Chapter 110

Outside Yunzhong, Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai followed the rumors to their source. Even before they arrived, they could hear the uproar—shouts, arguments, and layers of commotion stacked around the site.
Ye Zinan snapped his fan closed with a flick. “No need to search further. The secret realm is here.”
Word of the ancient ruin’s emergence outside Yunzhong had spread like wildfire. Not just across the Sixteen Prefectures of Wuyun—word had even reached the Upper Heavens. Various sects and powers had sent envoys to investigate.
Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai had been traveling nearby when they heard the rumors and came to see for themselves. They hadn’t expected to find the place already swarming with cultivators.
Zou Jibai looked at the sea of people and clicked his tongue. “With this many eyes watching, is there even any chance of finding a real opportunity inside?”
Ye Zinan raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He tapped his fan against Zou Jibai’s arm and gestured subtly. “See those guards at the front? That’s the Phoenix Clan’s personal guard. Forget about lucky finds—we might not even get in.”
Zou Jibai squinted. “The Phoenix Clan has personal guards?”
“Of course!” Ye Zinan was clearly offended on their behalf. “Sure, the Dragon Clan rules the Heavens these days, but the Phoenix and Vermilion Bird lineages still hold their names across the Six Realms. The Wuyun Prefectures have always been autonomous. The Phoenix Clan has their own royalty and political system—why wouldn’t they have their own soldiers?”
He clicked his tongue again. “Still, whatever’s inside must be extraordinary. The Phoenix Queen even sent her personal guard.”
Zou Jibai frowned in confusion. “But...we, the Zouyu Clan, are also an ancient race. So why are we still dirt poor?”
The Dragons sit on their throne in the heavens, bathing in treasures. The Phoenixes have their cities and armies. But the Zouyu? Destitute.
Ye Zinan fell silent.
He opened his mouth to speak, hesitated, then sighed. For the sake of their fragile friendship, he reluctantly said, “Maybe it’s...regional development differences. It’s fine. As long as we can feed ourselves, who needs riches, right?”
Zou Jibai furrowed his brow. That sounded oddly familiar…
Before he could place it, Ye Zinan quickly changed the subject. “In any case, the guards have blocked off the entrance. If we want in, we’ll have to use...unconventional methods.”
Zou Jibai scanned the sea of people surrounding them, his voice filled with doubt. “With this many cultivators watching the entrance, do we even have a chance at finding anything if we go in now?”
Ye Zinan didn’t answer immediately. He too found it baffling.
As the two spoke, the ground beneath their feet suddenly began to tremble. The surrounding crowd let out startled cries, and many glanced around in alarm.
“Is it another tremor?!”
It had been a tremor that revealed the ancient ruin in the first place. Though some people instinctively stepped back, none were willing to leave. But as the shaking intensified, Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai were forced to brace themselves behind a nearby stone outcrop.
Zou Jibai clung to the rock, eyes wide. “What’s happening now?!”
Ye Zinan shook his head, equally puzzled. But then his eyes narrowed as he stared upward. He raised a hand and pointed. “Look! The mirage is collapsing!”
High above the clouds, palaces and mountains rendered in otherworldly hues began to crumble, vanishing one by one like the remnants of a fading dream. A fleeting illusion finally dissipating now that its time had come.
As the final fragments of the mirage fell away, three brilliant streaks of light shot out from within, drawing elegant arcs across the sky.
They had barely emerged when the entire illusion vanished, the earth below falling silent and still once more. The crowd erupted.
“Who were those people? How did they manage to exit the secret realm?!”
“No idea...but I heard they’re from the Phoenix royal family.”
A collective sigh rippled through the onlookers. “Of course...the royal family. No wonder they locked down the entrance. The so-called opportunities were all snatched up by their own people.”
It was clear to anyone with a discerning eye: those three had undoubtedly acquired some grand fortune within the secret realm. Many had been watching, waiting for their chance—but upon learning of their royal status, they wisely gave up any such ambitions.
Zou Jibai watched the light streaking across the sky and groaned, belated realization dawning. “Wait...don’t tell me we’re late again?”
Ye Zinan narrowed his eyes, staring long and hard at the sky. Bird clans possessed superior vision, he could see farther than most and something about those escaping lights felt...familiar.
Then, all at once, Ye Zinan slapped Zou Jibai on the shoulder. Zou Jibai yelped in surprise, nearly tumbling off the rock. “What the?!”
“I know who it was!” Ye Zinan’s eyes sparkled with disbelief. “It’s them. Those two!”
He didn’t even say their names. But after a brief pause, Zou Jibai understood.
