237: Is this what it feels like to be kept by a rich woman?

This…

Lu Xuan was suddenly stunned; he didn't expect the Empress to ask him to preside over the Martial Arts Competition.

The Martial Arts Competition concerned the quotas for entering the Lingxu Land, with the top one hundred participants all being eligible to enter.

However, the Lingxu Land, once it appeared, would only remain for a brief year before once again vanishing into the unknown Void Realm.

Therefore, the time each person could spend in the Lingxu Land was limited.

The top one hundred people in the Martial Arts Competition were divided into five batches to enter.

The top three could enter the Lingxu Land immediately to search for Heaven and Earth Treasures.

Of course, accompanying them were members of the Great Xia Dynasty, core members of the Eight Great Families, and True Disciples of the Five Transcendent Forces.

The Great Xia Capital had Eight Great Families: Wu, Li, Mo, Officials Surname, Luo, Tang, Jiang, and Guyue!

Among them, the top three families were Tang, Jiang, and Guyue!

The remaining families were the lower five.

And as for the Five Transcendent Forces...

They were Dao Xu Sect, Jingxin Temple, Sword Spirit Sect, Xuan Yin Immortal Palace, and Extreme Flame Holy Gate.

The first batch of people entering the Lingxu Land would occupy most of the year, a full ten months.

The remaining time was for the second batch, consisting of those ranked 4-10 in the Martial Arts Competition, to enter.

There were also some elite clansmen from the Eight Great Families and Inner Sect Disciples from the Five Transcendent Forces.

This second batch of Martial Artists entering the Lingxu Land had a full month.

The third batch, ranked 11-20, would enter the Lingxu Land for 15 days.

The fourth batch, ranked 21-50, would enter the Lingxu Land for 10 days.

The fifth batch, ranked 51-100, would enter the Lingxu Land for 5 days.

From this perspective, the time spent in the Lingxu Land seemed extremely unfair.

But at least they still had the qualification to enter the Lingxu Land and partake in some scraps.

In fact, a hundred years ago, the Great Xia Dynasty had an even more extreme approach.

Only members of the Great Xia Dynasty, the Eight Great Families, and the Five Transcendent Forces were qualified to enter the Lingxu Land.

As for the rest of the people in the secular world, they didn't even have the right to know about it, let alone wish to enter the Lingxu Land.

It was a hundred years ago that Emperor Tianqi, Xia Ritain, the current Empress's father...

He broke the long-standing tradition and gave opportunities to some extraordinary Martial Artists in the secular world, allowing them to also enter the Lingxu Land to search for the Heaven and Earth Treasures.

Although this opportunity was rare, at least some miracles could still happen.

In this extraordinary world where martial power reigns supreme and Martial Artists stand above all, there would be no jokes.

You speak of fairness?

That is a pipe dream; don't even think about it. You should be secretly rejoicing that they aren't using you to sacrifice to the Myriad Souls Banner.

Lu Xuan could guarantee that Emperor Tianqi, in making this decision, must have experienced unimaginable resistance.

When fundamental interests were involved, not only did the Eight Great Families and the Five Transcendent Forces object, but even his own imperial clansmen would definitely come forward to stop him.

At least, Lu Xuan still admired Emperor Tianqi for being able to make this decision.

"What's wrong, Minister Lu? Do you have any concerns?"

Empress Xia Mingyue turned around, like a gathering storm, her long hair, like ink clouds, danced wildly, resembling mysterious waves surging in the deep night.

Her beautiful eyes seemed to have been infused with endless light by a deity, sacred and beautiful, with an inherent majesty radiating from their clarity.

Her gaze locked directly onto Lu Xuan, the oppressive feeling in her eyes pouring out like a tangible galaxy.

Looking closely, deep within the Empress's pupils, a profound black mysterious bird phantom occasionally rotated without cease.

A strange and mysterious Aura surrounded the black mysterious bird, as if it contained endless secrets and power, intertwining with the Empress's gaze, adding a few more points of awe-inspiring Aura.

Even Lu Xuan, who had seen much of the world, was astonished by Empress Xia Mingyue's stunning beauty in this moment.

Lu Xuan sighed inwardly, thinking that there could be such a world-shattering beauty.

Even Li Yanran, who he knew in Qingyun County, was somewhat inferior to Empress Xia Mingyue.

Lu Xuan was only briefly stunned, and various thoughts flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern.

In an instant, Lu Xuan quickly recovered, promptly composed his expression, cupped his hands, bowed his head, and spoke in a slightly faster but still respectful tone.

"This humble subject dares not. Your Majesty's decree, this humble subject will naturally do his utmost to complete it."

