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

In a secluded and quiet mountain villa in Huai'an, Ying Li examined the energy within his body. Sure enough, he had broken through from the second to the third stage of spiritual cultivation. However, his subtly increasing power hadn't diminished but rather intensified, showing signs of further ascent. Ying Li clenched his right hand, and a surge of abundant spiritual energy appeared. The withered bone ring spun incessantly with blue light, and then, in the next moment, he broke through another stage!

"It seems that this superior Spirit Gathering Pill is really something else. It can actually help me break through to the second stage in such a short time. If I get a few more, I'm sure I'll be able to pass the intermediate disciple assessment a year from now!" Ying Li was overjoyed. In this way, her family would be saved and would no longer have to live a life of hiding.

Just as Ying Li was about to give up, the alluring man within the skeleton ring sneered, "I bet you're bewitched by that boy's looks. Think about it, why would he save you when you're complete strangers?! He'll definitely want something from you, you or your things. You're just a fifteen-year-old kid, you don't even know you've started menstruating, so shameless, he definitely won't be interested in you. So, it'll be your deep-set eyes. Think about it, he knows your name is Ying Li, he must have gotten some information from somewhere, just waiting to gouge out your eyes and eat your flesh while you're unconscious!"

Seeing the sullen and alluring man sitting to the side, Ying Li's mind suddenly stirred, and she taunted, "You and I are not related, so why did you save me?! You must want something from me, something from me. I'm just a fifteen-year-old child, and you might not even be interested in me. So, it's this Seven Star Bone Ring. Think about it, if my blood can awaken you, then what great power does my life have? Don't you also want to eat my flesh and drink my blood?"

For the first time, the flamboyant man was furious, his face turning red with anger. He stepped forward, pinched Ying Li's chubby face tightly, and said angrily, "So, you little brat, you've forgotten about your brother the moment you see a handsome guy?! I told you beforehand that I needed you to promise me something, didn't I?! Now you're spouting nonsense, and it's all for an outsider! It's infuriating! If I'd known you'd be so fickle, I shouldn't have saved you in the first place!"

Ying Li's face twisted in pain, her right cheek throbbing. Knowing the alluring man was angry, she quickly begged for forgiveness, "Good brother, I was wrong, okay? Think about it, if he doesn't like me, why would he save me?! If he coveted my Deep Eyes, he would have succeeded long ago with his skills, why would he waste two top-quality pills? Besides, didn't you say that only those with supreme spiritual power can see the Bone Ring? He's only seventeen or eighteen years old, could he be some kind of supreme spiritual master? So, perhaps he's kind-hearted, or perhaps he has some special reason, in short, it's not as simple as just wanting something. Besides, if you're worried, we can follow him now and find out his background, right?"

The alluring man paused for a moment, but seeing Ying Li's calm and composed demeanor, he realized that the boy probably couldn't see through the Bone Ring, and then he felt relieved.

Seeing that the other party did not answer, Ying Li smiled, went out the door, and walked towards the middle of the manor. This was her first time in Huai'an Kingdom, and she hadn't expected it to be so tranquil, even the bustling city was so quiet. The village she had visited earlier, being on the outskirts of Huai'an Kingdom, had given her a first impression of the kingdom's true nature. But here, sitting on the rooftop every night and gazing at the scenery, Ying Li found her initial impression completely shattered, discovering the charm of Huai'an Kingdom.

"Bang bang bang!" The sound of the wooden fish cleared away worldly distractions, as if all worldly affairs had calmed down in the sound of the wooden fish. Ying Li was moved by the sound and followed it to its source. There, in a quiet hall of the manor, a young man dressed in white knelt devoutly. In front of him was a large golden Buddha statue. He could not see the Buddha's face clearly, but a smile was on his lips.

Hearing someone approaching, Yin Huan stopped what he was doing, slowly turned around, and saw a round-faced, petite girl standing outside the door. He smiled calmly, "Ali, you've come."

Ying Li's expression changed. She stepped across the threshold and looked at the quiet and handsome young man before her with some confusion. "On the Spirit Realm Continent, very few people have ever worshipped Bodhisattvas or Buddhas. Many believe that only by becoming stronger can they protect their families and ascend to the unreachable heavens. Although I have only known you for a few days, I know that your spiritual power is profound, far beyond my reach. Why do you still strike this wooden fish and believe in this god of ignorance?"

Yin Huan smiled faintly, patted the prayer mat beside him, gesturing for Ying Li to sit down. Once Ying Li was seated, he put down the mallet and slowly said, “I didn’t believe it at first, because I knew I was strong enough, so I never went to places that deceive the weak. But my mother was an ordinary person; she was different from us. She both believed in this and didn’t believe in this. When I was little, my mother was a vegetarian and chanted Buddhist scriptures. Our house was near a temple dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva. My mother offered incense to the Buddha every day, but I never saw her go to the temple to offer incense. One day, my aunt took me to the temple to offer incense. When we came back, I asked my mother why she didn’t go to the temple to offer incense. My mother just looked at me deeply and said slowly, ‘In the temple, you seek people’s hearts, you seek desires. At home, you seek peace, you seek freedom from desires.’ Later I realized that my mother believed in Buddhism not because she believed in the power of Buddha, not because she sought Buddha’s protection, but because she sought peace and clarity of mind. A long time later, after my mother passed away, I would come to visit whenever I had time.”

