chapter 67

Zhan Yunwei and the Forbidden Land

Her small name was Yang Yang.

Zhan Yunwei stood before a vast lake.

The surface of the lake shimmered with light, reflecting the moon's glow. Silver-white starlight scattered everywhere, illuminating the earth in an enchanting beauty.

Above her, a pavilion floated in the air, though it was unclear from this distance.

She quickly realized that she had entered the Forbidden Land of Duer City.

A pearl floated by her side, containing a wisp of a soul that chattered incessantly:

"Little Spirit Master, are you thinking of killing Wen Xun? I can help you. Just let me use your body for a day. I won't deceive you or harm you. I'll help you kill him."

Zhan Yunwei ignored it completely.

Since her arrival, she had encountered this chattering soul. Normally, souls would dissipate once their owner perished, but this one was lucky—it had absorbed the dense spiritual energy here and had somehow preserved its consciousness and memory.

Zhan Yunwei knew that some unwilling souls, after practicing dark arts, could possess others. She could never trust a strange soul like this one.

At that moment, she looked back at the pavilion above the lake, her eyes fixed on it.

The closer she got, the more familiar it seemed, as though she had seen it many times in her childhood dreams. Those dreams, which had never been this vivid before, now felt as though they were calling her. Zhan Yunwei knew that this was the place she had always been searching for.

The soul in the pearl spoke again:

"Don't bother looking! You can't reach the pavilion. There are plenty of treasures here. Although the most valuable ones have been taken, there are still many left. Let me show you."

As if to prove its words, the pearl flew towards the lake. Halfway there, the calm surface of the water suddenly roiled, and a violent wave sent the pearl tumbling back.

The soul cried out:

"See? It's dangerous! The pavilion doesn't let anyone in. I've been here for ten years, and I still can't get in."

Zhan Yunwei reached out and touched the lake water. Though the spiritual domain was usually cold, the water felt unexpectedly warm. She stood up and stepped onto the surface of the lake.

The soul had expected her to be thrown back as well, but what happened next stunned it.

The surface of the lake, usually resistant to outsiders, rippled as if in welcome, not attacking Zhan Yunwei. Instead, countless lotus flowers bloomed.

As she walked forward, the lake surface became solid, revealing white jade steps in mid-air, seemingly welcoming the return of someone.

The soul in the pearl stared in shock.

This Spirit Master girl really made it to the pavilion.

Zhan Yunwei, however, already knew the truth. This sealed pavilion was her home.

Without even needing to enter, she knew the corridor inside hung with little fish wind chimes, which would ring softly whenever the wind blew.

Indeed, inside the pavilion, she found a crib meant for a baby, with a cloth tiger placed on it.

As Zhan Yunwei picked up the cloth tiger, more and more flowers bloomed on the lake, and the entire Forbidden Land seemed to be filled with countless stars. Even the barrier surrounding the pavilion vanished.

The pearl soul floated up, stunned by the sight.

Zhan Yunwei noticed the soul's pure aura and did not drive it away, allowing it to follow her.

Unfortunately, the scenery was still the one from her dreams, but there were no people from the dreams here.

The soul realized that she seemed to be searching for something and volunteered, "Follow me. I know where there might be something you're looking for."

Zhan Yunwei carefully cradled the cloth tiger in her arms and followed the soul to the place it had mentioned.

On top of the divine altar, there was nothing. Many items were gone. Zhan Yunwei recalled the letter from Daoist Hongyuan and realized that this must be where they had taken the divine sword and other things.

All that remained was a giant wheel, and on the wheel, a golden book gleamed brightly.

Zhan Yunwei had read about this artifact in ancient texts when she was a child. It was said to be a divine book recording the history of the spiritual realm, called the "Creation Fate Book." It recorded everything, from ancient gods to the life of a mere mayfly.

If this was the Fate Book in front of her, then it surely contained all the answers she sought.

Zhan Yunwei stepped forward, trying to open the book.

The book did not reject her. After a flash of light, she found herself standing before a familiar person. The person looked up, and their gazes seemed to meet.

Zhan Yunwei whispered, "Father?"

The person before her was the Master of Changya Mountain, though he looked slightly younger than she remembered. He had no beard, and wore a green robe, rushing off to save someone.

Behind him, dark energy swirled. They moved quickly, passing right through Zhan Yunwei, as if she were invisible.

Zhan Yunwei hurried to catch up, only to find that in the next moment, the Master of Changya Mountain and his group arrived at the Forbidden Land.

Indeed, as recorded in the letter, there were four people in the Forbidden Land.

Apart from her father, there was also the revered Penglai, Yue Linxian, and Daoist Hongyuan.

Among them, the Master of Changya Mountain and Yue Linxian had the lowest seniority. The Master greeted everyone, and the others returned the greeting, thanking him for his sense of righteousness in coming to rescue them.

The Master of Changya Mountain said, "I don't know if any of you have found the Spirit Master who was captured?"

