Chapter 829: Snatched the Lotus from the Blind Mouth

Chapter 829: Snatching the Lotus Blindly

First came the sensation of vast spiritual energy, washing over his body in that instant of traversing the Heavenly Gate. His body-tempering suddenly strengthened by a layer, and his power surged as if through a direct infusion.

So this was the Heavenly Gate's fortune the Sea Emperor had spoken of...

He wondered how long it would take, with these recent fortunes and the cultivation Piaomiao had gifted him before, to push the Second Realm of Imperial Realm to its peak. Zhao Changhe sensed it slightly and felt it might not be far off...

The Sea Emperor's obstruction was understandable. It was clear that this man's cultivation was not far behind his own, and after being baptized by the Heavenly Gate, he might well draw level. Naturally, he would try to stop it if he could. But he hadn't expected that Piaomiao, known for her aloofness and detachment from worldly affairs, would be so domineering this time, completely unafraid of falling out with the sea clans.

"This is..." Zhao Changhe looked around. The spiritual energy was dense and vast, obscuring the distant mountains, but it felt vaguely familiar. "Which secret realm have I been to before? The spiritual energy blocks the view, so the environment isn't clear."

Piaomiao said, "The Eternal Heaven. The common people believe in the Heavenly God, and their faith first passes through this gate. Thus, the region behind the Heavenly Gate is the most direct manifestation of the Eternal Heaven. This is not unique to the grasslands."

No wonder it felt familiar—this was the place where he and San Niang had their tryst.

It seemed that the dense and abundant spiritual energy of the Heavenly Realm was a general phenomenon. Cultivating in such an environment would be more efficient than in the mortal realm. But there was no need to be greedy and cultivate here; there were so many fragments of the Heavenly Realm, and plenty of such secret realms.

"Let's go." Piaomiao pulled him and sped away. "Coming up from the mortal realm, we had to pass through the Heavenly Gate, which unavoidably caused such a commotion. In the Heavenly Realm, there's no need to show off; attracting the attention of various gods and demons will only cause trouble."

"No one guards the gate?"

"Recently, everyone in the Heavenly Realm has been feeling insecure, mostly preparing for themselves. Who has time to guard the gate? Let's go."

No sooner had they left than a large man appeared, looking around in confusion. "A very powerful energy entity just entered. Who is ascending to heaven at this time?"

A shadow emerged beside him. "The Heavenly God has been hiding quite thoroughly lately. I've tried to find you several times without a trace. Why are you out patrolling today?"

Zhao Changhe, who had already left, suddenly stopped. "Anmie and the Eternal Heavenly God? These two seem to have nothing to do with each other. How are they together? It's not illegal for me to eavesdrop, is it?"

Piaomiao was somewhat surprised. "How can your perception reach as far as mine, far surpassing the Eternal Heavenly God?"

"Just a little trick of wind control. Wait a moment."

Over there, the Eternal Heavenly God was sneering. "Anmie, you're nothing but a dog of the Netherworld. What right do you have to speak to me in such a tone?"

Anmie replied, "I'm speaking to you on my own terms."

"What terms can you offer? With your pathetic level of the First Realm of Imperial Realm?"

"Just that I have been searching for the Mirror of Truth and Illusion for the Netherworld Lord, and I've already found some clues. I can sell you this information."

"What's in it for you?"

"I govern the shadows, a manifestation of part of the laws under the Netherworld's command, corresponding to the concept of the Four Symbols under the Night Emperor's command. But the Four Symbols' strength far surpasses mine; it's completely unequal. I'm not satisfied."

"You suspect the Netherworld is plundering your power?"

"It's not suspicion; it's a fact. Ye Jiuyou is cold-hearted and ruthless. In her eyes, we are merely tools." Anmie sneered. "Even if we die and our souls are destroyed, she wouldn't bat an eye, let alone plunder our power. In her eyes, it was always hers."

"So you plan to betray her?"

"What is betrayal? Why can't I represent everything she represents?" Anmie said coldly. "Are you done with the nonsense? Do you cooperate or not?"

