Chapter 102
Xiao Xiao stared, speechless.
The Valley of Eternity… it had been created by the ancient Flame Emperor.
Before she could process this revelation, the vision shifted.
This time, it connected to her dreams.
The black-scaled Wei Jie, his demonic nature unleashed, his eyes filled with murderous rage, was about to kill his own grandmother. Just as he struck, the little black phoenix he had raised intervened, taking the blow.
The moment he regained control, seeing his beloved companion, wounded, lying on the ground, he rushed to its side, cradling it in his arms.
He was a solitary man, never truly connecting with his disciples. This bird… it was his companion, his confidant.
His scaled face contorted in pain as he gently stroked its head, his voice a tortured roar. “You foolish bird! Even my disciples knew to stay away when I lost control! Why didn’t you hide?”
The black phoenix, having spent years in the mortal realm, had learned to mimic human speech, chattering like a parrot.
Now, weak and injured, its voice, no longer a harsh caw, was clearer, its words a faint whisper. “Don’t… cry…”
But its pronunciation was unclear. Was it telling him not to cry, or not to suffer?
He couldn’t do either.
He channeled his energy into the bird, his voice strained. “Xiao Xiao, I won’t let you die! If you’re gone… what will I have left?”
The black phoenix blinked, its eyes wet, seeming to find comfort in his energy. “Don’t cry… Next life… human… for you… demon… suffering…”
He chuckled, a bitter, pained sound.
He knew becoming human was its greatest desire.
This silly bird… it loved to adorn itself with scraps of cloth and cotton, mimicking humans.
He had even commissioned a colorful little bellyband for it. It had been ecstatic, strutting around, admiring its reflection in a small basin…
But to think… it wanted to become human so it could suffer for him… He held it close, speechless.
This creature, so full of life, so intelligent… it was dying, destined for another cycle of suffering…
The five phoenixes appeared in the vision, their cries echoing through the air, guiding him forward.
He stood, his decision made, ignoring his grandmother’s pleas, clutching the bird, walking away, his steps determined.
Xiao Xiao, watching, tears streaming down her face, couldn’t help but cry. She had spent time with them in her dreams, witnessing their bond, their daily routines.
Seeing the black phoenix dying… it broke her heart.
Wei Jie, his arms tightening around her, held her close.
The demonic bead, resonating with his past self, amplified his emotions. He felt the pain, the despair, and he needed her warmth, her touch, to quell the overwhelming sorrow.
The vision shifted again, like a shadow play. The black-scaled Wei Jie, the Zhulong statue, clutched tightly in his hand, stood in the temple.
He placed the injured black phoenix on the altar, his gaze fixed on the goddess statue. “Madam Fu said that in this temple, with a worthy offering, any wish can be granted. I offer my demonic nature. Grant this black phoenix life. If my wish is granted… I’m willing to lose everything…”
He sliced his wrist, letting his blood drip onto the bird.
A single drop, a crimson bead, landed beneath its half-open eye, like a teardrop…
But before he could bleed further, the wound healed.
The black phoenix, its own blood pooling beneath it, staining the goddess statue’s feet, whispered, “Next life… human… for you… demon… suffering…”
And then, with a final, garbled phrase, it turned to dust, scattering like golden snowflakes, its form resembling a lotus blossom, then vanishing.
Even in its final moments, it had chosen to protect him, sacrificing itself, refusing to let him make a deal with a demonic entity.
“Xiao Xiao! Where are you? Xiao Xiao!”
The black-scaled Wei Jie, alone in the temple, stared at the bloodstain, his silence heavy.
“The heavens are unjust,” he said, his voice cold, filled with a bitter rage. “They take everything I cherish. Very well. Let’s see… who will prevail!”
His words, echoing those spoken in the Phoenix Sanctuary, his determination unwavering, he clutched the statue, the artifact that could manipulate fate, and walked out of the temple.
The vision shifted again.
This time, it was a familiar courtyard, a baby’s cries filling the air.
Xiao Xiao stared at her mother, long dead, her head wrapped in a cloth, cradling a newborn, her face beaming with joy. But then her smile faltered.
