ADAPTED FROM BAI LU CHENG SHUANG'S LOVE IN THE CLOUDS
YOUNG SITU LING
YOUNG MING XIAN
Why are you sitting here alone?
I… I can't get in.
Didn't your parents buy you a ticket?
I came secretly.
My father never brought me to Qingyun Tournament.
Why?
Because…
I'm useless.
I'm the only one in my family without spiritual veins.
They all look down on me.
Forget about standing on the Qingyun Tournament stage.
I'm not even worthy of watching a match.
Kid. Lift your head for me. Who said you're useless?
Isn't it true?
Without spiritual veins,
I'll never have anything to do with Qingyun Tournament.
But I really admire Warrior God Ming Xian.
I know a lot about him, but I've never seen one of his matches.
He joined the tournament at 13 and never lost a single match.
I'm 13 this year too.
But I'm just a useless person.
Don't be sad.
Come on. I'll take you inside.
So, just because you don't have spiritual veins,
your older brothers bully you?
Your father only takes them to see Qingyun Tournament
but never takes you?
What kind of father and brothers are they?
Forget it.
I have a younger brother who's no good either.
You're amazing.
It's a pity I was born without spiritual veins.
I'll never have the chance
to become someone like all of you.
Can I borrow this for a while?
You can,
but you must take good care of it.
Alright.
In today's tournament of two realms,
it's Yaoguang Mountain against Jixing Abyss.
Warriors of the two realms, enter Zhuojin Tower!
Wait. I'll win this match for you.
-Ming Xian! -Ming Xian!
-Ming Xian is amazing! -Ming Xian!
-Ming Xian!
-Ming Xian will win! -Ming Xian!
I can't believe he's actually Warrior God Ming Xian!
Ming Xian!
Bad news.
This warrior's artifact can restrain Ming Xian's armor.
Is Ming Xian about to lose?
No way! Is he really?
Ming Xian. My artifact can counter your armor.
-Ming Xian! -Ming Xian!
JUDGMENT HALL
Did you come for me?
Well, could we talk?
Of course.
I've been waiting for you.
Immortal Situ.
I came today just to…
to thank you.
Ming Yi. I recognized you.
Do you still remember this?
-This is… -Don't be nervous.
In this world, you matter the most to me.
So, I will protect you well.
Can I borrow this for a while?
You can, but you must take good care of it.
That's why I recognized you right away that day.
Immortal Situ, you're mistaken.
I'm just an ordinary attendant in Moonlit Blossoms.
I saw Fairy Ruo Shui in danger that day and cast a spell at random.
Somehow, I luckily saved her.
I must still thank Immortal Situ for helping me that day.
Are you unwilling to acknowledge me?
You really have the wrong person.
I know.
Don't worry.
I won't tell anyone.
Sorry to disturb you today. I'll take my leave first.
-What's wrong? -Nothing.
It's just that we're about to leave Jixing Abyss.
So, I wanted to tell you something.
If it weren't for you, Father…
Hou Zhao…
The bewitching spell Hou Zhao cast on me
would probably… have made me a sacrifice.
Thank you, Immortal Ji.
It's nothing more than an exchange of interests between you and me.
You need not feel any gratitude toward me.
No need to thank me.
You're always doing this.
But I know
that you're really kind.
You're escorting me out even now. Aren't you?
It was the deal we made.
Escorting you away will complete our deal.
What are you doing?
I ate Moonshade Grass. My Withered-Branch Disease is cured.
So, I want to give this to Immortal Ji as a gift.
That won't be necessary.
Your Lordship, that's impolite.
Could she really think of me as her savior?
From beginning to end, I was only using her.
You call that "using"?
But didn't you tell me to give her Moonshade Grass
before she exposed Hou Zhao?
That's right.
So, that's what you call "using"?
SUNKEN ABYSS REGISTRY OF ROUTINE INSPECTIONS, VOLUME 3
General Xun Ming has come to visit.
Forgive our lack of hospitality.
You know me?