There were only two people who could evoke that sort of reaction from Ye Zinan.
Overcome with excitement, Ye Zinan grabbed his friend’s sleeve and bolted forward. “Hurry! They haven’t gone far we can still catch them!”
—
Luo Han, Ling Qingxiao, and Feng Yujia had been among the last to leave the mirage, and their dramatic exit had stirred no small commotion. Upon reentering the real world, Luo Han immediately noticed the dense crowd below, so many cultivators clustered together that there was no space to safely land.
Left with no choice, they took off again, flying further away.
In truth, they hadn’t acquired any treasures. But the rest of the world didn’t know that—and everyone had now mistaken them for walking vaults of divine fortune. There was no way to explain it without sounding suspicious, and Luo Han could only sigh inwardly.
The further they flew, the more they managed to shake off their tail. But one pursuer remained—relentless and unwavering. Feng Yujia frowned, her hand inching toward the weapon at her waist. “That person’s chasing us directly. Whoever they are, it’s not with good intentions. Should we engage?”
Luo Han studied the pursuer’s silhouette—something about the golden-red robes and that spiritual shield…
Her eyes widened in recognition. “Ye Zinan?”
She peered closer and confirmed it. Yes, it was definitely him.
Luo Han exhaled in relief and quickly told Feng Yujia, “No need. He’s an ally.”
The three slowed to a stop. In the next instant, Ye Zinan closed the distance, practically coughing up blood from the effort.
The moment he saw Luo Han, he exploded with frustration. “Why were you flying so fast?! I’ve been calling you this whole time! I even sent several transmission talismans—you ignored all of them!”
Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao had flown faster than the talismans themselves—it was no wonder they never received them. With no response, Ye Zinan had been forced to chase them down personally.
The effort had nearly killed him.
As he finished his complaints, his eyes suddenly caught on a third figure standing calmly on the clouds. A beautiful, dignified young woman with a crimson mark on her brow, graceful in bearing and noble in countenance.
Ye Zinan’s heart skipped a beat.
Luo Han didn’t notice his dazed expression. She finally saw the transmission talismans trailing behind them and offered an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I didn’t realize it was you. If I had, I would’ve stopped right away.”
Still stunned, Ye Zinan suddenly straightened his robe and composed himself. His entire demeanor shifted into one of elegant decorum. “No, the fault is mine. I should’ve considered that you had just emerged from a dangerous realm. Being cautious was only natural. I apologize for the offense.”
Luo Han blinked in confusion. “What’s gotten into you? Why so formal all of a sudden?”
Ye Zinan ignored her and turned to Feng Yujia, radiating gentlemanly grace. “I wasn’t aware you had another companion. Please forgive the intrusion. May I ask...this lady is…?”
Luo Han gave a casual “Oh” and began to introduce them. “This is Princess Feng Yujia of the Phoenix Clan, and this—”
Afraid she’d say something embarrassing, Ye Zinan quickly cut in. “Ye Zinan, heir to the Lord of Yunzhou. An honor to meet you, Princess. Your reputation precedes you.”
Luo Han, now ignored twice, began to notice something was...off.
She glanced at the poised, ethereal Feng Yujia, then back at Ye Zinan, who was clearly doing his utmost to appear flawless.
She shut her mouth with a smirk. Ah. Spring has arrived.
Feng Yujia also seemed to realize who he was, her eyes softening. She inclined her head politely. “So it’s the heir of Yunzhou. A pleasure.”
The bird clans were concentrated in the Sixteen Prefectures of Wuyun, but none were as vast or powerful as Wuzhou and Yunzhou. Wuzhou was the seat of the Phoenix Clan, while Yunzhou belonged to the Vermilion Bird line. The two territories, north and south, coexisted in relative peace.
Feng Yujia and Ye Zinan were of the same generation, but they'd never met in person. From the moment she was born, her elders had spoken of Yunzhou’s talented heir, but destiny had always intervened—either Ye Zinan was off traveling, or Feng Yujia was in seclusion.
Somehow, they had always missed one another. Until now.
Though the two had long heard of each other—names, temperaments, and even a few notable deeds—this was the first time they had ever met in person.
Luo Han’s gaze flicked between the two of them, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. “You two know each other?”
“Only by reputation,” Feng Yujia replied gracefully. “My mother has spoken of the Heir of Yunzhou many times. It’s a shame we never had the chance to meet. The last time I accompanied her on a visit to Yunzhou, she intended for me to seek guidance from His Highness in cultivation. Unfortunately, the prince had departed on a journey just two days prior, so we had no choice but to abandon the idea. I never thought we’d cross paths here, of all places.”
