"Hahaha!"
A loud, mocking laugh echoed through the hall.
All heads turned toward the grand entrance, where an overly adorned figure strode confidently into the chamber. His robes shimmered with gold-threaded embroidery, and his steps carried the arrogant swagger of a man too used to power.
A middle-aged man—yet every family present stood a little straighter at his appearance. Even the most haughty nobles bowed their heads subtly.
Yun Che narrowed his eyes beneath the mask.
Jin Zhuo's expression stiffened. "Che'er… That's Liu Wuyan. The City Lord of Xuanwu City."
The man chuckled as he took center stage, his gaze scanning the hall like a hawk. "I was under the impression that the Jin Family had run out of disciples willing to be publicly humiliated. Yet here you are again—how curious."
Yun Che tilted his head and muttered loud enough for the hall to hear, "Who's this clown?"
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
The city lord's smug smile dropped. "Clown? You dare speak to me like that?!"
"Oh, I dare," Yun Che replied, stepping forward calmly, his voice laced with icy confidence. "You come dressed like a peacock, throwing insults left and right. If you're here to pick a fight—we'll make it an even one."
Murmurs spread among the families. A few even chuckled behind their sleeves. No one had ever spoken to the City Lord that way.
"So this is the representative you brought out of hiding?"
Liu Wuyan sneered, folding his arms with disdain. "A man with a sharp tongue and no sense of rank?"
Yun Che stepped forward casually, his voice clear and unshaken.
"City Lord? Strange… isn't the Count of Jin the rightful city lord of Xuanwu?" He tilted his head. "Besides, your cultivation is severely lacking. An Eighth Level Earth Profound Realm… and you call yourself a ruler?"
Gasps and stifled laughter swept through the hall like wind through leaves.
Liu Wuyan's face flushed. "I was appointed by the support of the Zhu Family and the Cang Outer Family. All the noble houses stood behind me."
"Oh, I see," Yun Che said with mock realization, "so you became City Lord through favoritism, not merit. You're a puppet dressed in silk robes."
"You—!"
Yun Che cut him off with a raised hand.
"Isn't the authority over provincial appointments supposed to fall under the Emperor of the Blue Wind Empire? That's why this is called Jin Province, not Liu Province."
Whispers now filled the air. A few nobles shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
For the first time ever, the Jin Family defied the city lord.
The hall fell into a tense silence. For a brief moment, the air itself seemed to hold its breath.
The noble families exchanged uncertain glances. They had expected the usual—submission, excuses, debt-ridden silence from the Jin Family. But this… this open defiance? This razor-sharp challenge to the so-called city lord?
It caught them all off guard.
"Is this… really the Jin Family?" someone whispered under their breath.
"Since when did they dare raise their heads?" another muttered, eyes narrowing.
Then, like a ripple turning into a wave, the hall erupted with mocking laughter.
"Hah! False bravery! Putting on a show before their final collapse!" sneered the Huang Family head, shaking his head.
"The last howl of a cornered dog," added the Zhang Family's Patriarch, crossing his arms smugly. He was glad the city lord came. The city lord will make them void the challenges.
"What are they planning? Just because they won and suddenly they think they can fight back?" chuckled the Gao Family patriarch, his voice laced with disdain. He was waiting for the moment the Jin Family return the treasures back to them.
Liu Wuyan's fists clenched at his side. "You may be clever with words, but you speak of things beyond your place. The Cang Outer Family has taken supreme control of provincial matters. Even the court doesn't object."
A cold smile played on Yun Che's lips.
"Ah… So you admit it. You defied Imperial Authority and pledged allegiance to an Outer Family instead. Let me guess—" his eyes glinted sharply beneath the mask,
"—they gave you power, because they expect to win. Because they believe they can install Cang Xingwu as the new Emperor over Princess Cang Yue."
Cang Yue's expression darkened under her veil. Even the other families began to quiet down, tension growing.
"You dare—!"
"I do dare." Yun Che's voice now rang like tempered steel. "This isn't just a game of power and titles anymore. You've betrayed the Empire. You've mocked its heir, and tonight—you'll answer for it."
The banquet had officially become a battlefield.
"You…" Liu Wuyan's voice cracked with disbelief.
"I guess you didn't know," Yun Che said casually, brushing invisible dust from his sleeve, "that your so-called 'crown prince' lost that match. The Emperor's decree stands. You're just a dog barking for a master who already failed."
"B-Bastard…"
"Hahaha!" Liu Wuyan barked out a laugh, his voice rising in forced confidence. "And what are you then? Some hidden scion of the Imperial Family? Go on, satisfy our curiosity. Or are you just a pretender in a mask?"
Yun Che tilted his head, smiling beneath the mask. "Not yet."
The hall stirred with excitement as the City Lord himself stood, his voice laced with finality.
"So, you think you've earned the right to bark after a few parlor tricks and games? Have you forgotten—all official challenges must be presented before the City Lord's court? Any challenge without my seal of sanction… is null."
The nobles erupted in quiet cheers. The Gao Patriarch stood tall, emboldened. "Return the treasures! The challenges are voided!"
Relieved, the eight families began to smirk, their shame turning into smug delight. For a moment, it seemed like they had found a way to erase their humiliation.
Yet amidst their celebration, Yun Che didn't even flinch. He stood unmoving, arms crossed, eyes cold. A ghost of a smile traced his lips.
Jin Zhuo, however, stiffened beside him. His fists clenched. "Che'er… they're going too far. Even the City Lord—"
Yun Che raised a hand, silencing him gently.
"Oh… so this is how the great City Lord of this realm plays his hand?" he said with calm amusement, loud enough to echo through the hall.
The murmurs quieted.
"I see now. All of this…" He gestured to the eight families, then to the City Lord. "This wasn't just an ambush for the Jin Family. This was coordinated. Rigged from the very beginning."
The City Lord narrowed his eyes. "Watch your tongue, boy."
"No," Yun Che said sharply. "You watch yours."
That silenced even the City Lord.
Yun Che slowly stepped forward, each footfall deliberate.
