Jia Ye stared directly at Ye Xiu and explained, "Hong Ling awakened far earlier than I did. By all rights, she should be the leader of the Bone Sect. However, her abilities and memories seem quite chaotic. To say she is just one bone of the Myriad Demon Saint Empress isn't entirely accurate; she possesses the Empress's power, yet she is composed of other physical components as well. I sent her to the Mortal Realm for concealment, never expecting to encounter you and that Daoist priest..."

Ye Xiu felt a bit muddled by this. If this was the case, it seemed Hong Ling gained some of the Myriad Demon Saint Empress's memories when she transformed into Mei Xi. "Then what is the connection between the Myriad Demon Saint Empress and the Boundless Realm?"

"No one truly knows the affairs of antiquity. All I know is that if anyone in this world desires to plunge it into utter chaos again, that woman, the Myriad Demon Saint Empress, must be near them!" Jia Ye felt this keenly. It seemed that whether in the Mortal Realm or other dimensions, this powerful woman was the source of mischief. "I can be certain that the Myriad Demon Saint Empress has some connection to the ancestors of the Bone Sect."

"She has a connection to the Death God too!" Ye Xiu gasped, realizing the only way to uncover the truth would be for the Myriad Demon Saint Empress to reveal it herself. "So, within this Boundless Realm now, is there..."

"The Priestess of the Sorrowful Water River!" Jia Ye's expression grew grave, surprising Ye Xiu. "This Priestess also seems to have a connection to the Myriad Demon Saint Empress, but we cannot define every woman as the true Myriad Demon Saint Empress. I have always believed the Myriad Demon Saint Empress is merely a codename, a symbol for a vast organization!"

Ye Xiu felt his mind reeling. He had met the Priestess of the Sorrowful Water River himself. If the Myriad Demon Saint Empress was an organization, it was terrifyingly expansive. This meant there was a faction of such women across every realm, sowing war and discord—how could the world ever find stability?

Jia Ye waved a hand, signaling Ye Xiu to follow him out of the Finger-Pointing Pavilion. He replied with satisfaction, "I have told you everything you wished to know. You needn't be overly astonished by the Myriad Demon Saint Empress matter; the entire world's operation is already fixed within the balance of the cosmos. It cannot be dictated by one woman!"

"And what about that Soul Soldier Talisman..." Ye Xiu dared to ask, recalling that the Soul Soldier Talisman was something the dark Death God desired. "Can the power of 'Slaying the Monarch of Heaven' be resisted by the Soul Soldier Talisman?"

Jia Ye shook his head, voicing his worry. "The Soul Soldier Talisman was created by the Myriad Demon Saint Empress specifically to bring ruin to the world. Although I can use it to counter the 'Slaying Monarch,' the talisman recognizes a master. If I were gone, the endless hordes of Ancient Fiends would run rampant, endangering all living things!"

"Hoo..." Hearing this, Ye Xiu finally felt some relief. For the wicked, the Soul Soldier Talisman was undoubtedly the best weapon, but its backlash was too catastrophic; not every realm could endure it.

"Please," Jia Ye guided Ye Xiu, indicating the path back toward Lian Tian Lake. "With your cultivation, I assume the thorns in this Lian Tian Lake can no longer hold you back."

"The lake water is strange; I truly don't feel confident." As Ye Xiu stepped forward, astonishing columns of water still erupted from the lake. He turned his head sharply, only to see Jia Ye standing easily on the water's surface, sword in one hand, his back relaxed, gliding towards the shore without disturbing the water enough to create a single splash.

"This..." Ye Xiu found it unbelievable. His own crossing had been so turbulent, yet Jia Ye before him walked as if strolling through a garden, utterly at ease.

Jia Ye looked at Ye Xiu’s astonishment and stated calmly, "The water of Lian Tian Lake is a mirror of the mind’s state. When one achieves the highest good, like water, the heart remains still. With no inner turbulence, the surface becomes solid ground."

Ye Xiu nodded, exhaling deeply. The ability to let go and retract, a tranquil heart—was this the power of Jia Ye, the ruler of Desolate Bone City? With such an aura present, could anyone truly wrest control of the Boundless Realm from him?

"Oh, it seems someone is already waiting for you, Ye Xiu," Jia Ye remarked, pointing toward the lift platform. Jia Yunxin, dressed in pink, was already waving at them.

"Ye Xiu greets the County Princess." Ye Xiu followed Jia Ye over, making sure to pay his respects to Yunxin. In his heart, this woman possessed a gentler side than any other—that exquisite tenderness pierced straight to the soul.

"Yunxin greets Eldest Brother, Young Master Ye." Yunxin was well-read and skilled in the nuances of etiquette. Yet, being a young woman, a certain delicate refinement always clung to her. "So, Eldest Brother took Young Master Ye out for a sparring match? What if Young Master Ye is injured and cannot participate in the subsequent contests?"

"Little Sister is showing concern for others today. This is a first in history. Hahaha." Jia Ye shed his usual imposing air and actually joked with Yunxin.

"Eldest Brother is neglecting the bigger picture today too. This is also a first in history," Jia Yunxin retorted sharply, even teasing her own brother.

"Enough. I must go observe the later matches. Ye Xiu, if you are not busy, please keep my troublesome little sister company." Jia Ye did this intentionally, giving Ye Xiu no chance to object before he headed off toward the lift alone.

"That Eldest Brother is truly annoying. Did he hurt you at all, Young Master Ye?" Yunxin appeared somewhat shy, but her brother's words gave her a welcome opening. "Look, you still have some injuries. That White City Guard Captain was truly overreaching, threatening you with death."

