Xue Yu was indeed conducting ancestral land worship.

The ancestral land was a place of special significance that almost all Sacred Lands, sects, and clans venerated—it could be said to be where predecessors sat in meditation until death. Their lifelong accumulations and fortunes permeated this place, used to accumulate blessings for descendants and bring glory to their lineage.

However, entering requires strict regulatory conditions. Only the reigning monarch and successive Crown Princes could enter before and after their investiture ceremonies, after being confirmed as rulers.

Entering the ancestral land was called receiving the ancestors’ blessing in worldly terms.

Early in the morning, Xue Lu led Xue Yu through a stone tablet as tall as a person and twice as wide, using the monarch’s seal to open the innermost, ink-colored small door. The two stepped one after another through the small door into the small world that opened beyond it.

Called a small world, it was more like a secret realm. As far as the eye could see, immortal mist swirled around, tree branches and vines intertwined as they climbed into the clouds, and grass and trees grew luxuriantly, presenting a vigorous and flourishing vitality. Among the flower clusters and grasslands, tombstones were distributed here and there. Simple characters were carved on the stones—some didn’t even leave names, just crookedly carved “Yedu’s Xth Ruler” for identification.

“This was their intention, and the ancestors personally carved the tombstones themselves.” Xue Lu looked at this scene with considerable sighs, smiling slightly as he said to Xue Yu: “After Father took over as Lord, he came in once. When he first saw it, he was also very surprised, feeling it was quite different from what he had imagined, but later he thought about it and understood.”

In her previous life, Xue Yu had many things she wanted to do and always felt there was still much knowledge she needed to learn, never mentioning the matter of being Crown Princess. Later, when Xue Lu intended to abdicate, but at that time human conflicts intensified with continuous warfare, Xue Yu proposed to accompany Song Heng in establishing the Heavenly Court and temporarily left Yedu.

Therefore, she had never come to the ancestral land.

“Becoming a Sacred Land heir and Yedu’s Lord—such status makes people envious, but for many, it means having no control over one’s own fate.” Xue Lu looked at Xue Yu, gesturing for her to step forward: “They were all young people in their prime. Having heard too much about righteousness, how could each one be so noble and cloud-piercing, taking the common people as their own responsibility?”

“Ah Yu, the conviction in your heart is extremely rare, and it’s just right. Occupying such a position, you can obtain the foundation that ordinary people need much time to accumulate.” Xue Lu patted her shoulder, saying, “Go, the ancestors will be satisfied to see you.”

Xue Yu hesitated no more and stepped toward the tombstones.

An invisible, formless barrier tore open a gap for one person to pass through. Under the blessing of the Yedu Lord’s Great Seal, she continued deep inside until light was completely swallowed up, and Xue Yu stopped in a place of complete void.

This space was completely isolated from the outside world. Spring colors and sunlight could not penetrate, yet there were winged light butterflies trailing long streaks of spiritual light that curiously circled Xue Yu twice before finally settling on one side of her temple, corresponding with the blue butterfly transformed from Xuanji on the other side, becoming the only source of light in the profound blackness.

After an unknown amount of time, the light butterflies gradually scattered like foam, and falling warm light enveloped Xue Yu entirely. At first glance, it seemed as if a brief snowfall had been created just for her alone.

Then, an extremely comfortable and relaxing sensation surged through her limbs—it was comfort from the same source, like an elder’s caress, causing her to gradually release the tension in her brow and lower her shoulders that had been raised from nervousness.

“This child…” In the vast darkness, a gentle female voice traveled through the river of time, echoing leisurely in the empty void: “Such high natural talent.”

“…Still a Spirit Array Master…” Another aged voice exclaimed in surprise, as if possessing discerning eyes that could see through a person’s body to the winding thoughts within. After a long silence, it chuckled: “Quite idealistic and ambitious, more far-sighted and promising than all of you.”

Xue Yu felt as if she had slept, and when she awoke, all fatigue had been eliminated. She moved her fingers and discovered that her cultivation had increased considerably without her notice.

A figure of light appeared in the black curtain.

It was a woman holding a qin, wearing a form-fitting, bright-colored long robe. Her legs were long and slender, the roots of her thighs startlingly white. Her long hair was pinned up with a simple jade hairpin, with only two curls hanging down beside her face. With just a slight pull at the corner of her mouth, she revealed deep dimples on both sides, everywhere displaying the charm of a mature woman.

She pressed her finger to her rose-like lips, smiling as she made a gesture for silence: “No need to call me ancestor—I can’t appear for long. Little girl, you’re born beautiful. The Xue family hasn’t produced a female emperor who combines beauty, strength, and intelligence for a long time.”

