A/N welcome. In this story, Feng Jiu arrives as a young girl, but she doesn't stay that way for long. If you see errors feel free to let me know, but be tasteful, please. Enjoy the ride!

Ch. 1

Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms

The sun began to rise high in the heavens at around six in the morning. The clouds enveloped the fluorescent colors that seemed to danced across the sky in an array of unusual hues. Winds blew and scattered the various blossoms across the way, while the rest never seemed to fall. The normal daily mist rose from the clouds surrounding the Grand Palace in a shroud of mystical power. It was the celestials tribes' home after all.

Crown Prince Ye Hua stood gazing at the blossoms he'd planted for his wife back when he thought she was Susu and had died. They really were pretty. Similar to several of the white flowers from Dijun's palace, both petals floated in the air together crating a rather random beauty. He stood, his black robe and long hair whirled around him, and then and made his way toward the front of his grandfather's palace. On this day, new immortals arrived and would begin their lives here in their respective clans. He expected to see Mo Yuan, Dijun, and Siming there as well. It was rare that humans found enlightenment, but those few that did were honored for their great feat.

Within the outer walls were the newly ascended immortals who'd arrived to receive a title and a clan. He'd expected as much, but something within told him today was somehow different. Not all in attendance were of one type of immortal. The rest that came, many ranged from human to animal, and all had recently endured their trials and gained their human-looking form. Some were simple spirits like Migu- a tree spirit.

Brought in together for their safety and that of heavens through the gateway, they lined the path in two rows each. For those animals that had finally been able to take a human form, they stood to the left. The mortals that had ascended stood on the right. Chen Yu stood on that side as she'd once been a human herself. The emperor thought this would be good for the new arrivals, and so she took the task willingly.

There were fewer that had come with each passing year. Mortals lived such fleeting lives, that this was once in a thousand of their years' worth of ascended. Regardless, they celebrated this day in the streets as the citizens welcomed the new immortals to their ranks.

The two lines formed to greet the king first. Next, they'd endure their exposure to the customs in the heavens. Each land had its own rules, rulers, and customs. The Sky Kingdom ruled over all lands uniting each in a time of great peace. Chen Yu surmised that this would look like a true mortals idea of 'heaven' by the sheer grandeur that surrounded them.

After a brief interview, they were measured for skill and sent to the appropriate clan to cultivate further. From there, they'd be sorted, given a title and a rank, and would begin their new lives and serve a purpose. For the humans, it was a sight to see legendary creatures born from the dawn of time that no longer resided in their realm, beside them. It was not uncommon to see many a wide eye, an intake of rapid breath, and the occasional faint for the newly ascended mortal. The guests always remarked how they loved the vast amount of varying expressions that lined their worried faces upon seeing such wonders the first time.

Mo Yuan arrived along with Dijun and Siming. The emperor arrived last, pleasantries were exchanged, and when he sat, they all sat. Everyone had the standard dark hair and dark eyes, all aside one-Dong Hua Dijun.

As the first uniter of the heavens, he kept his title of Heavenly ruler (Dijun) and was highly respected. He was tall and aloof with a mane of long white hair that seemed to effortlessly flow behind him. Purple robes were always worn by this revered deity. It was rare for him to smile or otherwise engage with others. Regardless of these matters, he was still highly sought after.

The gates remained open for just a short amount of time, but there was an uncommon wind that blew across the sky. It made all the flowers and blossoms that had fallen on the ground rise once more in the air as it whirled around. The two pillars at the gate were white and lined in gold, but could hardly be seen outside the flowery cluster.

The Emperor of the Sky Kingdom, Ye Hau the Crowned Prince, and Dong Hua Dujin all looked up at the same time to watch the strange omen. The clouds appeared to clear as the sun's rays burst through the heavenly sky and birds had flocked toward the gates as if eagerly awaiting something. Even the landscape looked like it was full of the blossoms. It was brighter than normal. Everyone quickly covered their eyes as the shining peaked and then waned equally as quickly.

