Chapter Sixty-Three
In Ze You Hall, Xian Shan and Xian Zhu sat with grave expressions. As soon as Gu Jin entered, their gazes turned toward him.
"A Jin, did you see what the demon you fought last night looked like?"
Seeing their expressions, it was clear they had found nothing. Gu Jin frowned, "The one I fought outside the Scripture Pavilion yesterday was not the true form of the demon creature—it was merely a mass of demonic qi."
"A mass of demonic qi?" Xian Zhu exclaimed in shock, "Just a mass of demonic qi could injure you and Ayin so severely?"
Heaven and earth are divided into the Three Realms of immortals, demons, and humans, with the Ghost Realm lying beneath. Yet, there has never been a Demon Realm. Throughout history, demons have been formed either from fallen immortals, demons, or humans, or transformed from demonic beasts. Once one becomes a demon, they become the most terrifying existence in the Three Realms, but they also forever lose the chance to ascend to the Divine Realm. Since the formation of the Three Realms, aside from the demonic beast rebellion and the Chaos Tribulation over seventy thousand years ago, most calamities have been caused by the emergence of demons. Thus, the immortal and demon tribes view demons as formidable enemies, and once demons appear, all three realms unite to attack them.
For nearly twenty thousand years, there has been no news of demons appearing in the Three Realms. The sudden emergence of a demon in Great Marsh Mountain naturally made the two elders, who had fought demons in the past, extremely cautious.
"Did the two senior brothers fail to track the demonic qi at the mountain's foot?"
Both Xian Shan and Xian Zhu shook their heads. Xian Zhu said, "My senior brother and I searched the entire mountain gate and even pursued it ten li beyond the foot of the mountain, but we still found no trace of the demon creature."
If not for the traces of Gu Jin's battle with the demonic qi outside the Scripture Pavilion and Ayin's severe injuries and unconsciousness, the two would have found no trace of the demon creature's aura inside or outside the mountain gate. This was truly bizarre.
Xian Zhu's expression grew heavy as he solemnly said, "So my senior brother and I suspect that the demon creature is most likely still hiding within our mountain gate."
Gu Jin's expression changed. Even he had needed to unseal the Primordial Spirit Sword to block that demonic qi. If lower-level disciples encountered it, they would have no means of defense.
"But there is one truly strange point: how did the demon creature enter the mountain? This morning, the Sect Leader and I inspected the Mountain Protection Array, and there was no damage to the formation array at all. This means that when the demon creature entered the mountain, the Mountain Protection Array did not detect it. Yet, this array was left by our master. If the demon creature had forcibly broken into the mountain, it would have triggered the array—it couldn't have infiltrated so silently."
Seeing Xian Shan and Xian Zhu's worried expressions, Gu Jin looked remorseful and paced back and forth in the hall. "This is all my fault. If I hadn't recklessly lent the Sky-Shielding Umbrella to Hua Shu, with the umbrella here, no demon creature could invade the mountain gate."
"It's not your fault. Demons haven't appeared for tens of thousands of years. Who could have known they would suddenly appear in our Great Marsh Mountain? But since it has appeared, it must have some purpose. We must respond early." Xian Shan spoke up, "Early this morning, I sent disciples to the Heavenly Palace to inform Lanfeng Supreme Lord and the four High Lords of Justice about the appearance of demons in Great Marsh Mountain. To ensure the safety of the mountain gate, I have decided to light the Nine Star Lantern in the Hall of Eternal Life. This will also serve as a warning to the various immortal sects, urging them to be vigilant against the emergence of demons."
"The Nine Star Lantern?" Gu Jin was taken aback, thinking to himself that the Sect Leader was so deeply concerned about demons. It seemed the reputation of demons in the Three Realms was indeed notorious.
