The heavy, soundproof door of the cultivation chamber slammed shut with a bang, cutting off all noise from the outside world.
Liu Yuan leaned against the cold metal door, letting out a long breath. His cheeks were still burning hot.
He raised a hand to touch his face. The lingering heat made him feel both irritated and helpless.
"This is insane… absolutely insane…"
Covering his face, Liu Yuan couldn't stop Snow Empress's soft, slightly mischievous "Good master~" from replaying in his mind.
He had actually been chased into retreat by a ferocious beast loli who had lived for seven hundred thousand years.
If this ever got out, how was he supposed to maintain his dignity for the rest of his life?
"Truly a sweet burden…" He shook his head with a bitter smile.
Complaints aside, Liu Yuan understood something clearly.
The way Snow Empress treated him now meant their relationship had genuinely shifted—from hostility and caution to closeness and trust.
With the Soothe Bell, the bond effect of the Heal Ball, and his relentless material indulgence, the frozen heart of the ruler of the Far North had finally melted.
Aside from spending money like flowing water and occasionally teasing him, Snow Empress was gradually becoming a companion who stayed by his side.
"Forget it. Let her do as she likes."
Liu Yuan steadied his thoughts and pushed those distractions aside.
Matters involving women only slowed cultivation.
He sat cross-legged on the prayer mat at the center of the room, eyes half-closed, sinking his consciousness inward as he began to assault the final barrier.
At Rank 59 Peak, his spirit power had already accumulated to its absolute limit. All that remained was to break through that paper-thin boundary and step into an entirely new realm.
…
In the days that followed, Liu Yuan's life appeared calm on the surface—but powerful undercurrents were surging beneath.
Within the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, he had become a living legend.
Before, he had merely been an exceptionally talented "outstanding student," admired and challenged as an equal by his peers.
Now, everything had changed.
He had led his team to victory in the Soul Master Tournament, defeating Shrek and claiming the championship.
Afterward, Sun Moon Emperor Xu Tianran personally conferred upon him the title of duke—the youngest duke of a different surname in the empire's history—granting him vast lands and real authority.
With these honors layered upon him, Liu Yuan's status quietly shifted from student to important figure.
Whenever he walked through the academy's tree-lined paths, gazes followed him from every direction.
Those looks now held far less curiosity—and far more awe, flattery, and desire.
"Good morning, Duke Liu Yuan! These snacks are something I made myself—please try them!"
"Lord Duke, I've compiled notes on ancient soul tool inscriptions. They might be useful for your research…"
"Senior Liu Yuan… ah, no, Lord Duke… are you free tonight? I'd like to ask you something about cultivation…"
Beautiful female students swarmed him like butterflies drawn to nectar, their bold eyes filled with undisguised intent.
Sweet voices, deliberate encounters—Liu Yuan felt as though he'd wandered into a spider's nest.
Keeping a stiff expression, he rejected them all with the shortest replies possible and hurried away like he was fleeing a dangerous beast.
Fortunately, not everyone had changed.
"Hey, Liu Yuan, why do you look so miserable? Got blocked by that fan club again?"
Xiao Hongchen slung an arm over his shoulder as usual, grinning teasingly.
Meng Hongchen stood beside him, silent as ever, but rolled her eyes with a look that clearly said, Serves you right.
That unchanged familiarity finally let Liu Yuan relax.
He exhaled and smiled wryly. "Do you think I want this? I'm suffering here."
"Oh, come on!" Xiao Hongchen gave him a light punch. "You're getting all the benefits and still complaining. Anyone else would be ecstatic. You're just hopelessly unromantic."
Beyond the academy, Liu Yuan's Duke's Mansion was practically being trampled flat.
Nobles from across the Sun Moon Empire sent visiting cards nonstop. Invitations piled up like mountains.
Everyone wanted to befriend this new duke with real power—the emperor's trusted genius.
