Chapter 104

Even after the tremors faded, the entire city was abuzz with talk of the sudden quake. The more well-informed had already begun piecing together what had happened.
“So...the quake was because of some ancient ruins appearing outside Yunzhong City?”
“Seems like it,” the waiter in their private room chirped excitedly as he relayed the latest gossip to Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao. “Turns out, it wasn’t an earthquake at all—just a relic from the Middle Era manifesting. And from what people are saying, it might be a site from the actual Middle Era!”
He finished his dramatic retelling with an expectant look.
However, the two cultivators before him didn’t react at all. The ethereal immortal lord barely blinked, while the lady across from him only replied with a faint, “Oh? And then?”
The waiter had been building suspense for so long that he was stunned by their indifference. Still, determined to win their awe, he pressed on: “Immortal Lady, we’re talking about Middle Era! That’s the era of the great war between immortals and demons—a time when the whole world was at war…”
“I know,” Luo Han interrupted, raising a hand to stop him. “Of course I know what the Middle Era was. But what exactly does this site have to do with it?”
That stumped the waiter. He scratched his head and admitted, “Uh...I don’t know.”
In truth, his so-called “insider info” had come from eavesdropping in the streets. He didn’t know any more than the average passerby. Luo Han didn’t press further—she gave him a generous tip and dismissed him.
After he left, she turned to Ling Qingxiao. “Do you think it really has something to do with the Middle Era?”
Ling Qingxiao shook his head lightly. “I can’t say without seeing it for myself. But Wuzhou wasn’t always like this—its geology is known to shift frequently. The reason the sixteen prefectures of Wuyun are so well-suited to avian life is because of the rich root systems and ancient plant life buried beneath the surface. If this truly is a ruin, then its emergence here would make perfect sense.”
That was enough to convince Luo Han about sixty percent. “Well, whether it’s real or not, we’ll know once we take a look. We don’t have a fixed destination anyway. Why don’t we go check out Yunzhong City?”
Ling Qingxiao had no objections and nodded in agreement.
Luo Han’s curiosity was piqued. “What kind of place is Yunzhong City?”
“It’s the capital of Wuzhou,” Ling Qingxiao explained in his gentle, unhurried tone. “The Phoenix clan’s royal court is located there. Phoenixes don’t roost in anything but wutong trees—hence the name Wuzhou. The Phoenix race is very family-oriented and values heritage highly. Their royal family is the spiritual core of all Wuzhou. So their palace isn’t just a political seat—it’s a symbol of their people. Due to the region’s geological instability, they built their capital in the sky, hence the name Yunzhong—City in the Clouds.”
Luo Han couldn’t help but marvel aloud. “An entire capital suspended in the clouds...Forget about the cost of building it—just the maintenance each year must be astronomical. The Phoenix Clan is really that wealthy?”
Ling Qingxiao gave a noncommittal reply. “Their royal family, at least, is likely quite rich.”
Having spent time in Wuzhou, Luo Han could sense the civilians’ deep reverence for the Phoenix royal family. It wasn’t admiration for any particular ruler—it was faith in a symbol. After generations of national offerings to the royal house, the accumulated wealth of the Phoenix bloodline was no doubt immense.
After sighing over it, she leaned in with a gleam of gossip in her eyes. “So...compared to their royal family, who’s richer—your clan or theirs?”
Ling Qingxiao saw right through her and chuckled. Reaching out, he tapped her forehead lightly. “Nonsense. How would I know the full extent of the Phoenix Clan’s treasury?”
“I don’t believe you.” Luo Han grinned. “The Dragon Clan has produced every Celestial Emperor for generations. All taxes flow through your hands. Is there anything in the celestial realm you don’t know? Just whisper it to me—I promise I won’t get jealous.”
The Phoenix Clan might live in luxury, but they were living off their people. The Dragon Clan? They collected from the entire realm. Dragonkind had a natural affinity for wealth; their enterprises spanned across the heavens. If Luo Han hadn’t come traveling with Ling Qingxiao, she wouldn’t have even known Zhongshan owned so many outposts—gardens, farmlands, restaurants, auction houses...both legal and shady, their influence reached everywhere.
Eager for juicy details, Luo Han pried, and Ling Qingxiao finally relented. “I can’t speak for the other clans, but as far as Zhongshan alone...the Feng family likely falls short.”
