Chapter 330 Playing with great flair

Old Master Ge kept his hands tucked into his sleeves, looking like an ordinary old man from the streets, and said indifferently, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is overstating it!"

"The matter of ascending through the Heavenly Gate is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity for both you and me!"

"Moreover, when the time comes, all those old monsters hiding in the shadows of the world will surely head there. Heavenly Pillar Mountain will become a dragon's den and a tiger's lair!"

"Only by rounding them all up, ensuring no one is left to stir up trouble behind the scenes, can we provide the best help for the situation in the Great Jin Dynasty!"

"Indeed!" The Emperor chimed in from the side, "The reason for sealing your cultivation, Empress Dowager, is that you were at fault first, attempting to steal the imperial seal of the realm. You cannot blame me for this matter!"

"As long as you agree, I can undo the Seal for you right now!"

Empress Dowager Yuwen Feng fell silent.

Her cultivation had already reached the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown level. Although there was still a significant gap compared to the Emperor's current Realm, she could barely see any path forward if she continued to Cultivate.

If she could enter the Upper Realm, that would naturally be excellent.

However, just as Old Master Ge had said, Heavenly Pillar Mountain would surely be a dragon's den and a tiger's lair by then. Those old monsters who had always been hiding would seize this opportunity, and with her cultivation, she would certainly have no advantage. She couldn't help but fall into a dilemma.

Seeing Empress Dowager Yuwen Feng's delicate brows furrowed and her beautiful eyes flickering, knowing she was finding it hard to make a decision, Old Master Ge continued, "As for safety, Empress Dowager, you can rest assured!"

"The Emperor's current cultivation is enough to suppress the world, and with the imperial seal of the realm in hand, even if some thousand-year-old monsters appear, it is highly probable they will not be the Emperor's match."

"Moreover, we came here today because there is another matter we wish to discuss with you."

"What is it?" Empress Dowager Yuwen Feng raised her eyes to look at him.

Old Master Ge: "That Blade Demon Yan Chu—oh! He is the Khan of Beiman now!"

"I heard from Princess Yunshu that this man will also head to Heavenly Pillar Mountain and has allied with the Great Black Heavenly Demon Cult. You have shown him favor, so you can go and speak with him. If our two sides unite, in terms of pure strength, neither the Buddhist nor Daoist factions will be our match!"

"The chances of ascending the Heavenly Pillar will be much greater!"

"Oh? Wasn't Your Majesty just harboring thoughts of killing him?" Empress Dowager Yuwen Feng looked at Emperor Li Heming with a mocking gaze.

Now that there was no superficial respect between the two sides, the atmosphere became much stiffer.

Emperor Li Heming narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "For the sake of shattering the void and Ascension, everything can be set aside!"

"As long as he agrees to the alliance, what do a few small matters amount to? I can make the decision to betroth Yunshu directly to him!"

"Heh~" Empress Dowager Yuwen Feng sneered inwardly. Yunshu had already been taken by Yan Chu; what difference would it make whether she married him or not?

Her red lips parted slightly, and she said slowly, "The so-called favor I showed him was merely a small kindness. I will have to meet him in person to explain the pros and cons and see if he is willing to ally with us!"

"I do not have much confidence in this!"

"No matter!" Old Master Ge waved his hand and smiled, "Shattering the void and Ascension is the lifelong pursuit of martial artists like us. This man's cultivation has reached a very profound level, so he must surely want to enter the Heavenly Gate safely."

"With your connection, and since he has never had any conflict with the imperial court, it is highly probable he will agree!"

…After a few days of pleasure and several bouts of enjoyment, news of Yan Chu's return to the World Society inevitably leaked out.

However, there were major events happening one after another in the world now. His return did not cause a massive uproar as it had before; it only stirred up a sensation within Cangzhou Prefecture.

