You Opened the Pouch?
“...I’ve heard of this medicine before. It’s an herb called Blood Lotus Lingzhi. It contains extremely powerful spiritual energy and is used by the Demon Clan to increase cultivation. If an ordinary immortal were to consume it, the medicine would clash with the pure immortal energy in their body. It would have no effect whatsoever nor would anyone even be able to detect it. However...”
Ah-Tao paused, looking thoughtfully at Ji Chaoyun.
Ji Chaoyun immediately understood the meaning behind her words.
It was precisely because he possessed a body that was half-immortal and half-yao, with inherently impure immortal energy, that the Blood Lotus Lingzhi had been able to stimulate his yao power and cause it to spiral out of control.
Feng Qi seemed to realize something. “This person... knows his constitution very well?”
“Exactly.” Ah-Tao said, “Although this young master is half-immortal and half-yao, he conceals it extremely well. Even I wouldn’t have noticed without checking his pulse. Whoever administered the drug seems to know him very well. They knew his weakness, which is why they chose Blood Lotus Lingzhi.”
A subtle change passed through Ji Chaoyun’s eyes. “Blood Lotus Lingzhi... where would one have to go to find it?”
“Nowhere.” Ah-Tao shook her head. “Blood Lotus Lingzhi is exceptionally difficult to cultivate. It requires a vast amount of demonic qi throughout its growth. Once cut off from that source, it will wither within three days. In other words, aside from the soil of the Demon Realm, Blood Lotus Lingzhi cannot grow anywhere else.”
“The Demon Realm?” Feng Qi frowned. “Are you saying someone brought Blood Lotus Lingzhi out of the Demon Realm? How is that possible?”
“Indeed, how could that be possible...” Ah-Tao lightly tapped her fingertips against the tabletop and said softly, “Three hundred years ago, the Demon Clan launched a massive invasion and nearly conquered the Immortal Realm. The Immortal Realm was forced to seek aid from the gods. A heavenly god descended and fought a bitter battle against the Demon Clan.
Afterward, the Demon Clan was defeated, and the gods completely sealed off the Demon Realm. No member of the Demon Clan was ever again permitted to take so much as half a step beyond the Demon Realm.”
“...Three hundred years have passed. How could Blood Lotus Lingzhi suddenly appear in the Immortal Realm?”
The atmosphere in the room abruptly grew heavy. Only Ji Chaoyun remained quietly seated beside the table, his eyes lowered, his expression impossible to read.
After a long silence, Feng Qi finally spoke, his voice strained.
“Could the seal on the Demon Realm have loosened?”
Ah-Tao lifted her head. There was no trace of teasing left in her eyes.
“If that is truly the case, the Immortal Realm will face a great calamity. And this time, neither you nor I may escape it.”
The Divine Realm had already been sealed three hundred years ago.
This time, no one would come to save them.
If that were truly the case, it would be a catastrophe capable of destroying everything.
Feng Qi and Ah-Tao stared at one another for a moment. Then Feng Qi took two objects from his storage ring and placed them on the table.
“Since you recognize the herb, I’ll have to trouble you to check whether either of these contains Blood Lotus Lingzhi.”
Ah-Tao considered it briefly. “I’ll need half a day.”
“All right.”
Ah-Tao put the two items away then added, “Still, everything I said just now is only speculation. It can’t be taken as fact yet. It’s also possible that some bored person used a demonic artifact to cultivate Blood Lotus Lingzhi.”
Ji Chaoyun suddenly asked, “Do you know anyone capable of doing that?”
Ah-Tao clearly had not expected him to be so perceptive. Her expression changed slightly before she said, “There is a half-demon in the Sea Market. During the chaos of the war back then, he was left behind in the Immortal Realm.
With nowhere else to go, he fled to the Nameless Sea and hid here. That fellow has never been able to let go of his homeland. He spends all day with his head buried in tinkering with all sorts of strange demonic artifacts and Demon Clan cultivation techniques. Go ask him. You might learn something useful.”
Ah-Tao gave them a location.
Ji Chaoyun stood and bowed to her.
“Many thanks, Miss Ah-Tao.”
Ah-Tao nodded.
Ji Chaoyun turned and walked straight out.
Feng Qi was about to follow when Ah-Tao spoke behind him. “That little beauty of yours... doesn’t seem simple.”
Feng Qi glanced at Ji Chaoyun, who had already left the room, then turned back with a smug smile.
