Speaking of the Phoenix Emperor, Xuan Yang brought up how he had intended to question the man about their whereabouts before coming here, only to find him absent.
"He was probably faking it! How tedious," Xuan Yang said with utter disdain. "I’m starting to doubt if he’ll even keep his promise."
"If he insists on reneging, there’s nothing I can do," Nie Shiyun said with a shrug.
Nie Shiyun was approaching the matter with a 'wait and see' attitude; if it didn't work out, he wouldn't force it. His array skills and cultivation level still had room for improvement, so he could simply look for other opportunities in due time.
After lying low on the floating island for a while, the group noticed that their pursuers had vanished completely. They surmised that once the news of the Phoenix Emperor’s intervention spread, the various demon tribes didn't dare act rashly and had returned to their respective territories.
Coincidentally, the Phoenix Clan all claimed the Phoenix Emperor was not present. Although Xuan Yang didn't know if he was intentionally staying behind closed doors or had truly gone off wandering somewhere, in the ears of the other demon tribes, this situation matched perfectly with what they had witnessed. Consequently, they no longer dared to harbor designs on Nie Shiyun.
Rumors like "The Phoenix Emperor unexpectedly values humans" and "The Phoenix Emperor highly regards a human artifact refiner" quickly spread. After the initial shock, the focus of the demon tribes gradually shifted to another point: "Just how good is Nie Shiyun’s artifact refining that it could earn the Phoenix Emperor’s favor?"
"He’s just a Body Integration stage cultivator, how impressive could he be!"
In his private chambers, the Phoenix Emperor scoffed upon hearing the report from his maidservant.
He had originally intended to enter meditative seclusion; for a demon cultivator of his level, staying in seclusion for a century was perfectly normal. During that time, if his foolish son managed to figure out where Nie Shiyun and the others were and brought them out, the Phoenix Emperor wouldn't have cared. However, on the eve of his seclusion, news suddenly arrived that he had personally gone to protect those two humans, which gave the Phoenix Emperor quite a fright.
One only needed to think with their toes to know who else in this world had the audacity and the hardware to impersonate the Phoenix Emperor without being seen through. While the Phoenix Emperor felt it was a good thing for Xuan Yang to become more like him, it was incredibly irritating to be perceived by the demon tribes as being friendly toward Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong—especially Zhai Bairong.
The Phoenix Clan was famous for its high standards. Yet, many Phoenix women who usually claimed to look down on humans had been desperately stealing glances at Zhai Bairong recently, while the latter acted as if he didn't realize he was anything special at all. The Phoenix Emperor had found Zhai Bairong an eyesore for some time now.
"Do we need to issue a clarification?"
"How could we? A son borrowing his father’s prestige to help humans—what kind of reputation would that bring? If Xuan Yang wants to help, he should do it on his own merit, shouldn't he?"
*Is that really the point...?*
The maidservant remained silent. She listened as the Phoenix Emperor continued, sounding slightly agitated, "That’s why I said to call Xuan Yang over so I can criticize him privately. As for Nie Shiyun and the others, let’s just fulfill the agreement quickly and then have them get lost back to their cave dwelling... By the way, has Xuan Yang been found?"
The maidservant lowered her head and replied, "Not yet. Both his and Nie Shiyun’s cave dwellings are empty. We also heard the various rumors around that time. Since this matter has already reached the humans, the towns are buzzing with discussion."
The Phoenix Emperor’s face darkened. He rested his chin on one hand, his fingers tapping irritably against his jaw.
Having served him for many years, the maidservant immediately added, "It has only been a few days. If it were one of their own human Great Powers, it wouldn't have such a massive influence. Only you could draw the attention of so many humans..."
The Phoenix Emperor’s expression softened slightly; his temper came and went quickly. He waved his hand, dismissing the maidservant to send her subordinates back to the small world to search for Xuan Yang.
At this moment, Xuan Yang and the others were indeed still within the small world. They were entirely unaware of the various rumors and the situation circulating in the Upper Realm.
Initially, they just didn't want a crowd of demons showing up at their doorstep and intended to lie low for a few days. Later, Shen Yan unexpectedly discovered that his cultivation state was excellent here, so they decided to stay for a while longer.
Upon hearing this, the other three gave it a try. Zhai Bairong also nodded in agreement with his assessment. However, Nie Shiyun and Xuan Yang found the opposite to be true; their cultivation was not as smooth as usual. Thinking that this was a bit of a disadvantage for them, Shen Yan proactively suggested that Xuan Yang and Nie Shiyun could head back first and come find him later.
Xuan Yang resolutely refused, unwilling to leave his side by even a single step.
