Chapter 498 - 468: His Majesty Elopes with Qin Yu

Just as the Empress left the Imperial Study, a figure shot up into the sky from within the palace.

"Ah, why did His Majesty leave?"

"You, you, you, where are you taking Qin Yu?"

The Empress Dowager looked aggrieved, staring at the rainbow light quickly vanishing on the horizon, stomping her small feet in anger.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager seems to be angry."

Qin Yu glanced back, the vast outline of the Imperial Capital could only be vaguely seen, yet he could keenly sense, beneath the ancient Divine Bell, within the palace, the overwhelming resentment.

Thinking carefully, indeed, he had promised the Empress Dowager yesterday that he would assist her with a massage today.

However, Qin Yu did not expect the Empress to take him out of the palace early in the morning.

This...

Surely, it was not his fault.

"Let her be."

The Empress did not turn her head, showing indifference.

She was well aware of the Empress Dowager’s personality, even if she were angry, it would not last long. Once they return, there would be no need to explain, she would naturally forget the matter.

Qin Yu did not dare retort, only offering silent condolences to the Empress Dowager in his heart for a moment.

"Your Majesty, what has happened this time?"

It wasn’t until the Imperial Capital completely disappeared from view that Qin Yu dared to ask.

"Endless Fire Domain."

The Empress replied coolly.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu’s expression changed slightly; just days ago, he had learned from the Empress about the dangers of this desperate land.

Could it be that the Empress intended to take him there all along?

"Are you afraid?"

The Empress seemed to sense Qin Yu’s emotional ripple and asked.

"Is there a place safer than being by Your Majesty’s side?"

Qin Yu immediately restrained his emotions, full of respect.

If left to go alone, he would naturally be reluctant, after all, with the spark present, all he needed to do was cultivate peacefully, there was no need to risk.

But, with the Empress beside him, he had nothing to worry about.

"The Endless Fire Domain is extremely perilous, even I wouldn’t dare say I could leave unscathed."

The Empress’s indifferent voice sounded quietly.

"Your Majesty’s might is like the sun and moon in the sky, illuminating all directions, how could mere Fire Domain trap you?"

Qin Yu immediately flattered her.

The Empress was somewhat surprised, usually Qin Yu maintained extreme reverence before her, never so glib.

She had only seen Qin Yu compliment the Empress Dowager inadvertently.

No wonder that silly phoenix was overjoyed by his words, one must say, his words were more pleasant than the insincere flattery of others.

The Empress didn’t realize her majestic presence was like thunderclaps, shaking in all directions, causing the mighty figures in the Imperial Capital to not dare look directly, Qin Yu was different from them, often with the Empress Dowager, yet he maintained reverence, without the previous restraint, he spoke naturally.

"I..."

The Empress intended to remind him, but casting a glance, under the afterglow of the morning sun, the golden light coated Qin Yu, making him appear extraordinarily radiant.

The Empress suddenly recalled the Empress Dowager’s frequent murmurs.

Qin Yu, he is a true man!

The Empress did not continue to remind, her expression remained calm, her inner self unruffled.

...

Endless Fire Domain.

In just a few short days, the scorching flames in the outer region danced wildly like fiery serpents, continually roasting the entire world, the terrifying heat causing the space to distort, as if even the air was burning.

The arid ground cracked with deep crevices, revealing beneath it magma flowing like a river.

This place seemed like a forbidden zone for life, making people avert their gaze!

Now, the Endless Fire Domain had expanded to nearly ten miles in size, and Yang Yuzhe along with the cultivators of the Fire Miao Hall had all left.

Outside the forbidden zone, stood a graceful figure, appearing particularly solitary in the doomsday-like scene of destruction, as if she could be devoured by this terrifying zone at any moment.

This figure was Yan Lin of the Flame Guard.

Draped in a long robe, her clothes fluttered loudly in the terrible heat waves, with a faint profound aura around her, isolating that dreadful heat.

Yan Lin’s gaze was fixed on the depths of the Fire Domain, her eyes beneath the mask filled with worry.

In less than half a month, the situation in the Endless Fire Domain had nearly spiraled out of control.

Currently, the entire Fire Domain was expanding at a rate visible to the naked eye.

If this continues, it might not take a year or two for the entire Fire Miao Hall territory to be engulfed by this dreadful zone, becoming a feared Death Domain!

"Whoosh!"

Suddenly, a rainbow light pierced the sky, landing steadily before the Fire Domain.

"Your Majesty!"

Yan Lin’s beautiful eyes welled up with piety, and she respectfully saluted.

The Empress slightly nodded, her gaze directed towards the Fire Domain ahead, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Qin Yu looked at Yan Lin with interest; counting this, it should be their third meeting.

Perhaps due to the exceedingly scorching air, Yan Lin was drenched in fragrant sweat, her robes clinging to her body, delineating a perfect curve.

Qin Yu only now realized that the body of this little Flame Guard was actually so impressive.

All to blame was that Flame Guard robe being too loose; all this time, he hadn’t noticed.

Who knows what kind of figure Flame Guard Commander Yan Zhi has?

