Empress Chambers.
Wu Zhao ordered everyone to guard outside the hall.
Then, with visible excitement, she took out the three jade boxes retrieved from the underground palace.
Especially the largest one.
It was about one meter long and thirty centimeters wide.
As soon as she opened it.
A wave of scorching heat surged out.
Yet Empress Wu Zhao did not back away. On the contrary, she seemed to enjoy it.
The intense heat flowed into her body like a current.
Her entire body trembled, and a brilliant light flashed in her eyes.
"Phoenix Feather!"
"This is a real Phoenix Feather. No wonder I was so drawn to it. So that's why!"
Without hesitation, Wu Zhao took out the Phoenix Feather and caressed it as if it were a treasure.
It was a meter long and fit perfectly in her hand, almost like an extension of her own body.
After consecutively receiving Heaven Dao Reward, the Indestructible Divine Phoenix Physique, and having fused with phoenix blood.
Now, encountering a Phoenix Feather once again.
It felt as if fate had uniquely tied her to the phoenix.
Looking at the feather in her hand, the Empress hesitated.
Should she absorb the power within it to enhance her strength?
Or should she keep the feather as a personal weapon to use in battle?
After thinking for a while, she still could not decide.
Once the power was absorbed, the Phoenix Feather would be destroyed.
And she couldn't bear that.
She returned the Phoenix Feather to the jade box.
Then she opened the other two smaller jade boxes.
In one of them was a golden hairpin.
Carved into it was a lifelike phoenix soaring through the skies.
At first glance, Wu Zhao found herself especially fond of it.
She pinned it into her hair.
The next moment, a soothing power flowed into her Baihui point.
Her spirit was instantly lifted.
"This hairpin is definitely a treasure on par with Heaven-Grade Ultimate-Tier Treasure."
"Perhaps even better!"
"Why are all of these items so perfectly suited for me?"
"Were they specially prepared for me?"
Though delighted, a sense of caution rose within Wu Zhao.
There are no benefits without a cost.
And if there are, the price must be equally steep.
Though not yet thirty years old, she had witnessed too many schemes and deceptions growing up.
She could not rule out the possibility of some mysterious force plotting against her in the shadows.
The final jade box held a beautifully crafted book made entirely of gold.
As soon as she opened it.
Upon seeing the words within, Wu Zhao's entire body trembled.
A terrifying aura burst out from her.
"Nirvana Art!"
It was the technique she had been cultivating since childhood!
Moreover, the book contained a far more complete version of it.
It even included content for the Mythical Realm, the God Demon Realm, and beyond.
If she still did not realize what was going on, she would be fooling herself.
Without a doubt, her suspicions were correct.
All of this had been prepared specifically for her.
The Phoenix Feather might have been luck.
The hairpin could be called coincidence.
But this Nirvana Art was clearly part of a long-laid plan.
She closed the book and returned it, along with the hairpin, to the jade box.
Wu Zhao's eyes grew cold as she stared at them, her mind racing.
Countless thoughts spun wildly.
Many past doubts and uncertainties about the future surged to the surface.
For a full hour.
She sat there motionless.
Suddenly.
Her aura calmed.
Her entire being turned unnaturally serene.
She reached out, placed the hairpin back in her hair.
Took out the golden book and quietly began to read.
Streams of information flowed through her mind.
Moments later, the contents of the book were fully absorbed.
She returned it to the box.
Then she picked up the Phoenix Feather she had so dearly loved.
"I want to see exactly who is scheming against me."
"I am not someone just anyone can manipulate."
Her eyes were ice cold as she looked at the Phoenix Feather, her earlier affection gone.
She moved to her couch and sat cross-legged.
Activating her Cultivation Technique, she began to absorb the overwhelming power within the Phoenix Feather.
==========
Elsewhere, Zhu Houzhao was secretly observing Wu Zhao.
Noticing something was off about her.
He remained on high alert.
Especially when he saw her expression change repeatedly.
Even Zhu Houzhao was stunned.
"That feather, and the hairpin, are perfectly aligned with her aura?"
"And that book... So her Cultivation Technique originally came from that?"
Zhu Houzhao stroked his chin in deep thought.
He subconsciously concluded that someone was plotting against the Empress.
Moreover, that person knew her terrifyingly well.
Even their power was likely beyond comprehension.
To escape his notice, they must be truly formidable.
Keep observing, sooner or later, they would slip up.
If they were allies, fine. It would even benefit Wu Zhao.
But if they were enemies using underhanded tricks, he would never let them go.
==========
Empress Palace.
Time ticked by.
Wu Zhao's aura grew stronger and stronger, even igniting a scorching flame around her.
Yet strangely, the flames didn't burn anything.
Even the bedding remained untouched.
Boom!
"Mythical Realm!"
Zhu Houzhao, who was closely watching, jumped up in shock.
His eyes were filled with disbelief.
What the heck!
What was going on?
Before the Heaven Dao Ranking appeared, she was just a Half-Step Land Immortal Realm!
Afterward, she made it to the Heavenly Human Realm, but the Mythical Realm was still a distant dream.
And now, after such a short time.
She had already broken through to the Mythical Realm?
Even more outrageous than someone with cheats!
He was on the verge of losing it.
And it didn't stop there.
After reaching the Mythical Realm, her power kept skyrocketing.
Early Mythical Realm. Middle. Late.
She was approaching the God Demon Realm.
At the same time, Zhu Houzhao noticed something troubling.
An entirely different, terrifying aura emerged from her.
Her expression began to change.
Her temperament shifted dramatically.
