The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 187: Mother? Queen?

Mother? Queen? . . .

Cha-Eun Xiao, serving as the Monarch of the Ling-Bao Hall, found himself ensnared in a ceaseless whirlwind of responsibilities and obligations, leaving him little respite. His days were marked by relentless activity, as he tended to the myriad affairs of his sect with the diligence befitting his position.

Simultaneously, an unanticipated visitor had penetrated the profound bamboo forest, the very sanctuary in which the enigmatic Master Bai sought solitude and contemplation. This unexpected intrusion rattled even the usually unflappable Master Bai, casting an unsettling shadow over the serene grove.

Within the bamboo forest, Master Bai reclined in his customary white attire, casually seated upon his wheelchair. His gaze remained fixed upon the gently swaying bamboo, his countenance adorned with a serene smile.

[The entire world is in a state of flux, all orchestrated by my hand.]

The sensation of wielding omnipotent control over the world's affairs once filled him with profound satisfaction, especially when he first embarked on such a monumental endeavor. However, as time wore on, the novelty faded, and he grew increasingly accustomed to his lofty position. It had become as routine as eating and drinking, a chore to which he felt indifferent.

He even found it monotonous, akin to playing an insipid game that had lost its allure. Though it may have been a grand spectacle that captivated others, it held no sway over Master Bai.

Such was the peculiar nature of getting accustomed to everything—mundanity pervaded even the most extraordinary of circumstances.

"The Heavenly Mystery…" Master Bai's gaze shifted to the heavens above, his thoughts meandering into the past.

Since the moment he had etched the Heavenly Mystery onto the canvas of the world, its enigmatic essence had eluded him, slipping through his grasp like a fleeting wisp of smoke. The elusive manuscript had vanished without a trace, a mystery that gnawed at his normally unflappable demeanor.

[Despite the extensive efforts I expended to anchor it to this world, it eludes my grasp, and may now reside in another's hands.]

The thought weighed upon him, manifesting as a heavy sigh.

Wan-Er and Xiu-Er, his dedicated apprentices, had embarked on their own quests, leaving him to his solitary musings. In the midst of the bamboo forest, Master Bai grappled with a pervasive anxiety that unsettled his normally tranquil disposition.

It was a disquieting sign, one that gnawed at the edges of his consciousness.

Suddenly, an abrupt transformation occurred in the skies above. The once clear expanse of clouds swiftly shifted, revealing a brilliant, iridescent radiance concealed behind the billowing mass.

A gentle breeze wafted through the bamboo forest, bearing with it an unusual fragrance that stirred the tranquil grove. The sturdy bamboo stalks rustled in response, their leaves quivering.

Master Bai, seated amidst the bamboo, lifted his gaze skyward, his expression tinged with unease. The appearance of the enigmatic glow in the heavens drew his anxious attention.

Before he could fathom the source of this phenomena, a vivid array of colors materialized before him, coalescing into the form of a resplendent woman, garbed in majestic attire. Her gaze bore into Master Bai, concealing a simmering anger.

Startled by the unexpected presence of this woman, Master Bai hastily straightened his posture, his voice laced with surprise. "Ah… You... What brings you here in person?"

The woman responded with an air of indifference. "Why not? Are you implying I am unwelcome?"

Master Bai lowered his head respectfully, his tone gentle. "I would not dare."

"Dare not? What could possibly cause you to hesitate?" The woman retorted, her eyes narrowing.

Master Bai struggled to maintain his composure. "I... merely sought to be cautious."

The woman huffed, her proximity to Master Bai intensifying.

Most cultivators employed flying martial techniques to traverse the air, propelling themselves through brief airborne maneuvers. However, this woman defied convention. As she moved, colorful clouds churned beneath her feet, propelling her through the heavens without ever touching the ground. She extended her hand, compelling the celestial clouds above to descend, forming an ethereal chair composed entirely of clouds.

Taking her seat upon the cloud-wrought chair, she regarded Master Bai. The immaculate, billowing seat she had created was an embodiment of her aversion to the impurities of the mortal realm.

Master Bai, suppressing a wry smile, remarked, "My Queen Mother, your aversion to worldly impurities remains unwavering. I shall refrain from offering you tea in that case."

The woman had gone to great lengths to fashion a tangible chair from the pristine clouds, her distaste for the mundanity of earthly existence evident in her actions.

In response, she merely snorted and stated, "Where are the two little birds?"

"They are presently occupied with their own affairs. Should you desire their presence, I shall summon them forth," Master Bai replied.

"No need," the woman responded disinterestedly. "Their presence tends to irk me further."

A brief silence settled between them before the woman inquired, "Why? What is it about them that merits your esteem?"

