Chapter One
The water ripples with a faint emerald hue, as dewdrops linger on the jade-green lotus leaves, roll a few times, and finally vanish amidst the mist above the water...
The distant sound of a zither gradually comes into earshot, and in an instant, it seems to animate the most splendid colors between heaven and earth, making everything come alive.
The sound of the zither brings together a multitude of birds, which begin to dance in the rhythm of the zither, their colorful wings fluttering.
Feathers falling onto the lotus leaves accumulate, the brilliant colors reflecting light from the water, as surreal as a dream.
The scattered feathers seem to acquire a life of their own. As they whirl and spin, they slowly transform into a figure that resembles clouds, with long, flowing hair, skin as smooth as water, and a body as ethereal as mist...
The beauty of the girl standing on the shimmering lake outshines even the mirror-like water surface itself.
Her eyes ripple as softly as spring water, yet gentler still.
The remaining bird feathers adorn her body, transforming into a multicolored feather cloak.
She rises lightly into the air, flying toward that captivating music. Hidden within the misty clouds, a figure lies horizontally above the water surface as if he were on the flat ground; a few willowy clouds strangely become floating zither strings that cascade down.
He raises his hand, his long fingers casually plucking at the strings, producing music that ethereally drifts like mists and clouds.
He has clear and bright eyes, exuding a distinguished and other-worldly aura.
The music suddenly stops. He lifts his head, with a faint smile that seems both affectionate and aloof.
"I am Juanye." This is the first sentence he utters when he sees her.
She murmurs in repetition, "You are Juanye." Bewildered, she looks up, "Then, who am I?" Juanye softly laughs, "You were conceived in my music and transformed from a million bird feathers. So, you shall be called Qianyu." " Qianyu? Qianyu? " She happily raises her head, "You are Juanye, and I am Qianyu."
Juanye lifts his right hand gently, and with his movement, a beam of light spirals upward from Qianyu's body, eventually focusing on her forehead, forming a bird feather-shaped mark.
The feather's bright, colorful light makes Qianyu's face radiantly more exquisite." The feather emblem on your forehead I've gifted you with can protect you. It will be of great advantage to you in the future... "
His expression suddenly dims, "It's just a shame that I am unable to personally accompany you to explore this world..."
Suddenly, the lake begins to ripple, and the mist that covers the surface of the lake is absorbed into the water and disappears without a trace.
The nearby mountains and water slowly become clear, and five figures descend onto the surface of the lake.
Five people were wearing five different colors: gold, emerald, white, red, and black.
All five ceremoniously bow towards Juanye and respectfully say, "Paying our respects to the Demon Lord."
Juanye speaks dispassionately, "You've come. You must know already."
The golden figure had a frosty look on his face, "Yes, the music you played earlier did not harbor any intent for m******e and warfare. Instead, it possessed a generosity that nurtures all things.
The music of the Demon Lord was originally a sound of death that exterminates everything. But today, it has become a tranquil and beautiful sound of life!
The existence of this life is proof. " He points at the puzzled Qianyu with his right hand, his eyes fixated on Juanye, and he says word by word, “You—— are no longer our lord.”
Yes, you are no longer our Demon Lord! The other four lift their heads at the same time, their sharp gaze unanimously shoots towards Juanye.
Juanye gently massages his forehead, seemingly unintentionally yet carrying a profound sense of melancholy: "Yes, I am no longer myself."
The person dressed in green cries out in anxiety, " But why? Demon Lord, what is the cause of your change? Could it be that you are truly planning to abandon your tens of thousands of years of cultivation, forsake the position of Demon Lord?"
Juanye doesn't seem sorrowful, "The reason isn't important. In any case, the outcome is already like this. I have no other choice! For me, there is only forsaking."
The five lower their heads, as they know, Juanye truly has no other choices! He is no longer a Demon, so how can he continue to take on the role of Demon Lord, governing the multitude of demons?
Qianyu seems to feel a turning point about to happen. She anxiously grabs Juanye's hand, "Don't go!"
The golden figure fiercely looks at Qianyu, "Since the Demon Lord has left, your fate lies only in destruction. Keeping you here would be a disgrace to our Demon realm."
Juanye waves his hand to stop the golden figure from doing anything, lightly caressing Qianyu's flowing hair.
"Qianyu, you were conceived in the peaceful tranquility of my music, transforming into the purest sentiment. Such a being as you, it is very difficult to survive alone. As of now, your only option is to follow me!"
With Juanye's comforting words, Qianyu closes her eyes uncontrollably, her body turning into a patch of s, curling up in Juanye's palm.
Before Qianyu falls asleep, Juanye's voice lingers in her ears, "Sleep well. When you awake again, I promise, the first sight you see will be me! At that time, I will continue to be your protector."
Juanye opens his hand, and the colorful feather that Qianyu has transformed into flies away.
Juanye also closes his eyes, "After I leave, place my Dharmakaya at the Yuan Sea Springs, and no one will interfere."
He sits slowly on the water surface, then the mist in the air gradually disperses.
The five beings point their right hands at Juanye's forehead in unison, taking an oath in chorus, "With the power of our Demon realm, assist our Demon Lord in his reincarnation, let our lord taste all the suffering of mortal life, experience all the trials of humans, resent heaven and hate people, have the heart of a demon make a comeback, and return to our realm!"
The cloud gathers and disperses. The waves form and dissipate. A thousand years pass in the blink of an eye—