Your Majesty, I Don't Want to Work Anymore

The Crow Nest Heart Method was something the Ancient Tree had mentioned to Liu Chengfeng.

"Can an outsider enter the Ancestral Hall?"

Liu Chengfeng expressed his doubt; the Ancestral Hall of the Qiuchi Kingdom was where the Spirit Pool was located, held jointly by the royal family and the Grandmaster Mansion.

Aside from the royal family and the nobility, it was impossible for any outsider to enter the Ancestral Hall.

Yet, the fact that Ye Ziyang and the others had invited him to open the Ancestral Hall made things interesting.

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

"You can also enter the Ancestral Hall."

"How?"

"Prince Consort."

The Empress of Qiuchi slowly uttered these two words.

Liu Chengfeng was stunned at first, unable to react, but then he realized the meaning, struck as if by lightning, and stared at the Empress of Qiuchi.

"Prince Consort, your Prince Consort."

This took Liu Chengfeng by surprise; he thought he had misheard, as this was absolutely impossible.

"Why would it be impossible?"

The Empress of Qiuchi seemed to see through Liu Chengfeng's thoughts, her expression remaining unchanged.

"You want to appoint me as Prince Consort."

Liu Chengfeng felt no joy, only suspicion and uncertainty.

A Prince Consort would be the husband of the Empress of Qiuchi; the Empress of Qiuchi was choosing him to be her husband.

The ruler of a nation, a major figure at the Great Dao Divine Treasury realm, admired by ten thousand in the Qiuchi Kingdom, was choosing him to be her Prince Consort!

A pie this big falling from the sky would knock any man unconscious.

Liu Chengfeng did not have his head turned; instead, alarm bells rang loudly in his heart.

He was not yet handsome enough to make the Empress of Qiuchi choose him as her husband.

"Why choose me as Prince Consort?"

Liu Chengfeng felt no joy, looking at the Empress of Qiuchi with vigilance; there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

"I like you, is that not enough?"

The Empress of Qiuchi sat upright, her imperial aura undiminished, as if she were doting on her own man.

"It is not enough, I am not that kind of person."

Liu Chengfeng shook his head, refusing the Empress of Qiuchi with righteous indignation.

"If you are willing to become the Prince Consort, you may choose any royal cultivation techniques or secret manuals you desire."

"My lady, it sounds like I am the one benefiting, but in reality, you are the one taking advantage of me."

Liu Chengfeng cast a sidelong glance at the Empress of Qiuchi, who was radiating imperial power.

If he were provided with royal cultivation techniques to practice, he could fuse and create new ones, which meant he would be upgrading the techniques for the royal family.

"The royal Blood Medicine and Mountain Pill will be provided for your cultivation."

The Empress of Qiuchi continued to increase the stakes for Liu Chengfeng.

"Although Blood Medicine and Mountain Pills are precious, I am a lone wolf, and my need for them is limited."

The Empress of Qiuchi narrowed her eyes, her imperial pressure weighing down on him, a posture meant to force the man into submission.

"In the royal treasury, there is a portion of Eight Directions Kingdom Mud; it is of middle grade, and I will give it to you as a betrothal gift."

"Middle-grade Kingdom Mud."

Liu Chengfeng could not help but be startled.

To reach the Great Perfection of the Treasure Mountain's fourth stage, one must fuse with Origin Mud.

Origin Mud is divided into levels: Mountain Mud, City Mud, Kingdom Mud...

Each level of Origin Mud is further divided into low, middle, high, and supreme grades.

Liu Chengfeng had cultivated to his current level, and fusing with Origin Mud would allow him to reach Great Perfection.

The Empress of Qiuchi, having insight into what Liu Chengfeng needed, dangled the middle-grade Kingdom Mud to tempt him.

"There is only this one portion in the national treasury; even Lady Chen only has low-grade Kingdom Mud."

The Empress of Qiuchi stared at Liu Chengfeng, determined to have him.

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

The Eight Directions Kingdom Mud was worth over one hundred million spirit stones; this was a truly massive gesture.

As a betrothal gift for a Prince Consort, it was sincere enough.

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

Liu Chengfeng laughed, teasing the Empress of Qiuchi.

"Have you agreed?"

The Empress of Qiuchi stared fixedly at Liu Chengfeng.

"Unfortunately, I am not that kind of person."

Jokes aside, Liu Chengfeng composed his expression and refused.

"Outside the Imperial Capital, there is a branch of a spirit vein that is no worse than the one at the Cloud Rising Sect. It is under the royal family's name and can be given to you as a betrothal gift."

"A branch of the Bayu Spirit Vein, outside the Imperial Capital."

Liu Chengfeng's expression immediately tightened.

"The Cloud Rising Sect is far from the Imperial Capital, and the risks are unpredictable. If you build another lair, you can ensure your safety."

The Empress of Qiuchi saw through Liu Chengfeng's thoughts, perfectly aligning with his intentions.

After being threatened by Ma Xian, Liu Chengfeng had considered moving the Cloud Rising Sect to the Imperial Capital to establish a large stronghold—a crafty rabbit has three burrows.

