What entered his sight was a graceful figure clad in a red robe.
Her face was peerlessly beautiful, her skin fair and delicate as if it could break with a touch. Her red lips were luscious and tempting, stirring an irresistible urge to draw close. Her small, refined nose and her pair of peach-blossom eyes shimmered with radiant brilliance.
Her long black hair flowed like fine silk down to her waist, adorned with golden hairpins and jade ornaments, exuding elegance and nobility.
She looked down upon everyone from above, as if gazing at mere ants.
“Greetings, Mystic Saint Empress!”
Everyone present knelt in unison. Only after stealing one more glance did Xu Ning lower his head.
Her beauty was beyond description, but more than that, it was her lofty, untouchable aura that ignited a desire within Xu Ning—a desire to conquer.
In the original novel, as the ultimate villain, her ending was either death at Long Lingtian’s hands or becoming part of his harem. If he could achieve that, why couldn’t I? With that thought, a bold idea rose in Xu Ning’s mind.
With his head lowered, he didn’t notice that the Empress was quietly observing him with her bright eyes.
Her gaze flickered subtly, her expression calm yet imposing. She beckoned lightly.
At once, a palace maid stepped forward. Judging from her aura, she was also a Heavenly Venerable Realm expert.
The Empress parted her lips and gave a brief instruction. The maid immediately stepped forward and proclaimed, “By the Mandate of Heaven, the imperial decree states: Yuwen Wushuang, Grand General of the Northern Army, colluded with the Northern Underworld Divine Domain and betrayed the Mystic Saint Empire. His crimes are unforgivable, and his entire family is to be punished by association!”
“Xu Ning, young and capable, has exposed Yuwen Wushuang’s scheme. He is hereby appointed as Confiscation Executor. He shall depart tomorrow. By decree!”
Her voice rang like an ancient bell, solemn and majestic, infused with powerful spiritual energy that echoed throughout the Royal Capital.
As soon as these words fell, all the guests and members of the Xu Family were stunned. The Xu Family members, in particular, were overjoyed.
The Yuwen Family had once been the number one great family of the Mystic Saint Heavenly Domain. Over the years in the Northern Region, they had amassed unimaginable wealth and resources.
If the Xu Family could devour them, they would ascend to become the top family in the domain!
And the one who made it all possible was Xu Ning—the so-called “playboy” despised by all.
“Thank you, Empress!” Xu Tianyue immediately knelt and kowtowed. “Long live the Empress!”
All members of the Xu Family followed suit, their foreheads striking the ground repeatedly.
Even Yao Ling’er, who had just entered the household, knelt under the overwhelming pressure.
Only Xu Ning remained standing—not out of arrogance, but simply because he wasn’t used to kneeling.
Seeing this, Xu Feng turned pale with shock and was about to pull him down, when the Empress’s indifferent voice rang out, “Xu Ning is young and capable. I grant him exemption from kneeling.”
Xu Feng’s face lit up with joy. It seemed the Empress held his son in high regard.
But before he could celebrate, his expression changed drastically at her next words.
“Xu Ning, didn’t you tell me that a wondrous flower had bloomed in the Xu Family, its pure aura reaching the heavens and causing countless phenomena?”
Her face was cold, and there was a faint killing intent in her voice.
Hearing this, Xu Ning’s pupils contracted violently, his mind shaken.
Yesterday, to invite the Empress, he had spared no effort—even fabricating a grand lie.
Now that the matter was settled, he hadn’t expected her to hold him accountable afterward.
In the original novel, the Empress wasn’t a mindless killer, but she was far from merciful—otherwise, she wouldn’t be the final villain.
Taking a deep breath, Xu Ning stepped forward and cupped his fists calmly despite the turmoil in his heart. “As the Empress said, there is no such wondrous flower in the Xu Family.”
The moment he said this, everyone in the Xu Family froze. Their faces stiffened, sweat pouring down their temples.
Xu Ning had actually admitted to deceiving the Empress in public!
Was he courting death?!
The Empress maintained her dignified expression, though a trace of curiosity flickered in her eyes. Just as she was about to respond, Xu Ning continued, “This humble subject received news that the Northern Army had already rebelled and planned to massacre the Xu Family today. Thus, I resorted to this measure. It was disrespectful—please punish me, Your Majesty!”
His voice was firm and resolute, filled with confidence.
Using me as a tool? A trace of killing intent flashed in the Empress’s eyes, but since Xu Ning had rendered great service, she allowed it to count as merit redeeming his fault.
Daring to deceive me… he’s the first.
“Very well,” she said, nodding slightly, a hint of curiosity forming within her.
