Wangyue Continent, vast beyond measure.
The Human Clans and the Monster Clans hold their own ground.
Among the humans, there are over ten countries of varying sizes.
The humans and the monsters are the two most powerful forces on Wangyue Continent.
However, above the humans and monsters, there exists a more terrifying entity.
It is not a clan, but the legendary Four Forbidden and One Rejection zones.
The four forbidden areas are extremely eerie and fraught with danger.
Even the kings among the monsters would not dare to step into these areas heedlessly as they risk complete destruction.
The Rejection zone amongst them, frighteningly known as Tianjue, was even more terrifying.
If a king enters, it's almost certain death.
But danger isn't the only thing these forbidden territories hold. If one could enter any of these Four Forbidden and One Rejection zones and come out alive, they would be greatly rewarded.
The four forbidden lands are filled with Spirit Grasses and countless precious resources.
Rumor has it that there is an Ascension Platform in Tianjue. If one manages to climb it, they could ascend to the rumored Celestial Realm.
The Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone is one of the well-known forbidden territories and it's located within Nanqian Country, less than a thousand miles away from Nanqian Imperial City.
Unlike other forbidden zones, the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone is rumored to be the necropolis of a supremely powerful entity.
The outer boundary of Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone is covered in the most powerful prohibitions. Even kings are unable to enter.
Now, Qi Yuan claims that he has spent this period of time hunting down monsters in the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone?
Impossible!
Immediately, Jin Li believed Qi Yuan was joking.
Nonetheless, she cautiously asked: "You're not really serious, are you?"
"Why would I lie? I am waiting to invite you to team up. Going solo in that instance is too boring."
Jin Li still seemed incredulous.
"There are loads of monsters in the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone. I spent more than half a year there alone, hunting down every single one. It was exhausting," lamented Qi Yuan.
Jin Li was stunned.
The monsters in the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone were not only many, but also extremely strong.
Wangyue Continent has given birth to countless prodigies over the years, yet no one in any era has ever conquered any of the forbidden zones.
What sort of power was necessary to do it?
Perhaps not even a supreme king could accomplish it.
"What's your cultivation level? Are you a king?" Jin Li asked cautiously.
"King? What's that?
Now, I am level 82."
"Level 82?" Jin Li was baffled.
But she knew that Qi Yuan often spoke in strange ways.
For instance, he once said that he wanted to ride in a spaceship to visit the stars, but he was afraid there would be no oxygen and he'd die in space.
How far away are the stars?
According to ancient records, there are countless worlds in the universe, including the human world and the immortal world.
And each world shares the same starry sky.
It was said that those stars were merely the reflections in the heavens cast by the great powers, not reality.
Climbing the stars was an illusion.
Qi Yuan often spoke things that sounded strange, that was perfectly normal.
So she thought for a moment and then asked, "How strong are the monsters inside Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone?"
"The strongest monster in Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone is a manic pen.
It's especially treacherous, it loves to turn into a pen in the night and attack sneakily, no respect for fair play.
It made my offline hanging sessions so stressful as I had to dig a hole to bury myself every time.
It's just about seventy plus levels."
"A manic pen? Level seventy?" Jin Li pondered.
If what Qi Yuan said were true, then the level seventy should correspond to the level of a king, or even a supreme king.
In the whole of Nanqian Country, the number of kings could be counted on one hand, just two or three.
"It's rumored that the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone is heavily restricted. Even kings can't break into it," Jin Li commented.
"Entering Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone is easy, just like going to the cinema. Carry a ladder, and you're in. The monsters inside won't attack you," said Qi Yuan. "I've already cleared the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone."
"That's it for now, I've reached Yiguan Forbidden Zone. We'll chat again next time."
After Qi Yuan finished speaking, he cut off the communication.
Jin Li, who was in the midst of a bath, felt a wave of disappointment surge within her upon hearing this.
Their conversation was brief and hurried, with not many words exchanged.
