On the seventh day after Donghua Dijun entered Qin, a vast palace complex was finally completed atop the towering mountains behind Xianyang. Its domed roof was like a dark bird spreading enormous wings, shimmering with brilliant flowing light beneath the sun. From afar, the upright stone pillars and beams gave off a grand, lofty, sacred air.
This would be Donghua Dijun's resting place in the human world. At the same time, it would also be the place where Qin would henceforth worship Azure Heaven, who stood above the "four Emperors."
Qin was descended from Shang and had always been a state that placed extreme importance on ritual. And after King Zheng of Qin issued his order, the news that "Azure Heaven" had been established as the god presiding over the state and its seasonal rites had long since become known to the Qin people.
Of course, since he was a "god of the state," only the authorities could perform rites to him. This place remained quiet and pure, and no one was allowed to set foot inside.
However, the people of Qin would also invite the divine tablet of "Azure Heaven" into their homes.
Incense smoke drifted. In the short span of time during which "Donghua Palace" was built, it had already spread across the vast lands of Qin, from Guanzhong to Shu.
During this period, Rovi was also "digesting" the power of this unusual "immortal path" after fully merging with chaos...
"Chaos, huh... It seems a lot like those things." In the rear hall of Donghua Palace, Rovi heard the voice beside his ear and opened his eyes slightly. At a glance, he saw Yu Mei-ren before him.
At the moment, no one could set foot in Donghua Palace, so Yu Mei-ren had naturally changed back into the outfit she had worn when they first met. Black fabric covered her body, exposing the slender sides of her waist and part of a rounded curve. Her legs, extending down from the smooth curve of her hips, were crossed slightly as she leaned forward before Rovi, as though examining his current condition.
Yu Mei-ren showed a thoughtful expression. Nor did she care that leaning down like this allowed Rovi to clearly see the contours beneath the fabric.
She already trusted Rovi completely.
At first, it had only been a feeling, an unconscious closeness born in her heart. But now, after traveling together for some time, Yu Mei-ren had long since come to regard Rovi as something like "family."
And so she leaned down before him.
Only when she realized what she was doing did her pretty face flush faintly.
"Merging with chaos, in a certain sense, is indeed the path taken by the ancestor gods of Huaxia after the Xia dynasty, relying on the Old Gods that manifested from the chaotic side of the rules of the universe in order to seek transcendence." Rovi's expression remained calm. "Where is Xu Fu?"
"That little girl is extremely enthusiastic about managing this palace. Recently, she's also become obsessed with making 'dolls.'" Yu Mei-ren leaned back and sat down beside Rovi, yawning as her chest shifted faintly. "She made a curse-arts puppet called Siming, joined Great Qin, became Great Qin's State Preceptor, and apparently made quite a few strange things too—"
"All for the sake of spreading the faith of Donghua Dijun or whatever. How boring..."
As Yu Mei-ren spoke, she propped her chin on both hands, her cheeks sinking slightly and giving her lovely face a few more traces of laziness.
Rovi glanced sideways at the girl beside him. His gaze swept over her beautiful, exposed body, and he laughed softly. "Isn't that fine too...? Everyone can have their own pursuit."
But what that girl is pursuing is obviously you.
Yu Mei-ren had never let down her guard against Xu Fu.
"Come to think of it, we've traveled together for quite a while now, haven't we?" Rovi suddenly asked.
Yu Mei-ren thought for a moment. "Quite a while...?"
"To you, I suppose it really isn't that long."
"Are you calling me old?"
"I'm older than you, all right?" Rovi burst out laughing. "Little girl."
"..."
For some reason, Yu Mei-ren felt even more annoyed.
But when she thought about it carefully, several months had indeed passed since they left Fusang.
To humans of this era, such a length of time was naturally not short. But to an immortal spirit like Yu Mei-ren, who had lived through long years, it was only the equivalent of an instant.
Yet when she recalled it now, she suddenly felt that it truly did seem as though a long time had passed.
Or rather, because every memory felt so meaningful, it seemed in a daze as though she had already lived through a long stretch of years.
In only a few short months, the impression left upon her had already surpassed all that long span of time before.
Because she was no longer alone.
Because she had someone she could communicate with, speak with, and bare her heart to.
Because she had Rovi.
Because she had the companionship of someone like "family."
Only...
She was still annoyed with Rovi.
"So annoying. You're just an old stubborn fool who relies on his strength to bully me."
"What else would I rely on?"
Guilt and the like did not exist for Rovi, nor would he ever put on airs because of his status.
Blending with the world, free and unfettered.
The most important thing in life was to be happy.
Yu Mei-ren snorted, but she was not truly angry.
She only suddenly raised her face. "Then I'm going to bully you too."
Bully?
Rovi was just about to say something, but Yu Mei-ren suddenly turned her face aside. Her raised, lovely features brushed past his ear, and her soft red lips slowly pressed against his cheek.
