Daishan Secret Realm.
Dingling County, eastern district courtyard.
A plainly featured man in fitted clothes, the sort who could blend into any crowd without drawing a ripple of attention, hurried into the courtyard.
He dropped to one knee before a girl in white.
The girl possessed an ethereal air, like a wisp of morning mist, her entire body radiating a purity untouched by worldly dust.
Her slender, well-proportioned calves flickered into view beneath her skirt, accompanied now and then by the crisp, pleasant chime of bells.
"Reporting to the Saintess, over at Plum Garden..."
Before the man could finish, Gu Youlan smiled sweetly.
Her expression resembled an orchid blooming in an empty valley, carrying a serenity and detachment that transcended the mundane world.
"Plum Garden failed, didn't it?"
The man in fitted clothes immediately grew tense at those words.
Lowering his head, he answered in fearful trepidation.
"The Saintess's foresight is divine. The Plum Garden plan failed."
"Give me the details!"
"Reporting to the Saintess, the plan went very smoothly at first. Saintess Nangong had already retrieved the sacred artifact."
"But the Fifth Prince's strength far exceeded our previous estimates. With Myriad Incarnations, he directly reversed the situation."
"Saintess Nangong broke through carrying the sacred artifact, and there has been no news of her since."
"Dead?"
"According to reports from our hidden agents, the Tiger Swift Army has found Saintess Nangong's body and handed it over to the God Slaying Department."
"Saintess Nangong died beneath a flying sword."
"A sword cultivator?" Gu Youlan arched a delicate brow, a thoughtful look appearing on her face.
"What about the sacred artifact?"
"Its whereabouts are unknown!"
"I have more important matters to attend to. Leave the heavy responsibility of recovering the sacred artifact to Nangong Yuehua."
Gu Youlan spoke lightly, without the slightest