Feng—surname of the Phoenix royal bloodline.
Luo Han wasn’t even surprised. She pressed further. “How short are we talking?”
Ling Qingxiao’s tone was calm as ever. “By quite a lot.”
If he said it was “a lot,” then it had to be at least a full magnitude apart. Luo Han clutched her chest in theatrical pain. “Forget it. From now on, don’t tell me things like this. I thought I could handle it, but clearly, I can’t.”
Ling Qingxiao laughed and took her hand. “Let’s go. Yunzhong City awaits.”
They were already within the borders of Wuzhou, and it wasn’t far. After seven days of travel, Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao stood before the gates of Yunzhong City.
True to its name, the entire city was built atop clouds.
Because cloudspace was limited, the Phoenix Palace didn’t sprawl grandly like the Dragon Clan’s halls. Instead, it was refined and dazzling. The palaces rose upon towering white pillars, with elevated domes and elegant arches. At the highest point, a stone phoenix unfurled its wings, poised as if ready to soar.
The entire complex was sculpted from white stone—light yet durable, resistant to decay for ten thousand years. Its only drawback? Incredibly expensive. From below, the white palace shimmered between the clouds like a divine vision—holy, delicate, layered like a celestial mirage.
Surrounding the palace were smaller structures, all built to be lightweight and elegant due to the terrain. Between floating platforms stretched white suspension bridges that swayed with the wind. Only birdkind would dare walk across them without fear.
At the four cardinal directions, stairways linked the clouds to the earth. These were the main thoroughfares. Luo Han took the eastern path upward. It began as stone steps, then shifted into floating stairs of cloudlight, dancing between the misty layers.
Such movement was effortless for Luo Han. Standing amidst the clouds, she looked around at the crowds moving up and down, full of wonder. Gazing toward the sacred silhouette of the Yunzhong City, she murmured, “This is truly a marvel. With such a unique structure, how is this not one of the famed wonders of the celestial realm?”
“Because it was never meant to be a grand city,” Ling Qingxiao stood beside her, his robes billowing in the wind. “Its location limits its expansion. It can’t house a large population, nor support trade or tourism. It may have prestige in name, but its yearly maintenance costs far outweigh its revenue. It runs at a loss every year, yet they still pour resources into it. Only the Phoenix Clan would do something like this.”
Luo Han nodded. True, a city built on land might face earthquakes—but keeping a cloud-city aloft was far more expensive. Still, to the Phoenix Clan, it was worth it. Better to bleed money than allow their sacred shrine to collapse.
The skywalk soon reached its end. Luo Han paid the entry fee and passed through the gates into Yunzhong.
There were no streets in the conventional sense. Every building floated on clouds, shifting gently with the breeze. To move from one to another, one had to fly.
Birdkind were born for the skies. Such design was no obstacle to them. For fledglings or guests of other species, the Phoenix Clan had installed floating walkways. No railings. Just air and stone. You had to leap from one step to the next.
Standing on one of the bridges, Luo Han muttered to Ling Qingxiao, “Honestly, aren’t these bridges kind of terrifying for non-bird races? Imagine someone like Zou Jibai—he’s massive and not exactly nimble. If every path looked like this, I think he’d lose his mind.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a strong gust swept through. The fog surged, and the bridge beneath them wobbled violently. Luo Han startled and instinctively grabbed onto Ling Qingxiao.
He chuckled and wrapped an arm around her.
Because the floating platform only held the two of them, it swayed more than usual. Clinging to Ling Qingxiao’s waist, Luo Han said, “This reminds me of when I was first learning spells. You built one of these floating bridges in Zhongshan, remember? I had just memorized the incantation for flight, and the next day you tossed me off a cliff to practice.”
Ling Qingxiao let out a sigh. “False accusations have no limits. Who said I pushed you?”
“You didn’t make the stone platform lose weight on purpose?”
“It was to train your movement technique.”
“Twisting words to justify nonsense,” Luo Han huffed.
Both were convinced they were the reasonable one. Seeing her unwilling to move, Ling Qingxiao tightened his hold around her waist. “Careful now.”
