Chen Qiyue's eyes were bloodshot, his fury almost seeming to burst from his pupils. He stared intently at the ring on his middle finger, muttering, "Ling Zhao's soul is inside this ring. Don't you dare talk nonsense, don't say stupid things!" His voice trembled, more from a stubborn refusal to accept reality and fear.
Han Ling stood before him, letting out a cold snort. His gaze was sharp as a blade, as if piercing through every thought in Chen Qiyue's mind. Without a word, he quickly performed several intricate hand seals, and a faint spiritual energy instantly enveloped the entire space. Chen Qiyue felt the ring suddenly become weightless and slip off his finger, as if snatched away by an invisible force.
"Don't move!" Hang Zhongxuan barked sternly, forcefully holding down Chen Qiyue's wrist as he tried to snatch the ring back, his wrist turning nearly white from the pressure.
The ring emitted a faint glow while suspended in midair. Oddly, it didn't shatter; instead, it seemed sealed by some sort of spell, exuding a chilling aura.
Han Ling furrowed his brow slightly and took a deep breath, sending his divine consciousness into the ring. Instantly, images began to form in the air, clear and vivid like scenes from a movie.
It was the scene from that day: Ling Zhao's soul appeared as a transparent light figure, forcibly drawn into a vortex of spiritual energy by a domineering "transparent" figure—the celestial master. The air rippled with spiritual energy; the celestial master's hands manipulated the energy, his face wearing a smug expression of assured victory.
However, just as the energy peaked, Ling Zhao's soul suddenly unleashed a fierce resistance. At the last moment, it seemed to seize some of the celestial master's spiritual energy, transforming into a flash of light that leapt from the vortex and vanished instantly without a trace.
The scene shifted again. The "transparent" celestial master looked indifferent, casually performing a perfunctory hand seal, then impatiently tossed the ring to Chen Qiyue, showing no sincerity throughout.
Chen Qiyue's face shifted from shock to utter collapse. He sank to his knees, his whole body limp on the ground, shoulders twitching uncontrollably, tears streaming like a flood breaking a dam.
Choking, he cried out, "No… no way… how could Ling Zhao just disappear like that? I… I gave it my all, yet this is the result… how could this happen?"
His sobs echoed off the interrogation room's walls, filled with despair and pain, even an indescribable helplessness and regret.
Outside the glass door, Gu Xingxi and Jiang Mingyao exchanged glances, whispering, "Is he faking sadness or is it real?" "Acting like an Oscar winner, so deep in the performance it's actually annoying." On Han Ling's wrist, Yun Qian also protested angrily.
Jiang Mingyao agreed quietly, "If you ask me, it's all just a show. He's clearly not hurting that much inside."
Han Ling stood inside, his brows slightly knit, yet unmoved. He could have pulled out surveillance footage from Ling Zhao's home to let Chen Qiyue witness the moment of life and death firsthand, proving Ling Zhao's murder and sealing Chen Qiyue's death sentence. But he chose not to; after all, that evidence would only speed up the verdict.
What weighed even heavier on Han Ling's heart was Ling Ning's equally tragic fate—killed by the combined celestial masters, her soul lost to the unknown. There was no comparing whose ending was more miserable or whose fate more pitiful.
In this world, tragedy always intertwines with hatred and helplessness. Han Ling knew deeply that the pitiable always had unforgivable faults hidden behind. He sighed silently, feeling a cold ripple in his heart.
Chen Qiyue's initial cries were like a sudden, violent rainstorm—fierce and overwhelming, freezing the air in the interrogation room. He collapsed onto the cold floor, clutching his hair tightly as if that could suppress the tearing pain inside. His tears fell like broken pearls down his cheeks; his trembling shoulders rose and fell, the cries striking everyone present's hearts.
But as time passed, the agony gradually shifted from noisy wails to suffocating silent sobs. His eyes, once filled with anger and struggle, became hollow. Tears still slicked his face, but no sound escaped his throat. He sat there, swallowed by despair, lonely and helpless like a shattered puppet.
