Two days later, Ji Xuecen and Mu Xuanling returned to the main city of Qiongju Island.
The Demon Race Martial Arts Competition had ended. In the past few days, many rising stars of the demon race had emerged, gaining the admiration of their peers. Celebratory feasts could be seen everywhere in the main city. The entire Qiongju City was prosperous and lively, filled with the sounds of people, singing, and dancing. Amidst the clamor, there was a touch of mortal warmth. The experience at Luowu Mountain seemed like a distant, cold dream.
This was the Hundred Demons Night Parade, held after the Demon Race Martial Arts Competition. The male and female demons in Qiongju City were laughing and flirting, indulging in a night of passion, like the brilliant fireworks in the night sky, seeking only momentary beauty without concern for lasting emotions.
Mu Xuanling watched two fox demons embracing each other and sighed, “Master was right. Love is the deadliest poison in the world, touching it shatters one to pieces. The demon race is better off, emphasizing their bestial nature over human nature, having desire without emotion, so they won’t be heartbroken.”
Ji Xuecen walked alongside Mu Xuanling and stopped when he heard her musings.
“Being emotionless doesn’t necessarily mean being free, and being emotional doesn’t always mean suffering more,” a cool voice sounded from behind.
Mu Xuanling turned back puzzled, looking at Ji Xuecen who had stopped. Though surrounded by the bustling crowd, laughter, and joy, he seemed detached from the mortal world, out of place in this sea of humanity, lonely and desolate. His deep phoenix eyes gazed at her steadily. The dazzling fireworks in the night sky failed to illuminate the darkness in his eyes, yet she vaguely saw herself reflected in them.
She heard him say in a daze, “Those who have loved, even if shattered to pieces, would never regret it even after nine deaths. Feng Xiang was like this, and so was Lord Qian Guang.”
He gently took her hand, their cool fingers intertwining perfectly, quickly generating warmth.
Mu Xuanling’s long lashes trembled slightly as she lowered her gaze to their tightly clasped palms and the red strings wrapped around each of their wrists.
“Sect Leader Ji, your One Line Connection is still unresolved. You don’t need to worry about me running away,” she mumbled softly, yet did not attempt to pull her hand away as if she had already grown accustomed to it.
“Holding your hand… do you think it’s just because I’m afraid you’ll run away?” Ji Xuecen chuckled softly, only gripping her hand tighter.
Then why…
An answer was on the tip of her tongue, but she dared not believe it.
Just as she was about to ask, a familiar voice called out from afar.
“Sect Leader Ji, Miss Mu?”
The voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned to look at the approaching figure. In the dim lamplight, a tall man in brocade robes and a jade crown, wearing a silver fox mask, approached while fanning himself.
“Young Palace Master?” Mu Xuanling immediately recognized him, looking at him in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
The newcomer was indeed Fu Lansheng, the Young Palace Master of Bixiao Palace. As he came closer, his smiling gaze swept over their clasped hands, and a flash of pity crossed his face—for Nan Xuyue.
Fu Lansheng bowed slightly to Ji Xuecen before answering Mu Xuanling’s question, “The Demon Race Martial Arts Competition ended today. Bixiao Palace was invited to observe. My father is in seclusion, so I came in his stead. I’ve certainly seen quite a spectacle.” He sighed wistfully, “The demon beauties are truly passionate and amorous…”
He had nearly been unable to escape. Those female demons all wanted to absorb his essence! He made excuses to slip away from the banquet, but on the streets, he was pursued by more admirers. He had to buy a mask to cover his handsome face.
“I envy you two, not having to worry about being kidnapped and having your essence absorbed by demons,” Fu Lansheng boasted, fanning himself.
Mu Xuanling smiled and said, “A few days ago, a powerful snake demon coveted Sect Leader Ji’s beauty.”
Fu Lansheng was stunned: “And then?”
“Naturally, it was beaten until it was purified,” Mu Xuanling said seriously. “Young Palace Master, if you were stronger, you wouldn’t have such troubles.”
Fu Lansheng’s mouth twitched, feeling as if he had been stabbed in the heart. His handsome face under the mask crumpled.
“Sister,” a childish voice came from Fu Lansheng’s waist. Mu Xuanling looked down and saw A-Bao poking its little head out of the spatial pouch. Its two round ears twitched excitedly, and the next moment it jumped onto her shoulder. “Sister, I missed you so much!”
It nuzzled against Mu Xuanling’s neck, and she couldn’t help but smile, raising her hand to gently stroke its soft fur.
“A-Bao, has the Young Palace Master been bullying you?” Mu Xuanling rubbed its head.
A-Bao squinted its eyes in comfort, stretching its neck to rub against her soft palm, and softly complained, “Brother said if I’m not good, he’ll raise a cat instead.”
Fu Lansheng said sourly, “You ungrateful little thing, I’ve been so good to you, and all you remember is the cat comment?”
