Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

The hidden illness within the Great Yan Empress is a disorder of the Dao Heart.

At the time of ascending the throne, the Empress had just stepped into the Foundation Establishment Realm, and even though there was an elder in the Great Yan Imperial Palace, such cultivation was clearly insufficient to support the Great Yan Empress’s prestige.

To rapidly enhance her strength, the Empress did not hesitate to employ the Royal Secret Technique, sealing away her emotions and desires, focusing solely on her path.

With the help of the royal elder, the Empress’s cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds; within a few short years, her cultivation had reached dizzying heights.

The so-called Foundation Establishment Realm is the cultivation of one’s path using the power of Dao Rhyme.

If ninety-nine steps mark the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm, then the ceiling of existence in this world is stepping out the hundredth step, where one can cross into the Realm of Unity at any time.

Why not step into it?

Naturally, due to the Celestial Tribulation.

These powerful beings, surpassing the Foundation Establishment, are therefore called by the living beings of the world... Half-Step Venerable.

In a few short years, the Great Yan Empress used royal secret methods and the inheritance of the former emperor to step her own realm up to eighty steps!

However, by the time she reached the eightieth step, the Empress had already sensed the severe consequences of sealing away her emotions and desires.

After eighty steps, each step practically cracked.

The Empress relied on her strong cultivation, forcibly suppressing the injuries to her Dao Heart to stabilize her realm.

Now she has completed ninety-nine steps!

Yet upon reaching this level, the Empress can no longer advance further.

Her power comes entirely from her innate dual-attribute Dao Spirit Body, which primarily focuses on combat!

However, the disorder of her Dao Heart makes her Dao unstable, and even with her cultivation forcibly suppressing it, she could hardly stop the trend of the Dao’s collapse.

Fortunately, auspicious signs are present in the palace, strengthening her Dao Heart with Moonlight Power at regular intervals.

It is precisely because of this that the Empress can keep going.

However, as time passed by, the disorder of the Dao Heart was not resolved but only worsened.

In a battle within the Fallen God Abyss against a remnant thought, the Empress’s Dao staircase nearly shattered, her Dao Heart sustaining unavoidable damage.

The Empress realized that if she did not face the arrival of the Seven Emotions Tribulation calmly, her cultivation would... be completely ruined.

Even...

Might face death and the disappearance of her Dao!

But.

Even as the Empress, facing the legendary Seven Emotions Tribulation, she had no certainty.

She did not know whether she could overcome the tribulation, and she didn’t know if, after successfully overcoming it, she would remain herself.

Yet no matter how unwilling she was, the pressure of the Emperor Qin’s avatar eventually caused her Dao Heart to be unable to sustain.

The Seven Emotions Tribulation.

Unexpectedly, it arrived ahead of time!

Now, the Empress can only use the Golden Thunder Dao Lotus to temporarily repair the damaged Dao staircase, adjusting her state in hopes that her Dao won’t completely collapse when the tribulation arrives.

Feeling the scars on the Dao steps gradually stabilize, the Empress sighed lightly in her heart.

The present her is already gradually influenced by emotions and desires, her mood unsteady.

The Seven Emotions Tribulation, she ultimately needs to face it.

The Empress slowly opened her eyes, looking at the straight figure standing with its back to her, her heart suddenly touched.

It must be admitted that Qin Yu is indeed trustworthy.

”Qin Yu.”

The Empress’s voice now carries a trace of gentleness, unlike her usual aloofness.

”Your Majesty.”

Qin Yu was startled, about to turn around, but thought some scenes might be inappropriate, so he continued to stand there.

”My tribulation has come.”

Looking at his proper demeanor, the Empress’s eyes showed a hint of relief.

Though she resided on the Golden Thunder Dao Lotus, with the light of Dao Rhyme concealing her, not exposing anything, Qin Yu’s attitude satisfied her greatly.

”Your Majesty’s injuries haven’t healed yet?”

Qin Yu’s heart tightened.

Tribulation?

Wasn’t it said to be a hidden illness before?

”The disorder within me is a wound to the Dao Heart; without undergoing the tribulation, it ultimately cannot be cured and will only worsen.”

The Empress’s voice was very calm.

Yet from this calmness, Qin Yu could hear a hint of... unease.

The Empress, unexpectedly, could also be uneasy?!

”Are you confident in facing this tribulation, Your Majesty?”

Qin Yu took a deep breath, asking with serious demeanor.

”I have sealed this space; if the tribulation fails, my Dao will annihilate itself, thus avoiding bringing disaster to Great Yan.”

The Empress looked at Qin Yu, her eyes appearing somewhat guilty.

She had made full preparations to courageously face the tribulation, but Qin Yu was still by her side. If she truly failed, it would certainly implicate him.

”Your Majesty is blessed with great fortune, surely you will pass through safely.”

Qin Yu spoke respectfully.

The Empress shook her head; she spoke not to seek comfort.

Only she understood her own state.

”I need your help.”

The Empress said slowly.

”Please command, Your Majesty; Qin Yu will not retreat even at the cost of his life!”

Qin Yu spoke loudly, expressing loyalty.

Even apart from the Empress’s favor, his time spent with Little Ling’Er and the Empress Dowager unconsciously made him regard the Empress as...

