Lookie lookie! 👀

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The next day after Dong Hua revealed to Mo Yuan about his involvement with the moonstone crystal, they first decided to do individual research about any records written about the said magical artifact.

The former emperor busied himself skimming through the scrolls he collected for the past hundreds of thousands of years. However, despite the amounts of collections he had, he did not find anything helpful that can give them a better explanation on why the crystal shattered on its own and what unknown consequences it potentially caused.

On the other side, the God of War also did his research when he inspected the location where the artifact was stored. He talked to the few immortals at the Ministry of Mysteries and asked them questions that could give him a better picture of the situation.

The immortals he spoke to did not mention anything peculiar days before the incident. The one in charge was also confused at the unexpected turn of events since everything was ordinary.

Then on the next day, Mo Yuan and Dong Hua discussed inside the study room of Taichen Palace the information they obtained from the individual research they conducted. When Mo Yuan told Dong Hua that the artifact did not show any signs of strange activities, the latter frowned.

"That is indeed strange because even Dong Huang Bell showed signs that something was going to happen to it weeks before. It is surely not an ordinary situation." Dong Hua commented, a contemplating look on his face.

Mo Yuan nodded in agreement since he also knew about the activities involving the artifact that he created. Then again, he once failed to notice that Qing Cang tied his soul to the bell which led to the catastrophic event that happened four years ago. "The Dong Huang Bell itself wasn't perfect since there were instances where I wasn't aware of the activities inside it. It could also be similar to this situation."

Dong Hua understood what he meant. "A possibility." He said.

Silence blanketed them as their minds wandered off in search of ideas that could potentially help their situation. Mo Yuan then recalled that Dong Hua mentioned a spirit that once lived in the magical artifact. "Dong Hua, you said two days ago that a spirit that was a part of Zu Ti's power lived inside the crystal. Now that the crystal broke, where could it have gone?"

The other god's eyes slightly widened at the question. He froze for a few seconds at the realization that it could have gone somewhere and potentially caused problems to the other immortals. "Have you done a soul searching spell in the area? It could have hidden somewhere in the other artifacts inside the ministry."

Mo Yuan shook his head. "Now that you've said it, it might be ideal that we both pay the ministry a visit to check where the spirit could be."

Dong Hua nodded. "Then it's best if we leave now."

It was already 10 PM that night, and there were only a few immortals left inside the ministry. When they saw the arrival of the two High Gods, they instantly approached them to offer their assistance. However, Mo Yuan kindly rejected their help for now but told them that it might be needed if they discover something different from what they hoped.

Then, only Mo Yuan and Dong Hua were left inside the chamber where the crystal was stored. Mo Yuan cast a soul-searching spell that went around the room first. When it did not find anything, the dragonfly-like light that was part of the charm went out of the room to scan the whole building of the ministry.

When the small light returned, both gods let out a soft sigh. "It seemed like what we're looking for is not here." Mo Yuan said.

Dong Hua gave the area a scan. "Let's go back to my study." They then vanished in thin air and were back in Taichen Palace.

Dong Hua took a seat in his previous spot. "Days ago, I gave Siming a task to report to me any news or rumors about unusual events in Jiuchongtian. But so far, he did not give me anything yet." He said.

Mo Yuan nodded. "I see. The spirit must be somewhere and is not causing any havoc yet. The only unusual thing I know is the sudden disappearance of the Young Queen of Qing Qiu." He paused and looked at Dong Hua incredulously. "Could it be that what happened to the crystal had something to do with why she's missing?"

Dong Hua went silent for a while to think about this possibility. "That could be the case since the spirit could have roamed around Jiuchongtian hours after it escaped from being kept inside the crystal. Have you heard any update from her aunt?"

"Seventeen mentioned during dinner that the scouts she tasked to look for her niece did not report anything to them yet. The Bais are partially not worried since Feng Jiu tended to leave suddenly without any trace. But they were also considering what the guard said about the bright light that appeared in the public garden in the 34th Heaven."

Dong Hua unconsciously balled his fist that was under the table. "I see." He briefly said.

When Mo Yuan did not hear any more from the man seated across from him, he decided to ask him, "Did you receive any news from the scouts you also deployed to look for her?"

His question caused a frown to appear in Dong Hua's face. "What are you talking about?" He asked back in an indifferent tone.

