Chapter 172: The Power of Restrictions, Escape from the Imperial Palace
Meanwhile, within the Imperial Daughter’s palace.
When Wei arrived with two other guards, many guards were already on alert, some monitoring the interior of the palace.
“What’s the situation?” Wei asked in a low voice.
“Forgive me, Master, but…” the guard in charge of the Imperial Daughter’s palace hesitated, then continued, “we still haven’t found any trace of the little princess, not even a single clue.”
Wei’s face darkened.
“Take me to see.”
“This way, Master.”
The guard quickly led Wei to the little princess’s bedroom.
The other two Tribulation Immortal guards remained outside, on alert.
Along the way, Wei asked the guard several questions, but received no answers.
There were no signs of intrusion in the Imperial Daughter’s palace. The little princess seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Wei’s expression was grave. Ignoring the guard’s repeated apologies, he entered the little princess’s bedroom.
Upon entering, Wei sensed the residual aura of an explosion.
The entire room was almost unrecognizable, especially the princess’s bed, which was shattered, as if someone had deliberately tried to erase all traces.
Wei walked over and squatted down beside the destroyed bed.
“What is this… why does it look like… a formation?”
Wei frowned. Since there were no true formations in the Great Thousand Worlds, he wasn’t sure.
But if it was a formation, with the limited understanding of formations in this world, how could it make the little princess disappear?
Being able to construct a Foundation Establishment level formation didn’t mean one could construct any formation at that level. The formation structures in this world were quite simple, like explosive or spirit-gathering formations.
More complex formations couldn’t be constructed.
Within the princess’s room, Wei could only see traces of an explosive formation, nothing else.
“Master, have you… found anything?”
The guard beside him asked cautiously. The entire palace was worried about the little princess’s whereabouts, hoping to find some news quickly to avoid incurring the Immortal Emperor’s wrath.
“I’m… not sure.” Wei exhaled, thinking to himself, “It’s a pity… only those at the Sea Crossing Realm or above can forcibly bypass the restrictions within the imperial palace and use retracing techniques.”
Actually, Wei’s strength wasn’t truly at the Sea Crossing Realm, as rumored, but half a step into it, stuck between Tribulation Immortal and Sea Crossing.
He could easily defeat ordinary peak Tribulation Immortal cultivators, but against a true Sea Crossing Realm expert, Wei was no match.
Currently, there was only one person above the Sea Crossing Realm in the imperial palace.
…The Empress.
“I can’t ask her…”
A hint of bitterness appeared on Wei’s lips.
The entire imperial palace was under the Empress’s control. She definitely knew about this.
And the fact that she hadn’t appeared could only mean one thing.
The Empress didn’t want to get involved.
Perhaps…
A rebellious thought crossed Wei’s mind.
Could the mastermind behind this be… the Empress…
It was simple. For the little princess to disappear into thin air, it had to be a powerful being who controlled the Law of Space.
Coincidentally, the Empress did have someone like that beside her…
Of course, even if he considered this possibility, Wei wouldn’t dare to investigate.
The relationship between the Empress and the Immortal Emperor was already tense, and Wei was clearly on the Immortal Emperor’s side.
If he gave the Empress any leverage at this time, the Immortal Emperor would be fine, but he would suffer…
Wei pondered for a moment, then said, “Who were the last people to enter the Imperial Daughter’s palace?”
The guard thought for a moment and said,
“The palace maids who delivered Her Highness’s meal. Master Wei, you mean… they did it?”
The guard’s expression was tense. If it was the maids, then they, the guards at the palace gate, couldn’t escape responsibility.
After all, they were the ones who let them in…
“Not necessarily,” Wei didn’t jump to conclusions, he was always cautious. “Bring them here, I want to question them one by one.”
Wei didn’t think it was likely that the maids were involved. They were just minor cultivators, their cultivation not even at Foundation Establishment. They couldn’t do such a thing.
However, a routine questioning was still necessary.
“Yes, Master.”
