After Running Away Pregnant, I Ended Up on the Wanted Lists of Both the Demon Venerable and the Immortal Venerable Chapter 35

Seeing that his complexion was off, Fu Changhuan asked, “What’s wrong?”

Jian Zhen hesitated for a moment, covered the area over his heart, and said honestly, “I don’t know why, but my heart was beating very fast just now.”

Fu Changhuan’s gaze grew much deeper as he looked at him. In the heavy night, his eyes were as profound as a pool of ink, within which gathered something Jian Zhen could not see through, nor disperse, a fog.

Jian Zhen hesitated a little and said, “Immortal Venerable, what’s wrong with you?”

Fu Changhuan suddenly came back to himself. He gently shook his head and asked, “Is there any other discomfort?”

Jian Zhen lowered his hand from his chest and said, “No.”

It was just still a bit strange.

Fu Changhuan then said, “Your divine soul is unstable now, so occasional palpitations and restlessness are normal. It seems that tomorrow you should make a trip to the Wenjun Platform.”

Jian Zhen asked him, “What kind of place is the Wenjun Platform?”

Fu Changhuan walked to the cloud-silk couch by the window and sat down. Even wearing only inner garments, his posture was still elegant. His ink-black hair was draped behind him, his expression calm as he said, “That was the platform of Soul Transformation when the Grandmaster Ancestor fell. The Grandmaster Ancestor was the God of All Things, in charge of the growth of grass and trees and the spiritual energy of mountains and rivers. After his fall, the Wenjun Platform became the holy land of the Immortal Clan.”

Jian Zhen said, “Can gods die too?”

In his subconscious, once one had become a god, it meant eternal life and indestructibility.

Fu Changhuan raised his head to look at him and said, “Gods do not die, but gods have tribulations. If they fail to pass the tribulation, there is the chance of falling.”

In Jian Zhen’s mind, however, the figure of Ye Jisheng suddenly appeared. If gods could also die, if gods also had tribulations, then didn’t that mean that Ye Jisheng was also in danger?

Since he had thought of it, Jian Zhen asked seriously, “Immortal Venerable, is it easy for gods to undergo tribulation?”

Fu Changhuan smiled and said, “With every tribulation a god passes through, their power increases. But since it is a heavenly tribulation, how could it be easy?”

Jian Zhen naturally asked, “Then did Ye Jisheng pass through a tribulation?”

Fu Changhuan paused for a moment and did not deny it. “Yes. If there is no mistake, when Ye Jisheng passed through the Soul-Transformation stage ten million years ago, he had already passed through a tribulation.”

Jian Zhen analyzed it himself. “His tribulation, could it have been the God-Sealing Grand Array?”

According to the rumors of the Three Realms and what everyone said, it was the God-Sealing Grand Formation of Wanmie Mountain that sealed half of his power, so the tribulation must surely have been this array, right?

Fu Changhuan did not immediately nod. He said, “For each person, their tribulation is different.”

Jian Zhen did not understand. “Hm?”

Fu Changhuan looked at the well-behaved youth sitting on the chair under the lamplight and said in a low voice, “Each person’s tribulation, aside from the life-and-death tribulation of heavenly thunder arrays, the heart tribulation is the hardest to overcome. Thus, most disciples of the Immortal Clan cultivate the Path of Emotionless, discarding all distracting thoughts and bonds in their hearts. Only then can they pass the heart tribulation, and only then can they obtain great power.”

Jian Zhen asked, “Is the Immortal Venerable on the Path of Emotionless?”

Fu Changhuan paused, then nodded. “Mm.”

Jian Zhen smiled and said, “The Immortal Venerable really doesn’t seem like it.”

If others were to hear this, they would naturally think it was outrageous talk.

Within the Three Realms, if the Demon Venerable was known for being suspicious and frequently going mad, then the Immortal Venerable was the very embodiment of being without emotion or desire.

The leader of the righteous path, elegant and pure, like the moon, like dust.

Fu Changhuan lowered his gaze to look at him. On his cool, aloof face appeared a faint trace of a smile. He said, “In the past, I cultivated the Path of Emotionless. Now, I do not.”

Jian Zhen was stunned. “Why?”