“What do you think? The person I chose isn’t bad, right?”
Ah-Tao clicked her tongue, a hint of sourness in her voice. “Half-yao, half-immortal. You’d better be careful. If you keep indulging yourself like that, aren’t you afraid he’ll drain your essence dry?”
Feng Qi stilled for a moment. The faint sense that something was amiss, which had lingered ever since he woke that day, finally seemed to have an explanation.
Everything suddenly became clear to Feng Qi. He smiled. “Thanks, A-Tao. If I get the chance someday, I’ll introduce you to a good man too.”
“Get lost! This old lady doesn’t need one!”
Feng Qi burst into hearty laughter, then turned and walked out the door.
The three left Luohuan Hall and followed Ah-Tao’s directions toward the place where the half-demon lived.
Along the way, Feng Qi briefly relayed what Ah-Tao had told them to Jiang Cheng, but as he spoke, nearly all his attention remained on Ji Chaoyun.
Ever since meeting Ah-Tao, Ji Chaoyun had seemed distracted, as though something else weighed heavily on his mind.
After listening to Feng Qi, Jiang Cheng pondered aloud.
“So whoever did this wasn’t merely trying to frame Ji Chaoyun for cheating? Then what exactly are they...” He stopped. “Damn phoenix, are you even listening to me?!”
Feng Qi drew his gaze away from Ji Chaoyun and asked. “Were you talking to me?”
Jiang Cheng gritted his teeth and said coldly, “...No. Get lost.”
Ji Chaoyun listened absently to the two bickering behind him, but his thoughts had already drifted far away.
Why would it be the Demon Clan?
Had the seal over the Demon Realm truly weakened?
Or...
Was someone else behind all this?
“The Demon Clan came prepared this time. They know our plans far too well. I suspect they may have an informant within the Immortal Realm.”
“The Immortal Realm is already in grave danger. No one can be trusted anymore.”
“Xialong, stay obediently in the mortal world and wait for me. Once I seal the Demon Realm, I’ll come back for you.”
“...I promise I’ll return.”
Ji Chaoyun unconsciously raised his hand.
His fingers had barely touched the familiar pouch through his clothing when he suddenly pulled away as though burned.
The movement had been purely instinctive. He was startled for a moment, not yet understanding why he had reacted that way, when a strange sense of danger suddenly flashed through his heart.
Ji Chaoyun stopped walking and blocked the two behind him.
“Wait. Something’s wrong.”
Feng Qi and Jiang Cheng had been happily arguing and both stopped at once.
Only then did they notice something unusual. They had already reached a remote narrow alley.
The alleyways here connected in every direction, twisting and winding through one another. The half-demon’s residence was somewhere within this maze.
The three suddenly raised their heads.
Several black-clad figures dropped from the rooftops above, surrounding them completely.
Black clothes.
Long swords.
A rainy night.
Ji Chaoyun’s pupils contracted.
His gaze swept past the black-clad figures toward the end of the alley, where a shadow seemed to flash past.
“I’ll leave this to you!”
Ji Chaoyun gave the hurried order and drew his sword.
One sweep of his blade released a fierce sword intent that tore a gap straight through the encirclement. Without hesitation, he darted through and chased the distant shadow.
His attack had been too fast that the black-clad attackers had no time to react. They tried to give chase, but a tall figure blocked their path first.
Feng Qi cracked his golden whip and sent several of them flying directly toward Jiang Cheng.
Only then did he turn his head and watch Ji Chaoyun disappear into the distance, a secret smile appearing in his eyes.
That little dragon still hadn’t noticed just how much his spiritual power had increased considerably overnight.
“F*ck, Feng Qi! What are you standing there for? Help me!” Jiang Cheng was left alone against the entire group and shouted furiously.
Feng Qi calmly withdrew his gaze.
“I’m injured. I can’t fight. Young Island Lord Jiang is so capable. Surely these few little pests aren’t too much for you?”
As he spoke, someone thrust a sword toward Feng Qi.
Feng Qi dodged aside and kicked the attacker directly toward Jiang Cheng, nearly causing the two to collide head-on.
Amid Jiang Cheng’s furious swearing, Feng Qi calmly said, “Keep fighting. I’m going to check on Chaoyun.”
“Damn phoenix, you—”
Feng Qi ignored him entirely as he turned and chased after Ji Chaoyun.
Meanwhile, Ji Chaoyun followed the fleeing shadow through one winding alley after another before abruptly stopping.