As soon as he said that, he leapt into the air—his figure light as a feather, graceful as a startled bird. In a single bound, he cleared several floating stones. His toes barely touched each step, as if he bore no weight at all, and landed smoothly upon the next cloudbank.
Innate racial talents were nothing short of divine cheats. The grace and ease of their movements drew glances from the surrounding birdkin, turning more than a few heads. Not wanting to become the center of attention, Luo Han tugged Ling Qingxiao’s hand and whispered, “Let’s go—don’t want to get surrounded.”
The two walked side by side across the clouds. Luo Han wandered aimlessly for a while before noticing something odd. “Wait...are there no actual residents here? We've been walking for a while, but I haven’t seen a single home—just stores, restaurants, and artifact halls.”
Ling Qingxiao nodded. “You’re not wrong. Aside from the royal bloodline, the rest of the populace lives on the ground. Yunzhong City is reserved for the palace and the commercial district.”
“No wonder it looks so pristine and sacred here—there are no civilians at all.” Luo Han clicked her tongue in realization.
Just then, the Devourer Beast began to thrash inside its spirit pouch, making such a fuss that Luo Han had no choice but to let it out for some fresh air.
The moment the beast emerged and saw the new environment, its eyes lit up. Luo Han immediately grew nervous—if it so much as nibbled on something in this city, she’d never be able to pay the price. This was the Phoenix Clan’s sacred capital. Any damage would be disastrous.
She hurriedly clamped its jaws shut as the creature squirmed restlessly. Ling Qingxiao glanced over, sighed, and said, “There’s a spirit beast shop ahead. Let’s go in and buy it something to chew on.”
There wasn’t much choice.
All the way to the shop, Luo Han guarded the beast like a prisoner. Once inside, the little glutton instantly caught on—Ling Qingxiao was here, and that meant someone else was paying. It began pointing at everything it saw, demanding samples like a spoiled noble brat.
Luo Han’s fists clenched. She was this close to beating it again. But Ling Qingxiao, despite being in enemy territory, remained patient. He let the beast choose whatever it wanted, then turned to the clerk. “Wrap it all.”
The shop assistant had never seen such a lavish order and scrambled to rally the entire staff. As Ling Qingxiao went to the front to pay, Luo Han stayed behind with the beast. She lowered her voice and hissed, “That’s enough. Keep this up and I’ll throw you back in the pouch for a month.”
The Devourer Beast didn’t look the least bit intimidated. It had just scored a major win in front of Ling Qingxiao and was practically glowing with triumph. Luo Han smiled coldly and pinched its ear. “Three days without a beating and you think you’re king of the mountain again?”
The beast flinched, clearly torn between resistance and surrender. Luo Han could actually see the conflict written all over its dark, fluffy face.
Just as she was tenderly reinforcing discipline, a loud commotion erupted at the entrance. Luo Han and the beast turned at the same time to see a group of attendants flooding into the shop, completely packing the space. Behind them came a flock of elegantly dressed maids, scattering flower petals and using spirit dust to cleanse the air. Once the path was purified, a radiant pair of man and woman finally stepped inside like stars arriving on stage.
The man wore ornate robes and a silver coronet—his status unmistakable. Upon entering, he turned to the woman beside him and said with a laugh, “Pick whatever you like. There’s nothing in Yunzhong City this prince cannot acquire.”
Silver crown. Self-styled “gu”—a term used only by rulers and crown princes. And they were in Yunzhong City.
Luo Han instantly knew who he was.
The Phoenix Clan’s crown prince—Feng Yuchen. One of the original novel’s many infatuated suitors of Yun Menghan.
According to the story’s original timeline, this was about the time when Ye Zhongyu had not yet been discovered to harbor demonic Qi. He was still the esteemed young master of Zhongshan, basking in the limelight of the celestial realm. He and Yun Menghan weren’t yet wed. In the novel, he traveled the realm with his beautiful “sisters” and “close companions,” passing through Wuzhou where he met Feng Yuchen.
Among his companions was Su Yinyue, and predictably, Yun Menghan was constantly ostracized. Feng Yuchen, soft-hearted and gallant, took pity on her. After braving several life-and-death trials together, he fell hopelessly in love with her.
Based on the timeline, their fateful meeting was supposed to happen right around now.
But everything had changed. Zhongshan now answered to Ling Qingxiao. The former “male lead,” Ye Zhongyu, had fallen to the demonic realm and become a hunted traitor.
