Chapter 7

Just as the bone whip was about to shatter Lin Yu's soul, a tremendous external force collided with it, shattering it back into segments of bone!

Yu Jia suddenly appeared from the pitch-black cave, dragging Fu Ming and Lin Yu, who were nearly buried in dust, as he burst through the collapsing earth and charged out of the fissure!

Dust filled the surface as the Mountain God followed them out of the crevice.

Only when Lin Yu reached the surface did she realize how vast the underground cavern truly was—looking out, it seemed nearly half the mountain had sunk into the earth!

Half the mountain's trees had also collapsed into the massive underground pit, leaving Gujin Mountain shrouded in yellow sand.

Yu Jia tossed the divine tree leaf to Lin Yu, formed a protective array around her and Fu Ming, then drew his sword and charged at the Mountain God!

However, when Lin Yu received her soul, she was taken aback—her scattered soul and spirit were not infused into the divine tree but sealed within it!

Lin Yu couldn't extract her soul from the leaf and merge it with herself! Even if she retrieved the soul, she still wouldn't survive past the seventh day.

Lin Yu watched the tree roots buried under the dust and Yu Jia's back as he fought the Mountain God. Gradually, Yu Jia gained the upper hand; the Mountain God's magical power seemed to weaken significantly.

As the Imperial Preceptor, Yu Jia had gathered magical artifacts for Fu Ming across the land, so his power was formidable. The Mountain God couldn't keep up, and the ever-growing vines were severed, littering the ground everywhere.

Lin Yu guessed that the Mountain God's true form was that tree. With the divine tree damaged and the cavern collapsed, the Mountain God's power was equally restricted.

Seeing that he was about to lose, the Mountain God's gaze suddenly returned to Lin Yu.

His murky eyes stared intently at Lin Yu and Fu Ming, who were shielded within Yu Jia's protective array.

A mere young girl—just lucky! She only held the title of Divine Maiden, which gave her followers, but she had no chance at ascension and was already abandoned by the celestial path. Why should she still outshine him?!

He refused to accept it!

She had to die. If she didn't, his hundred years of cultivation—even using tens of thousands of living people to nourish the tree roots—would be a joke!

The Mountain God couldn't bear it. Even after using so many lives as sustenance, he still hadn't become a god.

He called himself the Mountain God, but only he knew the truth—he was just a tree demon that had forcibly taken over a mountain.

He absolutely could not let anyone discover that he was a tree demon!

Divine Maiden? He had killed her once, and he could kill her again!

So the Mountain God gambled everything, pouring all his magic power into the ground, letting it travel through the earth to Lin Yu's feet!

Yu Jia didn't expect the Mountain God to suddenly change targets. Before he could react, the powerful magic bypassed his array, wrapped in a whirlwind, and struck Lin Yu!

In a flash, Lin Yu drew Fu Ming's sword and slashed at the magic surging through the earth!

The sword let out a resonant ring as it left its sheath, echoing for miles around.

Lin Yu's magical power was weak, but Fu Ming's sword was a divine artifact. With it, she severed the Mountain God's remaining vines!

At the same time, Lin Yu was knocked back by the powerful backlash, stumbling several steps, while half the mountain behind her had already sunk into the earth!

Just as Lin Yu was about to fall into the pit, Fu Ming leaped forward, grabbing a broken branch to steady her and pulling her back to solid ground.

No sooner had Lin Yu planted her feet on the loose loess than she spun the sword and swung it toward the Mountain God!

The Mountain God's vines were all severed, and with his magic depleted, he couldn't fight them any longer. Seeing that the battle was lost, he fled in panic, dissolving into a wisp of green smoke and sinking into the earth, disappearing.

Lin Yu's attack struck only empty air, the sword energy kicking up a cloud of dust where the Mountain God had vanished.

Lin Yu didn't show any frustration. Under Fu Ming's stunned gaze, she casually sheathed the sword back into the scabbard in Fu Ming's hand, dusting off her palms as she did.

