Chapter 36 p2
In the Purple Empyrean Palace, the Heavenly Emperor was horrified when he heard about the fight between Ming Jian Su and the White Phase Star Monarch. He didn’t want either of them to be injured. He hurriedly sent a decree to Qingjun Palace, ordering Chu Yi to intervene.
Recently, Chu Yi had lost interest in the Celestial Feather Ministry’s affairs. After losing to Ying Cunxin in the Ethereal Spirit Realm, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was wrong. In the end, she could only attribute it to “luck,” since she knew Ying Cunxin’s true abilities better than anyone. But even though she had found an excuse, she couldn’t completely convince herself. She spent every day racking her brains, trying to figure out how to convince Ying Cunxin to fight her again. A few days ago, Ying Cunxin had agreed to another match, but the outcome hadn’t aligned with her expectations. She lost again.
Once could be a coincidence, but twice? Chu Yi felt a surge of frustration, but Ying Cunxin was becoming increasingly distant. Sometimes, she would send ten messages, and it would take Ying Cunxin two hours to reply with a single message. Normally, she wouldn’t bother, but Ying Cunxin’s replies, despite being late, were detailed and addressed every point she had raised. Perhaps she was just busy? Chu Yi wondered, thinking she should find an opportunity to visit the East Sea.
Before she could make any plans, the Heavenly Emperor’s decree arrived, ordering her to mediate between the East Abode Master and the White Phase Star Monarch. It had only been a few days. How had they ended up fighting? Chu Yi sighed heavily, resigned to her fate, and set off for Dong’e Mountain.
The White Phase Star Monarch might have arrived with aggressive fanfare, but in actual combat, he was like a leaky balloon, quickly losing his momentum. Ming Jian Su had never fought against one of the older Star Monarchs in the Heavenly Court and was unsure of their true strength. But after exchanging a few blows, she quickly gauged his abilities. As expected, most immortals in the Heavenly Court were all talk and no action.
While the White Phase Star Monarch’s attacks were lackluster, he possessed several defensive treasures: robes, talismans, and other artifacts. Not wanting to damage their spiritual essence, Ming Jian Su refrained from using her Heaven and Earth Convergence Sword Technique and patiently focused on depleting his magic power.
“That’s the Death Duel invitation!” Zhen Yuan True Person, worried for his friend, watched as the situation deteriorated. “Fellow Daoist Baiyang is about to lose,” he said, then, unable to contain himself any longer, he released a treasured pearl from his sleeve. He acted so quickly that Tushan Xiu Rong didn’t even have time to stop him.
Ming Jian Su had sensed the incoming attack from behind. Without turning her head, she directed Undefeated to intercept it. A blinding flash of sword light erupted, followed by a deafening boom. The treasure that Zhen Yuan True Person had painstakingly refined for hundreds of years was cleaved in two. The energy stored within it surged outwards, a portion of it striking Zhen Yuan True Person.
As treasures were connected to their owner’s mind and spirit, Zhen Yuan True Person spat out a mouthful of blood. Tushan Xiu Rong reacted quickly, pulling him aside. She looked up at the Death Duel invitation hovering in the air, her brow furrowed. After a moment, two characters, “Zhen Yuan,” appeared on the invitation. “Fellow Daoist, you were too impulsive,” she said disapprovingly.
Zhen Yuan True Person smiled bitterly but didn’t respond. A sense of danger washed over him. He froze, then looked down. The cloud he was standing on was engulfed in flames. The dancing flames, resembling red lotuses swaying in the wind, slowly climbed upwards. He remained calm, channeling his magic power downwards, but instead of extinguishing the flames, he only fueled them further. He didn’t feel any pain, but he could sense his magic power and lifespan slowly draining away as the flames burned.
“Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuan?” Tushan Xiu Rong exclaimed, her heart sinking as she saw his black hair turning white. After a moment of hesitation, she sighed, took out a phoenix feather, and brushed it against Zhen Yuan True Person’s body. The flames subsided. She didn’t say anything further, quickly concealing the feather in her sleeve.
“Fellow Daoist Xiu Rong…” Zhen Yuan True Person stared at her blankly.
