"Si Lan." Mo Yuan broke the silence in the room as he placed yet another chess piece on the board. The two of them had taken a mental break to play a game of chess. Si Lan figured he probably wanted to relax and ease the tension building in his body. "Hmm."
Mo Yuan looked at her with a serious face. "I am going to battle and I plan on taking Si Yin with me." He told her. "I may not be able to return right away and don't know when I can return to take care of Si Yin."
Si Lan paused, the chess piece hovering just above the place she was about to lay it on. "You are asking me to take care of Si Yin while you are gone." Despite not having spent too much time together, they had developed an understanding and it was easy for her to read between the lines.
He nodded. "Si Yin likes to put herself in harm's way. While on the battlefield, I can protect her. But afterwards, I may not be there to protect her." His eyes snapped to look at hers with a fierceness to them. "I promise you that I will return."
Si Lan signed. Realizing that whatever Mo Yuan had planned was probably unavoidable. The least she could do is set his mind at ease. "Then I will promise to watch over my sister until your return." She said with all seriousness. He seemed really concerned about this and deserved to see that she would be serious about it too.
"There is something else." He began. "I want to leave you with one of my spells." Si Lan eyed him suspiciously. She might be known as the Daughter of Kunlun, but she was not a disciple.
Mo Yuan looked away hesitantly before turning his gaze back to her. "It's the spell to seal the Bell of the East Emperor."
Si Lan's eyes grew big. Her sister hand mentioned that her master told her that the only people who could use the spell were members of the Heavenly Tribe, Bai Fox Tribe and the Phoenix tribe. It confirmed her suspicions. He knew their true identities. "So you do know who we are. I figured as much."
Mo Yuan gave a curt nod. "I will also be telling the spell to Si Yin. You two are the only other people living in Kunlun who can use the spell. I pray you will never have to use it though."
Mo Yuan had just finished passing the spell to Si Lan when the ninth disciple came in and bowed before the two. "Master all the disciples are ready to disembark when you are."
Mo Yuan nodded before standing. "I am afraid we will have to finish this another day." He gestured to the chess board. Si Lan stood and bowed to the High God. "I am looking forward to it. Allow me to escort you out."
They made their way towards the main courtyard where everyone was waiting. Si Lan calmly walked over to her armored brother and gave him a hug. "Be safe." She whispered in his ear.
"Little sister." Senior Disciple smiled at her. "We leave Kunlun in your care."
She nodded and soon they all vanished, making their way towards the Celestial Palace. Xuan Nu appeared behind her. "I suggest you leave soon and return home." Si Lan warned the girl. Ever since Xuan Nu returned, she could sense a darkness to her aura. Jealousy and malice were now quite evident in her eyes.
Si Lan quickly turned to go to one spot that she found comforting, the lotus pond, leaving Xuan Nu to her dark thoughts.
—
The last thing Si Lan expected was a visitor. She approached the main hall at a run, hoping that it wasn't bad news. "Fourth Brother, Zhe Yan!" She ran towards them but stopped noticing the broken Zither in Zhe Yan's hands. It was the magical weapon he buried after the first war, hoping to never use it again. Her brother was also in armor, something she had never seen. Even when practicing his martial arts, he was dressed in his usual clothes. "What happened?"
Zhe Yan shook his head. "Zhe Yan's zither strings broke all at once. We were on our way to the battlefield but thought we should deliver this to you in case." Her brother handed her some lightly armored clothes that would provide her some protection should she need to defend herself, as well as a new hair piece that would keep her hair up even with extreme movement.
Si Lan took the clothes while thinking deeply about what Zhe Yan's broken strings could mean. Something bad was stirring. She felt it. She snapped her head up. Xuan Nu! She quickly ran back to Mo Yuan's room, he brother and Zhe Yan called out her name as they followed behind her.
She searched the room for the scrolls that were usually tucked safely away. They were gone! Mo Yuans formation spells. Xuan Nu deceived them. She played the victim just to get close enough to take the spells.
"Sixth sister, what is wrong?" Bai Zhen asked after finally catching up to her.
Turned to face them. "Xuan Nu has taken Mo Yuan's formation spells. Fifth is in trouble." Bai Zhen and Zhe Yan looked at each other in both disbelief and alarm. Sweet Xuan Nu betrayed her own tribe?
"Bai Zhen, Little Six, you go and help Little Five. I will stay here should anyone return needing medical assistance." Zhe Yan grabbed Fourth Brother to pull him out of the room. "Quickly, change."
Si Lan quickly tossed on the clothes, pulled up her hair and snapped on the light armor pieces. This was not good. Si Lan summoned her flute before leaving the room.
"So it is true. You really did receive a magical weapon." Her brother said, staring at the rumored Flute of Kunlun. "May it help her in the battle to come." Zhe Yan stated. "You need to hurry."
—
It was a disaster. The formation had been broken and the Heavenly army was taking casualties. "On no…Ninth…." Si Lan watched as an arrow pierced Ninth from behind. "Ninth!" They heard their fifth sister shout before she jumped into the battle. She was going to get herself killed. "Six, you warn Mo Yuan. I will rescue five." She nodded before jumping off her brother's mount towards Mo Yuan.
"Mo Yuan!" She ran up to the mounted God of War. He tossed her a brief glance before looking back at her sister. "The formation has been broken. You need to pull back!" She shouted out. It wasn't until he saw her brother swoop in to save Si Yin and Ninth before he gave the command to fall back. He held out his hand for her to pull her on his horse.
Mo Yuan raced back towards the main encampment. Her brother and the others were no doubt waiting. "What happened?" he whispered.
Si Lan took a deep breath. "Xuan Nu betrayed us. She took your formation strategy. My brother and I came to warn you, but it seems we were too late."
