Chapter 1372, Coming Across the Source of the Power of Darkness; The Mysterious Ardent Ruins Cave Master

Translator: Fate

Translation Checker: Silavin

 

“Greetings, Your Highness…” The Great Deity General, Zhu Cangning, was clad in casual clothes. His facial features were clearly defined and he had a deep gaze. It was apparent that he was a determined person who had gone through the vicissitudes of life.

 

Upon registering Princess Weiyang’s presence, he was finally relieved. He quickly saluted her.

 

“Please drop the formality, General. What is it that you need to tell me?” Jiang Weiyang was perplexed.

 

Zhu Cangning did not directly answer her question. Instead, he looked around. When he was certain that no one else was around, he said solemnly, “Don’t be confused, Your Highness. I’ll tell you everything and clear the doubts you have as of late. I’ve set up a Deception Array Seal within the Serene House. No one will be able to find out what is going on here for the time being, not even the Emperor. I’ll also come up with a way to erase part of your maidservant’s memories.”

 

Upon hearing that, Jiang Weiyang was startled. Then, her expression turned solemn.

 

Zhu Cangning’s seriousness showed the severity of the matter.

 

During this period, she was puzzled as to why her Father had been acting strangely. He did not seem like his usual self. Therefore, she speculated that the Main Happiness Celestial Dynasty might have come across some danger.

 

Or, perhaps her Father had predicted an upcoming calamity, which was why he had been acting oddly.

 

It was for this reason that she readily accepted the Main Happiness Emperor’s arrangements for the sake of the Celestial Dynasty.

 

Zhu Cangning was the Great Deity General of the Main Happiness Celestial Dynasty, so there was no way he would lie to the Princess.

 

“After you returned from the Flourishing Light Ancient Territory, I’m sure that you’ve noticed the Emperor’s odd behaviour. I’ve been working for him for a long time. Before he even built the Main Happiness Celestial Dynasty, I had followed him to wage wars against many Forces and made great contributions. So, I believe that I understand him well enough. Everyone can tell that His Majesty dotes on you. There’s no way he’ll hastily choose a Husband for you.” Zhu Cangning sighed and started explaining it to her.

 

Jiang Weiyang nodded meditatively. She agreed with what the older man had said. At the same time, this was what she did not understand.

 

“I know what you mean, General. However, why is my Father behaving like this? Has anything happened that I’m not aware of?” She asked.

 

During this period, the situation in the Main Happiness Celestial Dynasty had been peaceful. They were not in turmoil because of the Black Disaster, nor did they join the Righteous Alliance.

 

Was it merely the calm before the storm?

 

“I suspect that he has been corrupted by Dark Concentrate…” Zhu Cangning stared at her and shook his head. He only spoke solemnly after a moment of silence. His tone was gloomy and tinged with a sense of fear and unease that he couldn’t put in words.

 

This kind of unease came from the fear of the unknown.

 

That was because he did not know why even the Main Happiness Emperor had been corrupted by Dark Concentrate.

 

“What!?” Jiang Weiyang felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her eyes behind the white cloth widened in disbelief. She was rooted to the spot and couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

 

Her Father was a gallant and powerful man who was revered by countless people. He too git affected by Dark Concentrate? [How is that possible? Why would such a thing happen to Father of all people?]

 

Zhu Cangning already expected Jiang Weiyang to react this way.

 

When he formed this speculation back then, he was just as shocked as she was now. He could not calm down for a long time.

 

Certainly, he could not guarantee that this speculation was right. However, all the traces pointed to this possibility.

 

“General, what makes you form this speculation?” Jiang Weiyang forced herself to calm down, but her voice was shaky. It was tinged with fear.

 

To her, the news felt like the sky had collapsed. It was horrifying and inconceivable.

 

Zhu Cangning said solemnly, “Back then, to look for an opportunity to breakthrough, High Majesty went to different Spacetimes. There was once when he came across a horrifying enemy. He was badly injured and almost couldn’t come back. Only a few people in the Main Happiness Celestial Dynasty are aware of it and I’m one of them.”