"You say the banquet challenges are void because they weren't 'sanctioned.' But according to your own city records—" he flicked his wrist, and from his inventory, a rolled-up scroll landed on the ground before the City Lord with a thud "—Clause 7 of the Banquet Challenge Accord, given to all noble families states this clearly:
'Any challenge conducted within a formal family gathering, agreed upon by all involved parties, and witnessed by neutral observers… is considered binding and enforceable under City Law.'"
The crowd's breath caught. The nobles turned pale.
"I made very sure this banquet had every requirement met. A formal setting. Mutual agreement. Witnesses. Neutral scribes from the Province High Academy as judges. Even a sealed document bearing the emperor's decree."
Before the challenges began, Yun Che had the system scan the rules of the banquet in the Jin Family's archive. Turns out, these rules have a lot of loopholes.
The City Lord's expression soured. "That decree is ancient."
"And never revoked." Yun Che shot back. "Funny how you only remember your power when your little pawns start to lose."
He turned to the crowd.
"Everyone here heard the rules. Everyone saw the battles. Now that we've won, you want to flip the table?"
He chuckled darkly.
"Well, if you want to play dirty politics and fake rulings—go ahead. But if you officially void this event, you show the whole city that the City Lord is not even trustworthy to honor contracts. Merely a puppet who protects his pawns."
Silence fell. Heavy. Threatening.
Because they knew… he could actually do it.
Jin Zhuo stared at Yun Che with growing awe.
Yun Che slowly turned back to the City Lord.
"So… City Lord. Do you truly wish to void this event and publicly declare that the ruling nobility of your city are nothing but dishonorable liars?"
The City Lord clenched his jaw. The silence was damning. This brat is too cunning.
"Hmph! You're no place to speak before the city lord of Xuanwu!" Liu Wuyan barked, stepping forward, his aura flaring with Eight Level Earth Profound Realm pressure. "Kneel, brat. Let me remind you what rank means!"
His spiritual aura crashed down like a wave—
—but it didn't so much as rustle Yun Che's robes.
Yun Che sighed, unimpressed. "That's it? You call that suppression?"
In a blink, a pulse of Spiritual Pressure surged from Yun Che—not raw power, but something colder, deeper. The weight of it hit Liu Wuyan like a mountain from the heavens.
BAM!
The self-proclaimed city lord dropped to his knees, gasping, the marble floor beneath him cracking.
"Wh-what… is this…" Liu Wuyan choked, his forehead already beaded with sweat.
The nobles fell silent. The laughter died. Even the most arrogant of them dared not speak.
Behind Yun Che, veiled eyes sparkled with silent pride.
"Hmph, a brat like you dares to be impudent?"
A heavy voice echoed through the grand hall, and the temperature seemed to drop.
Another figure entered—broad-shouldered, draped in a regal crimson cape over dark armor. His face was hard and weathered, marked with a distinct X-shaped scar across his left cheek. His aura wasn't loud, but it was suffocating. Commanding. Dangerous.
Zhu Lin.
The very name made Jin Mulan stiffen. Her fists clenched, her breathing sharpened—but her hand was caught, gently.
Yun Che had taken it in his. One firm squeeze, a quiet gesture that steadied her trembling heart.
She didn't speak, but her eyes—flickering with pain and rage—met his. And then, she stood taller.
"I can't believe this," Zhu Lin said, stepping forward. His eyes glinted with disdain as he scanned Yun Che. "Mulan, you brought this brat to challenge me? To defy the future I offered you? I thought you would've given up by now. We were friends, once…"
His voice tried to sound regretful—but the smugness bled through.
Then, a thunderous shuffle of robes and knees struck the hall.
"We greet Lord Zhu!"
Every noble prostrated themselves without hesitation, falling like dominos before a tyrant. Even Liu Wuyan pressed his head to the floor, voice trembling in reverence.
To them, Zhu Lin was more than noble—he was a force. A god cloaked in steel.
But not the Jin Family.
Not one of them bowed.
They stood their ground—Mulan at the front, her hand still in Yun Che's.
The air tensed like a drawn bowstring. All eyes turned. The nobles stared in disbelief, as if witnessing insects standing up to a dragon.
The silence grew thick… until Zhu Lin's smile twisted.
"Oh? Not bowing? Have the rats of the Jin Family grown teeth?"
"The Jin Family has finally grown some fangs," Zhu Lin sneered, his voice echoing with ridicule across the hall. His gaze swept over them like a storm cloud. "Why don't you bow down to your lord?"
Yet not a single member of the Jin Family moved.
Jin Zhuo stood tall beside his wife. Mulan's gaze was steady, unwavering. Cang Yue narrowed her eyes but remained calm. Even the veiled women behind them stood like pillars of stone.
It was Yun Che who finally spoke—casually, as if he were commenting on the weather.
"Prostration is for the god," he said, his tone calm but laced with razor-sharp edge. "Not for mortals pretending to be one."
A hush fell. Then—
"Hahahahaha!" Zhu Lin laughed, throwing his head back. "Brat, you've got a sharp tongue. I'm almost impressed. Making the city lord bow like this. It's like you're asking for trouble."
He stepped forward, his boots cracking against the polished stone with purpose.
"I am curious, though… who is the man bold enough to speak like this in my city? In my presence? Show me your face!" His voice was a command, thunderous and proud.
Yun Che didn't even flinch.
"No."
The simplicity of the word stunned the room. Gasps whispered across the noble families.
Zhu Lin's grin twisted into a snarl.
"You dare make me mad?!" he roared, the pressure in his voice rising like a wave of fire.
Yun Che's response was almost mocking. He stepped forward, meeting Zhu Lin's fury with a relaxed smile.
"Oh, I dare."
The silence after that struck like a drumbeat.
Zhu Lin's smug expression twisted as he released his aura—a fearsome burst of Second Level Emperor Profound Realm power. The pressure flooded the grand hall like a tidal wave, sending noble guests trembling in their seats.
But no one from the Jin Family flinched.
