Chapter 71
Compared to the ever-present Heavenly Emperor, this Celestial Mother was a distant figure, spending most of her time in seclusion. She had intervened in the Celestial Feather Ministry’s affairs, confronting the Emperor, then had disappeared from public view, leading everyone to assume she had returned to her palace and secluded herself once more. She hadn’t emerged during the war between gods and demons a thousand years ago, so naturally, no one expected her to appear now.
The Twelve Earthly Branches Formation enveloped the East Sea. The Heavenly Court officials stared at those manifestations, their faces frozen in terror. They couldn’t harm anyone within the formation until it was broken. Could the power borrowed from the Blood Sun Devouring Ring rival the Celestial Mother’s? The Star Monarch’s mind raced. He hesitated, then, gritting his teeth, ordered the remaining officials to attack! But as their combined power clashed with the ocean’s currents, he felt his own strength being suppressed. His eyes widened in horror.
A massive seal, radiating purple light, appeared above the Twelve Earthly Branches Formation, its Heavenly Dao power swirling like lightning. It was the Celestial Mother’s “Heavenly Law Seal”! Like the Heavenly Constitution Seal, it could suppress immortals. Under its influence, channeling his magic power was several times more difficult. After a moment of hesitation, his magic power surged, his connection to the Blood Sun Devouring Ring established. But as his power flowed, his body became translucent, like a wisp of smoke, something being forcibly extracted from him! He instantly realized that he had exceeded the artifact’s limit and was now becoming its sacrifice. However, unlike the previous Daoist priest, he wasn’t instantly devoured.
He acted decisively, severing his connection to the artifact, but the powerful aura that had enveloped him vanished. The East Sea Dragon Lord, sensing his weakness, unleashed a wave of magic power, attacking him relentlessly. The entire sea trembled, powerful energy surging, threatening to shatter the heavens and earth. Forget about conquering the East Sea, he didn’t even have a chance to escape.
The Heavenly Court’s attack on the East Sea had failed.
News of the Celestial Mother’s twelve manifestations appearing in the East Sea spread, sending shockwaves through the Immortal Realm.
Was she angered by the Heavenly Emperor’s attack on the East Sea, confronting him, or was she siding with the Celestial Feather Ministry? Those who had been wavering had second thoughts, regretting their involvement. If it were simply a conflict between the Heavenly Court and the Celestial Feather Ministry, it could be considered a “clan feud,” but if the two rulers of the Heavenly Court were at odds, the resulting turmoil would engulf the entire Immortal Realm. They would face a major upheaval, its consequences even more devastating than the war between gods and demons a thousand years ago.
In Morning Phoenix Mountain.
Ming Jian Su was not only monitoring the situation within the Celestial Feather Ministry but also paying attention to the outside world. “With the Celestial Mother protecting the East Sea, we don’t have to worry about them,” she said. “However, the Blood Sun Devouring Ring’s power has increased. After all, it absorbed those defeated immortals.”
“We can’t wait until the Heavenly Court runs out of sacrifices. By then, its power will be unimaginable.”
Feng Chiyue pondered for a moment. “It’s not a Dao artifact created by the Heavenly Dao itself. The artifact itself must have flaws,” she said. “Does the Celestial Mother have any ideas?”
Ming Jian Su shook her head.
Although the Celestial Mother knew its origin and function, she didn’t know how to destroy it.
Feng Chiyue clicked her tongue, looking at Ming Jian Su. “They’re so useless. You have to worry about everything, Elder Sister,” she said.
Ming Jian Su chuckled. “Once these matters are settled, we’ll finally have peace,” she said, her spirits lifting. Then, with no distractions, she and her junior sister could finally enjoy a carefree life. After indulging in this fantasy, she returned to the present, embracing Feng Chiyue. “They claim it’s limitless, but the only thing truly limitless is the ‘Dao.’ Is it truly without boundaries?” She didn’t mean to belittle the Star Monarchs, but if their Dao was truly profound, they would have already ascended to the Upper Realm of the Realm Beyond Heaven. Why would they remain in the lower realms, troubled by trivial matters?
