Floating life reflects two lotuses

The disturbances at the Land of Offering Spirits had never been so intense. The ground trembled slightly, and runic energy spread outwards in visible ripples. Xiao Jinlian stood at the cave entrance, feeling the chill in the air gradually transform into a suffocating oppression. Li Heng stood behind her, his gaze alert, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Lian'er, we have to leave here." Li Heng's voice was low, but it carried a hint of unease.

“Wait, I need to confirm the changes in these runes,” Xiao Jinlian said softly, clutching the rune fragment she had just retrieved tightly in her hand. The fragment glowed faintly, resonating with the remaining runes on the ground, as if telling some unsolved secret.

Silan rushed forward, her face pale: "Princess, something's wrong here! I felt the ground shaking beneath my feet, like something was about to burst out from underground!"

Xiao Jinlian took a deep breath, put the rune fragment into her bosom, and turned to say, "We must return to the palace immediately. If this power gets out of control, it will not only affect this place, but the entire Great Chu will probably suffer."

The three quickly retreated, embarking on their return journey. However, the surrounding land seemed to be infected by the runic energy, with a layer of grayish-black mist faintly rising from it. The mist was corrosive; wherever it passed, vegetation withered, and birds and beasts scattered.

"Run!" Li Heng drew his longsword and repelled a black shadow that suddenly pounced on him. It was a pack of wolves corrupted by the power of the curse. Their eyes were bloodshot, their teeth were sharp, and they let out low growls.

Xiao Jinlian gritted her teeth and quickened her pace.

Upon returning to the palace, Xiao Jinlian immediately requested an audience with the emperor. The courtiers were already in their seats, and Consort Yan sat to one side, holding a round fan, her expression calm, but her eyes flickered slightly when she saw Xiao Jinlian.

"Father, the runic energy in the Land of Offering Spirits has shown signs of going out of control. I suspect this is a backflow of cursed power," Xiao Jinlian said frankly as she knelt down to present the fragments.

The emperor took the fragment, glanced at it with a complicated expression, and then handed it to the Grand Tutor beside him: "Grand Tutor, take a look at this."

The Grand Tutor took the fragment and examined it carefully, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper. "Your Majesty, this is indeed an ancient rune, but its purpose still needs further interpretation. However—" He looked up at Xiao Jinlian, a hint of doubt in his eyes, "How did Your Highness know that this item was related to the Land of Offering Spirits? Why did such a drastic change suddenly occur at the Land of Offering Spirits?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell into complete silence.

Consort Yan gently shook her round fan and said leisurely, "The Grand Tutor's words are not without reason. As a member of the royal family, why have you repeatedly gone to dangerous places on your own and brought these unknown things back to the palace? Could it be... that there is another hidden reason?"

Xiao Jinlian's gaze turned cold as she looked up and stared directly at Consort Yan: "All my actions are for the sake of protecting the Great Chu Empire. If Consort Yan has any doubts, she may wish to visit the place of offering sacrifices herself."

Consort Yan smiled slightly, her tone still gentle: "Your Highness's agitation makes me feel that I have said too much. However, strange phenomena are constantly occurring at the place of offering sacrifices, and it is hard to guarantee that the safety of the royal family will not be endangered. I am merely worried for Your Majesty."

The emperor raised his hand to stop the argument between the two, his gaze fixed intently on Xiao Jinlian: "Lian'er, you say these runes are to protect the Great Chu, but why would they cause such anomalies? If you cannot give me an explanation, how can I be convinced?"

Xiao Jinlian's heart tightened, but she remained calm and said, "Father, these runes are indeed dangerous, but if we can find their complete contents, we may be able to resolve the current crisis. Please give your son some more time."

"The complete meaning?" The Grand Tutor frowned slightly and interjected, "Princess, do you know the ultimate meaning of these runes? Or is this merely your speculation?"

“Grand Tutor,” Xiao Jinlian turned to look at him, her gaze resolute, “these runes record a part of the ‘Luoyuan Contract,’ which is the key to the continuation of the Great Chu Dynasty. But if we fail to decipher its secrets, we will face an even greater disaster.”

"The Luoyuan Contract?" Upon hearing this, the Emperor's gaze deepened. "This matter is of utmost importance. Lian'er, you must proceed with extreme caution."

"Your subject understands." Xiao Jinlian kowtowed again.

After the court session ended, Xiao Jinlian had just stepped out of the main hall when she was stopped by Consort Yan. The palace servants around her had already dispersed, leaving her alone standing under the corridor, slowly waving a round fan in her hand.

“Princess,” Consort Yan smiled slightly, her tone so gentle it sent chills down one’s spine, “You’ve truly gone to great lengths for these runes. But aren’t you perhaps a little too fixated on these ethereal things?”

"Thank you for your concern, Consort Yan." Xiao Jinlian gave a slight bow, her gaze indifferent. "I never need anyone else to guide me in my actions."

Consort Yan chuckled softly, "Is that so? But I've heard that the curse of the Land of Offering Souls is spreading into the palace. I wonder if the Princess has also noticed this?"

Xiao Jinlian's face darkened: "Your Majesty, please speak frankly what you wish to say."

Consort Yan's smile deepened: "Your Majesty, I am only worried that you might bring trouble upon yourself. After all, not everyone in this palace will believe in your sincerity."

"Your Majesty need not concern yourself with my affairs," Xiao Jinlian said coldly, and turned to leave.

Watching her retreating figure, Consort Yan's eyes gradually turned cold, and she muttered to herself, "Xiao Jinlian, your cleverness will only lead you to a deeper abyss."

Late at night, Xiao Jinlian spread out the rune fragments in her study, with Li Heng and Si Lan guarding her side.

"Lian'er, do you really believe these runes can resolve the crisis?" Li Heng asked in a low voice.

“I’m not sure,” Xiao Jinlian said, her voice tinged with weariness, “but this is our only clue. If I can decipher the secrets of these runes, perhaps I can find the real reason why the Land of Offering has gone out of control.”

Silan clenched her fist, her tone firm: "Princess, no matter what, we will always be by your side."

Xiao Jinlian glanced at the two of them and said softly, "Thank you. The most important thing now is to decipher these runes as soon as possible and then find the next step."

Outside the palace, the power of the curse is quietly spreading, while the undercurrents within the palace foreshadow an even greater crisis to come.