CHAPTER 9: FORBIDDEN ZONE? JUST CARRY A LADDER

The boundaries of the vast Moonwatch Continent were unknown, with humans and demons as the two most dominant forces. The human race—comprising over a dozen nations, great and small—existed in a delicate equilibrium with the demon race. However, something far more fearsome loomed over them.

The legendary Four Great Forbidden Zones and one End Zone. The forbidden zones were unfathomably strange and perilous, even Emperor realm cultivators dared not tread lightly, lest they forfeit their lives. The End Zone, also known as Heaven’s End, was the worst of them all. Even an Emperor realm cultivator would almost certainly die if they entered.

Regardless, dangerous as they were, those who managed to overcome the Four Forbidden Zones or Heaven's End would be rewarded with unimaginable fortune.

Rare spirit herbs and heavenly treasures were as abundant as grass in the Four Forbidden Zones. On the other hand, rumor had it that there existed the Ascension Platform in Heaven’s End. By climbing it, one could transcend to the mythical Immortal World.

The Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone was especially renowned among them. After all, unlike any other forbidden zone, legend said it had once been the tomb of a supreme being, Located within the borders of the Southern Qian Empire, it was less than a thousand miles from the imperial capital. The area was shrouded in a supreme barrier, even veteran Emperor realm cultivators couldn’t enter.

Meanwhile, Qi Yuan claimed he’d been grinding monsters in Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone this whole time? How was that even possible?

At first, Jin Li thought that Qi Yuan had to be joking. Still, she cautiously sent a question.

Jin Li: Are you being serious right now?

Qi Yuan: Why would I lie to you? I’ve been meaning to invite you to team up. Soloing this stage is way too boring.

Jin Li was still not convinced.

Qi Yuan: There were so many monsters in Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone. It took me over half a year to wipe them all out. I was exhausted.

She was rendered speechless. Was that his only complaint? That there were too many monsters in the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone? They weren't just numerous, but also strong!

For thousands of years, the Moonwatch Continent had seen countless heroes and prodigies, yet not a single one had ever conquered a forbidden zone.

To clear out the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone, what kind of power would that take? Not even peak Emperor realm cultivators could do that.

Carefully, she sent her next question.

Jin Li: What's your cultivation level? Are you at the Emperor realm?

Qi Yuan: Emperor realm? What's that? I'm already level 82, though.

Jin Li was confused.

Qi Yuan: Level 82?

Still, she knew Qi Yuan had a penchant for spouting bizarre things. He once said he wanted to ride a spaceship to see the stars, but was afraid of dying up there from lack of oxygen.

How far away were the stars? The ancient texts mentioned countless mortal worlds and immortal worlds supposedly sharing the same starry sky. According to legend, those stars were just the reflections of mighty beings' visions. They weren’t real at all, so reaching them was utter fantasy. Hence, Jin Li simply dismissed Qi Yuan’s peculiar stories.

After thinking for a moment, she sent another chat.

Jin Li: How strong were the monsters in Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone?

Qi Yuan: The strongest? Definitely Madbrush. It was super sneaky, too... At night, it’d turn into a brush and ambush you, without a shred of honor or fairness. I had to dig a hole and bury myself for safety every time I logged off. And that thing was barely level 70 something.

Madbrush? Level 70? Jin Li pondered.

If Qi Yuan was telling the truth, then level 70 probably corresponded to an Emperor realm, or perhaps even a Peak Emperor realm.

The Southern Qian Empire had only two or three Emperor realm beings, at most.

Jin Li: There's a barrier outside Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone. According to rumors, not even Emperor realm cultivators can get in.

Qi Yuan: Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone's easy to get into, like going to the movies. Just bring a ladder and you're in. The monsters inside won't even attack you. I already cleared that dungeon.

Qi Yuan: Anyway, gotta go. I've arrived at the Garment Tomb Forbidden Zone. Talk next time.

With that, Qi Yuan ended the conversation. Jin Li, who had been bathing, suddenly felt a wave of emptiness. Their conversation had been short, hurried, and light on words.

Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone and Garment Tomb Forbidden Zone were over a hundred thousand kilometers apart.

How can anyone cover that distance so fast? Not even Peak Emperor cultivators could manage that.

Jin Li's image of Qi Yuan blurred once more, like a veiled figure shrouded in mist.

What kind of person are you really, Qi Yuan?

Cupping a handful of water, Jin Li let it cascade down her snow-white shoulder. The water flowed down, seemingly washing away her worries with it.

Does it matter what kind of person he is? At the very least, we are good online buddies.

After taking a shower, Jin Li dressed herself. She didn't like servants attending to her. Who knows whether any of them are the grand chancellor's spies?

Then, she returned to Fengluan Palace. She sat upon the glazed imperial throne, where a thick stack of memorials awaited her. Night deepened as she began reviewing documents. Occasionally, her brow furrowed as she wrote with her delicate, jade-like hand.

The battle on the southern front is urgent. Even the War Elephant Clan has joined the battle. In three days, the Crown Prince of the Southern Feng Empire will arrive in the capital?

Feeling a headache forming, Jin Li placed her hand on her forehead. Like a lump of fat, the Southern Qian Empire was ripe for the taking and eyed by all. She knew fully well what the Southern Feng Crown Prince's visit truly meant.

The memorials piled before her made her temples throb. Her thoughts drifted to Qi Yuan. Only with him could she shed the weight of her title, forget her responsibilities, and simply be herself. Yet she knew that with the silk and splendor of the throne came the burden of her people’s fate.

Jin Li ordered a nearby servant, “Go to the Hidden Library and bring me all the records on the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The servant left and Jin Li continued reviewing memorials.

***

Meanwhile, at the great general's mansion in Qingyi Alley...

Back when the great general was alive, the mansion had been a place of glory, bustling with visitors. Now, the once grand residence lay silent, its courtyards deserted.

At this moment, a surprise visitor arrived. A tall, broad-shouldered man with a beard, with a noticeable dent in the center of his forehead. He was Sima Ting, the Grand Chancellor of the Southern Qian Empire.

He stared at the great general’s widow, and asked in a measured tone, “Lady Qin, has your injury recovered?”

Rage flared in the widow’s eyes as her face drained of color. She cried hoarsely, “Sima Ting!”

If it weren’t for the ambush he staged, she wouldn't have been grievously wounded. Yet, he had the audacity to stand before her and ask such a question?!

Sima Ting remained calm. “Lady Qin, it’s all in the past. Everything is now settled. Why persist in your delusion? What future could following that girl possibly lead to?”

Lady Qin was livid. “How dare you speak so disrespectfully of Her Majesty!”

Had her strength as a top-tier King realm expert been at its peak, Sima Ting wouldn’t dare speak to her like this!

Sima Ting glanced dismissively at her, disdain in his eyes. The empress is just a mere woman! She only ascended the throne because of me. Even on the coronation day, she tripped on flat ground, an omen from the heavens that she lacks the virtue to rule. During her ten years reign, the empire is plagued by internal and external threats! If not for me, it would have collapsed long ago. She has lost the right to sit on that throne!

As someone who’d watched Jin Li grow up, Lady Qin was filled with both anger and sorrow. Jin Li could never master the ruthless craft of imperial power no matter how hard she tried, failing to gain full control over the court as a result. A cunning monarch she wasn’t, but a diligent one, ruling for the good of her people.

Sometimes, Lady Qin wished Jin Li had remained an ordinary princess. Alas, once she held the imperial seal, there was no going back. To not fight was to die.