Yu Jia dispelled the array and turned around just in time to see this scene. His expression turned inscrutable, and he concealed his emotions without a trace.

Fu Ming was bewildered: "You… how did you draw my sword?"

Qingxian was Fu Ming's sword, and it had long recognized its master. Fu Ming was certain of that—a spirit weapon that had bonded with its master couldn't be used by anyone else…

How had Lin Yu drawn Qingxian?! And that sword cry—was it hers? She just used it as she pleased, and so effortlessly! Fu Ming couldn't even unleash that much power himself!

Lin Yu didn't know what Fu Ming was so shocked about, but she thought for a moment and answered, "It was just convenient."

Fu Ming looked at Lin Yu's big, innocent, blinking eyes, which radiated a simple and unworldly air.

If Fu Ming hadn't seen Lin Yu with blood on her hands, he might have been fooled by her seemingly kind appearance.

Fu Ming still remembered that night—how Lin Yu had burst into the shrine covered in blood, clearly having just killed someone. Anyone else who entered a temple at night without explanation—Fu Ming would have killed them without a second thought.

But when he saw Lin Yu, he let her go.

Who was she, really? What was her purpose? Had she appeared at the shrine deliberately?

Fu Ming didn't seem to pursue any of it.

Fu Ming's gaze flickered, recalling those moments, and he subtly placed his hand on Qingxian's hilt—but only for an instant. In the end, he curled his fingers and withdrew his hand.

Lin Yu was certainly suspicious; otherwise, she couldn't have drawn Qingxian. But Fu Ming felt that Lin Yu wouldn't harm him…

Fu Ming noticed his own complicated feelings but ultimately said nothing.

…

In the empty mountain temple, gold and jewels gleamed brilliantly, casting a dazzling light.

In the corner opposite, a dozen or so elderly, women, and children were bound hand and foot, with the faint sound of a child's weak crying.

The Mountain God stood on the steps with his back to them: "As for your earlier proposal—the sacrifice of two hundred thousand people in Liangcheng—I agree."

"Liangcheng is not like Gujin Mountain. I will begin arranging the formation in the coming days."

Xiao Wen's heart leaped, but his face remained calm, betraying no emotion. He stepped forward: "Then can the Mountain God guarantee the Crown Prince's smooth ascension?"

"That depends on his fate." The Mountain God was displeased—they dared to push further. First they wanted to be king, and now they thought of ascension. He answered casually, then changed the subject.

"Armor and plants are mutually incompatible; they're not conducive to my ritual. Withdraw your troops—have all guards leave Liangcheng within three days."

The Mountain God hid the truth. He couldn't control the power gained from human sacrifices, which lacked a solid foundation. Moreover, his true form, the divine tree, was buried, and after the fight with Yu Jia, his magic was nearly depleted. Only a hollow thousand years of cultivation remained to sustain him.

But that thousand years was just an illusion. He couldn't use the power he'd gained through vile means, nor did he want to reveal his true strength in front of Xiao Wen and Zhang Dian.

Any unexpected change could ruin his plan. He had to gamble everything. He couldn't suppress the city's soldiers now, so the opposing armored troops had to leave.

If the sacrifice succeeded, he thought, with two hundred thousand living people, he could surely touch the threshold of the celestial realm. Ascension would be within reach…

Just then, Zhang Dian, who had been sitting off to the side, suddenly looked up: "Liangcheng is on the border, a strategic pass. How could the garrison commanders possibly all leave?"

"I don't care what methods you use…"

"Trying to run?" The Mountain God turned, conjured a vine, and bound the woman who was struggling to move in the corner.

The woman was yanked back, slammed into the center of the shrine, and let out a muffled groan.

It was then that Zhang Dian and Xiao Wen finally saw the Mountain God's face. Xiao Wen's expression remained unchanged, but Zhang Dian's eyes went wide, and he was speechless—he was startled!

