Chapter 644 – Banquet
Passing through several courtyards, the deeper they went the more the residence blazed with lanterns and colored silks, servants everywhere.
The faint strains of strings and woodwinds drifted through the air, mingling with the rich aroma of fine wine and delicacies.
Well-dressed guests stood in small clusters, chatting softly; when they saw Steward Liu personally escorting an unfamiliar man and woman inside, curious, appraising eyes turned their way.
Steward Liu led them directly to the deepest part of the princely garden.
Here pavilions and towers were exquisitely set among rockeries and flowing water, more refined and secluded than the outer areas.
"Young Master Yun, His Highness reserved this very seat for you. Please wait a moment—he is greeting several important guests and will arrive shortly."
Steward Liu bowed.
"Mm."
Gu Yun gave a casual nod and sat beside the best-placed seat of honor.
"Quite the skill; even the Sixth Princes Residence seems to be your layout."
Chu Ruoyao, standing in attendance, murmured.
"Layout is overstating it; I'm not that good. I merely caught the brigand chief first."
Gu Yun lifted the clear tea from the low table, took a sip, and already looked toward the garden entrance.
Following his gaze, Chu Ruoyao saw a retinue escorting a bright-yellow-robed youth approach.
The young man's face resembled Di Shitian's, but his brows lacked the emperor's awe-inspiring depth, showing instead the dissipated sullenness of indulgence—none other than Sixth Prince Di Wuming.
"Your Highness, he has arrived…"
Steward Liu stepped to Di Wuming and whispered a reminder.
Di Wuming hurriedly cupped his hands to the surrounding guests: "Drink well, everyone—Wuming must take his leave."
The others tactfully dispersed, and Di Wuming strode forward, smile fading, heading straight for Gu Yun.
Chu Ruoyao's expression flickered; she stepped forward, sensing trouble.
But Gu Yun raised a hand to stop her; she turned, puzzled.
Di Wuming walked up and dropped to one knee: "Your servant Di Wuming greets his master."
Chu Ruoyao's pupils shrank, staring in disbelief.
The Sixth Prince of the Eternal Imperial Dynasty was kneeling to Gu Yun and calling him master?
She swept the garden with her divine sense: distant music drifted, guests laughed—no one seemed to notice the anomaly in this corner.
"Just how much is this guy still hiding from me…"
No matter how she racked her brain, Chu Ruoyao couldn't fathom what Gu Yun had done right under her nose.
Only now did she grasp the true meaning of his "catch the brigand chief first"—no wonder he dared walk into the Sixth Princes Residence with such confidence.
Gu Yun set down his cup and regarded Di Wuming calmly: "Rise. Today you Host guests; no need for this."
"Yes, master."
Di Wuming rose respectfully, hands lowered, all former arrogance and gloom gone, replaced by absolute obedience.
The Demonic Seed in his mind made him revere Gu Yun like a god.
"Are all the guests present?"
Di Wuming bowed his head: "Apart from Fifth Brother and Ninth Sister, everyone should be here."
As the words left his mouth, a sudden commotion sounded at the garden gate.
"Fifth Prince arrives—!"
"Di Yunshu arrives—!"
Two groups arrived almost together.
On the left, a moon-white-robed man of gentle, jade-like bearing—Fifth Prince Fifth Prince.
Two pretty maids followed him at leisure.
On the right, surrounded by attendants, a girl in light-yellow palace dress.
About sixteen, her exquisite face was like porcelain, large eyes lively and mischievous—Di Yunshu Di Yunshu.
Their entrance instantly drew every eye.
"Master…"
"Go."
Gu Yun waved him off to greet the guests.
With the order, Di Wuming regained a touch of princely poise and smiled as he stepped forward: "Fifth Brother, Ninth Sister, you're finally here!"
"In high spirits today, Sixth Brother."
Fifth Prince Fifth Prince's smile was mild; his gaze swept the grounds, and when it passed Gu Yun and Chu Ruoyao a subtle inquiry flickered.
Usually the most unassuming and approachable, every prince tried to stay on good terms with him.
With Di Shitian still hale, no one dared form cliques, yet quietly laying groundwork for the future was inevitable.
Di Wuming's invitation was partly to sound out his Fifth Brother.
"What are you saying, Fifth Brother? The Empress Dowager's birthday approaches and I'm racking my brain over a gift."
"Now that you're here you must advise me."
Fifth Prince Fifth Prince's eyes flashed with understanding, his smile still gentle: "You're thoughtful, Sixth Brother. I know a little of her tastes; we can speak later."
Di Yunshu Di Yunshu skipped forward, sweetly chirping: "Sixth Brother, I heard you've got some wondrous new flowers—where are they? Take me to see!"
Her crisp, girlish voice instantly lightened the atmosphere.
[Ding! New destiny heroine detected]
[xuan qing treasure mirror – Page 47]
[Name: Di Yunshu]
[Favorability: 0 (not yet formally met the Host)]
[Cultivation: Third Transformation of Dragon Ascension]
[Physique: Xuan Huang Saint Body]
[Identity: Male lead of I Became the Empress Dowager's Personal Eunuch]
"Half-demon?!"
Chu Ruoyao frowned; at a glance she saw through Di Yunshu's origins.
"As expected of Senior Chu—correct, Di Yunshu is half human, half phoenix."
"Need you state the obvious?"
Feeling smug, Chu Ruoyao kept it hidden and asked: "Her bloodline is supremely yang; it doesn't feel like the Huang clan's. Could it be… she isn't Di Shitian's daughter?"
"Looks like Di Shitian keeps her to suppress the Eternal Imperial Dynasty's national fortune."
Right on target!
Gu Yun curled his lip, speechless.
Any Great Emperor could see Di Yunshu's identity—no wonder the princess was cloistered in the palace, giving Liu Feng so many chances.
Speaking of which—where was Liu Feng?
With such a grand gathering, how could he stay away?
Spreading his divine sense, Gu Yun quickly caught the fox's tail.
"Damn, this guy's imagination is something else."
//645//
Chapter 645 – The Cross-Dressing Master
Amid the guests, a woman in a pink dress was trying to stay unnoticed, sipping her wine alone and doing her best to keep a low profile.
It was Liu Feng, dressed as a woman; who knew how he'd even come up with the idea.
What no one realized was that Liu Feng was suffering in silence. He'd planned to enter the Sixth Prince's banquet through proper channels, but he'd never received an invitation.
In his desperation, he'd turned to a few Imperial Concubines for help. Xia Lianlian happened to have a spare invitation, so she let Liu Feng attend as her distant niece, Xia He.
The Xia were hereditary nobles of the Eternal Imperial Dynasty, and Liu Feng's Yang-Compression Art was so consummate that his resemblance to a woman was uncanny.
Naturally, this drew endless gallant attention from the young lords—something that left Liu Feng utterly drained and irritated.
Only when the two princes finally arrived did those pests shift their focus elsewhere.
Liu Feng's gaze settled on Di Yunshu Di Yunshu, a gentle curve unconsciously tugging at his lips.
He hadn't expected that unruly little imp to show up at the banquet.
The Empress Dowager had once asked him to look after Di Yunshu; since they were now under the same roof, he might as well keep an eye on her.
Calm and self-assured, Liu Feng believed he was hidden in the shadows, already in full control of the entire situation.
He had no idea that Gu Yun was watching his every move.
"Liu Feng, Liu Feng… I hadn't planned to mess with you, but you've just handed me such a perfect assist—how could I refuse?"
Gu Yun's lips curled slightly. Liu Feng in women's clothes had its charm; once the chaos started, the high-born guests could enjoy the novelty.
"Xiao Yao, when that 'lady' isn't looking, slip this powder into her cup."
Just to be safe, Gu Yun gave the order.
Chu Ruoyao glanced over; when she spotted Liu Feng, disgust flashed in her eyes. "Wherever you go you make a mess, and now you're stooping to such despicable tricks?!"
Even as she complained, she reflexively took the small, exquisite white-jade vial from Gu Yun.
"It seems Senior Chu still misunderstands me."
"If…"
"N-no, it's nothing. I'll get it done in a second."
Chu Ruoyao gave an awkward laugh, almost triggering her 'passive'; she reminded herself not to get angry, then vanished in an instant.
As the junior prince, Sixth Prince's invitations were mostly limited to the younger generation.
Few among them had even reached the Xiantai Realm; the escorts sent by the various powers were mostly only Quasi-Emperor tier.
With Chu Ruoyao's Great Emperor Sixth Layer cultivation, no one could detect her if she wished to remain hidden.
Sure enough, within a few breaths her figure reappeared.
"Done?"
"Of course! When this empress acts, success is guaranteed."
Chu Ruoyao folded her arms and declared proudly.
"Good."
Gu Yun offered no praise or teasing.
His attention returned to the banquet guests.
Chu Ruoyao's expression darkened and she fell silent.
The banquet continued—flutes and strings soared, dancers moved gracefully.
Emperor Wuming chatted quietly with Fifth Prince Di Wuyue, apparently discussing birthday gifts for the Empress Dowager.
Along the way they ran into scions of various great houses, exchanging polite greetings.
Though most people prioritized profit when choosing sides, some still valued loyalty; banquets like this might not reveal true character, but they did strengthen relationships.
