Volume 1, Chapter 154 – The Empresses at Loggerheads

Not long after the carriage drawn by nine black divine birds crossed into the Southern Region, word of its imposing procession had spread far and wide.

Unlike Empress Lingshuang’s Ice Jiao Chariot, which left a thousand li frozen in its wake,

Empress Qingxuan’s carriage radiated the dignified, harmonious majesty of a sovereign. It blazed like the sun, yet its power was restrained and unfathomably deep.

She made no deliberate show of pressure, but the authority and bearing she had amassed over tens of thousands of years ruling the Eastern Region

were enough to inspire instinctive reverence in every living creature along her route. No one even dared discuss her arrival too loudly.

Across the Southern Region, the furor over Empress Lingshuang’s recent arrival had yet to subside when another boulder plunged into the already turbulent waters.

“Another one! Another one’s here! What in the world is going on lately?!”

“Which mighty expert is this? That procession is every bit as impressive as the Empress of the Northern Region’s a few days ago!”

“Nine black divine birds drawing the carriage, Azure Dragon Guards clearing the way… Heavens, that’s Empress Qingxuan of the Eastern Region’s Black Phoenix Chariot!”

“Empress Qingxuan?! Even she has come?!”

“With these two veteran Empresses gathered in the Southern Region, is a second war about to break out?”

“Alas! A casual clash between figures like them could lay waste to ten thousand li of mountains and rivers. I only hope we aren’t caught in the fallout…”

“These two Empresses, one in the east and the other in the north, have fought each other for tens of thousands of years. Now that they’re meeting again… there’s no telling what might happen!”

“Not necessarily. Don’t forget that our Southern Region has the Yaochi Empress. How could she allow them to run wild?”

“Let’s hope our Empress truly can keep them in check…”

“Quick! Send word back to the sect at once! Something momentous is about to happen again!”

In stark contrast to the uproar outside, the interior of the Black Phoenix Chariot was utterly still.

Empress Qingxuan remained reclining on the cushioned couch. She lifted her fingers from the Profound Heart Bracelet, picked up the teacup beside her, and took a delicate sip.

Her gaze seemed to pierce the carriage walls and settle on the Wanjue Mountain Range, a knowing smile curving her lips.

“That girl Luoshui sent word that the ice-faced woman not only stayed, but even… discussed the Dao with Gu Han.”

Her voice was barely audible, tinged with languid amusement, yet her eyes cooled slightly.

“You even dare set your sights on my woman. In that case, we should have a proper ‘reunion.’”

As the Black Phoenix Chariot drew closer to the Wanjue Mountain Range, those within Yaochi Immortal Palace had already sensed its approach.

Inside the main hall.

Gu Han had been guiding Liu Ruxue in sensing the Dao Resonance within the Lunar Profound Canon when she suddenly felt something and looked toward the eastern horizon.

Almost simultaneously, Yun Yun, who stood waiting nearby, reacted as well and said softly,

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“Palace Master, a powerful aura is approaching… It seems to be another Immortal Ascension expert.”

The vexation Empress Lingshuang had caused Gu Han had yet to fade completely, and now another layer had been added to it.

She sighed softly, then spoke gently to Liu Ruxue, who sat before her with her eyes closed in concentration.

“That will be all for today. Go back and carefully consolidate what you’ve learned. You mustn’t rush.”

Liu Ruxue obediently agreed. Cradling the jade slip, she left the main hall with her elder sister, Liu Ruyan.

Only Gu Han and Yun Yun remained in the hall.

“She came quickly.”

Gu Han’s tone was calm, betraying neither joy nor anger.

Yet Yun Yun sensed a nearly imperceptible trace of… helplessness in the Palace Master.

“Palace Master, shall we receive her with the proper ceremony?”

Yun Yun asked.

“Naturally.”

Gu Han rose, the moon-white hem of her robes brushing across the cloud couch.

“She is, after all, the ruler of the Eastern Region. Since she has personally come to Yaochi Immortal Palace, we cannot neglect the proper courtesies.”

