Chapter 66

Yan Chaosheng left Mount You and immediately headed towards the Demon Palace.

Fuheng was already waiting for him at the entrance: “Mountain Lord.”

“How is it going?”

Fu Heng knelt down: “I am incompetent. I couldn’t refine the Taichu Mirror. Bai Zhuixu’s soul is still resisting the Taichu Mirror. Now, the Kongsang Immortal Realm and the Immortal Clan have been alerted.”

“Stand up and speak,” Yan Chaosheng said calmly.

“With such a commotion at the Demon Palace, it was only a matter of time before the Feng Clan found out.”

Fuheng lowered his head.

Usually expressionless, his eyes now showed a hint of guilt.

If he hadn’t failed in his task, the Mountain Lord wouldn’t have had to rush back to clean up the mess, and so many demon soldiers wouldn’t have died.

That man named Bai Zhuixu, who seemed gentle and refined, had unexpectedly chosen to destroy the Taichu Mirror rather than let them obtain it.

His fierce determination had shocked everyone and caught them off guard.

Now, not only could they not retrieve the Taichu Mirror, but they had also alerted the Feng Clan.

It was said that the Immortal Army was already on its way, and Kongsang had sent many immortals to assist.

If they couldn’t refine the Taichu Mirror and protect the Demon Palace before the reinforcements arrived, everyone would have to leave the Demon Mountain, becoming homeless strays or dying under the blades of the Immortal Clan.

Fuheng could analyze the situation clearly, and Yan Chaosheng naturally understood it as well.

He said coldly, “You will be punished later. For now, follow me to destroy Bai Zhuixu’s soul.”

If this stalemate continued, the Tauchu Mirror would shatter, and the various immortal clans would turn their swords towards the Demon Palace.

Without a protective barrier, the Demon Palace would be in grave danger.

A massive demon bird flew over and obediently landed at Yan Chaosheng’s feet.

It folded its large wings, completely unaware of its own size, and tried to nuzzle against him.

In just a few days, it had grown twice as large as when Yan Chaosheng had left the Demon Palace.

However, it still hadn’t gained much intelligence, still thinking of itself as a baby bird.

Yan Chaosheng pressed its head, stopping it from rubbing against him, and asked, “Who’s been feeding it?”

“Lady Cong Xia,” Fuheng replied.

Although the Mountain Lord hadn’t been at the Demon Palace, Cong Xia had been constantly trying to curry favor, feeding the bird whatever she found.

The bird wasn’t picky and ate everything, growing larger and larger.

Yan Chaosheng didn’t comment and mounted the bird: “To the immortal clan’s encampment.”

The demon bird, in tune with his thoughts, spread its wings, and it didn’t take long for them to reach the place where Bai Zhuixu had sacrificed himself to the Taichu Mirror.

In the air, a golden-red mirror spun, with no one within hundreds of miles around it.

Although the Taichu Mirror was just a protective artifact, it had been born in ancient times and possessed considerable offensive power.

When it had fallen into Bi Xun’s hands, it could devour other magical artifacts and spiritual energy, and even trap an entire city’s population in illusions.

Therefore, even though the Kongsang immortal soldiers desperately wanted to save Bai Zhuixu’s soul, they had to retreat, fearing they would fall into the mirror’s illusions.

Not only them, but no one from the Demon Palace dared to approach either.

Fuheng opened a purple umbrella for Yan Chaosheng, shielding him from the eerie light emitted by the Taichu Mirror.

Cong Xia, who had been crouching far away, also held an identical umbrella.

It was called the Wu Hua Umbrella, crafted by a demon in the Demon Palace who was skilled in forging magical artifacts.

The demon looked frail, with even his collarbone shattered.

He was supposed to be driven out of the mountain, but when Yan Chaosheng heard he could forge artifacts, he had him stay, providing him with good food and drink.

Now, the demon spent his days forging artifacts like a madman.

He didn’t create many items, but they were surprisingly effective.

Like now, the Demon Palace knew more about the Taichu Mirror’s situation than the immortal clans because of this umbrella, which allowed them to approach the mirror without falling into its illusions.

Unfortunately, only two had been forged so far.

Cong Xia flew over, overjoyed: “Mountain Lord, you’re back.”