“Don’t ask,” Tushan Xiu Rong said calmly. This phoenix feather had been given to her by Tushan Liusu and was connected to that person, as well as the East Abode Master. She wouldn’t have taken it out unless it was absolutely necessary to extinguish the Phoenix fire on Zhen Yuan True Person.
In Dong’e Mountain.
Zhu Wan, oblivious to the thunderous roar outside, looked curiously at Feng Chiyue, who had jumped out of the hammock. “Where are you going, Immortal Monarch?” she asked.
Feng Chiyue raised an eyebrow, tilted her head, and smiled sweetly. “Someone isn’t listening. What do you think we should do?”
Her beautiful eyes flickered with a golden light. There was a smile on her lips, but her eyes were devoid of emotion, cold and chilling. Zhu Wan was startled. She bit her lip and said softly, “Kill them?” As soon as the words left her mouth, she mentally scolded herself. When had she been infected by Feng Chiyue’s ruthlessness?!
Feng Chiyue strode out.
Ming Jian Su was the first to notice that Feng Chiyue had left Dong’e Mountain. She narrowed her eyes, her gaze fixed on the terrified White Phase Star Monarch. Her sword intent sliced through the air, shattering his defenses and shaking his protective treasures. The White Phase Star Monarch was running out of magic power to sustain his treasures. Seizing the opportunity, Ming Jian Su snatched them away, then directed her sword intent towards him, showing no mercy. Despair gripped the White Phase Star Monarch, and he regretted signing that Death Duel invitation. With the invitation in effect, even if he died, the Celestial Pivot Department wouldn’t intervene. He dodged a sword beam with difficulty, his mind racing. Something wasn’t right. Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuan had also attacked, so his name should be on the Death Duel invitation too. Why hadn’t he joined the fight yet? The White Phase Star Monarch channeled his remaining magic power and transformed into a wisp of mist. After the sword beam passed, he re-solidified his body, his figure wavering.
“Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuan, help me!” he cried out.
Ming Jian Su had already figured out that Zhen Yuan True Person was the one who had intervened earlier. Her expression remained cold, and she had been waiting for him to join the fight, but for some reason, he had remained motionless.
After the White Phase Star Monarch’s desperate plea, she decided not to wait any longer. She directed her two swords, one after the other, towards him. The White Phase Star Monarch tried to use his reality-shifting technique, but before he could fully shroud himself in shadows, the sword beams pierced through him. He was caught between reality and illusion, but the Heaven and Earth Convergence Sword Technique ignored all such transformations. With a loud bang, his head and limbs were severed, blood splattering through the air. Before they even hit the ground, his body crumbled into dust, scattered by the wind.
The entire fight, from the moment the White Phase Star Monarch arrived at Dong’e Mountain to his demise, hadn’t lasted long.
Chu Yi, arriving in a flash of sword light, didn’t even have time to utter the words “Spare him” before the White Phase Star Monarch was gone. Wait, there was still another name on the Death Duel invitation. All eyes, filled with various emotions—sharpness, killing intent, pity—turned towards Zhen Yuan True Person, whose face had drained of all color.
“You’re such a loyal friend,” Feng Chiyue said, looking at him nonchalantly. “Why didn’t you follow him to the death? Will you end your own life, or should my Elder Sister do the honors?”
Zhen Yuan True Person was drenched in cold sweat.
He was indeed close to the White Phase Star Monarch, and he had been willing to stand up for him, but he hadn’t expected to lose his own life over it. He had never imagined that the East Abode Master would be so ruthless! Even in a Death Duel, as long as both parties were willing to compromise, they could still erase the invitation.
Chu Yi glanced at Ming Jian Su, who had walked over to Feng Chiyue, her sword still in hand. She had initially wanted to try and persuade her, but then she realized that Ming Jian Su ultimately listened to Feng Chiyue. She shifted her gaze to Feng Chiyue. “Fellow Daoist Feng, for the sake of my… father, how about sparing his life?” She had initially wanted to say “for my sake,” but considering her history of conflicts with Feng Chiyue, Zhen Yuan True Person would be dead for sure if they acted based on her “sake”.
