Chapter 25: The Ancient Scroll

Li Xuan’s appearance was nothing short of a miracle. He had emerged from the Primeval Holy Temple completely unscathed, walking with a steady, graceful stride that defied his previous state. In just a few days, he had leapt from the Spirit Awakening Realm to the early stage of the Martial Breaking Realm—a qualitative transformation.

Li Xuan opened his arms and trotted over, intending to throw himself into Jiang Qingyue’s embrace to recount his grievances and hardships with dramatic flair. Instead, he was met with a swift kick to the face from Jiang Qingyue. His smile froze, and he toppled backward.

As Li Xuan remained motionless with a vacant stare, Jiang Qingyue’s face turned pale with fright. She threw herself upon him, weeping, "Xuan’er, wake up! If you don't, I’ll be furious!"

Li Xuan remained unresponsive, maintaining his rigid posture. It was only with the help of Uncle Liu that he was finally propped up.

"Xuan’er, don't scare me. Your sister’s heart is fragile; I can't handle such frights! As long as you wake up, I promise I’ll never beat you again!" Jiang Qingyue sobbed, making her vow.

Suddenly, Li Xuan let out a sharp cry, "Is that a promise?" He then sprang to life, jumping about and laughing, completely unbothered by the presence of others.

Jiang Qingyue broke into a tearful smile and poked his forehead with a slender finger. "I knew you were faking it. I was just teasing you. You’re always itching for a beating—how could I resist?"

Li Xuan scratched his head, oblivious to the outsiders present, and began to recount his journey to Misty Shadow Mountain. He spoke with great emotion, especially when describing his panicked intrusion into the Primeval Holy Temple and the pursuit by the Black Night Imperial Order. He painted such a vivid picture of the ordeal that it felt as if he were reliving it.

Jiang Qingyue alternated between nervousness and joy, playfully pounding his chest. Finally, she said, "The academic credits are enough. That trip to Misty Shadow Mountain was truly a brush with death; I almost didn't make it back. But the moment I thought of your ‘dowry,’ I found the strength. Even if I had to crawl, I would have crawled back to earn it for you!"

Jiang Qingyue’s face flushed pink. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and stomped her foot in embarrassment. "You! Always with that silver tongue—though, I must admit, it pleases me." She lowered her head, hiding her shy expression.

*Cough, cough, cough!*

A sudden cough shattered the awkward atmosphere.

Jiang Qingyue finally remembered Uncle Liu and her cousin. She hurried to introduce them: "You know Uncle Liu already. This is my cousin—just call her Cousin as I do."

Li Xuan gave a soft "Oh" and looked at the cousin. Based on her attire and gaze, he had already guessed her identity. He bowed quickly and said, "Li Xuan pays his respects to Cousin."

Li Xuan’s demeanor was perfectly gentlemanly. Gong Jinglin returned the gesture slowly and said, "Just as little Yueyue said—you are indeed handsome and dashing, especially those eyes..."

Li Xuan realized he had been staring. Three years ago, he had suffered dearly for lingering his gaze on Tang Ruoxian a moment too long. He wondered when he would finally break that bad habit.

"Oh, Cousin, please forgive my rudeness," Li Xuan said, quick to admit his fault. Seeing the legendary Grand Princess in the flesh, with her peerless, breathtaking beauty, it was inevitable that he would be slightly distracted.

Gong Jinglin smiled, her lips curling. "Li Xuan, in private you may call me Cousin, but in public, you cannot. Do you know why?"

Li Xuan feigned surprise. "Why is that?"

Uncle Liu signaled frantically from the side, but Gong Jinglin ignored him. "I am the Grand Princess of the Holy Moon Imperial Court, and as you have guessed, the true owner behind the Gambling Stone House."

Gong Jinglin possessed a keen sense of statecraft. Since she intended to make great use of Li Xuan, why not be open about it? Secrecy was the tool of conspirators, and there was nothing shameful about her true identity. Furthermore, the Li family had already accepted the patronage of the Holy Moon Imperial Court, so it was better to bring things into the light. She was clearly signaling to Li Xuan that while the Li family remained in a precarious position, the Holy Moon Imperial Court would be their greatest backing.

Li Xuan was stunned for a moment before dropping to one knee. "Greetings, Grand Princess. The world speaks of your peerless beauty, a sight rarely seen in this life. To see you today is to feel that my life until now has been wasted in vain!"

Li Xuan’s flatteries made Gong Jinglin chuckle. "You certainly have a glib tongue, but it’s rather endearing. Do you know why I have appeared here?"

Jiang Qingyue sounded annoyed. "Cousin, this is my private residence; let's not discuss such extraneous matters!"

Li Xuan took a breath, intentionally diving into Gong Jinglin’s trap. "I presume there is some issue with that ancient scroll?"

Gong Jinglin nodded slightly. "How clever. If only you could stay by my side like Uncle Liu!"

Jiang Qingyue was shocked. "Cousin, what are you saying!"

Li Xuan jumped to his feet, alarmed. "I can't do that kind of work!"

Realizing her slip of the tongue, Gong Jinglin quickly added, "You misunderstood! I didn't mean for Li Xuan to become a eunuch. I only wanted him to offer his counsel. Where did your minds go?" In her urgency, Gong Jinglin showed a rare, flustered, and feminine side.

