Xuan Yuan Xing's palace shimmered with a soft, crystal-like glow within the jungle.
Qin Ye Xuan stood beneath a colossal spruce tree, gazing at the gate through which flowed the seven-colored light.
The gate, five meters high, was crystal clear, etched with peculiar patterns that receded inward on either side, resembling luminous tubes.
It was from these patterns that the light emanated.
Beyond these, the gate also displayed motifs of cloud cranes, green bamboo, myriad herbs, and exotic flowers.
Qin Ye Xuan gently raised his hand and pressed it against the gate.
A low hum resonated from the massive crystal gate, and the luminous tubes within grew brighter, making it resemble a castle from mythology.
But Qin Ye Xuan immediately drew his hand back, his expression filled with shock. "What a formidable defensive formation!"
The patterns on the gate began to shift. The shining tubes rearranged themselves, transforming from intricate designs into eighty-one small formations, each connected by a thin line.
The Xuan Yuan Immortal Clan's pride, the "Ying Long Jiu Tian Formation"!
Legend had it that before the Upper Ancient era, the Yellow Emperor fought Chi You at Lu Ye, with countless immortals and demons involved. Before uniting with Emperor Yan, the Yellow Emperor relied on the Ying Long for defense against Chi You's relentless assault.
Ying Long was a colossal divine dragon, possessing immense power. It also imparted a defensive formation to the Yellow Emperor, named after the nine heavens, composed of eighty-one battle formations.
Later, the Xuan Yuan clan inherited this formation, using it as a secret treasure within their small world.
This was the second time Qin Ye Xuan had encountered such an ancient divine formation.
He sighed and gently knocked on the gate.
Inside the palace, Xuan Yuan Xing chuckled triumphantly. Ignoring the knocking, she pressed down on the excited Shen Bing Mei.
Shen Bing Mei felt her body go limp, unable to utter a word.
Xuan Yuan Xing's demonic arts were even more profound than Zhu Tian Qi's, and her cultivation neared legendary levels. Thus, with a mere touch, Shen Bing Mei was rendered utterly powerless.
She could only watch the man outside the translucent crystal gate...
Qin Ye Xuan appeared far younger, handsome as a youth. He was vastly different from the mature man in her memory.
Yet, that composed demeanor, steady smile, and the expression in his eyes were so familiar.
He was indeed the lover she had longed for.
Xuan Yuan Xing, with a strange smile, produced a photograph.
At the center of the photo was a mature and handsome man, unmistakably the Qin Ye Xuan of that era. To his left and right stood two girls.
The two women looked identical. The one on the left appeared slightly older, dressed in a white dress and a plain black jacket, her long hair tied up, standing close to Qin Ye Xuan.
The younger girl on the right, however, wore denim shorts, exuding youthful energy. She had short hair and her eyes held a hint of pride and indifference.
"The one on the right is me, and the one on the left is my elder sister, who later went by the alias Su Qing."
"I didn't like long hair or dresses back then..."
Xuan Yuan Xing spoke these nonsensical words, then suddenly turned and entered the inner chambers. Moments later, she emerged wearing a white dress, a black jacket, and with her long hair tied up, her attire identical to Su Qing's in the photograph.
"This outfit is the same one my sister used to wear. I had it meticulously copied, so no one can tell the difference. Back then, Qin Ye Xuan was deceived precisely because my impersonation of my sister was so perfect, so flawless that even my sister herself couldn't distinguish it."
"This was a game my sister and I used to play when we were in Xuan Yuan Valley – impersonating each other. I always won."
Shen Bing Mei was stunned to find that Xuan Yuan Xing's voice had changed, and her appearance and demeanor had transformed from cold and cruel to gentle and approachable.
Now, Xuan Yuan Xing walked to the gate. The shining formations slowly shifted, revealing a space where she and Qin Ye Xuan could see each other.
It was like looking through transparent glass, allowing them to see each other clearly.
Qin Ye Xuan, seeing the girl who appeared behind the gate, his beloved wife whom he had longed for, trembled all over.
But then, he turned his head away in disgust. "Xuan Yuan Xing, why do this? Su Qing died by your hand. Are you deliberately trying to sicken me by impersonating her like this?"
Xuan Yuan Xing chuckled venomously. "Yes, I am deliberately trying to sicken you. Your goddess, your beloved wife, isn't she just like me now?"
Qin Ye Xuan's gaze changed. "Don't think you're safe just because you're hiding in there."
Xuan Yuan Xing shrugged. "Brother-in-law, you definitely can't do anything. Back in Xuan Yuan Valley, you couldn't break through the Ying Long Jiu Tian Formation. I built this palace precisely to prevent you from going to extremes."
There was nothing more to be said between them.
Qin Ye Xuan's expression calmed. "State your conditions!"
Xuan Yuan Xing turned, pulled Shen Bing Mei over, grabbed her by the hair, and pushed her face against the gate. "Exchange Zhu Tian Qi for your lover. Don't try to negotiate with me, and don't play any tricks. I know you, and you know me!"
Qin Ye Xuan looked at Shen Bing Mei's desolate expression, and after a long moment, slowly nodded.
"Send Zhu Tian Qi to the base of the tree behind you. You are not to appear. I will release Shen Bing Mei!"
The gate instantly flashed with brilliant light again, and the scene within could no longer be seen.
Qin Ye Xuan returned to Chao Ge University, summoned Zhu Tian Qi, and whispered, "The plan is in motion. The rest is up to you."
He softly recited a series of incantations.
Zhu Tian Qi, dressed in fine attire, rapidly absorbed the changes in cultivation techniques from the incantations.
"This is a technique for simulating the aura of the Wu clan. You can use this method to mimic the spiritual energy of the Wu clan, but don't use it for too long. If you exceed a certain time, Xuan Yuan Xing will surely notice."
Zhu Tian Qi giggled. "The Xuan Yuan Immortal Clan, I'm very eager to see it. Is that Xuan Yuan Xing very powerful?"
"She even deceived me, so what do you think! But you don't need to worry too much. Her time is running out. The Blissful World plan is about to begin, so she shouldn't notice."
...
Zhu Tian Qi walked alone to the base of the spruce tree. As Qin Ye Xuan had instructed, she held a small knife horizontally across her chest.
This was a signal that if Xuan Yuan Xing didn't release Shen Bing Mei, Zhu Tian Qi would immediately take her own life.
The crystal gate opened a crack, and Shen Bing Mei was pushed out.
Xuan Yuan Xing also snorted, "Brother-in-law, you still look down on me? Do you think I'd play tricks?"
Zhu Tian Qi took a deep breath and crossed paths with Shen Bing Mei.
A short while later, the palace gate closed tightly once more.
Shen Bing Mei walked out of the jungle in a daze and saw the bustling Longmen River.
...
On the Longmen River, the golden arch bridge was nearing completion.
On both sides of the riverbank, countless zombies and malevolent spirits let out strange howls.
Monks and Taoists possessed by demons stood in neat rows amidst this horde of spirits and zombies.
The scene was utterly fantastical.
Monks and Taoists mingled with zombies and spirits, cooperating with each other.
A tremendous roar echoed as a crystal palace slowly rose from the jungle and headed towards the Longmen River.
At this very moment, from the distant Lingmeng Mountain, in the center of the Tianyu Valley, patches of hellfire began to burn.
The Rakshasas deployed by Fo Lian in the Hell Valley released the Hell Scenery, gradually devouring A Yu's small world...
Everything was in place.
The three keys to opening the Blissful World, the resurgence of spiritual energy, and the reappearance of the gods seemed to be held entirely by Xuan Yuan Xing.