Chapter Seventeen: The Trial of the Supreme Deity

Uncertain how much time had passed before my consciousness began to return. Drenched in cold sweat, my vision was blurred.

“How do you feel? Is it bearable?” came Bai Xi’s voice by my ear. “If you fail, Bai Hao and Dongfang Mo will each have to swallow a pill, and there’ll be no antidote for them.”

Weakly, I managed to say, “What possible benefit is there for you, if I become Celestial Lord Yunxiao’s disciple? Why must you go to such extremes…”

“No reason at all. I simply find it amusing! Entertaining! Ha ha!” Bai Xi laughed.

“Pervert…”

“I’m doing this for your own good! In truth, Dongfang Mo isn’t bad at all—just needs some straightening out. Bai Hao is even better, but don’t get any ideas. He, like the Xuanjing Sword, will never be yours. Understand?” Bai Xi admonished me.

“You’re insane… What am I supposed to be imagining? Just let me go, and I won’t have any wild ideas at all.” I was utterly spent.

“No can do. It’s much more interesting with you here. Look at those foolish disciples he’s taken in—they’re so dull.”

Bai Xi tossed me some exquisite foods and fruit drinks, threatening me to eat. When I’d recovered some strength, he dragged me to the gates of the Jade Void Palace.

A gong sounded; the grand doors opened. God Bai Ze stood before them, expression stern and imposing, guiding the immortals to form ranks and enter.

“The final round of the initial trials begins…” an immortal lord began to recite the rules.

This time, Bai Xi actually queued up with me to enter the Jade Void Palace. As we entered, Bai Xi adjusted the half-mask on his cheek and glared at the gods standing on either side. These gods, so dignified and majestic moments before, shrank away as if mice before a cat.

No doubt, I thought, he’s always thrown his weight around in the Jade Purity Realm, relying on his connection to Lord Yunxiao.

The first trial was a test of gender. The would-be disciples passed before a magical bronze mirror; if they were female, the mirror would glow. Of the twenty or so who passed, half turned out to be women disguised as men.

Some of these women were silent, some tried to curry favor with Bai Ze, some whimpered and sobbed, and others shrieked in despair—some even broke down completely. Regardless, they were all politely “escorted” out by the immortals. Those who fainted were carried away; those who raised a ruckus were quickly subdued or persuaded to leave.

Seeing this spectacle, my heart pounded with dread—I feared I might not pass the first round, and Bai Xi might take his anger out on Bai Hao and Dongfang Mo.

To buy time and think of a plan, I lined up last, but could come up with nothing. In the end, I had no choice but to walk forward, bracing myself for exposure…

I passed before the mirror—and it didn’t glow! My transformation spell had managed to fool the first round!

I glanced back at Bai Xi; he waved his fan, grinning cheerfully, mouthing an encouraging “Good luck!”

Dejected, I followed the group into the second hall. Two gods oversaw the examination; I looked around but saw no sign of Bai Hao. Anxious, I wondered—was Bai Hao only responsible for security outside? How could I tell him of Bai Xi’s coercion? How could I warn him to beware of Bai Xi?

The second hall was the written test—strategy and formation diagrams. All the material was from the books Bai Xi had made me study. I simply retrieved what I’d forced myself to memorize—writing about battles is always easier than fighting them. Quickly, I completed my answers.

I passed the written test with ease. Of those who did, sixty were left to await the martial trial—Dongfang Mo among them. He was pale, coughing blood into his sleeve now and then.

Seeing him persist in his injured state filled me with guilt. It was bad enough that I had to suffer Bai Xi’s torments, but now I’d dragged him into this as well.

The sixty candidates lined up. God Bai Ze walked up and down before us, then selected ten.

“You may all go back,” Bai Ze said sternly.

The ten looked at each other in confusion, then began to protest.

“Why? We passed the written test! We should be allowed to compete in the martial trial!”

“You Jade Purity folk just pick disciples as you please! It’s not fair! What Lightbringer Lord? It’s all rigged! There’s nothing upright about this!”

Bai Ze’s gaze was icy. “Go back and tell your masters that, out of mercy, Lord Yunxiao will not pursue their transgressions further as long as they turn back from their misguided path. Otherwise, they will not be spared.”

The ten immortals fell silent, slinking away.

Perplexed, I wondered—what was going on? Were these the ones who’d sabotaged the Ranking of Noted Disciples? Forged false maps and fake lords? Set the Immortal-Slaying Array? Who was their master?