Lord Hanfeng told me you would be coming.
I do have an urgent matter that requires Judgment Hall's attention.
An urgent matter?
Lord Hanfeng summoned me earlier.
He's concerned about the netherbeast that appeared at Shouhua Academy.
This matter still requires investigation.
Investigation takes time. That I understand.
But Lord Hanfeng worries
that netherbeasts have vanished from the Six Realms for 100 years.
If they've truly reappeared,
Jixing Abyss and even the entire Six Realms will be in great trouble.
So, Lord Hanfeng hopes to speed up the investigation.
Ideally, we should investigate door-to-door
to check whether there are any traces of a netherbeast.
Ji Bozai must have Golden Millet Dream in his possession.
Lord Hanfeng secretly investigated Wugui Sea multiple times
but found nothing.
Why not let Judgment Hall
investigate openly and aboveboard this time?
This artifact can accurately locate the position of Golden Millet Dream.
Once it's found, I will retrieve it immediately.
This artifact is Zhu…
It's specifically crafted by Lord Hanfeng's command.
It can accurately detect a netherbeast's aura.
Please use this artifact
and search door-to-door to check for any signs of a netherbeast.
This way, Lord Hanfeng can rest easy.
Understood.
MOONLIT BLOSSOMS
Now that you have someone you love, you no longer cherish women.
I'm just joking with you.
It seems the legend of Yousu Fox Tribe is true.
You really are hard to kill.
Because of Ming Yi,
you won't even visit Moonlit Blossoms anymore.
And the one time you do, you make fun of me and even kill me.
Immortal. You strangled me so hard that it hurt.
How could you treat me like that?
What exactly do you want to do?
Tell me how one can kill Yousu Fox Tribe.
You want me to betray my tribe's secret?
You really underestimate me.
How would I dare look down on the owner of Moonlit Blossoms?
Do you think I'm sincere now?
To betray my tribe would be to kill my own conscience.
With my character,
I still wouldn't agree even if you kill me.
Unless the compensation
is triple the amount you offered here.
Deal.
Even the most powerful Yousu Fox
uses simple methods to hide their primordial spirit.
As long as you find the memory each fox treasures most,
you can then find their true body hidden within Illusory Realm
and kill them.
No wonder you're not afraid to tell me.
Even if I know how to deal with a Yousu Fox,
it wouldn't work on you.
Not necessarily.
How do you know
that my most treasured memory isn't related to you?
You must have deliberately revealed this to me.
How could you tell me Yousu Fox Tribe's secret so easily?
Let me speak frankly.
The times are changing.
Business isn't easy anymore.
There's word that you will marry Princess Tianji
and inherit Jixing Abyss.
I merely want to place my bet on you.
Why has Judgment Hall suddenly come to Wugui Sea?
I made it very clear that His Lordship is not here.
No outsiders may enter without permission.
No matter who comes today, the answer is the same.
Then I can only apologize.
Lord Hanfeng has ordered it.
A netherbeast has appeared.
It concerns the safety of Jixing Abyss,
so every household must be searched
to see if there are traces of a netherbeast.
All residences in Jixing Abyss have been searched, except Wugui Sea.
We can't give you special treatment. Judgment Hall must check.
What are you doing?
Stop. Don't fight!
Stand down.
Are you alright?
You two really protect me well.
Granny Xun.
Immortal Situ already said a netherbeast's appearance is no small matter.
Besides, it's Lord Hanfeng's order.
Every household in Jixing Abyss must be searched.
If we insist on refusing,
wouldn't we be causing trouble for Lord Ji?
No, His Lordship isn't here…
We should prove Lord Ji's innocence even more.
Immortal Situ, please.
Where do you live in Wugui Sea?
That's a private matter.
I see.
Where do you live in Wugui Sea?
Over there.
And where does Immortal Ji live?
You don't need to whisper like that.
Where does Immortal Ji live then?
Ming Yi.
Why exactly did you come here? Is it to kill Ji Bozai?
