Fairy Qingmei

Fairy Qingmei...

In the vast wilderness, thousands of li away from the outskirts of the Demon Capital, a boundless forest seemed to stretch endlessly, without any visible boundaries.

At the break of dawn, a white crane appeared over this expansive wilderness. Mounted on the crane were a strikingly handsome young man and an exceptionally beautiful, angelic-looking girl. The girl's head gently rested on his shoulder, leaning lightly against him.

The young man slowly opened his eyes but remained still, afraid to disturb the girl's slumber.

These two were none other than Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng.

Mo Qingcheng's long eyelashes fluttered as she gradually woke up. Her eyes, like crystalline pools, sparkled with a pure radiance. She blinked and then shifted her head away from him, her cheeks blushing faintly.

"You're awake," Qin Wentian said, gazing at Mo Qingcheng's somewhat weary face. A twinge of sadness passed through his heart. Their journey to this place had been filled with detours and had taken almost a month on the back of the white crane. Although the crane flew several times faster than they could have on their own, it still had its limitations as a 7th-level Demonic Beast.

"Mm..." Mo Qingcheng nodded lightly. Her eyes gleamed with wonder as she took in the vast mountain range that stretched as far as the eye could see. Compared to this, the Dark Forest they had crossed before was just a tiny corner of the world.

Qin Wentian retrieved the map and studied it before smiling at Mo Qingcheng. "We should be arriving soon. Help me guide the crane's flight."

"Of course," Mo Qingcheng agreed, and the white crane continued on its course. Despite their proximity to the destination, half a day passed, and they still hadn't spotted the location marked on the map.

"Maybe we're heading in the wrong direction," Mo Qingcheng furrowed her brows. In this vast expanse of land, it was highly likely that they had veered off course by a few degrees.

"I see people over there," Qin Wentian pointed ahead at a group of cultivators, all mounted on flying demonic beasts.

The cultivators also noticed the white crane and flew closer, gradually approaching it. As they got a better look at the two passengers, their eyes couldn't help but light up. A handsome young man and a breathtakingly stunning young woman – they couldn't help but stare at the couple for a few moments.

"Are you heading to Demon Mountain City?" one of the group asked.

"So there really is a Demon Mountain City," Qin Wentian mused quietly as he looked at the map.

"Yes, you're quite close to it," a young man in the group answered, his gaze lingering on Mo Qingcheng, whose beauty surpassed that of his female companions.

"We need to hurry," a female cultivator among them urged impatiently. She was tall and beautiful, dressed elegantly in a blue gown. Yet, when compared to Mo Qingcheng, her radiance dimmed, serving as a mere backdrop to highlight Mo Qingcheng's beauty. The longing in the eyes of the male cultivators annoyed her.

"Alright," a few of the men reluctantly moved their mounts away from the white crane. Nevertheless, a hint of attachment lingered in the eyes of the young man who had spoken to them earlier.

Qin Wentian couldn't help but smile wryly as he glanced at Mo Qingcheng. The saying "femme fatale" seemed apt in this situation – women who were too beautiful naturally attracted the attention of others. He still wondered whether bringing her along had been the right decision.

"Are you unhappy?" Mo Qingcheng whispered, noticing his expression.

"I didn't like the way they kept looking at you." Qin Wentian shrugged and smiled. "But oh well, their eyes belong to them, I can only try to adapt."

"Are you jealous?" Mo Qingcheng's dazzling eyes twinkled. Qin Wentian said nothing, and she took his silence as acceptance, causing a feeling of sweetness to blossom in her heart.

"Did you bring a change of clothes?" Mo Qingcheng abruptly asked.

"Yeah." Qin Wentian nodded his head.

"Show me your other set of clothes." Mo Qingcheng smiled, and while he didn't understand her intent, Qin Wentian still took out the other clothes he prepared for the trip. As he stared dumbfoundedly, Mo Qingcheng wrapped a piece of his clothing around her body, covering her gracefully exquisite figure. Tearing a strip of fabric off yet another set of clothing, she tied up her long hair and wrapped a strip as a bandana around her head. The overall look, appeared somewhat incongruous, yet with also a hint of masculinity.

"How do I look?" Mo Qingcheng spread her hands as she asked.

Qin Wentian contemplated her appearance; her bearing may have resembled the male form, but there was still no way to mask her jade-white skin and beautiful countenance. But in spite of this, her current oddly attired figure wasn't as attention-drawing as before.

Humans would always love to make themselves look good, so the fact that Mo Qingcheng would choose to dress herself in this way moved Qin Wentian's heart. Reaching out, he held onto the dainty hands of Mo Qingcheng.

