Chapter 291: The Classification of Celestial Artifacts!

As the Jiang Empire unified the entire Xuanzhou region, the system’s notifications in Jiang HuanYu’s mind came one after another, nearly uninterrupted.

[Ding! System: Congratulations to the host, the Jiang Empire has unified Xuanzhou and earned 500,000 prestige points!]
[Ding! System: The Jiang Empire’s total prestige has now reached 837,000, bringing you closer to the 1,000,000-point threshold needed for the system upgrade. Keep up the great work!]
[Ding! System: You have received a grand prestige reward package and an achievement reward mixed package. These have been sent to the system’s storage. Please check them promptly!]

At this moment, Jiang HuanYu was sitting alone in his study. After the unification of Xuanzhou by the Jiang Empire, the system had distributed all the corresponding rewards.

He was astonished to find that his prestige points had increased by a whopping 500,000! The rewards granted must be extraordinary in scale.

“System, open all the packages in the storage!” Jiang HuanYu decided immediately.

[Ding! System: Acknowledged!]
[Ding! System: Opening packages, please wait…]
[Ding! System: Congratulations to the host for obtaining the following: 100 Emperor-level cultivation enhancement cards, 20 Heavenly Emperor-level cultivation enhancement cards, one Nine Nether Celestial Sword, one Absolute Celestial Sword (one of the four swords of the Celestial Slaughter Array), one Slaughter Celestial Sword (another of the four swords of the Celestial Slaughter Array), one universal epic-level upgrade for summoned personnel, and three physique enhancement items!]
[Ding! System: All rewards have been delivered to the storage. Please check.]

As the system’s voice concluded, Jiang HuanYu checked his storage and found everything accounted for. He was ecstatic. Even though he didn’t yet understand the specific uses of some items, just the 100 Emperor-level cultivation enhancement cards alone were mind-blowing.

With these cards, he could directly cultivate ten peak Emperor-level individuals for the Jiang Empire!

“System, explain the rewards further and open the description panel!” Jiang HuanYu suppressed his excitement, wanting to understand the utility of the items.

[Ding! Heavenly Emperor-level cultivation enhancement card: Usable only by individuals at the Heavenly Emperor level. Each card raises cultivation by one level without any side effects.]

This was easy to understand. The difference between the Emperor-level and Heavenly Emperor-level cards was just the respective threshold they targeted.

[Ding! Nine Nether Celestial Sword: A specialized sword for those with the Nine Nether Celestial Physique. Only users of this physique can unleash its true potential, capable of devastating destruction, annihilating star seas, and overturning entire realms. This is classified as a supreme-grade celestial artifact.]

“System, what does ‘supreme-grade celestial artifact’ mean? And how are celestial artifacts ranked?” Jiang HuanYu asked.

He had mentally prepared himself for surprises. After all, as the narrative progressed toward the Celestial Realm, all systems would likely undergo significant overhauls. If the Celestials surpassed the Emperor level in power, their weapons would undoubtedly surpass the grade of Emperor-level artifacts.

[Ding! System: Host, in the mortal realms, the most powerful weapons are Emperor-level artifacts.]
[Ding! System: Emperor-level artifacts are categorized into four grades: inferior, intermediate, superior, and peak.]
[Ding! System: Beyond peak-grade Emperor artifacts are celestial artifacts, which are predominantly found in the Celestial Realm.]
[Ding! System: Celestial artifacts are categorized into more levels: inferior celestial artifacts, intermediate celestial artifacts, superior celestial artifacts, supreme celestial artifacts, ultimate celestial artifacts, infinite celestial artifacts, unmatched celestial artifacts, and eternal celestial artifacts.]

After hearing the explanation, Jiang HuanYu felt slightly disappointed. “So, supreme-grade celestial artifacts aren’t that remarkable. There are still three levels above them, after all.”

[Ding! System: Please don’t be so dismissive, host!]
[Ding! System: Even in the Celestial Realm, supreme-grade celestial artifacts are priceless treasures fiercely sought after by top-tier forces.]

