Chapter 53

The moment the golden core landed in Bai Shuo’s hand, dawn broke, and the first ray of sunlight illuminated the mountains.

Birds soared mid-air, and the lifeless Nameless mountain came back to life.

Everyone gazed at the three nameless graves in silence, exchanging glances but saying nothing.

Suddenly, a hand reached out toward the golden core in Bai Shuo’s hand.

The young man stepped sideways to block it, staring intently at Nan Wan.

“What are you trying to do?”

Under Fan Yue’s sharp gaze, Nan Wan’s heart trembled.

With a light snort, he frowned.

“Have you all forgotten why we came to Yi City? With the will of this evil core gone, no one knows the whereabouts of the Wutong Tree Heart anymore. I’m merely trying to see if there are any clues about it inside this core.”

After such a tumultuous night, only Nan Wan seemed to remember their main objective.

Truly, a remarkable individual.

Bai Shuo rubbed the golden core in his hand, raising an eyebrow.

“Lord Jinyao hid the Wutong Tree Heart within these nameless tombs, likely intending for those who came here to purify the resentment in the golden core left by Master Rong Xian. Logically, now that the resentment is gone, the Wutong Tree Heart should have appeared…”

Just as Bai Shuo finished speaking, a ray of sunlight fell upon the golden core in her hand.

A golden beam refracted from the core, shooting straight behind the tombs.

Ten meters away, the mist dispersed, revealing a stone tomb where the light pointed.

Despite fighting in this wilderness all night, no one had noticed this tomb.

Clearly, it had been hidden by a barrier that could only be lifted once the golden core’s resentment was purified.

This must be the place where the Wutong Tree Heart is truly buried.

Before anyone could act, Nan Wan darted forward.

His immortal sword flew from his hand, striking the tomb’s gate, but it didn’t budge.

Mu Jiu, close behind, saw Nan Wan’s failed attempt and mocked him with arms akimbo.

“Oh my, Nan Wan! Your Yunxiao Sect’s etiquette is truly top-notch. First in stirring trouble and first in snatching things too!”

Nan Wan’s face darkened.

After spending the entire night in this cursed place, he still couldn’t enter the tomb holding the Wutong Tree Heart!

“If I can’t get in, do you think you can?”

Mu Jiu circled the tomb’s gate, rubbing his chin.

“The golden core’s resentment is gone, so technically, we’ve passed the first trial of Lord Jinyao. Bai girl, come take a look. Does this gate have some kind of trick to it?”

Mu Jiu truly had a sharp mind.

Among this group, the blacksmith might be the toughest, but the cleverest one was undoubtedly this sly half-immortal girl.

Bai Shuo quickly approached the tomb and examined it closely.

Suddenly, she said, “Look at the carvings on this stone door!”

Everyone leaned in.

Beneath floating clouds stood a lone figure atop a mountain, carrying a long sword and gazing at the heavens.

Behind him was a totem of nine tails.

“The fox clan’s totem?” Mu Jiu raised an eyebrow.

“And this mountain…” Beichen spoke slowly.

“Lord Beichen, is it Kunlun Mountain?”

Beichen nodded.

“Yes, it is Kunlun.”

Bai Shuo clapped her hands.

“That’s it! I understand now. This relief depicts the totems of Kunlun and the fox clan. Perhaps it requires someone from Kunlun and someone from the fox clan to open the tomb. Lord Beichen, why don’t you and Lord Mu Jiu give it a try?”

“Who wants to cooperate with Kunlun?”

Mu Jiu tilted his nose upward, crossing his arms, exuding an air of defiance.

Beichen spoke calmly.

“I came to the Yi City to resolve the regrets toward Master Rong Xian. Now that Master Rong Xian has passed, the Wutong Tree Heart has nothing to do with my sect.”

“Wait, Lord Beichen…” Bai Shuo was stunned as Beichen turned to leave.

She couldn’t let a whole night’s effort go to waste!

Before Bai Shuo could persuade further, Nan Wan stepped forward to block Beichen.

