Journey to the West: Demon Emperor: Beginning as a Little Toad

Chapter 583 Fairy of the Clouds
The vast celestial realm.

The high-hanging moon.

Outside the Gui Palace.

The fairy Su'e stopped Xiao Chen, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and said softly:
"Did you really think that our previous agreement was just a wisp of cool breeze under the moon, and have you simply forgotten it?"

His words conveyed both the resentment of unfulfilled expectations and an unyielding sense of questioning.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen naturally understood what she meant.

Look up.

Looking at the aloof and peerless fairy of the Moon Palace before him, who also carried a girlish resentment, Xiao Chen immediately remembered that his smooth progress was all thanks to her guidance and tacit cooperation.

In the palace, facing Wu Gang's questioning, Fairy Su'e cleverly defused the situation with her words, which were tactful yet forceful; she also found a perfect excuse for Xiao Chen's "overstepping" request, allowing him to proceed smoothly.

Without the help of the fairy Chang'e...

While he may not return empty-handed, it remains to be seen whether he can achieve his goal and return with a full load.

anyway.

During his trip to the Cassia Palace, Fairy Su'e truly provided him with a great deal of assistance.

Xiao Chen quickly scanned his surroundings, confirming that there were no lurking divine senses spying on him, before calming his mind and quietly transmitting a condensed and clear divine thought:
"I am very grateful to Fairy Su'e for her help in coming to Guidian to find wood."

"If it weren't for Fairy Su'e's powerful intervention, how could I have achieved my goals and returned with such a full load on this trip to Guidian?"

"I have not forgotten our promise."

"After I report back to the Moon Goddess, I will definitely seek you out to discuss our 'love affair in the mortal realm' together, to fulfill my previous promise!"

Even though I had high hopes.

But things have come to an end.

Xiao Chen once again pointed out the words "love affair in the lower realm" to his face.

Even the aloof Moon Palace Fairy felt a strange sensation upon hearing this.

Suddenly, a faint blush appeared on the fairies' beautiful, usually icy face, adding to their charm and allure.

Her usually aloof and ethereal "fairy maiden" demeanor was now tinged with a touch of earthly charm.

Like a fairy from the moon palace experiencing love for the first time, she was shy and hesitant to speak.

The resentment in those clear, bright eyes melted away quickly.

She lowered her head slightly, her long eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings, seemingly flustered and shy, her jade-like fingers unconsciously twisting a corner of her shawl.

a long time.

The fairy Su'e gently uttered a single word from her lips:

"it is good……"

The word "okay" was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, carried away by the wind, leaving only a tacit understanding of waiting for good news.

An indescribable, subtle atmosphere quietly permeated between the two.

immediately.

The fairy Su'e suppressed the ripples in her heart and restored the noble and aloof demeanor inherent to the moon palace fairy, her expression cold and proud.

Xiao Chen and Fairy Su'e walked side by side, their robes fluttering, on this pure land of Taiyin, shrouded in the eternal, cold moonlight, toward the magnificent main hall—the "Taiyin Hall"—that was enveloped in a faint mist and icy starlight.

All around was silent, except for the faint rustling sound of the "soil" formed from the moon's essence beneath my feet, like flowing silver sand.

While walking.

Xiao Chen's gaze fell on the fairy from the Moon Palace beside him, whose steps were light and untouched by dust.

The fairy maiden's skirt was like a cloud, and she walked without touching the dust. Every step she took was like a lotus flower blooming, and her figure was as light as flowing wind and swirling snow, as if she had no weight at all.

In addition, her fair skin and the hazy, misty aura surrounding her made her appear like gathering and dispersing white clouds, transcending the mundane world.

Especially considering her ability to transform into cloud light and disappear into the cold mist of the moon outside the Gui Palace, a thought became clearer in Xiao Chen's mind.

Xiao Chen slowed his pace slightly, turned his head, and asked with a hint of inquisitive curiosity:
"Fairy Su'e, I see that your figure is ethereal and your aura is like clouds and mist. Could it be... that you are a white cloud formed from the pure energy of Taiyin?"

Upon hearing this, Fairy Su'e did not hide anything and nodded, saying:
"Yang Sili has a good eye."

"As Yang Sili said."

"My origin is nothing more than a wisp of acquired white cloud drifting in the vast void outside the Taiyin Star."

"At that time, I was in a daze, ignorant and clueless, like a speck of dust floating in the world, only able to drift and be blown about by the fierce winds of the heavens, taking my fate as it comes..."

