Chapter 829: Stealing a Lotus

The first sensation Zhao Changhe felt was the surging waves of spirit qi washing over his body as they passed through the heavenly gate. The spirit qi instantly tempered his physique and boosted his strength dramatically. It was as if divine energy had poured directly into his very core.

This must be the fortune that the Sea Emperor was talking about...

With all the recent gains, combined with Piaomiao’s earlier guidance, Zhao Changhe wondered how long it would take to reach the peak of the second layer of the Profound Control Realm. Quickly sensing his progress, he realized it might not be that far off...

The Sea Emperor’s attempt to stop them now seemed understandable. He must have clearly sensed that Zhao Changhe’s cultivation was not far below his own. After passing through the heavenly gate, Zhao Changhe would likely stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him. Stopping him before that point naturally seemed prudent. Unfortunately, he had not counted on the famously detached and indifferent Piaomiao acting with such domineering decisiveness, completely unconcerned about antagonizing the Sea Tribe.

“Where is this...?” Zhao Changhe glanced around cautiously. Dense, swirling spirit qi obscured distant peaks, making it difficult to recognize clearly, though there was a vague sense of familiarity. “Wait... This looks like that secret realm we visited before? The spirit qi is so dense, it distorts the surroundings.”

Piaomiao explained, “This is the Eternal Blue Sky. The energy of mortals’ faith in heavenly gods first flows through here. Beyond the heavenly gate lies what is most directly perceived as the Eternal Blue Sky. It is not exclusive to the Grasslands.”

No wonder it felt familiar; was this not the place where he and Lady Three had spent a rather intimate moment?

Clearly, the heavenly realm was generally brimming with concentrated spirit qi, making cultivation vastly more efficient here than in the mortal realm. But there was no need to be greedy about training specifically here. There were plenty of fragments of the heavenly realm, and places like this were abundant.

“Let’s go,” Piaomiao said, swiftly pulling him forward. “Ascending from the mortal realm inevitably caused quite a stir at the gate. It’s best not to attract too much attention. Unnecessarily provoking various gods and demons will only complicate matters.”

“Is no one guarding the gate?”

“Recently, everyone in the heavenly realm has been busy preparing themselves for what’s coming. Who would spare time to guard gates now? Come.”

Just moments after their departure, a muscular man appeared at the gate, scrutinizing the area suspiciously. “A powerful presence just passed through here... Who would choose this moment to ascend?”

Shadows flickered around him, and a voice spoke softly, “You’ve hidden well recently, Tngri. I couldn’t find you anywhere. Why are you patrolling openly today?”

Zhao Changhe, who had already departed, suddenly paused. “Dark Oblivion and Tngri? Those two shouldn’t have anything to do with each other. How’d they end up talking here? It’s not illegal to eavesdrop, right?”

Piaomiao stared in surprise. “Why is your perception as extensive as mine, surpassing even Tngri’s?”

“It’s a little trick involving wind control. Give me a moment.”

Meanwhile, Tngri sneered coldly. “Dark Oblivion, you’re nothing more than a dog under Jiuyou’s command. What right do you have to speak to me in such a tone?”

Dark Oblivion replied indifferently, “I approach you on my own terms.”

“What terms could you possibly offer, given your pitiful cultivation? What do you think someone at the first layer of Profound Control can do that I can’t?”

“Well, I’ve been looking for the Mirror of Illusion and Reality for Jiuyou, and I’ve recently found some clues. I’m willing to trade this information with you.”

“And what do you gain from this?”

“I control the shadows, and I embody certain laws under Jiuyou’s command, just like the Night Emperor’s Four Idols. However, the Four Idols vastly overpower me. How could I be satisfied with this situation?”

“You suspect Jiuyou is siphoning your power?”

“It isn’t suspicion, it’s a fact. Ye Jiuyou is cold-hearted. We’re all mere tools to her.” Dark Oblivion laughed bitterly. “She wouldn’t bat an eye even if we were annihilated entirely. Why would she hesitate to strip our power? To her, it was always hers to begin with.”

“So you plan to betray her?”

“Betrayal? Why can’t I represent all that she stands for?” Dark Oblivion scoffed coldly. “Anyway, enough useless talk. Are we cooperating or not?”

