Jiang Zhaoxue had Ye Tianjiao working overtime on preparations, while Song Wuya secretly mobilized all his forces to find talisman masters and formation masters to assist Jiang Zhaoxue.

Most cultivators believed in heavenly fate, but the mortal realm from a thousand years ago hadn’t yet developed the same atmosphere of unconditional obedience to the Book of Fate as the True Immortal Realm.

With this search by Song Wuya and Ye Wenzhi, they actually found dozens of Core Formation stage cultivators.

In the True Immortal Realm, Core Formation cultivators were everywhere, but finding dozens of Core Formation cultivators in the mortal realm was no easy task.

When Jiang Zhaoxue received the list of cultivators from Ye Wenzhi, she couldn’t help but be somewhat surprised: “So many people are willing to help you?”

“The Crown Prince is cruel by nature, extravagant and debauched,” Ye Wenzhi followed Jiang Zhaoxue and sighed, “he allows his subordinates to oppress the common people and has committed many unconscionable acts, causing severe public resentment. In the past, the Crown Prince’s residence would annually receive tribute of hundreds of women, and these women ultimately disappeared without a trace. He has also suddenly killed people in the great hall, so tyrannical… the people live in fear. If this is the fate of a true dragon…”

Ye Wenzhi gave a mocking, bitter smile and said no more. But Jiang Zhaoxue already understood Ye Wenzhi’s meaning and considered thoughtfully: “Lord Ye, this time you’re using all your family’s resources. Have you thought about what happens if you fail…”

Hearing this, Ye Wenzhi’s expression grew somewhat heavy. He only said: “Immortal Master Jiang, rest assured—we’ve already made preparations.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue nodded and said solemnly: “Understood.”

After thinking, she arranged: “This time you don’t need to make special arrangements for me. Place these people outside the altar. I’ll give them a spirit-gathering formation that I can use when the time comes. Just arrange my identity.”

Speaking thus, Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly remembered: “What’s my identity again?”

“Oh,” Ye Wenzhi recalled and said seriously, “originally I wanted to arrange an inconspicuous identity like a palace maid for the Immortal Master, but because of your eyes’ inconvenience, I could only find some special identities.”

Hearing this explanation, Jiang Zhaoxue understood and asked curiously: “A fortune teller?”

“No.” Ye Wenzhi shook his head, somewhat curious: “You can play the erhu, right?”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue looked up in shock: “Why would you think I can play the erhu?”

Speaking thus, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help correcting: “Not every blind person can play the erhu.”

“Then…” Ye Wenzhi probed, “your learning ability should be very strong.”

Jiang Zhaoxue fell silent. She roughly understood that there was probably no room for discussion on this matter.

Ye Wenzhi also felt somewhat guilty and laughed dryly: “I heard that cultivators learn things very quickly, so… I’ll go prepare first. Oh, also.”

Ye Wenzhi remembered something and said to Jiang Zhaoxue: “The adoptive parents for Young Master Li have been more or less settled. Young Daoist Lord Pei discussed with us about you and him taking Young Master Li to their home tomorrow. He asked me to get your opinion.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue paused.

During this time, Li Xiuji had been following them. He was a very well-behaved child who not only didn’t cause trouble but often helped her within his capabilities.

Probably skills developed after leaving his parents.

She calculated—actually, Li Xiuji was almost five years old. She couldn’t keep Li Xiuji with her forever, especially with tomorrow’s dangerous situation. Sending him away early would give Li Xiuji a place to go.

She nodded and responded: “Let’s do that then.”

After discussing with Ye Wenzhi, that night Jiang Zhaoxue had Li Xiuji sleep with her for the night.

Since meeting her, Li Xiuji had been insisting he didn’t want to sleep with Pei Zichen. Pei Zichen originally disagreed, but Jiang Zhaoxue forcefully overruled him.

That night, Jiang Zhaoxue was unusually patient, lying in bed holding Li Xiuji and telling him stories. Li Xiuji nearly fell asleep several times but struggled to stay awake at the last moment, asking: “And then?”

