3089-chapter-2
Chapter 2
Ning Xi took a long time to calm the stormy emotions in her heart. In a hoarse voice, she said, “Could there be some misunderstanding? My master has never mentioned this matter to me.”
Everyone knew that Lian Yue Daozun was pure and noble, dedicating her life to the welfare of the world, and had never had any romantic relationships, especially not with the infamous Yun Jiao clan. The people present found this hard to accept, especially Ning Xi. To her, her master was a tall and lofty figure, transcendent and extraordinary. How could she possibly have a romantic relationship with the Sea Emperor?
Ao Xiu, anticipating everyone’s surprise, calmly took out a red brocade pouch from his sleeve. Opening it, he revealed a lock of black hair tied with a red string.
“Ten years ago, I was gravely injured and on the verge of death. Lian Yue Daozun saved me. As we spent time together, we developed feelings for each other and became Daoist partners. Before we parted, I gave her a dragon scale, and she cut off a lock of her hair for me. These tokens symbolized our promise to reunite once I became the Sea Emperor and to come to the Si Yi Sect to find her. Unfortunately, I was a step too late…” Ao Xiu sighed.
Xu Manman slowly opened her mouth in shock, and it took her a long time to remember who this person was.
Yes, ten years ago, she had saved a fish by the sea. Over the past hundred years, she has saved at least twenty to thirty fish, so how could she remember them all? But she did have some impression of this particular fish because its eyes were blind when she rescued it!
The Siyi Sect was located by the East Sea, where fishermen often went out to sea. Over three thousand years ago, a pact was made when humans and spirit beasts formed an alliance: humans could fish but were forbidden from harming sea spirit beasts with intelligence, and the spirit beast clan was not to harm fishermen.
That year, fishermen by the East Sea reported turbulent waters and many fishing boats being swallowed by the sea, causing numerous deaths. The Siyi Sect sent disciples to negotiate with Fu Yue Shenzun on Lingju Island, but he claimed to be powerless, as the turmoil was due to the Sea Emperor’s internal strife.
Xu Manman had no choice but to personally venture into the Endless Sea to find Ao Cang for an explanation. However, the Sea God’s Palace was in chaos, and she couldn’t find anyone. Unable to stay underwater for long, she returned and ordered her disciples to protect the fishermen, thus safeguarding their lives and livelihoods.
It was during that time that she saved Ao Xiu. When she first saw him, he was covered in blood, with many scales missing, and was weakly flapping his tail on the shore. Realizing he wasn’t an ordinary sea fish due to the spirit beast aura emanating from him, Xu Manman fed him a spiritual pill to sustain his life and found a cave rich in spiritual energy by the sea to help him recover.
A few days later, Ao Xiu regained consciousness but was still blind. Xu Manman knew that if she left him unattended, he wouldn’t survive long. Determined to save him, she prepared spiritual medicines and set up formations to aid his recovery, and within seven or eight days, he was able to transform into human form.
“I heard that there has been turmoil in the Sea God’s Palace recently. You, little fish, must have been caught up in it unintentionally,” Xu Manman said gently. “This cave is very hidden, and I’ve set up a spirit-gathering formation here. Recover well, and once things calm down outside, you can leave.”
Ao Xiu, his handsome face pale and his eyes vacant, remained silent for a long time before asking hoarsely, “Who are you, and why did you save me?”
Xu Manman smiled slightly. “I am Lian Yue Daozun of the Siyi Sect. You must have heard my name.”
Ao Xiu raised his eyebrows slightly and lowered his gaze.
At that time, the Siyi Sect was already the top sect in the Daoist alliance, renowned far and wide. Many of the disciples in the sect had been saved or taken in by Xu Manman. She viewed Ao Xiu with the same mindset, though she never considered what he thought of her. After introducing herself and seeing no reaction from Ao Xiu, she assumed he trusted her.
He was severely injured and blind, fearing she would abandon him, so he often groped to hold onto the hem of her clothes. Xu Manman had asked for his name, but he said he had none. Other water creatures called him 109, as he was the 109th child of the previous Sea Emperor, with over a hundred more siblings after him.
Xu Manman was momentarily speechless and then said, “I’ll call you Ah Jiu then.”
As they spent more time together, Ah Jiu began to talk more, occasionally sharing stories about the Sea God’s Palace. Xu Manman knew he had a hard life there and once suggested he come to live at the Siyi Sect. Ah Jiu pondered for a long time but ultimately refused.
“When I become the Sea Emperor, I’ll come to find you,” he said at the time.