Yet everyone present was filled with disgust and coldness. Han Ling's gaze was as cold as a blade; Hang Zhongxuan's brow was tightly furrowed. Gu Xingxi and Jiang Mingyao whispered mockingly outside the glass door, while Cen Wenyu and Lan Qihan rolled their eyes, bored with the performance. None wanted to be deceived by his fake sorrow. They believed Chen Qiyue's pain was just his own punishment, a disaster he brought upon himself, deserving no pity.
Finally, Hang Zhongxuan couldn't bear it any longer, his tone laced with impatience and authority as he coldly snapped, "Chen Qiyue, enough! Crying won't change anything. Don't let this place turn into a farce."
His words were like a cold slap, jolting Chen Qiyue. His trembling shoulders stilled. The entire room fell silent, the atmosphere so heavy one could almost hear the heartbeat.
Han Ling stepped forward slowly, his gaze sharp and unyielding, quietly asking, "How did you know about that celestial master's existence?"
Chen Qiyue had wanted to remain silent, hiding everything in silence like a victim lurking in the dark. But Han Ling's questioning was like a sharp thorn piercing his heart, causing hesitation. Finally, he lowered his head, voice filled with struggle and pain, beginning to recount the painful past he couldn't speak of.
"I… heard it when filming on another set," he said softly, voice trembling like he was about to break, "An actor privately mentioned that recently there was a celestial master with particularly strong spiritual power, who helped people read fortunes and even changed their fate… that actor's endorsements exploded afterward, money pouring in."
"Other actors also knew who she was, saying she even kept a little ghost assistant sent by that celestial master… I just listened at the time, didn't take it seriously."
His voice grew weaker, like recalling a nightmare, "Until recently, Ling Zhao started to change. He went out early and came back late, refused to let me participate in script arrangements, and avoided me. That rejection made my heart churn."
"One time, I followed him… and saw him meeting someone at a café." Chen Qiyue's fingers trembled weakly. "That person was his ex, Grant. I heard Ling Ning mention that name, and later checked—he's the heir of the famous Winchester family."
A complicated mix of emotions flashed in his eyes—self-doubt, jealousy, anxiety. "I'm just an ordinary actor, a bit famous but nowhere near good enough for him. I loved him deeply and humbly, afraid he would leave me at any time."
"We dated for over two years but never… got intimate." His voice nearly broke. "I know, I confessed when he was at his most vulnerable… that gave me zero sense of security."
He bitterly smiled, bitterness spreading to the corners of his lips. "I think you've probably investigated it… that absurd night… Ling Ning and I got involved. I'm afraid to face Ling Zhao and afraid to face Ling Ning."
"I always knew Ling Ning liked me, but I didn't dare get close to her, fearing trouble. But after that night, she seemed determined, bombarding me with messages. No matter how much I ignored her, she wouldn't let up."
His gaze was confused and desperate. "Until one day, she told me… she was going to be a dad."
Chen Qiyue stared blankly ahead, as if struck hard, pain and fear filling his chest, making it hard to breathe. He seemed to wake from a nightmare, unsure where to go next.
This was his painful memory…
At that time, Chen Qiyue stood at Ling Ning's doorstep, his heart tumultuous and uneasy.
He froze completely, the strength in his hand gripping the doorknob seemed to drain away. The moment before his eyes felt as if it had crystallized into eternity. He never expected that what began as a simple investigation would bring the most unbearable news of his life.
The door suddenly opened. Ling Ning stood by the doorway, her eyes carrying a hint of playfulness, yet mixed with a trace of seriousness. She smiled lightly, unabashedly taking his hand, her tone teasing yet gentle as she said, "Congratulations, you're going to be a father."
Chen Qiyue's heart jolted violently, as if gripped tightly by an icy hand. He stood there dumbfounded, wanting to refute, to deny, yet no words came out. His mind went blank, as if those three words exploded like a bomb in the life he once thought he could control.
He had imagined countless possibilities, but never expected a child to enter his life like this.
A wave of fear surged inside him — the weight of responsibility loomed like an abyss, swallowing all his courage. Raising this child, facing society's gaze, bearing the duties of marriage — everything felt unbearably heavy. He wasn't prepared; he didn't even have the courage to face it. On top of that, he disliked Ling Ning very much, making the situation even more irresponsible from his point of view.
