Chapter 104: Within the Immortal Realm, a Distant and Uncanny Presence

“Little sister, you may say such things to us, but you must never blurt them out to others. If the king hears of this, not even ten lives would be enough to pay for your death!” Yan Xuesu hastily intervened upon hearing Lanwu’s reckless words. It seemed it was time to properly discipline the young girl. Always speaking whatever came to mind without restraint could lead to great misfortune. Matters concerning the king were especially not to be spoken of lightly, especially now that this involved that woman.

The king’s temperament was notoriously unpredictable; no one could fathom his thoughts. Perhaps a single displeasing word could lead to a sudden death. Although the king treated them fairly and granted them ample freedom, it was all at his discretion—he could take it all back, including their lives. Therefore, they must always speak cautiously and behave prudently. Someone like the king was far beyond their ability to provoke; their only option was to curry favor in hopes of safety.

“Sister, you worry too much. If the king truly cared about that woman, he wouldn’t have cruelly killed her in the first place! If he learns she might be resurrected now, he would surely rush to finish her once and for all to soothe years of hatred,” Lanwu said, feeling a pang of pity for the king. He had once given his whole heart, only to be left with a shattered face and endless resentment.

She always remembered the first time she met the king—so beautiful and astonishing. When she first looked up at him, she saw half of a breathtaking face, but the other half was pale and lifeless. Honestly, she was stunned—not so much frightened as bewildered. Yet, when the king saw her reaction, he did not rebuke her but smiled faintly, a smile filled with infinite sorrow and lament.

That smile was etched into Lanwu’s memory forever. It touched her heart so deeply that no matter how many days and nights passed, she could not forget it. While others’ smiles might captivate and enchant, the king’s smile chilled to the bone and pierced the heart. Later, she learned the full story from others. Since then, Lanwu felt not only awe for the king but also sympathy and a strange hatred and disgust for that woman.

“Lanwu, have you forgotten what I told you? The king’s feelings are not ours to guess at. Do not speak recklessly; it will only bring unnecessary disaster upon yourself!” Cold Huaiyi spoke unusually sternly, a side of him rarely seen. Even the elderly headmaster watching nearby was startled by his ferocity. The years spent away had certainly changed him.

“Brother Leng, why take it so seriously? Don’t forget where we are. This is the domain of Yanlan Academy. Nothing said here can escape these bounds to be heard by others. Besides, we’re already so constrained in Youming; must we continue to be so cautious now that we’re out?” Yu Xiaoran spoke with a teasing smile, easing the tension in the room.

“Exactly! Relax, everyone. I’m tired just watching you all hold back. Say what you want—don’t bottle it up or you’ll get sick. Besides, if anyone dares touch my woman in Youming, they won’t find a peaceful day again!” Xiao Yin’s seemingly casual remark carried a fierce undercurrent. His woman was to be cherished and loved, and if anyone dared harm her, no matter who, they would be punished without mercy.

“You always talk about fighting and killing—that’s bad for your health. What they said isn’t wrong; I was careless with my words. And you shouldn’t set your sights on the king. You can’t shake his kind of existence. If you fight him head-on, you’ll be the one to suffer! I don’t want my man hurt—that would break my heart,” Lanwu responded, moved yet worried by Xiao Yin’s fiery nature.

“Love truly changes everything—our proud, fiery goddess has become gentle and tender like a delicate flower! If everyone were willing to change for love like you, how could there be stories of mutual affection yet unfulfilled unions?” Xun Mishuang’s words were clearly aimed at others, though not without truth. Sometimes missed chances are simply the result of fear at the moment.

“But sometimes, even when one knows it’s reckless and may cost others dearly, they stubbornly pursue only their own happiness—that’s a corrupted love, selfish love!” Cold Huaiyi’s sharp mind caught the implication. His words were both a hope and a rebuke, a reminder that some feelings must be sacrificed for greater causes. He could not afford to be soft or narrow-minded.

“Heh, you’re really noble, aren’t you? I almost admire you! But usually, such selflessness leads to a poor end, though you can’t blame others for it, right?” Xun Mishuang’s voice grew bitter, her eyes reflecting sorrow. Yes, he always thought of others first—that was why she had once been drawn to him. But now, she saw it as a flaw, a barrier to their future.

