I Was Forced to Marry a “Trash” Cultivator, But She Turned Out to Be a Reborn Empress!

Dang—

As the first light of dawn broke, a clear, melodious bell chime rang out from the Divine Wood Sect’s main peak.

Shen Xian was brewing tea in his courtyard. Hearing the sound, he looked up to see a moon-white figure stepping through the air towards him.

Wei Zhaoli’s sleeves fluttered gracefully. The Cold Plum Reflecting Snow Hairpin in her hair shimmered with a cool radiance under the morning light. Around her body, the distinct spiritual energy fluctuations of the Golden Core Realm faintly emanated.

“It seems I can give another gift.”

The corner of Shen Xian’s mouth lifted slightly. His divine sense swept over the White Jade Ruyi in his storage ring—a top-tier spirit treasure even Nascent Soul Realm True Lords coveted, extorted from the Spirit Sea City Lord.

“Shen Lang.”

Wei Zhaoli alighted gracefully in the courtyard. Those usually cool, almond-shaped eyes now held a soft light as she walked to stand before him.

The sect’s number one beauty, known for her ice-cold demeanor, only melted in front of Shen Xian.

Shen Xian rose, sweeping his sleeve with a smile. “When did you leave seclusion?”

“Just this morning, after breaking through.” Wei Zhaoli accepted the spirit tea he offered. Her fingertips inadvertently brushed against his before quickly withdrawing. “My realm has initially stabilized, but…”

She sighed softly, a trace of worry flitting across her brow. “The Godfiend Battlefield is about to open. There is too little time.”

Amidst the curling steam of the tea, Shen Xian gazed at her elegant features. “With your foundation, it is sufficient.”

Wei Zhaoli’s heart trembled. His definitive tone stirred ripples within her.

“What about you, Shen Lang?” She lifted her gaze to look at him, expectation in her eyes. “Will you go?”

Shen Xian chuckled lightly. “Do you want me to go?”

It was meant as a jest, but he saw Wei Zhaoli’s snow-white cheeks flush slightly red. Unlike usual, she did not avoid answering.

She lowered her gaze for a moment, then looked directly into Shen Xian’s eyes, her vermilion lips parting.

“Yes.”

The decisive answer left Shen Xian, the instigator, momentarily stunned.

Silence fell in the courtyard.

“Actually, you going would be a good thing. The Holy Son will also be going,” Wei Zhaoli said, changing the subject to avoid awkwardness. “He has suppressed his cultivation for twenty years precisely to enter the Godfiend Battlefield. With him protecting you, there’s no need to worry.”

A flicker passed through Shen Xian’s gaze.

His elder brother, Shen Xing. Possessor of the Innate Dao Body. He should have broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm long ago, yet he had remained at Golden Core Great Perfection.

So it was for an opportunity within the Godfiend Battlefield.

With Shen Xing there, Shen Xian’s safety was indeed guaranteed. After all, he still needed to serve as the tool for his brother’s “severing of emotions.” Shen Xing wouldn’t let him die easily—at least, not until the time was right.

What made Shen Xian curious was the prize. What kind of treasure in the Godfiend Battlefield could attract someone as calculating as his brother?

“That’s true. It seems I must work hard,” Shen Xian said with a faint smile. He produced the White Jade Ruyi. “During my outing, I obtained a little trinket. It’s perfect for you.”

Wei Zhaoli’s gaze fell upon the object in Shen Xian’s palm. Her pupils trembled.

The ruyi was crystal clear. Inside, it seemed as if vast expanses of blue waves flowed. Under the morning light, it emitted a heart-palpitating spiritual energy fluctuation.

“This is…” Her voice cut off. Her cool countenance cracked with shock.

As a Golden Core cultivator, she could sense the terrifying power contained within this artifact. This was clearly a top-tier spirit treasure of Nascent Soul grade.

“It’s too precious…” Wei Zhaoli instinctively wanted to refuse, but her cultivation base yearned for the pure water-attribute spiritual power within the ruyi.

As someone who primarily cultivated water-attribute techniques, this treasure seemed tailor-made for her.

Without waiting for a refusal, Shen Xian pressed the ruyi into her hand. “Take it. With my current realm, I cannot activate this item at all. It’s better for you to have an extra layer of protection within the ruins.”

The moment Wei Zhaoli’s fingertips touched the jade, the spirit treasure erupted with dazzling brilliance.

Vast water-attribute spiritual power surged into her meridians like a tide, creating a perfect resonance with her newly formed Golden Core.

“Shen Lang…” Her voice trembled. Her usually aloof face showed a touching blush.

At this moment, she felt that this man—who always wore a careless smile—perhaps cared for her more than she had dared to imagine.

[Host has gifted Dao Companion top-tier spirit treasure White Jade Ruyi. Obtained fifty-fold blessing return. Reward: Mid-grade True Spirit Treasure Mountain-Suppressing Chaotic Sky Bell. Claim?]

Shen Xian’s heart gave a fierce leap.

A True Spirit Treasure?

And mid-grade at that?

Although there was only one word difference between ‘Spirit Treasure’ and ‘True Spirit Treasure,’ they were worlds apart.

True Spirit Treasures were forged from rarer materials and inscribed with ‘Dao Patterns’ rather than formations. They contained a trace of the laws of heaven and earth. Moreover, they nurtured an initial artifact spirit that could autonomously assist its master. Even Transformation Spirit Venerables coveted such items.

And he had obtained a mid-grade one.

Even within the ancient Shen Family, there were no more than five mid-grade True Spirit Treasures passed down through the generations.

Shen Xian withdrew his thoughts. Wei Zhaoli did not stay much longer; she only urged him to cultivate diligently and strive to achieve a breakthrough before registration opened.

Shen Xian naturally agreed.

After she left, he couldn’t wait to inspect his prize.

“Claim!”

With a thought, Shen Xian’s hand suddenly felt heavy.

A small bell appeared out of thin air. Its body was like dark jade, only the size of an infant’s fist, yet it weighed thousands of pounds.

The bell’s surface was covered with dense, ancient battle patterns. Coiled atop the handle was an incredibly lifelike earth-yellow small dragon. Its scales were carved with microscopic divine fiend seal script that gleamed with faint crimson light under the sun.

“What a fine treasure!” Shen Xian couldn’t help but praise aloud.

Gently stroking the bell with his fingertip, he sensed the fluctuations of its artifact spirit. Though still weak, it far surpassed the spirituality of ordinary spirit treasures.

The spirit was in its infancy—rudimentary consciousness without true intelligence—but it could mechanically assist in combat. If it evolved into an intelligent artifact spirit…

He might be able to unleash the full power of this True Spirit Treasure relying solely on his Golden Core Great Perfection cultivation.

Shen Xian examined the specific abilities:

[Mountain-Suppressing Chaotic Sky Bell]

Ability 1: Fiend Fire Purgatory. Upon activation, the bell spews divine fire, burning physical bodies and souls within range. Damage is doubled against wraiths and evil cultivators. Can purify evil entities. Can also form an Iron Prison Boundary for defense.

Ability 2: Law Suppression. Forcibly suppresses the spiritual energy flow of all enemies within a ten li radius. Effect strength depends on the user’s cultivation.

Ability 3: True Spirit Manifestation. The artifact spirit separates from the bell, transforming into a Mystic Earth War Dragon for combat. Possesses mid-stage Nascent Soul combat strength. (Note: Only activates upon user reaching the Nascent Soul Realm.)

Even with the restriction on the third ability, this remained an immensely powerful weapon.

Shen Xian felt a surge of joy.

With this bell, he could walk sideways through the Godfiend Battlefield.