To become the Leader of Flame Guard, there should be something extraordinarily exceptional about her, right?

"Qin Tributor, Endless Fire Domain is very dangerous, you..."

Yan Lin also noticed Qin Yu’s intense gaze on her, she didn’t think much of it, and out of concern for her brother-in-law, offered another reminder.

"You go back first, I will call upon you if needed."

However, before the words had faded, she was interrupted by the Empress, leaving Qin Yu without a chance to connect emotionally with her.

No matter what, she is Little Yan Yu’s elder sister.

Of course, Qin Yu naturally wouldn’t reveal these thoughts in the presence of the Empress, lest His Majesty misunderstands and in future has the Flame Guard avoid him, how awkward that would be! Those unaware might even think he is some sort of demon.

"Yes!"

Yan Lin respectfully responded.

"Follow closely behind me."

The Empress cast a glance at Qin Yu and strode towards the forbidden area ahead.

As her footsteps stepped out, the magma beneath her feet seemed to be suppressed by some supreme mighty power, instantly calming down, while in front of the Empress, flames receded, as if fearing the innate imperial might emanating from her.

The Empress’s steps were not large, however, with each step, her figure appeared hundreds of meters away, her composed manner akin to the Dominator of this Fire Domain.

Watching the Empress so effortlessly, Qin Yu privately breathed a sigh of relief.

It turned out, he was being overly worried before.

With the Empress’s supreme cultivation, how could mere Fire Domain threaten her?

The outer area of the Endless Fire Domain was extremely vast, even for ordinary Lotus Platform Realm cultivators, crossing it would consume most of their Spiritual Power, yet the scorching heat seemed to have no effect on the Empress whatsoever.

Qin Yu followed closely behind the Empress, surprisingly without feeling the slightest heat wave.

As if, the fearsome high temperatures of this Fire Domain could not approach within several meters of the Empress.

Led personally by the Empress, in just a short while, the cracked ground disappeared entirely, replaced by a death zone transformed by a sea of magma.

In this sea of magma, there were patches of silent black regions, but underneath, magma still bubbled—it was evident that stepping onto it recklessly would certainly lead to being instantly devoured by the fearsome magma below.

The Empress did not pause at all, with delicate steps, golden lotus blossoms seemed to open at her feet, slightly lifting her figure.

Meanwhile, Qin Yu behind her was enveloped by a gentle force, like a kite, not needing to walk himself, but being suspended behind.

Qin Yu’s heart was warmed; although the Empress was dignified, not revealing emotions, it was still evident she was taking care of him.

If it were not for the Empress’s protection, stepping into this zone would require him to activate True Essence for protection, otherwise, even a powerful Pure Yang Divine Body could hardly withstand the terrifying heat here.

"Roar!"

As the two ventured deeper, soon, in this death domain where only magma flowed, a thunderous roar sounded, subsequently, a giant beast resembling one formed by flames leapt out of the magma, opening a magma mouth and charged forward.

The Empress didn’t even glance at it, and even Qin Yu couldn’t clearly see any of the Empress’s actions when the beast, exuding a wild aura, seemed to be crushed by an invisible giant hand, turning into a rain of fire, falling into the magma ocean below.

A glowing red pearl remained suspended in the air.

Seeing that the Empress had no intention to collect it, Qin Yu’s mind stirred, and he grasped it from afar.

Inside the Fire Pearl, it seemed as if flames were flowing; however, upon touching, it was cool to the touch, not as scorching as imagined.

"These beasts are the manifestations of the Fire Attribute Dao Rhyme of Endless Fire Domain, each possesses a Spirit Fire Core which is quite beneficial for cultivators mastering Fire Attribute Dao Rhyme at the Foundation Establishment Realm."

The Empress casually explained a bit, and with a movement of her feet, had already appeared a thousand meters away.

Qin Yu allowed himself to be borne by the Empress without struggling, observing with interest the Spirit Fire Core in his hand.

Since the Empress said so, it must be something valuable.

In the future, after Little Ling’Er’s body has returned to normal, it will certainly be useful.

However, perhaps due to the Empress’s terrifying aura, strong Flame Beasts dared not appear to obstruct, and those who did unwittingly show themselves were without exception crushed and turned into glowing red pearls, falling into Qin Yu’s hands.

"If you feel too hot, you can hold it in your hand to help drive away the high temperature."

Seeing Qin Yu’s eyes glowing, the Empress casually tossed him a pearl.

Qin Yu reached out to catch it, noticing that this pearl was not only larger than those collected along the way but also unusually contained purple flames flowing inside.

"Has Your Majesty visited the Endless Fire Domain before?"

Qin Yu sharply noticed that although this pearl was stronger than other Spirit Fire Cores, the energy inside seemed to originate from a common source.

"Seven years ago, I came once searching for the Millennium Fire Crystal for Ling’Er."

The Empress spoke flatly, as if discussing an inconsequential matter.

Upon hearing, Qin Yu’s expression turned solemn.

It seems the efforts the Empress and Empress Dowager have made for Little Ling’Er far exceed what he imagined.

It’s just that they never speak of it.