Chapter 83: Willow Earth Deer

Page 1 of 3

The moment Wang Yuan saw the look in the others’ eyes, he immediately understood their thoughts—if there was even a sliver of hope for recovery, they would never give up. Such was the way of cultivation: arduous by nature, and especially so for demons who had attained the Dao. Those who had cultivated for over a century were never ones to waver in spirit; most had made their way by relying on their own perseverance and exploration. Even the faintest rumor of a method for cultivation would prompt them to forge ahead, one after another, without hesitation. Wang Yuanfeng understood them, and was moved as well. The immortal path values life above all else—if it were he who lay injured, no doubt Erqing and Xiaoqing would not abandon him either.

Reflecting further, Wang Yuanfeng thought of his own past life. Though he had always valued himself and never gave up on himself, he had been quick to give up on others when there seemed to be no solution. Now that memory brought him a tinge of shame.

“As long as there is the faintest sign of life, every effort must be made to restore her consciousness.” Looking at the vacant-eyed Hua Guzi lying on the ground, Wang Yuanfeng resolved this silently in his heart.

Seeing the unwavering determination in their eyes, Wang Yuanfeng made up his mind—not to give up, no matter how slim the hope.

After a moment’s thought, he said to them, “Her body is intact, without the slightest injury. Now her mind is dead, and so deathly qi emanates from her. However, I have already dispelled the strongest surge of death qi that emerged at the moment her spirit died. Though death qi still lingers, it is not as intense. As long as you infuse her with vital energy every two hours, letting her recover slowly on her own, she should be fine.”

Relieved, the others breathed out softly. As long as there was hope, it was enough.

“Thank you, Young Master Wang.” Zhang Sangu quickly knelt beside Hua Guzi, checking her condition as she spoke.

Xiaoqing wiped away her tears, her face brightening with joy, while Erqing’s furrowed brow gradually relaxed. Yet she pondered Wang Yuanfeng’s words, weighing the feasibility of reviving someone whose mind had perished. Such matters touched upon the soul itself, the most mysterious realm; rational by nature, she could not help but doubt, and wondered if she should ask for clarification later.

Suddenly, Wang Yuanfeng felt an unexpected tremor from the Celestial Armillary Sphere. His consciousness sank into his spiritual platform, and he saw that the constellations within the sphere had begun to rotate on their own. Several stars were shining more brightly—such as the Gouchen Palace and the Kui Wolf and Lou Dog in the White Tiger quadrant of the west. These all ignited simultaneously, without distinction of order.

Feeling a surge in his own fortune, Wang Yuanfeng was instantly delighted.

“What is it, Young Master Wang? Have you thought of a solution?” Erqing, deep in thought, noticed Wang Yuanfeng’s joy.

Wang Yuanfeng considered—if any of the constellations or palaces matched Hua Guzi’s destiny, perhaps he could try to restore her through fortune. He replied, “I can try. Although I can raise her destiny, I can only attempt to awaken her through this method.”

“What? Brother Yuanfeng, you have another way?” Xiaoqing clutched Wang Yuanfeng’s arm anxiously.

Zhang Sangu also looked at Wang Yuanfeng, about to plead, but seeing him deep in thought, dared not speak, fearing to interrupt him.

At that moment, Wang Yuanfeng was observing the Vermilion Bird position in the south. He noticed the third star twinkling, as if awaiting something—just as he had suspected.

When he opened his eyes, he saw the others watching him expectantly. Wang Yuanfeng ignored their gazes, letting his eyes drift between Hua Guzi and Zhang Sangu, making the others around him tense with anxiety.

He weighed the matter: in the southern Vermilion Bird quadrant, there was only one position, yet both Zhang Sangu and Hua Guzi’s destinies were suitable. If he chose Zhang Sangu, his own fortune would increase, and all the palaces associated with him would benefit.

Page 2 of 3

But if he chose Hua Guzi, she might die at any moment, and the loss would ripple through himself and many others—the interests of all those linked by fortune to the Celestial Armillary Sphere would be affected. This was no longer a personal matter; with the sphere as a spiritual treasure at its core, the fortunes of many were intertwined—he had to be cautious.

Yet Hua Guzi’s potential was clearly much greater. If she lived, fortune would gradually recover, and many could benefit. Thus, the choice was difficult.

He glanced at Xiaoqing and Erqing, both watching him anxiously. Suddenly, Wang Yuan’s mind cleared—he chose Hua Guzi, even if it meant risking her life, resolving to guide her back in the next life if necessary.

Just as he was about to speak, the Celestial Armillary Sphere pulsed again. Wang Yuanfeng’s mind sank into the spiritual platform, and he was overjoyed.

“I have a way.” He saw that beside the third star of the southern Vermilion Bird, a supporting star had appeared within the sphere. Overjoyed, he announced, “And it is a way to satisfy all parties.”

“What way?” the three asked in unison.

“Enthronement of the gods,” Wang Yuanfeng said softly. Seeing their stunned faces, he continued, “I have a position among the star gods that matches Hua Guzi’s destiny. If she occupies this position, she will not die, as long as she is not cast down from the divine altar.”

The three found it incredible. Wasn’t cultivation a pursuit of immortality? In the common divine path, as long as the temple stood, there was no threat of destruction.

Erqing and Xiaoqing, though envious, showed not the slightest greed in their eyes—a detail Wang Yuanfeng noted with approval.

