Once the seed was secure, Cao Yun heaved a sigh of relief. Although he had not fully controlled the seed, he knew that it wouldn't act up now. However, he was still a bit afraid to put it in his spatial ring. Technically the seed wasn't really alive so it could be put in his spatial ring. Indeed, it wasn't the literal seed of some plant, it was a spark of an authentic Solar-Orchid Flame that had been grown into a seed of the flame itself. With enough time and care, it could bloom into the full-fledged flame. In fact, it was more or less a more advanced version of Cao Yun's Rune of Fire.

Although Cao Yun couldn't directly observe the Dao, any Dao for that matter, he still vaguely knew what it was. In fact, in the notes he had read both from the Wubei Sect about the Dao of Space and from his own master Cleansed Asura about the Dao of Death, he had learned how the study of Dao was categorized. Strangely enough, the terms all related to a plant growing. However, not all Dao took the shape of an actual flower or even any kind of plant, it was just the general denomination. First came the Dao Insight which was a form of embryonic understanding of the Dao. Even Cao Yun couldn't claim to have achieved this first step fully. His Rune of Fire was probably a form of Dao Insight but since Cao Yun couldn't fully grasp its meaning, he hadn't reached this stage himself yet.

After the Dao Insight came the Dao Seed. Obviously, this was the current stage of the flame he had captured. After that, the understanding of the Dao would evolve into Dao Bud, Dao Roots, Dao Growth, Dao Tree, Dao Fruit, Dao Abode and finally Dao Creation. Cao Yun had read about all of these but wasn't necessarily sure what they entailed in the real world. In the beginning, they were similar to martial states, but they quickly differed. Indeed, there was a difference between understanding a martial art that was within and understanding a force of nature itself. That didn't stop people from talking about Dao as well. After all, martial arts were part of the natural world, just like humans were. But everyone could master a martial state, because everyone could observe what was going on within. But not everyone could perceive the Dao itself, thus only Sages could begin to study it.

Anyway, Cao Yun had understood that he could get close to a Dao Insight but would never actually reach it before he became a Sage or an Exalted Demon. Honestly, he would probably become an Exalted Demon beforehand. Indeed, Cao Yun had felt the chains of the Dao all around and within his own flesh and soul.

According to the 'Crimson Inferno Road', this was the very first sign of the tribulation leading to the Exalted Reborn realm. Of course, it required years of practice to get there after feeling this sensation. But, at the very least, it proved that Cao Yun had this potential. Unfortunately, just like any other demon on the Piaolu planet, he would likely suffer from the Forsaken Dao Era. From the testimonies he had read, those chains had become more and more restrained, to the point where not a single demon could break through and become an Exalted Demon, just like no human had been able to pierce the veil of the Dao and become a Sage since then.

Apparently, those chains were an emanation of the Dao as well. One could not break them apart at this stage, but one could intertwine their own chains with them so they could steal the understanding from the Dao. Of course, it meant that Cao Yun had to fully forge the chains around his Demon Soul. They would be the basis of his study of the Dao. In a sense, to speak about plants, those chains would be roots drawing their nutrients from the Dao itself in the form of insights. This was the way demons studied the Dao. Humans opened the Third Eye of their Soul Embryo while asura connected their Demon Soul to the Dao with chains.

Of course, Cao Yun wanted to meditate on this sensation as it might help him understand 'Soul Chains'. But, for the time being, he hid in a nearby location prepared beforehand. The very first thing he did was to make sure that Dian Mo was fine. Thankfully, he was exhausted but Dian Mo was well.

"Boy, you still think this was a good idea?!"

"I might have been a little rash... But this Solar-Orchid Flame was truly unexpected, to be fair. That being said, I do admit that you were right. Facing the 5th Imperial Brocade Guards right now was a mistake, I was lacking intel. However, it's still better than if I had to face them at the capital with Emperor Weide himself backing them up. This fight really proved to me that we have to weaken them."

