The groups gazed at each other from afar. Waves crashed one after another against the reefs by the sea, with the sound of surging tides and rustling winds.

Chen Longzhi was stunned for a moment. This person, who was always adept at navigating among various crowds, hesitated, somewhat uncertain whether, in such circumstances, they should start fighting first or greet Xue Yu.

Speaking of which, Yedu was still considered a partner of Chenyu Pavilion. In future accounting, who knew how many dealings they would have with Xue Yu and these Young Masters and commanders beside her.

Thinking of this, Chen Longzhi’s lips curved into a bitter smile as he cupped his hands toward Xue Yu: “Your Highness, it has been a long time.”

Xue Yu hadn’t expected the two groups to encounter each other in such a place. She brushed away the spider web above her head with an unchanged expression and remained silent for a long while.

Everyone came from ancient noble families and naturally knew that in secret realms, being diplomatic and trying to establish relationships was completely useless. Here, whoever was stronger would claim the treasures – there was no concept of first come, first served.

Compared to Chen Longzhi’s gentle approach, typical of the demon capital’s usual style, Feng Shangyu and several people behind him had already gathered their power, looking at them with wariness and prudence, ready to fight at the slightest disagreement.

Chao Hua grasped at the air with her palm, and her long whip uncoiled like a spiritual snake, coiling around her wrist in loops.

“Wait.” At this critical moment, Chen Longzhi calculated the strength of both sides. With the sea breeze behind him, making his robes flutter and hair dance wildly, he seemed to suddenly realize something and looked toward Xue Yu: “We came to this sea because there are sea buckthorn fish in the water. Chenyu Pavilion is preparing to establish a branch specializing in immortal cuisine. Sea buckthorn fish is one of the ten deep-sea treasures, rarely seen outside. Without the vast spiritual energy nourishment of secret realms, the meat quality isn’t tender either. Our group walked to this place and happened to encounter a school of sea buckthorn fish, which is why we—”

He paused, speaking with some hesitation: “Although this fish is extremely fresh and contains pure spiritual energy, Your Highness and the commanders probably didn’t come here for it, right?”

Xue Yu’s gaze swept behind them without making a sound, glancing twice at those young men who were holding back their frustration, dragging a spirit fishing net, standing there stupidly in the wind like fools. She paused and said: “You fish. Don’t enter the temple.”

So Chen Longzhi understood. His brow relaxed as he said: “As it should be.”

Thus Chen Longzhi turned back to look at the sea with the displeased Feng Shangyu, while Xue Yu turned around. With a slight movement of her finger, the temple door shut with a merciless “snap.”

“That scared me to death.” Chao Nian breathed a great sigh of relief, patting his chest: “I thought we were going to fight just now.”

“Look at yourself – if we fought, what would you be afraid of?” Chao Hua poked his back with exasperation: “All of Yedu’s best fighters are here. Unless the other side brings people from the five families, you wouldn’t need to blink an eye.”

Chao Nian lowered his voice: “I was just worried about delaying you all. Before entering, I heard many people saying that for the final Secret Realm Abyss, most people wouldn’t compete with evenly matched opponents beforehand. At most, they’d be like those people outside – picking flowers, catching fish, grabbing some spirit treasures – this is called conserving energy, right?”

“Didn’t expect that.” Chao Hua wanted to pat his head but found she couldn’t reach, so she put down her hand with some regret: “You can think about these things.”

“Naturally.”

“Well, you thought wrong.” Su You used his sword tip to clear away the spider webs in front of him. Listening to their conversation, he rarely curved his lips and joined the topic: “Others are leisurely strolling, going with the flow, but Chenyu Pavilion is not.”

“Chenyu Pavilion has been a merchant for generations. When they return from here and open the branch pavilion, once the reputation of secret realm sea buckthorn fish spreads, the spirit stones they’ll profit – not to mention much else – will be more than enough to buy several Heaven-tier spirit treasures.”

As they spoke, Xue Yu looked around and found that this temple was truly dilapidated. Roof beams had collapsed, the ground was covered with dust-laden fruits and pastries whose original forms were unrecognizable, and offering plates were scattered everywhere.

In short, everything was there, but not a trace of any opportunities could be seen.

Throughout the entire secret realm, such run-down places were countless.

