After hiding Lei Tai in a dye vat, Nan Yan observed her surroundings. Noticing that the back door was only guarded by Foundation Establishment cultivators, she quietly slipped away.
Rushing back to the Vermilion Emperor’s Jade Palace, Nan Yan quickly delivered the Spirit Strength Flower to Mo Xingzheng before checking on Mu Zhanting’s condition. Mu Zhanting remained unconscious, but the fiery aura around him continued to intensify. Standing near him felt like being next to a furnace on the verge of eruption, causing both hope and worry among the cultivators from Dragon Capital.
“Thank you for your tireless efforts, Miss Nan,” one of them said. “This Coiled Fang Heavenly Fire is the Vermilion Emperor’s signature technique. If the prince inherits it before the Shenzhou prince, Cloud Consort might grow suspicious. We’ve already sent word to Chen Dynasty to dispatch Nascent Soul cultivators for support. I’m afraid we can’t stay in this Jade Palace much longer.”
The Dragon Capital cultivators’ concerns were not unfounded. After a few days, Cloud Consort, seemingly having finished her business, sent medical cultivators to inquire about Mu Zhanting’s condition. When they were politely turned away, she immediately dispatched one of her female officials for a detailed inquiry.
“Yinzhou and Chenzhou have always maintained close relations. How could we not show concern when the prince is ill?” The official was not easy to fool.
Nan Yan reluctantly fabricated a story: “Actually, before we came here, we had an encounter with demonic cultivators from Sizhou. My brother’s old wounds have flared up, forcing him into seclusion for recovery.”
The official, obviously skeptical, replied, “I see. However, I’m here on the Consort’s orders and need something to report. Please come with me to see the Consort. Surely you don’t need seclusion for recovery as well?”
Unable to refuse, Nan Yan decided to stall for as much time as possible. She followed the official to meet the Consort while mentally preparing her explanations.
This was Nan Yan’s first visit to the Consort’s chambers, which were surprisingly lively. Beautiful women sang and danced in the surrounding pavilions, while handsome young men occasionally played flutes to court them. It seemed more like a retirement paradise than anything else.
Upon entering the hall, Nan Yan saw Cloud Consort seated on an ornate sandalwood couch in the center, surrounded by attendants massaging her shoulders and legs. Unlike her agitated state when Nan Yan saw her at Nan Rao’s former residence, the Consort now appeared elegant. Despite her waning lifespan, she still maintained the demeanor of a graceful matron.
The female official brought Nan Yan in and told her to wait before reporting to Cloud Consort. The Consort, seemingly ignoring their presence, continued chatting with those around her, leaving Nan Yan standing at the entrance.
Ordinary cultivators might have felt irritated by this treatment, as the cultivation world typically values directness. Such power plays were usually considered unnecessary. However, Nan Yan, being a Buddhist cultivator and intentionally stalling for time, remained unperturbed. She stood patiently for half an hour without complaint, fingering her prayer beads. Just as she was considering quietly leaving, the female official returned.
“The Consort is ready. Please come forward,” she said.
Nan Yan approached and bowed: “This junior pays respects to the Consort.”
Cloud Consort sipped her spirit tea, barely glancing at Nan Yan. “You seem well-behaved, so why are you being so stubborn? I’ve sent medical cultivators several times to treat the prince, but you all insist he can handle it himself. Days have passed, and he’s still unconscious. If we don’t allow the Jade Palace to treat him and something happens, won’t Yinzhou be held responsible?”
Nan Yan lowered her gaze and replied, “The Consort is too kind. The prince is merely in seclusion for recovery. He will come to apologize to you in a few days.”
“Oh? I’ve heard that the prince fell unconscious after viewing the Vermilion Emperor’s battle mural in the secret hall. In the past, even our most talented disciples who attempted to comprehend it only remained unconscious for two or three hours at most. The prince is supposed to be exceptional, so how could he be inferior to our average disciples? Could it be that he gained some other insights in that secret hall?”
It seemed that Yun Nian had kept his word, but Cloud Consort, with her years of experience, had immediately spotted the inconsistencies. Nan Yan maintained a calm exterior and said, “This is rather embarrassing to admit, but since the Consort asks, I shall explain. Yun Nian and I were present at the time. Seeing Cultivator Yun’s smooth comprehension, the prince’s competitive spirit was aroused. He forcefully attempted to comprehend using a secret Chen Dynasty technique, not realizing the profound depth of the Vermilion Emperor’s legacy, which resulted in damage to his consciousness.”
Her explanation was neither servile nor overbearing, and it made sense. Cloud Consort finally looked directly at Nan Yan’s face. As she absentmindedly stroked the edge of her teacup, her fingers suddenly paused, and she seemed to fall into a daze.
