Prologue, Origin.

There are also wars in the celestial realm. Once, the Celestial Lords sought to unify the celestial realm, leading to a chaotic conflict among the four regions that lasted for tens of thousands of years. For instance, there was a celestial being who, after acquiring supreme celestial techniques, became arrogant and conspired against the others with ulterior motives. Additionally, when a rare treasure suddenly appeared outside the boundaries of the four regions, each region summoned its own celestial beings to compete for it based on their respective abilities.

Xi Yuhao, a minor deity of water, refused to marry the princess, resulting in the Northern Emperor's eldest princess losing face and leaving Silver Frost City to live alone in Snow Jade Valley. Mu Li has been close companions with the Northern Emperor's eldest princess since childhood, sharing a deep bond. When Xi Yuhao stationed troops west of the Heavenly River, Mu Li was frustrated and sought an imperial decree to take the lead. Unexpectedly, he was thwarted by the two imperial sovereigns, leaving him feeling stifled. He then planned to find trouble with Long Bingyu upon her return to the celestial realm.

The Immortal Crossing Bridge, as the name suggests, can only be crossed by those who are immortal. Not to mention that mortals cannot perceive the existence of this bridge, the magical barrier set by the immortals absolutely prevents mortals from stepping onto the bridge even for a single step

Xue Cong immediately fed Tang Miao the Soul Locking Pill

However, the situation of the Northern Emperor's Grand Princess is extremely awkward now

On the ferry to Xiantai, there stood two old men, one tall and one short. Both were dressed in wide white robes that resembled silk yet were not quite silk, and that seemed like satin yet were not quite satin. Their garments fluttered gently in the wind, complemented by their long white eyebrows that reached down to their chins, giving them an air of ethereal grace. However, at that moment, the expressions on their faces were as if they had seen a ghost, losing the usual composure and ease characteristic of celestial beings.

Upon hearing the last sentence, the cedar suddenly became alert. He scrambled up from the ground and asked urgently: "Before the celestial being's primordial spirit perished, did her soul drift into the celestial gate?"

Yin Song's eyes lit up: "Does elder brother have a clever plan?"

The cedar looked up in exasperation at the silver pine, which was two heads taller than itself, and exclaimed: "Having served in the Hall of Guiding Immortals for ninety-eight thousand years, how many cultivators have you seen who did not undergo tribulation through heavenly lightning? It is precisely because the Celestial Sovereign places great importance on Long Bingyu that he issued a decree for us to open the Immortal Gate to guide her across the Immortal Bridge. Even if Long Bingyu lacks the fate of an immortal, would the Celestial Sovereigns of both realms think so? They would certainly believe that we have brought the wrong person, and closing the Immortal Gate has led to the current situation. Holding the position of a Hall Master in the Hall of Guiding Immortals, what punishment would we face for bringing the wrong person? The worst that could happen is being sent to the Immortal Execution Platform to have our cultivation reduced and be demoted to the wild lands of the lower three realms for bitter training. However, the consequences of bringing the wrong person today are different. If the Celestial Sovereigns of both realms take their anger out on us, will we two old men still have good days ahead?"

The chariot of the Lord of the Evening Star arrived swiftly and departed even more swiftly. Yin Song and Xue Song wiped the cold sweat from their brows and finally felt relieved.

Cedar stole a glance at Mu Li

The status of the Grand Princess of the Northern Emperor is exceedingly noble. If she does not marry the Crown Prince of the Western Emperor, and instead marries someone of lesser status, it would surely become a laughingstock in the Western territories. She has been rejected by the Crown Prince of the Western Emperor, and it is absolutely unlikely that a young and talented man of equal standing to the Crown Prince would come to seek her hand in marriage—how could she bear the ridicule of being called a woman discarded by the Crown Prince of the Western Emperor? If this matter is not resolved properly, the Grand Princess of the Northern Emperor may have no choice but to remain unmarried for life.

In the mortal realm, ten lifetimes are but trials, while in the celestial realm, it is merely a hundred days

Although the two officials of the Yinxian Hall do not hold a high rank in the celestial hierarchy, they are among the few ancient immortals in the Northern Celestial Realm. They do not concern themselves with mundane affairs of the celestial world, instead choosing to live leisurely in the Yinxian Hall, yet they remain well-informed about the significant events in the celestial realm. Yin Song immediately understood the trouble he had caused.

