The Last Immortal

Chapter Sixty-Six

Inside Purple Moon Hall, Bi Bo gazed at the silent Gu Jin and asked uneasily once more.

"A Jin, exchanging one life for another—to save Ayin, have you truly made up your mind?"

"She originally could have lived for ten years. In the Ghost Realm, to retrieve Feng Yin's soul for me, she willingly sacrificed half her life essence. Bi Bo, Ayin has less than a year left." Gu Jin lifted his head. "Is it true that as long as we gather the Kunlun Snow Lotus, the Divine Dew of the Jade Pool, and the inner core of a flying beast, then offer up a hundred years of my immortal power, we can refine the Divine Transformation Pill?"

The light in Gu Jin's eyes made Bi Bo unable to look directly at him. He understood Gu Jin's nature better than anyone. Back then, Feng Ran and Tian Qi didn't want him to bear the inherent responsibilities of the Primordial Chaos Lord, so they raised him to be indifferent and free from desires. Yet now, he was so fixated on a Water Condensation Beast, even willing to destroy a century of cultivation for her.

Ah, truly worthy of being Bai Jue's son—this obsession with his beloved is no less than his father's.

"Yes, as long as these three things are gathered, we can refine the Divine Transformation Pill and allow Ayin to transform into a Water Condensation Divine Beast," Bi Bo said.

"Good, I understand."

Having received Bi Bo's confirmation, Gu Jin wasted not a moment, flying out of Purple Moon Mountain toward Kunlun Mountain.

Inside Purple Moon Hall, Bi Bo watched the departing Gu Jin, clearly somewhat distracted.

"You told him the method to refine the Primordial Spirit Pill—aren't you afraid he'll actually kill a flying beast to save Ayin? Don't forget, he's a Divine Lord who possesses Primordial Chaos Power. If he recklessly creates killing karma, when the Thunder Tribulation descends during his future ascension, it might cost him his life."

"He won't," Bi Bo said solemnly. "A Qi would never trade an innocent life for Ayin's. He simply can't bring himself to do it—he'll definitely give up refining the Primordial Spirit Pill."

San Huo stroked his chin, seeing Bi Bo's absent-minded expression, and suddenly spoke up. "What are you thinking about? Could it be there's still something you haven't told your Little Divine Lord?"

Bi Bo jolted, his eyes evasive. "No, I told him everything."

Having accompanied Bi Bo for a hundred years, San Huo knew the little one had a problem as soon as his tail twitched. He leaned in close, staring straight into the youth's eyes. "Really, nothing else? Bi Bo, don't fool Yuan Qi. I can see he cares deeply for that Water Condensation Beast. Even with your close bond, if you truly hide something from him about this and endanger that beast's life, I'm afraid he won't forgive you."

"I already said there's nothing! What business is it of yours, you stinky demon dragon!" Bi Bo sprang up, his voice rough, and rushed out of Purple Moon Hall without looking back.

San Huo watched his retreating figure thoughtfully, unable to suppress a flicker of concern.

This little one is stubborn. Ayin is his only blood-related kin—he can't disregard her life. But... no matter how much he cares, I'm afraid Ayin still doesn't weigh as heavily in his heart as Yuan Qi does.

Half a day later, Gu Jin arrived at Kunlun Mountain. Fortunately, during his time at Hundred Birds Island, he had formed a deep friendship with Lian Xi. Seeing Gu Jin's urgency to use the Kunlun Snow Lotus to save someone, Lian Xi said nothing and directly gifted him three ten-thousand-year snow lotuses, treasures of the mountain.

Gu Jin hastily bid farewell to Lian Xi and headed for the Heavenly Palace.

Strangely enough, though Gu Jin was the son of Shang Gu and Bai Jue, raised in Clear Pond Palace and later studying under a master at Great Marsh Mountain, over these two hundred years he had visited every realm—immortal, demon, and ghost—yet he had never once set foot in the Heavenly Palace.Outside the Southern Heavenly Gate, the gate-keeping Immortal General spotted a figure approaching on a sword from afar and stopped Gu Jin.