Staying apart from the crowd, Di Yunshu happily admired the rare flowers in the garden, exclaiming in delight from time to time.
She had always loved plants, but confined to the inner palace she'd seen every corner of the imperial gardens; now that she finally had a chance to leave, she intended to savor it.
Sixth Prince Di Wuming was the most extravagant of all; within the entire Eternal Imperial Capital, no estate surpassed the Sixth Princes Residence.
Time passed minute by minute.
Di Yunshu had gradually reached the edge of the garden.
"Someone's coming."
Chu Ruoyao suddenly spoke, her sharp gaze locking onto three directions at once.
"One Great Emperor, two Quasi-Emperor Ninth Layers!"
"They actually dare to act within Eternal Imperial Capital—reckless."
Senior Chu, don't move rashly."
Just keep track of Di Yunshu's position."
Gu Yun set down his teacup.
"You knew they were here all along?"
Chu Ruoyao was slightly shocked; the more time she spent with Gu Yun, the more unfathomable he seemed.
He seemed able to foresee everything—as though nothing could escape his eyes, and he always prepared one step ahead.
What sort of method was this? It was simply unimaginable.
"Just planning for rain before the clouds gather. Xiao Yao, don't reveal your aura yet; we don't want to scare the snake."
"You know someone's scheming in the dark, yet you still let them be—what on earth are you plotting?"
"What sort of person am I, Senior Chu—haven't you figured that out?"
Gu Yun replied shamelessly, his eyes still on Di Yunshu.
"If I'm not mistaken, that girl is only twenty-five, right?"
"Di Shitian lost his virility a century ago; Di Yunshu's birth was meant to secure the Imperial Dynasty's fate and cover that disgrace."
"You absolute beast!"
Chu Ruoyao spat in contempt.
"What are you saying? I'm only twenty-one this year—what's wrong with that?"
"…"
Chu Ruoyao's eyes bulged as she stared at Gu Yun in disbelief—only twenty-one? You call that twenty-one?!!
"This is the last task. As long as Senior can pull it off, I'll hand over the thousand illusions pipa—deal?"
Gu Yun offered a branch of peace, presenting Chu Ruoyao with an offer she couldn't refuse.
"Good! You said it—no going back on your word."
Chu Ruoyao agreed without hesitation.
They finalized the plan: Chu Ruoyao would whisk Di Yunshu tens of thousands of li away, after which Gu Yun would stage a heroic rescue, while also posing as relentless assassins to keep Di Yunshu in constant peril.
The whole scheme was simple; compared with those two embarrassing requests earlier, it was perfectly normal.
Thinking of obtaining the thousand illusions pipa soon, Chu Ruoyao rubbed her hands in anticipation, even hoping the attackers would make their move sooner.
Yet the assassins were patient; daring to strike within Eternal Imperial Capital, they had prepared every contingency.
They waited silently until the banquet atmosphere reached its height—
A pale-pink mist spread soundlessly, carrying a cloying, exotic fragrance.
At first only a few weaker guests on the periphery sensed something amiss, but before they could cry out their minds turned sluggish and they crumpled softly to the ground.
"What's happening?!"
"This smoke… it's toxic!"
"Assassins! Protect His Highness!"
//646///
Chapter 646: Assassination
As more and more people collapsed, the guards of the Sixth Princes Residence finally realized the severity of the situation and reacted.
Sudden cries of alarm threw the scene into instant chaos, screams, shouts, and the crash of overturned tables blending into one.
Those with higher cultivation immediately held their breath and circulated spiritual power to resist, yet the cloying sweet scent seemed to erode their protective aura, still leaving them dizzy.
Fifth Prince Di Wuyue's face changed; he barked, "Guards! Seize the assassins at once!"
The maids at his side drew short blades, shielding him in their center.
Sixth Prince Di Wuming likewise paled, panicking as he looked toward Gu Yun—only to find the spot where Gu Yun and Chu Ruoyao had stood now empty.
He forced himself to stay calm, ordering the residence guards to keep order, but the alarm in his eyes was unmistakable.
Several figures shot out, clashing with the princely guards. Clad in black and masked, their aura was icy and sharp; the weakest among them was at the Xiantai Realm. Moving with lethal efficiency, they cut down many guards on the spot.
Yet those present were scions of nobility; hidden protectors emerged from the shadows to meet these sudden assassins.
These were mostly bodyguards of the various great houses, each formidable. With their entry, the battle finally reached a stalemate.
The prolonged fight drew every gaze—including that of Di Yunshu Di Yunshu, standing in the garden.
She stared blankly, as if stunned senseless.
"Your Highness, watch out!!"
A nearby palace maid cried out, rushing to shield her.
From behind rockeries, bushes, even beneath the pond, dozens of black shadows burst forth!
The leader's aura was unfathomable; the maid who had shouted possessed Saint Realm strength, yet she burst into a mist of blood before she could even exchange a blow.
"Sister Qiuyue!!"
Di Yunshu's face drained of color; she staggered back, her small face deathly pale.
Though she had the cultivation of the Third Transformation of the Dragon, her combat experience was virtually nil. Faced with such a deadly assault, her mind went blank.
Amid the chaos, Liu Feng finally saw his chance—perfect timing to play the hero and win her favor.
Frankly, these assassins were heaven-sent!
He moved to launch his movement art and dash toward Di Yunshu.
Yet the instant his spiritual power began to stir—
Pfft!
A soft sound, like a leaking balloon.
Liu Feng felt the sliver of spiritual power he had just gathered in his dantian burst like a pricked bubble!
An indescribable heat rose from his lower abdomen, spreading through every limb until his entire body felt limp and burning; even breathing became ragged.
"W-what is this…?!"
Horrified, Liu Feng realized he must have been poisoned.
Consciousness fading, he soon lost all awareness.
He clutched the annoying hanger-on who had stuck to him like plaster—the son of the Vice Minister of Personnel. Seeing the goddess Xia He reach toward him, the fellow grinned like a pig in clover.
He instinctively gripped that soft, delicate hand, savoring its silky touch, heart fluttering.
"Don't be afraid, Miss Xia! This young master will protect you!"
He pulled "Xia He" into his arms, floating on air.
Liu Feng lifted his dimming eyes and pressed his lips to the man's face.
The Vice Minister's son, overjoyed, eagerly returned the kiss.
Power erupted from Liu Feng as he shoved the fat body to the ground.
"Oh, Miss Xia wants to take the lead? Then I'll just…"
"N-no, wait…"
The man's pupils shrank in disbelief. "D-don't come closer—aaaah!!"
He sobbed skyward, wishing he were dead.
Nearby cronies who often caroused with him drifted over in the pink mist, grinning at the scene: "Well, well, Zhang the Second's got refined tastes, eh?"
"Lucky fat pig."
"The hell—why don't you try it, you bastards!"
"Try we will—hang in there, buddy."
Decency forgotten, they piled on.
[Ding! Child of Destiny's Dao Heart shatters; destiny value −10,000.]
The scene was utter chaos; no one could spare a hand.
Meanwhile, on the garden's other side…
In moments, the guards and maids around Di Yunshu were dead or wounded. Several black-clad men closed in, blades glinting coldly.
"Your Highness, come with us!"
The lead assassin spoke grimly.
Tears welled in Di Yunshu's eyes as she hugged an orchid pot, trembling.
Never had death felt so near.
At this critical instant—
Whoosh—!
A blood-red streak shot like startled swan, blazing in from the side at incredible speed!
"Who goes there?!"
The assassin's face changed; he twisted to block, but his long knife shattered and a blow to his chest sent blood spraying from his mouth.
Shocked, he cried, "Which senior acts from the shadows? I am Shadow Tower's Heavenly Three—grant us some face!"
The attacker struck with vicious precision—clearly a fellow professional.
Heavenly Three invoked the Shadow Tower's name to intimidate.
But no answer came; a bad feeling surged: "Not good!!"
He spun around—Di Yunshu had vanished!
"Damn it! Where is she?!"
"No idea—she moved too fast for us to see!"
The two Quasi-Emperor Ninth Layer experts beside him had only just regained their composure.
"Useless fools!"
Heavenly Three, frantic, swept the area with divine sense but caught only a faint blood-red trace.
"After her! The target must not escape!"
"If we foul this up, you know the consequence!"
With a sharp order, ignoring his injuries, Heavenly Three and the other black-clads shot off as streaks of black light, chasing the fading blood-shadow.
They were both alarmed and furious.
This assassination of Di Yunshu Di Yunshu had Shadow Tower's highest echelons involved; they had even dispatched a Heaven-grade killer.
They had thought victory certain—yet an accident had occurred.
That blood-red figure was terrifyingly fast; even at full pursuit the gap kept widening.
Meanwhile, the Eternal Imperial Palace reacted: the entire capital was placed under martial law!
Assassins fled the Sixth Princes Residence in all directions; the Eternal Imperial Capital sank into eerie silence.
P.S. Thanks to the great lord "Time Scavenger" for the big health boost!!
Immense gratitude!!!
//647//
Chapter 647 – Di Shitian's Fury
"Trash! Nothing but a pack of trash!!"
"Just look at what you've done!!!"
Inside the Eternal Imperial Palace, in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Di Shitian sat upon the Dragon Throne; his normally awe-inspiring face was now so dark it looked ready to drip water.
