The Emperor's Domineering Favor, the Evil Consort's Unparalleled Reign

"This Bixia Palace is huge, bigger than Yeling City and Linshui City combined. The continuous mountain range stretches as far as the eye can see. No wonder so many Bixia Palace disciples are rejected every year during the rigorous selection process. Just look at the distance between their residences and cultivation grounds—time is wasted on walking! Where is there any extra time for spiritual cultivation?!"

Ying Zhe was amazed by the vastness of the Bixia Palace mountain range. The dilapidated pavilions that pierced the sky and the Bixia Palace that was close to the earth made the path of spiritual cultivation very arduous!

Ying Xue was also surprised. The thought of having to go up and down the mountain to cultivate her spirit every day made her inexplicably afraid. In this case, should she cultivate her spirit or her physical strength?

Ying Li stared blankly at the towering pavilion, as if something there was drawing her in. But soon her gaze was drawn to a group of young men and women dressed in purple who had followed them.

The four people slowly approached Ying Li and his group, sometimes whispering and sometimes laughing, but their eyes were always fixed on Ying Li. As the four people drew closer, Yue Wei and An Yao became somewhat nervous, their expressions showing increased respect.

"Who are those people?" Ying Zhe also noticed the odd behavior of Yue Wei and An Yao, and patted them on the shoulder to ask.

Yue Wei snapped out of her daze, made a "shh" gesture, and waited until the four people were far away before explaining to the others, "Those people in purple robes are newly enrolled disciples of Bixia Palace. Judging from the silk grass pattern pinned to their chests, they should be lower-ranking disciples. Not only are their cultivation levels very high, but they also possess more or less martial arts skills, which are beyond our reach. If we offend them, we definitely won't be able to stay in Bixia Palace!"

Hearing Yue Wei say this, An Yao's face showed some indignation. "I clearly passed the Bixia Palace's entry test, but when I got here I found out that it's not like that at all. There will be another entry test in ten days, on the day the new disciples enter the palace. If I don't pass, then I'll just pack my bags and go home!"

"What?!" Ying Li and Ying Xue were both shocked. They had come all this way, only to be tested. If they failed, they would have to return to their families, and they would be laughed at by their families!

"The Bixia Palace went back on its word! They promised that passing the entry test would allow one to enter the Bixia Palace to learn martial arts and techniques, advancing further on the path of spiritual cultivation. How come, now that we're all here, they're bringing up other rules? Why weren't they told before we came?!" Ying Zhe was impatient, and upon hearing this news, he could no longer remain calm. He hated being deceived the most. Although it wasn't exactly deception, being tricked again after arriving here would be unpleasant for anyone.

"I heard that many of the students enrolled in Bixia Palace this year were forced in by powerful figures and wealthy families. However, the sect leader in charge of Bixia Palace felt that this approach was ineffective, but he couldn't directly refuse them. So, he came up with this method: directly testing the disciples who are about to enroll. If their aptitude is not high and their spiritual power is too weak, they will be kicked out of the palace and will not be accepted again. This way, it doesn't lose face for those people. It just temporarily tarnishes Bixia Palace's reputation, but that's a minor matter if it's mentioned. If it drags down the quality of the disciples, then outsiders will laugh at us." Yue Wei quickly explained when he saw the displeasure on everyone's faces. He had arrived yesterday and had heard about it from others.

However, he felt this approach was feasible. Although they all came from wealthy families in Yeling City and Linshui City, once they entered Bixia Palace, every disciple came from a prominent family. Ordinary families had no opportunity to cultivate spiritual energy. Those who passed Bixia Palace's entrance test must have families with the means to cultivate spiritual energy, thus separating the general public. What were they compared to them? Faced with the hidden talents of Bixia Palace, all they could do was silently endure and persevere until they became Spirit Lords, at which point they would have achieved their goal.

"Moreover, everyone knows the rules of Bixia Palace. Every year there is a round of elimination tests, which both middle and lower-level disciples must participate in. If they fail the test, a large number of disciples will leave Bixia Palace. I heard that more than 9,000 people left last year. This number is comparable to the total number of spiritual cultivators in Linshui City. Only Bixia Palace could do such a large-scale elimination of disciples. So I think that even if we pass the entry test, life will be very difficult in the future, because at the same time, there will be about 10,000 people waiting for you to be eliminated. The dog-eat-dog Bixia Palace is no safer than outside." An Yao looked worried. He was only at the fifth level of soul cultivation and was very afraid of being eliminated and returning to his family.

"Thinking about these things now is useless. We might as well adjust our mindset and take the test in ten days. Whether we pass or not depends on our abilities. If we really can't do it, we can always come back next year!" Ying Li comforted him, then looked at the pavilion on the hill behind them and continued, "We just arrived today, so let's go up and put our luggage down first, and get familiar with the environment so we won't be caught off guard on the day of the test."

After listening, everyone nodded repeatedly. Yue Wei and An Yao, having arrived earlier than the Ying siblings, helped carry their luggage up the mountain. After half a day's work, they finally reached the summit. Before they could even catch their breath, they saw the mansion in complete disarray. Bedding, tables, chairs, pots, and pans were scattered all over the ground, and the debris reeked of urine.

