Chapter 108: Spring Peaches Bloom Before the Celestial Mother Temple

The water was clear and pure, and two figures stood upon the lake’s surface. One’s garment hung half-open, while the other’s slender, delicate finger pressed lightly against his chest. Between them, an unmistakable air of intimacy began to rise.

Yet, inside Feichen Ji’s heart, a chilling coldness spread, as if he had fallen into an icy abyss. He sensed the gravest crisis of his life unfolding before him.

In the presence of this person, everything about him was laid bare—his deepest secret, the dragon scale he treasured above all, was no exception. Even before the Lord of the K’anming Hall or the Earth Immortal Wei Feng, he had retained a sliver of pride, thanks to the dragon scale’s innate concealment of divine secrets. But now...

“Is this the true power of a Celestial Immortal? Seeing through the past, divining the future?” Feichen Ji forced down his emotions and forced a faint smile. “What do you mean by that, Senior?”

The man smiled, unlike Feichen Ji’s strained expression. His smile was harmonious and natural, like a gentle spring breeze in March. “You cultivate demonic arts, which gives me the perfect excuse to kill you and take this dragon scale away.”

His jade-like finger pointed at the dragon scale. Through it, Feichen Ji could feel the warmth of the man’s touch, yet it was insufficient to dispel the bitter cold within him.

Before a Celestial Immortal such as this, he had no strength to resist. Neither Lady Chen nor Senior Feng could save him in this man’s presence.

The mysterious figure sighed, “He gave you the dragon scale—does he intend to help you, or to harm you? And does he not fear that the two of them will fully turn against each other?”

At these words, Feichen Ji immediately asked, “Senior, do you know the origin of this dragon scale?” This item seemed to be the very root of his transmigration. Could it be that he truly had a chance to return?

The mysterious man fell silent, stroking the dragon scale thoughtfully.

“That fellow gave him the dragon scale—what is his true intention? To preserve his life, or merely to mark him? Perhaps for that person’s future enlightenment?”

Not that the mysterious man was hesitant, but there was a certain great figure involved in the dragon scale’s origins. Although both he and the dragon scale’s owner knew that figure, the owner’s relationship with him had always been strained. By giving Feichen Ji the dragon scale, was he trying to prevent that person’s enlightenment, or seeking to ease their relations?

The mysterious man was inwardly vexed. He had descended into this world—a vast realm with countless people—and yet, fate had brought him to this tangled affair.

“Could it be someone is scheming against me? Those who can influence my actions—the three Dao Lords who opened the Ninefold Cloud Realm? Surely it isn’t the Supreme Dao Ancestor setting a trap for me?”

Unable to discern the truth, the mysterious man extended his hand. “I still have some time before I leave here. Accompany me on a stroll.” With that, he pulled Feichen Ji ashore, and the two walked along the mortal streets.

Feichen Ji, constrained by circumstances and recalling the tremendous power the mysterious man had just wielded, dared not entertain even the slightest thought of resistance.

They wandered through the mortal realm. It was early March, the day of the Heavenly Mother’s birthday. The lakeside town was bustling with a temple fair in celebration.

Yet this year, besides the temple’s caretakers and priestesses conducting the rites, a group of soldiers stood nearby under the pretense of “maintaining order.”

Feichen Ji sensed something amiss. “It seems these people have their eyes on the Heavenly Mother’s temple?” Since last year, the Great Hong Empire had been making subtle moves, stirring suspicion among the immortals and demons alike. Could this empire be preparing to enforce “the dismissal of all schools, with royal authority supreme”?

In the past, many mortal kings had sought to command the celestials, demons, deities, and spirits of the world. But these beings were ancient, sacred, and powerful—how could they bow to mortals who lived mere centuries?

Feichen Ji’s thoughts churned, but the mysterious man beside him was unfazed, leading him toward the Heavenly Mother’s temple.

Gazing upon the bustling temple, the man’s expression grew curious. “The Heavenly Mother, according to your legends here, governs marriage and fertility?”

“That’s right. That is why on the third day of the third month, it is a day for mortals to meet and court one another,” Feichen Ji replied. On the prosperous streets, couples walked hand in hand, their eyes filled with affection.

Some even cast envious glances at him.

