Volume 1, Chapter 148 – Luoshui the Tattletale

“This is the Lunar Profound Canon, an earth-rank high-grade cultivation technique.”

Gu Han spoke calmly as she held out the jade slip to Liu Ruxue.

“Its nature is one of extreme yin and cold. It is the cultivation technique best suited to you.”

Liu Ruxue stared at the blue jade slip, her eyes going round. Her mouth fell open, and she nearly forgot to breathe.

Earth-rank high-grade!

Young as she was, she knew how precious a cultivation technique of that rank was.

The highest-ranked cultivation technique in the Liu family was only profound-rank high-grade, and even that was the family’s most closely guarded treasure.

Yet her sister’s Master had casually produced an earth-rank high-grade cultivation technique!

And one perfectly suited to her physique!

A tidal wave of joy swept over her. She reached out with trembling hands and carefully accepted the jade slip.

“Th-thank you, Your Majesty!”

Liu Ruxue was so excited that her voice rose several pitches. She clutched the jade slip tightly to her chest as though it were the most precious treasure in the world.

Liu Ruyan’s eyes grew warm as she bowed deeply.

“Thank you, Master!”

Gu Han inclined her head. Her gaze settled on Liu Ruxue’s excited little face, but her tone abruptly turned stern.

“Don’t celebrate just yet. There are certain things I must make clear first.”

Liu Ruxue jolted and hastily reined in her excitement. She straightened, her little face taut as she listened intently.

“First, cultivating this technique requires complete focus. Until you reach the Spirit Transformation stage…”

Gu Han paused, her gaze sharp as lightning as she looked directly into Liu Ruxue’s eyes.

“You must not become entangled in romantic feelings, much less surrender your chastity.”

“Before the primordial yin of your Extreme Yin Body is lost, it will be your greatest aid in cultivating this technique.”

“If you fail to preserve it, not only will all your previous efforts be wasted, but you will also suffer a backlash. At best, you will lose all your cultivation. At worst, both your body and soul will perish.”

Her words were absolute, leaving no room for compromise.

Liu Ruxue’s little face instantly paled, but the light in her eyes grew even more resolute.

She nodded firmly, her childish voice carrying a determination far beyond her years.

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“Xue’er will remember! I’ll devote myself to cultivating and never allow anything to distract me!”

Liu Ruyan’s expression also turned solemn. She knew her Master was not merely trying to frighten them.

The Extreme Yin Body was inherently sensitive, and the early stages of cultivation were the most critical.

“Second,”

Gu Han continued,

“your foundation is damaged, so you must proceed gradually. Now that you have the cultivation technique, do not rush to begin cultivating.”

“Every morning and evening, press this jade slip to the spot between your brows. Sense the Dao Resonance within it and use it to nourish your meridians. Only after all the obstructions in your body have cleared should you begin cultivating.”

“Yes!”

Liu Ruxue nodded again, committing every word firmly to heart.

“Third,”

Gu Han’s gaze softened slightly.

“You are still young, and your physique is unusual. For now, remain with your sister and let her watch over and guide you.”

“Once you reach Foundation Establishment…”

She pondered for a moment, her gaze seeming to pierce the palace walls and settle on some distant corner of the Immortal Palace.

“When the time comes, you may choose which elder to take as your Master based on your progress and performance.”

“Xue’er understands! Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Liu Ruxue’s little face flushed bright red with excitement as she bowed deeply once more.

What did that mean?

It meant that not only could she remain in Yaochi Immortal Palace, but she could also become an official disciple of the Immortal Palace one day, just like her sister!

A tremendous surge of warmth and gratitude welled up in Liu Ruyan’s heart as well.

Her Master had not only bestowed a cultivation technique upon Liu Ruxue, but had even planned her younger sister’s future path with such care.

“All right.”

The corner of Gu Han’s mouth twitched slightly at yet another “Your Majesty.” She waved a hand and resumed her usual cool, aloof demeanor.

“Ruyan, take your sister and help her settle in.”

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“Yes, Master!”

Liu Ruyan took her still-excited younger sister by the hand. After bowing solemnly once more, the two slowly withdrew from the main hall.

The palace doors closed behind them, hiding the departing sisters from view.

Gu Han sat alone on the cloud couch, her fingertips tapping absently against her knee.

Liu Ruxue’s Extreme Yin Body… That was rather interesting.

In the eyes of certain ill-intentioned factions, such a physique might make her the perfect “cultivation vessel.”

But in Yaochi Immortal Palace, she was a piece of uncut jade worth investing in and carefully shaping.

Although the Nine Yin Profound Canon was only earth-rank high-grade, it offered a solid foundation and pure Dao Resonance.

If the little girl lived up to expectations, this cultivation technique alone would be enough to carry her all the way to the Mahayana realm.

Of course, that was a matter for the future.

