Category: Mistaken Era

Chapter 97

Naturally, everyone found her claim hard to believe.

Who had ever heard of rolling dice being more difficult than playing dominoes? It was the simplest form of gambling!

“Do we all agree to this?” Madam Fu asked, looking around the table.

Dominoes were complex, easy to manipulate. But dice… they all possessed spiritual energy. Controlling four dice would be child’s play!

Dice were the safer option. Ye Yi and Qin Lingxiao both nodded in agreement.

Madam Fu smiled, waving her hand over the table. A transparent dice cup, crafted from crystal, appeared, along with four dice the size of quail eggs.

She placed the dice in the cup, her smile unwavering. “Who goes first? Let me remind you, one wager is ten years of cultivation! Place your bets before rolling.”

Everyone’s expression shifted.

For cultivators, a year of cultivation was earned through hard work and dedication. Ten years… it was the difference between forming a nascent Golden Core and a fully formed one.

This island was truly cursed, capable of stealing not only lifespans, but also cultivation.

As the dealer, Madam Fu waited for them to place their bets.

Qin Lingxiao, seeing Wei Jie and Ye Yi’s silence, scoffed. “I’ll go first! But I don’t want the statue. I want the demonic bead!”

His father was fading fast. He couldn’t wait any longer. Ten years of cultivation… it was his father’s life. He had no choice but to gamble.

He stepped forward, examining the dice inside the cup. All four were showing ones, a total of four, the lowest possible roll.

He had been humiliated by Wei Jie in Luoyi City, his clothes ripped to shreds by his spiritual energy.

He wanted revenge, a chance to prove his strength. He bet on high, aiming for a perfect twenty-four.

Madam Fu smiled, producing a notebook. Its black pages bore an inscription written in blood-red ink – “Wager: Ten Years of Cultivation. No Regrets.”

Qin Lingxiao signed his name, then pressed his finger onto the page, as if to leave a fingerprint.

But there was no ink pad. Madam Fu simply smiled, saying it wasn’t necessary.

As he pressed his finger down, a sharp pain shot through it. He pulled his hand back and saw a bead of blood welling from a tiny cut.

A blood-red fingerprint stained the page.

“You may roll now,” Madam Fu said, gesturing towards the dice cup.

But as Qin Lingxiao reached for it, he realized it was incredibly heavy, impossible to lift.

He was startled. “Why is it so heavy?”

Madam Fu giggled, her voice seductive. “It’s the dice. They were forged from the mythical axe Pangu used to separate heaven and earth. Only a true deity can lift them… Mortals are too weak…”

Xiao Xiao’s eyes widened. “Such a divine metal… I’ve never heard of it. It must be difficult to craft dice from it.”

Madam Fu smiled. “You’re right. Mortal tools cannot shape it. Only heavenly lightning can carve its edges, etch its patterns. But such lightning… it’s rare. Each die takes a century to create.”

Xiao Xiao, her voice filled with awe, said, “Whoever created these dice… they must have been a dedicated gambler.”

Qin Lingxiao, refusing to believe it, focused his energy, attempting to lift the cup again. He strained, his spiritual energy swirling around him, but the cup remained immovable.

His hand trembled, his heart pounding. What kind of a fair game was this? Madam Fu knew mortals couldn’t lift the cup, yet she hadn’t warned them. He couldn’t even roll the dice! And with a current total of four… he was going to lose!

He wasn’t even nineteen yet! Losing ten years of cultivation… he would be reduced to a child!

Panic surged through him, cold sweat beading on his forehead, his pupils constricting, bloodshot eyes mirroring those of a gambler who had lost everything.

Suddenly, he felt a surge of energy, a force assisting him. He managed to lift the cup slightly.

He glanced over and saw Ye Yi, two fingers extended, subtly channeling his energy, helping him.

He was overwhelmed with gratitude, focusing his own energy, finally lifting the cup.

With Ye Yi’s assistance, he shook the dice, rolling a twelve.

Madam Fu rolled next, but only managed an eleven. Qin Lingxiao, by a single point, had won.

He sighed in relief, bowing deeply to Ye Yi in gratitude.

“Isn’t that cheating?” Wei Jie asked, raising an eyebrow. “Using someone else’s power?”

Madam Fu smiled. “We didn’t specify that outside help was forbidden. And since it wasn’t explicitly stated, it’s not cheating… Congratulations, Qin Lingxiao. Here’s your demonic bead.”

She kept her word, handing him the bead without hesitation.

Qin Lingxiao, looking at his frail father, took the bead, his jaw clenched.

He had no choice. His father was dying. Even if the bead was a trap, he had to try.

He knew how to utilize a demonic bead. He sat down, channeling his energy, forcing the bead into his father’s body, guiding the demonic energy through his veins.

Qin He, with his Demonic Ghost Sect background, adapted quickly. His wrinkles smoothed, his skin regaining its youthful glow. He looked thirty years younger.

He opened his eyes, his face filled with joy. “Lingxiao, I… I feel stronger! My cultivation has improved!”

Qin Lingxiao, relieved that the bead worked, sighed.

Madam Fu smiled at them. “I told you it was a powerful bead… Now, who’s next?”

“There’s only one statue,” Ye Yi said, his voice smooth. “And we both want it. If one of us wins first, the other loses by default. That’s not fair.”

Madam Fu nodded. “You’re right. How can we make this fair?”

Ye Yi pointed at Wei Jie. “Let’s play against each other. We both roll simultaneously. Whoever rolls higher wins the prize. What do you say, Wei Jie? Do you dare?”

The Dongyuan Emperor, a cunning deity, was thinking ahead. By challenging Wei Jie directly, he eliminated Madam Fu as a factor, increasing his chances of winning.

After all, Wei Jie’s divine power core was shattered, while his own was only slightly damaged.

His eyes, fixed on Wei Jie, were filled with a challenging glint. If Wei Jie refused, he would surely mock him.

Even gods enjoyed a bit of competition.

Wei Jie chuckled, ignoring Xiao Xiao’s attempt to stop him, accepting the challenge.

Xiao Xiao, frustrated, punched him lightly on the back.

“Since you’ve changed the rules,” Madam Fu said, “the stakes must be higher. Cultivation… it’s not a precious commodity for you two… This time, you’ll wager your lives!”

Wei Jie and Ye Yi narrowed their eyes simultaneously.

Madam Fu, sensing their determination, smiled, her voice laced with a chilling amusement. “Don’t you want to raise the stakes? The winner gains everything – the coveted artifact and the elimination of their rival. What a bargain! What do you say? Are you afraid? Do you want to back out?”

They stared at each other, each hoping the other would yield, but neither wanted to lose face.

“Don’t tell me you’re scared, Wei Jie,” Ye Yi said, his smile taunting.

“I’m not afraid,” Wei Jie said coldly. “Let’s sign the agreement.”

Madam Fu produced the blood-absorbing notebook, placing it before them.

Xiao Xiao, her eyes sharp, noticed that Ye Yi had written his own name, not the Dongyuan Emperor’s!

That cunning deity! He was wagering Ye Yi’s life, not his own!

If he lost, Ye Yi would die, while he, the Dongyuan Emperor, could simply find another vessel, escaping unscathed!

“That’s not fair!” she exclaimed. “Why are you writing Ye Yi’s name, not your own?”

Ye Yi, his smile infuriatingly calm, said, “I am Ye Yi in this realm. This body currently houses two souls. Does it matter which one I wager? Are you trying to find an excuse to back out? Fine. Then no one will challenge me for the statue. I’ll play against Madam Fu.”

“Who said we’re backing out?” Wei Jie said coldly. “Give me the book!”

Xiao Xiao, her eyes filled with tears, grabbed his hand, preventing him from signing. “He’s risking nothing! If he loses, he’ll simply find another body! But you… you only have one life! If you lose… you’ll die!”

But Wei Jie, as if possessed, was determined to sign.

She couldn’t stop him. She retreated, her tears flowing freely.

Gambling… it drove people mad, erasing all reason. He wouldn’t listen to her, determined to challenge Ye Yi.

But who would roll first? The first player had a significant advantage. The highest possible roll was twenty-four. If the first player achieved that, the second player would face immense pressure.

They sat on opposite sides of the table, reaching for the dice cup before Madam Fu could even finish speaking.

They clashed, their movements too fast to follow, a blur of motion.

Ye Yi, noticing Xiao Xiao’s tears, extended a finger, subtly directing a burst of energy towards her.

Wei Jie, distracted, turned to protect her. In that split second, Ye Yi seized the dice cup.

Even as a deity, he was still bound to Ye Yi’s mortal body, and his divine power core was damaged. Lifting the cup should have been difficult.

But he was one of the three legendary Divine Generals, his power beyond mortal comprehension.

He shook the cup effortlessly, the dice rattling inside.

He placed the cup on the table, his movements graceful, revealing the outcome – all four dice showing sixes, a perfect twenty-four!

Even if Wei Jie could lift the cup, he couldn’t roll higher than that.

Qin Lingxiao, observing the result, couldn’t help but feel a flicker of satisfaction. Wei Jie wasn’t his father’s killer in this life.

Even if he could kill him, it wouldn’t be justified.

But now… Wei Jie would die because of his own gamble. No one else would be to blame.

He glanced at Cui Xiao Xiao.

She seemed resigned, her tears dried, but her eyes still red, that red mole beneath her eye even more captivating.

If Wei Jie died, she would surely grieve, but at least she would be free from his influence.

“Once the Dongyuan Emperor obtains the statue,” he said, “he will restore the natural order, sending us back to our own time… These people, these events… they have nothing to do with you. Don’t dwell on them…”

He was cut off by a sharp slap to the face.

Wei Jie, his hand still raised, his voice cold, said, “You’re eager for me to die, aren’t you?”

The unexpected blow sent Qin Lingxiao flying from his chair.

He might not be a god, but the gap between them was vast.

The slap wasn’t just a physical blow. It was an attack on his pride.

But his former master’s aura, his cold, intimidating presence… it silenced him.

Madam Fu, uninterested in their conflict, focused on the wager. “It’s your turn, Wei Jie,” she said, her voice sweet.

This time, there was no struggle. He reached for the cup.

The dice inside, at some point, had reverted to ones. If he couldn’t roll, he would lose.

But the cup, as Madam Fu had said, was incredibly heavy. Despite no one challenging him, he could only lift it an inch!

If his divine power core was intact, it would have been easy. But shattered, he wasn’t much stronger than Qin Lingxiao.

Ye Yi, anticipating this outcome, turned to Xiao Xiao, his voice laced with amusement. “He’s going to lose. You’ll be shedding tears again.”

Xiao Xiao, her eyes narrowed, suddenly smiled, her beauty, enhanced by the five phoenixes within her, momentarily captivating Ye Yi.

“The game isn’t over yet,” she said, her voice confident. “Don’t celebrate too soon.”

But her confidence was misplaced. Wei Jie, seemingly aware of his own limitations, closed his eyes, making no effort to lift the cup.

Ye Yi chuckled. The ancient Flame Emperor, his former rival, reduced to this… It was pathetic.

Had he, in his arrogance, blocking his entry to the underworld, ever imagined such a humiliating end…

As he waited for Wei Jie’s demise, Wei Jie’s eyes snapped open. He drew his sword, its tip aimed at the dice cup.

Ye Yi’s eyes narrowed, and as he saw the lightning crackling around the blade, he understood…

He reacted instantly, summoning a burst of energy, aiming for Wei Jie’s wrist.

But before his attack could reach its target, a stream of water, sharp as an arrow, intercepted it. Xiao Xiao had anticipated his move, her water attack launched before he could even fully extend his hand.

Simultaneously, the foxes, transforming, attacked Ye Yi.

Qin Lingxiao and his father joined the fray, defending their benefactor!

Ye Yi, his divine power core damaged, couldn’t afford to exert himself too much. And his previous efforts, assisting Qin Lingxiao, then rolling the dice… it had taken its toll.

A loud crack echoed through the hall as Wei Jie’s sword, imbued with lightning, shattered the dice cup. The dice, split open, landed with their highest sides facing up.

Xiao Xiao counted them – thirty-six! Far higher than Ye Yi’s twenty-four!

Madam Fu had said the dice were carved by lightning.

And Wei Jie’s sword, the Heaven-Punishing Sword, channeled the power of heavenly lightning.

But splitting the dice in an instant, manipulating them with such precision… it wasn’t something an ordinary cultivator could achieve.

It required immense power and control, and Wei Jie, his demonic nature growing stronger, his cultivation advancing rapidly, seemed to be surpassing even his past self.

Wielding the Heaven-Punishing Sword… it was child’s play for him.

Ye Yi finally understood. Cui Xiao Xiao’s feigned despair, her tears… it had all been a distraction, a way to lull him into a false sense of security, allowing them to prepare their counterattack!

He stared at her, his smile now cold and menacing.

He had fallen for her tricks once. He should have known better!

That cunning woman… whenever she cried, it meant trouble!

Yu Ling’er, clapping her hands, her voice filled with delight, exclaimed, “Wei Jie won! He won!”

“That doesn’t count!” Ye Yi snarled. “You cheated!”

Xiao Xiao scoffed. “Did Madam Fu say splitting the dice was against the rules? You helped him roll. Why can’t we split them?”

Madam Fu, her gaze fixed on the shattered dice, her expression grim, said, “Indeed, it wasn’t forbidden. And since it’s a simple game of high or low… Wei Jie wins…”

This outcome wasn’t what she had hoped for.

As she spoke, Ye Yi suddenly coughed up blood, collapsing to the ground. It was just as Jia had described – those who lost their lives in this gamble died without warning.

But as he fell, a stream of light shot from his crown, entering Qin Lingxiao’s body.

Qin Lingxiao froze, his face contorted in pain, his eyes wide.

His father, alarmed, rushed to his side. “Lingxiao, what’s wrong?”

He might be insignificant compared to Wei Jie, but unlike Ye Yi, he was a powerful cultivator, his soul honed by two lifetimes. He wouldn’t be easily possessed.

The Dongyuan Emperor’s soul battled against Qin Lingxiao’s, their struggle contained within his body, leaving his father helpless.

Xiao Xiao understood now. Ye Yi’s sudden affection for Qin Lingxiao, his insistence on preventing him from losing ten years of cultivation…

He had chosen his next vessel!

Poor Qin Lingxiao… he had no idea he had become the target of his beloved deity.

Qin Lingxiao’s head slowly lifted.

Xiao Xiao, seeing the jade-like glow emanating from his handsome face, the cold, detached smile playing on his lips, knew – the deity had won. Qin Lingxiao was now the Dongyuan Emperor!

And then, with lightning speed, he lunged for the Zhulong statue on the table.

Madam Fu, at some point, had placed the statue on the table before vanishing. Unable to win it fairly, the Dongyuan Emperor had resorted to stealing it.

Wei Jie reacted instantly, intercepting him.

But the Dongyuan Emperor, possessing Qin Lingxiao’s powerful, Golden Core-enhanced body, was a force to be reckoned with. His attack, infused with lightning, was overwhelming, threatening to crush Wei Jie.

Xiao Xiao, leaping forward, shielded Wei Jie.

Only now, facing the Dongyuan Emperor’s divine power directly, did she realize its true might. Her protective spirits, reacting instinctively, activated their defenses.

Five beams of light shot into the air, accompanied by phoenix cries, transforming into five phoenixes, their wings spread wide, shielding her and Wei Jie. Their combined power clashed against the Dongyuan Emperor’s, shaking the hall, sending cracks through the walls.

The Dongyuan Emperor, his eyes widening, saw Cui Xiao Xiao’s five phoenix guardians for the first time, their colorful plumage illuminating the room.

His smile vanished, his face hardening, his eyes filled with a chilling rage. “Wei Feng’s guardians… how did you obtain them?”

Chapter 96

As Madam Fu spoke, the bead in her hand pulsed with an alluring light, captivating those who beheld it, igniting a desire to possess it…

Without hesitation, Qin Lingxiao and his father lunged for the bead.

But with a wave of her hand, Madam Fu vanished the bead.

Even as Qin He, his hand trembling, gripped her throat, she simply smiled. “I’m just a humble servant, sir. My life is worthless. Killing me won’t solve anything.”

Her seductive voice echoed in his ears, but she disappeared, reappearing on the opposite veranda, her smile unwavering. “This island is a place of wish fulfillment. It can sense your deepest desires. With a worthy offering and a bit of luck, your dreams can become reality!”

She vanished again, her laughter lingering in the air. “Oh, and one more thing. Our island master is a passionate gambler. If you refuse to play, you’ll never leave this island! Hahaha…”

Yu Ling’er, bristling at her arrogant threat, scoffed. “What can they do? Stop us by force?”

But Wei Jie, scanning their surroundings, his expression thoughtful, said, “Let’s check the docks.”

No one stopped them as they walked towards the docks.

Numerous ships were moored there, suggesting more visitors had arrived. But their ship, its sails billowing, had turned around and was already sailing away.

Captain Jia and his injured crew, fearing the island master’s wrath for bringing a ship full of demons, had refused to disembark.

While Xiao Xiao and her group were exploring the island, they had decided to abandon their twenty-year lifespans. After all, even a few years of freedom were better than immediate death.

But as they turned the ship around, a strange force pulled at them, and the hull began to take on water. The ship, sinking rapidly, disappeared beneath the waves.

Jia and his crew, scrambling out of the cabins, were swept away by a whirlpool, their cries swallowed by the sea.

Even Xiao Xiao’s attempts to summon water currents to rescue them were futile. An invisible barrier separated the island from the sea. Even Wei Jie’s strikes with the Heaven-Punishing Sword were ineffective.

It seemed Madam Fu’s words were true. Those who refused to gamble… they would never leave this island…

And only those who played could break free from the barrier.

Wei Jie, observing the situation, took Xiao Xiao’s hand. “Let’s see what their gambling den is like.”

The gambling den was located in the main hall at the center of the island. All the visitors seemed to be gathered there, drawn by the bright lights and lively atmosphere.

Xiao Xiao, having spent her childhood observing gamblers, could easily identify them.

They all shared a certain look – a feverish glint in their eyes, a hint of desperation.

Even the most decent individuals, once consumed by gambling, became addicted, as if nothing else could bring them joy.

The hall was filled with such people, huddled around tables, their attention fixed on their cards, their dice, their faces contorted in expressions of excitement or despair.

They observed from the entrance, and Wei Jie asked, “What do you see?”

“They’re… carrying something on their backs…” Xiao Xiao whispered.

Her Yin-Yang Eyes, capable of seeing supernatural entities, allowed her to see clearly. The hall might be brightly lit, but the thick candles emitted a faint, putrid odor, like burning corpse fat, masked by strong incense, but still detectable to her sensitive nose.

And those gamblers, engrossed in their games… each of them had a skeletal figure clinging to their back, its mouth pressed against their ear, whispering.

The gamblers, their eyes wide and manic, would exclaim, “One more hand! My luck’s about to change!”

They emptied their pockets, and those who ran out of money signed promissory notes, offered by the maids, wagering their lifespans for more chips.

Some of the new arrivals, who had disembarked around the same time as them, hadn’t been targeted yet.

