Compared to Xiaonan Mountain’s deathly stillness and withered atmosphere, Ningshui City was filled with vitality everywhere. After a continuous drizzle, both inside and outside the city came alive, with streets and alleys bustling with crowds. Most of them were images conjured from nothing by the Fusang Tree when creating the secret realm, conscientiously welcoming and seeing off visitors in the secret realm from ancient times to now.

Over ten days ago, as news of the Heaven-grade Spirit Array Master’s ascension site spread, along with the vigorous spring energy suddenly gushing from underground, this city welcomed quite a few “outsiders” who came seeking fame and fortune, determined to succeed.

Tianxiang Alley was the locally famous pleasure quarter for seeking entertainment.

In a quiet private room on the second floor, two dancers with slender waists moved gracefully forward with seductive eyes. A perfectly good cup of wine was somehow poured with teasing, deliberate movements that conveyed all kinds of seductive invitation.

On one side of the soft couch sat three men cross-legged. The two in front were well-dressed and dignified. Just sitting there casually, their every gesture carried the unique charm of mature men.

One of them raised his eyes and smilingly accepted this delivered favor. He rested one elbow on the table while the other hand carelessly encircled the dancer’s slender waist, suggestively caressing twice before letting go and raising his wine cup to clink with the person beside him.

“It’s rare to see Young Master Xu have free time and personally invite me out.” The speaker shook his head, draining the fine wine in his cup in one gulp: “Strange – let me see if the sun rose in the west today.”

“What, here to relax?”

“Chen Lu’an.” Xu Zihua frowned slightly, ignoring his fuss, setting down his wine cup with neither too much nor too little force: “I want to ask you about something.”

Chen Lu’an gave him an “I expected this” expression, frivolously patting the dancer’s buttocks: “Go dance with your sister.”

“Worthy of being a secret realm personally created by the Fusang Tree – how can those desolate, unpopulated places outside compare to this?” Chen Lu’an sighed contentedly. Seeing the dancer gracefully take the stage, he turned to look at Xu Zihua: “That ascension site in the suburbs is packed with people now. What’s so important that you’d personally come at this time?”

“Three spirit array diagrams – we’ve already obtained one.” Xu Zihua’s eyes were deep as he briefly explained: “Too many people are watching covetously. At a time like this, the beneficiary should avoid the spotlight temporarily.”

“The Chen family’s secret methods are unique, able to know things others don’t.” He leaned forward, speaking directly: “I came wanting to know about that Young Master from Yedu.”

“Don’t make it sound so mystical – it’s just borrowing flowers, birds, fish, and insects to learn some worldly trifles.” Chen Lu’an shook his head: “If you asked about other matters or other gates, I could help you think of ways, but Sacred Lands really won’t work. Do you think Yedu’s Sun and Moon Wheels are just for decoration?”

“No need to understand too much detail.” Xu Zihua frowned: “The Xu family is a Spirit Array Master house. Among the array diagrams left by this Heaven-grade Spirit Array Master, honestly, the most heart-stirring is the Cangsheng Array Diagram. Ten days ago, I entered the formation but didn’t pass the evaluation array, so I had to settle for second best and take another scroll.”

“Now that Young Master from Yedu is about to succeed, right?” Chen Lu’an gave him an inscrutable look and asked: “So what are your plans now?”

Chen Lu’an’s question wasn’t without reason. After all, in secret realms, every step was dangerous. Many times, good things could be obtained but couldn’t be brought back.

Spiritual objects changing hands midway was perfectly normal.

Xu Zihua spoke frankly: “To be honest, I have two thoughts.” He tapped the table edge: “This Yedu Young Master rose too quickly. I can’t tell if he relied on actual strength or used his looks to bewitch his superior.”

“He’s a sword cultivator yet can pass the evaluation array. Whether it was a lucky accident or early preparation, at least in spirit arrays, he’s not completely ignorant. He very likely received guidance from that Yedu Princess and is her trusted right-hand. If so, the Xu family might not be unable to help him, giving him an opportunity.”

“If it’s something else, he’s alone, coming out of spirit arrays already seriously injured – to quietly use some methods wouldn’t be difficult.”

