Chapter Eighty-Nine
Yuan Qi saw Ayin from afar, struck by Yu Feng's sword and landing heavily on the ground. His eyes turned icy, his brow cold and stern beyond measure, and he moved to help Ayin up.
"What happened?" Hua Shu, who had followed, suddenly stepped forward and asked, seemingly unintentionally blocking Yuan Qi's path.
"Divine Lord." Yu Feng gave a slight bow to Yuan Qi, sheathing his immortal sword. He glanced at Ayin and said with some helplessness, "Just now, Lady Ayin entered the Immortal Locking Pagoda and released the nine-tailed fox demon, Hong Yi."
"What! She released Hong Yi?"
As soon as Yu Feng's voice fell, the assembled immortals grew agitated, their gazes toward Ayin filled with disbelief.
How could the esteemed disciple of Divine Lord Donghua and the junior sister of Divine Lord Yuan Qi release the demon who had destroyed her own sect? It was utterly treasonous!
"I knew you were up to no good!" Hua Shu was even more furious, conjuring the Sky-Shielding Umbrella in her palm. "It was you who brought that demon fox into Great Marsh Mountain back then. Tell me, have you long conspired with the Demon Tribe, intent on harming our Immortal Tribe?"
Ayin, lying on the ground, was pale, with traces of blood at the corner of her mouth. Though her voice was weak, it was resolute as she shook her head. "No, Venerable Yu Feng, A Jiu is not the true culprit behind the massacre at Great Marsh Mountain. He was controlled by the Demon Tribe. Yan Shuang just woke up—she can prove that what happened on Great Marsh Mountain was not his intention."
She looked at Yuan Qi, a faint hope in her eyes. "A Jin, believe me. A Jiu would never lie."
Yuan Qi remained silent, but Yu Feng frowned and asked, "Ayin, you say Hong Yi was possessed by the Demon Tribe, and Princess Yan Shuang can prove it? Has the princess awakened?"
He was more perceptive than the others and recalled that Xian Shan had once mentioned the Demon Tribe's intrusion into Great Marsh Mountain, which prompted his question.
Ayin shook her head. "When the Azure Dragon Bell tolled, Yan Shuang briefly awakened..."
Hearing Ayin mention the Demon Tribe, Hua Shu's heart suddenly tightened with intense unease. Instinctively, she felt she could not let Ayin continue. The immortal power of her Sky-Shielding Umbrella intensified as she pointed it at Ayin. "Nonsense! What do you mean by 'briefly awakened'? Who would believe your empty words? Besides, where is this Demon Tribe you speak of? Clearly, it was that demon fox who caused the disaster."
As Hua Shu's Sky-Shielding Umbrella was about to strike Ayin, the surrounding High Immortals, angered by Ayin's release of Hong Yi, made no move to stop it. But Yuan Qi acted. With a wave of his hand, he casually deflected the immortal power Hua Shu was about to unleash upon Ayin.
Hua Shu staggered back two steps, falling into the Peacock King's arms. Her face alternated between pale and flushed, a mix of embarrassment and rage. "Divine Lord Yuan Qi, she conspired with the Demon Tribe and released Hong Yi. How can you still protect her?"
Yuan Qi acted as if he hadn't heard. Step by step, he walked to Ayin, removed his white fur cloak, draped it over her, and lifted her into his arms as he faced the assembled immortals.
"She is a disciple of Great Marsh Mountain. No matter what wrong she has committed, it is for Great Marsh Mountain to punish her." Yuan Qi's gaze settled on Hua Shu as he said calmly, "Hua Shu, you have overstepped."
Since the destruction of Great Marsh Mountain and Yuan Qi's awakening, the Immortal Tribe had believed that Yuan Qi, as the son of a True God, would stand in the Three Realms as the master of Clear Pond Palace. With only a Water Condensation Beast and a few junior disciples left, Great Marsh Mountain was practically extinct. Today, Yuan Qi's words made it clear to the entire Immortal Tribe: as long as he remained, Great Marsh Mountain would forever stand tall in the Immortal Realm and never disappear.These immortals, having lived for millennia, were no fools; they could easily discern the underlying meaning in Yuan Qi's words.
Seeing Yuan Qi shielding Ayin and Ayin dragging the Demon Tribe into the matter, Hua Mo feared that Qing Li's identity would be exposed and implicate the Eagle Clan. He understood that Ayin's life could no longer be spared.
His eyes darkened as he restrained Hua Shu and stepped forward, declaring, "Divine Lord Yuan Qi, Shu'er did not intend to harm Lady Ayin. Hong Yi's slaughter of immortals was witnessed by all the High Immortals present, with irrefutable evidence. How can we simply declare Hong Yi innocent based solely on her empty words? Lady Ayin claims Hong Yi was controlled by a demon, but who is this demon? Where are they? Who has seen them? Even if demons are involved, how do we know this isn't a conspiracy between the Demon Tribe and the Immortal Tribe to harm our Immortal Realm? She released Hong Yi. If we show leniency toward her, how can we give an account to the deceased Lanfeng Supreme Lord, Elder Xianshan, and Taoist Xianzhu?"
