In the Imperial Palace of Qin Lu, Empress Li sat in a pavilion within the garden, holding a delicate tea cup as thin as a cicada’s wing. She sipped the pale green tea, then set the cup down and said, “Still don’t understand?”
Li Kuanglan, dressed in martial attire, her appearance distinctly masculine, sat opposite Empress Li, silent, clearly showing her dissatisfaction.
Empress Li gave a light smile, “What is it you don’t understand? Tell me.”
Li Kuanglan’s expression was peculiar, a mix of anger and shyness. She gritted her teeth and said, “You’ve never even met him, why do this all of a sudden!”
Empress Li, unfazed, glanced at her with a half-smile, “The outcome wasn’t bad, was it?”
Li Kuanglan’s face flushed, and she lowered her head, though she still retorted, “But that doesn’t mean it was right from the start.”
“The Li family of the Tang Empire started with the Art of Heavenly Secrets. If not for that oddball Lin Xitang, by now, our Li family would have unified the Empire’s path of Heavenly Secrets. Using our family heirloom, the result couldn’t be anything but good.”
“But if the Art of Heavenly Secrets were truly all-powerful, our Li family would have long ruled the world.”
Empress Li’s tone softened slightly, “In this palace, some things are better left unsaid. Even you must abide by certain rules.”
Li Kuanglan gritted her teeth and huffed, indicating her disagreement.
Empress Li smiled, “Considering your current condition, I’ll let this slide. But do be more cautious. If these words reach the Emperor, it wouldn’t bode well. The palace is vast, and not everything is under my control.”
The palace was always a place of peril, with no limits to the intrigues. Although Empress Li was currently at the peak of her power, it didn’t guarantee eternal security. A single misstep could lead to her downfall, as evidenced by the defeat of Concubine Zhao.
Li Kuanglan, despite her impulsiveness, knew not to hinder Empress Li. She nodded, signaling her understanding.
Empress Li exhaled softly, “Alright, if you have any concerns, use this opportunity to speak them.”
Li Kuanglan hesitated for a moment, then said, “I still think it was rather hasty.”
Empress Li didn’t respond directly but said, “I just received news that Qian Ye has returned from the Great Maelstrom. Qingyun has been waiting nearby, looking for a chance to fight. By now, they probably have already clashed.”
Li Kuanglan stood up abruptly, shocked, “Qingyun wants to challenge Qian Ye?”
“Is that concern? Are you worried he might lose or get injured?”
Li Kuanglan slowly sat back down, “Qian Ye won’t lose, but I’m worried Qingyun might use some underhanded tactics.”
Empress Li took a sip of tea, then said, “I’ve already made arrangements. Whatever tricks Qingyun tries, they won’t work there. He can only fight fairly.”
“Then, then he…”
At that moment, a eunuch hurried over. His steps were swift and light, like walking on water, and he arrived at the pavilion in moments. Bowing, he handed a secret report to Empress Li, “Your Majesty, the news has arrived.”
“Very well, you may go.”
Empress Li opened the report and read it twice before saying, “Qingyun lost, and badly. This Qian Ye has truly exceeded my expectations.”
She passed the report to Li Kuanglan, who read it carefully. She had anticipated Qingyun’s loss. Having shared life and death experiences with Qian Ye in the Great Maelstrom, Li Kuanglan knew well his terrifying combat strength. Qian Ye was at his best in life-or-death situations, unmatched in endurance and survival. In such formal challenges, some of his techniques couldn’t be used effectively.
You couldn’t, for instance, use the Origin Gun or the Life Stealing Technique in a friendly duel.
Most of the report was familiar to Li Kuanglan, but the final assessment puzzled her.
“What is this ‘Vast Intent’?”
Empress Li said, “This is what surprised me. Qingyun’s sword art was already at a disadvantage against Qian Ye’s forceful style. But according to those who observed, Qian Ye suddenly exuded a profound, ever-changing intent. His punch was like a continent descending, utterly unstoppable and unavoidable. Qingyun was defeated with one punch, even his sword shattered, showing the power of that blow.”
Li Kuanglan said, “But in the Great Maelstrom, I never saw him use such a technique.”
