Chapter Thirty-Eight: Shattering the Formation. The Guilty One

Huai Yin and Yi Qingchen carried torches as they approached the water source. It was a small place, an old well encircled like a tomb. Several rows of moss-covered blue bricks bore the marks of time. With Huai Yin supporting her, she carefully moved to the edge of the well and leaned over to look. The water inside was shallow, tinged blue and slightly muddy, appearing somewhat thick and murky. She glanced around nearby, asking, “Are you sure there are no other water sources around here?”

Huai Yin nodded; he had searched the surroundings and was certain. “Did you notice something?”

Yi Qingchen braced herself on her knees, rising and pointing at the sky. “Look.”

“At what?” It was pitch black—what was there to see?

“The three celestial lights are hidden, the earth bears the five shadows, and all life is veiled. This is what’s called the Triple Eclipse Yin-Overwhelming Formation.”

“I understand the three lights, but where do the five shadows come from?”

“Look, the terrain here is low and damp, the soil moist, and all the plants in the formation are soft in nature.”

“…I don’t get it,” Huai Yin admitted, feeling more confused the more he heard. What did any of this mean?

Yi Qingchen glanced at him. “Flowers and plants are yin wood. Low, damp soil is yin earth. Rainwater and dew that collect here become yin water.”

“That’s only three shadows,” Huai Yin counted on his fingers.

“What do you think this is?” Yi Qingchen waved the torch.

“A torch, obviously,” he replied, wondering why she was asking.

“The sun’s fire is yang fire, but a torch’s flame is yin fire.”

“And what about metal?” He looked around—there was nothing gold or silver in sight.

Yi Qingchen turned, handed him the torch, and reached into the well. Immediately, a golden hairpin surfaced through the water. She held it out for Huai Yin to see. “Soft and pure in nature—this is yin metal. With these five shadows, combined with the correct positions, the formation is complete.”

Huai Yin was taken aback and pointed at the hairpin. “So what are we waiting for? Destroy it and let’s get out of this cursed place.”

“It’s not that simple. With the three lights hidden, we can’t leave no matter what we do.”

“There’s no other way?”

“No. The Triple Eclipse Yin-Overwhelming Formation is both a killing and a trapping array.”

“If you know the five shadows, can’t you force your way out?”

“To break the formation by force would be a fight to the death with our combined strength,” Yi Qingchen replied, tucking the golden hairpin away.

Hearing this, Huai Yin fell silent for a long time. “With the three lights hidden, there’s neither sun nor moon—a place with neither yin nor yang. Then why do the vines and plants inside still thrive endlessly?”

He simply couldn’t understand it.

Yi Qingchen looked around. “That’s a long story.”

“Oh… By the way, how do you know all this?” Each word made sense on its own, but together he was lost.

“Me? It’s nothing, really. I just read a few more books than most and happened to come across this knowledge. This wisdom isn’t mine—it’s the legacy of sages and wise men. Few people study these things nowadays, which is why you seldom hear of them. But in the vast Immortal Sea, there are surely others who know.”

Since it was from the books, Huai Yin’s interest was piqued. He took a few steps closer, testing, “Did the books mention how to break the formation?”

Yi Qingchen, seeing his reaction, paused before smiling despite herself. “Thanks to you, Brother Huai, we’re halfway there.”

She lifted her delicate fingers as she spoke.

Huai Yin blushed, flustered by her teasing. “Ahem… So what’s the good fortune?”

Yi Qingchen straightened, her tone serious. “There’s always a way to break a formation. I’ve more or less worked out the positions, but to break the three lights, I’ll need your cooperation, Brother Huai.”

“Alright. What do I need to do?”

“Yin and yang are bound to the four seasons. The five shadows correspond to the five elements. We’ll use the earth element to harmonize water and wood, aligning with the five elements and the pre-heavenly Eight Trigrams.

