Chapter 7

The dome was adorned with green jade tiles, supported by golden pillars, and built with white jade bricks.

Zhou Yuxiu looked around the grand hall in a daze. In her entire life, she had never seen such a magnificent palace.

Not even in movies or TV shows!

She looked down and saw a pool of water, its surface gently rippling, reflecting the light.

Zhou Yuxiu hesitated for a moment before stepping down. She felt a slight chill on her legs, along with a soft, sticky sensation, as if she were really immersed in the water.

She was amazed: "This dream is too real..."

Throughout her life, Zhou Yuxiu had experienced all sorts of absurd dreams, but she had never felt such intricate details in a dream.

Zhou Yuxiu took two steps in the pool and turned around, only to find two people standing behind her.

She was startled and instinctively assumed a defensive posture, carefully observing them.

One was a man and the other a woman. The woman, dressed in white, was very beautiful, especially her bright, sparkling eyes, which were particularly lively and spirited.

She had a bun on her head, and her white clothes were in the style of a Taoist robe, giving her an ethereal and divine aura.

The man beside the white-clad girl was a bit intimidating.

He was tall and slender, wearing a golden crown and a golden robe, looking like an ancient emperor from a TV drama.

However, his crown and robe seemed to be made of gold, appearing exceptionally splendid and dazzling, almost blinding.

Most striking was his face, which seemed to be made of gold as well!

His smiling lips seemed to be frozen in place, making his smile appear somewhat eerie.

Even his narrow eyes were golden!

The more Zhou Yuxiu looked, the more frightened she became, but she couldn't help but stare.

She felt that this wasn't a real face, but a mask.

Or perhaps, this person was a statue.

But she soon realized that wasn't the case, as the person's eyes showed subtle changes, clearly indicating that he was alive.

Due to her cautious nature, Zhou Yuxiu observed very carefully.

However, the environment was too unusual, and she couldn't tell where she was or whether she was dreaming.

She remembered clearly that she had been sleeping in her bedroom just a moment ago. How did she end up here?

It wouldn't be strange if someone had killed her, but no one would abduct her to such a strange place!

Out of caution, Zhou Yuxiu didn't speak, but instead observed her surroundings as much as possible.

Ling'er saw Zhou Yuxiu standing there warily and smiled, waving her over: "Sister Zhou, come over quickly."

"Who are you?" Zhou Yuxiu hesitated and asked in a low voice.

Based on her rational judgment, she didn't think she was dreaming; everything was too real. This made her very cautious.

"My name is Ling'er."

Ling'er was very enthusiastic. Seeing that Zhou Yuxiu was still hesitant, she ran into the pool and pulled Zhou Yuxiu out.

Zhou Yuxiu wasn't used to such intimacy with strangers, and she instinctively tried to avoid Ling'er's hand.

When Ling'er grabbed her wrist, her muscles tensed, ready to resist.

However, out of respect for the mysterious and splendid palace, the awe-inspiring man in the golden dragon robe, and Ling'er's sweet and lovely smile, she gave up on resisting.

The two girls walked out of the pool, looking like a beautiful painting.

Gao Qian was also carefully observing this new apostle.

Zhou Yuxiu was a bit taller than Ling'er, about 160 cm.

Her figure was well-proportioned, with a slim waist and long legs. Her gait was light, elegant, and steady, like a cat.

Zhou Yuxiu had fine, arched eyebrows and a gentle gaze. Compared to Ling'er's bright and graceful appearance, she had a more delicate and refined look. Her eyes were cold, giving her a distant and aloof air.

In terms of overall demeanor, Zhou Yuxiu was somewhat like a cat, very alert and cautious in unfamiliar environments, and somewhat proud and indifferent.

Ling'er was introducing Zhou Yuxiu to Gao Qian in a low voice: "That is the master of this palace, His Highness Taiyi."

"His Highness Taiyi?"

This title made Zhou Yuxiu's eyes fill with confusion. The empire had been overthrown almost a hundred years ago, and titles like "Your Majesty" or "Your Highness" could only be found in novels and TV shows.

No normal person would call themselves that.

However, the title did fit the golden and splendid palace. But calling someone "Your Highness" still felt a bit embarrassing!

She couldn't bring herself to say it.

Ling'er seemed to understand Zhou Yuxiu's thoughts and said softly, "Sister Zhou, you are the apostle chosen by His Highness from among countless beings.

"From this perspective, you are His Highness's direct disciple. You can call him 'teacher.'"

"Apostle? Teacher?"

Zhou Yuxiu was even more confused, her eyes full of questions.

Zhou Yuxiu's eyes were not as large as Ling'er's, but they were more delicate and cold. Her clear gaze clearly expressed her thoughts.

Ling'er didn't provide further explanations but said earnestly, "Sister Zhou, you won't regret trusting me."

Zhou Yuxiu remained silent, her cold eyes seeming to say, "Why should I trust you? Just because you're cute?"

"Everything is indeed very unbelievable, and it's normal for you to have doubts, Sister Zhou."

Ling'er wasn't in a hurry. Anyone suddenly arriving at Taiyi Palace would be confused, especially a seventeen-year-old girl.

She smiled and said, "In time, Sister Zhou will realize that everything I say is true."

