Volume 5, Chapter 293 – Could She Possibly Pierce the Heavens?

It was midsummer, and the imperial garden basked under the scorching sun, with flowers in full bloom—a sight owed to the vast population of the capital, their abundant yang energy nourishing the land.

At this moment, two graceful middle-aged women strolled along a shaded path, admiring the blossoms. One was none other than the current Empress Zheng, adorned in luxurious attire, her every movement exuding elegance and dignity. In appearance alone, she truly embodied the demeanor of a motherly sovereign.

The other woman was around the same age, though her attire was far more understated, a white dress paired with white canvas shoes, her steps light and unrestrained. Unlike the women of the inner palace, she carried herself more like a wandering swordswoman from the lawless lands. Yet, despite this, her breathtaking beauty still surpassed that of Empress Zheng by a fraction. This was none other than Consort Jin, the most beautiful among the imperial harem. Even past forty, no one had managed to wrest this title from her.

Of course, more enviable than her beauty was the fact that she had borne an exceptional daughter—the Sixth Princess of the dynasty, Lin Ran. At merely twenty-six years old, she had already stepped into the Incarnation Realm two years prior, becoming the top-ranked immortal seedling of Poyun Peak, the second-largest sect in the Western Radiance Dynasty’s cultivation world. In the previous Evergreen Conference, she had secured second place.

“Sister, have you heard? His Majesty recently handpicked an Imperial Consort,” Empress Zheng suddenly spoke.

“I have. In fact, His Majesty personally came to inform me,” Consort Jin replied, her smile unwavering, as if entirely detached from worldly strife.

“What did His Majesty say to you?” Empress Zheng inquired curiously.

“Nothing much. Just that he views this Imperial Consort as nothing more than a breeding tool, whereas his heart truly belongs to me, and so on,” Consort Jin answered dismissively.

Empress Zheng froze for a moment before a self-deprecating smile surfaced. “His Majesty said the same to me. Do you believe it, sister?”

“What does it matter whether I believe it or not? Whom His Majesty chooses as an Imperial Consort, how many he selects, that is his imperial prerogative. As consorts, we have no right to interfere.” Consort Jin’s expression remained as tranquil as a breeze over still water.

Empress Zheng hesitated, then turned to the eunuchs and maids nearby. “All of you, wait here.”

After walking further ahead, she spoke again. “Sister, forgive my bluntness, but His Majesty selecting a cultivator’s doppelgänger as an Imperial Consort is a sign of distrust toward you and your daughter, Little Ran.”

“Why do you say that?” Consort Jin’s delicate willow-leaf brows furrowed slightly.

“She is currently Poyun Peak’s top immortal seedling, this is common knowledge. With her talent, she may very well become the first female emperor of the Western Radiance Dynasty, ensuring our nation’s eternal peace. Yet, despite this, His Majesty still sought out another cultivator’s doppelgänger as an Imperial Consort. If this isn’t distrust toward you both, then what is?”

Empress Zheng’s words were laced with feigned concern, her intentions venomous—first, to sow discord, and second, to probe Consort Jin’s stance.

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“Sister, you jest. The current crown prince of the Western Radiance Dynasty is your own precious son. How could my daughter ever become an empress? She is devoted to cultivation and has no interest in court politics. You need not worry, we are not competitors.”

Consort Jin shook her head with a light laugh, laying the matter bare.

“But that Imperial Consort is your competitor.”

Empress Zheng’s expression turned grave as she warned, “Sister, do not forget, cultivation requires resources. The stronger one becomes, the more resources are needed. Little Ran’s achievements today are due not only to her astonishing talent but also to His Majesty’s support. But if that Imperial Consort enters the palace, things will change. Her true body reached the Incarnation Realm at sixteen, her bloodline’s strength speaks for itself. If she bears a child in the future, who do you think His Majesty will favor?”

At this, Consort Jin’s face finally darkened.

“I’ve said my piece. Think it over carefully, sister.”

A faint smirk tugged at Empress Zheng’s lips.

“I understand your meaning, sister. But the Imperial Consort’s true body is, after all, an Incarnation Realm expert…”

Consort Jin trailed off, hesitation flickering across her face.

“That’s no issue. She’s been dosed with Qi-Leaking Powder, her cultivation won’t recover anytime soon.”

Empress Zheng offered this tidbit as though it were a kindness.

“Sister seems to have investigated this quite thoroughly.”