The current outcome is merely to add a fairy consort for the son in addition to the royal marriage between the two regions. With the princess as the daughter-in-law, the two regions would be considered allied. The Western Emperor also believes this is the best possible result

What?! Mu Li was so shocked that she sat up straight, her expression changing even faster than the white crane clouds startled by his chariot. Then she burst into wild laughter, "Good, good, good! No matter how much that Ling Bingyu is infatuated, she cannot escape the punishment of fate! I shall spread the news, causing Xi Yuhao to vomit blood three times, avenging my imperial sister! To Xueyu Valley!"

The Eastern Wilderness is wonderful! This plan of yours is truly clever, brother. Without any spiritual power for protection, how long she can survive in the Eastern Wilderness depends entirely on her own fortune

At the celestial palace of the Silver Frost City in the Northern Region, the Western Prince openly rejected the proposal to marry the Northern Emperor's eldest princess, Ji Ying, in front of the assembled immortals of the Northern Region. He stated that the alliance between the two realms would not change, but the person he wished to marry was the minor immortal, the Water Spirit, Jun Long Bing Yu, from the Northern Region. Princess Ji Ying, feeling both humiliated and indignant, left the hall in a huff.

Although he wore a smile on his face, his gaze was as cold as the stars in the northern sky, and his thin lips were slightly pursed, revealing a trace of bitter hatred

The little Water Spirit actually dared to seduce the Crown Prince of the Western Empire, bringing disgrace to the royal family of the Northern Region. The Northern Emperor, feeling distressed for the princess, vented his anger on Long Bingyu, binding her to the Immortal Execution Platform with the intent to extinguish her primordial spirit. In response, the Crown Prince of the Western Empire immediately stationed troops west of the Heavenly River to threaten. With the previous annulment of the marriage in the Western Region and now the military threat, the Northern Region naturally could not swallow this humiliation, and also brought their forces to the east of the Heavenly River, displaying a posture ready for battle.

The northern region is filled with high morale. However, the western celestial court is divided into two factions due to the Crown Prince's actions. The pro-war faction believes that since His Highness has already raised an army, how can he lower his head to marry the northern princess? It would be a loss of face for the western region, leaving no choice but to engage in a hard battle. On the other hand, the pro-peace faction argues that the most important thing at present is the marriage alliance between the western and northern regions. Once they join forces, subduing the Southern Sea and the Eastern Extremes will be a piece of cake. Therefore, they earnestly advise His Highness to abandon the idea of marrying Long Bingyu and to look further ahead.

Is she... a mortal?

The cedar let out a heart-wrenching sigh and said: "Of course, it is the Water Spirit Lord, Ling Bingyu, born from the essence of the Heavenly River! Today marks the day of her ascension after enduring ten lifetimes of tribulations."

The carriage is drawn by two magnificent white dragons, their bodies entirely silver-white. The horses snort loudly, retracting their snow-white wings as they come to a halt in front of the Hall of Inviting Immortals. The flowing silver curtains of the sedan chair roll open to the sides, revealing a young gentleman dressed in brocade, reclining at an angle against the embroidered soft pillow. He lazily supports his cheek, gazing with a half-smile at the two elders on the Ascending Immortals Platform.

Yin Song's words struck him like thunder, rendering him deaf and causing his head to buzz, extinguishing the last glimmer of hope. Xue Song, in a daze, murmured: "I only reminded you once... Do you know who the celestial being we are receiving today is? It is the Water Spirit Lord who has descended to undergo tribulation!"

The silver pine, resembling a tall bamboo pole, did not notice the surge of spiritual power emanating from Tang Miao's forehead. He thought to himself with a hint of self-mockery that his elder brother, the cedar, had been in the celestial realm for too long and had come to regard mortals with astonishment as if they were monsters. He had rescued her from the Bridge of Ascension, so the silver pine felt it was his duty to explain. He said somewhat awkwardly, "I was ordered to calculate the time to open the celestial gate, and coincidentally saw a woman fall at the bridge's head. How could a mortal step onto the Bridge of Ascension? Naturally, I assumed she was the one destined to ascend today, so I closed the celestial gate and took her away..." He continued, "But it turned out she was just a mortal who fortuitously ended up on the bridge, while the true ascendant's primordial spirit perished outside the celestial gate."

Now that March has passed, Long Bingyu has successfully transcended the calamities of the tenth generation and ascended to immortality. However, she did not even set foot on the Immortal Bridge before her soul was scattered.

