Despite Jiyang’s assurance that Yingze Wei wouldn’t intentionally send someone to trouble them, Nanyan, ever cautious, dragged him 500 miles away. A few days later, she received word from Nanyi about a potential major event in Shangzhou, urging her to return to Choushan Fanhai.
After careful consideration, Nanyan concluded that their pursuers wouldn’t dare to invade Maozhou’s territory. Moreover, determined to guide her sworn brother towards enlightenment, she seized every opportunity during their journey to impart Buddhist teachings, aiming to help him experience universal love.
“Shaocang, look at that mountain. What does it remind you of?” Nanyan asked.
Jiyang hesitated, “May I speak frankly?”
“Of course,” she encouraged.
“It looks like a pig’s trotter,” he replied.
Suppressing her rising irritation, Nanyan explained, “You see a pig’s trotter because that’s what’s in your mind. I, however, see the Buddha’s crown. Now, look at the water. What do you think of?”
“Pig’s trotter soup,” Jiyang answered without hesitation.
“No,” Nanyan corrected. “You should see the endless sea of suffering. Only the Buddha behind you can guide you to salvation.”
As Jiyang turned around, he saw not Buddha, but Nanyan’s earnest face. He often wondered who was captivating whom in their relationship.
Meanwhile, following a major offensive by Chenzhou, the main battleground of Qitian Plain fell under Longdu’s control. Subsequently, Sizhou’s Prison Evil Marquis sent envoys to Chenzhou, leading to a temporary ceasefire.
“The Hall of Righteousness discovered that the ghostly place that devoured many Yuanying cultivators from Sizhou was caused by rogue Yinzhu, manipulated by someone who had gained control over them,” a cultivator explained.
“With so many Yuanying consumed, they’ve likely become pawns of this mysterious villain,” another added.
“Does this mean all the deceased will become Yinzhu? What a calamity!” someone exclaimed.
Aboard the airship bound for Chenzhou, Nanyan overheard these discussions about the ghost domain incident. She ventured out of her cabin to gather more information.
Bored travelers shared various rumors. “Sizhou’s loss of numerous Yuanying weakened their military strength. This ceasefire came at a high cost for the Prison Evil Marquis. Surrendering over ten spirit stone veins in the Qitian Sea wasn’t enough. Rumor has it that the Evil Dao wants to send the Marquis’s daughter to Chenzhou for a political marriage.”
“What? That infamous depraved woman?”
“It’s almost laughable. That woman, who has ruined countless lives, returned from the ghost domain with a horrifically disfigured face. Even with the Marquis’s intervention, it’ll take a year to restore her beauty. When the Dragon Lord’s avatar visited Sizhou for peace talks, he took one look at her and declared that while his disciple might be troublesome, he wouldn’t marry someone so hideous. He advised the Marquis to have another child while he’s still young.”
“Then what happened?”
“Well, the woman was so enraged that she caused one of the Marquis’s pregnant concubines to miscarry.”
Realizing the conversation had veered off-topic, Nanyan steered it back. “How will they handle the ghost domain incident?”
“Although many believe Daosheng Tian was responsible, the Hall of Righteousness claims it was orchestrated by evil forces. Since the ghost domain has vanished, people are inclined to accept their explanation.”
The cultivators seemed accustomed to Daosheng Tian’s actions, offering only brief criticism before losing interest.
“They insist evil forces are behind this, warning that more cultivators might be controlled and turned into Yinzhu. They’re pushing for the swift selection of a new emperor to issue a realm-wide order to combat these evil forces.”
“Shenzhou and Haizhou were quick to support this, urging each region’s imperial heirs to intensify their training. The Hall of Righteousness has even released two spiritual veins from the Mountain Sea Prohibition, allowing each region’s heir to bring nine attendants into the secret realm. This news has caused quite a stir, overshadowing concerns about Daosheng Tian’s alleged actions.”