Fifth Prince Di Wuyue and Sixth Prince Di Wuming knelt on the cold golden bricks, foreheads pressed to the floor, bodies trembling slightly.
"A banquet at a prince's residence, and you let assassins stroll in as if the place were deserted!"
"Even our Imperial Di Yunshu was abducted. Fifth, Sixth—what a credit to the dynasty you are!"
Di Shitian's voice rolled like muffled thunder through the vast hall, imperial might surging out and crushing the two princes without mercy.
Both felt their chests tighten, blood churning, nearly spitting mouthfuls of blood.
"Father, calm your wrath! Your son deserves ten-thousand deaths!" Di Wuming, voice cracking, spoke first. "I… I truly never imagined those assassins would be so bold as to strike inside my residence!"
"The guards fought to the death, but the villains came in force, prepared; their toxic smoke was bizarre—even Xiantai Realm cultivators could barely resist… I… I have failed Your trust. Punish me as you see fit!"
He kowtowed heavily; the bangs echoed through the hall, eerie and hollow.
Di Wuyue knelt silently beside him. The main blame lay elsewhere; drawing their father's notice would be unwise.
"Enough!"
Di Shitian cut him off, slamming the Dragon Table. "I've no patience for such drivel!"
"The Di Yunshu was lost in your residence—you're implicated!"
"Sixth Prince, one month—I give you one month. If Yunshu returns with you, this matter ends."
"If, after a month, I still see no Yunshu…"
Di Shitian's voice turned icy: "Then you needn't remain a prince any longer!"
"Go rot on the frontier and guard the borders of my Eternal Imperial Dynasty."
Boom—!
The words struck Di Wuming like lightning; he convulsed, face draining to paper-white.
The Eternal Imperial Dynasty stood at the northern edge of the human realm; beyond it dwelt bloodthirsty barbarian cultivators.
Exiled there, he was finished—utterly!
"F-Father! I was wrong! Grant mercy! I'll move heaven and earth to bring Ninth Sister back! Give me one more chance!"
Tears and snot streaming, Di Wuming kowtowed frantically until his forehead was purple and bloody.
"A chance? How many have I given you?!"
"Look at the mess you've made in the capital these years!"
"I've already been lenient!"
Di Shitian regarded him coldly, eyes devoid of warmth. "Fifth Prince, take him away. And devote yourself to finding Yunshu."
Di Wuyue's heart tightened; he hastily answered, "Yes, Father, I obey. I'll do all I can to aid Sixth Brother and bring Ninth Sister home."
He bowed deeply, the picture of deference.
"Be gone, both of you!"
Di Shitian waved them off wearily, as if even looking at them disgusted him.
Di Wuyue rose quickly, supporting the half-paralyzed Di Wuming, coaxing and dragging the dazed Sixth Prince out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The great doors slammed shut behind them, sealing away the suffocating imperial wrath.
Di Wuming was limp; without his brother's support he would have collapsed.
Eyes vacant, he muttered, "It's over… all over… one month… in the vast Three Thousand Dao Domains, where could I possibly…"
Di Wuyue eyed his wretched state, contempt flickering, then replaced by concern. "Sixth Brother, despair won't help."
"Father's furious, but he's given us a month. Find Ninth Sister and everything can still be mended."
We must mobilize every hand at once and learn who those assassins are—and who sent them!"
Clutching at straws, Di Wuming seized Di Wuyue's arm. "Fifth Brother! You must help me! My mind… it's chaos…"
"Relax, we're full brothers; of course I'll help."
Di Wuyue patted his hand, sincerity shining in his eyes.
Inside, silence returned.
Alone on the Dragon Throne, Di Shitian rubbed his brow, fury blazing in his eyes.
"Shadow Tower? Shadow Immortal Palace—your reach has grown too long!"
A figure flashed into the hall and knelt before him.
"Your Majesty!"
"What have you found?"
"The assassin corpses from Sixth Prince's residence have been examined—confirmed Shadow Tower killers."
"The leader was the Tianzi-class Assassin 'Heavenly Three'. He seized the Di Yunshu amid the smoke and fled; direction uncertain, but residual aura points southwest."
"Southwest—just as I thought: Shadow Immortal Palace."
Di Shitian asked coldly, "And the guests at Sixth Prince's estate?"
Di Wuming had invited every powerful noble in the capital; behind them stood forces even the Emperor must treat carefully. If anything befell them, uproar would follow.
"Your Majesty,"
the guard commander said grimly, "most suffered only light wounds, but a few… died horribly, found mutilated, clothes shredded."
"Names."
"Vice-Minister of Personnel Zhang Mao and several of his cronies; preliminary signs show… death by exhaustion, along with—"
The commander's voice dropped as he quickly added details.
Di Shitian's face darkened further, tinged with green.
His knuckles whitened as he gripped the throne.
"Outrageous!!"
"Where's Liu Feng?! Before I left the palace he reported he was heading to Sixth Prince's estate to ensure safety."
"No trace of Lord Liu was found; he may have pursued the fleeing assassins."
The commander hesitated—he had not reported that Liu Feng's aura lingered beside Zhang Mao's corpse.
"Forget him. Redouble efforts to locate the Di Yunshu."
"As for those dead nobles—announce they perished by assassins' hands, martyred in service!"
"Warn their clans to keep quiet; if they try anything, I'll show no mercy!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The commander obeyed and swiftly withdrew.
Only Di Shitian remained in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
He leaned back, closed his eyes, weariness and fury mingling into deep, dark malice… Meanwhile, deep in the mountains southwest of the Eternal Imperial Dynasty, inside a hidden cave.
Chu Ruoyao set the still-unconscious Di Yunshu down and turned to Gu Yun. "What's so special about her that you'd pay such a price?"
She meant the thousand illusions pipa, yet the jealousy in her tone escaped even herself.
//648//
Chapter 648 – Di Yunshu Awakens
Gu Yun did not answer Chu Ruoyao's question at once. He walked to Di Yunshu's side, crouched, felt her pulse, and carefully checked her eyelids and breathing.
"Just shock, plus a trace of residual poison from the smoke—nothing serious."
He withdrew his hand, took a fragrant pill from his storage ring, slipped it gently into her mouth, and used spiritual power to dissolve the medicine.
"Tch, never thought you'd be such a softie toward pretty girls."
Chu Ruoyao curled her lip. "Don't tell me you've taken a shine to this little thing? Remember, she's Di Shitian's daughter; right now the whole Eternal Imperial Dynasty is probably turning the world upside-down looking for her."
"Aren't you afraid of getting burned?"
"Senior Chu, are you worried about me?"
"Stop flattering yourself. I'm only afraid that if you die I'll have no one to hand me the thousand illusions pipa."
Chu Ruoyao snorted and turned her face away.
Gu Yun chuckled and changed the subject. "Those Shadow Tower assassins—did you finish them all off?"
"Finish them? Are you joking? You think a Great Emperor is that easy to kill?"
"While I was spiriting you two away and masking your auras, you expected me to spare the strength to slay one Great Emperor and two Quasi-Emperor Ninth Layers? You overestimate me."
"Besides, those Shadow Tower fellows all have strong life-saving tricks; if the first strike fails they hide like vipers, waiting to strike again."
"Finding them is as hard as climbing the heavens, let alone killing them."
"Relax—before I fled I left some subtle clues. With those, they won't lose our trail."
"You're bold. Shadow Tower stands behind Shadow Immortal Palace; we still don't know their goal. This is a chess match between two colossal powers and you dared to jump right in."
"Two powers? Don't you think we look more like uninvited troublemakers who barged in?"
"A plan that was a sure bet has turned murky thanks to a new variable—now that's a show worth watching, don't you think?"
Gu Yun was still smiling when the Di Yunshu on the ground stirred almost imperceptibly.
"All right, Senior Chu, hide your aura well; I'll call you when I need you."
"Fine, order me around all you want. Just remember: when this is over you hand me the thousand illusions pipa."
Chu Ruoyao said.
"I'll present it with both hands."
Gu Yun beamed.
Chu Ruoyao said no more. Her body flickered and melted into the air, leaving not the faintest trace.
At the same moment the Di Yunshu on the ground let out a faint moan; her long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings, and her eyes slowly opened.
The first thing she saw was the unfamiliar, handsome face of Gu Yun.
For an instant she was dazed; then memories flooded back—the banquet at Sixth Prince's Residence, the sudden pink poisonous smoke, the vicious black-clad assassins, the palace maids dying in pools of blood… finally a flash of crimson light, and then nothing.
"Ah!" she screamed, bolted upright and scrambled backward, staring at the strange man in terror. "W-who are you?! W-where is this?! What did you do to me?!"
Instinctively she took Gu Yun for an accomplice of those black-clad killers.
Her voice trembled; she hugged herself tightly, every inch of her radiating fear.
"Your Highness, don't be afraid. I've shaken off those people; they won't appear here."
"Y-you know who I am?"
"You saved me?"
Di Yunshu eyed Gu Yun warily. Seeing his handsome, gentle face and clear eyes, he didn't look like a villain and she relaxed a little.
Yet terror of the unknown still lingered. "W-where is this? Is it far from Eternal Imperial Capital?"
