The white-robed man's gaze flickered, a hint of solemnity appearing in his narrow peach blossom eyes. Staring at the face before him, he exclaimed in surprise, "Jun Lan?"
He would recognize this face even if it were ashes.
It was Jun Lan who had forced him and the Demon King to retreat when they attacked Great Desolation Mountain. After that day, the Underworld was forced to compromise and sign an unequal treaty with the Heavenly Realm, henceforth forbidden to even step into the mortal realm.
Wasn't Jun Lan sealed for defying heaven? How could he be in the mortal realm?
Ling Xi sneered, "Another blind fool."
Last time, the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon had also mistaken him for Jun Lan, and now a fierce ghost had made the same error.
Ling Xi swept his gaze up and down the ghost, a slight curve at the corner of his eye as he realized, "Ghost King?"
The Ghost King stiffened at the words, disbelief flooding his face.
It really was Jun Lan.
Ling Xi's smile deepened, the playfulness in his eyes growing more intense. He leaned closer, his smile wickedly profound, "I thought it was some insignificant creature, but it turns out to be a ghost alchemist."
Everything now became clear.
After the God of War, Jun Lan, repelled the Ghost King and the Demon King from Great Desolation Mountain, the Ghost King's internal organs were severely injured, requiring the essence of Yin to act as a medicinal guide. The Jade Rabbit, having grown up in the Moon Palace, possessed blood of extreme Yin. Thus, the Ghost King had targeted Li Fuhua, intending to take the Jade Rabbit during the civilian wedding.
The Ghost King's body trembled, his gaze towards Ling Xi filled with anger and hatred. He sneered, "After so many years, it seems I am still destined to die by your hand, but I accept it."
To die at the hands of the renowned God of War general of the Heavenly Realm, he accepted it.
With a flick of his wrist, Ling Xi unleashed his folding fan again. As a wisp of smoke dispersed, an amber inner core floated in mid-air, which he caught in his palm.
Ye Ziling had been unconscious for a day.
Only one lamp was lit in the room, its flickering flame casting a soft glow from the candlestick.
She was currently lying on the inn's bed, her clothes having been changed. On the table, two items had appeared: a hairpin adorned with a Platycodon grandiflorus and an amber... demon core?
Before she could gather her thoughts, Mu Heng burst through the door, striding into her room. The usual roguishness was gone from his eyes, his lips pressed into a tight line, his expression one of unprecedented tension.
"What's wrong? You seem so flustered?" Ye Ziling rubbed her forehead and sat up, asking.
Mu Heng, too impatient to find a stool, glanced around. Seeing that no one else was present, he said in a rush, "There's a big problem! Emperor Qing Bai has surrounded Jiu Ling Palace with heavenly soldiers and generals, accusing Jiu Ling Palace of harboring a criminal, and intends to destroy our entire palace!"
Ye Ziling paused, her eyes narrowing. She looked at the demon core on the table and then let out a cold laugh.
Her primordial spirit had recovered anyway. She wanted to see what Emperor Qing Bai could do without the Sun Moon Divine Lamp.
"You crazy girl, that's an Emperor... the Lord of all beings. We should run before they find us!"
Although Mu Heng knew she was once the renowned Goddess Tu Yao of the Heavenly Court, he was still an Emperor, and she was currently in mortal form. To oppose Emperor Qing Bai would be like an egg hitting a stone, a sure path to destruction!
"Prepare a boat, we're returning to the palace." Ye Ziling stood up calmly, patting the creases on her skirt, her tone relaxed.
"Ah? I've already packed everything, returning to the palace?" Mu Heng blinked wide-eyed, as if he had misheard, his expression one of utter disbelief. He could only stare at her with pleading puppy-dog eyes, but ultimately he relented and prepared a White Jade Dragon Boat.
It seemed things had taken an unexpected turn. Jing Mo was not only alive but had gone to the Heavenly Realm to report, revealing her whereabouts in Jiu Ling Palace to Qing Bai. Now, heavenly soldiers and generals had completely surrounded Jiu Ling Palace, waiting for her to walk into her doom.
At this moment, heavy snow was falling above Jiu Ling Palace. Snowflakes like goose feathers drifted down, blanketing the entire palace in a misty white, making it appear like a fairyland, yet also rife with danger.