They rushed into the tent to see Ninth lying on the cot with Si Yin kneeling next to him crying. Si Lan immediately moved to stand next to her brother. Si Yin grabbed on to her master's hand as he stared at his wounded disciple. "Master! Master!" Si Yin turned to look at Ninth. "Master, hurry and save Ninth."
Mo Yuan moved to kneel next to Si Yin beside Ling You. Slowly and with a slightly shaky hand he went to check Ninth's pulse. "Send word to Die Feng. Have him come and take Ling Yu's body back to Kunlun Mountain."
Si Yin shook her head in disbelief as she once again began crying. "Master! Not even you can save Ninth?" She turned back to Ling Yu. "Ninth! Ninth!" Mo Yuan wrapped an arm around SI Yin and pulled her into his body. "I'm sorry, Seventeenth. This time, there is nothing I can do either."
Si Lan felt her brother's comforting hand on her back. She too had tears in her eyes. She felt grief for Ninth's death and pain for watching her sister ball over her deceased brother.
"It's all my fault." Si Yin cried. "Master, it's all my fault. If I had noticed earlier, Ninth wouldn't have died." Mo Yuan put a hand on Si Yin's head. "This isn't your fault. The formation was broken."
"Master, the formation was broken" Si Yin moved away enough to look at her master. "because of Xuan Nu. She stole the formation strategy." Mo Yuan took a deep breath. If Si Lan hadn't told him, he would have been shocked.
"What did you say?" Yao Guang stared down at the youngest disciple.
"Xuan Nu stole the tactical formation strategy. I came here to warn you." Si Lan spoke up stepping slightly away from her brother. "She gave it to Qing Cang." Si Yin finished for her.
Yao Guang shifted her attention to the God of War. This was very serious. "Mo Yuan, once this formation has been arranged there is no leeway for change. So we…" she trailed off.
"We.." Mo Yuan stood up. "not only will they suffer a crushing defeat but 200,000 Celestial soldiers will also lose their lives at Ruoshui Riverbank."
A heaviness weighed on everyone in the tent. "Report!" A soldier came running into the tent. "Report, after the Ghost Tribe broke our formation they formed a strange formation and had my troops enveloped." Two more soldiers came in to give their reports. The news was not good.
Mo Yuan tossed a glance at Si Lan before turning towards her brother standing next to her. "Thank you for your assistance. You are of the Fox Clan?"
Her brother held up his hand in greeting. "I am Bai Zhen."
Yao Guang recognized the name immediately. "You are the fourth son of the Fox King?"
"Yes." He responded. The older immortal female's eyes then shifted to the young woman beside the fox prince. "And who are you?"
Si Lan looked towards her crumpled sister. "I am Si Yin's little sister. I came from Kunlun with Bai Zhen to warn you of the betrayal but did not make it in time."
"Neither of you are a high-ranking officer in this war. You need not stay here. Please take my disciple out of the tent as well." Mo Yuan asked looking at them. Si Lan immediately went to Si Yin's side, while her brother responded before moving to help her move their distraught sibling. They both escorted their sister out of the tent.
When they were far enough away from everyone, Si Yin spoke up. "Fourth Brother, Six Sister. I caused Ninth's death. If I hadn't met Li Jing and didn't let Xuan Nu stay with me then Ninth wouldn't have died."
"Fifth Sister, going by what you say, I am the one who sent Xuan Nu to Kunlun Mountain to find you. Then won't we both have to pay with our lives?" Fourth Brother tried to explain to her.
Si Lan sat down next to her sister. "I am the one that brought her to Kunlun and stayed with her. I knew something was off with her but didn't say anything. It was also under my watch that she stole the formation strategy. If anything, wouldn't I be at fault?"
Fourth Brother sighed after sitting down on the other side of Si Yin. Their words were not comforting Si Yin. Why did she alway insist on taking the blame? "Eldest Sister-in-law even sent a letter a few days ago saying she was quite satisfied with Xuan Nu's marriage and told me to thank you."
A flash of anger crossed Si Yin's face. "If not for Eldest Sister-in-law, I would have already slashed her to pieces." Bai Zhen still was unaware of Xuan Nu stealing Si Yin's love, so he assumed the hatred was only due to the most recent betrayal. "Since she has chosen the Ghost Tribe then she is no longer affiliated with Qing Qiu. If you ever see her again, you can kill her with one stroke. You need not think twice. It is what she deserves."
The talks in the tent were taking longer than expected, Die Feng already came and picked up Ninth's body but they still had yet to emerge.
"Fourth Brother." Si Yin asked. "If we lose this war then won't we be letting Ninth Disciple down? If Ninth Disciple's parents were to know he already died at Ruoshui Riverbank, how upset would they be?"
Bai Zhen put a comforting arm around Si Yin. "All people eventually die. It is only sooner or later." He turned slightly, taking his arm off Si Yin's back. "Live with a clear conscience then even in death, there will be no loss of dignity. His death was worthwhile. I had originally wanted to watch the war from afar. But who knew nothing would happen as expected."
Si Lan placed her hand on Si Yin's. "I thought I would be at Kunlun during this war not in the middle of it, but I will be wherever I am needed. Life is full of unexpected changes, troubles and heartaches. We can't let ourselves be defeated by them. Ninth wouldn't want you to dwell in his death. He would want you to use it to fight even harder. If his death gives us the motivation to win this war, then it is not a meaningless death."
Her words seemed to have brought comfort to Si Yin. She finally looked up as if to face the challenge that now lie ahead of her. "Fourth Brother, do you know the Bell of the East Emperor?" Si Yin inquired. He nodded slightly. "Yes. I've also seen it when I was young. However, its whereabouts are unknown now."
"Qing Cang has it." Si Lan told him. Her sister nodded in affirmation. "This war is far more serious than just a rebellion."
