No one had expected such a thing to happen.

Within the secret realm, life and death were determined by fate, each with their opportunities. No matter what occurred, it couldn’t be blamed on the Sacred Lands. Or rather, from the moment they set foot in this secret realm, the Sacred Lands became competitors to everyone else, just like any other sect.

Even so, what Yin Ling mentioned involved a major conflict between the human race and demon capital, falling within the scope of what they had to manage.

There was no way to contact the outside world from within the secret realm, but Xue Yu could already imagine how furious the demon capital would be upon learning that Jiu Feng had been targeted for her life essence by humans, and how angry and united the human sects and families would be upon discovering that the demon capital had blocked all opportunities for their disciples.

The conflict would be intensified to the maximum degree.

Xue Yu pushed back her chair and stood, walking around the temple front and back twice, laying down large and small interconnected spirit arrays – all set up for Chao Nian, just in case.

She had just straightened up when the spirit talisman burst into flames once more.

She withdrew her hand, leaning against the main door to gaze at the night sea, and tapped the three characters “Ji Tingxi” that flickered neither large nor small on the spirit talisman. Almost the moment she touched the talisman, Ji Tingxi’s voice urgently transmitted: “Xue Yu, you’ve received all the news, right?”

“Just learned of it.”

“When people have bad luck, even drinking water gets stuck in their teeth.” Ji Tingxi rarely lost his composure, saying in distress, “None of us have reached Little South Mountain yet. The rumors outside are unreliable, but generally speaking, the situation there doesn’t seem good.”

“I just went through everything in my mind, and I really can’t think of who could be stupid enough to secretly harm Jiu Feng.” Speaking of this, Ji Tingxi even rubbed his brow and laughed bitterly in anger.

Xue Yu’s fingers moved slightly, her voice calm: “I’ve had some contact with Jiu Feng. Setting aside other matters, she wouldn’t kill innocents indiscriminately, but for the demon capital to make such a big move at this timing shows the situation with Jiu Feng is indeed serious. The aftermath will be very troublesome.”

You must know, not only human cultivators needed opportunities – the demon capital did too. Now that a conflict had erupted, it was delaying time for both sides. If it were just a small matter, no one would do this.

“What a disaster – everything somehow gets entangled with the demon capital.” Ji Tingxi sighed heavily: “Alright, I’m heading over now.”

Xue Yu hummed in acknowledgment and extinguished the spirit talisman. When she returned to the fire pit, Feng Shangyu couldn’t contact Jiu Feng and instead switched to contacting another direct lineage member from a family that followed Jiu Feng.

His hand holding the spirit talisman tightened and loosened repeatedly. The moment he successfully made contact, he didn’t even have time to identify himself before asking: “Where is Chu Yaoxiang? What’s the situation there? Is she injured?”

“Feng Shangyu?” The person on the other end quickly recognized his voice and said repeatedly: “She’s somewhat injured, the situation is hard to describe, but you should come quickly.”

Hearing confirmed news of injury, Feng Shangyu’s pupils contracted slightly. After cutting the connection, he said nothing more and immediately stood to leave.

Chen Longzhi and others followed behind him with hurried expressions. Fortunately, there were no longer those lurking creatures outside the temple, and the group quickly disappeared into the night.

“We should go too,” Xue Yu said.

Fortunately, Linshuang City and Little South Mountain weren’t too far apart. With serious travel, they reached the place in less than a day. Only upon truly entering Little South Mountain did they realize that along the way, there were very few cultivators in the cities and towns – truly sparse – all because the demon capital had gathered everyone into Little South Mountain’s inner city, allowing entry but no exit, with guards posted at over ten checkpoints.

When Xue Yu’s group arrived, the guard at the small gate was still an acquaintance. Upon seeing her with Chao Hua and Chou Li, Qin Qingchuan raised his eyebrows and smiled rather improperly: “Oh, look who we have here – our Princess Xue Yu and two commander lords. My respects, my respects.”

After speaking, he looked back, his gaze sweeping around Su You twice. His eyes lit up with fervent light as he licked his lips and asked: “This is our Yedu’s newly appointed Young Master?”

Hearing that word “our,” the somewhat shorter, plumper man behind Qin Qingchuan moved to his side and said in a lowered voice: “Brother Qingchuan, we’re standing with the demon capital’s camp. If Jiu Feng hears us talking like this, we’ll get beaten.”

These people who had lived long-term in Baizhong Mountain never had any proper bearing. Xue Yu didn’t want to say much. As she stepped past the checkpoint, she asked: “Where is Jiu Feng? What exactly is the situation inside?”

