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Chapter 274 - Chapter 1374 Where in the Vast World Can One Flee? The Runaway Princess

The Weiyang Palace was vast and expansive, filled with surging mist and chaotic energy.

The Weiyang Emperor, dressed in simple green robes and without his crown, sat behind a desk made of World Stone, reviewing memorials, his brows occasionally furrowing.

When Elder Xingying approached the palace, he had already noticed her presence but did not rise to greet her.

Ye Wudao was left outside the Weiyang Palace by Elder Xingying.

She entered alone, as the surroundings of the Weiyang Palace were devoid of guards, appearing empty and quiet.

With the Weiyang Emperor's cultivation and strength, he needed no guards for protection.

"Jiang Yun, you seem quite at ease, still able to focus on reviewing memorials at a time like this."

Elder Xingying entered the hall and glanced at Jiang Yun indifferently, showing none of the reverence others might have for the Weiyang Emperor. Her demeanor was cold, suggesting a familiarity between the two.

Jiang Yun continued reading the memorial in his hand, not even lifting his eyes as he said, "Senior Sister Xingying, what brings you here?"

"It seems you're not very welcoming."

Elder Xingying's expression remained cold, with a hint of suppressed anger in her brow.

After such an event, Jiang Yun still seemed completely unaware, not anticipating any consequences.

"If there's something, Senior Sister, it's best to speak directly. I have many matters to attend to," Jiang Yun replied indifferently, his tone equally cold.

He made no effort to hide his disdain and coldness toward Elder Xingying.

Elder Xingying snorted coldly, walked over, and placed the sandalwood box directly in front of Jiang Yun.

"This is a great gift from our master. Open your eyes wide and see what's inside," she said coldly, her silver-white eyes filled with icy fury.

Hearing this, Jiang Yun felt a sudden sense of foreboding.

Frowning, he looked at the sandalwood box before him. A strong scent of blood emanated from its seams, accompanied by a familiar aura.

In the next moment, his expression changed drastically. He stood up abruptly from behind the desk, his eyes turning icy cold, filled with killing intent and disbelief.

"This is…"

Even someone as powerful as Jiang Yun trembled slightly, as if unable to believe what he was seeing.

His hand beneath his robe clenched tightly, the sound of bones cracking audible.

Elder Xingying did not wait for him to open the box himself. With a flick of her sleeve, the lid flew off.

A bloody, wide-eyed head lay within.

The head had a thick beard, and the hair was coiled into a spiral bun. It was none other than Xingsha, who had recently exchanged letters with him and shared a hearty meal in the Weiyang Palace.

Jiang Yun looked at the wide-open, unseeing eyes of Xingsha, his face filled with grief, his body trembling.

If he hadn't steadied himself against the desk, he might have collapsed.

"Senior Brother Xingsha…" His voice was filled with profound sorrow and anger.

Outside the Weiyang Palace, the vast starry sky and boundless universe trembled.

Countless stars shook as if caught in a raging sea, threatening to fall.

The dark, deep sky became transparent, with massive blood-red lightning bolts, as thick as stars, streaking across and striking down like divine punishment.

The terrifying scene filled countless cultivators and beings with dread, unsure of what was happening, and they knelt in fear, kowtowing toward the source.

Jiang Yun was overwhelmed with grief and regret.

He never imagined that Xingsha, who had shared laughter and hearty meals with him just a short time ago, would now be in such a state.

"You killed Senior Brother Xingsha. If you hadn't stubbornly tested our master's resolve, how could he have met such a tragic end?"

"This is all your fault. You must pay with your life for Senior Brother Xingsha."

Elder Xingying's eyes were filled with icy coldness, her voice thick with hatred.

If she hadn't known she was no match for Jiang Yun, she might have attacked him then and there to avenge Xingsha.

Unlike her hostile and cold relationship with Jiang Yun, she had been very close to Xingsha, like siblings.

They had trained together in the Yinxu Cave, their bond as strong as brother and sister.

When she was weak, Xingsha had cared for her like an older brother, helping her, supporting her, and even standing up to those who bullied her. He had found her cultivation resources, enabling her to reach her current level.

Although they had later parted ways, with Xingsha being sent by the Master of Yinxu Cave to guard the Quicksand Domain and forbidden to leave, she would still visit him from time to time, bringing him his favorite foods.

But this time, she never expected that her next visit to Xingsha would be with a sandalwood box from the Master of Yinxu Cave.

Inside the box was a blank sheet of paper.

When opened, the paper transformed into a sword, its blade like a river of stars, shooting into the sky and decapitating Xingsha in an instant.

Now, that blood-stained paper lay quietly at the bottom of the sandalwood box.

Elder Xingying did not know what Xingsha had done to deserve death from the Master of Yinxu Cave.

But she knew that since the master had asked her to deliver this "gift" to Jiang Yun, it meant Xingsha had died because of him.

