“ zhè zhǒng gǎn jué 。”
“这种感觉。”
"This feeling."
“ shí zài shì tài qí miào le 。”
“实在是太奇妙了。”
"It's truly marvelous."
shào nǚ de yǔ qì biàn dé yǒu xiē mí lí ：“ jiù xiàng shì zài kàn jìng zhōng de 、 lìng wài yī fù róng mào de zì jǐ ， xīn zhōng bù zì jīn shēng chū qīn jìn gǎn 。”
少女的语气变得有些迷离：“就像是在看镜中的、另外一副容貌的自己，心中不自禁生出亲近感。”
The girl's tone became somewhat dreamy. "It feels like looking at another version of myself in a mirror, and I can't help but feel an affinity towards it."
“ qīng shī ， zhè jiū jìng shì zěn me huí shì ？”
“青师，这究竟是怎么回事？”
"Master Qing, what is this all about?"
xiǎo qīng tīng dào shào nǚ kěn dìng de huí dá ， shuāng mù zhōng yě shì bào fā chū yī gǔ nán yǐ zhì xìn zhī sè 。
小青听到少女肯定的回答，双目中也是爆发出一股难以置信之色。
Upon hearing the girl's affirmative answer, Little Qing's eyes flashed with disbelief.
“ nán dào shuō ……”
“难道说……”
"Could it be..."
xǔ bái zì shì bù zhī dào zhè yī qiáng zhī gé suǒ fā shēng de shì qíng de 。
许白自是不知道这一墙之隔所发生的事情的。
Xu Bai was unaware of what transpired behind that wall.
cǐ kè tā de xīn shén yǐ jīng wán quán chén jìn zài duì hóng shéng jiàn yì de dùn wù zhōng 。
此刻他的心神已经完全沉浸在对红绳剑意的顿悟中。
His mind was now fully immersed in his enlightenment regarding the Red Rope Sword Intention.
suí zhe lǐng wù chéng dù de yuè lái yuè shēn ， nà dào zhèn yā hēi sè ròu de hóng shéng ， hǎo sì huó le guò lái 。 qīng qīng piāo fú zhì xǔ bái shēn biān ， qīn nì dì huán rào zhe tā 。
随着领悟程度的越来越深，那道镇压黑色肉的红绳，好似活了过来。轻轻漂浮至许白身边，亲昵地环绕着他。
As his understanding deepened, the red rope that suppressed the black flesh seemed to come alive. It gently floated beside Xu Bai and affectionately circled him.
bù zhī guò le duō jiǔ ， xǔ bái mò rán zhēng kāi yǎn jīng ， qū zhǐ qīng dàn 。
不知过了多久，许白蓦然睁开眼睛，屈指轻弹。
After an indeterminate amount of time, Xu Bai suddenly opened his eyes and lightly flicked his fingers.
yī dào wēi bù kě jiàn de hóng guāng zì qí shǒu jiān shǎn xiàn ， ér hòu cháo zhe qián fāng niǔ qū de xuè ròu fēi chū 。
一道微不可见的红光自其手间闪现，而后朝着前方扭曲的血肉飞出。
A barely visible red light appeared between his fingers before flying towards the distorted blood meat in front of him.
shén miào lǐ bù duàn huí xiǎng de āi háo zhī shēng chà nà jiān wèi zhī yī jìng 。
神庙里不断回响的哀嚎之声刹那间为之一静。
The continuous wails echoing through the temple abruptly ceased. Although they quickly resumed after a moment, the strange occurrence still left the woman in the flowing dress behind Xu Bai utterly shocked.
suī rán piàn kè zhī hòu ， jiù lì mǎ huí fù 。
虽然片刻之后，就立马回复。
"Master..." she couldn't help but ask.
dàn rú cǐ yì zhuàng ， réng shì ràng hòu zài xǔ bái shēn hòu de shā qún nǚ zǐ jīng hài wú bǐ 。
但如此异状，仍是让候在许白身后的纱裙女子惊骇无比。
Xu Bai reached out to stop her question and instead stared at the faint bloodstain on his wrist.
