Sensing the changes in the acupoint on his left hand, Meng Qi smiled faintly and let his divine sense sink into it, stepping into that space. He found the world within had turned dark and tranquil, capable of soothing the fears and pains in everyone’s heart, dissolving their obsessions. Amidst the echoes of death, vitality remained undiminished—profoundly mysterious, as if it were the ultimate destination, the eternal and unchanging homeland.
At the center of this world, a nine-tiered lotus platform floated, its pale hue fresh and dewy, enhancing the ethereal purity of Gu Xiaosang, who sat serenely upon it, untouched by worldly dust, as if born of the primordial, exuding a faintly ancient aura.
Compared to their last meeting, her features had grown even more exquisite, her demeanor more sacred and transcendent.
Yet, when she saw Meng Qi enter, a flicker in her eyes and the hint of dimples brought back the familiar mischievousness, dispelling the sense of otherworldliness.
“Darling, barging into my ‘chamber’ without even a greeting is quite reckless. Aren’t you afraid of seeing something you shouldn’t?” Gu Xiaosang’s brows and eyes showed no trace of anger, only a playful smile. “But then again, as husband and wife, my chamber is your bedroom—no need for formalities.”
You’ve said both the proper and improper words—how am I supposed to respond? Meng Qi grumbled inwardly before smiling. “Indeed, though it’s a pity I didn’t encounter anything… thought-provoking.”
He had intended to tease her further, but halfway through, the words felt awkward and he trailed off. Ultimately, he and Gu Xiaosang weren’t that “familiar.” The one he had known was the Great Luo Saintess, an adversary. Though they had since shared many experiences, including moments of intimacy and life-and-death trials, their genuine companionship had only just begun. Such banter felt unusually uncomfortable.
Noticing this, Gu Xiaosang pursed her lips, her eyes twinkling like stars. “I do love it when you try to act like a rogue but fail so adorably.”
Meng Qi chuckled dryly and shifted the topic. “Have you fully refined the Primordial Virtue?”
How can she say such things without any hesitation?
Well, she’s always been like this…
Something feels off about our dynamic…
Gu Xiaosang propped her cheek with her right hand, smirking. “It seems you’ve already found a hidden place for me to attain the Legendary realm—and it’s not the Jade Void Palace.”
“How did you guess?” Meng Qi was slightly surprised.
Her eyes sparkled with intelligence. “When you mentioned my refining the Primordial Virtue, your tone was light and cheerful, without a hint of worry. Clearly, you’ve made ample preparations for what comes next.”
“I see.” Meng Qi nodded with a smile. His own emotions had betrayed him. “I’ve found a way to enter the Origin of Life and Death and left a marker there. Attaining the Legendary realm there should conceal us from… certain eyes.”
He detailed the Origin of Life and Death, the Emperor Zhenwu, the Wheel of Samsara, and the future plans involving the Emperor of Fengdu, intending to discuss and refine the plan with Gu Xiaosang.
Gu Xiaosang listened quietly, her lips curled in a faint smile, her gaze like a reflection of the Milky Way. Only after he finished did she speak, her voice playful. “Can you be certain the Emperor of Fengdu will provoke Zhenwu in his bizarre state, just like the Yellow Springs did?”
“What if the Emperor of Fengdu tries to bypass Zhenwu or attacks you before getting close? Can you guarantee Zhenwu will strike without harming you?”
“Do you even know the Emperor of Fengdu’s goals? His greatest strengths? How confident are you that the Wheel of Samsara’s sudden ambush and its power to stir the Origin of Life and Death can seriously wound him?”
“I know you have another trump card—the Epoch Tree that devoured the Fusang Divine Tree and toppled the Heavenly Court. It can ‘consume’ the Nine Heavens, so naturally it can ‘consume’ the Nine Nethers and its derivatives, including the Origin of Life and Death. But this is no secret. Many witnessed it during the Heavenly Court’s fall. If the Emperor of Fengdu invited you to explore the Origin, wouldn’t he have prepared for it?”
Each question struck at the heart of Meng Qi’s plans, exposing flaws in his arrangements and rendering his key piece, the “Tree of Dao,” seemingly insignificant. During his last visit to the Origin, Meng Qi had relied on the Yellow Springs’ skeletal avatar, leaving the Tree behind—though he was certain the peculiar sapling had an “appetite” for the Origin.
