Bestowing a Grotto Heaven Spiritual Object! Presiding Over the Martial Arts Grand Competition!

The woman before him was Empress Xia Mingyue, who controlled the billions of miles of land within the Great Xia Dynasty and ruled over all living beings beneath heaven?

Even when facing the Empress at the very pinnacle of power in the Great Xia Dynasty, Lu Xuan's gaze held not the slightest trace of timidity.

Standing below, Lu Xuan calmly looked straight upward. More precisely, he was looking at Xia Mingyue, who lounged lazily against the mysterious black imperial throne.

A moment later, Lu Xuan slowly raised his hands, leaned forward slightly, and bowed. His voice was steady, neither servile nor overbearing, as he spoke.

"Your servant, Blackbird Guard Vice Director Lu Xuan, greets Your Majesty!"

On the way here, Man Qingqiu had told Lu Xuan about several matters requiring attention when appearing before His Majesty.

Within the Great Xia Dynasty, when facing the imperial presence, a True Person of the Divine Mansion Realm only needed to bow in salute and did not need to perform the grand kneeling ritual.

The moment Lu Xuan finished speaking, Xia Mingyue, who was reclining lazily upon the imperial throne, immediately responded. Her delicate lips parted, and her voice rang out.

"Minister Lu, there is no need for such courtesy!"

Then, when Lu Xuan raised his head again and looked toward the imperial throne, his eyes suddenly narrowed, his pupils contracting to the size of needlepoints.

Just a moment ago, Empress Xia Mingyue had still been reclining lazily upon the imperial throne.

With one jade hand that appeared delicate and soft, she supported her snow-white chin, displaying a languid yet noble majesty.

Yet in the blink of an eye, Empress Xia Mingyue had dispersed like a wisp of smoke, leaving behind no trace, as though she had never appeared upon that throne at all.