Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

"Haven’t you noticed yet?"

The Empress’s voice remained calm, yet it seemed to carry immense power, imbued with an anger that was hard to conceal.

"Your Majesty, the four reports of disaster all came from the Yanmiao Hall region."

Yan Zhi respectfully replied.

"Immediately investigate the cause."

The Empress’s expression was grave.

When this situation first arose, she had already taken action. However, now half a month had passed, and not only was the situation not under control, but it had also worsened—this was no coincidence.

"Yes!"

Yan Zhi dared not hesitate and bowed before retreating.

During this time, those black-robed men seemed to have completely disappeared, and no ancient specters were causing chaos, nor were any ancient arrays malfunctioning.

However, this did not induce any relaxation; instead, it felt like the calm before the storm.

"It would be best if I don’t discover it was you again, otherwise..."

There was a flash of coldness in the Empress’s eyes.

The Imperial Study returned to silence, and the surrounding space seemed to freeze, filled with a sense of oppression.

The Empress picked up a new memorial, paused, and glanced in the direction of Huayang Hall.

Everything was as usual.

The radiant smile on Ling’Er’s face eased the Empress’s previously gloomy mood somewhat.

However, what was that silly auspicious creature up to?

She occasionally sneaked glances at Qin Yu; did she have some mischievous idea again?

Did she want to sneak out and play?

Previously, the Empress Dowager was not allowed to roam freely, primarily out of concern that Ling’Er’s situation might worsen if the auspicious creature took her out.

However, now with Qin Yu’s company, the Power of Dao Rhyme within Ling’Er was becoming increasingly stable. Even going out to play, as long as they didn’t leave the Imperial Capital, the Empress could turn a blind eye, allowing them to go.

Of course, the premise was that Qin Yu wasn’t afraid of being caught by the Flower Fairy after leaving the Imperial Palace.

Speaking of which, half of the one-month period had already passed, and Qin Yu still seemed unable to find a way to restore that branch of the Tree of Life.

The Empress felt vexed once again, and her brow involuntarily furrowed.

"Sigh..."

With a gentle sigh, a wave of fatigue surged in her heart.

Recently, there had been too many matters, and coupled with the irreconcilable conflict between Qin Yu and the Flower Fairy, the Empress was increasingly weary, spending nearly half of each day asleep.

Once these troublesome affairs were settled, the matters she had repeatedly postponed needed to be prepared as well.

At dusk, the Empress Dowager reluctantly departed, turning back every few steps, while internally complaining... Does the tyrant have so much leisure time? Calling me back right on cue every day.

To prevent the Empress Dowager from becoming a burden, the Empress had been thoroughly thoughtful.

"Brother Qin Yu, I..."

Little Ling’Er looked up at Qin Yu, her delicate face showing a hint of hesitation, as if shy to speak.

"What’s the matter?"

Qin Yu looked at Little Ling’Er’s exquisite and flawless face and asked.

Facing his concerned gaze, Little Ling’Er gathered her courage and said, "Can I go in with you all?"

"Go in? You mean..."

"Yes!"

Little Ling’Er nodded heavily, her eyes somewhat evasive, as if afraid of hearing Qin Yu’s refusal.

After arriving at Huayang Hall, Qin Yu would wait until she fell asleep before leaving the room almost every day. Moreover, he would have Yin Qinghe accompany her to sleep, demonstrating his care.

However...

When Qin Yu’s Divine Body reached a breakthrough, he disappeared for two days. Even though she already knew he was in the process of a breakthrough, Little Ling’Er still felt lost, almost sitting in the garden in a daze all day, just waiting for Brother Qin Yu to appear.

But that space was accessible only to Qin Yu and his wives.

Little Ling’Er knew she was being a bit forward, but she still wanted to be closer to Qin Yu.

"Of course, you can."

Qin Yu pondered for a while and replied.

He had long considered bringing Little Ling’Er into his Lifebound Space, but without a reason, it was difficult for him to speak up.

After all, Little Ling’Er was the Princess of the Great Yan Royal Family.

Now that Little Ling’Er had brought it up herself and the Empress had not stopped it, he could naturally agree.

"Really?"

Little Ling’Er’s eyes immediately lit up, her face was full of a joyful smile, making others feel like a spring breeze, remarkably similar to the carefree girl on the Immortal Spirit Island in Qin Yu’s memory.

Qin Yu nodded, took his beloved wife and Little Ling’Er, and with a thought, they entered the Lifebound Space.

...

"Tyrant!"

"Foolish ruler..."

The Empress Dowager was still dawdling on the road, occasionally kicking small stones, continuously muttering complaints.

"Huh, Qin Yu and Little Ling’Er are missing?!"

Her steps hitched, and she was suddenly in disarray.

"He took Little Ling’Er to that space?"

"Oh no, I warned him not to bully Little Ling’Er, how could he do this!"

"This is bad. Without my protection, wouldn’t Little Ling’Er be..."

The Empress Dowager was anxious, stumbled in her haste, sprinting towards the Imperial Study.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, something terrible happened!"

"Qin Yu took Little Ling’Er to that space!"

The Empress Dowager shouted loudly, her face full of urgency, as if a moment of delay would cause Ling’Er great harm.