Everyone has their own aspirations. Xu Manman did not force him. If even a carp dreams of leaping over the dragon gate, how much more so for a Yun Jiao? In her view, however, with Ah Jiu’s limited abilities, becoming the Sea Emperor among hundreds of siblings would not be easy. Later, when his injuries healed but he remained blind, he left to find the Heavenly Pearl in the Sea God Palace. When they parted, he gave her a silver scale as a token, though he didn’t say it was a heart scale. Every Yun Jiao has one heart scale, a precious symbol of their dragon lineage.
Xu Manman, having saved countless lives and received numerous gifts, didn’t give it much thought and casually placed it in her qiankun bag. As for the lock of hair Ao Xiu now held, she vaguely recalled that Ah Jiu had once unintentionally touched her hair and quietly cut off a strand…
Xu Manman glared at the back of the man in front of her, feeling frustrated. The confident and handsome man now looked very different from Ah Jiu in her memories; no wonder she didn’t recognize him. She had saved his life, yet he fabricated lies after her death, tarnishing her reputation. Wasn’t this repaying kindness with enmity?
She considered revealing her identity to expose Ao Xiu’s lies, but reason reminded her that this wasn’t the right time. She wanted to see what the current Sea Emperor’s true intentions were behind his fabrications.
Ning Xi took the lock of hair from Ao Xiu, and a soft light appeared in her palm. Tears welled in her eyes as she said tremulously, “It’s Master’s hair…”
For Daoists, their hair and bodies held special significance and couldn’t be given away lightly. If such things fell into the hands of the Blood Sect, it would be extremely dangerous. Seeing Ao Xiu with Lian Yue Daozun’s hair, Ning Xi recalled her mentor’s voice and smile, feeling heart-wrenching pain. She firmly believed in her master’s integrity and, after confirming the authenticity of the hair, only doubted its origin.
Clutching the hair tightly, she questioned, “With just a lock of hair, forgive me for finding it hard to believe your words, Your Majesty. How did you obtain this hair?”
Xu Manman looked at Ning Xi with approval.
As expected, she was her most beloved disciple.
Ao Xiu said, “With Lian Yue Daozun’s cultivation, how could anyone obtain her hair without her consent? If you don’t believe me, you can check her belongings. She would certainly have kept our tokens of affection with her.”
Upon hearing this, Ning Xi’s expression changed slightly.
“We dare not disturb Master’s belongings. They are all placed in a jade coffin, to be buried with her. After today, they will be sent to the place of inheritance.”
Even though a Daozun’s corpse could be turned into a powerful puppet tool if it fell into the hands of evil cultivators, every Daozun would start preparing their burial site after their ascension, setting up numerous prohibitions and leaving behind their lifelong knowledge and treasures as a place of inheritance. These places would open a thousand years later when their bodies decayed, allowing those with the right fate to obtain the inheritance. However, most disciples would receive the legacy items left by their master. Lian Yue Daozun was selfless, and it was expected she would leave her inheritance to her disciples. Hearing Ning Xi say they would send her belongings to the place of inheritance, others might think this was out of respect and not wanting to keep her possessions.
Ao Xiu, however, said, “I was Lian Yue Daozun’s Daoist partner, and we promised to follow each other in life and death. But she died at the hands of the Blood Sect, and I have yet to avenge her. I am ashamed to face her. I am here today to take Lian Yue Daozun back to the Sea God’s Palace. Once I have eradicated the Blood Sect, I will meet her in the afterlife.”
Ning Xi was shocked and blurted out, “No!”
The sound echoed, and Ning Xi glanced at the veiled woman in plain clothes beside her, realizing the other “no” had come from her.
She quickly turned back to Ao Xiu, resolutely rejecting, “Master is a Daozun of the Daoist Alliance and the head of the Siyi Sect. After her death, she should naturally remain here!”
Xu Manman was nodding frantically in her mind, glaring at Ao Xiu, trying to figure out what this new Sea Emperor was plotting. She needed to return to her body, which, though plain and with mediocre cultivation talent, she had grown accustomed to over the past the past three hundred years. She didn’t even know whose body she was in now and needed to find a way to return quickly. If Ao Xiu took her body back to the Sea God’s Palace, retrieving it would be much harder!
Ao Xiu had anticipated the Siyi Sect’s resistance. He calmly said, “I’ve heard that you are Lian Yue Daozun’s most esteemed disciple. Do you not understand her feelings? She devoted her life to the world, sacrificing personal love for the greater good. When did she ever plan anything for herself? She hid her feelings for your sake. The Siyi Sect was her shackle for three hundred years. Must you still bind her in death?”
