44: The Empress's Method of Attaining Enlightenment

[Yin Shengge has comprehended Vast Righteous Qi. Mission complete.]

[Mission Reward: phenomenon—Asura Purgatory. Distributed. Please check it, host.]

The mission is finished just like that?

Qin Gelan felt his Asura Power grow even stronger; this was the effect of cultivating a phenomenon.

Asura governs slaughter, and Asura Power increases one's slaughtering power, providing a significant boost to combat strength.

If Vast Righteous Qi is an enhancement to Daoist Magic, then Asura Power is an enhancement to the person themselves.

By now, Yin Shengge had finished her comprehension and could already release Vast Righteous Qi.

Sometimes, comprehension is just a matter of a single moment, yet some people might never encounter the right opportunity in their entire lives.

Yin Shengge looked at Qin Gelan with a complex gaze. She hadn't expected to comprehend Vast Righteous Qi through one of his poems.

This poem was in no way inferior to the previous "ode to linglong."

"Does this poem that Young Master Qin composed for Shengge have a name?" Yin Shengge lowered her head, not daring to look at Qin Gelan. The thought that he had written this poem for her made her cheeks flush crimson.

Qin Gelan smiled and said, "Since it was written for you, it should naturally be named after you. How about calling it 'ode to shengge', how does that sound?"

"ode to shengge..."

Yin Shengge murmured the name and then nodded earnestly; it was clear she was very satisfied.

"Entering the Dao this time was all thanks to Young Master Qin. Otherwise, relying on myself to comprehend the Vast Righteousness, I don't know how many years it would have taken." Yin Shengge was deeply grateful, and her feelings for Qin Gelan grew—feelings that might be described as... admiration.

The two of them left the Osmanthus Tower. Yin Shengge put away the poem Qin Gelan had written for her, causing the Proprietress of the Osmanthus Tower to sigh inwardly with regret.

Over the next few days, Yin Shengge took Qin Gelan to visit various places in Book City.

During those few days, Qin Gelan composed poems for some of the sights in Book City, from which Yin Shengge benefited greatly.

Yin Shengge became even more impressed by Qin Gelan's literary talent. She truly couldn't fathom how someone of his age could possess such brilliance.

After spending time together, Yin Shengge found that Qin Gelan's way of doing things was unconventional. He lacked the arrogance of other Prodigies and the polished elegance of those from great clans.

Looking at Qin Gelan's easygoing manner combined with his remarkable literary talent, Yin Shengge unconsciously felt a sense of admiration for him.

Perhaps, as Qin Gelan said, good poetry doesn't necessarily need to be a pile of flowery language, yet it cannot do without it.

Perhaps he was just that kind of person... On the tenth day, the jade pendant on Qin Gelan's person transmitted a message from the Empress. This was the communication jade pendant she had given him before setting out.

As long as they weren't too far apart, they could contact each other.

Returning to Book Mountain, Qin Gelan and the Empress bid farewell to the Literary Sage, Dao Master Chu, and the others, as they were set to return to the Shenxi Empire.

Seeing Yin Shengge's reluctant expression upon parting, Li Moyuan thought to himself, "It seems the Matchmaking my Junior Martial Uncle tried to do might actually work!"

Three days later, Qin Gelan, the Empress, and Yun Yao stepped out from the Teleportation Array.

"In half a month, the selection of Realm Prodigies for Xuanhuang Heaven will take place. The Southern Divine Continent's selection will be hosted by Linglong Island," the Empress said to Qin Gelan.

The Empress wasn't worried at all about whether Qin Gelan could pass the selection. If even he couldn't pass, then likely no one could.

"Are there restrictions for entering the Realm War?" Qin Gelan asked.

The Empress nodded and said, "For the Realm Prodigy War, each Plane can only send one hundred members of the younger generation, and they must be under five hundred years old."

"In the Xuanhuang Heaven's Divine Continent and its four great domains, each Transcendent Faction will select ten people. The remaining ten will be chosen from a Qualification Battle co-hosted by all the major powers."

Qin Gelan nodded, indicating he understood.

The Empress looked at Qin Gelan, hesitating. The Literary Sage had previously said that her opportunity to Attain the Dao and become a Supreme lay with Qin Gelan, but she didn't know how to bring it up.

