"Chi Yao, I treated you like a close friend, why did you want to kill me?"

  Zhang Ruochen let out a loud roar, pounced forward, and pressed down on the golden cast-iron bed frame, which creaked loudly as he suddenly sat up.

  It was just a dream, Zhang Ruochen finally let out a long breath and wiped away the sweat beads on his forehead with his sleeve.

  No

  Thats not a dream

  Everything that happened between him and Princess Chi Yao, how could it be just a dream?

  Zhang Ruochen was originally the only son of one of the nine great emperors of the Kunlun Realm, "Ming Emperor", and at the age of 16, he had cultivated to the Tianji boundary with a physique that defied the heavens.

  However, just as he was about to become the number one of the younger generation in the Kunlun Realm, he died at the hands of his childhood sweetheart and fiancée, Princess Chi Yao.

  Chi Yao Gong Zhu is the daughter of one of the Nine Great Emperor Lords, "Qing Di" (the Azure Emperor).

  Ming Emperor and Qing Emperor were the best of friends, Zhang Ruochen and Chi Yao Princess were even betrothed from a young age, growing up together and cultivating together. One was elegant and refined, the other beautiful and unparalleled, they could be called the golden boy and jade girl, originally they should have become a legendary tale in the cultivation world.

  Zhang Ruochen never expected that Princess Chi Yao would actually make a move on him

  After dying at the hands of Princess Chi Yao, when Zhang Ruochen woke up again, he found himself already eight hundred years later.

  Formerly Princess Chi Yao, she pacified the rebellion of the nine emperors, unified the nine countries, established the first central empire and became the ruler of the entire Kunlun realm, Empress Chi Yao.

  Eight hundred years ago, the nine emperors who dominated the Kunlun realm thoroughly became a thing of the past and disappeared in the long river of history.

  The nine emperors have died, and the female emperor should ascend to the throne.

  In this era, there is only one monarch, and that is Queen Chi Yao, ruling over the world with authority and prestige in all directions.

  "Why does she want to kill me? How can her heart be so cruel? Or is it that all womens hearts are this cruel?"

  Zhang Ruochens eyes were sharp, his heart was as heavy as iron, and he had a lot of questions. However, there was no one who could help him find the answers.

  Eight hundred years have passed, and the world has changed beyond recognition. Everything is different now, except for Chi Yao, the Empress of the Pool, who remains eternally young and immortal. All those people from the past are gone, turned to dust and reduced to white bones.

  Even the nine emperors who were once mighty and powerful have all disappeared from the world, leaving behind only a few segments of glorious stories that will be passed down for generations to come.

  "Ouch"

  A delicate and beautiful woman in palace attire pushed the door open from outside, walked in, and looked at Zhang Ruochen sitting on the bed with a concerned gaze. "Ruochen, you had another nightmare."

  The beautiful woman in front of you is the queen of Yunwu County, and also Zhang Ruochens mother, Queen Lin.

  The original owner of this body died in bed three days ago due to his weak and sickly physique.

  After Zhang Ruochen was killed by Chi Yao Gongzhu, he woke up again and appeared in this body, bringing the originally dead boy back to life. Whats more coincidental is that the original owner of this body was also named Zhang Ruochen.

  When Zhang Ruochen just woke up, he was still very resistant to Lin Fei. After all, in Zhang Ruochens eyes, Lin Fei was just a stranger.

  However, after three days of contact, Zhang Ruochen gradually discovered that Lin Fei was really very concerned about him, and was considerate to the extreme. When she saw Zhang Ruochen having a nightmare and being frightened awake, she didnt care about the cold weather and immediately rushed to Zhang Ruochens room.

  In his previous life, Zhang Ruochen had never seen his own birth mother. It was said that she passed away at the time of his birth. Unexpectedly, after being killed by Princess Chi Yao and reborn in this body, he gained an additional mother, feeling the warmth of maternal love.

  "Perhaps she still doesnt know that her Dust had died three days ago."

  If she were told the truth, she might not be able to withstand the blow of this bad news.

  Zhang Ruochen looked at the beautiful woman in front of him, his eyes softened and he smiled slightly: "Mother, dont worry about me, it was just a dream."

