The next morning, Penglai Island opened its fifteenth day, and the Three Lands Grand Assembly ended.

Lu Qin held a drafted speech and spoke on the spiritual platform, thanking everyone for their support of the Three Lands Grand Assembly over hundreds of years, hoping that talented people would emerge from each generation. These were all clichés, things that the host of every Three Lands Grand Assembly must say, but this time he added a sentence at the end: “…May the mountains and rivers be peaceful, and all clans and realms live in harmony.”

After hearing this, everyone dispersed in a crowd, each returning to their lodgings to pack and prepare to leave the island.

In the first-floor elegant room, Chen Longzhi and Sui Yu, one sitting and one standing, were reconciling accounts.

Seeing Xue Yu and the others arrive, Chen Longzhi waved at them, pointing to two scrolls beside him: “Come quickly and see – the brand new Heaven’s Pride Rankings are out.”

Actually, by the tenth and eleventh days of the competition, the general rankings had already taken shape. As the subsequent matches proceeded one by one, the positions were completely determined, resulting in this Heaven’s Pride Rankings that would be passed down by word of mouth among the younger generation for the next five years.

“Let me see.” Jiu Feng casually hooked her finger, pulling the two spiritual scrolls into her hands, scanning to the bottom: “This is even divided into upper and lower volumes?”

Speaking of this, Chao Nian was truly eye-opening: “This young master of Chenyu Pavilion said the Heaven’s Pride Rankings are divided into two volumes – the top fifty as one volume, the bottom fifty as another. Those wanting to understand specific rankings would inevitably spend money on both volumes. This is the merchant’s way, pursuing profit above all.”

“Money delivered to the door – it would be foolish not to take it.” Chen Longzhi smiled smoothly, looking at Xue Yu and Su You, sighing almost imperceptibly: “Our participation in Penglai Island’s construction was negotiated with Lu Qin. We’re all familiar with each other, don’t bother with superficial nonsense, so it went very smoothly. But the branch pavilion in Yedu – I truly invested heavily.”

“Based on Chenyu Pavilion’s profit allocation to Yedu, just from this one Feiyun Summit in ten years, the money you’ll earn is enough to cover costs.” Xue Yu looked over leisurely, adding at the end: “Getting benefits and still playing coy.”

Her serious manner of criticizing people made Shan Shu and Yin Ling laugh. Su You groped to hook her little finger, warmth sparking in his eyes as well.

“Xue Yu first, Su You second, Chu Yaoxiang… third.” Jiu Feng stared at the words “third,” finding them increasingly disagreeable, her fingertip poking the scroll with tapping sounds: “Just wait – when we compete in the next Heaven’s Pride Rankings, I’ll at least be tied for second.”

Though she spoke this way, Jiu Feng truly could not take defeat. For her, the benefits and reflection brought by failure were far more valuable than a ranking.

She continued reading, roughly describing familiar people’s situations: “Cang Ju fourth, Lu Chen fifth. Shan Shu, Yin Ling, Ji Tingxi are all in the top twenty. Jia Xi, Lu Qin in the top twenty-five. Lu Chengze in the top fifty.”

“What’s wrong with the human race this time?” Jiu Feng casually scanned down, looking at Lu Chen: “The highest is just you at fifth. Adding that Song Heng, there are only two or three in the top fifty?”

Lu Chen’s expression was grave. Anyone seeing this scene would feel uncomfortable: “I looked at this list last night. There’s another matter – I don’t know if you noticed. In previous Feiyun Summit openings, only so many could enter the Secret Abyss. Sacred Lands, the human race, and the demon capital combined totaled just over a thousand. This time, the Sacred Lands and demon capital numbers matched up, no different from historical records, but many humans entered.”

Xue Yu immediately looked over: “What do you mean?”

“I guessed you might not have noticed. When the Secret Abyss gates opened, everyone had barely stepped in before being sent to that pitch-black small world. Who could know if there were many or few people?” Lu Chen looked at the scroll recording the top fifty of the Heaven’s Pride Rankings, adding: “I discovered this after coming out and consolidating information. Many youngsters who originally couldn’t enter at all, who had resigned themselves to actively seeking resources on Feiyun Summit’s periphery, were all directly swept in.”

Speaking of this, Lu Chen wanted to sigh: “Everyone inside had a task, right? Before the truth was revealed at the Fusang Tree. Some tasks were simpler – ours was quite easy, just following the given clues. Later, killing Mei was harder, more torturous.”

