Chapter 3
The Supreme Palace was an institution under the Heavenly Prosperity Department, responsible for managing the elixirs needed by the Celestial officials. The current head of the Supreme Palace, the Jingde Immortal Lord, was a disciple of the Heavenly Prosperity Star Lord.
He was skilled in alchemy, but perhaps due to spending too much time with alchemy furnaces and flames, his temper had become increasingly volatile. If he were in a bad mood one day and decided to withhold elixirs, no one would dare to question him. After all, offending him was akin to offending the entire Heavenly Prosperity Department.
Not only would it be difficult to obtain elixirs from the Supreme Palace in the future, but even Cinnabar Jade from the Heavenly Prosperity Palace, Daoist scriptures from the Wenqu Palace, and treasures from the Longding Palace would become inaccessible. These four palaces were the “four tyrants” under the Heavenly Prosperity Department, their fates intertwined.
With Master’s passing, Dong’e Mountain’s situation had plummeted. They already had countless enemies. If they were to offend the palaces under the Heavenly Prosperity Department as well, would they still have a place in the Celestial Realm? Would they have to become like those wandering Immortals, searching for secluded mountains and going into seclusion for thousands of years? Would they have to rely on themselves to travel vast distances for any necessities? Zhu Wan felt like a lone boat adrift on a vast ocean, her despair deepening with each passing moment. She had to stop Feng Chiyue before she could cause any more trouble. They no longer had an invincible Dong’e Mountain Lord to clean up their messes!
But just as Zhu Wan was about to leave, a guest arrived at Dong’e Mountain. It was none other than Feng Yao, a wandering Immortal from the Phoenix lineage who hadn’t set foot on Dong’e Mountain for a long time. Zhu Wan quickly composed herself, adopting the demeanor befitting a disciple of the Dong’e Mountain Lord. She bowed to the stunningly beautiful Immortal in the golden-red dress. “Greetings, Master.”
Feng Yao returned the gesture and handed Zhu Wan a Qiankun bag, her expression impassive. “This is a small token of goodwill from Phoenix Mountain.”
After learning of Ming Jiansu’s death, the Phoenixes had held a meeting, and everyone agreed that Feng Chiyue’s situation was precarious. Whether to let her stay on Dong’e Mountain or bring her back to Phoenix Mountain became a dilemma.
After several rounds of voting, the result was unsurprising: they didn’t want her back. However, the Phoenixes couldn’t bear to watch her suffer. After much deliberation, they decided to pool their resources to support Feng Chiyue, on the condition that she remained on Dong’e Mountain.
The Celestials of the Celestial Court were cold and ruthless, perfectly embodying the saying “when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.” After Master’s death, apart from Ming Yuheng, who had a close relationship with her, no one else had offered any condolences. Instead, they were busy distancing themselves and watching the drama unfold.
Zhu Wan never expected that the Phoenixes, who had always been at odds with Dong’e Mountain, would be the ones to offer help in their time of need. However, all her gratitude vanished the moment she remembered that Feng Chiyue had left Dong’e Mountain. She thanked Feng Yao, fighting back tears, and said, “Master Feng has left Dong’e Mountain. She might have gone to the Supreme Palace.”
Those words instantly wiped the frowns off both their faces, replaced by shared dismay.
“What is she doing at the Supreme Palace? Don’t tell me she’s selling Phoenix Fire?” Feng Yao exclaimed, her teeth grinding.
Zhu Wan smiled wryly. “Do you think that’s possible?” She wished Feng Chiyue was selling Phoenix Fire. At least that way, it would only be the Phoenix lineage losing face. But if she was there to cause trouble… The mere thought of it made Zhu Wan feel suffocated.
“We have to stop her before it’s too late,” Feng Yao said, her thoughts aligning perfectly with Zhu Wan’s.
