On the cliff of the Indestructible Summit, hundreds of thousands of soul lamps still flicker.
Since the beginning of the war, neither thunderbolts nor flames of battle have disturbed the tranquility and the barrier of this place.
Yue Wu Huan slowly approached and lifted the first soul lamp. Inside it, the soul known as Xie Que had already become numb from the torturous pain endured over three thousand years.
Gazing upon this abhorrent soul, memories of struggle in hell resurfaced in his mind, and the stench in his breath intensified.
But those past torments could no longer afflict his heart.
Yue Wuhuan gently extinguished the soul lantern, reducing the wicked spirit to ashes, vanishing forever between heaven and earth.
Deep within, it was as if a dark chain had been unlocked; as the hatred was set aside, his spirit became increasingly free.
Yue Wuhuan extinguished the second soul lantern, then the third, the fourth…
His quest for vengeance was long complete; there was no need to look back.
As each memory's soul lantern was snuffed out, and each chain of hatred undone, his spirit grew lighter, and his steps more brisk…
Finally, Yue Wuhuan stood atop the cliff and raised his hand, unleashing a powerful wave of divine intent, extinguishing hundreds of thousands of soul lanterns simultaneously.
In the instant the soul lanterns were extinguished, the phoenix imprisoned in the abyss finally found freedom. The cursed tear mark at the corner of its eye vanished along with the fading of hatred.
Yue Wuhuan at last saw the world for what it truly was—polluted air filled with malicious energies that corroded all things. High above, a dark gate to hell hung ajar, emitting filthy demonic mists that manipulated and transformed the entire world into a nightmarish hellscape.
Sensing that the seal had been broken and their time was up, the demons howled in desperation amid thunderclaps.
Yue Wuhuan raised his head: "Usurper."
...
In the divine realm, the Heavenly Emperor and various gods gathered before the withering World Tree.
The fruits of the world nurtured on the tree had already been largely infected by dark demonic energies.
The sacred tree had emerged from untainted flames, coexisting with the phoenix, and depending on the phoenix's power of rebirth and reincarnation.
The phoenix carefully nurtured each immature world, awaiting the perfection of their governing laws. Once mature, the worlds would fall from the tree and be placed in the cosmos to become true worlds.
Because the rules of these small worlds were not yet mature, flaws would often appear, leading to the withering or death of the World Fruits. Thus, the Phoenix Sovereign designed an artifact to control destiny for adjustments and trials. He chose suitable human souls to test the world's laws through tasks, or to correct worlds that had gone astray.
Since each world had different developmental stages and cultures, including technology, magic, and cultivation, tasks were presented through scripts, dramas, legends, and novels to avoid any misinterpretations that could lead them astray.
The artifact operated smoothly, and one after another, small worlds ripened on the World Tree, each containing countless souls and resources.
The demons had long coveted these immature worlds, but the World Tree could only grow through the power of the Phoenix Sovereign, the most perfect of divine spirits, flawless in strength, wisdom, and will.
After planning for countless eons, the demonic clan finally discovered a way. During the battle between gods and demons, they set a trap, injuring the Phoenix Sovereign and stealing a fragment of his divine soul. They then embedded this fragment into the World Tree and infused it with a wisp of worldly delusions and desires towards the Phoenix Sovereign, which they shaped into a tear-shaped seal, blocking his memory. They went on to create a beautiful but restrictive body to house the soul.
The seal would also induce profane thoughts about the Phoenix's beauty. Once his body was mature enough to contain power, the demons manipulated the course of destiny to attract evil individuals to inflict harm and suffering, fostering pain and hatred in his psyche.
Breaking the seal would require formidable worldly power.
The more the Phoenix Sovereign despised the world, the more the world rejected him.
Consequently, he couldn't awaken, couldn't control the world, and couldn't utilize its power.
It was a simple yet utterly shameless tactic.
Initially, the gods believed the issue was minor. Despite the abhorrent nature of this event, divine spirits possess strong wills and are unlikely to be affected. Furthermore, the miniature worlds were the Phoenix's home turf, making things easier. Hence, they believed that the mighty Phoenix would soon wake up, see through the illusory body, expel the demons, and return.
However, the gods were wrong.
The World Tree began to wither. Only after several World Fruits became polluted did they realize that even the immaculate Phoenix Sovereign had vulnerabilities.
Born from pure flames, the Phoenix Sovereign had an intense fondness for cleanliness. He avoided any filth or dust, held himself in high esteem, and refused any affections with impure thoughts or bodily contact born of desire. He was solely interested in seeking the most flawless love, thereby rejecting the pursuits of all beings.
His nobility, his perfection, his seriousness, his intelligence, and his power—all were his strengths.
However, the demonic clan turned these strengths into swords to pierce him.
The Phoenix Sovereign could endure any physical or mental torment but couldn't bear the shame of defilement. A small stain on his proud perfection was like an ink blot on white paper. Despite his desperate struggles to shake it off, the blot only expanded, becoming increasingly glaring.
He loathed the world, was subsequently rejected by it, and as the demons took control of more worlds, he suffered more terrible torments. Receiving no help from any world and continuously deceived by fate, his hatred for the world deepened, and he ultimately lost himself, refusing to see the truth.
It was a vicious cycle.
Caught in an endless loop of reincarnation, the Phoenix was completely mired in the muck, unable to extricate himself. His power became nutrients for the demons to cultivate hellish worlds. What were once normal worlds transformed into havens for demons, to then be corrupted and taken away.
The gods grew increasingly frantic.
They tried to infiltrate these mini-worlds to awaken the Phoenix Sovereign.
However, the Wheel of Fate was already under demonic control. To rescue the Phoenix, they had to disguise themselves as human quest-takers, using the questing process to locate him.
The demonic clan, sensing their movements, laid traps to seal the quest-takers' powers and memories. They were given various peculiar rescue missions, with severe punishments awaiting any failures.
All gods possess innate abilities; even within the cycle of reincarnation, they stand far above mere mortals.
The Heavenly Emperor branded their souls with a mark meant to rescue the Phoenix Sovereign, a reminder not to lose their way once they entered these miniature worlds.
One by one, loyal, brave, and intelligent divine spirits ventured into these worlds, striving to awaken the Phoenix Sovereign.
The demons targeted their vulnerabilities, dooming them to tragic fates right from the start, tormenting them repeatedly while offering numerous false clues to mislead them further.
For instance, a resolute general was given a detested identity and an unsightly appearance, forcing him to live under scornful and painful gazes, clouding his judgment with hate and rage; a loyal and kind-hearted maiden was stripped of all happiness, misguided by unending sorrow, making her forget the Phoenix Sovereign in her endless acts of compassion; as for those divine spirits who had once admired the Phoenix Sovereign, perfect replicas were crafted, offering them irresistibly romantic scenarios to make them enamored with the counterfeit, blinding them to the true Phoenix who had become a mere shell of his former self…
Each failure by these quest-takers led to increasingly dire consequences.
The Phoenix Sovereign's heart became sensitive and distrustful; his personality grew more and more extreme and pathological. Anyone approaching him with ulterior motives, no matter how slight, would face his violent retaliation, sometimes even at the cost of his own life.
Without undertaking tasks, the quest-takers couldn't leave the miniature worlds.
Attempting to complete tasks meant failing to gain the Phoenix Sovereign's trust.
Most divine spirits eventually gave up on rescue after a few attempts, opting to complete the artifact's tasks and return. A select few, like General Anlong who guarded the divine-demonic border, lost themselves in an endless cycle of failures, forfeiting their quest-taker qualifications. Their divine spirits descended into reincarnation alongside the Phoenix, their dragon bones seized to become pawns the demons used to torment the Phoenix further.
The Heavenly Emperor finally realized that this was an impossible mission...
One by one, the miniature worlds were taken away.
The entire divine realm sank into a state of helplessness.
The task petition submitted by Lord Qing Shi took all divine spirits by surprise.
The Heavenly Emperor could never have guessed what prior connection existed between the Phoenix Sovereign and Lord Qing Shi that would motivate the latter to try rescuing the Phoenix even after everyone else had failed.