She beckoned to Xuanji with her finger, and Xuanji immediately couldn’t handle it. Looking at her face, then at Xue Yu’s face, comparing back and forth repeatedly, her wings moved anxiously twice, then twice more, her pair of feet having almost nowhere to rest.

“Little girl.” She seemed to find this amusing, looking at Xue Yu: “The path of cultivation requires balance between tension and relaxation. You’re pushing yourself too hard—this isn’t good.”

Xue Yu pressed her lips together. How could she not know this? But all the omens were before her eyes. The Fusang Tree was almost forcing them to grow, that incomplete five-star mission that remained unfinished, all these signs—people couldn’t even find a reason to relax.

The woman extended her palm to caress Xue Yu’s cheek from a distance, gentle as spring breeze yet carrying the warmth of summer’s blazing sun, softly pushing her out of this space: “After you go out, walk around more, look at the rivers and mountains you love to see, revisit the things that once moved your heart. Don’t think too much, and don’t guess too much. This will be greatly beneficial for your path ahead.”

Xue Yu had just emerged from the ancestral land and hadn’t yet had time to contemplate the woman’s identity and the deep meaning of those few words when the female attendants serving in the great hall reported respectfully: “Your Highness, Commander Chao Hua urgently requests an audience.”

Chao Hua quickly rushed in holding a stack of glowing spirit talismans. She walked urgently and spoke urgently, unable to perform proper courtesies before opening her mouth: “Your Highness, news from two hours ago—Emperor Qiu Tong has been discovered possibly performing a life-exchange technique, attempting to transfer himself into the body of Prince Zhao’s eldest son. The Sacred Land Highnesses dare not act rashly, fearing it might trigger human backlash at this critical moment. Not long after, Young Master Su You and Shen Jingshi infiltrated the imperial palace.”

Xue Yu sharply raised her eyes: “Just the two of them?”

“Yes.” Chao Hua quickly added, “Many from the Sui family have already spent large sums to open teleportation arrays toward the imperial city. From their formation, it seems they’re ready to surround the palace at any moment. Jiu Feng also learned of this matter and just arrived at Shen Yu Pavilion, preparing to enter the imperial city through their teleportation array.”

“What’s the current situation?” Xue Yu paused, asking: “Have they come out, or not?”

“Still unclear.” Chao Hua shook her head, reporting truthfully: “The spirit talismans of both the Saint and Shan Shu cannot be activated.”

Xue Yu pressed the spirit talisman in her hand heavily onto the table surface, turning to walk outside: “Let’s go to the imperial city now. Have Chou Li stay behind. If anyone asks, just say I’ve entered the private prison.”

“There’s no need to hide anything from Lord—tell the truth.”

“Yes.” Chao Hua followed her out of the study.

At the entrance of Shen Yu Pavilion, Jiu Feng had rarely changed out of her flamboyantly colorful clothing and accessories, instead wearing a set of tight-fitting attire with armor belted tightly at her waist, revealing a slender curved section. She held a small bow and several small arrows in her hands—even from a moderate distance, one could sense the alarming aura emanating from them.

It was obvious this was a greatly ominous object.

Jiu Feng leaned against a tree, resting in the shade as if avoiding the sun. Seeing Xue Yu and Chao Hua, she lazily lifted her eyelids, looking them up and down, then calculated the time with some surprise: “There are only three days left until your investiture ceremony, right? You can still spare time to go to the imperial city?”

“Just came out of the ancestral land. Other matters can be set aside temporarily—just need to return within three days.” Xue Yu’s gaze swept over the palm-sized miniature bow and arrows in her hands, frowning as she asked: “What’s the situation in the imperial city? What are you waiting for here?”

“There.” Jiu Feng pointed to a distant small hill where figures clustered in a circle, spiritual light repeatedly surging from within, then extinguishing as if lacking stamina, like a dragon breathing fire everywhere. “Heard Su You is in danger, so this whole Sui family came along. I’m cursed with responsibility—can’t suppress them, and wouldn’t feel at ease not watching. No other choice but to make this trip.”

“Heard from Chen Longzhi that Sui Yu and Sui Jinyu used the teleportation array just a few days ago. The interval is too short—activation requires massive amounts of spirit stones and spiritual essence. The Sui family is throwing money at it, has been at it for a while now, should be soon.” Saying this, Jiu Feng nudged Xue Yu with her elbow, her voice carrying the nasal tone of drowsiness: “You saved Su You and cultivated him to what he is now. Did the Sui family give you anything as thanks? If they did, you absolutely mustn’t decline. Their family is wealthy, rolling in riches—opening this teleportation array ten times consecutively wouldn’t make them feel heartache.”

