Spirit Mountain
Heavy snow blanketed everything, the heavens and earth an expanse of vast whiteness.
Outside the sleeping hall of the Immortal Realm Supreme on the highest peak, even the palace roofs were sealed with a layer of frost. The courtyard paths that usually carried warm air were also shrouded in morning mist. This was a sight not seen in a hundred years. The young attendants exchanged glances with one another.
Ever since the immortal grass arrived, Spirit Mountain had not been this icy for a long time.
And now, this scene, without the need for words, already conveyed that the master’s mood was extremely poor.
In the past, the Immortal Venerable had always been known for his refined demeanor and good temper, but now, even without having erupted in anger, he made people uneasy. A young attendant said respectfully, “Immortal Venerable, the search warrant has already been issued.”
Fu Changhuan sat by the window. A pot of tea before him gently emitted steam. His brows and eyes were calm: “When this Venerable was in seclusion, you guarded outside. Was there any abnormal movement on Spirit Mountain that day?”
The young attendant immediately knelt down: “Replying to the Immortal Venerable, when you were in seclusion, Wanmie Mountain suddenly became active. That ancient divine mountain seals the three energies of heaven and earth. When it suddenly stirred, spiritual energy between heaven and earth became chaotic and surged, and our Spirit Mountain was also affected. At that time, we were worried it would disturb your cultivation in seclusion, so we joined forces to protect you and stabilize the formation. But this disciple can guarantee that absolutely no one came out from inside!”
The immortal grass suddenly shattered and transformed, yet disappeared without a trace.
By rights, although the loss of an immortal grass was a serious matter, the Immortal Venerable’s temperament over millions of years had been as calm as water. They had thought it would not have too great an impact. Yet they had not expected that yesterday afternoon, a Three Realms search warrant would be issued.
The young attendant said, “Immortal Venerable, we have investigated and learned that the Demon Realm also seems to have issued a search warrant. They are also looking for the whereabouts of an immortal grass. How is it that just as our immortal grass was lost, they too issued a search warrant? Could there be something suspicious about this?”
Fu Changhuan’s hand holding the teacup paused slightly. Outside the window, snow rustled as it fell, blowing onto the window ledge where green plants had originally been placed.
A long while passed.
“The immortal grass was brought back by this one from Wanmie Mountain, and it has countless connections to Wanmie Mountain.” Fu Changhuan said softly, “The demon clan may have learned something.”
The young attendant was astonished. It was said that Wanmie Mountain was an ancient divine mountain where not a blade of grass had grown for hundreds of millions of years. Then this immortal grass was indeed very special.
No wonder the Immortal Venerable valued it so highly.
The young attendant hurriedly said, “Now, after receiving the search warrant, the peak masters of several peaks are all searching for the whereabouts of the immortal grass for you.”
The cup in Fu Changhuan’s hand was set down: “Mm. You are to instruct them that searching for the immortal grass is of great importance to this Venerable, but they must not disturb others because of it. Everything must be done discreetly and according to the rules. Do not implicate the innocent, and even more so, do not harm it.”
The young attendant ultimately couldn’t help saying, “The Immortal Venerable is truly extremely kind to the immortal grass.”
The room was utterly calm.
Fu Changhuan’s voice fell like snow: “It was, after all, personally raised by this Venerable. To this Venerable, it is naturally different.”
***
Demon Realm
Wanjie Mountain.
At the highest peak of the mountain, the bronze bells of the Demon Realm’s grand hall swayed with the wind; the four dragon pillars made the hall austere and imposing.
Below the hall knelt a row of people.
The man in black shadow robes half-knelt in the hall and said, “This subordinate deserves death. During Your Excellency’s seclusion, you were disturbed, please punish me, Your Excellency!”
The stone tiles rose step by step upward. On the throne at the highest point sat a man in dark robes. Ye Jisheng’s pale, slender hand propped his forehead with one hand; ink-black long hair draped over his shoulders. His tall frame exuded an imposing pressure that commanded awe without anger. Hearing this, he said, “This Venerable does not mind being disturbed during seclusion.”
The man in black shadow robes hesitated. “Then, Your Excellency…”
Ye Jisheng finally opened his eyes. His red pupils carried a chill; the corners of his lips curved into a smile, yet there was not the slightest hint of mirth in his eyes. “This Venerable merely secluded myself for one day, and the immortal grass in the grand hall vanished without a trace. With the entire Wanjie Mountain under strict guard, you still managed to lose a single blade of grass with only a hundred years of cultivation?”
An enormous pressure suddenly descended, pressing the guards until they nearly sprawled on the ground.
The wrath of a Demon God was not something ordinary people could withstand. Beads of sweat slid down their backs.
The High Priest spoke from the side, “Your Excellency, this old minister believes that yesterday Wanmie Mountain was restless, and the entire demon race was greatly affected. The immortal grass may also have been affected and thus went missing. Today, after you issued the search order, the three realms above and below will surely take action. It’s just that this old minister has heard the Immortal Realm seems to have issued a search order as well, and also appears to be looking for the immortal grass…”
He had thought the Demon God would show at least some reaction.
Ye Jisheng raised an eyebrow and said, “So?”
High Priest: “……”
The mercurial Demon God was never someone whose intentions he could fathom.
With no other choice, the High Priest could only bend at the waist and say respectfully, “Your Excellency, we do not know what the immortal clan intends. That Fu Changhuan is scheming and cunning; this old minister only fears this is one of his tricks…”
A cold laugh rang out in the grand hall.
Ye Jisheng straightened his posture slightly and finally opened his eyes properly to look at the priest, speaking slowly, “And so what?”
The High Priest’s words caught in his throat.
