The improved female villains regained their memories.

The past was crushed into bubbles, leaving only a phantom. Somehow, she seemed to understand her sister's painting.

His brows were furrowed.

Watching the man's departing figure, she asked, "Ying, what do you think?"

A blurry figure appeared, echoing Xu Anyin's words: "Like."

Unlike Xu Anyin, Ying simply felt that they looked alike.

Although Xu Anlu's paintings were abstract, Ying still found the answer from fragments of memory. In the darkness, he seemed to have heard of this person before.

"Yeah, I think so too."

Xu Anyin nodded, his brows furrowing even more: "Could it be a coincidence?"

“We can go and investigate, but Your Highness, he came from the Heavenly Rank.”

"……yes."

The fact that this man is in the top-tier VIP box means that he has a deep connection with Tian Bulian.

Tianbulan is too mysterious, and her own sister is in this situation now. She must not act rashly. If she angers the other party, it will be detrimental to both of them.

However, that doesn't stop her from using some underhanded tactics.

The two attendants he brought with him had both been possessed by shadow guards. Shadow guards are trained by shadows, and once they possess a person, they carry basic spiritual energy and considerable skill; even seasoned martial artists might not be their match. Sending his attendants to investigate that man's whereabouts wouldn't be a bad idea.

So she gave her servant a look, signaling her to follow.

After a long time, having received an answer, Xu Anyin left Zuixianlou and stood alone on the street, lost in thought.

Front: [The one who tied the knot must untie it]

Back: [The sorrow of parting must be felt by both of us, most unbearable is the clear resentment under the bright moon.]

This was the answer Xu Anyin received.

What does it mean? Heaven didn't say; Xu Anyin had to figure it out himself.

She also sensed something—those fragments, those dreams—and was momentarily captivated until Ying reminded her.

It's time to go back.

Upon returning, the traditional Chinese medicine doctor was still standing at the palace gate, not going in. Xu Anyin had already expected this, so he wasn't surprised. He simply stepped forward and sighed helplessly, "Is Your Majesty still unwilling to take the medicine?"

The traditional Chinese medicine practitioner lowered his head, not daring to answer.

"Give it to me, I'll give it to my elder sister."

As he stepped inside, darkness engulfed Xu Anyin's body.

A force broke free from the depths and entered her body immediately, beginning to wrest control from her.

"Get out! Who let you in?"

"Sis, it's time for you to take your medicine."

"You think I'm sick too, right? Hahahaha, ridiculous! You're the one who forgot, you're the one who forgot! You're the one who's sick! Get out of here!"

"Sister, I believe you, but you have to take your medicine first."

"I'm not taking my medicine. Get out! All of you get out! You get out too!"

"sister!"

She thought her own elder sister had gone mad.

She was no longer calm and rational; instead, she became irritable and difficult to communicate with.

The answer that Heaven has no mercy on, the identity of a man—Xu Anyin needs time to prove it.

So, I'm sorry, sister.

As Xu Anyin thought to himself, he let Xu Anlu control his hands to choke his neck and began to silently chant in his mind.

I'm sorry, sister. I will find out the truth and heal you.

So until then, we have no choice but to lock you up.

Chapter 109 The Surge of Various Forces

With Xu Anlu suppressed, most of the affairs fell to Xu Anyin.

Originally, in this world, Xu Anlu was in charge. Whether it was planning and strategizing, practicing killing moves, or engaging in political struggles, Xu Anlu was in charge. Xu Anyin's task, apart from providing spiritual energy and spiritual roots, was mostly to control the body and act cute.

Her willful and capricious nature had long been worn down by the events she had experienced, and the current Xu Anyin's temperament had changed considerably compared to that world. However, what remained unchanged was the conspiracy theory hidden deep within her personality; compared to her sister Xu Anlu, she still preferred to use various schemes and tricks to eliminate her opponents.

Xu Anlu prefers a gradual approach, while Xu Anyin prefers a swift and decisive one.

The Guardian Heaven Sect is too mysterious for Xu Anyin to deal with. Moreover, she sought advice from a woman who might be the sect leader. However, this does not mean that she is weak in the court.

"Good news from the Northern Territory! The Fourth Prince, Xu Baxian, has broken through the formation of Abuhan Tuguxian Suofang and returned in great victory. He will soon be returning to the capital."

In the early morning, pale golden light shone into the main hall.

Ever since Xu Anlu went mad, the main hall has been gloomy. Now that Xu Anyin has taken over, the atmosphere in the entire hall is completely different.

The shadow guards hid in the shadows, protecting the area around the main hall. The servants, possessed by the shadow guards, walked along the corridors, creating an illusion of peace.

Two of the twelve zodiac animals were reporting below, while Ying stood next to Xu Anyin, awaiting her instructions.

Her fair and slender hands tapped on the chair armrests, her graceful legs crossed, and her toes gently touching the ground.

Xu Anyin looked at the blurry figures reporting below and asked, "Is Abuhantugu a useless piece of trash? We helped them so much, and they still lost. And Xu Baxian, his troops are starving and short of food and clothing, where did they get such strong fighting power?"

Helping Abu Hantugu was part of Xu Anyin's scheme.

Xu Anlu had always opposed this matter, but unfortunately, not all of the twelve zodiac signs listened to her; most of them listened to Xu Anyin. Therefore, Xu Anlu was unaware of this matter.

Now that everything is under Xu Anyin's control, she brought the matter out into the open.

The two blurry figures below—the Pig and the Monkey—looked at each other, and finally the Pig stepped forward and said:

"That's right. Xu Baxian's troops couldn't get any help in Fangcheng, and our people also blocked the imperial court's support for him. However, the Wan Jin Society intervened and supplied Xu Baxian's troops with food, as well as a lot of armor and pills. This has significantly improved the combat effectiveness of Xu Baxian's troops."