“The Blood Sun Devouring Ring is in the Heavenly Court’s Purple Empyrean Palace,” Feng Chiyue said. “If we want to target the artifact itself, we’ll have to overcome the Heavenly Court’s defenses.”
Ming Jian Su raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Then let’s fight!”
The Heavenly Emperor had a vast army under his command, equipped with powerful weapons, forming a formidable barrier. Those soldiers would be dealt with by the Feather Guards. Their opponents were the Star Monarchs.
A fierce wind swept across the clouds.
Under the Blood Sun Devouring Ring’s blazing light, the clouds melted like snow under the scorching sun.
The stalemate on the battlefield and in the East Sea continued. The Heavenly Emperor’s plans hadn’t succeeded. The Blood Sun Devouring Ring hadn’t reached the level of power he desired. But regardless, with the feathered immortals attacking, they had to fight. There was still a way to enhance the artifact, but the “price” had shifted from outsiders to their own people.
“The feathered lineages’ artifact can share both life force and magic power,” a Star Monarch in the Heavenly Court said, having observed the effects of “Feathers United.” He suppressed his anxiety. “But their numbers are limited. There are only a few thousand Feather Guards, even with reinforcements from Phoenix Mountain. They’re far outnumbered by our Heavenly Soldiers.”
“Indeed, the most powerful among the feathered lineages are mostly from the Five Phoenixes and Three Feathered Birds,” Si Li Star Monarch said. “But Phoenix Mountain has been suppressed for so long, and the Vermilion Birds, Bifang, Golden Pheasants, and other lineages have been weakened by their internal conflict. Those Feather Guards are all from minor lineages with ordinary bloodlines. How strong could they be?” His words seemed more like an attempt to reassure himself.
It wasn’t just the Heavenly Court. Even within the Celestial Feather Ministry, there were concerns. The Feather Guards had been reestablished recently. Their training time was limited. Even with the help of spiritual fruits, those feathered immortals couldn’t possibly transform into phoenixes in such a short time. They might be born Heavenly Immortals, but their bloodlines limited their potential. Even if the Heavenly Court eliminated all their unqualified members, they still had more soldiers.
“Don’t worry,” Ming Jian Su said simply.
The Minor Realm that had appeared in the Cold Prison was now connected to the Immortal Realm. Its inhabitants were the souls of those feathered immortals who had perished fighting for the Phoenix Sovereign a thousand years ago. She and her junior sister had left behind many spiritual fruits. Those phoenixes who were on the verge of ascension would surely break through, and during their tribulation, they would awaken to their past lives.
Those who had departed would return. What had been lost would be reclaimed.
After the initial skirmishes, the attacks intensified. Some officials in the Heavenly Court were optimistic, believing that the power borrowed from the Blood Sun Devouring Ring was enough to shatter the feathered lineages’ artifact, but they were soon disappointed. Unfamiliar auras appeared within the feathered lineages’ ranks. They were stronger than they had anticipated.
During the days of fighting, the feathered lineages, protected by their artifact, suffered no casualties. The Heavenly Court, however, was different. They could only “borrow” from the Blood Sun, not share the burden of life and death. Moreover, they had to be careful not to exceed its limit. Otherwise, they would become its sacrifices!
The Heavenly Emperor didn’t care about these “sacrifices.” He even felt a perverse sense of satisfaction, believing that their deaths would only enhance the Blood Sun Devouring Ring’s power. He knew this would damage his reputation, but he could no longer afford to care. As long as he eliminated all potential successors, the Mandate of Heaven would eventually return to him.
“Your Majesty, if this continues, they might lose their will to fight,” Si Li Star Monarch said, his voice filled with worry.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes. He summoned a decree and affixed the Heavenly Constitution Seal. With his Mandate waning, the Heavenly Dao power within the seal had also diminished. Immortals like Bai Guchan and Ming Yuheng could break free from its constraints, but those with lower cultivation levels were powerless to resist!