"Is that true?" Bai Zhen quickly stood up with a very concerned look on his face. "This is another serious matter then." The two girls nodded before they stood finally noticing that Mo Yuan and the others had emerged from the tend and were approaching them.
Before the group reached the three siblings, Yao Guang turned around to face Mo Yuan who had a solemn look on his face. "In an hour, we will carry out the plan." Mo Yuan finally spoke. "Remember, after you have broken through the encirclement thin out the enemy's frontline as much as possible."
"Understood." Yao Guang responded with a curt nod.
"Farewell for now." Mo Yuan said even though he knew she would most likely not return. Yao Guang knew that as well, but wasn't one to admit defeat. "On the day I return, I will have another contest with you. No matter the outcome, after our duel, let us wipe the slate clean. What do you say?"
Mo Yuan gave her a small smile before responding. "Very well."
"Everyone, I will be going first." Yao Guang bowed slightly to everyone. After their farewell she jumped on her horse and rode off, fully prepared to die.
Mo Yuan looked towards the three siblings. "Come." The group made their way back to the tent to go over the plans again. "Of the several formations I laid out, one general has perished and one general will lead a diversion. I still need two other generals to lead." Mo Yuan said looking at the three-dimensional map of the area.
"We have already split our troops." The Second Heavenly Prince while pointing at the map. If we request for more troops from the Heavenly Lord, I'm afraid they won't get here in time."
"Master, I request to lead." Si Yin said, causing both of her siblings to turn to look at her and Mo Yuan to turn around in shock. "You have never led an army, Seventeenth."
"I have followed you for 20,000 years. I have long since committed the formation to heart. Please believe me." Si Yin assured him.
Bai Zhen then stepped forward. "I am also willing to lead."
"Me as well!" Si Lan stepped forward. "Or at least assist where I can. I too have studied the formation."
"You two?" Mo Yuan questioned.
"In this canopy in terms of magic power, aside from you, I'm afraid the best." Bai Zhen stated, though he knew this was untrue as his littlest sister probably had just as much if not more power than him. "I am sure this young woman by my side will also be of great help. She has spent many days training with both me and Zhe Yan."
Mo Yuan knew that other than Bai Zhen, no one else knew that Si Lan was a powerful high immortal and could probably lead as well. He could tell she would be a strong strategist based on the conversations they shared together along with how she played chess. "Very well. The two of you will lead the troops." Mo Yuan looked towards Si Yin. "Si Yin will lead Yao Guang's left flank forces. Bai Zhen will lead Ling You's vanguard with Si Lan's assistance."
"Yes." The three siblings replied.
"In a bit, according to my agreement with Yao Guang, I'll lead the main force to break through the enemy's southeast corner and allow Yao Guang to escape from the encirclement." Mo Yuan turned to look at the three Heavenly Princes. "At this time, Yang Cuo, Sang Ji and Lian Song will pretend to give up and retreat."
"Si Lan. A word." Mo Yuan whispered as everyone dispersed to prepare for the battle. Si Lan could tell that he was very worried.
Si Lan stopped before the High God and waited for him to speak. "Should the bell be used, you know what I will have to do. The seal will only last for 70,000 years." He informed her. He had already taught her the spell to seal the bell, so she knew that it came with a sacrifice. "While I am gone take care of Si Yin."
She nodded in assurance. "I promise. I will keep Si Yin safe. Remember to return."
"You have my word." He agreed. "Rest. We have a long day ahead of us."
Si Lan bowed and left the tent. She paused to look up at the night sky. She doubt either of them would get much sleep, but it was still important to try.
The next day was indeed long, but they had managed to encircle Qing Cang. However, he would not be captured easily. Instead of accepting defeat, he did what they were dreading and activated the bell.
The ground started shaking as the bell activated. People were shouting from both sides as the power wreaked havoc around them. Si Yin jumped towards Qing Cang hoping to kill him, but was easily knocked back after being hit with a blast of his dark power. Mo Yuan quickly caught his beloved disciple. "Catch him!." He shouted before throwing the wounded Si Yin to Bai Zhen.
"Si Yin." Fourth Brother called out as he caught her. Si Lan watched as Mo Yuan turned to confront Qing Cang. "Qing Can. Since I was the one who created the Bell of the East Emperor then I know how to control it!" Mo Yuan moved closer to the bell not noticing the dark power the Ghost Lord sent his way.
Quickly Si Lan jumped to intercede the powerful blast. She managed to block that one but the swift swing from Qing Cang's spear knocked her back towards the rest of her group. She managed to land before dropping to her knee in pain. "Si Lan!" Bai Zhen shouted towards her. "I am fine." She assured him as she tossed him a smile. She managed to suppress her desire to wince. Qing Cang's spear did far more damage that she cared to admit and the pain was intense. However, there were more important events transpiring and she would have to heal herself later. Everything rested on Mo Yuan now.
The two battled in the sky. Qing Can desperately trying to prevent Mo Yuan from taking control of the bell. The rest of the disciples made their way over to the group. Sixteenth went to check on Si Yin, while Senior Disciple went to check on her. "Are you injured?" She shook her head not wanting to worry him. The hit she took was bad, but her sister's wounds concerned her more. "I am fine, but Si Yin will need medical attention."
After several more blows, Mo Yuan was finally able to push Qing Cang back and into the bell. He then proceeded to follow and halt the destruction it was causing. He paused to look at Si Yin. "Wait for me." He then turned toward Si Lan who nodded her head, confirming once again that she will do as promised.
"Master." Si Yin suddenly said upon realizing what her master had planned. Mo Yuan flew into the bell causing a bright light that halted the bell. When the light faded. Mo Yuan was floating, seemingly unconscious. His body slowly making its way to them.
"Master!" Si Yin called out trying desperately to get to him despite her pain. One of the other disciples called out to her as she ran to catch Mo Yuan. "Master." Si Yin gently helped lay Mo Yuan's body down as the other disciples knelt down in horror.
