Xuanhuan: The Empress and I Swapped Bodies - Chapter 148

“What… what are you doing??”

The Divine Dragon Empress didn’t understand what Liu Shengsheng was trying to achieve, but she was genuinely shocked.

In the past, while the Empress had indeed struck Liu Shengsheng before, it was always out of momentary anger, and she never used any real force. It stemmed more from frustration, wanting him to improve.

But now, Liu Shengsheng was whipping himself for real. The sight of his skin splitting and flesh tearing left even the Divine Dragon Empress dumbfounded. She herself had never been this harsh with him.

More importantly, she had no clue what his goal was.

Liu Shengsheng didn’t say a word, just kept whipping himself relentlessly—nine times in total. Not once did the whip pause during this process.

Only after finishing the ninth lash did Liu Shengsheng finally break into a smile.

“Royal Sister, I’m done! I’ll take that as your agreement, then!!”

At this moment, Liu Shengsheng still thought he was dealing with the Divine Dragon Empress who had swapped bodies with Ye Wushuang. So, he was using the same communication method he had previously established with ‘Ye Wushuang’ (while the Empress was in his body).

What he didn’t know was that the currently bewildered Empress was now even more confused.

However, having completed the nine lashes, Liu Shengsheng didn’t beat around the bush any longer and directly stated his request.

“Royal Sister, I want you to teach me the secret of Sword Fusion within the Myriad Swords Return to Origin technique!!”

“What? The secret of Sword Fusion??”

Hearing this, the Divine Dragon Empress was dumbstruck.

If he had asked her to teach him some other cultivation method or provide him with resources, she might have agreed, considering how hard he had just whipped himself.

But hearing that he wanted the secret of Sword Fusion left her helpless. She herself hadn’t mastered Sword Fusion, let alone the complete Myriad Swords Return to Origin. Under these circumstances, how could she possibly teach Liu Shengsheng?

Thus, the Divine Dragon Empress’s face showed clear distress.

“This… well, actually, regarding the secrets of fusion in Myriad Swords Return to Origin, my current level of comprehension isn’t really suitable for you! If I were to force myself to teach you, it might actually lead you astray!!”

“But before, when you taught me, I found it very easy to understand!”

“Mmm… It’s different now. My realm has changed.”

The Empress felt a headache coming on. She hadn’t expected that Ye Wushuang had previously taught Liu Shengsheng about Myriad Swords Return to Origin and Sword Fusion. This situation made her feel like she was being put on the spot.

She couldn’t very well just admit she didn’t know how. So, she could only try to divert Liu Shengsheng’s attention and dissuade him from wanting to learn Sword Fusion.

However, Liu Shengsheng wasn’t so easily fooled.

“Royal Sister, if your realm has changed, shouldn’t your understanding be even more thorough, making it easier to break down and explain?”

“Mmm… That’s a question I can’t really explain to you right now.”

“However, if you truly wish to learn the secrets of Sword Fusion, I can recommend Ye Wushuang to teach you. After all, his cultivation level is much closer to yours. Having him instruct you would undoubtedly be simpler!!”

“Ah! Ye Wushuang teach me??”

This was not the answer Liu Shengsheng had anticipated. His original target had been Ye Wushuang, after all. It was only because Imperial Clan Elder Liu Ning was guarding Ye Wushuang’s residence, blocking his access, that he had settled for seeking out the Empress instead. If he could genuinely get Ye Wushuang to teach him, that would naturally be the best outcome.

However, thinking of Imperial Clan Elder Liu Ning’s stern face made Liu Shengsheng hesitate again.

“That… I’d still rather you teach me, Royal Sister. Going to Ye Wushuang… Clan Elder Liu Ning wouldn’t like it. He won’t let me disturb Ye Wushuang’s cultivation!!”

“Ye Wushuang needs to cultivate… Well, there isn’t much to be done about that then. We can only wait until he finishes his seclusion before asking him to teach you.”

“Finish seclusion? When will he come out??”

“It should be soon. He’s about to break through to the Immortal Realm!!”

“What? He’s about to enter the Immortal Realm??”

The Empress’s words shocked Liu Shengsheng greatly.

Liu Shengsheng had also been paying close attention to Ye Wushuang. After all, both of them were considered geniuses within the Divine Dragon Heavenly Palace. However, compared to Ye Wushuang, Liu Shengsheng felt more like an unknown entity.

Secretly, Liu Shengsheng had always harbored a desire to compete with Ye Wushuang. Previously, he had privately been pushing himself, hoping to be the first to break through to the Immortal Realm. That way, he might finally surpass Ye Wushuang.

Who would have thought that Ye Wushuang would actually reach the Immortal Realm before him? This was a massive blow to Liu Shengsheng. He even felt the urge to immediately go into seclusion himself and attempt his breakthrough. His heart refused to accept defeat just like that.

Although he didn’t voice these thoughts, the Divine Dragon Empress saw right through him.

“What? You want to compete with him??”

“I…!”

“Don’t compare yourself to him. He’s a monster, a being that defies common sense. I’m afraid there’s no one in this world who can truly be compared to him.”

“Furthermore, the Immortal Realm is merely a starting point for him. It won’t be long before he advances to the True Immortal Realm, the Heavenly Immortal Realm, and even the Immortal King Realm or higher!”

“So, you just need to focus on being your best self!!”

If Liu Shengsheng insisted on comparing himself to Ye Wushuang, getting discouraged was inevitable. If he took it seriously, he would likely be crushed to the point of never being able to hold his head high again. He might even spend his entire life living under the shadow of Ye Wushuang’s achievements, forming a lifelong psychological complex.

Therefore, the Divine Dragon Empress did not want Liu Shengsheng to set Ye Wushuang as his benchmark.

Hearing her words, Liu Shengsheng shuddered. He never expected the Empress to hold Ye Wushuang in such high esteem. In his mind, the Divine Dragon Empress was already a peerless genius, an ultimate talent. Yet, from the mouth of such a genius came the term ‘monster’ to describe another. One could only imagine how terrifying Ye Wushuang must be.

This sparked a different thought in Liu Shengsheng’s mind. Perhaps he really shouldn’t be comparing himself to Ye Wushuang.

Yet, the restless, competitive urge within him was hard to suppress. His heart was tangled in conflict.

This lasted until he met the Divine Dragon Empress’s gaze.

“This… Alright then, I won’t compare myself to him.”

“My purpose this time was to seek guidance from him anyway!!”

The Empress’s eyes were telling him, with utmost seriousness, not to compete with Ye Wushuang. The intensity of her gaze made Liu Shengsheng realize instantly that this was sincere advice—the kind not to be disregarded.