Changing circumstances
At the dawn of chaos, the Bright Phoenix descended. The entire Nine Heavens Upper Realm owed its existence to him, and thus he became the co-lord of the Nine Heavens, honored as the "Phoenix King." During his reign, heaven and earth were one, all things flourished, and all beings lived in peace and prosperity. Millions of years later, the Bright Phoenix fell, precipitating chaos. The Nine Heavens Upper Realm was divided into three factions: the Immortal Realm, led by the White Phoenix Clan; the Demon Realm, led by the Purple Phoenix Clan; and the Netherworld, home to spirits and demons. Each sought to unify the world and recreate the glory of the Bright Phoenix era, but their power was evenly matched, resulting in a stalemate. The Netherworld, advocating for rest and recuperation, withdrew from the struggle for dominance of heaven and earth. For years, the immortal and demon realms engaged in intrigue and strife, and their inhabitants harbored mutual hatred.
However, this is untrue. Both the White and Purple Phoenix tribes are descendants of the Ming Huang. However, after the Ming Huang's fall, disagreements arose between the two factions, leading them to separate factions, each dominating its own territory. The White Phoenix is gentle and steady, while the Purple Phoenix is extreme and impulsive. Over the next ten thousand years, the phoenixes of the two tribes evolved into white and purple, respectively, giving rise to their names. Phoenixes with fire-like golden bodies, like the Ming Huang, have disappeared from the two tribes. Both tribes gradually declined, becoming a three-way rivalry with the Netherworld, a tribe of spirits and monsters.
Twenty-five years ago, the immortals and demons met at the Demon Realm's palace. The immortal saint Ananchi and the demon lord Chongsheng fell in love at first sight and secretly pledged their lives. A few years later, the immortal master discovered their relationship and tore them apart. While fleeing, they were intercepted. The demon lord's whereabouts remain unknown, while Ananchi was brought back to the immortal realm. The immortal master used a secret technique to erase her memory, allowing her to resume her role as saint. Soon after, the immortal master passed away, and Ananchi succeeded him, unifying the White Phoenix Clan. Simultaneously, the sainthood was inherited by Ananchi's daughter, Anluoyi. Anluoyi is the only Golden Fire Phoenix in the world, while her father, known to the outside world as an unknown immortal, finally resolved the mystery and kept it a secret.
world
Twenty years ago, Yun Xiao, the Iron Cavalry General of Ningchang, welcomed a daughter and threw a lavish banquet at his residence, attracting prominent figures from all quarters to congratulate him. Everyone knew how much the invincible general doted on his daughter, but few knew that Yun Ti was not General Yun's biological daughter.
It was a night of howling winds and pounding rain. Yun Xiao, having led his army on the border for months and finally achieved victory, was on his way back to the capital when he heard the faint sound of a crying baby. He dismounted to investigate and found a baby girl weeping miserably in the gap between two large rocks, seemingly abandoned. Having just returned from a war, Yun Xiao understood the pain of countless families torn apart. He couldn't bear to see a young child die in the wilderness. He had been childless throughout his military career, and his wife was left alone at home. He took the baby home, a gift from heaven to the couple.
In a flash, sixteen years passed, and Yunti grew into a graceful young girl with red lips, white teeth, and a rosy face. There was an indescribable fairy-like charm between her eyebrows. She was a rare beauty in the world.
A brilliant young woman, Yunti not only delighted her parents but also the Emperor, who granted her special admission to the Imperial Academy, where she could study alongside the sons of the royal family and nobles. The human world, a lower realm lacking the abundant spiritual energy of the Nine Heavens, offered few high-level cultivators, but numerous lower-level practitioners. Though beloved and hailed as a "talented woman," Yunti's inability to absorb spiritual energy and cultivate it met the Imperial Academy's requirements, forcing her to enter as a special admission. The Imperial Academy was populated by the rebellious sons of aristocratic families, who naturally looked down upon a useless individual like Yunti, a person without any cultivation skills. Consequently, she was often harassed, but her cunning mind always managed to escape danger.
When it comes to classes at the Imperial College, Yunti will choose some courses that suit her. As for some spells that require the use of spiritual power, she will also learn their moves. The only difference is that without the support of spiritual power, the power is reduced by half. However, she doesn't care, because she doesn't want to be a waste with the title of "talented woman" for nothing. She wants to fight on the battlefield and serve the court like her father.
That day, Yunti had just stepped through the Imperial College gates when a cloud of black particles lashed out at her. Her steps were like lotus blossoms, and with a graceful turn, she dodged it easily. Yunti looked closely and saw the ground was covered with grains of beans. As she dodged, she casually picked up a bean and swiftly flung it in a certain direction. Ren Nianyan dodged and swept the grains away with a wave of his hand.
I saw a man standing on the eaves of the wall, and beside him was a servant holding a sack of grain and speaking humbly.
"Ren Nianyan, aren't you tired of playing such childish tricks since you were a child? Food is the foundation of the country, and His Majesty attaches great importance to agriculture. You are the son of a powerful official, but you act like this. I wonder if Prime Minister Ren knows this." Yunti said sternly with a cold face. This kind of teasing was a common thing and it was played on her almost every few days.
Ren Nianyan raised his eyebrows and said, "Your Majesty is so busy with affairs that he wouldn't care about trivial matters like ours. But you have no spiritual power at all, but you are occupying the Imperial College quota for nothing. I feel unfair for countless cultivators!"
