The Act

Yue Ying sat in darkness, her back straight despite the dull ache in her limbs. She closed her eyes and reached inward, instinctively summoning the familiar current of energy that always answered her call.

Nothing responded.

Her brow furrowed. She tried again, slower this time, probing deeper—yet all she found was an empty, stagnant silence. Whatever that incense had done to her, it had severed her cultivation completely. No meridians singing with power. No qi circulating through her core.

She was no longer a cultivator.

Now, she was barely more than a slightly above-average fighter—no energy, no abilities, nothing to rely on but muscle memory and instinct.

She exhaled quietly, her fingers curling slowly inward.

She wasn't sure what her kidnapper wanted, but it most definitely wasn't anything good.

A sudden frenzy erupted outside.

Yue Ying's head snapped up as the clash of metal rang through the air, followed by a deep, thunderous rumble that vibrated through the walls. The ground quaked beneath her feet, dust trembling loose from hidden beams.

She inhaled sharply, steadying herself.

The room she was kept in was deceptively ordinary—a bed pushed against the far wall, a small wooden table beside it, a low cabinet, candles burning quietly in their holders. It looked like a sleeping chamber, not a prison.

Yet it was undeniably a cage.

Her thoughts drifted unwillingly back to the woman's earlier words—Fei Xian's dramatic, almost theatrical revelations. She claimed to be Yue Ying's younger sister, someone who grew up beside her.

Yue Ying remembered nothing before Zhao Mingyu.

But that alone was not enough to make her believe such an absurd claim.

And yet…

Fei Xian spoke of countless things—each more exaggerated than the last—but one detail lingered in Yue Ying's mind.

There were many things she did not want to believe, yet when Fei Xian spoke it, a name—one that was supposedly hers—Yue Ying felt an unsettling pull toward it. She wanted to dismiss it, to deny it, but the moment the name left Fei Xian's lips, it resonated deep within her.

Her lips parted unconsciously.

"Nangong Ling."

The words slipped from her tongue, but before she could savor the end of the sentence, darkness manifested before her—rippling like ocean waves, almost corporeal. She tried to analyze the unfamiliar blur of shadow, but it suddenly burst open, blooming outward to reveal two slender figures.

Yue Ying reacted instantly. Her stance shifted, muscles tensing, her body dropping into a guarded position. Her heart pounded sharply against her ribs.

But there was nothing to draw. No sword at her waist. No cultivation to reinforce her movements.

She was a sitting duck.

The nearby candles flickered violently, their flames bowing before the sudden disturbance. As the light steadied, it revealed two familiar faces.

"Master?" Yue Ying asked, her voice wary, disbelief threading through it. Her guard didn't drop—only softened, by a hair's breadth.

"Indeed," Mingyao replied calmly. Her eyes swept the room once before settling back on Yue Ying. "There is much to discuss, but not now. We need to leave. Immediately."

Yue Ying studied her intently.

Fei Xian possessed the ability to take on other appearances. This could easily be another illusion, another carefully constructed lie meant to ensnare her further.

Her gaze shifted to the second woman standing beside Mingyao. Recognition hit her like a jolt. It was the Prime Minister's daughter—the same one who had schemed against Mingyao before. Her hand shot to her waist, instinctively reaching for her usual weapon—but there was nothing there.

Yue Ying froze, unsure how to proceed, until Mingyao's delicate hands grasped hers.

"I'll explain everything once we're out of here. Let's move."

Yue Ying's body relaxed at the words, but the suspicion in her eyes remained

She lifted her gaze, expression composed, almost cold.

"Do you have a way out?" she asked evenly.

Mingyao nodded without hesitation. "This area is affected by Ye Huan's abilities. We'll leave through the chaos outside, using her darkness to mask ourselves—same way we entered."

Yue Ying inclined her head in understanding.

She took a step forward—then stopped.

Something tugged at her, an intangible resistance tightening in her chest. Her eyes drifted briefly around the room, as though searching for something she couldn't name.

Mingyao noticed immediately.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly. "Do you still doubt who I am?"

Yue Ying looked up at her, her face unreadable.

"I understand," Mingyao continued when Yue Ying did not answer. "I know I can't prove it to you right now. My token was stolen by my aunt—ridiculous as that sounds. You don't know even half of what's happened." Her grip tightened slightly. "But please. Believe me long enough for us to get somewhere safe. I will explain everything then."

