Celestial Longevity Mountain.

Lu Xiangqing and others were surrounding Lu Lin'er, heading towards the Grand Ancestor's Mausoleum, constantly observing the surrounding environment.

Information from the Embroidered Uniform Guard was continuously gathered from the surroundings.

"Reporting to the Empress, the northern slope of Celestial Longevity Mountain is being searched, no anomalies found so far!"

"Reporting to the Empress, Saintess Peak on Celestial Longevity Mountain is being searched, suspected Spirit Grass found, already dispatched personnel to guard it!"

"Reporting to the Empress, a Taoist was blocked at the foot of South Mountain and has left."

"Reporting to the Empress, Cultivator Zhao Suling from the Martial Arts Department is rushing over..."

The group slowly ascended the mountain, Lu Xiangqing looked around and said, "Celestial Longevity Mountain, it's been years since I last came."

"Unexpectedly, it has changed to such a state now..."

Lu Lin'er nodded and said, "Indeed, Lord Lu, I recall we used to come here every year to honor our ancestors. It's been several years since we last came, I wonder what's happening on the mountain."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I have already sent people to investigate. The changes on Celestial Longevity Mountain pertain to the Great Yu ancestors. We cannot afford any unexpected events."

Lu Lin'er worriedly said, "But... Your Majesty has declared this place a restricted area, isn't our intrusion..."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty."

Lu Xiangqing said, "Your Majesty is magnanimous, and besides, we are here for the stability of Great Yu and its ancestors. I believe Your Majesty would not blame us."

"Moreover, if we can ascertain the reason for Celestial Longevity Mountain's changes and find Spiritual Objects, that would be a great achievement."

"Not only would Your Majesty not blame us, but would be delighted and offer rewards."

"Really?"

Lu Lin'er's eyes brightened slightly. She was doing this to gain Zheng Yi's favor.

She, as Empress, is not ignorant and can be a worthy partner indeed.

Since Your Majesty wants to cultivate immortality, let him do so peacefully. She can manage the affairs of the harem.

She will absolutely handle it well on behalf of Your Majesty!

Soon, as Lu Lin'er's group reached halfway up the mountain, two servant-like figures rushed down.

"My lord... Empress!"

"Lu Xing?"

Lu Xiangqing said, "That's the servant I sent out, seems there's a discovery."

The servant hurried over, knelt down in panic, and said, "My lord!"

"What have you discovered, why are you panicking like this, what's the matter?"

"My lord, it's bad! A group stopped us at the mountain checkpoint, they said no one could ascend the mountain without orders from Your Majesty!"

"Hmm?"

Lu Xiangqing frowned and said, "Did you mention Empress and all the officials are here?"

"I did, but they said they only recognize orders or tokens from Your Majesty, this..."

"Follow me to check it out!"

The group quickly moved forward and soon arrived at a checkpoint.

True to form, it was situated on a mid-mountain cliff, a necessary pass guarded by dozens of the Imperial Guard.

"We pay respects to the Empress and the esteemed ministers!"

Upon seeing Lu Lin'er and others approaching, the guards guarding the checkpoint had to come out to salute.

"Hmm."

Lu Lin'er raised her chin and said, "Celestial Longevity Mountain has changed, I need to lead the Cabinet Ministers up the mountain to inspect. Let us through!"

The leading Captain of the Imperial Guard gritted his teeth and said, "I beg Your Majesty's pardon."

"Your Majesty had previously issued strict orders that no one should ascend the mountain without orders from Your Majesty, I beseech Your Majesty's understanding."

"Oh? Even I am not allowed?"

"Yes..."

"How dare you!"

Lu Xiangqing frowned and said, "This is an urgent matter. Your Majesty is currently in retreat and cannot personally come or issue orders."

"With Celestial Longevity Mountain experiencing anomalies, this place is where the mausoleums of Great Yu ancestors lie. It concerns the nation and its heritage, you should clear the way!"

The Captain's face changed dramatically, instinctively taking a step back, but then he thought of something and reluctantly stood firm:

"Please forgive me, Lord Lu, we are merely carrying out orders."

"Without orders or tokens from Your Majesty, no one is to ascend the mountain!"

"You..."

"Lord Lu..."

Suddenly, Lu Lin'er stopped Lu Xiangqing and took out a jade-like token from her waist, saying, "I wonder if my token is valid?"

"This..."

The Captain hesitated for a moment, secretly breathing a sigh of relief, said, "The token of the Empress is indeed valid, please proceed up the mountain."

"Hm!"

Lu Xiangqing snorted coldly, ready to lead the group up the mountain.

"Halt...!"

Suddenly, a cold voice echoed from afar.

Everyone instinctively looked up and saw two people standing on a large, protruding rock on the mountain.

One of them was very familiar to everyone, Chen Liancang, an old eunuch from the palace.

Rumor had it that he controlled the most powerful Death Warriors organization of the Great Yu Imperial Family, the Shadow Guard.

He was deeply trusted by Your Majesty.

As for the other one... surprisingly, it was a cold and graceful woman in a Profound Robe, her clothes fluttering in the wind.

"Chen Liancang!"

Lu Xiangqing frowned and said, "What are you doing?"

"We've come today with the Empress to find out what kind of anomaly has occurred at Celestial Longevity Mountain. Why do you stop us?"

Chen Liancang said calmly, "This place is a forbidden area personally declared by Your Majesty, and no one is allowed to approach it!" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"Even the Empress and other lords cannot enter!"