The guard immediately bowed and left, hurrying to contact the Madam in charge of the palace maids.
Wei sat alone in the room, his gaze sweeping over the furnishings, gradually reconstructing the little princess’s life here.
Even though the room was almost unrecognizable, through some details, Wei could still make some deductions.
Although it wasn’t as good as a retracing technique, he could still find some clues.
“Strange…”
Wei frowned deeply.
No matter what, he couldn’t form a clear picture in his mind.
He was using his memories of Princess Xue, whom he had known since childhood, to reconstruct the scene, but there was a strong sense of incongruity.
The “Princess Xue” in his memories wouldn’t live in a room like this.
It should be more… lively?
The current room felt heavy and oppressive, like a cage, not like a sixteen-year-old girl’s room.
As Wei was lost in thought, the guard hurriedly returned.
“We found them, Master Wei.”
Hearing this, Wei could only put aside his vague thoughts for now and stood up.
“Where are they? Take me there.”
The guard hesitated, then said,
“They are currently… serving Imperial Concubine Min’s meal.”
“Which Imperial Concubine? Just bring them out.” Wei said without hesitation. “The matter of the little princess is of utmost importance. I’m sure the Imperial Concubines will understand.”
“If they don’t, I’ll help them understand.”
As the Immortal Emperor’s personal guard, rumored to be a Sea Crossing Realm expert, although he always acted like an ordinary guard, no one dared to treat him as one.
In a sense, Wei’s presence represented the Immortal Emperor.
At critical moments, Wei’s authority was considerable.
“It’s… Imperial Concubine Min.” The guard’s expression turned troubled. “Can we really just… bring them out?”
Wei’s expression froze, and he coughed lightly to ease the awkwardness.
“If it’s Imperial Concubine Min… then let’s wait, let’s wait…”
Imperial Concubine Min was different from the other imperial concubines…
Even Wei didn’t dare to act on his own. He had to ask His Majesty.
“Then what should we do now…”
The guard asked.
“Let’s wait there,” Wei sighed. “The Imperial Daughter’s palace remains under lockdown, seal off all exits.”
“Yes, Master.”
The guard left, leaving Wei alone in the princess’s bedroom.
Wei took one last look at the room, almost destroyed by the explosive formation, his gaze darkening.
“Just how many things…”
He didn’t stay any longer and left.
…
Luo Xue’s conversation with Concubine Min wasn’t long, just a few minutes.
Concubine Min also knew that Wei was nearby, monitoring, and might barge in at any moment.
Although she didn’t know how Luo Xue had bypassed the tight security, she was certain that Luo Xue’s strength wasn’t enough to contend with Wei.
If they continued their sentimental reunion, they might not be able to leave.
Therefore, after giving Luo Xue the Snow Blade, Concubine Min immediately urged her to leave.
She even placed Luo Xue’s hand in Dugu Xue’s, as if afraid that Luo Xue wouldn’t take Dugu Xue with her.
Luo Xue’s expression was slightly helpless, but she quickly regained her composure.
She knew that a Sea Crossing Realm expert couldn’t be so easily fooled. The maids who had last seen the little princess would definitely be questioned.
And these maids… would definitely include Luo Xue.
Luo Xue knew that with Wei’s strength, the incident at the Imperial Daughter’s palace wouldn’t delay him for long. They had to leave quickly.
She still had the teleportation formation for escaping the palace, which could send them far away, although the destination was random.
Unfortunately, she had already given the carefully prepared teleportation formation to the maid named Xiao Lan. The formation she currently had wasn’t powerful enough to take them beyond the Imperial Capital.
It would have been enough if she hadn’t planned to take Dugu Xue with her.
But now…
Luo Xue looked at the Soul Transformation puppet, Xue Ling, beside her. It seemed there were some things she could try.
Thinking of this, Luo Xue immediately started setting up the formation, her dazzling movements stunning Dugu Xue, while Concubine Min watched silently.
After Luo Xue finished, Concubine Min said,
“As expected, you also possess the ability to use formations.”