Great Marsh Mountain possessed three great protective treasures: first, the Mountain Protection Array; second, the Sky-Shielding Umbrella; and the last, the Nine Star Lantern.The Nine Star Lantern is an ancient Divine Artifact. Legend has it that when all nine stars of the lantern are ignited, the Divine Power it unleashes can slay a High God, surpassing even the Sky-Shielding Umbrella in might. For over sixty thousand years, this treasure has protected Great Marsh Mountain countless times in moments of peril, becoming its symbol and wielded by successive generations of Sect Leaders. However, as a Divine Artifact, it cannot be Refined and Absorbed by immortals. Even activating it requires eighty-one days of continuous nourishment with Immortal Power to ignite all nine stars above Great Marsh Mountain. Once the nine stars are lit, the lantern will remain ablaze for a century, ensuring the mountain’s safety for a hundred years.
Gu Jin agreed with Xian Shan’s approach. “Senior Brother is right. The Demon Tribe’s arrival is suspicious. Lighting the Nine Star Lantern is wise—at least it can protect disciples with weaker Immortal Power within the sect. Once the lantern is ignited, any hidden Demon Creatures in the mountain will be incinerated. The Demonic Qi was wounded by my Primordial Spirit Sword last night and won’t be able to cause harm again for a hundred days. As long as we remain extra vigilant during these eighty-one days, the mountain will be safe once the Nine Star Lantern is lit.”
This was precisely what Xian Shan and Xian Zhu had in mind. Xian Zhu tapped his chin with his Bone Fan and sighed, “But Senior Brother and I are far weaker in Immortal Power compared to our master. Back then, he alone could ignite the Nine Star Lantern. This time, the two of us will likely have to take turns.”
“Rest assured, Senior Brothers. Before the Nine Star Lantern is lit, I won’t go anywhere. I will guard the mountain and protect all the disciples.”
Hearing this, Xian Shan, who had remained calm until now, frowned. He looked at Gu Jin and suddenly asked, “A Jin, how is Ayin doing after being attacked by Demonic Qi last night?”
“Don’t worry, Senior Brother. I gave her a Divine Pill to restore her spirit, and her Immortal Power is recovering quickly. She should be fine after a couple more days of rest. However…” He paused before continuing, “The whip wounds on her body were inflicted by Demonic Qi. My Immortal Power can’t dissolve them, so I’m afraid scars will remain.”
At these words, both of Gu Jin’s senior brothers were taken aback. Xian Zhu immediately set aside the matter of the Demon Tribe, his eyebrows shooting up. “What do you mean, A Jin? Did you personally treat Ayin’s injuries?”
When they had left Yan Shuang behind earlier, they had noticed Ayin was injured. Although Ayin had been raised by Gu Jin since childhood, she was now a grown woman. Naturally, it would have been inappropriate for Gu Jin to treat her wounds. Yet, from their junior brother’s words, it sounded like he had personally tended to Ayin’s injuries?
This… this was highly improper! Men and women should maintain boundaries—how could their junior brother be so careless?
Gu Jin, however, was more forthright than anyone. He nodded, speaking with utter naturalness, “Ayin’s injuries are on her back. It wouldn’t be appropriate for others to examine them, so it was only proper for me to handle it myself.”
Hearing this, Xian Zhu grew uncertain of Gu Jin’s meaning. After a moment, he spoke with deliberate tact, “Junior Brother, Ayin is a grown woman now. Even if you raised her and see her as half a daughter, you must maintain some boundaries. From now on, let Yan Shuang take care of her injuries…”
“Senior Brother,” Gu Jin interrupted Xian Zhu, his expression serious. “When did I ever tell you I raised Ayin as a daughter?”Seeing Gu Jin's expression, Xian Zhu's heart skipped a beat. He glanced at his senior brother and saw Xian Shan's solemn face, then turned back anxiously. "A Jin, if you're not raising her like a daughter, then what are you raising her as?" When Gu Jin remained silent, Xian Zhu grew even more anxious. "Say something, Second Brother! Just half a month ago, I even asked the Sect Leader to write a marriage proposal for you to the princess of the Peacock Clan! It's only been a few days, A Jin. Don't tell me you're nursing a broken heart from Hua Shu by using your junior sister to heal?"
The more Xian Zhu spoke, the more plausible it seemed. He was just about to launch into a lengthy lecture for his junior brother.
Unexpectedly, Gu Jin looked at him openly and directly said, "Senior Brother, I was mistaken."
Xian Zhu blinked, feeling that after tens of thousands of years of life, he was being made unbearably tense by his junior brother's romantic entanglements, fearing Gu Jin would say something definitive.