Yin Song has a responsibility, and the cedar cannot escape either. He truly cannot bear to part with the glory of being promoted to the esteemed status of a celestial being a thousand years later. The cedar, with his hands behind his back, wandered around the Ascending Immortals Platform for a while, and finally made up his mind: "Not only must this matter be concealed, but her soul must also not be shattered."

Yin Song tilted his head slightly and asked in a hesitant manner, "Which Water Spirit Lord?"

At this moment, the Northern Emperor did not wish to marry the princess to the Western Crown Prince. However, if he were to withdraw, what face would the Northern territory have left? For the sake of the dignity of the royal family, it was also impossible for the Northern territory to first withdraw its troops and then offer the Longbing Jade with both hands.

The cedar watched from the side, a glimmer of calculation flashing in its eyes, and suddenly spoke: "In the realm of immortals, there are as many extraordinary beings as there are grains of sand in the Milky Way; one cannot be certain if any of them can discern that her spiritual power is sealed by the Soul Locking Pill. It would be better to send her to the Eastern Wilderness."

Yin Song immediately regained consciousness. If he pleased the Lord of the Evening Star, he would surely provoke the Crown Prince of the Western Emperor. If he deceived the Lord of the Evening Star, he would undoubtedly face retribution once the truth was revealed. It was truly a dilemma. Fortunately, that girl had already been sent to the Eastern Wilderness. In his delight, Yin Song chuckled to himself: "Little brother will listen to big brother. Even if that girl seals her spiritual power and becomes an immortal in the Immortal Realm, she won't live long. Little brother only hopes for her primordial spirit to perish soon, eliminating future troubles"

Xingjun Muli is the son of the Northern Emperor Tianzun's younger sister. The Northern Emperor Tianzun is extremely fond of Muli, and at a young age, he conferred upon him the title of Xingjun and granted him the position of Lord of Liuguang City in the Northern Region. Xingjun Muli enjoys luxury. The Northern Emperor Tianzun then bestowed upon him two white dragon horses, exclusively used by the emperors, for his chariot. The Northern Emperor Tianzun has no sons, and there are rumors that the Tianzun intends to pass the imperial throne to him, leading the immortal beings of the Nine Extremes of the Northern Region to show him deference.

Cedar glanced at him and slowly said, "Five years ago, I accidentally obtained a Soul Lock Pill, a secret treasure of the Eastern Extreme. Among the four realms of immortals, the Eastern Extreme is the farthest from the Three Realms and seldom interacts with them. The Soul Lock Pill is a secret treasure of the Eastern Extreme royal family, and not many people know about it. Giving it to her not only seals the soul of the Ice Jade, but also locks her internal spiritual power. She has crossed the Immortal Bridge and undergone the cleansing of her marrow through the magical powers of the immortals, having shed her mortal body to achieve an immortal form. You and I need not say more; she is merely an ordinary mortal who ascended to immortality by chance."

In her state of unconsciousness, Tang Miao immediately felt as if a block of ice had been placed between her brows, causing her to furrow her brow uncomfortably. Her elegantly arched eyebrows, resembling two sharp bamboo leaves, rose in annoyance. After all, she was someone who could wake up in a bad mood! Tang Miao kept her eyes tightly shut, enduring it; if anyone disturbed her sleep again, she would jump up and hit someone

The Northern Emperor, the Celestial Sovereign, persuaded the Grand Princess to maintain silence with the aim of preserving peace in the celestial realm. To prevent further incidents, the Western Emperor, the Celestial Sovereign, cunningly incapacitated his son by intoxicating him with a pot of spiritual essence, imprisoning him beneath the Sea of Eternal Night, waiting to release him only after the trial of the Dragon Ice Jade and his ascension to immortality.

Yin Song pondered back and forth but could not come up with a better solution, so he could only sigh in agreement

"How did she get onto the Immortal Bridge?" The short cedar murmured in confusion again. He squatted down and pointed his short, chubby finger at the space between Tang Miao's eyebrows.

However, the parties involved were unyielding. The Grand Princess Ji Ying of the Northern Empire, in a fit of anger, went to her fief, Xueyu Valley, and resolutely refused to marry the Crown Prince of the Western Empire under any circumstances. Meanwhile, Xi Yuhao declared that he would accompany Long Bingyu to descend to the mortal realm to undergo tribulations.

The cedar immediately summoned a cloud and performed a spell, carrying Tang Miao to the northeastern region of the Northern Frontier.

