437: Hengyu Imperial Court

Ye Xuan's words made the three women freeze.

Fire Linger was the first to react: "Go to Undying Volcano now? But your Red Dust Tribulation, if it's not resolved, it might..."

"That's precisely why we need to go as soon as possible."

Ye Xuan's tone was calm, but if one looked closely, they would notice a ripple of emotion, forcefully suppressed, deep in his eyes.

"The Undying Volcano is a place of extreme Yang energy in the world; perhaps we can find a way to alleviate the Red Dust Tribulation there."

Yue Xuan's silver eyes flickered, as if she sensed something: "What are you hiding? Tai Hao's memories of the Undying Volcano seem very vague. That place is the territory of the Phoenix Clan, a naturally born Divine Beast with extraordinary strength. Even the Tai Hao of that time wouldn't easily provoke them."

Ye Xuan smiled faintly, but that smile lacked some of its usual warmth: "You'll know when the time comes, but before we go to the Undying Volcano, let's make a trip to the Hengyu Imperial Court."

"Hengyu Imperial Court?"

Tang Linglong's eyes flashed with confusion, then she realized: "Are we going to see Sister Qingxue?"

Ye Xuan nodded, his gaze softening slightly: "Qingxue presides over the Hengyu Imperial Court. Perhaps she knows some secrets about the Undying Volcano. After all, her Physique has an inseparable connection with the Phoenix Clan, and..."

He paused and said: "I should go see her too."

No one noticed that when the name Ning Qingxue was mentioned, Ye Xuan's soul, sealed by the Kongtong Seal, trembled slightly.

"Alright, then let's depart immediately."

...

The four of them tore through space, and the next moment, they appeared above a vast immortal realm.

Below, palaces stretched endlessly, grand in Aura, precisely where the Hengyu Imperial Court was located.

"Who goes there!"

Several powerful Auras shot up into the sky; they were the Imperial Court's guards.

Ning Qingxue had managed the Hengyu Imperial Court exceptionally well. In just a few years, the number of quasi-Emperor powerhouses had increased significantly, and its strength had grown even more formidable.

But when they clearly saw that it was Ye Xuan, they immediately bowed respectfully: "So it is Emperor Lord Ye! The Emperor Lord had already given instructions; if you arrive, you may enter directly."

Ye Xuan nodded slightly, leading the three women directly to the main hall.

Along the way, immortal officials and Fairies bowed, their gazes filled with awe and curiosity.

In the eyes of these people, there was also a hint of admiration for Ye Xuan.

After all, Ye Xuan was incomparably handsome and powerful, truly the heart's desire of many.

Inside the main hall, a graceful figure stood with her back to them, gazing at a star map on the wall.

Hearing footsteps, she slowly turned, revealing a face of breathtaking beauty.

It was none other than the Emperor Lord of the Hengyu Imperial Court, Ning Qingxue!

"You've come."

Ning Qingxue's lips curved upward, her eyes holding an undisguised joy.

But when she looked closely at Ye Xuan, her delicate brows furrowed as she said: "Your Aura is a bit off."

Ye Xuan smiled: "It's nothing, just a small trouble, which will be resolved."

He stepped forward and gently held Ning Qingxue's hand.

"How have you been recently?"

This intimate gesture made Ning Qingxue's pretty face flush, especially with others present.

But she didn't pull away; instead, she tightened her grip on Ye Xuan's hand: "Everything is fine, it's just... I miss you very much."

Tang Linglong and Fire Linger exchanged smiles, while Yue Xuan turned her head away with a complex expression.

Ning Qingxue then noticed the three women and quickly bowed: "Sister Linglong, Sister Ling'er, and Fairy Yue Xuan, Qingxue was rude."

Tang Linglong smiled: "We are all sisters, no need to be so polite."

Fire Linger also nodded: "Sister Qingxue, managing the Imperial Court, you're becoming more and more imposing."

