The young man, dressed in a white robe with cloud patterns, stood with his hands behind his back. At this moment, an imperial and domineering aura emanated from his brows, unlike the gentle and polite demeanor he had displayed during the day.
"I did meet her, but Princess Weiyang is deeply wary of everyone. It's not easy to get close to her. I mingled among the younger generation, but at best, I only became somewhat familiar with her."
"Though, that's not quite accurate. After all, she's blind and can't see anything, so it's not really 'familiarity.'"
Song Yu shook his head and said, "If we really want to use her to get closer to the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, it might be a bit difficult."
"However, during this time, Jiang Yun's actions have been truly perplexing. He actually seems to be considering choosing a son-in-law for Princess Weiyang. This might give me an opportunity."
As he spoke, a strange glint appeared in his eyes.
Jiang Yun was the name of the Weiyang Emperor. Song Yu mentioned it directly, showing no concern.
"If the Young Master is willing to take action, capturing a naive blind princess should be a piece of cake."
"As everyone knows, Princess Weiyang is Jiang Yun's weakness. Once we have her, the Young Master's path to restoring glory will be one step closer." The middle-aged man with a tall hat and a scholarly demeanor spoke with a smile.
"Don't be hasty. Jiang Yun is no ordinary man. I suspect he's plotting something with this move. But no matter what his goal is, I will reclaim everything that belongs to me."
Song Yu's eyes suddenly turned cold and profound. With his hands behind his back, he exuded an imperial majesty that seemed to look down upon the world.
The scholarly middle-aged man immediately became more respectful and said, "The Young Master is the true descendant of Radiant Light, bearing the bloodline of the Central Monarch. You are the rightful heir to the Radiant Ancestral Court. Jiang Yun is nothing but a petty thief who stole a nation. One day, the Young Master will reign over the world once more."
"It's too early to talk about that. Have you found any results regarding the matter I asked you to investigate? I've been lying low in the Crescent Moon Sect for so long, all for this opportunity."
Song Yu waved his hand, his expression returning to calm.
The middle-aged man replied, "As the Young Master predicted, the current location of the Crescent Moon Sect is indeed related to the former Heaven-Restraining Sect. The ruins we are in now are part of the former Heaven-Restraining Sect's remains. Later, for some reason, the founding sect master of the Crescent Moon Sect used great divine power to move them here from the vast expanse. I suspect that the founding sect master of the Crescent Moon Sect might have been a disciple of the Heaven-Restraining Sect…"
Hearing this, Song Yu frowned and interrupted, "Impossible. The Heaven-Restraining Sect touched upon forbidden taboos and collapsed overnight. No one survived."
"This is something I found in ancient texts. To verify its authenticity, I paid a great price and traced back a fragment of the past. I'm certain no one from the Heaven-Restraining Sect survived. I suspect the founding sect master of the Crescent Moon Sect accidentally stumbled upon the ruins of the Heaven-Restraining Sect and obtained part of its legacy, which is why he later established the Crescent Moon Sect."
The middle-aged man also frowned and speculated, "If that's the case, as the Young Master said, could the ruins of the Heaven-Restraining Sect still exist elsewhere?"
"The Heaven-Restraining Sect was a superpower that truly dominated the vast expanse for several eras, spanning ancient and modern times. After obtaining the legacy of the Heaven-Restraining Sect, the founding sect master of the Crescent Moon Sect would surely have searched for the remaining ruins, but he found nothing. In my opinion, all the rivers and mountains within the Crescent Moon Sect are related to the Heaven-Restraining Sect. He must have brought them all back…"
Song Yu pondered, his gaze sweeping over the broken ruins before him.
The era of the Heaven-Restraining Sect is too distant, and it's unclear exactly which era it originated from.
As its name suggests, this sect was incredibly taboo and forbidden.
Even now, few people know the name of this sect.
Even fewer know that there was once an era in the vast expanse when this sect ruled.
The name has long become a taboo, and any traces of its existence have been erased by the river of time.
Even the current Heaven-Slaying Alliance, which is at its peak and feared throughout the vast expanse, pales in comparison to the Heaven-Restraining Sect at its height.
Song Yu only learned about this sect's deeds by chance from some fragmented remnants of ancient times. Through various means, he traced its clues and found his way to the Crescent Moon Sect, joining it under the identity of Song Yu.
He had been searching for traces of the Heaven-Restraining Sect to find its forbidden technique, the Nine Forbidden Seals of Heaven.
Song Yu had personally witnessed the vast, indescribable power in those ancient fragments—a power that could truly restrain the heavens. It was unimaginable, indescribable, and touched upon a level he could not comprehend.
Those scenes still shocked, terrified, and fascinated him to this day, driving him to madness.
It was a power that should not exist in this world.
If he could master that power, wouldn't it be effortless for him to restore his glory and reclaim the Radiant Ancestral Court?
"Who's there?"
Suddenly, the scholarly middle-aged man's cold shout interrupted Song Yu's thoughts and reverie.