But emaciated figures, their grins sinister, lurked nearby, waiting to pounce, slowly crawling towards the unsuspecting newcomers.

Xiao Xiao shuddered. This wasn’t a gambling den. It was a ritual ground, a place where demonic curses were inflicted upon the unsuspecting.

She suddenly turned, wanting to see if she too was being targeted.

But the demonic figures, their fangs bared, were huddled in a corner, watching her, their expressions wary.

They seemed eager to possess her, but something held them back.

Wei Jie, his demonic nature granting him a similar vision, saw them too. He walked towards them, but they scattered, fleeing in terror.

Xiao Xiao, however, lacked this deterrent effect. As she approached, they perked up, their nostrils flaring, as if drawn to a delicious aroma, eager to possess her.

It was understandable. Her body, a vessel of powerful artifacts, was a rare prize.

Seeing them approach, Wei Jie pulled her close, shielding her.

She protested, pointing out the unfairness. They were both demons. Why were they afraid of him, but not her?

He didn’t know either. But Xiao Xiao suspected it was because he was the former ruler of the underworld. Although his divine power core was shattered, his divine soul had awakened.

His emotional turmoil had caused tremors in the underworld, stirring the demonic entities, nearly breaching the barrier.

These lesser demons wouldn’t dare possess him. He was a walking ward in this hall.

Yu Ling’er and the others stayed close to him, creating a safe zone.

Madam Fu reappeared, her gaze fixed on Wei Jie, her smile fading. “May I ask… who you are?”

Wei Jie, his eyes narrowed, his voice cold, said, “You can see the desires of men, yet you can’t see through me? It seems this island’s power is overrated… You’re eager for us to gamble. Which table is ours?”

Since these mind-controlling demons couldn’t touch them, he was curious to see what other tricks this island had up its sleeve.

Madam Fu, her smile returning, gestured towards an empty table in the inner hall. “Your presence is… unique. You don’t need to mingle with the commoners. Please, this way…”

She glanced around, her voice laced with amusement. “What an auspicious day! Our distinguished guests are arriving in pairs…”

Xiao Xiao followed her gaze and saw another individual who wasn’t being targeted by the demons.

A man, wearing a veiled hat, his aura refined, a hint of celestial energy surrounding him.

As he and his attendants were escorted into the inner hall, Xiao Xiao, observing his gait, recognized him instantly. “Ye Yi?”

He chuckled, lifting his veil. “You have sharp eyes, Cui Xiao Xiao.”

It was Ye Yi, possessed by the Dongyuan Emperor. Although his divine power core was damaged, his celestial nature protected him from the taint of this place.

As Madam Fu invited him to sit, he gestured towards Qin Lingxiao and his father, who were still lingering in the outer hall. “Invite them in as well.”

Demons were already crawling towards them. They would soon be consumed by gambling, losing everything.

Madam Fu, seeing his insistence, complied, ushering them into the inner hall.

With a deity and a demon present, the inner hall was a safe haven.

The moment they entered, Qin Lingxiao and his father felt a sense of relief, their bodies lighter, their breaths easier.

They weren’t ordinary cultivators. Although they hadn’t noticed the demons clinging to them, the sudden lightness spoke volumes!

Qin Lingxiao stared at the occupants of the table, bewildered.

Ye Yi greeted him warmly, explaining their previous predicament.

Possessed by the Dongyuan Emperor, he exuded a divine aura, easily captivating mortals.

Qin Lingxiao, swayed by his gentle demeanor and grateful for his intervention, felt a surge of admiration for this Ye Yi.

But Xiao Xiao knew his true nature. She had once been charmed by him, only to be lured into the underworld, nearly ending up on the ferry of the dead.

His sudden kindness towards Qin Lingxiao… it was suspicious. She was certain this young master, even if he didn’t lose everything at the gambling table, would soon be tricked out of his fortune.

Although the inner hall was free of demons, the thick candles emitted a subtle, intoxicating aroma.

Xiao Xiao extinguished them, summoning balls of fire that illuminated the room.

As the cloying scent dissipated, she decided to address the elephant in the room. “May I ask,” she said, her voice laced with amusement, “is this gambling den also your establishment, Dongyuan Emperor? You’ve expanded your business quite a bit!”

Ye Yi chuckled. He wasn’t surprised she had recognized him.

After all, his damaged divine power core had affected all the statues bearing his likeness. It was unavoidable.

“You flatter me,” he said. “I wish it were mine. Then I could offer you all a more… personalized… experience.”

He didn’t deny it. He was indeed the Dongyuan Emperor. But his claim of not being the island master… Xiao Xiao wasn’t convinced.

Before encountering him, she had believed deities to be virtuous and noble.

But after being deceived by him, she realized that even among gods, there were those with corrupt hearts.

She had discussed this with Wei Jie one night.

He had chuckled, his voice laced with cynicism. “Those cultivators who ascend to immortality… they’re not saints. There are plenty who kill their masters, abandon their families, to achieve their goals. Do you think they suddenly become virtuous after reaching the heavens? They simply suppress their earthly desires, focusing on their ascension. If they can be so ruthless towards their own desires, do you think they care about the well-being of mortals?”

His words had made sense.

And the Dongyuan Emperor… he hadn’t even endured a true tribulation. He was a child of privilege, born a god, superior to those who had toiled for their immortality.

She had learned a valuable lesson – never trust a deity completely, especially this one, who was a master of deception.

Qin Lingxiao, however, his eyes widening, was stunned. This elegant gentleman… he was the Dongyuan Emperor?

Every cultivator knew the legends of the Dongyuan Emperor, his battles against demons.

He and the ancient Flame Emperor, the ruler of the underworld, were known for their power.

But to mortal cultivators, the ancient Flame Emperor was more relatable. After all, they weren’t children of gods. They had to earn their immortality through hard work, like him.

There were even rumors that the ancient Flame Emperor was more powerful than the Dongyuan Emperor, that he had been sent to the underworld to protect the Dongyuan Emperor, a favor to his mother.

Of course, these were just rumors. After all, there were temples dedicated to the Dongyuan Emperor everywhere, but none for the ruler of the underworld.

And the ancient Flame Emperor… his legend had faded.

Qin Lingxiao, looking at Ye Yi, saw the divine mark on his forehead, confirming his identity. He quickly offered his thanks for his earlier intervention.

Ye Yi smiled warmly. “You’re a talented young man, Qin Lingxiao. Being tainted by those demons would have harmed your cultivation. I couldn’t stand by and watch.”

Xiao Xiao, observing them, felt a chill run down her spine. Ye Yi’s sudden kindness towards Qin Lingxiao… it was unsettling.

She tried to warn him, but he cut her off, his voice cold, accusing her of disrespecting a deity.

She sighed, withdrawing her concern.

What was so special about a god?

The man who cooked for her every day was also a deity!

She wondered if Qin Lingxiao, upon learning that Wei Jie was the ancient Flame Emperor, the former ruler of the underworld, would still be so reverent.

The three groups at the table were now clearly divided, Qin Lingxiao and his father aligning themselves with Ye Yi.

Madam Fu, her smile enigmatic, looked at them, her voice laced with meaning. “If we were elsewhere, I would offer incense and prayers to you deities. But this island is beyond the reach of gods and demons. If you desire something, you must wager something precious. May the best player win!”

“You know what we want?” Wei Jie asked, his voice low.

Madam Fu smiled, extending her hand. The Zhulong statue, identical to the one Cui Xiao Xiao had found two hundred years ago, materialized in her palm.

She seemed to possess the ability to see into their hearts, their deepest desires, revealing their target without them having to speak.

Sensing their hostile intent, their desire to seize the statue, she chuckled. “This island was created from the mythical Xirang soil used by Gun, the father of the legendary Yu the Great, to control the floods. It’s not ordinary earth. It cannot withstand divine power. If you use your powers, the island will sense it and sink… Young Master Qin’s outburst earlier already caused tremors, sinking a ship… Do you understand?”

Her message was clear. Whether they were gods or demons, they couldn’t resort to violence. Otherwise, she would sink the island.

They might be powerful, but they were still bound to mortal bodies. And this island, far from the mainland… even if they could fly on their swords, they wouldn’t reach the shore before collapsing from exhaustion, becoming food for the fish.

They were all intelligent individuals. They exchanged glances, but no one made a move.

Xiao Xiao, twirling a strand of her long hair, decided to probe Ye Yi. “You said this isn’t your establishment. Do you know who this Madam Fu is?”

Ye Yi, his smile enigmatic, his gaze fixed on her, said, “Like you, Cui Xiao Xiao, this is my first time on this island. If you’re curious, ask your disciple. This is his second visit.”

He was referring to Wei Jie. If Madam Fu possessed the Zhulong statue, then Wei Jie must have obtained it here in their past life.

And considering the time loop, this would indeed be his second visit. But he had no memories of his past life. Asking him would be pointless.

Although Ye Yi hadn’t answered her question directly, his gaze, when it fell upon Madam Fu, was filled with a barely concealed hostility…

It seemed he wasn’t completely ignorant about this island.

“You’re here for the Zhulong statue as well?” Xiao Xiao asked.

Ye Yi chuckled. “Isn’t it obvious, Cui Xiao Xiao? You had Prince Changshan report me to the authorities. My face is plastered all over wanted posters. I had to escape. But this statue… it’s quite exquisite, a worthy addition to my collection. I wouldn’t want to return empty-handed.”

His words, although veiled, were clear. He was after the statue.

The Dongyuan Emperor, obsessed with opening the gates of the underworld, now that the red moon was gone, would surely seek to manipulate time. He needed the statue.

Madam Fu, knowing the statue’s value, smiled. “There’s only one. It will belong to whoever has the skill and the resources to win it.”

She produced a set of dominoes.

Xiao Xiao turned to her companions. “Does anyone know how to play dominoes?”

Wei Jie, his voice low, said, “I don’t gamble…”

Yu Ling’er and the foxes stared at her, their eyes wide. “How do you play that? You must know, Xiao Xiao!”

Xiao Xiao chuckled awkwardly. She might have been a street hustler, but her expertise lay in swindling people, not gambling.

But… she looked at Ye Yi and Qin Lingxiao. A deity and a self-righteous young master… they wouldn’t know how to play dominoes either!

As expected, none of them did!

Madam Fu, unfazed, offered to explain the rules.

But Xiao Xiao, her eyes gleaming, whispered to Wei Jie, “If you were to gamble, what game would you choose?”

Knowing Wei Jie’s personality, both past and present, he wouldn’t have the patience to learn a new game.

He would simply change the rules, forcing everyone to play his way.

If she could figure out how he had won in their past life, they would have the advantage.

As expected, Wei Jie was already losing patience. He swept the dominoes off the table and picked up two dice. “There are countless ways to gamble,” he said, his voice cold. “Why complicate things? Let’s play a simple game of dice. High or low. It’ll save us all time.”

Madam Fu hesitated.

Xiao Xiao, deciding to support his suggestion, added, “Gambling should be fair. A game of dice… it’s straightforward, difficult to cheat. Do you have a transparent dice cup? So we can all see clearly.”

Madam Fu smiled. “We have everything you could possibly desire on this island. A transparent dice cup is a simple request. But are you sure this is the game you want to play? Don’t say I didn’t warn you. You’ve chosen the most difficult game of all.”

Chapter 95

The recruiter was overjoyed to see these attractive individuals agree to join the crew.

As if fearing they might change their minds, he hastily gathered the other few recruits they had managed to find and set sail.

Once aboard, Cui Xiao Xiao and her group finally met the ship’s owner.

He was a merchant in his thirties, his demeanor shrewd and calculating. However, the burly servants surrounding him, their faces scarred, their bodies radiating a thuggish aura, were unlike any merchant’s entourage.

As they sailed, Xiao Xiao, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon, noticed another ship trailing them.

Her keen eyesight allowed her to recognize the occupants – Qin Lingxiao and his father.

She whispered to Wei Jie, who scowled. “Cowards! They don’t dare confront us directly, resorting to stalking! Has the Soaring Cloud Pavilion fallen so low? And this… this is the future leader of the number one Sword Sect? Are there no decent cultivators left in your time?”

Xiao Xiao, skilled in soothing the volatile demon, quickly placated him. “He stole your power, remember? He wouldn’t be so powerful without it.”

His anger momentarily appeased, Wei Jie’s expression softened. But then he remembered Qin Lingxiao, empowered by his stolen cultivation, proposing to Xiao Xiao, and a wave of disgust washed over him.

If he hadn’t promised Xiao Xiao to control his demonic nature, he would have leaped onto their ship and killed that traitor!

Xiao Xiao also found their presence unwelcome. She chanted a wind spell, summoning a strong gust that filled their sails, propelling them forward, leaving the Qin family far behind.

The burly servants, who had been ordering Tang Youshu and the foxes around, were surprised by the sudden surge of speed.

They exchanged glances, attributing their smooth sailing to good fortune. And the wind, as if understanding their needs, seemed to guide them, always blowing in the right direction.

Relieved, the servants turned their attention to the two young women aboard.

Yu Ling’er and the foxes, however, were suffering. Accustomed to the mountains, they had never been to sea before.

The rocking of the ship, the endless waves… it made them dizzy and nauseous. They staggered onto the deck, vomiting uncontrollably.

The ship’s owner, surnamed Jia, scoffed, muttering to his recruiter, “They look strong enough, but they’re useless. Just to be safe, add some sleeping herbs to their food. We’ll dump them on the island when we arrive.”

Yu Ling’er, despite her nausea, her fox ears sharp, overheard their conversation.

Tang Youshu had been right. This was a cursed ship!

The recruiter, receiving his orders, his gaze lingering on Cui Xiao Xiao and Yu Ling’er, whispered to the burly servants behind him.

Such beautiful women were a rare sight, and here were two, ripe for the taking. It would be a waste not to… enjoy them.

And those weaklings who had been vomiting… they wouldn’t be a problem. The recruiter decided to take Cui Xiao Xiao to his room before even drugging their food.

After all, a conscious woman was far more entertaining! The thugs hired by the ship’s owner were criminals, accustomed to violence and cruelty. A little entertainment before reaching their destination…

The recruiter and his men, their faces twisted into lecherous grins, approached the two women. “Ladies, why don’t you come rest in my room? The bed is big and soft. We can chat, have some fun… it’ll distract you from the seasickness!”

Their intentions were clear.

Before Wei Jie could react, his anger mounting, Yu Ling’er, having recovered slightly, interjected, “They’re right! I need a distraction! I’m about to vomit my guts out! I’ll go first!”

Without waiting for an invitation, she rushed towards the recruiter’s room, her skirt swirling around her.

The thugs, surprised by her eagerness, their lust overwhelming their reason, forgot about Cui Xiao Xiao, crowding around the door, hoping to catch a glimpse of the action.

But a moment later, earsplitting screams echoed from the room.

The recruiter, his pants unbuttoned, his eyes wide with terror, stumbled out, yelling, “Demon! Demon! There’s a demon inside!”

A large, white fox, its three tails swishing menacingly, leaped from the room.

Having absorbed the spirit stone’s energy, Yu Ling’er’s two tails had split into three, her size increasing significantly. Her bared fangs and ferocious growl intimidated the thugs.

The ship’s owner, Jia, who had emerged upon hearing the commotion, was stunned. “Kill it! Kill that beast!”

The thugs, snapping out of their trance, drew their swords and charged at the fox.

But to the new Fox King, they were nothing but a light snack.

Her seasickness vanished as her predatory instincts kicked in. With a roar, she lunged, her claws raking their faces and chests, leaving them bleeding and screaming.

She licked the blood from her paws, her voice filled with delight. “Human blood… it cures seasickness! Try it!”

The recruiter and his men watched in horror as the other foxes, who had been vomiting moments ago, transformed, leaping onto them, their fangs bared.

What… what had they brought aboard?

Before they could react, they were overwhelmed, their bodies torn and bloodied.

Cui Xiao Xiao sat on a chest on the deck, Wei Jie beside her, his cloak draped over her head, shielding her from the wind and sun.

She watched the foxes wreaking havoc, enjoying the spectacle, sipping from a pouch of wine Tang Youshu had offered her, her leg propped up on the chest, her hair flowing in the wind, the picture of a pirate queen.

Looking at the ship’s owner, Jia, dragged before her by a black fox, she said, her voice calm and steady, “You have a choice. Tell me everything about this ship, or become fox food.”

Jia, his body covered in wounds, his face smeared with blood, begged for mercy. “Spare me! I’ll tell you everything!”

He was a porcelain merchant.

One day, he had been invited on a sea voyage by an old friend. They had landed on an island.

The island was like paradise, with beautiful pavilions, gardens, and even a gambling den.

He had initially observed his friend and the others gambling, but unable to resist, he had joined them.

He had been lucky at first, winning hand after hand. He had earned more in one night than he did selling porcelain in a year.

But his luck had changed. He started losing, his winnings dwindling, then his own money disappearing.

Gambling… it was addictive, fueling a dangerous sense of hope, a belief that the next hand would bring a reversal of fortune.

He had pawned his jade pendant, his gold rings, but he had lost everything.

Desperate, the dealer had offered him a chance to gamble with his life.

The other gamblers, stunned, had assumed it meant suicide.

But the dealer had chuckled, explaining that lifespans varied. Some lived to be ninety, even a hundred.

But true happiness… it was usually experienced in the first few decades. Why cling to a long, miserable existence when you could trade those empty years for present luxury?

They simply had to write down the number of years they were willing to wager on a promissory note, and they would receive a corresponding sum of money.

The gamblers, initially skeptical, had found it absurd. Gambling with their lifespans? A simple note could bind them?

But someone had to be the first, and they had nothing to lose.

The dealer had even provided a list with their names and lifespans, allowing them to calculate their wagers.

A skinny gambler, seeing his lifespan listed as thirty, had laughed, claiming he was already twenty-nine, healthy and strong. He wouldn’t die so young.

Defiant, he had wagered his remaining year, borrowing as much money as he could. The others, also skeptical, had followed suit, maximizing their wagers.

The ship’s owner, Jia, a man who didn’t believe in the supernatural, had seen his lifespan listed as seventy. He was only thirty. He had wagered twenty years.

And they had indeed received a large sum of money. The skinny gambler had even won a hand, doubling his money.

But as he laughed, collecting his winnings, he collapsed, his eyes rolling back, his breath ceasing. The others, horrified, realized the wagers were real.

Those who had wagered recklessly were now terrified, demanding their money back. But the dealer had said wagers were final. They had traded their lifespans. They should enjoy their remaining time.

They had tried to fight back, but the island vanished, and they found themselves in the water. A voice echoed through the air, offering them a chance to redeem their lost years – they could trade other lives for their own.

Jia realized then that his friend, who had invited him, had disappeared shortly after arriving on the island.

He had been lured there as collateral.

Their return journey had been delayed by a storm. By the time they reached the mainland, several more gamblers had died, their wagered lifespans expired.

Jia was terrified. He had been cautious, leaving himself ten years, but to have his lifespan cut short… he couldn’t accept it.

So, he had followed his friend’s example, luring unsuspecting crew members onto his ship, transporting them to the island.