"Master!" Si Yin kept calling as she cradled his head against her body, tears pouring freely down her cheeks. The other disciples were tearing up and gave a bow to their fallen master. Si Lan's heart clenched. No, this was not the end. He was going to return. He promised.
She glanced at the bell sitting in the lake. Si Yin had finally stopped crying, but she was still sitting next to Mo Yuan's body. "Immortals, this is the Ghost Tribe's document of surrender." The Eldest son of the Ghost Lord knelt holding the document to one of Heaven's princes. "My father has been sealed in the Bell of the East Emperor. The Ghost Tribe no longer wants to stand against the Celestial Tribe. Please accept this document of surrender and allow my 30,000 defeated troops a chance to live."
Si Lan turned to see her sister move towards the kneeling princes. She had buried her heartache with anger again. "What is the use of a document of surrender?" Si Yin snapped her fan open. "I'll have you all buried with the dead!" She sent a blast that sent some of the remaining men flying.
"Seventeenth, stop!" "Seventeenth!" Both Senior Disciple and Sixteenth tried to hold back the enraged Si Yin. "This concerns all the people in the world! Do not be rash!" Senior Disciple shouted at her.
The eldest Ghost Realm's prince stood up obviously angered by Si Yin's outburst. "The Ghost Tribe has millions of people. You'll never kill us all!"
"I'll annihilate the entire Ghost Tribe. Even if I have to devote my whole life to it!" Si Yin yelled out. Si Lan stood next to her shocked brother. He had never seen this side of his sister. "Brother, you may need to subdue Fifth Sister." she whispered to him.
The Ghost Realm's princess quickly moved to kneel in front of her brothers. "Si Yin, casualties are inevitable when it comes to war. Moreover, my father has already been sealed. Please do not implicate any others!"
"Let me go!" Si Yin flung her two fellow disciples off forcing Bai Zhen quickly hit her pressure point, knocking her unconscious. "Let's go back to Kunlun Mountain." Bai Zhen told the disciples as he held Si Yin against his chest. They all left, save for Si Lan. She turned to look at the kneeling princess. "I will ensure my brother does not do anything foolish." She bowed to the three of them before taking off to Kunlun.
Zhe Yan was waiting for them when they returned. They took Mo Yuan's body to his seclusion cave along with Si Yin. Si Lan paused feeling the warmth of the lotus pond as it sent her it's comforting warmth. Unfortunately, it looks like it would soon be time to leave this place.
"How are they?" She asked entering the cave after the disciples left. Zhe Yan turned towards her but his gaze bounced between Mo Yuan and Si Yin. "His soul is shattered. This is only an empty body that will soon deteriorate." Zhe Yan informed her. "As for Five. She took a big hit. It will take her a while to recover, but I fear it will take her heart much longer."
"He will return for her. He promised." Si Lan stated, looking towards the lifeless body of Mo Yuan. Suddenly, Si Yin sat up. The moment she saw him she called out and ran over to his body. She stumbled as she made her way, calling out to him multiple times. When she finally made it to his side she turned to grab onto the old Phoenix's hand. "Zhe Yan, when will Master wake up?"
"Fifth Sister, Mo Yuan's soul has scattered." he gently tried to tell her. She only looked back down at her master before shaking her head and once again grabbing Zhe Yan's hand. "Don't you have the best medical skill of everyone in all the realms? Aren't you his brother? Why won't you save him? Zhe Yan, why won't you save him?" she pleaded as tears once again streamed down her face. Bai Zhen knelt down to comfort his sister. "Fifth Sister. Your master sacrificed his soul to destroy the Bell of the East Emperor. No one can save him."
She already knew the answer, but wanted her sister to tell her. "Master told me before..that you need to sacrifice a soul to destroy the Bell of the East Emperor, but he also told me that he was the one who created the Bell of the East Emperor. That he would find a way to get around it. I believed him. Because Master protected me from three bolts of lightning his injuries weren't completely healed. It's all my fault."
Si Lan stepped forward and spoke softly. "Fifth Sister, what was Mo Yuan's last words to you? He said to wait for him."
"He did say that." Si Yin nodded.
"What kind of person is Mo Yuan?" Bai Zhen asked in a similar gentle voice. "Since he said that, he will definitely come back."
"Really?" Si Yin sounded so broken. Finally she had a shred of hope.
"You know your master better than I do." Bai Zhen only knew the God of War from stories Zhe Yan shared and the reputation he had in the various realms. His only interactions with him had been on the battlefield.
Si Lan knelt down next to her brother. "He told me he would return." She smiled sweetly at her sister, who turned to stare at her master's face. Finally she nodded. "That's right. Since Master asked us to wait, he will definitely come back." She turned once again to her master's face, the tears from before quickly drying up with this hope. "What I need to do now is to preserve his body and wait for him to come back."
"Fifth Sister, you're seriously injured." Bai Zhen pointed out. "Why don't you come with me to the Fox Clan?"
Si Yin just shakes her head. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay here with Master."
Bai Zhen moved to protest when Si Lan placed a hand on his arm. "I will stay her with her and tend to her wounds. When she is better, I will convince her to return home. Why don't you two head back." Her brother let out a sigh before agreeing. Both him and Zhe Yan left the cave and the two fox females behind.
Si Lan had gone to get her sister some more water when she felt an urgency to return to the small cave. Her sister had not left the small area, just venturing far enough to sit by the golden lotus. Si Lan had managed to convince her sister to change out of her armor, but that was it.
She quickly made her way into the cave, her eyes growing big as she realized what her sister planned on doing. Her sister was planning on feeding Mo Yuan blood from her heart. There was no way her sister's body would be able to take it. "What do you think you are doing?" She yelled out startling her sister.
