The Rise and Fall (Part 1)
The Abyss of Demons.
This is the deepest part of the Demon Realm, forbidden to all demons, where only boundless silence and an eternally unchanging, domineering aura of destruction exist. Jagged rocks pierce the sky, and a nearly crimson, corrosive demonic aura permeates the air. Not to mention ordinary demons, even powerful beings at the level of a Demon Lord must be extremely cautious.
Mo Yiheng had reached the bottom of the abyss. Beneath his feet was a surging sea of demonic flames. In the center of that sea, a plant, entirely black yet with leaves as red as if scorched by fire, swayed gracefully, its elegant form resembling a phoenix tail feather left behind.
This plant, exuding both fierce and ruthless demonic energy and a touch of icy, bone-chilling immortal aura, is none other than the legendary "Ember Leaf Orchid"—the second one Wu Ying has found.
As for the first plant... Mo Yiheng pinched his palm until it bled.
He was buried in the snowstorm the day he forced his way into Yunhua Mountain.
No problem.
Mo Yiheng released his grip, his palm a bloody mess.
He turned his gaze to the side of the Ash Leaf Orchid, where a ferocious beast resembling a lizard, but covered in bone spurs, with protruding venomous fangs, and as large as a small elephant—the "Flame Demon"—was crawling around the orchid, viciously scanning everything around it that might take away its treasures.
If there is even a one in ten thousand chance that Master can recover, then it would be worth it for him to obtain a second, a third, or even a thousandth or a hundredth Emberleaf Orchid.
Without the slightest hesitation, Mo Yiheng instantly conjured his natal magic weapon—the Soul-Suppressing Golden Lotus! Black flames burned beneath his feet, rotating with the surge of Mo Yiheng's killing intent. Although the twelve-petaled lotus platform was no longer as pure as before, the flowing light it emitted remained pure white and flawless, carrying a hint of purification, and rushed straight towards Jin Yelan!
"roar--!"
The Flame Demon swung its long tail to block the flowing light of the lotus platform, and almost simultaneously, the Sea of Demonic Flames boiled violently, with towering waves of fire carrying an aura of destruction, suddenly rushing towards Mo Yiheng. Furthermore, using its long tail as a springboard, it leaped into the air, curling into a ball, its bony spikes opening and standing upright, also slamming fiercely towards Mo Yiheng!
Mo Yiheng neither dodged nor evaded, his demonic energy surging and covering the lotus petals. The lotus platform then automatically closed into a bud to protect him, helping him withstand the wave of fire and its impact. After a brief stalemate, the Soul-Suppressing Golden Lotus suddenly unfurled, its petals sharp as knives, instantly slicing off several of the Flame Demon's long bones along with its flesh, purifying and absorbing the intense demonic energy. Meanwhile, Mo Yiheng's demonic energy transformed into a blade, mercilessly piercing the center of the spiky ball, forcefully breaking through its defenses!
Seeing the unfavorable situation, the Flame Demon changed its attack, baring its fangs and dripping venomous saliva. The deadly poison, capable of dissolving metal and stone, forced Mo Yiheng back. It then seized the opportunity to land back beside Jin Yelan, shaking its head and tail to regroup. Perhaps realizing it was no match, it even shook off a set of bone spikes to use as a shield, hiding behind them and drinking deeply of the magma from the Sea of Demonic Flames.
Mo Yiheng would not let it have its way. With a flick of his index finger, the lotus platform beneath his feet rose into the air on its own, forcibly causing the entire sea of flames to float in the sky, leaving no "food" for the flame demon.
However, this situation could not last. His previous severe injuries had not yet healed, and with the excessive depletion of his demonic energy, a sweet, metallic taste rose in Mo Yiheng's throat, and blood uncontrollably spilled from the corner of his lips. Furthermore, without the nourishment of demonic flames, the Ash Leaf Orchid could not survive for long.
He casually wiped away the blood, and taking advantage of the Flame Demon's rage and loss of reason, he drew his demonic sword once more, his target always the swaying elixir.
A fierce battle ensued in this desperate situation.
