Not long after, everyone gathered together, all raising their eyes to look at the rumbling sky. Xue Yu walked to Jiu Feng’s side and handed over the last type of spiritual plant needed to concoct the antidote for the Jade Green Pills that she had found just half an hour ago, saying: “This amount is just enough to make antidotes for two Jade Green Pills.”

“Ten years have passed.” Jiu Feng raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying a hint of worry: “With just those medicines you gave before, can they hold on?”

After all, when Qiu Tong threatened Su Yun and Tao Zhi, the deadline he gave was only two years.

“It can suppress part of the medicine’s effects and preserve a life.” Xue Yu’s words were always so blunt that they made one’s scalp tingle: “But they won’t have an easy time.”

Before entering Secret Realm Abyss, as a precaution, Xue Yu had ground spiritual plants and herbs found around Flying Cloud Peak into over ten doses of medicinal powder, placing them in jade bottles for Su Yun and Tao Zhi. If they couldn’t come out within two years, they would take one dose of medicinal powder each subsequent year.

But this wasn’t a complete antidote after all. They couldn’t possibly be completely free from the Jade Green Pills’ control and influence.

“As long as life can be preserved, that’s enough. At a time like this, we can’t be particular about perfection.” Jiu Feng squinted at the sky, slowly cracking open with a giant fissure, saying: “Flying Cloud Peak is about to close. After we get out, I will truthfully report the Human Emperor’s actions and the dossier you provided to the elders in my clan.”

Xue Yu nodded without saying anything.

At midnight, with the crescent moon like a hook and vast winds blowing, an irresistible, mighty force swept the eight people standing on the hillside into a crevice. They didn’t resist, letting the world spin before their eyes. Moments later, they stepped into the soft cloud layers of the outside world, under bright daylight.

The scene before them should be the most lively and clamorous time Xue Yu had ever seen in Yedu.

Centered around Chenyu Pavilion, people continuously poured out from the connected aerial towers surrounding it. Most were middle-aged men in wide robes – normally each one would be a prominent figure standing in a crowd, but now they emerged in clusters.

In the mountain-spanning waves of sound, the appearance of Xue Yu and the others pushed the already high tide to its peak.

“Look! The Sacred Land successors have come out!”

Someone suddenly took the lead in shouting, and in an instant, countless gazes converged in mid-air.

“Hiss, these few people’s auras are completely unfathomable now.” A young master sensed for a long while with a grave expression, then drew in a sharp breath: “Looking at this momentum, the top thirty for the Three Lands Grand Assembly are set.”

“Eh, don’t speak so early.” Someone squinted and instinctively retorted: “Flying Cloud Peak isn’t like those small-scale secret realms outside. There are countless opportunities inside. Look at the few who came out before – Xu Yunqing from the Xu family, Chen Longzhi from Chenyu Pavilion, and that one who used to work for Chi Shui’s Holy Son, what was his name, seems to be called Song Heng – their emergence caused quite a commotion too.”

Another person continued: “The Demon Capital side is equally formidable, and there’s more than one or two outstanding young talents from the mortal cultivation sects. I think the Sacred Land successors will struggle this time. Not to mention the top thirty, they might not even be able to hold all spots in the top sixty.”

In mid-air, obscure aura fluctuations interweaved one after another – those were older generation figures hidden in the shadows who rarely showed themselves, but now couldn’t help but be distracted by the spectacle.

Sensing Xue Yu’s aura, the Lord of Yedu also appeared. In his youth, he was famously romantic. After becoming lord, he had restrained himself somewhat, but that face was still absolutely eye-catching. Standing with hands behind his back, he smiled and asked Xue Yu: “A Yu, after ten years of bitter cultivation, what are the results?”

“Everything is well.” Xue Yu’s gaze swept around, saying with exceptional calm: “Father, several family matriarchs are watching this way.”

Mentioning former romantic interests and affairs, the Lord of Yedu immediately fell silent.

