My System, My Wife Feng Aotian [Transmigration] - Chapter 46

Feng Jue refilled her teacup and glanced outside the door with a puzzled expression. Just then, the steward hurried in, his forehead glistening with sweat. “Palace Master,” he reported, “the Eastern Continent Grand Competition is approaching, and guests from all corners of the world have flocked to Lanyang City. The Weaver’s Workshop is booming with business. Even the most skilled embroiderers, who create the most expensive garments, have no time to rest and are still attending to customers…”

“There’s simply no one available to assist you, Palace Master. I can only ask you to wait a moment.” The steward lowered his head uneasily, awaiting Feng Jue’s reprimand. Instead, she said, “It’s nothing. A thriving business is a good thing. I shouldn’t have come without giving prior notice. I’ll wait.”

“…”

A weight seemed to lift from the steward’s heart. He looked at Feng Jue with newfound admiration and quickly withdrew to stand by the door, awaiting her instructions.

During the wait, 03 had thoroughly examined the room. She paced to the window, hands clasped behind her back, gazing at the city ablaze with lights. Lanyang City was a city that never sleeps. Colored lanterns hung above the long streets, swayed above the tall taverns, and adorned each tier of the Immortal Gazing Platform.

Occasionally, cultivators released Spiritual Artifacts carrying Spirit Stones. Carved birds, so lifelike they seemed almost real, soared through the layers of lanterns, their wings beating as they flew past 03. She leaned forward, following the Silver Sparrow’s wings through the glow of the lanterns, watching it fly into Tingxian Residence and perch beside the Shopkeeper.

Before long, a child carrying a food box, with the Silver Sparrow perched on their shoulder, hurried away in the direction the bird had come from.

03 realized: It’s delivery!

She raised her hand.

Spiritual Power flowed, coalescing in her palm to form a palm-sized phoenix. The System was unparalleled in replication; the illusory phoenix formed from her spiritual power was identical to the one summoned by Feng Jue’s Cultivation Technique. 03 turned around, holding the phoenix out for Feng Jue to see.

Feng Jue calmly glanced at it and raised her hand, tapping the air.

A golden-red flame flew from her fingertip, drifting toward 03. The phoenix in her palm flapped its wings as if coming to life, swallowing the flame whole. The fiery orb sank into the phoenix’s belly, dyeing its wings the color of flames.

Success!

03, her eyes curving with delight, carefully approached the window. She cupped the illusory Phoenix in her hands, brought it to her lips, and blew gently.

The Phoenix stirred in the wind, its wings unfurled as it soared upward. As it left 03’s palm, its form expanded continuously, spiraling upward against the backdrop of the bustling street. In the crowded thoroughfare, someone raised their head first, astonishment written across their face. They shouted, “Look! It’s a Phoenix!”

“The Phoenix!”

The street erupted in commotion. Tens of thousands of people tilted their heads back, chasing the Phoenix’s flight as its feathered tail trailed the street’s lanterns toward the Dengxian Platform. The spectators on the platform cheered, stretching their arms skyward in vain attempts to touch the Phoenix’s long tail. They watched helplessly as it soared past the platform and into the heavens.

Poetic inspiration struck someone in the crowd. They called out, “May we aspire to the heights of swans and cranes, chasing the Phoenix’s flight!”

03 joined in, her voice rising and falling with rhythm: “The phoenix flute plays, the jade hourglass turns, and all night long, fish and dragons dance.”

From the depths of the street came the melodious sounds of flutes and drums. When the melody reached 03’s ears, she snapped her fingers. The Phoenix that had soared past the Dengxian Platform instantly dissolved into specks of light, scattering across the sky like the aftermath of a magnificent fireworks display.

After watching the fireworks, 03 turned around with hands clasped behind her back to look at Feng Jue. Feng Jue was covering her face with her hand, laughing. Meeting 03’s hopeful gaze, her eyes lit up even more with amusement. She nodded solemnly and said, “Good poem. Not bad.”

03 gave her a thumbs-up, realizing that Feng Jue had a remarkable talent for social interaction and had already integrated into the local culture. Feng Jue stood up and walked over, then glanced past 03, her expression gradually shifting to astonishment.

“Hmm?”

03 quickly turned around.

