Chapter 3: Truly the Chosen One—Unleashing the Emperor’s Scripture Right from the Start?

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At the thought, Li Wudao suddenly felt a wave of comfort, a sly smile creeping onto his lips, giving him the air of a crooked-mouthed Dragon King.

“Why have you been staring at me all this time?”

Jiang Churan frowned slightly, stepping back, eyeing him as if he were a fool.

“Hehe, I was just lost in thought, sorry...”

Li Wudao snapped back to reality with an awkward smile.

“Nervous~”

Jiang Churan rolled her eyes at him, muttered under her breath, dismissed everyone, and turned to leave.

She felt that Li Wudao had become even stranger now and had no desire to stay longer.

“Hey, you little brat, how dare you insult the Young Master? I think you’re asking for trouble!”

The steward rolled up his sleeves, ready to step forward and teach the girl a lesson, but was stopped by Li Wudao.

“Forget it, it’s a trivial matter, no need to get angry.”

Li Wudao shook his head.

Inwardly, he thought the steward was only at the late stage of the Body Refining Realm, no match for Jiang Churan, and would only embarrass himself.

Fixing his gaze on Jiang Churan’s graceful figure, he stroked his chin.

The Daughter of Destiny was truly different.

Even as a dependent, even as a mere maid, she remained dignified and extraordinary.

However, with Jiang Churan’s current cultivation, she could easily support herself if she left the prince’s mansion—so why stay?

In the next moment, Li Wudao found the answer.

The examination quota.

As one of the top sects in the Eastern Wilderness, the Xuantian Sect did not allow just anyone to participate in their assessment; usually, only disciples from noble families or great clans qualified.

For ordinary wandering cultivators, joining was extremely difficult.

But for those in the prince’s mansion, even maids could accompany their masters to take the sect’s test if they wished.

Passing would fast-track one’s rise and guarantee their family’s future—a perfect path to change one’s fate.

From what he knew, the Xuantian Sect assessment was just seven days away.

Any rational person wouldn’t choose this moment to leave the mansion.

Just then, a system notification chimed in his mind.

[Ding! Li Dabao’s favorability +10, current favorability: 35]

“Favorability? What does the system mean by this?” Li Wudao asked.

[This system binds to an investment target. The host’s positive actions increase favorability. Upon reaching a certain level, a random reward can be drawn.]

[Note: The quality of the reward pool depends on the quality of the investment target and item.]

Li Wudao suddenly understood—there was a lottery element. This was interesting.

Does this mean Li Dabao’s investment was successful?

While pondering, hurried footsteps sounded nearby.

“Young Master, did you... clear my gambling debt?”

The newcomer was panting, plump, with a face full of excitement and disbelief—it was Li Dabao.

The gambling den had just come looking for him, frightening him nearly to fainting. He expected a beating but instead found his debt paid.

Upon inquiry, he learned it was the Young Master who settled it, so he immediately rushed to the inner courtyard to express thanks.

“Mm.”

Li Wudao nodded lightly.

“I... don’t know what to say... Thank you, Young Master. I won’t gamble again. When I have money, I’ll repay you slowly.”

Li Dabao scratched his head, repeatedly expressing gratitude.

Recently, he had been addicted to gambling, making some money, but later lost everything plus five hundred taels of silver.

Considering his monthly salary was only thirty taels, it would take a long time without spending to repay.

He recalled that he had once disparaged Li Wudao’s martial talent in private.

Now, Li Wudao had saved him in a critical moment, making him feel ashamed.

“No need. Nine out of ten gamblers lose. You have talent; train hard and don’t slack off.”

Li Wudao chuckled lightly and turned to leave.

Watching his graceful figure, Li Dabao frowned, muttering, “Isn’t my strength higher than the Young Master’s? Why does his tone seem off...”

Inside the room.

Li Wudao had just sat down.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, investment successful. Investment target: Li Dabao; investment amount: 500 taels of silver.]

[Reward distribution in progress...]

[Congratulations, host obtained: Purple Qi Creation Pill x1]

[Purple Qi Creation Pill: A ninth-grade Profound Pill refined from over thirty medicinal herbs, containing a strand of acquired Purple Qi, with extremely high spiritual energy. When consumed by a martial artist, it enhances the purity of their vitality and stabilizes their foundation. When consumed by a mortal, it purifies essence and marrow, reshaping innate talent.]

Li Wudao was astonished. He didn’t expect such a high return from a 500-tael investment.

