When Princess Changle’s hand had just reached near the immortal grass’s branches, before she could exert any force, it was rebounded by an extremely powerful surge of spiritual energy.
The spiritual energy surged and spread like a gust of wind, shaking snow down from the palace eaves. The entire mountain peak seemed to sway along with it, the spiritual energy dispersing between heaven and earth.
In the main affairs hall beneath Cloud Peak Mountain, sat a crowd of Immortal Clan elders and representatives of various clans attending the Moon Sacrifice Grand Ceremony.
The spiritual energy transmitted into the hall.
Seated at the head, Fu Changhuan, who was in conversation with several elderly elders, suddenly paused. On his face, habitually cool and jade-gentle, a grave expression appeared. He stood up and was about to head outside.
An elder, seeing this, hurriedly asked: “What has happened?”
Fu Changhuan cupped his hands and said: “The protective command grand formation set up in my hall has been triggered. I will return to take a look first and will be back shortly.”
The Yao King seated beside him said with some puzzlement: “Your residence is at the summit of Cloud Peak, who would dare to do such a thing?”
Fu Changhuan did not even have time to answer him before turning and leaving.
Within the entire hall, countless guests saw the Immortal Lord seated at the supreme position leave his seat. All showed expressions of suspicion, whispering to one another in speculation, could it be that something had happened within the Immortal Clan.
An elder said: “Wangyou’s temperament is what I understand best. If something important had not happened, he would absolutely not be like this. Surely something must have occurred for this to be so.”
The Immortal Mountain has snowfall year-round, the climate icy cold.
Beneath the eaves, a little attendant was almost half-kneeling: “Princess, Princess, I beg you, please stop…”
When Fu Changhuan arrived, all he could see was blue, aggressive spiritual energy charging straight at the formation by the window ledge. Although his cultivation method’s protective formation shielded that pot of little grass within so it would not be harmed, the collision of two streams of spiritual energy would inevitably still affect the immortal grass inside. When leaves fell from the air, that flash of green stabbed painfully at his eyes.
“Stop!”
A voice containing profound Dao power reverberated beneath the palace eaves.
Changle only felt a surge of true qi carrying sharp force rush toward her. She had no choice but to raise her hand to block it, yet she still could not withstand the power of the Immortal Clan’s venerable. She was forced back several steps, crashing into the pillar behind her, her back in excruciating pain.
Fu Changhuan’s figure arrived in an instant.
Changle looked up at him and spoke with some grievance: “Brother Wangyou…”
Yet she only saw Fu Changhuan standing beneath the window ledge, checking the condition of the immortal grass. The man who had come from afar still seemed to carry ice-and-snow chill that would not disperse, but the way he reached out with spiritual power to examine the little grass was so gentle.
The little grass by the window ledge had been startled, its branches trembling slightly.
Fu Changhuan’s hand landed softly upon its branches and leaves, and he said in a low voice: “Don’t be afraid, it’s alright now.”
This scene deeply stabbed at Princess Changle’s eyes. It was said that Immortal Lord Wangyou’s temperament was the coldest, yet she liked precisely such lofty, clear-cut figures. She had thought that the Immortal Venerable was like this toward everyone, never imagining that it turned out he was not.
Changle stepped forward: “Brother…”
“Princess.” Fu Changhuan’s voice, however, cut her off first. Today was the ceremony; he wore a brocade robe plated with a layer of gold-thread cloud patterns, looking noble yet cold. “This venerable entered the mountains to cultivate at a young age. Mundane past affairs have long ceased to cling to me. I cannot accept being called ‘brother.’”
Changle almost could not believe what she heard. From childhood to now she had always called him this, how could it suddenly not be allowed.
Why?
Could it be… because of this pot of grass?
Changle’s eyes instantly reddened. Pampered since childhood, she spoke: “Brother Wangyou, are you angry with me? This is nothing more than a pot of grass!”
Fu Changhuan abruptly turned his gaze to her, his eyes carrying an iciness never seen in these tens of thousands of years.
Princess Changle inexplicably felt a bit guilty under that look and finally lowered her head slightly, saying: “Besides, I wasn’t trying to do anything to this pot of grass. It’s just that Mother fell ill. I heard the little attendant say this was a rare spirit plant in the world, so I wanted to pick a leaf to treat Mother.”
Jian Zhen on the window ledge, whose lingering fright had just subsided, trembled its branches lightly upon hearing this. There, at the spot where a leaf had just fallen, it still faintly ached.
