Pei Chuyun, who was eavesdropping with them, also felt a bit “green” herself, wondering what exactly she was doing.

The only thing that kept her listening was the desire to hear Shen Tang’s humiliating defeat, quickly shedding her armor. She knew very well how formidable Lu Xingzhou’s combat power was now; how could a mere novice endure it?

She probably wouldn’t last half a tea ceremony, she thought, giggling.

But as she listened, a full incense stick burned, and there was still no sign of stopping inside. Pei Chuyun tragically realized that in this aspect, the weakest in combat was still herself, the Saintess of Huanhuan.

She was arguably the most disgraceful Saintess of Huanhuan in history.

Shen Tang, surprisingly, was quite resilient, as she leaned towards martial cultivation. Although she hadn’t undergone the special wind-and-thunder tempering like Sheng Yuanyao, her cultivation was strong.

Once Lu Xingzhou guided Shen Tang in the application of the Dahuan Xile Jing during their dual cultivation, and they officially entered the dual cultivation process, Shen Tang learned incredibly fast.

The dual cultivation lasted for a full half an hour, allowing Shen Tang to directly reach the peak of the second rank, glimpsing the edge of the first rank. It also solidified Lu Xingzhou’s newly broken through first rank, allowing him to break through one or two minor barriers.

“So this kind of thing really is this enjoyable,” Shen Tang said afterwards, collapsing like mud on Lu Xingzhou’s shoulder, gently caressing his eight-pack abs. “I lost out so much before, using my feet or hands or whatever, I was always the one getting tired, and you just enjoyed yourself… It turns out that when it’s real intimacy, you’re the one putting in the effort.”

Lu Xingzhou reached out and gently stroked her slightly damp hair, smiling, “So, do you want me to put in effort again?”

This kind of thing was two-sided; while the man put in effort and hard work, the psychological satisfaction of conquest was incomparable.

Shen Tang possessed the sharpness of a swordsman, the nobility of a princess, and the authority of a sect master. Normally full of imposing presence, her compliant and ecstatic state beneath him was especially captivating. Moreover, this mutual affection was infinitely more precious than anything else in the world.

Lu Xingzhou, having tasted the sweetness, yearned for more.

“No, no, I have no strength left,” Shen Tang pleaded, seeing him about to turn over and come back up. “There are two other brides today; go find them. I agree, I agree, I truly agree.”

Outside, with two “whoosh” sounds, the two eavesdroppers turned and vanished.

They’d be crazy to ask for a refill now; what about their dignity?

It was truly annoying, having stood outside in the cold wind for an hour for nothing.

Lu Xingzhou actually knew the two were eavesdropping outside, but it wouldn’t be appropriate to pull them in at this moment; it would be too disrespectful. And Shen Tang’s first time certainly shouldn’t involve multiple people. Tonight, he should only focus on Shen Tang.

He said nothing, only kissed Shen Tang’s forehead. “Alright, just teasing you. It’s time to rest.”

Shen Tang, equally perceptive, broke into a sweet smile on her languid face. “Mhm.”

Exhausted, the two fell into a deep sleep, embracing each other. The two nervous eavesdroppers waited for a while and, seeing that Lu Xingzhou hadn’t disregarded their dignity to ask for a refill, they both breathed a sigh of relief and went to sleep peacefully.

Only one person was truly sleepless tonight.

Yuan Muyu sat silently in the alley outside the Lu Mansion until dawn, then sighed and quietly departed.

But among the other unrelated people, there were still others who were sleepless.

For example, Gu Zhanting tonight.

He was trapped within the altar, bound by the Array of Entrapment, with his captors having no connection to the new emperor; they were all from Tianyao Holy Land.

That’s why Lu Xingzhou was able to visit him just a few days ago.

It also proved that Gu Yiheng’s authority was far less than what a normal emperor should possess; even the qualification to imprison Gu Zhanting wasn’t his, which manifested in the qi pulses as the shaky sign of a fading dynasty.

However, today, under the heavy guardianship and array defenses of Tianyao Holy Land, a chilling wind suddenly arose around Gu Zhanting, who was about to rest.

Gu Zhanting opened his eyes and sat up.

The bright pearls on the wall reflected a dim light, illuminating Gu Yiheng’s figure beside him. Neither the guards nor the array seemed to exist for him; he appeared directly inside.

“You’ve come?” Gu Zhanting seemed unsurprised, calmly adjusting his attire. “You specifically chose today, thinking that both Ye Tinglan and Lu Xingzhou would be too preoccupied to notice here?”

“Something like that,” Gu Yiheng said with a slight smile. “Lu Xingzhou is very sharp; it’s usually not easy to act under his nose. Unfortunately, everyone has weaknesses, and Lu Xingzhou’s weakness is particularly amusing. Such a meaningless mortal wedding can consume most of his energy. Ye Tinglan is the same; I heard he’s smashing cups in the imperial observatory, seemingly because playing the role of the elder didn’t achieve the desired effect.”

Gu Zhanting: “…”

“Those who know would say they are the world’s top influential figures; those who don’t would think they’re playing house,” Gu Yiheng said. “Don’t you think it’s quite funny that you lost to people like them?”

Gu Zhanting said faintly, “Don’t speak too soon. Don’t you think you might also lose to people like them?”

“Neither you nor they even know what I intend to do, so how can there be winning or losing?”

Gu Zhanting remained silent.

“However, Imperial Father has surprised me,” Gu Yiheng examined Gu Zhanting from head to toe, with a hint of surprise in his eyes. “You actually dissipated your last wisp of qi pulse… Or did you give it to someone? Ah, yes, I heard Lu Xingzhou visited you a few days ago.”

Gu Zhanting said indifferently, “What if I did give it to him?”

