Xiang Su ate and drank her fill, then used the cloth napkin on the table to wipe her mouth. She noticed Junshang was watching her, his expression showing a rare peacefulness. It must be an illusion—she actually felt as though Junshang envied her. Could it be… She glanced at the messy cups and plates on the table. Was he envious that she could eat so much? Thinking of those meager things Purple Chant Dragon Lady had served Junshang, once one’s cultivation reached a certain level, one could only eat such things.
“Junshang.”
Wen Sheng appeared out of thin air again. Xiang Su felt she had grown accustomed to this and calmly watched to see what he would say next.
“Yumu Jun requests an audience.” No matter what Wen Sheng said, he remained unperturbed, with a half-smile on his face. Xiang Su didn’t think this visitor was particularly special, so she continued sitting steadily in her chair.
Upon hearing this, Dong Tianyun quirked the corner of his mouth. “Naturally he would come. Clear this away.” He gestured with his chin toward the bowls and plates on the table, as if Yumu’s visit was as mundane as clearing away leftover food.
Wen Sheng acknowledged this and silently muttered something. Four celestial maidens appeared out of thin air, swiftly and efficiently cleared the table, then vanished into thin air.
“Show him in.” There were several notes of mockery in Dong Tianyun’s voice.
Wen Sheng answered affirmatively but didn’t immediately disappear. Instead, he frowned while looking at Xiang Su.
Xiang Su sluggishly met his gaze for several moments before understanding from his various complex expressions—difficulty, helplessness, hints, and more—that she should move. She hastily stood up and properly positioned herself behind Dong Tianyun.
Only then did Wen Sheng flash away satisfied to invite the guest in. Xiang Su felt quite troubled. Although Kunpeng’s words were annoying, at least she didn’t have to guess their meaning. Someone like Wen Sheng spoke respectfully but required complete comprehension on her part—too exhausting.
The guest followed Wen Sheng in a meandering approach, seemingly admiring the scenery as he walked. Watching from afar, Xiang Su looked down on the visitor even more. He couldn’t even use spatial transference—clearly he was at about the same level as her. However, rather than hurrying to the meeting, he strolled leisurely, which showed decent composure.
Looking closer, his appearance was quite good too. His hair was meticulously combed and bound with a lustrous white jade crown, presenting an elegant and refined air. He also wore robes of rippling brocade, two shades of blue combining to add considerable nobility to his bearing.
Yumu approached and without waiting for Dong Tianyun’s invitation, sat quite comfortably across from him. Wen Sheng summoned maids to serve tea. Yumu was accustomed to servants who came and went in a flash, merely watching Dong Tianyun with a slight smile.
Xiang Su felt the visitor’s arrogance differed from Junshang’s. Junshang openly looked down on everyone from inside out. This guest’s air of superiority was obvious, yet he always wore a smiling expression. After growing accustomed to Junshang’s face, looking at him, she felt he seemed rather false.
“Dong Tian, another one or two hundred years have passed without meeting. I’ve truly missed you somewhat.” Yumu picked up his teacup and smiled again at the curling steam.
Upon hearing this, Dong Tianyun quirked the corner of his mouth. “You’re naturally busier than I am.”
This sentence was spoken by Dong Tianyun with full sarcasm. Upon hearing it, Yumu neither grew angry nor embarrassed, but rather smiled knowingly, as if he quite agreed with Dong Tianyun’s words.
“A few years ago I encountered Zhao Hui at Cloud Lotus Mountain. She said she was about to go to the Celestial Palace to find you, wanting you to acknowledge her son’s ancestry and clan affiliation. Did you acknowledge him?” Dong Tianyun also picked up his tea and took a light sip, his tone calm.
“I acknowledged him. Now she’s also become one of my consorts.” Yumu spoke frankly.
Standing directly across from him, Xiang Su immediately looked at him with new eyes. Such a fine appearance of an upright gentleman, yet truly shameless. Were all of Junshang’s friends this type? Running around creating romantic debts everywhere!
Dong Tianyun gave a cold laugh. “Just based on your ‘flourishing offspring’ alone, the Celestial Emperor should make you Crown Prince.”
Xiang Su’s head felt wooden. Celestial Emperor? Crown Prince? Then this person before her… Could he be a prince of the Celestial Clan? Though her knowledge was limited, she still knew a thing or two about the Celestial Clan.
