Empress, I Don't Want to Work Hard Anymore

The Crow Nest Heart Method and the Crow Nest Ancient Tree had both been mentioned to Liu Chengfeng.

"Can outsiders enter the Ancestral Hall?"

Liu Chengfeng was skeptical. The Ancestral Hall of Qiuchi Kingdom was where the Spirit Pool lay, jointly held by the imperial family and the Grandmaster Mansion.

Aside from the imperial family and the nobility, outsiders could never enter the Ancestral Hall.

But Ye Ziyang and the others had invited him to open the Ancestral Hall. That was interesting.

Empress of Qiuchi looked at Liu Chengfeng, her imperial might still intact.

"You can enter the Ancestral Hall too."

"How?"

"Prince Consort."

Empress of Qiuchi slowly uttered those two words.

Liu Chengfeng froze at first, not understanding. Then realization struck him like a thunderbolt, and he stared at Empress of Qiuchi.

"Prince Consort. Your Prince Consort."

Liu Chengfeng was startled, thinking he'd misheard. This was absolutely impossible.

"Why not?"

Empress of Qiuchi seemed to see straight through his thoughts, yet her expression remained unchanged.

"You want to take me as your Prince Consort."

Liu Chengfeng wasn't delighted. Instead, he was filled with suspicion.

A Prince Consort was Empress of Qiuchi's husband. She was choosing him to be her husband.

The ruler of a country, a mighty figure of the Great Dao Divine Treasury, revered by everyone in Qiuchi Kingdom, was choosing him as her Prince Consort!

Any man would be knocked senseless by such a huge windfall.

But Liu Chengfeng wasn't knocked senseless. Alarm bells were ringing in his heart.

He wasn't handsome enough for Empress of Qiuchi to choose him as her husband.

"Why choose me as your Prince Consort?"

Liu Chengfeng wasn't delighted. He watched Empress of Qiuchi warily. There was no such thing as a free lunch.

"I like you. Is that not allowed?"

Empress of Qiuchi sat upright, her imperial bearing undiminished, as if she were indulging her own man.

"No. I'm not that kind of person."

Liu Chengfeng shook his head and refused Empress of Qiuchi with righteous indignation.

"If you're willing to become my Prince Consort, you may choose whatever cultivation arts and secret manuals the imperial family possesses."

"Little lady, it sounds like I'd be the one benefiting, but in truth, you'd be the one taking advantage of me."

Liu Chengfeng gave Empress of Qiuchi, still radiating imperial authority, a sidelong glance.

If he cultivated the imperial family's arts and secret manuals, he could fuse and create new techniques. That meant he'd be improving the imperial family's cultivation arts.

"The imperial family's Blood Medicine and Mountain Pills will be yours to cultivate with."

Empress of Qiuchi continued raising her offer.

"Blood Medicine and Mountain Pills are precious, but I'm on my own. I don't need much of either."

Empress of Qiuchi's eyes narrowed. Her imperial might bore down on him, as if she meant to force the man to give in.

"The imperial treasury contains a portion of Eight Directions Kingdom Mud. It's middle-grade. I'll give it to you as betrothal gifts."

"Middle-grade Kingdom Mud?"

Liu Chengfeng couldn't help being surprised.

Treasure Mountain had four stages. To reach perfection, he had to fuse Origin Mud.

Origin Mud came in different grades: Mountain Mud, City Mud, Kingdom Mud...

Each grade of Origin Mud was further divided into low, middle, and high grades, as well as supreme grade.

At his current level of cultivation, Liu Chengfeng could reach perfection by fusing Origin Mud.

Empress of Qiuchi had seen what he needed and offered middle-grade Kingdom Mud to tempt him.

"This is the only portion in the state treasury. Even Lady Chen has only low-grade Kingdom Mud."

Empress of Qiuchi fixed her eyes on Liu Chengfeng, determined to claim him.

Not only was Lady Chen's Flowing Cloud Mud low-grade Kingdom Mud, but Empress of Qiuchi's own Green Mountain Mud was only middle-grade Kingdom Mud.

Eight Directions Kingdom Mud was worth more than a hundred million spirit stones. That was an enormous offer.

It was more than generous as betrothal gifts for a Prince Consort.

"Your Majesty, I don't want to work hard anymore. Take me in."

Liu Chengfeng laughed, teasing Empress of Qiuchi.

"You agree?"

Empress of Qiuchi stared intently at Liu Chengfeng.

"Too bad. I'm not that kind of person."

Joking aside, Liu Chengfeng sobered up and refused.

"Are you really going to stand by and watch Cloud Rising Sect remain in danger?"

"You have a point."

Liu Chengfeng sighed softly and stared at Empress of Qiuchi.

"Why choose me? Is making me your Prince Consort really all there is to it?"

