Chapter 448: Fire Phoenix Shining Feathers Marriage Behind

At the peak of the Three Thousand Worlds of the Western Kingdom, Zhao Xianger’s black robe, loosely open at the front, fluttered in the wind. She gently raised a hand to shield her forehead, arranging her hair, which cascaded past her waist and hips like a dense dark cloud.

The surface of the Three Thousand Worlds shimmered with a faint, light-colored glow, like a fragile bubble.

Zhao Xianger silently perceived these Three Thousand Worlds.

She could clearly feel that these Three Thousand Worlds belonged to her; this was her true power. Not only could these three realms traverse above the mortal world, but each world within them slowly rotated, and from their centers, unimaginable energy seemed ready to burst forth at any moment.

However, her current strength was not yet enough to truly dominate the Three Thousand Worlds.

She sensed the world, maintaining a perfect connection with it as always.

Besides that, she would occasionally gaze at the firmament or check on Ning Changjiu’s progress.

Ning Changjiu was still meditating, regulating his spiritual energy. His spiritual energy circulation was almost perfect, and his cultivation realm should be second only to Ye Changong, who held three authorities. It was just a pity that this was within her world…

As Zhao Xianger thought of this, a slight resentment arose in her heart. When they first met, he was just a young Daoist priest standing in the crowd, watching her. She never expected that their marriage contract and past life entanglements would carry them through the tides of time to this day. Without the Three Thousand Worlds to rely on, she was actually no match for him.

As Zhao Xianger thought this, scenes of him flirting with other women reappeared in her mind. Not to mention Lu Jiajia and Siming, but even Liu Xihuan and Liu Junzhuo…

Hmph, tomorrow, I'll beat you until you beg for mercy on your knees!

She observed Ning Changjiu. On his handsome and refined face, a troubled expression occasionally appeared, as if he was vexed about something.

Zhao Xianger knew he must be conjuring some devious plan again. But it didn't matter; her Pure Yang authority could perfectly evade any of his surprise attacks. She only needed to use the Three Thousand Worlds, and sheer force would overcome any strategy.

Thinking this, the young woman lay on the barrier of the Three Thousand Worlds, gazing at the starry sky, her figure casually drifting downward.

In an immortal pavilion, Siming tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The events of the past two days made her increasingly angry. She sat up on the bed, hugging her knees, chin resting on them, her cheeks slightly puffed out as she sulked.

When Ning Changjiu returned to the room, he saw Siming sitting on the edge of the bed. She had taken a pillow, placed it on her knees, and was hitting it furiously, muttering Zhao Xianger’s name. The pillow was pounded out of shape, and goose feathers flew everywhere.

“Alright, stop taking it out on the pillow,” Ning Changjiu said, gently taking her hand and sitting beside her.

Siming threw the pillow hard at him. “Don’t pretend to be a good person! Didn’t you help her bully me today?”

Ning Changjiu gave a wry smile. “Isn’t it because you used the sound-recording stone to complain?”

Siming glared at him, her voice softer. “Anyway, it’s all your fault…”

She clutched the pillow tightly and said, “Am I destined to be bullied?”

Ning Changjiu ruffled her hair. “Xue’er, as long as you don’t think about bullying others, you naturally won’t be bullied. Look at how well Jiajia gets along with everyone.”

Siming said angrily, “That’s because Jiajia is foolish and submissive! I don’t want to be as foolish as her!”

Ning Changjiu smiled faintly. “Alright, Xue’er isn’t foolish. Xue’er is the cleverest.”

Siming grew even angrier. “Are you trying to trick a foolish girl?”

Ning Changjiu almost nodded, but seeing Siming’s murderous expression, he merely offered an ambiguous smile. Siming looked at his smile and felt it was carved from the same mold as Zhao Xianger’s, making it incredibly irritating.

Siming leaned closer to his face and said seriously, “Tomorrow’s battle, you must win, not lose, understand?!”

