Chapter 105
The Dongyuan Emperor, ignoring the Dewdrop Fairy, who was writhing on the ground, his gaze fixed on the shattered mirror fragments, couldn’t believe it.
In those fragments, he saw Cui Xiao Xiao, her smile radiant, her arms wrapped around Wei Jie’s neck, praising him.
His hands clenched, trembling with rage.
A god… defeated by a mortal? It defied the natural order! It was unacceptable!
Wei Jie, what were you trying to do? Had you abandoned your pursuit of immortality, choosing to remain a lowly demon, defying the heavens?
As he struggled to comprehend it, the Dewdrop Fairy, her hand trembling, grabbed his ankle.
She was injured, but it didn’t matter. With his help, she could obtain new eyes from another celestial being.
After all, there were countless minor deities, even demon cultivators, who would gladly offer their own eyes to curry favor with a powerful deity…
But before she could speak, a cold blade pierced her chest.
She stared at the celestial sword protruding from her body, her eyes wide with disbelief. How dare he?! Even if she had made a mistake, how dare he kill her without a trial?!
Didn’t he realize she was also a deity? She couldn’t be killed so easily!
He slowly withdrew the sword, his gaze lingering on its intricate engravings, his voice cold. “This sword,” he said, “it’s the ancient blade Zhulong used to slay those who betrayed both gods and demons. Even a deity’s soul is extinguished by its touch. To die by this sword… consider it an honor.”
His order, to unleash those demons… it couldn’t be exposed. And he had chosen Mount Kunlun, the closest celestial mountain to the mortal realm, for a reason.
His followers were stationed here, and their numbers were small. No one knew about the Dewdrop Fairy’s presence.
A minor deity… her disappearance wouldn’t be investigated.
He wasn’t worried about exposure. He was frustrated that Wei Jie and Cui Xiao Xiao had escaped again.
His attendant, who had been standing behind him in silence, spoke, his voice low. “The Queen Mother instructed you to remain here. This… incident… she won’t be pleased…”
The Dongyuan Emperor scoffed. If his mother had been so cautious, she wouldn’t be the Queen Mother. He had inherited her boldness, her disregard for consequences.
She had said his actions in the mortal realm, his petty schemes… they weren’t important. But his secret, his manipulation of the mortal emperor’s fortune… that had to be concealed.
She had given him instructions. As long as he followed them, there wouldn’t be a problem.
But Wei Jie and Cui Xiao Xiao’s growing power… it had exceeded his expectations. This time… he had a feeling this wouldn’t end well…
This setback forced him to temporarily abandon his desire for revenge. He had more pressing matters to attend to.
He turned and left Mount Kunlun, its peaks shrouded in a chilling mist.
Meanwhile, in the mortal realm, Wei Jie and Cui Xiao Xiao had chosen this location for a reason – the Wei family’s reinforcements had arrived.
They could conceal themselves with invisibility talismans, but those demons were about to attack the villages. They had to act, and using the Wei family’s Corpse Eater… it was the most effective solution.
As for the aftermath… the Wei family would handle it. Grandmother Wei had given them clear instructions – they were to follow Wei Jie’s orders.
The villagers, witnessing the celestial beings descending from the sky, battling those monstrous creatures, were stunned.
They watched as the giant, multi-headed beast, after being patted by a beautiful woman, vanished.
A few brave souls approached them, their voices trembling. “Are you humans? Or immortals?”
Xiao Xiao turned, bowing to them. “We were just passing by,” she said. “We happen to be skilled in… dealing with such creatures. We apologize for the… disturbance. It’s safe now. Return to your homes. Rest.”
Seeing the Wei family soldiers, their silver armor gleaming, their movements disciplined, the villagers finally relaxed.
But one of them, his eyes sharp, noticed the mark on Wei Jie’s forehead, the scar left by his shattered divine power core.
It looked familiar… And then, as they passed a small temple, where villagers were preparing for a funeral, he saw it – the statue of the ancient Flame Emperor.
The mark on the statue’s forehead… it was identical!
He gasped, realization dawning upon him, and rushed into the temple, falling to his knees, proclaiming that the ruler of the underworld had manifested, saving them from those demons!
The other villagers, seeing the resemblance, were also convinced.
Those who had condemned the ancient Flame Emperor for his negligence began to slap themselves, begging for forgiveness.
The rumors spread, tales of the ancient Flame Emperor’s divine intervention.
And Wei Jie and his companions returned to Guishi Cliff.
Tang Youshu, seeing the smiley face Yu Ling’er had carved onto a boulder at the foot of the mountain, felt a pang of sadness.
She had been so cheerful then. And now… she was curled up in his basket, her sleep deep, her energy depleted.
Since Xiao Xiao’s demonic bloodline had awakened, the five phoenixes refused to return to her.
They soared above the mountain, their cries echoing through the air, then activated the entrance to the Valley of Eternity.
It was still a peaceful, idyllic place, its meadows lush, its streams clear. But the phoenixes, perching on the branches of the ancient wutong tree, were larger now.