 

Jiang Weiyang was flabbergasted as she found it inconceivable. Her Father was almost invincible, but he was still badly injured and nearly couldn’t come back. The enemy must be terrifying.

 

However, her Father had never told her about it.

 

“He told me that the person was the most horrifying being he had ever come across. At that time, he speculated that an unimaginable calamity would strike the Boundless Expanse one day. The scene he accidentally saw in the depths of Spacetime might have something to do with the future of the Boundless Expanse. The terrifying darkness is brewing in the depths of Spacetime. It’s like a volcano that has been dormant for countless epochs. It’s merely waiting for a chance to erupt.” Zhu Cangning continued to speak with a solemn expression.

 

At the mention of this, he felt helpless and found it difficult to breathe. He could already envision violent wars and endless darkness.

 

“You mean my Father bumped into the source of that darkness in the depths of Spacetime?” Jiang Weiyang was clever, so she was able to quickly figure out what Zhu Cangning meant. Her face turned pale and her body quivered. At the same time, she felt an indescribable sense of fear and pressure.

 

“I don’t know. It’s just my speculation. As for why he told me about it at that time, I don’t understand it either. Perhaps there was an underlying meaning behind his words. If not for his strange behaviour lately, I wouldn’t have formed this kind of speculation. That’s because his injury has never healed. It’ll seize him from time to time, and he needs to suppress it.” Zhu Cangning sighed, looking helpless.

 

Jiang Weiyang fell silent. If Zhu Cangning never told her about it, she would never have found out.

 

Certainly, it might be because she was still sealed in a Dao Source and was not born yet when those incidents happened.

 

Given her Father’s temperament, he would not take the initiative to tell her such matters, for that would only make her worried.

 

“I suspect that His Majesty is hastily choosing a Husband for you because he’s worried no one will protect you after he’s gone. So, he’s made this arrangement to ensure your future safety. Even His Majesty doesn’t have the power to get rid of Dark Concentrate. Ministers or Generals like us have no idea how to help him. And once this news spread, it’ll be disastrous for the entire the Main Happiness Celestial Dynasty. The consequences will be dreadful. I only decided to tell you about it after some serious deliberation.” Zhu Cangning was still solemn.

 

Jiang Weiyang still could not recover from the astonishing news.

 

She did not know what she should do. At that moment, she felt deeply helpless.

 

She was only a young and inexperienced woman. She had been well-protected since a young age and had never experienced any real storms. She was a true Princess who did not know how to solve such major issues.

 

At that moment, she was anxious and her mind was blank. She did not know how to deal with all of this.

 

Certainly, she understood what Zhu Cangning meant. He was persuading her not to be wayward for the sake of the Kingdom. She should not take this marriage lightly, for it might affect her future.

 

“Fuyi is my Grandson, and I’ve watched him grow up. He’s kind-hearted and reliable. There’s no doubt he’s talented. I’m sure you’d seen how strong he is at the pavilion, Your Highness. During this period, I’m worried you’ll come across a lot of trouble. May I suggest that Fuyi stay by your side and help resolve your trouble for the time being? He’ll carefully help you choose the right Husband.”

 

Zhu Cangning suddenly cupped his fists and spoke.

 

Jiang Weiyang’s head was buzzing as she still had not recovered from the shock. When she heard the older man’s words all of a sudden, she was startled.

 

[What does he mean by that?] Although she was anxious, she was not foolish. The Great Deity General might seem kind-hearted to tell her all these, but he had an ulterior motive as well.

 

By letting his Grandson stay by her side, was he hoping that Zhu Fuyi would be able to win her heart?

 

“Many thanks, General.” Jiang Weiyang had no idea what intention Zhu Cangning had in mind. At this point, she found it difficult to turn him down.

 

Zhu Cangning finally put on a smile. He was relieved.

 

Although what he had just said was shocking, it was not unfounded. It was his speculation and he was indeed worried.

 

If something went wrong with the Main Happiness Emperor, the Main Happiness Celestial Dynasty would be at risk of falling apart.

