Chapter 107: Jiu Fu Lin

The Royal Hunting Grand Event began on May 15th and lasted three days.

The location was Jiu Fu Lin, outside the western side of Xiliang City.

In Jiu Fu Lin there are high mountains, marshes, the Abyss, Han Tan, everything you can imagine; it is a famous perilous place. The deeper one goes into Jiu Fu Lin, the more dangers lurk. Without power at the Xuan Zun realm, daring to breach the core area of Jiu Fu Lin ends only in death.

This time the Royal Hunting Grand Event's designated hunting zone was in the inner and outer perimeters of Jiu Fu Lin, demanding and highly challenging, yet not so dangerous as to easily cause death.

The rising sun had just ascended, its warm yellow light piercing the clouds and bathing the vast land.

At the early hour of Chen, the camp on a flat area outside Jiu Fu Lin was already bustling with people.

"Gu Huanghou has arrived!"

With a sharp shout, a phoenix carriage slowly rolled in and stopped before the camp's viewing platform.

A bright yellow hanging curtain was gently lifted by a jade hand, revealing a figure emerging from within.

The person wore a phoenix robe, exuding extraordinary nobility, with vermilion phoenix eyes and slightly arched brows radiating authority; her gaze fluttered with full charm, and she emanated the regal aura of a mother of the world.

This person was the Empress of Donglin Country!

Upon seeing Gu Huanghou's arrival, everyone grew solemn; when the Empress took her seat, countless people in the camp knelt and paid their respects.

The roar of mountains and sea echoed through the valley, deafening all.

Only one person stood out, incongruous among the kneeling crowd.

Gu Huanghou naturally also noticed Ye Qingran; her eyebrows lifted slightly, a flash of sharp light passed in her eyes, yet she said nothing.

"Ye Qingran, daring not to kneel before Gu Huanghou, you are utterly disrespectful!"

The clear, resonant shout rang out; people looked up to see Ye Qingran clad in White Silver Soft Armor, exuding a stunning heroic aura amidst her simple elegance.

Many senior officials who came to the hunt momentarily thought they saw again the dashing Female War God Yun Sui Feng, who once beheaded an enemy general among countless foes.

The speaker was Mu Qingrou.

Her gaze was full of resentment, and the corner of her mouth curled into a cold smile.

That day at Xuanwu Platform, she was beaten with a staff over a hundred times, eventually unable to endure the excruciating pain, she fell unconscious, lying in bed for half a month, consuming many precious herbs before recovering to about seventy‑eight percent; even now she could still feel pain in her back and hips.

The physical injuries could be healed, but what about the lost face?

Imagine her, a dignified Wuji Hall steward family's daughter, being beaten to unconsciousness under Xuanwu Platform, in front of countless Xiliang City townsfolk!

This is by far the greatest humiliation of Mu Qingrou's life!

Although the mastermind was the National Master, had it not been Ye Qingran, how could she have suffered such an unprovoked disaster?

Moreover, the National Master's status is lofty, and she was already at fault, making it impossible to seek revenge against the National Master.

Then all the hatred could only be transferred entirely onto Ye Qingran!

Not only Mu Qingrou; everyone who wielded the staff that day cast venomous glances at Ye Qingran. If gazes could kill, Ye Qingran would already be riddled with wounds!

"Mu Miss, that statement is incorrect!"

Ye Qingran gently shook her head and said slowly, "I possess the Imperial Decree of the Former Emperor; with this token, it is as if the former emperor himself is present." Her gaze swept over Gu Huanghou, then continued, "Do you think that, in Miss Mu's heart, the former emperor, upon seeing the Empress, must still perform a kneeling tribute?"

Mu Qingrou choked, her face flushing red.

Damn it, how could she forget that Ye Qingran has the Imperial Decree of the Former Emperor!

Ye Qingran's words just now were literally crushing her!

The former emperor kneeling before the current Empress—doesn't that blur respect and disrespect, desecrating the former emperor?

She clenched her teeth and defended, "I didn't!"

"They say the Ye Family's miss, after five years returning to Xiliang City, has become sharp‑tongued; I didn't believe it before, but seeing her today, it's true."

