With her short limbs, round and bulging eyes, and the snow-white little fur still wrapped around her body, the sizes were all perfect, and a white hand as tender as a lotus root tightly pulled Qing Mu’s robe, the big watery eyes able to melt anyone instantly.

Qing Mu had faced Hou Chi with this appearance for a few months, but he sighed inside this time. This child seemed to know how to deal with him in the best way.

“Hou Chi, we have already exited the Demon Realm.” Feng Ran’s voice rang, a little helplessly, “If you really like this appearance, you can just transform back when we arrive at Qingchi Palace.”

Perhaps she felt too embarrassed because Feng Ran’s teeth even squeaked under her clenching. They were risking Qingchi Palace’s ten thousand years of glory!

Qing Mu said nothing. He took Hou Chi’s small hand and squatted down. The child’s expression obviously indicated that something was wrong, “What’s the matter?”

Hou Chi’s little mouth curled, and her chubby little hand patted Qing Mu’s hand. She looked extremely aggrieved, “I can’t transform back.”

“What’s the matter?” Feng Ran also noticed that something was wrong and came over. Although Hou Chi’s immortal power was weak, why couldn’t she transform back after they left the Demon Realm?

Hou Chi shook her head, her eyes darkening. Qing Mu looked anxious and touched the little bun on her head.

“Try to pour your immortal power into the stone bracelet. Does it work?” Seeing Hou Chi silent, Feng Ran said this hurriedly, not worrying if Qing Mu was beside or not. The little god was taken out of Qingchi Palace by her. If she went back with this appearance, she would probably be scolded to death by Chang Que.

When Qing Mu heard these words, his eyes flashed invisibly. The seal on Hou Chi’s body might have something to do with the stone bracelet. Could the person who had sealed her off be the mysterious and unpredictable Bo Xuan who even the Demon Emperor had trouble tracking?

“I don’t know either, perhaps my spiritual power is just too bad.” Hou Chi lowered her head in frustration. Her little hand-stirred in Qing Mu’s hand a few times, and she sighed, “If God father sees me like this, he’ll probably be even more disappointed.”

While on Da’ze Mountain, she could still rely on the power of the stone bracelet to calm down the high deities, but now, she didn’t even have the power to turn back to her original appearance.

She wasn’t skilled in literature or martial arts. Others thought that the little god of Qingchi Palace was extraordinary, but in reality, she was just decorated in gold and jade. [1]

Forget about helping her God father release some of his anger. She was afraid that when she bumped into the people of the Nine Heavens…Hou Chi sighed, feeling a sense of sadness she had never felt before.

“It’s okay, when we go to Liaowang Mountain, we will definitely find Bo Xuan, and we’ll understand everything then.” Qing Mu patted Hou Chi’s small head and put her into his arms again.

The young man had a voice so convincing that it seemed to be some magical spell. Hou Chi nodded her head, replied with an “mhm”, and put her chin on his shoulder, humming comfortably.

Feng Ran glanced at Hou Chi suspiciously, saying inside, “This little one wasn’t pretending to be pitiful just now, right?”

The three of them directed the cloud to Liaowang Mountain, but they didn’t notice that at the exact moment they exited the Demon Realm, the originally chaotic and dark unknown spot on the Qingtian Pillar began to show some fuzzy marks.

Da’ze Mountain was only a few days away from the Demon Realm, but the three of them weren’t very fast. The news of the arrival of a true god weapon was spreading throughout the Three Realms, and quite a few immortal deities rushed to Liaowang Mountain to admire the spectacle. Qing Mu was used to being alone and needed to hide their traces, so he slowly drove the cloud.

Five days later, the three of them finally arrived at the bottom of the mountain. Before they were approaching, they could feel a strong immortal power permeating around Liaowang Mountain, forming a natural barrier to protect the entire mountain range. The difficulty of entering could not be compared at all to three months ago.

Many immortal lords were wandering around the outside of the mountain, most of them being irrelevant immortals who had come to watch the scene. With many people, there was more gossip. Although these immortals had lived for very long, the years could hardly prevent them from the gossip.