Lord Qing Shi's ascension was both an anomaly and a coincidence within the divine realm.
His original form was a white stone crafted from Red Lotus Mysterious Fire by the Heavenly Emperor millions of years ago, placed on Song Mountain to suppress the netherworld's dark flames. Over time, this stone, having saved countless lives and accumulated immense virtue, surprisingly ascended to divinity.
When the Heavenly Emperor first saw the stone-turned-deity, he was flabbergasted…
Attempting to break the ice, he found that though the stone had adopted a human form, its heart remained stone-like—incapable of emotion, indifferent to mockery, scorn, hatred, affection, or praise…
The Heavenly Emperor spoke cordially and earnestly, only to find the stone staring blankly back at him, understanding nothing and unable to speak.
It was an awkward moment, to say the least...
The Heavenly Emperor casually named him Song Qing Shi, intending it to mean "Green Stone of Song." However, the Deity of Destiny misinterpreted his handwriting, and it became Song Qing Shi, resembling "Clear Era of Song." Finding the name satisfactory, the Emperor let it be. He then earnestly educated the newly-minted Qing Shi, advising him to read more books if he didn't understand worldly matters, assuring him that knowledge would come with reading.
After considerable effort, Qing Shi finally grasped the importance of learning.
Faced with Qing Shi's inability to adapt to life among the gods, the Heavenly Emperor felt responsible for the stone he had himself crafted. He thus assigned Qing Shi to a secluded courtyard in the clouds, furnished him with texts, and sent tutors, encouraging him to learn until he was fit for divine society.
The outcome was that Qing Shi stayed in the courtyard, engrossed in his books, never to leave again.
Messengers reported that he spent every day reading and studying, occasionally watching the clouds from his window. He avoided all divine gatherings and refused to converse with anyone.
Tens of thousands of years passed in such monotony.
At first, the gods gossiped about this odd stone, but eventually, they forgot about him.
The Heavenly Emperor, seeing no change in Qing Shi's behavior but also no sign of loneliness or discomfort in his solitude, ceased to worry. He simply remembered to gift him additional books each year.
When the news about the Phoenix Sovereign's mishap spread,
Qing Shi left his courtyard for the first time and appeared at the divine temple, requesting permission to enter the questing world.
The accomplished gods had all failed; what could a mute stone accomplish?
Yet, Qing Shi was obstinate, uncomprehending of rejection and mockery.
Who could wear down such a relentless stone?
Fatigued from persuasion, the Heavenly Emperor had an epiphany. Qing Shi, having ascended through sheer virtue despite his stony form, must possess remarkable fortune. Furthermore, he had no emotional entanglements, desires, or understanding of human passions and frivolous love; he might avoid the demonic snares. Since the Phoenix Sovereign had a fondness for beautiful stones, perhaps this foolish stone would stumble upon a foolish fortune and succeed?
In any case, with everyone else failing, one more failure wouldn't matter. If things went south, he'd simply return.
With a resigned mindset of making the best out of a dire situation, the Heavenly Emperor sent Qing Shi into the miniature world to attempt the rescue of the Phoenix Sovereign.
...
Souls revived, divine powers restored.
All memories flooded back into Yue Wu Huan's mind. He recalled seeing that awkward, stumbling figure repeatedly trying to approach him throughout his many lifetimes of despair. This figure, incapable of human emotion and speech, faced countless obstacles. In the earliest cycles, he died before even reaching Yue Wu Huan, let alone accomplishing any tasks.
But he never gave up. No matter how hard he fell, he would always return.
Through failures, he tirelessly identified one issue after another, clumsily mirroring and expressing emotions as described in books. In the end, with simple persistence and a desireless mind, he approached the paranoid and sensitive Feng, giving his all to gradually earn Feng's trust and, ultimately, his heart.
The kaleidoscope of human emotions and desires continuously sculpted this stone.
In various worlds, he read more books, tried different forms of warmth, witnessed the full spectrum of human life, experienced all sorts of pain, and gradually came to understand crying, smiling, sorrow, anger, vexation, and joy. He became more spirited and lively.
Finally, the stone understood emotions, enabling Feng to rediscover his true self.
...
All constraints were lifted, power was restored, and the World Tree burst forth with vitality.
The most dazzling Phoenix was reborn. Dragging its nine golden-red tail feathers ablaze with flames, it flew towards the darkened sky and charged at the gates of hell.
The holy light broke through the darkness, thoroughly cleansing a world tainted by demons.
The filth was expelled, the tainted air purified, and the gates of Hell were forever sealed amidst the reluctant roars of demonic beings.
Lightning ceased, thunder silenced; a gentle rain began to fall. The cracked earth knitted itself back together, dry riverbeds were graced with trickling streams, and trees struck by lightning sprouted fresh green buds. Flowers bloomed on cliffsides, wafting their fragrance through the air. Birds no longer fled but sought materials to build their nests, and animals that had been hiding cautiously reemerged, making their way back to their former homes.
The world itself seemed imbued with a newfound vitality.
Victims of the Demonic Plague woke up in the rain, astonished to find the dark marks on their skin fading away. Celestial music resonated from the sky. Looking up, they beheld a phoenix flying through the clouds, its flawless beauty making them forget war, sorrow, hatred, and slaughter.
The terror that had clouded their hearts dissipated, and their dark, emerging desires began to wane.
Reflecting on their deeds of recent days, they felt overwhelmingly foolish.
...
Upon sensing the disappearance of the Demonic Plague, the Lord of Lingxin City immediately ceased fighting. He had no time to reflect on or address matters with the Heavenly Martial Gate; apologies and reparations would have to wait.
He rushed back to Lingxin City with his disciples at the utmost speed. In the courtyard, he saw his beautiful, gentle daughter as she had always been, holding spiritual tea and fragrant fruits, smiling at him: "Father, you've worked hard."
It is said that men seldom shed tears.
The Lord of Lingxin City, embracing his regained precious daughter, cried as if his life depended on it.
...
On the Fairy Spirit Island, Madame Nian held Dodo's hand, lying on the grass, silently awaiting the arrival of death.
Suddenly, Dodo pointed at the sky and exclaimed, "Look, such a beautiful bird!"
Madame Nian opened her eyes and saw the phoenix dancing in the clouds. Then the dark clouds began to disperse, and soft rays of sunlight touched the Earth, growing increasingly radiant. As the phoenix flew away, she regained her senses and found that her body felt lighter, and the dark marks on Dodo's face had vanished as well.
From behind came the jubilant cries of the female cultivators:
"We have survived."
"Fairy Spirit Island has survived."
...
The phoenix soared over every corner of the world, and cheers arose from every corner of the world.
All demonic energies were completely expelled.
Finally, the phoenix returned to the Immortal Peak.
Song Qing sat slanted on a massive rock, leaning against a towering pine. His life-bound magical instrument was shattered, his Dantian ruined, his power of merit completely exhausted, and his life reaching its limit. Despite his pallor and lacking the energy even to stand, he felt a deep sense of joy.
The phoenix descended, transforming back into human form. Its eyes radiated majesty, noble yet intolerant of blasphemy. This was a divine spirit of the world; all things must bow before it.
He walked step by step towards Song Qing, gazing devoutly into the clearest eyes the world had ever seen.
Song Qing lifted his head, his eyes brimming with a warm smile: "Welcome back."
Yue Wuhuan gently said, "Thank you for never giving up."
...
With the world restored, the World Tree radiated renewed vitality.
Yue Wuhuan raised his hand, channeling the billions of merits generated by the World Tree into the palm of his hand, infusing them into Song Qing's frail spirit. Then, he realigned the world's destiny, enabling the rebirth of the small orb that called itself 'the System,' now devoid of any filth or corruption.
It jubilantly bounced around, emitting a series of beeping noises, proclaiming:
"Task Operator Song Qing, successfully saved protagonist Bai Zihao. One thousand three hundred and fiftieth task completed."
