Mistaken Era 98

Chapter 98

“Wei Feng?”

Yu Ling’er chimed in, “I know about her. Wei Feng was a Divine Lady who fought alongside the Dongyuan Emperor. She was a benefactor to our Fox Tribe. Unfortunately, she violated a celestial law and failed her tribulation. It’s said she fell into the underworld and couldn’t be reborn…”

Xiao Xiao was hearing this for the first time. These five phoenixes from the Valley of Eternity… they were once a celestial being’s guardians?

Although Wei Feng had been a Divine Lady, she wasn’t as renowned as the Dongyuan Emperor or the ancient Flame Emperor. Her achievements had been overshadowed by her final act, the massacre of that demon city.

Even demons were living beings. To slaughter an entire city, without provocation… it was a heinous crime! And a goddess who committed such an act, punished by the heavens… she wasn’t exactly someone to be admired.

That was why Xiao Xiao had never heard of her.

But it was possible that before facing her punishment, Wei Feng had sealed her guardians on Guishi Cliff. And Xiao Xiao, stumbling upon the sanctuary, had unknowingly released them.

Thankfully, they were a deity’s guardians. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to withstand the Dongyuan Emperor’s attack.

He had been searching for Wei Feng for five hundred years. Now, seeing her guardians, he wouldn’t rest until he uncovered the truth.

Forgetting about Wei Jie, he lunged at Xiao Xiao, determined to capture her and interrogate her.

Wei Jie, his eyes darkening, his demonic energy surging, intercepted him, their battle resuming.

Tang Youshu, who had been exploring the island, returned, his breath ragged, sharing his findings in a hushed voice.

They had divided their tasks. While Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie dealt with Madam Fu and the Dongyuan Emperor, Tang Youshu, concealed by an invisibility talisman, had been investigating the island.

The more he explored, the more alarmed he became. The island’s layout, the placement of its rocks and hills… it was designed to gather yin energy, a breeding ground for demonic entities.

And what terrified him most… he had discovered countless demonic embryos, encased in blood-red sacs, buried deep within the earth, like dormant seeds, absorbing nutrients, waiting to sprout.

And the source of those nutrients… the visitors, lured to the island, their greed and their lifespans fueling the island’s growth. Once those embryos matured, it would spell disaster for the world.

“When will they hatch?” Xiao Xiao asked, her scalp tingling.

Tang Youshu, his brow furrowed, calculated the time. “They need a century to mature. Without a host, even with the nourishment from mortal lifespans, their growth is slow. They’re currently the size of fists. It will take another two hundred years…”

Xiao Xiao’s eyes widened.

Something had always puzzled her. Until her time, the Great Qi dynasty had remained stable.

But their fortune had been stolen for two hundred years. Based on the timeline, their time should have been up. But there hadn’t been any major disasters or calamities. How had the dynasty fallen?

Tang Youshu’s discovery, his prediction of the embryos’ two-hundred-year gestation period… it explained everything.

If this island remained, then two hundred years later, those embryos would hatch, unleashing an army of demons upon the world. It wouldn’t just be the end of the Great Qi dynasty. It would be the end of the world as they knew it.

And with the ancient Flame Emperor and the Wei Feng Divine Lady gone… would those complacent deities have to rely on the Dongyuan Emperor, a man with a corrupt heart?

The thought chilled her to the bone. But this wasn’t the time to worry about the future. They had to escape this island!

Madam Fu was a cunning manipulator. She had allowed Qin Lingxiao to win the demonic bead easily, then lured Wei Jie and the Dongyuan Emperor into a deadly wager.

She had assumed one of them would fall, making it easier to deal with the other.

But she hadn’t anticipated their cunning, their ability to survive even a gamble with their lives.

With no more players, she had vanished, leaving them to fight over the statue, hoping they would kill each other, becoming fertilizer for the demonic embryos.