"One more question."

"Speak."

"If you want to replace Ye Jiuyou, you should go to the Night Emperor. They are mortal enemies. Why come to me?"

Anmie's tone finally showed a hint of helplessness. "I went to see the Night Emperor and stated my intention. She only replied with one sentence... 'Replace the Netherworld? You're worthy?'"

"..." The Eternal Heavenly God was silent for a long while, then finally said, "How do we cooperate?"

"Whether the Mirror of Truth and Illusion exists in the world is unknown... I have misled her into thinking it is with Bo Xun, but in reality, what Bo Xun has is the Soul-Capturing Mirror. Of course, she is too powerful; the Soul-Capturing Mirror is utterly useless against her. But if she falls into a deep slumber after the Heavenly Collapse, it might have some effect. Then I will plot against her..."

"You're already scheming for after the Heavenly Collapse?" The Eternal Heavenly God almost laughed. "First, hope to survive the Heavenly Collapse itself."

"That's why I came to you." Anmie said, "You are the Eternal Heaven, well-versed in reincarnation. If you can help me split my soul and reincarnate as a human, I will tell you the true clues related to Truth and Illusion."

"Why do you want to reincarnate as a human, and with a split soul?"

"This era is the age of gods and demons. If there is a next era, it will most likely be the age of humans. Of course, I'm not sure, so I'm preparing for both: one, split soul reincarnation; two, the main body lies dormant in the place with the strongest human aura. Do what I can and leave the rest to fate."

The Eternal Heavenly God nodded. "I can indeed help you with that. Now, tell me your clues."

"Although the Mirror of Truth and Illusion does not exist, it is not without reason that someone of the Netherworld's power and status would be obsessed with finding it. If the Heavenly Collapse occurs, the laws representing Truth and Illusion will inevitably scatter, and they might indeed condense into a mirror, or perhaps something else. As long as you follow my plan, this thing will eventually fall into your hands."

Zhao Changhe stroked his chin, thinking it was interesting.

In his impression, Anmie was just a small fry, absorbed by Xue Xiao... But now it seemed he wasn't so insignificant. Many of his schemes matched what he had seen later. The Eternal Heavenly God had indeed obtained the Book of Truth and Illusion, while Anmie had remained hidden and not died. The place where he revived was later the capital of Xia Longyuan, indeed the place with the strongest human aura. And later, he continued to cooperate with the Eternal Heavenly God, causing Xia Longyuan to dare not leave the capital easily.

The shadows of the human world were everywhere; his information was certainly the most well-informed. He might have known early on that the Azure Dragon planned to move the Northern Mang, so he chose that location to lie low.

Since he was so well-informed and could plan for the next era, it was unreasonable for him to be absorbed with a single sound. Judging by this, Xue Xiao was very likely his reincarnated split soul, and the so-called absorption was a deliberate act of merging himself.

No wonder he also cooperated with Bo Xun... And he had thousands of souls in fish farming, working as an assassin, which fit the characteristic of shadows being everywhere.

This kind of dark boss behavior should have been done by the Netherworld. He was indeed intentionally trying to replace the Netherworld.

The problem was his lack of strength. Conspiracies were just conspiracies; without strength, he could only be a clown. It seemed that although the Netherworld was deceived in some matters, she was not completely ignorant. She just might not care about the antics of a small fry.

He wondered if the Netherworld's arrogant indifference would lead to trouble.

Piaomiao and Zhao Changhe flew side by side for a while. Seeing Zhao Changhe lost in thought, she couldn't help asking, "Are you worried about Ye Jiuyou?"

"Huh? Uh..." Zhao Changhe snapped out of it and shook his head. "From the current situation, the gap in strength between him and the Netherworld is huge. There's nothing to worry about. Now that we know, we can remind the Netherworld later, and it'll be fine."

"Then what are you thinking about?"

"I'm wondering if the change in the Netherworld's temperament has anything to do with this. Could it be that the dark part of her was taken away by Anmie? Look at her now—isn't she much more cheerful..."