Si Li Star Monarch, accepting the decree, sighed inwardly.
He envied those carefree wandering immortals who could live in seclusion.
But he had no choice but to obey. His name was definitely on Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue’s list.
The Blood Sun Devouring Ring’s power, when amplified to a certain level, was too much for those with low cultivation levels to handle.
They were being sent to their deaths. Resentment filled the Heavenly Court, but under the Heavenly Constitution Seal’s authority, they couldn’t even protest.
“Seeing such a tragic outcome, don’t you feel any remorse, Fellow Daoist?” Three Star Monarchs, their hair white but their faces youthful, stood before Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue. The one in the middle looked at Ming Jian Su intently, attempting to sway her with words.
But she was unmoved. She scoffed. “Why should I pity my enemies?” She summoned her sword and, unleashing a wave of sword energy, attacked. After a brief exchange, she realized that these three, valuing their lives, were being cautious. They hadn’t connected their auras to the Blood Sun Devouring Ring. Then she wouldn’t hold back! Her eyes narrowed, and three swords shot out from the sword case. She formed hand seals, activating the “Heavenly Dao’s Authority” technique, freezing time and space. Within this frozen moment, the “Heaven and Earth Reunited” technique surged forward, shattering the obstacles before them.
The three Star Monarchs were startled. Their protective robes, shimmering with light, weakened the incoming sword energy.
But then, they saw sparks landing on their robes. The sparks ignited, crimson flames, laced with a dangerous black fire, silently devouring the protective light.
Feng Chiyue, no longer a mere spectator, smiled faintly, a crimson sword in her hand. She slashed forward, and a flash of light blinded them. The void darkened, then, with a phoenix cry, a burst of flames rekindled it. The most talkative Star Monarch, caught in the inferno, was incinerated without even a scream.
This scene terrified the remaining two, but seeing the waves of sword energy crashing towards them, they realized that, with their protective artifacts and auras burned away, they were powerless to resist. They had initially avoided connecting to the Blood Sun Devouring Ring, but now, desperate, they realized it was their only hope. In a flash, they made their decision, channeling their consciousness.
But Ming Jian Su wouldn’t give them a chance. These three Star Monarchs hadn’t been connected to the artifact. Their deaths wouldn’t enhance its power. Sharp sword cries echoed through the air, and a blinding sword beam descended, reducing the remaining two to ashes, scattering them in the wind.
Sparring matches between Star Monarchs could drag on for ages, but life-or-death battles were often swiftly decided. Countless techniques might have been exchanged, but to outsiders, it might have seemed like a single instant.
The Star Monarchs in the Heavenly Court, witnessing their swift defeat, were terrified. If they didn’t borrow power from the Blood Sun Devouring Ring, they would be no match for Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue, but if they did, they might lose control.
The Heavenly Emperor’s expression was grim. Before him, a river of starlight flowed, a soaring phoenix hovering above it, as if trying to consume the entire world. The Heavenly Soldiers, although empowered by the Blood Sun Devouring Ring, were being held back by the Feather Guards. The battle in the East Sea had been lost, with the Celestial Mother’s intervention. And on the battlefield, his decrees had been ignored – it was as if everyone had abandoned him. He could only rely on his Star Monarchs. He hadn’t wanted to rely too heavily on the Realm Beyond Heaven, but now, it seemed he had no other choice.
Suppressing his rage, he continued sending Star Monarchs to fight Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue, determined to keep them away from Kunlun Mountain. He himself returned to the Purple Empyrean Palace. He sent a decree to the battlefield, ordering the Heavenly Soldiers guarding the border to return, then contacted his father’s former retainers in the Realm Beyond Heaven.
He needed not only artifacts but also powerful Star Monarchs! For now, only Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue were truly formidable opponents.
On the battlefield between gods and demons.
The Heavenly Emperor’s decree, bearing the Heavenly Constitution Seal, carried an irresistible will of the Heavenly Dao. At least, those who were loyal to him or lacked sufficient cultivation couldn’t defy it. This decree disrupted the initial peace, causing chaos in Asura City.
