Chapter 46 p1
Asura City was a dangerous place. The confrontation between the Heavenly Emperor and the Celestial Mother became increasingly apparent due to the Danxue Mountain incident, and Chu Yi, caught in the middle, found it difficult to navigate the situation perfectly. What could she do to break free from this predicament? While Ying Cunxin was still pondering Chu Yi’s situation, the mournful sound of horns reached her ears. Before she could even rise from her bed of seashells, a procession of mermaids entered, requesting her presence at the main hall of the Crystal Palace for a meeting.
Ying Cunxin rubbed her forehead. The current topic of discussion was the “Four Seas Department.” They couldn’t simply copy the Celestial Feather Ministry’s model. They needed to develop a system that suited the Four Seas. However, even with these efforts, the Four Seas Department had received a cold reception from the Heavenly Emperor. Clearly, the Emperor himself was strongly opposed to any major changes within the Heavenly Court’s departments. He was a stubborn old fool. Ying Cunxin cursed him silently but maintained a calm and aloof expression as she replied, “I understand.”
She rose slowly. Before leaving, fearing that Chu Yi might suddenly contact her, she sent her a message: “Discussions regarding the Four Seas Department are still ongoing. We’ll chat when I have time.”
Seeing Ying Cunxin’s name seal flashing, Chu Yi initially ignored it. She scanned through the recent documents from Asura City, searching for clues. The battlefield between gods and demons had become a “gold mine” for officials, a place where they could easily earn merits and climb the ranks. While there were many skirmishes between the two realms, sometimes battles were fought with a tacit understanding, a deviation from the norm. After a while, she set aside the documents and focused her consciousness on the Chaos Mirror. Seeing Ying Cunxin’s message, she scoffed. “Chat when I have time.” How long had Ying Cunxin ignored her? She had probably met some charming dragon in the West Sea or the North Sea while discussing the Four Seas Department reforms.
Banishing Ying Cunxin’s face from her mind, Chu Yi contacted Ming Jian Su. Discussions about Pengyuan Mountain were raging on the Chaos Mirror. She wondered if they had uncovered anything new. “Has there been any further activity in Pengyuan Mountain?” she asked.
“We’re not in Pengyuan Mountain anymore,” Ming Jian Su replied.
Chu Yi was startled. They weren’t in Pengyuan Mountain, nor had they returned to the battlefield. Had they gone back to the Heavenly Court? She frowned. “Where are you?”
“The Realm Beyond Heaven,” Ming Jian Su said.
Chu Yi: “…”
***
When Ming Jian Su answered Chu Yi, she and Feng Chiyue hadn’t actually reached the Realm Beyond Heaven yet.
The Realm Beyond Heaven was a secluded place where Star Monarchs and wandering immortals who wished to avoid the conflicts of the Heavenly Court went to cultivate. It was isolated from the affairs of the Immortal Realm. However, being in the Realm Beyond Heaven didn’t mean complete separation from the world. Yuan Yao Star Monarch, for example, had been summoned back by Danxue Mountain. Ming Jian Su had never been to the Realm Beyond Heaven, but she had read about it in the Immortal Realm’s records. It was located at the southern end of the Sui River, where a towering Jianmu tree, its peak beyond sight, served as a stairway to the realm.
“Some unofficial notes divide the Realm Beyond Heaven into Upper Realm and Lower Realm,” Ming Jian Su explained. “The immortals cultivating in the Upper Realm never interfere in the Heavenly Court’s affairs. But those in the Lower Realm haven’t completely severed their ties with the world, like Yuan Yao Star Monarch.” Over the past thousand years, many Star Monarchs had resigned from their positions and gone to the Realm Beyond Heaven to cultivate. Their cultivation levels were probably similar to Yuan Yao Star Monarch’s. She was being reasonable. She was only there to collect some spoils of war. Surely those immortals wouldn’t try to stop her?
Feng Chiyue snorted, her gaze fixed on the towering Jianmu(World) tree, a strange expression in her eyes.
Ming Jian Su took her hand and easily sensed her emotional shift. She gently rubbed the back of her hand with her thumb. “It’ll be quick. Or do you want to go back to Dong’e Mountain and wait for me?”
“No,” Feng Chiyue said without hesitation.
***
In the Realm Beyond Heaven.
Since this was a place of secluded cultivation, the Chaos Mirror’s network didn’t reach here. However, the immortals still had their own methods of communicating with the lower realms. For instance, at this moment, many Star Monarchs had learned about Yuan Yao Star Monarch’s death from their juniors. Those of human origin remained indifferent, but the feathered Star Monarchs couldn’t help but gather to discuss the matter. Most of them had come to the Realm Beyond Heaven after the Fall of the Phoenix, hoping to sever their ties with the world and erase any trace of karma, fearing the Phoenix’s return.
“Fellow Daoist Yuan Yao shouldn’t have been so impulsive. We’re already in the Realm Beyond Heaven. Why bother with the affairs of the lower realm?” An elder with a long white beard said, shaking his head and sighing.