The mysterious figure beside him was strikingly beautiful, naturally causing passersby to assume they were a pair.

Yet it remained unclear whether this figure was male or female. Even if a female immortal, she was a being capable of slaying him with a single slap. Under such circumstances, Feichen Ji had no mind for flirtation. He smiled wryly in his heart, but the other seemed oblivious, eagerly darting among the market stalls.

Soon, they came upon a blossom-lined path adorned with peach flowers in full bloom—vivid and enchanting. Nearby, priestesses were handing out red threads.

Passing through the floral gate, a priestess offered them each a red thread. “Entering Peach Blossom Street, please tie the red thread around your wrist.”

The thread seemed sentient, automatically wrapping itself around the bare wrist. Feichen Ji struggled to tie his with one hand, so the stranger stepped forward to help.

As the man drew near, a faint fragrance of fresh greenery wafted from his hair.

They passed beyond the gate into an area filled with puzzle lanterns and various stalls.

Then, another person tried to follow, but was stopped by a bystander. “Peach Blossom Street is closed to outsiders today. Only couples may enter.”

Feichen Ji heard this and turned to confirm. This path was indeed Peach Blossom Road, established by the Heavenly Mother’s temple. Vendors lined both sides, catering exclusively to lovers—a special realm prepared for young men and women to meet.

Yet the stranger beside him appeared innocent and carefree, paying no mind to such restrictions. Instead, they lingered at every stall, as though wanting to try every game.

“This fellow is quite at ease,” the mysterious man remarked, tilting his head with a smile. “Only couples may enter here?”

“If the fairy finds this place unworthy of her purity, perhaps we should go elsewhere,” Feichen Ji replied, mindful that being mistaken for a romantic pair might sully the immortal’s reputation.

“No need.” The figure wore Feichen Ji’s outer robe, flowing and ethereal. Strangely, they walked barefoot, dressed lightly, yet the surrounding mortals showed no surprise, as if it were perfectly ordinary.

“The mortal world is noisy and chaotic, filled with countless distractions, but if one’s heart remains tranquil, it becomes a place to seek the Way. Whether in green mountains and secluded valleys or golden palaces of the immortals—if the heart seeks outside the path, even a blessed land can become a demon realm.”

The mysterious man moved with ease and nonchalance, treating the mortal world as no taboo.

Time spent near him gave Feichen Ji a strange sense of normalcy, as if the man’s existence were akin to the natural order of the cosmos itself.

They stopped at a ring-toss stall. Various bottles and jars were displayed on the ground. The man casually picked up ten wooden rings and began to toss.

Feichen Ji stepped forward to pay for the games.

Then he whispered a complaint to the mysterious man, “Luckily I carry plenty of mortal silver, or else two immortals like us might be taken away by the authorities.”

The man smiled and casually tossed the rings. The skill of an immortal was unerring; each ring landed perfectly on a prize. Soon, he had ten small gifts collected.

He crouched to negotiate with the stall owner, who then returned Feichen Ji’s silver, while the man took only two ceramic jars.

Feichen Ji then wandered over to a couple, offering the jars painted with mandarin ducks in exchange for a wood carving.

“Wait...”

Following behind, Feichen Ji continued to barter, swapping goods with couples, gradually trading up. Finally, he exchanged a jade hairpin for a small amount of silver.

“Is this really allowed?”

The mysterious man waved the silver before him. “Do you think so? Would we use illusion to conjure silver and cheat others? Even if one could turn stone into gold, sooner or later someone would come looking for trouble. For beings like us, wisdom matters more than power.”

Then the mysterious man began purchasing various snacks from the stalls, filling his hands. Nearby couples whispered, seemingly scolding Feichen Ji for neglecting his own girlfriend while standing empty-handed.

Unable to bear their reproachful gazes, Feichen Ji stepped forward to help carry the snacks.

“That’s better. You should learn some discernment,” the man chuckled, peeling a roasted chestnut and popping it into Feichen Ji’s mouth. “Consider this a reward.”

They wandered and paused, and soon Feichen Ji was laden with packages.

[Announcement: This site recommends a free app to bid farewell to all ads. Please follow the official WeChat account to enter and download: appxsyd (press and hold for three seconds to copy)]