Chapter 4: It is reasonable to be optimistic about the future empress Author: Kaifan Up - After I Left, I Became Their Obsession.

In the realm of cultivation, there are ten distinct stages, yet the path that Chen Li has chosen in this life is rather unconventional. Ever since his rebirth, his cultivation has remained stagnant at the first stage, never advancing. However, his true strength cannot be assessed by ordinary standards. In his past life, he was a cultivator at the pinnacle of the tenth stage, possessing profound foundations. In this life, aside from nurturing his potential, he has also encountered many fortuitous opportunities that he did not possess before. If he truly wished to cultivate, no barrier would stand in his way. Yet even if he were to break through to the tenth stage in this life, it would be meaningless to him. He must carve out a new path. The power he possesses at present actually originates from a secret mystical art, an art that "borrows" from his past life's strength, allowing him to slay eighth stage cultivators with ease, as if they were mere curs. However, each use is akin to burning a depleted lamp. The oil is finite, diminishing with every use. Since his rebirth, this is only the fourth time he has employed this technique. And what is borrowed must be repaid, even if it is to "oneself." Chen Li grasped Ning Jueye's neck and turned his gaze to Ning Yanxi. "What do you say? If you nod in agreement to our prior arrangement, I will end him now." Ning Yanxi did not hesitate in the slightest. "I agree." "Very well, the deal is struck," Chen Li nodded. "Even if I die... you won't have a moment's peace!" Ning Jueye, gripped by the throat, let out a hoarse, venomous howl, his eyes suddenly weeping ink-like black blood as he glared at Chen Li. His vitality receded like the tide, replaced by a chilling, foul, soul-terrorizing malevolence that erupted from within him! Knowing his fate was sealed, Ning Jueye resorted to a forbidden and ancient dark art, sacrificing his very spirit and essence in a desperate attempt to drag Chen Li down with him. Hum— The air at the center of the grand hall twisted violently, collapsing inward. Though nothing tangible appeared, everyone somehow "saw" a gigantic, bloodshot "solitary eye" manifest in the depths of their consciousness. It seemed to originate from an indescribable abyss, filled with pure malice and madness, defying all attempts to describe it. "Ahhhh—!" "No—!" Screams cut off abruptly; upon meeting the "eye," bodies silently disintegrated like eroded statues, flesh dissolving, leaving only ashes behind. Around Ning Yanxi, ethereal golden light surged, and an imposing, sacred five-claw golden dragon emerged from within her, shielding her from the terrifying erosion. Ning Wanyin, still in the central array's core, was similarly protected by its power. "What is this?" Ning Yanxi knitted her brows, enduring the jolts of dread and discomfort striking her soul's depths. Chen Li chuckled softly, "Simply remnants of ancient debris, pretending to harbor ominous power." He casually looked at the "eye" on the plane of consciousness. Boom! It was as if a silent thunderclap had boomed forth! Within the "eye's" "gaze," Chen Li's form twisted and surged, transforming into a colossal spectral figure of immense presence, overlooking the cosmos! That figure merely cast a disinterested "glance" at it. In an instant, that suffocating malevolence receded like the tide. The contorted image of the "eye" emitted a soundless shriek, collapsing like a burst bubble. Silence reigned once more within the grand hall, as if the horrendous scene that just unfolded had never happened. Chen Li waved his hand, an invisible blade of razor-sharp energy slicing through the void, severing Ning Wanyin's last connection to the formation. The array's symbols instantly dimmed and extinguished. Without the support of the array's power, Ning Wanyin's body slackened, collapsing backward. "Sister!" Ning Yanxi rushed forward, catching Ning Wanyin and holding her in her arms. All she felt was an icy chill; Ning Wanyin's body was feather-light. "No... no harm done." Leaning against Ning Yanxi's shoulder, Ning Wanyin managed a faint smile on her paper-white face, her voice barely a whisper. Though the sacrificial process was forcibly halted, sparing her soul from dispersing, her body, already at its limit, was nearing exhaustion. Ning Yanxi held Ning Wanyin tightly, feeling the faint pulse of life in her arms, her eyes reddening. Ning Wanyin then gently raised her hand, soothingly patting Ning Yanxi's back, a gentle smile upon her lips. Chen Li stood silently on the sidelines, not interrupting them. After a long while, Ning Yanxi lifted her head, scanning the chaotic hall around her, murmuring, "Is it... over?" Ning Wanyin, supported by her sister, struggled to stand tall. She broke free from Ning Yanxi's hold and, facing Chen Li, offered a deep and solemn bow: "Ning Wanyin thanks the benefactor for his life-saving grace." Chen Li smiled, "Each obtained what they needed; it was a fair trade. No need for thanks." Looking at the sisters, whose appearances were nearly indistinguishable save for their differing temperaments, one could barely tell them apart. Suddenly, Ning Yanxi inquired, "Is it true, sir, that all you seek is a streak of the nation's fortune?" The vigilance in her heart had not fully dissipated, even with the life-saving intervention. Chen Li's arrival had been too mysterious, and the power he displayed was unfathomable. With such capability, forcibly seizing a nation's fortune seemed within reach, after all. What worried her most was that he might have other motives, perhaps ambitions towards the sisters themselves. Understanding her concerns, Chen Li met her gaze, speaking slowly, "What I seek is not the current fortune of the Ning Kingdom, but its future." Ning Yanxi pondered in silence before asking, "Do you truly have such faith in the future of the Ning Kingdom?" Chen Li smiled, "Not in the kingdom, but in you." Ning Yanxi was lost in thought. Ning Wanyin softly spoke, "Since the benefactor possesses such extraordinary means, having faith in you and the kingdom must have its reasons." At that moment, Chen Li's eyes lingered on Ning Wanyin for several breaths, until Ning Yanxi, slightly displeased, blocked his view. Only then did Chen Li withdraw his gaze and muse, "Do you suffer from a congenital ailment?" Ning Wanyin's body trembled slightly, "How does the benefactor know?" Ning Yanxi's expression also shifted. Realization dawned on Chen Li—the one afflicted with this deadly condition was Ning Wanyin. No wonder her body was so frail, and no wonder she chose self-sacrifice to pave the way for her sister. "Perhaps," Chen Li paused, "I may have a way to cure you." "Truly?!" Ning Yanxi, rarely losing her composure, was overtaken by hope, for Ning Wanyin's importance surpassed even her own to her. Ning Wanyin held her breath, gazing at Chen Li with anticipation. Though long resigned to life and death, who would not grasp at even the faintest chance of survival? "Naturally," Chen Li nodded, "Your condition isn't an ordinary disease, but an exceedingly rare ancient constitution known as the Nine Yin Absolute Vein. Such a constitution cannot be borne by humans who are inherently weak, leading it to manifest as a life-threatening curse." "There is a solution, but it requires arduous conditions and a lengthy process." Ning Yanxi instantly declared, without hesitation, "As long as you can save my sister, I'll agree to any conditions!" Ning Wanyin, tears brimming, softly uttered, "Yanxi..." Ning Yanxi's resolve was clear, her gaze steady upon Chen Li. Chen Li's smile softened further, "Then it is settled." Suppressing the turbulent emotions within her heart, Ning Wanyin bowed elegantly once more, "May I ask the benefactor's name?" "Chen Li," he replied.