The Jade-Horned Foal

1,106 words

Xiao Chen climbed swiftly up the ancient tree and seized the gauze. It seemed to be a face-veil—smooth, supremely soft, and as light as nothing at all, the finest of silk fabrics. Embroidered upon it was a phoenix, half-hidden, half-revealed; on closer inspection, it was startlingly lifelike.

Suddenly, Xiao Chen recalled something. A familiar image leapt into his mind—a gracefully slender woman, her face veiled with light silk… He remembered clearly that the Royal Celestial Maiden Zhao Lin'er had worn just such a phoenix veil.

Could Zhao Lin'er have entered the World of Immortality as well?

In an instant, the scene of that day flashed before him. He and Zhao Lin'er had rushed onto the summit one after the other, their distance not particularly great. At that very moment, the peerless goddess Lan Nuo had shattered the void. A brilliant radiance had exploded outward, covering the entire peak in incomparably sacred light. He had been caught up in that glow and carried into the World of Immortality. Could it be that Zhao Lin'er had been drawn in the same way? The more he thought about it, the more possible it seemed.

This was no longer the Mortal World. Zhao Lin'er's status as the Royal Celestial Maiden meant nothing here. If he found her on this island, he could deal with her however he pleased. Not long ago, Xiao Chen had been the one hunted. But if Zhao Lin'er truly had entered the World of Immortality, then the roles would now be completely reversed!

Yet Xiao Chen did not wish to meet Zhao Lin'er too soon. She was a true expert, and his injuries had not fully healed. He might not be able to contend with her.

Five days—that was all he needed. Once his recovery was complete, he would have no fear of the Royal Celestial Maiden.

Two days passed peacefully. Zhao Lin'er did not appear. That veil had been blown here, but the gale that night had been ferocious; perhaps she was in a very distant area. Still, Xiao Chen believed that if she were alive, they would eventually meet on the island.

For now, the Eight-Armed Malignant Dragon remained guarding the coast, only swimming in the nearby waters. Xiao Chen had no desire to take that risk again. When that ancient ferocious beast went berserk, it truly seemed capable of destroying heaven and earth.

The silver light point in the Shangqiu acupoint of his left foot seemed to have perfectly fused with the acupoint itself. The silver light point was the Shangqiu acupoint, and the Shangqiu acupoint was the silver light point; they were no longer separate. Even now, Xiao Chen did not know what purpose it served. He could no longer sense the vast life energy it once held, nor any particular peculiarity.

For the past two days, he had practiced diligently, and his recovery had progressed smoothly.

The gentle moonlight spilled down like water, draping the forest in a faint, gauze-like veil. Xiao Chen stood motionless beside the small lake, which was as smooth and bright as a mirror. His long, sturdy frame did not stir as he guided the moonlight into his body.

Subtle, almost invisible sacred light flowed within Xiao Chen's body. The moon's essence moistened his flesh like sweet dew, infusing his internal organs, bones, and blood with a radiant luster.

Time seemed to freeze. Xiao Chen sank into the exquisite realm of cultivation. The moonlight gathered thicker and thicker, until a hazy glow surrounded him, and his whole body emitted a faint, soft radiance.

At that moment, he ascended into a state of ethereal emptiness. Though his eyes were closed, the surroundings appeared clearly in his mind. A light, airy aura emanated from him.

Suddenly, he sensed something approaching swiftly from deep within the forest. Then he beheld a remarkable sight. A pure white foal, no more than a meter tall, running as if flying, stepped lightly across the treetops, moving from crown to crown with incredible grace.

It was a startling image!

The foal was very young, but it was extraordinary. Its snow-white body shimmered with a crystalline luster, as if carved from the finest mutton-fat jade. And upon its forehead grew a single translucent jade horn, making it even more miraculous! What was more, it came bounding through the moonlight, leaping from branch to branch. Bathed in the soft lunar glow, it seemed utterly transcendent—divinely spirited to an unbelievable degree!

A young celestial horse! Xiao Chen was deeply astonished.

The foal circled the lake, stepping over the treetops, and stole a glance at Xiao Chen, who was shrouded in moonlight. Its large eyes, black as gemstones, were full of curiosity.

Xiao Chen pretended not to notice and did not startle it. He continued to gather the hazy moonlight. The white radiance, like flowing water, swirled around him, filling the place with spiritual energy and a sacred, peaceful atmosphere.

The foal seemed very eager to approach, yet also fearful. Its bright eyes studied Xiao Chen carefully. Only when it was certain he was harmless did it fly up to a towering tree not far from him.