Ning Xi turned pale and murmured, “The Siyi Sect… was her shackle?”
Nonsense!
Xu Manman was so anxious that she stamped her feet. Ao Xiu’s words were cunningly designed to strike at Ning Xi’s emotions, knowing she was sentimental and would not reason with him. The Siyi Sect was not a shackle; it was the home she had painstakingly built!
Worried that Ao Xiu might break through Ning Xi’s defenses, Xu Manman couldn’t help but reveal her identity.
She stepped forward and said loudly, “I have something to say!”
Ning Xi turned her head in confusion and saw a pair of bright black eyes that gave her a feeling of both unfamiliarity and intimate familiarity. Just then, another voice interrupted.
“Nonsense!” The voice was clear and resonant, like jade, but filled with anger. Along with this sharp rebuke, a surge of golden-red spiritual power shot towards Ao Xiu’s face. Ao Xiu’s pupils contracted as the space before him suddenly distorted, rippling like water, dissolving the fierce spiritual energy.
However, the spiritual energy was merely a feint; the real killing move came from behind. A red figure suddenly appeared behind Ao Xiu and struck his back mercilessly.
Although Ao Xiu sensed the anomaly and moved away in an instant, he was still a moment too late, receiving half the force of the blow. Fortunately, his dragon scale robe dissipated part of the force, preventing internal injury.
Despite this, he was humiliated. His handsome face darkened as he glared coldly at the intruder. The newcomer was also a handsome young man, with sword-like eyebrows and proud phoenix eyes. His red robe, fueled by surging spiritual power, seemed to burn like flames, making the air in the Xianyun Hall hot.
Ao Xiu immediately recognized his origin, gritting his teeth and sneering, “So it’s from the bird tribe.”
The red-robed young man narrowed his phoenix eyes in anger. “Bird tribe? I am Li Que, the young master of the Di Luan clan!”
Only then did everyone realize this. The Di Luan and the Yun Jiao were both descendants of the four divine beasts, one in the sky and one in the water, supposed to avoid conflict. Yet, for some reason, the two clans were like water and fire, constantly at odds.
Ning Xi calmed herself and stepped forward to greet him.
“So it’s the young master of the Di Luan clan. My apologies for not welcoming you properly.”
The Di Luan clan was even more reclusive than the Yun Jiao, with so few members that seeing one on the mainland was rare. Even Xu Manman had never seen one. She stared in amazement at the young master who suddenly appeared, unsure of his intentions.
Li Que flicked his sleeve at Ao Xiu and turned to Ning Xi, saying seriously, “Don’t listen to that water fish’s nonsense. He is not Lian Yue Daozun’s Daoist partner.”
Xu Manman nodded vigorously from the side.
In the silent hall, Li Que then loudly declared, “I am Lian Yue Daozun’s Daoist partner!”
Xu Manman nearly twisted her neck.
Qun Yu Fangzun frowned slightly.
“Did I hear that correctly?”
Qian Luo Yaozun quickly agreed, “Fangzun could not possibly be mistaken!”
Xie Zhenliu mused, “Who would have thought Lian Yue Daozun was so…romantic?”
Ya Sheng Xingzun closed his eyes, “I am deeply shocked…”
Ao Xiu broke the silence with a cold laugh.
“It is you who are spouting nonsense,” Ao Xiu said coldly.
“The Di Luan clan always prides itself on its noble bloodline and does not intermarry with other clans.”
Upon hearing Ao Xiu’s words, Li Que raised his slender neck proudly and said, “The Yun Jiao are promiscuous creatures, sowing seeds everywhere in the four seas, naturally ignorant of the loyalty and virtue of our Feather Clan. A hundred years ago, Lian Yue took away my Primordial True Feather. Since then, I could only follow her alone.”
At this moment, there were dozens of people in the hall, each with only one thought: What exactly is the Primordial True Feather?
Including Xu Manman, everyone was confused.
At this moment, a female voice came from outside the hall, slowly saying, “The Primordial True Feather is the first long feather grown by the Di Luan chick after reaching adulthood, containing surging spiritual energy, and can only be given to one who will be together for life. After the couple gives birth to descendants, they can refine the feather to enhance the bloodline power of the descendants.”
With this voice, a figure in red entered everyone’s sight. The woman’s appearance was radiant, with phoenix-like eyes that seemed to gleam with gold, snow-white skin, red lips, and a hint of a lazy smile, giving off a careless demeanor while still exuding nobility, making people feel intimidated.
The flamboyant red robe she wore was undoubtedly of the same clan as Li Que. Upon seeing her, Li Que respectfully called out, “Feather Emperor!”