“You’re exaggerating. If supreme-grade celestial artifacts are so rare, wouldn’t the higher levels constantly cause bloody conflicts in the Celestial Realm?” Jiang HuanYu questioned skeptically.

[Ding! System: Host, your assumptions stem from not knowing the Celestial Realm’s realities.]
[Ding! System: In the Celestial Realm, supreme-grade celestial artifacts are exclusively owned by top-tier powerhouses. Infinite celestial artifacts, for example, exist in fewer than ten pieces and are held by the most dominant factions.]
[Ding! System: As for unmatched celestial artifacts, there are only two, owned by two pinnacle Celestial Emperors who represent the peak of the Celestial Realm’s power.]

Jiang HuanYu was stunned. He hadn’t expected such rarity for the higher-tier celestial artifacts.

“If supreme-grade celestial artifacts are this rare, then what about eternal celestial artifacts? How many exist in the Celestial Realm?” he asked curiously.

The name alone suggested unparalleled significance and power.

[Ding! System: The Celestial Realm has no eternal celestial artifacts.]

“No eternal celestial artifacts? Why is that?” Jiang HuanYu was puzzled.

[Ding! System: Eternal celestial artifacts require the combination of primordial laws, origin essence, and order—three innate forces of chaos—to be forged. Even a world as ancient and vast as the Celestial Realm, with billions of years of history, has produced only one eternal celestial artifact.]
[Ding! System: And that one eternal celestial artifact is currently in your possession.]

Jiang HuanYu was dumbfounded. “In my possession?!” His face seemed to be painted with a hundred thousand question marks.

[Ding! System: Yes, it’s the seven gems you hold.]
[Ding! System: However, to restore their full power as an eternal celestial artifact, you need to find the Qilin Gauntlet. Only when the gems are mounted onto the gauntlet will their true power as an eternal celestial artifact be unlocked.]

Jiang HuanYu finally understood. The seven gems he owned were fragments of the only eternal celestial artifact.

This was beyond extraordinary! However, he still needed to find the Qilin Gauntlet to restore the artifact’s full power. The gauntlet, as the core component of an eternal celestial artifact, was undoubtedly difficult to locate.

Chapter 292: The Bountiful Rewards of Unifying Xuanzhou

“System, just how powerful is an Eternal Celestial Artifact? Can you describe it simply?” Jiang HuanYu’s curiosity about the Qilin Gauntlet’s full potential with the gemstones was piqued. He wanted to know the extent of its might.

[Ding! System: Very simple—twelve words.]
[Ding! System: Overturn galaxies, restart the universe, unify all life.]

These twelve words ignited a spark of excitement in Jiang HuanYu. His blood felt as though it boiled at the thought.

“Overturn galaxies, restart the universe!”
“That’s power befitting the master of chaos!”

Determined, Jiang HuanYu resolved to search for the Qilin Gauntlet immediately after establishing his foothold in the Celestial Realm.

[Ding! Absolute Celestial Sword: One of the Four Swords of the Celestial Slaughter Array. An ancient supreme-grade celestial artifact capable of severing immortals and gods. Can form the Celestial Slaughter Array when combined with the other three swords.]
[Ding! Celestial Slaughter Array: Formed by four Celestial Emperors wielding the four swords. Capable of slaying a Celestial Emperor.]
[Ding! Slaughter Celestial Sword: Another of the Four Swords of the Celestial Slaughter Array. A supreme-grade celestial artifact infamous for its murderous aura and ability to massacre immortals and gods.]
[Universal Epic Upgrade for Summoned Personnel: All individuals summoned by the system will undergo an epic-level enhancement.]
[Ding! Physique Upgrade: Enhances one’s physique, such as upgrading a Sacred Physique to a Divine Physique or a Divine Physique to an Immortal Physique.]

After listening to the system’s descriptions, Jiang HuanYu understood the rewards. Among them, the Celestial Slaughter Array was the most exciting. A formation that allowed Celestial Emperors to slay another Celestial Emperor? If he gathered all four swords, the array’s power would be nothing short of terrifying.