Hearing this, Chen Lu’an couldn’t help but look back, his gaze sweeping twice over the young master sitting properly with noble bearing, laughing: “I almost forgot – vague rumors are spreading outside that Yedu might form marriage ties with the Xu family, that the Yedu Sovereign has taken a liking to our Second Young Master Xu.”

“You’re already paving the way for Yunqing?”

“Better safe than sorry.” Mentioning the Yedu Sovereign, Xu Zihua said: “Sacred Land sovereigns don’t have ‘taking a liking’ – it’s people from Yedu’s inner city who leaked some information. The Xu family wants to fight for this opportunity.”

“Yunqing has been cultivated extremely well by the family. In terms of talent, ability, and bearing, he’s not inferior to anyone. He has the strength to sit in that position.”

“After some time, the Xu family will send Yunqing to Yedu under the pretext of studying. Since the Yedu Sovereign has thoughts of choosing a son-in-law for his daughter, he won’t refuse.”

Chen Lu’an couldn’t help but smile. Young masters from noble families raised from childhood to be emperor consorts never lacked methods.

This Xu Yunqing might be even more formidable than his brother.

“Regarding this person, I don’t have much information either.” Chen Lu’an spoke honestly: “His name is Su You, of demon-ghost origin. Eleven years ago, he was saved from the Judgment Platform by Yedu’s Sovereign. After that, he followed her side almost inseparably. Half a year ago, he was appointed Commander of the Palace Guards, and after just one month, he surpassed the other two commanders to take the Young Master position.”

“At such a young age, he’s already reached the highest possible rank in the Sacred Land.”

He stated facts plainly, but in the eyes of the Xu brothers, every word and sentence showed obvious favoritism.

Xu Zihua’s eyes flickered momentarily before he quickly made his calculations. Looking at Chen Lu’an, he said: “I understand. Lu’an, thank you.”

Chen Lu’an raised his chin, smiling as he looked at Xu Yunqing: “Speaking of which, this Yedu Princess is no flower. Yunqing, today your brother will teach you something.”

“In this world, whether men or women in high positions, no matter how cold and self-controlled they appear, how desireless they seem, there’s always a time when they break their vows. Look – there’s a living example right before us. Others can’t get close to that Sovereign, but that Young Master can, so he must have something special. If you approach her following this point, catering to her preferences, you’ll be halfway to your goal.”

Xu Yunqing smiled slightly, saying softly, “Brother Lu’an speaks reasonably. Yunqing is taught.”

Outside Ningshui City, in the gaps between great mountains, the valley bottom was quiet with lush vegetation. Mountain springs flowed through stone crevices, creating crisscrossing streams. What should have been a scene of tranquil peace had been surrounded by people coming to watch and compete for spirit array diagrams these past dozen days.

Following yesterday’s sudden burst of spiritual light, the most watched Cangsheng Array Diagram’s evaluation formation became the focus of everyone’s attention, with whispered discussions spreading throughout the mountains all related to this.

“—Asked around – it’s someone from Yedu, with quite high status. Getting this diagram isn’t surprising.”

Most people in these mountains didn’t follow the Spirit Array Master path. Many came just to watch the excitement or hoping to pick up scraps, their actual abilities not necessarily impressive, but their verbal skills weren’t lacking: “Even if it’s a Sacred Land, they’re being too presumptuous. Heaven-grade Spirit Array Masters aren’t cabbages in the field that you can just grab at will. Look at those Spirit Array Master families over there – which one came with just one person?”

“Just watch.” Someone pointed to the central formation shrouded in mist with layers of rosy light, smugly chuckling as if watching a show: “Before opportunities and heavenly treasures, there’s no such thing as Sacred Land or not.”

At the same time, the person they’d been discussing for round after round was standing in the formation’s center – no, his current posture couldn’t even be called standing. His usually straight spine, like bamboo, leaned slightly forward, the back of his hand gripping the sword tip, showing distinct tendons, clear at a glance, as if supporting his whole body’s weight with will alone.

He was pressed down by an invisible barrier in the formation, yet stubbornly refused to lower even an inch.

Since growing up, Su You had rarely, very rarely been pushed to such extremes.

A Heaven-grade Spirit Array Master could overturn clouds and rain with a flip of the hand, unleash unpredictable might with each move – indeed, not something the current him could withstand. Logically, he shouldn’t have lasted this long. When he entered the formation with his sword, he should have been expelled like Xu Zihua.