Ning Changjiu said bitterly, “I want to win too, but Xianger is in an invincible position here. I’ve been racking my brains for a long time and can’t think of a way. How about you, Military Advisor Xue’er, help your husband strategize?”

Siming’s long hair seemed to burn with the color of anger.

She stared at Ning Changjiu for a while, and eventually the frost in her eyes dissipated. Her slender shoulders sagged slightly, and she lowered her eyelashes in discouragement. “Never mind. You’re definitely on that girl’s side. Not to mention you can’t win; even if you could, I bet you’d still let her have her way. Hmph, just watch me and Jiajia lie across that wicked woman’s left and right legs, letting her bully us, from now on.”

After Siming finished speaking, she looked up, saw Ning Changjiu’s thoughtful expression, and paused. Then she swung her fist at him. “You’re not actually looking forward to that scenario, are you?!”

Ning Changjiu blocked Siming’s fists, smiling and begging for mercy.

After Siming tired of hitting him, she tidied her hair, her demeanor a little calmer. She slowly got up, walked to the mirror, and handed him a comb, saying, “Comb my hair.”

Ning Changjiu was reminded of their time in Myriad Demon City. He skillfully walked behind Siming, took the wooden comb, and looked at Siming’s ancient, world-shattering beauty reflected in the mirror.

The comb’s teeth glided through her hair.

This tranquility didn’t last long. Outside the door, Zhao Xianger’s figure appeared like a ghost.

She stepped over the threshold into the pavilion, whose floor was made of glazed glass. The cloud-like ornaments drifted gently. With her arrival, the entire pavilion began to rotate like a music box, emitting a tinkling sound like a bubbling spring.

Ning Changjiu looked at her, his hand pausing as he combed.

Zhao Xianger’s petite and exquisite figure stopped beside Siming. She also sat down in front of a dressing mirror nearby. As her body slightly bent, the tiles beneath her rose like smoke and clouds, forming a seat that supported her.

Zhao Xianger also said, “Comb my hair.”

Siming looked at her. The young woman’s lips held a smile, elegant and confident.

Siming was at a loss, not daring to be disrespectful to her. Yet she managed to maintain a defiant but not arrogant demeanor, gently saying, “Husband, why are you dawdling? You haven’t finished combing my hair.”

Zhao Xianger also said, “Comb my hair now, and I can make things easier for you tomorrow.”

Ning Changjiu looked at them and said, “I don’t have the ability to transform into three pure ones, you know.”

Zhao Xianger said in annoyance, “You want to juggle multiple relationships just to comb hair?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t dare,” Ning Changjiu said, a headache setting in.

“Wouldn’t dare?” Zhao Xianger brought up old grievances. “In our first life, you took advantage of my gentle and kind nature, and how I was always obedient to you, so I indulged you a bit. Hmph, don’t even think about getting away with it now!”

“Gentle and kind?” Siming asked in surprise. “Sister Xianger actually had a life like that?”

Zhao Xianger scoffed, “What do you know? Even Master praised me as gentle and kind, beautiful in both character and appearance.”

“Really?...Master, she…” Siming thought, *Master certainly knows how to comfort people.*

Zhao Xianger glanced at her coolly. “Does little sister Xueci have something to say? Do you want to kneel and get another slap from your sister?”

“I…” Siming’s demeanor dropped even lower. “N-no, I don’t want to.”

Zhao Xianger nodded in satisfaction. She looked at Ning Changjiu and said, “What are you still standing there for?”

Siming also glared at Ning Changjiu from the mirror, warning him with her eyes.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, a Golden Crow flew out, and Lu Jiajia’s figure emerged. She smiled gently, walked behind Zhao Xianger, took the wooden comb, and said, “Let me comb Xianger’s hair.”

Zhao Xianger paused slightly. “Jiajia, how are you here?”

Lu Jiajia explained, “I just went to the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom to cultivate my sword art. Although I am now the Hall Master of the Sword Master Hall, my talent and aptitude are not as good as yours, so I naturally need to practice more diligently.”

