Chapter 70 Part 1

After confirming she was heading into the Mountains and Seas Realm, Jiang Yiguang stopped rushing. The journey to Takamagahara on the sea had gone fairly smoothly, but the pain and aftereffects of the “overload” still lingered. At the very least, she had to purge those negative effects before re-entering the Mountains and Seas. Taking advantage of her time resting at home, Jiang Yiguang constantly pried information about the Mountains and Seas Realm from Bai Ze and Tushan Yi—especially news of the God of Bell Mountain. The Classic of Mountains and Seas clearly recorded the God of Bell Mountain as Torch Nine Yin, the Torch Dragon. How was it that, from Bai Ze’s mouth, it wasn’t the case?

“The first generation of deities in the Mountains and Seas era were born from the dual energies of Yin and Yang, self-formed by heaven and earth. The concept of ‘birth’ was also different from the present mortal realm. It referred to an authority akin to ‘Revolving Creation.’ For example, the Heavenly Maiden of Kunlun was formed from a portion of the pure energy of the Queen Mother of the West herself, hence she became the daughter of the Queen Mother of the West. The bloodlines and offspring of deities were passed down this way. Though they fared better than the primal people—at least they weren’t made from mud spots as a base.” Tushan Yi sat on the sofa, her nine tails dancing as she snacked and intermittently answered Jiang Yiguang’s doubts.

“A transformation of Yin and Yang?” Jiang Yiguang frowned, murmuring those four words. Finally, before Tushan Yi could react, she snatched the potato chips from the coffee table, forcing Tushan Yi to turn and face her. Jiang Yiguang asked, puzzled, “But what does this have to do with the God of Bell Mountain?”

A furry white fox tail swatted Jiang Yiguang’s arm. Tushan Yi glared at her with great displeasure. “Isn’t it possible that the Mountains and Seas Jade Book passed down to the present only records the surface layer? The contents of the Jade Book were carved by King Yu, but King Yu came at the very end of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, far too removed from that initial era.”

Jiang Yiguang let the fox tail coil around and steal back the chips. She tilted her head and asked, “So?”

“Recorded things become blurry and inaccurate over the passage of eons. At the very beginning, there wasn’t even writing.” Bai Ze couldn’t stand it anymore. She lifted her eyelids lazily. “When Cangjie created writing, grain fell from heaven, and ghosts cried at night. How much similarity remains between the script of that era and the characters commonly used today?”

A look of sudden understanding crossed Jiang Yiguang’s face. “So the Classic of the Great Wilderness‘s record of the God of Bell Mountain is actually wrong?”

Tushan Yi shrugged. “I don’t know much about High Antiquity matters either.”

Bai Ze thought for a moment, then said methodically, “You can’t say that either.”

Jiang Yiguang humbly sought instruction. “How should I say it?” Bai Ze was famed as the all-knowing divine beast. If she were brought into the Mountains and Seas… The thought had just arisen when it was dispelled by the languid nonchalance on Bai Ze’s face. Bai Ze clearly had no intention of “working”—why else would she have left Xuanyuan Platform? Besides, she’d made too many enemies in the Mountains and Seas; traveling with her would be far too ostentatious.

Bai Ze snorted. “Aren’t you about to set off for the Mountains and Seas? Why not just go investigate for yourself?”

“Don’t ask her either,” Tushan Yi let out a soft, mocking laugh, a hint of derision tracing her brows. She said coolly, “Some things, even when known, cannot be spoken of. They might trigger certain taboos. Isn’t that right, Miss White Sheep, who was forced to make countless vows because of a mouth that just couldn’t stay shut?”

In response, Tushan Yi got a throw pillow flying directly at her face.

Tushan Yi laughed. With a light slap of her tail, she cleaved the pillow in two. Cotton stuffing drifted down like falling snowflakes.

Jiang Yiguang: “…” Reaching out to brush away the cotton clusters that had landed on her, Jiang Yiguang asked again, “Is there anything I should pay special attention to?”

