Yu Huan pondered silently. The restriction seals at the periphery of the Senluo Wanxiang Sea were teeming with killing intent; without the Saintess Token, even a Great Ascension Cultivator would find it difficult to force their way in. How could Ye Shuyao, at the Nascent Soul Peak, have entered so easily? She had even managed to traverse the peril-filled Childlike Realm unscathed.
Gu Qianli exclaimed in shock, "Does Miss Ye know that even I would be unable to break these restriction seals with my full strength?"
Ye Shuyao said anxiously, "I… I really just kept walking, and then the scenery before my eyes changed, and I was here!"
Yu Huan's mind raced. In the original book, the original Yu Huan had given Ye Shuyao the token to lure her into the restricted area, thereby sealing her own death sentence for "colluding with the demon race and framing the Commandery Princess." But now, hearing it from Ye Shuyao’s own mouth confirmed that her disappearance had nothing to do with Yu Huan.
A surge of relief washed over her. The invisible guillotine over her neck seemed to loosen slightly because of those few words.
And yet, Xie Wulei had still come, though it was to investigate the Transformation Disk rather than to suppress the Southern Border Great Plague. Ye Shuyao had still entered the restricted area, though she had wandered in on her own rather than being lured by Yu Huan…
Did the plot possess a force of mandatory correction?
No matter how she struggled, would the key plot points eventually arrive in another form? Was her ultimate end—being slain by Xie Wulei—also unavoidable?
This thought coiled around her heart like a venomous snake.
Ye Shuyao, felt intimidated by the stares of the three, tried her best to remember. After a moment, she added:
"At that time, there seemed to be a swarm of small Azure Butterflies leading me. The restriction seals parted like a water curtain…"
"Azure Butterflies?" Yu Huan's heart skipped a beat.
Meeting Xie Wulei's soul-piercing gaze, she said solemnly, "The Commandery Princess's 'casual entry' actually corroborates an ancient secret of our Sect."
Xie Wulei's thin lips parted slightly. "Oh? Pray tell, Your Highness."
He was pale, yet his eyes seemed to still be steeped in the darkness of the Trace Fate state, strikingly deep as they watched her.
Yu Huan suppressed her emotions. "This secret begins with the origin of the Senluo Wanxiang Sea. It is not a natural secret realm but was formed tens of thousands of years ago during the Demon God Era from the 'Wanxiang Hub Core,' the life-bound treasure of a human Great Power."
Ye Shuyao was surprised. "The Demon God Era?"
Yu Huan nodded. "As you all know, that was a dark age when humanity was enslaved by the Demon God Dynasty for tens of thousands of years—"
"The Demon Gods were born with the power to move mountains and fill seas, using humans as food. What we now call the demon race were then known as Demon Beasts, the mounts and henchmen of the Demon Gods, aiding their tyranny and the slaughter of humanity…"
"The Wanxiang Hub Core was a supreme treasure used by humans to resist the Demon Gods and Demon Beasts. It contained the highest laws of space and could trap powerful enemies within the myriad worlds of Senluo."
"The master of the Wanxiang Hub Core was a Transcending Tribulation Great Power at the end of the Demon God Era. His divine abilities were miraculous, capable of shifting stars and changing constellations. Within the Wanxiang Hub Core, he created countless Mustard Seed Spaces. On one hand, he took in human refugees to preserve the embers of a race on the brink of extinction; on the other, he banished the pursuing Demon Gods and Demon Beasts into Time-Space Turbulence or crushed them outright."
"The Wanxiang Hub Core was both the final fortress for humanity and a world-shaking weapon."
"Without him, humanity might have gone extinct and might not have lasted until the rise of the First Generation Human Emperor, who established eternal peace. But the struggle then was tragic. The Great Power eventually fell, the Hub Core was damaged, and the spatial laws became chaotic, turning it into the dangerous land it is today, no longer possessing its former power."
Xie Wulei listened in silence.
Ye Shuyao looked shocked.