“No need to search.” Xue Yu turned to look at Su You, who was surveying their surroundings inch by inch: “Chen Longzhi and the others arrived before us. If there was anything here, it wouldn’t be our turn.”

“Chao Nian.” She called back with a grave expression: “Do you feel anything?”

Several pairs of eyes immediately focused on him. Chao Nian’s shoulders couldn’t help but tremble. He frantically closed his eyes to think deeply, but felt nothing at all.

Not even a hint.

“Try again. Calm your mind and feel carefully.” Seeing this situation, Chao Hua also became serious: “Hold your breath and concentrate. Don’t think about anything.”

Who knew this attempt would last an entire afternoon?

Watching the last ray of sunset fade from the horizon, Chao Nian opened his eyes once more. This time, his lips turned downward in a smile uglier than crying: “Sister, don’t look at me. I don’t feel anything.”

As night fell, the temperature dropped sharply – the kind of cold that even cultivators found somewhat unbearable. Seeing Su You flip out several stools from his storage ring, Xue Yu walked over and flicked her finger. A pile of spiritual flames immediately sprang from the ground, and after burning for a while, the temperature somewhat recovered.

Spirit treasure transformation is different from living beings becoming spirits. In most cases I’ve heard of, once spirit treasures return to places with deep connections to them, they will sense something.” Xue Yu looked at Chao Hua, frowning: “Is he a transformed spirit treasure?”

In her previous life, most of Xue Yu’s attention before and after entering Feiyun Heights had been focused on Song Heng. She spent considerable time finding secret realm opportunities for him. She had only heard Chao Hua briefly mention Chao Nian’s situation once.

Because Chao Nian’s parents kept this matter very secret, and it was technically a private family matter of their subject, Xue Yu hadn’t inquired further. Only now, when things seemed wrong, did she ask about the details.

Chao Hua stretched her hands over the fire to warm them, pulled over a chair to sit down, and slowly said: “Before entering Feiyun Heights, father called me to his study to discuss this matter.”

“Chao Nian is indeed quite different from us.”

Chao Hua spoke at length: “Four hundred years ago, I hadn’t been born yet. My father entered Feiyun Heights. At that time, as evening approached, he and three to five companions had just experienced a bloody battle. Passing by this place by chance, they planned to spend the night in the temple, count their gains, and adjust their condition. Who knew that at night, the sea outside suddenly erupted like an exploding pot, with many hideous, unprecedented creatures overwhelming them.”

“My father and his companions were caught off guard, having just experienced a great battle and being physically and mentally exhausted, they could hardly respond. When forced to desperate straits with all companions dead and he alone unable to support himself, just as he was about to lose his life, a layer of golden light suddenly appeared before him, blocking many attacks for him.”

“After fortunately surviving, my father’s palm gained an indelible golden pattern. Through several life-and-death situations in secret realms, this golden pattern showed great power, blocking disasters for him. For this, my father was grateful. When leaving the secret realm, the golden pattern trembled a few times. My father thought it wanted to stay in the secret realm, but unexpectedly it came out with him in the end. However, after coming out, it vaguely conveyed to him the desire to be brought back when Feiyun Heights next opened.”

Hearing this, Chao Nian pointed at himself in shock, swallowing hard: “That impressive golden pattern was me?”

Chao Hua rolled her eyes at him dramatically and continued: “Not long after my father came out, I was born. Over a hundred years later, mother became pregnant with Chao Nian again. When Chao Nian began moving, father reached out to touch mother’s belly. When he raised his hand, the golden pattern was gone.”

“So,” Chou Li said quietly, “Chao Nian is indeed a person of Yedu, but also that golden pattern?”

“Most likely.” Chao Hua turned the jade bracelet on her wrist rather gloomily: “I don’t expect him to show great power anymore, but at the very least, for a transformed spiritual object, having some sensing ability should be expected, right?”

“How is he so immovable like a mountain?”

Chao Nian listened with surging blood and emotions. Hearing this, he said: “Sister, don’t talk about me like that. It makes me sad.”

After hearing this dramatic tale from years past, Su You couldn’t help but turn his gaze to look at the completely darkened sky outside the dilapidated window lattice. His gaze darkened as he looked toward Xue Yu with a stern voice: “Your Highness, there may be changes coming. We should be cautious.”

Xue Yu nodded: “Since we’re here, let’s stay another day and see.”