Piaomiao said irritably, "The Netherworld not only represents darkness but also chaos. A god of chaos can behave in any way; it's nothing unusual."

Zhao Changhe turned his head to look at her. "That tone... Are you jealous?"

"No!" Piaomiao flew on sullenly. "I don't like a lecher like you. What is there to be jealous about! This is just about our important matters; don't get distracted."

Zhao Changhe looked down at her hand holding his, smiled slightly, and did not refute.

...

Night in the Heavenly Realm.

Ye Wuming, clad in a black imperial robe, stood with hands behind his back on the Star Observation Platform, gazing at the myriad stars, long silent.

Below the platform was a spiritual pool, in which a pure white lotus bloomed, exuding a vast aura, its life force surging boundlessly.

Behind him, a white-clad female swordswoman stood quietly, sword in hand, like a guard. "Congratulations, Your Majesty, the lotus platform is complete. Your retreat is finally secure."

If Zhao Changhe had seen it, he would have recognized that sword as the Ice Soul later used by Xia Chichi.

Ye Wuming said, "Order full protection of the lotus platform. No mistakes allowed."

"Yes."

"What about the White Tiger?"

"We are incompetent. The White Tiger's whereabouts are still unknown."

"Never mind."

"But the reason for his madness..."

Ye Wuming interrupted in a low voice, "Shuanghua, you say the mortal realm has sun, moon, and stars, and the Heavenly Realm also has sun, moon, and stars. Which are real?"

"Naturally, both are real."

"Is that so? Then why did the White Tiger go mad? And I... why am I going mad?"

Frostbloom: "?"

Night Nameless turned her head, and those eyes that Zhao Changhe had never properly seen sparkled like stars.

She glanced down at the icy soul in Frostbloom's hand and suddenly smiled: "You are the sword of ice and frost, second only to the Cold Serpent—cold-hearted and emotionless. Why are you so devoted to the Azure Dragon?"

Frostbloom lowered her head, a little embarrassed: "Matters of the heart are beyond anyone's explanation... Perhaps Your Majesty will one day meet a worthy match as well."

"A worthy match? At least in this world, there will be none." Night Nameless sneered: "And you—do you truly believe the Azure Dragon is some kind of worthy match?"

Frostbloom bowed her head in silence.

"He has already betrayed me... and betrayed you too." Night Nameless laughed indifferently: "His scheme to move the Northern Mang Mountains also angered the Ethereal One. But that Ethereal fellow... his emotions are too faint. Even though he was clearly furious, he didn't show it much—just a few cold, sarcastic remarks before going off to forge his sword. But since the Azure Dragon provoked the Ethereal One, he has lost the protection of the dragon's vein. He will reap what he sows. I gave him too much power, and it led him astray... But it's for the better—some things I can now do with a clearer conscience."

Frostbloom grew tense: "Your Majesty... he may not have truly betrayed us. He deserves a chance to prove himself. I have an appointment with him..."

"Now, no one knows whether tomorrow or the sky's collapse will come first... Tonight, you will go into seclusion in the sword chamber where you agreed to meet him." Night Nameless handed over a sheet of gold leaf: "As long as you don't wish to die, holding this will keep you safe. If the Azure Dragon comes to you as promised, then he too will not die... If he breaks his promise, then the Northern Mang Hills will be his grave, and for eons to come, people will dig up his tomb."

Frostbloom took the gold leaf: "This is... why can I sense no energy from it?"

"Don't ask. Go."

"But Your Majesty yourself..."

"Do you think I lack treasures for protection? Even without them, I cannot die. Enough, go. I have things to do."

"Yes." Frostbloom bowed and withdrew.

Night Nameless turned her head again, gazing at the stars in the sky for a long time, then looked down at the lotus platform in the pond. Suddenly she frowned: "Why do I sense a thread of discontinuity—a sign that I will be parted from you for a long time, yet we will eventually reunite... Is someone coming to steal? Could it be the Nine Abysses?"

She pondered for a moment, then vanished in a flash.

