Chapter 2

“Yu Wu!”

Lan Ruo and the others rushed over, seeing Yu Wu standing dazed by the hot spring, soaking wet. They couldn’t help but quicken their pace and run forward.

With her right index and middle fingers together, Lan Ruo pointed at Yu Wu, and a beam of light shone on her.

The previously soaked clothes dried in an instant. Yu Wu finally came to her senses and turned to see Lan Ruo and the others.

“Senior Sister.”

“Yu Wu, are you alright? You scared me to death. If anything had happened to you, I would have blamed myself endlessly.”

Lan Ruo looked Yu Wu up and down, while Yu Wu waved her hands repeatedly.

“Senior Sister, I’m fine. I just fell into the hot spring headfirst earlier, but I wasn’t hurt at all.”

Yu Wu laughed carelessly, and Lan Ruo helplessly reached out to poke Yu Wu’s forehead.

“Where’s Yu Tong? Didn’t she fall with me?”

Not seeing Yu Tong, Yu Wu was also a bit worried. After all, she was the female protagonist in the book. If anything unexpected happened, it was possible that she herself might be trapped in the book forever.

Lan Ruo and the other senior and junior disciples didn’t look too good. Lan Ruo pursed her lips and said:

“It’s good that you’re safe now. Our main priority right now is to leave the imperial palace.”

After falling just now, although there was no one below, Lan Ruo sensed that this place was filled with imperial aura. Such a strong imperial presence could only be found in the inner palace.

Lan Ruo had visited the imperial palace with Yu Wu’s mother before. Although there were no guards stationed here, Lan Ruo could be certain.

Yu Wu was stunned. Before falling, she had thought they were just entering the capital city. She didn’t expect this brightly lit place to be the so-called imperial palace. No wonder even a hot spring pool was so magnificent.

Yu Wu’s expression was a bit strange. Lan Ruo saw this and thought she was worried about Yu Tong, so she quickly explained.

“Yu Tong is clever, and she has spiritual power to protect her. Although she fell into the palace, I’m sure she can turn danger into safety. Unlike you, who has no spiritual power. If the guards come in a while, we can become invisible, but you can’t.

Listen to me, let’s leave first and then find a way to contact Yu Tong.”

Yu Wu came to her senses and seeing that Lan Ruo had made a decision, she nodded in agreement.

The group quietly left the palace on their swords, as if they had never been there.

Almost immediately after, a man in dark clothes slowly walked out of the hot spring to the shore and put on a cloak.

Walking about ten meters away from the hot spring, the man waved his hand, and an invisible illusion barrier shattered above the vast hot spring.

Palace servants appeared on the stone path, bowing as they saw the man:

“Lord Li You, we wish you peace.”

*

“We are disciples of the Qingluan Sect, here on our Master’s orders.”

The next morning, Yu Wu, with dark circles under her eyes, returned to the palace gates with Lan Ruo and the other four.

Yu Wu had a dream last night where she was constantly running. Behind her, a silver dragon was chasing her.

That silver dragon was identical to the silver dragon tail she had seen twice during the day.

The silver dragon seemed to want her life, it was so fierce that Yu Wu woke up frightened and couldn’t sleep peacefully after that.

The guard came forward with a disbelieving look:

“The immortals from Qingluan Sect entered the palace early this morning. Who are you imposters, daring to impersonate Qingluan Sect immortals?”

Lan Ruo looked confused, but fortunately, Yu Wu quickly reacted, remembering that Lan Ruo had told her last night that Yu Wu’s mother had given them a token, just in case they had trouble entering the palace.

“Senior Sister, where’s that gold token mother gave you? Quickly take it out.”

“Oh, right!”

Lan Ruo hurriedly took out the gold token.

This was specially made by order of the Emperor and bestowed upon the Qingluan Sect. There were only two in the whole world, with no possibility of forgery.

The guard was stunned upon seeing the gold token and quickly changed his attitude:

“So you really are the immortals from Qingluan Sect. Why did you send two groups? I’ll go report this right away.”

The Qingluan Sect was founded by the descendants of the ancient divine bird Qingluan after its transformation. However, unlike their ancestor the divine bird Qingluan, these descendants were not of the divine race. They just had a bit more spiritual roots than most ordinary people.

There were even a few members of the clan, like Yu Wu, who had no spiritual roots at all.

Because of their ancestor, the divine bird Qingluan, the Qingluan Sect was highly regarded in the celestial realm and also very prestigious in the mortal world. The imperial family would always seek help from the Qingluan Sect first for any matters.

After going in to report, a man walked out of the palace in no time.

Judging by the man’s attire, he didn’t look like a palace servant, but clearly someone with an official position. It’s worth noting that this is a female-dominated society, so for a man to be able to enter the palace as an official, he must not be a simple person.

As the man approached, Yu Wu could finally see his appearance clearly.

The man had a cold and clear demeanor, slender and upright. His hair was tied up with only a white jade crown, and his light blue formal clothes made his already fair skin look even whiter.