As Lu Jiajia spoke, she had already begun to comb Zhao Xianger’s hair.

Her slender, snow-white fingers delved into the young woman’s dark hair, like white snow drifting through the vanishing night.

Zhao Xianger looked at Lu Jiajia’s dignified and gentle appearance in the mirror and did not stop her from combing her hair. She simply said, “Jiajia, you’re so gentle and obedient, it really benefits this villain.”

Lu Jiajia softly said, “I’m not gentle and obedient…”

“Don’t deceive yourself,” Zhao Xianger said with a slight smile. “For the past two days, Jiajia has been as docile as a child just starting school. I remember Jiajia wasn’t like this before. Oh, is it his doing again, training my cool and aloof Sword Sect Master fairy out of existence?”

Lu Jiajia stubbornly replied, “I haven’t changed! I’ve always been your Senior Sister!”

Zhao Xianger dismissed it, saying, “Yes, it’s just a pity this isn’t an unobservable dream realm, but the Three Thousand Worlds. Sister Lu, being like this is great, saves you from embarrassing yourself like little sister Xueci.”

The three of them listened to her words, and seeing the young woman’s arrogant demeanor, dared not say much.

Zhao Xianger’s emotions had been suppressed for too long, and she felt a sense of exhilaration. She just waited for tomorrow to properly deal with them and establish her status as second only to Master.

Lu Jiajia’s cheeks puffed out slightly. Finally, with a doting gesture, she ruffled Zhao Xianger’s hair a little, then combed it again for her.

“I know, Xianger is heaven, Xianger is the strongest,” Lu Jiajia said, pinching her cheek.

Zhao Xianger placed her hands on her lap and smiled faintly at the mirror. “Mm, Sister Lu is the best too.”

After her hair was combed, Zhao Xianger rose to leave. Her dragon robe trailed on the ground, flowing like water ripples.

As usual, she slightly revealed her fragrant shoulders and delicate back, allowing Ning Changjiu to see but not touch. She then gave a captivating smile at the doorway. While Ning Changjiu could still maintain his composure at this smile, Siming was already grinding her teeth in anger.

“Too arrogant! Too arrogant!”

Siming was destined not to sleep tonight.

She paced back and forth in the room, looking at Ning Changjiu. “What kind of cultivation technique are you practicing?”

Ning Changjiu replied, “Mountain Shield Defense Art.”

Siming said in despair, “Are you giving up on winning completely?!”

Ning Changjiu replied with a 'what-the-hell' attitude, “Just take a good beating honestly. Xianger can’t kill me, can she?”

“I’ll kill you!” Siming lunged at him.

Ning Changjiu begged for mercy. “Xue’er, please don’t disturb my cultivation. With these internal troubles and external threats, even a god couldn’t hold on.”

Siming hummed softly. She looked at Lu Jiajia and said, “Jiajia, you should also think of a solution!”

Lu Jiajia said innocently, “What solution can I think of? I just hope everyone can get along harmoniously.”

Siming sighed in discouragement. “You’re right. I actually ended up counting on Jiajia.”

Lu Jiajia wasn’t annoyed; she smiled elegantly, like a blooming white camellia.

The starry night sky faded with time. The sun rose in the distant east. The Three Thousand Worlds, bathed in sunlight, awoke in silence, transforming once more into an immortal realm of clouds and mist.

Ning Changjiu and Zhao Xianger were about to commence their final battle within these Three Thousand Worlds.

Siming walked out dispiritedly, no longer holding any hope for Ning Changjiu’s victory.

Lu Jiajia quietly comforted her.

The thought of enduring that young girl’s temper for the long years to come made Siming even more dejected.

In the open sky, Ning Changjiu and Zhao Xianger stood facing each other.

Ning Changjiu held a slender silver sword, his robes flowing. Zhao Xianger held an old red umbrella, her dragon robe unfurling.

