Chapter 72

“Excellent!”

Yang Chen looked towards the distant capital city of Liyang …

A semi-Soul Transformation cultivator was far stronger than even a Peak Nascent Soul cultivator.

Especially one who had already started condensing their Soul Transformation, they were extremely close to the Soul Transformation realm.

If they forcibly killed that person, he and Yan Jiu would definitely not be able to do so without paying a price.

But now …

Hehehe.

He would wait for the good news.

Two days later, at the State Preceptor’s Mansion.

Leng Yuyan’s closed-door cultivation had not ended yet.

This was the disadvantage of Nascent Soul cultivators – one session of secluded cultivation lasted a very long time, at least half a month, which was considered short.

It had caused Yang Chen quite a difficult couple of nights.

“Holy Son, I have already contacted the major cultivator clans in the capital of Liyang! They are all willing to support Xuantian Sect! Now we only await your command!” Xu Hui reported from the side.

“Good, very good!” Yang Chen nodded in approval.

Things were proceeding as he had expected.

After all, those major cultivator clans were not fools.

If the Liyang royal family broke free from Xuantian Sect’s control, they would definitely tighten their grip on the various cultivator clans within the country.

Conversely, if the Liyang royal family declined, they could take the opportunity to encroach on some of the royal family’s interests instead.

Although in Yang Chen’s eyes they were all just riffraff, they still had their uses. At the very least, they could serve as a counterbalance against the Liyang royal family.

The most crucial aspect of controlling a force was checks and balances.

Only then could Xuantian Sect stably control Liyang Kingdom.

Meanwhile, at the Imperial Palace of Liyang, “Royal Mother, this time while imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, my realm advanced again, reaching the 8th stage of the Foundation Establishment realm!”

As soon as Li Hao was released from the Heavenly Prison, he went straight to Zhao Shirou’s palace to share his joyful news of breaking through his realm.

“Mm, Hao’er is so impressive! A worthy of being my good son!”

Zhao Shirou’s expression was gentle as she stroked Li Hao’s head affectionately, smiling warmly.

After decades of interaction, she truly saw Li Hao as her own child.

At this moment, the Liyang King, Li Zhan, clad in a dragon robe, suddenly entered Zhao Shirou’s palace.

“Royal Father!”

“You…why have you come?”

Li Hao was stunned.

For decades, his royal father had never once visited.

Why had he come to his royal mother’s palace today? Although he didn’t know the reason, Li Hao felt extremely uneasy.

His royal mother held an incomparable position in his heart. Apart from himself, he did not wish for any other man to get close to her. Even his royal father was not permitted.

The Liyang King ignored Li Hao and urgently said to Zhao Shirou: “Consort Rou, the Ancestral Master wishes to see you! Quickly come with this king!”

“Master… the Ancestral Master wishes to see me?”

Zhao Shirou was taken aback.

Her master had been in secluded cultivation for years now, preparing to break through to the Soul Transformation realm.

For her to be suddenly summoned now, what could be the reason?

Under normal circumstances, Zhao Shirou would immediately go whenever summoned by her master.

But now, she suddenly recalled the words Yang Chen had said.

***

The Liyang Palace.

Inside an ancient grand hall.

“Disciple greets master!” Zhao Shirou bowed in greeting to a tall figure with his back turned.

“Rou’er, you’ve reached the Seventh stage of Nascent Soul realm? Yes, good. Very good!”

The tall figure turned around, revealing an elderly man with white hair.

Although his build was sturdy, his complexion was slightly pale.

He waved to the ruler of Liyang and said: “Li Zhan, you may leave!”

“Yes, ancient ancestor!”

Li Zhan respectfully withdrew.

But his gaze towards Zhao Shirou flashed with a hint of ambiguity and regret.

The hall doors closed.

Zhao Shirou couldn’t help but ask: “Master, did you fail to break through to the Soul Transformation realm?”

“Correct!”

The ancient Liyang ancestor nodded, his tone somewhat melancholic.

“I was just one step away from condensing my Soul Transformation, but ultimately failed! This hurdle has not been crossed by any of Liyang’s ancestors. However, it doesn’t matter, I still have a chance! However, this chance requires your help!”

“You need my help?”

Zhao Shirou raised her delicate brows, but quickly said: “Master, please speak! If it helps you break through to Soul Transformation, disciple will not hesitate even if it costs my life!”

“No need for such extremes!”

The ancient Liyang ancestor stared at her intently.

“Rou’er, I’m very pleased with your filial devotion! Since you’re willing, then I’ll be direct! The reason I failed to condense my Soul Transformation is because my cultivation path is too Yang-focused! The path of cultivation emphasizes the balance of Yin and Yang, which is the way of the Grand Dao! So, I want to borrow the Profound Yin Qi essence from your body to neutralize the extreme Yang in mine!”

“Borrow the Profound Yin Qi essence from my body?” Zhao Shirou frowned.

She remembered Yang Chen’s words again. She couldn’t help but clench her jade hands. But looking at her solemn master, she found it hard to think along those lines.

So she asked: “Master, do you need me to transfer the Profound Yin Qi essence from my body to you?”

“Correct!”

The ancient Liyang ancestor walked slowly towards Zhao Shirou.

A smile appeared on his face.

“Rou’er, transferring the Profound Yin Qi essence requires sexual intercourse between a man and a woman! So, I may have to trouble you a bit!”

“Sexual intercourse!?”

Zhao Shirou couldn’t help but step back twice.

Her heart became flustered.

Could it really be as Yang Chen said?

Her master wants her to…?

“Master, I’m afraid I cannot accept this!” Zhao Shirou said solemnly.

“You don’t accept?” The ancient Liyang ancestor raised his brows, his tone displeased.

“Master, you may not be able to break through to Soul Transformation now, but you can wait some more time! I’m willing to help you find a Yin object to neutralize your extreme Yang! But I cannot accept the method you proposed!” Zhao Shirou hurriedly said.

The ancient ancestor’s expression gradually darkened.

“Rou’er, your refusal has angered me! However, it doesn’t matter if you don’t accept! After all, you don’t have a choice!”

The ancient Liyang ancestor directly reached out and grabbed Zhao Shirou’s neck from a distance.

“Master, you…!” Zhao Shirou was stunned.

“Hmph, I’ve nurtured you for hundreds of years, just for this day, and you say you refuse? Rou’er, obediently fulfill my dream of becoming a Soul Transformation!”

The ancient Liyang ancestor’s gaze swept over Zhao Shirou’s exquisite, alluring figure and her enchanting, beautiful face, gradually becoming somewhat lustful.