“Go make the arrangements. I’ll receive her personally.”

“Yes.”

Yun Yun accepted the order and immediately turned to arrange the reception, though she couldn’t help marveling inwardly.

Within the span of a few short days, two Empresses whose might shook the entire continent had arrived one after the other. Such a spectacle was likely unprecedented in the history of Canglan Continent.

Gu Han walked slowly to the window and gazed toward the eastern horizon.

Qingxuan…

She recalled the slap she had once given Empress Qingxuan, how boldly Empress Qingxuan had forced a kiss on her, and all those suggestive messages in the Linked Hearts Slip.

Then she remembered how Empress Lingshuang had approached her yesterday with a bluntness that bordered on offensive, and felt a dull ache begin at her temples.

Had these two arranged this beforehand just to make trouble for her?

Meanwhile, in the guest residence of the Eastern Courtyard.

Empress Lingshuang, who had been meditating with her eyes closed in an attempt to absorb what she had gained from yesterday’s Dao discussion with Gu Han, abruptly opened her eyes.

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She rose and walked to the window, her sword-sharp gaze piercing eastward.

“She’s here.”

Empress Lingshuang’s voice was cold, with a hint that she had expected this.

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

“Your Majesty, should we…?”

“There’s no need to do anything.”

Empress Lingshuang cut her off, her gaze still fixed on the distance.

“This is Yaochi Immortal Palace. She is a guest, and so am I. We need only watch how our host receives her.”

She paused, a cold smile curving her lips.

“However, since she’s here, I should at least greet her.”

About half a cup of tea later, the Black Phoenix Chariot arrived a hundred li outside Yaochi Immortal Palace’s sect-protecting grand formation.

The carriage did not force its way in. Instead, it stopped in accordance with proper etiquette.

The nine black divine birds folded their wings and hovered silently in the air. The Azure Dragon Guards stood in solemn formation, utterly soundless yet radiating a suffocating pressure.

Though there was no wind, the carriage curtains stirred and drew back to either side.

A figure in a long purple gown slowly stepped out. Her raven hair cascaded like a waterfall, her features were peerlessly beautiful, and her bearing was languid yet regal.

It was Empress Qingxuan.

She raised her eyes slightly, her enigmatic gaze sweeping over the Immortal Palace ahead, veiled in spiritual mist and formations.

At last, her gaze seemed to pierce through space and meet another pair of eyes deep within the Immortal Palace.

Then her lips curved upward, and she stepped forward.

A pale golden lotus platform, seemingly condensed from pure Dao Resonance, appeared beneath her feet and bore her slowly onward.

With each step, the lotus platform extended another tier ahead. Lotuses bloomed beneath her feet, forming a path straight into the depths of Yaochi Immortal Palace.

The passage leading to the white jade plaza before the main hall opened once more.

Gu Han already stood on the plaza before the main hall. Clad in moon-white palace robes, her silver hair as pure as snow, she looked cool and aloof, untouched by the mortal world.

Yun Yun and Li Hanyi stood on either side of her. Behind them were Liu Ruyan, Gu Luoli, Ye Ling’er, and the other core disciples.

Standing beside Gu Luoli, Ye Ling’er stared fixedly at the entrance to the passage, one small hand unconsciously clutching her sleeve.

First Senior Sister had told her that the Empress of the Eastern Region had given Master a bracelet, winding the tension in her heart even tighter.

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Empress Qingxuan walked on golden lotuses and slowly crossed the plaza, stopping ten zhang in front of Gu Han.

Their eyes met.

Empress Qingxuan’s eyes brimmed with amusement, carrying her habitual languor and curiosity, along with the faintest hint of intimacy that only Gu Han could detect.

Gu Han’s gaze remained calm as she inclined her head slightly.

“Fellow Daoist Qingxuan, you’ve come a long way. Forgive me for not going farther to welcome you.”

“There’s no need for such courtesy, Little Sister.”

