Chapter 5  

◎The Heavenly Empress (Major Revision)◎  

The first sensation upon entering the Upper Purity Glazed Realm was not pain.  

Her primordial spirit, freed from a body plagued by chronic illness and unrelenting pain, felt as weightless as a wisp of cloud or a passing breeze. Wrapped in the Five Elements Pure Qi of the Glazed Realm, it drifted aimlessly without destination.  

Then came the pain.  

This was a torment beyond her comprehension—unlike the physical suffering she had endured. If she had to describe it, it felt as though the agony was inflicted directly upon her soul.  

No fixed location, no discernible depth. At times, it burned like raging flames; at others, it pierced like glacial ice.  

The pain was so overwhelming that even breathing required immense effort, like a dying fish gasping for air, her oxygen-starved mind blank and white.  

Almost immediately, Zhuoying wrapped her consciousness around the glowing Glazed Jade Token, ready to shatter it and escape this inescapable torment.  

But she restrained herself just as quickly.  

Because within this realm of dazzling refracted light, she seemed to hear countless voices echoing from all directions.  

—”Wildsea Revered Spirits above, though I depart now, I beseech the honored spirits to shield the Barren Sea from the deceitful humans who sow chaos in the court. May our lord regain clarity and discern loyalty from treachery!”  

Deep within the Glazed Realm, these tangled voices clamored and clashed.  

—”Chi Shui Zhuoying! You are cunning and power-hungry, propping up the ruler only to fulfill ambitions you could never achieve in your homeland. Today, you slaughter my entire clan—every last member of the Shen family will watch from the Nine Underworlds as your name is dragged through the mud!”  

—”Traitor! A bloodstained traitor!”  

—”Chi Shui Zhuoying has committed every sin imaginable. If Heaven has eyes, she deserves to be torn apart a thousand times over!”  

People were cursing her.  

Many, many, many people—all cursing her.  

Each voice, every word, burrowed into her flesh like a festering wound, churning her insides into a bloody mess.  

In the glimmering reflections, she saw her own bloodstained hands. Dazed, she turned as if searching for something.  

—”A-Ying.”  

—”A-Ying, you have always been my most capable Young Master of Fate. But you are not a woman who can make others let down their guard, not like Zhaocui.”  

—”That we’ve come to this life-or-death standstill—A-Ying, do you truly believe I am the only one at fault?”  

In the shards of glazed light, that person gazed down at her.  

Their tone was gentle, but their eyes were as cold as the sea.  

For a moment, Zhuoying felt her consciousness split in two—one part watching, detached and indifferent, as the other writhed in agony.  

Will you cling to others for survival as you did in your past life?  

Will you forever leave your fate in someone else’s hands?  

If not, then you must endure.  

Just as she thought this, the pain in her primordial spirit seemed to lessen slightly.  

To be precise, the pain didn’t diminish or vanish—it simply didn’t linger. The torment her spirit perceived was swiftly smoothed away, like a blade slicing through flesh only for the wound to heal instantly.  

Zhuoying had never cultivated before and didn’t know if others experienced this. But she realized that with this restorative power, her capacity to endure had grown.  

A pure land of glazed light, tempered in raging flames—forging the primordial spirit as one would a blade.

If she could endure the trials of the Upper Purity Glazed Realm, withstand the relentless ascetic cultivation of the immortal world day after day, perhaps she too could be forged into a blade—one that could seal throats with a single drop of blood, one that might one day point its edge toward the Barren Sea?

—

“…Reckless. Utterly reckless.”

“Normally, your harsh methods in disciplining those children are tolerable—after all, they are immortals and can endure hardship. But this child is a mortal, afflicted with the Heart Devouring Gu and Frost Poison from birth. Even a gust of wind could leave her bedridden for days. And you sent her into the Glazed Realm?”