"I have wronged Senior Brother Xingsha, betrayed his kindness, and caused his death," Jiang Yun said woodenly, his eyes filled with pain and guilt.

He understood that this was the Master of Yinxu Cave's threat and warning.

Previously, Xingsha had brought a decree from the master, but Jiang Yun had ignored it.

Before leaving, Xingsha had hesitated for a long time and specifically reminded him about his daughter, Jiang Weiyang.

Jiang Weiyang was his Achilles' heel, and Jiang Yun would never allow her to be in danger.

At the same time, after much deliberation, he had decided to test the Master of Yinxu Cave's resolve.

This had led to the subsequent events of him choosing a husband for his daughter.

After all, choosing a husband was a significant matter, not only involving the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty but also other civilizations and powers in the Vast Expanse.

The Master of Yinxu Cave had always remained behind the scenes, avoiding involvement in worldly affairs and not wanting to be entangled in karma.

Jiang Yun even suspected that the master had some terrifying enemies.

He hid in the Ethereal Land Beyond the Worlds, concealing his aura and karma, shielding himself from the laws of heaven, fearing that his old enemies might trace his karma and come for him.

Thus, Jiang Yun had used his daughter, Jiang Weiyang, as bait to test the Master of Yinxu Cave's resolve, to see if he would dare to step into the world.

The Master of Yinxu Cave was playing a vast game, spanning countless epochs and civilizations.

Even Jiang Yun was merely a pawn in this game.

Jiang Yun was unwilling to be a puppet, manipulated at will, and he refused to let his wife and daughter be threatened or endangered.

But he had severely underestimated the Master of Yinxu Cave's determination.

The arrival of the Black Calamity seemed to have stirred the master's desire to step into the world.

This desire could not be shaken by anyone.

By executing Xingsha, who had delivered the message to Jiang Yun, the master was sending a clear threat and warning.

Defy him, and this would be the result.

Jiang Yun felt a deep chill and sorrow, along with an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

At this moment, he no longer resembled the emperor who had dominated the myriad worlds, revered by all, but rather a weak, despairing, and numb puppet.

"If I had agreed to that request deep in the realms of time and space, to fall into darkness, would the outcome be the same now?"

A trace of melancholy and confusion flashed in Jiang Yun's eyes.

In the sandalwood box before him, Xingsha's eyes remained wide open, unable to close even in death, never understanding why he had to die.

Elder Xingying looked at Jiang Yun, her expression still cold but unable to hide the sorrow and pain of shared loss.

Today it was Xingsha, but who would it be tomorrow? Would it be her?

Back in the Immortal Chu Dynasty, her junior brother, the White-Browed Star Lord, had been abandoned once he lost his value, left to be captured and imprisoned by the Xiyuan Sacred Hall.

Would she, too, be discarded one day?

Suddenly, Elder Xingying felt a deep sense of disillusionment.

She took out the blood-stained paper from the bottom of the sandalwood box, then cradled the box and left in a flash of light.

Outside the Weiyang Palace, Ye Wudao had been waiting for her, but Elder Xingying, as she left, did not even glance at him, quickly disappearing into the distance.

"What does this mean?"

"Could it be that the Weiyang Emperor is also connected to the Yinxu Cave?"

Ye Wudao frowned, puzzled.

"Hah, what a Master of Yinxu Cave, what a Master of Fate. First, he captures my wife, and now he uses my daughter to threaten me…"

Inside the hall, Jiang Yun looked at the words gradually appearing on the blood-stained paper and laughed bitterly, his face pale and grim.

Streaks of black mist flashed across his face before he quickly suppressed them.

The message on the paper was simple: the Master of Yinxu Cave admired Ye Wudao.

He had guided him for a time, believing him to be a promising talent who would achieve great things in the future.

Since Jiang Yun's daughter, Jiang Weiyang, was considering marriage, why not let him play matchmaker and bring the two together? A perfect match, both talented and beautiful.

Reading these words, Jiang Yun could easily imagine the Master of Yinxu Cave's calm, indifferent demeanor.

The entire world, all its races and beings, seemed to be nothing more than his chess pieces.

Jiang Yun's expression darkened to the extreme as he crumpled the blood-stained paper into dust.

In the past, the Master of Yinxu Cave might have feigned courtesy, but now he didn't even bother to hide his intentions.

Outside the Weiyang Palace, Ye Wudao continued to wait. Having learned that the Weiyang Emperor, Jiang Yun, was also connected to the Yinxu Cave, he felt completely at ease.

He didn't know what had transpired between the Weiyang Emperor and Elder Xingying, but he wasn't in a hurry.

After a long while, a sigh came from within the Weiyang Palace, followed by a deep, authoritative voice.

"Enter."

Hearing this, Ye Wudao stood up and walked in.

Inside the hall, the Weiyang Emperor, Jiang Yun, sat behind a curtain, surrounded by chaotic energy, his figure hazy.

His deep, vast eyes seemed to be scrutinizing Ye Wudao, as if trying to see through him.

