“We’ve heard that Deer Lord gifted you Chiqiu Mountain, so we’ll address you as Mountain Lord. This way, please.”
“Though we dwell in the Shanhai realm, we’re not ignorant of worldly matters. Mountain Lord, this Beast King Hall was built 200 years ago by a human cultivator captured by the Xuan Lord.”
“And this red jade coral carriage? Another creation of that cultivator. Our females adore it. The Xuan Lord gifts one at every mating ceremony. We’ve chosen the largest for you.”
Nan Yan was led into a stone hall with a bed as large as a bath. She suspected the Xuan clan had more males than females, and their leader was desperate to marry off clan members. Everything, including an eight-bearer sedan chair, was meticulously prepared for a wedding.
As she sat on the bed’s edge, swinging her legs, two moth demons flew in, offering her a beast bone covered in demon script.
The moths fluttered their wings, scattering scales that formed human words: “Blood awakening begins after nightfall. The red jade coral carriage will escort the Mountain Lord.”
Nan Yan nodded mechanically. She spent half an hour deciphering the bone’s contents using an ancient demon language primer her second brother had given her.
It detailed the demon race’s awakening ritual. Royal demon bloodlines could interbreed with any race. As long as the offspring carried demon blood, they could undergo this unique ritual to purify their bloodline and physique to match their demon ancestor’s race.
In other words, through this ritual, Nan Yan could retain her human form but awaken as a pure-blooded Chongming Bird.
Realizing something odd, she quickly retrieved the wedding dress the Dragon Lord had insisted she bring – the one prepared for her mother. As she touched it, understanding dawned in her eyes.
The Ao clan of Chen State likely had a similar awakening ritual. They must have anticipated the Shanhai demons would perform such a ceremony and thus provided her with Chongming Bird-related items.
The Dragon Lord’s intentions were truly thoughtful…
While grateful, Nan Yan doubted the Dragon Lord had foreseen her being dragged off to choose a husband.
As sunset approached, she knew that preaching Buddhist principles of abstinence to these beasts a thousand times wouldn’t sway them. Her only option was to find a way to escape after the awakening ritual.
Sighing, Nan Yan glanced at the Vermilion Bird Sky-echoing Dress, set down her prayer beads, and began removing her monk’s robe…
…
The western part of the Nine Calamity Seas was usually a barren desert, sparsely populated even by the Golden-winged Xuan Cang Beast tribe. Now, however, the sky was filled with various demon beasts.
“A Chongming Bird! The Chongming Bird that illuminates the world!”
“I hope that great one will favor our prince…”
“If we gain her favor, our descendants could carry royal bloodlines.”
Demon society was strictly hierarchical, with rare opportunities to elevate a clan’s status even in ten thousand years. The few royal lineages either intermarried or raised mixed-blood offspring within their clans, leaving lower-ranking demons with almost no chance of advancement.
Marrying a Chongming Bird into their clan would instantly elevate their entire tribe’s status.
In the Xuan Cang Beast territory, night moths arrived to escort Nan Yan. The young Xuan who had brought her here personally drove a red jade coral carriage to the hall’s entrance.
“It’s wartime, so preparations were hasty. We’ve only invited over a hundred purebloods from various clans to witness the ceremony. Our clan elders have prepared all the ancestral items needed for the awakening. Is the Mountain Lord ready?”
“I’m prepared. Thank you for your efforts.”
As the hall doors slowly opened, the fluttering night moths suddenly prostrated themselves in fear, tightly folding their beautiful wings as a fiery red figure, resplendent as clouds and brocade, stepped out.
Only after Nan Yan entered the carriage and lowered the bamboo curtain did the young Xuan regain his composure, wiping cold sweat from his face.
“Scared us to death! Truly the sun of the demon race – even the winged ones cowered…”
The red jade coral carriage slowly traversed half the Xuan Cang Beast territory. Inside, Nan Yan meditated, extending her senses. As the demonic energy thickened, she heard the calls of at least fifty or sixty different demon beasts.
After some time, the carriage seemed to ascend to a high platform. Puzzled, Nan Yan asked, “Don’t I need to show my face?”
The young Xuan driving the carriage whispered, “Some lower-ranking species aren’t worthy of directly seeing royalty. Mountain Lord needn’t leave the carriage. During the awakening, this red jade coral carriage will help stabilize your spirit.”
“Thank you.”
The carriage stopped on a high platform. Through the bead curtain, Nan Yan saw an unfamiliar, extraordinary bird land on the carriage’s front. It had a goose-like neck and a green body. When it sang out, everything fell silent.
The oldest Xuan Cang Beast in the territory howled, and demon script that all creatures could understand echoed:
“There are birds like phoenixes, four for calamity.”
“First is Faming, ruling the blue East.”
“Second is Jufeng, ruling the white West.”
“Third is Jiaoming, ruling the red South.”
“Fourth is Youchang, ruling the black North.”
“In the center, the Phoenix bestows spirit to Chongming.”