  Lin Feis slender body was wrapped in a crimson-colored hooded sable coat, sitting on the edge of Zhang Ruochens bed, stroking his forehead, and anxiously asked: "Its already been three nights, youre always woken up by nightmares, each time calling out Chi Yaos name. Who is she?"

  Lin Fei naturally couldnt associate the name "Chi Yao" with the empress of the First Central Empire.

  Moreover, after Chi Yao, the Female Emperor unified the Kunlun Realm and established the First Central Empire, she was known as "Great Majesty Great Virtue Female Saintly Emperor", and normally no one dared to mention the two words "Chi Yao" so as not to offend her.

  "Theres nothing, Mother, you heard it wrong."

  Lin Fei sighed and said, "From now on, never call out Chi Yaos name again, not even in your dreams. That is the emperors taboo name. Directly calling out the emperors taboo name is a great disrespect, if someone with ill intentions hears it, you will be put to death."

  Zhang Ruochen nodded and pinched his fingers tightly, saying with deep meaning: "Absolutely wont happen again in the future"

  From now on, I will be her nightmare.

  Lin Fei looked at Zhang Ruochens frail figure and pale face, and let out a soft sigh, her heart filled with unbearable sorrow.

  Although he was born in a royal family, he had been weak and sickly since childhood. At the age of 16, he still could only lie in bed all year round, and its likely that this would be his life forever.

  Outside, a chaotic footsteps sounded.

  "What are you doing? This is the Jade Washing Palace, who gave you the guts to barge in here?" A beautiful maid tried to stop the Eighth Prince from rushing in, but was lightly pushed by him and fell more than ten meters away.

  Hachioji was a warrior, after reaching the late stage of Huang Ji, one palm could strike out and hit a three-hundred-jin heavy stone plate ten zhang away, let alone a servant girl weighing only a hundred or so jin.

  With just one flick of his finger, he could send her flying.

  That maid let out a miserable cry and fell heavily to the ground, her left arm broken.

  The Eighth Prince wore a golden-threaded robe, with a jade-stone belt wrapped around his waist. His physique was robust, his arms were long and slender, and his steps were steady as he walked into the Jade Washing Palace. He gave the maid a cold stare, "A mere servant dares to block my path? Youre seeking death."

  Behind the Eighth King, six guards wearing lynx skin armor followed, with tall and strong bodies, tiger backs and bear waists, obviously all powerful martial artists, belonging to the palace guard.

  Lin Fei heard the commotion outside, comforted Zhang Ruochens emotions, then closed the door and walked out.

  She stared at the Eighth Prince standing outside, slightly furrowed her brow and said: "Eighth Prince, this is the Jade Washing Palace, even if you are a prince, you cant just barge in, can you?"

  The Eighth Prince Zhang Ji raised his head and stared at Lin Fei, saying loudly: "By order of the Queen, Lin Feis and Ninth Brothers chambers are moved to the Zǐyí Biāntiān. From now on, the master of Yùshuì Gōng will be my birth mother, Consort Xiao."

  Lin Feis face changed slightly, she had long expected this day would come, but didnt think it would come so soon.

  Lin Fei smiled wryly and said: "Empress Wang, you want to drive my mother and son out of Yu Xi Palace so soon? Alright, tomorrow, I will move to the side hall with Chen Er."

  The Eighth King said: "Im sorry to say this to the Empress Dowager, but she wants to move into the Jade Washing Palace tonight. Please ask Consort Lin to move to the side palace now."

  Lin Fei knew that Zhang Ruochen was weak and sickly, couldnt withstand the turmoil, with a hint of pleading in her tone, said: "Eighth Prince, you also know that your ninth brother is weak and sickly, its already late at night, the weather is cold, what if..."

  The Eighth Prince sneered coldly, without any politeness: "Princess Lin, there are many pitiful people in this world, but not everyone is worthy of pity. Since Ninth Brother is weak and sickly, whats the point of him still being alive?"

  "He is your ninth younger brother"

  Lin Fei wanted to say something else, but suddenly, the door behind her was pushed open.

  Zhang Ruochens body was weak, and he could barely stand with his hand on the doorpost. He stared at the Eighth Prince not far away, his seemingly fragile body seemed to contain an unyielding will, saying: "No need to ask them, well move now."