There was contempt and arrogance in Ye Jisheng’s eyes, as if he had heard some colossal joke. He was the only divine body in the world; even with only half his strength, he still had no equal in the three realms. The person seated upon the throne spoke calmly, his tone light and indifferent: “Three days.”
The High Priest was somewhat dazed. “What three days?”
“This Venerable gives you three days. Even if you have to dig three feet into the ground within the Demon City, you must find this Venerable’s grass. If you cannot.” Ye Jisheng’s voice gradually turned cold, his lips curling. “Three days later, I will personally descend the mountain.”
In broad daylight, the High Priest suddenly shuddered with a chill.
He suddenly felt a bit sorry for that little grass. Really, of all the people you shouldn’t offend, yet it had to offend these two gods…
***
Tianshui City
The city was brightly lit.
Surrounded by a crowd, Jian Zhen felt tremendous pressure; sweat gathered in his palms. Just as he was steeling himself to admit it,
Yu stepped forward and walked to stand before Jian Zhen. “Aren’t you all about done already? Brother Jian, how could he possibly be that immortal grass on the wanted notice? If he were, how could he be covered in injuries and lying in the woods? Do you think the Venerables of the Immortal and Demon clans would so easily dual-cultivate with someone?”
Everyone wore expressions of sudden realization.
Yu turned around and smiled at him. “It’s fine, don’t worry. I believe you!”
Jian Zhen: “……”
For a moment, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
But Yu’s words more or less saved him.
After the crisis was resolved, everyone began looking for an inn where they could rest. Everyone there had more or less some spirit stones to use as currency, only Jian Zhen was penniless, and he even had no concept of money at all.
Wang Can said, “No way, are you really that poor?”
Jian Zhen felt a bit embarrassed. He couldn’t exactly say that for the past hundred years, he had never worried about money, could he?
Wang Can looked at Jian Zhen’s fair, tender little face, so fair it seemed to glow even under the lights, and suddenly felt a stir of interest. “Fine then, how about you come with us, ”
Yu came up from behind and stood in front of Jian Zhen. “You and your younger brother already have one room between the two of you, it’s crowded enough. I’m alone. Let Brother Jian share a room with me. Laying out a floor mat or something won’t be a problem. We’ve been running around all day; everyone’s tired. Let’s eat something first, shall we?”
Wang Can’s plan fell through. He snorted lightly. “Do whatever you want.”
Downstairs at this inn was the dining area.
When it came time to order, seeing the dishes on the menu made Jian Zhen swallow involuntarily, a bit disgracefully. For the past hundred years, he had been drinking dew every day; the life he’d lived was even more miserable than that of an ascetic!
But…
No money…
Jian Zhen hesitated and put the menu down.
Seeing this, Yu smiled and said, “It’s fine. I brought some money with me when I left home. You can order whatever you want to eat.”
Jian Zhen’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
Those sparkling eyes looked just like little stars, well-behaved and adorable.
Yu froze for a moment, then smiled. “Mm!”
Jian Zhen’s brows and eyes curved. “Then when I have money in the future, I’ll pay you back.”
Watching him seriously study the menu again, Yu was a bit lost in thought. How could there be such a person in this world, clearly inexperienced, yet polite and sensible; clearly possessing nothing, yet unwilling to take even the slightest advantage. Clean and pure, one look and you could tell he was a child raised very well. If not because someone’s family had lost him, perhaps they would never have had the chance to meet him in their entire lives.
Jian Zhen finished ordering and handed it to him.
Yu glanced at the menu and smiled. “Stir-fried pork?”
Jian Zhen nodded quickly, a bit embarrassed and even a little apprehensive. “Is that okay?”
He’d eaten vegetarian for half a year, he really wanted to eat something else.
A grass that doesn’t want to eat meat isn’t good grass!
Yu had thought he’d order something expensive; at this moment, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Of course!”
This was the largest inn in Tianshui City, so naturally there was no shortage of delicacies. Wang Can and the others also ordered quite a bit, but when the dishes were served, Jian Zhen’s eyes still held only that one dish of braised pork.
Yu placed the dish in front of him: “Try it.”
Jian Zhen picked up a piece with his chopsticks and carefully put it into his mouth. His eyes instantly lit up, the crispy yet tender texture released a lingering fragrance the moment it entered his mouth. This wasn’t sweet, dry dew, but real, solid meat!!
Yu laughed. “Is it that good?”
Jian Zhen’s eyes were even a little moist. His wet, glistening gaze was like that of a well-behaved little pet as he nodded. “Mm!!”
Yu’s fingers curled slightly. He suddenly grew curious. “Brother Jian.”
Jian Zhen chewed the food in his mouth. “Mm?”
“Well…” Yu scratched his head, his somewhat simple, honest face carrying a hint of puzzlement. “What is your original form, anyway?”
Jian Zhen froze.
Seeing that he had stopped moving, Yu hurriedly said, “I don’t mean anything else. It’s just that as a member of the yao clan, I can tell you seem to be a plant-type spirit, but all the plant-type spirits I know don’t eat meat, so I was curious what you are… what kind…”
The piece of meat in Jian Zhen’s mouth suddenly got stuck halfway. He couldn’t very well say he was just greedy, could he?
But saying immortal grass would expose him.
The people at the table unconsciously all turned their gazes toward him. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Jian Zhen hesitated. “I… I am plant-type, that’s right. As for eating meat… it’s because I am… I, um…”
He racked his brains and finally thought of a meat-eating plant.
A flash of inspiration struck Jian Zhen. He clapped his hands. “Because my original form is a overlord flower!”
“……”
The entire table fell into silence.
