On a vast expanse of ruins.
The ruins stretch for miles, and faint dragon patterns can still be seen on the weathered stone pillars. From beneath the broken jade tiles, pure spiritual energy occasionally emanates—this was once the capital of the Empress's Empire, "Lingxiao City".
Jiang Li stood outside the ruins, her red dress fluttering in the bleak wind. She reached out and touched a half-collapsed stone pillar, her fingertips tracing the mottled carvings, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
This was once her home, the place where she commanded the world and looked down upon all living beings. How magnificent was Lingxiao City back then? Flying eaves and brackets reached the heavens, and jade palaces reflected the sun and moon. Cultivators from all four regions dared not disobey, and even the old monsters of the Central Region had to show her respect.
"Your Majesty..." Xiao Zhan appeared beside her, his voice choked with emotion, "If it weren't for..."
“It’s all in the past.” Jiang Li interrupted him, her tone calm, but she couldn’t hide the pain in her eyes. “Back then, we had already reached the pinnacle of this world, and our lifespans were nearing their end. If we hadn’t ventured into the Heavenly Path and broken into higher dimensions, we would have eventually turned into a handful of dust and been forgotten by time.”
In that empire, powerful beings were everywhere, and even those at the Mahayana level were as rare as dogs. However, the rules of this world had their limits. Once you reached that level, the only way to make any further progress was to break through the barriers of the world and go to a higher-dimensional universe.
The Heavenly Road is the only passage.
But they never expected that at the end of the celestial path, there would be "gatekeepers." Those beings from higher dimensions regarded them, these "lower-dimensional ants," as monstrous floods and would not allow them to take a single step.
That battle was earth-shattering. The empire's elite forces were wiped out, Lingxiao City was reduced to ruins, and countless families, sects, and dynasties perished in the turmoil. Even she herself could only be reborn through the remnant soul of the empress and the sacrifice of Xiao Zhan.
“Those gatekeepers…” Jiang Li gripped her rusty iron sword tightly, a fierce glint in her eyes, “They see us as ants, but they don’t know that even ants have the determination to overturn the world.”
She could sense that her master, Lin Zhou, possessed unfathomable strength, likely far surpassing that of the gatekeepers. If she were to ask for help, her master might truly be able to clear the obstacles on her path to heaven.
But she can't.
Some debts must be settled by oneself; some paths must be walked by oneself. If she always relies on her master, she will never truly grow, much less recreate the glory of the empire of yesteryear.
“Your Majesty,” Xiao Zhan said in a deep voice, “there is one person among the old subordinates who might be able to help.”
"Who?" Jiang Li asked.
“Grand Preceptor.” Xiao Zhan’s voice carried a hint of nostalgia. “Back then, the Grand Preceptor’s physical body was destroyed by the gatekeeper while covering our retreat. However, the ‘Illusory Shadow Scripture’ he cultivated was extremely unpredictable. His soul did not dissipate, but his intelligence was shattered, and he is trapped deep in these ruins, unable to leave.”
A glimmer of hope flashed in Jiang Li's eyes: "Is the Imperial Advisor still here?"
The Imperial Advisor was the empire's strategist back then, with unfathomable cultivation and expertise in divination and prediction. Finding him would be of great help in rebuilding the empire.
"Yes, I can sense his soul fluctuations; he's deep inside the underground palace ahead."
"Let's go take a look." Jiang Li no longer hesitated and turned to walk deeper into the ruins. The red-clad figure moved through the broken walls and rubble with a resolute aura, as if she were to forge a new path to the peak from these ruins.
Meanwhile, in a hidden cave deep within the Zangdao Mountains.
Xiao Chen slowly opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance in them. The spiritual energy around him receded like the tide, eventually returning to silence, but he could clearly feel that his cultivation level had steadily entered the early stage of the Void Refinement realm.
It may seem like just a small step, but his strength has increased several times over. This is the result of his deliberate suppression—his foundation has been laid incredibly solidly, and each breakthrough is a qualitative leap.
"Hoo..." Xiao Chen exhaled a breath of stale air, stood up and stretched his muscles and bones, which crackled and popped, full of explosive power.
The trials he had undergone in the training grounds these past few days, coupled with the insights gained during his seclusion, had deepened his understanding of the Way of the Spear. He had also gained a vague understanding of the "Law of Life" that his master, Lin Zhou, had occasionally mentioned.
Stepping out of the cave, the sunlight warmed him. Xiao Chen stretched and was about to leave when he saw that familiar white figure by the stream not far away.
Ling Xue was squatting by the stream, watching the fish in the water, lost in thought. The stream around her was still covered with a thin layer of ice, but the ice seemed to be thinner than last time.
"Miss Lingxue." Xiao Chen walked over with a smile.
Ling Xue turned around and saw it was him. Her blue eyes lit up, and she quickly stood up: "Brother Xiao Chen."
"Watching the fish?" Xiao Chen stopped three zhang away, circulating his spear intent to form a barrier against the cold air.
"Mmm." Ling Xue nodded and whispered, "I remembered the fish you grilled last time, it was delicious."
Xiao Chen smiled and said, "I'll bake some for you when I have time. By the way," he thought of Ling Xue's physical condition and said seriously, "I have some insights from my seclusion this time. When I return to the sect, I will tell my master about your situation."
"Your master?" Ling Xue blinked.
“Yes.” Xiao Chen said with absolute certainty, “My master is incredibly powerful and has the ability to see through the heavens and the earth. He will definitely have a way to deal with your innate ice body.”
In his heart, his master Lin Zhou was the epitome of omnipotence; there was no problem that his master couldn't solve.
Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in Ling Xue's eyes, but it quickly faded. Her family had already exhausted all means to address her constitution. Her family was the renowned "Ice Spirit Family" of the Central Region, with a lineage spanning thousands of years and profound foundations. Even the top sects of the Central Region had to give them some respect, yet even so, they were helpless against her innate Ice Soul Physique.
Can a cultivator from the Southern Region really be dealt with by his master?
Ling Xue knew in her heart that this was almost impossible. But looking at Xiao Chen's earnest eyes, she couldn't bear to refuse this kindness, so she nodded gently: "Okay, thank you, Brother Xiao Chen."
Xiao Chen was pleased to hear that she had agreed: "No need to thank me, just wait for my news."
Unbeknownst to him, the "omnipotent" master he spoke of was currently lounging leisurely in a bamboo chair in the courtyard of the Qingyun Sect, basking in the sun while pondering whether to make steamed meat with spirit rice or stew a vermilion fruit soup for dinner.
Little did he know that his casual promise had planted a seed of "hope" in Ling Xue's heart.
The stream babbles, and the sun shines brightly.
Xiao Chen chatted with Ling Xue for a few more minutes before taking his leave. He planned to stay at Cangdao Mountain for a few more days to consolidate his cultivation before making other plans.
The road ahead is long and the challenges remain, but Xiao Chen's heart is filled with strength.
Because he knew that no matter what difficulties he encountered, he was not fighting alone.
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