The matter with Li Yuanhao was just a minor disturbance. After defeating Li Yuanhao, the entire Ling Family's team was prepared to set out and return to Xuzhou.

But just at this moment, Ling Chen received another summons from Empress Yunyao.

This time, Ling Chen felt at ease as he was guided by a palace maid to an Imperial Garden to meet Empress Yunyao.

In a garden overflowing with fragrance, a woman dressed in white was tending to the flowers and plants. Even though she wasn't wearing a Dragon Robe, her presence made Ling Chen recognize her at first glance.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

He could guess the reason for this summons. It had been ten days since the last one, and by now, there was a good chance that she had obtained the Sword Immortal Jade Bi.

"I heard you're returning to Xuzhou."

Empress Yunyao turned around, stopping what she was doing. Her face was still unclear, only some outlines of her features could be discerned. But it was evident that her features were very delicate. What kind of face it might truly be was unknown, but it was certain that she was an extraordinary beauty.

After all, having cultivated to the Saint level, she had already refined a Saint Body. Remodeling one's muscles and bones was not a problem, let alone beautification to some extent. Thus, even if Empress Yunyao was not an unparalleled beauty, she certainly wouldn't be ugly.

Of course, whether Empress Yunyao was beautiful or not had nothing to do with him; he was just purely curious.

After dismissing the palace maid beside her, Empress Yunyao seemed to reveal a slight smile and said, "Isn't this Divine Capital wonderful? Why not stay here and cultivate in peace for a while?"

Upon hearing this, Ling Chen's heart skipped a beat. He didn't know what Empress Yunyao's agenda was. However, as the saying goes, serving an emperor is like accompanying a tiger. The Divine Capital is a place rife with conflict, with old and new factions scheming against each other. Even if he had no issues, he couldn't stay here and get involved in these pointless disputes alongside Empress Yunyao.

"I must return to Xuzhou to handle important matters. Once they are taken care of, I will naturally come back to pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Ling Chen respectfully replied.

Moreover, he didn't believe that Empress Yunyao didn't have any ulterior motive and simply wanted him to stay in the Divine Capital.

"Alright, since you insist on leaving, I won't force you to stay."

Empress Yunyao didn't insist, which allowed Ling Chen to secretly breathe a sigh of relief. "This time I summoned you, I have no other intentions, just encountered some difficulties while comprehending the 'Lotus Sword Song' and wished for your guidance."

"Oh, has Your Majesty already obtained the Sword Immortal Jade Bi?"

Ling Chen raised an eyebrow, but his heart was not surprised.

However, with Empress Yunyao's aptitude, even if comprehending the "Lotus Sword Song" would not be completely smooth, it shouldn't have been significantly hindered by any difficulties. Most likely, her true intention wasn't to seek his guidance but to verify the authenticity of the Sword Immortal Jade Bi.

This woman was evidently worried about being deceived, even though it was unlikely that the "Lotus Sword Song" would be fake. Still, what if Ling Chen altered certain elements or made some modifications?

Therefore, she wanted to personally see whether the "Lotus Sword Song" demonstrated by Ling Chen was identical to what she had realized from the Sword Immortal Jade Bi.

This woman was indeed meticulous, with a mind as fine as a thread.

"Yes, don't worry. Those two friends of yours from Qingcheng Palace have been properly arranged. You needn't worry."

Empress Yunyao slightly nodded her chin and said calmly.

On this point, Ling Chen didn't doubt her. Protecting two juniors was an effortless task for Empress Yunyao.

"Since Your Majesty requests it, I shall oblige. How does Your Majesty wish to be instructed?"

Ling Chen responded neither haughtily nor humbly.

Empress Yunyao extended her fair jade-like hand and gestured to Ling Chen, "I will suppress my cultivation to the same realm as yours. Use your sword to attack me."

"Be careful now."

Without further ado, Ling Chen unsheathed the Red Sky Sword with a "clang." He didn't believe he could harm Empress Yunyao, even if she suppressed her cultivation to his level. Since she wished to see the power of the "Lotus Sword Song," then so be it.

"First Style of Lotus Sword Song, Ascending Green Lotus!"

As Ling Chen swung his sword, a massive green lotus appeared beneath his feet, growing at a speed visible to the naked eye, transforming from a tiny lotus into a towering tree, reaching the sky.

The green lotus expanded, and a staggering sword wind swept out, scattering countless petals and green leaves.

Her long hair fluttered wildly in the intense sword wind. Empress Yunyao raised her jade hand and pointed straight ahead. A golden beam shot forth, striking the rapidly growing green lotus.

Pfft!

The green lotus abruptly burst open a hole, like a deflated balloon. Its initially vibrant vitality suddenly withered and shattered.

"Second Style of Lotus Sword Song, Blue Lotus Capture!"

Ling Chen's face remained indifferent. He wasn't surprised by the collapse of his sword technique. He immediately followed up with a second sword strike. A shadow of a green lotus enveloped the sky above Empress Yunyao, dazzling and frantically absorbing the energy from the Void, transforming into a gigantic green lotus.

The green lotus seemingly seized the glory that belonged to the sun, becoming extraordinarily terrifying. A dense shower of lotus leaf sword qi fell like a torrential storm.

Empress Yunyao remained standing still. She slowly lifted her head as her right hand rose. A brilliant seven-colored glow emanated from her palm, rapidly coalescing into a seven-colored umbrella. As the umbrella opened, it perfectly shielded Empress Yunyao's entire area. Even though the barrage of lotus leaf sword qi was fierce, not a single strand managed to scratch Empress Yunyao. Even the splattered mud on the nearby ground couldn't touch her.

"Third Style of Lotus Sword Song, Green Silk Evening Snow!"

Almost simultaneously with executing the second move, Ling Chen's left hand reached out, and five fingers continuously pointed forward. Five cold sword qis shot towards the figure beneath the umbrella.

Releasing the seven-colored umbrella with her right hand, Empress Yunyao's exquisite eyes remained calm as the five sword qis approached rapidly. Her hands formed seals, True Qi surged, seemingly extracting all the moisture from the air, transforming it into a flowing stream that appeared before her.

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!

The five sword qis struck the stream, merely splattering five droplets of water, but they didn't pierce through. During the process of penetrating the stream, they were dissolved and neutralized.

Witnessing this, Ling Chen was slightly awe-struck. Empress Yunyao, as expected, was a remarkable talent of this era, with her extraordinary techniques and god-like skills. He had already exerted his full effort in his attack, without any interference. Yet, even with her cultivation suppressed to match his level, Empress Yunyao effortlessly neutralized the power of the "Lotus Sword Song," truly outstanding.