Chapter 47: The Xuling Immortal Vessel — A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix
When you hurried back from the Seat of Divine Foresight, Fu Xuan, as expected, was fast asleep.
You didn't disturb her.
You slept fully clothed in a nearby recliner for the entire night…
And slept very soundly.
When you opened your eyes the next morning, you met the golden gaze of your younger sister.
But to you, those eyes were dazzling—like the morning sun tinged with dawn.
No—this wasn't dawn, but your younger sister's eyes brimming with tears…
"Big brother~"
"The Master didn't like me, yet by the designs of fate, he took me in as his disciple…"
As her eyes met yours, that hint of dawn instantly condensed into raindrops, swirling and falling.
"Big brother doesn't like me either; he only takes care of me because I'm his little sister…"
Her tears flowed like an unending stream.
In that moment, you didn't know what to say. You simply extended your sleeve and wiped her tears away.
The more you wiped, the more tears came…
"Little sister, why would you say that?"
"When did your big brother ever say he didn't like you?"
The tears only grew more torrential…
"Big brother would rather sleep on that cold recliner than lie down with Fu Xuan…"
Wasn't that so as not to disturb your rest? Your sleeping posture last night was quite elegant—Big Brother simply had nowhere to put himself…
An image surfaced in Fu Xuan's mind: herself sprawled on the bed with arms and legs spread wide, and her big brother looking helpless beside her.
That dawn instantly turned into a cloud of fire…
Blushing fiercely, the girl buried herself completely under the blankets.
"I'm going to prepare breakfast. Get up quickly, wash up, and eat. I still have to travel today…"
You finished speaking and left.
…
At the small stone table, Fu Xuan, her blush still lingering, buried her head in her food.
"Where is Big Brother going today? Can I come with you?"
"Big Brother is heading back to the Jade Pavilion; there are still some procedures for withdrawing children that haven't been completed."
You lied without batting an eye.
"Oh."
"Will Big Brother come back when he's done?"
"Of course."
You nodded, thinking that once everything was settled, you could finally enjoy life for a while.
Probably…
"Then, Big Brother, have a safe journey…"
…
Under Fu Xuan's reluctant gaze, you boarded the star skiff returning to the Jade Pavilion.
You waved for her to go back, but she simply stared at you blankly, not understanding…
Until both of you became tiny black dots, imperceptible to the naked eye…
What a foolish little sister!
You sighed inwardly, then noticed a much larger starship in your field of vision, stationed in space.
And standing upon it was a tall figure in a cloak.
Jing Yuan…
"Mr. Su did indeed arrive as promised…"
You nodded, left the autonomous star skiff, and boarded Jing Yuan's ship.
"General Jing Yuan is also very punctual. Thank you for the trouble."
Jing Yuan had agreed last night to take you to Xuling Xianzhou.
The star skiff sped forward at full velocity…
"Mr. Su, how old are you this year?"
"Fifty-six."
Faint white hairs could be seen at your temples—a sign of aging.
"To be honest, I feel somewhat envious of Mr. Su."
"The silkworm spins until it dies; the candle weeps until it turns to ash…"
"I've occasionally heard Mr. Su's poems as well, and I especially like these two lines. In just a few words, they sum up a short but brilliant life…"
"Although long-lived species are immortal, their lives are like dead ashes—utterly devoid of interest…"
A trace of weariness appeared in Jing Yuan's eyes, a weariness you couldn't fully comprehend.
The passage of time erases more than just superficial things.
"I, on the other hand, envy long-lived species. Being immortal, I would have infinite time to accompany those I care about."
"Oh?"
"You and your younger sister share such deep affection—have you ever considered how she'll feel one day when you grow old and pass away?"
"She'll have a very, very long time to forget me…"
"To her, I'm just a passerby."
"That's not so. In my conversation with Miss Fu, in just a few sentences she mentioned your name several times. You're already an indelible presence in her heart."
…
You fell silent for a long time. This question gave you a headache—but you couldn't be immortal…
So that day was destined to come.
"Then, General Jing Yuan, what do you suggest I do?"
Jing Yuan's half-closed eyes slowly opened.
"I don't know either…"
Even the General of Divine Strategy was lost when it came to matters of the heart.
You sank into contemplation…
If a relationship is destined to end, would you choose to begin it?
In other words, if you knew that you and she were not meant to be, that you couldn't end up together—would you still choose to experience that fleeting relationship?
No matter what you chose, you felt there would be regrets.
In truth, you knew that Fu Xuan's feelings for you were perhaps more a sense of dependence than romantic love.
The reason she wanted you to sleep beside her wasn't because she harbored romantic feelings, but simply because she lacked a sense of security.
Alone and adrift, far from home, she occasionally had strange dreams—like "sitting on the throne of the Grand Diviner, with the Master's head embedded in the seat below…"
The fact that Fu Xuan hadn't suffered a mental breakdown was already proof of her thick skin.
You and Jing Yuan stopped talking. He also seemed lost in thought—or perhaps asleep…
You closed your eyes as well…
…
"Mr. Su, Xuling Xianzhou—we've arrived…"
After an unknown amount of time, Jing Yuan's voice sounded, and you opened your eyes.
You saw a warship—not very large, but exquisitely crafted.
Radiant and resplendent, Xianzhou floated in a sea of stars as far as the eye could see, surrounded by some kind of enchanted formation, making it resemble a Caifeng…
The bright stars were like a hundred birds.
A hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix—Xuling Xianzhou…
Dreamlike, breathtakingly beautiful.
You couldn't help but stare in awe.
"The first time I came to Xuling, I had the same expression as you, sir."
"For the rest of the journey, Xuling's welcoming envoy will accompany you…"
"Jing Yuan takes his leave…"
A small, delicate star skiff arrived before you.
A woman stood there, smiling charmingly—she must have been the welcoming envoy.
"By order of Marshal Hua, I welcome Mr. Su. The General has been waiting for a long time. Sir, please come aboard."
Amid a voice as gentle as a spring breeze, you boarded the small star skiff.
The envoy smiled gracefully, lightly waved her sleeve, and the skiff began to move slowly.
"Mr. Su, you are an exceptional guest. The sights within are worth seeing—but not worth commenting on…"
You nodded.
A quiet anticipation grew in your heart: what kind of person was this mysterious Marshal Hua?
Upon passing through the Jade Gate, the view before your eyes suddenly became vast and open…
Unlike other Xianzhou with numerous grotto-heavens, Xuling Xianzhou had only a single grotto-heaven.
It was the majestic palace before you, built of black stone—more like an imposing mountain than a palace.
A winding path spiraled upward, seemingly leading to the mountain's peak.
"Mr. Su, this way. The General is up there…"