Until they found a way to heal Yu Ling’er, this would be her home.
Tang Youshu, worried about her being bullied by the phoenixes, decided to stay with her.
But before entering, Yu Ling’er, after a long series of fox cries, had presented him with a detailed list of supplies, ensuring they wouldn’t lack anything during their stay.
They headed towards the market, while Wei Jie and Xiao Xiao entered the Valley of Eternity, preparing their accommodations.
Wei Jie, gathering branches, constructed a simple hut, a shelter for Tang Youshu and the little white fox.
But he told them to wait, that he needed to stay in the valley alone for a while.
“What are you going to do?” Xiao Xiao asked, her brow furrowed.
He turned to her, his voice low. “Your demonic bloodline has awakened. I need to retrieve the other demonic bead. I’m afraid… after absorbing it… I might lose control. It’s safer here. Leave the valley. Wait for me… And tell Tang Youshu and Yu Ling’er to stay away until I’m… stable.”
His demonic bead, infused with darkness, clashed with her own energy. He had realized that after absorbing the first one.
She must have listened to too many scriptures in her past lives. Her pure heart, her inherent goodness… it had somehow resisted the bead’s corrupting influence.
But now… her demonic bloodline had awakened. The phoenix guardians wouldn’t protect her. The bead, unchecked, would surely grow stronger.
If it drained too much of her energy, it could harm her.
The demonic bead, sensing their conversation, protested. “No! I finally got rid of those birds! I haven’t even enjoyed myself yet! He wants to take me back?!”
Xiao Xiao, amused, said, “I’m sorry. It hasn’t been… ideal. But you have to go back to your original owner. You always complain about me being foolish, dragging you into danger. Wouldn’t you be safer with him?”
The demonic bead, however, refused. “I’m not going! He’s worse than you!”
It remembered its time with Wei Jie, the constant pain, the darkness consuming him.
Although such negativity fueled its demonic nature, it had discovered a different way of existing within Xiao Xiao.
She had also experienced hardship, but she was like a flower blooming in a crack in the pavement, her optimism infectious.
But she hadn’t always been happy. During those days when she had been hurt by Wei Jie, his divine power restored, his actions cold and distant… the demonic bead had felt her pain, her despair.
It should have taken advantage of her vulnerability. But something, perhaps the phoenixes’ influence, or its own unexpected empathy, had prevented it.
It had grown accustomed to her, to her warmth, her light. It didn’t want to leave.
Xiao Xiao, amused by its stubbornness, sighed.
But Wei Jie had spoken. It had no choice.
If it had been the old Wei Jie, she wouldn’t have agreed. She would have been afraid of him losing control.
But he had already absorbed one demonic bead, and he seemed to be managing, his actions controlled, unlike his past self.
She trusted him.
They sat facing each other, their legs crossed, and as the demonic bead protested, its voice a mixture of anger and despair, Wei Jie pulled her close, his lips capturing hers, drawing the bead from her body.
But the bead resisted, clinging to her, and Wei Jie, distracted by her warmth, her scent, her soft lips, struggled to maintain his focus.
A red light flickered between their lips, and as he finally extracted the bead, its power surged through him.
His eyes, now black as ink, devoid of any purple, his body expanding, his clothes ripping, revealing his toned chest… but this time, there were no scales. His face, handsome, his eyes filled with a dark intensity, as he looked at her… he resembled a predator, his gaze unwavering.
He had told her to leave the valley after the transfer.
But as she took a few steps, her body froze, his power pulling her back, into his arms.
He buried his face in her hair, inhaling her scent, his arms tightening around her…
But a sliver of reason remained. He gritted his teeth, his face contorted in a mask of pain, and released her. “Go!” he roared, his voice strained.
She turned to look at him. His body, as he held her, had been burning hot. It reminded her of that time in Prince Can’s mansion, when they had been drugged with aphrodisiacs.
His embrace… she had felt his desire, his need.
And yet, he had resisted, his demonic nature controlled, his actions… almost chivalrous.
If she left… would he submerge himself in that cold stream again, seeking solace?
He closed his eyes, battling the overwhelming urge to claim her.
That damned demonic bead… what thoughts had it planted within him? Why, upon returning to his body, had it ignited such a primal need, a desire to consume her?
He had barely managed to control himself. She had to leave. He couldn’t guarantee her safety…
But as he struggled to quell the storm within him, she returned, her body, soft and fragrant, pressing against his.
He opened his eyes, his gaze dark, his arms tightening around her involuntarily. “Why… why did you come back?” he asked, his voice a strained whisper. “Don’t you realize… I’m losing control?”
She blushed, her lips brushing against his cheek. “I’m not leaving. I’m staying… with you…”
He couldn’t believe his ears. Did she think he could still… restrain himself? That he could stop at the last step, like a gentleman?
That would be torture.
That demonic bead… it was a demanding, insatiable creature. He was holding her, his mind filled with images, his desire a living thing, threatening to consume him.
