Under the cover of night, Shu Yan sat cross-legged alone atop the pavilion. The moonlight poured down, making Shu Yan appear even more handsome and dashing. If young girls experiencing their first crush saw him like this, they might become like Xu Jiujiu...
Gently exhaling a breath of stale air, Shu Yan slowly opened his eyes. After being tested by Di Tian's pressure yesterday, several blocked acupoints within his body were directly cleared, and his spirit power also increased by a portion. It was now close to level fifty-six, and in a few more days, he could prepare for a breakthrough.
Suddenly, Shu Yan's expression paused slightly, and then he softly said, "Yi, casually prying into others' memories isn't polite behavior."
In the Sea of Spirit, the gray bead residing on the Living Gold blade trembled slightly. Then, an ancient voice suddenly sounded, "Heh heh..."
"This old man was presumptuous, but you, little fellow, are quite extraordinary. Your perception is unexpectedly sharp..."
Shu Yan chuckled lightly, not particularly bothered, and just casually asked, "Yi, what did you see? Can you tell me?"
Iliex's voice was silent for a moment before it continued to sound, "Little fellow, this old man didn't intend to pry into your privacy. It was just that when I just woke up, I happened to see a few fragments. There's a layer of impenetrable mist over your memories. I can't see clearly, nor can I delve deeper, but judging only from those fragments, you should be the same as this old man..."
Shu Yan didn't deny it, merely saying softly, "Perhaps. I and myself have been the same person from beginning to end, just living a different way."
Iliex smiled. His ancient voice carried a hint of gentleness as it then sounded in Shu Yan's Sea of Spirit.
"Previously, you created such terrifying negative energy and spiritual power fluctuations in that great forest. This wisp of my shattered divine sense was precisely attracted by this, and later attracted by the Living Gold in your Sea of Spirit.
Thus, relying on intuition, I entered your Sea of Spirit. From now on, this old man probably won't be able to leave your Sea of Spirit, but you don't need to worry. I have no ill intentions toward you.
In fact, I can give you many unexpected help and surprises in many areas. As a token of sincerity, after I recover slightly, I'll help you clear the remaining evil thoughts and curses within this piece of Living Gold..."
Shu Yan nodded, not refusing Iliex's goodwill. The remaining evil thoughts and curses in the Living Gold were always a trouble. Solving them in advance was also a good thing, so there was naturally no need to refuse.
After a moment of silence, Iliex continued:
"Little fellow, my memory isn't complete. Thanks to the existence of the Living Gold, I was able to wake up and recover some memories in such a short time, but I still forgot many things and need time to slowly repair to recover all memories.
When you released those negative energies, I felt a sense of familiarity in my heart, but I don't know where to start. However, give me some time; remembering these things is only a matter of time. In the future, if you have any questions, you can wake me up at any time. I'm very willing to lend you a hand..."
Shu Yan gently hummed in acknowledgment, saying softly, "That would be best. Yi has just woken up, so it's better to continue using the Living Gold to repair your soul and recover your memories. In a short time, there shouldn't be anything that requires Yi's trouble."
Iliex chuckled twice, his voice gradually fading until it finally returned to a state of silence.
Shu Yan looked up at the starry river filling the sky, no longer concealing the smile at the corner of his mouth. The future—everything was still developing in a good direction. This was a good thing.
Meeting the Emperor
Since he had left Star Luo City a few days ago and caused such a big commotion in the Star Dou Great Forest, Shu Yan naturally had to thoroughly explain the details of the matter from beginning to end to everyone.
At the same time, he also had to meet his future brother-in-law again. This kind of thing could be delayed, but it was definitely unavoidable. Shu Yan was quite helpless about this.
Perhaps because of the recent busy government affairs, Xu Jiawei's chosen location this time wasn't in the side hall specifically used to receive guests last time, but was arranged in the main hall.
In the magnificent and bright great hall, jade was carved into corridors. On each side were four huge redwood floor-to-ceiling windows. The warm sunlight shone in, giving the entire hall a sense of imposing solemnity.
A desk was placed on the high platform, and behind it was a full wall carved with a Star Crown pattern made of special ore. Xu Jiawei sat upright before the desk. Noticing the movement below, he slightly raised his eyes and then said, "A'Yan is here. Don't be polite; find a place to sit."
Shu Yan raised his eyebrows, not being polite at all. He directly found a chair covered with soft fur and sat down.
Xu Jiawei's pen didn't stop. Memorials were casually piled up beside him, and at the same time, he spoke gently:
"A few days ago, you took Jiu Jiu and those two to the Star Dou Great Forest. What exactly did you do? Can you tell me?"
Shu Yan thought for a moment, then said, "We went for a great opportunity, and the result was very satisfactory. It's just that there was a slight accident before we left."
Xu Jiawei's pen paused slightly, then he slightly raised his eyes and said, "What accident?"
Shu Yan looked into Xu Jiawei's eyes, then said:
"Before leaving, perhaps because the commotion we caused was too great, or perhaps because of the aura of the Ice and Snow Two Emperors, the Beast God Di Tian personally came to the periphery of the Star Dou Great Forest. However, he didn't make things difficult for us. He only showed himself for a moment before returning to the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest."
The grip on Xu Jiawei's pen suddenly tightened considerably, but upon hearing Shu Yan's subsequent words, he slowly relaxed.
"Regardless, don't take risks lightly in the future. You are the future of the Empire. I don't want you to encounter any life-threatening problems. Be careful in everything. Never absolutely trust others, and often times, even yourself is not absolutely the most trustworthy."
Shu Yan nodded, then heard Xu Jiawei continue to ask, "Are those two doing well?"
Shu Yan's gaze shifted slightly. He thought for a moment before saying, "Very well. Imperial Brother, rest assured. Both they and I have made great vows, so there will be no mistakes."
Xu Jiawei sighed lightly, put down his pen, and rubbed his brow. Then he said, "Are you thinking that I'm being too cautious?"
Upon hearing this, Shu Yan shook his head, then said:
"No. If I were you, I would probably be even more worried and concerned than you. It's difficult for opposing races to establish trust, especially when the strength of both sides is unequal. Star Luo City isn't a small frontier town; its significance to the entire Empire and even the entire Douluo Continent is extraordinary. The higher one's position and power, the more things one needs to consider. This is unavoidable and can only be adapted to over time."