Volume 1, Chapter 146 – Empress Lingshuang Wants to Discuss the Dao?

Was she trying to send me away?

Was it because of Qingxuan? Or something else?

“There’s no need for such courtesy, Fellow Daoist Gu.”

Empress Lingshuang seemed not to have caught Gu Han’s implied meaning. Her lips curved faintly.

“I’m not tired. Besides…”

Her gaze swept over the onlooking cultivators in the distance who had yet to disperse, and her clear voice carried across the starry sky.

“Though today’s battle left something to be desired, it did allow me to experience the Southern Region’s charms and witness the Yaochi Empress’s magnificence.”

“I’ve decided to remain in the Southern Region for a while and have many more… ‘exchanges’ with Fellow Daoist Gu.”

Remain in the Southern Region for a while?!

Gu Han’s eyelid twitched.

Was this Empress serious?

Was she simply going to ignore everything awaiting her in the Northern Region?

And “many more exchanges”… No matter how Gu Han interpreted it, something about that sounded off!

Li Hanyi and Yun Yun had drawn near by then, arriving just in time to hear Empress Lingshuang’s final words.

Both women paused, then looked at Gu Han with questions in their eyes.

Gu Han gave them a slight shake of her head, signaling them to remain calm.

She looked at Empress Lingshuang. Her tone remained mild, but it now carried an unmistakable note of finality.

“You jest, Fellow Daoist Lingshuang. You are the Empress of the Northern Region, responsible for billions of lives. How could you remain away for long?”

“Yaochi Immortal Palace is in a remote location. I fear we may not be able to offer you the hospitality you deserve.”

“That won’t be a problem.”

Rеaԁ oո KatRеaⅾiոɡСafe

Empress Lingshuang flicked her sleeve, her manner casual yet conveying a resolve that brooked no argument.

“The Northern Region has its own systems in place. Nothing will descend into chaos merely because I’m away for a time.”

“As for Yaochi Immortal Palace…”

Her gaze swept over the immortal paradise below, shrouded in spiritual mist, and a trace of appreciation flickered in her eyes.

“I find this place most agreeable.”

“The spiritual energy is abundant, and the scenery peaceful and elegant. It’s the perfect place to clear one’s mind and discuss the Dao.”

Gu Han: “…”

She could now be certain that Empress Lingshuang was doing this deliberately!

And judging by her attitude, she had made up her mind to stay at Yaochi Immortal Palace whether Gu Han liked it or not.

Gu Han felt a headache coming on.

Refuse?

The other woman was the ruler of an entire region, after all. It would be discourteous to bar her from the gates outright, and Gu Han also feared she might stir up fresh trouble.

Agree?

Gu Han thought of Qingxuan’s Linked Hearts Slip, then of Empress Lingshuang’s current attitude…

She suddenly had a feeling that Yaochi Immortal Palace was about to become a very lively place.

“Since you insist on staying, Fellow Daoist,”

Gu Han drew a deep breath, suppressed the jumble of thoughts in her mind, and regained her customary composure.

“Yaochi Immortal Palace naturally knows how to treat its guests. Yun Yun.”

“Palace Master.”

Rеαԁ οո КαtRеаⅾiոɡСаfе

Yun Yun stepped forward.

“Arrange accommodations for Fellow Daoist Lingshuang and her attendants. Provide them with everything they require according to the highest standards.”

“Yes.”

Yun Yun accepted the order. Though puzzled, she gave no outward sign of it.

Empress Lingshuang inclined her head slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes as she looked at Yun Yun.

“Thank you for the trouble.”

“You’re too courteous, Senior.”

Neither obsequious nor arrogant, Yun Yun raised a hand to show her the way.

“Please follow me.”

Empress Lingshuang gave Gu Han one final, meaningful look before leaving with the two female generals. Following Yun Yun, they transformed into several streaks of light and vanished high into the Nine Heavens.

At last, only Gu Han and Li Hanyi, who stood respectfully at her side, remained in the starry sky.

“Palace Master, Empress Lingshuang…”

A hint of inquiry appeared in Li Hanyi’s cool eyes.

Gu Han gazed in the direction they had vanished and gently rubbed the space between her brows.

“She’s our guest. Just make sure she’s treated well.”

After a pause, she added,

“But… tell the disciples to avoid going near her quarters as much as possible for the time being.”

“Yes.”

Li Hanyi acknowledged the order.

Rеαⅾ оո KαtRеαⅾiոɡСаfе

Gu Han glanced once more at the Profound Heart Bracelet around her wrist, her feelings growing even more complicated.

Qingxuan… Lingshuang…

One ruled the east and the other the north. Had tens of thousands of years of conflict not been enough? Did they now intend to bring their “battlefield” into her Yaochi Immortal Palace?

“Let’s go. We’re returning to the palace.”

Gu Han put the matter from her mind and took a step toward the Immortal Palace, her figure instantly vanishing from the starry sky.

Li Hanyi followed close behind.

All that remained was the starry sky, once more restored to silence, and the cultivators from various factions in the distance who had yet to disperse, still murmuring among themselves about everything they had witnessed that day.

Yaochi Immortal Palace, Eastern Courtyard.

The courtyard stood in the northeastern corner of the Immortal Palace, backed by Snow Moon Peak, whose snow never melted. Its surroundings were peaceful and elegant.

Every pavilion and tower in the courtyard was built from white jade and glacial stone, their surfaces carved with exquisite patterns that shimmered with a faint halo beneath the moonlight.

Empress Lingshuang stood before the window, gazing out at Yaochi Immortal Palace by night, her eyes deep and inscrutable.

“Your Majesty,”

Lanling silently appeared behind her and reported in a low voice,

“The Northern Region has sent a reply. The elders said they will obey Your Majesty’s decree and see to all routine affairs.”

“However… the Grand Elder still asked when Your Majesty intends to return.”

“Tell them my return date is undecided.”

Empress Lingshuang did not turn around. Her voice was cool.

“Yes.”

Lanling hesitated, then asked anyway,

Reαԁ οn КatReaԁіոgСafe

“Your Majesty, are we truly going to remain in the Southern Region for an extended period? The Yaochi Empress…”

“She’s very interesting.”

Empress Lingshuang cut her off and turned around, a glint of intrigue in her eyes.

“Far more interesting than I anticipated.”

“Not only is her strength unfathomable, but even that woman Qingxuan regards her differently. She even…”

Her gaze swept over her own bare wrist, as if she could once again see the pale cyan bracelet around Gu Han’s wrist.

“I want to see exactly what makes this Yaochi Empress so different.”

Lanling only half understood. But after serving the Empress for so many years, she knew that once the Empress took an interest in something or someone, she would never let the matter rest easily.

It was just that… the object of her interest this time seemed rather unusual.

“Then, Your Majesty, what should we do next?”

“There’s no hurry.”

Empress Lingshuang walked to the table and gathered a wisp of cold air at her fingertip, idly tracing it across the polished surface.

“Since we’re here, we’re guests. We should follow our host’s arrangements.”

“First, we’ll see just how many secrets Yaochi Immortal Palace conceals. And we’ll also see how the Yaochi Empress…”

Her fingertip paused as she finished drawing an exquisite ice lotus.

“Deals with an ‘uninvited guest’ such as me.”