Chapter 1156: One Place Cultivates One People

Zhaoyun Zhenren was fanatically devoted to studying the Lantern of Enlightenment, but his theories were tested and ultimately disproven by facts.

"Beyond describing the Lantern of Enlightenment's properties, the notes contain many obscure theories and deductions that I can't fully recall, so I won't repeat them. I'll simply state the conclusion—"

Mei Fei tightened her cloak. "Zhaoyun Zhenren still adhered to his initial belief, claiming he had found successful precedents."

"His initial belief?" He Lingchuan's doubts instantly flared. Could it be...?

"Yes, he was convinced that the Lantern of Enlightenment could safeguard one's true nature and also unravel the 'mystery of the womb.' However, he only discovered a unique instance of this on Dragon's Head Mountain." A single case was sufficient to solidify Zhaoyun Zhenren's conviction. "Perhaps because this is the site where the Black Dragon perished, the Lantern of Enlightenment was imbued with its blood, causing a strange transformation."

He Lingchuan suddenly remembered that the Lantern Grass he had seen in the Coiling Dragon World was dark red, a color that differed from the description provided by the spider demon sisters.

Could it be true that the Lanterns of Enlightenment from White Hair Mountain had indeed mutated due to exposure to Black Dragon blood?

"Is dragon blood really that potent?" There were many dragons in ancient times, weren't there? Why did no one discover this then?

Mei Fei shook her head. "Zhaoyun Zhenren merely marveled in his notes that the Black Dragon Heavenly Venerable was indeed worthy of his title, possessing immense power that could bless all beings even after his passing. He then stated his intention to personally experiment, using the Lantern of Enlightenment to solve his own 'mystery of the womb.'"

Dong Rui, deeply engrossed, instinctively pressed, "And then?"

"There is no 'then'; the notes simply end there," Mei Fei said, looking at He Lingchuan. "You've asked me more than once about this, and I hope these notes prove useful to you."

He Lingchuan had spared her, and she was now returning the favor.

"Yes," He Lingchuan said, taking a deep breath. A great weight momentarily lifted from his chest. "Extremely useful!"

Both General Hong and the State of Mu required the Lantern of Enlightenment from White Hair Mountain. Was it perhaps because of this very hidden application?

Unraveling the 'mystery of the womb'!

How many cultivators in the world wished to avoid decaying like plants and trees, hoping to find a way for their souls to persist? Perhaps this was the true secret behind the Lantern of Enlightenment's incalculable value.

It was no surprise that the State of Mu had designated the Lantern of Enlightenment as tribute. Many powerful figures in both the State of Mu and Spirit Mountain were unwilling to face the demise of both body and soul.

But what did General Hong need the Lantern of Enlightenment for?

What 'mystery of the womb' did she need to solve?

Furthermore, Zhong Shengguang's words implied that this Lantern of Enlightenment could help General Hong confront Mitian.

General Hong served as the vessel for Mitian's arrival, which meant General Hong herself would undoubtedly have to contend with Mitian in his spiritual form.

This was easy to understand. When He Lingchuan had strategized against Narottian, he also had to directly face a wisp of Narottian's spiritual avatar.

Could the Lantern of Enlightenment protect General Hong's soul, preventing it from being utterly defeated by Mitian?

He had traveled across vast oceans seeking answers, only to find the truth becoming increasingly convoluted.

Yet, he could be certain of one thing:

General Hong had ultimately succeeded.

That was how history unfolded.

Regardless, he had moved a step closer to the truth.

As He Lingchuan gazed intently, lost in thought, Mei Fei observed him with curiosity. Few men would ever be so absent-minded in her presence without gazing at her.

"Are you from the Yangshan Archipelago?"

"Yes."

She tilted her head. "Where is that?"

"To the west, not far from the State of Mu."

Mei Fei let out a soft "Oh," then walked to her horse and smoothly mounted it. "I owe you a significant favor. If you ever need me, or wish for my help against someone, go to the ghost market bulletin board in Julu Port, post a red and white note, specify the time and place, and I will meet you there."

He Lingchuan smiled and asked her, "Who are you?"

Mei Fei glanced back, her smile captivating beyond words. "My name is Mai Miao."

She also had a name.

He Lingchuan shook his head, his gaze fixed on her. "Have you ever considered who you truly are? Who do you wish to become?"

His gaze was deep and serene, with a faint, almost imperceptible hint of pity.

All her thoughts seemed to lie bare before him, with nowhere to hide.

Mei Fei froze, the smile on her face slowly fading.

Who was she?

Who was she supposed to be?

Who would she become in the future?

She was accustomed to smiling at people. Without a smile, Mei Fei was like a mask removed; her features remained, but her very essence had changed.

She became a delicate, pale, cold, and hollow porcelain doll.

Dong Rui, Ling Guang, and Ghost Ape looked from He Lingchuan to her, unsure what cryptic message the two were exchanging.

But at such a moment, it was probably best not to speak and disturb them.

After a long silence, Mei Fei finally said to He Lingchuan, "Thank you."

Those three short words carried an unprecedented sincerity, so profound that even Dong Rui could sense the turmoil of emotions within her.

Clarity returned to her eyes, and she suddenly asked He Lingchuan, "You never truly intended to capture me, did you?"

These two simply wanted to see her exhaust every trick to survive, didn't they?

He Lingchuan smiled faintly. "Not all deception and pretense are intended to cause harm."

He had long discerned that this woman was full of theatrics and would not reveal the truth until her performance was complete.

Since that was the case, he decided to play along.