Hua Mo was deep and calculating, unlike the impulsive Hua Shu. With just a few words, he stirred the indignation and disappointment of the High Immortals in the Heavenly Palace, rallying them to his side.
Glancing at the faces of the immortals, Hua Mo sensed the timing was right. He bowed deeply to Yuan Qi and said, "I implore Divine Lord Yuan Qi to prioritize the safety of our Immortal Realm, judge impartially, and uphold the gravity of the Immortal Realm's laws."
With these words, aside from Yu Feng and Lian Xi, the other High Immortals no longer hesitated. They bowed in unison to Yuan Qi and echoed, "We beseech the Divine Lord to judge impartially and uphold the gravity of the Immortal Realm's laws."
However, the hesitation of the two was insignificant against the overwhelming majority.
Nearly all the revered old deities of the Immortal Realm were present. Convinced of Ayin's guilt, even Yuan Qi, as a High God, could not forcibly pardon her without evidence. Moreover, though his status was noble as the son of a True God, he was not the ruler of the Immortal Realm.
Seeing Yuan Qi being pressured by these High Immortals, Ayin struggled to break free from his embrace and take responsibility for the charges. Unexpectedly, Yuan Qi suddenly pressed down on her struggling hands, holding her tightly against his chest. He looked toward the High Immortals before him, his gaze heavy.
"She is guilty, but I have said she is a disciple of Great Marsh Mountain. No one but Great Marsh Mountain may punish her." Yuan Qi's gaze swept over Hua Mo, the coldness in his eyes causing even the deep and calculating Peacock King to tremble inwardly.
"Now that Great Marsh Mountain is under your command, Divine Lord, how do you intend to punish Lady Ayin?" Hua Mo felt a chill in his heart but recognized this as a rare opportunity. Braving Yuan Qi's anger, he pressed for an answer.
Unaware of his ulterior motives, the immortals assumed he was driven by grief over the death of his son-in-law, Lanfeng Supreme Lord, and thus insistent on seeking justice.
"Divine Lord," Jing Lei, who had always been on good terms with Hua Mo, could not bear to see his old friend wronged. Stepping forward from the crowd, he knelt on one knee—a gesture unbefitting his status and age as a Supreme Venerable—and thundered, "The Immortal Tribe has stood in the Three Realms for sixty thousand years, always upholding strict laws and order. The two rulers have worked tirelessly to govern the Immortal Realm. I implore Your Highness to prioritize the greater good and severely punish Lady Ayin!"
His kneeling was clearly a move to force Yuan Qi into a decision. The area before Wind Spirit Palace fell silent under the Peacock King's questioning and Supreme Venerable Jing Lei's kneeling.
The immortals looked toward Yuan Qi, silent but waiting for him to provide an answer.Ayin struggled to look at the assembled immortals, but before she could move, a pair of hands descended, covering her eyes. Suddenly plunged into darkness, she could only hear the slightly cold voice coming from the chest she leaned against.
"Lady Ayin of Great Marsh Mountain, for privately releasing the nine-tailed fox demon Hong Yi, is hereby confined to Phoenix Roost Palace. In half a month, her immortal bones will be extracted, her immortal status revoked, and she will be placed under house arrest in Clear Pond Palace, forbidden from entering both the Immortal and Demon Realms."
Extract her immortal bones? Revoke her immortal status? This punishment was undeniably severe, yet confining her to Clear Pond Palace—the Primordial Deity's residence in the Mortal Realm where none would dare intrude—was an indirect way of preserving Ayin's life.
Before Wind Spirit Palace, Yuan Qi's voice resonated deeply. The immortals were stunned, glancing at his icy expression, and none dared speak further.
Without another word, Yuan Qi turned and carried Ayin toward Phoenix Roost Palace.
Still in his embrace, Ayin felt the warmth and dryness of the hands covering her eyes, yet she felt as if she had fallen into an icy abyss, her entire body chilled to the bone.
News of what happened at Wind Spirit Palace had already reached Phoenix Roost Palace. The immortal attendants there dared not approach the returning pair, offering distant bows before retreating.
Yuan Qi carried Ayin all the way to the inner chamber, placing her on the bed before attempting to infuse divine power into her body to heal her wounds.
The person in his arms shifted slightly, avoiding him. Yuan Qi's hand paused.
"You promised me you would no longer use your life essence to heal others. With your temperament, I fear no amount of persuasion would make a difference." The meaning behind these words was difficult to discern.
As he spoke, Yuan Qi did not stop. He turned Ayin's shoulder and continued channeling divine power into her. A hint of color returned to Ayin's face.
"Are you expelling me from the Immortal Realm?" she asked, still unable to believe it.
When he did not respond, Ayin spoke softly, yet with a trace of hope, "A Jin, Yan Shuang woke up. She told me A Jiu was possessed by the Demon Tribe. What happened on Great Marsh Mountain truly wasn't A Jiu's intention. It's not that I disregarded my senior brothers..."
