Chapter 402: Ancient God Forbidden Land

"Ancient God Forbidden Land!"

Before Zhang Xingyu could speak, Tang Yunxi already shouted in surprise.

"Stop the ship, stop it quickly!"

Tang Yunxi couldn't afford the lingering affection with Zhang Xingyu, so she stood up and loudly ordered the Snow Woman behind her.

"Ancient God Forbidden Land?"

"Hmm, that should be the legendary Ancient God Forbidden Land. Since the Primordial Age, Xuantiandalu has been passing down this legend. Above the Nine Heavens floats a mysterious continent; any cultivator who steps onto it becomes a servant of the gods, forever imprisoned within the forbidden land."

"From ancient times to now, have any who entered ever come out?"

"No. Over tens of thousands of years, the Ancient God Forbidden Land has manifested dozens of times. Each appearance drew countless strong cultivators inside, yet no one has ever emerged again."

"Then we should hurry and leave."

Just hearing the name Ancient God Forbidden Land tells you it's a place of great misfortune.

Although he longed to go in and investigate, Zhang Xingyu still restrained his curiosity.

Curiosity killed the cat. Moreover, Tang Yunxi was by his side.

He absolutely would not let his beloved fall into danger.

The dragon boat slowly retreated.

Seeing the Ancient God Forbidden Land recede, Zhang Xingyu couldn't help but activate his divine eye technique, "Thousand-Mile Sight".

Two beams of refined light shot from his eyes, vanishing after a moment.

Zhang Xingyu's eyes stung, and two streams of tears welled up from his corners.

Just this one glance already severely damaged his eyes.

Fortunately, that glance was not in vain.

As his eyes were injured, an image simultaneously flashed into his mind.

Outside the Ancient God Forbidden Land, countless sea ships floated densely.

These vessels were ancient, their hulls largely ruined. No one stood on the ships, as if each were a floating ghost.

Around these ghost ships, Zhang Xingyu spotted a brand‑new large vessel.

The ship was entirely golden, its towering mast bearing a massive sail embroidered with a riot of vivid flowers.

A Hundred Flowers Island sea ship.

It was this ship that carried the young celestial elites of Xuantiandalu to Hundred Flowers Island for the Hundred Flowers Feast.

How did this sea ship end up here?

Zhang Xingyu frowned.

An ominous premonition rose in his heart.

"What's wrong?" Tang Yunxi's caring voice asked beside his ear.

Zhang Xingyu opened his eyes and waved his hand at her: "I'm fine."

"If you're fine, why the frown and tears?"

"Um......"

Zhang Xingyu hesitated whether to tell Tang Yunxi what he had seen.

Beside him, Tang Yunxi pursed her lips.

"Hmph! People say that two people in love should be completely honest with each other, no secrets."

"Um, fine, since you want to know, I'll tell you......"

Zhang Xingyu relayed everything he had seen to Tang Yunxi.

Tang Yunxi nodded, then stared at Zhang Xingyu and asked, "Are you worried that those few close female friends of yours are also on that ship at Hundred Flowers Island?"

Zhang Xingyu nodded, but said nothing further.

If he told Tang Yunxi "I'm not worried," it would be a blatant lie.

Seeing Zhang Xingyu's gloomy expression, Tang Yunxi put away her petulance.

"Xingyu, don't worry; perhaps they aren't on that ship."

Tang Yunxi tried to comfort Zhang Xingyu, but even she didn't believe the words she said.

The two fell into silence.

After a long while, Zhang Xingyu made up his mind; he would enter the Ancient God Forbidden Land to take a look.

He intended to rescue Ha Li and several other women. Though the hope was slim and he might end up trapped himself, if he left now his conscience would never find peace.

"Senior Sister, I want to go see the Ancient God Forbidden Land."

"Alright. I'll go with you."

"No. You're not allowed to go. Inside is fraught with danger; you can't go."

"I'm going. You promised me; we'll never be separated across lifetimes."

"It's only a temporary separation. Trust me, I'll definitely come out."

"No, if you go, I'll go with you."

"Fine. Then never mind. Neither of us will go."

The waves roiled, spray flinging everywhere.

After finally breaking through the storm zone, the sky grew dim.

The night sky was pitch black, as if a gigantic mouth were about to devour all light.

Zhang Xingyu led Tang Yunxi into the cabin.

Inside the cabin, candlelight flickered.

Xue Yun led the maids in preparing dinner.

The dinner was lavish, with jade plates filled with delicacies, phoenix marrow and dragon liver piled high across a large table.

Zhang Xingyu picked up the wine pot and poured a full cup of Hundred Flowers Fairy Brew for Tang Yunxi.

"Senior sister, let's have a drink together. This Hundred Flowers Fairy Brew really tastes good." Zhang Xingyu raised his cup and lightly clinked it against Tang Yunxi's.

Tang Yunxi took a slight sip and then set down her cup.

At this moment, her jade-like face bore a springtime glow, and a flush rose on her cheeks.

From childhood onward, she had never been alone in a room with a man, let alone shared a table for a meal.

"Senior sister, eat. These bear paws are crystal clear, full of collagen—clearly a top-notch beauty food."

After Tang Yunxi set down her wine cup, Zhang Xingyu eagerly picked up some vegetables for her.

Tang Yunxi took a small bite, then closed her mouth and chewed gently.

Her movements were graceful, just as she usually was.

Zhang Xingyu stared at her, dazed for a moment.

"If I could spend a lifetime with her, how wonderful that would be. Alas, fate plays tricks. Perhaps after tonight, if I ever want to share another candlelit dinner with her, I'll have to wait for the next life."

Tang Yunxi felt a bit embarrassed under Zhang Xingyu's gaze; she swallowed the food in her mouth, then picked up her chopsticks and served him some vegetables.

Perhaps because she had never served anyone before, her movements were clumsy—a slippery slice of meat spun on the tip of her chopsticks and fell back into the dish.

Tang Yunxi was greatly embarrassed.

"I'm so clumsy!" she thought.

She lifted her head to glance at Zhang Xingyu, only to find him staring blankly at her.

This put her heart at ease.

"Idiot, what are you looking at?" she asked.

"Looking at you. Senior sister, you're truly beautiful." he replied.

Tang Yunxi was utterly embarrassed.

The meal lasted two hours.

Only when the red candles burned down and the moon rose high did they finally put down their chopsticks.

At this moment, Tang Yunxi's face was like peach blossoms, her breath like orchids, and her eyes were shrouded in misty rain.

Zhang Xingyu was also a little drunk, yet his mind remained perfectly clear.

He reluctantly gazed at Tang Yunxi across from him, then softly called out to the outside of the cabin: "Someone, help the princess back to rest."

Watching Tang Yunxi's silhouette disappear at the cabin door, Zhang Xingyu slumped dejectedly into his chair.

At this moment, Zhang Xingyu's tears streamed down his face, his heart feeling as if it were being pierced by an awl, painful beyond endurance.

"Sorry, senior sister, I can't let you go with me. Sorry, senior sister, I can't be with you forever. Sorry, sorry..."