“What do you mean?” Ye Tianjiao leaned forward, asking curiously, “Why would you eat shit?”

Hearing this, everyone looked over. Pei Zichen couldn’t help but say: “Ye Tianjiao, if you don’t understand something, you don’t have to respond to it.”

“You…”

Ye Tianjiao thought about what this fellow was up to and couldn’t help wanting to threaten him.

He raised his eyes, but Pei Zichen’s cool gaze swept over him. He instantly deflated and turned his head away: “Hmph.”

“This malevolent wraith is stronger than Zhuang Yan.”

Jiang Zhaoxue was concise and to the point. Qian Sisi was somewhat confused: “What Zhuang Yan?”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t elaborate, only explaining: “Since there’s such a powerful malevolent wraith in the palace, it must be connected to Song Wuya’s altered fate. Now, to ensure Song Wuya can safely perform the ancestral inquiry, there are only two methods. First, I directly set up a formation at the altar, but I need someone to restrain this malevolent wraith while Song Wuya performs his ancestral inquiry.”

“How would we restrain it?” Qian Sisi asked directly.

Jiang Zhaoxue raised her hand and pointed toward the eastern direction of the imperial palace: “A malevolent wraith cannot appear for no reason—there must be an origin, just like how Zhuang Yan came from those infants under the city bridge. This time, the malevolent wraith is in the palace. And this wraith has almost cultivated into human form—at its power source, there should already be a physical body. When the ancestral inquiry takes place at the altar, I need someone to strike directly at its lair, forcing it to have no time to attend to Song Wuya’s side. But doing this is extremely risky. This malevolent wraith would require at least Divine Transformation stage cultivation to suppress. Going directly to its lair—except for me, everyone here would be walking to their deaths. But I can’t go—I need to help Song Wuya gamble with fate.”

“Then this option is basically nonexistent.” Ye Tianjiao understood. “What’s the second method?”

“The second method…”

Although Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t see, she still instinctively glanced at Pei Zichen and probed: “That… would be for me to go find Shen Yuqing.”

Hearing this, Ye Tianjiao was startled and quickly said: “That won’t do.”

Jiang Zhaoxue was stunned: “Why not?”

Ye Tianjiao spoke vaguely, only glancing at Pei Zichen, stammering with difficulty.

Pei Zichen remained calm, his hand resting on his sword, as if it had nothing to do with him: “If you go to find Master, with Master’s abilities, it will be difficult for you to leave again.”

“That’s true.”

Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it—escaping from Shen Yuqing’s side was no easy matter. She hesitated for a moment, considering carefully: “I was thinking, after I go there, I could lie to him, pretend to cooperate with him, and say I’ll kill Zichen later. After we work together to enter the palace and eliminate this malevolent wraith, I’ll find an opportunity to escape. Actually, Zichen and I have a servant bond contract—Zichen can summon me to appear from anywhere. So as long as I can stabilize Shen Yuqing and prevent him from placing any special restrictions, after the matter is settled, Zichen can summon me alone…”

“Too risky.” Pei Zichen lowered his eyes, saying calmly, “If I can summon My Lady at any time, then My Lady can also summon me at any time. Better to follow the first plan—I’ll go restrain the malevolent wraith. If I fail, My Lady can immediately summon me back and leave.”

Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it, considered for a moment, and nodded: “Alright. Then I’ll prepare for both scenarios. If you successfully restrain it, Song Wuya’s ancestral inquiry at the altar should have a high probability of success. If it fails, I’ll just directly rescue Song Wuya.”

Helping Song Wuya gain his ancestors’ recognition wasn’t easy, but snatching someone from the flames was relatively simple.

Everyone settled on this plan. Ye Wenzhi breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stood up to express his thanks. Seeing him thank her again and again for Song Wuya’s sake, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but find it strange: “Doesn’t your Great Xia believe most in fate? The Tianji Academy said the Crown Prince has the true dragon fate. Why are you so determined to protect Song Wuya?”

“Didn’t those fortune tellers all say I could only live to twenty-four years old?” Ye Wenzhi smiled, then said quite seriously, “I also know that everyone in this world has their own fate, but I’ve been attending school since I was four years old, getting up before dawn every day to study. If everything in this world depends on fate, why would any of us work hard? Fate exists, but I believe more in man conquering heaven. Moreover, Immortal Master Jiang also said that the Third Prince has the true dragon fate but was modified by someone. I trust the Immortal Master.”

Ye Wenzhi’s words were well-spoken.

