Ji Fuyao smiled. In her eyes, Lu Xuan’s casual demeanor was precisely that of an ultimate powerhouse, utterly unconcerned with trivial matters.
In that moment, Lu Xuan’s standing in Ji Fuyao’s heart rose yet again!
“Hmm… not bad,” Lu Xuan mused, savoring a bite. “The food’s texture has improved.”
A faint blush touched Ji Fuyao’s cheeks, and she replied earnestly, “I will continue to strive for perfection, Master!”
Having experienced a sudden epiphany during her cooking, Ji Fuyao was confident she could push her strength even further within the next three days.
After their meal, Ji Fuyao returned to her cultivation cave, resuming her practice. She settled into a cross-legged position, and with a mere thought, a gentle divine radiance emanated from her body. Rings of spirit fire circulated around her, flowing like water.
Since becoming a disciple of Azure Mystery Peak, her cultivation had accelerated at a breathtaking rate!
It seemed her plans would need to advance ahead of schedule.
Ji Fuyao had long decided that once she reached the Profound Sovereign realm, she would leave the Grand Dao Sect to seek out her former loyalists, beginning the preparations for the Fuyao Dynasty’s resurgence. She had simply never anticipated reaching the Profound Sovereign realm in less than a month! This was far earlier than any of her grand designs had accounted for.
In her previous life, during the Fuyao Dynasty’s gravest hour, Ji Fuyao had taken drastic measures, strategically dividing the dynasty’s three most formidable powers. This allowed the majority of their elite forces to escape the catastrophe. She had known then that a fight to the death would be futile. The only path was to regroup and reclaim their glory!
Ji Fuyao extended her slender, jade-like hand. In her palm, an incomparably ancient token materialized—the Fuyao Token!
Three thousand years ago, she had informed her three major loyalist factions that once her reincarnation was successful, she would use this very token to summon them. It was their sacred oath, their symbol of unwavering loyalty.
The ancient, golden token shimmered with flowing Dao patterns. Etched upon its surface were the majestic ancient characters for “Fuyao.” Brilliant lines pulsed across it, and within, a formidable seal-restriction contained the immense power of the Fuyao Dynasty’s Dragon Vein.
With a thought, the ancient token floated upwards, and a faint wisp of Dragon Vein power emerged.
“Hmm…”
Ji Fuyao’s delicate body trembled slightly. The familiar surge of power, the echoes of her past…
“Southern Desolation, Empress Fuyao has returned,” Ji Fuyao declared, her voice low and resonant. Her eyes blazed with regal disdain, an infinitely distant and lofty aura of an Empress re-emerging.
Swiftly, Ji Fuyao formulated a new strategy. After the Inner Sect Trial, she would accept a Grand Dao Sect inner-sect mission, using it as a pretext to travel and reconnect with her old forces. Her first priority was to contact her Imperial Dragon Guards.
Her Imperial Dragon Guards! These were individuals of absolute, unquestioning loyalty, every single one having sworn a Heavenly Dao Oath to follow her unto death. Ji Fuyao knew that for three millennia, they had been awaiting news of her return. As for the other two major factions, the Imperial Dragon Guards could handle their liaison. When it came to the Imperial Dragon Guards, she had absolute faith!
With this thought, Ji Fuyao immediately activated the Fuyao Token using an ancient secret method, initiating contact with the Fuyao Dynasty’s Imperial Dragon Guards.
A mysterious, arcane energy swirled forth. The ancient secret art transcended endless space, sending powerful ripples towards the Imperial Dragon Guards’ hidden location.
…
At the same time, deep within the Black Flame Mountains of the Southern Desolation.
The Black Flame Mountains were home to countless powerful spirit beasts, with many reaching even Semi-Emperor and Quasi-Emperor ranks. Killing zones were rampant throughout.