Mo Yuan wanted to shake his head with the other god's in denial. He has known Dong Hua for hundred of thousands of years now. His sudden exit days ago surely had a reason. Typical Dong Hua, keeping things all to himself and doing his best to make everyone think that he doesn't care... when in reality he's already a few steps ahead in making sure the problem gets resolved soon.

He sighed. "You know what I'm talking about." After all, all thanks to Zhe Yan, he knew the major issues that happened between the former emperor and Qing Qiu's young queen.

Something flashed in Dong Hua's eyes. He knew that Mo Yuan was correct to assume that he did do something to track his Jiu'er's whereabouts, and there was no point lying to the other god. "They did not report anything yet; they're still searching her."

Mo Yuan nodded and went silent. He knew Dong Hua has a soft spot for Feng Jiu because, for as long as he knew the said god, it was the first time he kept someone close to his side and treated her exceptionally compared to others.

He then decided not to probe more since he knew what it was like to be in a similar situation. After all, it has been more than 260,000 years since that incident happened.

When their discussions ended, Mo Yuan bid goodbye and left. Dong Hua also went to his chamber to rest. But before he laid in bed to sleep, he decided to take out the copper mirror he once used to watch Feng Jiu's coronation, which he kept hidden inside the box near his bed.

He held the mirror in his left hand as his other one cast the spell to activate it. A worried look contorted his face when nothing appeared.

"Where are you, Jiu'er? Are you somewhere safe?" He couldn't help mutter to himself.

-----

The next day...

It's been three days since Feng Jiu's disappearance in Jiuchongtian. Migu was already up early since he will meet up later with the scouts High Goddess Bai Qian deployed to look for the little highness to get updates about the search they conducted.

The meeting was two hours from now, so he still had the time left to do his chores in the fox den. But he remembered that it has also been a while since he cleaned Feng Jiu's room. He thought it might be ideal to do it now so that the room would be in great shape when the little highness returned.

Migu went first to the storage room to get the necessary cleaning materials he would use. However, the scene that greeted him when he went inside Feng Jiu's room surprised him tremendously that he dropped everything he held and immediately called for help.

Inside the room, a lavender-colored cage enveloped the little highness who looked to be sleeping soundly in her bed. The only alarming matter was that it wasn't any ordinary cage an immortal could cast. Knowing the level of cultivation she has, it must have been created by a very powerful immortal.

Migu hurried to Bai Qian, who was in Jiuchongtian, to report this very peculiar event.

"What did you do this time, Little Highness?" Migu whispered to himself as he worriedly did his best to reach his destination as fast as he could.

-----

Mo Yuan was back early in Taichen Palace since he and Dong Hua decided that it might help to visit the place where the moonstone crystal was created. The spirit might have found its way back home.

He found Dong Hua in his sitting area, drinking tea. The former emperor looked up to him when his arrival was finally noticed.

Dong Hua placed down the cup on the table as he watched Mo Yuan occupy the seat across from him. "You're very early." He commented.

Mo Yuan nodded, a small smile on his face. "We're going to Gu Yao Mountain after all." He replied. It has been a very long time since he was there.

Dong Hua hummed in agreement and picked up the empty cup to examine it. When the other god across him noticed this, he remarked, "I see that you still have that cup I gave you. What happened to others I sent in the recent years?"

The former emperor froze for a while as memories of Feng Jiu's stay in Taichen Palace resurfaced. Things back then weren't that complicated since he didn't think she was serious in her pursuit. He definitely underestimated her.

He sighed when his trance ended. "I haven't used them yet." He briefly answered.

Mo Yuan was about to say something when he felt a tap near his pulse. He then lifted his hand to cast the message written on the paper in front of him. He took the paper that floated in the air and gave it a read. His eyebrow narrowed together as he took in the contents.

Dong Hua watched the whole thing happened. "Are you urgently needed somewhere?" He asked based on the other god's facial expression.

Mo Yuan looked up to him and nodded. "That's the case, but I need you to come with me."

Dong Hua lifted a brow. "Where?"

Mo Yuan folded the small piece of paper and kept it back to his sleeves. "To Qing Qiu."

Dong Hua frowned. "What for?"

Mo Yuan looked at Dong Hua with a solemn expression on his face. "They finally found Feng Jiu."

-----

Back in the fox den, a group of immortals gathered inside the room of Feng Jiu. Everyone inside was quiet as they observed the small force field that surrounded the sleeping queen.

Bai Qian turned to Migu, who informed them about this discovery. "Migu, has she been here all this time?"

Migu shook his head. "I'm not completely sure about that Gugu since I only checked the room this morning when I was about to do some cleaning."