Cold and emotionless.
Noble and aloof.
Regal and majestic.
Tranquil and elegant.
"No... this isn't the Empress's usual demeanor."
"Could this be the work of the one plotting against her?"
Zhu Houzhao watched closely.
He was ready to act at any moment.
Just as Wu Zhao's cultivation reached the Great Perfection Mythical Realm.
Her aura suddenly halted.
No further breakthrough.
She stopped.
The Phoenix Feather in her hand turned to ashes and vanished.
"Hmph!"
At that moment.
Wu Zhao let out a cold snort.
Instantly.
All the conflicting auras dispersed.
Her changing expression returned to normal.
Her energy stabilized.
==========
Inside the palace.
Zhu Houzhao gently supported the Empress, carefully examining her condition.
Only after a long while did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Empress, what exactly happened?"
"Can you explain?"
At the critical moment, Zhu Houzhao had intervened.
He had to ensure Wu Zhao's safety.
Everything else could wait.
"Was it a possession attempt by some mysterious entity?"
He asked, puzzled.
Just because this was a Martial World didn't mean soul-possession couldn't happen.
From what he knew, many demonic sects studied this deeply.
Even in hidden Buddhist sects, it was common practice.
Zhu Houzhao absolutely could not accept such a thing happening.
"Your Majesty, do not worry. I am fine."
"As for your question, I am still unsure."
"While breaking through, I sensed a terrifying will trying to test and temper me."
"Fortunately, I cultivated the technique you taught me. Though similar to Nirvana Art, it is fundamentally different."
"That will couldn't overpower me."
Wu Zhao clearly felt that if she relied solely on Nirvana Art, she might not have been able to withstand that terrifying will.
The consequences would have been unimaginable.
She hadn't expected the Nirvana Art to be a trap all along.
Though she didn't know who was behind it, it was certainly not done with good intentions.
Thinking this, Wu Zhao looked at Zhu Houzhao with gratitude.
Once again, he had saved her.
"Interesting. Someone is scheming against the Empress right under my nose!"
"Who could it be?"
"And it seems they've been planning this for a long time."
"Even before she became the Empress."
Zhu Houzhao silently reflected.
It was now clear that there was an unknown side to Wu Zhao.
Even she was unaware of it.
Looks like it was time to investigate her further.
Zhu Houzhao picked up the Nirvana Art and read through it.
"This is quite a Martial Technique. Most importantly, it suits you perfectly, even rivaling the one I gave you."
"You should consider merging the Nirvana Art into your own creation."
"The hairpin on your head, let me hold onto it for now."
"Once it's confirmed to be safe, I'll return it to you."
Zhu Houzhao said with utmost caution.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Alright, focus on stabilizing your realm."
"I'll visit you again later."
He returned to his own palace.
"Dark One!"
"Your Majesty, I am here."
"Investigate!"
"The Empress's identity is far from simple. Dig deeper. Don't overlook a single clue."
"Especially the origins of Nirvana Art. That is the top priority."
The Dark Guard Leader nodded in acknowledgment.
But he hesitated a little.
"Dark One, is there something else?"
"Your Majesty, it may be a minor matter. I'm unsure if it's worth mentioning."
"Speak freely."
"I've just received news that a major event has occurred in the Han Imperial Court."
Zhu Houzhao's expression turned serious.
"What happened?"
"Consort Jiang Yuyan has risen in power. The entire Luoyang capital is now under her control."
"She somehow managed to completely manipulate Emperor Liu Hong."
"He obeys her every word."
"The Han Imperial Court is now effectively her domain. The aristocrats and officials are powerless to resist."
"In no time, the entire Han Dynasty will plunge into chaos."
At this point, the Dark Guard Leader looked conflicted.
He couldn't help but suspect that Jiang Yuyan was one of Zhu Houzhao's pieces on the board.
Though he didn't know how the Emperor had done it.
There was a high chance it was true.
Even Jiang Yuyan herself might not realize she was a pawn.
Her life is manipulated by some unseen force.
"Interesting."
"I knew she wasn't ordinary, but I didn't expect her to be this exceptional."
"In just a few months, she has come this far!"
"The Supreme Peace Path is probably about to explode."
Zhu Houzhao knew very well.
Zhang Jiao of the Supreme Peace Path was no weakling, even among Land Immortals.
And now, with Jiang Yuyan's demonic influence, the Han Dynasty was finished.
Truth be told, for someone not even at the Land Immortal Realm, Jiang Yuyan had done something extraordinary.
Those noble families of the Han Dynasty had treated her as a tool to disrupt the dynasty, even helping from behind the scenes.
But they probably never imagined that once she grew stronger.
She would become their doom.
Given her vengeful nature, she had likely already discovered that the hunchback elder was part of the Han Dynasty aristocracy.
She must now hate those families to the bone.
Now, it was just a matter of seeing how she would strike back.
Zhu Houzhao was quite curious.
As someone who, in the original work, was so terrifying that only the title remained.
He dared not be careless with her.
He had people watch her every move.
Naturally, he was also well aware of the chaos and schemes brewing inside the Han Dynasty.
Someone like Jiang Yuyan would be a pity to kill.
But also too dangerous to use.
If mishandled, she could backfire spectacularly.
So, when the hunchback elder captured her, Zhu Houzhao had quietly given it a nudge.
Sending this "calamity" to the Han Dynasty instead.
The Ming Dynasty couldn't handle her "chaos".
Better she go wreak havoc in the Han Dynasty.
And sure enough, within just a few months, results were already showing.