“Sacrificing lives to satiate the demons of hell, just to initiate a new coronation… Do you think this is right?”
“Perhaps not, but I don’t want to hand over control to others.”
“I’m in no position to judge you, nor am I as clever, but I believe there must be other ways.”
“Other ways inevitably lead to compromise. I’m sorry, but I can’t afford to lose.”
…So why do we always seem to move like light and shadow, side by side?
Nan Yan’s memories of subsequent events grew hazy. She only recalled Yin Ya apologizing to her before leaving with Ji Yang. She understood it wasn’t Yin Ya’s fault—he still bore the responsibility of rescuing the Celestial Fox Clan. If there was a faster method, he would certainly try it.
Afterward, the Xuanyan Elder, fearing for his life after overhearing these secrets, used a secret technique to alert the Nascent Divinity cultivators near the Extreme Pleasure Palace. Amidst the ensuing chaos, they managed to escape.
On the journey back to Dragon City, Nan Yan kept her gaze fixed on the direction of Si State.
Mu Zhanting, uncharacteristically quiet, kept his distance from Nan Yan, who was enveloped in a heavy aura. He whispered, “Ah Yan? Are you still angry?”
“I’ve long known there would come a time when our paths would diverge,” Nan Yan replied, her tone more contemplative than sad. “He’s different from me. He’s as cunning as a demon, controlling everything, while I cling to memories of how he treated us as children… Thinking about it now, I realize I never saw his true face. Do you think the Dragon Lord and others know about today’s events?”
“They probably do,” Mu Zhanting said, balancing on the back legs of his chair. “Those old fellows know more than anyone. Our Chen State is true dragon territory, with ancient dragon qi suppressing the entire State. We have the least ghostly disturbances among all States. The only place to establish a soul-nurturing pool, apart from the heavily yin-infused Qitian Plains, is unthinkable… I never imagined Zi State would want to build a new soul-nurturing pool here. If they succeed, the cycle of rebirth for all beings in Chen State would be under their control.”
“Should we report this to the Dragon Lord?”
“Yes, we must. But let’s leave out the part about the Sea Mountain Forbidden Decree.”
At the mention of the Sea Mountain Forbidden Decree, Nan Yan sat up straight. “You’ve been a prince longer. What’s so special about this decree?”
“The princes of all States ultimately participate in the Sea Mountain Forbidden Decree. Each major State gets ten slots. This time, with eleven major States, that’s 110 prodigies below the Nascent Soul stage. When Zi State announces the entry time, they’ll go there for three to five days of instruction from Daosheng Tian. Afterward, all the prodigies enter the secret realm to fight each other. The last survivor who passes the final trial can obtain the legendary Mountain River Sea Crown and become the recognized Emperor of all States.”
Nan Yan recalled, “I heard a cultivator named Mo Xingzhen from Daosheng Tian say there’s a chance to form a Nascent Soul in the decree. Is that why everyone participates, even if they don’t become Emperor?”
Mu Zhanting nodded. “Put it this way: since the decree opened, all Foundation Establishment cultivators who survive can form a Nascent Soul. Moreover, the quality of their Nascent Soul is higher from the moment of formation, making it easier to reach the Nascent Divinity stage later. Why else do you think people fight so fiercely for slots? Some people, like Mo Xingzhen and Song Zhu, suppress their cultivation levels. If I die in the decree, they might take my place as substitutes.”
Nan Yan was startled. She knew the Emperor’s position was crucial but hadn’t realized Mu Zhanting was prepared to die there. She frowned, “How can the rulers of the States bear to let their disciples and children take such risks?”
“The descendants of provincial rulers must shoulder the responsibilities that come with their position. But don’t worry, participants are usually divided into three factions: righteous, evil, and neutral. They form alliances within the realm, focusing on passing trials. Only in extreme cases do they fight each other.” Mu Zhanting tossed her a jade slip.
Nan Yan placed it against her brow, instantly understanding the States’ alignments.