Jiang Zhaoxue was driven to the brink of collapse by him, but thinking about leaving tomorrow, she became patient again.

Only when dawn broke did Li Xiuji finally lose his struggle and fall asleep.

The next afternoon, Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen disguised themselves and took Li Xiuji to meet his adoptive parents.

The adoptive parents were also surnamed Li—a childless merchant couple. When they saw Li Xiuji, they were very pleased. The wife held Li Xiuji and repeatedly thanked Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen: “We’ve never seen such a beautiful child. Thank you both so much.”

Hearing the thanks, Jiang Zhaoxue thought about parting with Li Xiuji and inexplicably felt somewhat sad.

She thought for a moment and fumbled as she said: “Xiuji?”

“Elder sister.”

As soon as Li Xiuji spoke, there was a crying tone in his voice.

Jiang Zhaoxue squatted halfway down and opened her arms: “Come, let me hold you.”

As soon as the words fell, Jiang Zhaoxue felt Li Xiuji crash into her embrace like a small cannonball.

When he rushed in, Jiang Zhaoxue discovered he was already crying.

Jiang Zhaoxue was momentarily at a loss. She held Li Xiuji and patted him, saying softly: “Elder sister can’t keep you with her forever. Elder sister has to leave. From now on, listen to your parents well. In the future, cultivate, and when you grow up, go to Penglai in the True Immortal Realm and find Penglai’s Lady Jiang Zhaoxue, alright?”

“Alright.” Li Xiuji’s body trembled slightly.

Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment and gave him a protective talisman, then gave him a jade pendant.

Knowing she couldn’t stay longer, she took a deep breath, stood up, rubbed Li Xiuji’s head, and turned to leave.

Pei Zichen followed behind her. When the two walked to the main gate, Li Xiuji finally lost control. Despite having worked hard to learn survival and tried to accept fate, he was ultimately just a five-year-old child. He suddenly burst into loud sobs, chasing after Jiang Zhaoxue and crying out: “Elder sister! Don’t abandon me, elder sister! Take me with you, I’m very good! I won’t trouble you! Take me with you! I’m scared! I’m scared!”

Jiang Zhaoxue’s footsteps paused. She heard the couple behind her hurriedly hold Li Xiuji, the sound of a rattle drum rang out, and the couple comforted him: “Xiuji, be good. We’ll treat you very well. Look at the rattle drum.”

“Elder sister! Let go of me! Sister, don’t abandon me! Take me with you!”

Li Xiuji cried and shouted behind her. Jiang Zhaoxue’s steps slowed.

Seeing this, Pei Zichen silently stepped forward and grasped Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand.

Her vision instantly brightened. Jiang Zhaoxue listened to Li Xiuji’s cries and heard Pei Zichen say: “My Lady, look back once.”

“Can’t look back.”

Jiang Zhaoxue pulled Pei Zichen along, smiling: “If I look back, I won’t be able to leave. I can’t raise him for a lifetime. Children always cry when changing environments.”

“Elder sister—save me!” Li Xiuji’s voice was buried in the rattle drum sounds. “Don’t go! I don’t want you to go! Save me!!”

Jiang Zhaoxue paid no attention and led Pei Zichen out the main gate, turning around the corner.

Pei Zichen quietly observed her the entire way. At the moment of turning the corner, Jiang Zhaoxue raised her eyes toward the chaotic Li residence.

In that instant, she finally saw Li Xiuji’s appearance.

From such a distance, a delicately carved child, crying so hard his features were indistinguishable, but perhaps it was that pleading appearance—she immediately thought of Pei Zichen.

She forced herself to look away and smiled: “I’ve been with you so long, this child has started to resemble you.”

Speaking thus, she proactively released Pei Zichen and sighed: “I hate these partings most of all.”

“If you dislike them,” Pei Zichen followed behind Jiang Zhaoxue, “then don’t experience them in the future.”

“Mm?” Jiang Zhaoxue was puzzled. “Is this something people can control?”

