The improved female villains regained their memories.

“You don’t need to worry about that,” the mysterious man said. “Someone will stop her, and I will also return your memories to you.”

"Give it back to me?"

“That’s right. I will compress your past life memories and return them to you when you come before me again after all the past has happened.”

"Why didn't you give it back to me in the first place?"

“In that case, you will not be able to comprehend the ways of the hegemon and the way of the king.” The mysterious man shook his head. “Only after you have comprehended the two ways and mastered the traces of the Great Dao can I return them to you.”

The Mark of the Great Dao is a deadly weapon that only a true immortal could forge.

The concepts of benevolent rule and hegemonic rule do not exist in this world.

Everything the mysterious man said was more like empty promises; he was tricking you into participating in a grand gamble, but the price was your life.

However, the prizes to win are indeed tempting.

"Make your choice, Xu Anlu."

The mysterious figure leaned close to Xu Anlu's ear and whispered, like a devil.

"Is it better to live in ignorance, constantly troubled by one's own problems and then face death, or to take a bold gamble, see through the illusions of the world, and grasp the traces of the Great Way?"

"The choice is yours."

A born emperor, with a strong sense of responsibility towards all things.

Ling Shui'er couldn't answer Xu Anlu's question, nor could anyone else.

But that doesn't mean she can't know the answer.

In response to the mysterious man's whisper, Xu Anlu smiled slightly and said, "Okay."

Her words were soft, but firm.

"The Master said, 'If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening.' If I could know the answer, what harm would it do to die once?"

"It's just death."

Chapter Ninety-Six: Hard to Find

Is that all?

"Ah."

"...It just feels a bit bland."

"Are you a masochist? Do you have to go through that final round with the first two worlds to feel comfortable?"

"No... if I had to say, things are fine as they are now."

Although he didn't understand why the system said the task was completed after he did this, he didn't want to bother with it anymore.

"This time, Heaven wants to preserve your body. Hmm... As your good partner, I'll take the initiative to help you escape. Letting you slowly wait to die like this is too painful."

"Thank you so much."

In his last moments of consciousness, Xiao Jiu was beside him, looking at him with concern.

He reached out and touched its feathers, and in a daze, it seemed as if he had returned to that small courtyard from that year.

"Grand Tutor!"

Under the sunlight, the black-haired girl was full of enthusiasm, the water she splashed glistened, and a rabbit and a sparrow followed behind her.

"Come play in the water!"

If we were to ask who the person in this world has wronged the most, it would probably be Xu Anlu.

Therefore, he did not resist when the system asked him to do so.

Xu Anlu was an innocent and lively child, but unfortunately her body was taken over by Xu Anyin, leaving her alone in the space of consciousness.

She must be very lonely.

Such a lively person, being imprisoned, must have been a very painful life for her.

But I'm sorry, I can't help you.

I... am also a failed teacher.

"Chirp!"

Seemingly sensing that Yang Pingsheng's time was coming to an end, Xiao Jiu hopped and skipped into Yang Pingsheng's arms, crying out, tears welling up in her eyes.

Yang Pingsheng touched it and smiled with relief.

Anyway, it's good that it's over.

There was no bewilderment or helplessness in the first life, nor heart-wrenching pain in the second.

That's good.

The stars twinkled, and my consciousness drifted into the sky.

"gone."

The system's voice sounded.

His soul scattered, and the heavy snow covered everything. In this world, Yang Pingsheng is no more; only his bones remain.

Perhaps one day his remains will be discovered, but that will be a very, very long time from now.

--------------------

Ten years later.

In December, the harsh winter arrived, and the auspicious snow heralded a bountiful year. Once again, heavy snow fell on Yong'an City, freezing the rivers solid. In the corners of the city, one could see the bodies of the dead buried in the snow.

The majestic palace remained completely cool, with the charcoal burning brightly in the center of the main hall, its warmth bringing a sense of peace.

The cold wind swept through every corner of the palace. The eunuchs and maids who passed by wrapped themselves up tightly. The head steward had once again withheld the year-end allowance. The servants' clothes were quite thin, and if they were not careful, they could easily freeze to death. Even if they didn't freeze to death, they could easily lose their fingers.

crunch--

The palace gates outside the palace walls opened, and someone wearing a cloak returned through the snow. The servants who were passing by, upon seeing this, disregarded the cold ground and knelt down in fright, repeatedly calling out, "Greetings, Your Excellency."

The newcomer was none other than Xiaohua. She had returned despite the snow, and barged straight into the main hall of the Diligent Governance Hall, carrying a knife. The imperial guards all knew her identity and background, and none dared to stop her.

The Empress was dozing off at the table when her attendant glanced disapprovingly at Xiao Hua, who had barged in, and gestured for her to be quiet. Xiao Hua realized her indiscretion, took a few steps back, and found a chair to sit down.

After waiting for a long time without the Empress getting up, Xiao Hua couldn't sit still any longer and got up to look around. She first wandered around the bookshelves but didn't see any interesting books. Just as she looked up, she saw a red-tasseled spear displayed behind the bookshelves.

