Chapter 13: The Fairy Hangs Her Sword, Its Qi Like a Rainbow

This was the last autumn rain before winter set in, carrying a chilling weight that fell abruptly before the sun reached its zenith.

Lead-black clouds collided overhead. Lightning writhed like giant serpents across the sea of clouds, followed by thunder that roared like mountains and surged like oceans.

Mists churned above Phoenix Lake. Inside the imperial city, pedestrians fled in panic. When the Bloodfeather Lord suddenly appeared on the walls, civil and military officials scattered. The adjoining palace halls, cloaked in dark clouds, resembled cages holding beasts.

Outside the State Master’s residence, hidden masters who had long waited for their chance were shaken by the sudden upheaval.

The Bloodfeather Lord’s reappearance was no trivial matter. Such a beast required a great cultivator to anchor the defense and dozens more to repel it.

Yet these forces had gathered only to kill Zhao Xiang’er. The demonic bird was never part of their calculations. They could not afford casualties for it. Besides, many present hailed from Ying and Rong. Why would they throw their lives away for Zhao’s crisis?

Torrential rain poured down as demonic energy raged atop the city walls. Amid thunderclaps and lightning, the Bloodfeather Lord’s shriek echoed across the capital, sharp and bloodthirsty.

The walls cracked under its trampling.

Yet it did not charge the palace directly. Instead, it raced along the ramparts, toppling watchtowers and trampling flags, leaving devastation behind.

By Phoenix Lake, Ning Xiaoling’s face went pale. She staggered backward, nearly falling into the water, before Ning Changjiu caught her arm.

“Senior… Senior Brother!”

She clutched his sleeve, rain pelting her face. Ahead, bricks collapsed in sheets, shaking the ground with each crash.

Ning Changjiu’s expression was equally grave. The monstrous bird ravaged the walls. Its devouring demonic power seemed restrained, but even from a distance, it chilled him.

“Let’s go. Home.”

Ning Xiaoling froze, then exhaled in relief. She had feared he might recklessly charge forward.

“Yes, Senior Brother!”

Fortunately, Zhao Shisong’s residence lay opposite the bird’s path.

As they left, Ning Changjiu kept glancing back. Ning Xiaoling covered her ears and ran, desperate to escape the creature’s screeches.

Chaos engulfed the imperial capital.

Years ago, when the Bloodfeather Lord first appeared, it swept through border towns and fortresses before reaching the capital. Back then, cultivators had been prepared.

This time, it arrived almost without warning. For twenty days, rumors of the Sparrow Demon had spread. When the Witch Sovereign spoke its true name—Bloodfeather Lord—people began to fear.

Back then, it had been defeated and forced to retreat. A beast of such power and vengeance surely nursed deep resentment.

Now, with the Empress absent, it had returned.

The city had already gathered strange birds. With its arrival, they rushed into the rain, circling it with cries like stars around the moon.

The Bloodfeather Lord flapped its wings. Watching the terrified crowds and excited birds, it sighed and crushed a brick underfoot.

Back then, it had been arrogant, believing this tiny kingdom beneath it. Even when ambushed and wounded by the Witchmaster, it had only thought itself too young. With more years, more power, it would rule the Southern Provinces.

Until it met that woman…

It shook off the thought. Among beasts, it was still young, but as it gazed down now, weariness filled its eyes.

The imperial city’s great formation was activated.

Yet with Zhao weakened and its emperor feeble, the formation felt more like a formality. Still, the beast did not move rashly.

Even a weak formation could hinder its retreat.

Its task was simple: create chaos, draw attention, and buy Zhao Xiang’er time.

She had warned: never let whimsy disrupt the plan. Know when to stop, or else…

At that thought, even this vicious beast shuddered. Truly, she was that woman’s daughter.

“Sigh… who would’ve thought that after years as a messenger pigeon, I’d develop professional ethics…”

It puffed its chest, stretched its wings, and opened its beak. Its voice, clear and sharp, rang through the city.

“Old witch dog! Back then you ambushed me and struck me with a sword. Today, Heavenly Lord returns stronger than ever. Hiding behind your turtle shell—dare you face me in fair battle?”

It cleared its throat.

“I hear a wench of the Sword Decree Heavenly Sect is here. Listen—this is between me and that old witch dog. Do not interfere. Otherwise…”

Before it could finish, the palace gates swung open.

From the darkness, a white figure emerged.

At once, the rain threads drew toward her, converging into sword energy. A dazzling white light shot out, stretching across the city. Every raindrop shone with murderous intent.

A white rainbow pierced the sky.

Sword energy surged. The sound of the blade echoed. The distance of hundreds of zhang vanished in an instant.

The Bloodfeather Lord’s pupils shrank, his eyes reflecting the blinding light.

He cursed inwardly. The Immortal Sects never changed—claiming detachment while meddling in all things.

Calculating quickly, he steeled himself and charged.

Rain poured, clouds split.

Above the palace, crimson and white figures clashed. Sword qi crisscrossed. Demonic light raged. Roofs collapsed under the violent energy, and tiles ground to dust.

Ning Xiaoling covered her ears, staring upward.

The Bloodfeather Lord’s form loomed, but the Sword Decree woman was elusive, carried by her sword qi. From afar, she was a vision of snow and steel.

“Is… that what an immortal looks like?”

“They are indeed immensely powerful,” Ning Changjiu answered.

“Senior Brother, can we become that powerful someday too?”

“Junior Sister has extraordinary talent. If you cultivate diligently and avoid demonic paths, you will surely attain perfection.”

She pursed her lips, tasting rain.

“Senior Brother, you mustn’t lie to me.”

“Of course not.”

“But… what if one day I accidentally choose the wrong path?”

Ning Changjiu replied calmly:

“Slay the demon. You stay.”

For an instant, an icy glint flashed in her eyes. She raised her hand behind his back.

Before her fingers touched him, Ning Changjiu caught her wrist and smiled.

“When gods fight, mortals suffer. We should return soon.”

She snapped back to herself as he pulled her away toward Zhao’s residence.

“Ouch…” she muttered, twisting her arm.

At the courtyard, she fumbled with the key, glancing skyward with fear and reluctance.

The gate opened. She circled behind and pushed her senior brother inside.

“Senior Brother, you mustn’t meddle in others’ affairs anymore. This city is terrifying. If something happens to you, I won’t be able to carry you away.”

In the Undying Forest, the Witchmaster’s Hall opened silently.

He had heard the beast’s shout but did not move.

Only when the sword light flared did he put aside his book, though he still held it open.

This ancient text was the Witch Lords’ true legacy, recording the city’s history as if alive.

He turned to the final page, refined with his blood. An oracle appeared:

“Xingtian’s law, earth’s decree,
Sacrificed by city-state.”

He never understood it, yet he felt murderous intent in its words.

Staring at the rain, his aged frame trembled.

“Could it be… today?”

His gaze fell on an ancient well before the hall. He dismissed the thought.

Only he and the State Master knew its secret. Even if Zhao Xiang’er knew, she would not be foolish enough to climb down. And if she did… all the better. Death would come either way, sparing him the trouble.

He turned to a black-winged parrot on a rack.

“Tell Qiu Li: the plan remains unchanged. Continue watching the Grand Sage’s residence. Ignore that beast in the sky—I’ll handle it.”