“If there’s no meeting, there’s no parting. Once we’ve met, we never separate again.” Pei Zichen smiled. “Wouldn’t that mean you won’t experience it?”

“Easy to say.”

Jiang Zhaoxue stretched lazily. Listening to Li Xiuji’s cries slowly fade as they walked away, she shifted her attention: “Let’s go back and practice the erhu.”

The two returned. Jiang Zhaoxue was gloomy all day, but fortunately her mentality was excellent. Having experienced many partings in her life, one child wouldn’t disturb her too much.

She spent the time practicing the erhu all night, harassing everyone all evening. After Qian Sisi almost came to beat her, she finally calmed down, contemplating that if she remained in this timeline in the future, she would occasionally visit Li Xiuji.

The next day, everyone woke early. Jiang Zhaoxue brought thousands of talismans that Song Wuya and Ye Wenzhi had obtained. Ye Tianjiao was outside drawing spirit-gathering formations, waiting for assignments.

Jiang Zhaoxue had taught him how to draw them when dealing with Zhuang Yan before. Now he could lead other cultivators and independently draw formations for them.

Pei Zichen went to the palace alone, while Qian Sisi stayed by Jiang Zhaoxue’s side, responsible for protecting her.

“You’re following fairy sister?” Hearing this, Ye Tianjiao found it strange. “What identity are you using?”

“She’s beating the gong.”

Jiang Zhaoxue explained for Qian Sisi. Ye Wenzhi had already briefed her on the entire process this morning.

To demonstrate, Qian Sisi specially took out the gong and “clanged” it several times by Ye Tianjiao’s ear.

Ye Tianjiao’s ears were nearly deafened. He quickly covered them and said: “Alright, alright, I know you can beat it!”

“Look down on people, do you?”

Seeing Ye Tianjiao surrender, Qian Sisi finally relented.

Seeing everyone had their assignments, Jiang Zhaoxue transmitted a message to Song Wuya in the celestial prison: “Today after I’ve set up the formation, I’ll notify you of success before you can perform the ancestral inquiry. Understand?”

“Understood.”

Song Wuya responded.

After everything was prepared, Ye Wenzhi rushed in hurriedly.

Dawn hadn’t yet broken, the night wind was cold, yet he was covered in sweat, saying nervously: “Everything’s arranged. Immortal Master Jiang and Miss Qian, follow me.”

“Alright.”

Jiang Zhaoxue stood up. Thinking about it, she turned back and looked at Pei Zichen, instructing: “Zichen, your life is important.”

“This disciple understands.”

Pei Zichen responded. Qian Sisi also said goodbye to everyone: “We’re going.”

“Qian Sisi!” Seeing the two leaving, Ye Tianjiao quickly called out to Qian Sisi.

Qian Sisi turned back to see Ye Tianjiao reluctantly walk forward and hand over a stack of talismans.

“That…” Ye Tianjiao mumbled, “be careful today. When you return, I’ll treat you to dinner.”

Qian Sisi was stunned. She lowered her eyes toward the somewhat blushing young man before her, smiled knowingly, took the talismans in hand, and turned away: “Let’s go.”

Hearing the interaction between the two, Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak. After boarding the carriage, Jiang Zhaoxue said: “Yo, received a love letter?”

“Tsk, didn’t expect Second Young Master Ye to be so easy to deceive.” Qian Sisi waved the talismans, couldn’t help contemplating, “do you think if I entered the Ye family’s gates, would I have a life of comfort without worries?”

“Of course.” Jiang Zhaoxue picked up a teacup from the side, teasing: “Tempted?”

“Tempted beyond measure.” Qian Sisi pondered, thinking, “but he’s just too young, his character isn’t settled. These young people’s likes are worth the least—today they like this one, tomorrow they fancy that one, fickle and unstable. What kind of liking is that? Seriously though,” Qian Sisi raised her eyes to stare at Jiang Zhaoxue, “your eyes won’t be a problem, right?”

“Won’t hinder fighting.” Jiang Zhaoxue leaned against the small table, explaining: “I can sense spiritual power fields. Although I can’t see specific people, everyone has different spiritual power fluctuations. The picture I see is just different from yours.”