Song Yu snapped back to reality and followed the man's gaze. His brows furrowed, and his expression turned cold and murderous.
"If Uncle Lan hadn't reminded me, I wouldn't have noticed that there's a little thief hiding here."
He spoke indifferently, looking toward a collapsed alchemy room not far away. "What a miscalculation."
"Come out. You've been eavesdropping for so long. It seems I can't afford to be careless in the future."
The middle-aged man, called Uncle Lan, also turned cold. His vast, terrifying aura, like an endless sea of stars, pressed down, boundless and overwhelming, firmly locking onto the area and sealing off all space to prevent anyone from escaping.
He had already decided to kill. The matters he and Song Yu had discussed tonight were too significant to be leaked.
"What if I told you I was here before you and didn't intentionally eavesdrop on your conversation? Would you believe me?"
A soft, amused voice came from the collapsed alchemy room. Under the faint moonlight, a young girl in white walked out. Her features were like a painting, her beauty ethereal, her clear eyes pure and flawless, her skin as white as porcelain—so beautiful it was breathtaking.
"It's you?"
Song Yu frowned, looking at the girl who had appeared. At first, he was stunned, but after recognizing her features, he realized, "Gu Xian'er?"
Gu Xian'er's expression remained calm, but inwardly, she was panicking. She hadn't expected that her careful concealment would be detected by these two.
She truly hadn't meant to eavesdrop on their conversation.
If she could have left, she would have already fled.
"I didn't expect Senior Brother Song Yu to recognize me." She smiled faintly, her features like a painting, ethereal and radiant, her demeanor calm and composed, showing no signs of panic.
Seeing Gu Xian'er so unflustered and composed, the middle-aged man, Uncle Lan, frowned even more deeply.
He couldn't understand how this little girl, who hadn't even reached the Dao Realm, could speak so confidently in front of him, a genuine Ancestral Dao Realm existence.
Although he usually kept a low profile in the Crescent Moon Sect and never revealed his true strength, he was a bona fide Ancestral Dao Realm expert.
Was it simply ignorance that made her fearless?
Song Yu, too, frowned deeply as he looked at Gu Xian'er.
However, unlike Uncle Lan's confusion, he didn't seem entirely surprised.
"Of course I recognize you. It's said you come from a newly born true world, but when I investigated, I found that this true world doesn't exist. There are no traces of it in the causal fabric."
"So this is your true face. The usual meek and obedient demeanor was just a disguise." He spoke indifferently.
Gu Xian'er was startled. She hadn't expected Song Yu to have secretly investigated her origins.
It seemed that those who had investigated her weren't limited to just him.
The Dao Realm elders were all shrewd and cunning. How could they not care about her origins?
But what did it mean that her Dao Prosperity True World didn't exist?
"Whether it's a disguise or not isn't important. Senior Brother Song Yu also has another identity, doesn't he?"
Gu Xian'er still wore a faint smile, her expression as calm as ever.
Song Yu stared intently at her flawless face, as if trying to see through her thoughts.
"You're here in the Crescent Moon Sect for the same purpose as me, aren't you? That's why you deliberately approached that mad old woman and wander around these ruins in the middle of the night?" His eyes remained cold, as if he had seen through Gu Xian'er's intentions. Thinking this, Song Yu suddenly felt a sense of clarity.
Why would Gu Xian'er, knowing that the mad old woman carried misfortune, deliberately approach her and choose to live in such a remote and desolate place?
It seemed that the matter of the Heaven-Restraining Sect wasn't known only to him.
He felt an increasing sense of urgency. How could he allow others to covet such an opportunity?
Feeling the growing murderous intent from Song Yu, Gu Xian'er's expression remained unchanged, and she didn't respond.
She knew that even if she explained that she had just gone out for a walk at night and accidentally stumbled upon Song Yu and his uncle's plans, he wouldn't believe her.
"So you admit it." Song Yu's murderous aura intensified, his eyes cold, as if looking at a dead man.
Whether it was the matter of the Heaven-Restraining Sect or his own origins, he couldn't allow others to know.
"Even if I explain, you probably won't believe me, so I won't bother. But I am indeed very interested in the Heaven-Restraining Sect." Gu Xian'er still smiled calmly, her teeth gleaming, her beauty pure and radiant.
"You're quite bold. Are you hoping that mad old woman will save you? I came here tonight precisely because I knew she wasn't around."
Song Yu's eyes were icy, completely unable to understand Gu Xian'er's composure and confidence at this moment.
Did she think she could escape?
Even without considering his own strength, the uncle beside him was a genuine Ancestral Dao Realm existence, a top-tier figure who looked down upon the vast expanse.
In the entire Crescent Moon Sect, few could match him.
Hearing this, Gu Xian'er finally stopped smiling and looked at Song Yu seriously. "Are you sure you want to attack me?"
Her tone was unusually calm now, devoid of the earlier playful demeanor.
