Chapter 66
Fear, confusion, then terror and anxiety washed over the feathered immortals gathered on the mountain.
After the Phoenix Sovereign’s fall, the feathered lineages had split. The Vermilion Birds of Danxue Mountain had claimed to be the lords of all feathered beings, but it was merely wishful thinking.
Who, besides the Phoenix Sovereign, could truly be considered their ruler?
What did Ming Jian Su mean by those words?
Fragmented memories coalesced, and a thought struck them like lightning. They had assumed, based on their knowledge of the Phoenix Sovereign, that Feng Chiyue couldn’t possibly be her. She was lazy, extravagant, aloof, and indifferent towards Danxue Mountain—but what if her personality had changed drastically after that disaster?
If Feng Chiyue was the Phoenix Sovereign, then Ming Jian Su’s actions against Danxue Mountain suddenly made sense.
She had forcefully pushed for reforms within the Celestial Feather Ministry for the Sovereign’s sake. She had expelled the feathered lineages from Danxue Mountain, mercilessly eliminated those who resisted, and now, she had arrived with a vengeance, seeking to settle that ancient grudge!
The elders of the Vermilion Bird, Swan Goose, and other lineages turned to look at Feng Chiyue.
They couldn’t find the coldness of a snow-capped mountain in her eyes, nor the righteousness and innocence they had once seen. Her expression was filled with a bright, radiant smile, as dazzling as a thousand blooming peach trees. But they felt no sense of kinship, only a widening gulf, an insurmountable chasm.
After the Phoenix Sovereign had abandoned them, she wouldn’t care about their fate. This was a merciless slaughter.
The leading Vermilion Bird’s face contorted with a mixture of emotions, a grotesque mask of fear and anger. He struggled to find his voice. “The events of the past have already been settled,” he said, his voice strained. “We respect our Sovereign’s noble sacrifice. I…” Before he could finish his defense, a sharp sword hymn pierced the air, and a blinding sword beam, unstoppable, swept towards them.
How could they simply wait for their deaths? They summoned their weapons and, uniting their forces, faced the attack.
Seeing their unity, Ming Jian Su’s anger surged like a tidal wave. They had used the same tactics against the Phoenix Sovereign, hadn’t they? They were remarkably united when it came to protecting their own interests.
Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue’s attack on the new Danxue Mountain was a grand spectacle.
The Heavenly Emperor, already enraged by Yunze Young Lord’s words on the Chaos Mirror, was now even more furious upon hearing about Ming Jian Su’s actions. His eyes were bloodshot. The Celestial Pivot Department, controlled by the Celestial Mother’s faction, was useless. If they intervened, not only would no one in Danxue Mountain survive, but Dao Ling Star Monarch would also find a way to exonerate Ming Jian Su.
The officials in the hall were also shocked. Si Li Star Monarch’s eye twitched. He bowed and said, “Ming Jian Su is wreaking havoc in the Immortal Realm. Why don’t we ask the West Sea Lord and the Polaris Lord to capture her and then interrogate her?” Ming Yuheng, the Polaris Lord, had ascended from the lower realm and had been close to Ming Jian Su. He couldn’t be trusted. But Bai Guchan, the West Sea Lord, would obey the Emperor’s orders.
The Emperor, his face grim, issued decrees to both Ming Yuheng and Bai Guchan.
But at this critical moment, news arrived from Asura City: the officials sent to negotiate with the Demon Abyss had somehow offended Tu Shan Liusu, and the talks had completely collapsed. The demons, with remarkable speed, had gathered their forces, a vast, black cloud advancing towards the battlefield!
The Immortal Realm had stationed troops in Asura City, but they were only sufficient for dealing with minor skirmishes. They couldn’t withstand the full might of the Demon Abyss. If they didn’t mobilize their armies, the demons would overrun the battlefield, cross the Sui River separating the two realms, and invade! Compared to this, Ming Jian Su’s conflict with Danxue Mountain seemed trivial. In the past, whenever the battlefield was threatened, the four generals had taken turns defending it. But now, with Ming Jian Su rebelling and Chang Li imprisoned, only two remained. Until he found suitable replacements, the Emperor had no choice but to send them to the battlefield.
