Chapter 19: A Windfall from Heaven

The night air carried a slight chill as Beiming Yanhuo slipped silently into the bedchamber. He gazed at the sleeping little Huayan on the bed, his eyes glinting with murderous intent. Drawing closer, he summoned a wisp of Netherworld Fire in his palm, intending to burn the little flower demon to ashes.

Yet, just as the ghostly flame flickered in his hand, it suddenly extinguished. Beiming Yanhuo bent down and sat by Huayan’s side, murmuring to himself, “What a foolish little demon.”

Despite his grumbling, he pressed his palm gently against her and sent his own spiritual power into the sleeping Huayan, helping her to heal. “Do not think this is mercy,” he muttered. “I am only healing you so you can find the Flower of Bones. If you fail, I’ll settle both new and old scores at once.”

Once the spiritual energy had been transferred and he saw the wounds on her arm had vanished, he pulled a Xuan Yuan Pearl from his robe. At the bottom of the Ink Abyss, he had overheard how much Huayan coveted this pearl and how desperately she wished to become Lanshu’s disciple. He had made a point to bring it back with him.

He placed the Xuan Yuan Pearl by her pillow and took his leave, stepping out into the night.

As dawn broke, the Hall of a Hundred Flowers was awash with blooming petals and fluttering butterflies. Huayan awoke in high spirits, refreshed by the sweet fragrance that hung in the crisp morning air.

She had promised the God Sovereign Feng Lan she would visit Lanxi Hall today, so she woke early to prepare. Moreover, today was the great awards ceremony at the Palace of Thirty-Three Heavens—a celebration for those who had triumphed in the trials. She could not afford to be late!

Sitting up and stretching lazily, Huayan closed her eyes and sighed contentedly, “It’s another beautiful day.” With that, she hopped out of bed, feeling a surge of energy coursing through her. Even her steps were lighter than usual.

Puzzled by her sudden rejuvenation, her eyes darted around until they landed on the Xuan Yuan Pearl by her pillow. “The Xuan Yuan Pearl? I must be dreaming!” she exclaimed, pinching her plump cheek to be sure.

“Ouch!” she yelped, the pain confirming her reality. Overjoyed, she bounced out of her room, twirling with happiness, unaware that Beiming Yanhuo was watching from the shadows with cold amusement.

“It’s only a Xuan Yuan Pearl, and she’s this delighted,” he mused aloud.

“What did you say, Lord Demon Sovereign?” asked Zhan Feng, who stood nearby, his face full of confusion. From time to time, he noticed a foolish smile flicker across Beiming Yanhuo’s expression, which left him feeling a swirl of emotions. The Demon Sovereign had changed.

Sensing Zhan Feng’s conflicted gaze, Beiming Yanhuo shot him a sharp look—a blaze of Netherworld Fire flickering in one eye, a chill of Netherworld Frost in the other. The contrast was enough to make Zhan Feng’s heart nearly stop.

But Zhan Feng reassured himself: No, he’s still the same ruthless devil—the same Demon Sovereign as ever.

“Lord Demon Sovereign,” Zhan Feng reported, “the two Kings of the Northern and Southern Underworlds are ready. At your command, they can attack the Palace of Thirty-Three Heavens.”

“There’s no rush. Once the Flower of Bones is found, I will personally see to the destruction of the Palace of Thirty-Three Heavens,” Beiming Yanhuo replied.

Zhan Feng blinked his large dark eyes, staring intently at his master, inwardly bewildered. Wasn’t the Demon Sovereign always intent on launching the attack? Why the sudden change of heart?

Beiming Yanhuo, annoyed by the unblinking stare, cleared his throat with a huff.

Snapping out of his reverie, Zhan Feng quickly bowed, his face reading: You’re the boss, your word goes.

“Yes, I will take my leave,” he replied, and vanished in a swift, clean motion.

Huayan stared at the Xuan Yuan Pearl in her hand in disbelief, a look of triumph spreading across her face as she burst into laughter. “It’s real! My luck must have finally turned—has the spirit of the koi blessed me at last?”

“This means I can become Lord Lanshu’s disciple!” She laughed even louder, carefully tucking the pearl into her pocket and clasping her hands in gratitude to the heavens. “The gods have eyes—thank you, thank you!”

Humming with happiness, she went to prepare preserved fruits as gifts for her visit to Lanxi Hall and the God Sovereign Feng Lan.

At Lanxi Hall, Huayan made her way straight to Liuying’s quarters—the Glazed Pavilion. “Liuying!”

Liuying woke with a start, bleary-eyed and disgruntled, clutching her blanket. Who dared disturb her beautiful dream—one where she and her master had been cuddling and playing together?

“Who is it? Can’t a person get some sleep around here?”

“Liuying!” Huayan called, bounding cheerfully into the room and scooping up the sleepy girl just as she was about to fall back into bed.

“I’ve come to visit your master, the God Sovereign Feng Lan,” she announced.

Liuying, face full of indignation, realized her dream was ruined beyond repair. With a heavy sigh, she sat up, grumbling at Huayan, “Then why don’t you just go to Lanxi Hall? And look at the time! Disturbing my dreams so early!”

“In all these thousand years, I’ve never seen you up this early, Huayan. Are you ill? Or possessed?” She reached out to feel Huayan’s forehead.

Huayan gently took Liuying’s hand from her brow and declared energetically, “Look at this!” She pulled the Xuan Yuan Pearl from her pocket and held it out.

“Wow!” Liuying gasped, eyes wide as she snatched the pearl from Huayan. “Where did you steal this from?”

Huayan puffed out her cheeks and, gazing up at the sky, tapped Liuying’s forehead with a finger. “It fell from the sky!”

“Since when do treasures just fall from the sky?” Liuying retorted, righting herself after being poked.

“It’s real!” Huayan insisted.

One was bold enough to say it, the other bold enough to believe—truly an unbeatable pair of friends.

After marveling over the pearl for some time, the two decided to go pay their respects to the God Sovereign Feng Lan.