The Immortal Empress, Unrivaled Through Eternity

September 12th, 387th year of the Da Yu calendar.

The high-hanging sun, shining brightly through the thin clouds, casts its light freely.

The entire Qin mansion seemed to radiate layers of golden light, with its layered glazed golden tiles and gilded pillars adorned with carved dragons and painted beams, all shining brightly together.

Inside the mansion, pavilions, towers, corridors, bridges, and waterside terraces were all adorned with red silk lanterns, and bright red longevity characters covered the jade walls of the main building.

The entire Qin residence was filled with joy.

A red carpet stretched from the main gate all the way to the shore of Mingxin Lake.

Maids and servants used to carry various fruits, delicacies, wines, and snacks, moving about like dragons.

Mingxin Lake is not large, with clear, gently flowing water. It is shaped like the sun and moon, and is separated by a wide, arc-shaped path covered with a red carpet.

The guests had already gathered here, with male and female guests seated on either side according to the yin and yang principles.

They might be engaged in grand discussions, sipping wine and reciting poetry, or whispering among themselves.

The cheerful laughter and the crisp clinking of glasses blended together with the aroma of cosmetics, delicacies, and wine.

"I didn't expect even the Sword Saint of Cangshan to come. The Qin family patriarch has quite the influence!"

"Who can argue with that? This Sword Saint guards Mount Da Cang, and even the current Emperor has commended him!"

"Don't you know? The Sword Saint has already become a Grandmaster of the Profound Realm. Soon, even the Emperor will issue an imperial decree to congratulate him."

"Could it be the same momentum as a few days ago?"

"That's right, it's said that the Sword Saint broke through his cultivation level at the Mingyu Martial Arts Academy and became a Grandmaster."

Amidst the discussions, all eyes turned to the high platform directly east of the center of the lake.

The old master of the Qin family, though frail and elderly, was full of energy, chatting and laughing with the Cangshan Sword Saint beside him.

That was the main seat, the seat of honor for today's birthday banquet, yet now it was occupied by the Cangshan Sword Saint.

Below the head of the table were the patriarchs of the Zhou and Jiang families, the commander of the Demon Suppression Division, and the owners of several martial arts schools, all of whom were raising their glasses and smiling.

"That's about it, let's begin!"

Seeing that the room was full of guests, Old Master Qin murmured softly.

When the old man celebrates his birthday, it is naturally the younger generation who offer their congratulations. According to their status and position, they take turns going on stage to present gifts or perform, creating a lively and joyous occasion.

Upon hearing this, the servant who was pouring wine walked directly to the high platform in the center of the lake and announced loudly, "Please invite Miss Li Yunqing of the Li family to come up on stage to offer your birthday wishes."

Upon hearing this, the entire Mingxin Lake fell into a deathly silence.

A moment later, a murmur of discussion arose.

"What's going on? Wasn't the Jiang family and the Zhou family ranked first in previous years?"

"Why is it the Li family this year?"

"How could the Li family, a small clan, possibly rank first?"

"Is there a mistake?"

Everyone looked up and stared, puzzled.

When someone goes on stage to offer birthday greetings, it's all about their status and position.

In Qingzhou City today, apart from the Qin family, the Jiang and Zhou families are naturally the most prestigious.

Being the first to take the stage is a symbol of status and position, and also the best opportunity to show one's face.

Immediately, discussions arose one after another.

Only those who knew the inside story remained silent, their eyes fixed on the distance, their faces full of anticipation.

In the courtyard across from Mingxin Lake, Li Yunqing blinked upon hearing this, then seemed to realize something.

This is to save face for the Sword Saint.

Given the Sword Saint's status, she probably wouldn't deliberately mention the matter of him healing her, which would only lead people to speculate.

But that didn't stop the old men from asking Master Liu for information.

Clearly, those old men knew what was going on, which is why they let themselves go on stage first.

"It seems everyone knows about the treatment of the Sword Saint!"

However, she didn't think too much about it, firstly because she could handle the responsibility.

Li Yunqing got up, picked up her zither, and slowly walked out of the courtyard.

Her expression remained as gentle and calm as ever, and she walked unhurriedly towards Mingxin Lake.

The moment Li Yunqing appeared in everyone's sight, the previously bustling and lively Mingxin Lake fell silent.

Almost the instant Li Yunqing stepped onto Mingxin Lake, everyone's attention was involuntarily drawn to her.

For a moment, the atmosphere was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

It wasn't until Li Yunqing stepped onto the high platform laid out on the red carpet in the center of the lake that everyone came to their senses.

"Is she Miss Li? How can she be so beautiful?"