Empress Qingxuan chuckled softly, her velvety voice carrying an almost seductive lilt.

“I came uninvited. I only hope Little Sister won’t mind the intrusion.”

As she spoke, her gaze seemed to sweep casually over Gu Han from head to toe. It lingered for an instant on Gu Han’s lips and left wrist, and her smile deepened.

She then looked past Gu Han toward the guest residence in the Eastern Courtyard. Her gaze instantly turned knowing, with even a trace of coldness entering it.

“It seems I’ve arrived at just the right time. I’ll even have a chance to catch up with an ‘old friend.’”

The moment she finished speaking,

a cool voice came from the side.

“I was wondering who had arrived with such an ostentatious procession. So it was you.”

Everyone looked toward the voice and saw Empress Lingshuang, who had appeared at the edge of the plaza at some unknown point and was now walking slowly toward them.

She wore ice-blue palace robes, her expression proud and aloof, a bitter chill surrounding her.

Her presence was entirely different from Empress Qingxuan’s languid regality, yet equally captivating.

The two Empresses renowned throughout the continent met once more on the white jade plaza of Yaochi Immortal Palace.

Invisible forces began to collide and grind against each other in the air.

On one side stood the ruler of the Eastern Region, radiant as the sun with a galaxy hidden in her depths.

On the other stood the ruler of the Northern Region, bitterly cold enough to freeze all creation.

Neither had made a move, but the oppressive atmosphere spreading across the plaza left the disciples pale and struggling to breathe.

Only Gu Han remained where she was, her expression calm.

She looked at the two Empresses, one from the east and the other from the north, who had fought each other for tens of thousands of years, and felt her helplessness deepen.

Sure enough, what had to come would always come.

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Empress Qingxuan turned to face Empress Lingshuang. The smile on her face did not change, but her gaze sharpened.

“Lingshuang, it’s been a long time. You’re as icy as ever.”

“What happened? Did you tire of the Northern Region and come to the Southern Region to enjoy the warmth of spring?”

Her words were teasing, but every syllable was barbed.

Empress Lingshuang snorted, an icy light flickering in her eyes.

“Why should I explain my actions to you?”

“What about you? Instead of staying put in the Eastern Region, what are you doing in the Southern Region?”

“The Southern Region is blessed with remarkable people and abundant spiritual energy. Better still, it has someone as fascinating as Little Sister Gu. Naturally, I longed to come and pay her a visit.”

As Empress Qingxuan spoke, her gaze drifted toward Gu Han, her tone intimate.

“But you came uninvited and have lingered here at Little Sister Gu’s side. Could it be… that you have ulterior motives?”

“I discussed the Dao and exchanged insights with her. What does that have to do with you?”

Empress Lingshuang shot back, refusing to yield an inch.

“As for you, do you think giving her a bracelet will accomplish anything? How laughable.”

“Oh? A bracelet?”

Empress Qingxuan raised her left wrist, revealing the Profound Heart Bracelet identical to Gu Han’s. It gleamed with a warm luster in the sunlight.

“Little Sister Gu and I are kindred spirits. What’s wrong with giving her a token of our bond?”

“It’s still far better than what certain people have managed, wouldn’t you say?”

Those words clearly struck at Empress Lingshuang’s embarrassment from the previous day.

Her expression chilled as the temperature around her plummeted. A thin layer of ice instantly spread across the plaza.

“Qingxuan, do you dare fight me?”

Empress Qingxuan arched an eyebrow, the corners of her lips rising though the smile did not reach her eyes.

“If it’s a fight you want, then let’s fight. Do you think I’m afraid of you?”

As soon as she finished speaking, brilliant golden light surged around her. The illusory image of a blazing sun appeared faintly behind her, its resplendent sacred might as deep as an abyss and as vast as the sea.

“Fellow Daoists.”

Gu Han’s clear, tranquil voice rang out at precisely the right moment, interrupting the quarrel just as it was about to escalate.