Jin Zhuo and his wife stood composed, completely unshaken. That was because they—and Cang Yue—were surrounded by veiled women whose presence radiated an eerie calm. Their auras were hidden, but the sheer composure they held hinted at immense strength.
Zhu Lin's eyes locked on Yun Che with growing irritation. "Let's see if your tongue is as tough as your body!" he snarled, surging forward and swinging a fist toward Yun Che.
But it never connected.
Mulan moved like lightning, intercepting his punch with her own. The clash of fists cracked the marble beneath them.
"Mulan?!" Zhu Lin growled, reeling back. His eyes widened as he felt the overwhelming power surging from her. "This aura… since when did you—?!"
Mulan's voice was calm, resolute. "I'm not as weak as you thought, Zhu Lin."
She stepped forward, her presence no longer concealed. Her aura burned brilliantly—Third Level Emperor Profound Realm, honed and stable.
"After Mu Che's… death, I took the elixir he made for me. For two years, I stayed silent. I let you believe I was weak so that my family would remain safe from your ambitions."
Zhu Lin's shock turned into twisted lust and rage. "Tch... I always liked defiant women. Makes breaking them all the more enjoyable!"
He lunged again, hand outstretched to grab her.
But this time, it wasn't Mulan who stopped him.
A crack of wind. A blur of movement.
BAM!
Yun Che's fist collided with Zhu Lin's face like a divine hammer, sending the man hurtling through the air. He crashed into a marble pillar, shattering it on impact, and slumped to the ground with blood trailing from his mouth.
Gasps exploded across the hall.
"Y-You bastard…!" Zhu Lin coughed, rage and humiliation dripping from every word.
Yun Che stepped forward, his voice calm and cold. "Touch my wife again, and I won't hold back next time."
"Wife?!" The entire hall echoed in shock.
Yun Che reached up, grabbed the edge of his mask, and slowly pulled it free—revealing the sharp, unmistakable features that once brought the Jin Family to the peak.
"Guess I don't need this anymore."
The mask clattered to the ground.
"You… YOU!!" Zhu Lin snarled, face twisted in fury and disbelief. "Mu Che!!!"
"Mu Che?" one noble gasped. "Isn't he dead?!"
The entire hall descended into chaos—murmurs, gasps, even fear rippled across the nobles. For the ghost they thought long gone had just returned... and he wasn't the same man they remembered.
The atmosphere turned suffocating.
The name Mu Che echoed through the minds of everyone present like a thunderclap.
Mu Che.
The genius son-in-law of the Jin Family whom spearheaded the rise of the Jin Family before his apparent death.
And now… standing here, returning after five years as Yun Che.
"You—Mu Che?!"
Several noble patriarchs took a step back. Some even looked to the City Lord in panic.
Zhu Lin's face darkened to an ugly shade. "You dare show yourself in this city?!"
"Show myself?" Yun Che smirked. "I didn't come here to hide. You were just too blind to see me. So, I am still alive!"
The Zhu Family's elite soldiers surrounded him, weapons drawn.
"Brat," snarled the leading commander, "raising your hand against Lord Zhu Tian is an act of treason against this province. You've earned yourself a public execution."
The entire hall tensed. Jin Zhuo and Mulan moved to step forward, but Yun Che raised a hand to stop them.
"Execution?" he said, amused.
He stepped toward the soldiers, his steps slow but unflinching, even as spears and swords pointed toward his heart.
"You think I raised my hand against your general?"
Yun Che grinned wickedly. "That was me holding back. Besides, I am acting under an authority."
"On whose authority?!" Liu Wuyan bellowed, slamming his hand on the armrest. "Do you not understand? My word—appointed by the Cang Outer Family—is law! If I say you're guilty, you're guilty. No evidence required!"
A heavy silence fell over the hall… until a calm, crystalline voice broke through.
"Then let me speak of authority."
The crowd turned.
From amidst the Jin delegation, a veiled figure rose gracefully to her feet. With a single motion, she lifted her kasa hat—revealing a face that stole the breath from the entire hall.
A hush swept across the nobles like a shockwave.
She wasn't just beautiful—she was ethereal.
But that wasn't what silenced the room.
It was her identity.
"The Blue Moon Imperial Princess…" Liu Wuyan was shocked. "Princess Cang Yue?!"
Gasps and stammering erupted around the hall. Several noble elders stood involuntarily, their faces pale with realization.
The rumors that had swept the empire like wildfire now stood before them in flesh and blood. The Princess of the Blue Wind Empire—the one said to be in the empire, never once ventured out into the world—now stood at the center of this hall… and she had taken a side.
Only days ago, whispers began to circulate. Unconfirmed reports of the princess personally confronting the Heavenly Sword Villa. Some called it madness. Others dismissed it as hearsay.
But now?
Now, those dismissed rumors had taken form.
Unbeknownst to many, the Blue Wind Empire didn't rely on satellites or modern communication. Instead, Profound Communication Crystals—devices engraved with mystical arrays—acted as the lifeline of information. And someone… someone had recorded that very confrontation.
The moment the Sword Villa was struck, the scene had been etched into crystal and spread—across provinces, sects, and noble houses. In mere hours, the recording reached the hands of thousands.
The Heavenly Sword Villa tried to suppress it. But they were too late.
Just like in Yun Che's previous world, the virus had already gone viral.
Even he took time reverse-engineering these crystals to understand how this world's network worked. And now, he smiled faintly, knowing full well how the enemy's reputation would rot in the public eye.
Cang Yue stepped forward, every movement carrying the weight of imperial dignity.
She turned her gaze to Liu Wuyan—cold, steady, regal.
In the past few days, the Blue Wind Empire had begun to view Cang Yue as two distinct figures—the graceful, gentle princess of public legend, and the ruthless empress she now boldly claimed to be. A rumor she once dismissed had become a role she now wore like a mantle of iron.
Even the nobles in the palace, long familiar with the image of a quiet and scholarly royal, had begun to whisper of the terrifying side hidden beneath. The once kind princess of the court—known more for her willingness to learn, now stood revealed as a woman capable of crushing sects and silencing armies.
The side known in fearful whispers as "the walking calamity."