Ye Zinan inwardly winced at the missed opportunity, but outwardly maintained his refined smile. “So that visit was you, Princess. It was my discourtesy. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
Luo Han watched them both silently, still amused. Wanting to help her friend out, she changed the subject. “Didn’t you say you were returning to Yunzhou? What are you doing here? Did you come alone?”
Ye Zinan instinctively nodded—then froze. “Wait...where’s Zou Jibai?!”
Where had his partner disappeared to?
He immediately turned back to search. Luo Han, at a loss, followed after him. Feng Yujia trailed behind, her brow faintly furrowed.
Ye Zinan noticed her expression. “Is something troubling you, Princess?”
Feng Yujia shook her head lightly. “Not exactly. My younger brother is also missing. I haven’t seen him since we left the mural realm. I have no idea where he went.”
Luo Han picked up the thread. “Same with Ye Zhongyu. He vanished as well.”
Ye Zinan frowned at the mention of the name. “Ye Zhongyu? What’s he doing in the Celestial Realm?”
Luo Han sighed. “It’s a long story. We were exploring an ancient ruin and got pulled into a mural realm—its theme was based on the Demon Realm, which is how we ended up encountering Ye Zhongyu and the others. But when we broke free, we were separated. We searched for them for quite a while inside the ruins, but found nothing. Then the entire place began to tremble out of nowhere. Sensing danger, we were forced to evacuate. Ye Zhongyu wasn’t the only one—several demons followed us out. Their intentions were clearly malicious. We need to find them quickly.”
Though her tone was calm, Ye Zinan could sense the peril woven through her words. He exhaled deeply. “So it was you in the ruins. No wonder. I was stationed outside the entire time—I saw it clearly. You three were the last to emerge. The others may have escaped long before, just without the dramatic fanfare.”
“Possibly,” Luo Han murmured, her expression clouding. “But the heavens are vast. If they slipped away unnoticed, where do I even begin looking?”
Feng Yujia offered gently, “If Miss Luo doesn't mind, why not stay in Yunzhong for a few days? I’ll dispatch my guards to monitor the major routes. As long as they’re still in Wuzhou, they won’t escape our net.”
It was precisely in such moments that political authority showed its worth. With only a handful of people, they’d never manage such a wide-scale search.
Before Luo Han could answer, Ye Zinan practically leapt at the offer. “Perfect! You haven’t been to Yunzhou yet, right? Once we’re done here, you can come with us and tour the city. I’ll personally welcome you.”
Ye Zinan had already included himself in the “we” without hesitation.
Luo Han, unwilling to crush the one sliver of romance her friend had encountered in ten thousand years, glanced toward Ling Qingxiao. She herself had no firm commitments—she could go wherever—but Ling Qingxiao’s time was often tightly scheduled.
He had been unusually quiet ever since they left the ruins. Now, sensing her gaze, he stirred and gave a faint nod. “Alright.”
He looked distracted, even a little lost in thought. Luo Han felt increasingly uneasy about his state, but now was not the time to press. Suppressing her concern, she turned back to Feng Yujia and said warmly, “Then we’ll trouble you, Princess.”
Feng Yujia had also noticed Ling Qingxiao’s odd demeanor but said nothing. Composed as ever, she replied, “I should be thanking the both of you for aiding me in the mural realm. I’ve struggled to find a proper way to repay that debt. If I can help shoulder even a few burdens now, I’d consider it an honor.”
Luo Han waved it off. “You’re too kind, Princess.”
Feng Yujia let out a faint sigh. “The demons can be dealt with in time. What worries me most now is my brother. I haven’t seen him since we exited the mural. I have no idea where he might have gone.”
Ye Zinan reassured her. “The Crown Prince may have returned to the city ahead of us. There are guards stationed all around the ruins—he wouldn’t have run into trouble.”
It was all they could hope for at the moment. Feng Yujia’s expression remained composed as she nodded. “Let’s hope that’s the case.”
They continued their search as they spoke—and finally, in a stretch of drifting cloud, found Zou Jibai. The poor man looked utterly despondent. He’d been completely abandoned by his teammates and was now sulking in silence.
Ye Zinan, seeing his dejected expression, felt a pang of guilt. “I was too focused on catching up earlier and didn’t notice you were gone. Are you alright?”
Zou Jibai shook his head. He was sulking and not in the mood to talk. Ling Qingxiao, too, remained silent throughout the journey. The atmosphere among their group was oddly subdued.
Sensing the mood, Feng Yujia quickly stepped in. “You’ve all had a long journey. I wasn’t aware of your arrival and offered no proper welcome. Now that we’re so close to Yunzhong City, allow me to play host. I hope you’ll do me the honor.”