He still resented Ming Jian Su and, wanting to accuse her of colluding with the demons, said in front of all the officials, “What a coincidence. As soon as she rebels, the demons invade.” This was a common tactic, attempting to discredit her morally.
The officials didn’t dare to argue, but some thought, “When else would the demons invade if not when the Heavenly Court is in turmoil?” Fear and anxiety filled their hearts. They were afraid that they would be the next ones sent to the battlefield. With Bai Guchan and Ming Yuheng both going, who else would the Emperor appoint?
He did indeed have a plan. His gaze, cold and menacing, swept across the officials. “Those feathered immortals in Danxue Mountain are innocent,” he said. “With the West Sea Lord and the Polaris Lord absent, are there no others in the Heavenly Court capable of capturing them?” He paused, then named five Star Monarchs, affixing the Heavenly Constitution Seal to his decree, ordering them to arrest Ming Jian Su!
Seeing the seal, the officials knew that the Emperor was serious. There was no room for negotiation.
They had assumed that the decree presented by Si Lu Star Monarch from the Heavenly Prosperity Department had been forged, unaware that Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue possessed the ability to erase the Heavenly Constitution Seal. Now, holding the Emperor’s decree, they finally felt a surge of confidence.
With the power of the Heavenly Dao to restrain them, this task shouldn’t be too difficult, right?
When the Star Monarchs, bearing the Emperor’s decree, arrived at the new Danxue Mountain, they were met with a scene of devastation.
The stench of blood filled the air. Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue stood in mid-air, their hands clasped behind their backs, while the feathered immortals lay scattered, dead or injured.
The leading Vermilion Bird, barely clinging to life with the help of a secret artifact, was overjoyed to see the Star Monarchs and the Heavenly Soldiers. He felt a surge of relief and, with his last ounce of strength, shouted, “The Phoenix Sovereign has returned! She’s here for revenge!”
The Phoenix Sovereign? The Star Monarchs’ eyelids twitched, a sense of foreboding washing over them. They stared at Feng Chiyue, who was playing with the bells and jade pendants on her waist, speechless.
If the Phoenix Sovereign was involved, things would get complicated! The Heavenly Court’s peace would be shattered.
“The Phoenix Sovereign isn’t dead!” the Vermilion Bird continued shouting. “The phoenix undergoes Nirvana. She’s already back!”
Ming Jian Su didn’t bother stopping him. Her junior sister was the Phoenix Sovereign, and she would reclaim her vengeance on this very land! She wasn’t afraid of the Heavenly Court finding out. Only after the Vermilion Bird had finished his panicked rant did she scoff. “How noisy,” she said. Her sword flashed, unleashing the “Heaven and Earth Reunited” technique. Not only the Vermilion Bird but also the other defeated feathered immortals standing near him were instantly reduced to dust, scattering in the wind.
The officials’ expressions were beyond “terrified.” Their faces contorted with a mixture of emotions. After stammering for a moment, they finally took out the decree bearing the Heavenly Constitution Seal and declared, “Ming Jian Su, a wandering immortal from Morning Phoenix Mountain, is rebellious and defiant, repeatedly violating the Heavenly Court’s laws, colluding with the demons, and harming her fellow Daoists. Her crimes are unforgivable…”
The Heavenly Constitution represented the will of the Heavenly Dao. Its words were law, absolute and undeniable.
Ming Jian Su listened, unfazed, a flicker of amusement in her eyes.
Seeing that she wasn’t attacking, the officials sighed in relief.
But suddenly, a flash of light blinded them. The decree had been snatched away, too quickly for them to react.
Feng Chiyue held the decree, a smile playing on her lips.
“Junior Sister?” Ming Jian Su frowned slightly, remembering the previous incident. Even though it had been harmless, merely causing temporary sleep, she still felt uneasy.
