The Last Immortal

Chapter Nine

Before the words could be spoken, a phoenix cry echoed from the distant sky above the Phoenix Tree Forest. Two five-colored giant phoenixes flew toward the largest Ancestral Phoenix Tree in the forest.

It seemed Master Sovereign had sent Elders to check if she had obediently returned to her nest. Better to settle matters with this Ling Juan before the Bodhi Patriarch after tomorrow’s Nirvana Rebirth... Feng Yin thought to herself. Seeing the Elders approaching, she had no time to deal with the three waiting behind the rockery for an answer. Transforming into a streak of red light, she flew straight toward the Ancestral Phoenix Tree.

Under the dim moonlight, no one noticed Feng Yin’s disappearance. The three waited for a full quarter of an hour, yet only silence remained behind the rockery. Bi Yun cast a suspicious glance and signaled to Ling Juan with her eyes. Understanding her meaning, Ling Juan stepped forward to peek and discovered that the space behind the rockery was empty—the previously fierce Female Immortal Lord had long vanished without a trace.

The two exchanged glances, bewildered. This person had come and gone without even a ripple of Divine Power. Among the young Female Immortal Lords on the island, aside from Princess Hua Shu, whose Immortal Power neared that of a High Lord, who else could it be?

They naturally could not guess that Feng Yin was merely drifting across Phoenix Tree Island with a wisp of her spiritual soul, shape-shifting silently and leaving no trace.

Ling Juan felt a chill in his heart, lamenting his misfortune today. Without another glance at Gu Jin standing nearby, he hastily pulled Bi Yun away from the ancient forest.

The once lively and contentious Phoenix Tree Forest fell silent. Gu Jin paced behind the rockery for a while, a sudden unease gripping his heart. That person had not admitted to being Hua Shu—perhaps it was someone else. Why had she suddenly disappeared? Could something have happened? Without a word, Gu Jin flew onto the rockery stones, propped his chin on his hands, and began to wait quietly.

He insisted on staying on the stone where Feng Yin had leaned, convinced that if he waited a little longer, she would reappear.

If he had been more clear-headed and immediately gone to ask Feng Ran, he might have learned that the arrogant Female Immortal Lord from earlier was precisely the divine beast he had been longing for—the one that belonged to him.

Alas, in youth, people often possess a stubborn persistence. Gu Jin believed this was fate, and like a fool, he hugged his plump body in the ancient Phoenix Tree Forest, turning into a stone statue yearning for his wife.

“Your Highness, Immortal Lord Ling Juan truly speaks without restraint, daring to slander the two True Gods behind their backs. Which grotto abode do you think that hidden Female Immortal Lord earlier belonged to?”

In a pavilion not far from the rockery, an immortal maiden in a light yellow gown poured a cup of immortal wine for the seated Female Immortal Lord. “However, though that person spoke boldly, she only dared to intimidate others using Your Highness’s reputation. How petty!”

“Whether she was truly borrowing my banner to intimidate others or simply disdained to respond is still uncertain. From what I heard, she didn’t seem like a fraud. Such a temperament is likely rare—she must be a rising star from some grotto abode. We’ll surely see at tomorrow’s evening banquet.”

A delicate hand reached out, lifting the white jade cup from the stone table and taking a sip. Amid the slowly swirling steam, the hand appeared slender and fair, as if carved from fine jade.

Looking further up—ah, her face was as radiant as peach blossoms, dignified and elegant, adorned in a simple white gown. Indeed, Princess Hua Shu of Hundred Birds Island, renowned throughout the Three Realms, lived up to her fame—a beauty one in a hundred. Only when a trace of aloofness inadvertently flashed in her faintly arched eyebrows could one sense that this princess might not be someone easily approached.

“Your Highness, when Immortal Lord Ling Juan sees you tomorrow, he’ll surely be scared out of his wits. Shall I play a trick on him tomorrow?” Hua Shu’s maid, Hong Que, was always full of mischievous ideas."Nonsense." Hua Shu set down the white jade cup, lightly chiding, "My father and the Flying Roc King Jin Lie have long been at odds, and the conflict between our two clans has persisted for years. Bodhi Mountain lies near the North Sea; whichever side can win the favor of the Bodhi Patriarch will gain dominance over the North Sea. Even if Ling Juan speaks recklessly, he is still the beloved son of the Bodhi Patriarch. Offending the Bodhi Grotto would only plunge Hundred Birds Island into a difficult situation."

