Gu Lianqian bit her lip, her mind a blur, unable to make sense of what they were saying.
What "Lotus Concealed in the Womb"?
How could such a thing be on her?
And why were they all so certain of it...
Gu Lianqian truly could not understand the situation. She could only grip the sword in her hand tightly, adjust her breathing, and attempt to expel the poison from her body.
But soon, she felt her spiritual energy flow becoming sluggish.
Damn it... it was a poison that targeted the meridians.
Gu Lianqian's heart sank instantly.
Although she had retreated as quickly as she could, the enemy had planned this in advance, catching her completely off guard. Even with the speed of a sixth-grade Martial Courage Realm cultivator, she had still been hit.
The poisonous mist had seeped in through her wounds, taking effect rapidly.
And those wounds had been inflicted when she fought with full strength against the Candle-Cutters who had been pursuing those two men.
After all, though Gu Lianqian had little experience in the martial world, she had been personally trained by Gu Yuye. In combat, ordinary opponents could never injure her.
Now, however, those same wounds had become her death sentence.
Gu Lianqian backed away step by step, clenching her teeth tightly. Her eyes, filled with confusion, stared at the two men lying on the ground.
She couldn't understand, she had just saved their lives!
How could they turn on her without a shred of hesitation?
This world was completely different from what she had imagined...
Gu Lianqian wasn't naïve enough to think that everyone was good. After all, Gu Fangchen, who had always been at odds with her since childhood, was the "great villain" in her eyes.
But she had thought the world should at least follow the principle of good and evil being repaid accordingly.
Instead, the young princess, fresh from home, had fallen headfirst into a pit, and, of course, she didn't yet know that the "great villain" was the one who had dug it for her.
Reality struck her hard across the face.
Gu Lianqian's expression turned cold. She glanced around and lifted her sword, forcing herself to stand straight.
"I don't know what this 'Lotus Concealed in the Womb' is, and it's not on me. You've got the wrong person!"
"Lotus Concealed in the Womb"... it must be some kind of heavenly treasure, but she had never even heard of it.
She was certain she had never possessed such a thing. These people were clearly acting on false information deliberately spread by someone!
Although Gu Lianqian was unwilling to use Gu Yuye's name to intimidate others, right now she was completely alone and could only shout coldly, "Since you know I am Gu Lianqian, you should also know the consequences of offending the Northern Garrison Prince's Estate and the Sword Pavilion. Do not bring ruin upon yourselves!"
The leader of the group shook his head and sneered.
"As long as we can get our hands on the 'Lotus Concealed in the Womb,' what does the Northern Garrison Prince's Estate amount to?"
"Five hundred years ago, the Tara Sect rose to prominence because of the 'Lotus Concealed in the Womb.' Five hundred years later, it can once again recreate that miracle."
This was a sacred relic capable of cleansing and reforging one's spiritual roots, something countless cultivators dreamed of obtaining.
Who could resist such a profit, even if it meant snatching chestnuts from the fire?
Gu Lianqian finally understood. This "Lotus Concealed in the Womb" was the legendary lost relic of the Tara Sect.
But why were they so certain it was on her?
Her connection to the Tara Sect was even weaker than Gu Fangchen's!
"I don't understand," she said. "Why do you think the 'Lotus Concealed in the Womb' is on me? I have nothing to do with the Tara Sect!"
One of them interrupted, "The information came from the Sky-Eye Division. How could that be false? I say it must be the Northern Garrison Prince who stole the sacred relic, which is why he forbade you from ever contacting the Tara Sect!"
"You needn't waste time stalling. Those two shadow guards of yours have already been killed."
"Let's all move together. Whoever subdues her first keeps the 'Lotus Concealed in the Womb.'"
The young princess bit her lip. She had indeed been trying to stall for time, hoping her guards could report back.
But now... even they were dead.
Panic rose in her heart. She swallowed hard and tried to calm herself.
According to the storybooks, in moments like this, the enemy was always a disunited mob. Surely they'd turn on each other if she could provoke them just a little...
But she didn't know how!
Tears of frustration welled up inside her. In those books, the protagonist could always see the flaws and rivalries among the enemy at a glance.
But she couldn't even tell which sects or schools these masked figures came from.
How could she possibly sow discord among them?
Gu Lianqian hesitated for a moment, then made up her mind and turned to flee.
She was sixth-grade, true, but these people were at least seventh-grade, and after her battle with the Candle-Cutters, she was already exhausted.
The others froze briefly, then immediately moved to surround her.
Gu Lianqian fought desperately, managing only to slice off one man's arm. Her sword was already at his neck, but she couldn't bring herself to kill him!
That single moment of hesitation cost her dearly. Someone struck her in the back with a heavy palm.
Gu Lianqian's vision went dark, and a metallic taste surged up her throat.
She forced her spiritual energy to flow, leapt high into the air, and burst through the encirclement, fleeing wildly without stopping.
But to her despair, no matter where she ran, she found people pursuing her everywhere...
...
"This matter should have been known only to Caiyong and me!"
When Gu Yuye heard the report from his subordinate, his face darkened to an almost terrifying degree.
The secret of Gu Lianqian being the reincarnation of the Saintess, being the "Lotus Concealed in the Womb", was something he hadn't even told Gu Yuandao.
At her birth, a golden lotus had sprouted from the ground, confirming the phenomenon.
Every servant present that day had long since been secretly disposed of.
Yet somehow, the Sky-Eye Division had gotten wind of it. Although they hadn't explicitly said Gu Lianqian was the "Lotus Concealed in the Womb," their information strongly implied it was on her.
The matter was suspicious beyond belief, but Gu Yuye's instincts told him one thing clearly.
"This definitely has something to do with that little beast who disappeared!"
His eyes glinted with icy killing intent, his fury beyond words.
Gu Lianqian's trouble itself was a small matter.
The real problem was that his negotiations with Princess Prajna on behalf of the Tara Sect were now in jeopardy.
He summoned his men, intending to demand from the Sky-Eye Division the identity of the informant.
But his subordinates brought even worse news.
"The Path of Death... slaughtered the Lotus-Born Temple?"
Gu Yuye's expression twisted in disgust as though he had swallowed a fly.
He had just nearly come to terms with Princess Prajna, and now the Demon Sect had struck at the Tara Sect.
It not only showed that he had no control over his demonic allies, but worse, it was practically a threat aimed at Princess Prajna.
The result could only be disastrous.
This trip to the White Horse Temple had truly made him "lose the wife and the army."
As his expression flickered between gloom and anger, a subordinate cautiously said,
"Your Highness, His Majesty has summoned you to the palace."
Gu Yuye took a deep breath and turned his eyes to the sand table before him. On the border region of the Autumn Peace Road, a single red circle was marked.
At least... the greatest plan securing his position was still proceeding smoothly.
...
Gu Fangchen had slain several more Qingman soldiers, successfully reaching a White Dragon Army camp engulfed in flames.
The roar of battle thundered ahead.
The main force of the Qingman had already clashed with the White Dragon Army. After holding for a while, the latter was clearly falling into chaos and despair without anyone to command them.