Chapter 182: Might as well tell Me, what benefits did the Empress give you

In the eyes of ordinary people, the Yunluo Mountain Range is a mysterious fairyland shrouded in clouds and mist.

As Li Chen arrived in the vicinity with his entourage, he saw a structure atop the mountain peaks, above the white clouds, like a heavenly palace descending into the mortal world.

This structure was magnificent and imposing.

Its main body was built from white, jade-like giant stones, each one seemingly carved with precision, emitting a faint luster.

The palace roof was paved with golden glazed tiles, shimmering and brilliant under the sunlight.

Around the palace, various immortal birds and beasts darted to and fro.

The structure of the surrounding mountains was also well-arranged and layered.

Towering pagodas, pavilions with upturned eaves, and winding corridors served as embellishments here.

When shrouded in mist, this palace seemed to merge with heaven and earth, becoming the most dazzling existence in the Yunluo Mountain Range.

Standing atop the peaks, above the white clouds, it was like a true heavenly palace, inspiring awe and longing.

Cultivators coming here for the first time would surely be stirred, feeling that the Purple Heaven Palace lived up to its reputation.

Yet, upon arriving, Li Chen thought: If this place were turned into a tourist attraction, it would surely be very profitable!

There are many cultivators in the Yunluo Mountain Range, though they belong to different sects, coming here for what is called advanced study.

It must be known that not every cultivator is qualified to come to this place; this is one of the holy lands of the Purple Heaven Palace.

A holy land, by definition, must have some extraordinary aspects.

Generally speaking, the existence of a mid-level Mystical Realm is enough to sustain the core disciples of a sect.

Because a mid-level Mystical Realm has fixed respawn points, as long as a sect occupies this place, they have a steady stream of resources.

And the holy land of the Purple Heaven Palace has three such fixed-respawn mid-level Mystical Realms.

They are highly coveted by cultivators from the Void Piercing Realm to the Six Realms Realm for training.

These mid-level Mystical Realms are not simple; it is said that there is a certain probability of 【Rare Items】 dropping inside, such as exotic flames, spirit beast eggs, thousand-year thunder bamboo, mysterious ice crystals, and so on.

Ordinary mid-level Mystical Realms don't have such resources; those that can drop these are considered special Mystical Realms among the mid-level ones.

Moreover, having three fixed-respawn mid-level Mystical Realms here—what a concept that is!

These are extremely precious resources in the cultivation world. Back then, the major sects in the west of the Great Tian Ce Dynasty fought fiercely over them, none willing to submit to the others.

Finally, to resolve the ownership issue, the Purple Heaven Palace was established, and this place was designated as the holy land of the Purple Heaven Palace alliance, where major sects sent elders to reside, and disciples with good performance could also cultivate here.

With everyone owning it together, conflicts were temporarily avoided.

Young disciples within the Purple Heaven Palace obtain the qualifications to enter the mid-level Mystical Realms through various competitions of the Purple Heaven Palace.

It can be said that the young cultivators who can come here are all somewhat famous in the west of the Great Tian Ce Dynasty.

This alliance conference happened to coincide with the opening of the mid-level Mystical Realms, so there were many people in the holy land of the Purple Heaven Palace.

Li Chen and Wu Nanzhi strolled nearby, seeing young and energetic cultivators all around.

Whether in groups of three or five, or alone, they were all making final preparations for the upcoming mid-level Mystical Realm trials.

Normally, someone of Li Chen's level would be here to attend a higher-level meeting of the Purple Heaven Palace, not to participate in mid-level Mystical Realm trials. However, the Grand Void Sword Gate, one of the three major sects, was located too far away and arrived relatively slowly, so it was estimated they would have to wait a while.

The He He Zongzhu of the Grand Void Sword Gate, Youhen Zunzhe, is the leader of this major sect alliance of the Purple Heaven Palace and also the target Li Chen intended to discipline. Since he hadn't arrived yet, Li Chen naturally had to wait for him to arrive before disciplining him.

Li Chen was once again on an incognito inspection, strolling around here, incidentally inquiring about the reputation of the Grand Void Sword Gate.

Wu Nanzhi also enjoyed this time alone with Li Chen; this was a unique privilege.

Seeing the entrance to the mid-level Mystical Realm, Wu Nanzhi recalled the time she and Li Chen explored a wild Mystical Realm outside the Imperial Capital.

