Secret realms formed their worlds, changing according to the will of those behind them. Among these, Feiyun Heights was the most spiritual and ever-changing.

Some cities were packed with people – neighbors on the streets, inns and taverns, even government offices bustling with activity. Outsiders like them had to be particularly careful walking among them. Other cities were utterly silent, appearing like dead cities when you looked around.

Linshuang City originally belonged to the latter, but due to the constantly increasing number of human cultivators during these days, the city gained much vitality, with people gradually appearing in taverns and streets. However, their brows all carried sullen, indignant expressions, and when they sat together, their exchanged glances were filled with unspoken curses.

All things considered, the quietest place was the Chaotian Tavern, where the demon capital’s five families resided.

On the second floor, the innermost area was a bedroom created by connecting three rooms, piled with silk and satin, with pearls and precious stones visible everywhere. Sixteen screens depicting the four seasons’ landscapes had been half-opened by some skillful force, loosely and casually concealing the scene within.

Ever since regaining consciousness, Su Yun had curled up in a ball. For countless times, he pulled a long face and wailed sincerely: “Sister Jiu Feng, I really didn’t know, really didn’t know I had been implanted with a Mind Control Thread. I don’t even know what that thing is.”

He rubbed his tightly bound feet and, seeing Jiu Feng casually put down her tea, said repeatedly: “Binding my hands is fine, but could you loosen my feet? What could I possibly do with my feet!”

Speaking of this, Su Yun couldn’t help but sniffle. There was no one more wronged than he in this world.

First, he was inexplicably captured and taken to a dark room to endure threats. Then, wanting to contact Jiu Feng, he discovered both their spirit talismans had been torn away and thrown out. Even buying a new one was useless without Jiu Feng’s remaining aura – he simply couldn’t contact her. He and Tao Zhi could only hurry along, nervously mixing among Yedu’s cloud-like gathering of outstanding talents to enter Feiyun Heights.

Once inside Feiyun Heights, they found a relatively safe corner before Tao Zhi dared light the demon lamp Jiu Feng had left behind to reunite with her.

Heaven and earth as witnesses, the moment the group met, Su Yun rushed forward and voluntarily confessed everything in detail. Seeing Jiu Feng and those around her growing increasingly grim-faced, he suddenly seemed controlled by something, lurched for a moment, then suddenly produced that dagger and stabbed toward Jiu Feng’s back.

Blood flowed like a river.

This was completely beyond everyone’s expectations. After seeing blood, Su Yun almost uncontrollably began forming hand seals rapidly – things the black-clothed person had taught him that he hadn’t even remembered, forgetting them as soon as he heard them. Yet when performing them, they flowed so smoothly without any awkwardness.

That dagger specifically countered Jiu Feng. The moment the dragon breath and Jiu Feng’s aura collided, combined with the immortal metals in the dagger and Su Yun’s hand gestures taking effect, Jiu Feng’s movements became sluggish for an extremely brief instant – an involuntary agitation from her body’s instincts when powerful forces opposed each other, creating hostility and resistance.

That instant was enough for Su Yun to succeed.

Su Yun was completely dumbfounded. His mind only had two sentences cycling back and forth.

He had stabbed Jiu Feng.

He was finished.

He used all his strength to resist that impulse, but still couldn’t control himself.

A series of blood-curdling screams emerged from his mouth. Just at the final moment of forming the seal, Tao Zhi was the first to react. He reached out, steadily grasping that blade and forcibly moving it to a different position, causing the spell formation to abruptly stop.

Su Yun lost his soul completely. Before Jiu Feng could demand an explanation, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed straight to the ground.

Jiu Feng glanced at him lightly: “Speak properly. Why are you trembling? Where’s the courage you had when stabbing me?”

Su Yun wanted to cry: “Sister Jiu Feng, that wasn’t courage I could possess. Even if you lent me ten times the courage, I wouldn’t dare do such a thing. Really.”