But the debt was like a bottomless pit. The interest, calculated daily, kept growing.

He had sacrificed two crews, but he had only managed to redeem two years of his life. Desperate, he had hired thugs to deal with the families of the missing crew members, continuing his deception.

And now… he had brought aboard a ship full of flesh-eating foxes.

Xiao Xiao, after hearing his story, turned to Tang Youshu. “Wasn’t it on Zhangwei Mountain that Wei Jie gambled and won the Zhulong statue? Could that island be connected to Zhangwei Mountain?”

“I wasn’t there,” Tang Youshu said. “I only heard about it from Master. He didn’t mention any details.”

Xiao Xiao nodded, understanding. Wei Jie, these days, was quiet, only speaking freely with her, ignoring everyone else.

Yu Ling’er, back in her human form, exhausted, leaned against Tang Youshu.

He wiped the sweat from her brow, his voice filled with concern. “Did you hurt your teeth? Those humans… they’re tough.”

She was a picky eater, preferring only the tenderest parts of a chicken. After biting so many people… her teeth must be aching!

He thought he sounded like a caring grandfather, doting on his granddaughter.

But Yu Ling’er, sensing his affection, leaned closer, clutching her cheek, her voice weak. “That island… it sounds scary. Let’s not go there. I’m scared.”

Xiao Xiao, oblivious to their interaction, pointed ahead. “Too late. We’re here…”

Yu Ling’er, supported by Tang Youshu, looked towards the horizon. An island, shrouded in dark clouds, had materialized out of the endless expanse of the sea.

The ship slowly approached the island’s dock, where numerous women, dressed in fine silk, their faces adorned with welcoming smiles, greeted them.

A woman, seemingly older than the others, approached them, her gaze searching. “Where is Master Jia?” she asked, not seeing the ship’s owner.

Xiao Xiao smiled. “He’s suffering from seasickness. He’ll join us later. May I ask your name?”

The woman, studying them, said, “I’m the island master’s housekeeper. You can call me Madam Fu. Please, enjoy yourselves.”

As Jia had described, the island was like a paradise, filled with pavilions, gardens, and artificial mountains. The island master was generous, offering a variety of delicacies, served by scantily clad maids.

But they were cautious, refusing to touch the food. Even Yu Ling’er, a known gourmand, declined the beautifully crafted pastries.

They weren’t the only visitors. Several other ships arrived shortly after.

Xiao Xiao, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd, spotted Qin Lingxiao and his father disembarking from one of the ships.

Qin He, his body frail, his face aged, leaned heavily on his son for support.

Qin Lingxiao had been following them.

He couldn’t find Prince Can, and his only hope was the demonic bead.

There were two – one with Cui Xiao Xiao, the other with Tang Youshu. He had to obtain one to save his father.

But with Wei Jie present, he didn’t dare approach them. And Wei Jie… his demonic nature was growing stronger, his power increasing.

He could only follow them, waiting for an opportunity.

He knew Tang Youshu was kind and compassionate. Perhaps he could appeal to his empathy, convince him to relinquish the demonic bead.

That was why he had followed them.

But he had lost track of them at sea. He had thought he had lost them for good, but the wind, as if guiding them, had brought them to this island.

As he helped his father disembark, he saw Cui Xiao Xiao and her group, Wei Jie’s arm draped possessively around her shoulders.

He couldn’t understand why they were together again.

And what alarmed him even more… Wei Jie’s purple eyes were turning black, his demonic aura intensifying.

Why hadn’t Xiao Xiao left him? Didn’t she realize how dangerous he was becoming?

Xiao Xiao and her group, sitting on a veranda, watched Qin Lingxiao and his father approach, but no one acknowledged them, not even Yu Ling’er.

Qin Lingxiao, gritting his teeth, his voice low, addressed Xiao Xiao and Tang Youshu. “You know why I’m here. My father is dying. If you can save him, I’ll give you anything, even my own life… Senior Brother, you wouldn’t let him die, would you?”

Tang Youshu’s brow furrowed. He couldn’t bring himself to be cruel.

Although Wei Jie had been wrongly accused, his actions, once his demonic nature took over, had been unforgivable.

Qin Lingxiao, by killing him, had earned the world’s praise. Even he, Wei Jie’s senior brother, couldn’t condemn him.

They had become estranged, and Qin Lingxiao had never addressed him as “Senior Brother” since.

Tang Youshu might be gentle, but Cui Xiao Xiao wouldn’t tolerate Qin Lingxiao’s attempt to guilt him.

Although their relationship was strained, she wouldn’t allow anyone to treat her former master like a fool!

“The first part of your plea was almost decent,” she said, her voice laced with sarcasm. “But ‘Senior Brother’? You were never Wei Jie’s disciple in this life. You have no connection to him! And your father’s predicament… it’s his own fault. He chose to join the Demonic Ghost Sect, to become Prince Can’s pawn. He should have known there would be consequences. His life or death… it has nothing to do with us.”

Qin Lingxiao, speechless, realized she was right. In this life, he wasn’t Wei Jie’s disciple, which meant he wasn’t Tang Youshu’s junior brother. Even his attempt to feign familiarity was invalid.

He had always been proud, only humbling himself before Wei Jie. To think that in this life, his situation was even worse…

He knelt before Tang Youshu. “Senior Brother, I know you possess it. It’s of no use to you. Please, give it to me. Save my father.”

In his past life, he had knelt before Wei Jie, seeking revenge for his father. And now, in this life, he was kneeling again, begging for his father’s life. Was this… his inescapable fate?

Before Tang Youshu could respond, Madam Fu, the housekeeper, accompanied by several maids, appeared, their smiles unwavering. “Young master,” she said, addressing Qin Lingxiao, “if you desire something so desperately, why beg? Don’t you know that on this island, with enough skill, you can obtain anything you desire?”

Qin Lingxiao, unaware of the island’s true nature, scoffed. “What I seek… it’s beyond your comprehension.”

Madam Fu, however, smiled, her long, red-painted nails flashing as she gestured, a bead materializing in her palm.

The bead, a mesmerizing purple, surrounded by a faint glow, was a demonic bead.

“Young master, is this what you seek?”

Qin Lingxiao’s eyes widened in alarm. He hadn’t explicitly mentioned the demonic bead during his conversation with Cui Xiao Xiao.

How did this woman know?

And she possessed no spiritual energy. She was just a charming, middle-aged woman. Who was she, to casually hold a demonic bead?

“This demonic bead,” Madam Fu continued, her voice smooth and alluring, “it belonged to the Demon City’s ruler, five hundred years ago, when the Wei Feng Divine Lady led her army, slaughtering everyone, leaving no survivors. He witnessed the deaths of his wife, his children, his entire clan. Its demonic energy hasn’t faded. In fact, fueled by his resentment, it has grown stronger. Whoever possesses it will gain immense power.”

Chapter 94

With that, Tang Youshu produced a tortoise shell and three bronze coins.

Yu Ling’er, assuming it was a lighthearted diversion, placed the coins in the shell, shook them, and poured them onto the Bagua diagram for him to interpret.

Tang Youshu’s brow furrowed as he studied the arrangement, a hint of sadness in his eyes. Under Yu Ling’er’s persistent prodding, he finally spoke. “Look, both coins landed on Earth Palace, suppressing Fire Luck. Earth conquers Fire. This means your path of love will be filled with trials. Whenever your love burns bright, it will be extinguished by a handful of dust… Yu Ling’er, if you heed my advice, abandon these thoughts of love. Don’t waste your time on it… Your path is destined to be fruitless. Focus on cultivation, on achieving enlightenment.”

Yu Ling’er, who had been smiling, was now speechless.

What was he saying? She was destined for a loveless life? Was he subtly telling her that he, Tang Youshu, wasn’t interested in a fox demon as a wife?

How cruel! Tears welled in her eyes.

Cui Xiao Xiao, who had been listening nearby, was appalled by his harsh words.

Even a heartless fortune teller, trying to scam people, wouldn’t be so cruel to a young woman!

He didn’t like Yu Ling’er, fine. But to completely deny her any chance of love?

Foxes valued love and loyalty. Forcing them to embrace a path of detachment… it was against their very nature!

Did Tang Youshu think he and Wei Jie were the only good men in the world?

Just because Yu Ling’er no longer loved Wei Jie, did that mean she had to settle for him? Was she limited to choosing between them?

Perhaps one day, she would broaden her horizons, venturing beyond their circle, and find someone truly compatible.

Before Yu Ling’er’s tears could fall, Cui Xiao Xiao intervened, snatching the tortoise shell and coins, shaking them with a laugh. “Let’s see how accurate you are! I’ll try it!”

She shook the shell, flipped it over, then opened it, scattering the coins onto the diagram.

Coincidentally, the two coins landed in the exact same positions as Yu Ling’er’s, Earth Palace suppressing Fire Luck.

Xiao Xiao, stunned, chuckled, her voice laced with self-deprecation. “Of course. My disastrous fate… it’s always accurate. It seems my path of love is also destined to be fruitless, ending in dust…”

Yu Ling’er, hugging her tightly, her voice choked with emotion, asked, “Do you… do you believe him? Is he trying to tell you to leave his master alone, to stop hindering Wei Jie’s ascension?”

Xiao Xiao thought about it. It made sense. Why else would their fortunes be identical? Had Tang Youshu rigged the diagram with magnets?

It was a common trick among street performers, manipulating the outcome for dramatic effect.

Both girls glared at Tang Youshu, ready to expose his deception.

But before they could react, the Heaven-Punishing Sword, crackling with energy, descended from the sky, shattering the tortoise shell.

“Tang Youshu, put away your charlatan’s tools, or I’ll make sure you never see another sunrise!” Wei Jie, his sword flashing, warned him against scaring the girls!

Teasing Yu Ling’er was one thing. She was persistent.

But Xiao Xiao? A devoted disciple would create a harmonious, prosperous future for his master’s beloved, not burden her with negativity!

He was testing his patience, pushing him towards fratricide!

Tang Youshu, always obedient before his master, quickly apologized, gathering his divination tools, claiming it was just a harmless trick.

But as he turned away, his face stiffened.

He was skilled in divination. He had even imbued the tortoise shell with his spiritual energy, ensuring its accuracy.

But for both girls to receive the same fortune… it was unexpected.

Looking at Xiao Xiao, sitting beside his master, her smile radiant, a sense of foreboding washed over him.

His master was destined to face seven tribulations in this mortal life. Xiao Xiao had accompanied him through six, their journey filled with danger, yet they had survived.

But the seventh… even he didn’t know what it would be. After all, in their past life, Wei Jie had been felled by his treacherous disciple before reaching that final trial.

He could only hope… hope his divination was wrong…

Meanwhile, Wei Jie, having learned that Ye Yi was likely the Dongyuan Emperor, a powerful deity, decided to head to Zhangwei Mountain.

The reason was simple – the red moon wouldn’t appear over the underworld again.

Considering Ye Yi’s determination to open the gates of the underworld, his willingness to possess a mortal body… he wouldn’t give up after this setback.

And now that he knew about Cui Xiao Xiao’s time travel, he would surely target Zhangwei Mountain, seeking the Zhulong statue, hoping to reset time once again.

They had to obtain the statue before him.

Having settled on a destination, they set off.

According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas, Zhangwei Mountain was located beyond the Northwest Sea, north of the Chishui River, an ethereal mountain that existed outside the realms of earth, sea, and sky.

Even if they reached the location, without the right conditions, they wouldn’t be able to see it.

As they traveled, they encountered numerous temples, throngs of devotees offering incense and prayers.

Tang Youshu, inquiring, learned that the statues of the Dongyuan Emperor across the land were bleeding from their foreheads.

This phenomenon had terrified the devout, who saw it as an apocalyptic sign, a warning from the heavens.

Incense sales skyrocketed, and temples were filled with people praying day and night.

In regions plagued by droughts or floods, even officials joined the masses, seeking divine intervention.

Xiao Xiao, observing the widespread panic, couldn’t help but laugh.

If she told them that the bleeding statues were a result of her actions, her defiance of a deity… would they attack her with their farming tools?

It was a reminder that those worshipped as gods weren’t always benevolent. They could be deceitful, their hearts filled with darkness.

They enjoyed the adoration of mortals, their existence beyond the constraints of life and death, yet their actions weren’t always altruistic.

But this widespread panic had a silver lining – they didn’t have to worry about food. They simply visited temples at night, helping themselves to the offerings.

As she took steamed buns and fruits from an altar, Xiao Xiao waved at the statue of the Dongyuan Emperor, its forehead cracked and bleeding. “Sorry about taking your food. But you’re too busy scheming to eat, right? Don’t thank me. I’m happy to help!”

Her eyes, narrowed playfully, her smile mischievous and captivating… it was infuriating.

Miles away, Ye Yi, meditating in a quiet room, suddenly smiled. That Cui Xiao Xiao… she was truly audacious, visiting his temple, mocking him before his own statue!

Prince Can entered, accompanied by several Demonic Ghost Sect disciples. “Divine Lord,” he said, “our spies report that Cui Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie are heading northwest.”

He didn’t need to tell him. The Dongyuan Emperor, possessing Ye Yi, was aware of their movements. Northwest… they were likely heading for the Zhulong statue.

Wei Jie and Cui Xiao Xiao weren’t even trying to hide, their confidence bordering on arrogance.

After all, with someone who had traveled back from the future among them, they believed they had the advantage!

The Dongyuan Emperor, his lips curving into a smile, wasn’t concerned about them. “Where is this Qin Lingxiao you mentioned?” he asked.

“His father is clinging to life,” Prince Can replied. “Without my blood, he’s fading fast. Only the demonic bead can save him. He needs to obtain it from either Cui Xiao Xiao or Tang Youshu. He and his son are currently following them.”

The Dongyuan Emperor chuckled. He opened his eyes, his voice soft. “It seems Zhangwei Mountain will be quite lively.”

He closed his eyes again, and Prince Can, seeing this, excused himself, leaving him to meditate.

Alone, the Dongyuan Emperor opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the magnolia tree outside the window.

It wasn’t the season for magnolias, but he had conjured a blooming tree upon arriving at this temple.

He had told Cui Xiao Xiao that he had planted those trees in memory of his deceased wife. It was a half-truth.

The longing was real. But the object of his affection wasn’t his wife.

As petals drifted in the wind, he extended his hand, conjuring a shimmering image, a figure that hovered in the air, bathed in a soft glow.

It was a woman, clad in golden armor, her long hair cascading down her back, her limbs slender, her helmet gleaming. Her features were delicate, yet her expression was cold and determined. As she drew back a golden bow, her arm, slender yet strong, tensed, her profile, as handsome as any god’s, captivating.

With a gust of wind, the image floated towards the magnolia tree. Her armor transformed into a flowing white dress, her hair loose, her waist slender, her eyes bright and playful. She gathered the fragrant blossoms, her demeanor now soft and alluring…

The Dongyuan Emperor rose to his feet, his gaze fixed on the image.

The Wei Feng Divine Lady, the only female among the eight Divine Lords. It felt like yesterday they had fought side by side. But he would never hear her voice again.

As a favored son of heaven, he had easily won the hearts of countless women, even goddesses. She might not have been a suitable match, her background less prestigious than his, but she was impossible to ignore.

He had taken her for granted, believing she would always be there, even while pursuing other goddesses.

For a deity, life was eternal, and even the most exciting things could become mundane after millennia.

He had never considered choosing a partner, sharing his power and cultivation.

He had been arrogant, blinded by his own brilliance, surrounded by admirers, failing to notice her growing distance.

When she had finally confessed that she no longer loved him, he had simply chuckled, unconcerned.

But when he realized she was serious, that her gaze no longer lingered on him… for the first time in his existence, he felt a pang of fear, a pain that gripped his heart…

He couldn’t accept it. Her eyes, once filled with warmth, now held nothing but indifference.

He had devised a plan, a trap, leading her to massacre that demon city, then watched as she fell, waiting for her to apologize, to beg for his forgiveness.

It was then that he realized how ruthless she could be, even towards herself…

She had known the Heavenly Emperor would blame her for the massacre, yet she had remained silent during her trial, never revealing that he had given the order.

He had offered to tell the Heavenly Emperor the truth, to clear her name.

But she had simply said, “It’s unnecessary. Even a deity shouldn’t be indebted to others. I owed you and the Saint a great debt. It’s only right that I repay it. Besides, the tribulation… it will only weaken my divine power for a few centuries. It’s nothing serious. You’re at the peak of your power, newly appointed as an Emperor. Revealing the truth would only cause trouble for the Saint and the Heavenly Emperor.”

She had been so calm, accepting her fate. But he hadn’t yielded, hadn’t admitted his mistake. He had wanted her to suffer, to realize his worth, to return to him.

He had thought that losing her power might be a good thing. Humility often led to contentment, to accepting a simple life…

The image stirred, turning away from him, as she had done that day when she left for the Western Sea to subdue the evil spirit.

And then the tribulation had struck, her soul falling into the River of Forgetfulness, refusing to rise…

The image before him, a constant reminder of their last encounter, fueled his regret. If he had held her hand, if he had accompanied her to the Western Sea… would things have been different?

Since her death, despite being surrounded by countless goddesses, none could compare to her. He had realized, in the monotonous eternity of his existence, that he wanted nothing but her!

He reached out, desperate to stop her, but the image, like grains of sand, slipped through his fingers, vanishing.

He grimaced, his brow furrowed. Trapped in this mortal body, his longing, his regret, intensified.

“Wei Feng… where are you?” His voice echoed through the room, unanswered.

His emotional turmoil caused the wound on his forehead to bleed again. He struggled to regain control, to calm his racing heart.

Although the red moon wouldn’t appear again, he wasn’t without options.

Wei Feng had been in the mortal realm when the tribulation struck. He could reverse time, return to that moment.

If he obtained the Zhulong statue, he could, like Cui Xiao Xiao, manipulate time, traveling to the past. He wouldn’t need to bother with Wei Jie and his ilk. He would simply go back and save her.

He closed his eyes, a newfound determination settling over him. He would obtain the Zhulong statue… and this time, he wouldn’t fail.

Meanwhile, Xiao Xiao and her group, traveling swiftly, finally reached the shores of the Northwest Sea.

Zhangwei Mountain, located beyond the sea, its location uncertain… traveling by air was too risky. They could easily end up lost at sea.

They needed a seaworthy vessel.

Unfortunately, Tang Youshu, having distributed their funds among the dismissed disciples, had left them penniless.

“Do you have any silver notes left?” Xiao Xiao asked Wei Jie.

“I burned them all,” he replied. “When my divine power was awakened, I realized material possessions were a distraction, hindering cultivation.”

Xiao Xiao stared at him, speechless, then turned to Tang Youshu, who nodded, his face filled with admiration. “Master’s resolve in burning those silver notes… it was truly inspiring! If I had possessed such determination, I wouldn’t have been hindered by worldly concerns, and my cultivation would have reached greater heights!”

Tang Youshu might not be a powerful cultivator, but he was a master of flattery.

Xiao Xiao and Yu Ling’er, both firmly rooted in the material world, clutched their chests, a pang of regret shooting through them. So much money… imagine the roast ducks, the sweet dumplings, the braised pork they could have bought!

