The Heavenly Origin Empress Yu Yin was originally born into an ordinary family. She was good-looking since childhood, and her talent was extraordinary. When she grew into a graceful young woman, the then Crown Prince of the Heavenly Origin Dynasty took notice of her beauty and gift, making her his Crown Princess.
He even made her take all kinds of heavenly treasures and earthly rare herbs, intending to cultivate her into a candidate for the position of Human Emperor. The Crown Prince’s ambition of having his consort become the next Human Emperor was a plan that everyone in the dynasty could see.
However, the selection of Human Emperor candidates was not a matter of human will. It was decided by the Nine Provinces’ Earth Veins themselves. The Earth Veins of the Nine Provinces naturally did not care about Yu Yin’s birth.
Thus, she smoothly became a candidate. Among all candidates for Human Emperor at that time, her talent stood out—so outstanding that she had a real chance of succeeding. Yet, in that same generation appeared the terrifyingly brilliant Jiang Li, leaving Yu Yin only as a shadow in comparison.
Yu Yin knew she could never surpass Jiang Li to become Human Emperor, so she voluntarily withdrew from the race and returned to the Crown Prince’s side. By then, she was already at the Union Stage. The Crown Prince was furious at her decision.
He didn’t care about any Jiang Li or whatnot. What he knew was that he could have had a wife destined to be Human Emperor—a woman he could toy with however he pleased—that feeling of conquest made him ecstatic. And now, it was gone.
The Crown Prince still thought Yu Yin was that same girl from a small family who he could bully as he wished. From the first day she became Crown Princess, he had scolded and beaten her. Even now, he still thought he could treat her as before.
But Yu Yin resisted. Her resistance only enraged him more. The two ended up in a violent struggle, and though both were at the Union Stage, the Crown Prince couldn’t last even ten moves in her hands before being killed.
If Jiang Li hadn’t existed, Yu Yin would have been the one most likely to become the Human Emperor. Even Bai Hongtu had no confidence in defeating her. When Emperor Wei of the Heavenly Origin Dynasty learned of his beloved son’s death, he was furious beyond control.
He took the National Fate upon himself to enter battle and intended to kill the venom-hearted woman. The National Fate raised the Heavenly Origin Emperor’s cultivation to the Tribulation Transcendence Stage. Normally, Yu Yin had no chance of winning.
But unexpectedly, the Ruyi Gourd broke free from the imperial control and fell into Yu Yin’s hands. With the Immortal Artifact in her grasp, Yu Yin fought fiercely and, after a shocking battle, slew the Heavenly Origin Emperor himself. She was then crowned sovereign—becoming the Heavenly Origin Empress.
“Now, there are still some members of the royal clan who refuse to accept reality. They remain nostalgic for the glories of the past. Seeing that I have lost the Ruyi Gourd, they are conspiring with some external powers to overthrow me.”
“I’ve watched them scheming endlessly, unable to conclude their plans. So, I decided to act as if I have gone mad from cultivation deviation, to lure them into moving against me.”
Jiang Li was silent for a moment before asking, “You plan to use this chance to break through the Union Stage?” In theory, three hundred years had passed. Within their generation, Jiang Li had already reached the Mahayana Stage, Bai Hongtu had entered the Tribulation Transcendence Stage, and Yu Yin should have as well.
However, the National Fate was both a blessing and a shackle. Cultivating while bound to the Fate of a nation would increase unseen resistance. Yu Yin stepped off the bed.
Her snow-white feet, wrapped in fine silken socks like white silk, landed lightly on the floor without making a sound. She sat down beside the table, completely transparent in front of Jiang Li.
“Yes. Between life and death lies the greatest terror—and the greatest opportunity. If I continue living a calm and smooth life like this, I don’t know when I’ll ever break through.”
“Take the Ruyi Gourd first. If I hold onto it, then this can’t truly be called a life-and-death test. Only when there’s no retreat will it be a real trial of life and death. So, if I lose then, just stand there and watch me die. You are not allowed to intervene—if you do, I’ll hate you for life!”
Jiang Li knew this was her temperament and said, “I’ve already retrieved the other Immortal Artifacts too. Few know about it yet. I’ll tell them to keep it secret for now.”
Yu Yin’s lips curved slightly, a soft smile blooming like melting frost, radiant beyond words.
“Master, I’ve missed you so much!”