  "Dust, how did you get out of bed? The weather outside is cold, hurry back." Lin Fei quickly came forward to support Zhang Ruocheng, afraid that he would catch a chill.

  Zhang Ruochen stubbornly shook his head and said, "Mother, we dont need to ask anyone for help. Sooner or later, we will return here again."

  Lin Fei looked at Zhang Ruochens determined eyes and seemed to be infected by his emotions, nodding slightly with tears in her eyes.

  Lin Fei and Can supported Zhang Ruochen, step by step walking out of the Jade Washing Palace, except for that one maid who was pushed out by the Eighth Prince and had her arm broken. The other servants did not follow them as they left the Jade Washing Palace.

  Its clear to everyone that Lin Fei and the Ninth Prince have completely lost their power, and its hard for them to stand firm in the Junwang Mansion again.

  They were originally servants of the Jade Washing Palace, and now they naturally made the wise choice to stay in the Jade Washing Palace, all going to curry favor with the new master, the Eighth Prince.

  Zi Yis detached palace was generally where the out-of-favor queen lived, very secluded, with fallen leaves all over the ground, seemingly no one had lived there for a long time.

  The night is deep, and the cold wind is howling.

  Sitting on a cold stone bench, Zhang Ruochens thin body was wrapped in an overcoat, but he still felt the chill.

  "This physical body is too weak, only by practicing martial arts can the body gradually become stronger. Otherwise, even if I am now the son of a duke, I will still be controlled by others." Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.

  Eight hundred years have passed, and Zhang Ruochen doesnt know where he can go now. Since heaven has arranged for him to be reborn in this body, whether its to take revenge on Empress Chi Yao in the future or to repay his mother who took care of him meticulously, he must become stronger.

  The humiliation and cold treatment I suffered today are all because of my own weakness, unable to resist, unable to control my own destiny, and even the place where I live is occupied by others.

  To gain respect from others and obtain a warm and comfortable living environment, one must become a warrior and prove their abilities.

  In Kunlun Realm, to become a warrior, one must first activate the "Divine Martial Mark".

  The so-called "Divine Martial Mark" is the qualification given by the gods to humans to cultivate martial arts. Those who have not activated the "Divine Martial Mark" will never be able to cultivate true energy and become a strong person between heaven and earth.

  Zhang Ruochen was already sixteen years old and still hadnt activated his "Divine Engraving".

  After passing 16 years old, one would miss the best age for practicing martial arts. Even if they were to activate the "Divine Martial Mark", they wouldnt be able to achieve much.

  Why can the eighth prince be superior and expel Zhang Ruochen and Lin Fei from Yu Xi Palace, when they are all sons of Yun Wu County King?

  Its because at the age of ten, Hachioji had already activated "Shinmu In", and is now a young martial artist in the late stage of Huang Ji.

  "As long as I can activate the Divine Martial Mark, I can cultivate the Nine Heavens Ming Emperor Scripture. With the profundity of the Nine Heavens Ming Emperor Scripture, even if Ive already missed the best age for cultivation, its still possible to catch up with other geniuses and become a powerful martial artist once again."

  The Jiutian Mingdi Jing is the supreme classic of Emperor Mings cultivation, and apart from Emperor Ming himself, only Zhang Ruochen knows the complete method of cultivating the Jiutian Mingdi Jing.

  "Tomorrow is the grand ceremony, I hope to get the recognition of the gods and open the seal of divine martial arts." Zhang Ruochen clenched his fists, filled with longing for opening the "Seal of Divine Martial Arts".

  After Lin Fei had tidied up the room, she came over to support Zhang Ruochen. "Ruochen, you should get some rest early. Tomorrow, we still have to attend the sacrificial ceremony."

  "Dont worry, Mother, Ill definitely be able to unlock the Divine Martial Mark tomorrow," Zhang Ruochen said.

  "Mom believes you"

  Lin Fei gazed deeply at Zhang Ruochen, and let out a soft sigh in her heart.

  In fact, she didnt have any hope for Zhang Ruochen to activate the "Divine Martial Mark" at all, after all, Zhang Ruochen was already sixteen years old, and once past sixteen, its almost impossible to still be able to activate the Divine Martial Mark.

  However, as a mother, she must encourage her child and give him confidence.