Chapter 161: The Four Legendary Holy Sites

"Gu Qiuhong?" Lan Xueruo's words surprised Yun Che, and he immediately fell into deep thought. For Cang Wanhe to allow someone to make an incision on his chest, that person had to be someone he deeply trusted or was very close to. Yun Che had expected it to be the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, or another prince, so he was taken aback when Lan Xueruo named Gu Qiuhong.

And as Lan Xueruo had stated, Gu Qiuhong seemed to have no apparent motive to meticulously harm Cang Wanhe, unless...

"Yun Che..." Cang Wanhe's expression was incredibly complex. He asked with some difficulty, "Since this Gu resides in the heart's meridians, is it extremely difficult to detect?"

Yun Che understood why he was asking and replied gravely, "Indeed, it's difficult for ordinary physicians, especially those unfamiliar with Gu poisons and worms, to detect its presence. However, if Gu Qiuhong's medical skills are truly as extraordinary as rumored, it would be impossible for him not to discover the 'Soul Devouring Life Gu.' Of course, if he was the one who planted it... then he certainly wouldn't 'discover' it."

"I understand..." Cang Wanhe exhaled a heavy breath, leaning back on the couch. His face was pale, as if he had aged significantly in an instant. "Yue'er, there's no mistake. All the evidence points to Gu Qiuhong as the one who planted the Gu. This scar on my chest was left by him three years ago, and after that day, I was critically ill for three full years. Yun Che has already expelled the Gu for us to see; it undeniably exists. This is the irrefutable truth, and everything else... is false."

In that moment, he felt he had been an emperor in vain. For three years, he had continuously trusted, even respected, someone who was poisoning him. Reflecting on it now, he, the esteemed Emperor of Cangfeng, had been manipulated like a fool... It was truly utterly foolish and ridiculous.

"But why would Master Gu do this? Our imperial family has always maintained good relations with him, and even Imperial Father held him in high regard. How could he commit such an act?" Lan Xueruo still struggled to accept it, her lips pressed tightly together.

"He may not have a direct reason, but he certainly has an indirect one. For instance, some transaction between him and those rebellious sons, Cang Lin and Cang Shuo... it might also involve the Xiao Sect or the Burning Heaven Clan. Moreover... Yue'er, your nature is too pure. You've always respected Gu Qiuhong, even viewing him as a saint. But when I interacted with him in my earlier years, I noticed his character wasn't as virtuous and harmless as it appeared. On the contrary, he would sometimes secretly engage in despicable acts. However, his medical skills are beyond doubt, so I always strived to maintain good relations with him. But too many people sought his favor, and compared to those powerful sects, my status as emperor might not amount to much."

Cang Wanhe shook his head, a look of sorrow on his face. As emperor, to be silently harmed to such an extent, bedridden for three full years and confined to his chambers, was practically akin to death. Moreover, if he hadn't been "ill," Cang Lin and Cang Shuo wouldn't have dared to make their moves, nor would they have had the opportunity to bring trouble into the palace.

"Yun Che, thank you. If it weren't for you, I might have died without ever knowing the truth, and in my final moments, I might have ignorantly thanked the very person who harmed me." Cang Wanhe offered a self-deprecating smile. "I am truly ashamed that I questioned your medical skills earlier."

"Your Majesty, please don't say that," Yun Che quickly waved his hand. "Your Majesty, I have a question regarding your Gu poisoning, and I hope you can answer it. Of course, if it involves imperial secrets, Your Majesty is welcome to not answer."

"Go ahead and ask. I am already a broken man; my final wish rests entirely with Yue'er. You are the one Yue'er trusts most, so I have no secrets from you." Cang Wanhe closed his eyes, his expression calm and unruffled.

Yun Che was deeply moved... The weight of these words, coming from an emperor, was immense. These brief sentences reflected the gloom in Cang Wanhe's heart, and even more, his doting love for Lan Xueruo. After three years of illness, he finally understood what the most precious treasure he had always possessed in his life was... It wasn't his imperial throne, nor the ministers and seven sons he had always favored, but his only daughter.

