Only the Empress was left, her expression a mixture of shame and vexation.
...
...
After helping the Empress deal with the matter of the Buddhist and Demon Sects, Li Changâan returned to the Library Pavilion and resumed his focused cultivation.
[Ding! Defying Fate successful!]
[At fifteen, you successfully gained the Empressâs trust. Internally, you killed two of Li Yangâs Grandmaster-Level Elders; externally, you repelled the besieging armies of the Buddhist and Demon Sects, causing massive waves across the Li Yang Continent.]
[In the same year, you were brought into the Harem by the Empress, becoming a Prince second only to her and above all others!]
[You could ride into battle with your sword and capture a womanâs heart with your words. Your power was unmatched!]
[Rebirth evaluation has increased. You have received an additional 50,000 Rebirth Points!]
Last time, by studying the cultivation techniques on the first through third floors of the Library Pavilion, Li Changâan had comprehended the Nine Heavens Chaos Technique: Body Tempering Chapter.
Now, as he studied the Cultivation Techniques Secret Manuals for the Inner Qi, Innate, Acquired, and Grandmaster realms on the floors above the third, the gains they brought Li Changâan were not as great as those from the techniques on the lower floors.
Li Changâan was not surprised by this.
After all, he had already sensed that the essence of this worldâs Martial Dao lay in the realms dedicated to tempering blood, sinews, bones, and skin. The higher realms, in contrast, were rather unremarkable.
This was actually quite illogical.
A system that could refine the foundational realms to such a degree of perfection should logically have even more exquisite and profound Cultivation Methods for the higher levels.
But for some unknown reason, the opposite was true.
The foundation was built to be exceptionally solid, yet the path upward grew increasingly mundane.
However, Li Changâanâs efforts were not entirely fruitless. The numerous cultivation techniques in the Library Pavilion served as nourishment, helping him patch up many previously undiscovered flaws in his Nine Heavens Chaos Technique.
ăOne day.ă
Li Changâan was reading in the Library Pavilion when a pigeon peeking inquisitively from outside the windowsill caught his attention.
Li Changâan put down his book, reached out, and took the letter tied to the pigeonâs leg. He opened it and glanced over the contents. The message, as always, was concise: "The investigation into the information on Cultivators has yielded results. After seeing this letter, you must return to the Champion Scholarâs Mansion."
After reading the words on the note, Li Changâanâs gaze deepened.
In the span of a few short breaths, countless thoughts raced through his mind, but in the end, he said nothing. He simply rose and left the Library Pavilion.
However, not long after he stepped out of the Library Pavilion, Li Changâan keenly sensed someone spying on him from the shadows.
Li Changâan stopped and called out, "Since youâre here, why hide in the shadows?"
The surroundings remained quiet. No one answered him.
Li Changâan shook his head. With a flash, his figure abruptly vanished from the spot.
The next second, as if he had teleported, he reappeared behind a woman in a purple robe. He chuckled and said, "The world often calls the Sect Leader of the Demon Sect a Female Demon. Seeing you today, Iâd say the world truly lacks an eye for beauty!"
The woman in the purple robe had a slender and graceful figure, and her face was even more exquisite and stunning than the Empressâs.
And compared to the noble air of a ruler that Empress Su Ying possessed, the purple-robed woman exuded more of a bewitching and demonic charm.
She was like a flower exuding a rich fragrance.
Even if she were covered in thorns and venom, one couldnât help but become deeply intoxicated by her fragrance and beauty.
The womanâs light purple eyes swept over Li Changâan. She also smiled and said lightly, "So youâre the one who ruined the Demon Sectâs plans and then brazenly demanded that I come see you?"
Li Changâan nodded.
The woman took a step forward.
It was just a single step, yet in an instant, she appeared right in front of Li Changâan.
The distance between them was less than half a meter, so close that Li Changâan could smell the faint fragrance emanating from her.
The Female Demon stared into Li Changâanâs eyes. The faint fragrance from her body vanished, replaced by an intense killing intent unique to a Martial Arts Mythology.
The aura around her seethed, making her look like a god or a demon, an utterly terrifying sight.
With her aura fully unleashed, the Female Demon said coolly, "Arenât you afraid Iâll gouge those eyes of yours out?"
Li Changâan answered calmly, "Sect Leader, since you didnât attack me right away, youâre not going to attack me now. Why bother with this unnecessary test?"
The woman snorted coldly.
Li Changâan was right.
All her posturing had really been to probe Li Changâanâs depths.
After all, this ridiculously young man before her was a mysterious figure who could easily kill a Dharma Guardian Vajra of the Demon Sect and intimidate its many Elders.
Even she had to face him with caution.
The crucial point was that she had never heard the name Li Changâan before.
This man, shrouded in strangeness and mystery, seemed to have appeared out of thin air. Until she could thoroughly investigate his background, she was unwilling to act rashly or openly offend him.
She reined in her aura slightly.
The Female Demon snorted again and said, "You seem to understand my temperament. Then you should also know that if you canât give me a satisfactory explanation today, I will not let you off easily!"
And Li Changâan had just the explanation for her.
Otherwise, he wouldnât have asked the world-renowned Female Demon to meet him at the Library Pavilion in the first place.
Li Changâan reached into his robes, unfolded the letter he had just taken from the pigeonâs leg, and asked, "I wonder if the Sect Leader is aware of the existence of Cultivators?"
Upon hearing the word âCultivator,â the Female Demon, Leng Yanran, couldnât help but take a few steps back. She asked in astonishment, "Who are you? How do you know about Cultivators?"
âSeeing her reaction, she must know about Cultivators.â
âThat makes sense. As one of the few top masters in this world, it would be truly strange if she knew nothing about the world she lived in!â
...