Moments later, the group stood on Jiu Feng’s water bridge. The bridge could bend and stretch, extend and contract, like a piece of flowing silk ribbon. It finally passed through a bottomless black water cave and stopped before a small underwater flower garden.

Though called a flower garden, few people would recognize the flowers blooming inside. Red and purple, each possessed its mystical posture, quietly emanating misty spiritual light in the water waves, like clusters of fire swimming in the water.

Jiu Feng didn’t linger at the periphery, frowning as she headed straight for the depths. After a moment, her steps stopped outside a small circle in the center of the garden.

Inside the circle grew a withered flower.

Its petals were an extremely rare water color, as if covered with a layer of the bright moon’s pure radiance. The leaves showed a shimmering luster, and approaching even slightly, one could feel the charcoal-fire-like temperature emanating from them.

Without doubt, this was a true spiritual object formed by gathering heaven and earth’s essence and the beauty of mountains and waters.

At this moment, this palm-sized flower had drooped its head like a sunflower, its leaves hanging listlessly. Looking closely, the entire flower was like a punctured ball, expelling spiritual power from its stem outward.

At this rate, within three days, this sun-moon flower would quietly disappear from the world.

“What couldn’t she do instead?” Jiu Feng spread her palm, revealing the crystalline white demon pearl within, her face showing twelve parts impatience and unwillingness: “Had to get involved with a man.”

Xue Yu frowned at these words, pressing her lips down low.

“I’ll count to three, then we act together.” Jiu Feng loosened her hand, letting the demon pearl drop vertically into the sun-moon flower’s bud. Without turning her head, she concentrated on observing the flower’s changes, and at a certain moment, even her voice softened.

“One.”

“Two.”

“Three—”

Xue Yu acted. Her pure white sleeves fluttered with the wind like two trembling suspended clouds. Thousands upon thousands of snow-white threads wound around her slender wrists, hanging loosely in mid-air, each strand like rain silk, gently and softly touching the sun-moon flower’s petals. Pure spiritual power flowed out continuously like flowing water.

Compared to Xue Yu’s gentle spring rain-like movements, Jiu Feng’s side was much cruder and simpler. Lava-like fire liquid splashed, exploding into crimson fireworks in mid-air, then being completely absorbed into the sun-moon flower’s body.

During this process, the light around the sun-moon flower grew increasingly bright. The petals unfolded layer by layer, and the green leaves’ edges even showed fine golden borders. The spiritual power was so abundant it had almost reached its peak state.

“Almost there.” Jiu Feng glanced at Xue Yu, a hint of relieved joy hidden in her tone: “In a little while, we’ll withdraw our hands simultaneously.”

Xue Yu nodded, beginning to slow the speed of spiritual power flowing from her hands.

“Pop!”

Just as the demon pearl was about to completely merge with the sun-moon flower’s main body, an unexpected change occurred.

The blooming petals closed one by one, the surging spiritual power stopped abruptly, all flowing back along their original paths to return to Xue Yu and Jiu Feng’s bodies. That demon pearl leaped out of the main body, reappearing before everyone’s eyes.

“Yun Lai, you!” Jiu Feng was pushed back two steps by the massive spiritual power. She stared at that demon pearl, her usually lazy voice dropping unusually low: “Are you insane? Once you lose this opportunity, you won’t even have a chance at reincarnation as a human.”

Xue Yu’s misty almond eyes lifted slightly. After a moment of silence, she rarely spoke: “Go back.”

Two points of light circled the demon pearl, one bright and one dim. Among them, the dim point gradually dissolved into silver sand before everyone’s gaze. The bright point flew toward Jiu Feng and Xue Yu, brushing past their cheeks as gently as spring wind, carrying an indescribable, rich floral fragrance.

Thus, Xue Yu heard the great demon’s smiling, soft words again.

“Thank you.” Yun Lai sighed softly in her ear: “I was born from people’s goodwill, yet I harmed them due to my circumstances. This is a debt that Huainan and I owe and must repay.”