The Mountain God's face was like bark—brownish-black, covered in bumps and cracks, with the dried, peeling bark curling at the edges, like the earth cracking in drought.

And this terrifying pattern now adorned an old man's face, grotesquely absurd.

Both Xiao Wen and Zhang Dian saw the Mountain God's true face for the first time, so they didn't realize that the Mountain God was barely even maintaining his human form.

The Mountain God didn't care about Zhang Dian's expression. He smiled a twisted smile. "Your offering lacks sincerity." As he spoke, he tightened the vine around the woman's neck.

The woman couldn't breathe; her face instantly turned purple. She struggled desperately, whimpering pleas for mercy.

"Wait! Mountain God, I have an idea—we could transfer the troops from Liangcheng to the neighboring Yucheng." Xiao Wen suddenly spoke.

Everyone in the shrine turned to look at Xiao Wen.

The Mountain God loosened the vine and said calmly, "Speak."

…

Outside the window, the cold wind howled, and Liangcheng seemed to plunge into winter overnight.

Four days remained until Lin Yu's soul would scatter. In the room, Yu Jia held the leaf sealing Lin Yu's soul, studying it carefully, while Lin Yu sat to the side watching Fu Ming and Yu Jia, both grim-faced.

Yu Jia finally shook his head. "I've never seen a seal like this. Perhaps only the Xianzun of Heaven's Mandate Tower could break it."

"The Mountain God is suspicious," Lin Yu said, propping her head on one hand and leaning on the table. "He's definitely not who he claims to be."

Yu Jia frowned. "But if he isn't the Mountain God, how did he manage to root his tree through half the mountain and create such a huge cavern?"

Lin Yu seemed to be in a good mood, no sense of impending doom. She said casually, "Maybe… sacrifice? His actual power can't even beat you—how could he be a Mountain God? Let alone wanting to kill two hundred thousand people in Liangcheng."

Yu Jia showed no offense at his power being belittled; he nodded, agreeing with Lin Yu's assessment that the Mountain God was too weak to invade Liangcheng.

"Oh, by the way, since you have magic, how did the Mountain God capture you?" Lin Yu asked Yu Jia suddenly.

Yu Jia didn't want to bring it up: "Will you believe me if I said I woke up tied up in that underground pit?"

Just then, a guard pushed open the door and handed a letter to Fu Ming. "Commander, an urgent letter from Jincheng—they're asking about the princess of Jiang Kingdom."

Lin Yu's expression changed at the words.

Fu Ming casually opened the letter. "What does Jincheng know?"

"To report to the Commander, the new emperor has learned of it. The princess's party was ambushed near Gujin Mountain, and all forty-plus members of the peace delegation have gone missing." The guard's face was anxious. "The wedding between the new emperor and the princess is in half a month, but the princess is nowhere to be found. The new emperor has been sending envoys to ask repeatedly. Jiang Kingdom hasn't received any news of the princess either; they seem to be panicking and have already sent envoys on the way."

"Commander, it happened in our territory. What do you think…" The guard looked at Fu Ming for instructions.

Fu Ming folded the letter and put it back in the envelope, glancing at Lin Yu without showing his feelings.

Lin Yu had been lounging lazily, but when she caught Fu Ming's look, she sat up straight. Busy searching for her soul these days, she'd forgotten that she was actually here for marriage…

Lin Yu shook her head at Fu Ming, mouthing, "Not going."

Fu Ming: "Then tell them we're already searching. If we can't find her, there's nothing we can do. Send someone to Jincheng to apologize later. The war has just ended; the border is in chaos. The new emperor must know that."

His meaning was that after a war, the border was in turmoil—the princess was unlikely to be found, so the new emperor should stop searching.

Lin Yu was satisfied with Fu Ming's response. The guard took his leave, and just then a familiar figure walked in—Zhou Yuan.

They'd agreed last night that Zhang Dian would bring Zhou Yuan to visit today.