"We're in Qixia Mountain Range, about four Dao Domains away from Eternal Imperial Capital."
"Those pursuers were relentless; I could only bring you here for the moment to hide."
"Four Dao Domains?!!"
Di Yunshu gasped. Raised deep within the palace, she had rarely even left the imperial grounds, let alone traveled so far from the capital.
Qixia Mountain Range?
She seemed to recall hearing of them—an ancient, vast range in the southwest border of Eternal Imperial Dynasty, teeming with beasts, sprawling across two Dao Domains, wild and almost uninhabited.
They formed a natural boundary between Eternal Imperial Dynasty and Daluo Imperial Dynasty.
Realizing all this, a wave of panic overwhelmed her.
"I… I want to go back…" She looked helplessly around, her voice cracking, eyes reddening instantly. "I want to return to the palace… I want Father-Emperor…"
Seeing the girl on the verge of tears, Gu Yun slowly crouched. "Your Highness, returning now would be walking straight into a trap."
"Those assassins have surely sealed every road back, waiting for us to appear."
Di Yunshu's delicate frame shivered.
"T-then what should I do?" She gazed at Gu Yun in despair, tears finally spilling over. "I… I'm all alone… I'm scared…"
A beauty weeping like rain-drenched pear blossoms looked even more pitiable.
"It's all right. With me here nothing will happen to you."
Gu Yun timely offered a clean silk handkerchief, his voice gentler still.
"Hypocrite—disgusting!"
Hidden in the shadows, Chu Ruoyao spat in irritation and vanished in a flicker.
To ordinary people Qixia Mountain Range is a forbidden zone, but to cultivators above Quasi-Emperor Realm the danger is not that great.
As long as we don't provoke the mighty beast kings, our lives won't be at risk.
Those assassins are still in hot pursuit; I have to find ways to muddy the trail.
Fighting is out of the question—that would cost extra.
Sensing Chu Ruoyao's departure, Gu Yun remained unmoved, still gazing at Di Yunshu.
The girl instinctively took the handkerchief; her fingertips brushed Gu Yun's warm hand and she flinched as if shocked.
She lifted her tear-blurred eyes to his deep, calm gaze, and miraculously her panic eased a little.
This person… really seems to harbor no malice.
Besides, he was the one who saved her and carried her all the way here.
If she wanted to live, she should trust him.
"W-what's your name? Why did you save me?"
Di Yunshu wiped her tears, her voice still carrying a sob and a trace of timidity.
//649//
Chapter 649: Gaining Trust, A Lifeline
"My name is Gu Yun, a rogue cultivator."
Gu Yun smiled faintly and sat down a short distance from her, maintaining a distance that wouldn't make her feel pressured. "As for why I saved you... it was merely a coincidence, seeing injustice on the road."
Why did I save you?
Of course, it's because I covet... the rewards you can bring.
Naturally, Gu Yun couldn't say these things directly. He had initially thought that the Di Yunshu would be a spoiled and willful little princess, but after actually interacting with her, she was unexpectedly simple. When facing danger, although afraid, she was able to maintain her composure.
It saved him a lot of trouble.
His words were frank, and his eyes clear, which made the Di Yunshu's taut nerves relax a little.
"A coincidence..."
The Di Yunshu repeated in a low voice, her heart seemingly deeply touched.
"Young Master Yun, thank you."
"Your Royal Highness needn't be so polite."
Gu Yun waved his hand, his tone gentle yet serious: "Although we are currently in the Qixia Mountain Range, we are not absolutely safe."
"Those pursuers are relentless; we must set off as soon as possible. Only by returning to the Eternal Imperial Palace can you have a glimmer of hope."
"Understood, I'll listen to Young Master Yun."
The Di Yunshu nodded vigorously. Now, no matter what Gu Yun said, she was willing to believe him.
With her life and safety entirely in one person's hands, it was hard not to develop a sense of reliance.
"Good, in that case, we must set off immediately."
Gu Yun stood up, his voice solemn: "The Qixia Mountain Range spans two Dao Domains and is vast. If we go south, we will inevitably enter the territory of the Daluo Imperial Dynasty. To return to the Eternal Imperial Capital, we would need to detour through the Supreme Divine Dynasty. I'm sure the Princess is aware of the current relationship between the two Imperial Dynasties, so this is not a wise move. Therefore, our best course of action is to circle along the northern foothills of the mountain range, striving to leave its confines as soon as possible, and then find a way to sneak back towards the Imperial Capital."
"Does the Princess have a map of the Qixia Mountain Range? If we had one, this journey might be much smoother."
The Di Yunshu was slightly stunned, her pretty face blushing: "My, my storage ring was with Sister Qiuyue when I left the palace, and now..."
Her eyes dimmed slightly, and her expression was a little forlorn.
As a princess, why would she need to carry her own storage ring?
Now Qiuyue was dead, and she was stranded in the wilderness. What would her future days hold?
"I see."
Looking at the Di Yunshu's sorrowful expression, Gu Yun already understood. For a pampered princess to suddenly fall into such a predicament, maintaining basic composure was already quite difficult.
"It's fine. Without a map, we'll just explore carefully."
"The Qixia Mountain Range is fraught with danger, an extremely perilous place for us. But isn't it the same for those pursuers?"
"As long as we don't step into the territories controlled by those great demons, there won't be too much danger."
Gu Yun smiled, encouraging her, and that warm, spring-like smile opened the Di Yunshu's heart.
She took a deep breath, trying to straighten her slender back: "Young Master Yun, don't worry, I will listen to you and absolutely won't hold you back."
"Please help me. Once we return to the Eternal Imperial Capital, there will surely be a generous reward!"
Even in this state, she still wants to maintain the dignity of a royal princess?
"There's no need for a generous reward. Meeting each other is a kind of fate, and I won't just stand by and watch you die."
Gu Yun said, "Alright, without further ado, let's depart immediately."
After a brief rest, the two set off towards the north, as Gu Yun had determined, entering the boundless Qixia Mountain Range... "Damn it, what's wrong with that woman?"
"Is she the assassin, or are we the assassins?!"
Outside the Qixia Mountain Range, a Shadow Tower assassin complained endlessly. They had followed the traces Gu Yun deliberately left behind, leading them to this remote and desolate place.
They had thought they had cornered that fly, but then a madman-like figure suddenly appeared from nowhere.
Her strength was so formidable that they couldn't possibly contend with her. Even Heavenly Three, a First Heaven Great Emperor, was no different from an ant in front of her.
However, the other party didn't seem to have any intention of striking a heavy blow; she merely drove them out of the Qixia Mountain Range's sphere of influence and immediately stopped, showing no desire to pursue them.
"Something is strange about this. That ominous star's power is terrifying, but she only defends, never attacks. Could there be something she cares about within the Qixia Mountain Range?!"
"Perhaps the Di Yunshu is in her hands!!"
"Heavenly Three, we..."
"Enough!"
Heavenly Three's face was extremely cold. As a Great Emperor, he was even more aware of the gap between himself and Chu Ruoyao.
The opponent's strength was definitely above that of a Fourth Tribulation Great Emperor. It was only because the opponent was toying with them like a cat with a mouse that these guys were able to save their lives. Now they were even thinking of plotting against her? Truly laughable!
"Her strength is far above ours. No matter what she's hiding, this matter is no longer something we can handle."
"The most urgent task is to immediately contact the Shadow Tower, have them send more personnel, and also... report this matter back to the Goddess."
"Di Qi, you handle this matter. All actions must follow the Goddess's orders!"
"Yes!"
The group of Quasi-Emperor Realm assassins took their orders and left, leaving only the three strongest individuals.
"Heavenly Three, what do we do now?"
"What do we do?"
"The deed is done, and now that it hasn't yielded results, it's merely 'beating the grass to startle the snake'!"
"If we cannot achieve our goal completely, the final outcome will only be eternal damnation."
"We absolutely cannot rashly enter the Qixia Mountain Range."
"Wait for headquarters to send reinforcements to guard all exits. We'll first go north and enter the Qixia Mountain Range. I refuse to believe that if I can't provoke her, I can't at least avoid her?!"
Heavenly Three's eyes gleamed with cold light, having clearly made his decision.
The three of them didn't hesitate and immediately set off.
"Oh? Have they left?"
"These guys aren't as brainless as I thought."
On the edge of the Qixia Mountain Range, Chu Ruoyao opened her closed eyes, her gaze sparkling. Her mission was complete; Gu Yun would handle the rest himself.
But for some reason, she felt a lingering worry.
"Smelly Kid, you'd better apologize to me properly later. This time, I went all out!"
Her figure, dreamlike and ethereal, quickly vanished from the spot.
The Shadow Tower is backed by the Shadow Immortal Palace, possessing considerable foundations. Heavenly Three was merely the vanguard. Now that the news had been sent back, Gu Yun alone might not be able to handle it.
Gu Yun's instructions were meaningless to her. Why would Chu Ruoyao need others to comment on her actions?!
...On the outskirts of the Qixia Mountain Range, another figure in a Daoist robe was crawling in the shadows. His movements were swift, but looked rather strange.
//650//
Chapter 650: Traveling Together
"Cough, cough, cough. Those damned bastards! If the situation hadn't been so urgent, I should have ground your bones to dust right then and there!!"