Usually, the pills he saw were mortal-grade, above which were spirit-grade pills.

Above spirit pills were profound pills.

With the resources of the Prince’s Mansion, even a few low-grade spirit pills were hard to come by, let alone profound pills, which he had never even heard of.

[Host, do you want to use it now?]

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“Yes.”

Li Wudao nodded decisively. He was in need of something to boost his aptitude.

Moments later, ripples appeared in the space before him.

A white jade porcelain bottle materialized out of thin air.

Li Wudao reached out and gently opened it; immediately a refreshing fragrance filled the room.

He inhaled lightly, feeling his entire body relax, every pore opening as if bathed in spring breeze.

Without hesitation, he tilted his head back and swallowed the pill.

The pill melted in his throat, instantly transforming into warm currents that silently nourished and cleansed his organs, meridians, and bones.

Two hours later.

Li Wudao slowly opened his eyes.

He stood up, feeling extraordinarily refreshed, light as a swallow yet filled with strength.

At this moment, layers of black substance oozed through his skin; sweat had soaked his body.

Li Wudao was grateful—the essence purifying and marrow refining process seemed successful.

With a thought, he checked his current attributes.

[Name: Li Wudao]

[Age: 16]

[Aptitude: Mid-grade Profound]

[Realm: None]

[Special Physique: Haotian Eye (Incomplete)]

[Fate: Chaos (Unknown)]

“Huh? My aptitude actually jumped straight from low-grade Yellow to mid-grade Profound!”

Li Wudao gasped. No wonder it was a ninth-grade Profound Pill—it was truly heaven-defying.

Even his luck had been forcibly upgraded a level, entering the Profound tier.

After freshening up, Li Wudao changed into new clothes.

Standing in the courtyard, dressed in flowing white, his aura surpassing before, his gaze fell on a side room.

That was Jiang Churan’s chamber.

“I wonder what treasures investing in this girl will yield?”

Li Wudao’s eyes gleamed.

If Li Dabao, with low-grade Yellow aptitude, could yield a precious profound pill, what rare equipment would Jiang Churan, a figure of imperial demeanor, produce?

Just the thought excited him.

“Who’s there?”

A cold voice came from inside.

Li Wudao responded.

Soon, the wooden door opened, revealing a flawless and pure face.

Jiang Churan stood at the doorway, slightly frowning, coolly asking, “Young Master, do you need something?”

In the past two years, Li Wudao had been obsessed with Sun Qian and paid no attention to the maid, let alone visited her room.

“Hehe, it’s nothing much. I heard you’ve been having some difficulties lately. Take this money to use first. If it’s not enough, come to me again.”

Sensing the girl’s distance, Li Wudao smiled awkwardly and pulled out a silver note worth one thousand taels.

“What... does Young Master mean by this?”

Jiang Churan was momentarily stunned, her beautiful eyes full of confusion.

Though Li Wudao provided her with food and lodging, he had never given special treatment—why suddenly show such concern? And this was a thousand-tael note.

She earned only five taels monthly as a first-rank maid.

“Uh... you are my personal maid after all. If you had to get your cultivation resources from outside, and others found out, it would be embarrassing for me.”

Li Wudao had heard that Jiang Churan often left the mansion recently, apparently going to the mountains to gather herbs.

“I appreciate your kindness, Young Master, but I must refuse this money.”

Jiang Churan almost immediately declined.

“No matter, consider it a loan for now. When you’re able, pay me back slowly.”

Li Wudao was not surprised; such a proud Daughter of Destiny had an unyielding spirit.

Saying no more, he quickly pressed the silver note into her hand and turned to leave without delay.

The whole process was swift, giving Jiang Churan no chance to react.

...

Inside the room, candlelight flickered.

Jiang Churan sat by the window, staring at the silver note, somewhat dazed.

With this money, she needn’t worry about resources for Body Refining cultivation.

Tomorrow, she would buy some materials to temper her body and quickly break through to Body Refining perfection.

Enough.

She stood and gazed at the moonlight outside; her clear eyes revealed a faint unusual glow.

“It’s been seven days since I was reborn... like a grand dream, unbelievable...”

The weary murmur came from a young girl’s lips, feeling a little out of place.

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At this moment, an invisible aura radiated from the girl. Despite her simple attire, she exuded an indescribable noble and domineering presence.