Fu Changhuan’s smile faded slightly, yet he was composed and magnanimous. He said, “Perhaps because I am not suited for it.”

Jian Zhen did not understand and could not comprehend why one could cultivate it before but not now. Could cultivation of the Path of Emotionless be changed midway? He had not expected it to be rather humane.

The little attendant came in from outside. “Immortal Venerable, your clothes.”

Fu Changhuan said, “Bring them.”

The little attendant placed the clean robe by the soft couch and then left. Fu Changhuan went behind the screen to change clothes, while Jian Zhen obediently drank jade dew by himself. When heaven and earth are vast, the belly is the greatest.

After drinking his fill, he grew a little drowsy.

Jian Zhen quietly let out a small yawn.

Fu Changhuan came out from behind and looked at him, saying, “Since you are sleepy, rest early. I will be in the main hall next door. If anything happens, call for me.”

Jian Zhen nodded and said, “Thank you, Immortal Venerable.”

Fu Changhuan said to him, “You’re thanking me again?”

Jian Zhen covered his lips and smiled with a bit of embarrassment. “I won’t say it anymore.”

Only then did Fu Changhuan nod, speak, and step away.

In an instant, only Jian Zhen remained in the hall. Outside, snow was falling; inside, it was utterly quiet. Suddenly being like this was indeed a bit hard to get used to. Jian Zhen lay on the soft couch, looking at the ceiling beams, and suddenly missed his soft cloud bed, and the occasional bird calls outside the Demon Clan hall, and that person who always told him scary bedtime stories.

If Ye Jisheng knew, he would probably laugh at him again.

With Jian Zhen thinking in a jumble like this, drowsiness welled up, and he truly fell asleep in a muddled way.

The next day, he awoke from sleep to bright daylight.

This night’s sleep had not been very steady. He dreamed again, dreaming of a youth wearing an Immortal Clan disciple’s robe, kneeling in the snow pleading for someone. Heavy snow covered his body, making him look desolate and pitiful.

Then Jian Zhen was also awakened by the cold.

At the moment of waking, he was actually still a bit dazed, not fully detached from the dream.

The temperature inside the room, due to the array, was actually not that cold. Jian Zhen rubbed his eyes, looked at the slowly rising sun outside, and his thoughts gradually returned.

He got up from the bed.

Jian Zhen dressed and walked outside into the courtyard.

When the little attendant saw him, he set down the broom. “The honored guest is awake. Have you used the immortal dew on the table?”

Jian Zhen replied, “I have.”

The little attendant then bent and saluted. “The Immortal Venerable instructed that if you wake, you may go to the main hall to find him. Today he will take you to the Wenjun Platform.”

Jian Zhen: “Okay, thank you.”

Yesterday he had already corrected the little attendant’s form of address, but the other party seemed unwilling to overstep, so he could not insist.

Jian Zhen slowly passed through the corridor and finally found the main hall of the Wangyou Palace. Upon entering, he saw Fu Changhuan sitting at a pear-wood table, several folded booklets piled atop it.

Seeing him enter, Fu Changhuan put down the booklets and said, “Awake?”

Jian Zhen nodded.

Fu Changhuan then stood and said, “Let’s go.”

Jian Zhen followed him outside. He had thought the Wenjun Platform would be nearby, but Fu Changhuan’s immortal crane was stopped not far away. The two sat together on the crane and flew toward the side peak of Spirit Mountain. When passing over the forbidden seal, one could only feel a ripple, as soft as watery light sweeping over the whole body.

Upon entering the side peak, heavy snow covered the entire mountain.

Wrapped in silver, the terrain could not be seen clearly, only a vast expanse of white.

Fu Changhuan said, “This is Wenjun Platform.”

Jian Zhen said, “Why is it so desolate here?”

“The ancestor fell here. The grass and trees here were tainted by his power and thus are no longer affected by any arrays. Apart from the Grandmaster Ancestor, they will never awaken again,” Fu Changhuan said. “Let’s go.”

Jian Zhen followed him up the steps at a slow pace.

At the highest point, Fu Changhuan waved his hand. All things between heaven and earth seemed to gather around him. The snowflakes on the platform were blown away, revealing the original ground. Those floors carved with ancient patterns suddenly shone with golden light.