He had indeed not misjudged them. Still, this was a risk: though the Armillary Sphere could not be taken by another, having fused with his soul, if someone truly harbored evil intent, danger could arise. Fortunately, those present were all virtuous, and he saw no need to explain further—more explanation only brought more trouble.

Wang Yuanfeng communed with the Armillary Sphere, projecting the third star of the southern Vermilion Bird onto Hua Guzi, and at the same time, the supporting star onto Zhang Sangu.

At that moment, Hua Guzi’s middle finger twitched slightly, then fell still. Zhang Sangu felt a rush of energy, her entire being invigorated, her internal demon essence more active than ever. Stunned, she looked at Wang Yuanfeng in disbelief.

Xiaoqing and Erqing were equally astonished. Though not experts in the ways of fortune, they knew enough to realize that even subtle changes here were striking—so apparent that even ordinary people, if attentive, would notice, let alone cultivators.

Now, seeing that their destinies had been linked to the Armillary Sphere, Wang Yuanfeng spoke with a solemn air, “From now on, Hua Guzi shall be known as the Willow-Earth Musk Deer, and Zhang Sangu as the protector of this star god. Their fortunes will rise and fall together, sharing both honor and loss.”

“On behalf of Hua Guzi, I thank you, Young Master.” Zhang Sangu, understanding the gravity of the moment, immediately knelt and bowed deeply to Wang Yuanfeng. Then, bowing again, she said, “Protector of the Willow-Earth Musk Deer Star God pays respects to the Young Master.”

At that, Hua Guzi trembled slightly, but soon fell back into calm.

Wang Yuanfeng observed both Hua Guzi and Zhang Sangu—their fortunes had stabilized, their destinies now firmly linked to the star god positions. As long as they continued to cultivate and comprehend, they would surely cement their fates.

Wang Yuanfeng knew, of course, that though it seemed simple—he controlled the Celestial Armillary Sphere, a microcosm of heaven and earth, with all the cycles of the cosmos complete within—it was not a power for him alone. The sphere merely granted him a measure of authority.

If anyone’s destiny resonated with a celestial palace, it would naturally respond—provided their virtue was sufficient, the heavens and earth would confer the appropriate position. As the saying goes: “The Dao comes to those who are virtuous.”

Page 3 of 3

Meanwhile, from a distance, Zhang Xiangzi, who had been watching over An Youyu, suddenly sensed movement in the valley. Turning, he saw threads of starlight descending from the heavens, precisely at the small valley where he and Zhang Xianggu were hiding.

“Star god? Impossible.” Zhang Xiangzi’s eyes went red. Hadn’t his lifelong pursuit been for this very thing? Though he’d never seen a true star god, he could recognize the power of the stars.

“If one could collect the power of the stars, and simply attune to them methodically, achieving the star god status would come naturally with sufficient cultivation—no need for all this scheming.” Zhang Xiangzi stared hungrily at the valley, forgetting about An Youyu entirely, desperate to see who had communed with the star god…

…

At this point, Wang Yuanfeng saw that matters had settled. Though Hua Guzi remained unconscious, her condition had stabilized—no more deathly qi emanated from her, though she did not wake. Wang Yuanfeng surmised it might be her own will holding her back from awakening.

From now on, it would be up to Zhang Sangu to care for her. As long as she was well looked after, as long as she lived, there would come a day when she would awaken. Yet, with her mind wounded in such a self-destructive way, it was as if she had suffered a trauma—her recovery would depend on herself.

“Not good—Zhang Xiangzi is not far from here. If he sees such phenomena, he will return.” Zhang Sangu suddenly remembered Zhang Xiangzi’s presence nearby and warned the group.

“It’s of no concern,” Wang Yuanfeng said. Alone, he might be wary of Zhang Xiangzi, but with so many present, there was little to fear. “Let us hide our auras. If he dares come, let him remain here forever.”

With that, Xiaoqing and Erqing suppressed their own auras, and Wang Yuanfeng added a further layer of concealment around them. He swept his hand through the air, gathering all traces of their presence.

But there remained the matter of Zhang Xiangzi and An Youyu—these two must be dealt with. Zhang Xiangzi was the simpler problem: if he dared approach, the group could encircle him. Though he had cultivated for many years, he was only at the Grand Pill stage. Of those here, both Erqing and Zhang Sangu had reached this level as well—Erqing was the stronger, while Zhang Sangu had just arrived at this stage. With the boost of fortune, even singly they could contend with Zhang Xiangzi.

The main concern was An Youyu—his fortune was too great. If left unchecked… Wang Yuanfeng turned to Zhang Sangu and asked, “Do you know the source of An Youyu’s fortune?”

“Yes, his family’s fortune comes from their ancestors, who occupied the dragon vein of this mountain. It was Zhang Xiangzi who told me to bury An Youyu’s ancestral remains there,” Zhang Sangu replied, now understanding Wang Yuanfeng’s true concern.

Without waiting for Wang Yuanfeng to respond, she continued, “Oh, and Young Master—when I buried the bones, the earth was soft, but now it is as hard as iron, impervious even to swords or blades.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Wang Yuanfeng was startled. “It seems the fortune has fully formed—a true situation. That will make things difficult.”

“Brother Yuanfeng, is there really nothing we can do? Will An Youyu always be able to suppress us?” Xiaoqing was anxious; An Youyu, having absorbed the mountain’s dragon vein fortune, had a natural power over the spirits of the mountain.