Everyone's expressions grew serious, and they shook their heads.

Yue Linxian smiled bitterly, "It's my fault, I deserve a hundred deaths for this."

This was the first time Zhan Yunwei saw her nominal "father," and she somewhat understood why Lady Xuan had never forgotten him.

This former Young Master of the Yue family not only had outstanding looks, but he was also extremely upright and decisive.

Outside, he had been brave and proactive, staying behind to cover their retreat. If it weren't for the Master of Changya Mountain pulling him back, he probably would have already died outside the Forbidden Land.

Zhan Yunwei and the Lost Child

The group quickly realized that the evil spirits could not enter the Forbidden Land.

Penglai Zunxian raised his head and saw the divine sword placed upon the altar.

Following his gaze, Zhan Yunwei also saw several sealed treasures. Twenty-six years ago, Penglai Zunxian was far from the cautious and timid figure he later became. His eyes were clear, filled with the admiration of a sword cultivator who reveres the best sword in the world.

The divine sword was not to be approached lightly. Without hesitation, Penglai Zunxian knelt down and bowed, saying, "It is said that the divine sword has a spirit. Now, with evil spirits rampant and the Three Realms in turmoil, I pray to the gods above. May you lend us your strength and return peace to the people!"

The aura of the divine altar shifted, and the sword could indeed be touched. Penglai Zunxian was overjoyed, but when he tried to pull the sword out, he found it stuck, unable to move.

Zhan Yunwei saw the disappointment and awkwardness flash in his eyes. His previously clear gaze darkened, and she couldn't help but frown.

Perhaps, at the moment of bowing, Zunxian had still been a pure sword cultivator, but the sword did not recognize him as its master, and it caused his sword heart to waver in an instant.

However, this action gave the others an insight. Perhaps there was indeed a way to deal with the King of the Evil Spirits and the Lord of Duer City here in the Forbidden Land.

Zhan Yunwei walked over and stood beside Yue Linxian, finally seeing the secret that Lord Yue had kept hidden.

It was an ice lotus, with ten petals. The ice lotus was holy, but the lotus patterns on it were a blood-red color.

This was the Compassionate Life Lotus Pattern, which defied the laws of heaven and earth—holiness and ill omen coexisting.

Zhan Yunwei instinctively said, "Don't take it!"

As the one who had read the Fate Book, she knew very well what the lotus pattern meant. It could enhance one's cultivation, change the root bones, and defy fate. However, once the lotus pattern entered the body, one's life would shorten dramatically.

In fact, each lotus pattern required a sacrifice of ten years of life.

She tried to stop Yue Linxian's hand, but her attempt passed through his, as he couldn't hear her voice. He was already holding the lotus pattern, frowning as he examined it.

Zhan Yunwei looked at her own hand, realizing she couldn't stop what had already happened.

Yet now, she finally understood what the Compassionate Life Lotus Pattern meant to Yue Ziheng. What he had casually given for her was, in reality, his own short life.

Zhan Yunwei stood before the altar, a mere spectator as Daoist Hongyuan took the last of the Hundred Kill Lotus.

Only the Master of Changya Mountain didn't touch anything inside the hall. Instead, he picked up a rattle that had fallen in the corner.

The rattle was exquisite and cute, making him smile involuntarily.

The Fate Book was untouchable, and they were in a hurry to save people. Since they had obtained the treasures, they all knew it was time to leave.

The Master of Changya Mountain said, "Do you all hear the sound of a baby crying?"

The others exchanged looks and shook their heads.

Penglai Zunxian urged, "The flow of time here seems to be different from the outside world. We need to leave quickly."

The Master of Changya Mountain said, "Wait a moment. I must check to see if any child was left here. Since this place is the child's home, we cannot leave her alone now that we've taken her things."

As righteous leaders, they had kind hearts, and they all nodded in agreement to help him search.

In the end, the Master of Changya Mountain really found a baby in the pavilion.

She had her eyes tightly shut and looked delicate and beautiful, with one little fist in her mouth, but she was not breathing.

The group gathered around, guessing the child's origins.

"Ancient treasures were all placed in the divine altar. This child's aura is pure and untraceable. She must be the daughter of the master of this place."

An orphan of an ancient family, sealed away until today.

With no living relatives in the world, this little girl lay abandoned in the Forbidden Land, forever alone.

Her swaddling cloth was exquisite, showing how much her family had loved and cherished her. Unfortunately, after a thousand years of sealing, she remained in the Forbidden Land, living in eternal solitude.

Penglai Zunxian sighed, "She has no breath. We cannot break the ancient seal and save her. Let's lay her down."

At that time, the young Master of Changya Mountain shook his head. He placed the rattle in the child's arms.

"Everyone, leave. I'll stay here and search for a way to awaken her. She, by chance, saved our lives, and we should repay this kindness. To the world, ancient artifacts are treasures, but to this Forbidden Land and her parents, she is an irreplaceable treasure."