“Xiao Xiao, you were right to separate from those spendthrifts!” Yu Ling’er exclaimed. “They would have emptied our coffers!”

Xiao Xiao agreed. The first rule of her Joy Sect – anyone who wasted money would be expelled!

But they needed silver to hire a ship. Tang Youshu, his eyes filled with hope, turned to Yu Ling’er. “I gave you so much silver when you went down the mountain with Xiao Xiao. You couldn’t have spent it all, right?”

Yu Ling’er chuckled awkwardly. She had followed Xiao Xiao’s advice, spending lavishly, creating an excuse to return to him for more money. She had indulged in every culinary delight, tipped generously, traveling like a princess. She was broke.

Both sects, once wealthy, had managed to squander their fortunes. They might as well declare bankruptcy.

Even borrowing money from Grandmother Wei wouldn’t be enough.

Suddenly, Yu Ling’er’s eyes lit up. She pointed at a notice seeking crew members. “Look! That ship is heading to Lingxi Island in the Northwest Sea! If we join them, we can travel for free! We might even earn some money!”

They approached the ship. It was much larger than the other fishing boats, its sturdy hull suggesting it could withstand rough seas.

But with its size came a need for more crew members. The captain, eager to set sail, was recruiting anyone willing to work, even women and the elderly, ignoring traditional superstitions.

But despite the generous offer, no one seemed interested.

Seeing Xiao Xiao and her group, including the foxes, the recruiter’s eyes lit up. “Looking for work?” he asked eagerly. “We provide food and lodging, and you’ll earn a string of coins every day! What do you say?”

Xiao Xiao, studying him and his companions, said, “You don’t look like sailors. Why are you going to sea?”

Their fair skin and soft hands suggested a life far from the harsh realities of the sea.

The recruiter, his gaze lingering on Xiao Xiao’s beauty, chuckled, revealing yellowed teeth. “You have a keen eye, young lady. My master is searching for a family heirloom on Lingxi Island. That’s why we’re setting sail. If you have sailing experience, I’ll double your pay.”

The Lingshan Talisman Sect group retreated to discuss the offer.

“I spoke with a fishmonger at the docks,” Tang Youshu said, his voice low. “This ship has already sailed twice, offering high wages each time. But the crew members who joined them… they never returned. When their families inquired, they were told they stayed on Lingxi Island to pan for gold, that they wouldn’t be back until the new year. A few, refusing to believe it, threatened to report them to the authorities. Those families… they died on their way home, their necks broken… Everyone knows this is a cursed ship. Only greedy outsiders would be fooled!”

Wei Jie and Xiao Xiao, initially unsure, now spoke in unison. “Perfect! We’ll join them!”

They exchanged glances, their smiles mirroring each other.

Yu Ling’er, observing their sinister smiles, shuddered, feeling a pang of sympathy for the unsuspecting crew.

Xiao Xiao’s reasoning was simple. Their journey was fraught with danger. If they boarded a decent ship, they might bring misfortune upon the crew.

But if this was a ship of criminals… then they wouldn’t hesitate to fight back, to turn the tables, to uncover the truth about the missing crew members, and perhaps even find the elusive Zhangwei Mountain. It was a win-win situation.

Chapter 93

The imperial library housed a vast collection of ancient texts, mostly from the previous dynasty. Besides books, there were also numerous bamboo scrolls and parchment manuscripts stored in large chests.

The librarian, a meticulous individual, had organized everything meticulously. Texts related to the supernatural were all grouped together on shelves at the back of the library.

Xiao Xiao, entering the library, looked around, wondering where to begin.

Wei Jie, however, gathered cushions and created a comfortable nest for her beside a table, allowing her to read in comfort.

Wei Jie’s personality had undergone several transformations. He had briefly returned to his usual self after his divine power core shattered, but as his demonic nature strengthened, he had become increasingly cold and withdrawn.

However, his attentiveness towards Xiao Xiao remained unchanged, perhaps a remnant of his devoted disciple persona.

Xiao Xiao thought about the vivid dreams that had been plaguing her lately, dreams that surfaced whenever she entered a meditative state.

Dreams of a black-scaled man and a little black phoenix.

The man in her dreams, despite his coldness, was surprisingly gentle with the bird. He would even prepare a small basin for it to bathe in, then let it perch on his shoulder, preening its feathers as they dried…

Often, he would take it with him to the back mountains of Guishi Cliff for cultivation. Man and bird, perched on a towering tree atop a desolate peak, meditating together, watching the sunrise.

He rarely spoke to his disciples, but with the little black phoenix, he would talk, sharing his thoughts.

And the bird, as if understanding, would ignore the peanuts he offered, burying its head in his robes, as if listening to his heartbeat, a testament to his humanity, proof that he wasn’t the heartless demon everyone claimed him to be.

The man before her, except for the lack of scales, was identical to the one in her dreams.

He might not have a pet now, but Xiao Xiao suddenly felt like she had taken the little black phoenix’s place, cherished and cared for.

Ever since accepting her as his disciple, he had taken care of her every need, accompanying her during meditation, ensuring she was well-fed. He had even offered to help her bathe, but she had slapped him, putting an end to that idea…

He was attentive, a quality she, deprived of parental love, couldn’t resist.

Even knowing he was a former Demon Lord, that he had conspired with his disciple to deceive her… whenever he gently brushed her hair, his gaze soft and indulgent, she would melt under his touch.

She even considered staying in this time, renouncing immortality, living a simple life with him.

But such thoughts were foolish.

Tang Youshu had said that Wei Jie’s demonic nature was deeply rooted, difficult to eradicate. Only restoring his divine power core could save him from succumbing to darkness.

But now, this Ye Yi, a deity with a deep-seated hatred for Wei Jie, had emerged.

A simple life was no longer an option. They were in danger.

And since their confrontation with Ye Yi, Wei Jie had become even more withdrawn.

His usual playfulness, his carefree demeanor… it was gone. He spent most of his time cultivating, his dedication unwavering, a stark contrast to his previous indifference towards cultivation.

It was as if the cold, distant ancient Flame Emperor had returned.

Like now, standing by the bookshelf, his back to her, his figure seeming taller, more imposing.

It wasn’t her imagination. Since his divine power core shattered, he had been rapidly transforming.

But unlike his past life, his appearance hadn’t changed. He had grown taller, his features sharper, his gaze colder, his presence more intimidating.

According to Tang Youshu, although his divine power core was shattered, preventing his swift ascension, his demonic potential had been awakened, altering his very being.

This unfamiliarity, this sense of distance… it filled Xiao Xiao with unease. It was as if she could lose him at any moment…

She rose to her feet, walked over to him, and gently wrapped her arms around his waist.

The warmth of his body, the steady beat of his heart beneath her touch… he was still human.

But as his demonic nature grew stronger, what if he turned on her, as he had done when his divine power was awakened, becoming a stranger?

She had to prepare herself, steel her heart, avoid repeating the heartbreak she had experienced on Qilao Mountain.

She realized she had startled him, interrupting his reading. She quickly released him, intending to return to her comfortable nest and continue her research.

But before she could step away, he pulled her into his arms.

His eyes, dark and intense, blazed with an unknown anger. He stared at her, then, before she could speak, lifted her effortlessly and captured her lips in a searing kiss.

This man, so silent and withdrawn lately, was still a passionate lover, his kiss melting her resistance, engulfing her in his warmth.

As the kiss ended, his voice, strained and cold, asked, “Were you… thinking about leaving me?”

His demonic nature, amplified, strengthened his connection to the demonic bead within her.

Although he couldn’t read her thoughts, he could sense her emotions.

Moments ago, as she had embraced him, her desire to distance herself, her fear… it had triggered a primal response, a possessive urge to bind her to him, prevent her escape.

Xiao Xiao, surprised by his ability to sense her emotions, couldn’t help but laugh.

As a con artist, she was a skilled actress, but before him, her facade crumbled.

There was no point in lying. “I wasn’t thinking about leaving you,” she admitted. “I was afraid that one day… you wouldn’t need me anymore. And I didn’t want to be… a burden… You’ve been so quiet lately…”

His transformation was undeniable.

“You’re afraid because I’m changing?” he asked, his voice low and husky, his forehead resting against hers, his gaze fixed on her trembling eyelashes.

He was aware of his own transformation. Every time he looked in the mirror, he was startled by the coldness in his eyes, the unfamiliar aura surrounding him.

Tang Youshu had said that in his past life, after succumbing to his demonic nature, he had become a dedicated cultivator, his power growing exponentially.

He had initially dismissed it. He had never been a diligent cultivator, preferring a more relaxed approach.

He had been naturally gifted, unlike those who had to rely on hard work to compensate for their lack of talent.

But after embracing his demonic nature, he realized that only by constantly cultivating, by strengthening his spirit, could he resist its influence.

It was like a sword hanging over his head, forcing him to be vigilant, to seek strength through meditation. There was no other way. He had abandoned his laziness, constantly battling his inner demons.

But it seemed that as his power grew, so did his demonic nature.

Even Ling Zhishan, that persistent nuisance, had been terrified of him that day, unable to meet his gaze. It was a clear indication of his growing darkness.

If Xiao Xiao was afraid of him now… he understood…

But the thought of her avoiding him, like Ling Zhishan… it triggered a wave of rage within him, his expression hardening, an urge to destroy everything around him rising…

Suddenly, slender arms wrapped around his neck. Xiao Xiao pinched his nose, her voice playful, yet firm. “So, now that we’re not master and disciple anymore, you can scare me whenever you want? Who are you trying to intimidate with that grumpy face?”

He looked ridiculous, this tall, imposing man, his nose pinched by the tiny woman in his arms.

But her playful scolding, her feisty spirit… it calmed the storm within him.

Unlike the demonic energy born from injustice and oppression in his past life, his current demonic nature stemmed from her, from Cui Xiao Xiao.

It was a heart demon, a powerful force that had even shattered his divine power core, more difficult to control than the demon unleashed by the Soul-Breaking Serpent’s venom.

Whenever she showed signs of retreating, of pulling away, his demonic nature surged, threatening to consume him.

But seeing her now, her eyes bright and clear, her gaze fixed on him, filled with concern… it calmed him, replacing the rage with an insatiable longing…

The world spun as he pushed her down onto the cushions, his movements swift and sure. He cushioned her head gently, but his body pinned her, his weight pressing her down.

His touch, his kisses… they had become more urgent, more demanding lately.

Even her reminders about his weakened state, his need to recover… they were ineffective.

He was already a captivating man, his features sharp and alluring. But now, with his demonic nature intensifying, his charm was almost overwhelming.

What mortal could resist such a man?

But even as his lips devoured hers, a flicker of awareness remained. The high ceiling, the partially open door, the eunuch waiting outside… were they planning to add a new chapter to the annals of palace scandals?

She gasped, her voice muffled by his kiss, tears welling in her eyes, pleading with him to stop.

“Jie’er, be good… we can do this later…”

What was she saying? Even her attempts to reason with him sounded scandalous!

But Wei Jie, realizing the library wasn’t the ideal place for such activities, finally relented, releasing her, his lips lingering on hers, his fingers tracing the curve of her neck.

Xiao Xiao, still dazed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, pointed. “Look, that pattern… doesn’t it resemble your divine mark?”

Wei Jie looked up – and it did! In the center of the high ceiling, an intricate carving, identical to the mark on his forehead!

It was surrounded by other carvings, easily overlooked if not for Xiao Xiao’s sharp eyes.

He leaped onto a beam, examining it closely. Beneath the carving, he found a wooden panel with gaps around it, signs that it had been moved before.

He explored the gaps with his fingers, discovering a hidden mechanism. He pressed it, and the panel, covered in dust, fell away, revealing a wooden box. Xiao Xiao caught it before it hit the ground.

They opened it and found a rolled-up parchment scroll.

Unfurling it on the table, they realized it seemed to be a journal written by the first emperor of the Great Qi dynasty.

The journal entries were filled with the emperor’s regret at having his fortune stolen.

But it had been a fair exchange, a contract with a deity. There was no recourse.

However, the emperor had recorded these secrets, hiding the scroll within the ceiling.

Xiao Xiao recalled reading the library’s records. Prince Can, during his reign, had renovated the library.

Had he discovered this scroll, learning about the Xia family’s secret? But as it was a family secret, he must have returned it, preserving it, preventing its loss.

The first part of the scroll contained nothing new, echoing Grandmother Wei’s account. But the ending mentioned the reason for the battle between the two deities.

During the ancient wars, when the Heavenly Emperor battled demons, redefining the boundaries of the three realms, three deities had distinguished themselves.

At the time, they were still Divine Lords, not yet Emperors.

Besides the ancient Flame Divine Lord and the Dongyuan Divine Lord, there was also a powerful female deity, the Wei Feng Divine Lady.

She was the only female among the eight Divine Lords of the celestial court, a fierce warrior who, following the Heavenly Emperor’s orders, had assisted the Dongyuan Divine Lord in conquering various realms, her achievements renowned.

But during one campaign, she had defied his orders, slaughtering an entire demon city, men, women, and children, her bloodlust overwhelming. She had been sentenced to face nine heavenly tribulations to cleanse her soul.

For a deity, heavenly tribulations, although painful, were usually a formality, easily overcome with preparation or the support of a fellow cultivator.

But the Wei Feng Divine Lady’s tribulation had arrived unexpectedly early.

She had just subdued a powerful evil spirit in the Western Sea, her divine power weakened, her injuries severe. She was alone when the tribulation struck.

Unable to withstand the onslaught of lightning, her soul had fallen to the underworld, sentenced to cleanse her sins in the River of Forgetfulness before being reborn.

But for some reason, her soul, seemingly weary of conflict, had refused to board the ferry of the dead, sinking to the bottom of the river, her reincarnation delayed.

The other two deities had ascended, the ancient Flame Emperor banished to the underworld, the favored Dongyuan Emperor appointed to a prestigious position in the celestial court.

It was said that the Dongyuan Emperor had been in love with the Wei Feng Divine Lady. There were even rumors of them becoming celestial partners.

But her death had shattered his hopes. He had waited patiently for her reincarnation, her return to the celestial realm.

But she never reappeared. Upon investigating, he discovered she had chosen to remain in the River of Forgetfulness!

Desperate, he had confronted the ancient Flame Emperor, demanding her release.

The two Emperors, already at odds, clashed, their battle nearly destroying the underworld.

The Heavenly Emperor, enraged, had stripped them of their powers, sentencing them to mortal tribulations.

The Dongyuan Emperor, encountering the first Xia Emperor during a time of misfortune, had tricked him, stealing his fortune to replenish his own power.

The Xia Emperor, on his deathbed, had discovered the truth, the cruel deception.

“Do you think that’s who Ye Yi is trying to retrieve from the underworld?” Wei Jie asked Xiao Xiao. “The Wei Feng Divine Lady?”

Xiao Xiao believed it was likely. His use of the soul-marrying technique suggested he was searching for a soul trapped in the underworld.

And according to the scroll, the Wei Feng Divine Lady had refused reincarnation, choosing to remain in the River of Forgetfulness.

They left the library as dusk settled. As cultivators, they couldn’t stay in the palace overnight. They met up with Yu Ling’er and Tang Youshu outside the city.

They didn’t linger in the bustling capital. Finding a quiet spot by a river, Xiao Xiao recounted their findings.

Yu Ling’er sighed. “So the Dongyuan Emperor is a romantic?”

Xiao Xiao, however, shook her head, chuckling. Yu Ling’er, washing wild fruits in the river, looked up at her. “What? Did I say something wrong?”

“Perhaps it’s because I grew up on the streets,” Xiao Xiao said, swirling the water with her hand. “I’m not as optimistic as you. When I read that scroll, all I saw… were schemes and manipulations…”

“What do you mean?”

“Three deities,” Xiao Xiao said, her voice thoughtful. “They fought for the Heavenly Emperor, their hands stained with blood. But only the Dongyuan Emperor enjoyed a privileged existence in the celestial realm. The other two… they met tragic ends. I thought the ancient Flame Emperor, banished to the underworld, then forced to endure a mortal tribulation, was unfortunate enough. But the Wei Feng Divine Lady… her soul trapped, unable to reincarnate… choosing to remain in the River of Forgetfulness… where’s the romance in that? It’s a cautionary tale, a reminder of the dangers of love!”

Yu Ling’er shuddered.

It was true! Heavenly tribulations didn’t arrive early without a reason. A mere formality for deities… it had become a death sentence for her. It was terrifying.

And it made one wonder… was the Dongyuan Emperor somehow involved in her downfall?

His supposed devotion seemed less admirable now.

Yu Ling’er, her perspective shifted by Xiao Xiao’s words, looked up at the sky, her previous longing for immortality gone.

As a fox demon, she had yearned to ascend, to become an immortal.

But now… it seemed the celestial realm wasn’t a sanctuary. If one wasn’t careful, they could be tricked, manipulated, cast down to the mortal realm, or even worse, trapped in the underworld, their chances of reincarnation gone…

The mortal realm wasn’t so bad. Food, drink, entertainment… and… she glanced at Tang Youshu, who was preparing medicine for his master. She offered him a washed fruit, asking softly, “Tang Youshu, if you couldn’t achieve immortality, how would you live your life?”

He had thought about this before. He looked at her, a world-weary smile touching his lips. “Perhaps I would find a mountain, take on a few disciples, cultivate, heal the sick, and when my time came, return to the earth.”

Yu Ling’er, attuned to human emotions, sensed a profound sadness beneath his words, a hint of acceptance, as if… he had already experienced death.

Her heart ached for him. “Your grand-master has embraced the Joy Sect,” she said softly. “Why are you still so clueless? Cultivating together… it’s better than being alone. Even the most devoted disciple… can they lie beside you at night, sharing their thoughts?”

That idiot! Where was she in his vision of the future? She was perfect for late-night conversations! And if he wasn’t in the mood for talking… they could do other things…

Her cheeks flushed, but her gaze, fixed on him, remained bold and unwavering.

Tang Youshu was used to her frankness, her untamed spirit. After all, they had known each other in his past life.

But back then, her passion had been directed at Wei Jie. He had watched from the sidelines, a silent observer, as she poured her heart into a hopeless infatuation, offering him everything, eventually dying to save him…

This girl… she shouldn’t be burdened by love…

His heart ached for her. He looked at her, his gaze filled with concern, deciding to guide her.

“I’ve been studying fate lately,” he said. “I have some free time. Perhaps… I could read your fortune?”

Chapter 92

In Wei Jie’s past life, the Dongyuan Emperor had remained in the celestial realm, observing events from afar.

But the unexpected had happened. Someone had traveled back in time, altering the fate of countless individuals.

Prince Can, who had successfully stolen Wei Jie’s divine power core in their past life, was now a fugitive, his plans in ruins.

And Wei Jie, having left behind a safeguard, had regained his sealed divine power core.

Ironically, Prince Can, in his attempt to restore Wei Jie’s original fate, had unwittingly returned Guishi Cliff to the Lingshan Talisman Sect through Princess Yongning.

