Secret Admiration

Chapter Seventy-Eight

The task issuer was a guest elder from a minor cultivation family in the Stone Dominion. Though he was also at the sixth level of the Golden Core stage, he was much older than Hansu—already two hundred years old. As a Dao cultivator of the Stone Dominion, he seemed to have dabbled somewhat in body refinement techniques. His physique, while not as exaggeratedly muscular as a full-fledged body cultivator—whose muscles threatened to burst their clothes—was nonetheless robust and sturdy, a solidly built man.

He was tall with long legs. Though his complexion was a touch dark and he couldn’t be called handsome in the traditional sense, his powerful male presence added a certain charm. He seemed straightforward and jovial; the moment he saw Hansu’s group, he burst out laughing.

“I told them I could find people, but those fellows didn’t believe me! When have I, Old Duan, ever talked big?” His two companions were both Golden Core cultivators: one at the mid-stage, one at the early stage. Neither spoke, simply turning their heads aside in silence.

Ji Yan, destined to be a sect master, exuded an undeniable air of leadership. He unhesitatingly became leader of their Yao Hua team and stepped forward to ask, “Fellow Daoist, what hidden dangers lie within this task? Why has no one accepted it after so many days? We’re interested, but we won’t jump in blindly.”

Old Duan forced a laugh without answering. Seeing the intent gazes fixed on him, he realized he’d have to be clear or they’d refuse outright. So he began, “You must be outsiders. Around here, undersea palaces appear every few days. But these palaces are unstable—sometimes they even grow legs and run away…”

“So… you might end up wasting your efforts. Some are dangerous—get caught by a broken ward and you might vanish without a trace.”

At this, everyone stared at him. He quickly raised his hand in oath: “I swear, the one I found isn’t that kind of palace! This one’s stable—absolutely no problems. I can’t explain it, but anyone who’s hung around here long can tell the difference. Otherwise, why would I take the risk? It’s just those cowards—no sense of adventure! They hear ‘undersea palace’ and don’t even give it a look.”

“But I promise, there’s no problem, brothers! Trust me—I’m just no good at formations; otherwise, I’d have gone in myself by now.”

Knowing Old Duan’s unreliable manner didn’t inspire trust, his companions nodded in support to lend credibility. The mid-stage Golden Core cultivator said, “I am Yi Fan of the local Rogue Cultivator Alliance. I’ve accompanied Old Duan to explore before. This palace is indeed different, though I can’t guarantee absolute safety. We’re all cultivators—we know fortune favors the bold. It’s up to you if you have the courage and confidence to try.”

After some discussion, the group from the Luo Star Realm decided to go. As Yi Fan had said, fortune favors the bold—when it’s time for a decision, hesitation is a mistake.

Seeing they weren’t deterred, Old Duan praised them heartily and distributed Water-Avoiding Pearls.

Hanshu herself possessed a very high-grade Water-Avoiding Pearl, a gift via Huai Yin from the Jiang family patriarch. Still, since everyone was using the ones provided, she chose not to draw attention by taking hers out. Upon inspection, Old Duan’s pearls, while not high grade, were otherwise sound, so she used his.

The pressure of the deep sea was tremendous. The Water-Avoiding Pearls created a breathable space around them and helped resist the crushing force. But given their modest grade, the closer they got to the seabed, the more it tested their bodies and cultivation. Fortunately, all were at the Golden Core stage. Aside from Lu Tanxian, who felt some discomfort, they all reached the palace safely.

From outside, it appeared as a massive, misty white crystal sphere.

Though shrouded in white mist, as Old Duan had said, the wards of the Crystal Palace had weakened over time. Occasionally, a stray ward would flicker and reveal glimpses inside: carved beams, painted rafters, turquoise tiles, vermillion eaves, jade terraces—a palace fit for an immortal. Sometimes, a glimpse revealed pearls spilling in heaps, dazzling beyond compare. Little wonder Old Duan was so determined to lay claim to it.

Now that they’d arrived, it was time to work.

Before acting, they agreed on some ground rules. The four from Luo Star Realm would handle the wards and restrictions; the three from Stone Dominion would scout ahead and guard the rear. Any spoils would be divided equally, with the main contributor choosing first.

Given what Lu Tanxian had said before, everyone tacitly agreed Hansu would take the lead.

Hanshu didn’t demur. She’d learned from the Celestial Mechanism Hall that her formation skills were now quite respectable, and Immortal Lord Rongling had taught her much besides.

Holding her breath, she reached out, carefully sensing the wards covering the Crystal Palace.

Though the Water-Avoiding Pearl provided a small pocket of air, the pressure at this depth meant she had to use much of her spiritual power to resist it, leaving only a portion available for breaking the wards.

Hanshu had no expectations of help from the others. It was obvious: Zi Huan Shan, jealous of her reputation, had never liked her—she’d only agreed to Hanshu joining under pressure and had been cold ever since. Lu Tanxian was unpredictable, and this whole venture had been her idea; her motives were uncertain. As for Ji Yan—Hanshu didn’t know him well, but seeing Zi Huan Shan act as if she already owned him, Hanshu had already classified him as trouble.

To her surprise, he stepped forward and shielded her with a protective barrier, instantly lightening her burden. She could now devote more energy to breaking the wards, and her efficiency increased greatly. Ji Yan truly deserved his reputation as a prodigy: his barrier was stable and effortless, his strength unfathomable.