Having received so many benefits from Empress Xia Mingyue, Lu Xuan still chose to accept the task.

That is, presiding over the Martial Arts Competition half a year later.

Seeing Lu Xuan accept this task, Empress Xia Mingyue's lips curved slightly in front of him.

A hint of satisfaction appeared in her eyes, and her voice was soft yet authoritative: "Very good, Minister Lu. With you presiding over the Martial Arts Competition, I can rest assured."

She nodded slightly, her gaze carrying a hint of appreciation, slowly appraising Lu Xuan, and continued.

"A Martial Arts Prodigy like Minister Lu, I have seen for the first time in so many years."

"In the Great Xia Dynasty, it would probably be harder than ascending to heaven to find a Martial Arts Prodigy as unprecedented as Minister Lu."

"Only the founding ancestor of the dynasty back then could compete with you, Minister Lu."

As she spoke, Empress Xia Mingyue moved her lotus-like steps, actually taking a few more steps forward, almost standing face to face with Lu Xuan.

Empress Xia Mingyue was tall, appearing only slightly shorter than Lu Xuan.

At this moment, Empress Xia Mingyue and Lu Xuan were extremely close, even their breaths were clearly audible.

Lu Xuan clearly felt the Empress's proud softness lightly brushing his chest, like a feather, causing his heartstrings to tremble.

Looking at Lu Xuan, who was so close, a hint of something unusual flashed quickly in Empress Xia Mingyue's beautiful eyes.

She unconsciously raised her right hand, her wrist like frost and snow, with a faint, ethereal black glow on her fingertips.

She gently cupped Lu Xuan's chin, her movements appearing extremely gentle, yet subtly containing a power that Lu Xuan could not resist.

Lu Xuan had not expected Empress Xia Mingyue to make such a move. He had originally thought this was just a normal conversation between monarch and subject.

However, facing this shocking turn of events, like a thunderclap, it exploded in Lu Xuan's mind.

Lu Xuan not only felt no surprise but was filled with dread, his heart pounding uncontrollably.

In an instant, fear appeared in his eyes for the first time, and he widened them.

Lu Xuan's body also tensed involuntarily, and streaks of profound golden light rapidly permeated his entire Physical Body.

This was the power of Lu Xuan's Undying and Unextinguished Martial Arts Cultivation Technique, which was instinctively released at this moment.

This meant that Lu Xuan's Physical Body senses had detected an unprecedented danger.

Lu Xuan's eyes suddenly radiated dazzling purple light, and his figure changed rapidly like a ghost.

In the blink of an eye, he had already flashed ten steps away from Empress Xia Mingyue.

Lu Xuan's speed was so fast, in just a fleeting moment, like teleportation, leaving only faint afterimages that slowly dissipated in place.

Empress Xia Mingyue's smooth, snow-white jade hand remained in its previous posture, suspended in the air where Lu Xuan's afterimage had been.

Her beautiful eyes shifted slightly, and the original calm and leisurely expression in them was instantly filled with surprise.

Empress Xia Mingyue's exquisitely beautiful face showed a slight hint of congelation.

She clearly hadn't expected Lu Xuan to possess such a miraculous Martial Art Body Technique.

This profound Martial Art Body Technique, for a moment, made Empress Xia Mingyue somewhat unable to recover.

What a powerful Martial Art Body Technique!

If she hadn't misperceived, there was a hint of the Law's power in Lu Xuan's Martial Art Body Technique the moment he used it.

The Law of Space!

How could this Lu Xuan, at around twenty years of age, Cultivate a Martial Art Body Technique to such a profound Realm?

He actually Cultivated a hint of the Law of Space!

Hiss!

Terrifying!

Terrifying to this extent!

In that case, her original plan would have to be temporarily changed.

Because Xia Mingyue herself hadn't realized that besides Lu Xuan's unparalleled Martial Arts talent, he also possessed Heaven-Defyingly powerful Comprehension Ability, capable of Cultivating a Martial Arts Cultivation Technique to that level.

While Empress Xia Mingyue was surprised by Lu Xuan's Martial Art Body Technique, Lu Xuan was also greatly frightened by her terrifying strength.

This Empress Xia Mingyue was indeed the Dominator of the Great Xia Dynasty.

The moment Lu Xuan was touched by Empress Xia Mingyue, he felt a long-lost sense of death.

It was that kind of true intuition of facing death, the kind that even the Undying and Unextinguished Martial Arts Cultivation Technique couldn't heal.

This kind of power, which could ignore his Undying and Unextinguished Martial Arts Cultivation Technique's healing ability and completely obliterate him, could only belong to a Martial Artist of that Realm.

Void Realm!

The power of the Void Tempering Law possessed by a Void Realm True Lord!