Xue Yu said nothing.

Jiu Feng looked at her expression, then thought about her personality, suddenly understanding: “Didn’t accept? That’s fine too. Anyway, when your matter with Su You succeeds in the future, they’ll still have to pay this money, and pay double.”

She covered her lips and yawned, saying vaguely: “But I say, their family’s money really shouldn’t be refused for nothing. Even if you don’t want it, take it for Yedu. I remember ten years ago or five years ago, a list circulated outside ranking the wealth of the Six Sacred Lands. Wasn’t Yedu at the bottom?”

Originally,x Xue Yu had no intention of speaking, but after Jiu Feng finished this statement, she withdrew her gaze from looking toward the hills and quietly focused it on Jiu Feng’s profile: “What list? Who made this list?”

“I don’t know, seemed like the Chen family?” Jiu Feng was stunned by the question, then said: “But Sacred Lands do so much charity work every year. Soft-hearted ones like you often pay out of their own pockets to help the poor when traveling in the mortal world. Being a bit poor is understandable.”

“Look at us—we’re completely carefree. The human race hates us to the bone, so we’re not foolish enough to help our enemies. As for the demons in the mortal world, those with backbone can naturally carve out their place, and those born cowardly wouldn’t survive even if given things.”

So demons all made money with money, wealthy and powerful. Even when they didn’t complete a single Heavenly Mechanism Book mission each year and had to pay fines to enter Flying Cloud Peak, they wouldn’t blink an eye.

Xue Yu corrected with utmost seriousness: “Yedu has money, we’re not poor. Next time anyone says Yedu is poor, give me a list and I’ll go ask them personally.”

This was the first time Jiu Feng had seen her care about outsiders’ evaluations. She couldn’t help raising an eyebrow and switched to a more relaxed standing posture: “Not just this—there are even more ridiculous rumors circulating. Some clan made a strength ranking of Sacred Land heirs. You and Shan Shu, one cold as ice, the other kind to everyone, rarely make moves. Perhaps looking easy to bully, you both ended up at the bottom.”

It was suffocating just to hear about.

Xue Yu lowered her eyes indifferently: “Let them talk.”

Jiu Feng couldn’t help looking at her twice more: “I’ve discovered you’re truly strange, Xue Yu. You can’t tolerate anything said about Yedu, but anything said about you is fine.”

She and Xue Yu had completely different personalities. What others said about the Demon Capital or the Jiu Feng clan didn’t matter—it wouldn’t be anything good anyway, just get used to hearing it. Only no one could gossip about her or point fingers. If someone dared to seriously make a ranking and put her at the bottom, she would let that person properly experience how painful it was to have a bottom-ranked fist smashed into their face.

Xue Yu slowly pressed her lips together.

Chao Hua, listening from the side felt heartbroken.

Sacred Lands were always at the center of controversy, being discussing them was commonplace. There were good things said and bad things said—things like bullying others with power, being high and mighty, and putting on airs, or being a nest of demons, ghosts, snakes, and rats were all clichéd complaints. Neither the Young Lady nor she would be moved by hearing such things.

And speaking of the Young Lady’s strength, there was even less need to care—the Three Lands Grand Assembly would naturally be the time for truth to be revealed.

But this one point about Yedu being poor…

Over the past twenty years, as Xue Yu gradually established arrays in execution halls throughout the mortal world to seek justice for demons and ghosts and prevent them from going to extremes and harming humans, Yedu’s money had poured out like water, and hadn’t yet turned around.

So this current poverty was also fact.

Whether due to this episode or worry about the Emperor and Su You’s situation, Xue Yu didn’t speak again afterward. Until a group of over twenty people stepped onto the teleportation array, she casually lifted the edge of the curtain and remained silent without saying a word.

The Sui family members were anxious and didn’t bother asking about her identity at all.

Until they reached the imperial city’s teleportation array, Xue Yu stepped out in a few strides, instantly disappearing from the spot, almost crossing half the imperial city to rush toward First Grade Residence where Shan Shu, Yin Ling and others were staying.

Jiu Feng looked suspiciously at that ethereally immortal cold figure, then turned to Chen Longzhi: “What’s this? Has the Fusang Tree recently issued some new regulation, finally allowing us to fly through the air?”

