After transmigrating into the body of the protagonist's childhood friend, he was targeted by a

"I'm sorry, it was my oversight." Lin Zhixu didn't say much, but flew back to his side, grabbed the back of his collar, and with a burst of speed, carried him lightly over the palace wall.

Yun Ling only felt a gust of wind beside her ear, and when she opened her eyes again, she was already standing inside the palace wall.

He patted his chest, still shaken, and whispered, "Brother Lin, could you give me a heads-up next time? I almost screamed."

"it is good."

Lin Zhixu released his grip and turned his gaze to the towering palaces ahead.

The cold moonlight bathed the glazed tiles, and the entire palace was eerily quiet.

In the distance, a few palace lanterns swayed gently in the night breeze, casting shadows that stretched and shortened under the eaves.

A faint sandalwood scent permeated the air; at first, it was refreshing, but upon closer inspection, it revealed a subtle, indescribable sweet and fishy smell.

Lin Zhixu frowned slightly and lowered his voice to say to Yun Ling, "Go check the inner palace, I'll go to the emperor's residence. If anything seems amiss, run immediately, don't wait for me."

Yun Ling nodded: "You should be careful too."

Lin Zhixu nodded.

The two of them slipped into the shadows of the palace walls and sped off in different directions.

Under the cover of night, Lin Zhixu moved silently among the pillars and artificial hills, his figure as elusive as a ghost.

Guided by the map in his mind, the emperor's bedroom was located at the northern end of the palace's central axis, while the imperial advisor's residence was located in the Hall of Prayer for Heaven next to the bedroom, the two being no more than a hundred paces apart.

The closer you get to the Temple of Prayer for Heaven, the stronger the sweet, fishy smell becomes in the air.

Lin Zhixu held his breath and mobilized his spiritual power to create a thin protective shield around his body, isolating the fragrance from the outside.

As he passed through a hanging flower gate, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Several eunuchs lay sprawled on the stone steps under the corridor.

To be precise, they were several mummified corpses.

Their skin was pressed tightly against their bones, their eye sockets were sunken, and their mouths were wide open, as if they had seen something extremely terrifying before they died.

His body was shriveled and dry, as if something had sucked his lifeblood dry.

Lin Zhixu's ears twitched, and he slipped into the shadows behind the pillars.

Soon, several people wearing black iron masks walked silently from the direction of the side hall.

They walked as if their feet weren't touching the ground, mechanically bending over, one person dragging a dried corpse out.

After a moment's thought, Lin Zhixu took out a black cloak from his storage bag and draped it over his shoulders to conceal his presence, making him almost blend into the night.

He followed them silently.

The masked men finally stopped in front of a dry well and threw the dried-up corpses down one by one.

The body fell into the well, and several breaths later a dull thud echoed, deeply frightening.

After disposing of the body, the masked men turned and walked towards the emperor's bedroom.

Lin Zhixu trailed far behind. When he saw them enter the outer gate of the palace, he went around to the other side, climbed onto the roof, and lifted a few tiles to look down.

The palace was brightly lit.

The old emperor is still awake.

He was dressed in a bright yellow nightgown, his hair was loose, and he sat cross-legged in the center of the main hall.

Beneath him was a huge circular array, its patterns displaying an abnormally dark red color that shone faintly in the candlelight.

Its color resembled congealed blood, and it emitted a nauseatingly sweet and fishy odor.

Several copper bowls were placed at the edge of the formation, filled with a dark liquid.

The old emperor's eyes were tightly closed, his face was flushed, the veins on his forehead were bulging, and his whole body was trembling slightly, but he was smiling.

The smile was stiff yet satisfied, as if he were immersed in some blissful dream.

Suddenly, the old emperor opened his eyes.

He stretched out his withered hand, picked up the copper bowl, and drank the dark liquid inside in one gulp.

His Adam's apple bobbed up and down, making gurgling sounds, and a few drops of black liquid dripped down the corner of his mouth, landing on his bright yellow nightgown and leaving a dark stain.

Then, a bizarre scene unfolded.

The old emperor's originally withered and sunken face became rosy and full at a speed visible to the naked eye.

His gray hair began to turn black from the roots, his loose skin tightened again, and even his hunched back straightened inch by inch.

In just a few breaths, I instantly looked ten years younger.

Lin Zhixu lay on the roof, watching the scene, and felt a wave of nausea wash over him.

This isn't rejuvenation; it's clearly using other people's lives to fill one's own body.

Just then, the palace door was suddenly pushed open from the outside.

Lin Zhixu lay on the roof, holding his breath.

A figure in a black Taoist robe slowly walked into the hall. He walked to the array, raised his hand and gently stroked the old emperor's head, his movements as tender as if he were stroking a child.

The old emperor's smile widened, his body trembled even more violently, and he began to mumble incoherently, "Immortal Master... I think... I'm flying..."

The Imperial Advisor smiled gently: "Your Majesty's health is gradually improving. In a few days, you will be able to ascend to heaven in broad daylight and live as long as heaven and earth."

The old emperor uttered a few satisfied murmurs, his head slowly drooping as if he were sinking into a deeper dream.

The Imperial Advisor suddenly stopped smiling, straightened up, and said coldly to those outside the hall, "Prepare tomorrow's 'medicine.' Also, have you pried those two cultivators' mouths open yet?"

A man in a black iron mask knelt silently outside the palace gate, his voice hoarse: "Reporting to the Grand Preceptor, those two are incredibly tough; even demonic blood cannot control their minds."

"The other one is already somewhat confused, but he knows only a limited amount of knowledge and is of little use."

The Imperial Advisor snorted, hands behind his back, his voice icy: "No rush. Their bloodlines are pure, just what I need. Keep them alive for the sacrificial ceremony three days from now, sacrificing them to the dragon vein will surely be twice as effective."

Lin Zhixu suppressed the anger rising in his heart and quickly sorted through this information in his mind.

Zhou Tong and the others are still alive, at least for now.

The sacrificial ceremony to Heaven is three days later, which means that they will not be in immediate danger of losing their lives during this period.

He can't act rashly tonight; he needs to get the message out first, and then figure out a way to save people.

The hall suddenly fell silent.

The Imperial Advisor tilted his head slightly, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping towards the rooftop.

Lin Zhixu froze completely. Had they been discovered?!

He instinctively gripped the sword hilt, his spiritual energy rapidly circulating through his meridians, ready to launch a sudden attack and escape at any moment.

The Imperial Preceptor's gaze lingered for only a moment before he looked away and turned to walk out of the hall.

"Step down."

The masked man retreated silently.

Lin Zhixu did not move and remained lying on the roof.

He only breathed a sigh of relief after the Imperial Advisor had completely disappeared from the palace.

That imperial advisor was more dangerous than he had imagined.

He might have discovered him, but I don't know why he didn't expose him.

We cannot stay here any longer; we must leave immediately.

I wonder how Yunling is doing? Has she encountered any danger?

With that thought in mind, he quickened his pace and went to find Yun Ling.