Chapter Twenty-Six: Memory Seal, Eight Locks of Heaven and Earth

“Let’s head back first,” Xiyue whispered. In that instant, I sensed she had returned to her former cold demeanor.

I nodded, already accustomed to this side of Xiyue. I took one last look at Spirit Spring Village before turning away.

With a flick of her hand, Xiyue conjured a swirling vortex of space before us, a sight that sent tremors through my heart. She grasped me, and in a blink we were swallowed by the vortex.

Xiyue had told me this was a technique called Spatial Escape. She said that once I could comprehend the nature of space, she would teach it to me. Then, as long as no one sealed the space, I could freely travel to any place where I had left my aura within a certain range.

My thoughts drifted to the many abilities Xiyue had displayed, and to the Blood Slaughter Array Diagram in my hand. My heart was filled with both excitement and bewilderment. I was thrilled at the prospect of learning these spells—if I ever returned to the real world, I would surely be extraordinary. For now, I only wanted to understand what had happened to Su Ying, or rather, what had happened to me.

At the same time, I realized my curiosity for this world was growing stronger, fueling my desire to explore.

When I opened my eyes, I was back in the office room.

Xiyue stood by the window, gazing at the faint light beginning to appear on the horizon. She murmured, “Dong, my heart feels unsettled right now. I need to calm myself.”

I nodded. When I turned, I saw her enter a room and sit cross-legged.

Now that my Yin-Yang eyes were open, I could clearly see bands of light swirling around Xiyue’s body, each flickering with countless shadows—all bearing her likeness. I stared, utterly bewildered.

At that moment, I thought of the spirit within the Blood Slaughter Array Diagram.

I steadied my mind, and sensed deep within my consciousness a chubby child sitting cross-legged.

This was a scene I never dared imagine before, one I’d only glimpsed in fantasy novels.

“Master, are you looking for me?” The chubby child seemed to sense my gaze and opened his eyes to look at me.

I responded with a sound of acknowledgement.

The chubby child grinned, then spoke softly, “Master, you don’t need to speak aloud. Since I dwell within your consciousness, we can communicate mentally—just as you did with that fire fox.”

Fire fox?

My heart shuddered.

“You know, the fox spirit whose fiery red tattoo was left on your hand!”

How could you even sense that?

Naturally, I only thought this in my mind.

“Master, since you used a drop of your blood to break my seal, though I am weak now, altering your body is no problem. When you have time, you can also enter the Blood Slaughter Array Diagram to cultivate. As for the little fox, she seems to have used a supreme treasure to suppress her own essence and is now asleep. But once you absorb more ghost spirits, she will awaken.”

I muttered an acknowledgement.

“Master, do you need anything? If not, I will return to sleep. I’ve only just been unsealed, have no power left, and was gravely wounded in the past. If I hadn’t used the Extinction Seal to lock myself away, I would have ceased to exist long ago.” The chubby child sounded exhausted, almost impatient.

“Well, um, I’ll call you Little White from now on…”

“What? Master, I have a name. You never asked. I am Tu.”

“Ah, all right, Tu. Please, take a look at what’s happening with Xiyue.”

Just now, I saw countless black shadows swirling around Xiyue, and my heart suddenly jolted. Unconsciously, I had started seeing Xiyue as my pillar of support. It’s not as though I lack my own judgment, but after last night’s ordeal, any resolve would have been futile.

Upon hearing my request, Tu floated out, and I held him in my hands.

“Master, you can freely transform the Blood Slaughter Array Diagram—say, turn it into clothing and wear it for protection!”

“Really? It can do that?”

Tu stared at me as if I were an idiot, clearly wondering how he ended up with such a clueless master. I could only smile wryly; I truly had no experience.

I recalled all the fantasy novels I’d read, but none described how to transform magical treasures into other objects.

Before I could speak again, Tu turned and waved his hand. Instantly, the Blood Slaughter Array Diagram transformed into a dark red garment and wrapped around me. Tu perched on my shoulder, now entirely absorbed by the shadows enveloping Xiyue.

For a long while, Tu’s snow-white, chubby hand scratched his head, a look of puzzlement crossing his face.

“Do you not know either?”

“How could I not? There are few things in this world unknown to me. Clearly, the mistress’s condition does not fall among them!”

“Then hurry up and tell me!”

Seeing Tu’s expression, I grew anxious.

“This is an ancient memory seal called the Eight Locks of Heaven and Earth.”

“Eight Locks of Heaven and Earth?”

“Yes, Master, this Eight Locks is an ancient secret technique used to seal a person’s memories, making them forget three lifetimes and nine reincarnations. It is a method to sever the cycle of rebirth entirely. But how could such a technique appear on the mistress? It’s impossible!”

“Go on.”

“Master, the Eight Locks of Heaven and Earth was used in ancient times to seal the memories of heaven-defying gods and demons. To truly perform it, eight supreme experts are required—not just ordinary Yin-Yang practitioners, but those who can command both realms with a single thought. Even in my era, such people were rare, let alone gathering eight of them to perform a technique that nearly costs one’s life!”

Hearing Tu’s words, my heart sank. Watching Xiyue sitting cross-legged, I was plunged into endless confusion. Who exactly is Xiyue?

“Master, the Eight Locks on the mistress are complete. This means that, at some point, eight such heaven-defying experts performed the secret technique on her, sealing her memories entirely!”