Chapter 1298: The Sunset Immortal Mansion
Faced with an unexpected turn of events, Yi Feng frowned deeply, scratching the back of his head in confusion, unable to figure out where things had gone wrong.
Seeing his puzzled expression, the two men seemed to gradually come to their senses, nodding in approval as they explained everything.
"Not bad, you're quite impressive."
"To be honest, those two envoys were actually demons in disguise. The fact that you managed to kill them shows that your cultivation is far beyond that of an ordinary mortal star. You're truly a rare talent."
"To possess such combat prowess on a resource-scarce mortal star like Lanxing is truly extraordinary. It's no easy feat!"
They continued to heap praise on him.
Yi Feng finally understood—he had accidentally killed demons. What was supposed to be a crisis had turned into a merit? What the hell!
His expectations were dashed once again. Although it was a good thing, Yi Feng felt like he had swallowed a bitter pill, unable to voice his frustration. His face grew long with disappointment.
He had finally encountered people from a higher star, and even if the chances of success were slim, he couldn't miss this opportunity to seek death!
The more he thought about it, the more unwilling he became. Yi Feng quickly changed his tune, confessing his "misdeeds."
"Well..."
"Killing those demons was purely accidental."
"Actually, I'm not the Star Lord of Lanxing. I even broke the Star Lord's token, and the real Star Lord has already been killed by me!"
Since these two were the superiors of the Star Lord, they should be furious upon hearing this, right?
Yi Feng looked at them expectantly, only to see them pause for a moment before nodding with smiles.
"No problem."
"If you killed the Star Lord, it means your cultivation is even stronger. It's only natural for you to take his place."
"The position of Star Lord belongs to the virtuous. This is as it should be. As for the Star Lord's token, it's normal for it to be damaged occasionally. With the demons lurking, you've thwarted their infiltration plot, which is a great merit. Not only can you keep the position of Star Lord, but you can also accompany us to the higher star later. There's no issue with that!"
The praise became increasingly absurd, leaving Yi Feng at a loss.
Even after fabricating the story of killing the Star Lord, there were no consequences. Instead, because of his strong cultivation, he was being praised non-stop. The world was indeed a place where the strong ruled.
Before he could spout more nonsense, the handsome man looked at him with admiration, nodding with a smile.
"You've performed a great service, and your talent is extraordinary. Would you like to come with us to Yuanxing?"
"Our Yuanxing has always valued talent, regardless of origin. If you're willing to come, you'll receive better resources and won't waste your potential on a small star like Lanxing. What do you think?"
The praise was already over the top, and now they were offering him an olive branch. This was ridiculous!
Yi Feng felt utterly speechless and deeply disappointed. After all his efforts to provoke them, it had backfired completely. Was this some kind of joke?
Despite his frustration, seeing their genuine smiles, he reconsidered. Perhaps there was some truth to their words...
On Lanxing, even the Star Lord and Sea Lord were unwilling to fight him. The Demon Lord, whom he hadn't yet approached, was probably not worth counting on either. As for other beings, they were likely even weaker than the sea creatures he had encountered before—mere cannon fodder that couldn't even provide a decent challenge. It was a waste of time, only giving him a bit of experience without any real excitement.
Even if Yi Feng was unwilling to accept it, he had run out of opportunities to seek death.
Unless he went to a stronger star, like the Yuanxing these two mentioned, where he could encounter more powerful beings, there might still be a chance to fulfill his death-seeking plan.
This was the harsh reality.
With no other options left, after a moment of contemplation, Yi Feng nodded in agreement.
"Alright, I'll go with you."
The two men nodded, their eyes filled with satisfaction.
After a brief preparation, Yi Feng, who had no attachments left on Lanxing, set off with them.
They tore through the void, and the three of them stepped into it one after another, their presence vanishing from Lanxing...
When they emerged from the void, they were greeted by a serene landscape. The air was thick with spiritual energy, and the sky was filled with a radiant glow. A vast square bustled with people, each exuding an extraordinary aura.
Yi Feng followed the two men, passing by several glazed palaces.
They entered a towering immortal gate, revealing a hidden world.
Beyond countless palaces, a vast river stretched endlessly, separating the land. Floating peaks rose into the sky like immortal islands, with caves and mansions nestled among them. It was a dreamlike paradise.
