Chapter 68
Xiao Xiao thought about it. If the manual was truly lost in that deserted valley, it was better than falling into the wrong hands. Besides, her master’s writing was always long-winded and without focus. Even if someone found it, they’d probably think it was just the ramblings of some scholar obsessed with weaving fantastical tales of immortals and heroes.
After comforting herself with this thought, Xiao Xiao felt slightly better but still couldn’t help looking around.
Noticing her searching, Yu Ling’er asked what she was looking for. Xiao Xiao vaguely mentioned losing her package, which contained her change of clothes.
Yu Ling’er generously offered Xiao Xiao one of her own dresses. She had been quite envious when she saw the beautiful dresses Wei Jie bought for Xiao Xiao, so she had pestered Tang Youshu into buying her two.
Although not as exquisite as Xiao Xiao’s, the dress was charming and cute, its fabric light and flowing.
However, the scales on Xiao Xiao’s arms had turned gold, making it difficult to match with any color!
The two girls shared a rare moment of understanding, sighing in unison as they stared at Xiao Xiao’s gleaming arm.
Xiao Xiao then found a pool in the back mountain and decided to soak and wash off the soot and ash covering her body.
As dawn broke, the stream’s surface reflected her face, and Xiao Xiao was stunned by her own reflection. She seemed to have become even more beautiful…
It wasn’t that her features had changed, but her eyes now held a hint of aloofness and allure. Her eyelids were slightly upturned, giving her a proud, almost fierce aura.
The red mole at the corner of her eye appeared even redder, like a drop of blood. Even she found her own reflection unfamiliar, as if… as if she possessed the same chilling gaze as the five phoenixes.
Could it be that she had adopted some of the phoenixes’ mannerisms after harboring them? Buddha above, Heavenly Gods bless her! She wasn’t particularly fond of snakes. She hoped she wouldn’t be completely assimilated by these phoenixes!
Still, her current appearance did exude a certain majesty, the kind befitting a powerful sect master. Xiao Xiao felt that if she remained silent, she would appear even more imposing than Ling Zhishan from two hundred years in the future!
She examined the colorful phoenix mark on her neck. Even after scrubbing with water, it showed no signs of fading.
She could only hope they would behave themselves and not cause her as much trouble as the demonic bead.
Speaking of the demonic bead… Xiao Xiao closed her eyes, trying to sense its presence. The bead was as silent as a cicada, afraid to even slumber.
When Xiao Xiao tried talking to it, it finally spoke, its voice trembling, “You wretched girl! You did this on purpose, didn’t you? Bringing five phoenixes into your body! If you want me gone, I’ll gladly leave. But they’re attached to your very being! How am I supposed to get away from that?!”
Xiao Xiao kept her eyes closed. “Then do you know why they attached themselves to me? And how to get rid of them?”
The demonic bead’s voice still shook. “If I knew, I would have told you already! Do you think I’d wait until now? They’ve just been reborn and are currently in deep sleep, which is why I dare speak. He only managed to take one black phoenix, yet you brought out five? What are you, to possess such power?”
Xiao Xiao knew this demonic bead was formed from the demonic energy within Demon Lord Wei Jie. It had experienced all the tribulations of his original path.
Hearing it mention the black phoenix, Xiao Xiao knew her guess was correct. The crow Demon Lord Wei Jie took away back then truly was a black phoenix.
“Where is that black phoenix now?” she asked.
The demonic bead let out a cold laugh. “What fate awaits something that defies the natural order? He took it with his own selfish desires, and in the end…”
Before the demonic bead could finish, Yu Ling’er’s voice rang out, asking if Xiao Xiao was done washing up. Wei Jie had roasted rabbit meat, and it was time to eat.
Xiao Xiao didn’t respond, wanting the demonic bead to finish its story. However, it seemed to have exhausted its energy and fell silent again.
Sighing, Xiao Xiao decided to forgo admiring her reflection. She wrung the water from her hair, quickly dressed, and joined the others for their belated supper.
Wei Jie’s culinary skills were undeniable. Even in the wilderness, with just wild onions and the salt and pepper he carried, he could roast rabbit meat to perfection.
He handed a rabbit leg to Xiao Xiao, then took out a handkerchief and gently began drying her hair.
Xiao Xiao had reached a point where she no longer cared about maintaining appearances and simply let him do as he pleased. She was starving and needed to eat.