The fated meeting between Feng Yuchen and Yun Menghan had been wiped out by the butterfly effect.
Luo Han spared Feng Yuchen only a glance before looking away. In the novel, he had loved Yun Menghan to the point of madness—but now, that entire relationship had never even started. To Luo Han, he was just another stranger.
And besides, Yun Menghan had already married into the demon realm, which made her a traitor in the eyes of heaven. No matter how blindly devoted Feng Yuchen might be, he wouldn’t jeopardize his status as crown prince by throwing himself after a branded fugitive.
No, this time, Feng Yuchen and Yun Menghan’s paths would never cross—and Luo Han had no interest in him whatsoever.
Unfortunately, even if Luo Han didn’t seek trouble, trouble often had a way of finding her.
The crown prince had brought his lovely companion to shop, and though the woman feigned shyness, she picked only the most expensive items without batting an eye. When she pointed at a few specialty goods, the clerk visibly hesitated and shot a quick glance at Luo Han.
A chill crept down Luo Han’s spine.
Don’t tell me...they were just sold out?
And indeed—what she feared came true.
With a pained smile, the clerk stammered, “My lady, I’m terribly sorry. Those items...we’ve just sold the last of them. Might you consider something else?”
The beauty was clearly displeased, but she didn’t want to ruin her image in front of Feng Yuchen. She simply chose other items. But the clerk’s sweat only increased, and after a moment, he faltered again. “Ah...these are sold out as well.”
That was the last straw.
The woman scowled, and Feng Yuchen’s expression darkened. “Do you know who I am? I’m gracing your little shop with my presence, and you dare treat me like this?”
“N-not at all, Your Highness!” the clerk quickly bowed and apologized. Of course he knew who Feng Yuchen was—that was exactly the problem.
The crown prince of the Phoenix Clan was not someone you could afford to offend.
Having no choice, the clerk scurried over to Luo Han and tried to negotiate. “My lady, I must apologize again. His Highness the Crown Prince has taken a liking to the same items you just purchased. Would you...perhaps consider choosing something else?”
Only then did Feng Yuchen and his companion realize—the shop wasn’t out of stock. Someone had simply beaten them to it.
The woman blinked in surprise. She knew very well how expensive those items were. To buy all of them in one go...surely only the Phoenix Clan’s pampered heir could be so extravagant. Yet this young woman before her had done even more.
Who exactly is she?
Luo Han stroked the Devourer Beast’s head, utterly speechless at the current situation. The beast was highly intelligent—it understood the shopkeeper’s words and let out a dissatisfied “meh.”
Word had it that the current ruler of the Phoenix Clan was a queen. The bird race was known for their deep attachments and rare offspring. The Phoenix Queen had a daughter in her youth, but for many years afterward, bore no children. She had given up hope—until, by sheer fate, she conceived once more in her later years.
At that time, her consort had died tragically. Stricken with grief, the child became her spiritual anchor. When the baby was born, and turned out to be a boy, the queen was overjoyed. He was declared Crown Prince the moment he drew his first breath.
That boy was none other than Feng Yuchen.
Feng Yuchen was raised with the unrelenting love of his mother and elder sister, and endlessly spoiled by the citizens of Yunzhong City. That upbringing left him with a serious case of “prince syndrome.” Of course, he was royalty—arrogance came with the title. But Luo Han was neither his kin nor his subject; she had no intention of indulging him.
She said plainly, “First come, first served. That’s common sense. Even the Crown Prince has no right to seize what belongs to others.”
Feng Yuchen had assumed that revealing his identity would prompt this woman to hand everything over eagerly. But to his surprise, she showed no reaction at all. Having never been treated so coldly before, he flared up. “Audacious! Do you even know who I am?!”
The beauty beside him gasped and clung to his arm, coaxing him gently. “Please don’t be angry, Your Highness. She’s just a lowly commoner. Hardly worth your ire.”
Tch. As the incarnation of the Heavenly Dao, Luo Han found the phrase “lowly commoner” deeply offensive. All life was born equal. Every being deserved respect—whether a mortal from the lower realm or a high-born celestial noble, there was no difference in her eyes.