Once the ten left the palace, Bai Xi surreptitiously cast a spell at their feet, tripping each of them so they tumbled head over heels. Bai Xi looked positively smug.

The first round of the martial trial began. Fifty candidates were led into a vast, dark chamber. It was pitch black inside—nothing but the sound of pebbles and leaves underfoot, crackling as we stepped. Each sat upon a meditation cushion.

“If you cannot endure, say ‘leave,’ and you will be removed,” Bai Ze announced, closing the door.

“Are they going to torture us?” one candidate whispered anxiously.

“Impossible… This is a place of light and purity, not the Netherworld,” another reassured.

Suddenly, hundreds of lamps flared simultaneously—the chamber was transformed, glittering with gold and jewels. The sky-blue dome was inlaid with gems, beams and pillars gleamed with pure gold, veils sparkled with precious stones and gold leaf, carved jade tables were heaped with treasure, and the floor was strewn with golden leaves and multicolored gems—some piled into little hills. Even the meditation cushions were embroidered with gold thread and gems… This was no dark chamber, but a colossal treasure vault!

“Wow!” Some candidates stared, eyes wide, caressing the gold and jewels, nearly drooling. I was nearly blinded by the dazzling wealth.

Celestial Lord Yunxiao was fabulously rich!

The lights dimmed; a swirl of smoke arose. In the mist, figures appeared… As it cleared, several candidates immediately had nosebleeds!

Each candidate was now surrounded by a fairy, clad in nearly transparent gauze—each one stunning, bewitching, casting off their robes, reaching out with jade arms to embrace the candidates, whispering sweetly…

“Leave! Leave! Leave!” Some called out, forfeiting their chances and departing.

The fairies grew yet more intimate; a few candidates could not resist, embracing them with ill intent. Before they could take further liberties, the fairies turned to mist and vanished, and those candidates were eliminated.

I rolled my eyes, turning away from the others. The beauty beside me was alluring, but even if she shed every stitch—or her very skin—it wouldn’t matter, as I had no interest in women. I had to laugh inwardly; so this was a test of resisting temptation! Lord Yunxiao was truly wicked.

After a while, with a bang, all the fairies vanished in smoke. The candles flickered—and to my horror, a crowd of scantily-clad male immortals appeared! I hastily shut my eyes.

“Leave! Leave!”—more candidates exited. Were these also women in disguise, I wondered?

“Yu Fei,” a familiar voice whispered in my ear.

I kept my eyes tightly shut. That voice—it sounded a bit like Bai Hao.

“Open your eyes,” the voice urged.

Cautiously, I peeked—it was truly Bai Hao!

He wore a white coronet, his hair bound with a white jade clasp, dressed in white robes and a gauzy white cloak.

“How did you get in here?” I asked in surprise.

Bai Hao took my hand gently. “Come with me…”

His attire was exactly what Lord Yunxiao wore in the Cloud Mirror at the ghost marriage. Why would Bai Hao be dressed this way?

“An illusion!” I shook off his hand, closed my eyes and meditated.

“Yu Fei! Look clearly! You don’t belong here—come with me,” Bai Hao insisted.

I peeked again; this time he wore his usual blue robes.

“No, I can’t leave. If I do, Bai Xi will harm you—he’ll poison you!” I thought silently, refusing to speak.

“Just say ‘leave’,” Bai Hao urged.

This was a hallucination! I shut my eyes and ignored him.

“Time’s up!” someone called.

I opened my eyes. The illusions had vanished, and Bai Hao was gone. The doors opened; Bai Ze stood at the entrance. Only thirty candidates were left inside, most leaving hunched and trembling, as I wiped the cold sweat from my brow, my heart pounding. We were all mortified.

Two of the thirty were eliminated upon exit—they’d tried to pocket gold leaves and gems. Bai Ze forced them to return the loot, which turned out to be nothing but ordinary leaves and stones.

Thus, only twenty-eight remained—Dongfang Mo among them, though still pale and wounded. Seeing him persevere gave me both relief and guilt.

“Little Crow! Was it fun in there?” Bai Xi grinned at me.

“Your second uncle is quite creative,” I remarked.

“Oh? And what did you see? Tell me.”

“I saw you—everywhere, and not a stitch of clothing on!” I teased.

“Rubbish!” Bai Xi retorted, though a bit flustered. “Never mind that. Did you see Bai Hao in there? Did he try to get you to leave?”

“Why should I tell you?” I replied.

“Even if you don’t, I know. It was all illusion and trickery, you know.” Bai Xi said.

