Spring departed and autumn arrived, the sun rose and the moon set. In the ever-changing scenery of day after day, ten years passed before their eyes like a swift storm.

When grass grew and orioles flew, Lu Qin, Shan Shu, and Jiu Feng opened their eyes one after another.

The moment he opened his eyes, Lu Qin staggered to his feet and rushed into the waist-high grass, covering his chest as he vomited violently until the world spun around him. After vomiting, he began coughing up blood, as if a floodgate had opened and couldn’t be stopped.

Shan Shu and Jiu Feng’s complexions were also terrible. Their cheeks had lost all color, revealing a gray, defeated pallor of severe injury and near death. Jiu Feng’s pupils stared at the sky, her fingertips digging bit by bit into the soil, barely managing to forcibly suppress the waves of dizziness and nausea that assaulted her.

For a long time, the three said nothing, or rather, had no strength to speak.

Only after their bodily exhaustion was somewhat relieved and reality and illusion were completely distinguished did Shan Shu rather helplessly rub her throbbing temples, smiling bitterly: “This is truly unexpected.”

Jiu Feng pressed her palm heavily against the ground, and five spider-web-like cracks spread out following that venting force, extending for hundreds of meters. Her voice was so hoarse that every word was unclear: “So the so-called five-star task is playing us like monkeys, training us like dogs, right?”

Speaking of this, Jiu Feng truly felt she had been too foolish, too naive.

Honestly, in this lifetime, she had never encountered such a torturous opportunity.

The five-star task before the opportunity, that source of calamity presented before their eyes – all of that was acceptable. She had originally thought that afterward would be sweet after the bitter, finally getting what they wished for. The Heavenly Mechanism Book had even thoughtfully delivered the most suitable opportunity directly to them.

Logically, as long as they comprehended well, the ten years in the secret realm would pass like a white horse through a gap, gone in the blink of an eye.

But no one had expected the Heavenly Mechanism Book to leave them one more hard obstacle.

Not far away, Lu Qin finally recovered enough to cast a dust removal technique on himself, then patted his already numb face and walked over, acid water flowing from his mouth: “Don’t look at us like that. This is our first time experiencing such a thing too.”

“It nearly took half my life.”

Ji Tingxi opened his eyes at this moment. His complexion was extremely strange and twisted. Unable to hold back, he turned his head and spat out a mouthful of brilliant fresh blood. The fishy-sweet smell spread, and this time even the sharp-tongued Jiu Feng said nothing sarcastic or mocking about Xihe Sacred Land’s successor falling to such a state.

Shen Jingshi and Yin Ling woke up one after another.

So far, except for Xue Yu and Su You, the Sacred Land successors and Jiu Feng all showed expressions of having been thoroughly ravaged, indescribably haggard. Only Shen Jingshi was the exception. His complexion was rosy, his smile natural, his brows flowing with triumphant, high-spirited color. Seeing the circle of bitter hatred around him, he was stunned and couldn’t help asking curiously: “What’s wrong with all of you?”

Jiu Feng observed for a long while, then asked back: “How was your opportunity?”

Shen Jingshi waved his hand and swallowed nervously: “Don’t mention it. I spent ten years reading books and memorials on people’s livelihood. Now everything floating before my eyes is text. I get a headache just looking at books.”

Jiu Feng’s expression changed uncertainly as she “hmph”ed, pressing her tongue against her teeth: “So the Heavenly Mechanism Book also plays the game of treating people differently?”

“No.” Seeing their silence, Shen Jingshi carefully sensed their cultivation that had risen like flood waters, and asked puzzledly: “Your cultivation has all improved tremendously compared to ten years ago. Did you all collectively enter some difficult circle again?”

Yin Ling had been rubbing her temples, and now took a deep breath: “Do you know why our progress is so great?”

She lifted her lips in a smile: “We were beaten into improvement.”

This statement contained not a trace of falsehood. Speaking of their experiences over these ten years, even Shan Shu, with her naturally good temper could barely contain herself.