A small child emerged through the gates, and then they closed. There was a hush that fell over the crowd, a few shocked intakes, and all eyes peered at the small little girl making her way toward the line. Chen Yu went to her and noticed she'd been human. Her eyes were worried, but the Emperor and king welcomed the child to the lines. Everyone was curious at this auspicious event. For her to be so young, she truly had to have talent!

Ye Hua spoke quietly to his grandfather the king between interviews, "have you seen this before? She is so young..."

The king responded and watched more birds flock towards the gate yet many remained above them, "it almost looks like when you or Mo Yaun were born," he said to Ye Hua while pinching the end of his beard. He then looked to Dong Hua, as he existed almost as long as time, and asked, "have you seen this?" His eyes worked their way up to the previous leader of the heavens after taking everyone's expressions in.

He was robed in purple as usual, but he too appeared interested. Dijun stared for a moment at the sky and the way flowers remained in the air before looking back down at the king in his seat. These things usually happened at the birth of an immortal, but when one ascended.

The usually stone-faced Elder deity looked to the sky again as if it harked some unknown meaning, and then to the line of people. "On occasion, a special human could cause this." His eyes narrowed and his chin rose as he looked. "There are few born in that realm that have the capacity for cultivation like we are used to. It has to be learned, but this..." he said looking to the sky and watching the birds, "I've not seen it like so."

Dong Hua, or as they called him 'Dijun' for short, was the eldest deity alive still despite the ageless face he adorned. The more cultivation one possessed, the longer he looked classically young or ageless at maturity. His face often looked casually bored without expression, his movements leisurely and stoic as if nothing in the heavens could move him to be bothered or worried. He cared little for people and palace affairs. To him, he'd seen it all in the ageless cycle of his life.

This, however, was new. Seeing his interest, yet his calm repose, the others looked on worriedly still, but they were no longer frightened.

As the previous ruler of heaven and earth, he was often consulted on matters that dealt with all the realms and peace. Then again he was unique like the first immortals that came into being. There was a legend he was sprung into existence from a rock. Unlike other immortals, he was never born-he just was.

The child had not yet moved, and the king supposed she was scared. He nodded to Chen Yu to assist and bring her forward.

"Dijun," the king said quietly again. "I do not sense any demonic energy in her. Are you sure it is safe?" Though Dijun had handed over power to him, he still considered the elder's opinion. He had to, to some extent with regards to age and status. Even while at court, Dijun came and sat at his level and offered advice as needed.

Dong Hua raised a brow as he inspected the small girl. It seemed she was...unbalanced. When he thought about it, he sensed dueling forces of power within her. Though he frowned inwardly, he kept his face trained on hers. It appeared this child could be descendent of an immortal. It was rare for Immortal men and women to mate with humans successfully and produce offspring, yet he didn't discount this being the case here.

The king and Ye Hua looked at the child after waiting for Dijun for some time. Ye Hua was the king and emperor's grandson and most loved child.

"She seems to be A-Li's age." The king stated.

"Agreed," Mo Yuan moved beside his twin brother Ye Hua and nodded.

He looked to his brother who concentrated on the child with more earnest.

Mo Yuan stated, "Can you feel that?" Many of his students didn't have that cultivation in their first few years.

"Ye Hua," the king motioned him forward. His long white robe moved with his arm and glided openly at the wrist.

Ye Hua stepped forward and to the side where he bowed, extending his arms in greeting, and then brought his arms back toward himself, "present." They were formal considering the company of so many immortals.

"We are down to the last few. Come stand before me and interview a few of these for us." The king had been guiding the prince for several years now. This was no surprise that he would test him on such an occasion. Testing was normal to make sure Ye Hua was ready to rule the Sky Kingdom and other realms.

It wasn't until the people in the lines dwindled and parted ways that anyone saw the small child up close. Everyone remained hushed as if this would be the gossip that stirred all realms. The birds remained high in the sky, but now they began to sing and chirp. They seemed to surround her from above.