Yue Ying remained silent.

She didn't understand why her body reacted this way—was it caution toward Mingyao, or something else entirely? Then, almost unconsciously, words slipped from her lips.

"Nangong Ling."

Mingyao looked confused. "Nangong Ling?" she repeated, trying to understand.

Yue Ying fell silent for a beat before finally speaking. "It is supposedly my name, Master."

"Your name?" Mingyao asked, surprised by the revelation. "Then Fei Xian…"

"Is supposedly my sister," Yue Ying replied.

Something seemed to click in Mingyao's expression. "I see," she said slowly. "But what if that is a lie?" Her voice was skeptical.

Yue Ying pondered for a moment. "I think so, but the name feels… familiar to me, Master."

She seemed lost in thought before finally breaking the silence. "If she is truly your sister and means you no harm… then… you… do you wish to stay and recover your memories?"

"I…" Yue Ying hesitated, but before she could answer, Ye Huan interrupted. "If we are leaving, we must leave now," she said anxiously. "Something is coming."

"I feel it too. Something dangerous is moving toward us," Mingyao responded.

The air began to crackle, and the hairs on the arms of all three women rose, each strand sensing the tension in every direction. There was something in the air.

Mingyao turned, resolve settling over her features. "If you choose to stay, Yue Ying, I will not stop you. I understand the need to know who you were before me." She paused. "But I cannot remain."

She turned toward the darkness they had entered through.

Yue Ying's breath hitched.

Without thinking, she reached out and grasped Mingyao's hand tightly.

"Let's go, Master."

And then, together, they disappeared into the darkness.

----

In the forest, the three women ran as if their lives depended on it—because they did. Something pressed relentlessly behind them. Branches snapped underfoot, leaves scattered into the night air, but nothing could slow the pursuit. Growls, grunts, and roars echoed through the trees. The tiger was relentless, its burning gaze fixed on their backs.

Mingyao could feel her pulse hammering, her mind sharp and alive. She decided to put her newly learned cultivation techniques into practice. Being a Tier 9 Qi Refining cultivator gave her abilities a tremendous boost. With her Divine Sense beginning to take shape, the experience was exhilarating. She could feel something deep within her being radiating outward, penetrating the environment, giving her the sensation that everything within its reach was one with her—and could be manipulated by her. Words could scarcely capture the feeling. She could see everything, sense everything, and feel everything within that range far more acutely than using Qi alone. The sensation was intoxicating, yet dangerously teetering on overload; her body was still unaccustomed to such power.

But there was no time to dwell on the sensation—the tiger was closing in.

Mingyao's Divine Sense collided with something similar, like two hands meeting in a handshake, yet there was an oppressive, domineering weight to it.

"The creature… must be a demon beast," she whispered.

Mingyao's time in the Celestial Pagoda had given her the cultivation knowledge she desperately needed. She even understood the origins of the Frozen Moon Empress Technique and the Scarlet Dragon Sun Technique, but knowledge alone cannot replace experience. She's still weak.

She channeled her energy through her newly established Divine Sense. Although Ye Huan and Yue Ying were not yet immortal cultivators—making telepathic communication impossible—she could still transmit her words to their ears, as long as they remained within the range of her Divine Sense.

"Ye Huan."

Ye Huan nearly stumbled.

Her eyes widened for a split second before she steadied her breathing, answering as though they were strolling through a courtyard rather than fleeing a demon beast.

"Yes?"

"Can you find a weakness in its abilities?"

Before Ye Huan could respond, a chain of lightning tore through the air, crackling as it seared the forest. Just as it neared her, Mingyao, using her Divine Sense, manipulated a branch to fly toward Ye Huan. She leapt aside, narrowly avoiding the lightning's path.

The chained lightning missed its mark, but the massive tiger was now charging toward Ye Huan. Mingyao wanted to intervene with her Divine Sense, but she was still unfamiliar with its full capabilities. Instead, she unleashed a volley of ice projectiles, drawing the tiger toward herself.

Once the beast's attention was fixed, she muttered something under her breath. Ye Huan glanced in her direction for a moment, then disappeared into the darkness.

