42: Chapter 42 The Empress's Test

Facing Phoenix Unrivaled's seemingly casual yet actually probing inquiry,

Leng Hanshuang's face remained cold and aloof, showing no flaws.

She knew very well that while Phoenix Unrivaled's question seemed to be about Su Yun's identity, she was actually fishing for information about her relationship with Su Yun.

This question had to be answered flawlessly.

She could neither expose her true relationship with Su Yun nor let Phoenix Unrivaled notice anything amiss.

She even wanted to take this opportunity to plant a seed in Phoenix Unrivaled's mind.

In a flash, countless thoughts raced through Leng Hanshuang's mind.

In the end, she just smiled faintly and introduced him in a calm tone.

“His name is Lin Chen. He is an Inner Sect Disciple of my Mysterious Maiden Sect, not my Personal Disciple.”

“Oh? Just an Inner Sect Disciple?” Phoenix Unrivaled's brow twitched slightly, the look of inquiry in her eyes deepening.

What right does an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple have to be brought along personally by you, the high-and-mighty Mysterious Maiden Sect Revered Master, when welcoming me, the Empress of the Empire?

Who would believe that!

“Sister, don't lie to me.”

Phoenix Unrivaled's tone became somewhat meaningful.

“Could someone you value so much, even going as far as to keep him by your side for personal protection, really be just an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple?”

She had seen it clearly just now under the shroud of her imperial pressure.

The surrounding Mysterious Maiden Sect Disciples were all trembling with fear, yet this young man named Lin Chen remained unfazed and composed.

This Heart-Nature was definitely not that of an ordinary person.

“He is indeed no ordinary Inner Sect Disciple.” Leng Hanshuang seemed to know she couldn't hide it, so she simply followed her lead.

Her gaze fell upon Su Yun, and in those cold phoenix eyes, a rare, undisguised hint of appreciation and approval appeared.

“His talent is the greatest I have ever seen in my life.”

“It is even superior to that of Lin Aotian back in the day.”

Boom!

As soon as these words were spoken, not only Phoenix Unrivaled, but even Lin Rou and Liu Yuqin beside her were stunned.

Stronger than Lin Aotian?

Leng Hanshuang (Revered Master) actually held him in such high regard?

Who was Lin Aotian?

He was the legend of the Southern Region's Cultivation World, the only one in nearly ten thousand years to break the shackles of heaven and earth and successfully ascend to the Upper Realm!

He was an insurmountable myth in the hearts of all young Cultivators!

Now, Leng Hanshuang was actually saying that this Lin Chen's talent was even greater than Lin Aotian's?

This was no longer a compliment; this was overpraising to the point of causing harm!

“Oh?”

A flash of genuine surprise finally crossed Phoenix Unrivaled's eyes.

She knew Leng Hanshuang too well.

This woman was proud and arrogant, with standards that reached the heavens.

To be called “not bad” by Leng Hanshuang was already a massive honor.

And now she was using “even superior to Lin Aotian” to describe an unknown young lad?

This forced her to re-evaluate the man before her.

“Sister, isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?”

Phoenix Unrivaled's face showed an expression of disbelief.

“Aotian's talent is a once-in-ten-thousand-years occurrence. How could there possibly be someone in this world stronger than him?”

Although she said this, a vast yet obscure Divine Sense had already silently probed toward Su Yun.

She wanted to verify for herself whether this Lin Chen was truly a peerless Prodigy as Leng Hanshuang claimed.

Facing the Soul Transformation Stage level Divine Sense probe from Phoenix Unrivaled, Su Yun just stood there quietly, not even lifting an eyelid.

He even took the initiative to release the suppression of his own aura, allowing her to see through him from the inside out.

In any case, his Nine Yang Sacred Body and Nine Yang Imperial Phoenix Technique were concealed by the System; even if an Immortal descended, they wouldn't see anything amiss.

On the contrary, his Golden Core Great Perfection cultivation and incredibly solid Foundation could be “shown off.”

“Hmm?!”

When Phoenix Unrivaled's Divine Sense touched Su Yun's Dantian and Meridians,

that beautiful and domineering face showed a truly moved expression for the first time.