Jiang Zhaoxue smiled and returned the courtesy.

After seeing Ye Wenzhi off, Jiang Zhaoxue began assigning tasks to everyone. Ye Tianjiao would prepare talismans, Qian Sisi would scout the altar site, and Pei Zichen would investigate the palace situation.

When Pei Zichen was about to leave, Jiang Zhaoxue called out to him: “Zichen, leave the Yuan Luogong with me so I can contact you easily.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen had no suspicions and left the Yuan Luogong with Jiang Zhaoxue before going to investigate the palace.

After everyone left, Jiang Zhaoxue placed the Yuan Luogong on the table beside her, drinking tea and saying: “Alright, everyone’s gone. Tell me the truth.”

“Mm?”

“Pei Zichen—is he planning to cultivate your techniques?”

Jiang Zhaoxue lowered her head to drink tea. Hearing her ask this, Yuan Luogong immediately said: “That’s right!”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue understood Pei Zichen’s proposal from earlier.

If he began cultivating Jiuyou Realm techniques, he would definitely need to avoid Shen Yuqing. This was actually good—if Shen Yuqing were present, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t detect the Tianji Lingyu in his body, which would make everything troublesome.

Jiang Zhaoxue pondered this and continued probing: “Why did he make this decision?”

“Because he wants to become stronger!” Yuan Luogong said excitedly, “Shen Yuqing’s beating was good, wonderful! Master is indeed Master—a beautiful assist!”

Hearing this reason, Jiang Zhaoxue somehow felt relieved, though also somewhat melancholic.

But thinking that Pei Zichen could become stronger and she would be closer to her goal, she still nodded: “As long as it’s his choice, then it’s a good thing.”

“Exactly!”

Yuan Luogong was especially happy. Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment and only said: “I’ll pretend I don’t know about this. Teach him to cultivate properly.”

Speaking thus, Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly remembered that Yuan Luogong was only the embryonic form of Jiuyou Realm techniques—he might not clearly understand the specific applications of Jiuyou Realm methods.

She thought for a moment, raised her hand to take a piece of paper, and quickly cut it into a human shape, saying to Yuan Luogong: “Infuse this paper with your power.”

Hearing this, Yuan Luogong tried doing so. The paper instantly transformed into a mass of humanoid black energy holding a long blade with glowing green eyes.

Moreover, this mass of black energy was clearly much more powerful than the force it had given.

“What’s going on?” Yuan Luogong was shocked. Jiang Zhaoxue patiently explained: “Your power comes mostly from humans, so once there’s a human-shaped body, it can instantly become several times stronger. You can teach Pei Zichen to prepare these human-shaped paper figures, and after infusing them with your demonic energy, control them.”

“What brilliant thinking!” Yuan Luogong became excited and quickly asked, “What’s this spell called? Is it a spell from you immortal cultivators?”

“This is called Yin Paper Immortal.” Jiang Zhaoxue’s tone was flat. “It’s a Jiuyou Realm spell. We immortal cultivators draw our spiritual power from heaven, earth, plants, and living beings—we don’t have this kind of effect.”

“Ah… my power, in later generations, is what you call demonic cultivation, right?” Yuan Luogong was somewhat proud.

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded: “That’s right.”

“Wonderful!” Yuan Luogong said excitedly, “We demonic cultivators are truly strong! Our future is bright!”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue closed her eyes in pain.

A’Nan couldn’t help but sigh: “What idiotic things do you have around you? Not a single normal one.”

Jiang Zhaoxue taught Yuan Luogong some Jiuyou Realm techniques. When Pei Zichen returned, it was already late at night. Jiang Zhaoxue was already somewhat sleepy, but when he returned, she smiled: “You’re back?”

Pei Zichen glanced at Jiang Zhaoxue and said respectfully: “This disciple returned late.”

“Here’s the Yuan Luogong back.” Jiang Zhaoxue handed the bow to Pei Zichen. “Go rest.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen waited until Jiang Zhaoxue returned to bed, helped her lower the bed curtains and extinguished the lights, then went back.

After returning to his room, he placed the Yuan Luogong on the table and inquired while changing clothes: “Was My Lady well today?”

“Yes! Very well!” Yuan Luogong restrained its impulse from learning new spells and said excitedly, “Have you figured out how to restrain that malevolent wraith on the day of the ancestral inquiry at the altar? You’re afraid that if your master and master’s wife meet, they’ll discover you lied and she won’t use the most reliable plan. You need to fill this pit you dug.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen finished changing and came out. He sat at the desk, looking at the miniaturized weapon spirit sitting cross-legged on the table with a proud and smug expression: “Once you’ve decided, don’t regret it. Follow me, and I guarantee you can beat your master and win your master’s wife.”

