After swimming a long time, they stopped at a certain spot. From the depths of the darkness emanated a dark, eerie green light.
Fu Kong dared not approach. Shen Sheng said, “Perhaps that’s a crack in the Seal.”
Fu Kong looked at her. “The lady knows of this?”
“I’m just guessing,” Shen Sheng said awkwardly. It was recorded in the books.
In one of the books Anu had sent, it was recorded that at the bottom of the South River lay a Seal. Ten thousand years later, the Seal cracked, and the Evil Devil entered the world.
Anu hadn’t mentioned the present situation, which meant Anu wasn’t certain about this place.
The Yin Energy underwater was very heavy. Fu Kong was fearful. Jiang Wan took the initiative to get closer, trying to see the source of the light.
Jiang Wan went alone. Fu Kong and Shen Sheng waited where they were.
A long moment later, Jiang Wan returned. “Perhaps it is indeed a Formation. The light is emitted by the being inside. But why are there no records of this?”
“Perhaps everyone involved is dead, so no one knows,” Shen Sheng said subconsciously. Dead men tell no secrets.
The three returned to the riverbank. Fu Kong sighed. “No records, no way to start.”
“What if we don’t explore, and just seal the crack directly?” Shen Sheng asked.
Hearing this, Fu Kong studied Shen Sheng, her gaze puzzled. “We know nothing about it, yet you suggest directly reinforcing the Seal? That’s not wise.”
Jiang Wan’s complexion wasn’t good. “Let’s go back and discuss it further. Send people to take turns monitoring it.”
Shen Sheng followed Jiang Wan closely. Back at the city gate, she walked to the mirror again.
In the mirror, there was a person beside her.
Seeing this, Fu Kong joked, “Miss Shen and the Clan Leader, truly remarkable. A lifetime is decided just like that. When mortal women marry, if they choose wrong, they can remarry. But once the Lovesickness Gu is planted, there’s no turning back, even if it’s a mistake. Countless Divine Beings have perished because of the Lovesickness Gu.”
Shen Sheng turned back. “Who has perished from the Lovesickness Gu?”
“Many. To this day, no one has reached the present as you have. Of the eight gods in Prajna City, only the Clan Leader bears the Lovesickness Gu,” Fu Kong said. “Ten thousand years ago, Clan Leader Ting Xu and Qian Yan were living examples.”
Shen Sheng’s interest was piqued. “Who betrayed whom?”
“That’s old history. Don’t frighten her,” Jiang Wan interrupted, pulling Shen Sheng away.
Shen Sheng instinctively halted and quietly asked Jiang Wan, “Was it your mother?”
“Mhm,” Jiang Wan didn’t deny it.
Fu Kong caught up, joking, “What’s there to fear? A mortal’s life is only a few decades at most. With the Lovesickness Gu, you gain longevity. It’s not a bad deal.”
“Put that way, it seems like I’ve got the better end of the bargain,” Shen Sheng smiled with relief. She grasped Jiang Wan’s hand in return. “Jiang Wan, I will never betray you.”
Because of Anu. So, here, neither of them would betray the other.
This time, it was Jiang Wan who looked bewildered. “The word ‘never’ is too difficult. My mother fell because of it.”
“Perhaps they had their own unspoken struggles,” Shen Sheng explained proactively. “Just think of it as learning from our predecessors’ painful lessons. We, who come after, take those lessons to avoid their hardships. We’ll forge our own destiny.”
Fu Kong watched their intimate posture, coughed lightly, and said, “In broad daylight, perhaps you could look away from each other for a moment, instead of having your gazes glued together.”
Shen Sheng stiffly averted her eyes. Jiang Wan, however, laughed heartily. “What’s there to fear? We’re getting married, after all.”
She looked back towards the city gate, waved her sleeve, and performed a spell. Instantly, Red Silk adorned the city gate.
The corners of Fu Kong’s lips curved up.
Shen Sheng lifted her long black lashes, silently gazing at the Red Silk. Her mind failed to catch up.
Back when she was in the Imperial Capital, she’d imagined getting married many times. As long as her Mother agreed, they could smoothly pay their respects.
But Anu wouldn’t agree.
Yet this Jiang Wan, this Clan Leader—her temperament was worlds apart from Anu.
With the Red Silk hung at the city gate, Seven-Colored Auspicious Clouds appeared in the sky. Many people looked up. “Seven-Colored Auspicious Clouds.”
Here, everything seemed to fall into place naturally. No objections, no accusations. If you wanted it, there were congratulations.
Jiang Wan looked at Shen Sheng and smiled. “This is the will of heaven.”
Heaven’s congratulations.
Fu Kong chimed in, “Indeed, it’s been a long time since we last saw these auspicious clouds. Your wedding day will surely be even more spectacular.”
Shen Sheng stared, mesmerized, at the auspicious clouds in the sky. She was a little stunned, but more than that, she felt at peace.
The people in the city had also noticed the auspicious clouds and were whispering. A gentle smile lingered on Jiang Wan’s lips.
As they walked back to the hall, passersby were all discussing the colorful clouds in the sky, saying they hadn’t been seen for a thousand years, perhaps even longer. It was bound to be a momentous, joyful occasion.