Si Yin looked down at Mo Yuan who had been changed into casual robes, his usual top-knot no longer there. "I can preserve him." She said. "My blood can preserve him."
Si Lan grabbed the knife from her sister's hands. "You are injured!"
"I have to save him!" Her sister shouted, trying to grab the knife. "Then I will give him my blood!" Si Lan replied holding the knife out of her sister's reach. "In your condition, you won't be able to sustain him for long."
Si Yin stopped trying to grab the knife and shook her head. "But I owe him. I am the one he took the lightning bolts for. I am the reason he was injured when he went to war."
Si Lan put a hand on her sister's shoulder. "And I am the one that promised him that I would protect you." She said softly.
"What?" Si Yin knew her sister and master had become close. She wondered how much trust was built up between the two of them. Si Lan hadn't been in Kunlun that long.
"I promised him I would watch over you until he returned." Si Lan looked over at the soulless high god. "He will come back. He loves you too much to allow you to live without him."
Si Yin's head snapped up. "What?"
Si Lan laughed. Apparently her dear sister still hadn't realized the full extent of her feelings. "He loves you and you love him. That is why you both are willing to risk your lives for each other."
"Master doesn't…..love…me…." Si Yin stared down at her lap with wide open eyes. "Of course he does and it is about time you realized it."
Si Lan's grip on the knife tightened. "Promises aside. My blood is more suited to preserving Mo Yuan. So, will you let me give the blood?"
Si Yin sighed in resignation. She knew that her sister was far more magically and spiritually gifted. If she gave Mo Yuan her blood, it will last longer and better preserve it for when his spirit returns.
Si Lan felt the warm presence as she stabbed her chest. It almost felt alarmed, like it was trying to get her to stop. When she drained enough of her blood's heart, she passed the bowl to her sister and started bandaging her chest. Thankfully, her sister was too focused on the High God to notice her wince. She underestimated the extent of her wounds. This was not good, she needed to meditate. Her sister was in no condition to give blood, but in reality, neither was she. However, if one of them had to give blood, it would be her.
"Master, you only knew that we were foxes, right?" Si Yin spoke to her master. "You didn't know we were nine-tailed foxes."
"He did." Si Yin turned to look at her sister who was pulling her dress back over her shoulder. "What?" She questioned with a look of disbelief on her face. Master knew?
Si Lan made her way over to them. "He knew exactly who you were." She informed her sister. "He knew from the moment you entered Kunlun."
"How do you know?" Si Yin asked. "He is a High God." Si Lan rolled her eyes. "He also saw through my concealment, so he no doubt saw through yours. That and he told me." She decided not to let her sister know that Mo Yuan also taught her the sealing spell, she had a feeling Mo Yuan would not want her to.
Si Lan nodded. There was silence for a bit as her sister processed the new information. However, her next question was not one that she had been expecting. "What concealment spell?"
Bei Yue glanced at her sister in confusion. Surely she must have heard about her ascension. "The spell to hide the fact that I am a high immortal."
"A high immortal? When? Does mom and dad know?" Si Yin grabbed her sister's hand and started examining her aura. She couldn't see beyond the concealment spell though. "The whole world knows. It happened about 5,000 years ago. How did you not know?"
Si Yin thought back. That was probably around the time all the disciple got so drunk they went cloud soaring in the mortal realm and watched the sunrise on Mount Junji of the Far East. "I was too busy having fun to care for what was going on outside of Kunlun." She paused for a brief moment. "Does it hurt? The lightning strikes?"
Si Lan though for a moment wondering if she should answer truthfully. "I won't lie. It was a very painful experience. But I know that if it meant saving someone I loved, I would take more lightning strikes." She patted her sister's head. "Feed him. I am going to rest outside of this stuffy cave."
Si Lan ventured outside the cave and sat down by the golden lotus. She took a deep painful breath and started meditating to help heal her body. It wasn't long before a familiar warmth spread throughout her body.
—
Two months have passed since Mo Yuan's 'passing'. Si Lan spent most of her time meditating in or outside of Mo Yuan's cave. Her sister was often there grooming Mo Yuan's body and tenderly taking care of him. The warm present seemed to be more constant now, like the golden lotus was watching over Mo Yuan.
Si Yin had returned to the cave in a foul mood, but didn't seem to want to speak to her. So she just rested and continued to meditate. However, the light voice saying A-Lan caused her eyes to snap open. Si Yin apparently heard it too. "Master. Is that you?" The warm presence had suddenly left the cave. Si Lan stood up and made her way over to the lotus pond. The golden lotus was gone. She turned to see Sixteenth standing not too far. "Sixteenth!" She called out to him. "Where did Mo Yuan's golden lotus go?"
Sixteenth looked down at the young woman. He had never seen her so worried before. "Second brother noticed it was wilting and when to show it to Senior." Si Lan quickly made her way to the main hall where Senior Disciple was. She arrived just early enough to understand that the golden lotus was now with the princess-consort. She knew she was being silly, but that lotus was one of the few things she found comforting at Kunlun. The thought of its warmth not being there was hard to imagine and cause a slight pain in her heart.
She touched the walls of Kunlun. Her hand grazing over the stone pillars. It seemed so empty, like it is just a shell of what it once was. Many of the students were talking about returning home. She wondered if her sister would return home as well or stay here. That brought up another thought, what was going to happen to Mo Yuan's body? She knew the Heavenly Tribe was asking for it and that the disciples were preparing funeral arrangements. But, Si Yin was dead set on preserving it and therefore both of them would need to be within close proximity to it.
She walked around a bit more in thought before heading back to check in on her sister. She saw Senior Disciple crouched at the end of Mo Yuan's makeshift bed and talking to Si Yin. "The ancient books have records about the Ghost Tribe's soul jade. If a corpse keeps it in his mouth, it will never rot."