"Task Operator Song Qing, successfully eliminated the villain atop the Immortal Peak. One thousand three hundred and fifty-first task completed."
"The world has detached from…"
Amidst a golden glow, Song Qing's body transformed into countless specks of light, then vanished into the horizon.
The phoenix spread its wings once more, chasing after them.
Chapter 119
Birth, aging, illness, death, resentment, fear, jealousy, greed, ignorance, the sorrow of parting, and the agony of desire...
The world nurtures all things, yet life is fraught with countless sufferings. Demons arise in the wake of these sufferings, enduring and indestructible.
Good thoughts ascend to divinity, while wicked thoughts descend into demonic forms.
Fortunately, all things in the world are born from darkness but seek the light.
In numerous battles between gods and demons, the gods always emerge victorious, banishing and sealing the demons within narrow, dark abysses. However, the demons never give up, constantly scheming to influence various worlds, unleashing humanity's inner pain and darkness, converting good intentions into evil, inciting sin, provoking wars, and ultimately turning the world into a dark, twisted hell of blood.
If the World Tree is corrupted, then smaller worlds will each become dark hells, spawning even more villains. When these worlds mature and enter the cosmic sea, the demonic clans will grow infinitely stronger, spreading like a plague across all worlds. Every person's innate wicked thoughts will be triggered, continuously devouring the light, and the gods will ultimately perish, ceasing to exist.
For as long as Phoenix God Monarch has been unconscious, the Heavenly Emperor has been worried...
He's sent every deity who might potentially awaken the Phoenix God Monarch, but a heart invaded by demons can only awaken on its own, regardless of external influences. The faces of the gods who returned from the small worlds were grim; their failures were catastrophic. Most chose to seal away the memories from these worlds, reluctant to revisit them for fear of becoming corrupted.
Not long ago, General An Long finally returned from the small world, no longer stubborn.
The Heavenly Emperor had great hopes for An Long. After all, he and the Phoenix God Monarch were close friends, guardians of the demon seal for many years, possessing natural combat prowess, unyielding bravery, and willpower ranking among the strongest in the divine realm. Fond of combat, he had no room for sentiment. When idle, he would spar with the Phoenix God Monarch to sharpen their skills, trading victories. He had once left the Phoenix God Monarch's beautiful face bruised and feathers missing, leading the gods to dissuade him, but he scoffed:
"Wu Huan is a man; why care so much about appearance? He has also plucked many of my scales, yet I never complained!"
"For men, it's not the face that matters; it's strength."
"I will never waste my life seeking some useless soulmate."
"Wu Huan, that worthless fellow, can't even see through such illusions. I'm going to the small world to mock him!"
The gods were left speechless.
And then...
Upon awakening from the small world, the first thing General An Long did was to slap himself twice. His expression shifted from red to black, and back to red again, cycling several times—a truly riveting spectacle. Both the Heavenly Emperor and the surrounding gods were stunned, extremely curious about what had transpired.
Using a term from a technologically advanced world, General An Long gravely declared, "That will forever be my darkest history."
Without waiting for further questions from the other gods, he quickly sealed off his memories from the small world.
"Damn embarrassing!" He swore he'd never revisit those memories in his lifetime! Otherwise, he couldn't face challenging the Phoenix in a duel!
"Cursed demons! I'm going to their territory to tear some of their leaders apart to vent my frustration!"
Transforming into a black dragon, he lashed his tail and stormed off, intent on slaying demons.
The gods: "???"
The Heavenly Emperor finally regained his composure: "Is anyone else still in the small world?"
The gods pondered: "Don't think so..."
It seemed that the Phoenix God Monarch was beyond saving; the divine realm was doomed.
...
After waking up, Song Qing Shi found his thoughts muddled due to completing so many tasks. He spent a long time sitting in a corner of the temple, organizing his memories.
The Heavenly Emperor finally remembered his existence and found him still dazed upon waking up, appearing no different from before. With low expectations, he walked over and casually asked, "How did your mission go?"
Song Qing Shi raised his head and pointed in the direction of the Phoenix Temple.
In the clouds above, a divine messenger flew over, jubilantly announcing, "He's awake! The Phoenix God Monarch is awake!"
Overwhelmed with joy, the gods didn't hesitate; they summoned celestial chariots, spread their wings, or hopped onto magical instruments, and raced toward the Phoenix Temple.
The Heavenly Emperor, awash with a mix of shock and delight, asked Song Qing Shi, "You succeeded?"
Song Qing Shi nodded.
"How did you manage this? What did you do?" The Heavenly Emperor inquired urgently. He couldn't fathom how this emotionless being could awaken the Phoenix, who had a heart intricate as a puzzle. Bombarding him with questions and noticing his befuddlement, he finally remembered that Song Qing Shi couldn't speak. Simplifying his question, he gravely asked, "Could it be... luck?"
After pondering for a long while, Song Qing Shi nodded again.
"I knew you were a fortunate child," the Heavenly Emperor exclaimed, patting him on the head. He showered him with countless treasures and books—millions of volumes, encompassing the essence of various worlds and the divine realm's collection, including the World Book left by the Creator.
The Heavenly Emperor was truly a great person.
Receiving such a massive reward, Song Qing Shi's eyes lit up with happiness; the allure of those books was incredibly tempting.
He felt an urge to rush back home and devote decades to reading.
Seeing his joy, the Heavenly Emperor was also pleased. He ordered the divine messenger to deliver the rewards directly to the Cloud Courtyard, encouraging Song Qing Shi to rest well, be a good child, and not emulate General An Long's penchant for picking fights upon waking. "Once the Phoenix God Monarch has fully recovered and all the small worlds are restored, courtesy of the World Tree's revival, you should go and express your gratitude personally," said the Heavenly Emperor.
Such grace deserved the most lavish of thank-you gifts from the Phoenix...
After comforting Song Qing Shi, the Heavenly Emperor was about to board his celestial chariot to visit the Phoenix Temple. As he turned back and noticed Song Qing Shi's happy expression, something seemed off. "Since when did this stone exhibit emotions? What kind of luck did you acquire to awaken the Phoenix God Monarch?" he couldn't help but ask.
Song Qing Shi turned around and spoke:
"It was the luck acquired after one thousand, three hundred and fifty failures."
The Heavenly Emperor was stunned.
His crafted stone could talk now?
...
Song Qing Shi made his way around to the Phoenix Temple, intending to see Wu Huan, only to find the area outside the temple filled with gods and divine beings, layered three deep, bearing gifts of comfort. They formed a long queue, vying to visit the convalescent deity.
He had heard that the Phoenix God Monarch was the most beautiful and beloved of all gods in the three realms. All beings adored him, and numerous souls scrambled to become his companion, including other divine beings.
Today, Song Qing Shi finally witnessed the extent of Wu Huan's popularity...
There was no way for him to squeeze through.
While the gods had tried to greet or talk to Lord Qing Shi in the past, they never received a response, making the exchanges awkward. Now, upon seeing him, they glanced curiously a few times but soon refocused on the joyful news of the Phoenix God Monarch's awakening.
Song Qing Shi peered in from the outside for a while, listening to the heated discussions among the crowd:
"The God Monarch must have suffered greatly this time; he would likely seal his memories, wouldn't he?"
"If General An Long has sealed his, then he would probably do the same..."
"Such painful past experiences offer nothing worth cherishing; they must be sealed."
"Knowing how much he values purity and perfection..."
"..."
Song Qing Shi found merit in everyone's arguments. The corporeal forms in the small world were illusions, and their souls merely fragments. Now purified, the spiritual bonds between them had disappeared. Wu Huan could simply seal away his memories, and any lingering extremism or pathology would vanish. He would once more be the free and joyful phoenix soaring through the sky.
After much contemplation, Song Qing Shi decided not to rush into taking responsibility for Wu Huan, allowing him the space to choose freely.
Born in the primeval world, the phoenix had lived for eons. Time spent in the small world was but a grain of sand in the hourglass of his extensive life; it hardly mattered.
