Chapter 42 Part 1

“You say, did Ying Wugui’s voyage to sea have anything to do with the Taiyi Sect Master?” Rong Yin seized that fleeting thought like a flash of lightning and voiced it aloud. She felt it somewhat absurd. But those tens of thousands of seeds—perhaps it wasn’t impossible for Ying Wugui to establish ties with Taiyi. Before Ying Wugui had achieved the Cave Heaven Realm, how had those rebels in the East Sea survived the Empire’s encirclement and suppression?

“Even if there was a connection, what could we do about it?” Liang Daoqi lifted her gaze to Rong Yin, her calm expression masking impatience and resentment. They were also part of the Immortal Dao Seven Sects, yet after the Empire Lord’s fall, those other sects no longer regarded them highly. The matter of the Nation-Securing Chart was the Empire’s own fault, but hadn’t they paid enough for it already? How long did they have to keep atoning?

“I’ve received word that Rong Luo disguised herself and entered the Shanyue True Form Chart. Did you know about this?” Liang Daoqi stared at Rong Yin and asked again.

Though the matter of the Human Emperor Dao successor had yet to be decided, she knew Rong Yin had always favored Third Imperial Daughter Rong Man. Rong Luo’s cultivation in the prince’s mansion was one thing, but entering the Shanyue Nation-Securing Chart where life and death were disregarded in the competition—was survival even guaranteed? Everyone had a Guiding Talisman Edict, but whether one could use it effectively was another matter entirely.

Before Rong Yin could respond, Liang Daoqi added flatly, “Most of the Liang clan disciples who entered the Shanyue True Form Chart have perished.” The most suspicious wasn’t Feng Qing; rather than attributing it to retaliation from the Wind Moon Heartless Sect, she preferred to believe it was Empire cultivators stirring internal strife because of Rong Luo.

“What?” Rong Yin looked stunned. She rubbed her forehead, recalling the numerous hardships since the collapse of the Nation-Securing Chart. If she hadn’t become Grand Prime Minister and had simply remained an ordinary cultivator in quiet cultivation among the imperial clan, would life have been easier? She was tired of all those troubles and headaches—which other Cave Heaven True Person in the Nine Provinces endured like her?

“What was the point of barging into the Shanyue True Form Chart out of nowhere?” Rong Yin gnashed her teeth.

She naturally favored Rong Man more, after all—she had always followed the rules, and her associates were all from prestigious orthodox sects. But Rong Luo was different; she seemed to have dealings with the East Sea side, and Rong Ji’s death might have been her doing from the shadows. Even so, she didn’t wish for Rong Luo to die. What if Rong Man never gained the Emperor Sword’s recognition? Would they have to wait another generation?

“No matter what, I should head to the Shanyue True Form Chart myself,” Liang Daoqi said flatly.

Rong Yin eyed her, her brows furrowing tighter. “You’d better not be going there for Ying Wugui.”

Liang Daoqi paid no heed to Rong Yin’s displeasure. She drawled slowly, “If I can accomplish two things at once, why abandon one? I know which is more important.”

Outside Shanyue City.

Rong Luo stared blankly at the cultivator before her, clad in a tall hat and flowing robes. She had emerged from the True Form Chart, found her prince’s mansion attendants waiting to one side, and planned to slip quietly back to the mansion. But before she could leave, she was approached by several unfamiliar cultivators. Unwilling to expose her identity or start a conflict, and after confirming they were indeed attendants of the person in charge, Rong Heng, she followed them.

She knew Rong Heng.

He had always cultivated in seclusion within the clan, but now sought to establish himself in court by earning merits through the Shanyue True Form Chart.

Rong Heng hadn’t taken sides, so she didn’t fear he would kill her for Rong Man.

But what if Rong Heng himself intended to kill her?

Rong Luo’s face paled, her eyes bloodshot as she watched her attendant die at Rong Heng’s hand without even a cry of agony.