After traveling urgently for a long time, Liu Feng leaned against a large tree, coughing out several clumps of foul matter.
His misery back at the Sixth Princes Residence was something he couldn't even describe to outsiders.
Even with a body in the Quasi-Emperor Realm, he still felt a faint ache.
The injuries from last time hadn't fully healed, and now he could only move in his true body. If it weren't for the matter concerning Di Yunshu, he would never take such a risk.
When he was an eunuch in the palace, he had seen Di Yunshu several times. She often went to the Empress Dowager's Sleeping Quarters to meet with the Empress Dowager. Although he had never seen the Empress Dowager's true appearance, he was deeply trusted, and thus he was familiar with the Princess.
Gradually, he was attracted to this innocent girl. Now that she was in danger, he acted impulsively and chased after her.
Since things had come to this, he had to find her no matter what. This way, perhaps he could redeem himself and wipe the slate clean regarding his failure at the Heavenly Thunder Domain last time.
"Di Yunshu's aura is faint and indistinct. It looks like she left this place a while ago."
He carefully sensed his surroundings, a look of worry appearing on his face.
Following the vague guidance in his heart, he arrived at the Qixia Mountain Range. But now, he was completely lost. How easy could it be to find a person's trace in this vast mountain forest?
"Di Yunshu, wait for me! I will definitely rescue you!"
Liu Feng gritted his teeth and headed straight north. At this crucial moment, he chose to trust his inner guidance... Deep within the mountain range, ancient trees towered, vines intertwined, and the light was dim.
The air was filled with the smell of damp earth and the faint scent of decaying leaves. In the distance, the low roars of unknown Demonic Beasts occasionally echoed, causing one's heart to tremble.
Two figures, one large and one small, were stealthily making their way through.
They were extremely cautious, daring not to make a sound.
It was Gu Yun and Di Yunshu.
At this moment, the Legal Loli Di Yunshu was following closely behind Gu Yun. Her small hand unconsciously clutched the corner of Gu Yun's clothes, and her large eyes nervously scanned the dim surroundings, filled with anxiety.
Gu Yun walked ahead, his steps steady. His Divine Sense had already quietly spread out, covering an area of dozens of miles.
With his perception, avoiding danger and seeking advantage was more than enough.
However... if he wanted Di Yunshu to completely lean toward him, he naturally had to add a bit of excitement to the journey.
As the two continued forward, the savage aura filling the air grew thicker, frightening Di Yunshu so much that her legs trembled, and her speed slowed down. But she was pleasantly surprised to find that Gu Yun seemed to slow down to match her pace.
Di Yunshu was moved, and most of her fear was dispelled.
At this moment, with Gu Yun present, she felt an endless sense of security.
Thinking of this, her trembling legs seemed to steady significantly. She quickly moved forward, walking tightly pressed against Gu Yun.
"What are you doing?"
"Making such a sudden commotion? Aren't you afraid of being discovered by those Demonic Beasts!"
Gu Yun transmitted his voice seriously, sounding slightly displeased.
Startled by Gu Yun's sudden severity, Di Yunshu quickly lightened her steps. Her small hand still firmly clutched the corner of Gu Yun's clothes. Her small face was full of grievance and lingering fear as she transmitted her voice: "I... I'm sorry... I... I was too scared."
Gu Yun's heart stirred slightly. He stopped, turned around, and took Di Yunshu's small hand.
"If you're afraid, this should make it better."
Di Yunshu froze slightly. Feeling the warmth transmitted from his palm, most of the anxiety in her heart was dispelled.
She looked up. Meeting Gu Yun's deep eyes, her small face flushed slightly, and she nodded vigorously: "Mm! Much better, thank you."
After a small interlude, the two continued heading north, trekking for a full two days.
Di Yunshu finally couldn't bear the strain. Her Spiritual Power was limited after all, and maintaining the concealment of her aura to avoid detection had become difficult as time wore on.
To ensure her safety, she had to withdraw the Spiritual Power dedicated to self-protection and focus entirely on concealing her aura.
This way, perhaps she could hold on a little longer. The Qixia Mountain Range was full of dangers, so naturally, the less rest they took, the better.
But... good times don't last long.
"Ah."
As the two were slowly moving forward, Di Yunshu suddenly let out a cry of pain.
"What's wrong?"
Gu Yun stopped and turned to look at her.
"I... I think I got cut."
Di Yunshu frowned tightly, pointing to her left calf.
The hem of her delicate palace dress was ripped open, revealing a small section of her fair calf. There was a thin, long scratch on her calf, from which small beads of blood were seeping.
The wound wasn't deep, but the spreading scent of blood would definitely attract unnecessary trouble.
Gu Yun frowned slightly, stopped, and squatted down to examine it.
He pressed his finger above the wound, and a wisp of pure, gentle Spiritual Power flowed in.
"Soul-Erosion Thorns?"
"It seems we've been targeted."
Gu Yun thought to himself, looking around with great vigilance.
"I'm sorry, it's all my fault for being careless."
During the treatment, Di Yunshu was very self-reproachful, not expecting her small carelessness to cause such great trouble.
"Don't worry, the bleeding has stopped. It won't be a big problem."
Gu Yun said, waving his hand at Di Yunshu with a smile.
Most high-level Demonic Beasts possess intelligence, and Gu Yun wouldn't choose this moment to alert the enemy.
"Really?"
"Of course. If you still feel pain, I can carry you on my back."
"This... isn't that inappropriate?"
"If you don't want to, then forget it. After all, men and women should maintain distance..."
"No... I... I'm willing."
Saying this seemed to take immense courage from Di Yunshu.
Her pretty face was flushed, making her look incredibly cute.
"Flushing just like this. I wonder if she'll be crying and begging me to stop later."
Gu Yun thought mischievously, but he slowly squatted down: "Then climb on."
Di Yunshu obediently settled onto his broad back. Feeling the young man's aura, her frantic heartbeat calmed down slightly.
Gu Yun steadily stood up and continued forward with Di Yunshu.
Di Yunshu lay on his back, her hands wrapped around his neck, her small face pressed against his shoulder, wishing she could be closer, even closer!
"If you keep doing that, I won't be able to breathe."
"Oh, oh!"
"I-I'm sorry."
Di Yunshu hurriedly loosened her grip a bit, and even blew lightly on Gu Yun's neck: "Young Master Yun, thank you. If it weren't for you, I might have died already."
"Save the thank yous until we get out. It seems we have a bit of trouble now. Hold on tight!"
Gu Yun's voice suddenly became serious. As soon as his words fell, a whistling sound of wind came from the dense forest ahead.
Di Yunshu shivered in fear, and her small hands involuntarily clenched the lapel of Gu Yun's clothes.
The young man hastily dodged sideways, narrowly avoiding the incoming vine.
Before he had a chance to catch his breath, continuous attacks rained down like a storm.
//651//
Chapter 651 – Soul-Erosion Thorns
Gu Yun's aura erupted; he hooked an arm around Di Yunshu's waist, swept her into his embrace, and shot forward like lightning, weaving through the dense Soul-Erosion Thorn vines.
The vines were jet-black, riddled with barbs and exuding a frigid breath that corroded the soul. Every missed lash struck ancient trees, leaving scorched scars in an instant.
"W-what is this?!"
Di Yunshu cried, voice trembling. Sheltered in the palace, she had rarely met outsiders, let alone such bloodthirsty, savage plant-demons.
"Soul-Erosion Thorns. Judging by the aura, at least Saint Realm."
Gu Yun remained calm. "What we're seeing is probably just one branch; the true body may be miles away. Fighting it is pointless—hold tight!"
He shouted, shot skyward, and danced through the air, his goal crystal-clear.
Instinctively Di Yunshu flung her arms round Gu Yun's neck and buried her face in the hollow of his shoulder.
At that moment nothing else mattered; only the steady beat of his heart made her feel safe.
Gu Yun's footwork was fluid; he sidestepped the black tendrils with pinpoint precision. Poisonous barbs and toxic mist dissolved soundlessly within three feet of him.
Thus a small pocket of safety formed.
Di Yunshu's racing heart finally found respite. She lifted her gaze to Gu Yun's resolute face, and her pulse quickened all over again.
Taking perfect advantage of their position, she tightened her koala-like grip around him.
Eyes closed, she inhaled greedily, lashes fluttering.
"Ninth Princess, we're safe for now. Mind getting off me?"
After a while Gu Yun spoke, amusement lacing his tone.
Di Yunshu opened her eyes; the thrashing vines were gone. Only wind whispered through the leaves.
They stood in a relatively open clearing where dappled sunlight filtered through sparse branches, soothing their nerves.
Only then did she realize she was still wrapped around him like an octopus, their posture scandalously intimate.
With a squeak she let go and jumped down, stumbling; Gu Yun steadied her in time.
"S-sorry! I… I didn't mean to!"
Face scarlet, she stared at the ground, voice barely a whisper.
"No matter. I should have guessed—the vine that scratched you wasn't ordinary."
"Soul-Erosion Thorns lock onto prey by scent. We were marked. Fortunately, being a plant, it can't move; once we leave its range, the danger's gone."
Gu Yun released her arm with a gentle smile.
Di Yunshu peeked at him; dust flecked his robes, yet he looked unperturbed, even dashing.