Mingyao exhaled, regaining her composure, and thrust out her palm.

"Ninefold Bloom: First Pattern—Still Water."

This was another derivative of the eternal empress of origins, same to frozen moon empress.

The Beast roared spitting out balls of lightning energy trying to fight against the palm of spiritual energy. The searing balls of energy neutralised the palm and continued on towards Mingyao.

Mingyao dodged, dancing backward, moving fluidly with the tiger's momentum.

Then the tiger froze for a fraction of a second, its nostrils flaring. Something in the air had confused it, momentarily disrupting its charge. As it surged forward again, spitting a charged ball of energy, the beast began to slow. Ye Huan's secret dual attack.

Mingyao twisted aside, the attack scorching past her shoulder.

Behind the tiger, something changed.

Its movements slowed—just slightly at first.

Then more.

Its breathing became out of sync. Its lightning flickered erratically.

A faint, unfamiliar fear surfaced in its eyes.

Ye Huan's ability had taken hold.

Through scent and gaze, her hidden technique infiltrated the beast's senses, corrupting its perception and poisoning its mind rather than its body. The forest air itself had become tainted—each breath feeding unease, confusion, and doubt into the demon beast's core.

The predator faltered, hesitating.

Yet the tiger tried to shake off the foreign influence, charging straight toward Mingyao. She attempted to call upon her weak spiritual energy, but before she could act, the creature suddenly changed direction.

Fear crept into her eyes—the same fear she saw mirrored in the beast's. The tiger, sensing its new target, pressed forward toward Yue Ying, who had appeared out of nowhere.

"What was she doing?" Mingyao muttered, unable to hide her irritation. She had told Yue Ying to stay back with Ye Huan, yet here she was, as stubborn as a mule—and now nothing more than dead weight.

Mingyao charged, but her body felt sluggish. Throwing everything she had into it, she unleashed the Ninth Bloom of the Ninefold Bloom—Night.

As she moved, the other eight blooms of the Ninefold Bloom condensed around her: first bloom—water, second—moonlight, followed by shadow, ice, fog, metal, earth, and spirit. The display resembled Absolute Stillness, a convergence of all her cultivated power.

She poured everything into it, hoping to overpower the weakened tiger demon. Her spiritual energy plummeted, yet the world around her seemed to slow. Ice spiraled toward the beast, shadows writhed and coiled, binding its limbs. Dense fog swirled, hiding Mingyao as she struck at the restrained tiger from every angle.

But the more she attacked, the more the tiger fought back, twisting and thrashing with desperate fury. It seized a fleeting opening—her energy reserves low, reaction time lagging—and lunged. Mingyao barely avoided the strike, only for Yue Ying to crash a log onto the tiger's jaws, halting the attack and nearly sacrificing herself in the process.

Mingyao poured the last of her strength into a final, relentless assault. The tiger faltered, its resistance broken. With a frustrated roar, it turned and fled deeper into the forest.

Mingyao exhaled, her knees trembling. She did not press the advantage. Instead, she turned and ran.

Emerging from the trees, Mingyao and Yue Ying were already in motion, moving as one before vanishing into the depths of the forest.

Mingyao ran in the direction her Divine Sense indicated. A wave of dark energy had disrupted it in unusual ways. Although Ye Huan was not an immortal, her abilities were no less profound than immortal techniques—another mystery yet to be uncovered.

When the three women finally converged, they were ready to put their plan into action.

"Yue Ying, you must have many questions about how all this was possible," Mingyao began.

Yue Ying gave no reaction, her usual stoic expression unchanging.

"This was all made possible because of my aunt. But first… would you like to embark on the journey to immortality?"

The question caught Ye Huan off guard, yet Yue Ying betrayed nothing.

"Immortality?"

"Indeed," Mingyao replied. "Before I came to you, I was trapped in the Nether Realm, cultivating it myself."

"Will this help me regain my abilities?" Yue Ying asked.

"You will become even stronger," Mingyao assured her.

"Can I also attain this immortality?" Ye Huan asked.

"If you have spirit roots, yes. But I'm not certain of the origin of your abilities—so you may need to give them up first to cultivate immortality," Mingyao explained.

Ye Huan paused to consider, then shook her head. "I'm not willing to take that risk. Just remember your promise—I'll be waiting for your return to your male form." With that, she vanished into the night.