"I'm going to leave my scent on you."
What are you, some kitten or puppy?
Rovi was speechless, only to discover that Yu Mei-ren parted from him after the briefest touch, the girl's face faintly red.
Yet those crimson eyes still looked exceptionally stubborn.
Yu Mei-ren suddenly said, "You're about to leave, aren't you?"
"Yes. There are some things I have no choice but to do—" Rovi nodded.
After cultivating quietly for some time, he had already sensed that the time had nearly come to head to the front line where Qin was destroying the six states and eradicate the Old Ghosts of the Six Heavens.
"This time, you're finally leaving me behind?"
"It doesn't count as leaving you behind. You've already helped me a great deal." Rovi felt this conversation was somewhat strange, but after thinking about it, he still went along with it.
After all, this time he truly did need to leave alone.
Just like his previous battle with "Donghuang Taiyi," a fight on that level was absolutely not something Yu Mei-ren could take part in.
She could not help him again?
She was a burden again?
"You bastard who took away the place I lived and dragged me all the way here on your own..." Yu Mei-ren smiled. "If you think you can leave me behind, it won't be that easy."
She brought her face close again. But this time, what she aimed for was not Rovi's cheek, but his lips.
Lips pressed against lips. As they parted slightly, she deepened it.
Yu Mei-ren suddenly hugged Rovi tightly. Their lips stayed close, and as they exchanged with one another, information flowed into Rovi's mind.
"The Old Ghosts of the Six Heavens... Wei has the King in Yellow, Zhao has 'Dijun'..."
Yu Mei-ren was using herself as a medium to pass information to Rovi.
This information came from the planet itself.
To the planet, the "chaos" dwelling upon it was likewise something that had to be swept away and purified.
So it instinctively wanted to use Rovi's hand to accomplish that.
So it had conveyed the information to Yu Mei-ren, who was a primordial planetary Elemental.
Rovi could have avoided this kiss.
But this information was indeed something he needed.
And so he paused. Yu Mei-ren seized the chance, and naturally succeeded.
"I told you, I'm going to bully you too..."
The corners of Yu Mei-ren's lips curved upward, her crimson eyes narrowing faintly.
She could not clearly describe what she felt for Rovi. But to Yu Mei-ren, nothing made her happier than leaving her own mark on him.
Perhaps this was not the love between mortals, but a deeper bond between souls born from being "kin."
But no matter what, she was grateful for the companionship during this time.
And grateful for the joy of this moment.
Whether or not it was love, there was no question that Yu Mei-ren liked Rovi...
...
The wind stopped. In the rear hall of Donghua Palace, layer upon layer of light gauze fell, veiling the hall. A while later, Rovi had already said his farewell and left.
Yu Mei-ren sat within the hall, quietly gazing at the place where Rovi had just been sitting.
He had gone to the front line.
Following the information given by the "planet" itself to fulfill the duty he had set for himself.
As for Yu Mei-ren...
"You're strong, but I'm not going to stop here."
The girl licked her lips. Her black robe billowed up, and a violent current of air spread outward with her at its center. Behind Qin, among the mountain ranges that stretched across Guanzhong, a tremor suddenly appeared.
Blackness surged. Chaos twisted into manifestation, becoming a white light that rose and hung in the sky.
Twisted light. Twisted shadow.
This too was one of the "Old Ghosts of the Six Heavens."
It was the chaotic aspect left behind by Shaohao, the White Emperor, the chief god worshiped by Qin: "Bai Zhaoju."
...The Old Ghosts of the Six Heavens were the chaos sealed away by the ancestor gods of Huaxia.
Every state had one, so Qin naturally would not be an exception.
Only, the information Yu Mei-ren gave Rovi did not include its existence.
Because she did not intend to let Rovi slay this Old Ghost of the Six Heavens.
Because this was her own target.
In that instant, deep within Qin, the endless mountains shook, and the rich power of the earth veins and stars surged out at once.
In that instant, Yu Mei-ren, born from the planet as its purest Elemental, received the planet's assistance.
She slowly walked out of Donghua Palace. Atop this exceedingly tall mountain, she gazed at that chaotic, twisted white light and shadow.
A black robe appeared upon her body, and a blade was gripped in her hand.
To the planet, the Old Ghosts of the Six Heavens were existences that had to be destroyed.
So those who opposed the Old Ghosts of the Six Heavens could also receive the planet's support.
This was the confidence that allowed Yu Mei-ren to dare do this.
If Yu Mei-ren had to oppose chaos by her own strength alone, she would absolutely be unable to do it. But if she had the aid of the stars, it was different.
Because she was a planetary Elemental by nature.
A planetary Elemental who could completely bear the planet's power.
Plans and calculations she had long since made were revealed at this moment. Yu Mei-ren had always seemed rather innocent and pure before, but that did not mean she truly lacked intelligence.
