Yue Mei's Probe and the Poison Scripture of Calamity

Deep within the sanctuary of the Snake-People Tribe, inside an unknown secret chamber.

The surroundings were cold and hard ground; the chill seeped through his clothes, piercing straight into his marrow. In the air, a heavy scent of blood and dust intertwined, pressing down like a thick, suffocating haze. Amidst it all, a faint, peculiar fragrance lingered—a mysterious, ancient summons that felt simultaneously alluring and treacherous.

Amidst intense pain and dizziness, Xiao Zhan struggled to regain a sliver of consciousness, like a small boat tossing in a storm. That pain, like countless sharp daggers, rampaged through his body.

The agony from his left shoulder felt like ten thousand arrows piercing his heart, forcing him to gasp. Looking closely, the flesh there was already a mangled mess, with jagged, broken bone fragments exposed in a gruesome display, resembling the gaping maw of a demon. His internal organs felt as if they were being crushed by an invisible hand; the wrenching pain of displacement turned his face as pale as paper. Every breath felt like salt rubbed into a wound, tugging at his internal injuries and causing his entire body to tremble.

The spatial tearing force from the random teleportation of the Minor Shift Talisman had struck him like a surging tide. Combined with the direct impact of Protector Wu's fierce strike and the residual Dou Qi of Queen Medusa, even he, a newly advanced Dou Zong, had been severely wounded by this double blow, like a flower withering in a gale.

He struggled like a wounded beast, wanting to sit up and circulate his Dou Qi to heal. However, when he attempted to channel his energy, he was horrified to find an icy, sinister energy entrenched in his wounds and meridians like maggots on a bone. That energy, like a pack of ravenous wolves, was frantically devouring his Dou Qi, preventing his recovery. This was the Soul-Eroding Dou Qi left behind by the ghost claws of Protector Wu, hanging over his heart like an inescapable dark cloud.

"Damn it..." Xiao Zhan's heart sank; the words were squeezed through his teeth, carrying endless rage and helplessness. This Soul Hall Dou Qi was as persistent as a disease. Had he been in his prime, he could have relied on his own strength to slowly purge it. But now, severely wounded and with his Dou Qi circulation obstructed like a dried-up river, the situation was dire—he was standing on the edge of a cliff, ready to plummet into the abyss at any moment.

"Ding!" Just then, a crisp system notification sounded, like a ray of light in the darkness. "Host detected with severe injuries and suffering from 'Soul-Eroding Dou Qi' erosion. System emergency protocol initiated: Consuming 1,000 temporary points (advanced) to redeem one 'Jade Bone Flesh-Regenerating Pill' (Tier 6), capable of rapidly repairing physical injuries and temporarily suppressing foreign energy. Points will be deducted from future mission rewards."

A warm, jade-like, emerald-green pill radiating vigorous vitality quietly appeared in Xiao Zhan's palm. The pill was surrounded by a soft halo, resembling a meticulously carved green gemstone, exuding a mysterious aura. Without a moment's hesitation, Xiao Zhan swallowed it.

In an instant, the pill entered his stomach like a burning spark, transforming into a vast, gentle current that surged through his limbs and bones like a babbling brook. Wherever it passed, it felt like a spring breeze sweeping across the earth, bringing life and hope. The terrifying, gruesome wound on his left shoulder began to stop bleeding at a speed visible to the naked eye; fresh flesh sprouted like bamboo shoots after rain, and the broken bones emitted faint, crisp "clucking" sounds as they rapidly knit together, as if time were flowing backward to erase the pain. Simultaneously, the heart-piercing agony in his organs receded like a retreating tide.

However, that icy Soul-Eroding Dou Qi was merely suppressed into a corner of his body, like a venomous snake lurking in the dark, waiting for an opportunity; it had not been completely eradicated.

"Hoo..." With his injuries temporarily stabilized, Xiao Zhan let out a long breath, as if exhaling all his exhaustion and pain. Only now did he have the energy to carefully observe his surroundings.

This was a cramped stone chamber; the walls were rough and mottled, as if hastily excavated by time, exuding an ancient and weathered aura. In one corner stood a simple stone bed covered in some kind of soft animal hide, which radiated a faint warmth as if whispering of past comforts. Several Moonlight Stones were embedded in the walls, casting a dim, soft light like stars in the night sky, adding a mysterious atmosphere to the dark room. The peculiar fragrance in the air grew stronger, seemingly drifting from that very stone bed.