Fu Changhuan’s hair was blown, his posture straight. He turned his head slightly to Jian Zhen and said, “Stand in the center.”

Jian Zhen obediently nodded and walked over.

The moment his footsteps stepped onto the Wenjun Platform, everything around seemed to fall silent in an instant, as if even the surrounding wind had been cut off. Golden light slowly wound up from beneath his feet, wrapping around his entire body. The light of the Wenjun Platform soared skyward, and along with it came what seemed like countless voices ringing by Jian Zhen’s ears, voices from the illusory heavens, falling like shadows following form:

“Wusheng, this name doesn’t sound nice.”

“With me here, no one will dare bully you.”

“Your eyes are really beautiful, like gemstones.”

Step by step.

All kinds of noisy voices from the distant heavens entered Jian Zhen’s ears.

“My senior brother is very capable, he will definitely cure my illness.”

“Then it’s settled, when I get better, you’ll come pick me up.”

“I still have so many things I want to say to you.”

“If there is a next life… I want…”

Countless voices surged in almost instantly. Jian Zhen’s head ached as if splitting apart, his soul seeming to be pulled again and again, shattered and then reassembled, like a sharp hammer striking his heart. The pain was so great that he nearly fainted.

Just when the pain was unbearable…

Suddenly…

Heaven and earth abruptly fell silent, the voices disappeared, and the pain vanished as well.

Jian Zhen gasped violently. When he opened his eyes, he saw, at the very edge of the Wenjun Platform, a figure standing there. That figure was dressed in a golden robe, appearing sacred and tall. The noon sunlight fell upon him, as though a deity had descended.

For no clear reason, Jian Zhen lost his strength and knelt on the ground. He raised his head and looked at the person in the distance.

Hearing the movement, the person at the cliff’s edge slowly turned around. Backlit by the light, Jian Zhen could not see his face clearly, yet he had an instinctive feeling that the other party bore no ill will toward him, but instead carried a gentle and friendly goodwill.

A clear, serene voice fell: “It’s been a long time.”

Jian Zhen was stunned.

The man smiled and said, “Is this world fun? Has it let you enjoy yourself?”

Jian Zhen asked somewhat doubtfully, “Who are you?”

“Me?” The man in the golden robe smiled and said, “I can barely be counted as an old acquaintance of yours.”

Jian Zhen said instinctively, “But I don’t seem to know you.”

The hem of the golden-robed man’s garment was lifted by the mountain wind. His voice was distant, yet laden with meaning: “In this world, some people seem like first-time acquaintances, yet may have been deeply connected for a long time; some live together day and night, yet are still separated by thousands upon thousands of miles. How can you be certain that you do not know me?”

Jian Zhen said, “Then why do I have no impression of you at all?”

The man in the golden robe smiled and said, “You don’t remember, perhaps because this is not something important, and important things, no matter how long it takes, will certainly be remembered.”

Jian Zhen half understood, half did not.

The man in the golden robe seemed not inclined to say more. He said, “Your body seems to have some problems?”

Jian Zhen lightly nodded. “Mm, my divine soul is unstable.”

The man in the golden robe wanted to approach, but a faint red light appeared at Jian Zhen’s wrist. He paused, then chuckled softly and said, “Timing and fate, so it truly is him?”

Jian Zhen was puzzled. “What are you talking about?”

“Nothing.” The man in the golden robe raised his hand, and a shimmering green light fell from afar into the center of Jian Zhen’s brows. He said, “Close your eyes.”

Jian Zhen only felt a cool gentleness enter his body, making his whole self relax considerably. His hands and feet, which had been somewhat cold, also warmed up, and his entire being felt comfortable, inside and out.

When he opened his eyes again, the figure of the man in the golden robe had already grown faint. He smiled and said, “Is it a bit better?”

Jian Zhen hurriedly said, “Many thanks, Senior.”

The man in the golden robe waved his hand. “This is merely a wisp of my remnant soul. You once had a connection with me; meeting again today is also the will of heaven. There is no need for thanks.”

Jian Zhen looked at his dispersing figure and said, “Senior, may I ask you to leave your name?”

A light laugh fell all around.

The man in the golden robe said, “When the time comes, you will naturally remember. Since you have already entered the world now, why not properly enjoy the present? After all, this is what you painstakingly begged this old man for…”

Before the words finished, he dissipated.