“I know. I wasn’t fooled,” I said.

Having survived the first martial trial, we moved on to the second. Bai Ze split the twenty-eight into fourteen pairs for duels, each match held on a stone platform above the Heavenly Pool at the summit of Kunlun. Whoever fell into the water first lost.

When I drew my lot, I almost laughed and cried—the one I’d be facing was Hui Ping! That treacherous, backstabbing scoundrel had made it this far. This time, even without Bai Xi’s threats, I was determined to give it my all. But with my current skills, how could I possibly beat him…?

“Little Crow, do your best and I’ll treat you to something delicious tonight,” Bai Xi encouraged.

“Don’t tell me it’ll be another poison pill?” I really couldn’t tell when he was being truthful.

“No, not if you win.” Bai Xi smirked.

Thinking of food, I had an idea. “You have to prepare ten live spirit-fowl, a bag of fine honey, a fresh honeycomb, and some bananas.”

“You want honey-roasted mountain chicken? Ten? Trying to burst your stomach?”

“If you want me to win, prepare them,” I said with bravado.

Bai Xi glared at me. “You’re getting bold, ordering me about!”

As I was in the last group to fight, I watched the earlier matches. Dongfang Mo barely managed to win and entered the top fourteen. Among the winners was that tall immortal I’d seen with Bai Hao before the clinic—he was Kunpeng, eldest son of the North Sea Lord. There was also Shi Jun, second son of the Eastern Emperor—hideously ugly but remarkably skilled.

As dusk approached, it was finally my turn. Hui Ping and I faced off atop the stone platform above the Heavenly Pool. He saluted me.

“Hui Ping, you’re in for a run of bad luck today,” I grinned.

Feigning gentlemanly manners, Hui Ping saluted back.

“Hui Ping! You’re a sanctimonious hypocrite—betraying friends for gain, harming others for your own benefit, kicking people when they’re down! You’re a scoundrel, and you’re doomed!” I shouted.

His face turned red, then white.

“You didn’t pass the beauty trial because of willpower—it’s because you’re weak! Did you castrate yourself to win? You’re not a real man! Your beard’s fake—better watch it doesn’t fall off!” I taunted.

“Shut up!” Hui Ping, furious, charged at me, but in his rage failed to watch his step and slipped on a banana peel I’d tossed. As he stepped on it, I called out, “Watch your step!”

“Bang!” Hui Ping took a heavy fall, nearly tumbling into the water. He sprang up, livid.

“Watch your head!” I pointed upward.

He glanced up in alarm, but as he moved, he slipped again on another banana peel I’d thrown.

“A hypocrite’s always unlucky!” I clapped my hands with glee.

Now on the verge of madness, Hui Ping leapt into the air to avoid the ground, drawing his sword and lunging at me.

“Watch your head!” I pointed again.

This time, he was wise to me and looked only at his feet. I whistled—overhead, a flock of spirit-birds flew by and dropped a load of droppings on his head!

“So unlucky!” I gloated.

Hui Ping was forced to land, wiping his face, now wary, attacking me with his sword from afar.

I dodged with my Free Roaming Step, and whistled again.

Fearing more bird droppings, Hui Ping raised a shield overhead. In that instant, I pulled out a waterskin and sprayed him with flower nectar. “You’re doomed!” I cried.

“What kind of fighting is this?” Hui Ping yelled.

“It’s how a true scoundrel fights a fake gentleman! You’ll have bad luck for eight lifetimes!” I hollered, jumping up and down—he’d bullied Bai Hao, and I was determined to avenge him.

Enraged, Hui Ping attacked again. “Watch out for my magical weapon!” I shouted, tossing something at his sword.

“Hiss!” Hui Ping sliced it apart, but out swarmed a horde of wasps, drawn by the flower nectar covering him.

I stood back, hands behind my back, watching with delight as Hui Ping shrieked and dove into the Heavenly Pool, wasps in hot pursuit… When he finally climbed out, he looked like a drowned rat.

The candidates and assembled immortals on the shore were dumbfounded. Dongfang Mo scolded me, “Despicable! Shameless!” But Bai Xi doubled over with laughter, radiant as a blossom. “Little Crow! You’re incredible! You won without even drawing your sword!”

Having avenged Bai Hao by teaching Hui Ping a lesson, I basked in the sweet joy of victory. Yet, far away in the Pavilion of Cloud View atop Misty Peak, Bai Hao was watching everything unfold by the Heavenly Pool…