The people sent by Yedu were well-trained. An hour before the West Tower opened, they had already packed their belongings and waited by the long corridor painted with golden fragments. Now, as soon as there was any movement from Xihe, they could depart at any time.

The West Tower was very lively today. Those who came to drink tea and wine sat down as if nails had grown from their seats, refilling cup after cup of tea, their gazes drifting toward the quiet third floor from time to time.

Shanhai City was a place where news couldn’t be hidden. The opening of the Judgment Platform was meant to warn the world, so whether they were cultivators filled with longing or young people who simply followed the crowd to watch the excitement, everyone had received the news that spread through the entire city like the wind.

At the height of the crowd, Liu Niang led several young servants gracefully up to the third floor. She had changed her clothes, cinching her waist to accentuate her ample bosom, every frown and smile between her brows carrying captivating charm.

The third floor housed not only Xue Yu, people from Tai Hua and Chi Shui were there. Several factions kept to themselves, their teams arranged in neat and orderly formations. At a glance, only the people from Yedu were most distinctive, each wearing masks with blue faces and fanged teeth, covering even their eyebrows and eyes completely. Fortunately, those present weren’t seeing such a scene for the first time, so after a glance, they habitually looked away.

When Xue Yu stepped out of her room, the people from Bei Huang and Kunlun had just arrived.

“We were trapped in the desolate mountains.” The leader of Kunlun was Lu Qin, the sect master’s chief disciple. He performed a beautiful sword flourish with the sword in his hand before sheathing it, still bearing the hurried appearance of rushing travel. He straightened his robes and smiled as he explained to everyone: “Some time ago, we happened to take on the same task as Bei Huang. That spirit monster had considerable cultivation and knew concealment techniques. We spent quite a bit of time before subduing it, nearly missing the opening time of Xihe.”

His appearance wasn’t outstanding, but his temperament made people feel like they were bathed in spring breeze. Because of his good temper, he got along well with everyone. After exchanging respectful greetings with Lu Chengze, he laughed and said: “In the past, we always arrived early while Chi Shui and Yedu came right on time. How is everyone so eager this time?”

Xue Yu nodded to him in acknowledgment, her gaze falling on the Bei Huang crowd, who had remained silent like wooden figures since arriving.

Among the Six Sacred Lands, Bei Huang was often the most uninvolved.

In her previous life, these two, Buddha’s Son and Buddha’s Daughter from Bei Huang, hadn’t come.

The arrival of Xue Yu and her two companions had undoubtedly caused many things to change.

“Buddha’s Son, Buddha’s Daughter.” Liu Niang stepped forward and performed a welcoming bow, her beautiful eyes holding laughter, her words carrying a note of curiosity: “It’s rare to see you both come together.”

Especially to a place like the Judgment Platform.

Just as Liu Niang finished speaking, the spiritual power of Xihe, which had been boiling and churning restlessly, suddenly calmed down, as if someone had added ice cubes to bubbling boiling water. Immediately after, a massive gateway slowly appeared before everyone’s eyes.

Seeing this, Lu Qin smiled at Liu Niang: “We trouble you, madam.”

Liu Niang politely demurred, turned to receive the jade token handed over by a young servant, and pressed it neither lightly nor heavily against the lacquered red wall pillar. This West Tower, adorned with countless mortal lights, finally revealed its unique spectacle to the world.

The entire roof of the West Tower split open from the center, allowing those inside the building to look up and see the dome of heaven. Countless flying eaves and roof tiles seemed to be held by invisible threads, suspended in mid-air, creating an intricate and unique beauty. Many boys wearing flowing robes and carrying incense burners filed out in a single file, standing on both sides.

“The Sacred Land welcomes guests.” Liu Niang stood to one side, her gaze penetrating through Xihe’s massive gate, focusing on the deeper recesses. She extended a guiding gesture toward Xue Yu and the others, calling out loudly: “Everyone, please.”

Xue Yu stepped across the void, her figure quickly passing through the Sacred Land’s gate, disappearing into the deeper mist.

Among those following Xue Yu into Xihe this time, besides people from her father’s side, there was also a familiar face.

“This servant came of age last month and took on a position under elder sister, managing trivial matters at the outer perimeter of Bai Zhong Mountain.” Chao Nian followed closely beside Xue Yu, saying: “This servant previously accompanied the young lady to the Sacred Land once. Hearing that the young lady was shorthanded here, I volunteered to come.”

Chao Nian was Chao Hua’s younger brother. Unlike his sister’s steadiness, the younger brother was more lively. Compared to the trembling little demons, he was more daring in conversing with Xue Yu.

“Weren’t you clamoring that you’d rather die than manage Bai Zhong Mountain’s affairs?” Xue Yu’s eyes swept over the countless layers of mountains and waters in the Sacred Land. Hearing this, she turned her head to ask.

Seeing her look at him this way, Chao Nian couldn’t help but reach up to scratch his head, saying somewhat embarrassedly: “Elder sister said she’d give me a position first to train my character. If I can’t even do this well, I shouldn’t think about anything else – it would all be daydreaming.”

Xue Yu couldn’t help but smile, the corners of her mouth curving up very slightly.