Jiu Feng flicked her finger to untie his bonds, then looked at Tao Zhi sitting to the side and asked: “Feeling better?”

“I don’t have much peach blossom dew left on me – enough for you to use once more. I’ve already sent people to fetch more from elsewhere.”

Tao Zhi nodded with a smile, his complexion showing unavoidable pallor, yet his entire bearing still radiated an elegant refinement – a natural gentleness emanating from his very bones.

“Much better,” he said softly. “You focus on healing. Don’t worry about such matters.”

Although that dagger specifically targeted Jiu Feng, the power it carried was not something an ordinary minor demon could catch barehanded. When Tao Zhi reached out to deflect the dagger, in that brief moment, by the time his hand dropped, his palm had been corroded by spiritual light until only white bone remained.

After much consideration, Jiu Feng felt that power from the same source would be more nourishing, so she summoned the young clan leader of the Peach Blossom tribe. That was already the strongest person Tao Zhi had seen among his people, and before Jiu Feng, his posture was humble to an unimaginable degree.

She had always described to herself, to Yun Lai, and Su Yun how incredibly powerful she was in the demon capital, how she could cover the sky with one hand. But when she truly realized it in that instant, there was still a sense of unreality and bewildered weightlessness, followed immediately by relief and silent laughter.

This feeling didn’t last long.

The door creaked open from outside to inside, and Feng Shangyu, Chen Longzhi, and several others strode in. He had left earlier than Xue Yu’s group, but unfortunately had bad luck along the way, encountering another wave of those ghostly creatures. He had no patience for entanglement and used killing moves, but it still delayed him somewhat.

The moment he reached Little South Mountain, he managed nothing else and came straight to Chaotian Tavern first.

It must be said that the natural, unbreakable bond between phoenix and parasol tree was such that the moment Feng Shangyu’s feet touched the street, Jiu Feng sensed his scent.

The moment the door was pushed open, she coolly lifted her eyes: “What are you doing here? Come to see me make a fool of myself?”

Feng Shangyu’s gaze swept around her, sensing her considerably weakened aura. Suppressing his anger and ignoring her provocation, he asked: “Where are you hurt?”

Jiu Feng lazily played with her tea lid, acting as if she didn’t want to acknowledge anyone.

Her foul temper was witnessed by all in the demon capital – everyone knew it. Feng Shangyu was perhaps the one who experienced it most deeply. He darkened his eyes, really not wanting to argue with her at this time, so he simply stepped forward and grasped her wrist.

His demon power flowed along Jiu Feng’s meridians, sensing the completely chaotic mess of aura within her body. Feng Shangyu took a deep breath.

Jiu Feng struggled against his grip.

Feng Shangyu said in a low voice: “Stop moving around.”

Jiu Feng couldn’t help narrowing her eyes, but when his aura flowed into her body through the meridians, both their fingertips couldn’t help but stiffen. Those two naturally destined, entangled powers merged like two clusters of fireworks exploding in their respective heads. With a buzzing sound, several of Jiu Feng’s beautiful fingertips comfortably stretched out.

“Chu Yaoxiang, you know how to cause trouble.”

Feng Shangyu sat down beside Jiu Feng, his palm clasping her wrist, never loosening his grip.

Perhaps due to his male nature, he immediately noticed the man sitting across from them, smiling at the corners of his mouth, making people feel like spring breezes.

Tao Zhi said: “Tao Zhi greets the Young Master.”

Su Yun didn’t dare make a sound, afraid that showing his head would get him skewered like a sieve.

“Let me introduce you.” The demon energy that had been agitated and unbearable since her injury was well soothed by the parasol tree’s aura, making Jiu Feng soften all over. She reluctantly gave Feng Shangyu a proper look and said to Tao Zhi: “Feng Shangyu, eldest young master of the demon capital’s Feng family. I think I mentioned him to you before.”