Sensing Wei Jie’s growing power, Prince Can had constructed an altar, crafting a statue of the Dongyuan Emperor from ancient wood, offering sacrifices of Xia blood, finally breaking the deity’s seal, summoning his soul to the mortal realm.

This aligned perfectly with the Dongyuan Emperor’s own desires. In their past life, he had focused on opening the gates of the underworld.

But just as he was about to succeed, Wei Jie, with the help of the Wei family, had used their remaining divine power to summon the five phoenixes, unleashing a firestorm that sealed the gates.

His hopes dashed, he had thought his chance was gone. But Wei Jie, who should have been obliterated, had somehow reversed time, bringing back the red moon.

The Dongyuan Emperor saw it as a sign from heaven, a second chance to enter the underworld and find what he sought.

But this time, he wouldn’t rely solely on brute force. As a deity, he abhorred using forbidden techniques.

But this opportunity was too precious to waste. He resorted to soul marrying, an ancient, forbidden art, and found Princess Yongning, a suitable vessel.

However, he preferred to remain behind the scenes, entrusting Prince Can and the disciples of Wan Lianshi with the execution of his plan.

He would orchestrate everything, ensuring his success, his determination to find the one he sought unwavering.

Even Wei Jie, now a mortal, had found a way to defy fate. He, a deity, wouldn’t be bound by destiny.

He wouldn’t accept defeat!

But despite his meticulous planning, Cui Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie had repeatedly escaped his traps.

Prince Can, impatient, had initiated the soul-marrying ritual before he was ready.

He had been forced to intervene, only to be outmaneuvered by Xiao Xiao, his plan falling apart.

Prince Can, although unaware of the details, could tell from the blood staining Ye Yi’s forehead that he had suffered a defeat.

He had known those two were troublesome, but for a deity to be bested by them… it was unexpected. Were they truly that formidable?

But a god was a god. They recovered quickly. Ye Yi, or rather, the Dongyuan Emperor, casually touched his wounded forehead.

When possessing a mortal body, a deity couldn’t afford to lose their temper. But he had been caught off guard, tricked by that cunning Cui Xiao Xiao.

His divine power core, although not completely shattered, was damaged. He was trapped in this dissolute young man’s body, unable to escape.

Even after healing, he would be stranded in the mortal realm for too long, missing his chance to return to the celestial palace. He would have to wait for another mortal’s ascension, hitching a ride back to the heavens.

He had finally descended to the mortal realm, only to lose his chance to retrieve what he desired from the underworld.

He gritted his teeth, remembering that slender girl with the captivating mole, her infuriating cleverness.

“My lord, is it… is it over? You promised me… the two hundred years stolen from the Xia family… you would compensate me with immortality…”

The Dongyuan Emperor, wiping the blood from his forehead, reassured Prince Can. “Don’t worry. I will keep my promise. Wei Jie has embraced his demonic nature. He will eventually form his Nascent Soul and face his final tribulation. In the original timeline, his celestial position was yours. This time… there might be some delays, but the outcome will be the same… After all, I owe the Xia family a debt.”

Prince Can, his eyes narrowed, studied the man before him, his smile gentle and reassuring.

He was a god, his words imbued with a soothing power.

Anyone else would have groveled at his feet, basking in his divine aura.

But Prince Can didn’t trust him! He was a descendant of the Xia family, and the imperial fortune of the Xia dynasty… it had been stolen by this man for two hundred years!

The Dongyuan Emperor, his battle with the ruler of the underworld nearly causing the collapse of the underworld, both of them severely wounded, had broken celestial laws. He should have endured a mortal tribulation, but instead, he had stolen the fortune of a mortal emperor, replenishing his own power.

His actions… they were more wicked than any demon’s!

But Prince Can couldn’t show his anger. This deity was the son of the Heavenly Emperor, born a god, a true child of privilege.

Even the Xia Emperor was insignificant compared to him, a mere ant. They had been deceived, but they had no choice but to accept it.

Prince Can recalled his youthful rage upon discovering the truth about the Xia family’s stolen fortune.

He had been the Emperor then, and he had ordered the destruction of all statues of the Dongyuan Emperor, using the excuse of purging evil spirits.

But his rash actions had angered the heavens. The Great Qi had been plagued by floods, the people suffering, blaming him, their Emperor.

He had been forced to rebuild the statues, offering apologies and prayers, begging for forgiveness.

It was during his self-imposed seclusion that he had sensed the Dongyuan Emperor, establishing a connection with him.

The deity, appearing benevolent and compassionate, had offered him a chance to escape mortality, to achieve immortality, as compensation for the Xia family’s loss.

Immortality… the ultimate temptation for a mortal emperor. To rule forever, to enjoy power and privilege eternally…

Under the deity’s guidance, he had learned to use the lifespans of Xia descendants to fuel his forbidden techniques. He had even orchestrated the rescue of Wei Di, the traitor of the Wei family, obtaining a page from the Book of Life and Death, allowing him to steal Wei Jie’s fate.

But he knew this deity wasn’t acting out of guilt or compassion. He was using him to open the gates of the underworld, to retrieve something he desired.

Whether he had succeeded in their past life… Prince Can didn’t know. He had no memories of his past life, only the knowledge gleaned from the stolen page, secrets mortals weren’t meant to know.

But he knew that in their past life, the Dongyuan Emperor hadn’t risked possessing a mortal body.

This time, everything was different.

Even a powerful deity like him was now trapped in the mortal realm, his future uncertain.

“That Cui Xiao Xiao,” the Dongyuan Emperor said, his voice low. “Her time reversal… it might have only affected the mortal realm, but it will eventually reach the heavens. I might retain my memories, but trapped in this mortal shell, I’m bound by the flow of time… But perhaps it’s not a bad thing. At least I have another chance to find what I seek…”

In their past life, he had defeated Wei Jie, obliterating the former ruler of the underworld. He had even managed to eradicate the Wei family with Prince Can’s help, opening the gates of the underworld.

But Wei Jie, in his final moments, had somehow summoned the five phoenixes, unleashing a firestorm that destroyed Qilao Mountain, sealing the gates. His efforts had been in vain.

This time, although time had been reversed, giving Wei Jie a second chance, it was also an opportunity for him.

He wouldn’t be a distant observer. He would personally intervene, shaping events from within.

He would use this reset to his advantage, to finally obtain what he desired…

“I’m currently trapped in this useless body,” he said. “This mortal shell… it’s inadequate.”

“I’ve already considered that,” Prince Can said quickly. “The Young Pavilion Master of the Soaring Cloud Pavilion, Qin Lingxiao, he’s quite talented. He’s already formed his Golden Core. He will be ready soon. But for now, please, bear with this current vessel.”

The Dongyuan Emperor smiled, but didn’t respond, turning to leave.

Prince Can watched him go, his smile fading.

He might be a descendant of the Xia family, a former Emperor, but before this son of a god, he was nothing but a pawn.

He took a deep breath. He was a master of manipulating people, but not gods.

He knew he was being used.

But whether mortal or divine, they were all bound to this realm now, breathing the same air, walking the same earth.

Who was using whom? It was a game of strategy, and only one could emerge victorious.

As Prince Can and the Dongyuan Emperor plotted their next moves, the Lingshan Talisman Sect group, having tended to the injured guards, escorted Prince Changshan back to the city.

The prince, shaken by his near-death experience, clung to his daughter, his sobs echoing through the night.

Father and daughter, reunited after a harrowing ordeal, shared a moment of unspoken understanding.

The Lingshan Talisman Sect members were treated as honored guests, showered with food and wine.

But Prince Can and Ye Yi had vanished. Prince Changshan, enraged upon learning about the imposter, the ridiculous marriage arrangement, ordered the annulment of the engagement, accusing the Ye family of colluding with villains, attempting to harm a member of the imperial family.

Although they knew Ye Yi was just a vessel, Princess Yongning, fueled by her anger towards the Ye family, their role in raising such a despicable son, embellished her account, painting them as villains who deserved to be punished.

A few days later, with the Crown Prince’s support, Prince Changshan’s report reached the Emperor.

The Emperor, furious upon hearing about the imposter, ordered a thorough investigation. The Ye family was stripped of their titles and possessions, and Ye Yi became a wanted fugitive.

Tang Youshu mentioned that with his divine mark damaged, Ye Yi wouldn’t recover anytime soon. The deity possessing him was trapped. He had descended to the mortal realm, only to become a fugitive. He hoped he enjoyed his new life as a hunted criminal.

Meanwhile, Wei Jie’s new disciples, upon hearing about their master’s heroic rescue of Prince Changshan and his daughter, flocked to the former Prince Can’s mansion, eager to see him.

Xiao Xiao, standing on a balcony, observed the crowd gathered outside.

Wei Jie refused to see them. Tang Youshu, accompanied by Yu Ling’er, armed with a bag of silver, prepared to dismiss them.

Wei Jie, consumed by jealousy when Xiao Xiao had announced her intention to establish the Joy Sect, had impulsively accepted these opportunistic individuals as his disciples.

Unfortunately, he had inadvertently accepted a female disciple, a decision he now regretted, a constant source of teasing from Xiao Xiao.

He had instructed Tang Youshu to take the blame, claiming he wouldn’t have accepted them if it weren’t for that divine power core.

So, Tang Youshu was left to clean up the mess.

But as the founder of the Lingshan Talisman Sect, he couldn’t tarnish their reputation. Accepting disciples, then abandoning them… it wouldn’t reflect well on them.

He sighed, dividing the silver into smaller pouches, offering them to the dismissed disciples. He had done his duty as their senior brother. It was time to part ways.

But the disciples protested, demanding to see Wei Jie, wanting to know why they had been expelled.

Yu Ling’er, seeing Tang Youshu struggling, stepped forward, her voice ringing out. “Wei Jie has succumbed to demonic energy! He’s dangerous! He dismissed you for your own safety! Do you truly want to join a demonic sect, become disciples of a demon?”

The rumors of Cui Xiao Xiao’s demonic nature were widespread.

But the young Sect Master was usually cheerful and approachable, showing no signs of being a demon. She was charming and beautiful. Even if she had turned into a demon, her tragic fate evoked sympathy.

She refused to acknowledge her demonic nature, and the others were happy to ignore it. Whether she was a demon or an immortal… all they cared about was learning from her!

And of course, having a master like Wei Jie, who hadn’t succumbed to demonic energy, who possessed divine power… that was even better!

Although his bloodline was impure, he was still a descendant of the demon-hunting Wei family. Having him as their master would bring them prestige.

But now, with Yu Ling’er’s revelation, their self-deception shattered.

They exchanged uneasy glances, their previous claims of loyalty, their willingness to follow even a demonic master, now sounding hollow.

Most of them accepted the silver, muttering about their opposition to demonic ways, and left.

But Ling Zhishan refused to leave. “Once a master, always a master,” she declared. “Even if he’s become a demon, I won’t abandon him!”

Xiao Xiao, listening from the balcony, couldn’t help but be moved by her words. “If she hadn’t conspired with Qin Lingxiao to kill you in our past life,” she said, “her loyalty would be admirable.”

Wei Jie, his expression cold and distant, his words few these days, placed a slice of melon in her mouth. “Cui Xiao Xiao, don’t provoke me.”

Xiao Xiao, chewing on the melon, pointed at the grapes in the bowl, then said, “She clearly admires you. What are you going to do if she refuses to leave?”

Wei Jie, avoiding the topic, popped a grape into her mouth, then said, “I received a reply from the Crown Prince. He’s granted us access to the imperial library.”

To uncover Ye Yi’s true nature, they needed to investigate the Xia family’s history, their connection to that deity.

The Crown Prince had been researching in the library, but as a non-cultivator, he struggled to decipher the ancient texts.

He believed it was best to let Wei Jie and Cui Xiao Xiao handle it.

They bid farewell to Princess Yongning and left the mansion.

Wei Jie, walking ahead of them, his black robes billowing, his broad shoulders and narrow waist accentuated by his attire, drew many stares.

Although his divine power core was shattered, his divine soul had awakened. Like Ye Yi, he exuded an aura of power.

But unlike Ye Yi’s gentle elegance, Wei Jie’s presence was cold and menacing, a dangerous aura that commanded attention.

Xiao Xiao recognized it – the aura of a demon.

Compared to her, he was more susceptible to demonic energy. He was the former ruler of the underworld, a deity who walked a path that blurred the lines between good and evil. His aura was different from that of other celestial beings.

The underworld… it was a place shunned by deities, a celestial prison.

Besides the perpetual darkness, its very nature could taint a divine soul.

The ancient Flame Emperor’s cold, ruthless personality… it was a consequence of his prolonged exposure to the underworld. Even a righteous deity could be corrupted.

Now, with his divine power core shattered, Wei Jie’s demonic nature was flourishing, his menacing aura growing stronger.

Ling Zhishan, who had been following them, wanting to speak with Wei Jie, flinched under his gaze, stumbling back.

He was still the same man, but somehow… he seemed different, a chilling presence that made her avert her eyes…

Wei Jie, grabbing Xiao Xiao’s hand, walked away.

This cold, intimidating man, his usual playful smile gone… his gaze softened only when he looked at her, his expression filled with a possessive tenderness.

It seemed they had reconciled. He held her hand openly, unconcerned about their master-disciple relationship…

They were more than master and disciple. They were a couple.

Ling Zhishan, watching them, his hand firmly clasped around hers, felt a pang of despair. He had never seen her, his eyes fixed on someone else…

She chuckled bitterly, giving up, ignoring her fellow disciples who tried to engage her in conversation, and walked away, disappearing into the bustling crowd.

Wei Jie and Xiao Xiao, traveling swiftly, soon arrived at the imperial palace in the capital.

The capital was even more dazzling than Luoyi City.

But their culinary adventures would have to wait.

Upon arriving at the palace, they were escorted by a senior eunuch, acting on the Crown Prince’s orders, deep into the palace grounds. It seemed the Crown Prince was even more eager than they were to uncover the Xia family’s secrets.

After all, a hidden, immortal former Emperor, manipulating events from the shadows… it was a threat to both the Emperor and the Crown Prince.

And the Great Qi, its five-hundred-year fortune stolen for two hundred years… it was a bitter pill to swallow.

Although the dynasty had only been established for a little over a hundred years, how could they accept its demise two hundred years later?

The Crown Prince focused on governing the empire. Matters of the supernatural were best left to experts.

As it was a restricted area, only Wei Jie and Xiao Xiao were allowed to enter. Guided by the eunuch, they passed through numerous gates, heading towards the library.

Passing by the imperial temple, Wei Jie paused, his gaze drawn to one of the many statues housed within.

The statue, depicting a deity wielding a sword, was both imposing and handsome, its expression serene. The divine mark on its forehead, a lightning-shaped symbol, was identical to the one Ye Yi possessed.

“Who is that?” Wei Jie asked the eunuch.

“That is the Dongyuan Emperor,” the eunuch replied respectfully. “He was brought here by the former Emperor. At the time, the former Emperor spared no expense, searching for ancient wood to craft this statue. And it seems the deity answered our prayers. Ever since the statue arrived, the floods that plagued our land receded, and peace was restored…”

Wei Jie and Xiao Xiao exchanged glances.

The former Emperor’s efforts to obtain that ancient wood… it wasn’t just for simple prayers, was it?

The Dongyuan Emperor’s divine mark, identical to Ye Yi’s… there had to be a connection!

This unexpected discovery narrowed down their search.

Chapter 91

Yu Ling’er, utterly bewildered, clutched Tang Youshu’s hand tightly. Her fox brain, less complex than a human’s, couldn’t comprehend the unfolding tragedy.

Tang Youshu, frowning, observed the scene in silence.

He had lived two lives, but he had never witnessed a soul-marrying ceremony, nor had Ye Yi ever appeared before his master.

Cui Xiao Xiao’s arrival had set in motion a chain of unpredictable events.

Princess Yongning, kneeling beside her father’s body, her sobs wracking her body, her hair concealing her face, lashed out at Xiao Xiao, her grief turning into a desperate rage.

Xiao Xiao, shaken by the tragedy, tears welling in her eyes, stammered, “I… I only said he might be an imposter. I’m sorry, I didn’t know… But you… you should have been able to tell. How could you believe someone so easily?”

Princess Yongning, as if struck by her words, collapsed, her sobs intensifying.

Dark clouds gathered in the sky, the wind howling across the wilderness, rustling the trees and grass.

Ye Yi, who had been paralyzed by fear, now stood, his usual calm replaced by a chilling intensity. He had witnessed the patricide in silence, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Now, his robes billowing in the wind, his hair whipping around his face, he raised his head.

He was still the same man, but his aura had shifted once again.

The elegant, jade-like gentleman from the magnolia forest had returned, a divine presence descending upon them.

The mysterious soul had re-entered Ye Yi’s body.

Wei Jie pointed his sword at him. “What did you do to her?”

Ye Yi, his smile cold and detached, said, “She was fully conscious when she killed her father. The soul-stealing incense in the carriage merely amplified her murderous intent. She was the one who doubted him, she was the one who struck the blow. No one else is to blame for this patricide.”

His words were calm, as if this tragedy had nothing to do with him.

But Xiao Xiao understood. “You orchestrated this!” she exclaimed. “If the previous Prince Changshan was real, why would she have mistaken him for an imposter? The bandages were a distraction! Someone else was pretending to be him, planting seeds of doubt in her mind. You and Prince Can knew her birth date met your requirements. Prince Can faked his death, took control of Prince Changshan, then used the fire and the disfigurement as an excuse to conceal his face. And when she started to suspect, you switched them back, using words and incense to fuel her rage, driving her to kill her own father! All to make her a suitable vessel for a soul exchange!”

Master Tang Youshu had been clear – a soul with lingering attachments to the mortal realm couldn’t be fully retrieved from the underworld.

Ye Yi might be a liar, but his claim of not knowing about Princess Yongning’s “marriage” could be true.

He had planned this all along, using her wedding day as the catalyst, the day she would kill her own father.

Consumed by guilt and remorse, she would become the perfect vessel!

Ye Yi, still smiling, his gaze fixed on Xiao Xiao, said, “You’re… very perceptive. Who are you? Even the Book of Life and Death can’t reveal your past lives.”

Wei Jie, irritated by his cryptic words, his attempt to analyze Xiao Xiao, scoffed. “Your plan has succeeded. What now?”

Ye Yi didn’t even bother looking at him. His former rival, once his equal, was now a mere mortal, his divine power core shattered, no longer the ruler of the underworld, the deity feared by all.

This failure, his fate stolen, wasn’t worth his attention.

Everything was unfolding according to his plan. He held their fates in his hands, manipulating them with ease. It was a satisfying feeling.

He glanced at the sky, dark clouds swirling, lightning flashing, then calculated the time, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Princess Yongning, consumed by guilt, her spirit broken, having committed such a heinous act… she no longer deserves to live. She can redeem herself, offer her soul to retrieve someone from the underworld…”

He waved his hand, and the silk covering Prince Changshan’s carriage turned a vibrant red, adorned with sinister symbols written in blood. The attendants surrounding the carriage, their souls ensnared, their faces blank, drew their swords and slashed their wrists, their blood staining their white uniforms red.

The soul-marrying procession, the gateway to the underworld, was complete. All they needed was a willing bride.