Fu Changhuan’s gaze fell upon the little attendant.
The little attendant knelt in terror: “Immortal Venerable, it was this disciple’s fault. Because of preparations for the grand hall, I was careless for a moment and let the Princess enter. Please punish this disciple, Immortal Venerable.”
Fu Changhuan’s expression was cool, his voice light: “Go receive your punishment.”
The little attendant hurriedly responded.
Princess Changle said somewhat indignantly: “Brother Wangyou, why punish him? If he’s being punished for letting me in, then you might as well punish me too!”
Fu Changhuan looked at the little grass on the window ledge, whose branches and leaves drooped slightly. The chill around him was like frost and snow that could not be dissolved. He did not speak.
This brief silence felt exceptionally long.
Yet Princess Changle felt a bit of joy in her heart. It seemed Immortal Venerable Wangyou still had feelings for her, surely he could not bear to punish her.
Fu Changhuan’s words fell: “Today is the Immortal Clan’s ceremony. The various clans have come from far away and are all honored guests. Your Highness is the princess of the Yao Clan; even if you make a mistake, it should be decided by the Yao King. It is not yet this venerable’s place to overstep.”
Princess Changle froze. What did this mean?
It was not that he did not wish to punish her, but that for the sake of the ceremony, and because of her status, he could not punish her?
Only after Fu Changhuan cast a soothing technique upon the immortal grass did he turn to look at her: “The Princess’s royal mother has fallen ill. I will have my people prepare spiritual medicine to send over. But this spirit grass that this venerable nurtures… you may not touch it.”
Changle looked up at him.
The world all says that the Immortal Venerable of this age possesses unfathomable Dao power, slaying evil spirits above and demons below, a sword immortal worthy of the name. And today, she finally saw the sharp aura upon him.
It was also today that she finally realized that, in the Immortal Venerable’s heart, her weight was actually not even as much as a blade of grass.
……
Night
Jian Zhen, who had been frightened during the day, closed its eyes in the flowerpot to rest its spirit.
The Immortal Mountain has snowfall year-round and an icy climate. Ever since merging with the cold energy of the Luminous Glazed Tile Stone, it had become even more afraid of the cold than before. When dusk fell, the entire little grass curled into a ball.
Until warm droplets of liquid fell down.
Drowsy Jian Zhen, as its branches received this droplet, only felt a gentle sensation, and then completely awoke from its dream.
All around was the familiar sandalwood fragrance belonging to the Immortal Mountain.
Almost as soon as it awoke, Jian Zhen caught the scent of blood. The immortal grass instantly bristled its leaves and looked at Fu Changhuan in some confusion, seeing the person standing to the side, lowering his sleeve.
Seeing that it had awakened, Fu Changhuan’s jade-like, cool face took on a trace of softness: “Awake?”
The little grass in the pot nodded its leaves lightly, looking at him with curiosity.
Fu Changhuan seemed to know its confusion and spoke: “You were frightened today, your spirit unstable. This venerable’s heartblood is the most nourishing thing in this world. Do you feel better now?”
The little grass, which had only been puzzled, froze completely upon hearing this.
H-heartblood?!
Jian Zhen’s leaves suddenly sprang up, shaking anxiously, looking at him with concern.
Fu Changhuan only smiled gently: “It’s nothing. Drawing heartblood is troublesome, but after some days of recuperation it will be fine. Today I failed to protect you properly, this is my fault. My blood will help you transform. I truly look forward to what you will look like if you transform; you will certainly be very beautiful.”
Jian Zhen fell silent.
Its transformed appearance was like a little dumpling-sized sprite, not touching on “pretty” at all.
“After you transform into human form, this venerable will also let you stay here. At that time, I’ll leave the nearest side room next door for you, how about it?” Fu Changhuan’s voice was gentle. “Just like now, always staying by my side.”
Transform into human form?
The little grass in the pot trembled its leaves.
Jian Zhen had never thought about this matter. Right now, when it became a spiritual-body state, it could not split itself. Then when the time came, it would no longer be able to continue living on two mountains, that would mean that by then… it would have to make a choice?
It had never even considered this problem.
These past hundred years, what it thought about every day was transforming into human form, regaining its freedom, being able to leave this flowerpot to see the outside world, having the ability to protect itself, not having its leaves picked, clearly in pain, yet unable to move.
