Warring Kingdoms: The Tale of the Jade Phoenix and the Dragon Blade

Chapter 41: Pure Evil

The time came for everyone in the ninth heaven to hold the centennial picking of the candidates for divine position. LanRong and XuanWu bade a short goodbye to the mortal realm after being called back to the ninth heaven to judge the said event. Every immortals gathered at a circle and between the circle, the eternal flame burned endlessly fascinating the rookies and the naive immortals.
XuanWu seated beside Chang 'e and LanRong seated beside WangMu Niangniang. The Kong Guan rang the gong and announced then the tribulations for the said event.

"TRIUMPH BY FIRE! For this said picking, the delegates shall be tested according to his mind, soul and heart. In mind, you are to take an examination prepared by the Principal Goddesses. In soul, you need to bathe yourself in the illusory waters of Qi facing the monster inside you and in heart, you need to weight your emotions in overcoming a situation. Failing in one of the challenges is considered as absolute disqualification."

The gong rang again and the summit of ninth heaven opened forth and beckoned the great dragon of light. The dragon swirled up and descended down at the eternal flame facing the immortals that will partake at the picking.

"I am Zhu Yen. The dragon of light. I will be your guide in the tribulations. When you are ready, please step inside the circle and touch the flames."

The participants were hesitant at first but they soon touched the flames one by one making them disappear and teleported into the first tribulation.

Chang 'e wanted to judge the Mind examination and WangMu Niangniang wanted the Soul tribulation leaving LanRong and XuanWu to judge the Heart challenge.

"But High Goddess Chang 'e... I should stay, I have just became a Goddess for a few days. I cannot judge for the tribulations along with XuanWu."

"I know you are fit LanRong. The minute that you stood out for the truth against your own family, you are worthy of a position here with us."

"Thank you for your trust in me High Goddess."

"No, LanRong. For us immortals, we value justice more than our own self. You have made a great sacrifice."

Chang 'e soon disappeared along with WangMu Niangniang leaving XuanWu and LanRong alone with each other.

"So you are LanRong. You're prettier than I thought."

"Ah. Thank you Goddess XuanWu."

"My son likes you a lot. Have you two... *wriggles her pointing finger*??"

LanRong turned ripe tomatoes. She didn't want to tell anyone about the things between her and Xiao Na but since XuanWu is Xiao Na's mother, she could neither deny nor shake her head.
"Mhhmm... *nods*"

"Oooh. That's what I like! Welcome to the family Rong 'er."

LanRong and XuanWu decided to go to the tribulation and touched the fire when... Chang 'e and the other immortals went back panthing and shaking. Some cowered in fear and others were crying.

XuanWu ran up to Chang 'e and found out a stab wound beside her waist.

"Chang 'e! What happened?"

"XuanWu... Alert the other Gods. Zhuge Liang... He has escaped."

Chang 'e's sweat heavily fell from her face as she struggled to deal with her wound. XuanWu instructed LanRong to go get the Goddess of healing. LanRong nodded and ran outside the hall.
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"Puny immortals! Putting me in a dungeon is a mistake!" Zhuge Liang cussed as he was held behind bars at the deepest dungeon in the ninth heaven.
His anger is seething inside himself awaiting to be unleashed.