Lying Motionless on the Tree

"Huh? Why is the barrier open? Did His Highness the Crown Prince arrive?" Grandpa Gene the High Saint also noticed.

"His Highness the Crown Prince?" Rina Chu was confused. "Why does the barrier opening automatically mean the Crown Prince is here?"

"Only His Highness the Crown Prince and the Celestial Emperor can open this barrier. The Celestial Emperor is in seclusion, so it must be the Crown Prince!" Grandpa Gene the High Saint said. "Grace, Rina, if we're leaving, we should at least say goodbye to the Crown Prince!"

Grace said nothing.

Rina Chu nodded and walked over, shouting inside, "Your Highness the Crown Prince! Your Highness? Are you in there?"

But no one answered from inside.

She dashed into the barrier and searched every nook and cranny.

Soon after, she came running out, eyes shining, and told Grace, "There's no one inside."

Grace understood what she meant and couldn't help but feel a jolt in her heart.

Could it be... she was the one who opened it just now?

"Huh? If His Highness the Crown Prince isn't here, then who opened the barrier?" Grandpa Gene the High Saint looked puzzled.

"Grandpa Gene, come here for a sec!" Rina Chu dragged Grandpa Gene the High Saint off to the side to whisper something in secret.

Grace walked to the entrance of the barrier. Sure enough, it was empty inside, but she could vaguely see a rectangular box.

She reached out and pressed her hand to the old tree root, thinking, "King's Spirit Tree, if you really can sense my thoughts, please close the barrier again!"

Just as the thought crossed her mind, a faint light flashed, and the barrier slowly descended.

......

After Rina Chu finished whispering to Grandpa Gene the High Saint and came back, she saw that the barrier had closed again—but Grace was gone!

The two searched everywhere and finally found her up in a tree.

There she was, standing on a branch, sprawled against the trunk, completely motionless.

Rina Chu opened her mouth, ready to call out to her.

But Grandpa Gene the High Saint stopped her, looking serious. "Don't disturb her."

Rina Chu nodded.

Grace stayed up in the tree for the entire night.

Rina Chu couldn't help worrying about her and ran over to check on her.

Her eyes were closed, her brows furrowed, and a faint sheen of sweat appeared on her forehead.

She seemed troubled by something.

Rina Chu stood beside her for a long while, but Grace didn't react. Not wanting to disturb her, Rina Chu climbed back down...

......

Celestial Palace.

Leon Zane finally found Evan Xiao.

"Your Highness!" He jogged over. "Where did you go yesterday?"

"What's wrong?" Evan Xiao asked.

"Um... Grace and Rina Chu have left. Did you know?"

"Left?" Evan Xiao's eyes instantly turned cold.

"Yeah! They left yesterday afternoon! Grace gave me the follow-up treatment plan for the Celestial Empress."

Evan Xiao shot him a dark look.

"I... I tried to persuade her! But, Your Highness, you have a marriage arrangement with Sophie Shang, so she doesn't seem interested in staying at Drake Abyss anymore..." Leon Zane blurted out.

Evan Xiao clearly didn't want to talk to him and turned to leave.

Leon Zane chased after him, "On my way here, I ran into the High Priest. He said today is a very auspicious day and asked you to go to the Sacrificial Hall. They're going to pick a lucky date for your wedding with Sophie Shang."

Evan Xiao entered the room.

Leon Zane tried to follow, but the door slammed shut with a bang.

He touched his already broken nose and walked away, looking utterly innocent.

Evan Xiao stood in the room for a while, then headed to the base of the King's Spirit Tree.

There wasn't a single person inside the thatched hut.

Even Grandpa Gene the High Saint was gone.

She had already left...

Evan Xiao's veins bulged on his forehead as he turned, ready to chase after her.

Leave him?

No. Way!