OLTFMD | Chapter 17

Chapter 17

◎Three days before His Majesty went missing, the Venerable had once received His Majesty’s phoenix decree.◎

After bringing Yun Lang back to Yujin Palace, Shen Ji put him into the spirit-gathering array in the bedchamber, then turned and walked to the window.

On Jianchi Terrace, Xie Fu had already left the scene.

The four great elders remaining in place divided themselves into four corners, and together controlled the Golden Pool summoned by Yun Lang, fixing it onto the panfeng pillar at the very top of Jianchi Terrace.

Golden lava rolled within the pool, and the cloud-covered sky was also reflected with cruel and merciless golden clouds.

Dazzling golden light illuminated the entire Minghuang City.

The scene on the gilded panfeng pillar had already been noticed by everyone.

When the surface of the Golden Pool grew calm, the four elders flew up and issued their command in midair.

“Burn!”

The countless Red Phoenix Guards pressing in the air took orders and acted, plunging down to the ground one after another, lifting the rebels who were still crying out in pain, and sending them in front of the Golden Pool.

Before they were even dozens of meters away, the Red Phoenix Guards immediately withdrew.

From the water of the pool, countless gold threads as fine as strands of hair surged out at once.

The gold threads pierced through every rebel’s entire body, instantly congealing into cocoons, and were slowly dragged into the Golden Pool.

The screams never ceased.

The surface of the pool boiled and rolled once more.

Every Red Phoenix that was burned and refined, the spiritual power surging out from within the pool was almost tangible, spilling outward in all directions, crossing Jianchi Terrace through the air, flowing toward the city, and becoming the cultivation source in Minghuang City that others envied.

This punishment terrified every demonic race onlooker.

Such a cruel and ruthless way to die made one deeply understand the price of betraying the phoenix emperor.

Shen Ji turned his head and glanced at the little red bird lying in the spirit-gathering array. He only looked at the beginning before closing the window to block out the phoenix cries drifting in from outside.

Yun Lang was the leader of the Red Phoenix, and toward his own clansmen, he was surely more emotionally attached than Xie Fu.

Moreover, although Red Phoenix Venerable and those Red Phoenixes were said to be rebels, the reason for their betrayal was to ask him to take the throne. It could even be said they were showing him loyalty, only their method was completely wrong.

Xie Fu had Yun Lang personally capture these rebels, and then had him personally summon the Golden Pool that burned the rebels, which was undoubtedly a huge blow to Yun Lang.

Added to the fact that he had been injured at the root in the Snow Realm, Yun Lang was now wounded in body and mind, and likely would find it hard to pull himself together in the short term.

Shen Ji leaned against the window with his arms folded, lowered his eyes, and thought for a moment.

The system asked, “Host, are you looking for a way to raise Yun Lang’s favorability?”

Host had just gained twenty-eight points of points, he must be unable to resist missions now!

Shen Ji said, “No.”

The system was curious. “Then what are you thinking about? Maybe I can help!”

“I’m thinking,” Shen Ji said casually, “that given his current condition, the probability of getting the scroll is not high.”

The system: “...”

He’s already like that, and the host is still like this!

Shen Ji lightly tapped his thumb.

Originally, he had planned to bring up the immortal realm scroll with Yun Lang after three days, but he hadn’t expected Xie Fu’s move to hit Yun Lang so hard. After reverting to his original form, he had not moved at all since lying on the spirit-gathering array.

No one knew how long this state would last, and he could not very well force the issue at a time like this.

The system cautiously opened the system panel in front of him. “Host, look, anyway we can’t leave the demon realm right now, so why not do tasks and save up some points? That way we can also help Luo Ning gain Yun Lang’s favorability toward mortals, killing two birds with one stone!”

Shen Ji looked at the pitiful number representing Yun Lang’s favorability and casually opened Luo Ning’s character main line.

Her second mission content had already been released.

Make friends with Luo Ning, raise Luo Ning’s favorability to 30 (27/30)

This was also the first time the system had seen it, and it was stunned. “Host, how did you do that! Luo Ning is already almost treating you like a trusted friend!”

Shen Ji was also somewhat surprised.

Unlike Yun Lang, it was not because he had saved Yun Lang’s life; between him and Luo Ning, Luo Ning had saved him, even brought him food and medicine, and they had not spent much time together. How could Luo Ning’s favorability toward him be this high?

The system said with great seriousness, flattering him, “Luo Ning really is the female lead. She must have seen through your wonderful qualities in just a few days and decided you’re a good person!”

The good person ignored its sycophancy and directly closed the panel.