After sitting for a while, Chao Hua held her cheeks in her palms with a worried frown. Xue Yu and Chou Li discussed matters about Baizhong Mountain, while only Chao Nian remained carefree, dozing off in the warmth of the fire.

Su You pulled back his stool and stood up, saying to Chao Nian: “Get up. Try once more.”

The two walked around the ruined temple again, one behind the other. Chao Nian inadvertently stepped on some rotted fruit on the ground. The soles of his feet felt an unbearable stickiness as he rubbed the goosebumps that instantly rose on his arms: “Young Master, I—”

Before his words fell, he saw Su You suddenly turn around, his brows carrying the gravity of still water: “Don’t speak!”

Chao Nian fell silent as a cicada, like a chicken whose neck had been grabbed and could make no sound.

Only then could they hear the gradually approaching dull roar of boiling sea waves. The sound was heavy and ancient, like someone blowing a conch horn. At first hearing, nothing seemed amiss, but listening carefully, broken sounds were rustling within, like hundreds or thousands of things scraping and struggling, quickly leaping over, bringing a damp chill.

“Go back.”

Without another word, Su You turned and headed toward the main gate.

By the fire, Xue Yu, Chao Hua, and Chou Li had all stood up. Seeing him arrive, Xue Yu tilted her head slightly: “You were right. What’s coming is probably what their father encountered.”

“What do we do now?” Chao Hua asked through gritted teeth: “If there are many, should we retreat first?”

If she were alone, she could certainly stay here for Chao Nian, but as Chao Nian had said earlier, Xue Yu, Su You, and Chou Li were all people who needed to go to the Secret Realm Abyss. If they rashly stayed and got injured, she truly couldn’t make up for it with ten thousand apologies.

Xue Yu spread her five fingers slightly. In the blink of an eye, countless snow threads wove into formations. From the high roof beams to the fingers of the golden Buddha statues, everywhere was filled with spiritual light. She said calmly, “Retreat? All of Yedu’s best fighters are here.”

Chao Hua was stunned, smiled very slightly, then prepared for battle with her long whip coiled around her wrist, ready to strike.

Moments later, the temple’s main gate was smashed open with a thunderous crash. Wild wind immediately poured in unobstructed, wailing miserably without restraint. What rushed in wasn’t the imagined hideous, unidentified unknown creatures, but Chen Longzhi and others, soaked from head to toe, desperately pulling in their fishing nets, looking both wretched and pitiful.

“What’s happening?” Su You asked sternly.

Chen Longzhi couldn’t care about appearances. He threw the last few sea buckthorn fish into his storage ring before waving his hand and speaking rapidly: “Your Highness, Young Master, there are things in the sea coming for the temple – numerous and very troublesome. Leave quickly—”

Before his “quickly” could leave his mouth, the just-closed door was heavily smashed open once more. This time, exposed under the firelight were dozens of things that seemed human but weren’t human, seemed beast but weren’t beast, with fangs and tails. Under their skin, their bones protruded strangely, as if something was swimming and darting through their blood vessels – extremely disturbing.

They charged forward, pouncing on anyone they caught, their eyes completely red with no trace of reason.

“What the hell are these things?” Feng Shangyu forcefully threw the fish bait in his hands to the ground and, barehanded, caught one to tear apart. At the same time, snow-colored movements flowed, long whips moved about, sword energy poured down, and the first wave of creatures quickly exploded.

They exploded.

Those things had extraordinarily tenacious vitality. Their thin skin was as hard as turtle shells, their fingernails sharp and curved upward like polished spikes. When they died, they were like fireworks exploding from inside out, their organs turning into green viscous liquid that scattered like heavenly flowers, bringing an astonishing, unbearable stench.

Feng Shangyu, who was splashed in the face, was stunned for a moment, then went completely mad.

Everyone standing in the temple, except Chao Nian, was quite famous if taken individually, but unfortunately, those creatures were endless. After killing batch after batch, they kept coming one after another, and the ground quickly accumulated a layer of green liquid.

At this time, the advantages of Spirit Array Masters became apparent. The snow threads in Xue Yu’s hands carried astonishing power, like daggers thrown out one after another, circling to block the precarious doorway, much faster than Feng Shangyu, Chen Longzhi, and others.