“Husband, look! Our daughter… she has a red mole beneath her eye! They say it’s a sign of a life filled with hardship…”
The man, his back towards Xiao Xiao, gently touched the mole, his voice soothing. “Nonsense! We might not be wealthy, but we’re comfortable. I won’t let our daughter suffer. But… I haven’t read many books. I don’t know what to name her. You’re the scholar. You choose!”
Her mother paused, listening to the baby’s gurgling sounds. “It sounds like… ‘Xiao Xiao’,” she chuckled. “She’s only just been born, and she’s already talking… Xiao Xiao? Yes, let’s name her Xiao Xiao! There’s a poem… ‘The gentle breeze stirs the waves, the trees on the shore cannot hide the mountain.’ May she be like a resilient bamboo, growing strong and healthy…”
Tears streamed down Xiao Xiao’s face. She finally understood.
Her unusual fate, her past lives hidden from the Book of Life and Death, her dreams of the black phoenix…
The fortune teller had been right. Her fate… it had been sealed from the beginning.
The black phoenix’s sacrifice, its blood offering in the temple… it had worked. It had been reborn as a human.
And she, Cui Xiao Xiao… she was the demonic embryo, born from the demon race’s divine tree, the black phoenix, a symbol of misfortune! No wonder her fate was so unusual, so difficult to decipher.
The five phoenixes, having revealed her past and present, their task complete, soared into the air, their cries echoing through the temple.
The vision faded.
The goddess statue, its head bowed, its veil slipping, slowly revealed its face.
Wei Jie, his eyes widening, took a step closer. The statue’s face… it was identical to Xiao Xiao’s!
He turned, and saw her on the ground, her body convulsing, her hands clutching her back.
“Xiao Xiao, what’s wrong?!”
“It hurts… my back… something’s… coming out…”
He rushed to her side, but she shoved him away, her hair flying, her screams echoing through the temple, her body leaping into the air.
A pair of golden phoenix wings unfolded from her back, their vast expanse filling the dilapidated temple with a golden light, their intricate patterns, complementing the scales on her arms, mesmerizing.
Wei Jie stared at her, her hair loose, her eyes and lips glowing with a golden light, her beauty enhanced by a hint of demonic allure, unrecognizable…
The temple was bathed in golden light, a beam shooting towards the heavens.
The island, half-submerged moments ago, rose from the waves, as if lifted by a giant hand, floating in the air.
Time resumed.
Madam Fu, caught off guard, her position shifted, was drenched in the poisonous blood, her screams echoing as she collapsed, her body writhing in agony.
Tang Youshu and the others, their minds clearing, looked around, confused, disoriented.
Madam Fu, her human disguise fading, revealing her pointed ears and red eyes, the true form of a demon, writhed on the ground, her body covered in putrid sores.
But despite the pain, her gaze was fixed on the temple, the source of the golden light, her voice a shocked whisper. “How… how is this possible? The Saint’s light…”
She scrambled to her feet, leading the Water Yasha towards the temple, Tang Youshu and the others, realizing Wei Jie and Xiao Xiao were gone, following them.
Xiao Xiao, her golden wings spread wide, soared into the air, bathed in golden light, like a living statue, hovering above the island.
Madam Fu, staring at her, recognizing the unmistakable aura of their Saint, collapsed, her knees hitting the ground, her body bowing, the Water Yasha following suit, their prostrations a sign of absolute obedience.
Xiao Xiao’s demonic nature, fully awakened, her power resonating with their bloodline, compelled them to submit.
The dormant embryos, sensing her presence, stirred, their growth accelerated, bursting from the earth, bowing before their Saint.
Tang Youshu stared, speechless, the little white fox in his arms whimpering, her gaze fixed on the spectacle, her expression a mixture of curiosity and confusion.
Tang Youshu, somehow understanding her, chuckled. “Are those… Xiao Xiao’s new disciples? They’re quite… unattractive. I doubt it… It wouldn’t be easy to manage such a group…”
Meanwhile, the Dongyuan Emperor, having escaped from the collapsing tunnel, landed on a ship sent by Prince Can to retrieve him.
Prince Can, standing on the deck, stared at the floating island, the golden beam of light piercing the sky.
“Is that… a divine manifestation?” he asked, his voice filled with awe. He had always yearned for immortality, his desire bordering on obsession.
The sight… it nearly brought him to his knees.