One moment the Red Lotus Demon King declared, “If you’re unhappy, I’ll slaughter the world for you.” Now this prince assumed his status made him superior to all life.
Luo Han really wanted to teach these people a lesson in humility.
Her voice was cold and steady as she looked Feng Yuchen in the eye. “You were born a prince. That is your fortune, and for it, you should thank the people who bestowed you with wealth and power—not assume yourself above them. The waters that carry a boat can also overturn it. The heavens that granted you favor can just as easily strip it away. You would do well to remember that.”
Feng Yuchen was stunned.
He had never been spoken to like this in his entire life. Everyone had always flattered him, followed his whims, bowed at his feet. But this girl’s words carried an inexplicable weight—an unseen force that stirred the heavens themselves. Each word felt like a divine edict.
The beauty at his side was furious. “How dare you speak to the Crown Prince like that? Guards! Throw them out of Yunzhong City!”
His entourage was clearly used to handling such matters. The guards surged forward.
The Devourer Beast bared its teeth and let out a low growl.
A wave of invisible sound erupted from its maw. In the sky above, birdfolk flinched, many nearly falling from the clouds. The bird race had an instinctive fear of land-bound beasts—and this creature, descended from the legendary Taotie, was a natural predator. Its roar sent sheer terror through them.
Just because the Devourer Beast usually went around baa-ing like a docile lamb, did they really think it was harmless?
Though the roar wasn’t loud, the panic it caused was immense. Feng Yuchen’s entire entourage scrambled to shield him.
“Protect the prince! Quickly!”
Luo Han sighed, exasperated by the chaos. She patted the beast’s head. “Honestly, how old are you now? Scaring kids like this—it’s hardly mature.”
The Devourer Beast let out a disgruntled bleat. That was the softest roar it had ever given in its life! How was it its fault the younger generation was so fragile these days?
Hearing the commotion, Ling Qingxiao returned from the front counter. “What happened?”
Luo Han shook her head. “Nothing. The beast got bored and cleared its throat. Let’s go.”
Ling Qingxiao shot a cold glance toward the others, then silently accompanied her out.
Feng Yuchen stood surrounded by guards, watching helplessly as the two walked away with maddening composure.
His face flushed with humiliation. “Stop right there! Did I give you permission to leave?!”
Luo Han didn’t even turn her head.
By now, a crowd had gathered to watch. After all, the Crown Prince himself was on parade. When the conflict broke out, more and more people stopped to watch the scene unfold.
“Who are those two?” the crowd whispered. “How dare they offend the Crown Prince?”
“Probably foreigners,” someone guessed.
To most onlookers, this was just a minor curiosity. Feng Yuchen wasn’t just any noble—he was the next ruler of the Phoenix Clan, adored by the Queen and the Grand Princess alike. In all of Wuzhou—no, in the entire celestial realm—who would dare offend him? Those two outlanders clearly didn’t know the rules. They’d learn their lesson soon enough.
But Feng Yuchen, his pride already wounded, wasn’t content to let it go.
Seething, he reached into his storage ring and pulled out a talisman—one his mother, the Phoenix Queen, had personally given him for protection. Without warning, he hurled it at Luo Han’s back.
The talisman shattered.
A scarlet phoenix burst into the sky with a shrill cry that echoed through the heavens. It unfurled its radiant nine-feathered tail and dove straight at Luo Han.
This was the Phoenix Queen’s own sealed power—a strike imbued with the full might of a sovereign, meant to guard her son.
Her power surged across Wuzhou like a tidal wave. The very air trembled beneath its pressure.
Ling Qingxiao had been annoyed before. But now—seeing Feng Yuchen dare to strike at Luo Han—his expression turned glacial.
No more holding back.
The phoenix’s fiery form collided with a wave of brilliant blue light from Ling Qingxiao’s palm. The phoenix screeched in defiance, only to be silenced by a thunderous dragon’s roar that followed—a majestic, ancient sound that swept across the clouds and crushed the phoenix’s aura entirely.
The clash of spiritual energies sent shockwaves through the air. Nearby structures cracked and collapsed.
Feng Yuchen was blown back several steps before he could steady himself. He stared at the young man before him, stunned.
“Who...who are you?!”
Ling Qingxiao retracted his hand, his face cold as frost.
“Zhongshan. Ling Qingxiao.”