Chen Huainan was innocent, she was innocent.

Those who lost their lives because of her loss of control were even more innocent.

“In the next life, I won’t be a demon, and Huainan won’t be human either.” She seemed to have unloaded some heavy burden, so even her final words carried an upward smile, incredibly gentle.

They would become springs flowing through mountains, cold moon between forests, and become two brilliant points among the countless bright lights of the human world.

As Yun Lai’s words fell, the bright point around the demon pearl suddenly flew into the distance, forming a meteor-like trajectory. In the mysterious depths, it enveloped several souls who had died because of her, scattering all her accumulated merit and good deeds. Then, like fireworks burning to their end, it quietly dimmed and silently concluded.

Xue Yu and Jiu Feng both fell silent.

It wasn’t until that demon pearl fell back into Jiu Feng’s hands that the latter suddenly blinked, reaching out to grip it tightly. Her nails dyed with phoenix impatiens were so vivid they seemed ready to drip juice: “Such little ambition—she indeed can’t be a demon.”

The silk threads wound around Xue Yu’s sleeves unconsciously stretched long. She lowered her eyes, straightening them one by one slowly. After a long moment, she suddenly turned around, her voice unchanged: “Let’s go.”

“Wait.” Jiu Feng called out to her, raising her chin high: “I’ll go with you.”

“My friend has ended up like this.” The more she spoke, the more she couldn’t help gritting her teeth: “This matter must have an explanation.”

“Yun Lai was born of heaven and earth, with no father or mother. She only had friends like us around her.” Jiu Feng pointed to herself, then at Tao Zhi, whose face was full of melancholy: “That Chen Jianxi, and that old scoundrel Taoist—they all must—” She swallowed the word “die” and changed to a more acceptable phrasing for the Sacred Lands: “They must all receive their lesson.”

“Your Highness Jiu Feng.” Seeing this, Chao Nian hurriedly stepped forward to mediate: “Chen Jianxi has already been stripped of his City Lord position by our young lady’s order and escorted back to Yedu for trial. Rest assured, we will handle this matter according to the rules and will never show leniency to any guilty party.”

“The Sacred Lands have always favored the human race. Chen Jianxi, as a city lord, might still have some use and could be released by you with some excuse.” Jiu Feng frowned with disgust, pointing at the completely withered sun-moon flower: “Then these two would have died for nothing.”

“I don’t care about Chen Huainan—I can’t manage that anyway. But Yun Lai did nothing wrong. I’m getting involved in this matter.”

Chao Nian scratched his head, wanting to say more, but saw Xue Yu turn around. She looked at Jiu Feng’s lazy phoenix eyes and said, “You can follow, but if you dare to act rashly and harm innocents, you’ll go to Yedu’s great prison along with Chen Jianxi to see what it’s like.”

Xue Yu’s words were crisp, her voice like cold jade: “You’d better take my words to heart.”

Jiu Feng wasn’t just anyone—her strength was openly displayed. If she insisted on following, it wasn’t something Xue Yu could refuse with a simple “no.” Since she only wanted an outcome for Yun Lai, Xue Yu could satisfy her.

Taking a step back, Chen Jianxi was being escorted back to Yedu for punishment. If Jiu Feng dared to cause trouble in someone else’s stronghold, she’d have to be prepared for the Demon Capital to “ransom” her according to the rules.

Jiu Feng snorted coldly, playing with her crystal-clear nails, saying boredly: “Don’t worry. I have no interest in the Sacred Lands’ petty affairs.”

Xue Yu turned back around, no longer paying attention to her.

The group stood back on that water bridge. During this time, Chao Nian tugged at Su You’s sleeve, speaking two sentences in low voice to the young man’s enchanting peach blossom eyes that always seemed to hide a smile. The latter lowered his gaze, then nodded slightly, returning to stand beside Xue Yu.

After Xue Yu came ashore, without another word, she headed directly to Golden Light Temple.