After 03 had directed the Phoenix illusion to fly around the city, various illusions began floating up from different parts of the city, along with the emblems of major sects—tigers, cranes, dragons, and horses—making for a lively scene. Some even projected their sect names directly into the air, one proclaiming, “Eastern Continent Grand Competition: Tianwu Sect Disciples Claim First Place!”

03 also: “Eh?”

The Tianwu Sect’s “banner” hadn’t even floated for long before a burst of spiritual power scattered their confident declaration, replacing it with “Qingguang Sect Refutes This!”

The once-peaceful “fireworks festival” had instantly devolved into a trash-talking free-for-all, with provocative messages flying back and forth. Spiritual power clashed as colorful beams streaked across the sky, filling the city with floating text.

03: “Wow!”

Her sparkling eyes turned to Feng Jue, who replied, “…No.”

Learn something proper!

Really? You can’t?

03 stared fixedly out the window, desperately wanting to post a banner that read “Feng Jue is the Best!”

Feng Jue quickly diverted her attention. “Let’s go for a stroll first. Do you want to go to Dengxian Platform?” She directed the Phoenix to circle the platform twice.

03 grinned. “Shy, are we?”

Impressive, Feng Jue. She even noticed that!

Indeed, 03 did want to explore. The view here was rather limited.

“What about our clothes?” 03 asked.

Feng Jue waved dismissively. “We’ll stay at Youfenglaiyi today. We’ll have the embroiderers come here.”

We’re actually staying in the city? Alright, alright! Does that mean I don’t have to sleep on that couch today?

The couch was a bit short. Although the System didn’t need sleep, when it came to lying down and resting, it valued having a proper ritual. The Main System had often emphasized this point.

03 happily followed behind Feng Jue, already planning to ask for a large bed later.

The two donned veiled hats. 03 hastily grabbed Feng Jue’s hand, and Feng Jue glanced at her without comment. They left the Weaver’s Workshop, following the crowd toward Dengxian Platform.

At the Weaver’s Workshop, the embroiderer hurried upstairs after finally seeing off her clients. Hearing from the steward that the Palace Master had left earlier, she stamped her foot in frustration. “If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have bothered with those clients,” she grumbled. “They were so slow and arrogant! I’ve worked here for years, and I’ve never been treated like this!”

If only those people hadn’t made her jump through so many hoops, she could have met the Palace Master today!

The steward tried to console her. “Only the most important clients get you to handle their orders.” Just bear it for the Spirit Stones.

“Hmph, the time it took to handle that order could have been spent making a whole outfit! That leader was such a pain. I heard he’s the son of the Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect’s Sect Leader.” The embroiderer frowned, clutching her heart. “The Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect claims to be the foremost sect of the Eastern Continent, but anyone with eyes can see who truly reigns supreme. Lanyang Palace and the Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect have been locked in open and covert conflict for years. I can’t figure out why their disciples would come to the Weaver’s Workshop for custom clothing. It’s making me uneasy.”

In Lanyang City, every shop belonging to Lanyang Palace bore the unmistakable Phoenix emblem on its signboard. No one could mistake it.

The steward thought for a moment, then patted the embroiderer on the shoulder and reassured her, “Don’t be afraid. Lanyang City is our territory. They won’t be able to cause any trouble.”

The embroiderer nodded, thinking that if they refused to be reasonable, it would be even easier to handle. However… “The man who was so eager to pay next to the leading disciple seems to be surnamed Xue. His name is Xue Bu… something. I think he’s a disciple of the Lianshan Sect.”

*****

Before the Dengxian Platform.

03 looked at the long queue and let out a drawn-out “Wow.” “In the cultivation world, there’s no sleep.”

Feng Jue chuckled and beckoned to 03. “Palace Master of Lanyang Palace, there’s no need to queue. Follow me.”

This is the VIP treatment! 03 happily followed Feng Jue, the two of them moving against the crowd to the edge of the Dengxian Platform. Feng Jue formed a hand seal, and the red wall before them suddenly revealed the patterns of an array. She threw a sphere of spiritual power, and the patterns instantly transformed into a door, revealing a spiral staircase behind it.

03 began clapping.

Always ready to cheer on the occasion.

