Chapter 58
The Heavenly Emperor hadn’t witnessed the chaos in Danxue Mountain personally, but the fact that many powerful feathered immortals had perished during that time was a testament to the intensity of the conflict. The Phoenix Sovereign wasn’t someone who blindly obeyed his decrees. She had dared to defy him back then. If she were truly alive, no one who had wronged her would be safe. Whether that artifact in the Demon Realm was a deliberate fabrication or not, he had to investigate.
As for Suxin Jianzhu…
He hadn’t associated her with the Phoenix Sovereign in the past. After all, she had emerged from seclusion two hundred years after the Fall of the Phoenix, and he had never heard of any connection between them. Her slaying of Ming Ji had been a morale booster for the Heavenly Court and a blow to the Demon Realm. Thus, not only the other immortals but even he had praised this exceptional wandering immortal. She was dead and posed no threat to his position. But now, her name was linked to the Phoenix Sovereign. She had visited the place where the Phoenix Sovereign had been imprisoned. If the Phoenix Sovereign might still be alive, what about her? She had killed the Demon Sovereign. Could she one day turn her sword against him, the Heavenly Emperor?
Chang Li was implying that the answer lay within that Minor Realm.
Regardless, whenever a new Minor Realm emerged, the Heavenly Court had to fight for control. The location of its entrance didn’t matter. As long as they could extract its nascent Heavenly Dao and integrate it into the Merit Mirror, that Minor Realm would become part of the Immortal Realm, and all ascending human immortals would arrive directly at the Heavenly Gate on Kunlun Mountain. Although human immortals held a lower status in the Heavenly Court, they were still an important part of it. Chang Li’s suggestion to send Ming Jian Su was likely a ploy. Ming Jian Su was indeed powerful, but she wasn’t indispensable for securing the Minor Realm.
The Heavenly Emperor’s expression was grim.
He sent a message to Chang Li: “How is the West Sea Lord?”
In a cave in Asura City, Chang Li was meditating. Sensing activity on the Chaos Mirror, she snapped out of her trance. Seeing his message, she easily imagined his expression. How could she not understand his intentions? He was always so indirect, wanting others to voice his own thoughts. She wanted to laugh, but a tightness in her chest, her magic power clashing with her damaged meridians, caused her to cough up blood. She took a deep breath and replied, “Do you believe the East Abode Master is still under control?”
The Heavenly Emperor’s face darkened, his eyes filled with hatred. If the Heavenly Court was still under his absolute control, he could easily find a reason to dismiss Ming Jian Su. But now, the Celestial Mother would interfere, and even other officials who were friendly with Ming Jian Su might object. Chang Li’s suggestion was sound. Only within that Minor Realm would they have a chance to eliminate her. He replied, “Yes.”
“What if that Minor Realm is the Phoenix Sovereign’s place of Nirvana?” she asked.
Her words struck a nerve, exposing his deepest fear. He knew that Phoenix Mountain had been searching for the Phoenix Sovereign. He hadn’t interfered initially because he had believed she was dead. Later, he had ignored them, wanting to see what they could accomplish. She was nowhere to be found in the Immortal or Demon Realms. Where could she be? Perhaps only in the lower realms. If she had undergone Nirvana in that Minor Realm, could they find her reincarnation among the countless cultivators? The most effective solution was to destroy the entire Minor Realm, completely erasing its nascent Heavenly Dao.
He couldn’t send Ming Jian Su there alone.
He quickly formulated a plan. After putting away the Chaos Mirror, he immediately contacted those in the Realm Beyond Heaven. However, he waited for a long time before a seal flickered faintly, revealing two golden characters: “Ming He.” He frowned and tried again, but no one responded. He was annoyed, but then he realized that they only needed someone to observe the situation within the Minor Realm and destroy its Heavenly Dao if necessary. A single Star Monarch would suffice. As for dealing with the demons, Ming Jian Su could handle that.
