Chapter 13

Encounter at Qinghong

As they say, “Those who do many wrongs will inevitably meet their end.” This applied to me. As a child, I was always the one leading the bullying of my friends, and now, it was all coming back to me. After being thrown down the cliff, none of them helped me up. Instead, they crouched around me and Xuan Yue, like a group of children watching ants.

I glanced at them for a while and realized they were exactly as I had expected: one was a plump boy, one was a lively girl with bright eyes and snowy teeth, and the other was a lively young man, skinny like a monkey. The girl, with her large eyes, said, “You are... from Su Zhaoxian?”

I was caught off guard by her question. I had forgotten that my hair was green and my skin was paler than most humans, easily drawing attention. However, recalling how the immortals had treated us, I was genuinely afraid. If I admitted it too openly, who knew if they’d set me on fire for fuel.

Fortunately, the skinny boy spoke first, “Su Zhaoxian? Who are they?”

“That’s Third Senior Brother...” The girl seemed about to say something, but quickly swallowed the words. “Su Zhaoxian is the capital city of the Northern Sea, known for many of the Su Zhaoxian people. They are born with green hair, white skin, and the ability to control water magic.”

The plump boy glanced at me and said, “So, the Su Zhaoxian people are all so good-looking? Are they immortals too?”

The girl furrowed her brow and forced a smile. “You’re so ignorant. We’re nothing like them. I don’t know if they are human or demon. If they are demons, they have no form. But if they’re human...” She pointed at my hair. “Can humans have hair this color? Wait, hey, miss, you look really familiar...”

Oh no, did she see me before? I quickly said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. My hair has always been like this, have you seen enough?”

“Ah, Junior Sister, I think we misunderstood her,” the plump boy said, seemingly kind-hearted. “The girl is clearly badly injured. We should take her to Ningxin Temple to get some medicine.”

The girl was still a little displeased. “Empty talk. Do you think we can just grab medicine from Ningxin Temple? We’ll have to show her to the master to see if she’s human or ghost. You two, help her up, we’re taking her to see the master.”

Before I could struggle, they had already lifted me like a sack of meat and flew up the mountain.

This was it, I was being taken to the immortal’s headquarters.

As they flew over peak after peak, I began to see more and more immortals. Some flew through the clouds on swords, some stood on mountain ridges, admiring the mist and clouds, some rode unknown flying beasts, listening to flute and drum music, while others, young and bold, flew and fought in the air, their spells bursting into dazzling colors...

To an ordinary person, such a scene would seem like a dream, but I was trembling in fear, my skin crawling. My miserable life seemed to have gone from a muddy gutter straight into a pit.

Finally, they tracked down the master’s whereabouts and arrived at a high, snow-covered tower. The snow was thick, but the flowers were in full bloom, and there were plump cranes everywhere. In the center of these fat cranes stood an elderly, tall immortal, enjoying the scenery and eating clouds.

He stood with his hands behind his back on the edge of the cliff, the snow reaching his knees, so faint it seemed like smoke. His ivory-colored long robe fluttered like the wind.

Hearing the calls of his three disciples, he turned his head, looked at me for a moment, then glanced at the curled-up Xuan Yue in my arms. He stroked his beard, his long white eyebrows trembled, and he said only one sentence: “This is a major matter.”

Regardless of what they considered a major matter, I only knew that if I continued bleeding like this, the only thing that awaited me was a trip to the coffin.

Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and decided to faint.

When I awoke again, I had been wrapped up like a rice dumpling, and warm currents were flowing through my body, suggesting that immortal healing had been used to treat my wounds. I was lying in a bed indoors, surrounded by towering medicine cabinets filled with countless jars and bottles.

I propped myself up and got off the bed, walking clumsily out of the room. In the main hall outside, I saw the white-bearded old immortal.

Upon seeing me, he turned and said, “Young girl, I detect spiritual energy flowing within you, but it is not entirely celestial power. Are you cultivating immortality?”

I shook my head. “Actually, I don’t know what I am. My spiritual power is innate.”

“That cannot be.”

“Then what do you plan to do in the future?”

I shook my head again. “I don’t know. I don’t even know where I am, or who you are.”

The white-bearded仙 said, “You are in the Celestial Realm (Immortal Realm), at Clear Phoenix Mountain. This is a place where disciples of the immortals cultivate. All half-immortals and wandering immortals can come here to take a master and learn the craft. I am Lord Xuxing, sent by the Celestial Emperor (Immortal Lord) to impart the Dao and teach.”

