"Green Lotus Sword Song Fourth Style, Immortal Points the Way!"

Ling Chen didn't waste words; he directly unleashed the fourth move. The moment this sword thrust out, a figure with the bearing of a Celestial suddenly appeared behind him. That figure was ethereal, unrestrained, free and easy, just like a Celestial from the heavens. This Celestial-like phantom made the same motion as Ling Chen, violently thrusting out the Long Sword in its hand.

This sword was like lightning, stabbing into that patch of flowing water as fast as a shooting star, piercing the water through.

The incomparably graceful Sword Light shot straight for Empress Yunyao's glabella.

Ling Chen's pupils shrank slightly; Empress Yunyao actually didn't dodge this sword of his.

Within his line of sight, Empress Yunyao's glabella suddenly split open, and that ray of sword light actually stabbed in by brute force, then completely sank into Empress Yunyao's glabella and vanished without a trace.

"She actually directly used her fleshly body to devour the sword qi."

Seeing this scene, Ling Chen couldn't help being greatly shocked. He knew very well how powerful this Immortal Points the Way move was. Back at the Heavenly Sword Conference, this move had directly defeated Sima Xiaoyao, its power astonishing.

He hadn't expected that, when used on Empress Yunyao, it would seem so fragile and feeble.

"Not bad. If I hadn't released my Cultivation at the last moment, I'm afraid it would have been hard to block this sword."

Empress Yunyao's beautiful eyes lit up as she nodded, clearly very satisfied with the power of the Sword techniques Ling Chen had displayed.

More importantly, she had already tested that Ling Chen hadn't deceived her. The four moves he had displayed were roughly the same as the moves recorded in the Sword Immortal Jade Bi.

On the other hand, from the four moves of "Lotus Sword Song" that Ling Chen displayed, she deepened her own understanding of "Lotus Sword Song". After all, the Sword Immortal Jade Bi contained only a few poems; the Sword techniques within still needed to be personally comprehended, and that process was far from simple. Now that she had personally witnessed Ling Chen's four moves of Qinglian Swordsmanship, she could naturally save herself much effort.

"Your Majesty is too modest."

Ling Chen naturally knew what scheme Empress Yunyao was playing at. But right now he needed to cooperate with her and take her as his backing. So these things might as well be treated as a gift to Empress Yunyao; they might be of great use to him in the future.

"Ling Chen, you are very good, and very loyal to Us. Since We have received such a benefit from you, We cannot treat you unfairly. Speak—what do you want? We can give you anything."

The look in Empress Yunyao's eyes as she regarded Ling Chen had clearly changed. A Swordsmanship of the level of "Green Lotus Sword Song" was something anyone would want to hide away, not easily display to others. Yet today Ling Chen had obviously done his utmost to display the first four moves for her. So in Empress Yunyao's eyes, Ling Chen was undoubtedly extremely loyal to her. For someone with such outstanding talent to also be so Loyal to her was truly rare.

"I have already received Your Majesty's generous rewards. How would I dare ask for any other favor?"

Ling Chen had no way of knowing whether Empress Yunyao was testing him. The mind of a ruler was like a needle at the bottom of the sea, unfathomable—let alone that the other party was the only female Emperor in all the ages.

"One thing is one thing. Last time was the reward for the Champion of Heavenly Sword Conference, but this time, this is something We are bestowing upon you personally."

Empress Yunyao walked toward Ling Chen step by step. The distance between them closed to within three paces, and Ling Chen could clearly smell that unique body fragrance on Empress Yunyao.

Of course, Ling Chen didn't have any improper thoughts; he had no such intentions. Besides, rumors outside were clamoring that Empress Yunyao had little interest in men. Generally, the successive Emperors of the Central Dynasty all had harems, three thousand beauties in the palace, concubines in flocks and so on. But Empress Yunyao, this woman, had abolished the harem, and there were no rumors of any male favorites at her side. According to rumors outside, she was very likely frigid, or her sexual orientation might be abnormal.

Faced with such a terrifying woman, Ling Chen felt it was better to keep a respectful distance.

"We saw that the Swordsmanship you used earlier contained the Martial Arts True Meaning of both Thunder Intent and True Essence of Fire. The Treasure Sword at your waist is a fire-attributed Treasure Sword, which amplifies your True Essence of Fire, but gives no bonus whatsoever to Thunder Intent. As it happens, We have here a Treasure Sword that is very suitable for you."

Empress Yunyao naturally had no idea what Ling Chen was thinking; she could never have guessed he had such thoughts. With a flip of her jade-like hand, thunder light flashed in her palm, and a Treasure Sword suddenly appeared.

Judging from the fluctuations emanating from the Treasure Sword, this sword was of the same level as the Red Sky Sword, having clearly reached the rank of a Holy Tier Treasure Sword.

However, because the Red Sky Sword had once suffered damage, it could now only barely be considered to have stepped into the level of a Holy Tier Treasure Sword, whereas the Treasure Sword before his eyes was clearly a genuine Holy Tier Treasure Sword.

Ling Chen received the Treasure Sword, drew it from the sword scabbard, and a strand of violent thunderous aura instantly spread out, flickering in the Void.

A crisp thunder sound, extremely pleasant to the ear, resonated as the Treasure Sword left its sheath. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

That pure thunder power even followed along Ling Chen's palm, transmitting straight into his body.

