In the spacious cabin, flowers were blooming in abundance, and beauties were as delicate as jade. The Night Emperor held a chess piece in his right hand, his eyes filled with love for the beauty around him. Everything seemed like a poetic painting or a dream. Yet Yin Feilong, the inspector from the Tian Dao Alliance, couldn’t appreciate the scene. His mind was in turmoil, filled with thoughts and speculations.
Did the Night Emperor have a hidden meaning in his words? Was he truly aware of that matter?
But it couldn’t be confirmed yet. It was still possible that he was just putting on a show. More testing was needed…
Hu Yanran politely smiled and said, “Prince Li Shang is a great master in this world. How could we ever guess the thoughts of such a master? However, the Ten Islands are the abode of my master. If Prince Li Shang arrives here without paying respects to my master, it may provoke gossip and suspicion.”
She avoided Meng Qi’s counter-question and subtly yet politely pointed out the core issue.
Meng Qi held a chess piece between his thumb and finger, smiling calmly, “The Ten Islands have the largest market in Li Hai, and the port is open to all martial artists and seafarers. Am I the only exception?”
This… Hu Yanran was momentarily at a loss. Indeed, there was no explicit rule forbidding masters of the Fa Shen sect from visiting the Ten Islands. But wouldn’t the Night Emperor consider the feelings of her master? Was he unconcerned about the possibility of provoking conflict?
It was said that the Night Emperor was unrestrained and did as he pleased. Indeed, rumors often have some basis in truth. Now it was clear that this was the case!
Faced with a Fa Shen master whose actions were unpredictable, Hu Yanran dared not pressure him by invoking her master and the Tian Dao Alliance or the Five Elders. It might backfire and bring disaster upon them.
For a moment, the atmosphere was silent and awkward. Meng Qi, however, remained relaxed and composed, appreciating the beauty of “Bi Yu Peony” as she pondered with a frown, his gaze free of any impropriety.
Nearby, Yun Yue’s eyes sparkled, and she cheerfully interjected, “Sister Yanran, you are famous throughout the Seven Seas, and your reputation has spread far and wide. Seeing you now, you truly live up to your reputation. Compared to you, I am nothing but plain and ordinary.”
When the identities were exchanged, Huo Lishang had warned not to provoke the Fa Shen masters, as the power transmitted through the Thousand Illusions Mask was limited and could easily lead to mistakes. Therefore, people like Yun Yue did not want to provoke the Yin Clan. Seeing the tension in the atmosphere, they quickly stepped in to lighten the mood.
With her speaking up, Liushang, Xiapi, and other concubines naturally joined the conversation. Soon, the room was filled with cheerful chatter. The topic shifted from Hu Yanran to the Yin Clan, from the Ten Islands to the customs and cultures of the different islands across the Seven Seas, and from rare flowers and herbs to ancient ruins and caves. Hu Yanran took the opportunity to engage in the conversation with interest, while Meng Qi occasionally added a few words, making everything harmonious and joyful.
Yin Feilong listened quietly, his mind filled with countless thoughts. Probing required great wisdom. One couldn’t say too much and reveal secrets or clues, nor could one waste time talking about irrelevant matters. Knowing the right balance was a delicate art.
After a moment of contemplation, he decided on his approach. Seizing on a sentence from Liushang, he smiled and joined the conversation: “In recent years, I have explored many ancient ruins and tombs and discovered some ancient texts. They describe the Twenty-Eight Realms of the Seven Seas in a rather mysterious and eerie way, which is quite thought-provoking.”
“What kind of descriptions?” Yun Yue sweetly asked with curiosity.
Yin Feilong’s gaze turned to Meng Qi. The Night Emperor still wore a clean and refreshing smile, unchanged. He then slightly paused and said, “They describe the Twenty-Eight Realms as the Realm of Reality, the Pure Land of Reality, or the Heaven of the Great Luo.”
As he spoke, he fixed Meng Qi with a sharp gaze, hoping to detect any unusual reaction from the Night Emperor. However, those eyes were black and deep, like a dreamlike night sky, without a ripple.