That was the most unforgettable memory of Wu Nanzhi's life; she had been naked for half the time during that exploration—how could it not be unforgettable?

Especially after becoming Li Chen's woman, Li Chen would make her do so when no one was around, making her shy to death.

Therefore, seeing such heaven-and-earth opportunities, Wu Nanzhi would instinctively tremble a little.

"What's wrong? Are you not feeling well?" Li Chen said with a wicked smile.

"Hmph, you still have the nerve to say that! Why didn't you give me clothes last time!" Wu Nanzhi rolled her charming eyes.

Previously, she had no relationship with Li Chen and couldn't ask such things.

Now that she was Li Chen's Imperial Consort, she began to count Li Chen's "sins."

"I just wanted to look, so I didn't give them to you. Is that not allowed?"

"Fine, fine, it's my fate to have met a nemesis like you."

"How about we go in and play?"

"Let's not. If we go in, others will suffer again."

Last time Li Chen entered a wild Mystical Realm, it was also a low-level one.

He directly strengthened the monsters inside to the Six Realms Realm, making even geniuses like Wu Qi have to run for their lives. The others who survived basically hid in corners, waiting for the time to end.

Just as they were chatting, the sound of energy colliding came from nearby.

The two looked in the direction of the sound and saw two people fighting fiercely.

A crowd had already gathered around, and there were even elders on the scene.

However, they didn't intervene, instead watching the show.

Judging by their clothes, they should belong to the same sect, and they looked quite similar; they should be twins, and the people nearby seemed accustomed to it.

"Why are they fighting again? I wonder what the reason is this time."

"What other reason could there be? It must be for that woman."

"Oh, so it's that woman."

"That woman doesn't seem to have arrived yet; they're fighting too early."

From the chatter of the people nearby, Li Chen learned that these two had quite a "background."

They were personal disciples of the He He Zongzhu of the Grand Void Sword Gate and also two of the "Ten Talents of Purple Heaven."

The so-called "Ten Talents of Purple Heaven" are the ten disciples with the strongest combat power and highest talent in the Purple Heaven Palace.

Just like an idol group, in the mortal world, they are what you call big stars, increasing the popularity and reputation of their sect.

Of course, those selected for the Ten Talents of Purple Heaven are all selected through various sword arts assemblies, and none are mediocre.

The Grand Void Sword Gate having two of them indeed proves that their sect has successors.

Yet, these two were actually fighting over a woman.

This made Li Chen curious: what kind of woman could make two brothers fight like this, and they were the best among young cultivators like the Ten Talents of Purple Heaven?

Not long after, a commotion appeared in the crowd, and many young cultivators gave way, and the two stopped fighting.

Only then did a stunningly beautiful young girl come into view, her figure graceful, like a willow swaying in the wind, light yet powerful.

Her face was peerlessly beautiful, her skin like snow, crystal clear, wearing a dress that shimmered with flowing light, the hem swaying with the wind, full of immortal aura.

What was most impressive was that she had snow-white hair, even her eyebrows were white, and there were peach blossoms in her eyes; she was indescribably beautiful.

Her whole person was veiled in a layer of immortal radiance, like the most sacred existence in this world, so sacred that one felt it was a sin to look at her.

Miraculously, where she walked, some withered wild grass began to revive.

Her appearance caused many young cultivators nearby to lose their composure momentarily, especially the two brothers who had just been fighting; both stood there as if petrified, motionless.

Even Wu Nanzhi understood why the two men could fight; the woman before them was indeed extraordinarily beautiful.

Wu Nanzhi was confident in her own beauty, but in her view, this woman had a beauty different from ordinary people.

Then Wu Nanzhi naturally turned to look at Li Chen.

She had expected Li Chen to stare straight at the stunning beauty opposite, but she saw a trace of doubt in Li Chen's eyes.

Wu Nanzhi asked curiously: "What's wrong? Is there something strange about that woman?"

Li Chen shook his head and said: "Nothing, I was just wondering what kind of woman could give birth to such a beautiful daughter."

Wu Nanzhi: "..."

I thought you didn't like beauties; it turns out you are planning even further ahead.

Perhaps this trip to Shanghe City had developed new ways for him to play. Sensing Wu Nanzhi's gaze, Li Chen explained: "You misunderstood; this woman has a 'special' feeling."