“Let’s go back first.” Xue Yu looked around and spoke of serious matters: “I have important matters to discuss with Father.”

Half an hour later, in the study of the great hall, Xue Lu listened to the whole story and leaned back against his chair, rubbing his forehead in silence for quite a while.

“Human Emperor.” He repeated this title twice, the helplessness and headache in his tone almost overflowing: “This Qiu Tong has too much ambition. He has brains but uses all his grand aspirations in the wrong places.”

“Now it mainly depends on the Demon Capital’s position.” Xue Yu said: “Qiu Tong doesn’t just have empty brains – he has courage, means, and can completely go all out. He wants immortality, wants to cultivate immortality, and attain the Dao. The previous incidents with ghost infants and the Flying Heaven Diagram were all premeditated.”

She summarized: “He wants to unseal the sealed spirit veins.”

“The seal was personally set by the Fusang tree.” Xue Lu couldn’t help saying: “He is the Human Emperor and should understand better than anyone that all this struggling is useless effort.”

“Yes, so I couldn’t understand at first either.” Xue Yu looked directly at Xue Lu, saying frankly: “Before entering Flying Cloud Peak, I could only guess that his frequent actions were because he wanted to escape imperial family constraints. After seeing the ancient images in Secret Realm Abyss, I finally understood – what Qiu Tong wants to cultivate might be Cang Long’s dragon breath.”

Xue Lu suddenly raised his eyes.

“Cang Long is the sharpest blade in the world, possessing extremely terrifying attacking power. It can cut through any seal.” Despite saying such earth-shattering words, Xue Yu spoke calmly. She looked up: “Father, I didn’t experience the ancient events personally, so I don’t know what’s true or false. But from the information given by the Fusang tree, whether it’s dragon breath or dragon bones, without exception, they’re all entangled with Mei. These things absolutely cannot emerge into the world.”

“There’s another point.” Having just experienced ten years of fighting for opportunities, Xue Yu’s voice inevitably carried exhaustion: “The attitude of Sacred Lands and the court toward worldly demons and monsters cannot continue deteriorating. We should learn from our predecessors’ disasters.”

“A Yu, everything you’ve said makes perfect sense.” After listening, Xue Lu stood up and walked around the room twice. In front of his daughter, whom he was proud of, he used quite a direct explanation: “The Sacred Lands are divided into six, the Demon Capital has five great families, and besides that, there’s an ambitious court and Human Emperor. Outsiders see the Sacred Lands as powerful, but in reality, we’re constrained everywhere.”

“The attitude of Sacred Lands and even the human race toward worldly demons wasn’t formed in a day or two. That mindset is carved into bone and blood, deeply rooted. How can Yedu’s power alone remove it?” Xue Lu said: “Just with Yedu alone, despite your repeated orders and constant supervision of everything, only a little effect has been achieved so far.”

“These twenty or thirty years, A Yu, when you’ve gone to the mortal world or secret realms, was there ever once that was for leisure travel?”

Xue Yu slowly pressed her lips together.

Xue Lu’s feelings were very complicated. Seeing Xue Yu grow into what she was now, as a father, to say he wasn’t proud would be false, and to say he didn’t feel heartache would also be false.

As fellow Sacred Land direct descendants, when he was Xue Yu’s age, he had thrown himself completely into the mortal world. Even his most disciplined and restrained elder brother would occasionally indulge in mountains and waters, experiencing a different taste of freedom.

And what about Xue Yu? At this age, what she spoke of and considered were already problems at this level.

Taking the world as one’s responsibility – this was too difficult and too exhausting.

Xue Lu spoke earnestly: “This isn’t something we can decide by ourselves. This requires the court, Sacred Lands, and Demon Capital to reach consensus and advance together. If any party doesn’t cooperate, it’s hard to accomplish anything, but look at the current situation.”

“The relationship between the Demon Capital and us has never been optimistic. The Human Emperor’s wariness is out in the open. Any of our actions might intensify conflicts.”