Ying Li's expression changed. Each of the three quilts that had been pulled out was covered with a large patch of disgusting yellowish-brown liquid. Although the autumn weather was getting colder, the smell still relentlessly assaulted everyone's noses. Upon closer inspection, there was still some warmth on it, indicating that it had just been exposed.

Who on earth was it that dared to be so hostile towards them on the very first day they arrived at Bixia Palace?!

"Bang!" Another muffled sound rang out, and a girl dressed in purple walked out of the mansion gate, carrying a complete tea set in her hand. Her clothes were embroidered with the pattern of silk grass, and she was undoubtedly a lower-class disciple. Behind her were more than a dozen boys and girls dressed in ordinary clothes, who were watching the three Ying siblings as if they were watching a show.

"It's Lin Xiangxiang and Lin Zheng! What are they doing here?" Ying Xue asked with concern. Lin Xiangxiang was the eldest daughter of the Lin family in Ye Ling City. She had become a lower-level disciple of Bixia Palace two years ago, and it was said that her cultivation was very high, already at the first level of spiritual cultivation. Even the combined strength of everyone present might not be enough to defeat her. The gap between soul cultivators and spiritual cultivators was unfathomable; it was no longer just a matter of spiritual power.

Soul cultivation focuses on increasing one's spiritual power, while spiritual cultivation combines this with martial arts techniques. Although their family is large, they are far from reaching the level of spiritual cultivation to cultivate martial arts. If Lin Xiangxiang, having reached the first stage of spiritual cultivation, were to also cultivate martial arts, then even if they cried out for help, no one would come to their aid. Ying Li severed Lin Piaopiao's right hand; they must have come for revenge.

Lin Xiangxiang's long, slender eyes held disdain and languor. She casually tossed the tea set in her hand onto the ground and stomped on it twice. Leaning over, she sized up Ying Li, who was standing next to Ying Zhe. A cold smile played on her lips. "I heard you broke my second sister's hand?"

Ying Li's black hair flew wildly, and a powerful spiritual energy surged from Lin Xiangxiang's body, making them almost unable to withstand it. Yue Wei and An Yao had already taken several steps back.

Ying Zhe pursed his lips tightly. If it were anyone else, it would be fine, but this person was a lower-level disciple of Bixia Palace. A disciple who had entered the Soul Register must have extraordinary abilities. Moreover, Lin Xiangxiang had passed the elimination test two years ago. The other party's spiritual power was far beyond what they could compare to. If his little sister was targeted, she would definitely not have a good ending.

Thinking of this, Ying Zhe stood in a straight line, blocking Ying Li's path, and shouted at Lin Xiangxiang, "This has nothing to do with my little sister! I broke Lin Piaopiao's hand, so what?! Who told her to be so ungrateful and try to harm me? If you want to avenge your second sister, come at me alone! What kind of skill is it to bully a child?!"

Ying Li's heart tightened. Looking at Ying Zhe's slightly trembling back, her gaze towards Lin Xiangxiang turned cold. If she dared to hurt her second brother today, she would make Lin Piaopiao pay!

"Second Brother, that's enough! I'm the one who broke Lin Piaopiao's hand. That day, she was at Qingyue Manor in Linshui City. She used Jiang Yunlou's brocade pouch to release an evil beast in an attempt to silence her. I was so angry that I decided to kill her. If I had another chance, I would only regret not killing her that day! Lin Xiangxiang, if you have the guts, come at me. It has nothing to do with my second brother!" Ying Li pushed Ying Zhe away, his face showing a resolute expression.

Lin Xiangxiang's pupils shrank as she looked at Ying Li and Ying Zhe, her face now completely filled with murderous intent. She straightened her back and coldly snorted, "Don't waste your breath. I don't care who did it. Today is the day you three siblings of the Ying family die. No matter who tries to stop you, you'll all die!"

"Lin Zheng, seize everything they have! That old bastard is quite generous! Giving you such a lavish gift, doesn't he know that the treasures of Bixia Palace can't be kept to oneself?! Go! Seize them! I want them to die slowly, not one of them will escape!"

Lin Xiangxiang suddenly shouted, and more than a dozen people behind her rushed towards the three Ying siblings. They were all at the third level of soul cultivation, and two of them had even reached the sixth level of soul cultivation!

Ying Li's face turned cold. Was she really going to have blood spilled in Bixia Palace today?!

Unexpectedly, just as those dozen or so people rushed over, another familiar voice rang out from the attic, "Lin Xiangxiang, you've got some nerve, actually setting your sights on my people! Have you lost your mind?!"

Lin Xiangxiang's face turned ashen, as if she had eaten dog excrement. She turned to look at the man who was slowly walking towards her, and her heart sank.

Ying Li suddenly turned around and saw the man coming out waving a red plum blossom fan. He was relieved. He never expected to run into Yi Bicheng, the dissolute young master of Linshui City who could cook porridge with a million taels of gold.

However, there is only one reason why the other party can be so extravagant: at the very least, Lin Xiangxiang's family cannot afford to offend him!