As Siming had predicted, there was indeed little suspense in this battle.

Within the Three Thousand Worlds, Zhao Xianger was like a divine being, simply incomparable.

Ning Changjiu was already powerful enough, even possessing strength that nearly broke the world’s limits. Yet, he was still a hair’s breadth away from true divine power.

This slight difference was enough to extinguish all chances of victory or defeat for him in this place.

In the sky, fire ignited behind Zhao Xianger. The flames outlined the manifestation of a three-tailed true phoenix. The phoenix embraced Zhao Xianger’s delicate body, and surging flames flowed around her. With one hand, she drew her umbrella-sword; with the other, she casually conjured famous swords of the world. Swords danced with the movement of her fingers, unleashing sharp, keen sword qi.

Ning Changjiu watched the sword qi tearing towards him like a howling hurricane. He summoned his Asura Golden Body, moving and shifting within it to evade Zhao Xianger’s attacks, waiting for an opportunity to counterattack.

But Zhao Xianger gave him no chance at all.

She stood high above, and her figure plummeted. In an instant, the hundred-zhang distance between them vanished. A fragrant breeze wafted past his ears, accompanied by Zhao Xianger’s fist.

The defensive technique Ning Changjiu had practiced last night finally came into play. Scale-like defenses were constructed in the void to block Zhao Xianger’s fist wind.

With a single thought from Zhao Xianger, the world’s rules changed. These defenses became as fragile as paper and were instantly ripped away.

The fist landed solidly.

“When you were chatting and laughing with other girls, did you ever think of today?” Zhao Xianger asked coolly.

Ning Changjiu retreated rapidly, knowing he was in the wrong. He didn't retort or add fuel to the fire, letting Zhao Xianger vent her emotions.

Zhao Xianger flew alongside him, maintaining the same speed. She was almost glued to Ning Changjiu as she flew, her expression leisurely.

“Today, I’ll give you a proper tour of the Three Thousand Worlds.”

Saying this, the young woman grabbed him, and their figures plummeted from high altitude.

The wind whistled past their ears. The sea of flowers below swayed slowly in their sight.

Every flower here concealed a world within it.

They instantly entered the world of flowers.

Ning Changjiu was pulled by Zhao Xianger, freely traversing through myriad worlds. His Daoist arts were completely suppressed, leaving him utterly defenseless. He allowed the young woman to lead him through the heavens and earth, wandering through worlds that were nearly infinite.

“Three Thousand Worlds…” Ning Changjiu murmured softly.

“Do you remember anything?” Zhao Xianger asked.

Ning Changjiu vaguely recalled some ancient memories. “I only remember that the Three Thousand Worlds are very beautiful, and one could not finish seeing them even in a lifetime.”

Zhao Xianger did not fully grasp the meaning of his words. She merely said proudly, “With me overseeing them, the Three Thousand Worlds naturally possess unparalleled beauty.”

Ning Changjiu said, “Can I surrender now?”

“Coward!” Zhao Xianger said scornfully.

“If Miss Zhao has some backbone, shall we fight outside?” Ning Changjiu retorted indignantly.

“Less talk! Just take it.”

Zhao Xianger dragged him as she sped up into the sky, the barrier of the Three Thousand Worlds looming close.

Siming looked up at the vast sky and saw colorful clouds rippling across it. Then Ning Changjiu’s figure plummeted straight down, with Zhao Xianger closely following, circling provocatively beside him.

“Sigh, as expected, a battle with no suspense,” Siming said, unable to watch any longer.

Lu Jiajia sat nearby, comforting her. “Don’t worry. An arrogant army is bound to be defeated. Xianger is so pleased with herself right now, she might reveal a weakness later.”

Siming said, “Oh, foolish Jiajia. Weaknesses are only effective in evenly matched battles. In the Three Thousand Worlds, no trick can escape her notice.”

Lu Jiajia did not reply, merely gazing quietly into the distance.