As Wei Jie and Cui Xiao Xiao moved to stop Princess Yongning, Ye Yi raised his hand, creating a bell-shaped barrier that trapped them, preventing their interference.

He gestured again, and Princess Yongning, who had been sobbing uncontrollably, rose to her feet and walked towards her father’s body. She bent down, pulled the sword from his chest, and plunged it into her own abdomen.

The placement was precise, avoiding vital organs, yet inflicting a near-fatal wound.

This would bring her soul closer to the River of Forgetfulness, allowing them to summon the soul they sought, drawing it into her body…

Ye Yi, his eyes gleaming with anticipation, watched as she struck, unhesitatingly.

He had waited so long for this moment…

He wasted no time, guiding her towards the blood-red carriage. He stood before her, placing a red veil over her head.

Just as his plan was about to reach fruition, a gust of wind swept through the procession. Princess Yongning, who had been lifeless moments ago, suddenly lashed out, attacking Ye Yi.

Caught off guard, his concentration broken, he felt a small paper figure, carried by the wind, land on his forehead, a talisman attached to it.

The talisman, made of silver foil, covered in intricate blood-red symbols, caused his head to snap back. A golden light, attempting to escape from his crown, was trapped by the talisman’s power.

Ye Yi’s body went still. The soul possessing him, whether god or demon, was trapped.

His mortal body had become a prison.

The barrier imprisoning Xiao Xiao and the others shattered.

Xiao Xiao, a mischievous smile playing on her lips, rushed forward, high-fiving Princess Yongning, their plan a success.

Imitating Ye Yi’s calm demeanor, she tilted her head, asking, “How did you like our little performance?”

A faint blue glow emanated from the talisman on Ye Yi’s forehead.

Xiao Xiao had seen a similar glow on Wei Jie’s forehead, although the pattern was different.

Tang Youshu had said it was a divine mark, a symbol of a god!

This liar, this cruel manipulator… he was a god?

Ye Yi, trapped, his eyes wide with disbelief, couldn’t comprehend it. His meticulously crafted plan, foiled by these insignificant mortals!

How was this possible? Princess Yongning, having committed patricide, should have been consumed by guilt, her spirit broken. Why had she suddenly turned on him?

And what was that talisman? How could it bind him?

Princess Yongning pulled the sword from her abdomen, pressing the spring-loaded mechanism, retracting the blade, a triumphant smile on her lips. “What do you think? It only cost me a jade bracelet.”

The sword she had used to “kill” her father… it was the sword-swallowing prop she had obtained from their host.

Following Yu Ling’er’s suggestion, she had modified it, adding a bladder filled with chicken blood to the hilt, creating a convincing blood-splattering effect.

She had practiced the trick relentlessly at the farmhouse.

Xiao Xiao, watching her, instructed Wei Jie to release Prince Changshan’s acupoints.

The “dead” prince gasped, his eyes flying open, his gaze darting around in panic. Seeing his daughter, he pulled her close, his sobs echoing through the night, claiming he had been possessed by an ancestral spirit, nearly dragged into the underworld.

Ye Yi, ignoring their reunion, stared at Xiao Xiao, his voice low and steady. “When did you realize?”

Xiao Xiao, circling him, her gaze sharp, said, “We’ve been staying at a farmhouse, eating the same simple meals – dried meat, mountain vegetables, and that stinky fish our host made… We even had it for dinner tonight!”

Ye Yi frowned, confused.

“You were too preoccupied with your schemes,” Xiao Xiao said, her voice cold. “You didn’t realize that the real Prince Changshan hates stinky fish. He can’t even stand the smell!”

Her suspicions had been aroused when Prince Changshan, held close by Princess Yongning, had suddenly vomited, as if repulsed by her breath.

He had been unusually quiet all day, his servants speaking for him, like a puppet.

And then she remembered Princess Yongning complaining about the stinky fish, about how it lingered in her mouth.

Her mind, always sharp, raced, connecting the dots. And then it hit her – what if the bandaged Prince Changshan… was the real one?

She had been fooled by that elegant man once, nearly trapped in the underworld.

Turnabout was fair play! Years of honing her skills as a con artist… in that moment, she devised a counter-plan.

The fake sword, its blade retracted into the hilt, had fallen to the ground during the chase. She had picked it up, and now it would serve a purpose.

She had handed it to Princess Yongning, who, consumed by rage, hadn’t noticed the deception. She had gripped the hilt, triggering the spring mechanism, “plunging” the blade into her father’s chest.

Xiao Xiao had seized the opportunity, sealing Prince Changshan’s acupoints, creating a convincing illusion of death.

This performance was far more impressive than their street act in Luoyi City!

She even considered adding it to their repertoire. It would surely draw a bigger crowd than Yu Ling’er’s fox transformation.

As Ye Yi, believing his plan had succeeded, waited for Princess Yongning to regain her senses, Xiao Xiao had used the fallen paper figure, whispering in her ear, reminding her about the fake sword, instructing her to maintain her frantic act, lulling Ye Yi into a false sense of security.

And the talisman binding Ye Yi… it was the culmination of two hundred years of Lingshan Talisman Sect knowledge.

The silver used to craft it was from the underworld, imbued with yin energy. The blood was hers, a vessel of powerful artifacts and demonic energy. And the symbols… they were inscribed by Tang Youshu, her former master, two hundred years of experience channeled into them.

They had created it during their idle time at the farmhouse, brainstorming a way to counter Ye Yi.

Despite their differences, their combined knowledge was formidable.

This unique talisman, unlike any other, had successfully trapped the entity within Ye Yi, whether god or demon.

Xiao Xiao, observing the divine mark on his forehead, asked, her voice laced with a chilling calm, “Who are you? If you’re a god, why resort to such cruelty? Do the laws of heaven not apply to you?”

Ye Yi remained silent, his usual gentle smile gone, his face contorted in a grimace.

He couldn’t believe it. He had been tricked by a cheap street performer’s trick!

And the one who had orchestrated it, outmaneuvering him so easily… a young girl, a mere Golden Core cultivator.

Even a deity, their carefully laid plans shattered, would be enraged.

His expression darkened as Xiao Xiao questioned his identity. The storm he had summoned with the blood talisman dissipated. He had risked much to descend to the mortal realm, confident in his plan, his ability to retrieve the one he sought.

And now… this opportunity, squandered by these insignificant mortals!

As dawn approached, the sound of roosters crowing echoing from the nearby village, despair washed over him.

Just as Wei Jie, raising the Heaven-Punishing Sword, prepared to strike him down, Ye Yi roared, the ground trembling beneath them. The talisman on his forehead shattered.

But as the silver fragments flew, one of them sliced his forehead, drawing blood from his lightning-shaped divine mark – a sign of a damaged divine power core.

Ye Yi, his sleeves billowing, vanished in a cloud of smoke and mist.

Xiao Xiao, frustrated, stamped her foot. He had escaped again. But Tang Youshu, wiping the sweat from his brow, said, “Thankfully, the silver fragment damaged his divine mark. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have stood a chance against him!”

A god was a god. Even possessing a mortal body, their power was beyond mortal comprehension.

Xiao Xiao’s plan had enraged him, fueling his outburst, allowing him to break free.

But she was lucky. That silver fragment, striking the most vulnerable point… it had saved them all.

Tang Youshu stared at his grand-disciple with newfound awe. This Cui Xiao Xiao… she was even more terrifying than his former master.

She had now damaged the divine power cores of two deities.

This ability to bring down gods… she was a force to be reckoned with.

A worthy grand-master indeed!

Xiao Xiao, seeing Tang Youshu kneeling before her, startled, jumped back, grabbing his arm. “What… what are you doing?”

She hadn’t forgiven him, but he was still her former master. She couldn’t accept such a gesture.

Hearing his explanation, his admiration, she couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re the one who lured me to this time, convinced that my disastrous fate would benefit you. And now you’re praising me? Has my luck suddenly changed? I’ve damaged the divine power cores of two gods! That only proves I’m a walking disaster! Anyone who gets close to me suffers…”

Seeing her dejection, Tang Youshu averted his gaze, consumed by guilt.

Wei Jie stepped forward, placing his arm around her shoulders. “Didn’t I tell you? Don’t provoke her. She’s still angry with you.”

Xiao Xiao shoved him. “Make that both of you. I’m angry with both of you.”

Wei Jie refused to acknowledge his role in deceiving her. He had distanced himself from his past self.

If he admitted it, she would surely turn on him.

But Xiao Xiao wasn’t in the mood for settling old scores. She looked at the guards, their wrists slashed, their bodies weakened, victims of Ye Yi’s soul-stealing technique.

They were still alive. They had to help them.

Deities could commit atrocities and walk away. But they, mere mortals, couldn’t ignore the suffering of others.

Tang Youshu’s bamboo basket, filled with medicines and bandages, came in handy.

Even Princess Yongning, a pampered royal, rolled up her sleeves, assisting them.

Meanwhile, in a rural temple, a familiar figure knelt before a statue, offering incense and bowing his head.

The people of the Great Qi were superstitious, their world filled with gods and deities. This temple housed a statue of a popular deity – the Dongyuan Emperor.

The man offering prayers was none other than the missing Prince Can.

Having impersonated Prince Changshan for so long, he could finally breathe freely, his face no longer concealed by bandages. He finished his prayers, then looked up at the deity before him.

The Dongyuan Emperor had a unique origin. He wasn’t a mortal who ascended to godhood. He was the son of the Jiu Hua Heavenly Emperor and the Heavenly Lake Saint, born a deity.

During the ancient wars that shaped the three realms, he had been a fearsome warrior, vanquishing demons and slaying monsters, his achievements legendary.

He was supposed to rule the underworld. But his mother, heartbroken by the bloodshed he had caused, pleaded with the Heavenly Emperor, claiming that if he continued down this path, he would become a demon god, his potential for good squandered.

The Heavenly Emperor, convinced, appointed another deity, the ancient Flame Emperor, to rule the underworld.

The Dongyuan Emperor, also a powerful warrior, retreated to the celestial palace, renouncing violence, cleansing his soul with the waters of the Heavenly River, overseeing celestial rituals, cultivating his spirit, preparing to ascend to the highest realm.

Deities could accept offerings from mortals. And for some reason, the legends of his past exploits were widespread.

Temples across the land housed his statue, receiving a constant stream of incense and offerings. It seemed his mother had been right.

If he had ruled the underworld, would he have enjoyed such popularity, his divine power core nourished by such devotion?

Prince Can, his face, showing signs of age, twisted into a sneer.

Those foolish mortals, offering their prayers… did they even know whether they were worshiping a benevolent deity or a bloodthirsty monster?

Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed through the silent temple.

Prince Can looked up and saw a fissure forming on the forehead of the pristine statue, blood oozing from it…

He clutched the incense stick tightly, his eyes widening in alarm.

Those Lingshan Talisman Sect people… they were truly troublesome! What did this ominous sign mean?

As he rose to his feet, the doors swung open, and a man, his forehead bearing a fresh wound, entered. It was Ye Yi, the one who had gone to retrieve Princess Yongning.

The wound on his forehead mirrored the crack on the statue’s forehead!

Prince Can, his eyes narrowed, rushed over. “My lord, what happened?”

Ye Yi, standing before the statue, chuckled. “Have you heard the saying, ‘The falconer blinded by his own falcon’? I never imagined I would be tricked by such a crude scheme…”

His arrogance, his pride… they had blinded him. And the realization that he had been outmaneuvered by such a simple trick… it had damaged his divine power core.

He was a god. He couldn’t descend to the mortal realm without a divine decree or a summoning. This unauthorized trip… it was proving to be quite troublesome.

Chapter 90

Xiao Xiao flung a Soul-Stabilizing Talisman, but it failed to stop Princess Yongning.

Seeing the talisman’s ineffectiveness, she grabbed a sheet of yellow paper, folded it several times, and swiftly cut out the shape of a paper person. She dipped her finger in blood and flicked it, sending countless paper figures swirling towards the fleeing princess, like a swarm of butterflies, clinging to her back.

With a surge of energy, Xiao Xiao manipulated the figures, lifting the princess into the air.

But Princess Yongning was too strong. The paper figures only managed to delay her, their grip weakening.

Wei Jie, leaping forward, grabbed her wrist.

As he prepared to strike her sleep acupoint, she countered, attacking his throat.

Her movements were swift and precise, her long nails drawing blood.

As they clashed, Wei Jie, facing her relentless assault, struggled to defend himself.

Xiao Xiao had never seen him struggle like this in a fight. He had formed his Golden Core, and despite his shattered divine power core, he was still a formidable force!

Yu Ling’er, stunned, mumbled, “She’s so strong! Was she hiding her true abilities all this time?”

Xiao Xiao, observing Princess Yongning’s graceful, almost masculine movements, realized that her entire aura had changed. She seemed… powerful, her strikes bold and unrestrained, lacking feminine softness, her energy almost masculine.

Wei Jie, weakened by his blood loss, was restricted. He couldn’t use his full strength without risking further damage.

Xiao Xiao, leaping forward, joined the fight, standing beside him, facing the crazed princess.

Her newly formed Golden Core made her movements lighter, swifter. Her arm, covered in golden scales, flashed as she struck, like a golden wing, momentarily distracting their opponent.

Princess Yongning, unfazed, simply smiled at Xiao Xiao, her gaze filled with amusement.

But even together, they were struggling.

Only now, exchanging blows, did Xiao Xiao realize the depth of their opponent’s power. They were only seeing a glimpse of their true abilities. Their movements became sharper, more fluid, as if toying with two inexperienced children.

And then… Princess Yongning’s appearance seemed to shift… not her features, but her aura. She exuded a jade-like elegance, her movements increasingly masculine.

“I don’t wish to stay,” she said, her voice still Princess Yongning’s, but with a soothing quality that calmed the heart. “I want to see my father. Why do you insist on keeping me here?”

That unique tone… she had heard it before…

A realization dawned upon her. She stopped attacking, her voice clear and steady. “There are no flowers here, yet I see a familiar face. Are you well, Gongzi?”

Princess Yongning raised an eyebrow, her gaze lingering on Xiao Xiao with renewed appreciation. She stopped attacking, her hands clasped behind her back, a smile playing on her lips. “You have sharp eyes, Cui Xiao Xiao. You recognized me instantly. You’re quite capable. Even the underworld couldn’t hold you. I underestimated you.”

Princess Yongning’s body was indeed possessed.

And the one controlling her was Ye Yi, the man from the magnolia forest.

He was truly formidable, capable of possessing another person and controlling their actions.

Wei Jie, the Heaven-Punishing Sword held before him, his gaze sharp, asked, “What is your purpose?”

Princess Yongning, or rather, Ye Yi, speaking through her, said calmly, “Princess Yongning and I are engaged. But she was abducted on our wedding day. I’m merely trying to bring her home.”

During engagement ceremonies, a lock of the bride’s hair was placed inside the marriage contract, symbolizing their union.

Ye Yi had used that lock of hair to bind her soul, allowing him to possess her.

“Bring her home?” Xiao Xiao’s voice rose. “Or send her to the underworld?”

Two hours remained before the River of Forgetfulness returned to its normal level.

Princess Yongning had overheard Ye Yi’s conversation with the fake Prince Changshan. He needed her soul to retrieve someone from the underworld!

Ye Yi chuckled. “Cui Xiao Xiao, I’m not the villain you think I am. This hasty action… it wasn’t my intention. Would you believe me if I said I was unaware of this plan?”

Tang Youshu nodded in agreement. “This soul-marrying technique requires not only a person with a specific birth date, but also someone who has lost their will to live, consumed by regret. Only a soul that has severed its ties to the mortal realm can be fully retrieved. But such a person… they’re hard to find. That’s why most soul retrievals are incomplete, resulting in a fragmented soul. It’s better not to attempt it at all.”

Ye Yi glanced at Tang Youshu, surprised by the young scholar’s knowledge of this ancient technique.

“He’s right,” he said, his voice calm. “A fragmented soul… it’s better not to retrieve it. I’m taking the princess home now. No need to see us off.”

His voice, with its magnetic quality, had a calming effect. Xiao Xiao, feeling a strange sense of compliance, nodded. “You can go…”

But before she could finish, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her against a broad chest.

She turned and found Wei Jie staring at her, his eyes darkening.

His gaze, sharp as a blade, snapped her out of it.

She realized, with a jolt, that she had been under Ye Yi’s influence, her mind lulled into a hypnotic state, agreeing with everything he said.

It was like their encounter in the magnolia forest.

There was no scent of the other shore flower this time, yet she had still fallen prey to his manipulation. It wasn’t the fragrance, but his voice, his words, that held a hypnotic power.

Who was he, to possess such an ability?

But this technique, although powerful, was ineffective against the Mei people, masters of seduction through song.

Wei Jie bit his lip, transferring a drop of his Mei blood onto her lips. He wiped her mouth, then glared at Ye Yi. “Is manipulating women all you’re good at?”

Ye Yi chuckled again. “I can control hearts, regardless of gender. But you, with your mixed Mei blood, your heart so cold and unyielding… I can’t seem to influence you.”

Wei Jie snorted. He had noticed that everyone except him had been entranced by Ye Yi’s words. It was true. He possessed a powerful ability.

Ye Yi looked at him, his voice laced with meaning. “I didn’t expect to see you again. And under such circumstances… I underestimated you. I didn’t expect you to possess the power to reverse time, to undo everything.”

He knew about Tang Youshu, about their plan to reset time.

Wei Jie narrowed his eyes. “You seem to be more than an ordinary mortal. Why would you assist a villain, help him steal another’s fate?”

Ye Yi, his smile unwavering, his voice gentle, said, “Because you… you don’t deserve to exist. Yet you cling to life like a cockroach, impossible to kill!”

Tang Youshu and Yu Ling’er, still under his spell, nodded in agreement.

Xiao Xiao, held tightly against Wei Jie, the Mei blood coursing through her veins, was now fully alert.

His words, laced with venom, shattered the illusion.

Looking at Tang Youshu and Yu Ling’er, she realized she must have been just as entranced moments ago. No wonder Wei Jie had glared at her.

This Ye Yi… not only did he know about the time reversal, the two-hundred-year reset, but he also harbored a deep hatred for Wei Jie.

What was the source of this animosity?

“Princess Yongning doesn’t want to go back,” Xiao Xiao said, her voice cold. “Release her.”

Ye Yi glanced at the sky, as if calculating the time. “Of course,” he said with a smile. “She wasn’t a suitable candidate anyway. Someone with such a strong attachment to the mortal realm… they wouldn’t make a good vessel for a soul exchange… Look, her father has arrived. I can step aside now…”

A group of soldiers and carriages approached, the lead carriage adorned with the insignia of Prince Changshan.

Beside the carriage, a young man, dressed in fine robes, sat astride a horse. His features were unremarkable.

Xiao Xiao and Yu Ling’er recognized him – it was Ye Yi, the man who had invited them for tea in the magnolia forest!

But this man, slumped in the saddle, his face pale and bloated, lacked the elegance and refinement of the man they had met.