"Where is this place? Am I still within the sanctuary?" Xiao Zhan was extremely vigilant. He slowly released a sliver of soul power, like a gentle tentacle, cautiously probing everything around him.

[Scan complete: Current location is in the deep underground area of the Snake-People Tribe sanctuary, relatively remote. A simple energy barrier exists outside the stone chamber (Strength: capable of blocking probes below Dou Ling level).] The system's voice echoed in Xiao Zhan's mind, clear and calm.

Just then, at the only entrance to the stone chamber, the heavy stone door emitted a "click," as if the gears of fate had begun to turn. Immediately after, the door slowly opened, and an unknown shadow was about to break the silence of the room.

A bewitching and enchanting figure, like a ghost flower blooming quietly in the dark night, or a nimble and ethereal sprite, slid into the stone chamber without a sound, carrying a touch of mystery and intrigue.

The newcomer's figure was incredibly hot; tight, dark purple leather armor clung to her body like a second skin, outlining her breathtaking S-curve to perfection. Her slender waist seemed as if it could be spanned by a single hand, and her chest, encased in leather, was on the verge of bursting forth, speaking of endless temptation. She possessed a face of near-demonic beauty: a sharp chin like a finely carved work of art, a high-bridged nose like a beautiful mountain, and most striking of all, her eyes. Her pupils were strange, vertical snake-like slits, flickering with a green, ghostly light like two bottomless pools, swirling with soul-snatching charm yet revealing a cold, scrutinizing gaze that made one afraid to look directly at her. Her lower body was, shockingly, a snake tail covered in purple scales, more slender than Queen Medusa's, moving silently like a nimble purple ribbon fluttering in the air.

This person was none other than one of the eight great leaders of the Snake-People Tribe, the Dou King powerhouse—Yue Mei!

Xiao Zhan's internal alarm bells rang loudly, as if a battle horn had been sounded, but his expression remained unmoved, like a steady mountain. He forced himself to sit up, leaning against the cold stone wall, his eyes as calm as water as he quietly watched this uninvited guest. He quickly circulated his Dou Qi, suppressing his cultivation to the level of a severely wounded Nine-Star Dou Grandmaster, as if placing shackles on a tiger.

"Awake?" Yue Mei's voice was like a silk thread with tiny hooks, seductive to the bone; every word seemed capable of plucking at one's heartstrings. She swayed her waist like a mermaid swimming in water, slowly gliding to the stone bed. Her green vertical pupils examined Xiao Zhan with interest, as if appraising a precious treasure. "To survive the aftermath of the battle between Her Majesty the Queen and that mysterious black-robed figure, and even be struck by such strange, sinister Dou Qi... Human, you have a tough life."

Her gaze was like a sharp sword, sweeping over the left shoulder wound that had mostly healed but remained gruesome—a wound that looked like a twisted mouth telling of past pain. Then, her eyes fell upon Xiao Zhan's pale yet resolute face, as if trying to read more secrets from it.

"Many thanks for your life-saving grace." Xiao Zhan spoke in a hoarse voice, as if squeezed from a parched throat, his tone carrying a perfectly measured amount of weakness and gratitude. He judged internally that it was Yue Mei who had dragged him from that dangerous passage to this secret chamber; he would remember this favor.

"Life-saving?" Yue Mei's red lips, as delicate as flower petals, curled into an incredibly enchanting arc, like a shooting star across the night sky, carrying a lethal temptation. She leaned down, her warm, fragrant breath like a gentle spring breeze, almost spraying onto Xiao Zhan's face. Yet, in her green vertical pupils, a dangerous light flickered, like a blade hidden in the dark, ready to be unsheathed at any moment.

"I never said I was going to save you." Her voice was soft and melodic, yet hidden with sharpness. "Trespassing into our tribe's sanctuary and disturbing Her Majesty the Queen—according to tribal law, you should be punished with the Ten Thousand Snakes Devouring Heart Punishment, to die in endless agony. Bringing you here was merely to see what unspeakable secrets this daring little mouse, who rushed in so recklessly, is hiding."