Gu Qianli was fascinated, tapping his fan in admiration. "To use spatial divine abilities to create myriad Mustard Seed Realms to protect all living beings—what a grand undertaking!"
"Though our human race was once food for the demons, and though the Demon Gods were born powerful, their combat methods were singular, relying entirely on brute force. The divine abilities awakened by humans, however, were diverse and unpredictable. Some could hide their tracks, some used illusions to deceive, some could enter a state of feigned death… especially Heaven-rank Divine Abilities, which are truly heaven-defying!"
"In ten thousand years, fewer than twenty people have awakened Heaven-rank Divine Abilities, and every one of them could rewrite history."
"For instance, the First Generation Human Emperor's 'Command' ability allowed him to order all laws and gather the destiny of the human race. It was through this ability that he unified the scattered human forces, overthrew the Demon God rule amidst a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, and founded the current Immortal Dynasty."
"This Master of the Hub Core's spatial ability was surely Heaven-rank as well. For warfare and transport, it was a strategic-level existence!"
Ye Shuyao said, "So that's how it is! But what does that have to do with me being able to enter the restricted area?"
Yu Huan: "The Senluo Wanxiang Sea requires a Saintess Token to be opened for entry. However, those whose origins are close to its master can also enter. The Azure Butterflies the Commandery Princess mentioned are called Welcoming Master Butterflies. They are guiding spirits that manifest spontaneously when the Hub Core senses the proximity of its master's bloodline, specifically to open a path for descendants. Furthermore, the Commandery Princess suffered no actual attacks within the Childlike Realm—all these signs are enough to suggest that she is very likely a blood descendant of the Master of the Wanxiang Hub Core."
Ye Shuyao’s apricot-shaped eyes widened. "I am the descendant of a Great Power?"
"Marvelous!" Gu Qianli's eyes lit up, feeling a sense of reflected glory. "No wonder Miss Ye is so divinely gifted!"
But then he frowned. "However, as a second-rank civil official familiar with historical records, I have never heard of a human Great Power with a Heaven-rank spatial divine ability during the Demon God Era, nor have I heard of such deeds… Such a person should have their name recorded in history. I wonder what their name was?"
Yu Huan replied, "That era was too chaotic and tragic. Many records were destroyed. After ten thousand years, the name can no longer be verified."
Ye Shuyao and Gu Qianli were clearly a bit disappointed.
Xie Wulei had been silent the whole time, but now his phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly. "Does Your Highness have any proof for these words?"
He was clearly evaluating the truth of Yu Huan's words and the secrets of the Jidaozong that might be involved.
"It is a secret passed down orally among the successive Saintesses of the Sect; there is no physical evidence."
Yu Huan met his scrutiny calmly. "But the Commandery Princess's experience serves as proof."
Xie Wulei looked at her intently for a moment, the corners of his lips curving slightly. "Whether it is true or not, one look will tell."
As he spoke, the aura around him deepened. His black hair fluttered, and the phantom of a galaxy flickered within his eyes.
He was clearly going to use the Trace Fate Technique to dig deep into Ye Shuyao's karma, reaching back to the roots of the Demon God Era.
Yu Huan's heart tightened. The original book focused on the romance between Ye and Gu, skimming over the background. After transmigrating, she realized the original book only showed a fraction of the world.
If he discovered the connection between Ye Shuyao and the Hub Core, Xie Wulei's control over Nanjiang would deepen, and the situation for Jidaozong and herself would only worsen!
But just as the Trace Fate Power touched Ye Shuyao's karma—
Xie Wulei suddenly turned his head away, covering his mouth with his sleeve. His shoulders shook violently as he began to cough rackingly.
Then, bright red drops of blood splattered from between his fingers and onto his sleeve, instantly soaking his moon-white robes with a large, startling bloodstain.
This sudden change stunned everyone.
The blood droplets hit the ground, sending up a bizarre mist that was both icy and scorching, hissing as it rose.
His long hair hung loose, half of his face as pale as a ghost's. The light of the divine ability flickered violently between his fingers before extinguishing inch by inch like a dying candle. His body swayed, and he actually began to fall.
