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Although the empress’ voice was gentle, it contained unquestionable authority.

Hua Xingzi, Lu Zhenyang and Sun Jianhong all looked bewildered. Although Lin Xun had obvious personality flaws, he was undoubtedly a remarkable figure of the younger generation.

Talents like him would have a brighter future if he was allowed to cultivate in the ancient Daoist sects in the Ancient Wasteland Domain.

If given proper training, he could become an authority figure and become above the world!

Why did the empress stop him from going?

“That boy has a special background,” the empress gave a vague explanation.

Hua Xingzi and the others weren’t satisfied with her answer.

“No matter how special his background is, if he joins my Mystery Yin Sword Sect, I can guarantee that he will have great accomplishments in his cultivation and won’t be affected by anything!”

Sun Jianhong was unwaveringly determined. He felt sincere admiration for Lin Xun and couldn’t wait for him to join his sect.

Although Hua Xingzi and Lu Zhenyang also admired Lin Xun’s talent, they believed that Lin Xun’s background had to be very unusual for the empress to refuse them in such a way.

The empress fell silent for a moment and said calmly, “Fellow Daoist Sun, you and I have known each other for decades. To be honest with you, if that boy joins your Mystery Yin Sword Sect, it will be harmful to both of you.”

What?

Everyone was baffled. What does Lin Xun have that can indirectly affect the Mystery Yin Sword Sect?

Even Sun Jianhong’s expression changed slightly. “This…why?”

He was reluctant to give up on the youth.

“Please make it clear to us so we can completely give up.”

Hua Xingzi and Lu Zhenyang also spoke out.

The empress pondered for a moment and no longer tried to hide anything. “His parents and family died at the hands of Yun Qingbai more than ten years ago.”

Yun Qingbai!

Like a thunderbolt, the name made the three turn ashen-faced and fell silent. Their hearts shook like mad.

“No wonder…”

After a long moment, Hua Xingzi sighed, “Although we don’t know the full story, it…it is indeed a troublesome issue if Yun Qingbai is involved.”

His voice wavered, but in the end, his voice became firm like he understood.

“Yun Qingbai of the Omega Sword Sect has been known as invincible ever since he embarked on the cultivation path. He is like a legend and stands proudly at the pinnacle of the sky. It’s really unfortunate that the boy’s background is connected with him!” Lu Zhenyang also sighed.

Hua Xingzi and Lu Zhenyang both gave up on the thought of recruiting Lin Xun. All because of Yun Qingbai!

“Fellow Daoist Sun…”

As soon as the empress said that aloud, Sun Jianhong sighed bitterly, “Ahh, I have to give up!”

“Everyone, don’t be disappointed. There are still many other genius talents in the younger generations who have come to my birthday banquet. You can observe them closely. If there’s any whom you see potential in, you can take them with you. After all, it is a rare opportunity for them all,” the empress said gently.

Although Hua Xingzi and the others were reluctant to give up on Lin Xun, they knew that they had no other choice.

They cleared their minds, composed themselves, and redirected their attention to the fierce battles taking place in the arena.

Then, the empress got up and left.

……

Suddenly, Lin Xun, who was immersed in his cultivation, felt a tremendous pressure enveloping him. He abruptly lifted his head and looked at the entrance of the hall.

A woman in plain clothes and a tall bun walked in.

Gray hair clustered around the woman’s temples, but she had a transcendental elegance.

Her eyes were gentle, clear, and pure. Her face was bright and full of wisdom, and her demeanor was indescribably graceful.

She was like a piece of jade that had retained its gentle sheen despite experiencing the great changes of the world. Anyone who met her would be compelled to feel awe.

As she walked forward, her every movement resembled a phoenix patrolling the ninth heaven. It made people feel indescribable oppression and fear.

“Lin Xun of Mind Cleansing Peak pays respect to Your Majesty.”

Lin Xun immediately rose to his feet and bowed respectfully. There was no doubt that the woman exuding elegance and authority was the empress!

“We are both cultivators so you don’t need to follow the worldly rules,” the empress said gently as she sat down at the main seat.

Lin Xun nodded and sat down with a solemn expression. He felt a terrifying pressure enveloping him, so he didn’t dare to be disrespectful.

As the saying goes, keeping the emperor company is like living with a tiger.

Lin Xun finally understood the meaning of the phrase.

Terrifying! Too terrifying!

Lin Xun didn’t even dare to speculate how frightening the empress’s cultivation was.

There’s no doubt that she can kill me or control my life and death with one thought!