The system soon revealed its true intention. “Host, just try raising Yun Lang’s favorability a little. He’ll definitely turn over a new leaf in just a few days!”

Shen Ji turned toward Yun Lang lying in the array.

The round little red bird was piled on the ground, its smooth fire feathers rising and falling slightly with its breathing. Compared with three days ago, when it had been dazzling, it looked much dimmer now.

The system rapidly flipped through the资料. “Yun Lang is very pitiful right now. The Red Phoenix Venerable Wu Xun who was killed by the great villain was his enlightenment teacher, and some of the Red Phoenixes executed this time even grew up with him. If he keeps being so depressed, he might get sick from brooding!”

Shen Ji thought about it, then turned around and also walked into the spirit-gathering array, sitting down cross-legged.

He raised his hand to form a seal, then extended two fingers to point at the bird’s back.

The instant spiritual power entered its body, the little red bird trembled lightly.

It did not turn around, only drew the wings lying on the ground in slightly tighter.

Shen Ji said, “I know you’re very sad right now, but the injury can’t be delayed.”

Even though his heart was in pain, when Yun Lang transmitted his voice, he remained courteous and proper. “Young Master need not help me like this. I am already beyond grateful for the life-saving kindness in the mortal realm.”

Shen Ji said, “I help you because I am clear of conscience, not for your gratitude.”

First, to save a life.

Second, for this bird second generation to recover as soon as possible, so it would be convenient for him to ask for a reward.

The system listened, moved to the core. “Host, what you said is so good, just hearing it makes you sound like a good person!”

Yun Lang finally looked at him once as well, then lowered his bird eyes, turned his bird head back, and softly transmitted, “Since Young Master’s kind intention is sincere, I should naturally comply.”

Shen Ji said, “Just sleep. Leave everything to me.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he recalled the circulation pattern of qi used by Xie Fu when healing him, and slowly healed Yun Lang.

Yun Lang said, “Thank you, Young Master.”

However, gradually, something stirred in his heart.

Xie Fu had called Li Chenyin a mortal with a shallow foundation, but now the spiritual power Li Chenyin was using to heal him, though weak, was pure, enough to show that his cultivation method was no ordinary thing, and absolutely not something found in the mortal realm.

How could such a cultivation method fall into a mortal’s hands, and why could Li Chenyin cultivate in the mortal realm and walk in the Snow Realm?

Yun Lang felt the spiritual power continuously being sent from behind him.

This mortal had many mysteries surrounding him, and even he could not see through them.

On the other hand, his nature was very kind.

He lowered his eyelids and said nothing more.

The system was shrinking the translucent side-story panel and placing it in front of Shen Ji.

Yun Lang’s favorability was steadily fixed at 8, not moving at all.

“...” The system could not help saying, “What’s wrong with him, does he lack a liver or lungs? Is there something wrong with his emotions??”

Shen Ji did not care.

If this favorability was related to trust, then increasing slowly was understandable.

A former heir to the throne who had been noble from birth, no matter how good his character was, could not possibly trust others easily.

After all, trust was not some simple empty talk. He knew this deeply.

Even ordinary friends often could not fully trust each other. There was no reason to expect a stranger to develop that feeling toward him within just one week.

In the end, he and Yun Lang had never met before, and only had one “life-saving kindness” between them. Yun Lang had repeatedly protected him in front of Xie Fu because of it, and had even specially arranged for him to live in his own palace, treating him attentively.

To have done everything possible in action was already Yun Lang’s repayment to him.

To become utterly devoted to him just because of one kindness was truly asking too much.

The most textbook negative example. Foolish bird.

This white-eyed bird, he had nearly thrown his life away to save it. Although there was one time he had done so under task pressure, and he had also been injured and bled, that did not stop Xie Fu from treating it as a matter of course, as if he owed him selfless devotion.

Compared with the foolish bird, Yun Lang, who repaid kindness and did not care about him in his heart, could actually be considered a positive model.

But that was fine too.

That way, interacting would not feel like a burden.

The system watched as the host continued healing Yun Lang without concern, and only after it ended did it say indignantly, “His favorability is so hard to raise, Host, what do we do?”

Shen Ji stood up from the spirit-gathering array.

During the process, Yun Lang may have thought of something, and also recovered his human form, floating up gracefully.

He looked at Shen Ji, a trace of pallor still on his face as a smile appeared, and thanked him again. “Young Master has gone to much trouble for me today.”

Shen Ji said, “It’s good if I could help you.”

“Young Master truly helps me greatly.”

Yun Lang turned around, glanced at the tightly closed doors and windows, and his smile turned slightly bitter. “Today I always made Young Master see a joke, that was my fault.”