"Yes, but by weakening Emperor Weide, you're also weakening the Hongchen Kingdom. Those soldiers are loyal to Emperor Weide because they're loyal to the Hongchen Kingdom. That woman actually thought she was protecting the kingdom, even during atrocious missions. In other words, you're killing those who could help you against the Empyrean Asura Theocracy. Did you think about that?!"

Honestly, Cao Yun had thought about this. And he did feel guilty about it. Within Yan Huoling's memories, it was clear that she was fully devoted to the Hongchen Kingdom, not to Emperor Weide as a man, but as a symbol of the kingdom itself, and all the Emperors before him, all the way to Emperor Nuwa herself. Unfortunately, it didn't change the fact that they would try to kill him. And it certainly didn't change the fact that they had killed his family.

"I have to tend to my injuries first. Then, we'll absorb all her memories and we'll see."

Cao Yun didn't want to argue with Dian Mo right away. After all, they were both exhausted and had faced death, and they had gotten extremely close to death once again. Thus, Cao Yun wanted both of them to calm down first. Moreover, his arm was still heavily injured and he wanted to make sure it was something he could heal.

Looking at his right arm, the entire forearm looked like cracked charcoal. Thankfully, though, the structure itself was more or less intact. The muscles were damaged but not gone, so were his bones, his tendons, even his nerves. With his great blood cultivation, Cao Yun had even been able to reform some of his organs. In fact, the Drop of Wrath had quite literally brought him back from the brink of death when the 5th Imperial Brocade Guards had sliced him open as a child.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

For several minutes, Cao Yun observed his arm in great detail and caution. Then, he started to pour his blood into it, drop by drop. He didn't want to damage it even further. Slowly, he regained his sensations. Honestly, he had hoped for it much later. Indeed, he could now feel the pain once again. When his nerves were burned, the pain had subsided from those parts of his forearm. Unfortunately, pain was the very first thing to come back. Even with his mind cultivation, fighting against pain always required some effort. Besides, his arm was really in a terrible state, so the pain was acute.

The young man had to proceed carefully to avoid causing even more damage and lengthening the process. However, it was apparent that his forearm would be fine after a few days, maybe a couple of weeks in the worst-case scenario. Considering that his enemies were all over the region, it wasn't that good, to be honest. Of course, for any mortal, it would be prodigious, but not to Cao Yun who was used to serious injuries by now.

Anyway, since he couldn't do a thing about it, Cao Yun didn't try to hurry up the process. Creating an even worse injury just to spare a few days would be stupid.

"Fine, let's look at those memories now."

Dian Mo and Cao Yun had only observed a small portion of Yan Huoling's memories, those that were truly useful during the fight. However, Cao Yun wanted everything. In particular, he wanted information on his sister and on the assassins of his family. If he could glean information about cultivation, martial arts, or other matters, he would gladly take them in, but those were not his purpose at the moment.

For a few minutes, all of Yan Huoling's memories flowed through the two minds, Cao Yun's and Dian Mo's. Several centuries of one's life passed in a matter of minutes. Of course, everything was very dense, but now Cao Yun and Dian Mo could explore those memories as they saw fit. Every single seal had been unraveled or destroyed by Dian Mo, so they had almost everything, albeit some small memories here and there that even Yan Huoling had forgotten herself.

Cao Yun was extremely pleased. Within this ocean of memories, he had focused on anything related to Emperor Weide's so-called daughter, Yong Ke. Yan Huoling was absolutely aware that Yong Ke wasn't Emperor Weide's actual daughter. In fact, she had been there when the 5th Imperial Brocade Guards had brought her to Emperor Weide and he had altered her mind. The young man saw this scene as though he was living it. He was in the body of Yan Huoling herself and he could feel her emotions. Although she didn't like it, there was pride in her heart as she had been heavily congratulated by Emperor Weide. She witnessed the whole thing.