“ dà rén ……” tā rěn bú zhù chū shēng xún wèn 。
“大人……”她忍不住出声询问。
With the new method of Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, even wounds from sword or blade could be instantly healed.
xǔ bái què shì shēn shǒu zǔ zhǐ le tā de tí wèn ， zhǐ shì kàn zhe zì jǐ shǒu wàn shàng nà bù zhī hé shí chū xiàn de yī sī xuè hén 。
许白却是伸手阻止了她的提问，只是看着自己手腕上那不知何时出现的一丝血痕。
But this slight bloodstain seemed to be a permanent part of him, unable to be dispelled.
yǐ xīn fǎ yuán yīng xiū shì de tǐ pò ， jiù suàn shì dāo pī jiàn kǎn zhī shāng ， yě néng zài qǐng kè jiān fù yuán 。
以新法元婴修士的体魄，就算是刀劈剑砍之伤，也能在顷刻间复原。
"Such severe side effects." Xu Bai frowned slightly.
dàn shì zhè dào qīng wēi de xuè hén ， què fǎng fú yǔ shēng jù lái bān ， wú fǎ qū sàn 。
但是这道轻微的血痕，却仿佛与生俱来般，无法驱散。
"It seems that Xue Ke's disappearance years ago might have something to do with his repeated use of the Red Rope Sword Technique."
“ jū rán yǒu rú cǐ yán zhòng de fù zuò yòng me 。” xǔ bái bù jīn wēi wēi zhòu méi 。
“居然有如此严重的副作用么。”许白不禁微微皱眉。
"While the wooden sword contains the essence of all swords, it cannot attack first."
“ kàn lái dāng nián xǔ kè de shī zōng ， huò xǔ yě gēn tā duō cì shǐ yòng hóng shéng jiàn shù yǒu guān 。”
“看来当年许克的失踪，或许也跟他多次使用红绳剑术有关。”
"Though the rope sword is unmatched in its killing intent, one must sacrifice their life to wield it."
“ mù jiàn suī yùn hán tiān xià jiàn lǐ ， què wú fǎ xiān gōng 。”
“木剑虽蕴含天下剑理，却无法先攻。”
The light in Xu Bai's eyes flickered. "They each have certain limitations. Interesting..."
“ shéng jiàn suī rán shā fá zhī yì wú shuāng ， què xū zì shēn dǐ mìng 。”
“绳剑虽然杀伐之意无双，却需自身抵命。”
Next, Xu Bai walked through the remaining eight temples.
xǔ bái yǎn zhōng guāng máng shǎn dòng ：“ dōu yǒu zhe yí dìng de xiàn zhì me 。 yǒu yì si ……”
许白眼中光芒闪动：“都有着一定的限制么。有意思……”
Apart from his deeper understanding of the Red Rope Sword Technique, he also witnessed the three heads of Zhu Ji that remained wide-eyed and unblinking, their hair, flesh, and eyeballs already hollowed out by the Empire's people, leaving only white skulls.
jiē xià lái ， xǔ bái yòu yī cì jiāng shèng yú de bā zuò shén miào zǒu le gè biàn 。
接下来，许白又依次将剩余的八座神庙走了个遍。
The other two heads were still lifelike, just as they appeared when they died.
chú le duì hóng shéng jiàn shù de gǎn wù gèng jiā shēn kè zhī wài ， hái qīn yǎn jiàn dào le chì jiǔ tóu nà sǐ bù míng mù de sān zhǐ tóu lú 。
除了对红绳剑术的感悟更加深刻之外，还亲眼见到了赤九头那死不瞑目的三只头颅。
Even from a distance, one could feel the boundless malevolence and resentment emanating from them.
qí zhōng yī zhī tóu lú de máo fà 、 xuè ròu 、 yǐ jí yǎn zhū ， dōu yǐ jīng bèi dì guó rén wā kōng 。 zhǐ shèng xià le bān bái de lú gǔ 。
其中一只头颅的毛发、血肉、以及眼珠，都已经被帝国人挖空。只剩下了斑白的颅骨。
"Good heavens! A true ancient beast!"
ér yú xià de liǎng zhǐ ， què shì yī jiù xǔ xǔ yú shēng 。 yī rú dāng chū gāng gāng sǐ wáng nà bān 。
而余下的两只，却是依旧栩栩余生。一如当初刚刚死亡那般。
This was Xu Bai's first encounter with an actual ancient monster, causing him to inwardly shudder in fear.
shàng wèi kào jìn ， jiù néng gǎn shòu dào qí chuán lái de wú biān shā qì yǔ yuàn hèn 。
尚未靠近，就能感受到其传来的无边煞气与怨恨。
"After death for a thousand years, its ferocity remains. I wonder how fierce it must have been in its prime. And the White Master who managed to kill it with just a red rope..."