In the guest quarters of the Academy nearest the Martial Arts Stage, Zhuoying lay on the bed, her spirit still trapped within the Upper Purity Glazed Realm. Yan Jun, while channeling energy through needles to sustain her physical condition, coldly berated Feng Li Shen Jun beside him.

The Academy disciples were barred from entering, but no soundproof barrier had been erected, so every word was heard clearly outside.

“Heart Devouring Gu?”

A student skilled in medicine stroked his chin.

“Isn’t that the fourth most infamous of the Ten Great Witchcraft Poisons? This gu feeds on the heart, roaming through the Extraordinary Meridians. Even if you’re a peerless genius, it can gnaw your meridians into uselessness—and it’s invisible, undetectable to ordinary senses.”

“But what about the Frost Poison? How could that be present from birth?”

Crown Prince Fu Yao listened, his brow unconsciously furrowing.

“Xie Cexuan.”

He suddenly spoke, turning to the young man lounging in feigned slumber on the ancient plum tree behind him.

“What exactly is wrong with her?”

The youth rested his head on one arm, a leg clad in black combat boots casually draped over the other amidst the crisscrossing branches, his posture as leisurely as a nobleman napping in his own garden.

“You’re asking me?”

Fu Yao’s lips curled in a humorless smile.

“You were the one who personally brought her back. Don’t tell me you don’t know her condition?”

The others also watched Xie Cexuan with curiosity, waiting for his answer.

But he sidestepped the question, adopting a flippant tone instead.

“I heard that yesterday in the Lecture Hall, as soon as she arrived, His Highness the Crown Prince gave her a harsh welcome. And on the Martial Arts Stage, there were quite a few mocking remarks…”

The words struck a nerve, making Fu Yao’s gaze flicker.

“Perhaps Princess Zhuoying hasn’t emerged from the Glazed Realm yet because she was provoked by His Highness’s words—determined to prove herself and not let him look down on her.”

Xie Cexuan clicked his tongue, his tone teasing.

“Bullying a hostage—what an impressive display of authority, Your Highness.”

Fu Yao: “…”

The silent, reproachful stares from the crowd grew heavier.

“Xie Cexuan, spare me the sarcasm. Don’t pretend you didn’t do anything when you brought Chi Shui Zhuoying back. She humiliated you and got you punished—you expect me to believe you just let that slide?”

Xie Cexuan studied him for a moment, then smirked.

“So interested in Chi Shui Zhuoying and me?”

Fu Yao frowned. “You think I’m as idle as someone who breaks ten Celestial Laws a day? As Crown Prince of the Heavenly Palace, it’s my duty to eliminate threats and thoroughly investigate a human hostage.”

“Fine.”

Xie Cexuan stretched his legs and sat up.

“Do one thing for me, and I’ll tell you everything I know about Chi Shui Zhuoying—dare you listen?”

Men are like this.

Had he said, “Do you want to hear?” Fu Yao would have scoffed. But he said, “Dare you listen?”

Fu Yao took the bait without hesitation.

On the other end, Zhuoying was still enduring the excruciating refinement within the Glazed Realm.  

The relentless blades of wind and frost, scorching flames and freezing ice within the Glazed Realm never ceased. Several times, Zhuoying thought of giving up—was it really worth it to push herself this hard just to prove a point?  

But then she noticed something.  

The healing speed of her Primordial Spirit was subtly improving.  

Though the change was almost imperceptible, the longer she stayed in the Glazed Realm, the faster she could feel the pain subsiding.  

It was a strange and wondrous sensation.  

She knew very well that this wasn’t due to any Magical Arts or cultivation, but simply by separating her Primordial Spirit from her ailing body and confronting the Glazed Realm—confronting herself—she felt an exhilarating sense of progress.  

If she continued refining herself like this, could she reach a point where pain vanished the moment it arose?  

Daring to think even further, could she eventually withstand the power of the Glazed Realm entirely, leaving her Primordial Spirit unscathed?  

And once she left the Upper Purity Glazed Realm, what else could this mysterious strength achieve?  