As she spoke, her fingertips were somehow entwined with a wisp of emerald-green poison mist. The mist, like a nimble venomous snake, flickered in and out, exuding a heart-palpitating, icy chill, as if a summons from hell. She slowly raised her hand, pointing the poison-tipped finger toward Xiao Zhan's brow, her movement gentle yet carrying an irresistible majesty.

A lethal sense of threat, like an invisible mountain, instantly enveloped Xiao Zhan's entire body. His pupils contracted slightly, like cold stars in the night sky, but his body remained motionless. He knew clearly that in front of a Dou King powerhouse, in his current severely wounded state, any resistance would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—futile. At this moment, he could only pin his hopes on her curiosity, betting that she would be interested in what he had to say.

"My life was saved by you, Excellency. If you wish to take it, I am at your disposal." Xiao Zhan slowly closed his eyes, his tone as flat as stagnant water, without a ripple, as if he had accepted his fate. "It is only a pity... regarding the origin of that black-robed figure, and why he was able to infiltrate the barrier without anyone noticing..."

Just as his words were about to fall, Yue Mei's poison-tipped finger stopped abruptly, a mere inch from Xiao Zhan's brow! It was as if time had frozen at that moment, and the air was filled with tension. In her green vertical pupils, a sharp light flashed, like lightning across the night sky.

"You know the origin of that black-robed figure?" Yue Mei's voice remained seductive to the bone, but it had unknowingly taken on a hint of gravity, like an undercurrent surging beneath a calm lake.

Xiao Zhan slowly opened his eyes, his deep gaze like the brightest stars in the night sky, meeting Yue Mei's scrutinizing look, firm and calm: "The Soul Hall. It is an extremely mysterious and powerful organization, like a giant beast hidden in the dark, specializing in collecting powerful soul bodies. In my opinion, their goal is far more than just the Heavenly Flame; it is also... Her Majesty the Queen herself!"

"Soul Hall?" Yue Mei's brows furrowed slightly, like a lake rippled by a breeze in spring. The name was extremely foreign to her, like a passerby who had never left a mark on her life. However, for someone to be able to infiltrate the barrier silently and possess such terrifying strength, they were certainly no mere nobody. Xiao Zhan's words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing the doubts in her heart to ripple outward, growing deeper.

"How do you know?" Yue Mei's gaze was like a torch, pressing hard against Xiao Zhan. The poison-mist-covered finger remained suspended in front of him, unretracted, as if it could turn into a lethal blade the next second.

"I have been lurking in this desert for a long time, like a hunter prowling in the dark night. I once accidentally intercepted fragments of their secret letters. The information on those fragments was like puzzle pieces, gradually piecing together the outline of this organization." Xiao Zhan said, half-truth and half-lie, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness and vicissitudes. At the same time, he secretly channeled the suppressed Dragon Phoenix aura. That aura, like a slumbering giant dragon, slowly awakened, simulating a trace of extremely weak yet exceptionally ancient and noble bloodline pressure. This pressure, mixed with his wounded Dou Qi fluctuations, drifted out like a faint, elusive fragrance.

"I intended to sneak into the sanctuary to sound the alarm, to warn everyone to guard against this mysterious organization, but I didn't expect..." Before Xiao Zhan could finish, that weak yet undeniably real Dragon Phoenix pressure flashed and vanished! Although it was extremely thin, like a shooting star passing through the night sky, for Yue Mei, who possessed snake bloodline and was extremely sensitive to higher bloodlines, it was like a thunderclap in the dark, instantly illuminating the doubts in her heart.

Yue Mei's green vertical pupils suddenly contracted into slits, like two sharp daggers, flickering with vigilant light. The poison mist entwined around her fingertips fluctuated violently, as if disturbed by this sudden pressure. She retreated half a step, her movement like a startled spirit cat, looking at Xiao Zhan with suspicion and uncertainty. For the first time, a look of shock appeared on her beautiful face, as if she had seen the most incredible thing in the world.

"You... in your body..." Yue Mei's voice trembled suddenly. Although that aura was as weak as a candle in the wind, it carried a vast pressure originating from the ancient primordial era, far surpassing the bloodline of the Snake-People Tribe! Such pressure was definitely not something an ordinary human could possess; it felt like a faint mark left in the world by an ancient deity.