They had entangled with Mei in top-tier opportunities, never resting for a single day. When exhausted, when collapsed, when completely drained to their last breath, they would be grabbed by an invisible large hand and thrown back into a bubbling pool. The pool contained the lifelong insights of predecessors, greatly benefiting them in their current state.

But just as they began to comprehend something, they would be grabbed again and thrown into Mei clans surrounding them like tides. As the saying goes, real knowledge comes from actual combat – their cultivation and comprehension improved slowly in this painful and cruel cycle.

It could be said that over these ten years, every bone in their bodies had been broken in different positions. At the most tragic times, white bones lay prostrate on the ground, without even the strength to fight back, while Mei’s attacks fell on them unavoidably like rain.

Day and night without distinction, gritting their teeth to move forward.

Shen Jingshi hugged his arms and rubbed them twice after hearing this.

Shan Shu looked at him twice, thought of something, called him aside, and asked: “What’s the situation with your opportunity?”

“It might really be as Xue Yu guessed.” Shen Jingshi restrained his casual smile and said seriously, “If the Qiu family steps down from the Human Emperor position, the Sacred Lands and Demon Capital will trace back to our lineage following the old clues.”

“In the opportunity given by the Fusang tree, I not only read many books but also reviewed memorials for ten years.” Shen Jingshi looked at Shan Shu, then smiled and shrugged: “Don’t frown. These are all uncertain matters. Besides, even if I really become the Human Emperor, I think it would be quite good. With me there, I definitely won’t compete and fight with you all. I might even secretly go easy and give you a spirit vein.”

By the end of his speech, he had returned to his usual devil-may-care, reckless young master attitude.

“You’re the only one who talks like this.” Shan Shu glanced at him and said: “As far as the present situation is concerned, Jiu Feng being injured is still just our speculation. After all, we have no solid evidence. After we leave, the Demon Capital will take over the investigation. If evidence is conclusive, the Sacred Lands and Demon Capital will discuss subsequent measures regarding this matter. Things haven’t reached an absolute point yet.”

“That’s even better.” Shen Jingshi smiled as he leaned closer: “If I don’t become Human Emperor, being a wealth-scattering boy beside the Buddhist Lady would suit me best.”

When Xue Yu woke up, it was already completely dark. Jiu Feng and Shen Jingshi were huddled together, turning over and over the Heavenly Mechanism Book scroll in their hands.

“Did we pass this or not?” Jiu Feng tapped the crystal-clear Mei character on the Heavenly Mechanism Book with her fingertip, saying with extreme vigilance: “We can’t have endured such pain only to find the task is still only halfway done, right?”

This statement was like a sharp thorn that pierced the hearts of the other Sacred Land successors.

That blindingly conspicuous five-star task had not dissipated at their fingertips, and what this meant, no one understood better than them.

They had investigated what needed investigating, learned the truth of that year, taken the beatings they needed to take. Ten years had passed, and Flying Cloud Peak would open soon. At this time, to tell them the task hadn’t passed…

“What about that letter?” Shan Shu was the first to react: “The remaining unopened letter might have hints.”

“It’s with me.” At some point, Xue Yu had awakened. Her lips were extremely pale, her voice low and light when speaking, yet loud enough for everyone to hear.

They say Spirit Array Masters have the steadiest hands. Even having just endured ten years of excruciating torment, when unfolding the letter, Xue Yu’s fingers remained perfectly straight without the slightest tremor. Only when a night breeze brushed her cheek did she couldn’t help but turn her head and cough once, then quickly recovered, saying: “There are no hints. Only one sentence is written on it.”

This letter had somehow loosened its seal at some point, revealing the well-preserved paper inside. On the paper was written just one sentence in scrawled, simple characters.

— The demon clan was exterminated, Mei emerged into the world, great calamity befell all under heaven, unrest never ceased, we finally tasted our own bitter fruit.

This was the sighing regret of someone who had been there, and also a summary of that overwhelming disaster.

“So now, what do we say?” Ji Tingxi raised an eyebrow, waving the Heavenly Mechanism Book scroll, and asked.

