chapter 4
When the Celestial Emperor learned that my pure divine power could break demonic qi, he issued an edict summoning me back to the Celestial Palace.
In Lingxiao Hall, he personally examined my power and found nothing amiss.
Then he questioned the God of Fate about my life.
After hearing my history, he concluded that my upright and pure nature had earned the Heavenly Dao’s favor. I would accomplish great things one day, he said, and could be of use to the Crown Prince.
Because I came from the mortal realm, he appointed me only as a vanguard officer.
The gods observing the audience offered their congratulations.
“It seems His Majesty thinks very highly of Fairy Lingyun.”
“With achievements like yours, you would command an entire region if you had been born into a divine clan.”
“What a pity…”
I calmly cupped my hands in thanks. Their praise stirred nothing in me.
On my way back to camp, Xixuan insisted on escorting me.
He kept stealing glances at me and appeared on the verge of speaking several times. Seeing his struggle, I asked, “Does Your Highness have something to say?”
He stopped and bowed to me with perfect formality.
“My words that day were unforgivably forward. I ask for your pardon.”
I did not slow.
“There is no need. It was Your Highness’s first brush with romantic feeling. Your mistake is understandable.”
“You truly aren’t angry?”
I did not answer.
He hurried to catch up, walking beside me with an irrepressible curve at the corner of his mouth.
Before long, we encountered Mingling and the young Phoenix princess.
The princess had been smiling. The instant she saw me, her face darkened.
“Liar! You said you didn’t know Xixuan. Why are you walking with him now?”
She drew her sword, but Mingling stopped her.
“Liar! Liar!” She split her flaming sword into countless feathers and sent them around Mingling toward me.
I blasted them aside with a spell.
Xixuan sharply ordered her to stop. His rebuke only enraged her further, and she pulled out a treasure given to her by an elder.
Mingling seized it with magic, making her angrier still.
The three of them bickered endlessly until my head ached. I formed a hand seal, summoned a cloud, and flew away.
If the Crown Prince had not insisted on accompanying me, I would have reached camp long ago.
Most soldiers in the celestial army were minor immortals who had ascended from the mortal realm. Hundreds had died in the recent battle, yet the mood in camp was not heavy. Once their mission ended, the survivors drank and laughed together.
I found it strange. When one came to toast me, I asked him why.
He took a deep drink and shook his empty left sleeve.
“Demonic qi severed my left arm not long ago. The wound was scorched, so it can never grow back. For the first few days, I conjured an arm to make myself look better. But look at me now. I’ve accepted it.”
His eyes shone as he smiled at me.
“I lost it protecting the people. It was worth the price. This wound is my badge of honor.”
Another immortal nearby agreed.
“We’ve already lived far longer than mortals. We’ve tasted every joy and sorrow in this world and have no regrets. To die protecting all living beings would be a blessing.”
I froze. Warmth suddenly filled my heart, and my eyes stung.
So many had not abandoned the Immortal Dao.
However little power they possessed, they were still trying.
I raised my cup and drained it.
“To valor.”
That same day, the young Phoenix princess and Mingling were appointed vanguard officers and joined the camp.
The princess hovered constantly around Xixuan and me, while Mingling watched her closely to keep her from causing trouble.
One day, when neither man was paying attention, she led a group of divine clan heirs to block my path.
These heirs had received their ranks through their families. In a real fight, not one of them could defeat me alone.
The princess was livid.
“You aren’t allowed to fight back. If you do, I’ll have the elders cripple you!”
I had had enough. I kicked aside the person in front of me, teleported behind her, and laid my blade against her throat.
No one had ever treated the young princess this way. Instead of fear, she flew into a greater rage.
“I am a princess of the Phoenix Clan! How dare you?”
I gave a cold laugh. “So you do remember that you’re a princess.”
Humiliation and fury deepened in her eyes. She shattered a protective treasure from her family, and the divine power it released threw me backward.
“I’ll kill you!”
She summoned her sword and stabbed at me with all her strength.
I steadied myself and chanted a spell to stop the blow.
“Every time I see Your Highness, you have lost all reason.”
“You dare humiliate me again?”
The other heirs attacked together.
My fingers formed a lotus seal. I summoned the Heavenly Dao within my Lingyun sword intent and forced them all to the ground.
“Your Highness, I have never humiliated you. You are the one humiliating yourself.”
She struggled against my restraint.
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
My voice remained level. “A princess of a divine clan should possess profound cultivation, earn renown across the Three Realms, and command respect. Instead, you have become a pawn in a marriage alliance with the Celestial Clan. You abandoned your cultivation for it and drove yourself mad. What part of you still resembles a princess?”
“Who are you calling a pawn? Xixuan and I grew up together. We love each other.”
“Do you? If you loved someone else, would your clan allow you to choose him?”
She went still. For once, she could find no answer.
Mingling arrived in a rush. I released my restraint at the proper moment, and he dragged the young princess away by force.