"Just a trivial ancestral bloodline, long since thinned to the point of near-extinction after the passage of time." Xiao Zhan curled his lips into a "bitter" smile, voluntarily dissipating that faint, flickering aura. His face became even "paler," like a thin sheet of paper eroded by wind and snow. "If not for this remnant bloodline power, I would not have been able to luckily escape with my life in that thrilling battle just now, nor would I have been able to keenly perceive the aura of the Soul Hall, which lingers like a ghost."

Xiao Zhan's words, half-truth and half-lie, were like a meticulously drawn painting, cleverly outlining his "specialness" and "purpose." His severely wounded state, the mysterious "ancestral bloodline," the precious intelligence regarding the Soul Hall, and the sincere plea of "sounding the alarm"—these pieces of a puzzle successfully constructed a vague yet seemingly reasonable image in Yue Mei's heart: a human powerhouse with a special ancient bloodline, lurking in the desert for some hidden reason, who had accidentally learned of the Soul Hall's earth-shattering conspiracy and was attempting to warn the Snake-People Tribe.

The killing intent and scrutiny in Yue Mei's eyes receded like a retreating tide, replaced by a surge of intense curiosity and a hint of hard-to-conceal wariness. She slowly retracted the poison mist from her fingertips, her green vertical pupils scanning Xiao Zhan back and forth, as if two sharp daggers trying to see through him and probe the secrets deep in his heart.

"I will report your words truthfully to Her Majesty the Queen, and she will decide your fate." Yue Mei's voice gradually returned to its lazy, seductive state, like a spring breeze brushing past the ear, but her eyes remained as sharp as an eagle's. "Before Her Majesty makes a decision, you will stay here and heal obediently. Do not harbor any thoughts of escaping; the barrier outside this secret chamber is like a wall of copper and iron, enough to trap anyone below the Dou Emperor level, making it impossible for you to fly away."

With that, her snake tail, as flexible as a spirit snake, twisted gently, and she turned with a graceful posture, gliding slowly toward the door. Just as the stone door was about to close, she suddenly looked back, glancing at Xiao Zhan, her red lips parting slightly like a rose blooming quietly: "By the way, human, what is your name?"

"Xiao Zhan." Xiao Zhan replied with a calm expression, unruffled, his voice steady and firm, like an unshakeable mountain.

"Xiao Zhan..." Yue Mei repeated the name softly, the sound like silk and bamboo drifting in the night wind, carrying a touch of ethereal mystery. Her green eyes, like deep pools, looked at Xiao Zhan deeply, as if wanting to engrave his appearance into her heart. Afterward, the stone door slowly closed, like an impassable barrier, isolating the inside and outside into two worlds.

Silence returned to the stone chamber, as if time had frozen at this moment. Xiao Zhan's tense nerves finally relaxed slightly; his back was already soaked with cold sweat, like clothes drenched in rain. The probing just now had been fraught with danger, every step like walking on the edge of a cliff! If not for that faint trace of the Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body aura suppressing Yue Mei, the consequences would have been unthinkable; he would likely have already lost his life.

"Soul Hall... Medusa..." Xiao Zhan's eyes were heavy, like the deep night sky, hiding endless worry. Although the crisis was temporarily resolved, a greater storm was approaching like a beast hidden in the dark. He knew clearly that he must recover his strength as soon as possible and completely purge the Soul-Eroding Dou Qi that was like a disease in his body!

Meanwhile, deep within a mysterious cave in the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

Moonlight Stones radiated a soft and warm light, like stars in the night sky, illuminating a small stone chamber. The furnishings in the room were extremely simple: a skeleton sitting cross-legged had long since turned to white bones, appearing exceptionally weathered under the erosion of time; a dusty stone platform stood quietly, as if speaking of past glory; on the stone platform lay three dust-covered scrolls, the dust on them like the wrinkles of time, recording the passage of years.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian stood nervously at the entrance of the stone chamber, their eyes filled with vigilance and curiosity, like two young deer entering the forest for the first time. Yao Lao's illusory figure floated to the side like a ghost; he closed his eyes and focused, vigilantly sensing everything around him, his demeanor like an old man guarding a treasure.

"No traps, it's safe." Yao Lao's voice carried a hint of excitement, like an explorer who had discovered a treasure. "Go and take a look, little ones. It seems you have encountered the legacy of a predecessor; there might be unexpected gains."