"Is that rumor true?" Si Yin knew that her sister was getting weaker. She was worried that the blood she was giving to help Mo Yuan would severely impact her health.
"It was recorded in the ancient books, so it should be true. But now, Kunlun Mountain and the Ghost Tribe have irreconcilable differences. Even though it's not bad enough to the point of getting revenge, it's not good enough to have to deal with each other." Senior Disciple realized where Si Yin's thoughts were going. "Seventeenth, don't get any thoughts about trying to take it by force."
Si Lan chose that time to make her presence known. "I will keep an eye on him. You must have other matters to attend to."
Senior nodded trusting Si Lan. "Then I will take my leave."
Her sister was still deep in thought. She hadn't even noticed that Senior had left and she had returned. "You are planning to ask Li Jing for it, aren't you?" Bai Wai asked sitting on the other side of Si Yin.
Si Yin nodded finally noticing her. "Don't try to stop me." Si Lan just shook her head. "I won't but you must promise no fighting. You are just there to talk. Swear on your master."
Si Yin thought about it for a bit. It was reasonable. "I swear."
—-
When Si Yin returned a few hours later, she was still visibly upset. "What happened?" Si Lan asked moving to her sister's side.
"I never should have gone. They deserve each other." Si Yin clenched her fists in anger. It was not hard for Si Lan to realize who her sister was talking about. Apparently, their meeting did not go very well. "Don't worry. As long as blood is still pumping through my heart, Mo Yuan's body will be preserved." She just hoped that her body would be able to keep up with the demand. The two girls stayed in the small cave until the sunset and one of the disciples told them that they everyone would be eating together.
Everyone sat in their spot at the table making it easy to notice who was not there. Ninth's and Mo Yuan's seats were vacant. "It's been a long time since we've all come together for a meal like this. I don't think we have had one since you have been with us, little sister." Second Brother said, glancing at Si Lan when he made his last statement." All the disciples acknowledge the fact that they hadn't had a group dinner in a while. "Ever since Ninth and Master died, it hasn't been this lively." Another disciple spoke, but Second quickly told them not to discuss sad things.
"Come." Senior Disciple grabbed his wine cup. "Let's live in the moment! A toast to Master." Everyone turned to the spot Mo Yan usually sat at and with their cups in hand bowed before turning to pour the wine on the ground being their seats. They did the same for Ninth as well.
"Senior, Ninth never drank wine. You're trying to get him drunk?" SI Yin asked in humor. Die Feng let out a light laugh. "That's right. Ninth doesn't have a good alcohol tolerance. It's completely different when compared to Seventeenth." With the light hearted mood returning, Second encouraged them all to eat, telling them about the time he put into making everything and that they should eat it all.
"My fellow disciples." Si Yin picked up her wine cup causing everyone to pick theirs up. "Ever since I came to Kunlun Mountain, Master and you all have shown such care for me. But I've been causing so much trouble and haven't been training properly. I've made trouble for you all and Master." Si Yin's voice cracked slightly and her eyes were watering. "I will drink first."
"That was delightful. It was really delightful." Senior said as he slammed his cup down on the table. "Seventeenth, come here." He motioned for the youngest disciple to sit next to him. "Come one. Sit here." Once Si Yin was seated he continued. "Just now, it was like going back to the past for a bit. The days of riding horses, admiring peach blossoms and drinking in the Spring Palace. At that time, all of us would only bring you to a mortal world to play around. Only Ninth would watch after you as you studied. Ninth… what a pity."
Si Yin let out a laugh through her tears. "I remember one time when we drank too much. We were soaring on clouds. We went to Mount Junji of the Far East to see the sunrise."
"Yes, good thing it was very late at night." Second said remembering the event. "No mortals saw us soaring on clouds. Otherwise Master would've given us a good lecture."
"Okay." Senior said with a bit of enthusiasm. "When we're done making funeral arrangements for master let's go to Mount Junji of the Far East and watch the sunrise again." Everyone agreed and yet another toast was made. After a few more toasts were made, caused in some form by Si Yin, Bai Li realized her sister was trying to get them drunk. Soon enough the only people at the table still awake were her and her sister. I guess having a high alcohol tolerance is a good thing.
Si Yin made her way to the end of the table and kneeled to give a deep bow. "My fellow disciples. Goodbye." She stood up and turned to her sister.
"Sixth, we need to take Master's body somewhere no one will find it. We can't let them bury it." Si Lan nodded in understanding. She too had been wondering how they were going to keep Mo Yuan close to them. If they had the soul jade they could have allowed him to rest, but now that was impossible. It seems her usually troublesome sister had been thinking of a way.
The two sisters made their way to where Mo Yuan was. Si Yin ran in and kneeled next to his body. "Master, I am useless. I couldn't get the soul jade. To preserve your body, we have no choice but to bring you to Qing Qiu. Please forgive me." Si Yin used her immortal power to easily carry Mo Yuan before both the foxes turned to leave. Si Lan stopped to look back at the place she had been residing for several months. It was bittersweet.
They made pretty good timing by the time the sun came up. Both foxes had decided to drop their concealments since they were no longer needed. Sounds of beatings quickly flew through their ears. "Stay here." Bai Qian told her sister, who was currently carrying Mo Yuan's body.
Bai Li watched from behind a tree as her sister approached the three young men beating the female immortal. "Stop." Bai Qian demanded. The three men recognized the robes that Bai Qian was wearing. "That…she's from Kunlun Mountain." One of them said pointing a shaking stick in her direction, while they all three backed away. Soon the three took off leaving behind the beaten scared young woman.
"Don't you know how to retaliate when they hit you?" Bai Qian asked the cowering snake spirit. "If I retaliate, they beat me even more." Came the young woman's shaky response.
"So you'd just let them beat you to death?" Bai Qian asked. The young woman still didn't move but she did respond. "They won't be able to beat me to death."
