The back palace –

Qin Yu smiled as he played chess with Ning Ling. She wore a long loose dress and her hair was tied back in a ponytail. Her lips were curved up in a relaxed and comfortable smile.

After the game of chess ended, Ning Ling covered her mouth and yawned, saying, “I don’t know why, but I’ve been feeling extremely tired recently. I’m not awake for too long before I feel sleepy again.”

As she spoke, the sleeve of her cuff drooped down to reveal her white and pale arms. A thin red line started from the center of her wrist and extended up through her middle finger.

Qin Yu’s eyes paused for a moment before he brightly smiled. “If you’re tired then you should go and rest. A nine-colored chicken was sent here not too long ago. The rumors say that it has a trace of the legendary phoenix bloodline. I will have the kitchen prepare soup for you. Once you wake up you can drink it.”

Ning Ling’s face flushed red and she nodded. “I understand. If Your Majesty has work to attend to, then please go ahead.”

Qin Yu shook his head. “It’s nothing. I’ll wait until you go to sleep first.”

He stood up and hugged Ning Ling, bringing her out of the hall. Her face was covered with exhaustion and it wasn’t long before she was in a semi-awake state. When he placed her on the bed and looked at her pale face, his chest ached so much that it felt as if his heart would blow apart. “Ning Ling, rest well.”

“Mm…” She glanced at Qin Yu before dozing off.

After looking at her for some time and covering her with a blanket, Qin Yu took a deep breath and walked away.

At the palace gates, numerous maids fell to their knees, looks of terror on their faces.

“Remember, you must not allow the Holy Queen to learn of what is happening to her, otherwise the punishment will be dire!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Qin Yu took several steps forward and met You Qi. Her face was full of worry as she said in a soft voice, “Your Majesty…”

After leaving Ning Ling’s palace, he no longer needed to put on an act. Exhaustion and weariness piled up all over his face.

Qin Yu reluctantly smiled. “I’m fine, there’s no need to worry about me. If Ning Ling wakes up and I’m not here, take good care of her for me.”

You Qi nodded with effort.

Qin Yu traced her hair. Once he left the hall his figure flickered and he vanished from sight. The next moment he was in front of a giant palace. Countless Holy Palace cultivators were constantly moving about in a rush.

When the people saw him arrive, they quickly bowed and said, “We greet Your Majesty the Holy Monarch!”

Qin Yu waved his hand, “Continue as you were!”

The Demon Envoy came forward in welcome. He respectfully bowed and said, “Your Majesty, we have already screened out a few possibilities. Please take a look.”

Qin Yu received a jade slip and probed it with his divine sense. Moments later, he let loose a deep breath, his complexion even gloomier.

The Demon Envoy saw Qin Yu’s expression and understood everything. He hurriedly said, “Your Majesty there is no need to worry. Half of the methods have yet to be tested. We will definitely find a way.”

Qin Yu nodded. “Then keep working. I will be here. Inform me as soon as there is any discovery!”

He sat on a throne and watched the Holy Palace cultivators racing about below him. Although there were people all around, he felt a chill in his heart. Loneliness welled up inside him, making him feel a bit absent-minded, as if he were completely isolated in the world.

In a daze, he didn’t realize the passing of time. When Qin Yu was awakened by the Demon Envoy, the illuminating array formations in the palace had already started to shine.

“Your Majesty…Your Majesty…”

Qin Yu’s eyes sharpened. “Did you find anything?”

The Demon Envoy happily said, “We have screened out several more methods. There is one at the very end that I believe might be possible!”

Qin Yu hurriedly picked up the jade slip and probed it with his divine sense. After glancing at the first several methods he was left disappointed.

Although they had their extraordinary points, it was impossible for them to undo the punishment of Immortal Origin.

The last one.

Qin Yu glanced at it and was startled. He carefully looked over it again. After a long time, his eyes began to slowly light up.

The First Life Clan, this was a clan that possessed a life substitution technique. A strange bloodline flowed through their bodies. After they signed an ancient inheritance contract, a person could exchange everything with the signer – this included all negative threats and injuries.

For instance, Ning Ling who was suffering from the punishment of Immortal Origin. Once the contract was signed, the strength of Immortal Origin’s punishment would be transferred to the body of the First Life clansman who signed the contract.