The Celestial Clan was the royal family of the Celestial Realm, transcending the five elements and six realms. The king of the Celestial Clan was the Celestial Emperor, ruling the Celestial Realm generation after generation. The current Celestial Emperor had many sons, probably similar to this son of his, scattering seeds and bearing fruit everywhere. There were actually over twenty princes, and the Crown Prince heir had still not been selected.
Yumu nodded and smiled, quite agreeing. “You’ve only been chasing after Bi Lian for several hundred years, delaying how many secret admirers. Now that the three swords are gathered, Chilin’s matter should also be resolved.”
Dong Tianyun scoffed lightly, glancing at him. “I actually guessed wrong about your purpose in coming today. I didn’t expect you came to be a matchmaker for Chilin.”
These words made Yumu show a trace of embarrassment. Then he flicked the hair ribbon draped over his shoulder and said quite casually, “Naturally not. The three swords are after all ancestral relics. I’ve admired them for a long time—how could I not come to see them?”
Dong Tianyun raised his eyebrows, somewhat repelled by his phrase “ancestral relics.” “As long as you can lift any one of them, I’ll give you all three swords.”
Yumu gave two dry laughs. “Although I know you’re completely confident, I still want to try.”
Dong Tianyun stood up and with a sweep of his sleeve, there came a ringing sound. The three holy swords that could frighten gods and demons were arranged side by side on the table.
Xiang Su also widened her eyes to look. If not for knowing that one Ji Feng sword had destroyed Lingze Mountain with terrifying power, she would have moved closer to touch them long ago. The appearance of these three swords disappointed Xiang Su somewhat. They were pitch black with no luster. Though the patterns were exquisite, they were unremarkable due to their age. If she didn’t know they were holy relics, and Junshang gave her one as a magical implement, she would absolutely cry.
Yumu stood up and stared at the three swords for a while. Xiang Su also watched him nervously. Although she had no favorable feelings toward the Xuanyuan Three Swords, and understood this Celestial Clan prince was right—calculating it, they indeed were his ancestors’ possessions—she still didn’t want Yumu to actually take them away.
Though Xiang Su still resisted the fact of acknowledging Sijin as her master, the new Junshang treated her quite well. Facing outsiders, she still sided with the new Junshang.
Yumu chose the smallest Heavenly Demon sword, concentrating all his spiritual power into his right hand to grasp the Heavenly Demon’s hilt. The Heavenly Demon sword trembled all over as if alive, seemingly struggling hard to escape Yumu’s grip. Blood gurgled out from between Yumu’s tightly clenched fingers—his palm was apparently injured by the Heavenly Demon’s sword energy. He applied even more spiritual power to grip tighter. The Heavenly Demon sword stubbornly emitted a humming clang. Suddenly the Heavenly Demon sword rang out as it sprang half an inch from its sheath, malevolent energy erupting. Yumu cried out lowly and released his hand somewhat frantically, his palm a bloody mess.
Dong Tianyun didn’t even glance at him. Instead, he picked up the Heavenly Demon sword quite lovingly, drew out a silk handkerchief from his sleeve to carefully wipe it, and soothingly stroked the blade.
Xiang Su felt somewhat speechless. Even if Yumu wasn’t likable, Junshang couldn’t treat him so rudely, could he? Even she, who wasn’t yet versed in social etiquette, found this hard to watch.
Yumu smiled bitterly and tried to use spiritual power to heal the wound, but an immortal body damaged by the Heavenly Demon’s malevolent energy couldn’t immediately recover. He pulled out a silk handkerchief from his sleeve, but with one hand injured, bandaging was difficult. Dong Tianyun continued wiping the sword without bothering to look up.
“Let me help you.” Xiang Su felt that not speaking up now would be too excessive.
Yumu smiled slightly and quite naturally handed the silk handkerchief to Xiang Su as she approached. Though Xiang Su was clumsy, bandaging a palm wound wasn’t difficult. After fumbling about for a while, she properly wrapped it.
“Thank you.” When Yumu gave thanks, his voice was very soft. Xiang Su felt somewhat uncomfortable hearing it. She shook her head, indicating this was a small matter not worth mentioning. Turning to walk back to where she had been standing, she discovered Junshang had already put away the three swords and was expressionlessly watching her and Yumu.
“This must be the wood spirit young lady who made Chilin fly into a great rage, yes?” Yumu seemed uninjured and unaffected by Dong Tianyun’s cold treatment, speaking in a relaxed tone. He also sat back in his chair, picked up tea to drink, and from time to time looked at Xiang Su with a smile—a smile that made Xiang Su even more uncomfortable than hearing his thanks.
