Jade Ring Pool's End (1)

"Open the coffin!"

In the stillness of the night, You Su's roar was like a blemish on a piece of jade.

After a brief silence, Venerable Chengtao asked hesitantly:

"Young Master You, what do you mean by this?"

"I said open the coffin!" You Su could no longer care about formalities. His whole body tensed, and his back teeth were clenched tightly together. "Miss Ji is inside!"

Venerable Cuihe was a gentle and beautiful woman, dressed in a deep green floor-length gown. Even she, who was usually most dignified, had her brows furrowed at this moment.

"Young Master You, have you made any deductions?"

"The arrow formed by the mung bean cakes doesn't point to Jade Ring Pool at all, but to the Little Pond Palace on the opposite bank of Jade Ring Pool!"

Seeing that the two elders who were using the water-transformation technique were still not stopping, You Su drew his sword. The cold light on the sword was as cold as the moon, which startled the two elders.

They were all powerful cultivators in the lower realm of the Feather Transformation stage, over two hundred years old, and this was the first time they had ever been confronted with swords by a junior who was only eighteen years old, and with such an aggressive demeanor. If it weren't for You Su saving the Jade Ring Pool, committing such a grave offense of disrespect would have been enough to severely punish You Su.

The two elders sighed and stopped their spell. One of the older elders said earnestly:

"Young Master You, I know you are eager to find Miss Ji, but she would never appear in the coffin of the Yu Die Saintess ... Besides, the coffin of the Yu Die Saintess must not be opened."

At this moment, You Su's thoughts were in turmoil. All the details of the past were tangled together in his mind, and he himself had not been able to sort them out, let alone explain them to everyone. He could only continue:

"Trust me! Open the coffin!"

The two elders exchanged a glance. The clue about the mung bean cake seemed far-fetched to all of them, and the connection to Ji Xueruo being in the coffin of the Yu Die Saintess seemed even more contrived.

According to You Su, everything in this direction could potentially contain Ji Xueruo, so why did it specifically happen to be Yu Die's spirit coffin?

"Young Master You, the coffin of the Yu Die Saintess has never been opened since it was closed, so Miss Ji could not possibly be inside," the elder explained.

"Indeed," another elder echoed. "Young Master You should know that this water coffin cannot be opened casually. Once opened, the water-transformation technique will fail, and a Jade Clan only has one chance to lie in this coffin. If Miss Ji is really here, that's fine, but if she isn't, the Yu Die Saintess will not be able to transform into water and return to the Jade Ring Pool. She will never find peace for her soul, and our Jade Clan will never be able to worship her spirit."

It's true that You Su saved Jade Ring Pool, but Yu Die was also recognized as a Saintess by the people of Jade Ring Pool. Especially since she was a mortal, she had already suffered a lot of cold looks and ridicule during her lifetime. Those who recognized her naturally didn't want her to be unable to rest in peace even in death.

Upon hearing this, You Su tightened and loosened his grip on the sword repeatedly.

Finally, he suddenly looked up, intending to slash the Black Coffin with his own sword.

The two elders raised their eyebrows slightly, thinking to themselves that no matter how great Young Master You's merits were, they could not allow him to act recklessly. Their aura surged like a raging river, as they tried to stop You Su's sword.

Unwilling to see the situation worsen, Venerable Chengtao waved his blue wide sleeves, creating a ripple between You Su and the elder, effortlessly dispelling the tense atmosphere.

"Calm down, everyone, don't let this cause trouble." Venerable Chengtao displayed the dignity befitting a patriarch.

Venerable Cuihe then kindly advised, "Young Master You, the Yu Die Saintess is very grateful to you, but not for your contributions to Jade Ring Pool, but for the beautiful memories you gave her. She cherishes you as a friend and hopes that Young Master You can leave her with some dignity in the end..."

You Su breathed heavily through his nose. Suddenly, he slammed the Ink Pine Sword into the ground, and it pierced half of the sword into the Mystic Stone.

"Open the coffin! If Miss Ji isn't inside, I will atone for my sins at the Jade Ring Pool for a hundred years!"

You Su knew very well how much Jade Ring Pool longed for him to join, and he never imagined that he, who had left Lotus Peak, would make such a solemn promise for Ji Xueruo.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Not only that! Without the nourishment of the Tibetan Divine Beast's essence, the Lotus Root Heart is truly a rare treasure, one less available with each gift. You've already exhausted all your resources to nurture two Lotus Root Heart for me and Miss Ji. I know all of this! As long as she's not inside, we don't need the Lotus Root Heart!"