Chao Nian looked around and found they were all familiar faces he’d seen last time – the successors of each Sacred Land.

Except for Bei Huang.

“Young lady.” He suspected he was seeing things wrong, lowering his voice to ask: “Both the Buddha’s Son and Buddha’s Daughter came?”

Xue Yu hummed in acknowledgment. Chao Nian immediately widened his eyes in surprise, his voice like a mosquito’s buzz: “Then for this Judgment Platform, wouldn’t most people survive?”

Buddha’s ferry all living beings – what they can’t bear to see most is the scene of human lives withering away before their eyes.

Since they can’t bear to see it, they simply don’t look. When the Judgment Platform opened last time, Bei Huang only perfunctorily sent one person who kept their eyes straight ahead throughout, not glancing down at all.

Chao Nian shrank his neck, thinking about the scenes that might unfold next, and said: “Bei Huang and Chi Shui won’t fight, will they?”

These two Sacred Lands – one advocated governing evil through law, the other advocated compassion. One was responsible for detention and interrogation, severe punishment, and forced confession, while the other was responsible for ferrying departed souls and comforting all beings. Regardless of their surface relationship, there were always frictions behind the scenes, neither able to approve of the other. This could be glimpsed from the fact that the heirs of these two lands had never taken on tasks together.

“You underestimate Bei Huang’s state of mind.” Xue Yu followed the guiding boy forward, her voice calm: “Bei Huang is a place of tranquility, but that doesn’t mean everyone who comes out of there can’t bear to see killing and slaughter.”

Chao Nian didn’t know if he understood or not, but his nodding was very practiced: “Everything the young lady says is right.”

Leaping throughout mountains and water, the outline of the Judgment Platform faintly appeared before everyone. The one who came out to receive them was a highly respected elder from Xihe, with the bearing of an immortal sage. He squinted his eyes and smiled with the kind benevolence of an elderly person when speaking. He sought the opinions of Xue Yu and the others: “Everything is ready. When to open the Judgment Platform depends entirely on everyone’s wishes.”

Xue Yu glanced at Lu Chengze without changing her expression.

Lu Chengze, who was eager to rescue Song Heng as quickly as possible, was unwilling to wait any longer.

As expected, Lu Chengze frowned and was the first to speak: “Let’s arrange it as soon as possible. After the New Year, I see everyone has matters to attend to. We can’t spend too much time at the Judgment Platform.”

Indeed.

After the New Year, all those who hadn’t completed their Heaven’s Mystery Book quota tasks last year had to make them up before May. This could be seen from Xue Yu, as well as the people from Kunlun and Bei Huang, who had just rushed over.

Therefore, this proposal quickly gained Lu Qin’s support. The sword cultivator in white robes smiled bitterly and said, “I agree. If I draw several more troublesome characters, I won’t be able to complete this year’s tasks again.”

This statement struck a chord with the others, and no one raised any objections.

Seeing this, the elder from Xihe knowingly stroked his long beard and said: “In that case, please everyone ascend the Judgment Platform.”

To the foot of the mountain, long stairs connected to the heavenly dome, like a thin thread suspended from the mountain base to the peak. Xue Yu climbed step by step, and the higher she went, the colder her expression became.

Around the Judgment Platform stood silver-armored attendants one after another, their spines straight and expressions solemn. Many cloud mirrors hung around them, reflecting the surrounding situation in minute detail. These cloud mirrors connected to various places in the world – what happened here today would soon fly like wings to streets and alleys, bustling markets and small lanes.

Above the nineteen steps of the Judgment Platform, several wide ceremonial chairs were arranged. In the deliberately prolonged announcement calls of the Taoist boys, Xue Yu and the others took their seats one by one.

Before long, the clanking sound of iron chains colliding and crossing came from below, as if something heavy was stumbling and moving laboriously, each dull and low impact striking people’s hearts.

Lu Chengze tried to restrain himself, but couldn’t help glancing at Xue Yu’s expression.

No abnormality whatsoever.

She controlled her expression so well. Neither showing any soft-hearted mercy nor any gloating satisfaction from kicking someone when they’re down, as if she truly didn’t know Song Heng, as if there hadn’t been those thousand years of mutual appreciation, trust, and unbreakable bonds between them.

To possess such a state of mind, truly worthy of being Xue Yu.

Sixteen people were escorted up the steps one by one.

The Sacred Land was still in winter, with thick clouds and mist on the mountaintop, and the long wind bringing cold. The sixteen people forcibly pressed to kneel on the platform all hung their heads. Iron chains as thick as wrists bound their hands and feet. Each person’s prison uniform bore numbers, like slaves for people to choose from.

Covered in whip marks, breath faint and weak.

Xihe’s disciples carrying organized booklets approached the ceremonial chairs on the platform in an orderly fashion. The disciple walking behind Xue Yu presented the handbook, explaining carefully and respectfully: “Your Highness, please review. It records the names, portraits, life stories, and crimes of the prisoners below.”

Xue Yu had already seen these things in her previous life.

She frowned slightly, didn’t reach for the handbook, but raised her chin slightly and said clearly: “Have them lift their heads.”