Sunlight outlined his profile, and she stared, entranced.
"Young Master Yun, it's not your fault—I was careless."
"I should thank you for saving me again; without you on this journey…"
Mid-gratitude—
Rumble!!
The ground quaked; both nearly toppled.
Reflexively Di Yunshu seized Gu Yun's waist to keep her balance.
"What's happening?!"
Her voice shook.
"Not good—we've…"
"walked straight into its trap!"
Gu Yun's face was grave. Dozens of yards away the earth split; massive black main vines burst forth like frenzied pythons, blotting the sky and encircling them.
They had fallen into a carefully laid snare.
The earlier thorns had merely bait; the true mastermind was a Great Saint plant-demon.
Gu Yun's Myriad Transformation Power unfurled, straining to hold the vines at bay.
Beads of sweat dotted his brow; Di Yunshu's heart ached at the sight.
Unable to gauge the disparity, she knew only that the Soul-Erosion Thorn was terrifying—and Gu Yun was shielding her with everything he had.
"Young Master Yun, you—"
"Minor trouble. These things can't do much to me."
He grinned, ruffling her hair. "Relax, it'll be fine."
Di Yunshu gazed at him, eyes reddening.
Outside the barrier the vines could advance no further.
"Hmph! Meddlesome human, you've some skill!"
A shrill, grating laugh rose from underground; the frenzied vines slowed but still hemmed them in.
The ground at the clearing's center bulged, and a colossal black plant emerged.
Its trunk was house-thick, knotted and gnarled, countless vines writhing like arms.
On the trunk a grotesque human face grinned at them.
It was the Soul-Erosion Thorn's true body.
Now unleashing its full aura—Great Saint peak, one step from quasi-Emperor.
A veritable overlord of the Qixia Mountain Range.
"Merely that cultivation yet you block my Thorn Prison. Leave the girl and I may spare your life!"
Di Yunshu shivered and clutched Gu Yun's lapel.
He patted her hand. "Don't be afraid."
Looking straight at the monstrous plant, he sneered, "Spare me? You're not worthy."
"I'm taking her with me. Since you insist on blocking us, I'll send you to hell."
The demon face twisted; its laughter cut into a furious roar. "Insolent—die!"
Without another word the main vines snapped taut, crushing inward, slamming against Gu Yun's spiritual barrier.
Barbs proliferated, oozing viscous black poison that corroded the shield, filling the air with a nauseating stench.
//652//
Chapter 652: Severe Injuries
The Soul-Erosion Thorns attacked fiercely. Although they posed no real threat to Gu Yun, he still grunted, his face paling slightly.
"Young Master Yun! Are... are you alright?"
Di Yunshu's lovely face lost all color; she could feel the crushing pressure of the Soul-Erosion Thorns. Without Gu Yun's full protection she would already have been squeezed into a bloody paste and dissolved by the poison.
Watching the beads of sweat roll down his temples and that somewhat pale complexion, her heart clenched so tightly she couldn't breathe.
"Don't be afraid."
"Everything will be fine."
Gu Yun drew a deep breath, his gaze suddenly sharp as a blade.
"The cage is complete—still struggling in vain?"
"A resource carrying the power of the Mystic Phoenix... I never thought I'd actually find your trail!"
The Soul-Erosion Thorns demon laughed hideously, the human face on its trunk twisting in cruelty.
Certain of victory, it fixed its gaze on Di Yunshu and licked its lips greedily.
Swallow her, and it could stride into the Quasi-Emperor Realm; thereafter its path would know no obstacle.
Among demons, bloodline is supreme.
Even across different races, blood could be used to defy fate itself.
The grade of Di Yunshu's Mystic Phoenix Blood was exorbitantly high—an irresistible temptation to any demon.
Had Gu Yun not masked her aura with the deceiving heaven mask, far more than one demon would have tracked them along the way.
"Mystic Phoenix Power?"
Di Yunshu blinked in confusion.
"Ignore it—it's just a dead thing, not worth a single stray thought."
Gu Yun rubbed her head, scattering every stray worry.
"Good girl—hold on tight."
"Mm."
Di Yunshu obediently wrapped her arms around him, burying her face against his chest, not even a wisp of her spiritual sense venturing outward.
Seeing Gu Yun ignore it completely, the demon's face contorted further. "Still mouthing off while dying—go, grind them to dust!!"
The instant the words left its mouth, countless vines erupted with force, black venom spraying like a storm.
The ground lurched as sharp black spikes burst upward, stabbing at Gu Yun from below!
Every avenue of retreat was sealed in an instant!
Gu Yun lifted his gaze, a blood-thirsty glint flashing in his eyes.
He clenched his teeth; a thread of blood spilled from his lips and dripped onto Di Yunshu's hair.
The girl's delicate body tensed, but she remembered Gu Yun's order—she wouldn't cause him the slightest trouble.
Gu Yun's aura sky-rocketed; a golden longsword blazing with dreadful divine light appeared in his hand.
The Soul-Erosion Thorns' expression changed—on that sword it sensed immense terror.
"I-impossible! A mere human boy—how could you wield such a fearsome artifact!"
Though not yet fully formed, the might of the Hongmeng Sword Embryo was far beyond what a mere Great Saint demon could withstand.
Without hesitation Gu Yun gripped the sword one-handed and slammed it into the ground.
In an instant, a thousand paces in every direction blazed with countless fine golden lines—like a colossal net suddenly ignited!
"Aaaargh—!!"
The Soul-Erosion Thorns tried to flee, but it was too late. A piercing shriek tore from its throat as the vines that had been squeezing the barrier convulsed and crashed to the ground.
In mere moments, under a sizzling scorch, they blackened, withered, and snapped inch by inch.
"N-no... impossible."
The distorted human face on the trunk shrieked. Gu Yun, unmoved, held the Hongmeng Sword Embryo steady as rivers of golden radiance flared along the net, instantly igniting the demon's core.
"Boom—!"
Golden flames carrying the righteous might to purge all filth and evil ignited the Soul-Erosion Thorns from within.
Even its roots deep underground were not spared, wailing as they turned to ash within the blaze.
Its anguished roars echoed through the mountains; the blazing phenomenon scattered every demon beast within a hundred li.
Liu Feng, who had followed right behind, felt a sudden, deep pang in his heart.
"What's happening—what in heaven's name is going on?"
He rushed forward like a madman, an inexplicable dread gnawing at his soul.
The spectacle lasted only a few breaths; the demon was reduced to a pile of grey-white ash that scattered on the wind.
Feeling the warm sunlight on her back, Di Yunshu finally opened her eyes and looked around to confirm the demon was gone.
Overjoyed, she cried, "Wonderful! Young Master Yun, you won—you defeated it, we're safe!"
"Young Master Yun..."
Gu Yun gave no answer. Sensing something wrong, Di Yunshu caught him as he swayed and collapsed.
Her face paled as she saw the blood at the corner of his mouth. "Young Master Yun, you're hurt?!"
"It's nothing—just a scratch. A short rest and I'll be fine."
"N-Ninth Princess, go—this place isn't safe. The battle's ripples will draw other enemies."
"Quickly—next... it's up to you."
With those last words Gu Yun seemed to lose all strength, slumping into her arms.
The girl's heart sank. Looking at the pale, blood-stained, unconscious youth, panic and helplessness overwhelmed her for the first time.
"Young Master Yun! Wake up—don't scare me like this!"
She called anxiously, gently shaking him, but received no response.
"It'll be alright—he'll be fine. He defeated such a powerful foe; he won't fall here."
"Leave—we have to leave now."
Di Yunshu hoisted Gu Yun onto her back; his body felt shockingly light. Only then did she remember she, too, had cultivation.
She wasn't useless. From now on, she would protect Young Master Yun!
Clenching her teeth, she got her bearings and trudged step by difficult step toward the north.
Though the Soul-Erosion Thorns was dead, the Qixia Mountain Range was still perilous at every turn.
Di Yunshu pushed her spiritual sense to the limit, alert to every rustle of leaves.
"Young Master Yun, hold on... we'll make it out—we will!"
She murmured as she walked, speaking to him and bolstering herself at the same time.
Fortunately no danger appeared; the two reached a mountain cave.
Gently laying Gu Yun down, her face filled with worry. "What do I do? He's hurt so badly—I can't just travel with him recklessly."
She scratched her head and suddenly felt the dried blood Gu Yun had dripped onto her earlier.
"Blood—of course, blood!"
"My blood is special; my mother told me when I was little!"
//653//
Chapter 653 – Blood of the Mystic Phoenix
Di Yunshu stared at the dark-red scab on her fingertip, her mother's gentle smile surfacing in her mind.
She turned to look at Gu Yun, who was leaning against the cavern wall, his breathing gradually steadying.
The scenes from moments ago flashed past like a revolving lantern, instantly firming her resolve.
At this instant, Di Yunshu thought of many things—of Qiuyue, of the Empress Dowager, of her Imperial Father… of her mother, that ever-smiling, tender woman.
"Mother, Shuer may have found the person I can rely on for life."
"Young Master Yun was injured protecting me… Without me, he would never have fallen into such danger…"
"As long as I can save him, no matter the price, I'm willing to pay it!"
A bittersweet smile touched the girl's lips, a flash of resolve in her eyes.
