There are too many ruthless, domineering women who are considered "losers"!

Inside the palace.

Gu Wushuang awoke from her seated position on the couch. With a slight clasp of her slender hands, she could capture the commotion within a hundred meters radius.

With her around, no one could detect what was happening here.

She looked towards Lu Chang'an in the courtyard, seemingly puzzled: "Having just mastered the sword path, you've already grasped its power? You broke through the five barriers and used the vast sword energy to cleanse your marrow and meridians."

Sure enough, the next moment.

The sword light faded, and all the commotion in the courtyard ceased.

To see such pure sword energy.

A look of disbelief flashed across Gu Wushuang's face: "Could he really be a sword genius?"

Was she really wrong?

Master is right.

For a moment, Gu Wushuang's expression was somewhat complicated.

In the courtyard, a healthy figure emerged from the twilight.

After undergoing marrow cleansing, Lu Chang'an's skin was snow-white, yet he did not appear effeminate. He wore a white robe with black patterns, and his tall stature was enveloped in a halo of light from his sleeves.

It's as if I've been elevated.

Logically speaking, the fourth level of the Grandmaster's Marrow Cleansing is a watershed between martial artists. Those who reach this level can be called minor masters, stationed in military camps, appointed as centurions, or open martial arts schools to make a living. There shouldn't be such a big commotion.

Unfortunately, due to a series of unexpected events, Lu Chang'an comprehended the sword intent while comparing the merits of the two martial arts techniques.

The Eighteen Stops of Yang Shen (阳神十八停) excels at accumulating strength before unleashing it, using stillness to control movement.

The Haoran Sword Drawing Technique emphasizes instantaneous bursts of energy, requiring the gathering of all vital energies.

The combination of the two is simply perfect!

Now, Lu Chang'an can finally ask with pride: "Who says one cannot practice both fist and sword!"

He had only been cultivating for a few years when he broke through the marrow cleansing stage.

Given time, supernatural powers are expected.

The only thing that puzzles Lu Chang'an now is how this memory relates to the death of Xuan Yuan Qingfeng.

Could it be that...

Lu Chang'an thought of a possibility.

Could it be that the demon army is related to that dragon carp woman?

Or perhaps Xuan Yuan Qingfeng's death was also related to this demon woman?

Lu Chang'an felt that there must be a deeper story behind this.

Otherwise, with Xuan Yuan Qingfeng's cultivation level, he could go anywhere, so how could he have died on the city wall?

You must know, he was the Sword Saint of Western Shu!

If you want to leave, who can stop you?

Before anyone knew it, Gu Wushuang was already standing behind Lu Chang'an, and said calmly:

"I've already erased the commotion caused by your breakthrough, but some observant people might still notice your presence. You'll have to figure out a way to cover it up."

Lu Chang'an smiled and said, "I won't thank you for your great kindness. I will definitely repay what Miss Wushuang did for me today."

Seeing him being so polite to her, Gu Wushuang felt a little uncomfortable for a moment and pouted, saying, "Hypocritical."

With a "bang".

The gate was tightly shut, and he was never seen again.

This left Lu Chang'an completely baffled.

What he couldn't see was behind the door.

Gu Wushuang coughed up a mouthful of blood instantly. A short while later, she took out a golden bead from her sleeve and absorbed the blood and energy within it to heal her injuries.

It is the Arhat relic that Master obtained from Dharma King Jinyang.

She had just been protecting Lu Chang'an, and she was at a critical moment in her healing process.

She didn't blame Lu Chang'an, after all, the task her master had given her was to protect Lu Chang'an's safety.

If the aura is leaked, that would be a big problem.

The injuries she sustained in her previous battle with King Jinyang were almost irreversible.

While this Arhat relic is indeed a rare and precious treasure, capable of temporarily alleviating her injuries, it is unlikely to play a significant role in her breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm.

She tried time and again to mend the cracks in her golden core, but all her attempts ended in failure.

