I am Guhuoniao, not an umbrella demon, please do not disturb me.

"It may take four or five days to get to the capital. I have already spoken to Shuten-dōji about it."

With the baby still in her arms, Bai Qingyu spoke softly. Since she had been away from home for four or five days, the child would definitely have to be taken care of by Zhen Tian. There was no other way; the capital was dangerous, and something was bound to happen at Xu Yuanqing's wedding.

With the arrival of auspicious fortune, various sects have established their influence within the capital, making it a chaotic and undesirable place.

"Okay, I'll take good care of the child at home. You can go without worry, but please be careful."

Zhen Tian stood in front of Bai Qingyu. The two looked at each other with such reluctance to part, like a loving couple about to separate. Especially Zhen Tian's little gestures: one hand clasped in front of his chest, his eyes filled with affection, yet he lowered his eyes, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself. Perhaps he was trying to persuade Bai Qingyu to stay, but in the end he chose to let go.

Even the slightly melancholic and sad expression on her face was so convincing that those who knew her would think Bai Qingyu was going to attend someone else's wedding, while those who didn't would think she was going to join the army in place of her father and go out to fight.

All that's missing is the promise: "Wait for me to come back, and I will marry you."

In the yard, a few kids peeked out and whispered among themselves.

They are increasingly sensing that Bai Qingyu and Zhen Tian's relationship is unusual.

These two demons, not only do they sleep together at night, but now they've started being all lovey-dovey even during the day. To be precise, this started about three months ago.

Before leaving, Bai Qingyu gave them a final glare.

A group of little ones, what are they whispering about?

Can't there be love between female demons? Besides, she and Zhen Tian are both bird demons.

"I'm leaving. Don't think about me these next few days."

Bai Qingyu waved his sleeve, called out to his children, and then his figure slowly faded away. He had teleported directly to the outside of Tongzhou City. There were too many spies in Tongzhou, and the area around his Divine Phoenix Residence was even more of a disaster zone. Every move he made was under surveillance. If it weren't for the barrier protecting the Divine Phoenix Residence, Bai Qingyu wouldn't have been able to stay there.

Upon arriving outside Tongzhou City, Bai Qingyu wasn't in a hurry to fly there.

Wearing a white phoenix dress with gold trim, this dress was made by Xiaodie herself and is her favorite. Recently, a new one was made, and the phoenix pattern was replaced with more understated phoenix feather embroidery as decoration, which shows elegance and grace without being too extravagant.

Two strands of her black hair were casually tied behind her back, while most of it was still loose and tied up with a golden phoenix headdress.

Her face was lightly made up with delicate makeup, her eyebrows were drawn in an elegant style, and on her forehead was a three-petaled red mark formed by the condensation of her aura. Her hands were not human hands but bird wings, which was what she revealed when she did not disguise them.

Open the wooden umbrella, hold the handle with your elbow, and stroll through the fields outside the city.

When Bai Qingyu wasn't home, she was like a completely different person. Her eyes were no longer filled with gentle smiles, and she no longer had any smiles. She had no extra expressions, only indifference and composure. Her whole body seemed to exude an aura that kept strangers at bay, which was the image of the Divine Phoenix in the minds of those outside.

It seems that the Divine Phoenix should be so aloof and unapproachable, otherwise it wouldn't be the Divine Phoenix.

Bai Qingyu's speed didn't seem fast; in reality, his ethereal form made it more like low-altitude flight than walking. On his way to the capital, he would slow down to look around whenever he passed through some counties and towns, hoping to find monsters listed in the demon register.

Unfortunately, after passing through four county towns and seven small towns along the way, no trace of the demon in the Demon Book was found.

·

The Xu residence in the capital has been quite lively these past few days. The entire Grand Preceptor's mansion is adorned with red ribbons, and the decorations in front of the main gate are even more festive, with red decorations and colorful ornaments. Even the two stone lions are covered with large red embroidered balls. There are so many guests coming and going that the street is blocked by carriages. Guests at the back of the line have no choice but to stop their carriages and walk over.

Today is a joyous day; even ordinary people in the capital know that Grand Preceptor Xu is getting married tomorrow.

The huge courtyard was packed with guests. They hadn't just arrived today; they had come several days earlier. Depending on their status and position, the timing of their arrival to offer congratulations varied. The first group of officials had arrived five days earlier, followed by the major sects, and then the lower-level officials or large families, in descending order.

The capital city has many rules and regulations, and there are rules and regulations everywhere.

Such a thing as the Imperial Preceptor getting married is indeed the first time in the records of the Great Spirit.

The position of Imperial Preceptor is not something that has always existed; it originated with Xu Yuanqing's master. And even high-ranking officials in the same position as Imperial Preceptor did not hold such a grand ceremony.

