Chapter 36: Beauty

Yan Chaosheng raised his eyes and saw the Qing Wu bird staring intently at him from a distance.

The events that had just transpired were unknown to Chishui Liu shuang, but this creature had witnessed everything.

The Qing Wu’s eyes gleamed with a bright golden hue, like two faintly glowing glass lanterns even amidst the cliffs of the valley.

Yan Chaosheng pursed his lips, glaring coldly at it.

The Qing Wu sensed his anger and awkwardly dragged its massive body to the side, burying its head in its wings.

From behind, Liu shuang’s voice came, curious: “What’s wrong with Qing Wu?”

Yan Chaosheng calmly replied, “Perhaps it’s tired.”

The two waited for JiMo Shaoyou on the other side of the broken bridge. Yan Chaosheng closed his eyes; he didn’t want to see Liu shuang or the Qing Wu right now.

Yan Chaosheng was no fool. If he had been deceiving himself before, it was because he couldn’t bear to part with the powerful bloodline she possessed. Earlier, Liu shuang had almost offered her bloodline to him willingly, but what he saw was not the ancient bloodline within the girl, but…

His fingers clenched, unable to accept this sudden realization. It was more painful than the day Bai Yuxiao took away the spiritual power he had cultivated with great effort.

Ancient clans that had survived to this day often intermarried to ensure their bloodlines continued, their descendants born with divine powers.

Even if not, they would seek the most promising young immortals in the celestial realms.

She still had some patience and interest in him now, but what about in the future? Would she treat him as a plaything for amusement?

The more Yan Chaosheng thought about it, the colder his heart grew, and he despised his earlier moment of foolishness.

He had come to Kongsang to learn the arts, aiming to ascend the path of immortality, no longer to be humiliated or caged, no longer to be judged and told that only his eyeballs were worth extracting for use in spiritual artifacts.

He couldn’t destroy himself, nor could he let a Chishui Liu shuang ruin him.

She had brought him to this state, disrupted all his plans, nearly causing him to lose everything before it even began.

Thus, he must sever ties completely and not harbor any further thoughts. Even if he had to interact with her, he must use her as a stepping stone to gain everything he could.

Yan Chaosheng opened his eyes, cold and resolute. Since he had realized it, he wouldn’t let the worst happen. It wasn’t too late; he hadn’t fallen too deep and had come to his senses in time.

The egg in his arms must also be discarded at the first opportunity. He couldn’t share his heart vein with a mysterious demon bird.

Just as he had decided on his path, the broken bridge before him collapsed with a thunderous roar.

Thick white mist rose from the mountain stream, and Liu shuang looked over.

“Shaoyou is still on the other side!”

The already dilapidated bridge vanished completely before their eyes. The Qing Wu caught Liu shuang’s skirt, preventing her from flying over to investigate. Soon, countless rocks rose from the mist, and someone walked back, stepping on the floating stones to create a path.

Yan Chaosheng narrowed his eyes, watching as JiMo Shaoyou emerged from the thick fog.

“Shaoyou, what happened?” Liu shuang asked.

Shaoyou had been distracted since returning, lost in thought.

“Did you see your mother?”

Shaoyou nodded, a faint sadness in his eyes, unwilling to speak more. After thousands of years of longing, he had finally fulfilled his wish, but he didn’t seem relieved or happy. Instead, he carried an indescribable weight.

Liu shuang didn’t press further. Why Shaoyou’s mother’s soul was eternally suppressed in the Ghost King’s tomb was something everyone had their own reasons not to speak of.

Before activating the Mirror of Eternity, she glanced at the massive Qing Wu: “What about it when we return?”

Shaoyou said, “The Qing Wu is an ancient demon bird. The celestial realm today won’t tolerate it.”

Bringing the Qing Wu back would only cause chaos and panic.

Liu shuang said, “We haven’t saved the egg yet.”

Would the Qing Wu, as a mother, be willing to leave with just an egg?