Wan Jin Hui.

Like the Heavenly Guardian Sect, the top merchant guilds of the Qian Kingdom are extremely mysterious entities, involved in most of the country's livelihood industries, covering food, clothing, housing, and transportation. Of course, if that's the case, the Wan Jin Guild isn't really mysterious. Its mystery lies in the fact that it not only deals with mortals but also with immortals.

Elixir of immortality.

Above the fifth level, all pills are considered celestial pills, such as the Mortal Transformation Pill and the Advancement Pill. For immortals, a sixth-level celestial pill is like a chicken bone (meaning it's useless), a seventh-level celestial pill is highly sought after, an eighth-level celestial pill is extremely rare, and a ninth-level celestial pill is coveted. Even Wen Shihan's master, Dao Ranzi, a master alchemist, had to exert all his strength when refining a ninth-level celestial pill, and even then, the failure rate was extremely high.

The Wan Jin Society deals in immortal artifacts and has countless skilled alchemists under its command. At each auction, in addition to auctioning secret treasures, they also auction off the alchemists' elixirs. Sixth, seventh, eighth, and even ninth grade pills—as long as the price is right, the Wan Jin Society will facilitate the transaction.

For this reason, many sects treat the Wan Jin Society with great respect. Even the Hu Tian Sect of the Qian Kingdom can only act in accordance with the rules of the Wan Jin Society when dealing with transactions.

As for the Grand Master of the Wan Jin Society, he is even more mysterious. Some say he is male, others say female; some say he is an immortal, others say he is a mortal. In short, there are different accounts, but without exception, no one has ever seen him.

The Wan Jin Society did not participate in court affairs, but it supported Xu Baxian, who was trapped in the northern border, and even helped him win a great victory. This was a significant political signal that Xu An'yin could not afford to ignore.

"If our Shadow Empire were to make a move now, what would our chances of winning be?"

“The odds of winning are probably not high,” Shen Hou replied to Xu An Yin. “We don’t know the details of the Guardian Heaven Sect, nor do we know the stance of the Ten Thousand Gold Society. Besides, if we act rashly and anger Xu Weibang, we might run into a lot of trouble.”

Emperor Xu Weibang of the Qian Kingdom did not oppose the infighting among his children, but the infighting could not cross the line and had to be kept under his control. Moreover, those involved in the infighting had to be people he favored; Xu An, being a princess, was clearly not among them.

"There's another troublesome matter, Your Majesty. Xu Baxian has already sensed something is wrong after our people made their move. He must have realized that besides the Crown Prince, there are other people in the court plotting against him. Our people intercepted a letter written to him by his advisor."

Xu Anyin was slightly taken aback: "Advisor?"

“Yes.” Shenhou lowered his head as he spoke and continued, “Unlike the Crown Prince, who has many guests and advisors, Xu Baxian only has one advisor. Due to health reasons, he did not accompany Xu Baxian to the Northern Border this time. But it is said that the advisor gave Xu Baxian three brocade pouches before departure. The reason he was able to defeat Abuhan Tugu this time was because of the brocade pouches given by the advisor.”

What did the letter say?

"It's a reply to Xu Baxian. In it, he analyzes that the Crown Prince is overthinking things. The guests he keeps are all scholars and gentlemen. The Crown Prince wouldn't do something like cutting off supplies or blocking reinforcements. The person who caused the Fourth Prince's predicament is someone else. He's recuperating in the capital, and after careful analysis, he thinks..."

At this point, Shenhou paused and looked up at Xu Anyin.

Xu Anyin raised an eyebrow: "Go on, what does he think?"

"He thought that the Third Princess, Xu Anlu, was the most likely candidate."

The main hall fell silent.

Xu Anlu, that's the name known to outsiders.

The Third Princess Xu Anlu was fond of martial arts. When she was born, a fortune teller invited by the Emperor predicted that she would be extraordinary. As she grew up, she became lively and cheerful, and her martial arts skills were remarkable. Although the Emperor did not love her mother, he loved this daughter very much. The Tiger Roar Battalion of the capital's defense forces was placed under her command.

Xu Anlu is a woman who loves martial arts and shows no interest in politics. Although she has the Tiger Roar Camp, its power is not significant compared to the other princes. Logically, the least likely candidate is the Third Princess, but Xu Baxian's advisors insist that she is the most probable.

"Good, good, good."

Xu Anyin said "good" three times in a row, his eyes revealing murderous intent.

No matter how she changes, her fierce nature remains unchanged.

"Xu Baxian's advisor is a smart man."

"But this clever man alone cannot live long."

Chapter 110 The Remnant Soul Reappears

Consciousness space, the kingdom of shadows.

This place is no longer pitch black; it has become a world unto itself.

Everyone in the Great Yan Dynasty lived here, and the city retained its original basic layout. In Yong'an City, amidst the bustling streets and the throngs of people, no one noticed that they had become shadows, living within someone else's consciousness space.

The countless paths that wind through the landscape have vividly shaped a world.

The weather, the changing seasons—all were decided by the supreme empress. While Xu Anlu focused on the outside world, the Great Yan Dynasty within was overseen by Xu Anyin.

But now, Xu An has revealed a problem, and he has to start managing both worlds.

Deep within the palace, Xu Anlu's will was suppressed. Memories churned, and she wandered in a dreamlike state, as if she had lost her memory.

A small courtyard, a palace, the last refuge.

She stood there, lost and confused, searching for someone.

until—

"Hey!"