Feng Qingtian was definitely a rational man. If he had intervened, everything he did would be for nothing, and Gu Bailu would still be the focus of that hellish retribution.But she wasn’t too happy about his sense of reason.

　　Gu Bailu shook her head and decided to let it go, because Feng Qingtian clearly had his own considerations as well.

　　“It’s time you recall your shadows,” said Bai Yunyi.

　　Gu Bailu scratched her head and said, “Well… actually… I only know how to create them; I don’t know how to make them disappear!”

　　Those phantoms had been created with runes.

　　But they weren’t based on her family skills, but on the 9,999 Spring Harbingers…

　　Those runes were made from the fallen blossoms of the 9,999 Spring Harbingers, which had hallucinogenic properties.

　　

　　When someone ate the living blossom, they could turn into whoever they wanted and trick everyone else.

　　But this use of the flowers wasn’t recorded anywhere because it was too fearsome; the world would be in chaos if anyone malicious learned of it.

　　Only Feng Qingtian, who almost became the master of the universe, was aware of it.

　　That was why he had protected the 9,999 Spring Harbingers so carefully all this time.

　　“Then how exactly did you create them?” asked Bai Yunyi.

　　“Well, I can’t tell you that either… I’m sorry, but I think they’ll disappear after a while.”

　　Gu Bailu stood there among her shadows. It was impossible to tell which was real and which was fake.

　　Bai Yunyi smiled and said, “You used the 9,999 Spring Harbingers, didn’t you?”

　　

　　If his guess was correct, the woman had to have used the 9,999 Spring Harbingers, which could create all kinds of illusions.

　　His long journey from Heavenly Wind Empire was definitely worth it.

　　Gu Bailu was surprised. “How did you know?”

　　There was no point in denying it. Bai Yunyi clearly knew the true use of the 9,999 Spring Harbingers. Then, who was he?

　　Did Feng Qingtian know him?

　　“Because I was the one who grew them.” Bai Yunyi left the arena and said to the still fuming leader of the Bai family, “Don’t worry, leader. The Bai family will come back even if it’s no longer in the top four.”

　　Gu Bailu was still reflecting on what Bai Yunyi said.

　　He grew the 9,999 Spring Harbingers?

　　The 9,999 Spring Harbingers were legendary flowers. How could he have grown them? Was he an old monster like Gu Yunjing?

　　“Your Highness, the Bai family has lost.” Bai Yunyi conceded.

　　The empress dowager and the emperor finally came back to their senses. The emperor said in shock, “I didn’t know that the Bai family had such a great talent like you. I don’t think you lost. If you hadn’t saved…”

　　“Your Majesty, a failure is a failure. No ifs,” Bai Yunyi said affirmatively. “Charm is an ability as well, and Miss Gu used that to make me save her.”

　　The empress dowager laughed and said, “Well said. She really is a capable girl, to exhaust your spiritual power by creating so many illusions.”

　　“Yes. I failed because I relied only on my spiritual power and not my brain.” Bai Yunyi acknowledged his failure.

　　He had thought that the other side was taking damage. It never occurred to him that they were hiding. He didn’t bother to try and figure out where they had been hiding. After all, he had lost.

　　It wasn’t embarrassing to be defeated by such a clever woman.

　　He raised his eyes and looked at Feng Qingtian. Was that woman involved with Prince Zi?

　　Did he abandon her because the love of his life appeared?