She hesitated no more. She extended her delicate left index finger and bit down hard with her teeth!
"Ngh…"
A sharp sting followed as crimson beads seeped out, carrying a faint, peculiar golden sheen that cast a soft, warm glow in the dim cave.
At the same time, an indescribable fragrance spread through the air, as though blending purest sunlight with some ancient, sacred aura.
Di Yunshu had no time to ponder the anomaly; she hurriedly pressed her fingertip to Gu Yun's lips, carefully letting the golden-tinged drop fall into his slightly parted mouth.
The bead of blood slid in, and Gu Yun's body gave an almost imperceptible tremor.
Di Yunshu anxiously watched his reaction, her heart uneasy.
She didn't dare stop. She squeezed her fingertip again, letting more blood flow—drop after drop, like precious nectar—into Gu Yun's mouth.
As the blood entered, Gu Yun's paper-pale face visibly regained a trace of color.
His faint breathing gradually became steady and strong.
It works! It really works!
Joy surged in Di Yunshu's heart, yet tears rolled down uncontrollably—tears of joy and lingering fear.
If Gu Yun were to leave her like Mother did, she truly wouldn't know what to do.
She didn't dare relax, continuing to feed him blood until her fingertip bled only with difficulty and her head began to swim.
Gu Yun's aura grew ever richer. Clenching her teeth, Di Yunshu bit open her right index finger as well.
Mystic-Phoenix Blood, harboring the astonishing power of rebirth, brought Gu Yun an unprecedented, tremendous breakthrough.
As her life's origin ebbed away, Di Yunshu's consciousness blurred; darkness washed over her eyes, the weakness of massive blood loss submerging her like a tide.
Yet she stubbornly kept squeezing her finger, watching each golden drop flow into Gu Yun's mouth, forcing a faint smile to her lips.
"Young Master Yun… you will… get better…"
She murmured, and at last could hold on no longer; her vision blackened completely as her delicate figure collapsed.
She fell right into the arms of Gu Yun, who was slowly opening his eyes.
"Silly girl."
Gu Yun caught her and immediately stopped the bleeding for Di Yunshu.
Originally he would have recovered on his own, but the plot had advanced faster than that blasted destiny script predicted.
Di Yunshu had made such a resolute decision so quickly. Though it slightly startled the snake, it saved him plenty of trouble.
"Di Shitian, will you jump the wall like a cornered dog?"
"I'm rather looking forward to it."
A faint smile curved Gu Yun's lips.
[Ding! Destiny heroine Di Yunshu has secretly given her heart to the Host. Reward: 3,000 Villain Points. Child of Destiny Liu Feng's destiny value decreases by 5,000.]
…Eternal Imperial Capital, deep within the palace, the Imperial Study.
Di Shitian, reviewing memorials, suddenly froze; a drop of thick ink fell onto the memorial, blooming into a black stain.
He jerked his head up, eagle-sharp eyes seeming to pierce through layer upon layer of palace walls, his brows knitting tightly.
He could distinctly sense that the Eternal Imperial Dynasty's fate—whose decline he had staunched with secret arts—was once again in violent turmoil.
"Pfft—!"
The backlash of fortune struck savagely. Di Shitian grunted, a thread of dark-golden blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.
With a crack, the jade desk before him split with several fissures.
"Your Majesty!" The old eunuch standing by turned pale with shock.
Di Shitian waved violently, a wild burst of force sending the old eunuch stumbling back several steps.
He clenched his fists, nails digging deep into his palms, his eyes so sinister they resembled a ravenous beast.
"Those Shadow Tower scum have indeed laid hands on Yunshu!"
"Eternal Guards!"
"Present."
From the shadows, a fully armored figure stepped forth.
"Mobilize the entire army—find the Ninth Princess at any cost. Bring her back alive, or bring her corpse if she's dead!"
"Yes, Sire!!"
Within the hall, several icy auras vanished from the gloom.
"Shadow Immortal Palace, you wish to overthrow my Eternal Imperial Dynasty? With just you lot, you're still unqualified!"
Di Shitian's fury surged as he gazed toward the horizon… Qixia Mountain Range, another dense forest.
Liu Feng, frantically searching for Di Yunshu's tracks, felt his heart clench as though seized by an invisible hand, stabbing violently!
"Pfft—!"
Without warning he spat a large mouthful of blood, staggering to one knee.
"W-what's happening?! What's going on—why do I feel something slipping away from me?!"
"Damn it—damn it all—give my Shuer back to me!!"
Liu Feng jerked his head up, eyes blood-red, roaring like a wounded beast… Eternal Palace, deepest quarter, Cining Palace.
Sandalwood smoke curled; pearl curtains hung.
Upon a soft couch, a beautiful woman in deep-purple phoenix-patterned palace robes slowly opened her eyes.
She appeared about thirty, her looks exquisitely alluring, her figure mature and bewitching, yet carrying an indescribable aloofness.
She was the Shadow Immortal Palace goddess disguised as Eternal Imperial Dynasty's Empress Dowager—Ye Qingcheng.
A flicker of surprise crossed those enchanting eyes, and a smile curved her lips: "In the end, different paths led to the same destination."
Earlier, Heavenly Three had reported that someone else had snatched Di Yunshu and the plan had failed—she had even felt annoyed.
Di Yunshu's Mystic-Phoenix bloodline, tied to the Eternal Imperial Dynasty's fate, was crucial to Shadow Immortal Palace's subsequent plans and could not be lost.
Just as she was vexed by the complete disruption of her scheme, the uninvited guest had inadvertently achieved the very effect she desired.
Ye Qingcheng lay languidly on her side upon the soft couch, a strand of blue silk twining around her fingertip, playful light glinting in her beautiful eyes.
Before her finger, a shadow condensed into a human silhouette—no features visible, purely conjured from her imagination.
"Interesting—truly interesting."
"Appearing out of nowhere, forcefully intervening, turning everything into chaos—I'm really curious: just who… are you?!"
Her fingers danced gracefully, kneading that silhouette flat and round as though it were her plaything.
With her final words, she clapped it into dispersing shadows.
//654//
Chapter 654 – Victory in Sight
"You're awake?"
Inside a cave in the Qixia Mountain Range, Gu Yun stood with his back to the entrance, the light behind him, watching the slowly awakening Di Yunshu whose face was still rather pale. His voice was gentle.
Di Yunshu's lashes fluttered a few times before her eyes slowly opened.
The first things she saw were Gu Yun's concerned gaze and that handsome face.
She was dazed for a moment, then suddenly recalled everything before she lost consciousness and hurriedly struggled to sit up. "Young Master Yun! Y-You're alright?!"
Gu Yun pressed her shoulders to make her lie back down. "I'm fine—thanks to you."
His gaze fell on her fingers wrapped in cloth, faint blood seeping through, and his eyes grew complicated. "But you lost too much blood; you need proper rest."
Only then did Di Yunshu feel her body's weakness and the stinging in her fingertips, yet she didn't mind at all. Seeing Gu Yun's restored, healthy complexion, she smiled joyfully. "As long as you're alright! I... I'm fine. You've protected me all this way; I only did something trivial."
"Silly girl." Gu Yun sighed softly and reached out to ruffle her hair. "Don't ever do something that foolish again."
"Your blood... is precious and dangerous. Don't let others learn of it easily."
In a trance, Di Yunshu's thoughts seemed to return to when she was a small child.
She had been in her mother's arms, and her mother had said similar words.
Feeling the warmth of the youth's palm, her heart felt warm and she gave an almost inaudible hum. "Mm, I... I promise you. From now on, I'll only let you drink it."
"Ouch."
Di Yunshu clutched her forehead and looked at Gu Yun, displeased. "What was that for? It hurts."
Gu Yun withdrew his hand. "Who told a certain little imp to spout nonsense."
"What do you mean 'only let me drink'? No one—nobody—should lose their life over spilling a bit of blood, yet you still want a repeat? Don't want to live anymore?"
"Got it!"
"Really, I'm not a child—why flick my forehead?"
Di Yunshu rubbed her reddened forehead, pouted in grievance, and turned her head away.
"Alright, I apologize. I won't do it again, okay?"
Gu Yun smiled and patted her head.
"Okay..."
Di Yunshu beamed as if nothing had happened moments earlier.
"Rest a bit more. Once you recover, we'll set off again."
"We must leave the Qixia Mountain Range quickly; the ruckus just now was rather loud. Who knows what complications it might bring."
Gu Yun said.
"I... I can walk right now."
Di Yunshu tried to stand, but Gu Yun pressed her down at once.
"Be good!"
"O-Okay..."
The youth's stern look landed in Di Yunshu's heart, sweet and syrupy—he's worried about me, hee-hee.
About half an hour later, color had returned to Di Yunshu's cheeks.
She didn't know why she was recovering so quickly; perhaps because Gu Yun was beside her, filling her with strength.
"Can you walk now?"
"Should be able to."
Di Yunshu tried moving; though her legs still felt weak, she didn't want to be a burden to Gu Yun.
"Enough with the bravado. I'll carry you; it's faster."
Without another word, Gu Yun scooped Di Yunshu into a bridal carry. The soft, delicate body in his arms felt different for both of them this time.
"Ah!"