Tang Youshu, his gaze fixed on Wei Jie, who was struggling against the Dongyuan Emperor, whispered, “I explored the entire island. It’s truly made of Xirang soil. It hardens when exposed to water, making the ground incredibly solid. But there’s a spot on the northern tip… it’s unusually soft. It must be the island’s weak point.”

Xiao Xiao was also observing their battle. The Dongyuan Emperor, his rage fueling his power, was overwhelming Wei Jie, who was barely holding on.

She gestured, and the five phoenixes circling above her swooped down, their cries disrupting the Dongyuan Emperor’s attack.

He knew he shouldn’t be swayed by emotions in the mortal realm, but seeing Wei Feng’s guardians controlled by a mortal woman… it enraged him.

He glared at Xiao Xiao, his heart pounding. The moment he saw those phoenixes, he had wondered if she was Wei Feng reincarnated. But he had seen her soul, refusing to rise from the River of Forgetfulness, in the celestial mirror!

And Cui Xiao Xiao… even the Book of Life and Death couldn’t reveal her past lives. She was an anomaly.

Wei Feng was still trapped in the underworld. This woman… she must have stolen her guardians.

He wouldn’t allow her to live!

Xiao Xiao noticed his murderous glare.

But this was better than his usual deceitful smile.

“Dongyuan,” she said, her voice clear and steady, “if you had brought your brain with you, you would realize this isn’t the place for a fight. This entire island is a breeding ground for demons. A soul like yours… it’s a feast for them. Madam Fu is pitting us against each other, hoping to benefit from our deaths. You have the statue. Escaping should be your priority. If you refuse… we’ll all die, and this island will become even stronger. You might not be able to leave, even with your divine power.”

He knew she was right. He had sensed the island’s sinister nature.

But he had never sensed this island before – could it be that some of the demons he had slaughtered had survived?

There were three types of demons – human demons, demonized beasts, and true demons.

Those who became demons later in life, like Wei Jie and Cui Xiao Xiao, were considered human demons. Demonized beasts were common.

But true demons… they were ancient beings, once rivals of the gods, seeking to rule the mortal realm.

The Heavenly Emperor’s three Divine Generals had crushed their rebellion, but they had been tenacious, refusing to surrender.

Wei Feng, swayed by the ancient Flame Emperor’s pleas, had attempted to negotiate peace with them. She had removed her armor, laid down her weapons, and entered their city alone.

After much effort, she had brokered a truce – the demons would remain within their city, coexisting with humans and the celestial realm.

But the Dongyuan Emperor hadn’t agreed. As the Heavenly Emperor finalized the treaty, he had used the excuse of delivering the official document to enter the city, shattering the protective barrier, leading an army of celestial soldiers, slaughtering every demon.

He believed there was no place for such bloodthirsty creatures.

The treaty… it had been Wei Feng’s foolish compassion. Why release a tiger back into the wild when you could eliminate it?

But his actions had made the Heavenly Emperor appear deceitful. Someone had to take the blame.

He still believed he had done nothing wrong. But Wei Feng had been the one punished. If they hadn’t been arguing, if she hadn’t declared her intention to end their relationship… he wouldn’t have let her take the fall.

His greatest regret… he had been careless, and it had cost him the woman he loved… Demons… they were the root of all his misery!

Hearing Xiao Xiao’s words, her claim about the demonic embryos, his eyes narrowed. He retreated, ceasing his attack on Wei Jie.

But his gaze, drawn to Cui Xiao Xiao, lingered on her – he hadn’t noticed before… her eyes… they resembled Wei Feng’s, their shape, their expression…

And she was touching Wei Jie, her hand on his chest, her gaze filled with concern, checking for injuries.

Wei Jie whispered something to her, and she glared at him, biting her lip playfully.

The scene, a tender moment between lovers, triggered a flood of memories.

Wei Feng, when they were close, would glare at him like that, biting her lip…

The possibility of a connection between Cui Xiao Xiao and Wei Feng… it ignited a firestorm of jealousy within him.

