Chapter Seven
The Celestial Realm's sixty-thousand-year history has seen two Celestial Emperors: the Divine Dragon Mu Guang and the Phoenix Sovereign Feng Ran.
Mu Guang was forged over ten thousand years by the True God Shang Gu, known for his benevolence and tolerance, earning the respect of all immortals.
Feng Ran, however, was born of heaven and earth, with a temperament entirely different. In her youth, she was willful and arrogant; as an adult, her aura grew fierce and imposing. No one expected that before Mu Guang transformed into a stone dragon to guard the Immortal-Demon boundary, he would entrust the position of Celestial Emperor to Feng Ran. Had Feng Ran become the ruler of the Demon Tribe, it might have better suited the tastes of both immortals and demons.
A century ago, the great war between immortals and demons left countless casualties and deep-seated blood feuds. In such circumstances, ascending to the position of Celestial Emperor was hardly a fortunate event. Even though Feng Ran was already the Phoenix Sovereign, the immortals' silence toward her effortless claim to the throne was not without a hint of mockery.
A century passed, and the outcome defied the expectations of the Three Realms. The unrestrained and audacious Phoenix Sovereign sat upon the Celestial Emperor's throne as steady as Mount Tai, thriving as naturally as a fish in water. The reason was simple: at the beginning of her reign, the Immortal Tribe was in decline. Feng Ran lifted all restrictions on the nine spiritual springs of the Southern Sea, which had been controlled by Phoenix Tree Island for tens of thousands of years, allowing all immortals to cultivate there. The Phoenix Clan descended from ancient times, having moved to the Mortal Realm only after the Ancient Realm was sealed. Now, after sixty thousand years, the Phoenix Clan had grown accustomed to life in the Mortal Realm and settled on Phoenix Tree Island. If they were to return en masse to the Ancient Realm, even Shang Gu would welcome them.
Over sixty thousand years, the Phoenix Clan had rightfully claimed half of the paradise grottos in the Immortal Realm. Even when the Phoenix Sovereign was in slumber, Mu Guang dared not demand they relinquish even a sliver of these treasured lands. This time, the Phoenix Clan's elders were so generous solely out of respect for the Phoenix Sovereign.
The age-old principle of "taking soft when given short" held true. Feng Ran, in a rogue-like and overpowered manner, abnormally strengthened the Immortal Realm within a mere century, leaving the onlooking immortals and demons speechless.
She remained the same arrogant and ill-tempered Feng Ran, but a century later, she had also become the undisputed ruler of the Immortal Tribe. Not everyone could pour out their treasures to nurture an entire realm. While Feng Ran was indeed domineering, arrogant, and protective of her own, she was born with the heart of a sovereign.
The metaphor of an emperor lies in encompassing the world, as seen in Feng Ran and Mu Guang. Speaking of which, the two Celestial Emperors haphazardly chosen by the Immortal Realm both had consciences that passed muster.
During Feng Ran's century-long rule over the Immortal Realm, aside from strengthening the Immortal Tribe, she only concerned herself with two matters: one was Jing Jian, whose soul was being gathered, and the other was the Little Fire Phoenix of the Phoenix Clan, born against the heavens.
Jing Jian's rebirth was a lengthy process; even now, only the Three Hun and Seven Po scattered across the Nine Provinces and Eight Wastelands had been barely gathered. It would take at least several more centuries for him to take form. In contrast, Feng Yin, nurtured by Shang Gu's Fire Phoenix Jade and the Ancestral Phoenix Tree, possessed a soul of unimaginable strength. Even before her Nirvana Rebirth and emergence from the shell, her soul could shape-shift into form. However, her soul form was also the most fragile. If her soul were damaged before her Nirvana, she might face Soul Scattered and Spirit Dispersed, making it difficult for her to be born into the world.
It was not the first time she had used her soul power to shape-shift and wander around Phoenix Tree Island. Usually, with Phoenix Clan elders stationed there and various barriers and seals protecting the island, it was quite safe. These past few days, guests from the Three Realms had arrived in droves. To avoid accidents, Feng Ran had long ordered her to remain within the ancient phoenix tree and not take a single step outside. Who would have thought she still sneaked out?
Feng Yin had been able to use her soul power to shape-shift for decades. Personally taught by Feng Ran, her temperament naturally mirrored Feng Ran's in eight or nine out of ten aspects. However, compared to Feng Ran, she lacked some of the authority and possessed more playfulness and innocence.Above the stone pavilion at the center of the lake, under Feng Ran’s gaze, the Little Fire Phoenix transformed into a girl of fifteen or sixteen, with sharp, striking features and an imposing presence. A red hairpin formed from the Fire Phoenix Jade adorned her bun, and she wore an ancient dark blue dress. Sitting cross-legged and barefoot on a cloud, she met Feng Ran’s eyes without a trace of fear—in that single glance, the noble and dignified aura of the Phoenix Clan’s heir was unmistakable.