She quickly presented a box: “Yuan Wei has finished forging it. Mountain Lord, please see if there are any issues. He said it’s called ‘Heaven Burial.'” Yuan Wei was the demon skilled in forging.

Yan Chaosheng reached out and took the box, opening it to reveal a silver halberd inside.

It was sixteen feet long, with a shimmering silver body and a dazzling red tip at the end, like cinnabar or blood.

This was the whip transformed from the soul of the Qingwu bird.

That day under the Weak Water, when Yan Chaosheng had lost his flesh and blood, the whip had also been corroded beyond recognition.

With only a wisp of its essence remaining, Yan Chaosheng had gathered it and sent it, along with countless rare materials, to Yuan Wei to forge into a new weapon.

Yuan Wei had asked him: “What kind of weapon does the Mountain Lord want?”

He had replied: “Something that kills efficiently.”

Yuan Wei had then taken the initiative to forge a halberd called “Heaven Burial.”

It was truly beautiful, lying in the box, exuding an air of extraordinary power.

Even Fuheng couldn’t help but glance at it a few times.

Yan Chaosheng took it out of the box.

He gripped the weapon, his wrist turning, and “Heaven Burial” moved with him, shaking the earth and splitting the ground with a deep, bottomless crack.

Even Yan Chaosheng was somewhat surprised, praising: “Not bad.”

It lived up to its name, Heaven Burial.

Cong xia was even more astonished.

She hadn’t thought much of Yuan Wei, that skinny, weak-looking demon.

Yet, the Mountain Lord treated him so well, even better than he treated her.

Cong xia not convinced, and when Yuan Wei handed her the box, she had secretly tried to take out Heaven Burial to examine it.

Unexpectedly, the halberd weighed over a thousand pounds.

Her face turned green, but she still couldn’t lift it out of the box.

She had thought Yuan Wei had created a useless artifact, but in Yan Chaosheng’s hands, it truly could split mountains and part seas.

If Cong xia had initially only sought to climb the social ladder by attaching herself to Yan Chaosheng when he became the Mountain Lord, now the look in her eyes was almost dripping with fervor.

She leaned over gently, showing concern as she said, “Mountain Lord, was your trip to Mount You smooth? Is your true form stable now?”

She was a butterfly demon, with a graceful figure and a heaving chest.

During Yan Chaosheng’s absence, she had passed by his bedchamber in the Demon Palace, her heart fluttering with desire, regretting not trying to seduce him earlier.

After all, his unstable true form had been her best opportunity.

The more she thought about it, the more she regretted it, vowing not to miss any chance when he returned.

Her chest rippled like waves, but the two men before her remained unmoved.

Yan Chaosheng even said coldly, “If you have nothing to do, return to the Demon Palace.”

Cong xia pouted and stomped her foot, beginning to doubt whether the Mountain Lord even liked women.

At that time, she hadn’t realized that in a few days, she would find out that the Mountain Lord did indeed like women—just not her type.

Yan Chaosheng gripped “Heaven Burial” and transformed into a streak of black light, flying into the Taichu Mirror to find Bai Zhuixu’s soul and destroy it.

As dawn broke over Mount You, Liu Shuang woke from a night’s sleep, feeling uneasy, as if something major was about to happen.

She pressed her hand to her pounding heart, stumbling out of her room to find Zhan Xueyang.

The drifting sand people gathered around her, leading her to Zhan Xueyang’s door.

She knocked: “Sir.”

Zhan Xueyang happened to be refining medicine and let her in.

“What is it, Immortal?”

Liu Shuang couldn’t quite articulate what was causing her such anxiety and worry.

“Sir, my heart is racing. I feel like something big is about to happen. Do you know what’s going on outside?”

Zhan Xueyang’s eyes flickered, thinking of Bai Zhuixu trapped in the Taichu Mirror, on the verge of having his soul scattered.

He said, “Is there an immortal general from your realm who is currently on a mission outside?”

Liu Shuang’s lips curved slightly as she said warmly, “Yes, his name is Bai Zhuixu. He is broad-minded and brave, compassionate and kind.”

“Who is he to you?”

Seeing her expression, Zhan Xueyang couldn’t help but ask.

“He is my brother,” she said clearly.

