The herb seeds were extremely eye - catching, especially the Spirit - Gathering Grass, a cultivation herb that could be used by all races.
Right after seeing off the clan leaders of various races, Yaohua received a summons from the Divine Realm.
In the grand yet cold palace, the Divine Lord lowered his eyes and played the zither. Compared with his usual lofty and majestic posture, he seemed a bit more casual and refined.
Yaohua entered the palace and bowed, saying, "Yaohua, the clan leader of the Phoenix Clan, pays respects to the Divine Lord."
The Divine Lord said, "Now that you're the clan leader and have quelled the rebellion of the Caged Birds, it's evident that you've grown a lot. I'll revoke the edict that once prohibited you from entering the Celestial Realm."
Hearing such good news as soon as she entered the door, Yaohua was overjoyed and quickly expressed her gratitude.
The Divine Lord said amiably, "Come forward."
She stepped forward as told. Suddenly, there was a tinkling sound from the Fuji Zither. It was the string that once belonged to her vibrating in excitement upon sensing her approach.
The Divine Lord pondered and said, "It was truly a last - resort move to take your magical instrument before. Now the Fuji Zither has been fully repaired. You're highly cultivated and have done a lot for the Divine Continent. Since you don't have a decent weapon, I'll bestow this on you."
Yaohua looked awed and said, "It's just a string. Being able to help repair the zither is already its fortune. If I were to accept such a precious magical instrument just for this reason, wouldn't I be too greedy?"
The Divine Lord smiled and said, "You distributed the herb seeds to all races, helping the Divine Continent regain its vitality. It's a great act of righteousness. In the future, I'll need your Phoenix Clan to lead all races to resist the Heavenly Demons together. Just accept the Fuji Zither."
Yaohua hesitated and said, "But... I'm not good at playing the zither."
"What does it matter?" The Divine Lord pinched the sleeve of her robe with two fingers and placed her hand on the zither, making it produce a note.
Tinkling!
As the sound of the zither rang out, one of the strings suddenly twitched and happened to cut her finger.
The blood of the phoenix dripped onto the Fuji Zither. It was as if invisible ripples were surging out, and in the distance, melodious music could be heard.
Back then, the Phoenix Ancestor used the Fuji Zither to fight against the Nine - Heavens Demons and slay one hundred thousand demon lords on the wilderness plain.
Now, after a long - drawn - out journey, it had returned to Yaohua, the descendant of the ancestor.
"The contract is established," the Divine Lord said gently. "Take this zither back and refine it into your natal magical treasure."
"Thank you, Divine Lord!" Yaohua felt the joy from the Fuji Zither and couldn't help but curl her lips.
She took out the Red - Fire Dogwood and the Spirit - Gathering Grass from her mustard seed bag, repeated the fabricated origin of the seeds, and then said, "Thanks to the essence of plants and trees you bestowed, they've grown so vigorously. Now I'll present them to you for your enjoyment. I hope the Divine Lord won't mind."
The Divine Lord raised his eyes, seemingly a bit surprised by her tactfulness, and smiled faintly. "You've truly grown a lot."
The young girl was dressed in red, with a slender figure. She was in the prime of her youth, just like a blooming peach blossom.
He accepted the two pots of herbs and, in a rare moment of chatting, said, "I heard that the clan leader of the Qingcang Clan has been arranging marriages for your elder brothers. If they form alliances with powerful races, it may pose a threat to your position as the clan leader. Do you have any thoughts?"
Yaohua raised her eyebrows and said, "In the fight for the position of the clan leader, it's about victory and defeat. I'll surely go all out!"
The Divine Lord admired the ambition in her eyes and nodded. "If you have a man you fancy, the Immortal Realm can arrange a match for you."
Apparently, he wanted Yaohua to continue being the clan leader of the Phoenix Clan and was even willing to find a powerful husband's family for her.
Before Yaohua could answer, the voice of the divine envoy Tu Yang rang out in the palace. "Divine Lord, the God Chongming is here."
She led Chongming into the palace.
Yaohua slightly raised her eyebrows and saw a familiar figure - the Goddess of Cangshan.
She almost forgot that if it weren't for this woman, she wouldn't have ended up in the ice field.
When the Goddess of Cangshan saw her, a look of venom flashed across her eyes.
The Divine Lord said sternly, "Goddess of Cangshan, out of your own desire, you harmed Yaohua and forced her into the ice field. Your divine core should be taken back!"
After saying that, he raised his right hand, and the Goddess of Cangshan immediately let out a painful scream.
After her divine core was taken, she became an ordinary woman without a single bit of spiritual power.
The Divine Lord then said, "Yaohua, you're the victim. You can deal with this woman as you like."
Yaohua said respectfully, "Thank you, Divine Lord, for your clear judgment."
She then turned her gaze to the Goddess of Cangshan. Now that she was just an ordinary mortal woman, she couldn't bear Yaohua's aura. Just a glance from Yaohua made Cangshan tremble uncontrollably.
Suddenly, Cangshan looked at Chongming with grief and despair. "Everything I did was for you. I should have been your wife, Chongming. Are you really going to break off our relationship because of this young girl?"
Tears streamed down her face, making her look extremely pitiful.
Chongming looked down at her. As a lofty god, there was no trace of affection in his eyes, only pity.
Yaohua thought for a moment and said, "Since Cangshan is deeply in love with Master, how about locking her up in Master's Exquisite Pagoda?"
Chongming shook his head. "No."
Yaohua wondered, "Why? Although the Goddess of Cangshan has harmed me, there are forces behind her. We can't act rashly. Letting her cultivate her body and mind in the Exquisite Pagoda for a few hundred years and then releasing her is the best option."
Chongming said in a deep voice, "The Exquisite Pagoda has been stolen."
Everyone was slightly shocked.
The Exquisite Pagoda was a magical treasure in Chongming's hand. How could it be easily stolen?
The Divine Lord snorted and slapped the table heavily. "Do you know what you're saying? The Exquisite Pagoda is not only your magical treasure but also the place where the Heavenly Demons are imprisoned. If the things imprisoned in it are released to cause chaos in the mortal world, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
Chongming clasped his fists and said, "It's my fault for not guarding it well. Please punish me, Divine Lord."
Yaohua said, "Divine Lord, the Demon Zhaowu is imprisoned in the Exquisite Pagoda. This theft is probably related to the Heavenly Demons. Even if you punish the god, it won't help. It's better to find the Exquisite Pagoda as soon as possible."
"Do you have a way?" The Divine Lord looked displeased.
Yaohua said slowly, "Although I don't have the supernatural power to find treasures, I can still slay the Heavenly Demons."
The Divine Lord made a decision. "Good. Then you'll go and retrieve the Exquisite Pagoda!"
In just a few words, this task fell on her.
Chongming frowned. "No!"
He said in a deep voice, "Yaohua is still young. How can she take on the great task of finding the Exquisite Pagoda? Please think twice, Divine Lord, and revoke this order."
The Divine Lord snorted. "I haven't even blamed you for losing the Exquisite Pagoda, and you're already feeling sorry for your disciple? There's no need to worry about this. I trust Yaohua."
After leaving the palace, Chongming quickly caught up with Yaohua. "The matter of the Exquisite Pagoda is of great importance. You have to find a way to decline this task!"
"Why?" Yaohua asked in confusion. "Does Master not trust my ability?"
Chongming was momentarily at a loss for words. He couldn't bear to reveal his selfish motives and could only say stiffly, "Anyway, you have to decline this task."
Yaohua hugged the zither and casually retorted, "Reason?"