These questions swirled in her mind, distracting her from the torment her Primordial Spirit endured.  

Time blurred within the Glazed Realm.  

Zhuoying had no idea how long she had been inside, but the moment her Primordial Spirit reached its limit, she shattered the Glazed Jade without hesitation, freeing herself from the realm.  

The Five Elements Pure Qi enveloped her ethereal spirit.  

As her Primordial Spirit returned to her body, Zhuoying opened her eyes.  

The first thing she saw was the Golden Crow emblem of the Academy carved above—she was still inside the Academy, but the room was empty.  

Returning to her frail, pain-ridden body, the familiar heaviness and exhaustion reclaimed her senses. She sighed softly and slowly sat up from the bed.  

Only to find herself covered in needles like a porcupine.  

“You stayed in the Upper Purity Glazed Realm for three days.”  

The voice startled her.  

Because it wasn’t spoken by a person—rather, it came from a Dharma Image that gradually materialized before her.  

Flecks of golden light gathered like scattered stars, forming a divine vision akin to a goddess descending upon the mortal realm.  

The visitor had not arrived in person, but the Golden Light Dharma Image was enough to reveal her features—features that no one in this world would fail to recognize.  

“Greetings, Tianhou—”  

Zhuoying tried to rise and bow, but a surge of profound spiritual energy gently held her in place.  

“The Upper Purity Glazed Realm is a trial feared by all in the Immortal Realm. Why were you so determined to endure it for three full days?”  

Her voice was rich and melodious, vast as the ocean and boundless as the earth, carrying an all-encompassing warmth.  

Zhuoying had never expected Tianhou to visit her personally. After a moment of silence, she steadied herself and answered,  

“I assumed that by permitting me to enter the Academy, Your Majesty also permitted me to cultivate.”  

“You thought I came to reprimand you?”  

Tianhou chuckled, her voice as soothing as rippling water.  

“Cultivation is not a matter of haste, but of steady perseverance. You were too reckless. If not for Feng Li Shen Jun summoning Yan Jun to stabilize your meridians with needles and infuse you with qi, your mortal body would have long been drained of vitality.”  

Zhuoying blinked slowly.  

She hadn’t known the consequences could be so dire.  

In her past life, she had heard much about cultivation—that it boiled down to talent and diligence. She prided herself on her photographic memory and was willing to cast aside life itself to focus on cultivation.  

But no one had ever taught her how to do it properly.  

The Utmost Subtlety Sage had three thousand disciples and couldn’t attend to each individually. From a young age, Zhuoying had mostly taught herself.

The Emperor and Empress would certainly not guide her either. The Emperor was busy expanding his territories, while the Empress was occupied with teaching her own biological daughter.

Whether it was poetry, literature, etiquette, or delving into the arts of magic, the Empress meticulously planned every aspect of Zhaocui’s education.

If Zhaocui wanted to learn embroidery today, the Empress would summon the finest embroiderer in the Great Yong Dynasty for her.

If she wished to learn horseback riding the next day, the Empress would have her maternal clan procure a Celestial Steed from the Immortal Realm at great expense.

Zhaocui’s interests were always fleeting. Occasionally, on a whim, she would seek out Zhuoying to play, complaining that her mother had scheduled too many lessons, filling her time to the brim and suffocating her.

Zhuoying couldn’t comfort her.

Because for Zhuoying, who at that time couldn’t even find someone to teach her how to read, Zhaocui’s troubles seemed too extravagant, too distant, and utterly incomprehensible.

No one would guide her.

For a long time, she had grown accustomed to figuring things out on her own, learning through trial and error.

“Apologies.”

She snapped back to reality, lowering her eyes apologetically:

“Zhuoying is dull-witted and has caused trouble for everyone.”

The words “I won’t make the same mistake again” stuck in her throat, as if speaking them was an immense struggle.