The woman looked past Ao Xiu, walked to Li Que’s side, and said to Ning Xi, “I am the co-ruler of the Feather Clan, the chieftain of the Di Luan clan, Li Ying. I heard that the Daozun was harmed by the Blood Sect and unfortunately passed away. I specially led my people here to mourn.”
Ning Xi suppressed her doubts and respectfully greeted her, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Li Ying said, “A hundred years ago, when my clan leader was murdered by traitors, the young master Li Que also disappeared without a trace. Our clan searched for many years and finally found Li Que. It turned out that he was fortunate to have been saved by someone back then, but he later lost contact with that person. After searching the four seas, he couldn’t find that person until today, in the hall, Li Que recognized Lian Yue’s crown, realizing that his savior was Lian Yue Daozun.”
Lian Yue was known for her compassion and helping the weak, which made her well-known throughout the world. She had saved thousands of people and spirit beasts, so it was not unusual for her to save Li Que. Ning Xi didn’t doubt this, but…
She frowned and asked, “What exactly is this Primordial True Feather that Her Majesty mentioned?”
“The Primordial True Feather is a symbol of loyalty for the Di Luan Clan. When Lian Yue took away Li Que’s True Feather, Li Que could no longer seek another companion.”
Li Ying looked at Lian Yue’s crown and then at the Cold Jade Coffin.
“Li Que searched for her for a hundred years. Unexpectedly, when he found her, it was also the moment of eternal separation.”
Li Que bowed his head, and even the red light on his body seemed to dim a lot.
Ning Xi cautiously said, “Your Majesty Li Ying, there may be some misunderstanding in this matter. My Master is not interested in romantic relationships, let alone Li Que, who was only a young man a hundred years ago…”
“Li Que has undergone Nirvana, and now he is 480 years old. A hundred years ago, he was still a handsome young man, but now…” Li Ying frowned slightly. “He is a widower.”
Li Ying patted Li Que’s shoulder lightly and said calmly, “Chastity is a virtue that men of the Di Luan Clan cannot give up. One husband cannot have two wives. You should stay in the Siyi Sect and guard the purity of Lian Yue Daozun for the rest of your life.”
Li Que didn’t hesitate. “Okay.”
Ning Xi: “…”
Xu Manman: “???”
Xu Manman felt that everything that happened today was too absurd… Did she not return to her body? Is this a nightmare? How did she inexplicably end up with two Daoist partners? One wants to take her body away, and the other wants to stay and guard his chastity! Ask the opinion of the deceased! The deceased is currently emotionally unstable!
There was no mention of the Primordial true Feather in Xu Manman’s memory. It was probably the little bird mistaking the person!
Ning Xi also refused to believe what Li Que and Ao Xiu said. Her master was noble and upright, not to mention having two Daoist partners! She composed herself and said, “Please wait, both of you. This matter will need to be decided by our acting Sect Master.”
Li Ying asked, “Who is your acting Sect Master?”
Ning Xi said, “Immortal Lang Yin.”
As soon as the words fell, everyone smelled a refreshing fragrance, which made them feel clear-minded and shocked.
A mighty force radiated outward from the Cold Jade Coffin. Even Li Ying, with her profound cultivation, didn’t dare to resist it head-on and hurriedly stepped back. For a moment, everyone retreated, except for the four Sect Masters who approached. They looked at the man, who slowly appeared in the formation.
Facing the Cold Jade Coffin, with his back to everyone, his clothes trailing on the ground, his black hair reaching his waist, and his long robe fading from white to pink, seemed like a blooming flower, noble and unattainable. However, when he slowly turned around, everyone gasped in the cold air because half of his clothes were dyed crimson with blood. In his left hand was a green jade sword stained with blood, as if it had drunk too much. It trembled as if it had come back to life, and in his right hand, he held a human head.
He expressionlessly tossed the head onto the ground. Ning Xi looked closely and immediately reddened her eyes, gritting her teeth. “It’s the Burning Heaven evil cultivator! Uncle Master, he’s the one who killed Master!”
It was he who led the siege against Lian Yue Daozun!
And Immortal Lang Yin single-handedly stormed into the Blood Sect’s Burning Heaven division, slaughtered the entire division, beheaded three hundred and sixty culprits, and brought back this one to pay homage to Lian Yue Daozun’s spirit in heaven.
Everyone held their breath as they watched the blood-soaked figure, recalling the rumors about him.
The perilous cliffs blooming in the chaos, the celestial flowers on the battlefield of gods and demons, the only flower in the desolate land, the Thousand Leaves Cottonrose, Langyin Daozun.