His innermost thoughts were revealed, and he ventured into a fictional dynasty with the system.

He could truly feel the empress's panic and helplessness at that moment, as fragile as a frightened bird, as if a gentle breeze could blow her over.

He held the Empress's hand tightly, as if he wanted to convey strength to himself and the Empress through those hands.

Let each other find a sliver of comfort in this endless darkness and fear, and find the courage to move forward.

The moment Qin Qianluo stepped out of the palace gate, it was as if she had broken through an invisible and oppressive barrier.

She first took a deep breath of the free air outside the palace, and then slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

The breath seemed to carry all the humiliation, pressure, and frustration experienced in the palace, and with the exhalation of this breath, it seemed to dispel some of those negative emotions.

Her figure was light and graceful, yet her steps revealed an urgency. Her lotus-like steps were hurried, each one seemingly stepping on the string of time, as she ran straight toward the steam carriage waiting outside the palace gate.

After boarding the steam carriage, she urged the driver urgently without hesitation, in an unquestionable tone: "Hurry, back to the manor!"

Although the voice did not deliberately increase its volume, it carried an irresistible urgency, as if delaying the return home by even a moment would lead to something irreversible.

On her way back to the manor, Qin Qianluo's thoughts, like a wild horse, involuntarily returned to the thrilling confrontation she had just had with Crown Prince Xiao in the palace.

That back-and-forth exchange appeared calm on the surface, like ripples on a lake in spring.

However, every word and every glance is like a turbulent undercurrent hidden beneath the calm surface of a lake; if you are not careful, you will be swept into an abyss of no return.

With her keen, hawk-like insight and her exceptional intelligence and meticulous mind, she understood the subtle nuances in Prince Xiao's seemingly casual and nonchalant words.

Like a skilled treasure hunter, carefully unraveling the clues, they successfully captured the key information and deduced the approximate location where Qin Qianyu and others were imprisoned.

Thinking of this, the corners of her mouth slightly curved up, a faint smile appearing on her face like a shooting star flashing in the night sky.

The smile contained a hint of weariness from a long period of maneuvering, as if it were a mark left after a tough battle.

But more than anything, she exuded confidence and determination, as if everything was under her careful planning and control.

Just now in the palace, she seemed to have no choice but to compromise for the sake of her family, showing a humble and submissive appearance.

In reality, it was just a performance she deliberately staged to confirm her suspicions.

Now, his suspicions have been confirmed. Once his family is successfully rescued, it will be time for Prince Xiao to pay a heavy price for his many evil deeds.

A resolute and cold glint flashed in her eyes, as if she were announcing the arrival of judgment to the Crown Prince Xiao, who was unaware of the impending crisis.

The steam-powered carriage sped through the streets like a whirlwind, its wheels rolling and kicking up dust, like a black lightning bolt slicing through the bustling city.

Soon, they arrived at the mansion.

Yu Ji and Pei Yanci never left the mansion. Together with Su Jinyun, they anxiously awaited Qin Qianluo's return.

Every passing minute felt like a heavy hammer blow to their hearts.

The waiting time seemed to stretch on endlessly, and every slight movement made their nerves tense instantly.

Finally, when they saw Qin Qianluo step into the mansion, the hearts of the group, which had been hanging in suspense, relaxed a little, like a taut string on a musical instrument.

It was like a huge boulder finally landing, and I felt a little relieved.

However, Qin Qianluo's tense expression, like a heavy dark cloud, instantly made their hearts, which had just been at ease, jump again.

That worry surged back like a tidal wave, making their hearts leap into their throats once more.

Just as Qin Qianluo was about to speak, her gaze inadvertently swept around her surroundings, and her keen intuition, like an invisible hand, gently triggered the alarm bells in her heart.

She raised her eyes alertly, her gaze sharp and vigilant like an eagle's, scrutinizing every corner around her like a searchlight, not missing a single suspicious detail.

Every blade of grass, every tree, every brick, and every tile was under her scrutiny.

A moment later, as if confirming some potential danger, she acted swiftly and decisively without saying a word, reaching out to tightly grab the group of people.

The force seemed to merge the group with itself, and then it flashed into the space.

It seemed that only in this space could they speak freely without any reservations, jointly plan their next actions, and deal with the challenges to come.

As the group stepped into this tranquil space, they slowly made their way to a uniquely designed pavilion.

The pavilion is nestled amidst a profusion of flowers, its eaves soaring high like a roc about to take flight, exuding both dynamism and grandeur.

The exquisite carvings on the pavilion pillars are meticulous, with each line seemingly telling a story of the vicissitudes of time and a mysterious past.

The crowd filed in, the stone benches emanating a cool, refreshing scent that seemed to penetrate the skin and reach the heart, adding to the already heavy atmosphere.

Feng Qingyun and Long Nanzhi moved with light steps, like fairies dancing gracefully in a spring breeze, their skirts fluttering as they quietly sat down beside the group.

