Several days passed as the group made their way back from the thick, dangerous wilds of the Star Dou Great Forest to the towering walls of the Star Luo Imperial Capital. The journey had been long, but they arrived safely, carrying with them the spoils of an incredibly successful expedition.+1
This trip to the forest had been more fruitful than anyone could have imagined. Ye Yin had reached a major milestone by successfully obtaining his sixth Spirit Ring, officially advancing to the rank of Spirit Emperor. The surge in his power was palpable, and his strength had greatly increased. He wasn't the only one who had grown stronger, though. Dugu Yan had successfully hunted and absorbed her fifth Spirit Ring, moving her into the rank of Spirit King. Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuyu had secured her ideal fourth Spirit Ring to become a Spirit Ancestor, and Tang San had also reached that same rank by obtaining his own fourth Spirit Ring.+2
Beyond the raw power and levels, the social dynamics of the group had shifted significantly. The relationship between Ye Yin and Zhu Zhuyu had finally been brought into the light, their bond clarified and strengthened. This newfound clarity acted like a glue for the entire team, making their cohesion and trust stronger than it had ever been. Of course, there were more than just spiritual gains brought back to the capital. They carried captives from Spirit Hall, along with some rather embarrassing and exciting footage of them being forced to tap dance—a spectacle that was sure to cause chaos and stir up massive waves once it hit the streets of the Star Luo Imperial Capital.
Ye Yin walked through the city gates with a heavy but steady mind. He knew very well that their actions in the forest meant the feud with Spirit Hall was now set in stone. There was no going back. A massive storm was likely brewing on the horizon, one that could swallow the whole continent, but he felt no fear. He was ready for whatever the future held.
The return of the group to the Star Luo Imperial Capital didn't cause a massive public scene, but the many factions and hidden eyes watching the city certainly noticed. To those closely monitoring the power balance, the sudden jump in strength of Ye Yin's team sent a loud and clear signal that things were changing.
Dai Mubai, now serving as the Crown Prince, handled the daily affairs of the state with a swift and sharp efficiency. He wasn't working alone; Ye Yin was constantly in the background, strategizing and planning their next moves. They had the vast financial resources and the deep intelligence network of the Zhu family backing them up, as well as the secret support of loyal veterans like the Old Prince and General Lei Meng. With such a foundation, Dai Mubai's hold on his position became more stable with every passing day.
There were still those who had served under the former prince, Dai Weisi, who were watching from the sidelines or hiding their own secret plans. They tried to test the waters with a few small, harmless probes to see how the new Crown Prince would react. However, their attempts were easily dismantled. Worse for them, they were met with strange and humiliating punishments—some were forced to publicly confess their corruption in the middle of the street, while others were sent to work as public tap dancers. Seeing such bizarre retaliation, these schemers quickly quieted down and chose to submit, realizing that the new regime was not to be trifled with. On the surface, the Imperial Capital seemed to have finally entered a period of peace and stability.
Yet, deep beneath that calm surface, dark undercurrents were still moving.
In a secluded and quiet corner of the capital sat the Jingxin Courtyard. It was an exquisite and beautiful residence, but for the person living inside, it was nothing more than a golden cage. This was the new home of the former prince, now known simply as Davis. It was also a place where Dai Mubai spent a great deal of his time.
At first, Davis had fought back with everything she had. She went on hunger strikes, spent her hours crying, and smashed every piece of furniture she could reach. She was trying to provoke Dai Mubai, hoping he would lose his temper and just end her life quickly.
But Dai Mubai, following the advice and guidance of Ye Yin, changed his strategy completely. He no longer used force or anger against her. Instead, he showed her the utmost gentleness, treating her with a kindness that felt like a sharp blade. He sent her the most beautiful dresses and sparkling jewelry he could find. He provided her with the most exquisite pastries and delicious delicacies from the imperial kitchens. Patiently and repeatedly, he told her that everything from their past was over. He told her that she was now his Davis, and that he would protect her and give her the best life possible.
This gentle imprisonment, however, made Davis feel even more desperate and afraid. She would have preferred it if Dai Mubai had beaten her or treated her like a prisoner. Anything was better than this chilling, soft care. She felt like a canary that had been meticulously adorned with feathers, just waiting for its master to show it favor.
The secret of her body was no longer a secret at all. Under Dai Mubai's careful watch, she was forced to gradually adapt to this unfamiliar body and her new identity. The truth was, she had no other choice but to adapt. Before, she still had one hour each day where she could recover her original form. But ever since Dai Mubai had forcibly fed her two catties of powerful medicine, her body had changed permanently. After a period of "strengthening," she found that she could no longer change back to the man she once was.
Sometimes, when she looked in the mirror at the soft, beautiful face staring back—a face she deeply hated—she would feel a sudden, absurd sense of confusion.
"Who am I?" she would whisper to herself. "Am I Dai Weisi? Or am I Davis?"
How could that ambitious First Prince, the man who had vowed to ascend the throne and rule the empire, become like this? The massive psychological gap and the constant humiliation tormented her day and night.
But on the other hand, the comfortable environment of Jingxin Courtyard and the peace of being away from the deadly power struggles of the court had a strange effect. The string deep within her heart, which had been pulled tight for her entire life, began to relax just a little bit. At the very least, there were no more deadly intrigues or hidden daggers here—there were only the strong, fierce attacks from Dai Mubai's "big stick".