Having said that, a glimmer of reminiscence flashed in her eyes as she gazed at the ever-changing clouds in the distance, her tone becoming distant and ethereal:

"Later, I don't know how many cold and hot seasons I went through, and I was bathed in the essence of the moon for a long time. My cloud body gradually became spiritual, and finally a spark of wisdom began to emerge... From then on, I broke free from chaos, condensed my Dao body, and took on a physical form."

She raised her wrist, her slender fingers gently brushing a strand of soft hair that had been blown across her forehead by the cool moonlight breeze. Her posture was elegant and serene, and it also revealed a deep-seated piety.

"I am deeply grateful for the nurturing grace of the Moon Star. From the day I took human form, I have been willing to become a fairy in the Moon Palace, guarding this place that nurtured me, in order to repay this immeasurable grace of nurturing."

"The Moon Goddess bestowed upon me the name 'Su'e,' which means 'pure white as clouds, bright as the moon goddess.'"

She paused briefly at this point.

A barely perceptible worry flickered across the beautiful and ethereal face of the Fairy Su'e; a fleeting sadness flashed in her eyes, and her voice lowered slightly:

"However, I am ultimately just a wisp of cloud that was born later in life, and it was only by chance that I was able to embark on the path of cultivation."

"I was not born of nature; my foundation is shallow and my aptitude is somewhat lacking."

"It cannot compare to the profound Dao source of those innate great gods."

"Flowers bloom and then fade, clouds gather and then disperse..."

"The gathering and scattering of clouds, the alternation of wind, clouds, rain and dew, are the natural order."

"In the path of cultivation, one either progresses or regresses."

She gazed at the ever-changing, thin clouds on the horizon, her tone tinged with a fatalistic sorrow:
"Clouds are not constant; the gathering and dispersing of clouds is a natural phenomenon."

"If there is no opportunity or blessing from the heavens, my body, which is formed from clouds, will one day be unable to escape the fate of dissipating and disappearing, returning to the vast void... as easily as morning dew dries, as easily as mist dissipates, leaving no trace."

Finally, she sighed softly, her voice filled with an indescribable sorrow:

"Perhaps... returning to the unknowing, unfeeling, and ever-changing clouds is also my destiny."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen understood.

In this great world where myths intertwine and all spirits vie for supremacy, all things in heaven and earth have their own path.

Mountains and rivers have spirits, plants and trees have feelings, birds and beasts can understand the mysteries, and even stubborn rocks, rotten wood, flowing water and dust, as long as the opportunity is right, can comprehend the Great Dao and transform into immortals.

Clouds are the manifestation of the flowing and condensing spirit of heaven and earth. They are nurtured by the essence of the sun and moon and influenced by the changes of yin and yang in heaven and earth. It is only natural that they would transform into human form.

In the vast sky, the bright moon and floating clouds are often regarded as celestial phenomena that coexist.

The flowing clouds encircle the moon, like subjects paying homage to their monarch, creating the scenery of "clouds obscuring the moon" and "clouds and moon depending on each other".

Examples of phrases like "setting off the moon with clouds," "stopping the clouds and letting the moon fall," and "walking on the moon and ascending the clouds" all illustrate this principle.

Ouyang Xiu wrote in a poem: "Floating clouds reveal the bright moon, flowing shadows cast on the jade steps."

Li Bai also wrote in a poem: "The bright moon rises from the Tianshan Mountains, amidst the vast sea of ​​clouds."

Both of these poems perfectly capture the delightful beauty of clouds and the moon complementing each other.

"Clouds and moon depend on each other," and the fairy Chang'e of the Moon Palace was born from this.

This fairy Chang'e was originally a companion of the Moon Palace.

Although white clouds are formless and graceful, they inherently possess a sense of purity and nobility because they are accompanied by the moon, which symbolizes purity and tranquility.

Therefore, the fairy Su'e also possesses a cool, aloof, dignified, and distant demeanor.

The large, ripe peaches were treasures of the Heavenly Court, beyond the reach of a lowly fairy like her.

One medium-sized flat peach can grant immortality and endless longevity.

A single ginseng fruit, just by smelling it, can grant one 360 ​​years of life; eating one can grant 47,000 years of life—its effects are truly miraculous. Why then did the demons on the journey to the West risk such great danger to fight Sun Wukong, attempting to snatch Tang Sanzang's flesh from him, instead of trying to obtain the peaches of immortality?
The monsters might have a chance to see and even eat "Tang Monk's flesh".

The "Peach of Immortality" is hidden deep within the Heavenly Peach Garden, heavily guarded by heavenly soldiers and generals, and awe-inspiring under the majesty of the Queen Mother of the West.

