The figure stood quietly by the pond, wearing a light yellow ruqun with a willow-like sash tied around her slender waist. Her jade-like skin exuded a flawless, cold elegance.
At this moment, she seemed to be lost in thought, gazing at her reflection in the water.
However, a plain white silk ribbon covered her eyes, and the strands of hair in front of her forehead fluttered in the wind, occasionally brushed aside by her delicate hand.
"The wind is picking up again. It's been so long since I last returned…"
Suddenly, a sigh escaped her lips.
She raised her head, seemingly looking toward the distant mountains and lakes, lost in thought. She resembled a goddess standing by the water, solitary and aloof.
"Princess…"
"His Majesty the Emperor has summoned you."
Suddenly, a divine rainbow descended from afar, and a maid-like woman respectfully approached the figure.
"Father?"
"He specifically called me back from the Radiant Ancient Domain. Did something happen? He seems to have been very busy lately."
The woman's voice was gentle and soft as she lightly raised a hand. The maid quickly stepped forward, gently supporting her arm, and then led her away from the pavilion.
"This servant is not entirely sure, but His Majesty has been discussing strategies with the State Preceptor, the Divine Martial General, the Grand Tutor, and the Prime Minister in the Weiyang Hall to deal with the Black Calamity."
"Some time ago, envoys from the Nanzhao True Kingdom, representing the Alliance of Righteous Unity, came to seek an alliance with His Majesty, but they were not granted an audience."
"Perhaps His Majesty called you back because he was worried about your safety."
The maid replied respectfully while supporting the woman. Mist and colorful fog swirled beneath their feet, forming a golden path. The two quickly left the mansion and headed into the distance.
"The Black Calamity?"
"It seems even Father is troubled by it."
"Is he worried that I might encounter Dark Beings in the Radiant Ancient Domain, which is why he called me back?"
Hearing this, the woman smiled softly, her lips curving into a charming arc, brightening the sky with her smile.
The maid nodded in agreement. "After all, it is a calamity that plunged the entire vast expanse into darkness and chaos countless eons ago. Now that it has reappeared, no civilization dares to take it lightly. His Majesty, for the sake of the billions of subjects of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, must be cautious."
"While you were cultivating in the Radiant Ancient Domain, His Majesty often mentioned your name in front of us servants. If not for fear of disrupting your cultivation, he would have sent someone to bring you back long ago."
"The Radiant Ancient Domain is an extremely chaotic place, and you cannot see, Princess. Even we servants have been worried day and night, fearing that something might happen to you while you were alone there. His Majesty is your father; how could he not be concerned?"
"Alright, Xiao Lan, how much did Father bribe you to keep praising him in front of me?" The woman chuckled, raising her other hand as if to lightly tap the maid.
The maid lowered her head, gently supporting the woman, but did not dodge. A smile appeared on her face, and her eyes couldn't help but reveal a hint of envy.
The woman before her was none other than Princess Weiyang, hailed as the treasure of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty. Her name was Jiang Weiyang, and she was the only daughter of Emperor Weiyang.
Emperor Weiyang had no empress, no concubines, and no other children. Jiang Weiyang was his only daughter.
Before establishing the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, it was said that Emperor Weiyang had a wife, and Jiang Weiyang was their daughter.
Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, Emperor Weiyang's wife did not live to see the day of prosperity after enduring hardships with him.
She passed away shortly after giving birth to Princess Weiyang.
In the countless years that followed, Emperor Weiyang roamed the heavens and earth, conquering all directions.
From a mere mortal, he grew into an emperor who commanded the cosmos and dominated the vast expanse. He ended the chaotic and divided state of the civilization before the establishment of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, unifying the world and earning the respect of all.
Emperor Weiyang's life was legendary, and his deeds were widely celebrated and revered by countless cultivators and beings in the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty.
Princess Weiyang, however, was born in this era. In her early years, she had been sealed in the Dao Source by Emperor Weiyang using great means.
The extent of Emperor Weiyang's love for her was evident to all in the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty. He treated her as if she were a fragile treasure, fearing she might fall if held too tightly or melt if held too close.
There were even rumors that the name "Weiyang Immortal Dynasty" was derived from Princess Weiyang's name.
Unfortunately, despite being a golden branch and jade leaf, a beauty who could topple cities, Princess Weiyang had been blind since birth due to a congenital defect.
Even with Emperor Weiyang's vast powers and mastery over creation, and despite exhausting all kinds of rare treasures and consulting countless ancient sages and divine physicians, he remained helpless against Princess Weiyang's blindness.
Of course, for cultivators, once their cultivation reached a high level, even if they were blind, it would not affect their movements or vision. This was hardly a problem.
After all, regenerating from a drop of blood or regrowing a severed limb was a trivial matter, and restoring one's eyes would be even easier.
Moreover, those with powerful spiritual strength could perceive the entire universe with a single thought.
