The Queen Mother surveyed the chaotic mess on the floor, with hardly a place to stand. Raising a little immortal turned out to be even more mischievous than raising a mortal child.
The only advantage was that the old mother possessed magic arts. With a gentle sweep of her wide sleeves, she could instantly clear away the debris on the ground, along with the little one's tools of mischief.
The crystal cups, agate bottles, coral trees, and jade screens returned to their original positions. Every flower, tree, scene, and object in the Jasper Pool had remained unchanged for thousands of years. Yet, with the addition of this little fellow, everything seemed to come alive.
The Queen Mother crouched down and personally straightened her son's attire: "Go on, play outside for a while."
Yun Heng, clutching his golden bow, dashed out: "Wow!!! I want to hunt phoenixes too."
"The Heavenly Court does have a divine bird, but it's not a phoenix. He is called Kong Xuan, the first peacock in the world."
The little one stood tall, speaking in a childish voice: "Then I'll hunt the peacock! I want to be as powerful as Cousin!"
Seeing his proud expression when mentioning his cousin, the Queen Mother wanted to tease him: "But, your cousin might not necessarily defeat Kong Xuan."
"I don't believe it!" Hearing that Yang Jian couldn't defeat Kong Xuan, Yun Heng's little face puffed up like a bun. "My cousin has the San Jian Liang Ren Dao (Three-Pointed Two-Edged Blade). Even Nezha brother and Lei Zhenzi brother combined can't defeat him. He can't possibly lose to a bird!"
His mother actually doubted his cousin's strength. The little one was indignant, stammering to defend his cousin. He tilted his head back slightly, raised his chin, and placed his hands on his hips. It seemed as if the bird he mentioned wasn't the Peacock Great King, but just any ordinary immortal crane by the Jasper Pool.
Seeing him so fiercely defending his cousin, the Queen Mother felt a bit jealous. Her son had never defended her, his mother, so passionately in all his years.
She pinched Yun Heng's cheek: "Why so anxious? I didn't say Kong Xuan would definitely defeat Yang Jian. Don't worry, your cousin's Eight-Nine Arcane Art and Nine Revolutions Primordial Technique are incredibly powerful."
Hearing his mother say this, Yun Heng relaxed, then clenched his fist: "When I grow a bit older, I'll go hunt the peacock."
He was such a tiny figure, waving his fist and declaring he would hunt the Peacock Great King. His adorable appearance made the surrounding Seven Fairies all cover their mouths and chuckle.
The little one pouted: "What are you laughing at?"
Ziyuan smiled: "Prince, a single feather plucked from the Peacock Great King's true form is taller than you."
"Ah??"
Yun Heng was stunned. A feather bigger than him—how enormous would that bird be?
He grabbed the Queen Mother's immortal skirt: "Mother, mother, I want to learn that… whatever technique."
The little one's whimsical ideas left the Queen Mother helpless: "That is your cousin's exclusive secret art. It's not something you can learn just because you want to."
"Cousin loves me most; he'll definitely teach me."
"Yes, yes, Erlang Shen always looks icy-faced, but only you have the ability to make him smile." The Queen Mother gently nudged him. "Go play by yourself."
Yun Heng skipped and jumped all the way to the edge of the Jasper Pool. The clear water surface resembled a transparent gem mirror. Above stood magnificent, colorful Lingyun stalactites, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, condensing a drop of Sacred Water only once every hundred years. The water of the Jasper Pool was refined from this Sacred Water.
By the pool sat a graceful and elegant fairy maiden with a face as bright as the moon. Holding the Seven-Aperture Exquisite Shuttle, she followed the Queen Mother's command, weaving the Sacred Water from the pool into mist and clouds, spreading them widely between heaven and earth.
Yun Heng had just called out "Sister Weaver Maiden" when a fairy maiden not far away waved toward them: "Weaver Maiden, come here for a moment."
Before leaving, Weaver Maiden, feeling uneasy, turned back and instructed, "Crown Prince, play by yourself for a while. I'll be right back."
"Okay," Yun Heng replied sweetly. As soon as he reached out his hand, the immortal crane approached on its own, lowering its noble head to nuzzle against his palm.
The immortal crane played with him every day and had long lost its temper, allowing him to do as he pleased.
But Yun Heng wasn't satisfied. Standing on tiptoe, he stroked the crane's neck and imitated the Jade Emperor's tone: "Be good and go play by yourself. Father Emperor has celestial duties to attend to… If you keep being naughty, I'll spank your little bottom."
With that, he climbed onto the stone platform where Weaver Maiden had been sitting, using both hands and feet. Picking up the Seven-Aperture Exquisite Shuttle, he gestured over the Jasper Pool: "What should I draw today?"
Meanwhile, in Ling Xiao Dian (Hall of Heaven), the Jade Emperor was discussing the Tour of the Three Realms with the Immortal Ministers.
Nezha, however, lowered his head and muttered softly, "This cloud… looks a bit like my Hun Tian Ling (Cosmic Silk)."