“How did you get out of the Shanyue True Form Chart? Planning to be a deserter?” Rong Heng flicked his sleeve casually and asked offhandedly.

Rong Luo retreated two steps, staring at him in shock and vigilance. “Who are you?”

Rong Heng chuckled and beckoned to her. “Come here.”

How could Rong Luo obey? Yet his words carried an irresistible Dao rhyme, compelling her toward those hands still stained with fresh blood. Just as she was about to fall into his grasp, several beads wreathed in thunder dropped from nowhere! Rong Heng frowned, flicking his sleeve as he retreated. Rong Luo snapped out of her daze and fled backward several steps in alarm.

“Who’s there?” Rong Heng’s tone carried impatience.

A mocking laugh rang out, and a white-haired woman in red robes with a mask over her left cheek appeared. She pulled Rong Luo behind her and narrowed her eyes at Rong Heng. Moments later, she exclaimed in disbelief, “You’re in the Cave Heaven Realm?!”

When had the Empire gained a third Cave Heaven True Person?

“So, an Empire traitor,” Rong Heng’s gaze fell on Ying Wugui, a disdainful smirk curling his lips. “Does the East Sea Alliance want to meddle in my imperial clan’s internal affairs?”

Ying Wugui furrowed her brows slightly.

She hadn’t spoken during the Dharma Realm debate, but Xiang Yingshou’s words had put her on guard. Though no East Sea cultivators were training in the chart, any mishap with the True Form Chart could affect the East Sea. The threat of Ruin Spirits was grave; best to nip them in the bud. Saving Rong Luo on the way had been pure coincidence.

Ying Wugui no longer flew into rage at the brand on her face. She regarded Rong Heng and sneered, “Doesn’t the Empire always emphasize rules? Even Liang Daoqi and Rong Yin bow to the princes. What gives you the right to call this an ‘imperial family matter’?”

“Killing a Golden Core Cultivator with the might of a Cave Heaven—how impressive.”

Rong Heng snorted, uninterested in bandying words with her. His gaze darkened, and the solemn Heavenly Venerable Statue leaped forth. He didn’t cultivate the Human Emperor Dao but followed the Edict God Dao. Unlike lower-realm cultivators, his Heavenly Venerable Statue was equivalent to a complete second self.

Battles between Cave Heaven cultivators shook heaven and earth. Liang Daoqi, originally bound for the True Form Chart, was drawn by the commotion and veered her escape light toward the clouds. Her gaze skimmed lightly over the red-clad Ying Wugui before landing on Rong Heng, who was clashing fiercely with her. Her expression changed abruptly in shock. “You’ve broken through to Cave Heaven? No memorial was submitted to the Prime Minister’s Mansion or the marquis manors!”

Rong Heng retorted, “I’ll submit one later. Does my imperial birth disqualify me from entering Cave Heaven?” He looked utterly unconcerned, clearly disregarding the Empire’s protocols.

The words of rebuke reached Liang Daoqi’s lips but were swallowed back. Private breakthroughs to Golden Core or Nascent Soul could be punished, but Cave Heaven—

For the current Empire, a Cave Heaven True Person of imperial blood weighed heavily enough to overlook those tedious old customs.

“What are you doing in my Empire?” Liang Daoqi turned to interrogate Ying Wugui.

Ying Wugui didn’t even spare her a glance. She had no interest in the Empire’s infighting—whomever ascended the throne, their stances would oppose the East Sea Alliance’s utterly. Brief cooperation was possible, but long-term? She saw no future in them. With no intention of fighting two at once, as she turned to leave, a clear transmission sounded in her ear.

“Fellow Daoist Ying, please stay.”

Ying Wugui raised a brow.

At that moment, Liang Daoqi and Rong Heng also sensed the shift in qi, their gazes sharpening.