“Consort?” the nearby female official inquired.
Cloud Consort, still staring at Nan Yan, said, “I heard that although you lost to Yun Nian, you overwhelmed our Yinzhou prodigies in martial combat. I haven’t asked yet… what’s your name?”
Nan Yan replied, “This junior’s Buddhist name is Zhen Yuan.”
“Zhen Yuan,” the Consort murmured, savoring the name. She continued, “Recently, one of my Lei family nephews said he met you on the street. He had heard about you defeating his cousin and greatly admired your strength. He wanted to invite you for tea to resolve any grudges but claimed he was tricked. Did this happen?”
Nan Yan’s heart sank, realizing that Lei Tai must have complained to Cloud Consort after failing to find her.
“It was just a small joke between Cultivator Lei and myself. Merely a harmless misunderstanding,” Nan Yan explained.
Cloud Consort gazed at her and said, “You young female cultivators can joke around, but using disguise pills to trick people is going too far. Anyway, you’re a guest here, so I won’t lecture you further. You may go now.”
Nan Yan hastily retreated. Although Cloud Consort had some doubts, she didn’t dwell on them, considering Nan Yan was a Buddhist cultivator. She resumed her conversation with others until nightfall when a young man with a golden crown and a sinister face strode in.
“Consort! Your nephew has been fooled by someone from the Chen Dynasty. Why haven’t you arrested that female cultivator to uphold Yinzhou’s dignity?” he demanded.
Cloud Consort, now slightly tipsy, replied, “Wasn’t it just a prank with a disguise pill? You should also mind your behavior.”
Lei Tai, his face full of resentment, insisted, “Consort, please understand. This female cultivator didn’t just trick me; she greatly disrespected the Vermilion Emperor’s Jade Palace!”
Cloud Consort lazily asked, “Oh? How so? Make it brief; I’m tired and want to rest.”
“She disguised herself to look like Consort Nanfang! Her mannerisms and aura were 80% similar! If we allow her to parade around like that—” Before Lei Tai could finish, a sudden gust of wind swept him off his feet, and he found himself before Cloud Consort.
He was shocked to see Cloud Consort’s face contorted with emotion. “Who did you say that girl looks like?!” she demanded.
Lei Tai’s legs trembled as he stuttered, “Like… like Consort Nanfang.”
Cloud Consort’s eyes widened. After a moment of stunned silence, she flung Lei Tai aside and muttered to herself, “No, that’s why her figure looked so familiar. It’s not a disguise… she naturally looks like that! Guards… Guards! Go and arrest those people from the Chen Dynasty! Especially that Buddhist nun, Zhen Yuan!”
As the Consort’s anger flared, clouds suddenly appeared in the clear night sky above the Vermilion Emperor’s Jade Palace. Though palace residents were unaware of the situation, they followed the Consort’s orders and searched for the Chen Dynasty prince. However, they soon reported back:
“Consort, the prince’s quarters are empty. Senior Brother Mo said that Zhen Yuan came for medicine in the afternoon, then left with the prince to meet a pre-arranged medical cultivator. They’ve been gone for half a day now.”
Realizing their hasty departure, Cloud Consort instantly understood. “Capture them! Issue an order to seal all teleportation arrays in every county and city! They must be brought back at all costs!”
The Jade Palace cultivators had never seen Cloud Consort so agitated. As they prepared to carry out her orders, a joyous phoenix cry suddenly echoed from outside. A colorful phoenix flew out from the rear hall, circling in the air to block their path.
“Phoenix Lord?!” they exclaimed in surprise.
Seeing this, Cloud Consort raged, “How dare this beast obstruct us! Go after them!”
The Nascent Soul cultivators hesitated, then reluctantly flew towards the phoenix. Just as they were about to use techniques to disperse it, a reverberating sound filled the air. The cultivators, already airborne, seemed to hit an invisible, infinite wall. They fell back, spitting blood, and stared in confusion at a figure emerging from a spatial rift.
Cloud Consort’s face changed dramatically as she saw the figure from the doorway. “Yi’er…”
The figure stepped out of the void, lovingly stroking the phoenix’s neck before turning to face the shocked Cloud Consort. When it spoke, its voice carried a deep, unresolved weariness and sorrow.
“Mother Consort, it’s been a long time.”
…
Before Cloud Consort had issued her order to intercept, Lei Tai had already left the Jade Palace with over ten Core Formation cultivators and one Nascent Soul cultivator. His people had noticed the Chen Dynasty group’s movements earlier but hadn’t anticipated the Consort’s extreme reaction.
The Lei clan had long coveted the position of Yinzhou’s prince, but there was no precedent for a prince being appointed by a sect outside their state. Though Lei Tai didn’t understand Cloud Consort’s intense reaction, he believed that capturing the Chen Dynasty group would earn him great merit.