“That impressive?” Qian Sisi nodded, then understood: “But rest assured, today I’ll protect you well.”

As long as they could ensure Jiang Zhaoxue could open the formation when Song Wuya performed his ancestral inquiry at the altar, everything would be fine.

The two chatted casually as the carriage arrived near the altar.

Someone led Jiang Zhaoxue and her companion off the carriage, guiding them through the back door into a courtyard. At the courtyard entrance, a eunuch waited. The coachman who led them approached and said in a low voice to the eunuch at the entrance: “Eunuch Zhang, it’s them.”

The eunuch looked them over, snorted coldly, waved his whisk and said: “Let’s go.”

The two followed the eunuch into the courtyard. At the entrance they heard instrumental music and singing. The eunuch walked ahead, instructing them: “I know you want to get a position. Musicians who’ve participated in imperial rituals can charge twice or even four times as much outside, but imperial musicians aren’t that easy to become. Your skills can’t compare to enter the experts’ eyes, so today don’t play randomly—just pretend and don’t make a sound. And you—”

The eunuch turned back, pointing at Jiang Zhaoxue with his orchid finger: “Take off the veil on your face. Don’t try to attract attention. If you catch a noble’s eye, none of us can bear the consequences!”

Hearing this, Qian Sisi looked at Jiang Zhaoxue with concern.

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t mind. She simply removed the veil, revealing a clear but ordinary face.

Qian Sisi’s eyes widened and she quickly closed her mouth. The eunuch nodded with satisfaction and led them into the courtyard. After changing into musicians’ palace attire, he instructed them on their positions and today’s matters before leaving first.

Once the eunuch was far away, Qian Sisi moved close to Jiang Zhaoxue and whispered: “How did your face change again?”

“The face hasn’t changed,” Jiang Zhaoxue tuned the erhu, saying leisurely, “just a bit of illusion technique. Mortal eyes can’t see through it.”

Hearing this, Qian Sisi nodded. The two mixed into the musicians’ group. After waiting a while, they heard a eunuch outside urgently call out in a loud voice: “Time to move! Hurry and follow.”

Everyone rushed about hurriedly. Jiang Zhaoxue and Qian Sisi went with the flow, following the musicians as they ran outside.

The ancestral inquiry at the altar was a matter concerning the foundation of the state. The entire court was prepared, and civil and military officials had long been waiting in position.

Jiang Zhaoxue and the others jogged to the altar. After preparing with these musicians, the princes and imperial consorts also carried on sedan chairs proceeded from the main path toward the plaza.

Once these people arrived, Jiang Zhaoxue and the others began playing music.

Jiang Zhaoxue and Qian Sisi went through the motions, mixing in the crowd, watching as these princes and imperial consorts ascended the high platform and took their seats amid elegant music.

The Emperor hadn’t arrived, but the nobility had all taken their seats.

Crown Prince Song Wulan and Empress Zhao sat in the highest positions. Song Wulan leaned sideways against the armrest, holding a sachet, casually scanning those below.

Seeing his appearance, Zhao became furious and couldn’t help whispering a reminder: “So many people are watching—what kind of appearance is this? Sit properly!”

“What does it matter?”

Song Wulan glanced at Zhao, saying carelessly: “If I have the true dragon fate, however I sit I’m still the Crown Prince. If I don’t, even if I knelt below today, I’d still be worthless.”

“You dare say this?!”

Hearing this, Zhao became angry: “You went to find Shen Yuqing, yet he didn’t come to help you. What use was going?”

“He’s not here,” Song Wulan played with the sachet containing the talisman paper, saying leisurely, “that’s the greatest use. Today’s ancestral inquiry—as a sword cultivator, what use do you think he’d be?”

This made Zhao pause. Song Wulan observed the surroundings, saying carelessly: “The core is that fate master called Jiang Zhaoxue. There should only be one person protecting Jiang Zhaoxue. That person definitely has to go to the palace to isolate that thing. With Shen Yuqing also transferred away, Jiang Zhaoxue has no one useful by her side. Without anyone to protect the fate master, she’s not a threat. As long as we find her and control Jiang Zhaoxue, when Song Wuya performs the ancestral inquiry, he’ll be courting death.”