“I asked Yin Ling then, thinking they were all like this, so I didn’t ask further. Only after coming out did I learn by chance that it wasn’t all the same.”

“If I calculated correctly, the total number entering the Secret Abyss this time was two thousand four hundred, of which one thousand seven hundred were human.” Under Chen Longzhi and Chao Nian’s incredulous stares, Lu Chen smiled bitterly and nodded: “Yes. But this isn’t good news.”

“How so?” Xue Yu pulled over a chair to sit: “Explain in detail.”

The group that had originally planned to go upstairs to pack and head home sat down in rows again, scattered on both sides of the long table, listening to Lu Chen explain the situation.

“To summarize, those of us whose emotions aren’t extreme and who handle matters fairly received uncomplicated tasks. But those human family disciples or court vassals who were swept in experienced a test.”

Xue Yu suddenly raised her eyes: “They became the ancient Human Emperor and court officials, making the same choices as the Human Emperor of that time.”

Lu Chen nodded with a dejected face.

The human race’s young prodigies lived in such an environment. They grew up hearing the hatred and disgust in people’s voices when mentioning “demons.” Long-term exposure had warped their foundation – no amount of correction later would be in vain.

Coinciding with Jiu Feng’s order to besiege the city, resentment immediately reached its peak.

In their eyes, the demon race was the same as today’s demon clans.

The difference was that the demon race of that time was still weak, while today’s demon clans had grown strong.

They could eliminate the root – why not?

This was indeed what they had always wanted to do.

Everyone spoke of justice and peace, but everyone leaned toward their roots, and everyone hoped their side would get better and better. Having selfish motives was human nature, unavoidable.

Not knowing the causes and consequences, they indeed made such choices.

“Everyone knows Feiyun Summit is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We gained massive understanding and spiritual power in the Secret Abyss, but those who took the wrong path didn’t. They wasted ten years, gaining nothing, only being forcibly made to watch how Mei brought chaos to all living beings, causing irreparable calamity.”

And many of these people were originally promising seedlings, the backbone of the human race for hundreds and thousands of years to come.

Originally evenly matched in a stalemate with the other two sides, this suddenly put them behind by ten years of bitter cultivation opportunity, undoubtedly instantly falling to an inferior status.

Hence, today’s dismal situation on the Heaven’s Pride Rankings.

After Lu Chen finished speaking, he looked at Xue Yu’s expression: “It’s because of this matter, plus the Sacred Lands’ recent uncharacteristic large-scale actions, that I sensed something was wrong and had people send you letters.”

Xue Yu was silent for a long while, said nothing, and turned to go upstairs.

Shan Shu and Su You followed behind her. At the stair landing, Xue Yu stopped, looking at the vast sea surface outside Penglai Island and the nameless trees, saying softly: “I always thought the Fusang Tree’s various hints were telling us to quickly stop what might happen. Until just now, I realized it might not only be that.”

“As long as the human race harbors the desire to exterminate all demons, the great war between humans and demons cannot be avoided. Perhaps we not only need to strictly investigate the present but also prepare for the worst outcome.”

She lowered her eyes, looking at her fingers: “Facts prove that without Qiu Tong, other humans will appear – Kunlun’s elders, city lords of mortal cities, and many existences we don’t know of. They act rashly with great prejudice and transmit such emotions to the next generation.”

Qiu Tong died, and they stood up. They died, but countless young people would still stand up.

“To completely reverse this situation, there are only two methods. First, Mei emerges again, the world pays a painful price, then abandons prejudice and remembers it forever. Second, the many things we’re doing now, but it needs time.”

Hundreds of years, even over a thousand years.

The current problem was that they might not be able to wait until then before the great war erupted.

Even more dissatisfied than the human race were the demon clans in the mortal realm.

Even rabbits bite when cornered. They too were living beings with hot blood and beating hearts. When even survival became a luxury, resistance was an inevitable result.

“But this world cannot bear it anymore.” Cang Ju had somehow followed them up. He leaned against the wall corner, his voice carrying the faint hoarseness of early morning drowsiness: “I know the situation is very thorny now, but there’s no choice – we can only do our utmost to prevent it.”

“Once Mei re-emerges in the world, one becomes two, two becomes hundreds, hundreds become thousands – killing without end. Who will stop them? Ancient times had Cang Long and Heavenly Wolf – one imprisoned, one killed, paying the price of clan extinction to suppress them. But now, we have nothing—” Speaking here, as if thinking of something, Cang Ju looked at Su You and carefully corrected: “Just one Heavenly Wolf.”

