Western Emperor Mountain, Yin Region.
This place was once the capital of the Demon Kingdom. A thousand years ago, after the Red Emperor swept away countless demons and drove the demon race into the Northern Sea, humans gradually began to thrive here.
“I’ve heard that cultivators from Yin Region can communicate with beasts and are skilled at taming demon beasts. They have unique ways of dealing with the demon race. Look at those cultivators flying on dragon horses in the sky. How delightful!”
A large carriage pulled by four azure cranes slowly flew in from the south. Its occupants occasionally glanced out the window, marveling at the majestic Western Emperor Mountain piercing the clouds. The surrounding peaks had been carved into plains by powerful beings, with ancient cities perched atop them, leaving observers in awe.
“The Red Emperor’s Jade Palace is on the main peak of Western Emperor Mountain. We’ll arrive in half a quarter-hour. If the Prince likes, after the banquet, we can visit the Dragon Horse Stables to select a fine dragon horse,” said a horse-faced cultivator wearing the insignia of the Red Emperor’s Jade Palace, his face eager to please.
“Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother. I, Yun Nian, appreciate the offer. This visit to my great-aunt is to deliver a family letter from my grandfather. I dare not trouble you with other matters,” replied an elegant young man with ornaments hanging from his waist, sitting with perfect posture. At first glance, his demeanor somewhat resembled Nan Yi’s.
“Prince… Ha, since you’re related to the Imperial Consort, you’re my cousin. Let’s call you Sixth Young Master Yun. You’ve inherited the scholarly tradition of the Yun family from the Shen Region. The Imperial Consort often praises you. This time, the Red Emperor’s Campaign Painting is prepared for you.”
The youth Yun Nian humbly replied, “Great-aunt’s millennial celebration has invited talents from all regions. I’ve only recently formed my Golden Core and have been a prince for merely half a year. I’ll do my best in the literary and martial competitions.”
“Haha, Young Master is too modest. Today is Imperial Consort Yun’s millennial celebration. Yin Region currently has no suitable prince, so no fool would dare to steal the spotlight from the Imperial Consort’s relative.”
As the horse-faced cultivator finished speaking, a sudden gust of wind swept by, carrying dozens of Core Formation-level auras, startling him.
“Who dares to make such a grand entrance near the Red Emperor’s Jade Palace?”
Looking over, he saw more than a dozen dragon-lion beasts pulling war chariots, roaring past in the distance. Black flags fluttered atop the chariots, exuding an air of arrogance.
“Chen Region’s Bi Ya Flag!” The horse-faced cultivator’s expression immediately soured.
Yun Nian let out a soft exclamation and looked out the window. “Is that the prince from Chen Region?”
“Hmph!” The horse-faced cultivator’s eyes flashed with disdain. “He knows it’s Imperial Consort Yun’s millennial celebration. Why is he here to cause trouble? His background isn’t even from a prestigious family. I don’t understand why the Dragon Lord would lower himself by choosing him as a prince!”
Among upper-region cultivators, some have high-value family backgrounds. Now that Imperial Consort Yun presides over the Red Emperor’s Jade Palace, some palace cultivators around her are prejudiced against those from humble origins.
Yun Nian said, “I’ve heard this prince is extremely brave on the battlefield, having slain countless demon cultivators. I’ve been studying Confucian methods in Shen Region and have long admired him from afar. Today, I finally have the chance to meet him.”
The horse-faced cultivator frowned. “Young Master, it’s best not to pay him much attention. What good can come from someone of humble origins? If he dares to steal your spotlight, I’ll make sure he loses face in the Red Emperor’s Jade Palace!”
A hint of displeasure flashed in Yun Nian’s eyes, but being a guest, he observed the situation and said nothing more.
The azure crane carriage ascended to the heavens. Half a quarter-hour later, the air suddenly turned cold, and the carriage landed on a vast blue stone plaza that stretched as far as the eye could see.
Yun Nian alighted from the carriage and saw four colossal beast statues on the plaza, each ten stories tall. They were Hundun, Qiongqi, Taowu, and Taotie, with red flames burning in their eyes, instilling fear in all who beheld them from afar.
“These four fierce beast statues were originally the guardian beasts of the Demon Kingdom. Back then, the Red Emperor single-handedly invaded the Demon Kingdom, fighting one against four for ten days and nights. He eventually defeated them one by one, eternally sealing their souls within these bronze statues, never to be reincarnated,” the horse-faced cultivator explained proudly. After all, in the legendary era, the Red Emperor was said to be the strongest in the human world.
Yun Nian looked up, feeling a surge of overwhelming ferocity assault his eyes, instinctively closing them.