Not being able to cultivate spiritual power has always been a sore spot for Yunti, but she is not ashamed of it. Even Ren Nianyan prodded her so hard, and Yunti was not one to be manipulated. "It was His Majesty's special permission that allowed me to enter the Imperial College. Could it be that Master Ren has objections to His Majesty's decision? If you have any dissatisfaction, you can raise it with His Majesty."
Ren Nianyan's expression suddenly changed, and he said immediately, "Stop arguing about right and wrong. How dare I disagree with His Majesty's decision?"
Yunti chuckled, "So, Master Ren has no objection to my admission to the Imperial College. Please don't do such nonsense again, lest others look down on Master Ren's magnanimity."
"You! How dare you look down on me!" Ren Nianyan was so angry that he circulated the spiritual power in his palm and was about to take action.
"Stop!" The teacher arrived in time and glanced at the beans on the ground.
Ren Nianyan withdrew his spiritual power and listened to the master say, "Nianyan! You were at fault for this action first. Go to the Discipline Hall to receive your punishment." Ren Nianyan was dissatisfied but could not vent his anger. He waved his sleeves and left angrily.
Yunti bowed to the Master, both as a gesture of greeting and thanks. "Thank you, Master, for rescuing me." She knew that she would be defeated sooner or later if she fought Ren Nianyan. If it weren't for the Master's orders, she would have suffered some physical pain today.
The Master stroked his beard and sighed, "Nian Yan has a domineering temperament. You should not try to provoke him with your words. If anything really happens, I, an old man, will definitely be punished by His Majesty, considering your status."
Yunti immediately took the Master's arm and took the initiative to admit his mistake: "Yunti understands. From now on, I will give in to Ren Nianyan and will not let the Master worry!"
"You!" The Master raised his hand and knocked on Yunti's head. He sighed heavily and said, "Follow me."
The ladder received the order and followed quickly.
Yunti has always been a leader wherever he goes. At a royal banquet, attended by numerous children from various official families, Ren Nianyan was supposed to lead the group. However, everyone disliked his arrogance and unwilling to follow his lead, instead following Yunti's orders. Yunti and his group passed by a lake, and Ren Nianyan, overcome with jealousy, attempted to push Yunti into the water. Yunti discovered his plan, ultimately harming both him and others. Ever since that incident, Ren Nianyan and Yunti have been enemies, and their mutual dislike has been growing.
Yunti followed the Master to the quiet room. The Master looked around and closed the door. Yunti knew that the Master had something to tell her, so she put away her playful smile.
The Master began sighing as soon as he left the morning court. He said earnestly, "At this morning court, there were reports that the Qingli Kingdom has stationed a large number of troops on the border, and it seems that they are planning to go to war. Ever since your father defeated Qingli sixteen years ago, the King of Qingli has been unwilling to give up and has been thinking of making a comeback. Now with this move, Sima Zhao's intentions are clear. The world is going to be in turmoil again." At this point, the Master sighed again.
Although Yunti was the daughter of a great general, there was no place for women in the army. Knowing this, she could do nothing about it. The Master said this... She already had a guess in her mind: "Master, are your words related to my father?"
The Master's eyes flashed with admiration. He nodded and said, "Indeed, the Qingli Nation has been gathering strength for years, and this time they will surely attack with a fierce force. Meanwhile, our country's recent extravagance may... pose a grave danger. Our army must win this first battle to stabilize morale! There was a debate in the court today about who should be sent to the front lines. Minister Ren Wen... recommended your father."
Yunti frowned, her expression rather grim. She shouted angrily, "What is Prime Minister Ren Wen's intention? My father is old and hasn't led troops in battle in years. This is putting him in dire straits! Is there no talent available in such a vast country like Ningchang?"
"You know your father well enough. Yun Xiao's expedition is a foregone conclusion. I'm an old friend of your father's, so I'm telling you this. After Yun Xiao leaves the capital, you'll have no protection. If... if your father has any plans for you, you must obey and avoid causing any trouble." The Master hesitated, unable to finish what he had to say. Perhaps Prime Minister Ren Wen's words were exactly what His Majesty was hoping for...
If the Master could think of this, General Yun naturally understood the Emperor's intentions. He was currently lost in thought within his room. Externally, the Emperor desired a glorious victory; internally, he likely hoped for his defeat. Over the years, he had often traveled abroad to minimize his influence, leaving his wife and daughter in the capital. The family had often been apart more often than together. While he didn't know the balance between state and power in His Majesty's mind, as a general of Ningchang, he was determined to win for both his country and his people.
"Your Majesty, I understand your intention, my husband..." What else could she think? Although Madam Yun knew what choice her husband would make, she still wanted Yun Xiao to be selfish and protect himself.
Seeing his wife coming, Yun Xiao took her delicate hand into his palm and said, "I understand what your wife means, but the country is in crisis, so we must prioritize national affairs!"
Madam Yun's eyes misted over. It was indeed so. But this was her husband. If he wasn't like that, she wouldn't have fallen in love with him. All she could do was take care of the rear. But their daughter... "Yunti, what are you going to do?"
Yun Xiao nodded, and after a moment, he said, "I will settle her in Yecheng. If I unfortunately don't return, I will tell her her life story. From now on, she can live freely in the vast world without being implicated by my Yun family."
Madam Yun and her group shed tears, wondering how much suffering the Yun family would have to endure without Yunti. Although she was not her own daughter, Madam Yun had already raised her as her own daughter.
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