Spiritual Power."
Gu Jin was taken aback. The Ghost King's words implied he wanted something in return. He responded, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your care all these years. Is there something Your Majesty desires? Please speak freely. Even if it requires exhausting all my strength, I will strive to fulfill Your Majesty's wish."Ao Ge glanced at the three seated before him, his gaze settling on Ayin as a meaningful smile touched his lips. "What this king desires is not difficult, quite simple indeed..."
Before Gu Jin could fully process the unease stirred by Ao Ge's gaze, the Ghost King's voice rang out.
"As long as you are willing to exchange half of this Water Condensation Beast's Spiritual Power, this king will hand over Feng Yin's Soul to you."
The Hall of Unmatched suddenly fell silent, all eyes turning to Ayin.
Ayin pointed at herself, bewildered. "Me? Half my Spiritual Power?"
Seeing Ao Ge nod, she immediately stood up. "Alright, alright, Your Majesty. I'm willing to exchange half my Spiritual Power for Feng Yin's Soul."
Ao Ge was taken aback by how readily she agreed. Was this little beast truly foolish or simply indifferent? Did she not realize that half her Spiritual Power was equivalent to...
"No!" Gu Jin suddenly rose from his seat, pulling Ayin aside as he addressed Ao Ge with a grave tone. "Your Majesty, we cannot agree to this."
"A Jin!" Ayin quickly tugged at Gu Jin's sleeve. "It's fine. If it only takes half my Spiritual Power..."
"Silence!" Gu Jin sharply cut her off, his expression cold and stern. Ayin flinched at the reprimand, turning away with a hurt look.
A Jiu beside her shook his head, his eyes clearly disapproving. Though he didn't understand why Gu Jin reacted so strongly, Gu Jin had always valued Ayin deeply. If he refused, there must be a reason.
"Gu Jin, you are unwilling? Just moments ago, you vowed to exhaust all your efforts for this king. Now, when this king merely asks for half of this Water Condensation Beast's Spiritual Power, you refuse?"
Gu Jin turned to face Ao Ge. "Your Majesty, whatever you desire, I will spare no effort to accomplish it." He pressed his lips together solemnly. "Even if you demanded all my Immortal Power in exchange, I would not hesitate."
Hearing this, Ayin grew anxious and tried to speak, but Gu Jin tightened his grip on her hand, his gaze still fixed on Ao Ge.
"But Ayin's Spiritual Power is not an option. Not a single fraction of it can be diminished."
Ayin stared at Gu Jin in stunned silence, her eyes inexplicably reddening.
"Your Immortal Power?" Ao Ge glanced with interest at their clasped hands, a cold glint in his eyes. "This king has no need for your Immortal Power. I only want half of this Water Condensation Beast's Spiritual Power. If you can provide it, you may take Feng Yin's Soul..."
Seeing Gu Jin about to refuse again, Ao Ge smiled leisurely. "Do not be so quick to decline. This king forgot to mention earlier—the Soul of Feng Yin that fell into my Palace of Bell and Spirit years ago was not just one fragment, but Three Soul Fragments. Half the Spiritual Power of a mere Water Condensation Beast in exchange for the Three Soul Fragments of the future ruler of the Phoenix Clan—this is a bargain in your favor."
Three Soul Fragments? The Palace of Bell and Spirit actually held three of Feng Yin's Soul Fragments? They had already recovered three souls and two fragments of Feng Yin. With these three additional fragments, Feng Yin would possess three souls and five fragments. Only two final fragments would remain to be restored before Feng Yin could awaken.
Seeing Gu Jin fall silent, a trace of mockery surfaced in Ao Ge's eyes. He adjusted the ring on his finger. "I heard it was you who personally destroyed that little phoenix's Nirvana Rebirth ten years ago. Saving a life surpasses building a seven-story pagoda. As long as you are willing to exchange half of this young girl's Spiritual Power, Feng Yin's awakening is within reach. What say you?"Gu Jin remained silent for a long while. A Jiu, standing beside him, grew anxious and couldn't help but say, "Hey, you fool, don't let him trick you into trading Ayin's Spiritual Power for that so-called phoenix..."
"Your Majesty," Gu Jin turned to Ao Ge, "I cannot agree."
"Oh? Truly?" The arrogance and mockery in Ao Ge's eyes faded.
"Yes," Gu Jin's expression remained unwavering.
"Even if it's only half of her Spiritual Power in exchange for Feng Yin's life, you still refuse?"
"The mistake was mine to make, and it has nothing to do with Ayin. She shouldn't have to bear the cost of my error. Your Majesty, I apologize for the disturbance today. Gu Jin takes his leave."
With that, Gu Jin took Ayin's hand and turned to leave.
"What? You don't want that little phoenix's soul anymore?"
Ao Ge's voice echoed from the throne behind them.
"Of course I do," Gu Jin shook his head, his voice resolute. He turned back to face Ao Ge. "But since Your Majesty desires nothing but Ayin's Spiritual Power, there is no further need for me to plead. When the time is right, I will return."
Ao Ge's interest was piqued. He narrowed his eyes, leaning back into his throne, and spoke leisurely, "Oh? And when will that time be?"
"Your Majesty's Palace of Bell and Spirit is beyond my ability to breach now. But when I am capable of doing so, I will surely return to trouble Your Majesty and personally retrieve Feng Yin's soul. Until then, I ask that Your Majesty, on behalf of Great Marsh Mountain and Phoenix Tree Island, take good care of the future Phoenix Sovereign."
Gu Jin's gaze was firm, meeting Ao Ge's without yielding an inch. His words settled, and he led Ayin out of the Peerless Hall by the hand.
All the way out of the Palace of Bell and Spirit, he never let go of the hand he held in his palm.
Inside the Peerless Hall, a gentle and clear voice suddenly spoke, tinged with helplessness.
"That Water Condensation Beast's Spiritual Power is her very lifespan. What you're asking for is half her life. Dong Hua's disciple treasures that girl dearly, so of course he wouldn't agree to the exchange."
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