Yet, amidst these terrifying territories, a secluded clearing lay hidden, as if cut off from the world. Here, hundreds of incredibly simple structures were nestled. A multitude of people resided within, all appearing exceedingly amiable as they quietly went about their tasks. Some were meticulously wiping down their long spears, which gleamed with razor-sharp edges and exuded the oppressive aura of a Profound Saint. Others stared blankly at the void, then suddenly burst into tears, caught in some unknown memory. Still others sat cross-legged, absorbed in cultivation… These individuals were shrouded in mystery.
At the heart of this enigmatic settlement stood an ancient, colossal altar. Several tens of feet high, it appeared lifeless, covered in countless layers of dust and fallen leaves. Yet, even this could not conceal the myriad mysterious ancient Dao patterns etched upon its surface. These ancient Dao patterns intertwined in a profound and complex dance, but it seemed they hadn’t been activated in thousands of years.
Surrounding the altar were several figures. To the east, a grey-robed old woman, her body slightly stooped, her eyes cloudy with age, gazed at the altar. She sighed softly, her thoughts a mystery. To the west, a bare-chested man, his temples streaked with white, his gaze piercing and rugged, possessed a powerfully built physique. An ancient battle-axe hung from his waist as he casually chopped firewood with his bare hands.
Suddenly!
The ancient altar erupted with an incomparably brilliant light. A mysterious, abstruse aura pulsed outwards, illuminating the entire space with a dazzling glow.
Instantly, every single person in the settlement turned their gaze towards the altar!
Pay attention! Every single body trembled with overwhelming emotion!
The rugged man froze, then charged directly towards the altar. The grey-robed old woman’s cloudy eyes abruptly cleared, and she rose from the ground, her stooped body straightening in an instant.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Footfalls echoed like a surging tsunami. From within the peculiar settlement’s buildings, thousands of figures surged forth. Their overwhelming auras roared like a tempest, quickly converging into a single, unified force.
Perfectly aligned!
At this moment, the grey-robed old woman and the rugged man stood before the assembled multitude, gazing at the altar with utmost reverence. Their bodies trembled uncontrollably.
The light from the altar grew increasingly brilliant, yet it did not pierce the clouds. A strange formation had suddenly appeared above this space, sealing off the heavens and earth. Not a single wisp of its aura could escape!
Witnessing the altar’s radiance, everyone was excited beyond control. Why? They had waited here for three thousand long years!
Indeed. They were the Imperial Dragon Guards of the Fuyao Dynasty!
During that monumental war three millennia ago, Empress Fuyao had divided her elite forces into three separate groups. These Imperial Dragon Guards, through a stroke of unimaginable fortune, had escaped to the Black Flame Mountains, concealing themselves here for three thousand years. In that time, they had become the undisputed overlords of the Black Flame Mountains.
But to them, that was utterly insignificant!
They had only been waiting for news of Empress Fuyao’s glorious return.
And now, the altar had resonated! Finally!
This could only mean that Empress Fuyao had successfully reincarnated, living a new life, and was now using the Fuyao Token to contact them! They were the Imperial Dragon Guards! Their very reason for existence was to obey Empress Fuyao’s commands. Without her, they were merely walking corpses!
In that instant, tears welled in the grey-robed old woman’s eyes. Her voice trembled as she gazed at the altar, almost daring not to believe. “Empress… Your Majesty, is that truly you?”
A woman’s voice responded, “It is I.”
Thump! Thump!
In an instant, everyone present fell to their knees as one, like a vast black cloud descending.
“We respectfully welcome Your Majesty, the Empress, back!”
“We respectfully welcome Your Majesty, the Empress, back!”
The multitude roared in unison, their voices like thunder. Waves of terrifying aura erupted from their bodies, coalescing into an overwhelming, boundless battle intent.
The grey-robed old woman, deeply moved, asked, “Empress Your Majesty, are you… well?”
The woman’s voice replied, “Three thousand years have passed, and I have finally succeeded in my reincarnation! I cultivated on my own for sixteen years, and now I have become a disciple of the Grand Dao Sect, stepping into the Profound Sovereign realm!”