If that were all, he wouldn't believe it even if he were beaten to death. Pies didn't fall from the sky.

"I admire your talent and have chosen you as my husband."

Empress of Qiuchi spoke of marriage without the slightest embarrassment. Her imperial bearing remained unchanged, as if she were taking Liu Chengfeng to her bed.

"That's just one reason."

Liu Chengfeng didn't believe that was all there was to it.

"You've been poisoned."

Liu Chengfeng looked at Empress of Qiuchi and revealed a startling truth.

"Nonsense—"

Empress of Qiuchi's expression darkened. A cold glint flashed in her eyes, and her imperial might pressed down on Liu Chengfeng like a mountain.

Liu Chengfeng drew a deep breath and circulated his blood energy. The World Tree appeared, supporting him against her imperial might.

"You know it perfectly well."

Liu Chengfeng met Empress of Qiuchi's knife-sharp gaze without fear.

"You want me to take Separation Fire, and you want Su Youqian to cultivate the Fierce Beast Heart Method. You're both trying to drive out the poison. Control Separation Fire and burn the poison away."

Empress of Qiuchi's gaze was icy. She listened quietly to Liu Chengfeng.

"Your Majesty, you haven't just been poisoned. You're also in mortal danger."

"The struggle for power between the imperial family and the Grandmaster Mansion has been going on for a long time. Ye Ziyang fears your divine technique and can't defeat you."

"But what if Nangong Zheng and Wu Yuanqing, two Great Dao Divine Treasury experts, join in? Your Majesty, can you fight all three at once?"

"Even if your divine technique is invincible and you can fight all three, what about the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect? Not long ago, the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect destroyed Flying Phoenix Kingdom. Who's to say it won't destroy Qiuchi Kingdom next?"

"If Ye Ziyang joins forces with the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect to destroy the imperial family, how will you respond, Your Majesty? Even if Wu Yuanqing's arrival in defiance of the imperial decree was a coincidence, what about Nangong Zheng?"

"A palace coup is right before your eyes. Your Majesty didn't summon Lady Chen to the capital. Instead, you sent Su Youqian away. You're preserving the imperial family's bloodline, hoping Tiger Mound Su Family will escape disaster."

Liu Chengfeng laid it all out. Empress of Qiuchi was cold as ice, her eyes like blades as she stared at him.

"Are you finished?"

"I am. Are you going to kill me to keep me quiet, Your Majesty?"

Liu Chengfeng spread his hands and met Empress of Qiuchi's cold gaze without the slightest fear.

After a long silence, Empress of Qiuchi finally spoke.

"The Divine Dynasty issued an edict. The Royal Court and the Holy Sect both want you alive for the sacrifice. Aren't you in mortal danger too?"

At last, Empress of Qiuchi looked at Liu Chengfeng coldly.

"I am in mortal danger, but Your Majesty still wants me as your Prince Consort. I'm overwhelmed by your favor."

Liu Chengfeng didn't look overwhelmed by her favor.

"So will you accept or not?"

Empress of Qiuchi pressed him, as if she would drag him into the bridal chamber at any moment.

"I accept, my dear wife. We're both grasshoppers on the same line. You need me to grow stronger, so I'll show you just how strong I can get."

"Want to see?"

Liu Chengfeng winked.

"See what?"

Empress of Qiuchi froze, not understanding.

"See how strong and big I am."

Liu Chengfeng gave her an ambiguous smile.

"Get lost—"

Empress of Qiuchi flew into a rage. Imperial might crushed down, and the power of the Great Dao surged toward him.

Liu Chengfeng was blasted away, coughing up a mouthful of blood. Empress of Qiuchi stood before him, the power of the Great Dao pressing directly onto him, threatening to crush him to pieces.

"Hey, hey, hey! You're trying to murder your husband!"

Liu Chengfeng could barely breathe beneath her pressure and shouted.

"Next time, I'll crush you to pieces."

Empress of Qiuchi's face was cold, her murderous gaze fixed on him as she turned to leave.

What a shameless bastard.

She hadn't let Liu Chengfeng see her blush.

"Hey, don't tell me you're serious!"

Liu Chengfeng shouted after Empress of Qiuchi.

"Serious about what?"

Empress of Qiuchi stopped but didn't turn around.

"Taking me as your Prince Consort. Are you for real?"

"Once we've overcome this crisis, you may cancel it yourself. The imperial palace won't keep you."

"And if I don't cancel it? Will the act become real?"

Liu Chengfeng asked curiously.

"You'll have to be capable enough first."

"Little minx, who do you think you're looking down on? I'll make sure I get you into the bridal chamber."

Liu Chengfeng's eyes turned fierce as he stared at Empress of Qiuchi's rounded, fragrant backside, his gaze full of wolfish intent.

