Chapter Sixty: An Unexpected Shift in Heaven and Earth, Part 1

Let us set aside Su Su for now, as she transforms into her true demon form and proceeds toward the mysterious and unknown secret chamber. Meanwhile, at the edge of the swirling mists of Mount Jiuyi, an aged figure moves through the clouds, his features gradually emerging from the haze. This was none other than the most senior elder of Qingqiu, the sole survivor of the Dragon Court turmoil—Su Jing. His long beard was entirely white, his head radiant with spiritual light, and his face was aglow with a healthy crimson, the very image of an elderly man indistinguishable from any mortal. His snow-white fox robe was spotless, exuding an air of purity and sanctity.

“There is no need to be surprised. What you witnessed was merely the opening of the tomb,” a gentle voice echoed near the ears of the two young men.

This elder of Qingqiu, Su Jing, had served five centuries ago as the trusted strategist and deputy to General Bai Youran, surviving the chaos of the Dragon Court. None among his clan truly knew the depth of his cultivation; ever since Su the Great ascended to the throne, Su Jing had secluded himself from the world.

At a mere glance, Su Jing discerned that the two youths before him were anything but ordinary. The tall, upright one, judging by his attire, was not of the Jiuyi tribe, while the other, whose beauty was unrivaled, must surely hail from Qingqiu—for only those of the fox lineage could possess such captivating features. And yet, to Su Jing, this young man seemed oddly familiar.

As for the one who was not of Jiuyi, his bearing and appearance suggested an extraordinary origin. To stand before Su Jing so calmly was no simple feat. Though Su Jing had restrained his spiritual pressure, the young man, Hao Dan, withstood it in this place brimming with spiritual power; he was certainly no ordinary mortal.

Hao Dan, for his part, regarded this previously unmet elder of Qingqiu with great curiosity, especially since Su Moran—who remembered his childhood vividly—stood at his side. Yet Hao Dan was at a loss. He had come here by necessity, a stranger in this land, now confronted by someone who was, in a former life, his own descendant. He was torn as to how to respond, and, inevitably, found himself face to face with the elder.

“Junior Su Moran, twelfth in the Su lineage of Qingqiu, pays his respects to the honored ancestor,” Su Moran announced, stepping forward to kneel in greeting as Su Jing emerged from the mist.

“It has been many years. Have you grown, little one?” Su Jing smiled, hands clasped behind his back as he drifted from the clouds.

“After years of arduous study overseas, I returned due to the internal strife of Jiuyi. My purpose in coming here is—” Before Su Moran could finish, Su Jing interjected, forcibly halting his explanation.

“Your purpose is to seek my aid because Qingqiu is left leaderless after the Jiuyi infighting, and you wish for me to emerge and support the younger generation?” Su Jing asked, his words cutting to the heart of the matter.

“Is that not so, as I have said?”

“I dare not conceal the truth. Recent events have been sudden and dire. The crimson light that just enveloped the mountain was caused by Her Majesty the Empress of Qingqiu, the thirteenth, entering the White Emperor’s tomb. But my main reason for coming is this: the man by my side is the reincarnation of our clan’s Eastern Emperor. That is the first matter. The second is that the situation is urgent, and I implore you, honored ancestor, to assist our empress!” Su Moran replied.

“Crimson light shrouds the sun, the tomb opens, the White Emperor’s legacy is at stake—how could I interfere?” Su Jing gazed toward the distant red glow, seemingly unbothered. Then, suddenly, he turned to Hao Dan, his expression flickering—suspicion, delight, sorrow—emotions racing across his face, inscrutable.

“As for the reincarnation of the Eastern Emperor, I truly did not foresee this! Ha ha ha!”

“Honored ancestor, I swear it is true!” Su Moran remained kneeling, determined not to rise unless believed.

Seeing this, Su Jing stepped forward in an instant, gently pulling Su Moran to his feet, and laughed with pleasure. “How could I not believe? The moment I emerged from seclusion, I sensed a profound, hidden aura—one that shares the same root and spirit as our clan. Who could have imagined this was the aura of our demon emperor reborn?”

“Your worries are unfounded! For centuries, the White Emperor’s tomb has remained sealed. That Qingqiu’s Empress could now break the seal and enter proves she is strong enough to face what lies ahead. She is, no doubt, unharmed. The great Nine Palaces Star Array was just activated, drawing down power from the heavens. She is already within the White Emperor’s trials. By all signs, she is in no danger.”

“Thank you, honored ancestor, for your guidance,” Su Moran said, his anxieties melting away.

“I pay my respects to Your Majesty the Eastern Emperor!” said Su Jing, turning to Hao Dan, bowing low with genuine reverence.

“This—I cannot accept such honor! Please, elder, there is no need!” Hao Dan stammered, still worried for Su Su, but comforted by Su Jing’s words as Su Moran had been. Yet he was wholly unprepared for the elder’s sudden, respectful bow before him.

“There is no need for such restraint, Your Majesty. You were once the sovereign of our clan; you are worthy of this honor,” Su Jing said with a warm smile after straightening.

Seeing the elder’s kindness, and not wishing to appear discourteous, Hao Dan returned the salutation several times, bowing deeply.

In truth, Su Jing was not as mysterious as Hao Dan had expected. Only his white fox robe marked him as extraordinary; in all else, he seemed like any other mortal. Yet what truly unsettled Hao Dan was that, from the elder’s arrival until now, he felt no trace of spiritual power from him. Only the subtle pressure he had briefly endured indicated the elder’s profound cultivation, not to be underestimated.

“I am unworthy! Though you call me the reincarnation of the Eastern Emperor, I consider myself just a commoner. What is past is past; reincarnation is reincarnation. The affairs of my previous life are not to be confused with those of today. In this life, I am merely Hao Dan, a humble citizen beneath Mount Song, in Shangqiu.”

Su Moran, seeing Hao Dan’s stubborn resolve, could only turn aside with a helpless smile. He then addressed Hao Dan, “Your Majesty, let us speak of this later. There is another matter for which I brought you here today.”

With that, Su Moran looked toward Su Jing. The elder, wise as he was, understood at once and smiled. “This peak is called Mount Jiuyi. For countless generations, it has nurtured the nine branches of the demon clans, blessed by abundant spiritual power, the essence of heaven and earth, and the grace of the cosmos. It is here that our clan has endured through the ages. Though we have suffered decline, we have never fallen into oblivion. The most crucial reason is that, in ages past, Your Majesty once placed here the greatest treasures of heaven and earth—the Hetu and Luoshu.”

“Do you recall, Your Majesty?”

...

After hearing Su Jing’s words, a fleeting memory flashed through Hao Dan’s mind. Yet the thought was elusive, slipping away before he could grasp it, leaving him momentarily dazed.