She smiled, revealing a faint dimple on a face that mirrored Feng Ran’s expression. “Master Sovereign, I’ve heard there’s an old saying in the mortal realm.”
Feng Ran raised a hand to her forehead and leisurely tilted her chin toward Feng Yin. “What saying?”
Feng Yin snapped her fingers, and a crisp sound rang out. “It goes: ‘When one attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.’ I’ve been thinking that marriage is just like that.” She pointed toward the stone pavilion below. “Those women comparing their husbands are like that—whoever marries into a higher-ranking grotto abode stands taller in the Immortal Realm and speaks with more confidence. I don’t want to be someone who flaunts their husband’s status; I’d rather be the one who attains enlightenment and ascends. I can protect the Three Realms, but the Three Realms may not be able to protect me.”
Feng Yin hailed from the royal lineage of the Phoenix Clan. Not only in the Lower Three Realms but even in the Ancient Realm, her origins were of the highest nobility. Though her words were audacious, she was not without the right to speak them.
The little phoenix, bold and fearless in her youth, remained silent as Feng Ran lightly tapped her fingertips on the phoenix wood chair, narrowing her eyes as she gazed thoughtfully at her.
After her display of confidence, Feng Yin crossed her arms and rolled her dark, lively eyes toward Feng Ran. “Master Sovereign, are you satisfied with my answer?”
Feng Ran leaned forward and flicked Feng Yin’s forehead with a snap of her fingers, scolding, “The Elders are all so mild-mannered, yet you alone have such an arrogant temperament. Who on earth did you learn this from?”
“From you, Master Sovereign! Feng Yin could never match even a ten-thousandth of your former self.” Feng Yin seized the opportunity to cling to Feng Ran’s hand, transforming back into her Little Fire Phoenix form and perching on her wrist, nodding eagerly. “Don’t be angry, Master Sovereign. After all, this is our territory—who would dare provoke me?”
“Little one, stop pretending to be pitiful.” Feng Ran pinched the back of the Little Fire Phoenix’s neck with two fingers and tossed her into the air. “Go back to the Ancestral Phoenix Tree and stay there. Once you break out of your shell tomorrow, you can stir up the waters of the Four Seas all you want, and I won’t bother with you.”
Feng Yin deftly circled in mid-air, flapping her wings and nodding repeatedly. After casting a reluctant glance at the lively scene below the stone pavilion, she fluttered her small wings and flew toward the Ancestral Phoenix Tree on the inner island.
Feng Ran remained lounging lazily in her suspended wooden chair, gazing thoughtfully in the direction the Little Fire Phoenix had flown. Over the past century, she had exhausted all her efforts merely to gather the scattered Three Hun and Seven Po of Jing Jian. The path to his rebirth was long and uncertain, and all she could do now was wait.
Though time seemed endless, each day she could vividly recall the final glimpse of the one who had closed his eyes and passed away in the skies above Rakshasa Land. To meet the right person in a lifetime, only to endure endless years of longing—such was both misfortune and fortune, as it was for her and Shang Gu.
She still held onto hope, for at least Jing Jian would return one day. But whether the one reborn in the Primordial Spirit Pool of the Ancient Realm was Bai Jue—who could say for certain?
“Feng Yin, marriage is not as simple as you imagine. With a temperament like yours, who knows whether it will bring fortune or misfortune when you encounter it someday…”
Her soft sigh gradually faded into silence. The Phoenix Sovereign, weathered by the trials of life, vanished along with the phoenix wood chair.The stone pavilion was bathed in clear moonlight under a starry sky, serene as if no one had ever been there.
Gu Jin wandered aimlessly, even straying from the only proper path. Instead of reaching the lake at the border between the inner and outer islands, he ended up walking backward into the ancient Phoenix Tree Forest.
Under the high night moon, the cobblestone path was tranquil and secluded. The little fatty hummed a tune, walking sideways like a crab, when not far away, from a resting area enclosed by rockeries, came voices speaking neither too loudly nor too softly.
"Ling Juan, you promised to come to the Southern Mountain Abode to propose once I turned five hundred. I reached five hundred three years ago—why haven’t you kept your promise?"