“Of course, I was sent by Luo Xue.”
Luo Xue emphasized her own name. Senior Sister Li was truly amazing, using her name and face to do so many things…
However, if not for Li Guijiao paving the way for her, Luo Xue wouldn’t have gained Concubine Min’s trust so easily and escaped this vortex.
“Come here, Little Dugu, it’s ready.”
Luo Xue waved at Dugu Xue.
Dugu Xue quickly had Xue Ling carry her on her back, and they stood together at the center of the formation.
Xue Ling stood near the formation’s core, resonating with the barrier runes, amplifying the power of the teleportation formation, sending them even further.
With Xue Ling’s Soul Transformation strength, not to mention escaping the Imperial Capital, they might even accidentally leave the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty…
The runes of the formation gradually glowed, enveloping the petite figures.
Concubine Min sat on the bed, not crying, her gaze fixed on them.
She knew this was probably her last time seeing her daughter, there would be no chance to meet again in this life.
Just then, the teleportation formation flickered and trembled, its light unstable, as if it was about to collapse.
“This is…”
Luo Xue’s pupils constricted. She seemed to have missed something.
“It’s a restriction,” Concubine Min seemed to have anticipated this and said calmly, “The restriction within the imperial palace can limit the use of exit Dao inscriptions.”
Luo Xue knew that restrictions existed in the Ancient Demon Lands, but just like how the people here couldn’t understand formations, she also couldn’t understand restrictions.
Coincidentally, Concubine Min was an expert in using restrictions. With just her Nascent Soul cultivation, she had once broken a restriction above the Soul Transformation level.
Only those at the Sea Crossing Realm or above could break through the imperial palace’s restrictions, but Concubine Min, as a member of the imperial palace, had some authority within the restrictions.
Coupled with her ability to manipulate restrictions, breaking through these limitations wasn’t a problem.
However…
It would cause some commotion.
Concubine Min extended her hand, and countless golden Dao inscriptions appeared, swirling and dancing around her hand like moths.
The surrounding space began to collapse, while the formation where Luo Xue and the others stood stabilized.
“Goodbye, Xue’er.” Concubine Min, after inscribing the last Dao inscription, looked at Dugu Xue again, tenderness and sadness in her eyes. “Hopefully… we’ll never meet again.”
A white light flashed, and the teleportation formation vanished, taking the figures with it.
At the same time, the Snow Palace began to tremble and collapse, countless bricks and tiles falling, even Concubine Min’s room wasn’t spared.
Concubine Min slowly closed her eyes. She hoped to be crushed to death at this moment.
But…
It wouldn’t happen.
The falling debris froze just as it was about to hit Concubine Min, and Wei’s figure slowly appeared.
His expression was grim as he looked at the surrounding ruins and the unconscious maids, his breathing quickening.
Just a little bit closer…
Wei had a feeling that he was close to something.
He had rushed over the moment he sensed the Snow Palace’s restrictions being broken, but he was still too late.
“You’re late.”
Concubine Min said without looking up.
“This subordinate apologizes for his tardiness, please forgive me, Your Ladyship,” Wei bowed his head. “May I ask, did Your Ladyship see the culprit’s appearance?”
“Are you questioning this Palace?”
Concubine Min looked up slightly at Wei.
Her tone was calm, but firm.
“I wouldn’t dare,” Wei lowered his head even further, but his tone remained respectful yet assertive. “But this matter concerns… the safety of the imperial palace. This subordinate is just doing his duty.”
He didn’t mention the little princess’s disappearance, afraid that Concubine Min would do something unpredictable upon learning about it.
But at the same time, Wei also knew that the complexity of this matter was far beyond his ability to handle.
“I didn’t see anything.”
Concubine Min said impassively.
“Your Ladyship, are you sure?”
Wei looked up, frowning slightly.
“If you don’t believe me, you can search my soul.” Concubine Min pointed to her head. “Or… use torture on me.”
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