Uncle Liu was startled; he had thought he finally found a way to discipline Li Xuan, but it turned out the Sovereign wanted him to serve in the palace with his body intact—a first in history.

To cover her embarrassment, Gong Jinglin continued, "Indeed, it is that scroll! It cannot be opened, yet it possesses the ability to aid sleep. Therefore..." She left the rest unsaid, as it touched upon inner court secrets. "So, when you have time, do come to the palace and help me examine it."

Gong Jinglin’s beautiful eyes, with lashes like seashells, blinked like the stars in the night sky.

Li Xuan was moved and was about to agree when Jiang Qingyue grabbed his ear, making him wince. After pleading for mercy, he sought a way to politely decline. "Cousin, a visit to the inner court is truly inappropriate. Men are forbidden from entering; that rule cannot be broken." He invoked the palace laws as an excuse, then added, "If you are willing to take the risk, why not bring the scroll out instead?"

He was testing her. Given the importance of the scroll to her, she wouldn't easily bring it out of the forbidden palace. If she refused, the matter would be shelved. Moreover, Li Xuan feared that if the scroll were opened easily, the cooperation between the Holy Moon Imperial Court and the Li family might dissolve, and the previous favors might be retracted.

"Since you put it that way, I suppose I was being too cautious. But do come to the forbidden palace to visit me when you are free!" Gong Jinglin gently patted the back of Li Xuan’s hand. A gentle, cooling energy flowed into his heart, bringing him great comfort. "Well, it is getting late. I will come to see you both again soon."

Before leaving, she warned them to be careful of walls having ears and not to associate too closely.

To Jiang Qingyue, this felt like a pointed remark, and she blushed deeply, muttering to herself, "Everything has already been seen, what else is there to say!"

Li Xuan pondered for a moment. *Men and women are different. We are twenty-year-old youths; close association will inevitably lead to gossip. Gong Jinglin was right to warn us. Besides, my sister has her own heart’s desire; I shouldn't cause trouble.*

Li Xuan put on a cheeky grin. "Sister, how about I stay the night here?"

Jiang Qingyue, blushing furiously, shouted, "Get out!"

Li Xuan waited for exactly that. He took off running the moment the order was given. Having entered the Martial Breaking Realm, his Source Energy was abundant, and he executed an enhanced version of the "Divine Shadow Movement" with effortless fluidity.

Back in his own quarters, Li Xuan pondered Gong Jinglin’s words. Could the scroll really hold some terrifying secret? Listening to her, it seemed the scroll helped the old Emperor sleep, which was why it was stored in his personal chambers.

He recalled the day he opened the source stone—there had been strange phenomena, particularly the baleful aura that reeked of battlefield slaughter. Most importantly, the scroll had been sealed. If it were some cultivation technique from the Mythical Age, it should have been revealed when the stone was opened, rather than merely acting as a sleeping aid.

He remembered the old Emperor’s past conquests in the Northern Territories—the ruthless slaughter and the rivers of blood. He surmised that the scroll must possess some property that suppressed baleful energy, which was why it was effective for the Emperor.

According to the *Saint Emperor’s Green Lotus Canon*, baleful energy was demonic, while imperial energy was celestial. The two restrained each other and could serve as the core of a Source Array. The baleful energy had been broken, but the scroll was sealed by imperial energy.

That pure, holy imperial energy had persisted through the erosion of ages. It was hard to imagine the brilliance and talent of the master who had sealed it.

"Sigh, I'll wait. The scroll is of great importance and must not be opened lightly." Li Xuan sighed, then thought of those mysterious eyes, which still made his skin crawl. Realizing this sensation only occurred after he used the Source Array, he finally understood why the Lineage of Source Heaven Masters had perished so completely and become so isolated.

The thought alone was enough to keep him awake. However, he was truly exhausted, not just from the ordeal of breaking into the Martial Breaking Realm, but from the battle with Xiao Ning. He drifted into a hazy sleep and didn't wake until the next morning.

The sunlight hit his face, and he scrambled up, realizing it was nearly noon. The one-week deadline would expire with the tolling of the bell. He rushed toward the Administration Building.

At the Administration Building, Elder Xiyue glanced at the clock and shook her head, just about to leave. An image was transmitted from the Leisure Cloud Abode: "Xiyue, give Xuan’er a little more time. Rules are dead, but people are living. Don't be so rigid, and besides..."

Suddenly, an excited voice rang out: "Master, no need to plead for me! I have fulfilled my mission and returned safely!"

The image of the Star Elder, with his kind eyes, showed him nodding and saying "Good" several times before he vanished.

A strange light flashed in Elder Xiyue’s eyes as a smile spread across her face. "You really are something!" She waved her hand, and a screen of light appeared before Li Xuan. "Li Xuan, deposit your Source Crystals into the credit screen, and your total will be displayed."

Li Xuan clutched his Universe Bag and dumped all his crystals into the screen. Watching his credits skyrocket, his eyes filled with tears of excitement.

*Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Ding-dong!*

Three bells rang, marking the end of the deadline. The screen chimed a melodic tune to celebrate, as he was the first student in many years to fulfill his credit requirement in one go.

"Li Xuan, remember to report to the Four Paths Academy tomorrow!"

Li Xuan looked at Elder Xiyue. "Are you free tonight? How about coming over for a drink?" He gave her a playful wink before hurrying away.

There was still one more urgent matter to attend to.