Hearing Ye Xuan’s words, Princess Xin smiled faintly. “Thank you for the advice, Young Master Ye.”
Ye Xuan nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
After Ye Xuan left, the smile on Princess Xin’s face gradually faded, replaced by a trace of solemnity.
The Astrologer said gravely, “Your Highness, that little tower…”
Princess Xin said softly, “It surpasses the level of knowledge our Ancient Empire currently possesses.”
The Astrologer’s expression changed drastically.
Princess Xin suddenly called, “Someone!”
The woman who had brought the chairs earlier stepped forward. “Your Highness.”
Princess Xin said, “Issue my order: cease the pursuit of the person who came with Young Master Ye.”
The woman nodded slightly and retreated.
The Astrologer said gravely, “Your Highness, this person is an extremely unstable factor.”
Princess Xin smiled. “Indeed, an unstable factor. Precisely because of this, we must treat him with caution.”
She looked into the distance and said softly, “Did you see his confidence?”
The Astrologer nodded. “He seems to have no fear of our Ancient Empire.”
Princess Xin laughed. “No fear? That little tower is so precious that even all the divine artifacts of our Ancient Empire combined can’t compare to a fraction of it. Yet he showed it to me without any worry that I might seize it.”
The Astrologer fell silent.
Princess Xin continued, “For years, our Ancient Empire has been invincible. Many have grown arrogant.”
The Astrologer glanced at Princess Xin, understanding that she was referring to the Right Chancellor.
Princess Xin suddenly said, “I heard Young Master Ye beat up the Left Chancellor’s son earlier.”
The Astrologer nodded. “Yes.”
Princess Xin said, “Could you, State Advisor, make a trip for me?”
The Astrologer looked at Princess Xin, who smiled faintly. “Beat that eldest son again, and this time, make sure he’s dead.”
The Astrologer hesitated, then asked, “Not giving the Left Chancellor any face?”
Princess Xin looked at her. “Do you think I’m bullying the Left Chancellor? No, I’m saving him and his family.”
The Astrologer was stunned, then nodded. “I understand.”
She stood and left.
Princess Yue was about to leave when Princess Xin suddenly called, “Yue, little sister.”
Princess Yue quickly responded, “Your Highness.”
Princess Xin smiled. “By seniority, you should call me sister.”
Princess Yue was stunned.
Princess Xin laughed. “From now on, just call me sister. We share the same bloodline.”
Princess Yue hesitated, then said, “Sister…”
This single word could elevate her status in the Ancient Empire immensely.
Princess Xin smiled. “You made a bet with Young Master Ye, didn’t you?”
Princess Yue gave a wry smile. “Yes.”
Princess Xin walked to her side and smiled. “Follow him. Do whatever he asks. This is your opportunity. Whether you seize it depends on your fortune.”
With that, she turned and left.
Princess Yue stood in silence.
How could she not realize now that Young Master Ye was an extraordinary figure?
In the entire Ancient Empire, few could earn such regard from Princess Xin.
…
After leaving the palace, the Astrologer went straight to the Left Chancellor’s mansion.
With the State Advisor’s personal visit, the Left Chancellor dared not be negligent and greeted her himself.
Unlike the Right Chancellor, the Left Chancellor was an elderly man. He hurried to the Astrologer and smiled. “Lady State Advisor.”
The Astrologer said calmly, “Is your son here?”
The Left Chancellor was slightly stunned, then said, “He is. Does the State Advisor have business with him?”
The Astrologer nodded. “Have him come see me.”
The Left Chancellor hesitated, then said, “Bring the eldest young master.”
An elder retreated.
Soon, the eldest son approached. His body was restored, but his face was dark with resentment.
He bowed slightly to the Astrologer. “State Advisor, are you here to seek justice for me?”
He grew agitated. “That hostage dared to bully me repeatedly. He doesn’t take our Ancient Empire seriously. He—”
The Astrologer suddenly waved her sleeve, and a burst of starlight surged out.
Boom!
Before the eldest son could finish, he was reduced to nothingness.
Everyone in the room froze.
Several powerful auras locked onto the Astrologer.
The Left Chancellor stared at her. “State Advisor!”
The Astrologer said calmly, “This is Her Highness’s order.”
The Left Chancellor was stunned.
The Astrologer glanced at him. “Left Chancellor, have another son.”
With that, she turned and left.