Mo Qingcheng and Qin Wentian finally saw the Demon Mountain City as outlined in the map. As the white crane prepared to land, Mo Qingcheng gasped, an expression of wonder shone on her face.

The entire city was surrounded by towering stone peaks, as though it were a part of the mountains, it emanated an air of majesty like a divine work of nature.

The surrounding peaks were all too vast and gigantic, with the effect of diminishing the city's appearance when looked at from the sky. In reality, this city wasn't smaller than that of the Royal Capital of Chu. It was difficult to imagine such a lively city existed out in the middle of nowhere, with many people living within its walls.

"Let's dismount," Qin Wentian said in a low voice, as the white crane landed within the Demon Mountain City. Aside from signs of many humans living within the city, there were also crowds of demonic beasts roaming about. These beasts were not like those that were controlled by humans, but rather, they moved about of their own volition, actually living in harmony with the humans. What a strange place, and how aptly named. It was no wonder they called it the Demon Mountain City.

Qin Wentian retrieved the map once again; the mark indicated a palace of immense size located in the middle of the Demon Mountain City.

"The Azure Emperor's secret wasn't hidden in the Emperor Star Academy. Instead, there was only this map. "If this palace really hides a heaven-defying cultivation art allowing one to have multiple Yuanfus, what sort of tests would be waiting for me?" Qin Wentian thought to himself, as he and Mo Qingcheng strolled about the city.

Suddenly, the earth shuddered. Tremors could be felt as a berserk demonic beast galloped on the pathway, causing the crowd to give way to it.

Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng turned around in time to see an extremely savage looking Hawk-eye Lion dashing towards them. Immense power could be felt in its steps, and a youth mounted on the lion roared to the crowd ahead, "Get lost!"

They moved to the side of the streets as the Hawk-eye Lion rushed over. The youth mounted on the back of the demonic lion possessed eagle-like eyes , sharp and imposing. He swept a glance over to Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng, and upon seeing the incomparably elegant face of Mo Qingcheng clad in a male's robes, he opened his mouth and spat out flames. The intense flames gushed towards the pair as they both retreated backwards, frowns lining their faces.

"Are you unhappy?" Mo Qingcheng whispered, her eyes keenly observing his expression.

Qin Wentian shrugged and offered a wry smile. "I didn't quite appreciate the way they kept eyeing you. But hey, their eyes belong to them, right? I guess I'll have to learn to adapt."

Mo Qingcheng's eyes sparkled, and she ventured further. "Are you jealous?"

Qin Wentian remained silent, which Mo Qingcheng took as an admission. A warm feeling of affection blossomed in her heart.

"Did you bring a change of clothes?" Mo Qingcheng suddenly inquired.

"Yeah," Qin Wentian replied, nodding.

"Show me your other set of clothes," she requested, smiling. Though he didn't fully understand her intentions, Qin Wentian fetched the additional clothing he had brought for the journey. To his astonishment, Mo Qingcheng wrapped one of his garments around her, modestly concealing her gracefully exquisite figure. She tore a strip of fabric from another set of clothing to tie up her long hair and fashioned a bandana for her head. The overall look was somewhat unconventional, with a hint of masculinity.

Mo Qingcheng spread her arms and inquired, "How do I look?"

Qin Wentian studied her appearance. While her demeanor may have taken on a more masculine form, there was no hiding her porcelain skin and striking beauty. Yet, her current attire didn't attract as much attention as before.

Touched by Mo Qingcheng's willingness to dress in this way, Qin Wentian reached out and held her delicate hand.

Mo Qingcheng and Qin Wentian finally laid eyes on Demon Mountain City, as indicated on the map. As the white crane prepared to land, Mo Qingcheng gasped in awe.

The city was encompassed by towering stone peaks, seamlessly integrated with the mountains. It exuded an air of majesty, as if sculpted by the hands of gods.

The surrounding peaks were colossal, dwarfing the city when viewed from the sky. In reality, this city wasn't smaller than the Royal Capital of Chu. It was astonishing to imagine such a vibrant city nestled in the middle of nowhere, populated by many residents.

"Let's disembark," Qin Wentian murmured as the white crane descended into Demon Mountain City. Besides evidence of human habitation, there were also numerous wild demonic beasts roaming freely. These creatures weren't under human control; they coexisted harmoniously with the residents. What a peculiar place, aptly named Demon Mountain City.

Qin Wentian retrieved the map once more; it indicated a colossal palace located in the heart of Demon Mountain City.

"The Azure Emperor's secret wasn't concealed within the Emperor Star Academy. Instead, there was only this map," Qin Wentian contemplated. "If this palace truly holds a cultivation art that defies the heavens, allowing one to possess multiple Yuanfus, what kind of trials await me?"

