Chapter 984: The Empress

In a secluded valley, under Blue Lantern and his subordinates' protection, Xiao Nanfeng focused on absorbing the energy of the Heaven's Hand that he had swallowed.

This particular Heaven's Hand was enormous. If it had exploded within his body, he would have been unable to withstand it. Fortunately, with the combination of Liu Miaoyin's eidolon and his bronze compass, he was able to absorb it without any mishaps.

Half a day later, a boom echoed from his body like the toll of a great bell. A firestorm manifested in his surroundings, causing the earth to quake.

"The third stage of the Boundless Immortal realm—not bad," Xiao Nanfeng said, opening his eyes and murmuring to himself.

He noticed a veil of fog around the valley, clearly a concealment formation that Blue Lantern had set up.

As he stepped out of the valley, he saw that everyone was waiting for him.

Yan Zhenhuo gave him a strange look. "Have you already fully absorbed that Heaven's Hand?"

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "Sorry for the delay."

Yan Zhenhuo shook his head in amazement. "Hardly. I still can't quite believe it myself. Now I understand why Senior Liu Miaoyin values you so much. You're the first person I've ever heard of who could absorb a Heaven's Hand. Your future achievements may reach the Heavenly Emperor's heights—or even surpass them."

"Thank you for the praise." Xiao Nanfeng smiled. "What are your future plans?"

"I'd like to reclaim my body, of course, but I doubt it's possible. I can't defeat them, and I don't have a mirror fragment to reverse the soul exchange. I'll simply have to start over from scratch. My only regret is that I won't be able to contribute during the next calamity," Yan Zhenhuo replied, sighing. He suddenly glanced at Xiao Nanfeng. "Perhaps I should join you."

"Join me?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed in surprise.

"Indeed. I'd like to play a part in the battle against the heavens. After seeing the grandeur of Dazheng, the Vajra Eidolon that Ye Dafu and the others inherited, Blue Lantern's extraordinary arrays, and your alliance with Liu Miaoyin, I have a feeling that you will be a key player in the fight against the heavens. Joining you will allow me to make the greatest contribution I can," Yan Zhenhuo said earnestly.

"But you were once an Immortal Emperor! How can you bear to lower yourself like this?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

"Ha! What good is that title even worth? The Immortal Emperor of Dayan is now a fugitive. I founded Dayan not to dominate the world, but to fortify it against the calamity of the era. I think joining you would do more for this cause than working on my own—unless, of course, you look down on my current state." Yan Zhenhuo smiled wryly.

"Hardly! Your assistance would bring me great joy. I'd be honored if you were willing to join Dazheng."

"In that case, I, Yan Zhenhuo, pay my respects to His Majesty as a humble citizen of Dazheng." Yan Zhenhuo bowed.

"No, no, don't worry about this," Xiao Nanfeng quickly responded.

Yan Zhenhuo shook his head. "Etiquette must not be neglected. As someone who has once been an Immortal Emperor, I understand that everyone must know their place for an empire to function at maximum strength."

Xiao Nanfeng paused in thought. He ultimately nodded. "Very well. For now, I'll appoint you as the Colonel of the West. We'll discuss further promotions based on your future contributions."

"Official Yan Zhenhuo pays his respects to His Majesty." Yan Zhenhuo bowed again.

Xiao Nanfeng patted Yan Zhenhuo's shoulder. Though they were nominally ruler and subject, their friendship transcended that.

"Accompany me somewhere later," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Very well," Yan Zhenhuo replied, clearly curious.

"Congratulations, Official Yan." Blue Lantern smiled by his side.

Ye Dafu approached him with a grin. "Would you like to join us in cultivating the Indomitable Body?"

Yan Zhenhuo shook his head with a smile. He bowed at the cultivators gathered around him.

"Have you all managed to finish absorbing your portion of the Vajra Eidolon?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

Ye Dafu shook his head immediately. "No, no, there's too much vajra qi for us to handle all at once! We've sealed it within our bodies and are absorbing small fragments bit by bit. Our cultivation is advancing rapidly—it's even more comfortable than when we're beaten up!"

"Good. You'll be responsible for escorting Blue Lantern back to Dazheng," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"You're not coming with us, Your Majesty?"

"Yan Zhenhuo and I still have some affairs to take care of. Return first."

"Understood!" everyone replied.

As the group quietly departed, Xiao Nanfeng and Yan Zhenhuo flew off in another direction.