The Empress of Qiuchi offering a branch vein played right into Liu Chengfeng's hands.

"Your Majesty, you are tempting me in such a way that it is very hard to refuse."

"Then accept."

"I am not that kind of person, Your Majesty."

Liu Chengfeng shook his head, rejecting the temptation of the Empress of Qiuchi.

"Are you just going to sit by and watch the Cloud Rising Sect remain in danger?"

"What you say makes sense."

Liu Chengfeng sighed softly, staring at the Empress of Qiuchi.

"Why choose me? Is it really as simple as just wanting me to be a prince consort?"

If it were that simple, he wouldn't believe it even if he were beaten to death; there is no such thing as a free lunch.

"I fancy your talent and have chosen you to be my husband."

When it came to the matter of marriage, the Empress of Qiuchi spoke without the slightest shyness, her imperial bearing unchanged; it was as if she were bestowing a favor upon Liu Chengfeng.

"That is merely one reason."

Liu Chengfeng did not believe the Empress of Qiuchi's motives were that simple.

"You are poisoned."

Looking at the Empress of Qiuchi, Liu Chengfeng blurted out a shocking piece of news.

"Nonsense—"

The Empress of Qiuchi's face darkened, cold light erupted, and imperial might pressed down, weighing on Liu Chengfeng like a mountain.

Liu Chengfeng took a deep breath, circulated his blood energy, and the World Tree manifested, bracing against the imperial might.

"You know it clearly in your heart."

Liu Chengfeng met the Empress of Qiuchi's blade-like gaze, unafraid.

"You want me to retrieve the Separation Fire and want Su Youqian to cultivate the Fierce Beast Heart Method—all of this is to drive out the poison. To control the Separation Fire is to incinerate the deadly toxin."

The Empress of Qiuchi's gaze was cold and sharp, listening silently to Liu Chengfeng's words.

"Your Majesty, you are not only poisoned, but you are also in imminent danger."

"The power struggle between the royal family and the Grandmaster Mansion is not a matter of a single day. Ye Ziyang fears your divine skills and is no match for you."

"But what if you add the two Great Dao Divine Treasury experts, Nangong Zheng and Wu Yuanqing? Your Majesty, can you fight three against one?"

"Even if your divine skills are invincible and you can fight three against one, what about the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect? Not long ago, the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect wiped out the Flying Phoenix Kingdom; there is no guarantee they won't destroy the Qiuchi Kingdom today."

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

"The pressure to force your abdication is right before your eyes. Instead of summoning Lady Chen to the capital, Your Majesty has banished Su Youqian. This is to preserve the bloodline for the royal family, hoping the Su Family of Tiger Mound can escape this disaster."

Liu Chengfeng spoke at length. The Empress of Qiuchi was cold as frost, her gaze like a knife, staring at Liu Chengfeng.

"Are you finished?"

"I have finished. Does Your Majesty intend to kill me to silence me?"

Liu Chengfeng spread his hands, meeting the cold gaze of the Empress of Qiuchi without a hint of fear.

After a long silence, the Empress of Qiuchi finally spoke.

"The Divine Dynasty has issued a decree; the royal court and the holy sect both intend to take you for a living sacrifice. Are you not in imminent danger yourself?"

Finally, the Empress of Qiuchi looked coldly at Liu Chengfeng.

"I am indeed in imminent danger, but the fact that Your Majesty still wants me as a prince consort leaves me flattered."

Liu Chengfeng did not look flattered in the slightest.

"So, will you accept or not?"

Empress of Qiuchi was aggressive, as if she would drag Liu Chengfeng into the bridal chamber the very next moment.

"Fine, my dear wife, you and I are grasshoppers on the same line; you need me to be strong, so I will show you just how strong I can be."

"Do you want to see?"

Liu Chengfeng blinked.

"See what?"

Empress of Qiuchi was stunned for a moment, failing to react.

"See how strong and big I am."

Liu Chengfeng gave an ambiguous smile.

"Get lost—"

Empress of Qiuchi was furious, her imperial might crushing down as the power of the Great Dao surged toward him.

Liu Chengfeng was blasted away, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Empress of Qiuchi stood before him, the power of the Great Dao pressing directly onto his body, intending to crush him.

"Hey, hey, hey, you're murdering your own husband."

Liu Chengfeng, unable to catch his breath under her pressure, let out a shout.

"Next time, I will crush you into dust."

Empress of Qiuchi's face was icy, her gaze murderous as she turned and walked away.

Shameless bastard.

She did not let Liu Chengfeng see her blushing.

"Hey, you aren't actually serious, are you?"

Liu Chengfeng shouted at the back of Empress of Qiuchi.

"Serious about what?"

Empress of Qiuchi stopped in her tracks without turning around.

"Recruiting me as a prince consort, are you doing this for real?"

"Once the crisis is averted, you may cancel it yourself; the imperial palace will not keep you."

"And if I don't cancel it, and the fake act becomes real?"

