Chapter 542 - 496: Following the Heart

Chapter 542: Chapter 496: Following the Heart

The unease that once clouded the hearts of the cultivators of Great Yan dissipated entirely with the appearance of the Empress, replaced by a strong sense of security.

More than a decade ago, when the cultivators of Great Chu repeatedly encroached on the borders of Great Yan, it was the Empress who personally intervened to reverse the situation.

In the distant sky, the eyes of Emperor Chu narrowed, his deep gaze revealing a hint of inevitable gravity.

"Empress."

Emperor Chu slightly furrowed his brows and slowly lowered his hand, as the hand that hovered over Falling Stone Peak gradually faded away.

Looking at that majestic figure shrouded in the glow of the clouds, he, as the Emperor of a nation, unexpectedly felt a strong sense of crisis surging from deep within his heart.

The Empress of Great Yan seemed even stronger than she was seven years ago!

What is happening?

Wasn’t it because the Empress leveraged the Royal Secret Technique of Great Yan that her cultivation improved rapidly in such a short time?

From what he knew about the Great Yan Immortal Country, although this secret technique was formidable, its backlash was extremely terrifying.

Two of the past Emperors of the Great Yan Immortal Country had succumbed to this secret technique, ultimately falling to the backlash, unable to survive the ordeal, their consciousness erased.

But why did the Empress of Great Yan show no signs of any backlash?

"What is that?"

Suddenly, Emperor Chu’s eyes sharpened, his gaze falling behind the Empress.

To everyone else, the Empress was dazzling and indistinguishable in the glow of the clouds, but Emperor Chu, not only mighty in power but also having mastered a pupil technique that could see through illusions, spotted a handsome young man standing scarcely a zhang away behind the Empress.

Who is this person?

Why is he so close to the Empress of Great Yan?

Emperor Chu was dumbfounded.

It shouldn’t be!

Back then, his impudent son, just because he cast a few admiring glances, was pursued by the Empress of Great Yan to the Imperial Capital and beaten in his presence.

Of course, the two had a sparring match.

Recalling that battle, Emperor Chu still felt somewhat apprehensive.

Yet that fellow stood there nonchalantly, as if nothing happened?

Could it be that the Empress of Great Yan has found a man?

Emperor Chu almost wanted to immediately grab a communication stone to share this news with the other emperors!

"Is Emperor Chu mobilizing such a grand force to provoke a war between the two nations?"

Noting the flicker in Emperor Chu’s eyes, a gleam of coldness rose in the Empress’s eyes.

"What does Emperor Yan mean?"

Emperor Chu, taken aback, shouted.

Other men standing reverently behind you are fine, but just because I glanced over, we’ve jumped to the topic of war between the Immortal Countries?

Do you have to be so biased?!

"Earlier, you attacked my Flame Guard."

The Empress’s hand slowly clenched.

Indeed, it had been too long; this scoundrel dared to attack the Flame Guard.

The Great Yan Immortal Country, resplendent imperial might, who in the world does not know the Flame Guard represents the personal presence of the Emperor Yan?

With the Flame Guard stationed, innumerable cultivators of Great Chu dared not overstep the boundary, yet as soon as Emperor Chu arrived, he dared make a move against the Flame Guard!

Perhaps, the action from seven years ago was too lenient.

Emperor Chu’s brows furrowed deeply, for some reason, the sense of unease in his heart grew stronger.

His instincts kept reminding him to immediately leave this place!

However, as the Lord of the Immortal Country, his dignity and pride wouldn’t allow him to retreat just like that.

To show weakness to the Empress would mean the complete overturn of the situation in this border region in the future!

This was absolutely not what Emperor Chu wished to see.

"Does Emperor Yan mean, that my son died in vain?"

Emperor Chu snorted coldly.

Fearing as he was, he couldn’t afford to appear weak in his tone.

How about it?

Could it be that the Empress of Great Yan, like last time, would directly cross the border and make a move against him?

"Emperor Chu, we need to talk."

As soon as the words fell, the Empress took a step forward, suddenly appearing barely a dozen zhang in front of Emperor Chu.

"Swoosh!"

At this sight, countless cultivators of Great Chu suddenly tensed, unable to understand why, they desperately wanted to mobilize the spiritual qi in their bodies, only to be stunned to find that no matter how they urged, their internal spiritual qi did not respond at all.

In front of the Empress, they were like mere mortals, not even possessing the qualification to make a move against her!

"Is this... Origin?!"

"Empress, have you advanced further?"

The pupils of Emperor Chu constricted, he truly did not expect the Empress of Great Yan to approach directly.

Moreover, the mysterious fluctuations surging around the Empress made his scalp tingle.

This was already infinitely close to the fluctuations of the "Origin"!

Only upon comprehending the Origin could one transcend the Foundation Establishment Realm, but even if one stepped that half-step forward, if forcefully utilizing the Origin, it would come at a great cost.

This is also why a Half-Step Venerable wouldn’t easily wield the Origin.

Yet the Empress at this moment began using the Origin from the get-go, how could she not astonish Emperor Chu?

Was she fighting for her life?

It didn’t quite seem like it.

Nor should it be, if it reached that extent, it could result in mutual destruction, a scenario neither emperor wished to see.

Like the previous battle at the Great Chu Imperial Capital, the two hadn’t actually employed the Origin.

Hence, with the current situation, there could only be one possibility... The Empress of Great Yan had reached a level where she could bear the cost of wielding the Origin!

