Chapter 5: Tian Yue's Secret — Completing Life's Great Milestone and a Lavish Gift Package
Lingyun Dynasty, within the palace of the Fifth Princess, Tian Yue.
Dressed in a moon-white gown, Tian Yue was calmly giving instructions to a youth of about sixteen or seventeen standing beside her.
This young man was none other than her younger brother—Ling Tianxing.
"Tianxing, once I marry into the Hao Royal Estate, you will be the only one left here in the palace. From now on, you must think carefully before acting."
"As for the position of Crown Prince, several of our elder brothers are already restless. You must not harbor any thoughts about the throne. With the power we currently possess within the palace, we simply cannot contend with them."
"Secretly cultivate your influence, but openly withdraw from the competition for the heir apparent position. That way, even if turmoil breaks out in the palace, you will still have the means to protect yourself."
Ling Tianxing listened attentively, nodding repeatedly.
"Don't worry, Sister. I'll be cautious in everything I do."
As he spoke, a look of reluctance appeared on his face.
"Sister… do you really want to get married?"
"I don't understand why Father insists on bestowing you in marriage to the newly appointed lord of the Hao Royal Estate."
"Could it be that Father once again listened to that old man from the Star-Picking Pavilion?"
By the end of his words, resentment had crept into his expression.
Tian Yue let out a soft sigh.
"The imperial family invested so many cultivation resources in me in the past. Now, it is time for me to contribute something in return."
"But the Hao Royal Estate is declining day by day. If you marry into it, won't that—"
Before Ling Tianxing could finish, Tian Yue interrupted gently:
"Rest assured. Although the Hao Royal Estate is no longer as strong as before, it is far from insignificant."
"As an imperial princess, I will not be mistreated after marrying in."
"Moreover, if I can integrate well into the Hao Royal Estate and obtain the support of its lord, it will also benefit you."
"And besides… I no longer wish to remain in the imperial palace. Father's decree of marriage suits me just fine."
She spoke the truth.
Ever since she had fallen from a peerless genius to a so-called cultivation cripple, those who once admired her now looked at her with strange, guarded eyes.
If not for her weak and isolated younger brother still remaining in the palace, she would have left long ago.
After giving her brother further instructions, Ling Tianxing finally departed.
Watching his retreating figure, Tian Yue withdrew her gaze, a trace of worry surfacing in her eyes.
"How much spiritual energy must that seal within me devour before it stops obstructing my breakthrough into the Seventh Star Realm?"
In truth, ever since she fell from genius status, a mysterious seal—undetectable by others—had appeared within her body.
It was precisely this seal that continuously devoured the spiritual energy she cultivated, preventing her from ever breaking through to the Seventh Star Realm.
Over the years, she had consulted countless ancient texts, yet none could identify the seal's origin.
She once believed that refining enough spiritual energy would allow her to overcome it.
But no matter how much she cultivated or consumed, it was all swallowed clean by the seal—like a bottomless abyss.
The result left her utterly helpless.
…
Time passed.
The day for the Hao Royal Estate to welcome the Fifth Princess of the Lingyun Dynasty had finally arrived.
The entire Hao Royal Estate was adorned with lanterns and decorations. Joy filled every clan member's face.
Even North Suppression City, newly restored, was bustling with excitement. Countless cultivators gathered outside the estate, eager to witness the grand event.
Families and factions on good terms with the Hao Royal Estate arrived one after another, bearing generous gifts.
Before long, an enormous ceremonial wedding ship sailed in from afar and slowly descended outside the estate.
Clad in phoenix coronet and red bridal robes, her face concealed beneath a red veil, Tian Yue was escorted by imperial attendants and personally welcomed into the estate by Hao Meng.
"I didn't expect the Lingyun imperial family to dispatch three Eighth Star Realm elders—and so many Seventh Star Realm experts as well."
"It seems the imperial family has no intention of looking down on the Hao Royal Estate. On the contrary, they're clearly here to support it!"
The observing cultivators clicked their tongues in amazement.
Meanwhile, those factions that had harbored ill intentions toward the Hao Royal Estate immediately abandoned any reckless thoughts.
Inside the estate, under the witness of countless guests and clansmen, Hao Meng and Tian Yue completed the wedding rites smoothly and formally became husband and wife.
Only after nightfall, once all guests had been seen off, did Hao Meng finally enter the bridal chamber.
Inside, candlelight flickered warmly.
Hao Meng stepped forward and gently lifted the red veil.
A face of pure, refined beauty appeared before him.