Next was the Physique Upgrade. It had the potential to push physiques to their limits, turning a Sacred Physique into a Divine Physique or even an Immortal Physique.

Within the Jiang Empire, only his son Dongfang Jiuyou and Medusa possessed Immortal Physiques. Most others had Divine Physiques, which were already exceptional. Even in the Celestial Realm, Divine Physiques were rare among elite forces, and Immortal Physiques were practically counted on one hand.

“System, can I use the Physique Upgrade?” Jiang HuanYu asked, curious about the potential of his own Space-Time Dao Physique. Could it be upgraded?

[Ding! System: Host, your Space-Time Dao Physique is already the pinnacle physique of this world and cannot be upgraded further. Neither can Immortal Physiques be upgraded to one of the Ten Supreme Divine Physiques, nor the Supreme Divine Physiques to the Three Great Dao Physiques.]
[Ding! System: The latter two types of physiques are determined innately and cannot be altered through upgrades.]

The system’s explanation was clear. The Ten Supreme Divine Physiques and Three Great Dao Physiques were inherently fixed, and no upgrade could change that.

As for why Jiang HuanYu was able to achieve a Dao Physique later in life?
Well… because he was the protagonist, of course!

With these matters settled, Jiang HuanYu began planning the use of his rewards. He decided to use the cultivation enhancement cards first, followed by the universal upgrade, to maximize the benefits.

Starting with himself, Jiang HuanYu used all the Heavenly Emperor-level enhancement cards, elevating his cultivation to the peak of the Heavenly Emperor realm.

The surge in power was overwhelming. His vision sharpened to an extraordinary degree, allowing him to see through the Void Realm and perceive an area a hundred miles beyond the Abyssal Forbidden Zone without obstruction.

The power within him felt immense, as though he could destroy half of Xuanzhou in an instant. This level of power far surpassed the Heavenly Emperor realm, approximating the fourth stage of the Emperor Sovereign realm—even without using his trump cards. If he wielded the Evil Heaven God-Demon Sword, his combat power would increase by two to three more levels!

“With my current strength, the Xuanyuan Imperial Clan is nothing to fear. I now have the strength to sweep across the realm!” Jiang HuanYu looked at his palm with confidence. His power was unrivaled, and he was ready to lead the Jiang Empire to dominance across the Heavenly Pole Realm.

To ensure the empire’s growth, Jiang HuanYu ordered the high-ranking officials of the Jiang Empire into seclusion, providing them with precious pills to help stabilize their strength. His goal was to have them all ascend to the Emperor realm, making full use of the cultivation enhancement cards.

Later, Jiang HuanYu visited the chambers of Xiao Qingli. Using nine Emperor-level enhancement cards, he raised her cultivation to the first stage of the Heavenly Emperor realm. Then, with four Heavenly Emperor-level cards, he pushed her to the fifth stage of the Heavenly Emperor realm, almost restoring her former peak power.

“Here, my empress. This sword is for you,” Jiang HuanYu said as he handed her the Nine Nether Celestial Sword.

“This is… the aura of a Celestial!” Xiao Qingli exclaimed, trembling with awe. “Is this one of those legendary celestial artifacts that exist only in the Celestial Realm?”

“Exactly. This sword, the Nine Nether Celestial Sword, is a supreme-grade celestial artifact that can only be wielded by someone with the Nine Nether Immortal Physique. Do you think you can fully awaken your physique? If not, I can help you,” Jiang HuanYu said warmly.

Xiao Qingli felt deeply moved by his care. She accepted the sword and shook her head. “Your Majesty, there’s no need. Since you gave me the Nine Nether Heart, I’ve been using it to refine my physique. I’m 90% of the way there. Within a month, I’m confident I can complete the transformation to the Nine Nether Immortal Physique.”

Xiao Qingli was a fiercely independent woman, equally adept at commanding armies or adorning herself with elegance. Jiang HuanYu smiled and embraced her. “Good. Since my empress is confident, I won’t worry further.”

Chapter 293: The Revival of Shura Wuya!