Ying Li felt a pang of sadness. So this was where Yin Huan's mother lived, and from what the other person had said, his mother seemed to be a poor woman who had risen from humble beginnings to become a phoenix. Although this manor was large enough, compared to the unfathomable Yin Huan family before him, his mother probably didn't even qualify as a girl from a modest family, hence the description of her as poor. How could a powerful and wealthy family allow a woman with no strength to survive long? It must have been difficult enough for Yin Huan to even stay alive.

Thinking of this, Ying Li clasped his hands together and bowed to the smiling Buddha whose face he couldn't see, and said softly, "Those who believe in Buddhism flock to the mountain every year on certain days to offer incense to the Buddha. Children pray for strong soul cultivation so they can defeat everyone; young people pray for a good marriage and a prosperous wife's family; middle-aged people pray for a smooth path as the head of their family; and the elderly pray for many disciples and blessed descendants. After hearing your words, Ying Li thinks that the Buddha doesn't concern himself with these matters. The Buddha only looks at cause and effect, good and evil. Therefore, people must be good people, do good deeds, and have a kind heart. Brother Yin Huan, am I right?"

Yin Huan nodded, a strange look flashing in his eyes. He looked at Ying Li before him; the petite woman's eyes were clear and transparent, her brows always carrying a hint of sorrow, yet whenever she spoke, she would immediately become vibrant and energetic. He found it hard to imagine that such a petite woman had survived so arduously and fiercely in the blood-soaked Bixia Palace, and that such a petite woman had done what others wanted to do but could not. For a moment, Yin Huan was captivated. He had seen countless beautiful concubines throughout his life, but he had never seen anyone as pure and free as Ying Li. A somewhat absurd thought suddenly popped into his mind: perhaps, his encounter with her was not accidental.

"Ah Li, you're absolutely right." After a very long time, I don't know exactly how much time had passed, Yin Huan finally said.

The two walked out of the Buddhist hall. Yin Huan saw that the other party was completely healed and had even broken through to the fourth stage of spiritual cultivation. She couldn't help but say, "It seems that the Spirit Gathering Pill has completely healed your injuries. You're recovered in less than two days. Outside this manor, there are hundreds of spiritual energies that haven't changed since last night. Yuan Zhongxue's family is under the command of the Ling Prince's Mansion. They must think that Ling Xiaoxiao will return, so they are wary. If you go out now, they will know that Ling Xiaoxiao is not here and will definitely show themselves to kill you. There is a secret passage beneath this manor. You might as well leave through the secret passage; it will be safer that way. I'm leaving now too. Let's keep each other company."

Ying Li was overjoyed. She had been wondering how to escape the attacks, and Yin Huan's plan not only solved her life problem but also saved her time. Thinking this, Ying Li nodded, and that noon, she and Yin Huan entered the secret passage. The passage was located beneath the Buddhist hall. Gently pushing the Buddha statue revealed the entrance, and once people passed through, the entrance was carefully closed, making the hall appear unchanged. Even if the ambushing men were clever, it would take at least half a day for them to realize they had left. And after half a day, finding them in the empty manor would likely take at least three days.

The secret passage was dark and narrow, a stark contrast to the serene and bustling exterior of the manor. It was just wide enough for Yin Huan and Ying Li to walk side by side. Their breaths mingled, and Yin Huan recalled the awkward scene he had shared with Ying Li that day. His expression changed, but thankfully, the passage was dark enough that his facial expression couldn't be seen.

Ying Li, however, maintained a serious expression. It wasn't that she didn't mind Yin Huan's advances towards her that day; it was simply that Ying Li had seen very few men since childhood, and Yin Huan was far too handsome and ethereal. Moreover, he had saved her life with two top-grade Spirit Gathering Pills. Having never received a kind word from anyone since childhood, how could Ying Li possibly take such things to heart? She was somewhat surprised at the time, but quickly forgot about it. This, however, made Yin Huan feel rather uncomfortable.

Furthermore, Ling Xiaoxiao claimed that Yin Huan was a disciple of her family's royal residence, but Ying Li didn't believe it. Yin Huan could easily defeat the young princess of the prestigious Ling Royal Residence of the Mu Dynasty with a single palm strike, and then calmly declare her merely a lowly princess. Ying Li wasn't foolish enough to believe Yin Huan was truly just an ordinary person. While disciples could be formidable, she'd never heard of a disciple arbitrarily bullying a young lady. It seemed the fact that Yin Huan was an important figure was now undeniable.