This was in Wu Nanzhi's blind spot; how could a person be "special"?

Li Chen could only tell her some things. During this period of cleaning up the remnants of the previous dynasty, Li Chen had checked a lot of information in the palace.

The remnants of the previous dynasty had a special research project, which was to try to cultivate a so-called "Sage Body" through artificial means.

That is, to let two people who might give birth to a Sage Body combine to cultivate the next generation.

The next generation born might directly possess a Sage Body.

The girl's physique before them was special; she was undoubtedly a Sage Body.

But her body had undergone some mutations, causing her hair to turn white.

Li Chen only explained it simply; the steps to cultivate the next generation were very troublesome.

Because one party might pay a huge price for it.

"In other words, she is very likely a descendant of the remnants of the previous dynasty?" Wu Nanzhi whispered.

She was very concerned about Li Chen's affairs.

Being Li Chen's Imperial Consort, she wanted Li Chen to be in a safer position more than anyone else.

"It's possible, but I'm not sure." Li Chen only knew, but he wasn't the one specifically investigating the remnants of the previous dynasty.

"This is simple; I'll help you inquire."

"Fine, don't reveal your identity; I also want to see to what extent the remnants of the previous dynasty have mixed."

Under Li Chen's instruction, Wu Nanzhi walked over.

Li Chen continued to observe nearby to see if there were similar people.

However, the probability of such an artificial Sage Body was less than one in ten thousand; the cultivators nearby were all normal, except for that white-haired woman.

After about half an hour, Wu Nanzhi returned to Li Chen's side and began to tell the story of the white-haired girl.

Her name is Wang Yueyao, the daughter of Wang Tengyue, the City Lord of Shanyin City. She cultivates in the Infinite God Sect and is the Saintess of the Infinite God Sect.

This made Li Chen feel it was quite interesting. The Wang family was being investigated by the Ministry of Justice and should have the intention of harboring remnants of the previous dynasty.

In that case, Wang Yueyao's identity was indeed problematic.

Didn't expect them to have already researched an artificial Sage Body?

Just as Li Chen was thinking, that stunning figure had already arrived by his side.

However, this time Wang Yueyao came to find Wu Nanzhi, not Li Chen.

"Sister, why don't we team up to go to the Mystical Realm? Eh, who is this?" Wang Yueyao looked at the exceptionally handsome Li Chen and felt a bit surprised.

"This is my husband." Saying this, Wu Nanzhi looked at Li Chen, waiting for Li Chen's decision.

"We haven't been to a mid-level Mystical Realm." Li Chen said casually.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yueyao became interested.

Every time she came to participate in the mid-level Mystical Realm, she was annoyed by these people.

Because she was too popular with men, there weren't many women who wanted to be friends with her.

Having finally met a sister like Wu Nanzhi who took the initiative to talk to her, she wanted to deepen their relationship by going to the Mystical Realm with Wu Nanzhi.

To persuade the two to go, Wang Yueyao began to introduce the so-called mid-level Mystical Realm.

Mid-level Mystical Realms are also called equal-level Mystical Realms; there are three Mystical Realms here.

They respectively drop materials for the Void Piercing Realm, Shattering Void Realm, and Six Realms Realm.

Only those with corresponding or higher cultivation can enter the Mystical Realm.

But after entering, the heaven-and-earth laws of the Mystical Realm will make everyone have the same cultivation.

That is to say, if a Six Realms Realm cultivator enters a Void Piercing Realm Mystical Realm, their cultivation will also become Void Piercing Realm.

But Void Piercing Realm cultivators cannot enter Six Realms Realm Mystical Realms.

After listening to Wang Yueyao's introduction, Li Chen refused.

There are two reasons for this: First, Li Chen is a Sage Realm expert and has no interest in being suppressed to the Void Piercing Realm to challenge dangers.

Second, which is the reason Li Chen gave, Wu Nanzhi's cultivation hasn't reached the Void Piercing Realm, so she can't enter any Mystical Realm.

The Sage Tiger in her body doesn't count as her cultivation; the admission ticket depends on the person entering.

Hearing that Wu Nanzhi hadn't reached the Void Piercing Realm, Wang Yueyao immediately apologized: "I'm sorry, Sister, I didn't know your realm. I thought, no, no, I didn't mean that, but I'm very sorry, it was my lack of consideration."

