Wasteland of Death.
"So... why did you want to come to this desolate place alone with me?"
Yin Me asked in a calm tone, staring at Xichen as the two of them flew silently over the dead land, where there was no sign of life except for the Profound Beasts roaming wildly below.
Xichen replied without looking at her, his tone as steady as a blade:
"Big Sister... you're my mother's spy in the Divine Phoenix Sect, aren't you?"
Yin Me froze for a moment, as if time itself had stopped. Then she gave him a long, enigmatic look before speaking:
"When did you realize it, Your Highness?"
"When I asked you to create a barrier around me to isolate me from the outside world during the last training session..."
Xichen said slowly, his eyes gazing into the distant horizon where the sky met the earth.
"That barrier wasn't something anyone in the Tyrant Profound Realm could have made. It was complex, precise, and filled with protective enchantments used only by members of the Imperial Palace or high-ranking spies... So I sent someone to investigate your true identity."
He paused for a moment, then added in a calmer, but no less sharp tone:
"A few days later, I received a message from my mother, telling me everything."
Yin Me didn't answer immediately. Instead, she let out a soft sigh, as if carrying the weight of years of secrets.
"I see... Did Zhuqing tell you everything?"
"No, she only told me that you were someone sent to protect me, and that if I wanted to know more, I had to ask you myself." Xichen shook his head, his tone becoming much softer.
"In fact, the name Yin Me is a pseudonym I used. My real name is Zhu Zhuyun, and I am your mother's older sister," said Yin Me—or rather, Zhuyun—as she removed the black cloak that had been concealing her true appearance. "Your mother told me to stay by your side and protect you. The struggle for the throne has become fiercer, especially since your fourteenth brother revealed his talent. This has made the Crown Prince extremely anxious about his position, and it seems he intends to eliminate his brothers to secure the throne for himself."
When she removed the cloak covering herself, Xichen saw before him, She is a tall young woman, with an extremely ample figure, sheep fat white jade type skin, equally with a smile on her face. She is very beautiful.
"You look a lot like Mother," Xichen commented, his gaze sweeping over Zhuyun from head to toe. She and Zhuqing were indeed very similar, especially in those abundant features.
"We are sisters, after all," Zhuyun said, not paying much attention to her resemblance to her younger sister, as it was something she had known for a long time. She continued, "And in fact, since we left the Divine Phoenix Empire, there have been five assassination attempts by people in the Emperor Profound Realm, and even one person who was in the 6th level of the Tyrant Profound Realm."
"I see. Were you able to get information on who sent them?" Xichen asked, a cold glint appearing in his golden eyes. He certainly would not tolerate anyone trying to kill him, not even if it were his brother or his father in this life.
"They were sent by the Crown Prince. As for the last one, he was sent by Feng Feiyan. It seems he is collaborating with another force to bring down the Divine Phoenix Empire in exchange for certain benefits." At the mention of Feng Feiyan and Feng Ximing, a chilling murderous intent flickered in Zhuyun's beautiful eyes, making it clear she did not intend to let things slide.
"By the way, Aunt, what is your actual cultivation level?" Xichen asked, his mind working rapidly as he pondered many things. Zhuyun's presence and her power would change many things.
"I am at the 5th level of the Sovereign Profound Realm," Zhuyun answered truthfully, despite her confusion. She didn't know why Xichen wanted to know her level instead of telling her why they were in this desolate place.
"Hmm..." Xichen hummed, stopping mid-air and staring at the beautiful woman before him while trying to control his shock. With Zhuyun's strength, she could easily obtain the position of Grand Elder, especially since she was still very young, only in her mid-thirties.
"If I said I could help you become even stronger, quickly, would you agree?" Xichen asked, then continued before Zhuyun could answer, "But this concerns one of my most important secrets. So, I hope you understand: if you agree, I will place a slave seal on you."
As he spoke, Xichen extended his hand in front of him, and the character "Xi" condensed in his palm—a slave seal.
Or at least, that's what he wanted her to believe. In reality, it was just Profound Energy condensed into the shape of the character "Xi," and he was using the System's help to make it appear to Zhuyun's senses like a powerful slave seal.
Zhuyun stopped in her tracks, her eyes staring at the "seal" forming in Xichen's hand. The calm smile on her lips faded, replaced by a much more serious expression.
"...A slave seal?" she murmured, raising one eyebrow. But it was clear she wasn't angry; rather, sadness and disappointment were evident in her eyes. "Do you really not trust me?"
"I apologize, Aunt, but I may be your sister's cute, little nephew whom you watched grow up. But for me, I've only truly known you for less than a month," Xichen said, a hint of guilt in his voice. Even if the seal was a trick, the unshakable truth was that he didn't trust Zhuyun. "This is even the first time I've seen your true form."
Zhuyun inhaled sharply, silently, as if Xichen's words had pierced her chest without mercy. She closed her eyes for a long moment before opening them again, all warmth and lightness gone from her expression.
"I understand now..." she said in a quiet voice, but it carried a faint undertone of bitterness. "You are not wrong to be cautious. This is how you were raised from a young age, never knowing when you might be stabbed in the back within the Imperial Palace."
"Alright then, place the seal on me. I will not resist. If this is what you want, so be it," Zhuyun said, removing her mental defenses and allowing Xichen easy access to her Sea of Consciousness to place the seal upon her. She was confident that he would eventually remove it himself and would not misuse it.
"..." Xichen stared silently at Zhuyun. He slowly but steadily reached his hand towards her forehead, his golden eyes scrutinizing her like a hawk, watching for any reaction. But it was clear she had accepted it and would allow him to place the slave seal on her.
"Thank you for your trust in me... and I'm sorry," Xichen said seriously, embracing Zhuyun's mature figure, guilt and apology evident in his voice.
...
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