Jian Zhen did not hear everything clearly. Just as he was about to ask again, the surroundings suddenly flared with brilliant light, rippling outward like a wisp of mist.

The ice and snow of the mountain peak melted away.

Lush green spiritual energy swirled through heaven and earth. With the person at the center of the Wenjun Platform as the circle, verdant plants gently sprouted from the soil, as if after tens of millions of years, sunlight had finally fallen upon this land.

“Junior Brother!”

Jian Zhen heard someone shout something. In a daze, he raised his head and saw a white figure rushing over.

Fu Changhuan grasped his arm tightly and asked, “Are you all right?”

Jian Zhen’s heart slowly settled back down. He shook his head, then lowered his gaze to look at the Immortal Venerable and said, “Immortal Venerable, what did you just call me?”

Fu Changhuan paused, then gently smiled and said, “This Venerable was asking whether you were all right.”

Jian Zhen replied, “When I first entered the array, I heard many chaotic voices. Later it felt very painful, and then I met a person. He gave me a bit of spiritual power, and now I’m no longer in pain.”

Fu Changhuan said, “The person you encountered, was he wearing a golden robe, very tall and kindly?”

Jian Zhen was astonished. “Senior Brother knows?”

“Mm.” Fu Changhuan looked at the flourishing grass and trees around them and said, “That person may be our Immortal Clan’s Grandmaster Ancestor, the God of Vegetation.”

Jian Zhen couldn’t help asking, “Why would he help me?”

Fu Changhuan’s brows and eyes softened considerably. He said, “Perhaps you have an affinity with the Grandmaster Ancestor.”

Jian Zhen also remembered that the man had mentioned something about affinity, so he no longer questioned it. After all, many people in this world have very eccentric temperaments; probing further would have no meaning.

Fu Changhuan supported him as he stood and said, “I will take you back to rest.”

Jian Zhen truly was a bit tired.

After experiencing such an ordeal, the little grass, exhausted in both body and mind, did not refuse the Immortal Venerable’s kindness again. After returning to Wangyou Palace, he went straight to sleep.

This sleep lasted a long time.

When he woke again, it seemed as though several days and nights had already passed in the mountains.

When Jian Zhen came down from the couch again, the little attendant sweeping outside said, “The honored guest has finally awakened.”

Jian Zhen asked, “May I ask how long I slept?”

The little attendant replied, “Five days.”

Jian Zhen hadn’t expected that this sleep of his would actually last so long.

Just as he was thinking, the courtyard gate not far away opened, and Fu Changhuan’s figure appeared. When the man looked over and saw Jian Zhen standing in the courtyard, a look of joy also appeared on his face. He said, “You’re awake?”

Jian Zhen obediently nodded and said, “Mm.”

Fu Changhuan stepped over and said, “You’ve been lying down for so long, do you feel any discomfort?”

“Not really.” Jian Zhen moved his limbs about. He subconsciously touched his stomach, then swung his arms and said, “I just feel like sleeping made my limbs a bit stiff.”

Fu Changhuan then said, “I happen to be going down the mountain. How about I take you to stroll around Spirit Peak.”

Jian Zhen asked curiously, “That is?”

The little attendant explained from the side, “Spirit Mountain has nine peaks; Spirit Peak is one of them. It’s mainly where the entry disciples live, and the scenery is also quite nice.”

Jian Zhen guessed it was probably the place they had seen while riding the white crane: “Okay.”

Fu Changhuan then said to the little attendant, “Stay here and keep watch.”

The little attendant answered in acknowledgment.

Fu Changhuan and Jian Zhen went down the mountain peak together. For the first time seeing the pavilions where the Spirit Peak disciples lived, the disciples coming and going all stopped to salute when they saw the Immortal Venerable’s mount, and their gazes would also, intentionally or not, fall upon Jian Zhen.

Jian Zhen felt somewhat unaccustomed.

Fu Changhuan then handed him a token: “This token is this Venerable’s personal pendant. With this token, you may pass unimpeded throughout Spirit Mountain.”

Jian Zhen subconsciously wanted to refuse.

Fu Changhuan said, “This Venerable needs to go speak with the Peak Master of Spirit Peak about some matters. You may walk around nearby. Only with this token can I be at ease.”

