Chapter 450: Chapter 274: Turning Misfortune into Fortune, Confronting the Six Kingdoms, Reclaiming the Celestial Mandate, "World’s Pride" Fate Grid

"Really?"

Qi Muxue said, pleasantly surprised.

Lu Mingyuan nodded slightly. "All you need to do is come back with me. I have my own ways of subduing her."

Now that Witch Palace Language was in Qi Muxue’s body, her power was at most that of an Eighth Realm Confucian Cultivator. She posed no real threat to him at all.

The only thing he needed to be wary of were the Magical Treasures she might have on her.

Qi Muxue hesitated for a moment before asking, "Are you going to kill her, then?"

Catching the implication in her tone, Lu Mingyuan raised an eyebrow and asked:

"Don’t you hate her?"

Qi Muxue’s gaze was serene. The stories and words spoken by the Dragon Soul Artifact Spirit over the past few days surfaced in her mind, giving her some understanding of the Empress’s past. She didn’t know if these things were true or false, but she could make her own judgment.

She thought carefully before replying, "I do hate her, but not that much. In truth, she’s something of a tragic figure. I think killing her might not be a bad thing for the Holy Netherworld, but it would actually be a bad thing for Great Yan."

"Why do you say that?"

Lu Mingyuan believed she wouldn’t have come to such a conclusion without a reason.

"I’ve learned a few things, though perhaps not the full picture. But what’s certain is that her existence has actually improved Great Yan’s situation quite a bit."

"For the Holy Netherworld, her reign is a symbol of order. If things went back to the time of the previous Monarch of the Great Netherworld, that would be true chaos."

Lu Mingyuan mulled over Qi Muxue’s words.

’It really is true.’ The previous Monarch of the Great Netherworld had been on the throne for over a hundred years.

During that century, whenever there was internal turmoil in Great Yan, the Demon Country would invade the borders several times a year.

The quietest years, conversely, had been during the Great Nether Empress’s reign.

Great Yan’s Fortune had been unstable, and the Nine Dragons Struggle for the Throne was underway.

The Holy Netherworld didn’t have the time to bother with Great Yan.

If his father, the previous Emperor, hadn’t messed with the Divine Pearl out of a greedy desire for longevity through the power of an Ancient God, the Great Nether Empress probably wouldn’t have gotten angry and invaded Great Yan.

She went to the Song Dynasty and launched a surprise attack on its National Capital, but no one knew what exactly she did there.

’Why did she attack the Song Dynasty?’

’And attack Second Prince Song?’

No one dwelled on this question.

For a so-called Demoness, perhaps her reputation didn’t match the reality.

Lu Mingyuan thought for a long time before taking a deep breath and saying:

"No matter what, she hurt you. That is unforgivable."

"Whether or not to forgive her is your business, not mine. In the end, just tell me how you want to handle it."

"Okay."

"We can talk more back at the palace. Let’s go."

Lu Mingyuan smiled and took Qi Muxue’s hand. In an instant, he took to the sky, riding the wind.

In that moment, Qi Muxue was shocked and let out a gasp.

"Your Cultivation!"

"You broke through again?!"

Lu Mingyuan laughed heartily. "Yes. I have now ascended to the Celestial Human realm. Across the entire world, aside from the Saint Ancestor Master, the Saint Nether Divine Venerable, and the Throne Great Demons, no one is my match."

While Qi Muxue was happy for Lu Mingyuan from the bottom of her heart, she was also deeply worried.

’How can I ever catch up to you?’

High in the sky, observing from within the clouds, Sui Yuqing happened to witness this scene.

’His Majesty and the Great Nether Empress look so familiar with each other, practically inseparable.’

’No, that can’t be right. Lu Mingyuan would never collude with a Demoness.’

She quickly felt something was wrong and guessed at a possibility.

’Could it be that the Great Nether Empress and the Empress switched bodies?’

’If so, that would explain everything.’

Sui Yuqing’s eyes lit up. No wonder the "Empress" had been constantly opposing her.

So, the one her Heart Demon had feared before must have been the Great Nether Empress. That oppressive feeling came from her very soul.

As fellow members of the Demon Race, the Great Nether Empress was a descendant of the Celestial Demon Race and the Witch Race. Born with Demon Eyes, she was a master of the Heart Demon Skill, so it was only natural to fear her.

Sui Yuqing suddenly thought of a way to overcome her Demon Barrier.

The Great Nether Empress was very likely the key for her to break free from her Demon Barrier.

That way, she could finally escape the predicament of her Heart Demon.

’So he came out this time just for Qi Muxue.’

For some reason, Sui Yuqing suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for her little junior sister.