He sent a decree to Dong’e Mountain, then instructed an attendant to inform Yu Gao to meet Chang Li in Asura City. If the demons discovered the Minor Realm’s entrance, they wouldn’t miss the opportunity to claim it. Meanwhile, Chang Li and Yu Gao could search for that “Fallen Phoenix” artifact crafted by Ming Ji.
In Dong’e Mountain.
Ming Jian Su received the decree bearing the Heavenly Emperor’s seal and made a sound of surprise.
Hearing her, Feng Chiyue turned to look at her.
Ming Jian Su tossed the decree aside and explained, “Remember that new Minor Realm that appeared in the Demon Realm? The Emperor wants to make it part of the Heavenly Court’s lower realms. He’s ordered me to retrieve its nascent Heavenly Dao and integrate it into the Merit Mirror.” The Emperor’s trust in her had reached an all-time low. He could have easily assigned this task to Ming Yuheng or Bai Guchan, but he had chosen her. It was obvious that this was a trap.
Feng Chiyue didn’t ask for details. “I’m coming too,” she said.
“Alright,” Ming Jian Su agreed. People were treacherous. It was best to keep her junior sister close. Besides, her objections would be futile. If her junior sister wanted to go, she would definitely follow. A shadow crossed her eyes, and she sent a message to the Celestial Mother. If she left the Heavenly Court for that unknown Minor Realm, someone would definitely try to take advantage of the situation and attack the Celestial Feather Ministry. She had worked hard, and she wouldn’t let anyone steal her achievements.
Before leaving, Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue instructed Zhu Wan to take Zhenyu Sword and Selfless Sword to the Celestial Feather Ministry.
They were leaving these two swords behind to deter any foolish troublemakers.
The Emperor had issued a decree, and naturally, he had assigned several officials to accompany Ming Jian Su.
On the day of their departure, those officials stood outside Dong’e Mountain, their heads bowed, not daring to breathe.
They had enjoyed watching others’ misfortunes on the Chaos Mirror, never imagining they would find themselves on such a dangerous path.
Ming Jian Su ignored them completely. Upon leaving the mountain, she urged the golden chariot forward, transforming into a streak of light, heading towards the Sui River.
The officials exchanged uneasy glances. “Should we go back?” someone finally said, and a wave of unrest spread through the group. Go back? Where could they go? They could only resign themselves to their fate and follow.
How could the demons not sense the appearance of a new Minor Realm in the Cold Prison?
The fire engulfing the Cold Prison and the altered landscape had deterred them, but they were still willing to risk it for sufficient profit. After Chang Li’s discreet departure, a nearby demon general, reluctantly, ventured into the Cold Prison and found the vortex, temporarily sealed by talismans. Not daring to act on his own, he rushed back to the Demon Palace and reported to Tu Shan Liusu.
Tu Shan Liusu was busy grooming her beautiful, fluffy tails, channeling her magic power. Without even looking up, she said, “Go if you want.”
The general frowned, touching the horn on his forehead. What did she mean, “Go if you want”? He hesitated, then said, “The Demon Realm has far fewer Minor Realms under its control than the Heavenly Court. It’s been thousands of years since a passage appeared. The fact that it appeared in our territory means that fate is on our side! We can seize it before the Heavenly Court and use it to strengthen our forces.”
“Where did this vortex appear?” Tu Shan Liusu asked.
The general’s eyes widened, his confusion growing, but he still answered honestly, “In the Cold Prison.”
Tu Shan Liusu had some patience for those who were pleasing to the eye. She propped her chin on her hand and smiled. “What is the Cold Prison?”
“A prison…” A spark of understanding finally flickered in his dull mind. His heart sank. “The place where the Previous Demon Sovereign imprisoned the Phoenix Sovereign,” he said.
She chuckled. “You can’t possibly go there, can you?” She thought for a moment. “Send those who spend their days kowtowing at the Hall of Heroes. Let them follow in the Previous Demon Sovereign’s footsteps and make themselves useful.”
