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

Jiang Yunhe and Yan Jue stood on the pavilion not far away, looking at the scene just now with some surprise. Lin Xiangxiang and others bullying Ying Li was not a big deal in Bixia Palace. What's more, without the protection of allies, and possessing some treasures, they would naturally be targeted by some people with ulterior motives. They would be beaten half to death, or even killed, and no one would care.

In Bixia Palace, everyone comes from a prestigious family. If you offend anyone, you can't escape unscathed. Fortunately, no one cares about the fights between these disciples who have no rank. Whoever dies or gets injured is up to them to decide.

But now, Yan Jue, who was in charge of the lower-level disciples of Bixia Palace, looked thoughtfully at the girl in ice-blue clothes not far away. "This kind of girl is actually in my Bixia Palace. With proper education, she will surely achieve something. Although we can't find that mysterious person on the spiritual cultivation mountain in Yeling City, I think this person is a good prospect. If we can use her, there will be countless benefits in the future."

Jiang Yunhe crossed his arms and smiled lazily, "I don't want her to be used by us. This kind of woman is no ordinary person. Her future achievements will definitely surpass ours! It would be best if she didn't become our enemy."

"Could it be that he is even more powerful than Elder Yunhe?" Yan Jue was somewhat cautious. This Jiang Yunhe seemed carefree and irresponsible, but he was actually a genius in spiritual cultivation. He was currently in charge of middle-level disciples, which was much stronger than his own abilities. Naturally, he dared not be negligent.

Jiang Yunhe remained noncommittal, but instead turned his attention to Yi Bicheng, saying, "How do you intend to deal with this person? His family is somewhat troublesome. What arrangements do you have? Does Elder Yan Jue have any ideas?"

"It's hard to say. How about we arrange it like this for now and discuss it again if anything changes in the future?" Yan Jue asked tentatively. Jiang Yunhe nodded, then glanced at Ying Li before leaving.

Ying Li glanced at the small pavilion on the hill not far away, which seemed to have lost its spiritual energy. Only after realizing that the two people had gone far away did she relax.

"Little sister, you're absolutely insane! You've only been here a few months and you're already this amazing. I reckon you could take on ten of my second brothers without a problem!" Ying Zhe exclaimed in shock, while glancing at Yue Wei and An Yao out of the corner of his eye. It was time for those two to change their minds; his little sister was destined for greatness, how could she possibly be connected to them? It wasn't that he looked down on those two, it's just that he always felt Ying Li deserved the best.

"Little sister is so amazing." Ying Xue stood beside Ying Zhe, carrying her bundle. She looked Ying Li up and down, her face showing surprise and guilt. Ying Luo had attacked Ying Li severely that day, but she had stood by and watched. It was clear that Ying Li hated her to the core.

As expected, Ying Li only glanced at her coldly before walking over to Ying Zhe to inquire about him. Yue Wei had initially felt some affection for Ying Li, but now, seeing that Ying Li's strength was even greater than before he came to Bixia Palace, and considering the distance between them, he felt ashamed and indignant that he couldn't protect her but was instead being protected by Ying Li. A dignified man being protected by a woman, he had no reason to express his love for Ying Li anymore.

It's not too late to talk about it when he becomes stronger and can protect Yingli.

After cleaning up the mess, Ying Li spent half a day talking with Yi Bicheng. He learned that Yi Bicheng had arrived at Bixia Palace long ago, and his residence was located on the adjacent hill. The two mountain ranges happened to be connected, which was why he was able to appear in time. Although he had some doubts about Yi Bicheng's identity, after seeing the original form of the Northern Red Plum Fan, he could guess the man's identity with a high degree of certainty.

After exchanging pleasantries, Ying Li made no mention of the bloody incident at the Linshui Pawnshop. Yi Bicheng smiled and took his leave to return to his residence. Ying Li looked at the darkening sky and then at the still-chaotic mansion, a chill running through his eyes. He thought to himself that Lin Xiangxiang and the others had better behave themselves in the future; if they dared to cause trouble again, it wouldn't be as simple as reaping what they sowed. The terror of those deep pupils was such that even a second-stage spiritual cultivator like himself could be fought to a draw by Ying Li, let alone Lin Xiangxiang.

After several days of tidying up, the mansion finally looked somewhat habitable. Ying Li sat in her room, taking out the seventeen evil beast inner cores she had picked up from Qingyue Manor in Linshui City, her face solemn. Due to various matters, she had not yet refined them. These seventeen evil beast inner cores were much smaller than the Devouring Spirit Python inner core from that day, but there were still seventeen of them. Even if she couldn't break through to the Spirit Cultivation stage, breaking through to the top level of Soul Cultivation wouldn't be a problem.

"Girl, I've heard that Bixia Palace hides various martial arts techniques in the assessment arena. Although you possess the Deep Eyes, it's still not enough. On the day of the assessment, you must focus on finding these techniques. Just pass the other tests casually. If you can obtain a few good items, it will definitely help you advance to a lower-level disciple in the future!" The alluring man lay on Ying Li's bed, looking at the dark sky outside the window as he instructed her. This place was relatively safe, but he wondered if the current peace would be broken once Ying Li became a lower-level disciple.

Ying Li nodded heavily and swallowed all the unpurified inner cores in one go. Surrounded by a thick black aura, Ying Li frowned slightly and kept gathering spiritual energy in his chest with both hands. Although these evil beast inner cores contained a lot of dark power, fortunately, the spiritual energy of the withered bone ring helped to purify them. After half a night, these inner cores had been purified.