Only Yue Ying and Mingyao remained.

"Can you follow me? I have a way to set you on the path of immortality while giving you a chance to regain your memories."

Yue Ying's body remained calm, but her eyes glinted for a moment at the mention of recovering her memories before returning to their usual composure.

Mingyao began walking, and Yue Ying followed in silence as Mingyao recounted her adventures over the past three days—everything since Fei Xian and the whole Phoenix incident, from her eccentric aunt to her journey through the Netherworld.

Yue Ying listened attentively, silent, gradually piecing together a clearer picture of the situation. Then, suddenly, Mingyao stopped.

"We are finally here," she said.

Despite hours of walking, they were still deep within the forest.

Yue Ying's eyes fell on three mounds and two holes, alongside two caskets. She wasn't sure what to make of it. Mingyao turned to her.

"Do you trust me?" she asked softly.

Yue Ying glanced between the caskets, the holes, and Mingyao. Mingyao smiled and repeated the question.

"Do you trust me?"

Yue Ying thought for a moment, then subtly nodded.

"Good," Mingyao said.

She stepped to the center of the three mounds, placing a crudely carved owl effigy at the center. She drew sigils on the ground, muttering under her breath, and then began channeling her energy. Circles of purple and gold light flooded the area. The temperature dropped suddenly, and a heavy stillness settled in, saturated with the aura of death.

Yue Ying watched helplessly as this unfolded; her master had entered a realm unfamiliar to her. She recalled Mingyao's story of the Nether Realm, where the dead go after passing—a place that had allowed her master to cultivate so quickly. Perhaps now, she intended to do the same for Yue Ying.

"Yue Ying!"

The shout jolted her back to reality.

"We need to get into the coffins."

Yue Ying hesitated for a moment, then jumped in. Mingyao pricked her finger, and Yue Ying smeared the blood onto the owl effigy. Mingyao muttered something under her breath before leaping onto the other coffin.

The ground began to tremble. The holes were soon filled with mounds of soil, and an overwhelming force pulled at Yue Ying. She tried to resist, but the force grew stronger with each struggle. Finally, her spirit body was ejected from her physical form, mirrored by Mingyao's.

Yue Ying stared at her illusory self—the experience utterly foreign. A string connected her physical body to her spirit form.

She turned to Mingyao, whose spirit body mirrored her own, though her master seemed at ease. Mingyao's form flickered slightly, like a flame disturbed by the wind, before regaining stability. Yue Ying, unfamiliar with this illusory state, wondered if such flickering was a normal part of the experience.

"Yue Ying," Mingyao began, "we have a maximum of three days for our visit. Don't worry—during this time, our bodies won't die or decompose. A barrier protects them. Let's head in that direction," she said, pointing deeper into the forest.

"We are heading for a river?" Yue Ying asked.

"No. The river," Mingyao corrected.

Yue Ying wasn't sure which river her master meant, but she followed anyway. They walked in silence until an owl flew past and perched atop a tree, watching them intently.

"They've spotted us. Let's wait and see if we'll be allowed in," Mingyao murmured.

Yue Ying nodded, not fully understanding. If it were necessary for her to know, her master would explain.

They continued walking, but soon a fog began to creep out of nowhere. Mingyao couldn't hide her excitement as it thickened, until it was impossible to see more than a few feet ahead. The fog lingered for a while before finally dissipating.

The forest had vanished. In its place stood a small house nestled in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by bamboo—a sight familiar to Yue Ying, reminiscent of the visions Mingyao had shared of her master.

"What do you two want?" a young, feminine voice asked, reverberating through the area.

Mingyao immediately bowed, her spirit body flickering briefly. "I have come seeking the council of the Child of Fate."

"And you, rabbit? Why are you here?" Though youthful, the words carried an undeniable authority.

Unsure how to respond, Yue Ying opened her mouth. "As my master said, we have come for your council," she said, mirroring Mingyao's posture.

"I see," the voice said softly. "You may come in."

The door swung open, and Mingyao and Yue Ying stepped inside. At first, it appeared as a void—empty and infinite.

"Have a seat," the female voice commanded, and immediately, both Mingyao and Yue Ying found themselves compelled to sit. Furniture materialized as a grand hall emerged around them.

