“Your Majesty the Queen, the Holy Land has decreed that my master asks for my return to the Sect, I hope Your Majesty will grant me leave.”
Chen Yi met the Queen of Yanzhi Nation in the palace.
In the palace hall, whether it was the State Preceptor, the Prime Minister, or the Great General, all were female cultivators, their gaze falling upon Chen Yi.
Chen Yi, the reincarnation of an Ancient Buddha, had an extraordinary aura and handsome features; these women of Yanzhi Nation rarely saw such dashing men with profound cultivation, thus Chen Yi was favored.
The Queen of Yanzhi Nation had eyebrows like green feathers, skin like mutton fat jade, her face framed by peach blossoms, and her hair adorned with golden phoenix pins, peerlessly splendid.
Upon hearing that Chen Yi wished to leave Yanzhi Nation, her willow eyebrows slightly furrowed.
Once Chen Yi left, it was uncertain if he would return.
She looked towards the State Preceptor, who then spoke: “The master once said he would help our Yanzhi Nation eradicate Great Demons that bring chaos to men, yet now still with the Great Demon unslain, why does the master speak of leaving so suddenly? Could it be that the master’s words are without weight?”
“This…”
Chen Yi hesitated.
Yanzhi Nation was tormented by a Great Demon that targeted male cultivators, draining them into desiccated husks, causing male cultivators within a million miles to pale at the thought and dare not enter the territory of Yanzhi Nation.
Yanzhi Nation was inherently dominated by yin over yang, with female cultivators in the majority and male cultivators few in number; the situation worsened after the news spread, with no male cultivators willing to come to Yanzhi Nation, making it difficult for cultivators there to find a cultivation partner.
Chen Yi, compassionate by nature, wished to help Yanzhi Nation find and eliminate this Great Demon.
However, Chen Yi clearly underestimated the demon’s strength and was always unable to find the source of the Demonic Qi.
“What I have promised, I will surely do; it’s just that I am powerless and plan to return to the Sect to ask for my master’s help. My master’s cultivation path is profound and his cultivation level immeasurable, he will certainly be able to find this Great Demon that plagues the four directions.”
Chen Yi believed that as long as his master took action, he would surely uncover the Great Demon hidden within Yanzhi Nation.
The Queen of Yanzhi Nation sighed softly: “Since you have set your mind, I cannot force you. Everyone else, leave us for now, I have words for the master alone.”
“As you command.”
All the female officials left, leaving only Chen Yi and the Queen of Yanzhi Nation alone in the spacious hall.
“Master, during these days as we discussed philosophy, admired the spring blossoms and the autumn moon, and read from the Sage’s Book, have you not been moved?”
“…”
“Am I not beautiful enough?”
“Your Majesty the Queen is stunning to the point of causing the downfall of cities and nations; even within the Three Realms, you are top-tier. However, as a practitioner, I view the secular world as empty.”
“You speak of the world as empty, yet why do you tightly close your eyes, daring not to look at me? If you were to open your eyes and see me, I refuse to believe you find the world empty.”
The Queen of Yanzhi Nation moved with grace, her silk stockings stirring up dust, approaching Chen Yi, intending to lean on him.
However, Chen Yi took a half step back.
The Queen of Yanzhi Nation was taken aback, her eyes filled with a deeper sorrow.
Was his retreating half step serious?
The Queen of Yanzhi Nation was known far and wide as a beauty and was also rated by the Primordial Sacred Land as one of the candidates likely to become a Goddess in this era.
The so-called Goddesses are favorites of the heavens; those who receive such evaluations are renowned throughout the Three Realms.
The Mount Taihua Goddess and the Taiyin Goddess both possess the power to defeat Dragon King-level Great Demons.
Countless forces have reached out with olive branches to the Queen of Yanzhi Nation, yet she turned them all away; Chen Yi, however, had rejected her.
Chen Yi knew he couldn’t escape, so he opened his eyes, falling into painful memories: “I was once the son of the Chen Family in Yun Cang Country, and from a young age was close as if family with the daughter of the Prime Minister. Those were the happiest times of my life. But alas, she died at the hands of a demon. Having known vast oceans, no other waters compare; once you’ve seen the clouds over Wushan, no other clouds matter.”
As Chen Yi thought of the past, memories of his childhood sweetheart dying before him surfaced, and his face showed pain.
Images of kin and loved ones being slain by the Divine Ape King filled his vision, the greatest demon in Chen Yi’s path of cultivation.
The Queen of Yanzhi Nation observed Chen Yi’s pained expression and realized that he was not indifferent to worldly matters, but rather, had profound feelings and long-established fixations. She couldn’t bear to coerce him any further.
“May I know her name?”
“Wen Qingqing.”
“The name is very pleasant to hear. This is a sachet crafted from Sobriety Grass, I hope the master will accept it.”
The Queen of Yanzhi Nation produced a sachet, the fragrance wafting out, which gradually calmed the pained Chen Yi.
“I’m grateful for Your Majesty’s kindness, once I return to my Sect, I will invite my master to come and eliminate the Great Demon from Yanzhi Nation.”
Chen Yi accepted the sachet to stabilize his mind.
In return, he decided to ask his master to take action and rid Yanzhi Nation of its demon.
“Good, it’s a promise.”
The Queen of Yanzhi Nation momentarily put aside youthful romantic feelings, aware that the Great Demon lurking within Yanzhi Nation would inevitably be a disaster.
If Chen Yi could bring the Holy Son of Mount Taihua to eliminate the demon, it would also be repaying her admiration for him.
Chen Yi returned to his quarters to pack his belongings, preparing to return to Mount Taihua Sacred Land.
“Master, in such a hurry to leave?”
Suddenly, a figure full of allure appeared in Chen Yi’s courtyard, with a fragrant breeze.
“What brings Master Liu here?”
Chen Yi saw it was the State Preceptor and greeted her with due respect.
Master Liu was a rank eight Divine King, her strength even above the Queen’s, with high status and significant power, and the Queen heeded her opinions on all matters.
“Master is truly handsome and learned, I’ve admired you for a long time. Today, I will not allow you to leave.”
Master Liu, not allowing Chen Yi to refuse, moved forward and whispered seductively in his ear.
“State Preceptor, please be mindful of your conduct…”
Chen Yi internally lamented; he had anticipated a romantic entanglement, but did not expect there to be two.
He attempted to push Master Liu away, but she used her Divine Skills to immobilize him.