The reason is simple: anyone who has reached this position is already an old man. At his age, he already has grandchildren, so why would he need to have a grand wedding?

Moreover, being so high-profile is not a good thing. After all, the capital city is a very complex place, so it's best to keep a low profile. Those who act arrogantly and do evil outside are usually spoiled brats or rich playboys.

The Imperial Preceptor's residence was bustling with activity, but no banquet was held. Xu Yuanqing, being wealthy and generous, simply booked out the Xiangtianlou restaurant not far away. When the time came, all the guests could simply go to Xiangtianlou for dinner.

In the courtyard, Xu Yuanqing was chatting with some high-ranking officials inside the house, which made the people outside murmur among themselves.

"There are quite a few people here this time. Even Chen Dao is here, and so many immortals from various sects have been invited. Moreover, I heard that this time, our National Preceptor Xu even sent that person along."

"You mean the one who killed Li Cai?"

"Correct."

"Hiss, is Grand Preceptor Xu thinking of...?"

"Hey, be careful what you say."

Upon hearing this, the official realized something and quickly shut his mouth.

The two exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with unease.

Xu Yuanqing's wedding this time must have a purpose. To be honest, they were all used to it. Xu Yuanqing had too many tricks up his sleeve. They had to be careful about everything he did, or they wouldn't even know how he had played them to death.

Even a simple dinner invitation could lead to the death of the person who holds the reins of the finances; who knows who this grand wedding is targeting?

I just hope the fire doesn't spread to me; good luck to me.

It's incredibly frustrating; coming is one thing, not coming is another.

The topic shifted to something less sensitive, and eventually the conversation turned to the various sects.

Xu Yuanqing was quite bold. It was the rule that mortals could not ask immortals to interfere in anything. Immortals and mortals were separate and should not interfere with each other. What happened in secret was a secret matter. At least it was absolutely forbidden to do so in public. But Xu Yuanqing not only did it, but he did it openly and honestly. He even sent the invitation to the disciples stationed at Tianyang Palace.

Thinking about it this way, it doesn't seem so strange to invite the Divine Phoenix.

Just as the two were talking, they saw a young girl follow an old man in.

The girl was dressed very simply, with a long ponytail and a clean and neat appearance. She was holding a huge long sword in her arms, the hilt of which obscured her face, so it was impossible to see what she looked like. But it was certain that she was a disciple of some sect.

If a cultivator doesn't hide their identity, they are easily distinguishable in a crowd. No matter how ordinary their appearance or how poor their attire, their inherent aura is undeniable.

The two officials looked the girl up and down, with only one thought in their minds.

Carrying such a big sword around like that, isn't it tiring?

The girl's body wasn't particularly delicate, but she appeared very thin against the backdrop of that enormous blade, which was taller than her and almost as wide as her slender waist.

The girl's appearance attracted the attention of many people in the courtyard, mainly because the knife she was carrying was too conspicuous.

Mortals see the incongruity of the sword and the young woman together, while cultivators see the rich spiritual energy emanating from the sword. This energy is so strong that it is immediately obvious that this is a superior sword.

The old man in front of the girl had a kind smile on his face and greeted some of the cultivators in the courtyard.

His appearance was quite special, because even the Tianyang Palace only sent a Nascent Soul disciple as their representative. Other sects were similar; they didn't even send any elders, and almost everyone they met was a young person.

Cultivation sects, including Tianyang Palace, value face. Xu Yuanqing is indeed the Imperial Preceptor, but he is only an Imperial Preceptor and does not even have cultivation. Sending a Nascent Soul disciple is already very polite, which shows the sect's magnanimity and does not embarrass Xu Yuanqing.

Many of the cultivators present recognized the old man; he was one of the Supreme Elders of the Sword Forging Sect.

The Sword Forging Sect is not a major sect. Compared to the Demon Subduing Sect and the Fate Sect, it is nothing. Apart from the sect leader having some strength, the Sword Forging Sect is generally very weak.

Other sects focus on cultivation, but the Sword Forging Sect is different. They mainly forge weapons, providing a large number of spiritual weapons for junior disciples to various sects, and a huge amount of armor and weapons to the Great Spirit Dynasty.

Therefore, some people have already guessed the old man's purpose in coming today.

He probably wants to discuss a business deal with Xu Yuanqing.

Even the Supreme Elder has come out; that's giving them enough face, isn't it?

As for the girl behind him, no one knew the reason.

Just as everyone was discussing the Sword Forging Sect, the huge courtyard suddenly fell silent, an eerie silence.

A figure in a white dress walked through the gate, holding an umbrella, followed by a child shouting into the courtyard.