"I-Imperial Princess Cang Yue…" The Zhang Family Patriarch stammered, cold sweat rolling down his temples.
"What?! Why is the Blue Moon Imperial Princess here?!" the Nie Family head shouted in disbelief, his voice echoing across the hall. None of them had been informed—not a single whisper that the princess herself would be attending.
Xu Qian and Zhang Jin widened their eyes. Is the Imperial Princess here? If she's here then, those monsters she met before….
Cang Yue stepped forward, her voice smooth yet sharp as ice. "Public execution? Do you truly believe you have the authority for that? Or has the Zhu Family decided that its arrogance now surpasses imperial law?"
She tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing. "'Your word is law,' you say? Then allow Us to remind you—the law lies with the Empire. In other word…. Me."
Yun Che, standing at her side, raised a brow, impressed. Gone was the timid girl they'd met back in New Moon Profound Palace. This was no longer the sheltered princess who once whispered behind veils and robes.
This was royalty in full bloom.
Cang Yue's tone, her posture, even her vocabulary—she now spoke with the unmistakable authority of a sovereign. She had begun using the royal "We" and "Us," not out of affectation, but as a declaration of power.
"The Jin Family… is backed by the Imperial Princess?!" someone gasped.
"Since when did the Emperor himself support the Jin Family?!" another noble barked, his face pale.
The answer was obvious, and it shook the core of the nine families.
The banquet, the challenges, the struggle for face—it had just escalated into a battlefield of national consequence.
Liu Wuyan, seeing the hesitation among the nobles, suddenly regained his confidence. In his mind, there was no way the true Imperial Princess would be here for something as trivial as a provincial banquet.
"You… you're not the Princess!" the city lord barked, pointing at Cang Yue with trembling rage. "The real Blue Moon Princess wouldn't involve herself in something so petty! You're just an impostor in disguise!"
Cang Yue let out a calm, disappointed sigh, her veiled gaze falling on the city lord. "Oh? So now you dare question Us?"
Before the air could settle, Zhu Lin pounced on the opportunity to restore his own crumbling authority.
"You heard him! She's a fraud! The true Princess wouldn't waste time on backwater worms like you!" he sneered, waving his hand forward. "Seize her!"
With a unified shout, the Zhu Family soldiers charged toward Cang Yue—eager to silence the "impostor."
But they never reached her.
Before the soldiers could close the distance, a whistle rang out—
Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!
Arrows pierced the air with surgical precision. Lin Yueru stood at the edge of the seating zone, her bow already drawn again for the next volley. Her eyes were cold, calculating.
A heartbeat later, sword lights flashed, swift and precise—Xue Ling had already moved, her blade weaving silver arcs that repelled the incoming attackers effortlessly.
Then came the whirl of a spear.
Mulan surged forward like a storm, her movements clean and devastating. She struck down three soldiers in a single sweeping motion with her spear, the sound of impact ringing through the hall.
The nobles froze.
In just seconds, three of Cang Yue's companions had formed a protective triangle around her, unwavering and deadly. Imperial Protectors—not by title, but by strength and loyalty.
These were not ordinary women.
Zhang Yao, still recovering from his humiliating defeat, widened his eyes in disbelief as he witnessed the unfolding scene.
That accuracy… That bow technique…
There was only one person in the entire Qinglong Sect whose marksmanship was so precise it could rival—even surpass—their highest-ranking disciples. But she had vanished after the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament, leaving without a word. Whispers spread that she had been chosen to become an Imperial Protector, a rare and prestigious title few in the empire could claim. No one in the sect dared question her sudden disappearance—especially not after witnessing the might of the woman who appeared alongside Princess Cang Yue in the tournament: the Grand Imperial Protector, a cultivator in the Emperor Profound Realm.
To demand her return now would be tantamount to declaring war on the empire itself. Even the Qinglong Sect, proud as they were, had never produced a single Emperor Profound cultivator. Their revered Grand Sect Master himself remained bound to the Sky Profound Realm.
And now, that same terrifyingly skilled archer stood at the forefront, shielding the Imperial Princess with silent resolve.
Zhang Yao's heart skipped a beat. His gaze locked onto her graceful form as a wild thought clawed into his mind.
Could it be… her?
The Qinglong Sect's top prodigy—
Lin Yueru.
Zhu Lin's face twisted into a scowl, but he could no longer deny what was in front of him.
No mere actor could summon such a response.
An impostor wouldn't be protected by warriors of such caliber, especially not with this kind of ruthless precision. Even the city lord's face had paled.
They had just offended royalty.
Then, a soft voice echoed across the hall.
"Will I be enough?" came the cold question.
All eyes turned to the second veiled protector as she stepped forward. In one smooth motion, she pulled off her kasa hat, revealing her stunning face—an ethereal beauty that struck silence into the room.
Xue Ling.
Her aura erupted like a crashing wave, sending a ripple of pressure through the air. A shimmering burst of profound light outlined her silhouette. Warriors in the hall instinctively stepped back, their instincts screaming in caution.
She wasn't just beautiful.
She was terrifyingly powerful.
Zhang Yao's eyes bulged again. That aura… it wasn't from a Sky Profound Realm. No, it was far beyond that.
"Seventh Level Profound Emperor?!" someone gasped.
The result of a secret: another XP Pill Mark III Yun Che had crafted and given her two nights ago. Although the pill's full effect was diminished—used two weeks too early—Xue Ling still gained three levels, pushing her from Fourth to Seventh Level Profound Emperor in one leap.
Had she waited just two more weeks, she would've touched the Ninth Level Profound Emperor Realm—a level most sect elders could only dream of.
The hall fell into dead silence.
One word hung in the minds of the nobles:
Monsters.
And they were here... protecting her.
Cang Yue.
The real Imperial Princess.
-------------------
According to Yun Che's alchemical knowledge, XP Pills are among the most potent cultivation boosters given to these girls by the system through him—but only when used with discipline and precise timing. Each pill is categorized into three tiers, or "Marks," each corresponding to a cultivation stage:
XP Pill Mark I – for cultivators between the Elementary and True Profound Realm.