Feng Jue said warmly, “The last time I came to the Dengxian Platform was when I officially took over Lanyang Palace. This platform was built by my grandmother’s orders, and she also came here when she handed Lanyang Palace to my mother.”

The two walked through the gate, the formation dissipating behind them, leaving only the vermilion wall. Inside the Dengxian Platform, they climbed the stairs. An unknown formation filled the tower; as Feng Jue and 03 ascended, they could hear the clamor of voices from the other side of the wall. On the Dengxian Platform, both mortals and cultivators had to climb the stairs on foot.

Amidst the laughter and chatter, the joyful cries of children mingled, momentarily erasing the divide between immortals and mortals.

But when they reached the summit, gazing upon the ethereal display of spiritual power that filled the sky, and observing the massive spiritual ships floating overhead, the distance between reality and illusion suddenly stretched vast.

The mortal world had its own vibrant energy, its fireworks booming across the sky—a sign of prosperity. Tonight, this scene, along with the city’s ink, brushes, paper, and inkstones, would be preserved for posterity, transcending the divide between cultivators and mortals.

Feng Jue’s eyes reflected the lamplight, the brilliant fireworks shimmering in her pupils. A wistful sigh escaped her. Four years ago, when she had personally harvested her Golden Core, she had stood here, looking down upon the mortal realm, feeling the world’s insignificance and believing she could subdue it all. But in just four years, she had discovered the vastness of the world, and beyond the heavens, even greater expanses.

When the Palace Master of Lanyang Palace ascended the Dengxian Platform during her reign, it wasn’t truly about “ascending to immortality.” Instead, she was meant to observe the mortal realm and not lose sight of her humanity.

In that moment, Feng Jue felt a stirring within her. Her Golden Core in the Sea of Consciousness began to rotate rapidly, and Spiritual Power surged toward the edges. 03, who had been admiring the scenery with Hua Hua cradled in her palm, quickly turned to Feng Jue. The bubble in her palm instantly transformed from Hua Hua into a fiery symbol: “!”

“Feng Jue,” 03 said, “you seem… about to catch fire.”

She sensed the crimson-gold energy threatening to engulf Feng Jue, yet Feng Jue seemed to revel in it.

If only it were rounder and smaller, it would resemble her kind.

Feng Jue’s lips curved as she suppressed the surging Spiritual Power back into her Sea of Consciousness. “I sense the signs of a breakthrough,” she said slowly. “Let’s see if this Grand Competition can serve as my whetstone, pushing me to the next level.”

Feng Jue was a blade.

03 gave her a thumbs-up, then pointed beyond the Dengxian Platform.

The trash talk phase had arrived in Gaochao. What had started as scattered exchanges between sects had escalated into full-blown digital street cursing among rival factions. Now, virtually every sect was participating, competing in who could project the largest characters and the most garish, over-the-top holographic displays. The battle raged fiercely.

Lanyang City was enveloped in patterns of spiritual power, illuminating the night as brightly as day. The stars and candlelight paled in comparison to the vibrant, multicolored glow of spiritual energy.

On the bustling street, Xue Mengtao, out with her friend Xiao Rong, tilted her head back to watch the dramatic spectacle, her eyes wide with wonder. Even during the Lianshan Sect’s most festive occasions, she had never witnessed such dazzling excitement.

The spectacle stirred something within her. She reached a hand to the phoenix tattoo on her chest and asked impulsively, “Xiao Rong, what is the essence of Lanyang Palace disciples?”

Xiao Rong, a disciple of Liyang Peak and about the same age as Xue Mengtao, kept her eyes fixed on the ethereal images of spiritual power dancing in the sky. “Ah, essence? What essence? Could you mean our character as Lanyang Palace disciples?”

“You’ve only been here a year! Haven’t you figured it out yet? Lanyang Palace disciples are all about hospitality, integrity, and courtesy!”

On Dengxian Platform, 03 observed a stream of spiritual power drifting from the inn where she had completed her recent mission. Summoning the “Heard on the Street” interface she had previously used, she asked Feng Jue, “Why is Lanyang Palace called Lanyang Palace?”

Feng Jue crossed her arms, her gaze cold as she observed the defiant text. Without even moving her eyes, she remarked casually, “Oh, it’s just that many years ago, my grandmother was betrayed by someone she trusted. After regaining everything, she renamed the original sect ‘Lanyang Palace’—’Lan’ as in ‘greedy.’ It means having an unyielding spirit and the ambition to achieve great things.”