The Left Chancellor suddenly asked, “Was it because of that hostage?”
The Astrologer nodded slightly. “He met Her Highness today. Left Chancellor, losing one son to save your entire clan—you’ve come out ahead.”
She vanished into the distance.
The Left Chancellor’s face was grim. After a long while, he sighed heavily and turned to leave.
Revenge?
Impossible.
The mere thought could wipe his family from existence.
This was Princess Xin, the future ruler of the empire—arguably the current one, as the emperor had been in seclusion for a long time, leaving most affairs to her.
Though he was the Left Chancellor, he was merely a subject before Princess Xin.
Seeking revenge against that sword cultivator hostage?
Out of the question.
Someone Princess Xin valued so highly was beyond his family’s reach.
If the Left Chancellor’s clan wanted to survive, they had to swallow this loss.
…
After leaving the palace, Ye Xuan intended to enter the starry sky but was stopped.
The Ancient Empire’s airspace was off-limits to everyone.
This was a first for Ye Xuan.
Of course, he didn’t cause trouble. Instead, he found an inn in the city to rest and entered Little Tower.
The Taichu Book!
As Little Tower had said, it was a technique for cultivating the power of faith.
It could strengthen faith power.
Ye Xuan sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began practicing the Taichu Heart Technique. Soon, countless strands of Mortal Sword Intent surged from his body, flowing out and returning in a cycle.
Purification!
A key function of the Taichu Heart Technique was to filter impure faith power, making it purer.
With too much faith power, some of it was impure. The Taichu Heart Technique’s role was to remove that impurity.
Faith power was his sword intent, and this technique significantly enhanced its strength.
Ye Xuan fervently practiced the Taichu Heart Technique. As it operated, his sword intent underwent a dramatic transformation.
The technique acted like a net, sifting gold from sand, filtering out impure faith power and strengthening the rest.
For most, this technique was of little use, but for those cultivating faith power, its value was immense.
Inside Little Tower, Ye Xuan devoted himself to practicing the Taichu Heart Technique.
It had three levels: the first, where faith power was white; the second, golden; and the third, colorless.
At the third level, faith power would undergo another qualitative transformation.
Time passed slowly, and gradually, Ye Xuan’s sword intent reached the first level, turning white. Its power was at least five times stronger than before.
Ye Xuan didn’t stop, continuing his cultivation.
Inside Little Tower, time was no concern.
…
In the palace, Princess Xin, handling state affairs, suddenly paused and looked ahead, where a black-robed figure appeared.
The figure knelt on one knee. “Your Highness.”
Princess Xin nodded slightly. “Speak.”
The black-robed figure said gravely, “He comes from the Guanxuan Universe, the dean of the Guanxuan Academy, and also the leader of the Dao Sect there. Not long ago, he visited the Heavenly Realm, where he established an academy that has become its strongest force. Several ancient gods there have submitted to him. After arriving in the Ancient Universe, he and that mysterious powerhouse went to the Dao Sect, inquired about past events from Heavenly Dao, and then the mysterious powerhouse left, while Young Master Ye came to our Ancient Empire.”
Princess Xin set down her pen, silent for a moment, then asked, “Guanxuan Universe, Guanxuan Academy?”
The figure nodded. “Their academy’s model… it’s a legal order. Under Guanxuan Academy’s rule, everyone must abide by the law.”
He presented a scroll respectfully to Princess Xin. “Your Highness, see for yourself.”
Princess Xin opened the scroll, read for a moment, and said softly, “Interesting. He’s challenging the ancient order of the entire universe. What’s more intriguing is that he aims to establish a new order, completely different from the one created by the Master of the Great Dao Pen. Yet, the Master not only didn’t oppose him but gave him the Dao Seal… That’s unusual.”
She placed the scroll on the desk and said, “You may leave.”
The black-robed figure bowed respectfully and vanished silently.
Princess Xin walked to the lake, watching the fish swim, and said softly, “Mortal Sword Master… a new order… He’s aiming to change the entire universe.”
At that moment, an old woman approached and bowed slightly. “Your Highness, the envoy from the New Moon Sect has arrived.”
New Moon Sect!
Princess Xin nodded. “It seems there’s progress.”
She turned and left.
…
Inside Little Tower, Ye Xuan’s sword intent was gradually losing its color, just a step away from the third level.
At this moment, the aura emanating from his sword intent was strong enough to shake the mysterious space within Little Tower…