XP Pill Mark II – for those in the Spirit to Sky Profound Realm.
XP Pill Mark III – designed for experts in the Emperor Profound Realm and above.
Each pill grants an explosive five-level increase in cultivation within its respective stage. However, timing is everything. XP Pills can only be consumed once every month. Taking another too soon—say, after only two weeks—will yield only half the intended effect. Any attempt to chain-consume the pills before the cooldown resets will result in no gain at all.
That said, the system isn't without loopholes—if they're brave enough.
If a lower-level cultivator consumes a higher-tier XP Pill, the effect multiplies dramatically. A Stage 1 cultivator (True Profound or below) who dares to ingest an XP Pill Mark III would instantly skyrocket fifteen levels—a heaven-defying boost that could tip the fate of clans and sects.
Conversely, if a high-level cultivator consumes a pill below their stage, the returns diminish sharply. For example, an Emperor Profound Realm cultivator who takes a Mark I pill would only gain 1.25 levels—a waste of a precious resource. Regardless of effectiveness, every consumed pill imposes the one-month cooldown.
As for Lin Yueru, she had chosen patience over greed.
Despite having her XP Pill Mark III in hand, she held off. Rushing her breakthrough could damage her foundation. Her plan was meticulous: first take the Breakthrough Pill from Yun Che to ascend naturally to the next realm, then immediately follow up with the XP Pill Mark III and a Stabilization Pill to lock in the gains. If successful, she would leap directly to the Peak of Earth Profound Realm overnight.
Only then, a month later, would she consume the next XP Pill to ascend even higher.
Because once she crosses into the Emperor Profound Realm, the effectiveness of XP Pill Mark III would begin to halve. Every decision she made now was crucial—one misstep, and she could lose out on a full realm's worth of growth.
---------------------------
"This is… Grand Imperial Protector Xue Ling…" Liu Wuyan paled in an instant. If Xue Ling was truly here in person, then the veiled woman could only be one person—Imperial Princess Cang Yue.
"W-Wasn't her strength supposed to be just Fourth Level Emperor Profound Realm?"
"She's already surpassed Lord Zhu?!"
"Attacking the Princess… Are they insane? That's a death sentence!"
Panic surged through the hall like a tidal wave. Liu Wuyan immediately dropped to his knees and bowed his head repeatedly.
"Please forgive us! We did not know!"
His words were quickly echoed by the rest of the nobles and guests, all of whom bowed their heads in unison toward Cang Yue. Even Zhu Lin, who had been arrogantly shouting just moments ago, was forced to kneel, his soldiers bowing beside him with trembling hands.
Cang Yue exhaled softly, eyes cold behind her veil as she puts on her hat again. "I have no interest in making this matter bigger than it already is… That said—by my authority as a royal of the Blue Wind Empire—Jin Zhuo will be reinstated as the rightful City Lord of Xuanwu City."
"Princess, this…" Liu Wuyan began, but she cut him off.
"Liu Wuyan, you're dismissed."
His face drained of all color. "You… You can't… The Cang Outer Family—"
"They are merely an outer branch. They do not speak for the Imperial Family. And clearly, they've done a terrible job managing this city—just like you."
"This… This can't be…"
"In other words," she continued, her voice sharp and imperial, "I will spare you and the Zhu Family for tonight's incident. However—" she swept her gaze across the hall "—those of you who owe debts to the Jin Family, settle them. Immediately. We've all witnessed your true colors tonight, and I have no reason to extend you any further courtesies."
The families faltered, stammering.
"T-The Princess… we…"
"Yes?" Cang Yue tilted her head slightly. "Are you saying you wish to defy me?"
"N-No! We wouldn't dare!"
"Then what is it?" she asked calmly. "Do you believe the Zhu Family, the Wu Clan, or even the Cang Outer Family rules this city… when we are present?"
No one answered. The entire hall fell into suffocating silence, broken only by the sound of kneeling nobles, trembling in fear.
"Yikes… Little Yue's really throwing her weight around tonight," Yun Che thought, half-grinning to himself as he leaned against a pillar. The timid and soft-spoken princess he once knew was nowhere to be seen. What now stood in her place was a ruler in every sense of the word. Even the others around him—Lin Yueru, Mulan, Xue Ling—were silently impressed.
She wasn't just acting like an empress. She was one.
Her father had been right—Cang Yue possessed the gentleness and dignity needed to rule with grace. But now… this other side of her—the sharp, commanding force in her tone, the fire in her eyes—this was the partial side of the future Empress.
Cang Yue gave the nobles a final, cold glance. "We will remain within the protected grounds of the Jin Family manor. We suggest no one attempt anything foolish—such as sending assassins."
Her words, spoken with chilling calmness, sent an audible ripple of gasps through the hall.
"We are fully aware of your usual methods," she continued. "But mark this well—should any harm come to us or our companions within the Jin Family estate… rest assured, there is someone we can call upon to wipe out your entire bloodline without a trace."
A heavy silence fell. The threat wasn't shouted. It didn't need to be.
Cang Yue turned her gaze to the trembling Zhu Lin. "Return to the Zhu Family. We expect a full explanation for today's incident—including the attempted harassment within the Jin Family manor. I assume the news has reached you by now."
Zhu Lin clenched his jaw. So, the rumors were true… his idiotic young master had offended the Imperial Princess this afternoon. He dismissed that rumor as it was impossible for the princess to be in this remote region.
However, the woman in front of him answered the question.
"And if Cang Xingwu still wishes to challenge our authority," Cang Yue added, her voice dropping to an icy whisper, "tell his father… that his niece is here. If he wants to play who rules this land, he knows where to find us."
"Now…" she raised her hand dismissively. "Leave. We have nothing more to say."
Her voice dropped one final blow. "Liu Wuyan…"
He flinched.
"We expect the Jin Family to be compensated for your actions by tomorrow. Or should I send someone to remind you?"
Liu Wuyan bowed so low his forehead nearly touched the polished floor. He didn't dare lift his head. Not in front of her.