“ hǎo yī tóu niè chù ！”
“好一头孽畜！”
Xu Bai's mind raced.
zhè yě shì xǔ bái dì yī cì jiàn dào zhēn zhèng de shàng gǔ xiōng shòu ， bù yóu xīn zhōng àn lǐn 。
这也是许白第一次见到真正的上古凶兽，不由心中暗凛。
After finishing his tour, Xu Bai returned to the high tower palace.
“ sǐ hòu qiān nián ， xiōng xìng yōu zāi 。 zhēn bù zhī tā shēng qián quán shèng shí qī ， jiū jìng huì yǒu duō me xiōng hàn 。 ér néng gòu jǐn píng yī gēn hóng shéng ， jiù jiāng tā zhǎn shā de bái xiān shēng ……”
“死后千年，凶性悠哉。真不知它生前全盛时期，究竟会有多么凶悍。而能够仅凭一根红绳，就将它斩杀的白先生……”
Looking at the woman wearing a veil beside Little Qing, Xu Bai felt an odd sense of connection.
xǔ bái xīn zhōng fú xiǎng lián piān 。
许白心中浮想联翩。
He raised his right hand.
jié shù le cān guān hòu ， xǔ bái huí dào le gāo tǎ gōng diàn zhī zhōng 。
结束了参观后，许白回到了高塔宫殿之中。
To his surprise, the veiled woman on the opposite side also raised her right hand simultaneously.
kàn zhe zuò zài xiǎo qīng shēn biān 、 liǎn dài miàn shā de nǚ zǐ ， xǔ bái xīn zhōng bù yóu shēng chū yī gǔ qí miào de gǎn yìng 。
看着坐在小青身边、脸带面纱的女子，许白心中不由生出一股奇妙的感应。
Without any prior agreement, their actions were nearly perfectly synchronized.
tā shì zhe jǔ qǐ yòu shǒu 。
他试着举起右手。
It was as if there was a mirror between them.
ràng tā yǒu xiē jīng yà de shì qíng fā shēng le 。
让他有些惊讶的事情发生了。
Apart from some facial differences, she seemed almost like himself.
duì miàn de miàn shā nǚ zǐ ， jìng rán yě bù yuē ér tóng de ， jiāng yòu shǒu jǔ qǐ 。
对面的面纱女子，竟然也不约而同的，将右手举起。
"Divine Blood Incubation Method." Xu Bai instantly knew the reason for this phenomenon and identified the veiled woman's identity: Empress.
méi yǒu yuē dìng ， què jī hū wán quán tóng bù 。
没有约定，却几乎完全同步。
Xue Ke's descendant and nominal ruler of the Empire. But he couldn't reveal it.
jiù xiàng shì zài liǎng rén zhī jiān ， cún zài zhe yí miàn jìng zi 。
就像是在两人之间，存在着一面镜子。
Acting as if shocked, he stood up abruptly, pointing at the Empress and exclaiming in surprise, "What is going on here?"
chú le róng mào yǒu xiē qū bié zhī wài ， nà miàn shā nǚ zǐ jī hū jiù xiàng shì zì jǐ yì bān 。
除了容貌有些区别之外，那面纱女子几乎就像是自己一般。
Little Qing carefully observed Xu Bai's every expression, trying to find any flaw. However, she was disappointed.
“ shèng xuè huà tāi fǎ 。” xǔ bái zài chà nà zhī jiān ， jiù yǐ jīng zhī dào le ， fā shēng zhè zhǒng xiàn xiàng de yuán yīn 。
“圣血化胎法。”许白在刹那之间，就已经知道了，发生这种现象的原因。
Xu Bai's reaction mirrored that of the Empress almost exactly.
tóng shí yě zhī dào qián fāng miàn shā nǚ zǐ de shēn fèn 。
同时也知道前方面纱女子的身份。
"It seems he doesn't even know his true identity." Little Qing thought to herself.
dì nǚ 。
帝女。
"Friend, what do you mean by this?" But she decided to probe further, addressing her advisor.