Yan Chaosheng threw the egg back into the Qing Wu’s embrace, coldly stating, “Returned to its rightful owner. Now we don’t need to consider it anymore.”

Liu shuang glared at him. Are you serious? This is your future right-hand man in your conquests as the Demon Lord. With a flap of its wings, the QingLuan could freeze a thousand miles. Isn’t there any mutual respect between a destined master and servant?

Clearly not. Yan Chaosheng heartlessly discarded the QingLuan. The Qing Wu protected the egg, blood tears streaming from its eyes again.

Liu shuang had read in ancient texts that ancient demon clans never cried easily. They were born without tears; once they shed tears, each drop was their heart’s blood.

Seeing Yan Chaosheng unwilling to help, Liu shuang could only ask, “Shaoyou, can you save its child?”

Shaoyou shook his head, “I’m afraid I can’t. Its heart vein has already disappeared. If it were just severely injured, it might be possible, but it has lost all vitality. I cannot bring it back to life.”

The Qing Wu understood their words, its cries growing more mournful and sorrowful.

Yan Chaosheng frowned and said to Liu shuang, “What are you waiting for, Young Master? Activate the Mirror of Eternity, let’s go back.”

We can’t go back. If we leave now, the QingLuan will die.

Before Liu shuang could think of a solution, a large bird head suddenly lowered in front of Yan Chaosheng. The Qing Wu prostrated itself before him, wings spread flat on the ground.

It let out mournful cries, blood tears falling into the soil at its feet. It plucked a feather and gently pushed both the feather and the lifeless QingLuan towards Yan Chaosheng.

Yan Chaosheng frowned, “Take it back. Don’t make me say it again. I can’t save it, giving it to me is useless.”

The Qing Wu let out a long cry and then dove down into the valley.

A towering flame rose, and the ancient demon bird Qing Wu gradually turned to ash before everyone’s eyes, finally condensing into a black and golden whip that flew into Yan Chaosheng’s hand.

The Qing Wu had sacrificed itself, transforming into a celestial artifact, pleading with Yan Chaosheng to save the QingLuan.

The whip was filled with malevolent energy, its demonic power surging. As it landed in Yan Chaosheng’s hand, it seemed to resonate with his will. The turbid energy dissipated, and the malevolent and demonic energies transformed into pure celestial power.

Yan Chaosheng was silent for a long time before bending down to pick up the egg and the colorful feather, tucking them into his embrace.

Seeing this, Liu shuang felt a mix of emotions, “Will you save its child?”

Yan Chaosheng sneered coldly, “It depends. Are you looking at me like that because you think I’m selfish, cruel, and only out for my own gain?”

Liu shuang hadn’t thought that. She herself couldn’t save the QingLuan, so she couldn’t force others to do so. That’s why when she had previously asked Yan Chaosheng for help, she had only offered to exchange her own spiritual power.

She shook her head, saying dejectedly, “No, I just feel sad.”

Thinking of the mortal mother who remembered her until her death, and the body she now inhabited, which had gained the memories of Madam Zi.

Perhaps all mothers in the world are this great, willing to give up everything for their children. The demon bird Qing Wu, on its deathbed, entrusted its child, showing deep parental love.

Yan Chaosheng remained silent.

Liu shuang said no more and activated the Mirror of Eternity. Shaoyou stopped her, “You’ve already overexerted yourself earlier, let me do it.”

Liu shuang didn’t insist. After all this, she was at the end of her strength and wasn’t confident she could take them back to Kunlun directly.

Shaoyou took the Mirror of Eternity, and soon, ripples of light appeared.

Liu shuang heard the young man beside her say coldly, “I’ll try my best to save it.”

She looked at him with joy, but Yan Chaosheng’s expression remained indifferent, “But I am indeed out for my own gain. If it weren’t for this celestial artifact, I wouldn’t even have glanced at it.”

Before she could say anything more, a flash of light indicated the Mirror of Eternity had been activated.