"The title of 'Most Beautiful Woman in Qingzhou' is truly well-deserved!"

"If she had become famous earlier, the two beauties of Qingzhou would have had to take a backseat, wouldn't they?"

hushed whispers and murmurs arose from all sides.

Many people stared blankly, unable to recover for a long time, their gazes all fixed on Li Yunqing.

Her hair was tied back, like drifting clouds, naturally hanging down her back, dancing in the wind, exuding a graceful and ethereal charm.

A white jade hairpin with floral carvings is pinned to the center of the hair bun, adorned with golden bells and pearls forming tassels that sway and jingle with every step.

Her forehead, as white as jade, was half-hidden by her slightly messy, freehand hair, while stray hairs fell down her cheeks and danced in the wind.

Like a lively and mischievous elf, it gently caressed that delicate and beautiful face, making it almost impossible to look away.

"So beautiful, ethereal beauty!"

Among the women, many unconsciously murmured, their eyes gleaming with deep envy and self-reproach.

There was no glittering jewelry, just a simple half-updo with a white jade hairpin and a few pearl bells hanging down.

Yet it was several times more dazzling than their heads full of gold, silver, and jade hairpins.

A delicate and beautiful face, even without makeup, can captivate all the guests in the garden.

Meanwhile, the male guests on the other side remained silent, even their breathing became softer, and all eyes were fixed on Li Yunqing.

A moon-white strapless top embroidered with gold patterns, paired with a pale gold gradient long skirt, and a light blue belt cinched at the waist.

In that instant, her high, firm chest, round, pert buttocks, slender, supple waist, and exquisite curves were all revealed to everyone's eyes.

She is alluring, seductive, and delicate, making it impossible to look away.

The most exquisite thing was the light gold gauze wide-sleeved top, which concealed her soft and fragrant shoulders and arms.

Although it wasn't revealing at all, her jade-like arms and shoulders were still faintly visible in the sunlight.

It gives people a sense of half-concealment, half-reluctance, and a desire to both refuse and welcome.

"Gulp!"

Many people subconsciously swallowed, their Adam's apples bobbing, and the wine glasses in their hands unconsciously creaked.

"The old patriarch said that as long as I can win her heart, he'll shamelessly propose marriage on my behalf and annul her engagement to the Jiang family!"

Qin Yu's lips twitched, his eyes staring blankly.

It is related to the Sword Saint of Cangshan. If he could marry such a woman, it would not only make the Qin family better, but it would also be something he had always dreamed of.

No! Or rather, most of the men here probably couldn't resist a woman like that.

"So beautiful! I must fulfill the task entrusted to me by our ancestor; I must have her!"

In the crowd, Zhou Ke held a wine glass, his fingers turning white, but his eyes shone brightly.

Such a woman is so beautiful, especially her ethereal气质 (qi zhi, a kind of refined elegance or aura), like a fairy.

It makes one want to violently drag her into the mortal world, tear her clothes, and press her onto the bed.

Just imagining that scene makes one's blood boil.

"Get married, you must get married soon!"

"I'll discuss it with my father and grandfather later, and we'll get married as soon as possible!"

Jiang Yu, also holding a wine glass, stared intently, her heart filled with the urge to get married immediately.

Especially after feeling the intense gazes of the crowd around him.

He longed to rush forward immediately, pull the person into his arms, and hide them completely, so that no one could see them.

On the contrary, Lu Xingzhou in the crowd remained calm and silent, his eyes fixed on Li Yunqing, pure and gentle, untainted by any other emotion.

"Gentle, serene, ethereal, and naturally beautiful, yet possessing such an alluring figure!"

"Why haven't I heard of such a beauty in the Li family before?"

Why?

The male guests looked regretful and resentful.

If Li Yunqing hadn't already been engaged to the Jiang family, they probably would have gone to the Li family every day to propose marriage, and wouldn't have given up until it was successful.

"We can't let Xiaolan do whatever she wants next time!"

Despite the intense gazes around her, Li Yunqing remained expressionless, though her mind was racing.

This outfit is neither revealing nor flashy; in fact, it can be described as simple and elegant.

But it was too revealing; she could feel the tightness and constriction around her chest, hips, and waist.

With her figure and attire, she possessed a captivating charm.

If she had known beforehand that the news of her healing the Sword Saint had spread, she could have dressed casually and even if she was a little impolite, and no one would have said anything.

No one would dare to blame the Li family or try to trip them up.

Holding the zither, Li Yunqing came to the center of the high platform, bowed slightly, and spoke.

"On behalf of the Li family, Li Yunqing extends birthday wishes to Old Master Qin!"