Mo Yiheng was frantic with worry, and his moves became increasingly ruthless and frenzied. When the Flame Demon's claws tore open his waist and abdomen, he swung his hand and chopped off its forepaws; when the Flame Demon's fangs pierced his shoulder, he pulled out dozens of its sharp teeth; when his demonic energy waned and the demonic flames flowed back, scorching his back, he used the pain to maintain his will and severed the Flame Demon's thick, pillar-like tail with a single sword strike.
Amidst the excruciating pain from both old and new wounds, he remembered only one thing—
Master... is waiting.
Amidst the pain and the howls of the Flame Demon, his vision blurred. In a daze, he seemed to see the pure white Immortal Venerable crouching in the muddy and filthy Demon Realm, gently lifting him, who was like a dead dog, into his arms. His pristine white nine-tailed fox and magnificent robes were stained black with mud and blood. He felt ashamed of his appearance, but Yun Shu showed no disgust whatsoever. He wiped his little face clean, let him roll into the soft, fluffy fox tail to sleep, guided him step by step in his cultivation, and conjured up candied fruits and sweet cakes to comfort him when he encountered a bottleneck... But he also saw Yun Shu's fragile appearance that day in the Moon Gazing Pavilion, vomiting black blood and with lifeless eyes, and he saw the shattered jade pendant and Murong Jin.
Master... please don't abandon me... please don't abandon Heng'er...
The pain in his heart was far more unbearable than the physical wounds. Mo Yiheng plunged his sword into his left arm, drank the thick demonic blood, and actually regained some strength from it. He struggled to his feet, facing the Flame Demon that once again bared its fangs at him, and with all his might, swung his sword and severed the beast's head!
Disgusting beast blood smeared all over his body, and the ugly, vulgar beast body finally collapsed in front of Jin Yelan after several convulsions.
"Hah...hah..." Mo Yiheng nearly fainted, the Soul-Suppressing Golden Lotus shrinking to the size of his palm and hanging back at his waist. The Sea of Demonic Flames descended behind him, the churning crimson waves once again enveloping the isolated island. The Ember Orchid greedily absorbed the scorching temperature and violent demonic energy, not even sparing the demonic blood flowing from Mo Yiheng's arm, its petals glowing even brighter than before.
After a short rest, Mo Yiheng leaned on his sword and rose. Slowly and carefully, he placed the Ash Leaf Orchid, along with half a pot of lava, into a pre-prepared, auspiciously sealed jade box. Then, he climbed out of the ever-changing Demon Abyss. With his last vestiges of consciousness, he released a demonic firefly to send a message. Seeing the tiny insect fly along a chaotic path towards the Medicine Platform, he relaxed, collapsed disheveled beside the cliff rocks, and completely lost consciousness.
That's wonderful... Master...
In the mortal realm, in the imperial city, at the Yilan Palace.
Since taking the "Flaming Sun Grass," Yun Shu's health seemed to have improved somewhat. Although the insidious demonic poison still stubbornly lingered in his body, the frequency of the excruciating pain had decreased. In addition, he felt that his energy was much better—although he slept more than before, at least when he was awake, he could occasionally be helped by Murong Jin or Jin Zhu to go to the Imperial Garden to smell the flowers.
Just like today, after attending court, Murong Jin unusually shortened the morning assembly by half an hour. This emperor dismissed the palace servants and strolled leisurely in the imperial garden with a blind fox spirit, admiring the flowers, as happy as a child.
"Come, Xiaoxue, lower your head?" Murong Jin placed a peony hairpin behind Yun Shu's ear, quite satisfied. "These beautiful flowers and scenery are truly no match for Xiaoxue's unparalleled beauty. Shall we take a walk by the pond? The fish there have been playing very hard these days, having heard of your arrival."
Yun Shu smiled and nodded, letting Murong Jin lead her to the pond. Listening to the fish swaying their tails and snatching food, her mind did feel clearer.
He seemed to be gradually getting used to life in Yilan Palace and the Imperial Palace. He got used to Murong Jin's composure in handling state affairs after court, to his gentle companionship during his afternoon nap, to the medicine he was given by hand at night, and to the ambergris incense that permeated the entire Imperial Palace and Murong Jin, as well as the dragon aura that could help him fall asleep peacefully.