Uncle Lan, who had been frowning throughout this exchange, suddenly felt a sense of unease.
She was too calm, too composed. It was almost unbelievable.
This girl in white had shown no signs of panic or fear from the beginning to the end. Even in such a dangerous situation, she had maintained a faint smile.
But the moment her smile disappeared, he, an Ancestral Dao Realm expert, felt an unprecedented sense of unease and danger.
It was as if behind this girl stood some indescribable, unimaginable existence, its gaze watching him from across an unfathomable distance.
"If you want to die, I'll grant your wish." Song Yu's voice was icy. This was the first time he had encountered someone so unafraid of death.
Especially in such a situation, Gu Xian'er's dismissive attitude made him burn with anger.
"You'll regret your actions today." Gu Xian'er's eyes swept over Song Yu with a casual glance.
Seeing Song Yu's murderous intent boiling over, with terrifying energy swirling in his palm and ancient Dao runes condensing into a storm-like light, ready to strike, Uncle Lan's expression changed slightly. He stopped Song Yu and said, "Young Master, you mustn't…"
"Uncle Lan…" Song Yu paused, looking at him in confusion.
Uncle Lan didn't explain but instead turned to Gu Xian'er and said, "Miss Xian'er, my Young Master means no harm. He's just worried that if this matter is exposed, it will bring him trouble. Opportunities are determined by fate, and each person obtains them through their own means. The Young Master has no intention of making an enemy of you."
"If this matter escalates, Miss Xian'er might find it difficult to stay in the Crescent Moon Sect. How about this: you and the Young Master stay out of each other's way. The Young Master won't reveal your secrets, and we hope you can be magnanimous and keep the Young Master's secrets as well."
Hearing this, Gu Xian'er glanced at him, seemingly considering his words.
Meanwhile, Song Yu seemed to suddenly understand something. He restrained his aura and murderous intent, falling silent.
"I can keep his secrets. I don't like being disturbed, and I can pretend I never heard about your plans." Gu Xian'er seemed to think for a moment before replying.
Uncle Lan cupped his hands slightly and said, "Thank you, Miss Xian'er."
Gu Xian'er nodded slightly and turned to leave, showing no concern that Song Yu and Uncle Lan might suddenly attack her.
"May I ask, where do you come from, Miss Xian'er?"
As Gu Xian'er's figure was about to disappear into the night, Uncle Lan hesitated for a moment before asking.
Gu Xian'er paused for a moment, then lightly uttered three words: "Heaven-Slaying Alliance."
The Heaven-Slaying Alliance of the Dao Prosperity True World could also be considered part of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, right?
After leaving the ruins and seeing that Song Yu and Uncle Lan hadn't pursued her, Gu Xian'er finally let out a long breath. The calm and composure she had maintained earlier completely vanished, replaced by a look of nervousness and fear.
A night breeze blew, and she felt a chill run down her back. She had been sweating profusely earlier, holding herself together with sheer willpower.
She had only been trying to bluff and scare Song Yu and Uncle Lan, but it had actually worked.
Of course, she had also been buying time, hoping that the white-robed woman in her cave dwelling would notice and come to her aid.
Although the white-robed woman hadn't fully recovered, her peak strength was formidable. She might be able to intimidate the two.
"Still, the reputation of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance is quite useful. It scared both of them."
"That Uncle Lan must have survived several Heavenly Decline Tribulations. As expected, the longer people live, the more they fear death."
After returning to her cave dwelling, Gu Xian'er didn't tell the big red bird or the white-robed woman about what had happened that night.
She needed to carefully think through the matter of the Heaven-Restraining Sect.
Moreover, upon reflection, she felt a strange sense of unease. Uncle Lan's sudden change in attitude seemed almost like fear or dread.
Thinking this, Gu Xian'er took out the only pendant she had—a flawless white jade pendant without any impurities or patterns.
This was the pendant that Gu Changge had always worn.
"Are you secretly protecting me, Gu Changge?" She played with the pendant, her thoughts gradually drifting away.
Meanwhile, in the broken ruins, Song Yu's expression shifted between dark and light, his face a mix of emotions.
"Uncle Lan, you couldn't even handle her?" he asked, still filled with resentment and confusion. It was too humiliating.
He knew Uncle Lan wouldn't have spoken like that without reason.
But how could an Ancestral Dao Realm expert be so wary of a girl who hadn't even reached the Dao Realm?
Did she really have such a powerful backing?
"That girl has a terrifying existence standing behind her. If I had dared to attack her, neither of us would have survived tonight."
After a long silence, Uncle Lan finally spoke, his face bitter.
"How is that possible?" Song Yu's eyes widened, his face dark with disbelief.
"She's from the Heaven-Slaying Alliance? No wonder." Uncle Lan sighed, understanding Song Yu's resentment and frustration. He advised,
"Young Master, for now, don't have any contact with her. Let's treat tonight's events as if they never happened. We must prioritize the bigger picture."