“My immortal friend Jing Si, have you heard? The Heavenly Emperor used the Edict of Respect for the Heavens to punish Lord Zi Yuan, expelling him from the Immortal Realm and making him suffer the pain of reincarnations. He can never be listed under the immortal class, tsk tsk. This is an astonishing thing. Tell me, how many years has it been since the Edict of Respect for the Heavens last appeared? Besides, Lord Zi Yuan has helped First Highness. Why did the Heavenly Emperor punish him so severely?” The immortal lord, who looked peaceful and kind, sighed at the other immortal lord to the side, and his expression was quite unclear.

It was also this sentence that made the three people who planned on entering Liaowang Mountain stop in their tracks.

“Immortal friend Guang Qu, you seem to not know. It looks as if the Heavenly Emperor is trying to punish Lord Zi Yuan, but who doesn’t know that the old guy is helping the little god of Qingchi Palace release anger. Lord Zi Yuan offended Goddess Hou Chi and was brought up to the Heavenly Palace by Second Highness Jing Jian. His crime was very serious.”

“I heard that the little god is noble and graceful with beauty that even Princess Jing Zhao can’t compare to. Are the rumors true?”

“Never mind if they are true. We can only bow respectfully if we see her. Don’t forget the lesson that an elder, Lord Zi Yuan, left us…”

“Hey, the little god has a really good fate! She was born with the god title, and now has the protection of the Heavenly Emperor. No ordinary person can get those privileges.” Immortal lord Guang Qu shook his head and sighed with emotion. Suddenly he said with a touch of exquisite interest, “You say, this time, a true god weapon has appeared on Liaowang Mountain. The princes and Princess Jing Zhao of the Heavenly Palace will definitely come. What will happen if they encounter Goddess Hou Chi?”

“Even the Edict of Respect for the Heavens has been issued for Goddess Hou Chi. It seems that the few highnesses can only be respectful…but it has been said that Princess Jing Zhao is especially loved and doted on by His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor and the Heavenly Empress. If the two of them meet, it’s really hard to say!”

When these words came from far away, Qing Mu had already walked into Liaowang Mountain with Hou Chi in his arms.

“What? Do you mind?” Qing Mu looked at the silent Hou Chi who had an unhappy face. She swayed her body, smiling as he talked to her.

“There’s nothing to mind. If it weren’t for my father’s dangling name pressing down on the Three Realms, see if he would’ve done so much!” Hou Chi snorted and glanced at Qing Mu with a look of contempt.

“You don’t seem to like the Heavenly Emperor very much…Let’s leave that matter aside. He has been competent as a Heavenly Emperor these years.”

“Stealing his friend’s wife, unloyal; Doting on such an arrogant daughter, unrighteous; Losing the peace between the immortals and demons, unfair. Qing Mu, tell me, how is he competent?” Hou Chi turned her head slowly, saying lightly. There was scorching heat in her eyes, the slight coercion coming slowly.

Feng Ran, who was to the side, had a stiff expression, and she gave a wry smile. She didn’t know where the coercion on Hou Chi’s body came from. Every time it appeared, it would surprise people.

With shock, the young man sighed, and said helplessly, “Why, you won’t pretend to be a child anymore?” God Gu Jun was definitely a father who loved his child very much. She was probably the only one in the Three Realms who dared to talk about the Heavenly Emperor this way.

Hou Chi paused and turned her head, her face very serious.

“You can just say it if you don’t want to interact with those people. If we see them in the mountain, Feng Ran can just erase our trail. With you like this, I don’t think that anyone will recognize you.” Qing Mu waved his hand to Feng Ran close by and rubbed Hou Chi’s head, accelerating the speed as they flew toward the middle of the mountain.

[1] “Just decorated in gold and jade” – Someone or something that may seem special, talented, etc, but just looks so on the outside

(Part 2)

There was a very strong and thick immortal power on Liaowang Mountain. Powerful immortal lords were everywhere now. If one wanted to find the kirin, they must speed up their pace, or else other immortal deities may develop greedy thoughts. Hou Chi also understood this and nodded her head silently.