A trace of mockery surfaced on Consort Jin’s face. “You’re so invested, surely it’s because your own position is under threat? After all, nine out of ten handpicked Imperial Consorts end up becoming empress. If even you aren’t panicking, why should I?”

“Sister, you jest. How could I not be anxious? If you’re interested, we could… cooperate.”

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Empress Zheng extended an olive branch.

Meanwhile, at the Immortal Alliance’s branch in the capital, unrest also brewed. A proclamation from Qi Huang had backed them into a corner.

Elder Zuo, sensing the severity of the situation, immediately summoned several of his subordinate stewards to discuss the matter Steward Cai among them.

“By now, all of you must have heard about the Qi Huang incident?”

Elder Zuo posed the question.

“This Lin Tu is blatantly exploiting a loophole by passing off a doppelgänger as an independent entity. His goal is clearly to leech off the Immortal Alliance’s resources to strengthen the imperial clan’s power. We must intervene.”

A dark-skinned steward voiced his stance firmly.

“Indeed. If we turn a blind eye, where does that leave the Immortal Alliance’s dignity?”

A short, portly steward chimed in agreement.

“Intervene? Why should we? He’s only asking for a doppelgänger, one that doesn’t even qualify as a cultivator. If we meddle, we’d be offending a ruler of a nation. The losses would outweigh the gains!”

Steward Cai immediately countered.

“Steward Cai speaks sense. That Qi Huang has been poisoned with Qi-Leaking Powder, she no longer possesses True Qi and doesn’t qualify as a cultivator. Even if we ignore this, it’s hardly an embarrassment.”

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A tall, lean steward sided with him.

Thus, the four stewards split into two clear factions, neither able to persuade the other.

“Gentlemen, I met with Lin Tu a few days ago and made our Immortal Alliance’s stance clear. In return, he promised certain benefits if we refrain from interference. Given this, there’s no harm in granting him this favor.”

Elder Zuo interjected.

At this, the two stewards advocating intervention fell silent.

“But the problem is that Qi Huang is now stirring trouble! She’s issued a proclamation claiming to have restored her True Qi. If we do nothing and she enters the palace, the Immortal Alliance’s prestige will suffer a devastating blow.”

Elder Zuo’s expression darkened.

“Impossible. Her cultivation is only at the Spirit Gathering Realm. If she truly ingested Qi-Leaking Powder, how could she recover so quickly?”

Steward Cai spoke with absolute certainty, after all, Elder Zhou himself had verified this.

“Exactly. There are only two ways to neutralize the poison so swiftly: first, reaching the Incarnation Realm and expelling it through doppelgänger cultivation; second, attaining the Divine Realm and transferring it to an existing doppelgänger. But her? She’s already a doppelgänger, even if her cultivation were sufficient, neither method would work. She’s undoubtedly lying. The question is, to what end?”

Elder Zuo fell into deep thought.

“Master, I believe she’s deliberately trying to sabotage our Immortal Alliance.”

Steward Cai offered his theory.

“Explain.”

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“Some time ago, the Honghua Sect requested my assistance over a minor matter, but I was too occupied to help in time. Qi Huang must have held a grudge over this. By falsely claiming her True Qi is restored, she’s setting a trap, once she enters the palace, she’ll humiliate the Immortal Alliance publicly.”

Steward Cai’s conjecture was dripping with malice. His true motive, however, lay elsewhere—with the Evergreen Conference approaching, he sought to manipulate the rules once more and needed a pretext.

“Such a thing happened?”

Elder Zuo was taken aback before narrowing his eyes. “A mere doppelgänger dares to trip up our Immortal Alliance? Who gave her the audacity?”

“Who? It must be Cheng Hongling! As the main body, she bears full responsibility.”

“That Cheng Hongling is too young. A bit of talent has gone straight to her head, hardly surprising.”

“To be a cultivator under the Immortal Alliance’s protection, yet show no gratitude—instead biting the hand that feeds her? A white-eyed wolf! What use is talent without virtue?”

The stewards erupted in condemnation.

Steward Cai allowed a faint smirk to curl his lips. His relentless slander of Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling served a purpose.

“True. But Yongning Province is barren of talent, none can match Cheng Hongling. In the next Evergreen Conference, she’s bound to excel again. We’d only be nurturing a future threat.”

He sighed deliberately.

“As if it’s that easy. Can a tree grow so tall it pierces the heavens?”

Elder Zuo scoffed, a glint of cold ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

“A tree that stands above the forest will be toppled by the wind. How tall I allow her to grow is how tall she’ll be, not an inch taller.”