I also think he doesn't deserve to beat you.
You're not wrong about that.
I mean, I'm not that person, but what you said is right.
Ming Yi.
Are you having a good life here?
Judgment Hall doesn't need to care about that.
I'm not asking as someone from Judgment Hall.
You must have gone through a lot that you can't tell me.
I just want to know one thing.
Are you… doing well?
Lord Hanfeng has given orders today. I must come.
Only in this way can you stay out of trouble.
-Here. -What's this?
An artifact specially made by Lord Hanfeng.
It's said to be able to detect the aura of netherbeasts precisely.
That's the direction of Spirit Well.
We can't let them find it.
-Isn't that Immortal Ji's treasury? -Treasury?
Over there.
How could there be netherbeasts in Wugui Sea?
Mu Qibai must be using
the search for netherbeasts as an excuse to find Golden Millet Dream.
We must find a way to drive them off.
The treasury holds Immortal Ji's most precious artifacts.
They must be kept from fire and light.
If anything happens, we'll all be dead when he returns.
Immortal Situ. That won't do. We can't see anything.
No. I said no firelight!
Ming Yi, are you alright?
Are you all okay?
We're fine.
But Immortal, this won't work.
We need light.
Then light the fire. Light it up.
No. These artifacts fear fire. We can't light any fire.
I beg you not to light any fire.
Immortal Situ, I'll light things up for you.
Run!
Go!
Immortal Ji's treasures!
What do you all mean by this?
I told you that our artifacts fear fire.
Yet you still lit a fire!
Was it you? Was it you who lit the fire?
Why are you so defiant?
-Did you do it on purpose? -Ming Yi. Calm down.
-Calm down, Ming Yi. -No, Granny Xun.
It's all gone. What am I going to do?
How do I explain this to Immortal Ji?
-I'll fight you all. -Ming Yi.
Stop being angry.
What kind of world is this?
This was the only artifact in the world that can track netherbeasts.
And it just burned to ashes.
This was also the only lotus lamp in the world.
This was the only Diamond Demon-Subduing Pestle.
And the only boomerang in the world.
How are you going to compensate me?
How do I explain this to Immortal Ji?
I…
I've lost everything.
Fairy Ming Yi.
This is Judgment Hall's fault.
But your injuries can't be ignored.
How about this?
Let's find a clean place.
How about I treat your wounds for you?
I'll help you hold this.
So, this is where you live.
What are your plans?
The reason I came today is to see how you've been doing
and because Lord Hanfeng has always had ulterior motives toward you.
If he really has some scheme in mind,
rather than letting someone else handle it,
it's better that I do it myself.
What do you mean by "it's better that you do it yourself"?
My Lord.
You're finally back.
They're bullies. Look at me.
Immortal Situ. What's going on?
I was acting under Lord Hanfeng's orders
to search for traces of netherbeasts near Jixing Abyss.
If Judgment Hall wants to search, then search.
But what's with setting fire to my home?
My apologies. It was an accident.
I accidentally caused the fire.
Accidentally?
You accidentally burned all my treasured artifacts
and accidentally injured my family.
Family?
Family.
This is the only lotus lamp,
the only Diamond Demon-Subduing Pestle,
and the only single throwing dart in the world.
Sir.
How do you plan to compensate me?
Single throwing dart? It's not coming back?
My Lord.
Smell if I'm practically roasted through.
You were too careless.
What do you intend to do to my person?
She has no title or rank. How is she yours?
Did you buy her?
I'll pay ten times the price. Let her go.
In your dreams.
Let go. Let go.
Ouch.
Did I grab you too hard?
I'm fine.
Wait.
I accidentally burned down your home.
I deeply apologize.
I'll compensate for all your losses.
That won't be necessary.
I'm sorry. I was the one who ruined the treasury.
It's only right that Immortal Ji was angry and took it out on me.
It's alright, Ming Yi.
He looks upset.
Could he be mad that I burned down his treasury?
My Lord, here's what happened.