The little girl looked up at them then, as if just now seeing them, and smiled brightly. When she did, her arm lifted and several birds landed on her. Chen Yu stood back as 12 birds lined the child's head, and both arms.

"Wow," the child muttered. "I have no more room." Her smile wanned and she looked to Chen Yu for help. The young immortal struggled not to laugh but smiled and shooed the birds away.

"Go on, go on," she waved a fan at them.

"Thank you dear lady!" the child smiled again.

Dijun raised a brow and put one arm behind him as he looked to the sky and stood. "I believe that," he pointed to the child, "is new, but only time will tell." He remained elusively expressionless as they watched. "There has never been a child that has come through and called all the birds to herself." in fact, he found it strange. Birds...but her cultivation seemed like a, his mind went silent. Ah, he felt it then, Fox. He blinked at the strange knowledge but figured he'd have to investigate more.

The king motioned for the lines to continue, interest in the child grew as the line dwindled.

"I wonder why the child came in? Did anyone notice this mistake?" Siming, the mortal fate maker, stated. Siming was of the house of stars, and as such, guided mortals fates in his book of destiny. His face squinted over the brightness of the sun as he tried to make her out, but was blinded by the sun. He wore a pale gray robe with a black waist tie much like those of his class did. On his persons was a bamboo marked scroll. "Her name is not here. Everyone is accounted for."

They all looked at him astonished. All new immortals were listed as their fate was no longer ruled by his house of stars. They'd now be ruled by the stone of destiny or better known as the Rock of Incantations.

The maids all bowed on the floor. He stood before the king, "The child was with them, your Majesty. I just don't have a record."

"Could she be a spy?" the king asked quietly.

Mo Yuan and Dijun both stated, "No." At the same time. Their glances connected in understanding, but they kept their findings secret.

Once waved forward, the child approached without fear as Chen Yu guided her. The crowd watched, other immortals curiously looked on. From the crowd, Liansong stopped fanning himself and watched the girl he'd fallen for lead the child forward. He made eye contact with Chen Yu, but she shrugged not sure what to make of it. Their curiosity was worn on their faces and in their actions. Dijun looked around and noticed this on others also.

The king thought, this little girl is barely four. They stopped before the king, and Chen Yu bowed respectfully. Watching her, the child did the same. He stated, "What is your name child?"

The small girl stepped forward and lowered her head and stood on ceremony as she noticed the others had. She bowed just like all the others. "Feng Jiu."

Ye Hua stepped forward to greet her, "You family name?"

The girl hadn't said anything but looked around unsure. "My name is Fen Jiu, your... Majesty. I don't have a last name. But where am I?"

Mo Yuan, the God of war who'd remained behind the others, came forward. He stood beside the king. He watched the child bow, and then rise. There was an aura about her, but he couldn't place it. "She is indeed immortal." His eyes widened fractionally as he stood this close. Dijun would've felt the strength earlier, he thought. She had to be born of at least one immortal to be this strong. The girl called Feng Jiu made eye contact and she bowed at him and looked between him and Ye Hua with interest.

"Feng Jiu greets High God Mo Yuan, Crown Prince Ye Hua, and Siming." She looked over to the taller white-haired deity and frowned. No one had used a name, just a title for this man. Judging by how others responded and looked to him, she decided not to ask for a name. She already knew that the other man was the king and emperor, so she wouldn't ask him either.

"Are we on TV?" the child asked.

Chen Yu stifled a giggle immediately adoring the child. "No, this is all real. Where were you when this took place...when you got here."

The child's eyes looked down as she tried to think about it. After frowning, she looked back up to Chen Yu, "I don't remember. I thought it was a dream."

"Stand," the king said evenly to the child. He tried to compare her to A-Li seeing as they are close in age. She looked up at Dijun for a long time, he stared back equally as long. His brow rose when she didn't back down or look away. Then again, she was not aware of etiquette in the heavens yet.