xǔ kè de hòu dài ， dì guó míng yì shàng de tǒng zhì zhě 。
许克的后代，帝国名义上的统治者。
After some initial shock, Xu Bai focused on the Empress with deep curiosity in his eyes.
dàn tā xiǎn rán bù néng xiǎn lù chū lái 。
但他显然不能显露出来。
"Who is this? Although we've just met, I feel a strong sense of familiarity and closeness towards her."
zhuāng zuò jīng yà wàn fēn de yàng zi ， měng dì zhàn qǐ ， zhǐ zhe dì nǚ ， shī shēng dào ：“ zhè shì zěn me huí shì ？”
装做惊讶万分的样子，猛地站起，指着帝女，失声道：“这是怎么回事？”
"Not an illusion. I have the same feeling." The Empress replied softly.
xiǎo qīng zǐ xì guān chá zhe xǔ bái de měi yī fēn shén qíng ， shì tú cóng zhōng zhǎo dào xiē xǔ pò zhàn 。 dàn ràng tā shī wàng le 。
小青仔细观察着许白的每一分神情，试图从中找到些许破绽。但让她失望了。
Xu Bai was now even more shaken.
xǔ bái de biǎo xiàn hé dì nǚ jī hū yī mú yī yàng 。
许白的表现和帝女几乎一模一样。
Turning to Little Qing, he asked, "Friend, what's going on here?"
“ kàn lái tā duì zì jǐ de zhēn shí shēn fèn yě bìng bù zhī qíng 。” xiǎo qīng àn dào 。
“看来他对自己的真实身份也并不知情。”小青暗道。
Little Qing looked at him for a long moment before speaking. Instead of answering, she asked, "Xue Daoist, how much do you know about your background?"
“ dào yǒu cǐ yán hé yì ?” bù guò tā réng rán jué dìng zài shì tàn yī fān ， míng zhī gù wèn dào 。
“道友此言何意?”不过她仍然决定再试探一番，明知顾问道。
"Background?" Xu Bai was taken aback.
xǔ bái cǐ kè sì hū cóng zuì chū de zhèn jīng zhōng huǎn le xiē guò lái ， tā dīng zhe dì nǚ ， yǎn zhōng lù chū nóng nóng de yí huò zhī sè 。
许白此刻似乎从最初的震惊中缓了些过来，他盯着帝女，眼中露出浓浓的疑惑之色。
"I'm just an ordinary mortal who lived in some small world until I joined the Interdimensional Alliance by chance and embarked on my path to immortality. My closest blood relatives are long gone..."
“ zhè wèi shì ？ suī rán dì yī cì jiàn miàn ， dàn wǒ zǒng gǎn jué duì tā shí fēn qīn jìn yǔ shú xī 。”
“这位是？虽然第一次见面，但我总感觉对她十分亲近与熟悉。”
"Why is there something wrong with my background?" Xu Bai asked.
“ bú shì cuò jué 。 wǒ yě yǒu zhè zhǒng gǎn shòu 。” dì nǚ qīng shēng huí yìng dào 。
“不是错觉。我也有这种感受。”帝女轻声回应道。
Little Qing examined his eyes, trying to discern if he was lying.
xǔ bái zhè xià sì hū gèng jiā zhèn dòng wàn fēn 。
许白这下似乎更加震动万分。
After a long silence, she gave up.
huí guò tóu lái kàn xiàng xiǎo qīng ：“ dào yǒu ， zhè jiū jìng shì zěn me huí shì ？”
回过头来看向小青：“道友，这究竟是怎么回事？”
Then Little Qing took out a portrait that looked almost identical to Xu Bai.
xiǎo qīng gēn tā duì shì liáng jiǔ ， zhè cái chū shēng 。 méi yǒu huí dá ， ér shì fǎn wèn dào ：“ xǔ dào yǒu ， nǐ duì zì jǐ shēn shì zhī dào duō shǎo ？”
小青跟他对视良久，这才出声。没有回答，而是反问道：“许道友，你对自己身世知道多少？”
"This..." Xu Bai continued feigning ignorance.
“ shēn shì ？” xǔ bái lèng le lèng 。
“身世？”许白愣了愣。
"This is the founder of the Empire and also my master," Little Qing said in a melancholic tone. "His name is Xue Ke."
