This Is What a Villain Is Like

Woven from some unknown material, it was as light as a feather. The aura of the Dao permeated it, yet it also seemed to contain the savage, ferocious energy of Ancient Times. It could transform into a dragon or a phoenix to annihilate all foes.

"This is a set of Postnatal Spiritual Treasures called the Dragon and Phoenix Immortal Yuan Armor. A Great Divine Ability User from long ago forged it by refining a wisp of a Dragon Soul and a Phoenix Soul. It is a treasure for both offense and defense. Today, I gift it to you both as a wedding present," the white-robed elder said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the assembled guests were deeply shaken. The sheer extravagance of the gift was terrifying.

A Spiritual Treasure was on a level far beyond that of a Dao Artifact. It possessed what could be called a spirit or intelligence. It didn’t even require a master to control it; it could automatically absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and unleash its boundless power.

The value of a single Spiritual Treasure was difficult to describe in words. Even some of the top Immortal Sect Lineages might not possess a Spiritual Treasure among their most prized, ultimate treasures.

Even Emperor Xia was secretly astonished. Her eyes were fixed on it, unblinking.

’She hadn’t expected to snag such a benefit.’

𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Great Xia’s National Treasure, the Dragon-Suppressing Seal, had originally been a Spiritual Treasure, but its spirit had been erased many years ago, leaving it incomplete.

In Great Xia’s national treasury, there were in fact a few Spiritual Treasures, but they belonged to the empire, not to her personally.

The Xia Yu Sword in her hand could only be considered a half-finished Spiritual Treasure.

In the current era, it was nearly impossible for new Spiritual Treasures to be born, making Postnatal Spiritual Treasures exceedingly rare.

’The Taiyi Sect truly lives up to its name as the leader of the Immortal Sects—so rich and extravagant.’

"Thank you, Grandfather."

Jiang Lan accepted it with a clear conscience. But noticing Emperor Xia’s gaze, which seemed to drift toward it intentionally or not, he thought for a moment before handing one of the pieces to her.

He had originally considered saving it for Li Mengning, but given the current occasion, it was indeed inappropriate.

Afterward, they paid respects to their parents and to heaven and earth, drank the nuptial wine, and completed the many tedious rituals. The court officials then followed the ceremonial procession back to the Imperial Palace in a grand display before dispersing.

Deep within the Imperial Palace, in Mingde Hall, candlelight flickered and red lanterns hung high.

The hall was very quiet. The bed was covered with a silk quilt embroidered with mandarin ducks, dragons, and phoenixes. The atmosphere was tinged with a rare ambiguity.

Emperor Xia no longer possessed the quiet demeanor she had shown outside. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she was examining the Spiritual Treasure in her hands. Runes flickered in her eyes as Emperor’s Dragon Qi surged and gathered around her.

’I just need to get through tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll start the Refinement of this Spiritual Treasure to increase my strength. Opportunities like this are rare.’

Jiang Lan sat at the table, leisurely sipping his wine, and didn’t initiate conversation.

It seemed both of them felt awkward about the situation.

Only after she had finished her inspection and determined there were no issues did Emperor Xia place the Spiritual Treasure set into her Sumeru Ring and nod with some satisfaction.

"Jiang Lan..."

She remembered the Restriction Jiang Ruxian had placed on her. But based on her understanding of Jiang Lan, even with the two of them alone in a room, it was unlikely anything would happen.

’What’s done is done. There’s no point in saying anything more.’

"If Your Majesty has something to say, please speak freely." Jiang Lan put down his wine and glanced at her.

"I..."

"I..."

Emperor Xia suddenly didn’t know what to say. They had muddled their way through the wedding ceremony and were now married. ’From now on, are we supposed to address each other as husband and wife?’

"Hm?" Jiang Lan raised an eyebrow.

Emperor Xia suddenly felt a surge of irritation and asked, "Are you annoyed with me?"

After their meeting at the Desire Immortal Pavilion that day, she hadn’t seen Jiang Lan again.

She only knew he had been placed under house arrest and was only released the day before the Feng Jun Grand Ceremony. ’Has he been resisting this whole time?’

Emperor Xia didn’t know why she was so irritated. Perhaps it was because of what happened at the Desire Immortal Pavilion, or perhaps it was Jiang Lan’s current attitude.

In any case, the good mood she had from unexpectedly receiving a Spiritual Treasure had now completely vanished.