Chapter 16 Part 1
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Chapter 16: Then Say Goodbye to You in the Most Magnificent Gesture! (1)
—
Qing Luan.
A name derived from a legendary bird.
In the Book of Mountains and Seas, it is written that in Sanwei Mountain to the west, three green birds reside. These birds are called Qing Luan.
In the world Bai Lian came from, myths described Qing Luan as a divine bird often accompanying the Queen Mother of the West, its call resembling the Phoenix. While the Battle of the Gods does not include figures like the Queen Mother or the Jade Emperor, Qing Luan still holds a revered status—second only to the four divine holy beasts.
If allowed to grow unhindered, Qing Luan is destined to ascend to the Immortal World, its power formidable enough to make gods and Buddhas tremble. It is one of the pinnacle holy beasts, a creature revered throughout the ages.
—
The sudden change caught everyone off guard.
Just moments ago, Yunluo Peak was shrouded in clouds, the sun hidden behind a dim sky. But in the blink of an eye, brilliant seven-colored lights descended from the heavens, engulfing the entire peak in dazzling radiance. Even the most magnificent aurora paled in comparison to this breathtaking sight.
As the radiance spread, countless glowing stars rained down. These weren’t mere special effects but gifts imbued with extraordinary vitality, born from the divine bird’s fiery rebirth.
The transformation was miraculous:
Withered grass revived, lush green blanketing the land.
Burnt trees regrew, their branches sprouting vibrant new leaves.
Charred trunks writhed and surged with life, whispering, “I am alive!”
Outside the main hall, a low-ranking disciple tentatively reached out to catch a star fragment.
Then…
His head began to smoke, his skin turned crimson, and his legs twitched uncontrollably.
“Ah, ah, ah! I’ll fight ten at once!”
Fueled by an inexplicable energy, the disciple grabbed a lance and bolted down Yunluo Peak, charging straight toward the nearby town.
The other disciples were unfazed by this oddity, too captivated by the ethereal scene above.
“What… is that?”
Someone pointed upward, their voice trembling with awe.
Emerging from the glow were five enormous, feathered tails. Cyan and speckled with radiant blue, they glimmered like jewels, captivating all who beheld them.
“This… This is…”
Sect Leader Jue Yunzi, normally composed and scholarly, rubbed his eyes in disbelief. But no matter how much he blinked, the sight remained unchanged.
Damn it!
“Qing Luan!”
Even with his extensive knowledge, Jue Yunzi couldn’t suppress a curse. His thoughts were a chaotic swirl.
Why had Qing Luan—a divine beast said to have vanished thousands of years ago—suddenly appeared here, at the Duxian Sect?
Then it hit him.
The glow had originated from Qing Luan’s room!
Could it be…?
Jue Yunzi stiffened, his mind racing.
Before he could act, Elder Xu had already darted toward the room. Yan Yue wasn’t far behind.
“Qing Luan!” Elder Xu shouted.
“Bai Lian!” Yan Yue called.
But both froze at the doorway.
The entrance was veiled by a thin, shimmering water film. It looked fragile, as though a single touch could shatter it. Yet, it held them both firmly at bay.
From within, a voice echoed:
“I want to be alone.”
Elder Xu and Yan Yue exchanged confused glances. The voice was unmistakably Bai Lian’s.
—
Inside, Bai Lian stood frozen, her gaze fixed on the heavens.
Through the VIP vantage, she had an unobstructed view of the magnificent creature dominating the sky:
Qing Luan.
Her form resembled a phoenix, though less aggressive in demeanor. She shared the elegance of a peacock, though without its gaudiness.
How majestic.
Bai Lian’s thoughts wandered. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have such a creature as a mount?
She shook her head fiercely, dispelling the ridiculous notion.
“Damn it!” she muttered, clenching her fists.
What about the Qing Luan she knew? Why had she suddenly become… this?
—
Bai Lian glanced toward the creature circling in the sky, its dazzling tail feathers tracing arcs of light. Many others must have seen this transformation.
This is bad.
A sinking feeling gripped Bai Lian. Her usually composed demeanor cracked.
For a long while, the air between them was silent, tense. Eventually, Qing Luan descended. She landed gracefully on the cliff outside the room, her massive frame towering over Bai Lian.
—
Bai Lian craned her neck upward.
Since when did I become “delicate” and “soft”? she wondered.
She frowned. This is no waifu… this is a colossal beast!
Qing Luan’s wings drooped slightly, her demeanor subdued. She spoke hesitantly, her voice soft yet unmistakably familiar:
“Martial Sister Bai Lian.”
Bai Lian blinked.
That voice. It was the same voice as her younger martial sister, Qing Luan.
“…Younger Martial Sister Qing Luan?” she replied, her voice tentative.
Qing Luan’s heart fluttered with relief. She had feared Bai Lian wouldn’t recognize her—or worse, wouldn’t accept her.
For her, this transformation was just as shocking. She had expected her Tao heart to shatter after being broken, but instead, she had been reborn, ascending to the form of the holy bird Qing Luan.
—
It’s too much, Qing Luan thought wistfully.
If given a choice, she would have remained the same Qing Luan—small, unassuming, and just tall enough to rest her head against Martial Sister Bai Lian’s shoulder.
Now, that simple comfort seemed like a distant dream.