"Don't worry about me. If I cultivate inside the jade pendant, it’s the same no matter where I am." Nie Shiyun indicated that returning to the Upper Realm didn't matter to him.
This decision turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Although the demon tribes no longer dared to pick a fight with Nie Shiyun, a large number of humans began visiting his home after hearing the rumors. When Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong’s names first appeared, people were still wondering where these newcomers had come from to have established a connection with the Phoenix Emperor.
However, once Zhai Bairong’s past history at the pill shop was unearthed, things spiraled out of control.
Nie Shiyun was an artifact refiner favored by the Phoenix Emperor, and his Dao companion was a young alchemist, yet neither came from a famous sect or clan. Suddenly, humans from all walks of life flocked to them, intending to make their acquaintance.
Learning that they were away, these humans still made a daily circuit to the front of the cave dwelling, hoping they might suddenly return home so they could be the first to seize the opportunity.
Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong, having accidentally avoided this mess, were blissfully unaware, living a rather leisurely and peaceful life in the small world.
Xuan Yang had initially wanted to cultivate alongside Shen Yan, but for some reason, his state was very poor on this island. He tried flying to the shore, and his state immediately recovered. It was truly bizarre.
"It’s probably what they call feng shui or ley lines," Xuan Yang resigned himself to fate. Giving up on the idea of sticking together even during cultivation, he obediently returned to the space within the jade to meditate.
Ever since Shen Yan had been forced to leave the Phoenix Clan, Xuan Yang felt the pressure and crisis regarding his cultivation for the first time. He worked much harder than he had back in the mortal cultivation world. If the elders of the Yunqing Pavilion were to see him after all these years, they would likely be moved to tears.
When he closed his eyes, he cultivated; when he opened them, he hurried to check if anything unusual was happening with Shen Yan.
"I’m watching, and Bairong is outside too. You don't need to worry... Ah, my arm is stuck." Beside him, Nie Shiyun stretched his arm, looking as though he had stayed in one position reading ancient texts for too long.
He had recorded many priceless books at Madam Shang’s place and hadn't finished reading them all yet. He always silently thanked the jade pendant space for providing him with so much extra time; otherwise, balancing cultivation with several side professions would have been far too difficult.
"You’re a cultivator. If your arm is numb, can't you just circulate your true qi?" Xuan Yang said, looking at Nie Shiyun’s pained yet satisfied expression. "A cultivator can survive as a Nascent Soul even if their physical body is gone."
"You don't understand. It’s not a major issue anyway; living like this is more fun."
Seeing Nie Shiyun start spouting those theories he didn't understand again, Xuan Yang decisively changed the subject. "You really know how to find work for yourself. Learning this and doing that, all while not forgetting to cultivate. I only do one thing—cultivate—and I’m bored to death."
Nie Shiyun tapped the ancient text with his finger. "This is called 'better to rely on oneself than others.' The magical treasures and defensive gear you use are all custom-made. Do you know how much money it costs and how long you have to wait to find an artifact refiner outside? Hmm? Do you know how much you’d have to pay Bairong at market price for all the pills and 'sugar beans' you’ve eaten since you were little?"
"Stop, stop. I don't want to know..." Xuan Yang hurriedly covered his ears to call a halt. If all those expenses since childhood were calculated at market price, then unless he robbed the Phoenix Emperor, there was no hope of paying it back within several hundred years based on his own earning capacity.
Xuan Yang tilted his head, leaning against the Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Cover. His head hit the body of the cover with a "thud."
Xuan Yang had liked this thing since he was small; being near it gave him an extraordinary sense of security. He had asked Nie Shiyun for it before, but gave up after learning that this item could not change masters.
By now, its grade as a magical treasure had long fallen behind Nie Shiyun and the others' cultivation levels. The Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Cover, which had frequently gone into battle in the past, had now retired to become a decoration in the space, functioning much like a luxury space heater.
"I’ve been thinking, Nie Shiyun."
"Hmm?" Nie Shiyun turned to look at Xuan Yang, whose expression had suddenly turned serious.
Xuan Yang stared straight at Shen Yan’s quiet figure cultivating with closed eyes outside the jade pendant space and said very solemnly, "I think the identity of the Phoenix Clan is still quite lucrative. I can't just resist it; I have to learn to use it to make money! But I don't want to ask the Phoenix Emperor for money. I feel like taking from him makes me beholden..."
"...A noble ambition," Nie Shiyun praised hesitantly, sensing that Xuan Yang had more to say.
Sure enough, Xuan Yang continued, "I discovered this time that as long as I want to put on an act, I can do it! Can I rely on this to fleece my fellow clansmen and those humans who worship the Phoenix Clan? It’s just that I don't have a specialized skill, so I can't run my own business. So, I’ll help you guys sell things, and you give me a commission."