“The Celestial Feather Ministry is undergoing major changes. It might not be our disciples who rise to prominence in the future.”
“What do those people think? Don’t they support the Heavenly Emperor?” the elder in white asked. He was referring to the Heavenly Immortals of human origin, former or even earlier retainers of the Heavenly Emperor. Most of them had gone to the Upper Realm, but some, unable to let go of the past, remained in the Lower Realm, keeping an eye on the Heavenly Court.
“It’s the Celestial Mother who’s pushing for these changes.”
“I thought the current Celestial Mother was in seclusion. Shouldn’t she be working together with the Heavenly Emperor?” The speaker’s tone was filled with surprise.
…
As they discussed the matter, a faint bell chime echoed from the sky. Almost simultaneously, everyone turned to look at the Jianmu tree. The ringing of the heavenly bell signaled the arrival of someone new in the Realm Beyond Heaven. Who could it be?
“They didn’t continue climbing the Jianmu tree to the Upper Realm. They’re going to register in the Lower Realm.” Almost all the immortals in the Lower Realm who were paying attention to the Jianmu tree sensed the approaching energy. Since the Lower Realm maintained connections with the Heavenly Court, conflicts and factions were inevitable. These Star Monarchs often enjoyed giving newcomers a “taste of their power.”
A brilliant light flashed across the sky, rippling like water, instantly enveloping half the heavens. The entire Lower Realm paled in comparison to its dazzling brilliance. It surged towards the Jianmu tree’s gate, attempting to suppress the powerful, foreign energy.
“It’s Ming He Star Monarch again,” a knowledgeable Star Monarch said with a sigh.
Ming He Star Monarch was known for his domineering and aggressive nature. Ever since he arrived in the Lower Realm, he had made it a point to display his power to every newcomer who came to register, making sure they knew who was in charge.
But just as the gate was about to shift, a boundless, overwhelming energy surged upwards from below, shaking the entire Realm Beyond Heaven. Even the Jianmu tree swayed violently, its branches rustling urgently. The scene, as if the heavens and earth were collapsing, filled many Star Monarchs with fear and trepidation. They stared intently at the Jianmu(World) gate, their expressions wary, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Moments later, amidst the blinding light, a sword beam shot out, slashing towards the dazzling light ahead. It split the clouds, leaving a long trail of energy in its wake. Not only was the light shattered, but even the clouds in the sky were torn apart by the powerful sword energy. Ming He Star Monarch’s power had been vast and overwhelming, but upon seeing the sword light, they couldn’t gauge its strength. When sword intent descended, all else ceased to exist. Their senses were seemingly erased by the sword light. Only a sliver of their consciousness remained, aware of their continued existence.
The sword light reached Ming He Star Monarch’s abode. A series of violent explosions echoed from that location, followed by a furious roar. However, after a brief surge of magic power, the voice gradually faded.
Who had come? Was there such a powerful figure in the Heavenly Court? The Star Monarchs in the Realm Beyond Heaven were stunned.
***
Climbing the Jianmu tree was no easy feat. Ming Jian Su had long since grown impatient with the long journey. Finally reaching the gate to the Lower Realm, she was met with yet another obstacle. If it had been a natural barrier, she wouldn’t have minded, but the fluctuating spiritual energy clearly belonged to some immortal’s magical technique. Was she being stopped even from entering the Realm Beyond Heaven? Ming Jian Su had never been one to back down from a challenge. The moment she realized she was being intercepted, she summoned her magic sword and slashed forward.
Feng Chiyue also found these obstacles annoying. “The Realm Beyond Heaven isn’t a good place,” she declared.
“A place that could produce a villain like Yuan Yao Star Monarch must be evil,” Ming Jian Su agreed. She was tempted to simply cut down the entire Jianmu tree. If it was called the Realm Beyond Heaven, it should stay beyond the heavens and have nothing to do with the Immortal Realm.
“Who are you?” A surprised voice rang out from the sky as Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue emerged from the light.
Ming Jian Su frowned slightly. A quick scan revealed dozens of different energy signatures nearby. She summoned three magic swords, which circled her like streaks of light. Taking out the East Abode Master’s seal, she said calmly, “Yuan Yao, a criminal from the Realm Beyond Heaven, colluded with the demons. This humble Daoist is here to investigate.”
Upon hearing these words, over a dozen energy signatures retreated. The one who had spoken initially remained silent for a moment, then chuckled. “So, you’re an emissary from the Heavenly Court.”
Ming Jian Su smiled faintly, accepting the title of “emissary.” “Where can I find the criminal Yuan Yao’s abode?” she asked. Silence. After a long moment, a beam of light descended. Ming Jian Su caught it and found it to be a map of the Lower Realm. She didn’t know who had sent it. She bowed and said, “Thank you.” Then, with a whistle, she summoned a golden chariot. Helping Feng Chiyue into the chariot, she stood outside and drove towards Yuan Yao’s abode.
They didn’t conceal their arrival, and news of the emissary from the Heavenly Court quickly spread throughout the Realm Beyond Heaven.
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