"From Xuanyuan Forbidden to Yiguan Forbidden, a distance of a hundred thousand miles…"
How could such a short time pass?
Even the Supreme Emperor could not achieve this.
In the scenes that surfaced in Jin Li's mind, Qi Yuan's image became more and more vague, covered with a layer of veil.
"Qi Yuan, what kind of person are you actually?"
Jin Li lifted a scoop of water, letting it slide off her snowy white shoulders, and her sorrows also dispersed like water.
Does it really matter what kind of person Qi Yuan is?
At the very least, they were great pen pals, friends who had never met.
After her bath, Jin Li dressed herself neatly.
She disliked being served by palace maids. Who knew if any spies sent by Prime Minister Sima Ting were among them?
She returned to the Fengluan Palace and sat down on the glazed throne, upon which lay stacks of memorials for review.
As the night deepened, she picked up the memorials and began to review them.
From time to time, her delicate eyebrows furrowed and her slender jade hand scribbled something.
"The war in the south is imperative, and the Elephant Clan has also joined the war…"
"In three days' time, the crown prince of Nanfeng will be coming to the capital?"
Jin Li held her forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
The current Nanqian, just like a big piece of fatty meat, was coveted by others.
The intentions of the crown prince of Nanfeng in coming here were clear to Jin Li.
As she looked at the memorial, she felt an extraordinary headache.
She thought of Qi Yuan. Only when chatting with Qi Yuan was she able to throw away her identity, to throw away the responsibilities she had.
Of course, she also understood that since she enjoyed the food and clothing of the luxury, and had become the Empress of Nanqian, she should bear the lives of the people in Nanqian.
"Call for someone to go to the Book Pavilion and bring me all the records related to Xuanyuan Forbidden." Jin Li, seemingly remembering something, instructed the maid beside her.
"Yes." The maid retired, and Jin Li continued to review the memorials.
...
The General's Mansion, located in the Qingyi Lane, was once unmatched in its glory when the General was still alive. It was bustling and lively.
But now, it was desolate and unvisited.
At this moment, an unexpected guest had arrived at the General's Mansion.
This man stands tall and broad, measuring seven feet and with a full grown beard. The most eye-catching feature about him is the impression on his forehead.
He is Sima Ting, the rightful Prime Minister of Nanqian!
He looked at the widow of the General and said slowly, "Madam Qin, your wounds aren't serious, are they?"
Aunt Qin glared at Sima Ting, her eyes filled with rage, "Sima Ting!"
She yelled out, her face turning paler.
She knew better than anyone how she got her injuries.
And yet Sima Ting had the audacity to show up.
Sima Ting was not angered, speaking evenly, "Madam Qin, the situation has been set in place. Why do you still refuse to see reason?
What future can you have by following that girl?"
"You dare to disrespect the Empress!" Aunt Qin was outraged.
If it weren't for the secret attack that left her severely injured, Sima Ting wouldn't dare to speak to her this way with her top king-level strength.
Sima Ting glanced at Aunt Qin, a disapproving look flashing through his eyes, "Just a woman. If it weren't for me, how could she become empress without any merit?
On the day of her coronation, she fell flat on the ground. This was a sign from heaven - she is unworthy of the throne.
She has been in charge of Nanqian for ten years. Now Nanqian is beset with internal troubles and external threats. Without me, it would have ceased to be a country long ago.
She no longer has qualifications to sit on that throne."
Aunt Qin, on hearing this, felt a mix of rage and sadness.
Jin Li was someone she watched grow up.
Jin Li had tried hard, yet unfortunately, she never truly mastered the imperial tactics, nor could she manipulate the civil and military officials at will.
She may not be an empress adept at imperial strategy, but she certainly was a good and diligent empress for her people.
Sometimes, Aunt Qin even thought, how nice it would be if Jin Li hadn't become the empress but remained a normal princess.
Regrettably, since she held the jade seal, she could not retreat, or stop fighting.
Not fighting means death!