Someone irreplaceable.

”Buzz...”

The Empress opened her palm, a small lotus leaf appearing in her hand.

On the lotus leaf, there was a faint golden thunder sound flickering.

”This is the Key of Dao Rhymes that controls this realm; if I fail to overcome the tribulation, you can crush it with Spiritual Power, and then I will naturally be annihilated with this space.”

The Empress slowly threw out the lotus leaf in her hand.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu did not take it for a long time.

Why does it always feel like the Empress is explaining things for the last time?

”Your Majesty, perhaps let me try?”

Qin Yu was somewhat hesitant. After all, she was the distinguished Great Yan Empress. But, at this point, he had to give it a shot.

What if?

”Nonsense!”

The Empress frowned slightly and softly reprimanded.

She gently waved her hand, and the lotus leaf drifted directly into Qin Yu’s arms.

She naturally understood what Qin Yu was referring to.

But she absolutely would not accept that method.

Moreover, it was too absurd.

The hidden dangers and injuries within her were different, even from Little Ling’Er’s; they were about her Dao Heart.

How could Qin Yu possibly affect her Dao Heart?!

”I am already prepared to face the tribulation.”

”Besides, I still need you to... be my Dharma Protector.”

The Empress seemed to find her words too harsh and softened her tone a bit.

”No problem.”

Qin Yu agreed without a second thought.

”Don’t agree so quickly.”

After a moment’s thought, the Empress explained, ”In the coming days, I may become unlike myself. Remember... do not let me leave this room.”

”Also, if my state persists for more than seven days, break the lotus leaf immediately.”

Seven days.

If it exceeded this time limit, it would prove that her consciousness had been completely erased, obliterated in the Seven Emotions Tribulation.

Qin Yu remained silent.

He didn’t understand what sort of tribulation the Empress was talking about; the only thing he was sure of was that it was not the Unity Celestial Tribulation.

But, could such a powerful being also have a tribulation?

And it was so dangerous?

Qin Yu couldn’t agree.

He dared not imagine the chaos that would ensue in the Great Yan Immortal Country if it lost the Empress at the helm.

Should the Empress indeed fail the tribulation, he also dared not face his own heart, and Little Ling’Er, and the Empress Dowager.

The Empress seemed to notice Qin Yu’s worries but didn’t explain much, offering detailed advice on what might need attention.

Hearing the Empress’ entrustments, Qin Yu understood she had made up her mind; he couldn’t persuade her.

Moreover, the Empress was prepared for the worst, even for the eventuality of perishing and her Dao dissolving.

As for him?

With the Lifebound Space, not even the Celestial Tribulation could harm him. He needn’t worry about perishing along with this space.

Apparently, the Empress knew this and entrusted the lotus leaf to him.

”Go back to that space for now. Just come out once a day.”

The Empress’s voice gradually turned aloof.

”Yes.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu agreed.

Truth be told, he found it hard to face the Empress, who had her mind set on this drastic path.

It was Qin Yu’s first time facing someone close to him enduring such catastrophe.

What was powerless was that while he wished to help, the Empress would not allow it.

Burdened with worries, Qin Yu dared not face Little Ling’Er to avoid being detected.

And if detected, he wouldn’t know how to explain to Little Ling’Er.

With these heavy thoughts, Qin Yu, accompanied by the Ugly Little Chicken, lay quietly on a deserted mountaintop. But half a day passed before he couldn’t resist stepping out of the Lifebound Space.

”Your Majesty, are you... alright?”

Returning to the familiar room, Qin Yu tentatively asked.

However, there was no response for a long time.

After hesitating for a long while, Qin Yu looked towards the Golden Thunder Dao Lotus.

The Power of the Golden Thunder Dao Rhyme on the Dao Lotus had become somewhat thin, vaguely showing a figure lying within.

Unlike when she first stepped onto the Dao Lotus, the Empress was now lying quietly, fully clothed.

Qin Yu’s heart moved, and he quickly stepped forward.

Seeing the Empress look weak yet still breathing evenly, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Seemingly aware of someone arriving, the Empress’s long eyelashes fluttered lightly, and she opened her eyes.

Their eyes met.

Qin Yu was momentarily stunned, instinctively feeling that the Empress seemed to have... changed?!

In the past, her eyes were deep, imposing without anger, exuding the aura of a sovereign looking down upon all.

Now, however, the graceful figure on the lotus platform had eyes that were exceptionally clear and pure, without a trace of blemish.

Her exquisite face seemed to have lost the majesty that deterred any disrespect, replaced by a softer feminine grace.

Yet out of respect for the Empress, Qin Yu dared not be disrespectful.

At that moment, the Empress also curiously sized up Qin Yu, her bright and clear eyes showing some confusion.

”Your Majesty, are you okay?”

Qin Yu cautiously asked.

”Who are you?”

Her tender lips parted slightly, she asked in confusion.

”Huh?”

Qin Yu was at a loss, what does this mean?

Amnesia?

Thinking of the Empress’s previous instructions, Qin Yu immediately understood.

The Empress had previously said that for a while, she might become unlike herself.

Like this?

[Extra for the Alliance Leader]