Tao Zhi nodded and smiled: “Yes, I know.”

“Your future king consort.”

What a thing to say.

Jiu Feng couldn’t help but cover her face, saying vaguely: “I suppose so.”

“I suppose?” Feng Shangyu pressed her wrist bone with slightly more force, carrying some dissatisfaction.

“Are you starting to demand an explanation now?” Jiu Feng lay on the table, her red lips moving slightly: “Feng Shangyu, don’t push your luck. That day, it was you who said you had countless choices. What are you doing now, turning the tables?”

After speaking, she added, “Tao Zhi, a friend I know in the mortal realm.” Pausing, she glanced meaningfully at Feng Shangyu: “A very good friend. He’s the one who helped me this time.”

Hearing this, Feng Shangyu seemed to hear his forceful questioning echoing in his ears: “After finding someone, what position do you plan to give them – attendant lord or secondary consort?”

At that time, he had truly been angered by those words that slipped from Jiu Feng’s mouth.

The two words “friend” and “king consort” made half the anger suppressed in Feng Shangyu’s heart dissipate, while also making Tao Zhi’s injured hand suddenly move, piercing pain spreading through it. Yet he blinked and smiled very lightly, his eyes full of resignation.

Feng Shangyu looked toward Tao Zhi and said solemnly: “Thank you.”

“As it should be,” Tao Zhi lowered his eyes and stood to bid farewell to Jiu Feng.

Jiu Feng looked at Su Yun, who was trembling to the side, wanting to speak but stopping himself. She casually untied the rope on his hands as well. The latter looked at her with endless gratitude before following closely behind Tao Zhi as they slunk out.

Crossing the threshold, they happened to brush past Su You outside the door. Tao Zhi and Su Yun stopped, the former asking gently: “Why is Young Master Su You here?”

“Waiting for my lady,” Su You glanced at Su Yun and curved his lips: “Just entering Little South Mountain, I heard about your heroic deed.”

Su Yun quickly waved his hands, then hung his head dejectedly with a sigh, completely unwilling to recall the details of that moment.

Everyone had their affairs. After chatting briefly, they parted ways. Tao Zhi and Su Yun walked toward the other side. From afar, their voices drifted uncontrollably into Su You’s ears.

“Tao Zhi, you’re not sad, are you?” Su Yun asked apprehensively.

Tao Zhi sighed very lightly, looking at those eyes that were both sympathetic and heavy. He stopped walking and shook his head: “Sad about what? This is already the best outcome.”

“How is this the best?” Su Yun muttered: “You like her – at least let her know. I think you two match well.”

“You’re still too young and don’t understand anything,” Tao Zhi smiled indulgently and said slowly: “Setting aside like and dislike, Su Yun, she and I are originally people from two different worlds.”

“I love the mountains and waters of the mortal realm, love the rolling waves of the Nine Phoenix Sea. To me, that’s everything worth protecting. But the mortal realm is just a place she glances at and plays in when she’s free and in the mood.”

Many things and people in this world simply cannot be defined by like or dislike.

“When two people are together, there isn’t only sweetness. Over time, disputes and quarrels are inevitable. Should I, because of the word ‘like,’ make her unconsciously restrain her aura even when she’s angry?” Tao Zhi laughed and said softly, “Being friends is already the best identity after meeting and getting to know each other.”

Not to mention, she had never hidden the fact that someone was already by her side. How dare he, for his selfish desires, put her in a difficult position?

Today, having seen her spirited appearance in the demon capital and also met the man who had appeared in her words early on, she occasionally pulled out for scolding and criticism.

It was clear that the man treated her very well.

There was nothing more to worry about.

Su You lowered his eyes, throwing every word he’d heard completely out of his mind.

Ten years ago, when Jiu Feng displayed her great abilities and he heard Tao Zhi say “She only released a trace of aura, yet my hands are trembling,” he had made up his mind to enter the Whirlpool. From that moment, the two were destined to walk completely different paths.