Seeing this, the horse-faced cultivator laughed heartily. “Each of these four fierce beasts had strength equivalent to a Nascent Soul realm cultivator in their first heavenly tribulation. Their beast souls are extremely vicious. Even the Red Emperor had to exert considerable effort to slay them. Not to mention you’re still young, Sixth Young Master Yun, even we Core Formation cultivators who have long dwelled atop Western Emperor Mountain dare not gaze directly into the beasts’ eyes for more than three breaths.”
A stubborn thought arose in Yun Nian’s heart. He closed his eyes and released a surge of righteous Confucian energy. When he reopened them, his pupils reflected the righteousness of heaven and earth. He stared directly into the fierce beast’s eyes for seven or eight breaths before closing them to regulate his breath. Immediately, he felt an additional pressure in his divine sense.
Yun Nian was quite pleased. “These fierce beast eyes can temper one’s divine sense.”
The horse-faced cultivator beside him exclaimed in surprise, “Sixth Young Master Yun truly lives up to his reputation as a prodigy from Shen Region. Among those in the early stages of Core Formation, none can match you.”
“There’s always someone better. Senior Brother, you exaggerate.”
As they chatted, the two walked up the stone steps. In the distance, they saw two people not wearing Yin Region attire standing before the Qiongqi statue.
“Wow, Ah Yan, this Qiongqi statue is truly handsome and dashing! I want to take it back to Chen Region.”
A man and a woman, both at the early Foundation Establishment stage, stared intently at the fiery eyes of the Qiongqi beast statue. Ten breaths passed, then twenty, yet they remained unfazed.
“…”
The horse-faced cultivator, feeling as if he’d been slapped in the face, approached them with a sour expression. “The area around the Four Fiends statues is reserved for the Red Emperor’s Jade Palace cultivators to comprehend. Lingering without permission is not allowed.”
His words were untrue; anyone could stay near the Four Fiends statues. He simply disliked these two and wanted to save face by chasing them away.
Mu Zhanting, however, took the words seriously. “How can we obtain permission then?”
The horse-faced cultivator’s expression darkened further. “This palace isn’t a place for just anyone to act brazenly, outsider.”
“Have I been brazen?” Mu Zhanting turned to Nan Yan questioningly. She shook her head and, after appraising the horse-faced cultivator, said, “Forget it. He doesn’t look like someone who can make decisions. Let’s go inside and sort this out, Ah Ting.”
With that, they strode towards the palace entrance.
“You—!” The horse-faced cultivator, who held some sway in one of the palace halls, was furious at being ignored. As he moved to confront them, a Nascent Soul cultivator, clearly an official, hurried down the steps.
Upon seeing Mu Zhanting, the Nascent Soul cultivator quickly approached and bowed. “Young Lord, where have you been? Your friends from Dragon Capital have been searching for you. If you wish to tour the palace, we should provide a guide.”
Young Lord?
The horse-faced cultivator’s heart sank as Mu Zhanting casually replied, “My sister and I are visiting for the first time and wanted to look around. We were admiring the imposing Qiongqi statue when this cultivator mentioned we needed permission to linger. If we’ve caused any offense, I apologize.”
“Oh?” The Nascent Soul cultivator looked confused. Noticing the horse-faced cultivator’s embarrassment, his gaze hardened. “Dong Jintang, the Dragon Lord once showed mercy to our Jade Palace. Friends from Chen State are our honored guests in Yin State. How dare you impose outdated rules on them? Report to the Punishment Hall for twenty lashes of the fire whip after today’s events.”
Realizing Mu Zhanting’s identity, the horse-faced cultivator’s earlier disdain turned to resentment, though he forced a smile. “I was discourteous. I’ll accept my punishment after the banquet. What about Young Master Yun?”
The Nascent Soul cultivator’s demeanor changed as he addressed Yun Nian with a smile. “It’s been years, and you’ve grown so much! The Imperial Consort was just reminiscing about you. Please, follow me to the inner hall later.”
“Thank you, senior,” Yun Nian replied politely.
Although the young lords of various States were rivals, the Mountain and Sea Prohibition was still years away. Yun Nian kept glancing at Mu Zhanting, impressed by his ability to face the Qiongqi statue unflinchingly. After the horse-faced cultivator left, he initiated a conversation.
“I’m Yun Nian of the Yun family from Shen State. Might you be the young lord of Chen State?”
Mu Zhanting, who had been murmuring to Nan Yan about how twenty lashes weren’t enough and that two hundred would be more fitting on the battlefield, turned to appraise Yun Nian. “That’s right, I’m Mu Zhanting. The Dragon Lord mentioned you—aren’t you the prodigy who reached Foundation Establishment at seventeen?”