Immortal Situ said he was ordered to search for traces of netherbeasts.
I thought you would definitely have nothing to do with netherbeasts.
And if I insisted on stopping him, others would surely misunderstand.
So, I let Immortal Situ search.
Who would've thought his artifact would react to the treasury?
So, I figured this netherbeast thing must be a cover-up.
The artifact must've been looking for something else.
Well… I didn't dare to ask you directly.
My Lord.
We're now in the same boat.
When you're not home, I have to guard Wugui Sea for you.
Right?
Why are you defending Situ Ling?
Are you familiar with him?
You two aren't working together, are you?
Why are you looking at me like that?
Say something.
He's mad about this?
My relationship with you isn't ordinary.
If this were before, he would've doubted me, no matter what.
But now, this sounds more like jealousy.
Do you really mind other men that much?
How about this? My Lord.
Why don't you marry me and form a heart imprint with me?
No other man will come looking for me.
-Not a single honest word. -My Lord, I'm serious.
I thought it was enough just to stay by your side.
But now…
I've become greedier.
I want to be your wife.
A loving and loyal wife
who's rightful.
Would that be alright?
Looks like there's hope.
Your Lordship.
Fuyue. You took in a dancer named Ming Yi.
Why didn't you tell me?
You summoned me just to ask about this?
Moonlit Blossoms gets new dancers every day.
What's so special about Ming Yi?
She's the one I've been telling you about. I finally found her.
She is… Ming Xian?
How could that be possible?
Ming Xian, a fairy?
Your Lordship, perhaps you're mistaken?
No, it's definitely her.
I thought she was a man for many years too.
You seem quite happy about it.
Yes. If you hear any news of her, you must inform me immediately.
Understood.
By the way,
Mu Qibai sent someone to persuade me to search Wugui Sea.
He said this artifact could detect the aura of netherbeasts.
But I can't shake the feeling that it's not that simple.
The compass has already been destroyed.
Whatever Mu Qibai was planning, it's all ruined now.
It seems staying by Ji Bozai's side is quite dangerous for her.
I used to think that working in Judgment Hall was difficult.
I even regretted choosing this place.
But thinking back,
I'm glad I'm part of Judgment Hall.
At least I can help Ming Yi.
Didn't you only plan to stay in Judgment Hall to muddle along
and search for Golden Millet Dream?
Your Lordship.
Ming Yi belongs to Ji Bozai.
Mu Qibai wants to go against Ji Bozai.
If you help Ming Yi,
you'll be standing against Mu Qibai.
So what?
She's the only light in all my miserable past.
As long as I can help her, I have nothing to fear,
even if I must defy the Six Realms.
Did you summon me just to ask all this?
Are you done asking?
I will now take my leave.
I won using the sleeve badge you gave me.
It has already reached Totem Platform before you.
As long as you have the will, nothing can hold you back.
Even without spiritual veins,
perhaps one day, you could create spiritual veins yourself.
Or maybe you could change the rule that only those born with spiritual veins
can compete as warriors.
Someday, you'll become very strong too.
Can…
I really?
From the moment you were born, you were everything I wished I could be.
I want to find Golden Millet Dream to grow spiritual veins,
so I can become as strong as you
and one day protect you.
Since you vanished from Yaoguang Mountain, I've been searching for you.
Now, I've finally found you.
As ordered by General Xun Ming,
we placed one of our men in Situ Ling's search of Wugui Sea.
They did see the artifact pointing to Ji Bozai's treasury.
Later, it went just as I reported earlier.
That Ming Yi ruined everything.
It seems Ji Bozai's people are really vigilant.
They even came up with a way
to sabotage our plan and burn the compass at the same time.
Maybe the two of them already knew each other.
Perhaps when they met at Moonlit Blossoms,
Ji Bozai was just putting on a show for us.
That woman must know something.
Go to Moonlit Blossoms and investigate that woman.
Watch your step.
Is this your first visit here?
Hey, you.
You look unfamiliar.