“I can’t manage this anymore.” Jiu Feng threw in the towel decisively: “I was suddenly dragged into this in the first place. My previous cooperation was for the opportunity in Secret Realm Abyss. Now with this whole mess, who can stand it?”

“Let’s forget about it for now.” Shan Shu looked at their surrounding environment and said: “If nothing unexpected happens, we can now contact other people in the secret realm. Let’s ask about the situation first. As for this task, the Heavenly Mechanism Book hasn’t indicated anything temporarily, so let’s take it step by step.”

After her words fell, everyone nodded and scattered in all directions.

On the flower-covered hillside, only Xue Yu and the still-closed-eyed Su You remained.

Under the bright moonlight, Xue Yu’s sleeves and dress hem lay softly like clouds on the lush grass. When the long wind blew, they rippled with stunning arcs, revealing a section of her graceful, distinctive waistline.

She sat facing Su You, placing the now-glowing communication talisman aside. In her ear was Chao Hua’s clear and organized report: “…After entering Secret Realm Abyss, we were separated from you, Lady, and mysteriously enclosed in a small black space. Then we saw the five-star task issued by the Heavenly Mechanism Book.”

“There are fifteen people in the team. Besides us few who serve in the Sacred Lands, the rest are young masters and ladies from noble families. Because we weren’t familiar with each other and opportunities were involved, it was chaotic at first with no one accepting anyone else’s authority, until Tai Hua’s Holy Son entered.”

Speaking of this, Chao Hua said seriously: “Lady, Tai Hua’s Holy Son took action quite a few times in this task. From what I can see, his strength is still somewhat hidden. Not to mention anything else, but he is indeed stronger than the Buddhist Son and Kunlun’s Young Sect Master.”

“The Three Lands Grand Assembly will have its own conclusions.” After listening, Xue Yu said: “No Sacred Land successor is easy to deal with. Usually they don’t show their mountains or reveal their waters because it’s not yet time to show their true skills. You and Chou Li shouldn’t act rashly – just follow Cang Ju.”

The other side quickly responded with agreement, and Xue Yu cut off the connection.

Her gaze fell on Su You. His eyes were closed, dense eyelashes naturally drooping below his eyelids, his skin cold and pale. His entire person was like a painting that had been carefully depicted and repeatedly refined in detail.

While sleeping, that flower-like gorgeous, rich attitude on him had completely dissipated, replaced by his true nature – cool and sharp, like wind blades in misty weather that could blow through everything. From beginning to end, he had the ease and composure that those in high positions should and would have.

Indeed, he no longer looked like that rebellious, arrogant half-grown youth full of thorns from over twenty years ago.

After watching for a while, Xue Yu met a pair of extremely hostile black pupils.

Su You’s breathing was extremely heavy, as if he had just experienced an intense life-and-death battle. His fingers resting on his knees suddenly curved, fine veins appearing on his knuckles. His pupils were purely dark in color – a stunning beauty and danger rushing toward her.

This was the chaos that would occur when first awakening after ten years of death battles.

Xue Yu made no movement. She supported most of her body weight with her palm, long hair falling on both sides of her cheeks. Across a not-far, not-near distance, she just quietly watched him.

When the bloody battlefield had not yet completely retreated from before his eyes, seeing such a familiar face that could captivate one’s heart and soul, Su You’s subconscious reaction was to quickly cover his eyes with his hand.

Only after the sound of war drums and clamor completely faded from his ears did he cough with his trembling hand placed at his lips. When he looked up again, the hostility in his eyes that was so intense it almost overflowed had obediently flowed back and vanished without a trace.

Only a pale and weak face remained.

“Lady.” Because he hadn’t spoken for too long, his voice was somewhat hoarse, but the tone was familiar: “When did you wake up?”

“A bit earlier than you.”

Xue Yu’s gaze fell on his cracked lips. Without saying much, she extended her index finger to his wrist, spiritual power flowing unobstructedly into his body. After a while, she withdrew her hand and said: “Your current strength is very powerful.”