"Thunder Sound Sword."

The instant he gripped the sword, Ling Chen learned the name of this Treasure Sword.

"It truly is an unparalleled fine sword."

Ling Chen's eyes lit up as he nodded. In truth, any weapons that could enter the Holy Grade rank were never ordinary items. This Thunder Sound Sword was the same. The sword scabbard even had Empress Yunyao's name engraved on it, clearly indicating it had once been the sword she carried at her waist.

Ling Chen hadn't expected Empress Yunyao to actually hand him something this precious. With this sword, he could indeed double the power of his Thunder Cut, which would give his strength a considerable boost.

"Many thanks, Your Majesty."

Ling Chen didn't decline. He really did need this Thunder Sound Sword, and if he tried to refuse at a moment like this, it would only make him look hypocritical.

"Ling Chen, you are now mine. This sword may be precious, but among the entire younger generation, aside from you, there is no one else worthy of it."

Empress Yunyao spoke with great solemnity. The way she said it clearly excluded Peerless Sword, raising Ling Chen to an incomparable position.

"However—"

But in the next instant, she suddenly leaned in, closing in on Ling Chen's ear with astonishing speed. Even at such a close distance, Ling Chen still couldn't clearly see her face.

All of a sudden, Empress Yunyao's tone took a sharp turn, her voice turning icy cold. "If you dare betray me, I will make sure you die in the ugliest way imaginable under heaven."

Hearing this, Ling Chen hurriedly spouted a whole string of phrases about exerting himself to the utmost and dying without regret, but in his heart he was full of doubt. Why was Empress Yunyao going to such lengths to win him over? Even if he was young and capable, with outstanding talent, it didn't seem necessary to invest in him this heavily. Or rather… perhaps Empress Yunyao's current situation was not as favorable as he had imagined?

Still, Ling Chen didn't dwell on it. No matter what, since Empress Yunyao had shown him such great favor, at worst he could repay her in the future. But expecting him to go through boiling oil and flaming mountains, to risk his life without hesitation—that was wishful thinking.

He, Ling Chen, would not be controlled by anyone, nor would he be shackled by anyone.

"I believe a smart man will make the wisest choice. You may go back now." Empress Yunyao's expression returned to normal as she spoke lightly.

"I shall take my leave."

Ling Chen let out a sigh of relief, then withdrew from the Imperial Garden.

After Ling Chen left, a Court Eunuch appeared in the pavilion, walked up behind Empress Yunyao, and said respectfully, "Although this Ling Chen is indeed exceptionally gifted, what kind of person he truly is, and what attitude he holds toward Your Majesty, are still unclear. Your Majesty has already treated him well enough before; why be so generous to him again today?"

This Court Eunuch was the same one who had attended Empress Yunyao during the Heavenly Sword Conference. He found it truly strange. After all, this Empress had never before treated any young genius with such special favor.

"He's different from the others."

The thin veil shrouding Empress Yunyao's face faded a little, revealing a slightly blurred but peerless countenance. Her eyes were dark and bright, her beauty pristine and transcendent—without a doubt a great beauty capable of toppling cities and kingdoms. Yet her beautiful eyes were like Qiu Shui, looking pitiful and fragile, soft and delicate, completely at odds with her Overbearing Style aura.

If Ling Chen had seen this face, he might have understood why Empress Yunyao always used a Secret Method to conceal her appearance.

Seeing this face, the vast majority of people would probably take Empress Yunyao for a frail little girl they could tease and bully at will, unable to associate her in the slightest with imperial majesty.

"That guy is more exceptional than anyone I've ever seen. If he can stand by my side, who in this world will dare oppose me in the future?"

Two beams of sharp light shot from Empress Yunyao's beautiful eyes. "What's more, if I want the Rivers and mountains to endure for all ages, I must have a powerful partner."

What, a partner?

The Court Eunuch's expression changed. The Empress was actually not merely treating Ling Chen as a subject, but as a future partner?

Could it be that this Empress, who had never spared any Male a proper glance, had developed mortal feelings for Ling Chen?

But thinking about it, it wasn't hard to understand. If Empress Yunyao truly wanted her legacy to last for thousands of generations, she would still have to find a man to inherit her immortal achievements. Ordinary men were beneath her notice; perhaps only a top-tier monstrosity like Ling Chen could enter her eyes.

After all, when a peerless monster joins with another peerless monster, the child born would inevitably be a monster as well.

As the peerless genius born in these past several hundred years, Ling Chen was indeed qualified.

"What if this Ling Chen doesn't know what's good for him and is not Loyal to Your Majesty?"

Forcing down the shock in his heart, the Court Eunuch couldn't help but ask on.

"Then we kill him immediately!"

Empress Yunyao said coldly without the slightest hesitation, "If someone like that cannot be used by me, keeping him will only bring disaster! No matter how talented he is, we absolutely cannot let him live."

"This humble servant understands."

Only then did the Court Eunuch feel relieved. The Empress was still that same cold and ruthless Empress. Although she had a bit of unexpected appreciation for Ling Chen, she was still as vicious and decisive as ever. If Ling Chen ever posed a threat to her, she would still kill him without hesitation, cutting off all possibilities of future trouble.