The past, present, and future of all living beings, the truths of fate—nothing was beyond their grasp. What did it matter if they couldn't see?
But Princess Weiyang's blindness was peculiar. It seemed to affect her soul and spirit, rooted deep within.
Even if her cultivation reached the pinnacle of heaven and earth, she would still be unable to see or perceive anything.
Even if she used her spiritual power or divine sense to perceive the world, everything would remain gray and dark. She could see nothing.
Her world was forever shrouded in gray and darkness. She did not know the vibrant colors of flowers, the brilliance of the sun, the warmth of the sunset, or the pure whiteness and coldness of snowflakes, nor the gentle glow of the moonlight.
This became an eternal pain in Emperor Weiyang's heart.
As the emperor of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, with powers that reached the heavens and earth, there was nothing he could not do. Yet, he could not let his daughter see the beauty of the world—the white of the clouds, the blue of the sky, the clarity of the river, or even her own stunningly beautiful face.
For this reason, Emperor Weiyang doted on his daughter with unparalleled affection. This became a well-known fact in the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty: Emperor Weiyang had an逆鳞 (a reverse scale), and touching it meant death.
Over the years, Emperor Weiyang had never taken a concubine or consort, and many speculated that it was related to this.
After all, how could a hero like Emperor Weiyang, who commanded the cosmos and dominated the vast expanse, lack admirers and suitors among the most talented women?
"Are we approaching the Weiyang Hall?"
Jiang Weiyang's voice, as gentle as ever, interrupted the thoughts of her maid, Xiao Lan.
Xiao Lan's eyes showed a hint of pity and regret as she lowered her head and replied respectfully, "We are approaching the Weiyang Hall, Princess. His Majesty is waiting for you inside."
Although Princess Weiyang was deeply loved by Emperor Weiyang, she never acted spoiled or arrogant. She was kind-hearted, gentle, and treated everyone with grace.
On many occasions, when the servants made mistakes, she would plead with Emperor Weiyang to be lenient and forgive them.
In her younger years, upon hearing about the suffering and hardships of the mortal world, she would shed tears of sympathy, often helping the poor and caring for the sick and disabled.
She was hailed as the treasure of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty.
"I can already sense Father's presence," Jiang Weiyang said with a smile.
A brilliant golden light descended from the depths of the sky, forming a grand path that extended toward the direction of the Weiyang Hall.
There, clouds and mist swirled, and colorful fog rose. A majestic and ancient palace stood tall, surrounded by powerful and terrifying auras hidden in the void. Divine senses swept across, causing the star domains to tremble. From the spatial rifts, astonishing pressure occasionally emanated.
"Greetings, Princess."
Upon sensing Jiang Weiyang's arrival, the terrifying divine senses immediately became respectful.
"There's no need for formalities, Generals."
Jiang Weiyang smiled and waved her hand. After arriving here, she no longer needed her maid's support. She walked up the steps alone, heading toward the Weiyang Hall.
"Weiyang is here…"
Inside the Weiyang Hall, Emperor Weiyang, Jiang Yun, who was dressed in casual attire and discussing important matters with his ministers behind a screen, couldn't help but show a gentle smile.
"Let's discuss matters related to the Alliance of Righteous Unity another day. I have something to discuss with Weiyang," he said.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The ministers in the hall respectfully exited through a side door, knowing that Princess Weiyang had just returned from the Radiant Ancient Domain. Father and daughter surely had much to catch up on, and it was not appropriate for them to stay.
"Weiyang greets Father."
Jiang Weiyang soon arrived. Having grown up in the Weiyang Hall, she knew where her father was even though she couldn't see.
She smiled and gracefully bowed in that direction.
"Did you encounter the opportunity the State Preceptor mentioned during your time in the Radiant Ancient Domain?"
Jiang Yun walked out from behind the screen, his tone gentle as he invited her to sit.
Jiang Weiyang shook her head honestly, a bit helpless. "No, I didn't. But I did run into the people you sent to secretly protect me."
"The Radiant Ancient Domain may be chaotic, but with my strength, I can protect myself just fine. Father, you worry too much."
"Isn't it natural for a father to worry about his daughter facing dangers she can't handle?"
Hearing this, Jiang Yun chuckled, scratching his nose with a fatherly expression of helplessness, then comforted her, "It's fine if you didn't find the opportunity. The State Preceptor's divinations are often hit or miss. Don't take it too seriously."
Jiang Weiyang shook her head. "I stopped caring about it long ago. Even though I can't see, my heart can perceive. I've grown used to it."
"On the contrary, Father, you're the one who still cares. You were the one who told me that the Radiant Ancient Domain held the key to restoring my sight, weren't you?"
The Radiant Ancient Domain was a chaotic ancient region outside the borders of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, vast and expansive, dozens of times larger than ordinary ancient domains.
It was a melting pot of various civilizations, races, and beings, where conflict and war were constant.
