"Cao Yun, I cannot engage my family in a direct confrontation against Emperor Weide. Despite our influence, we cannot go against the people. Even with the Wubei Sect and the Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute, this is not enough. If we were to face any form of revolt within, we would be wiped out by the Empyrean Asura Theocracy. Even if you could expose his treachery for all to see, it would be a terrible thing nonetheless as it would break morale. You do not realize how precarious our situation is. I have eyes and ears everywhere. Our people are exhausted by this war. Their trust in Emperor Nuwa's lineage is everything that makes them go on. We cannot take that away from them without the entire Hongchen Kingdom collapsing.

"The best outcome for us would be if a demon were to slay Emperor Weide. Not only would it save your sister, but we could galvanize the Hongchen Kingdom against our enemies. Unfortunately, such a thing is not possible..."

As she spoke, Cao Yun wondered if Huang Cixi knew about his demon cultivation, or if she was alluding to something else. Before he could get any answer, she spoke again.

"Although my family can't stand behind you, we won't hinder you in the least. If worse comes to worst, we'll be there to pick up the pieces of the Hongchen Kingdom. But, think carefully about my words. Our Hongchen Kingdom needs some kind of savior, at least a figurehead who can play the savior. Under his banner, our people are stronger. Unity has always been our strength. So breaking and soiling the lineage of Emperor Nuwa would be a terrible mistake."

Although Emperor Weide had no blood relation with Emperor Nuwa, he was in her lineage. Indeed, each emperor since her reign had chosen their successor. Thus, each emperor had adopted their successor so there would always be a lineage going all the way back to Emperor Nuwa. In fact, an unspoken rule was that no emperor could choose their successor among their own blood, as competence was key. If an emperor broke this rule, unless there were very particular circumstances, they would probably lose a large part of the trust of the people. Hence, no one had ever done so.

Hearing Huang Cixi, Cao Yun could tell that she was speaking facts. So Cao Yun began to rethink his plans. But he simply couldn't wait, he had to save his sister, no matter what. Obviously, he also wanted vindication, but he could live without it so long as all the ones responsible for his family's death were dead. Many cogs turned in Cao Yun's mind as well. There was something in Huang Cixi's words, but he wasn't entirely sure what it was. In fact, Cao Yun even wondered whether he should kill Emperor Weide in the guise of a demon sent by Empyrean Asura. This was a very viable possibility. With his 'Ashen Feather Seal', he could hide his real identity, but it would be risky as he wouldn't be able to go all out while concealing himself. At the same time, he couldn't go all out without using his asura cultivation.

As he was thinking, one thing was certain, he couldn't abandon either his sister or his kingdom. But there were other ways... At the very least, the Huang family would not stand in his way and that was all he really needed. He had never imagined that the Huang family would assist him nor did he want them to. Indeed, he wanted to kill Emperor Weide with his own hands.

"There's another matter that's very important. I'd like to talk about your Heaven-Searing Fenghuang. Her bloodline is very interesting and she has grown much faster than we expected. Since you've given me this Pure Golden Dantian, I feel obligated to pay you back. Unfortunately, none of our methods would be very useful to you. However, when it comes to a fenghuang, we are the absolute authority on the Piaolu planet. My family has a sacred land called the Gate of Heaven and Hell. This is where I trained and forged my True Fiery Drops."

As she spoke, the nine flames in Huang Cixi's eyes leapt out and turned all around her. Cao Yun could clearly sense the presence of a True Fiery Fenghuang. In fact, he thought about his own 'Azure Dragon's Seven Piercing Stars'. It was said that forming the nine mansions would produce the soul of a true Azure Dragon. Maybe something similar was happening with the Huang family's 'Nine Chambers of Life Fire'. At that moment, the young man felt as though a legendary beast was observing him. It wasn't very powerful but it was an extremely deep presence, full of mysteries.