Song Qing Shi knew the depth of the agony and injustice Wu Huan had suffered. If Wu Huan wished to seal away those memories, that seemed like a good choice too.
In any case, his journey to the small world in search of the phoenix had been unilateral; he had never expected anything in return.
The phoenix's awakening was reward enough.
The objective had been achieved.
And so, Song Qing Shi happily returned home to read.
...
In his celestial courtyard, Song Qing Shi spent a long time reading by the window. When tired, he would gaze at the clouds outside.
The white clouds would morph into various shapes in the sky, providing endless entertainment. Yet, what he loved the most was the strand of golden-red twilight that appeared each evening.
Song Qing Shi couldn't recall when the phoenix first made its appearance.
Was it ten thousand years ago, perhaps?
Upon first sight, he stared in awe, unable to identify the creature but noting its strikingly vibrant colors. Later, he scoured through books and finally found apt descriptors: resplendent, magnificent, dazzling, richly colorful, a natural wonder.
Thereafter, the phoenix would glide past his window daily, occasionally filling the air with ethereal melodies.
The monochrome clouds were now adorned with a different hue.
Literature called this beauty.
Thus, Song Qing Shi faithfully sat by the window each day, awaiting the phoenix's arrival, captivated by the most stunning scenery and enraptured by the most melodious sound. Gradually, this ritual became a cornerstone of his life.
Then one day, the phoenix was nowhere to be found.
He sat alone by the window, gazing at the distant clouds, waiting for what seemed like an eternity.
Night turned into day, and day back into night...
He waited blankly for many days, but the phoenix did not appear.
The books in his hands lost their allure; he could not make sense of the words anymore.
Where had the phoenix gone?
Song Qing Shi promptly took pen and paper, jotting down his questions to give to the Heavenly Emperor's divine messenger who came to deliver books.
The messenger, who had a genial disposition and had interacted with him for years, informed him about the predicament of the phoenix.
Staring out the window, Song Qing Shi pondered deeply and decided to embark on a journey to bring the phoenix back.
The Heavenly Emperor warned him of the task's difficulty in many ways.
Yet, he was unconcerned.
He was like a stone, devoid of worldly emotions and rationale. He only wished for the return of the phoenix that soared beautifully and proudly in the skies outside his window. It was the most significant landscape in his life, worth any sacrifice—even if it shattered him into pieces.
...
In the small world, the first emotion he learned was crying.
He discovered that humans cry when they reach the pinnacle of pain. As he wept, he noted this essential realization in a notebook. Later, he came to understand anger, the impulse to strike when infuriated. Then he grasped longing, fear, shyness, embarrassment, humiliation, and joy.
Wu Huan said he liked him, commenting that his smile was beautiful.
Ultimately, he understood what liking and smiling meant.
He loved books, education, research, medicine, solving problems, and watching clouds.
What he loved most was Wu Huan.
With each cycle of reincarnation, his affection for the phoenix grew more steadfast.
He was determined to bring the phoenix back.
...
"Wu Huan?" Song Qing Shi snapped out of his reverie, wanting to share an amusing thought that had just occurred to him with Yue Wu Huan. Yet he found that he was no longer in the small world. Yue Wu Huan was no longer by his side, and perhaps the phoenix had been absent from his window for a long time.
Where had the phoenix gone?
Holding a book, Song Qing Shi was lost in thought for a long while before he suddenly burst into tears.
So this was loneliness.
It turned out that he didn't like solitude, nor boredom, nor watching clouds alone. What he cherished most was not the beauty of the phoenix but its daily companionship as it flew past his window, making him feel less alone.
In a room stacked with books, an icy, deathlike silence prevailed.
Assured that no one was watching and he had no reason for shame, Song Qing Shi laid his head on the table and cried until he was almost out of breath.
He decided that once he had finished crying, he would diligently work through ten thousand scrolls and cast his sorrow to the back of his mind.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
Was the divine messenger still delivering books?
Hastily wiping his tears with his sleeve, Song Qing Shi went to answer the door.
The gentle rays of the setting sun streamed in. The Phoenix Deity had already folded its radiant wings and, draped in golden-red twilight, stood at the doorway. Softly, it smiled, "I've grown tired from flying in the heavens. May I rest in your room?"
Its beautiful eyes were filled with anticipation.
Stunned for a moment, Song Qing Shi hurriedly ushered the Phoenix Deity inside, bringing forth cakes and spiritual tea to place before him.
The Deity watched his movements and chuckled, "You've always been like this. Anything I enjoy, you provide."
Song Qing Shi nodded in affirmation, "Yes, I will give you anything..."
He suddenly realized that the Phoenix Deity was referring to their time in the small world.
"The Heavenly Emperor asked me to thank you profusely, but there's nothing in the entire Phoenix Temple worthy enough as a gift for you. I couldn't think of what to offer," said the Phoenix Deity softly, wiping away the lingering tear stains from his eyes and adjusting his disheveled hair. Carefully, he asked, "So, I would like to offer myself to you. Would that be acceptable?"
The gift was rather grand, but he liked it very much.
Song Qing Shi gladly accepted, "Thank you, this is the most beautiful gift I've ever received in my life."
Whether the Phoenix Deity chose to seal its memories was good, but choosing not to was even better.
Since the Phoenix Deity had chosen him, he would take his responsibilities seriously.
Song Qing Shi dug deep within himself and vowed to be an attentive and doting partner, committed to spoiling his Dao companion to the core.
The Phoenix Deity chuckled and asked, "And how do you plan to spoil me?"
A man of action, Song Qing Shi immediately unwrapped the gift package and set to work on various tasks. He utilized all the skills he had learned in the small world. Confident about this 'exam,' he felt that now, being back in the divine realm, his body could handle anything; he wouldn't need to hold back.
Eventually, the room was filled with Blood King Vines, and the atmosphere was punctuated by a symphony of discordant gasps and sobs.
"Wu Huan, I love you."
"Mmm, I know."
"Oh, Wu Huan, I really love you."
"..."
Afterwards, the Phoenix Deity contentedly held Song Qing Shi in his arms, listening to his heartbeat as if he could never get enough. After contemplating for a while, Song Qing Shi finally voiced a question that had been haunting him:
"Wu Huan, there's something I don't understand."
"Hmm?"
"Why did you pass by my window every day?"
"There are millions of paths to the Phoenix Temple, yet I choose this one every day. Can you guess why?"
"Because you like me?"
"I've been waiting for a rock to grow a heart for a very long time."
"Wu Huan, my heart was born for you. It's yours."
"Thank you, this is also the most beautiful gift I've ever received in my life."
Chapter 120
Many, many years ago, a newly formed cultivation world experienced an unexpected event as it severed ties with the World Tree. It became tainted by the aura of demons, and phantom fires erupted from the depths of Song Mountain, ravaging the land and nearly destroying this nascent world.
The Heavenly Emperor casually selected a piece of green stone, infused it with the essence of various worlds, and placed it within a furnace. With the flames of the Red Lotus True Fire, he refined it for ninety-nine times eighty-one days, transforming it into a white stone to seal the cracks where the phantom fires emerged.
The Phoenix God, known as Yue Wuhuan, possessed exquisite taste and had a penchant for collecting beautiful gemstones and stones from various realms.
One day, as Yue Wuhuan was tasked by the Heavenly Emperor to place this particular stone, he suddenly noticed... this stone was exceptionally well-crafted. It was flawless white, with a shimmering aura of vitality, and its touch was smoother than any jade. It exuded a tranquilizing presence that calmed the soul.
The more he gazed upon it, the more he adored it. He adored it to an extreme, desiring to carry this stone back to his abode and place it by his bedside to admire every day.
However, the calamity caused by the phantom fires still raged on. Yue Wuhuan resisted the urge to collect it for himself, placing the stone in the land of Song instead, sealing the rifts where the phantom fires emerged, absorbing and suppressing their power.
The Heavenly Emperor knew of his fondness for the stone and attempted to recreate it several times. Yet, for reasons unknown, the stones produced always felt contrived, lacking the perfection of the original.
Yue Wuhuan's regret deepened.
The Heavenly Emperor made a promise: once the phantom fire incident was resolved, he would present this exquisite stone to Yue Wuhuan.
The phantom fires would not extinguish for at least billions of years.
The Heavenly Emperor soon set this matter aside.
Yue Wuhuan patiently awaited, visiting the land of Song secretly every few centuries. He would check on his cherished collection, removing dried branches and moss, and polishing it until it gleamed brightly.
Over time, many legends about the stone emerged in the land of Song. Some claimed that the stone was once an errant celestial from the Heavenly Court who had been transformed into stone as a consequence of a love-related transgression, and the Phoenix visited out of sorrow.
The legends came in various versions, including tales of a handsome youth who secretly watched the Phoenix goddess bathing, Heavenly Court conflicts, and the story of the "Yearning for Wife" stone, among others.
In any case, people believed that this beautiful stone had divine origins. They regularly burned incense and offered prayers, eventually erecting temples in its honor.
With the increasing power of merit and belief, the stone underwent a transformation. When the phantom fires were completely absorbed, the stone ascended and transformed into a handsome young man...
The Heavenly Emperor was utterly bewildered.
During that period, Yue Wuhuan had been busy within the World Tree. Upon his return, he discovered that the phantom fires in the land of Song had ceased. He joyfully approached the Heavenly Emperor to claim the stone, but before he even entered the palace, he overheard the gods discussing the newly ascended deity, Qingshi.
He suddenly had an ominous feeling.
The Heavenly Emperor finally remembered his promise from years ago and apologized with embarrassment, explaining the situation.
The Phoenix felt as if the sky had fallen...
The cherished collectible he had patiently waited for billions of years had taken matters into its own hands and ascended?
He had to take a look...
That one look turned into tens of thousands of years.
Qingshi Divine Lord was truly handsome, possessing an aura akin to that stone—pure and immaculate. His earnest expressions were both endearing and charming. Yue Wuhuan still wished to bring the stone back to his lair, to place it... on the bedside.
However, how could he carry a heartless stone?
Patience, it must be.
2,
Yue Wuhuan had endured quite a bit in the small world.
Yet, within that small world, he had let go of his grudges. Upon awakening, he confirmed that the contamination had affected only the illusory body created by the demons. Upon returning to his true body, it was as if he had emerged from a virtual gaming pod, the sensations of the physical world muted and much improved. Additionally, having lived for so many years, his divine soul was immensely strong, and he possessed memories and experiences as vast as the boundless cosmos. A drop of impure water, while somewhat nauseating, could not cause significant disturbance.
It was here that he also acknowledged his own weakness and sought to overcome it, not allowing the demons another chance. He aimed to downgrade his severe germophobia to the level of Song Qingshi's simple handwashing and disinfection habits—no longer losing his composure when encountering dirt, avoiding falling into traps once more.
Song Qingshi wholeheartedly assisted him in addressing this psychological barrier.
Later, Yue Wuhuan discovered that there was a slight residue left in his contaminated divine soul. Every time he... ahem, the teardrop-shaped mole beneath his eye would appear.
It was likely a remnant of the seal, having no impact on his physical body.
Whether on or under the bed, Song Qingshi was an exceptionally focused individual. When reading, only the book occupied his mind; when experimenting, only the experiment held his thoughts. Coupled with his limited emotional intelligence and slow reactions, he couldn't read the... ahem situation, often unintentionally neglecting his partner...
It took Yue Wuhuan several months in the laboratory for breeding rodents with Song Qingshi to realize the issue with the teardrop-shaped mole in the mirror. After a brief contemplation, he understood the cause.
It was a simple matter; he could have a deity skilled in sealing techniques remove it for him. Yue Wuhuan shared this incident as a joke with Song Qingshi, intending to address it after they finished dealing with the World Tree's affairs.
Unexpectedly, Song Qingshi seemed to have misunderstood something. After a humble apology, he promptly climbed onto Yue Wuhuan's bed, diligently tending to him until the teardrop-shaped mole vanished.
Yue Wuhuan felt exceedingly content, extremely...
In the days to come, Song Qingshi became more perceptive. He regarded the teardrop-shaped mole as a signal. Whenever it appeared, he would immediately disrobe, voluntarily engaging in activities that brought Yue Wuhuan joy.
Be it at the writing desk, by the bookshelves, in the laboratory, the garden, the hot springs...
After relishing in countless moments of gratification...
The time to remove the teardrop-shaped mole was continually postponed, further and further...
He felt he could wait a little longer...
3,
Song Qingshi was a studious overachiever, believing that ** was a bodily instinct, while fetishes were matters of psychology. As long as it didn't affect others, it was acceptable.
Therefore, he had no taboos when it came to matters of intimacy and couldn't understand why one should feel shame. As long as Yue Wuhuan desired a particular scenario, he could accommodate.
After experiencing multiple losses and harboring intense possessiveness, Yue Wuhuan would always leave an avatar by Song Qingshi's side, even during... intimate moments. He played with such fervor, marking his partner all over with his insignia, imbuing him with his own essence for reassurance.
Every time he proposed a new fantasy, Song Qingshi readily agreed, happily cooperating. As a result, Yue Wuhuan's desires grew more extravagant with each indulgence...
Yue Wuhuan managed countless small worlds and frequently took on various roles within them for observation. Consequently, he enjoyed and excelled at role-playing in various scenarios.
He often whisked Song Qingshi away to fascinating small worlds for a vacation. For instance, an entire world inhabited by beastly demons provided them with fluffy rabbit tails and ears, allowing them to seek refuge in a cozy burrow for a while. They transformed into different demonic beings, engaging in activities they both enjoyed.
Song Qingshi particularly favored the Red Fox version. With red ears and a large tail, Yue Wuhuan looked exceptionally stunning, rendering him unable to focus on anything else.
He also liked the Merfolk world, where Yue Wuhuan granted him a body with a white fishtail while adopting a red mermaid form himself. The two would frolic amidst piles of pearls, their intertwined tails creating thrilling sensations. They even assumed the roles of human wizards, venturing ashore to witness tales of knights and princes.
The technological levels of these fledgling small worlds were relatively low. The interstellar and high-tech versions were reserved for mature worlds and required application submissions. Studying mecha and medical technology there was quite engrossing.
Song Qingshi enjoyed playing and conducting research, reveling in the newfound excitement. He regretted his past hermit-like existence, oblivious to the existence of such entertaining places. He also occasionally engaged in scenarios involving defeat and subsequent capture by space pirates or diplomatic unions in the interstellar realm.
What he feared most was Yue Wuhuan's sour moods triggering a "harem mode."
Such scenarios usually unfolded when he became engrossed in research for several months, entirely forgetting about his partner. Yue Wuhuan would patiently accompany him through all his experiments, only to whisk him away to a palace afterward. The palace was filled with enchanting beauties and handsome men, who would hungrily gaze at him. Each one embodied a different facet of Yue Wuhuan's fantasies, possessing unique personalities. Only after satisfying all of them would he be released.
This was truly a tearful ordeal...
The most frightening part was that after the beauties were done, they would initiate a fierce showdown, asking him the fateful question: "Who did you like the most?"
To this day, Song Qingshi hasn't found the correct answer and is "punished" each time. He must declare his preference hundreds of times, ensuring that his partner's flavor is etched into his memory before he can be released.
He has become extremely cautious, commissioning a reminder device. Even if he gets lost in research, he faithfully climbs into bed every half month, ensuring his partner's contentment and maintaining his own vocal health, sparing himself the need for throat lozenges.
The harem events have largely disappeared.
But... very occasionally... he forgets even about the reminder device...
Yue Wuhuan sighed: "You never change, do you? Let's give it another go."
4,
Song Qingshi suffered from mild social anxiety, making a grand and complex soul-bonding ceremony in front of all the gods unbearable for him. He also didn't know any of Yue Wuhuan's friends. The only one he did know, An Long, had sealed his memories and had become a stranger. Much had to be started anew.
Song Qingshi felt so awkward that he'd rather hide away in a villa than partake in a grand ceremony.
Understanding his mindset, Yue Wuhuan diplomatically declined the offers of help from their eager friends. The ceremony was simplified, with only the Celestial Emperor serving as a witness.
The Celestial Emperor, worldly and experienced, didn't much care about gender issues among gods. However, when he thought about the phoenix and the sentient stone he'd crafted, something seemed amiss.
Yue Wuhuan retorted: "Wasn't the stone intended as a gift for me?"
After a moment's thought, the Celestial Emperor conceded. The promise of a deity must be honored. The stone becoming sentient and running away was an unforeseen event, and it was only right to set things straight now.
So, he cheerfully performed the ceremony for the couple, gifting them an array of beautiful gemstones and unusual research materials. Then, he made the announcement to the other gods.
Many gods admired the Phoenix Lord, but their own high moral standards kept them in check. Those most fervent had already had a reality check in the small worlds they frequented. Everyone respected Song Qingshi's stony determination and acknowledged his role in saving the divine realm. Along with the Phoenix's natural affinity for stones, the community gave them overwhelming approval and sent a mountain of blessings and gifts.
Yue Wuhuan originally intended to make their home in the Phoenix Temple.
The temple was vast, brimming with exotic treasures from various worlds. It was the most beautiful place in the divine realm, but it was simply too large, with countless servants and handmaidens.
Song Qingshi felt uneasy there.
Yue Wuhuan wasn't completely at ease either, like when it took them three days to tour their own garden, or when he couldn't cuddle with his soulmate on their enormous golden bed and ended up hugging the blanket instead.
Why had he built the temple so grandly in the first place? It was cumbersome to locate anyone, and not at all conducive to private moments of intimacy.
In the end, they decided to move to Song Qingshi's smaller residence in the clouds, naming it "Cloud Residence." They added various research labs, herbal rooms, and libraries, recruiting a few intelligent divine servants interested in medical research as assistants.
A divine clone remained in the Phoenix Temple to handle daily affairs. They would return for special occasions or festivals and occasionally vacation in interesting worlds.
Their days were uneventful.
Except, they were rather troubled about how to educate their child.
5,
Song Qingshi didn't generally get along with animals, but he was quite fond of the White Dragon that chose to be close to him.
The White Dragon affectionately called the two "Dad" and "Papa," thereby creating a bond.
Yue Wuhuan pulled the White Dragon out of the smaller realm, formally adopting him as a son and inscribing him into the divine lineage under the new name, Song Xiaobai.
He sought out a deity who presided over wisdom, securing a Wisdom Fruit and Wisdom Tree leaves. Then, he went to a high-tech world to procure IQ-enhancing gene serums. All of this was promptly administered to the "slow-witted" serpent, elevating him at least to the level of a struggling student.
Song Qingshi eagerly took to teaching their son academically.
Despite being two scholarly gods, employing a combination of endless exercises and tough love, they made little headway in three years. Song Xiaobai struggled even with basic arithmetic and would rather endure daily spankings from his dad than face another worksheet.
Song Qingshi began to doubt his teaching abilities.
Qing Luan pinpointed the issue: "Young Master Xiaobai's intelligence may be at the level of an average child, but early education requires methodology and a gradual approach. Or perhaps you could enroll him in a mortal school where professionals could nurture his growth?"
Song Qingshi found this immensely logical and consulted Yue Wuhuan on the world's educational districts.
The language of gods carries the power of divine souls, making it universally understood across realms, eliminating the need for language learning.
After ruling out worlds that were martially inclined or academically lax, and those with insufficient educational standards, they finally selected a highly advanced realm that met all their criteria.
This world had evolved from a race of beastfolk, possessing technology advanced enough for same-sex reproduction. Dual-father households were common, and Song Xiaobai's serpent lineage would not lead to ostracization. Yue Wuhuan invoked divine powers to pick an exceptional kindergarten where the teachers were nurturing, the management was competent, and the meals were excellent.
In this high-tech beastfolk world, the average lifespan was long; a child would need twenty years from kindergarten to college.
Song Qingshi had grand ambitions, contemplating doctoral programs for his son.
His expectations for Xiaobai were modest—just one doctoral degree would suffice, not two or three.
Yue Wuhuan maintained an avatar in this world as a major shareholder in a renowned jewelry company. He kept a low profile, rarely appearing in public. His interest was mainly in collecting beautiful gemstones from this world and surrounding star systems. Occasionally, he would release limited-edition jewelry designs, causing a frenzy among the upper echelons of society.
Once Song Qingshi arrived, they formalized their marriage and bought a house near the kindergarten.
Wealth and social status held no significance for them.
They devoted themselves entirely to education, taking turns dropping off Song Xiaobai at kindergarten and enrolling him in extracurricular courses, including art, tactical games, vocal music, musical instruments, logic, robotics, etiquette, and philosophy.
Song Xiaobai rebelled—he not only skipped classes and fought but also bit people.
Perhaps this is an inevitable phase in every child's development?
The Creator God and his scholarly partner— one an academic prodigy and the other an educational deity— were summoned to the kindergarten's office.
The young ramfolk teacher, an expert in early childhood psychology and highly responsible, severely criticized their flawed parenting approaches. She especially took issue with Yue Wuhuan's tendency to physically discipline the child. She then proposed a comprehensive set of solutions, strongly advocating for a collaborative approach between home and school to guide Song Xiaobai onto the right path through love.
Yue Wuhuan: "..."
Song Qingshi: "..."
They genuinely had no clue how to raise such an unintelligent child.
They'd already adopted him and recorded him into their divine lineage; there was no turning back now.
Their chaotic parenting journey would last an entire twenty-two years—two of which were spent repeating grades.
Despite their best efforts, Song Xiaobai's academic performance could barely scrape a passing grade.
Each parent-teacher conference left them hanging their heads in embarrassment.
In the end, Song Xiaobai failed to gain admission to even the lowest-ranked universities. However, he showcased SSS-tier psychic power and exceptional physical resilience in ability tests, leading to his direct admission to the top military academy's elite class, destined to be a future general.
Song Qingshi was in a daze amidst the envious and begrudging compliments from other parents.
Even though he'd been accepted to a prestigious school, something still felt amiss.
Yue Wuhuan consoled: "It's fine. Let's have him serve under An Long."
6,
Yue Wuhuan was skilled at brewing, crafting excellent wines.
Whenever An Long returned from battle, he'd seek out Yue Wuhuan for a drink.
It used to be at the Phoenix Temple; now it's at the Cloud Residence. While An Long was indifferent to the location as long as alcohol was involved, he'd often witness Yue Wuhuan and his partner being sickeningly sweet to each other. They would even indulge him with their affection until he felt figuratively "stuffed." An Long felt oddly overwhelmed, thinking his brother had changed after marriage, even forbidding him to aim for the face in fights.
This time, after vanquishing several demons and radiating victorious energy, An Long rushed over intending to down a couple of strong drinks. Instead, he found Yue Wuhuan sitting under a flowering tree, enthusiastically peeling grapes and feeding them to the Divine Lord Qingshi.
Lord Qingshi, engrossed in writing, muttered, "Enough, I don't want to eat anymore."
Ever the attentive one, Yue Wuhuan put down the grapes and switched to offering nectar: "Here, have a few sips."
...
An Long felt as if his eyes were about to be blinded.
Was this something grown men should be doing?
What happened to his battle-hardened, indomitable brother-in-arms he'd known from countless bloody skirmishes?
Love must be toxic—blinding not only those who fall but also those around them.
An Long sighed heavily, drowning his discomfort in several cups of potent liquor, served with a side of his friends' excessive affection.
Yue Wuhuan, knowing An Long well after many years of friendship, teased, "Who knows? Perhaps you've had your moments like this in smaller realms."
"Joke all you want. I'd never bring such trouble upon myself," retorted An Long, emboldened by alcohol. "If I ever had an accidental romance in a small realm, it'd definitely be with a virtuous and gentle woman—not like you two, two men sticking together, all eyes and smiles, inseparable at every moment."
Song Qingshi, who had just put down his pen, froze upon hearing this: "A virtuous and gentle woman?"
He suddenly recalled the humiliating experience of being dressed as a woman within the Nightmare Devouring Array. Even though Yue Wuhuan had explained much about it, he still couldn't quite fathom why An Long would envision him in women's clothing within that nightmare. Now, the truth was out—deep down, An Long wished he were a woman!
Song Qingshi felt an urge to tear this Alaskan malamute to pieces.
But what happened in the smaller realm was in the past...
An Long had been bewitched, to the point where even his sexual orientation became skewed, and he had sealed away his memories; there was no point in holding a grudge.
Song Qingshi took a deep breath, let it go, and resumed his academic writing. Peace was a blessing.
Who knows? Maybe one day An Long would bring home a young man from the battlefield.
As he continued his focused writing, he silently bestowed this "blessing."
Yue Wuhuan chuckled at an exasperated Song Qingshi before turning to An Long, "We're out of the strong liquor."
An Long looked confused: "Aren't you supposed to save some for me every year?"
"I've been too preoccupied since returning from the smaller realm," Yue Wuhuan said, smiling, "Lately, I've been brewing medicinal alcohol—the sour, astringent kind."
An Long took a moment to absorb this before asking in a slightly aggrieved tone, "Can we go back to our earlier arrangement if I eat my emotional dog food in peace and keep quiet?"
Going blind was a small matter; running out of alcohol was a crisis.
Thumping his chest, he swore, "A magnificent Black Dragon, a general who has faced all sorts of challenges—what haven't I seen? A mere few tons of dog food don't faze me." Seeing Yue Wuhuan's indifference, he hastily sought favor from the divine Lord Song Qingshi. Song Qingshi wasn't one to hold grudges; a few pleas were all it took to appease him.
Yue Wuhuan grabbed him and dragged him back, shoved two jars of strong liquor at him, and kicked him out of the Yunju courtyard.
With his plan a success, An Long transformed into a black dragon and flew away, laughing. On the western border, various demonic tribes were still itching for action.
Emotional complications were a burden he'd rather not have.
A man's romance is found on the battlefield! In the shedding of blood!
7,
After the Phoenix Divine Lord reclaimed his throne, the deities and divine envoys who had fallen into the minor world regained their memories and left one by one.
Kong Muhua, one of the divine Lord's deputies, was supposed to return to the divine realm with the others. However, having finally found the love of his life and successfully proposed, he adamantly refused to leave. After three days of whining and playing the victim, he finally got permission and a temporary pass, allowing him to freely move between the minor world and the divine realm, maintaining order and managing fate.
The Phoenix Divine Lord generally doesn't interfere with the independent operations and destinies of various minor worlds.
However, the impact of the Eternal Summit on the world was too great for him to retract it immediately.
Baizihao became the proxy of the Eternal Summit, taking over the forces left by the divine Lord and managing the remaining issues. Though some initially doubted his capabilities, the heavenly dao governed by the Phoenix Divine Lord protected him. Several fortuitous opportunities even elevated his cultivation by two levels, making everything unusually smooth for him.
He also had an ancient demon as his Dao companion.
The world quickly fell into place.
Baizihao knew Kong Muhua enjoyed being the center of attention and planned for an extravagant bonding ceremony.
Overjoyed at first, Kong Muhua then noticed his balding tail feathers. Distraught, he turned into a sobbing mess, hiding in the embroidered chamber and refusing to meet others. Every day, he groomed his sparse golden feathers, cleansed his face with tears, and decided to postpone the bonding ceremony until his tail regrew and his beauty was restored.
During that period, he even refused to shift into his female form, keeping his male body. His hair was cut short due to burns, and there were two scars on his cheeks. Because the feathers of a peacock demon possess demon-repelling powers, the scars took a long time to heal. Each day, he would climb onto Baizihao's bed, bemoaning his ugliness and vowing to serve his spouse well physically as a form of gratitude.
Baizihao: "..."
The service was too enthusiastic, even involving dual cultivation. He found it a bit overwhelming, creating quite a commotion.
Most of the familiar bird demons from the Eternal Summit had followed the Divine Lord and left. People transferred from directly affiliated sects knew little about the situation.
As a result, rumors began circulating that he was tormenting a peerless beauty in a dark chamber day and night...
Baizihao: "..."
He has a strong resilience to rumors, largely indifferent to the gossip that swirls around him.
Years ago, when he killed Jin Feiren, he not only refused to mourn but also sought refuge with the Eternal Summit. Consequently, he became notorious as the cultivation world's most infamous husband. Tales of his villainy circulated widely, leaving a stain that could never be cleansed. Jin Feiren had been a master of public image, and the untold scandals of their marital bed were not for public consumption.
Later, he became the master of the Ice Pavilion, an assassin under the banner of the Eternal Summit, responsible for numerous deaths.
No one dared to speak of it in his presence. Moreover, due to the Divine Lord's intentional extermination of those related to Jin Feng Mountain Villa, his notoriety gradually faded. There are still sensational stories from back then being sold, painting him as a vile, murderous husband under a different name. Most people are unaware it's about him.
Baizihao practices the Ice Dao with a resolute Dao heart and cares little for such matters.
Kong Muhua, however, discovered these stories and was furious. He banned the books and even paid renowned authors a handsome sum to rewrite them. The character based on Baizihao was transformed into a tragically abused "damsel," later rescued by a beautiful, passing swordsman.
Baizihao: "..."
He has been showered with so many opportunities by Fate that he can hardly digest them all. Thus, he chooses to seclude himself for intensive cultivation, aiming for early ascension.
Finally, Kong Muhua managed to regrow his feathers and emerged more dazzling than ever. Elated, he hosted an incredibly grand ceremony with his Dao companion, Baizihao. The ceremony was legendary, even receiving blessings and gifts from Phoenix Divine Lord, Lord Qingshi, and other celestial beings. It became a page in the history of the cultivation world, discussed for years to come.
Everyone marveled at the good fortune of Immortal Baizihao for having such an obedient and beautiful spouse.
Baizihao: "..."
He plans to enter seclusion for decades more, further strengthening his inner self.
8,
Fifty years of seclusion for Baizihao meant boredom for Kong Muhua.
Even though Baizihao has assumed control of the Eternal Summit and gained a high position, his reputation for emotional aloofness has kept him free of romantic intrigues. Bored after reading stacks of novels, Kong Muhua decided to return to the Divine Realm and seek out a technologically advanced world for entertainment.
He aspires to become a movie star, desiring to immerse himself in a life full of dramatic, torturous romance.
Divine beings must not directly influence the mortal world, especially in realms that adhere to atheistic ideologies.
Having served the Divine Lord for many years and roamed various worlds, Kong Muhua is aware of these limitations.
He forged a fake identity and entered the entertainment industry. Thanks to his stunning looks, he quickly garnered attention and job offers even before his acting debut. Despite his eccentric personality, his management team skillfully steered his career, leading him to rapid fame.
Numerous scripts for TV shows and films were soon offered to him.
Kong Muhua happily skimmed through the scripts, only to find himself bewildered as he read on.
In this world, stories of tragic romance were outdated. Each script featured a powerful female lead, replete with face-slapping scenes and sugary romances.
None of these appealed to Kong Muhua. He rejected one script after another, dissatisfied with all of them.
Finally, he stumbled upon a script from an obscure director. It was a period drama featuring a terrible male lead and a victimized female lead, complete with physical and emotional abuse. In the 40-episode story, the female lead cried through 38 of them. Eventually, the terrible male lead saw the error of his ways, and they had a "happy" ending.
Kong Muhua declared, "We're doing this one!"
His agent: "???"
The little-known director was principled but socially awkward. He accepted the poorly-written script from the investor for the sake of a paycheck but intended to make it as palatable as possible. Knowing that Kong Muhua's star power could save the show from complete failure, the director decided to build the cast around him.
Still, no male star was keen on playing the distasteful male lead.