The battle was completely one-sided, yet Ning Changjiu did not give up resisting. His silver sword and the umbrella-sword exploded with electrical arcs in the air. He unleashed all his Daoist arts, fighting Zhao Xianger with all his might, trying to find a way to break the limits of the Three Thousand Worlds.

Zhao Xianger unhurriedly dismantled his sword techniques, but inwardly she was secretly astonished. She felt fortunate that she hadn't acted impulsively and truly dueled him outside.

During the sword fight, Zhao Xianger snapped her fingers.

Day and night inverted in the Three Thousand Worlds.

In the area where they were, everything plunged into darkness.

Time seemed to revert to their three-year pact. Zhao Xianger unleashed her authority over the world, and Shen Tu and Yu Lei traced elegant arcs in the darkness, like newly drawn eyebrows on a young woman’s face.

Ning Changjiu’s sword intent was firmly suppressed by her.

And just like years ago, after finishing a set of sword techniques, light flared. Her dragon robe had transformed into a phoenix dress, and the young woman, smiling, thus demonstrated her invincibility within the world.

She changed her clothes while dueling with swords; all the garments were well-tailored, accentuating her youthful and beautiful figure. She was like a clear lotus blooming for the first time above water, every inch of her skin exuding the unique beauty of a young woman.

Ning Changjiu knew she was seducing him, and he was indeed truly tempted. He wanted to conquer her arrogance, but the world’s rules firmly bound his hands and feet.

“Still not planning to use the Golden Crow?” Zhao Xianger said. “This is your only chance.”

Ning Changjiu was forced to retreat step by step, feeling suffocated. He forced himself to remain calm and said, “Miss Zhao doesn’t need to remind me.”

Zhao Xianger gave a faint sneer and delivered another punch.

Ning Changjiu was sent crashing into the world of another flower.

He stared at Zhao Xianger’s figure, no longer hesitating. His Taiyin Eye opened, locking onto her. At the same time, he drew his divine bow; an arrow was on the string and whistled out.

Zhao Xianger evaded it with her Pure Yang authority.

Accompanying the arrow was a Golden Crow.

If it were an ordinary person, they would likely have been absorbed by the Golden Crow while dodging the arrow.

But Zhao Xianger saw through everything. Her fire wings, condensed on her back, fluttered like a dragonfly’s. Her figure flashed. She widened the distance from Ning Changjiu, evading the Golden Crow.

“Is that all?” Zhao Xianger asked.

Her evasion power had entered a state of cooldown, but this period of inactivity was very short. She only needed to maintain her distance from Ning Changjiu during this time to remain completely invincible.

She dodged the Golden Crow’s attacks, her body darting through the void like a fish, and put on her last opulent dress.

It was the phoenix dress worn by Xi He in her previous life.

Her skin, whiter than ivory, glowed with a dreamlike radiance at that moment. Light and shadow from all corners of the world converged, each line uniquely outlining her features.

This was how she looked when she was the Sun Goddess.

The phoenix dress fluttered in the wind. Zhao Xianger slightly loosened her attire, drifting near and far in front of Ning Changjiu.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to avenge big sister Xueci? Didn’t you say you wanted to discipline me with family rules? Surely, my dear husband isn’t just all talk?”

Zhao Xianger smiled faintly. When she moved close to Ning Changjiu, her thin, upturned lips almost touched his. But as Ning Changjiu leaned forward, her figure abruptly drifted away.

One of the world’s most beautiful women was before him, yet she was visible but unattainable.

She was taking her revenge on him like this.

“Don’t beg for mercy later,” Ning Changjiu said, as if he had finally reached his limit.

With the divine bow in hand, the Golden Crow flew out with the arrow.

“Same old trick?” Zhao Xianger shook her head, scoffing, “Are you out of ideas?”

She easily dodged the arrow using her Pure Yang authority.

Ning Changjiu had no time to retract the arrow. Zhao Xianger’s figure reappeared, and she sent him flying with a single palm strike.

