After Provoking the Mad Beautiful Deity - Chapter 14

Even dual cultivation once is no longer effective.

Taking on a disciple was no simple matter. Ten thousand years ago, Phoenix Mountain was a prominent clan, a sacred and prestigious place that placed great emphasis on innate talent and character. Hongyan originated from the demon race, and the elders of Phoenix Mountain would not be so foolish as to accept someone from the demon clan.

Secondly, she had no memory of Hongyan whatsoever, as if they were complete strangers.

Yanlai sat down helplessly behind the desk, instinctively continuing to flip through the clan registry. The names were all familiar to her, she remembered every one of them, except for Hongyan.

The clan registry could not lie. Someone must have stolen her memories of Hongyan.

If Hongchen had also lost her memories, then did the memories she lost include Hongchen as well?

Countless doubts surged in her heart. Yanlai refused to sit idly by, nor was she willing to lose a portion of her memories for no reason. The only solution was to go to the Heavenly Realm and seek answers from the Heavenly Emperor and Sanmeng.

After settling matters at Phoenix Mountain, she set off alone for the Nine Heavens.

Before the Southern Heavenly Gate, immortal energy surged. A figure and a qilin descended, only to be stopped by the guards at the gate. “Where did this demon beast come from?”

The qilin transformed into human form, a small child puffing her cheeks angrily at the guard, pointing at Yanlai. “I am her mount! Are you blind?”

“You carry demonic energy,” the guard retorted, drawing his blade toward the qilin.

The qilin lifted her arm and sniffed it, then instinctively looked at Yanlai. “What do we do? I can’t enter.”

“Fight our way in,” Yanlai replied, lowering her gaze as she lightly brushed the patterns on her sleeve, her expression impassive. “Thinking back, it has been ten thousand years since I last came here. Being looked down upon is only to be expected.”

Hearing this, the guard was taken aback and quickly bowed respectfully, asking, “Might I ask, esteemed immortal, who you are?”

“Yanlai, Clan Leader of Phoenix Mountain.”

“So it is the exalted Yanlai! This humble immortal failed to recognize you.” The guard was shocked and hurriedly stepped aside to clear a path, then glanced at the qilin. “Esteemed immortal friend may also enter.”

The qilin snorted, spat in his direction, and quickly followed Yanlai’s steps.

Beyond the Southern Heavenly Gate, they encountered many celestial beings. Yanlai slowed her pace, carefully observing them they were all newly ascended immortals from the past ten thousand years, the rising stars of the realm.

As they walked, she realized she did not see a single immortal from ten thousand years ago. Suspicion growing in her heart, she first asked the qilin, “When did you start following the Demon Lord?”

“Ten thousand years ago.”

Yanlai was disappointed another dead end from ten thousand years ago. She continued toward the Profound Heaven Palace, the air thick with immortal mist, frequently passing immortals she did not recognize.

Halfway there, she suddenly spotted Princess Yuling of the Flower Clan. Yanlai did not pause, but Yuling stopped her. “Exalted Yanlai.”

Yanlai nodded. “Princess.”

“Has my cousin returned?” Yuling peered behind Yanlai, her face tinged with shyness, a picture of delicate beauty.

Yanlai shook her head. “I have not seen the Crown Prince.”

“You are not together?” Yuling questioned, her gaze sharp with suspicion, clearly disbelieving the exalted one’s words. Her cousin, with his dashing brows and starry eyes, possessed exceptional talent. In comparison, Exalted Yanlai was somewhat older. Yuling sneered, “At a time like this, you should be clinging to my cousin. If he takes a liking to someone else, your status will be in jeopardy. Last I heard, several newly ascended fairies were following him, seeking shortcuts in their cultivation.”

“Shortcuts in cultivation? Like dual cultivation?” The qilin blinked innocently. “Is your cousin so powerful because he practices dual cultivation with others?”

“Where did this unruly child come from? Do not speak nonsense!” Yuling shouted angrily, her face flushing red as she raised her hand to strike.

“Raise your hands,” Yanlai flicked her sleeve to push her away, her entire body radiating a chilling aura. “My Qilin divine beast has endured heavenly thunder; you are unworthy to face her.”

“You, God Yanlai, you’re allowing this beast to slander me!” Yu Ling, flushed with anger and humiliation, recklessly stepped forward and grabbed the Qilin. The Qilin, being small in stature, stumbled from the pull and instantly grew furious. Her fur bristled as she swung a palm strike at her opponent.