The man’s eyes were slightly upturned at the corners, and Yu Wu was delighted to discover that his eyes were actually amber-colored.

There were quite a few male disciples in the Qingluan Sect who were gentle and handsome like Lan Ruo, but Yu Wu still found herself staring at the man before her.

The man stepped forward, also examining the newcomers. When he saw Yu Wu staring at him in a daze, the man sighed lightly:

“What is this little immortal from Qingluan Sect with dark circles under her eyes staring at me for?”

The man’s face was expressionless, and his voice was as cold and clear as his person, just hearing it felt refreshing to the heart.

Seeing this, Lan Ruo quickly elbowed Yu Wu, who finally came back to her senses.

Realizing the man’s gaze was on her, Yu Wu noticed her improper behavior and lowered her head, her face turning bright red.

“Her Majesty has been busy with state affairs recently and may not have time to see the immortals. Another immortal entered the palace this morning, and I will now escort you all there.”

“This is the teacher of our palace’s Prince Ning An, we respectfully address him as Lord Li You. Lord Li You is a great favorite of the Male Empress.”

Before Yu Wu and Lan Ruo could ask who the person before them was, the guard had already announced his identity, in an extremely flattering manner.

With the guard’s words, even someone as slow as Yu Wu could understand.

The current Emperor only has this one son, and he was born to the Male Empress.

To entrust the only legitimate son to Li You for education shows how capable this Li You must be.

Following Li You into the palace, they admired the magnificent scenery different from Mount Changyang. Yu Wu and the others truly broadened their horizons.

In the few days since transmigrating into the book, Yu Wu would often hear Yu Tong and the other two junior disciples pestering Lan Ruo to tell them about the palace.

No wonder Yu Tong always said she wanted to come see the palace. Compared to Mount Changyang, this place was indeed much more interesting.

After walking around for half a day, the silent Li You pointed ahead and finally spoke:

“Immortals, the palace ahead is where you will be staying. There are many rules in the palace, so please don’t wander around without reason.

The palace opposite is Fengqi Palace, which is also my residence. The prince usually comes here to learn from me. If you need anything, immortals, you can come find me.”

Watching Li You’s every move, Yu Wu couldn’t take her eyes off him. Although Li You seemed to have an invisible sign saying ‘keep away’ around him, Yu Wu was still attracted to him.

Moreover, even though they weren’t very close to Li You, Yu Wu could always smell a faint, cool fragrance from him, which was very pleasant.

“Thank you for your trouble, Lord Li You.”

Lan Ruo politely nodded in response. As a man himself, Lan Ruo also admired Li You for being able to navigate the palace alone and still be so respected.

All along the way, whether they encountered guards or palace servants, everyone would greet and pay respects to Li You.

For a man to achieve this was truly remarkable.

“It’s nothing. The immortals have come to the palace to draw talismans and set up magic arrays, isn’t it all for Her Majesty? We’re all serving Her Majesty and the Male Empress, just helping each other out.

The palace servants are polite and call me ‘Lord’, but the immortals need not do the same. You can just call me by my name. It’s time for Prince Ning An’s painting lesson, so I must take my leave.”

Li You nodded to Lan Ruo and Yu Wu’s group, then returned directly to his own palace.

Li You’s words were very clear, not allowing Yu Wu and the others to wander around freely. Since they had come to the palace, they should naturally follow the rules here.

Lan Ruo entered the palace where they were supposed to stay with Yu Wu and the other four.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw Yu Tong walking out of the hall. When they heard the guard at the palace gate say that someone from Qingluan Sect had already arrived, Yu Wu had already guessed it was her.

“Yu Tong!”

Yu Wu’s tone carried a hint of reproach. Although she didn’t want to be like this, Yu Tong had disappeared for an entire night in an unfamiliar place, so Yu Wu was still worried, which is why she spoke this way.

Yu Tong turned her head, saw it was Yu Wu and the others, and immediately raised the corners of her mouth, running over with a mischievous smile.

Grabbing Yu Wu’s arm, Yu Tong seemed to be trying to please her.

Yu Tong didn’t pay much attention to the other junior and senior disciples, but Yu Wu was after all her elder sister, and usually treated her very well, so Yu Tong still respected Yu Wu very much.

“Elder Sister, you and Senior Sister Lan Ruo finally came. I’ve been waiting for so long.”

“Where did you run off to yesterday? We were so worried about you. If anything had happened, how could we explain to her when we go back?”

“Oh, Elder Sister, I’m fine, aren’t I? Don’t scold me, I won’t dare to do it again.”

Yu Wu was also at a loss with Yu Tong, and in the end just lightly poked her forehead.

“Alright then, but when you entered the palace ahead of us, didn’t the guards at the palace gate give you any trouble?”

“Not really, they just asked a few questions, and after the guard went in to report, they settled me here.”

Hearing this, Yu Wu inwardly exclaimed, “Good heavens!” This kind of protagonist’s halo could only happen to the female lead.

“But Elder Sister, when I fell down last night, didn’t you fall with me? I thought you all stayed in the palace, why did you come so late?”