Those monsters could hardly even see the peaches of immortality, let alone eat them.

If Sun Wukong hadn't been guarding the Peach Garden and hadn't stolen from it, how could King Golden Horn have gotten so many peaches to eat?

"The white clouds took shape..."

Xiao Chen's mind raced, and a name he had long heard of instantly flashed into his mind:

"Fairy Yunxiao!"

"Legend has it that she was also born from the white clouds and attained enlightenment, possessing boundless magical power. The Hunyuan Golden Cauldron in her hand was so powerful that it shook the Three Realms and made all the gods tremble at the mere mention of it!"

"We are all transformed from white clouds, I wonder if there is some other connection between us?"

Thinking of this, his eyes flickered slightly, and he casually turned to look at Fairy Su'e, his tone carrying just the right amount of curiosity:

"Since Fairy Su'e is also a being of the cloud and is naturally close to the myriad forms of clouds in the world, she must have a unique understanding of the changes in the flow of clouds in the world."

He then tentatively asked:

"I wonder... has the fairy ever heard of 'Fairy Yunxiao'?"

"Since you both possess the Cloud Qi Dao Body, perhaps... you've had some interaction?"

In the past, the three schools of Taoism coexisted. Under the guidance of the Tongtian Sage of the Jie Sect, there were the Three Immortal Maidens of the Clouds, namely Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao.

Its origins are extraordinary, formed from the essence of primordial clouds at the beginning of the primordial era, when chaos was first created.

At that time, heaven and earth were not yet separated, the primordial chaos was still divided, and the clear and the turbid were not yet determined.

There are three primordial clouds containing the original essence, wandering in the primordial chaos, absorbing the spiritual energy of creation, bathing in the radiance of the sun and moon, and undergoing countless tribulations.

As time passed and fortunes turned, these three primordial clouds eventually transformed into three peerless and graceful female immortals, namely Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao.

Among the three heavens.

The Cloud Fairy and the Moon Fairy are most similar in origin, both being transformed from the pure and flawless "essence of white clouds".

The fairy maiden of the clouds was graceful and elegant, with a cool and aloof temperament, holding the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron in her hand.

This treasure is mysterious and unpredictable, capable of capturing all things, whether immortals, mortals, ghosts, monsters, magical artifacts, or spiritual objects... none can escape its control.

Moreover, the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron can also remove the three flowers on the top of the head and the five qi in the chest, damaging one's cultivation and causing one to lose a thousand years of hard work and ten thousand years of cultivation in a single day. It is truly extremely powerful and is indeed a supreme treasure of the Three Realms.

The Fairy of Qiongxiao is a form of crimson clouds; the Fairy of Bixiao is a form of turquoise clouds.

When the great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods began, the world was in turmoil, and slaughter was rampant.

Zhao Gongming, the elder brother of the Three Immortal Maidens, was plotted against by the members of the Chan Sect and unfortunately died.

To avenge her brother, the Three Immortal Maidens resolutely plunged into this monstrous calamity.

Filled with grief and indignation, Lady Yunxiao set up the "Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation," a formation that could seize the very essence of heaven and earth. With its power, it trapped twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect, stripped them of their three flowers on their heads, and extinguished the five qi in their chests, causing their millions of years of cultivation to vanish like flowing water.

These causes and effects eventually alarmed the two supreme sages of the Taoist school.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable and the Supreme Pure Sage arrived together.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable arrived in person, furious, and rebuked the Three Immortal Maidens for "recklessly wielding the golden scissors to harm living beings and setting up the Yellow River to capture righteous men." He further denounced them, saying, "Cutting off the three flowers on the head of a Golden Immortal is already an unforgivable crime..."

Yunxiao Niangniang was eventually sealed by her grandmaster, the Great Master Taiqing Saint, who used the innate treasure "Taiji Diagram" to envelop her true spirit and suppress it under the Qilin Cliff of Kunlun Mountain.

When Jiang Ziya conferred titles upon the gods, Fairy Yunxiao was appointed as the head of the "Responsive and Worldly Fairy Goddess" because of her karmic entanglement in the Investiture of the Gods. She was put in charge of the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron and was in charge of the reincarnation of the mortal world.

The other supreme weapon for attack, the "Golden Dragon Scissors," also underwent a transformation in its use during the evolution of divine authority.

Legend has it that these scissors, when they came to earth, transformed into scissors used to cut an infant's umbilical cord.

