My Wife Turns Out to be an Empress of the Dynasty

He was utterly perplexed—since the Dark God intended to help Gu Lan, why had he never acted?

Faced with his subordinate's question, the Dark God merely gave a scornful smile.

"He has the strength for it, and it's about time he returned to the Land of Ruin."

His words left the subordinate bewildered, caught in a fog of confusion.

Words rose to his lips but were swallowed back—some things he couldn't voice.

Within the Jing Nation palace, Gu Lan swept his gaze over the group before summoning his true qi.

"I must leave. You all guard this place well. Any Lava Clan powerhouses you see—kill on sight!"

Though Gu Lan's voice wasn't loud, it carried an inexplicable weight.

Ding True Man, Zhongren, and Xue Lengyan didn't dare utter a word.

Gu Lan held Mu Yuyan in his arms, but as he took a step forward,

urgent footsteps echoed from outside the palace. It was Gu Simu.

Though he hadn't seen her yet, he could sense her aura.

For any other matter, Gu Lan wouldn't avoid her, but this time he didn't meet her.

By the time Gu Simu stepped into the palace, Gu Lan had vanished without a trace.

After scanning the room, Gu Simu's expression tightened, her gaze shifting to Zhongren.

"Uncle Zhongren, where's my Daddy?"

Faced with Gu Simu's question, Zhongren didn't know how to respond for a moment.

His eyes darted uncertainly, and after a long pause, he spoke.

"My Lord went to handle some trouble. Young Lord needn't worry."

Gu Lan hadn't said where he was going—how could Zhongren know?

But his answer didn't satisfy Gu Simu.

Nodding thoughtfully, she summoned her aura.

Seeing her intent to leave, Zhongren and the others hurried forward.

"My Lord alone is enough to settle the trouble. Young Lord doesn't need to go."

"My Lord left instructions—this place is fully under Young Lord's command."

Gu Simu had meant to depart, but seeing their reaction, she withdrew her step.

"Since Daddy left instructions, I'll take charge for now."

Above the void, Gu Lan moved at blinding speed, too fast for the naked eye to catch.

As he sped along, he suddenly sensed an odd gaze.

Though aware of it, Gu Lan paid it no mind.

Gripping the Hongmeng Sword, he unleashed his aura without restraint.

"I've no time to deal with you. If you don't want to die, get out of my way."

The figure's aura was strange—Gu Lan didn't know who it was.

But right now, he had no patience to waste on them.

His only goal was to reach the Land of Ruin and save Mu Yuyan's life.

He'd thought the figure would leave, but to his surprise,

his words had no effect—instead, they drew closer.

This move successfully ignited Gu Lan's anger.

Stopping in his tracks, he turned, the Hongmeng Sword slashing toward the sky.

With a piercing tearing sound, ten thousand beams of sword light erupted across the heavens.

Without looking back, the sword light ripped downward.

In that instant, the surrounding space shattered.

As the sword light dispersed across the four directions, a figure emerged in the distance.

Gu Lan recognized the one who stepped forth—it was Xuan Feng, whom he'd met before.

"I've no time for you."

Gu Lan had no interest in him and no desire to waste words.

As his voice rang out, Xuan Feng approached with a smile.

"I'm here to help you—doesn't the Master welcome me?"

"To help me?"

Gu Lan didn't believe a word of it.

"It's about the one in your arms."

At that, Gu Lan's face darkened, killing intent flickering in his eyes.

"Master Gu, no need to be so tense. I naturally won't harm her."

"This woman's soul is already gone. Even if Master Gu reaches the Land of Ruin, you may not retrieve it…"

Before Xuan Feng could finish, Gu Lan cut in with an icy voice.

"If I can't find it, I'll destroy the Land of Ruin."

Gu Lan wasn't joking.

If he could seal Wan Hun there, he had the power to obliterate the Land of Ruin.

Across the Immortal Realm and Human World, only Gu Lan could do so.

The gods might outmatch him in strength, but they lacked the Great Path's qi to back them.

"Master Gu certainly has that power, but she'd have to last until the Land of Ruin!"

At his words, Gu Lan's gaze shifted to Mu Yuyan.

Only then did he notice her vitality draining rapidly.

In his haste earlier, he hadn't paid attention.

Without hesitation, true qi surged from his hand.

Not just that—dense Great Path's qi flowed forth too.

But after several attempts, Mu Yuyan's condition didn't change.

"Why is this happening?"

Staring at the power gathered in his hand, Gu Lan's face grew grim.

This was the Great Path's qi—yet it couldn't stabilize Mu Yuyan's injuries.

"The Great Path's qi is strong, but it's not omnipotent. Master Gu might try this instead."

As he spoke, Xuan Feng produced a small, deep green pearl.

Tiny as it was, it brimmed with potent spiritual qi.

Gu Lan looked up, and the object was already before him.

He was puzzled—he didn't know what it was.

"Place it in her mouth, and it'll stabilize her vitality."

"But time's short—Master Gu must seize the moment."

By the time Gu Lan looked up again, Xuan Feng had vanished.

Gu Lan hadn't wanted to try it, but he had no choice now.

Gazing at Mu Yuyan, he carefully placed the thumb-sized pearl in her mouth.

In that instant, a dark green glow enveloped her.

Her draining vitality stabilized, and a faint layer of true qi emerged on her body.

Though weak, Gu Lan sensed it.

The pearl's effect was clear, and Gu Lan's hanging heart eased.

Looking to the sky, he gave a respectful bow.

"Thank you."

Hidden in the shadows, Xuan Feng wore a meaningful smile.

But his subordinate's face darkened.

"That's a treasure of our Dark God Palace—given away just like that?"

"It's just a treasure. The Dark God Palace has plenty more."

"But making him owe us a favor—that's a rare chance."

Xuan Feng had his own plans, unmoved by mere words.

Gu Lan didn't hesitate further, his aura flaring as he leapt upward.

His speed was incredible, and soon he entered the Immortal Realm.

Ignoring trivial matters, his target was the Land of Ruin.

…

In the Lava Clan,

within a resplendent hall,

Chi Yang knelt on one knee, his face etched with reluctance.

"That was the perfect chance to kill him—why make us retreat?"

At his words, the Lava God replied calmly.

"Had I not ordered you to leave, you'd be dead by now."

Gu Lan couldn't die yet, or his plans would turn to ash.

The Lava God's expression was blank, but his voice carried immense pressure.

Many filled the hall, yet none dared lift their heads.