Xiang Shuai still looked confused. His brows furrowed deeply when he heard the words Star Princess.
"What do you mean Xue'er is a Star Princess from another world?" he asked slowly.
Grand Priest Shen Qiyun gazed silently at the quiet dimensional tomb for a moment, as if recalling something from a very distant past.
"I once heard an ancient legend," he said softly.
"A legend passed down from generation to generation by the priests before me."
He continued calmly.
"The legend says that once every five thousand years, the Power of Darkness will rise to devour a world."
Xiang Shuai stiffened.
"Devour… a world?"
Shen Qiyun nodded.
"Yes."
"They do not merely conquer that world."
"They drain all of its resources, take its life energy, and then destroy the world completely."
The air inside the tomb chamber seemed to grow colder.
"To prevent that destruction," Shen Qiyun continued,
"the Gods will send down a Star Princess to that world."
"That princess is not merely a symbol."
"She is the balance of that world's destiny."
He looked at Xiang Shuai.
"That is why every five thousand years… a Star Princess will be born."
"And her birth always signals that a great danger is approaching."
Xiang Shuai held his breath.
The Grand Priest continued.
"I do not know how many worlds have already been destroyed before."
"But one thing has always been the same."
"When the Star Princess is born—"
"the sky will reveal signs."
He lifted his head, as though looking at a sky that did not exist inside the dimensional space.
"Those signs can only be read by the priesthood."
"And when those signs appear… priests from every continent will send gifts to bless the Star Princess."
"However, only one place can clearly read who the Star Princess is and where she was born."
Shen Qiyun pointed to the ground beneath their feet.
"Mount Tianluo."
"This place is the highest spiritual peak in the world."
"The priest stationed here holds the responsibility of reading the signs and announcing them to all temples across the continent."
Xiang Shuai slowly began to understand.
"And you… were the priest who read that sign?"
Shen Qiyun nodded slowly.
"Yes."
He continued in a quieter voice.
"In our world… a Star Princess was indeed born."
"That night, the sky was filled with incredibly bright starlight."
"The sign was unmistakable."
"And I… had already given my gift to her."
Xiang Shuai frowned slightly.
"A gift?"
Shen Qiyun smiled faintly.
"A princess fragrant like a freshly ripened peach."
Xiang Shuai froze.
It clearly referred to Hu Shui.
The priest continued.
"But not long after that Star Princess was born…"
"the sign in the sky disappeared."
He closed his eyes briefly.
"And when the sign disappears—"
"it means only one thing."
"That Star Princess… has died."
Xiang Shuai swallowed.
Then the Grand Priest continued,
"But… Hu Shui did not die."
"Everyone knows that."
Shen Qiyun opened his eyes again.
"That is why I went to see her myself."
"When I saw Hu Shui… I immediately knew something was wrong."
His gaze grew cold.
"That body was nothing more than an empty puppet."
"A puppet controlled by the Power of Darkness."
A chill ran down Xiang Shuai's spine.
The priest continued.
"However, some time ago…"
"I saw the sign appear in the sky again."
"A very faint sign."
"Almost impossible to see."
"The Tianluo Temple then performed a divination."
"And the result showed that about three months ago, a Star Princess had appeared once more."
Xiang Shuai was shocked.
"Three months ago…?"
Shen Qiyun nodded.
"But this time the sign was very strange."
"It appeared twice."
"And no divination was able to determine who the Star Princess was… or where she was born."
Xiang Shuai held his breath.
After several seconds of silence, he finally spoke.
"Priest…"
"How can you be so certain that the Star Princess is Xue'er?"
"Wasn't it not long ago that the Yanhuo Kingdom also crowned a Star Princess?"
Shen Qiyun immediately shook his head.
"That princess is clearly a fake."
"The priest who predicted her appearance is not part of the continental priesthood."
"That prophecy has no spiritual legitimacy."
Xiang Shuai grew even more confused.
"Then… what does all of this have to do with Xue'er?"
Shen Qiyun looked deeply at him.