As if from ten thousand distant mountains, a clear cry pierced the clouds and echoed through heaven and earth. The four directional spirit birds transformed into blue, white, red, and black flames, finally coalescing into a golden Chongming Bird. With a long cry, it plunged into the red jade coral carriage.
Chongming!
Nan Yan felt a flash of fire before her eyes, followed by a gentle yet sorrowful female voice:
“I am Danying. Are you my descendant?”
Nan Yan felt something burning within her, making her blood boil.
“Yes! I am Nan Yan, daughter of Nan Rao!”
Danying’s voice seemed mired in profound pain: “Rao… Is she well?”
“No! She was killed!” Nan Yan clenched her fists, then calmed herself. “Grandmother, if you have any power, tell me how I can bring my mother back.”
After a long silence, Danying replied with a bitter laugh: “I’m in the Chongming clan’s ancestral realm. Rao, protected by Nan Jueyun, won’t return here. I can’t know her current state… But the Chongming clan descended from the Phoenix, can be reborn from fire. If you reclaim that demon heart and refine it with Chongming blood, her soul will naturally return. Then you can help her reincarnate peacefully. After a century, she may regain her past life’s memories…”
As Nan Yan’s eyes lit up with hope, Danying continued: “Child, I pass on all the Chongming clan’s legacy to you. Take care of yourself.”
“Grandmother!” Nan Yan called out before Danying’s voice faded. “Grandmother… the Red Emperor may have fallen. Did you know?”
Danying replied without emotion: “…That year by the Red River, I nursed him for half a year. Who knew that when our two races clashed, he would slaughter my nation and exterminate my clan… He said he wanted to compensate me, to give me everything in the world. But times changed, and in the end… he finally gave his life to me.”
“Do you hate him?”
“Love and hate are beyond blame now. We’re both weary. I only hope our children can find those they truly care for.”
Outside the carriage, demon lords eagerly watched the silhouette within.
“Can you sense it? Her demon blood is becoming purer!”
“I heard this Mountain Lord dislikes demon forms. I’ve tried my best to appear human. I wonder if she’ll choose me?”
“We originally had little hope, but fortunately, the prodigy of the Celestial Fox clan isn’t sealed in Shanhai. We still have a chance.”
A giant ethereal Chongming Bird formed outside the carriage. As its wings spread, golden feathers danced in the air like divine blessings, scattering among the surging demon crowd.
“Look! The Nirvana image! The feathers scattered during blood awakening will find her most suitable partner. Quick, grab them!”
Hundreds of demon lords scrambled to catch the feathers, which merged into their bodies upon contact.
“These feathers… they’re the Chongming clan’s legacy blessing! My bloodline is strengthening!”
The demons became more frenzied, some even attempting to touch the carriage directly. The Golden-winged Xuan Cang Beasts guarding the scene roared in displeasure, about to disperse the crowd when they suddenly looked up at the night sky.
“Where did these ghosts come from?! How dare they invade the heart of our Western Calamity Sea!”
The once-starry sky suddenly darkened as countless chains descended from thick clouds, wrapping around the carriage.
“Protect the Chongming royal bloodline!” The Xuan Cang Beasts charged into the clouds, their roars mixing with the howls of evil spirits.
Amidst the chaos, a figure appeared on the carriage, different from the various demon transformations around. This was an elegant human, who raised a hand, commanding the chains to lift all the young demon lords into the air.
“What are you doing here? Why disrupt our awakening ceremony?” a bound demon lord roared.
“Isn’t it obvious?” the unexpected guest raised both hands, summoning a blood river from behind. “I’m here to claim my bride.”
Inside the carriage, Nan Yan was oblivious to the commotion outside, immersed in a realm of primal bird sounds. She felt as if she had grown wings, soaring freely in the heavens.
I am Chongming, bearer of the Phoenix decree, ruler of all birds, revered among demons.
As her boiling demon blood settled, Nan Yan noticed her Buddhist essence didn’t reject the purified demon blood. Instead, it seemed to protect it gently yet firmly, as if made for this purpose.
As she regained her senses and opened her eyes, about to speak, she realized something was odd outside the carriage.
Why is it so quiet?
Just as she was about to lift the curtain, she heard a soft knock nearby.
This isn’t the Xuan Cang Beast territory. When was I moved elsewhere?
The person outside, sensing her awakening, ran their fingers along the carriage shaft. Their low, hoarse voice betrayed a strong displeasure:
“Won’t you come out for some fresh air?”
Hearing this voice, Nan Yan felt partly relieved yet partly confused. As she lifted the curtain and their eyes met, she suddenly had an ominous feeling.
“You…”
Ji Yang extended his hand, seemingly offering to help her down. When she hesitantly took it, he suddenly pulled her down forcefully, pinning her against a nearby tree.
Nan Yan watched as his gaze moved from her face to her red wedding dress. His originally refined, handsome face gradually revealed an insatiable expression.
“Right now, my mind is filled with impure thoughts,” he said. “Do you want to… save me now?”