Yu Ling, born of the celestial race with innate immortal roots and bones, had neglected her cultivation over the years. How could she be a match for the Qilin? She was immediately severely wounded, crashing heavily to the ground and spitting blood.

In an instant, a crowd gathered to watch the commotion. Yanlai cast a cold glance, indifferent to the unreasonable troublemaker, and led the Qilin toward the Xuantian Hall.

The Qilin trotted gleefully behind her, joking, “This little sister-in-law of yours is quite troublesome, and a cousin at that. One careless move and she’ll cling all the way to your bed. God, your married life must be miserable.”

No sooner had the words fallen than someone attacked from behind, their powerful spiritual energy sending the Qilin stumbling. Yanlai focused her energy, reaching out to seize the assailant. With her fingertips sharp as blades, she struck at the sneak attacker.

Above the Ninth Heaven, thunder rumbled as phoenix spiritual energy enveloped the sky. Yanlai hovered in the air, coldly gazing down at the Flower Clan guards below.

The guard’s spiritual energy was profound; she was Yu Ling’s attendant, and her cultivation clearly surpassed that of the Flower Clan’s leader. Clearly intent on killing the Qilin, the Qilin patted her chest in fright. “Your little sister-in-law resorts to murder at the slightest provocation!”

Yanlai remained silent as her opponent unleashed a deadly move. Yu Ling shouted, “Kill that beast! The God has colluded with the demon clan and cannot escape punishment!”

The Qilin rubbed her head. “Why does she hold such hostility toward you?”

Yanlai smiled faintly. “If someone stole your most beloved thing, wouldn’t you feel hostile toward them?”

“Of course! But what did you take from her? The Crown Prince? But he’s not a thing you can’t exactly steal him.” The Qilin fell into confusion. The Crown Prince truly wasn’t an object; how could one even attempt to steal him?

As she muttered to herself, the guard lunged forward, and a myriad of flowers surged, trapping Yanlai within a formation.

The Qilin exclaimed in surprise, “This technique resembles something from my Demon Lord!”

“Perhaps your Demon Lord stole their technique. Your Demon Lord’s cultivation far surpasses theirs,” Yanlai sneered, concentrating her spiritual energy. The Qilin’s muttering reached her ears: “The Demon Lord loves to steal things, and now he’s stealing techniques too?”

As soon as she finished speaking, a long sword shattered the formation. The guard in the air spat a mouthful of blood and fell to the ground.

Yu Ling tried to flee, but Yanlai flashed in front of her, gripping her neck. “Today, I spare your life out of respect for the Crown Prince. If we meet again and you do not restrain yourself, I will send you to the demon clan to be dealt with by the Demon Lord.”

At the mention of the Demon Lord, Yu Ling trembled in fear, repeatedly promising she would never dare again.

Yanlai released her, glanced at the guard, and immediately summoned an Immortal-Binding Rope to tie her up. She instructed the Qilin, “Take her to Phoenix Mountain.”

The Qilin hesitated nervously. “I can’t defeat her. What if she escapes?”

“If she escapes, so be it. Just deliver her as instructed. I’ll return on my own.” Yanlai waved her sleeve and, to avoid encountering any more insignificant figures, spread her wings and flew toward the Xuantian Hall.

The Qilin continued muttering to herself when suddenly, a brilliant golden light flashed. She looked up to see a pair of golden wings bathed in flames, strikingly magnificent.

“I forgot you’re a phoenix you can fly on your own and don’t need a mount like me. Wait, if you can fly, why did the Demon Lord gift me to you? Couldn’t bear to let you tire yourself out?”

“Is the Demon Lord out of his mind?”

“Does he lose all sense when he sees a woman?”

The qilin began to doubt itself but still remembered its duty. It immediately transformed into its true form and, carrying the vomiting, unconscious Flower Clan guard, flew toward Phoenix Mountain.

The Celestial Emperor had ruled over the immortal clans for tens of thousands of years so long that even Yanlai couldn’t recall how he ascended to the throne. She only remembered that the previous Celestial Emperor had passed the throne to him upon his death. Rumor had it that he was merely an immortal lord at the time, and after his brothers perished at the hands of the demon clan, he became the sole candidate.

After ascending to the throne, his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds. Ten thousand years ago, he endured ninety-one heavenly tribulations and attained the status of a High God.