Cao Huiying was shaking in front of Emperor Weide. Servants had bathed her and given her clean clothes. Honestly, she didn't even look like the little sister Cao Yun had known. Her eyes were dead, tears were still apparent on her red cheeks. Anyone who would have seen this poor little girl shaking like she was would have had only one desire, hug her and comfort her. Even Yan Huoling thought about her own kids but since she knew Cao Huiying's purpose, she had stopped seeing her as a girl, she was a mere tool to be used against the demons. Emperor Weide could become a Sage and wipe out the enemies of the Hongchen Kingdom. What was one small sacrifice compared to that?

As he was reliving her memories, he was adopting her own view of the scene as well. After all, memories were always altered by one's emotions and philosophical views.

Although Yan Huoling didn't know what Emperor Weide was doing exactly, Dian Mo also saw it all. Even without Dian Mo's help, Cao Yun understood too. Emperor Weide had sent seals in her sea of consciousness in order to not seal or alter, but to eradicate her memories, almost all of them. The poor little girl fell unconscious. Then, Yan Huoling saw her again a few times before her next assignment. Slowly, they convinced Cao Huiying that she was actually Emperor Weide's daughter. She had been attacked and her mind had been assaulted. Of course, Emperor Weide had been cautious to preserve her soul. So a few memories were still there, but they were distant echoes of the forgotten past.

Now, Cao Yun was certain. No matter what, he could never give his sister her memories back, they were simply gone. He could give her some of his memories of her, but this wasn't the same thing at all.

Suddenly, a wave of sadness and helplessness surged forth. It was as if his sister had died a second time right in front of him. He could relive this scene over and over again without being able to do anything about it. He fantasized about barging in on the ceremony and slaughtering everyone, forcing Emperor Weide to beg for his life before burning him alive and savor his screams of agony. But no fantasy would alter the past. His sister was now a completely different person without a single memory of her past, or just small echoes of it that had survived because of Emperor Weide's caution.

"Boy..."

Dian Mo tried to say something but stopped himself. There was nothing to say. Instead, he gave Cao Yun all the time he needed. Despite his deep sadness, no tears came to Cao Yun's eyes, he could feel like he was about to cry but it never actually came. In a way, it increased his pain as he had no way to let it go. Suddenly, with the protection of his array formations, he screamed as his body was shaking all over. It did help a little.

For some time, Cao Yun was faced with his own mind to deal with that revelation. The little girl he had known would never come back. But he would still save Yong Ke from her so-called father. In fact, he was more determined than ever. Yong Ke was admiring and loving her father, but he was just raising her like a pig for slaughter.

Finally, some good news transpired from Yan Huoling's memories. She was aware of Emperor Weide's preparations for Yong Ke. There was still time before the ceremony. Although Yong Ke had actually broken through and was now a Spirit Warrior, Emperor Weide needed her Soul Embryo in a specific state before killing her to absorb it and ascend to the Sage realm. Moreover, he had sent his 5th Imperial Brocade Guards in order to secure the Nine-Headed Bird of Chu so that the chances of success would increase. Unfortunately, the ceremony was still possible without the bird. But it would be further delayed. From everything Cao Yun could see, around seven to eight months were necessary.

Of course, Cao Yun would have preferred even more time, but it was perfectly compatible with everything he had to do first. Besides, he now knew with certainty, so he could plan accordingly. He wasn't afraid that his sister was already dead. She was absolutely well and alive, for now.

After Cao Yun had digested all of that, he focused on other parts of her memories. In particular, he wanted to know more about the 5th Imperial Brocade Guards. Yan Huoling had become their actual leader seven years ago. The man who had led the attack against the Cao family was now the personal guard of Yong Ke and Emperor Weide, as both of them were always staying in the Everlasting Earth Palace. That night, Yan Huoling had been there, but this man was the one who had killed his great-grandfather, both his body and his Soul Embryo. He was the man Cao Yun wanted to slaughter.

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