In the sky, heavenly ships descended densely. Above the clouds, a solemn and dignified man stood with his hands behind his back, surveying the myriad ants below with a cold and ruthless gaze.
He was clad in a white robe, a jade crown on his head, his posture tall and straight, his handsome face sculpted. An intimidating aura of dominance surrounded him, striking fear into the hearts of the heavenly officials.
Jing Mo bowed beside him and, at an inappropriate moment, added fuel to the fire, "Your Majesty, I have one more matter to report."
"Speak." The man's gaze was icy, carrying an invisible pressure.
A glint flashed in Jing Mo's eyes. He bowed and said, "Not only did Tu Yao steal the Sun Moon Divine Lamp, but last night I also saw her engaging in illicit activities with a mortal man at the Li mansion. Indeed, it is a disgrace to the Heavenly Realm if this slut is not eliminated!"
The man's fingers under his sleeve clenched fiercely. His gaze turned menacing, and his thin lips parted as he coldly reprimanded, "Jiu Ling Palace harboring a criminal of the Heavenly Realm is a violation of heavenly rules. If the criminal is not handed over promptly, do not blame me for being merciless!"
Qing Bai's anger surged, and instantly, the sky flashed with lightning and thunder, the rumbling echoing through the clouds.
Seeing that the supreme ruler of the Heavenly Realm could no longer maintain his solemn demeanor, Jing Mo inwardly rejoiced.
For the first time seeing the Lord of all beings, the disciples of Jiu Ling Palace prostrated themselves. "Your Majesty, forgive us. Jiu Ling Palace has always been upright and incorruptible, and there is absolutely no harboring of criminals!"
Xuan Lang, clad in purple, stood at the back of the crowd and let out an untimely light laugh, "Oh, why are there so many people? It's truly a failure to welcome you! A failure to welcome you!"
"Presumptuous! How dare you be so rude before the Emperor!" A heavenly general beside Qing Bai shouted sternly, holding his treasure staff and pointing it at him imposingly.
Xuan Lang paid no heed to the heavenly general, sneering, "I am presumptuous? What right do you, a mere heavenly general, have to shout at me?"
In the Heavenly Realm, even the Heavenly Emperor spoke courteously to the people of Jiu Ling Palace. How dare a mere servant of the Heavenly Realm flaunt his authority before him?
No matter how much he hated that slut Ye Ziling, Jiu Ling Palace was his life's work. This madman, when he went mad, dared to offend even the Heavenly Realm. This time, he had to protect his own.
"You..." The heavenly general was speechless and was about to teach him a lesson when Qing Bai stopped him with a wave of his hand.
What this person said was not entirely unreasonable. He had surrounded Jiu Ling Palace without the Heavenly Emperor's knowledge. If this matter were to escalate, the Heavenly Emperor would surely hold him accountable.
One of the heavenly generals cautiously said to him, "Your Majesty... there is indeed no trace of Goddess Tu Yao in Jiu Ling Palace. Has she already escaped?"
"Escape? She dares." The man let out a cold snort, his hawk-like eyes fixed coldly on the kneeling disciples below, "I have already given you a chance. Do not refuse what is offered!"
The man waved his large hand, and a bolt of golden lightning descended from the void, striking the roof of Jiu Ling Palace's main hall. A thunderous roar erupted outside the palace, making everyone's hearts tremble.
Xuan Lang's expression tensed, and he fanned himself, doing his best to block the lightning. His gaze turned to the distance, and for the first time, he desperately wished for that madwoman Ye Ziling to return.
The disciples united, quickly casting spells, but how could mortals withstand such powerful immortal energy?
Just as the protective barrier was about to be breached, a sharp sword flew through the air, transforming into several sword energies that repelled the heavenly soldiers.
The sword energies re-condensed, piercing the clouds and heading straight for Qing Bai's head.
"Guards! Protect the Emperor!"
The heavenly generals reacted swiftly, quickly dispersing and shielding Qing Bai, blocking the formidable sword energy.
The lightning instantly dissipated, and the disciples collapsed in a heap.
"Welcome back, Palace Master."
The White Jade Dragon Boat landed. Ye Ziling's sleeves fluttered, her black hair cascading to her waist. Her phoenix eyes were cold and sharp, meeting the man's gaze in the sky levelly.