Bai Zhen, who was also in the room, gave the force field a closer look. "This is a protection cage. But why would this be here when Xiao Jiu is just sleeping?"

Zhe Yan has been contemplating on who cast such forcefield that one could even feel  how powerful it was from afar. But given the amount of cultivation of whoever owned this protective shield, this only left Mo Yuan, Dong Hua, and the Buddha as the options. And knowing that the Buddha doesn't have anything to do with Feng Jiu, he decided to send Mo Yuan a message to come to Qing Qiu right now and tag Dong Hua along.

"I've already informed Mo Yuan about this, and I also told him to bring Dong Hua." Zhe Yan said.

Everyone turned to him with incredulous looks on their faces.

"Why would they be needed here, High God Zhe Yan?" Ye Hua couldn't help but ask since asking for the presence of the said gods could mean something. He felt Bai Qian's hand wrap around his other arm for comfort. She was now so worried to know what really happened to Feng Jiu.

Zhe Yan cleared his throat and went closer to the field. "Because it's only either one of them who cast this powerful cage."

A few moments later, Mo Yuan finally arrived followed by Dong Hua. Everyone turned to the new arrivals and gave their greetings.

Zhe Yan gave the two a knowing look. "She was found inside here this morning by Migu. However, this powerful cage that wrapped around her bed is most likely created by a powerful immortal. I haven't done anything, so this left the two of you."

Mo Yuan went closer to inspect the forcefield. He knew neither he nor Dong Hua created this since the latter god's face showed a surprised look when he told him that their presence in Qing Qiu was needed. "Though it's impossible that it's created by me, there's only one way to find out." He said as he decided to risk and gave it a touch. But the moment his finger landed on the cage, he felt a force that repelled him back.

The impact wasn't that strong, so he remained standing. He turned around and faced the other people inside the room. "I clearly didn't create this forcefield since it repelled me back. And it's also been a while since I've been here in Qing Qiu."

When Dong Hua heard Mo Yuan's words, it dawned on him that this left him as the only person who created the cage. But this was impossible since he never left Jiuchongtian for the past few days nor met up with Feng Jiu.

Zhe Yan then turned to Dong Hua, who looked to be in a deep thought as he stared at the forcefield. "How about you, Dong Hua?

Dong Hua's trance broke when he heard the question. Everyone was now looking at him. He slightly shook his head. "I did not create this force field si--" His words stopped when he felt the very familiar magical breath of the cage.

A bewildered look appeared on his usually stoic face. He slowly walked  closer to the field, and his suspicions were confirmed. The moment he lifted his hand and gave the cage a touch, the powerful force field suddenly vanished. "How could this happen?" He quietly said.

Bai Qian was surprised at what she saw and couldn't help but suspect that Dong Hua did something again to her niece. But she recalled that Migu said no other gods were near or in the fox den since days ago. She decided to observe for now and not say anything petty.

"It looks like the shield was created using your cultivation, Dong Hua." Zhe Yan remarked.

Dong Hua looked at the sleeping Feng Jiu. "I never left Jiuchongtian for a while now, and it's impossible that I created the cage." He replied. Dong Hua then noticed the pale countenance of Feng Jiu that made him automatically check on her.

"What's wrong, Dijun?" Bai Qian asked when they saw the sudden action made by Dong Hua. She also went closer to the bed and noticed how pale Feng Jiu was. "Zhe Yan, Xiao Jiu doesn't look well." She said in a slightly alarmed tone.

Zhe Yan instantly went to Feng Jiu's side and took her pulse. His eyes widened when he felt her slow pulse. He then cast a scanning spell to have a better picture of her current condition. "She's very injured." He said in disbelief.

"How could this happen?" Bai Qian asked worriedly after hearing Zhe Yan's assessment.

Zhe Yan then cast a stabilizing spell on Feng Jiu. He then gave the little lass another  scan and  noticed the ring on her index finger. It made him pause since it emmited a strong energy. "This ring... this ring is a protection artifact." He then turned to Dong Hua. "Did you give her this?"

Dong Hua shook his head. "I did not." But he still took hold of his Jiu'er's hand for a closer look at the ring.

His eyes widened once more as it seemed like this day had another surprise for him because the ring in her finger had his magical breath. But for a ring to have such an amount of power, it has to be made from his blood or flesh. And he knew that he didn't cut himself to create that.

"How could this be?" That was all he could say to himself.

-----

Someone finally made an appearance after seven chapters.

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