Only then did Jian Zhen accept it: “Alright, got it.”

Fu Changhuan said to him, “Don’t go far. This Venerable will be back soon.”

Jian Zhen nodded, very well-behaved.

After Fu Changhuan left, Jian Zhen looked around at the snowy mountains. There should have been formations set up between these halls; there was no accumulated snow, the roads were clean, and the surrounding gardens were planted with some flowers and grasses, lush and verdant, exceptionally pleasing to the eye. Having slept for a long time and needing to move about, the little grass stepped onto the small path. Many things of the Immortal Clan were extremely exquisite.

The glowing luminescent flowers by the roadside swayed cutely with the wind.

Jian Zhen had just wanted to move closer to take a look when he suddenly heard people talking behind a rockery.

The attendant said, “Princess, we’ve come to Spirit Mountain without authorization. If the Immortal Venerable finds out, he’ll definitely be displeased.”

The princess said, “What’s there to be afraid of? Is Immortal Lord Wangyou the sort who gets angry easily?”

“But the Immortal Venerable’s Wangyou Palace does not allow outsiders to enter without summons.” The attendant racked his brains to persuade her. “Even if we come, there’s an eighty percent chance we won’t even see the Immortal Lord.”

The princess said proudly, “Some days ago, Wenjun Platform showed abnormalities. Some days ago I secretly spread word of it to the outside world, causing the Three Realms to discuss it fervently. The Immortal Venerable will naturally summon several Peak Masters. When the time comes, I’ll just follow along.”

The attendant said, “But what they’re discussing are major matters…”

The princess said sternly, “What major matters? I already inquired. Not long ago at the Demon Clan’s celebration, someone saw the Immortal Venerable take a youth away, and he even kept him in Wangyou Palace. That alone would be one thing, but now the Immortal Venerable even used Wenjun Platform for that boy. He has never treated anyone this well before, if this isn’t private affection, then what is?”

The attendant had no words.

The princess snorted coldly. “I want to see just what that little vixen looks like!”

As soon as the words fell, a faint sound came from the corner of the garden.

The attendant said alertly, “Who’s there, come out!”

The princess directly smashed the teacup on the table and threw it out. “How dare you! Which disciple dares to eavesdrop on this princess’s words, are you tired of living?!”

The words fell.

The master and servant then saw a youth wearing light green clothes walk out from the garden corner. He had a white cloak draped over him, looked round and cute, with a pair of jet-black, clear eyes, slowly walking over.

The princess said, “Who are you?”

Jian Zhen replied, “Oh, I’m the one you were just talking about, the little vixen the Immortal Venerable brought back from the Demon Clan.”

The air fell silent for a moment.

The princess laughed angrily. “You admit it?”

Jian Zhen said calmly, “Whether I admit it or not, what difference does it make? When I didn’t admit it, didn’t you still call me that?”

The princess clenched her hand and glared at him. “Sharp-tongued. You must have said quite a bit of sweet talk to coax the Immortal Venerable into bringing you to Spirit Mountain, right?”

Jian Zhen’s eyelashes trembled slightly. Instead of answering, he asked, “And you, how did you come here?”

The princess choked.

She, she had snuck in!

Compared to Jian Zhen, at least being personally brought back by the Immortal Venerable, she suddenly seemed to have fallen to a disadvantage!

The princess said angrily, “What do you mean? Are you looking down on this princess?”

Jian Zhen replied, “I’m not looking down on anyone. Making a judgment about a person without cause is not the conduct of a gentleman. I wouldn’t do that.”

The princess slapped the table. “Are you saying this princess is a petty person? How did someone like you sneak into the Immortal Mountain? People of the Demon Clan are just unpresentable, there isn’t a single good one among them!”

Jian Zhen fell silent for a moment.

The princess found it somewhat strange. When she had spoken about him earlier, he hadn’t reacted much at all, but when she mentioned the Demon Clan, the youth’s expression darkened slightly.

Just as she was thinking, Jian Zhen raised his head, his voice clear and ringing: “First of all, I’m not of the Demon Clan, I’m of the Yao Clan. If you say I’m unpresentable, then those of my clan, including you, are the same.”

The princess was dumbfounded.

