Xuanhuan: The Empress and I Swapped Bodies - Chapter 43

The Divine Dragon Emperor’s Seal within the imperial treasury had witnessed everything.

It had been worried that Ye Wushuang might mishandle the situation and destroy the empire’s legacy, built over countless eons.

Yet, against all expectations, Ye Wushuang had handled it perfectly.

Not only had he annihilated the 300,000-strong Heavenly Dragon Legion, but he had also secured ten major realms for the Divine Dragon Empire.

Such a monumental gain would undoubtedly delight the Divine Dragon Empress.

After all, the stronger the empire grew, the more powerful her Divine Dragon Imperial Sutra became.

And that wasn’t even considering Ye Wushuang’s cultivation of the Eight-Nine Heavenly Art, which further strengthened her physique.

The Divine Dragon Emperor’s Seal couldn’t help but marvel:

“Ye Wushuang is truly Her Majesty’s greatest fortune. With him, she grows stronger even without cultivating!”

However, the Divine Dragon Empress was currently in deep meditation—untouchable.

So, the seal had no way to share this joy with her.

Meanwhile, Ye Wushuang remained unaware of its thoughts.

After the battle, his life seemed unaffected.

He continued practicing the Eight-Nine Heavenly Art while refining other techniques.

But he hadn’t been meditating in the archives for long when a familiar figure reappeared.

A chubby youth, once again carrying a bundle of thorny branches and a whip, knelt before him.

“Elder Sister, please teach me peerless swordsmanship!”

“You… Didn’t I say there’s no need for this?”

“Then… does that mean you’ll agree to teach me?”

“Tell me, which sword art do you want to learn?”

Ye Wushuang was curious—what technique could drive Liu Shengsheng to such extremes?

Hesitating briefly, Liu Shengsheng suddenly raised his whip—and began flogging himself mercilessly.

“One!”

“Two!”

“Three!”

“Hey—stop! Enough! I’ll teach you!”

But Liu Shengsheng hesitated again… then continued.

“Six!”

“Seven!”

“Eight!”

“Nine!”

“Elder Sister, I’ve struck myself nine times! You must agree now!”

“Fine, fine! Just tell me!”

Ye Wushuang massaged his temples, utterly exasperated.

At least he’s only hitting himself…

For now, he’d let it slide—he could always correct this habit later.

With nine lashes delivered, Liu Shengsheng took Ye Wushuang’s words as final consent.

Gasping, he blurted out:

“Elder Sister, I want to learn the Grass Script Sword Art—the most powerful yet unmastered technique in our imperial lineage!”

“The Grass Script Sword Art? That’s your choice?”

“Yes! Is… is that possible?”

Despite Ye Wushuang’s earlier agreement, Liu Shengsheng’s voice trembled with nervousness.

After all, no one had ever mastered it.

Could even Elder Sister succeed—and then teach him?

He had no idea.

Ye Wushuang had long heard of the Grass Script Sword Art—renowned as the most difficult sword technique in the Divine Dragon Empire’s history.

Legends claimed its power could erase a major realm with a single slash.

Yet, Ye Wushuang had never studied it.

Not because he doubted his ability, nor from lack of interest.

But the stronger a technique, the harder it was to merge with others.

For someone aiming to master Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin, starting with simpler techniques was essential.

Until now, he’d resisted the temptation to pursue overpowered arts, focusing instead on steady progression.

So Liu Shengsheng’s request stunned him.

“Are you certain you want this? The Grass Script Sword Art is notoriously grueling—mastering it could take lifetimes!”

“And its sheer power makes it nearly impossible to fuse with other techniques! Harmonizing them might require eons!”

“I know! But I need a signature move! With my talent, reaching your level in Ten Thousand Swords Return to One would take forever!”

Liu Shengsheng’s sword aptitude was exceptional—for a normal genius.

Compared to Ye Wushuang? He was far behind.

Achieving Ten Thousand Swords Return to One would demand centuries of accumulation—just like Imperial Elder Liu Ning.

Only by studying thousands of techniques could he hope to perfect it.

So Liu Shengsheng wanted a trump card—a single, devastating art to call his own.

Ye Wushuang pondered, then nodded.

Liu Shengsheng wasn’t wrong.

Unlike Elder Liu Ning—who had cultivated for millennia—he was just starting.

“Very well. As a royal, you should have a defining technique.”

“Today, I’ll teach you the Grass Script Sword Art!”

With that, Ye Wushuang left to retrieve the manual.

Watching his retreating figure, Liu Shengsheng vibrated with excitement.

“Yes! I knew nine lashes would convince Elder Sister!”

“Now that she’s agreed, I will master the legendary, unbroken Grass Script Sword Art!”

“My name will echo through history as the genius who conquered the impossible!”

“But… can Elder Sister even learn it first?”

His motives were simple:

He craved fame.

He loathed being called “useless.”

As a young man, he desired glory—to be hailed as a sword prodigy.

Moreover, greater talent meant more resources from the imperial family—accelerating his growth.

And as a swordsman? A supreme, near-mythical technique was irresistible.

So his anticipation burned fiercely.

…

Meanwhile, the moment Ye Wushuang held the Grass Script Sword Art manual, its aura captivated him.

Even unopened, its sword intent pulsed against his senses.

It stood like a nine-leafed plant piercing the heavens—each blade a peerless sword, brimming with boundless edge, capable of splitting sun and moon.

A mere rustle of its leaves could stir chaotic tempests of sword energy, annihilating all in their path.

This vision alone revealed the art’s terrifying nature.

“A self-aware manual… The Grass Script Sword Art is indeed extraordinary.”

“Worth my full dedication.”

Without hesitation, he began studying.