Yun Che slowly explained, "As far as I know, cultivating the 'Soul Devouring Life Gu' is extremely difficult. Not only are its source materials incredibly rare, but during cultivation, out of a thousand Gu seeds, at most only one will succeed; the others become inert. Therefore, obtaining a single 'Soul Devouring Life Gu' seed requires a significant amount of time and resources. Once the 'Soul Devouring Life Gu' enters the body, it is extremely difficult to detect. The victim becomes weak, ages rapidly, and is certain to die within five years. After death, the 'Soul Devouring Life Gu' also perishes, dissolving into a pool of blood within the victim's body, leaving no trace of its existence. Thus, this Gu is typically used to secretly harm someone without leaving any evidence, making people believe the victim died of illness rather than foul play."

"However, according to rumors, both the Crown Prince and the Third Prince are eager to seize the throne, with the Xiao Sect and Burning Heaven Clan secretly fanning the flames. Gu Qiuhong planting the Gu on Your Majesty must be connected to them. But since they are so eager for Your Majesty to pass away, why didn't they use quicker methods like assassination or poisoning? Instead, they went to great lengths to use this method, which is not only troublesome but also takes a longer time to be fatal. If the Xiao Sect and Burning Heaven Clan truly harbor such ambitions, choosing secret assassination or poisoning would be the most normal course of action. The only explanation I can think of... is there something behind Your Majesty that even the Xiao Sect and Burning Heaven Clan fear, something that prevents them from leaving any traces?"

Halfway through Yun Che's question, Cang Wanhe already knew what he wanted to ask. As Yun Che finished speaking, he slowly nodded, concealing nothing, and quietly answered, "It's because of the Heavenly Sword Villa."

"The Heavenly Sword Villa?"

"The Cangfeng Imperial Family and the Heavenly Sword Villa originated on the same day of the same year. My ancestor and the founder of the Heavenly Sword Villa were sworn brothers, as close as siblings. After the Cangfeng Imperial Family gained control of the realm, they consistently strove to promote the growth of the Heavenly Sword Villa until it became the foremost sect in the Cangfeng Empire. The Heavenly Sword Villa has always served as the imperial family's guardian sect. Although their relationship has gradually estranged over time, certain agreements between them have never been broken. They will not interfere with internal imperial matters, but if any external force threatens the imperial family, they will intervene. Furthermore, if I were to die from assassination or poisoning, they would certainly take action and investigate thoroughly."

"...But the Xiao Sect, Burning Heaven Clan, and Heavenly Sword Villa are collectively known as the Four Great Sects. Would they truly be so wary of the Heavenly Sword Villa?" Yun Che asked, somewhat puzzled.

Cang Wanhe shook his head slightly. "You might not know this. Although they are collectively called the Four Great Sects, in terms of overall strength, even if Ice Cloud Asgard, the Xiao Sect, and the Burning Heaven Clan combined, they still couldn't compare to the Heavenly Sword Villa. While the Heavenly Sword Villa is named alongside them, its standing completely surpasses theirs. And the background of the Heavenly Sword Villa is what truly sends shivers down the spines of the other three great sects."

"A background? The Heavenly Sword Villa has a background?" Yun Che was once again stunned. The Heavenly Sword Villa was already the foremost sect in the Cangfeng Empire, the pinnacle, yet it still had a background?

"Have you ever heard of the 'Four Sacred Grounds' of the Profound Sky Continent?" Cang Wanhe asked.

"The Four Sacred Grounds... I think I've heard my grandfather mention them occasionally..." Yun Che pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "But aren't the Four Sacred Grounds merely legendary? Do they truly exist?"