“I have one more question.”

“Speak.”

“If you wish to replace Ye Jiuyou, why approach me instead of the Night Emperor, her actual enemy?”

Finally, Dark Oblivion revealed a hint of embarrassment. “I went to the Night Emperor. She only replied with one sentence... ‘Replace Jiuyou? You’re not worthy.’”

Tngri remained silent for a long moment before finally responding, “How do you propose cooperating?”

“No one truly knows if the Mirror of Illusion and Reality even exists. I’ve misled Jiuyou into believing Papiyas holds it, though what Papiyas actually possesses is the Soul-Capturing Mirror. Of course, Jiuyou is too powerful; the Soul-Capturing Mirror won’t harm her immediately. But when the heavens collapse, long-term slumber could create vulnerabilities. I’ll act then.”

“You’ve planned so far as beyond the heavens’ collapse?” Tngri nearly laughed. “First, try surviving the collapse of the heavens yourself.”

“That’s precisely why I approached you,” Dark Oblivion explained. “As the god of the Eternal Blue Sky, you have profound knowledge of reincarnation. If you aid me in splitting my soul and reincarnating into a human, I’ll provide you with authentic clues about the Mirror of Illusion and Reality.”

“Why reincarnate as a human? And why split your soul?”

“This era belongs to the gods and demons. If there is a next era, it will likely belong to humans. I’m uncertain, thus preparing two paths. A soul fragment of mine shall reincarnate while my main body conceals itself where humanity’s qi veins are most concentrated. I will do everything possible, then leave the rest to fate.”

Tngri nodded thoughtfully. “That I can indeed assist you with. Now, reveal your clue.”

“The Mirror of Illusion and Reality might not exist yet, but if someone of Jiuyou’s power and status is seeking it so fervently, there must be a grain of truth. Once the heavens collapse, the laws of illusion and reality will scatter, possibly condensing into a mirror or perhaps something else entirely. If you follow my instructions, whatever emerges will inevitably fall into your grasp.”

Zhao Changhe stroked his chin thoughtfully, intrigued by what he just overheard.

Previously, he had thought Dark Oblivion to be little more than a minor character, someone eventually absorbed by Snow Owl. Yet from the current perspective, he seemed far from insignificant. Dark Oblivion’s schemes aligned suspiciously well with what Zhao Changhe knew from the future: Tngri indeed acquired the page of illusion and reality, and Dark Oblivion, hidden rather than destroyed, resurfaced precisely in Xia Longyuan’s capital, which was the center of humanity’s qi veins. Later, Dark Oblivion continued to collaborate closely with Tngri, causing Xia Longyuan considerable anxiety and restricting his movements.

Shadows permeated every corner of the mortal realm; Dark Oblivion undoubtedly had access to the most accurate intelligence. Perhaps he had long known Azure Dragon’s plans to relocate Beimang, thus choosing that exact place to lie dormant.

Yet with such meticulous plotting that extended even into the next era, being casually absorbed by Snow Owl felt suspiciously incongruous. A more plausible scenario was that Snow Owl had always been his reincarnated soul fragment, and his absorption was merely an intentional fusion of his divided selves.

That would be much more in line with what would come out of a cooperation between Dark Oblivion and Papiyas... So he had scattered his soul everywhere to nurture countless fish, largely operating as assassins that befitted his shadowy nature.

Such meticulous plotting would make much more sense if it were done by Jiuyou herself. It turns out that Dark Oblivion actually had ambitions to take her place. However, ambition without power ultimately amounts to clownish scheming. Jiuyou probably wasn’t entirely unaware of his plans; perhaps she merely considered him beneath her notice.

Could Jiuyou’s arrogance and indifference eventually lead to trouble?

Piaomiao flew alongside Zhao Changhe for a while. Seeing him deeply engrossed in thought, she finally asked, “Are you worried about Ye Jiuyou?”

“Hm? Oh...” Zhao Changhe snapped back to reality and shook his head. “Considering the gap between their strengths, there’s nothing to worry about. Plus, now that we know, we can always remind Jiuyou later, making it even less of an issue.”

“Then what is it that seems to be troubling you?”

