Chapter 512: Chapter 512: I Will Not Enjoy This Glory Alone

BOOM!

A brilliant white light illuminated Heaven and Earth, yet the face of Empress Xiao, bathed in its glow, was a mask of sheer terror.

It all happened too fast.

From the moment Lü Yang summoned [Heavenly Qian Captures All Phenomena] and struck with the speed of a thunderclap, he had caught her completely off guard with a Divine Effect that defied her expectations.

Before she could even recover from her shock and confusion, her vision was filled with the edge of a blade. Lü Yang, wielding the [Tribulation Wave], was already upon her.

What could she do in a situation like this?

What *could* she do?

’[With the World]!’

In that split second, Empress Xiao endured the disquieting sensation of her Soul being shaken. With no time to think, she could only play her strongest defensive trump card.

Instantly, spiderweb-like patterns spread out from the halo behind her head, connecting to Heaven and Earth and enveloping her completely. In this state, no matter how powerful the attack, the blow would be borne by Heaven and Earth itself, and the attacker would face heavenly retribution.

But what came for her was not the expected Sword Light.

It was Lü Yang’s palm, in the center of which the dazzling, brilliant [Ming Monarch’s Rule] brushed unimpeded against her [With the World].

Deprive!

To Empress Xiao’s horror, her trump card, [With the World], was stripped away by Lü Yang, seeming to fly into his embrace of its own accord.

RUSTLE!

The fragrance of flowers once again filled the air as a sea of blossoms surged forward, about to engulf Empress Xiao and help her escape this calamity, to flee from Lü Yang’s grasp.

But it was too late. Just a moment ago, spurred by Lü Yang’s Sword Light, Empress Xiao had focused nearly all her power into activating [With the World]. Switching her Abilities now, even for just a billionth of a second, left her a step too slow. And Lü Yang’s [Ming Monarch’s Rule] was right before her eyes—impossible to dodge!

The next second, Lü Yang’s [Ming Monarch’s Rule] struck her.

[Hundred Flowers Palace]? Deprived!

[Holding Ten Thousand Treasures]? Deprived!

As for her other Abilities from the Seven Luminaries Heaven, her Protective Sentient Artifact, her phoenix coronet and robes—all of it, deprived! Not a single thing was left for Empress Xiao!

In the blink of an eye, Empress Xiao was reduced from a high and mighty Foundation Establishment Perfection Grand Zhenren possessing ten Abilities to a delicate, beautiful noblewoman.

"You..."

For a moment, Empress Xiao’s naked body was exposed in the rosy light, her fair, pretty face flushed crimson with rage as Lü Yang pinned her down with a single hand.

"...Mmph!"

Lü Yang had long coveted Empress Xiao’s Cultivation. Now that he finally had his chance, he showed no courtesy whatsoever and immediately activated the Heaven-Mending Skill—

"Ah!"

Instantly, Empress Xiao’s tragic yet beautiful cries echoed all around.

.......

「Outside Kunning Palace」

Crown Prince Longxing felt that something was not quite right.

"Hasn’t Mother Empress emerged from her seclusion yet?"

Hearing this, the Commanders of the Five Armies guarding the entrance all shook their heads. "Your Highness, we do not know. Perhaps it will still be some time..."

"Still more time?"

"Celestial Wu City is in turmoil, both inside and out! The officials, the Imperial City Department, and the Five Armies Camp are all fighting amongst themselves. This is precisely when we need Mother Empress to take charge of the situation."

Crown Prince Longxing looked displeased. "You said it would take time before, and you’re still saying it will take time now. When will this ’time’ be up? Mother Empress must be muddled!"

Despite his words, he didn’t dare force his way into Kunning Palace. He could only frown at the palace, which was now trembling more and more violently. Faint sounds seemed to be coming from within, but he couldn’t make out what they were. In the end, he had no choice but to flick his sleeves and turn to leave, leaving behind only the gently swaying Kunning Palace.

.......

The great hall was dim.

The Divine Power Radiance that had previously filled the air had long since faded, and the violent clash had ended. All that remained were two heavy sets of breathing, echoing through the hall.

Empress Xiao’s eyes were tightly shut, her body covered in fresh crimson marks. Her protective Vestment Robe had been torn to shreds. Her exquisite, jade-like face was a picture of bewilderment, her thoughts still seeming to wander Beyond the Heavens. Only after a long while did she shudder and come to her senses, the expression on her face indescribable.

"You..." Empress Xiao looked at Lü Yang beside her, her gaze dazed and intoxicated.