"Haha, in terms of their power, the Four Sacred Grounds are indeed legendary, even mythical existences. Even I am not qualified to reach that level, nor even to look up to them. Our Four Great Sects in the Cangfeng Empire are as insignificant as ants before these Four Sacred Grounds. If these Four Sacred Grounds wished, destroying the Seven Nations of Profound Sky would be effortless."

"Such existences... actually exist." Yun Che's heart was filled with shock. "Could it be that the Heavenly Sword Villa's background is one of the Four Sacred Grounds?"

"That's right." Cang Wanhe slowly nodded. "The Imperial Absolute Sacred Land, Sun Moon Divine Palace, Heavenly Might Sword Region, and Supreme Ocean Hall... these are the names of the Four Sacred Grounds of Profound Sky. They exist because of a certain 'guarding' mission and never participate in or interfere with the conflicts among the Seven Nations. The Heavenly Sword Villa is connected to the Heavenly Might Sword Region among the Four Sacred Grounds. This is because the founder of the Heavenly Sword Villa was the eldest son of a Sovereign Profound Realm supreme expert from the Heavenly Might Sword Region. However, due to his poor talent, he was not qualified to remain in the Heavenly Might Sword Region and was therefore expelled. He later established the Heavenly Sword Villa in this land, and the sword techniques used by the Heavenly Sword Villa also bear the shadow of the 'Heavenly Might Sword Arts.'"

A discarded disciple from the Heavenly Might Sword Region was able to establish the greatest sect in the Cangfeng Empire. The power of these Four Sacred Grounds is simply unimaginable.

"Due to the ancestral connection, the Heavenly Sword Villa offers tribute to the Heavenly Might Sword Region every three years. Initially, the Heavenly Might Sword Region paid no heed, but eventually accepted, which established a connection between the Heavenly Sword Villa and the Heavenly Might Sword Region. Although this connection is shallow and fragile, it is still the Heavenly Might Sword Region, and even a slight connection makes the Heavenly Sword Villa untouchable and unprovocable. I also heard that a hundred years ago, the Heavenly Might Sword Region secretly imprisoned a highly important 'demonic figure' within the Heavenly Sword Villa, which shows they do hold the Heavenly Sword Villa in some regard."

"The major sects of the Cangfeng Empire have long engaged in open and covert struggles, but none have ever thought of challenging the Heavenly Sword Villa's position as the foremost sect. They desire my death, but they must also be wary of the Heavenly Sword Villa. Therefore, using a method that leaves no trace is perfectly normal."

After Cang Wanhe finished speaking, he let out a long sigh, his face etched with weariness.

Yun Che remained silent for a long time, quietly processing Cang Wanhe's words.

Lan Xueruo, whose mind was in turmoil, didn't pay much attention to their conversation, nor were these details her primary concern. She tugged on Yun Che's sleeve and anxiously asked, "Junior Brother Yun, you still haven't told us... Since you know about this Gu, is there a way to remove it?"

Yun Che remained silent for a moment longer, then nodded slightly. "Yes."

"Ah!" Lan Xueruo let out a delightful cry, her beautiful eyes instantly brightening. Cang Wanhe also opened his eyes at once, his dim gaze reflecting a glimmer of hope. "Yun Che, what you said... is it true? This Gu isn't incurable?"

"All things are balanced, interconnected, and mutually restraining. In this world, there is no Gu that cannot be cured. It's just that to cure the 'Soul Devouring Life Gu,' it can be extremely easy, or... as difficult as reaching the heavens." Yun Che said calmly.

"How exactly do we cure it?" Lan Xueruo tightly grasped Yun Che's arm, her face flushed with excitement. "As long as it can save Imperial Father, no matter how difficult, I will do it."

"Soul Burning Flower," Yun Che said softly, looking at Lan Xueruo. "With just one petal from a Soul Burning Flower, I can cure the 'Soul Devouring Life Gu' in His Majesty's body. However, this Soul Burning Flower... is incredibly difficult to find."