Master Bai hesitated before responding, "They possess admirable qualities."

"Oh?" The woman regarded him with suspicion.

Master Bai chose to remain silent, fully aware that his mother harbored an unyielding opposition to the notion of his attachment to Wan-Er and Xiu-Er. If he even hinted at an affection for them, he knew she would eradicate the two young women without a second thought.

Their silence lingered until the woman spoke again, inquiring, "When do you plan to return?"

"I have no intention of returning," Master Bai admitted candidly. "The throne is coveted by many, but I seek only freedom."

"Freedom?" The woman's voice held a note of wistfulness as she regarded her son. Her eyes softened, and she spoke tenderly, "The concept of 'freedom' is far from simple. Everyone yearns for it, yet your destiny is inexorably tied to your identity. How can you hope for such freedom? Your father may hold you in high regard, but your brothers, driven by their own ambitions, will never release their grip on you."

Master Bai smiled sardonically, his tone laced with disdain. "Brothers? We are all your sons."

The woman sighed, her brows furrowing in contemplation.

"Nevertheless, I must admit I'm surprised you came down in person this time," Master Bai remarked.

"I didn't come solely for you. I sensed the emergence of a Phoenix Body in this world and decided to investigate," the woman replied, her tone devoid of warmth. "Yet all I find is your lackluster countenance, which annoys me. Had the two birds been here, they'd be dead by now. They deserve death for failing to protect their master!"

Master Bai could only manage a bitter smile.

He understood that his mother was a practitioner of the extraordinary Dancing Phoenix Art, a martial art that could awe both heaven and earth, transcending the natural order. However, it demanded a unique prerequisite – the Phoenix Body. This requirement excluded most individuals.

For his mother's long-cherished wish to bear fruit, she needed to find a worthy inheritor with a naturally endowed Phoenix Body, a quest that had proven fruitless for years. Yet, to her dismay, such an individual had surfaced in the Land of Han-Yang, a realm considered beneath her.

Her proclamation about killing the two young women was no idle threat. In the grand scheme of things, Xiu-Er and Wan-Er regarded the inhabitants of this world as insignificant ants, just as they appeared as mere ants in the eyes of their queen.

"Congratulations, Queen Mother. Your dream is on the verge of realization," Master Bai remarked with reverence.

The woman responded curtly, "Dreams remain unfulfilled until they materialize in reality. I have yet to meet this individual. It's too early to celebrate." She then turned her attention to her son. "Chen-Er, are you certain about not returning with me?"

"I am on the cusp of a breakthrough in my cultivation. I cannot afford any distractions," Master Bai replied, keeping his head bowed. "Rest assured, I will return promptly once I have achieved my goal."

The woman sighed and conceded, "Very well. Take care of yourself. I cannot linger here too long; it would disrupt the fabric of time and space, endangering this land."

"I understand," Master Bai responded respectfully.

"Here's a little something I've prepared for you," the woman said, tossing a five-colored ring to him nonchalantly. "Do not squander your life in this humble realm. Even if you care not for your reputation, I refuse to suffer disgrace."

Master Bai accepted the ring, his head still bowed. After a moment, he composed himself and assured her, "Fear not, Mother."

With a nod, the woman approached her son, gently touching his face and smoothing his attire. She took a step back, her gaze fixed on him. "I'm departing now."

Master Bai remained in a lowered posture, his response loud and clear. "Yes, Mother."

Fearful that meeting his mother's gaze might weaken his resolve and lead him to promise a return, Master Bai kept his eyes averted. The woman's sigh resonated with disappointment as she spoke, "Very well, you needn't come back. At least, I won't have to endure the headache of watching you boys fight amongst yourselves..."

With a flicker, she vanished from sight, leaving behind a mesmerizing display of colorful clouds that swirled through the sky.

Master Bai lifted his head to gaze at the chair his mother had occupied moments earlier. It had been crafted entirely from white clouds, and his eyes held a soft, wistful look.

"Mother, I will return," he whispered, "But not yet..."

Meanwhile, on the distant ice mountain, Cha-Eun Xiao met with Su Ye-Yue.

While he had no particular interest in the icy landscape he had created, Su Ye-Yue found it fascinating. In recent days, she had been consumed by despair upon hearing of Cha-Eun Xiao's impending demise. The weight of grief had taken a toll on her, causing her to lose weight and wither away. It pained Cha-Eun Xiao to see her suffer so deeply, and once he had confirmed his father's plan, he wasted no time in revealing the truth to her.

As the truth sank in, Su Ye-Yue's spirits were uplifted, and a newfound happiness blossomed within her.