Lin Yu stood up as soon as she saw Zhou Yuan, moving so fast Fu Ming couldn't follow. He reached out, but Lin Yu's sleeve slipped through his fingers—he missed her.

Before Zhang Dian could react, Zhou Yuan was already pulled away by Lin Yu, leaving Fu Ming and Zhang Dian staring at each other.

Zhang Dian watched Lin Yu and Zhou Yuan rush off, then smiled at Fu Ming. "Commander Fu, how have you been lately?"

Fu Ming: "…"

…

Lin Yu led Zhou Yuan to a side room at the end of Dudu Mansion, pressing her against the wall. "Crown Princess?"

Zhou Yuan nodded, dumbfounded. "Miss Fu."

"Who is Miss Fu?" Lin Yu asked suspiciously.

Zhou Yuan could guess that Lin Yu had lost her memory and remembered nothing. She felt a headache, unsure how to explain.

If she told Lin Yu this was the illusion of the Feixian Ling, then after they left, Lin Yu would know that the world-sought Feixian Ling was in her possession—that would be disastrous.

But if she didn't say anything, with a madman like Zhang Dian around, how could she leave…

Before Zhou Yuan could reply, Lin Yu asked again, "When did you meet me?"

Zhou Yuan instinctively tried to hide the Feixian Ling secret: "Ah… a long time ago, in a teahouse."

"I'm a Divine Maiden of Yu Kingdom and the peace bride to Jiang Kingdom, while you're the Crown Princess of Li Kingdom. How could we have crossed paths?"

Zhou Yuan realized her slip; her expression froze for a moment. Under Lin Yu's piercing gaze, she didn't know what to say.

From the moment Lin Yu opened her eyes in the bridal sedan, she'd found it strange.

She remembered how flustered the divine attendant had been when she asked who she was—she'd nearly dropped her ritual implement. Something was definitely wrong. Why had she lost her memory?

If she really were a Divine Maiden about to ascend, then why couldn't she use her magic? Or rather, the magic she could use was so weak that it was no different from a mortal's. She couldn't believe that was the cultivation of a Divine Maiden who could survive heavenly tribulations.

Only when she saw the fake Mountain God did Lin Yu confirm her suspicions—he was far too weak. A deity couldn't even defeat a cultivator in the Commander's service, yet he had fooled so many people.

Everything was strange, defying logic.

Zhou Yuan: "You… I…"

Lin Yu finally spoke, testing the waters: "I'm not A Si, am I?"

The only explanation was that she wasn't A Si, so she had no memory of that identity and couldn't use her cultivation.

Zhou Yuan hesitated for a long time, then finally nodded. Fine, if the Feixian Ling secret got out, so be it—getting out alive was the priority.

Zhou Yuan confessed completely: "All of this is false—just an illusion. We can't die. If we die here, we'll never wake up in the real world."

Zhou Yuan's face showed worry: "But if we don't die, we might be trapped here in a loop, never able to leave the illusion."

The biggest flaw of the Feixian Ling was that you needed the real Feixian Ling to access its illusion, and the scenario it created was the Li Kingdom twenty years ago, before the Moon God and Crimson God ascended. At that time, the two of them held a false military tally, which later became the Feixian Ling.

Therefore, in the illusion, there would be at least two Feixian Lings. If you couldn't get out, you'd be trapped forever, wrapped in layers of illusions.

Lin Yu looked at Zhou Yuan as she explained, lost in thought. It seemed like an impossible situation. They had no way out for now, so they could only try to survive.

But Lin Yu… her soul and spirit couldn't merge back into her body. She had only a few days left.

…

After a while, Lin Yu took Zhou Yuan's hand and returned to the main hall. Fu Ming and Zhang Dian were sitting opposite each other, drinking tea in silence—they'd apparently had a disagreement, judging by their closed mouths.

Seeing Lin Yu and Zhou Yuan return, an awkward silence fell.

Lin Yu ignored them and broke the silence directly: "I'm going to Jincheng to marry."