He Lan Tianxia

After drinking the desert spring water and the eagle's pills, the woman woke up once. As a result, Murong Junlan wasn't in a hurry to find the Black Tyrant Flower. The eagle would bring two pills every day, then leave after watching Murong Junlan feed her the medicine. Murong Junlan complained about the eagle's stinginess, and the eagle, seething with anger, deliberately kicked over some rather valuable antiques in Murong Junlan's Yan Garden, infuriating Murong Junlan who then started hitting it wildly.

In fact, the eagle had been busy all this time, searching everywhere for spiritual herbs to refine elixirs to heal Lingyi and restore his strength. However, because Lingyi's body was so large, even if the eagle worked day and night, it was still a drop in the ocean. Fortunately, Lingyi's brothers worked together and actively provided spiritual herbs for the eagle, which allowed Lingyi's strength to recover to about 70-80%. However, the ability to transform back into a human was still a long way off.

The Azure Eagle blamed Murong Junlan for this, and indeed, it was Murong Junlan who had caused the trouble, which is why the Azure Eagle was reluctant to come to Yan Garden for a while. Although Ling Yi was injured, he was still several levels higher than the Azure Eagle, so he sensed when the woman was captured by the white-haired woman. However, Murong Junlan not only failed to protect her but also made things worse. When the white-haired woman used the Annihilation Cold Yin Palm to freeze the unconscious woman, Ling Yi couldn't sit still. But his body was too large to appear, so he wrote a line and asked the Azure Eagle to carry it over. The Azure Eagle was furious and ignored him, disappearing for nearly ten days. Ling Yi had no choice but to take advantage of the night to wrap a red silk cloth around a sleeve arrow and send it to Murong Junlan.

It's true that the eagle is female; its pettiness is enough to drive even an ant crazy. That day, Lingyi found the alchemy room and saw the eagle squatting there motionless. Thinking it was tired, Lingyi felt bad and went over to pat it to comfort it. However, the eagle thought Lingyi had seen through its little scheme, and it took off, carrying the refined pills under its feet. But wings aren't bags, and the pills spilled all over the ground with a "whoosh." Lingyi, seeing the hundreds of pills scattered everywhere, angrily questioned the eagle about why it had done that.

The eagle had to tell Lingyi that it wanted to collect a little more pills so that Lingyi could advance in one go. Lingyi was very touched, but what the eagle said next infuriated him. It said that Murong Junlan, that scoundrel, could never protect its mistress, and that it would throw two pills away every day so that Murong Junlan would suffer enough to take care of its mistress. Lingyi immediately snatched a bag of pills and flew towards Yan Garden herself.

There was no moon that night, and the stars were obscured by thick clouds. Everyone was asleep, and the surroundings were eerily quiet. Lingyi noticed the anomaly as soon as he reached the roof of Yanyuan, but it was too late. A huge black net was looming over him, and there was no way to avoid it. He could only flick his tail and swat at the person who had cast the net.

"Snap." The Annihilation Cold Palm froze Ling Yi's tail instantly, then aimed straight for his throat. Normally, even before he transformed, Ling Yi wouldn't have taken this seriously, but now that his internal organs were injured, he coughed up a mouthful of blood as soon as he tried to circulate his qi. Coupled with the forced twisting of his frozen tail, he immediately felt a tearing pain all over his body. Just as Ling Yi was about to become the white-haired woman's prey, a bolt of lightning suddenly flashed across the sky. Murong Junlan's iron chain, gathering the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, transformed into a fire dragon that shot straight through the sky, chasing after the white-haired woman. The white-haired woman had no choice but to abandon the net and flee.

At this moment, Murong Junlan finally recognized Lingyi. He stood there helplessly, anxiously waiting. Finally, seeing Lingyi's frozen tail, he pushed out a palm and shattered the ice sculpture. Lingyi threw the pill to Murong Junlan, said, "Take good care of the princess," and then flew away.

Murong Junlan didn't know why Ling Yi left so quickly, so he put away the pills and returned to Yan'er's bedside to feed her. However, Murong Junlan was a martial artist after all, and he noticed that Ling Yi's breathing was very unstable. Could it be that he was injured by the white-haired woman? Murong Junlan decided to visit Ling Yi another day.

After being treated with elixirs and the spiritual spring, the woman's condition improved, and she remained awake for longer. Murong Junlan, concerned about Ling Yi's injuries, planned to visit him at Broken Heart Cliff with Jiang He. Therefore, he entrusted Yan'er to Luo Rina and Luo Xie's care and set off with Jiang He on their fiery red hare.

Broken Heart Cliff remained as beautiful as ever. Having learned from his previous experience, Murong Junlan easily found the Spirit Serpent Cave. He and Jiang He had suspended an iron chain at the top of the cliff, and after a few leaps, they reached a large tree at the cave entrance. Strangely, the cave was eerily quiet; there wasn't a single snake in sight. Several stone tables inside were askew, as if someone had been there.

"Be careful." Murong Junlan swiftly leaped behind a stone pillar, with Jiang He following closely behind to protect her. Murong Junlan noticed that Lingyi's bedroom was completely empty, cold and deserted. Murong Junlan confirmed to Jiang He, "Something has happened to Lingyi."

