At Zhu Yan's question, Yan Lan shifted his gaze to Qin Ye, who was practicing with a staff, and said softly, "Since ancient times, auspicious beasts have appeared on the eve of every great calamity in the mortal world, warning its people. This qilin appeared in Dongling Prefecture, but soon vanished, and its whereabouts could not be traced. The aristocratic clans and sects in Zhongtian want to find it because they have their eyes on the blood treasures in its body."
"The qilin is one of the ancient auspicious beasts, and one of the few that people have hunted. Its flesh and blood can multiply a martial artist's qi and blood, shedding their bones and changing their marrow. Its hide can be made into divine weapons and sharp blades. They say it even has an inner core, a treasure sought by sorcerers all their lives."
Zhu Yan had no interest in the qilin's blood treasures. She asked in surprise, "Your Highness said auspicious beasts appear on the eve of a great calamity in the mortal world, but haven't the rebel armies in every region already been put down?"
Yan Lan's gaze turned deep, like a secluded well whose bottom could not be seen. In an inscrutable tone, he said, "That means the true calamity has yet to begin."
Zhu Yan fell silent. She usually enjoyed music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and had no desire to involve herself in matters of the realm. From Yan Lan's words, the so-called calamity in the mortal world wasn't a natural disaster, but a man-made one.
Anyone capable of affecting the whole realm had to hold immense power. She didn't want to pry any further.
The two said no more, each lost in their own thoughts.
Meanwhile.
Li Qingqiu arrived at Lingxiao Courtyard, the highest