The Celestial Court was located atop Mount Kunlun, at the center of the four directions. The four great mountains—Dong’e(East Ah), West River, South Departure, and North Star—along with numerous smaller mountains, surrounded Mount Kunlun like stars.
The Celestial Court had three main departments—Heavenly Mechanism, Celestial Pivot, and Heavenly Prosperity—all situated in the central hub. After all, the “center” represented the “core,” while the “four directions” were merely auxiliary.
All the influential Celestial officials resided on Mount Kunlun. If they were all currently on Mount Kunlun, they wouldn’t hold out much hope of catching up to Feng Chiyue. However, to reach Kunlun from Dong’e Mountain, one had to pass through several Heavenly Gates. They could definitely catch her.
But soon, Zhu Wan and Feng Yao realized something was wrong. They had passed through several Heavenly Gates, and each time, they were told that Feng Chiyue had left a while ago. They couldn’t believe they were being outrun by someone who was usually lazy and indolent! Exchanging bewildered glances, they both chose to ignore this baffling fact.
Upon arriving at the Celestial Court, Feng Chiyue strolled leisurely along the corridor, the golden bells on her waist chiming melodiously. Looking around, she saw magnificent palaces and jade towers scattered among the clouds. The Celestials passing by were adorned in crimson robes and phoenix crowns, their jade pendants and golden ornaments clinking softly. When their gazes fell upon Feng Chiyue, their faces filled with surprise, and they began to whisper among themselves.
Feng Chiyue, unfazed by the attention, crossed the long red bridge and arrived at the Supreme Palace. Golden nails studded the jade doors, and a gentle breeze rustled through the red curtains.
Exquisite wind chimes hung from the eaves, their tinkling sounds like a beautiful melody. Beside the plaque, an upside-down purple gourd was carved with intricate patterns, its round beads resembling Nine Transformations Elixirs, emanating an air of mystery. A strange smile played on Feng Chiyue’s lips.
That old geezer Jingde wanted to withhold Ming Jiansu’s elixirs? What belonged to Ming Jiansu belonged to her. Did he think it would be that easy? He made the decision, so he should be the one to face the consequences!
A young Daoist boy, fanning himself, dozed off in front of an alchemy furnace. The sound of bells jolted him awake. He had never met Feng Chiyue before, and her imposing aura startled him. He quickly plastered a smile on his face and greeted her warmly, “Welcome, Immortal. Are you here to collect elixirs? Which palace are you from?”
Feng Chiyue replied calmly, “Dong’e Mountain.”
The moment those words left her mouth, the Daoist boy’s expression changed, his obsequious smile morphing into a sneer.
He took a step back, putting distance between himself and Feng Chiyue as if she were something repulsive. “There are no rations for Dong’e Mountain today,” he spat. The Immortal Lord had given clear instructions: no more elixirs for Dong’e Mountain from this day forward. The Dong’e Mountain Lord was dead, and most of the Celestials stationed there had fled. Why should they waste their efforts? It was better to save the elixirs.
Feng Chiyue pressed on, “Why not?” Her gaze shifted to the alchemy furnace, her eyes sweeping over it as if it were her own possession.
The Daoist boy couldn’t come up with a proper explanation. He didn’t know the specific rules and regulations, but he had memorized the Immortal Lord’s orders. Waving his hand dismissively, he said impatiently, “Go away, go away. There are none, that’s all you need to know. Why ask so many questions?” Being a Daoist boy at the Supreme Palace was a cushy job. Even those with higher cultivation levels had to treat him with respect. His ego inflated, his demeanor shifting in an instant.
Feng Chiyue chuckled, a dangerous glint flickering in her dark eyes.
“I won’t leave until I get the elixirs,” she declared.
The Daoist boy hated dealing with “unreasonable” people like her. He let out an angry shout, flicked his fan, and channeled his celestial energy, sending a blast of scorching wind towards Feng Chiyue.
Waves of heat rolled through the air, but Feng Chiyue stood her ground, unmoved. Only her robes fluttered around her, the jade pendants on her belt clinking against each other.
