Chapter 104
Chapter 104: Tribulation Crossing Nascent Soul
After becoming the empress, Shi Zi Chu became busier than ever. As the Protectorate General, Yao Ruo Ruo was flying from task to task, while Wan Yan Qian, promoted to minister, was also swamped with responsibilities.
In the imperial garden, a rare moment of leisure came to Shi Zi Chu. She called for Yao Ruo Ruo and Wan Yan Qian to join her.
Having held the title of empress for so long, Shi Zi Chu’s presence grew ever more imposing. Though her expression remained gentle, her eyes had become as deep and sharp as an unsheathed blade, making it impossible for anyone to meet her gaze directly.
As Yao Ruo Ruo and Wan Yan Qian followed proper etiquette to greet her, Shi Zi Chu waved her hand. “Sit.”
Once they were seated, Shi Zi Chu gazed at them with a touch of nostalgia on her face.
“How time flies. It’s been over a decade.” Shi Zi Chu lazily leaned against the armrest, her tone carrying a hint of playful teasing. “You two are starting to get some white hairs, too?”
“I’m over thirty now, isn’t it normal to have some white hair?” Yao Ruo Ruo responded with a smile.
Wan Yan Qian, never one to shy away from humor, chimed in, “I’ve been working non-stop! The female officials are running smoothly, and the laws have been revised several times. I feel like I’ll be ready to retire and live out my days soon!”
The feeling of entering the officialdom had been thrilling, but the work was undeniably exhausting.
Shi Zi Chu reached up to adjust her hair, brushing her fingers against the exquisitely crafted dragon crown that adorned her head.
Wan Yan Qian looked at Shi Zi Chu with admiration, her gaze bright with the same admiration she had felt for her from the start. “You are the most capable person I’ve ever known.”
Shi Zi Chu had excelled in every role she had taken. As a farmer’s daughter, she had won over Clan Chief Ye and ascended to become the prince’s consort. As the consort, she had brought prosperity to the people. As a military leader, she had led victorious battles, and now as empress, she had ushered in an era of peace and prosperity. It seemed there was nothing she couldn’t do!
Shi Zi Chu, stroking the dragon crown, smiled with a touch of pride. “What can I say? I am a person of great ambition.”
The venom from Ye He Qi had been dealt with under the ruins of an old temple.
What was the point of being a consort, when wealth and life were in someone else’s hands? She wanted to be empress—she wanted to hold the power of life and death in her own hands!
Wan Yan Qian burst into hearty laughter.
Yao Ruo Ruo looked at the regal and commanding Shi Zi Chu, a seed of longing for power quietly taking root in her heart.
…
[Mission One Complete!]
The voice of the artifact spirit echoed as Shi Zi Chu exhaled her final breath.
The white lotus bracelet on her wrist gleamed with light, enveloping her and returning her to the cultivation world.
As the dizziness faded, Shi Zi Chu realized she was clutching Xing Lan’s arm.
“How was it?”
The low, indifferent voice held a feeling that seemed distant, like an echo from another world. Shi Zi Chu reached up and hugged Xing Lan, burying her face in his broad chest.
Knowing that Shi Zi Chu’s emotions had not fully detached from the three thousand worlds, Xing Lan gently patted her back.
After a moment, she spoke, her tone filled with some excitement. “It was so much fun!”
After killing her husband and claiming the throne, her life had been nothing short of delightful! The court ministers had presented countless handsome men to please her, though she had no interest in men, it was a pleasure to watch them, full of youth and beauty, try to win her favor. Those days were simply wonderful!
Hearing Shi Zi Chu’s excited tone, Xing Lan realized his concerns had been unnecessary.
“Master, let me tell you something!” Shi Zi Chu looked up at him. “I—”
“Boom!”
A sudden thunderclap made Shi Zi Chu jump.
Xing Lan pulled Shi Zi Chu out of his embrace. “Prepare for tribulation crossing.”
“Huh?” Shi Zi Chu was momentarily stunned.
Xing Lan guided her to the tribulation crossing area. As the heavenly tribulation began to form, he quickly explained, “You’re about to break through to Nascent Soul. Don’t take this lightly. These magic artifacts can help you withstand some of the tribulation’s force.”
After quickly briefing her, Xing Lan placed several magic artifacts near her before retreating outside the tribulation’s range.
Shi Zi Chu sat cross-legged, channeling her spiritual power.