Nie Shiyun said slowly, "My things sold very well even without you before..."
Xuan Yang’s gaze was incredibly sincere as he added more conditions: "I can also handle the work of establishing the sect and finding people—recruitment, vetting, the whole package. Can you pay me per head? I definitely won't slack off!"
"Why the sudden desire to make money?" Nie Shiyun asked curiously.
"The expenses in the Upper Realm are bigger than I thought. I don't have a sect stipend to collect now. If you two weren't selling things to us at 'bone-breaking' discounts, life would definitely be tight," Xuan Yang’s serious expression broke in a second, turning pitiful. "Shen Yan dislikes dealing with people too much. Even though he knows arrays, he doesn't generate wealth. He doesn't care about these things, but I occasionally want to buy him something nice..."
Finally, he quickly added, "Don't tell him. If you do, he’ll definitely say he doesn't need anything."
Nie Shiyun let out a thoughtful, drawn-out "Oh." "I see. Come to think of it, it seems he was the one raising you back then."
"That was the past! These last few years it’s been fifty-fifty... er, sixty-forty."
Xuan Yang thought about how, when he was little, he would always go find Shen Yan and refuse to leave, and in the end, Shen Yan always had to spend a lot of money to look after him. Although he would immediately report it to Nie Shiyun and the other at first so they would reimburse him with spirit stones, later on, Shen Yan seemed to stop wanting them...
"Sigh, I was really embarrassing when I was a kid."
Xuan Yang slumped dejectedly, leaning his face against the Divine Fire Cover, the flesh of his cheek squeezed into a lump.
"Then let’s start with an internship. Once the sect is operational, I’ll give you dividends."
Hearing Nie Shiyun say this, Xuan Yang asked in surprise, "What’s that? And what are dividends? You’re using that terminology that no one but Zhai Bairong understands again. But it doesn't matter; I know that means you agreed, right?"
Seeing Nie Shiyun take a sip of spirit tea and nod silently, Xuan Yang cheered, "I knew you’d agree! I’ll work hard, just you wait and see. Once the passage is repaired, I guarantee those people coming from the mortal cultivation world will be shocked by the scale of the Yunqing Pavilion."
Nie Shiyun hadn't intended to refuse Xuan Yang anyway. He had picked him up, so he was his responsibility.
He smiled; it was good to have this much drive. Whether it would succeed was another matter, but at least he was trying.
When the time came to actually give the money to Xuan Yang, he would have to ask what the guy wanted to buy as a gift; he shouldn't let an amateur get swindled.
Xuan Yang had lived in too good a condition since childhood; strictly speaking, he hadn't been completely independent even up until his Nascent Soul stage and ascension. In the Upper Realm, with the title of the Phoenix Emperor’s offspring, he could live without worry just by having that name. It could be said that only now did he truly have a sense of responsibility.
A guardian really couldn't compare to the importance of a Dao companion. Nie Shiyun looked at the two figures outside the space. Xuan Yang, and his own important person, were both there.
Thinking back, Xuan Yang had hatched right next to this Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Cover. So much time had passed since then, and they had experienced so many things, yet it felt as quick as the blink of an eye.
Just then, the two figures outside the space moved. Zhai Bairong and Shen Yan both opened their eyes and attempted to stand up.
The movement was normal, but Nie Shiyun clearly saw the heavy doubt and vigilance in their eyes; this was not the expression one had after a normal session of cultivation.
Clearly, Xuan Yang also sensed something was wrong, and the two of them emerged from the space simultaneously.
As the two outside rose quickly, Nie Shiyun and Xuan Yang’s figures appeared out of thin air beside them.
"What’s wrong? Is there an ene—"
Xuan Yang’s words were cut short before they could be fully uttered.
After leaving the space—specifically, the moment his feet touched the ground outside—he also felt the abnormality. The ground was shaking violently!
"An earthquake? No, are there earthquakes in the cultivation world?" Nie Shiyun’s first reaction was an earthquake, but recalling his life since coming to this world, he had indeed almost never heard of an earthquake happening anywhere.
"The island is moving," Shen Yan judged.
Zhai Bairong said decisively, "I don't know if there’s an unknown demon beast underground. To be safe, let’s take to our flying swords and put some distance between us first."
The others nodded in agreement.
***
Enjoying the story? Rate this novel:
Transmigrated into a Total Shou Novel as a Cannon Fodder, but Ended Up 1v1-ing the Male Lead | Chapter 204 | The Shifting Isle | Novela.app | Novela.app