A coquettish voice drifted softly.

Ye Qingran lifted her eyes toward the figure seated at the center of the viewing platform, tugged at the corner of her mouth, and said evenly, "Thank you for the Empress's praise."

Gu Huanghou's complexion tightened.

This Ye Qingran really knows how to echo others' words!

Does she truly not realize she's mocking her, or is she pretending not to?

"Since you have the Imperial Decree of the Former Emperor, you need not kneel before me; however, My Palace must remind you that the Imperial Decree is rare and precious—do not carelessly lose it, lest the consequences be beyond what you can bear."

How could Ye Qingran not hear the warning in those words?

She gave a faint smile, light as clouds, "Since it is a precious item, I will keep it well, sparing the Empress any worry."

Gu Huanghou narrowed her eyes slightly, a flash of darkness passing through them, then turned to the crowd, raised her hand and said, "Everyone, rise. His Majesty is unwell today, so My Palace will preside over this Royal Hunting Grand Event on his behalf."

The Royal Hunting Grand Event, frankly, was organized specifically for the young gentlemen and ladies of Donglin Country.

On Xuanmiao Continent, the culture values martial prowess; hunting is a trial for cultivation. Such an event not only lets geniuses shine but also stirs the fighting spirit of the weak—a win‑win.

"Then, let us begin the Archery Competition!"

Gu Huanghou smiled faintly and said, and the eunuch beside her loudly announced it again.

The Archery Competition before the hunt is a long‑standing tradition; before each official hunt, an Archery Competition is held, allowing aspirants to showcase themselves and earn His Majesty's favor.

"Huanhuan, I heard you're determined to claim this year's top spot in the Archery ranking?"

Sitting above, Gu Huanghou asked Ye Huanhuan.

Ye Huanhuan stood up, looking modest, but before she could speak, Ye Sisi snatched the floor.

"Empress, my sister has been obsessively upset about ranking third last year; her goal is the top spot. She has worked tirelessly, training day and night, so this year's top rank, my sister is determined to claim it!"

Ye Huanhuan glared at Ye Sisi, hurriedly explained, "Huanhuan's diligent training this year is no lie, but even if she can take the top, it's because the Crown Prince graciously yielded." She then shyly glanced at Dongfang Qingxuan beside the Empress.

The Crown Prince today, clad in a set of sturdy soft armor, radiated grandeur and dashing heroism!

Gu Huanghou showed a satisfied smile, lightly nodded, and was very pleased with Ye Huanhuan, her daughter‑in‑law.

The holder of the Spiritual Root, with outstanding talent, has even entered the Qingyun Sword Immortal Sect under the Four Great Sword Immortals of Xuan Yuan Sword Sect; with numerous auras, she is countless times stronger than Ye Qingran, the unchaste wreck, a talentless waste without a Spiritual Root!

"I have high hopes for you. Though His Majesty cannot attend in person, this year's prize surpasses previous ones—a pearl that can gather spirits!"

Gu Huanghou gestured, and a palace maid behind her brought out a brocade box; when opened, a pearl shimmering with radiant light was revealed to all.

Ye Huanhuan's eyes brightened; this pearl, she was determined to get it!

Ye Qingran gazed from afar, a gleam flashing across the depths of her eyes.

This Spirit Gathering Pearl…

"Heh~"

In the corner, Ling Shaoyang leaned against a large tree, giving a disdainful cold snort.

Since he began participating in the hunting festival at age twelve, the top spot in archery has always been his.

Even the Crown Prince famed in East Border is no match for him!

For five consecutive years, he held onto first place; even the Crown Prince's heavenly talent could only settle for second!

Perhaps it's loneliness at the top, but he grew increasingly bored; this year, he simply chose to withdraw from the competition!

Ye Huanhuan dared say that only because she knew in advance that the top-ranked he would voluntarily withdraw, and that the second-ranked Crown Prince, to fulfill her as his future Crown Princess, also chose to give up.

He despised Ye Huanhuan's hypocritical kind the most!

His gaze shifted subtly, unintentionally landing on Ye Qingran.