The cedar pondered the thoughts of the Evening Departure Star Lord, knowing that he held no affection for the Spirit of Ice and Jade, which eased his heart by half. With a苦 face, he said: "The celestial being is about to report to the Celestial Lord. The Water Spirit Lord, Ice and Jade, is destined to have no connection with the celestial being; she perished in body and her primordial spirit was extinguished before even crossing the Celestial Bridge, turning to ashes."

Six months ago, the Western Emperor and the Northern Emperor discussed a marriage alliance. When the Crown Prince of the Western Emperor arrived on the Cloud Boat from the Heavenly River in the north, the Water Spirit Lord, Long Bingyu, who governs the Heavenly River in the northern region, playfully splashed water, causing waves to rise onto the Cloud Boat. Rather than being angry, the Crown Prince of the Western Emperor fell in love at first sight with Long Bingyu. The Cloud Boat lingered on the Heavenly River for several days before finally reaching the northern region

Yin Song was stunned for a moment, bitterness flooding his mouth. He spoke with a glimmer of hope: "Although this mortal woman and the spirit of the ice jade were separated by time and space, they fortuitously fell at the same location when the celestial gate opened. She managed to ascend the Immortal Bridge, while the spirit of the ice jade was reduced to ashes. I may have closed the gate a bit too quickly, but the spirit of the ice jade has no further connection to the celestial realm; that is the decree of fate. It is destined this way, and even the Crown Prince of the Western Empire has no grounds to object. At most, we are guilty of negligence in our duties, having mistakenly received the wrong person." I may have closed the gate a bit too quickly, but the spirit of the ice jade has no further connection to the celestial realm; that is the decree of fate. It is destined this way, and even the Crown Prince of the Western Empire has no grounds to object. At most, we are guilty of negligence in our duties, having mistakenly received the wrong person.

A few neighs of horses suddenly came from the west, startling the white cranes and clouds above the Yinxian Palace, causing them to scatter in all directions. A magnificent palanquin appeared in the sky above the Yinxian Palace, surrounded by a procession of horses and attendants.

The cedar glared at the silver pine for a moment, then sighed deeply and said: "I just probed her spiritual platform. When the body of Ling Bingyu was destroyed and her soul scattered, she forced one of her souls and all her spiritual power into this mortal woman's body. That is why this mortal woman was able to safely ascend the Immortal Bridge. If we disrupt her soul now, Ling Bingyu's last soul will cease to exist. Once the Crown Prince of the Western Emperor learns that we have destroyed Ling Bingyu's last soul, will he let us go? Even if he is justified in doing so and wants to burn our primordial spirits, do you think the two Heavenly Lords will speak on our behalf?"

The cedar jumped up and struck the silver pine, saying: "Pig-headed! She still has the last soul of the Lingbing Jade within her. If the Lord of the Twilight Star were to kill her, would His Highness the Western Emperor's Crown Prince let it go so easily? If the Lord of the Twilight Star finds out that we have concealed this, he will surely take revenge. The best strategy is to keep this matter to ourselves!"

Yin Song's forehead was drenched in sweat. After thinking for a long time, he finally dejectedly realized that not only had he picked up the wrong person, but he had also picked up a hot potato. He looked at Xue Song with a mournful face and said, "Big brother, what do you think we should do? Are we really supposed to tell the truth? It will take me another thousand years to ascend to the status of a celestial being!"

In the end, the Western Crown Prince still wants the princess to be his Crown Princess, while Long Bingyu can at most be considered a fairy consort. Which imperial palace does not have a multitude of fairy consorts in attendance? This strategy has restored face for the Northern region

If Mu Li knows that Long Bingyu still has a soul remaining, she will definitely strike hard against Tang Miao. Xuesong murmured: "After sending that girl away, we have at least accumulated some celestial virtue."

The Northern Emperor's Empress has only this one legitimate daughter, whom she cherishes like a precious jewel, unwilling to let her daughter live a lonely life. She spends her days weeping before the Northern Emperor. The Northern Emperor, too, is compelled to mobilize troops by the Western Emperor's Crown Prince, though deep down he is reluctant. The Western Emperor first sent a state letter to mediate on behalf of the Crown Prince, allowing the Northern Emperor to regain some face.

For thirty thousand years, the Immortal Realm has remained peaceful. The Celestial Sovereigns and the Imperial Sovereigns have no intention of waging war to unify the Immortal Realm, nor do any demon immortals wish to rebel and seize the imperial power of the immortals. Suddenly, the largest territories in the Immortal Realm, the Western and Northern Regions, are on the brink of war over a mere Spirit Lord. The immortals of the realm find this utterly absurd

It is not surprising for the two of them. The Cedar and the Silver Pine have held the position of Hall Master in the Hall of Immortals in the Northern Immortal Realm for ninety-eight thousand years. For the first time, they brought a mortal to the Immortal Realm from the Bridge of Transcendence.

