31: Breakthrough

Seeing the group arrive, Ji Ziyu's worried expression eased considerably, and she hurried forward.

"Yuexi, are you all alright?"

Shangguan Yuexi smiled faintly, "Imperial Mother, we are fine. We were just a little startled!"

Hearing this, Ji Ziyu glanced at Nangong Yu in her arms. At this moment, his eyes were full of curiosity, mixed with a hint of confusion.

Ji Ziyu looked at the hand still covering Nangong Yu's mouth and quickly said, "Yuexi, please take your hand away. Don't cover Yuer!"

Hearing this, Shangguan Yuexi realized her hand was still covering Nangong Yu's mouth, and she quickly let go. "Yuer, I'm sorry. Mommy was a little nervous and forgot to take my hand away."

Nangong Yu didn't cry or fuss. His big eyes blinked and blinked, showing confusion and curiosity.

Seeing this, Shangguan Yuexi knew he wouldn't understand and didn't say anything more.

"Come, let's go inside first!"

Ji Ziyu said, looking at the two of them. Her face showed curiosity mixed with a trace of heartache.

Immediately, she reached out and pulled Shangguan Yuexi toward Shouxian Palace.

Seeing this, Nangong Aotian spoke, "Imperial Mother, I leave Yuexi and Yuer to you. I still need to go and investigate and handle some matters!"

"Alright, be careful!" Ji Ziyu turned to look at him and nodded.

"Your subject understands!"

Nangong Aotian nodded, turned, and left with his attendants.

Ji Ziyu, meanwhile, led Shangguan Yuexi into Shouxian Palace and arrived at her private bedchamber.

A moment later, after listening to the account given by Shangguan Yuexi and the other two, Ji Ziyu couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.

If it weren't for that so-called Mysterious Person, she might never have seen her precious grandson again.

However, alongside her relief, a look of surprise, doubt, and solemnity appeared on her face.

She clearly shared the same doubts and suspicions as Nangong Aotian and the others: what was a Cultivator whose strength was at least above the Late-stage Spirit Venerable Realm doing near the Qingyou Imperial Palace?

And what was his goal?

But these doubts merely flashed through Ji Ziyu's mind. She looked at Yuexi and said, "The Spirit Dispersion Powder is time-sensitive; it will dissolve on its own in a couple of days. From now on, you should live here with This Dowager Empress, so that This Dowager Empress can see my grandson more often!"

"Yes, Imperial Mother!"

Shangguan Yuexi nodded and agreed.

Now the Imperial City was no longer safe. For Nangong Yu's safety, she could only choose to live in the Imperial Palace.

And Shouxian Palace was naturally the best choice!

Seeing Shangguan Yuexi nod, Ji Ziyu's expression brightened slightly. "Cui Zhu, go arrange some rooms and supplies for Yuexi and the others."

"Servant Girl obeys the decree!" Cui Zhu quickly nodded and left with two Palace Maids.

Ji Ziyu and the others chatted for a moment longer, then Cui Zhu walked in and bowed, saying, "Reporting to Empress Dowager, the rooms are ready."

"Good!"

Ji Ziyu nodded, then looked at Shangguan Yuexi and the other two. "You were all frightened today. Go down and rest first, and we can talk tomorrow."

"Yes, Imperial Mother!" Shangguan Yuexi nodded, holding Nangong Yu, and followed a Palace Maid away... Qingyou Imperial Palace, Fengxian Hall.

Fengxian Hall is the Emperor's Bedchamber, and also the place where he usually reviews memorials, Cultivates, and summons consorts for attendance.

At this moment, Nangong Aotian looked at the three elders before him, his expression one of surprise and doubt: "Three Attendants, are you saying that besides the aura of Attendant Liu and the others, there was no aura of the so-called Mysterious Person at the scene?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Logically speaking, since that Mysterious Person took action, there should definitely be some trace of his aura at the scene!"

An elder frowned tightly and continued, "But after our careful investigation, apart from the two Netherworld Hall Assassins and the aura of Attendant Liu and the others, there was no aura belonging to anyone else."

Hearing this, Nangong Aotian couldn't help but frown. Shangguan Yuexi and the others were indeed afflicted by the Spirit Dispersion Powder, and two Netherworld Hall Assassins had indeed died. Shangguan Yuexi and the others couldn't be lying, so what exactly was going on?

Could it be that the Mysterious Person's attack left no trace of aura whatsoever, making it impossible to detect?

Nangong Aotian's brows were tightly locked, his heart filled with doubt and a sense of solemnity.

Just then, the three elders continued, "Your Majesty, the Mysterious Person must indeed exist. This much is certain."

"Oh? How so?" Nangong Aotian raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at the elder who spoke.

He saw the elder ponder for a moment and then say, "There was still residual terror in the eyes of those two Netherworld Hall Assassins, and extremely faint Dark Energy remained in their Dantians and Divine Residences. Clearly, their Nascent Souls and Divine Souls were annihilated by a wave of Dark Energy."

"Not only that, although there was no residual Dark Energy or aura at the point where their necks were broken, the injuries were extremely similar to those caused by Dark Energy corrosion. This was not the power of Attendant Liu and the other two. There must have been a fifth person present at the scene!"

Hearing this, Nangong Aotian nodded, realizing he had considered this possibility as well.

"Never mind. You may leave first. During this period, I trouble your Attendant Hall to pay extra attention."

"Yes!"

Watching the three elders depart, Nangong Aotian's expression was solemn, and he couldn't help but sigh softly: The storm is coming!

...In a certain Bedchamber within Shouxian Palace.

Nangong Yu lay in Shangguan Yuexi's arms. Looking at his Mommy's half-asleep state, he felt a pang of heartache.

He took a deep breath, looked into the shadows, and transmitted a message through thought: "Ying Mei, why didn't you intervene earlier today?"

"The Master said that unless you encounter a life-or-death crisis, I should try not to intervene!"

Hearing this, Nangong Yu's expression froze. He had indeed said that.

"Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore. If such an extremely unfavorable situation arises again, act preemptively to eliminate the danger!"

"Yes, Master!" Ying Mei nodded.

Nangong Yu continued, "The Netherworld Hall has gone too far. Have Earth Leader and the others investigate the Imperial City. Record anyone who is a Netherworld Hall Assassin or anyone who wants to kill Mommy and me. You can resolve them when you have time!"

"Yes, Master!" Ying Mei nodded in response.

Nangong Yu gently waved his hand, signaling Ying Mei to go guard the area. He then took out a Top-Grade grotto-heaven pill, put it directly into his mouth, and began his Breakthrough!

As the grotto-heaven pill melted upon entering his mouth, a mysterious power quickly appeared in his Dantian and intertwined with his Spiritual Power.

Nangong Yu immediately circulated his Cultivation Technique, guiding all his Spiritual Power and that mysterious power into the Conception Vessel of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.

As soon as it reached the Conception Vessel, that mysterious power seemed to be drawn by an unknown force, wrapping around the Spiritual Power and fiercely crashing against the Conception Vessel.

"Hiss!"

Nangong Yu felt a slight throbbing pain coming from the Conception Vessel and couldn't help but gasp lightly.

He raised his eyes to look at Mommy. Seeing that she hadn't been startled awake, he didn't think about it further.

He closed his eyes slightly, continued to circulate his Cultivation Technique, and used his Spiritual Power to impact the Conception Vessel, hoping to Break through to the Grotto Heaven Realm as quickly as possible.