The Last Immortal

Chapter Sixty-Five

Qi Moon Hall.

A Jiu and Qing Yi, having sobered up from their drunkenness, crouched by Ayin’s bedside with guilt written all over their faces as she lay unconscious.

“Why hasn’t she woken up yet?” A Jiu muttered while pacing around. “Why isn’t she awake?” He occasionally reached out to touch Ayin’s forehead, his brows furrowed deeper than an old man’s. “Could it be that the Divine Pill that fool gave Ayin was flawed?”

Yan Shuang stood nearby, rolling her eyes with such force she nearly wished she could toss this noisy fox out. Before she could act on the impulse, she turned and noticed someone standing by the door.

Gu Jin had entered the room at some point unnoticed. He stood by the doorway, his gaze fixed heavily on the unconscious figure on the bed. The suppressed emotions in his eyes seemed even colder and more somber than when Ayin had been severely injured and spat blood the day before.

A sense of unease washed over Yan Shuang, and she was about to ask when Gu Jin strode forward and sat down by Ayin’s bedside.

The fiery-tempered fox, seeing his rival appear and act as though he owned the place, instantly flared up. He lunged forward, ready to strike Gu Jin. “How dare you show your face here? You were with Ayin when you encountered that Demon Creature. Ayin ended up gravely injured, yet you’re perfectly fine. She just risked half her life for you, and this is how you protect her? Huh? And you call yourself Dong Hua’s disciple? One of the three revered figures of Great Marsh Mountain?”

Yan Shuang couldn’t hold him back. A Jiu rushed up to Gu Jin, grabbing the front of his robe. “Gu Jin, I’m taking Ayin back to the Fox race. If she stays by your side, sooner or later, you’ll be the death of her!”

These angry words from A Jiu felt like daggers to Gu Jin, who had just learned the truth.

For the first time, he didn’t refute the fox’s fury. With a sweep of his Immortal Power, he pushed A Jiu away and said coldly, “She is a member of Great Marsh Mountain, my junior sister. Great Marsh Mountain and I will protect her. She’s not going anywhere.”

A Jiu found everything about Gu Jin intolerable. He snorted coldly and stormed out of Qi Moon Hall.

Yan Shuang knew A Jiu was blaming himself for drinking last night and failing to protect Ayin. She sighed and went out to console him, thoughtfully taking along the bewildered Qing Yi, who had been watching the commotion.

The hall fell silent, leaving only the unconscious Ayin and the silent Gu Jin by her bedside.

He gazed at Ayin’s pale face and took her hand in his. Her hands were cold and frail, a far cry from the vibrant vitality she had when she first hatched.

Hong Yi was right. If not for him, Ayin wouldn’t have ended up like this.

Even if she had spent her days in Great Marsh Mountain in a daze after hatching, she should have had ten years ahead of her. Not lying in bed, covered in wounds, with less than a year left to live.

Memories flashed before his eyes: Ayin trembling as she stood before the God-Slaying Flower in the Nine Nether Purgatory, fearlessly sacrificing half her life in the Palace of Bell and Spirit, and last night, risking her life to block the Demonic Qi and save him. These images finally settled into the radiant, brilliant smile she had worn under the night sky of Chang’an.

Gu Jin leaned down, his lips brushing against Ayin’s forehead. It felt feverishly warm.

“You will be fine. I will make sure you live a long, safe life.”

The hall door opened. Yan Shuang, who had been standing guard outside, was taken aback to see Gu Jin emerge so soon.

“Yan Shuang, I need to leave the mountain for a while. It could be a few days or up to half a month. Please take good care of her for me. If Ayin wakes up, just tell her I had to leave the mountain on business.”

Great Marsh Mountain had just been invaded by the Demon Tribe and was still on high alert. Ayin remained severely injured and unconscious. Why would Gu Jin choose to leave Great Marsh Mountain at such a critical moment?Yan Shuang felt a surge of unease in her heart and hurriedly asked, "A Jin, has something happened?"

Gu Jin paused briefly, remained silent for a moment, then shook his head. "It's nothing. The Sect Leader has entrusted me with a task that requires me to personally go down the mountain. There have been appearances of the Demon Tribe in the mountains recently, so things might not be very peaceful. While I'm away, I'll have to trouble you, Princess, to keep an eye on the mountain gate for me."