"Who goes there?"

"Gu Jin from Great Marsh Mountain, here on urgent business to see Lanfeng Supreme Lord." A Great Marsh Mountain token flew from Gu Jin's hand and landed in the Immortal General's palm.

Although the gatekeeper had never met Gu Jin before, he had heard of the name—one of the three revered figures of Great Marsh Mountain. Seeing the visitor's exceptional immortal bearing and stern expression, he quickly accepted the token and went to report.

Within half an hour, the gate-keeping Immortal General hurried back.

"Immortal Lord, please follow me. The Supreme Lord is waiting for you in Lingyu Hall."

Lingyu Hall was not the main hall of the Heavenly Palace, indicating that Lan Feng was not receiving Gu Jin in his capacity as acting overseer of the Heavenly Palace, but rather treating him with the courtesy due a friend.

Inside Lingyu Hall, Lan Feng personally came forward to greet Gu Jin as he entered.

"It has only been a few days since we parted at Hundred Birds Island. I thought I wouldn't see you again until the Double Ninth wedding. Has Immortal Lord Gu Jin come to the Heavenly Palace because of the appearance of the Demon Tribe? Could it be that demons have emerged again at Great Marsh Mountain?"

News of the demons appearing at Great Marsh Mountain and igniting the Nine Star Lantern had already spread throughout the Three Realms. Both the immortal and demon clans were on high alert, activating their mountain protection arrays and recalling disciples to guard their mountains.

Gu Jin was taken aback and shook his head. "The demons vanished after that day and haven't reappeared. The mountain gate is now guarded by two senior brothers, so it should be safe. I came today to ask a favor of you, Supreme Lord."

"Oh? What is it?" Lan Feng found it strange that Gu Jin would be traveling for other matters at such a critical time for Great Marsh Mountain.

"Supreme Lord, I need the Divine Dew of the Jade Pool to refine a pill. However, the Jade Pool's divine tree blooms only once every ten thousand years, and it will be another century before its next flowering. I wonder if you have any stored, and if you could spare a bottle for me to refine a life-saving pill?"

The Divine Dew of the Jade Pool was a supreme treasure of the Heavenly Palace. As long as one still had a breath left, drinking this dew could bring them back from the brink of death. When Mu Guang was in power, he prepared a bottle each for Wu Huan and his children. Tens of thousands of years later, only one bottle remained in Feng Ran's possession. When Lan Feng took over the management of the Heavenly Palace on her behalf, she gifted that bottle to him. Coincidentally, Lan Feng now had one bottle in his possession.

But this life-saving dew was the only bottle he had. Waiting for the Jade Pool's divine tree to bloom would take at least another century.

Seeing Lan Feng's hesitant expression, Gu Jin quickly explained, "Supreme Lord Lan Feng, my junior sister is a Water Condensation Beast with an extremely short life essence. I fear she may not survive this year..."

"Immortal Lord, is this for Lady Ayin?" Lan Feng was surprised and asked.

Gu Jin nodded, his anxiety and worry clearly visible in his eyes.

Lan Feng no longer hesitated. He took out a small green bottle from his sleeve and said, "Dong Hua Shang Shen once offered me guidance, and I have always remembered his kindness. Since his disciple is in trouble, please take this bottle of divine dew, Immortal Lord. I hope it can save Lady Ayin's life."

Gu Jin accepted the Divine Dew of the Jade Pool, feeling deeply grateful. He bowed deeply to Lan Feng. "Your great kindness, Supreme Lord, will be forever remembered by Gu Jin. In the future..."

Lan Feng waved his hand and smiled. "There is no need for such formality, Immortal Lord Gu Jin. A life is at stake. This bottle of divine dew was left by the Celestial Emperor; I am merely doing my small part. Please return to the mountain quickly to refine the pill. Once Lady Ayin recovers, do not miss my Double Ninth wedding three months from now."

Comforted by Lan Feng's words, Gu Jin felt some relief from the heavy burden he had carried on his journey. He bowed once more in gratitude before leaving the Heavenly Palace.