He Lingchuan wasn't exactly deceiving her; he merely held the power of life and death without showing his hand, applying immense pressure.

At his subtle prompting, Mei Fei pursed her beautiful, bow-shaped lips, a hint of reluctance in her voice. "Alright, I've learned my lesson."

She then turned to glance at Dong Rui, offering a sweet smile:

"Well then, till we meet again."

With that, she pulled her cloak over her face, cracked her whip, and galloped away.

Only then did a hint of her valiant spirit emerge, her previous fragility vanishing completely.

Even if she was a mere puppet, she was a versatile porcelain doll.

The black wolf followed closely, and before long, both became distant specks.

Long after the beauty's graceful figure had disappeared with the wind, Dong Rui remained lost in thought, staring blankly in the direction she had departed.

"Come back to reality," He Lingchuan said, waving a hand twice in front of Dong Rui's face. "If you're so reluctant to see her go, why don't you just chase after her and become her escort?"

"Good..." Dong Rui snapped back to attention, abruptly changing his tune. "Ah, no, I meant, that was a close call! Such beauty is laced with poison; I couldn't possibly handle it."

"Really?" He Lingchuan flicked his horsewhip. "You're giving up without even trying?"

"She eats people," Dong Rui muttered to himself. "Though, on second thought, eating people isn't such a big flaw. My monkey eats people, and Auntie One and Auntie Two eat people too; maybe they could even share." They lived quite harmoniously, he thought.

This fellow was truly tempted. He Lingchuan smiled slyly. "She preys on her bedmates."

Black widows and female praying mantises were no worse.

Dong Rui shivered, instantly snapped back to reality, and slapped his forehead. "Oh, was I out of my mind?"

He himself was no saint, yet the true Mei Fei still sent chills down his spine.

All her beauty was a weapon.

All her gentleness was a calculation.

Mei Fei herself, on this grim and wicked land, was a venomous bloom, diligently cultivated over time with hatred, pain, and blood.

The more beautiful, the more alluring, the more vicious!

To associate with this woman meant that in the end, one might not even have bone fragments left.

Just like the Old King Bo!

"This woman," Dong Rui mused, still finding it a great pity. "Ah, if only she weren't like that!"

"If she weren't like that, how could she have survived until now?" He Lingchuan patted his horse's flank, and the animal trotted forward. "Even when she was in our grasp, she was still scheming, striving desperately to live."

Dong Rui and the Soul-Capturing Mirror exchanged a bewildered "Huh?"

"The moment she realized we weren't Mu citizens, she immediately began to devise a plan," He Lingchuan explained to them. "If we were the Shadowfang Guards, she would undoubtedly face death. But since we are not Mu citizens, merely foreign envoys acting on a commission, there was a possibility for a turn of events."

"Therefore, she brought up how she had extricated us in Xun City, thereby offending Nangong Yan and becoming a wanted person. Her aim was to make us feel grateful and guilty."

Dong Rui rubbed his chin. "If you hadn't brought it up, I admit I felt a tiny pang of guilt just now."

Meeting a beauty, his long-dormant conscience had barely stirred.

"Then she recounted her tragic past and the kindness of her adoptive parents, wanting us to understand that her actions were born out of necessity and circumstance. She aimed to convey that her revenge against King Bo was an act of clear divine justice, and she was merely seeking fairness."

Ling Guang, perched on He Lingchuan's shoulder, pondered for a moment before saying, "Sh-she doesn't seem to be wrong in saying that."

"It might sound plausible," He Lingchuan said calmly. "But all of this came from her own mouth; how can we verify its truthfulness? For instance, is she truly Mai Liansheng's daughter? Where is the proof?" He continued, "We only know that the Mai family was raided and that only the youngest daughter escaped. How can you be certain she is that daughter?"

The monkey and Dong Rui exchanged a hesitant, "Uh..."

Ling Guang clutched his head. "But... but she gave so many details?"

Wouldn't only someone from the Mai family know those details?

Ah, its head felt like it was about to explode!

Even this little monkey couldn't help but feel sympathy for her? He Lingchuan patted its head.

"How can one move people without details?" He Lingchuan continued. "But the Mai family is mostly gone; who could possibly verify her details? Again, where is the tangible proof? I've investigated enough cases to know that no matter how compelling the emotion, it requires evidence to back it up. Without it, we can only tentatively accept her story. But the fact that the Shadowfang Guards were killed by her is indisputable. How do you account for that?"

"Uh..." Ling Guang was stumped again.

Those dozen or so Shadowfang Guards had never offended her, yet Mei Fei, with a flick of her hand, framed them, ultimately igniting a war between the two nations.

He Lingchuan explained to the monkey, "Someone like her, who doesn't care about her own life when seeking revenge, how could she care about the lives of others?"

"Finally, she declared her revenge successful and that she had no regrets about dying, all to make us..." He Lingchuan looked at Dong Rui. "To make you feel pity and let her off the hook. You, in particular, would likely not have the heart to bind such a beautiful woman, desperate to survive, and deliver her to the State of Mu for justice."

From the first glance at Mei Fei, he knew she desperately wanted to live.

Even if this world was as rotten as a mire, she still clung to life.

Even if there was no justice anywhere, she still wanted to live.

She had finally exacted her revenge, and could at last breathe for herself.

And only by surviving could there be hope, everything... a future. That was why there was still a light in her eyes, a light that defied death itself.

Her will to survive far surpassed that of the walking dead He Lingchuan had grown accustomed to seeing on the Flash Gold Plains.

Dong Rui scoffed, "Was I the only one to feel pity? You were the one who let her go!"