Seeing Gu Jin's calm expression, Yan Shuang's worry eased slightly, and she smiled. "Why are you being so polite with me? That fox and I will help the Sect Leader guard the mountain gate." She paused, then added an explanation for A Jiu, "That fox may look fierce and menacing, but I can tell he actually likes your Great Marsh Mountain quite a bit. He treats Qing Yi and that nest of rabbits in the back mountain better than he treats me. He was just too worried about Ayin earlier, which is why he spoke so recklessly. Don't take his angry words to heart."

Gu Jin nodded. "I know. Don't worry, I won't take his words to heart."

After saying this, he gave Yan Shuang a few more instructions, glanced toward the hall, then mounted his sword and flew down the mountain.

Just as Gu Jin descended the mountain toward Purple Moon Mountain, the Nine Star Lantern in the Hall of Eternal Life was officially lit by Xian Shan and Xian Zhu.

Three days later, outside the barrier of Purple Moon Mountain in the Demon Realm, Gu Jin, too impatient to waste words calling out, slashed his sword against the barrier left by Tian Qi, startling Bi Bo, who was sunbathing and fattening up in the back mountain.

Bi Bo charged out, proudly carrying the small mountain-protecting banner that Tian Qi had custom-made for him. As soon as he saw that his Little Divine Lord had returned, he grinned so widely his teeth seemed to disappear and rushed toward Gu Jin.

"A Qi, A Qi, you're back!" Bi Bo rubbed himself vigorously against Gu Jin, nearly covering him in drool.

At that moment, a light but deliberate cough sounded from behind, and an untimely hand reached out, pulling Bi Bo straight off Gu Jin.

"Bi Bo, don't fool around." The proud three-headed fire dragon lifted Bi Bo by the collar and bowed slightly to Gu Jin. "San Huo pays his respects to Little Divine Lord Yuan Qi."

This time, Yuan Qi was alone. Knowing his identity, San Huo naturally did not neglect the proper etiquette.

Suddenly lifted into the air, Bi Bo flailed his short legs for a while, unable to find solid ground. He turned his head and glared fiercely. "Stinky demon dragon, let me down! I want to go to A Qi!"

San Huo narrowed his eyes, smiling with a hint of roguishness, a glint flashing in his gaze. "Stop fooling around. The Little Divine Lord is of noble status. In the Ancient Divine Realm, such behavior would be considered defilement of the Divine Body and punishable by beheading."

This demon dragon was simply being unreasonable. Bi Bo widened his eyes, about to retort, but for some reason, he caught a glimpse of that dangerous glint in San Huo's eyes and suddenly lost his nerve, shrinking back. His mouth opened and closed, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Gu Jin said to San Huo, "Dragon Lord, there's no need for such formalities." He turned his gaze to Bi Bo, his eyes filled with urgency. "I came back specifically to find Bi Bo this time."

Upon hearing this, both Bi Bo and San Huo were surprised, and for once, their thoughts aligned.

What does he want with someone like me—a good-for-nothing who only knows how to eat, laze around, and sunbathe?

What does he want with someone like me—a mascot who's only interested in being round, cute, lovable, and sleeping?

However, Bi Bo's heart still leaned toward his former master. Seeing Gu Jin's grave expression, he thought that given A Qi's temperament, something serious must have happened this time. With a chant of an Immortal Incantation, he transformed into a handsome young man and landed on the ground.San Huo, standing to the side, stared at the freshly transformed humanoid Bi Bo, his eyes widening with a mix of astonishment and delight. This Water Condensation Divine Beast had spent over a hundred years on Purple Moon Mountain, too lazy to ever take human form. Who would have thought he’d get to witness such a rare sight today? San Huo looked Bi Bo up and down, clicking his tongue in admiration twice.

Truly worthy of a divine beast passed down since ancient times. Though not yet fully grown, this appearance would still be considered one in ten thousand even in the Lower Three Realms.

“A Qi, let’s talk inside the mountain. What brings you to me?” Bi Bo cheerfully led Gu Jin into Purple Moon Hall, stuffing his arms full of life-preserving pills like Divine Pills and Strength Pills along the way, as if they cost nothing. San Huo, trailing behind, watched with a sour taste in his heart.