Boom!

“Look! What’s that?!”
“Such a massive thundercloud! Why is it gathering above the royal palace?!”
“What terrifying power! I can feel the thunder within it—it’s strong enough to destroy the entire palace!”
“My goodness! Could this be the legendary Heavenly Tribulation?!”

At this moment, all eyes in the Jiang Imperial City, from civilians to soldiers, were drawn to the sudden phenomenon above the palace.

The skies above the Jiang Royal Palace had suddenly darkened, and a massive, ominous thundercloud had gathered. Within the cloud, terrifying thunderbolts crackled, radiating an aura so fearsome that even the bravest soldiers felt their legs tremble.

Meanwhile, within the palace, Shura Wuya floated midair in the western section, directly beneath the core of the thundercloud. His expression was solemn as he stared up at the swirling storm.

Having fully reconstructed his body, he was now reborn. However, his previous life as an Emperor had disrupted the natural order—defying life and death was a transgression that the heavens would not tolerate. Only by enduring this Heavenly Tribulation could Shura Wuya be considered truly revived.

The problem was, the power of this tribulation was overwhelming. Even Shura Wuya, once an Emperor, felt uncertain about his chances of survival. Compared to the apocalyptic lightning tribulations on the Emperor’s Path, this one was several times more powerful.

On the ground below, Shura Yanran, Shura Haocang, and Yang Hufa—members of the Shura Clan—watched with worry, afraid to approach.

Around them, several strong figures of the Jiang Empire stood observing, their expressions grim. Even Zhuge Kongming, fanning himself, furrowed his brow as he assessed the tribulation.

“The aura of this Heavenly Tribulation… I doubt even a fifth-level Heavenly Emperor could withstand it,” Zhuge Kongming muttered. “Shura Wuya’s chances look grim.”

Elsewhere in the palace, Yun Zixian gazed at the brewing storm with concern and asked her father, Yun Che, through their soul connection.
“Father, if you reconstruct your body one day, will you also face such a tribulation? This one seems terrifyingly strong.”

Yun Che frowned as he observed the storm and replied darkly, “Of course I will. But my tribulation’s power will likely be dozens of times stronger than this.”

He continued, “This tribulation is strong enough to severely injure a fifth-level Heavenly Emperor. Shura Wuya, a mere peak-stage Great Emperor, has no chance of surviving it.”

The Evil Emperor Yun Che, once at the Emperor Sovereign level in his past life, understood that his own revival would demand a tribulation surpassing anything within this world’s comprehension.

But even this tribulation before them seemed insurmountable for Shura Wuya.

Suddenly, three figures approached from the distance: Jiang HuanYu, accompanied by Qian Xinrou and Xiao Qingli.

“Your Majesty!”
“The Emperor is here!”

Shura Yanran, along with Yun Zixian and others, flew to Jiang HuanYu the moment they saw him.

“Your Majesty! Grandfather’s tribulation is too terrifying. Is there any way you can help him?” Shura Yanran pleaded, her face filled with worry.

After studying the tribulation, Xiao Qingli frowned and said, “The power of this tribulation is indeed overwhelming. Shura Wuya has no chance of surviving it.”

Jiang HuanYu, however, smiled confidently. “Don’t worry. With me here, the old clan leader will be fine.”

He turned his gaze skyward and then flew directly toward the heart of the tribulation.

“Your Majesty!”

Seeing Jiang HuanYu approach, Shura Wuya’s face lit up with hope. He recalled Jiang HuanYu’s promise to assist him during the tribulation. But how would he manage against such overwhelming power?

“Don’t panic,” Jiang HuanYu said casually as he arrived at Shura Wuya’s side. “It’s just a Heavenly Tribulation. Let’s make it disperse.”

Shura Wuya broke out in a cold sweat.
“Disperse the tribulation?!” he thought.
“This is the power of the heavens! One wrong move and I’ll be utterly annihilated. How can you say that so lightly?”

Jiang HuanYu, unfazed, raised his voice toward the sky.
“Tribulation, will you disperse on your own, or do you want me to destroy you?”