Tushan Yi made an “Mhm” sound, one of her tails gently patting Jiang Yiguang’s shoulder. She warned, “Missing an arm or a leg doesn’t matter. The important thing is to come back alive.”

Bai Ze nodded, then a moment later suddenly asked, “Is your Xuanzhen Dao Court researching mystic weapons to deal with the Mountains and Seas Realm? That project… can I join?”

“Mm?” Jiang Yiguang turned her head. Bai Ze’s request was truly unexpected. Bai Ze’s eyes were clear as water now, even reflecting a touch of innocence. Where was the salty fish coasting through work? “It should be possible? It’s just—” Jiang Yiguang wasn’t sure. She’d have to ask Fu Juan later.

Tushan Yi saw through Jiang Yiguang’s thoughts and said with a grin, “This Bai Ze wants to use public office to avenge private wrongs. Although she always manages to escape danger, getting chased and beaten constantly is truly humiliating, damaging to Lord Bai Ze’s dignity. But if she had a mystic weapon in hand, it would be different…” Tushan Yi’s mouth was finally plugged by a snack Bai Ze pulled out, but her eyes blinked, her smile teasing.

Getting Bai Ze into the Dao Court Research Institute went far more smoothly than Jiang Yiguang had imagined.

She’d thought there would be countless meetings all up and down the hierarchy, and that perhaps by the time they left for the Mountains and Seas they still wouldn’t have a result. Unexpectedly, the very next day, the Dao Court sent a special car to pick Bai Ze up. In the classical texts passed down through Shenzhou, there were too many beautiful ideals associated with Bai Ze, so much so that people instinctively felt close to this born auspicious beast.

Once Bai Ze was gone, the noisy Jiang Residence settled into quiet.

Tushan Yi was busy watching TV and eating snacks, having long since achieved the retirement life Jiang Yiguang wanted to experience. As for Ah He, it was either out roaming outside or strutting around the house tyrannically, bullying Bo Qi, who spent most of his time traveling through dreams.

This tranquility lasted until Fu Juan came to visit.

Jiang Yiguang knew it was time to depart.

–

For the second time, Jiang Yiguang and Fu Juan crossed the Azure Hill Marsh and entered the nation of the nine-tailed foxes.

The Mountains and Seas Realm was vast and wild. The winds surging from all directions carried a primordial, savage aura. Abundant spiritual energy rose and fell, surging like a heavenly wind blowing through one’s limbs and bones, bringing an extremely comforting sensation.

This time, however, their stay in Azure Hill would not be long.

In front of the wooden hut.

Tushan Lian curled up in a recliner, her gaze not lingering on the gifts Jiang Yiguang brought. She lifted her eyelids, her sharp gaze sweeping over Jiang Yiguang for a few moments. With a light slap of her right hand, a bamboo branch transformed into a sword, whipping through the air straight for Jiang Yiguang’s chest! Jiang Yiguang’s pupils constricted, but her reaction wasn’t slow. With a shiiing, the Dao Solitude sword left its sheath, tracing a trail of qi in midair. Sword intents clashed, the sound of explosions incessant. After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Tushan Lian finally caught the bamboo branch and wiped away the spiritual energy on it with a sweep of her hand, watching it completely disperse into flying ash.

“Not bad, you have made some progress.” Tushan Lian’s lips curved upward slightly, melting away the cold severity between her brows. Before Jiang Yiguang could offer words of thanks, she added, “Are you prepared to enter the Northern Wastes?”

Jiang Yiguang nodded, her expression focused. “Yes.”

Tushan Lian said, “The warriors of my Azure Hill must guard the seal and guard against any underhanded moves by the Four Evils. There is no one to escort you deeper into the Mountains and Seas.”

Jiang Yiguang replied, “We now possess the ability to protect ourselves. We can go on our own.”