Not inferior to Sacred Land successors, even strong enough to battle with Jiu Feng.

Su You didn’t deny it. He tilted his head slightly, as if wanting to seriously observe Xue Yu’s expression, but saw her lift her dress hem and stand up, walk halfway around to sit behind him, then throw out a seamless barrier to the outside, saying concisely: “Release your wings, let me see.”

Certainly, both were intelligent people.

In those images before they fell asleep, Tian Ao’s golden wings had completely spread open, covering the sky and earth with shadow, the feathers brilliant and gorgeous, each one a deadly weapon.

Every characteristic could find overlapping, familiar shadows on him.

Su You’s body paused extremely briefly.

He still couldn’t forget the last time, after she had seen them, that cold and heartless reaction.

But even so, in the silent night, he still urged the demon power surging vigorously within his body, completely manifesting those wings that seemed forged from gold, letting them fall peacefully before her eyes like displaying some magnificent artwork.

Due to ten years of opportunity and ten years of bitter cultivation, these wings were sharper and more beautiful than when she had seen them last time. The feathers spread out one after another in graceful, flowing strokes.

The only thing unchanged was that longest feather in the middle, surrounded by others like stars surrounding the moon, like a deity sitting high in some ancient sacrificial ceremony, with mist-like flowing profound patterns filling and surrounding it.

Xue Yu now knew that this was the Tian Ao tail feather known as the “Heaven-Imprisoning Cage.”

Everything matched up.

Her fingers seemed to have just been pulled from ice water, while his chest rose and fell, his entire body burning hot. When the two touched, it was like water and fire merging.

Sensing her meticulous transgressive behavior, Su You couldn’t restrain himself, both wanting her to stop and enjoying such intimate closeness.

Deep water and scorching fire, difficult to advance or retreat – he was simply torturing himself!

As time passed minute by minute, a long, deep condensed mist appeared in Su You’s eyes. Just as Xue Yu’s finger was about to stop on the tail feather, he closed his eyes and silently raised his chin slightly.

“Lady.” He turned to look at her, his expression showing trembling that couldn’t be suppressed even with great effort, his voice light and shallow: “What are you thinking?”

“Demon clan Tian Ao.” Xue Yu’s finger unconsciously lingered among the golden glorious feathers, pausing and stroking. When mentioning identity, her voice finally had different fluctuations: “Do you know yourself?”

Su You shook his head.

Before seeing those images, no one had the ability to predict the future, and no one would think in that direction.

In the midst of tense silence, Su You’s fingers curved slightly, his voice deliberately emphasized and heavy: “We are already together.”

“Tian Ao can also be with you, Lady, right?”

Xue Yu gathered his satin-like long hair in her palm and placed it at his shoulder, saying: “Yes.”

After these words fell, she leaned close to look at that feather glowing with flowing light, frowning as she observed it several times before saying: “There’s a natural array formation on the tail feather, like a prison array.”

Sensing what she was about to do next, and recalling the unbearable feeling when the tail feather was held in her palm before, Su You almost had no way to respond as he tensed his entire body. Only when her fingers truly fell one by one did he tremble in his chest, his fingers slightly shaking as he coughed once.

The movement behind him paused.

But it was truly just a pause.

Moments later, Su You completely couldn’t restrain himself. With a hiss, he heavily grasped her other wrist hanging at her clothes side, pulling her forward a few steps. Her randomly swaying sleeve edge was blown by the wind to fall on the back of his hand, like something that tugged at heartstrings, wanting to speak but stopping short.

In the midst of chaos and confusion, he forcefully clasped her fingertips, calling her: “A Yu.”

“A Yu.”

He called three times, his movements already showing loss of control and self-abandonment that couldn’t be controlled even with all his effort, yet his words were exactly the opposite, each word carrying a burning tail tone: “It’s a bit itchy.”

Xue Yu lowered her eyes to look once at his crimson lips that seemed to have just been painted with rouge, then looked again.

When she looked again at that complex, heart-stirring array formation, she rarely became distracted.