Qin Qingchuan’s shoulders moved. Knowing the urgency of the situation, he stepped aside to lead them at an unhurried pace while briefly explaining: “The Sacred Land inheritors from Chi Shui, Kunlun, and Beihuang have arrived. The others should be coming soon, too. Xue Yu, this time I’m afraid it won’t end well.”

At such times, Xue Yu was extremely calm. She was silent for a moment, then asked: “Was Jiu Feng’s life essence seized?”

“Almost.” Qin Qingchuan said, “But even if it was just ‘almost,’ Jiu Feng was seriously injured. The dagger used to harm her was forged from at least four types of immortal metals, and what truly injured Jiu Feng was a strand of Azure Dragon energy. That dagger had been nurtured beside Azure Dragon remains or dragon breath for at least half a month.”

“Undeniably, this was a killing weapon specifically forged for Jiu Feng.”

“Azure Dragon?” Chou Li asked in surprise: “But Azure Dragons have long been extinct, with no trace left in the mortal realm.”

“After Azure Dragons die, their bodies remain uncorrupted for ten thousand years, their breath never extinguished. There could indeed be remains in the world.”

Qin Qingchuan led them to the outside of a heavily guarded tavern. With the tavern as the center, the two streets on either side and all surrounding small establishments were tightly shut. When the cold wind blew, it was desolate and quiet, bleak and dreary.

“Jiu Feng and several Sacred Land inheritors are all inside.” Qin Qingchuan waved his sleeves at them: “I can’t stand this atmosphere, so I won’t go in.”

Xue Yu pushed the door open and entered. After taking one step, she turned back to look at Chao Hua and Chou Li: “Go see what the situation in the city is like.”

The two nodded and turned to leave.

Xue Yu and Su You went upstairs one after the other. This tavern’s layout was unusual – upon reaching the second floor, they saw an empty stage occupying considerable space, with an ingeniously designed private room across from it that could accommodate over ten people drinking, playing, listening to music, and watching performances.

Because there were no other people in the building, and layer upon layer of small barriers had been set up outside, the people in the private room spoke louder and shriller as they talked, especially when both sides disagreed.

“Qin Mu, we came here wanting to properly resolve the issue. What do you mean by being so aggressive? What are you trying to do?” This was Lu Qin’s voice, pushed beyond endurance.

Qin Mu – direct eldest son of the Qiongqi lineage, Qin Qingchuan’s elder brother.

“We’re being aggressive?” The man laughed coldly: “I believe this matter has nothing to do with the Sacred Lands. You wouldn’t be so brazen, but this dagger, those two Jade Green Pills, and Jiu Feng’s injuries – dare you say they have nothing to do with those people in the city?”

“Are you here to solve problems or to shirk responsibility?”

Lu Qin said through gritted teeth: “I never expected that after not seeing you for several years, Qin Mu, your skill at being contrarian and argumentative has become increasingly accomplished.”

Xue Yu’s expression grew slightly grave. She stepped back and forward, pushing the door open. Scanning the room, her voice carried a cold texture: “What Jade Green Pills?”

Just then, Jiu Feng lifted a pearl curtain, lazily narrowing her eyes as she leaned against the wall. Her expression showed no major change, but her complexion was visibly pale. She answered Xue Yu’s question: “The human race secretly investigated me, knowing Tao Zhi and Su Yun had good relationships with me and could get close, so they had people forcibly capture them and made them swallow Jade Green Pills. Moreover, Su Yun was unknowingly given a Mind Control Thread. Upon seeing me, he couldn’t help but draw his blade.”

“This wound on my back was his doing.”

As her words fell, Jiu Feng frowned and coughed twice. Her palm trembled uncontrollably, blood traces meandered from her lips. She lowered her eyes, carefully wiping them clean with her handkerchief, then carelessly crumpled it into a ball and threw it heavily on the ground.

She scanned the room and spoke coolly: “Ten days. I’ll only wait ten days. Within ten days, if the family behind this isn’t found, none of those people will leave Little South Mountain. This secret realm trial ends here.”

“This is the demon capital’s attitude. Do you all understand clearly?”

As she spoke, her pupils gradually filled with an eerie golden color, thin, narrow lines appearing within. The pure Nine Phoenix clan’s pressure aura was released without obstruction, and the demon capital’s five family members lowered their heads and eyes one by one, all showing submissive reverence.

In the demon capital, among the demon race, the Nine Phoenix bloodline represented absolute authority. Since ancient times, ever since Azure Dragon and Tian Ao disappeared, the Nine Phoenix family’s position as the demon capital’s first family had never changed, naturally possessing such strength and confidence.

Even the Sacred Land inheritors present felt the pressure above their heads, each silently growing grave.

Xue Yu stood in place with an unchanged expression. After a moment, she subtly turned her head to look at Su You, who was also standing straight.

