Chapter Thirty-Three: The Master Arrives

Clothed in tattered rags, her face marked by wounds and her body stained with blood, she looked like a woman who had suffered every humiliation imaginable...

Within the “Sea of Clouds,” I saw him, and it felt as though I had returned to a time long, long ago...

“So... so you’re here... I’ve come to find you...”

My heart brimmed with relief, tears turning to laughter as I flung myself toward the molten pool—

Suddenly, an icy hand grabbed my arm, yanking me back from the “Sea of Clouds.” Startled, I looked up to see my master, robed in the ceremonial cloak of the Jade Purity Realm, his hair tied high with a purple-gold hairpin, his posture tall and imposing as he gazed down at me—his presence as unshakable as a great mountain!

Master! My master has come to save me! Tears welled up uncontrollably.

“Come!” His expression was cold and grim. With a swift gesture, he broke the seal upon me, and with the ease of lifting a chick, he hauled me to my feet. My tattered skirt caught beneath his boot and tore with a harsh rip; he glanced at me, his face growing even more severe, and dragged me away without hesitation.

“Uhn...” I had barely taken a step before doubling over, clutching my aching abdomen.

Kicked off the bed by Lord of the Underworld, my leg injured, then struck again in the side by that seductive demoness—the pain was unbearable as I tried to stand.

He seized my ruined skirt, eyeing the bloodstains with a frigid look, then tore away the soiled fabric and tossed it aside.

“To think a Divine Lord of the Jade Purity Realm could be so disgraced!” His words were devoid of warmth or mercy...

His rebuke struck me like a bucket of icy water, and tears of indignation streamed down my cheeks...

“To take you in is a disgrace to the Jade Purity Realm!” he scolded again, pulling me along, intent on flying away. His divine power was so great that my fragile arm felt as though it would snap; the pain was sharper than my wounds.

I gritted my teeth and followed him for a few steps. The pain was bearable, but my body grew weaker, my head spinning as if I might faint.

“Master... I can’t go on...”

But he pressed on, his face dark with anger, paying no heed to my injuries, dragging me along impatiently.

I had released the enemy who killed my master’s beloved. He had already been displeased with me, and now, seeing me captured and bringing shame upon the Jade Purity Realm, he must be even more furious.

“Yunxiao! We meet again!” Suddenly, a harsh, chilling laugh echoed from outside the palace—a voice so cruel and ancient it sent shivers down my spine.

My master shoved me aside. I fell heavily beside the molten pool, crying out in pain. He leapt outside to confront the Underworld denizen in battle.

“Haha! Since you’ve come, don’t think of leaving!” came the oily voice of Lord of the Underworld.

My heart leapt to my throat. My master had come alone into this den of ghosts to rescue me—could he possibly triumph over them?

I summoned my immortal power, struggling to rise, yet couldn’t stand. The seal had been broken—so why couldn’t I control my power? Why was I growing even more dizzy?

“Father! Beware, he wields a divine weapon!” Lord of the Underworld’s shout rang out.

The sounds of battle faded into the distance.

I staggered to my feet and peered out the palace doors—nothing but emptiness. This was my chance to escape. I tried to use my immortal power to rise, but collapsed back to the ground. The seal was gone, yet I still couldn’t control my power; I was becoming even more faint.

The battle sounds had ceased. He had left me behind and gone... The incarnation of the Star of Destiny, god of light and hope, Lord Yunxiao himself had come—he had just rekindled my hope, only to snuff it out again. Even my master could not save me!

Lying beside the molten pool, my tears fell like broken pearls, one after another into the churning lava. Instantly, the magma boiled, crimson light rearing up like wild horses from the pool. I tossed my small medicine vial into the pool; the blazing red light transformed into a dusky yellow, no longer pure.

“Master, your unworthy disciple is not skilled enough—this is all I can do. I won’t trouble you further in the future!” I whispered silently, steeling myself to hurl myself into the molten pool once more.

“Fei’er!” A gentle call—a strong arm pulled me close.

I was stunned.

“Fei’er!”

A familiar voice, a familiar face, a gaze both loving and sorrowful...

“How are you?”

Master had returned—he had come back, and his voice was filled with concern...

Tears gushed forth.

“It’s all right now.” He draped a cloak over my shoulders and gently patted my back.

“Master...” I sobbed, unable to speak.

“Don’t cry. Don’t alert the Underworld soldiers.”

He cradled me in his arms and soared away. We must have encountered Underworld troops and fought our way through, but my mind was muddled; I could see nothing clearly. All I felt was the dizzying blur of blades and shadows as he darted and dodged, carrying me up and down. In his arms, there was no fear—only warmth and safety...

The shouts faded behind us, and silence fell.

I drifted in and out of consciousness, my heart pounding faster and faster, my breath growing short...

Pain flared in my injured leg; I whimpered and instinctively curled up.

“Fei’er, does it... still hurt?”

