“The Phoenix Clan has lived here since they descended from the Divine Realm sixty thousand years ago. This ancient forest of Wu Tong is where the world’s spiritual energy is most concentrated.”
One day later, a flash of light streaked across the sky above Phoenix Island. Moments later, Qing Yi led Bai Shuo into the Wu Tong Forest.
Bai Shuo looked around at the towering Wu Tong trees in amazement. As expected from the greatest clan in the Three Realms, she thought. Just one of these trees has more spiritual energy than all of Miao Miao Island combined. No wonder beings across the Immortal Realm fought to join a prestigious sect.
She gave Qing Yi a sideways glance, thinking about how A-Zhao had to train day and night for years just to gain entry to Phoenix Island. Yet this little Daoist walked straight into the ancient forest without anyone stopping him. Really, life isn’t fair!
“If you don’t find a suitable sect, I can speak to His Majesty and arrange for you to stay here to cultivate…” Qing Yi offered.
“Stay on Phoenix Island?” Bai Shuo, who had been glancing around in awe, rolled her eyes.
This Daoist from Daze Mountain had a rather bold mouth. She slung an arm around Qing Yi’s shoulder and said seriously, “A-Yi, we’ve been through a lot together, so don’t go around boasting recklessly. You think you can just request an audience with the Phoenix Emperor? He’s the only—”
“Greetings to Upper Lord Qing Yi.” Bai Shuo was cut off by a sudden flash of light. A young boy dressed in ancient attire appeared behind them, his head adorned with phoenix feathers. He bowed respectfully to Qing Yi.
Who? What did he just call him? Bai Shuo blinked, slowly turning to face the Daoist beside her.
“Qing Yi? Upper Lord? The head disciple of Daze Mountain?” she asked in disbelief.
“That would be me,” Qing Yi nodded with a gentle smile.
Bai Shuo swallowed, hastily withdrawing her hand and helping to straighten the collar of his robe, bowing obediently.
“Greetings, Upper Lord. I am Bai Shuo, a humble demi-immortal.”
Qing Yi of Daze Mountain was no ordinary figure like Bei Chen or Nan Wan. Sixty thousand years ago, Dong Hua, the first god to be conferred divinity, had been his grandmaster. His martial uncle was Feng Yin, the Phoenix Emperor born defying the heavens. Even the exalted Jin Yao of the Nine Heavens treated him as an equal.
And here I was calling him a braggart… Bai Shuo felt utterly mortified.
Seeing Bai Shuo’s face cycle through a rainbow of expressions, Qing Yi couldn’t help but smile and shook his head as he turned to the young boy in the forest.
“Wu Shuang, it’s been a while. Is my little martial uncle here?”
“His Majesty has departed on a journey. Before he left, he asked me to inform you that he won’t be able to play chess with you for some time and that you should practice diligently and not slack off,” Wu Shuang said in an imitation of the Phoenix Emperor’s tone.
The boy then continued, “The elders have been informed of your arrival on Phoenix Island and have asked me to escort you to the front hall to meet with Jin Yao. And this lady is…?”
Qing Yi nodded and, seeing Wu Shuang glance toward Bai Shuo, quickly added, “This is Immortal Bai Shuo. She saved my life, so please see that she is well taken care of.”
“Understood,” Wu Shuang nodded.
Qing Yi turned to Bai Shuo. “I’ll go to the front hall. You can rest with Wu Shuang for now.”
“Of course, Upper Lord. Take care,” Bai Shuo replied quickly, keeping her gaze lowered.
Qing Yi chuckled softly and vanished in a flash of light.
“Immortal Bai Shuo? Immortal Bai Shuo?” Wu Shuang called out cheerfully, snapping Bai Shuo out of her daze. She looked around and realized she had somehow ended up in a quiet, secluded pavilion.
“Jiu Hua Pavilion?” She took in her surroundings. Situated at the southernmost part of the island, the pavilion seemed remote and quiet, hardly the kind of place expected for the head disciple of Daze Mountain.
“This pavilion is the closest to the ancient forest. When the Divine Lord Yuan Qi was young, he often stayed here. Since then, Upper Lord Qing Yi also rests here whenever he visits,” Wu Shuang explained.
The Divine Lord Yuan Qi? The son of an ancient true god? The God of Chaos?
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