After a few moments of flying, they finally stopped at a stunning island bathed in a radiant glow. The island spanned about a hundred miles, with rivers, forests, and mountains crisscrossing its terrain. Immortal birds and spirit beasts roamed freely, and elegant courtyards were nestled among the mountains. At the entrance, an inscription read "Sunset Immortal Mansion."
Before Yi Feng could take in more, the leading man turned to him with a smile.
"From now on, this will be your immortal mansion. All the resources on the island are yours. You can cultivate here in peace. We have urgent matters to attend to, so we'll take our leave now."
"If you encounter any difficulties, just send me a message."
With that, the man handed Yi Feng an ancient jade token, also inscribed with "Sunset Immortal Mansion," and infused it with a strand of his divine sense before disappearing into the clouds.
Holding the token, Yi Feng felt a slight sense of surprise.
Although his attempt to provoke them had failed, and his death-seeking plan had fallen through, coming to Yuanxing with them had its perks.
This man was indeed a good person.
At the very least, he had treated Yi Feng well, assigning him such a magnificent mansion right off the bat. A quick glance told him that this place was far superior to the surrounding mansions.
This was a pretty good start.
Even if he had no clear plan for the future, his current living situation was unexpectedly favorable.
Yi Feng leisurely put away the token and descended onto the island, heading straight for the courtyard.
As soon as he landed at the entrance, the courtyard seemed to come alive. The ancient wooden door slowly opened, revealing a garden filled with fragrant flowers and elegant pavilions. The three-sectioned courtyard was exquisitely designed, exuding an air of refinement.
Yi Feng stepped inside, feeling a sense of tranquility.
He casually took a seat inside the house, where fine tea and wine were already prepared on the table. The aroma alone told him they were of exceptional quality, adding to his comfort.
He brewed a cup of tea to wash away the dust of his journey, setting aside his recent troubles to enjoy the novelty and leisure of his new surroundings.
After a few days of getting accustomed to the leisurely life in the immortal mansion, Yi Feng began to settle in.
Every day, he would drink tea, admire the scenery, and practice calligraphy. In the morning, he would stand outside his door, gazing at the sea of clouds and the rising sun. In the evening, he would lean against the balcony, watching the birds and beasts frolic in the glowing mist. He finally felt like a true immortal, seemingly able to set aside all his worries.
In reality, Yi Feng had been using these moments of leisure to gather information and get to know his neighbors on the nearby immortal islands.
He hadn't come to Yuanxing to live a leisurely life but to seek death. This ultimate goal was always at the forefront of his mind.
As the saying goes, heaven rewards the diligent.
After several days of effort, Yi Feng finally managed to gather some basic information.
It turned out that this place was called Fengxue Island. The numerous immortal islands and mansions, along with the gathered treasures and resources, were all meant to cultivate elite talents. It was said that many influential figures had started their rise to fame on Yuanxing from Fengxue Island.
Looking at the rolling sea of clouds, Yi Feng couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
So, he had essentially entered a kind of immortal cultivation university. The starting point was indeed high, but it was too peaceful, which was frustrating.
As he brooded, a figure slowly descended.
A middle-aged scholar with a gentle smile greeted him politely.
"Brother Yi."
Yi Feng returned the greeting with a smile and invited the man inside for a chat.
This man, named Xu Qingyuan, was the first friend Yi Feng had made here. Perhaps because they both came from mortal stars, they naturally felt a sense of camaraderie. Yi Feng had enjoyed their conversations, and most of the information he had gathered came from this man.
After a few cups of fine wine, Xu Qingyuan sighed with a bitter smile, his eyes filled with envy.
"Brother Yi, you're truly fortunate."
"For cultivators like us from mortal stars, even making it to Fengxue Island is no small feat. We're usually looked down upon, but you've managed to secure the 'Sunset Immortal Mansion.' It's truly enviable!"
"Back on Beilixing, I was a big shot, but after all the hardships of climbing to Yuanxing, I've ended up like this. Time flies, and life is hard."
Seeing the man's drunken complaints and bitter expression, Yi Feng couldn't help but feel a sense of empathy.
The path of cultivation was long and arduous. After finally reaching the pinnacle of a mortal star, only to find oneself at the bottom of a higher realm, was a hard pill to swallow for anyone.