Meanwhile, in an elegant guest courtyard elsewhere in Yaochi Immortal Palace…

Luoshui stood alone before the window, a green communication jade slip glowing faintly between her fingertips.

She silently sent the information she had just compiled across boundless space, straight to the Eastern Region.

She had reported everything that had happened today:

The harrowing clash beyond the Nine Heavens, Sovereign Longteng’s unexpected appearance and invitation, and, most importantly, Empress Lingshuang’s decision to stay temporarily at Yaochi Immortal Palace.

She gave a full account, even including some of her own observations and judgments, and sent it all to Empress Qingxuan in the distant Eastern Region.

Once she had finished, Luoshui put away the jade slip and gazed out at the Immortal Palace’s tranquil nightscape. An indescribably complicated emotion flickered in her eyes.

She could imagine how her Master would react upon receiving this message.

Her Master was always so languid and composed, as though everything in the world were under her control, but this time, she probably… wouldn’t be able to sit still.

After all, this was Empress Lingshuang.

The old rival she had fought for tens of thousands of years.

Now that old rival had not only come to the Southern Region, but had also fought the woman who was to become her Master’s Dao companion.

And she even intended to stay at Yaochi Immortal Palace?

Knowing her Master’s temperament…

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Luoshui shook her head gently and decided not to dwell on it.

She only needed to fulfill her duty by relaying information and observing. The schemes and calculations of such mighty figures were not for her to concern herself with.

Still, the inexplicable premonition in her heart was growing stronger.

Yaochi Immortal Palace was likely about to become extraordinarily lively.

In the depths of the imperial palace of the Qingxuan Imperial Dynasty in the Eastern Region…

Empress Qingxuan reclined on a cushioned couch, idly toying with the Profound Heart Bracelet identical to the one around Gu Han’s wrist.

Her breathtaking face wore its customary languid smile. Her eyes were lowered as though she were dozing.

Suddenly, a jade slip beside her trembled almost imperceptibly.

Empress Qingxuan’s long lashes fluttered. Slowly, she opened those eyes, which seemed to hold boundless galaxies and awe-inspiring majesty.

She sent a thread of divine sense into the Linked Hearts Slip, and the information from Luoshui unfolded within her sea of consciousness like a scroll.

The battle beyond the Nine Heavens…

Sovereign Longteng’s appearance…

Lingshuang staying temporarily at Yaochi Immortal Palace…

The first two pieces of information brought a trace of surprise and amusement to her eyes.

Gu Han’s strength truly was unfathomable. Even after using the Soul-Burning Art and the Frostheaven Sword, Lingshuang had failed to force her to reveal her full strength?

Longteng had actually gone there in person and even extended an invitation to Central Province?

Now that was interesting.

However, when she reached the final piece of information…

“Empress Lingshuang has decided to stay temporarily at Yaochi Immortal Palace.”

The languid smile on Empress Qingxuan’s face instantly froze.

Stay temporarily?

At Yaochi Immortal Palace?

That ice-faced woman?

Empress Qingxuan slowly sat upright, her previous languor and casual ease vanishing in an instant.

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An invisible, awe-inspiring majesty belonging to one who stood above all others quietly spread through the imperial palace.

Her fingertips unconsciously stroked the Profound Heart Bracelet. Its cool touch seeped into her fingers, yet it seemed to carry the warmth of a certain person’s wrist in the distant Southern Region.

Gu Han’s cool, ethereal face surfaced unbidden in her mind.

She remembered the flustered annoyance and helplessness Gu Han had shown, so at odds with her immense strength.

Then she remembered Empress Lingshuang’s icy, haughty disposition and her habit of trying to seize anything good that caught her eye.

“Stay temporarily…”

Empress Qingxuan’s red lips parted as she softly repeated those words. No joy or anger could be discerned in her voice, yet the temperature throughout the imperial palace seemed to drop several degrees.

How could she not know what that woman was planning?

Discuss the Dao?

Her true interest clearly lay elsewhere!

Given Lingshuang’s blunt and exceptionally stubborn nature, if something caught her eye, she would never take her time and carefully lay the groundwork as Empress Qingxuan had. Instead, she would…

Empress Qingxuan narrowed her eyes slightly, a sharp gleam flashing within them.

She had originally planned to give Gu Han more time to gradually adjust to this “special” attention from her and allow it to develop more naturally.

But now it seemed someone else had no intention of waiting.

Worse, that person had barged in by the most infuriating means possible.

“Heh…”

Empress Qingxuan suddenly gave a soft laugh. Her smile remained breathtaking, but now carried a trace of coldness.

She lowered her gaze to the Profound Heart Bracelet around her wrist, then glanced at the Linked Hearts Slip.

It seemed that merely sending a bracelet and keeping in touch through messages was not enough.

Some people simply had to be watched in person.

Otherwise, one moment of carelessness might be all it took for someone else to beat her to the prize!