His gentle voice soothed my heart...

“Yes. Many underworld ghosts tormented me... and Lord of the Underworld...” My head spun, and my words faltered.

I had so wanted to tell him everything I had endured in the Underworld, but my mind was foggy and my speech incoherent.

“It’s all right now...” Master hugged me tight.

I took a moment to steady myself, then smiled up at him. “Master, my injuries are nothing.”

He smiled with me. “Fei’er is all right.” His tone was as if comforting a child who had been bullied.

“But then there was a demon... a demoness...” I clung to him tightly, recalling the terrifying, flame-enshrouded woman.

“I’m here. It’s over now...” He flew on, soothing me.

“She tore off my clothes... she was so frightening!”

“Don’t be afraid. We’ll be back in the Jade Purity Realm soon.” He held me close.

“Mhm. And then... I wanted to jump in...” My words grew more and more indistinct.

I felt hotter and hotter, my heart beating wildly against his, our faces so close that my thoughts began to drift...

Then I dreamed a beautiful dream—snowflakes swirling, a Divine Lord in a purple-gold helmet and Dragon Armor standing upon a cliff beneath the moon. His expression was so pained. His profile was so handsome, so familiar... and he smelled so sweet...

“Don’t be sad, I’m all right...” I murmured, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing a fierce kiss to his cheek...

He froze.

I smiled sweetly—and lost consciousness.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying in bed, covered by a quilt. Panicked, I looked around—this was my own room. Had it all been a nightmare?

No.

Master had truly rescued me!

I quickly threw off the covers and checked myself—still wearing the tattered women’s clothing, stained with blood from my own wounds. A cloak covered me as well. I reached for my chest in a rush—my body was male again. Relieved, I thought, Thank goodness Master didn’t find out.

Carefully, I recalled the events in the Underworld—the smelting maiden, nearly being thrown out by the Underworld maiden, chasing off Lord of the Underworld, scaring away the demoness. I’d tried to leap into the molten pool, Master arrived, left me, then returned. After that, my memory was unclear.

I sat up in bed. The bruise on my leg from the demoness’s kick no longer hurt. The wounds on my hand and the corner of my mouth seemed to have been healed by Master. Aside from an immense fright, I hadn’t suffered any grave injuries.

I changed my clothes with a spell, returning to my disciple’s robes, and tried to recall what happened after Master saved me.

A commotion arose outside—my senior brothers’ voices: “He’s awake! He’s awake! Let’s go!”

The door burst open, and my brothers poured in.

Eleventh Senior Brother immediately rounded on me: “Yu Fei! Confess now!”

“Confess what?” I asked, bewildered.

“What did you do to Master? Speak up!” Eleventh Brother interrogated me as if I were a criminal.

“Yes, Little Brother, what did you do?” Dongfang Mo asked with concern.

I thought back, answering timidly, “I spoke out of turn to Lord Wuxiang, and let Princess Changyang go...”

“Not that!” Eleventh Brother snapped.

“I shouldn’t have gone off to catch the flower thief on my own...” Their questioning made me nervous.

“Not that! We’re asking about Master! Master!” they pressed with urgency.

“I didn’t do anything else... I was taken, and Master rescued me.” I searched my memory, feeling both innocent and confused.

“How did you get the wound on your face?” Eleventh Brother asked.

“A woman in the Underworld hit me. Why?”

“And Master’s?” Eleventh continued.

“What! Master was injured in the face?” I leapt off the bed, ready to dash out and check on him.

Eleventh Brother grabbed me by the collar and yanked me back. “Don’t run! Don’t play dumb! You did it! Same shape! Same color! Same spot!”

“What are you talking about? Explain yourself!” I cried anxiously.

“When Master learned you’d been taken, he asked us what happened and rushed out. When he returned, carrying you, he had a red lip print on his face! The same color as the balm on your lips! What’s going on?” Eleventh Brother pointed emphatically to his own cheek. “Right here! Right here!”

“A red lip print!” I was stunned, racking my brain for the answer. That fleeting dream rose up—the one where, unable to help myself, I had kissed a Divine Lord clad in armor. But how could it have been Master? Had I really kissed him?

“Are you out of your mind? You actually took advantage of Master!” Eleventh Brother exclaimed.

“I didn’t... Where is Master?” I asked quickly.

“Master told us to send you to his study when you woke,” Fifteenth Brother replied.

“Master hasn’t let a female immortal near him for tens of thousands of years, and you managed to take such liberties! Even if Master’s elegance rivals the fairest goddess, he’s still a man—Little Brother, you truly have an eye for beauty...” Eleventh Brother crowed.

“No! I didn’t... It’s a misunderstanding!” Blushing furiously, I fled the room.

All the way to Master’s study, my mind churned with thoughts of that “spring dream,” my face growing hotter and hotter...

What madness had possessed me? Did Master call me to question me about this? How could I possibly explain such an embarrassing incident...