“Later, I’ll need you to freeze the land in both the Kun and Kan positions. I’ll use the Four Symbols Lute to summon the fire of summer and ignite the Li fire. Attacking from inside and out, the life gate should appear.”

Lute in hand, she finished speaking.

“Alright, I’ll do as you say.” Instantly, the silver wolf leapt, blades flashing westward, and a mighty palm struck to the north.

That night, frost and snow blanketed the ground like white silk. He shouted, “Now!”

Yi Qingchen plucked her lute, stirring the dust of nine realms. Within, silver light bloomed into fiery lotus. Her fingers released the string, and the sound rolled forth as a wave of heat, like a fire dragon roaring southward.

At once, the formation trembled, the sky above shattering like a fractured mirror, scattering dust. The Triple Eclipse Yin-Overwhelming Array broke with a resounding crash.

A white egret child, witnessing the destruction of the formation, hurried to report to the Third Prince.

Once the two saw daylight again, Yi Qingchen, ignoring the fresh pain of her wounds reopening, joined Huai Yin in slipping quietly into the forest, wary of being discovered.

But as they reached a bamboo grove, a woman blocked their path.

Huai Yin and Yi Qingchen exchanged a glance.

“If you value your lives, come with me,” said the woman. Her robes were as light as drifting mist, her bearing gentle yet commanding. Even from behind, it was clear she was striking.

After a single look, Yi Qingchen and Huai Yin reached a silent agreement and nodded, following her away.

By the time the white egret child and the Third Prince arrived, the two were long gone.

“Your Highness, this…” The reports said they should have come this way.

The Third Prince flapped his wings, circled briefly, and said, “Bai Zhi, spread the news that the two broke the formation. As for the rest, leave it be. Others will act.”

“At once.” The white egret child bowed and vanished into the woods.

The Third Prince returned to Juanxi Pavilion, gazing at the bamboo house ringed by flowing water. He spoke softly, “Ashao, will you still not see me?”

From inside, a woman’s voice replied, “With Wu Lei gone, what is there for us to discuss?”

“I never wanted Wu Lei to come to harm back then. That accident—why do you torment yourself by clinging to it?” And torment me as well.

Inside, Yi Qingchen and Huai Yin sat in silence, understanding dawning.

The woman clenched her little shoe tightly, pressing it to her chest in a soundless cry. Heart-wrenching pain, yet not a single tear would fall.

“Ashao…”

“Go. I want to be alone.”

“…Very well. Take care of yourself. I’m returning to Lingyun Cave.” The Third Prince glanced at the bamboo house, hesitated, then spread his wings and left.

Ashao, even now, must you still be this way…

Outside Human Sovereign Island, the Second Palace Lord found Old Xiao in the forest, and the two talked at length.

Old Xiao clasped his hands in salute. “Is what you said true, Second Palace Lord?”

“Of course. Just make sure you handle it. I refuse to believe that when such a great treasure is at stake, everyone will just sit still.” With a casual flick of her shawl, her beautiful eyes glanced meaningfully behind her.

Old Xiao, knowing the Second Palace Lord’s reputation, shuddered and excused himself repeatedly, thinking that if she got serious, his bones wouldn’t last three moves.

He made up an excuse and slipped away quickly.

The Second Palace Lord’s coy smile stiffened: What are you thinking? Am I that kind of woman?

Tch…

With a glance behind her, she twisted her waist and vanished into the void.

Whispers arose in the woods. “What now? They’re gone.”

“Chase them! Whoever gets there first will be owed a favor by the Demon Realm. An opportunity like this won’t come again.”

“Let’s go.”

Let us set aside the identities of those hiding in the woods. While the Grand Palace Lord and the Second Palace Lord were busy with Su He, a carefully woven black net had already been cast over them both.

The escaped demons from the Eternal Sin Platform, the missing little demons—rumor had it they had taken refuge in the Demon Realm and won the Demon Prince’s favor.

In idle moments, people would recall: among those favored in the Demon Realm, only the Grand and Second Palace Lords of Hundred Blossoms Terrace fit the bill.