The kneeling people below had all had their cultivation abolished and suffered serious injuries. Unable and powerless to resist, they soon raised their faces, some high, some low.

Sixteen youths, sixteen different faces.

Through the swirling clouds and mist, Song Heng immediately spotted Xue Yu. He was in a wretched state, yet his spine was always straight, showing no eager attitude of needing others.

She was still the same as in his memory, only the her of a thousand years ago had been softer, her delicate face still carrying some girlish liveliness. Her pair of eyes seemed to hold the misty qi from cloud-covered mountains, hazy and dreamy, but when looking at him, they appeared particularly cold.

Particularly heartless.

After her gaze moved away indifferently, Song Heng, who hadn’t changed expression even when facing whipping, slowly and lightly clenched his fist. An indescribable, ineffable feeling almost uncontrollably surged up in his heart.

Unlike Lu Chengze’s hopeful thinking that “lovers’ quarrels can be resolved with some coaxing,” he understood Xue Yu, so he was clearer than anyone else.

Xue Yu was very intelligent and very decisive. She wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

She wouldn’t extend her hand to him again, wouldn’t give him even a bit of kindness.

She wished he would die.

Sitting beside Xue Yu was that Buddha’s Daughter from Bei Huang, named Shan Shu. Among the six seated, only she had carefully read through that handbook from beginning to end. After closing the handbook, she turned her head and asked the Sacred Land disciple softly: “Which one is Su You?”

The disciple pointed him out to her.

Xue Yu heard the commotion and looked in that direction.

On this winter day when water turned to ice, the youth wore only thin prison garments. The prison uniform bore the character “一” drawn in vermilion brush. Blood trickled between his brows, and he was forced to kneel by an attendant pressing his shoulder. Even in such a posture, his entire body seemed to be covered with ten thousand thorns of rebellion.

Fierce like an injured wolf cub.

Sensing someone looking at him, the youth raised his eyes. In his deep black pupils seemed to hold a cluster of frost-white snow, startlingly cold, with murderous intent growing thick.

Xue Yu was momentarily stunned.

He had remarkably attractive features that could make one lose focus, not like other young men of his age with their high spirits and clear, bright moon-like bearing. His appearance could be called stunning, his features more delicate than a woman’s. Even the malicious mocking gesture of slightly curling his lips carried a soul-stirring, alluring elegance.

Xue Yu had seen all kinds of youths. Mere good looks weren’t enough to make her lose focus.

She looked at Shan Shu beside her, then slowly lowered her head to look at the roster in her hand, her gaze settling on the two characters “Su You.”

She and Shan Shu weren’t familiar now, but in the later part of her previous life, she had been one of Xue Yu’s few friends with whom she could talk and share her heart.

Her deep impression of “Su You” was because once, Shan Shu had joined with Kunlun to handle a very troublesome task. After finishing, instead of returning to Bei Huang, she had gone to find Xue Yu.

She still remembered Shan Shu’s expression then – a complex, indescribable sadness of being moved by someone. That night, she and Shan Shu sat shoulder to shoulder as she spoke word by word: “After confronting for over thirty days, we finally captured that demon ghost’s resentful spirit.”

“My Buddhist heart sutra broke through to the twenty-seventh level.”

“Yet I still couldn’t ferry him to salvation.”

“I saw his memories.”

“Ah Yu.” Shan Shu said, “If I had known earlier that a demon ghost would have to endure such malice from the world, I would have attended that judgment assembly back then.”

To save one is to save one.

The current Shan Shu didn’t know what would happen in a hundred or even a thousand years, but Xue Yu knew.

She knew.

But she frowned and didn’t speak.

Once bitten by a snake, one fears ropes for ten years. She had to admit, she was afraid of encountering a second Song Heng.

Shan Shu also didn’t speak. In such an occasion, even though she and the Buddha’s Son had both come, they actually couldn’t do much. Most people’s impression of Bei Huang stayed at the level of being very good people. They could certainly save innocent mortals, but they couldn’t extend a helping hand to these people who had committed wrongdoings under countless watching eyes.

On the other side, as if knowing that Xue Yu was determined never to pay attention to Song Heng again, Lu Chengze had no choice but to frown while naming Song Heng to be saved under his own people’s incredulous gazes.

Besides this, a youth named Shen Jingshi was named by Lu Qin to be kept.

The judgment assembly was approaching its end here. Above the heads of the remaining fourteen people, layers of lightning flickered in and out of visibility. Several people had already closed their eyes in despair.

That elder stepped forward and was just drawing out the word “concluded” in a long tone.

A clear, cold female voice suddenly rang out: “Wait a moment.”

Everyone turned to look.

Under the gaze of dozens of eyes, Xue Yu’s eyelashes fluttered rapidly up and down twice. She extended her long finger, pointing at the youth whose entire body flowed with malice, and said: “I want him.”

Xue Yu, who couldn’t possibly be fooled a second time, made the same mistake as a thousand years ago.

She had once again saved someone from the Judgment Platform.

The instant her words fell, Song Heng suddenly raised his eyes, his complexion instantly turning white as paper.