His words left Shura Wuya utterly stunned. Even Yun Che, watching from afar, was dumbfounded.

Was Jiang HuanYu actually talking to the Heavenly Tribulation? Did he think the will of the heavens would simply listen to him? That was absurd!

Yet, in a turn of events that defied all expectations, the dense thunderclouds above trembled as if they recognized Jiang HuanYu. A moment later, they began to dissipate.

The terrifying lightning vanished, the black clouds dispersed, and the skies above the palace returned to their serene blue.

The entire scene left Shura Wuya, Yun Che, and everyone else watching in shock.

“The tribulation… it’s really gone?”

A single sentence from Jiang HuanYu had made the Heavenly Tribulation retreat without a fight.

Shura Yanran, though also puzzled, breathed a sigh of relief and felt a weight lift off her chest.

“Your Majesty… what just happened?!” Shura Wuya asked, still in disbelief, pointing toward the sky where the tribulation had been.

“Relax,” Jiang HuanYu said casually. “It’s over. I promise that tribulation won’t bother you again.”

Hearing this, Shura Wuya finally let out a deep breath of relief. Though he didn’t understand how Jiang HuanYu had done it, the tribulation was gone, and he had fully recovered his peak cultivation as a Great Emperor.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Shura Wuya bowed deeply, gratitude etched across his face.

Meanwhile, Yun Che, witnessing the scene, grew more determined. He turned to Yun Zixian.
“Zixian, I’m entering seclusion immediately to reconstruct my body. Inform His Majesty on my behalf.”

Inspired by Shura Wuya’s successful revival and the absence of any tribulation threats, Yun Che rushed off to prepare. With the resources the Jiang Empire had gained after unifying Xuanzhou and defeating the Heavenly Palace, Yun Che had everything he needed for his revival.

Shura Wuya’s miraculous recovery had reignited his hopes.

Chapter 294: The City of Hundred Blossoms

For the people of the Jiang Empire, the moment when Jiang HuanYu dispersed a Heavenly Tribulation with just a single command was nothing short of legendary. It shocked their senses and left an indelible mark on their minds, elevating Jiang HuanYu’s already awe-inspiring image to mythical proportions.

News of their Emperor’s unmatched dominance spread quickly across the empire, further solidifying his status as a figure beyond comprehension.

With many of the high-ranking officials of the empire now in seclusion, striving to ascend to the Emperor realm, Jiang HuanYu patiently awaited their breakthroughs. Until then, his vast collection of Emperor cultivation cards had no suitable candidates to use them on.

In his palace, Jiang HuanYu summoned Xiao Qingli.

“Empress, there’s a task that I must entrust to you personally,” he said.

“What is it, Your Majesty?” Xiao Qingli asked.

“I need you to travel to the Sword Realm and deliver this to the Sword Emperor,” Jiang HuanYu said, handing her a transparent vial containing a single drop of liquid.

Xiao Qingli inspected the vial curiously. “Your Majesty, what is this?”

“This is the Primordial Spirit Liquid, a rare treasure of the world,” Jiang HuanYu explained. “It can heal the Sword Emperor’s source injury. Deliver this to him and ensure his recovery. Beyond that, I trust you know what needs to be done.”

Xiao Qingli immediately understood. She and the Sword Emperor had been close friends for many years, making her the perfect envoy for this task. She also knew Jiang HuanYu’s intentions—saving the Sword Emperor would naturally lead the Sword Realm to swear fealty to the Jiang Empire.

“This is Primordial Spirit Liquid?!” Xiao Qingli exclaimed, her surprise evident.

Jiang HuanYu smiled. “Indeed. It’s now in your hands. I expect you to return with the Sword Emperor within a month.”

Xiao Qingli nodded without hesitation. “Understood, Your Majesty. I will accomplish this mission.”

“Be careful on your journey. If anything happens, contact me immediately,” Jiang HuanYu said.