“It’s fine,” Feng Chiyue said, sensing her worry. She didn’t do anything more but simply handed the decree back to Ming Jian Su. “The Mandate of Heaven is shifting,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “The Heavenly Constitution Seal has lost its power. It seems the Heavenly Court is about to have a new ruler.” Her voice was calm, but her words were shocking. The officials, hearing such blasphemy, exchanged uneasy glances, their throats constricted as if they had swallowed hot iron. They couldn’t utter a single word.
Ming Jian Su pondered for a moment, then summoned Undefeated.
She held up the decree, and the sword, with a flash of light, tore it to shreds.
This wasn’t just defiance. It was a blatant humiliation of the Heavenly Emperor.
A strong wind blew, swirling clouds around them, its sound filling the air.
The Star Monarchs who had come under the Emperor’s orders felt a surge of fear.
If the Heavenly Constitution Seal couldn’t restrain Ming Jian Su, what could they possibly use to fight her? Their own heads? And was Feng Chiyue telling the truth? Was the Mandate of Heaven shifting, the Emperor about to be overthrown? Was this the will of the Heavenly Dao? Confusion filled their eyes. Their own safety was at stake. They had to be cautious. However, one of them, completely loyal to the Emperor, glared at Ming Jian Su and, waving his hand at the Heavenly Soldiers behind him, roared, “Draw your bows!” At his command, countless arrows were aimed at Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue.
“You might be incredibly skilled, Fellow Daoist,” he said, “but can you truly escape from thousands of enemies alone?”
“You’re wrong,” Ming Jian Su said calmly. She looked at the Heavenly Soldiers and smiled faintly. “Who said we’re alone?”
They hadn’t rebuilt the Feather Guards for nothing!
A long, sharp bird cry pierced the air, and dozens of flying ships, like shooting stars, appeared in the sky. Each ship was as large as a small mountain, its length exceeding two hundred feet. A six-story pagoda stood on its deck, its bells tinkling in the wind. Two flags, each bearing the image of a phoenix, fluttered on either side, billowing in the wind.
Que Chenyi, Qing Xun, Chang Huai, and Zhu Wan were the first to leap off the ships, bowing to Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue.
Ming Jian Su wasn’t reckless. Before coming to Danxue Mountain, she had given Que Chenyi orders.
Knowing that chaos was inevitable, Que Chenyi hadn’t asked any questions and had immediately made arrangements. Within a single night, she had assembled the Feather Guards, eliminating any potential dissenters among the Vermilion Bird and Swan Goose lineages’ followers. The Feather Guards on those ships were now loyal to the Celestial Feather Ministry!
Feng Chiyue looked up at the phoenix flag.
The golden phoenix, meticulously embroidered, seemed to be taking flight.
But this wouldn’t do. She raised her hand and, with a gentle tap, sent a red light towards the phoenix’s eye, bringing the flag to life. Flames erupted, engulfing the flag, and a phoenix phantom, with a piercing cry, soared into the sky! One, two… Flames spread to hundreds of flags, phoenixes merging and intertwining, gradually forming a massive phoenix manifestation that covered half the sky!
The entire Immortal Realm witnessed this spectacle.
The human immortals were awestruck, while the feathered lineages were filled with excitement. They gazed at the phoenix manifestation, and the clan leaders summoned their own manifestations. The heavens and earth churned, thunder rumbled, and lightning flashed. Beams of light shot upwards, transforming into various bird forms, bowing before the phoenix.
Waves surged on the sea, and the aquatic soldiers stared at the sky in wonder. Soon, the Four Seas Dragon Lords gathered, emerging from the water, their gazes fixed on the radiant heavens.
“What are the feathered lineages doing?”
“All birds pay homage to the phoenix. There’s no one in Phoenix Mountain capable of such a feat. It must be her.”
“The Demon Abyss is invading, and the Heavenly Court is in chaos. What should we do?”
The East Sea Dragon Lord, knowing some of the details, sighed deeply. “This isn’t just a conflict between gods and demons,” he said. “It’s also a power struggle between those at the very top.”
“I heard that Cunxin is still in the Heavenly Court. Has she sent any news?” the West Sea Dragon Lord asked.
“The chaos hasn’t reached us yet. Let’s wait and see.”
The sudden change in the heavens alerted the Heavenly Emperor even before any official could report it.