Liu Chengfeng asked curiously.

"You would need to have the ability to pull that off."

"Little wench, who are you looking down on? I will definitely drag you into the bridal chamber one day."

Liu Chengfeng's eyes turned fierce as he stared at the rounded curves of Empress of Qiuchi, his intent predatory.

Empress of Qiuchi's body stiffened, and she strode away.

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

When Empress of Qiuchi left, she remained aggressive, her imperial presence overbearing.

"As you command, my dear wife."

Liu Chengfeng replied, muttering to himself that once he cultivated the Great Dao Divine Treasury, he would properly deal with this little wench and see if she could still be so arrogant!

After the Empress of Qiuchi left, she had her people deliver the Eight Directions Kingdom Mud and the Blood Medicine Mountain Pill. Her generosity was extreme; the Empress of Qiuchi was clearly serious about the betrothal gifts.

Liu Chengfeng knew clearly that the prince consort title was just a performance, a cooperation between the two sides.

He had to cultivate as quickly as possible to make himself stronger, otherwise, he would be unable to resist his powerful enemies.

Liu Chengfeng consumed the Blood Medicine to strengthen his Blood Sea and swallowed the Mountain Pill to reshape his physical body.

Cycle after cycle, he cultivated, adjusting his blood energy and physical body to their peak state.

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

The Eight Directions Kingdom Mud was a mid-grade kingdom mud of high value, possessing a jelly-like consistency.

Liu Chengfeng circulated the Dragon Phoenix Green Gold Heart Method to absorb spiritual energy, holding the Eight Directions Kingdom Mud in his hands and slowly absorbing it, integrating it into his flesh and blood, soaking it into his tendons and bones.

As the Eight Directions Kingdom Mud entered his body, he felt the power of a kingdom merging with him; it was incredibly heavy, crushing his muscles and bones, causing his entire body to creak.

His whole body felt as if it were shattering, the pain so intense that Liu Chengfeng felt like he would bite his teeth to pieces.

Gritting his teeth, he circulated his heart method cycle after cycle, allowing the Origin Mud to merge into his body inch by inch.

The entire process was excruciatingly painful, repeating over and over until Liu Chengfeng felt he might pass out from the agony.

After cycle upon cycle of refining, the Eight Directions Kingdom Mud was completely integrated into Liu Chengfeng's body.

Having fused the Origin Mud and undergone a rebirth of his bones, Liu Chengfeng expelled all the impurities from his body, which came out like thick black sludge.

After washing himself clean, he didn't even need to circulate his heart method to see that every inch of his skin looked like a treasure, glowing with a faint luster.

Not only was it solid and unbreakable, but every inch of his skin was now saturated with a vast amount of spiritual energy.

With the Treasure Mountain Divine Treasury reaching Great Perfection, Liu Chengfeng felt immense joy in his heart.

He circulated the Dragon Phoenix Green Gold Heart Method, causing eight thick shields to manifest around his body; the shields were as heavy as mountains, each displaying the miraculous visions of dragon scales and phoenix feathers.

Mountain Mud served as the membrane, City Mud as the armor, and Kingdom Mud as the shield.

These eight heavy Nation Protecting Shields possessed an extremely high level of defense.

The Dragon Phoenix Green Gold Heart Method was a Sage Scroll innate technique, capable of imbuing the Nation Protecting Shields with its own heart method visions, increasing their defensive power by an immeasurable magnitude.

With the Treasure Mountain Divine Treasury at Great Perfection, it was time to assault the Reception Divine Treasury.

Liu Chengfeng circulated the Blood Sea Heart Method and the Treasure Mountain Heart Method; as both heart methods exerted force simultaneously, the blood sea churned and the treasure mountain resonated, surging toward the bottleneck.

Liu Chengfeng inhaled a sufficient amount of spiritual energy and launched his strongest assault, determined to break through the bottleneck.

Blood energy roared and treasure light flickered, when suddenly, ancient runes emerged once again from his Celestial Body.

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

"Not good—"

Liu Chengfeng was greatly alarmed, having no idea what the Ancient Heart Method intended to do.

Back when he was breaking through the Blood Sea Divine Treasury, the Ancient Heart Method had planted a World Tree inside him; now, it was causing trouble again.

Liu Chengfeng could not control the Ancient Heart Method as the blood energy and treasure light suddenly struck down, as if cleaving the earth asunder.

The Treasure Mountain Divine Treasury shook until the mountains swayed, giving Liu Chengfeng a massive fright.

"I'm done for—"

Liu Chengfeng exclaimed in his heart, terrified that this was going to shatter his Treasure Mountain Divine Treasury.

As the Ancient Heart Method struck down, a wave of intense pain nearly caused Liu Chengfeng to pass out.

Regaining his senses, the shaken Liu Chengfeng discovered that a deep abyss had been cleaved into his Treasure Mountain Divine Treasury.

The abyss was bottomless, and looking down into it, divine light could be faintly seen; he had no idea what lay beneath.

Heavenly Dao Abyss.

The Celestial Body provided a name for this abyss.