Strangely, those creatures were immensely strong and brutishly crude, but they didn’t attack the temple itself. However, the temple was truly too dilapidated, with holes everywhere. As doors on all four sides were smashed open, looking around, they were tightly surrounded in the center.

So many creatures.

How had Chao Hua in the previous life managed to hold them off with Chao Nian?

Xue Yu’s fingers fell one by one into the air. With her movements, brilliant light burst from the formation, but the next moment, as the meat balls lost their lives to the silver threads and exploded, a drop of liquid flew diagonally without warning, splashing onto Xue Yu’s hand.

The astonishing stench lingered at her nose.

Xue Yu’s palm stiffened slightly, then she raised her eyes with an almost imperceptible frown.

Fighting to this point, everyone actually hadn’t used their truly lethal moves. First, space was limited – killing all these creatures without harming the temple tested one’s control greatly. Second, those techniques were dangerous and consumed too much energy; unless necessary, it was better not to use them.

Seeing this, Su You struck out with his sword and moved over. His figure was tall and elegant, with an overwhelmingly strong presence when standing beside her. Due to repeatedly drawing his sword, his chest rose and fell slightly, his breath rolling hot, even his gaze carrying a burning, impossible-to-ignore warmth.

“Your Highness.” Seeing she was about to act, his voice was clear and cool: “Let me.”

With that, Su You glanced back once more and drew his sword again.

“Everyone retreat!”

Chao Hua immediately withdrew, pulling the red-faced Chao Nian aside, breathing heavily while cursing quietly.

The next instant, the three-foot sword blade condensed into a frosty cold light, passing over everyone’s heads. For a moment, the wind stopped and the rain ceased, and even the surging tide felt uneasy about this charged strike.

Heaven and earth fell into silent stillness. Su You gripped his sword, yet the sword’s momentum fell light and slow. Three consecutive sword energies swept out horizontally, and with the final sword, he thrust it out diagonally with full force, like a nail driven hard into the ground, sweeping away and flattening all the ghostly creatures.

Four sword strikes swept out horizontally. When the dust settled, those explosive meatballs were scattered everywhere with popping sounds.

As this scene concluded, the empty temple fell into an indescribable deathly silence. After a long while, Chao Hua suddenly pinched Chao Nian, breathing slightly rapidly: “How long has it been? How did he reach this level?”

And this was not his ultimate level.

This rate of progress was so remarkable that it didn’t even inspire jealousy.

On the side, Feng Shangyu looked at this level of attack with half-narrowed eyes and asked Chen Longzhi: “You said he’s a demon ghost?”

Chen Longzhi was also stunned, nodding quietly: “Yes. Rescued by Xue Yu, now serving as Yedu’s Young Master.”

“You should know – we accompanied them when they overturned his case.”

“Demon bloodlines often determine talent.” Feng Shangyu looked twice more, speaking with some puzzlement: “With just those four swords, you could say he’s direct lineage from Jiu Feng or Qiongqi families, and people would believe it.”

“Hey, hey, this is Yedu’s internal affairs – we shouldn’t interfere.” Chen Longzhi quickly stopped the topic.

“Sister, sister.” For once, Chao Nian didn’t join the conversation. He called out twice, pressing against his chest that was beating as if it would burst from his body, then looked at Xue Yu with bewildered wonder: “I, I have a feeling now.”

As soon as the words fell, he seemed to fall into some pale Buddhist light, his figure wrapped in cocoon-like spider silk. With a “whoosh,” he vanished from the temple. This all happened so quickly and suddenly that when everyone came to their senses, they could only hear his empty echoing voice: “Your Highness, don’t worry about me, don’t worry about me. When I come out, I’ll show great power—”

Strangely, just after Chao Nian disappeared, those creatures that had been shocked into submission by Su You’s four sword strikes all let out strange hissing sounds, then reluctantly leaped into the seawater.

A wind passed, leaving wreckage on all sides, roaring waves, and the nauseating smell in the air that lingered for a long time.

Everyone present had more or less gotten something on them. Chao Hua endured her nausea and burned the liquid on the ground with fire. Chen Longzhi helplessly held back Feng Shangyu, who was covered in green liquid and wanted to rush into the sea to fight those creatures, speaking soothingly.

“What do we do now?” Chou Li looked around and asked.

“Stay and observe for now.” Su You sheathed his sword and stood, saying in a deep voice: “If we go out now, without the temple’s shelter, we’ll easily be surrounded.”