Righteous Faction: Mao, Yin, Chen, and Wei States
Evil Faction: Si, Wu, Xu, and You States
Neutral Faction: Zi, Shen, and Hai States
“Is the neutral faction truly neutral?”
“It’s temporary. They don’t take sides and won’t actively attack others until the final trial.” Mu Zhanting, lost in fond memories, added dreamily, “Mo Xingzhen is a good person. I’d love to discuss poetry with him again.”
Nan Yan: “…”
Mu Zhanting continued wistfully, “The world’s elite gather in the Sea Mountain Forbidden Decree. I have a feeling I’ll meet my destined literary rival there.”
Nan Yan: “No… I think you’ll become many people’s destined calamity in their cultivation journey.”
…
During their previous visit to Dragon City, they had been too rushed to visit Mu Zhanting’s cave dwelling. The Dragon Lord had been generous, granting him a dwelling with six great halls and permission to keep personal guards. It took half an incense stick’s time for Nan Yan to be led to the final hall.
This five-story pavilion left Nan Yan speechless when she entered, despite her expectations. The entire hall was plastered with Mu Wenhou’s literary works. Nan Yan froze at the entrance, slowly and firmly hugging a pillar.
Mu Zhanting: “Why aren’t you coming in?”
Nan Yan: “I sense a murderous aura in this hall.”
Mu Zhanting: “What murderous aura? Come in and look. If I perish on my cultivation path, you’re designated to inherit these treasures. You must carry on your brother’s literary school.”
Nan Yan: “This humble nun… I mean, your sister lacks the talent and learning to shoulder such a great responsibility. Perhaps we should…”
“We studied the Three Character Classic and Thousand Character Classic together under Ji Yang’s supervision. Don’t be so formal with your brother. Don’t isolate yourself; come and be a fellow literati, let your emotions soar.” Mu Zhanting enthusiastically pulled Nan Yan inside. “Look at this piece inspired by summer: ‘Two turtles sing in emerald willows, An earthworm ascends to azure skies…'”
As Nan Yan was reluctantly dragged away by Mu Zhanting for literary enlightenment, she suddenly felt a chill down her spine. A genuine murderous aura swept over them, accompanied by a voice grinding teeth behind them.
“I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Instead of taking your sister to see Master Sun for her injuries, you’re here reciting poetry… Very well.”
Ao Guanghan’s naturally vertical pupils, unusual for humans, now looked even more fierce and terrifying.
In Nan Yan’s bewilderment, a Dragon City elder approached with a smile, leading her away. “Miss Nan, you must be tired from protecting the Prince. Come, have a late-night snack, and let the medicine master check if you’re injured anywhere.”
“But my brother…”
“The Prince goes through this every few days. Come along now.”
As she was escorted away, Nan Yan turned back, hoping to catch a final glimpse of Mu Zhanting, but only heard the Dragon Lord’s furious voice:
“I’ll send you to the heavens! Burn down his cave dwelling! Do it now!”
…
The next morning, Nan Yan rose early to inquire about Mu Zhanting’s survival. However, she first received an invitation from the Dragon Lord for breakfast. To her surprise, Mu Zhanting was also present when she arrived.
“Brother, I thought I was the toughest among us, but I see I still have much to learn,” Nan Yan remarked.
Mu Zhanting, beaten half the night and then treated with Master Sun’s newly concocted medicine, had recovered after just four hours of sleep. He glanced at her lifelessly, gulped down half a bowl of spirit rice porridge, and declared tearfully, “I’m a cultivator determined to walk the path of literature! He can’t stop me! Fortunes may change; don’t underestimate a young talent’s potential!”
Nan Yan quickly consoled him, “Alright, alright, I know your determination is strong. I support you, okay?”
Mu Zhanting sobbed, “I don’t believe you. You won’t even appreciate my masterpieces. This world is too cold. In my next life, I wish to be born into a family of scholars…”
Fearing he might exterminate an entire scholarly family in his next life, Nan Yan hastily placated him, “Okay, okay, I’ll appreciate them. Right now. What was that poem you recited yesterday? Two-something singing in emerald willows?”
