The disappearance of Jiang Xuan and Zhang Ling was but a trivial插曲 (interlude) in the trial assembly. When the Zhou Emperor appeared to award the nine jade talismans for entering the ancient sect ruins to the top nine warriors, the grand event reached its climax, and no one spared another thought for Jiang Xuan and Zhang Ling's whereabouts.
"Esteemed guests, in ten days, the ancient sect ruins will open. Those holding jade talismans will be teleported inside, where you shall compete for opportunities by your own means!" After distributing the talismans, the Zhou Emperor cleared his throat and dropped this explosive news.
"What? In ten days? I thought ancient ruins open only after decades!"
"They're so lucky—just finished the trial, and now they can vie for ancient opportunities! I should've hunted more monsters in Moyun Ridge."
The crowd exclaimed in surprise. Lin Yu also anticipated the ruins' opening. With luck, he might break through to Void Formation Realm, making it possible to behead the First Prince and defend against extraterritorial Demon Clans.
As the Zhou Emperor awarded the talismans, the trial officially ended.
…
In the towering mountains on Great Zhou's border lay a hundred-mile-long rift valley. Straight as an arrow, it started tens of zhang wide and expanded to several li at its broadest, dropping a thousand zhang into a fiery, miasma-choked forbidden zone. At its depths, over a dozen black palaces stood in a river of earth fire.
In the largest palace, dozens of black-robed warriors gathered, bowing to a blood-robed elder seated at the head.
"How goes the Demon Mountain Formation?" The elder's voice rumbled like drums.
"Reporting to Sect Master, the formation is complete—awaiting prey," a gray-robed man stepped forward.
"Have the baits been set, Elder Sun?" The elder turned to a green-robed man.
Elder Sun bowed: "Rest assured, Sect Master. Great Zhou has taken the bait, holding a trial to lure geniuses from all sects."
"Good, very good. When these geniuses and Great Zhou's elites enter what they think are ancient ruins, what expressions will grace their faces? They'll struggle in the Demon Mountain Formation, sacrificing flesh and bones to fuel the Evil God's rebirth!" The elder laughed wildly.
"Sect Master, it's their honor for their flesh and bones to merge with the Evil God. Without this purpose, they wouldn't deserve it," the gray-robed man said, eyes burning with fanaticism.
"Excellent. On the ruins' opening day, we shall enter the formation and worship our lord with our flesh and blood!" The elder rose, facing the crowd.
"With our flesh and blood, we worship our lord…" They chanted, voices fading into sinister laughter.
…
Back in the capital, Lin Yu returned to the质子馆 (hostage prince's manor). At night, as the manor quieted, a figure scaled the wall and slipped into his courtyard. The moment it landed, Lin Yu opened his door as if expecting it.
Yu Weiwei, in a black dress with a sword on her back, looked cold yet blushed slightly in the moonlight. "Weiwei greets Lord Lin," she curtsied softly.
"Did you bring it?" Lin Yu asked directly about the jade talisman.
Startled by his冷淡 (cold) tone, Yu Weiwei felt a twinge of loss but tossed the talisman: "Here it is, Lord Lin. I keep my word."
"Good. Consider us even for saving you." Lin Yu caught the talisman. "What happened in Moyun Ridge stays between us. Keep it secret."
"Rest assured, Lord Lin. Leaking it means death. This secret goes to my grave. Farewell." Yu Weiwei glanced deeply at him before leaving.
Alone, Lin Yu weighed the talisman. "Cauldron Lord, let's visit the Demon Prison tomorrow. Those cultivators must miss us."
"Fine, but their strength is lacking. Devouring these Earth Rank demons—when will you reach Myriad Manifestations Sixth Grade? When will you enter Void Formation?" The Cauldron Lord grew pickier.
Chuckling, Lin Yu was about to enter when hoofbeats sounded outside. "Who'd come to the质子馆 at this hour?" He frowned, closing the door to await the visitor.
Soon, Su Miaozhen's voice called: "Third Prince…"
"General Su, come in."
Su Miaozhen entered in a black dress, her eyes beneath the silver mask full of suspicion. Lin Yu met her gaze calmly, revealing nothing.
"Third Prince, we received word from Profound Heaven: Zhang Ling and Jiang Xuan are dead, likely in Moyun Ridge."
"Oh? Does General Su think a Xiantian failure like me can kill Purple Mansion and Myriad Manifestations experts? Perhaps they encountered powerful monsters."
"Legends say Myriad Manifestations monsters lurk in Moyun Ridge, but our scouts confirm only Purple Mansion monsters. Profound Heaven suspects you first due to your conflict with Jiang Xuan. I'm here to warn: when their envoy arrives, be careful—I may not protect you." Su Miaozhen shook her head. To Profound Heaven, even favored princes were ants—only peerless geniuses merited protection.