Chapter 397 - 140: Sully My Name and Bide My Time? I Will Be an Empress for the Ages

"’Where did things go wrong? Why are so many people attacking Changsheng Hall?’"

Her brows were tightly furrowed as she tried to deduce what had gone wrong.

’If the National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal is stolen when I have such a clear advantage, I’ll never be able to face my ministers again.’

Especially since Jiang Lan had gone so far as to act publicly to help her, drawing the Barbarian God’s attention and forcing Jiang Lintian to intervene.

Because of this, all his past efforts to hide his strength and feign incompetence would be for naught. From this day forward, any intelligent person would start paying attention to him.

His life would no longer be as easy as before...

Emperor Xia’s expression was calm, but her heart was heavy and far from at ease. However, with Prime Minister Jiang Lintian taking action, she no longer needed to concern herself with the events within the Qianyuan Cave Realm. Now, she just had to control her avatar and ensure the National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal was not stolen.

Such a shocking battle was taking place deep within the Imperial Palace, yet the elders of the Imperial Clan Court showed no reaction, as if they were completely unaware.

How severe would the consequences be if the National Treasure were lost?

But they didn’t care about that; they only cared about who sat on the throne.

Amid the chaos in the Qianyuan Cave Realm, Jiang Lan did not waste the opportunity to fish in troubled waters. He had already done what he needed to do. Whether it was the Barbarian God or the battle for the National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal deep within the Imperial Palace, neither was something he could get involved in with his current, publicly known cultivation level.

Taking advantage of the situation, he controlled his Ten Thousand Spirits Blood Puppet to secretly devour the Essence Blood used by the Blood Immortal Sect members for their formation, allowing its power to quietly transform.

After today, more people would be watching him, and his opportunities to develop his strength in secret would become much rarer.

However, after sensing the abundant Destiny that Emperor Xia had brought him and the change in her attitude, Jiang Lan felt that all his schemes and efforts were worthwhile.

The Great Xia dynasty was the most powerful nation in the Nine Provinces Land.

Its territory, population, influential Noble Families, and Immortal Sect Lineages were all second to none, almost impossible to match. Consequently, the nation’s National Fortune was also unbelievably rich.

Just the change in Emperor Xia’s attitude toward him caused a massive amount of Destiny to surge into his Mud Ball Palace.

This Destiny contained immense National Fortune and Dragon Fortune, something a mere Child of Fortune could never compare to.

In the original story, Emperor Xia was also the destined ruler of the Great Xia, bearing the dynasty’s National Fortune and heavenly mandate.

As for why she couldn’t gain the recognition of the National Treasure, that was entirely due to a scheme left by the previous emperor and not her own fault.

Nourished by the Destiny from Emperor Xia, the growth rate of his Destiny Dao Fruit was also changing at an astonishing pace.

Jiang Lan estimated that in just over half a month, his Age Dao Fruit would mature to the second stage, and his Destiny Dao Fruit would be close to reaching the third stage.

’Next, if I follow the plan, marry Emperor Xia, and win her heart, the benefits will be even more substantial.’

’With a stable and rich source of Destiny, I can also focus more of my energy on my own cultivation.’

Suddenly, Jiang Lan’s expression showed a hint of surprise as he sensed something.

’So the Blood Immortal Sect is really going to use that bottle of Blood Immortal’s Muddy Blood after all?’

’Emperor Xia is focusing all her attention on the Imperial Palace. Empowered by Dragon Energy, she’s practically invincible. The many experts from the Blood Immortal Sect who snuck in are indeed no match for her.’

’Seizing the Dragon-Suppressing Seal is no longer realistic, so they’re trying to defile it and damage the Great Xia’s National Fortune instead?’

’Good thing I made preparations in advance.’

He already knew the Blood Immortal Sect’s next move. After all, he had refined that bottle of Blood Immortal’s Muddy Blood long ago, so he sensed it the moment the sect’s upper echelons began to use it.

The Qianyuan Cave Realm was currently in chaos, and he had long since separated from his subordinates, so no one would notice him.

The arrival of the Barbarian God had disrupted the Heaven and Earth Rules of this place, blurring everything. Even if the Royal Family tried to repair the Qianyuan Cave Realm and trace events afterward, it would be difficult for them to find any clues.

Thinking this, Jiang Lan slightly closed his eyes. His Destiny Dao Fruit trembled, and a vast consciousness swept out, instantly enveloping the many life forms in the area and discerning his direction.

With a flicker, his figure vanished from the spot.

Meanwhile, in a hidden, dense forest, a thick, bloody light pulsed and drifted. Many experts from the Blood Immortal Sect had gathered, rapidly constructing a blood-colored altar as if to commune with something.

Just then, a terrifying torrent of blood-red mist, like a ball of light, suddenly descended from the dense, bloody light and transformed into a blurry, slender figure.

Their faces filled with shock and astonishment, they were about to attack and kill the intruder.

However, a man in black robes among them suddenly raised a hand to stop them. He then looked at the blurry, blood-red figure that had just landed, a hint of suspicion in his eyes, and asked, "And you are?"

The person emanated the strong aura of a Blood Immortal Sect Cultivation Technique, clearly one of their own, yet their face was obscured, hiding their true identity.

Furthermore, this aura was so immense that it was almost suffocating, a clear sign of profound power.

"Ye Ming..."

The slender, blurry, blood-red figure coolly uttered the two words. His gaze then swept over the completed blood-colored altar. "I’m commandeering this altar. You will all act as my Guardians."

His words were concise, and the moment they were spoken...