Chapter 3

Yu Tong’s words made Yu Wu realize something was amiss. From her tone, it seemed as if she had personally witnessed Yu Wu falling.

Moreover, Yu Tong had never been to the imperial palace before, so how did she know that the place Yu Wu fell was the inner imperial palace?

It appeared that Yu Tong must be concealing something from them.

However, even though Yu Wu knew this, she was aware that Yu Tong was the female protagonist with her own halo. Yu Wu feared that questioning Yu Tong in front of others might create a rift between them.

“Appearing in the imperial palace so late at night, and entering directly without going through the main gate – what would the people in the palace think of our Qingluan Sect? The eldest senior brother knew you were clever, so we left by flying sword.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Tong chuckled and quickly said that the eldest senior brother understood her best. Then the group entered the hall.

After writing talismans all day, everyone was exhausted. After dinner, they all retired to their own rooms early to rest.

Back in her bedroom, Yu Wu sprawled out on the bed.

Now alone, Yu Wu thought about her spirit root issue and felt dejected again.

She thought about Lan Ruo, fourth junior sister, and little junior brother – they were all ordinary mortals originally. Only because they possessed spirit roots and had a connection with Mother Yu, they were accepted as disciples. Now their spiritual power had progressed.

She herself was a descendant of Qingluan, yet couldn’t even compare to ordinary mortals.

In real life, Yu Wu was also a very competitive person. If there was anything she wasn’t as good at as others, she would put in several times more effort.

But now…

“Ah!”

Yu Wu let out a long sigh, thinking that this was just how her character was set up. But the dejection was only temporary. Yu Wu didn’t intend to give up, after all, anything could change.

‘Knock knock knock.’

There was a knock at the door. Yu Wu perked up and got up to open it, finding that the visitor was Yu Tong.

“Elder sister, I… I want to talk to you.”

Yu Tong pursed her lips, pushing Yu Wu into the room and closing the door behind her.

“Actually, last night, I fell into Phoenix Perch Palace before you did. I didn’t expect the sword to drop you too. Then I looked up and saw the sword fall in with you right after…”

Yu Tong had an apologetic look on her face.

“In my panic, I used spiritual power to push you into a hot spring. I was going to look for you, but something unexpected happened.”

Yu Tong bit her lip and stood up, bowing to Yu Wu.

“Elder sister, I didn’t mean to abandon you. I’m sorry!”

Yu Tong apologized very solemnly. Yu Wu quickly straightened her up.

“Yu Tong, you’re my sister. No matter what happens, I would never blame you. Besides, don’t I know how worried you were about me? How could I misunderstand you?”

Hearing Yu Wu’s words, Yu Tong seemed to feel reassured. Her face, which had been filled with guilt and heaviness, finally showed a smile.

“Then I can rest easy. Elder sister, get some rest. I’ll head back now.”

With that, Yu Tong left the bedroom like a gust of wind, not forgetting to close the door for Yu Wu.

Yu Wu chuckled softly, shaking her head helplessly at Yu Tong’s childlike demeanor.

At night, Yu Wu again had the dream she’d been having every night since transmigrating into the book.

In the dream, she lay in a pitch-black, narrow space. It was very cold. She felt suffocated but had no strength in her body.

Helpless, she suddenly grabbed onto something – cool and extremely hard.

Clinging to what she’d grabbed like a lifeline, unable to even open her mouth, she could only silently call for help in her heart…

*

Three days had passed since entering the palace. All the yellowed and old talismans had been replaced.

Although there wasn’t much to do now that they were free, with Lan Ruo as the eldest senior brother, he always kept a close eye on the junior sisters’ and brother’s cultivation.

The afternoon sun was pleasant, and the courtyard of the palace they were staying in was large. Under Lan Ruo’s urging, the five of them sat in a row, meditating in the center of the courtyard.

Although Yu Wu couldn’t cultivate, she still joined in.

Meditation could calm people down. In real life, Yu Wu was always working overtime. Being able to meditate like this now was a rare opportunity for her to quiet her mind.

An hour later, Yu Tong had quietly opened her eyes, intending to sneak away.

While the others were still meditating, only Yu Wu, who couldn’t enter meditation, noticed Yu Tong’s small movements.

Grabbing Yu Tong’s wrist, Yu Wu turned her head and opened her eyes to look at Yu Tong. Yu Tong had a pleading look on her face, and Yu Wu didn’t know what to do with her.

Just as she was about to open her mouth to persuade Yu Tong, Li You walked in from the palace gate. Seeing the scene before him, he immediately stopped, intending to retreat.

Ever since Yu Wu had seen Li You last time, his face had been lingering in her mind.

In these three days, Yu Wu hadn’t seen Li You. Now suddenly seeing him, before he could leave, she inexplicably opened her mouth:

“Does Lord Li You have some business?”

Yu Wu’s words broke the original silence. The others who were meditating opened their eyes one after another, still somewhat dazed.

“I’ve come at an inopportune time, disturbing the immortal masters’ cultivation. But since the immortal masters have all come to, may I trouble you to come with me? The formation in Prince Ning An’s palace began fluctuating last night, and we need the immortal masters to take a look.”

Hearing Li You’s explanation, Yu Tong was the first to jump up, but before she could eagerly agree, Lan Ruo stopped her.