Liu shuang breathed a sigh of relief. They had finally returned safely. Shaoyou had met his mother and brought back the QingLuan. Unlike before, this time Shaoyou hadn’t lost his seven souls, and they were all safe.

When Liu shuang returned, it was already deep night in Kunlun. Without caring for anything else, she collapsed into sleep.

This trip to the Ghost Realm had been exhausting. Her soul had left and returned, and she had been chased by the HengGong fish. She slept like the dead, and when she woke up, Bai Zhuixu was before her.

He sighed, “Young Master, it’s been half a month. You’ve worried me greatly. Where have you and JiMo Shaoyou been? Why didn’t you tell anyone?”

Liu shuang sat up, “We’ve been gone for half a month?”

A carefree voice from the side chimed in, “Brother, you’ve scolded me for half a month. Now that she’s back safely, you won’t blame me anymore, right?”

Bai Zhuixu was furious, “You still dare to say that! How could you give the Mirror of Eternity to the Young Master! If it weren’t for your recklessness, the Young Master wouldn’t have been in danger.”

“Pfft, she asked for it herself. She’s bold enough to run off like that, why don’t you teach her properly?”

Bai Zhuixu turned to look at Liu shuang.

Having regained her original memories, Liu shuang felt an immense fondness for them. She said, “Bai Yuxiao isn’t lying. I begged him to lend it to me.”

Bai Yuxiao snorted, and Bai Zhuixu sighed deeply, saying gently, “Young Master, with your cultivation, activating the Mirror of Eternity is dangerous. You must never do this again.”

If he had scolded her like he did Bai Yuxiao, it would have been better. But his gentleness made Liu shuang feel embarrassed, and she thought of how he had worried for half a month. During that time, Bai Zhuixu must have searched heaven and earth for her.

Seeing the weariness on his face, Liu shuang quickly nodded obediently.

She didn’t regret not telling Bai Zhuixu. Given his nature, he would either forbid her from taking risks or insist on going with her. Considering how close they had come to death this time, relying on luck rather than strength, if Bai Zhuixu had gone, he might have perished there if luck wasn’t on their side.

“By the way, here’s the Mirror of Eternity.”

Liu shuang handed the Mirror of Eternity to Bai Yuxiao. The two Bai brothers’ eyes fell on the mirror, and they exchanged glances.

Bai Zhuixu frowned slightly, “Yuxiao, this mirror is clearly… you…”

Bai Yuxiao nearly jumped, “I… I didn’t mean it like that! Brother, don’t misunderstand.”

With that, he glared at Liu shuang, snatched the mirror, and bolted out the door as if someone were chasing him, not even bothering to argue about the fact that Liu shuang had borrowed it for more than a day.

Liu shuang asked curiously, “What’s wrong with him?”

Bai Zhuixu coughed lightly, “It’s nothing. Since the Young Master is awake, let’s go to the main hall of Kunlun. JiMo Shaoyou is waiting for you there.”

He paused, a smile finally appearing in his eyes, “Although I don’t know what the Young Master has been doing these past days, since JiMo Shaoyou is willing to lend the Shennong Cauldron, the Young Master has contributed greatly. I was mistaken before; the Young Master has grown up and can now stand on her own.”

Liu shuang also smiled softly, “Thank you, Brother Zhuixu.”

Bai Zhuixu was taken aback, “Why say that all of a sudden?” Before, she had said that once she grew up, she wouldn’t call him Brother Zhuixu anymore.

Liu shuang said seriously, “In my heart, you’ve always been like an elder brother to me. For three hundred years, thank you for your patience and tolerance.” These were words the original owner had always wanted to say to Bai Zhuixu but had never voiced.

The original owner lacked a soul. Apart from Madam Zi, only Bai Zhuixu had treated her the best, with the most patience. In Kongsang, only Bai Zhuixu truly respected her as the Young Master.