Empress of Qiuchi's body stiffened, then she walked away.

"Follow my orders. Whatever I tell you to do, do it."

Even as she left, Empress of Qiuchi remained overbearing, her imperial authority pressing down on him.

"Yes, my dear wife."

Liu Chengfeng answered, muttering to himself that once he cultivated the Great Dao Divine Treasury, he'd teach that little minx a lesson and see if she still acted so high and mighty!

After Empress of Qiuchi left, she had someone deliver the Eight Directions Kingdom Mud, Blood Medicine, and Mountain Pills. She was extremely generous with her betrothal gifts. Empress of Qiuchi was serious.

Liu Chengfeng knew that the Prince Consort arrangement was only an act. They were working together.

He had to cultivate as quickly as possible and grow stronger. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to stand against his powerful enemies.

Liu Chengfeng took Blood Medicine to strengthen his Blood Sea and swallowed Mountain Pills to temper his body.

He cultivated one cycle after another, bringing his blood energy and body into the best possible condition.

Once his blood energy was vigorous and his body free of hidden ailments, it was time to fuse the Origin Mud.

The middle-grade Eight Directions Kingdom Mud was exorbitantly expensive. It had the texture of jelly.

Liu Chengfeng circulated the Dragon Phoenix Green Gold Heart Method, absorbing spiritual energy as he held the Eight Directions Kingdom Mud in both hands. He absorbed it slowly, fusing it into his body until it seeped into his bones and sinews.

As the Eight Directions Kingdom Mud entered his body, it felt as though the weight of an entire kingdom had been added to him. The crushing pressure shattered his muscles and bones, which creaked all over.

His whole body felt ready to fall apart. The pain made Liu Chengfeng want to grind his teeth to dust.

Clenching his teeth, he circulated the Heart Method cycle after cycle, letting the Origin Mud fuse into his body inch by inch.

The entire process was excruciating. Again and again, the pain nearly made Liu Chengfeng pass out.

After one cycle of fusion after another, the Eight Directions Kingdom Mud finally merged completely into Liu Chengfeng's body.

Fusing Origin Mud was like shedding his skin and changing his bones. Liu Chengfeng expelled the impurities in his body, which oozed out like thick black sludge.

After washing himself clean, he didn't even need to circulate the Heart Method to see that every inch of his skin gleamed like a treasure, radiant with light.

Not only was it firm and indestructible, but every inch of his skin also contained an abundance of spiritual energy.

Liu Chengfeng was overjoyed. He had reached perfection in the Treasure Mountain Divine Treasury.

As the Dragon Phoenix Green Gold Heart Method circulated, eight thick shields appeared around him, each as heavy as a mountain. Visions of dragon scales and phoenix feathers shimmered across their surfaces.

Mountain Mud formed the membrane, City Mud the armor, and Kingdom Mud the shield.

The eight thick, heavy Nation Protecting Shields had incredibly strong defenses.

The Dragon Phoenix Green Gold Heart Method was also a Sage Scroll Innate technique, able to empower the Nation Protecting Shields with the visions of the Heart Method and raise their defensive power by who knew how many times.

When the Treasure Mountain Divine Treasury reached great completion, it was time to break through into the Reception Divine Treasury.

Liu Chengfeng circulated the Blood Sea Heart Method and the Treasure Mountain Heart Method. The two methods surged together: the Blood Sea roiled, the Treasure Mountain resonated, and they charged at the bottleneck.

Liu Chengfeng drew in his fill of spiritual energy and launched his fiercest assault, determined to break through the bottleneck.

His blood energy roared, and precious light billowed. Suddenly, ancient runes emerged from the Celestial Body again.

The Ancient Heart Method began to circulate, directly drawing away Liu Chengfeng's blood energy and precious light.

"Not good—"

Liu Chengfeng was alarmed. He had no idea what the Ancient Heart Method was up to.

When he had broken through the Blood Sea Divine Treasury, the Ancient Heart Method had planted the World Tree in him. What kind of trouble was it stirring up now?

Liu Chengfeng couldn't control the Ancient Heart Method. His blood energy and precious light suddenly came crashing down, as if cleaving open the earth.

The Treasure Mountain Divine Treasury shook violently, startling Liu Chengfeng.

"I'm screwed—"

Liu Chengfeng's heart leapt in alarm. It was going to smash his Treasure Mountain Divine Treasury to pieces.

The Ancient Heart Method struck down. A wave of agony nearly made Liu Chengfeng pass out.

When he came to, Liu Chengfeng was still shaken. He discovered that a deep chasm had been cleaved into the Treasure Mountain Divine Treasury.

The chasm was bottomless. Looking down, he could just make out divine light hidden below, but had no idea what lay there.

Heavenly Dao Abyss.

The Celestial Body had labeled the chasm.