"Hmm?"

Lu Xiangqing frowned and said, "Your Majesty is currently in seclusion and cannot appear. We are doing this for the sake of the country, and had no choice but to resort to this strategy..."

"Since Your Majesty is in seclusion, then wait for Your Majesty to come out!"

Chen Liancang showed no consideration and said, "I ask the Empress and the lords to return to the capital; this is not a place you should come to."

"How dare you!"

Seeing her grandfather being rebuffed, Lu Lin'er immediately said, "You are just a servant of the Royal Family, how dare you defy my orders?"

"Move aside quickly, or don't blame me..."

Chen Liancang replied coldly, "This old servant only listens to Your Majesty, and asks for the Empress's forgiveness."

"Without an order from Your Majesty, no one is allowed to ascend the mountain, or don't blame this old servant for taking action."

"Take action?"

Lu Lin'er, angered, laughed and said, "I would like to see how you, a mere servant, dare to take action against me!"

Saying this, Lu Lin'er walked forward slowly, and the numerous Imperial Guards blocking the checkpoint did not dare to stop her but could only retreat continuously.

Seeing this, Lu Xiangqing and others quickly followed, leaving only Wang Anshi, Yuan Qichang, and others behind, looking at each other in dismay.

"Empress, you..."

"Clang...!"

Suddenly, a deafening dragon roar exploded in mid-air, and a gray-white sword light appeared high in the sky.

Xuan Jizi's expression was cold as she formed a hand gesture and pointed down the mountain.

In that instant, an aura of cold air surrounded, and the Flying Sword immediately slashed down at them!

Beside her, Chen Liancang was startled and shouted hurriedly, "Senior, please halt!"

"Swish...!"

In an instant, a gray-yellow light surged from his body, turning into a large banner, which expanded vastly in the wind and transformed into a giant dragon that entangled the Flying Sword.

Even so, the Flying Sword's speed was not slow, while the banner could only muster all its strength to pull it to the side.

With a "boom," the Flying Sword wrapped in the banner slammed hard against the nearby mountain wall, exploding a massive pit, scattering innumerable stones and dust across, encompassing several ministers, eunuchs, and Imperial Guards.

"Ah...my face!"

"It hurts! It hurts!"

"An Immortal! It's an Immortal!"

"Protect the Empress!"

"Quick, quick retreat...!"

The entire team immediately fell into chaos, as many Imperial Guards hurriedly shielded the Empress and several Cabinet Ministers, looking up in panic at the woman on the boulder.

Many among them were hit by the flying stones, covered in injuries, filled with shock.

Even the Empress Lu Lin'er, clutching her face, collapsed on the ground, quickly supported by two maids.

Contrarily, Wang Anshi and others behind them had not moved and were unharmed.

An Immortal!

Indeed, it is an Immortal!

This world, surely has Immortals!

The cultivation practiced by Your Majesty, could it be real...?!

Previously, they thought Your Majesty's Immortal Cultivation was merely a jest.

Never anticipated that this suddenly appearing woman...

"Humph!"

Xuan Jizi snorted coldly again, flicking her finger, the Flying Sword swiftly flew out, drawing a circle in the air, and steadily stopping before her.

She discontentedly glanced at Chen Liancang, then at the gray-yellow banner summoned by him, brows furrowed in doubt, "Netherworld Soul Summoning Banner?"

Only then did Chen Liancang say, trembling, "Senior, you have sharp eyes indeed..."

"Senior! This place is Great Yu Imperial City, and all these lords are the backbone of the Great Yu Court, not ordinary mortals, please reconsider..."

Xuan Jizi sneered, "The backbone of the Great Yu Court? Just mortals, dared to defy orders from us cultivators?"

"Disobedience? Kill a batch and replace with another, wouldn't that work?"

Chen Liancang sighed, "Senior, if you truly kill these ministers, surely Your Majesty will be displeased..."

"That little brat... humph!"

Xuan Jizi's beautiful eyes changed, gritted her teeth, "Ten years, this true person will endure another ten years!"

Then, step forth, stood atop the boulder, looking down, "This true person is currently in a foul mood!"

"Since that Little Emperor said this is a forbidden area, no one is allowed to enter, you should quickly retreat, or don't blame the Flying Sword in this true person's hand for being merciless!"

"If you wish to ascend the mountain, go find the Little Emperor, do not bother this true person!"

"If anyone continues to pester, just like this mountain...!"

As she finished speaking, Xuan Jizi single-handedly pointed at the Flying Sword, which once again transformed into a sword light and flew out.

Drawing an arc in the air, then fiercely slicing across another mountain wall.

"Sreech...!"

The screeching sound of friction suddenly burst forth, leading countless people to instinctively cover their ears.

Massive stone rubble scattered far and wide, forming instantly a deep gorge about ten inches deep, thirty feet long on the rock wall!

"You, you...!"

Lu Lin'er, assisted by the maid, had a streak of blood on her left cheek, angrily yet fearfully staring at Xuan Jizi on the boulder, lips trembling, yet dared not speak, could only glower at Xuan Jizi.

Facing Lu Lin'er and many ministers with expressions of shock, terror, or hatred, Xuan Jizi coldly laughed, then turned her feet on the Flying Sword and left.

Meanwhile, Chen Liancang bowed respectfully toward the ministers down the mountain and said, "Lords, please descend the mountain."

"This place is not where you should come!"