Chapter 5: The Astonishing Identity of Xuan Ningyue

When he opened his eyes and looked at the girl before him, a subtle flicker passed through his gaze, vanishing in an instant.

At this moment, the aura of primal energy surging from her was on par with his own—indeed, she was a first-level Earth-Primal realm cultivator!

Unlike before, Xuan Ningyue’s expression was now cold and aloof, her eyes deep and unfathomable.

Moonlight streamed through the window and bathed her figure, making her appear like a celestial moon goddess descended to earth. She exuded a noble and elegant aura unique to those of high status—a presence reserved for the helm of a formidable faction.

The contrast with her earlier encounter with Bai Ling was as vast as heaven and earth.

Xuan Ningyue’s face remained indifferent, her cold gaze fixed on Bai Zhentian without a word of response.

“Considering you and Ling have grown up together and share a close bond, and that you brought a Fourth-Rank Primal Essence Pill... but if you harbor any ulterior motives, I advise you to leave swiftly. I will find a reason to inform Bai Ling myself!” Bai Zhentian slowly closed his eyes and spoke with icy resolve.

His cultivation had recovered, but no threat to Bai Ling’s life would be tolerated. Even though the girl before him had grown up alongside Bai Ling, she had vanished for three years!

One cannot rely solely on past affections to judge a person—even childhood sweethearts.

Over the years, aside from himself, he held a trace of suspicion toward everyone, a habit forged over eighteen years.

“Of course, it’s for him,” Xuan Ningyue stated expressionlessly.

The “him” she referred to was naturally Bai Ling.

“A common person would never leap three great realms in three years. It seems your background is not simple at all,” Bai Zhentian sneered.

“Third Uncle, I address you as such because you are Bai Ling’s elder. But I am merely a scavenger girl from Liuyue City,” Xuan Ningyue said coldly.

Bai Zhentian raised a brow. She spoke of her identity three years ago, which he knew well. Yet, in those missing years, she had transformed from a mortal into a powerful Earth-Primal cultivator, forcing him to be on guard.

Xuan Ningyue took a deep breath and began recounting the past: “Thirteen years ago, a rumor spread throughout the Luo Xuan Empire—known to all—that the emperor rejoiced at the empress’s pregnancy and, before birth, named the child Princess Ningyue.

“At her birth, a strange phenomenon occurred. The empress died in childbirth, and the late emperor was furious, branding the girl a demonic fetus and a curse. He raised her until she was three, then expelled her from the imperial city...”

Bai Zhentian’s pupils contracted sharply as he exclaimed, “Could it be that you are that Princess Ningyue?!”

He was lost in deep recollection. The girl before him had grown up beside Bai Ling, and he knew Bai Ling only ever called her Yueyue—never her full name.

His expression darkened; everyone in Liuyue City was aware of this rumor, but Bai Zhentian had never taken it seriously. He never imagined that the scavenger girl by Bai Ling’s side held such a transcendent identity.

“So, during those missing three years, did you go to the imperial royal family?”

Bai Zhentian looked at the silent Xuan Ningyue, already knowing the answer.

“But the rumor says your father called you a demonic fetus and expelled you from the royal capital when you were young. Don’t you resent him?” Bai Zhentian asked suspiciously.

Xuan Ningyue remained silent.

A heavy stillness hung in the air.

Frowning slightly, Xuan Ningyue slowly turned to gaze at the bright moon outside the window. “Three years ago, your primal energy began to fade, and no one remained to protect Bai Ling. You ought to understand the presence of the Star Commander better than anyone. As for Ji Kun, he has fulfilled his dream and become the lord of a city. With his cultivation, if the pursuers come, he alone might...”

Bai Zhentian’s face changed dramatically. “You actually know the Star Commander? Damn those scoundrels! They’re truly relentless!”

“Ling Gege is the most important person in my life. I only wish for him to live safely and happily. That is why I went to the Luo Xuan royal family!” Xuan Ningyue’s beautiful eyes closed gently as she spoke softly.

“The path of cultivation is harder than ascending to the heavens. Yet you reached the Earth-Primal realm in three years. It seems your father treated you well,” Bai Zhentian said with a trace of admiration.

Xuan Ningyue said nothing, standing quietly by the window, her face expressionless like a lonely, cold moon in the sky.

“Ji Jiuer was likely introduced by a master to join the Shengyuan Immortal Palace. That master must be you!” Bai Zhentian’s eyes flickered as he suddenly recalled the connection.

Ji Kun’s daughter, Ji Jiuer, had indeed joined the Tianji Pavilion within the empire through her father’s influence, but recently rumors spread that the Shengyuan Immortal Palace had accepted a prodigiously talented female disciple, even taken in as the sect leader’s personal disciple—proof of her astounding talent!

When Bai Zhentian mentioned Ji Jiuer, Xuan Ningyue’s figure trembled violently, and a fierce killing intent erupted from within her delicate frame. Every word she uttered was sharp and resolute: “Hmph, Ji Jiuer... she will surely regret it!”

“Then why have you returned today?” Bai Zhentian changed the subject and asked.

“I want to take him away from Liuyue City and bring him to the royal family,” Xuan Ningyue revealed her purpose.

“Impossible!” Bai Zhentian refused decisively.

“Why? Liuyue City’s primal energy resources are scarce, yet I am the current emperor. All resources can be devoted to him,” Xuan Ningyue countered, dropping another heavy revelation.

“The reigning emperor of the Luo Xuan Empire is you?” Bai Zhentian’s face was filled with disbelief.

“That’s right!”

“Then all the more reason not to go,” Bai Zhentian said wryly.

“Why?” Xuan Ningyue whirled around abruptly, confusion creasing her brows.

“The path of cultivation is not one that resources alone can guarantee instant advancement. What matters most is one’s ‘comprehension.’ You’ve already entered the Earth-Primal realm and know well the hardships of these three realms. I suppose you have endured countless trials to reach this point. If I’m right, your adversaries within the imperial court are many, and your position at the top is far from secure,” Bai Zhentian explained.

“I know you fiercely protect him. I imagine you’ve scoured all the historical records of the Luo Xuan Empire, yet nowhere is it recorded why Bai Ling hasn’t awakened. So you must have found an alchemist and paid a heavy price to get the Fourth-Rank Primal Essence Pill, hoping to awaken Bai Ling’s bloodline. Am I correct?” Bai Zhentian smiled gently as he analyzed the situation.

When Bai Zhentian mentioned her unstable reign, Xuan Ningyue’s body trembled, and shock flashed across her face. The elderly man before her had nearly hit the mark with his analysis.

“Long ago, in a distant age, several top-tier champions were born, including those of other races. Over time, humanity has multiplied, and all descendants inherit their ancestral bloodlines to varying degrees. Every human is born with some trace of these bloodlines, differing only in strength. Thus, all humans are destined to awaken innate bloodlines!”

This information was well known to all.

Xuan Ningyue asked in puzzlement, “But Ling Gege is already an adult—why hasn’t he awakened?”

“Because... when he was still a fetus, just forming in the womb, his innate bloodline was forcibly extracted. That pill you gave him wouldn’t awaken him; instead, it would cause his body to explode!” Bai Zhentian said with a sorrowful expression.

“What did you say? Ling Gege...” Xuan Ningyue could no longer restrain her emotions, her beautiful eyes widening in disbelief.

“That’s right,” Bai Zhentian took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

“Does Ling Gege know his true origin?” she asked.