The Empress's Secret Decree

After leaving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's territory, the convoy did not return directly to Nuoding City. Instead, it turned southwest and proceeded at an unhurried pace toward Spirit City.

Inside the carriage, Yang Yu sat with his eyes closed in concentration, his fingers unconsciously tapping against his knee as though calculating something. Zhu Zhuqing sat opposite him, her aura fully stabilized at rank thirty-four. Tempered by Thunder Prison and consecutive battles, her Netherworld Spirit Cat Martial Soul had become even more condensed. The sinister aura brought by the Dark Demon Evil Tiger had been perfectly concealed, like a poisoned blade hidden within its sheath.

Yue Guan's voice came from beyond the carriage, carrying his usual seductive amusement yet unable to conceal its gravity. "Your Highness, news has just arrived from Nuoding City. That rabbit truly hasn't settled down. After breaking through rank forty, she relied on the residual potency of the Immortal Herb and tried to forcibly break through the restriction Gu Rong set up, intending to sneak out and hunt a spirit ring. Gu Rong casually slapped her back. She's on a hunger strike now."

Yang Yu did not even raise his eyelids. "Let her make a fuss. When she gets hungry enough, she'll eat. As for the spirit ring, have Gu Rong 'help' her find a suitable one. The age... make it as high as possible." The more restless Xiao Wu was and the more she craved strength, the greater the use she would have in the future. Proper setbacks and "help" would make her more dependent on this sole "way out."

"Yes." Yue Guan answered, then his tone shifted slightly. "Also... at the Star Luo Empire border, members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan 'accidentally' crossed the border three times. They had some minor clashes with Star Luo's border guards, tore down two watchtowers, and injured dozens. Star Luo reacted fiercely. Dai Tianfeng vomited blood again and was reportedly roaring in court that he wanted to personally lead an expedition... but the ministers talked him out of it."

A cold curve formed at the corner of Yang Yu's mouth. Yu Yuanzhen's execution had been quite good. He had added just the right amount of fuel to this fire. Star Luo was now like a trapped beast being endlessly prodded—furious, yet not daring to truly pounce and tear at its enemy. This prolonged torment and internal pressure would be enough to make them crumble from within.

"Any movement from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?" Yang Yu asked.

"Ning Fengzhi accepted that 'generous gift,' but announced seclusion that very day. The sect's affairs are temporarily being handled jointly by several elders, and they've drastically reduced trade with the outside world, especially in the direction of Star Luo. Looks like they intend to become complete turtles hiding in their shells." Yue Guan's tone was mocking. "However... that young Miss Rongrong has been quite active. Under the pretext of 'studying medicinal properties,' she has frequently entered and left the sect's Library Pavilion and medicine hall, borrowing a great number of ancient texts concerning Soul Tools, formations, and... toxicology. Our people discovered that she seems to be secretly collecting some relatively obscure minerals and herbs, though their purpose remains unknown."

Ning Rongrong... understanding flashed through Yang Yu's eyes. The darkened young lady had indeed chosen the path most suited to her current circumstances—knowledge and conspiracy. She did not dare resist openly, but she had begun secretly accumulating what she considered "strength." Very good. That was precisely what he wanted. A poisonous seed buried deep within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was more valuable than an open enemy.

"Keep an eye on her. If necessary... give her a little 'convenience.'" Yang Yu ordered. Only after she tasted a little sweetness would she walk ever farther down the path of darkness.

"Understood." Yue Guan paused, lowering his voice. "Your Highness, there is one more matter... a secret decree from the Papal Palace."

A faint purple-black stream of light passed through the carriage and hovered before Yang Yu, transforming into an exquisite Jade Talisman carved with chrysanthemum and ghost-shadow patterns. Bibi Dong's personal communication talisman.

Yang Yu reached out and touched the Jade Talisman.

A cold, majestic female voice rang directly in his mind. Its emotions were impossible to discern, yet it carried an invisible pressure:

"I have been informed of the matters in Nuoding City."

"Star Luo's antics, the Evil Cultists' rampant actions—you were able to make decisions according to the situation, suppress the Blue Lightning clan, and pacify the Seven Treasure Sect. You have done... acceptably."

"However, your methods are overly ruthless, and you have made too many enemies. This is not a sustainable path. The Elder Hall has voiced considerable criticism."

"Return to Spirit City immediately to report on your duties. Do not cause any further incidents along the way."

"Also, bring back the girl carrying immortal spiritual aura. I wish to personally... inspect her."

The voice abruptly ceased, and the Jade Talisman crumbled into dust.

The carriage fell silent.

Yue Guan and Zhu Zhuqing both sensed the lingering terrifying pressure belonging to the Empress, holding their breath and focusing their minds.

Yang Yu's expression remained unchanged, but his gaze deepened slightly.

"Acceptably done"? That was both approval and a warning. Approval of his ability to stir the winds and clouds, and a warning not to overstep his bounds.

