Divine King of Honour Chapter 1852: The First to Break the Formation

After a night of unrest, Xu Nian finally released Li Qingying's hand.

Initially shy, Li Qingying gradually surrendered, her previously aloof and proud demeanor softening into one of captivating charm.

Xu Nian felt a profound gratitude for being the sole witness to her alluring side.

The sense of exclusive ownership enthralled Xu Nian, making him utterly mesmerized.

In the subsequent days, Xu Nian's time was almost entirely consumed by Li Qingying, save for the moments dedicated to managing state affairs.

From Li Qingying, Xu Nian detected a resonance, a feeling of familiarity.

Nevertheless, as time marched onward, the bond between Xu Nian and Li Qingying deepened into exceptional harmony.

To Xu Nian, Li Qingying had become completely devoted.

"Your Majesty, why do I perpetually sense a feeling of déjà vu with you, as if we encountered each other in a prior existence?" Li Qingying murmured, nestled in Xu Nian’s embrace.

"I share that exact sentiment. I always dismissed it as my imagination, but hearing you voice it, perhaps we truly were acquainted in a past life," Xu Nian responded with a gentle smile.

A radiant smile blossomed on Li Qingying's face. "Perhaps we truly did know each other in a past life."

Xu Nian offered a faint smile, neither confirming nor refuting her words.

Could there indeed be past lives?

He harbored a persistent feeling that something was askew in his current existence, as if the perfection surrounding him was almost too surreal to be genuine.

"Your Majesty, may I pose a query?" Li Qingying inquired hesitantly.

"Speak freely, my dearest," Xu Nian replied with a warm smile.

"Whatever became of Shi An? I am merely curious, harboring no ulterior motives; please do not misinterpret my intentions, Your Majesty," Li Qingying asked with a touch of apprehension.

Xu Nian let out a soft chuckle. "I did not have him killed; his ambitions were simply misplaced. Did he not seek a position within the court? I have appointed him as the Chief of Internal Affairs in the Cleaning Room."

Upon hearing this, Li Qingying’s eyes widened in astonishment.

Could this imply Shi An had been castrated and become an eunuch?

However, her surprise was fleeting, and no hint of regret surfaced in her gaze.

For in her heart, her devotion now lay solely with the Emperor, and her feelings for Shi An had utterly faded.

Xu Nian noted Li Qingying’s reaction and gave a slight smile.

He recognized that he had successfully captured Li Qingying’s heart.

"Pfft!"

Suddenly, Xu Nian felt a jolt within his chest and coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Your Majesty!" Li Qingying shrieked in alarm.

She quickly rushed to support him.

But Xu Nian appeared alarmingly frail, his life force visibly waning.

"Someone, summon the imperial physician at once!" Li Qingying commanded, her voice laced with urgency.

Yet, her pleas echoed unanswered.

"There is no need to summon anyone; no mortal physician can save him. The poison I administered is beyond the capabilities of ordinary healing,"

At that precise moment, a sharp, piercing voice resonated from beyond the hall.

Shortly thereafter, a young man clad in eunuch attire strode in from the exterior.

"It is you!" Li Qingying gasped, her shock evident at the unexpected appearance of Shi An.

"Indeed, it is I," Shi An replied with a light, almost mocking, laugh.

Gazing upon Shi An, Xu Nian's eyes turned frigid.

"You poisoned me? How dare you attempt to take my life? Are you not terrified of my wrath, which would annihilate your entire clan?" Xu Nian bellowed furiously.

"Ha ha, annihilate my clan? Xu Nian, it appears you remain oblivious that all of this is merely a charade, a fleeting dream. None of this holds any true substance," Shi An declared, his laughter booming.

"A dream?" A flicker of bewilderment and doubt crossed Xu Nian’s face.

"Shi An, what nonsensical words are you uttering? Quickly, produce the antidote!" Li Qingying demanded imperiously.