Murong Junlan and Jiang He searched the entire Spirit Serpent Cave but couldn't find Ling Yi, not even a small snake. Where could he have gone? Could Ling Yi have been hunted down and killed last time? Murong Junlan regretted coming so late. He should have come to check on Ling Yi when he was seriously injured that day. He had really let his friend down. Murong Junlan reached out and touched the dust on the stone table. There wasn't much, so Ling Yi and the others probably hadn't been gone for very long.

"Let's go back first." Murong Junlan led the way, and Jiang He followed.

"Your Highness, I feel like there's someone in the cave." If Jiang He could sense it, how could Murong Junlan not? He just didn't want to alert them. He deliberately sat down at the stone table for a moment, then secretly broke the ancient seal. He saw the white-haired woman sitting comfortably in the inner room, with not a single snake in sight. Since the snakes were all gone, she could sit as she pleased, but it was best she didn't cause any trouble. Now, Murong Junlan needed to find Ling Yi as quickly as possible so they could join forces to deal with the white-haired woman.

"Let's go back." Murong Junlan glanced at the bottomless abyss, intending to search for Lingyi, but suddenly remembered something and urged Jiang He to gallop onto his horse. Jiang He had followed Murong Junlan for so long and understood what the prince was worried about. As expected, when the two returned to Yan Garden, Luo Xie and Luo Rina were already cornered at Yan'er's door by the white-haired woman. Murong Junlan didn't even have time to dismount before leaping across the rooftops.

"Who exactly are you? You even know the desert lightness skill that has been lost for ten thousand years?" The white-haired woman abandoned Luo Xie and Luo Rina and turned to deal with Murong Junlan.

"You are not worthy to know." Murong Junlan swung his slender rope, sweeping it towards the white-haired woman. Wasn't this woman seriously injured? How could she be so resilient?

"Hey, I'll show you today whether I'm worthy or not!" The white-haired woman was provoked by Murong Junlan's words. Ten thousand years ago, her master, the Desert Granny, was renowned for her Desert Lightness Skill. She was her master's only disciple, yet the Desert Granny refused to teach her this unique skill. When she brought her master back from the desert, the Desert Granny told her: "You're not worthy to know." Enraged, she threw the severely injured Desert Granny back into the desert. She remembered the Desert Granny mocking her, saying she would never be able to master Desert Lightness Skill in her life. She never expected to encounter her again ten thousand years later, and what was even more infuriating was that Murong Junlan uttered the same words as the Desert Granny.

The white-haired woman was so angry that she pounded her head and stamped her feet. Forgetting that she had not yet fully recovered from her serious injuries, she rushed over with all her might. Her sharp moves caused sand and stones to fly throughout the entire Yan Garden, trees to shake and the ground to tremble, and the soldiers to retreat in all directions.

"Protect Yan'er well," Murong Junlan said before charging towards the white-haired woman.

To test Murong Junlan's desert lightness skill, the white-haired woman deliberately led him in circles on Yan'er's rooftop. Murong Junlan initially paid no attention, but when he noticed the white-haired woman repeatedly refusing to take advantage of any openings, he guessed she had ulterior motives. Thinking, "As long as you don't take my Yan'er away, I'll spin you however I want," Murong Junlan unleashed his full power, performing over a hundred consecutive somersaults, leaving the white-haired woman frozen on the rooftop, gritting her teeth in disbelief.

Where did this talented young man come from? His series of somersaults alone surpasses even his master's. His master was already famous for doing 88 consecutive somersaults back then, and it's clear this young prince's hundred-plus somersaults are effortless; it seems like he could easily do another three or four hundred. When Murong Junlan reached 160 somersaults, the white-haired woman stopped. She stopped on the highest rooftop and laughed mournfully: "Desert Granny, you never expected this, did you? Ten thousand years later, you've also been utterly defeated. Ha…" With that, the white-haired woman turned and disappeared into the darkness of the night…

Murong Junlan immediately went inside and, seeing that Yan'er was unharmed, sat down with Luo Xie, Luo Rina, Jiang He, and the others to have a late-night meal. To thank everyone, Murong Junlan specially opened a jar of wine and shared it with them in the moonlit pavilion.

Under Murong Junlan's meticulous care, the woman's health gradually recovered. However, because she had stayed in the Valley of Oblivion for too long, she no longer recognized Murong Junlan. Instead, she remembered that Luo Xie had once married her and that she spent every day with Luo Xie, making Luo Xie feel extremely uncomfortable. Murong Junlan would then stand outside the door every day with a dark expression, consumed by jealousy.

Jiang He searched for Ling Yi at Broken Heart Cliff every day from dawn till dusk, but to no avail. The eagle was nowhere to be seen, and the white-haired woman never showed her face again; life seemed to have suddenly become peaceful.

The Emperor and Empress Dowager were fully aware of everything happening in Yan Garden, except for things their spies couldn't find out, such as what the white-haired woman and Ling Yi looked like. The Empress Dowager wasn't interested in anything else, as long as Murong Junlan was alright. However, there was one thing that pleased her: the woman didn't recognize Murong Junlan.