"Our ancestors were once very loyal to someone named Tao Ling."
"For generations they said that Tao Ling guarded something extremely precious."
"A pure soul that came from another world."
Xiang Shuai fell silent.
The priest continued.
"According to ancient records… that soul has existed for ten thousand years."
Xiang Shuai immediately shook his head.
"That's impossible."
"A human soul cannot survive that long."
Shen Qiyun smiled faintly.
"You're right."
"Under normal circumstances… a soul that does not reincarnate can only survive for about a thousand years at most."
"But my predecessors believed something."
His gaze sharpened again.
"They believed that the soul guarded by Tao Ling…"
"was the soul of a Star Princess from another world."
The air inside the tomb suddenly fell silent.
The mist of spiritual energy drifting around them seemed to grow still as well.
The Grand Priest continued in a quieter voice.
"Xue Yunxue may appear like an ordinary girl."
"But the energy flowing within her… is not ordinary."
He looked deeply at Xiang Shuai.
"Her life energy is extremely similar to Tao Ling's."
Xiang Shuai frowned.
"Similar?"
Shen Qiyun nodded.
"You saw the plant vines she created on Mount Tianluo."
"Those plants… were alive."
He lifted his hand slightly, as if illustrating something in the air.
"I have met many cultivators who possess the plant element."
"But the plants they create are merely manifestations of energy."
"Those plants are fragile."
"They only exist for a moment… then disappear once their creator's energy fades."
The Grand Priest paused briefly.
His eyes narrowed.
"But the vines created by Yunxue are different."
"They possess true life."
"Even after their creator moves away…"
"or stops channeling energy…"
"those plants remain alive."
Xiang Shuai suddenly remembered something.
The vines that had bound Xiang She on Mount Tianluo…
Even after Yunxue moved away, they had continued pulsing like living creatures.
He looked at Shen Qiyun seriously.
"Priest…"
"What does that mean?"
Shen Qiyun answered calmly.
"It means Yunxue's power is not merely an ordinary plant element."
"She does not create plants from energy."
"She grants life."
Those words made Xiang Shuai hold his breath.
The Grand Priest continued.
"Life energy of that level is extremely rare."
"And the only entity ever recorded to possess such power…"
His gaze deepened again.
"was Tao Ling. Peach Tree of Immortality"
He then said quietly,
"That is why I began to suspect something."
"That Yunxue may not simply be someone who came from another world."
"She may actually be…"
The Grand Priest paused briefly.
"…the soul that has been guarded for ten thousand years."
"And her soul has merged perfectly with the body of Hu Shui, the Star Princess of the Qui World."
"If Xue Yunxue truly is the Star Princess…"
"then her life will never return to normal."
"Her fate will always be tied to the destiny of this world."
The space fell silent again.
After a moment, Xiang Shuai slowly took a deep breath.
He closed his hand, gripping the Serpent King Pearl tightly.
His golden eyes glowed faintly.
"Priest…"
Shen Qiyun waited.
Xiang Shuai spoke calmly.
"I don't care whether Xue'er is the Star Princess or not."
"To me… she is still Xue Yunxue."
He raised his head.
His gaze was firm.
"If this world truly faces a coming disaster…"
"then I will become stronger to protect her."
A silver serpent aura slowly flowed from his body, resonating with the ancestral energy within the tomb.
Grand Priest Shen Qiyun remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he smiled faintly.
------------------
In the end, they decided to return to Wulong City immediately.
Emperor Xiang Tianxuan and the Empress would remain inside the tomb's spatial world together with Grand Priest Shen Qiyun and the priests of Tianluo Temple.
At the moment, there was no truly safe place for them anywhere in the Shelua Empire.
As long as Xiang She remained in power, the appearance of the former emperor anywhere would only trigger a massive manhunt.
Because of that, the spatial world of the Serpent King's Tomb became the only sanctuary secure enough for them.
Meanwhile, Xiang Shuai and the others decided to return to Wulong City.