Before him stood an old residence with a small courtyard.
The weathered door was slightly ajar, making it impossible to see what lay inside.
Ji Chaoyun considered for a moment before raising a hand and pushing the door open.
At that exact moment, a flash of blood appeared inside the courtyard.
A man whose chest had been pierced through by a sword collapsed heavily to the ground.
Before the light fully left his eyes, his gaze slid past the black-clad figure before him and unexpectedly met Ji Chaoyun’s from beyond the courtyard gate.
All color drained from Ji Chaoyun’s face. Memories of the final moments of his previous life came rushing back.
“The Divine Realm has already been sealed. It won’t reopen for another thousand years. What use is there in keeping that Phoenix Golden Feather? Do you still think he’ll come back?!”
“We could slaughter you right here and no one would ever know. Hand it over!”
The bloody, fragmented memories finally pieced themselves together into a complete image.
Ji Chaoyun raised his head.
Past and present overlapped before his eyes.
The black-clad figure standing with his back to Ji Chaoyun turned around. Blood rolled from the edge of his sword and splattered onto the ground. Ji Chaoyun finally saw clearly that beneath the black hood was a pure white mask, revealing only a pair of eyes.
“...It really is you.”
Ji Chaoyun’s breathing quickened. His voice was so hoarse it was barely audible.
The black-clad man did not hear what he said and merely laughed softly.
“If I were you, I would never have chased after me alone.”
Ji Chaoyun asked, “Who exactly are you?”
“...The one who’s going to take your life.”
The instant the black-clad man finished speaking, he raised his sword and attacked.
Only now did Ji Chaoyun see clearly that the long sword in his hand was shrouded in a layer of black mist, obscuring its true appearance.
Ji Chaoyun instinctively stepped backward.
The familiar scene, overlapping past and present, left him momentarily dazed.
His movements slowed by half a beat.
The blade was upon him in an instant. It was already too late to dodge.
Ji Chaoyun barely had time to protect his vital points, preparing to endure the strike directly.
Yet at that moment, a streak of golden light knocked the blade aside.
Someone grabbed Ji Chaoyun from behind and pulled hard.
He fell into a familiar embrace.
Feng Qi shielded Ji Chaoyun as they rapidly retreated.
“Are you all right? Are you hurt? Who told you to chase after him by yourself? Couldn’t you wait for me?”
Ji Chaoyun looked up at him, his expression somewhat dazed.
In his previous life, those people had come for the Phoenix Golden Feather.
And because only Ji Chaoyun could open the pouch containing it, they had not killed him immediately. Like hunters tormenting captured prey, they had chased him for several days until he was nearly exhausted.
Back then, he had prayed in his heart. Anyone would do, as long as someone came to save him.
Yet even until his death, no one came.
Ji Chaoyun lowered his eyes, his throat dry. “I’m sorry. I was afraid he would get away...”
“I’ll deal with you later.” Feng Qi pulled him behind himself and looked at the person before them, but at that moment, a strange sense of familiarity passed through Feng Qi’s heart.
“You are...”
Before he could finish, the black-clad man suddenly crushed a talisman.
His body transformed into a streak of light and vanished.
A teleportation talisman.
Only Feng Qi and Ji Chaoyun remained in the courtyard, staring at one another.
A moment later, Jiang Cheng arrived, panting heavily. “Well? Did you catch him?”
Feng Qi spread his hands innocently.
“He ran away.”
“...”
Ji Chaoyun stepped forward and crouched beside the corpse, which was already beginning to cool.
“This should be the half-demon Miss Ah-Tao mentioned. He was silenced.”
“Killed with a single strike. He had no chance to resist.” Feng Qi said, “Hard to tell whether that person was too strong or this half-demon was too weak.”
“Very strong.” Ji Chaoyun raised his eyes to Feng Qi. “If you two truly fought, he might not be any weaker than you.”
Feng Qi clicked his tongue.
Jiang Cheng asked, “So who the hell is that person? How did he know we’d traced the investigation this far and even set up an ambush in advance? I f*cking thought it was just some academy disciple trying to trip Ji Chaoyun up. What the hell is all this?”
“...”
“Why are you both looking at me? Am I wrong?”
Ji Chaoyun lowered his head and stared at the corpse’s unclosed eyes. Then he reached out and gently closed them.
Feng Qi looked away and patted Jiang Cheng on the shoulder.
“Young Island Lord Jiang, stop asking questions. Hurry up and see if there’s anything useful here. The sea market isn’t safe. We should return to the academy as soon as possible.”