“Don’t speak such nonsense.” Pei Zichen said coldly, “Master’s wife’s reputation must not be discussed carelessly. I’m only taking her away from suffering.”

“Fine, fine,” Yuan Luogong didn’t care, “whatever the reason. Have you figured it out?”

Pei Zichen remained silent. After a long while, he finally said: “Your power—how do I use it?”

Hearing this, Yuan Luogong seemed to have anticipated it and laughed loudly. Then he stood up, took out a stack of human-shaped paper he had prepared long ago and handed it to Pei Zichen, smiling: “Do you know what this is?”

Seeing the human-shaped paper, Pei Zichen’s heart grew cold.

This was what he had read about in books from the past, something he had been warned about countless times—if ever encountered, it must be executed without mercy. This was the most common spell of Jiuyou Realm demonic cultivators: Yin Paper Immortal.

He stared at the paper before him. Yuan Luogong urged: “Send the power I gave you into it, and you’ll see a surprise.”

Pei Zichen didn’t speak. He stared at the human-shaped paper, clearly aware that once he took this first step, he truly could never go back.

But where was there a path back for him? From falling off the cliff, from deciding to live, from the moment he lied wanting to take her away—without absolute power, how could he protect everything he wanted?

Lowering his eyes, he forced himself to reach out. The moment he grasped the paper Yuan Luogong handed him, the paper rapidly grew to palm-size. He poured spiritual power into the paper. In an instant, black energy roared forth, swirling throughout the entire room. The papers were blown up by the fierce wind, scattering throughout the room. Pei Zichen lowered his eyes, sensing each paper falling to the ground and transforming into human form. Every single one registered in his heart as if he had perceived them, and he could easily control them. At the same time, countless suppressed, frenzied, violent, and excited emotions collided against his heart.

He silently felt these overly intense emotions, his entire person remaining as calm as before.

Surrounded by black energy, all the Yin Paper Immortals bowed and knelt, crying out in unison: “Greetings, Master!”

“How does it feel? Isn’t it exhilarating?”

Yuan Luogong looked at the ground full of Yin Paper Immortals, quite pleased.

Pei Zichen’s expression didn’t change. He raised his eyes to look at the spring flowers outside the window.

The breeze caressed over. He quietly watched the peach blossoms on the branches and only said: “Don’t let her know. She doesn’t like it.”

“Understood,” Yuan Luogong bowed and said seriously, “you are my master. Everything is according to your wishes. Come, Master!”

Yuan Luogong raised his head, eyes bright: “I’ll teach you how to completely refine my power.”

While Pei Zichen was completely refining his power in the room, on the other side, Shen Yuqing sat with closed eyes in meditation, his expression unmoved.

Sitting opposite him was an extremely handsome young man wearing black and gold crown prince ceremonial robes with a golden crown on his head. But the crown was worn somewhat loosely, and his whole person resembled a boneless soft snake, propping up his forehead to look at Shen Yuqing across from him, lightly tapping the table and speaking unhurriedly: “I’ve heard that you are an Immortal Master from the True Immortal Realm with heaven-reaching magical powers, which is why I personally came to your door. Whatever the Immortal Master wants, just name it. I am the current Crown Prince—there’s nothing I cannot accomplish.”

“The succession struggle of the mortal realm has nothing to do with me.”

Shen Yuqing’s tone was flat. The young man laughed lightly: “If it had nothing to do with you, why were you spending time with my imperial brother every day before? What were you trying to do? I had people investigate,” the young man leaned forward slightly, “you’re looking for your wife. At the Taotie Grand Gathering that night, the most beautiful one at the auction—that was your esteemed wife, wasn’t it?”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing slowly opened his eyes and said coldly: “Song Wulan, you dare mention this?”

Hearing this, Song Wulan laughed: “Your esteemed wife that day went to such great lengths to get close to Song Wuya, didn’t she? There’s something on Song Wuya that you both want, so you’ve both been making contact with him. A few days ago, the celestial prison beast Bi’an suddenly slept for two hours—something that had never happened before. Your esteemed wife went to find Third Imperial Brother, didn’t she?”

“What are you trying to say?” Shen Yuqing roughly understood Song Wulan’s meaning.