The general: “…”
Tu Shan Liusu didn’t care about his thoughts. After Ming Ji’s death, his head had been taken back to the Heavenly Court by Suxin and likely reduced to ashes. His body had been left where it was. There were no remains in his coffin. Word had spread. Ming Jian Su, with her stupid junior sister’s life in her hands, would definitely investigate. How could she not be concerned about anything related to the Phoenix Sovereign? The scene she had been anticipating was about to unfold. Excitement surged within her, her demonic energy swirling around her.
She took out the Chaos Mirror and contacted Tu Shan Bi, hoping to gather information. However, despite the name seal flashing for a long time, Tu Shan Bi didn’t respond.
Had something happened in Qingqiu? She frowned and was about to investigate when Tu Shan Bi’s name seal finally lit up. However, her image didn’t appear.
“What is it?”
Her tone was cold. She must be in a bad mood. Tu Shan Liusu didn’t insist on seeing her. “Has the ‘Selfless Sword’ been delivered?” she asked.
“Yes,” Tu Shan Bi replied.
Tu Shan Liusu was relieved.
Among Suxin’s countless swords, “Selfless” wasn’t particularly powerful in battle, but it was crucial.
Only after obtaining it would Ming Jian Su be truly complete. After “Selfless” came “True Self.”
She was in a good mood and wanted to chat with Tu Shan Bi, but Tu Shan Bi ignored her. She clicked her tongue, deciding not to push her luck, and contacted Tu Shan Xiurong instead. When her familiar, impatient face appeared, she smiled.
“Junior Sister, what’s wrong with Tu Shan Bi?” she asked.
Tu Shan Xiurong was furious upon seeing her. How could there be such a treacherous Elder Sister in the world? Look at Ming Jian Su’s devotion to Feng Chiyue. And what about her? Tu Shan Liusu had almost killed her! A thousand curses welled up within her, but she swallowed them. “I used depilatory cream on her,” she said coldly. Seeing Tu Shan Liusu’s surprise, she glared at her nine tails and added viciously, “I was going to use it on you.”
Tu Shan Liusu: “…” Unable to imagine Tu Shan Bi’s current state, she tucked her tails closer and asked, “Where did you get it?” Would any alchemist in the Immortal Realm create such a wicked concoction? Should she find an opportunity to eliminate them?
Tu Shan Xiurong’s smile turned even colder. “The Celestial Feather Ministry,” she said, then, ignoring her reaction, her image vanished.
Tu Shan Liusu sighed regretfully. She had to admit, she couldn’t touch the Celestial Feather Ministry.
Thankfully, she was in the Demon Abyss. Tu Shan Xiurong wouldn’t come here. It seemed she should avoid Qingqiu for now and let Tu Shan Bi suffer.
Outside the Cold Prison.
Demon warriors had already set up camp.
Chang Li had extinguished some of the flames earlier, and the demons were gradually advancing towards the Cold Prison’s interior, constructing altars and using their formations to suppress the raging fire.
“This Minor Realm chose a convenient entrance,” a demon grumbled, building an altar. This meant extra work for them, and they weren’t even sure if there would be any rewards.
“What if the Minor Realm is rich in resources? We’ll be the first to enter and enjoy…”
“Don’t even dream about it,” another demon interrupted, kicking the lazy one. “Hurry up! What if the Heavenly Court arrives?” Whenever a Minor Realm appeared in the Demon Realm, the Heavenly Court would try to seize it, and vice versa. Both sides had a tacit understanding not to start a war over it.
“Impossible,” he said, but just as he finished speaking, a golden light, like a shooting star, streaked across the sky, leaving a long trail in the gloomy clouds.
“Are those Heavenly Court officials?” the demon building the altar asked nervously.
The more perceptive demons had already dropped their tools, ready to flee.
From the blinding golden light emerged a chariot, its bells tinkling melodiously. It seemed to ignore the raging flames, stopping amidst the molten rock and lava.
It was less than ten feet away from the nearest demon altar.
The demons watched helplessly as a figure in azure robes emerged from the chariot, her sleeves billowing in the wind like a crane spreading its wings.
