After sitting quietly for a moment, Xue Yu moved her arms, wanting to carry the person in her embrace out of the formation. The next moment, neither a light nor a heavy reminder suddenly reached her ears: “His condition isn’t right now – don’t move him yet.”

She looked toward the voice. Light in the spirit array gathered and condensed into an old man’s phantom – white hair and white beard. When looking at people, wrinkles gathered around his eyes, his pupils were cloudy, yet he appeared kind with vigorous spirit, carrying the bearing of a great master in his every gesture.

Xue Yu was herself a Spirit Array Master and was extremely familiar with this. She recognized the remnant soul’s identity at a glance.

The remnant soul examined Xue Yu carefully, growing more satisfied the more he looked. Having an opportunity to show off his knowledge, he explained very thoroughly: “He spent over ten days alive in my formation, dragging full formation chains for over a hundred steps. His serious injuries are real, but he also broke through his shackles because of this. His current unconsciousness is a process of enlightenment. Just feed him a recovery pill – don’t interfere with anything else, and especially don’t move him.”

“This youth competed for the Cangsheng Array Diagram intending to give it to you as a gift?” The remnant soul floated to sit properly cross-legged across from Xue Yu. Though within the formation, he could see movement within several li. Xue Yu’s earlier technique of “forming arrays with threads” to throw people into deep mountains had amazed even someone like him, who was born in ancient times with eyes higher than the heavens.

As young juniors, on the Spirit Array Master path, the woman before him had walked much farther than the two Xu family members.

Now the remnant soul finally believed those vague, seemingly deliberately confusing two sentences from the Heavenly Book. It truly was heaven’s will in the unseen – he knew the Fusang Tree wouldn’t do something like letting a sword cultivator obtain Spirit Array Master inheritance.

“Yes.” Xue Yu nodded, her gaze falling on the Cangsheng Array Diagram lower formation clutched in Su You’s palm. Her cold, condensed brow and eyes showed slight signs of softening as she said, “He was too reckless. Thank you, Senior, for your mercy in not killing him.”

In her previous life, after a thousand years of bitter cultivation, Xue Yu broke through great realms and also joined the ranks of Heaven-grade Spirit Array Masters. She knew clearly that for such remnant formations, once young people of their cultivation level entered, even with extremely high talent and strong willpower, without satisfying the formation master, there were only three outcomes: being thrown out, suppressed, or killed.

Hearing this, the remnant soul fell into embarrassed silence for a long while. He coughed heavily, straightening his expression: “For a sword cultivator to enter a Spirit Array Master’s formation was indeed reckless. It’s not that I didn’t want to kill him, but that I couldn’t kill him.”

“There’s something strange about this child.”

Hearing this, Xue Yu’s fingers moved. She lowered her eyes to look at that face lying quietly in her arms – pale, like an exquisite doll on the verge of breaking.

Thinking carefully, every time he was pushed to extremes and displayed something extraordinary, it was inextricably connected to her.

“I know.” She pressed her lips briefly, still nodding to the elder, speaking directly and softly: “Senior, you’re keeping us here because you think I’m suitable for the Cangsheng Formation?”

One should know that array diagrams and ready-made formations were different. Array diagrams could be comprehended and then replicated, removing weaknesses and taking strengths, while ready-made formations could be compressed to palm-size for her to take away. When necessary, they could be deployed as both offensive and defensive great killing formations.

When Song Heng suppressed Yedu’s Baizhong Mountain, he used a complete ancient formation no less than the Cangsheng Formation, combined with the power of a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers, releasing immeasurable energy.

“This old man’s remnant soul has remained until now, giving out over a hundred array diagrams, but only this Cangsheng Formation, condensed from my life’s heart and soul and lifetime’s understanding, awaits a truly fated person.” The remnant soul spoke solemnly with surging words, suddenly showing heroic spirit: “The Cangsheng Formation wasn’t created by me alone, but formed by gathering the heart and soul of three Heaven-grade Spirit Array Masters. It uses ancient terrain as the formation ground – mountains, rivers, lakes, vegetation all within it, hence the name Cangsheng.”

Speaking to this point, the remnant soul looked at her, saying seriously, “You are a natural Spirit Array Master talent. For other formations, I would pass them down without a second word, but the Cangsheng Formation requires both talent and comprehension – this comprehension is understanding of all living beings.”

Meaning, his thinking she was suitable was useless – it depended on her own comprehension.

Xue Yu had studied the Cangsheng Formation in her previous life.

In fact, in the current world, Spirit Array Masters were increasingly rare. Due to harsh entry requirements and difficult processes, unless born into Spirit Array Master families, few seniors could provide complete guidance on this path. Initial fumbling was necessary, but at profound levels, learning to dismantle and utilize ancient formations was an inevitable path.

In array diagrams, ancient times went extremely deep, several times better than the current world.

“Following Spirit Array Master inheritance rules.” Xue Yu stood up, separating a motionless body for Su You to lean against. She stood two or three steps behind the remnant soul, expression calm, words serious: “I enter the formation.”