“Why must you do this?” Beside him, the Heaven-grade Spirit Array Master’s remnant soul, who had dealt with him for over ten days, stroked his long beard, sighing almost helplessly with earnest advice: “Things in this world cannot be forced. Forcing leads to imperfection. You’re a rare talent in sword dao. In the Secret Realm Abyss, plenty of old fellows would fight over you. The time and energy spent here with me are all wasted.”

Su You’s pitch-black pupils only rippled slightly when hearing “forcing leads to imperfection,” but only for a moment before settling like stagnant water again. He raised his brows, looking forward, uttering four indifferent words: “Five steps remain.”

Five steps away, a high platform was erected with flickering spiritual light on top – that was the Cangsheng Array Diagram’s lower formation.

The remnant soul was so frustrated by this stubborn personality that he looked up to heaven. Pulling at his hair, almost grinding his teeth, he began repeating what he’d said days ago: “My diagram isn’t valuable, but it contains my life’s heart and soul. If I passed it to you—”

He couldn’t rest in peace.

Su You turned a deaf ear. After a long while, he lifted his foot and took a firm, slow step forward. Though he carried nothing, when he lifted his foot, it seemed as if countless jingling sounds came from all directions, as if invisible chains had been fastened all over his body – one movement affected everything.

After one step, the deep blood color on his body seemed to gain new paint, slowly soaking the old brown patterns and revealing fresh, bright hues.

His aura weakened considerably more.

The remnant soul could bear it no longer. He fled into the formation’s hidden space, looking up at the empty air: “Fusang, what exactly do you mean?”

“Don’t stay silent – I know you’re causing trouble.” He took a deep breath and continued rapidly: “I don’t know what it’s like outside now or what you’ve become, but don’t forget who stood by you without hesitation to resist the ‘Enchantment’ in ancient times. Though we old bones all volunteered to sacrifice ourselves to purify the mountains and rivers, when you moved us into this secret realm, you said this was a resting place, a reward!”

He bit down especially hard on the word “reward,” as if deliberately reminding something.

“Everything else aside, I cannot give the Cangsheng Diagram to a sword cultivator.” He firmly added: “Absolutely not.”

After his words fell, there was no response for a long time.

Speaking of which, the remnant soul himself couldn’t think how things had developed to this point. Logically, though the Cangsheng Array Diagram was placed on the high platform, whether people entering could obtain it mainly depended on his attitude as the original owner.

When discovering a sword cultivator had broken in, the remnant soul just frowned displeasedly and waved his sleeve to create a wind to throw the person out. But this space ultimately tested one’s character and perseverance. The latter’s character was firm – each time he got angry, he could only throw the person to the formation’s edge.

Soon, that young man would return, each time more solid than the last.

In the first few days, his repeated advice came from appreciation of talent. By the fifth day, he couldn’t help but develop killing intent.

Overwhelming spiritual light gathered in his palm into a killing formation, covering heaven and earth as it went toward Su You.

Since he wouldn’t listen, he could only be stopped by death.

Invisibly, an unseen, untouchable yet grandly irresistible force gently removed part of his power. The youth in the formation would be injured, seriously injured, but wouldn’t face a life-threatening crisis. That force was quite mysterious – like gentle external intervention, yet also like an instinctive protection from within himself.

So the remnant soul could only glare helplessly as in these short dozen days, that bold, arrogant sword cultivator’s cultivation grew under his very nose like a tender seedling planted in the earth, shaking itself and growing another section.

The youth had fallen into a strange state. He seemed to have suffered some deep stimulation, barely maintaining a thread of reason, walking a tightrope where every step was risky, every step heart-stopping.

Completely off the rails.

The remnant soul thought that what supported this person through the final five steps couldn’t be his Cangsheng Diagram.

After an unknown time, the remnant soul felt a gentle breeze approaching. A small scroll dropped before him with a thud, with two lines of flowing calligraphy written on it.

The remnant soul suspiciously leaned closer to look.

—Not my doing.

—All is heaven’s will in the unseen.

Literary and incomprehensible.

Just as the remnant soul was about to express doubt, he heard the sound of chains dragging and falling with another clear ring. That sound was like collapsing mountains and roaring waters, continuous and unending, drawing out a long echo that reverberated hollowly through the formation.