A girl was wheeled in, resembling a nine-year-old version of someone Mingyao recognized—though now slightly older, perhaps fourteen or fifteen. Her eyes were covered with a white cloth. Behind her stood a boy, who appeared to be about eleven years old.

"Please, don't mind me. I wasn't expecting guests today, but… tea will suffice," the young girl said softly.

In an instant, porcelain cups appeared before Mingyao and Yue Ying. The boy behind the wheelchair nuzzled the girl at the far end of the hall.

Both Mingyao and Yue Ying remained dazed.

"Please, have a sip."

They both took the tea cautiously. Mingyao lifted her cup first, and Yue Ying, seeing this, followed suit.

"What do you sisters want from Fate?"

A heavy silence followed the question. Yue Ying glanced at Mingyao, expecting a correction, but none came.

"I suppose I couldn't hide it from you," Mingyao said, her voice flickering between two feminine tones as her face shifted, revealing her other identity.

Yue Ying immediately went on guard, reaching for her sword—only to find it was gone.

"Greetings, Child of Fate. I have anticipated our meeting. I cannot express how excited I have been. My reason for visiting should be clear to you."

The blind girl in the wheelchair picked up her cup and took a sip.

"Fate isn't something that can be easily controlled," she said.

"I believe I have the means to achieve my goals. So… may I traverse the River of Fate?"

The girl smiled warmly. "I cannot help you with that."

Mingyao—or rather Fei Xian—produced a small box from the folds of her sleeves.

"I understand such a task requires a corresponding price. Forgive me for being a poor guest, but this small box may help you achieve what you desire."

The girl in the wheelchair laughed out loud.

"And what is that supposed to do?"

"Give you a chance to leave this place… outside the River of Fate."

The girl regained her composure and fell into contemplation.

"What's inside?" she finally asked.

"A board—a Weiqi board."

"A Weiqi board? Jie, how will that help with your situation? Let me deal with these intruders," the young boy behind her interjected.

But the girl ignored him.

"Is that what I think it is?" the girl asked, a complex expression crossing her face.

"Yes. Your father didn't do a very good job hiding such a powerful artifact. Can I count on your help now?" Fei Xian asked.

The girl returned to her composed self.

"You've brought me such a generous gift. It would be rude of me not to repay you in kind. But before we begin, could you do one thing for me?"

"What is it?" Fei Xian asked, a brow furrowed.

"I've heard you are a marvelous musician. Could you play a piece for me? Living confined in this place, I've always wondered what music truly feels like. Though I understand the concepts of music and dance, I've only experienced them through others, never firsthand. Could you honor me with this experience?"

Fei Xian smiled faintly before answering.

"If you have an instrument, I would be more than happy to."

The girl gestured to the boy, who disappeared into the shadows and soon returned with a guqin, handing it to the girl in the wheelchair. He then wheeled her closer to Fei Xian.

"Here, please speak to me through this," the girl said, presenting the guqin to Fei Xian.

Fei Xian took the instrument, considering what to play. She decided on a piece that might resonate with the Child of Fate's experiences: the connection to the River of Fate, the prison-like confines of her life, her extraordinary ability to see all lives, and the tragic drawback of being unable to see or walk. A bittersweet melody, walking a fine line between beauty and sorrow.

The hall fell silent as Fei Xian played, pouring her emotion into every note. Her mastery was evident, and Bai Yuan was moved to tears.

But during the performance, Yue Ying acted, attempting to attack Fei Xian. She was easily subdued, frustration flashing across her face.

"Don't worry, sister," Fei Xian said in a sultry, calm voice. "What I am doing will restore your memories and abilities."

Over time, Yue Ying's resistance faded. Bai Yuan wiped away her tears and regained her composure.

"If you wish to traverse the River of Fate in your quest for the Moon Palace, you first need to know who you truly are."

"I already know who I am," Fei Xian replied.

"Are you sure?" Bai Yuan asked.

"Yes," she confirmed.

"Then this is the key you seek," Bai Yuan said, handing a mirror to Fei Xian. "As long as you truly know and accept yourself, traversing the River of Fate will be effortless with it."