She turned to glance at 03.

“Originally, seeking immortality sounds awfully greedy, doesn’t it?”

Greedy.

Like how humans only need three meals a day, but she wanted seven?

03 thought so, meeting Feng Jue’s gaze.

Feng Jue’s veil was beautiful, its golden gauze draped gracefully on either side. Her exquisite features appeared even more dazzling in the ethereal spiritual light, the golden phoenix-shaped hair ornament at her forehead resembling a bird spreading its wings, its five tail feathers forming intricate patterns.

Under the night sky, her eyes were dark yet luminous, drawing 03’s involuntary stare.

Feng Jue’s lips curved slightly. “What are you thinking?”

03 pondered for a moment. “I’m considering things from a human perspective.”

On the bustling street, Xue Mengtao’s friend was enthusiastically explaining how the disciples of Lanyang Palace were paragons of integrity and excellence, humble and selfless, treating all with equal respect. Xue Mengtao listened attentively, absorbing every word, and resolved to balance her sword training with more scholarly pursuits.

Just then, a burst of spiritual power erupted from the city’s largest inn, distinct from all previous displays. The Golden Core Stage’s oppressive aura shattered all illusions in the sky, arrogantly dominating the entire heavens, ensuring all within and without the city could witness it.

The illusion proclaimed:

[Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect: Eastern Continent’s First]

In that instant, Xue Mengtao swore to the Heavenly Dao that she distinctly heard the direct disciple of the Peak Master of Liyang Peak—the one who had inscribed “The essence of propriety lies in harmony” on the main peak—utter a remarkably impolite remark.

Stunned, Xue Mengtao watched as Xiao Rong rolled up her sleeves and unleashed a surge of spiritual power.

She wasn’t alone. Spiritual energies from all directions converged, striking at the arrogant proclamation.

[Lanyang Palace: Eastern Continent’s Largest Sect. Challenge Us if You Dare.]

[Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect? Never Heard of It.]

[Thank you, fellow cultivators, for coming to Lanyang City to participate in the Eastern Continent Grand Competition.]

Various spiritual powers converged, attempting to suppress the arrogant colossal phantom, but due to the disparity in cultivation levels, they couldn’t shatter it. This only fueled the Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect’s arrogance. Their disciples laughed heartily, unleashing their attacks and inscribing the words “Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect, Eastern Continent’s First” across the sky.

The Lanyang City disciples refused to back down.

[What’s the point of empty threats? The Purple Bamboo Forest outside Lanyang City awaits. Those who dare not come are worthless trash.]

[Tonight’s decisive battle will be at the Purple Bamboo Forest.]

Relying on their massive spiritual phantom, the Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect disciples countered with their own taunts.

Unable to win through reason, you resort to brute force. Such arrogance reveals your true emptiness.

The Scarlet Thunder Sword Sect, a thousand-year major sect, will inevitably claim the Eastern Continent’s supremacy.

03 observed the celestial paper and spiritual power ink war of words, then glanced at Feng Jue’s frosty expression, lost in thought.

She was now human, and must resolve conflicts through human means. As Feng Jue’s direct disciple and the Palace Master of Lanyang Palace, she was bound to support Lanyang Palace. Having witnessed countless such confrontations during her missions, she knew all too well what followed such posturing.

A golden lightbulb seemed to appear above 03’s head, and a ding-dong sound came from her mouth.

Feng Jue, constrained by her position as Palace Master and unable to act rashly, felt a surge of spiritual energy fly past her, instantly clearing the vibrant spiritual power filling the sky above Lanyang City. The world suddenly became serene, leaving only the final strand of spiritual power to trace its pattern across the heavens.

[Everyone, please be quiet. I have something fair to say.]

[In my view, whether first or second, everyone here except Lanyang Palace is trash.]

Feng Jue whirled around, meeting 03’s gaze.

Silver hair danced in the wind, her eyes were clear and bright, and she held a bubble in one hand—within it, the System was blooming with flowers. The obediently standing 03’s eyes immediately curved into a radiant smile as she directed her final strand of spiritual power.

[I’m done. Thank you all.]

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