Li Xin!

"Hmph, a temporary adjournment is fine."

"It will give them a chance to calm down and see the situation clearly."

"Since the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking has already revealed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Clear Sky Sect, the main event must be next."

At that, Yu Xiaogang stopped walking and looked at everyone with blazing eyes.

"Everyone, stay calm."

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is ninth, and the Clear Sky Sect is eighth."

"What does that mean?"

"It means the truly powerful forces are still to come!"

"When the Heavenly Curtain announces that our Tang Sect is ranked first, that dazzling radiance will eclipse everything."

"By then, we will not need to beg anyone for an alliance."

"That woman Wu Zetian will naturally understand who is the most worthwhile ally to win over on this continent."

"She will personally step down from that throne and ask us to return!"

His words were forceful and sonorous, each one striking like a hammer blow.

Although Dai Mubai and the others still held a grudge over Yu Xiaogang wetting himself earlier, they had to admit that the Grandmaster's analysis made some sense.

After all, although the Tang Sect had only just been established, its potential was limitless.

With Tang San, that Twin Martial Souls genius, holding the fort, along with that pile of miraculous Hidden Weapons...

Ranking first did not seem entirely impossible.

The anticipation of rising from the depths back to the summit made everyone look slightly better.

Meanwhile, deep within Daming Palace, in the Imperial Study.

The atmosphere here was completely different from the clamor outside.

A faint fragrance of dragon saliva incense lingered in the air, mixed with the scent of expensive cosmetics, intoxicating anyone who inhaled it.

Wu Zetian, the Empress who had displayed immense majesty in court and whose every word carried absolute weight, was now doing something that would make the entire world's eyes pop out.

The broad Dragon Throne, symbolizing the highest Imperial Authority, was not occupied by her.

Instead, seated upon it was a young man in white, wearing a lazy expression.

Li Xin.

And Wu Zetian, the Empress who ruled over the Great Tang Territory, was standing behind Li Xin.

Her pair of exquisitely maintained, fair hands, tender as scallion roots, rested gently on Li Xin's shoulders as she kneaded them with neither too much nor too little force.

Her strength was just right, and her technique practiced. Clearly, this was not her first time doing such a thing.

To make the motion easier, she bent slightly at the waist.

Though her magnificent golden Imperial Robe was loose, it still could not fully conceal the graceful curves of her figure.

Especially from the side, those beautiful lines extended all the way beneath the hem of her skirt.

As she moved, the skirt occasionally swayed, vaguely revealing a section of snow-white, delicate calf, as well as those Jade Feet in exquisite phoenix-patterned embroidered shoes.

That unique charm, where nobility and obedience intertwined, was enough to drive any man mad.

"Xin, is this amount of pressure all right?"

Wu Zetian asked softly. There was no trace of an Empress's majesty in her tone; she was plainly a little woman trying to please the man she loved.

Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying a trace of honeyed warmth, as if it could melt directly into one's heart.

Li Xin closed his eyes comfortably, enjoying this treatment that was unique in all the world.

He gave a soft hum in response.

"Not bad. You've improved compared to before."

Upon receiving his praise, a delighted smile immediately bloomed across Wu Zetian's stunning face.

Her hands became even gentler, and she leaned closer to him.

Strands of dark hair hanging down from her head occasionally brushed across Li Xin's cheek, bringing a tingling sensation.

"You were in seclusion for so long this time. You must have been exhausted, right?"

"I was worried sick, afraid that something might have gone wrong inside."

"From now on... could you avoid staying in seclusion for so long?"

By the end, her voice carried a trace of grievance and pleading.

During the years Li Xin had spent in seclusion, she had supported such a vast empire alone while facing pressure from every side.

Only before Li Xin did she dare reveal that lonely chill of standing at the top.

Li Xin reached out, took one of the hands resting on his shoulder, and gently patted it.

The warmth of his palm made Wu Zetian's body tremble slightly, and a blush spread over her cheeks.

"Don't worry."

Li Xin spoke calmly.

"Now that I'm out of seclusion, everything that needed to be dealt with has been dealt with."

"For a long time to come, I won't need to enter seclusion again."

Hearing this, the delight in Wu Zetian's eyes deepened.

She took the opportunity to wrap her arms around Li Xin's neck from behind, resting her chin on top of his head as she greedily inhaled his familiar Aura.

"That's good."

"As long as you're here, no matter how chaotic the world becomes, I'm not afraid."

The two quietly shared a tender moment.

Only then did Wu Zetian reluctantly let go, walk around the Dragon Throne, and sit on a soft couch beside Li Xin.

She straightened her slightly disheveled robes and regained some of her dignified bearing, though the way she looked at Li Xin remained as gentle as water.

"Xin, you saw that Heavenly Curtain too."

"The situation on the continent is changing rapidly. Spirit Hall, the Heaven Dou Empire, Star Luo, and that newly emerged Tang Sect are all watching our Great Tang."

"What are your thoughts on forming alliances?"

Although she had directly dismissed court earlier and shown those people no courtesy,

as the ruler of a nation, she had to consider Great Tang's future.

Li Xin picked up the teacup on the table and took a light sip, his expression as calm as if they were discussing today's weather.

"An alliance?"

"With whom? Tang San and his people?"

Li Xin shook his head, a disdainful curl appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"That Tang San speaks endlessly of Benevolence Righteousness Morality, but he is narrow-minded and holds grudges over every slight."

"That Yu Xiaogang is even more of a useless fraud who deceives the world and steals fame. Other than his little theories, he is good for nothing."

"The Tang Sect is full of that sort of trash. Forming an alliance with them would only lower the standing of our Great Tang."

Wu Zetian was somewhat surprised to hear Li Xin judge the Tang Sect so harshly.

Although she did not like those people either, she had not expected Li Xin to be so blunt.

"What about Spirit Hall?"

Wu Zetian asked tentatively.

"I think that Qian Renxue has some ability. Though she is somewhat arrogant, her strength and methods are not bad."

Li Xin set down his teacup and lightly tapped his fingers against the table.

"Spirit Hall?"

"That woman Bibi Dong is a lunatic."

"The hatred in her heart runs too deep. For the sake of destruction, she can sacrifice everything."

"Cooperating with someone like her is no different from seeking a tiger's skin."

Wu Zetian frowned slightly, unable to understand.

"This won't do, and that won't do."

"Are we supposed to remain isolated and helpless forever?"

"Though the spatial storm has subsided, every faction is stirring. If war truly breaks out, Great Tang is not afraid, but it would still be troublesome."

Li Xin smiled and reached out to pinch Wu Zetian's smooth, tender cheek.

"What are you in such a hurry for?"

"Let them hang for now."

"Let them bite each other like dogs."

"If it truly comes to that..."

Li Xin paused, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes.

"Then have Haiyue come over."

"The two of you can discuss it and simply divide up this continent."