“Perhaps he reached a breakthrough recently.” Empress Li sighed, “With this move, besides Zhao Jundu, no one below the rank of a Divine General is likely to match him. Even those weak pseudo-generals will fall to Qian Ye. That child has top-tier talent and character, but he was driven out of the Empire by military fools.”
Now, the general consensus was that Qian Ye, despite his vampiric heritage, remained loyal to humanity. If not for that incident, even with his bloodline exposed, many would have turned a blind eye, especially with the Zhao family’s backing. Qian Ye could have still played a crucial role in many gray areas.
The Empire, with its millennia of history, had plenty of gray areas, and they were increasing.
Li Kuanglan, still harboring resentment, said, “Longevity King is truly senile! Why should we support him? All that wine, given to anyone else, would be the same!”
Empress Li remained calm, “No one could have predicted this. Longevity King has been preoccupied with extending his life. Regardless, he’s the oldest Sky King and still controls the military. Keeping a good relationship with him isn’t harmful.”
Li Kuanglan added, “He’s also the weakest.”
“If not the weakest, how could we manipulate him?”
Realizing the logic, Li Kuanglan sighed, “Sister, do you really think so little of us?”
“Our Li family aims to become a true clan.”
“But we… aren’t weaker than the four clans,” Li Kuanglan’s voice grew softer.
“Compared to Zhang and Zhao? No need to compare,” Empress Li smiled, “While the Bai clan seems traditional, only Bai Aotu is noteworthy. But there’s unpredictability, and maybe hidden strengths. As for the Song clan, what do you think of Song Zining?”
“That lecher! Always up to no good,” Li Kuanglan scoffed. Song Zining’s reputation with women was indeed poor.
Empress Li laughed, “He’s cunning, but also wise. Though the Song clan faces decline, it may still retain its status because of Song Zining in ten years.”
Surprised, Li Kuanglan hadn’t expected such high praise for Song Zining.
“Among the four clans, our Li family’s younger generation hasn’t truly surpassed any of them.”
“But we aren’t worse than the Bai or Song clans?” Li Kuanglan still felt indignant.
“To become a true clan, merely being equal isn’t enough. We must surpass at least one. Right now, I see no hope, so we must plan early.”
“So, both Qingyun and I are expendable…” Li Kuanglan smiled bitterly.
Empress Li pointed to her belly, smiling, “You are not. On the contrary, you will be one of the most honored in the clan. As for Qingyun, no one wants to discard him, but he brings it upon himself.”
Li Kuanglan touched her belly, sighing with mixed emotions.
On the airship, everything was calm. During the journey across the continent, Qian Ye focused on his cultivation. While others found the void unsuitable, Qian Ye’s Taixuan War Strategy thrived, unimpeded.
By the time the airship reached Western Land, Qian Ye’s seventh origin vortex had formed successfully.
As he disembarked, a drowsy young girl clung to his arm. About ten years old, she was tall, reaching his shoulder, with a strikingly beautiful face.
However, she seemed perpetually sleepy, hanging off Qian Ye’s arm. If she were smaller, she’d likely climb onto his head.
The greeters, seeing this, avoided looking at the girl and addressed Qian Ye, “Sir Qian Ye, Seventh Young Master has arranged everything. Please follow me.”
Qian Ye followed to another airship, an older model, but clearly fortified for the Neutral Zone.
“This ship will take you to the Eastern Sea. It’s also carrying cargo for the Floating Land. Seventh Young Master left a letter for you on board.”
“Where is Zining? Where is he now?” Qian Ye asked.
“Seventh Young Master is in Qin Lu, handling clan matters and sorting things at Ningyuan Heavy Industry. After that, he’s heading to the Evernight Continent. He said you don’t need to wait for him.”
Qian Ye felt oddly suspicious, as if Song Zining was avoiding him.
But the greeter, a subordinate, couldn’t provide more. So, Qian Ye boarded the airship for the Eastern Sea.
Once onboard, Little Zhu Ji found a bed and fell asleep. The six-armed giant’s heart she ate was highly nourishing, and she had grown significantly, from a child of seven or eight to a girl of about ten.
In the cabin, Qian Ye found Song Zining’s letter. The first line read:
“There may be changes in Nanqing City, requiring timely suppression.”
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