The fire was relit.

Xue Yu silently wiped her hand, and after several wipes, that patch of skin turned red. She seemed unaware, and after a while suddenly pursed her lips and asked: “Does anyone have any ideas about those creatures just now?”

Feng Shangyu had no mood to talk. Chen Longzhi thought for a moment and shook his head: “I’ve never seen such things either.”

Xue Yu looked at Chao Hua and asked: “Your father didn’t say?”

“No.” Chao Hua wearily wiped the liquid from her hair, repeatedly using cleansing techniques but still feeling like she’d walked out of a garbage pile: “After coming out, father researched many materials but reached no conclusions.”

In Feiyun Heights in her previous life, Xue Yu had encountered dangerous situations – various seamless traps one after another that were impossible to guard against, but those were mostly difficulties arranged by deceased figures buried there who had been angered, or deliberate tests. She didn’t know if such creatures existed in her previous life, but she certainly hadn’t encountered them.

Lost in thought, Su You carried over a stool and sat in front of her. He looked at the patch of skin where Xue Yu had been splashed with liquid and said gently: “Your Highness, may I?”

Xue Yu paused.

His back was straight, the smile on his lips completely non-threatening, completely different from the swift rain and fierce wind, the revealed sharpness when he had suddenly struck with four consecutive swords.

When she didn’t speak, he smiled and leaned forward, taking out a brand new handkerchief to gently cover the spot, his movements careful and serious. At the same time he said: “Your Highness needn’t overthink. When Chao Nian comes out, he’ll know the answer.”

Xue Yu raised her chin slightly with an almost imperceptible nod.

This scene was undoubtedly quite striking. Chao Hua stopped wiping her hair and huddled together with Chou Li, asking quietly: “What does this mean?”

Chou Li’s eyes widened, her voice compressed to a thread: “You’re asking me? How would I know? But Your Highness didn’t refuse.”

It was precisely because she didn’t refuse that it was so remarkable.

Xue Yu lowered her eyes, able to see Su You’s smooth jawline and profile. His handkerchief swept across her hand twice, and when he swept the third time, several thin threads suddenly emerged from between her tense fingers, falling like scattered flowers onto his distinct knuckles.

She suddenly withdrew her hand, saying with particular coldness: “That’s enough.”

Su You paused slightly, his raven-like lashes sweeping downward. After a moment, he said softly: “Alright.”

Seeing this, Xue Yu couldn’t help but recall the earlier situation.

He said he was the sword in her hand, and indeed, as long as he was present, she truly hadn’t needed to take major action herself.

Though they were coaxing words, he had indeed never broken his word.

Xue Yu’s hand, which had been particularly disobedient these past few days, hung halfway. After a moment, she couldn’t help but draw it closer into her wide sleeves.

The stagnant atmosphere didn’t last long. The spirit talisman at Xue Yu’s waist suddenly burst into flames. She frowned at the two names “Yin Ling” and “Ji Tingxi” displayed almost simultaneously, and tapped the former with her long finger.

“Xue Yu.” On the other end, Yin Ling dispensed with polite courtesies, rarely restraining her smile as she asked directly: “Who are you with, and where are you?”

Sacred Land inheritors always maintained boundaries and wouldn’t cross lines to ask such questions. A flash of surprise crossed Xue Yu’s eyes as she asked: “At Linshuang City. What’s wrong?”

At this, Yin Ling couldn’t help gnashing her teeth: “How are things on your end? If you can handle it, can you come to Little South Mountain?”

“What happened?”

“The demon capital has gone mad.” Yin Ling said rapidly: “Led by Jiu Feng, all the demon capital families have gathered together as if following orders, and every single human cultivator who entered Feiyun Heights has been driven to Little South Mountain. I just got the news and am heading there.”

“I’ve already contacted Ga Xi Shan Shu and the others.”

“What’s going on?” Xue Yu hadn’t expected this development. Thinking of the demon capital’s nature, she asked: “Did someone do something?”

“According to unclear reports, some humans attempted to obtain Jiu Feng’s life essence.”

As soon as Yin Ling finished speaking, Feng Shangyu, who had been busy wiping his sleeves and acting as if it had nothing to do with him, and who regularly severed relations with Jiu Feng, suddenly looked up with a visibly darkened expression.

“What did she say?!”