“ wǒ zhǐ bù guò xún cháng fán rén zhī hòu ， yuán běn shēng huó zài mǒu yī xiǎo shì jiè zhōng 。 hòu lái jī yuán qiǎo hé jiā rù wàn jiè lián hé huì ， zhè cái tà shàng xiān tú 。 xuè mài zhì qīn zǎo yǐ zuò gǔ ……”
“我只不过寻常凡人之后，原本生活在某一小世界中。后来机缘巧合加入万界联合会，这才踏上仙途。血脉至亲早已作古……”
"Years ago, he bid farewell to everyone and disappeared without a trace."
“ zěn me ， wǒ shēn shì yǒu shén me bú duì ma ？” xǔ bái wèn dào 。
“怎么，我身世有什么不对嘛？”许白问道。
Xu Bai stared at the portrait, seemingly stunned by this information. He stood there for a long time before speaking.
xiǎo qīng kàn zhe xǔ bái de yǎn jīng ， sì hū xiǎng yào fēn biàn chū tā huà lǐ de zhēn jiǎ 。
小青看着许白的眼睛，似乎想要分辨出他话里的真假。
"After all these years, could it be that I am also a descendant of Xue Ke?"
chén mò xǔ jiǔ ， zhōng yú fàng qì 。
沉默许久，终于放弃。
"It seems to be the only reasonable explanation." Little Qing's tone was uncertain.
ér hòu xiǎo qīng qǔ chū yī fù huà xiàng ， huà shàng rén wù ， jī hū gēn xǔ bái yī mú yī yàng 。
而后小青取出一副画像，画上人物，几乎跟许白一模一样。
"Xue Daoist, which small world is your hometown in? Based on my knowledge of our master, he doesn't seem like someone who would marry and have children..." Little Qing asked curiously.
“ zhè shì ……” xǔ bái jì xù zhuāng shǎ dào 。
“这是……”许白继续装傻道。
"My homeland lies in..." Xu Bai began but suddenly stopped.
“ zhè shì dì guó dì zào zhě ， yě shì wǒ de zhǔ rén 。” xiǎo qīng yǔ qì yōu yōu dào ，“ tā jiào xǔ kè 。”
“这是帝国缔造者，也是我的主人。”小青语气幽幽道，“他叫许克。”
Snap out of it, he accused the two with suspicion. "Little Qing Daoist, are you playing a joke on me? Is this really so coincidental?"
“ duō nián yǐ qián ， tā bài bié zhòng rén 。 zì cǐ bù zhī suǒ zōng 。”
“多年以前，他拜别众人。自此不知所踪。”
"Speak up; what is your true purpose." Xu Bai glared at Little Qing coldly.
xǔ bái dīng zhe huà xiàng ， fǎng fú bèi zhè yī zhòng bàng de xìn xī suǒ zhèn hàn ， dāi lì dāng chǎng 。
许白盯着画像，仿佛被这一重磅的信息所震撼，呆立当场。
Surprised by Xu Bai's sudden change in attitude, Little Qing couldn't help but be taken aback.
liáng jiǔ zhī hòu ， tā cái huǎn huǎn chū shēng ：“ tā yě xìng xǔ 。 nán dào shuō ， wǒ kě néng yě shì xǔ kè de hòu dài ？”
良久之后，他才缓缓出声：“他也姓许。难道说，我可能也是许克的后代？”
She then smiled bitterly. "I find it hard to believe too. But everything turned out so coincidentally. As if destined, I met you after giving up thousands of years later."
“ mù qián kàn lái ， zhǐ yǒu zhè yī zhǒng hé lǐ de jiě shì le 。” xiǎo qīng de yǔ qì yě yǒu xiē bù què dìng 。
“目前看来，只有这一种合理的解释了。”小青的语气也有些不确定。
"There is a way to verify the truth of my words."
“ xǔ dào yǒu ， nǐ de jiā xiāng ， jiū jìng shì zài nǎ ge xiǎo shì jiè ？ yǐ wǒ duì zhǔ rén de liǎo jiě ， tā bù xiàng shì huì qǔ qī shēng zi de ……” xiǎo qīng mò míng wèn dào 。
“许道友，你的家乡，究竟是在哪个小世界？以我对主人的了解，他不像是会娶妻生子的……”小青莫名问道。
After saying this, Little Qing signaled to the Empress.