“Eighth Uncle, we’re counting on you,” Lei Tai said, having summoned an early-stage Nascent Soul elder from his clan for assurance. Although the Chen Dynasty cultivators were numerous, they were all at the Core Formation stage and stood no chance against a Nascent Soul cultivator.
The Lei clan’s Eighth Uncle stroked his beard, saying, “Prince or not, a fledgling phoenix is no different from a young quail. Since the Consort wants them captured, Young Master, you must seize this opportunity. The clan will support you.”
“They won’t escape!” Lei Tai was confident. Recalling Cloud Consort’s words about the female cultivator’s true identity, his eyes gleamed with excitement.
If she was indeed Consort Nanfang’s offspring, it would be perfect. He could persuade Cloud Consort to let him take her as his Dao partner, strengthening ties with the Nan family and potentially inheriting the Vermilion Emperor’s Jade Palace.
As Lei Tai’s excitement grew, his Eighth Uncle suddenly announced, “I sense nineteen Core Formation auras three miles ahead.”
“It’s them. After them!”
Three miles away, Nan Yan heard the wind whistling in her ears. The teleportation array was still over thirty miles distant, but their pursuers seemed to have detected them. They had to abandon their flying ship for faster flying swords.
Mu Zhanting had just taken medicine to treat his consciousness and hadn’t fully recovered. Nan Yan asked anxiously, “Can we go any faster?”
“Impossible. They have a Nascent Soul cultivator who’s twice as fast as us!” A Dragon Capital cultivator decisively changed direction. “Miss Nan, take the prince and go. We’ll hold them off briefly. They know we’re Chen Dynasty cultivators and won’t kill us.”
Nan Yan hesitated, but these battle-hardened cultivators acted swiftly. Three or four turned back to block the pursuit, leaving Nan Yan to carry Mu Zhanting and fly desperately toward the teleportation array.
The Dragon Capital cultivators only managed to delay for about half a minute before Nan Yan heard a tremendous explosion. A massive spiritual energy burst from afar, its shockwave shaking her.
“You can’t escape!” A hundred paces behind, an elderly man in purple robes appeared through a ripple in the air.
Ground-shrinking step, a hallmark of the Nascent Soul realm!
Nan Yan could teleport too, but needed a hundred breaths between uses. She glanced back to see the old man wave his hand, sending an arc of lightning towards her. If not for her quick teleportation, it would have severely injured her.
“Oh? This girl’s teleportation technique is quite marvelous,” the purple-robed elder remarked, reaching out to grab her.
Nan Yan, her right hand numb from the lightning’s afterglow, temporarily tossed Mu Zhanting aside. As the elder grabbed her, she spotted Lei Tai rushing up behind him. Grasping her Sin-Cleansing Seal, she pointed it at Lei Tai.
The elder, initially certain of success, was forced to abandon his attempt to grab Nan Yan when he saw a terrifying Buddhist seal flying towards the unprepared Lei Tai. He shouted, “Young Master, watch out!”
Lei Tai saw a golden light approaching. Whether illusion or not, it appeared to be a pure, sacred Buddhist seal, yet with a hint of blood surrounding it. He raised his hand to cast a lightning net in defense, but the seal tore through it effortlessly, sending him flying back a hundred zhang, spitting blood.
As he flew back, Lei Tai felt his bones cracking. He had never encountered such a powerful Buddhist technique.
What kind of monster is she?!
The Lei clan’s Eighth Uncle used ground-shrinking steps to reach Lei Tai, supporting him and feeding him a medicinal pill. He then glared furiously at Nan Yan.
“You’re seeking death!” He spread his fingers, and a nine-zhang lightning bird materialized from his palm, spreading its wings and flying toward Nan Yan with overwhelming force.
The Eighth Uncle spoke coldly as if addressing a dead person: “No Core Formation cultivator has ever survived my Thunder Roc intact. You can die without regrets.”
Sensing mortal danger, Nan Yan quickly pulled out the bone hairpin Nan Yi had given her and tossed it. The hairpin transformed into a solid white spiritual light, enveloping her. When the Thunder Roc struck, a blinding white light obscured everything, yet Nan Yan felt no harm.
Unable to kill across realms as she could with demonic cultivators, Nan Yan’s mind raced. Suddenly, she felt a chill and heard the Lei clan cultivators cry out in confusion beyond her protective barrier.
“What is this thing?! Why is it draining my junior brother’s life force?!”
“It won’t die! Even demon-subduing talismans can’t kill it. How is this possible?!”
“Yin curse? Ghosts! Where did this yin curse come from in our Yinzhou? Run!!”