Is it possible that what Qi Yuan said is true?

Aunt Qin would rather Jin Li not be in that position.

But she knew she couldn't.

"Ambitious wolf cub!" She glared at Sima Ting, fury blazing in her eyes. "Colluding with the Northern Khan Royal Court—your crime deserves death!"

The Northern Khan Royal Court and the Nanqian Kingdom were sworn enemies.

Every autumn harvest, the iron cavalry of the Northern Khan Royal Court would breach the border into Nanqian territory, raiding for supplies.

Between the two nations lay a blood feud deep as the sea.

"This is precisely the gap between me and you," Sima Ting declared, chin raised. "Between nations, there is only interest. Only warriors dwell on grudges and sentiments.

Lady Qin, I advise you to know your place. Hand over the treasury key, or else..."

Sima Ting threatened.

As the lawful wife of the late Grand General, Aunt Qin held the key to the Imperial Treasury.

And that key could unlock the Heavenly Fortune Lock, retrieving the Heavenly Fortune Jade Seal.

If he wanted to usurp the throne, he needed that seal to legitimize his claim and seize the Nanqian Kingdom's national destiny.

"Don't even think about it."

Sima Ting looked at Aunt Qin and said nothing more.

After all, Aunt Qin was the widow of that Grand General.

Currently, the Heavenly Revelation General on the front lines had once been as close as a brother to that Grand General.

If he killed Aunt Qin, matters would become troublesome.

But Aunt Qin was the Empress's greatest pillar of support, so he had no choice but to severely wound her.

That would leave the Empress without claws or fangs.

"Lady Qin, take care of yourself," Sima Ting said. "In three days, the Southern Feng Crown Prince will arrive. In ten days, the appointed duel begins. How will you handle it?"

With that, Sima Ting flicked his sleeves and left.

A flicker of rage passed through Aunt Qin's eyes, then faded into desolation.

She was now gravely wounded, even her foundation damaged. Healing in such a short time was nearly impossible.

That duel could only end in defeat.

"Your Majesty, here are seven books, all recording the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area," the palace maid said, placing the volumes on the jade throne.

"Mm." Jin Li nodded, picking up a book to read carefully.

Today, hearing Qi Yuan mention the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area had piqued her interest.

Now, Aunt Qin was severely injured.

In ten days, the Southern Feng Crown Prince would arrive at the Southern Qian Imperial City, and his National Teacher would duel Aunt Qin.

If she lost, the Nanqian Kingdom would lose all face, and Jin Li's own fate would be precarious.

Ten years ago, when Jin Li's father the Emperor passed away and she had yet to ascend the throne, the Nanqian Kingdom was in turmoil. The Southern Wind Kingdom had amassed two hundred thousand troops at the border, poised to invade.

Grand Chancellor Sima Ting went to the border and, on behalf of the Nanqian Kingdom, reached an agreement with the Southern Wind Kingdom.

That had set a trap for Jin Li.

If she lost this duel, she would have to marry the Southern Feng Crown Prince.

How could she, a reigning Empress, marry a foreign crown prince?

That was the trap Sima Ting had laid.

Ten years ago, before she ascended the throne, Sima Ting's agreement with the Southern Wind Kingdom had seemed unproblematic.

It was merely trading a princess for border peace.

Now, with Aunt Qin gravely wounded, victory in this duel required her to first recover fully before she could even fight.

Among the Four Great Forbidden Areas, spiritual treasures abounded. Perhaps there were medicinal herbs that could heal her.

After flipping through just a few books, she saw that the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area contained several rare Spiritual Herbs with various effects, such as healing wounds and extending life.

"Nine Flower Qi Luo?" As she turned the pages, Jin Li's expression shifted.

Ancient records stated that within the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area grew the Nine Flower Qi Luo, a Spiritual Herb.

This herb bloomed with nine petals, exuding nine distinct fragrances, and was known as a royal medicine.

"If Aunt Qin obtains this herb, not only will her injuries vanish, but she might even break through to the royal level!"

This information came from the hand of a top-tier royal-level expert.

By sheer chance, that expert had entered the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area.

He had spotted the Spiritual Herb and intended to pick it, but was besieged by the Demon King within.

Outnumbered, he fled the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area, but never had another chance to enter.

"So, there should be many Demon Kings inside the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area?"

"The Demon Emperor... unknown."

Jin Li pondered.

If there were no Demon Emperor, and only Demon Kings with their perception, they might sneak in and actually manage to pick some Spiritual Herbs.

"Unfortunately, the records don't say how to enter the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area at all."

Each of the Four Great Forbidden Areas had its own difficulty.

And for the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area, the hardest part was how to get in.

"Could it really be, as Qi Yuan said, to carry a ladder in?"

Thinking of Qi Yuan, the corners of Jin Li's mouth couldn't help but curl into a smile.

Of course, that was impossible.

That idea was too absurd, or rather... completely illogical.

Still, Qi Yuan had no reason to lie to her.

She trusted him deeply.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have had the palace maids gather information on the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area.

Jin Li read the next few volumes very carefully.

Unfortunately, none of them contained any information on how to enter the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area.

But suddenly, she came across a passage and couldn't help reading it aloud: "There is a strange creature in Xuanyuan, shaped like a fox's tail, like a brush, mad and erratic, most fond of attacking at night."

This passage was also recorded by that Supreme Emperor.

Jin Li froze.

Qi Yuan's earlier words surfaced in her mind.

The Mad Pen was especially treacherous, fond of turning into a brush at night and ambushing people without warning.

"Is this the same beast?" Countless thoughts raced through Jin Li's mind.

"The Supreme Emperor who left these records was once a Great Supplicant of the Nanqian Kingdom."

"This information has always been stored in the Library Pavilion, never leaked out."

"Qi Yuan... how does he know?"

"Could it be that Qi Yuan is a member of my royal family?"

Jin Li's heart was far from calm.

"No!"

"He knows the beast is called the Mad Pen!"

"Could it be... that Qi Yuan has really been to the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area?"

Jin Li took out the Exquisite Jade Tide and quickly sent a message.

"Qi Yuan, have you really been to the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area? Carrying a ladder in... that wasn't a joke, was it?"

"I have an urgent matter... I need to go in."

Though Qi Yuan was unreliable and always liked to spout nonsense, she feared he might still answer carelessly when he saw her message, so she mentioned going herself.

She was betting her life on this.

Qi Yuan... wouldn't joke anymore.

But after she sent the message, Qi Yuan didn't reply.

"It's a pity the Attire Forbidden Area is too far, otherwise... sigh."

Jin Li sighed, then her gaze grew resolute.

"Someone, prepare. Tomorrow I will leave the palace."

Time was running out.

She decided to leave the palace tomorrow and head to the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area.

She had no choice.

Staying in the royal capital was just waiting to die.

But then, thinking of something, she continued to order, "Qilin Guard, send a squad to the Attire Forbidden Area and see if there's anything unusual there."

Qi Yuan said he had gone to the Attire Forbidden Area.

If Qi Yuan was truly a strong cultivator, then the Attire Forbidden Area would surely be in turmoil.

She dispatched the Qilin Guard to scout for news from the Attire Forbidden Area.

Meanwhile, inside the Attire Forbidden Area.

Qi Yuan, carrying the Great Treasure Sword on his shoulder, looked at the strange creatures ahead with curiosity in his eyes.