Tu Shan Liusu had simply been stationing her troops at the border. Her agreement with Ming Jian Su had only been to keep some of the Immortal Realm’s forces occupied here. As for killing the Heavenly Emperor, she didn’t need to do it herself. She desired revenge, but she didn’t particularly want to kill him personally. The mere sight of his face disgusted her. As long as he was dead, she didn’t care how. But now, seeing the Immortal Realm tearing itself apart, she wouldn’t be polite anymore. She ordered her demon army to attack.
“The Heavenly Emperor’s decree,” Chu Yi said, her eye twitching. She could ignore it, but some of the officials under her command couldn’t. The moment the decree arrived, chaos erupted in their ranks. Some had already abandoned their positions, heading towards Kunlun Mountain.
Bai Guchan sat on a chair, twirling her prayer beads, her eyes downcast, her expression indifferent.
Ming Yuheng smiled faintly. “Forgive me,” she said, then, summoning her sword, she attacked those fleeing towards Kunlun Mountain.
Her justification was simple: “Those who desert shall be executed.” However, when those officials were attacked by the demons, none of her sword intent was directed towards them. How could they not understand her stance? Terror and despair filled their hearts. Like headless flies, they turned to Chu Yi for help.
She looked at Tu Shan Liusu, who was approaching calmly, her nine-tailed fox manifestation appearing behind her, its fluffy tails swaying in the wind. She didn’t assist Ming Yuheng, but she also didn’t interfere. She simply pretended not to notice. “Pure and turbid are separated, gods and demons divided by the Sui River,” she said to Tu Shan Liusu. “Are you dissatisfied with this arrangement, Your Majesty?” She thought, “Those rumors about Ming Jian Su colluding with the demons on the Chaos Mirror aren’t baseless after all.” But while Ming Jian Su could make deals with the demons, she couldn’t.
Tu Shan Liusu smiled. “That old fool humiliated me,” she said. “I cannot let this grudge go unpunished.”
“What do you intend to do, Your Majesty?”
“We can negotiate,” she replied without hesitation, “but I want the ‘Heavenly Emperor’ as a ‘sacrifice’ to appease our alliance.”
Hearing these words, Chu Yi’s suspicions were confirmed. This situation mirrored the Fall of the Phoenix, but this time, Tu Shan Liusu wanted the Heavenly Emperor.
She couldn’t agree, at least not in front of the other officials.
She pretended to be powerless, sending an official back to the Immortal Realm to inform the Emperor, but her message was clear.
She would do her best to hold back the demons. Although they hadn’t truly engaged in battle yet, who knew if the negotiations would collapse? The immortals couldn’t retreat from the battlefield. She had already dealt with those deserters. As for that “decree,” she didn’t mention it.
The Heavenly Emperor was furious with Chu Yi’s attitude. After the news spread, some wandering immortals praised her for her sense of duty.
Meanwhile, the Emperor, after unjustly provoking the demons, driving Ming Jian Su and the Celestial Feather Ministry to rebel, and antagonizing the Four Seas, causing the Celestial Mother’s anger… wasn’t this all his own fault? Instead of finding a solution, he had summoned that Blood Sun Devouring Ring, using immortals as sacrifices. This was unacceptable.
In the Realm Beyond Heaven.
The Star Monarchs aligned with the Heavenly Emperor, upon receiving his plea for help, were restless.
Qing Hong Star Monarch, hearing about the feathered lineages’ powerful artifact, immediately thought of those feathered Star Monarchs. Had they switched sides after their previous disagreement? But they had also been involved in forcing the Phoenix Sovereign’s hand! Would she forgive them? After all, she had abandoned the entire Phoenix lineage for their inaction.
He sent a message to inquire.
The Bifang Star Monarch, relying on self-deception, had suppressed his anxiety, believing that their artifact would eventually be returned. However, upon receiving Qing Hong’s message, his expression changed drastically. Fear and panic washed over him, leaving him dizzy and trembling.
