Chapter Eight: The Person Sought Is the Violet Lotus

“No, I did not come to the mortal realm to admire the scenery—I am here to seek out an immortal,” I admitted to him after a moment’s hesitation; I simply couldn’t hold back any longer.

“An immortal?” His laughter finally subsided. He looked at me in disbelief and said, “The six realms are in great turmoil right now, and the tension between the immortal and demon realms is more severe than ever. I think, Miss Yu Ge, you’d do best to abandon this pursuit—lest you lose your life before you even find your immortal.”

“Surely not!”

I had heard Chixiao mention rumors in the demon realm about the imminent war between immortals and demons, but at the time, I never took it seriously. I always thought it was just Chixiao’s eagerness to avenge the former Demon Lord that led him to declare such things to the six realms. But now, hearing Potai speak of it, I realized that the immortals truly harbor deep resentment toward the denizens of the demon realm and are preparing at any moment for open war.

Now, coming to seek Zilian, I’m afraid that being his bride is out of the question; I might not even get close to him before he and his peers strike me down and send me back to the demon realm with a single blow.

“I just have a matter to discuss with him; I’m not here to threaten the six realms. The immortals are reasonable—they won’t harm me, will they?” I forced a sheepish smile. In truth, I had no confidence in my own words. I wasn’t sure if I said them to reassure myself or to interrupt his discouraging warnings that were sapping my courage.

“Reasonable?” He gave a cold, derisive laugh. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you really go to the immortal realm in search of an immortal, you’ll be discovered by those self-righteous immortals before you even set foot in their domain. If that happens, Miss Yu Ge, chances are they’ll seize you, deliver you to the heavens, and bind you to the Pillar of Immortal Execution to be burned by divine fire. Then, you’ll no longer look as you do now. I imagine that divine fire will roast you until you become a fragrant, sizzling grilled fish.”

Grilled fish? I’d never seen such a thing, but the way he described it sounded terrifying.

“That… that dreadful?” I swallowed hard, running my hands over my clothes. Looking at him with hope, I asked, “Do you know of any way you could help me?”

He sighed, resignation in his voice. “To help you… Well, tell me first—which immortal in the heavenly realm are you seeking? If possible, perhaps I could put in a word for you.”

“Truly? The immortal I seek is Zilian.”

“What? Zilian?”

His expression grew even more exaggerated, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He picked up the wine cup from the table and drained it in one gulp. Setting it down, he looked at me and asked, “You’re saying the immortal you’re searching for is Zilian?”

“Yes, Zilian,” I affirmed with a nod. “A thousand years ago, he once saved my life. I wish to find him to repay that debt.”

“Repay him… Is that all you wish to do?” He raised an eyebrow, a sly glimmer in his eyes as he looked at me.

“Well… I also wish to become his bride,” I replied, fidgeting, clutching my sleeves with embarrassment.

“B-b-bride?” Potai stammered, his eyes fixed intently on me.

“Yes, his bride.” I glanced up at him, saw his face frozen in shock, his mouth agape as if he could swallow a whole egg, and quickly lowered my head in shy embarrassment.