“Then…”

Hearing this, Zhao’s eyes brightened: “You have a way to find her?”

Before she finished speaking, Song Wulan’s gaze fell on Jiang Zhaoxue. The sachet suddenly grew hot and emitted light.

Zhao was somewhat confused: “This is?”

“Go.”

Song Wulan raised his chin toward Jiang Zhaoxue, “summon that blind erhu-playing musician to me.”

Hearing this, the eunuch went down. Jiang Zhaoxue was slacking off in the orchestra when a eunuch approached and said respectfully: “Miss, the Crown Prince requests your presence.”

Hearing this, Qian Sisi immediately became somewhat flustered. Holding the gong, she glanced at Jiang Zhaoxue, wanting to say something when she heard Jiang Zhaoxue say: “Eunuch, may I ask what the Crown Prince requires?”

“If he tells you to go, then go.”

Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue not cooperating, the eunuch’s voice also hardened, saying coldly: “What nonsense is this?”

“Eunuch…”

Hearing this, Qian Sisi quickly smiled apologetically. Just as she was about to speak, Jiang Zhaoxue grabbed her, secretly slipping her a voice transmission talisman, then stood up saying: “Please lead the way, Eunuch.”

Speaking thus, Jiang Zhaoxue rose and followed the eunuch up to the high platform.

As she moved, everyone looked over. The nobility whispered among themselves. Jiang Zhaoxue heard the surrounding discussion—nothing more than that the Crown Prince was greedy for beauty and acting recklessly again.

Jiang Zhaoxue turned a deaf ear to these words and followed the eunuch to behind Song Wulan.

She sensed the surroundings with spiritual power and could clearly feel a blood-colored human figure before her.

Being able to see blood color in the spiritual power sensing “field” showed this person’s hands were stained with countless sins.

“You came?”

A voice gorgeous yet imbued with dark energy sounded. Jiang Zhaoxue held the erhu and bowed: “Greetings to the Crown Prince.”

“Sit behind me.”

Hearing the voice, Jiang Zhaoxue felt someone approach and help her sit down.

After sitting, Jiang Zhaoxue clearly felt a mass of malevolent energy gathering nearby.

A’Nan drew in a sharp breath: “Such heavy malevolent energy.”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak. She only heard the young man ahead say: “Today is dull. Just now I saw you playing the erhu below, quite charming, so I summoned you up to keep me company. I trust the lady won’t mind?”

“Being able to serve Your Highness is this humble woman’s honor.”

Jiang Zhaoxue lowered her eyes and responded. Song Wulan laughed lightly.

“Is that so? I thought you wouldn’t want to come.”

Speaking thus, Song Wulan took a gem-encrusted dagger from the side, saying unhurriedly: “My interest in beauties lies in their skin, so over these years, I’ve personally peeled the skin off nearly a hundred beauties. Therefore, women all fear me. Are you not afraid, miss?”

“Not afraid.”

“Oh? Why not?”

“Your Highness kills because he’s bored,” Jiang Zhaoxue calmly responded, “this humble woman thinks she should be somewhat interesting.”

Hearing this, Song Wulan’s movements paused slightly.

He thought for a moment, finally turned back, looked Jiang Zhaoxue up and down, and smiled lightly: “The lady speaks correctly.”

Speaking thus, he gazed into the distance, saying leisurely: “I was born to luxury, did nothing, yet inexplicably obtained the Crown Prince position. Originally, I could take this position or not, but only in this position can I kill people with impunity. This is one of my few hobbies, so I can only scheme for it, calculate for it. But each time I calculate I win, I also feel exceptionally lonely.”

“Pretending, let him pretend.” Hearing this, A’Nan couldn’t help saying, “this kind of person deserves to be struck down.”

“Can the lady play chess?” Song Wulan spoke, taking a black stone from the chess table nearby, playing with it in his hand, “does the lady think I can win today?”

