“Your Majesty, who exactly is your Master?”
Lu Xuan’s image flickered in Ji Fuyao’s mind’s eye. Slowly, she replied, “Lu Xuan.”
Wang Man’s voice deepened. “What is Lu Xuan’s strength? Is he truly qualified to be Your Majesty’s Master?”
Ji Fuyao recalled several incidents on Azure Mystery Peak. Even now, she couldn’t see through Lu Xuan’s true cultivation. Yet, she could feel his genuine care and goodwill towards her.
Considering this, Ji Fuyao’s expression turned solemn as she looked at her loyalists. “My Master… I cannot fathom his depths! From this day forward, when you see my Master, Lu Xuan, it will be as if you see me! You shall not show even a hint of disrespect!”
“As you command!” they chorused, engraving her words deep into their hearts. An Imperial Master!
Wang Man, Qing Yan, and the others were profoundly shocked. Never before had they seen such reverence and respect on the Empress’s face. Clearly, the Empress’s Master was exceptionally powerful! A wave of anticipation washed over them; they were eager to witness the awe-inspiring presence of Empress Fuyao’s Master. Who exactly was this divine being?
Ji Fuyao offered a faint smile. “Oh, right. My Master, Lu Xuan, prefers to keep a low profile. In the eyes of outsiders, he’s nothing more than a wastrel, but he genuinely couldn’t care less about such trivial opinions.”
“A month ago, I was only a Grand Profound King. But after cultivating under Master’s guidance for merely one month, I broke through to the Profound Sovereign realm!” she declared.
“When you meet him, you absolutely must not be lacking in etiquette.”
Upon hearing this, their curiosity only intensified. Could such a being truly exist in the cultivation world? Someone so transcendent, so completely unfazed by worldly gains or losses? And to have helped the Empress achieve Profound Sovereign in just one month! They yearned even more to behold Lu Xuan’s magnificent presence.
Ji Fuyao merely smiled. “There will be opportunities.”
“I’ve accepted a mission from the Grand Dao Sect to hunt spirit beasts, lasting one month. For now, I will cultivate in the Blackflame Mountain Range. After some time there, I will proceed to Qingcheng, to the Ye Family.”
“As you command!” the loyalists responded.
Moments later, Wang Man and the others respectfully withdrew from the pavilion. Inside, Ji Fuyao began her cultivation. She sat cross-legged, her lithe figure draped in a fiery red dress, a cultivation jade slip appearing in her hand.
It was the first volume of the Grand Dao Scripture!
Ji Fuyao immersed her divine sense into the jade slip, beginning to comprehend the profound spiritual techniques within. “The Dao that can be told is not the eternal Dao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name… Heaven and Earth are formless, myriad things are boundless…”
Her slender hands continuously shifted, performing intricate seals. In an instant, an incredibly profound and recondite aura began to circulate around her. Ji Fuyao entered a singularly enigmatic state. Around her, the aura of “Dao and Momentum” swirled like flowing water, seemingly formless, gradually expanding from within the pavilion to encompass her surroundings. Soon, the pavilion where Ji Fuyao cultivated began to emit a mysterious vitality, radiating dazzling divine splendor.
The many Dragon Guards outside were instantly alarmed. “What cultivation technique is Her Majesty practicing?”
“This aura… it subtly aligns with the Heavenly Dao, as if returning to its primordial simplicity. It’s absolutely breathtaking.”
“Could it be the Grand Dao Sect’s supreme technique, the Grand Dao Scripture?”
In that moment, all the Dragon Guards gazed at the pavilion with profound shock. That mysterious aura transcended even the Quasi-Emperor Realm. More accurately, it wasn’t a realm, but a ‘momentum,’ a ‘Dao and principle’ itself.
Qing Yan’s brows furrowed slightly. “If I’m not mistaken, this is indeed the Grand Dao Sect’s foundational technique, the Grand Dao Scripture!”
Everyone gasped in amazement. The Empress had only joined the Grand Dao Sect a month ago, yet she was already qualified to cultivate their ultimate foundational technique? This was truly astounding! Such high-grade techniques were always closely guarded secrets!