“Brother Beichen, the immortal clans are branches of the same tree. Since we’ve entered the Yi City, we should work together. The Wutong Martial Banquet isn’t just a competition; it represents the division of immortal and demon realms’ blessed lands for the next hundred years. Regardless of which clan wins, we immortal clans must give it our all. Brother Beichen, you shouldn’t give up now.”

Well said! Only a proper immortal sect disciple could deliver such convincing rhetoric!

Bai Shuo raised her eyebrows.

Sure enough, Beichen frowned slightly but paused in his steps.

Seeing a chance, Bai Shuo whispered to Mu Jiu, “Lord, let’s enter first. Nan Wan is right. We’re here for the Wutong Tree Heart. With your skills, you won’t lose to Beichen or Nan Wan. If you obtain all three Wutong Heart Fires, you’ll wield the Wheel of Destruction in one hand and the Wutong Sword in the other. Who in the three realms would dare challenge your might?”

Mu Jiu was tempted but gave Bai Shuo a curious look, sizing her up.

“My friend, my eyes aren’t playing tricks, are they? Aren’t you an immortal?”

Bai Shuo bumped his shoulder.

“What kind of talk is that? Immortals and demons are family!”

Mu Jiu glanced at Bai Shuo, his interest piqued.

Though Bai Shuo was clearly immortal, her cunning nature was undeniable.

The youth and the blacksmith by her side, whose aura defied clear categorization, were even more mysterious.

Mu Jiu, ever the troublemaker, found himself intrigued.

Besides, the allure of wielding two top-tier artifacts was undeniable.

Mu Jiu tilted his chin toward Beichen.

“Beichen, the Martial Banquet comes only once every century. Immortals and demons are here together. If we leave empty-handed, I’d lose face even more than you. Let’s give it a try.”

Expressionless, Beichen turned to face the totems on the stone tomb.

Drawing his long sword, he said nothing further.

Mu Jiu also dropped his playful demeanor, summoning the Wheel of Destruction into his palm.

The two leaped simultaneously, one white and one red beam of energy emanating from Kunlun’s sword and the Wheel of Destruction.

Immortal and demon powers struck the stone wall in unison.

A dazzling light flashed, the energy dissipated, and the tomb door opened with a resounding creak, revealing a stone staircase.

Bai Shuo’s eyes lit up.

“It’s open!”

This time, before Nan Wan could rush in, Mu Jiu was already a step ahead, leading the way into the tomb. The others quickly followed down the stairs.

The tomb below was simple, carved from stone.

Beneath the stairs, a quiet stream of water flowed, leading to a stone chamber after a hundred steps.

In the center of the chamber floated a single, burning Wutong Heartfire.

Mu Jiu stared at it, wide-eyed and full of wonder.

The heart fire emitted an incomparably pure spiritual energy.

Merely approaching it, everyone felt a clarity of mind, as though the suppression of their spiritual energy by the sealing formation was loosening.

To think that this artifact could suppress the divine techniques of the former Heavenly Emperor Mu Guang—truly, it deserved to be called the sacred treasure of the Phoenix Clan!

Using it to forge a sword was already a marvel, but merely keeping it nearby for cultivation could lead to unparalleled progress in no time.

Eyes filled with fervor, the group gazed at the heart fire, their thoughts racing.

Even Fan Yue, who had been stoic, showed a slight flicker of interest, and Hua Hong raised an eyebrow in appreciation.

Bai Shuo’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Though she was the only one unable to sense the heart fire’s spiritual energy, even a glance told her it was a priceless treasure.
Such a treasure couldn’t fall into the hands of outsiders—it was destined for her Ah Zhao!

Everyone was lost in thought, but as they stepped within half a meter of the heart fire, it suddenly flared, splitting into two identical flames.

Startled, Mu Jiu reflexively stepped back.

Having endured numerous surprises that night, he nervously asked, “W-what’s going on?”

The group exchanged bewildered looks.

