Chapter Forty-Seven: First Bloom

“You old rascal, don’t be ungrateful. I show you a little respect, and you want to push your luck?”

“Have you forgotten? Back in the Celestial Origin Divine Domain, who risked everything to save you from the Sword of Alien Worlds? Who braved the Three-Funeral Heavens of Hell by your side?”

Da Jiuxing was furious, reeling off the past one by one.

Clearly, the two had once shared years of life and death, venturing across the universe of spiritual energy together, their bond forged through mutual peril. Yet with time, their tempers hardened, and neither would yield to the other.

“Ah…”

Feng Xiang sighed softly, taking on the role of mediator as he tried to quell the brewing argument between the two old men. Reluctantly, they stifled their anger, each snorting and falling into a sullen silence.

“You’re both figures of supreme stature now—if word of this gets out, it wouldn’t sound too dignified, would it?” Feng Xiang said with a wry smile, standing between them.

“Hmph!”

The old man in the azure robe stood tall, ignoring Da Jiuxing, and addressed Feng Xiang: “Xiang’er, if you can’t bear to stay in Jiuxing City, come to your grandfather’s Primal Chaos Nest. You’re always welcome there—don’t stay where you’re not happy.”

Da Jiuxing’s beard bristled, and his eyes bulged.

Clearly, the old man was deliberately provoking him!

He could barely hold back from retorting, but then suddenly changed tack, sneering, “You mad old fool, just don’t say I didn’t warn you about picking a master for Xiang’er. You’ve driven off no fewer than eight or ten by now. Take my advice—send this one packing before you lose face again.”

The old man in the azure robe burst out laughing, “I was wondering how you’d try to vex me. Don’t worry—I’ve chosen someone whose talent shakes the cosmos. Before this cosmic era ends, he will surely ascend to sainthood!”

“Oh?” Da Jiuxing’s eyes narrowed.

The Mad Old Man was proud, even arrogant, but rarely boasted without substance. For him to praise a young person so highly was astonishing.

Feng Xiang, too, was taken aback, hardly able to believe it.

The word “sainthood” was not spoken lightly; it carried immense weight. For Grandfather Jiufeng, proud as he was, to use it—what kind of extraordinary person must this be?

A flicker of curiosity stirred in his heart.

The old man in azure glanced sidelong at Da Jiuxing, full of smug satisfaction. Clearly, he was immensely proud to have discovered a young talent destined for greatness—and perhaps sainthood.

“Xiang’er, that person is already on his way to Star City. When you meet him, remember—follow his lead. His mastery of the Dao far surpasses even mine. I promised him I’d see to something, so I must go. I’ll visit you next time.”

With that, the white ten-pointed crystal trembled, its glow faded, and the old man’s image vanished.

Feng Xiang remained where he was, lost in thought.

The realm of Dao resonance… This, too, was a term of tremendous significance. For Grandfather Jiufeng to so highly esteem someone was unprecedented. He was beginning to wonder just what kind of remarkable master had been found for him.

Could it be the reincarnation of some great figure?

“Come, let’s return to Star City and see what sort of prodigy that mad old man has found. He’s made such a fuss—if it turns out to be nothing special, we’ll have some fun mocking him for it.”

Da Jiuxing snapped out of his reverie, stepped forward, and tore open the void. The Dark Cosmos unfolded—within the blackness, mysterious currents of space flowed, linking unfathomable distances.

“Alright,” Feng Xiang replied, a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes.

…

A sea of flowers shimmered with fragrance.

Within the Pure Land, sacred stones stood tall.

At this moment, before the largest of these stones stood seven exquisite figures, each radiantly beautiful and uniquely graceful, ethereal and otherworldly.

All seven Flower Sea Goddesses were present.

Jiumeng drew a deep breath, her bare, delicate feet pressed into the soft grass. She steadied herself, her pure and otherworldly eyes filled with seriousness as she said, “Sisters, I’m ready.”

“Little Jiumeng, there’s no need to be nervous. For the three years of your first blossoming, the seven of us will guard you at every moment. You won’t find it difficult,” said the Dance Goddess kindly.

“Mhm.” Jiumeng nodded gently.

Not far away, Little Broken Grass peeked out from behind a sacred stone, too timid to approach the seven grandmistresses—especially afraid of the Dance Goddess, whose playful torments had left a shadow on her heart.

“My little mistress is about to blossom—I can hardly wait,” she whispered, her childish face full of anticipation. Her mistress had been budding for nine years. This first blossoming was of utmost importance.

A perfect first blossoming would lay a foundation to defy the very heavens.

Blessed by the universe’s spiritual energy, her cultivation would know no bottlenecks; she would soon ascend straight to the Divine Lord Realm!

For generations, the Flower Lords had been celebrated across a thousand domains—this was no accident.

Fragrance drifted through the air; petals danced, delicate and dazzling.

The First Goddess’s expression was gentle. With a wave of her hand, white mist began to swirl around Jiumeng’s slender feet, dreamlike and otherworldly.

“Our Flower Sea traces its legacy back to the First Cosmic Age. The first Flower Lord, Ruitian, bloomed in the ancient era of deification. After that era ended, the Flower Lord founded the Flower Realm here—ever since, it has endured countless eras, with stars shifting and life unending.”

As she spoke, ripples of white light spread outward, transforming into a rain of radiance that showered down, subtly changing the atmosphere.

Nearby, a clear stream slowed to a tranquil trickle, its gentle murmuring audible.

At the edge of the Pure Land, auspicious energies arose, mist drifted, and countless currents of clarity and nascent essence emerged from the fragrant meadows.

Silver veins flickered across sky and earth, releasing pure energy.

In Ming Luo’s palm floated a crystal-clear sacred heart, as if it had existed from time immemorial. Its appearance filled the surroundings with a dazzling brilliance.

“Dream, you were born blessed by the universe’s spiritual energy, inheritor of the Celestial Lord Li. This first blossoming is your foundation—take root in the Sacred Heart of the Ancient Era, and let no stray thoughts distract you,” said the First Goddess, her eyes shining.

“Goddess Sister, I will try my best,” Jiumeng replied, biting her lip. From birth, she had known the weight she bore—it was her duty to continue the Flower Sea’s legacy. She could not afford to fail.

“Take this. Root yourself in the Sacred Heart.”

With a shimmer of divine radiance, the First Goddess produced a flawless white jade box. With a soft pop, a brilliant, living aura emerged, part of it peeking out curiously before swiftly floating free.

No sooner did it appear than the divine energy tried to escape.

Every strand of divine energy possessed its own spirit and limitless potential—given time, they could become true beings, even ascend to cosmic mastery. They were never content merely to serve as stepping stones for others.

“So this is the Rebellious Cosmic Spirit?” Jiumeng’s eyes widened. Earlier, the refinement of the nine star deities had sent shockwaves through the entire Flower Sea, golden light flooding the Pure Land, and at the end, even the pressure of cosmic tribulation had descended.

She had long been curious about this divine energy.

Something strange happened.

The Rebellious Cosmic Spirit, upon hearing the girl’s melodious voice, paused suddenly and no longer tried to flee. With a nimble turn, it floated gently before her.

As if hearts in tune, the girl and the divine energy exchanged a silent glance. After a moment’s hesitation, the cosmic aura shot into her rosy lips.

“Oh!”

Jiumeng’s beautiful eyes flew wide open.

She felt a mysterious power flow down her throat. At once, a circle of radiant, nine-colored halos, brimming with vitality, surged up from beneath her.