"Hun Yuan Jin Dou... also contains the character 'Jin' (gold) in its name."

"Since it is a 'golden treasure,' and we all share the surname Jin, we must be destined to be connected with me, the Golden Horn King!"

Xiao Chen pondered to himself that this "Primordial Golden Cauldron" was one of the most powerful magic treasures in the Three Realms, possessing boundless power and vast supernatural abilities.

With this treasure in hand, even a Great Luo Golden Immortal can be easily defeated.

Even ordinary Great Luo Golden Immortals, despite possessing extraordinary abilities, cannot escape having their cultivation reduced and being captured when illuminated by the Hunyuan Golden Bucket.

but.

Xiao Chen had never seen Lady Yunxiao in the Heavenly Court.

Regardless of the immense scale and danger of the chaos caused by Emperor Donghua, which affected the Three Realms, or the numerous conflicts and undercurrents within the Heavenly Court, the situation remained unchanged.

Even Lady Yunxiao did not appear, let alone witness the "Hun Yuan Golden Cauldron" that once shone brightly in the Investiture of the Gods, regaining its former glory.

The reason for this is puzzling and has left Xiao Chen with many doubts.

When Fairy Su'e heard Xiao Chen ask about the name "Yunxiao," her expression immediately showed a hint of heartfelt awe and admiration, and she replied:

“Yun Zu, I do recognize him.”

“Yun Zu…”

Xiao Chen was taken aback, then suddenly realized.

Based on the origins, seniority, and supernatural powers of the Three Immortal Maidens, they should be considered the "ancestors" of all clouds and mist in the world.

The title "Ancestor of Clouds" bestowed upon this little fairy, who was transformed by the clouds after birth, by the Fairy Su'e is indeed appropriate and perfectly fitting.

Xiao Chen's eyes were full of anticipation as he said:
"Could you tell me about it?"

"I also have great admiration for Lady Yunxiao."

Fairy Su'e straightened her posture slightly, her expression solemn, and spoke:

"The Cloud Ancestor was transformed from the auspicious clouds that existed at the beginning of the world. He possessed boundless magical power and unfathomable Taoist cultivation, and can be regarded as the revered ancestor of us cloud cultivators."

"In the past, when I first gained my spiritual awareness, I wandered through the vast emptiness, wandering through the vast emptiness, completely lost and bewildered..."

"Clouds are ever-changing; they scatter with a single gust of wind. How difficult it is for white clouds to cultivate their own path!"

Her eyes revealed remembrance and gratitude as she continued:
“It was Yun Zu who, seeing that I too had attained enlightenment from white clouds and gained spiritual wisdom, and out of consideration for our shared origin, compassionately bestowed a decree upon me, instructing me on some key points of cultivation after being born from cloud energy and on the methods to comprehend the ultimate principles of heaven and earth.”

"He was my mentor who enabled me to stabilize my Daoist body."

Speaking of it.

A hint of reminiscence appeared in Fairy Su'e's eyes, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, as if she were immersed in beautiful memories.

Then, with a hint of self-deprecating helplessness and the detachment of being a minor fairy, she sighed softly:

"However... my cultivation is meager and my foundation is shallow. Since entering the Moon Palace, I have been a celestial maiden in the Heavenly Palace and have lived here for a long time."

"In the long years of the celestial realm where the ranks of immortals are arranged and each has its place, even at grand celestial gatherings, a lowly immortal like myself would only have the opportunity to witness the face of the Cloud Ancestor once or twice."

His respect for Lady Yunxiao was evident in his words.

She seemed to recall a specific scene, her eyes lit up, and she added:
"That was during a banquet at the residence of 'God of Wealth Zhao'."

"On the occasion of Zhao Caishen's birthday celebration, a grand banquet is being held."

"At the Heavenly Palace of the God of Wealth, a grand banquet was held, with celestial guests from all walks of life gathering, none of them ordinary mortals..."

"This humble fairy was summoned by the Moon Goddess to perform a dance and add to the festivities..."

Her tone was flat, yet it implied a difference in their social standing:
"It was under such circumstances that I was able to catch a glimpse of the arrival of the Cloud Ancestor among the guests of immortals. His elegant demeanor and natural charm were truly captivating and unforgettable, and I dared not have the slightest thought of overstepping my bounds or offending him."

"I don't know who Yang Sili is..."

With a hint of doubt, Fairy Su'e tentatively asked:

"Why are you suddenly asking about Yun Zu's whereabouts?"

"But... is there something important that requires me to pay homage to the Immortal Ancestor Yun?"

(End of this chapter)