Bai Zhuixu’s eyes warmed, “The Young Master deserves the best treatment in the world.”

In the hall where the Shennong Cauldron was placed, many people had already gathered. Liu shuang immediately saw Shaoyou sitting cross-legged in the center of the Bagua formation.

After bathing and burning incense, he wore a long white robe. In the other seven positions, seven immortal elders also sat cross-legged.

Their gazes at Liu shuang were not friendly, including Wo Jiang.

Shaoyou said to Liu shuang, “Sit in the Qian position. We’ll activate the Shennong Cauldron to extract the Illusory Pearl from your body.”

Liu shuang bowed to everyone, “Thank you, esteemed elders.” She took her seat as instructed.

An old man beside Shaoyou glared, “Only the Young Master is magnanimous enough to forgive past grievances and lend the divine artifact.”

Shaoyou smiled wryly, “Thank you, Elder Ciwei.”

Liu shuang obediently followed, “Thank you, Elder Ciwei, thank you all, esteemed elders.”

Her polite and obedient demeanor made it hard for Ciwei to say more. He snorted and closed his eyes. Shaoyou gave Liu shuang a reassuring look, “Don’t be afraid. Protect your heart vein and follow my instructions.”

Liu shuang nodded.

Under the Bagua formation, the ground shook, and the golden Shennong Cauldron rotated into view. Shaoyou and the elders formed the array, and white light rippled out in circles. The five elements operated, and Shaoyou guided the cauldron’s power to Liu shuang. She felt as if she were inside a blazing cauldron, quite uncomfortable.

Shaoyou said, “Endure it.”

Liu shuang didn’t make a sound. She could bear this discomfort. Something was circulating within her body as the cauldron’s power repeatedly purified her body and meridians.

Soon, golden mist emanated from her body, condensing into a golden pearl that floated in the air.

Everyone retracted their hands, and Shaoyou opened his eyes, catching the Illusory Pearl and handing it to Liu shuang.

“Young Master Chishui, it’s out.”

Liu shuang was also delighted. After all this trouble, she could finally return and complete her task. Although she hadn’t been particularly concerned about her appearance before, women always care about beauty. She was curious about what the original owner looked like.

She put away the Illusory Pearl and removed her veil, conjuring a water mirror to look at herself.

In the mirror, she saw a face that was all too familiar.

Eyes like spring water, peach cheeks, and apricot eyes, a beauty beyond compare. Liu shuang was stunned. The original owner looked exactly like her!

She put down the water mirror in shock, only to see eight pairs of eyes in the hall, even more astonished, all staring at her.

Elder Ciwei, who had been ready to scold her earlier, was dumbfounded, “You… you…”

Wo Jiang murmured, “So the old man Chishui wasn’t lying.”

The other elders looked at Liu shuang, then at Shaoyou, their expressions subtle. The Young Master of Chishui had been confined in Kongsang for three hundred years, so no one had seen her true appearance.

Previously, when Chishui Chong came to propose a marriage alliance, he said his daughter was beautiful, but the entire Kunlun saw Chishui Liu shuang as ugly and rude.

At the time, everyone thought Chishui Chong was lying to deceive their Young Master. Now that her true appearance was revealed, they realized Chishui Chong wasn’t boasting; he was being modest! This beauty wasn’t just “not bad”; it was so stunning that looking at her a few more times might set an old house on fire!

Shaoyou met Liu shuang’s gaze and smiled, “Congratulations.”

Liu shuang smiled sweetly, “Thank you, Shaoyou.” If it weren’t for Shaoyou standing up to everyone and activating the Shennong Cauldron for her, she wouldn’t have regained her true appearance.

Shaoyou’s expression remained as calm as water. Compared to the shocked old men in the room, it seemed nothing could faze him.

But Liu shuang noticed the faint blush starting to creep up his ears.

Before the blush could spread to his cheeks, Shaoyou sighed helplessly, “Fairy, please return to rest. We need to reseal the Shennong Cauldron.”