“I advise you to give up—there’s absolutely no such possibility.” Chen Longzhi was still heartbroken over his family’s massive investment in establishing the teleportation array. Hearing this, he said expressionlessly: “Just watch, within an hour the violation fine will be delivered immediately, won’t even wait until the next day.”

Inside First Grade Residence, Shan Shu and Yin Ling were both holding spirit talismans reporting the situation to their respective Sacred Land Lords. Seeing Xue Yu push open the door with a creak, Shan Shu looked up in surprise, said a few words quietly to the other end of the spirit talisman, then cut the connection.

She stood up, seeing Yin Ling gesture to them, then silently pulled Xue Yu to the corridor outside.

“How is the situation in the imperial palace?” Xue Yu paused, her gaze tightly focused on her face, lips moving to ask a second question: “What’s the situation with Qiu Tong?”

Mentioning the confusing and unexpected events that had occurred in the imperial palace this day, Shan Shu couldn’t help sighing, patted her shoulder, and briefly explained the current situation: “Emperor Qiu Tong was indeed performing a life-exchange technique. When he had almost succeeded at the final step, he was intercepted by Su You and Shen Jingshi who arrived just in time. He doesn’t have much time left to live now.”

“It’s fine now, the situation has temporarily stabilized.”

Xue Yu exhaled very lightly: “The imperial palace wouldn’t be without elders from mortal world clans guarding it, and Qiu Tong couldn’t have performed the life-exchange technique without preparation.”

A pair of crystal-clear eyes met Shan Shu’s gaze as she slowly asked: “What about Su You? Has he come out yet?”

Shan Shu rubbed her forehead. Despite it being March spring weather, she had been forced to break out in sweat by this pile of troublesome matters: “Yes, Shen Jingshi has another branch of the Emperor’s bloodline, so the Nation-Protecting Great Array couldn’t attack them. But breaking the jade seal imprint the Emperor had set to protect the ceremony from interruption and destruction took considerable time.”

“They immediately left the imperial palace after the Emperor coughed up blood, but they didn’t escape entirely. Dozens of powerful humans rushed over upon hearing the news. Outnumbered and unable to fight head-on for fear of attracting more reinforcements from the other side, both suffered some losses to shake off these people.”

“Originally Shen Jingshi was ready to contact us to surround the palace, but Su You tore apart the chains woven by the jade seal imprint.”

Xue Yu naturally understood what this meant. Her fingers tightened somewhat as she asked: “How serious are the injuries?”

“Sui Yu just entered his room, probably using the clan’s secret healing methods.” Shan Shu said gently: “Ah Yu, this time we really couldn’t intervene conveniently. Sacred Lands surrounding the palace and private action are two different matters. Not to mention how the Fusang Tree would judge it, just looking at the present—if the Emperor’s death were attributed to us by court officials and used to mislead the people of the world, the relationships between the three realms would be completely chaotic.”

“This time, we really owe it to him.”

Xue Yu leaned half her body against the lacquered pillar. Her delicate and exquisite earrings swayed twice with her movement, like some kind of restless mood. She said quietly: “I know.”

He had done nothing wrong.

If she had been there, she would have made the same choice.

“Where is his room?” Xue Yu pressed her brow: “I’ll go wait nearby.”

The word “wait” coming from her mouth always carried a subtle sense of incongruity.

Shan Shu pointed her in a direction.

She said wait, and truly meant wait.

From dusk to dawn, Xue Yu stood motionless in the corner of the second-floor corridor.

Not far away, under bright lights, the Sui family members sometimes sat, sometimes stood, occasionally looking up anxiously. Waiting restlessly and apprehensively, they would periodically pull out Xihe or Qiu Tong to curse a few words.

Around the Hour of the Rabbit, the direction of the imperial palace finally rang with funeral bells one after another, echoing leisurely and endlessly.

Chao Hua nearby suddenly looked up toward Xue Yu: “Your Highness—”

“Mm, I heard.” Xue Yu withdrew her gaze from that tightly closed door: “Let’s go up first.”

This was what Chao Hua most admired about Xue Yu. She also had the seven emotions and six desires, joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, yet always understood that her identity was first Sacred Land heir, then Yedu’s Female Emperor, and only lastly herself.

She always considered the world first, then Yedu, leaving only a tiny bit of room for herself.

Just as she had told Su You then—when he was injured, encountered setbacks, was happy or sad, she might not be able to attend to him.

When Xue Yu stepped onto the third floor, Yin Ling was nowhere to be seen. In the half-open elegant room, only Shan Shu and Shen Jingshi remained.