In her past life, she was a supreme prodigy, sweeping all before her, suppressing countless geniuses. Within a hundred years, she attained the imperial path, becoming the ninth Great Emperor of the world—the only female emperor.

Her title was “Empress Qingyao.”

For ten years, she drove out demons and monsters, pacified forbidden zones. The name Empress Qingyao echoed across the continent, beloved by the people, with a faint aura of challenging the throne.

However, it seemed her talent and power stirred fear among other emperors, who plotted to kill her.

Thousands of years ago, during a great war among humans, demons, and monsters, amidst the battle of the nine emperors, the empress was ambushed and died with regret.

Those who struck her included not only the demon and monster emperors but also the Human Martial Emperor!

“Soul Emperor, Demon Emperor, Monster Emperor, and Ming Emperor... you despicable villains, just wait!”

Jiang Churan recalled the past, her cheeks brimming with murderous intent.

For some reason, she had unexpectedly returned to the age of fifteen, before heading to the Xuantian Sect.

Bearing the memories of the Martial Emperor and living again, Jiang Churan’s heart burned with fierce vengeance.

This time, she would attain the Great Emperor path as fast as possible, slaughter those hypocritical enemies, wipe out the alien races, and usher in a golden age for humanity!

“The Xuantian Sect entrance test is imminent. In my past life, I only began to awaken the Qingluan bloodline a year after joining. This time, I must hasten my steps and forge an unrivaled foundation early.”

Jiang Churan pondered deeply, revealing a maturity beyond her years.

“As for that Li Wudao brat, although I don’t know his intentions, he owes me a favor. When the opportunity arises, I’ll repay it with interest.”

Her expression was calm.

The Empress Qingyao’s favors were not easily owed by just anyone.

In the past life, Li Wudao once saved her life on the street and had kept her as a maid for two years.

Later, when she rose in the Xuantian Sect, she never forgot his kindness.

She found ways to get him from a menial disciple to an outer disciple, with no one daring to bully him.

When the Li family declined and faced extinction, it was she who intervened, extending their lineage by a century.

Today, Li Wudao had given her a silver note worth one thousand taels; in the future, she would repay him tenfold or more.

...

Meanwhile.

Li Wudao had just returned to his room when the system notification sounded again.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, investment successful. Investment target: Jiang Churan; investment amount: one thousand taels of silver.]

[Investment target is the Daughter of Destiny; initial reward stacking mechanism triggered, resulting in a bonus critical.]

[Reward settlement in progress...]

[Congratulations, host obtained: Volume of the Great Shouyang Scripture.]

[Great Shouyang Scripture: A perfect Martial Emperor heart method, pure and bright, refined to the peak, with a chance to touch the realm of immortals.]

[Reward has been delivered to system warehouse; please check.]

“System warehouse?”

Li Wudao was puzzled and opened it by thought.

Moments later, an ancient, yellowed book appeared in his hand.

“No way, this is awesome!”

Li Wudao exclaimed in surprise. He hadn’t expected the system to have storage functionality.

From now on, carrying items would be incredibly convenient.

“Could this be the Imperial Scripture?!”

Flipping through the ancient tome, Li Wudao’s expression turned somewhat shocked.

According to the system, cultivation techniques were classified as follows:

Martial arts, martial skills, imperial arts, immortal arts...

Martial arts were divided into Yellow and Profound grades, relatively common with average power.

Above Profound was Martial Skills, including Earth, Heaven, King, Emperor, and Saint grades.

Each grade was further subdivided into lower, middle, upper, and supreme ranks.

Judging by this, the Prince’s Mansion’s cultivation method was only a beginner-level martial art.

Even so, a top-grade Yellow martial art was unique to the prince’s mansion among dozens of counties.

Li Wudao clenched the ancient book, his body trembling slightly, breathing rapid.

Though this imperial scripture was merely a fundamental heart method, not an offensive technique, it bore the prestigious title “Imperial.”

Moreover, the system’s description indicated a high ceiling, with the chance to touch the legendary “immortal” realm.

“The Daughter of Destiny’s rewards are ridiculously good—starting off with an Imperial Scripture...”

[Ding! Jiang Churan favorability +5, current favorability: 3]

Suddenly, a delayed system report popped into his mind.

Li Wudao’s expression soured.

Li Dabao’s favorability +10, but Jiang Churan only +5?

The Daughter of Destiny is so hard to win over.

And why is her favorability only 3? Did the little maid dislike him so much before?

Clearly, repairing their relationship would be a long and arduous journey.