“Are you two close?”

Liu Shuang didn’t understand why Zhan Xueyang was suddenly interested in Bai Zhuixu.

Remembering Shaoyou’s words that Zhan Xueyang had a strange personality and liked listening to others’ stories, she nodded, treating it as a way to repay him.

“Yes, I grew up with Bai Zhuixu. When I was young, I was missing a soul and often caused trouble. Once, I took my father’s Heavenly Thunder Banner and summoned lightning in Kongsang. The lightning destroyed an entire back mountain and half of the spiritual pool. My father was furious and wanted to punish me. But when the rod came down, it all landed on Bai Zhuixu.”

Recalling the past, she couldn’t help but smile lightly.

“He was in pain too, but he shielded me completely, not letting me take a single hit.”

“I used to be afraid of the dark. My father often made me kneel in the Nine Thought Pool. Do you know the Nine Thought Pool? It’s pitch black inside. I was scared alone, but then Bai Zhuixu came in. He was locked in the Lotus Platform with me, teaching me spells, hiding food for me, and letting me sleep on his clothes. He even conjured fireflies to light up the darkness. I was locked up for half a year, and he stayed with me every step of the way.”

“My father was busy with affairs, and my mother was frail. In my memories, he was the one who accompanied me the most. He protected me as I grew up and even said that when I got married, he would carry me out of Kongsang as my brother.”

Zhan Xueyang said in a low voice, “Is that so? Then you must care for him deeply.”

When Liu Shuang mentioned Bai Zhuixu, even though her eyes were covered, her entire being radiated warmth.

Zhan Xueyang glanced at her.

Liu Shuang, staying in Mount You, was completely unaware of what was happening outside.

He smiled mockingly—it was fate. She wouldn’t make it in time.

“You should leave now,” Zhan Xueyang said.

“Your medicine will be ready soon.”

“Sir, I…”

Zhan Xueyang didn’t give her a chance to speak further, instructing the little quicksand people to take her out.

Zhan Xueyang walked into the inner room, looking at the two vials of blood before him, and smiled sarcastically.

One vial was brought by Yan Chaosheng this morning, and the other was delivered last night by an immortal named “Wojiang.”

Jimo Shaoyou had indeed returned to Kunlun, but before leaving, despite being severely injured, he had killed the demon beast in Hidden Dragon Valley and extracted its blood, sending his master Wojiang to deliver it.

They had rushed, just making it within half a month.

When Wojiang arrived, his expression was grim.

Zhan Xueyang guessed it was due to one of two reasons: either Kunlun was in serious crisis, or Jimo Shaoyou was also severely injured.

Zhan Xueyang had pondered for a long time and, taking advantage of Yan Chaosheng’s absence, had hidden the blood.

Jimo Shaoyou’s actions had surprised him.

Shaoyou had kept his promise and brought back the “dragon’s blood,” but the cost had been greater than expected.

Zhan Xueyang hadn’t mentioned the dragon’s blood, using it as a test of Yan Chaosheng’s attitude.

He wanted to see how much sentiment the future ruler still held.

The result was the new “dragon’s blood” delivered this morning.

Not only that, Yan Chaosheng had said that this was the “dragon’s blood” Jimo Shaoyou had brought back.

Fearing that the little immortal would be sad, he had gone to such lengths.

Should a future ruler have sentiment? Zhan Xueyang’s expression darkened.

No, Zhan Xueyang thought.

Once he had a weakness, his path would inevitably be cut short.

Not to mention the possibility of someone using his weakness against him, forcing him to compromise.

When the time came to use the Huiling Heart as a catalyst to merge all spiritual veins, would Yan Chaosheng be willing to watch her die from having her heart carved out?

Zhan Xueyang smiled coldly, kicking over the vial of “dragon’s blood” brought by Yan Chaosheng.

He picked up the other vial and went to refine medicine.

The blazing furnace fire burned before him, and Zhan Xueyang’s lips curled into a smile.

It didn’t matter.

Yan Chaosheng would eventually sever all ties with her.

Bai Zhuixu’s death was the perfect opportunity.

His Highness killing her brother—how could she ever forgive him?

Calculating the time, Yan Chaosheng should have entered the Taichu Mirror by now.