Is it not just for a minor Water Spirit Lord? The two Heavenly Sovereigns exchanged ideas and ultimately agreed on a plan. They decided to punish Long Bingyu by sending her down to undergo tribulations. If Long Bingyu successfully ascends to immortality after ten lifetimes and returns to the celestial realm, she will be given to the Crown Prince of the Western Emperor as a consort. The alliance between the two regions remains unchanged, and the Crown Prince of the Western Emperor will still marry the Grand Princess Ji Ying of the Northern Emperor.

Yin Song stood foolishly in place as if struck by a heavy blow

Yin Song looked at the cedar strangely and cleared his throat, saying: "Brother Cedar, have you forgotten? When the celestial gate opens and closes, the sealed magical power surges. Since that immortal being was unable to step onto the Immortal Bridge, their physical body and soul naturally turned to ashes at the moment the celestial gate closed"

After the great achievement, Yin Song held a jade-green brush and inscribed Tang Miao's identity on the white jade ring, placing the ring into her palm. With a flash of white light, the white jade ring vanished.

Yin Song, however, said: "Had I known that the Lord of the Evening Star harbored such hatred for her, it would have been better to hand her over. Whether she lives or dies would be at the Lord's discretion. With the Lord's intercession, perhaps the Celestial Sovereign would show mercy towards us brothers."

The celestial realm is divided into four parts, with the vastest regions of the celestial domain, the Western and Northern lands, separated by the Heavenly River

Having offended the celestial beings of two realms, most importantly, having offended the Western Yuhao... Dare to raise an army to threaten the Northern celestial being, angering the Western Emperor Tianzun, what else is there that he would not dare to do? Yin Song shivered and said hesitantly: "She should have died after falling off the cliff. It would be better to scatter her soul and conceal the matter of mistakenly bringing a mortal woman to the celestial realm. The celestial being would be unaware of the underlying reasons and would only think that Long Bingyu has no connection to the celestial realm—she can't even cross the Immortal Bridge, can we be blamed for that?"

However, His Highness the Crown Prince of the Western Empire threw a tantrum, coldly stating that if he did not marry the Northern Princess, he would kill his beloved. The North was too overbearing. He, Xi Yuhao, could not even protect the woman he loved, and he could not afford to lose face, declaring that if the Northern Emperor did not release Long Bingyu, he would not withdraw his troops. This infuriated the Western Emperor to the point where he almost summoned heavenly fire to burn his son's primordial spirit, as if he had no such rebellious son. Of course, the Western Emperor, who had only one precious son, ultimately could not bring himself to take action. Frustrated with his son, the Western Emperor had no choice but to put on a brave face and secretly draft a letter to negotiate with the Northern Emperor.

In the heart of the cedar, a myriad of emotions intertwined. He cast a meaningful glance towards the eastern wasteland, stroking his shining forehead, and murmured: "It all depends on fate..."

How did this little rascal come here? Upon seeing this, Yin Song and Xue Song were startled and secretly relieved that they had already sent Tang Miao away. The two of them chuckled awkwardly as they walked out of the Welcome Immortals Platform, riding on a cloud to bow before the carriage and say: "The Lord of the Evening Star has arrived at the Immortal Palace, may I ask what orders you have?"

Mu Li gently tapped her hand on her knee and casually said, "I heard that the exquisite ice jade will ascend today. The Celestial Sovereign has ordered you two to open the celestial gate to guide her across the celestial bridge. I am quite curious about the beauty that Xi Yu Hao has been longing for, so I came to take a look"

Having seen off a major trouble, both individuals simultaneously let out a sigh of relief

However, due to this matter, the long-quiet celestial realm has become agitated

The white marble platform, known as the Immortal's Stage, quietly floats amidst the sea of clouds. At one end of the stage connects a colorful bridge, the Rainbow Bridge, where radiant light flows and shines brilliantly. Several white cranes gracefully flap their wings in the air, accompanied by their melodious calls as they leisurely fly away.

A surge of spiritual energy suddenly rebounded from her forehead, catching Xue Song off guard at the strength of a mere mortal's spiritual power, causing him to instinctively lean back. His round body lost balance due to the excessive force and he plopped down onto the ground. He stared at the young girl on the ground in astonishment, unable to utter a word for a while.