She was the Empress of Emperor Jia You, the matriarch of the Dao Court.

Yet just moments ago, she had been mercilessly suppressed by Lü Yang. No matter how she begged for mercy, he had ignored her, continuing until she was knocked completely unconscious.

It was the first time she had ever experienced such a feeling—to have her dignity and her body violated in unison.

It was so... intoxicating... no, that’s not right!

The next second, Empress Xiao bit her red lip sharply. ’It’s the Heaven-Mending Skill! One of the Demon Sect’s highest Upper Grade Demonic Skills... He’s refined me into a Furnace Cauldron!’

At this thought, Empress Xiao immediately severed the distracting thoughts in her mind. The noble and graceful dignity of an Empress returned to her perfect face, though this aura was completely at odds with the way she was tightly clinging to Lü Yang—a detail that even she herself failed to notice.

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

Empress Xiao lowered her voice and said through gritted teeth, "The Heaven-Mending Skill... Are you a Perfected Person from the Demon Sect? Are you trying to obtain my Cultivation and Knowledge through this method?"

"Mmm..."

Only then did Lü Yang finally speak. "Such a vast amount... It seems what you said before, Empress, about having read the entire Four Treasures Daoist Canon, was no exaggeration."

Empress Xiao’s Cultivation was truly profound.

It was so profound that even the Heaven-Mending Skill couldn’t harvest it all in one go. This was the first time Lü Yang had ever encountered such a situation, and he couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

’It’s just so hard on me.’

Lü Yang shook his head and sighed internally.

’I’m not one for carnal pleasures, but for the sake of my cultivation, I have no choice but to bite the bullet and go a few more rounds... This is truly asking too much of me!’

With that thought, he pulled Empress Xiao into his embrace again.

"You fiend!"

Empress Xiao was stunned. ’You’re coming again!?’

However, her Abilities, Mana, and Artifacts had all been deprived by Lü Yang’s [Ming Monarch’s Rule]. She was completely powerless to stop him.

Thus, she could only raise her delicate white fists and beat weakly against Lü Yang’s chest.

Seeing this, Lü Yang chuckled. "Empress... you actually misunderstand me greatly. If you think about it carefully, you and I are on the same side."

Empress Xiao was so angry that clear tears streamed down her face.

’Aren’t we just? We’re practically one body now!’

Lü Yang paid her no mind and continued, "Empress, you’ve done so much for no other reason than Seeking Gold. That is something I can actually help you with."

"Of course, the prerequisite is that you willingly enter this Artifact of mine."

With that, Lü Yang took out the Myriad-Soul Banner. The Banner fluttered as roiling black Qi surged from it, exuding a Qi trace that made Empress Xiao’s heart pound with fear.

’What is this Artifact?’

Empress Xiao wondered, understanding Lü Yang’s implication. She immediately shook her head. "You want me to join your faction and rebel with you?"

Lü Yang shook his head at her words and said in a low voice, "It’s only rebellion if you fail. If you succeed, it’s quelling a rebellion! Isn’t that right?"

As his words fell, Empress Xiao involuntarily held her breath, her delicate body tensing.

But Lü Yang didn’t stop.

"Besides, Empress, with your level of Cultivation, you hold a high position in the Dao Court, don’t you? But can you advance any further?"

"Do you have any hope of Seeking Gold?"

"In contrast, your son... that incompetent Crown Prince you mentioned... he can ascend the throne as a matter of course in the future and become a Perfected Lord."

"Don’t you feel wronged by that?"

Lü Yang’s fiery eyes made Empress Xiao lower her head subconsciously.

But in the next second, Lü Yang’s hand clasped her chin, forcing her to turn and meet his gaze once more.

"Open your eyes and look at me!"

Lü Yang’s voice was like the most alluring demonic whisper as he said softly, "Empress, I once heard a saying, and today, I’ll pass it on to you."

"Though the night of Seeking Gold is brief, its glory will last for an eternity... and this is a glory I have no intention of enjoying alone."

As his voice fell, the Myriad-Soul Banner trembled.

Faintly, the Outer Dao Fruit Position, [Seven Luminaries Heaven], which Lü Yang had brought back from his Previous Life and had already brought to complete Perfection, began to reveal a faint Qi trace.

"...!?"

Empress Xiao’s eyes instantly widened.

At the same time, Lü Yang lowered his eyelids. They stared at each other, their breathing growing heavier as the temperature around them began to rise.

The next second, Empress Xiao no longer resisted and actively embraced Lü Yang.