Lost in thought, he and Mo Qingcheng roamed the city. Suddenly, the earth trembled. A powerful demonic beast thundered down the pathway, causing pedestrians to scramble aside.

Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng turned to see a ferocious Hawk-eye Lion charging toward them. The youth mounted on the lion shouted at the crowd, "Get out of the way!"

The crowd quickly dispersed to the sides of the street as the Hawk-eye Lion bore down on them. The youth astride the beast had sharp, eagle-like eyes, exuding a domineering aura. He cast a glance at Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng, and upon seeing Mo Qingcheng's exquisitely elegant face hidden in male attire, he spewed forth flames. The intense flames surged toward the pair, prompting them to retreat with furrowed brows.

A mischievous grin spread across the youth's face as he fixed his eyes on Mo Qingcheng. "If this is a woman, her beauty surely surpasses those from the Celestial Lake Palace."

With a hearty laugh, he departed, leaving behind a buzzing crowd. Everyone's gaze turned toward Mo Qingcheng. Even though she was attired in male robes, her unparalleled beauty was unmistakable.

Qin Wentian furrowed his brows, but Mo Qingcheng gently tugged at his hand. "Let's proceed to our destination."

Mo Qingcheng recognized the importance of maintaining a low profile as outsiders in this unfamiliar place. Here, experts were as common as clouds, in stark contrast to the small country of Chu. Caution was paramount.

Qin Wentian sighed, regretting his own lack of strength. He believed that Mo Qingcheng wouldn't have to endure such comments if he were stronger.

"I apologize," he muttered.

Mo Qingcheng chuckled softly. "If you're sorry, then focus on getting stronger."

They quickened their pace, arriving at the marked location on the map. Before them stood an immense palace with a colossal arch above the entrance, bearing three imposing words: Celestial Lake Palace.

This was undoubtedly the Celestial Lake Palace mentioned by the arrogant youth mounted on the demonic lion. It was also the location pinpointed on the Azure Emperor's map.

"Ah," a voice of surprise rang out from a group of approaching cultivators. Among them were the young man and woman Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng had encountered during their journey.

"It seems we have a destined encounter. Are you both here to visit the celestial lake as well?" the young man inquired, his eyes lighting up upon seeing Mo Qingcheng once more.

Curious about the celestial lake's significance, Qin Wentian asked, "What exactly is the celestial lake?"

"The Celestial Lake Palace is the hallmark of Demon Mountain City, established 3,000 years ago by the Demonic Fairy Qingmei. Over these millennia, the city has evolved into its present form. In the distant past, this place was a desolate land inhabited solely by demonic beasts. Now, look at how vibrant it has become. The Celestial Lake Palace is renowned for its celestial beauties, all of whom are exceptionally stunning," the young man explained with a laugh. "Though if they were to compare themselves to her," he added, nodding toward Mo Qingcheng, "she would undoubtedly outshine them."

After which, he swept his gaze over to Mo Qingcheng again, an inscrutable expression marking his eyes.

"3,000 years ago," Qin Wentian mumbled. In that case, she was of the same era as the Azure Emperor. But why was she called the Demonic Fairy Qingmei? Could she be a demonic beast that had eventually taken on the form of a human?

"Since the Celestial Lake Palace only accepts female disciples, why are there so many people coming here?" Qin Wentian inquired again.

"Yeah, Fairy Qingmei only accepts females as her disciples, and they must all be extremely beautiful. To understand her reasons for not accepting male disciples, we must first talk about the legends relating to the Azure Emperor and Fairy Qingmei. In the past, the Azure Emperor was ranked first out of the 36 starlords. Do you understand how awe-inspiring that was? Despite the admiration and love of countless women, he rejected them all for a single woman. A beautiful story about the love between a human and a demon, it touched the hearts of a few but incurred the scorn and hatred of many others. In the end, for reasons unknown, the Azure Emperor abandoned Fairy Qingmei, causing her love for him to turn into hate, to the point where it was rumored she pursued the Azure Emperor, seeking his death. And when the Azure Emperor abruptly disappeared, the Fairy Qingmei could only return to the Demon Mountain City, living in seclusion."

The young man seemed to be in extremely high spirits, speaking with assurance, as though he intentionally wanted to show off his knowledge. "This humble me is named Yi Xiang, and I come from the Demon Continent. I wonder, how should I address the two of you?"

"I'm Qin Wentian, and this is my girlfriend," Qin Wentian replied indifferently, but his heart shivered with excitement.

If the Fairy Qingmei really did have a relationship with the Azure Emperor in the past, this meant that he was in the right place. There was no mistake; this palace was the very spot marked on the map of Dicang.