Indeed — the Nine Saint Grand Sage had once been nothing but a mountain pheasant who cultivated the Dao. By his own will he rose to become one of that era's greatest sages, sweeping across the Eight Desolations in glorious arrogance. Yet in the end, he fell beneath Li Qiye's hand and swore to serve as Protector for Immortal Emperor Mingren.
The phrase "HeavenlyDemon—OnlyMe" had been his boast of mad supremacy; "AFieldofFeathers" was Li Qiye's mocking reply. None in this age knew the truth behind those words.
Such an absurd scene left the elders of the Nine Saint Demon Gate stunned. For endless generations, their sect masters and prodigies had poured their hearts into deciphering the Dao of those four characters — and never once had they imagined that the answer was simply "AFieldofFeathers."
Li Qiye's offhand claim that their ancestor was a "chicken spirit" should have been an unpardonable insult. Yet after a moment of thought, the elders found a grain of truth — after all, their mighty founder had indeed been a pheasant who had ascended to sainthood.
### The Cavern Revealed
"Let's see what toys your ancestor left behind."
Li Qiye smiled leisurely and stepped straight into the Holy Sanctum, ignoring the elders' shock.
The startled elders rushed to follow.
Inside was but a single treasure hall.
The moment they entered, radiance flared everywhere — immortal light streamed like rainbows, painting the air with color.
Weapons and relics hovered in mid‑air; sacred metals and ether stones gleamed; ancient scrolls and jade boxes filled the chamber in multicolored splendor.
"So the old bird did have quite the hoard." Li Qiye's tone was light, his smile casual.
The elders glanced at each other, unsure whether to be offended or awed. Their young guest's swagger was matched only by his mystery.
### Treasures of Nine Saint
"The Twin Swords of the Purple Dragon—!"
One elder gasped at the floating treasures.
"The Demon‑Extinguishing Pagoda! The Nine‑Star Galaxy Ladle! The Heavenly Wood Boat—these are the legendary artifacts of our archives!"
Another cried out before a shelf:
"This is the AncientSecretofGreenWood!"
One by one, shock spread through them. They realized the truth: their founder had passed down only a fraction of his treasures to later generations — the true foundation of the sect had been sealed here all along.
The Nine Saint Sage's collection was astounding indeed — spoils of a lifetime and rewards bestowed by Immortal Emperor Mingren himself for his loyal service.
### The Emperor Artifact
"An... Emperor Artifact!"
All eyes turned to the center where a single jade desk stood.
Upon it rested an ancient box, its lock sealing in a majesty that still spilled through the cracks.
Even a wisp of that Immortal Emperor's aura was enough to shake the world — the nine heavens bowed, and the Dao itself quivered.
The elders trembled; their gazes burned. That was it — the artifact forged by Mingren's own hand, supreme beyond measure.
### A Choice of One
Just then, Li Qiye spoke lightly:
"Don't forget — I have first pick."
The elders froze as though plunged into ice.
Each one silently prayed that he would choose anything but the Emperor Artifact.
But Li Qiye's face remained calm, confident, untouched by concern.
The Grand Elder hesitated, then finally bit down his words:
"Our Nine Saint Demon Gate keeps its promise. What His Majesty has granted, we shall not take back."
His tone was bitter — how could it not be? That was an Emperor Artifact!
"At least you have a bit of backbone." Li Qiye smiled gently. "I must say, your Sunwheel Demon Emperor has some redeeming qualities."
The elders fell silent. Their Demon Emperor — a peerless sovereign of the Empire — being "praised" by a thirteen‑year‑old boy was absurd beyond words.
Yet none could deny that the boy's bearing matched his boast.
### The Emperor's Gift
Clap—Clap—Clap—
Li Qiye suddenly clapped three times.
Instantly, the ancient box rose from the altar and floated to his hand, landing softly as though it had been waiting for him all along.
He slipped it away without even a second glance.
"An Emperor Artifact, nothing more. No need to look so tense."
Turning casually, he walked out of the sanctum.
The elders stood frozen, minds blank.
Two truths shattered their reason: first, that a mere clap had compelled the artifact to obey him; and second, that he spoke of an Emperor Artifact as though it were dust.
His poise and arrogance were beyond anything they had ever witnessed.
When they finally stirred, Li Qiye was gone.
Within three days, the Nine Saint Demon Gate catalogued every relic of the treasure hall and hosted Li Qiye with the highest honor, offering the same to Nan Huairen and Mo the Protector.
### An Invitation and a Refusal
Three days later, Yu He came again to escort him to the Heavenly Hall — the mighty Protector King now content as a driver. He understood well enough how vital this youth had become to the sect.
Within the Heavenly Hall, all elders assembled; the Sunwheel Demon Emperor remained unseen.
Their eyes held a mixture of reverence, fear, and unease as they regarded Li Qiye.
"I was in seclusion and could not meet Young Lord Li earlier — a regret indeed."
The Demon Emperor's voice echoed through the hall.
He was a legend, ruler of the Central Domain — and yet today his tone was courteous, even respectful, to a boy of thirteen. If news spread, it would shake the entire realm.
"There's no rush," Li Qiye replied with calm ease, utterly unshaken.
The Demon Emperor paused, then spoke again:
"If Young Lord Li is willing to remain with us, our Nine Saint Demon Gate can offer all that the Washing‑Dust Ancient Sect ever could."
Clearly, the offer had been decided in advance.
Li Qiye sat in silence for a moment. The offer was tempting; Nine Saint was far stronger than his current sect. Yet in the end he smiled and shook his head.
"The Demon Emperor's kindness is appreciated. But since fate tied me to the Washing‑Dust Sect as its chief disciple, a disciple I shall remain for life."
For him, that sect was more than a school — it was his creation, his legacy. Even though later generations had failed his expectations, his bond to it endured.
"Hmph! How can that faded sect compare to Nine Saint?" an elder snapped, unable to hide his scorn.
They were lords of the Ox Kingdom, feared across a thousand sects; no one had ever rejected them so bluntly.
Li Qiye merely smiled.
"True strength is not found in a sect's might. True invincibility cares nothing for its origin."
His voice was calm yet boundless — a thirteen‑year‑old speaking as if above heaven and earth, and not one elder could refute him.
The Nine Saint hall fell silent.