Fei Xian took the mirror, but as her fingers touched its handle, a sudden unease gripped her, as if someone were about to strip her bare. She steeled herself and gazed into its surface. First, her reflection appeared. Then clouds of fog swirled within the glass. Sigils flared along the mirror's surface, and a silhouette began to emerge. But just as it started to take shape, the mirror darkened and the fog cleared.

"What happened?" Fei Xian asked Bai Yuan, the Child of Fate.

"As I said, the mirror will only allow entry if you truly know yourself. So, who are you?" Bai Yuan asked.

Fei Xian thought for a moment before answering, "Nagong Wan."

The mirror glowed. A silhouette formed, only to collapse almost immediately.

"What is wrong with this mirror? That is who I truly am," she protested.

"As I said, as long as you know yourself, entry is inevitable," Bai Yuan replied.

Fei Xian thought for a moment, then spoke firmly. "I see what you are doing, and it won't work. I am Nagong Wan, daughter of Nangong Hui, younger sister to Nangong Ling. I do not believe in the Sang name, and I will not let this mirror force me."

The mirror flared. The silhouette condensed into the form of a young girl, then a string appeared, connecting it to another silhouette. The glass went dark again.

"What's the next step?" Fei Xian asked.

"You're not done yet. The silhouette must be filled. All the masks must come off," Bai Yuan said.

Fei Xian felt even more anxious. Her script-reading ability hadn't prepared her for this. She paused, almost wanting to laugh at the declaration she had just made, before steadying herself. If all the masks she had worn over the years had to be revealed, then so be it.

"I am Sang Zhu, the leader of both the Black Lotus and the Ghost Shadow Gang."

The mirror flickered. Another image of a girl formed, then collapsed, a new strand attaching itself to the mirrored silhouette as its edges became more defined.

"I am Xia Qingluo, a former courtesan and the ex-wife of Chen Xiao."

An image of an elegant woman appeared, only to dissolve. Another thread condensed, weaving itself into the silhouette, sharpening its outline.

"I am Qiao Rouyan, the elder sister of everyone in Qian Fu Hall, and the best friend of Zui Zhen—now Mo Yan."

This time, the image of the famed Rouyan appeared—nearly identical to her current form—before dissolving. Another thread formed.

"I am Zhang San, royal advisor to the Second Prince."

A male figure emerged, then collapsed. The silhouette behind the mirror grew more defined with the added thread, though its form remained blurred.

"I am Fei Xian—the number one beauty of Xianyang, and the archenemy of the main character, Zhao Mingyu… Mingyao."

A hazy face appeared, its features indistinct, eyes flickering before condensing into the growing form.

Yue Ying felt unsettled by the cascade of revelations—by the sheer number of identities her supposed sister had worn. The threads now fully intertwined, the image within the mirror began to take shape. Yet just before completion, it melted into nothingness.

Fei Xian frowned, unsure of what was happening, and turned to Bai Yuan for guidance.

Bai Yuan studied her for a long moment before speaking. "You still haven't revealed who you are."

"But I have," Fei Xian said. "I've revealed all my identities in this world. Unless…"She paused, realization dawning.

"The author won't like this, but…" She inhaled. "I am Baek Seri—a South Korean child actress and K-pop star. A transmigrator into this strange world."

The mirror flared, glowing with an intense, blinding light as an image finally began to materialize.

Fei Xian gazed at the image, unable to comprehend what she was seeing. The figure reflected in the mirror was Gu Caiwan—one of the story's main antagonists. Through her trait, Script Reading, Fei Xian could glimpse potential outcomes of the story, making her familiar with many named characters, including Gu Caiwan, the High Princess of the Gu Clan.

"Why am I seeing Gu Caiwan?" Fei Xian asked.

Bai Yuan nodded once before answering, "That mystery will be resolved in time."

The image dissolved, clouds seeping from the surface of the mirror.

"You have been granted access," Bai Yuan said calmly.

"What about her?" Fei Xian asked, glancing toward Yue Ying.

"She must use the mirror as well."

Fei Xian placed the mirror into Yue Ying's resisting hands. It shimmered brightly, revealing the image of a rabbit before swallowing her whole.

"That's it?" Fei Xian asked, confused.

She picked up the fallen mirror from where Yue Ying had stood. After a brief pause, she placed her own hand against its surface.

"I suppose this will be faster than I thought."

The mirror flared once more—and then absorbed her.