Chapter 359 - 357: Imperial Capital
In the days that followed, during the day Qin Yu accompanied the Empress Dowager and the Princess on the Phoenix Carriage, and at night she returned to the Lifebound Space to spend time with her beloved wives.
Fortunately, the flow of time in the Lifebound Space differed, so there was no need to worry about not having enough time.
Originally, Qin Yu intended to bring her wives out for some fresh air; though the Lifebound Space was not small, it could not compare to the vastness of the outside world.
However, considering safety concerns, they chose not to go out.
After all, who could guarantee that the power behind the black-robed figure who appeared that day would not make another move?!
If they couldn’t deal with the Empress Dowager, could they not target Qin Yu instead?
What’s more, compared to the Empress Dowager, it was likely that Qin Yu was truly their target to be eliminated.
Although they resided in the Lifebound Space, it was not stifling—in fact, like a Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, it was even beneficial for cultivation.
Even if they wished to view the scenery of the outside world, they could enjoy it unhindered through the entrance.
Time flowed quickly.
In a flash, three months passed, and the rate at which her Flame Point increased slowed considerably; in other respects too, Qin Yu saw little improvement.
However.
After three months together, her relationship with the Empress Dowager and the Princess saw a marked improvement.
The key point was that neither woman considered Qin Yu an outsider anymore.
At times, the Empress Dowager would simply lounge on the bed without any regard for her image, and yet she overlooked the grandeur of the Great Phoenix, sometimes fanning her robes open to catch a breath of air.
Qin Yu found herself startled and uneasy at such scenes.
Of course, Qin Yu ever remained respectful toward them both, never overstepping her bounds in the slightest.
On this day, as usual, she arrived on the Phoenix Carriage, and was pulled by the Princess to continue reciting tales.
"We’re almost at the Imperial Capital!"
The Empress Dowager’s gaze suddenly drifted into the distance.
Qin Yu followed her line of sight.
There, upon the vast horizon, it seemed as though a giant dragon lay dormant—its head veiled in clouds and mist, its tail vanishing into the farthest reaches, its full form impossible to behold.
That was the Imperial Capital of Great Yan!
The city walls towered high and imposing, upon which faint lines and patterns emerged, exuding an unshakable, impregnable aura.
Yet, most striking of all was the ancient bell hanging in the skies above the capital.
It was immense beyond measure, suspended high in the firmament, its entire surface engraved with countless mysterious runes, each stroke imbued with the weight and grandeur of long ages past.
These inscriptions seemed alive, flowing in accordance with some unknown law, emanating an ancient, transcendent aura that inspired awe in all who beheld it.
Gradually, the circulating Dao Rhyme coalesced into streams, cascading down like the Milky Way from the heavens, pouring into the Imperial Capital below.
Strangely, despite the extraordinary might of this force, the capital within brimmed with human clamor, its busy markets not diminished in the least. It was as if an invisible barrier existed between the divine wonder descending from the sky and the mundane world below, harmonizing both, allowing each to exist undisturbed.
Upon that age-old bell, its exterior was carved with mountains, rivers, and streams; within, it held the sun, moon, and stars, as though revealing the ultimate truths of heaven and earth.
Beneath the sunlight, it glimmered brilliantly.
"Dong—"
Even with the Phoenix Carriage still far from the Imperial Capital, Qin Yu seemed to hear a deep and ancient bell tone, traversing the vast air, echoing from afar.
In that instant, her whole body quivered, feeling utterly clear in mind and spirit, all of her being lucid as crystal.
The sensation defied description in words.
That sound seemed to traverse the river of time and space itself, lingering by Qin Yu’s ears, resonating endlessly.
Yet the Empress Dowager and the Princess on the Phoenix Carriage appeared completely unaware of the bell’s resonance.
"Wong—"
At the same time, the fire seed nestled deep in Qin Yu’s chest seemed to sense something; it suddenly shuddered, sparks flickering forth, echoing in harmony with the distant bell.
In that moment, the fire seed seemed stirred; its light instantly intensified, and the once-indistinct runes within became noticeably clearer.
Qin Yu had always failed to discern the origin of this fire seed.
And now, for the first time, the fire seed displayed a reaction, which could not help but move her heart profoundly.
Could it be that the ancient, far-reaching chime and the fire seed were somehow connected?!
"Eh?"
The Empress Dowager had already composed herself, once more dignified and majestic, yet now she sensed something, her gaze falling on Qin Yu in surprise and suspicion.
The unique burning aura around her seemed, in an instant, to have grown stronger.
Yet Qin Yu was simply standing there, doing absolutely nothing.
Was it merely her imagination?!
However, little Ling’Er, who had been holding Qin Yu’s hand all along, could distinctly feel the warmth from her palm becoming ever gentler and richer, like the spring sun, softly enveloping her, filling her entire being with an indescribable ease and comfort.
"Is that the Divine Bell recorded in the ancient texts?"
Qin Yu gazed intently at the sky above the capital, murmuring under her breath.
She had read about this ancient bell above Great Yan’s capital in the books.
It was said that nine ancient sacred artifacts exist in this world, each residing in the Imperial Capital of one of the Nine Immortal Countries scattered across Jiuzhou.
Their origins were the subject of much speculation—the sagas proclaimed some were cast by the might of ancient human sages, others claimed they were left by the last Human Emperor, meant to shelter the Human Race.
Yet amid all the complex legends, one thing was certain—in that darkest, most turbulent age, the Human Race survived only by the protection of these nine divine artifacts.
In that era, there existed beings in heaven and earth more formidable than humankind, but after the chaos, those races either vanished or chose to remain hidden from the world.
And yet, it was the Human Race, sheltered by these nine divine artifacts, that was able to thrive and endure, spreading now across all Jiuzhou.
As the distance closed, the Divine Bell suspended high overhead grew steadily clearer. The Dao Rhyme, visible to the naked eye, draped down like the Milky Way, flowing gently to nourish the entire Imperial Capital.
Drawing close to the city, the Phoenix Carriage did not slow its pace in the slightest—the array formations in the sky offered no obstruction, letting them glide through effortlessly.
Upon entering the capital, the entire Phoenix Carriage was bathed in the falling Dao Rhyme, and Qin Yu, immersed within, felt an indescribable sense of bliss washing over her body—a strange and wonderful sensation rising from within.
"This thing... can actually be absorbed by people?!"
Great waves surged in Qin Yu’s heart, impossible to calm.
The Dao Rhyme pouring from the Ancient Divine Bell seemed the purest Spiritual Qi under heaven and earth, wordlessly penetrating her skin, seeping into her body, coursing through her meridians, and ultimately gathering in her Dantian.
Yet when Qin Yu glanced at the Empress Dowager and Princess by her side, she realized that although they too were enveloped by this awe-inspiring radiance, they could not absorb this unique Dao Rhyme at all.
The cascading brilliance, like river water, provided shelter yet left them utterly untouched.