Liu Yuan had no interest in superficial socializing and had his butler reject them all under the excuse of "focused on cultivation."
But there was one person he couldn't turn away.
Princess Xu Tianzhen.
Recently, she seemed to treat the Duke's Mansion like her second home, visiting every few days.
"Liu Yuan! I'm here! Look what amazing stuff I found today!"
That afternoon, Liu Yuan was enjoying tea in the garden with Snow Empress when Xu Tianzhen's bright voice rang out from the gate.
She lifted her skirts and ran over like a cheerful bird, several imperial guards panting behind her.
"Why are you here again?" Liu Yuan asked helplessly, setting down his teacup.
"What do you mean again?" Xu Tianzhen sat across from him, grabbed a macaron from Snow Empress's plate, and stuffed it into her mouth. "I discovered a huge secret!"
"Oh?" Liu Yuan raised an eyebrow.
"It's about you!" she said proudly.
"Before, when I wanted to sneak out of the palace, Imperial Father never allowed it. But now, whenever I say I'm coming to see you to 'discuss soul tools' or 'exchange cultivation insights,' he approves immediately—and even sends guards!"
Liu Yuan fell silent.
So he was a shield.
Emperor Xu Tianran clearly welcomed his daughter getting close to Liu Yuan.
"From now on, I'll be coming here often!" Xu Tianzhen smiled slyly. "You're not allowed to complain!"
"Like I have a choice," Liu Yuan muttered.
Nearby, Snow Empress calmly licked cream from her spoon.
To outsiders, Liu Yuan claimed she was his younger sister, so Xu Tianzhen treated her warmly as well. The two even bonded over shopping.
Snow Empress suddenly spoke up softly, "Sister Tianzhen, that jewelry shop you mentioned last time has new pieces. Want to take a look? Brother Liu Yuan's in a good mood today—he'll reimburse us."
"Really?!" Xu Tianzhen's eyes lit up.
Liu Yuan was about to deny it, but Snow Empress had already jumped down, grabbed Xu Tianzhen's hand, and shot him a warning look.
"Of course it's true! My brother is the most generous!"
And just like that, Liu Yuan was dragged between two girls with terrifying spending power, heading straight for the busiest commercial street in the Sun Moon Imperial City.
…
Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
Xu Tianzhen and Snow Empress practically turned the Duke's Mansion into a playground, while Liu Yuan devoted nearly all his time to cultivation.
Without system rewards, relying solely on effort, progress was painfully slow.
Only then did Liu Yuan truly understand the hardship of ordinary Spirit Masters.
Day after day. Year after year.
Spirit power growing at a snail's pace.
It was torture.
That night, under a bright moon and sparse stars, Liu Yuan sat in deep meditation.
His spirit power roared like molten lava, slamming into the unyielding barrier again and again.
Rank 59 to Rank 60.
Spirit King to Spirit Emperor.
This was a true watershed.
"Break… for me!"
He united his mental force and spirit power into an indestructible blade and drove it forward with everything he had.
Crack—
A clear, soul-deep sound echoed.
The barrier that had trapped him for three months finally shattered.
Boom!
A far denser, more majestic surge of spirit power flooded through his body, washing his meridians and nourishing every cell.
His sea of consciousness expanded rapidly. His spirit power underwent a qualitative transformation.
A powerful aura erupted outward, shaking the entire Duke's Mansion.
"Ha…"
After a long time, Liu Yuan opened his eyes.
Light flashed briefly within them.
Rank 60.
Spirit Emperor.
Finally… he had broken through.
Leaning against the wall, exhausted yet exhilarated, he muttered softly, "That was… not easy."
At that very moment, a familiar cold mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host. Spirit power has broken through Rank 60. You have officially entered the Spirit Emperor Realm!]
[Detected that the Host has reached a key milestone. A new mission mode has been triggered…]
[Limited-Time Mission: Activated!]
-------------Author---------------
Read 50 advanced chapter
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic