Chapter 148 - Primordial Bell!
On a secluded street just outside the rear courtyard of the Chen Heavenly Mansion, something unexpected happened. From the direction of the mansion, a heavy piece of armor was flung out! It crashed onto the cobblestone ground with a resounding clang. The armor radiated the power of Desolation and from its crevices, a dark golden flame spilled out, scorching a large crater into the street.
Before long, a silver-haired figure approached from around the corner. This individual had an enchanting face, long, delicate fingers, and shimmering hair. So androgynous was their appearance that one couldn't immediately discern their gender. The silver-haired person stood before the armor and remarked with a sigh of contentment, "Nebula grade Desolate Essence... truly invigorating."
With slender fingers, he produced a jade box, drawing the lingering flames into it until the armor lost its vibrant glow. Once done, he flashed a bewitching smile—a smile so captivating that it would make anyone's heart race.
"Dear Moon, what are you doing over there? Come on!" Seductive voices called out from the other end of the street. A group of alluring fox-eared women stood in the glow, giggling and waving towards the silver-haired figure.
Enveloped in a misty haze, their silhouettes were striking, and their playful smiles were utterly bewitching. Any man from the Heavenly Realm who laid eyes on them would feel an undeniable pull of desire.
The silver-haired figure, eyes gleaming with a silver light and three fox tails gently swaying behind, gazed at the group of enchanting women and called out, "Sisters, wait for me."
In a flash, he drifted over, and with a swift movement, embraced two of the ladies by their waists. The melodious laughter of the women echoed, weaving a spell that ensnared all who heard.
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In the Heavenly Realm's Grand Temple, there was a modest study. Four walls enclosed it, with bookshelves on three, each crammed with volumes. The last wall, however, bore a black and white yin and yang diagram. Even though it was just a picture, the yin and yang fish on it seemed to rotate gently, capturing anyone's gaze.
Seated on a worn-out meditation cushion was an old man, distinguished by his white hair and the wrinkles that spoke of centuries. Dressed in a patched robe, he exuded a simple, rustic charm.
Hearing footsteps from outside, the old man's ears twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes. One eye was blind, a milky white, making a stark contrast with the other. In a way, his two-toned gaze mirrored the yin yang diagram behind him.
A knock echoed. "Father, it's me."
"Come in," the old man answered, his voice dry and ancient.
The door creaked open, revealing a scholarly-looking figure named Mu Tianshi. He stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Have our guests been received?" the old man asked.
"Yes." Mu Tianshi nodded.
"And?"
"The first few Demon Saints who arrived seem content." Mu Tianshi paused before continuing, "However, the Ape Saint is disgruntled. He wishes that in the War of Immortals, the members of his Monkey Clan be grouped with those from the Chen Clan."
"Is it a wish or a demand?" the old man asked.
"Demand!" Mu Tianshi murmured, his head slightly tilted downwards.
"Then, grant him it," the old man said.
"Wouldn't the Divine Dawn Empress have objections? The Supreme Marshal is, after all, her prized general," Mu Tianshi remarked.
"She enticed the demons with the spousal selection. It's been a year now since anyone has seen her. Who knows if she's even interested in sorting out this mess anymore?" The old man looked distant, contemplating. "Besides, wasn't this whole fiasco started by the Chen Clan's son-in-law? They bit off more than they could chew. Whose fault is that?"
"I heard the Chen Clan contemplates withdrawing," Mu Tianshi mused.
The old man chuckled. "So, the mighty second strongest clan of the Heavenly Realm wants to back out of the War of Immortals? They can prepare for a lifetime of being branded cowards." The old man's face broke into a grin, "These soldiers, they just don't have the backbone of us learned folks."
"Backbone?" Mu Tianshi paused, pursing his lips. "Reminds me of Sword Saint Sun."
"I heard today he found himself humbled by a few minor demons?" The old man's eyebrows raised, amusement evident on his face.
"Exactly. The same fierce warrior who once, in a fit of rage, ventured into the Demon Continent and slew eight of their Demon Saints. Now, his reputation is in tatters," Mu Tianshi reflected, a hint of sorrow in his eyes.
"Just a hothead!" The old man's cheek twitched, disdain flashing in his eyes, "In this day and age, he still grapples with demons? His whole family, all twelve of them, met a tragic end. That's the price of going against the tide."
"All those Sword Cultivators are now basically useless," Mu Tianshi commented, his gaze turning frosty. "But that son-in-law from the lower realms, he's still causing a ruckus. When will he pay for Xingchen's vengeance? Our Lil Yi remains inconsolable..."
"Just a kid, not even in the Wind Fire Tribulation Realm. As brittle as chalk," the old man noted with a smirk, "He has to register at the Grand Temple, doesn't he?"
"Yes, he does," Mu Tianshi nodded.
"To register, there's a combat test. Don't we have some rather capable demon exchange students at the Grand Temple? They've been studying our knowledge for a while. Perhaps they could test this Chen Clan's son-in-law," the old man suggested, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
"Demon exchange students?" Mu Tianshi thought of the few who enjoyed the best of what the Grand Temple had to offer but were never quite content and often stirred up trouble. A smirk slowly formed on his lips. "Indeed, they are apt for the task... But using demons for the entrance test of humanity's sacred cultural ground, won't that draw objections?"
"What's there to object?" The old man chuckled. "Our demon exchange students from the Grand Temple are relatable, simple-hearted, and innately kind. The best kind of folk!"
"That's right... even if they're barbarians from the Demon Continent, after they've learned our Immortal Empire's teachings, they've gained the airs of true scholars. I was overthinking it," Mu Tianshi admitted, breaking into laughter.
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Cloaked in white, two figures traversed the mist-shrouded Heavenly Realm, their appearance a breathtaking blend of beauty and charm.
"Look at the Heavenly Realm and the vast lands of the Immortal Empire. The spiritual energy and Immortal aura are thriving. The demons of the Demon Continent must be envious, right?" Yun Xiao mused aloud.
"Envious?" Chen Xi replied with an icy smile, "These uncivilized brutes don't have a shred of envy in their eyes."
"Then what do they possess?" Yun Xiao probed.
"Greed," Chen Xi asserted.
A chill settled in Yun Xiao's heart. It appeared that the immense sword in the sky that annihilated two Cosmic Immortals had injected yet another element of unpredictability into the situation.
"The Grand Temple approaches," Chen Xi abruptly noted.
Yun Xiao raised his eyes and saw a majestic yet understated gate ahead. Atop it hung a signboard, inscribed with the words, Boundless Righteousness.
"Boundless Righteousness..." Yun Xiao found it somewhat familiar. Compared to the signboard at the Sword Pavilion, this one oozed at least ten times more grandeur. Upon closer inspection, the inscription was made of densely packed spirit crystals. They likely shimmered brilliantly at night.
It was boundless righteousness, funded by affluence! The aura from the spirit crystals would dissipate over time. To maintain its grandeur, the signboard would need frequent replenishment.
Upon seeing this, Blue Star and Red Moon's eyes practically gleamed with greed. Thankfully, their appetites had been sated recently; otherwise, they might have been tempted to devour the signboard there and then.
"Let's go in," Chen Xi said, striding forward. Her white dress swayed, and her long hair danced in the wind. Her presence felt like one person could dominate a crowd, exuding an overwhelming charisma.
Yun Xiao followed closely, finding solace in her protective aura.
"They've arrived." At the entrance of the Grand Temple Academy, a few young men dressed in scholars attire, with white crowns adorning their heads, glanced at the approaching duo with cold eyes. Without hesitation, they turned and went inside to report their arrival.
The Grand Temple wasn't just an academy in the Immortal Empire; it was a hub of education and governance. Here, not only could one cultivate daoist spells, but they could also learn the principles of ruling and literature. By the age of ten, almost every child from an Immortal family had secured a spot in the Grand Temple. Chen Xi, too, had been a member from a young age.
Strictly speaking, the Grand Temple wasn't a powerhouse in its own right. It functioned as an educational legacy under the Immortal Empire's rule. Its primary purpose? Nurturing talent for the Empire. All its resources—be it cultivation methods, daoist spells, magic treasures, spirit mines, or formation diagrams—were regarded as the Empire's assets, not personal property.
Of course, where there were people, there was politics. Power and familial influences inevitably seeped in. For instance, over the past few centuries, the Mu Family had been consistently securing the Grand Temple's highest position!
Moreover, the current head of the Grand Temple hailed from the older generation of the Mu Family. Many of the Temple's key figures—teachers, scholars, and core students—belonged to the Mu Family.
Familial ties ran deep and tangled throughout the Immortal Empire.
When the Divine Dawn Empress made her unprecedented debut, she swiftly rose to become the supreme leader within a few years. Yet, the Ye Royal Family—a powerhouse in the Immortal Empire—had long occupied countless crucial positions and maintained significant influence. They even had the audacity to act against the Empress in secret.
Before the Divine Dawn Empress's reign, the Ye Royal Family had inherited control over the Immortal Empire for generations.
As Yun Xiao set foot in the Grand Temple, he voiced a lingering question, "Chen Xi, one thing has always puzzled me. How did the Divine Dawn Empress ascend to her position? To which clan does she belong?"
"You're married now, and you're still curious about other women?" Chen Xi responded with a hint of jest.
"She's an Empress! Does she even count as just another woman?" Yun Xiao retorted, shaking his head.
"What do you mean by that?" Chen Xi stared at him, raising an eyebrow.
"I mean she's transcended gender in my eyes. She stands as an inviolable, divine entity," Yun Xiao replied earnestly.
Chen Xi found some amusement in his words. With a smirk, she answered his initial question, "She's an enigma, born of mystery. No clan claims her, and no one has truly seen her face. The reason she could suppress the Ye Royal Family and rise to power? She made history by striking the Heavenly Realm Primordial Bell nine times! According to ancient rules of the Immortal Empire, this act is the sign of a naturally born Emperor's arrival, compelling the Ye Royal Family to abdicate."
"The Heavenly Realm Primordial Bell? Where is it?" Yun Xiao inquired, a peculiar expression crossing his face upon hearing the word primordial.
"Of course, in her hands, it's the very thing the demons of the Demon Continent fear the most! And she's only fifteen. No wonder the demons are panicking. They're afraid! Afraid of annihilation!" Chen Xi remarked with a cold chuckle.
Yun Xiao pieced everything together. He gave Chen Xi an extra glance, musing, "Truly a remarkable young lady." It turned out her genuine identity was indeed the daughter of the Supreme Marshal of the Nine Heavens Immortal Army. Yet, she bore the weight of humiliation, concealed her prodigious talents, and ascended to the throne under the pseudonym Divine Dawn Empress.
The reason for her actions was crystal clear. She was still young, lacking the strength to overthrow the Demon Continent. The power dynamics of the Heavenly Realm were intricate, especially with the Ye Royal Family losing their hereditary throne. How could they possibly accept it?
She needed the shroud of mystery to command awe, to make them fear the force behind her.
If it became known that her only backing was the Supreme Marshal of the Nine Heavens Immortal Army, all the oppositions and conflicts would become transparent. That revelation would undeniably push her family, the Chen Clan, into the eye of the storm.
The deterrent power of a mysterious and fearsome Divine Dawn Empress was far greater than that of a prodigious talent from the Chen Clan. With these dual identities, she could achieve much. Like orchestrating the War of Immortals in the Heavenly Realm and playing the role of a cunning fox in the guise of Chen Xi...
In Yun Xiao's eyes, she was not just a formidable force but also a woman of grandeur who knew when to hide and when to strike. He was absolutely sure there was another person in the Heavenly Realm who knew everything, besides him. And that person was probably her father. The very father of the Divine Dawn Empress!
"So that's why the Supreme Marshal spoils his daughter without bounds," he mused. This father-daughter duo was truly something else.
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