Yun Nian, only eighteen this year, blushed slightly. “It was mere luck. I can’t compare to the previous emperor who reached Foundation Establishment at twelve.”
“Still, you’re far ahead of Song Zhu. He’s over thirty now. If he didn’t have a Dao partner yet, you could be his son in the mortal realm!” Mu Zhanting laughed.
Yun Nian’s face reddened further. Coming from a family of Confucian cultivators, he wasn’t used to such direct speech. “The sword cultivators of Wei State are renowned worldwide. Brother Song has been suppressing his cultivation for the Mountain and Sea Prohibition. Otherwise, he would have reached Nascent Soul years ago.”
Mu Zhanting replied, “I’m aware that Song Zhu has been suppressing his cultivation at the peak of Foundation Establishment for years, even limiting his spiritual power to 50%. However, the Mountain and Sea Prohibition is still far off. Who knows who’ll claim the crown of mountains, rivers, and seas when the time comes?”
Yun Nian finally smiled. “Does Brother Mu intend to compete in the martial arts championship?”
“No, I’m aiming for the literary contest,” Mu Zhanting declared.
Surprised, Yun Nian asked, “But… I’ve heard you’re incredibly valiant on the Chen-Si battlefield. Wouldn’t you have a better chance at the martial arts championship?”
Mu Zhanting pulled over Nan Yan, who had been trying to maintain a low profile. “To be honest, my sister recently praised my intellect, saying I’m too refined for violence. She supports my participation in the literary contest, and I can’t bear to refuse. Isn’t that right, Ah Yan?”
Yun Nian noticed that the person Mu Zhanting grabbed was a round-faced, likable-looking Buddhist cultivator whose expression became quite contorted when grabbed.
Wearing a veil to the Red Emperor’s Jade Palace banquet would have been inappropriate, so Nan Yan had spent a considerable amount of spirit stones on a Thousand Illusions Mask beforehand. It temporarily concealed her true appearance, preventing even Nascent Soul cultivators from recognizing her.
“Brother, perhaps we should reconsider,” Nan Yan suggested.
Unaware of the situation, Yun Nian said, “Today, Mo Xingzheng, the direct disciple of Daosheng Heaven’s Xuanzai, will be here to appreciate poetry. The literary champion’s poems will be inscribed on the Destiny Stele in Daosheng Heaven. For cultivators who enjoy this art, having their poem there would bring fame throughout the world.”
Mu Zhanting’s heart surged with excitement. “Ah Yan, I’ve waited too long for this chance at eternal glory. Giving up is impossible – I can’t give up in this lifetime.”
Seeing the situation was beyond salvaging, Nan Yan addressed Yun Nian directly, “Young Lord, please forgive my brother if he behaves inappropriately.”
Yun Nian wondered about the deeper meaning behind her words, but before he could ponder further, two or three red-robed female cultivators approached to escort him.
“Young Master Yun of Shen State, the Imperial Consort requests your presence.”
Yun Nian had no choice but to bid farewell to Mu Zhanting and Nan Yan. “I must go meet the Imperial Consort. I’ll see you both at the banquet later.”
“See you then,” they replied.
After parting with Yun Nian, they were led to a palace hall. Despite the fierce appearance of the four beasts at the entrance, the interior was unexpectedly elegant. Beyond the grand main hall, the surrounding pavilions featured ponds with maple leaves and flowing water through flower-shaped windows, creating a poetic atmosphere.
Palace cultivators guided them into a great hall where ethereal music filled the air. Looking up, they saw what appeared to be celestial maidens flying, but upon closer inspection, these were unknown bird demons in human form, dancing gracefully.
The hall was already two-thirds full of cultivators from various regions, chatting in small groups, most impeccably dressed and composed.
“The guest hall is still being prepared. Please wait here, Young Lord,” their guide said.
Mu Zhanting sat down near the main seat. Though the banquet hadn’t officially begun, wine was already set out. As a wine enthusiast, he smiled upon smelling it. After a sip, he remarked, “Indeed, it’s Cicada Dew Sorrow. I’ve only seen this in the Dragon Lord’s private collection before. He’s generous with everything else but particularly stingy with this one… Hm? Ah Yan, I haven’t even encouraged you to drink, yet you’ve already started?”
Mu Zhanting watched as she put down her cup, paused for a moment, and a tear unexpectedly rolled down her cheek. Bewildered, he asked, “Why are you crying?”
Realizing her lapse in composure, Nan Yan wiped away her tears and replied, “Well, it’s called Cicada Dew Sorrow. As a Buddhist practitioner, how could I not feel sorrow?”
Mu Zhanting was left speechless.