"Ayin, go to Clear Pond Palace. From now on, stay there peacefully. Do not enter the Immortal or Demon Realms again, and do not involve yourself in the conflicts between the two races." Yuan Qi spoke abruptly, as if he hadn't heard Ayin's explanation.
Ayin was stunned, staring blankly at Yuan Qi. Earlier, at Wind Spirit Palace, she had thought Yuan Qi was pressured by the immortals. Though saddened, it wasn't like this.
Looking at him now, she realized this was truly what he intended.
His eyes were indifferent, devoid of the warmth and affection they once held.
"You want to imprison me in Clear Pond Palace?" Ayin spoke slowly, word by word. "Extracting my immortal bones and revoking my immortal status isn't enough..." She raised her head, looking at the young man before her, her face devoid of color. "You want to confine me to Clear Pond Palace forever?"
Yuan Qi no longer looked at her, rising and walking toward the chamber's exit.
"Not forever. For these next two weeks, you will remain in Phoenix Roost Palace. After your immortal bones are extracted, you will no longer possess the Water Condensation Beast's healing power. You will be an ordinary immortal beast, but the Divine Transformation Pill within you will grant you ten thousand years of life. From then on, whether it concerns Hong Yi or Great Marsh Mountain, the enmity between the Immortal and Demon Tribes will have nothing to do with you. Stay peacefully in Clear Pond Palace; Chang Que will take care of you. After a thousand years, when the world has forgotten this matter, you may emerge."
"Why? Why do you insist on extracting my immortal bones and confining me to Clear Pond Palace when you know A Jiu was controlled by the Demon Tribe?" Ayin's eyes were filled with grief and indignation.She had already told Yuan Qi that Yan Shuang had awakened. Even if others didn't believe it, why was he unwilling to believe her? Why did he punish her so severely and decisively?
"Regardless of whether Hong Yi was controlled by the Demon Tribe, the fact remains that Great Marsh Mountain perished by his hand."
Yuan Qi's heavy voice came through, leaving Ayin unable to refute.
"And what about you? You confine me in Clear Pond Palace, but what about you?" Ayin's voice reached him just as Yuan Qi was about to step out of the hall.
For some reason, a profound sorrow flashed in Yuan Qi's eyes at that moment. Yet when his voice sounded, it was so detached, devoid of any emotion.
"As one who bears divine responsibility, I must naturally remain in the Heavenly Palace. I will not return to Clear Pond Palace again. From now on, you..." He paused briefly, "Take good care of yourself."
The cold, retreating figure of the Divine Lord in dark robes gradually faded into the distance outside the hall. Ayin weakly lowered her head, her heart desolate.
"Your Highness..." Outside Phoenix Roost Palace, Chang Que waited for Yuan Qi to emerge. Seeing his pale face from afar, he silently followed behind. After restraining himself several times, he finally couldn't help but speak: "Your Highness, why didn't you tell Lady Ayin the truth? If she knew..."
Yuan Qi suddenly turned to look at him, his eyes conveying an unequivocal command. "Do not let her know."
This tone was cold and sharp, completely unlike Yuan Qi's usual demeanor.
"Hong Yi has returned to the Demon Tribe, but the Demonic Qi within him could seize control at any moment. He has already ascended to godhood—if he falls under the Demon Tribe's control again, it would be too dangerous. Tomorrow, I will go to the Fox race and bring Hong Yi back. After this incident, the Demon Tribe has been alerted. We must strike first and announce the truth of the Demon Tribe's emergence to the Three Realms. We still don't know whether the Demon Realm is involved with the Demon Tribe. Neither the Demon Emperor nor Sen Yu can be trusted. All I can do is unite the forces of the Immortal Realm before my aunt returns. As for what comes after..." Yuan Qi's voice carried an ambiguous tone, "It can only be left to my aunt."
"Your Highness!" Chang Que, more perceptive than most, was concerned not only with the conflict between immortals and demons. Having observed their interactions these past days, he understood the unusual bond between these martial siblings. "Since you cherish Lady Ayin so deeply, why not tell her? If the Lady feels the same way about you, then in the future, she..."
"That is precisely why she should not know." Yuan Qi interrupted Chang Que. He turned back to look in the direction of Phoenix Roost Palace.
"Let her go to Clear Pond Palace. From now on, the turmoil of the Three Realms—whether it concerns me or Hong Yi—has nothing to do with her. She was, after all, a Water Condensation Beast born defying heaven. If I hadn't forcibly nurtured her into existence in Forbidden Valley, she should never have faced any of this. Now, I will restore a lifetime of peace to her. That is for the best."
Yuan Qi took one last look at Phoenix Roost Palace before turning and heading toward Sunlit Palace.
Chang Que watched Yuan Qi's lonely, receding figure, and for some reason, his eyes filled with profound compassion.
One day later, Sen Yu brought the severely injured Hong Yi back to Tranquil Mountain. Unable to control the chaotic Divine Power raging within Hong Yi, the Fox race had no choice but to bring him before Wu Xi in the back mountains.
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