Chapter Forty-Five: Turning Over a New Leaf

“Come.”

Da Jiuxing gestured toward the stellar vault, beckoning from afar. The black casket trembled, strands of spiritual power entwined around it, and after lingering a moment above the Yun Realm, it shot back swiftly, dropping into Da Jiuxing’s hand with a crisp snap.

He stroked the casket, immediately sensing the large number of golden pearls it had accumulated, and laughed twice before tucking it into his sleeve. Though the contraption now consisted of mere components, its ability to store the cosmic thunder tribulation was an extreme rarity in the spiritual universe.

“Nine Revered, what is this object?” Star-Moon Revered One’s gaze was bright, and not only hers—every other Flower Sea Revered present was equally curious. Items for weathering thunder were not unusual, but a casket that could so easily contain a cosmic thunder tribulation was a sight none had witnessed before.

“It is a relic from the Era of Profound Fate. I myself acquired it only recently,” Da Jiuxing replied with a smile.

This casket was first unearthed in the Starsea Heavens. Its composition was most unusual. It had accompanied Da Jiuxing for only a few years, yet at its rim were inscribed ancient epochal formations, allowing the passage of time to be inferred.

“The Profound Fate... That era of utmost calamity, so long ago,” murmured the Flower Sea Revered, her face subtly tightening.

The Era of Profound Fate stretched deep into antiquity. In those days, cosmic fiends emerged one after another, calamities endlessly sweeping the star domains, the land shrouded in smoke and ruin, chaos beyond compare.

That the black casket hailed from such a time only rendered it more shrouded in mystery in their eyes.

“Mingluo, these two cosmic spirit inverse destinies are for the Flower Sea. As for the remaining one, let us proceed according to tradition.” Da Jiuxing beamed, flicking his finger as three dazzling crystalline essences, brimming with a wondrous, vital spirit, shot forth, two of which flew out.

“I understand the Nine Revered’s customs well.”

The First Revered’s eyes shone brilliantly. Producing two beautifully carved jade boxes of divine crystal, she captured the two cosmic spirit inverse destinies, settling them quietly inside so not a wisp of their aura leaked out.

The task was complete.

With these two cosmic spirit inverse destinies, the two young mistresses would receive the finest nurturing possible.

“These are three plumes of the Divine Will’s Heavenshocking Splendor Feather. When I gathered them, not a trace of mortal dust touched them. In the celestial vault, they manifest their perfection,” the First Revered spoke softly, hands radiant, silver mist swirling, as three beautiful, silvery plumes floated in the air. With each movement, the world grew dozens of times brighter. The feathers’ surfaces were sheathed in a transparent barrier, entirely isolated from the mundane world, untouched by any trace of the profane.

Within the spiritual universe, there existed rare treasures of unimaginable worth, items not seen at auction in a hundred million years.

The Divine Will’s Heavenshocking Splendor Feather presented by the First Revered was one such treasure.

“Excellent—I accept them.”

Da Jiuxing’s eyes lit up. These three divine feathers were of peerless value. Even the entire fortune of a peak divine lord might barely match them, making them a fitting recompense for his exertions.

“Mingluo has one more request. Regarding the Flower Sea, I hope the Nine Revered will not speak of it to outsiders,” said the First Revered.

“I understand. With the divine blossom so newly unfurled, the future Flower Mistress will need time to grow. I am not one to let slip what should remain secret. When I return, I’ll travel through the shadowed cosmic currents,” Da Jiuxing replied with a smile. Having dealt with the Flower Sea many times, he required no further explanation.

The future Flower Mistress was, for now, but a tiny divine bloom, yet to unfold her first petals—fragile and closely guarded. The Flower Sea Revered wished for nothing about her to be revealed.

With this cosmic spirit inverse destiny, it was certain that before long, a Flower Mistress of beauty and grace to rival even the Celestial Mistress Li would emerge into the spiritual universe.

...

Vast snowy wastes, clad in silver. Bai Xiatian carried over two jars of fruit wine. When the lids were lifted, a rich, fruity aroma wafted out.

“You’ve told me so much these days, and now I have a rough grasp of the spiritual universe. Bai Xiatian considers you a friend, and so I drink to your journey,” she said, raising a violet cup, her features delicate, her eyes bright.

“How sentimental,” Feng Shang remarked, his look odd, a shiver running through him. He found the girl’s straightforward nature hard to handle. After only a few days, she wished to open her heart—such simplicity was dangerous.

She’d never survive in the spiritual universe without being deceived.

Unable to resist the earnest gaze of the young maiden, his hesitation was finally overcome. Feng Shang lifted his cup and drank. The spirit wine was sweet and cool upon the throat, and in an instant, the cold around seemed to intensify.

He glanced at her across the table.

Good heavens—her cheeks were tinged a rosy hue.

“It’s spicy, but exhilarating,” she said, her face flushed, a faint blush blooming at the usually snow-pale curve of her neck. Clearly inexperienced with wine, she tried not to show it, imitating the heroics she’d read of in books, and declared herself invigorated.

Feng Shang laughed at the sight.

For some reason, in that moment, he felt strangely out of character. Perhaps it was the peace of this place, or perhaps the girl’s genuine nature was simply too much for him.

“Another!” Bai Xiatian, cheeks aglow, filled her cup anew.

Watching her scarlet face, Feng Shang was seized by a sudden urge, and declared heartily, “What’s one more friend to me, Feng Shang? Drink! When you make it to the spiritual universe, come to Jiuxing City and use my name. No one will dare lay a finger on you!”

For the first time, Feng Shang realized that there was more to life than trickery—there were unexpected joys, like the sincere friendship of the girl before him.

“Uh...” After two cups, Bai Xiatian was already tipsy, a few strands of hair falling over her fair brow. Dazed and adorable, she murmured, “Alright... just don’t trick me...”

“You’re drunk already?” Feng Shang shook his head. Two cups of fruit wine, with only a trace of spirit power—she must never have drunk before.

...

In the boundless starry sky, an old man and youth stood side by side—a pairing not at all uncommon.

“A single cultivation jewel is worth ten rays of dawnfire. The Flower Sea is generous indeed,” Feng Shang observed quietly, the brilliant gem in his hand flickering with divine radiance, a fiery red god-lord’s cultivation jewel radiating its eternal aura, floating between being and nothingness.

Da Jiuxing grinned smugly. “Of course it’s my influence—otherwise, do you think a mere greenhorn could have made the Flower Sea part with such a treasure?”

“Tch.” Feng Shang rolled his eyes, but could not refute it. He stowed the jewel into his world-between-worlds, then glanced back, blurting out, “The Flower Sea is not a bad place.”

“It certainly isn’t—”

“Eh!” Da Jiuxing turned to Feng Shang in surprise, taking a deep breath. “Has something happened while I was refining stars? This is the first time I’ve ever heard you praise a place. When the Dance Revered told me you’d been behaving yourself in her snowy domain, I could hardly believe it, but now...”

“What’s with that look? It’s just a good place, that’s all. Why so many questions?” Feng Shang frowned.

Da Jiuxing was bewildered. He knew the boy’s temperament all too well—perpetually prickly, increasingly rebellious these past years, always making trouble. Why this sudden shift? Had he finally made friends among his peers?

Hmm... come to think of it, there were indeed quite a few pretty girls in the Flower Sea...