“ wǒ zhī gù xiāng ， zài ……” xǔ bái shuō zhe ， hū rán zhǐ zhù 。
“我之故乡，在……”许白说着，忽然止住。
The Empress took out a scepter and tapped the ground gently.
huí guò shén lái ， tā è rén xiān gào zhuàng 。 kàn zhe xiǎo qīng yǔ dì nǚ ， mǎn liǎn huái yí ：“ qīng dào yǒu ， shì bǎ wǒ dāng xiǎo hái zi shuǎ ma ？ jū rán rú cǐ zhī qiǎo ？”
回过神来，他恶人先告状。看着小青与帝女，满脸怀疑：“青道友，是把我当小孩子耍嘛？居然如此之巧？”
Suddenly, a hole appeared in the floor, swallowing all three of them instantly.
“ shuō bà ， nǐ men dào dǐ yǒu shén me mù dì 。” xǔ bái lěng lěng dì kàn zhe xiǎo qīng 。
“说罢，你们到底有什么目的。”许白冷冷地看着小青。
Xu Bai didn't resist as he found himself in an endless vast space filled with the corpses of various beasts.
miàn duì xǔ bái de tài dù tū biàn ， xiǎo qīng yě bù yóu dùn shí è rán 。
面对许白的态度突变，小青也不由顿时愕然。
Farther away, there seemed to be different mechanical devices arranged.
ér hòu kǔ xiào yī shēng ：“ qí shí wǒ yě hěn nán xiāng xìn 。 dàn yī qiè jiù shì zhè me de qiǎo 。 jiù xiàng shì mìng zhōng zhù dìng bān ， ràng wǒ zài shù qiān nián hòu 、 zǎo yǐ fàng qì de shí hòu ， yù jiàn le nǐ 。”
而后苦笑一声：“其实我也很难相信。但一切就是这么的巧。就像是命中注定般，让我在数千年后、早已放弃的时候，遇见了你。”
Xu Bai wanted to move forward but was blocked by an invisible barrier.
“ zhì yú wǒ suǒ shuō shì fǒu shǔ shí ， yǒu zhǒng fāng fǎ yī cè biàn zhī 。”
“至于我所说是否属实，有种方法一测便知。”
"This is the Empire's treasury, containing all the wealth accumulated over thousands of years."
xiǎo qīng shuō wán ， duì zhe dì nǚ shǐ le gè yǎn sè 。
小青说完，对着帝女使了个眼色。
(End of chapter)
"This feeling."
"It's truly marvelous."
The girl's tone became somewhat dreamy. "It feels like looking at another version of myself in a mirror, and I can't help but feel an affinity towards it."
"Master Qing, what is this all about?"
Upon hearing the girl's affirmative answer, Little Qing's eyes flashed with disbelief.
"Could it be..."
...
Xu Bai was unaware of what transpired behind that wall.
His mind was now fully immersed in his enlightenment regarding the Red Rope Sword Intention.
As his understanding deepened, the red rope that suppressed the black flesh seemed to come alive. It gently floated beside Xu Bai and affectionately circled him.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Xu Bai suddenly opened his eyes and lightly flicked his fingers.
A barely visible red light appeared between his fingers before flying towards the distorted blood meat in front of him.
The continuous wails echoing through the temple abruptly ceased. Although they quickly resumed after a moment, the strange occurrence still left the woman in the flowing dress behind Xu Bai utterly shocked.
"Master..." she couldn't help but ask.
Xu Bai reached out to stop her question and instead stared at the faint bloodstain on his wrist.
With the new method of Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, even wounds from sword or blade could be instantly healed.
But this slight bloodstain seemed to be a permanent part of him, unable to be dispelled.
"Such severe side effects." Xu Bai frowned slightly.
"It seems that Xue Ke's disappearance years ago might have something to do with his repeated use of the Red Rope Sword Technique."
"While the wooden sword contains the essence of all swords, it cannot attack first."
"Though the rope sword is unmatched in its killing intent, one must sacrifice their life to wield it."
The light in Xu Bai's eyes flickered. "They each have certain limitations. Interesting..."
Next, Xu Bai walked through the remaining eight temples.