His remark caught the attention of the other Immortals, who also lowered their heads to gaze at the drifting clouds beneath their feet. Even the Jade Emperor's focus shifted.
Clouds drifted over from the direction of the Jasper Pool, one after another. Taiyi Zhenren waved his horsetail whisk: "Today's clouds are truly different from usual."
"This one… bears some resemblance to Heavenly King Li's Exquisite Pagoda."
"Is that the Jade Rabbit from the Moon Palace?"
"And Erlang Shen's Three-Pointed, Double-Edged Spear."
"The Queen Mother's golden hairpin…"
"Lao Jun's Eight Trigrams Furnace…"
"The Heavenly Venerable's Three Treasures Jade Ruyi…"
"Why is there even a pair of wings?"
What was supposed to be a solemn meeting in Ling Xiao Dian had turned into a "Treasure Appraisal Conference" because of a few clouds. The Immortals were thoroughly enjoying themselves, some even showing a hint of anticipation, wondering if their own Magical Treasures would have the honor of appearing in the little crown prince's artwork.
Though the clouds were abstract and shapeless, the objects depicted were the most powerful Magical Artifacts of the Immortals, and everyone could recognize them at a glance.
The Jade Emperor knew immediately who was behind this mischief. Maintaining his dignified demeanor, he scolded, "The Crown Prince grows more mischievous by the day. As I am occupied with celestial duties, the Immortal Ministers should help discipline him properly."
The Jade Emperor, having had a son in his later years, doted on the little crown prince excessively. No matter how mischievous the child was, he never punished him or even spoke harshly.
How could the Immortal Ministers dare to discipline him? They were eager to praise him instead: "The Crown Prince is clever, spirited, and retains a childlike innocence, full of delightful whimsy."
"This Three Treasures Jade Ruyi is drawn so convincingly, it could almost pass for the real thing."
"This Purple Gold Red Gourd is drawn with remarkable artistic conception."
"…"
When Weaver Maiden returned, she saw the little one doodling over the Jasper Pool. She quickly scooped Yun Heng up, took the Seven-Aperture Exquisite Shuttle from his hand, and placed him on the back of a nearby immortal crane.
"Crown Prince, you're being naughty again."
Yun Heng wrapped his arms around the crane's neck, giggling: "Sister Weaver Maiden, do you think I drew well?"
Weaver Maiden looked at his latest half-finished creation, examining it from left to right but failing to discern what it was. She asked, "What is this?"
Yun Heng gestured with his hands: "This big, round, and green." The little one sniffed again, "And so fragrant."
Hearing his description, the Weaver Girl grew even more puzzled: "What is that?"
"Mung bean cake."
"…"
"Haha!" The little one laughed, his eyes curving into crescents. "A mortal world delicacy. You've never had it, have you?"
"You've had it?"
"I've smelled it," Yun Heng pinched his thumb and forefinger together to demonstrate. "I almost got to taste it."
The Weaver Girl was taken aback: "Where did it come from?"
"Snatched it from Da Bai's mouth."
The Weaver Girl was even more confused: "Who is Da Bai?"
"Cousin's big dog."
"…"
Only then did the Weaver Girl realize he was talking about Erlang Shen's Xiaotian Quan.
"Mung bean cake is green, but this is white. In my opinion, it looks more like a glutinous rice ball."
Yun Heng tilted his head: "What's a glutinous rice ball?"
The Weaver Girl replied: "Also a mortal world delicacy."
Yun Heng asked again: "Is it tasty?"
"Delicious! White, soft, and when you take a bite, it's filled with sesame filling—fragrant and sweet."
"Are there any others?"
While weaving clouds, the Weaver Girl entertained the child: "There are also cloud slice cakes, lotus flower pastries, osmanthus cakes…"
The little one couldn't help but lick his lips: "So many delicious things, I want to try them too."
"In my opinion, you're asking for a spanking." Unnoticed, someone had appeared behind them.
Upon hearing this voice, the Weaver Girl quickly stood up and bowed: "Your Majesty."
Yun Heng turned his head and joyfully rushed forward: "Father Emperor, hug!"
After the meeting at Ling Xiao Dian (Hall of Heaven), the Jade Emperor, filled with thunderous rage, hurried straight to the Jasper Pool to scold his son. The little one, however, was quite enthusiastic and immediately reached out for a hug.
Seeing his adorable little face, the Jade Emperor nearly forgot his purpose. The corners of his mouth had already begun to lift, and he almost bent down to pick up his son.
Seeing that Father Emperor was about to hug him, Yun Heng quickly raised both arms high, his little face beaming like a flower.
"Stand properly!" The Jade Emperor suddenly snapped back to reality, straightened up, and resumed his majestic demeanor as the Celestial Emperor. "You've been mischievous again today."
The little one, still hopeful for a hug, leaned against the Jade Emperor's leg, clutching his Immortal Robe with small hands: "I haven't been mischievous. I was very good today and even helped Sister Weaver Girl with her work."
Mentioning this only made things worse. The Jade Emperor's eyebrows shot up.
Just then, the Queen Mother approached from afar with the Seven Fairies: "What's going on here?"