By her side, Huang Liyue was quite surprised by Huang Cixi's speech. The Gate of Heaven and Hell was a sacred land indeed. Even talking about it to outsiders was a crime. And yet, she could tell that Huang Cixi planned to go further than that. Although she should have been upset, Huang Liyue sincerely wanted to help Cao Yun. She understood Huang Cixi's logic. Their family couldn't assist a coup against Emperor Weide. But everything she had learned about him made her want to rip his heart out. Honestly, Huang Liyue really wasn't made for politics. However, she hoped that Huang Cixi wouldn't just care about politics. She knew that the acting Matriarch could be immensely cruel if the Huang family's sake was in peril. That being said, she believed her when she said she would not hinder Cao Yun, at the very least.

"Only the candidates to become matriarchs can enter this place. There, they suffer through several tests, but also benefit from great opportunities. Since Hongyu is not human, there is no reason to make her adhere to those rules. The Gate of Heaven and Hell is a sacred land built by the True Fiery Fenghuang of Ancestral Matriarch Huang Baifeng. I have no doubt that your Hongyu would gain great benefits there. However, this is a very dangerous place. Although I cannot tell you what is down there, I can assure you that even a 9-core demonic beast might die. But if she survives, she'll be much more powerful as her bloodline will become that much purer and stronger. In the end, this is your decision."

Without even thinking, Cao Yun answered.

"No, it isn't. It's hers."

Sensing the sincerity in his voice, both Huang Cixi and Huang Liyue were pleased.

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"Of course. She's probably spending some time with Elder Ying. We should leave them be for the time being. But I want you to pass her this information. If she wants to enter the Gate of Heaven and Hell, our Huang family will not only agree, we'll encourage her."

"Thank you, acting Matriarch."

Cao Yun and Huang Cixi talked some more about the current situation of the Hongchen Kingdom. Although she said she simply wouldn't hinder Cao Yun, she also shared a lot of intel that was precious to the young man. In the end, he asked her something that stunned her.

"Acting Matriarch Huang, if I might be so bold as to ask you where the tablets of your brothers and father are..."

It took some time for Huang Cixi to answer. For once, something completely outside of her expectations happened. Even Huang Liyue was surprised by it. Huang Cixi could not be privy to some information. But usually, she was able to predict exactly what people would do based on what little information she had. In other words, she was a great judge of character. But this time, she had not seen it coming. It took her some time to reply.

"Miss Huang Liyue can lead you there if you wish."

"I would indeed. If it's not inappropriate to you, I'd like to pay my respects to them."

"I... I don't mind."

"Thank you, acting Matriarch."

Cao Yun left the Phoenix Hall with Huang Liyue leading the way. Behind them, Huang Cixi was still stunned, but she had no time to worry about that. Instead, she was still thinking about Emperor Weide. With what she had just learned, she knew that Emperor Weide would suffer a terrible fate within a year. Depending on how Cao Yun handled it, things could get chaotic very soon. Thus, she had to think of various responses for each possible scenario. She told Cao Yun the best outcome for the Hongchen Kingdom, but the other outcomes weren't all bad either. Anyway, deep down, she truly wanted Cao Yun to slaughter Emperor Weide before all, to lay bare his crimes. She wanted the traitor to be exposed, humiliated and broken. But she had to think about her family and about her kingdom.

Now that she seriously thought about it, she could almost see herself as Emperor in a matter of months. Previously, she thought it would take decades. So she would have to get Huang Si ready sooner than she had anticipated. Indeed, she had already chosen her successor, Huang Si, the woman who had so vehemently opposed her. Huang Cixi would keep controlling the Huang family even as Emperor. In other words, she would be an absolute monarch with all the powers. Incidentally, she never even thought for one instant that Cao Yun would fail. But even she didn't notice that. She had worked under the assumption that Emperor Weide was already dead and that Cao Yun would survive.

