Chapter Two: The Silver Flame of the Immortal Spirit (Part Two)

“Please, everyone, have a seat,” Chiyang said, playing the gracious host. No sooner had the words left her lips than, with a sudden flutter, a small beast appeared from nowhere, its sides adorned with two broad wings. It landed quietly before them, holding in its mouth a pale green rectangular jade tray, on which lay several dozen golden-red fruits the size of marbles.

“Wow! Silverflame Beast! I’ve finally seen you!” Since entering, Raksha had been peering about with curiosity. Now, upon seeing the beautiful little creature, she couldn’t help but break into a broad smile and rushed forward, eager to embrace the beast in a fit of affection.

Shi Jun and his companions regarded the sudden newcomer with interest. The creature was about a foot long, its pristine, soft white fur gleaming. It had a head like a lion’s, and beneath each of its left and right eyes ran a slanting streak of silver fur that crossed its neck. Its wings, also white, folded neatly against its belly, rendering them almost invisible. A long, bushy tail, reminiscent of a squirrel’s, curled gracefully over its back, and its four tiny paws and eyes were a brilliant, blood-red.

The little beast, called Silverflame, had just set down the tray when Raksha lunged at it. With a low growl, it shrank back warily, causing her to miss her mark.

“So, you want to play hide and seek? This time I’ll catch you for sure!” Raksha laughed off the failed attempt and dove for the beast again.

Silverflame’s eyes flashed red, and in an instant, its body swelled to the size of two full-grown tigers. Effortlessly spreading its wings, it flicked its massive tail and tripped Raksha, sending her tumbling. Then, the beast pressed her down with its paws, reared its head, and let out a thunderous roar. In its open jaws, a swirling, mercury-like mist formed—a strange, shifting sphere that hovered, neither vapor nor fog.

Silverflame brought the sphere to its lips, but instead of unleashing it, merely let it dance within its mouth, slowly turning its huge head toward Chiyang.

“Silverflame, these are my guests. No mischief,” Chiyang called out with an amused warning, as if she had anticipated this scene.

At her words, Silverflame reluctantly released Raksha, the silver flame at its mouth vanishing in an instant. A moment later, it shrank back to its original size, shook its mane, and trotted to Chiyang’s side, lying down quietly at her feet.

“This is my home,” Chiyang said with a gentle smile. “Please, make yourselves comfortable. I don’t have much to offer, but do try some spirit fruit.” She then turned to Silverflame, saying, “They’re all my friends and mean you no harm. Keep them company for me.” With that, she exchanged a glance with Shi Jun.

Shi Jun understood and stood. “I have something to discuss with Chiyang. You take a rest,” he told Hu Hai, and then he and Chiyang departed the pavilion.

Silverflame, now obedient, picked up the tray in its mouth and, after looking over the group, trotted first to Hu Hai. Its blood-red eyes gazed up at him, as if waiting for him to reach out and take a fruit.

Hu Hai, for reasons he could not explain, felt an immediate affection for the little beast. Delighted, he grabbed two of the red fruits and popped them into his mouth, stroking Silverflame’s fluffy back and praising, “Good boy!”

Seeing this, Raksha grew indignant and hurried over to pet Silverflame as well. The beast shook its head in mild protest but did not resist further, merely grumbling its disapproval deep in its throat.

Motuo, who had been watching with great interest, approached and mimicked the others, reaching out toward Silverflame. But as he did, the beast suddenly turned, fixing him with a fierce, red glare. It bared its sharp little teeth and let out a warning growl, clearly displeased.

“What’s that about? I haven’t done anything to you,” Motuo protested, but he withdrew his hand and, instead, simply picked a fruit from the tray and tossed it into his mouth. He chewed a couple of times, and a wave of icy coolness surged through his body, making him shiver. Frowning, he muttered, “Why is it so cold? Not tasty at all.”

“You’ve no taste!” Raksha scoffed. Ignoring everything else, she crouched down and played with Silverflame. She pouted, “In the Underworld, these spirit fruits are unique to Chiyang. For ordinary cultivators, just one of these is worth decades of cultivation—a treasure beyond reach. But this place, Sufeng Court, is her private domain, protected by powerful wards. Even I have never entered before.”

“So that’s why you were so keen to come—just for these spirit fruits!” Motuo’s eyes lit up at the thought that the fruit could enhance cultivation. He promptly grabbed a handful and shoved them into his mouth. Not to be outdone, Hu Hai stuffed several more into his own mouth.

“Hmph, I don’t care for such things,” Raksha sniffed disdainfully, giving Motuo a glare. “Spirit fruits may be rare, but the Asura King’s palace has no shortage of treasures. I don’t need these to improve my cultivation. Besides, they’re only so effective for ordinary cultivators. I’m here to see Silverflame.” She gently stroked the beast’s back. “I’ve heard of Chiyang’s beautiful pet for ages—it’s truly one of a kind in the Underworld.”

“Stop! Save some for Shi Jun!” Hu Hai, feeling brotherly concern, called out as Motuo was about to polish off the last of the fruits. He glanced at Silverflame, who was lying on the ground, head tilted curiously. “This little one is truly adorable. Is there really only one in the Underworld? That’s a shame.”

“You’re mistaken. The Silverflame Beast is from the Celestial Realm.”

“What?” Hu Hai exclaimed, startled. “How does a creature from the Celestial Realm come to live here?”

“You didn’t know? Silverflame is Chiyang’s celestial spirit mount. Chiyang was originally from the Celestial Realm. She failed her tribulation and should have been destroyed, her body and cultivation lost. But, by sheer luck, she encountered a rare spiritual fate, preserving both her body and power, allowing her to continue cultivating—and was even favored by the King of the Underworld…” Raksha snorted, “Nothing so impressive, if you ask me.”

Chiyang was once of the Celestial Realm? Hu Hai and Motuo were stunned. After a long silence, Motuo slapped his forehead. “Oh! Now I get it. No wonder Silverflame doesn’t like me. The Demon Realm and Celestial Realm have always been mortal enemies—fire subdues metal, after all. This little thing must have sensed it and won’t let me touch it.”

“That’s right, I forgot you’re from the Demon Realm!” Raksha suddenly recalled, jumping up and scrutinizing Motuo from head to toe.

“What are you staring at?” Motuo, apparently unused to such close examination—especially from a young, pretty woman—actually blushed a little. “I know I’m tall, handsome, and impressive, but is that any reason to be so dazzled?”

Hu Hai burst out laughing. “Please, ‘dazzled’ is usually used to describe women, isn’t it?”

“What? Man or woman—it’s a new era, the terms are the same!” Motuo retorted.

“But isn’t that something only said in the Mortal Realm?” Hu Hai wondered aloud.

“You ignorant fellow! Demons were once human too, you know?” Motuo scoffed.

“How odd,” Raksha muttered after examining Motuo for a while, seeming disappointed.

“What’s odd?” Hu Hai and Motuo asked in unison.

“I’ve heard people from the Demon Realm are supposed to be incredibly powerful—Demon Sovereigns, Great Sky Demons, Sky Demons, Earth Demons—they’ve been contending with the Celestial Realm for millions of years, always evenly matched. With all those skills and power, why do you seem nothing like a demon? You look rather unimpressive—none of the aura a demon should have.”

Motuo was dumbfounded, eyes wide, momentarily lost for words.

Hu Hai couldn’t hold back any longer and doubled over with laughter.

Silverflame, understanding their conversation, wagged its tail in agreement, nodding approvingly at Raksha. Then it let out a soft, derisive growl in Motuo’s direction.