How could this be possible?

Could the rumors all be false?

"Origin?"

Below, countless cultivators were utterly confused.

Even cultivators at the Hall Master level of Foundation Establishment Realm knew very little about "Origin," let alone average individuals who hadn’t even heard of it.

However, from the abrupt change in Emperor Chu’s attitude, it wasn’t hard to discern that the Empress might be more terrifying than before.

"Buzz..."

The Empress didn’t answer. She slowly raised her palm, just like Emperor Chu had done before, aiming distantly at him. A ripple, more profound than the Dao Rhyme, quietly spread forth.

Even just a tiny wisp of the Power of Origin filled the entire space with sharpness, as if even the space couldn’t endure it, rippling with visible waves.

"It really is the Origin!"

Emperor Chu was shocked to his core. Last time he battled with the Empress, he was very familiar with her gold and thunder attribute Dao Rhyme power.

It’s only a child, not worth risking his life for.

"Hold!"

Amongst the shocked gazes, Emperor Chu’s expression turned solemn as he suddenly spoke.

"I suddenly remembered, Chu Mufeng, that rebellious child, stole my royal treasure. I came here intending to capture him, but since the Flame Guard executed him..."

Under astounded gazes, Emperor Chu’s voice gradually turned calm, completely void of previous arrogance and domineering demeanor.

Not far away, several Guest Ministers under Chu Mufeng’s seat met with puzzled glances upon hearing this.

Although the Seventh Prince wasn’t one of the Emperor Chu’s most regarded heirs, he definitely hadn’t committed any theft of royal treasures.

What is Emperor Chu’s intention?

Planning to not pursue this matter?

Emperor Chu seemed to sense the thoughts of some cultivators below, coldly swept his gaze over them.

You all best keep quiet!

The Great Yan Empress is acting madly!

And it’s the dominant gold and thunder dual attributes!

If any of you are dissatisfied, you should step forward yourselves.

Looking at Emperor Chu, whose demeanor seemed calm, even carrying a hint of friendly smile, the Empress’ arm halted mid-air.

No one probably expected the arrival of two emperors, yet before actions started, Emperor Chu had deliberately sought a way out.

"Great Chu cultivators, withdraw immediately. In the future, unless necessary, no one is allowed to cross the border without permission, else I won’t spare them!"

With the Empress not continuing to make a move, Emperor Chu finally let out a sigh of relief, bellowing as his voice echoed through the heavens.

"Yes!"

Countless Great Chu cultivators were full of confused questions, yet none dared to defy Emperor Chu’s orders.

Next, numerous Great Chu cultivators, initially imposing, retreated like locusts crossing the land.

"What, they’re retreating just like that?"

Wang Liweng looked bewildered.

Upon seeing Emperor Chu’s aggressive approach, he had thought today’s battle was inevitable.

Yet unexpectedly, before the Empress had even struck seriously, Emperor Chu had voluntarily lowered his stance.

Absolutely unbelievable!

Isn’t this overly timid?

Qin Yu was equally confused; he had little understanding of Origin and couldn’t conceivably discern the difference in power between Emperor Chu and the Empress.

However, he still held confidence in the Empress.

This scene was truly unexpected.

And this Emperor Chu, so easy to talk to?

"Emperor Chu, have a match with me."

Just as Emperor Chu was pondering an exit excuse, the voice of the Great Yan Empress suddenly entered his ears.

"Hmm?"

Emperor Chu was taken aback, did he see wrong? The Empress didn’t speak; she deliberately transmitted sound?

What does this mean?

"If you refuse, I wouldn’t mind visiting the Great Chu Imperial Capital again."

Just as Emperor Chu instinctively wanted to refuse, the Empress’ voice again echoed in his ears.

"Emperor Yan, don’t bully me too much!"

Emperor Chu’s body trembled.

What sense does this make?

He’s not foolish; why would he use Origin over such a trivial matter to wage a life-and-death struggle against the Great Yan Empress?

It’s not worth it.

He even felt, among the nine Emperors, perhaps only Emperor Qin could suppress this Great Yan Empress.

"Boom!"

Emperor Chu’s voice barely faded before, seemingly in rage, he raised his hand for a strike.

"Despicable!"

Seeing Emperor Chu calling for retreat one moment and launching a sneak attack the next, Yan Ruo’s expression slightly shifted.

Wang Liweng and other cultivators were even tenser, their eyes filled with worry.

Qin Yu initially wanted to remind, but recalling the Empress’ unfathomable power, he ultimately held back.

"Roar!"

The terrifying Dao Rhyme power quickly coalesced, transforming in an instant into a massive earth dragon of several hundred meters, roaring out with such intimidating force that even the sky trembled.

"Bang!"

In a blink, the Empress’ figure was blasted back several steps before stabilizing.

"Your Majesty!"

Yan Ruo’s pupils contracted, eyes overflowing with thick worry.

If not for the Empress not issuing an order, she’d wish to immediately step in to help block, even if unsuccessful, just fighting for a breath’s worth of time for the Empress would be good.

Qin Yu frowned, full of doubts.

Originally he thought Emperor Chu was someone who understood retreat, yet he hadn’t anticipated a sneak attack.

"???"

Emperor Chu initially planned to escape but now stopped.

What’s going on?

Could it be, the Great Yan Empress is merely feigning strength?

He curled a cold smile at his lip’s corner.

Seems like these rumors are not baseless!