The Last Immortal

Chapter Eighty-Seven

Perhaps because Lan Feng had just passed away, Hua Shu was dressed entirely in plain white, with a small black flower embroidered on her sleeve as a sign of mourning. Hong Que followed closely behind her.

Ayin turned to look and saw that Hua Shu’s complexion was not good—pale and fragile.

Noticing her pallor, Yuan Qi’s expression softened slightly. “Has the mourning ceremony for High Lord Lan Feng concluded?”

Hua Shu had personally overseen Lan Feng’s funeral arrangements. Yuan Qi had buried Lan Feng with the rites befitting a Celestial Emperor, and she had kept vigil before his spirit for fifteen full days, never leaving even half a step. Only after the mourning ceremony ended did she come personally to thank Yuan Qi.

Although Lan Feng had presided over the Heavenly Palace for a century, in terms of status, he was not the true Celestial Emperor. This funeral was already the utmost honor he could receive after death.

Though death renders everything meaningless, now that the murderer who killed Lan Feng had been captured and Lan Feng had been laid to rest with grandeur, much of the hatred and resentment in Hua Shu’s heart had subsided. With Yuan Qi’s divine power awakened and his identity restored, he would undoubtedly be the one to decide matters for the Immortal Tribe in the future. Even for the sake of the Peacock Clan’s future, given Hua Shu’s temperament, this visit was absolutely necessary.

Hua Shu nodded, concealing the sorrow between her brows. “He rests in the Celestial Tomb, guarded by the Heavenly River, where he can find peace.” As she spoke, she bowed to Yuan Qi. “Thank you for your benevolence, Your Highness, allowing Lan Feng to be buried in the Celestial Tomb so I can visit him often.”

“There is no need to thank me. High Lord Lan Feng served the Immortal Tribe with merit for a century. Burying him with the rites of a Celestial Emperor is only fitting.”

“I heard from Venerable Yu Feng that Your Highness has scheduled the Mystic Thunder Punishment for the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon three days from now.” Hua Shu’s expression turned cold, her voice hardening. “He killed Lan Feng, destroyed Great Marsh Mountain, and caused the deaths of Venerables Xian Shan and Xian Zhu. Having him annihilated in the Thunder Tribulation is already lenient. His crimes are grave—even destroying his demon godhood, shattering his demon core, and condemning him to eternal damnation would not be excessive.”

As Hua Shu spoke these words, though she addressed Yuan Qi, her eyes were fixed on Ayin, clearly directing them at her.

The argument between Ayin and Yuan Qi in the study earlier had evidently been overheard by her in its entirety.

“Your Highness, the souls of those who died unjustly remain restless, echoing through the skies of the Immortal Realm. Surely Your Highness will not postpone the Mystic Thunder Punishment three days from now?” Hua Shu looked at Yuan Qi, her voice burning with intensity.

Hearing Hua Shu’s question, Ayin turned her gaze to Yuan Qi. Given A Jin’s nature, no matter how angry he might be with her, he would only speak in anger. He would surely be willing to investigate the truth behind the massacre at Great Marsh Mountain, avoid killing the innocent unjustly, and give the deceased the justice they deserved.

Two pairs of beautiful eyes watched quietly. Yuan Qi met Hua Shu’s gaze and nodded. “Three days from now, Hong Yi will face the Nine Heavens Mystic Thunder Punishment. When the time comes, Princess, please arrive early at the Azure Dragon Platform. All grievances and enmities will be settled that day.”

As Yuan Qi’s words fell, the bamboo box Ayin had been holding tightly slipped from her hand and crashed to the ground. She stared at Yuan Qi in disbelief, as though unable to accept his response.

Beside them, Hua Shu revealed a faint smile and nodded to Yuan Qi. “In that case, I am reassured. Your Highness stands at the pinnacle of the Three Realms and is now the backbone of our Immortal Realm. Your word, Hua Shu trusts. I take my leave.”

Having secured Yuan Qi’s promise, Hua Shu did not linger. She cast a light glance at Ayin, a hint of ambiguous mockery flashing in her eyes, before withdrawing.

Even after Hua Shu left the study, Ayin did not look up at Yuan Qi. She stared at the mung bean cakes that had tumbled out of the bamboo box and rolled across the floor, her eyes stinging.So it was true. Her A Jin had been gone since that day at Great Marsh Mountain.

That A Jin who would dote on her, indulge her, and listen to her thoughts—he was gone.

Everyone called him Divine Lord, only she still thought of him as Gu Jin from Great Marsh Mountain.

Ayin was utterly exhausted. She took a deep breath, said no more, and turned to leave.

"Chang Que, escort Ayin back." Yuan Qi's voice came from behind, neither distant nor close, neither warm nor cold. "Ayin, the Demon Tribe's methods are treacherous. Do not interfere with Hong Yi's matter. Rest at Phoenix Roost Palace these next few days. I will handle everything else."

