Chapter 2: The Future Empress is a Seed - After I Left, I Became Their Obsession.

Chapter 2: The Future Empress is a Seed "We're nearing Ruming City." Chen Li was dressed in a plain white robe, his demeanor calm and harmonious, resembling an ordinary scholar. Behind him, he led a gray-brown donkey, leisurely munching on roadside grass and occasionally flicking its tail to ward off flies. At this moment, Chen Li stood atop a high slope, gazing across the verdant hills and winding road. The silhouette of an imposing city gradually emerged on the horizon—that was his destination: Ruming City, the capital of the Ning Kingdom. The vast Lingming Continent was divided into three thousand domains, each holding its unique wonders. Chen Li currently found himself in the Burning Heaven Domain, a peculiar region devoid of sectarian powers but filled with various kingdoms constantly warring among themselves. Here, the so-called celestial powers operated as nations, their fate intertwined with dragon energy and the cosmic realm's mystical arts. Chen Li's goal was to seek out the next seed, hidden within the Ning Kingdom's capital in the Burning Heaven Domain. "I hope this won't take too long..." Chen Li silently wished. With each seed he found, the urgency pulsing within him grew more distinct. Since his rebirth, he had scarcely paused, perpetually on the move between domains. Rest was a luxury he could neither afford nor dare indulge in. Gently stroking the donkey's docile neck, Chen Li spoke soothingly, "Let's go. I've found you the perfect master this time." The donkey snorted lazily, its shiny eyes giving him a cursory glance before resuming its search for grass, clearly uninterested in the prospect of a new owner. As they approached the gates of Ruming City, a stern atmosphere enveloped them. The towering gate was guarded by soldiers in shining armor, their inspections surprisingly thorough, eyes sharp like hawks scrutinizing each person entering. Chen Li maintained a composed demeanor, presenting a forged travel pass. After enduring several rounds of questioning and searches, he was finally allowed into the city. Inside, the sight confirmed his suspicions: the wide streets were sparsely populated, most hurried along, a faint tension etched on their faces. Heavily armored patrols frequently canvassed the streets, their armor clinking ominously, their vigilant eyes sweeping every nook and cranny. "It seems something significant is indeed afoot," Chen Li mused. He found lodging at an inn called "Yunlai Residence," which appeared quite desolate, the main hall nearly empty save for a sleepy attendant nodding off at the counter. However, as Chen Li's footsteps approached, the attendant straightened quickly, a cheerful smile blooming on his face. "Welcome, sir! How may I assist you? Are you here for lodging or just a meal?" "I'd like a quiet upper room for ten days." Chen Li casually retrieved a string of spirit-engraved coins from his sleeve, placing them lightly on the counter. These coins, neither gold nor jade, emanated a gentle warmth and were adorned with intricate spiritual light patterns, a currency undisputed across the five domains of Lingming—impossible to counterfeit, indestructible, and imbued with pure spiritual energy, ideal for practitioners to absorb during cultivation. The attendant's eyes skimmed over the significantly abundant spirit coins, and his smile grew notably more enthusiastic. "Absolutely, a luxury room upstairs is available. Rest assured, it’s quiet and spacious. We also offer three meals a day; just let us know your preferences." "Attendant," Chen Li inquired casually, "I'm new here, and the atmosphere seems unusual… Soldiers are patrolling intensely. Did something happen?" The attendant glanced around warily before leaning in, lowering his voice, "You're quite observant, sir. As an outsider, you might not know, but a calamity has befallen our Ning Kingdom recently." His Adam’s apple bobbed nervously as he whispered, "Our monarch… has passed away!" Chen Li's expression remained unchanged, a silent prompt for the attendant to continue. "Alas," the attendant sighed, "a nation cannot go without a ruler, yet under His Majesty, there is only one legitimate princess. According to ancestral laws and His Majesty’s decree, she must ascend to the throne. But… she’s a woman, and within the court and beyond, many oppose her rule, especially now, while we're at war with the neighboring Xi Kingdom—things are dire at the front lines!" The attendant swallowed anxiously, his voice almost inaudible, "That's not all… Lately, rumors are spreading around town that our newly crowned princess has contracted a severe and strange illness. Physicians and master cultivators in the palace are helpless, saying