Xuanyin Divine Mirror? Cloud Palace Treasure Mirror!
Lu Zheng’s gaze sharpened. He reacted at once. “A few days ago, you were in Wei Province capital?”
Lu Zheng rarely used the Cloud Palace Treasure Mirror. His two recent uses had both been in Wei Province capital. The first was secretly observing the Profound Heart Demon, with no one present, and the demon was now dead. The second was pinning the Profound Heart Demon with mirror light, done openly, but in the yang world. Lu Zheng truly had not expected a ghost to witness it and recognise the mirror.
This ghost possessed profound cultivation, far below the Profound Heart Demon yet higher than Lu Zheng. If it concealed itself silently, detection would indeed be difficult.
“Hehe, so you know the mirror’s origin!”
Hearing Lu Zheng’s question, the ghost gave a cold sneer. “I only came to the yang world for a casual stroll, but luck favoured me. I always said that little ghost Zhang was useless and could not safeguard the divine mirror. Sure enough, less than ten years after the split, he was destroyed, and the mirror vanished. My fellow disciples searched millions of li across the netherworld and found no trace, yet it ended up in the yang world.”
At this point, the ghost paused, voice turning icy. “Hand over the divine mirror, and this seat will spare your life. If you utter half a refusal, this seat will make your entire family die one by one, all perish, souls drawn and refined, tormented for a thousand years!”
Lu Zheng narrowed his eyes, genuinely angered.
Though powerful, the ghost was only at the level of the Mingyi Saintess. Even in a sneak attack, it had failed to subdue him instantly. What gave it the confidence to kill him, merely higher cultivation?
He had slain plenty with higher cultivation than his own.
The White Cloud Flag fluttered behind Lu Zheng. He drew the lightning-struck peach wood sword in reverse grip, preparing to strike with full force and destroy the ghost.
Then the ghost extended a hand. A crystalline, ink-jade-like black lotus hovered in its palm. Within hundreds of zhang around, thousands of black lotuses appeared.
“Three breaths for you. If you…”
Before the words finished, red flames suddenly ignited on the thousands of black lotuses. In a blink, they burned utterly clean, dissipating between heaven and earth.
“Hmm?” The ghost paled, utterly bewildered.
“Hmm?” Lu Zheng and Shen Ying’s eyes flickered too, for this was not their doing.
At that instant, a red figure suddenly appeared in the field.
Wearing a palace gown of crimson brocade embroidered with hundred birds facing the phoenix in gold thread, head adorned with a phoenix spreading wings gold silk and crimson pearl hairpin. Willow brows slanting into cloud temples, phoenix eyes flowing with extraordinary radiance. It was the master of Phoenix Mountain, Si Lingxi.
“Lady Si?” Lu Zheng gaped. Shen Ying’s eyes widened in shock.
“I happened to be strolling in a nearby city and sensed phoenix divine fire. So you encountered an enemy.” Si Lingxi spoke mildly, then turned to the ghost.
The ghost stared dumbfounded, then without a word enlarged the black lotus in its hand. It floated beneath its feet, carrying it into a streak of light fleeing into the distance.
Si Lingxi shook her head, pointed a finger. A spark shot from her hand, growing in the wind, instantly becoming a ten-zhang winged fire phoenix. Swift as starfire, it streaked across the sky, leaving a crimson trail and afterimage. In moments it overtook the black lotus.
The fire phoenix pounced, enveloping the black lotus in a blink. Phoenix divine fire surged upward like a massive torch.
“Ah!!!”
The ghost screamed. “Senior, spare my life!!!”
But that was all it could utter. As the cry fell, the phoenix divine fire blazed brighter. A chaotic spiritual fluctuation rippled through heaven and earth.
Then the flames dispersed. Where the ghost had been, nothing remained.
Precisely:
Body and soul both extinguished, qi and treasure alike annihilated.
A thousand years of cultivation scattered in one morning.
“Buzz!”
A soft hum. Lu Zheng felt strands of destiny light surge into the jade seal in his mind. The ghost, which had not even given its name, was dead.
Lu Zheng: (°ー°〃)
…
Stowing the White Cloud Flag and concealing the peach wood sword, Lu Zheng took Shen Ying’s hand and approached Si Lingxi to pay respects.
“Greetings, Senior Si!” Lu Zheng cupped his hands.
“Thank you, Senior!” Shen Ying smiled.
Si Lingxi waved dismissively. “No need. I merely happened upon it. Even without me, it could not have harmed you.”
Si Lingxi knew Lu Zheng’s capabilities. Even if victory eluded him, escape would not have been difficult.
“Still troublesome. If it had sent word back to the netherworld, future problems would arise for me.” Lu Zheng said.
“What trouble?” Si Lingxi asked. She had arrived late and missed the earlier exchange.
“I inadvertently obtained a mirror, unexpectedly the famed artefact of the netherworld’s Xuanyin Divine Lord.” Lu Zheng explained.
“Xuanyin Divine Mirror?” Si Lingxi raised an eyebrow.
“Precisely!” Lu Zheng nodded, then produced the Cloud Palace Treasure Mirror.
Si Lingxi had aided in resolving the crisis and slaying the ghost. Though she likely cared little, Lu Zheng felt obliged to explain the full cause and effect. With her cultivation, she would naturally not covet the mirror.
Sure enough, Si Lingxi glanced at it and merely nodded approvingly. “A fine mirror.”
“But heavy with karma.” Lu Zheng smiled helplessly.
“What is there to fear? None who descend from Xuanyin Mountain amount to much. Cultivate a few more years with this mirror’s aid, and none will be your match.” Si Lingxi said nonchalantly.
Lu Zheng was speechless. Si Lingxi spoke as if it were simple, showing even greater confidence in him than True Person Qingsong.
Lu Zheng stowed the mirror. Shen Ying asked curiously, “Why has Senior come to the Central Plains?”
“Nothing occupies Phoenix Mountain, and it has been long since I last visited the Central Plains. After our last chat about opera, stillness bred restlessness, so I came to tour and relax.” Si Lingxi replied.
“Since you are free, why not return with us to Tonglin County for a stay?” Shen Ying invited.
“And allow this junior to prepare several fine dishes to welcome Senior.” Lu Zheng smiled.
Si Lingxi’s gaze shifted, clearly tempted, then she nodded. “Then I shall impose.”
“No imposition at all. Senior is too polite.” Lu Zheng laughed. “Senior Liu and the others never stand on ceremony. They are quite at ease.”
The three joined as one, flying toward Tonglin County while discussing the reason for Lu Zheng and Shen Ying’s presence here.
“Great Black Heaven Unintentional True Desire Demon Ancestor.” Si Lingxi frowned lightly and shook her head.
“Senior knows of him too?”
Si Lingxi rolled her eyes. “I am no old monster secluded year-round, ignorant of worldly affairs.”
“He hides in the southern borders now.” Lu Zheng said.
“I know. Though an upper realm heavenly demon, only divine sense has descended. How much divine ability remains?” Si Lingxi nodded, her expression cool. “Merely a ground rat. If met, I shall burn him.”
Lu Zheng, “…”
Shen Ying, “…”
Such words, utterly domineering!