Local Sects and prominent aristocratic families from Cangzhou Prefecture all came to the World Society to pay their respects, and the three women—Sect Master Yu Mengzhu of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, Yu Feifei, and Qiao Zhique—took the opportunity to stay at the World Society.

This matter became a hot topic of conversation among the Jianghu people of Cangzhou Prefecture.

Having returned safely from Northern Mang, Great Hero Yan had not changed his nature at all.

He swung blades, spears, and staves with such vigorous spirit, and his past romantic affairs with many married beauties were dug up once again, being sung about in the streets and alleys…

…Outside Cangzhou Prefecture, at the secret base of the Holy Lotus Sect.

In the dim underground palace, Shen Zuirong, dressed in a red robe, sat cross-legged on a Cold Jade Bed, her hands forming a Seal, looking solemn and dignified.

Her raven hair cascaded down like a black waterfall. Her exquisite face seemed carved by heaven and earth; her skin was as delicate as water, fair and fine, yet tinted with a faint rosy glow, as charming as a blooming peach blossom.

As she formed the Seal with her hands, a blood moon slowly rose behind her. This blood moon exuded an extremely strong devouring power; one glance at it seemed to make all the blood essence in one's body feel as if it were about to be sucked away.

After a long while, she slowly finished her cultivation and exhaled a breath of turbid Qi.

"With the complete version of the Blood Moon Technique provided by the White Lotus Holy Master, the hidden dangers in the Cultivation Technique have finally been resolved!"

Shen Zuirong's lips curled into a smile. With the help of this divine technique and an unlimited supply of resources, she was now at the Middle Stage of the Grandmaster Realm, only one step away from the Late Stage.

A beauty capable of making it onto the beauties ranking list not only possessed rare, world-class beauty, but her cultivation talent was also at the level of a top-tier Prodigy in the world.

It was just that because Shen Zuirong's family background was relatively weak, lacking top-tier Cultivation Techniques and sufficient resources, her cultivation speed had been held back. Now, with the backing of the Holy Lotus Sect and the World Society, her cultivation speed had instantly skyrocketed like a rocket.

After finishing her cultivation, with a clang, she drew a soft sword from her waist and began to dance within the underground palace.

A soft sword in her hands, she looked like a Fairy descending to the mortal world, full of exquisite beauty, yet containing murderous intent in every step. Immortal Flying from Beyond the Heavens!

This sword technique was none other than the Immortal Flying from Beyond the Heavens that Yan Chu had taught her. Where the sword light passed, traces of Sword Qi remained in the air, and the walls and floor of the room were covered in sword marks.

Clap, clap, clap! Just then, the sound of gentle clapping echoed in the underground palace.

"Hmm?" Shen Zuirong's beautiful eyes narrowed, the sword blade straightened, and she thrust her sword through the air toward the direction of the applause.

This strike had already utilized the essence of the Immortal Flying from Beyond the Heavens; its Aura was magnificent, isolated, and coldly proud. However, this strike did not achieve its goal.

The sword light had pierced the person, but the person was not injured; instead, Shen Zuirong was pulled over by a large hand and embraced.

"Ah! Why is it you?! When did you get back??"

Before she could clearly see his face, the familiar scent on his body reached her nose, letting Shen Zuirong immediately know who was before her, and she couldn't help but cry out in surprise and joy.

"Hiss... You're hurting me!" Yan Chu pretended to cry out.

"Ah, I'm sorry!" Shen Zuirong hurriedly put away the soft sword in her hand.

Seeing Yan Chu's face full of mischievous smiles, she knew he was just pretending. Shen Zuirong was not annoyed, only joyfully stroking his face.

"You still haven't answered! When did you return? Why didn't you come to find me sooner?"

Yan Chu spread his hands and said with an innocent face, "I just got back too! I came to see you as soon as I returned to Cangzhou Prefecture!"

"Hmph! The ghost would believe you!" Shen Zuirong rolled her charming eyes and huffed, "You must have gone back to the World Society first and played enough on other women's bellies before coming to find me!"