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian finally felt a weight lift from their hearts, letting out long, relieved sighs before cautiously stepping forward. Xiao Yan's gaze was filled with reverence as he bowed respectfully to the skeleton, his voice sincere and gentle: "Senior, please forgive this intrusion." Only after paying his respects did he slowly reach out to pick up the three dust-covered scrolls, his movements as delicate as if he were handling a priceless treasure, gently brushing away the grime.

The first scroll slowly unfurled like a gateway to a mysterious world, revealing the crafting and usage methods for a Xuan-tier high-level flight Dou Technique known as the "Purple Cloud Wings"!

"A flight Dou Technique!" Xiao Yan's eyes lit up instantly like a brilliant meteor streaking across the night sky, his excitement impossible to contain. Possessing such a technique was akin to gaining a pair of invisible wings; it would drastically improve his survival capabilities in battle, appearing like a bright beacon of light in the darkness.

The second scroll revealed an ancient, tattered piece of parchment. The material was neither gold nor wood, exuding an archaic and mysterious aura. The map was intricately detailed with complex terrain, resembling a miniature painting of the world. At its center was a blurred lotus pattern; its colors shifted constantly like a dream, emanating an indescribable, profound aura that seemed to hide endless secrets. Along the edges were fragmented ancient characters, where the words "Purifying Demonic..." could be vaguely discerned, appearing like a faint mark left by history.

"This is..." Yao Lao's ethereal figure drifted over like a wisp of smoke. He stared intently at the fragment, carefully sensing every trace of its aura, his voice heavy with unprecedented shock: "Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame?! Is this... could this be a fragment recording the location of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame?!"

"Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame?" Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian looked at each other in confusion, like two children lost in an ocean of knowledge, filled with bewilderment at the sudden mention of the name.

"It is ranked third on the Heavenly Flame Ranking! A terrifying existence legendary for its power to purify all things! It is like a mysterious judge; wherever it goes, everything can be purified!" Yao Lao's voice was filled with excitement and disbelief, as if he were looking at the most precious treasure in the world. "A fragment of such a divine object... its value is immeasurable! Keep it safe! You must keep it safe! Never let a hint of this leak out, or it will surely invite the covetous eyes of countless powerhouses!"

Xiao Yan's heart jolted as if struck by a thunderbolt. He hurriedly and carefully tucked the fragment away, as if guarding his most precious life.

With a mix of trepidation and anticipation, the two turned their attention to the final scroll. This scroll was an eerie grayish-white, seemingly shrouded in a mysterious mist, emitting a faint, unsettling aura like a demon lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike.

Xiao Yi Xian seemed drawn to the mysterious aura emanating from the scroll, subconsciously reaching out as if pulled by an invisible force.

"Careful!" Xiao Yan's heart tightened, and he hurriedly tried to warn her, but his voice was cut short.

Xiao Yi Xian's fingers had already touched the scroll, as if triggering a forbidden switch.

"Hum!"

The scroll suddenly erupted with an intense grayish-white light, as dazzling as a solar flare! A cold, deathly, and destructive energy wave instantly swept through the entire stone chamber like an invisible storm. The dust on the stone platform was blown away without a trace, and the moss on the walls withered instantly, as if its life force had been drained away.

Xiao Yi Xian felt as if she had been struck by lightning; her delicate body trembled violently, like a lone boat in a raging storm. The scroll seemed to come alive, suddenly transforming into a streak of grayish-white light that shot into her forehead with lightning speed, vanishing instantly.

"Ah--!" Xiao Yi Xian let out a cry of extreme pain, a wail that seemed to be squeezed from the depths of her soul. She clutched her head with both hands, her body curling up on the ground uncontrollably like a flower crushed by a gale. Her fair face turned paper-white, devoid of all color, and strange, faint gray markings appeared on her forehead, resembling mysterious runes telling of an unknown fate.

"Xiao Yi Xian!" Xiao Yan was horrified, his face turning pale as he instinctively tried to step forward to save her from the agony.

"Don't touch her!" Yao Lao barked, his voice booming like a bell, his tone heavy and grave as if carrying a thousand-jun burden. "It is a legacy! This scroll... is a legacy specifically prepared for her unique constitution!"

