Chapter 274: Chapter 237: Is This What It Feels Like to Be Kept by a Rich Woman?

This...

Lu Xuan suddenly froze, not expecting the Empress to have him preside over the martial arts competition.

The martial arts competition concerns the slots for entering the spiritual realm, with the top one hundred being eligible to enter.

However, the time after the spiritual realm appears is only a short year before it retreats again into the unknown void.

Therefore, the time each person spends in the spiritual realm is limited.

The top one hundred from the martial arts competition are divided into five batches to enter.

The top three can enter the spiritual realm immediately to search for the rare treasures of heaven and earth.

Of course, accompanying them are also members of the Great Xia imperial family, core members of the eight great families, and true disciples of the five extraordinary sects.

The eight great families in Great Xia are Wu, Li, Mo, Shangguan, Luo, Tang, Jiang, and Guyue!

Among them are the top three families: Tang, Jiang, and Guyue!

The remaining families are the bottom five families.

And as for the five extraordinary sects...

They are Daoxu Temple, Jingxin Temple, Sword Spirit Sect, Profound Sound Immortal Palace, and Extreme Flame Saint Sect.

The first group occupies almost most of the year, a full ten months in the spiritual realm.

The remaining time is for the second batch, consisting of those ranked 4-10 in the martial arts competition.

Also included are elite members of the eight great families and inner sect disciples of the five extraordinary sects.

Martial Artists allocated to the second group entering the spiritual realm have a whole month.

The third group is ranks 11-20, entering the spiritual realm for 15 days.

The fourth group is ranks 21-50, entering the spiritual realm for 10 days.

The fifth group is ranks 51-100, entering the spiritual realm for 5 days.

Looking at it this way, the time spent in the spiritual realm seems extremely unfair.

But at least they have the qualification to enter the spiritual realm, to catch whatever scraps they can.

In fact, a hundred years ago, the Great Xia imperial family had even more extreme practices.

The spiritual realm was a place only accessible by the Great Xia imperial family, the eight great families, and the five extraordinary sects.

As for the rest in the worldly realm, they didn’t even qualify to know about it, let alone hope to enter the spiritual realm.

It was a hundred years ago that Emperor Tianqi Xia Ritian, the current Empress’s father,

broke the long-standing tradition, giving some extraordinary martial artists from the secular world a chance to enter the spiritual realm to seek the hidden treasures of heaven and earth.

Though the opportunity was rare, at least some miracles did occur.

In this world where martial prowess reigns supreme, no one is joking around.

You talk about fairness?

That’s a delusional fantasy; don’t even think about it. You should count yourself lucky if they don’t use you to sacrifice to the Ten Thousand Souls Banner.

Lu Xuan could guarantee that for Emperor Tianqi to make this decision, he must have faced unimaginable resistance.

When fundamental interests are involved, not only the eight great families and the five extraordinary sects oppose,

even the members of his imperial family would surely stand in the way.

At the very least, Lu Xuan admired Emperor Tianqi for being able to make this decision.

"What’s the matter, Mr. Lu, is there something you’re concerned about?"

Empress Xia Mingyue turned around as if stirring a storm; her long hair like inky clouds danced wildly, resembling mysterious waves rolling in the night.

Her beautiful eyes seemed to be infused with endless light by the deities, sacredly beautiful, emitting an innate majesty through their clarity.

Her gaze fixed on Lu Xuan, its oppressive force like a torrent pouring out of the Milky Way.

Upon closer inspection, within the depths of the Empress’s pupils, an elusive black mystical bird’s shadow rotated endlessly.

The black mystical bird was surrounded by a strange and mysterious aura, as if containing endless secrets and power, intertwining with the Empress’s gaze, adding to its formidable presence.

This breathtaking scene, even a well-traveled person like Lu Xuan was astonished by Empress Xia Mingyue.

Lu Xuan sighed inwardly; such breathtaking beauty existed in this world.

Even Li Yanran from Qingyun County paled slightly compared to Empress Xia Mingyue.

Lu Xuan was momentarily stunned, countless thoughts flashing through his mind like a lantern slideshow. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

In a brief moment, Lu Xuan regained his composure, hurriedly gathering his expression, and bowed with a slightly fast yet respectful tone.

"I wouldn’t dare, Your Majesty’s orders, I shall do my utmost to fulfill."

Having received so many advantages from Empress Xia Mingyue, Lu Xuan chose to accept this matter.

To preside over the martial arts competition six months later.

Seeing Lu Xuan take on this task, Empress Xia Mingyue slightly raised the corner of her lips in front of him.

Her eyes revealed a hint of satisfaction, her voice soft yet authoritative: "Very well, Mr. Lu, with you presiding over the martial arts competition, I can be at ease."

She nodded slightly, her gaze filled with admiration, slowly assessing Lu Xuan, and continued speaking.

"A martial arts prodigy like Mr. Lu, I’ve never encountered one in all these years."

"Within the Great Xia dynasty, seeking a martial arts prodigy of Mr. Lu’s caliber is perhaps harder than reaching the heavens."

"Only the saintly ancestors of the founding of the dynasty could compare with Mr. Lu."

As she spoke, Empress Xia Mingyue took a few steps closer on her lily feet, almost standing face to face with Lu Xuan.