In a battle between masters, speed was an indispensable element. Having mastered this mystical technique, King Yan could indeed maximize the “diminish them, strengthen oneself” principle, greatly increasing his chances of victory.
It was unknown how exactly he accomplished this. In this realm, due to the absence of the Realm God, there were no heavenly tribulations, and cultivators could not transform into immortals, so they shouldn’t possess such bug-like skills.
“But Yun Ya broke through it,” Feng Miaojun hadn’t forgotten the method Yun Ya used when helping her escape from King Yan’s pursuit. He had broken through the effects of the “Strolling in the Garden” mystical technique, allowing them to retreat swiftly.
“Even true domains aren’t unbreakable; one just needs to disrupt the rules within,” Lu Ming continued, “That day when the State Preceptor rescued you, King Yan might have guessed it was the State Preceptor’s doing. He went against his usual practice and sent out large numbers of his agents, tirelessly searching throughout the city, causing widespread panic. Even the black-robed Nü Ba, who rarely appears in public, began frequently patrolling the entire city. One of our people was unfortunately caught and self-destructed his primordial spirit to die. The State Preceptor speculates that King Yan himself has not been idle.”
If King Yan could catch Feng Miaojun and Yun Ya, he would gain many Sovereignty Artifact fragments at once, and collecting the rest would only be a matter of time.
No wonder he was as excited as if he’d been injected with chicken blood.
Feng Miaojun discerned something more from this: Yun Ya must have confronted King Yan before and tested his limits, otherwise, how would he know how to break through the pseudo-domain “Strolling in the Garden”?
Conversely, when King Yan saw his “domain” broken without even seeing his opponent’s face, he immediately suspected Yun Ya, indicating that the two had clashed more than once or twice and knew each other’s capabilities well.
These two fellows were hiding many secrets.
Feng Miaojun knew that questioning Lu Ming further would be futile, so she changed the subject: “What about the method to leave Yinggong City?” This was no longer a place to linger, and given Yun Ya’s nature, he should have prepared an escape route.
“It’s already arranged,” Lu Ming said hurriedly, “The State Preceptor should be returning soon. I must leave now. Please keep today’s conversation with you, Queen, confidential.”
Feng Miaojun raised an eyebrow: “Why?”
Lu Ming smiled bitterly: “I fear the State Preceptor will find me too talkative and cut out my tongue.” Yun Ya most despised subordinates who acted on their initiative. If given a choice, Lu Ming wouldn’t want to violate this taboo. But their master’s temperament was becoming increasingly unpredictable day by day, making it difficult for those serving under him. With so many beautiful women in the world, why did the State Preceptor have to fancy this particular one?
The difficulty level was maxed out. If he didn’t provide some assistance now, how long would they have to endure this misery?
Feng Miaojun, lost in thought, weakly waved her hand, and he quickly departed. Yun Ya allowed him to enter and exit the tiny bottle, but he didn’t have the authority to release people.
After he disappeared, Feng Miaojun slowly walked into the small courtyard and sat down on a stone chair.
The large tree above was shedding leaves, covering the ground with golden foliage. This tree looked no different from when she first saw it years ago.
Unfortunately, while things remained the same, people had changed, and so much had happened between her and Yun Ya.
She silently counted in her heart, one leaf, two leaves, three, four… Before reaching ten, she stood up, feeling agitated.
Thousands of voices seemed to suddenly surge into her mind, disturbing the once-calm lake of her heart. Having lived for so many years, Feng Miaojun felt lost and helpless for the first time, with nowhere to find support.
Should she trust him?
Between them still lay numerous insurmountable obstacles, not just national enmity and family hatred, but also countless secrets each kept hidden.
But… could she allow herself to be selfish just once?
Feng Miaojun casually tore apart a leaf: “Talkative Lu Ming.”
After a moment’s thought, she tore another leaf, gritting her teeth:
“Damn you, Yun Ya!”
Chen Dachang had been gone for a long time.
Yu Haizhen had enjoyed a good sleep and woke up just in time to see him return, carrying the chill of snow and ice on his body.
This time, he brought a large deer, already drained of blood to ensure it wouldn’t attract trouble.
Her appetite was much better than before, so Chen Dachang cut large pieces of venison, rubbed them with salt, and roasted them directly over the fire.
The aroma alone made one’s mouth water, and upon tasting, the meat was rich, fragrant, and crispy, providing the satisfaction of eating heartily. Chen Dachang sliced the venison into thin strips and fed Yu Haizhen over half a jin.
Yu Haizhen didn’t want to admit it, but his cooking skills were indeed excellent.
They remained silent during the meal until he went to eat his portion, then Yu Haizhen softly asked: “What time is it now?” The cave offered no view of the sky. There seemed to be a few small cracks above where smoke could escape, but no light could enter.
“The Hour of Zi,” Chen Dachang added, “the second day’s Hour of Zi.”
It was already the Hour of Zi; she had slept for twelve full hours! Yu Haizhen’s expression darkened.
Chen Dachang knew she must have had some insights during her two days of flight, but since meeting him, she had never asked about it, and he admired her composure. “You were the State Preceptor of the Xi Kingdom, yet you don’t want to know the situation in Yinggong City?”
“What situation could it be?” Yu Haizhen slightly closed her eyes. Chen Dachang noticed for the first time how long and curled her eyelashes were. “I am no longer the State Preceptor.”
Chen Dachang remained silent, then after a while said: “During the Land Bridge Battle, you fell into the abyss, and afterward, the Xi King surrendered the entire city. That very night, King Yan extracted the foundation stone of the Xi Kingdom.”
Yu Haizhen let out a short laugh.
Then she continued laughing at length.
Chen Dachang hadn’t expected this reaction from her and looked at her in surprise, but her voice gradually lowered, revealing a face full of mockery: “Did King Yan spare his life?”
“King Yan promised him glory as before.”
“That’s fine,” Yu Haizhen let out a soft sigh. “The situation was already lost; surrender was better, causing fewer casualties.”
The first time she woke up after falling from the cliff, she found the Sovereignty Artifact gone from her hand and couldn’t access her primordial energy. For a State Preceptor, this abnormality had only one explanation: the nation no longer existed.
Without a country, there was no primordial energy, no Sovereignty Artifact.
So she didn’t need to ask to know that the Xi Kingdom was already gone.
Yu Haizhen slowly closed her eyes and leaned against the rock wall, remaining silent for a long time.
Her expression was calm, but Chen Dachang sensed that she must be feeling terrible inside. But since she didn’t speak, he didn’t feel it appropriate to comfort her—he had never comforted a woman other than his mother. As for the Queen, she certainly didn’t need his consolation.
After an unknown period of silence, Yu Haizhen’s voice finally emerged faintly: “How is King Yan treating the citizens of Yinggong City? What edicts has he issued?”
This was the only thing she still cared about.
Chen Dachang honestly replied: “King Yan issued strict orders prohibiting the army from pillaging, raping, or killing, distributed medicine to prevent epidemics throughout the city, and required civilians to join Yan citizenship and become Yan people. Additionally, cultivators are required to report to the newly established Yan government offices within seven days to join the Yan Kingdom’s registry of cultivators; otherwise, they will be treated as spies and executed without mercy if caught later.”