Jian Zhen turned to leave.

The princess hurriedly called out to stop him. “Where are you going?”

Jian Zhen turned back and said, “If you think someone like me isn’t suitable to stay on Spirit Mountain, then I’ll go back and tell the Immortal Venerable and have him send me away.”

After saying that, he was about to leave.

The princess panicked. “You, you, what are you doing? I just said a few words about you and you’re going to go complain?”

Jian Zhen reasoned with her: “I’m not tattling. Isn’t it that you don’t like me? Then why is it that when I want to leave, you won’t allow it?”

“It’s not that I won’t allow it!” The princess was about to be driven to death with anger. She had never felt this stifled in all her life, and in her agitation her words even became somewhat incoherent. “If you go, the Immortal Venerable will definitely think it was because I spoke ill of you that you wanted to leave, and he’ll definitely be angry with me!”

Jian Zhen said, “Isn’t that the case?”

Princess: “……”

The attendant behind them couldn’t help almost laughing out loud. It was rare to see the princess come out the loser.

The princess had no way to deal with Jian Zhen, so she could only put her hands on her hips and say, “Since you’re of the Yao Clan, then you have to listen to this princess’s orders. You’re not allowed to go!”

Jian Zhen: “I won’t listen.”

The princess was dumbfounded. She said, “Why?”

“Because what you’re saying doesn’t make sense.” Jian Zhen’s clear eyes looked at her as he spoke. “If you want others to listen to you, you have to convince them with reason.”

The princess was choked up. No one had ever said such things to her before; for a moment she didn’t know what to do.

Jian Zhen then left.

The attendant looked in the direction he was leaving and softly said, “Princess, the place he’s heading toward, isn’t that… that person’s former residence? The Immortal Venerable set that place as a forbidden area. Without a token no one can enter. If he goes over there and the Immortal Venerable finds out, he’ll probably fly into a rage.”

The princess glanced over and snorted lightly. “If he wants to go, let him go, seeking his own death, who could save him? What’s more, he might not even have a token. Just wait and see; in a bit he’ll be bounced right out by the formation!”

The words had just fallen when the Jian Zhen walking ahead passed through the barrier unharmed, leisurely and at ease.

Princess: “……”

Attendant: “……”

And the lost Jian Zhen was completely unaware of this. Actually, back at the garden he had wanted to return the way he came, but with the princess and her people there, he decided to walk forward a bit and then go back.

The surrounding scenery, however, changed somewhat.

Jian Zhen looked around and discovered that he might have wandered into some small courtyard. At the center of this courtyard stood a towering ancient tree, lush and verdant, clearly well tended.

On the plaque at the center of the courtyard was written, in bold, flying strokes: Zhuyu Hall.

Jian Zhen stared at it for quite a while for no particular reason.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, a gust of wind brushed past. The leaves of the towering tree rustled, and the tightly shut doors of the hall seemed to be blown open a little, as if silently welcoming his arrival.

Jian Zhen hesitated for a moment, then spoke: “I entered here by mistake. My apologies for the disturbance.”

After he saluted, there was still no sound around.

Jian Zhen was also a bit curious about the hall behind the door. He stood in place for a moment, then still stepped forward and gently pushed open the hall doors. The door panels made a creaking sound, the sediment of years.

Sunlight poured in from outside.

Jian Zhen’s gaze fell within the room. This should have been someone’s residence. On the table were placed bluish-green cups, even engraved with cute little grass patterns. On the shelves were also displayed quite a few antiques and curious little objects. One could tell that the original owner should have been a very lively person, but for some reason, he always felt that this room carried a hint of medicinal scent.

Was someone ill?

Forget it, entering someone else’s room was, after all, not very appropriate.

Just as Jian Zhen was about to leave, his gaze suddenly fell upon a painting hanging on the wall not far away. In this painting was a youth in green robes sitting in a tree. A bird had just landed on the back of his hand. The youth’s back view was delicate and gentle, his profile held a smile. Even someone who didn’t know how to appreciate paintings could feel the tenderness filling the painter’s heart and the fondness for this youth.

The person standing in place, however, stiffened all over.

The little grass’s heart and breathing both fell into disorder, not for any other reason, but because…

The youth’s profile in the painting was actually exactly the same as his!!!