Gu Yiheng smiled, “He is the enemy who caused all your failures. If you had such magnanimity earlier, what were you doing all this time?”

“At different times, a person’s thoughts are naturally different. When I was young, I worked hard to revitalize Daqian, and I never imagined that many years later, Daqian’s qi脉 would be defeated by my own hands.” Gu Zhanting said slowly, “Similarly, if I had known today twenty years ago, I would have plastered you to the wall.”

“…You should know I am not Gu Yiheng; who would you plaster?”

“That’s also because there must be some flaw in Yiheng that you exploited. Otherwise, why didn’t you choose Yicheng or Yitang?” Gu Zhanting was very calm. “Your possession is very special; it must be very harmoniously and closely integrated with the person themselves. Otherwise, no matter how reclusive, Ye Tinglan and I should have been able to tell. But even now, face to face, I can’t see any signs of possession.”

“What can you discern now?” Gu Yiheng chuckled, “With your current standard of being old and frail, with your cultivation dissipated?”

Gu Zhanting nodded, “That’s true. But since I am about to die, can I at least die with understanding?”

Gu Zhanting had played many conspiracies and understood a certain psychological trait of schemers: having successfully achieved something, there would always be a triumphant urge to confess, especially when witnessing the victim’s shocked and hateful expression.

If this step was missing, what was the difference from wearing brocade at night? Even if successful, it would lack a point of satisfaction.

So, Gu Yiheng would most likely speak.

Indeed, Gu Yiheng slowly said, “Rather than possession, it’s more like planting a seed and watering it until it sprouts. When the seed fills his soul, he becomes me. In theory, this body is indeed still Gu Yiheng, but since his thoughts are synchronized with mine, he becomes me.”

Gu Zhanting said, “It’s more akin to the Xuannü’s incarnate body? Manifesting into thousands.”

“That’s right. Pei Chuyun has the Xuannü’s seed within her, so back then, the Xuannü didn’t directly possess her spirit platform, but rather activated the seed… Unfortunately, Pei Chuyun’s soul was stable, and she also had the Tianluo Umbrella, which created a strong dam, preventing the seed from breaking ground. But this hidden danger still exists. I wonder how Lu Xingzhou will handle it in the future, if he’ll find the person beneath him turn into the Xuannü in the midst of their passion. I look forward to seeing that day, hahahaha…”

Gu Yiheng laughed joyfully, and Gu Zhanting said, “Does Lu Xingzhou also have a grudge against you? Your desire for his misfortune is quite interesting.”

Gu Yiheng smiled, “You could say there is, indeed. But there’s no need to tell Imperial Father about that.”

Gu Zhanting said, “One more thing.”

“Please speak, Imperial Father.”

“Since you know I am now a useless person, you could use many methods to kill me, or even not kill me; I would die of old age in a couple of years. Why are you in such a hurry to act personally, aren’t you afraid of leaving a flaw of patricide?”

“Of course, some things can only be done by oneself.” Gu Yiheng smiled slightly, “Imperial Father, do you know that your Mountain and River Sacrifice is merely a simplified version?”

Gu Zhanting finally narrowed his eyes.

Gu Yiheng sighed, “Firstly, Daqian cannot represent all the mountains and rivers of the world. Secondly… if the emperor himself is missing from the sacrifice, how can it be called the Mountain and River Sacrifice?”

Gu Zhanting nodded slightly, “I understand. But now, I am not only not an emperor, but I don’t even have the last trace of qi pulse left. What use is there in killing me now?”

“That doesn’t matter… You once were, and that is enough, just as after I defeat Long Qinghuang, she will only have ‘once been the Demon Empress.'”

As Gu Yiheng spoke, he finally placed his hand on Gu Zhanting’s forehead. “Everything that needed to be said has been said. Imperial Father can now rest in peace. Do you have any last words?”

Gu Zhanting, however, showed a strange smile. “Yes… My life has been unremarkable, yet I would rather die by the hands of a hero than be sacrificed by a petty person. You prepare to sacrifice yourself then.”

Gu Yiheng’s heart sank, and he saw black flames erupt from Gu Zhanting’s body, instantly burning him to ashes, leaving no trace.

Lu Xingzhou’s Wutian Heiyan had always been the most silent and imperceptible. After entering Gu Zhanting’s body, the main body returned to the Soul Banner, but a trace of it remained and didn’t come out, making it even more hidden.

Originally, this was to prevent Gu Zhanting from having any hidden moves, but since Lu Xingzhou knew there was a problem with the new emperor, he had a tacit understanding with Gu Zhanting. As long as Gu Zhanting had a thought, the black flames could give him a quick end at any time.

In this instant cremation, Gu Yiheng couldn’t even collect a single part.

Gu Yiheng subconsciously activated his power to stop it but was already a beat too late, only managing to extinguish this wisp of black flame completely.

“Lu Xingzhou…” Gu Yiheng’s gentle expression turned grim in the darkness. “Between us, it’s not over.”

As the black flames extinguished, Lu Xingzhou, who had just fallen asleep, immediately sensed it and opened his eyes. “He truly is Qianyuan.”

The main body of the black flames emerged from the Soul Banner and relayed the words heard by the earlier clone in full.

Shen Tang also woke up, listening silently to the black flames’ narration, her eyes slightly red. “He… died?”

The black flames chuckled apologetically, “Reporting to Mistress, the late emperor said that he could not be a prisoner and could have died days ago. The reason he lived a few extra days was just to elicit information, hoping it would be useful to you.”

Shen Tang was silent for a moment, then whispered, “What else did he say?”

“He said: ‘Calamity comes from outside, misfortune is self-inflicted; so engrossed, there is no escape from harm.’ Finally, he said… ‘No need to sigh for him. I wish Tang’er a happy marriage and joy for the rest of her life.'”

End of Volume Five.