Shen Ji asked, “What are your plans after this?”

Now that he was no longer transforming into his original form to remain in the spirit-gathering array, this Highness’s brief period of depression seemed to have passed.

Yun Lang said, “Wu Xun and his subordinates have already been executed, but the many Red Phoenixes remaining still need appeasement. My injuries are now improving, and I should go fulfill the duty I ought to fulfill.”

This was proper business.

Shen Ji looked at the time.

It had already been six days since he used perfect disguise, and the duration was still sufficient. Besides, after helping once, asking for a reward would seem like leveraging kindness, which was not conducive to a friendly relationship between Yun Lang and mortals.

He still needed sustainable points to maintain the disguise, so he should give Yun Lang some room to recover.

Yun Lang was just about to take his leave when he suddenly remembered something, turned back, and looked at Shen Ji again. “By the way, keep this for Young Master.”

He extended his hand, red light flashing in his palm, and a jade slip of emerald green was sent to Shen Ji.

Shen Ji raised his hand and accepted it. “What is this?”

“It can be used for sending messages.” Yun Lang patiently explained how to use it to him, then said, “I was tied up with affairs a few days ago and forgot to tell Young Master. The ancient seal in the immortal-mortal passage was shattered by some unknown person, and immortal realm spiritual power has poured back into the mortal realm. It is no longer difficult to secretly enter the immortal realm through the passage. Now the four realms are restless, and there seems to be turbulence. Please, Young Master, when you go out, wear the jade slip. If you encounter any trouble, please be sure to use it to send me a message at any time.”

Shen Ji followed his instructions and infused spiritual power into it, and sure enough saw the jade slip at Yun Lang’s waist light up slightly.

Yun Lang said gently, “That’s right, just like that.”

As he spoke, he also conjured a storage spirit ring in front of him and handed it to Shen Ji. “Yujin Palace is rather quiet, and I imagine Young Master has nothing to do. Inside are some spirit stones, enough for Young Master to go out and amuse yourself. There is also a phoenix pill, and I also ask that you be sure to wear it close to your body. It can hide Young Master’s aura so it will not be detected.”

Hide aura.

Not conceal aura.

Shen Ji looked at the spirit ring passing through his index finger and slowly fitting into place, and smiled at Yun Lang. “Thanks.”

“Wow!” the system exclaimed. “He considered everything so thoroughly, he must be especially worried about the host!”

Then it opened the panel and looked.

Favorability: 8

The system: “...”

Shen Ji asked it, “Do you still want me to stay and do his side quest?”

The system: “...”

It did not want to.

But the task wanted it to.

Shen Ji had already sent Yun Lang out of the hall.

Yun Lang flew away through the air, and he also took the phoenix pill out of the ring and wore it close to his body, riding the Wind-Chasing Leopard to the exit of Jianchi Terrace.

Only when he flew out to the gate did the Red Phoenix Guards stationed there see the figure and loudly shout, “Stop!”

After seeing Shen Ji’s face clearly, they hurriedly bowed in salute. “So it was Young Master Li, please forgive us for the offense.”

Seeing this, Shen Ji’s gaze moved slightly, and he nodded to them in acknowledgement, then pretended to leave, took back the Wind-Chasing Leopard, turned around, and went back.

The Red Phoenix Guards still had not noticed the aura hidden by the phoenix pill, and were still chatting at the entrance.

Shen Ji rubbed the phoenix pill tied to his wrist, confirming its extraordinary effect, and was just about to leave when he heard the content of the two people’s conversation, and his steps paused slightly.

One said, “Sigh, with the Venerable and all the messenger phoenix guards under him dead this time, His Highness’s days on Jianchi Terrace are even harder now.”

The other said, “Could it be that you want to join His Highness?”

“Don’t joke. Can’t you see that Yujin Palace practically has no visitors at all? His Majesty already has many prejudices against the Red Phoenix line, and His Highness is the son of his enemy. If I went to join him, how would I still have any chance of getting ahead?”

“Son of his enemy? Didn’t His Majesty kill the former phoenix emperor?”

Only then did the Red Phoenix Guard who had spoken first realize what he had said, and immediately lowered his voice, anxiously saying, “Keep your voice down! Fine, stop asking. This is a secret of the phoenix clan, and all related matters have long since been forbidden. If you said it, you’d be sent into the Golden Flame Pool!”

The might of the Golden Flame Pool had been fully seen today.

After hearing this, the latter was also frightened into a cold sweat and hurriedly looked around.

While the two of them were acting like guilty thieves, Shen Ji stood sideways behind a pillar by the entrance and quietly left when they were not paying attention.