Mu Xuanling couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing A-Bao’s beautiful fur color, she knew Fu Lansheng had taken excellent care of it. “Have you made any progress in finding Fu Cangli these days?”
Hearing Mu Xuanling’s question, Fu Lansheng’s expression changed slightly. He lowered his voice and said, “I have something I want your help with. This isn’t the place to talk. Please, come with me.”
As the richest man in the world, Fu Lansheng’s accommodations were naturally not ordinary. He had come to Qiongju Island on a magical artifact called the “Floating Cloud Sky Boat.” The Sky Boat was carved from white jade, inscribed with countless magical arrays. When activated, it could ride the wind, traveling eight thousand miles in a day. The Sky Boat was elaborately decorated, and extremely luxurious, with exquisite food and beautiful scenery. It had numerous guards and beautiful maids, strict security, and attentive service, making people reluctant to leave, surpassing even a heavenly paradise.
When the flight array wasn’t activated, the Floating Cloud Sky Boat was docked on the sea to the west of Qiongju Island. The three of them soared into the air, riding the sea breeze to gently land on the deck. From afar, they saw a tall figure in cyan robes. The person stood against the wind, his clothes fluttering lightly, a crescent moon hanging above his head, his feet treading on the shimmering starry river. With handsome eyebrows and starry eyes, he smiled gently, like a divine lord descending to the mortal world.
Seeing the gentle smile in the man’s eyes, Mu Xuanling couldn’t help but smile, calling out before she even landed, “Young Master Nan!”
Nan Xuyue stepped forward to greet the three, but his gaze fell only on the person in the middle.
“Ling’er,” Nan Xuyue called softly, his voice carrying a light smile. His gaze lingered on her face for a moment before turning to Ji Xuecen beside her, greeting him politely, “Sect Leader Ji.”
Ji Xuecen nodded slightly, a hint of something flashing in his phoenix eyes: “Manor Lord Nan, you’re here too?”
Nan Xuyue said, “The jade pendant I left for Ling’er showed some anomalies as if the array inside had been activated by an attack. I was worried something had happened to Ling’er, and I sensed that the jade pendant’s location was on Qiongju Island, so I took advantage of Fu Brother’s hospitality and came here on the Floating Cloud Sky Boat.”
Mu Xuanling frowned in confusion: “When was the jade pendant attacked? I haven’t used it.” As she spoke, she pulled out the fine cord from her neck and looked down at the jade pendant. The jade was still smooth and lustrous as before, without a single crack. Mu Xuanling turned it over to look at the back, and her expression suddenly changed. Where there had originally been a ‘moon’ character engraved, it was now completely smooth. Who had done this, and when, was self-evident…
Nan Xuyue’s keen eyes naturally didn’t miss the change in the jade pendant, nor did he miss the sudden redness on Mu Xuanling’s face.
Mu Xuanling stammered, “Maybe I accidentally triggered the array…”
Ji Xuecen chuckled softly: “Or maybe it was me.”
Nan Xuyue glanced at Ji Xuecen imperceptibly, his fan touching his thin lips as he lowered his eyes and smiled, but said nothing.
Fu Lansheng shivered: “Tonight seems a bit cold… I’ve prepared a feast, let’s go inside first… hehe…”
He then gracefully slipped away…
—I should be inside the boat, not out here!
As Fu Lansheng had said, he had already prepared a feast in the cabin to entertain Ji Xuecen and Mu Xuanling. As soon as the three sat down, various delicacies were brought in, filling the table.
Mu Xuanling couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. No wonder Fu Lansheng had no interest in cultivation; his life was too comfortable. As the only heir of Bixiao Palace, he was pampered by his parents. He didn’t have the troubles of sibling rivalry like Nan Xuyue, nor the pressure of heavy responsibilities like Ji Xuecen. Even his cultivation was handed down to him by others who had already mastered the skills. It must take ten lifetimes of good deeds to be so favored by heaven.
The hardships she had endured in this life must have been the result of ten lifetimes of evil deeds.
Fu Lansheng enthusiastically welcomed everyone. Ji Xuecen shook his head slightly: “I have long since abstained from food.”
Mu Xuanling, however, was not one to refuse. Listening to Fu Lansheng’s introductions, she tasted various delicacies one by one. Seeing Mu Xuanling’s enthusiasm, Fu Lansheng became even more excited, describing each dish in detail.
“This dish, ‘Peony Gathering,’ is made from the belly of the deep-sea star sandfish. The fish belly is sliced into translucent thin pieces, with a smoky pink color. The meat is tender and delicious even without cooking. This star sand fish lives a hundred miles under the sea, and only Yuan Ying cultivators can dive to catch it, making it extremely rare and precious.”