“Absolutely impossible.” Xue Yu followed Cang Ju’s gaze to Su You, her voice cooling half a degree: “Tell Lu Qin to watch those troublemaking elders. Those jumping too high – no need to lecture them with empty principles. If reasoning doesn’t work, lock them up directly until they think it through clearly.”

“Those wanting to return and cause trouble for the human race – strip them of all mental techniques and cultivation they gained at Kunlun, let them go wherever they want.”

Because of this episode, when everyone got on the teleportation arrays to return to their respective territories, no one spoke much. Each was lost in thought, the atmosphere far from relaxed.

“Letters I’ve read and annotated are in the left layer of the spirit ring. Prison cases are roughly sorted, with summaries written on paper. Chao Hua has handled Baizhong Mountain matters properly – no need to ask further.” Su You finished explaining things one by one, looking at Xue Yu, saying softly, “Your Highness, I’m leaving.”

“Take care of yourself.” Xue Yu nodded to him, paused, then added: “Let me calculate the time. By month’s end, when I’m free, I’ll come to the demon capital to find you.”

“Good.” Su You slowly tucked the long hair by her temples behind her ear, studying her carefully for a moment before bending down to whisper: “I’ll wait for Your Highness to come.”

From Penglai Island to Yedu, the teleportation array took only half an hour. Upon stepping into the Sun and Moon Wheel, Xue Yu immediately went to the Palace Guard Department.

With Su You gone, Chao Hua was promoted to the position of female attendant, serving simultaneously in Yedu’s inner court and the Palace Guard Department. Over time, neither her mind nor feet had stopped, leaving her at the edge of gritting-teeth collapse.

Seeing Xue Yu now, she threw down her brush, her eyes suddenly brightening: “Congratulations on Your Highness winning first place. I heard from Chao Nian that Your Highness struck down everything at the Three Lands Grand Assembly…”

“Don’t listen to Chao Nian’s nonsense.” Chao Hua had a young girl’s charming, sweet face. Xue Yu reached out to touch her long eyelashes: “Thank you for your hard work during this time.”

“Not hard work.” Chao Hua shook her head repeatedly: “Working for Your Highness is Chao Hua’s blessing.”

Watching this scene, Chao Nian really wanted to loudly protest, letting Xue Yu know what kind of person Chao Hua usually was – striking at the slightest disagreement and implementing inhumane punishments. But swept by Chao Hua’s light glance, he could only touch his nose and lower his head.

“I remember the Palace Guard Department previously kept a pill found on a great demon. It’s said that taking the medicine can heal even the gravest injuries within a month, but it only provides three or four days of consciousness. Is that medicine still here?” Xue Yu asked.

“Yes. Does Your Highness plan to use this medicine on Mu Shaoqi?” Chao Hua straightened, quickly reacting, beckoning to a nearby attendant: “Go to the hidden compartment and bring it out.”

“Mm.” Xue Yu didn’t deny it: “His condition worsens daily. In a few more days, he might lose all breath. There’s no other way now – treating a dead horse as if alive, seeing if we can pry some words from his mouth. I feel this person has something fishy about him.”

She placed the pearl that fused five portions of dragon breath in her palm, weighing it, then looked at Chao Hua: “I’ll see His Majesty shortly, then begin closed-door cultivation for half a month. The Palace Guard Department and Baizhong Mountain are entrusted to you and Chou Li.”

“Your Highness, rest assured.”

Xue Yu took the black box containing the pill, turned to put it in her spirit ring, and headed toward the Council Hall.

Chao Hua sat back in her chair, picked up her brush again, and patiently dipped it in ink. Looking up, she saw Chao Nian, who had been full of grievances moments before, now pressing his thumb against his chest with a confused expression. She couldn’t help asking: “What’s wrong with you now?”

“I… don’t know.” Chao Nian rolled his eyes, gradually recovering: “Just now seeing what Your Highness held, I suddenly felt so sad I couldn’t breathe.”

“What thing? Dragon breath or medicine?” Chao Hua asked.

Chao Nian scratched his head, saying he didn’t know.

Chao Hua saw him claiming sadness but showing no sign of it, even immediately starting to bargain about handling fewer matters. Not wanting to deal with him anymore, she calmly wrote a few words and told him: “I advise you, instead of wasting time arguing with me, go interrogate a few more people now – you might finish work early today.”

“I remember that year, also after a Feiyun Summit’s Three Lands Grand Assembly, even your uncle couldn’t secure first place.”