The future’s difficulties and obstacles were real, and the current contradictions were also real.

Xue Yu stood in place for a long while, then said: “I want to change this situation.”

She wasn’t a saint, nor a bodhisattva who saved suffering and difficulty, nor did she have lofty aspirations thinking she could save tens of thousands from fire and water with one person’s strength. She just stood in this position, and if she could contribute, she must try her utmost.

Success or failure – one could only know by trying.

Young people, whether passionate as fire or calm and rational, always seemed to have some matter or viewpoint that was stubborn and hard to persuade – that kind of drive to forge ahead through thorns and brambles despite knowing the road ahead was difficult was undoubtedly moving.

“A Yu, before the Three Lands Grand Assembly, let’s hold the Crown Princess investiture ceremony.”

Xue Lu said: “Since you want to change some things, you must stand in the highest position. Only then will your every move, every word and action, be convincing and worthy of others’ emulation.”

This matter had been mentioned by the Lord of Yedu before entering Flying Cloud Peak, so hearing it again now, Xue Yu wasn’t surprised. What made her pupils contract slightly was the latter half of the sentence that followed.

“The Three Lands Grand Assembly is in two months. To verify progress made in Flying Cloud Peak and gauge everyone’s differences, young descendants from various families and clans will attend.” Xue Lu squinted and sat back in his chair, as if experiencing some intense struggle, frowning before speaking: “Father hopes you can secure a position in the top two.”

The Three Lands Grand Assembly was held every ten to twenty years. Xue Yu was usually busy with her own affairs and rarely went to such occasions, so she was somewhat of a stranger there. As for Xue Lu, he had been most annoyed by such things in his youth, and after becoming a father had never required Xue Yu to achieve any particular ranking.

This was the first time.

Before Xue Yu could speak, Xue Lu waved his hand and looked out the window, saying in a low voice: “If nothing unexpected happens, Jiu Feng from the Demon Capital is the next demon clan leader. Only she can rank ahead of you. Everyone else, even the Five Sacred Lands successors, must all be defeated by your hand.”

Xue Yu seemed to sense something and raised her eyes slightly.

“Only this way can Father hand over the ruler’s position to you within two years.”

At the end, Xue Lu patted her shoulder and said, “Think it over carefully. This burden is too heavy – Father won’t force you.”

Amid overwhelming clamor, after coming out from the Lord of Yedu’s study, Xue Yu locked herself in her room.

At this time, Chao Hua and Chou Li had already waited for Chao Nian, whose appearance hadn’t changed a bit. The latter’s cultivation had increased considerably, but his words were still overwhelmingly numerous: “You don’t know, after I entered that temple, I encountered those disgusting things again – my sister said they’re called Mei, right? These things are like they have dog noses, smelling me, coming out and pouncing on me endlessly.”

“By the way, why are you here?” After chattering away, he looked at Su You beside him and asked: “Where’s the Lady?”

He craned his neck to look around.

Chao Hua covered her face and sighed heavily: “I’m begging you, Chao Nian, haven’t you spoken in eight hundred years?”

“That’s not true either.” Chao Nian mumbled: “Sister, I’m only over two hundred years old.”

Chou Li smiled gently: “Alright, stop teasing your sister. After ten years in Flying Cloud Peak, everyone’s tired. Let’s all rest well tonight.”

The joyful atmosphere completely dissipated after a quarter hour. Both Chao Hua and Chou Li couldn’t knock open Xue Yu’s door. The two looked at each other for a moment, then quietly left.

This meant Xue Yu needed quiet.

After everyone left, Su You stepped forward, knocked on the door with his knuckles, and said: “Lady.”

He didn’t know Xue Yu’s intention, so in front of others, he still maintained a purely sovereign-subject relationship.

Soon, the barrier cracked open a gap. He stepped over the threshold and walked into Xue Yu’s study.