"No need. The Heavenly Palace is well-protected by the Divine Lord's might, perfectly safe. There's no need to trouble High Lord Chang Que. Farewell, Your Highness. Ayin takes her leave."

Ayin did not look back. Having spoken, she walked straight out of the study.

Seeing that Ayin no longer called him Gu Jin, Yuan Qi's outstretched hand paused slightly. He did not speak again until Ayin had left the study.

The sound of footsteps faded into silence. Yuan Qi lowered his head, looked at the mung bean cakes scattered on the floor, bent down to pick them up one by one, and carefully placed them back into the bamboo box.

When Chang Que returned to the study after seeing Ayin out of Sunlit Palace, he happened to witness this scene.

"Your Highness," he said with some reluctance, confusion in his eyes. "Why don't you tell Ayin the truth? If she knew your plans, she wouldn't misunderstand you."

Yuan Qi placed the bamboo box on the table and shook his head. "Before today, I did intend to tell her before Hong Yi's thunder punishment. If Sen Yu hadn't come this time, I might have dragged Ayin into danger."

"Your Highness means...?"

"I always thought the Demon Tribe's appearance at Great Marsh Mountain was due to their resentment toward the Immortal Tribe. Even if Hong Yi was possessed by a demon, he was merely a weapon chosen by them. But now it seems it's more than that. My two senior brothers must have discovered something from Hong Yi, which is why they went to Tranquil Mountain to see tribal chief Chang Qin. But now, everyone who has detected any trace of the Demon Tribe has died, regardless of whether they are immortals or demons. The mastermind behind the demons will stop at nothing to conceal their tracks. We still don't know the Demon Tribe's intentions. If they learn that Ayin is adamant about finding their traces, I fear..."

"Your Highness fears Lady Ayin might meet the same fate as tribal chief Chang Qin?"

"Human strength has its limits. The Demon Tribe lurks in the shadows, and I may not always be able to stay by her side. Great Marsh Mountain is destroyed; she is all I have left. I would rather she know nothing, even if she misunderstands me, than let her face the slightest danger again. Moreover..."

Yuan Qi's voice trailed off, leaving the last sentence unspoken in his heart.

"After the Mystic Thunder Punishment, once the Demonic Qi is expelled from Hong Yi, take Ayin back to Clear Pond Palace. There, the protective mountain formation set by the Mother Goddess will prevent anyone from breaking in."

He looked toward Phoenix Roost Palace, a trace of longing and deep affection in his gaze, ultimately turning into the most helpless regret.

"Chang Que, let's go."

Chang Que composed himself, his gaze heavy with sorrow. "Your Highness, have you decided?"

Yuan Qi did not answer. He took one last look at Phoenix Roost Palace, transformed into a streak of dark light in the sky, and vanished from the Heavenly Palace.

At Phoenix Roost Palace, Sen Yu, who had been waiting for Ayin, emerged from the shadows as soon as she returned and asked what Yuan Qi's plans were.

Ayin, disheartened, shook her head at him. "A Jin doesn't believe me. A Jiu's thunder punishment in three days will not be postponed."

Sen Yu frowned deeply. "How can Donghua Divine Lord's disciple be so stubborn!"Now that Yuan Qi's identity was fully revealed, even in his fury, Sen Yu dared not utter a word like, "How could the son of Shang Gu and Bai Jue be so foolish!"

"Ayin, Yuan Qi refuses to believe me. Only you can help me now."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Hong Yi is imprisoned in the Immortal Locking Pagoda of Wind Spirit Palace. As Yuan Qi's junior sister, Yu Feng will surely not guard against you. Bring Hong Yi out of the pagoda, and I'll wait for you both outside Wind Spirit Palace. Then, I'll take you back to the Demon Realm together."

"No, I can't just take A Jiu out like that." Ayin shook her head in refusal.

So far, everything had been Sen Yu's one-sided account. Even if she believed deep down that A Jiu would never commit such a heinous act, Yu Feng and the others had witnessed him chasing Yan Shuang and Qing Yi with their own eyes. Moreover, the entire Great Marsh Mountain lay in ruins, its disciples not yet cold in their graves. As Dong Hua's disciple and Yuan Qi's junior sister, how could she possibly take A Jiu out of the Immortal Locking Pagoda without any evidence?

"So you're just going to stand by and watch Hong Yi be struck to ashes by the Mystic Thunder?" Sen Yu roared angrily. "If Hong Yi dies, the truth behind the massacre of Great Marsh Mountain will be lost forever."

His figure vanished into the depths of the inner hall, leaving behind only a heavy warning: "There are still two days left, Ayin. Think it over carefully."