"Yes." Hong Que replied dejectedly, then looked up and noticed Gu Jin sitting on a nearby rock, staring intently at the moon. She exclaimed in surprise, "That plump Immortal Lord dared to question Immortal Lord Ling Juan—he does have some courage. Your Highness, look, he's still sitting there. I suspect he thinks that female Immortal Lord was you. Knowing that Your Highness rarely appears in public, he doesn't dare to visit Flowing Cloud Pavilion to express his gratitude, so he's lingering here hoping for a chance encounter."

Hua Shu followed Hong Que's gaze and saw only a round, shadowy silhouette under the moonlight. She frowned slightly, withdrawing her gaze indifferently, not even sparing a second glance.

"No need to trouble ourselves. When that person appears tomorrow, they will naturally realize they guessed wrong."

Seeing Hua Shu's lack of interest, Hong Que recalled something and whispered, "Your Highness, I heard that High Lord Lan Feng arrived on the island this evening. Elder Feng Qi of the Phoenix Clan personally went out to welcome him."

Hua Shu's brow twitched, a flicker of emotion appearing in her eyes. "High Lord Lan Feng is of noble status. It is only fitting that Elder Feng Qi went to greet him." She paused before asking, "Was anyone accompanying the High Lord?"

Among the younger generation of the Immortal Realm, it was rare for Hua Shu to concern herself with whether an Immortal Lord had companions. But if one knew the origins of this High Lord Lan Feng, they would likely smile and sigh, understanding it was only natural.

The Phoenix Sovereign was a decisive and formidable character. Her ascension to the Heavenly Palace was largely due to the goodwill of the former Celestial Emperor, Mu Guang. Fifty years after the Immortal Tribe overcame its crisis, the Phoenix Sovereign intended to pass the position of Celestial Emperor to High Lord Jin Yao. However, High Lord Jin Yao was wholly devoted to the Path of Divinity and, after retreating into seclusion, became difficult to locate. Thus, the Phoenix Sovereign had to seek another successor.

For decades, it had been rumored throughout the Immortal Realm that High Lord Lan Feng of Jingyu Palace was the final candidate chosen by the Celestial Emperor after searching the entire Immortal Realm.

High Lord Lan Feng possessed a pure and transparent immortal root. He attained the rank of High Lord by the age of five hundred, his spiritual aptitude surpassing even that of the Phoenix Sovereign in her youth. Moreover, his celestial mandate was tied to the Emperor Star Constellation. He was fair, benevolent, and gentle in temperament, much like Mu Guang. Though only around two thousand years old, he had earned the trust of the Phoenix Sovereign and the respect of all immortals.

With such a background, coupled with handsome looks, a pleasant disposition, and being unmarried, he naturally became the ideal son-in-law favored by the great powers of the Immortal Tribe. Hua Shu setting her sights on him was indeed wise. In terms of status, immortal power, and moral character, Lan Feng stood at the pinnacle among the younger generation of Immortal Lords.

Hong Que glanced at Hua Shu and drawled, "Your Highness... aside from the immortal attendants accompanying him, High Lord Lan Feng had no female Immortal Lords with him. You can rest assured."

"Impudent!" Hua Shu shot Hong Que a glare but couldn't hide the smile in her eyes. Her hand resting on the white jade cup unconsciously began to caress it.

Hong Que grinned and suggested, "Your Highness, we've been on Phoenix Tree Island for several days but haven't yet properly admired the scenery. It's still early today—why not take a stroll around the outer island?"

Although her Highness favored High Lord Lan Feng, they had only met once. This was a perfect opportunity; if they could encounter him and establish a connection, it would be beneficial.

"With so many immortals gathered on the island, and since I rarely leave Hundred Birds Island, a stroll would be pleasant." Hua Shu set down the white jade cup, rose, and walked out of the pavilion toward the forest. From beginning to end, she never once spared a proper glance at Gu Jin, who remained lost in thought on the rock.Inside the Ancestral Phoenix Tree, after dealing with the Elders, Feng Yin leaned lazily against a tree branch, yawning with boredom. She lowered her head and saw the petrified-looking Gu Xiaopang waiting not far away. Squinting her eyes, a flicker of amusement crossed her expression.

So foolish, no wonder he couldn’t utter a single word when Ling Juan shut him down. But the Eastern Pearl hanging from his waist is even more translucent and radiant than the one on the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea’s crown. He probably isn’t some nobody who popped out of nowhere. Tomorrow, after the Nirvana Rebirth, I’ll ask Master Sovereign which elder’s family raised this clueless, chubby kid.

In the stone pavilion at the center of the lake, the gathered Immortal Lords were chatting merrily. Someone brought up a topic, and the conversation shifted from the betrothed Third Princess of the Southern Sea, Jin Yun, to the Little Phoenix Lord who was about to undergo Nirvana Rebirth and descend into the world.