Song Wulan smiled: “After that day, Song Wuya submitted a memorial requesting the ancestral inquiry at the altar. I hear your esteemed wife is a fate master—she must have reached some agreement with him, and your esteemed wife will surely be present that day. But ordinary people cannot casually enter the altar. If Immortal Master Shen wishes to go to the altar, you’ll need a quota. This is the preliminary list of attendees for that day,” Song Wulan pushed over a document, “consider it my modest gift.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing’s expression remained unchanged.

Song Wulan thought for a moment and continued: “Actually, I don’t quite understand—your esteemed wife is a fate master from the True Immortal Realm. Casually interfering with the mortal realm’s karma—won’t that damage her cultivation? I am a true dragon, yet she insists on helping a flood dragon, acting against heaven and defying destiny. You should know what a great sin that is. Why would she do this? Could it be… for that man she took away at the Taotie Grand Gathering? I hear he’s your disciple?”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing raised his eyes coldly.

Song Wulan smiled: “Did I guess wrong?”

“On the day of the ancestral ritual at the altar, take this talisman with you.”

Shen Yuqing raised his hand and a talisman paper floated onto Song Wulan’s body: “If you encounter her, the talisman will glow. That day I’ll be in the imperial palace guarding it. If you see her, stall her and wait for me to come.”

“Oh?” Song Wulan took the talisman and asked in confusion: “Why not go to the altar?”

“Song Wuya is a flood dragon. To make his ancestral inquiry at the altar succeed, she doesn’t necessarily need to appear at the scene, but she must take dragon energy from the palace to help Song Wuya confuse the ancestors. The probability of encountering her by staying in the palace is greater than at the altar.”

“I see.”

Song Wulan nodded.

“Also,” Shen Yuqing raised his eyes to look at him, “although I don’t know why my wife is avoiding me, it absolutely cannot be because of an outsider. If the Crown Prince continues to speak nonsense, I’ll sacrifice my fortune to kill a mere mortal—it’s not impossible.”

Hearing this, Song Wulan paused, then smiled lightly: “I was presumptuous.”

Speaking thus, Song Wulan raised his hand in salute: “Two days from now, at the ancestral inquiry at the altar, I await the Immortal Master.”

Shen Yuqing paid no attention and closed his eyes to dismiss the guest. Song Wulan left with a smile. Once he exited, Mu Jinyue, who had been staying behind the screen, poked her head out and asked in confusion: “Master, are you truly going to meddle in this matter? Master’s wife probably won’t like it.”

“A fate master interfering with heavenly fate damages one’s lifespan. If I don’t intervene and let her act recklessly, how would she know the severity?” Shen Yuqing’s tone was indifferent. “The urgent matter is to find them both. She definitely won’t believe Pei Zichen’s words—I’ll trick her. When we meet face to face and explain clearly, she’ll believe me. Once we meet, she’ll come back.”

Hearing this, Mu Jinyue was momentarily speechless. She wanted to say something but found it inappropriate to speak up.

This was the reasoning Shen Yuqing had thought through all night—she couldn’t comment too much on it.

After hesitating for a long time, she sighed: “Master’s wife will definitely come back.”

On the other side, Song Wulan lazily returned to the palace by sedan chair. Upon entering the Eastern Palace, he saw a woman in deep purple ornate robes with golden hairpins sitting in the great hall, anxiously waiting for his return.

Seeing him step into the room, the woman hurriedly came forward, asking urgently: “How did it go? Did Shen Yuqing agree to help us?”

“Why is Mother Empress so anxious?” Song Wulan smiled as he walked into the hall, lightly waving his folding fan with a half-smile: “I have the true dragon fate. He’s an immortal—of course he must follow the will of heaven…”

“Song Wulan!”

Before he finished speaking, the Empress slapped Song Wulan across the face. Song Wulan turned back with cold eyes. The Empress immediately felt somewhat fearful.

However, she quickly realized this was her son and immediately became agitated, grabbing Song Wulan’s collar and saying angrily: “You must remember what I’ve done for you! Song Wulan, you ungrateful wretch, remember your and my identities—don’t act recklessly!”

Hearing this, Song Wulan only looked down coldly at the woman who had given birth to him. There wasn’t a trace of warmth in his gaze, as if looking at a dead fly or rat, making the Empress increasingly afraid.

The Empress’s hand trembled lightly. Song Wulan sneered, using his fan to push the Empress away, strolling into the inner hall and cursing lightly: “Fool.”

A bunch of fools.