“Your information is quite well-informed.” Dong Tianyun gave a cold laugh.
At this moment Wen Sheng appeared again and reported, “Princess Xianji is visiting.”
Dong Tianyun clicked his tongue and said nothing, looking at Yumu with his eyes. Yumu frowned and smiled bitterly. “This girl—wherever there’s excitement, she runs there!”
Upon hearing this, Dong Tianyun looked at him with a snort-laugh. “So do you.”
Yumu was choked for a moment and lowered his head to drink tea.
“Show her in.” Dong Tianyun somewhat helplessly drew out his tone.
Xianji also didn’t use spatial transference, running and hopping all the way over while loudly calling out something. Xiang Su immediately felt favorably toward her. Everyone at Shenghuan Manor was half-dead—suddenly having someone energetic and lively arrive made her feel especially warm.
“Dong Tian gege, Dong Tian gege, I want to see the swords.” Only when she ran closer could one hear clearly what she was shouting. It was impressive she had been repeating this one phrase over and over all the way.
Dong Tianyun didn’t speak harshly or coldly to her, but rather chided her somewhat instructively, “Don’t be nonsensical! The three swords have extremely heavy malevolent energy—you cannot look at them.”
Xianji seemed somewhat disappointed, blinking her eyes and asking unwillingly, “After you combine them into one sword, can I see it then?”
Dong Tianyun drank his tea and ignored her.
Xianji wasn’t embarrassed at all—this thick-skinned aspect was quite similar to her brother. She stared at Xiang Su, even revealing a knowing smile. Xiang Su felt her hair standing on end being looked at like that.
Yumu spoke up at this time. “Stop being nonsensical. You’ve also been running wild outside for quite a long time. You should return to the palace with me.”
Xianji hastily shook her head. “I came to find Kunpeng. Where is he?” Xianji asked Dong Tianyun while her eyes looked around everywhere.
“He left the manor on business and won’t return for the near future.” Dong Tianyun calmly set down his teacup.
“Then I’ll wait for him.” Xianji showed no sign of perceiving the host’s desire to send guests away, speaking quite obliviously.
“Xianji!” Yumu’s face darkened at this point, appearing truly angry. “Return to the palace with me.”
“Don’t you dare manage me!” Xianji was also angered by his glare. “I know you’re going to bring up my relationship with Kunpeng again. Father Emperor and Mother Empress haven’t said anything—why are you meddling?!”
Upon hearing this, Yumu’s expression turned ugly. Father Emperor and Mother Empress hadn’t spoken because they didn’t know yet. A dignified Celestial Clan princess chasing after Dong Tianyun’s mount—what kind of appearance was that? With Dong Tianyun present, these words wouldn’t leave his mouth. After glaring at her for a while, seeing Xianji’s appearance of absolute refusal to repent, he had no way to deal with her.
Yumu gave a cold snort, flicked his sleeves and turned away. This time he used spatial transference and vanished in a flash.
Dong Tianyun had been watching coldly from the sidelines. Only after Yumu left did he speak leisurely, “Xianji, your imperial brother is right…”
“You want to drive me away, don’t you?” Xianji angrily interrupted Dong Tianyun’s words. “I’m going to wait here for Kunpeng!” Saying this, she turned and ran with practiced familiarity toward Kunpeng’s quarters.
Dong Tianyun sighed and turned to instruct Xiang Su, who had been watching with great interest, “Go chase her back. Tell her… I have news about Kunpeng to tell her.”
“Oh, oh.” Xiang Su belatedly responded and chased after Xianji.
Xianji couldn’t use spatial transference techniques but ran quite fast. Xiang Su shouted and chased until she nearly lost her breath before catching up.
“You… you… Junshang has something… to tell you… it’s about Kunpeng!” Xiang Su stood with hands on her waist, gasping heavily. Her stomach ached in waves—this was the first time she’d ever run so desperately.
“Who are you?” Xianji was also panting, but much better off than Xiang Su.
“I’m the new general helper Junshang hired.” Xiang Su introduced herself very honestly.
Upon hearing this, Xianji laughed endlessly. What odd jobs did Dong Tianyun have that required such a low-powered minor immortal to help with? Wasn’t it just that he fancied this rare beauty? “Then you’d better be on guard against Chilin.” Xianji said with a mischievous smile and hidden meaning. “Over these years, quite a few of Dong Tian gege’s ‘general helpers’ have died at her hands.”
Xiang Su nodded vigorously in deep agreement. Indeed—she hadn’t even truly followed Junshang yet and the red phoenix already wanted to kill her. Clearly she was habitually vicious.