Yu Ling’er observed Wei Jie’s attentiveness with envy. This Wei Jie, usually cold and distant, was so kind to Xiao Xiao.
It seemed Cui Xiao Xiao had truly captured this disciple’s heart…
As they sat around the bonfire, everyone chatted amongst themselves. After drying Xiao Xiao’s hair, Wei Jie pulled her to a corner to eat and talk.
Halfway through her rabbit leg, Xiao Xiao finally remembered to ask about the fragmented page. It had been riddled with holes when they found it. She wondered if Wei Jie had successfully returned it to the underworld.
Wei Jie paused before answering, “I did, but Grandmother said whether it would work or not is up to fate.”
Thinking of the Wei family’s tragic fate in the original timeline, Xiao Xiao couldn’t help feeling uneasy. Could this damaged page really lessen their suffering, perhaps even prevent their annihilation?
She then told Wei Jie about meeting Princess Yongning, the new owner of the Guishi Cliff Manor.
For Prince Can to gift this place to Princess Yongning before his death… there had to be a hidden agenda.
Unfortunately, Xiao Xiao wasn’t from this time and knew little about Princess Yongning.
Wei Jie, however, had thoroughly investigated Prince Can and knew a thing or two about this favored niece.
The princess was the daughter of Prince Changshan, supposedly Prince Can’s half-brother. Rumor had it that Prince Changshan was the son of the late Emperor and a Taoist nun, raised under the name of a concubine in the palace.
Despite his questionable birth, Prince Changshan was deeply loved by the late Emperor. Although he had been granted his own territory early on, he continued to receive the Emperor’s favor and rewards every year. One of his younger sons had even been adopted by Prince Can.
Xiao Xiao suddenly realized that in the original timeline, Prince Can had supported this adopted son to ascend the throne, becoming the regent behind the scenes.
So, the little princess’s father and Prince Can were quite close, close enough to exchange sons.
But if Prince Can was Xia Yuansong, then the adopted son would be his own grandson. He had essentially placed his own bloodline on the throne.
Could it be… that Xia Yuansong had abandoned the identity of Prince Can and set his sights on Prince Changshan, which was why he gifted such an important place as Guishi Cliff to his daughter?
Wei Jie shook his head slowly after hearing Xiao Xiao’s analysis. “Prince Changshan is different from Prince Can. He enjoys indulging in feasts and banquets, spending his days in revelry. Even if Xia Yuansong could regain his youth, it would be difficult for him to completely transform himself into someone like that, let alone fool those who know Prince Changshan well…”
Xiao Xiao thought for a moment. “Prince Can has always been a cunning schemer. If he truly wanted to replace Prince Changshan, he would find a way.”
If she had the chance to meet Prince Changshan, she might be able to see through any disguise. If they knew Prince Can’s whereabouts, at least the Crown Prince could be prepared.
Otherwise, if that treacherous prince were to plot something again, it could spell disaster for the entire world…
After their late-night meal, it was time for everyone to rest.
No matter how advanced her cultivation became, Xiao Xiao still needed sleep after a long day and meditation.
Especially after her brush with death, all she wanted was a good night’s sleep.
Her most devoted disciple understood her best. While she was bathing, he had silently gathered dry grass and prepared a soft bed, even laying clothes on top.
This way, Xiao Xiao could enjoy a comfortable sleep on a dry and cool bed.
As she lay down, Xiao Xiao couldn’t help but take Wei Jie’s hand, wanting to check on his wound.
Wei Jie misunderstood, thinking she didn’t want him to leave. He gently stroked her hair. “Sleep well. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be right here with you.”
He then sat beside her and began meditating.
He hadn’t told Xiao Xiao the whole truth. Although the wound on his wrist was easily healed, the heartache he had cried out earlier was far more damaging.
He possessed half the blood of the Mei people, which meant he shared their weakness – they couldn’t afford to be consumed by sadness. Crying would damage their very being. But Wei Jie didn’t regret shedding those tears.
He knew those tears, born from his heart, were what pulled Xiao Xiao back from death’s embrace.
But he needed to meditate and recover his strength. He couldn’t use his energy for the next few days, lest he disrupt the balance within his dantian…
As Xiao Xiao watched his profile, a wave of sweetness washed over her.
With his eyes closed, she could freely admire him.
Even though he wouldn’t admit it, Xiao Xiao knew he must have cried those bloody tears thinking he was going to die…
Growing up, it seemed only her mother had ever cried for her. And her mother was long gone.