Actually, Wang Yueyao wanted to say, I thought that those who came here couldn't be lower than the Void Piercing Realm.

But if she said that, it seemed like an offense to Wu Nanzhi, so she apologized quickly.

Wu Nanzhi said it was fine. Wang Yueyao seemed a bit guilty and invited Wu Nanzhi to be a guest in Shanyin City later.

With Li Chen's signal, Wu Nanzhi agreed.

Shanyin City is actually nearby; Li Chen would incidentally go to investigate the Wang family.

After agreeing on the time and place, Wang Yueyao said goodbye and headed to the Mystical Realm, while Li Chen and Wu Nanzhi returned to the main hall.

Actually, with the appearance of those two "lick-dog" followers from the Grand Void Sword Gate, it also indicated that the Grand Void Sword Gate had arrived.

At this moment, in the most magnificent hall of the Yunluo Mountain Range, hundreds of people were already seated.

These people were representatives of major sects in the west of the Great Tian Ce Dynasty; they wore various sect costumes, and the aura of power they emitted was majestic and imposing, like wolves surrounding, each with their own ulterior motives.

Sitting in the main seat was the He He Zongzhu of the Grand Void Sword Gate, Youhen Zunzhe, who wore a black cloak, his face hidden in the void, giving people a mysterious and powerful feeling.

In the secondary seats were naturally the He He Zongzhu of the Sand-Sinking Dao Sect, Red Kite True Person, and the Master of the Jade Void Immortal Mansion, Shangren Qingxu Superior.

These three were all Sage Realm powerhouses; the aura on them was like three towering mountains, standing firm, inspiring awe.

The representatives of other major sects nearby also had extraordinary auras.

They were either closing their eyes to rest or whispering, but all emitted the unique temperament of powerhouses.

The entire hall was solemn and majestic, as if the air had frozen.

However, the atmosphere in the hall at this moment was unusually heavy.

Red Kite True Person and Shangren Qingxu Superior hadn't yet mentioned helping the Great Tian Ce Dynasty's Emperor Li Chen, when Youhen Zunzhe spoke first, asking for their views on the Sassan Dynasty.

The Sassan Dynasty, that was a foreign race! Upon hearing this, Red Kite True Person and Shangren Qingxu Superior both sank their faces, expressing without hesitation that they had no thoughts on it.

As people of the Great Tian Ce Dynasty, and with sect cultivators being arrogant by nature, it was naturally impossible for them to collude with foreign races.

Youhen Zunzhe smiled slightly and, in front of everyone, said directly: "The Sassan Dynasty has given this seat many resources and is about to send a large army to invade the Great Tian Ce Dynasty, occupying the western territory of the Great Tian Ce Dynasty. Seeing that we are all in one alliance, this seat thought that we should share the benefits. What do you think?"

His words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up ripples.

As soon as Youhen Zunzhe's words fell, Red Kite True Person's eyes widened, and the Sage divine ring behind him emitted raging flames, as if to ignite the entire hall.

He shouted angrily at Youhen Zunzhe: "What do you mean? We are just an alliance; it doesn't mean you have the qualification to say such things to me!"

Shangren Qingxu Superior also immediately seconded.

He looked serious and said firmly: "This is absolutely impossible. Even if the Sassan Dynasty gives more resources, it won't work. This is a matter of principle!"

Hearing this, Youhen Zunzhe sighed. He stood up slowly, his aura surging, and began to pressure Red Kite True Person and Shangren Qingxu Superior.

He said coldly: "You had better consider clearly. Helping the Great Tian Ce Dynasty has no benefits, but helping the Sassan Dynasty has endless resources. The purpose of our sect is only for better development. The Empress will arrive in person and give you corresponding benefits."

His words were like ice, instantly dropping the atmosphere in the hall to freezing point.

The representatives of major sects nearby were also shocked, whispering and discussing.

Some looked angry, thinking Youhen Zunzhe's statement was absurd; some frowned, falling into deep thought; others looked at this scene with complex expressions, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

The scene was tense, as if a great battle could break out at any time.

Just at this moment, an extremely arrogant voice shook the entire hall.

"The He He Zongzhu of the Grand Void Sword Gate might as well tell Me, what benefits did the Empress give you!"

"The He He Zongzhu of the Taihua Sword Sect might as well tell me, what benefits did the Empress give you!"

(End of chapter)