Su You was only one step away from the high platform.

The remnant soul was greatly alarmed and hurriedly returned.

Outside the formation, light filled the sky. The spiritual radiance emanating from inside was more dazzling than the sun hanging in the sky, brilliantly shining. Seeing this, the clamor throughout the mountains seemed to have a moment of unexpected, bewildered stillness.

In the Xu family camp, seeing this scene, Xu Yunqing’s lips moved. His femininely thick lashes carried deep gloom as he ordered: “Xie Yun, take your people and step forward.”

The Xie family was one of the Xu family’s subordinate clans.

Xie Yun understood and quickly complied. At the same time, another family dependent on the Xie family also stepped forward.

At this time, such actions meant something everyone knew.

Everyone watched like spectators, while only on an inconspicuous small hill, Shan Shu took everything in. She gathered her skirts slightly and frowned lightly.

She couldn’t see the situation inside the formation, but could sense the extremely weak aura of the person inside. In such a state, receiving any attack would cause him to collapse like falling jade and toppling gold.

Two families, a full dozen men, stepped forward. Without a word, they intended to steal the fruit midway. When they joined forces, the magnificent spiritual energy capable of stirring wind and clouds wove together into an incomparably sharp spear, creating piercing sounds as it broke through air, carrying tremendous force as it hurled heavily toward the formation’s center.

Everyone held their breath and watched closely.

However, just as the spear was about to pierce the light screen, a faint golden light spread out like gentle flowing water. An aura that stirred hearts and souls descended from midair. Without any complex, ornate techniques, that attack by over ten people combined was indeed blocked at this moment.

Shan Shu’s sleeves fluttered down gracefully. She withdrew her hand, saying softly: “The Xie family’s actions are not honorable.”

Every time a Sacred Land inheritor acted, it seemed to trigger endless waves of discussion. Shan Shu’s appearance undoubtedly pushed this spectacular battle to a new climax.

Xu Yunqing’s eyes flickered slightly.

For a Young Master to make another Sacred Land inheritor appear and even act was something difficult to explain and contrary to common sense.

Unless someone of equal weight and status had previously instructed something.

And what this meant, Xu Yunqing understood all too well.

He lowered his head, ignoring the gazes cast by Xie Yun and others, only slowly lowering his lashes.

The two leading subordinates understood. They first bowed respectfully to Shan Shu, then said: “Buddha Lady, please forgive us. Spirit Array Masters are already rare and precious in the world, isolated and weak. The person currently breaking through is a sword cultivator – he doesn’t originally need this. Our action isn’t for anything else. Others don’t understand Spirit Array Masters’ ways – that strike just now was to help the person inside break through the formation, not intentionally harm anyone.”

Hearing such words, Shen Jingshi couldn’t help rubbing his ears: “Today I’ve truly learned something – what it means to turn black into white, to be shameless.”

With a few words, Xie Yun and others cleared themselves completely. “The person currently breaking through” meant they didn’t know Su You’s identity – if something happened later, they’d be innocent of any blame.

There was no reasoning with such people.

After speaking, Xie Yun clasped his fists again, doing the courtesy thoroughly: “Please don’t obstruct us further, Buddha Lady.”

The next moment, those people gathered spiritual power again. This time, the momentum was especially great – the spear even faintly condensed rippling air waves, a sign that space couldn’t bear it and was about to melt.

Shan Shu pressed her lower lip. Her raised finger had just reached midair when she saw sudden changes under the brilliant sunlight.

First was that spear, as if piercing into a swamp, stuck between advance and retreat. It quickly climbed with cold frost color, like spider web patterns fine and dense, rapidly wrapping that terrifying attack formed of pure spiritual power. In an instant it crumbled and dissolved, not even making a sound.

Then dozens of snow-silk threads scattered like heavenly maidens spreading flowers, precisely nailing those who had been so eloquent and attacking from above. Under hundreds of shocked and uncertain gazes, those people hung in midair like marionettes, struggling, then with horror-filled eyes were smashed into the surrounding deep mountains. The successive sounds of mountain explosions were hair-raising.

Throughout, those young prodigies who prided themselves on decent strength had no power to fight back.