“It’s… it’s Ming Jian Su!” a sharp cry pierced the air.
Some demons scattered like birds and beasts, while others, determined to maintain their dignity, stubbornly remained, their hands clutching their weapons, trembling as if they had been plunged into an icy abyss.
Ming Jian Su didn’t even spare those insignificant demons a glance. She took out a phoenix feather from her sleeve and, with a gentle flick, sent the surrounding flames surging towards it like angry dragons. The demons hoped to see her consumed by the flames, but their hopes were dashed. She remained unharmed, and the feather in her hand shimmered with five-colored flames, a beautiful sight. She carefully put away the feather, then lifted the chariot’s curtain, helping Feng Chiyue out.
The moment she stepped out, Feng Chiyue said, “The Cold Prison.” She touched her forehead, a wave of anger surging within her. The flames, momentarily subdued by the feather, flared up again. The magma flowed faster, and the altars, struggling to contain the fire, emitted a sharp cracking sound, collapsing from below like melting ice. Flames engulfed everything. The demons, snapping out of their daze, had no time to fight. They fled in terror, as if pursued by a monstrous beast.
“Junior Sister?” Ming Jian Su frowned, looking at her.
Feng Chiyue patted her hand reassuringly. She observed the rekindled flames of the Cold Prison, her eyes filled with genuine wonder. “Such beautiful fire,” she said.
Ming Jian Su: “…” It was indeed beautiful, the fire covering the ground, the sky a crimson expanse, as if burned through by the endless flames. This was the place where the Phoenix Sovereign had been imprisoned. Would revisiting it trigger some memories? After all, Danxue Mountain and Phoenix Mountain were also her former homes, and she hadn’t remembered anything.
“Let’s go,” Feng Chiyue urged.
Ming Jian Su looked at the flames beneath their feet and didn’t say anything more. She was about to use her magic power to shield them from the heat, but as they took a step forward, the flames parted before them. The intense heat dissipated before reaching them, leaving only sparks scattering like fireworks.
Feng Chiyue scoffed and, with a flick of her sleeve, pushed the flames further away.
By the time the other officials arrived, Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue had vanished into the flames. Seeing the inferno, they stopped, but the demon warriors, fleeing the flames, had also emerged. They couldn’t defeat Ming Jian Su, but they could certainly handle a group of officials. Without hesitation, both sides clashed.
Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue had already reached the vortex.
The talismans, their power depleted, lay scattered on the ground like scraps of paper.
There were no flames here, but a faint sword energy lingered, whispering mournfully in the wind, like a sorrowful cry.
For a moment, Ming Jian Su felt a bone-chilling coldness. She pursed her lips, finally understanding the meaning of “Cold” in “Cold Prison.” Fleeting images flashed before her eyes, but they remained blurry.
Suddenly, a wave of warmth enveloped her hand, dispelling the inexplicable chill.
She turned her head and saw Feng Chiyue smiling at her. Countless flames, like a rising sun, surged upwards from the distance, their light washing over them like a golden tide.
“Are you still cold, Elder Sister?” Feng Chiyue asked, her eyes twinkling.
Ming Jian Su shook her head. She wanted to say something, but her mind was blank. She sighed softly. “Shall we enter?” she asked.
Feng Chiyue stared at the vortex ahead. “I’ve never been to the lower realms,” she said, smiling. “I wonder what it’s like.”
“There are many Minor Realms, each unique,” Ming Jian Su said, thinking. “This one appeared in the Demon Abyss. Perhaps the cultivators there mainly practice demonic techniques.” But it didn’t matter. As long as they extracted the Minor Realm’s nascent Heavenly Dao and integrated it into the Merit Mirror, they could reshape its path, replacing demonic techniques with immortal cultivation methods. She held Feng Chiyue’s hand tightly and stepped into the vortex.
The moment they vanished, Ming He Star Monarch arrived. He was enveloped in a faint blue light, shielding him from the raging flames. He had seen the officials clashing with the demons, but he had ignored them, his focus solely on entering the Minor Realm.
