The Sixty-Seventh Feather Causes a Stir

Qin Yue said nothing, allowing Luo Yu to half-push, half-drag her to register for the contest. They paid the twenty spirit stones entry fee and each received a jade token.

That evening, the two found an opulent inn to stay in. The lavish, ornate decor left Luo Yu dazzled; she then dragged Qin Yue out to sweep up a heap of unique trinkets and a whole bundle of spirit wines and spirit foods. These spirit delicacies were stored in a massive, specially-sealed warehouse in Heaven-Defying Palace, kept fresh by an array that allowed only spiritual energy to nourish them, making them grow ever more delicious with time. Eating these regularly even replenished one’s spiritual energy. Luo Yu thought she might as well raise some spirit beasts, plant a few spirit fruits, and make her own spirit dishes and wines. She had already planted the pit of the Immortal Peach; but as for when it would blossom and bear fruit, who could say how many years that would take...

Early the next morning, they hurried to the beauty contest. The event was held at the gates of Cloud-Dance Manor, arranged in dazzling luxury: gold and crimson interlaced, purple veils billowing—a spectacle of flamboyance. The crowd was immense; many cultivators had abandoned their market stalls, for the beautiful ones were all here to compete, and those less so had come simply to watch.

At the reception, Luo Yu and Qin Yue handed over their tokens and were led backstage by a demon cultivator.

Backstage was a riot of color! Bird-demons, trailing plumes of vibrant feathers, preened before mirrors, constantly poking more feathers into their coiffures; beast-demons licked every hair until it shone, their ears twitching as they played up their cuteness. By contrast, the human cultivators were the most reserved, their faces like carved jade, graceful and refined, exuding an unmatched elegance.

As the two entered, many contestants froze for a moment: their greatest rivals had arrived—and two at once! The competition was fierce indeed...

Luo Yu and Qin Yue found a place to sit and tidy themselves, all the while sizing up the opposition. There were very few female cultivators; perhaps because among demons, males were considered more beautiful. Only three or four human women, all lovely, but not much of a threat.

Soon, the host’s voice announced the contest’s start. A motley group of contestants poured out through parted veils, greeted by thunderous applause. The crowd formed a circle around the stage. From below, someone cried, “Hey! Isn’t that the owner of Supreme Artifacts in white?” Another replied, “Indeed! The humans are sure to win this time!” “And the one beside the owner—is that his Dao partner? What a perfect match!” Others whispered, “Looks like the council will be canceled—no one dares cross the owner of Supreme Artifacts.”

The contest also included a talent show. Bedazzling demon cultivators took the stage to dance and sing, winning wild acclaim; the human cultivators were no less charming, with flute and zither performances of refined elegance. When it was Luo Yu and Qin Yue’s turn, Luo Yu performed a set of Tai Chi, while Qin Yue danced with a sword. Both moved with ethereal grace, like startled swans, reminiscent of the River Goddess crossing water or blossoms flying on snow—enchanting all who watched.

They easily made it to the finals, now down to six contestants vying for the top three places—all demons except themselves, each with remarkable beauty.

The judges deliberated for ages, finding it near impossible to decide: there was only one tail feather, and both beauties were equally stunning in their own ways.

One judge opined, “A true beauty must captivate the heart and command admiration. In my view, the laurels should go to the Daoist surnamed Qin.”

Another countered, “While Daoist Qin is indeed beautiful, there’s a certain coldness—not as naturally lively and charming as Daoist Luo.”

The other judges nodded; after all, a beauty should be admired up close—who wants to keep an ice sculpture at home?

And so, the title of champion went to Luo Yu, with Qin Yue in second place.

Immediately, one contestant bristled at the result. The fox demon, who tied with Qin Yue for second, scoffed, “Those two have dull, lifeless hair—how can they rank above us?”

A human cultivator in the audience retorted, “Even if their hair is a shade darker than your fur, they still outshine you!”

The fox demon persisted, “A true beauty should be flawless. Can you find a single flaw on me? This champion title is unearned!”

The judges hesitated; the fox demon had a point.

Sensing her title slipping away, Luo Yu snatched off Qin Yue’s wig and waved it triumphantly. “Take a good look! Where is Qin beauty’s hair dry or dull?” She then whipped off her own wig as well—everyone already knew her as the owner of Supreme Artifacts, so there was no point in hiding anymore.

The contestants were so shocked, they could have laid eggs. A peacock demon pointed at the pair and shrieked, “They entered in disguise! How can they win fairly?”

The judges exchanged uneasy glances—how to handle this?

Luo Yu glared and argued righteously, “You’re allowed to stick feathers on your heads, but we can’t? Now who’s being unfair?”

The peacock demon was left speechless.

After some commotion, Luo Yu ultimately prevailed and became the contest’s biggest winner.

She accepted her prize with delight and boasted to Qin Yue, “Well, beauty, you lost! Everyone thinks I’m more handsome than you!”

Qin Yue retorted acidly, “It’s just a difference in judging standards. I wouldn’t want to look like you anyway.”

Luo Yu bristled, “What’s wrong with me? I’m the beauty champion! I understand—this is naked jealousy!”

At that moment, several organizers approached, escorting a golden core demon cultivator. They introduced him respectfully, “This is Elder Huang Yu, steward of Cloud-Dance Manor. After the contest, he has important matters to discuss with you both. Please remain a moment.”

Luo Yu and Qin Yue sized up the golden core demon: he wore a faint smile, his golden robes dazzling, his bearing commanding and noble without any need for anger.

Huang Yu nodded to them and said, “Congratulations, both of you, on winning the championship. Your reputations precede you, and in person you are indeed unmatched—true peerless beauties.”

Luo Yu was confused. “Senior, what business do you have with us?”