After all, the five men standing beside Xue Yunxue were currently her greatest source of strength.
If a great storm truly was coming to this world—
they needed to begin preparing.
----------------
On the other side, Moa's consciousness also began to weaken.
He looked at Yunxue briefly before speaking softly.
"Sister Xue… I have to return."
"My cultivation in the Peach Tree of Immortality isn't finished yet."
"Last time I was almost able to break through to the next stage… but I had to stop when I sensed you were in danger."
Xue Yunxue nodded slightly.
She had already expected this.
Moa smiled.
"After I finish cultivating… I'll become much stronger."
His body slowly transformed into soft golden light.
In an instant, the light shrank back into a golden root bracelet that wrapped around Yunxue's wrist again.
Grand Priest Shen Qiyun then gave them one final piece of important information.
"The gate to this spatial world can be opened from anywhere," he said.
"As long as you still possess the Black Serpent Pearl."
He looked at Xiang Shuai.
"That pearl is the key to this dimension."
"With it, you can return here anytime."
Xiang Shuai nodded.
To save time, he immediately activated the pearl.
Dark black light appeared in the air.
A dimensional doorway slowly opened.
But this time, Xiang Shuai directly set the coordinates.
Their destination—
their residence in Wulong City.
The dimensional rift opened directly in their courtyard.
When they stepped out—
a cold wind immediately swept across their faces.
Thin snowflakes began falling from the sky.
The entire courtyard was covered in a layer of white.
Xue Yunxue, who was still wearing the thin clothing she had worn in the Shelua region, immediately shivered.
The Shelua Empire was always warm and mild.
Snow almost never fell there.
But in the territory of the Yanhuo Kingdom, the winters were far harsher.
Snow fell almost every year.
Xue Yunxue rubbed her hands together.
"So cold…"
She quickly ran toward the house.
But the moment the door opened—
she suddenly stopped.
Her eyes widened.
The entire house…
was in complete disarray.
Furniture was shattered.
Tables were overturned.
Several parts of the walls were even cracked, as if they had been struck by powerful force.
Almost nothing remained intact.
"What happened…?"
Xiang Shuai stood right behind Yunxue, staring at the chaotic scene with furrowed brows.
Xue Yunxue slowly shook her head.
She didn't understand either.
Suddenly, something crossed her mind.
"Where is Shixin?"
She quickly looked around the room.
Footsteps sounded from the upper floor.
A few seconds later—
Luo Shixin hurried down the stairs.
He had clearly sensed the energy fluctuation from the courtyard earlier and rushed down to check.
But the moment he saw who was standing there—
his eyes widened.
"Yunxue!"
Without hesitation, Luo Shixin rushed forward.
He pulled Yunxue into a tight embrace.
The man was tall and broad.
Within his arms, Yunxue was almost completely hidden by his body.
"You've been gone for half a month!"
"And you didn't send any news at all!"
His voice sounded relieved… but also filled with worry.
Xue Yunxue was slightly surprised by the sudden hug.
Still, she gently patted his back.
"I'm fine… I'm sorry. We ran into a little trouble there."
Behind them—
Xiang Shuai frowned.
His gaze sharpened slightly.
Had their relationship progressed this far… while he was away?
Then he glanced toward the others.
And something made him even more uncomfortable.
The way Lu Xiao looked at Xue Yunxue had also changed.
It was no longer merely gentle like before.
His gaze was now deeper.
Filled with passion.
Softer.
And with affection that was no longer hidden.
Xiang Shuai sighed quietly.
It seemed…
many things had changed while he had been in Shelua.
-------------------
Xue Yunxue was still standing in the messy living room when Lu Xiao finally spoke.
"What exactly happened?" he asked coldly.
"Why does our house look like this?"
Broken wood and porcelain were scattered across the floor.
Several walls were cracked as if struck by powerful energy.
Luo Shixin took a long breath before answering.
"Something did happen… while you were gone."
His tone was far more serious than usual.
Xue Yunxue looked at him with unease.
"What happened?"