The Heavenly Emperor had ordered him to destroy the Minor Realm’s nascent Heavenly Dao if any problems arose, but he had other plans. He still remembered the humiliation of having his abode destroyed by a single sword strike from the Realm Beyond Heaven. How could he not seek revenge? Ming Jian Su might be incredibly powerful in the Heavenly Court, but upon entering a Minor Realm, her cultivation would be suppressed to the limit that the realm could withstand. If she exceeded that limit, she would be expelled. This meant that they were now on equal footing. He refused to believe that he still couldn’t defeat her!
The spiritual energy within the Minor Realm was far less abundant than in the Immortal Realm.
Upon entering the vortex, both Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue’s cultivation levels were suppressed to the realm’s limit. They arrived on a massive tree, its branches seemingly touching the sky. Ming Jian Su couldn’t help but think of the Jianmu tree, the stairway to heaven, and she frowned slightly. Only cultivation worlds could connect to the upper realms. She sensed a flicker of spiritual energy and easily determined the Minor Realm’s age. “This realm has existed for ten thousand years, but its Dao foundation is weak, its Dao thin. Cultivation techniques have only emerged within the past thousand years.”
“This parasol tree grew so tall in just a thousand years?” Feng Chiyue asked, plucking a leaf. “It has no sentience.”
“Something’s strange,” Ming Jian Su said. She extended her divine sense downwards and discovered numerous cage-like houses hanging from the tree’s branches. She didn’t conceal her presence, and after a moment, several aggressive auras surged from those cages, clashing with her divine sense. Those auras were considered powerful in the lower realms, but compared to Ming Jian Su, they were like ants trying to shake a giant tree. It was only because she harbored no killing intent that they escaped unscathed.
“They’re demon beasts,” she said softly, but she felt a strange sense of distortion, as if she were looking through a veil.
Feng Chiyue nodded absently.
Sensing her unusual mood, Ming Jian Su ignored the Minor Realm’s situation and looked at her with concern. “What’s wrong, Junior Sister?”
Feng Chiyue lowered her gaze and said slowly, “Those in the cages are phoenixes. They’re using something to conceal their auras, but it’s useless against me.”
Ming Jian Su’s heart sank. A Minor Realm had appeared in the Cold Prison, where the Phoenix Sovereign had been imprisoned, and within this Minor Realm, there were numerous phoenixes living in those cages. She couldn’t help but overthink it.
As they spoke, several streaks of light shot out from the cages. Several phoenixes flew towards them, landing on the parasol tree. Unlike those from Phoenix Mountain, they were enveloped in black flames, their aura demonic and sinister.
Ming Jian Su looked up, but her vision suddenly went dark. Feng Chiyue had covered her eyes with her hand. “Don’t look!” she said.
Ming Jian Su realized that her junior sister was angry, but she didn’t understand why. She blinked and said quickly, “I won’t look. They’re covered in black flames. They’re not pretty anyway.”
Feng Chiyue’s body stiffened. “What did you say?” she asked, her voice sharp, incredulous.
Ming Jian Su: “…” Had she said something wrong? Were those demon phoenixes with their black flames truly beautiful? Surely her junior sister’s taste hadn’t deteriorated that much after descending to the lower realms.
Her words, instead of comforting her junior sister, had clearly angered those phoenixes. However, restrained by her mysterious aura, they held back their anger and, transforming into their human forms, glared at them from the branches.
Feng Chiyue snorted coldly and removed her hand.
Ming Jian Su looked up.
The phoenixes before her were indeed beautiful, their lips red, their cheeks rosy, their figures graceful, meeting Phoenix Mountain’s standards.
She didn’t dare to look too closely. She simply memorized their appearances and averted her gaze. She reached for Feng Chiyue’s hand, but she was pinched several times. Thankfully, her wide sleeves concealed their movements.
“Where do you come from?” the leading phoenix asked coldly. “Why have you trespassed in our sacred land?”
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