novelraw Chapter 411: Fairy Liu Yun of the Auspicious Palace
Chapter 411: Fairy Liu Yun of the Auspicious Palace
The air resonated with celestial melodies, mingled with the cries of phoenixes and cranes.
Petals carried fragrant breezes, dancing across the sky.
Through this shower of blossoms, a luxurious carriage drawn by four Flying Horses raced forward.
The Flying Horses, with sleek and agile figures, stepped upon floating clouds. Each beat of their wings created powerful gusts of wind. The carriage they pulled was a masterpiece—its right side engraved with a dragon motif, while a phoenix adorned the left. Studded with countless priceless gems, it shimmered dazzlingly under the sunlight.
Behind a veil as thin as cicada wings, the faint outline of a woman dressed in a scarlet wedding gown could be glimpsed.
“This place is…”
Yu Zhao gazed around in astonishment.
Had it not been for the lingering pain from the spatial force that had crushed her, she would have thought she was dreaming. She remembered being dragged into a transmission passage by Ye Cong Xin, only for the passage to collapse midway. Swept into chaotic space currents, she lost consciousness.
When she awoke, she found herself clad in a wedding gown, seated within this magnificent carriage.
Was this… body possession?Her first thought was whether her physical body had been destroyed in the spatial turbulence, causing her soul to unintentionally take over another’s body. Alarmed, Yu Zhao extended her Divine Sense inward, only to exhale in relief.
No, this was still her body.
The hidden injuries within her, caused by the spatial chaos, remained.
But what on earth was happening?
One thing Yu Zhao was certain of: this place was not the Cultivation World.
Even the Flying Horses pulling the carriage had strength she couldn’t discern. Let alone the extravagant vehicle itself—its construction was beyond comprehension.
She tried to exit but was unsurprised to find an invisible barrier encasing the carriage. Even the vibrant wedding gown she wore was inscribed with arrays. She couldn’t leave the carriage, nor could she remove the intrusive garment.
To add to her bewilderment, a Jade Ruyi, clear as seawater with a faint icy-blue hue, now hung around her neck. Cool to the touch and brimming with spiritual essence, it was undoubtedly a treasure of significant value.
Questions swirled in Yu Zhao’s mind.
After long contemplation, her furrowed brow gradually relaxed.
“Since I’m already here, I might as well make the best of it.”
Unable to leave, she decided to go along with the flow and see where the carriage would take her.
As the Flying Horses pulled the carriage through the skies, Yu Zhao felt no bumps or jolts inside. Along the journey, she even attempted to speak with the Flying Horses.
Yet, whether due to a language barrier or another reason, the horses ignored her entirely. Left with no choice, Yu Zhao maintained vigilance while absorbing the ambient spiritual energy to heal her injuries.
…
Half a month later, Yu Zhao opened her eyes.
The carriage was nearing its destination.
She could now hear the jubilant sounds of festive music ahead.
Soon enough, the Flying Horses began their descent. A grand estate, adorned with celebratory decorations, came into view. It was more fitting to call it a palace, as its magnificence rivaled that of a city.
Every three steps revealed a picturesque scene; every five steps, a painting-like view. Ornate railings, jade tiles, and an atmosphere of unparalleled elegance surrounded the estate.
“The Auspicious Palace’s carriage has arrived!”
“Fairy Liu Yun is here!”
“Quick! Notify the Nan Gong Family!”
“No need—the Feng Family is already here!”
A large crowd surged forward, surrounding a refined and noble young man standing atop a massive flower platform in the estate’s center.
Moments later, the Flying Horses landed gracefully on the platform, bringing the carriage to a halt.
Behind the veil, Yu Zhao observed the crowd outside, her heart sinking further.
She couldn’t discern the cultivation levels of any of them.
Unlike Master Qing Yan, whose aura exuded an overpowering and unattainable presence, these individuals were utterly reserved. Their restrained demeanor made them all the more intimidating.
“Feng Jiu Si, on behalf of the Feng Family, welcomes Fairy Liu Yun. Please alight the carriage.”
Inside the carriage, Yu Zhao hesitated before slowly extending a fingertip.
As expected.
This time, her fingertip wasn’t repelled by the barrier.
Taking a deep breath, she boldly pulled aside the curtain and stepped onto the carriage platform.
The surroundings fell silent for a brief moment.
Then, an uproar of murmurs erupted.
“Fairy Liu Yun truly lives up to her title as the number one female immortal of the Auspicious Palace—she’s unmatched in beauty!”
“Feng Jiu Si, so refined and graceful, and Fairy Liu Yun, unparalleled in elegance—what a perfect match!”
“But isn’t Fairy Liu Yun supposed to be at the Divine Transformation Stage? Why is she only at the Nascent Soul Stage?”
Yu Zhao remained silent, sifting through the chaotic comments for useful information, ultimately arriving at two conclusions.
First, she had assumed the identity of Fairy Liu Yun, a renowned figure from the Auspicious Palace. Few had seen her in person, so although her cultivation didn’t match expectations, no one questioned her identity.
Second, Fairy Liu Yun had long been betrothed to Feng Jiu Si, the Young Master of the Feng Family. Their dual cultivation ceremony was set for the day after tomorrow. Today’s guests were mostly followers of the Feng Family, with prominent figures scheduled to arrive tomorrow.
“Fairy Liu Yun must be tired from her journey. Xing Yu, Li Yun, escort the Fairy to her chambers to rest.”
Feng Jiu Si, seemingly unfamiliar with his fiancée, showed no surprise. Smiling, he summoned two beautiful maids forward.
Yu Zhao noticed the two maids, whose cultivation matched her own, approaching respectfully. Heart sinking, she quietly followed them.
Feng Jiu Si watched her retreating figure with a gentle smile, his gaze full of affection.
…
The Feng Family arranged for Yu Zhao to stay in a separate pavilion surrounded by blooming flowers, flowing streams, and misty spiritual energy—like a paradise on earth.
Yu Zhao maintained her composed facade until the maids departed, leaving her alone in the room.
Collapsing onto the opulent bed, she felt despair washing over her.
Based on the information she’d gathered, it seemed that Fairy Liu Yun had fled from her arranged marriage. Unluckily, Yu Zhao had become her substitute, sent to wed into the Feng Family in her place.
But was this Liu Yun’s idea, or the Auspicious Palace’s doing?
Several oddities remained.
For instance, despite the significance of Liu Yun’s marriage to the Feng Family, no one from the Auspicious Palace had come to accompany her.
Moreover, as soon as Yu Zhao disembarked, the Flying Horses had swiftly departed with the carriage, severing any connection with her.
Were they afraid of being exposed and incurring the Feng Family’s wrath, or was there another reason?
Strangely, neither Feng Jiu Si nor anyone else seemed to find the lack of representation from the Auspicious Palace improper.
From overheard conversations, Yu Zhao learned that Feng Jiu Si was a prodigious talent, having earned the position of Young Master years ago through outstanding achievements. In contrast, Liu Yun, aside from her celebrated beauty, appeared to lack notable accomplishments.
The disparity in their capabilities was stark.
Despite the importance of this union, Yu Zhao hadn’t seen any other Feng Family members, leaving their stance on the marriage unclear.
In short, the entire situation was riddled with peculiarities.
What would happen when the Feng Family discovered that Liu Yun had been replaced? Would their anger be directed at her?
After brooding for a moment, Yu Zhao suddenly sat up and began meditating.
She wouldn’t let such dense spiritual energy go to waste.