Bai Shuo, however, focused on the two flames as a realization dawned on her.

“Don’t you think obtaining the first heart fire took too long and was unnecessarily difficult?”

Mu Jiu rubbed his chin, nodding in agreement.

“True, the first trial involved a Peak Supreme Immortal Lord level opponent. Even though it was merely a golden core, it could have flattened all of us. If the next two trials are equally hard, three days wouldn’t be enough to claim all three heart fires hidden in the Yi City.”

“Which means the mountain itself holds two trials. The first was to dissolve the resentment of Senior Rong Xian’s soul, and the second was for the immortal and demon clans to work together to open the stone gate above.”

Bai Shuo gestured upward.

“Open the stone gate?” Nan Wan frowned in confusion.

“Just like that? That simple?”

“It’s not simple at all.” Bai Shuo spread her hands.

“For disciples of the immortal and demon clans to cooperate? It’s been tens of thousands of years since that last happened, and even then, only under Emperor Feng Ran and Demon Lord Chang Qin.”

Indeed, despite the peace efforts of successive immortal rulers, the immortal and demon clans maintained only superficial harmony, with constant struggles in secret.

Jinyao, a follower of Mu Guamg and inspired by Feng Ran, had dedicated himself to bridging the animosity between the two clans.

Setting this task as part of the Wutong Martial Banquet’s trials came as no surprise.

In the Qifeng Pavilion on Wutong Island, Feng Xian watched Bai Shuo’s insightful explanation through the water mirror, stroking his beard in approval.

“Who would have thought such a clever disciple would emerge among the younger generation of the immortal clan? She saw through Senior Rong Xian’s trial and even guided Beichen and that young fox. Such a shame…”

Feng Xian sighed.

“The girl’s immortal bones are weak, and her destiny is unaligned with the Great Dao. Her lifespan will barely exceed a hundred years.”

Jinyao shared his regret.

“Though unfit for immortality, her sharp mind and resourcefulness are remarkable. Once this matter concludes, perhaps she could serve a literary role in the Heavenly Palace. With the spiritual energy of the Ninth Heaven nourishing her, there might yet be a chance for her.”

“Your compassion does you credit,” Feng Xian said approvingly. Then he asked, “Whom does the Lord believe will win among the disciples at this Wutong Martial Banquet?”

Jinyao’s gaze swept over Beichen, Nan Wan, and Mu Jiu in the water mirror before lingering slightly on Chong Zhao.

“Kunlun practices the path of clarity, Yunxiao is overly fixated on victory, and the fox clan, though cunning, lacks magnanimity. This one, however, appears ordinary yet is composed and steady. In the battle against Senior Rong Xian’s golden core, his immortal energy was no less than Beichen’s.”

Feng Xian nodded in agreement.

“The Lord is perceptive. But what sect is this young man from? I don’t recall hearing of such a figure among the celestial clans.”

“Piaomiao,” Jinyao replied.

“Piaomiao?” Feng Xian was astonished.

That sect had been in decline for centuries, not producing an Supreme Immortal Lord in over a hundred years. Who would have thought it could nurture such an outstanding disciple?

“Piaomiao was once among the Six Great Immortal Sects,” Jinyao said with a smile.

“But after Taoist Lingbo ascended, it fell into decline. With this disciple, Piaomiao is poised to reclaim its former glory within a century.”

He stroked his beard, clearly pleased.

Feng Xian shared his optimism but noticed Jinyao’s gaze shift to the youth beside Bai Shuo in the water mirror. Curious, he asked, “Does the lord have doubts about that boy?”

Jinyao returned Feng Xian’s look.

“And do you not?”

Feng Xian smiled faintly.

“I cannot discern anything about him. Since I cannot see, I will not interfere.”

“Then I ask the Elder for guidance. With so many immortal disciples in the Yi City, though the water mirror provides constant surveillance, I must still account to the sect leaders,” Jinyao said.

Feng Xian glanced at the blacksmith, Big Iron Flower, in the water mirror.