Shan Shu sat while Shen Jingshi stood with his back to them. His face still showed bruises and purple marks, his legs stood somewhat unsteadily, trembling when he moved, yet he didn’t appear pitiful. Instead, his words and actions made him seem comically amusing: “…Su You is really amazing, truly amazing. I really saw today what true Tianpin bloodline means. The Emperor’s jade seal—what kind of thing is that? He tore it like ripping chains without even blinking, really didn’t even blink.”

“It’s all thanks to him.” Shan Shu was generous with her praise: “Tianpin bloodline is above the Nine Phoenix grade and must have its divine extraordinariness.”

“Su You, this person.” Shen Jingshi touched the broken skin at the corner of his mouth: “I can’t quite understand him.”

“He and I are somewhat similar. Even having lived in the Sacred Land for over twenty years, watching you all do countless good deeds, if you asked what kind of expectations I hold for this world, what selfless great love—that would all be lies.” For Shen Jingshi, who wasn’t afraid of death, speaking the truth was routine: “So today with the Emperor’s lock, I hesitated.”

“Not afraid of death, just felt it wasn’t worth it.”

“Su You is different from me. In such a dangerous situation back then, he always wanted to live. Yet such a person could simultaneously watch the life-exchange scene with complete coldness while unhesitatingly reaching out to tear the Emperor’s lock.”

Shen Jingshi supported half his uninjured face with his hand, hissing: “What can I say? Is it that Yedu’s Highness is too good at teaching people? Or is her prestige so great that people follow her commands?”

Shan Shu listened carefully to the end, pushed the tea cup beside her further away, and said gently: “It’s not wrong for you to hesitate. People always grow bit by bit like this. Responsibility and commitment, selflessness and great love—not everyone can have these, and we needn’t be harsh on ourselves about this.”

“Today, knowing the imperial palace was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, you still followed Su You in without much guarantee. This is the kind of bravery ordinary people cannot achieve.” She smiled slightly: “You’re a completely different person from when you first came to my side.”

“In my eyes, not only is Su You amazing—you’re also amazing.”

After hearing this heartfelt, sincere praise, Shen Jingshi suddenly didn’t know what to say. After a long while, he reached out to touch his cup of hot tea, smiled, and said lazily: “If you put it that way, next time there’s an Emperor’s lock, I’ll try to tear it too.”

Shan Shu said: “Come here, let me see how your injuries really are, whether they’re serious.”

Xue Yu paused in place, waiting until the medicine was applied inside and it became quiet, then collected all the various emotions in her eyes before pushing the door open.

Shan Shu seemed to expect her arrival, explaining the human realm situation and future possible developments, then added: “We still need to see what moves the court makes next. We probably won’t get reliable news before noon. Don’t worry—everything is temporarily within controllable range.”

Xue Yu nodded: “I’ll go talk with Yin Ling.”

Yin Ling couldn’t stand the waiting and had left First Grade Residence before dawn to gather information. When going upstairs, she saw a dark mass on the second floor—not only the Sui family members making her head ache, but even Jiu Feng, Chao Hua, and Chen Longzhi were there, so she stopped.

“The imperial palace has been sealed.” Yin Ling looked at Xue Yu coming down from the third floor, saying quietly: “Due to special circumstances, the Qiu family bloodline will likely be severed. Many sect masters and clan heads from the human race have gathered in the imperial city. They won’t actively send news out, and we can’t force our way in.”

Jiu Feng wasn’t interested in these matters. As long as the Emperor was dead, she could muddle through and put that matter behind her. Currently bored, she was casually chatting with Shen Jingshi about unexpected rumors regarding various Sacred Lands and clans.

Just then, the door opened with a soft sound and was pushed open from inside.

Sui Yu stepped out first, with Su You following several steps behind, his long robes like snow, handsome as a banished immortal.

The Sui family’s chattering voices immediately froze, with over a dozen pairs of eyes almost all falling on him. After a long moment, a low female voice came through: “Is this—Nineteen?”

Taking advantage of the healing opportunity, Sui Yu had finally managed to say a few words with Su You. Now refreshed and smiling, he said: “Everyone has been looking for you for a long time. Go meet them, get to know people.”

The man who wasn’t particularly concerned about this, even appearing rather indifferent, stopped his steps beside the lacquered pillar. Across a moderate distance, he looked toward Xue Yu standing between Jiu Feng and Yin Ling. His rippling peach blossom eyes flashed with slight surprise, as if he hadn’t expected her to appear here at such a time, immediately followed by a smile floating up like foam at the surface.

“Tsk.” Yin Ling pushed Sui Yu, unhurriedly teasing: “Look at that—what do you call eyes blooming with joy?”