“This Snow Peak Rouge is a favorite of the Eastern Sea demonesses. It’s said to preserve youth and exude fragrance. The white part is made of a snow swallow’s nest in milk, while the red part is the juice of the vermilion fruit. The vermilion fruit grows on the edge of the Phoenix Roost Forest, rich in spiritual energy. Eating it leaves a lingering fragrance in the mouth for ten days.”
“This dish is called Azure Sea, Blue Sky, Bright Moon Heart. The ‘Azure Sea’ is a spiritual seaweed, fresh and sweet. The ‘Blue Sky’ is the unique fragrant bamboo shoots from Spirit Heron Island, most refreshing to the palate. The ‘Bright Moon Heart’ is a fruit called red lychee, with translucent white flesh and sweet juice.”
“This is Snow Crab Drunk on Jade Nectar. Live crabs are soaked in century-old fine wine, infusing the crab meat with the wine’s flavor, creating an exquisite taste… Ah Bao, you can’t eat that!”
Fu Lansheng shouted, but it was too late. Ah Bao had already sucked half a snow crab dry and was now swaying, hiccupping with a strong whiff of alcohol. The century-old wine was extremely potent. Those with lower cultivation couldn’t handle its strength, getting drunk for a day after just one bite. Only high-level cultivators with strong physiques could enjoy this worldly delicacy. Ah Bao was just a little Sniff Treasure Mouse. Its greed for delicacies led it to eat half a crab at once, unable to withstand the wine’s aftereffects. Its black eyes immediately became unfocused, and it started mumbling incoherently.
Fu Lansheng held his head in pain, while Mu Xuanling couldn’t help but smile. Nan Xuyue took out a Clear Mind Pill from her storage bag and pushed it into Ah Bao’s mouth. Ah Bao chewed twice, frowning and muttering, “Tastes bad…”
Then it flopped onto the table and fell asleep.
“It’ll be fine after sleeping off the alcohol,” Nan Xuyue said with a smile.
Fu Lansheng sighed, “This little glutton is greedy for both food and money.” Despite his complaints, he carefully picked up Ah Bao and placed it in a nearby exquisite, soft wooden bed, tucking it in.
When Fu Lansheng returned, Mu Xuanling spoke seriously, “You said earlier you had something to ask me. What is it?”
Fu Lansheng glanced at the sleeping Ah Bao, his expression gradually becoming solemn.
“Ah Bao’s father might be from the Demon Realm,” he said, explaining in detail what he had discovered in the Blood Mirror. He then asked, “You’re most familiar with the Demon Realm. Are there still humans there?”
Mu Xuanling frowned slightly and shook her head. “The Demon Realm only has demonic energy, no spiritual energy. Human cultivators can’t stay there for long without harming themselves.”
“What if he practiced demonic cultivation?” Fu Lansheng asked.
“Humans have spirit apertures that can absorb spiritual energy for cultivation. Why would they endure the pain of demonic energy?” Mu Xuanling disagreed. “I think that person might have just entered the Demon Realm by chance, and your Blood Mirror happened to catch a glimpse of him at that time. Which day did you see this?”
Fu Lansheng gave a date, and Mu Xuanling recalled it was two days before her night raid on Mirror Flower Valley. She was in the Demon Realm at that time but hadn’t seen any human cultivators. However, it wasn’t impossible… She had spent several hours cultivating at the Fusang Tree and might have just missed that person.
“It’s a human cultivator in league with demons,” Xie Xuechen suddenly spoke. “That person could sense the Blood Mirror’s observation, indicating considerable strength. Even if not at the Fashen realm, they must be at least at the peak of Yuan Ying realm.”
“Impossible,” Mu Xuanling frowned and muttered, “How come I didn’t know about this?”
Xie Xuechen and Fu Lansheng looked at her. Fu Lansheng smiled, “Miss Mu, perhaps your master doesn’t trust you that much.”
Mu Xuanling was reluctant to doubt Sang Qi’s feelings for her, after all, Sang Qi had saved her life and raised her.
Fu Lansheng continued, “Nan Xuyue did divination for Ah Bao and said its father-daughter fate is very shallow, with only one fated meeting. Worried that Fu Cangru might harm Ah Bao, I’ve been keeping it hidden these days, not letting anyone see it. It’s only because we met you today that I let it out of the storage bag.”
Mu Xuanling hadn’t expected that Fu Lansheng, who seemed frivolous, would be so thoughtful towards Ah Bao. She couldn’t help but view him in a slightly better light.
“I’ll try to find out more when I return to the Demon Realm…” Mu Xuanling paused, glancing at Xie Xuechen, and muttered, “If I can go back, that is.”
Nan Xuyue chuckled softly. Fu Lansheng was talkative, so he let him do most of the talking. Nan Xuyue just smiled and listened, his slender fingers holding jade chopsticks, quietly adding food to Mu Xuanling’s plate. He carefully noted her preferences for different dishes, adding more of what she seemed to like and avoiding those that made her frown slightly.