After refining and absorbing for half the night, when Ying Li opened his eyes again the next day, he was surrounded by top-level spiritual power of a soul cultivator. He had indeed broken through, but the speed of the breakthrough gradually decreased. He didn't know if it was because he was consuming spiritual power or because some of his spiritual power was stored in the withered bone ring. In any case, seventeen inner cores were refined, but Ying Li only broke through one level.

Looking at the black bracelet on his right hand, Ying Li's expression changed slightly. Although the spiritual energy within was abundant, there was a lingering sense of dissatisfaction, as if his own spiritual energy wasn't strong enough. However, compared to before, the spiritual light emanating from this bone ring was considerably stronger. Well then, he would take it slowly!

The day of the assessment finally arrived. Ying Li, Ying Zhe, and Ying Xue walked together towards Bixia Palace. Yi Bicheng, possessing the level of a first-stage spiritual cultivator, was granted permission to skip the assessment, while they did not have such a good opportunity. Yue Wei and An Yao were already waiting there, and waved to Ying Li and the others as they approached.

Once everyone had gathered, three people slowly walked up from the high platform. Jiang Yunhe walked in front, followed by Yan Jue and Yin Xiu.

"It's Elder Yunhe! Wow, he's incredibly handsome. How wonderful it would be to become a mid-level disciple and be taught spiritual cultivation techniques by Elder Yunlou!"

"That's right! That day, when Bixia Palace opened its registration hall in the city, I was only fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of Elder Yunhe's demeanor. But seeing him today, it's truly worth dying for!"

"I heard he's only twenty years old. To be an elder with the rank of middle-level disciple at such a young age is truly amazing!"

"..."

Countless words of admiration for Jiang Yunhe erupted from the crowd. Yan Jue and Yin Xiu looked rather grim, but there was nothing they could do. Jiang Yunhe's popularity in Bixia Palace had always been among the top three. He was young and had extremely high cultivation, so it was no wonder that these young girls secretly admired him!

Ying Li looked at Jiang Yunhe. Although the other party was lazy, he was definitely not an ordinary person.

"I believe everyone still has some resistance to the assessment, which is understandable. However, Bixia Palace does not accept third-rate disciples, so this entrance test is very important. If you perform well, you can become a lower-level disciple. But if you fail the assessment, then please go back to where you came from. This may sound harsh, so the sect leader of Bixia Palace has specially prepared an assessment gift. If everyone passes the test, each person will receive twenty pieces of high-grade Silk Grass." Although Jiang Yunhe's tone was lazy, he deliberately dragged out the words when talking about the assessment gift!

"Wow, twenty high-grade Silk Grass plants! This is so beautiful! As expected of Bixia Palace, they really have a grand scale!"

"This move not only eliminates those who are not qualified, but also gives an explanation to those who passed the test. Bixia Palace really knows how to do things!"

The concept of "graded Lingluo Grass" is something that ordinary people have never even seen. Only a few aristocratic families possess the resources of Lingluo Grass. Because Yeling City, where the Ying family is located, has special soil for cultivation, Ying Li and others were fortunate enough to obtain it. But even they, in their daily lives, have only ever seen ordinary Lingluo Grass. Unless absolutely necessary, the Ying family would not allow their three younger members to bring out their entire fortune.

The crowd instantly went from listless to full of energy. Yan Jue nodded in satisfaction, then stepped out from behind Jiang Yunhe and announced loudly, "The assessment shall now begin! Illusionary Realm, open!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a circular, upright black hole appeared in the middle of the crowd, from which a continuous stream of spiritual energy flowed, constantly absorbing everyone.

"What are you waiting for? Charge!" Someone shouted, and the crowd suddenly erupted in commotion. Countless people pushed and shoved their way into the illusionary realm specially set up for the assessment. In an instant, the yellow dust outside the Bixia Palace was flying everywhere, and everyone was rushing excitedly towards the entrance of the illusionary realm like wild horses that had broken free of their reins!

Ying Li followed the crowd and rushed forward. Before long, she and Ying Zhe, Ying Xue and others were separated by the crowd and lost contact. As Ying Zhe's voice calling her grew fainter and fainter, Ying Li gradually realized the strangeness of this illusion.

Within the illusion, which is a cave, there are countless paths and entrances. There is no way to choose whether to go left or right. There are no road signs, and it is unknown when you will reach the end and pass the test.

Several people stood with Ying Li in the same cave entrance. The crowd that had been thronging earlier had disappeared, apparently being directed to other cave entrances. The cave entrance was deep and terrifying, with no end in sight. The people behind him were already somewhat frightened; whether to continue forward or retreat was a difficult choice.

The road ahead is unknown, but there is only one way to retreat within the illusion, no matter when you want to. Even with your eyes closed, you can walk out of the illusion. But the moment you retreat, it means that you will lose access to high-grade spiritual medicines and have nothing to do with Bixia Palace anymore.

After thinking for a moment, the group gritted their teeth and braced themselves to walk towards the deep and terrifying place ahead!

"Ugh!"

"Ugh!"

"Ugh!"

……

A series of pitiful cries echoed from ahead. Ying Li followed the group of strangers cautiously, the cries growing clearer as they walked.

"Ugh!" Another mournful cry rang out, startling everyone. Ying Li looked at the deep cave entrance ahead, which was faintly emitting a white light. Accompanying the white light was the mournful cry they had heard all along. Could it be that some strange monster was inside?!