This was Ye Wudao's first time meeting the renowned emperor.

However, he showed no panic, remaining calm and composed as he bowed respectfully.

"Truly, a tiger father does not beget a dog son. The ruler of Nanzhao has often spoken of you in my presence."

"Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation as a young hero and a supreme talent."

Jiang Yun's calm voice continued, "I intend to marry my daughter, Jiang Weiyang, to you. What do you think?"

What?

Ye Wudao was stunned, almost unable to process the Weiyang Emperor's words. Then, surprise and delight spread across his face.

"If Your Majesty is willing to bestow Princess Weiyang upon me, I swear on my Dao heart that I will never mistreat her or let her suffer any grievances. If I gain nine parts of the world, I will give her ten."

He spoke with great confidence, his aura soaring.

It was impossible for him not to be moved by a beauty like Jiang Weiyang.

He never expected that upon meeting the Weiyang Emperor, he would directly propose marrying his daughter to him.

Was this the "good thing" Elder Xingying had mentioned?

Jiang Yun showed no reaction to Ye Wudao's words, simply nodding. "With this mindset, I am reassured. If you dare to let her suffer even the slightest grievance after I entrust her to you, even if your father intervenes, I will not spare you."

After saying this, he waved his sleeve, sending Ye Wudao out of the Weiyang Palace.

Ye Wudao, who had wanted to say more, was left speechless, his face filled with joy and unexpected delight.

In the distance, a tall, slender figure walked gracefully along the white jade steps.

She was beautiful, dressed in a moon-white, flowing gown that accentuated her graceful curves. Her hair was styled elegantly, adorned with a phoenix hairpin. Her porcelain-like face bore a calm, serene expression, exuding an air of unparalleled elegance.

"Princess Weiyang, we meet again."

Ye Wudao smiled and stepped forward to greet her.

Jiang Weiyang was slightly startled, surprised to hear his voice and see him here.

However, she paid him no mind, preoccupied with her thoughts, and merely nodded. "Young Master Ye…"

Then she walked past him without another word.

Ye Wudao was not angered, still smiling, savoring the lingering fragrance in the air, as fresh as snow on flowering trees.

"The treasure of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, you belong to me now," he chuckled, quickly leaving to await the Weiyang Emperor's announcement.

As Jiang Weiyang approached the Weiyang Palace, she did not wait for Jiang Yun's permission before pushing the door open, her long skirt trailing across the cold, jade-paved floor.

She was in a hurry, her steps quick, not even bothering to lift her skirt.

Jiang Yun, as if anticipating her arrival, stood in the center of the hall with his hands behind his back, waiting for her.

"Father…"

Jiang Weiyang stepped forward, about to voice all her doubts and worries.

But Jiang Yun raised his hand to stop her, saying,

"I have arranged a marriage for you. This is a brocade pouch I prepared for you in advance. Keep it safe."

As he spoke, a small, ancient, and exquisite black brocade pouch appeared in his hand.

Jiang Weiyang was stunned, not understanding her father's meaning.

"Tomorrow, I will announce to the world your marriage to the Ninth Prince of the Nanzhao Ancient Kingdom, Ye Wudao," Jiang Yun said calmly, though his eyes betrayed pain and helplessness.

Jiang Weiyang was confused, her beautiful eyes widening, but she could not see her father's expression at that moment.

"Since it is Father's arrangement, I will naturally agree and will not complain…"

She thought of the words of the Divine Martial General, Zhu Cangning, and her expression dimmed as she lowered her head, speaking softly.

Jiang Yun, seeing her obedient demeanor, felt a pang of heartache. "I am telling you this not to make you marry Ye Wudao, but to buy you time."

Jiang Weiyang was stunned once more, then suddenly realized.

"Father, are you asking me to flee the marriage and leave the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty?"

She quickly shook her head like a rattle-drum. "I will not leave the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty. At a time like this, how can I leave and live alone?"

"No matter what crisis we face, I will stand with you, Father, and face it together."

Jiang Yun shook his head, speaking calmly, "The Weiyang Immortal Dynasty is now caught in a terrifying, invisible whirlpool. Anyone can stay, but you cannot. I have encountered a formidable enemy, and only by having you leave can I focus on dealing with him."

"There's something I've never told you. Your mother is not dead. She has always been alive. When you return to the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, I will reunite you with her."

Jiang Weiyang was completely stunned, unable to believe her ears.

Her mother was still alive? Hadn't she died of illness shortly after giving birth to her?

"I understand, Father, but in this vast Vast Expanse, where can I flee? If even you find this enemy terrifying, can I truly escape?"

Jiang Weiyang was not stubborn or inflexible.

She understood that staying in the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty might only cause trouble for Jiang Yun, tying his hands.

"I do not know where is safe, but remember this: stay far from the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, far from the Alliance of Righteous Unity, and go to a place he cannot see or reach…"

Jiang Yun's gaze was profound, his voice heavy.

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