“Then, are you the master of the disciples here?”

“Indeed.”

This Lord Xuxing appeared very kind, with no airs of superiority, suggesting he knew nothing of the misdeeds of Huang Dao Xianjun and Ru Yue Weng. As the saying goes, the most dangerous place is often the safest. If I could stay here, it would be better than wandering outside and risking being killed by those immortals one day.

I gathered my courage and knelt down. “Then, could you take me as your disciple? My name is Luo Wei, I’m an orphan, always wandering with no home to return to. I beg you, great immortal, please take me as your disciple!”

Lord Xuxing said, “Don’t be hasty. While you have a good foundation and some spiritual power, Clear Phoenix Mountain has a strict hierarchy. I am a Heavenly Lord, ranked third in the immortal hierarchy, and I do not accept disciples who are not at least half-immortal. If you truly wish to cultivate here, I can take you to find a master.”

“Good! I’ll go with you right now!” I quickly stood up and looked around. “Wait, where is Xuan Yue?”

“Xuan Yue is that little tiger, right?” He pointed to a corner where a cage was sealed with a spell. “Do you know, the little tiger you raised is not ordinary?”

I hurried over and looked at the pitiful Xuan Yue in the cage. “Xuan Yue’s nature is not bad. Please don’t harm it.”

Lord Xuxing said, “Rest assured. The reed grows straight in the weeds, the white sand turns black in the mud. Though the Qiongqi is a fierce beast, this Xuan Yue is still young. With strict discipline and a sealing spell, I believe it can grow strong and upright. However, others may not think like me. Anyone with a discerning eye can tell it’s a Qiongqi. Have you thought about what to do when others realize this?”

I suddenly recalled the illusion I had entered before and said, “Could it be changed into a white tiger? That way, no one would recognize it as a Qiongqi.”

“This idea is quite good.” He lightly pointed at Xuan Yue, and it transformed into white again. “Now, most people will likely mistake it for a Snow Peak Heavenly Tiger. Additionally, I’ve sealed its power, so until it matures, it will remain an ordinary white tiger.”

At first, I thought my suggestion was too simple, lacking in confidence, but unexpectedly, it worked, and now I could deceive everyone. It seemed that the young man in the peach blossom forest had turned Xuan Yue white intentionally to hint at me. But why did he change it back to red?

I thought back to when I had fallen off the cliff and how Xuan Yue had saved me by melting the snow into water. It was so small but capable of such great power. It truly was extraordinary.

I asked, “Does it have spiritual power now?”

Lord Xuxing replied, “Yes. The Qiongqi is descended from the water god Gonggong, and they are born with the ability to use magic.”

I understood now. It was like a revelation. This little creature, like me, belonged to the same zodiac, and perhaps the ruler of the Xuan Xuan realm was too short-sighted, bringing harm to themselves. Now, I just hope Xuan Yue would grow up quickly and become a fierce beast, able to follow my orders, assist me in controlling the winds and rains, and help me reclaim the realm. That would be truly delightful! Truly delightful!

I glanced at Xuan Yue, my heart filled with immense joy.

For some reason, I felt like it swallowed, then shrank back a bit, huddling its small body and shaking twice.

Thinking about Gonggong, I was reminded of the incompatible nature of water and fire. Speaking of water and fire, I soon understood the phrase literally and thoroughly, as I had gone to visit my new master with Lord Xuxing.

My master was a middle-aged men, slightly plump, with black hair and a mustache. He specialized in fire magic and had two wandering immortals and one half-immortal as disciples. Compared to Lord Xuxing, my master was far less graceful. Not only that, he was quite unreliable in his treatment of me.

From the very first day, knowing that I wasn’t even half-immortal and was a female, he made me stay near the firewood house to recuperate. After some time, my wounds healed, and I asked him to teach me magic. He continued demonstrating various fire-based spells to his disciples, while I was sent to gather firewood.

You see, even firewood in the Celestial Realm has its own significance. Ordinary wood quickly burns out in the Celestial Realm and cannot float in the air and burn by itself. So, I had to specifically go to the Qiongmu Forest to collect branches. Every time I felt discontented, I would remind myself that my master was a fire-based仙, and I wasn’t going to learn his magic, so I might as well be content with my role as his firewood girl.