If she knew… she would run.
But she persisted, her arms wrapped around his waist, her cheek rubbing against his chest. “Didn’t you promise me a reward?” she asked, her voice a teasing murmur. “Are you going back on your word? Or are you all talk, no action… Ow!”
Before she could finish, he lifted her onto his shoulder, carrying her into the newly built hut, her protests muffled.
“Wei Jie, be careful! This is my best dress! You ripped it! Ow! Gently…”
But her protests were soon silenced, her words, her thoughts, swept away by a wave of passion…
She finally understood why he had wanted her to leave. Was this… what it felt like to be devoured by a Corpse Eater?
The flimsy hut, unable to withstand their movements, collapsed, a pile of straw.
He shielded her, preventing her from being injured.
But even with the hut gone, he didn’t stop.
She tried to protest, but her voice was a hoarse whisper, the memory of that chattering crow resurfacing.
Time had no meaning in the Valley of Eternity. She didn’t know how long it lasted.
But a cultivator’s stamina… it was undeniable. No matter how exhausted, how drained, they couldn’t simply faint.
As he carried her to the stream, his body still warm, his breaths shallow, she finally caught her breath, biting his shoulder, her teeth sinking into his flesh.
He winced, but his smile remained, his eyes filled with a dark satisfaction.
When her anger subsided, he kissed her cheek. “No wonder you want to create the Joy Sect,” he chuckled. “This… it’s a pleasure even immortality can’t offer… I’ve failed as your disciple. I should have introduced you to this sooner.”
She wanted to use the Zhulong statue, to rewind time. If she had known that two demonic beads, combined, were like Tang Youshu’s aphrodisiac talismans, she would have fled!
But she didn’t regret it.
This intimacy, this connection… she had never experienced it with anyone else.
As she rested in his arms, the cool water soothing her aching muscles, she remembered the old monk’s words.
She couldn’t imagine being separated from Wei Jie, their bond severed for some… celestial reason.
He washed her hair, his movements gentle, his silence comforting. He carried her out of the water, dressed her, then said, his voice light, as if joking, “This place… it’s peaceful, free from the chaos of the outside world. Perhaps… we should stay here. I’ll build another hut. One for us, one for Tang Youshu and Yu Ling’er.”
She looked at him, his words, although delivered playfully, hinting at a deeper desire.
Those demons, released from the underworld… it had to be the Dongyuan Emperor’s doing.
He was the son of the Heavenly Emperor and the Queen Mother, his power and influence unmatched. If he wanted to make their lives difficult, he could use the full force of the heavens against them.
And they… they were both outcasts. He, a fallen deity, seeking redemption, and she, a demon Saint, her existence an affront to the heavens… they were both targets.
The peace and tranquility of the Valley of Eternity… it was a treasure, a sanctuary.
She was tempted.
To live in this secluded paradise, free from the outside world…
While she rested, Wei Jie gathered fruits from the trees by the stream.
They didn’t need to eat in the Valley of Eternity, but he knew she enjoyed them.
He also found two gourds, identical, yet different.
One he had found when he rescued the little black phoenix. The other he had left behind when he and Xiao Xiao had escaped with the five phoenix guardians.
Two gourds, from different timelines, reunited in this timeless realm.
Like him and Xiao Xiao, two individuals who should never have met, their paths crossing, their destinies intertwined.
While she ate, he used a small knife to carve faces onto the gourds.
One became a man, with thick eyebrows and wide eyes, the other a woman, with delicate features and full lips.
He even used a strand of his hair to create a ponytail for the female gourd, mimicking Xiao Xiao’s hairstyle.
She, using her dagger, cut a lock of her hair, creating long, flowing locks for the male gourd, resembling Wei Jie’s usual unkempt style.
She placed the gourds side by side, carefully tying their hair together, her smile bright. “Bound by fate, never to be parted.”
It was a symbolic gesture, a traditional wedding ritual.
But they were both orphans, their union, in the eyes of the world, an illicit affair.
These gourds… they were their stand-ins, their unconventional wedding ceremony.
She looked at them, her heart filled with a quiet joy. “If only we had some fabric,” she said, “I would make them red clothes.”
He chuckled, watching her, her childlike delight endearing. “And a colorful bellyband!”
She frowned, confused, then remembered the little black phoenix in her dream, strutting around in its bellyband.
“You pervert!” she exclaimed, punching him lightly. “If you want a bird, go catch one!”
He laughed, grabbing her hand. “I don’t need a bird. You’re enough. And noisy enough. I don’t need another one.”
As they laughed, her cloth bag, hanging from a branch, fell, the bronze mirror, gifted by the old monk, rolling out, landing at their feet.
They both looked at it, and as Xiao Xiao picked it up, it flickered, two figures appearing in its reflection.
Wei Jie didn’t recognize them.
But Xiao Xiao gasped, her eyes widening. “Senior Brother! Second Senior Sister!”
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