The blood on the imperial streets had barely dried when the Emperor's golden edict arrived at dawn.
A royal eunuch in embroidered robes delivered it personally to Li Qing's chambers, bowing so low his forehead touched the marble floor. "His Majesty summons Ye Tianhen to the Dragon Throne Hall at noon. Alone."
Li Qing's face tightened with concern as she read the scroll. "Father rarely summons anyone so quickly. After yesterday's massacre, he must have heard everything. Be careful, Tianhen. The Emperor is at late-stage Nascent Soul, a true expert who has touched the edges of the Void Shattering Realm."
She traced a finger down my chest, eyes softening. "Remember the power structure of our Great Han Dynasty. Below the Emperor are the four great clans and the Thundercloud Sect, all led by Saint Realm ancestors who rarely appear. Beneath them sit Core Formation and Nascent Soul experts — the backbone of any force. Most outer disciples like you once were never even dream of reaching Foundation Establishment. Yet here you are, already pushing Qi Condensation peak after barely two weeks with the God Rock."
I pulled her into my arms, kissing her deeply to silence her worry. "I know the layers. Body Forging to Qi Condensation is the mortal foundation. Foundation Establishment builds the base. Core Formation condenses a golden core for endless qi. Nascent Soul births an immortal infant that can survive body destruction. Higher still lie Soul Wandering, Void Shattering, and the Saint Realm where one begins comprehending Grand Daos. The 3000 Grand Daos — Sword, Space, Time, Five Elements, Yin-Yang, Slaughter, Lightning — are the true paths to supremacy. Most cultivators grasp only fragments of one or two in their lifetime. With the God Rock, I will master them all."
She smiled against my lips, fierce pride shining in her phoenix eyes. "Then go show my father why I chose you."
At noon I stood alone before the Dragon Throne Hall, its massive golden doors carved with coiling dragons that seemed alive. Two Saint Realm imperial guards flanked the entrance, their auras heavy enough to crush ordinary Nascent Soul experts. I felt their pressure like mountains pressing down, yet the God Rock in my Spatial Storage Ring hummed softly, feeding me faint insights into their defensive techniques — imperial Dragon Body Art and Heaven Suppressing Palm.
The doors opened.
I stepped inside.
The hall was vast, supported by jade pillars. At the far end, on a throne of pure dragon bone, sat Emperor Li Tianlong — a middle-aged man with sharp features and eyes like bottomless abysses. Late-stage Nascent Soul. His presence made the air itself feel thick.
Beside him stood two advisors and a beautiful woman in phoenix robes — the Empress. Li Qing's mother.
"Ye Tianhen," the Emperor's voice boomed, calm yet carrying the weight of absolute authority. "You have caused quite the stir in my capital. Slaughtering a young master of the Thundercloud Sect and half their delegation in broad daylight. Explain yourself."
I met his gaze without kneeling. "They coveted what is mine. I took it. They attacked. I ended them. Simple cause and effect."
A faint smile touched the Emperor's lips. "Bold. Most men grovel before me. You stand tall. Tell me — how did a defective trial disciple from a minor clan suddenly wield Space and Time strands at Qi Condensation? That black stone you carry… the God Rock. Show it."
I pulled the God Rock from my storage ring and held it openly. Its runes pulsed with dark, ancient light. The Emperor's eyes narrowed with interest, and I felt a subtle probe of his divine sense testing the stone.
In that instant, the God Rock activated.
I saw his technique — a high-level imperial soul-searching art mixed with faint Time Dao comprehension. I copied it instantly. My own perception sharpened; I could now sense the flow of time around every person in the hall like threads I could tug.
The Emperor leaned forward. "Fascinating. That rock… it lets you comprehend any martial art or Dao you witness, does it not? And it compresses training time to nothing. A heaven-defying cheat."
He stood, descending the steps until we were eye to eye.
"Very well. I will not take it from you — my daughter has clearly chosen you as her man, and I respect her judgment. Instead, I offer you a test. The Thundercloud Sect has already declared war on you. Their Saint Ancestor is in closed-door cultivation, but their Core Formation and Nascent Soul elders are mobilizing. In three days, they will send a delegation demanding your head. If you survive their assault and prove your worth… I will grant you the title of Imperial Sword Marquis, unlimited access to the royal library of martial arts, and my daughter's hand in official marriage."
He raised his hand. A scroll floated toward me — the Imperial Dragon Sword Art, a peak Core Formation sword technique that fused lightning with tyrannical sword qi.
"Comprehend this if you can. Show me the depth of your so-called talent."
I took the scroll. The moment my fingers touched it, the God Rock flared. Knowledge flooded my mind — every meridian route, every qi circulation pattern, every stance of the Dragon Sword Art. Within seconds I had mastered the first three forms. Lightning crackled faintly around my spirit sword as I tested a casual swing.
The Emperor's eyes widened slightly. "Incredible… even my best disciples need months."
I sheathed the sword and met his gaze. "Three days. I will be ready. But know this, Your Majesty — I do not serve. I ally. When I stand at the peak of the 3000 Grand Daos and carve my path across dimensions, your dynasty may stand with me… or beneath me."
A heavy silence filled the hall.
Then the Emperor laughed — a deep, genuine sound. "Arrogant. But I like it. Very well, Ye Tianhen. Survive the Thundercloud Sect's wrath, and we shall speak of alliances."
He waved a hand, dismissing me.
As I turned to leave, the Empress called softly, "Treat my daughter well, boy. She burns brightly — only a true sovereign can keep that flame without being consumed."
I bowed slightly — the first show of respect I had given anyone since rising. "She is my first wife. I protect what is mine with my life… and with the blood of my enemies."
Back in Li Qing's chambers that evening, she waited anxiously. The moment I entered she threw herself into my arms, kissing me fiercely.
"Tell me everything," she demanded between kisses.
I lifted her onto the bed, stripping away her robes as I recounted the meeting. Our bodies moved together with familiar hunger — deep, passionate thrusts that made her moan my name like a prayer. She rode me with fiery intensity, her walls clenching around me as we both chased release, her cries echoing until we collapsed in a sweaty, satisfied tangle.
Afterward, as she lay curled against my chest, I explained the techniques I had just gained.
"The Imperial Dragon Sword Art fuses Sword Dao with Lightning Dao. With the God Rock, I can already execute its peak form. Combined with my growing Space and Time strands, I will create something new — a sword that cuts through space and slows time around the wound, making every strike fatal."
Li Qing traced the God Rock's faint glow on my chest. "You keep rising so fast… it terrifies and excites me. In three days the Thundercloud Sect will come with Nascent Soul elders. Promise me you'll be careful."
I kissed her forehead, voice filled with unshakable confidence. "They will come with lightning and numbers. I will answer with blood and supremacy. When I stand victorious, the entire capital will know — Ye Tianhen is no longer climbing. He is already at the top."
Outside, the moon rose over Hanlong City.
Inside, my first wife slept peacefully in my arms.
And deep within my soul, the God Rock continued to pulse — hungry for the coming battle, eager to devour every new technique and Dao the Thundercloud Sect would foolishly bring to my doorstep.
The real war for the Great Han Dynasty was about to begin.