Yun Qinghe was far away at the Celestial Master’s Mansion reporting on her duties; she wouldn’t be back for a while.

For Qi Muxue, having a man in this world who treated her so well was an extremely rare thing.

She watched as the two of them left the small town.

Sui Yuqing realized it was time for her to leave as well.

...

「Great Yan Imperial Palace.」

Inside Fengning Hall, Witch Palace Language sat cross-legged on the bed, her eyes closed. She wore a bamboo-green palace gown, and a faint aura flowed around her.

The pitch-black Turtle Shell floated before her, emitting a strange, divine light.

Wisps of gray mist rose from the floor.

One by one, illusory ghostly figures appeared in the room. The souls of dead Imperial Guard, acting as Guards, knelt silently, standing watch.

’They are only remnant souls and lingering spirits, but they’ll be enough.’

SWOOSH!

Witch Palace Language exhaled, her eyes narrowing as she noticed a reaction from the pitch-black Turtle Shell.

With a wave of her hand, the spirits at her side instantly vanished.

A figure pushed the door open and entered.

Seeing the visitor, Witch Palace Language put on a smile and asked:

"Your Majesty, what is it? Are you finished with your work?"

Lu Mingyuan turned to close the door and said with a faint smile, "Sorry to keep you waiting. I’m more or less done. I’ll be able to spend the next few days with you."

Witch Palace Language subconsciously tried to use her Demon Eyes to check the state of Lu Mingyuan’s Destiny.

But as she tried, she realized this body of hers no longer had Demon Eyes.

The only thing she could rely on was the Turtle Shell.

"Shall we take a walk in the Imperial Garden? My father, the previous Emperor, had it beautifully renovated. The scenery is pleasant, and it’s full of rare Exotic Beasts. I’ve never been there before."

"Alright."

Witch Palace Language wasn’t suspicious and followed him out of Fengning Hall.

「On the way.」

Witch Palace Language asked, "The Six Kingdoms will be difficult to deal with next. How do you plan to defeat them one by one, Your Majesty?"

Lu Mingyuan gave a noncommittal reply, "I’ll take it one step at a time."

"I believe the Six Kingdoms are no match for you. Rather, in the future, the Wilderness and the Holy Netherworld will become Great Yan’s true threats. What will your stance be toward them?"

Lu Mingyuan pondered for a moment. He hadn’t really considered this problem before. He answered, "The Wilderness World has been the sworn enemy of the Human Race since ancient times, so there’s nothing to discuss there. As for the Holy Nether Demon Country, it will depend on the Great Nether Empress’s thoughts and methods. If she wants a war, then a war she will have."

Witch Palace Language said impassively, "And if the Great Nether Empress seeks peace, will Your Majesty maintain a state of coexistence with the Demon Country?"

This time, Lu Mingyuan didn’t hesitate. "Most likely."

"However, that’s on the condition that she doesn’t do anything out of line. If she causes too much trouble, then my hands will be tied."

"What kind of behavior would be considered ’out of line’?"

Lu Mingyuan’s gaze turned sharp. "For example, making a move against the people close to me. That is a line that cannot be crossed."

Hearing this, Witch Palace Language’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Just then, red text appeared on the pitch-black Turtle Shell in her sleeve.

After she finished reading the text, her steps gradually slowed to a halt.

"What’s wrong?"

At that same moment, Lu Mingyuan turned his head and realized the Turtle Shell in his mind was emitting a golden light, as if in resonance.

This was the first time he had ever encountered such a situation.

The Turtle Shell was reacting, but no text appeared.

In just a few breaths, a cold, gray light and a dazzling golden light began to flash simultaneously.

A pillar of light shot up into the sky.

Lu Mingyuan and Witch Palace Language both watched as this scene unfolded.

[Crimson Gold Fate Grid - True Dragon Emperor, Refinement Level increased to 25%]

[Unlocked at 15% Refinement: Life Chart Trait - Celestial Protection (Basic Level)]

[Celestial Protection (Basic Level): The True Dragon’s fate is blessed by the heavens. Devour another country’s National Fortune to obtain one golden Opportunity.]

Lu Mingyuan stared at the sky, his gaze heavy. "What dense Destiny."

"I knew it. There must be something on you that caused my Turtle Shell to act up a little."

Hearing him say this, Witch Palace Language’s tone was flat. "It seems you saw through my identity long ago."

Lu Mingyuan’s gaze was like a torch as he clapped his hands once.

SWISH!

SWISH!

SWISH!

Within a hundred-mile radius of the Imperial Palace, countless powerful auras instantly flared to life. Inside the palace, numerous masters stood ready.

Lu Mingyuan smiled. "Her Majesty the Empress, welcome... to Great Yan."

...