Inside the hall, Ayin gazed at the slumbering Yan Shuang, walked to her bedside, and murmured, "A Shuang, what really happened that day? Is A Jiu innocent? Why did our senior brothers and sisters die?" Her voice choked with emotion, all her grievances, exhaustion, and self-blame pouring out. "Help me, tell me what the truth is. Please help me."

Whether or not the sleeping Yan Shuang heard Ayin's plea, a pained expression flickered across her face, and her fingertips twitched almost imperceptibly.

At the same time, in a side chamber of the Heavenly Palace, Hua Mo inquired of Hua Shu about Yuan Qi's plans regarding Hong Yi. Learning that the Mystic Thunder Punishment would not be delayed, he relaxed inwardly and dismissed Hua Shu.

Once Hua Shu had left, he conjured a Water Mirror, within which Qing Li's icy countenance appeared.

"Rest assured, Yuan Qi will not delay the thunder punishment. Hong Yi will undoubtedly die in two days."

Yet Qing Li raised an eyebrow, showing a hint of surprise. "You mean Yuan Qi hasn't postponed the thunder punishment? How is that possible? He clearly detected the Demonic Qi I left within Hong Yi."

"Even if he is the son of a True God, he was merely born with Divine Power stronger than others. After all, he is still young and has never experienced any tribulations. How could he possess the wisdom and methods of the High Gods from the Ancient Realm? The destruction of Great Marsh Mountain at Hong Yi's hands was witnessed by all. Even if he discovered the Demonic Qi within Hong Yi, he would only assume Hong Yi willingly fell into demonhood, without suspecting anything else." Hua Mo narrowed his eyes. "However, Hong Yi contains one-third of your Demonic Power. Are you truly willing to watch him be annihilated by the Nine Heavens Mystic Thunder?"

A cold glint flashed in Qing Li's eyes. "If the Immortal Tribe truly kills Hong Yi, the Fox race will not let it go. It's only a matter of time before they march against the Immortal Realm. The Fox race is now the largest clan in the Demon Realm. Even if Chang Qin is dead, their strength remains. Trading this portion of my Demonic Power for a conflict between immortals and demons is not without merit. Moreover, I have more important matters to attend to."

Even through the Water Mirror, Hua Mo could discern the coldness and malice in Qing Li's gaze. "What do you intend to do?"

"Naturally, what I failed to accomplish at Great Marsh Mountain. I originally intended to use Hong Yi's death to incite war between immortals and demons. Since the Immortal Realm won't cooperate, I have no choice but to turn to the Demon Realm instead."She spoke vaguely, unwilling to say more to Hua Mo, only coldly instructing, "Keep a close watch in the Heavenly Palace. Now that you also know Yuan Qi's identity, send Hua Shu to his side. If you want the Peacock Clan to completely surpass Phoenix Tree Island in the Immortal Realm, Yuan Qi is your only chance."

Qing Li revealed a mocking smile, her cold face gradually fading from the Water Mirror.

Hua Mo lightly tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair, a thoughtful glint appearing in his eyes.

Two days passed quickly. Everyone in the Heavenly Palace knew that Divine Lord Yuan Qi had just mastered his Divine Power and had been in seclusion at Sunlit Palace these past two days, so no one dared disturb him. Today at the hour of Si was the scheduled execution of the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon at the Azure Dragon Platform. Before dawn, a group of High Immortals had already gathered at the Azure Dragon Platform to wait. The highest seat of honor was reserved for Yuan Qi and the four High Venerables. Except for Venerable Yu Feng, everyone else had arrived, waiting only for Yuan Qi.

Halfway through the hour of Chen, Yuan Qi and Chang Que appeared. Dressed in black robes, though winter had arrived, the Immortal Tribe had never feared the cold. Yet he unusually wore a snow-white fur cloak, his face somewhat pale, only his eyes still dark as a deep abyss.

Upon his arrival, a line of old deities rose one after another to pay their respects. In his youth, Yuan Qi had been arrogant and domineering, but these years at Great Marsh Mountain had tempered his temperament. He treated the older generation of deities with exceptional courtesy, earning even more admiring and envious gazes.

After taking his seat in the main position, he glanced toward the empty seat beside him. "Venerable Yu Feng..."

Jing Lei quickly replied, "Venerable Yu Feng and Lianxi Upper Lord have gone to Wind Spirit Palace to retrieve the Immortal Locking Pagoda. They will arrive shortly."

Yuan Qi nodded, looking toward the direction of the Heavenly Palace.

The Azure Dragon Bell tolled; the hour of Si was approaching. Lost in thought, he suddenly remembered the day Ayin descended into the world, the time he met A Jiu in the Nine Nether Purgatory, and the days spent wandering the Three Realms with Ayin and A Jiu.

It is said that in certain moments, people always recall the most cherished instant of their lives.

Now, looking back, he realized there were too many memories in his life worth recalling.