Such massive spiritual power!

Such resilient Meridians!

Such a solid Foundation!

Phoenix Unrivaled could clearly feel that although the spiritual power in Su Yun's body was only at the Golden Core Great Perfection Realm,

its quality and quantity far exceeded those of Cultivators at the same level, and were even more powerful than those of an average Early Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator!

What she found even more incredible was that this man's Foundation was solid to a point that could be called abnormal!

There wasn't the slightest bit of instability; it didn't look at all like it had been forcibly built up using Medicinal Pills or external forces.

This... this was entirely cultivated step by step through his own talent and hard work!

To rise from the Middle Foundation Establishment Stage to Golden Core Great Perfection in just one month,

and with such a stable Foundation... it was truly appalling.

At this moment, Phoenix Unrivaled began to believe Leng Hanshuang's words.

This man's talent might... truly not be inferior to Lin Aotian's!

A single Lin Aotian had already stirred up the world.

And now, another Prodigy with talent comparable to his had appeared?

Is the world about to change?

Phoenix Unrivaled withdrew her Divine Sense, and the way she looked at Su Yun changed completely.

It was no longer the scrutiny and probing from before, but added a hint of... solemnity and... wariness.

She instinctively sensed a hint of danger from this man.

“It seems I have failed to recognize a great talent.”

The smile returned to Phoenix Unrivaled's face as she nodded slightly to Su Yun.

“Little brother Lin Chen is indeed a dragon among men; his future is limitless.”

“Your Majesty the Empress overpraises me,” Su Yun replied with a bow, neither humble nor arrogant, performing perfectly.

He was neither smug from the praise nor terrified by her status.

This calm and composed demeanor raised Phoenix Unrivaled's evaluation of him even higher.

Interesting.

This man not only has monstrous talent, but his Heart-Nature is also top-notch.

I just wonder what his relationship with Frost really is?

And between him and Lin Aotian, will there be...

Thoughts flashed rapidly through Phoenix Unrivaled's mind.

“Alright, Sister, let's not stand here at the mountain gate.”

Phoenix Unrivaled took Leng Hanshuang's hand again and said affectionately.

“Let's go inside and talk. I've brought quite a few good things for you this time.”

“Alright, please come in.”

Leng Hanshuang nodded and led everyone toward the Sect's main peak, Hanpo Peak.

Along the way, Phoenix Unrivaled chatted with Leng Hanshuang about private matters,

and some anecdotes from the Wu Zhou Empire, as if she were truly just there to catch up.

But from the corner of her eye, she would occasionally glance at Su Yun, who was following beside Leng Hanshuang.

As for Su Yun, he kept his head down and his heart focused, looking like he knew nothing and was just a bystander.

But in his heart, he was overjoyed.

The fish has started to take an interest in the bait.

Next, it's time to slowly reel it in.

The group soon arrived at the main hall of Hanpo Peak.

After they were seated as host and guest, Phoenix Unrivaled waved her hand, and the maids behind her immediately came forward carrying exquisite jade boxes.

“Sister, this is the ‘Thousand-Year Fire Jade Coral’ I specially found for you; it has a neutralizing effect on your cold-natured Physique.”

“And this is the ‘Purple-Cloud Dragon King Ginseng,’ which can nourish the Divine Soul.”

“And this is...”

Phoenix Unrivaled presented seven or eight priceless Heaven And Earth Treasures in a row, each enough to make a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator green with envy.

“Unrivaled, you are too kind.” Leng Hanshuang made a token refusal before letting Liu Yuqin accept them.

She knew that Phoenix Unrivaled giving such heavy gifts must mean she had an intention; next, it was time to get to the main point.

Sure enough, after giving the gifts and exchanging a few pleasantries,

Phoenix Unrivaled dismissed the maids on both sides, leaving only the four of them in the main hall.

The smile on her face faded slightly, replaced by a touch of solemnity.

Looking at Leng Hanshuang, she asked point-blank:

“Sister, tell me the truth.”

“Has anything special happened in the Sect recently?”

“And, has the cold poison in your body... been completely cured?”