He couldn’t be so magnanimous, nor could he achieve such calm composure.

He had to stand by her side, day after day, year after year.

When Xue Yu arrived, she placed a small stack of papers in his hands, and the two crossed the threshold one after the other, entering the room.

Behind the screen, Jiu Feng was thoroughly soothed by the parasol tree lineage’s aura and demon power, yet she still persisted relentlessly, poking Feng Shangyu’s hand and glancing at him sideways: “Hmm? I’m asking you – what did you come back for?”

“Don’t blame him either, Jiu Feng. From the moment this person heard you were injured, his face has been tense and hasn’t relaxed once. From Linshuang City to Little South Mountain, he hasn’t closed his eyes even once.” Chen Longzhi revealed Feng Shangyu’s truth while fanning himself. After speaking, he patted the latter’s shoulder: “What are you being stubborn about?”

Feng Shangyu was silent for a long while, then looked at Jiu Feng, gathering her curled fingertips into his palm: “Still angry?”

Jiu Feng snorted coldly through her nose.

Seeing this scene upon entering, Xue Yu couldn’t help but pause. Standing in place with slightly furrowed brows, she asked: “Did I come at a bad time?”

“It’s a good time.” Jiu Feng wasn’t meeting her for the first time, so she skipped the polite official routine. She pointed to the seat across from them: “Sit down and talk.”

Tactful demon attendants served hot tea. Xue Yu and Su You took their seats one after the other. Jiu Feng lazily hooked Feng Shangyu’s palm, leaned back, and fixed her gaze on Su You: “Ten years apart, this young man by your side truly has extraordinary potential.”

“Chu Yaoxiang.” Xue Yu called her by name, quite seriously pushing that stack of papers before her: “Don’t look randomly at my Yedu’s Young Master. Let’s discuss serious matters.”

Hearing this, Su You smiled and nodded to Jiu Feng, Feng Shangyu, Chen Longzhi, and others.

Jiu Feng pressed that stack of papers but didn’t move for a long while, only restraining the smile in her eyes as well. Finally, she asked: “Let me ask first – is this matter related to the imperial court?”

Since she had come, Xue Yu didn’t intend to hide anything from her. She nodded and spoke four words: “Eight or nine out of ten.”

“As expected.” A cold arc curved at the corner of Jiu Feng’s mouth: “I’ve thought and thought, but really can’t imagine which human family has such hatred with me, much less who would have such audacity.”

“The Human Emperor or Prince Zhao?”

Xue Yu was silent for a moment, then said: “The Human Emperor.”

Jiu Feng slammed the table and stood up.

“This isn’t the time to get angry.” Xue Yu looked at the protruding meridians on her hand, her brow throbbing with pain. She swept over the shocked and grave expressions of everyone present and spoke calmly: “Feiyun Heights lasts ten years – everyone can’t leave early at this time. The urgent matter now is for you to heal properly and resolve those two Jade Green Pills. How to speak and what to do after we leave is what the Sacred Lands and the demon capital need to discuss now.”

Over these years, Human Emperor Qiu Tong’s actions had become increasingly excessive, his behavior bordering on madness. Since he had set his sights on Jiu Feng and failed with one strike, he surely wouldn’t let it go easily. If there were second or third plans, and he truly succeeded in reviving whatever he held, the consequences would be unthinkable.

There was another reason – the imperial court was extraordinary after all. No matter what, Xue Yu couldn’t make decisions alone, much less allow the demon capital to act freely, alerting the enemy or harming innocents.

“Ten years ago, the matter of the Worldly Lamp – do you still remember?” Xue Yu added: “That was also part of the Human Emperor’s schemes.”

Without another word, Jiu Feng grabbed that stack of papers and read through them from beginning to end. Over ten pages plus several case reports – at a glance, it was clear this wasn’t empty talk or random fabrication. The more she read, the more shocked and angry she became. When she finally pressed down the papers, even her fingernails showed bright colors.