“Master, you can use this chance to refine your body with the heavenly tribulation,” Xue Gu’s soft voice suggested. “Leave the last three tribulations to refine your body.”
Shi Zi Chu acknowledged with a soft hum.
As she prepared, the first heavenly tribulation struck.
“Boom!”
Shi Zi Chu infused her spiritual power into the magic artifact, activating the barrier technique to withstand the first strike of the tribulation.
Xing Lan, standing outside the tribulation range, remained calm and unreadable.
Five days later.
Having successfully crossed the tribulation, Shi Zi Chu sat, allowing the spiritual rain to cleanse her.
“Master, something’s not right with your heavenly tribulation,” Xue Gu’s voice grew serious.
The number of tribulations hadn’t changed, but their power was unusually strong!
In the spatial storage ring, Xue Gu flipped through a book, his unusual eyes filled with concern.
Shi Zi Chu replied lightly, her voice almost nonchalant, “The power of the heavenly tribulation increases due to the karmic sins of killing.”
Xue Gu was stunned.
Based on the intensity of the heavenly tribulation, how much killing had Master done?
When the spiritual rain subsided, Xing Lan came over and, seeing Shi Zi Chu waiting expectantly, lifted her up and carried her back to Rising Succession Peak.
At the back mountain, Shi Zi Chu, while soaking in the hot spring, took the time to choose her rewards from the four heavenly treasures.
After her bath, she approached Xing Lan with the four treasures in hand.
Xing Lan, a step ahead, pulled out the spirit sword. “How do you like it?”
Shi Zi Chu’s eyes widened in astonishment.
Demi-god rank?!
This was not just as good as Xing Lan’s life-bound sword; it was far superior!
“Master, how are you so wonderful!” she exclaimed, taking the spirit sword in one hand and stuffing the four heavenly treasures into Xing Lan’s hands.
Xing Lan glanced at the items, an eyebrow raised.
“Immortal rank white jade twin branch hairpin, demi-god rank pill recipe, god rank cultivation technique… Hmm? A bag of rare spirit plant seeds?”
With his long fingers, he picked up the full bag of rare spirit plant seeds, curiosity gleaming in his gaze as he looked at Shi Zi Chu.
The first few items weren’t surprising, but these rare spirit plant seeds were strange.
After finishing the soul contract with the spirit sword, Shi Zi Chu smiled brightly. “These seeds are from rare spirit plants that have disappeared from the world. They start at the seventh rank.”
Xing Lan nodded in understanding, then handed her the four items. “Tell me more.”
With such generous rewards, including a god-rank cultivation technique, Xing Lan was curious about the task Shi Zi Chu had completed.
Shi Zi Chu kept the hairpin, cultivation technique, and spirit plant seeds, while the demi-god rank pill recipe was a special gift she had chosen for Xing Lan.
Xing Lan accepted the pill recipe.
As Shi Zi Chu performed the soul contract with the white jade twin branch hairpin, she began speaking about the events within the three thousand worlds.
But before she could finish, a transmission talisman arrived outside the back mountain’s barrier.
Xing Lan moved his fingers, and the talisman’s message reached them. “Peak Master Xing Lan, Old Ancestor Ji Mo of Limitless Sect requests an audience, along with Clan Chief Chu.”
Shi Zi Chu didn’t need to think twice to know that this was directed at her.
Could this be the “surprise” Chu Zhi Rou had prepared for her?
Xing Lan looked down at Shi Zi Chu, noticing her confused expression. He spoke slowly, “Jiu Jiu, you’re the last to return.”
Although he hadn’t left the back mountain, he had kept track of the outside news.
Knowing her curiosity, Xing Lan’s voice was cool as he explained, “Chu Zhi Rou returned three months ago, and her cultivation has regressed to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.”
Shi Zi Chu’s face showed surprise, but her heart was filled with delight.
The good news kept coming!
Xing Lan handed her a jade slip. “Shall we go, or do you wish to consolidate your cultivation?”
“I’ll go,” Shi Zi Chu said, jumping to her feet in a flash, as though afraid Xing Lan might leave her behind.
Xing Lan took her to Jade Void Peak.
Inside the great hall, the atmosphere was tense when they arrived.
Sect Master Meng sat at the head, with Chu Zhi Sheng and Old Ancestor Ji Mo on either side. The hall was also filled with the Hall Master of the Execution Hall and several Peak Masters from other mountains.
Seeing the trial-like setup, Shi Zi Chu tucked the jade slip away.
She was eager to see how these people would bark like dogs now.