In the end, he hadnt escaped Ye Rongs notice.

When he saw Ye Rong holding his phone and smiling, Ye Zichen scratched his head. He didnt know why, but he felt like a schoolboy again. It was like when his teacher caught him playing with his phone in class.

A modern cell phone, all the way up here? Is it still usable?

How is that possible? You cant even use the internet here. I just brought it with me from the Modern Realm, and I felt a hint of nostalgia, so I pulled it out to take a look.

Unfortunately for Ye Zichen, as soon as the lies left his lips, his phone buzzed.

......

If you cant use it, why are you getting message notifications? How about I take a look and see what it says?

Ye Rong smiled, then swiped to open the message. Then, she saw the messages in the chat group.

Erlang Shen: @Only Idealism, where did you go? Were still not done talking, are we?

Monkey King: You didnt run out of power, did you? @Only Idealism

Ultimate Charmer: Dont worry too much, Zichen. Aunt Ye is gentle and kind. Whatever she decides regarding Xue Mo, its sure to be reasonable and well thought out.

Ultimate Charmer: @Only Idealism

Only Idealism? Thats you, isnt it? Ye Rong looked at the messages eagerly, then nodded. Ultimate Charmer must be that daughter-in-law of mine. As expected of someone I took a fancy to. Shes got a good temperament, and speaks well of me even in private.

Invincible Adorable Beauty: Its been so long since he last sent a message. He wasnt caught, was he?

As soon as Pu Jingwan sent this message, Ye Rong chuckled, then typed a response.

Only Idealism: Hello, everyone. Im Ye Zichens mother. There are some things Id like to discuss with him, and its getting late. Staying up all night isnt healthy for young people like you, so if you have anything else to say to him, it can wait until tomorrow morning.

Instantly, the chatroom fell silent.

The group crouched outside the pagoda stared at each other, eyes wide. Pu Jingwan in particular covered her mouth, her expression full of disbelief.

I was right! She gulped, then she and the others lowered their heads.

Invincible Adorable Beauty: Hello, Aunty. Well go back to our rooms and turn in for the night. Enjoy your chat with Ye Zichen.

Monkey King: Good night, Maam.

Ultimate Charmer: Good night, Maam.

Ding!

Erlang Shen, Monkey King, and Invincible Adorable Beauty have left the group.

In an instant, only Ye Zichen was left. When Ye Rong saw that theyd left the group, she shook her head in exasperation. I wanted to say goodnight first. I hadnt thought theyd leave the group so quickly.

Mom. Ye Zichen smiled appeasingly.

You dont have to be so nervous. Theres no way Id really confiscate your phone, is there? Ye Rong tossed the phone back onto the bed. Ye Zichen hurriedly grabbed it and stuffed it back under his pillow.

How can you use this sort of chat software up here? Why do you still have an internet connection?

I found someone to make some alterations to the app, as well as to re-establish a network, said Ye Zichen.

Heh Ye Zichen laughed sheepishly. He scratched his head and licked his lips. Mom, since you already know, I wont pretend anymore. I want to ask, can you agree to

Actually, Im not really inclined to agree, said Ye Rong. I know youre close with that girl, but remember, you are the Emperor Star, and the importance of your starlight eclipses all other concerns.

But she.

I know what youre about to say. Youre right, and thats why I hesitated just now. I have to think this over carefully. Furthermore, even though I trust that the Hermit Emperor wouldnt share false news just to trick me, I still need some time to confirm everything he told me. Until then, all you need to do is rest up and heal.

I understand.

Ye Rong gently c.a.r.e.s.sed Ye Zichens cheek, her eyes filled with gentleness. Im sure you know this, but Im doing this for you. Alright then, I wont keep you up any longer, but its getting late. If you have anything to say to them, wait until tomorrow morning. You might seem lively and full of energy, but you suffered heavy injuries only recently. I dont dare assume that the starlight fixed you completely, or that you dont have any internal, lingering wounds.

Okay. Ye Zichen watched Ye Rong leave, but just as she was about to step through his door, he suddenly knit his brows. Mom, theres something Id like to ask you.

Ye Rong turned back around, and Ye Zichen said, Today, I visited the Xue Family dungeons, and there was a demon expert imprisoned on the third layer.

What of it? The demons and yao frequently send people to probe the Divine Mountains Holy Lands in search of intelligence. Every Holy Land has dungeons full of captured yao and demon agents, said Ye Rong.

What do you mean?

I went to the dungeons to imprison Bai Yulong, the one who hurt Xue Mo. I wanted to give him as vicious a neighbor as I could in the name of maximizing his psychological torture. I went around in circles but didnt find anywhere appropriate. Then, someone on the second layer said there was someone even more terrifying on the third floor. I wanted to go down, but as soon as I stepped onto the stairs.

Ye Zichen recounted everything hed experienced, including the sudden surge of terror, and how hed frantically escaped.

When he finished his tale, Ye Rong knit her brows. Youve seen quite a few imperial-level rulers, including those with enmity towards you. And yet, the energy the expert on the third level released casually, without any ill intent for you specifically, had such an effect on you.

Im curious how such a being wound up in the Xue Family Dungeons. Perhaps this is disrespectful to Great Emperor Xue Yang, but Im reasonably certain that not even Great Emperor Xue Yang would be a match for whoevers down there. Theres no way he could capture him alive and throw him in the dungeons, said Ye Zichen.

It is rather fishy, said Ye Rong. But this is the Xue Familys business, and we have no right to interfere. Youd best not worry too much about it.

Alright. Ye Zichen agreed, but he was clearly in low spirits.

Seeing this, Ye Rongs heart ached. If youre that curious, I can have someone investigate the demons background. But since weve still got a fairly harmonious relationship with the Xue Family and Sea of Innocence, we cant probe too deeply, and theres a limit to how much information we can find. If you really want to know, youd be better off starting directly from the Xue Family, but you absolutely cant let Xue Yang find out youre prying. Got it?

Understood! Ye Zichens eyes flashed with delight. Ye Rongs meaning was clear; she supported his d.e.s.i.r.e to investigate so long as he was careful.

When she saw Ye Zichens smile, Ye Rong couldnt help but smile too. Hurry up and go to bed. Dont stay up all night playing with your phone, okay?

With that, she tossed him his phone.

Ordinarily, she wouldnt let Ye Zichen get involved in something like this, but the end of the era was imminent. Furthermore, she knew the Emperor Star would grant its bearer vague premonitions. It was entirely possible that Ye Zichens encounter with the demon of the third layer was the stirrings of fate!