If she cannot repair her foundation, she will never be able to reach the Nascent Soul Realm in this lifetime.

But she was seriously injured.

Even so, she did not tell her master.

No matter how many treasures her master gave her, it would be useless; it would only cause her master unnecessary worry.

This is her own business; she can only rely on herself for everything.

She already knew this principle before she went up the mountain.

But if she cannot reach the Nascent Soul Realm, how can she take revenge?

Thinking of this, Gu Wushuang's eyes dimmed slightly.

......

Early the next morning.

As is customary, Lu Chang'an should go to Shouning Palace to pay his respects.

He should have gone a long time ago, but he kept putting it off.

Nowadays, if you don't go to offer New Year's greetings, it would be considered a great disrespect.

Lu Chang'an had no choice but to venture into the tiger's den.

Those accompanying her were waiting outside the door, including Gu Wushuang.

Gu Wushuang ignored him all night, and Lu Chang'an didn't know what he had done wrong.

Originally, I was overjoyed at breaking through a new level, but I couldn't find anyone to share it with.

Looking at the deep, dark palace gates, Lu Chang'an's heart beat slightly faster.

Take a deep breath and step into the hall.

Passing through the gauze curtain, one could see Murong Yuyan sitting back in the Empress Dowager's chair.

Today I'm not dressed in anything extravagant or luxurious, but rather in a simple, plain palace dress.

However, it couldn't hide her graceful figure.

Her hair was slightly disheveled, draped over her snow-white shoulders, and held up with a sandalwood hairpin.

Her jade-like hand stroked her chin, her eyes playful, looking down at him. A pair of long, slender, and delicate legs were exposed beneath her skirt, white and smooth.

Although she was a woman, Murong Yuyan was incredibly well-preserved. She didn't look like someone in her thirties at all; instead, she resembled a stunningly beautiful woman who could bring ruin to a country.

Even so, Lu Chang'an dared not look any longer and quickly bowed, saying:

"Your son greets Your Majesty!"

In the vast Shouning Palace, only his voice echoed.

Murong Yuyan put away her playful smile and adopted a look of surprise: "Oh dear, what wind blew His Majesty here today?"

However, this looks very fake and exaggerated.

Faced with such a powerful and wicked empress, Lu Chang'an had to be cautious. He chuckled and said, "Mother, what are you saying? Just a few days ago, I was terrified by the assassin. If it weren't for you sending the Golden Sun Dharma King, I'm afraid I wouldn't be here to show my respect to you."

"The New Year is just around the corner, so I'm here to offer my congratulations to the Empress Dowager."

Murong Yuyan didn't care whether he was being sincere or just being polite.

Seeing his quick wit, she smiled slightly and said, "I know that you have a lot of complaints about the Empress Dowager, but I am doing all this for your own good. I am very pleased that you think this way."

Murong Yuyan gazed at her fingernails, speaking leisurely before changing the subject: "You said you would show filial piety to me, but in what way?"

Hearing this, Lu Chang'an was also stunned.

It's not just talk.

Why did you actually take it seriously?

Seeing Lu Chang'an's hesitant expression, Murong Yuyan had already anticipated it. She sneered inwardly and said in a sorrowful tone:

"Or is His Majesty merely saying this? In truth, does he not even consider me his mother?"

Lu Chang'an took a deep breath and forced a smile, saying, "I wonder how Your Majesty desires my filial piety?"

Murong Yuyan patted the phoenix chair beside her, her red lips moving slightly: "Come, give me a massage."

Lu Chang'an naturally came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.

The next second, a lazy voice rang out: "Who told you to massage my shoulders? It was my feet."

Upon hearing this request...

It wasn't just Lu Chang'an who was stunned.

The eunuchs and palace maids inside the palace were also stunned.

They had only one thought in their hearts.

Your Majesty, this is an attempt to humiliate His Majesty!

......