Without another word, he and the Zhu Family scrambled out of the hall, dragging their bruised pride and broken dignity with them. One by one, the other nobles followed, their backs drenched in cold sweat. No one dared linger—not after witnessing the full weight of Imperial authority.
As for their debts? They would surely find sudden, miraculous ways to be settled with the Jin Family before sunrise.
In a quiet corner outside the grand hall, Xu Qian's fists trembled at her sides.
"That damned Mu Che…" she hissed through gritted teeth. "It's not enough he stirred trouble during the Blue Wind Tournament, now he's here again? He's already ruined everything for me once…"
Beside her, Zhang Jin clenched his jaw, his knuckles whitening. "Our sect… our clan… we were humiliated because what I did. My plan was flawless—FLAWLESS—but somehow, his cultivation surpassed mine."
"What can we even do?" Xu Qian exhaled sharply. "He's protected now. By the Jin Family… and the Imperial Princess herself."
"Damn it all to hell." Zhang Jin slammed his fist into a stone pillar, cracks spreading across it like veins of fury. His voice dropped to a hateful whisper. "I celebrated when I thought he was dead… only for him to return and humiliate me again."
The name Mu Che had become a curse on his lips. His shame at the tournament. His defeat in front of everyone. Now this—protected by the Imperial Princess? By Cang Yue herself?
Their grudge burned deeper than ever.
Elsewhere, far from the murmurs of retreating nobles, Zhu Lin smashed his fist into a wall. The stone shattered with a resounding crack.
"Damn it!" he roared, eyes bloodshot with frustration. He had just discovered the truth—the woman his brother tried to harass was none other than the Imperial Princess.
And now? The Zhu Family had offended not only the ruling line… but also the one woman whose protection could rewrite the fates of families.
"What are we going to do now, Lord Zhu?"
The question lingered heavily in the air as servants and guards gave the gathering a wide berth. The inner halls of the Zhu Manor had turned tense, thick with frustration.
Zhu Lin slammed his fist against the lacquered table. "That damned Mulan... She actually convinced the Imperial Princess to come here."
He gritted his teeth. "One night. Just one night, and we've lost control of the city. In front of the entire noble circle. By tomorrow, news of Jin Zhuo's reinstatement will be on every street. The people will rally behind him… and the princess will back him without hesitation."
Lu Wuyan stepped forward, voice low. "What if we… eliminate her? Kill Princess Cang Yue and pin it on Jin Zhuo?"
Zhu Lin's expression darkened. "She's already sniffed out that plan. You heard her tonight—she practically dared us to try. She'll be guarded, not just by the Jin Family, but by monsters like that Grand Imperial Protector… Xue Ling. Not to mention, Mulan who surpassed even me."
Liu Wuyan scoffed, "If we strike the Jin Family head-on, we're bound to win. They barely have a thousand members."
Zhu Lin shook his head grimly. "They've rooted out our spies. We don't know anything about what's happening inside the manor anymore. For all we know, they've fortified it with her Imperial Protectors. And did you see Xue Ling's aura? Even our family head wouldn't last five seconds against her."
The rest of them were silent. Xue Ling and Mulan were basically the protectors. The high-level Profound Emperors in the Jin Family excluding the early-stage Jin Zhuo and his wife, Jin Yuelian.
There was a long silence before Liu Wuyan cautiously spoke up.
"Sire… shall we contact the Wu Clan?"
Zhu Lin exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair. His voice was bitter. "They're currently preparing their men for the upcoming event. Gathering numbers, mobilizing men. If this is war, we might not have a choice."
He narrowed his eyes. The Wu Clan has several late stages Emperor Profound Realm, it might be enough to content against Xue Ling.
"I have no qualms with it."
-----------------------------
As the doors of the central hall closed, Yun Che gave a small chuckle.
"Wow… I never expected to see this side of you," Yun Che said with a lopsided grin.
"Ufufu… even Onee-san is surprised," Retsu mused playfully, covering her mouth with her sleeve.
"You rock, Yue'er!" Mio cheered, waving her ornate fan excitedly.
"Uwaa… Yue-neesama is actually kind of awesome," Nemu added, smirking in amusement.
"I admit… you've changed—but not this much," Little Fairy said with a soft smile. Beside her, Chu Yueli and Xia Qingyue nodded in calm agreement, silently impressed.
Even the usually stoic trio—Mulan, Lin Yueru, and Xue Ling—gave a rare nod of approval, their expressions filled with quiet admiration.
Then suddenly—
"Huaaaah… I was really nervous!" Cang Yue let out a long sigh, slumping into her chair with a loud flop.
"W–Wait, what?!" Everyone blinked in unison. Even Jin Zhuo and his wife, Jin Yuelian, looked stunned. In an instant, the empress-like aura evaporated, replaced by the same flustered and bashful Cang Yue they'd always known.
"Shin Yue helped me make up everything I said!" she admitted quickly, waving her hands. "All that time I just hoped I wouldn't bite my tongue…"
"Shin Yue?" Jin Zhuo and Jin Yuelian widened their eyes. The same for the party from the Frozen Cloud Asgard as they had never seen Shin Yue before.
"Pfft—so all that noble aura… was borrowed?" Yun Che laughed.
"Of course! I'm not ready to talk like that on my own yet. Shin Yue gave me the lines, and I just… um… used my Haki to not faint."
"Your Haoshoku Haki, huh?" Yun Che grinned. "That explains the pressure you gave off. Looks like you're finally getting the hang of it."
"Whatever it is, Yue'er… Mother is so proud of you." Jin Yuelian pulled Cang Yue into a warm hug, tears at the corners of her eyes.
"Yue'er… thank you," Mulan whispered softly as she joined in the hug. Her voice carried the weight of genuine gratitude.
"Princess… This one thanks you." Jin Zhuo lowered his head respectfully. "To think I would regain my position as City Lord…"
"I'm merely returning what was always yours," Cang Yue replied, regaining a hint of calm dignity. "Though I can't predict how the people will respond… After what the Zhu Family and Liu Wuyan pulled tonight, I'd say public opinion might just be in your favor. We'll see come morning."