"Senior Brother?!" Ye Shuyao cried out.
Gu Qianli's face changed drastically as he gasped, "Oh no! He touched an ancient taboo! It triggered a Divine Ability Backlash! To peer into a taboo is to invite Heaven's Punishment! Not to mention he had already exhausted himself investigating the Wanxiang space; he forced the activation without even meditating! Now, I'm afraid he won't be able to use Trace Fate for ten days or a fortnight!"
Amidst her shock, a dark sense of relief surged within Yu Huan—Trace Fate was temporarily disabled!
That heavenly eye, capable of seeing through the original host's secrets, was temporarily blind.
What shocked her even more was that this backlash came so timely, as if some invisible force was preventing Xie Wulei from investigating the female lead's background.
Gu Qianli said gravely, "There are few karmas in this world that Trace Fate cannot penetrate, but there are also taboos that must not be touched, such as certain Heaven's Dao Secrets or pasts buried by time… Peering into these is to defy Heaven's Dao. At best, one is severely injured; at worst, one falls. For a person of Brother Xie's caliber, what ordinary karma could leave him in such a wretched state?"
Yu Huan was shaken.
Ye Shuyao heard the underlying meaning, her small face turning slightly pale. "Brother Gu means… my ancestors' matters are taboos that cannot be peered into?"
"Most likely." Gu Qianli nodded, his gaze toward Xie Wulei filled with lingering fear.
"Brother Xie only invited Heaven's Punishment by forcibly investigating. This shows that the matters of that Great Power from ten thousand years ago, or perhaps your bloodline connection to him, should not be known by the present world. Heaven's Dao is protecting this secret. We should not look into it further."
Xie Wulei closed his eyes and panted, the Trace Fate light on his fingertips completely extinguished, seemingly a silent confirmation.
Yu Huan knew that his gaze just now had clearly touched the edge of a taboo before being violently pushed back by Heaven's Dao.
Xie Wulei wiped the blood from his lips and glanced at Gu Qianli. "It is fine."
Gu Qianli watched him spit blood with a sort of casual and cruel elegance. He thought inappropriately: To peer into a taboo and be so wretched yet remain so indifferent, as if no suffering in the world is worthy of making him lose his composure… This look doesn't evoke pity, but rather makes one want to break him even more… It truly is a pity he didn't join my Joy Union Sect.
Yu Huan adjusted her expression and sighed insincerely. "I am to blame for my lax inspections, allowing the Commandery Princess to wander in and causing Lord Xie to be injured."
Xie Wulei's face was nearly transparent, yet he smiled. "It is fine."
Gu Qianli hurriedly said, "Sister Yu, don't say that! This has nothing to do with you! Brother Xie's injury is a chronic issue from years of peering into heavenly secrets. Today's investigation of the Wanxiang space was just the final straw that broke the camel's back… Sigh, it's also my fault for suggesting he investigate one by one. That was never something achievable by human effort."
As he spoke, he raised his hand, wanting to pat Yu Huan's shoulder in comfort.
Yu Huan was about to speak when she saw the moon-white figure beside her suddenly sway, as if his bones had been removed, and fall toward her without warning.
"?" She was startled and instinctively wanted to dodge, but in front of everyone, she couldn't just let a first-rank official of the Immortal Dynasty fall.
Her arm extended by reflex, steadily catching his other shoulder.
The moment her fingertips touched the cold fabric, she felt the muscles of his shoulder suddenly tense as if burned. A fine, slight tremor traveled from the point of contact, making her instantly realize he must be in extreme pain.
Supported by her, Xie Wulei leaned over bit by bit.
A low, weak voice reached her ear: "…Apologies, I am a bit unsteady on my feet. I have been forward with Your Highness."
Before she could react, his head rested lightly against her shoulder and neck. The pressure was as light as a cold snowstorm enveloping her—aloof and restrained, as if contact with her was an ordeal.
She could even feel him deliberately tilting his face away to avoid skin contact, leaving only the cool strands of his hair to brush against her neck. It was a guarded probe, a refusal to grant even a shred of trust, as if this brief leaning was his absolute limit.
