Young Master, my performance is so brilliant, why are you...

The light faded, and everything returned to calm.

The disciples of the Mo clan collectively let go of their hands shielding their eyes, faces full of confusion.

"What just happened?"

"I don't know, I just saw a flash of light, and then there was nothing."

"It's the Young Master!"

Finally, someone exclaimed, "I remember now, it was the Young Master who just chanted the incantation. Then a white light flashed and covered all of us. The Young Master took action and saved us!"

With these words, the crowd's gazes fell squarely on Mo Yu, who had an unpleasant expression on his face, making them even more certain.

"Thank you, Young Master, for saving us!"

Hearing their flattery, Mo Yu's expression didn't improve.

He took a deep breath, expelling all the frustration in his heart, and waved his hand, saying, "It's nothing, we're all brothers."

"I said that here, I will protect all of you."

Though he had lost his destiny points, at least he had won the people's hearts. Those present were the future pillars of the Mo clan, his future right-hand men and women, so it wasn't entirely a loss.

Thinking this made Mo Yu's expression slightly better.

Suddenly, someone realized something and looked up, glancing around: "Wait, if the Young Master broke the formation, then Mo Shisan—?"

Hearing this, everyone looked toward the position of the yin fish.

Sure enough.

There, at the spot where the yin fish had been, a figure knelt on one knee, curled up, head lowered, clutching the crown in his arms as if his life depended on it, looking utterly disheveled.

"Mo Shisan! Mo Shisan!"

Seeing this, the Mo clan members quickly called out.

"Stop protecting it, the formation has been broken by our Young Master. You're safe now!"

Hearing this, Mo Shisan trembled and slowly raised his head.

"I... I'm still alive?"

His lips quivered as his gaze swept around, finally landing on Mo Yu. Tears of excitement welled up in his eyes.

"Thank you, Young Master, thank you, Young Master!"

As he spoke, he struggled to his feet, hobbled over to Mo Yu, hunched over, and pulled the golden crown from his chest, trembling as he held it out to Mo Yu. His voice was choked and low.

"Congratulations, Young Master. Now you can become emperor..."

"..."

Looking at his pitiful state, Mo Yu felt a strange unease. If just now he had resented this guy for ruining his plans, now, seeing him like this—face covered in dust, blood at the corner of his mouth, legs shaking—yet still bringing the crown back intact just to offer it to him...

What kind of loyalty was this?

What devotion!

Devotion!

Mo Yu surprisingly felt a touch of emotion.

Regardless, at least the crown had returned. Forgiving this man for a minor mistake wouldn't hurt.

"It's okay. As long as you're alive, that's what matters."

He sighed, patted Ye Shu on the shoulder, and reached out to take the crown. Just as he was about to accept the inheritance, his expression suddenly changed.

Empty!

The crown was completely empty, containing nothing.

"How can this be?!"

Mo Yu's eyes widened as he stared at the crown in his hand. He continued probing in disbelief but found nothing.

Empty. The crown was empty.

"It's you!"

He suddenly turned his head, glaring at Ye Shu through gritted teeth: "Did something new appear in your mind?"

Hearing this, Mo Shisan was taken aback.

Then he scratched his head and gave a simple, honest smile: "It seems so. I was enveloped by a burst of light earlier, and I thought I was going to die. Then suddenly, a figure resembling a celestial fairy appeared before me, said something to me with a smile... and then I woke up."

Mo Yu's face grew darker and darker.

So it was true. The legacy of the Nine Nether Empress had been snatched away by this guy!

Once an empress's inheritance began, it couldn't be transferred, even if the host died. In other words, he could no longer obtain this soul-path inheritance.

But he couldn't say anything.

He couldn't just kill Mo Shisan on the spot to vent his anger, could he?

First, this man had inexplicably saved him. Second, there were still all the Mo clan disciples watching. If he killed him, what would others think?

They would say Mo Yu was ungrateful.

He normally wouldn't care about what others said, but these were his people, the future backbone of the Mo clan. If they became disheartened and divided, how would he establish himself in the future?

