An Empress Who Doesn't Care About Martial Virtue, Is There No One to Guard the Armory?_1

As he was lost in thought, Gao Xuan couldn't help but gently scratch Ling Shuang's soft palm.

Instantly, Ling Shuang's body trembled, and she stopped in her tracks, glaring at him with a cold gaze. She released his hand and questioned, "What are you doing?"

Gao Xuan awkwardly smiled and quickly replied, "It's nothing. You just held my hand too tightly..."

Ling Shuang coldly snorted, not saying much, and continued walking forward.

Gao Xuan hurriedly followed, confirming his suspicions in his heart.

In that instant, Ling Shuang's reaction was clearly excessive. He could feel her palm trembling and her body stiffening slightly.

Just like Ao Xue, their outward personalities were cold and aloof, but their bodies were quite sensitive.

It seemed that holding hands just now was the most intimate contact Ling Shuang had ever had with a man in her life.

Before long, they arrived at the Hall of Yangxin.

The Empress was still diligently reviewing memorials, completely unaware of anyone entering as usual.

Gao Xuan silently waited below the platform, while Ling Shuang approached and quietly informed the Empress about something.

Then, the Empress's face showed an expression of surprise. She looked up at Gao Xuan with a hint of astonishment in her eyes.

"You've already reached the Soul Palace realm?"

Ling Shuang added beside her, "Your Majesty, it's the mid-stage of the Soul Palace realm."

Gao Xuan pretended to be pleasantly surprised and lowered his head shyly. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"This... how is this possible..."

The Empress muttered to herself, shocked and evidently wounded in her pride.

She vividly remembered the scene when this guy reached the Ling Sea realm last time, and she never expected him to continuously bring her new shocks.

The Empress couldn't sit still anymore. She personally descended from the throne, circling around and examining Gao Xuan like a strange creature.

She wanted to see if Gao Xuan's Soul Palace realm was inflated. She even doubted if this guy had been possessed by some undying creature. Otherwise, it would be too outrageous.

Others had been diligently cultivating for so long, and yet he, a person with mature bone age, surpassed them in just two months. It was unacceptable for anyone.

A faint golden light appeared in the Empress's pupils. It was an extremely rare talent and ability in the imperial bloodline called the Dragon Eyes.

Combined with her royal aura cultivated since childhood, it allowed her to better utilize her innate talent. When cultivated to the extreme, she could see through all illusions in the world with a single glance.

However, after one circle, the Empress couldn't detect anything abnormal. On the contrary, she felt that Gao Xuan's mid-stage Soul Palace realm was quite solid, stronger than those who had been diligently cultivating for over ten years.

If this speed continued, she feared that even she would be surpassed soon.

The Empress suddenly felt that she had wasted half of her life. Everything she had used for cultivation was top-notch, but in the end, she couldn't compare to a eunuch!

The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she felt. Without any warning, she kicked Gao Xuan's backside.

Gao Xuan never expected that the usually composed and deep-minded Empress would launch a surprise attack!

Who did he offend?

Caught off guard, he fell flat on his face.

After hurriedly getting up, he wore a face of resentment but dared not complain, resembling a wronged little wife.

"I was just testing your cultivation. It seems that your mid-stage Soul Palace realm is not solid enough. You still need to work harder."

The Empress shook her head slightly with her hands behind her back, expressing a faint regret. Then, as if nothing had happened, she calmly returned to her throne on the high platform.

She felt much better after delivering that kick.

Ling Shuang struggled to control her expression, preventing herself from bursting into laughter, but she felt an immense sense of satisfaction in her heart.

"You are right, Your Majesty. I will work harder in the future," Gao Xuan said with a pitiful appearance on the surface, while feeling indignant in his heart.

What's with these women always kicking people's buttocks? Even if it's fleshier there, it still hurts!

One is Ling Shuang, and the other is the damn Emperor!

Damn it, if there's a chance in the future, I will definitely make them experience the feeling of a little whip!

Their buttocks will be swollen by then!

After calming his mood, the Emperor's expression remained composed as she spoke with a faint authoritative tone, "How are the tasks I assigned to you going? Have you obtained the Imperial Seal yet?"

Gao Xuan lowered his head and replied, "Your Majesty, it's not that quick... I have been trying my best to win the favor of the Empress Dowager, but I haven't completely gained her trust yet."

The Emperor coldly snorted, "Clearly, you are not competent in handling things, and yet you dare to argue! I heard that you lost the package of 'Honeysuckle Powder' I gave you?"

"It was my negligence, Your Majesty. Please punish me," Gao Xuan said with a fearful expression.

Seeing his appearance, the Emperor waved her hand, saying, "Forget it. Considering your loyalty to me, and the fact that you have been working diligently, I'll spare the punishment."

However, she couldn't help but let out a faint sigh in her heart. It seemed to be fate.

Originally, making this decision was already against the natural order, but now that it was lost, she didn't have to carry the burden of guilt and constantly feel sorry to the late Emperor.

Gao Xuan quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty."

The Emperor continued, "I heard from Ling Shuang that you want more techniques?"

Gao Xuan replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. I've almost finished cultivating the ones you gave me before, so I would like to practice some others."

"Hmm."

The Emperor nodded lightly. Although Gao Xuan's cultivation speed made her feel frustrated, no matter what, the faster Gao Xuan cultivated, the more advantageous it would be for her. She said, "Since you're so diligent, let Ling Shuang take you to the armory later to select two more techniques."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Gao Xuan felt delighted. He had initially only wanted to try his luck, but unexpectedly, the Emperor actually agreed and even allowed him to personally select from the armory!

The points for the antagonist were falling into place.

Afterward, the Emperor gave him a few reminders to be cunning and clever in dealing with the Empress Dowager, urging him to obtain the Imperial Seal as soon as possible. Then, Gao Xuan and Ling Shuang retreated.

After leaving Yangxin Palace Hall, Ling Shuang brought Gao Xuan to the Imperial Palace's arsenal.

The night was hazy and the moonlight was shallow. The palace was so quiet that one could hear the chirping of crickets.

Not long after, Gao Xuan saw a majestic pavilion in the distance. It was built with thick white jade stone as the foundation. It had five floors and six eaves, forming an octagonal shape.

There was a huge plaque with the words " Armory " hanging on it. It was written by Emperor Taizu himself. The handwriting was bold and majestic.

Even though a thousand years had passed, he could still feel the terrifying pressure coming from the words.

When he got closer, Gao Xuan was surprised to find that there was not a single guard in the arsenal! There weren't even any inconspicuous hidden big shots like those in novels who had extremely high cultivation.

Even in the dead of the night, the red door was left wide open, giving people the impression that the brothel's madam was shouting," Guest, come in and play."

Gao Xuan's Adam's apple moved slightly. If no one was watching, he would secretly retrieve all the cultivation techniques. Wouldn't he be invincible?

However, even though he thought so, he did not dare to take it now.

There must be something wrong with things.

Gao Xuan had a vague feeling that this place was not that simple. This world revered martial arts, and the royal arsenal was the cornerstone of the Great Qian Dynasty, gathering the best cultivation techniques in the world.

There must be a great mystery hidden behind such fearlessness!

..