Chapter 107: The Celestial Being Descends from Beyond the Heavens

Clouds gathered in eight directions, and mist swirled from all sides.

Ji Feichen watched as golden clouds and purple mists permeated the sky. Streams of divine will from immortals scoured the heavens and earth, as if intending to turn this thousand-mile radius upside down.

"Sealing the world—the power of an Earth Immortal is truly this formidable." Ji Feichen asked himself, knowing that even if he exerted his full strength to lock the vital energy of all directions, he could sustain it for at most a quarter of an hour, and the range would not even reach one percent of what he was witnessing now.

Waves of divine will swept across the landscape, inspecting the identity of every cultivator and discerning the authenticity of immortals and demons through the nature of their Dao Fruits.

"This won't do. If it continues like this, once Lady Chen’s concealment spell fades, I will certainly be discovered." Ji Feichen made a swift decision: "The only way out is to revert to the guise of Qing Hong to escape this disaster."

He searched the vicinity and finally found a clear lake. The water shimmered with ripples, and mist rose in swirls. The great lake was about three hundred miles wide, with water birds and wild geese playing on its surface.

*Splash—* A white wave rose, startling a flock of swans into flight.

Ji Feichen leaped into the lake, shifting the attributes of his cultivation to restore his original appearance as a Qi Refiner. At that moment, the concealment spell upon him dissipated.

"Mystic Light Invisibility Technique!" Twenty-four precious beads flew from Ji Feichen’s sleeves one by one, forming a cloud of light around him and hiding him at the bottom of the lake.

"Now, as long as I change my clothes and pretend to be an ordinary cultivator meditating at the bottom, they shouldn't be able to notice me." Ji Feichen comforted himself. Just as he was about to change his robes and accessories, the entire lake underwent a bizarre transformation.

The firmament tore open, creating a massive chasm, and the entire body of water in the lake was drained away in an instant.

The sky rumbled, and the net of heaven and earth that had been locked by Wei Feng was shattered in an instant. In its place, countless violent gales from the Nine Heavens swept across the world.

In such a situation, concealment was impossible. Ji Feichen found himself completely exposed in the dry, cratered basin. Countless fish and shrimp were swept up in the water, and along with the birds and swans, they were sucked into the chasm, gradually forming a massive water spout that connected heaven and earth.

Purple lightning bolts collided within the water spout, erupting with a lethality that even Earth Immortals could not easily escape.

"Is this the true power of an Earth Immortal?" Ji Feichen’s face turned pale. Even Lady Chen could not achieve such a feat. In that moment, he mistakenly thought Wei Feng was unleashing a killing blow, as this power closely resembled the thunder of the Taixiao Palace.

Within the water spout, a faint, shadowy figure moved, its presence like a veil of mist.

"Has the Taixiao Palace already discovered me?" Ji Feichen silently took out his banana leaf fan, preparing to find an opportunity to escape. If it came to that, he would have no choice but to reveal his true identity.

Suddenly, he heard a light laugh. The person inside the water spout raised a hand: "I do not care for killing; I cannot let you aquatic creatures die for my sake." With a wave of that hand, the water spout was shattered by a flash of cyan light. The lake water, previously sucked away, fell back into the basin. The fish, shrimp, and water birds remained unharmed, and the surface of the lake returned to its original tranquility.

However, after being stirred up by this person, Ji Feichen could no longer hide his presence and stood on the water in his guise as the "Loose Immortal Qing Hong."

The winds died down and the waves stilled, yet the rift in the sky remained, continuously spewing wild winds to form a layer of Nine Heavens gales that blocked anyone from approaching the lake.

Wei Feng and a group of Taixiao Palace Earth Immortals appeared in the void, gazing at the gales with suspicion and unease.

"How could these extraterrestrial gales suddenly erupt?"

The Xuanzheng Province was vast, encompassing the Central Plains, the four frontier territories, overseas archipelagos, and the dragon tribes of the outer realms.

It was said that beyond the territory of the deep-sea dragon tribes lay a barrier of wind and water. Beyond the seas were rings of celestial water, and above the firmament were layers of celestial wind, which the immortals called the "Ends of the Earth and the Corners of the Sea." This was the edge of the world, the limit that Earth Immortals and true demons could reach.

What blew before the immortals was the unique Nine Heavens gale from the wind-water barrier. The great cyan winds howled, stirring the heavens and earth, signaling a great change. Even the celestial secrets became blurred and impossible to fathom.