None of the various scenes he had imagined occurred. She had changed clothes, her long hair casually draped over her shoulders and back, with wet tips at the ends. She held a book in her hands, but her mind wasn’t on it – she hadn’t turned a page for a long time.

Seeing him arrive, she simply closed the book in her hands and pushed it onto the table, asking: “Have you been to the Palace Guard Bureau yet?”

“Everything’s been handled.”

Su You walked behind her, his fingertips naturally twisting a strand of her hair, saying clearly: “There was a problem with the execution platform. I just went over there.”

As he spoke, he approached her in an embracing posture from behind, asking in a low voice: “What happened?”

Xue Yu’s form paused, unaccustomed to such intimacy.

Su You took in all her subtle emotions. He just gradually tightened his arms until a long section of her neck intimately pressed against his collarbone. Cool earrings swayed twice in his vision before he was satisfied and withdrew his hands, leaning close to her ear with clear, handsome words: “Unhappy?”

In two lifetimes, no one had dared treat Xue Yu this way.

His figure was tall and upright, carrying a faint pine fragrance that smelled like winter’s severity, but when truly leaning against him, it was scorchingly hot temperature.

Su You’s heartbeat was somewhat fast, and before long, it completely betrayed his seemingly calm and familiar demeanor.

Xue Yu was silent for a moment, then said: “I discussed some matters with Father.”

She paused, Su You didn’t urge her, just made a low “mm” sound right by her ear, his voice carrying unintentional laughter.

At this moment, he no longer had that forceful restraining attitude from before, but rather leaned against her comfortably and leisurely, like a winding vine completely under her control.

Xue Yu felt her ears were somewhat itchy.

“Speaking of the Three Lands Grand Assembly.” In this difficult position, she blinked briefly, her voice both clear and cold: “I mentioned Qiu Tong’s dragon breath and the situation with worldly demon clans. Father analyzed the current situation of being constrained on all sides, then gave me a choice.”

“The lord wants to push Lady to the position of Empress.” In the visible silence, Su You cut straight to the point.

Xue Yu raised her chin slightly and said no more.

This meant acknowledgment.

“What does Lady think?”

“I haven’t agreed yet.” Xue Yu tapped the table edge with her fingertip, unconsciously revealing a rarely known side of herself: “If I truly sit in this position, I might not do as well as Father.”

“There’s one thing he said correctly – this kind of matter isn’t something one person can reverse or establish.”

“Not one person.” Su You held her, and his loosely tied hair ribbon somehow suddenly fell, ink-black hair dropping straight like silk, falling like scattered heavenly flowers onto Xue Yu’s snow-white neck and hands.

He seemed unaware of this, turning his head to brush her ear with his lips bit by bit, heat diffusing in his voice: “How is it just one person?”

“A Yu.”

He seemed particularly fond of saying this name, biting each syllable distinctively, carrying indescribable sentiment: “Do whatever you want to do.”

“However it is, I’ll accompany you.”

Xue Yu had heard quite a few loyalty pledges, each able to sing like flowers. In comparison, his few words seemed sparse and ordinary, not outstanding.

But perhaps due to the atmosphere, she turned around in his arms to face him under the lamplight.

Among the person before her’s exquisitely carved features, Xue Yu most liked those eyes. When angry, they were imposingly wrapped in frost, appearing deep and dangerous. Usually when joking with outsiders, they would relax and droop, creating a thin, long crease. But most irresistible was this kind of moment.

Containing laughter, explicit, with pupils seemingly carefully studded with a layer of broken glass pearls, incredibly beautiful.

As if everything was laid out clearly before her.

He was doing it deliberately. Premeditated for a long time.

Seducing her.

From very early on.

Xue Yu’s gaze once again fell on his thin lips. After a while, she said: “Lower your head.”

Su You bent down, cooperatively complying. At the same time, she stood on tiptoe and leaned up, biting a small piece of flesh on his lower lip, keeping her eyes open as she somewhat stiffly maintained this position.

After a while, she ground against it once, then again, without technique.