"I am not afraid of you," she said to him.

Dijun quirked his head slightly and she nodded at him. She pointed at him and spoke to Ye Hua, "Why is he so tall?"

Mo Yuan stared at the child and tried to suppress a smile. Ye Hua countered, "Why not?" Their eyes met over her head and noted her childlike manner. This was no spy, the brothers telegraphed. Children had a particular way and mannerisms that one couldn't fake.

She shrugged and looked at them, but her eyes went back to Dong Hua Dijun. "I like your hair," she mentioned. "I bet you get that a lot though. I have a doll called Elsa. Her hair is like that. Do you make snow too?" she sounded so reasonable.

"I do not make snow, but I can make it snow." He waved his hand and several flurries appeared around her.

"WOW! so cool." The child whirled around innocently without a care in the world." After a time, she noticed the others watching her and became self-conscious. "Mine will be weird one day too." she looked around ashamed she'd said 'weird'. "I mean different. When I sleep, it's red."

Ye Hua felt his lip twitch and eyed his brother. "Anything?"

There was a cute red birthmark on her head that Dong Hua found most particular and was himself unable to stop the stare he'd been caught in. Just then, her eyes met his. "I was born with it," she said as if reading his mind. "Would Dijun like to take a closer look?"

He straightened in response, "did you read my mind?" His stare was intensely meant to scare her a little. She had no place to address him, but she had respectfully. This one catches on quickly, he thought with some surprise. Too bold of a child was never a good thing. He waited for her answer.

She looked back at him knowing she'd said something wrong and her cheeks flushed. Those eyes were deep and soulful eyes that captured the sun's rays, were wider than usual, and almost sad. She replied, "no sir. It's just my common sense. When things are different people like to look. Everyone looks at it. People throw spitballs at my head," she whined. "Can you make it go away?"

He said, "no one here will bother you about it."

Mo yuan went to the child and surprised everyone. He took a knee and held out his hands for the child to put hers in his. When she did, he stared at the mark on her head. "This is a birthmark then?"

Uh-huh," she nodded in true child fashion. He placed his hand in front of it without touching it reading the source of the power. When he was finished, he patted her head and stepped back. "She will need intense training. She's radiating a celestial aura, and her power is disarray." He sensed fox, but a fox would not have such an aura. There was something else there also. But what was it?

"Want another female student," Dijun remarked referencing Bai Qian. He always had a sharp tongue. Mo Yuan ignored him.

"Sire, that's not nice to say." She said to Dijun. She took Mo Yuan's hand and said with a sad frown as if she understood his sadness, unlike the rest. "It will get better soon. The reasoning and timing all happen for a destiny you have. This passed was a trial to prepare you for the truth." She flipped his hand over and smiled. When she looked up at him, he knew exactly what she meant. The others were clueless.

Dong Hua Dijun dropped the hand that was behind his back, "Why do you call me 'sire', child?"

"Titles. Were you not a king who united all the clans or tribes? You wear regal purple and no one else does. Your power feels very strong so you are old. But you look young. It is said..." she pondered, "well where I am from it is purple or blue that royals wear. The king wears gold," she looked at Ye Hua and frowned after noting she was right about the emperor. "People wear black in my old home when someone dies." Feng Jiu made a face, "Your wife hates that color. You must not want people to see you bleed."

He laughed openly at this, "she does indeed hate it."

She furrowed her brows and then they knitted together. "No one died or we wouldn't be here today so it had to be a preference. You are to the right of the king so you are Crown prince. and they call you that." She looked at Mo Yaun and he had a glint of a smile. "You are a grandmaster. Your color is wide," she mentioned and frowned. Her arms went wide as she tried to express his aura in a way they could understand. You are very strong, and your colors are similar. You are twins, but you are...older."

"My color?" he asked baiting the child. She was very intelligent for her age. He placed his hands behind his back and clasped them together.