Qin Gelan also looked at the Empress, wondering how he could help her Attain the Dao and become a Supreme. Dragging this mission out wasn't an option; the reward was too tempting.

Both were lost in their own thoughts. Yun Yao, watching from the side, frowned slightly. What was going on? Why were these two staring into each other's eyes?

At Yun Yao's light cough, the two finally snapped out of it. The Empress's cheeks flushed slightly for a moment before returning to normal; after all, as Empress Shenxi, she could adjust her state of mind very quickly.

Qin Gelan was also a bit embarrassed. He had been so engrossed in thinking about the mission that he hadn't realized he was staring straight at the Empress.

No, I must help the Empress achieve a Breakthrough within half a month. Otherwise, if I don't get that reward, it'll feel like I've lost a fortune.

Each returned to their own palace. Qin Gelan lay on his bed, thinking about how to help the Empress Attain the Dao. A Realm Breaking Card clearly wouldn't work on her.

"System, is there any way to help the Empress Attain the Dao?"

Qin Gelan asked the System; he truly couldn't think of anything.

[Has the host forgotten the reward Cultivation Technique from the previous Destiny upgrade, the Dragon Phoenix Creation Art?]

The Dragon Phoenix Creation Art?

Qin Gelan hadn't paid much attention to this Cultivation Technique and had tossed it aside.

[The Dragon Phoenix Creation Art is a top-tier Cultivation Technique for Dragon and Phoenix cultivation. The practitioners must possess Dragon and Phoenix Physiques, allowing both to gain immense benefits.]

"Could it be...?"

Qin Gelan's eyes widened. Still have to find the Empress?

Wouldn't he be slapped to death by her?

But right now, besides this Dragon Phoenix Creation Art, there didn't seem to be any other way.

Qin Gelan gritted his teeth. Fine, I'll try. At worst, I'll just take a beating.

[The Dragon Phoenix Creation Art is used to refine dragon phoenix pills. Nirvana Fire must be used as the source of the alchemical flame for refinement.]

"Why didn't you say so earlier! You gave me a fright!"

...Night fell. Qin Gelan sneakily left his room and headed towards the Empress's bedchamber.

Bypassing the guards outside the Empress's bedchamber, Qin Gelan arrived at her door and hesitated. How was he supposed to say this?

While Qin Gelan was hesitating, the Empress's door opened, and a voice drifted from within: "Come in."

Having been discovered by the Empress, Qin Gelan simply braced himself and walked into the bedchamber.

Entering the Empress's bedchamber, he was met with an intoxicating fragrance.

"Do you have business with this Empress?" she asked.

"Empress, I..."

Qin Gelan was suddenly at a loss for words. How the hell should he say it?

What if she misunderstands?

The Empress looked at Qin Gelan quietly, waiting for his answer.

Meeting the Empress's eyes, Qin Gelan gritted his teeth. To hell with it!

"Earlier, Senior Literary Sage said that the key to the Empress Attaining the Dao lies with me, and he wanted me to help you."

This was pure nonsense. At this point, he could only use the old Literary Sage as a shield.

But when the words reached the Empress's ears, she believed him. Because the Literary Sage indeed had said so; although he hadn't been explicit, his words had all pointed towards Qin Gelan.

"It seems Senior Literary Sage was right; the opportunity for this Empress to Attain the Dao lies with you."

The Empress's words left Qin Gelan bewildered. Wait... I was just making it up, but the Literary Sage actually said that?

Qin Gelan felt immensely grateful in his heart.

"How do you intend to help this Empress Attain the Dao?" she asked.

Qin Gelan deliberated for a moment before speaking, "Has the Empress heard of the Dragon Phoenix Creation Art?"

The Empress frowned, then her beautiful eyes widened. She had naturally heard of this top-tier Dragon and Phoenix Cultivation Technique.

It was said that both parties required a Dragon and a Phoenix Physique to Cultivate it. Because the conditions were so harsh, although it was world-famous, few had ever cultivated it.

Without waiting for her answer, Qin Gelan released his Indestructible True Dragon Body. As if sensing the True Dragon Qi, the Empress's Innate Divine Phoenix Body also reacted.

A clear, resonant phoenix cry echoed from within the Empress as her Innate Divine Phoenix Body was drawn in by the Indestructible True Dragon Body.

"Indestructible True Dragon Body!"