When they arrived at Golden Light Temple, the sky was already dark. Layers of brilliant sunset clouds floated orderly in the sky, complementing a setting sun sinking in the west, creating a desolate beauty.

Shan Shu had just emerged from the Buddha hall. Seeing Xue Yu’s ice-cold expression at first glance, then looking at Jiu Feng standing with arms crossed against the ancient tree with squinted eyes, she was slightly stunned. She hurriedly invited Xue Yu to sit and asked: “What happened?”

Xue Yu tiredly closed her eyes, holding hot tea and moistening her mouth with a sip. Just as she was about to gather her energy to explain the cause and effect, she heard a clear voice unique to young men flowing unhurriedly from beside her. From the forced entry into the City Lord’s mansion to everything that happened under the sea, he spoke simply yet comprehensively, omitting nothing.

Xue Yu’s brow suddenly relaxed somewhat.

She had indeed never enjoyed such treatment. Both were fresh from the Judgment Platform, taking on missions, but working with Song Heng versus working with Su You were two completely different experiences. One was chaotic and headache-inducing, while the other was so worry-free it made one want to sigh.

After listening, Shan Shu also fell silent. After a long moment, she said: “This really is…” leaving people not knowing what to say.

Xue Yu took out a relic from her spatial ring, pushing it toward Shan Shu: “This is the Buddhist treasure stolen from the temple. Give it to Wu Neng later.”

Shan Shu nodded, brushing her hair behind her ears, opening her mouth with some guilt: “Speaking of shame, this mission troubled Miss Xue Yu. I was clumsy and really couldn’t help.”

Such agile thinking and thunderous methods were indeed rare to match. No wonder Lu Qin, who had gone to the imperial capital with her to quell the rebellion, was so ashamed he wanted to die and had hidden away for several months, not daring to meet Xue Yu.

“Shan Shu jests. If Golden Light Temple wasn’t under your protection, I wouldn’t have been able to free my hands to handle things.” Compared to Lu Qin and Lu Chengze, who were more hindrance than help, Shan Shu was undoubtedly an excellent partner.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xue Yu took out the Heavenly Mystery Book from her sleeve, placing it side by side with Shan Shu’s. Then very tacitly, they simultaneously touched them.

Those characters scrolled rapidly before their eyes. Soon, as if sensing something, the first half of the line dissolved into flying ash before their eyes.

This meant the mission was about to be completed.

Shan Shu breathed a light sigh of relief, leaning back slightly with her spine against the chair back. Just as she was about to smile and say something to Xue Yu, she saw the second half of the characters on the Heavenly Mystery Book suddenly light up, scrolling at a speed that almost hurt the eyes.

Xue Yu and she looked over simultaneously, seeing several characters slowly emerge.

“Find the Worldly Lamp.”

The three characters “Worldly Lamp” were written with extremely heavy strokes, deep in color, as if afraid people couldn’t see them.

From the beginning, Xue Yu and Shan Shu had been told that the Worldly Lamp was an unimportant object, its owner didn’t even care about it, saying its purpose had reached its end. The Heavenly Mystery Book had never said to find the Worldly Lamp—the mission’s main text clearly and plainly only mentioned the Worldly Lamp being lost.

Everyone thought this was just to draw out the matters of Thunder Sea and Golden Light Temple.

Now that everything was resolved, suddenly there was a request to find the lamp.

Seeing this, Su You’s pupils moved slightly. He quietly turned around, walking to one side to gently ask the peach blossom demon, who followed Jiu Feng, and looked very gentle and easy to talk to several questions.

After learning the details, he returned to stand beside Xue Yu, leaning slightly forward and speaking softly: “Tao Zhi says that two years ago, the sect leader of Purple Micro Cave truly did come to Nine Phoenix Sea, communicating nicely with Jiu Feng for a while. That lamp does not affect suppressing great demons at all—it was just a pretense.”