She licked her lips and tried to find the correct words as to not offend them. She drew an invisible circle around him. "it's bright but dim. Like you are hurt but strong." Her face flamed red again. "It looks like white smoke. The king is gold on the edges of his," she looked back to Dijun, "you are red. I don't understand why the power around you is red."

They all looked at him and he started. No one had been able to read his aura, and even more so no one could tell why it was red. They might have felt the raw power, but nothing like this. He stood straighter after a moment. "You see it?"

Their faces are not as friendly, she thought and shut her mouth. "Did I say something bad?"

"Surprising," Ye Hua stated and bent to her level. "I have a son your age. You are new here, but you will learn the right way to do and say. We are startled is all."

She stared at him and looked down, "A-Li."

He smiled at her, "You have the gift of sight. You see colors around people, you know their powers...sound right?"

"I call it a curse," she shrugged. "I don't think the kids here will like me. They never like me where I go. I've never seen so many people like you guys. On occasion, I would see one where I was from. One like you all."

He patted her head, "We will teach you how to control that gift you call a curse. Sound good? Mo Yuan is a teacher too. When you get older you can visit him and he will give you pointers. He taught my wife." Ye Hua stood again and relaxed. She was just an innocent little girl after all.

She whined, "but they only have boys there."

Mo Yuan laughed gently. "How do you know it?"

When I see you, I hear your name. I see a mountain, a sword, people bowing. If I concentrate I see your color-or power." She looked at Ye Hua, "I see a pretty lady and a boy with a round face when I look at you. I can hear his name in my head."

Siming stopped tapping his fingers and made eye contact with Mo Yuan. Aura reading was celestial in nature, the gift of sight was under Dijun's palace control-the house of stars and fate. It was also more advanced an ability than they thought her capable. She swayed from side to side as children do when they get bored.

The king smiled at her. "You don't remember how you got here?"

He leaned to the left side with a palm on his knee for support. His quizzical look made Feng Jiu smile, "I don't know. I just didn't want to be...there anymore?" She shrugged as if this made sense. "I really thought I was dreaming and I got lost in the clouds. I came out of the clouds here."

She looked around as if thinking about it. She looked around and eventually spotted Siming.

She pointed at Siming. "The one that writes human fates." She pointed at her forehead and pouted, "You made me wear this."

Siming froze with a half-smile on his face. "I will find out about it." The child seemed to stare at something no one else could. "What is it?"

"Why do I see strings on everyone now?" The child seemed to grow weary.

"S-strings?" he asked the child seeking more information.

"I don't know the real ones, but the fake ones are in the book. I see the book when I see you, Siming. But I see cords for you guys where I saw strings on the people where I came from. It really hard to tune it out." She ducked down. "I don't know anything else about what they are. Sometimes I saw two people who have the same cord. There are a lot of different strings." She looked around at everyone and nodded. She stopped when she landed on Dijun.

Siming came forth, "You see them?" He referred to the cords of destiny. This was also celestial in nature. His voice was surprised and almost excited. He bent down to her and it was clear the shock that displayed on his face. Not many could see the destiny of their own kind. Immortals had the rock of incantations, but she was a walking sign for it.

She nodded, "can't you?"

"No," he said quietly. "I see mortals and I write their fates. That's what I do. Can you see theirs also?"

"That is against the rules." Her voice was sweet, barely old enough that you could still hear the baby voice to it. "I try not to look but sometimes they just come out on people."

"Don't be worried," she said to the king and looked up at the birds as they circled above her. She then looked at Ye Hua, "What does it usually mean?" She pointed at the birds. "I don't want to get pooped on."

Mo Yuan cracked a tiny smile, "it means something big and special."

Chen Yu said, "They like all the new people."

Dijun thought, no they are around you. He pondered her look when she'd been talking about cords. What could she see? His eyes traveled over Mo Yuan and guessed the child could read the situation between him and his former student without knowing their history.