Usually, begging this little brat for a single pill required weeks of persuasion and treating him like a little ancestor with good food and drink. But look—when Little Divine Lord Yuan Qi arrives, it’s a different story. This little brat serves others as if they were his ancestors.

The two ahead, each preoccupied with their own thoughts, paid no attention to the three-headed fire dragon behind them, who was practically stewing in a half-vat of vinegar.

Inside Purple Moon Hall, Gu Jin sat upright and got straight to the point with Bi Bo.

“Bi Bo, two days ago, Sect Leader told me that Ayin’s life essence is only ten years.”

At these words, the three-headed fire dragon let out a soft exclamation of surprise, but Bi Bo merely furrowed his brows slightly, showing little shock.

Seeing his expression, Gu Jin’s expression darkened. “You already knew?”

Bi Bo quickly shook his head, his usually sluggish beastly expression now remarkably animated. “No, no.” He glanced at Gu Jin’s face. “Back then, I only sensed that Ayin’s soul power was inherently weak, and I feared she wouldn’t live as long as an ordinary Water Condensation Beast. I never imagined her life essence would be just ten years.”

Gu Jin’s gaze dimmed, not hiding his emotions in front of Bi Bo, who had grown up with him. “Sect Leader said she was invaded by Demonic Qi while still in her mother’s womb, damaging her life essence. Even if she could hatch, she would only live for ten years.”

Bi Bo was immediately astonished. “Invaded by Demonic Qi? It’s been so many years since the Demon Tribe last appeared in the Three Realms!”

Gu Jin explained Ayin’s origins, and only then did Bi Bo learn that Ayin was actually a descendant left behind from over seventy thousand years ago, leaving him deeply moved.

“No wonder. I always wondered how Ayin appeared out of nowhere when the Water Condensation Beasts were wiped out in that war long ago. So that’s how it was.”

“Bi Bo, as a Water Condensation Divine Beast, you and Ayin are ultimately of the same lineage. Do you know of any way to extend Ayin’s life essence?”

The three-headed fire dragon nearby raised an eyebrow. Extending life essence? That was defying the heavens—an incredibly difficult feat. Little Divine Lord Yuan Qi truly valued that Water Condensation Beast.

Hearing this, Bi Bo rubbed his hands together and stared at the ground, avoiding Gu Jin’s gaze.

Seeing his expression, Gu Jin immediately knew he had a way, a flicker of hope lighting up his eyes. He stepped closer to Bi Bo. “Bi Bo, do you have a method? Tell me quickly.”

“Well, um…” Bi Bo stammered, his eyes darting around, unable to spit it out for the longest time.

Growing impatient, Gu Jin lifted his head. “What exactly is your method? Don’t hesitate—this is a matter of life and death!”

Seeing Gu Jin’s genuine urgency, Bi Bo pursed his lips and spoke softly, “I know one method, but I’m not sure if it will work.”

“What method?”"Among our Water Condensation Beast tribe, aside from the rare divine beasts, ordinary clansmen generally do not live long. Living for a thousand years is already quite good. I heard from the Elders in our tribe that in the past, there was a senior who refused to believe in fate and spent his entire life researching the Divine Transformation Pill to extend the life essence of our Water Condensation Beast tribe..."

"Did he succeed in refining the Divine Transformation Pill?" Gu Jin hurriedly asked.

Bi Bo honestly shook his head. "No."

If he had succeeded, the Water Condensation Beast tribe would not be so short-lived.

"Then what kind of method is that?" Gu Jin couldn't help but feel disappointed.

"That senior was truly a genius in alchemy. The reason he didn't succeed was that he was too short-lived. He was only a few hundred years old and simply couldn't wait for the appearance of the final ingredient, so he passed away with regret before completing the Divine Transformation Pill."

"Since this Divine Transformation Pill is so miraculous, capable of allowing an immortal beast to directly attain divinity, why didn't your clansmen later gather the final ingredient to free the Water Condensation Beast tribe from their short-lived destiny?" San Huo, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but ask. Having cultivated for sixty thousand years and still only a Demigod, his eyes practically glowed green at the mention of such a cheat-like item.