But another voice softly echoed deep within his heart — perhaps this was fate offering him another chance, a chance to firmly tie Ling Zhao to him. This child might be the key to turning things around, the bridge to reclaiming love.
Though the world's technology was advanced enough for anyone to easily have children, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, this child came from Ling Zhao's younger sister's womb. While that was a fact, what if Ling Zhao softened and accepted it because of this?
If Ling Zhao were to find out, how could he bear the heart-wrenching pain? Perhaps he could keep the secret and come to accept the child? He had never considered that if Ling Zhao ever found out, she might completely give up on him, give up on their relationship.
Back at home, Chen Qiyue originally wanted to confess everything to Ling Zhao, hoping to find some relief and redemption in honesty. But when he saw Ling Zhao's cold and distant face, his words got stuck in his throat. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't say a single word.
"Can I play any role under your script?" he finally said, his tone pleading — more like begging for a sense of presence, a thread of connection.
What he never expected was that just hours before, Ling Zhao had intended to discuss the new script with him and Ling Ning, only to accidentally discover what was going on between the two. At that moment, Ling Zhao's heart was torn into a thousand pieces — between a beloved sister and the boyfriend he was seeing, the pain of double betrayal struck him to the ground.
"Let's break up." Ling Zhao coldly threw out these words, his voice void of any warmth.
Those three short, cold words pierced Chen Qiyue's heart like countless blades. He spiraled into madness and despair, screaming hysterically, "Say that again! I'll die with you!"
Then he stormed off, emotions nearly out of control.
He wandered helplessly through the streets, his mind replaying that cold face again and again, his heart aching as if pierced by a thousand needles. Just then, his smart device vibrated — it was a message from Ling Ning, inviting him to her home.
Chen Qiyue didn't know how to refuse. Carrying all the chaos inside him, he set off for Ling Ning's house.
Along the way, his thoughts churned, repeatedly surfacing the mysterious Celestial Master who had been whispered about privately on the set. That name was a strange puzzle in his mind, constantly stirring curiosity and fear.
Entering Ling Ning's home, he suppressed the chaos and pain within, unable to help but reveal that Ling Zhao had rejected his invitation, and Ling Ning also admitted that Ling Zhao had refused to cooperate with her recently. The suspicion in his heart deepened.
Chen Qiyue lowered his voice and asked, "Do you know that Celestial Master who's recently become popular in the circle?"
Ling Ning nodded, her eyes flashing a meaning hard to express. "I know. He's quite famous lately, many people are talking about him."
Both understood there was a deeper secret behind it all.
So, they began trying to find the Celestial Master's contact information but to no avail. At that moment, the Celestial Master appeared on his own.
At first, Chen Qiyue and Ling Ning thought that by placing a cursed insect, they could make Ling Zhao obey all their plans. But the Celestial Master only smiled coldly and said firmly, "Impossible. Ling Zhao's fate is strong; evil means cannot invade his body. Only by killing or expelling his soul can he be completely defeated."
These words shocked them, but they had no choice but to accept the Celestial Master's plan.
Chen Qiyue made his demand: "Give me Ling Zhao's soul, so he will forever be bound to me."
The Celestial Master agreed, but unexpectedly, Ling Zhao's soul later vanished without a trace, leaving Chen Qiyue heartbroken beyond measure...
When Han Ling asked Chen Qiyue if he remembered the Celestial Master's appearance or name, just as Chen Qiyue was about to answer, a violent burst of fresh blood spurted from his nostrils, flowing profusely — a horrifying sight.
Han Ling immediately performed a spell to dispel the curse, but Chen Qiyue ultimately couldn't hold on and fainted.
Others rushed over after hearing the news, filling the room with a heavy, oppressive atmosphere. Han Ling calmly said, "The enemy placed an extremely powerful curse. Fortunately, my cultivation is still strong enough to break it. If we force Chen Qiyue to reveal the Celestial Master's appearance or name, his life will surely be lost."
Everyone fell silent, fully aware that this storm was far from over, and they had already fallen into an unknown abyss.
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Volume 3 has officially ended! Actually, Volume 4 is being used for extra side stories, so please head over to the Volume 5 page to read the new chapters. The upcoming content will be Premium paid chapters. Thank you so much for your support and for reading!