Because this could be called a heaven-defying ability, the First Life Clan had already vanished in the long flow of history. But, in this jade slip sent by the South End Mountain Sect, they said they controlled a small village with members of the First Life Clan.

Qin Yu believed that the South End Sect wouldn’t joke with him about something like this.

In other words….Ning Ling could be saved…or at the very least, there was a trace of hope…

Shua –

He stood up. “I will immediately make a trip to the South End Sect!”

The Demon Envoy quickly said, “Your Majesty, be careful in case this is a trick!”

Qin Yu’s eyes furrowed together. “I understand.” He stepped forward and appeared outside a hall. Solitary Westgate looked up at him.

“There might be some people from the First Life Clan at the South End Sect.”

“First Life Clan!” Solitary Westgate’s eyes brightened and he immediately understood everything. “Let’s head out!”

Qin Yu nodded. He flicked his sleeves. Then, borrowing the strength of the Holy Palace he directly opened up a spatial channel. The two of them stepped inside.

When a supreme being of the world used all their strength, their speed was unimaginable, especially in the case of Qin Yu with the assistance of the Holy Palace. A short hour later they arrived at South End Mountain.

Bang –

Space collapsed inwards. Qin Yu and Solitary Westgate stepped out. But at this moment, their complexions instantly changed.

South End Mountain was in rubble, as if a great hurricane had passed through the area. Massive buildings lay in ruins all around.

An accident had occurred!

Qin Yu rushed forward. His divine sense erupted, covering the entirety of South End Mountain.

The smell of blood filled the air. Countless corpses covered the ground, leaving everything in deathly silence.

Was anyone alive?

Qin Yu punched through space. When he stepped through, he appeared outside a large temple.

Outside the temple doors, a cultivator lay face up on the ground. Blood constantly gushed out from their nose and mouth and they gasped for breath.

Qin Yu instantly arrived next to this person’s side. His hand touched the man’s shoulder and a powerful strength surged into his body. The man’s dark eyes regained a bit of light and his pupils recovered their focus.

When the man clearly saw who arrived, his eyes widened, “Your Majesty…Demon Sovereign…” Qin Yu unexpectedly recognized this cultivator. It was Elder Qian Dodo who had sincerely invited him to join South End Mountain back when he was still in Four Seasons City.

Qin Yu said, “Elder Qian, you do not have much time left. I promise that I will take revenge for the South End Sect for you. Can you tell me where the First Life Clan is?”

Qian Dodo used up his remaining strength to grab Qin Yu’s hands. “Thank you…Your Majesty…the First Life Clan…with this jade slip…you can find them…”

He lifted up a jade slip. Then, his arm fell back down. He was already on the precipice of death. Qin Yu’s strength had only enlivened the last remaining trace of vitality within him.

“Thank you Elder Qian. I’m sorry if I offend you!” Qin Yu picked up the bloodstained jade slip and instantly searched through it. Then, he took a step forward and tore through space.

The South End Sect was established on a mountain range called the Even South Mountains. Because the South End Sect was known to the world, they were eventually called the South End Mountain Sect.

Somewhere deep in this continuous mountain range, there was a common mountain valley. A small secluded village had been built in this valley. There were a small number of farming fields around the village. The village people worked from sunrise to sunset and lived a quiet and peaceful life.

But today, this calm and peaceful life had been thoroughly ruined. Terror shrouded the small village. A middle-aged man held trapped in the air stared with wide eyes as his youngest son lay still on the ground, blood pooling beneath his body.

“Ahhh!” The man wildly struggled. He roared like a beast, but unfortunately he was too weak and couldn’t free himself.

On the ground, a young monk had a serene expression. Looking at the insane man in the air, a warm smile lit up his face. “To die beneath my buddhist hand is the greatest honor of their lives. Why can’t you see past this? Do not worry. I am only using you for a moment. I will soon send you off so you can reunite with your fellow clansmen. I ask you to please be patient for a moment.”

Just as his voice fell, the young monk’s smile suddenly turned dazzling. “Very good. The one I am waiting for has finally arrived. You will soon find freedom.”