Perhaps due to laziness within the palace, Yun Shu's hearing has become increasingly muffled lately—this is the only thing that unsettles him. The clear sounds of everyday life that used to be right beside him are now barely discernible syllables.
He would occasionally wake up in the middle of the night.
It's too quiet.
The imperial city was heavily guarded, and the Yilan Palace, which was closely connected to the Yangxin Palace, was even more so. At night, he could often only hear the orderly footsteps of the patrols, and perhaps the slow breathing of Murong Jin beside him and Jinzhu's sleep-talking in the side hall.
This place is unlike Yunhua Mountain. The evening breeze of Yunhua Mountain would run through the forest, ring the conch shell wind chimes in front of the senior sister's door, hide in the disciples' buzzing magic instruments, and also... startle Heng'er, who was sleeping in his arms.
The fingers that were scattering fish food suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong?" Murong Jin asked in confusion. "Did the fish playfully splash water on you?"
"...Hmm. They seem to want to play with me."
Murong Jin laughed again, dropping handfuls of fish food into the lotus pond, making the koi so full they could barely swim, saying, "Where have they ever seen someone as kind as you? They'd definitely want to come up and bask in your divine aura."
Yun Shu smiled and said, "Perhaps."
Why do I remember that person again? We have clearly severed all ties and will never see each other again.
Sigh. Yun Shu sighed softly: Perhaps, she really was living too comfortably with A Jin?
Just then, one of Murong Jin's close attendants hurriedly came, saying that it was a foreign envoy from the North who had come to pay his respects. The envoy had been settled and he had come to inquire whether His Majesty wished to see him now.
“Strengthening trade between the two countries is indeed beneficial to the people on the border…” Murong Jin murmured to himself, seemingly wanting to go and discuss it, but also somewhat hesitant, “Xiaoxue, this…”
"Fox Fairy! Over at the Imperial Kitchen... Ah!" A palace maid named Jinzhu, carrying a gold and jade food box, saw Yun Shu and her eyes lit up. She was about to call out, but then she saw the person beside her with a majestic and imposing appearance, his robes elegant and adorned with dragon patterns. She immediately realized that she had broken the rules and hurriedly begged for forgiveness, "This servant deserves to die! How dare I offend His Majesty! This servant deserves to die!"
Hearing Murong Jin pause in his steps, Yun Shu raised her hand and tugged at his wide sleeve, advising, "Ah Jin, don't blame her. I ordered her not to be formal in front of me."
"What are you saying?" Murong Jin chuckled and explained, "When did I intend to punish her? I just felt guilty for not being able to personally escort you back to the palace, so I thought this little palace maid's arrival was just in time... Since you have someone to accompany you, I will leave first to attend to state affairs, and then return to Yilan Palace at night to accompany you while you take your medicine."
Before leaving, he didn't forget to transfer some dragon energy to suppress the demonic poison, and he also told Jinzhu not to let the fox spirit get too hot or too cold.
"Yes! This servant will do everything in my power!"
Once Murong Jin's figure disappeared, Jinzhu patted her chest and moved over, revealing the food box like a treasure. The fresh fragrance of trendy fruits wafted out.
Her voice carried a hint of lingering fear and a touch of excitement: "Fox Fairy, the Imperial Kitchen heard that you enjoy sweet snacks, so they specially prepared some honey-glazed pearls using fruits sent from the south by express courier! They urged me to send them to you quickly, afraid that if they were too late, they wouldn't taste as good!"
Using his jade chopsticks to examine the fruit, he saw that each type of fruit had been carefully shaped into a round ball, each the same size, just the right bite. Although the fox spirit didn't feel hungry or full, Yun Shu couldn't bear to spoil the good intentions of the imperial kitchen and Jin Zhu. He picked one up and put it in his mouth; the fresh aroma truly filled his tongue like honey, making his mouth water.
"Very...delicious," Yun Shu commented, then put down her jade chopsticks and took a jade spoon, dividing the pearl-like, round fruit into a small half, placing it in a separate bowl and handing it to Jin Zhu. "There's no one in the Imperial Garden right now. Would you like to try some?"
A girl in her early teens might be more suited to this dessert than him.