Son of his enemy?

Shen Ji asked the system, “What enmity is there between Xie Fu and the previous phoenix emperor?”

The system said, “These background settings weren’t written in detail in the data. It seems to be related to the cursed body he had when he was young.”

A curse?

Shen Ji recalled Xie Fu mentioning this matter in only one sentence.

Sure enough, it was not that simple.

The system then asked him, “Host, what are we doing here?”

Shen Ji said, “Eating.”

The system: “?”

Shen Ji had already arrived at a tavern in Minghuang Inner City.

No matter where it was, appetites were the easiest to satisfy. After Xie Fu helped him build his foundation, although he no longer needed to eat, the habit formed over more than twenty years could not be changed just because he wanted to.

Having come to this world for three months, what entered his mouth had been nothing but plain porridge and side dishes, and bitter medicine. Coming to eat a couple bites of meat also counted as giving his stomach its due.

He put away the Wind-Chasing Leopard. A peddler selling goods at the entrance sized him up, then suddenly forced a smile and went around his stall to block him.

“This honored demon sir, since you’ve come to my Minghuang City, how can you not buy phoenix flowers?”

He pointed behind him. “Look, premium phoenix flowers, always blooming and never withering. Wearing them on your body can ward off severe cold.”

Shen Ji was about to move forward when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a white phoenix flower bud hidden in the corner by the brilliant colors. Like a ghost moving his hand, he raised it and drew it into his palm.

“How much for this one?”

Seeing that he had taken a liking to this one, the peddler’s smile stiffened and his eyes shifted. “Just ten spirit stones!”

The system, watching from the side, could not help reminding him, “Host, these flowers actually don’t ward off cold. They’re used to trick tourists. The one you bought isn’t even open yet, and its ornamental value is limited too.”

Hearing this, Shen Ji handed a spirit stone to the peddler. “Sell it?”

The peddler gave an awkward laugh. “Sell... sell...”

The system could not help asking again, “Does the host like flowers?”

Shen Ji said, “This is a return gift for Yun Lang.”

The system: “...”

He gave you a pile of spirit stones.

This flower isn’t even worth one.

Shen Ji casually put away the phoenix flower and continued walking toward the tavern.

But before he even entered, the messaging jade slip at his waist flashed, and Yun Lang’s gentle voice reached his ear.

“Young Master Li, today demonic spies were captured in the city, and there may be unrest. Where are you now? I will come pick you up.”

Shen Ji looked at the tavern right in front of him, sighed softly, and had no choice but to send his location back.

A streak of flowing light then descended from the distant edge of the sky.

In order to avoid being recognized, Yun Lang covered his face with cloud glow, and upon landing he took Shen Ji’s arm and carried him into the air together, arriving at a gigantic pillar also shining with golden light.

At the top of the tall pillar were halls and pavilions of varying heights, faintly visible in the clouds and mist.

“I am currently at Golden Pavilion Shudian Tower sorting out Wu Xun’s old belongings. If Young Master does not mind, could you wait here for a moment?” Before landing, Yun Lang first asked, “If you can’t wait, I can also send Young Master back to Yujin Palace first.”

Shen Ji said, “No need, I’ll wait here for you.”

Only then did Yun Lang land together with him in front of Shudian Tower.

When entering the door, Shen Ji thought of the phoenix flower in the storage space and casually took it out. “By the way, I...”

His words had not yet come out.

On the other side, a resplendent and vast pressure suddenly descended to the ground!

Just as Shen Ji saw the familiar golden figure, he subconsciously flipped his palm and put away the white light in his hand.

Xie Fu walked forward slowly, yet his figure arrived in an instant.

Yun Lang bowed and said, “Your Majesty.”

Xie Fu first looked at his face, his gaze not lingering, then swept past the sleeves where the two had collided, and turned to Shen Ji.

Shen Ji did not want to clash head-on with Xie Fu, and also bowed together with Yun Lang.

This submissive, well-behaved appearance instantly diluted the inexplicable familiarity in his heart.

Xie Fu’s cold gaze then withdrew.

After he left, Yun Lang turned to Shen Ji. “What did Young Master just want to say?”

Shen Ji glanced at Xie Fu’s back, turned the spirit ring on his index finger, and only smiled. “Nothing, I saw phoenix flowers on the street, and they were very beautiful, very suitable for you. I originally wanted to bring one back, but unfortunately I didn’t make it in time.”

Yun Lang was slightly startled, looked at him, then gave a soft, light smile. “It’s fine, thank you for thinking of me.”

A barely perceptible pause appeared in the golden-robed figure after entering the doorway. The next moment, it vanished without a trace.