Hanshu reminded herself again: there is always someone stronger—pride is a dangerous thing.

The Crystal Palace had likely existed for tens of thousands of years; many wards were damaged, but the methods to break them had long been lost. No wonder it had drifted so long without being breached. If she hadn’t once asked Immortal Lord Rongling about a similar problem while refining a celestial palace, she wouldn’t have succeeded either.

She owed much to her patient and generous teacher.

She didn’t know how long it took; it felt like working through an endlessly recursive math problem from her past life. Only after untangling each interlocked component did she finally break the outer ward—they could now enter.

With a sigh of accomplishment, she finished. The others, waiting by, were all elated.

Old Duan nearly clapped her on the shoulder in awe—she was a genius to unravel such ancient wards! Yet Ji Yan gave him a single glance that sent him scurrying back.

Zi Huan Shan was deeply dissatisfied, especially as Ji Yan kept protecting Hanshu, stoking her jealousy to dangerous levels. Lu Tanxian tried to observe Hanshu’s technique, hoping to steal a few tricks, but Hanshu’s hand seals were too swift and complex to follow. Still, her close attention revealed something interesting: Ji Yan was clearly interested in Hanshu and didn’t even bother to hide it. If these three came to blows, it could be entertaining.

By prior agreement, Old Duan entered first.

They proceeded with caution but encountered no danger.

The inside of the Crystal Palace was beyond words for its exquisite beauty—enough to leave one dizzy. There were no attack formations within. Realizing this, everyone rushed to try to claim the treasures: the sparkling, translucent Ironwood Stone Mountain, the fist-sized Water-Avoiding Pearls embedded in the ceiling—but nothing would budge. No matter the method, tool, or spell, nothing could be taken. Everything was fixed in place. The palace was decorated with countless rare and brilliant materials, but they were only decorations.

Unlike the others’ frenzy, Hanshu wandered through every corner with interest. She thought of Huai Yin—he would absolutely adore such a place. It felt as if it had been designed just for him, every detail arranged with love. Suddenly, her curiosity burned: whose palace was this?

Ji Yan, too, was more interested in Hanshu than the palace’s treasures. For some reason, being near her always felt strangely familiar—intimate, even. The palace evoked a similar feeling, yet also a sense of resentment.

Why was that? Wait—what’s this?

“Huayun pays tribute to Lady Ming on her birthday, may she…” Hanshu read aloud from a small inscription she’d found in an inconspicuous corner.

Each character was strikingly familiar.

Huayun and Lady Ming—weren’t these the two former Realm Lords, friends of Rongling, that Hongyu had spoken of?

So, the esteemed Lord Huayun must have deeply loved Lady Ming. What kind of woman could captivate so many Realm Lords?

Lost in thought, Hanshu didn’t notice Ji Yan’s reaction: his eyes twitched violently, and a strange feeling surged up, as if something inside him was striving to break free. He clutched his chest, stifling a groan of pain.

A heavy hand landed on his shoulder. “Hang in there, brother. I feel your pain—after all that effort, not a thing to show for it. But these are just external things, you know? Not worth getting upset over. Let’s head back; the longer I look, the more it stings. In a bit, my heart might ache as badly as yours,” Old Duan said, pulling faces of exaggerated heartbreak. Ji Yan, usually poised and dignified, could only grit his teeth. He wanted to explain it wasn’t about the treasures, but arguing seemed pointless, so he kept his silence, frustration mounting.

They left empty-handed. Old Duan felt guilty for all Hanshu’s effort in breaking the wards, but Hanshu didn’t mind. She restored all the wards with care, feeling wistful. Had Lord Huayun ever managed to present his gift? Was the broken sentence meant to end with “may she be of one heart with me”?

Perhaps, if they hadn’t intruded today, no one would ever know someone had once collected all these beautiful things, building a palace for the goddess in his heart, only to have it all come to nothing.

Still, Hanshu thought perhaps Rongling should be told—he might find some clue here. She quietly sent him a jade talisman with the news, then returned to Wuting Town.

Though the mission proved fruitless, she made a few acquaintances. Old Duan, feeling responsible, insisted on compensating them. Hanshu seized the chance to ask to join a hunting party, finally fulfilling her wish to witness the local hunters’ ferocity.

The only trouble was, she couldn’t shake Lu Tanxian and her companions.

Upon their return, Hanshu bid them farewell. “I’ll be staying in Wuting Town for a while. Let’s part ways here.”

Before Lu Tanxian could speak, Ji Yan interjected, “Sister Jiang, there’s no need to hurry—we’re heading to Wuting Town as well. We can travel together.”

Zi Huan Shan was resentful, but with the other two welcoming Hanshu so warmly, she could only swallow her frustration and keep a close eye on Ji Yan. Whenever he approached Hanshu, she would instantly follow, refusing to let them be alone.

Lu Tanxian enjoyed the spectacle. If not for her own tasks, she wouldn’t have bothered with the proud Zi Huan Shan. Still, she hadn’t yet tricked her out of that necklace, so she had to keep up the act. Her brother… sometimes affectionate, but severe about certain things—maybe she was overthinking. The necklace didn’t seem special to her, but he valued it for some reason. She wouldn’t rest until she got it. Remembering his methods of persuasion, Lu Tanxian shivered, silently vowing to get it over with as soon as possible.

Author’s Note: Today’s exam lasted until 6:30, so this chapter is late—my apologies. Updates will return to normal from now on.