“Looks like you’re all healed enough to bicker still. I think it’s time for you to leave!” The old headmaster, clearly exasperated by the two’s quarrel, declared. He no longer wished to see any interaction between them, not just for the academy’s safety but also so they might find some peace apart and lessen their longing.

“Not at all! I’m still aching all over. Master, since we’re already inside, please let us stay a bit longer. If I don’t recover fully, all your efforts will be wasted!” Yin Boxuan pleaded earnestly. Such a rare place, to not make the most of it and absorb its essence—that would truly be a loss.

“Where are you going, Yuan?” Yu Shang called out idly, glancing to the side. He saw Meng Youyuan walking forward as if soulless, unresponsive to any calls. Everyone followed his gaze, watching as she walked with vacant eyes, as if her mind had been bewitched. Alarmed, they all hurried toward her, even the headmaster.

Quick as ever, Lan Bingxian leapt ahead, grabbing Meng Youyuan, trying to speak to her. Yet, as his fingers touched her, a sharp pain stung him like a needle prick. He quickly withdrew his hand and noticed a faint white glow enveloping her, like a barrier or protective shield.

“Lan Bingxian, why did you let Yuan go? It’s dangerous for her to roam like this!” Lanwu rushed over anxiously. She had seen clearly that he had grabbed Meng Youyuan but then suddenly recoiled as if encountering something strange. And Yuan had turned into a walking corpse, unresponsive to any calls.

“Could something be wrong with Yuan, forcing Brother Lan to let go? Among us, he cares for Yuan the most; he wouldn’t just let her go without reason,” Yu Shang said calmly, though he was not truly worried. This was an ancient sacred realm, an excellent place for cultivation—there was no real danger here.

What puzzled Yu Shang was why Meng Youyuan was like this and where she was heading. Even more strange was the headmaster’s calm demeanor. Given Yuan was his granddaughter, one would expect at least a frown, but he appeared utterly composed, showing no sign of concern.

“Yu brother is right. Yuan is indeed strange. Look closely—she’s covered in a layer of white light. That’s what forced me to release her. It’s not lethal, but it feels like thousands of sharp needles piercing the heart—agonizing beyond words,” Lan Bingxian explained helplessly, genuinely worried now.

“Could there be demons or evil spirits here? If such a creature dares to show tricks before us, it must be courting death!” Xiao Yin drew his sword, ready to strike. Yet, even the fiercest evil radiates a distinct aura. Beyond the dense essence surrounding them, none sensed any other presence.

“Impossible. This is the forbidden ground of Yanlan Academy. Outsiders don’t even know of it. Only past headmasters have entered. Now, apart from us, no other beings remain here,” the headmaster finally spoke, calmly, without a hint of worry. So heartless—this was his own granddaughter, yet he showed no concern for her fate.

“Then the only one capable must be the sacred realm itself. It has somehow bewitched Yuan. What could it want?” Yu Shang mused thoughtfully. Despite his intelligence, he could not understand why so many were here yet the realm chose a cultivator of medium strength like Meng Youyuan. It was truly strange.

“The realm itself? That sounds sinister. Though filled with spiritual energy, it’s just a place—not something with a soul. If it had such power, why would it be in this state? I think you’re overthinking it, kid!” Xiao Yin laughed loudly, amused by Yu Shang’s wild imagination.

“You think too much! Let’s follow her and find out!” The headmaster rolled his eyes at Yu Shang and led the way. Despite their urgency, the group followed. The place was vast; they walked a long time without reaching an end. Yet, somehow, Yuan’s figure seemed different from before.

Not just in appearance, but in aura—she seemed to have become another person. Gone was her former gentleness, her warmth. What remained was endless loneliness, piercing everyone’s hearts. Perhaps this was Yuan’s true inner self—happy and carefree on the surface, but with an unresolved knot of sorrow and unending grief within. Yet Yu Shang disagreed. He believed this was no longer the Yuan they knew but the woman who betrayed Fu Youming. Perhaps she was using Yuan’s body to express the pain in her own heart.