With Xiao Qingli’s current cultivation at the fifth stage of the Heavenly Emperor realm, she was more than capable of handling challenges, even against seventh-stage opponents. Confident in her abilities, she set off for the Sword Realm without delay.

Jiang HuanYu turned his attention to his resources. He still had:

Though the experience cards were less useful for himself now, they could be invaluable for others. The system even allowed him to use them remotely on his summoned allies—a feature he noted as it could prove critical soon.

Having unified Xuanzhou, Jiang HuanYu intended to launch a campaign into Dizhou, eliminating the Xuanyuan Imperial Clan and cementing the Jiang Empire’s dominance. However, with Shura Yanran nearing childbirth, he chose to prioritize his family for now. Other matters could wait until after the child’s birth.

In the prosperous Hundred Blossom City, under the rule of the Hundred Blossom Sect ( Baihua Sect), one of the four great sects of Zhongshengzhou, life bustled with activity. The sect had already pledged allegiance to the Jiang Empire. Its leader, Duanmu Yan, a peak Divine Breaker realm expert, was renowned as one of the region’s most influential women.

On the lively streets of the city, Jiang Liyue, Jiang Xingyun, Jiang Jiuyou, and Jiang Huailan—the Emperor’s children—wandered excitedly, their laughter blending with the bustling crowd.

“Big sister, look at that flower—it’s so pretty!”
“And over there! That candied fruit looks delicious!”
“Mother, please take us to try it!” Jiang Huailan tugged at Han Wanxiang’s sleeve, pleading with sparkling eyes.

Han Wanxiang, disguised with a veil to avoid drawing attention, could only smile helplessly. Giving in to the children’s requests, she bought them some candied fruits.

“Alright, you’ve had your fun and your treats. Isn’t it time to head back? Staying out too long might be dangerous,” Han Wanxiang cautioned after a while.

“But mother, we’ve only been out for a few days! Why do we have to go back so soon?” Jiang Huailan protested, holding her mother’s hand.
“The outside world is so much fun. We’re not ready to leave yet!”

Jiang Liyue, older and more perceptive, chimed in. “Mother, there’s no danger anymore. The Jiang Empire has unified Xuanzhou—no one would dare target us now. Besides, General Feipeng and his men are patrolling nearby. We’re perfectly safe.”

Han Wanxiang sighed, shaking her head in exasperation. “Fine, you win. But we’re not staying out too long,” she relented, continuing to escort the children through the bustling streets.

“I heard there’s a beautiful flower forest within the Hundred Blossom Sect grounds,” Jiang Huailan exclaimed.
“Mother, can we go see it? I heard people on the street talking about how amazing it is!”

The other children quickly joined in, clamoring to visit the famed flower forest. Reluctantly, Han Wanxiang agreed and led the group toward the Hundred Blossom Sect.

The Hundred Blossom Sect, having already submitted to the Jiang Empire, was unlikely to pose any danger to the royal children. Confident in their safety, Han Wanxiang accompanied the excited group deeper into the sect’s territory, unaware of what awaited them amidst the blooming flowers.

Chapter 295: Duanmu Yan

Within the Hundred Blossom Sect, Duanmu Yan, the sect master, exuded elegance and sophistication, her presence reminiscent of a graceful noblewoman. After concluding discussions with the sect’s senior members in the grand hall, she quietly excused herself.

Making her way to a secluded corner of the sect grounds, Duanmu Yan ensured that no one was following her before knocking on the door of an old, modest-looking house.

Creak.

The door opened slightly, revealing Zhuge Ning, the deputy master of the Heavenly Palace. Zhuge Ning, after confirming her identity, warily glanced around before stepping aside to let her in. Once she entered, the door was firmly shut.

Inside the room were several figures:

Although none had yet ascended to the Great Emperor Realm, many had attempted the Emperor’s Path in the past, enduring its tribulations. This experience made them far stronger than ordinary Quasi-Emperors.

What no one could have expected was that Xuanyuan Jiuyou, Zhuge Ning, and their allies had chosen the Hundred Blossom Sect as their hideout after fleeing the Heavenly Palace. Even more surprising was the close, secretive relationship between Zhuge Ning and Duanmu Yan—they were lovers, a fact hidden even from the Heavenly Palace’s master, Yun Xiaoyao.