As the two girls walked out of the pool, the water on their clothes disappeared.

At this moment, Zhou Yuxiu noticed that she was wearing a black robe, an ancient style with a crossed collar, and a dark gold lotus embroidered on the left side of the chest. She also had a pair of black knee-high boots with dark gold lotus patterns.

The robe and boots were very unisex, not typically for girls, but they fit her perfectly, looking both noble and mysterious.

Zhou Yuxiu quietly let go of Ling'er's hand and silently visualized the source star, a source star rotating gently in her mind, shining with a brilliant yet soft light.

"Being able to visualize the source star and sense the source power..."

Zhou Yuxiu immediately determined that this wasn't a dream or some kind of mental illusion.

Source masters could only visualize the source star and communicate with the source power when they were fully conscious.

So, was everything real?

Zhou Yuxiu was very confused; her intelligence and experience couldn't explain what was happening.

Ling'er saw Zhou Yuxiu in a daze and gently pulled her: "Sister Zhou."

Zhou Yuxiu looked at Ling'er, who gave her a meaningful glance, indicating that she should greet Gao Qian.

Facing the mysterious Gao Qian, Zhou Yuxiu didn't know what to say.

Gao Qian had been observing Zhou Yuxiu and found her to be a cautious, reserved, and very calm girl. From her posture and demeanor, she seemed to come from a good family, well-educated, and skilled in combat.

So far, Gao Qian was satisfied with this apostle.

After all, she was a beautiful and intelligent girl, cautious and reserved, and suitable for cultivating the Wu Xiang Yin Yang Wheel, as chosen by the Taiyi Order.

Zhou Yuxiu was still somewhat resistant, which was normal.

With more visits and experiencing the power of the Wu Xiang Yin Yang Wheel, trust would naturally be established.

Now, he needed to take the initiative.

Gao Qian's deep, resonant voice said, "Zhou Yuxiu, fortunate child, from today on, you are my first apostle."

Zhou Yuxiu frowned slightly but didn't object. After all, it was his words, and she hadn't acknowledged it.

On someone else's territory, she didn't want to directly confront him.

Gao Qian didn't need a response from Zhou Yuxiu. He raised his hand, and a black lotus in the pool flew up, transforming into a stream of light that entered Zhou Yuxiu's forehead.

Zhou Yuxiu's vision went dark, and a vast and complex information flooded her mind.

In that instant, she suddenly understood the essence of the Wu Xiang Yin Yang Wheel and felt its boundless power.

This left Zhou Yuxiu deeply shaken. Even when she ignited her source star, she hadn't felt such a strong sensation.

"What is this power? Who is Taiyi?"

As Zhou Yuxiu comprehended the Wu Xiang Yin Yang Wheel, she was both shocked and filled with more questions.

Gao Qian's deep and authoritative voice echoed in her mind: "You must keep the secrets of this place and not reveal anything. Do not辜负 my expectations..."

Zhou Yuxiu was startled again. How could his voice directly enter her mind?

Before she could figure it out, she saw a black and white wheel appear on her source star.

It looked like a Taiji diagram, but upon closer inspection, it had countless tiny gears interlocking and moving, causing the black and white wheel to rotate continuously.

"This is the Wu Xiang Yin Yang Wheel!"

Zhou Yuxiu suddenly understood. This black and white wheel, more complex than a mechanical watch, was the materialized form of the Wu Xiang Yin Yang Wheel.

Then, Zhou Yuxiu woke up.

In the dimly lit bedroom, Zhou Yuxiu sat on the bed in silence for a while. She suddenly jumped off the bed, barefoot, and wielded a pair of cold daggers.

Her feet moved as if on invisible wheels, smooth and silent.

With sharp whistling sounds, the daggers crossed and stabbed, leaving a faint silver trail in the dim light.

Zhou Yuxiu stopped, transitioning from intense movement to complete stillness, naturally and smoothly.

This was the first time she could perform the nine rapid slashes with both hands, with energy to spare.

Previously, her best performance was six slashes with each hand.

The Wu Xiang Yin Yang Wheel didn't directly increase her strength but allowed her to control her body more finely and precisely, fully utilizing every bit of her strength.

An opponent who was previously her equal could now be easily defeated by her alone.

After a while, Zhou Yuxiu sighed softly to herself, "Such powerful strength..."

Only now did Zhou Yuxiu confirm that what had happened was not an illusion. The Wu Xiang Yin Yang Wheel's control over strength had at least doubled her combat ability!

Her current situation was not good, and she needed more strength.

The sudden increase in strength was very valuable to her, even enough to change her fate.

Zhou Yuxiu also found everything very dreamlike. Even a legendary fifth-stage source master might not have such mystical powers.

His Highness Taiyi was unimaginable and incomprehensible.

Zhou Yuxiu still had many questions but also felt a deep reverence for His Highness Taiyi!

To be able to grant such powerful strength with a snap of his fingers, his power was almost godlike!

As an apostle of His Highness Taiyi, what responsibilities would she have to bear?

Zhou Yuxiu understood from a young age that there was no such thing as a free lunch.

The title of apostle sounded like a job.

She was deeply worried. If she failed as an apostle, what kind of punishment would she face?