Ye Zinan agreed without hesitation—it was what he had hoped for all along. With that, the group set off. The rest of the journey passed uneventfully, and they soon arrived at Yunzhong.
The palace had already received word of their arrival. A retinue of palace maids waited at the gates. The lead court lady rushed forward upon seeing Feng Yujia. “Princess! You’ve finally returned.”
Feng Yujia’s expression darkened slightly. “Where is the Crown Prince?”
“His Highness returned earlier and is currently resting in his quarters,” the woman whispered, then leaned in closer to murmur discreetly, “Your Highness...the Queen just came from the Prince’s residence. Her expression wasn’t...good.”
Feng Yujia’s expression didn’t change. She nodded with poise. “I understand. You may withdraw.”
Though the court lady had spoken quietly, it was obvious something had happened—and no one missed the implication.
Luo Han raised an eyebrow, then asked tactfully, “Did something happen in the palace? If you need help, we’d be glad to assist.”
Feng Yujia smiled, serene as ever. “Nothing serious. Merely some routine court affairs—not worth troubling honored guests over. But thank you, Miss Luo. Come, this way please.”
Though it was Feng Yujia who extended the invitation, Luo Han and her companions were still guests—it would have been improper not to greet the host. Feng Yujia led them to an audience with the Phoenix Queen.
The Queen was genuinely surprised to hear that Feng Yujia had returned with Luo Han, Ling Qingxiao, and—most unexpectedly—the Heir of Yunzhou.
What was the Heir of Yunzhou doing here?
Earlier that day, Feng Yuchen had returned to the palace, wounded and visibly disheartened. He had gone straight to his quarters to rest. The Queen had been fuming, waiting for Feng Yujia to return so she could question her harshly. But now, hearing there were other high-ranking guests with her, the Phoenix Queen had no choice but to suppress her anger.
Ling Qingxiao hailed from the dragon clan, whose affairs lay far beyond Wuzhou’s reach. But Ye Zinan was the only heir of the Yunzhou King—next in line for succession. Yunzhou and Wuzhou governed the avian races jointly, and their longstanding peace depended on mutual respect. Offending the heir of Yunzhou could bring consequences that no one wanted to face.
The Queen quickly tucked away all discontent, putting on a warm smile as she stepped into the outer hall. “Honored guests gracing my halls—please forgive the lack of welcome.”
Everyone stood at her entrance. Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao had met the Phoenix Queen before, but for Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai, it was their first audience. Ye Zinan offered a graceful salute. “Greetings, Your Majesty. It has been some time. I hope Your Majesty has been well?”
“Many thanks for your concern, Your Highness. I’ve been quite well,” the Queen replied, though her gaze had already shifted to Feng Yujia. Her eyes narrowed. “Yujia, your forehead—what is that?”
Feng Yujia bowed calmly, her voice even. “In the ruins, I encountered danger. In desperation, I awakened my Nirvana Flame. What you see is the mark it left behind.”
The Queen’s pupils contracted. “You underwent Nirvana?”
“I did.”
A successful Nirvana meant advancement in cultivation—something known throughout the heavens. The Queen paused for the briefest moment, then smiled. “That’s wonderful news. It’s been generations since our clan has seen a successful Nirvana. This calls for celebration. And with esteemed guests visiting from afar, I shall host a banquet tonight. It will serve both to honor Lord Ling and Prince Ye, and to celebrate your achievement.”
Feng Yujia responded with quiet grace, once again taking the posture of a dutiful daughter as she withdrew silently to the side.
When Feng Yuchen had returned from the ruins battered and silent, the Queen had already sensed trouble. Now, with news of Feng Yujia’s Nirvana, her curiosity burned. “What exactly happened in those ruins? What danger forced you to awaken the Nirvana Flame?”
Ling Qingxiao, who had remained distant and absent-minded ever since leaving the ruins, finally seemed to rejoin the moment as he sat in the grand hall. At the Queen’s question, he responded flatly, unwilling to elaborate: “The demons. I can’t go into detail, but suffice it to say—they did not come with good intentions. For the time being, I urge Your Majesty to restrain your people and minimize travel outside the city.”
His words cast a hush over the hall. Only someone like Ling Qingxiao could speak so directly.
Feng Yujia, though a princess, stood in a delicate position and had to tread carefully around her mother. Ye Zinan, despite his noble birth, had to maintain cordial diplomacy—the avian tribes were jointly ruled, after all. But Ling Qingxiao was different. He belonged to the dragon clan, whose authority towered over all other ancient races. When it came to matters of celestial governance, it was always the dragons who had the final word.