For parents worldwide, perhaps nothing could be more gratifying than seeing their children succeed. Even the Lord of Ye was no exception. He rose from his desk, smiling: “Excellent indeed.”

“Did Father summon me just to praise me?” Xue Yu saw through his official words, glancing at the evening glow spreading across the sky, frowning: “I need to enter closed-door cultivation tonight. Time is tight – I can’t stay in the Council Hall too long.”

The Lord of Ye was momentarily speechless, looked at her twice, then smiled helplessly: “You, this girl… Fine, Father indeed has something to discuss with you.”

“During your brilliant days, along with congratulations and compliments transmitted back through spiritual talismans, there was another matter.”

Xue Yu had been opinionated since childhood – too opinionated. Whether in ruling or cultivation, the Lord of Ye never needed to worry about her.

Other matters were fine, but regarding love affairs, as a father, he couldn’t help but worry.

Her relationship with Su You wasn’t secret in Yedu. The Lord of Ye had heard about it long ago. Last time, he wanted to bring it up but was stunned by the sudden arrival of the imperial seal, leaving the matter unresolved.

Su You’s background is now clear. As the new monarch of the demon capital, equal to Jiu Feng, you’ve also had Chao Hua replace his position. What are your plans for the future?” The Lord of Ye was himself a romantic sort who had countless romantic affairs in his youth, so in this aspect, he didn’t have any “firm opposition.”

“What plans?” Xue Yu lifted her eyelids.

“You will be Yedu’s Empress in the future. Besides an Imperial Consort, there are also side consorts and attending consorts.” The Lord of Ye abandoned euphemisms and spoke directly: “When he was with you, his status was humble. If you were momentarily interested, you could completely withdraw now – Father didn’t take a penny from the Sui family. He can be his demon capital lord, you can be your Yedu Empress. Neither needs to bother the other.”

This was also the best scenario.

“I couldn’t possibly be with him on momentary interest.” After he finished, Xue Yu replied coldly: “Does Father think a demon capital monarch would come to Yedu as a side consort?”

Never mind anything else – just the Sui family nest would immediately rush over to overturn the Lord of Ye’s table upon hearing such words.

The Lord of Ye developed a headache: “Imperial Consort – if he comes, he’d be Imperial Consort. Ah Yu, Father won’t obstruct you in this matter. Do as you wish. But the court officials keep mentioning past precedents, plus this marriage between two territorial lords involves too many considerations – it’s truly difficult to arrange.”

“Roads are walked by people.” Xue Yu pressed her lips: “No rush to consider these things now. I need to enter seclusion to study the All-Beings Formation. When mortal affairs are completely stable, I’ll discuss marriage with him.”

The All-Beings Formation existed to annihilate Mei. If the future truly reached that point, these things would be their trump cards for resistance.

Mentioning “All-Beings Formation,” the Lord of Ye imperceptibly pressed down on the roster beside him, pacing around the hall with hands behind his back before finally broaching the topic: “Some time ago, the Xu family of Spirit Array Masters sent a letter, willing to have their entire clan become vassals to Yedu.”

“You hold both upper and lower scrolls of the All-Beings Formation. Their family’s young master is very interested in this formation diagram and wants to enter Yedu to comprehend it with you. This is their condition.”

These were the Xu family’s original words.

For someone like the Lord of Ye, who had mingled in romantic affairs, these little tricks were things he’d grown tired of playing and seeing a hundred years ago. He could tell what was inside from hearing just one syllable, but Xue Yu didn’t know.

She indeed didn’t know.

“Their young master is named Yunqing – Xu Yunqing. He was also among the top hundred of the Heaven’s Pride Rankings this time, considered talented in the Spirit Array Master path. You fought him at the Three Lands Grand Assembly.”

“I have no impression.” Xue Yu refused quite directly: “The All-Beings Formation is of great importance and cannot be spread externally. Reject them.”

“Father was prepared to reject them.” The Lord of Ye said: “But they quickly sent word that the Xu family, with ten thousand years of foundation since ancient times, is interested in the All-Beings Formation because they possess two volumes of basic sequels describing this ancient formation.”

“Only by combining the sequels with the formation diagram can the true appearance of the All-Beings Formation be revealed. If completely deployed, it can protect a city and execute a thousand evils.”

“That Xu family young master studies these All-Beings Formation sequels.”

This was precisely what Xue Yu needed most now, and the All-Beings Formation indeed lacked something.

Because it wasn’t perfect, she needed to enter seclusion to comprehend it.

Xue Yu pressed her fingertip on the table surface, contemplating for a long while before slowly conceding: “Let him come.”