Apart from his deeper understanding of the Red Rope Sword Technique, he also witnessed the three heads of Zhu Ji that remained wide-eyed and unblinking, their hair, flesh, and eyeballs already hollowed out by the Empire's people, leaving only white skulls.
The other two heads were still lifelike, just as they appeared when they died.
Even from a distance, one could feel the boundless malevolence and resentment emanating from them.
"Good heavens! A true ancient beast!"
This was Xu Bai's first encounter with an actual ancient monster, causing him to inwardly shudder in fear.
"After death for a thousand years, its ferocity remains. I wonder how fierce it must have been in its prime. And the White Master who managed to kill it with just a red rope..."
Xu Bai's mind raced.
After finishing his tour, Xu Bai returned to the high tower palace.
Looking at the woman wearing a veil beside Little Qing, Xu Bai felt an odd sense of connection.
He raised his right hand.
To his surprise, the veiled woman on the opposite side also raised her right hand simultaneously.
Without any prior agreement, their actions were nearly perfectly synchronized.
It was as if there was a mirror between them.
Apart from some facial differences, she seemed almost like himself.
"Divine Blood Incubation Method." Xu Bai instantly knew the reason for this phenomenon and identified the veiled woman's identity: Empress.
Xue Ke's descendant and nominal ruler of the Empire. But he couldn't reveal it.
Acting as if shocked, he stood up abruptly, pointing at the Empress and exclaiming in surprise, "What is going on here?"
Little Qing carefully observed Xu Bai's every expression, trying to find any flaw. However, she was disappointed.
Xu Bai's reaction mirrored that of the Empress almost exactly.
"It seems he doesn't even know his true identity." Little Qing thought to herself.
"Friend, what do you mean by this?" But she decided to probe further, addressing her advisor.
After some initial shock, Xu Bai focused on the Empress with deep curiosity in his eyes.
"Who is this? Although we've just met, I feel a strong sense of familiarity and closeness towards her."
"Not an illusion. I have the same feeling." The Empress replied softly.
Xu Bai was now even more shaken.
Turning to Little Qing, he asked, "Friend, what's going on here?"
Little Qing looked at him for a long moment before speaking. Instead of answering, she asked, "Xue Daoist, how much do you know about your background?"
"Background?" Xu Bai was taken aback.
"I'm just an ordinary mortal who lived in some small world until I joined the Interdimensional Alliance by chance and embarked on my path to immortality. My closest blood relatives are long gone..."
"Why is there something wrong with my background?" Xu Bai asked.
Little Qing examined his eyes, trying to discern if he was lying.
After a long silence, she gave up.
Then Little Qing took out a portrait that looked almost identical to Xu Bai.
"This..." Xu Bai continued feigning ignorance.
"This is the founder of the Empire and also my master," Little Qing said in a melancholic tone. "His name is Xue Ke."
"Years ago, he bid farewell to everyone and disappeared without a trace."
Xu Bai stared at the portrait, seemingly stunned by this information. He stood there for a long time before speaking.
"After all these years, could it be that I am also a descendant of Xue Ke?"
"It seems to be the only reasonable explanation." Little Qing's tone was uncertain.
"Xue Daoist, which small world is your hometown in? Based on my knowledge of our master, he doesn't seem like someone who would marry and have children..." Little Qing asked curiously.
"My homeland lies in..." Xu Bai began but suddenly stopped.
Snap out of it, he accused the two with suspicion. "Little Qing Daoist, are you playing a joke on me? Is this really so coincidental?"
"Speak up; what is your true purpose." Xu Bai glared at Little Qing coldly.
Surprised by Xu Bai's sudden change in attitude, Little Qing couldn't help but be taken aback.
She then smiled bitterly. "I find it hard to believe too. But everything turned out so coincidentally. As if destined, I met you after giving up thousands of years later."
"There is a way to verify the truth of my words."
After saying this, Little Qing signaled to the Empress.
The Empress took out a scepter and tapped the ground gently.
Suddenly, a hole appeared in the floor, swallowing all three of them instantly.
Xu Bai didn't resist as he found himself in an endless vast space filled with the corpses of various beasts.
Farther away, there seemed to be different mechanical devices arranged.
Xu Bai wanted to move forward but was blocked by an invisible barrier.
"This is the Empire's treasury, containing all the wealth accumulated over thousands of years."
(End of chapter)