"The Divine Phoenix Empress has arrived!"

That white-clad figure appeared in everyone's sight, and everyone's eyes were inevitably filled with amazement. Many men stared wide-eyed, their hearts pounding faster than ever. The child's shout was like a bucket of ice-cold water poured over the hearts of many present, instantly calming their agitated emotions.

Bai Qingyu ignored the gazes and thoughts of those around her; her eyes fell on the girl holding the giant demon sword.

Please vote for me, I'm begging you!

Volume 1: Chapter 179 The Past of the Demon Blade Princess

Having spent most of the day wandering around, searching through so many counties and villages without finding a single demon in the demon register, Bai Qingyu saw one as soon as she arrived at Xu Yuanqing's courtyard. Looking at the girl holding a long sword in her arms from afar, Bai Qingyu's mind was filled with a variety of thoughts.

The girl's name was Yaodao Ji. When Bai Qingyu first saw this name, he thought she was a monster transformed from a demon sword, or something like a sword spirit within the demon sword. Unfortunately, most of the records about demon swords in the demon book were gone, and all that was known was that she was a girl chosen by a demon sword.

Seemingly noticing Bai Qingyu's gaze, Yaodaoji also looked over.

Those eyes were calm, even somewhat gloomy. They didn't brighten much after seeing Bai Qingyu. They exchanged a glance, then turned away and continued to follow behind the old man. They didn't speak to anyone else, as if they were completely isolated from the world.

Bai Qingyu wanted to go over and talk to the girl, but Xu Yuanqing, having heard the commotion, walked towards her in a bright red robe, surrounded by many officials.

"Your Majesty's presence is an honor. Please forgive me for not welcoming you properly. Please come inside and have a seat."

Xu Yuanqing, his face beaming with smiles, hurriedly came out to greet him.

"Hmm." Bai Qingyu shifted her gaze from Yaodaoji to Xu Yuanqing and nodded gently.

The long umbrella in her arms disappeared, and Bai Qingyu followed Xu Yuanqing into the house. The surrounding officials chattered in her ear, saying nice things, and all she could hear were flattering words praising her.

Upon entering the main room, Xu Yuanqing asked Bai Qingyu to sit in a seat next to the head of the table. This seat was reserved specifically for her, as the other seats were already occupied and had tea.

That makes sense, it's already afternoon, and there aren't many people who arrive this late like me.

"Please, Your Highness." Xu Yuanqing said with a smile, and immediately a maid came forward to pour her tea.

Sitting down, Bai Qingyu picked up her teacup and took a small sip, blocking out most of her hearing, and the room immediately became much quieter.

Actually, the room was quiet enough with her sitting there. Before she arrived, the room was noisy and chaotic. The cultivators talked about cultivators, and the officials and Xu Yuanqing talked about other topics. It was lively, but there was no atmosphere of a wedding at all.

After finishing his reception, Xu Yuanqing hurriedly left. A short while later, Bai Qingyu saw him welcoming an old man into the room. Behind the old man was Yao Daoji. The old man didn't say anything as he entered the room. The old man's meaning was that this was his newly accepted disciple, so there was no need to arrange a seat for him.

When the old man saw Bai Qingyu in the house, he cupped his hands in greeting and said, "I am Lingzhu, an elder of the Sword Forging Sect. I have long admired Your Highness's name."

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Elder Lingzhu has taken in a fine disciple. What a magnificent demonic blade!"

Bai Qingyu put down his teacup and spoke calmly. Upon hearing this, Elder Lingzhu almost broke out in a cold sweat, and his heart tightened even more.

"Your Majesty flatters me."

The Sword Forging Sect specializes in forging weapons, including swords, spears, and halberds. Bai Qingyu was certain that the demon sword in Yaodaoji's arms was definitely not their creation. The entire sword was filled with an ominous aura, and what it contained was not spiritual energy but demonic energy.

The Demon Blade Princess herself also has problems. If she is not mistaken, the Demon Blade and the Demon Blade Princess are now in a symbiotic relationship, coexisting and mutually dependent. Therefore, this child can no longer be considered human, but rather half-human and half-demon. The Sword Forging Sect made a mistake by taking her in.

While the people inside were still discussing, it quickly got dark outside.

Today was not the wedding day, so the banquet was simply held at Xu Yuanqing's Imperial Preceptor's residence, with only high-ranking officials and representatives from all the sects remaining.

Bai Qingyu naturally sat at the table with the sect representatives. With her there, the atmosphere at the table was quite oppressive. The male disciples would steal a glance at her, then quickly look away as if afraid of being discovered.

Cultivators are also human beings, and most of those who come are young men full of vigor and vitality, or at least they look like young men.