The Elder Hall had voiced considerable criticism? More likely, Bibi Dong herself felt that things were becoming somewhat uncontrollable. His teacher wanted him to be a sharp blade capable of wounding others, yet she did not want that blade to completely slip from her grasp.

Personally inspect Xiao Wu? That was the true focus. A Ten Thousand Year Spirit Beast Transformation that had also absorbed an Immortal Herb—such a "great gift" was something even Bibi Dong could not ignore. Was she trying to snatch the prize? Or... did she have another motive?

No matter what, the trip to Spirit City was now inevitable. And it would certainly not be peaceful.

"Reply to Your Majesty the Empress," Yang Yu said calmly. "This subject obeys the decree. We will return at once."

"Yes!" Yue Guan immediately responded and sent the reply through a special method.

The convoy quietly picked up speed and raced toward Spirit City.

The journey that followed was calm on the surface, yet undercurrents surged beneath it.

The closer they came to Spirit City, the more frequently they encountered teams of spirit masters under Spirit Hall's command. Upon seeing the convoy personally guarded by Yue Guan, every one of those spirit masters showed reverence and stepped aside to salute. Yet Yang Yu could clearly sense countless gazes and spiritual senses, open and hidden alike, sweeping over the convoy like a web, filled with scrutiny, wariness, and even a trace of barely perceptible hostility.

Clearly, his "deeds" in Nuoding City and Thunder Gorge had already returned to Spirit City ahead of him in all manner of embellished versions. He was now a true figure at the center of the storm, as well as the focus of countless factions.

One day, as the convoy passed through a dense black forest—

Suddenly!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Dozens of piercing whistles shot out from deep within the forest! Their targets were not the carriage, but the Spirit Steeds pulling it and the legs of the guards' horses! The angles of attack were vicious and tricky. They were unmistakably poisoned Crossbow Bolts!

An ambush! And the location and timing had been chosen with exceptional malice—just as the convoy was passing through a narrow forest path and had slowed down!

"Protect His Highness!" the captain of the guard knights shouted sharply. His spirit rings lit up as he swung his weapon to block the arrows!

A cold glint flashed in Yue Guan's eyes. He did not even rise, merely flicking a finger. Several golden petals spun through the air as though alive, precisely shattering every poisoned arrow aimed at the Spirit Steeds!

Yet, in that fleeting moment of chaos—

A blurry phantom, like a venomous snake blending into the shadows, silently drew close beneath the carriage! An exceedingly concealed, frigid aura carrying pure intent to destroy suddenly erupted, stabbing toward the underside of the carriage! This strike was not a physical attack, but an assassination technique aimed directly at the soul!

The timing, angle, and method were all a perfect killing blow! The enemy had clearly conducted deep research into the convoy's defensive strength and Yang Yu's possible abilities, devising this lethal feint!

Zhu Zhuqing, who had been sitting cross-legged, suddenly opened her eyes. Her Netherworld Spirit Cat Martial Soul possessed her body in an instant, but she was slightly too far from the carriage floor and reacted a moment too slowly!

Just as that frigid Soul Impact was about to pierce through the carriage floor—

Yang Yu did not even open his eyes.

He merely gave a soft snort.

The sound was quiet, yet it seemed to contain some supreme law and command.

Buzz!

Time itself seemed to undergo an extremely subtle distortion and displacement around him!

The sinister, venomous Soul Impact, the instant it touched the bottom of the carriage, seemed to slam into an invisible, intangible yet indestructible Time Barrier. Its speed abruptly slowed for one thousandth of an instant! The structure of the destructive energy within it also seemed to become unstable during that tiny sliver of time!

It was precisely that one-thousandth-of-an-instant delay and opening!

Whoosh!

Zhu Zhuqing's Netherworld Soul Devouring Slash struck later yet arrived first. Her cat claws, wreathed in silver-black lightning, flashed like lightning tearing through shadows as they grabbed unerringly at the blurry phantom! Soul attacks were precisely the bane of her new soul skill!

Riiip!

An eerie sound like tearing cloth rang out!

It was accompanied by a muffled groan, suppressed yet full of disbelief!

As though burned, the blurry phantom abruptly recoiled into the shadows and fled into the distance in an instant, moving so fast that even Yue Guan had no time to stop it! All it left behind was a small patch of torn black matter that constantly twisted and squirmed, along with several drops of foul-smelling black blood!

"After it!" Yue Guan's face turned ashen as he shouted sharply, his figure instantly melting into the shadows in pursuit! Someone had nearly succeeded right under his nose—an utter humiliation!

The guard knights swiftly cleared out the crossbowmen around the perimeter as well—most had already retreated after realizing things were hopeless—and heightened their vigilance.

Zhu Zhuqing withdrew her cat claws and looked at the wisp of black aura rapidly dissipating from their tips, as well as the few drops of blood corroding the ground.