Chapter Six: Bai Yue’s Heart Is Finally Unburdened

Over the years, Bai Yue had always been troubled by the mystery of her origins. She kept wondering, if she were not a half-human, half-demon, then this tragedy would never have unfolded. Her mother, Bai Lingxuan, would not have died for her, sacrificing herself in the blood exchange. The will written in blood—before arriving at the Demon Emperor’s Palace, Bai Yue did not understand its contents, but now she did.

Her father was Feng Xiu, the Demon God Emperor…

Looking at Bai Nianxuan, whose features resembled her own by seven-tenths, Bai Yue reached out and took her small hand. “Nianxuan, I haven’t been able to see things as clearly as you.”

To be honest, Bai Nianxuan’s earlier words were far beyond what a seven-year-old should have been able to say. Bai Yue gazed at her with loving affection. Such precocious wisdom meant Nianxuan was exceptionally intelligent—perhaps her talent for cultivation was strong as well.

Thinking of this, Bai Yue’s eyes were tinged with emotions yet unspoken. Perhaps her mother’s regrets would be fulfilled in Bai Nianxuan.

“Big sister…” Bai Nianxuan whispered, “Why is there a ball of light in your stomach?”

“What!” Bai Yue was startled. She jumped to her feet and touched her flat abdomen with her free left hand. She sensed nothing unusual.

“It’s true,” Nianxuan’s black eyes rested on her stomach. “I can see it moving—a warm golden light. I can feel its heartbeat of life.”

Bai Yue was stunned for a moment, then her gaze softened. Her beautiful eyes shone with gentle affection—an expression of tenderness.

“Am I pregnant…?” she murmured.

Nianxuan shook her head. “I don’t know.” She only saw a ball of light gathered in Bai Yue’s abdomen, nothing more.

Upon hearing this, Bai Yue spoke to her softly, “Nianxuan, no matter what you see, you mustn’t tell anyone else.”

Although Bai Yue was unable to cultivate, she was no fool. From Nianxuan’s abilities, she could guess her talent was extraordinary. The hope of the Bai family rested on her young cousin’s shoulders. The greater her talent, the greater the hope for the Bai family’s rise.

Bai Yue’s expression grew resolute. Nianxuan was right—no matter what happened, she must be strong. Her gaze unconsciously drifted to her own stomach. Children sometimes see things adults cannot. There was a good chance she was pregnant. This was the fruit of her love with Long Xingyu. She would protect their child with all her heart.

“Mhm.” Nianxuan nodded to show she understood.

“Sister, are we sleeping here tonight?” Nianxuan asked quietly, her gaze fixed on the bed in the palace chamber. They were in a side hall of the palace—otherwise, there wouldn’t have been a bed.

“Mhm.” Bai Yue responded softly. “If you’re afraid, just tell me. I’ll tell you a story to help you sleep.”

“Mm-mm!” Nianxuan walked with her tiny legs to sit on the bed, looking at Bai Yue with hopeful eyes. “Sister, what stories can you tell? I want to hear them all.”

Bai Yue moved to sit beside her and spoke gently, “I can only tell you stories from the Priest’s Sanctuary.”

“Did Aunt ever tell you any?”

“What kind of stories?”

“Stories of the Goddess of Life.” Bai Yue’s voice became even gentler. “The deity worshipped in the Priest’s Sanctuary is the Goddess of Life. Besides her, the Sanctuary also carries the legacy of the Goddess of Nature.”

“I’ve never heard of that!” Nianxuan’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I want to hear!”

Bai Yue smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I heard these stories from an elder priest of the Sanctuary.”

“The Goddess of Life and the Goddess of Nature are sisters, and they are the origin of the priest’s vocation. Before the demon race descended upon the Sacred Demon Continent, our human race was the strongest on this land. We possessed unmatched magical power, as well as the forces of light and wind. Only a select few possessed these powers, though. The Goddess of Life and the Goddess of Nature were the first and second Children of Life in the Priest’s Sanctuary.”

“They established the principles of life, light, and water. But when the demon race arrived, the sisters sacrificed their divine powers to save the suffering masses, vanishing from the Sacred Demon Continent. That is why, every time the demon race waged war against humans, no gods ever appeared.”

“The gods died to protect humanity. The elder told me the legacy of the Goddess of Life is hidden in a secret place within the Sanctuary, unknown to most. The legacy of the Goddess of Nature is kept within the Dream Paradise at Zhen Nan Pass.”

Bai Yue spoke slowly, sharing the hidden secrets of the Priest’s Sanctuary—knowledge unknown to outsiders.

She had learned this only because that elder had confided in her. By rights, Bai Yue’s status should not have allowed her to know.

Nianxuan paused, then asked, “Why is the legacy of the Goddess of Life hidden, while the legacy of the Goddess of Nature is known? Why?”

“I once asked the same question,” Bai Yue replied, smiling gently at her. “The elder told me life is different. The legacy of the Goddess of Nature is not limited to life—it includes light and water. But the legacy of the Goddess of Life can only be awakened by a Child of Life in the Sanctuary whose innate spiritual power exceeds ninety.”

“That is why, since the fall of the Goddesses, the Priest’s Sanctuary has languished.”

Nianxuan lowered her head, feeling disheartened for the Sanctuary. Priests were not meant to be so downtrodden!

“Out of all six great Sanctuaries, the Priest’s Sanctuary is the weakest, but I hope to see its resurgence in my lifetime.” Bai Yue placed her hand gently on Nianxuan’s head, stroking her hair.

Bai Yue knew it was unfair to Nianxuan. She was only seven, yet she was burdened with so many responsibilities.

“I will bear this responsibility…” Nianxuan murmured, a flash of determination in her mind.

“Sister, I will make the Priest’s Sanctuary stronger than any other. I will restore its glory.”

Hearing Nianxuan’s words of ambition, Bai Yue’s face blossomed with a smile. She did not take the child’s words to heart, for Nianxuan was just a child. Even if she were given decades, she could not change the Sanctuary’s fate after six thousand years.

Over those millennia, the Sanctuary had produced remarkable talents, but even they could not transform its fortunes.

“Sister, do you not believe in me?”

“Of course I believe in you.”

“You are the Bai family’s only hope. What others cannot do, you surely can.”

As Bai Yue finished speaking, a strange voice sounded from the side hall’s doors.

“Your Highness, these are treasures His Majesty selected from the vault. Please accept them.”

Bai Yue was stunned, then replied, “No need. Please leave.”

Nianxuan tugged at Bai Yue’s sleeve and whispered, “Sister, if you don’t take them, won’t they just go to someone else?”

“His attempt to make amends is his concern. You can accept them without forgiving him!”