Volume Three: Blossoms in Pair, A Lone Tree Cannot Bear the Weight Chapter One: Heavenly Secrets

The scenery within the Celestial Palace atop the clouds was eternally tranquil and harmonious, yet also imbued with a sense of grandeur and majesty. Zhuo Hua and Qin Ying sat at the edge of the Phoenix Pavilion’s rooftop, sipping tea while admiring the rolling sea of clouds that unfolded before them.

Qin Ying lifted a kettle of freshly-boiled spring water, the rising steam curling around her as she steeped a pot of green tea. With practiced ease, she set the kettle aside and poured the brewed tea for Zhuo Hua. The leaves were plucked from a cluster of ancient tea trees halfway up Emerald Mountain in the palace’s domain—trees that the former Grand Elder had once inadvertently left in the wild garden of the desolate cauldron. The variety was the Luo Peak Tip, a favorite among the nobility of Xuanhuang. Qin Ying filled Zhuo Hua’s cup with the clear, fragrant infusion, then poured another for herself. Instantly, the unique aroma of the tea permeated the air, calming the mind and refreshing the spirit of all who breathed it in.

Zhuo Hua lifted his cup, inhaled the fragrance, and took a gentle sip. The knot of anxiety in his chest eased a little.

Qin Ying, sipping her tea, began to offer comfort. “You needn’t worry too much. Though this matter appears perilous, the Celestial Palace of today is no less formidable than Xuanhuang was in its prime. And for now, it’s only an advance force we face—I believe we can withstand them ourselves.”

Zhuo Hua set down his cup, ignoring her reassurance and instead asked, “How is that boy Lan Sheng’s injury?”

Qin Ying took a small sip, her voice softening. “He truly turned misfortune into blessing this time.”

Zhuo Hua turned to her, puzzled. “Oh? What do you mean?”

Qin Ying smiled, a dimple showing. “That boy had only brushed the threshold of the Spiritual tier, but after braving the Cloudmist Void with you, he’s vaguely stepped into the Immortal tier.”

Zhuo Hua nodded. “I’m well aware of that.”

Qin Ying’s almond eyes widened and her brows arched as she feigned annoyance. “Can’t you let me finish?”

Zhuo Hua shrank his neck, spread his hands in a gesture of invitation.

Qin Ying deliberately took her time, pouring herself another cup and drinking slowly. “This time, Lan Sheng went through a life-and-death ordeal. Missing the journey to Southern Flame Continent was a regret, and losing an arm is no small hardship for him.”

Zhuo Hua knew she was circling around the point, but thought it impolite to interrupt, so he smiled patiently and listened.

Seeing that Zhuo Hua no longer interrupted, Qin Ying was satisfied. She grinned mischievously, her small white canine teeth showing, cleared her throat, and went on: “Though he suffered a great blow, he also fought for his life against so many masters. His cultivation has made a meteoric advance; now he’s truly close to the Divine tier.”

At this, Zhuo Hua grew curious. “Never mind how his cultivation advanced so fast—what about his crossing from Spiritual to Immortal? Why was there no sign of a heavenly tribulation?”

Qin Ying smiled slyly. “Who says there wasn’t? You weren’t there at the time, but I saw it clearly—a bolt of heavenly thunder stirred the earthfire. He was fending off the Three-Shark Gale Formation then; though the array had its own lightning, I could tell the difference at a glance.”

Gazing at the triumphant Qin Ying, Zhuo Hua thought of the peril she’d faced and regretted letting her go to Southern Flame Continent with Lan Sheng alone. A surge of sympathy arose, and he said gently, “Qin Ying, it’s my fault for putting you in such danger. You must have been terribly afraid.”

Qin Ying, full of pride just a moment before, froze at his words. Then, large tears began streaming down her cheeks, and soon her sobs turned to wailing. She cried and scolded, “Zhuo Hua, you wretch, where were you then? I lit the Serenity Lamps for so long—why did you return to the palace first before coming for me? I… I was prepared for my soul to be annihilated. But I was so afraid I’d never see you again, do you understand?”

As she spoke, she twisted Zhuo Hua’s arm. He gritted his teeth and endured, neither dodging nor resisting, only repeating, “I’m sorry.”

Within Lan Sheng’s quarters, many servants bustled about. Zhuo Hua and Qin Ying entered to find Old Jiao and Tian Jialan present. The two had planned a grand wedding on the Lantern Festival, but that was delayed when Yuan Kang entered the Cloudmist Void, and further postponed by Old Jiao’s life-and-death struggle at Ripple Ocean. On returning, they had only a hasty ceremony to conclude matters. Old Jiao felt deep guilt, but Jialan comforted him, saying she cared only for him—everything else was ephemeral.