“I’m just wondering whether Jiuyou’s recent personality shift has anything to do with Dark Oblivion. Is it possible that he might have extracted some of her darker traits, leaving her somewhat brighter?”

Piaomiao retorted irritably, “Jiuyou embodies not just darkness but chaos itself. A god of chaos exhibiting unpredictable behavior is hardly surprising.”

Zhao Changhe glanced at her with amusement. “Your tone... Are you jealous?”

“Piss off!” Piaomiao snapped, turning away from him and accelerating abruptly. “I wouldn’t feel jealous over a lecher like you! Besides, we’re currently engaged in something important. Stop being distracted.”

Zhao Changhe lowered his gaze to their intertwined hands, a slight smile forming as he wisely kept silent.

* * *

It was night in the heavenly realm.

Ye Wuming was in her astronomical observatory, dressed in regal black robes, hands clasped behind her back, quietly gazing at the countless shimmering stars.

Beneath the observatory stretched a divine pool upon which a pure white lotus bloomed, radiating immense vitality. Its life force was unimaginably potent.

Behind her stood a woman in white who held a sheathed sword in one hand. “Congratulations on the completion of the lotus platform, Your Majesty. Your future is finally secure.”

If Zhao Changhe were present, he would immediately recognize that sword as Iceheart, which would later fall in Xia Chichi’s hands.

Ye Wuming commanded calmly, “Protect the lotus platform at all costs. No mistakes.”

“Understood.”

“Is there any news on White Tiger?”

“We remain unsuccessful in locating him.”

“Never mind.”

“But regarding his sudden madness—”

Ye Wuming quietly interrupted, “Shuanghua, tell me, there are suns, moons, and stars in both the mortal and heavenly realms. Which are real?”

“They’re both real, naturally.”

“Are they?” Ye Wuming murmured. “Then why did White Tiger lose his sanity? Why... have I?”

Shuanghua stared at her uncertainly. “Your Majesty?”

Ye Wuming turned slowly, revealing eyes Zhao Changhe had never clearly seen before—luminous, glittering like the stars themselves.

She glanced down at Iceheart and suddenly smiled softly. “Your sword is second only to the Frost Chi’s sword of cold, yet you harbor such deep feelings for Azure Dragon. Why is that?”

Shuanghua lowered her head in mild embarrassment. “Feelings can never truly be explained. Perhaps someday, Your Majesty might also meet someone who captures your heart.”

Ye Wuming sneered. “Someone who captures my heart? Such a person does not exist in this world. As for you, do you truly believe Azure Dragon is your destined love?”

Shuanghua fell silent, her gaze lowering.

“He has already betrayed me... and you as well,” Ye Wuming continued lightly, as though discussing trivialities. “His attempt to relocate Beimang has angered Piaomiao. Though Piaomiao’s emotions are usually mild and difficult to discern, even she couldn’t entirely hide her displeasure this time. She mocked him quite a bit before immersing herself in forging her swords. Since Azure Dragon has angered Piaomiao, he has lost the protection of the qi veins and will reap the consequences. I granted him excessive power, which has evidently gone to his head. But perhaps that’s for the better; this allows me to act without hesitation.”

Shuanghua anxiously interjected, “Your Majesty... He might not have truly betrayed you yet. We should at least give him a chance to explain. I’ve arranged a meeting with him...”

“Right now, no one can say whether tomorrow or the heaven’s collapse will arrive first... Tonight, you are to enter seclusion in the sword chamber where you made your appointment with him.” As she spoke, Ye Wuming handed over a golden foil. “So long as you have no death wish, this will keep you safe. And if Azure Dragon does come as promised, then he’ll live as well. But should he fail to appear, then Beimang will be his grave, and his grave shall be destined to be unearthed and desecrated.”

Shuanghua took the golden foil in hand. “This is... Why can’t I feel any power from it?”

“Don’t ask. Just go.”

“But Your Majesty...”

“Do you think I lack protective artifacts? Even without them, I won’t die. Enough, go. I have matters to attend to.”

“Yes.” Shuanghua bowed and departed.

Ye Wuming turned once more to the sky, her gaze lingering on the stars for a long while. Then she lowered her eyes to the lotus platform in the pond. Suddenly, she frowned. “Why is there a broken thread of karma... as if long-separated yet destined to reunite.... Is someone coming to steal it? Could it be Jiuyou?”