Since you're a new guest, let me offer you a pot of wine.
You're a fellow tribesman.
I've long heard the owner here is also of the Yousu tribe.
I came today to inquire about something.
Let's go over there.
Please ask freely.
I will tell you all I know.
I heard that Moonlit Blossoms once had an attendant named Ming Yi,
who was later taken home by Immortal Ji of Shouhua Academy.
I'd like to know
when exactly Fairy Ming Yi first arrived at Moonlit Blossoms.
She…
Ming Yi…
Good!
-Good! -Good!
What a wonderful dance!
Beautiful dance.
Her dancing is absolutely top-notch.
Immortal.
This fairy's name is Zhang Tai.
A treasure I found from the East Sea of Jixing Abyss.
She descends from the Jingwei tribe
and is the best dancer here.
Her music skills are also unmatched.
Her name's…
Zhang Tai?
Here.
His Lordship said you may handle all this as you please.
He's giving them to me again?
-You don't want them? Forget it then. -I'm very grateful.
Ji Bozai really has strange habits.
You do his errands, and he just pays you.
How much can a warrior like him even earn?
No idea.
Whatever it is,
you can be sure that he spends it all on women.
When he used to pretend to be a ladies' man,
he probably spent plenty on women.
Now he spends them all on you.
Why's that?
He's thanking you for helping him get rid of Situ Ling?
I think he's declining me.
Because I told him I wanted to be his rightful wife.
But he can't marry me,
so he gives me these gifts to brush me off.
That's not so bad.
At least he won't think you've got hidden motives. Right?
But after all we've done, he still refused.
What should we do next?
Without marrying him, we can't enter Spirit Well.
Without entering Spirit Well, how long will it take
to get Golden Millet Dream and save your life?
I have to be useful enough to make him marry me.
I must finish what's before us first.
How's your investigation of Xun Ming?
No valuable news so far.
But I did find something earth-shattering that I must tell you.
Your good friend, Zhang Tai, is getting married.
Why are you laughing?
Twenty-Seven. I'm sorry.
I haven't taken good care of you these days.
-It's alright. -Look at you.
Your fur's all split.
And your claws haven't even been trimmed.
Did you gnaw them yourself?
How smelly.
Your ears must be all matted too.
You've probably hurt your hearing. Let me check for you.
Are you kidding me right now?
Don't talk nonsense. I'm very clean.
Sometimes I bathe three times a day.
No, I'm telling the truth.
Zhang Tai really is getting married.
If you don't believe me, go to Moonlit Blossoms and ask.
Impossible.
How could Zhang Tai get married without telling me?
I'm her best…
Really?
My Lord, I want to go out.
What's the hurry? Where are you going?
I want to go back for a bit.
My good friend, Zhang Tai, the one you've met,
she's suddenly getting married and didn't even tell me.
-I must go and find out what's going on. -Who is she marrying?
I only heard he's also of Yousu Fox Tribe, same as Ms. Fuyue.
I'll go with you.
By the way, since she's your friend, did you prepare a gift?
Of course I did.
I plan to give all the jewelry you gave me to Zhang Tai.
It seems you really are friends.
Your Lordship, why are you accompanying Ming Yi to Moonlit Blossoms?
Zhang Tai is marrying someone from Yousu Fox Tribe.
In the whole divine capital of Jixing Abyss,
there are only a few Yousu Foxes.
Xun Ming?
Mu Qibai and the others
have always worried the Sunken Abyss affair would be exposed.
Ming Yi's parents died from Blood Pearl Bloom poison.
And she exposed it publicly to seek justice.
Clearly, Ming Yi isn't on their side.
That makes her even safer and more useful.
If Zhang Tai really is marrying Xun Ming,
we can use Ming Yi's relationship with Zhang Tai
to get close to Xun Ming and find a way to kill him.
It seems I've overlooked.
It turns out these past few days,
you've nearly given away all of Wugui Sea's wealth to Ming Yi,
just to win her over.
You're truly wise. r.