Chapter 32 p2
“What idea?” Ming Jian Su asked, also eager to watch the drama unfold. She had already found the answer on the Chaos Mirror. Feng Chiyue had pointed out the flaws in Chu Yi’s techniques and suggested that Ying Cunxin try them out in the Ethereal Spirit Realm. At first, Ming Jian Su was proud of her amazing junior sister, but then she realized something was wrong. She frowned. “The East Sea Dragon Princess admires strength. By helping her defeat Chu Yi, aren’t you proving that you’re stronger than Chu Yi?” What if Ying Cunxin fell for her junior sister? That was unacceptable!
Feng Chiyue smiled, her eyes gleaming with triumph. “I told her that Chu Yi herself revealed those flaws.” The entire Immortal Realm knew that she and Chu Yi didn’t get along and often argued. Wasn’t it normal to learn about each other’s weaknesses during their arguments? It just showed that Chu Yi had self-awareness. Using “Chu Yi” to defeat Chu Yi had nothing to do with her, Feng Chiyue. “They say the Emperor’s Daughter is unmoved by both soft and hard approaches. I don’t think so. First, we need to crush her spirit and arrogance, then create a sense of mystery, pique her curiosity, offer occasional concern and warmth, and maintain a certain distance.”
Ming Jian Su started to feel amused, but then a strange feeling of unease settled in her heart. She looked at Feng Chiyue, a faint smile on her lips. “Why are you so experienced, Junior Sister?”
Feng Chiyue snorted. “Well, you think I watch all those plays for nothing? I’m working hard too, you know?”
Ming Jian Su: “…” Was her junior sister working hard in the right direction? While some toiled like oxen, others could control everything with a smile and a few words.
—
In the Ethereal Spirit Realm.
Chu Yi noticed that she was entering the realm more frequently. She used to despise this “playground.” She checked the records. Every time, it was to fight Ying Cunxin, and she had never lost. The East Sea Dragon Princess’s persistence was admirable, but it was pointless. Seeing Ying Cunxin’s invitation on the Chaos Mirror, she accepted it casually, thinking to herself that this would be the last time.
Although Ying Cunxin admired strength, she didn’t enjoy fighting. Her recent battles with Chu Yi in the Ethereal Spirit Realm had been more than she had experienced in the past hundred years. The Dragon Palace’s techniques were no inferior to those of the Heavenly Court, but her goals differed from Chu Yi’s, who aspired to be the strongest immortal. Naturally, the depth of their understanding also differed. Fortunately, despite her laziness, she was still quite talented. She had improved with each battle, not losing too badly. However, it wasn’t enough to move the Emperor’s Daughter’s heart of stone. She needed to win once, to make Chu Yi see her in a new light.
“Last time,” Chu Yi said, feeling the need to make it clear to Ying Cunxin. Seeing Ying Cunxin nod, she raised her sword, said, “Excuse me,” and unleashed her sword intent, a wave of boundless sword light spreading out before her. Ying Cunxin calmly took out her jade flute. The clear notes pierced the clouds, transforming into a surging tide that crashed towards Chu Yi. The sword light clashed with the tide, a roaring sound echoing through the realm, like the clash of armies, a magnificent display of power. Ying Cunxin, dressed in white, her sleeves billowing in the wind, was enveloped in a protective aura. It expanded, deflecting the powerful sword intent that had pierced through the tide. Chu Yi’s swordsmanship relied on brute force, with little variation. After their previous encounters, Ying Cunxin had returned to the East Sea and studied ancient texts, using the Calm Sea Pearl to cultivate a technique that borrowed strength to counter strength. As she activated the technique, sword lights shot out, scattering and dancing, combined with the fluctuating flute notes, their speed blinding.
After countless victories, Chu Yi hadn’t taken Ying Cunxin seriously. Now, seeing Ying Cunxin’s sudden change in tactics, she was caught off guard and hastily retreated. A high-pitched dragon cry rang out, and a white dragon, its scales gleaming silver, flashed past, snatching a pearl ornament from her hair.
The flute music abruptly stopped.
Ying Cunxin twirled the coral flute in her fingers, tossed the ornament back, and looked at Chu Yi, a triumphant smile on her lips. “You lose,” she said.
Chu Yi’s face was filled with frustration. She stared at Ying Cunxin in disbelief, then said, her lips pursed, “I was careless. Let’s have another round.”
Ying Cunxin smiled sweetly. “Your Highness should honor our agreement,” she said. Ignoring Chu Yi’s protests, she withdrew her consciousness from the Ethereal Spirit Realm. Soon, she received a message from Chu Yi on the Chaos Mirror. In the past, Chu Yi had never initiated contact with her unless she needed something. Remembering Feng Chiyue’s advice about maintaining a “distance,” Ying Cunxin ignored her. She rested her chin on her hands, lying on her bed of shells, a smile on her face. But then, her brow furrowed. If things went as expected, Chu Yi, favored by the Mandate of Heaven, would inherit the throne in the future. Her Dao companion would also be born in the realm of yin. Where would she fit in? Well, perhaps after Chu Yi ascended the throne, there would be other powerful immortals in the Heavenly Court? She wasn’t obligated to admire Chu Yi. Ying Cunxin’s mind raced with thoughts, tossing and turning on her bed. Pearls, clear and radiant, rolled off her body and scattered on the ground, their sound like jade chimes.