You Su's words were earnest and left no room for refusal.

Venerable Chengtao was taken aback for a moment, considering many factors, before finally shaking his head and agreeing, "Open the coffin..."

The two elders hesitated, then sighed softly, realizing that You Su was obsessed with finding Ji Xueruo. Helpless, they began to reverse their Technique Method, and the shimmering light on the Black Coffin gradually faded.

Immediately, as the two elders slowly raised their hands, the Black Coffin lid floated slowly in mid-air. Only when the face inside the Black Coffin was revealed did everyone utter their own mournful cries.

Lying quietly in the coffin was not the spirited Ji Xueruo, but the pale-faced Yu Die. Even in death, this girl was still as beautiful as a flower reflected in water.

"Sigh... Close it. Move the Yu Die to a coffin made of top-grade Dragon Blood sandalwood, so she can rest in peace. There's always a precedent; she will be the first Jade Clan to be buried on Jade Ring Mountain. Besides this water, this mountain is also our home. She will never leave her home."

Venerable Chengtao looked at the young girl, feeling a pang of pity. "Young Master You, let me take you back to rest. You've had a long day... I will inform you immediately of any news about Miss Ji. You've only just recovered; don't overwork yourself."

The patriarch's handling of the situation was as perfect as possible, but You Su showed no sign of giving up. He stared intently at the face of the person in the coffin, as if mesmerized.

The two elders also felt a slight anger. It was true that You Su had been kind to them, but this behavior, which was almost like taking advantage of their kindness, made them feel less favorably toward You Su.

They unceremoniously lifted the coffin lid again, intending to close it and block You Su's obsessive gaze, secretly wondering: What can a blind man like You Su possibly see by staring like this?

But You Su's clear, lifeless eyes suddenly lit up, startling both elders!

Illusion!

The Jade Ring Pool is not only home to the evil spirit Dream Master Type, but also Dream Master Type the Little White Fish!

Even if the illusion it creates is crude, it doesn't mean it's useless!

Because the most effective and simplest illusion in the world is a lie!

You Su muttered to herself in agitated state, as if she were suffering from hysteria:

"The Yu Die... is the Hidden Water!"

Before the two Venerable Ones and the two Elders could even recover, You Su had already turned and fled, his icy voice carried on the wind:

"Don't follow me!"

The wind howled from the cliff, whipping Ji Xueruo's skirt and making her white dress flutter like a cloud.

Below the cliff, the Jade Ring Pool in the darkness is no longer just a few scattered candlelight as before.

This renowned Spiritual Life Blessed Land was now brightly lit, and every surviving Jade Clan was grateful for their survival. They had been asleep in the illusion for countless years, and now they only wanted to see more of this world.

Ji Xueruo stood on the edge of the cliff, looking up at the vast expanse of clouds and mist faintly visible in the sky, seemingly searching for something.

Suddenly, she had a sudden inspiration, turned around, her black hair disheveled in the wind, a poignant and beautiful sight.

"The letter I left behind couldn't fool you after all... Was it a clue she left for you?"

Ji Xueruo's voice was unusually gentle.

You Su walked slowly. He remembered this place; it was the last place where the Yu Die Saintess had made her promise to him—a cliff in Jade Ring Mountain.

They once released a failed Sky Lantern together here, and then fell together off the cliff, like butterflies with broken wings enjoying their last flight.

We will all die, but... not today!

You Su used those words to save the girl who was determined to die, but today, one of them really is going to die.

Seeing You Su remain silent, Ji Xueruo simply smiled serenely and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"She's smarter than I thought, and she trusts you more than I thought. Have you ever seen someone sleep in a white dress while wearing a black outfit underneath? Only she could do something like that... She clearly misses the days when she fought alongside you in the Tibetan Illusion so much, yet she could still see through Little White Fish's illusion. I have to admit, she's truly remarkable."

"Miss Ji is indeed an extremely intelligent woman."

You Su agreed with Ji Xueruo's 'self-praise', and then he added:

"The Yu Die Saintess is also extremely intelligent."

Upon Ji Xueruo laughed so hard she almost bent over. After a moment, she said, "Miss Ji, are you aware of how adept you are at treating everyone equally?"

You Su felt that there was something implied in her words and didn't know how to respond.

The Yu Die Saintess never embarrassed You Su. She stared at You Su's face and said, "You don't need to say nice things to coax me. Are you that worried that I'll do something to her?"