Outside the Heavenly Palace, Gu Jin, holding the Kunlun Snow Lotus and the Divine Dew of the Jade Pool, remained silent for a long time before finally setting off on his sword toward the North Sea.One day later, Gu Jin stood outside Hundred Birds Island in the North Sea, seeking an audience with Hua Shu.

In the Tranquil Beauty Pavilion, Hua Shu was just about to send someone to Great Marsh Mountain with news about the phoenix tree when she heard of Gu Jin's visit, momentarily taken aback.

Gu Jin's words on the North Sea that day still echoed in her ears—he clearly wanted no further involvement with the Peacock Clan. Since the news about the phoenix tree hadn't even been sent yet, why would he come to Hundred Birds Island? However, given Gu Jin's unusual status and Hua Shu's desire to ease tensions with Great Marsh Mountain, she instructed Hong Que not to cause any trouble and to escort him into the island.

In the small pavilion of Tranquil Beauty, the tea Hua Shu had just warmed was beginning to steam when Gu Jin appeared at the foot of the stairs.

"The path of immortality is long, the Three Realms vast. The Immortal Lord wished to have no further dealings with me—those words still ring in my ears. Could it be that Hua Shu misheard that day?" Hua Shu took a sip of tea from the table, not looking at Gu Jin on the stairs, her voice cold.

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Gu Jin's face. It was indeed humiliating to seek someone's help so soon after uttering such words, barely half a month later. Ordinarily, he would never allow himself to suffer the slightest indignity, but now, for Ayin's life, not only was he willing to beg Hua Shu, but he wouldn't hesitate even if asked to do something far more humiliating.

"Princess."

Gu Jin spoke, stepping forward, about to explain himself when Hua Shu turned her gaze toward him. "Enough. Now you understand how hurtful it is to belittle others, don't you? As the old saying goes, 'Leave room for reconciliation, for you may meet again someday.' These are truths passed down for thousands of years, yet you seem utterly ignorant of them. The fault for refining the Sky-Shielding Umbrella lay with me, so I don't blame you for what you said. Since you're here, take a seat."

She gestured with her chin, surprisingly forgiving.

Though Gu Jin had declared he wanted no further dealings with her when they parted at the North Sea, another of his words had also struck a chord in Hua Shu's heart.

"The Peacock King's Immortal Power is damaged, your two elder brothers' Immortal Foundations are dull, and you, a mere Lady, bear the immense burden of Hundred Birds Island alone—it truly is difficult."

The world only knew her as proud and strong-willed, noble in status, but no one ever pitied the hardship and helplessness of a mere Lady shouldering Hundred Birds Island alone. In all these years, only Gu Jin had ever spoken such words to her.

Seeing Gu Jin sit down, Hua Shu poured him a cup of tea and said, "I was just about to send Hong Que to Great Marsh Mountain to find you. Since you're here, you've saved me the trip."

"What did the Princess wish to see me about?"

Hua Shu pretended to be offended. "What? Can I not seek you out without a reason?"

Having a favor to ask, Gu Jin could only reply, "No, the Princess misunderstands, I—"

"I was only teasing you. Why are you so flustered?" Hua Shu waved her hand dismissively. "I heard you've been searching for Feng Yin's soul among the phoenix trees scattered across the Three Realms these days?"

Gu Jin was taken aback. Only two people knew the true cause of the incident years ago when he accidentally disrupted Feng Yin's Nirvana Rebirth in the ancient phoenix forest. Hua Shu had always avoided mentioning Feng Yin, unwilling to let the world know she had been involved. Why would she bring up Feng Yin today?

"Indeed. Before my master ascended, he told me that Feng Yin's soul was scattered among the phoenix trees across the Three Realms. Since leaving the Forbidden Valley, I've been gathering her soul fragments. I've already recovered three souls and five of the seven spirits—only two spirits remain for her to awaken." Gu Jin nodded, a flicker of hope on his face. "Could it be that the Princess sent someone to Great Marsh Mountain because you have news of a phoenix tree?"

If that were truly the case, then this trip to Hundred Birds Island would be exceptionally worthwhile.