Ye Hua was familiar with this tactic, having seen it used by his son a few times. "If you work hard, then you can make the birds worthy of the flight. You will learn what the cords are and what they do if you also study hard."

She thought about this and looked up at the king and saw a red bird in her mind. "I saw a big red one in my dream-the bird you have. He's not really nice, but then no one can understand him. He's really just misunderstood so please don't hurt him. If you gave him," she named off a rare fruit, "he may be easier to handle."

The king raised a brow and smiled at the child knowing she meant the phoenix that was given to him. "The time has passed for this fruit to grow."

She looked at the king and bowed, "there will be another one."

The king looked around and clapped as he'd loved the last bird. Of course, it had rushed the group had almost been killed. It was now time to place the child, "This child will stay in the Heavens as Celestial Tribe."

The child immediately bowed and a maid came up to take her to the one they called Siming. She smiled up at the maid, "he's the fate keeper. I think you guys will get along. These strings are the same color..." Siming coughed as he took her away. The maid blushed bright red, and the others stared after her.

She waved back at the maid.

A few thousand years later

Dijun left the court and began to head back to his palace. On the way, he dropped by the library to return a few scrolls he'd used on his recent trip. He rarely went out, but he enjoyed reading Buddhist sutras while he fished or leisurely lay in his palace. On the way out, there was a crowd of students pushing a young girl back and forth. His eyes narrowed slightly at the sight.

"You are no better than us!" They yelled and circled her. Children were too noisy, and he was about to turn and go the other way when he caught sight of the girl they harassed. On her forehead was a phoenix-like flower.

It's the child, he reminded himself. Feng Jiu?

One of the boys summoned a water cloud and poured it over her head as something slipped from her hands and broke on the ground. Suddenly, all eight of them disappeared. With a wave of her hand, her entire body was again dry and she sighed as she knelt down to collect the broken pieces. "Mongrels!"

She tried to piece the parts together but failed, "I'm surrounded by idiots." Feng Jiu heard screeches coming from the gardens. "So that's where they went," she sighed again and stood. "Siming is going to come after me for this, but how much should I endure at not respond?"

Dijun's lips twitched as he watched her place both arms on her hips, "I am constantly bothered by them. How is this any better than the mortal realm? Do I have a bad fate?" She looked at her hands, "I can't see it. Figures." She waved the mess at her feet away and slumped over. "He's going to think I didn't do my work again."

Dijun had heard that she was a troublemaker, but this clearly wasn't the case. He was about to speak with her when she looked around suddenly. Curious, he remained hidden to see what she'd do next. She looked around again, obviously not seeing him, and waved her hand up in the air. A white cloud of smoke appeared and a small red fox emerged. Seconds later, Siming rounded the corner searching for her.

Dijun shook his head as he watched her sneak away. Without fail, Siming had come around the corner quickly and almost bumped into him.

Upon seeing him, he bowed his respect, "forgive me, Lord. I didn't see you."

Dijun waved a hand, "Your student...does she always get harassed?"

Siming looked at him confused, "she never does any work to be bothered with."

Dijun straightened his robe, "she just tossed about eight kids in that garden," he motioned. "Have you not been watching her to notice if she is being harassed by others? It appears they've destroyed her work. She looked pretty upset about it and disappeared."

He sighed, "She does that a lot too. Most of the time it is too much stimulus, but she has to face it sooner or later."

"I know and I've heard," Dijun said. "Did you give her that Mark?"

Siming's stressed face relaxed a degree. "I hadn't known this was going on, but no. When I went back to look, it is like she just appeared. Her fate was not a good one."

Dijun tilted his head, "they are bound to be jealous of her abilities. She ascended to immortal so young."

Siming bowed and placed both hands in front of himself and brought them out and in as was custom when addressing a senior. "I will see to her, Dijun."

"You go first," he told Siming. When Dijun turned the corner, a red fox stared at him for a moment, and then disappeared.