Between heaven and earth, all sounds were stilled.
Fu Changhuan’s warm fingers fell upon its branches. Borrowing the moonlight, the Immortal of the Three Realms spoke with a hint of inquiry in his voice: “When that time comes, would you be willing?”
Wind and snow fell in a rush, and the grass that he was waiting for an answer from made no movement in reply.
Fu Changhuan lowered his head and saw that the immortal grass, which had been listening just moments ago, had already curled up in the flowerpot and fallen into hibernation, asleep. He was stunned for a moment, then let out a helpless light chuckle. Forget it, everything was still too early.
This sleep was very deep.
When Jian Zhen awoke again from the deep slumber, it felt warm all over. Sunlight spilled down from the eaves. This comfortable sensation made it unnecessary to open its eyes to know that it was the great hall of the Demon Realm.
Faint voices conversing drifted over.
Yan Ji said: “Your Excellency, the Northern Lands’ royal clans have brought the families of their other tribes to the Demon City to meet you. They are all currently in the Hanshui Hall ahead.”
Ye Jisheng’s lazy yet icy voice sounded: “All arranged?”
“Yes. It will soon be our annual Yulan Festival. The residences for these royal guests have all been arranged.” Yan Ji said. “The Demon City hasn’t been this lively for a long time.”
Hearing this, the little grass on the windowsill shuddered all over.
What it experienced on the Immortal Mountain yesterday seemed vividly before its eyes. Although its leaves no longer hurt now, it absolutely did not want to go through that again!!
Ye Jisheng’s voice sounded from afar: “Mm. This venerable is going to attend the ceremonial court discussions today. You go receive the guests in the Hanshui Hall ahead.”
Yan Ji replied: “Yes!”
Hearing that Ye Jisheng was leaving, the little grass on the windowsill felt somewhat despairing. Its leaves drooped lightly, quietly feeling sad.
As it curled itself up, Ye Jisheng’s voice fell again: “The families of the various royal clans may move freely within the Demon City, but no one is permitted to enter here.”
Upon hearing this, Yan Ji said with some worry: “I’ve heard that this year some royal clans brought quite a few family members. Your Excellency’s sleeping hall has gardens planted outside that are famed far and wide. Some royal princesses even brought along children who are young and lively. This subordinate fears that if someone sneaks in, those are all royals, when the time comes, it may be rather difficult…”
When the words reached this point, the little grass on the windowsill sighed inwardly.
So such things do not distinguish between demon clans and immortal clans. No matter where, royals with backgrounds are special existences. Such matters, no matter where, wouldn’t be any different at all.
Just as it was thinking…
Suddenly…
Its wind-swaying branches were touched by a pair of icy fingertips. Ye Jisheng’s aura came with them, his tone light: “Is that so?”
Yan Ji stood below the hall, able to see only the man’s ink-dark silhouette.
Ye Jisheng’s voice was slow and unhurried, carrying his habitual languor yet making one shiver with fear: “Pass down the order: if anyone trespasses into my rear hall and dares to rashly touch the spirit plant that this venerable raises, even a single branch, regardless of identity or clan relations, execute on the spot.”
Boundless chill crept up Yan Ji’s back.
Not far away, the man standing by the window was gently toying with the immortal grass’s branches. Sunlight fell upon him, yet not a trace of warmth descended. His handsome face curved into a faint smile as he said lightly: “Do you understand?”
Yan Ji froze, then hurriedly said: “This subordinate obeys!”
Not only her, even the little grass by Ye Jisheng’s hand was stunned. It had not expected things to turn out like this.
Its branches were poked teasingly by those icy fingers.
The tender green little grass lifted its small head. Ye Jisheng took out a piece of water jade stone and placed it into Jian Zhen’s newly crafted flowerpot: “This stone can record everyone who has touched you. Stay here properly. This venerable may be leaving for two days. If anyone bullies you, use the stone to record it and come back to report it. Understand?”
Jian Zhen gently swayed its leaves, its branches trembling. It did not nuzzle over affectionately to act spoiled, it was hardly the sort of grass that held grudges and liked tattling in his eyes!
Ye Jisheng drawled: “Don’t want it? If you don’t use it, this venerable will take it back.”
The little grass’s branches moved instinctively, wanting to take the small stone back, only to meet those smiling red eyes.
Jian Zhen: “……”
Could it use the stone to record this big bad villain bullying it right now!!