Although what happened back then could not be resolved in two words, it had nothing to do with the younger generation. If they really encountered each other…

Within a few days, there were more traces of immortal lords on Liaowang Mountain, and even some demon deities appeared, trying to see if this place really was a secret place of the ancient world. And with the intricate and complicated immortal formations, the powerful masters of the two clans could only calm down and wait for the god weapon to appear.

Three days later, the embarrassed Feng Ran sprang out. She looked at the calm Qing Mu with a very dissatisfied expression.

“Qing Mu, are you sure the Demon Emperor said that Bo Xuan is a kirin? Liaowang Mountain has nothing at all!” Feng Ran muttered bitterly, slapping the spider web on her sleeve, with none of her usual grace.

Qing Mu was holding little Hou Chi, and he spared no effort ordering her around these few days. And because of these days of interaction, her respect and awe for Qing Mu had decreased immensely, knowing that even though the rumors said that Qing Mu was cold-faced, he acted very unusually towards Hou Chi.

She also knew Hou Chi’s personality, prideful and cold. The two got along very well. Perhaps they really matched up to a saying in the Mortal Realm: The bastard was looking at the mung bean, and they fell in love! [1]

“It doesn’t mean that we’ll look in every single place.” Qing Mu was silent for a while and replied lightly, with a sense of understanding in his expression.

“You are saying?” Hou Chi raised her eyes as if she had thought of something. She suddenly raised her head.

“Yes.” Qing Mu glanced towards the sky, the rich immortal aura moved closer to the peak of the mountain, and even he couldn’t get closer. “The only place we have never set foot in is where the god weapon appeared. Since ancient times, a true god weapon only appears in places with strange signs. It’s normal for them to have magical beasts as protection.”

“If this is the case, it seems like we must go up to the peak.” Looking towards the top of the mountain filled with rich immortal aura, Feng Ran couldn’t help but show a bit of sorrow. “But the immortal lords who want the god weapon will suffer. With a kirin guarding it, I’m afraid having their skin peeled off is going to be nothing. But, Hou Chi, do you really want to go?”

As soon as Feng Ran turned her head, a touch of complexity quickly passed the bottom of her eyes as she looked at Hou Chi.

Hou Chi raised her head and arched her eyebrows in surprise.

“A legend of the Three Realms says that if you obtain a true god weapon, you will have the power of a true god. Everyone in the Three Realms knows that Jing Zhao wants the Taicang Spear.”

Her father was the emperor, her mother the empress, but she had to succumb to Hou Chi’s god status. The arrogant Princess Jing Zhao in the middle of the rumors perhaps never felt satisfied…If the kirin really was guarding that Taicang Spear, the two sides would definitely have a major dispute.

“If the kirin really is Bo Xuan, if someone injures him, I will punish them!”

A faint voice came from the mouth of the girl who was squinting, adding a bit of coldness. Qing Mu was stunned and lowered his head, but he could only see the side of Hou Chi’s face. With only a peek, he was startled.

The child had an immature and tender face with a dignified complexion filled with scorching heat of killing intent. It seemed as if all the harmlessness faded in an instant. The deterrence of the soul even caused momentary disorder around them. He had never seen Hou Chi this way.

That person was the daughter of the Heavenly Empress. Hou Chi, is Bo Xuan really so special to you?

“Alright, let’s go to the top of the mountain.” While sighing, Qing Mu heard his own flat voice.

At the foot of Liaowang Mountain, a loud phoenix sound appeared in everyone’s ears. The immortal deities guarding the foot of the mountain were a little distracted. With such looks of yearning, it seemed that Princess Jingzhao of the Heavenly Palace was here.

“Second brother, why are you pulling me?” In the sky, a girl in a golden dress cast a look at the young man behind her, looking a bit unhappy.

“Jing Zhao, this is a secret place from ancient times. It is already disrespectful to enter by flying on a cloud, let alone entering with a phoenix.” The cultivation ground of True God Bai Jue of ancient times was as fierce and powerful as other famous places in the Three Realms, and even their Heavenly Father couldn’t guarantee to leave this place unscathed.