“Your death sentence is spared, but punishment is unavoidable.”
“I appoint you Grand General of the Northern Region. Tomorrow, you will head north to eliminate the Yuwen rebels. Redeem your sins through merit, and take Yuwen Wushuang’s place as Northern King.”
“After the campaign, come to my Heavenly Tranquility Palace and accept your punishment.”
A faint, almost imperceptible smile curled at the corner of her lips.
…
Great Zhou Empire, outside the Royal Capital, on a desolate plain.
Long Lingtian stumbled out of the spatial rift and collapsed onto the ground.
He was in a miserable state—his clothes tattered, his body covered in blood, and most of his bones shattered.
“Xu Ning… Mystic Saint Empress… just you wait! I will kill you both!”
Clutching his wounds, he roared in agony, his face twisted like dried bark, his eyes blazing with boundless hatred.
Suddenly, his Storage Ring trembled. A twelve-armed demonic statue shot out, its eyes glowing red as it pointed toward the west.
Long Lingtian’s face lit up with excitement. “This is within the Great Zhou Empire? Then the Demon Lord’s Heavenly Tomb must be nearby!”
“Just wait, Xu Ning! Once I inherit the Demon Lord’s legacy, I’ll kill you! I’ll turn Yao Ling’er and the Empress into cauldrons for my cultivation!”
…
After Long Lingtian’s disruption, the Empress had lost all interest in viewing flowers. After issuing the decree, she returned directly to the palace.
Once everyone had dispersed, Xu Ning returned to his room.
According to the original novel, Long Lingtian would head to the Demon Lord’s Heavenly Tomb within the Great Zhou Empire to inherit the Demon Lord’s legacy.
Coincidentally, the Yuwen Family was located very close to the Great Zhou Empire.
“That tomb must be extremely dangerous. Entering rashly would mean certain death. Perfect—I’ll let Long Lingtian act as my pathfinder.”
“Meanwhile, I can use this time to plunder the Yuwen Family’s treasures and raise my cultivation.”
Taking a deep breath, Xu Ning began outlining his plans.
“Now then, let’s see what I can exchange with my fortune points.”
He sat cross-legged on the bed and opened the system interface.
[Host: Xu Ning]
[Identity: Direct son of the Xu Family]
[Cultivation: 5th stage Creation Realm]
[Physique: Ordinary]
[Technique: Xu Family Primordial Essence Art]
[Fortune Points: 1400]
[Shop: Unlocked]
[Inventory: Beginner Gift Pack (Unopened)]
“A beginner gift pack?” Xu Ning was surprised.
His eyes flickered as he thought, Open the beginner gift pack.
Immediately, a golden box appeared before him, radiating dazzling light.
As the box slowly opened, the system notification sounded.
[Congratulations, Host. You have obtained the Dao Heart Divine Seal and the Great Dao Slave Canon!]
Hearing the words “Dao Heart Divine Seal,” Xu Ning’s pupils shrank.
This was a legendary item. Its holder would be immune to backlash from their Dao Heart.
In simple terms, even if he swore an oath upon his Dao Heart and lied, he would suffer no consequences.
A truly heaven-defying treasure!
As for the Great Dao Slave Canon, it was equally terrifying. Its user could plant a slave mark within others—undetectable by any means.
“Incredible… with these two divine items, dealing with Long Lingtian will be effortless!”
He then opened the system shop and examined it carefully.
The shop contained everything—from cultivation techniques and divine abilities to weapons and secret arts—all of extremely high quality.
Unfortunately, with his current fortune points, he couldn’t afford much.
“System, can I directly use fortune points to increase my cultivation?” he asked inwardly.
He would soon face Long Lingtian again. After awakening his dragon blood, Long Lingtian could reach the 8th stage Creation Realm—far beyond his current strength.
[Yes. Within the Creation Realm, each stage increase costs 400 fortune points.]
“Good. I want to reach the 8th stage Creation Realm.”
After consuming 1200 fortune points, a mysterious energy surged from his dantian, flowing through his limbs and meridians. Spiritual energy roared, his meridians expanding under the pressure.
His bones cracked loudly as his cultivation rose rapidly.
5th stage… 6th stage… all the way to the 8th stage Creation Realm.
“Without the system, even with the Xu Family’s resources, it would’ve taken me years to reach this level.”
He clenched his fist and punched forward. The air twisted violently, emitting a tearing sound.
Only then did he nod in satisfaction.
The next day, led by Xu Ning, with six Heavenly Venerables as guards and numerous attendants following behind, the group set out grandly toward the Yuwen Family.