A slightly indignant female voice drifted over. Gu Jin’s ears perked up, and he crouched down, quietly creeping toward the rockeries. A Female Immortal Lord forcing a marriage proposal—this was a rare spectacle, and he wanted a good look.
"Bi Yun, this matter can’t be rushed. My father has been playing chess with the Dragon King in the Western Sea Dragon Palace for the past few days, and a single game has lasted five years. He hasn’t returned to Bodhi Mountain yet. If I go alone to the Southern Mountain to propose, your father will surely think I’m insincere and trying to ruin your reputation."
The man’s voice was gentle and soft, yet carried a hint of insincerity. Gu Jin leaned in for a peek and raised an eyebrow.
The lady in the emerald-green ruqun wore a faintly angry expression, her willow-leaf eyebrows glaring coyly at the male Immortal Lord in white, her eyes filled with affection. Gu Jin, clinging behind the rockery and watching for a long while, came to a rather cheerful conclusion: this male Immortal Lord’s appearance and attire were nothing special. Tian Qi had once confidently declared that no one in the Three Realms could rival his looks, which showed just how extraordinarily handsome he was.
If even someone like this could have a Female Immortal Lord forcing a marriage proposal, then after he made his stunning appearance at the birthday banquet tomorrow, wouldn’t the Female Immortal Lords seeking his hand overcrowd Great Marsh Mountain?
In truth, A Qi was overthinking things. When he was young, with a face nearly identical to Bai Jue’s, it was impressive enough if anyone among immortals, demons, or mortals dared to glance at him. As for now, his plumpness overshadowed any beauty. Having grown round and plump, the only complimentary word that could be used for him was "chubby."
The son of the Bodhi Patriarch, now flirting with the young lady from the Southern Mountain Abode in the Phoenix Tree Forest, was indeed a handsome man of superior quality. Unfortunately, there was a touch of exaggeration in his eyes, making it hard for him to carry the scene.
Hearing these pleasing words of comfort, Bi Yun’s expression visibly softened. She turned to look at Ling Juan. "Don’t lie to me again. If you don’t come by my birthday next year, my father will betroth me to Lian Xi from the Kunlun Cave Abode."
Ling Juan quickly assured her he wouldn’t, but Bi Yun was no longer willing to be fooled. She said resentfully, "My elder sister told me that among the brothers in your Bodhi Mountain grotto abode, you’re the only one still unmarried. The Bodhi Patriarch is currently waiting for the Little Phoenix Lord of Phoenix Tree Island to undergo Nirvana Rebirth. If it’s a girl, he’ll go to Phoenix Tree Island to propose on your behalf in a few hundred years. Tell me, is my sister right?"
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Ling Juan’s eyes at having his thoughts exposed. He stiffened his expression, pretending to be angry. "Bi Yun, the Little Phoenix Lord hasn’t even undergone Nirvana Rebirth yet. It’ll take hundreds or thousands of years for her to come of age. Where did you hear such rumors?"Bi Yun snorted, "Do you think I don't know? Most of the Immortal Lords entering Phoenix Tree Island this time are accompanied by their family elders. They say it's to offer congratulations, but isn't it just to let the juniors from their grotto abodes catch the eye of the Celestial Emperor? If they gain His Majesty's favor, forget a few hundred years—some would willingly wait even thousands of years. Even someone as proud as Hua Shu has come to Phoenix Tree Island. It shows she’s afraid the newly descended Little Phoenix Lord might be a girl. If that happens, the status and reputation of Female Immortal Lords in the Immortal Realm in the future would have little to do with her. Even if the Little Phoenix Lord is ordinary or plain-looking, I’m afraid she still wouldn’t compare to Hua Shu. Ling Juan, we made our vows under the Matchmaker Tree. You didn’t really come all the way to Phoenix Tree Island just for that Little Phoenix Lord, did you?"
The Fire Phoenix bloodline is born to rule. Marrying her would mean gaining the entire Phoenix Clan and winning the favor of the Celestial Emperor. Who in the Immortal Realm wouldn’t want that?
Gu Jin stood on tiptoe eavesdropping, never expecting the Little Fire Phoenix of Phoenix Tree Island to be so sought after. His heart itched with curiosity, hoping to get a good look at what the Fire Phoenix born from Nirvana Rebirth would be like tomorrow. According to tradition, this Little Phoenix Lord of the Phoenix Clan should be his divine beast.
This rare treasure belonged to him, and he had to guard it well, not letting anyone else snatch it away. Gu Jin stroked his chin, feeling quite troubled. Should he secretly snatch it back from Feng Ran as soon as it undergoes Nirvana tomorrow? If it really turned out to be a girl, he could just raise her as his future wife for now.
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