“Realm of Reality, Pure Land of Reality, Heaven of the Great Luo… The terms and expressions seem to suggest something unique about our world…” Hu Yanran appeared to be hearing this for the first time, sharing the same surprise and curiosity as Yun Yue and Liushang.
The Realm of Reality, the Pure Land of Reality, the Heaven of the Great Luo… This overseas paradise was somewhat intriguing… It seemed Yin Zu had some unusual hidden secrets… The death of Qu Bao Mei was probably not as simple as the exposure of a member of the Immortal Trace or the leakage of information about the Golden Turtle Island… Meng Qi was slightly moved by what he heard, but his emotional fluctuations were completely masked by his calm heartbeat.
He slowly placed the chess piece in his hand on the board, forming a long dragon, and smiled as he looked back at Yin Feilong: “Indeed, Envoy Yin has broad knowledge.”
After speaking, he glanced around at Hu Yanran, You Hu, and others, smiling as if explaining the mystery to the beauties: “The Dao encompasses all things. There is no ‘before’ before it, and no ‘outside’ beyond it. It cannot be described in words. To speak of it is to err, to deviate. One only needs to know that every living being is born from the Dao, innately possessing spirit, but later tainted by worldly influences, losing sight of its original nature, like a wanderer far from home, unable to return, filled with sorrow.”
“The Dao gave birth to the universe. The pure qi ascended to form the Nine Heavens, while the turbid qi descended to become the Nine Nether Realms. At the center, the elements of earth, fire, wind, and water unfolded, shaping our world. This is the most fundamental foundation. Other worlds and realms have since evolved. However, as the essence of those places has altered, their laws have also shifted, rendering them unstable and imbuing them with a sense of illusion. In contrast, this place remains genuine and immutable, enduring through eternity. This is the Realm of Reality.”
“In the Realm of Reality, the ‘self’ is the ‘true self,’ while the ‘other selves’ in other realms are born from the essence of this place. Although the ‘other selves’ can be transformed into the ‘true self,’ this shows the uniqueness of the Realm of Reality. This is the path of legends.”
Meng Qi described the Realm of Reality using language that fit the Night Emperor’s identity. Though not entirely accurate, it was sufficient for others to understand.
Hu Yanran’s eyes sparkled as she appeared to have a sudden realization. The Seven Seas and Twenty-Eight Realms had continuous traditions, and they had some knowledge of the legends, but the scriptures were often obscure and difficult to understand, leaving people confused until reaching a certain level of cultivation. Now, the Night Emperor used the concept of “legends” to describe the Realm of Reality, making it completely clear to her what the legendary path was and what “true self” and “other self” meant. Likewise, the concept of the Realm of Reality became clear.
Yun Yue, Liushang, and others exchanged glances, somewhat puzzled. Even the real Night Emperor rarely spoke so clearly and thoroughly about such matters, nor did he mention the term “Realm of Reality.” They were surprised that this fake Night Emperor knew so many secrets!
He must be a member of a mysterious organization, so it wasn’t strange that he knew so many secrets… They reassured themselves with this thought.
Yin Feilong listened in a daze, his mind filled with only one thought:
The Night Emperor knows!
The Night Emperor knows about that matter!
His thoughts were in turmoil, like boiling water in his mind. Yin Feilong forced a smile and said, “To discuss the Realm of Reality in front of Prince Li Shang is truly like displaying one’s meager skills before a master. It is getting late, so we shall take our leave.”
Meng Qi smiled at him without saying much. Although Yin Feilong was a master, there was still “Yin Zu” Xu Bei above him. Even if Yin Feilong knew some secrets, they were likely limited. It would be better to let him return and report, to see how Yin Zu would react.
After Yin Feilong and Hu Yanran exchanged bows with him, they turned to leave the cabin. As they approached the door, Yin Feilong’s expression changed several times. Suddenly, he turned back and said in a low voice, “Yin Zu will come to visit you.”
Meng Qi nodded slightly, maintaining his composure, while Yun Yue, Liushang, and the others changed expressions.