Could it be… that the ancient Flame Emperor, abusing his position, had seduced her in the underworld…

The thought, a bitter poison, threatened to overwhelm him. But he couldn’t afford to lose control in the mortal realm! It was forbidden!

He sealed two acupoints, forcing himself to banish those thoughts.

Meanwhile, Xiao Xiao was truly angry with Wei Jie. She had intended to gamble against the Dongyuan Emperor herself, but he had pushed her aside, ignoring her protests, signing his own name in that cursed book.

Her tears… they hadn’t been an act.

What if… what if he lost? What if he died?

She had traveled back in time, shouldering his burdens, sharing his fate. His life wasn’t just his anymore. How dare he make such a decision without consulting her?

Now, with a moment to spare, she wanted to punch him. His arrogance! His recklessness!

Wei Jie, although enduring her blows, was secretly pleased.

Seeing her red-rimmed eyes, her gaze fixed on him… it calmed him. He wouldn’t have bothered with the statue if it weren’t for the Dongyuan Emperor.

He was afraid. Afraid that once she obtained the statue, she would leave, returning to her own time.

And then… where would he find her? Would he have to wait two hundred years? The thought was unbearable, driving him to the brink of madness!

Seeing her concern, her tears… a wave of sweetness washed over him. He pulled her close, swaying gently.

He wanted to kiss her, but they weren’t alone.

Someone, however, found their intimacy unbearable. The Dongyuan Emperor, observing them in silence, finally spoke, his voice cold. “You stopped us so you could… flirt?”

Xiao Xiao wiped her tears on Wei Jie’s robe, then turned to face him. “You have the statue. Leave this island. We can settle our differences later.”

She had a point. This wasn’t the time for infighting. If he wanted to kill them, he could do it after they escaped.

They looked around, and the outer hall, the gambling den, was silent now, only corpses littering the floor.

But those corpses were quickly reduced to skeletons, their essence absorbed by the island. And then the bones crumbled, turning to dust, scattered by the wind.

The gambling den, its purpose fulfilled, vanished.

The pavilions, the gardens, the illusion of paradise… gone, replaced by a desolate landscape of bones and jagged rocks.

This island, like a ravenous beast, devoured everything, its hunger insatiable. And its ultimate target… those who remained.

Xiao Xiao remembered that in her past life, Wei Jie had won the gamble and escaped. This island… they could survive it.

Remembering Tang Youshu’s instructions, she said, “Let’s go check the northern tip.”

She noticed Qin He, following the Dongyuan Emperor, his demeanor calm, seemingly unconcerned about his son’s possession.

“Aren’t you worried about your son?” she asked.

Qin He, his expression serene, said, “A deity descending to the mortal realm… he needs a vessel. My son is honored to be of service. It’s a great blessing. When the deity returns to the heavens, he will return my son’s body.”

His words, coming from a devout believer, were understandable. But coming from a father… it was monstrous!

Qin Lingxiao had risked everything to save him, to prolong his life. He might not have been a good person, but he was a devoted son.

And this Qin He… upon learning of his son’s possession, he didn’t even plead for mercy. He simply accepted it.

Xiao Xiao wondered how Qin Lingxiao, his soul trapped, would feel if he heard those words.

The island was barren now, the waves crashing against its shores, growing increasingly violent.

Xiao Xiao, her Yin-Yang Eyes piercing the illusion, saw the countless demonic embryos hidden beneath the hard soil.

Even through the layers of earth, their presence sent a chill down her spine.

She looked at the surrounding sea, her voice laced with uncertainty. “Is it… is it just me, or is this island getting smaller?”

“It’s not your imagination,” Wei Jie said, his gaze scanning the horizon. “It’s sinking…”

The Dongyuan Emperor noticed it too, but he didn’t seem concerned. He stood apart from them, examining the Zhulong statue.

Its eyes were still empty sockets. It seemed it needed something more to activate it.