The pressure disappeared, and Shen Ji asked casually, “Why would the Phoenix Emperor be here?”

The system was hesitating in his mind.

Was it seeing things?

The favorability seemed to have jumped just now, but now it was still 8.

The smile on Yun Lang’s face had not faded. “Shudian Tower is the phoenix clan’s repository of scriptures, collecting ancient books and records of heaven and earth. A few days ago the immortal realm seal was broken, and His Majesty, entrusted by the immortal emperor, is currently investigating the Snow Realm seal. Coming here should be for this matter.”

Shen Ji’s brow twitched slightly.

The one who shattered the seal was Xie Fu, he could not possibly really be investigating this matter.

Then coming so seriously to Shudian Tower to look up materials, was he only putting on a show?

Was Xie Fu the sort of person who would put on a show?

“This way, please.”

Yun Lang’s voice interrupted Shen Ji’s thoughts. “Wu Xun left not much behind in Shudian Tower. Wait for me a moment, and it will be done very soon.”

Shen Ji slightly nodded and walked to the seat he indicated.

Only then did Yun Lang turn and walk to the other side.

He opened the door to the dark room, and a white-haired old man, half-supporting a tray, turned around.

“Your Highness.” He bowed and said, “These are what still remain in Venerable’s room.”

Yun Lang reached out and took them. “Thank you.”

The old man bowed again before explaining, “These are the things Venerable studied while alive, and there are also some confidential documents. This subordinate has not opened any of them.”

Confidential documents.

No one knew better than Yun Lang what Wu Xun had been plotting.

He brushed past the old clothes Wu Xun had often worn in life on the tray and swallowed a soft sigh.

“There is one more thing.” The old man hesitated before saying, “Three days before His Majesty disappeared, the Venerable had once received His Majesty’s phoenix decree and was ordered to investigate information about a furnace body.”

“A furnace body?”

Yun Lang thought for a moment. “Wasn’t that the bold mortal who had His Majesty mete out punishment on Jianchi Terrace?”

“Exactly.” The old man said, “But three days later His Majesty disappeared, and the result of the investigation that Venerable had ordered was sealed away by him. I didn’t expect that three months later...”

At this point, the dark room fell silent for a moment.

The old man said again, “This subordinate did not dare tamper with Venerable’s old belongings, and after His Majesty returned, he also did not mention this matter. Your Highness, what do you think?”

After thinking carefully, Yun Lang said to him, “No need to think too much. Since His Majesty did not mention it, it seems he does not value it much. If His Majesty issues orders to investigate it again, you can come to Yujin Palace to find me.”

The old man said, “Yes.”

Yun Lang said, “All right, you may go down.”

Wu Xun’s old belongings were numerous and messy, sorting them out was troublesome, and finding the sealed information among them was like looking for a needle in the sea, but since His Majesty’s phoenix decree had come first, he had better return and make preparations early.

Putting away several storage golden feathers from the tray, Yun Lang turned and left the dark room, returning to Shen Ji’s side.

“Let’s go.”

On the way back, the timing was just right.

Shen Ji said, “Your Highness—”

Yun Lang interrupted him with a smile, “Young Master can just call me by my name.”

“Yun Lang.” Shen Ji complied readily. “I have something I need your help with.”

Yun Lang said, “Please speak freely.”

Shen Ji said directly, “I need to go to the immortal realm as soon as possible.”

“The immortal realm?” Yun Lang calculated the days and said with a smile, “What a coincidence, in less than a month, an immortal realm scroll will be sent over. By then I can take you there.”

One month?

Shen Ji already had a bad feeling. “You don’t have a spare scroll?”

Yun Lang shook his head. “Immortal realm scrolls are rare, and not many are sent to me. His Majesty’s place does have some left.”

Ever since the mortal realm was sealed ten thousand years ago, the various realms have communicated with each other through the Snow Realm. Only at banquets would scrolls be included. In the vast Three Spirit Realm, only a few clans could obtain them, and even when they did, the number was not much.

Naturally, Xie Fu was not restricted by this.

There were as many immortal realm people willing to invite him to banquets as fish crossing a river, and the scrolls sent to Minghuang Palace had no fixed number.

Shen Ji was silent for a second. “In other words, you can’t send me there before then?”

A trace of guilt appeared on Yun Lang’s face. “I am truly sorry.”

He had brought Li Chenyin to the Three Spirit Realm and inadvertently trapped him here. It was indeed his mistake.

The implication in his words made the system’s voice even more trembling.

“Host.”

It asked in horror, “What do we do? If we can’t get out within a month, we’re on the great villain’s turf...”