She had always been smart.
So long as she had a goal.
So long as she had the drive to move forward.
Only then could that intelligence reveal itself.
The earth shook, and the sky twisted. Across the land within Qin Pass, countless people raised their heads in fear, only to see the sky warp, light and shadow stretching into the distance, and yet they could see nothing at all.
...
"According to the Records of the Grand Historian, in the late Spring and Autumn period, an aurora-like strange phenomenon appeared in Qin lands."
"An imperial daughter manifested."
"She was titled the Lady of the West."
...
Yu Mei-ren would, here, contain chaos within herself and use the planet's power to free herself from the planet's restraints in reverse.
She was the first celestial immortal.
Her age was actually more ancient than that of many immortals and gods.
The reason she had made no progress before was not because she could not, but because she had no goal. She did not know what she existed for.
But now, it was different.
"I have already found the path ahead. So I'm going to become stronger too."
Because only by taking one more step forward—could she truly stand beside Rovi!
Yu Mei-ren closed her eyes, raised her sword, and moved against chaos.
At this moment, her black robe fluttered, and her ancient attire rose with the wind. At this moment, the girl's grace was pure and peerless.
RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
Behind her, roaring rolled and churned, like peals of thunder scattering in every direction.
Rovi, who had left Donghua Palace and was moving forward, halted his steps. He glanced back, looking at the girl suppressing the "White Emperor" aspect, and smiled.
A wisp of sword qi hung high above Qin, originally to hold the line for Yu Mei-ren. But from the look of it now, it would not be needed.
"She's more capable than I thought." Rovi withdrew his gaze, his heart free of doubt.
In truth, he was well aware of what Yu Mei-ren intended.
Yu Mei-ren could not hide it from him.
But Rovi had not stopped her, and instead allowed her to act, because he had sensed the girl's persistence and resolve.
Everyone could have their own goal.
And this was the best possible choice.
Rovi straightened the robes and crown on his head, then drifted forward with a flick of his sleeve.
His foot touched the ground, and with each step, he crossed ten li.
...
In the distance, dawn illuminated the earth.
A scout rode past Hangu and straight into Xianyang, delivering the news to King Zheng of Qin.
"Urgent report from the front line! The enemy has an ancient god helping them, twisting the land!"
"Emergency report—"
"General Wang Jian's army can no longer hold and requests support!"
In the palace hall, King Zheng of Qin gazed intently at the military report written on silk, the beaded curtain over his head swaying.
The officials and ministers in the hall had long since fallen into chaos.
For gods to directly intervene in human war was exceedingly rare even in the Age of Gods.
No wonder their minds were in turmoil...
"My king, please make a swift decision!" Chancellor Li Si stepped forward and spoke respectfully. "We can sacrifice to Azure Heaven and request the Emperor-Lord's intervention!"
Li Si turned his gaze toward one side of the hall, where a hazy figure veiled in light gauze still stood.
That was Great Qin's newly appointed State Preceptor, the puppet doll made by Xu Fu.
If there was to be a ritual, it should be completed by it.
And at this moment, although the "State Preceptor" did not speak, the hearts of the assembled ministers abruptly steadied at the same time. "Yes, we still have the Emperor-Lord!"
Those states had the aid of gods.
Great Qin had one as well.
And theirs was higher, stronger—the god of orthodox legitimacy who existed in the present world.
"May Your Majesty sacrifice to Heaven, and may Azure Heaven protect Great Qin!"
"May Your Majesty sacrifice to Heaven..."
"May Your Majesty..."
The ministers bowed at the same time. Their voices, line after line, echoed through Xianyang Palace. What answered them, however, was only King Zheng of Qin crushing the silk report in his hand and throwing it into the brazier beside him.
He laughed aloud and said in a clear voice, "Gather Xianyang's troops and horses. I will personally campaign against the six states."
The ministers looked at one another, but an official responsible for observing the stars suddenly trembled. "Azure Heaven has already left Hangu—"
Azure Heaven had already passed Hangu Pass.
A rain of stars drifted down.
He was still following the Wei River, returning along the route by which he had entered the pass.
He went downstream.
He was about to slay demons, pacify all under heaven with his sword.
...
"Qin has marched east to sweep the states flat. The chaos beneath heaven has finally begun."
In a certain splendid hall, the nine-tailed fox gazed at the vast earth "beneath her feet."
"Donghua Dijun—"
"I'll definitely get revenge on you!"
Tamamo-no-Mae wanted to laugh softly, and she covered her face with her sleeve. But just as her mouth opened, she seemed to realize something and tried to stop, only it was already too late.
"Miguu!?"
She had made an inexplicable sound.
Once some shadows took shape, they were destined to be difficult to dispel.
Tamamo-no-Mae was furious, and at the same time, her resolve to "take revenge" grew even firmer.
---
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