A deafening silence descended upon the Hall of Heavenly Decree.
The golden scroll hovered above the altar, radiating an ancient aura that seemed to press against everyone’s shoulders.
Spiritual energy swirled through the vast hall like a restless tide, causing sleeves and banners to flutter without wind.
The Heavenly Envoy slowly raised both hands.
“All who stand before Heaven…”
His aged voice echoed through every corner of the palace.
“…bear witness.”
Golden light burst from the Oracle.
One line after another appeared upon the divine scroll, written in characters so brilliant that no mortal hand could imitate them.
Every noble family lowered their heads.
Every cultivator held their breath.
No one dared speak.
The Heavenly Oracle had never been wrong.
Not once in a thousand years.
Lin Xue watched the glowing characters without blinking.
His heart remained calm.
In his previous life, he had stood in this very place with hope filling his chest.
Today…
Hope had long since died.
The Heavenly Envoy’s eyes widened slightly as he read the decree.
He smiled.
Then he proclaimed in a loud voice,
“By the will of Heaven…”
“The fated dao partner of Young Master Lin Xue…”
The hall fell utterly silent.
“…is—”
“His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Ji Chen!”
Thunderous applause erupted instantly.
“Heaven truly favors the Crown Prince!”
“What a perfect match!”
“The future emperor and the Heaven’s Chosen!”
“An immortal union!”
The ministers laughed in delight.
Sect elders nodded approvingly.
Even the Emperor smiled with satisfaction.
Only one person remained expressionless.
Lin Xue.
Ji Chen stepped forward gracefully, the corners of his lips lifting into the same gentle smile that had deceived countless people.
“Young Master Lin.”
He extended his hand.
“It appears Heaven has already chosen for us.”
His voice was warm.
Patient.
Exactly as Lin Xue remembered.
Exactly as he hated.
The memories he had buried clawed their way back into his mind.
The poisoned wine.
The execution order.
The burning manor.
The severed heads of the Lin Clan displayed outside the capital.
His mother’s desperate cries.
His father’s final smile.
His younger sister reaching for him as soldiers dragged her away.
Every nightmare returned at once.
Ji Chen waited.
Certain that Lin Xue would place his hand into his.
After all…
He always had.
Instead—
Lin Xue slowly stepped backward.
Gasps spread throughout the hall.
Ji Chen’s smile froze.
“Young Master Lin?”
Lin Xue bowed politely.
“Forgive this subject.”
His voice remained calm.
“…I refuse.”
Silence.
Utter silence.
The words echoed through the hall like a clap of thunder.
Even the Heavenly Envoy stared at him in disbelief.
“…What did you say?”
Lin Xue straightened his back.
His clear voice rang through the palace.
“This subject refuses Heaven’s decree.”
The crowd exploded.
“Impossible!”
“Has he gone mad?”
“No one can reject the Heavenly Oracle!”
Ji Chen’s expression darkened for only a fraction of a second before his smile returned.
“Young Master Lin…”
“Perhaps you’re simply overwhelmed.”
“The Oracle cannot be questioned.”
Lin Xue met his eyes for the first time since entering the hall.
Those gentle eyes…
Once, he had drowned in them.
Now all he saw was the face of a man capable of sacrificing anyone for power.
“I know exactly what I’m saying.”
Ji Chen’s smile finally disappeared.
The Emperor leaned forward from the Dragon Throne.
“Lin Xue.”
His voice carried unmistakable authority.
“Do you understand the consequences of rejecting Heaven?”
“I do.”
“And yet you still refuse?”
“I do.”
The Emperor narrowed his eyes.
The hall grew tense.
No one had ever witnessed such defiance.
The Heavenly Envoy’s hands trembled.
“The Heavenly Oracle cannot be denied!”
“It is Heaven’s will!”
Lin Xue slowly looked toward the floating scroll.
His gaze was colder than winter.
“…Then perhaps.”
“Heaven is wrong.”
Boom!
The Oracle suddenly shook violently.
Golden lightning erupted across the ceiling.
Several ministers stumbled backward in fear.
The divine scroll flickered as though something within it had been disturbed.
The Heavenly Envoy’s face turned deathly pale.
“This…”
“This has never happened before…”
A strange crimson thread briefly flashed beneath the golden light.
Only for an instant.
Only Lin Xue noticed it.
His eyes narrowed.
A red thread…?
Before he could think further—
A deep voice broke through the chaos.
“If Heaven is wrong…”
“Then let him choose for himself.”
Every head turned.
Standing alone beneath the stone pillar was Prince Mo Yuan.
His black robes swayed gently.
His silver mask reflected the golden light of the Oracle.
Though he had spoken only one sentence…
The entire hall seemed to freeze.
The Ghost King…
Had spoken in Lin Xue’s defense.
Ji Chen’s eyes turned icy.
For the first time…
The two princes looked at one another.
Neither spoke.
Yet the air between them was filled with killing intent.
Lin Xue’s gaze shifted toward Mo Yuan.
In his previous life…
Mo Yuan had remained silent during this ceremony.
So why…
Why had everything already begun to change?
Just then—
A crack spread across the surface of the Heavenly Oracle.
The sound was faint.
Yet everyone heard it.
The Heavenly Envoy staggered backward, horror filling his face.
“The Oracle…”
“…has cracked.”
The hall erupted into chaos.
End of Chapter 3