She had thought that besides her mother and master, no one else would ever shed tears for her.
Wei Jie—this name, once synonymous with terror, now filled her with an inexplicable sweetness.
A smile touched her lips as she drifted off to sleep.
Suddenly, Wei Jie opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the Phoenix Viewing Platform on the front mountain.
There seemed to be a figure moving there, also looking towards the back mountain…
On that platform, Princess Yongning continued gazing into the distance, muttering, “There’s nothing there. Where’s this legendary phoenix?”
Last night, she had heard the workers and guards whispering about a phoenix and an immortal flying across the sky. She had rushed over by carriage, eager to witness it for herself. But after finally reaching the platform, all she found was silence, broken only by the occasional bird song. There wasn’t a single phoenix feather in sight!
Just then, a cold voice spoke behind her. “The appearance of a phoenix is a once-in-a-thousand-year event. It’s not something you can just stumble upon. If it’s meant to be, you will see it in due time.”
Princess Yongning turned to face her father, her voice laced with disappointment. “They say praying to the phoenix is most effective. I wanted to see it so I could pray for you, Father. Your injuries… what are we going to do?”
She gazed at the bandages covering his face with heartache.
Her father had been attacked by bandits while boating on the lake during a night banquet. Thankfully, his guards had saved him in time.
However, the bandits had thrown oil and set the boat on fire. Her father had suffered severe burns to his face. Although he was treated by a skilled physician, it would still take months for him to recover.
Princess Yongning loved her father dearly. That was why she had wanted to pray to the phoenix, hoping to bring him good fortune and speed up his healing.
Hearing his daughter’s filial words, Prince Changshan, his voice raspy from the smoke inhalation, whispered, “These injuries… do you think prayers can heal them? The physician said I just need time to recover. You, on the other hand, are about to be married. Stop running around and return to the manor tomorrow to prepare for the wedding.”
For once, the usually willful Princess Yongning obediently agreed.
Ever since the fire, her father had changed. He no longer indulged in all-night banquets and avoided seeing anyone.
It was unimaginable before, but people changed after experiencing trauma. There was nothing strange about it.
After her father mentioned wanting to enjoy the breeze on the platform for a while longer, Princess Yongning excused herself and returned to the manor to rest.
Prince Changshan stood alone on the platform, his gaze fixed on the dense forest of the back mountain.
He had been here much earlier and had witnessed Xiao Xiao’s battle with the five phoenixes.
Someone who defied fate… truly impressive. She had actually managed to fight back and incinerate five phoenixes!
It seemed that girl had shouldered Wei Jie’s trial by fire!
Her life force was truly resilient. To withstand such a tribulation without being completely consumed by demonic energy… He was curious to see whether this Cui Xiao Xiao would walk the path of a demon or an immortal!
A smile seemed to flicker across Prince Changshan’s bandaged face.
After a while, he turned and left the platform. His steps were slow and heavy, betraying his relatively young age.
But soon, he straightened his back, loosened his grip, and walked down the mountain path with the steady gait of a healthy, middle-aged man.
Meanwhile, back in the valley, everyone except Xiao Xiao was awake.
Xiao Xiao had mentioned that it was the anniversary of the Lingshan Talisman Sect’s founder. Tang Youshu had prepared incense, paper money, and other offerings in his precious bamboo basket.
They were all waiting for their Sect Master to wake up so they could pay their respects at the grave.
However, their Sect Master, exhausted from her battle with the phoenixes, showed no signs of waking. Even after Wei Jie called out to her several times, Xiao Xiao remained fast asleep.
Yu Ling’er began to worry. “Xiao Xiao… is she sick? I’ve never seen her sleep in this late!”
Wei Jie reached out to touch Xiao Xiao’s forehead and neck. He found the area where the phoenix mark lay burning hot!
Even in her sleep, Xiao Xiao seemed restless. Her eyelids twitched, as if trapped in a vivid nightmare…
And indeed, she was dreaming.
She knew she was trapped in a dream she couldn’t wake from. She was back in the phoenix valley.
But the five phoenixes perched on the branches seemed much larger than before. They preened their feathers, seemingly oblivious to her presence.
Suddenly, Xiao Xiao noticed a lone, grayish egg lying abandoned in the grass beneath the trees. Its shell was intact.
She remembered Wei Jie saying it was the egg of a black phoenix, a symbol of misfortune, cast out of the nest.
Without a mother’s warmth, it would slowly turn cold, eventually turning to stone.