After some time, Yan Zhenhuo asked curiously, "Your Majesty, where are we headed?"

"You'll see soon enough."

"This is the divine empire of Danan. Are we headed to its capital?"

"Do you know much about Danan?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"How could I not? Danan borders Dayan. Its ruler, Madam Rouge, is a famed empress. She established this empire in just a few short years. Many have wondered why she chose to name it Danan—meaning South—considering that it was located in the western continent, but no one could dissuade her."

"I find it odd as well." Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

Previously, when they had downed the Yuqing dreamliquor together, Xiao Nanfeng and Madam Rouge had entered a dream where he had helped her establish Danan. There, the divine empire had been named for him—the Nan in Nanfeng—to symbolize their connection.

However, this empire had existed even before that dream. The timeline didn't seem to match up.

"Perhaps it's a coincidence," Xiao Nanfeng mused.

"Your Majesty, are we going to meet Madam Rouge directly?"

"My avatar dispatched subordinates to contact her on the way here. We should be granted a direct audience."

"Very well." Yan Zhenhuo nodded.

Both cultivators were shrouded in blue fog by the time they arrived outside Danan's capital.

Just then, several women approached. One bowed to Xiao Nanfeng. "I am a close aide of Her Majesty, and have been tasked to welcome you, Emperor Xiao. Please, follow me."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

He and Yan Zhenhuo followed the women into the imperial palace. They stopped in a peach grove.

"Emperor Xiao, Her Majesty has been in secluded cultivation, but she instructed us to notify her immediately when you arrive. She is currently preparing to emerge from seclusion and will meet you shortly. Please wait here."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

Xiao Nanfeng and Yan Zhenhuo sat at a stone table in the grove. Servants brought them Immortal tea as they waited patiently.

Four hours later, a powerful aura surged from a corner of the palace. It swept across the entire capital.

"What a strong presence. Is Empress Rouge out of seclusion?" Yan Zhenhuo asked in astonishment.

With a hum, the overwhelming aura receded.

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Moments later, the sound of footsteps could be heard in the peach grove. Xiao Nanfeng and Yan Zhenhuo looked up to see a group of female attendants escorting a woman in a pink draconic robe—none other than Madam Rouge.

Her beauty was unmatched and her bearing regal.

With a wave of her hand, she dismissed her attendants, who bowed and retreated.

As their eyes met, Xiao Nanfeng and Madam Rouge both felt a surge of complex emotions. In the dream, they had been husband and wife. But upon waking, Madam Rouge claimed to have forgotten everything, leaving Xiao Nanfeng unsure how to rekindle their bond.

Madam Rouge's heart raced at the sight of him, but she dared not show it with so many eyes watching her.

"What are you doing here?" Madam Rouge asked.

After a brief pause, Xiao Nanfeng restrained his emotions and said, "I need your help with something."

"Just for help? Is that all?" Madam Rouge asked.

"Also... I wanted to ask if you've remembered anything from the dream," Xiao Nanfeng asked, his voice tinged with hope.

Madam Rouge felt both delighted and amused. She shook her head. "Remember what? I don't know what you're talking about."

Xiao Nanfeng frowned. Did she really not remember? In that case, he didn't want to behave like a besotted fool.

"Forget it, then. Let's focus on business for now," Xiao Nanfeng said.

Madam Rouge stiffened, a wave of annoyance washing over her. What a blockhead! A few more questions, and she would have admitted it!

"What's the matter?" she asked impatiently.

She didn't want to embarrass herself either by changing the topic back. At any rate, now that Xiao Nanfeng was here, she had plenty of time to tease him about it and reveal the truth later.

"Allow me to introduce someone. This is the former Immortal Emperor of Dayan, Yan Zhenhuo," Xiao Nanfeng said, gesturing to his companion.

Yan Zhenhuo bowed to Madam Rouge. "Greetings, Empress Rouge."

"Yan Zhenhuo? How strange. Aren't you Yan Zhenshui?" Madam Rouge replied, frowning.

"He and Yan Zhenshui's truesouls were exchanged via a cursed mirror. This body isn't his. Recently..." Xiao Nanfeng recounted the events that had transpired..

"Their truesouls were swapped?" Madam Rouge frowned.

"Yes, performed with a mirror cursed effigy. Of everyone I know, you understand these cursed effigies best. I came to you to ask for help regarding this matter."

"A mirror cursed effigy..." Madam Rouge turned serious.

She had a cursed mirror of her own, one that Xiao Nanfeng had helped her recover.