This was the strength of the future Yedu Empress.

Seeing this, Xu Yunqing couldn’t help clenching his palms, his eyes gradually showing bubble-like illusory colors.

Xue Yu stood in midair. She surveyed the surroundings, coldly glancing at the Xie family’s position, then ignoring the suffocating deadly silence around her, stepped into the formation.

The formation was seventy to eighty percent destroyed. In the turbulent space visible at a glance, she could immediately find the person she sought.

Su You was extremely seriously injured. Even trying his best to support his body, he still couldn’t control sliding down. The sword that had accompanied him for quite some time was broken into three pieces, fallen at his feet. He didn’t tend to it – or rather, had no strength to tend to it.

His beautiful left hand was mangled by the backlash spiritual waves, blood gushing out, soaking the small array diagram in his palm. Through the gaps between his knuckles, a few small characters could be seen.

—Cangsheng Array Diagram.

Once again he was in complete disarray, his clothes almost dyed a new color with blood. Hearing movement, when he struggled to raise his head to look at her, his eyes even held a kind of hollow bewilderment, then a few scattered sparks of light after ash began to flicker.

As if he hadn’t expected her to come.

Xue Yu walked before him. Without a word, she first fed him a spirit medicine. Her knuckles were extremely cold, as if she’d just been stained with chill from an ice cellar.

After doing this, she slowly crouched down. Her brilliant golden skirt hem flickered with fine light, folding naturally in several layers on the ground. She said sternly: “How many times is this?”

Su You held the array diagram toward her. His lips were pale from blood loss, his voice very light, so light it almost carried a hint of illusory caution – afraid she’d turn and leave, afraid she’d say something unbearable. He called to her softly: “Young Lady.”

“Su You!”

Xue Yu brushed away that array diagram, her voice almost carrying uncontrollable anger: “I’m asking you a question.”

Su You slowly clenched his knuckles, silent for a moment. His lips moved slightly but produced no sound, only trembling breath and lashes fluttering like butterfly wings twice.

After a long while, he looked at her, his fingers carefully falling on her sleeve, then following the exquisite embroidery patterns upward. Black satin-like hair fell, two or three strands landing on the back of her hand.

His fingers were burning hot, like they’d just been warmed in bedding. His earlier movements were everywhere careful, completely disadvantaged, yet when touching her fingers, they showed complete, undeniable dominance.

A crystalline blue silk thread wound around his finger bones, the other end hidden in his palm, following Xue Yu’s fingertip.

She frowned, sensing something was wrong. Just as she was about to withdraw backward, he seemed to anticipate it and blocked her retreat. That thread quickly landed on the middle joint of her finger, taking root and growing vigorously.

His attitude was serious and sincere, as if placing an exquisitely crafted spirit ring on her finger.

“Thousand Vine Bind.”

Xue Yu felt a sudden sense of complete control being established. She suddenly looked at Su You. When her pupils touched the bright red blood at his lips, they contracted sharply. Her face was like frost as she asked word by word: “Are you tired of living?”

“Young Lady.” He pressed his chest and coughed once, swallowing blood foam, answering irrelevantly, murmuring lowly: “Song Heng and I are different.”

“I’m not him.”

Su You repeated it, every word and sentence, even the breath of the ending tone was deliberately heart-softening: “I’m not going anywhere.”

He would stay in Yedu, stay by her side – he wouldn’t go anywhere.

After speaking, he gripped tightly to a corner of her sleeve with strength that could be pushed away anytime, yet as if using all his body’s strength, his fingertips pressed until they turned blue-white.

Just as his words fell, Su You’s vision spun. Dizzy darkness pressed down heavily. His shoulders trembled, and he could no longer support himself, falling forward.

Xue Yu reached out and caught him.

Having taken that pill, his face showed a thin layer of rouge red like fever-induced color. His brow was sharp, but his eye corners innocently curved into a fine point. On the left side was a speck of splattered fresh blood, like an alluring tear mole.

He was like a flower adorned with blood-red color, completely and unreservedly blooming quietly in her arms in the spring April scenery.

Xue Yu lowered her eyes, looking for a long while, then reached out. Her fingertip pressed on his eye corner, on that small blood spot, gently and slowly grinding it. The rich color spread, painting a long stroke.