“Let’s go.” Having caught her breath evenly, Xianji headed back toward Shengyun Hall with a swaying gait.
Xiang Su walked alongside her. Xianji seemed quite surprised and stopped to look at her. Xiang Su looked at her puzzled, not knowing what she found so astonishing.
Xianji suddenly laughed aloud and intimately took her hand.
Xiang Su always liked having company. Xianji’s age seemed about the same as hers, and their personalities had some similarities, so she also warmly gripped Xianji’s hand tightly.
Xianji seemed even happier and even started hopping and jumping. Xiang Su felt even closer to her.
“Um…” Xiang Su hesitated to speak. She knew the friendship was too new and by rights she shouldn’t ask, but she was too curious.
Xianji stopped walking and looked at her with a smile. “Go ahead and say it.”
“You like Kunpeng?” What Xiang Su couldn’t understand most was how such a lovely girl as Xianji could like that black bird with his annoying personality.
“Yes.” Xianji frankly admitted, then restrained her smile and sighed. “But Yumu especially opposes it.” Xianji was very angry with Yumu today and called him directly by name.
Xiang Su thought about it, and her gossiping blood boiled up a little. “Is it because Yumu also likes you?” The only reason she could think of for a male immortal to oppose a female immortal seeking another male immortal was this one.
Xianji nearly spit out blood and stared at Xiang Su like she was looking at a monster. “You’re a wood spirit without father or mother, right?” She guessed cleverly.
This sentence deeply hurt Xiang Su. She flung off Xianji’s hand and said sullenly, “Yes! I’m a wood spirit without father or mother!”
Not only did Xianji show no trace of guilt, but rather a sense of superiority from knowing much more emerged as she earnestly taught, “No wonder you don’t understand. Between men and women, the most reassuring are fathers and brothers.”
Xiang Su snorted to show disdain but pricked up her ears to listen.
“If Yumu liked me, ha! That would be spurned by all three realms!” Xianji said quite vindictively, as if Yumu had already been spurned.
“Let’s go quickly. Junshang is waiting.” Xiang Su said huffily.
“Alright, alright, don’t be angry.” Xianji came over smiling to take her hand again. “Having no parents, no brothers or sisters isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Look at me—I get scolded for no reason and managed from head to toe. Where’s the good in that?”
Thinking about it, Xiang Su agreed and nodded with a smile.
Seeing them return hand in hand, Dong Tianyun showed no expression of surprise. Birds of a feather flock together.
“Xianji, you should go.” He straightforwardly refused to keep her. “Kunpeng won’t return recently, and moreover will accompany me to the Flame Sea. Once I finish my great task, I’ll naturally have him come find you.”
Xianji still wanted to stubbornly stay.
Dong Tianyun said unhurriedly, “I guess Yumu lost his temper today and will tell your mother empress about you and Kunpeng after returning to the palace.”
Xianji’s expression changed. She shouted, “That won’t do! He’ll definitely distort the truth and spout nonsense! Alright, you must have Kunpeng come find me. I’ll leave first!” Saying this, she hurried off.
Seeing her leave, even Dong Tianyun, who usually always wore a cold expression, breathed a sigh of relief.
“You like Xianji?” He looked at Xiang Su who seemed somewhat lost.
She nodded. A friend just met, separating like this without even a word of farewell made her somewhat sad.
“Do you like Yumu?” Dong Tianyun asked quite casually.
“I don’t like him.” Xiang Su frowned.
“Oh?” He looked at her with some interest, raising his eyebrows to encourage her to continue.
“The look in his eyes when he viewed the three swords…” Xiang Su’s brows furrowed tightly as she recalled Yumu’s expression when looking at the Xuanyuan Three Swords. She had been standing directly across from him then, and Yumu’s full attention had been on the swords. The usually deep-concealing man also revealed his true inner heart.
She didn’t yet know that was what’s called greed—she only felt that look made her fearful and disgusted. A person feigning gentleness revealing such a fierce expression made her instinctively dislike him.
“Anyway, I just don’t like him!”
Dong Tianyun silently watched her. Though she couldn’t describe it, he understood completely.
A wood spirit newly taking form had a simple heart with an almost instinctive perception of good and evil, unrelated to status or level of magical power. Laughing lightly, he said, “In the future, even if you understand in your heart, don’t casually speak it aloud.”
“Mm, mm.” Xiang Su quite agreed with this point. It was precisely because she couldn’t control her mouth that she’d caused so much trouble.