The remnant soul waved his sleeve, and spiritual light from the other two formations seemed to be extracted through the air, all gathering beneath their feet. For a moment, light howled as an exquisitely perfect great formation gradually revealed its outline.

Xue Yu didn’t hesitate, stepping into the formation.

She was familiar with the Cangsheng Formation’s upper array diagram, having演绎复刻了数遍, but when truly stepping into the complete Cangsheng Formation, it was still a completely different experience.

Xue Yu passed through towering, standing mountain ranges, crossed magnificent, rushing rivers and lush, dense forests, finally following wind and moon to human cities. The moment she set foot through the city gates, countless voices seemed to flood her mind.

It was an ancient time, not much different from the current world, yet seeming to have changes everywhere.

This formation entry lasted from dawn to dusk. When moonlight poured into the valley, Xue Yu lifted a corner of the formation and stepped out.

The remnant soul still stood with hands behind his back watching by the formation’s edge. After a long while, he withdrew his gaze, nodding with satisfaction, saying to Xue Yu: “Talent isn’t rare – what’s rarest is those in high positions still having a heart of reverence for all things.”

As his words fell, he beckoned to the great formation. The formation instantly shrank, becoming palm-sized, floating luminously before Xue Yu.

She touched it with her finger, and the formation faintly embedded into the skin of her palm, glowing with ethereal spiritual luster.

The moment the formation disappeared, the remnant soul’s body was left with only a thin layer. The power sustaining his existence was instantly drained clean, even his beard becoming transparent.

“Thank you, Senior, for bestowing the formation.” Xue Yu cupped her hands, solemnly bowing to the visibly weakening remnant soul.

The latter waved dismissively: “Having barely survived ten thousand years, with the Cangsheng Formation changing hands today, my task is complete.”

He pointed to Su You on the ground, then looked at the trembling space, stroking his beard: “His condition has stabilized. You should leave now. Without the Cangsheng Formation’s support, this space can’t hold and will collapse soon.”

Just as his words fell, the transparent spiritual dome overhead made a fitting crack, like glass splitting with a fissure that continued spreading in all directions, soon to shatter into countless pieces like scattered flowers.

Xue Yu helped Su You up. After taking one step, she paused thoughtfully, hesitating briefly before asking: “Senior, what happened in ancient times?”

Why did the Fusang Tree awaken? Why did it personally establish balance and designate the three lands?

The Cangsheng Formation’s initial modulation was so peaceful and tranquil, yet why was the later modulation ‘s terrifying killing power designed to deal with what?

Her question made all the gratified expression on the remnant soul’s face completely disappear, replaced by an indescribably complex look. Just as he fell silent, the sky collapsed, the ground shook violently, and the remnant soul suddenly waved his sleeve, pushing the two beyond the formation’s reach.

Xue Yu looked back to see the elder standing with his hands behind his back. When he spoke, his brows trembled, his voice distant like some kind of lingering sigh: “Have people of later generations heard of the ‘Enchantment’?”

Two or three halos of light shone through the windows onto the bed curtains hanging beside the bed. Two points of transparent light flickered on his eyelids. Su You slowly opened his eyes, his knuckles involuntarily curving as pain like seawater surged endlessly.

He regained consciousness.

Turning his head toward the bed’s edge, what met his eyes was a mostly drawn bed curtain. The curtain’s material was excellent – the outermost layer, when illuminated, looked like flowing water patterns.

Previous events flowed back into his mind. He suddenly moved his lashes up and down, pressing his lips as he sat up. With a “whoosh,” he pulled open the bed curtain, then swept his gaze around. His urgent motion to get out of bed seemed to receive some effective comfort, and he slowly released his grip.

This was a connected bedroom with spacious, bright views. The bed was at the innermost side, with a screen blocking the view outside. In front of the screen sat a desk. Xue Yu was rarely sitting upright with brush in hand, marking papers, but had pulled over a reclining chair to half-lean against, holding a book in her hands.

She dressed loosely. When half-reclining, her skirt hem softly swept her snow-white ankles, long black hair flowing like water over her elbows and shoulders like masses of soft, smooth coral.

Sunlight scattered on that reclining chair, along with the person on it, filling her with fine, broken gold.

Hearing movement, Xue Yu closed her book, tossing it on the desk. She rose from the reclining chair, walked to the bed, and, meeting those pure eyes, pointed at the pillow behind him: “Go lean against it and sit properly.”

Whenever only the two of them were alone, that imposing strength and coldness he showed when handling affairs scattered like smoke, almost revealing complete, resigned weakness.

Xue Yu lifted a corner of the thin quilt and sat on the bed’s edge.

“How do you feel?” Under that anxious, hesitant gaze that wanted to speak but stopped, Xue Yu slowly spoke. Probably considering his injuries, her voice was kept low: “I helped regulate your meridians. Great demon bodies are mostly strong, able to self-heal from ordinary injuries, but this time, you forcibly broke into a Spirit Array Master’s formation and stole array diagrams. The damage was too severe – you need over a month of recuperation.”

