Chapter 280: Chapter 205: Ascending to the Tenth Realm, Glazed Impermeable Vajra Body, Great Wilderness Mountain-Shaking Fist

[Refinement Level has reached 45%. Promoted Life Chart Trait—Martial Lord (Middle Level)]

"Martial Lord (Middle Level): How dare you look down upon the master of the world’s ultimate physique with your meager Divine Techniques, True Words, and Buddhist Techniques? When facing Martial, Confucian, or Buddhist Cultivators of the same realm, your Cultivation will stack significantly as the battle continues, and you will be able to slightly suppress your opponent’s strength."

After reading the text, Lu Mingyuan generally understood its meaning.

’Martial Lord truly embodies the principle of martial supremacy.’

Lu Mingyuan emerged from his seclusion.

"Congratulations on coming out, Your Highness," Zi Yun said cheerfully.

She was naturally happy to see His Highness’s strength increase.

Hong Wan, standing nearby, gently prodded, "Your Highness, shouldn’t you go see Princess Consort Zhao? I’ve heard that once you move to the Eastern Palace, you likely won’t be returning. She’ll be all alone here in the Cold Palace then."

Clearly, she had noticed that His Highness had been neglecting Princess Consort Zhao recently, so she offered a little reminder.

’I almost forgot about my sister-in-law again...’

Lu Mingyuan murmured to himself, then chuckled. "Hong Wan, you’re right to remind me. I’ll reward you properly tonight."

Hearing this, Hong Wan blushed and lowered her head.

Buoyed by the joy of his breakthrough, Lu Mingyuan went to the entrance of the adjacent hall and sent his voice across:

"Sister-in-law, I’ve come to see you."

"Brother-in-law!"

Upon seeing Lu Mingyuan arrive, Yang Yingchan immediately dismissed her attendants and threw herself into his arms.

She had been tormented by lovesickness during the entire time he was in the Wilderness Cave Heaven.

Even after Lu Mingyuan returned from the Grotto Heaven, their respective statuses prevented them from meeting. Yang Yingchan could only see him from a distance each day, which only intensified her longing.

To share the same snowfall is to have grown white-haired together in this life.

These were the words Lu Mingyuan himself had spoken on New Year’s Eve.

After all, the two had only recently established their relationship and were in the throes of passion. Lu Mingyuan could endure the separation, but Yang Yingchan found it difficult to bear.

So now, with no one else around and finally free to express her feelings, Yang Yingchan could no longer hold back and instantly threw herself into Lu Mingyuan’s embrace.

In fact, a few days ago, after learning about the imperial edict that named him Crown Prince, Yang Yingchan had almost been unable to resist sending someone to fetch Lu Mingyuan that very night. However, her reason ultimately suppressed the impulse, and she had endured until today.

"Sister-in-law."

Lu Mingyuan gently wrapped his arms around Yang Yingchan’s soft and delicate body, whispering her title tenderly as his hand slid down her back.

A soft moan escaped her lips.

After the storm passed, Yang Yingchan lay limp on Lu Mingyuan’s chest, glistening with sweat and unmoving. Her beautiful eyes, filled with adoration, gazed at the handsome, jade-like face of the Exiled Immortal before her.

It was a long while before Yang Yingchan felt her mind slowly clear as she came back to her senses.

"Brother-in-law, are you planning to go through the ritual of three refusals before moving into the Eastern Palace and formally taking control of the Crown Prince’s Jade Seal?"

With her mind clear, Yang Yingchan’s thoughts turned to proper business. She rested her cheek against Lu Mingyuan’s shoulder and asked in a sweet, coquettish voice.

"Yes. Father Emperor has appointed me as the Crown Prince, so I can’t refuse even if I wished to. I have to seize every opportunity to buy more time and clear my name of these false charges. Only then can I properly ascend to power as soon as possible."

"To be honest, I didn’t expect the position of Crown Prince to fall into my lap so quickly. You must be surprised too, aren’t you, Sister-in-law?"

Lu Mingyuan nodded. He didn’t hide his future plans from Yang Yingchan, as he would need her help in the future.

"It is... very surprising..."

Yang Yingchan trailed off, her voice low as if she were holding something back.

"Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I will absolutely get you out of here. I will fulfill that promise," Lu Mingyuan said, looking down at her with a gentle smile.

"Brother-in-law." Yang Yingchan’s heart trembled, feeling as if it would melt. Her slender arms, which had felt so powerless just moments before, found a sudden strength and wrapped around Lu Mingyuan tightly once more. "I know your feelings are true, and I know you aspire to the throne. I will definitely help you."

As the two clung to each other, a maidservant tactfully closed the main doors.

Within the bedchamber, the two brewed tea and discussed the Dao. Smoke curled from the Incense Burner as they became lost in a long, sweet entanglement of longing.

...