it’s beyond medicine and that her time is running out." He implored, "Sir, heed this with caution and don’t speak of it outside. Should the officials catch wind, it could cost you your head!" He mimicked a throat-slitting gesture, fear evident on his face. Chen Li offered a slight smile, nodding politely, "Don’t worry, I’m just a passing scholar and won't speak out of turn. Thank you for the insight, and please see that my donkey outside is well taken care of with some fine fodder and fresh water." "Rest assured, sir, it will be well-fed and cared for," the attendant promised, swiftly grabbing a set of keys to escort Chen Li upstairs. Once inside Room B of the upper level, Chen Li shut the door gently. His fingers glided over the doorframe, releasing an invisible wave of spiritual energy that sealed off any sound or prying eyes. He approached a square table in the room's center, retrieving an ancient-looking bagua disk, neither gold nor jade, from his robe. On the disk’s surface, a yin-yang symbol rotated slowly, surrounded by densely intricate astral symbols. Chen Li focused, his fingertips aglow as he lightly touched the center of the bagua disk. "Humm..." The disk emitted a deep hum as lights danced across its surface, the astral symbols lighting up in sequence. In the depths of Chen Li's gaze, countless colorful threads emerged, intertwining in a seemingly chaotic yet mysteriously ordered pattern, flowing and evolving before his eyes. Moments later, the light subsided, and the bagua disk returned to tranquility. The strange visions in Chen Li’s eyes vanished. "Ning Kingdom's Princess..." he murmured, his fingers idling on the disk's smooth surface, "The future Empress of the Burning Heaven? Fascinating." As someone reborn, he knew the future—the Ning Kingdom princess, now entrenched in precarious circumstances, would go on to unify the entire Burning Heaven Domain, establish the Burning Heaven Empire, and become a legendary empress who shaped history! Among all the seeds he had found thus far, she was the first already renowned in his past life, a figure illustrious in history. Gazing toward the direction of the royal palace, Chen Li mused, "This time... what will unfold differently?" ... Meanwhile, deep within the Ruming Palace. In a vast and solemn hall, dimly lit and echoing. Giant golden dragon columns stood along the sides, their menacing shadows cast by flickering scarlet candles, causing the five-clawed dragons to appear alive, clawing and writhing ominously. Ning Yanxi sat upon the cold phoenix throne, clad in a blood-red gown adorned with a golden dragon emblem, its head raised proudly amidst swirling clouds—radiating authority and power. The robe's bold color and regal motif accentuated her already sharp gaze with an even more imposing presence. "Tomorrow's affair must succeed without fail." Her voice cold yet low, "Any error will cost you your lives." "We pledge our loyalty unto death, Your Highness!" The three kneeling death warriors chorused their vow, slipping silently into the shadows like they were part of the darkness itself. As the heavy doors slowly shut, the hall was left with only the faint crackle of candle flames and Ning Yanxi's solitary figure. After a prolonged silence. A figure emerged silently from the shadows behind her. Dressed in a simple, light-colored gown, the person was frail to the point of appearing as though a breeze could topple her. Her complexion was ghostly pale, nearly translucent, bearing an air of deep, chronic frailty. However, most strikingly, her features were identical to those of Ning Yanxi on the throne, both stunningly beautiful, like reflections in a mirror. But unlike Ning Yanxi's piercing aura, her expression was a mosaic of fragility and exhaustion. Ning Wanyin staggered forward, placing a cold, slender hand on her sister's tense shoulder, "Yanxi, after tomorrow, you'll truly have control, your rule secure. You should be glad." Ning Yanxi stiffened slightly, not turning, her hand tightly gripping the armrest, knuckles white from the pressure, "I'm sorry, sister." "Don’t say that," Ning Wanyin's voice was whisper-soft, a fragile smile gracing her pallid face, "This is my choice. To pave this path for you brings me joy." Moved, Ning Yanxi turned, gazing at her sister’s identical yet lifeless face, "Any last wishes? Whatever it is, I will…" Shaking her head gently, Ning Wanyin's icy fingers brushed against her sister's furrowed brow, as if trying to smooth away her worries. "My wish is for you to live a happy life, Yanxi, to experience the vast landscapes in my stead." Upon hearing this, Ning Yanxi's expression didn’t brighten. Instead, a tide of sorrow surged in her eyes, threatening to engulf her, spreading throughout the entire grand hall.