Feng Chiyue pointed at the Death Duel invitation.
With “Baiyang” gone, “Zhen Yuan” stood out starkly.
With the Death Duel invitation in effect, even the Heavenly Emperor himself couldn’t intervene, let alone his father.
This man had attacked her Elder Sister from behind, a more despicable and cowardly act than anything the White Phase Star Monarch had done. He deserved to die! Ignoring Chu Yi’s expression, Feng Chiyue stared at Zhen Yuan True Person, a flicker of fire dancing on the clouds.
“Fellow Daoist” Tushan Xiu Rong said suddenly, “may I have a word with you in private?”
Before Ming Jian Su could respond, Feng Chiyue glared at her. What connection did this fox have with her Elder Sister? Why did they have to speak in private? Wasn’t she worthy of hearing their conversation? Sensing Feng Chiyue’s irritation, Ming Jian Su gently squeezed her little finger, trying to appease her. “If you have something to say, say it here,” she said calmly.
Tushan Xiu Rong frowned slightly. After a moment of contemplation, she took out the phoenix feather and said, “A feather has fallen onto your sword, Fellow Daoist.”
Ming Jian Su’s eyelids twitched. She knew Tushan Xiu Rong was implying something more. Before Ming Jian Su could reach out, Feng Chiyue snatched the feather. Sensing her own Phoenix fire sealed within it, she smiled coldly. Where did this wild Phoenix come from? Did they think this shabby feather was worthy of becoming a tassel for her Elder Sister’s sword?!
“Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuan only acted out of impulse,” Tushan Xiu Rong continued. “How about showing him some mercy, Fellow Daoist Dong’e?”
Chu Yi nodded in agreement. “Yes, let’s strive for peace.”
Feng Chiyue glanced at Chu Yi sarcastically. “It’s quite surprising to hear such words coming from the Emperor’s daughter.”
Chu Yi: “…”
Ming Jian Su pondered for a moment. “How much is Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuan’s life worth?”
Feng Chiyue stared at her incredulously, then yanked her hand away and stormed back towards the mountain.
Ming Jian Su froze, realizing that Feng Chiyue was angry. She didn’t hesitate. Putting away the Death Duel invitation, she immediately turned and followed.
“Junior Sister! Junior Sister!” she called out, but as she stepped into the Dharma Hall, a blast of fire roared towards her. She dodged frantically. She didn’t dare to draw her sword. By the time she reached Feng Chiyue, having dodged numerous fireballs, she was covered in soot, a rare sight of disarray. She brushed a flicker of flame from her robes and looked at Feng Chiyue, who was only showing her a stubborn back. “Junior Sister,” she called out softly, her voice gentle and coaxing.
Feng Chiyue was furious.
She had wanted to tear Zhen Yuan limb from limb to avenge Ming Jian Su, but what had happened? The moment she saw the phoenix feather, Ming Jian Su’s soul had seemingly departed. She was ready to generously let him go! She knew it. Ming Jian Su was hopelessly devoted to Phoenixes. She probably wanted Dong’e Mountain to be overflowing with them! Hearing Ming Jian Su’s approaching footsteps, her anger flared even brighter. She grabbed a pillow and hurled it at Ming Jian Su.
Ming Jian Su dodged the pillow and seized the opportunity to grab Feng Chiyue’s wrist. She knelt before her and asked softly, “What’s wrong, Junior Sister?”
Feng Chiyue’s eyes were red-rimmed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Why don’t you go string your sword tassel? Isn’t one feather enough? Do you need to pluck more from Phoenix Mountain?”
“I don’t need feathers from other Phoenixes,” Ming Jian Su said quickly. “What are they compared to you, Junior Sister?”
Her words only fueled Feng Chiyue’s anger further. Tears welled up in her eyes. “I knew it! You’ve been coveting my true form, wanting to pluck my feathers all along. You tricked me into giving you my treasures, and now that you’ve got what you wanted, are you going to kick me out of Dong’e Mountain?”
Leave a Reply to Dietrich Cancel reply