The Dongyuan Emperor, his expression grim, muttered, “Impossible… The Saint’s light… could it be… are the demons returning?”
He reached for his waist, but the Zhulong statue, the prize he had stolen… it was gone.
His journey to this island… it had been a disaster.
He had learned about Wei Feng’s whereabouts, but she had chosen his enemy, her affection a painful reminder of his loss.
He had gained nothing, except a crown that radiated an eerie green light.
And now… the demons, who should have been eradicated, were hiding on this island, thriving, stealing mortal lifespans.
Their actions were an affront to the heavens, deserving of punishment. But this island… it also held his secrets…
He had intended to handle this discreetly, but the Saint’s light, reaching the heavens… it would surely attract attention…
His brow furrowed, his usual composure gone.
The Heavenly Emperor, believing in a natural order, had adopted a laissez-faire approach towards the deities, allowing them to govern themselves.
As long as they didn’t overstep their boundaries, he turned a blind eye to their actions. That was why the Dongyuan Emperor had grown bolder, even daring to descend to the mortal realm.
But the demons’ return, their Saint’s light reaching the heavens… it would force the Heavenly Emperor to act…
He looked at the sunlight filtering through the clouds, its rays falling upon the deck, then turned to Prince Can, his voice firm. “Guard this body. I’ll be back soon…”
Qin Lingxiao’s body collapsed, and a beam of light shot from his crown, soaring towards the heavens.
Prince Can knew the Dongyuan Emperor had returned to the celestial realm.
And Qin Lingxiao’s soul, awakened, his eyes snapping open, tried to sit up.
But the Demonic Ghost Sect disciples were prepared. Before he could move, they slapped a Soul-Binding Talisman onto his face, suppressing his soul.
Prince Can gestured, ordering them to restrain him, to lock him in a cage below deck. Such a valuable vessel… they had to keep it safe for the Dongyuan Emperor’s return.
After all, he still needed the deity’s help to achieve immortality.
But… what was happening on that island?
He stared at the golden light, his eyes filled with a greedy fascination. Such power… to defy even the heavens… If only he could possess it…
A cruel smile twisted his lips, his aged face illuminated by a dark ambition.
Meanwhile, in the Dongyuan Emperor’s celestial palace, a handsome deity, his forehead adorned with a divine mark, slowly opened his eyes.
But before his soul could fully settle back into his body, a slap landed on his cheek.
He hadn’t expected this. After enduring Wei Jie’s relentless assault, he had returned to the heavens, only to be slapped again!
Back in his true form, no longer bound by a mortal vessel, he wouldn’t tolerate such disrespect.
But as he looked at his attacker, his eyes widened, and he quickly bowed. “Mother… what brings you here?”
Standing before him was a beautiful goddess, her hair piled high, her body surrounded by a purple aura, a faint golden glow emanating from her crown, the mark of an ancient deity.
Rong Yao, the Queen Mother of the Heavens, glared at her son, her voice filled with fury. “How dare you! If I hadn’t decided to visit you, I wouldn’t have known about your little… adventure! You disobeyed the Heavenly Emperor’s orders, descended to the mortal realm, and caused chaos!”
He didn’t dare argue, but he couldn’t help but ask, “Does… Father… know?”
She was struggling to contain her anger. “If he knew,” she said, her voice cold, “do you think you would be standing here? He sensed the disturbance in the mortal realm and sent someone to investigate. I intercepted them. Tell me, why did you descend? Why interfere with the ancient Flame Emperor’s tribulation? He was about to return to the heavens! Your actions… they will create discord!”
He was relieved to hear that the Heavenly Emperor was still unaware.
He knew his father was in seclusion, cultivating, unlikely to emerge anytime soon. As long as his mother cooperated, as she always had, they could bury this.
After all, she was the one handling all the celestial affairs.
He smiled, his usual charming, gentle self. “I was bored. I wanted to… take a walk.”
But Rong Yao wasn’t as easily fooled as the Heavenly Emperor. She saw through his lies. “Don’t insult my intelligence,” she said, her voice sharp. “You’re still obsessed with Wei Feng. You went to the underworld to find her. And now… the demons’ Saint’s light is piercing the heavens! Your father might be oblivious, but I’m not the only ancient deity! You can’t hide this! Tell me! What’s going on with that demonic light?!”
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