“Hmph, the true gods of ancient times have already turned into clouds of smoke. If they really are so powerful, they would at least be able to protect their personal weapons. Second brother, help me this time. Let’s claim the Taicang Spear.” Jing Zhao pulled at Jing Jian’s clothes with a childish expression.

Jing Jian sighed, a little helpless, “Jing Zhao, your weapon Yuhua Umbrella is made by Heavenly Mother. It’s not much worse than a god weapon. Why be so persistent? This time, Heavenly Father has announced that the Taicang Spear will choose its master…”

“Second brother, it’s not like you don’t know the reason. Why bother to prevaricate with me? If I obtain the Taicang Spear, I will definitely become a goddess, and I don’t need to bow to her ever again.” Jing Zhao suddenly raised her head to look at Jing Jian, her expression faint, and stubbornness in her eyes.

“Third sister, Don’t count on old two’s [2] soft personality. First brother will help you.” A thick and rough voice suddenly appeared in the air, with a confident aura.

Seeing that Jing Yang appeared, Jing Zhao looked delighted, smiled lightly, and greeted him, “First brother, Heavenly Father has released you.”

Jing Yang’s face was awkward for a moment, silently thought about the matter, and said with slight anger, “Heavenly Father is still angry. After I help you obtain it, I’ll go back and ask Heavenly Father for forgiveness. This matter is much more important. What’s more, even if Heavenly Father has done something wrong in the past, but God Gu Jun also got a god status for that little dragon. We don’t owe her anything, so why should we worry so much? Third sister, rest assured, first brother will help you obtain the Taicang Spear so that you can get the god status.”

“Okay, thank you, first brother.” Jing Zhao showed a relieved smile, her phoenix eyes dazzling with color.

“First brother, the Taicang Spear is a true god weapon of ancient times. Its spiritual power is incomparable to the usual objects. It will definitely choose its master. If we forcibly restrain it, I’m afraid it would be wrong.” Thinking of the Heavenly Emperor’s entrustment towards him, Jing Jian quickly said this.

“It’s okay.” Jing Yang waved his hands. “No one among the immortal lords dares to fight against us for it. As for the demon lords, hmph…if they dare appear, I will make sure that they won’t be able to go back.”

Seeing the two people make their decision with just a few words, Jing Jian could only sigh inside. When the time comes, he’ll do what is necessary. A true god weapon appearing was not such a simple matter.

The three of them were waiting to enter the mountain, but Jing Zhao suddenly stopped. Jing Yang and Jing Jian looked at their red-faced younger sister, their faces filled with doubt.

“Second brother, a true god weapon has appeared. Do you think he’ll come?”

Jing Jian’s expression froze as if he had thought of something. Seeing the faint expectation in Jing Zhao’s eyes, he smiled and said, “Probably. After all, the entire Three Realms knows about this. Even if he is cultivating, with such fluctuating immortal power, he’ll be able to feel it.”

Invisible joy flashed under Jing Zhao’s eyes, pulling the doubtful Jing Yang with her as she rushed to Liaowang Mountain.

Qing Mu, the most mysterious and outstanding immortal lord in a thousand years. That year, when his name appeared on Qingtian Pillar, he went into the deep North Sea alone and killed all the nine-headed snakes of the clan. The emperor made an edict, and he and Jing Zhao were the receivers. But he was too lazy to even look and disappeared in the Three Realms, and his whereabouts became a mystery since then. Now that she thought about it, it was because of that time that Jing Zhao would have such thoughts about him.

Jing Jian followed the two, suddenly remembering the young man in a teal robe in the North Sea. He was independent and long-lasting and even had a sense of overlap with Hou Chi, who had appeared on Da’ze Mountain.

[1] “The bastard was looking at the mung bean, and they fell in love” – A Chinese saying. Because the bastard has eyes that are only the size of a mung bean, his only choice of love was the mung bean. Slowly, they fell in love.

[2] “Old two” – In China, someone older will often call some younger “old” something. For example, Jing Jian is the second child of the family, so Jing Yang calls him “old two”.