Chapter 65: Speaking of the Devil

“Congratulations on discovering one of the greatest secrets of the Heavenly Saint Dynasty.”

“This is a path of retreat left behind by the founding ancestor. There’s another secret passage in that stone room that can only be opened by divine artifacts passed down from generation to generation.”

“Once we are under siege, we can retreat into Mount Sword through the secret passage. The reason why there are a huge number of divine weapons stored there is also to prepare us for the last fight.”

The empress explained in a tone that sounded neither happy nor sad.

Lin Ran nodded. Compared to “The Hidden Sword Pavilion is Mount Sword”, the other secret was nothing.

After a pause, Lin Ran asked, “It’s not just a secret passage, right? There should be an array formation in that stone room to boost cultivation.”

Then, Lin Ran told the empress everything about his drastic cultivation advancement.

After returning last night, Lin Ran had thought about this strange phenomenon. After eliminating all the possibilities, the most likely possibility was that there was an array formation in the stone room to boost cultivation.

However, to Lin Ran’s surprise, the empress looked confused. “What array formation? Why haven’t I heard of it before?”

“You don’t know?”

Lin Ran was a little surprised. He thought for a moment and asked, “Did your elders forget to tell you?”

“Impossible.”

The empress shook her head firmly, her eyes revealing a nostalgic expression. “About 30 years ago, when my father was still in power, Grandpa Sword God was entrusted by my father to repair the stone room.”

“At that time, Grandpa Sword God reinforced the array formation that activates the opening of the secret passage and left the Five Elements Seal on the stone door. Grandpa Sword God is very accomplished in array formations. If there are other array formations there, it’s impossible for him not to notice.”

historical

“Actually, not really that accomplished. Otherwise, the demon sealed in Mount Sword wouldn’t have been able to escape…” Lin Ran muttered under his breath, but he didn’t say it out loud.

Then, Lin Ran proposed a few more possibilities, but they were all rejected by the empress. In short, neither of them knew what was going on.

In the end, Lin Ran could only put this question to the back of his mind and study it when he had the chance.

After resting for a while, the empress began to explain the process of the state banquet.

Because those martial artists still had to travel after being invited, the state banquet was temporarily set to be held in three days.

However, Huo Qiyun would arrive tonight, so for the next three days, the Ten Miles Sword God must not show up. Otherwise, once Huo Qiyun saw him, he would definitely think of a way to test him.

Lin Ran had no objections to this arrangement. He didn’t have to pretend to be the Sword God and show up everywhere, which meant he would have more time to do things with his real identity.

The second arrangement was that this state banquet was not only to “thank” the martial artists for offering help, but also a farewell banquet for the Ten Miles Sword God.

In order to prevent outsiders from saying that the Heavenly Saint Dynasty was massacring the martial artists who participated in the rebellion, it was necessary for Lin Ran to cooperate with the empress to put up a show.

At that time, the empress would express her objection while the Sword God would insist on wiping out the rebellious martial artists. Then, in the midst of the debate, he would leave on his sword.

Originally, this was just a small show, but now that Huo Qiyun had appeared, the two of them had no choice but to take it seriously.

The empress said with a solemn expression, “My suggestion is that you don’t speak. Otherwise, if Huo Qiyun hears something wrong, with his personality, he will definitely expose you openly at the banquet and threaten to kill you.”

Lin Ran frowned and said, “I don’t care about Huo Qiyun, but if the matter of me pretending to be Sword God is exposed, all our efforts will be in vain. But if I don’t speak, how can I make my stand clear? If I leave on my sword straight away without saying a word, more people will be suspicious, right?”

The empress sighed. “There’s nothing we can do. If you don’t speak, even if they are suspicious of you, they have no evidence to accuse you with. We still have a chance to make it right in the future, but if your identity is exposed, it will be a disaster.”

Lin Ran nodded and was about to speak when his expression suddenly changed slightly. He sensed a strong sword intent approaching the imperial study at high speed!

The sword intent was not powerful. At most, it was from someone at the peak of Senior Martial Master Realm. However, someone who dared to fly at such a speed in the palace was definitely not an ordinary person.

Before Lin Ran could remind the empress, the sword intent had already arrived outside the door. Then, a young man shouted in a clear voice, “I’m Huo Qiyun. I request to see His Majesty!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Ran and the empress looked at each other, and their expressions changed.

Speaking of the devil, here he comes!

“Your Majesty, can you be reliable for once? Didn’t you say that he won’t be back until tonight?”

Lin Ran asked in a low voice. Fortunately, he was using the identity as the commander of the guards. Even if Huo Qiyun saw him, nothing would happen.

“How would I know! The message he sent back said so.”

The empress explained softly. Suddenly, her expression changed slightly as she thought of something. “I’m afraid this is also his scheme. This little bastard actually doesn’t even trust me now.”

Hearing the way the empress called Huo Qiyuan, Lin Ran knew that Huo Qiyun was not too old, at least not older than the empress.

But now was not the time to care about that.

Lin Ran hurriedly stood up and suppressed his cultivation to the level of a Senior Martial Master. “Find an excuse to send him away. Otherwise, I won’t be able to return to Mingzhao Hall. If he finds out that there’s no sword intent there, he’ll barge in!”

The empress nodded to show that she understood. Then, she adjusted her expression and said, “Qiyun, come in!”

Creak—

The door of the imperial study was pushed open and a figure in white walked in.

Lin Ran was stunned when he saw Huo Qiyun. He had guessed that Huo Qiyun would be very young, but he didn’t expect him to be so young. He was tall and handsome with a face that looked to be only 15 or 16 years old.

However, many cultivators had the ability to retain their youth, so his age might not be what it seemed.

After all, the Ten Miles Sword God had been dead for decades. If Huo Qiyun was really only in his teens, how could he have spent half a year with the Ten Miles Sword God?

As if sensing that someone was looking at him, Huo Qiyun also glanced at Lin Ran and realized that he was only a Senior Martial Master. He sneered and ignored him. Then, he bowed to the empress.

“Greetings, Your Majesty!”

“Please get up!”

The empress personally went forward to help Huo Qiyun up. After sizing him up for a moment, her eyes couldn’t help but reveal gentleness. “I haven’t seen you for a few years and you’ve grown taller. You look like a little adult now!”

“Your Majesty…”

Huo Qiyun looked displeased and was about to speak when he suddenly thought of something and looked at Lin Ran. He said angrily, “Get out! I have something to discuss with His Majesty.”

Lin Ran couldn’t wait to leave. Hearing this, he nodded and left.

As the door closed, Lin Ran was about to rush back to Mingzhao Hall when he suddenly heard Huo Qiyun say softly, “Sister Empress, I missed you so much!”

Lin Ran’s heart skipped a beat. Huo Qiyun also knew that the current emperor was a woman?!