"There are two reasons. First, this Divine Transformation Pill is only suitable for the Water Condensation Beast tribe and is completely useless to other races. Our tribe couldn't seek help from other immortal beasts, and the ingredients required for the pill are too difficult to obtain, making large-scale refinement impossible. Second, the nature of the final ingredient... our tribe's Elders felt it was too inhumane and gave up..."

"What is needed to refine the Divine Transformation Pill? And what is this final ingredient?" Gu Jin asked solemnly.

Bi Bo hesitated slightly but finally spoke: "Refining the Divine Transformation Pill requires the alchemist to sacrifice a hundred years of Spiritual Power to ignite the pill flame. It also needs three medicinal catalysts: one is the ten-thousand-year snow lotus from the peak of Kunlun Mountain, the second is the divine dew from the Heavenly Palace's Jade Pool, and the third is..." He sighed. "A Qi, our Water Condensation Beasts are ultimately a winged beast race. The final ingredient needed for Divine Transformation is the Inner Core of a winged beast that has cultivated for over ten thousand years."

An Inner Core? Whether for immortals, demons, or winged beasts, the Inner Core is equivalent to life itself. Unless one could wait for an Elder from a winged beast race who is over ten thousand years old to die naturally, obtaining this final ingredient would inevitably mean taking a life.

"One life for another. To succeed in Divine Transformation, one must exchange it for another person's life. That is too inhumane. Since ancient times, our Water Condensation Beasts have taken healing and saving lives as our duty. Most of us are honest and kind by nature, unwilling to harm lives. So, in the end, the entire tribe agreed to abandon the refinement of the Divine Transformation Pill, letting this secret be buried within the Three Realms along with the passing of our clansmen."

Bi Bo looked at Gu Jin, as if unable to bear it, his voice heavy as he spoke: "A Jin, to save Ayin, you must exchange it for a life. Can you do that?"

At the same time, on Hundred Birds Island, in the Tranquil Beauty Pavilion.

Hua Shu had just finished reviewing the betrothal gifts sent from the Heavenly Palace. Ten-thousand-year spiritual treasures filled dozens of heavy wooden chests, showing great sincerity.

Her face carried the shyness and joy of a bride-to-be, while Hong Que playfully joked beside her, filling the pavilion with a cheerful atmosphere.

Suddenly, Hua Shu's expression changed. She waved her hand at Hong Que.

"You may leave. I'll rest for a while. If my father summons me, tell him I am practicing cultivation."

Though puzzled, Hong Que complied and withdrew.

As the footsteps outside faded away, the Tranquil Beauty Pavilion became so quiet one could hear a pin drop. Hua Shu suddenly spoke.

"She has gone far enough. Why haven't you shown yourself yet?"A cold, eerie laugh echoed through the room as a wisp of black mist materialized, coalescing into a hazy figure seated in the master’s chair. Turning toward Hua Shu, it revealed a faint smile—clearly the avatar of the Demon Venerable from the Nine Nether Purgatory.

"Congratulations, Your Highness, for achieving your heart’s desire. Soon you will marry the Lanfeng Supreme Lord, and once he ascends to the Celestial Emperor’s throne, you will rightfully become the Celestial Empress."

As the black mist appeared, a flicker of imperceptible fear and revulsion passed through Hua Shu’s eyes, but it vanished in an instant. Her expression remained indifferent as she replied, "All of this is thanks to the assistance of the Demon Venerable. Without your suggestion, I would never have thought to borrow the Sky-Shielding Umbrella from Great Marsh Mountain to refine and absorb. Rest assured, I have promised that once I become Celestial Empress, I will persuade the Celestial Emperor to convince the Demon Emperor to leave a sanctuary for the Demon Tribe. I will keep my word and never go back on it."

Hua Shu was the most formidable Immortal Lord among the Immortal Tribe in the past century, having surpassed her elders at a young age. After refining and absorbing the Sky-Shielding Umbrella, she even reached the peak of the High Lord realm. Yet no one knew that her rapid growth in Immortal Power over the past hundred years was entirely due to this mysterious Demon Venerable, who had provided her with many rare spiritual treasures from the Three Realms. By forcibly consuming and refining them, she attained her current power—not through her own cultivation.

"This venerable one naturally believes Your Highness’s words. Everything I have done is merely to secure a place where my Demon Tribe can survive in peace." The Demon Venerable smiled candidly before shifting the topic. "However, I have come today not to remind Your Highness of our agreement."