Outside, Liu Shuang clutched her chest, the unease growing stronger.

She was even in so much pain that she curled up slightly, cold sweat pouring down.

As an immortal with the Huiling Heart, she shouldn’t be experiencing such heart pain.

Zhan Xueyang hadn’t told her what was happening.

Gritting her teeth, she gasped and said at the door: “Sir, I need to leave Mount You early.”

Something must have happened!

She untied the gauze of the merfolk, and the little sand people surrounded her, exclaiming in protest.

Liu Shuang’s eyes streamed with bloody tears.

She was about to forcibly restore her five senses and leave Mount You to see what was happening when the door opened again.

Zhan Xueyang grabbed her wrist: “What’s the rush? The medicine is almost ready. Just wait half an hour. Half an hour won’t make a difference.”

There was no need to go; it was already too late.

Half an hour later, Zhan Xueyang finished refining the medicine and brought it to Liu Shuang.

After so many days, Liu Shuang finally regained her senses.

Her body gradually solidified, returning to its former state.

Liu Shuang opened her eyes and saw Zhan Xueyang clearly: “Thank you, sir.”

The unease in her heart wouldn’t dissipate: “Has Shaoyou returned? Why isn’t he here? Did something happen to him?”

Zhan Xueyang smiled gently and said: “Jimo Shaoyou hasn’t returned. Kunlun has matters to attend to, so he went back. The missing medicinal primer was provided this morning.”

“By whom?”

Zhan Xueyang said with feigned surprise: “Don’t you know him? Last night, he came to visit you, and this morning, he used his own blood as the medicinal primer for your medicine. I thought you two were very close for him to do this.”

Hearing this, Liu Shuang recalled the night before when someone had carried her back to her room and used their spiritual energy to comfort her.

The spiritual energy had been warm, staying with her the entire night.

Liu Shuang hesitated, looking at Zhan Xueyang, unable to think of anyone other than Shaoyou who would do such a thing.

Could it be the source of her heartache?

Zhan Xueyang smiled and uttered a name: “Yan Chaosheng.”

As soon as the name was spoken, the little immortal before him visibly paled: “You mean Yan Chaosheng…”

She pressed her lips together, and Zhan Xueyang couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

Zhan Xueyang then suddenly threw out another topic: “By the way, while I was refining medicine, I remembered that there’s an immortal general trapped in the Taichu Mirror, about to have his soul scattered. I wonder if it’s the brother you mentioned earlier.”

Liu Shuang’s face turned deathly pale: “What did you say!”

Remembering the overwhelming sense of foreboding, she didn’t even bother to say goodbye, rushing out of Mount You in a panic.

Zhan Xueyang stirred the pot, watching her hurriedly leave, a string of little sand people following behind her.

He hadn’t intended to speak, but her departing figure unintentionally touched the most unwilling hatred he had carried for seven thousand years.

“Wait,” Zhan Xueyang called out.

When Liu Shuang turned back, he pursed his lips: “Since you’re an immortal, do you know an immortal woman who likes to wear red and has a scar on her wrist?”

Liu Shuang, having been called back, hurriedly tried to recall if there was any immortal who liked wearing such a striking color as red.

It seemed there wasn’t. Moreover, a scar on the wrist… Every immortal knew healing spells; who would leave a scar on their own hand?

“I don’t know any woman who matches that description.”

The faint light in Zhan Xueyang’s eyes gradually dimmed, turning into silence.

After a long while, the man with the forehead ornament smiled slightly.

“I see. Safe travels, immortal.”

Liu Shuang left Mount You.

Behind her, Zhan Xueyang’s fake smile faded.

He leaned against the only large tree in Mount You, the flower seeds in his hand almost crushed.

His lips were nearly bitten to the point of bleeding.

He was starting to forget what she looked like.

He was really starting to forget.

He had waited here, day and night, planting flowers for seven thousand four hundred years.

Long ago, he had wondered if it was because nothing grew around him, in this desolate and decaying place, that he couldn’t even grow a single flower to please her.

He was like a helpless dog, wagging its tail and begging for her affection, yet she had never returned to this barren land in over seven thousand years.

Now, even as a large tree grew in Mount You, he had waited until the land turned barren, and still, she had not returned.