The

Pan Yueyang was frantically searching for someone, nearly at his wit’s end, while within the residence, Orelan was in high spirits. She smiled softly as she looked at the pastries in her hand. “Cui Zhu, tell the kitchen to add two more dishes today. I am in a good mood.”

“Yes, Princess.” Cui Zhu responded obediently, knowing Orelan’s happiness stemmed from having rid herself of that wretched Yan’er. She shared in her mistress’s joy—Orelan truly was formidable.

“Oh, and Cui Zhu, ask the kitchen to hurry. After we finish lunch, I’ll be going out for a while.” Orelan remembered something else and added the instruction.

“Princess, leaving the residence?” Cui Zhu asked, perplexed.

“Yes, I wish to visit the temple and offer incense.” Orelan set down her pastry.

“Princess, that wretched Yan’er is already dead. Are you truly feeling so magnanimous as to offer incense for her?” Cui Zhu pouted indignantly.

“Hmph, that little wretch. Who said I’m offering incense for her? We're going to pray for a child.” Orelan was scheming in her heart. Now that Yan’er was gone, she needed to quickly win her husband’s favor and bear a child as soon as possible.

“It is as you say, Princess. I’ll make preparations at once.” Cui Zhu cheerfully left the room.

“Don’t make a fuss!” Orelan called after Cui Zhu, uneasy. With last night’s chaos in the palace, her status as a princess made any outing today risky; surely her father would scold her.

Cui Zhu prepared a small blue sedan chair for Orelan. Four bearers stood at the rear gate, awaiting their mistress. “Princess, take care,” Cui Zhu said as she carefully helped Orelan over the threshold, about to board the chair.

A loud, hearty laughter, tinged with mysterious kindness, suddenly made Orelan pause.

“Princess? What’s wrong?” Cui Zhu looked at Orelan, who was scanning her surroundings near the sedan chair. Cui Zhu followed her gaze.

“Who?” Orelan felt a chill run up her arms.

“Princess, there’s no one here.” Cui Zhu blinked, unsettled by Orelan’s strange behavior.

“I am right here.” With those words, an elderly man in billowing white robes, accompanied by a young boy, appeared not far from the sedan chair.

The old man’s attire was pristine white, with a six or seven-year-old boy beside him in pale blue garments. Both, by dress and bearing, radiated a proud, ethereal aura. Though winter had not yet reached its coldest, the air was certainly not warm, yet both wore summer robes. The old man’s face was ruddy, his long white brows extended to his temples, his eyes sparkled brightly, and his white beard framed a gentle smile directed at Orelan. The boy, pale and quiet, followed the elder without speaking or glancing at anything, seeming untouched by the world.

“You…” Orelan sensed something was amiss and nudged Cui Zhu, but the four chair bearers and Cui Zhu remained frozen, still in the act of helping her board. Their faces showed life, yet they were motionless. Alarmed, Orelan stepped back.

“Do not be afraid, Princess,” the old man said, coming closer and patting the air.

Orelan nearly fell, but somehow her body straightened, not collapsing. She had clearly seen these two approach her—not walking, but gliding across the ground like immortals!

“Princess.” The old man bowed courteously.

“No…no need,” Orelan stammered, raising her hand. He knew she was a princess, which was no surprise; few in the imperial city had met her, but many knew the general’s residence housed a princess.

“Do not be alarmed. This child and I are wandering here, as heaven’s will brings dragon energy,” the old man explained.

With this, Orelan’s panic eased, realizing they truly were cultivators. “The two of you clearly practice cultivation, though your manner startled me,” she said. However bold and haughty she might be, Orelan understood etiquette; before immortals, she would not presume her royal status and showed proper respect.

“Ha ha, forgive the intrusion. Traveling with my disciple, it was fate that compelled me to meet the princess today. I merely have a few words to say.” The old man got straight to his point.

“Oh? Please, enlighten me,” Orelan replied, no longer afraid but comforted by his gentle demeanor.

“Is the princess heading to the temple to offer incense?” he asked with a smile.

Orelan nodded, waiting for him to continue.

“No matter how much incense you offer, you must have a kind heart. Otherwise, the Bodhisattva will not grant your wish,” the old man said, respectfully making a Buddhist gesture as he spoke of the Bodhisattva.

“What do you mean by this?” Orelan’s mind raced with suspicion.

“To spare another’s life is to open a path for yourself. My divinations reveal that in Panlong Kingdom, there will appear one emperor and one phoenix. The emperor is revealed, the phoenix stirs, and the princess is deeply entangled with this dragon and phoenix,” the old man shook his head.