Mu Zhanting’s mood instantly brightened. “As expected of my dear sister! Do you also think my early works are good? It was a spring of awakening nature. I had just formed my Golden Core and left my cave. I saw two turtles by the pond, gazing at each other. The ancients say, ‘The moon rises over willow tips, lovers meet at dusk.’ I thought turtles must feel the same, so I placed them on the willow tips…”
Suppressing a wave of nausea akin to morning sickness, Nan Yan inquired, “Then what’s the allusion to ‘an earthworm ascending to azure skies’?”
“Well, romance needs sustenance, doesn’t it? I dug up an earthworm under the willow and tossed it to the treetop so the turtles wouldn’t get bored. I threw it so hard it went up to the sky.”
Nan Yan: “… So is this poem titled ‘Ode to Spring’?”
Mu Zhanting: “I think ‘Spring♂’ suits it better.”
Fortunately, Nan Yan’s suffocation didn’t last long. The Dragon Lord entered with an icy expression, causing Mu Zhanting to sit up straight to avoid turning his early works into posthumous ones.
Ao Guanghan glared at Mu Zhanting and coldly said, “You’ll move to my side hall to cultivate for a while. If you engage in any more of this poetry nonsense, I’ll break your legs.”
… Ah so Big Brother’s cave dwelling was burned down.
Nan Yan marveled again at Dragon City’s wealth. After exchanging pleasantries, Ao Guanghan finally turned to her.
“I just had a remote discussion with Treasure Qi Tathagata. You want to participate in the Sea Mountain Forbidden Decree?”
Nan Yan carefully chose her words and nodded, “Yes, I want to… at least become stronger, so I won’t be a burden to others.”
“What kind of talk is that? As a direct descendant of the Red Emperor, Yin State should rightfully be yours,” Ao Guanghan said disapprovingly. “Nan Rao’s daughter shouldn’t live so cautiously.”
Nan Yan lowered her head with a modest smile. “I don’t care about material possessions. I just want to find my mother’s spirit coffin.”
“Yigu went to Zi State days ago to negotiate. However… Daosheng Tian seems unwilling to give up. They’re attempting to repair your mother’s remnant soul using the source of the Soul River Waterfall.”
Nan Yan’s eyes widened as she stood up excitedly. “There’s hope for my mother’s resurrection?!”
“This is why we haven’t directly attacked Daosheng Tian. They’re the only ones capable of such a feat.” Despite his words, the gloom in Ao Guanghan’s eyes made Nan Yan’s heart sink.
“The Demon Queen was in a similar situation back then. She scattered her soul, unwilling to enter reincarnation. The Buddhist Penitence Master and the Red Emperor joined forces to gather her remnant soul. Even so, they couldn’t resurrect the Demon Queen; they could only help her reincarnate. The only hope lies in the Red Emperor’s Demon Heart… But when it was lost and where it is now remains unknown despite extensive investigations.”
The Red Emperor’s Demon Heart…
A dull pain inexplicably throbbed in Nan Yan’s head. She pressed her temple in confusion, then asked reluctantly, “Is there no other way?”
Ao Guanghan frowned, pondering for a moment before replying, “There is one method. When you go to Zi State, you’ll have the chance to choose a treasure from the Myriad Treasures Pavilion. Daosheng Tian has a supreme treasure called the Reverse Reincarnation Mirror. Using your bloodline as a guide, it can trace past events, far more effective than the Yellow Springs Mirror.”
Mu Zhanting interjected, “Isn’t that Zi State’s ultimate treasure? Won’t we be expelled immediately if we touch it?”
Ao Guanghan considered this and deemed it feasible. He calmly said, “That thing is usually just a decoration. People without the right affinity couldn’t activate it even if they smashed it with a hammer. Don’t get your hopes up too high. Just try it. Even if you’re discovered, I’ll cover for you.”