Feng Chiyue watched the Daoist boy with amusement. She took a step forward, the deep shadows of the hall falling upon her, creating an aura of vastness and mystery.
The Daoist boy felt a chill run down his spine and couldn’t help but take a step back. The flames licked at the alchemy furnace, crackling softly, and an eerie silence descended upon them.
Feng Chiyue asked sweetly, “Why are there no rations for Dong’e Mountain? Is the fire beneath the alchemy furnace not strong enough?”
She raised her right hand, and a ball of flame erupted from her palm, crimson red with streaks of black. As the Daoist boy watched in horror, she pressed the flame against the Bagua alchemy furnace and said with a faint smile, “Let me lend you a hand.”
The moment the flame touched the alchemy furnace, a deafening explosion shook the heavens and earth! The shockwave sent shards of unformed elixirs flying through the air like shooting stars, embedding themselves inches deep into the pillars, tables, and chairs in the hall. The Daoist boy’s eyes widened in terror as he stared at Feng Chiyue.
He had heard countless stories about her, each more outlandish than the last. But one description remained consistent: she was a parasitic vine clinging to the Dong’e Mountain Lord, a good-for-nothing with only her looks to boast of. Yet, here she was, the rumored good-for-nothing beauty, destroying the thousand-year-old alchemy furnace of the Supreme Palace with a flick of her wrist!
The Daoist boy collapsed to the ground, his scalp tingling. As he met Feng Chiyue’s lazy smile, a wave of fear shot up his spine. His ears rang with the fading echoes of the explosion. His lips trembled, and finally, he regained his senses and screamed, “Immortal Lord! Help!”
Even without the Daoist boy’s cries, the Jingde Immortal Lord would have rushed over. The explosion had been too loud, far exceeding the usual “furnace explosions” caused by his disciples. When he arrived, he was greeted by a scene of utter devastation. And standing amidst the rubble, a serene smile on her face, was Feng Chiyue in her vibrant red robes.
The Jingde Immortal Lord’s face darkened, his temples throbbing. He couldn’t fathom how Feng Chiyue could be responsible for such destruction. He shifted his confused gaze to the cowering Daoist boy.
The Daoist boy pointed a trembling finger at Feng Chiyue and cried out, “It was her, Immortal Lord! She did it!”
A cold glint flashed in the Jingde Immortal Lord’s eyes. Whether it was Feng Chiyue or not, someone had pointed a finger at her, so it was settled! He didn’t need to think too hard to understand Feng Chiyue’s motive. After all, he had just announced the cessation of elixir supplies to Dong’e Mountain last night.
Did this fool not realize that with the Dong’e Mountain Lord gone and her recent offense against the Heavenly Empress, the Supreme Palace had no reason to provide her with elixirs and incur the Empress’s wrath?
The Jingde Immortal Lord said coldly, “Please come with me to the Grand Precept Hall of the Celestial Pivot Department.”
The Celestial Pivot Department was the thunder department responsible for law enforcement. It housed the Platform of Severance, the Senluo Prison, and the Grand Precept Hall.
The Platform of Severance was the execution ground, the Senluo Prison was where criminals were imprisoned, and the Grand Precept Hall was where Celestial offenders were interrogated.
These places were usually empty, but once someone entered, they rarely came out. A lone Celestial with no backing versus the Supreme Palace and the Celestial Pivot Department… His colleagues should know which side to choose. At this thought, the Jingde Immortal Lord’s gaze turned even colder.
“The Grand Precept Hall?” Feng Chiyue’s smile took on a mocking edge. She raised an eyebrow and replied nonchalantly, “I refuse.”
She might be smiling, but her mood was far from pleasant. In the past two hundred years, when had she ever been so humiliated? Ming Jiansu was gone, and she had to do everything herself! If you’re dead, then stay dead; if you’re capable, don’t pretend to be a corpse!
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