"Don't worry, a little show and tell across the city might serve as a backup plan." Yun Che grins as he plans to use the Apple again to show the true colors of the Zhu Family and Liu Wuyan.
"Quite the mess we made tonight…" Xue Ling sighed, folding her arms as she glanced toward the moonlit windows. "But one that needed to happen."
"Che'er… half the people in this city supported Liu Wuyan. I'm afraid they won't take it kindly if I just show up and reclaim the City Lord's seat," Jin Zhuo said with a heavy sigh. His brow was furrowed, eyes distant as if already imagining the torches and shouting crowds marching on the Jin Estate come morning.
"I can already picture them—riots, protests, people demanding Liu Wuyan's return. This won't be as easy as a royal decree."
Yun Che leaned back, arms crossed casually. "Then let them come. A little intimidation never hurt anyone... well, not us, at least." He smirked slightly before continuing, his voice cooling with sharp logic.
"The city's already crumbling from the inside. Overtaxation, legalized slavery, gambling arenas swallowing entire family fortunes—Liu Wuyan turned this place into a den of suffering. Half the city's drowning in debt, and the rest are just one loss away from it."
He met Jin Zhuo's gaze. "And with the city weakened like this, it's the perfect breeding ground for rebellion—or worse, invasion. That's what they're counting on."
"But with your leadership, father-in-law, you can rally the people. Especially the ones who were scammed or broken by those very systems. You still have the loyalty of the honest and desperate—and that's a powerful force when stirred."
Jin Zhuo's shoulders relaxed a little, but concern still lingered in his voice. "And what about the gambling rings? That's where most of the city's rot festered. They won't go down quietly."
"Leave that to me," Yun Che said with a confident grin. "I'll make sure those places collapse before the next sunrise."
"So," he added, tilting his head, "how does it feel to finally be debt free?"
Jin Zhuo exhaled deeply, as if a weight had been lifted off his chest. "Lighter than I've felt in years. But Che'er… you're certain those noble families won't retaliate tonight? We've buried them in debt and humiliated them in front of the Princess."
Yun Che's eyes glinted with calm certainty. "Oh, they'll try something. But let them. We're ready."
"What do you expect them to do tonight?" Jin Zhuo asked, concern lacing his voice as he glanced toward the darkened city beyond the windows.
Yun Che folded his arms, calm and unbothered. "Right now, picking a fight with the Jin Family is no different than declaring war on Little Yue herself. They might try to send scouts, maybe probe our defenses… but I've already taken precautions."
He gave a slight smirk. "I set up a barrier around the entire Jin Family manor. Anyone foolish enough to get close might just end up sizzling like meat on a skillet."
Jin Zhuo blinked. "You're serious?"
"Dead serious." Yun Che gestured toward Xue Ling, who stood silently nearby, her presence alone radiating power. "And with Sis Ling here, they won't risk a direct attack. No one wants to make an enemy of the royal family—at least, not openly."
He paused, expression hardening slightly. "Still… the Wu Clan is another story. According to the info we extracted from that elder during the frontal assault, they've got several cultivators at the peak of the Emperor Profound Realm. If they move, even Sis Ling might be pressed."
A flicker of unease crossed Jin Zhuo's face. "Then… what should we do? Should we prepare for battle? Reinforce the estate?"
Yun Che turned to him, his voice firm and absolute. "Nothing."
"…What?"
Yun Che smiled confidently. "You do nothing. You've got us. This little party of ours?" He glanced at the group behind him—Cang Yue, Retsu, Little Fairy, Qingyue, and the rest. "We're enough to wipe out a continent if we feel like it."
"Don't forget, Father—we have the Butterfly Monarch."
Mulan gestured casually toward Mio, who was still seated at the table… happily devouring what remained of the banquet.
The scene was almost surreal. The grand hall still echoed with the tension of threats and declarations, yet Mio sat amidst the chaos, cheeks puffed out and mouth full, shoveling dumplings and roasted meat like a starved beast. Plates clattered, bowls emptied, and the nobles' abandoned feast vanished one bite at a time.
Jin Zhuo stared at her, his jaw slack. A Monarch? Right there? Eating like a hungry child?!
He could feel the cold sweat running down his back. A Monarch… a true Sovereign Profound Realm expert, a legend that can only be seen once every hundred or thousand years sitting at his table like a casual dinner guest—and she was with them?
All this time?!
She even participated in the cooking challenge for the Jin Family against the Gao and Nie Family. She can easily wipe them out if she wants to.
His gaze slowly shifted to Yun Che. Then to Cang Yue, who was sipping tea calmly. Then to Mulan, serene as ever.
And then back to Mio, now licking her fingers under her veiled hat with a satisfied hum.
This… this is the company my son-in-law keeps?
No words came out. Just a growing realization: With Yun Che, Princess Cang Yue, the Grand Imperial Protector Xue Ling, Frozen Cloud Asgard high members and the Butterfly Monarch here… we're more than safe.
All his worries about spies, rebels, and angry nobles seemed to shrink into dust.
Right now, I'd better just follow what Che'er said, he thought. Focus on fixing the family. Let them handle the rest… they're already operating on a completely different battlefield.
"So stop worrying," Yun Che said with a casual shrug. "Let's go back, get some rest. We've had enough excitement for one night."
Old Man Lin and Grandmaster Ming stepped forward with calm dignity, their disciples following respectfully behind. As one, they bowed deeply before Cang Yue.
"We pay our respects to the Imperial Princess," they said in unison.
Cang Yue, adorned in her graceful yet commanding presence, returned a polite nod.
"Thank you for maintaining fairness throughout tonight's events," she said. "You stood neutral and did not align with the corruption of the other families. That alone speaks volumes of your character."
Both elders and their disciples were visibly moved by the acknowledgment. Though they were respected figures in their own right, it was the first time they had ever stood in the presence of the fabled Imperial Blue Moon Princess of the Blue Wind Empire.