Reason told her she was now at the mercy of others, and survival was paramount, but emotionally, she couldn’t bring herself to give up the opportunity to cultivate at the Academy.

She knew that if given the same chance again, she would still gamble her life to seize it.

The golden dharma form silently observed the young girl before it.

Her forehead was covered in a sheen of cold sweat, her lips pale. The plain white robe she wore made her frail frame seem even more fragile, as if a gust of wind could crumple her like paper.

Yet her eyes were calm, devoid of any fragility, deep as a tranquil pool.

“You have indeed caused Feng Li Shen Jun considerable trouble. He was questioned by Yan Jun for a long time—rare to see him at a loss for words.”

Zhuoying parted her lips, about to say something, when Tianhou spoke:

“But you have done nothing wrong.”

Zhuoying looked up in surprise.

The golden dharma form before her radiated like the sun, illuminating the darkest corners of her eyes. A voice that embraced all things resonated gently in her ears:

“Though you were sent as a hostage from the mortal realm, once you entered Upper Purity Heaven, you became one of us. Since I permitted you to enter Fusang Academy, you are entitled to the same treatment as any other student there—no less than anyone else.”

“If you wish to cultivate, then do so properly, step by step. The immortal masters will guide you in the correct methods of cultivation, and the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace will provide you with the finest spiritual treasures. So, you need no longer strive so desperately. As long as your goal is cultivation and not romantic entanglements, the path to the heavens will open for you.”

Having said this, Tianhou herself seemed momentarily lost in thought.

The earlier part was fine, but why had she added that last line—”as long as it’s not romantic entanglements”?

As if someone, once upon a time, had indeed gone for romantic entanglements.

Zhuoying’s dark, jade-like pupils widened slightly.

She remained silent for a long time.

“…But Yan Jun said… he couldn’t cure me and told me to abandon my aspirations of cultivation…”

“That’s because Yan Jun doesn’t yet understand you well enough. I will speak with him personally, and afterward, he will know how to treat you.”

Tianhou smiled.

“The fact that you endured three days in the Glazed Realm impressed Yan Jun the most.”

Zhuoying was puzzled.

…What did it mean that he didn’t understand her well enough?

In terms of medical skills, no one in heaven or earth surpassed Yan Jun. He had already examined her before—if even Yan Jun didn’t understand her condition, how could Tianhou possibly know?  

Before she could ponder further, Zhuoying, struck by this unexpected joy, murmured in a daze:  

“Your Majesty, are you hoping that I will cultivate diligently and stand on the side of the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace?”  

She thought of Chen Ye from her past life.  

To be fair, in material terms, Chen Ye had never failed her in that lifetime.  

Her health was poor, so she always traveled by sedan chair. To ensure her safety, he assigned his most capable Scaled Armor Guard to protect her closely and even sought renowned physicians far and wide, attempting to cure her illness.  

However, he would still summon her to court assemblies when she was burning with fever, forcing her to spearhead new policies despite knowing it would provoke fierce backlash from noble families.  

Zhuoying was no longer a child who would feel indebted over trivial favors.  

If the Supreme Purity Heavenly Palace treated her well merely to quell her dissent or to recruit her for their cause, then these gifts were nothing more than payment for servitude.  

They were what she deserved—nothing to be moved by.  

The golden dharma apparition floating in the air smiled faintly.  

“You need not consider taking any side.”  

“Whether to attain enlightenment, to protect all living beings, or to achieve fame and glory—even as an immortal, the journey of this life is far from over. Fusang Academy is only responsible for nurturing. What kind of flower blooms is for the flower itself to decide.”  

“Chi Shui Zhuoying, the first lesson Fusang Academy will teach you is this—”  

“You may live for yourself.”  

In this life, some had discarded her like worthless trash, indifferent to how she lived. Others had crafted an exquisite cage for her, hoping she would live for his ambitions.  

But this was the first time someone had told her—  

To live for herself.  

Author’s Note:  

Revised~