The Golden Crow flapped its wings and continued forward. It actually flew into Lu Jiajia’s embrace.

Lu Jiajia was a little flustered.

She gently stroked the Golden Crow’s feathers and suddenly let out a soft “Huh? What is this?”

Siming turned her head and saw that Lu Jiajia had taken a stone from the Golden Crow’s radiance.

“Did the Golden Crow lay an egg?” Siming quipped.

Then, she immediately realized something was wrong.

“This, isn’t this…” Siming exclaimed in surprise, “Isn’t this a sound-recording stone?”

This statement also caught Zhao Xianger’s attention, who was nearby.

Zhao Xianger cast her gaze towards them.

Her figure arrived in an instant.

“A sound-recording stone?” Zhao Xianger looked at the stone in Lu Jiajia’s hand, a puzzled expression on her face. “Let me see it.”

Lu Jiajia obediently handed over the stone, holding the Golden Crow to herself.

Zhao Xianger examined it for a moment, then exchanged glances with Siming. Shock appeared in both their eyes.

“How is this one…”

This sound-recording stone was identical to the one from yesterday, but they were certain these were not the same stone.

Zhao Xianger and Siming figured it out simultaneously.

They both looked at Ning Changjiu.

“Aha! So you switched the stones!”

Zhao Xianger infused spiritual energy into it for a final confirmation.

A voice emerged:

“Between me and Zhao Xianger… who is prettier?”

It was Siming’s voice.

Siming was now convinced that Ning Changjiu was behind this trick. So, he was the traitor! Siming was instantly filled with rage and wanted to encourage Zhao Xianger to beat him severely.

Ning Changjiu dared not let her listen further. He activated his Taiyin authority and shot another arrow.

Zhao Xianger also evaded it with her authority.

Meanwhile, the sound-recording stone continued to play, revealing Siming’s smiling voice:

“I was just asking casually, feel free to say.”

Zhao Xianger listened intently.

In the sound-recording stone, Ning Changjiu was about to answer.

A flicker of confusion crossed Siming’s mind. If Ning Changjiu had swapped them, why would it contain private conversations between her and Lu Jiajia?

It was at this very moment that Lu Jiajia tossed out the Golden Crow from her embrace, like an old hen.

Zhao Xianger’s Pure Yang authority was still in cooldown. She had never suspected Lu Jiajia. The moment the Golden Crow pounced, her consciousness was still focused on the sound-recording stone, and she didn’t react clearly to the sudden scene.

The next moment, Zhao Xianger, Lu Jiajia, and Siming all found themselves inside the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom.

Ning Changjiu also entered.

Zhao Xianger looked at Lu Jiajia, shocked. “Jiajia, you… how could you…”

Besides Lu Jiajia, the most astonished was Siming. She looked at the woman she had scorned as “foolish Jiajia” and felt a sense of unreality.

Lu Jiajia clasped her hands behind her back, her features still gentle. Yet, a smile could not be hidden in her clear, autumnal eyes.

“Xianger, I told you long ago that your Sword Sect Master, the cool and aloof fairy, hasn’t changed. Besides, big sister warned you yesterday not to act so domineeringly. Why didn’t you listen?”

Zhao Xianger recalled their previous conversation and suddenly realized. So Lu Jiajia had been speaking with hidden meaning all along…

She was the one who had hidden the deepest!

Lu Jiajia crossed her arms, approached the young woman, and said, “When one’s mind is most concentrated, that’s also when one is most vulnerable. Xueci already taught you this lesson; why didn’t you listen carefully? If you don’t listen carefully, how should you be punished?”

“I…” Zhao Xianger hadn’t recovered her wits yet. She looked at the woman admonishing her with the demeanor of an elder and was speechless for a moment.

Lu Jiajia had delivered her final judgment. “Xianger, being arrogant and ignorant of proper conduct, has already submitted to the law. Husband, come teach her some manners.”