The Ruyi Gourd flew from Jiang Li’s waist and hurled itself toward Yu Yin.
“There were too many Immortal Artifacts back then. If I didn’t pretend to share their hatred for the enemy, they’d never have let me live! Master, you must forgive me!”
Yu Yin stepped on the Ruyi Gourd, her delicate jade foot pressing down through soft, white silk stockings, rolling the gourd back and forth. Then she gave it a casual kick toward Jiang Li.
“Keep an eye on it. Don’t let it make any move when the time comes.”
“There’s one more thing,” Yu Yin continued seriously.
“Consider it my request. If those people learn that you are here in the Heavenly Origin Dynasty, they’ll restrain themselves because of my relationship with you. So please—say publicly that you’re leaving to search for other Immortal Artifacts in another world. Stay out for at least a few months.”
“Understood,” Jiang Li replied.
After Jiang Li left, several palace maids hurried into the bedchamber to attend to Yu Yin, probing discreetly for what Jiang Li had said. Yu Yin pretended not to notice their little schemes and casually said that Jiang Li was leaving the Nine Provinces for several months.
She even added that she herself wished to leave as well, to see different worlds. One of the palace maids, after serving Yu Yin for a while longer, slipped out to relay the news. … Dragon Chant City was not far from the Heavenly Origin Imperial City.
It was a bustling metropolis guarded by a Spirit Transformation cultivator. At an inn in the city, two men and one woman sat together, looking slightly distressed.
“I’m sorry. If not for me, you both would’ve left long ago.”
Song Ying’s eyes were red and swollen—a sign she had been crying. Qin Luan frowned. He couldn’t stand seeing people cry, especially Song Ying.
Angrily he said, “The Long Clan is unreasonable! Forcing themselves on innocent women! We stepped in to save her—our consciences are clear.
What’s outrageous is that in this huge Dragon Chant City, not a single soul dares to stand up for justice!”
“I warned you both before,” said Yuan Wuxing helplessly, “Training in the Heavenly Origin Dynasty is fine, but every action here carries consequences. We could’ve secretly removed the Long Clan’s Third Young Master, but you two insisted on acting publicly!”
Yuan Wuxing, being Qin Luan’s master, hoped this incident would serve as a good lesson for Qin Luan and Song Ying alike. The two of them had come from the Great Zhou to temper themselves in the most chaotic Human Race dynasty—the Heavenly Origin Dynasty. Song Ying followed Qin Luan into this land.
Having grown up in the lawful and orderly Great Zhou, both were utterly shocked by the chaos here. In this place, people worship strength above everything. The local government in Dragon Chant City was only one among several major powers.
The Long Clan, an Aristocratic Family with a thousand-year heritage, stood on equal footing with the City Lord and often acted lawlessly, ignoring official authority. The Long Clan’s Third Young Master had publicly seized another man’s wife and daughter, and no one in the city dared stop him.
If this were the Great Zhou, how long would such a man live? However long he lasted, he’d spend that much time in prison—fed and housed but never free again. Qin Luan and Song Ying couldn’t bear such injustice.
With their Foundation Establishment Peak cultivations, they gave the Third Young Master and his Golden Core lackeys a vicious beating. Later, during one of the Dragon Chant City’s frequent Grand Tournaments, Qin Luan was tempted by the rewards and signed up. On the stage, he once again encountered the Third Young Master.
Ignoring his threats, Qin Luan crippled him outright, venting all the frustration in his heart. That same battle helped Qin Luan successfully form his core. The Third Young Master had never suffered such humiliation.
That same night, he sent out a Nascent Soul Guest Elder to kill Qin Luan—and to take Song Ying, who looked beautiful, as his concubine. But none expected that behind those two stood Yuan Wuxing, a Nascent Soul cultivator himself.
In a duel of real power, he killed the Long Clan’s old Nascent Soul expert while still at the Early Nascent Soul Stage. All three knew that any further conflict would draw the attention of the Long Clan’s Spirit Transformation Patriarch, and that would be disastrous. They decided to leave the city quietly.
Yet with the Long Clan being local overlords, escaping would not be easy. Just then, a cheerful voice came from outside the door.
“Looks like you three have been having quite the lively time.”
Jiang Li pushed open the door with a smile.
[Thanks to our friend ‘This Spring Is a Bit Sweet’ for the repeated rewards. Your generosity is appreciated.]
(End of Chapter)