"Ha..."

Mo Yu forced himself to take a deep breath and suppress his anger.

Endure!

Endurance was the first step to becoming a supreme powerhouse.

He took the crown, then suddenly threw it with force into a corner, angrily saying, "How could such a small crown be worth risking my brother's life for?"

Mo Yu spoke with disappointment, like how ancient Liu Bei threw down his son Adou—the act was not about the child but about winning people's hearts.

As expected, Mo Shisan immediately brimmed with tears of gratitude. He tremblingly picked up the crown from the ground.

"Young Master..."

"You don't need to say more." Mo Yu waved his hand, his expression serious. "You saved my life, so I owe you a debt. Actually, I should be the one thanking you."

The Mo clan disciples behind them were moved to tears.

What a great lord-and-subject bond!

Rare in the world. To follow such a great Young Master was the honor of them all.

"We swear to follow the Young Master to the death!"

Ye Shu put away the crown and shouted loudly, his voice clear and strong, full of vigor, with none of the half-dead appearance from before.

"Very good. Let's go."

Mo Yu nodded approvingly. "There is more to gain in this ruin than just this, but remember to protect yourselves."

"Yes!"

Ye Shu nodded vigorously.

They searched through all the luck here and then pressed deeper into the ruin.

Mo Yu walked at the front, quietly clenching and unclenching his fists.

Whatever, it was gone. After all, this ruin had many lucky opportunities, not just this one inheritance.

However...

"Young Master, be careful!"

"Young Master, it's not safe here. Let me protect you!"

"Young Master..."

On the road ahead, no matter what opportunity arose, Mo Shisan would "happen" to snatch it first for some reason or another: a sudden triggering of a restriction, flying arrows, collapsing ground...

Through it all, Mo Shisan emerged unscathed.

In contrast, Mo Yu took all the damage, exhausting a lot of his divine energy. He looked bedraggled, nothing like the spirited figure he was when entering the ruin.

Finally, Mo Yu exploded.

After exploring a certain cave dwelling, he called a halt to the group and spoke earnestly while patting Mo Shisan on the shoulder.

"Thirteen, you don't need to follow the rest of the way."

"Just go find a safe place and amuse yourself."

Hearing this, Ye Shu was stunned.

He looked puzzled, full of confusion.

"Young Master, I am utterly loyal. Why..."

"Along the way, you've been blocking arrows and stepping into traps for me. I can't bear to see it anymore. The road ahead will be dangerous, far beyond what you can handle."

Mo Yu's tone was serious, as if some great terror awaited.

"But!"

Ye Shu wanted to say something more, but was abruptly cut off. "No buts. This is for your own safety."

"I don’t want to see any member of our clan leave me behind."

"That’s right, that’s right."

"Exactly, exactly. Thirteen, you should listen to the Young Master!"

"The Young Master only wants what’s best for you!"

"You’re already so injured. If anything happened to you by following us any further, we’d all be heartbroken!"

The surrounding disciples of the Mo clan chimed in one after another, their faces filled with concern and sincerity. Ye Shu stood there, his lips twitching as if he wanted to argue for one more chance, but in the end, he only lowered his head, his voice choked with emotion.

"Then... fine. I’ll listen to the Young Master."

Ye Shu lowered his head, turned around dejectedly, and walked away, leaving behind only a lonely silhouette.

The crowd watched his back, their hearts tangled with all sorts of feelings.

Yet, if they could have seen Ye Shu’s expression at that moment, they would have noticed the corners of his mouth twitching uncontrollably, threatening to burst into a grin.

No... no, can’t laugh yet.

Wait forty more seconds. Hold it until I’m out of the ruins.

It wasn’t until Ye Shu had crossed the entire ruin and stepped onto the sandy ground that he threw his head back, covered his face, and let out a thundering laugh.

"Ha! Haha! Hahahahahaha!"

"Hahaha!"

"This is my performance—can anyone else pull it off?!"