Hearing “great demon,” Su You’s knuckles on the satin seemed to suddenly freeze like ice. He looked at her and said, “Much better.”

Such severe injuries – aside from his face, almost nothing on his body was unharmed. After fainting and waking, it became in his mouth a matter-of-fact “much better.”

She finally understood.

In terms of stubbornness and tormenting himself, he belonged to the unmatched category.

“Perfect – I have several things to ask you.”

Su You quietly leaned against the soft pillow, brows deeply condensed in a battle-ready posture as if discussing official business.

Xue Yu couldn’t help frowning, speaking with extreme weight: “Who taught you to enter evaluation formations as a sword cultivator?”

“The dangers involved, the consequences you’d face – you knew nothing at all, did you?”

Indeed, Xue Yu rarely had such continuous questioning without giving people breathing room.

For her, facing subordinates seemed to have only two attitudes: either rewarding merit after achievements, or handling matters officially after crimes.

She rarely even scolded.

Su You thought she would mention the strange aspects of his background, analyze or speculate, or discuss the Cangsheng Array Diagram matter. He never expected such words to come crashing down.

She never liked people around her taking risks with their bodies and lives – in her view, that was always the most useless, least worthwhile method.

The words he’d copied honestly over a hundred times eleven years ago remained fresh in memory, vivid as ever.

But after such events, with such heart knots, he had no other way to resolve the situation.

Seeing his silent response, Xue Yu paused, then continued coldly: “Shen Jingshi told me that when giving you the Thousand Vine Bind, he explained the drawbacks clearly. It originated from Chi Shui, far more domineering than Yu Qingdan could compare to. You were covered in wounds yet still forcibly made the contract – you nearly lost your hand.”

When learning that Su You had used the Thousand Vine Bind on himself, Shen Jingshi was utterly shocked, repeatedly explaining his complete non-involvement. Even so, Buddha Lady was still angry enough to hit him several times with her fan.

Thinking of this, Xue Yu reminded word by word: “Su You, you are a sword cultivator.”

For sword cultivators, losing hands was no different from becoming a useless person.

After her words fell, the room sank into long silence.

Xue Yu paused, pursing her lips: “Tell me what you were thinking.”

“It’s fine.” Su You said softly, “This subject isn’t without a sense of proportion—”

Xue Yu raised her voice to interrupt him: “I want to hear the truth.”

When she spoke, Su You’s posture remained unchanged, silently accepting sentence after sentence. Only when her final syllable completely fell did his tense knuckles suddenly relax, like some kind of burning-boats, all-or-nothing precursor.

He raised his eyes, meeting Xue Yu’s gaze directly. His pupils were deep and pitch-black as he began answering her questions one by one: “I knew.”

“Entering evaluation formations as a sword cultivator – light injuries at best, death at worst. I knew. The Thousand Vine Bind’s dominance – I knew that too.”

He looked at Xue Yu, whose expression finally showed a crack, his tone carrying indescribable stubbornness, words obscure: “But without doing this, in Your Highness’s heart, I would forever remain under Song Heng’s shadow.”

“I’m unwilling.”

Only this way could he truly have a chance to deny and explain.

Only this way could she also completely relax and turn a blind eye to his presumptuous advances.

Papers spread on the desk were blown by wind, fluttering several sheets with rustling sounds. He curved his lips as if calmly stating a fact: “Your Highness now investigates me, ignores me. After ten years, leaving Feiyun Peak, you’ll unhesitatingly dismiss, expel, and abandon me.”

This was a conversation between intelligent people.

He knew everything, could think of everything.

Xue Yu was silent for a long while. At a certain moment, she suddenly threw a small handbook at his bedside: “If I truly wanted this, I needn’t wait until now.”

“Su You, this is the third time.”

“People aren’t plants – who can be without feeling?” Xue Yu raised her chin slightly, hair falling to her waist, drawing her body’s lines long and graceful, showing unusual gentleness. She frowned: “How do you know I wouldn’t hesitate?”

Undeniably, Su You’s earlier frank honesty was all from the heart, but the tone deliberately intended to soften hearts and move people was also true.

With Xue Yu, he was fundamentally a vine that wouldn’t let go of any crack, luxuriantly climbing every gap yet still feeling insufficient. Catching a trace of sunlight, he could cover an entire wall.

As Xue Yu’s words fell, Su You’s lashes hanging in a row suddenly swept upward in surprise.

Xue Yu didn’t know the surging waves in his heart. She stood up, seeing his pale cheeks that couldn’t hide exhaustion, and below, long fingers still not fully recovered, mottled blue and purple with swelling.

She stood for a moment, looking for a moment, remembering yesterday when he collapsed in the pool of blood, lifeless. She couldn’t help pressing her lips, belatedly realizing her tone had been too heavy. She rarely hesitated, finally leaning down to gather the long hair blocking his vision behind his ears.

She carefully examined a tiny scratch on the lower left of his cheek, frowning: “You’re so good-looking.”

“Can you try not to get injured when you don’t have to?”