Then Xiao Chen saw another sign of its extraordinariness. The jade horn on its head could gather the moon's essence. Part of the luminescence surrounding Xiao Chen was drawn away by that horn. The foal grew even more crystalline, a faint luster flickering over its body—truly marvelous.

When Xiao Chen finally ceased his practice, the foal darted away, frightened like a startled rabbit, fleeing over the treetops and leaving a streak of silver light in the dense forest at an astonishing speed.

Xiao Chen smiled. This was a truly amusing and adorable little celestial horse.

Over the following two days, the foal appeared frequently by the lake, coming to share the spiritual energy Xiao Chen had gathered. It had gradually learned the pattern—morning clouds, daytime wood-essence, evening moonlight—and grew bolder than before.

Xiao Chen did not attempt to capture the celestial horse. First, he was not certain he could catch it; second, such a spiritual creature could never be truly tamed by force. He was waiting for the right moment.

Almost ten days had passed since he arrived on this mysterious island. His injuries were fully healed.

With a flutter of wings, countless seabirds burst from a nearby grove. The little horse, carved like jade, fled over the treetops like a streak of silver. Xiao Chen sensed someone approaching!

The newcomer moved with incredible speed—truly like a shadow flitting over water. In almost an instant, the figure crossed the patch of woods and stood staring at Xiao Chen from a distance.

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Reading Guide Decoding

A Fateful Discovery and an Ethereal Messenger

Cultural / Xianxia Notes

The celestial horse (天马) is a classic motif in Chinese mythology, often depicted as a winged or horned steed that can traverse the heavens. The jade horn specifically evokes associations with the qilin or the White Deer, both omens of wisdom and spiritual power. The description of the foal as “carved from mutton-fat jade” ties into traditional Chinese connoisseurship of fine jade, suggesting a creature of supreme purity and rarity. Cultivators in the World of Immortality absorb moonlight essence (月华) as part of their practice, believing that the moon holds a refined yin energy that nourishes the soul and body. The fact that the little horse instinctively shares this cultivation space hints at its innate connection to the Dao. Xiao Chen’s decision not to capture the horse reflects a deeper Xianxia principle: true mastery over spiritual beasts comes not from force but from virtue and mutual affinity.

Chapter Overview

This chapter transitions from perilous survival to a moment of strange, delicate wonder. Xiao Chen stumbles upon evidence that Zhao Lin’er has also entered the World of Immortality, shifting the dynamic from hunter to potential hunted. Yet the chapter’s heart lies in his encounter with a celestial horse—a jade-like foal that drinks moonlight and dances above the treetops. The tonal contrast between the grim implications of Zhao Lin’er’s presence and the serene, almost sacred beauty of the little horse deepens the novel’s atmospheric richness. It is a chapter of portent and grace, where the protagonist’s healing body mirrors the dawning of a new, more mysterious phase in his journey.

Key Plot Points

Xiao Chen finds a white gauze scarf embroidered with a phoenix, unmistakably Zhao Lin’er’s. He deduces that she must have been swept into the World of Immortality alongside him during Lan Nuo’s void-breaking ascent. This realization reframes his situation: the royal status that once protected her is meaningless here, but she remains a formidable fighter. For now, he prioritizes recovery, knowing a confrontation is inevitable. Over the following days, Xiao Chen practices cultivation under moonlight, his silent healing punctuated by the arrival of a miniature celestial horse. The foal is no ordinary beast—it is carved from what seems like mutton-fat jade, has a single translucent horn, and can siphon moonlight essence from the air. It visits nightly, sharing the spiritual energy Xiao Chen gathers, growing bolder with each appearance. Xiao Chen exercises remarkable restraint, neither chasing nor capturing it, understanding that such divine creatures must be won through patience. By the chapter’s end, his wounds are fully healed, and a new presence approaches through the forest, setting up the next confrontation.

Reading Guide

This chapter plants several seeds for the arc ahead. Zhao Lin’er’s confirmed presence on the island promises a reckoning the moment Xiao Chen regains full strength—and he has just recovered. The celestial foal, meanwhile, is clearly not a mere animal; its intelligence and spiritual sensitivity suggest it may become a significant ally or even a test of character. Xiao Chen’s patient approach is a hallmark of his growth—he is learning that the world of immortality rewards wisdom over aggression. The approaching figure at the chapter’s end, sensed by the horse before it flees, could be friend or foe. Readers should note the careful build-up: the scarf, the horse, and the healed body all converge toward a pivotal moment. The atmosphere remains laden with the novel’s signature blend of mythic wonder and lurking danger.