Floating life reflects two lotuses

Holding a yellowed ancient book, Xiao Jinlian sat at a table in the side hall. The candlelight flickered, casting a long shadow. Her brows were slightly furrowed, her gaze fixed on the words that were gradually becoming clearer in the scroll—Supreme Secret Realm.

"The Supreme Secret Realm... the origin of the Luo Yuan Contract?" she murmured, her fingers slowly tracing the blurred runes on the page. Those runes were extremely similar to those she had seen in the Land of Offering Spirits, even more ancient, and faintly carried a profound power.

Silan entered carrying a pot of freshly brewed tea. Seeing her grave expression, she couldn't help but ask, "Princess, have you found any new clues?"

Xiao Jinlian looked up, a resolute glint in her eyes: "Silan, this ancient book mentions the 'Supreme Secret Realm.' I suspect that's the true origin of the Luoyuan Contract."

"The Supreme Secret Realm?" Si Lan was slightly taken aback, then put down the teapot, walked closer to her, and looked at the dossier. "It says here that the secret realm is hidden in... the forbidden lands of the Great Chu? Could it be referring to those ancient forbidden lands that are unknown to the world?"

“Yes.” Xiao Jinlian pushed the dossier toward her, her voice tinged with urgency. “The ancient texts are very cryptic, but it is certain that the Luoyuan Contract did not originate from the Land of Offering Spirits, but from a deeper secret realm. If we want to completely break the curse, we must find it.”

“But this kind of place… I’m afraid it’s not easy to find,” Silan said hesitantly.

Xiao Jinlian closed the file, stood up, and said with a firm look in her eyes: "Therefore, I need Li Heng to accompany me. He is a steady and reliable person, and with him by my side, the dangers on the road will be greatly reduced."

Several days later, Xiao Jinlian requested the emperor's permission to travel to the secret realm.

In the main hall, the emperor sat on the dragon throne, his eyes slightly narrowed as he stared at Xiao Jinlian, whose expression was resolute, and remained silent for a long time.

"You want to go to the forbidden area?" The emperor's voice was calm and steady, carrying a hint of authority.

“Father.” Xiao Jinlian stepped forward, her tone sincere and firm, “When I was at the Land of Offering Spirits, I sensed that the power of the runes had not yet truly stabilized. If we do not find the true source, the curse will inevitably return sooner or later. The Supreme Secret Realm may very well be the starting point of everything.”

The emperor's gaze was sharp as he scrutinized her, his heart churning with turmoil. He recalled the legends of the Supreme Secret Realm, a forbidden land buried in time, passed down through generations of royalty, never truly set foot there.

"A journey to the secret realm is by no means easy. If one goes rashly, one's life may be in danger," the emperor said calmly, his gaze lingering on her for a moment.

"Your subject is willing to bear all the consequences." Xiao Jinlian knelt on one knee, his gaze unwavering.

The emperor remained silent for a moment, then sighed inwardly. "This child is just like her mother." He could not refuse in the end and slowly said, "Very well, I grant you permission to go. But you must remember, if you encounter any danger on this journey, you must ensure your own safety first. Li Heng will accompany you."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinlian smiled with relief and kowtowed solemnly, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Father."

On the day of departure, outside the palace gates.

Xiao Jinlian, dressed in a deep blue riding outfit, looked dashing and heroic. Li Heng, clad in black armor and with a long sword at his waist, stood beside her, his gaze calm.

“Princess, are you really sure? The journey is fraught with danger, I’m afraid…” Li Heng’s voice was low, revealing a hint of undisguised worry.

“Li Heng,” Xiao Jinlian interrupted him, her tone tinged with amusement, “You’ve been with me all this way, don’t you know me? Now that you know the danger, how can you just sit and wait to die?”

Li Heng shook his head helplessly, but his eyes shone with deep respect and tenderness: "Then let's go. No matter what lies ahead, I will face it with you."

Silan led a chestnut horse forward and said with a smile, "General and Princess, the journey is long. Please don't let this little maid fall behind your pace."

Xiao Jinlian smiled and mounted her horse: "Then it's up to you, Silan."

The three spurred their horses and headed straight for the forbidden area in the mountains.

The mountains and rivers are forbidden lands, shrouded in clouds and mist.

The deeper one ventures, the more eerie the atmosphere becomes. Faint birdsong occasionally drifts through the forest, and the ground is covered with withered leaves and inexplicable ancient runes. Sunlight filters through the clouds, but the light seems unable to penetrate the invisible veil of shadow.

"This place is so strange," Silan said in a low voice as she looked around. "It's like a maze that someone deliberately set up."

Xiao Jinlian reined in her horse, glanced around, and nodded slightly: "There are indeed traces of a barrier here. It seems that the legendary secret realm is not just a rumor."

"How shall we proceed?" Li Heng rode closer, his hand on his sword hilt, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

Xiao Jinlian took out a rune fragment from her bosom and held it up. The fragment shimmered with a faint glow in the sunlight, as if responding to some kind of power.

“Follow the guidance of the runes,” she said calmly.

The runes gradually brightened, a faint blue light like a thread pointing into the depths of the dense forest. The three exchanged a glance and simultaneously spurred their horses to gallop in the direction the blue light indicated.

Several hours later, the entrance to the secret realm appeared.

The forest suddenly opened up, and the three reined in their horses. Before them stood an ancient stone gate. The gate was tall and imposing, covered with intricate runes, each stroke exuding an ancient and mysterious power.

"This is... the Supreme Secret Realm?" Silan looked up, her face filled with shock.

Xiao Jinlian dismounted and walked to the stone gate, raising her hand to gently touch the runes. A cool sensation instantly washed over her; she closed her eyes, sensing the power of the runes.

“These runes… are of the same lineage as the runes in Luo Yuan’s contract.” Xiao Jinlian murmured, her voice carrying a hint of excitement and solemnity.

Li Heng walked behind her, placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, and said calmly, "Let's go in."

Xiao Jinlian nodded slowly, holding the rune fragment in her hand, and placed it into the groove in the center of the stone gate.

"Om-"

The stone gate trembled slowly, ancient mechanical sounds rang out, the ground shook slightly, and runic light gradually spread out.

The three exchanged a glance and stepped into the world beyond the stone gate.

Suddenly, the view opened up before us; the clouds and mist dispersed, revealing a tranquil and mysterious realm. Ancient trees reached for the sky, streams murmured, and in the distance, a magnificent ancient architectural complex could be faintly seen nestled among the mountains.

"This is the Supreme Secret Realm." Xiao Jinlian's gaze was deep as she silently thought, "Perhaps the truth about breaking the Luo Yuan Contract is truly hidden here."