"Li Qingying, or should I say, Mu Yuqing? I am astonished you could find such delight within this dreamscape, remaining oblivious to its falsity. Do you not yearn to reclaim your family's ancestral inheritance?" Shi An's words struck Mu Yuqing's mind with an almost magical resonance.

Instantly, bewilderment clouded Li Qingying's eyes.

Mu Yuqing?

What a mysteriously familiar name!

The Mu Family's Treasure?

A momentary flash of clarity illuminated Li Qingying's vision, only to be overwhelmed by a searing headache moments later.

"Mu Yuqing, awaken! You are a Divine-level Expert; this Grand Formation cannot hold you captive!" Shi An urged.

The internal conflict within Mu Yuqing intensified visibly.

After a tense interval, Li Qingying's struggle gradually subsided.

Her memories returned; she remembered everything.

"Am I still ensnared within the Houtu Reincarnation Array?" Li Qingying surveyed her surroundings with sheer astonishment.

Shi An observed the unfolding scene with a chilling demeanor.

"Liu Yu, you are Liu Yu?" Mu Yuqing exclaimed, her gaze fixed on Shi An with surprise.

"Precisely, you have finally recalled. I regained my memories a month ago. Initially, my intent was to eliminate both of you. You must understand, death within the Formation signifies true death in reality. However, your assistance is required to locate the Wood Origin Heart, thus you cannot perish, not yet," Liu Yu said with a soft, chilling laugh.

A trace of astonishment lingered in Mu Yuqing’s eyes.

Could Liu Yu actually shatter the memory seal of the Great Formation using his own power?

It seemed as though he had made preparations long before this moment.

If Liu Yu hadn't forcefully roused her, she would likely still be utterly lost within the dream created by the Houtu Reincarnation Array.

Considering this, she couldn't help but cast a glance toward the Emperor beside her.

Was that truly Xu Nian?

The man who, within the dreamscape, she had lived as husband and wife with for nearly a year?

She had never once anticipated falling in love with Xu Nian inside the dream, eventually becoming his lawful wife.

Despite it being merely a dreamscape, the sensations remained incredibly vivid in her memory.

"You intend to assassinate Xu Fenn?" Mu Yuqing inquired with urgency, observing Xu Nian's profoundly weakened state.

"Indeed, I wish to see him dead. He is but an insignificant ant, yet he craved the Wood Origin Heart and even went so far as to castrate me within the dreamscape. Therefore, I absolutely will not permit him to escape this dream alive. I want you to witness his demise, considering you were united as a couple for a lifetime," Liu Yu declared with a malevolent expression.

His gaze locked onto Xu Nian, brimming with potent killing intent.

The combination of recent grievances and ancient resentments – how could he simply let it go?

Mu Yuqing's brows knitted together tightly as she looked upon Xu Nian, who now resembled a candle flame flickering precariously in the wind, her expression filled with immense complexity.

"Xu Fenn, Xu Fenn?" Mu Yuqing softly uttered his name while supporting Xu Nian.

Xu Nian's entire consciousness began to grow increasingly hazy.

"Xu Fenn? That name sounds so familiar! Could all of this truly be a mere dream? If so, what purpose does his existence serve?" Xu Nian mused.

Abruptly, two words surfaced in Xu Nian's mind.

"Tranquility! Yes, the peace of everyday life! To possess sufficient strength allowing him to safeguard those he holds dear," Xu Nian thought.

This dreamscape had manifested precisely what his heart had yearned for—a fantasy.

Attaining the power needed for a serene existence alongside his beloved.

For the duration of the past year, this had indeed been his reality.

"Buzz!"

As these thoughts coursed through Xu Nian's mind, a radiant light instantly enveloped his entire being.

"No... this is impossible. Utterly impossible! He has actually managed to break through the Formation?" Liu Yu exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief and reluctance as he observed Xu Nian, now bathed in the Great Formation's light.

Mu Yuqing, too, registered a look of astonishment.

Xu Nian was not dead?

And furthermore, he was the very first to overcome the Formation?