Huang Yu replied, “Cloud-Dance Manor has always been renowned for hospitality. Now that you are known throughout the land as champions, how could we not invite such honored guests to stay? The Honored Ancestor Huang Xuan has already instructed that the beauty champion must be welcomed into the manor as a guest.”

Qin Yue frowned slightly at this, and Luo Yu felt a surge of pressure. Huang Xuan, the Honored Ancestor? That sounded like a Nascent Soul old monster! Could they refuse? They’d already been abducted for their beauty once—what if this ancestor wanted to keep them both as “brides” in his stronghold?

Sensing their misgivings, Huang Yu laughed heartily. “Rest assured, Cloud-Dance Manor descends from the Heavenly Phoenix bloodline and is a reputable house. We would never make things difficult for you.”

With the Nascent Soul ancestor’s name invoked, Qin Yue and Luo Yu dared not refuse and followed Huang Yu into the manor.

Inside, the buildings were resplendent, dazzlingly intricate, so bright it was almost blinding. Luo Yu and Qin Yue followed Huang Yu through long, winding corridors, soon feeling completely disoriented—this place was more confusing than any formation. How did anyone avoid getting lost?

After a long walk, they reached a floral hall: four pillars upheld the roof, with long purple-red drapes hanging on two sides; beyond lay gardens blooming like a sea of flowers, the air heavy with fragrance.

Huang Yu bade them sit and summoned servants to bring spirit tea. He then proceeded into the main hall, bowing from the entrance. “Honored Ancestor, the guests have arrived and are enjoying tea in the flower hall.”

A moment later, Luo Yu heard a tinkling of pearls from within, followed by a sultry male voice that made her skin crawl: “Oh? They’ve arrived already? ...Bring me my shawl—idiot, the gold-silkworm blue brocade!”

After a short wait, a man of twenty-seven or twenty-eight emerged: phoenix eyes upturned in a seductive gaze, high nose, lips red as cinnabar, skin like jade, and a waterfall of dark hair. He wore a gold-embroidered long robe and a trailing indigo cloak. With elegant bearing, every step like a blossoming lotus, his rosy face blooming with spring, he approached with a smile, his eyes roaming appreciatively over the two.

Luo Yu’s first thought was: Demonic! What does he want?

Nervous, she instinctively grasped Qin Yue’s hand.

The man’s eyes landed on their joined hands, a flash of realization passing across his face. Then he smiled, “Truly two beauties! Nearly my equal—the tail feather is not wasted... Now, which of you is the champion?”

Afraid he’d take a liking to her, Luo Yu quickly pointed at Qin Yue. “He is!”

The man leaned in for a good look, then shook his head. “Such ignorance! Flowers are most beautiful in riotous color; so too with beauties. This gentleman is like an icy lake, crystal clear, but how can that compare to the vibrant waves of spring? This little beauty has been wronged!” With that, he bit his silver teeth, reached behind, and plucked out a tail feather, presenting it to Luo Yu. “The judges were blind, but I, Huang Xuan, am fair. I’ll give you this tail feather as compensation.”

Luo Yu gaped. “This... this...”

Huang Xuan laughed softly. “No need for thanks. You and I share certain similarities—at first sight, I felt as if meeting an old friend. What’s a tail feather between us?”

Feeling guilty, Luo Yu glanced at Huang Yu, who kept his head down, pretending not to see, making no move to expose her.

Looking at the still-bloody tail feather, Luo Yu couldn’t refuse such generosity. She accepted it.

Having received a favor, Luo Yu’s attitude toward the demon changed at once; he didn’t seem so bad after all, and she relaxed enough to chat. As they talked, their oddball temperaments seemed to mesh and Huang Xuan grew ever more delighted, insisting Luo Yu try on his collection of splendid clothes.

At first Luo Yu was reluctant, but the clothes were so exquisitely crafted that she soon grew interested; it was just like cosplay—so much fun, time for pictures! They even dragged Qin Yue in to dress up, and the three of them played around until Luo Yu’s phone ran out of storage space. Only then did they let Qin Yue go, staying the night at the manor.

The next morning, they took their leave of Huang Xuan. Though they’d have liked to stay longer and enjoy the sights, Luo Yu had only taken leave to attend this gathering. Bidding the ancestor a fond farewell, Luo Yu promised to bring him copies of their photos and buy him a set of camera and printing equipment. Only then did they set off on their clouds.

When they reached the uninhabited reaches of Cool Mountain, Qin Yue suddenly stopped and said coldly, “Since you’ve followed us all this way, why not show yourself and state your purpose?”

Luo Yu was startled—someone had been tailing them, and she hadn’t noticed a thing!

As she was still searching around, a familiar laugh rang out, and a voice said, “Sharp indeed, little friend. I’m surprised a Foundation Establishment cultivator could see through my concealment.” A figure appeared in the air, golden robes gleaming—none other than the golden core cultivator Huang Yu.

Relieved to see a familiar face, Luo Yu asked, “It’s you? Why are you following us?”

Huang Yu smiled, “Little friend, you deceived the Honored Ancestor and tricked him out of a tail feather. Your victory as beauty champion has already reached his ears—he sent me to retrieve the item you obtained by fraud.”

Luo Yu found this odd: Huang Xuan was so petty! He’d even gifted two sets of clothes... Was he angry because he’d been tricked? It wasn’t as if she’d meant to deceive him... Maybe she should return the tail feather herself and explain things—he really was a nice person... She should have come clean that day—she’d just gotten too carried away playing...

While Luo Yu was feeling guilty, Qin Yue said, “If you’re here to reclaim the tail feather, why didn’t you appear sooner? Come, let’s be straightforward about this!”

—End of Chapter 67, “A Tail Feather Stirs Up Trouble.”