“That sect leader has gone deep in the path of divination, thus understanding heavenly secrets. He cast divination before Jiu Feng and Yun Lai, and the hexagram clearly showed that within two years, Chen Huainan would not appear in Wudao City. Even if Yun Lai used her power to search for him, it would be a waste of life force.” This was the real reason Thunder Sea finally regained peace during those two years.

“Later, when the sect leader left, he indeed built a tower from nothing and placed a lamp inside, but it was completely useless—just to make the surrounding villagers feel at ease seeing it.”

After hearing this, Xue Yu looked at those still flashing characters, her tone as cold as possible: “So what kind of fit is it having, making us find the lamp?”

Shan Shu also frowned deeply, pressing her throbbing brow with her finger and smiling bitterly: “I should have expected this.”

“A four-and-a-half-star mission—given the Heavenly Mystery Book’s nature, how could it pass so smoothly?”

So there was still a second half hidden here waiting for them.

Su You lowered his eyes, his peripheral vision catching Xue Yu’s half-profile. Her porcelain-white complexion showed hints of rosy anger due to the Heavenly Mystery Book’s unexpected twist, like a cold porcelain person carved from ice and jade suddenly coming to life.

His prepared words suddenly became jumbled for a moment.

When the young man spoke again, his raven-feather lashes hung densely down, his voice deliberately low, revealing a trace of poorly concealed coldness: “Chao Nian just said that the old village chief has been trying to gather enough money for Su Yun to apprentice with a famous sect all these years. Seeing that Su Yun was getting older and further delays would miss the best cultivation timing, he consulted with the village’s cash-strapped strong men and set their target on the Worldly Lamp.”

“A wealthy family in Xuzhou heard that this lamp could suppress great demons and was very interested, repeatedly sending people to make offers. The old village chief refused the first few times, but later became tempted and couldn’t help taking the risk. He chose a day with the fewest people—the Wind Prayer Festival—to steal the lamp.”

“Who knew that by coincidence, Yun Lai also acted that night to bewitch monks into taking the Buddhist treasure. The timing was so coincidental that people naturally associated it as the same person’s doing.”

But actually, it wasn’t.

To summarize in one sentence: the Heavenly Mystery Book combined three missions into one, step by step, leading them into the trap.

She and Shan Shu didn’t want to be fools, but this damned book treated them as fools everywhere.

Xue Yu stood up with a “whoosh,” looking at the Heavenly Mystery Book and saying extremely calmly: “I’m not taking this mission anymore.”

Just then, Qing Luo came running over in a panic, lifting her skirts. She leaned close to Xue Yu and whispered: “Young lady, Chao Nian asked me to tell you that the person who contacted the old village chief to buy the lamp was a Taoist, and he said he was an old acquaintance of the City Lord’s family, even producing evidence. It was precisely because he repeatedly guaranteed that taking the lamp would be foolproof that the old village chief decided to risk it. Afterward, that Taoist indeed left behind many spirit stones and took the lamp back to Xuzhou.”

“Chao Nian says that based on the village chief’s description, it’s very likely the same person who colluded with the Chen family a thousand years ago.”

Not far away, Jiu Feng was directing her ghost carriage to circle above Golden Light Temple. Hearing the words “Taoist,” her ears twitched, then she stopped her actions and walked over haughtily, looking at Xue Yu: “What Taoist? The one who did the fortune-borrowing?”

Her face was full of a “when are we setting out to kill someone” expression.

Xue Yu took a deep breath, staring at Jiu Feng steadily. The latter immediately said: “Don’t you dare say you won’t handle this matter. That damned old man must die before Yun Lai’s grave.”

Xue Yu said nothing for a long moment. After a while, she turned around, a ball of fire shooting from her fingertips without blinking, throwing it onto the Heavenly Mystery Book.

The small scroll immediately rolled back and forth in mid-air, flapping and struggling.

Xue Yu coldly appreciated this for a long time before saying word by word to Jiu Feng: “Mm, we’ll go tomorrow.”