"Is that opening in the sky a trace left by some Heavenly Immortal tearing through the boundary?" The immortals of Taixiao Palace discussed among themselves: "To display such phenomena—even the ascension of our ancestors would hardly surpass this, right?"

"Ascending into the Blue Void" was the ability to break through the boundary beyond Xuanzheng Province, a feat only possible for Heavenly Immortals.

"I will go." Wei Feng steeled his heart, shielded his body with thunder light, and charged into the layer of gales.

***

At this moment, Ji Feichen stood blankly on the water, watching the source of it all.

The person had hair falling to their ankles, long, black, and smooth as silk. With skin as white as snow, they looked like an exiled immortal descended from the heavens. Moreover, the person was completely unclad, standing gracefully in the center of the lake like a deity born of heaven and earth. Every movement was an evolution of the Great Dao of nature.

As the lake water returned, droplets fell like rain, raising rainbows of seven colors across the surface.

The person flew toward Ji Feichen, approaching step by step. With every stride, neon clouds rose from the lake, reflecting the myriad colors of the sky.

The mysterious person stared into Ji Feichen’s eyes, suddenly reached out, and smiled: "Give me your clothes." Their expression was natural, as if meeting an old friend.

Looking at this person, a strange feeling arose in Ji Feichen’s heart. Even though the person stood right before him, their face and features were completely impossible for Ji Feichen to imprint onto his mind.

Even though he stood before them, he could not recall their voice or appearance. He could not even tell if this person was male or female.

The long hair hung down, with two black locks covering the chest, making gender indistinguishable. However, judging by their stature, they were much more petite than Ji Feichen.

Were they twenty years old? That didn't seem right; perhaps sixteen? If they were flat-chested, could they be a fairy descended from beyond the heavens?

Ji Feichen took off his robe and handed it over. The person draped it over themselves carelessly, tossed their head, and asked Ji Feichen: "What time is it now? What year of the Jiazi calendar?"

"The third day of the third lunar month."

"The third day of the third lunar month?" The person’s eyebrows arched, as if they had thought of something.

Ji Feichen seized the opportunity to secretly tuck away his ornaments and put on the outfit of the Loose Immortal Qing Hong: "Fellow Daoist, please do me a favor. If anyone comes later, do not disclose my whereabouts." Having said this, he prepared to hide back into the water.

The person looked at the sky and smiled: "Is the person outside coming to hunt you down?"

The mysterious person lifted their chin, looking proud and confident: "If you hide by my side, he will not dare to act recklessly."

Wei Feng forced his way through the Nine Heavens gales, fortunate to possess many immortal treasures. Most of these were items he used for collecting the essence of the Nine Heavens, allowing him to barely enter the gale layer.

"Although these celestial winds are fierce, they are not the true Nine Heavens gale belt; I can still protect myself." After entering, Wei Feng saw Qing Hong and a mysterious person standing on the lake.

The person wore only Ji Feichen’s outer robe, tied at the waist with a green vine, exuding an air of holiness that could not be profaned.

Wei Feng walked over, also sensing the mystery of this person.

"This person has an aura of returning to simplicity and the natural flow of the Dao. Furthermore, their realm and temperament are similar to the Taishang lineage." Wei Feng looked at the mysterious person, then at Qing Hong, and thought to himself: "This person carries the scent of the Taishang Profound Virtue. Could they be an immortal from the Taishang Palace? Given their cultivation, they must be a Heavenly Immortal master who has achieved the 'Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown' and 'Five Energies Returning to the Origin'?"

He stepped forward, secretly activating his Heavenly Eyes to investigate the person.

The mysterious person sensed this and suddenly smiled at Wei Feng. A cloud of celebration rose above their head, with five-colored rays of light dripping down like pearls and jade, and three lotus flowers clustered together, displaying the profound wonders of an immortal.

But as he looked closer, the various immortal manifestations dissipated, leaving only a single Celestial figure in Wei Feng’s spiritual altar. The sacred image was solemn, surrounded by cyan mist, looming majestically within his Niwan Palace.

Then, the celestial light flickered, and the divine image changed according to Wei Feng’s innermost thoughts.

When Wei Feng thought of his own ancestors, the Celestial figure transformed into the Innate Thunder Lord surrounded by lightning. When he thought of the Taiyuan Palace, the subtle energy of Taiyuan Jade coalesced in the nine heavens, transforming into another Taiyuan deity.

Suddenly, cold sweat drenched Wei Feng, and he hurriedly apologized.