Jialan was using the Azure Moon Pearl Zhuo Hua had gifted her to heal Lan Sheng. When the pair heard someone enter, they turned and rose to greet Zhuo Hua and Qin Ying.

Zhuo Hua waved off their formalities. “How is Lan Sheng?”

Jialan curtsied. “Your Excellency, Lan Sheng woke briefly, but his mind is still clouded. His injuries are grave and his energy depleted; recovery will take time.”

Zhuo Hua nodded and, noticing the tight-lipped and tense Lin Bai, said, “Old Jiao, it was my decision to let your father go. Don’t blame Kui Mulang and the others.”

Lin Bai nodded and sighed. “I know you did it for my sake—you didn’t want me to bear the shame of patricide. But look at Lan Sheng, such a good child, ruined like this.”

Zhuo Hua patted Lin Bai’s shoulder. “Letting Lin Xiaoyun go wasn’t only for you. It marks the Celestial Palace’s open declaration of war on the Dark Sigh Clan. As for Lan Sheng, don’t fret—I’ll find a way.”

Qin Ying asked suddenly, “A way? What could you possibly do?”

Jialan glanced at Qin Ying and burst out laughing. She teased, “Sister Qin, why are your eyes swollen like grapes?”

Qin Ying quickly turned away, scolding in embarrassment, “You're a princess, yet you speak without restraint!”

Jialan shrugged. “I’m a married woman now; what taboos do I have left? But you, still unmarried, must have so much you wish to say but dare not.”

With that, her laughter rang out like silver bells.

Qin Ying, both bashful and angry, struck Zhuo Hua on the shoulder. “This is all your fault!” she cried, then spun and dashed out the door.

Zhuo Hua smiled awkwardly, then said to the still-amused Jialan, “Jialan, please leave us. I have matters to discuss with Lin Bai.”

Jialan smiled knowingly, bowed, and withdrew.

Once alone, Lin Bai relaxed, flopping into a chair and gesturing for Zhuo Hua to sit.

Zhuo Hua swept his robe aside and sat gracefully. “Old Jiao, there’s something I wish to discuss with you.”

Lin Bai’s interest was piqued. “Please, Your Excellency.”

Zhuo Hua glanced at the still-unconscious Lan Sheng. “The Xuanhuang Mirror’s divination indicates that the Leopard of the Dipper, the final star of Azure Dragon Palace, is very likely Lan Sheng himself.”

Lin Bai was startled. “Is that true?”

Zhuo Hua nodded solemnly. “I’ve divined it many times, and the result is always the same. According to the Mirror, he will break through to the Divine tier in Southern Flame Continent.”

Lin Bai was first elated. “Excellent! That means our palace will finally have a complete constellation!” But his joy gave way to worry as he looked at the wounded, one-armed Lan Sheng. “But, Your Excellency, Lan Sheng is now a cripple. How can he possibly cultivate to the Divine tier? And with the war against the Dark Sigh Clan imminent, there’s simply not enough time.”

Zhuo Hua replied, “That is the matter I wished to discuss. According to the palace laws, only one divined by the Xuanhuang Mirror and who ascends to the Divine tier through their own cultivation can become a Star, their name inscribed on the Celestial Tablet.”

Lin Bai nodded. “I know. In his condition, even with great luck it would take a century to ascend and trigger the tribulation to enter the Cloudmist Void. Even a four-limbed Immortal of the ninth rank would need sixty or seventy years. Time is desperately short.”

Zhuo Hua said, “Don’t worry—hear me out. My proposal is for the four palace lords and myself to each bestow a refined stream of energy upon Lan Sheng, storing it in his sea of consciousness. He only needs to activate his Qi-Fixing Pearl and open his sea of consciousness, rapidly consuming the stored essence. This would, in the shortest time, trigger the Cloudmist Void’s opening. When that happens, I will accompany him in to help him through the tribulation.”

Lin Bai’s jaw dropped in astonishment.

Zhuo Hua ignored it and continued, “But before that, I must use his blood and the Thousand Mechanisms Urn to restore his arm. That will solve the problem.”

Lin Bai applauded. “Only you could devise such a plan, Zhuo Hua! But… isn’t this deceiving fate itself?”

Zhuo Hua sighed. “Of course I know it’s a shortcut. But given the circumstances, expediency is our only choice.”

He raised his head and looked at Lin Bai. “This must be kept absolutely secret. No one outside the four palace lords can know. Otherwise…”

“Otherwise, it would be a calamity for the Celestial Palace,” Lin Bai finished gravely.