"Oh? Then what is your purpose?"

The Demon Venerable smiled enigmatically. "I wonder if Your Highness has heard that the Immortal Lord Gu Jin from Great Marsh Mountain has been searching throughout the Three Realms for the soul of the Little Phoenix Lord from Phoenix Tree Island?"

It was no secret that Great Marsh Mountain and Phoenix Tree Island were searching for Feng Yin’s soul across the Three Realms—nearly every major faction of the Immortal Tribe knew of it.

Hua Shu paused briefly. "I have heard. What of it?"

"This venerable one has heard that the Little Phoenix Lord’s soul is scattered among the phoenix trees across the Three Realms." The Demon Venerable’s voice trailed off.

"Demon Venerable, what exactly are you trying to say?"

After observing Hua Shu’s uneasy expression, the Demon Venerable curled the corner of his mouth. "This venerable one has also heard that a ten-thousand-year-old phoenix tree is hidden within the North Sea. Your Highness, I wonder if this rumor is true or false?"

Hua Shu’s expression shifted, and after a long moment, she replied coldly, "The Demon Venerable is indeed well-informed. It is true—on a remote island in the far north of my clan’s territory, there is indeed a phoenix tree."

Inwardly, Hua Shu was astonished. Every part of a phoenix tree was a treasure, coveted by all factions across the Three Realms. The one on the remote island in the North Sea had always been a secret of the Peacock Clan, known only to her and her father. How had this mysterious Demon Venerable learned of it?

"Why does the Demon Venerable ask about this? Could it be that you also care about Feng Yin’s life or death?"

Ever since Hua Shu learned that Feng Yin’s soul was scattered among the phoenix trees of the Three Realms, she had suspected that the phoenix tree on the remote island in the North Sea likely contained a fragment of Feng Yin’s soul. However, she had no intention of revealing this to anyone.

Since Feng Yin had perished at Gu Jin’s hands all those years ago, her inability to return to the world was simply fate’s will.

"I did not care before, but now this venerable one is indeed quite concerned. After all, it is because the Immortal Lord Gu Jin from Great Marsh Mountain cares so deeply about that little phoenix’s fate."

Gu Jin? What importance does he hold? Hua Shu could not grasp the deeper meaning behind the Demon Venerable’s words."Princess, this venerable one hopes you will inform Gu Jin that a phoenix tree is hidden on the solitary island in the North Sea," the Demon Venerable suddenly spoke.

Hua Shu was taken aback and blurted out, "Why?" A trace of reluctance appeared on her face. "Feng Yin's life or death has nothing to do with the Demon Venerable, does it? The Phoenix Sovereign will inevitably achieve Ascension one day, and the future Heavenly Palace will be under the control of my husband, Lan Feng. Why should the Demon Venerable meddle in this affair?"

A flicker of ambiguous emotion passed through the Demon Venerable's eyes. "Under your husband's control?" She smiled faintly. "The days ahead are long—who can say for certain what will happen in the future? What is Your Highness afraid of? As far as I know, the last remaining phoenix tree hidden within the Three Realms is the one in the North Sea. Feng Yin has only gathered three souls and five spirits so far. Even with this additional spirit, as long as her final spirit remains missing and cannot return to its place, she will never awaken to achieve Nirvana Rebirth, posing no threat whatsoever to the princess."

Seeing Hua Shu wavering, the Demon Venerable continued, "This venerable one says this entirely for your sake, Princess. Your recent act of Refining and Absorbing the Sky-Shielding Umbrella has created a rift with Great Marsh Mountain. Feng Yin's Soul is precisely what Great Marsh Mountain needs most. If you deliver this news to them, the previous discord will surely be resolved, and even Phoenix Tree Island will be grateful to you. A move that achieves two goals at once—why would the princess not be willing?"

Hua Shu was already persuaded by the Demon Venerable's words, but she still harbored doubts and asked suspiciously, "Did the Demon Venerable travel all the way to Hundred Birds Island just to help me with this matter?"

"Helping the princess is helping this venerable one. With the recognition of Great Marsh Mountain and Phoenix Tree Island, your path to becoming the Heavenly Empress will proceed smoothly."

The Demon Venerable smiled honestly, dispelling Hua Shu's last trace of hesitation.