Chapter 85: Yin-Yang Combination Technique Achieved Great Success, Both Achieving Breakthroughs

"Let's begin."

Taishi Feiyan and Consort Lin exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of anticipation and shyness in the other's eyes.

The three arrived inside the room and sat cross-legged in a triangular formation.

Emperor Liu Sheng sat in the center, with Consort Lin and Taishi Feiyan sitting on his left and right sides, respectively.

Emperor Liu Sheng stretched out his hands, placing his palms against those of the two women.

The mental cultivation method of the "Yin-Yang Combination Technique" began to circulate slowly.

A surge of thick, masculine true energy flowed from within Emperor Liu Sheng's body into the meridians of the two women.

Within Taishi Feiyan's body, a strand of feminine internal energy immediately arose, responding to it and forming a perfect cycle.

As for Consort Lin, although she possessed no internal energy, her body contained a strand of the purest primordial yin energy.

Under the guidance of Emperor Liu Sheng's masculine true energy, this energy, like an awakened spiritual spring, slowly permeated out from her limbs and bones.

If one were to say that Taishi Feiyan's internal energy was a cold, clear stream, then Consort Lin's primordial yin energy was a warm, all-encompassing ocean.

When Emperor Liu Sheng's true energy, Taishi Feiyan's internal energy, and Consort Lin's primordial yin energy converged, a wondrous transformation occurred.

The three distinct energies not only failed to clash but, on the contrary, fused together perfectly in a profound and mysterious way.

Consort Lin's pure primordial yin energy acted like a universal catalyst.

It thoroughly blended Emperor Liu Sheng's masculine true energy and Taishi Feiyan's feminine internal energy into a single whole.

Yin and Yang complemented each other, blending like milk and water.

Emperor Liu Sheng felt the circulation speed of the true energy within his body suddenly increase several times over.

The cultivation bottleneck that had originally reached the peak of the second level of the Great Grandmaster realm—that incredibly solid barrier—began to show cracks under the scouring of this newly fused energy.

Joy surged in his heart, and he immediately urged the technique with all his might.

Boom!

It was as if an invisible shackle had been completely shattered.

A loud noise erupted in Emperor Liu Sheng's mind.

The sea of true energy in his dantian seemed to have been struck by a sun, instantly boiling, and then violently expanding by more than double.

A sense of power, countless times stronger than before, spread throughout his entire body.

The third level of the Great Grandmaster realm!

Success!

And this was not the end.

At the moment of Emperor Liu Sheng's breakthrough, a stream of incredibly pure energy was also fed back to Taishi Feiyan and Consort Lin through the circulation of the technique.

Consort Lin's body was merely nourished by this energy, purging some impurities and becoming lighter and healthier.

As for Taishi Feiyan, she was like a seedling encountering sweet rain after a long drought.

Her cultivation, which had been stuck at the peak of the twelfth level of the Xiantian realm, was overwhelmed by this massive influx of energy, breaking through the final barrier with irresistible force.

The thirteenth level of the Xiantian realm!

She was only one step away from the legendary Great Grandmaster realm!

It was unknown how much time had passed, but the three slowly withdrew their energy and opened their eyes.

The light in Emperor Liu Sheng's eyes was contained, and his entire aura had become even more unfathomable.

Taishi Feiyan was full of joy; she could clearly feel the surging power within her body that was ready to burst forth.

"I... I broke through!" She looked at Emperor Liu Sheng excitedly.

"I broke through as well."

Emperor Liu Sheng smiled, holding her hand, and then looked at Consort Lin, who was sitting to the side with a somewhat pale complexion but bright eyes.

"Thank you for your hard work."

Consort Lin shook her head, a satisfied smile on her face.

"I am very happy to be able to help you both."

This night was truly a double celebration.

Emperor Liu Sheng's strength had once again achieved a qualitative leap.

And Taishi Feiyan's breakthrough had brought her one big step closer to her grand cause of revenge.

The hearts of the three had drawn closer because of this shared cultivation.

...

Unlike the joyous atmosphere of the Cold Palace, the atmosphere inside Yangxin Hall was so oppressive that it could drip water.