“I underestimated them.” She handed that stack of materials to Feng Shangyu, her phoenix eyes imposing: “I originally thought that although the Fusang Tree established the three-way balance, only the Sacred Lands and the demon capital truly prospered eternally. The imperial bloodline has sealed spiritual meridians with lifespans of merely a hundred years – they couldn’t stir up much trouble. Who could have imagined he had such ambitions?”

No wonder Jiu Feng spoke thus. Since her birth, she had seen three Human Emperors, each one a foolish ruler obsessed with beauty and unable to extricate himself. Thanks to a group of loyal ministers supporting them, plus the rule that the kingdom couldn’t fall to other surnames, the Qiu family would have been overthrown long ago.

Jiu Feng shook the papers in her hand and looked at Xue Yu: “Who else knows about this?”

“For now, only you few.” Xue Yu’s sharp chin nodded in the air, speaking concisely: “After leaving here, I’ll go see them.”

Who “them” referred to was self-evident.

Jiu Feng withdrew her hand from Feng Shangyu’s palm. After turning two circles in place and feeling that surging wave of pain, she paused and obediently sat back down, stuffing her hand back into its original position. Frowning, she asked the attendant behind her: “Where is Sui Jinyu? Has he arrived?”

“According to Lord Qin Mu, he arrived at the tavern just half an hour ago,” the attendant replied respectfully.

Jiu Feng waved her sleeve and instructed: “Go invite him over.”

After speaking, she met Xue Yu’s gaze and pursed her lips, introducing this person: “The change in the demon capital’s five families happened fifteen years ago – I mentioned it to you before, and you should have heard about it over the years. The family surnamed Sui that replaced the Wen family for second place – the one you’re about to meet is their eldest young master, Sui Jinyu.”

“This family is mysterious and low-key. Although they rank second under our Nine Phoenix lineage, they may not lack the strength to compete.” Jiu Feng touched the teacup with her fingertip and continued: “I’ve only seen Sui Jinyu a few times, and it never ended pleasantly. Although we’ve never formally fought or matched moves, undeniably, he’s very strong.”

“If nothing unexpected happens, it will be he and I who lead the demon capital in the future.”

Those whom Jiu Feng could openly call formidable before others were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns among the younger generation.

Xue Yu before her, was one, and the coming Sui Jinyu was another.

Meanwhile, Feng Shangyu had also finished reading the complete course of events. He took a deep breath and said sternly, “From the demon and ghost disturbances before ascending the throne to the later ghost infants and Flying Heaven Diagram – this Human Emperor’s schemes run very deep indeed.”

Chen Longzhi couldn’t help clicking his tongue: “Before coming, I thought this matter wasn’t simple, but I didn’t dare think in this direction.”

Xue Yu’s hands rested on her knees, watching the hot steam rising from the teacup before her. Her thoughts bundled into chaotic tangles, then gradually sorted themselves out clearly, repeating this process until her heart gradually formed a resolution.

Before long, the door creaked open.

Xue Yu looked up and followed the sound. She saw a man wearing a feathered crown with deep, handsome features. When he pulled over a chair and sat before everyone, his entire being radiated the romantic charm of someone who had come and gone through the mortal world.

“Miss Jiu Feng, the demon capital’s thousand-li urgent summons have all been used – what do you need from me?” Sui Jinyu’s tall frame stretched out as he asked rather carelessly. After asking, his gaze fell on Xue Yu’s face.

After circling twice, his eyes moved slightly, colliding with a particularly deep gaze beside her that contained hidden wariness.

That was an exceptionally handsome young man with a graceful bearing. Looking closely, there were several points of chilling familiarity in his features.

Sui Jinyu’s smile inevitably restrained itself somewhat.

“Stop pretending.” Jiu Feng mercilessly exposed him: “The news of my serious injury and near-death has now spread throughout Feiyun Heights. How could you not know?”