Quickly, everyone’s thoughts turned. The Demon Realm had long avoided dealings with outsiders, preferring seclusion and strict discipline. Those convicted of crimes suffered heavy penalties. If they remained unrepentant, they were sent to the Eternal Sin Platform—those who entered were burdened with sin in life and death alike, their names never cleared, even in death.

Anyone who escaped the Eternal Sin Platform was marked for death by all. Escaping both the platform and the Demon Realm meant multiple crimes. Whoever killed such a fugitive could claim a favor from the Demon Lord—so long as it did not endanger the Demon Realm, any request would be granted.

Who would want to miss such a chance?

When the Grand Palace Lord saw the Second Palace Lord return, she frowned. To make things easier, she had not returned to the Demon Realm but instead taken up a temporary residence near Human Sovereign Island.

Yet before she could even warm her seat, the Second Palace Lord arrived with a group of uninvited guests.

She said coldly, “Yu Su’er, it’s been a while, but your tail’s gotten longer.”

The Second Palace Lord tossed her shawl, her gaze flirtatious as silk. “Oh, my dear sister. I only wanted to do a good deed. If others have intentions, why shouldn’t I help them?”

One is an enemy, ten are also enemies. More? What does it matter?

The Grand Palace Lord’s expression turned icy, her gaze suddenly sharpening. “Since you’re here, why not show yourselves openly? Otherwise, don’t blame me, Hua Zhongying, for killing nameless interlopers.”

With a flick, black hair coiled around her fingers, transforming into a three-foot blue blade—a dark sword.

Ripples shimmered in the void as many immortals stepped forth, men and women, young and old. Judging by their attire, they were not all of one group but appeared to have met on the way.

Foremost among them were Wen Qi and Poet Duanchang of the Spring and Autumn Academy, along with members of the Poison Sect and the Soul Commanders.

The Grand Palace Lord lowered her eyes and brushed her sword with two fingers, aiming its point at Wen Qi and Duanchang. “Since when did the Spring and Autumn Academy fall so low as to consort with others?”

Poet Duanchang half-lowered his eyes. “Since ancient times, heroes rise where injustice lies. If you are guilty, bow your head and confess. No need for more words.”

She laughed. “Guilty? I haven’t heard that word in ages. I serve the Demon Prince—what proof do you have that I am the fugitive you seek?”

A man from the Poison Sect, named Hu Xihe, stepped forward. Dressed plainly, with a linen cap and ordinary looks, his actions were anything but ordinary. He raised a treasure bead, spraying poisonous rain at the Grand and Second Palace Lords.

His voice rumbled, “People say scholars are useless, but look here—the target is clear. If we don’t kill you now, are we supposed to wait for wine and flowers?”

Duanchang was incensed at the insult to his sect, but Wen Qi stopped him with a glance, signaling caution.

They had not come for the Palace Lords specifically but had heard rumors and come to investigate. The Sea of Desire was in turmoil; caution was wise. Whatever happened would be discussed upon their return to the sect.

But the Poison Sect and Soul Commanders cared nothing for that. With prey at hand, why let it escape?

Sword energy from the Grand Palace Lord swept up the toxic rain and hurled it back at the attackers, only for Hu Xihe to catch it in his bead. In an instant, it became a silver spear—he kicked it up and charged at the Grand Palace Lord.

She welcomed the challenge, and they clashed in a blur of light and shadow.

Meanwhile, the Second Palace Lord unleashed the hundred little demon spirits of her Fragrant Pendant to entangle the others, throwing the scene into chaos.

She herself raised her hands and attacked Wen Qi and Poet Duanchang directly.

Wen Qi raised his hand to block her, sending her reeling with a wave. “You are no match for me. Without irrefutable proof that you two are fugitives from the Demon Realm, I will not kill you. But if you persist, I will not hesitate to add two more souls to my count. Farewell.”

With that, he left with Poet Duanchang.