Madam Fu’s voice, cold and menacing, echoed through the air. “Wei Feng’s guardians… on this island… could it be her reincarnation? Hmph! Someone with demon blood on their hands, daring to set foot on this island? No one will escape alive!”

Tang Youshu, familiar with celestial legends, with the history between Wei Feng and the demons, realized this island was connected to the destroyed demon city.

Xiao Xiao, never one to back down from a challenge, cupped her hands around her mouth, shouting, “Madam Fu, I know nothing about those crimes! Come out! Let’s talk! There must be a misunderstanding!”

“There’s nothing to discuss!” Madam Fu roared. “Wei Feng betrayed us! She convinced our leader to negotiate peace with the Heavenly Emperor, promising our safety if we agreed to a treaty. We trusted her, and she opened our gates, allowing them to slaughter us all! We will never forget this blood debt, not even after a thousand years!”

Xiao Xiao was stunned. That goddess, punished by the heavens… she had committed such a heinous act!

The five phoenixes, nestled around her neck, suddenly burned, causing her to cry out in pain.

Wei Jie, frowning, looked down at her, his fingers gently touching her neck. “It’s so hot! What’s wrong?”

She shook her head, leaning against him, her voice low. “What do we do? Are we trapped here?”

The Dongyuan Emperor, observing them, his expression cold, found their intimacy unbearable.

He flicked his wrist, sending a burst of energy towards them.

Xiao Xiao dodged, but he caught her, pulling her into his arms.

His hand gripped her chin, his fingers digging into her skin, oblivious to her pain.

He stared at her, searching for a trace of his beloved in her features.

Wei Jie, seeing this, his demonic energy surging, lashed out with the Heaven-Punishing Sword.

The Dongyuan Emperor, prepared, erected a barrier, deflecting his attack.

Wei Jie was no longer his equal, no longer the ruler of the underworld. Having shattered his divine power core, he was no match for a deity.

The Dongyuan Emperor, now possessing Qin Lingxiao’s powerful body, his strength amplified, his divine power at its peak, had no trouble dealing with him.

He turned his attention to Xiao Xiao, his prisoner.

“Tell me,” he demanded, his voice cold, his eyes devoid of mercy. “How did you obtain Wei Feng’s guardians?”

Xiao Xiao’s jaw ached under his grip. She tried to turn away, to summon a water attack, but her body was frozen, immobilized by his power.

A deity, unleashed, their power unrestrained… mortals were mere ants before them.

“Speak,” he said, his voice a low growl. “Or I’ll break your neck.”

Xiao Xiao took a deep breath. “I stumbled upon a place called the Valley of Eternity,” she said. “I found five phoenixes there. I didn’t steal them. They chose to follow me.”

He reached out, his fingers pushing aside her collar, revealing her delicate collarbone, the phoenix tattoo encircling it.

It was identical to Wei Feng’s.

His hand trembled. Phoenixes were powerful, difficult to tame, but they were loyal to their chosen master.

Only Wei Feng had possessed five phoenix guardians.

If Cui Xiao Xiao was telling the truth, if those phoenixes had chosen her… could she be Wei Feng reincarnated?

Had his beloved… returned?

But a wave of doubt washed over him. The Phoenix Sanctuary and the spirit stone that sealed the ancient Flame Emperor’s divine power core… they were both on Guishi Cliff. It seemed too coincidental.

Wei Feng… had she betrayed him, choosing the ancient Flame Emperor?

He tightened his grip, his gaze fixed on the girl in his arms.

She had been so brazen, flirting with another man right before his eyes.

He had been blind, a fool!

And Wei Feng’s delayed reincarnation… perhaps it wasn’t a choice. Perhaps someone had prevented it.

Ancient Flame Emperor, you cunning bastard! You dared to steal her from me!

As the waves crashed against the sinking island, his rage, amplified, focused on Wei Jie, the other man in her life.