“Lord Li You, Prince Ning An is male. If my junior sisters go, it might cause gossip about the prince. Why don’t I go with you instead?”

“This… Immortal Master Lan Ruo, it’s Prince Ning An’s order to invite all the immortal masters to go together.”

Hearing this, Li You was obviously in a difficult position and could only say it was Prince Ning An’s intention.

“Oh, eldest senior brother, haven’t we been to everyone’s palaces these past few days? Didn’t we even enter the Male Empress’s bedchamber? It’s broad daylight now, and Prince Ning An’s palace must have many guards and palace servants. With so many eyes watching, how could it cause gossip about Prince Ning An?”

Yu Tong pouted slightly and muttered.

“Moreover, even to repair a formation, it takes two people together. Little junior brother’s magical power is minimal. Even if eldest senior brother goes with him, if there’s really a problem with the formation, it wouldn’t be of much help.”

Yu Tong’s words were reasonable, and Lan Ruo couldn’t argue against her.

Seeing that Lan Ruo had been defeated, Li You immediately spoke up to find a way out for Lan Ruo:

“Although Immortal Master Yu Tong’s words make sense, please don’t put me in a difficult position, Lan Ruo. Since Prince Ning An has invited all the immortal masters, he must have made all the preparations and won’t let people gossip in the palace.”

Yu Wu listened from the side. She had originally wanted to find an opportunity to mediate, but didn’t expect Li You to take the lead in finding a way out for Lan Ruo.

Yu Wu only knew that Li You was clever and extraordinary, but didn’t expect him to be such a thoughtful person. Yu Wu’s heart leapt with joy, and for some reason, she wanted to get to know Li You better.

“Since it’s Prince Ning An’s intention, then let’s go together, eldest senior brother. If there really is a problem with the formation, we can discuss it together.”

Lan Ruo was very stubborn, but so was Yu Tong. Usually, although Lan Ruo was the eldest senior brother, he would listen more to Yu Wu on many matters.

Lan Ruo looked at Yu Wu and could only nod.

The five of them then followed Li You to Prince Ning An’s palace.

After several inspections, there was indeed a problem with one part of the formation in Prince Ning An’s palace.

Although there had been some unpleasantness earlier, in the end, it was Lan Ruo and Yu Tong who repaired the formation together.

Repairing the formation took time. By the time they finished, the sun had already set.

Prince Ning An, who had been watching them repair the formation from not far away, only got up and walked over when it was done.

“Thank you for your hard work, immortal masters. It’s almost dinner time now. This prince has prepared a banquet in Master Li You’s palace. This prince also has some questions about talismans and formations to ask the immortal masters. Would the immortal masters please join this prince?”

“Yes!”

Yu Tong seemed to remember Lan Ruo’s obstruction in the afternoon, and this time she accepted Prince Ning An’s invitation in advance.

Now that she had spoken, Lan Ruo couldn’t refuse even if he wanted to. The group could only attend the banquet.

Li You returned to Phoenix Perch Palace with Yu Wu and the others, but he didn’t join them for the meal.

After eating for just a short while, Yu Wu left the hall.

To say that Prince Ning An invited them for dinner was more like he wanted to interact more with Yu Tong.

The two interacted a lot at the dinner table, and finally retreated to a side table where Yu Tong taught Prince Ning An about researching talismans.

After all, they were the destined male and female leads.

Using the excuse that she felt stuffy, Yu Wu, accompanied by Lan Ruo, retreated from the hall.

Prince Ning An instructed the palace servants beside him to take Yu Wu and Lan Ruo for a stroll around Phoenix Perch Palace.

As they casually followed the palace servant, a misty vapor arose on the path without them noticing.

Remembering that there was a hot spring in Phoenix Perch Palace, sure enough, after turning another corner, a vast hot spring appeared before their eyes.

Yu Wu dismissed the palace servant and walked to the edge of the hot spring with Lan Ruo.

Although Changyang Immortal Mountain had lakes, it didn’t have hot springs. Yu Wu crouched down, about to reach out and feel the warmth of the spring water, when she was suddenly pulled up by Lan Ruo.

Yu Wu was startled and was about to open her mouth to ask Lan Ruo what he was doing when she saw Li You reclining on a legless armchair in the corner by the hot spring, his eyes closed in repose, holding a small wine jug in his hand.

Li You’s hair was completely loose, the smooth black hair falling from above. Li You’s posture was very languid, but one could see that he must be very comfortable at the moment.

Half asleep, Li You raised his hand and took another swig of wine. His somewhat loose collar was slightly open.

There were many lanterns hanging by the hot spring for illumination. Yu Wu and Lan Ruo stood about five meters away from Li You, but they could still see Li You’s fair skin beneath his collar in the lantern light.

Li You was originally very good-looking, and in this scene, he exuded a soul-captivating beauty.

Even Lan Ruo, being male himself, was momentarily entranced when he saw this.

Yu Wu was even more uncontrollable, her gaze falling on Li You, unable to look away.

Lan Ruo suddenly came to his senses and indeed found Yu Wu in a bewitched state. He angrily reached out to block Yu Wu’s view.

“As the teacher of a prince, to behave in such a way that corrupts morals, it’s simply lacking in male virtue!”