Chapter 2427: Chapter 2427: The Lotus Immortal of Hundred Flowers Mountain

The relationship between Fang Bai and the Hundred Flowers Empress could be described in mundane terms as "more than friends, not yet lovers."

They had known each other for many years, held deep affections, ambiguous and undefined, but due to various reasons, even until Fang Bai was "fallen" after being besieged by the eight top Immortal Emperors, they were unable to unite as official immortal partners.

On the surface, the Hundred Flowers Empress appeared frail, like a delicate flower vulnerable to the slightest breeze.

But only Fang Bai understood the strength of character hidden beneath her fragile exterior.

Though she was not Fang Bai’s immortal partner, her affection for him was no less than any immortal partner’s.

Fang Bai knew that upon hearing the news of his "fall," the Hundred Flowers Empress would not react as intensely as other disciples and close friends from the Emperor’s Palace, but would instead bury the hatred deep within, silently enduring.

Only when one day she felt her power surpassed the eight top Immortal Emperors would she resolutely step forward to avenge Fang Bai.

If her lifespan approached its end with no hope for vengeance, she would end her life in the most frenzied manner, dealing a heavy blow to the eight top Immortal Emperors.

Fang Bai remembered how the Hundred Flowers Empress had agreed to become immortal partners with him once he reached the Emperor Realm Peak and attained the legendary Great Emperor Realm of the Immortal Realm.

This agreement once fueled Fang Bai’s tireless cultivation, even leading him to believe he could reach the Great Emperor Realm within a century.

Unfortunately, the Emperor’s Palace’s fall thwarted Fang Bai’s ambition, "ending in lamentation."

After seizing another’s body and being reborn, every time Fang Bai thought of it, he felt sentimental. Upon returning to the Immortal Realm, he vowed to ask the Hundred Flowers Empress if the millennia-old promise still held.

At this moment, Fang Bai flew over Hundred Flowers Mountain, scanning with Divine Sense the Immortal Hall where the Hundred Flowers Empress resided, but discovered it was empty, devoid of immortals.

"It shouldn’t be like this!"

Fang Bai remembered the Hundred Flowers Empress had once taken in a few outstanding female disciples; even if she went on a journey, there should be disciples guarding Hundred Flowers Mountain. Why was it deserted now?

"Could it be that after my mishap millennia ago, the Hundred Flowers Empress also met with misfortune?"

An ominous premonition settled in Fang Bai’s heart.

Given the Hundred Flowers Empress’s cultivation level, she was unmatched in the Immortal Realm, and it would take only the eight top Immortal Emperors to threaten her life.

"Besides the eight Immortal Emperors, no other immortals could have done it! This is yet another blood debt!"

Fang Bai descended to the Immortal Hall where the Hundred Flowers Empress once lived, fists clenched, eyes bloodshot, a violent aura spreading, his chest filled with overwhelming hatred.

"Who are you, immortal, and why do you trespass on Hundred Flowers Mountain?"

Just then, a crisp, melodic voice rang out, and with a flash of red, a young female immortal appeared before Fang Bai.

The red-dressed female immortal had picturesque eyebrows and a graceful figure, extremely beautiful. Holding a long sword with a green hilt and light red blade, she pointed the sword tip at Fang Bai with a stern, yet charming expression, wary eyes fixed on him.

Externally, the red-dressed female immortal seemed around Fang Bai’s age, and her cultivation level was surprisingly comparable to Fang Bai’s.

Fang Bai’s physique was extraordinarily rare, with rapid cultivation progress, while the red-dressed female immortal was only an Innate Wood Spirit Root; for her to reach Fang Bai’s cultivation level was remarkably rare.

"Lotus Sword... Are you a disciple of the Hundred Flowers Empress?"

Seeing the immortal sword in the red-dressed female immortal’s hand, Fang Bai’s eyes brightened.

The Lotus Sword was the Hundred Flowers Empress’s personal immortal artifact, crafted by Fang Bai himself in the past, extremely powerful. This red-dressed female immortal must be her disciple to possess this sword.

"How do you know?"

The red-dressed female immortal was surprised Fang Bai recognized the sword, then sternly demanded, "Answer me: who are you, immortal? Why do you trespass on Hundred Flowers Mountain?"

Her retort implicitly confirmed her status as the Hundred Flowers Empress’s disciple.

Seeing the red-dressed immortal’s hostility and readiness for action, Fang Bai hurriedly stated, "I’m your master’s friend, from the Emperor’s Palace."

"You’re an Emperor’s Palace disciple?"

The red-dressed female immortal exclaimed, seeming quite agitated, but quickly regained composure, eyeing Fang Bai with skepticism, "How can you prove you’re an Emperor’s Palace disciple?"

She had always stayed by the Hundred Flowers Empress’s side, well-informed, knowing that despite the fall of the Emperor’s Palace, many disciples had escaped and hid throughout the Immortal Realm.

She clearly knew her master’s connection to the Emperor’s Palace, hence revealing excitement upon hearing "Emperor’s Palace disciple."

Fang Bai replied, "Your master’s wrists each bear a Lotus Mark, and your Lotus Sword was crafted by the Emperor’s Palace Master for your master..."

Fang Bai rapidly detailed several facts about the Hundred Flowers Empress, secrets known only to the closest disciples, proving his close relationship with her.

The red-dressed female immortal didn’t expect Fang Bai to know these secrets. Though unsure of Fang Bai’s identity, she believed he was a close friend of her master, her demeanor softened, and the Lotus Sword pointed at Fang Bai lowered.

"I recall, a thousand years ago, the Hundred Flowers Empress hadn’t taken you as a disciple yet!"

Fang Bai remarked to the red-dressed female immortal.

The immortal’s attire was not purely red but a lotus-like pale red, adding a few seductive charms against her snowy complexion.

Though knowing the white-robed male immortal before her was her master’s friend, and his cultivation level matched hers, the red-dressed female immortal dared not belittle him, respectfully replying, "I was the last disciple my master took, ranked last among ten disciples."

Fang Bai asked, "What is your title?"

The red-dressed female immortal replied, "My master named me ’Lotus Fairy.’

"Lotus Fairy..."

Fang Bai murmured, his eyes taking on a peculiar light as he looked at Lotus Fairy.

The Hundred Flowers Empress adored lotuses, giving this disciple the title "Lotus Fairy," signaling she was her favorite.

"By the way, where are your master and other sisters?"

Fang Bai inquired, hoping not to hear bad news from Lotus Fairy.

"My master and sisters... they..."

Upon hearing the inquiry, Lotus Fairy’s expression darkened, her eyes reddening.

Seeing her sad expression, Fang Bai’s heart rose, breathing quickened, fists clenching tightly.