After exchanging pleasantries, Ning Qingxue's expression grew serious: "You've come at just the right time. Recently, I observed the stars and found unusual activity in the direction of the Undying Volcano. I was just about to notify you."

Ye Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly: "What unusual activity?"

Ning Qingxue pointed to the star map: "The energy fluctuations of the Undying Volcano are extremely abnormal, as if something is about to awaken, and..."

She paused, looked at everyone, and continued: "It seems to be related to the Red Dust Tribulation."

These words made everyone tense. Yue Xuan asked anxiously: "Does the Emperor Lord know about the Red Dust Tribulation?"

Ning Qingxue nodded: "The ancient texts of the Hengyu Imperial Court record that the Red Dust Tribulation is not a simple calamity, but a kind of... test. Passing it leads to mental Perfection, failing it leads to..."

"Leads to what?"

Fire Linger pressed.

Ning Qingxue looked at Ye Xuan, her eyes full of worry: "Then emotions gradually become indifferent, eventually becoming part of the emotionless Heavenly Dao."

Silence fell in the hall; everyone understood what this meant.

Ye Xuan, however, smiled calmly: "So we must go to the Undying Volcano even more. Qingxue, do the Imperial Court's ancient texts record a method to break it?"

Ning Qingxue pondered for a moment: "No, but there is one item that can suppress the mind, called the Clear Heart Lotus. It can purify Heart Demons and stabilize the mind. Perhaps it will help you."

She walked to the side of the hall, opened a jade box, and took out a fiery red jade pendant: "This is the Hengyu Imperial Court's supreme treasure, the Fiery Sun Heart Protection Jade. It can resist the erosion of heart fire. Take it with you. After all, this is all I can do for you."

Ye Xuan took the jade pendant, feeling the nourishing power it contained. His soul, sealed by the Kongtong Seal, seemed to warm up a bit.

"Thank you."

Ning Qingxue gently shook her head: "Between you and me, why speak of thanks."

She hesitated for a moment, then still said: "However, the Undying Volcano has indeed been dangerous recently. It is said that some extraterritorial forces are targeting it, seemingly searching for something."

Ye Xuan's eyes narrowed: "Is it extraterritorial fiends?"

"It doesn't seem like it. It appears to be something else, but I don't have specific details. It's very dangerous there, and my people cannot easily approach it."

Ning Qingxue's expression was solemn.

"However, I used all the power of the Imperial Court to investigate, and I did get some news. It seems to be related to the Ancient Heavenly Court."

"Ancient Heavenly Court?"

Yue Xuan exclaimed.

"Isn't that a legend from before the Tai Hao era?"

Ning Qingxue nodded: "Precisely. It is said that after the Ancient Heavenly Court collapsed, some ruins were scattered across various realms. The Undying Volcano might hide an important ruin, but that place has always been the territory of the Phoenix Clan, so this news might just be a rumor."

Ye Xuan heard this, and the stars in his left eye swirled, deducing the Heavenly Dao, but he saw a thick fog: "The Heavenly Dao is obscured, but no matter what, we must go to the Undying Volcano."

Ye Xuan gently embraced her: "Wait for me to return."

This sudden intimacy made Ning Qingxue's pretty face flush, but she didn't struggle, instead softly responding: "Mm."

Tang Linglong and Fire Linger exchanged smiles, while Yue Xuan silently turned her head away.

After a moment of tenderness, Ye Xuan released Ning Qingxue, his expression returning to seriousness: "There's no time to lose; we'll depart now."

"Mm, be careful with everything."

Although Ning Qingxue was reluctant to part with Ye Xuan, she understood the gravity of the situation and watched Ye Xuan leave with lingering reluctance.

The four of them bid farewell to Ning Qingxue and left the Hengyu Imperial Court.

Before they left, Ning Qingxue suddenly sent a message to Ye Xuan: "Be careful of Yue Xuan; she seems to be hiding something."

Ye Xuan's eyes moved slightly, but he did not respond.

However, a monstrous wave surged in his heart: Yue Xuan...