The grayish-white light surged like a tidal wave, enveloping Xiao Yi Xian and forming a massive cocoon of light. Inside, a massive stream of information poured into her mind like a bursting dam, accompanied by unimaginable pain, as if countless steel needles were piercing her soul.

Seven-Colored Poison Scripture!

The four ancient and eerie characters were branded deep into the depths of her soul like a searing iron, impossible to erase. Following them came countless secret methods for poison refinement, toxin manipulation, and the cultivation of a poison body—these techniques were as brilliant as stars, yet hidden with endless peril. There were also forbidden methods on how to completely control and unleash the world-destroying power of the Woe Poison Body; these methods were like Pandora's Box, and once opened, they would bring unpredictable consequences.

"No... don't... I don't want to become a poison creature..." From within the light cocoon came Xiao Yi Xian's painful, desperate whimpers, filled with endless fear and struggle. She could clearly feel that as the legacy of the poison scripture took hold, the long-dormant destructive power within her body was being slowly awakened like a slumbering beast; it was being meticulously organized like tangled threads being straightened; it was becoming more controllable, yet far more vast and dangerous, like a volcano on the verge of eruption, ready to bring catastrophe at any moment. She felt as if she were standing on the edge of a cliff: on one side was the possibility of mastering great power, shining like brilliant stars; on the other was the abyss of sinking into a poison demon, a bottomless black hole devouring all hope.

"Teacher! What do I do? Will she be alright?" Xiao Yan was frantic, his eyes filled with worry and fear, pacing back and forth like an ant on a hot pan.

Yao Lao's ethereal figure appeared unusually grave, like a precarious peak about to be toppled by a gale. He stared fixedly at the cocoon of light, his voice low and solemn: "This Seven-Colored Poison Scripture... for her, it is both a blessing and a curse! It is like a double-edged sword, granting her the key to control the Woe Poison Body, allowing her to touch that terrifying power hidden within; but at the same time, it is like opening Pandora's Box, releasing endless temptation and danger. Whether she can hold onto her original heart amidst this surging tide of power, not be devoured by the desire for destruction, and not sink into the endless temptation brought by such power... all of this depends solely on her own indomitable will!"

In the stone chamber, the grayish-white light flickered like a dream, and the girl's painful whimpers echoed in the silent space like a low, mournful dirge. Xiao Yan's clenched fists were bulging with veins, his eyes filled with worry and the burning frustration of helplessness, his gaze seemingly trying to pierce the cocoon to pull Xiao Yi Xian from the abyss of pain. He knew that from this moment on, Xiao Yi Xian's fate had been swept up like a leaf in a gale, its trajectory forever changed, heading toward an unknown and perilous shore.

Wutan City, Xiao Family.

Ya Fei leaned lazily against a soft couch in the top-floor private room of the Miteer Auction House, her figure graceful like a vibrant rose blooming in the night. She toyed gently with a jade slip that emitted a warm, lustrous glow; the light flowing within it seemed to tell a mysterious story. It was the copy of the Flowing Cloud Steps that Xiao Zhan had previously entrusted to her (he had asked her to keep it safe and told her she could study its mysteries herself). Her red lips parted slightly, as if a thousand words were stuck in her throat, and with a hint of resentment she hadn't even realized herself, she whispered: "This wretch... he went to the Magical Beast Mountain Range for so long, and it's as if he's vanished into the sea, without a single word of news..."

Suddenly, a series of urgent knocks broke the room's tranquility. The door was pushed open, and Master Gu Ni (the chief appraiser of the Miteer Auction House and a second-tier alchemist) walked in with a grave expression and hurried steps. His face was etched with worry, as if he were carrying a heavy burden.

"Miss Ya Fei, something is terribly wrong! People from the Imperial Capital have arrived! It is Mu Tie, the commander of the direct guards under Great Elder Teng Shan! He is carrying an order from the Great Elder and is acting aggressively, demanding to immediately take over the escort of the two Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pills, and... and he has specifically requested to see you!" Gu Ni's voice carried a hint of tension, as if delivering an ominous prophecy.

Ya Fei's originally charming and alluring smile froze like a flower struck by frost, and her eyes turned cold instantly, like two sharp blades of ice. She pondered to herself: the people from the Imperial Capital had finally lost their patience and arrived, and they had come with ill intent. A storm seemed to be quietly brewing...