“Princess, the Dragon King has sent someone to ask if you took the Calm Sea Pearl,” a timid voice interrupted her thoughts.
Ying Cunxin: “…” She had completely forgotten about it! After a moment of thought, she said, “Tell them, ‘It’s still in the East Sea. Does it matter who has it? Tell them to be sensible and stop making a fuss.’” There weren’t many dragons left who were as considerate and selfless as her, always putting the interests of the East Sea first.
The shell maiden didn’t dare repeat Ying Cunxin’s words verbatim. She softened them, but the “stingy” Dragon King was still furious. However, Ying Cunxin was his only heir. He couldn’t beat her or scold her, so he could only let her do as she pleased.
“Fellow Daoist, spoiling your child like this is unwise,” the West Sea Dragon King commented, sighing, as he was currently a guest in the East Sea.
“Should I throw her into the prison? She’s my only child. I can’t alienate her,” the East Sea Dragon King replied, defending himself. He didn’t want to talk about his daughter anymore. He changed the subject. “The Celestial Feather Ministry has started making moves. Will they truly separate from the Heavenly Court in the future?” Among the three ministries, the Celestial Feather Ministry had the closest ties to the Heavenly Court. If even they could separate, then the Four Seas Ministry also had a good chance of completely breaking free from the Heavenly Court. They hadn’t complained about the current system for thousands of years, but with the Heavenly Emperor’s current behavior, they feared that one day, they might also be sacrificed for the sake of some so-called benefit, just like the Phoenix Sovereign.
The West Sea Dragon King frowned. “Isn’t it said that the three ministries are now under the Celestial Mother’s control? She was born in the realm of yin. She’s impartial and more broad-minded than the Heavenly Emperor. If that’s the case, it’ll be difficult for the three ministries to completely separate from the Heavenly Court.” He paused, then added, “Why did the Celestial Mother suddenly leave seclusion? Why was there no warning?” He had almost forgotten her existence.
“Who knows?” the East Sea Dragon King said.
“Let’s see how the reforms in the Celestial Feather Ministry turn out. We don’t need to change everything. We can just adopt the assessment system. It’ll save us from those constant complaints from the various aquatic lineages. It’s so annoying,” the West Sea Dragon King said. He ruled the West Sea and didn’t lack Cinnabar Jade. The officials in the Four Seas Ministry had always been those who were loyal to the Heavenly Court. Now, they could use the assessment as an opportunity to remove them and replace them with their own people.
The changes were happening in the Celestial Feather Ministry, but everyone in the Immortal Realm was watching, even the wandering immortals who didn’t follow the Heavenly Court. Some wandering immortals preferred freedom and independence, some couldn’t obtain official positions and had given up even on being candidates for selection, and some couldn’t stand the corruption and hypocrisy of the Heavenly Court. If things improved, some of them might be willing to serve, as the Heavenly Court offered salaries, residences, and access to Daoist texts.
— I guarantee that the Celestial Feather Ministry’s reforms will fail within a few days. Back when I was in the mortal realm, my sect also tried to reform after protests from the outer disciples, but it was abandoned within two days. It affects the interests of so many officials. Will they allow it?
— But this time, the East Abode Master is involved. I heard that some immortals from Danxue Mountain protested, and they were all obliterated. Even the Vermilion Bird and Bifang elders don’t dare to say a word.
— Unless someone can restrain the East Abode Master.
— The North Star Lord is on good terms with her. The West River Lord doesn’t care about worldly affairs. The South Vermilion Lord is terrified. Who else can stop her?
— You’re so naive. Do you think the only capable fighters in the Heavenly Court are the Four Generals? Not to mention the Realm Beyond Heaven, there are also some Star Monarchs in seclusion within the Heavenly Court. They’ve experienced the war between immortals and demons. Although they don’t hold official positions, their disciples are everywhere. Just wait. There will be more drama in a few days.
…
Ming Jian Su saw the discussions on the Chaos Mirror and felt a twinge of annoyance. She knew that some of the old geezers in the Heavenly Court were from the feathered race. If they intervened, what should she do? Kill them all? She hadn’t fought them before and didn’t know their true abilities. Well, it just meant she wasn’t strong enough to create a world where her junior sister could do as she pleased. She only had two swords. It wasn’t enough! Should she go “treasure hunting” on the battlefield between the Immortal and Demon Realms again?
“What are you thinking about?” A weight settled in her arms. Ming Jian Su instinctively wrapped her arms around Feng Chiyue’s waist. “Nothing,” she said, shaking her head. Feng Chiyue hummed in response but didn’t press further. She took out a few elixirs and fed them to Ming Jian Su.
After swallowing them, Ming Jian Su asked, puzzled, “What are these?” She didn’t feel any different.
“Primordial Energy Elixirs,” Feng Chiyue replied casually. She had collected some primordial energy at some point and, seeing it lying around, had combined it with other heavenly treasures to refine elixirs. “Elder Sister, you need to nourish your body. I’m relying on you to cultivate diligently and then transfer your cultivation to me through dual cultivation.”
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