They watched intently as a figure in white-gold Daoist robes and a lotus crown stepped from a sudden burst of escape light in the sky, a uniform wariness rising in their hearts.

Liang Daoqi had met Lian Rusu before and was wary of her.

Rong Heng, meanwhile, felt an instinctive alarm deep within; facing that lofty, otherworldly figure, he nearly turned and fled uncontrollably.

“Cave Heaven True Person Lian.” It was Ying Wugui’s first face-to-face with Lian Rusu, but recalling her prior actions, a faint smile curved her lips.

Lian Rusu returned the courtesy to Ying Wugui, then turned to the unwell-looking Liang Daoqi and said flatly, “I wish to speak with the fellow Daoist who emerged from the Shanyue True Form Chart.”

The qi of a Cave Heaven Realm pressed like a boulder on the chest, stifling breath. As Rong Luo nearly buckled under the pressure from the Cave Heaven True Person, a wisp of pure qi descended on her, awakening her muddled mind. She eyed the standoff and vaguely grasped a lifeline. Before Liang Daoqi could reply, she said, “Cave Heaven True Person Lian, I am the one who came out of the chart.”

Lian Rusu turned to regard Rong Luo and asked gently, “Was there anything unusual in the chart?”

Rong Luo raised her eyes, unable to discern Lian Rusu’s expression—as if gazing at a misty immortal mountain amid the sea, forever indistinct. She withdrew her gaze, pressed her brow, and said, “There was a problem with the Guiding Talisman Edict. I don’t know who tampered with it. When I activated it, I glimpsed a strange array pattern emitting an eerie qi.”

Her memory was sharp; she replicated the array pattern exactly.

It was unfamiliar to Lian Rusu, who didn’t know its function. Frowning, she asked, “Was it only your Guiding Talisman Edict that failed, or everyone’s?”

Rong Luo’s breath hitched. “Only mine and my attendant’s.” This was clearly a trap targeted at her—was that considered unusual? Rong Luo felt uneasy, unsure if the other would dismiss it due to imperial infighting.

Tampering with a Guiding Talisman Edict required Cave Heaven cultivation at minimum.

Ying Wugui scoffed, her contempt for the Empire laid bare. Liang Daoqi shot Rong Heng a look. If she hadn’t known Rong Yin was unaware of Rong Luo entering the chart, she might have suspected the Grand Prime Minister. But now, with Rong Heng overseeing the True Form Chart trials—and having broken through to Cave Heaven unbeknownst to them—

“Surely Fellow Daoist Liang doesn’t suspect me?” Rong Heng arched a brow.

After weighing it, Liang Daoqi raised a brow at Lian Rusu. “This is an imperial clan dispute; it may not affect the Shanyue True Form Chart. Didn’t the Sixth Prince emerge from it as well?”

She had to protect this Empire Cave Heaven True Person’s reputation, come what may.

Lian Rusu didn’t respond. She transmitted the replicated array pattern to Xiang Yingshou; though she didn’t recognize it, experts abounded. In a few breaths, Xiang Yingshou obtained the answer from Tianyan Sect Master Wu Tan: “A long-lost Directional Wall-Breaking Array; its target requires time to deduce. And a nested Summoning Array, needing only one core talisman to activate.”

What wall could be broken in the Shanyue True Form Chart? What could be summoned? Ruin Spirits? Her spiritual senses had scattered too quickly, bringing back less information than expected. If that mysterious array pointed to the sealed Nation-Securing Chart—what catastrophe would that unleash?!

The thought surfaced, and Lian Rusu’s expression changed sharply. She said, “Fellow Daoist, I’m afraid you’ll need to give an explanation.”

Rong Heng: “Does Sect Master Lian insist I did it?”

Liang Daoqi didn’t want outsiders meddling in Empire affairs either. “This is our Empire’s matter.” She paused, then added, “Why not wait for the others to emerge from the Shanyue True Form Chart? Their Guiding Talisman Edicts should be genuine.”