"The Great Dao is natural, moving with the heart. Your realm is insufficient, and your temperament is flawed; if you seek the fruit of a Celestial in the future, I fear there will be setbacks." The mysterious person glanced at him and reached out to Ji Feichen: "Give me the fan; I will remove the gales in the sky."

Ji Feichen was stunned. He was appearing as Qing Hong and held the Yin-Yang Dragon Beard Fan, but how did this person know?

***

Ji Feichen handed the precious fan to the mysterious person.

The person looked at the fan and shook their head slightly: "A copy is ultimately just a copy; it is far inferior to the original in the hands of the Dao Ancestor." The mysterious person fanned it gently, and the rift in the sky dispersed; the wind ceased and the clouds cleared, and all strange phenomena vanished completely.

A treasure of the Dao Ancestor? Had this person seen the original Dragon Beard Fan?

The same thought arose in the minds of both Ji Feichen and Wei Feng. The Earth Immortal asked cautiously: "Senior is not from this place; do you come from the Taishang Sacred Realm?"

The person smiled without speaking. But behind them appeared a Jade Palace and Golden Gate, with an old man riding an ox sitting in the center, expounding on the Innate Great Dao. These were the words of Taishang, the Jade Laws of Morality. Countless Celestial beings listened by his side, seeking to comprehend the fruit of the Heavenly Immortal.

Hearing this Taishang sound, Ji Feichen immediately fell into a state of enlightenment, experiencing the Taishang methods within.

Seeing this, Wei Feng realized: "Indeed, this person is from the Three Sacred Realms?"

He looked at Ji Feichen again. Ji Feichen was currently in a state of enlightenment, comprehending the Taishang Yin-Yang Dao.

"This kid inherited the Yunxiao Pavilion. He is indeed considered part of the Taishang lineage, but for an immortal from the Taishang Sacred Realm to seek him out... could it be that he is a direct descendant of the Taishang?" Thinking of the Taishang successor who appeared once every thousand years, Wei Feng had a vague guess.

As the mysterious person demonstrated the Taishang Heavenly Palace and the Dao methods touched upon the secrets of the Taishang, Wei Feng immediately took his leave. Knowing the rules, he dared not pry into the secrets of the Taishang and proactively offered to depart.

The person waved a hand and spoke lazily: "I am not from this place, nor do I know you. I shall leave in a moment; you need not speculate further."

Wei Feng knew the rules and dared not ask more, turning back to reunite with his fellow disciples.

"Junior Uncle, how did it go?"

"This immortal seems to be from the Taishang Palace."

"Taishang Palace? It's not as if we don't know Fellow Daoist Nangong of the Taishang Palace, and he doesn't look like that. Could it be... someone from outside?"

"Perhaps. They should be an immortal from the Taishang Sacred Realm."

Among the five immortals of heaven and earth, the Heavenly Immortal was the most noble. Ancestors from the three palaces and sacred grounds had left Xuanzheng Province, legend saying they went to cultivate beside the Three Dao Sovereigns. The Nine-Layered Yunxiao opened by the Taishang Dao Ancestor was naturally the Taishang Sacred Realm.

"Qing Hong might be a direct disciple of the Taishang. That is why he is listening to teachings under the immortal. Never mind, we shouldn't mention our hunting of his brother in front of him." Thus, the group departed, heading to other territories to search for people.

After they left, the mysterious person looked at Ji Feichen, and the Taishang Heavenly Palace behind them dissipated into nothingness.

Suddenly, the person revealed a playful smile again: "One immortal, one demon—is this a method of the Yuanqi Dao?"

The person’s gaze descended, and Ji Feichen felt his body tremble; his Dao Fruit was completely exposed before this person.

The Dao Fruit was Hunyuan, with heaven and earth returning to oneness. Above, a celestial river evolved the three lights of sun, moon, and stars; below, a nether river transformed into a demon dragon rolling about. At the center was the Taihuang deity with a human body and dragon tail, along with twenty-four diagrams.

"So, you first cultivated as a demon, then entered the Dao, and then jumped out from the hedge of the Taishang methods?" The mysterious person saw through Ji Feichen’s reality at a glance, then pointed a slender finger at Ji Feichen’s heart.

Ji Feichen’s robe opened, revealing the ink-colored dragon scales at his heart.

The person showed a look of nostalgia and sighed softly: "It is indeed him. If you were cultivating as a demon, things would be much easier."

The dragon scales at Ji Feichen’s heart were the location of his lifeblood. Being struck by the mysterious person and hearing their words, he felt a shock in his heart. His greatest secret was finally exposed to another.