“Ling’er, did you go to Luowu Mountain earlier?” Nan Xuyue asked.
Mu Xuanling looked at Xie Xuechen, and seeing him nod, she answered, “Yes.”
Nan Xuyue noticed her reaction and turned to Xie Xuechen, “Sect Leader Xie looks solemn as if troubled. Did something happen during your visit to Luowu Mountain?”
Mu Xuanling wasn’t sure if she should mention their encounter with Feng Xiang Qian Guang Jun. Qian Guang Jun had kindly given them the Lotus Heart Seed and asked them not to tell others about Feng Xiang, fearing it might cause unnecessary trouble. Although she felt Nan Xuyue was reliable, she didn’t want to break her promise to Qian Guang Jun.
Xie Xuechen said, “The matter at Luowu Mountain has been resolved, but I have some questions. I’ve heard that Manor Lord Nan is well-versed in ancient texts, so there are some things I’d like to ask you about.”
Nan Xuyue smiled, “You flatter me. Please, Sect Leader Xie, feel free to ask.”
Xie Xuechen asked, “Have you ever heard of the Ancient God Clan?”
“The Ancient God Clan exists only in legends,” Nan Xuyue explained slowly. “Legend has it that when Pangu created the world, separating yin and yang, heaven and earth, three realms were born: the upper realm for gods, the middle realm for mortals, and the lower realm for the nine hells. The gods of the God Realm could command wind and rain, each wielding divine authority to maintain the stability of the three realms. They received offerings from humans and protected human prosperity. But ten thousand years ago, a fallen god used evil methods to cultivate heart demons, leading humans to attack the God Realm. After their defeat, they were suppressed and sealed in the Molten Abyss. The fallen god’s energy polluted that part of the world, and since then, the Demon Realm was carved out of the mortal realm, never seeing daylight, only the crimson demon moon. The gods, disgusted by human greed and baseness, disappeared. Humans no longer received divine protection, and the mortal realm fell into endless chaos.”
The legend of creation and the origin of the gods was known to varying degrees by people across the Divine Continent, but with oral transmission, countless versions had emerged. What Nan Xuyue described was the most orthodox version circulating in the cultivation world.
Seeing that Nan Xuyue indeed knew much about the God Clan, Xie Xuechen asked further, “Have you heard of the name Lun Jing Shang Shen? Or… the Divine Lords of Time and Fate?”
Nan Xuyue was somewhat suspicious of Xie Xuechen’s motives for asking, but he answered truthfully, “Gods are named after their authorities. There are wind gods and rain masters who control wind and rain, so naturally, there would be Divine Lords of Time and Fate. The Lord of Time is the divine official in charge of seasons and hours. As for the gods’ names, those are unknown. The Lord of Fate is said to be the divine official in charge of all beings’ destinies… But there are also some interesting legends.”
Mu Xuanling and Fu Lansheng were intrigued and stared at Nan Xuyue, urging, “What legends? Tell us quickly.”
Nan Xuyue smiled and said, “When Pangu created the world, he split the primordial chaos into two. The primordial chaos energy, originating from the primordial universe, disregards strength and causality. It is both one and many. After the primordial chaos was split, it didn’t completely disappear but transformed into two supreme treasures of heaven and earth.”
Fu Lansheng exclaimed loudly, “I know this! It’s the Book of Destiny and the Chaos Zhenzhu.”
Mu Xuanling’s eyes flickered, “The Chaos Zhenzhu… has always been enshrined by the Bright Moon Manor.”
The Bright Moon Manor obtained the Chaos Zhenzhu thousands of years ago and became its guardian. Everyone knew the Chaos Zhenzhu was mysterious and powerful, and they were unwilling to provoke the Bright Moon Manor that possessed it. But seven years ago, Sang Qi used the excuse of seizing the Chaos Zhenzhu to massacre the Bright Moon Manor, and since then, the Chaos Zhenzhu’s whereabouts have been unknown.
Everyone present knew this part, so Nan Xuyue didn’t elaborate. He continued, “Just now, Sect Leader Xie mentioned the Divine Lord of Fate. According to legend, the Divine Lord of Fate is the divine official who wields the Book of Destiny. The Chaos Zhenzhu can overturn heaven and earth, while the Book of Destiny can write causality. The two are hard to compare, and neither can be controlled by a single person or god.”
Overturning heaven and earth, writing causality…
Mu Xuanling silently repeated these words in her heart, suddenly remembering what Qian Guang Jun had said – this world is all fake…
Mu Xuanling looked at Xie Xuechen, who was also looking at her. They both thought of the same thing.
Someone had written a false world in the Book of Destiny!
Only the Book of Destiny could deceive all beings and distort everyone’s perception.
But what is a lie, and what is the truth?