Shen Sheng glanced at the person beside her. Jiang Wan, catching her look, smiled even more deeply. Her slender fingers brushed the back of Shen Sheng’s hand.
Shen Sheng’s eyelashes fluttered, a little panicked. But Jiang Wan seemed to enjoy it immensely.
At their home, Sang Xuan had been waiting for them for most of the day. Seeing the three of them return together, she let out an “Eh?” and went to greet them.
Fu Kong immediately grabbed the available worker. “There’s trouble underwater. Take some people and investigate. Figure out the best way to guard it.”
“Oh, okay.” Sang Xuan was stunned for a second, then turned to find people.
Others came out of the hall one after another. Hearing Fu Kong’s words, they all furrowed their brows.
With a major crisis looming, they first sat down. Fu Kong brought out a mirror that displayed the scene underwater.
Luo Shui asked, puzzled, “What exactly is going on down there? Should we send someone to scout it out? At least we’d have a better idea.”
“In a few days, I will go,” Jiang Wan cut in. “We can’t just do nothing. You all keep watch, but no one is to go near.”
Having said this, she pointedly glanced at Shen Sheng, as if the words were meant specifically for her.
Shen Sheng blinked. She had an adventurous spirit, but she wasn’t foolish enough to go charging into danger herself.
Oh, wait. She seemingly couldn’t die.
She thought for a moment and understood Jiang Wan’s meaning.
As they all gathered and talked, Shen Sheng met the seven Elders. Fu Kong was the leader, followed by Luo Shui, then Er Kong, Huang Yun, Ruo Wu, and finally, the younger Mu Shui and Sang Xuan.
Their backgrounds were still unclear, but they all had beautiful features. After scanning the group, Shen Sheng’s gaze settled on Huang Yun and Ruo Wu. They both wore dark-colored clothes with similar patterns.
As she was wondering, Jiang Wan quietly told her, “Huang Yun and Ruo Wu have a deep bond. They have a daughter.”
The words, light as a breeze, drifted into her ear, feeling very pleasant. Shen Sheng rubbed her ear and smiled unconsciously, thinking of Buyan and Buyu. What a pity the Jiang Wan before her couldn’t experience the joys of motherhood.
The group formulated a plan. First, Jiang Wan would go investigate. The others were responsible for surveillance. From today onwards, no cultivators were allowed near the South River.
After the discussion, everyone dispersed. Huang Yun and Ruo Wu also left together, their steps perfectly synchronized.
Watching their departing figures, Shen Sheng felt a deep, suppressing sorrow in her heart. How to put it? She knew their ending, yet could do nothing about it.
Knowing the outcome but being powerless before gods and Devils—that, too, was a form of cruelty.
At that moment, Jiang Wan waved a hand in front of Shen Sheng’s face. “What are you thinking about?”
“They’re… very happy,” Shen Sheng forced out a reply, her eyes darting, clearly lying.
Jiang Wan didn’t press. She simply led Shen Sheng back to their sleeping chamber.
Wherever she went, Jiang Wan brought Shen Sheng along, telling her the rules of this place. Shen Sheng quickly integrated.
The Auspicious Clouds lingered in the sky for three to five days, causing quite a commotion.
One day, Jiang Wan needed to go down to the river. She told Sang Xuan to stay with Shen Sheng, that they could go anywhere—except under the river.
After Jiang Wan left, Sang Xuan arrived. Shen Sheng seized the chance to ask about what was happening under the river.
Sang Xuan said, “We secretly sent several parties down, but none returned. It was as if a black hole swallowed them. So we suspect it’s the Evil Devil inside, devouring souls to cultivate.”
Shen Sheng’s brow furrowed unconsciously. “Let’s go and see. We won’t get close.”
This was exactly what Sang Xuan wanted. The two immediately agreed. Sang Xuan led Shen Sheng down from Prajna City.
Fu Kong and the others had already entered the water. Many cultivators on the riverbank were also watching, uneasy now that the South River was suddenly off-limits.
Shen Sheng spotted Bu Jiuyue at a glance. Similarly, Bu Jiuyue saw Shen Sheng.
The path of cultivation for a Demon was incredibly tough. Bu Jiuyue, being a Little Demon, wasn’t valued by anyone. Upon seeing Shen Sheng, she immediately flew over.
Sang Xuan was about to intercept her, but Shen Sheng stopped her. “A friend of mine. Just going to exchange a few words.”
Bu Jiuyue ran over and looked Shen Sheng up and down, noticing the difference. Shen Sheng’s clothes were different—the garments of Prajna City were distinct from those below.
“You went up there?” Bu Jiuyue’s eyes widened. She touched Shen Sheng’s sleeve, utterly amazed. “What’s it like up there?”
Shen Sheng smiled. “Quite ordinary, actually.”
Bu Jiuyue didn’t believe it. “I heard there are many treasures and magical artifacts up there.”
“Go to the Spirit Abyss Pavilion. That’s where you’ll find the most,” Shen Sheng suggested.
Prajna City was merely an ordinary city floating in the sky. If one talked about treasures, it couldn’t compare to what was found below.