Days passed, and three months went by, yet hardly anyone on Clear Phoenix Mountain recognized me.

Until one day, I met Lord Xuxing again in the Qiongmu Forest. He descended in front of me riding a heavy bright bird. Its feathers were like fire, its tail golden, and it was impossibly beautiful. I put down the basket in my hand and respectfully greeted Lord Xuxing, “Greetings, Master Uncle.”

Xuxing Tianjun handed me a bottle of elixir. “Luo Wei, you’ve come at the right time. Your grandmaster was ambushed by a large number of demonic troops while passing through the Heavenly Rift of Gods and Demons. He is now resting by Xiang’e Lake with injuries. Quickly take this medicine to him. I must return to fetch the newly refined elixirs to deliver to Lingyin Shenjun.”

“Shen… Shenjun?” I confess, the word “Shen” (God) frightened me quite a bit.

“Remember to keep this confidential. They are proceeding with their visit to Qinghong Mountain as planned precisely because they wish to avoid causing a public stir.”

“Understood!” Clutching the medicine bottle, I rushed toward the depths of the Qiongwood Forest.

The towering Qiong trees stretched skyward, their jade-like white branches obscuring my view. At the end of a long path, I finally caught sight of Xiang’e Lake.

Surrounded by indigo mountains, Xiang’e Lake was usually a pristine expanse of rippling water, cloaked in a misty green haze. But this time, a massive blue creature filled a large portion of it.

By the lakeside stood two figures—one with black hair and a jade crown, the other with white hair and a resplendent robe. Hearing my footsteps, the black-haired man turned around, his peach blossom eyes seeming to carry a perpetual smile. The white-haired man, however, had the demeanor of a venerable elder, exuding a quiet authority that inspired awe.

This white-haired elder must surely be my grandmaster, the master of my master’s master. As for the black-haired man, he must be Lingyin Shenjun.

To encounter a deity in my lifetime—what fortune! I was overwhelmed with nervous excitement. Perched on my shoulder, Xuan Yue seemed equally uneasy, gripping my arm tightly.

“Grandmaster! Grandmaster! I’ve brought the medicine!” Waving the bottle of elixir, I sprinted toward them.

Halfway there, Xuan Yue let out a startled cry, then abruptly hid behind my back. Perplexed, I glanced at him, but as the trees thinned and my field of vision suddenly broadened, I understood his reaction—a massive dragon was lying in Xiang’e Lake! Its eyes were cold and imperious, and a deep gash ran along its back, stretching as far as a mountain range.

The sight made my legs give out. My joyous dash was rudely interrupted by a stumble, and with a loud “thud,” I hit the ground, sending the medicine bottle rolling away.

The white-haired elder merely made a flicking gesture with his hand, and the bottle rolled twice before flying into his palm. Grandmaster’s abilities were clearly a cut above the rest. Despite his age and injuries, he displayed extraordinary reflexes and prowess. And to keep such a ferocious dragon as a companion—truly remarkable!

Opening the bottle, he didn’t immediately take the medicine himself. Instead, he poured out several golden pills and fed them to the dragon. Witnessing this, my admiration for my grandmaster grew even deeper. What compassion! Despite his own injuries, his first concern was for this divine beast. As I got up, I was so moved I could have wept. But then Grandmaster turned to glare at me. “Whose disciple are you? Withdraw immediately! Don’t you know that the grandmaster requires peace and quiet to recuperate?”

“Yes! Of course! Your disciple will retreat immediately! Please rest well, Grandmaster!” Bowing repeatedly, I hurried out of sight.

In less than the time it takes to brew a pot of tea, Xuxing Tianjun had already returned with remarkable speed, bringing with him a group of prominent immortals. Before long, brilliant seven-colored lights rose from the direction of Xiang’e Lake, more dazzling than fireworks. I assumed that a display of divine techniques must have ensued. Brimming with curiosity but wary of overstepping, I continued my assigned task of gathering firewood, occasionally looking up to admire the splendid lights in the sky.

By sunset, as golden light bathed the Qiongwood Forest, the immortals began to disperse, but the two deities remained unseen. Sneaking back toward the lakeside, I hoped to catch a glimpse of how divine beings healed. However, by the time I arrived, they had already vanished without a trace, leaving only the dragon still soaking in the lake. Slapping my forehead, I finally remembered—these were gods! Their abilities far surpassed those of mere immortals. How could someone like me, with mortal eyes, hope to track their movements?