Di Yunshu exclaimed and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, her pretty face warming. "Y-Young Master Yun, is this... is this appropriate? Won't it slow you down?"
"Relax, little Yunshu is light as a swallow; it won't affect me at all."
Gu Yun replied with a smile, already striding forward, his figure darting swiftly through the forest.
Di Yunshu nestled in his arms, her cheek pressed to his firm chest.
She sneaked occasional glances upward, staring unblinkingly at Gu Yun's well-defined jawline, ripples stirring in her heart.
"Young Master Yun really is handsome..."
All sorts of jumbled thoughts popped into her little head, making her heartbeat quicken and her cheeks burn hotter.
She shyly buried her face in Gu Yun's chest, greedily soaking in everything about him, as though to etch this warmth into her heart forever.
Gu Yun seemed to sense it; he lowered his head and saw her eyes closed, long lashes gently trembling, lips curved in a faint, sweet smile.
To be so relaxed in such a harsh environment—this girl's nerves are really something. If she didn't have the destiny of a chosen heroine, it would have been hard for her to live this long.
His eyes flickered, but he said nothing, only tightening his arms around her slightly.
Gu Yun moved extremely fast, encountering many obstacles along the way.
The Qixia Mountain Range truly deserves its reputation as an ancient range spanning two regions; the hidden dangers far exceed outside imaginations.
Many places even Gu Yun found tricky, yet he relied on keen perception to avoid them. Thanks to some unavoidable setbacks, the two grew ever closer.
Toward the end, Di Yunshu was practically infatuated with Gu Yun's embrace, showing her cards completely—she wouldn't let go once she hugged him.
"Ninth Princess, we're about to leave the Qixia Mountain Range. If you keep this position and the people of your Eternal Imperial Dynasty see it, unnecessary gossip will arise."
Gu Yun's voice carried a helpless smile as he slowed his steps.
"Then let's walk a bit slower."
Di Yunshu lifted her head reluctantly, her little face full of reluctance.
"I want to stay with you a little longer."
"Be good. You're the Ninth Princess; you must mind your demeanor."
Gu Yun gently patted her back. Di Yunshu pouted but knew he was right, so she slowly slid down.
Her feet had just touched the ground when, after being curled up so long and still weak, her legs buckled and she nearly fell.
Gu Yun steadied her. "Careful."
"I'm fine..."
Di Yunshu held his arm to steady herself, cheeks slightly red as she scratched her head. "Seems I really stayed in your arms too long—I've forgotten how to walk."
The two looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.
"Young Master Yun, after we get out..."
Di Yunshu was about to say something.
Right at that moment—
"Swoosh—!"
A piercing whistle tore through the air without warning!
A cold gleam, fast as lightning and carrying an icy killing intent, shot straight at Gu Yun's back!
The timing, angle, and speed were all viciously precise to the extreme!
Di Yunshu's smile froze, her pupils shrinking as she cried out in shock, "Watch out!!"
//655//
Chapter 655 – The Ambush Arrives
With Gu Yun's reflexes, his response naturally came faster than Di Yunshu's. The instant the whistle of air reached his ears, his body had already reacted on instinct.
The sudden strike surged in like a tempest. Gu Yun yanked Di Yunshu into his arms, his figure flashing hundreds of meters away in a single heartbeat.
"Rip—!"
A biting ray of cold light slashed the spot they'd just occupied—a sword-qi saturated with imperial might. It carved a ravine dozens of zhang long into the earth.
Dust billowed, stones flew; the lingering shockwave sheared every ancient tree within several dozen zhang clean in half.
"Hmm? Interesting."
A soft exclamation drifted from afar. Amid the shadows of the dense forest, Heavenly Three's figure slowly emerged.
Clad in pitch-black battle garb, his hawk-sharp eyes locked onto Gu Yun, who had just re-solidified a hundred zhang away.
Two more whistles cut the air; two figures stepped out behind him. In an instant, three crushing auras pinned Gu Yun in place.
"You bastard… I really shouldn't care about you."
Hidden in the dark, Chu Ruoyao had been force-fed dog food the entire journey. Watching Gu Yun's clumsy act fool Di Yunshu stirred a thousand urges in her to leap out and expose this sanctimonious hypocrite, to ruin him utterly.
Yet she held back; she knew it was for the thousand illusions pipa. Once she had it, she'd have the chips to bargain with Gu Yun—and then she'd teach this insufferable scoundrel a lesson.
Until then, he couldn't be allowed a scratch.
As the trio's pressure was about to crash onto Gu Yun, Chu Ruoyao snorted. Her own vast imperial might quietly unfurled, precisely neutralizing the three auras so Gu Yun could cope at leisure.
Gu Yun, who'd been on the verge of calling on the ancient emperor armor, paused imperceptibly. His gaze flicked toward Chu Ruoyao's hiding spot, the corner of his mouth curling in a smug smile.
"Jerk!"
Chu Ruoyao ground her teeth—exactly this feeling: the man was in mortal peril yet still acted like he had everything under control.
Bastard, bastard, bastard… "Shadow Tower's heaven-grade assassins—never thought you'd chase us this far."
Gu Yun shielded the pale Di Yunshu behind him, his calm eyes meeting Heavenly Three's.
Surprised that his imperial pressure had failed, Heavenly Three frowned; after probing Gu Yun's aura and finding no Great-Emperor tao-sign, he cast the puzzlement aside. Everyone knew that below the Great-Emperor realm all were ants; whatever trick the youth had used to block imperial might, it wouldn't stop him from completing his mission. The advantage was still his.
"Kid, blocking our pressure shows you've some skill."
"Here's a deal: hand over the Ninth Princess and you can walk away unhindered. How about it?"
Heavenly Three's voice was hoarse, devoid of emotion.
A mere few hundred zhang lay between them; the three closed the distance in a breath. The two heaven-grade killers behind Heavenly Three fanned out, forming a triangle that sealed every escape route.
"Heh, with that formation you hardly look like you'll 'let me go.'"
Gu Yun gave a cold laugh, shielding Di Yunshu without yielding an inch.
"Rest assured, we only want to take the Ninth Princess away; we mean no harm."
"The Shadow Tower's killers turn out in force and claim they mean no harm—do you believe that yourselves?"
"Smelly Kid, don't refuse a gift! Do you even know which power stands behind our Shadow Tower?"
"Once you're dragged into a struggle between such giants, don't count on your own faction to protect you!"
Tian Qi spoke icily, about to strike, but Heavenly Three raised a hand to stop him.
"Young friend, think it over—"
Before he could finish, a sword flash grazed his cheek.
"Stubborn fool!"
A flicker of rage crossed Heavenly Three's eyes; as a professional killer he had already broken protocol by offering Gu Yun a chance.
Now that it was rejected, no quarter would be given.
His figure flickered like lightning as he attacked with full force.
A lion uses its full strength even on a rabbit.
From the moment Gu Yun had blocked their combined pressure, they had treated him as an equal opponent.
Tian Qi and Tian Ba moved instantly in support, sword-light raining down to seal every path of retreat.
"Zheng—!"
The trio's strikes landed in the same breath, all slamming into Gu Yun's mere flesh.
Di Yunshu shut her eyes, quietly preparing to walk into death with Young Master Yun… yet somehow, it no longer felt frightening.
But pain never arrived. When she opened her eyes again, the enemies around them had vanished.
"Young Master Yun, what happened—did you shake them off?" she asked in shock.
"I wish I could say yes, but unfortunately Great-Emperor experts aren't so easily fooled."
As he spoke, Gu Yun spun her in mid-air; a razor-sharp sword-qi sliced past his back, shearing off a few strands of hair before crashing into a hill ahead and blasting out a huge crater.
Before Di Yunshu could speak, Gu Yun pulled her into another embrace; their figures flickered, space-laws activating, reappearing dozens of meters ahead.
"Hah… hah…"
Di Yunshu hadn't even caught her breath before Gu Yun dragged her into another dash.
The youth's movements were erratic—sometimes relying on pure speed, sometimes on spatial laws.
Though the three killers were far stronger, they remained stuck behind, kept at an awkward distance. They could only harass Gu Yun with long-range strikes, all of which he dodged as if foreseeing them, leaving the trio frustrated.
"This damn kid fights dirty."
Tian Ba's face was livid; all three were heaven-grade assassins of the Shadow Tower, yet together they couldn't bring down one youngster—word of this would be a laughing-stock.
"Hmph, a cornered beast's last fling—he won't jump around much longer."
Tian Qi spoke coldly.
"Almost there; we're in position."
"Move together!"
A fierce glint flashed in Heavenly Three's eyes. They had noticed Gu Yun's trickery early in the chase and wouldn't sit idle.
Every attack had been aimed at herding Gu Yun toward this very spot; now that he had stepped into the dead end, they would crush his last hope.
The fleeing pair raced on in desperation. When Di Yunshu saw the path ahead turn into an endless mountain range, fear gripped her heart.
"A… a dead end—what do we do?"
"Damn, they herded us here on purpose."
Regret showed on Gu Yun's face as he grabbed Di Yunshu's hand, ready to turn back—but the three killers appeared, blocking the mouth of the valley and cutting off any escape.
"Smelly Kid, pretty slippery, aren't you?"
"At your age you've mastered spatial laws to this level—boy, which family's scion are you?!"