“This humble woman doesn’t understand Your Highness’s words.”

Song Wulan asked directly, but Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t take the bait.

Song Wulan turned to glance at her. Seeing her play dumb, he laughed lightly, then said: “My younger brother’s fate was all created by himself with his own hands. Even if I do nothing, today he couldn’t possibly succeed in the ancestral inquiry. The only one who can change this is a fate master, but I heard fate masters take an extremely long time to open formations, and before opening the formation, they’re no different from ordinary people. Tell me, if I control the fate master in my hands, does my imperial brother still have a chance of victory?”

“That depends,” Jiang Zhaoxue’s tone was gentle, “on whether Your Highness can control this fate master.”

“Then shall we make a bet?”

Song Wulan turned to look at her.

Jiang Zhaoxue smiled faintly: “How would this commoner dare bet with Your Highness?”

“I allow you. If you win the bet, I’ll grant you one thing.”

“If this commoner loses?”

Song Wulan listened, thought about it, and only said: “Then… you grant me one request.”

“What does Your Highness want?”

Jiang Zhaoxue was curious.

“I haven’t decided. What about you?” Song Wulan was curious. “What do you want?”

“This commoner’s request is very simple,” Jiang Zhaoxue fumbled to pick up a cup, drank some tea, then smiled, “I want to give Your Highness a big slap.”

This made Song Wulan pause, then he laughed aloud.

At this moment, guards rushed in from outside. The music also became solemn and grand. Then the Son of Heaven’s carriage slowly proceeded. Everyone rose to bow, welcoming the Son of Heaven into the altar.

Amid everyone’s prostrations, the Son of Heaven took his seat, then proclaimed loudly: “Some days ago, the rebellious son Song Wuya secretly held the Taotie Grand Gathering and was arrested by the Tianji Academy. The rebellious son was not convinced and wished to open the altar for ancestral inquiry. I, remembering our father-son bond, granted his request. Today his life or death, the nation’s future, shall be asked of our ancestors. Summon the rebellious son Song Wuya to ascend the altar!”

Hearing this, amid the music, Song Wuya appeared in shackles.

Qian Sisi raised her eyes to look and saw Song Wuya, escorted by soldiers, step by step ascending the altar.

He wore prisoner’s clothes with his hair loose, but his expression remained clear and calm throughout, maintaining the bearing and demeanor befitting nobility.

From the moment he entered the altar, he began searching for Jiang Zhaoxue, finally seeing her the moment he ascended the altar.

Jiang Zhaoxue sensed his gaze and secretly transmitted: “The person beside me behind the screen is the malevolent wraith. Accuse her first to create chaos.”

As soon as she transmitted the message, Jiang Zhaoxue instantly felt the spiritual power fluctuations next to her forcefully suppress her message.

Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart grew wary. Then she heard Song Wulan wave his fan and say: “Beauty, I don’t like my people secretly talking to other men.”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak. Knowing the message couldn’t get through, her heart inevitably sank.

Song Wulan watched over her. If she couldn’t open the formation, Song Wuya couldn’t perform the ancestral inquiry.

Amid her silence, she heard Song Wuya kneel down with a clatter of chains, calling out loudly: “This son pays respects to Father Emperor.”

“Enough,” the Emperor seemed somewhat weary, “you insisted on opening the altar for ancestral inquiry to seek death, and I accommodated you. A false dragon cannot possibly gain our ancestors’ recognition. Ask whatever you want to ask. At least I’ll have done right by your mother and you.”

“This son understands.”

Hearing mention of the late Empress, Song Wuya’s expression instantly grew cold. Kneeling on the ground, he said calmly: “However, before this son performs the ancestral inquiry, there is one matter that must be reported.”

“Speak.”

“This son, staking his life, accuses Empress Zhao of being a demonic evil entity, murdering imperial princes, harming the original Empress Yang, bringing calamity to thousands of common people, and tampering with the true dragon fate to alter our Great Xia’s national fortune. Father Emperor, please investigate clearly!”