Truly, gods are extraordinary. This dragon appeared even more majestic and imposing than Yinglong or Panlong. One sweep of its massive body could drench half the forest. Having never seen such an enormous dragon before, I was reluctant to leave. Like a butterfly flitting through the trees, I crept closer, hiding behind the largest tree nearby to secretly observe it.

It had ears like those of a mermaid, covered in shimmering scales, and rested in the water to recover. I surmised it must be a water dragon.

A water dragon! How wonderful! If I could keep such a divine dragon as a steed, flying on its back would surely allow me to traverse the heavens and seas, wielding unmatched prestige. Just imagining it made my face light up with a grin. However, seeing how reverently Grandmaster treated it, akin to how we worshipped Cangying Shen, I realized riding it might be a bit of a stretch.

To be honest, the dragon, massive as it was, resembled a draped bundle of pine branches—rather dull. From sunset to nightfall, it maintained the same position, resting without so much as twitching an eyelid. I assumed it had fallen asleep, so I grew bolder, stepping closer. When it still showed no reaction, I snapped my fingers at Xuan Yue, hitched up my robe, and tiptoed toward it like a thief.

Extending my neck for a better view, I noticed just how colossal this dragon was. Its body loomed like a mountain, its icy scales glinting faintly in the dim light, each one as large as my face. Even if Xuan Yue and I combined forces to serve as its snack, we probably wouldn’t be enough to fill the gap between its teeth.

Its injuries were severe indeed. Despite covering most of its wounds with its tail, the exposed portions were deep and ghastly. Since its body was too large to be fully submerged in the lake, the wounds couldn’t be entirely soaked in water. Even in sleep, its brows furrowed, undoubtedly from the pain. Gently channeling my energy, I guided lake water to flow over its wounds.

Soon, a mist of ice rose from the injury. This reaction confirmed the effectiveness of water-based healing—a method that our Suozhao clan had long employed under divine protection. Emboldened, I continued using water to treat its wounds. Unfortunately, the creature was so massive that I quickly depleted my spiritual energy. Turning my head, I intended to ask Xuan Yue for help.

As I glanced back, I was startled and fell flat on my rear.

The dragon had woken up at some point. It had turned its head and was now staring directly at me. At this moment, the night sky was an endless deep blue, with jade trees surrounding the lake, a faint mist veiling verdant mountains, and a cool moon hanging high in the west like an icy disc immersed in the depths of the sea. The dragon’s eyes glowed silver-white, piercing through the night with a chill sharper than moonlight on a frozen lake.

My reflexes weren’t too shabby. As soon as our gazes met, I immediately switched from sitting to kneeling, kowtowing three times with resounding thuds. “Oh mighty Dragon God, spare my life! I promise I’ll never dare disturb you again!”

The dragon, however, turned its head away indifferently, as if scoffing. Well, what kind of attitude was this? Neither grateful nor angry. I thought for a moment and decided to continue pouring water over its wounds. After all, as a divine dragon, it shouldn’t bully us lesser beings… no, I mean, the younger generation. Besides, who could strike someone offering a friendly face?

The dragon didn’t resist but also didn’t close its eyes again. Instead, it kept its frost-like gaze fixed, silently enjoying my care. While channeling my spell, I took the opportunity to observe it more closely. Compared to the coiled dragons and winged dragons I had seen before, this dragon’s features seemed to be more youthful and refined—though describing a dragon as “handsome” felt as odd as an immortal holding an umbrella.

Still, this dragon was indeed good-looking. Its cheeks were slender and narrow, its silver whiskers gleamed, its skeletal structure was elegant, and its muscles taut and luminous. Its beautiful eyes radiated an air of arrogance and majesty. Unfortunately, I had no idea what kind of dragon it was or if its kind was equally impressive.

Leaning toward Xuan Yue, I whispered, “Xuan Yue, don’t you think this dragon god is quite dashing? I wonder if it’s male or female.”

Xuan Yue tilted its head, seemingly deep in thought. I added, “Though its temper is nothing like a water dragon’s. So fierce—what a waste it wasn’t born a fire dragon. I bet it’s still single.”

Before Xuan Yue could respond, the dragon slowly turned its head, its icy gaze almost freezing the air.

Once again, I dropped to my knees.

Great Cangying God, save me! It heard me even when I spoke that softly!