Chapter 355: God Domain (Second Update)

Chu Liuyue took a step forward, almost uncontrollably.

As her body entered that frozen space, a sudden wave of slight chill swept over her.

The entire space felt as if it were a flowing liquid; Chu Liuyue could clearly feel the resistance she encountered while moving within it, much like walking through a quietly flowing stream.

Holding her breath, she looked upward, unable to suppress her curiosity.

That single black feather was suspended silently at the very center, as if it could not be moved by any force whatsoever.

Chu Liuyue knew that was the key to the Three-Eyed Divine Eagle's ability to manifest its Divine Domain.

Everything within this space was controlled by that black feather.

Chu Liuyue marveled inwardly at the miraculous nature of the Divine Domain.

Rumor had it that when a cultivator broke through to the Ninth Rank Martial Artist, they could step into a higher echelon and possess the power to manifest a Divine Domain.

Unfortunately, for her, this was merely a rumor.

The ancestor of the Tianling Empire had once reached a level above the Ninth Rank, but not long after breaking through the shackles, he had departed and never returned.

The imperial historical records contained no content following that event.

Everything was left to the world as countless questions.

Since that ancestor, Chu Liuyue was the second person in the entire Tianling Empire to possess a Heavenly Scripture Original Vein. Everyone secretly hoped she could reach the same realm as that ancestor, and she herself had been practicing tirelessly for that very purpose.

Regrettably, she had been betrayed and forced to perish by self-immolation within the Imperial Ancestral Hall, losing that opportunity forever.

She sighed softly in her heart, tucked the memory away, and stepped upward.

After passing nine steps, she arrived before the Mysterious Array.

She reached out her hand and touched the starlight upon the array.

However, at this moment, within the Three-Eyed Divine Eagle's Divine Domain, everything was under its control; even the power of this Mysterious Array was almost completely frozen, unable to be deployed.

She continued walking upward, her entire body passing silently through the array.

When she turned back, she saw that the Mysterious Array had already returned to its previous state, without a single trace of having been touched.

She had to admit, the Three-Eyed Divine Eagle truly had a trick up its sleeve...

As Chu Liuyue thought this, she finally stepped onto the fifth floor!

A somewhat familiar fluctuation drifted from ahead!

She lifted her eyes to look!

***

The Xingluo Kingdom Imperial Palace.

Situ Ziyue's sleeping quarters.

Elder Zongye was currently checking his pulse, while Situ Xingchen stood to the side, waiting quietly.

After a long while, Elder Zongye released his hand and smiled faintly.

"There, your internal injuries are basically healed. It won't affect your cultivation in the future."

Situ Ziyue's tense expression finally relaxed a little.

"It is all thanks to you. If not for your help these past few days, I fear my body would..."

"Eh—you shouldn't say that. I remember Xingchen's master, Cheng Han, is also a Fifth-Rank Heavenly Physician. Even if I hadn't come, he certainly would have been able to treat you well," Elder Zongye said, waving his hand with a smile.

Situ Ziyue sighed and said, "To be honest, Elder Zongye, it is not that I do not trust Dean Cheng Han, it is just that I trust you more."

This bit of flattery indeed made Elder Zongye's expression brighten.

Beside them, a faint smile played on Situ Xingchen's lips; she seemed completely unbothered by Situ Ziyue's slighting of her master.

Having spent many years at the Bright Moon Heavenly Mountain, she naturally understood Elder Zongye's character.

He had entered the Bright Moon Heavenly Mountain to cultivate in his younger years and rose through the ranks to become an Elder. With his esteemed status, he naturally looked down upon people like Cheng Han.

"Haha! Ziyue, I know your intentions, but Xingchen is still here. Cheng Han is her master after all; if you speak like that, aren't you afraid of breaking her heart?" Elder Zongye said chuckling.

"Actually, Brother is right. In Xingchen's eyes, Master Cheng Han indeed cannot compare to you."

Situ Xingchen's smile was gentle, her beautiful face filled with sincerity.

Elder Zongye took out a folding fan and lightly tapped Situ Xingchen on the forehead.

"After a few years apart, your little mouth has become even better at sweet-talking people!"

Situ Xingchen smiled and said, "You are joking again."

She glanced outside and said, "It is getting late. Elder Zongye, why don't we let Brother rest properly first? Xingchen will accompany you back."

Elder Zongye gave her a thoughtful look, then laughed heartily.

"Fine! Then let's head out first and let Ziyue recover well!"

Situ Ziyue had intended to see them out personally, but after being rejected by the two, he had no choice but to lie back down on the bed.

On the other side, Situ Xingchen accompanied Elder Zongye as they left.

After walking a distance, reaching a relatively remote and quiet road, Elder Zongye finally spoke.

"Does Xingchen have something on her mind?"

A trace of a helpless, bitter smile appeared on Situ Xingchen's face.

"After all these years, whatever is on my mind, I truly cannot escape your keen eyes."

With one hand behind his back, Elder Zongye's voice became much lower and gentler.

"You grew up by my side since childhood; I have always treated you as my own daughter. These past few days, you have been busy running around for Ziyue. I can see that you have something on your mind and that you are not very happy. If you don't mind, just tell me."

Situ Xingchen remained silent for a long while before asking in a low voice, "Elder Zongye, do you know that Brother Rong Xiu has become engaged to someone?"

"What!?"

Elder Zongye came to a sudden halt, looking at Situ Xingchen with a face full of shock.

"When did this happen? To whom!?"

"Just ten days ago. The woman he is engaged to is Chu Liuyue."

Elder Zongye looked bewildered.

"Who is that?!"

He had stayed at the Bright Moon Heavenly Mountain for years and did not know much about the affairs of the outside world.

This time, he had headed straight here upon descending the mountain, and for the past few days, he had been busy tending to Situ Ziyue's health. Thus, he had not heard of things like the Qingjiao Assembly, and naturally knew nothing of this.

Situ Xingchen gave a brief introduction of Chu Liuyue and recounted the recent events in outline.

Elder Zongye did not recover from the shock for a long time.

"Are you saying that the woman... he actively sought to marry her!? How is that possible! He is cold by nature; in all those years at the Bright Moon Heavenly Mountain, he never had much interaction with other women. How could he, as soon as he returned—"

Elder Zongye looked at Situ Xingchen with a face full of heartache.

"No wonder you've been like this these past few days..."

He had long sensed that Situ Xingchen admired Rong Xiu; seeing her so sorrowful now, he knew his intuition was correct.

Situ Xingchen forced a smile and said, "You don't need to worry about me, I am fine. For all these years, I always thought I could wait for him. I can only say that we were destined to meet, but not to be together."

Seeing her like this, Elder Zongye thought for a moment and said, "How about I go find his master and ask if the engagement can be canceled?"

Situ Xingchen's heart stirred, but she shook her head.

"A forced melon is not sweet; why should I be such a villain? Besides, tomorrow, the Crown Prince of the Yaochen Kingdom, Rong Jin, is coming."

Elder Zongye asked in confusion, "Everything was fine, why would he suddenly come?"

Situ Xingchen lowered her eyes.

"A political marriage."