The Jade Emperor gestured with his chin toward the floating clouds in the sky: "Take a look at the good work this little rascal has done."
The Queen Mother looked down. Although the clouds had drifted far away, their outlines were still visible.
The mother examined them carefully and couldn't help but chuckle: "I must say, he drew them quite well. The phoenix on my golden hairpin is especially lifelike. And those wings—are they Lei Zhenzi's Wind and Thunder Wings? He only saw them once and managed to draw them."
The Jade Emperor frowned at her: "According to the Queen Mother, I should even praise him."
Hearing his mother's praise, the little one couldn't hide his pride: "I think I drew pretty well too."
The Jade Emperor snorted through his nose: "You're just spoiling him."
The Queen Mother had the Seven Fairies prepare Immortal Tea and immortal fruits. Holding her son, she sat down with the Jade Emperor at the stone table.
When presenting the tea and pastries, Ziyuan also brought Yun Heng a bowl of Hundred-Flower Nectar. The little one, who had just complained about being tired of drinking it, now happily took a big sip from the bowl.
Though the mung bean cake smelled delicious, he couldn’t have it, so drinking the flower nectar would have to satisfy his craving for now.
The Jade Emperor took a light sip of his Immortal Tea before bringing up another matter: “Starting tomorrow, I will embark on a Tour of the Three Realms.”
The little one lifted his head from the bowl of nectar and asked curiously, “What are the Three Realms?”
The Queen Mother explained to him, “The Three Realms are the Celestial Realm, the mortal world, and the underworld, all governed by your Father Emperor. He must inspect them regularly to ensure peace and stability.”
Yun Heng’s ears twitched, and his gem-like eyes shifted from side to side before settling again.
He had keenly caught the key phrase—the mortal world.
This was the third time Yun Heng had heard of this place, and the previous two times were always related to delicious food.
Big White had said the fragrant mung bean cake was brought from the mortal world, and Sister Weaver had mentioned that the mortal world had cloud-slice cakes, lotus flower pastries, osmanthus cakes… and also white, soft glutinous rice balls, like fluffy clouds, filled with sesame filling—fragrant and sweet.
Just thinking about it made Yun Heng swallow his saliva. So he made a request to his Father Emperor: “Heng’er wants to go on the Tour of the Three Realms too!”
The Queen Mother patted his head. “Your Father Emperor is going to handle celestial duties. What would you do there?”
“I…” The little one patted his chest, “I am the Crown Prince, of course I’ll help my Father Emperor handle celestial duties!”
“Oh my!” The Jade Emperor burst into laughter, amused by the clever little rascal. “Now you remember you’re the Crown Prince. If you stay quietly at the Jasper Pool and cause less mischief, that’ll be helping me enough.”
He sighed as he patted his son’s head. “Wait until you’re a bit older…”
The little one persisted, “When I’m older, can I go on the Tour of the Three Realms with Father Emperor?”
The Jade Emperor glared at him. “When you’re older, I’ll find you a master.”
Yun Heng continued, “With a master, can I go on the Tour of the Three Realms?”
“The master will teach you discipline.”
“Then…” Yun Heng frowned, thinking seriously about the matter of a master. “Father Emperor, can Cousin be my master?”
“Yang Jian?” The Jade Emperor also frowned. “Why would you want him as your master?”
Yun Heng stood up and gestured excitedly. “I want to learn powerful skills from him so I can go fight the big bird.”
The Jade Emperor was even more puzzled. “Fight… the big bird?”
Yun Heng nodded earnestly. “The big bird, the Great Peacock with feathers bigger than me.”
“The Peacock Great King?” The Jade Emperor looked at his son in surprise. “Kong Xuan is born with innate pride, possessing the unique divine ability of the Five-Colored Divine Light, capable of capturing anything within the Five Elements. Though the world is vast, he alone can traverse it.” [From Investiture of the Gods]
The Jade Emperor looked at his son with interest. “Why not take him as your master? Perhaps you could defeat Yang Jian sooner.”
“Hmph!” Yun Heng pouted and put his hands on his hips. In his heart, his cousin’s status as the God of War was unshakable. “When I grow up, I’ll definitely be able to defeat him!”
The Jade Emperor watched him, both enchanted by his son’s liveliness and cuteness, yet a trace of worry clouded his eyes.
Though Yun Heng was born and raised in the Heavenly Court, a carefree little Immortal, he was different from all the other Immortals. Now three years old, he still possessed no magical power at all, and it was uncertain whether he could even learn Immortal Arts.
Yet this little one could inadvertently display unimaginable divine power, and even the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother could not see through how this came to be.
They had originally intended to seek advice from Patriarch Hongjun, but the Heavenly Dao came and went without a trace, leaving no trail to follow.
The Jade Emperor could only settle for the next best option and sought guidance from Taishang Laojun, one of the Three Pure Ones.
However, Lao Jun had been in seclusion in the Tushita Palace, refining elixirs for a long time and had not shown himself for quite some time.
Thus, he noted the matter down, resolving to take Yun Heng along for a visit upon returning from the Tour of the Three Realms.