Xuanhuan: The Empress and I Swapped Bodies - Chapter 48

“You… leave as soon as you’re done!”

“If you dare breathe a word of what happened today, don’t blame me for disregarding our uncle-nephew bond!”

“Yes! Yes! Of course!”

The Grand Elder nodded frantically at Zong Zheng’s warning.

After sensing the overwhelming power radiating from Zong Zheng, he truly didn’t dare speak a word of this to anyone.

If not for his need to study All Laws Return to One, he wouldn’t even have dared to linger.

Seeing the Grand Elder’s meek compliance, Zong Zheng finally withdrew his oppressive aura.

Then, without another word, he turned his attention back to the immortal stone in his hand, lost in thought.

The Grand Elder couldn’t fathom Zong Zheng’s intentions, but he could feel the man’s gaze lingering on him.

Though Zong Zheng said nothing, the unspoken message was clear—Leave. Now.

So the Grand Elder hastily skimmed through Ye Wushuang’s imprinted version of All Laws Return to One before scrambling out of the archives.

He didn’t dare stay a second longer. Who knew what might happen?

Even as he left, he could feel Zong Zheng’s eyes boring into his back, only relenting once he had fully exited the highest level.

The Grand Elder let out a shaky breath.

Despite being in the Divine Dragon Heavenly Palace—his archives, under his jurisdiction—he had never felt so perilously close to death.

Right now, it was as if he had narrowly escaped with his life.

“Too hard… this is too damn hard,” he muttered. “Being Grand Elder is impossible! If not for my family connections, I’d probably be dead already!”

“Something major must have happened recently. That’s why Zong Zheng’s killing intent is even fiercer than before.”

“I need to find out what’s going on!”

The Grand Elder was no fool. He could tell that Zong Zheng’s erratic behavior had to be tied to some earth-shattering event.

And that immortal stone in Zong Zheng’s hand? He desperately wanted to know what it contained.

But when he began investigating, the answers stunned him.

“What? Her Majesty created an unparalleled sword technique based on All Laws Return to One—Ten Thousand Swords Return to One?”

“And someone in the imperial family used it to survive the Annihilation Heavenly Tribulation? Is this real?!”

“Reporting to the Grand Elder, it is absolutely true. This wasn’t witnessed by just me, but by countless others in the Divine Dragon Heavenly Palace—no, the entire empire!”

“Not only that, but Her Majesty also performed something even more astonishing with Ten Thousand Swords Return to One!”

The imperial clansman delivering the report practically glowed with reverence.

The Divine Phoenix Empress had already commanded immense respect, but after her battle against the Dragonblood Clan, that reverence had soared to unprecedented heights.

To many, she had become nothing short of a living deity.

Seeing such fervent admiration, the Grand Elder couldn’t help but ask:

“What ‘astonishing’ feat did Her Majesty accomplish?”

“She annihilated thirty thousand warriors of the Heavenly Dragon Legion—single-handedly!”

“Not just that! She crossed realms to strike down an Immortal Emperor! Sent one flying with a single sword strike!”

“WHAT?!” The Grand Elder’s voice cracked. “She… she sent an Immortal Emperor flying?!”

As a peak Immortal King himself, he knew exactly how vast the gap between King and Emperor was.

Despite his years of cultivation, he couldn’t hope to withstand even a single move from an Immortal Emperor.

So the idea of sending one flying with a single strike? That was beyond comprehension.

“And it’s not just Her Majesty—Lord Zong Zheng’s power has also surged!”

“Huh? But he was already at the peak of Immortal Emperor! How could he grow stronger? Unless…?”

“Correct. He has transcended the Immortal Emperor realm, reaching Half-Step Sovereign! Given time, he will undoubtedly become the next Supreme Sovereign!”

“Hiss—”

The Grand Elder’s breath caught.

A Supreme Sovereign—the legendary pinnacle of cultivation!

And that violent lunatic Zong Zheng was on the verge of attaining it?!

“No wonder his aura crushed me so effortlessly… Half-Step Sovereign!”

“That old maniac!”

“Hm? What was that, Grand Elder?”

The clansman barely caught the muttered words, his expression puzzled.

The Grand Elder stiffened.

Shit. Did I say that out loud?

If those words reached Zong Zheng’s ears, he was dead.

“N-Nothing! Just… you’re certain Her Majesty’s cultivation has already surpassed mine?”

“It… seems so?”

The answer was obvious—after all, the Grand Elder couldn’t hope to challenge an Immortal Emperor.

But saying it outright felt… unwise.

So the clansman chose his words carefully, trying to spare the Grand Elder’s dignity.

“Well, Her Majesty not only mastered Ten Thousand Swords Return to One, but she also… comprehended the Grass Character Sword Art.”

“What art? What did you just say?”

The Grand Elder had heard correctly—but he wished he hadn’t.

The Grass Character Sword Art was the most notoriously unmasterable technique in the entire Divine Dragon lineage.

And now, the Empress had learned it?!

“The Grass Character Sword Art—the one no one could ever cultivate. The most devastating sword art of all.”

“Not only did Her Majesty master it, but she also taught it to Prince Qin! And at Lord Zong Zheng’s request, she recorded the method of cultivation.”

“Soon, many more in our imperial family will be able to learn it!”

“If you’re interested, Grand Elder, you could also attempt it!”

The clansman’s eyes shone with envy.

The Grass Character Sword Art wasn’t something just anyone could access—only those with sufficient merit points could even attempt it.

And someone like the Grand Elder? He had plenty.

But the Grand Elder’s mind was already racing.

So that’s what Zong Zheng was secretly practicing!

Of course—he wouldn’t want anyone to know he’s relying on Her Majesty’s breakthrough to learn it. No wonder he was hiding like a thief!

A bitter smile twisted his lips.

“It seems… I really do know too much.”

“At this rate, Zong Zheng might just kill me to keep me quiet.”