I Have A Dual World Seal

"Wow, so many people!"

"So beautiful!"

"And there are so many people, it feels so lively and bustling!"

Du Yueyao, Yang Caiyi, and even Liu Qingquan, it’s their first time coming to Phoenix Mountain.

Hundred Li Red Forest, with mountain full of red leaves, also a mountain shaped like a phoenix; although overall scope is not as grand as Jade Dragon Palace, its grandeur is equally impressive.

"Welcome back to the mountain, Palace Master!"

Si Lingxi returned without restraining her aura, so the surrounding demons of Phoenix Mountain responded with resonant calls.

The four maids, Red Crane, Bai Yuan, Bi Hu, and Xuan Mei came out to greet them.

"Welcome Young Master Lu and the two wives, and the young ladies back to the mountain!"

Si Lingxi nodded, "Let’s head back to the mountain."

"Yes!"

The four maids turned back, the red leaves of Phoenix Mountain swayed in the wind, as streams of warmth rose, turning into mist, dispelling the already scarce winter chill of the Southern Border.

Below Phoenix Mountain, besides the Divine Fire Grotto Heaven, not far beneath the ground, several underground fire veins intertwine, rich in geothermal energy, raising the temperature within hundreds of miles compared to surroundings.

It’s just that the range is too vast, and the terrain isn’t like a valley, otherwise the area around Phoenix Mountain would undoubtedly be spring-like year-round.

Yet even so, the cities, strongholds, and tribes near Phoenix Mountain have practically never experienced the harshness of deep winter.

In mid-air, Lu Zheng looked at small plains and mountain lands below being cultivated, with corn and sweet potatoes planted, and some cities and tribes feeling much livelier than before.

Most importantly, perhaps due to high-yield crops, Lu Zheng found more livestock being raised among the populace. Besides pigs, cows, and sheep, even snake pits increased by several, along with artificial lakes stocking river fish.

Lu Zheng glanced twice and saw that Red Crane and the ladies seemed satisfied while looking down the mountain.

...

"Heard that Palace Master plans a gala on New Year’s Eve, and the mountain people and common folk are thrilled, rehearsing many songs and dances, wishing to perform on the mountain."

Back at the main peak hall of Phoenix Mountain, Si Lingxi was seated at the head, and Red Crane reported with a bow.

"Since it’s our own gathering, many sisters wish to showcase their dance and singing skills, to join in the festivities," Bai Yuan said.

Si Lingxi nodded and smiled, "Very good."

Previously, on New Year festivals, Phoenix Mountain didn’t celebrate much, mostly the common people of subordinate strongholds and tribes did, while demons and enlightened beings who liked crowds would wander through the mortal world, and those with calm and cold characters would retreat in the mountain.

Since Si Lingxi herself had a cold and indifferent nature, even her birthday was only celebrated once every hundred years.

The annual "Phoenix Festival" is also voluntarily organized by the mortal citizens.

Now with Si Lingxi changing her ways, planning to make a lively celebration on New Year’s Eve, all demons on the mountain and people below couldn’t help but get excited, eager to make grand preparations.

In ancient times, fun was scarce, mostly relying on events like temple fairs and markets to enjoy together.

So upon hearing that Phoenix Mountain was preparing for New Year, all subordinate tribes elevated their festive activities.

Get the market bustling!

Get the bonfires roaring!

Get all kinds of song and dance performances started!

Skilled, good singers, graceful dancers, each brought out, hoping to be chosen by Phoenix Mountain to perform for the Phoenix Goddess, an enormous honor!

Additionally, all kinds of demons and human masters on Phoenix Mountain became lively.

Previously when Si Lingxi had birthday banquets, she invited leaders of nearby forces and friends over, but people under Phoenix Mountain were guests, not performers.

The reason is simple; these are outsiders, who often meet them, and many even have to salute them. How can they perform for them?

But this New Year’s Eve private feast was different, it was all among themselves.

Since Si Lingxi is gifted in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, most talents on Phoenix Mountain are also skilled in arts.

When exchanging discussions regularly, they occasionally play chords, blow flutes, showcase their voices, so this New Year’s is naturally not an issue.

This basically became a small internal tea gathering of Phoenix Mountain.

...

After listening to the report from Red Crane and others, learning that all was well around Phoenix Mountain, Si Lingxi then arranged them to prepare the evening banquet.

Having visited several times, Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying, familiar with surroundings, led Du Yueyao and the three ladies out, touring various scenic spots of Phoenix Mountain.

Si Lingxi, who hadn’t been home for long, went with Lu Zheng to the rear mountain platform.

"Zheng — Zheng — Zheng —"

The melody of "Winged Love Song," harmonized by zither and flute, greeted by wind, riding clouds, echoed among Phoenix Mountain, intricate and lingering, affectionate and mellow.

As the song ended, Lu Zheng set down the Jade Flute by his mouth, relaxed with a smile.

Si Lingxi was also in good spirits, yet instead of looking at Lu Zheng, she gazed at another mountain peak to the east.

"Hmm?"

Raising an eyebrow, Lu Zheng followed Si Lingxi’s gaze and saw a figure suddenly emerge from the base of the mountain peak.

"Greetings, Sect Leader Si!" Song Kaichuan cupped his hands towards Si Lingxi, then nodded towards Lu Zheng, before saying, "I heard you both being immersed in music, it’s discourteous to intrude."

Si Lingxi said calmly, "No need for politeness, come join us, is there some matter with the old pine tree?"

Song Kaichuan took a step forward and in a flash, reached beside them.

"It’s nothing major, just that the old pine tree hasn’t had an opponent for a while, so I went to Tonglin County to find Lu Xiaoyou, learned of your party’s return to the Southern Border, and came back." Song Kaichuan said.

Lu Zheng invited Song Kaichuan to sit, then poured him a cup of tea.

Song Kaichuan didn’t stand on ceremony, picked up the tea cup, and drank it all.

Lu Zheng sat down and asked, "Elder Song, have you spent the year at Wansong Mountain?"

Song Kaichuan nodded, "Indeed."

He had no fixed abode, previously stuck at a bottleneck, slow in cultivation, thus wandering aimlessly.

Lately, after learning the "Taiyue Divine Mountain Painting," required long seclusion, lacking the mind to wander, so he stayed on Wansong Mountain, cultivating and playing chess with Wansong Daoist.

Then got thrashed, questioning life.

The term "thrashed" he heard from Lu Zheng, he didn’t feel it before, but now found it fitting.

Even though not a direct rival to Wansong Daoist before, he managed some resistance, and sometimes made a few clever moves.

But since introducing Lu Zheng to Wansong Daoist, not only did Lu Zheng progress rapidly, even Wansong Daoist seemed rejuvenated, like the old tree sprouted, showing off skill brilliantly.

Adding Wansong Daoist’s character of never knowing restraint, Song Kaichuan had a rather painful year.

Thus he decisively sought Lu Zheng, then followed all the way to Phoenix Mountain.