Having his thoughts read, You Su could only say, "Since the Yu Die Saintess has said this, it seems there is still a chance to salvage the situation."

Yu Die smiled without saying a word, then turned around and took a deep breath of the cool air unique to the mountaintop:

"That's hard to say... Tell me everything you can guess, so you won't be left with doubts after I leave."

You Su frowned and said solemnly, "You released the Little White Fish. You are the only one qualified to release the White Dragon Carp."

"Continue."

"You are Yu Die, and also Hidden Water. Or rather, the Saintess of Jade Ring Pool throughout the ages have all been Hidden Water. The people of Jade Ring Pool say that the Saintess is the shadow cast by Jade Ring Pool on earth, thus reflecting the state of Jade Ring Pool. But now, with just a little thought, they can discover that the Saintess is not a projection of Jade Ring Pool at all, but rather the Hidden Soil at the bottom of the lake."

Yu Die turned her head and gave You Su a praising glance.

"The Hidden Earth was formed from the bones of the Hidden Water, and these two Divine Beasts were originally one. The fact that the Saintess is the Hidden Water explains why their states are connected. When the Hidden Earth still possessed divine power, the Saintess was exceptionally talented. However, after the Hidden Earth became completely evil and its divine power was exhausted, the Saintess became a mortal."

"Although it's a guess, you're right, every Saintess is me! I didn't die!" Yu Die's back was turned, and no one could see the immense sorrow on her face. "Neither Turbid Dragon nor Empty Nightmare could kill me! I endured so much humiliation just to kill them! But they were too powerful... I could only drive them away, and in the end, only a fragment of my unconscious soul remained in the world, manifesting as each Saintess. It wasn't until I met Xiaobai, who restored my memories, that I fully awakened! But ironically, I, who even two great Evil God couldn't kill, have become a mortal..."

Yu Die's tone was sorrowful, and You Su could only remain silent, having experienced the same helplessness in the face of such a crisis.

After a long silence, Yu Die continued her story:

"Tibetan Earth loves me... even to the point of madness. These mountains are its prison, and that underground palace is my tomb. It wants to lock me here forever, to keep me company with it for eternity. I only bring rain to those outside the mountains, and it slaughters them one by one! It is its evil deeds that have led those humans to choose to worship the Evil God, which is why the Turbid Dragon and the Empty Nightmare have appeared here!"

This pain, brewing for a thousand years, has become so intense that it's almost tangible; just hearing about it makes You Su feel bitter.

"But I love it too... Didn't I do all that to save it? Empty Nightmare wants to help Turbid Dragon become the Lord of the Five Elements, and they are plundering elemental power across the five continents. How could I let them have their way? But why won't Zangtu leave? It possesses the Earth Authority, and it can go wherever it wants. I've already told it that I don't like its morbid love at all. Even after I flattered them like that, it still won't give up... My plan to replicate the power was ruined because of it. In the end, I saved it by sacrificing myself, but I couldn't stop Empty Nightmare from placing a corrosive restriction on it... Is this the ending it wanted?"

Yu Die turned her head, and it turned out that she was already in tears:

"Tell me... should I love it or hate it?"

You Su remained silent; he simply couldn't judge this emotion that had spanned a thousand years.

Yu Die didn't actually want to help You Su understand; she was simply finding someone she could talk to for the first time in a thousand years, and using that as an excuse to vent her heavy hatred and love.

"After waking up, I couldn't tell anymore... But I have two wishes: first, to save it; second, to leave this cage. Obviously, I can't do the first one, but I can't watch Zangtu become a complete evil spirit. This is Empty Nightmare's conspiracy! I must kill Zangtu! To free it! And only God can do this! I know, you are God!"

You Su was somewhat taken aback. He had thought that no one except the Dream-Eating Ghost and his junior sister knew this secret, but he never expected that a mortal far away in Jade Ring Pool would also know it.

"And just when I was preparing to use every means to invite you to Jade Ring Pool, you showed up uninvited! From the Little White Fish, I had planned all of this... In the end, your performance did not disappoint me."

With the body of a mortal, she meticulously designed such a grand scheme, manipulating numerous immortals at will. Without using illusion magic, she wove an even more realistic illusion with lies.

The saying "Ordinary people are not necessarily inferior to immortals" has proven true once again.

There's another chapter later. I have so much to write; four hours after get off work isn't enough to finish. I'll have to stay up all night to write. I can't leave a story unfinished; that would be terrible. If you don't want to wait, you can read it tomorrow!