Incomparable talent, cultivating speed that left others in the dust, and the anomaly of clearly being half-demon yet not fearing Nine Phoenix’s Pressure – each of these couldn’t be explained by common sense.

Having dealt with demons and ghosts since childhood, Xue Yu could deeply understand what bloodline meant to the demon race.

She coldly asked herself: could a low-grade bloodline that no one cared about, a union of demon and ghost, really produce such a person?

Yes, there were always exceptions in all things, unexpected moments. Ordinary demon races could also produce powerful demons, but usually, the span wouldn’t be too great. Take Liang Yan or Qing Luo, for example – their foundations were set and unchangeable. While effort was certainly useful, for them to quickly cut through thorns and become comparable to Chao Hua and others, or even completely surpass them, was impossible.

But now was not the time to ponder such matters.

Xue Yu withdrew her gaze while gathering her thoughts. She walked to the tray containing the dagger, carefully examined it, then looked at a segment of captured footage.

Fine.

The evidence was conclusive and irrefutable.

After verifying everything piece by piece, even someone with Xue Yu’s temperament frowned and slightly clenched her fists.

After a long while, she looked at the room packed full of people, her thin lips moving slightly: “All those who are not direct descendants of the demon capital’s five families or Sacred Land inheritors, leave.”

When she wasn’t speaking, she was like frost, snow, and a bright moon. When she spoke, her bearing was naturally regal, inherently carrying an air that made people unable to resist or argue. Even the demon capital’s people, after checking their masters’ expressions, stood up one after another and obeyed her command.

“Nineteen,” Xue Yu said, “you stay.”

“Everyone’s gone.” Qin Mu tapped the table with a half-smile: “Can the Yedu Princess tell us her plans now?”

Jiu Feng leisurely leaned against the wall with her back, also assuming a posture of listening attentively.

“Those two so-called Jade Green Pills – can they control people’s life and death?” Xue Yu asked.

“According to what Tao Zhi and Su Yun said, that’s indeed their effect. That person only gave them two years, demanding that they must obtain my life essence.” Jiu Feng laughed mockingly, and laughing, couldn’t help coughing once more: “Quite calculating, but unfortunately, they were just short by a bit.”

Hearing this affirmative answer, Xue Yu felt her heart boil like the overturning seas. Many images flashed through her mind – about Xue Rong, about that letter corresponding with the imperial palace, those details that couldn’t be connected yet were inexplicable everywhere. At this moment, they passed before her eyes like a revolving lantern, forming solid images.

Suddenly, she straightened her shoulders, her voice almost rolling on her tongue to her lips before being calmly and rationally formed into a sentence: “No need to investigate further. Jade Green Pills could only have one source.”

She met Jiu Feng’s gaze: “In all the world, only Yedu could produce such things.”

As these words fell, everyone was shocked.

What was this about?

The demon capital’s five families all focused their gazes on her, but didn’t act rashly or scold, or question. With things said to this extent, involving Yedu, plus Jiu Feng having traveled with Xue Yu and having mentioned this matter, with Qin Qingchuan’s embellished rendition, none of the demon capital’s five families dared underestimate this Yedu Princess.

Thoughtful people immediately felt this matter was unusual.

“Yedu grows a type of flower that requires the purest demon energy and the most yin death energy as nutrients. It’s extremely delicate – the slightest mistake will cause it to disappear completely, roots and stems. It only grows where private prisons and execution platforms merge, and over a hundred years, at most, only five flowers will bloom. That flower is the most important ingredient for making Jade Green Pills.”

“The flower is called Jade Green, hence the name Jade Green Pills.”

“Yedu commonly uses this type of pill to control disobedient subjects and restrain families with rebellious hearts.”

“So,” Qin Mu frowned, speaking thoughtfully, “someone used Jade Green Pills to frame Yedu for harming Jiu Feng, wanting to see us fight?”

“For what purpose?” He raised his doubt: “Even if it’s about snipe and clam fighting while the fisherman profits, who could be the fisherman behind this?”

The demon capital and Sacred Lands had developed to their current state with unshakeable foundations and deep, hard-to-move heritage. Even if both suffered losses, no other third party had the strength to emerge unscathed and take their place.

“Young Master Qiongqi, you can’t speak so definitively.” Shan Shu spoke up, saying slowly, “When the Fusang Tree originally established the three-way balance and three-way prosperity, there was still another party. Have you completely disregarded it?”

“The imperial court?”

Qin Mu and Jiu Feng exchanged glances. The latter pondered for a long while, looked at Xue Yu, and said: “You and I have some traveling fate together, so I won’t beat around the bush with you. The demon capital has a bad reputation – I know this – but we’re not unreasonable people who kill indiscriminately. Today, humans crossed the line first. Your speculation lacks concrete evidence. I need a complete, reasonable explanation.”