By speaking so bluntly, Ling Qingxiao made it clear: this was Heaven’s business. A local queen, no matter how exalted in her own domain, would do well not to interfere.
The Phoenix Queen gave a tight smile, quickly shelving her questions. “Understood. I will declare a curfew at once and instruct the people not to go out at night.”
“Thank you for your cooperation,” Ling Qingxiao said. “There is one more matter. The traitor Ye Zhongyu escaped from the ruins, along with a group of demons. It seems the site has multiple exits—they are likely hiding somewhere within Wuzhou. I ask that you set up checkpoints throughout the region and inspect all travelers with care.”
Though Wuzhou was autonomous, major threats still fell under Heaven’s jurisdiction. Ling Qingxiao’s words might not have been an official decree, but they carried just as much weight. The Queen nodded. “Very well. I’ll see it done.”
Feng Yujia had already promised to assist them earlier, but having Ling Qingxiao deliver the request carried more authority. She let out a quiet sigh of relief. For all his cold demeanor, Ling Qingxiao was astute and thoughtful—far more considerate than he appeared.
A far cry, she thought, from her own younger brother. Best not to compare.
The Queen summoned an attendant and quietly relayed Ling Qingxiao’s instructions. The attendant nodded and departed swiftly to make the arrangements. Once the courtier had gone, the Phoenix Queen turned back. “Everything is set in motion. Since Lord Ling and Prince Ye have graced us with your presence, I do hope you’ll stay in Yunzhong for a few days. As soon as we have news, I’ll send word.”
This was exactly what Luo Han had proposed earlier. Ling Qingxiao nodded without hesitation. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The Queen smiled, trying to think of a tactful way to steer the conversation toward the Celestial Emperor. Just as she was about to speak, a sudden, crushing wave of divine pressure swept through the air.
A streak of golden light pierced across the sky, traveling faster than the eye could follow. The hall trembled. All those present stood at once, alarmed. That aura—Luo Han knew it well.
The Imperial Edict of Heaven?
The golden light blazed a path through half the celestial realm, drawing all eyes to its destination. In moments, it had reached Wuzhou and plunged directly into Yunzhong City. The avian clans within were thrown into chaos. The Phoenix Queen’s expression shifted sharply, and she strode toward the entrance of the hall.
The golden light came to a halt just outside the main gates.
Without hesitation, the Phoenix Queen led her people to kneel.
“We greet His Majesty!”
All present lowered themselves in reverence, though their gestures varied. The Queen and Feng Yujia performed the traditional phoenix bow, while Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai followed the rites of their own clans. Ling Qingxiao, as a younger member of the dragon clan, simply offered a cupped-fist salute. Luo Han, unobtrusively, stepped behind him to shield herself from sight.
As the light began to disperse, a handsome male figure appeared, hovering above the court like a mirage. His voice echoed gently, filled with celestial authority.
“No need for such formalities, Phoenix Queen. Please, rise.”
The Phoenix Queen, who had only moments ago been wondering how to broach the subject of the Celestial Emperor, was now staring up at his apparition in stunned disbelief.
Though it was but a strand of divine consciousness—not even the Emperor’s true self—it was enough to silence an entire city.
Even the bird clans, proud as they were, dared not breathe too loudly—let alone Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai. The Celestial Emperor was the supreme existence in all the Celestial Realm. Now that this legendary figure had suddenly appeared before them, the fear in their hearts far outweighed any excitement.
Everyone held their breath—everyone except Ling Qingxiao. After greeting the Phoenix Queen, the Emperor didn’t spare a glance for anyone else. His gaze settled straight on Ling Qingxiao, his voice calm and deliberate:
“I told you to raise your cultivation. And what are you doing? Roaming the mountains and rivers like some carefree wanderer. How long has it been? You haven’t even ascended to True Immortal yet.”
His tone was mild, but the effect was explosive. A heavy silence fell over the entire hall. One could hear a pin drop. No one dared move. This wasn’t irreverence—they were simply...confused.
Was the Celestial Emperor...chatting? His tone was far too casual.
Ling Qingxiao arched an eyebrow ever so slightly, and replied with equal nonchalance, “Advancing in cultivation is not something that happens overnight. Besides, it’s been less than a year since I last saw you.”
Just a year. It would’ve been abnormal if he had ascended already.
“Is that so?” The Emperor looked genuinely puzzled. “Only a year? It feels like much longer to me.”
Those listening from the sidelines were nearly driven mad. What kind of monster dialogue was this? Since when was ascending to True Immortal as easy as going on a stroll?