This was a terrifying power that could easily defeat the Heaven and Earth power of the Divine Palace Realm and effortlessly erase Divine Thought Primordial Spirit.

Could it be that this Empress Xia Mingyue in front of him was an existence from that legendary Realm?

A Void Realm True Lord?

As Lu Xuan thought of this possibility, his Divine Thought power was already fully operating throughout his entire body.

He was already ready to release Close Distance to the Horizon again and flee thousands of miles away.

Lu Xuan took a deep breath, quickly calming the surging emotions in his heart.

Then, Lu Xuan leaned forward slightly, his movements elegant and steady, unhurriedly bowing and saluting, maintaining a composed expression throughout, and spoke steadily.

"Your Majesty, this humble subject was momentarily flustered just now. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Seeing this, Empress Xia Mingyue slowly withdrew her right hand, her gaze falling on Lu Xuan again, with a more elusive and mysterious color in her eyes.

Her lips curved slightly, a faint smile playing on them, and she opened her red lips: "No matter, Minister Lu, you need not mind. My actions just now were merely out of a slight appreciation for talent."

"Since Minister Lu has accepted the matter of the Martial Arts Competition, then I shall bestow this item upon you as well."

Empress Xia Mingyue said no more, waving her delicate hand, and a brilliant black light suddenly burst forth.

Like a meteor chasing the moon, it streaked across the sky, shooting directly towards Lu Xuan's face.

In an instant, a tiny black cubic object stably floated before Lu Xuan's eyes.

This black cubic object, no larger than a palm, was surrounded by wisps of profound black Qi.

Its surface seemed to have a faint, flickering ethereal glow, like an endless black hole, capable of devouring all things in Heaven and Earth.

"This is a Void Tempering Spirit Treasure, the Xufu Realm. It contains a cut-off Void Realm that can absorb external objects into it."

"Minister Lu, I don't need to explain this further; I presume you will understand."

"Half a year from now, Minister Lu, do not disappoint me."

With that, Empress Xia Mingyue's face instantly regained its former sacred and majestic Aura, her expression as cold as ice.

Her tone was filled with undeniable resolve, and she enunciated each word.

"You may withdraw!"

This time, Lu Xuan was cautious. He first secretly used his Divine Thought to sense the Xufu Realm all around it, and after finding no dangerous Aura around it, he no longer hesitated, reaching out without any concealment.

At this moment, Lu Xuan's heart was filled with excitement.

This level of excitement surpassed even what he felt when he obtained the Void Tempering Spirit Treasure, the black spirit wood, just now.

After hearing just a few words of introduction about the Xufu Realm from Empress Xia Mingyue, Lu Xuan could basically confirm the conjecture in his heart.

The Xufu Realm, wasn't this one of the things he knew best in his previous life?

It could be said to be an essential spatial Magic Treasure for everyone!

A storage ring!

It was simply an essential Divine Artifact for murder, arson, robbery, and seizing treasures!

What Lu Xuan hadn't expected was that he would actually have such a day, where he could obtain this item.

After Lu Xuan quickly gripped the Xufu Realm tightly in his hand, he immediately bowed again and said.

"This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for your heavenly grace!"

These words, without reservation, revealed Lu Xuan's heartfelt gratitude.

Was this what it felt like to be pampered by a rich woman?

Lu Xuan was deeply shocked by Empress Xia Mingyue's generosity.

It turned out that all the things he had worked so hard for in An Prefecture for so long were not even as good as the casual bestowal of this Empress.

However, gratitude was gratitude, but Lu Xuan's speed in leaving the main hall at this moment could be described as lightning-fast.

In the blink of an eye, Lu Xuan's figure had disappeared from Empress Xia Mingyue's sight.

Lu Xuan was scared!

The Empress's strength was the first person he had encountered since his birth whom he could not fully comprehend.

After Lu Xuan left the main hall, he thought to himself.

Entering the Imperial Palace today was one of the most adventurous things he had ever done in his life, if not the most.

Lu Xuan swore that he would never commit such a dangerous act again in his life.

Without sufficient self-preservation power, Lu Xuan decided not to enter the Imperial Palace again to face this unfathomable Empress.

At the same time, the moment Lu Xuan left the main hall.

Beside Empress Xia Mingyue, ripples began to appear in the Void Realm.

After a distortion of space, a purple light figure gracefully emerged from the Void Realm.

Once the purple light figure solidified, a woman stepped out from the Void Realm, her purple skirt fluttering in the wind, swaying gracefully like a dream.

The woman appeared slender and graceful, every line seemingly meticulously carved, fully displaying a mysterious and cold demeanor.

"Purple Yao, this Lu Xuan is quite interesting. What do you think?"