Huang Liyue barely spoke with Cao Yun as she was leading him to the tablets of Huang Cixi's close family. There, Cao Yun did pay his respects. He spent a few hours. Honestly, when it came to Huang Longwei, he had very little respect. However, he spent more time on Huang Mingze and, more than everything else, on Huang Lixin. Back then, he had killed him to hide his identity and because he had lost control of the Drop of Wrath. Honestly, he would have probably killed him anyway in order to protect an innocent girl. But his death had been rather brutal. Cao Yun pleaded for Huang Lixin to have some peace in his next life. But he also assured him he would not harm his sister.

Finally, Cao Yun left. Then, he talked with Huang Liyue, telepathically.

"How is your mother?"

"She's still secluded. Soon, she'll attempt another breakthrough. But... it will clearly be her last. If she fails then, she'll probably die on the spot. Honestly, it has been difficult for me."

"I have gained some meager insights into cultivation, in particular into blood cultivation. Maybe it could help her with her 'Nine Chambers of Life Fire'. Since your family has been so helpful, I'll tell you everything I've learned so you can pass it on to her. I don't think it will revolutionize anything, but if it increases her chances of success, or even just of survival, I'll be glad."

Then, Cao Yun simply sent the information directly into Huang Liyue's opened mind. She was quite surprised that Cao Yun could control his soul so well, but she got over it rather quickly. The insights he gave her were much more than mere meager insights. He was right that it didn't revolutionize anything, but it would clearly improve one's ability to cultivate their blood. After all, Cao Yun had much more experience in that than any other human being since he was cultivating the asura path.

"Thank you. It will be a tremendous help for my mother."

"By the way, did anyone retrieve Cleansed Asura's body?"

"Unfortunately no. My mother tried a few times but always failed. Even reaching the body is difficult. No middle Spirit Warrior could achieve even that. But the worst part comes after that. His body is simply impossible to move. Although his inner world collapsed completely, his body is still very strange. My mother and I tried to give him a proper burial but we've always failed."

"I see..."

Cao Yun would have to take care of that later. Even now, his master's body was simply rotting in some kind of deep crevice. This wasn't something he wanted for his master of course.

Having seen Cao Yun's insights on blood cultivation, Huang Liyue talked with him about cultivation in general. They also talked about 'Ashen Feather Seal'. In the end, they spent more than half a day talking about cultivation and martial arts, including Cao Yun's improved 'Ashen Feather Seal'. Clearly, Cao Yun's passion for martial arts was exposed for Huang Liyue to see.

The next day, Cao Yun was ready to leave already. But he had to resolve the matter with Hongyu. Even now she wasn't near the Huang residence. Very easily, he found her above a nearby forest and got to her while she was playing around with Elder Ying. Immediately, Elder Ying placed himself between the incoming human and Hongyu. When he recognized him, he calmed down. But Cao Yun could tell that he was very defensive nonetheless.

Without hiding anything, Cao Yun told Hongyu Huang Cixi's proposal. By the side, the Blue Mane Falcon wasn't very pleased. He was clearly concerned about Hongyu as he knew about this famous Gate of Heaven and Hell. On one side, it was a great opportunity for Hongyu. But on the other side, it was extremely dangerous. Even Elder Ying had no confidence in her survival. He wasn't sure she would die, as he didn't know the exact nature of this sacred land. That being said, he was afraid for her. Unfortunately, he could already tell her answer just by looking at her.

Hongyu bowed her head slightly as a sign that she accepted. In fact, she didn't even take any time to think about it. If she would grow stronger to better help and protect her brother, she would do so, no matter the risks. Thus, she immediately flew back toward the Huang residence. Cao Yun looked at her and then saw Elder Ying's fierce eyes. He wasn't pleased with Cao Yun and wanted him to know it. But he didn't do anything else, he simply flew in Hongyu's direction. Behind them, Cao Yun felt bad. He knew Hongyu would risk her life for him. He could have tried to hide Huang Cixi's proposal, but the truth was that it was also good for him and his sister. However, he also considered Hongyu his sister...

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