After all, not everyone had an unyielding, almost perverse determination. Such a blow was too great, and the psychological落差 was not something that could be easily overcome.
Taking the opportunity to clink glasses, Yi Feng offered some words of comfort.
"Brother Xu, don't be too hard on yourself. Since we've made it to Fengxue Island, with its abundant resources, as long as we work hard, we can still make a name for ourselves!"
Xu Qingyuan paused, then put down his cup with a bitter smile.
"Make a name for ourselves?"
"Brother Yi, you're thinking too simply. People from mortal stars like us are few and far between, and we're far behind the cultivators from higher stars in terms of resources and background. No matter how hard we work or how much we band together, we can't bridge the gap in status and hierarchy, let alone talk about making a name for ourselves."
"Some things can't be achieved through effort alone. The geniuses from higher stars are just too many. A single moment of enlightenment for them can erase ten thousand years of our hard work!"
"Not to mention the peerless talents on the Heavenly Ranking, even those on the Earthly Ranking are far beyond our reach."
After venting for a while, Xu Qingyuan's bitterness poured out, and Yi Feng grew increasingly curious.
"The Heavenly Ranking?"
Xu Qingyuan nodded solemnly, gazing out at the sea of clouds.
"The Heavenly Ranking is the most prestigious list on Fengxue Island. Those who make it onto the list are prodigies with extraordinary talent and are showered with endless resources. The Earthly Ranking is a step below, but even they receive treatment far beyond our imagination!"
"Think about it. Those geniuses from higher stars already have a terrifying starting point, and with such resources, how can we ever hope to compete?"
"Although making it to Fengxue Island is a rare opportunity for us, the reality of the gap between us is a form of torture!"
He took a swig of strong wine, his eyes filled with resentment!
Following his gaze, Yi Feng saw a towering statue standing proudly in the center of the sea of islands. Xu Qingyuan's eyes lit up with a spark of determination as he looked at it.
"Brother Yi, look."
"That statue is of the legendary founder of Fengxue Island. Tales of this ancient powerhouse abound and are still widely told to this day."
"This great figure established Fengxue Island, single-handedly supporting countless cultivators, resisting demon invasions, and maintaining the peace of the human race. He is the true epitome of greatness!"
"If it weren't for the inspiration of this great figure's legends, I might have already been bullied into losing my determination. I'm not afraid to admit it, Brother Yi. If I could one day achieve even a tenth of what this great figure accomplished, I would be content for life!"
After a long conversation filled with admiration and laughter, Xu Qingyuan finally left with a flushed face.
Yi Feng, deeply moved by the stories, gained a better understanding of the formidable background of Fengxue Island. After seeing off his friend, he lay back on his soft bed, lost in thought.
Fengxue Island was established to select elites to fight against demons, so there were bound to be many dangerous encounters.
This place seemed like the right choice. There would be plenty of opportunities to seek death in the future.
The night passed without incident.
Another morning dawned, bathing the countless immortal islands and mansions in light.
Among the many figures flitting between the islands, one stood out—a handsome young man dressed in luxurious robes, accompanied by a charming immortal maiden. His demeanor was confident, and several followers trailed behind him, all showing deep respect.
"Junior Sister, don't worry."
"We're old friends. Finding a suitable mansion for you is a trivial matter for me. Just point to any island you like, and I'll make sure you get it."
His confident and graceful words immediately elicited a grateful bow from the immortal maiden.
"Thank you, Senior Brother An."
Her graceful bow accentuated her slender figure, making the young man smile with satisfaction as he made his bold promise.
"Junior Sister, there's no need to be so polite."
"Such a small matter is nothing more than a casual word from me. Just pick whichever one you like, without any hesitation."
The woman's eyes shone with admiration as she nodded and looked around.
After a moment of contemplation, her eyes lit up, and she pointed to a nearby island.
"Senior Brother An, I find this immortal mansion quite elegant..."
Following her delicate finger, An Shixuan's eyes darkened for a moment upon seeing the inscription "Sunset Immortal Mansion," but he quickly masked it with a smile.
"Indeed, Junior Sister has a good eye."
"The Sunset Immortal Mansion is rich in resources and spiritual energy. The mansion itself was crafted by a master, and residing here can help one comprehend the Dao, far surpassing the surrounding mansions."