After Yin Feilong and Hu Yanran disembarked and returned to the city, Yun Yue immediately turned around, revealing a pair of adorable tiger-like teeth: “Master, how could you provoke Yin Zu? He possesses the Ten Directions Nine Nether Ghost Eye, which might directly see through the Thousand Illusions Mask!”
“Even if the Ten Directions Nine Nether Ghost Eye is just a name, spending too much time with Yin Zu will still expose the deception,” Liushang added anxiously.
Didn’t we tell you not to provoke the Fa Shen masters?
Do you think you are the real Night Emperor, a real Fa Shen master?
Even if the impostor behaves like the real one most of the time, in such a situation, he would be exposed with just a breath!
“Master, maybe we should leave now?” You Hu said nervously.
Looking at the slightly reproachful yet worried gazes, Meng Qi remained calm and said, “At this point, if we leave abruptly, Yin Zu will surely sense something wrong and pursue us relentlessly?”
“Since we are here, we should stay calm. You need not say more.”
Yun Yue, Liushang, and the other concubines exchanged glances, their faces changing slightly, before forcing smiles and retreating. Once they left the cabin and entered the flower garden, they finally let their true expressions show.
“You really have no sense of your own limitations. The Ghost Eye of the Ten Directions and Nine Nether has always been renowned for unveiling transformations,” Yun Yue said indignantly.
Liushang pursed her lips, her face darkening: “Master explicitly told him not to provoke the Fa Shen masters, not to provoke the Fa Shen masters. Does he really think he is the Night Emperor now?”
“Anyway, Master’s reputation for being unrestrained and free-spirited is well known throughout the world. Switching identities isn’t that important. If Yin Zu sees through it, let him. If he mocks us, let him,” Xiapi said softly.
They had done their best to treat him as the real Night Emperor, but his actions always surprised them, making them feel out of character.
“That’s all we can do,” Yun Yue and the others sighed.
…
“Old Immortal, the Night Emperor indeed knows about that matter. He even knows what the Realm of Reality truly is,” Yin Feilong reported to Yin Zu Xu Bei.
In a dark green pond, ripples spread across the water, and a face gradually emerged, rising inch by inch until it transformed into a man completely covered in black robes. All the surrounding light was absorbed, making the area dim and shadowy.
“Then I shall go see Huo Lishang,” Yin Zu’s gaze turned toward the port.
Yin Feilong reminded him cautiously: “Old Immortal, beware that he might be ‘Yuan Shi Tian Zun,’ a member of the Immortal Trace.”
…
A cold wind blew, and a black shadow appeared at the bow of the Night Emperor’s ship. Xia Pi, who was guarding the cabin door, suddenly shivered, feeling uneasy and fearful: “We welcome the Old Immortal. Our young master has been awaiting your arrival.”
Yin Zu glanced at Xia Pi, slightly puzzled, because she lacked confidence. He had heard that the Night Emperor spoiled his concubines, and with his support, this concubine shouldn’t be so afraid of him.
In his confusion, Yin Zu stepped into the cabin. At that moment, he felt as if the world had suddenly darkened, as if he had entered the night from daylight, and from the Seven Seas into the stars. In the darkness, a white-robed prince sat, his aura deep and profound, like a god ruling over this world, solemn and vast.
Had the Night Emperor broken through again? Yin Zu’s heart sank. This feeling was almost no different from seeing the Hun Yuan Immortal Girl!
Xia Pi, who followed him inside, stood frozen in place. Was this really the real master returning?
…
Yin Feilong returned to his own residence, pacing back and forth in the meditation room, thinking about the Night Emperor’s intentions and whether he might be a member of a mysterious organization.
Perhaps he would come wearing the mask of “Yuan Shi Tian Zun” to confront him?
Just then, he suddenly felt a chill down his back. Instinctively, he turned his senses outward and discovered a man in dark robes standing in a corner, wearing the mask of “Tai Yi Jiu Ku Tian Zun.”
Bad!
The Immortal Trace had sent Tai Yi Tian Zun!
The Night Emperor was not a member of the Immortal Trace!
As this thought arose, Yin Feilong was engulfed in darkness.
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