Chapter 12: Everything Looks Green Now

The woman’s cold gaze overlooked the scenery below, her thoughts drifting far away.

“Chen… no, something’s wrong!”

“It seems I need to make a trip.”

As she murmured softly, a figure suddenly appeared before her, blocking her path.

“Saintess, you…”

Before the person could finish, the space before them was already empty.

Looking around, there wasn’t a single footprint in the snow.

“Stepping on snow without a trace, shrinking a thousand miles into a step!”

The guardian, ever by her side, had his pupils contract in shock.

“In just a few months, the Saintess’s strength has reached such heights?”

…

In the midst of a vast mountain range spanning a hundred thousand miles, ancient trees towered into the sky.

Hidden deep within this primal jungle, a forest kingdom slowly emerged.

In the depths of the palace, a graceful figure sat alone, her regal and majestic presence unmatched in the world.

Golden hair like ripened wheat, adorned with a gem at her forehead.

Her features were exquisitely beautiful, with pointed ears and fair skin exuding an exotic charm.

Her appearance was almost inhuman.

Her figure was breathtakingly curvaceous, and even loose garments clung to her like a second skin, accentuating her graceful form.

At this moment, the queen, revered above all, had her eyes half-open, filled with doubt.

“I just returned not long ago, so why do I want to see him again?”

“This strange feeling… something’s off!”

…

In the boundless southern desert, a paradise for rogue and demonic cultivators.

It was said to be a place of chaos and disorder, where anyone passing through had to tread carefully.

But that was in the past.

Now, the desert south was a picture of harmony and order, with the words “warm hospitality” practically radiating from every villain’s face.

Because… they were afraid.

“What’s up with Big Sis today?”

“Maybe it’s that time of the month for women?”

Boom!

As soon as the words were spoken, a sonic explosion ripped through the air, startling all the villains into trembling and prostrating themselves on the ground.

High above, a bewitching and cold figure approached.

Her fair, bare feet, adorned with tinkling anklets, sent waves of overwhelming power sweeping below with each step.

The establisher of order in the desert south, the Calamity Enchantress!

Today, this woman, capable of effortlessly ensnaring any man’s mind, was biting her finger, visibly displeased.

“Damn it, why am I in such a bad mood?”

“It feels like something’s about to be stolen from me…”

“Could it be… that guy?!”

***

At the Pavilion of Forgetting Emotions.

A pair of eyes, seemingly devoid of emotion, opened once more. Wangqing Ge stared fixedly at the distant… Great Qin.

“The Supreme Path of Forgetting Emotions, yet it was cultivated for one person alone.”

“This path has always been flawed!”

“It’s time to see him.”

With that thought, Wangqing Ge didn’t even check the changes at Wangchen Peak, heading straight for Great Qin’s imperial city.

After all, she was different from those “other women.”

Her bond with him was unique.

No petty tricks could fool her!

“Achoo!”

At that moment, who knows how many people across the world sneezed.

Outside the Qinghua Pool.

After bathing, Su Chen rubbed his nose and began assessing his condition.

“Senior Sister, what realm am I in now?”

“The peak of Body Tempering.”

“Not particularly strong, just barely touching the threshold of cultivation.”

“But your cultivation speed is unprecedented. In your realm, you’re likely unmatched, right?”

Ying Qingge glanced around nervously, speaking casually.

She wasn’t deliberately downplaying his achievement; her junior brother wasn’t one to aim too high.

“Besides, the best way to understand your strength is through combat.”

“Want to have a go?”

“Sure.”

Su Chen nodded, not refusing.

As Ying Qingge said, mere realm knowledge wasn’t enough to gauge his true strength.

But he did notice the changes in himself.

From perception to physique, everything had transformed in unprecedented ways.

“In that case…”

Ying Qingge nodded, snapping her fingers.

A petite figure appeared before them, her speed impossible to track.

“This is my Shadow Guard, Chi Tong.”

Ying Qingge introduced briefly:

“Every emperor has a Shadow Guard protecting them in secret, always by their side, unknown to others.”

“Shadow Guards exist independently, answering only to the emperor.”

She casually revealed this closely guarded secret to Su Chen.

Su Chen, however, had no idea what this meant.

Ying Qingge was laying her trump card bare before him, essentially entrusting her safety to him.

Before them stood Chi Tong, who looked only fourteen or fifteen, with a tuft of hair sticking up like a little antenna.

Being petite and adorable, she was practically a loli—especially compared to Ying Qingge, it was a devastating contrast.

Poor loli, constantly enduring the mental torment of an imperial older sister.

Su Chen couldn’t help but show a trace of pity in his eyes.

This made the perceptive Chi Tong frown.

Why did she feel insulted?

At that moment.

“I’ll have Chi Tong suppress her strength to the peak of Body Tempering.

You two can spar, and you’ll get a sense of your abilities.”

As she spoke, Ying Qingge added a reminder,

“Remember, stop at the first touch.”

Though her junior brother was prodigiously talented, it was his first fight, so caution was needed.

At this moment.

Chi Tong crossed her arms (note: there was barely anything to cross), trying hard to project a lofty, cold demeanor.

Unfortunately, after a moment of struggle, she gave up, settling for looking up at the young man not much older than her.

As the Shadow Guard always by the Empress’s side, she knew exactly who this person was.

The nation-destroying vixen who single-handedly disrupted the entire court!

He was indeed very good-looking.

No wonder he’d won Her Majesty’s favor.

But she would never be swayed by beauty!

Just then.

Su Chen gave Chi Tong a gentle smile and bowed.

“Miss Chi Tong, I’ll be relying on your guidance later.”

“Oh… of… of course, no…”

Seeing Su Chen’s courteous demeanor, Chi Tong’s cheeks flushed, and she stammered, about to nod.

Close call!

I almost fell for it!

How does he use mental attacks?

Chi Tong wrinkled her nose, shaking her head to refocus.

“Peak of Body Tempering? With only that strength, how can you stay by Her Majesty’s side?”

She clearly dismissed Su Chen’s abilities.

Too weak!

Even with her strength suppressed, how many moves could he withstand with just his combat instincts?

Soon after.

Under Ying Qingge’s supervision, Su Chen’s first battle was about to begin—against a loli.

Out of courtesy, Su Chen flashed another harmless smile, while Chi Tong, her face burning, turned away and declared sternly,

“Young Master Su, please behave!”

“???”