The familiar gun stirred up her memories; that night, the young empress had used this very gun to give her a sound beating.

She stared at the gun for a long time, her thoughts drifting back to her husband and Xiaozhu. As she thought about it, she subconsciously reached out her hand.

"Why didn't you say you were coming?" A woman's voice sounded from behind.

Xiao Hua turned around and saw that the Empress, who had been sleeping, had woken up and was standing behind her.

Her long, fine, jet-black hair cascaded down her back, giving her a soft and graceful appearance. Her fair skin was like a freshly peeled egg, delicate and smooth. Her bright, sparkling eyes seemed to speak volumes. When she smiled gently, dimples appeared, making her even more adorable.

Even after ten years and becoming empress, Xu Anlu hadn't changed much. The only change was that her cuteness had been replaced by a touch of majesty.

Immortals do not kneel before mortal emperors. Xiao Hua lowered her head slightly and said, "Your Majesty."

"Go down first." Xu Anlu looked around and waved to dismiss her attendants.

"As ordered."

The attendant bowed and withdrew, and some guards hidden in the shadows also left at the same time. In a short while, only Xu Anlu and Xiaohua remained in the Hall of Diligent Governance.

The tea slowly flowed out as the Empress herself brewed tea for her guest, saying with an almost ingratiating smile, "I don't have any good tea here, but please have some, Fairy Flower. There has been a severe drought this year, and the palace has cut expenses, including mine."

Xiaohua sat in the chair, letting the other person push the teacup in front of her. Then she picked up the teacup, took a slow sip, and frowned.

It really doesn't taste good.

She put down her teacup and said in a cold, hard voice, "Since Your Majesty has brought up the severe drought, then I will get straight to the point. Why has Your Majesty's disaster relief grain been delayed since the severe drought in the southern region before winter?"

The Empress was somewhat taken aback, seemingly not expecting that Xiao Hua would come to her about this. She tilted her head, chuckled, and then sat back down in her chair.

"Did the Flower Fairy call me here just to talk about this? I thought it was something from the sect that required my cooperation."

Her lazy words revealed her nonchalance. Xu Anlu picked up a book, yawned, and said listlessly, "As for this matter, I already dealt with it. The disaster relief grain has been distributed, and I even got the Ministry of Revenue to allocate an extra sum of relief funds. The report was also delivered the day before yesterday. Well done. Would you like to see it, Fairy?"

"Nice my foot!" Xiao Hua swore, slamming her hand on the table. "Ninety percent of the disaster relief grain and aid money were embezzled by your men. Less than ten percent actually reached the intended recipients. Officials are making excuses everywhere. Your key ministers all claim ignorance. When I ask them, they all pass the buck to their subordinates. Is this the court you manage? Is this the country you govern?!"

"Is that so? Then give me the names of those people. They actually made you so angry, Fairy. I will definitely punish them properly later."

Xu Anlu looked at Xiaohua and smiled: "Is there anything else, Fairy?"

"you……"

Xiao Hua stood up, gritted her teeth, pointed at her, and said almost word by word, "You're someone the teacher taught, how could you..."

"No, no, no, he doesn't treat me like a student." Xu Anlu quickly waved her hand. "Besides, he teaches me martial arts, not the way of governing a country. Furthermore, I was the victim in his messy affair with my sister, you know what I mean."

"What did you say!?"

Ten years ago.

Xu Anlu suddenly returned to the Great Yan Dynasty.

She revealed a shocking truth: she had another soul inside her, a soul that was her reborn older sister, and everything that had happened was done by her sister.

It was her sister who manipulated the innocent girl, imprisoning her in a space of consciousness, and then came out to harm the world.

She wanted to rebel, and even condensed the traces of the Great Dao in the form of a mortal. But in the end, her sister's immortal form was superior, and she controlled her again. On the night of her escape, she struggled desperately and slaughtered everyone.

She killed the immortals of the Wenxian Sect and the imperial guards of the palace, committing such a mad act solely for her man. Afterwards, she took control of her body, found a secluded place with her man, and slaughtered the Wenxian Sect's pursuers.

As for her, Xu Anlu, she endured hardship and, relying on the Great Dao Mark, finally killed her devilish sister and returned to her country.

The Immortal Sect's reaction to Xu Anlu's statement was, "Nonsense!"

But when Xu Anlu actually offered up the soul of her so-called sister and revealed her hiding place, the Wenxian Sect was completely alarmed.

Rebirth, an unbelievable word.

Since ancient times, time-space-related immortal techniques have been rare, let alone immortal techniques like rebirth, which are almost impossible to achieve.

The sect leader of the Wenxian Sect personally took action and spent three days searching through Xu Anyin's soul. After three days, he announced that what Xu Anlu said was true.

He personally came to the Great Yan Dynasty, met Xu Anlu, and praised her in front of everyone—she had done a great service to the country and its people by rebelling against and killing the future demon leader, making her a true heroine.