Luo Shixin fell silent for a few seconds, as if carefully choosing his words.
Then he said slowly,
"The Mayor's daughter… Bai Ling… has been killed."
The room instantly fell silent.
"Ten days ago."
Yunxue's brows immediately tightened.
"Killed?"
Luo Shixin nodded.
"And in the surveillance recordings around her residence…"
He paused briefly.
His gaze fell on Xue Yunxue.
"The only person seen entering and leaving the house was—"
He stopped again, as if still struggling to believe the words he was about to say.
Then he took a breath.
"Someone who looks exactly like Xue'er."
Several seconds passed.
As if time itself had stopped.
"What?" Xiang Shuai exclaimed immediately.
Yunxue's face froze.
Lu Xiao narrowed his eyes.
Yun Wu straightened instantly.
"Impossible."
Luo Shixin nodded slowly.
"I know it's impossible too."
He looked at Yunxue seriously.
"I know you were in Shelua."
"There's no way you could have come back to Wulong City and killed someone."
But his expression remained tense.
"However… the recording…"
Without another word, Luo Shixin walked to the only intact table and activated the chakra computer on top of it.
Several energy symbols rotated across the screen.
Soon, the surveillance footage appeared.
Everyone stepped closer.
On the screen appeared a corridor inside Bai Ling's large residence.
A moment later—
a girl walked into the frame.
Long black hair.
A slender figure.
An extremely beautiful face.
In her hand was a long sword.
Everyone froze.
That girl…
was Xue Yunxue.
She walked calmly toward Bai Ling's room.
Several minutes later—
the door opened again.
The girl stepped out.
The sword in her hand was now covered in blood.
As she passed the camera—
her face was captured clearly.
Perfectly clearly.
As if the camera had been placed there deliberately to capture her face.
She looked identical to Xue Yunxue.
Like a reflection stepping out of a mirror.
Luo Shixin paused the recording.
The room became silent.
Only the sound of the winter wind blew through the open door.
Thin snowflakes drifted into the house.
Yunxue swallowed.
"That clear…?"
Luo Shixin answered heavily.
"That person wore your face."
"And it's perfectly clear on the camera."
No one spoke for several seconds.
Then Yun Wu cursed under his breath.
"This is obviously a trap."
Lu Xiao said coldly,
"Someone is impersonating Yunxue."
Lin Yuan crossed his arms.
"Or someone deliberately framed her."
Xiang Shuai looked at Luo Shixin.
"How did the mayor react?"
"The entire city is searching for her."
Luo Shixin's reply was short.
He looked at Yunxue seriously.
"You're now a wanted criminal in Wulong City."
Xue Yunxue said nothing.
Her mind was spinning rapidly.
Bai Ling…
She barely even knew that girl.
Why would someone kill her while impersonating her?
Luo Shixin continued,
"I tried explaining it to them."
"That Xue'er wasn't even in the city."
"But no one listened."
He gestured around the destroyed house.
"The city guards came here two days ago."
"They tore this place apart searching for Xue'er."
His gaze sharpened.
"If you had come back one day earlier…"
"you might have met them here."
Xiang Shuai narrowed his eyes.
"Who is leading the search?"
"The Mayor of Wulong himself."
Yunxue finally spoke.
"The mayor… Bai Zhou?"
"Yes."
Luo Shixin's face was serious.
"His daughter is dead."
"And the only clue they have… is your face."
He looked at Yunxue firmly.
"So listen to me."
"You cannot appear in the city right now."
"The entire city guard is searching for you."
He paused before continuing heavily.
"For now…"
"you need to go somewhere safer."
But Yunxue did not answer.
Her gaze slowly turned cold.
Something was wrong.
Someone was not just framing her.
That person was making sure the entire city of Wulong would hunt her down.
She looked again at the recording.
The face of the girl on the screen…
was exactly the same as hers.
Not the slightest difference.
As if someone truly possessed her face.
Xue Yunxue finally whispered softly,
"How is it possible…"
"…for someone to have a face exactly the same as mine?"