"Hurry and go home." Bai Qian told her. She wanted to get to Qing Qiu before her fellow disciples came looking for her.
The female snake spirit finally moved and took a quick glance at her savior. "I don't have a home. I don't know who my mother and father are. I'm here at Kunlun Mountain for the divine energy. I trained for hundreds of years to get a human form."
Bai Qian kneeled down next to the girl. "If you don't have a family, how about I find you a new family?" That caught the young snake's attention. "A new family?
"It'll be in a beautiful place." Bai Qian summoned the wine flask she usually drank out of and held it out for the young woman to take. "Take this bottle as a message to this person and he will take you in." After the snake spirit took the bottle, Bai Qian continued. "Go to Ten-Mile Peach Tree Woods and find Bai Zhen." Finally, Bai Qian stood up and made her way back to her sister. She wanted to reach Qing Qiu by nightfall.
It was dark out when they finally made it to the chosen secluded cave in Qing Qiu. It was a cave that Bai Qian would often hide out in when in trouble. It would be the perfect place to hide Mo Yuan's body. So far, they had managed to stay undetected by the other disciples and even their family.
Bai Qian had stepped out to get some supplies. She promised her sister she would return before nightfall. Bai Li felt dizzy as she fed Mo Yuan her heart's blood. She had thought she would last longer, but it seems as though her wounds were finally catching up to her. Darkness filled her vision as she fell unconscious.
—
Bai Qian was returning from gathering supplies when she saw Zhe Yan, Fourth Brother and her parents enter the cave with Mo Yuan's body in it.
"Qian Qian!" They shouted but soon their cries changed. "Li Li!" Bai Qian quickly made her way into the cave. Something wasn't right.
"Li Li!" Her parent's cried trying to wake her sister. Zhe Yan meanwhile was using his magic on Mo Yuan. "I would expect this from Fifth Sister, but why would sixth do this?" Fourth brother asked aloud. "She did it to protect me. Because I was going to give my blood." Bai Qian said walking up to her family with her head slightly lowered. "How could either of you treat your lives so carelessly?" Bai Zhen scolded.
The Fox Queen moved to sit Bai Li up and against her chest. She held a finger up to her nose before looking at every one with a panicked expression. "What do we do? What do we do? She's having a hard time breathing. Come up with something! What do we do?"
All eyes turned to Zhe Yan. "Don't worry. We can save her. Don't worry." He told them. "Li Li fed a lot of blood from her heart to Mo Yuan. It's already very difficult for her to still be alive. Now, only cross essence repair can save her."
By now Bai Qian was extremely worried. She knew that getting blood from the heart was taxing, but not that it might cost them their lives. However, that was something Bai Li would have known. So why didn't she say anything? If something happened to her little sister, she would never be able to forgive herself.
"I'll do it." The Fox King said.
"It will take about half of your essence." Mo Yuan warned him.
He just looked at his wife and daughter. "If I can save Li Li, so what if I use half my essence?"
"No! You're the Fox King of Qing Qiu. You have to rule over the five lands. How can you just lose half of your essence like that? I'll do it." The Fox Queen said with tears in her eyes. However, before any of them could do anything, Zhe Yan spoke. "Hold on. Let me finish. Each immortal has a different breath. If we use too much essence in a cross repair it could affect our magic breath. In that case, you and Li Li could both fall into the demon path. Then you wouldn't be able to save Sixth Sister and would cause yourself harm."
The Fox Queen thought about it for a bit but decided to ignore the warning. "I can't worry about that now." She turned to look at her son. "Zhen Zhen, please have Zhe Yan leave."
"Mother!" Bai Zhen exclaimed at the same time his mother told him to hurry. It was times like this where Zhe Yan remembered where the rashness of the two female foxes came from. "Why are you always like this? Always so anxious. Let me finish."
The Fox Queen turned to look at Zhe Yan. "What?"
"I'm stopping you because we still need one more thing." He told her. But she was getting impatient. "What thing?"
"Divine fungal grass." Zhe Yan stated. "With that, you can purify your magic breath, which would protect both of you."
"Where is that grass?" The female matriarch asked.
"Yingzhou of the Eastern Sea." Zhe Yan turned to look at the other two men. "But Heavenly Father thought that this thing went against heavenly law so he had four beasts guard it." The Fox King must have understood which beasts Zhe Yan was indicating. "Those four beasts?"
"That is right those four beasts. Heavenly Father also gave them more than half of his essence." Zhe Yan turned to look at Mo Yuan's body. "Even if Mo Yuan was alive. I'm afraid we wouldn't be able to get anything from them either."
"Then why did you say not to worry we can save her?" Bai Qian asked him with tears streaming down her face. "I said we can save her, not that it would be easy." He reminded her.
"I'll go." The Fox King told them. He turned to leave when the queen said that she would go with him. "Mother, let me go." Bai Zhen took a step back but was soon stopped by his father. "All right. Don't fight over this. You guys stay here. Even if I can't fight them off you will still be able to lead Qing Qiu." The Queen's lip quivered but she didn't speak. Zhe Yan made his way over to his old friend. "Don't worry. Leave them with me. But you only have twenty-some hours. Go quickly and return quickly."
The Fox King put a grateful hand on Zhe Yan's arm before addressing his family. "Wait for me to come back." He quickly left, not wanting to waste any precious time.
After a few hours, Zhe Yan went to go and check on Bai Li's condition. She had been badly wounded and her body was unable to heal while she fed Mo Yuan from her heart. "Did you two know she was injured?" Zhe Yan turned to both Bai Zhen and Bai Qian. Bai Qian just shook her head negatively. However, Bai Zhen seemed deep in thought. "She took a hit during the last battle, but she said fine and didn't show any pain." He finally spoke.