Kong Muhua had high standards for attractiveness; he rejected dozens of leading men suggested by the director. He decided to take matters into his own hands, focusing less on acting skills and more on looks that could match his own beauty. Unfortunately, Baizihao was in seclusion...
After considering all the beautiful people he knew, he suddenly remembered Lord Qingshi from Yunju Courtyard reading "The Actor's Art of Self-Cultivation." Lord Qingshi seemed genuinely interested in acting. Though not as handsome as his Baizihao, Lord Qingshi was still quite appealing, not to mention reliable, easy-going, and easy to talk to.
Kong Muhua flew back to the Divine Realm and took advantage of the Divine Lord's absence to request Lord Qingshi's participation as the male lead.
Song Qingshi scrutinized the script. Although the male character was despicable, he didn't see any correlation between the role and the actor. Recently, Phoenix Divine Lord had been praising his performance in the bedroom, boosting his confidence. He was eager to try something different.
Thus, he accepted Kong Muhua's invitation without hesitation.
All of this happened before the Phoenix Divine Lord could catch wind of it and demand accountability from Kong Muhua.
Song Qingshi's audition went horribly; his acting skills were abysmal.
Kong Muhua: "..."
In the end, he roped in a demon cultivator with dual axes to play the male lead. When the show finally aired, young viewers forced themselves to watch it to the end, drawn only by the actors' good looks. The show received a mix of ridicule and praise, with older viewers criticizing Kong Muhua for being too pretty for such a role.
Thanks to the show's popularity, the small-time director got his big break and eventually won awards for another movie because of his dedication.
Unperturbed, Kong Muhua continued to play the victim in a string of flops, earning him the dubious title of the "King of Bad Movies."
Finally, under immense pressure from his agent, who even threatened suicide, Kong Muhua took a role as a powerful female cultivator. The role catapulted him to fame, even earning him a Best Actress award.
Kong Muhua: "..."
The world never understood him.
Returning to the Divine Realm, Song Qingshi found himself heartbroken.
Being a natural overachiever, he didn't admit defeat easily. After extensive research into acting, he took the initiative to ask Yue Wuhuan for a script to read...
Satiated and content, Yue Wuhuan remarked, "A decent performance."
He then decided not to settle scores with Kong Muhua.
9,
After returning to the Divine Realm, Qingluan continued to serve as Lord Qingshi's assistant, managing servants and divine messengers. But now, she didn't have to devote herself to relentless study.
Every day, she flew into the gardens to pick the most beautiful flowers, decorating Yunju Courtyard until it was a vision of loveliness.
One day, a flock of wild geese flew across the sky, one of which transformed into a familiar and handsome young man upon landing.
Minghong: "Sister Qingluan, have you sealed away your memories from the small world?"
Trimming the branches of a flowering bush, Qingluan responded nonchalantly, "Yes, I have."
Minghong, full of unspoken resentment, said, "Sister Qingluan, we had a connection in that small world."
"I've forgotten," Qingluan said teasingly with a smile, "I couldn't possibly have a past connection with a little troublemaker like you."
Minghong was irate. Having coincidentally grown up in the Divine Realm, he had been cared for by Qingluan. Back when he was naive, he had acted like a little rascal just to capture her attention. This ill-advised chapter of his past ensured that Qingluan treated him like a child no matter how much he aged.
He had harbored a secret affection for Qingluan for many years with little progress. After finally succeeding in the small world and spending a loving lifetime together, he couldn't bring himself to seal away those memories. Yet Qingluan said she had...
When Qingluan had passed away in that life, they had promised to be together in the next.
Women are so unreliable!
Wait a moment...
Had Qingluan truly sealed her memories, or was she just toying with him again?
Minghong rolled his eyes and sighed, "Did you know that your unfilial great-grandson in the small world, Song Jincheng, has become a wastrel? His parents can't get through to him. Forget inheriting the legacy of the Valley of Medicine; he spends his days in leisure and debauchery. Rumor has it, he's even leading other people's children astray, frequenting the pleasure quarters for God knows what..."
"A brothel?" Qingluan accidentally snips through the branch she's holding.
Minghong chimes in, "A disgrace to our ancestors!"
Qingluan puts down her floral scissors, "Let's go get a pass from the God Ruler. I'm going to give that insolent fool a lesson he won't forget."
Minghong follows her, grinning from ear to ear.
He always knew that Qingluan wouldn't seal away her memories.
10,
Song Jincheng, with Yuwen Yu in tow, elopes from home once again.
Over the years, they've traveled to many famous places. At each destination, Song Jincheng would jot down notes on the local customs, delicacies, and beautiful things. Under Yuwen Yu's suggestion, they collaborated with publishers to release a series of travelogues called "Jincheng's Journey." The books, known for their witty and humorous language, became a sensation throughout the cultivation world, boasting high sales and relentless demands for sequels.
With such lucrative royalties, Song Jincheng no longer worries about his parents controlling his finances.
Yuwen Yu, carrying luggage, asks, "Where are we headed this time?"
A seasoned traveler, Song Jincheng replies, "Maple City. They say there's a woman there who's unrivaled in sword dance."
Yuwen Yu nods, "I'll go with your plan."
Song Jincheng adds, "I've heard their honey wine is excellent, let's give it a try."
Yuwen Yu inquires, "Weren't your parents furious last time? They said you're betraying your family legacy."
Song Jincheng is unfazed, "No worries. It's not like our ancestors are going to rise from their graves to scold me."
(No, they're coming soon.)
11,
Yuwen Yan looks at the elopement note on the table and throws it into the trash heap in the corner, sighing.
Over the years, he's gone from being furious, to disgruntled, to finally giving up.
His eldest son is of no use anymore; it's time to have a second child.
He hopes for a sweet and adorable daughter who, unlike his son, won't defy him and run off with a man.
12,
Fairy Spirit Island.
Madam Nian earnestly advises Duoduo, "Never judge a man by his face; handsome men can be deceptive and force you into paperwork."
Duoduo shivers, "That sounds terrifying."
Most punishments on Fairy Spirit Island involve completing assignments, a prospect that instills fear in everyone.
Especially those pretty-faced men who attempt to seduce female cultivators—Madam Nian captures them and confines them to a dark chamber. Depending on the severity of their transgressions, they're tasked with a minimum of 10,000 assignments. They can't leave until they finish them all.
The educational results are reportedly excellent.
Once these pretty-faced men are released, they walk with a wobble and tremble at the sight of beautiful female cultivators, daring no longer to harbor any frivolous intentions.
13,
Yue Wuhuan, accompanied by Song Qingshi, returns to the modern world he's missed so much.
Under the leadership of a domineering female CEO, the Song family has become a well-known international enterprise on the wealthy list.
Yue Wuhuan manages to find the reincarnations of Song's father, mother, and sister, retrieves their souls, and weaves together a restoration of their past lives.
That day, everyone experiences the same beautiful dream.
Many, many ye
ars ago, Song Qingshi was cured of his ALS, a phenomenon described as a medical miracle.
Life for the Song family is exceedingly joyful.
The sister continues to dominate in the business world, while her husband is a domesticated artist. Their marriage is harmonious. The younger brother becomes a prominent figure in medicine and even brings home a boyfriend named Yue Wuhuan, a world-renowned musician.
After some initial confusion, the Song family open-mindedly accepts their son's orientation and bestows their blessings.
Everyone lives happily for a lifetime.
Father and Mother Song live to be a hundred, renowned far and wide as a loving couple.
The Song sister and her husband share a loving relationship, succeed in their careers, and are blessed with a set of twins—a boy and a girl.
Yue Wuhuan and Song Qingshi walk hand in hand, destined to spend a lifetime together.
When each member of the Song family awakens, though the details of the dream escape them, they sense a profound sweetness. It's as if something once missing in the depths of their souls has been filled, leaving them in inexplicable comfort.
Outside the window, the sun shines brightly, wafting in a fragrance of flowers.
Amidst the cacophony of the worldly, gain and loss weigh on the mind.
No regrets remain in this lifetime.