Orelan pondered—one dragon and one phoenix, that must refer to her father and mother. The emperor is active, the phoenix stirs; yes, her father governs in court, and her mother has been devoted to Buddhist practice in a nunnery for three years, never returning to the palace.

The old man kept shaking his head; he knew Orelan misunderstood. Well, few mortals could fathom the mysteries of heaven.

“You are wise, Immortal. I do intend to pray for a child today. Can you divine for me?” Orelan probed.

The old man calculated with his fingers. “A child, in half a year.”

Orelan was delighted. “Truly? Thank you for your auspicious words!”

“No need for thanks. I come here out of compassion for heaven’s calamity. If I can help living beings, I am content. Princess, remember: today’s cause is tomorrow’s effect. The cycle of karma is unending. After I depart, you must do good deeds and refrain from other actions.” The old man waved his hand, his gaze fixed on Orelan.

Under his gaze, Orelan felt uneasy and forced a smile, as if he saw through her. Indeed, she had played a significant role in Yan’er’s fate.

“Ha ha ha, it seems the princess understands what I mean.” The old man took the boy’s hand, preparing to leave.

“Wait, Immortal!” Orelan called anxiously.

They did not turn but paused, backs to Orelan, awaiting her question.

“She should not have competed with me for my husband. I am a princess, elevated above all; she is a mere commoner. Many things were not out of cruelty, but necessity forced my hand,” Orelan explained hurriedly, truly fearing karmic retribution.

“All I can say is this phoenix is a fire phoenix. Once born, heaven and earth will be thrown into chaos, calamity after calamity, grievances will be settled, and every fate will unfold. Everything is by heaven’s chance. You and I share this brief encounter; I can only remind you, Princess, that this life is for cultivating humanity, born into fortune by past merit. From this moment, sincerely worship Buddha, and do not covet worldly desires to attain true fruition.” With that, the two suddenly vanished.

The bearers and Cui Zhu snapped out of their trance, as if nothing had happened. “Princess.” Cui Zhu touched her head, puzzled—she was supposed to be helping Orelan onto the sedan, yet now Orelan stood outside.

“It’s nothing. I don’t wish to go out today. Return to the residence,” Orelan said, masking her anxiety, and hurried back inside. “You’re not needed today.”

Cui Zhu was confused, but relieved at being told she could rest for the day. She instructed the bearers to return and cheerfully followed Orelan inside.

“Master, why do you protect such a vicious woman?” High in the sky, the boy in pale blue asked his teacher.

“I am moved by the suffering of mortals and softened momentarily. Who knows if she will heed my words?” the old man sighed, gazing at a jutting cliff.

“I doubt it. She lacks wisdom, and her status as princess will not last,” the boy said disdainfully.

“Heaven grants great burdens, first tormenting the mind. The upheaval between Panlong Kingdom and Tianfeng Kingdom cannot be reversed. Pity for my good disciple,” the old man shook his head regretfully.

“You mean Senior Brother?” The boy’s eyes shone, excited at the mention of his legendary brother whom he had never met.

“Ah, it was my actions years ago. Otherwise, he would not suffer the calamities of the mortal world,” the old man stroked the boy’s hair.

“Master, is Senior Brother the dragon you divined?” the boy asked, looking up in admiration.

“Ha ha, heaven’s secrets must not be revealed. Whether he is dragon or tiger, it is all destiny. But…” Mentioning his eldest disciple’s past life, the old man’s tone softened, full of affection.

“But what?” The boy watched his master’s cheerful face suddenly cloud over and quickly added, “Is it that demoness again?”

“This is fate, my child, not to be judged lightly. Whether she is human or demon, it is destiny. What must come will come, entwined over lifetimes. She vowed at death before heaven and earth. I can only do my best,” the old man stroked his beard.

“I don’t understand what powers that demoness has to ensnare Senior Brother for lifetimes, preventing his enlightenment,” the boy said, unwilling to yield.

“Do not presume, my child. I will help your Senior Brother escape the suffering of the cycle,” the old man reassured him.

“I understand, Master. But could you tell me where Senior Brother is now, and what torments he endures?” Though he had never met his brother, he was filled with curiosity. He had secretly seen his brother’s portrait in the master’s study, and thought him an unattainable figure. No wonder his master cherished and hoped for his brother’s enlightenment.

“In this life... he will not die whole, separated from wife and child, no one to send him off, enduring the agony of having his heart removed, suffering through endless cycles,” the old man divined, his face mournful.

“What about the demoness?” the boy pressed.

“Once she becomes Empress…” The old man refused to divine further, falling silent, drifting slowly through the heavens as a cool breeze brushed his face, his heart cold.