The loyalists grew increasingly agitated. With the Grand Dao Scripture, Empress Fuyao might even reach the legendary “Ultimate Realm”!
For three consecutive days, Ji Fuyao immersed herself in comprehending the profound mysteries of the Grand Dao Scripture. The technique was exceedingly abstruse, and she had only grasped an infinitesimally small part of it. Yet, even this small understanding brought her immense benefits. A faint ‘divine aura’ began to emanate from her body, making her appear even more ethereal and otherworldly! On her Dao Foundation, faint, resplendent Dao patterns emerged—the unique imprint of the Grand Dao Scripture! Her cultivation talent had subtly improved yet again!
“Truly worthy of being the Grand Dao Sect’s foundational technique!” Ji Fuyao murmured.
Next, she began to cultivate the Heaven-Burning Art! She directly activated the full potential of her Heaven-Burning Saint Body! In an instant, a colossal surge of spiritual energy flooded her body, and the aura emanating from her continuously swelled. Her cultivation speed increased severalfold! Her goal for this month was to reach the Late-stage Profound Sovereign realm!
***
Lu Xuan spent several days traveling, moving from one location to another. “Ding! Host’s eldest disciple has gained comprehension of the Grand Dao Scripture! Synchronizing!” the System’s voice echoed.
Lu Xuan paused, slightly taken aback. So, Ji Fuyao was already cultivating the Grand Dao Scripture. Soon, Lu Xuan felt an unparalleled clarity within his mind, a profound sense of unity with heaven and earth. A faint, cool sensation spread across the crown of his head, as if someone was bestowing upon him a divine enlightenment. It was an incredibly mysterious feeling. He faintly sensed a trace of ‘Dao and Momentum’ taking root within him. For the first time, he felt a deep affinity with this very world.
“Is this… the Grand Dao Scripture?” Lu Xuan murmured to himself. Its principles mirrored Heaven and Earth, aligning perfectly with the Heavenly Dao. For the next few days, Lu Xuan felt as if he had undergone a spiritual baptism. His entire being became more ethereal and detached. He checked his own aptitude. Still a good-for-nothing! However, he now possessed something else, something indescribable that had taken root within him.
“Keep up the good work, Disciple!” Lu Xuan chirped, his mood greatly improved, as he continued his journey towards Qingcheng. Suddenly, the System’s voice rang out once more.
“Ding! Host’s eldest disciple’s cultivation is advancing! Synchronizing!”
“Ding! Synchronizing Path of Spirit Fire comprehension!”
“Ding! Synchronizing Grand Dao Scripture comprehension!”
BOOM! An unbelievably pure surge of spiritual energy flooded into Lu Xuan’s body, coalescing like a raging storm. Lu Xuan was somewhat stunned. This time, the speed of his cultivation increase was several times faster than it had been on Azure Mystery Peak! The surging, turbulent spiritual energy continuously impacted every bone and limb in his body, a wonderfully numb and pleasant sensation spreading through him like lightning. Lu Xuan shivered. This feeling was simply exquisite!
He mused, Perhaps Ji Fuyao was holding back her full potential when she was on Azure Mystery Peak. But now, her Heaven-Burning Saint Body is going full throttle! Cultivating really is as easy as eating and drinking! Lu Xuan couldn’t help but exclaim, “Truly worthy of being a famous physique in the cultivation world, the Heaven-Burning Saint Body!”
Several days later, Lu Xuan arrived in Qingcheng. Qingcheng was an exceptionally vast city, with ancient, majestic city walls soaring high into the sky. From a distance, it appeared like a grand territory sprawled across the land, exuding an imposing aura. Countless cultivators bustled in and out of its gates. Qingcheng was indeed a thriving metropolis. Lu Xuan spotted numerous Saints and even several Saint Kings moving about. Clearly, Qingcheng wielded considerable power!