“It’s a shame we can’t participate. Those talented enough to join the Mountain Sea Prohibition are truly fortunate. Even if they don’t obtain the legendary Mountain River Sea Crown, forming a Gold Core there is far superior to doing so outside.”
Hearing this, Nanyan remembered her own Mountain Sea Prohibition task scroll. She was surprised to find that due to changes in the ghost city, participants only needed to bring back specific items to pass. Using her detailed map of the Youquan River, she touched the scroll with her jade talisman. The text changed, revealing: “Choushan Academy Imperial Heir Selection, Rank 10, True Perfection.”
Relieved at her narrow success, Nanyan returned to the cabin to find Jiyang examining the scroll gifted by Yingze Wei.
“I haven’t dared to open it. Is something wrong with the painting?” she asked, sitting across from him.
Jiyang explained, “This isn’t just a painting. It’s a master’s unique world, capturing past events through cosmic insight. While not as powerful as Daosheng Tian’s Reverse Reincarnation Mirror, it’s still a one-of-a-kind treasure.”
Seeing her confusion, he continued, “The Yellow Spring Mirror is a replica of the Reverse Reincarnation Mirror, but it only shows illusions. The Reverse Reincarnation Mirror can send people to the past, defying natural laws. Along with the Red Emperor’s Demon Heart and the Mountain River Sea Crown, which grants knowledge of past and present, these are known as the Three Boundary-Breaking Treasures.”
Nanyan smiled bitterly, remembering that even with the miraculous Red Emperor’s Demon Heart, Nan Rang had still passed away.
“Can I use this scroll to see my mother again?” she asked hopefully.
Jiyang met her gaze and replied gently, “You’ll only see glimpses of your mother’s past. Remember, while it’s comforting to see loved ones, dwelling too much on the past isn’t advisable.”
Nanyan asked, “If I get lost in memories of my mother, will you wake me?”
Jiyang replied calmly, “Disturbing one’s dreams is impolite. I must warn you, though, falling into a deep sleep unguarded near me might not be wise.”
After a moment of silence, Nanyan sat down, pushing Jiyang aside. Placing her hands on the scroll, she said expressionlessly, “If this were in the mortal realm, I’d have reported you countless times. Now, sit properly and protect me!”
“Of course,” Jiyang agreed.
Nanyan took a deep breath and extended her spiritual sense. As soon as she touched the scroll’s surface, everything went dark.
She felt immersed in thick ink. After an indeterminate time, a pale light pierced the darkness. Suddenly, she lost her sense of self, becoming one with the mountain, water, pavilion, and wildflowers.
She found herself in a mountain valley. Despite the sun still hanging in the sky, a starry expanse loomed above the clouds, with a beautiful soul river flowing through it.
“Lady Nanfang! Lady Nanfang!” A guard-like cultivator flew in from upstream, his attire reminiscent of styles from centuries ago.
After a long flight, he spotted a grass pavilion where two people sat playing zithers.
It was her uncle and… Yingze Wei.
Nanyan’s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly noticed that the young Yingze Wei still had black eyes, giving him a more human-like appearance. He bore a slight resemblance to Jiyang.
Her uncle, blind since birth and trusting by nature, earnestly instructed Yingze Wei, whom he considered a close friend, in the art of zithering.
“…Today is the Dao Venerable’s birthday. You should lead, and I’ll accompany you,” her uncle said.
Yingze Wei pressed the strings, replying, “Yigu, your skill far surpasses mine. Why so cautious?”
Nanyi smiled apologetically, “Yesterday, my sister brewed wine from the Soul River and offended the Dao Venerable. I’d rather not draw attention to myself in his presence.”
The guard who had been searching for Lady Nanfang landed outside the pavilion and bowed. “Young masters, have you seen Lady Nanfang? The Dao Venerable’s birthday feast is about to begin, but she got drunk and disappeared.”