Pitying the lonely egg, Xiao Xiao approached, wanting to pick it up.
Just then, the leading Vermillion Bird let out a sharp cry. The other phoenixes, startled, spread their wings and flew towards the valley entrance.
Xiao Xiao followed their gaze and saw a figure descend from the sky, landing in the valley with a gust of wind. Its arrival was met with a chorus of alarmed cries from the phoenixes.
As the figure came into focus, Xiao Xiao, despite knowing this was a dream, couldn’t help but gasp in shock.
Because that strange man… looked exactly like Wei Jie!
But unlike Wei Jie’s carefree demeanor, this man, with the same familiar eyes and brows, had half his face covered in iridescent scales. The same scales adorned his strong arms, clutching the Heaven-Defying Sword. His entire being radiated a chilling aura. His purple eyes blazed with unyielding murderous intent, a terrifying demonic energy emanating from him.
He couldn’t see her, yet Xiao Xiao felt paralyzed by his aura, unable to move.
The five phoenixes, clearly drawn to the demonic energy radiating from this scaled man, began their pre-meal dance. Then, just as they had done to Xiao Xiao, they attacked, hoping to tear him apart.
Unlike Xiao Xiao, who had dodged and weaved, this man fought back with ruthless precision. Each move targeted the phoenixes’ throats. He lunged, sharp teeth bared, drawing blood and eliciting shrieks of pain.
He even managed to tear off a few of their beautiful tail feathers, causing the birds to cry out in fury.
Xiao Xiao watched silently, a sense of enlightenment dawning upon her. So that was how you dealt with these ferocious birds! Compared to this man’s ruthlessness, she had been far too gentle!
Unfortunately, even this valiant warrior was no match for five birds. When the phoenixes unleashed their flames, the man was engulfed.
But with his last ounce of strength, he struck, his sword cleaving through the air, snapping their necks.
The five phoenixes, their bodies engulfed in flames, crashed to the ground alongside the man.
Even though she knew he wasn’t her disciple, Xiao Xiao couldn’t help but want to call out to him. But something seemed to be stuck in her throat, preventing her from making a sound.
She could only watch helplessly as he collapsed onto the grass, flames still licking at his body…
Xiao Xiao knew that burning pain all too well. It was excruciating!
But the man remained silent, gritting his teeth against the agony before letting out a tortured roar that echoed through the valley. “Heavens! How much longer must you torment me?!”
His voice was filled with the desolate despair of someone who had seen too much suffering.
Xiao Xiao’s heart clenched. Tears streamed down her face. She wanted to reach out, to embrace this wounded man, but she remained frozen in place.
His body burning, the man dragged himself towards the stream, desperate to extinguish the flames consuming him.
But he was too weak. He collapsed halfway there.
Just then, as if drawn by the heat, the grayish egg beneath the tree rolled towards him, pushed by a gust of wind.
The man’s body still blazed with fire, his skin scorching hot.
But the egg, as if sensing the warmth of its mother, nestled against him, its shell bumping against his arm. The man, his skin raw and blistered, groaned in pain.
The egg, fearing abandonment, settled in the crook of his arm, greedily absorbing his heat.
As the egg pressed against him, the man felt the burning ease.
Finally catching his breath, he reached out a charred hand and picked up the egg. He examined it for a moment before placing it against his chest.
The egg, delighted, burrowed closer, its shell turning a faint shade of red.
The five phoenixes, reborn from their ashes, were now much smaller. They stared at the man with lifeless eyes, too afraid to approach. Perching themselves on a branch, they watched the egg nestled against his chest with tilted heads.
Xiao Xiao didn’t know how long she watched. The light in the valley shifted and changed. Finally, the man sat up, and the egg in his arms began to crack.
A wet, black creature emerged from the shattered shell. The man, his body covered in soot, frowned and tossed it aside.
The hatchling, seemingly hurt by the rough treatment, let out a soft “caw,” a sound that resembled… a crow.
Driven by instinct, the hatchling, despite being flung away, flapped its tiny wings and stubbornly crawled back to the man. It nuzzled against his chest, its beak pecking at the cracked, charred skin, and let out another two “caws.”
Clearly, it thought the man, with his blackened skin, was its mother. And surely, a mother as dark as night had no right to find fault with her child’s appearance?
Unfortunately, the man’s heart was colder than his scaled exterior. He pushed the hatchling away and rose to his feet, ready to leave this place.
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