“Second, the Sacred Lands may not interfere with how the mastermind is dealt with.”

She paused and added a third demand: “I need two Jade Green Pill antidotes.”

With Feiyun Heights’ opportunities at stake and Jiu Feng still injured, the demon capital didn’t want to drag this out. This handling method could almost be considered the demon capital’s most reasonable and merciful approach.

Xue Yu agreed to the first two matters, but when it came to the last one, her eyelashes moved slightly as she said truthfully: “Jade Green Pills are rare, and their antidotes are equally rare. Usually, one Jade Green Pill comes with one antidote. I don’t have extras here.”

The last one had been given to Su You before entering Feiyun Heights.

“If nothing unexpected happens, the Secret Realm Abyss can provide the necessary ingredients. Then, we can find an alchemist to prepare two doses for you, though the process of finding the ingredients will require patience.”

Having said this, Xue Yu stepped across the threshold and headed downstairs.

The two walked one after the other to the lakeside. In autumn and winter, the weeping willows had only flexible branches left, with a few sparse yellow leaves hanging on them. Sparrows and swallows peeked about on the branches, ready to flutter their wings and flee at any moment.

Xue Yu found a stone seat and sat down. She lowered her eyes slightly, hair softly falling on both sides of her cheeks. Her hair was black at the crown, her shoulder bones delicate – no one could read any expression from her.

Su You crouched before her, saying softly: “My lady.”

Xue Yu responded quietly, her tone without waves, as if lost in some contemplation. After a long while, she slowly raised her eyes, her red lips parting: “I can’t understand.”

“I know the Human Emperor harbors evil intentions, and I’ve seen him slaughter common people, but I still don’t understand what he’s doing this for.”

“What do you think it could be for?”

Missing this crucial link, her thoughts couldn’t connect.

This was another fascinating aspect of her – intelligent but not blind, powerful yet not arrogant. She was honest and could genuinely listen to others’ opinions.

“This subject has a guess.” Su You organized his thoughts and calmly stated: “Last time in Luozhou City, when subduing Xuanji, she once acted, bringing up a trace of something. That thing’s aura flashed by. Your Highness noticed nothing, but this subject has half-demon blood flowing within, so I sensed it. It was very powerful.”

He had even felt a natural, uncontrollable hostility in that instant. But the time was too brief, and when he wanted to investigate further, that trace of aura had completely vanished as if it had never appeared.

Because he couldn’t be certain, he had never mentioned this matter.

“In terms of bloodline, not inferior to Nine Phoenix.”

Throughout history, there were only two types of demon beasts not inferior to the Nine Phoenix: Azure Dragon and Tian Ao.

“So this attempt to seize Jiu Feng’s life essence was to use it to replace what was destroyed by Xuanji?” Xue Yu murmured, a perfect line unfolding in her mind: “Qiu Tong cultivating ghost infants, absorbing blood energy – all to nourish such a thing. That thing was left by the demon race, possibly Azure Dragon or Tian Ao.”

Following this line of thought, the remaining details almost all swayed and trembled to life.

Xue Yu took a deep breath: “Have someone ask if anyone present brought ancient texts about prehistoric demon beasts, and what effects the Azure Dragon and Tian Ao relics respectively have.”

Su You’s eye corners curved slightly, creating a thin, long hook, proportioned uniquely and delicately. He said the word “good” in a low voice. With his movement, his loose collar slipped down halfway, revealing collarbones with elegant peaks and valleys like mountain ranges.

“My lady.” In this posture, he looked up to call her, tilting his head and biting down on low, sultry tones as he asked: “Am I obedient?”

Xue Yu looked at him.

“My lady just said Jade Green Pills are for controlling disobedient subjects.”

From those captivating peach blossom eyes, Xue Yu read his unfinished meaning.

—So, giving the antidote, was it because he was obedient and sensible?

Xue Yu was silent for a moment, then said: “Since it was a misjudgment, you should naturally receive the antidote.”

She lowered her hand, and he very sensibly leaned his body forward. She smoothly pulled his collar up to cover that section of dazzling beauty, her gaze sweeping around his face twice before saying seriously: “However, you are indeed obedient.”

Who knew he would maintain this posture and murmur in her ear: “For one day by my lady’s side, this subject will remain thus obedient for one day.”

His voice was extremely soft.

Xue Yu’s fingers stiffened slightly, and she drew all the threads back into her body before they could fall.

She thought to herself:

When they returned, she should ask the demon capital’s Nine-Tailed Fox family whether they had lost a cub.