Paying a thousand low-grade Spirit Stones, Lu Xuan entered Qingcheng. Inside the city, pavilions stood in dense rows, presenting a picture of prosperity. The streets were incredibly wide, and along both sides, he saw alchemy shops, cultivation technique emporiums, and even a number of alluring pleasure houses. Lu Xuan was in no rush to head straight to the Ye Family. First, he decided to gather some intelligence about them. Before long, Lu Xuan found himself at a noodle shop. Many cultivators frequented this place; it was rumored that the noodles here were infused with spiritual energy, and the broth was simmered from top-grade spirit chickens. Not only was it rich in spiritual energy, but its flavor was also unparalleled.
As a connoisseur of fine food, Lu Xuan naturally had to give it a try. He took a seat, and a server disciple approached him. “Hello, what kind of noodles would you like?”
Lu Xuan glanced at the menu. “The signature beef noodles, please. And make sure there are no scallions.”
“Got it!” the server replied cheerfully.
Before long, a steaming bowl of beef noodles was placed before him. As promised, not a single scallion. And a generous portion of spiritual beef. As Lu Xuan ate, he casually listened to the conversations around him.
“Have you heard? Something big is about to happen in the Ye Family.”
“Oh? Do tell!”
“In seven days, it’s the Ye Family’s grand assembly! Ye Liangchen, the Grand Elder’s son, has officially challenged Ye Chen, the Young Master!”
“What?! Is that true? Ye Chen was once Qingcheng’s brightest genius, but his cultivation suddenly plummeted seven years ago, and he’s been stuck at Qi Refining Stage Three ever since! Meanwhile, Ye Liangchen has soared these past few years, already a Grand Profound King.”
“How could Ye Chen possibly win that fight?”
Hearing this, Lu Xuan nearly spluttered his noodles. Holy crap! He immediately recognized the familiar scent of a classic webnovel trope. Ah, yes, that’s the flavor! Lu Xuan turned to the group discussing the matter. “Gentlemen, any news about Ye Chen’s fiancée, Nangong Baixue?”
The men looked at Lu Xuan, a knowing smile on their faces. “Of course. Now, where were we? Ah, yes. Ye Liangchen challenged Young Master Ye Chen, and according to Ye Family rules, the Young Master cannot refuse the challenge!”
“In seven days, Ye Chen will no longer be the Ye Family’s Young Master! But that’s not the end of it!”
“Ye Chen’s fiancée, Nangong Baixue, is coming to annul their engagement at the family assembly, also in seven days!”
Annulment! Lu Xuan was dumbfounded. Nangong Baixue’s choice was annulment! Someone else chimed in, “Is the news of the annulment reliable?”
The first man nodded. “Absolutely reliable! An elder from the Nangong Family has already entered the Ye Family to announce the matter. However, Nangong Baixue herself will personally attend the family assembly in seven days, bearing the marriage contract!”
Lu Xuan took a deep, excited breath. Hiss! This is hitting all the right notes! He imagined Ye Chen must be utterly dejected right now. I wonder if he’ll say that line? Why did he feel such an inexplicable anticipation…?
Next, Lu Xuan subtly probed for information regarding the strength of the Ye Family’s members. The Ye Family Patriarch, Ye Chen’s father, was a One-star Profound Saint! Lu Xuan made up his mind. Tonight, he would stealthily infiltrate the Ye Family and seek out Ye Chen. His storage ring contained a black hooded robe left by his own master. Wearing it, no one below the Saint King Realm would be able to detect him. As for the Ye Family Old Ancestor, he was said to be in secluded cultivation in a hidden area.
Thinking about meeting his second disciple, Ye Chen, tonight, Lu Xuan felt a thrill.
***
The Ye Family. The Ye Family estate was situated in the northeastern direction of Qingcheng, spanning thousands of miles. Countless pavilions stood in grand arrays, with dazzling spiritual runes secretly surging beneath, and distant divine radiance continuously flowing, presenting a magnificent and imposing sight. Truly a hegemon-level force in Qingcheng!
At this moment, within a certain residence in the Ye Family estate, a young man sat cross-legged, a jade pendant resting upon his chest. A pile of Spirit Stones lay before him, but his face was etched with a troubled, frustrated expression. He was none other than Ye Chen, the Young Master of the Ye Family!
Moments later, Ye Chen angrily opened his eyes, snarling, “What the hell is going on?! Why won’t my cultivation advance?!”
“Damn it!”