Chapter 146: Chapter 35: Plan for Restoring the Country,

The Origin of the Raven,       Mind of       Fairy_2

“Oh?”

Zhao Huai’s thoughts wandered, and he momentarily lost focus. Hearing Yin Nanyu’s answer, he couldn’t help but feel surprised.

He wondered why she had such confidence.

When Yin Nanyu’s cold gaze fell on Zhao Huai, it wasn’t as severe as before, and became somewhat gentler. She explained:

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“There are three reasons. First, the Emperor of Xia appointed officials from humble families, starting a wave of civil reform, which successfully angered many aristocratic families.”

“Second, because of the famine in the south, the Imperial Court drastically reduced the number of border troops, using the surplus supplies to help the starving people. If the Northern Alien Races learn of this, they will certainly not let this opportunity slip away and will advance towards the southern border again. This would be a great advantage for both the Northern Alien

Races and Yan Country.”

“Third, rumors have it that a princess of noble birth is hiding among the people in Xia, and if she comes forward, Xia’s power would inevitably weaken further.”

Yin Nanyu’s thoughts were clear and logical.

Her words also impressed Song Heqing, who was on horseback, and he wore an appreciative expression on his face.

Even Zhao Huai couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

She was indeed as wise and resourceful as Old Song had said.

With such a grand vision, she didn’t seem like an ordinary woman.

“You truly are a hero among women, being able to understand the current situation despite being in a sect,” Zhao Huai said, smiling faintly.

It was rare to find a cultivator so knowledgeable about worldly matters.

Seeing the doubt on Zhao Huai’s face, Yin Nanyu knew what he was thinking and immediately added, “Although I am in a sect, I come from an aristocratic family. When I was five, my father sent me away to cultivate in the sect. At that time, we were still under the rule of the Yan, but now upon my return, everything has changed. The once-prominent families are now in ruin, and it’s hard not to harbor resentment towards Xia.”

So, there was a story behind it—no wonder she harbored good will towards Yan. Whether her story was true or false remained a question, but at least she was on Yan’s side.

Zhao Huai pondered.

“Indeed, Miss Yin told me the same story before,” Song Heqing said, stroking his white beard with a smile on his face.

He had already heard the same story when they were in the Demon Prison.

Yin Nanyu was both astute and beautiful. As an old court official, the more he looked at her, the more satisfied he became. He couldn’t help but want to instate her as the Crown Prince’s Wife right then and there.

However, that would still require the Crown Prince’s consent.

Having successfully dispelled the doubts of the two men while consolidating her position within Yan’s power, Yin Nanyu remained calm and composed.

What she said wasn’t far from the truth.

It’s just more tragic than she imagined.

Although she now held the second-highest position in the Raven Sect, things hadn’t always been so good for her before becoming the Saintess.

The title of Saintess, according to the doctrine, belongs to a child who has successfully fused with the spirit of the raven, granting them extraordinary bloodline power and transcendent will.

What were the spirit of the raven and transcendent will?

The spirit of the raven symbolized the belief in the Crow Immortal. With it, one could use the power of faith to enhance their cultivation and perform the Raven Rite to helD others become a member of the sect.

The spirit of the raven was powerful, and it could alter a mortal’s aptitude, granting them a fast cultivation speed.

But the price one had to pay was immense: the spirit consumed a person’s life, and it was irreversible.

Not even hundreds of infant girls would necessarily succeed in being chosen as a candidate for the Saintess.

However, Yin Nanyu endured.

Her silver hair was the best proof of that.

Those who possessed the spirit of the raven had to cultivate diligently, extend their lifespan, and possess astonishing willpower. Otherwise, they would die when their life was completely consumed.

As for the transcendent will, it was the divine will bestowed by the Crow Immortal.

According to legend, the Crow Immortal was a supreme being who existed during ancient times, but at the brink of calamity, it would watch over those in the mortal world who needed help. The Crow Immortal would then bestow the transcendent will, baptizing all living beings to gain their faith and the power of belief.

In fact, there were other immortals in ancient times that also existed in an ethereal form, and they too drew power from the human world through specific rituals and constructions. Most of them, however, had already vanished.

Those who were baptized by the transcendent will would bear the soul mark of the Crow Immortal and be forever loyal to the Raven Sect.

Simultaneously, they would receive immense power, including the enhancement of spiritual power, magic power, and primordial spirit abilities.

After all, not everyone was qualified to receive the transcendent will. Only those who passed the Crow Immortal’s test and became decision-makers within the Raven Sect were eligible.

Yin Nanyu had a good understanding of rebellion.

With her meddling and help, she was confident that she could lift Yan and challenge Xia.

When the time was ripe, she would groom Yan and then slowly devour the nation’s fortune-making it a very profitable endeavor.

All she had to do was gradually earn the trust of the others.

At this moment, the Exquisite Fairy Qiu Yueqing, who had been silent all this time, watched Yin Nanyu as her palm was alternately covered by a blue-white frost and then returned to its original fair complexion. The cycle continued, reflecting her indecision and uneasiness.

Seeing that Yin Nanyu had gained the favor of the Crown Prince of Yan, she couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.

It felt as if her most cherished possession had been stolen by someone else..