"Uh, County Princess need not worry. I am fine." Ye Xiu was awkward when dealing with women; he felt thoroughly uncomfortable. In his mind, the noble Jia Yunxin was someone utterly beyond his reach. To see her express such delicate, soft concern, just like any ordinary gentlewoman, was unexpected.

"Oh, that’s good. Why must these contests involve actual fighting? What if someone dies..." Yunxin truly struggled to find conversation topics with Ye Xiu, so she could only continue to grumble about the earlier confrontation with White City. "But Ye Xiu, you truly live up to your reputation as a young hero. Even a master at the peak of cultivation lost to you. Truly remarkable."

"The County Princess is too kind. White City's Guard Captain was indeed a master; I only won by a stroke of luck." Ye Xiu wanted to joke with the Princess, but it felt inappropriate. What if she wasn't as easygoing as Qi'er and became enraged, threatening him with something severe?

Yunxin stole a glance or two at Ye Xiu, then lowered her head to fiddle with the ornaments on her skirt. She wanted to say more but wasn't sure what was appropriate.

"I see a flower terrace over there. Perhaps I could accompany the County Princess for a stroll?" Ye Xiu was quick-witted enough to realize that standing there awkwardly wasting time was pointless; it was better to converse with the County Princess for a while.

"That sounds wonderful. Let’s see what flowers are blooming today." Upon mentioning flowers, Yunxin instantly relaxed. The previous awkwardness vanished as they finally found common ground and set off together.

Ye Xiu followed behind Yunxin. There were no maids or attendants in this Lingyun Tower; it must be Jia Ye’s personal place for secluded cultivation. His swordsmanship was profound, likely stemming from deep concentration.

"Right, County Princess, when I sparred with the Grand Sect Master earlier, I noticed his swordsmanship was formidable. I wonder about the skill levels of the other two Sect Masters?" Since time needed filling, Ye Xiu decided to subtly probe for information about the Desolate Bone City royalty from Yunxin.

"Just refer to Eldest Brother. He should possess the highest level of attainment in the Heaven Bone Sword Art in all of Desolate Bone City," Yunxin said without reservation. She held a favorable impression of Ye Xiu, and knowing he was someone her own brother respected, she dropped all guard. "As for Second Brother and Third Brother, their martial cultivation lags far behind Eldest Brother's."

"Oh, I am just a man from the fields and don't know what the Heaven Bone Sword Art is. Would the County Princess enlighten me?" Ye Xiu was polite, seizing the opportunity to learn about the fabled Heaven Bone Sword Art.

Yunxin stopped walking and turned to face Ye Xiu, her cheeks still flushed. "The Heaven Bone Sword Art is the sword control technique passed down from the Bone Sect. Nowadays, only the Desolate Bone royalty and a select few practice it. To my knowledge, Eldest Brother has cultivated his Heaven Bone Sword Art to the Eighth Level. Second Brother has just broken through the Seventh Level. As for Third Brother..."

"Third Sect Master?" Ye Xiu calculated internally. Jia Ye, at only the Eighth Level, already exuded peerless dominance and intense pressure. Yet, when he first witnessed Third Sect Master Jia Luoluo instructing him in the Heaven Mists Sword Moves, the power displayed seemed no less than Jia Ye's or Zixia's. Could it be that Jia Luoluo had also broken through the Eighth Level, or perhaps even higher?

"That's not surprising. My Third Brother usually only cares for fishing and pleasure; he neglects practice. Judging by how he swings his sword, he has barely reached the Fifth Level. The Fifth Level is even lower than the standard of the White City Guard Captain today," Yunxin commented on her third brother bluntly.

"Heh heh, County Princess speaks too strongly. How can a younger sister speak of her brother that way?" Ye Xiu raised an eyebrow, finding Yunxin truly naive—or perhaps everyone was underestimating Jia Luoluo. This man was clearly hiding his strength intentionally. What was his goal? Jiu Liansheng, also a master in the Boundless Realm and a user of a bone sword, might have even learned his Heaven Bone Sword Art from Jia Luoluo.

"Can I call you Ye Xiu directly? Let's talk about something else. See that flower terrace ahead? I guarantee there are many flowers you’ve never seen before." Yunxin was a true admirer of flora and held her own expertise. Displaying one's talent to someone admired was always a delight, especially when that someone was the object of one's affection.

Ye Xiu agreed and followed her. A wave of floral fragrance immediately enveloped him. He hadn't expected that on the other side of Lian Tian Lake lay an actual ocean of flowers—all shapes, colors, and varieties. He recalled briefly encountering a florist owner when he was merely a simple reaper in the Mortal Realm, so he was familiar with flowers.

"Ye Xiu, hurry over and look at these!" Yunxin seemed much more unrestrained here, running and hopping as she pulled Ye Xiu into the floral sea.

"Do you know what these flowers are?" Yunxin asked, pointing to a patch of sunflowers nearby.

These flowers were exceedingly common. Ye Xiu recognized them instantly. "Those are Sunflowers; they always grow facing the sun."

"Wow, I never expected Ye Xiu to know even that!" Yunxin was delighted. She then pulled Ye Xiu toward a sea of purple flowers nearby. "What about those? Do you know what they are?"

"Oh, those are Lavenders, I think." Ye Xiu didn't find it difficult; these few types were very common in the Mortal Realm. His only marvel was the climate on Lingyun Tower—flowers of different seasons bloomed simultaneously. This was truly an anomaly. "And that patch is Tulips, and that one is Carnations..."

Yunxin had never met anyone so knowledgeable about flowers. None of her three elder brothers, nor the two Civil Ministers, possessed such insight. Why was it that Ye Xiu knew their names? She was genuinely overjoyed.