As she flew into the Profound Heaven Hall, the Celestial Emperor was surprised and personally descended the steps to greet her. The assembled immortals bowed in salute, and Yanlai returned the gesture. She looked at the Celestial Emperor and asked directly, “Your Majesty, I have some confidential matters to discuss. Should the other immortals remain to listen?”

Confidential matters? The Celestial Emperor’s eyelids twitched, and he chuckled lightly. “High God, you jest.”

Though his expression remained smiling, his eyes suddenly sharpened as he swept a glance over the immortals. Understanding his intent, they quickly excused themselves and departed.

Only the two of them remained in the Profound Heaven Hall. Yanlai stood with her hands behind her back and cut straight to the point. “Your Majesty, do you still recall the great calamity ten thousand years ago?”

“What does the High God mean?” The Celestial Emperor stood on the steps, looking down at Yanlai.

Yanlai spoke bluntly, “Was it truly the demon clan who raised arms, or was it Your Majesty who targeted my Phoenix Clan? Why, across the three realms, is the Phoenix Clan the only one reduced to a single survivor?”

“High God, you’ve lived for tens of thousands of years. How could you not remember the events of that time? The Phoenix Clan fought valiantly against the Demon Lord Hongyan to protect all living beings.” The Celestial Emperor’s expression turned solemn, a trace of pity flashing in his eyes. “You were in seclusion that year, High God, and thus avoided the disaster. It’s understandable that you’re unaware of the details. Ask any immortal, and they will tell you that Hongyan was ambitious, seeking to destroy the immortal clans and rule over the realms of gods, demons, and mortals. Fortunately, the immortals united to resist and ultimately vanquished Hongyan.”

“Hongyan is dead?” Yanlai focused intently, not believing a word of what the Celestial Emperor said. Hongyan was clearly a disciple of Phoenix Mountain, how could she have become the Demon Lord?

“Her soul was scattered to the winds,” the Celestial Emperor replied.

Yanlai fell silent, her expression icy. Noticing this, the Celestial Emperor couldn’t help but ask, “High God, why are you inquiring about matters of the demon clan?”

“Someone told me that a fragment of the Demon Lord Hongchen’s soul is in Your Majesty’s possession. I was wondering is Hongchen actually Hongyan?” Yanlai stared at the Celestial Emperor, testing the waters casually. The demon physician had claimed that Hongchen’s soul was with the Celestial Emperor, yet Hongchen had no memory of it and had never crossed paths with the Celestial Emperor in ten thousand years. Why was the demon physician so certain the soul was there?

Secondly, Sanmeng had mentioned that Hongchen resembled her mother, Hongyan.

Thirdly, Hongchen possessed profound spiritual power.

If the demon physician and Sanmeng weren’t lying, it was highly likely that Hongchen was the same Hongyan who had slain numerous High Gods of the immortal clans ten thousand years ago.

“Hongchen is Hongyan?” The Celestial Emperor also feigned surprise. Yanlai pressed closer, asking, “You’ve known all along that Hongchen is Hongyan, haven’t you?”

“High God, you jest. How would I know such a thing?” The Celestial Emperor denied it.

Yanlai pressed further, “Is Hongchen’s soul in your possession?”

“No. I have never even met Hongchen.” The Celestial Emperor continued to deny.

Yanlai didn’t believe him but didn’t press the matter further. She bowed slightly and prepared to leave the hall. The Celestial Emperor called after her, “Where is the High God going?”

“Back to Phoenix Mountain.” Fearful of the Celestial Emperor’s power, Yanlai chose not to engage further. She would return to the mountain and plan her next move.

She was leaving the Nine Heavens. The Heavenly Emperor watched her depart, standing with his hands behind his back outside the Xuandian Hall, motionless for a long time.

In a mortal dwelling, an old woman boiled a pot of water. Hongchen washed herself thoroughly, changed into a brand-new set of clothes, and lay comfortably on the bed.

Suddenly, someone burst into the room from outside, crashing through the door with a loud bang.

Hongchen: “…”

She quickly sat up, only to see Yanlai, the goddess who usually carried an ethereal and elegant aura, collapsed on the ground, spitting blood as if severely injured.

Yanlai struggled to stand, her face pale. Hongchen glanced at her and remarked, “With injuries this severe, even dual cultivation might not be enough to save you.”

Seeing a familiar face, the burning pain wracking Yanlai’s body eased slightly, but she still couldn’t suppress the blood surging up her throat. Hongchen chose to step forward and support her anyway, her eyes clear and sincere as she asked kindly, “Would you like to try dual cultivation?”