Seeing the two opposing sides, the faction heads exchanged glances, feeling a sense of foreboding. This was an old grudge unknown to the younger generation, but these masters, who had cultivated for thousands of years, had heard of it.
Fu Ling was Jin Yao’s daughter, but her mother had been Lady Chao Hui of the Blood Mist Demon Flower Clan. A thousand years ago, endless battles raged between celestials and demons, and Chao Hui perished in the war between the two factions. At the time, Jin Yao was merely a Supreme Celestial of the Celestial Palace, and to reclaim Fu Ling, he resigned from his celestial post under Emperor Twilight and withdrew into seclusion with his young daughter.
In the millennia that followed, the Three Realms underwent great upheaval. No new gods had arisen within the Celestial Clan, and before Emperor Feng Ran ascended to the Divine Realm, he specifically requested Jin Yao, now a demigod, to return to oversee the Celestial Palace. Jin Yao, believing that Fu Ling had let go of her old grudge after a thousand years, returned with her, thinking the hatred in her heart had long faded. But her resentment was deep-rooted. A few years ago, Fu Ling willingly severed her celestial essence to become a full demon and joined Cold Spring Palace under the tutelage of Master Tian Yu.
Because of this, relations between Jin Yao and Tian Yu, Master of Cold Spring Palace, were particularly strained.
Miao Sect’s disciples arrived late, with Song Feng still in seclusion, recovering from an old injury. Chong Zhao, leading Er Yun and a few junior disciples, arrived just in time to hear Mu Jiu excitedly recounting the story to a group of demon clan youths. Looking at Fu Ling standing alone by the gate, Chong Zhao’s expression grew complicated.
He knew Fu Ling held a deep dislike for celestials, but he hadn’t realized that such intense hatred lay hidden within her.
“Stop?” Fu Ling glared at Jin Yao, her gaze filled with mockery. “Celestial Lord Jin Yao, I’m here to avenge my mother. What does that have to do with you?”
“You!” Jin Yao’s eyes showed a flicker of pain. “The celestials and demons have been at peace for a thousand years. Your mother died in the war, and no one is to blame. Why do you hold onto this hatred and aid wrongdoers?” His face darkened, and with a wave, divine power transformed into chains that shot toward Fu Ling. “Come back with me to the Celestial Palace!”
Under divine power, a celestial cannot resist. The divine chains quickly bound Fu Ling, rendering her immobile. She raged, “Ridiculous! Who would want to go with you to the Celestial Palace? Jin Yao, I am of the demon clan! If you stop me from killing them today, I swear that whenever I encounter celestials, I’ll kill them one by one!”
“You are incorrigible!” Jin Yao was furious, but just then, an immense surge of demon energy burst from within the island. Not only did it scatter the divine light, but it also severed the chains binding Fu Ling.
In a flash of demonic energy, Tian Yu, dressed in black, appeared beside Fu Ling.
The demons of Cold Spring Palace gathered, forming a protective line in front of Fu Ling.
Tian Yu looked at Jin Yao and spoke in a deep voice, “Jin Yao, the celestials and demons have been at peace for a thousand years. What is it? Are you celestials here to reignite the flames of war?”
“Palace Master Tian Yu, don’t twist the truth. It was clearly your vice-master of Cold Spring Palace who attacked the celestials first!” snapped Yun Xiao, the Sect Master.
“That’s right, Tian Yu, don’t drag the entire demon clan into Cold Spring Palace’s personal grudge!” Mu Jiu chimed in, fueling the chaos.
Tian Yu turned his gaze to Yu Feng and the others, raising an eyebrow. “So, the Supreme Celestials of the Celestial Palace have come.” He looked at Fu Ling with a slight smile. “Fu Ling, must there be a fight today?”
“A mother’s murderer cannot coexist under the same sky,” Fu Ling coldly replied, glaring at the four celestials.
“With all four of them here, you stand no chance.”
“Even so, I must fight.”
“Good! You are truly worthy of Cold Spring Palace!” Tian Yu laughed loudly. “Today, this is a private grudge between Fu Ling and the four Supreme Celestials; it is not a war between our two clans. Cold Spring Palace will not interfere, but…” Tian Yu turned to the celestials, his gaze landing on Jin Yao. “If anyone tries to intervene, they will be considered enemies of Cold Spring Palace. Celestial Lord Jin Yao, avenging a mother is just and right. You govern the Celestial Palace and command the celestials. Fu Ling wishes to fight one against four—surely you won’t deny her even this?”
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