Qin Qianluo's expression was solemn and frosty. Her deep gaze slowly swept over everyone, as if she wanted to bring everyone's minds together. Then, she slowly opened her lips.

His voice was deep and slightly hoarse, as if it came from the depths of time: "Prince Xiao summoned me to the palace, his intention was obvious, he hoped that I could serve him like a dog or a horse in the future."

Upon closer inspection during the meal, it was indeed discovered that the soul residing within him was possessed by that evil spirit.

She paused slightly, a worried glint flashing in her eyes, as if she foresaw the coming storm.

He continued, "I politely declined, not daring to accept this request. I imagine he must have some reservations, and I'm afraid he'll inevitably take action later."

Upon hearing this, everyone felt as if they had been struck by an invisible hammer. The last glimmer of hope and expectation in their hearts shattered like bubbles, turning into nothingness.

Su Jinyun's delicate brows were furrowed, like a wild orchid swaying in the cold wind in spring, full of worry and helplessness.

She pondered for a moment, her voice trembling slightly, and slowly said, "That heretical path seems to have made progress; it has even learned to conceal its strength and hide its tracks."

It remains unclear when he set up this evil spell and how much power he secretly amassed.

It's much more difficult than before, and the previous methods are unlikely to be effective.

Even more worrying is that his family and relatives remain under his control, their safety hanging by a thread. Does the Imperial Advisor have a good solution?

Upon hearing this, Yu Ji did not respond immediately. She lowered her head slightly, her eyes filled with deep contemplation, as if she were lost in a vast ocean of thoughts.

Her fingers tapped lightly on the stone table unconsciously, as if echoing the rhythm of her inner thoughts.

When Qin Qianluo heard Su Jinyun's question, she nodded gently, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes.

Then he said, "During our conversation, I probed a little and roughly guessed where the monks were trapped."

Do you all still remember the exquisite pavilion where Yu Ying lived back then? It must have been there.

Upon hearing Qin Qianluo mention Linglong Pavilion, the group's faces froze in astonishment, as if time had stood still for a moment.

Their eyes were filled with confusion and astonishment, their thoughts as if pulled into a chaotic fog by a sudden, immense force.

I painstakingly searched for any trace of Linglong Pavilion in the depths of my memory.

Upon closer reflection, it's really not fair to be too harsh on them.

After being strictly sealed off, Linglong Pavilion became like a mysterious place abandoned by time, completely separated from everyone's life trajectory.

Time is like a relentless torrent, rushing past endlessly, and the years slip by unnoticed.

Over the course of time, the once mysterious Linglong Pavilion was gradually forgotten by everyone and relegated to the corners of their memories.

Like an old object covered in dust, its outline becomes increasingly blurred in memory.

Not only that, even the crucial clue that Yu Ying was a disciple of an evil sect was lost.

In the mundane and trivial life of day after day, it slips away quietly like fine sand through our fingers and is completely forgotten by everyone.

Therefore, given the current predicament, it is naturally difficult for people to associate it with Linglong Pavilion.

At this moment, after Qin Qianluo's enlightening remark, everyone suddenly realized something, followed by deep self-reproach and regret.

The proverb "The most dangerous place is often the safest place" has stirred up a great deal of discussion among the people.

They couldn't help but lament how easily they had been deceived by appearances, as if a leaf had covered their eyes, a leaf obscuring their vision.

They almost missed this crucial clue to break the deadlock; it was an act of extreme carelessness.

The current situation is extremely critical, like an arrow on a bowstring.

The urgent task is to devise a comprehensive plan as soon as possible to rescue their trapped families from that dangerous situation, which is like a tiger's den or a dragon's pool. There is no time to lose.

Qin Qianlu keenly noticed that Yu Ji remained silent. She sat there quietly, her expression so solemn that it seemed as if a layer of frost had been formed on her face.

His gaze was fixed on the ground, as if trying to see through the hard stone slab, as he fell into deep thought.

Qin Qianluo had already guessed some of Yu Ji's thoughts. She turned her head slightly and slowly turned her gaze to the room where Master Xuwu had once lived.

That tightly closed door, in this quiet and slightly oppressive space, is like a heavy barrier separating the hustle and bustle of the world from the past.

It exudes an aura of mystery and awe.

The wood grain on the facade, like lines etched by time, tells a story of the past.

Qin Qianlu pondered for a moment, her eyes filled with contemplation and anticipation, before speaking softly.

Although the voice was soft, it carried a firmness that penetrated the heart, as if it could dispel the heavy fog before one's eyes.

"If the Imperial Preceptor has not yet made a decision, perhaps he may visit the residence where the Venerable Master Xuwu once practiced meditation."

After the Taoist priest passed away, I never touched that house in the slightest. Perhaps the old objects there might give the Imperial Preceptor some inspiration or lead him to some new ideas.

Her words seemed to quietly inject a warm and hopeful force into this oppressive and heavy atmosphere.

Like a gentle spring breeze and nourishing rain, it slightly eased the tension in everyone's nerves, which had been as taut as iron clamps, and ignited a new hope in their hearts.