As the entourage drew closer, Princess Yongning’s body went limp, and she collapsed. When she sat up, her face was filled with fear and confusion. “Xiao Xiao… someone was inside me!”

Although she hadn’t been able to control her body, she had clearly felt another presence, another voice.

Free from his control, she called out to Xiao Xiao, fearing another possession.

The entourage arrived, and Ye Yi, looking down at Princess Yongning, her hair disheveled, her red wedding dress wrinkled, asked the guard beside him, “Is she… Princess Yongning?”

“Yes, Gongzi,” the guard replied. “Your fiancée.”

Ye Yi, his gaze lingering on her messy appearance, then on the two men beside her, Wei Jie and Tang Youshu, spoke, his voice laced with disdain, addressing the carriage behind him. “A bride, abducted on her wedding day, spending the night with bandits… what’s left of her purity? And you, Prince Changshan, you insist on me taking her back? Is this how the mighty Prince Changshan treats the Ye family, forcing me to accept damaged goods?”

His arrogant words stunned Xiao Xiao and Yu Ling’er.

This man, despite his unchanged features, was nothing like the refined gentleman from the magnolia forest. He was like a precious jade that had lost its luster, reduced to a common stone.

Xiao Xiao understood. Like Princess Yongning, he had been used as a vessel for a soul exchange.

The man they had met in the magnolia forest wasn’t him.

“Ye Gongzi,” she said, testing the waters. “We meet again…”

Ye Yi, his gaze drawn by her voice, finally saw her.

What a beauty!

Her skin was fair, her eyes and nose delicate, and that red mole beneath her eye… mesmerizing!

Ye Yi, a known womanizer, couldn’t tear his gaze away. “Have we met?” he asked, his voice husky. “I don’t recall. Perhaps in a dream?”

Xiao Xiao, her eyes narrowed, her voice soft, said, “You don’t remember? We shared tea together three days ago.”

Ye Yi blinked. “Three days ago? I was… engaged in a different kind of activity… and then I blacked out… I only woke up yesterday! Oh, are you one of the girls from that establishment? I don’t recall requesting your company. Perhaps we… while I was drunk?”

His words, crude and vulgar, were offensive.

His attendant, chuckling, reminded him, “My lord, you forget. You left that establishment. And you were quite… energetic… taking us on a little… adventure… remember? You met this young lady.”

Ye Yi, his eyes unfocused, seemed to be struggling to recall the past few days.

Xiao Xiao, understanding, scoffed. This Ye Yi was an easy target, his mind clouded by alcohol, oblivious to the theft of his time.

It seemed that mysterious individual had taken advantage of his drunken state, possessing his body, and then lured her and Yu Ling’er into the underworld.

Who were they? Why hide behind borrowed faces?

Princess Yongning, unable to contain herself, pointed at the man on the horse. “You… you’re Ye Yi?”

He nodded arrogantly.

The princess exploded. She turned to Yu Ling’er, her voice filled with indignation. “Refined and elegant? This… this is what you consider a gem?”

She hadn’t had high hopes for her fiancé.

But hearing Xiao Xiao and Yu Ling’er describe his exceptional qualities, she had allowed herself a flicker of hope.

Perhaps he truly was as extraordinary as they claimed. Perhaps his deception was for a good reason.

But seeing this vulgar, dissolute man… her hopes shattered, leaving her even more despairing.

No wonder she had cried out in disbelief.

Her words enraged Ye Yi.

Princess Yongning might be attractive, but compared to the girl beside her, she paled in comparison.

And her previous rejection, her insistence on returning the betrothal gifts, had humiliated his family. He loathed this spoiled princess. She was already acting like a demanding wife!

And Prince Changshan’s insistence on him retrieving her, on marrying this… tarnished woman… to protect the family’s reputation… it infuriated him. Who knew what had happened to her during her abduction?

He saw an opportunity to exploit their vulnerability, his voice laced with contempt. “You were abducted by bandits, spending the night in their den! You’ve brought shame upon both our families! You’re damaged goods! And you dare look down on me? You should hang yourself!”

He turned to the carriage, addressing Prince Changshan. “Prince, considering her disdain for me, perhaps we should annul the engagement!”

Princess Yongning, raised in luxury, had never been subjected to such insults.

That imposter, pretending to be her father, had arranged this marriage, condemning her to a life with this… this… worthless creature!

She stormed towards the carriage, ripping open the curtain.

A wave of fragrance hit her, and she saw the bandaged figure sitting inside, his demeanor calm and composed.

Rage surged through her as she glared at this imposter, this man who had stolen her father’s place.

With Xiao Xiao and the others behind her, and Wei Jie having informed the Crown Prince, she was no longer afraid. “I know you’re an imposter!” she shouted. “I’m going to expose you, stop you from pretending to be my father, from ruining my life!”

She reached out, grabbing the bandages covering his face, ready to tear them off.

The guards moved to stop her, but Wei Jie and Cui Xiao Xiao intervened, sending them scattering.

As Princess Yongning pulled the imposter from the carriage, Ye Yi shrieked in alarm. “You crazy woman! Attacking your own father! No wonder the prince told me that if you refused to obey, if you refused to marry me, he would disown you, silence you, and sell you to a brothel!”

His words ignited a firestorm within her. The cloying fragrance, still lingering in the air, fueled her rage. This imposter, this vile fiancé… they should all die!

She grabbed the imposter, her fingers reaching for the bandages.

She had to see his face before she killed him! If he didn’t tell her where her real father was, she would torture him!

The imposter, who had been strangely passive, suddenly convulsed as she pulled him close, vomiting violently.

Princess Yongning, disgusted, released him, her fury mounting. She wanted to tear him apart.

Xiao Xiao, watching the scene unfold, saw her grab a sword from a guard, raising it above the imposter’s head. She reacted instinctively, summoning a stream of water that wrapped around Princess Yongning’s wrist, disarming her.

“Princess, you’re royalty! You mustn’t stain your hands with blood!”

Princess Yongning, her hair wild, her eyes bloodshot, screamed, “He’s an imposter! He dared to insult me, threaten to sell me to a brothel! If I don’t kill him, I’m no longer human!”

She snatched Xiao Xiao’s sword.

This pampered princess, possessed by a vengeful spirit, plunged the sword into the imposter’s chest.

Blood spurted, and Xiao Xiao, horrified, rushed forward, catching the imposter as he collapsed. She checked his pulse.

He had been stabbed through the heart. His breath shallow, his body twitching, he lay still.

Princess Yongning, her rage spent, sank to her knees, her body trembling, cold sweat beading on her forehead.

Xiao Xiao hesitated, then reached for the bandages covering his face.

As she unwrapped them, layer by layer, revealing his true face, she saw smooth, unblemished skin, the face of a well-preserved middle-aged man, no burns, no scars.

She had expected to see Prince Can’s face. Instead, she saw a stranger, his eyes wide open, his expression frozen in a silent scream.

Princess Yongning stared at the dead man, her eyes widening, her lips trembling. “Father!”

She lunged for the body.

Xiao Xiao pulled her back, holding her close. “What… what happened?”

The princess’s body shook, her voice choked with sobs. “He… he was my father! I… I killed him! How could this be? It’s all your fault! You said he was an imposter!”

She pushed Xiao Xiao away, her tears flowing freely, and knelt beside the body, her trembling hands tracing his face, his neck.

It was him. Her father. The mole she had known since childhood… there was no mistaking it.

Chapter 89

Seeing Wei Jie’s relentless flirting, Xiao Xiao pushed him away. “Have you forgotten your current condition? And you still want to fool around?!”

Having lost his heart’s blood, Wei Jie couldn’t afford to lose any more vital essence until he recovered. Teasing the tempting young woman before him was asking for trouble.

Their encounter in the valley was a prime example. He had intended to tease and seduce her, but he ended up consumed by a burning desire he couldn’t satisfy!

The torment of having her so close, yet unattainable… it was unbearable. He wouldn’t put himself through that again until he was fully healed.

So, after a lingering, passionate kiss, they settled down to read, their faces close, their bodies touching.

These ancient texts were collected by the Wei family over generations.

Bound to Qilao Mountain, their fate sealed, they had searched for a way to break free, collecting ancient texts, hoping to find a solution.

Xiao Xiao flipped through the pages, but found no mention of the deity who had opposed the ancient Flame Emperor.

However, on a yellowed page, she spotted a familiar image – a phoenix circling a parasol tree.

Despite the faded ink and aged paper, she recognized it instantly – a black phoenix.

Beneath the illustration, a line of small characters described it: “Fallen Blood Phoenix, not born of heaven and earth, its nature undefined, its alignment unclear, capable of devouring immortal souls, a variable of fate, forbidden from existence!”

The description, like a legend passed down through generations, condemned the black phoenix as a demonic entity, a creature to be eradicated.

Xiao Xiao recalled the mural in the back mountains of Guishi Cliff. During the ancient battle between the two deities, the black phoenix had been used to attack the Flame Emperor, but it had been subdued, its soul sealed in the Valley of Eternity.

If that was true, then this supposedly wicked Fallen Blood Phoenix was just a bird swayed by beauty, its natural instincts forgotten under the spell of a handsome man.

And the little black phoenix she had seen in the Phoenix Sanctuary… it had been innocent, bullied by its own kind. It had been heartbreaking.

They read, enjoying a rare moment of peace.

But unlike Xiao Xiao, who was engrossed in the text, Wei Jie was distracted, his gaze often drifting towards her.

He would occasionally try to untie her collar, wanting to compare the phoenix mark on her neck to the one in the book.

Xiao Xiao, now accustomed to his shamelessness, knew exactly what he was thinking. She chuckled, pinching his nose, then reaching for his collar in retaliation.

The disciple was more generous than the master. His broad chest, well-defined and strong, was nothing to be ashamed of.

He even helped her out, discarding his robe, leaning back against the pillows, one hand propping up his head.

His long, dark hair cascaded over the bedding, his shoulders broad, his chest and abs sculpted, his narrow waist accentuated by his loose robe. His sword-like brows, his mesmerizing purple eyes, his straight nose, his playful smile revealing a hint of his sharp canines… he was a vision of temptation.

The room was dimly lit, the golden sunlight filtering through the window, casting shadows that danced across his body, enhancing his allure.

Xiao Xiao felt her cheeks burning, but she couldn’t tear her gaze away. If the ancient Flame Emperor possessed such charm, it was no wonder the Blood Phoenix had fallen for him, abandoning its true nature…

But she didn’t realize that her own flushed cheeks, her hesitant gaze, her bitten lip… it was even more alluring to Wei Jie than nakedness.

He couldn’t resist any longer. He pulled her close, their lips meeting in a heated kiss.

But as their passion escalated, Wei Jie found himself trapped. Just as his desire peaked, the symptoms of his blood loss surfaced, draining his strength. He collapsed onto the bed.

It was like their encounter in the valley. Whenever his desire flared, his weakness followed.

Xiao Xiao, her breath ragged from his kiss, felt a pang of disappointment.

But seeing his frustrated expression, she couldn’t help but chuckle, offering him a playful reassurance. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. Even when Ling’er kept asking, I never said you were incapable…”

Her well-intentioned words struck a blow to his pride.

He waited until his fingers regained some strength, then pulled her close, his hand gripping her neck, his voice a low growl. “Just wait until I’m healed. Then we’ll see who’s incapable!”

Having made his vow, he watched her flee, laughing, clutching her robes, as Tang Youshu entered with his medicine.

Tang Youshu had actually tried to warn Xiao Xiao earlier, explaining that his master shouldn’t be intimate with women right now, lest he deplete his already weakened essence.

Xiao Xiao, mortified, her cheeks burning, had stopped him mid-sentence, promising to keep her distance from Wei Jie.

Tang Youshu had been embarrassed to bring it up, but he had worked so hard to give his master a second chance. If he died from exhaustion, from excessive indulgence with Xiao Xiao… would he have to start over, rewrite his entire manual?

How would he even record it? “A mighty Demon Lord, felled by… well, you know…” It wasn’t exactly a glorious ending.

Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Princess Yongning and Yu Ling’er were entertaining themselves.

It turned out their host had once been a street performer, his two wooden chests filled with props and tricks.

Princess Yongning, fascinated by such arts, begged him to teach her the secret of sword swallowing.

The homeowner, delighted by the jade bracelets she offered him, took out a spring-loaded sword, demonstrating the trick.

Princess Yongning gasped. “So that’s how they do it! I gave that performer a gold ingot! It’s so simple!”

Yu Ling’er, watching from the sidelines, chuckled. “Not only did you lose a gold ingot, but now you’ve lost your bracelets! It’s all a trick. Want to see a real transformation? Give me your other bracelet, and I’ll teach you how to make a fox appear from this box!”

Princess Yongning, unaware of Yu Ling’er’s true nature, didn’t believe her. She offered a gold lock as collateral, convinced she could see through the trick.

Yu Ling’er, with great ceremony, dragged over an empty chest, performed a fox dance, then jumped inside. She closed the lid, then opened it, then closed it again, repeating the process several times.

And just like that, the gold lock belonged to the little con artist.

Xiao Xiao, amused by their antics, retreated to her room. She read for a while, then settled down to meditate.

She had intended to return the Fox Tribe’s spirit stone to Yu Ling’er, but Tang Youshu had advised against it. Her recent encounter with the demonic bead and the awakening of the phoenix spirit had created an imbalance within her.

The spirit stone helped to stabilize her demonic energy and the phoenix’s power. Until they found a way to remove the bead and the five phoenixes, it was best for her to keep it.

Yu Ling’er agreed. Xiao Xiao was their benefactor. If the stone could protect her, they were happy to lend it to her.

The three distinct energies within Xiao Xiao achieved a delicate balance. As she meditated, she could feel them interacting, clashing, then merging within her core.

Her nascent Golden Core, nourished by these energies, was solidifying, transitioning towards the Nascent Soul stage…

She might not possess Wei Jie’s natural talent, but she had been blessed with extraordinary opportunities.

Achievements that took other cultivators centuries to achieve… she had stumbled upon them, her path paved with serendipity.

As her Golden Core solidified, she felt a surge of energy, a lightness she had never experienced before. It was a taste of the divine, a glimpse of the celestial realm, fueling her desire to ascend.

No wonder so many cultivators, pursuing the path of immortality, abandoned their families, their loved ones, everything they held dear. This transcendence… it was addictive.

How had Wei Jie resisted such temptation, shattering his own divine power core?

Having experienced a taste of ascension, she couldn’t help but admire him. He had turned his back on the divine, both in his past life, as a demon, and now.

She was soon lost in meditation, her mind drifting.

The flow of energy within her sounded like a babbling brook, a rhythmic pulse that resonated with her very being.

A faint red mark appeared on her forehead, resembling two yin-yang fish, their tails nearly touching.

She felt weightless, her spirit ascending, following the stone steps of Guishi Cliff, reaching the main hall.

A man stood beneath a pillar, his body scarred by burns. The scales covering him, blackened by fire, made him appear even more menacing. But the color matched the small, black bird, resembling a crow, perched on his hand.

Xiao Xiao realized she had fallen asleep during her meditation, her dream transporting her to Wei Jie’s past life.

This cold, imposing man, covered in black scales… wasn’t he the Demon Lord, emerging from the Phoenix Sanctuary with the little black phoenix?

He seemed to be writing a letter, but dissatisfied with each attempt, he crumpled the pages and tossed them aside.

The fluffy bird, oblivious to his frustration, kept distracting him, pecking at the inkstone, rubbing against his brush.

Exasperated, he summoned a metal cage, intending to lock the little crow – no, the little black phoenix – inside.

But even a disfigured phoenix was still a proud creature. It refused to enter the cage.

The little bird squawked in protest, then, with a burst of speed, burrowed into the man’s hair, seeking refuge.

The man, his face, half-covered in scales, contorted in anger, snarled, “Get in there, or I’ll break your neck!”

But the little bird had moved to the back of his neck, nuzzling against him, its beak gently pecking at his scales, its soft body rubbing against his cheek, completely unafraid of this fearsome man.

At this point in his past life, Demon Lord Wei Jie was already notorious. Even his own disciples avoided his gaze.

But this foolish bird treated him like its mother, showering him with affection, seemingly oblivious to the danger.

The man’s purple eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. He pulled the bird out from behind his neck and said, his voice flat, “You don’t want the cage? You want to sleep in my bed? Do you think you’re one of us? Remember, you’re just a bird, a creature…”

The little black phoenix, not understanding his words, simply closed its eyes, nestled in his scaled palm.

It was drawn to the potent demonic energy radiating from him, a feast for a phoenix. It was like a cat surrounded by fish, a dog lying on a bed of bones.

The man, looking down at the sleeping bird, decided against the cage. He summoned a handful of cotton, creating a makeshift nest, and placed it beside him. As the bird’s soft snores filled the air, he resumed writing.

Xiao Xiao, her spirit hovering above, saw the letter clearly. It was a reply to Grandmother Wei. Another letter, from the Wei family, lay on the table.

It seemed to be a reprimand for Wei Jie’s decision to embrace his demonic nature, his defiance of fate.

He finished writing, read the letter, then tore it to shreds, scattering the pieces.

Xiao Xiao’s heart ached for him. He must have been so lonely…

She reached out, wanting to embrace him, but her arms passed through his body.

He stared into the distance, lost in thought.

Suddenly, the bird on the table, having awakened, hopped off the nest and began to gather the torn pieces of the letter, trying to put them back together.

The man, observing the bird’s actions, chuckled, confiding in the creature. “You think I should reply? It’s pointless. I’m a demon now, a disgrace to the Wei family. Grandmother’s letter… it’s just her duty as an elder. Why should I reply and make things difficult for her?”

The little bird, clearly disagreeing, continued its efforts, chirping insistently, as if trying to comfort him.

The man snorted. “You think my grandmother doesn’t hate me?”

The bird nodded, then hopped excitedly, picking up a peanut from a dish on the table and offering it to him.

It was a gesture of affection, a way of saying, “You’re the best person I know. Everyone should like you.”

The man’s lips twitched, amused by the bird’s intelligence. But due to the scales covering his face, even a smile appeared menacing. It vanished as quickly as it appeared.

“You don’t understand,” he said, his voice cold. “Being human is far more complicated than being a bird. It’s not as simple as good and bad.”

The bird tilted its head, disagreeing.

From its perspective, being human seemed simple and enjoyable. No cages, colorful clothes… unlike its own black feathers.

It pecked at the cotton in its nest, adorning itself with white fluff, trying to lighten its appearance.

The man chuckled again, his finger stroking the bird’s soft head. “I was born human, and I don’t find it particularly enjoyable. But you, a mere bird, possess such human-like intelligence… Fate has been unfair, giving you the wrong form. You should have been born human. But since you want to be human, I shall give you a name. With your small eyes and beak… I shall call you Xiao Xiao…”

He picked up a peanut and held it out to the bird. “Xiao Xiao, be good. Open your mouth…”

Xiao Xiao, hearing this, was outraged!

Giving the bird a name was fine, but out of all the possible names, why hers?!

She wanted to protest, but a sharp pain shot through her arm, as if someone was pulling her.