A short while later, the Ethereal One arrived alone at the Night Palace.

This matter could not be done as brazenly as before; it had to be stolen quietly. He could not let Night Nameless run off to demand the item from the current Ethereal One.

The Ethereal One knew Night Nameless well and was roughly aware of her alert range. He had hidden Zhao Changhe far away, lurking alone outside the Night Palace, scanning with his divine sense.

If Night Nameless were present, his divine sense scan would surely be detected. At that point, he could simply claim he had come to see her, make up some excuse about sword forging, and leave. If she were absent, the palace's protective formations and guards alone would be no match for him—he could probe the palace's secrets in an instant.

The scan revealed that Night Nameless was indeed absent...

The Ethereal One breathed a sigh of relief. With the celestial upheaval imminent, Night Nameless had many tasks to attend to and would not always be at home.

He waved his hand behind him, and Zhao Changhe appeared by his side in an instant. The Ethereal One took his hand and suddenly glided over the palace walls, slipping through the weakest point of the protective formation without a sound. The guards ahead did not even see the two pass by—they drifted like wisps of smoke, straight to the innermost core.

Along the way, countless prohibitions lay in wait, yet they were as if nonexistent.

Zhao Changhe: "..."

As long as Night Nameless herself was absent, the Ethereal One could walk through as if into an empty land. Zhao Changhe's presence was actually a hindrance—he had no confidence in evading all the prohibitions and guards like the Ethereal One did. It was too absurd.

Most absurd of all was how familiar the Ethereal One was with the layout, knowing every path. He had never seen Night Nameless's lotus platform, but he knew that if it existed, it could only be in one place.

Sure enough, they soon reached the Star-Gazing Terrace. Around it, a ring of guards and prohibitions stood—this time, they could not simply bypass them.

The Ethereal One lightly flicked his finger, and all the guards fell into a deep slumber, collapsing to the ground.

The two skirted the Star-Gazing Terrace and saw a pool of spring water. In the middle, the lotus platform sat serene, its fragrance wafting through the air. But the entire pool was covered in prohibitions, barring entry.

The Ethereal One reached out and beckoned. The lotus platform rose from the water and flew straight into his arms.

At that very moment, a terrifying surge of energy came from nowhere, hurtling toward the Ethereal One's side. Night Nameless's familiar voice rang out: "Leave it behind."

Zhao Changhe instinctively twisted his body and threw a punch to meet it: "Go!"

The moment his instinctive action was made, his heart knew it was over... How dare I trade blows with the Blind One?

A soul-touch came from behind—the Ethereal One placed a hand on his back. Zhao Changhe suddenly felt his punch become overwhelmingly fierce, a power that could almost shatter a star—so mighty he barely recognized it himself...

The Ethereal One had transferred all his power to Zhao Changhe!

Could it be done like this? This was far more incredible than the mutual borrowing of strength he had used with Red Plume and the Vermilion Bird before... Was this the full support of the mountain and river's dragon vein for the Human Sovereign?

"Boom!"

The forces clashed. Zhao Changhe's body, far away in the temple's rear courtyard, involuntarily spat out a mouthful of blood, his soul growing faint and dim.

But strangely, Zhao Changhe did not feel the full force of Night Nameless's punch—it seemed as if she had suddenly pulled back.

And in that moment of delay, the Ethereal One behind him had successfully seized the lotus platform. The next instant, both their souls vanished simultaneously, teleporting ten thousand miles away.

Night Nameless stood quietly, gazing at the spot where the lotus platform had been, lost in thought.

Frostbloom, who should have been in seclusion, rushed over: "Your Majesty, why did you not pursue?"

Night Nameless smiled: "Go to your seclusion. Why so many questions?"

"But... this lotus platform was Your Majesty's own backup plan!"

Night Nameless said softly: "It was not meant for me—it was always meant for her... I just never expected it to happen this way. And as for that man's soul... who is he? The threads of causality and time are too tangled. I have only grasped a fraction of them, and in the end, I cannot see through it all."