“Ten thousand years ago, the Netherworld was devoid of flowers. Back then, the realm of the dead was nothing but an endless expanse of gray and gloom.
The King of the Netherworld at the time believed that the underworld was merely a transient place for souls—where they bid farewell to their past lives, endured punishment, or awaited reincarnation. The air was thick with the lingering resentment and sorrow of parting, and the oppressive monotony of the realm only deepened the despair.
Over time, the King of the Netherworld grew concerned that such an atmosphere might fester into chaos. To remedy this, he journeyed to the Xuanling Continent, where the gods gathered, and sought out the Flower King. At the time, I was the Flower King’s personal handmaiden, deeply in love with a young man named Lü Li, and filled with dreams of the future.
I remember clearly—it was high noon, the moment when yin and yang intertwined, that the King of the Netherworld arrived at the Flower and Wood Clan to meet the Flower King. After exchanging pleasantries, he made his request: he hoped the Flower King could use the Flower King’s Decree to bring color to the Netherworld, offering some solace to the wandering souls.
The Flower King, kind-hearted, readily agreed. She immediately began casting spells, causing several types of flowers and plants to sprout in the Netherworld. Yet, within an hour, they all withered and died.
The Flower King tried other plants, even those that thrived in dark, damp environments, but without exception, none survived longer than an hour in the underworld. The Netherworld’s yin energy was simply too overwhelming—even shade-loving flora could not endure it.
Disheartened, the King of the Netherworld sighed and bid farewell, returning to his realm empty-handed.
Days passed uneventfully…
Soon after, the Flower King granted Lü Li and me permission to marry. Overjoyed, we began preparing for our wedding. Lü Li vowed to give me the most perfect ceremony—even my bridal gown was designed by his own hands. At the time, I felt as though I were drowning in honey, so sweet was my happiness.
My wedding dress was complete, but Lü Li remained unsatisfied with the bridal crown. Though the Flower King had bestowed many treasures upon us, he insisted on finding the most unique gem to adorn its center—a jewel that would symbolize my irreplaceable place in his heart.
Touched by his devotion, the Flower King allowed him to search the clan’s treasury for the perfect gem. Yet, after scouring every corner, Lü Li still found nothing suitable.
The Flower King, sighing, summoned him and warned him to temper his expectations. I, too, reassured him—I cared not for rare jewels or stones, only for his love. Even in plain cloth, I would have been happy to marry him.
But Lü Li, as if possessed, refused to compromise. He was determined to give me nothing less than perfection.
Ten days before our wedding, disaster struck.
Driven by his obsession, Lü Li ventured beyond the Flower and Wood Clan in search of the rarest treasure. His journey led him to the border between our land and the Water Clan—the Mingxi Lake.
True to its name, the lake’s waters were crystal clear, like a radiant pearl embedded in the earth. Gazing at its shimmering surface, Lü Li imagined a gem as pure and luminous as the lake itself—one that would be perfect for me.
Just as he was about to leave, he noticed something unusual in the distance. Curiosity drew him closer, and there, at the lake’s center, he discovered a translucent orb.
The orb was flawless, far clearer than the purest crystal. Under sunlight, it refracted a dazzling spectrum of colors; at night, it mirrored the starry sky, capturing its infinite beauty within its form.
Overjoyed at this miraculous find, Lü Li believed he had found the ultimate jewel for my crown. Without delay, he returned to the Flower and Wood Clan and set the gem into my bridal headpiece.
Afterward, he went to the Flower King.
As a mere handmaiden, my status was humble, and Lü Li’s ambition to gift me the world’s rarest treasure had already drawn criticism. Some accused us of disrespecting the Flower King—how could a servant’s bridal crown surpass the majesty of the Flower King’s own?
Though the Flower King silenced these voices, Lü Li knew he had overstepped. Presenting the orb to her, he pledged to offer it as a wedding tribute after our marriage.
The Flower King merely smiled faintly, cautioning him to restrain himself. She declined the gem, declaring it a token of our love to be cherished.
Grateful, Lü Li and I thanked her profusely. He kept the jewel a secret, promising to reveal it as a surprise on our wedding day.
Little did I know, this ‘surprise’ would mark the beginning of a nightmare.
The next morning, a storm unlike any other descended upon our land. Dark clouds blotted out the dawn, thunder roared, and fierce winds swept away weaker clansmen.
The Flower King rushed out to confront the chaos—only to face the Divine Emperor of the Nine Heavens himself.
When she demanded an explanation for his wrath, the Emperor coldly replied, ‘Your clan knows full well why I have come!’
Bewildered, the Flower King could only stare. The Emperor then demanded, ‘Flower King, answer me—have you stolen the Sun-Moon Heavenly Light Pearl I placed in Mingxi Lake to purify the Water Clan’s waters?!’”
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