He vanished from the Purple Empyrean Palace and reappeared before the Great Yin Palace. However, the soft moonlight emanating from the palace filled him with uncertainty. He couldn’t cross that barrier. His eyes narrowed, and he raised his hand, a wave of magic power surging forward. Only after a series of chimes echoed through the air did he see the figure emerging from the moonlight. “You knew all along, didn’t you?” he asked coldly.
“Are you satisfied now that the Mandate of Heaven is in disarray and chaos reigns?”
The Celestial Mother smiled faintly. “You make it sound like it’s all my fault. I have an idea to resolve this conflict.”
His mind was in turmoil. “What idea?” he asked impatiently.
“The Heavenly Emperor steps down, and the most capable takes his place.”
He glared at her. “What nonsense are you spouting?” he roared. “Don’t forget, you’re the Great Yin, bound to me by the Mandate of Heaven.”
She didn’t answer. She cupped her hand, gathering a wisp of moonlight, and gently blew on it. The moonlight, like a delicate thread, floated before her, then, with a burst of light, it blazed like the sun. Above the palace, behind the waxing and waning moon, a full moon suddenly appeared, its light shifting from pale to crimson.
“Do you see? The Taiji manifestation, yin and yang revealed, sun and moon sharing the sky!” With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed a wave of energy towards him, her killing intent clear.
He had been wary of her and had come prepared. A golden light flashed around him, deflecting her attack. He hadn’t expected her to cultivate such a technique. If he wasn’t careful, it could lead to his demise. His vision blurred. “It was you!” he said through gritted teeth. No wonder she had been in seclusion for a thousand years. This technique was too dangerous to be revealed!
She didn’t answer. She knew that he had come prepared and that she couldn’t capture him, but she had still attacked.
Only when he was away from the Purple Empyrean Palace would Chu Yi have an opportunity to replace the Merit Mirror!
In the Purple Empyrean Palace.
After the meeting adjourned, the hall was empty.
Chaos reigned in the Heavenly Court and on the battlefield, but here, peace and tranquility prevailed, as if separated from the world’s turmoil.
Chu Yi knew where the Merit Mirror was kept. After discreetly replacing it, she didn’t linger, silently retreating from the hall.
Only when she returned to the Azure Sovereign Hall, unnoticed, did she sigh in relief.
“Aren’t you worried about the current chaos?” Ying Cunxin asked. The imbalance between yin and yang could be devastating to the Immortal Realm.
“I am,” she admitted, then added, “But I trust my mother.” She took out the Merit Mirror. A single thought was enough to reveal the situation at the various Heavenly Gates. The conflict was limited to Danxue Mountain. The guardians were still diligently performing their duties. Afraid of attracting attention, she didn’t examine it closely. She withdrew her consciousness and, flipping the mirror over, frowned. “This Merit Mirror is a Dao artifact created by the Heavenly Dao itself. Why are there so many cracks on its back?”
Ying Cunxin, born a Heavenly Immortal, had no interest in the Heavenly Court’s Merit Mirror. She glanced at Chu Yi and said with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, “Perhaps it’s retiring along with its former master. When the new master appears, I wonder what grand gift the Mandate of Heaven will bestow.”
“The Celestial Mother said that the Mandate will fall upon you,” Ying Cunxin continued. “Does this mean that something will happen within the Great Yin? Will you then welcome your destined partner, and I’ll finally be able to return to the East Sea?” She couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement at the thought. She didn’t look at Chu Yi. “We’ve already crossed the line. You don’t have to worry about me betraying you. I should leave now.”
Her words jumped from one topic to another, leaving Chu Yi momentarily confused. She put away the Merit Mirror and frowned. “Why are you in such a hurry?” There wasn’t any dragon waiting for her in the Four Seas.
Ying Cunxin chuckled. “Can’t I miss home?”
Chu Yi glared at her. “You’ve become quite bold lately.”
Ying Cunxin dropped the pretense. “This is my true nature,” she said. It would be best if Chu Yi grew tired of her and they parted ways.
