Chapter 425: Gesture (First Update)

Chu Liuyue froze, only then realizing that this fluctuation was actually emanating from within that black pyramid!

A vast and gentle power instantly surged toward Chu Liuyue's limbs and bones!

Chu Liuyue was startled.

For some reason, the aura contained within this power felt incredibly familiar!

Chu Liuyue held her breath and focused her mind, discovering that the seal had not been broken.

Then, after sensing it carefully once more, she finally determined that this power did not come from the pyramid itself, but from the black seal covering the outside of the pyramid!

Chu Liuyue was stunned.

She had only ever seen seals used to imprison power, but she had never seen one that radiated it!

Furthermore, the essence and richness of this power were almost unheard of in the world!

Even with her past life's Heavenly Scripture Original Veins, she might not have been able to refine such pure and gentle power!

But now, this power was gradually permeating her entire body!

Chu Liuyue dazed for a long while before she finally snapped back to her senses.

—The seal on this pyramid was actually helping her nourish her body and increase her cultivation!

Once she realized this, even Chu Liuyue was filled with horror.

This... what on earth was going on!?

Hadn't that Great Chief forcibly left this seal on it precisely because he didn't want her to touch the pyramid?

But now—

How was the power overflowing from within to be explained?

Suddenly, a figure flashed rapidly through her mind!

It was the back of a man wearing a black brocade robe.

Though blurred, he was still tall, slender, and upright.

Chu Liuyue's heart suddenly gave a violent thud!

—She had seen this man's back before!

It was clearly the man who had appeared in the illusion within the Imperial Mausoleum, standing in the octagonal pavilion on the cliff!

Only this time, he wasn't standing there; instead, he seemed to be... standing beside a bend in a lake.

The scene flashed by so quickly that before Chu Liuyue could see it clearly, it had already vanished.

Chu Liuyue tried to recall it seriously, only to find to her disappointment that she couldn't remember anything at all.

But... that sense of familiarity grew even stronger!

Chu Liuyue opened her eyes, her heart racing wildly.

Unable to restrain herself any longer, she stood up, walked to the window, and pushed it open with some agitation.

The night breeze blew in, instantly clearing her head much of its fog.

Now, she suspected more and more that it hadn't been an illusion at all.

Otherwise, she would never have experienced such a subtle, strange emotion...

Could that man in black be the Great Chief of the Treasure Pavilion?!

Chu Liuyue's brow furrowed deeply.

If that were truly the case, then... why was there no record of this person in her memory!?

She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, a trace of solemnity coloring her expression.

It felt as if something was not quite right...

*Swish!*

Suddenly, a strange, eerie sound drifted from the distance!

Chu Liuyue immediately looked up!

In the thick darkness of the night, a black figure appeared in the courtyard!

The moonlight stretched the person's shadow extremely long, but under the heavy shadows, Chu Liuyue could not see the person's face at all.

Then, a terrifying aura enveloped the entire courtyard!

Chu Liuyue instantly went on guard! Her muscles tensed!

This person—was extremely dangerous!

The surrounding space seemed to freeze, all sound was annihilated, and the silence was chilling to the bone.

Suddenly, the person reached out and lightly hooked their index finger.

Chu Liuyue's heart stirred.

It was a severely burned hand; even though only half the palm was exposed, Chu Liuyue could clearly see the shocking scars under the moonlight.

In the next moment, the person's figure soared into the air, heading toward the distance!

Was he telling her to follow?!

Chu Liuyue's hand slowly clenched into a fist.

She wasn't sure if this was some kind of invitation or a provocation.

But regardless, the other party was clearly well aware of her identity! And they had come with a purpose!

Just as the person's figure was about to disappear from sight, Chu Liuyue saw them suddenly turn around.

This time, the person reached out again and made a hand gesture.

Chu Liuyue's eyes widened abruptly!

Because that gesture was a secret code known only to the Thirteen Yue Guards!

***

The Imperial Palace, Youhe Hall.

This was Rong Jin's residence within the palace. After reaching adulthood, he had moved to the Crown Prince's Mansion outside the palace and rarely returned here.

Because of this, Youhe Hall was slightly more desolate than other places, with few people visiting.

However, at this moment, almost no one knew that the deposed Crown Prince, Rong Jin, was being confined here.

And imprisoned here with him was also Situ Xingchen.

It was already night, and Youhe Hall was pitch black, appearing as desolate as usual.

Yet, several obscure auras hidden in the shadows indicated that this place was not as peaceful as it appeared on the surface.

A figure entered silently.

He entered the side hall, walked to the bookshelf, and then reached out to rotate an inkstone resting upon it.

*Click.*

The sound of interlocking gears echoed.

Beneath the bookshelf, a smooth, heavy jade slab slowly slid away!

A narrow entrance appeared before his eyes!

By the light of the moon, one could vaguely see a staircase inside.

The man descended without hesitation.

After his figure disappeared, the jade slab closed again.

The entire room fell silent, as if nothing had happened.

***

Chu Liuyue felt as if a massive storm had erupted in her heart!

The Thirteen Yue Guards were her personal guard; she had founded them herself back then.

Every single one of those thirteen people had been personally selected and trained by her!

Unlike Mu Qinghe, who controlled military power, the Thirteen Yue Guards had no connection to any faction in the imperial court.

They were more like her secret blade; wherever she pointed, they would cut through all thorns for her!

Most importantly, she was their most direct and only master!

At any time, in any place, under any circumstances, they would only obey her commands!

Even the Emperor had no right to interfere!

When she had fallen into a desperate situation back then, the Thirteen Yue Guards were not by her side, and all the distress signals she sent had vanished into the void.

Until the moment of her death, she had never seen any of them again.

After meeting Mu Qinghe, the suspicion had once crossed her mind—had the Thirteen Yue Guards betrayed her back then as well!?

She didn't dare to think about it deeply.

Whenever these thoughts arose, she would automatically skip over them, as if actively avoiding something.

So, heaven knows how shocked she was to see that familiar gesture here now!

Chu Liuyue felt as if her entire body had frozen, her blood seemingly stopped flowing, with only her heart beating frantically!

*Thump-thump!*

*Thump-thump!*

It felt as if it would leap right out of her chest!

Countless conjectures flashed rapidly through her mind!

"You—"

However, just as she opened her mouth to question the person, the figure suddenly turned and left!

Chu Liuyue gritted her teeth, braced her hands against the window, and leaped out! Following after the person!

(End of Chapter)