Heaven Dou Imperial City, the Dugu Mansion.
While his Mirror Clone, Ye Xiuquan, was assisting the allied forces of the Heaven Dou Empire and Spirit Hall in steadily advancing their campaign to unify the continent, Ye Yu himself was busy on another front.
He was helping Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling complete the Nine Trials of the God of Destruction and the Goddess of Life, while also personally guiding Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Huo Wu, and Shui Bing'er in their cultivation.
Of course, another had recently joined their ranks—Hu Liena.
When the others learned that both Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling had obtained the opportunity to ascend to godhood, none of them were willing to fall behind. Each strove with determination, hoping that once they discovered a God's Inheritance Ground, they too might be acknowledged by a god and receive the Nine Trials of God.
That was their chance to ascend to godhood.
For after Ye Yu displayed power on par with the gods themselves, the women already understood one thing clearly—Ye Yu had essentially reached divinity, possessing a near-eternal lifespan.
If they wished to remain at his side forever, then they too had no choice but to become gods!
That day, outside the gates of the Dugu Mansion.
A woman dressed in black, appearing to be in her early twenties, walked up to the entrance.
She wore a tight black leather dress that accentuated her striking curves, while her long, slender legs exuded both strength and allure. Her lustrous black hair was coiled neatly at the back of her head like that of a noblewoman, and her beautiful face radiated refinement and charm.
It was none other than Zhu Zhuyun.
"Sir," she said with a smile to the gatekeeper, her voice polite yet alluring. "I'm here to see Miss Zhu Zhuqing. Could you please inform her for me? Just tell her that her elder sister has come."
As she spoke, Zhu Zhuyun handed over a heavy pouch of gold spirit coins.
When the gatekeeper glimpsed the golden gleam inside the slightly open pouch, his eyes widened, and he could hardly restrain his excitement.
"This noble lady, you are far too polite!" he said obsequiously. "Since you are Miss Zhuqing's elder sister, it is naturally my duty to report your visit. Please, wait here a moment."
Though his words were humble, his hands were swift. He tucked the pouch into his robe without hesitation before hurrying into the mansion.
Zhu Zhuyun's luck that day was rather good.
After long days of cultivation, Ning Rongrong had just suggested to Ye Yu that he take them out for some fun. Ye Yu agreed, and most of the girls went along.
But Zhu Zhuqing and Huo Wu were cultivation fanatics.
Both declined. One remained in the Dugu Mansion to train diligently, while the other was immersed in practice at Blazing Academy.
Thus, when the gatekeeper came to the window of Zhu Zhuqing's room, he found her alone. Bowing respectfully, he called out:
"Miss Zhuqing, there is a lady outside the mansion who wishes to see you. She claims to be your elder sister. Would you like to meet her?"
Inside, Zhu Zhuqing sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, cultivating. Upon hearing his words, she slowly opened her eyes, her delicate brows knitting as a complex look flickered across her cold, beautiful face.
"So, she actually came to find me?" she murmured.
After a long silence, she finally rose, pushed open the door, and said to the gatekeeper, "Where is she? Take me to her."
Following his lead, Zhu Zhuqing soon arrived at the mansion's gate, where she laid eyes on the elder sister she had not seen in years—Zhu Zhuyun.
"Zhuqing, it's been so long!"
Relief flashed in Zhu Zhuyun's eyes as a smile spread across her face.
"What are you doing here?" Zhu Zhuqing asked coolly.
"I've already broken off my engagement with Dai Mubai," Zhu Zhuqing continued, her tone frosty. "The clan, in order to appease the Star Luo royal family, has already expelled me. What more is there to discuss?"
"Zhuqing, you misunderstand," Zhu Zhuyun sighed, shaking her head. "Father expelling you from the clan was actually to protect you, to give you the freedom to pursue your own path."
Her expression grew serious.
"I came this time for something very important—something that concerns the survival of our parents and the entire clan. But this isn't the place to talk. Could we go inside, somewhere more private?"
She looked at her sister with hopeful eyes.
Zhu Zhuqing was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "Very well. Come with me."
She led her sister into the Dugu Mansion, to her own room. After closing the door, she gestured for Zhu Zhuyun to take a seat at the table.
Zhu Zhuqing sat opposite her, eyes cold. "Now you can explain. Why exactly have you come?"
"Zhuqing… I truly wasn't wrong about you," Zhu Zhuyun said softly, her tone filled with relief. "You still care for Father, Mother, and the clan."
"But before I tell you about that, there's something else—something between you and me."
Her eyes reddened as she spoke, her voice trembling with sincerity.
"All these years, I did care about you as my younger sister."
Looking directly at Zhu Zhuqing, Zhu Zhuyun revealed the truth behind her past cruelty.
"It may have looked as if I was always oppressing you. But you know as well as I do, if I had truly wanted you dead, it would have been all too easy. Yet every time, I held back. I pretended to go all out against you, while always leaving you a chance to survive."
"I did it because I didn't want to die, but I also didn't want you to throw away your life for me. That was why I acted that way."
Her gaze turned heavy.
"But now, with the help of your lover Ye Yu, the Heaven Dou Empire and Spirit Hall are on the verge of unifying the continent. With his godlike power, the Star Luo Empire cannot possibly escape its fate."
"Our clan has intermarried with the Star Luo royal family for generations. Once the Star Luo Empire falls, both the royal house and our clan will surely face annihilation."
She drew in a breath. "That is why I came."
Zhu Zhuqing's brows furrowed, and though her heart wavered at the revelation of the past, her voice was firm.
"Elder Sister, I am glad to know the truth now. But if you want me to betray Ye Yu for the sake of the clan, then you can stop here. I will never agree!"
Her words were cold and resolute.
But Zhu Zhuyun gave a helpless smile and shook her head.
"Zhuqing, you misunderstand again. Even if you betrayed Lord Ye Yu, what difference would it make? Do you think our Star Luo Empire could resist someone who can overturn the heavens with a single strike?"
"No. I came here because I want you to convey a message to Lord Ye Yu: the Hell Spirit Cat Clan is willing to submit to him and act as his inside agent."
"We will help him take Star Luo Empire more easily and then serve as one of the pillars supporting the Heaven Dou Empire's rule over Star Luo."
"All we ask is that, once he and Spirit Hall have unified the continent, he put in a good word for us—so that our clan may preserve its wealth and honor. And… if possible, grant the White Tiger Clan a chance to survive as well, sparing them from extermination."
Her voice was filled with sincerity and pleading as she looked into her younger sister's eyes.