The bloodline curse! Xiao Man instantly thought of the Myriad Poison Golden Body she carried. If the surviving members of the Sky Shield Sect had become like this due to a bloodline curse, then what would the curse she carried turn her into?
"Chen An, the bloodline inheritances of the Four Great Sects are all curses, aren't they?"
Chen An slowly nodded. "Yes, but with a difference."
"What difference?"
"For the people of the Four Great Sects, the bloodline inheritances are their talents. For the one who bestowed these inheritances, they are a threat."
"Threat?" The Sect Master of the Sky Shield Sect had once said that the Four Great Inheritances were curses, yet Chen An called them a threat. She was somewhat confused.
"Yes, a threat," Chen An said softly. "The four great bloodlines are the key to dealing with that person. The reason he bestowed the four great bloodlines to different individuals was to prevent them from being concentrated in one person, thus threatening his rule."
"Do all four bloodline inheritances turn people into monsters?"
"The bloodline inheritance of the Sky Shield Sect turned into a curse because the Sect Master of the Sky Shield Sect tampered with the bloodline inheritance, giving that person an opportunity. That's why they ended up in such a state. To restore them to their human forms, their bloodlines must be removed."
"Remove the bloodlines?" Xiao Man was shocked. Was removing bloodlines any different from death? Bloodlines, even those passed down for tens of thousands of years, still existed. How could they be removed?
"You must understand that the original Four Great Sects did not have bloodline inheritances. They only came later. Since they were acquired later, there must be a way to remove them."
Xiao Man suddenly understood. As long as a method to remove the bloodline inheritances was found, the disciples of the Sky Shield Sect could be restored to their human forms, and she could also avoid being controlled by others because of her bloodline.
Suddenly, a dragon's roar echoed through the sky. Xiao Man looked in the direction of the sound and a smile touched her lips. It seemed Nangong Yu had succeeded.
"After so many years, the Black Dragon has finally found a new master," Chen An said softly.
"Was the Black Dragon your contracted beast?"
"No, he was my companion, a companion who fought alongside me," Chen An said gently. "When you gather your three souls, return to the Ghost Realm to collect the scattered six spirits. One of the spirits within you will guide you to the location of the three souls."
"Alright."
"Just in case, I will give you something." A pendant appeared in Chen An's palm. It was a stone with fine red patterns. Chen An placed the pendant around Xiao Man's neck. "Keep this with you, never take it off. It can save your life at a critical moment."
"This is?"
"A token," Chen An whispered. "When you rescue me, you can use this to recognize me."
Xiao Man nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait."
"Is there something else?" Xiao Man asked.
"May I hug you?" the young Chen An asked cautiously.
Xiao Man turned around and hugged Chen An proactively. "Don't worry, I will rescue you. Please wait for me patiently for a while."
"So warm," Chen An said with a smile. For so many years, no one had hugged him, and no one had shown him affection. He had thought his world was only darkness. He never imagined that after ten thousand years, other colors could still shine into his world.
"One day, you will personally feel the warmth of the sun, the fragrance of flowers, the deliciousness of food, and the mellowness of fine wine," Xiao Man released Chen An and turned to leave.
Chen An watched Xiao Man's figure gradually disappear until she was out of sight. Only then did he retract his gaze, transforming into starlight and vanishing.
Within the magic array in the Land of No Taboos, thick chains rattled, and the light of the array shone brighter, as if to suppress the person within forever. However, a tiny crack suddenly appeared in the otherwise perfect array.
Xiao Man retraced her steps. By the time she reached the Black Dragon's skeletal remains, they had vanished. Only Nangong Yu and Wu Huan were sitting there.
"A'Man!" Nangong Yu's sharp eyes spotted Xiao Man's appearance and he quickly stood up to greet her, pulling her into his embrace. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Are you?"
"I'm very well. I subdued the Black Dragon, and my cultivation has increased again," Nangong Yu explained. "The Black Dragon said that something terrifying is slumbering deep within the forbidden area. Are you truly alright?"
Xiao Man withdrew from Nangong Yu's embrace and spun around in front of him. "See? I'm perfectly fine. Unscathed."
"That's good. That's good," Nangong Yu embraced Xiao Man again, burying his head in her neck, greedily inhaling her scent. It was wonderful; they were reunited.
"Ahem." Wu Huan coughed from the side. "Although this is the Ghost Realm, where nothing is forbidden, don't you two grown men feel ashamed embracing and showing affection in front of me?"
Nangong Yu smiled at this remark but did not explain.
Xiao Man also did not explain. "Wu Huan, we need to leave the Ghost Realm."
"You saw him?"
Xiao Man nodded. "I did, but seeing him is not enough. I need to retrieve what belongs to him before I can release him."
Wu Huan felt an indescribable emotion upon hearing this. He stepped forward, intending to persuade Xiao Man, but when he touched her, his chest ached. He instinctively clutched his chest. What was happening? Why did his heart ache?
"Wu Huan, what's wrong?"
Wu Huan shook his head and stepped back, creating distance between himself and Xiao Man. The pain immediately vanished. Wu Huan became even more perplexed, but he knew this was not a place to linger.
"Let's return to Ghost King City first. We can talk there."
"Alright."
The group successfully exited the demon forbidden area and returned to Ghost King City. Wu Huan, as if to verify if he had truly felt heartache, casually moved closer to Xiao Man. When he touched her, he clearly felt a heartbeat!
Wu Huan maintained a calm demeanor, but his heart was in turmoil. A person without a heart, why would they feel a heartbeat, and even pain?
"Take your hand away!" Nangong Yu swatted Wu Huan's hand off Xiao Man's shoulder, his eyes full of defensiveness towards Wu Huan, like a mother hen guarding her chicks.
Wu Huan subtly increased the distance between them. "You must both be very tired. I'll have accommodations arranged for you. You can wash up, eat something, and rest well. Once you've recovered, we'll discuss leaving, as the path out is not easy."
"Very well, thank you for your trouble."
"Between us, there's no need for thanks," Wu Huan said with a smile. "Guards, escort Young Master Nangong to his room. Also, send hot water and food to Xiao Qin's room, and serve them well."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Wu Huan watched Xiao Man and Nangong Yu disappear from sight before clutching his chest and leaning heavily on the chair, panting. He had truly felt a heartbeat, albeit briefly. He had definitely felt it, and he had even felt pain. Why would he feel pain?
"Summon Miao Shao!"