And a voice, louder than a crow’s caw, kept calling her name. “Xiao Xiao, Xiao Xiao…”

She opened her eyes and found the man from her dream, his face now smooth and incredibly handsome, kneeling before her, shaking her arm.

Wei Jie had seen her meditating and hadn’t wanted to disturb her. But then he heard her snoring. She had fallen asleep again.

Falling asleep mid-cultivation… it was one of Sect Master Cui’s unique skills.

He was used to it. “You’ve been meditating for a long time,” he said. “Are you hungry?”

Xiao Xiao, still groggy, mumbled, “Hungry for what?”

He offered her a bowl of roasted peanuts. “Dinner will be ready soon. If you’re hungry, have some peanuts.”

She stared at the peanuts, then shouted, “No!”

Wei Jie blinked, surprised. She usually loved peanuts. He had even asked the homeowner’s wife to roast them for her.

Xiao Xiao, realizing she was still caught in the remnants of her dream, stretched and grabbed a handful of peanuts, recounting her dream.

Wei Jie raised an eyebrow. He had heard her mention the black phoenix he had taken from the Valley of Eternity in their past life.

But he couldn’t imagine himself, consumed by demonic energy, keeping a creature that fed on demons as a pet.

The black phoenix was an anomaly, shunned by deities, its origins a mystery, unlike the other five phoenixes. No one knew how it came into being.

And in this life, the phoenix nest was empty. The black phoenix was nowhere to be found. Except for that tuft of black feathers in the Phoenix Sanctuary, there was no trace of its existence.

But according to Tang Youshu, the little black phoenix had intervened, preventing Wei Jie from killing his grandmother, but had been fatally wounded. Its fate remained unknown.

Xiao Xiao, remembering the bird’s cuteness, the affection the black-scaled man had shown it, sighed.

If he ever discovered he had accidentally killed his beloved pet… he must have been devastated.

She felt a pang of sympathy for the Wei Jie of their past life. Abandoned by his parents, ostracized by his family, finding solace in raising a silly bird, only to lose it…

She hugged him, her voice soft. “When we have time, I’ll buy you a parrot, okay?”

Wei Jie chuckled, confused by her sudden change of topic. He had a master to take care of now, her needs and desires his priority. He didn’t have time for birds.

If she wanted to raise something, she could always give him a child.

They joined the others for dinner.

They were waiting out the three-day period after the red moon. A few more hours, and they would be in the clear.

Then they could escort Princess Yongning back to the city, expose the fake Prince Changshan with the help of the Crown Prince’s spies, and free her from that dreadful marriage.

As they waited, Princess Yongning pestered Yu Ling’er, wanting to learn the secret of her transformation trick.

Yu Ling’er, of course, refused, teasing the princess. Suddenly, she shrieked, “Princess, your hair’s on fire!”

Everyone looked up – and it was true! A lock of Princess Yongning’s hair was burning with a strange, purplish flame.

But the princess, who had been laughing just moments ago, sat there, motionless, as the flames licked at her hair.

Tang Youshu recognized the signs. Someone was using a strand of her hair to control her remotely!

The moment the flames died out, she shot up, lunging towards the window behind her.

Xiao Xiao leaped forward, blocking her path. “Princess, where are you going?”

“Don’t stop her!” Tang Youshu warned. “She’s under someone’s control! It’s a trap!”

As if to confirm his words, Princess Yongning lashed out, her palm striking towards Xiao Xiao’s head.

She was skilled in martial arts, having studied various techniques, her movements swift and precise.

Xiao Xiao dodged, and the princess, leaping through the window, fled.

She was incredibly fast. The four of them, vaulting over the wall, gave chase.

But even under the influence of the puppet technique, she was too fast for them.

Chapter 88

Xiao Xiao, her heart heavy, took Si Ling’s hand, her voice sincere. “Don’t worry, Madam. As long as I’m here, I won’t let him repeat your mistakes…”

Si Ling nodded, her hair now completely white. She couldn’t stay in the mortal realm much longer.

She had found true love, but their time together had been cut short, their paths diverging in life and death.

And blinded by hatred, she had failed her son.

This mortal journey, besides leaving her with white hair and a heart filled with regrets, had given her nothing but pain.

She wouldn’t look back. She only hoped her son would have a better fate, that he and that kind girl with the warm smile could carve out a happiness that defied even destiny…

After bidding farewell to Si Ling, Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie decided to leave Qilao Mountain.

Besides the fake Prince Changshan, another powerful figure had emerged from the shadows. Someone who could guide souls into the underworld… they were no ordinary being.

Who was this Ye Yi, this fiancé of Princess Yongning, who possessed such power? Or was he merely a pawn, manipulated by someone else?

They descended from Qilao Mountain, heading towards Luoyi City.

Xiao Xiao recalled receiving Princess Yongning’s plea for help, her intention to return to the city.

But their entrapment in the underworld had delayed them. Who knew what had transpired in their absence?

As fate would have it, upon entering the city, they heard rumors of Prince Changshan’s wedding being moved forward, taking place that very night.

Weddings among wealthy families were usually held during the day, a grand spectacle with a procession stretching for miles.

But Prince Changshan had chosen to hold his daughter’s wedding at night. He had even contacted the authorities, clearing the streets, forbidding citizens from venturing out after dark, and opening the city gates at night to allow the wedding procession to leave.

Night weddings, although customary in some regions, weren’t common in Luoyi City.

Especially among the Xia imperial family. But Prince Changshan had insisted, claiming Princess Yongning, with her eccentric personality, disliked daytime crowds and prying eyes. She preferred the quiet anonymity of night.

Ever since the Four Great Sects’ attack on Prince Can’s mansion, resulting in his “death,” Luoyi City had been under curfew. Combined with the authorities’ efforts to clear the streets, the city was deserted by the second watch.

As the drums sounded, the mansion gates opened, revealing a procession of red wedding carriages, stretching down the empty street. The carriages, usually a vibrant red, appeared almost blood-colored under the pale moonlight and flickering lanterns, a chilling sight.

The four members of the Lingshan Talisman Sect, concealed by invisibility talismans, observed from a distance.

The groom’s horse, adorned with red silk, walked at a leisurely pace – but its back was empty, only a ceremonial groom’s hat resting on the saddle.

Xiao Xiao was surprised. The Ye family, although holding the title of marquis, was far below the Xia imperial family in status.

Their previous transgression, using stones to impersonate silver in the betrothal gifts, had already been disrespectful. How dare they insult a princess further by sending a hat instead of the groom himself?

And the procession was eerily silent. There was no music, no celebratory chants from the bridal attendants.

The attendants, dressed in red, walked with their heads bowed, their faces hidden in the shadows, their silence adding to the unsettling atmosphere.

This wedding procession, supposed to be a joyous occasion, felt cold and ominous, devoid of life, a ghostly spectacle under the dark night sky.

The matchmaker, her face painted a bright red, called out every few steps, her voice shrill and piercing, echoing through the night. “Marry the soul! Marry the soul!”

Yu Ling’er, her fur standing on end, whispered, “This is creepy! Why is this wedding procession so eerie?”

Tang Youshu, however, recognized the ritual. “This… this isn’t a wedding. It’s a soul-marrying ceremony!”

Soul marrying was an ancient, forbidden technique.

It involved finding a living person whose birth date matched that of a deceased individual, allowing for a soul exchange. The living soul would be sent to the underworld, while the deceased soul would take over the living body – a process known as “seizing the shell.”

But this technique was rarely used. Finding a perfect match was difficult, and the retrieved soul was often incomplete.

In many cases, the revived individual would be left mentally impaired.

So, even though it offered a chance to bring someone back from the dead, who would want a loved one to return as a mindless shell?

That was why this technique had fallen out of practice.

Tang Youshu recognized the talismans adorning the red carriages – talismans used by Wan Lianshi of the Demonic Ghost Sect.

Those carriages, despite their vibrant red color, were actually soul-summoning banners, disguised as wedding carriages.

And the matchmaker’s chant… she was calling for souls!

This moving procession was a formation, gathering yin energy, with the bridal carriage as its focal point. After traveling a certain distance, it would open a passage to the underworld.

It was currently the three-day period after the red moon, when the River of Forgetfulness receded, as Grandmother Wei had mentioned. Any souls lingering in the underworld could be retrieved through this ritual.

Of course, such a ceremony had to be conducted at night. It indiscriminately gathered souls. If the streets were crowded, many innocent souls would be drawn into the carriage.

Even the four members of the Lingshan Talisman Sect, concealed by their invisibility talismans, felt a strange heaviness, a pull towards the carriage, as they followed.

Wei Jie, less affected than the others, stopped them. “We can’t get any closer,” he said, his voice low. “Look at those pallbearers. They’re already soulless, mere puppets…”

Xiao Xiao looked closely and realized they were walking on their toes, their heels not touching the ground, their movements jerky and unnatural. Each of them had a puppet talisman attached to their back, allowing them to be controlled even after their souls had been extracted.

Stray cats and dogs that wandered too close to the procession collapsed, their bodies stiffening, their souls absorbed by the formation.

Xiao Xiao frowned. Who was the sacrificial bride in that carriage? Could it be Princess Yongning?

They wanted to investigate, but they couldn’t get close to the carriage. But then Xiao Xiao had an idea.

She took out the paper figure Princess Yongning had used to contact her. She inscribed a Heavenly Eye Talisman and a Communication Talisman on it, then chanted a spell. The figure, caught in a gust of wind, floated towards the bridal carriage, then, guided by another gust, slipped inside.

The procession had left the city, entering the wilderness.

Xiao Xiao, her vision linked to the paper figure through the Heavenly Eye Talisman, saw everything clearly.

The bride wasn’t wearing a veil. Her hair was loose, her face pale, her red wedding dress the only indication of the occasion.

Xiao Xiao immediately recognized her – Princess Yongning.

But the usually lively and spirited princess was now lifeless, her eyes vacant.

The paper figure hopped onto her shoulder, then her arm, quickly discovering five silver needles, strategically placed on her neck and behind her ears, sealing her senses.

Removing the needles would be tricky.

But Xiao Xiao was no longer a novice. Since the five phoenixes had entered her body, her control over talismans had improved drastically.

Techniques from Tang Youshu’s manual, once beyond her grasp, now seemed intuitive.

She focused, her hands moving, as if manipulating puppet strings.

The paper figure inside the carriage wrapped itself around a needle, then, with a burst of energy, pulled it out.

It repeated the process, swiftly removing all five needles.

The moment the last needle was removed, Princess Yongning gasped, her senses returning.

But before she could speak, the paper figure slapped itself over her mouth, silencing her.

She recognized the figure. She nodded, indicating she wouldn’t speak, and the figure released her, whispering in her ear, relaying Xiao Xiao’s instructions.

Although she didn’t remember how she ended up in the carriage, she clearly recalled the fake Prince Changshan and those Demonic Ghost Sect disciples subduing her with needles.

She trusted the sincere Sect Master Cui of the Joy Sect more than that imposter.

She immediately followed the paper figure’s instructions.

Xiao Xiao had told her to remove the talismans from the carriage, both inside and out, to disrupt the formation’s focal point.

Otherwise, once it absorbed enough yin energy, it would open a passage to the underworld.

Princess Yongning quickly tore off the talismans lining the interior of the carriage, tossing them out the window.

Then she leaned out, reaching for the talismans on the exterior.

But the one controlling the formation sensed her actions. The pallbearers, as if on cue, lowered the carriage and lunged at her.

Princess Yongning, terrified, dropped the talismans and retreated into the carriage. “What do I do?” she asked the paper figure.

But the figure, even more cowardly, had burrowed into her hair, seeking refuge.

The puppet-like figures ripped open the carriage curtains, their blackened fingers reaching for her. Suddenly, a figure leaped onto the roof, his sword flashing, sending the attackers flying.

With the talismans removed, the soul-sucking aura dissipated, allowing Wei Jie to intervene.

The Heaven-Punishing Sword, a bane to demons and evil spirits, sent the puppet-like figures scattering.

But his actions strained his weakened energy reserves. He clutched his chest, his face contorted in pain.

Princess Yongning, scrambling out of the carriage, looked up and saw Wei Jie, his sword gleaming under the moonlight. She froze, mesmerized.

She had never seen him before. He was breathtaking.

Xiao Xiao rushed over, pulling her away from the carriage. Princess Yongning, snapping out of her trance, sighed in relief. “Sect Master Cui, you’re here!”

The thunder in the sky, disrupted by the broken formation, ceased. The wind died down.

The pallbearers and attendants, regaining consciousness, looked around, confused, wondering how they had ended up in the wilderness.

Princess Yongning and the Lingshan Talisman Sect group were long gone.

The princess, who had never experienced hardship, was now facing a harsh reality.

After escaping, she was too exhausted to even recount her ordeal. All she could think about was food.

Comparing dates with Xiao Xiao, she realized she had been abducted and lost her memories shortly after sending the paper figure.

She hadn’t eaten anything for three days.

When they found lodging in a nearby village, the moment the courtyard gates opened, she spotted dried meat hanging from the eaves. As if possessed, she lunged for it, sinking her teeth into it, her hair wild and disheveled. The homeowner, terrified, stumbled back, convinced a flesh-eating demon had entered his home.

Tang Youshu quickly offered the homeowner silver to calm him down, then requested a quick meal.

The princess devoured two bowls of rice with scrambled eggs and spring onions, followed by stinky fish in chili oil, before finally regaining her composure.

But looking at the leftover fish, she remembered using stinky mandarin fish to test her father’s identity, and a wave of sadness washed over her. “My father… he’s been replaced. I don’t even know if he’s alive… Sect Master Cui, please, help me capture that imposter! Help me find my father!”

Xiao Xiao frowned. “I thought the fake prince wanted to get rid of you, marrying you off to that good-for-nothing. But using you as the focal point of that formation… that doesn’t make sense. What is he trying to achieve?”

“After realizing my father had been replaced, I started observing that imposter,” Princess Yongning said. “Before they knocked me unconscious, my fiancé, Ye Yi, visited the mansion. I was curious. I had never met him before. I thought perhaps I could talk to him, convince him to break off the engagement. I overheard their conversation in the study. The imposter was saying something about the red moon not appearing again, about this being their only chance. He mentioned a method of replacing someone, of finding a girl with a matching birth date. He wanted to use the receding River of Forgetfulness, the ten-year window, to bring someone back from the underworld.”

Xiao Xiao, her chopsticks frozen in midair, stared at her. “And then?”

Princess Yongning blinked, trying to remember. “Ye Yi didn’t say much. I tried to peek into the study, but before I could, I felt a prick on my neck, and then everything went black. The next thing I knew, I was in the bridal carriage.”

Xiao Xiao, disappointed, pondered her words.

It seemed Ye Yi was involved in the imposter’s plot. And they were trying to retrieve someone from the underworld.

Remembering Ye Yi’s claim of honoring his deceased wife with those flowers… was it true?

Knowing he was involved in something sinister… it was a shame. Such a refined gentleman, a flawless jade, tainted by darkness. Why, Ye Gongzi, why?

Wei Jie, who had been out earlier, returned and spoke. “I’ve contacted the Crown Prince’s spies. They’re investigating the fake Prince Changshan.” This involved a member of the Xia imperial family, a lineage protected by the heavens. Even if Wei Jie wanted to avenge his mother, he had to inform the Crown Prince about the imposter.

But Ye Yi’s true nature was a mystery. Wei Jie, although having never met him, was certain he was a formidable opponent.

And their cryptic words about the red moon not appearing again… what did it mean? But one thing was clear – they were desperate, willing to risk even an incomplete soul retrieval.

Thankfully, Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie had disrupted their ritual. But their plans foiled, what would they do next?

Princess Yongning, her stomach full, finally had the chance to observe Wei Jie. He had been absent during their encounter on Lingshan Mountain.

Looking at this handsome, otherworldly man, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of attraction.

But Yu Ling’er quickly doused her hopes. “He might be good-looking, but he’s got a terrible temper and a venomous tongue. Stay away from him.”

Princess Yongning, surprised by such a negative assessment, looked at Wei Jie, who was talking to Xiao Xiao, his voice gentle and soft. She couldn’t believe it.

Yu Ling’er, fond of the princess, had offered a sincere warning. But Wei Jie’s true nature… one had to experience it firsthand.

His kindness and understanding were reserved for Cui Xiao Xiao alone.

Princess Yongning, not a fool, quickly realized that Wei Jie’s affection for Cui Xiao Xiao went beyond a typical master-disciple relationship.

And his temper… Yu Ling’er was right. Even his own disciple, Tang Youshu, seemed to avoid him.

But his cold demeanor melted away whenever he looked at Xiao Xiao. He wiped her face with a damp cloth as if she were a precious child.

Princess Yongning suddenly understood why Cui Xiao Xiao wanted to establish the Joy Sect! With such a handsome and powerful disciple, it would be a waste not to… cultivate with him.

Unfortunately, as a princess, she was bound by decorum. She couldn’t experience such freedom. If she were the Sect Master of the Joy Sect, she wouldn’t limit herself to just Wei Jie, no matter how handsome he was. She would gather a harem of beauties, embracing all worldly pleasures.

Anything was better than being forced to marry that good-for-nothing.

Yu Ling’er, however, said, “Your fiancé might be cunning, but he’s truly stunning. I’m worried that if you see him again, you’ll be captivated by his beauty, tricked into marrying him, and end up with your soul replaced.”

Princess Yongning shuddered, remembering her humiliation. That imposter, pretending to be her father, had used her as a sacrificial offering!

She was desperate to capture him, to find out what had happened to her real father.

But Wei Jie advised patience, suggesting they wait for the Crown Prince’s findings.

After the Four Great Sects’ disastrous attack on Prince Can’s mansion, they had become targets of the imperial court. Terrified, their disciples had abandoned them, their power and influence waning.

And now, this enigmatic Ye Yi had emerged. They had to be cautious, avoid falling into another trap.

Moreover, Princess Yongning’s birth date was unique, a crucial element in their ritual. The three-day window after the red moon was almost over.

If Ye Yi truly wanted to retrieve someone from the underworld, he needed her. He was likely more anxious than they were.

So, it was best to wait and see what he would do next.

Wei Jie couldn’t exert himself too much. He had used his energy to rescue the princess, fearing the carriage might be booby-trapped, refusing to let Xiao Xiao get close.

He seemed fine during their meal, but as he wiped Xiao Xiao’s face afterwards, he clutched his chest, his blood deficiency acting up, and collapsed against her.

Xiao Xiao helped him into their room, settling him on the bed.

But as she supported him, he pulled her down with him.

She blushed, remembering their encounter in the valley.

This man… no matter his age, when he was in a playful mood, he was like a clingy child…

She clutched her robes protectively. “These walls are thin. Don’t embarrass yourself in front of Tang Youshu!”

Wei Jie blinked innocently, then reached into her sleeve and pulled out the ancient text she had brought from the Wei residence.

“I just thought it would be nice to read together,” he said, his voice soft. “Tell me, what are you planning to do that’s so loud it would disturb Tang Youshu?”

That rascal! Always teasing her, then playing innocent!

He watched her, her cheeks puffing out in anger, her expression adorable. He couldn’t resist pulling her close and kissing her.