Sui Jinyu didn’t refute, only curved his knuckles to tap the chair edge, his unconcerned appearance seeming to say, “What does this have to do with me?”

“Sui Jinyu.” Jiu Feng was furious and reminded him: “Don’t forget that these past few years, following your family in searching everywhere and offending family after family – it’s all been our Nine Phoenix clan.”

Feng Shangyu helplessly spoke: “She was just injured not long ago. Don’t anger her.”

“Fine.” Sui Jinyu leisurely straightened his posture and smiled: “Jiu Feng, I don’t know these people. Please introduce them.”

“Xue Yu, Yedu Princess, Sacred Land inheritor.” After Jiu Feng finished speaking, seeing he was still staring intently at Su You, she briefly added: “Yedu Young Master.”

Young Master.

So they were siblings?

Sui Jinyu withdrew his gaze with slight disappointment. Jiu Feng handed over those papers, indicating that he should look.

After a moment, Sui Jinyu threw the papers back onto the table and said unhurriedly: “If people don’t offend me, I don’t offend them. If you ask me, it’s because the demon capital is usually too low-key, which is why everyone thinks they can set their sights on us.”

Speaking these words, he couldn’t help thinking of his brother, whose fate was troubled and whose life or death remained unknown to this day.

At that time, their family lived in seclusion, treating everyone with kindness everywhere. Unfortunately, good people get bullied – it rarely ends well.

“I came first today to confirm one question.” Xue Yu completely ignored the undercurrents between the demon capital families. She looked at Jiu Feng and said sternly, “In ancient times, there were two types of great demons ranking above Nine Phoenix – Azure Dragon and Tian Ao. What are the respective effects of these two great demons’ demon cores and remains?”

Last night, Su You had gone to handle this matter, asking all the Sacred Land inheritors. But entering Feiyun Heights, what people brought most were healing medicines, followed by various spiritual tools and treasures, or at least valuable talismans that could temporarily increase spiritual power. Those who brought books were extremely few, let alone with the additional condition of “ancient times.”

Not a single book was found.

Having no choice, Xue Yu could only ask Jiu Feng and others who were also from the demon race. Regarding the history of demon ancestors, they would surely know more than Sacred Land inheritors.

Jiu Feng said hesitantly: “I can’t say for certain. These two great demons have long been extinct, not seen for tens of thousands of years. Moreover, materials about them are all classified as top secret. Even within our clan, not many are qualified to examine them in detail.”

“Extinct.” Sui Jinyu repeated the word with unclear meaning, his voice so light it was bone-chilling. After a long while, he said: “That may not be certain.”

Jiu Feng looked at him speechlessly, snorted with laughter, and asked: “What, are you an Azure Dragon or Tian Ao?”

“What are you thinking?”

Sui Jinyu rubbed his fingertips, his gaze obscure and dark.

Azure Dragons were indeed extinct – that was true. But the Tian Ao clan had left behind an extremely small branch. Their bloodline wasn’t completely pure, inheriting only seventy percent of Tian Ao’s talents and abilities, but even so, they already possessed strength capable of competing with direct-line Nine Phoenix.

Over tens of thousands of years, until this generation, their family had also produced one pure, complete Tian Ao bloodline.

“How Tian Ao works, I don’t know or understand.” Sui Jinyu said with unchanged expression, pausing before looking at Su You: “Regarding Azure Dragons, I’ve read ancient texts and know a bit.”

“Azure Dragon breath, if activated in complete condition, can break any seal in the world.”

Their remains can unleash one full-power strike at their peak living state. After one strike, they turn to dust and cease to exist.”

As his words fell, Xue Yu closed her eyes very lightly.

This way, everything made sense.

By now, she could almost confirm that what the Human Emperor possessed was an Azure Dragon’s breath.

He wanted to unseal the imperial family’s sealed spiritual meridians!