CHAPTER 399
The Self-Deceiving Deceiver
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Holy Mountain, Holy Maiden's Bedchamber.
"Your Holiness, the Third Elder requests an audience."
"Hmm? Elder Shi has arrived? Let her in~"
Li Shiyao was reading a book—or rather, an album lent to her by Lady Gu Ai.
The precious white wooden base, resembling ivory in its creamy hue, supported a massive screen embroidered with golden threads. Shi Mingyi stood bowed behind the screen, offering a respectful salute.
"Does the Holy Maiden have any instructions this time?"
Shiyao gently closed the precious album, sheathing her terrifyingly infatuated expression. Rising to lean lightly against the desk, she picked up the floral tea brought by her maid and took a delicate sip.
She patted her colorful floral dress and pondered briefly.
"You performed admirably last time. Even if Senior Sister and the Master haven't spoken, their impression of you has likely improved considerably."
Three days prior, during the great battle, Holy Mountain had swiftly chosen sides, decisively aligning with Su City. When the immortals stormed their gates, Holy Mountain provided diversionary support on the flanking battlefield.
Shi Mingyi had intended to pay a visit to declare his solidarity with Lingxian Hall, but Li Shiyao declined, implying that while the plan should proceed as agreed, there was no need for a formal declaration.
"Master hasn't spoken, but that doesn't mean he's unaware."
"This is what we ought to do. I wonder about this [Immortal Alliance]…"
The Immortal Alliance, as the name suggests, is a coalition of immortal sects or immortals who unite against a common enemy to confront impending calamities.
"Has the Senior Sister expressed her stance?"
"The Northern Domain seems quiet, and there's no word from the Human Emperor's Palace either. In the Western Domain, Su Muchan has apparently sent word—she appears to be strongly supportive of this alliance."
Li Shiyao began to ponder…
This didn't add up. Based on her understanding of the Senior Sister, whether it was good or bad news, she would never disagree with anything the Master desired.
The Human Emperor's Palace, however, was exactly as Li Shiyao had anticipated. The palace walls and its court officials formed an impenetrable barrier. Hearing about this so-called alliance between humans and immortals, those disgusting creatures would likely only ponder how much profit they could squeeze out of it.
Hmph. To receive the Master's protection is a blessing for all living beings—yet they still seek profit?
"As for Sister Mu Chan, heh, she's moving rather swiftly~"
"Your Highness, the Holy Maiden, then we should also…"
Li Shiyu shook her head, biting her small fangs as she grinned.
"No need. Senior Sister hasn't made her move yet. Why the rush, Shiyu?"
"Well…"
This unprecedented alliance of immortals, if truly formed, would likely turn the world upside down.
The so-called rules of the Four Realms would be utterly overturned, and the ridiculous script of good versus evil would be laid bare before all.
"Don't you understand? Any so-called stance is utterly superfluous."
Shi Mingyi was startled. Understand? Understand what? What did he mean by unnecessary?
He could understand the previous act of doing good deeds anonymously, but what if they missed this opportunity by not declaring their stance?
Wouldn't the Holy Mountain be pushed into the shadows by those immortal sects?
"Heh heh, good Shiyu. Look at this elder—he's just getting old. I wonder what Shiyu has in mind?"
Li Shiyu emerged from behind the screen, her bearing matching that of the Demon Emperor Ye Qinghan in every way. Not a trace of the clumsy girl she once was remained.
"Shiyao has no plans. She simply won't declare her stance."
"There is one matter, though. Elder Shi, please summon Xiaoqi to Shiyao. There are things I must instruct her on, lest he court his own demise."
"Shiyu means… Qi Huan?"
Li Shiyu looked utterly incredulous. "What else? Our Master treats the three of us sisters as her own flesh and blood. Whether it's my senior sister or junior sister, they only need to focus on their own responsibilities."
"If we actively declare our stance, wouldn't that seem unnatural? This is simply what should be done—why declare it?"
"But these lords still need a stern warning. If they persist in courting death…"
"Shiyao doesn't intend to ask the Master to intervene either. We can't let these few rotten apples ruin everything for the entire Eastern Region."
Truth be told, this exchange nearly scared Shi Mingyi into stupor!
In just four sentences…
They embodied the propriety of a disciple and the decisiveness of a Holy Maiden. Her gaze encompassed all living beings, yet her actions were utterly decisive.
Her actions were meticulous, her vision far-reaching, considering every detail both within and beyond the sect with consummate thoroughness!
"Shi Yao…"
"Elder Shi, are you implying Shiyu has changed?"
Shi Mingyi remained silent. He didn't know if he could speak, but Shi Yao had indeed guessed his thoughts.
With Shi Mingyi silent, Li Shiyu continued speaking.
Sitting at the table, she jingled the bell tied to her ankle and smiled.
"This is the Mind-Confusing Bell. At first, Shiyu only felt her body grow light after wearing it, as if it had a refreshing, mind-clearing effect."
"Over time, Shiyu discovered the bells seemed to possess a power that could forcibly induce calm."
"Once calm, many things no longer seemed so confusing."
"Including this Heart-Confusing Bell—Shiyao now understood its purpose."
"Master feared Shiyu would be hurt or feel inferior, so he never explained it to her."
"But Shiyu could tell Elder Shi—she wasn't foolish or dull, just that her spiritual awareness was impaired, leaving her with only a child's mind."
"Shiyao also found books Master had once read in his study, with notes tucked inside describing two magical artifacts."
"The first is called the Heart-Scrutinizing Bell, a divine artifact of the Spirit Realm possessing supreme power."
"The second is the Heart-Confusing Bell—the one Shiyu wears on her ankle. It is an exceptionally rare, top-tier immortal-grade artifact forged from the heart of a sea demon. As a supreme defensive treasure, it shields the wearer from illusory disturbances and possesses the ability to repair and nurture spiritual awareness."
Immortal Su continued to shatter Shi Mingyi's preconceptions time and again. This so-called initiation ritual was no trivial matter.
Su Cheng, too, was far from the casual demeanor he projected, holding his three direct disciples in high regard.
After the initiation, Ye Chenmeng ascended to become the Demon Emperor of the Northern Realm. The once-dull Dayao transformed into a true Holy Maiden.
No longer the playful child she once was, she no longer needed their reminders to cultivate. Everything was handled with meticulous order.
"If that's the case, why did Shi Yao send word requesting a fake?"
"That's a girl's business. Why should Elder Shi meddle in it?"
"Um…"
"Besides, how could something like that possibly escape the Master's notice? Shiyu was just trying to deceive herself. But the Master didn't notice, did he?"
Yes, Master didn't notice. So she could still be a child. She loved being a child—she could act spoiled with Master and even sleep together!
Senior Sister is a big kid. Has she ever slept with Master?
Junior Sister is also a big kid. Would Junior Sister dare to drug the Master?
What's so great about being a big kid?
She did what the eldest senior sister never dared!
What the youngest sister dared not do, she dared to do!
"Alright, go fetch Xiaoqi immediately. On the way, you might as well give him a heads-up. Shiyao has no interest in governing the Eastern Realm. So if he wants to keep his position, he'd best not cross the Master…"
Shi Mingyi finally snapped out of his stunned disbelief. This was a lot to process—it might take him the entire journey to digest it all.
His Holy Maiden had grown up. She was no longer the child she once was.
Yet for some reason, Shi Mingyi couldn't muster any joy.
He couldn't fathom why. This was precisely what he and the elders had hoped for, yet it felt somehow different from what he'd imagined.
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