“Has the Lord heard of the daughter of the King of the Yi City? At eighteen, she could wield the Sword of the Yi King, a feat of innate divine strength, rarely seen in the world.”

Jin Yao nodded.

“Naturally, I’ve heard of her. Such strength led me to believe the King might name her as his successor. But something happened later. All I know is that the child was banished from the Yi City a few years ago. Could this mysterious blacksmith be…?”

“Born with divine strength and unaffected by the sealing formation in the Yi City, she must be an anomaly,” Feng Xian said, turning back to the mirror.

“It seems she is none other than the young princess.”

“If she’s the daughter of the Yi King, why conceal her identity among these disciples? Is it for the Wutong Heartfire? That doesn’t make sense. With her abilities, she could fight a Supreme Immortal Lord and win. The heart fire wouldn’t hold much meaning for her. Why, then, has she returned to the Yi City at this time?” Jinyao was puzzled.

Feng Xian placed a chess piece on the board, speaking calmly.

“Years ago, disciples of the Phoenix Clan witnessed the King’s daughter slay a snow leopard with a single strike of her staff in the icy wilderness of the Extreme North. After that, no one in the Three Realms heard of her again.”

“The Extreme North? Wielding a staff as her weapon…” Jinyao froze, his expression shifting as he looked at Feng Xian. “The Haoyue Palace! Are you suggesting that the King’s daughter is from the Haoyue Palace?”

“Has the Master heard of the two great generals who guard the Haoyue Palace?”

“Zhenshan and Tianhuo?!” Jinyao exclaimed.

“She’s the Tianhuo Demon Lord?”

The Haoyue Place had risen to prominence in the demon realm within just ten years, becoming one of the three major powers alongside Cold Spring Palace and Jingyou.

Its rise owed not only to its leader, Fan Yue, who was near demigod status, but also to the two formidable generals under its command: Zhenshan and Tianhuo.

Known only by their titles, the true identities of these two remained a mystery.

Zhenshan was famous for splitting the Life and Death Gate of the Demon Realm’s Third Heaven with a single strike of his staff, while Tianhuo’s reputation was forged in repeated battles with Cold Spring Palace over blessed lands.

Half of Cold Spring Palace’s Twelve Envoys fell to her hands.

Ruthless and decisive, she wielded power equal to half of the Haoyue Palace itself.

Their loyalty to Fan Yue was unwavering, making them the foundation of the Haoyue Palace’s might.

If she appeared in the Yi City, then could it be…

“That boy… Could he be…?” Jinyao’s gaze darkened as it fell on the youth beside Bai Shuo.

He started to rise but was stopped by Elder Feng Xian’s hand.

“Lord, don’t be hasty,” Feng Xian said, shaking his head.

“The Haoyue Palace’s master is a demigod. If he intended harm toward these children, he wouldn’t go about it in such a roundabout way.”

Jinyao paused, his heart settling.

Realizing his momentary panic as a leader of the immortal clan, he chuckled bitterly.

“The Elder is right. On the surface, relations between the immortal and demon clans remain cordial. The Haoyue Palace Master, as a demigod, wouldn’t even consider Yi City worth his time. To harm these children would be to provoke the entire immortal clan. He wouldn’t be so foolish. Then why is he here in the Yi City?”

“I cannot guess the Palace Master’s motives,” Feng Xian replied.

“For someone of his stature, there should be nothing in the Yi City to interest him. The Wutong Martial Banquet ends tomorrow, and the Haoyue Palace is among the invited guests on Wutong Island. On the day when the Wutong Artifact is bestowed, the Lord will have the opportunity to ask the Palace Master directly.”

Jinyao nodded.

“That’s all we can do.”

“They’ve already passed the first two trials. Where has the Master hidden the third Wutong Heart Fire?”

Jin Yao smiled.

“In truth, I didn’t hide the third heartfire at all.”

“Oh?”