That day, the Empress Dowager arrived again in her phoenix palanquin. As soon as she stepped off the palanquin, she went straight to the study, leaving the guards standing aside.

"Lan'er respectfully welcomes the Empress Dowager." After bowing, Murong Junlan served tea to the Empress Dowager and then stood respectfully to the side.

"My dear grandson, Yan Garden has been in turmoil for days. I had a master examine it, and we need to hold a celebratory event to dispel the bad luck," the Empress Dowager said solemnly.

"What joyous occasion does the Empress Dowager wish to hold?" Murong Junlan wondered what the old lady was up to this time.

"I have discussed it with your father, the Emperor, and we will grant you this marriage," the Empress Dowager said happily.

"Another arranged marriage? Which family's daughter is she?" Murong Junlan said helplessly, inwardly complaining that the two old people were too idle.

"This one is sure to suit your taste." The Empress Dowager spoke mysteriously, whispering in Murong Junlan's ear, "Princess Luo Ri Na of the Wubei Kingdom."

"What?" Murong Junlan nearly vomited blood upon hearing this. It seemed these two old folks wouldn't give up until they made things even more chaotic.

"I secretly asked Princess Lorina, and she said that I should make all the decisions."

"Grandmother, please don't bother with this for now. Go and enjoy the flowers and travel around with Father."

"I have made my decision. You two will get married in three days." The Empress Dowager's temper flared up again.

"Grandmother..." Murong Junlan wanted to stop her, but the Grandmother had already turned and left. Watching the Grandmother's departing figure, Murong Junlan paced restlessly in the study.

At this moment, a guard rushed in to report, "Your Highness, the Princess Consort is missing." Upon his return, Jiang He immediately ordered that the name of Princess Consort Yan'er be changed. Murong Junlan knew Jiang He's intentions, but what was the use of calling her? She had forgotten him, only remembering that she had married Luo Xie. All the messy things that should and shouldn't be remembered were the work of that hateful white-haired woman.

"Gone? How could he just disappear like that? Where's Jiang He?"

"Guard Jiang went to the Cliff of Broken Hearts."

"Where are Luo Xie Chanyu and the others?"

"They were summoned by the Emperor early this morning."

"It was premeditated again. Sigh." Murong Junlan felt a bit tired. He would rather have stayed in the snowy region than returned to Yan Kingdom. It seems he will be forced to enter the palace again.

The Emperor sat in the Imperial Study, having waited for some time. He pushed aside the memorials he had finished reviewing and looked at Murong Junlan, saying, "My son, you must have completely forgotten that you are the Crown Prince."

"Lan'er wouldn't dare."

"You do the math yourself, how long have you been away from Du Yan? Do you even remember this is your home?"

"Lan'er has important matters to attend to; she did it on purpose."

"You know perfectly well whether it was intentional or not. I have made my decision; I will abdicate the throne to you in three days," the Emperor said, leaving no room for refusal.

"Father, Lan'er is not ready yet." Murong Junlan panicked. The Emperor intended to use the throne to control him. He quickly bowed and said, "Father, this is a matter of great importance to the country. We must think it over carefully before acting. We cannot be hasty. Besides, Lan'er is still not very knowledgeable about governing the country."

"Doesn't your father know your abilities? My mind is made up. Go back and prepare." After saying this, the emperor continued to review the memorials.

"Father..." Murong Junlan wanted to say a few more words, but the Emperor waved his hand.

His grandmother arranged for him to marry Luo Rina, which he could try to disrupt. However, his father wanted to pass the throne to him, which was difficult to refuse. Murong Junlan felt a bit overwhelmed.

Murong Junlan had just stepped out of the palace when he saw Luo Xie emerging from the inner palace. Luo Xie then explained why the Emperor had summoned him to the palace: the Emperor intended to bestow a marriage upon him.

"A marriage decreed by imperial decree?" Murong Junlan grabbed Luo Xie by the collar and said fiercely, "You agreed?"

"Hehe, do you think I dare to refuse?" Luo Xie pushed Murong Junlan's hand away. "Your father said that if I don't agree, he will send my wife and my sister to marry into a political alliance. They have been hidden away by your grandmother."

"I'll go save them right now." With that, Murong Junlan was about to rush towards the inner palace. Luo Xie, quick-witted and agile, blocked him with one hand, advising him:

"If you don't want anything to happen to them, go back and wait patiently for the wedding in three days."

"What marriage? I'm going to take the throne in three days!" For the first time, Murong Junlan lost his composure.

"Then I'll congratulate you in advance, Chanyu," Luo Xie chuckled, which angered Murong so much that he threw a punch at Luo Xie, who dodged far away.

Two grown men rode their horses back to the Prince's mansion, one after the other. At that moment, Jiang He also returned from Broken Heart Cliff. He told Murong Junlan that he had seen a hawk, but the hawk wouldn't fly down, perhaps afraid of the white-haired woman's presence. Now that they had seen the hawk, there was hope for finding Ling Yi.