Xuanhuan: The Empress and I Swapped Bodies - Chapter 28

Ye Wushuang was unaware of Murong Wan’er’s suffering.

Having chosen this path, he had no intention of stopping.

However, as he progressed, his pace slowed.

Body tempering wasn’t something that could be rushed with mere talent—it required relentless perseverance.

Ye Wushuang’s journey of body tempering would still take a long, long time.

Yet, he wasn’t willing to remain confined in the small world, bearing the weight of a massive mountain.

Though this was part of his training, it also limited the time he could devote to studying other Daoist techniques.

Thus, Ye Wushuang realized he needed a treasure—one that was compact yet immeasurably heavy.

However, crafting such a treasure was no easy feat.

To forge it, he would require vast amounts of immortal metals and stones, as well as a master-level artificer.

Becoming an artificer himself wasn’t difficult for Ye Wushuang. With enough time and study of crafting manuals, he could uncover the secrets of artifact forging.

But obtaining the necessary immortal metals and stones was another matter.

The sheer quantity required made him uneasy. After all, he wasn’t the true Divine Dragon Empress and had no right to deplete the empire’s resources so recklessly.

This dilemma weighed on him as he cultivated the Eight-Nine Heavenly Art, leaving him visibly troubled.

His distress didn’t escape Murong Wan’er’s notice.

It was the first time she had ever seen the Divine Dragon Empress look so troubled.

“Your Majesty, what troubles you? Has something happened?”

“This emperor requires a heavy treasure to cultivate the Eight-Nine Heavenly Art, but I cannot forge one at the moment.”

“Is it truly just for the sake of cultivation?”

“Yes. It’s an indispensable part of body tempering.”

“Then why not seek out the Imperial Clan Elder? He is Your Majesty’s master and has also cultivated the Eight-Nine Heavenly Art. If you explain your needs, he will surely assist you!”

In truth, the relationship between the Divine Dragon Empress and the Imperial Clan Elder was far from harmonious.

Though they were master and disciple, their paths of cultivation diverged, and their philosophies clashed.

This had long been a point of contention between them, and as a result, they rarely met face-to-face.

Of course, this was a royal secret—one that Murong Wan’er, even if privy to, would never dare speak of openly, least of all in front of the empress.

Her suggestion for the empress to consult the elder was merely a probing remark.

But Ye Wushuang was oblivious to these underlying tensions.

Hearing that the elder had also cultivated the Eight-Nine Heavenly Art, his interest was piqued.

“If the Imperial Clan Elder is the empress’s master, he would surely help her in this matter!”

“It seems consulting him is the way forward.”

With that thought, he eagerly set aside the massive mountain he had been supporting.

“Let’s go. We’re paying a visit to the Imperial Clan Elder!”

Without hesitation, Ye Wushuang strode ahead, brimming with enthusiasm to resolve his dilemma.

Murong Wan’er, trailing behind him, was left utterly dumbfounded.

“Who said the empress and the elder were on bad terms? Lies! All lies!”

Ye Wushuang’s demeanor showed no trace of estrangement—at least, none that he was aware of.

Thus, he arrived without hesitation at the elder’s residence, the Hall of the Imperial Clan Elder, and called out respectfully:

“Your disciple, Liu Ruyan, seeks an audience with her master!”

The moment these words left his mouth, the entire hall seemed to tremble, as if struck by something unimaginable.

The elder appeared, his expression one of sheer disbelief.

“You… you’re willing to call me ‘master’ again?”

“Huh?”

“Master… will forever remain your disciple’s master in her heart.”

The elder—a burly man with wild, curly hair and an equally unkempt beard—studied him intently.

From his reaction, Ye Wushuang sensed that the relationship between the Divine Dragon Empress and her master might not have been as harmonious as he’d assumed.

In fact, it seemed the empress hadn’t addressed him as “master” or referred to herself as “disciple” in a long time.

But now that the words were out, there was no turning back.

His response brought a faint smile to the elder’s face, and the man stroked his beard with visible satisfaction.

Then, with a gruff snort, the elder remarked:

“Hmph! At least you have a hint of filial piety. But only a hint!”

“Speak. What brings you here?”

The elder knew the Divine Dragon Empress wouldn’t visit without reason.

For her to address him as “master” today, the matter must be grave indeed—perhaps even life-threatening.

Though he had his reservations, if it truly came to a fight for survival, he wouldn’t hesitate to stand by his disciple’s side, even against a Heavenly Sovereign.

But the “grave matter” Ye Wushuang had in mind was far from what the elder imagined.

When pressed, Ye Wushuang hesitated awkwardly.

Yet, having come this far, he couldn’t back down.

“Master, I… I’ve been cultivating the Eight-Nine Heavenly Art and need a heavy treasure to temper my body and enhance my strength.”

“What? You’re cultivating the Eight-Nine Heavenly Art? Weren’t you the one who swore you’d rather die than practice it?”

The elder’s shock was palpable.

The previous Divine Dragon Empress had indeed declared she would never cultivate the art, fearing it would make her as unkempt and barbaric as her master.

Such a transformation was unthinkable for someone of her noble and refined upbringing.

This had been the root of their falling-out.

Though she later regretted her words, she had already committed to the Divine Dragon Imperial Scripture and couldn’t bring herself to apologize.

Thus, their relationship had remained strained.

Now, for her to claim she was practicing the Eight-Nine Heavenly Art—how could the elder believe it?

Instinctively, he assumed deception.

Without warning, he struck.

Suppressing his cultivation, he channeled pure physical force—a blow weighing hundreds of millions of jin—to test whether she truly had begun cultivating the art.

Reacting instinctively, Ye Wushuang met the elder’s palm with his own, relying solely on bodily strength without a trace of magical energy.

BOOM!

The collision sent shockwaves through the hall, shattering the immortal-stone tiles beneath their feet.

Both were forced back three steps.

The elder’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“You really have cultivated the Eight-Nine Heavenly Art—and reached the second stage!”

“Well… your disciple recently felt like giving it a try. So… here we are.”