Chu Yi: “…” She remained silent, simply rolling up her sleeve, revealing the bite mark left by Ying Cunxin in her dragon form. “You’re quite sharp-tongued,” she said pointedly.
Ying Cunxin felt a pang of guilt, but a strange defiance spurred her on. “You flatter me,” she retorted.
Chu Yi lowered her sleeve. “I’ve used many ointments, but the scar won’t fade.”
It was a dragon bite. How could it fade easily? Ying Cunxin thought to herself. She lifted her eyelids, her gaze finally returning to Chu Yi’s face – she could maintain her aloofness when they weren’t looking at each other, but a single glance stirred her sympathy.
“The Celestial Mother has the Celestial Feather Ministry, the Four Seas Department, and the White Tiger Department under her control,” she said seriously. “The Celestial Feather Ministry is on her side, and the White Tiger Department has gone to the Demon Abyss with Bai Guchan. You know the Four Seas Department’s stance. They won’t get involved unless there’s sufficient profit.”
“The Heavenly Emperor has the officials and the Realm Beyond Heaven on his side. If a war breaks out, the Celestial Mother might lose. The Mandate of Heaven is shifting, but what if he eliminates all potential successors? Where will it go then? I’ll return to the East Sea and persuade them to support you.”
Ying Cunxin, analyzing the situation, finally resembled the future ruler of the East Sea. Chu Yi looked at her, her expression turning serious.
But she didn’t agree. “You said many sweet things to me on the Chaos Mirror,” she said. “Now I realize that most of it was just to appease me. What about now?”
Ying Cunxin bristled. “I was busy and still took the time to reply to you. Is that considered appeasement?”
“Busy doing what?” Chu Yi asked calmly. “Busy admiring those stronger than you on the Chaos Mirror? Or busy thinking about how to delete my name seal?”
Ying Cunxin frowned. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she said, then, after scolding her, she softened her tone. “I’m not lying to you. I swear.”
The Four Seas’ allegiance wouldn’t be determined by their personal relationship but by their interests. Chu Yi wouldn’t make her swear an oath. However, she wasn’t going to let her off the hook either. “Write down your promise and affix your name seal,” she said casually. “If you break it, I’ll expose you on the Chaos Mirror and let everyone see what kind of person the East Sea Dragon Princess truly is.”
Ying Cunxin: “…” Feng Chiyue hadn’t lied. Chu Yi was truly vindictive. Wasn’t this a bit too cruel?
Unlike the lighthearted atmosphere in the Azure Sovereign Hall, the air near the new Danxue Mountain was thick with tension.
The Star Monarchs, bearing the Heavenly Emperor’s decree, had arrived with their Heavenly Soldiers, but they were met with a formidable force of feathered guards.
The phoenix manifestation loomed above, surrounded by a multitude of birds, symbolizing the unity of the once scattered feathered lineages. Their swords were pointed at the Heavenly Court.
This was a civil war!
“What is the meaning of this, feathered lineages?” a Star Monarch asked through gritted teeth, his heart filled with icy rage.
Ming Jian Su chuckled. “We don’t have to fight,” she said casually.
“What are your terms?”
“There was the Fall of the Phoenix in the past. Now, there will be the Fall of Heaven. What do you think?” As she spoke, Undefeated flashed, its sword beam severing the head of a feathered elder from Danxue Mountain.
Undefeated had been with her since the lower realms. It didn’t know about that tragic past. It had initially been feeling down, but realizing that it was still her master’s preferred weapon for killing, it felt a surge of pride.
It didn’t matter if it hadn’t been in the spotlight before. As long as it was the one to display its power from now on, that was enough.
“This will only give the demons an opportunity!” a Star Monarch, unwilling to fight, pleaded. “You also guarded the battlefield once, Fellow Daoist. You were an enemy of the demons. Surely you don’t want to see them cross the Sui River, invade our territory, and disrupt the balance?”
Ming Jian Su didn’t answer, her eyes cold.
Feng Chiyue flicked her hand, deflecting a stray sword beam. She tucked a strand of Ming Jian Su’s hair behind her ear, ignoring the ugly immortals before her. “But aren’t we on the same side as the demons?” she asked casually.
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