He was both shocked and enraged. With trembling hands, he took out a talisman and contacted Bi Xiao Star Monarch. Moments later, she appeared before him, clad in green, a smiling Star Monarch beside her, their conversation lighthearted and cheerful, as if discussing something amusing. He vaguely caught the words “feathered lineages” and “foolish,” his mind buzzing. His blood surged. After a long moment, he finally found his voice. “Fellow Daoist Bi Xiao, that artifact…”
She smiled apologetically. “I did give it to the Celestial Mother,” she said, “but I didn’t expect her to give it to the Phoenix Sovereign. I apologize, Fellow Daoist.”
A deafening boom, like countless thunderclaps, echoed in his ears.
His eyes were bloodshot, his lips trembling. He couldn’t speak.
She, ever so thoughtful, said, “Why don’t you go and ask for it yourself, Fellow Daoist? You’re all members of the feathered lineages. Surely you can work things out?”
Staring at her smiling eyes, he couldn’t hold it any longer. He coughed up blood, his body shaking like a withered leaf in the wind.
Hatred burned within him, but he had no time to settle the score with her. He hastily contacted his fellow feathered Star Monarchs, searching for a solution.
Another message arrived from Qing Hong, urging them to act. After some deliberation, they could only “reconcile” and continue cooperating with him.
Qing Hong was relieved. The Heavenly Emperor was pressing him, and he persuaded those feathered Star Monarchs to go to Kunlun Mountain with them.
However, after leaving the Realm Beyond Heaven, they realized that Qing Hong had only brought one other person!
“That artifact being used by the Celestial Feather Ministry was crafted by you, Fellow Daoists,” a Star Monarch from the Realm Beyond Heaven said with a smile. “Surely you have a way to recall it, right?”
The feathered Star Monarchs: “…” Their connection to the artifact had been completely severed. What could they do?
Within the barrier outside Morning Phoenix Mountain.
Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue returned to the formation to recuperate after slaying several Star Monarchs.
Suddenly, Ming Jian Su’s eyelids twitched, and she snapped out of her meditative state. Meeting Feng Chiyue’s puzzled gaze, a cold glint flashed in her eyes. “Those feathered immortals from the Realm Beyond Heaven have descended!” she said, her voice filled with hatred. She hadn’t had the strength to kill them after returning from the Demon Abyss. She had delayed for a thousand years! This time, she would make them pay, no matter where they were hiding!
Feng Chiyue hummed noncommittally, not concerned about those Star Monarchs.
She sat beside Ming Jian Su and popped an elixir into her mouth.
The Celestial Feather Ministry had alchemists, and their skills had improved considerably, fueled by Cinnabar Jade.
But Feng Chiyue would never allow anyone else to handle the elixirs meant for Ming Jian Su.
“Seeing your medicine cabinet filled with elixirs, I had assumed you were an alchemist,” she said with a chuckle.
After a thousand years, her alchemy skills hadn’t improved. Ming Jian Su had long abandoned those “lofty” ambitions. She coughed awkwardly, averting her gaze. Suddenly, something clicked, and her eyes lit up. “Junior Sister, you…”
Feng Chiyue blinked and smiled. “I remembered a little,” she said. In the grand scheme of things, there weren’t many things worth cherishing. Those memories she had forgotten, upon resurfacing, no longer carried the same pain. “You might not know this, but the second time I visited your cave, I was planning to scold you, not just point out the flaws in your elixirs.”
“What made you change your mind?” Ming Jian Su asked. Their second encounter had been their first meeting.
Feng Chiyue caressed her face and whispered in her ear, “What do you think?”
Moonlight had illuminated the flowing river, dew clinging to her clothes, fireflies dancing among the trees.
A pale hand, as white as snow, dipped into the cool water, scooping up a handful. As she raised her hand, crystal clear water droplets, reflecting the moonlight, scattered, creating ripples in the pond.
Heaven and earth concealed her name. The Sovereign was nameless.
But at that moment, she had given herself a name—Feng Chiyue.
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