"Mistaken about what?" Xian Zhu heard his own voice nearly choking.
"Hua Shu helped me on Phoenix Tree Island back then. I always thought I liked her, but I was actually grateful for her kindness. Proposing marriage at Hundred Birds Island was my mistake. Senior Brother, it was only during this trip that I realized the person I truly like is Ayin." Gu Jin paused, feeling somewhat shy about such a direct confession. He smiled, his eyes filled with the joy of youth.
"I'm afraid she might hold a grudge about my proposal to Hua Shu, so I didn't dare tell her. I plan to confess my feelings to her in a few days."
Xian Zhu's voice was dry and strained, still unwilling to give up. "What about our junior sister? You say you like her, but does she like you?"
Gu Jin was taken aback and blurted out, "She's been by my side since she was born and doesn't know anyone else besides me. There's no reason for her to like anyone else."
Listen to that! Is there no justice in the world? Just because someone raises you, you have to like them? Then twenty thousand years ago, I might as well have married the Sect Leader! Why go through all those twists and pains?
And isn't that fox a person? Anyone can see how much the young tribal chief of the Fox race adores Ayin. Only you are blind to it.
Xian Zhu looked at his stubborn junior brother, feeling even more anxious about this matter than when the Demon Tribe appeared earlier.
"Nonsense! What kind of reason is that! Matters of a lifetime are of utmost importance. How can you treat them like a game, changing partners faster than immortal artifacts!"
Xian Zhu said angrily, but Gu Jin looked at him, his eyes shining with determination and sincerity. "Senior Brother, this time I truly understand. I like Ayin, and I want to be with her. Master isn't here, and Ayin has no family. Both senior brothers are like elders to us. Once we've gathered all of Feng Yin's soul, I'll have to trouble you to propose marriage for me again."
Hearing even the mention of a marriage proposal, Xian Zhu finally stopped hesitating and blurted out, interrupting Gu Jin, "No, I disagree! A Jin, you cannot be with Ayin!"
Gu Jin was stunned. Both senior brothers had doted on him since childhood and had also cherished Ayin. How could they have such an attitude?
Could it be that they think Ayin, with no family and being just a Water Condensation Beast, is unworthy of one of the three venerables of Great Marsh Mountain? Impossible. Both senior brothers have always been kind and humble, never the type to care about family background or status.
Seeing that Xian Shan also looked grave and did not stop Second Brother's words, Gu Jin felt a deep sense of confusion growing in his heart."Senior Brother, why? Although Ayin is just an immortal beast, she is also a disciple formally acknowledged by our master, and she is the junior sister I raised. Marrying me as my wife would not disgrace the reputation of our Great Marsh Mountain."
Given Gu Jin's true origins, aside from his mother goddess, no one in the Three Realms or Nine Provinces could question his choice of a wife. However, having grown up at Great Marsh Mountain and regarding Xian Shan and Xian Zhu as family, he cared about their feelings. Yet even Xian Shan and Xian Zhu could not change his will.
"A Jin!" Xian Zhu glared, "Sect Leader and I are not the kind of people who value family background. The reason you and Ayin cannot be together is not because of her humble origins, but..." Xian Zhu hesitated repeatedly before finally saying, "Ayin is a Water Condensation Beast, and Water Condensation Beasts do not have long lifespans."
Xian Zhu's words struck at Gu Jin's deepest concern. His lips tightened, and his expression stiffened.
As Xian Zhu spoke, he seemed to recall something, his usually frivolous eyes concealing a hidden sorrow. "Have you ever considered that you have an eternal lifespan, while she has only a brief time? After she dies, she will enter the Yellow Springs, undergo rebirth, drink Granny Meng's Soup, forget everything, and be reborn as a human. And you? What will you do? Will you spend the millions of years ahead guarding a lonely grave after she is gone?"
Xian Zhu's voice choked with emotion, his hand holding the Bone Fan hidden behind his back, already trembling slightly.
He had experienced all this before, which was why he wanted nothing more than to prevent Gu Jin from walking the same path.
Millions of years, forever losing the one you love, walking alone through endless time—it is far too difficult.
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