The future Phoenix Sovereign, descended from the lineage of the Celestial Emperor—who in the Three Realms could match such glory? When discussing Hua Shu on ordinary days, they could still whisper a few envious remarks, but for this Little Phoenix Lord of Phoenix Tree Island, aside from admiration, they truly struggled to find any other words to describe her.

“Jin Yun, if the Little Phoenix Lord descending tomorrow turns out to be a girl, the Immortal Realm will surely become lively,” Lady Hui Yi, always outspoken, remarked, drawing the attention of the male Immortal Lords nearby.

“Oh? Why do you say that, Sister Hui Yi?” Jin Yun asked.

Hui Yi glanced meaningfully in the direction of the Flowing Cloud Pavilion, gently waving the willow fan in her hand, but refused to say more.

Mu Rong, who had remained silent for a while, laughed heartily, her voice echoing through the stone pavilion. “Third Sister, you probably don’t know—a hundred years ago, the Ancient True God entered Phoenix Tree Island for the Little Phoenix Lord and left a piece of Fire Phoenix Jade to protect her soul. The Fire Phoenix Jade is a relic from ancient times, an artifact of the Sky-Supporting Ancestral God. The Little Phoenix Lord is uniquely blessed by heaven and will undoubtedly be extraordinary from birth.” She paused, her eyes filled with genuine delight. “Our Little Phoenix Lord’s destiny can truly be called heaven-blessed fortune. If she is a girl, what Lady in the Three Realms could compare? And which Immortal Lord would dare to seek her hand in the future…?”

When Hua Shu descended into the world, celestial phenomena accompanied her birth, and the Immortals praised her destiny as heaven-blessed, destined for unparalleled nobility. Yet compared to the Little Phoenix Lord about to undergo Nirvana Rebirth, Hua Shu’s prestige now seemed somewhat lacking.

The ladies present understood the deeper meaning in Mu Rong’s words. Glancing toward the Flowing Cloud Pavilion, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of schadenfreude. In the century since Jing Zhao faded from prominence, the daughters of the Immortal Tribe had been suffocated by Hua Shu’s overwhelming fame. Now, with this rare opportunity, they were eager to vent their frustrations.

Beneath the stone bridge outside the pavilion, Hong Que, hearing the phrase “heaven-blessed fortune,” looked at Hua Shu, who had halted in her tracks, with a mix of anger and anxiety. These Ladies, always smiling and friendly in public, turned out to be so detestable behind closed doors.

Hua Shu’s expression remained unchanged, her dark eyes unreadable, but her hands hidden within her embroidered sleeves tightened slightly.

Inside the stone pavilion, unrestrained laughter reached the ears of the mistress and her maid.

“Sister Mu Rong is mistaken. Although no Lady in the Immortal Realm can compare, if we wait a few hundred years, there is still one High Lord qualified to seek the Little Phoenix Lord’s hand.”

“Oh? Sister Hui Yi, are you referring to…?”

“High Lord Lan Feng! If it were him, His Majesty might not refuse.”

Beneath the stone pavilion, Hong Que’s face paled. Before she could utter words of comfort, Hua Shu had already turned and headed toward the inner island’s Flowing Cloud Pavilion.

“Your Highness!” Hong Que whispered urgently, hurrying to follow.

But Hua Shu suddenly stopped, staring in stunned silence toward the end of the stone bridge.Hong Que looked up, puzzled, and gazed into the distance—under the moonlight, at the end of the stone bridge, Lanfeng Supreme Lord, dressed in green robes, was walking toward the two of them. He had clearly overheard the conversation in the pavilion earlier, as a trace of solemnity brushed across his brow.

Hong Que’s face lit up with joy, and he was about to speak when Hua Shu stopped him. She led Hong Que in silently bowing and stepping aside to make way. As Lan Feng passed by, a fleeting glimpse of loneliness and sorrow flashed in her eyes, perfectly timed.

Sure enough, the hem of the green robes paused within her peripheral vision, and a gentle voice spoke.

“Elder Feng Qi mentioned earlier that the pear blossom spectacle at Flowing Cloud Pavilion this year is a sight not seen in a decade. I wonder if the princess would permit this lord to go and admire it?”

Hua Shu looked up, meeting the refined and handsome face before her, and her smile bloomed brightly. “It is my honor to receive an invitation from the High Lord.”

…

Early the next morning, after a restful night’s sleep, the disciples of Great Marsh Mountain in Nine Splendors Pavilion finally discovered the horrifying fact that their plump martial uncle had not returned to his nest. Several terrified, white-bearded martial nephews burst into Phoenix Emperor Hall in tears, begging the Phoenix Sovereign to search all of Phoenix Tree Island for the missing treasure of Great Marsh Mountain—their martial uncle.