After a moment’s thought, she vanished without a trace.

Moments later, Piaomiao arrived at the Night Palace alone.

This was not something that could be done with the same brazenness as before. It had to be done in secret. Ye Wuming could not be allowed to realize someone had taken it and come knocking on the present-day Piaomiao’s door to demand it.

Piaomiao was familiar with Ye Wuming and had a general idea of the range of her divine sense. She concealed Zhao Changhe at a great distance and silently swept her divine sense across the Night Palace’s perimeter.

If Ye Wuming was present, her divine sense would certainly be detected. In that case, she would simply claim she had business with her and deflect with talk of sword forging. If Ye Wuming was not around, then the palace formations and guards alone would not be enough to stop Piaomiao; she could lay the whole place bare in an instant.

The scan showed that Ye Wuming truly was not there.

Piaomiao breathed a sigh of relief. With the upheavals of the heavens close at hand, Ye Wuming had much to do. It made sense that she would not be home during such time.

She beckoned with her hand, and Zhao Changhe quickly appeared beside her. Taking his hand, Piaomiao slipped with him across the palace wall, entering soundlessly through the weakest point in the palace’s defensive array. The rows of guards ahead did not even register their passing until the pair reached the core of the palace.

Countless barriers lined the way, and yet, to them, it was as though nothing was there.

Zhao Changhe: “...”

So long as Ye Wuming was not home, Piaomiao moved as if she was in the middle of a desert. Zhao Changhe’s presence was more of a liability than anything else; he had no confidence he could navigate the arrays and evade the guards the way Piaomiao did. It was insane.

What was even more insane was how familiar she was with the place. She had not even seen Ye Wuming’s lotus platform before, and yet she knew exactly where it would be if it existed at all.

Sure enough, they soon arrived at the astronomical observatory. A ring of guards and enchantments surrounded it. This time, they could not just bypass them outright.

Piaomiao flicked her fingers lightly, and all the guards collapsed into unconsciousness, falling where they stood.

They circled the star observation platform within the observatory and came upon a pool of crystalline water, its fragrance wafting through the air. In its center floated a lotus platform, resplendent and serene. But the entire pool was sealed with layers of restriction, and no one could approach it.

Piaomiao stretched out a hand. The lotus platform rose from the pool and flew straight into her arms.

At that very moment, a terrifying force erupted from nowhere, slamming toward Piaomiao’s flank. Ye Wuming’s familiar voice followed, “Leave it.”

By instinct, Zhao Changhe twisted and threw a punch to intercept it. “Go!”

The moment his body moved, he already knew he had messed up.

Did I just try to punch the blind woman?

Then, from behind, he felt Piaomiao press her hand against his back. And then, suddenly, Zhao Changhe felt a wild, overwhelming power surge into his body. His punch now possessed such force it could seemingly shatter stars.

Piaomiao had poured all her strength into him.

She can do that? This is on a whole other level from the formations I used with Hongling and Vermillion Bird... Is this the full might of the qi veins of the mountains and rivers channeled into the Human Emperor?

Boom!

The forces collided. In a temple far away, Zhao Changhe’s physical body involuntarily coughed up blood, his soul growing dim and faint.

And yet strangely, he did not feel the full brunt of Ye Wuming’s counterattack. It was as if, somehow, she had pulled her punch at the last moment.

But that slight delay was enough. Behind him, Piaomiao had already secured the lotus platform. In the next breath, both their souls vanished as Piaomiao carried out a divine descent.

Ye Wuming stood silently, gazing at the now-empty space where the lotus platform had been, her expression unreadable.

From behind, Shuanghua, who was supposed to be in seclusion, rushed over and asked, “Your Majesty, why didn’t you pursue?”

Ye Wuming smiled faintly. “Go back to your training. Why so many questions...”

“But... that lotus platform was Your Majesty’s contingency plan!”

Ye Wuming murmured, “It was a contingency plan indeed, but not for me. It was always meant for her... I just never expected it to happen this way. But who was that man, that soul beside her? Clearly, karma and time are too abstruse. I have glimpsed only a sliver of their vastness. It’s far from enough to be able to see everything clearly.”