“This Wutong Martial Banquet is ultimately about the Yi City rejoining the Three Realms, allowing its people to walk freely among them. This is a shared wish of both the King of the Yi City and myself. Thus, I scattered the third heartfire into the skies above the city. The King and I agreed that if the immortal and demon disciples could pacify Rong Xian’s resentment and deliver his golden core to the King, he would gather the citizens of the Yi City to summon the final heartfire together. The victor of the Wutong Martial Banquet will be the one chosen by the people.”

Feng Xian paused, recalling Chong Zhao’s act of saving a young child of the Yi race.

“Chong Zhao has earned the gratitude of the citizens. They will undoubtedly choose him for the final heartfire. No wonder the Lord said that, by the end of this banquet, this youth will become renowned across the Three Realms. It seems you’ve already decided.”

Jinyao nodded.

“A heart of justice and compassion for all beings of the Three Realms—that is what it takes to be worthy of the three Wutong Heartfires.”

The two exchanged smiles before Jinyao waved his hand, dispersing the water mirror.

In a western pavilion on Phoenix Island, Zhen Yu watched the group in the stone chamber, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

Beside him, Fu Ling’s gaze was fixed on Chong Zhao.

Zhen Yu glanced at her. “Do you know this immortal boy?”

Fu Ling was startled but quickly looked up.

“What does the Palace Master think of him?”

“Exceptional immortal bones, a steady Dao heart—a true talent. Why? Are you planning to recruit him?”

“Indeed.”

Zhen Yu raised an eyebrow slightly.

“He’s no ordinary type like Zhe Sang. With such a firm Dao heart, and as the next successor of Piaomaio, convincing him to abandon the immortal path for the demon way might be impossible.”

“Someone like Zhe Sang can do little more than stir up a muddy pool of water. This young man, however, is the one who could truly expand the foundation of our Cold Spring Palace. The Haoyue Palace is a tough bone to crack, and the Fox Clan is equally unfathomable. If the Palace Master wishes to unify the demon clan, talent like his is indispensable.”

“Oh?”

Zhen Yu’s surprise was evident.

“It seems you have some connection to him to value him so highly. But this matter might prove difficult…”

Fu Ling was taken aback.

“What does the Palace Master mean?”

A trace of inscrutability flickered in Zhen Yu’s eyes.

“Do you really think a mere Wutong Martial Banquet is enough to warrant my personal presence on Phoenix Island? Can you guess why the banquet is being held in the Yi City, and why Fan Yue has appeared there?”

Fu Ling’s heart jolted.

She hurriedly looked toward the water mirror, but with a casual wave of Zhen Yu’s hand, the water mirror vanished.

“Could it be that the King of the Yi City has already allied with the Palace Master?”

Fu Ling ventured.

“Precisely. Years of planning have led to this day. This city is the deathtrap I’ve prepared for the Haoyue Palace’s master.”

Zhen Yu’s lips curved slightly as he spoke softly.

Fu Ling shuddered.

She had long sensed something unusual about the Yi City, but she had not imagined the depth of Zhen Yu’s schemes, nor that his plans were so ambitious even she was unaware of them.

“Palace Master, even with the King of the Yi City on our side, Fan Yue is a demigod. I fear our forces are no match for him. Perhaps I could enter the city to assist…”

Zhen Yu’s gaze swept toward Fu Ling, a hint of mockery in his eyes.

Fu Ling immediately fell silent, dropping to her knees.

“I misspoke, Palace Master. Your plans are flawless and will succeed without fail.”

“By tomorrow, no one will leave this city alive.”

Zhen Yu rose and walked over to Fu Ling.

She felt a hand rest on her shoulder, and a tremor ran through her heart.

“However,” Zhen Yu continued, his voice cold but tinged with a trace of amusement, “I’ll promise you this: if something unforeseen happens in the Yi City and that boy survives, I’ll spare no effort to bring him into Cold Spring Palace’s fold.”

In the room, Zhen Yu’s voice rang with a detached, playful tone.

Fu Ling kept her head lowered, not daring to speak.