Tushan Lian smiled. “After experiencing a bloody battle, the seal is finally lifted.” She watched the sword in Jiang Yiguang’s hand, faintly detecting a sharpness and ferocity radiating from it, eager to be unleashed. This sword had beheaded a deity; it had been completely reborn. Originally a sword brimming with spirit, after drinking divine blood, its spirituality had ascended to a higher plane—no longer on par with common metal. After pondering a moment, Tushan Lian added, “Most of the mountain gods in the Mountains and Seas Realm are slumbering. Here, there aren’t many rules to speak of—just remember the phrase ‘the weak are prey to the strong.’ But there are exceptions. Some ferocious beasts have powerful backers. They wreak havoc in the Mountains and Seas, yet the inhabitants mostly turn a blind eye.”

Jiang Yiguang furrowed her brow slightly, putting on a respectful, attentive expression.

Tushan Lian glanced at her, sighing. “The God of Bell Mountain has a son named Gu. He was killed by the Yellow Emperor east of Bell Mountain, and after death transformed into a jun-bird. If you encounter him, avoid him if you can.”

Hearing Tushan Lian mention this, Jiang Yiguang recalled a record from the Western Mountains Third Classic.

“Four hundred and twenty li further northwest is Bell Mountain. The god has a son named Gu, whose form is a human face with a dragon’s body. Together with Qin Pi, he killed Baojiang on the southern side of Kunlun. The Emperor then executed him east of Bell Mountain at a place called Yao Cliff.”

The God of Bell Mountain’s son, Gu, was clearly another unfilial wretch of the Mountains and Seas.

Jiang Yiguang asked, “And what if I can’t avoid him?”

Tushan Lian said dismissively, “Then kill him.” Once a divine son, after death his true form was gone, leaving only a spirit soul transformation. He was merely a demon now.

Jiang Yiguang asked, “What if the God of Bell Mountain seeks revenge?”

Tushan Lian stood up, her brow furrowed. An icy gaze fell upon Jiang Yiguang. Only after a long moment did she counter, “Just because you fear the God of Bell Mountain, you’re willing to become Gu’s meal?” Seeing Jiang Yiguang shake her head, she waved a hand dismissively. “You may go. In the future, ask fewer stupid questions.”

Jiang Yiguang had long since grown accustomed to Tushan Lian’s attitude. After giving her thanks, she slowly strolled back.

The Azure Hill Nation still preserved the vestiges of the High Antiquity era. The scattered houses were rustic yet elegant. Just a slight lift of the head revealed that nameless tree, which seemed capable of holding up the sky and anchoring the earth, laden with flowing light and starlight. A gentle breeze stirred, kicking up wave after wave of snowy white. The flowing light and snow-white falling petals drifted down, light as a beautiful dream.

By the time she arrived, Fu Juan was standing right beneath the tree, her face framed by the shadows of the flowers, as if bathed in endless starlight.

Jiang Yiguang stared at her figure somewhat dazedly. A faint fragrance drifted on the circling wind. Her heart inexplicably leaped, and she couldn’t help but step forward, seeing the water-like clarity in Fu Juan’s serene eyes even more clearly. And within that water… was reflected her own image.

Jiang Yiguang cleared her throat. “What are you looking at?” In this place where spiritual energy was a hundred times richer than Shenzhou, she’d thought Fu Juan would seize the time to cultivate.

“Nothing much.” Fu Juan shook her head, her voice very soft. Turning to gaze at the towering tree of Azure Hill, she added, “If the tree of Azure Hill is this tall, then what must the Jianmu Tree of High Antiquity have been like?”

Jiang Yiguang raised an eyebrow in confusion. “Jianmu?” That tree was a hundred ren tall with no branches, having nine bends above and nine entanglements below, its fruit like hemp and leaves like awns. Taihao once passed through it; it was made by the Yellow Emperor. In the legends of High Antiquity, the sky-supporting tree was Jianmu, and the sky-supporting mountain was called Buzhou. Jianmu was one of the “bridges” between gods and mortals in the world of that time.

Fu Juan nodded. Then, in a gentle voice, she added, “Speaking of which, ever since Emperor Zhuanxu severed the connection between heaven and earth, neither Jianmu nor Buzhou Mountain have had the duty of supporting the heavens.”