Her black hair cascaded like silk, her neck slender and graceful, her red lips shimmering softly. Bathed in warm candlelight, she appeared even more enchanting—radiant beyond compare.
At the same time, Tian Yue's information surfaced before Hao Meng's eyes.
[Name: Tian Yue]
[Cultivation: Sixth Star Realm, Ninth Level]
[Aptitude: Genius]
[Comprehension: Heaven's Chosen]
[Physique: Exquisite Spirit Body (not yet awakened)]
[Fate: Reincarnation of the Destiny Empress. Three years ago, the Exquisite Dao Seal awakened within her, causing her cultivation to regress. The seal must absorb a certain amount of pure yang energy to gradually transform into the source of the Exquisite Spirit Body and fully awaken it.]
"The Exquisite Spirit Body… that's a top-tier divine physique."
Hao Meng's heart stirred.
It required pure yang energy to awaken?
His eyes flashed subtly.
"As a vigorous young man, pure yang energy… that's something I can certainly provide."
Noticing his gaze, Tian Yue's cheeks flushed crimson, a shy warmth blooming across her delicate face.
"My lord…"
Her soft voice drew Hao Meng back to himself.
"Ahem… Yue, let us first drink the cross-cupped wine."
He poured spiritual wine from the jade table and handed her a cup.
Clink.
With a soft chime, they drank it all in one go.
"Yue… it is time to rest."
Her already flushed cheeks grew even redder, her eyes glistening like water, tender and alluring.
With a flick of his finger, all the candles were extinguished.
The room instantly filled with spring warmth.
…
Only when the sun had climbed high the next day did Hao Meng finally emerge from the bridal chamber.
As he stretched his weary body, the system's voice rang out in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, on completing life's great milestone. You have received a grand gift package. Open now?]
Hao Meng's eyes lit up.
"Open it immediately!"
[Ding! Opening gift package…]
[Congratulations, Host. You have obtained: Supreme cultivation scripture Purple Clear Sacred Extreme Overlord Canon, one Heaven-tier low-grade spirit vein, 50,000 high-grade spirit stones, two random Heaven-tier cultivation methods, two random Heaven-tier martial techniques, one Canglan Violet-Gold mineral vein map, five Earth-tier peak-grade treasures, and three urns of Lesser Nirvana Marrow-Cleansing Pills.]
[Ding! Random Heaven-tier cultivation methods generated:]
Heaven-tier mid-grade Mystic Evil Frost Scripture
Heaven-tier low-grade Blazing Yang Origin-Shattering Art
[Ding! Random Heaven-tier martial techniques generated:]
Heaven-tier mid-grade Minor Five Elements Seizing Hand
Heaven-tier low-grade Grand Sleeve Heaven-Sea Technique
[Purple Clear Sacred Extreme Overlord Canon: A supreme ancient scripture that cultivates both law and body, perfectly matched to the Heaven-Overlord Physique. Divided into twelve layers—also known as the Twelve Realms. Upon full mastery, twelve divine halos encircle the cultivator, qi and blood inexhaustible, eternal through the ages. Note: Requires Seventh Star Realm cultivation to practice.]
[Heaven-tier low-grade spirit vein: One vein can supply the cultivation needs of one Spirit Integration Realm cultivator, ten Eighth Star Realm cultivators, or one hundred Seventh Star Realm cultivators.]
[Canglan Violet-Gold Mineral Vein Map: Marks an undeveloped fifty-li-long Canglan Violet-Gold vein.]
[Lesser Nirvana Marrow-Cleansing Pill: Earth-tier peak pill. Cultivators under twenty who have not yet entered the Divine Ability Realm may use it to cleanse marrow and slightly improve aptitude.]
Looking at the astonishing rewards, a satisfied smile appeared on Hao Meng's face.
Even the lowest-tier items were Earth-tier—already precious treasures for the current Hao Royal Estate.
Most importantly, the Purple Clear Sacred Extreme Overlord Canon perfectly complemented his Heaven-Overlord Physique, allowing simultaneous cultivation of qi and body—an exceedingly rare method.
Hao Meng was confident that even within the Lingyun Dynasty—or perhaps even among sacred lands—such a technique might not exist.
If news of it were leaked, it would undoubtedly spark a storm of bloodshed.
After briefly reviewing the scripture, he could not help but marvel at its profundity.
"Excellent. This will be my cultivation method going forward."
He decided to switch to this scripture once he broke into the Seventh Star Realm.
Practicing a supreme method tailored to his physique would vastly accelerate his progress.
After organizing his rewards, Hao Meng immediately headed toward the central grounds of the estate.