 

By then, the person behind the Main Happiness Emperor would make a move. The presence of that person would ensure that the Main Happiness Celestial Dynasty would not break apart, and all the problems would be solved.

 

Zhu Cangning had been working for the Main Happiness Emperor for a long time, so he knew that there was a mysterious being behind the Main Happiness Emperor.

 

It was because of the mysterious being that the Main Happiness Emperor attained so many achievements today.

 

Jiang Weiyang was still in a dazed state when she left the Serene House.

 

Zhu Fuyi, who had been waiting there the entire time, quickly followed her and acted like her bodyguard.

 

From afar, he could see his Grandfather Zhu Cangning nodding at him.

 

At that moment, he was thrilled and elated. Right now, his chance of winning the Princess’ heart would be much greater than that of other brilliant young men.

 

…

 

At the same time, inside a desolate palace in the Main Happiness Celestial City, a blind old woman was seated on a cushion. She seemed to be getting some rest.

 

Ye Wudao, who had left the banquet, came to this place with a milder expression. He saluted the old woman. “Senior Sister Xing Ying.”

 

“We haven’t met for a long time. Your cultivation has improved significantly.” The blind old woman inclined her head. Her eyes were silver and carried some beautiful stars. She was Old Lady Xing Ying who used to appear in the Land of Celestial Suffering.

 

She had fled before the Land of Celestial Suffering was destroyed. She no longer cared about its fate.

 

She also ditched her Junior Brother, Bai Mei, who used to be a Star King in the Land of Celestial Suffering.

 

After the demise of the Land of Celestial Suffering, Bai Mei was captured by those from the Primary Hope Holy Church. He was still trapped in their Spacetime prison.

 

Ye Wudao said respectfully, “My cultivation is nothing compared to that of yours.”

 

He had received a voice message from this Senior Sister while on his way here. He was told that she had arrived in the Main Happiness Celestial Dynasty.

 

He was surprised by her voice message and arrival.

 

That was because he rarely came into contact with Old Lady Xing Ying and the others, even though he was from the same Sect as them.

 

When he was younger, he was riding a green bird while an Azure Dragon led the way for him. He arrived at Ardent Ruins Cave, where he cultivated. He acquired some guidance and a lot of benefits from a mysterious being known as Ardent Ruins Cave Master.

 

He could be considered a Disciple of Ardent Ruins Cave.

 

However, Ardent Ruins Cave had a rule. They emphasised fate and regardless of their backgrounds, they could not expose anything about Ardent Ruins Cave to the outside world.

 

Even his Father, the King of the Imperial South Kingdom, was not aware that he had come across this opportunity.

 

The blind old woman before his eyes was a Senior in Ardent Ruins Cave. She was unfathomable.

 

Regardless of how haughty Ye Wudao was, he dared not be disrespectful in front of her.

 

Moreover, in his opinion, the mysterious Ardent Ruins Cave Master was significantly more powerful than his Father, the King of the Imperial South Kingdom.

 

“Since you’ve returned, you shall come with me and present a gift to the Main Happiness Emperor. It seems that you did not manage to win his Daughter’s heart.” Old Lady Xing Ying got up from the cushion and exited the hall.

 

After a moment of hesitation, Ye Wudao followed her. He asked in puzzlement, “What kind of gift are you giving to the Main Happiness Emperor, Senior Sister?”

 

He felt that this Senior Sister was emotionally unstable. She seemed to be suppressing her fury. Moreover, would the Main Happiness Emperor see her if she just went over like this? Did the Main Happiness Emperor have anything to do with Ardent Ruins Cave as well?

 

“There’s no need to ask any questions. The following matter is of benefit to you. Our Master has brought it up. There’s no way Jiang Yun will turn it down.” Old Lady Xing Ying spoke impassively while walking in front of him. She waved her sleeve as the void blurred. A golden path appeared before their eyes and penetrated Spacetime. She then took Ye Wudao with her and left.

 

Only then did Ye Wudao notice she had been holding a square sandalwood box which seemed to carry something. He faintly caught a whiff of blood coming from it.