Secrets Within Secrets

This clandestine relationship was one reason why Duanmu Yan had been so quick to pledge allegiance to the Jiang Empire. Zhuge Ning had advised her to do so to avoid raising suspicions. By appearing loyal, they could safely remain hidden for a time.

No matter how cunning or strategic Zhuge Ning was, one truth remained: without absolute power, scheming could only get one so far.

“How are things outside?” Zhuge Ning asked as he closed the door.

“The Jiang Empire has unified all of Xuanzhou. The Bright God Sect, the Ziwei Divine Sect, and even the Ancient White Tiger Clan have submitted to them. They’ve also dispatched powerful individuals across Zhongshengzhou to search for you all,” Duanmu Yan reported.

“Hmph! Weaklings who only follow the wind! Let them gloat for now,” Xuanyuan Jiuyou sneered. “When the powerhouses of the Xuanyuan Imperial Clan arrive, they’ll all pay for their betrayal. Even if they beg for mercy on their knees, none will be spared!”

The third prince was confident that reinforcements from the Xuanyuan Imperial Clan would soon arrive. To him, the Jiang Empire’s dominance was merely temporary, and the day of reckoning was approaching.

The group began discussing their next steps. Zhuge Ning laid out a plan.
“Duanmu, in ten days, arrange for us to leave the sect and rendezvous with the Xuanyuan Imperial Clan’s reinforcements at the border of Zhongshengzhou. From there, we’ll move into the Abyssal Forbidden Zone to directly confront the Jiang Empire. Once we eliminate their core forces, the rest of their empire will crumble easily.”

His reasoning seemed sound. With the Jiang Empire’s base located near the forbidden zone, it was unlikely to remain dangerous—otherwise, no one would place their headquarters in such a perilous location. Zhuge Ning’s assumption, however, was wrong. The greatest danger within the forbidden zone was the Jiang Empire itself.

Duanmu Yan nodded. “I’ll make the arrangements. I’ll disguise you as part of the Hundred Blossom Sect’s entourage heading toward the border. That should suffice.”

Satisfied, Zhuge Ning agreed. Their days of hiding would soon be over, and they would reclaim their dominance.

Just as their confidence swelled, Duanmu Yan received a sudden message from the Hundred Blossom Sect’s Grand Elder. Reading it, her expression turned grim.

“The Jiang Empire’s Consort, Lady Han Wanxiang, has arrived with Jiang HuanYu’s four children. They’re currently within our sect!” Duanmu Yan said, her voice laced with shock.

“What?!”
“Why would people from the Jiang Empire be here?!”
“Could it be they’ve discovered our hideout?”

The room erupted in alarm. The Heavenly Palace’s Grand Elders, who had been meditating calmly, opened their eyes, their expressions tense.

“This doesn’t make sense,” Duanmu Yan said after regaining her composure. “I personally arranged your hiding place. Not even the Grand Elder knows of your presence. It’s unlikely this information could have leaked. Unless the Jiang Empire possesses clairvoyance, it’s probably just a coincidence.”

Her analysis calmed the room slightly. Zhuge Ning added, “She has a point. A single woman bringing four children into the sect? If they knew about us, this wouldn’t be their approach.”

One of the Heavenly Palace’s Grand Elders spoke. “Duanmu, you should investigate. Determine why they’ve come before we act.”

“Understood,” Duanmu Yan replied, leaving the room to assess the situation.

After Duanmu Yan departed, Xuanyuan Jiuyou frowned as if recalling something.
“The Jiang Empire’s crown prince… isn’t his name Jiang Jiuyou?”

“Indeed,” Zhuge Ning replied. “An interesting coincidence. His name is identical to yours, Third Prince. He’s the son of Empress Xiao Qingli, once known as the Nine Nether Empress.”

Xuanyuan Jiuyou’s face darkened, but he remained silent. The name-sharing seemed like an ill omen.