The young Emperor Zhao Tuo sat on the dragon throne with a face as dark as water.

At his feet lay scattered memorials that had been torn to shreds.

In the hall, several trusted officials led by Prime Minister Su Zhe were as silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to even breathe loudly.

"Trash! You are all trash!"

Emperor Zhao Tuo grabbed the inkstone from the table and smashed it fiercely onto the ground.

The fine Duan inkstone shattered into pieces.

"I keep you, only for you to come and tell me how far the Empress Dowager's influence has expanded?"

"The Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, and now even the Capital Garrison has her people!"

"What exactly does she want to do? Does she want me to give her this dragon throne to sit on as well!"

His voice became somewhat shrill due to his anger.

His face, which was still quite handsome, was filled with a sinister and suspicious look that did not match his age.

Ever since the Empress Dowager began to interfere in court affairs again, his days had become more difficult with each passing day.

That woman's methods were too brilliant.

Coupled with that elusive eunuch, Emperor Liu Sheng, one in the light and one in the dark, one hard and one soft, they coordinated flawlessly.

Unknowingly, he, the Emperor, was about to be hollowed out.

Prime Minister Su bowed his body and spoke cautiously.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

"The Empress Dowager's influence is great, and it is not advisable for us to have a direct conflict with her."

"Direct conflict?" Emperor Zhao Tuo sneered.

"Do I even have the qualifications to have a direct conflict with her now?"

"Prime Minister Su, you tell me, what should I do now?"

"Should I just watch helplessly as my empire is played with in the palms of a woman and a eunuch?"

A flash of sinister ruthlessness crossed Prime Minister Su's eyes.

He stepped forward and lowered his voice.

"Your Majesty, the only plan now is to use thunderous means and capture the ringleader first."

"Oh?" Emperor Zhao Tuo became interested.

"Go on."

"Your Majesty, the reason the Empress Dowager has the influence she has today lies at the root in that eunuch named Emperor Liu Sheng."

Prime Minister Su analyzed.

"This person is highly intelligent and ruthless; he is a blade in the Empress Dowager's hand."

"As long as this person is removed, the Empress Dowager will be like losing an arm."

"At that time, it will be much easier for us to slowly deal with her cohorts."

Emperor Zhao Tuo's brows furrowed tightly.

"Remove Emperor Liu Sheng? Easier said than done."

"This person rarely goes out, staying in Cining Palace and the Cold Palace all day, and has experts like Qin Shuang guarding him. How can we make a move?"

The corners of Prime Minister Su's mouth curled into a cold, sinister smile.

"Your Majesty, an excellent opportunity is about to arrive."

"What opportunity?"

"The Longevity Festival."

Prime Minister Su said word by word.

"The Longevity Festival is Your Majesty's birthday. It is celebrated by the whole world, and as per custom, a grand banquet will be held in the palace for all the officials."

"At that time, as the Chief Eunuch before the Empress Dowager, Emperor Liu Sheng will surely attend in attendance."

"At the banquet, there will be many people with many eyes, a mix of good and bad people, and it will be easiest to catch him off guard."

"We can arrange our men in advance and give him a 'big gift' at the banquet, guaranteeing that he will have a way to come but no way to return!"

Emperor Zhao Tuo's eyes lit up.

That's right.

The Longevity Festival!

In that kind of setting, as long as the plan was meticulous, even if the Empress Dowager investigated afterwards, he could push everything away and remain clean.

"Good! What a 'capture the ringleader first'!"

Emperor Zhao Tuo swept away his previous dejection and slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne.

"Prime Minister Su, I entrust this matter entirely to you to arrange!"

"I want you to do it flawlessly!"

"Your subject obeys the edict!"

A snake-like glint flickered in Prime Minister Su's eyes.

Soon, the Longevity Festival arrived.

The entire palace was decorated with lanterns and colored streamers, filled with a festive atmosphere everywhere.

Songs were sung and dances performed, and wine cups were exchanged.

However, beneath this peaceful facade, a large net, carefully woven for Emperor Liu Sheng, had already been quietly spread.