Even seasoned men like Old Man Lin and Grandmaster Ming couldn't hide their awe. The rumors of her elegance and poise didn't do justice to the real thing. To see her speak with such regal clarity, balanced by kindness and strength—it was like witnessing a legend step into reality.
"We are humbled by your words, Your Highness," Grandmaster Ming responded solemnly.
"The honor is ours," Old Man Lin added, glancing at his disciples to ensure they committed this moment to memory.
As Cang Yue continued her graceful exchange with the Grandmasters, Yun Che used the lull to step aside and speak quietly with Jin Zhuo.
"Tell me the real situation of Xuanwu City," Yun Che asked, his tone low but serious.
Jin Zhuo sighed heavily.
"It's worse than it looks, Che'er. Gambling dens were legalized under Liu Wuyan's authority. But those dens… they're not just for leisure—they're feeding a hidden warlord's pockets."
Yun Che narrowed his eyes.
"A warlord?"
"Yes," Jin Zhuo nodded. "We don't know who exactly, but his reach is deep. The market is no better—one of Liu Wuyan's men took control of it. Crops and goods are manipulated, priced unfairly, and even seized at will. The people are barely scraping by, especially the lower districts."
Yun Che clenched his jaw.
"And the royal outer family let it happen?"
"They turned a blind eye. Probably had a hand in it themselves," Jin Zhuo muttered. "Corruption has become routine. No wonder half the city backed Liu Wuyan. He kept their power intact, even if it came at the cost of everyone else."
Yun Che was silent for a moment, his mind turning.
"So reinstating you might cause unrest," he finally said.
"Yes… those families will retaliate. They've had control for too long to let it go quietly. Even if it was decreed by the princess."
Yun Che glanced toward Cang Yue, still poised and regal despite the burdens she carried.
"Well then, it looks we might have something to do tomorrow after all."
After the final farewells were said and the crowd began to thin, Yun Che and his group returned to their carriages for the night. The stars glimmered above the estate, casting silver over the walls of the Jin Family manor.
As Yun Che climbed in, a familiar presence nudged his side.
"Pff… knowing you, Yuu-kun… you probably have something up your sleeve tonight," Retsu mused with a teasing glint in her eye.
Yun Che shrugged with a small smile.
"I do. I'm taking Nemu out on a date after this."
"...…"
The silence was deafening.
The rest of his companions stared at him as if he'd just announced he was abandoning cultivation to become a chef. Shock, betrayal, and disbelief all swirled together.
"No fair, desu!!" Mio pouted. She puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms dramatically.
The others weren't far behind—each with their own reactions of envy, surprise, or silent longing. Even Little Fairy, usually so composed, shifted slightly as if she wanted to say something but held it in.
Chu Yueli, Xue Ling, and Lin Yueru gave subtle glances, unreadable, but clearly processing the revelation. Mostly they don't know what date means.
Xia Qingyue even sighs. It's been a while since he asked her out.
Even Xia Qingyue couldn't help but sigh.
"It's been a while since he asked me out…" she murmured under her breath, watching Yun Che with a trace of quiet longing.
Suddenly—
Grab!
A gloved hand clamped down mercilessly on Mio's head in an iron grip.
"Ufuu… didn't we all agree on fair shares when it comes to dates?" Retsu's soft, sweet tone masked the deadly pressure behind her iron claw. "Have you forgotten? Nemu hasn't even had a proper date with Yuu-kun yet."
The others instinctively took a step back. It wasn't every day one witnessed the fearsome Butterfly Monarch being handled like a misbehaving child.
"Itai! Itai! Ret-chan, you're crushing my head!" Mio squealed, her kasa hat tilting comically as she flailed.
With an innocent smile, Retsu finally released her grip.
Mio immediately latched onto Yun Che's arm, pouting dramatically.
"Danna-samaaa, Ret-chan is bullying me~!" she whimpered, complete with fake sobs and watery eyes.
The group could only stare—utterly baffled at how the mighty Butterfly Monarch could so easily be overpowered.
Cang Yue simply pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.
"Why am I not surprised anymore?"
Yun Che chuckled and gently patted Mio's kasa hat, smoothing it back into place.
"Now, now… no fighting. You'll all get your time. Be patient."
Behind them, Nemu blushed faintly, quietly mouthing a small "Thank you…" to Retsu, who winked knowingly in return.
"Mio-neesama," Nemu said with her usual stoic smile, "you always get more time with him than anyone else. Let me have this one."
"Fiiiine…" Mio slumped, grumbling but reluctantly backing down.
Still, she shot Yun Che a look. "But don't think I won't want my turn later, desu."
Yun Che chuckled, hands behind his head.
"Well, this date won't be all moonlight and roses anyway… Think more like my first date with Retsu."
"Our first date?" Retsu blinked. Then her eyes widened. "Oh."
"Yup," Yun Che grinned. "We're going to stir up the hornet's nest. Cause just enough chaos to make them scramble while we organize our next moves. Before the Zhu Family make their complain, we're going to stir up the nest to make sure the Wu Clan rulers stay behind to reorganize. Giving us time to reorganize the city with Jin Zhuo's rule. We're not going to wipe them out like that Yin Devourer sect since we're waiting on them to fully gather first."
"Ohhh~ now that sounds fun~," Retsu purred, already getting excited. She turned to her sister. "Nemu-chan, are you okay with that kind of date?"
"Yuu-sama would surely make it a nice one," Nemu said softly, a faint blush on her cheeks. "Though… I kind of wish it were like Nee-sama's date. You know… wiping out a sect."
Yun Che chuckled, amused.
"Not like that, Nemu. Just a simple scout."
But his smirk hinted otherwise. With Yun Che, even something simple had the potential to spiral into chaos—especially with how the city was now teetering between corruption, reformation or war.
His gaze shifted briefly toward the distant cityscape beyond the Jin Family estate walls, a cold glint in his eye.
"Then again… it might turn into something more. Depends on what we find tonight."
Nemu nodded quietly, her small hand clutching the edge of his sleeve. She didn't need grand gestures or fireworks. Just being by his side, even on a mission cloaked in danger, was enough.