There were also rumors that the Radiant Ancient Domain was formed from a fragment of the ancient Radiant Ancestral Court, and that the treasures and legacies of the Radiant Ancestral Court were hidden within.
This made the Radiant Ancient Domain a prime destination for cultivators and beings seeking fortune.
Jiang Yun laughed heartily, slightly embarrassed. Being so directly called out by his daughter almost made him lose face.
But he quickly recovered and smiled, "Good thing there are no outsiders here, or else your father's dignity as an emperor would be hard to maintain."
Jiang Weiyang couldn't help but smile, her cheeks dimpling slightly. "If there were outsiders, I would naturally know to save some face for you, Father."
"You, with your cleverness and wit, are just like your mother back then."
Jiang Yun looked at her with a mix of helplessness and affection, then seemed to recall something and shook his head, his gaze growing distant.
Sensing the change in Jiang Yun's mood, Jiang Weiyang's smile gradually faded.
Aside from her father, she rarely showed this side of herself in front of others.
"Father, are you thinking of Mother again?" she asked softly.
Since she could remember, she had never seen her mother.
Aside from sitting on Jiang Yun's lap as a child, listening to him recount the life he shared with her mother, she had no memory of the woman she had never met.
"If Qin Yao were still here, she would be so proud to see you as you are now…" Jiang Yun sighed.
Recently, he had undergone significant changes.
His once heroic face seemed to have aged, with wrinkles appearing at the corners of his eyes and streaks of silver in his hair.
However, even his closest confidants could not see this side of him.
His face was often shrouded in a hazy mist of chaos, and he rarely revealed his true appearance.
And Jiang Weiyang, due to her blindness, could not see his face at all.
"Mother…" Jiang Weiyang was momentarily lost in thought, then gently shook her head.
She knew her father must have loved her mother deeply, or else he would not have endured such loneliness for countless years.
"Haha, let's not talk about this. You've just returned from the Radiant Ancient Domain. I've instructed the imperial kitchen to prepare your favorite dishes."
"Tonight, I will host a banquet for a few guests. You'll dine with everyone, and I'll announce some matters."
Jiang Yun did not dwell on his reminiscences for long and quickly regained his composure, smiling as he spoke.
Jiang Weiyang's face showed a hint of confusion.
Announce some matters? Why wait until the banquet? And who were these guests?
She suddenly felt that her father seemed to be hiding something. He had never acted like this before.
"Father, has something happened? Is it related to the Black Calamity? Or something else?" Jiang Weiyang asked softly.
Jiang Yun's eyes revealed a trace of reluctance and complexity, but he shook his head. "It's not about the Black Calamity. It's just that you're of age now, and it's time to find a suitable husband. I've recently selected a few candidates for you. Since you've returned tonight, we might as well make a choice."
"Huh?"
These words stunned Jiang Weiyang.
Her eyes, covered by the silk ribbon, widened slightly, as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard.
Choosing a husband for her?
Such words actually came from her father's mouth?
In the past, when the descendants of some ministers in the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty expressed their desire to pursue her, her father had been furious.
He had thundered, "How dare such mediocre fools dream of marrying my daughter?"
His words had shaken the heavens, causing the myriad laws to tremble, and frightened the ministers of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty into abandoning any thoughts of forming a marriage alliance with the royal family.
But now, why had her father suddenly made such an abrupt decision?
Jiang Weiyang stood there in a daze, still unable to process what she had just heard.
She tried to open her eyes wider, but no matter how much she tried, all she saw was darkness and gray.
Meanwhile, in the Prime-Origin Civilization, within the Cangyun Ancient Domain, in a city called Chenyi.
A grand and ancient inn stood by the street, with chaotic energy rising from its depths and silver waterfalls cascading down. Various immortal mountains and ancient peaks were hidden within, creating a majestic scene.
In a simple and serene cave dwelling within the inn, a waiter-like man bowed respectfully as he introduced the place to a black-robed woman.
"Esteemed guest, this is the best Heavenly Room in our Chaos Inn. How do you find it?"
"I will be staying here for at least half a year. During this time, do not let anyone disturb me."
The black-robed woman wore a veil, her figure exceptionally graceful and tall, with a voluptuous chest and snow-white, porcelain-like skin that glowed with a crystalline luster.
Her moist, crimson lips parted slightly as she spoke in a calm tone.
"Esteemed guest, you need not worry about that. Our innkeeper is well-acquainted with the city's temple priest. As long as you are within the city, no one would dare cause trouble in our inn," the waiter said with a flattering smile.
"The temple priest of the Heaven-Slaying Shrine?"
"Yes, yes, you need not worry. There are many esteemed guests like you—uh, I mean, esteemed guests from afar—these days. No one will investigate you, so you can rest assured."
"I understand. You may leave."
The veiled black-robed woman spoke indifferently and casually tossed a piece of Dao Source to the waiter.