Silence.
Then —
"What?"
"What?"
Both Xuan Tian and Jing Xue had the same reaction. If it wasn't a serious situation, Lin Qian would've laughed aloud. Their faces, one man and one dog, were weirdly wearing a similar expression.
Xuan Tian blinked a few times.
"So," he started. "The seal and the Black Worm are both in me?"
Lin Qian nodded.
"I can understand the Black Worm. One of its traits is seeking the strongest host. But the seal? Why did it jump to me too? And it only partially sealed my Heart Core?"
He continued, "And now add the fact that the Black Worm is active and awake, but cannot corrupt me because of the Tianwei Barrier and a small pearly core?"
Lin Qian nodded again.
Xuan Tian looked at Lin Qian, confused. "Do you have any explanation, Doctor? If you were to make a medical guess, what would it be?"
Lin Qian thought for a while.
"I can't guess about the seal. I've never seen anything like that. But the Tianwei Barrier… I guess the only explanation I can offer is this: the Barrier seals Celestials' and Demons' powers when we enter the Human Realm. For what purpose? We all learned this from our history books. It's to stop us from overpowering humans."
"Corrupted Celestials are still Celestials. They are still far more powerful than humans. So the Barrier also powered down the Black Worm."
"As to why you're not corrupted, I think it has something to do with that pearly core. It works together with the Barrier and protects you from being corrupted."
Silence again. Xuan Tian was trying to process what he had just heard.
He inhaled slowly. "I need to see it." He closed his eyes and went into his Heart Core.
He stood in front of his Heart Core. Its color was a very light purple with a touch of gold. Humming softly, as if welcoming him. Numerous dark red threads were draped around one third of the core. It was an eerie sight.
Xuan Tian squinted his eyes, trying to see into his Heart Core. He only saw a glimpse of something dark and moving. He stepped into the core.
The world around him turned light purple. At the center of the core, he saw it.
The Black Worm, about as big as Xuan Tian's palm, was chained to the pearly white orb no bigger than Xuan Tian's thumb. The chains were gold in color. Xuan Tian recognized these chains were the same chains that sealed his Celestial Core whenever he was in Human Realm.
The Black Worm was very much alive. It moved desperately, trying to break free from the chains. Every time it released a black mist, the golden chains and the pearl core would purify it instantly. It looked like an angry black dog throwing a tantrum, trying to break free from its leash.
The pearl core didn't budge. Its strength didn't match its size.
Xuan Tian didn't step any closer. He watched the Black Worm struggle and how it didn't affect the pearl core.
He stood there watching for a while before the dark red threads moved, trying to crush his heart.
"Urgh." Xuan Tian groaned. So, this is what Bai Xunli has been enduring. And it's not at its full strength. Damn you, Lingxu!
Xuan Tian approached the closest thread. He examined it. It's not as thick. And they are not as dense. Maybe I can cut it.
He circulated his spirit energy, only to find that when it entered his Heart Core for purification, a pain unlike anything he'd ever felt surged through him. It was crippling. And he failed to complete the circulation.
"Argh!"
"General!"
"General!"
Xuan Tian's focus immediately snapped and he was back in the outside world. His whole body was trembling.
------------------------------
Mu Yiran was drinking wine in his room. Since he was 'kidnapped', he couldn't show his face in the Palace or his Eastern Palace. He was currently in Jian Wushuan residence in the Capital.
The door to his room was opened widely. He hated the feeling of staying inside a closed room. He felt suffocated. He wanted to be free to do whatever he wanted. Never being caged by rules, etiquettes, duties, or responsibilities.
He genuinely believed, the world should belong to the strongest. He couldn't understand Wusheng Empire's rule of no cultivators should rule the Empire. That was ridiculous! If the strong couldn't rule, then what's use of having power?
Mu Yiran wanted to change that rule. When Lingxu first approached him, he agreed immediately because he could see Lingxu's ambitions are in line with his.
Lingxu wanted to rule the cultivation world, while he wanted the Empire.
Rou Yanyan, Su Lianhua eldest inner disciple, entered the room carrying food.
Mu Yiran's gaze became gentler and full of lust.
Rou Yanyan curtsied, "Your Highness." And she was going to put the food on the table. When she walked past Mu Yiran, she was grabbed and fell on his lap.
"Ah, Your Highness. You're naughty."
Mu Yiran chuckled lightly, "Yanyan, I could never get enough of you. I will make you my Queen. We will rule the Empire forever!"
He traced his fingers along her smooth cheek.
Rou Yanyan replied coquettishly, "Your Highness will have to ascend the throne first."
Mu Yiran scoffed, "Hmph. It's only a matter of time. If only that old bastard Jian Wushuan is more competent!"
Rou Yanyan laughed sexily, "Then the news I bring will make Your Highness happy."
"Ou? Tell me then, my beautiful queen, Yan'er."
Rou Yanyan turned a bit more serious, "Shizun sent news. It worked. Both the seal and the Worm had been successfully transferred to Han Zhaofeng. The Worm is active. Han Zhaofeng is most definitely follow Your Highness' every order."
Mu Yiran's eyes glint maliciously, "It's about time."
He teased Rou Yanyan again, "Are you sure both the seal and the Worm will control Bastard Han?"
Rou Yanyan's hand took Mu Yiran's hand and guided it into her clothes. "Yes, Your Highness. The Worm is to ensure Han Zhaofeng's thoughts, movements are under absolute control. While the seal is to ensure if he somehow found a way to kill the Worm, the seal would rendered his Heart Core useless. He will not be able to purify his spirit energy. He would not be a threat."
"Ah, Your Highness…" Rou Yanyan's voice turned breathy as she leaned fully against him.
Mu Yiran sneered, his hands roaming over her body, possessive and crude. "It served him right! He only treasured that bitch Bai! Never once he looked at me! I knew he would try to safe her! This trap is specially made for you!"
"HA HA HA HA…" Mu Yiran laughed crazily. "This Empire is mine!"