"She was very injured. A normal immortal would have been bedridden for a while if they had a similar injury." Zhe Yan glanced back down at the foolish young fox. "Silly Girl! You shouldn't hide such injuries." Zhe Yan just shook his head. Bai Li was supposed to be the reasonable one. She probably hid her injuries so he would focus on her sister and the other disciples. Little Sixth's biggest weakness has always been her protective heart.
Several more hours passed and anxiousness was setting in. Bai Zhen had left the den to keep a look out for his father. When he finally did arrive, he was in pretty bad shape. However, he managed to get the divine fungus they needed. It was a tough night and soon everyone but the Fox Queen and Bai Qian had gone off to rest. Both women sat by Bai Li's side determined to be there when she woke.
It was morning before Bai Li started to stir. "You're awake." Her mother happily exclaimed. "Mother." Bai Li turned slightly. "I'm not dead?"
"I've cross repaired half of your essence. I've got your life back."
"Half of your essence… I am sorry. If only I had been stronger you wouldn't have had to sacrifice so much." Bai Li solemnly looked down at her hand.
Her mother shook her head. "Be stronger? You are already strong. Much stronger than most young women your age. However, doing something like that while injured. How could you be so reckless." Despite not usually being able to be part of her youngest daughter's life, she loved her precious little girl. She was an unexpected gift to the Bai family. It seems the little fox didn't realize how much she was treasured.
Bai Li looked around and realized that she was in her room at the Fox Den. "When did I get here? Where is Fifth Sister?"
Bai Qian moved to sit on the bed behind her mother. "I am here. We moved you here and Master to the Yanhua Cave. Mom said that it was the best place to preserve his body."
"That's good." Bei Wei smiled at her sister before turning to look at her mother. "I missed you Mother."
"I missed you too. You both have experienced so much since I last saw you." Her mother rubbed the back of her hand.
"I heard about your sister's ascension. It seems that she is still being tormented." The Fox Queen used her other hand to gently pat Bai Qian's head that was resting on her shoulders. "You used blood from your own heart to preserve the body of your sister's master. You've repaid your sister's debt she had when he protected her from the lightning. But Little Six, you must know that since Mo Yuan has used your blood to preserve his body he has to keep using it. He can't use another fox's." She paused to give Bai Qian a stern look. "Do you hear that as well Little Five?"
"Yes." Bai Qian nodded into her mother's shoulder.
Bai Li nodded. "I know, mother. But I made a promise to Mo Yuan that I intend to keep."
Her mother sighed and patted her hand. "You're awake." Zhe Yan said as he walked into the room. Bai Qian jumped up noticing the baby in Fourth brother's hands. "Is this my second brother's daughter?" she asked excitedly.
"Yes." Bai Zhen happily told her. "I've brought her over here for you to see her. Bai Li didn't get to see much of her either before she had to leave to keep a certain worrisome sister out of trouble." Bai Qian gave him a look before looking at her niece, following Bai Zhen as he moved close enough for Bai Li to see.
"She's so pretty." Bai Qian said smiling at the young baby. "She has a birthmark on her forehead. This birthmark…."
"A Phoenix Flower." The Fox Queen said smiling at her children and grandchild. "It's because of this phoenix flower and because she's born in September that I've named her Feng Jiu, an ordinary name. Combined with our last name Bai, her name is Bai Feng Jiu."
Bai Qian looked up in thought briefly before turning her attention back towards the baby. "Bai Feng Jiu? Little Feng Jiu, did you know that I tried to sneak down the mountain with Ninth to come see you? After many accidents, I ended up in Grand Ziming Palace."
"Fifth Sister, I don't mean to lecture you but in all the realms only you would dare to bring Mo Yuan's body out here with you, causing trouble with Kunlun Mountain and the Celestial Palace. Your fellow disciples are going crazy looking everywhere for you, Li Li and Mo Yuan. And How did you manage to convince Sixth Sister to allow it, let alone follow you?" Bai Zhen scolded. He had no doubt that the instigator was Qian Qian.
"I wanted to preserve my master, but because of my heavy injuries Sixth Sister had already decided that she was going to be the one to preserve his body. I couldn't let him be buried, so I took him here hoping to find a better way to preserve his body. Si Lan followed me to ensure I didn't do anything too reckless and to give blood."
Fourth Brother shook his head. "Do you remember that you're not actually Si Yin? You're Qing Qiu fox clan's Bai Qian." He turned to look at Bai Li. "And you are not actually Si Lan? You're Qing Qiu fox clan's Bai Li. You both have a mother, father and four brothers. Any one of us would have given our hearts blood should you have asked."
"Fourth Brother, I made a promise to Mo Yuan, not you. Besides, my blood is better suited since it has more magical properties than normal white nine-tailed foxes." Bai Li told him. "Silly girl." He snickered. However, her mother seemed to understand. "Little Six is right on both accounts. If she made the promise. It is her promise to keep. That is honorable. However, if Mo Yuan comes back one day. How is he going to repay all your kindness?"
"Mom's right." Bai Zhen stated. Perhaps it wasn't his job to intervene but he didn't like to see his sisters suffer.
"You… Alright forget it." She laughed. "Take care of Little Six. Your Dad and I are going to the Celestial Palace."
"Because of the new heir that was born?" Bai Zhen asked. The child's birth was causing quite the commotion across the realms. "Yes. Oh yeah, don't be too naughty." The queen said looking at Bai Zhen and Bai Qian. "Little Six is really weak right now. You can't play around with her."
Bai Li laughed at her mother's worry. "Don't worry, mother." Bai Zhen reassured. "Zhe Yan, Bai Qian and I will just chat with her and play with Feng Jiu."
Their mother's laugh caused all three siblings to look up at her. "Don't worry." They all said with a smile. "You three are the most alike. But you are also the most disobedient." She pointed at them. They all laughed knowing it was true.