He was clearly so weak he couldn't stand, yet he insisted on maintaining a rigorous distance. He was the one who fell toward her, yet he made it seem as if she were the one being demanding. He clearly needed support, yet he kept his weight extremely light, as if borrowing a fraction more strength would be a humiliation.
Yu Huan sneered inwardly. He truly did avoid her like a venomous snake!
He usually put on a refined and polite act, but now that he was weak, this bit of loathing could no longer be hidden!
On the surface, he didn't show his disgust, but his body was very honest.
The crisp scent of frost and snow became extremely aggressive due to their proximity, permeating the air around her and bringing a damp, oppressive feeling of suffocation, causing her to frown and lean away instinctively.
Gu Qianli was left to the side, his extended hand frozen in mid-air. Seeing the decisive and ruthless Shuangjue Jianzhu leaning weakly against Yu Huan, his mouth twitched violently. "?"
Ye Shuyao was also stunned for a moment, her small mouth pouting before she immediately suppressed it. "Sister Yu, let me support my Senior Brother!"
But just as her fingertips were about to touch Xie Wulei's sleeve, his closed phoenix eyes suddenly opened a sliver. The cold, sharp gaze instantly pinned her in place.
Ye Shuyao's fingertips froze in the air, unable to move forward or back.
She was too familiar with this look. When she was a child and wanted to slack off during sword practice, her Senior Brother would look at her coldly like this until she obediently picked up her sword and continued her desolately monotonous swings.
She silently withdrew her hand and looked at the sky, pretending nothing happened.
Gu Qianli quickly tried to smooth things over. "I should be the one to support Brother Xie."
As he spoke, he reached for Xie Wulei's arm, his mischievous thoughts rising again. Such weakness from his "big brother-in-law" was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; it would be a pity not to take advantage and "look after" him.
However, he heard the other party say in a voice as thin as silk, "It hurts a bit… I cannot move."
The end of the sentence trembled, clearly indicating that even a slight movement brought bone-deep pain.
Gu Qianli's hand paused, his playful expression vanishing.
Only then did he truly realize that for a Great Perfection Peak cultivator to be in such pain, the backlash was a hundred times more violent than he had imagined.
"Fine, consider me meddlesome."
He withdrew his hand and looked at Yu Huan. "It seems we must trouble Sister Yu. Given Brother Xie's condition, he cannot be without support."
Yu Huan frowned slightly, looking down at the man leaning on her shoulder.
He had closed his eyes again, his breathing weak. Only the slight tremors transmitted through the fabric showed he was enduring agonizing pain.
"Lord Xie?" Yu Huan sensed his body growing colder and colder.
An absurd thought flashed through her mind: this Balestar who terrified the Immortal Dynasty and made demons tremble was currently as fragile as a handful of snow that could dissipate at any moment, only maintaining his existence by leaning on her for support.
"It is nothing." Xie Wulei seemed to use the last of his strength to lift his eyelids slightly. The corners of his eyes were red, and his usually deep eyes were misty, reflecting her "worried" face. "…I am fine."
After saying this, he lowered his eyes again. "I have troubled Your Highness to support me."
Yu Huan grumbled internally: This is "nothing"? He's almost at death's door and still acting tough.
She had figured it out. While investigating the space, he was probably already at the end of his rope, and he had forced himself to hold on until now to show his true state.
The price of peering into a taboo was truly this catastrophic.
She only felt mentally and physically exhausted. Ye Shuyao was fine, but this most difficult-to-serve ancestor had run into trouble instead!
If he were to drop dead right here… she would definitely set off fireworks for ten years to celebrate the final removal of the noose over her head!
But if either of these two met with disaster on her territory, she wouldn't be able to bear the consequences.
Especially if Xie Wulei truly died in the Jidaozong, the Immortal Dynasty's thunderous rage would be directed at her first.
She looked at everyone, her expression grave. "The laws here are chaotic; we should not stay long, lest more anomalies occur!"