Jinzhu had been drooling with anticipation. Upon hearing this, she quickly looked around to make sure no one was there before thanking the fox spirit. She carefully took the jade bowl and held it as if afraid the fish in the pond would snatch it from her.
Hearing the child stuff several pieces into his mouth at once, Yun Shu couldn't help but remind him, "Slow down, don't choke."
"Yes! I'm being careful, it won't happen!" Jinzhu nodded vigorously, then remembered that the fox spirit couldn't see, so she quickly swallowed the food in her mouth and added the words, but didn't forget to invite the fox spirit to eat as well, "It's so sweet! This is the first time I've eaten such good fruit... No, no, fox spirit, please eat some too!"
After spending a few days together, Jinzhu was no longer as afraid as she had been at the beginning.
Hearing her eat so happily, Yun Shu's interest was piqued, and she ate a few more bites.
For a moment, apart from the crisp sound of Jinzhu chewing fruit, the only sounds in the Imperial Garden were the fish scrambling for food and the flowers blooming, which made it seem quite peaceful.
But Yun Shu could feel the little palace maid's gaze fixed on her face.
Perhaps having finally mustered enough courage, Jinzhu put down her chopsticks and hesitantly lowered her voice to ask him, "Fox Fairy... why is your face getting paler and paler? But... but is that medicine not working? I've noticed that every time you take the medicine... Ah! How dare I question the medicine personally brought by His Majesty... Fox Fairy, please don't say I'm being disrespectful today..."
These words struck Yun Shu like a stone thrown into a lake, causing him to pause in surprise. He slowly raised his hand to touch his face, but found nothing unusual. However... he had indeed been easily fatigued lately, even though he had been sleeping for several hours longer than before.
Ah Jin's medicine?
No, how could that be? Ah Jin was so worried about his health, how could she possibly harm him?
He shook his head slightly, trying to put the thought out of his mind, but... the gradually fading sounds of the marketplace fell into his ears again, and Murong Jin's dragon aura was roaming around his body again, which he could not completely ignore.
Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Jinzhu was so frightened that she almost cried: "Fox Fairy, I was just talking nonsense... Please don't send me away..."
With a twitch of its fox ears, Yun Shu gently coaxed, "Perhaps it's just that the underground heating in Yilan Palace was too strong, and you didn't get a good night's rest. Don't worry, we won't kick you out... Ah Jin said the Imperial Kitchen made some brown sugar glutinous rice balls today, would you like some?"
Upon hearing that the fox spirit had no intention of driving her away and did not hold her "slander" of the emperor against her, Jinzhu immediately stopped crying and smiled. She wiped away her tears, tidied up the food box, helped the fox spirit back to Yilan Palace to warm up, and then hurried towards the imperial kitchen.
Only Yun Shu remained in the hall.
He scooped up another honey pearl—it was sweet.
Perhaps he was just overthinking things.
He let out a soft breath, about to suppress his unease and take a moment to calm himself, when just as he was about to quiet his mind, he sensed a fluctuation that was of the same origin as the sinister demonic poison in his body, but a hundred times purer!
The force flashed by so quickly that he almost doubted whether he was hallucinating.
Yun Shu immediately focused her energy, trying to find the source of that thing, but she couldn't do it no matter what she did.
The search yielded no results, and Jinzhu's footsteps were already outside the palace. He had no choice but to rest for the time being and bury all the strangeness in his heart.
What exactly is that... that could cause the demonic poison within his body to resonate?
Fox Fairy Temple.
Before the incense table, a man stood with a solemn expression: "So far away... how could they sense it?"
After a moment's hesitation, he called out again, "Someone come here."
A person who was almost one with the shadows appeared instantly in the room, respectfully awaiting instructions.
“Tell ‘that person’ that we need to speed things up.”
"yes."
The shadow moved away, disappearing into the distance.
“Speaking of which…” He lit a few red incense sticks and bowed three times devoutly to the fox spirit statue, “The ancestral worship ceremony at Yunhua Mountain is held after the winter hunt.”
"The sect leader of Yunhua, please don't come back early... But so be it, as long as I get the fox demon's inner core, do you think I'm afraid of that woman? I just hope he's smart and doesn't let Yun Shu see through the winter hunt... Heh, soft-hearted fellow."
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