However, what surprised her was that the Empress supported her forehead with her palm and merely waved her hand, indicating she was aware.

The Empress Dowager froze.

What does this tyrant mean?

Does she not fear Ling’Er being bullied by Qin Yu?

Does she know how fierce Qin Yu can be?!

If Qin Yu bullies her, how could Ling’Er possibly bear it?

"It is permitted by me, why are you anxious?"

Seeing the Empress Dowager showing no signs of retreating, the Empress finally looked up, glancing lightly at this auspicious figure.

"What? You know and yet do not stop it?"

The Empress Dowager was shocked. Has this foolish sovereign lost her senses?

Ling’Er is so small, are you not worried?

"I also have Ling’Er’s best interest at heart."

The Empress exercised patience. She knew that without giving a sound explanation, the Empress Dowager would never give up peacefully, and it won’t do to be stern with her every time.

"Each time Qin Yu leaves for a few days, the power of Dao Rhyme in Ling’Er’s body becomes chaotic, and continuing like this, even staying by Qin Yu’s side for a long time will not restore her to normal."

If she cannot cultivate, her lifespan would be no more than a hundred years.

And Ling’Er possesses an Innate Dao Spirit Body, extremely rare and with dual attributes; should she live like an ordinary person?

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was momentarily speechless, swallowing the words she had prepared to argue with.

Actually, she could sense that what the Empress said was the truth.

But whenever Qin Yu appears, Ling’Er’s body stabilizes, making the Empress Dowager reluctant to think further about these matters.

Isn’t staying together well enough?

"But I am worried!"

The Empress Dowager hesitated slightly but still expressed her concern, "What if Qin Yu does something bad, very bad... what then?"

"Then, marry her to Qin Yu."

It seemed the Empress had already made this plan.

"What?"

The Empress Dowager’s mouth slightly agape—so Her Majesty knows Ling’Er’s feelings?

But the issue now isn’t whether to marry Qin Yu or not; Lil’ Ling’Er’s body is too fragile, she cannot dare imagine such a scene.

"You need not worry, Qin Yu has self-restraint."

In matters of self-control, the Empress trusted Qin Yu more.

Even if she personally decrees the marriage, Qin Yu would not harm Ling’Er in the slightest. She had seen Qin Yu lose his composure more than once, yet he restrained his temper, keeping distance from Ling’Er, saying things like waiting for her to grow up.

In the Empress’s view, Ling’Er actually...was not exactly small.

Just a bit weak physically, after enduring years of illness.

"No!"

The Empress Dowager shook her head like a rattle.

"Unless you let me in too!"

"Don’t even think about it!"

The Empress glanced at her coolly.

Qin Yu exercises restraint with Ling’Er but doesn’t mean he would with the Empress Dowager.

The look in his eyes seemed like he wanted to eat this auspicious one alive.

"Why?! I must personally guard Ling’Er to feel assured."

"Humph!"

The Empress was too lazy to educate the Empress Dowager. You not going at all is already a blessing; letting you in, would be like handing a meat bun to a dog!

It’s likely Ling’Er is still untouched, while the foolish auspicious one is fortunate!

"I don’t care, unless you agree today, I won’t leave!"

The Empress Dowager stomped her small foot, clearly planning to act unreasonably.

The Empress felt a wave of fatigue, eyes showing a hint of helplessness.

This foolish auspicious one; she shouldn’t have given her the title of Empress Dowager with such conduct, none exhibiting the grace befitting an Empress Dowager!

She simply has thrown the face of the Great Yan Royal Family completely!

Luckily, this was the Imperial Study, where nobody could see, otherwise, the Empress would have felt compelled to confine the auspicious one for some time.

"You must promise me, let me guard Ling’Er; henceforth...I’ll obey all your wishes."

Seeing no response from the Empress, the Empress Dowager’s beautiful eyes were misted with a thin layer of water, looking determined, implying she won’t give up unless the Empress agrees.

Facing the willful Empress Dowager, the Empress only felt weary.

If she hadn’t truly found Qin Yu, providing relief from Ling’Er’s hidden ailment, even glimpsing a chance of cure, she’d seriously question the auspicious one’s identity.

Such mannerisms, how are they likely to bring fortune to the Immortal Country?!

If only she could be less troublesome, it would count as the ancestors of the Great Yan Royal Family manifesting.

Now, the Great Yan Immortal Country’s land is ridden with troubles; hidden forces likely never resting, and she barely has the energy to continuously monitor the Empress Dowager, only being able to restrict her return to the Jade Flower Palace every night.

In this way, Qin Yu, even if blinded by desire, certainly can’t act under broad daylight, right?!

"If you continue causing such trouble, you may never step inside Huayang Hall again."

The Empress straightened, lightly opening her vermillion lips, her faint voice carrying an unquestionable authority.

Clearly, the Empress Dowager was not causing trouble for the first time, the Empress was accustomed and managed efficiently.

As expected, as the words fell, the Empress Dowager immediately withdrew her determined demeanor of defiance.

Not allowing her to enter Huayang Hall, wouldn’t that mean she can’t see Ling’Er and Qin Yu?!

She definitely doesn’t want that!