Seeing Meng Qi stunned, Gu Xiaosang smiled gently. “It’s not that you lack wisdom, but you’re still adjusting to scheming and strategizing. You’ll get used to it. When dealing with an enemy you don’t fully understand, it’s best not to rely on uncontrollable variables like Zhenwu. Nor should the plan be too intricate—one broken link can unravel everything.”
No need to console me… Meng Qi thought wryly.
Tilting her head slightly, Gu Xiaosang added, “Most importantly, how much do you truly know about the Emperor of Fengdu?”
“After the Human Emperor’s fall, the Nihility experts transcended the River of Time, slumbering in chaos, rarely interfering with the real world. But you know well—they can glimpse the future, foresee possibilities. Unless another Nihility being is involved, the future is an open book to them. No matter how covert the Emperor of Fengdu’s actions, how could establishing a Netherworld escape their notice? And yet, in your memories and knowledge, there’s no trace of him—as if he appeared out of nowhere.”
Meng Qi’s heart stirred. “You mean the Emperor of Fengdu is a proxy for a Nihility being? His secrecy and obscurity suggest that if his true identity were revealed, everything would fall into place.”
Indeed, only the power of Nihility can counter another. Without the support of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable and the Green Emperor, his own conspiracy involving the Netherworld would have been uncovered long ago.
“So, if the Emperor of Fengdu truly means you harm, it would be unstoppable—he might even wield Nihility power.” Gu Xiaosang’s dimples deepened. “But there’s a simple way to eliminate all risks.”
“Oh? What’s your plan?” Meng Qi grew curious.
With a soft laugh, she said, “Use the Wheel of Samsara as the marker. First, ensure Zhenwu hasn’t interfered with it. Then, share this marker with the Fusang Divine Tree’s guardian, and with the soon-to-awaken mighty figures like Guangchengzi, Manjushri, and Chijingzi. Have them monitor your movements closely. Once you and the Emperor of Fengdu enter the Origin, they’ll follow through the marker and ambush him.”
“With such a lineup, no matter what tricks he has or whether he can borrow Nihility power, death is certain. Once he’s gone, you needn’t fear his schemes.”
“This…” Meng Qi felt a chill down his spine.
This was a preemptive strike!
Noticing his reaction, Gu Xiaosang feigned offense. “Do you think I’m too ruthless?”
Before he could answer, her smile returned, her eyes softening. “I know you could’ve devised this plan yourself, but you’re unwilling to harm others preemptively—especially when their malice isn’t evident. That’s why you sought roundabout defenses. At the same time, you fear the Emperor of Fengdu might gain something pivotal, making him unstoppable, so you’re reluctant to abandon this venture.”
Meng Qi laughed self-deprecatingly. “True. I’m all for calling in favors, but setting traps for someone without cause isn’t my way—it’s not my Dao.”
Once inside the Origin, even with the Wheel of Samsara as a marker, Meng Qi couldn’t send messages outside. There’d be no chance to summon help if the Emperor turned hostile.
“This is the difference between us.” Gu Xiaosang’s expression turned uncharacteristically solemn, her gaze profound.
Before Meng Qi could respond, she lowered her eyes, suddenly shy. “That’s why I feel safe with you—no betrayal, no schemes.”
Damn it. If she’d said this teasingly, I might’ve believed there was sincerity. But this bashful, tender “confession” is too out of character—I can’t trust it! Meng Qi felt like a man who’d been bitten by a snake, wary for years.
“Still, there are alternatives to a preemptive strike.” Her shyness vanished as quickly as it came, though a faint blush lingered. “I plan to wait until you and the Emperor enter the Origin, then seize the moment to attain the Legendary realm there.”
“What would that change? Could it counter his schemes?” As soon as he spoke, realization struck. “You’re planning to exploit his schemes for your own gain!”
So this was her true aim! Had she not revealed it, he’d never have guessed. She could’ve easily claimed she needed more time to prepare, staying behind while he ventured into the Origin.
To this, Gu Xiaosang merely smiled, sly as a fox.
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