Penglai Zunxian spoke softly, "I am shallow and ashamed."

In the end, the group decided that the others would leave to rescue the Spirit Masters, while the Master of Changya Mountain would stay behind to save the sealed infant.

Everyone knew that once the artifact was taken, there would be chaos and a change in the situation. To protect the child, each person wiped their memories of the baby.

Except for the Master of Changya Mountain.

He spent day after day in the Forbidden Land, and Heaven finally rewarded his persistence. Two years later, he finally found a way, and the baby opened her chestnut-colored eyes.

She reached out her tiny hand and grasped his scarred hand.

The Master was stunned for a long time, then tears fell as he said, "From now on, I will be your father."

On her longevity lock was engraved the character "Yang," and the Master of Changya Mountain named her Zhan Yunwei, calling her by her small name, Yangyang.

At this moment, white mist rose, and the Forbidden Land no longer distinguished between day and night. Zhan Yunwei watched as the man carefully cared for the girl, feeding her lamb's milk and teaching her to walk and speak. She gradually grew up.

Zhan Yunwei watched as the little girl leaped into the Master of Changya Mountain's arms, her laughter clear and bright, calling him "father" in a muddled voice.

The Master of Changya Mountain laughed heartily, holding her as they flew away on a spiritual bird.

Zhan Yunwei remained where she stood, knowing everything that would happen afterward. She remembered following the Master of Changya Mountain to rescue people, and how he taught her the way of kindness.

She gained many family members, and later, even a brother. The Master of Changya Mountain never broke his promise—she was his beloved daughter from birth to death.

She didn't know when, but her face was covered in tears.

Just like when she first learned to speak as a child, watching the Master hold the child and disappear into the distance, Zhan Yunwei called out softly, "Father."

"You Will Always Be My Father"

The Forbidden Land was just a forgotten memory, while Changya Mountain was her forever home.

The Fate Book flipped open page by page, as if retreating into the past.

Zhan Yunwei walked back to her original spot and found herself returned to the time when the three ancient artifacts hadn't been taken away.

In front of her was the ice lotus.

She hesitated for a moment before reaching out to touch it. This time, however, her hand didn't fall empty. It seemed like she had truly touched something—but it wasn't the sensation of the ice lotus; it was the flipping of a page in the "Fate Book."

She saw what happened next.

After Yue Linxian took the ice lotus, he entered the underground palace and rescued Xuan Furen and the other ten or so Spirit Masters.

That night, the blood moon was bright. Xuan Furen held her husband, unable to stop her tears. Her eyes were full of hatred and sorrow. Yue Linxian said, "I know, it's alright, it's alright, it's all in the past now."

Xuan Furen trembled, saying, "I left those two little monsters in the underground palace... will they die?"

Three years of close companionship, the pain of childbirth, and the innocent love of the children... She left without hesitation, but how could she not know that the two children had kind hearts?

Yue Linxian wiped away her tears, saying, "You go out first and return home. I'll go back for the children."

Xuan Furen choked, "But what about them? I don't know if—"

Yue Linxian said, "What fault do the children have? You're their mother, and I'm their father. In this world, how could parents abandon their children? Besides, there are other wives in Duer City who need rescuing. Go home and wait for me. I'll be back soon."

He handed her the Compassionate Life Lotus: "Take the lotus pattern and this jade token to your father. He'll know what to do."

However, Yue Linxian never returned. Zhan Yunwei saw that he had given his all, but he died on the way to the underground palace, killed by the combined efforts of the King of the Evil Spirits and his minions.

Where he bled, he was only one step away from the underground palace.

Zhan Yunwei followed his final gaze and entered the door behind him.

Under the huge blood moon, two children huddled together for warmth.

They both stared out the window. The little girl gestured: "Ah Heng, do you think Mother will come back? Does she really not want us anymore?"

The three-year-old boy said, "I don't know."

The girl remained silent for a long time, then took out a hard, cold bun from her arms, gesturing: "I saved this for Mother. If she comes back, I'll give it to her. If I'm even a little better, maybe she won't leave."

Yue Ziheng said, "Are you stupid? She won't want it. She'll just want to strangle you. You haven't eaten for two days."

He broke the bun into pieces and expressionlessly stuffed it into the mute girl's mouth.

His hands were covered in blood, and it was unclear where he had been or whether he had gotten into a fight.

However, in his arms, Zhan Yunwei saw a half-eaten bun peeking out.

He said, "Yue Qingluo is foolish, but so am I."

This must have been for Xuan Furen, right?

She squatted down in front of the boy, though she knew he couldn't see her. Still, she couldn't help but reach out to gently touch his battered little face.

"Lord Yue," she whispered, "Don't be sad. Xuan Furen and Lord Yue also loved you both."

Xuan Furen regretted leaving, and though she was only one step away, their father had also exhausted himself trying to bring them home.