The three nearly turned the entire courtyard upside down.
They found no useful clues and could only return empty-handed.
By the time they reached the academy, dusk had already begun to fall. Jiang Cheng suggested following them back to Wenqu Peak so they could analyze the clues they had gathered.
Feng Qi flatly refused.
He promised to notify Jiang Cheng immediately once Ah-Tao had results, then drove him away and returned to Wenqu Peak with Ji Chaoyun.
The two slowly walked along the mountain path.
Ji Chaoyun kept his eyes lowered the entire time and did not say a word.
Feng Qi reached out toward him.
“Chaoyun.”
Ji Chaoyun instinctively recoiled, avoiding his hand.
Feng Qi’s hand froze in the air.
Ji Chaoyun looked away.
“Sorry. What did you say?”
Feng Qi calmly withdrew his hand, his expression perfectly natural. “It’s nothing. I just wanted to talk to you about the person we encountered earlier.”
Ji Chaoyun said, “Didn’t you say we don’t have enough clues to discuss anything yet?”
“That was just to deal with Jiang Cheng.” Feng Qi smiled. “If you’re not tired, come with me. I’ll take you somewhere.”
The two changed direction deep within the bamboo forest and continued up the mountain. After passing through the bamboo grove halfway up the peak, they soon reached the summit.
Just as they arrived, the sun was setting. The glow of sunset had not yet faded from the sky, spilling across the distant mountain ridges.
“Not bad here, is it?” Feng Qi faced the rosy glow, looking rather pleased with himself. “Everyone says Nine Heavens Cliff has the finest scenery in the academy, but that’s only because they’ve never been to my Wenqu Peak.
I cast a spell over Wenqu Peak so that the changing seasons here are the same as in the mortal world. Spring, summer, autumn, and winter come and go, while the sun and moon alternate in turn. Isn’t the scenery far more beautiful than Nine Heavens Cliff, where ten thousand years are as one day?”
Ji Chaoyun was in no mood for banter, asking, “You brought me here just to show me this?”
“Mm. Not entirely.”
Feng Qi sat on a smooth stone at the edge of the cliff and studied Ji Chaoyun’s expression.
“You’ve already guessed what they want, haven’t you?”
Ji Chaoyun fell silent.
After a long while, he finally said softly, “I think... they may only want to drive me out of the academy.”
“...When I was in the mortal world, I encountered the black-clad man from today before. They wanted to steal my pouch.”
Feng Qi asked, “Why didn’t they succeed?”
Ji Chaoyun’s gaze grew slightly evasive as he said slowly. “I was very fortunate. Someone saved me.”
Feng Qi nodded and did not press him further.
“So now they’ve come after you again, probably for the same thing.”
“They drugged you and tried to get you expelled because they couldn’t make a move while you remained inside the academy?”
“Perhaps.”
“I still don’t understand though. What did they want with the Phoenix Golden Feather?”
Ji Chaoyun paused in surprise.
“How do you know there’s a Phoenix Golden Feather inside? You opened the pouch?”
“...”
Ji Chaoyun stared at him.
Feng Qi’s expression became increasingly evasive.
After a long silence, he finally sighed.
“I admit it. I did open it. When I bought the pouch back from Luohuan Hall, I was curious about what was inside, so I... accidentally opened it. I truly wasn’t trying to pry into your secrets.”
Ji Chaoyun stared at him blankly.
“B-but he said... only he and I could...”
Feng Qi interrupted him. “I know. There’s a divine pact on it. Only you, him, and someone who shares his bloodline can open it.”
Someone sharing the same bloodline could only mean parent and child, siblings, or a direct descendant.
The more Feng Qi thought about it, the more despairing he became. He pressed his brow, his voice somewhat weak. “Don’t say any more. I really don’t want to know what sort of blood connection I have with that person.”
☁︎₊˚⊹ The Author’s Jade-Slip Aside ⊹˚₊☁︎
After getting jealous of himself and cursing himself, His Highness has finally unlocked a brand-new train of thought:
I’ll become my own son.【jk】
Minor details were revised. They don’t affect much, so there’s no need to reread.
IsitRo: Tryin my best to hit 30 chaps by the end of the week, tryinnn *weakly* I can only hope lol!
Minor edits: I really thought back in the auction hall it was a sachet, anyhoooo moving forward itsss gonna be a pouch. ehe. ✌🏻
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