“I had lost hope of seeing the Sword of Apocalypse restored, but you surprised me,” said the empress softly.

It was as though she was chatting with a friend.

However, her friendliness only made Lin Xun more terrified. His entire body tensed up.

It was a cultivator’s instinctive reaction to someone stronger.

Lin Xun inhaled deeply and said respectfully. “Your Majesty, you are overpraising me.”

“It isn’t fake praise, but I know that you are the only one in the world who can repair the Sword of Apocalypse,” stated the empress.

Lin Xun was stunned. She thinks too highly of me.

As though she was able to read his mind, the empress sighed softly, “It seems like Lu Boya hadn’t told you anything.”

The familiar name set off an explosion of emotions in Lin Xun’s heart. Mister Lu!

The empress mentioned Mister Lu!

The empress’ clear eyes glazed over as she reminisced. “It was on a snowy night one hundred and seventy-three years ago. There were only three days left until my wedding to the emperor. The emperor said he wanted to give me an unparalleled rune armament as a gift.”

“That was how I came to receive the Sword of Apocalypse.”

“Later, I learned that the emperor had paid a huge price to exchange the Sword of Apocalypse from Lu Boya.”

“The Sword of Apocalypse is too mysterious. It has helped me resolve many calamities, and it has become an inseparable part of my life. So I’ve always been curious what sort of person Lu Boya is.”

Lin Xun’s heart violently churned. It turns out that Mister Lu made the Sword of Apocalypse…

What a surprise!

“Unfortunately, Lu Boya is a very mysterious character. His origins are unfathomable, and even the emperor is very secretive about him.”

The empress suddenly raised her eyes to look at Lin Xun.

“How is he now?”

Lin Xun froze. The scenes from the day he escaped from the mine prison flooded his mind. The giant purple hand that blanketed the sky, the complicated expression on Mister Lu’s face when he sent him away—the anxiousness, irritability, anger, helplessness and bitterness.

“Mister Lu…he isn’t around anymore.”

Lin Xun’s voice was low. He had always refused to accept the cruel truth. But deep down, he knew that there was only a very slim chance of Mister Lu being alive.

The empress looked surprised. Then, looking at Lin Xun’s upset face, she sighed, “What a pity.”

Lin Xun took a deep breath and asked aloud, “Your Majesty, I wonder why you summoned me?”

He didn’t want to continue on the topic anymore.

His question seemed disrespectful, but the empress didn’t seem to mind.

She thought for a moment and shook her head. “I just wanted to ask you about Lu Boya.”

Lin Xun narrowed his eyes as he had a feeling that the empress was hiding something.

But he couldn’t ask about it because even if he did, she wouldn’t say much.

“You have helped me repair the Sword of Apocalypse and should be rewarded. However, your performance in the martial arts arena just now was too outrageous. If I don’t punish you, the world will look down on the imperial family and question our authority.”

The emperor suddenly mentioned the incidents in the arena.

Lin Xun inwardly sighed. Then, it was unknown where he summoned the courage from, but he said aloud, “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

His response startled the empress. She didn’t expect a kid to dare challenge her. Immediately after that, she said expressionlessly, “You were wrong to not look at the situation on the whole, and your bad manners and inappropriate behaviors were all wrong. If you don’t admit it, it only proves that you are too naive and do not know the rules of the world.”

Although her voice was still gentle, it was chilling and full of majesty.

Lin Xun kept silent, unable to see through her emotions.

However, the empress sharply sensed that Lin Xun was unwilling to submit. She had met many fearless youngsters, but she had never seen someone as stubborn as him. After all, he had dared to argue with her..

“Go.”

The empress waved her hand.

Lin Xun hurriedly got up and took his leave.

He felt that if he stayed any longer, the invisible oppressive pressure he felt from the empress would make him completely lose himself.

However, just as he reached the door of the hall, he suddenly remembered something and said aloud, “Your Majesty, I wonder if my reward…”

“You have challenged the authority of the imperial family. If you accept the punishment, I can give you your reward. Are you sure you want it?”

Her face was devoid of emotion, and her voice was no longer gentle like before.

Lin Xun quickly shook his head and turned around.

As the empress watched Lin Xun leave, the corners of her lips quirked in an indescribable smile. It was the first time she had met such a brazen and daring young man like Lin Xun.

Who in the Forbidden City has ever asked me for a reward?

This kid is the first to do so.

The empress suddenly wrinkled her brows. That kid is so showy. Does he not know the truth about the bloody tragedy more than ten years ago?