Chapter 242

Chapter 242: The Origin of the Curse

Covered in blood, Zou Xiao stared at the fallen Immortals scattered like autumn leaves. His body trembled like a flickering candle in the wind before he collapsed to his knees, shouting clearly, “Grandpa, I was wrong!”

Too… too terrifying! Just one move—only one move—had decimated his army of thousands…

If not for the agonizing pain radiating from his celestial bones, he’d have thought this a nightmare. He suddenly recalled the three Divine Lords who’d fallen simultaneously in the Seventh Heavenly Layer. No… could she have been the one who killed them? As a Heavenly Emperor of the upper heavenly layers, closely tied to the Seventh Heavenly Layer, he’d known fragments of Ming Ye’s schemes, which was why he’d dared to seize this chance to invade.

But he’d never imagined that losing three Divine Lords would unleash something far worse!

This… this wasn’t the power of an Immortal!

“Grandpa, you’re as mighty as ever! I pay my respects, Grandpa!” Old Two, the only one who’d witnessed her strength before, snapped to his senses first and rushed to kneel.

The Elder and Fang Ming quickly followed, bowing deeply.

“You You, are you unharmed? What was that earlier…”

“Master!” The Elder struggled to find words. He’d known his Master was powerful, but this exceeded all expectations. Still, he managed to bow. “Greetings, Master!”

Only the Fifth Heavenly Emperor, utterly confused, glanced between his three companions and the crumpled Eighth Heavenly Emperor. Gritting his teeth, he dropped to his knees and blurted, “…Grandpa?”

You You: “……”

Everyone: “……”

Since when were Heavenly Emperors this… obedient?

You You suppressed a sigh, hastily pulling them up—except the Eighth Heavenly Emperor—and explained, “I heard they were attacking. Since I needed to hurry to the lower realm, I handled it quickly. Good work—any injuries?”

“Master arrived just in time. We’re… unharmed,” the Elder replied awkwardly. Unharmed? They hadn’t even lifted a finger before the fight ended!

“Good. Feng Rong opened the Passage. I must leave now—handle things here.” She pointed at the trembling Eighth Heavenly Emperor. “Decide matters among yourselves. The Seventh Heavenly Layer is struggling—help Hong Fei if possible.”

“Yes, Master!” The Elder bowed. The others echoed, eyeing the defeated Eighth Heavenly Immortals. They hesitated to ask how to deal with the Eighth Heavenly Layer, but You You had already vanished on her sword, as abruptly as she’d arrived.

The four left behind: “……”

The unification of the Immortal Realm seemed imminent…

The sole Ninth Heavenly Emperor: “…” A sudden chill crept down his spine.

————————

Though You You had been gone for days, she’d returned in time. With Yuan Qi’s help, the curses on the celestial maidens and Followers hadn’t worsened beyond cure. Despite more sects seeking aid, the sacred pond water she’d brought sufficed.

After letting the maidens recover, she sent them back to their sects—with fees, of course. The sudden crisis had been troublesome, but the Sect’s soaring income made it worthwhile.

As for the Secret Realm curse, Old Four’s investigation swiftly revealed the Seventh Heavenly Layer’s handiwork.

“We interrogated Ming Ye’s male Immortals,” Old Four fumed. “That bastard planted the curse in the Secret Realm!”

“Wait…” You You frowned. “Didn’t the Fourth Heavenly Layer have no ties to the Seventh?”

“Remember your last visit?” Old Four continued. “When I mistakenly brought you here, I informed the Seventh Heavenly Layer. After you left, they sent envoys.”

“So the curse was added then?”

“Yes!” Fang Ming nodded. “Ming Ye learned of your role in the First and Third Heavenly Emperors’ falls. He sought your power—hence his personal visit to the Sixth Heavenly Layer.”

She recalled the sacrificial altar meant to drain celestial maidens’ powers. Ming Ye had likely intended to send her there.

“My palace’s fools are to blame,” Fang Ming sighed. “When the Seventh’s envoys came, those refining the Secret Realm mentioned it was your task. Ming Ye assumed it was tied to you and planted the curse, knowing only sacred pond water could lift it—to lure you out.”

“So this was Ming Ye’s scheme from the start?”

“Yes.”

You You pieced it together: Ming Ye’s Divine Formation aimed to steal her power. When she’d evaded him, he’d resorted to the curse.

“Though Ming Ye orchestrated this, the Fourth Heavenly Layer bears responsibility,” Old Four said guiltily. “Punish us, celestial maiden!”

“It’s fine. He’d have found another way.”

“No! Punish us!” Voices clamored through the messaging talisman.

You You relented. “Then I won’t deliver your message to the lower realm’s female cultivators.”

“Nooo!” came the collective wail.

She cut the connection. They’d asked for it—this had nothing to do with her aversion to tedious tasks. Definitely.

╮（╯▽╰）╭