“Sister’s drunk again?” Nanyi sighed. “I’ll go look for her. If we can’t make it to the feast, please convey my apologies to the Dao Venerable.”
As he finished speaking, a discordant note rang out from the pavilion. Puzzled, he heard Yingze Wei say, “No need to search. She’s back.”
Outside the pavilion, a stone stream bubbled. In the distance, wind chimes tinkled. Around a bend in the stream, a bamboo raft drifted downstream. A figure lay drunk upon it, half her raven-black hair trailing in the water alongside her bare, snow-white feet peeking out from under her red robe.
The guard, though male, came from the traditionally conservative Zizhou. Flustered by the sight, he stammered, “Lady Nanfang is… is barefoot. It’s not proper…”
Though blind, Nanyi realized his sister was likely in one of her unrestrained moods. He hurried to the stream’s edge and called out, “Sister, it’s time for the feast!”
The raft bumped against a rock, setting off a cacophony of wind chimes. Nan Rang’s hand, unconsciously playing with the water, created ripples. She rolled over and fell into the stream with a splash.
“Sister!” The water wasn’t deep, and Nanyi quickly pulled Nan Rang out. “How can we appease the Dao Venerable if you’re like this?”
Still groggy, Nan Rang pushed back her wet hair. Her eyes briefly swept over the stunned guard, her voice husky and alluring. “Why should I care about that old man’s birthday? The wine at his feasts is tasteless. Yigu, can you even drink it? Why don’t I catch a couple of celestial cranes for you to go with my new brew?”
“What? Those missing cranes from Zeyou’s compound were you’re doing?”
Nan Rang turned to face Yingze Wei’s calm gaze in the pavilion. Fearlessly, she admitted, “That’s right. And I plucked your moon flowers last month too. I’ll give you a jar of moonflower wine as compensation. Let’s call it even, shall we?” She tossed him a wine jar.
Yingze Wei caught the jar but remained silent. As Nanyi struggled to apologize, Yingze Wei stood up with his zither. “It’s time. I’ll go greet the Dao Venerable first. See you later.”
He left quickly. Fearing he’d been offended, Nanyi turned to Nan Rang, exasperated. “Zeyou only looks after us. Why do you always provoke him?”
Nan Rang clicked her tongue, her beautiful phoenix eyes narrowing. “I’ve always said gentlemen and rogues don’t mix. Father listened to that old Dao Venerable’s matchmaking nonsense, making us both uncomfortable. What’s the point?”
Nanyi sighed softly, “Father will lose another handful of hair over this.”
Nan Rang scoffed. With a wave of her hand, phoenix feathers swirled around her, transforming her attire into an elegant crimson gown. Her allure instantly gave way to an air of untouchable authority.
“Don’t worry. The future ruler of Yinzhou won’t be troubled by mere matters of the heart.”
Nanyi sighed again. Accompanying his sister to such gatherings always attracted strange looks. Everyone knew that Lady Nanfang had inherited the Red Emperor’s most domineering traits. Her beauty and status demanded attention wherever she went.
People envied her beauty and power, yet couldn’t help being drawn to both.
While everyone else sat formally, Nan Rang lounged casually, irritating her neighbor.
Ao Guanghan, who had been holding back for a while, finally scolded her, “The Dao Venerable is present. Can’t you sit properly?”
Nan Rang, already displeased with the bland wine, hooked her little finger through the bronze ring on the wine vessel. Her alluring phoenix eyes locked onto Ao Guanghan as she kicked off her wooden clogs. Her snow-white feet emerged provocatively from beneath her red robe, propping up on the table before her.
She parted her vermilion lips, her voice teasing, “What was that, Hanhan? I didn’t quite catch it.”
The person behind him quickly restrained Ao Guanghan, who looked ready to lunge at Nan Rang. “Young Master, calm down! Lady Nanfang is still a woman!”
Ao Guanghan fumed, “What kind of woman is she? I won’t rest easy until this menace is gone!”