Profound Sovereign realm!
Reaching the Profound Sovereign realm in just sixteen years!
Upon hearing this, everyone was astonished, and a monstrous wave surged in their hearts! What unparalleled cultivation talent was this?! Truly worthy of Her Majesty, the Empress!
However, upon hearing that the Empress had joined the Grand Dao Sect, the grey-robed old woman seemed to recall something. She knew that the ancient secret method was incomplete; to successfully live another life was already defying the heavens, but it was clear that the Empress’s body still harbored some issues. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have needed to join the Grand Dao Sect!
Thinking thus, the grey-robed old woman cautiously asked, “Empress Your Majesty, regarding your body… what can we do for you?”
The woman’s voice responded, “You need not worry; I will resolve these matters myself! In a few days, I will contact you. For now, first reach out to the other two major forces.”
The grey-robed old woman bowed deeply. “As you command!”
Beside her, the rugged man spoke, “Empress Your Majesty, I…” As he spoke, his voice caught in his throat, and clear tears streamed down his face.
The woman’s voice softened with emotion. “Wang Man, Qing Yan, you two have endured much hardship these past years.”
At these words, the eyes of many Imperial Dragon Guard powerhouses welled up with tears. In this moment, they felt truly alive once more! How could the grudges of the past go unavenged? Now that Her Majesty, the Empress, had returned, the time for reckoning had begun.
The grey-robed old woman said, “Empress Your Majesty, we are located deep within the Black Flame Mountains. If you descend upon the Black Flame Mountains, we will meet you in advance.”
The rugged man’s eyes were filled with unwavering resolve. “Your Majesty, I will immediately contact the other two major forces to ascertain their current situation!”
The woman’s voice affirmed, “Good.”
Silence fell for a moment.
Then, the woman’s voice resonated once more, filled with absolute conviction. “In this life, I am confident I will ascend to the pinnacle of the Great Emperor realm! My promise remains as it was three millennia ago: upon my return, I shall rebuild the Fuyao Dynasty’s glory, rising in the Southern Desolation to become a paramount overlord force!”
As her voice faded, the hearts of the many Imperial Dragon Guards trembled violently.
The rugged man roared at the top of his lungs, “To rebuild the Fuyao Dynasty’s glory, we are willing to brave fire and tread water for Empress Your Majesty, without hesitation!”
The entire multitude shouted as one, their voices like thunder.
“To rebuild the Fuyao Dynasty’s glory, we are willing to brave fire and tread water for Empress Your Majesty, without hesitation!”
The woman’s voice, now imbued with profound conviction, echoed, “Good! I will not fail you!”
In that moment, an unstoppable wave of battle intent surged forth from all the Imperial Dragon Guards.
After a short while, the light on the altar faded.
The grey-robed old woman and the rugged man exchanged glances, both seeing the burning fire of renewed purpose in the other’s eyes. Excitement! How could they not be excited at the return of their Empress?
Then, the grey-robed old woman spoke, “Aside from our Imperial Dragon Guards, we haven’t contacted the other two major forces in a thousand years. I wonder what their situation is?”
The rugged man frowned slightly. “Are you concerned that after three thousand years, some might have betrayed Her Majesty, the Empress?”
A trace of worry appeared in the grey-robed old woman’s eyes. “After all, it has been three millennia, and our enemies are far too formidable!”
The rugged man snorted, a chilling killing intent flashing in his eyes. “If they dare to betray Her Majesty, the Empress, then they should not blame me, Wang Man, for being merciless!”
Killing intent saturated the air.
The grey-robed old woman nodded in agreement.
Soon after, the two gathered their personnel and issued a series of instructions. Several hours later, dozens of incredibly powerful Imperial Dragon Guards departed from the Black Flame Mountains, embarking on a mission to locate the Empress’s other two former loyalist factions.
These Imperial Dragon Guards used an ancient secret sound transmission art. “Empress Your Majesty, once we establish contact with the other two forces, we will transmit the news to you immediately.”