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

Several years later, by the spiritual spring on Green Bamboo Peak.

The morning mist had yet to disperse. On the last Purple Immortal Ganoderma by the spring, the flow of starlight suddenly accelerated.

Fragmented spots of light moved like living creatures. Eventually, they converged into a single point of dazzling golden radiance at the heart of the herb.

“It’s done.”

Shen Xian stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his dark robes fluttering loudly in the morning breeze.

He lightly tapped a finger. A wisp of spiritual energy, imbued with a subtle Dao charm, shot into the ganoderma’s root.

In an instant, the entire spiritual herb erupted with brilliant light. The star patterns on its cap detached from the leaf, floating upward to sketch a miniature star chart in the void.

Gurgle, gurgle—

The Black Mystic Spirit-Seeking Tortoise emerged from the bottom of the spring.

Its beady eyes fixed intently on the Purple Immortal Ganoderma. The Eight Trigrams patterns on its shell flickered intermittently. It paddled its limbs impatiently, splashing water that refracted a rainbow halo under the morning sun.

“What’s the rush?” Shen Xian chuckled softly.

He swept his sleeve, collecting the Purple Immortal Ganoderma into his storage pouch. The drop of golden spiritual liquid at the heart of the ganoderma rolled into a jade box, emitting an intoxicating, subtle fragrance.

“You’ll get your share when we reach the ruins.”

His divine sense swept over his storage space.

Five Purple Immortal Ganodermas floated quietly inside. Each cap flowed with different celestial patterns—a sign of full maturity.

Aside from the one used previously during a treasure hunt, these five would help him locate five specific treasures within the ruins.

Not many, but enough.

Whether it was the ruins or the Godfiend Battlefield, there would certainly be no shortage of treasures inside.

“Need to continue accelerating their growth.”

Shen Xian’s gaze turned to the empty space beside the spiritual spring. He already had a plan: it was time to have Wang Yu deliver more seedlings.

The morning breeze blew past, causing the lingering mist by the spring to churn.

The mystic tortoise seemed to sense something. The Eight Trigrams patterns on its back flashed with golden light.

…

The following days remained peaceful.

However, as the opening of the Godfiend Battlefield drew nearer, the atmosphere within the inner sect grew increasingly tense. The air itself seemed heavy.

Some disciples rubbed their hands in eager anticipation, ready to give it their all. Others were filled with worry and anxiety, fearing they might miss this opportunity.

It only opened once every five hundred years.

For many, this might be their only chance in this lifetime.

Shen Xian stopped going out. He spent his days within Rainfall Pavilion, ostensibly studying ancient texts. Outwardly, he appeared to be preparing for Foundation Establishment.

In reality, only Xiao Bai and the mystic tortoise knew the truth. This guy just lay on a rattan chair all day long.

They sometimes wondered: could one really improve their cultivation without cultivating?

“Young Master!”

Outside the courtyard, Wang Yu’s hearty voice suddenly rang out, carrying a hint of long-absent ease.

He unceremoniously pushed open the courtyard gate and strode in with large steps. A smile hung on his face; he was clearly in good spirits.

“Hmm? Rare indeed.”

Shen Xian set down the ancient text in his hand. He raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Wang Yu with mild surprise.

This guy had been diligently studying and cultivating recently, never stepping out of doors. He’d even lost interest in drinking wine. Today he actually came visiting on his own initiative?

“Just finished registering and stealing a moment of leisure.” Wang Yu grinned widely, casually pulling over a rattan chair to sit down.

The registration for the qualifying battles for the Godfiend Battlefield had begun. His visit was partly to remind Shen Xian about it.

Ultimately, only seventy people would qualify to enter the battlefield.

Hearing this, Shen Xian gave a slight nod. “Almost forgot about that.”

He stood up, brushing off his sleeves casually. “Perfect timing. I should go register too.”

“What?!”

The smile on Wang Yu’s face instantly froze.

His eyes widened as he stared at Shen Xian with an expression of utter disbelief. “Young Master… you… you broke through?!”

But Shen Xian had already stepped toward the courtyard gate.

His retreating figure was calm and detached, leaving behind only a light, airy question.

“Otherwise?”

Wang Yu stood rooted to the spot in a daze, his mouth slightly agape. For a long moment, he couldn’t snap out of it.

When did his Young Master break through?

…

Shen Xian walked along the white jade rainbow bridge to the main peak. He strolled leisurely toward the Divine Wood Sect’s registration hall.

Along the way, many inner sect disciples gathered in small groups. They discussed the competition for spots in low voices—some eager, some anxious.

However, when Shen Xian’s figure appeared outside the great hall entrance, the noisy discussion halted abruptly.

“Isn’t that the Third Young Master of the Shen Family?”

“He… came to register?”

“You kidding me? Isn’t he still in the Qi Refining Realm?”

Whispers spread like a tide. Countless gazes filled with shock, suspicion, or curiosity fell upon him.

Shen Xian’s expression remained normal. He walked straight toward the registration desk without hesitation.

The deacon disciple responsible for registration glanced up at him, frowning slightly. “Junior Brother Shen, registering requires a Foundation Establishment cultivation level.”

Everyone knew that among all inner sect disciples, only one person remained at the Qi Refining Realm—Shen Xian. The deacon assumed he had made a mistake.

“Mhm.”

Shen Xian smiled faintly. He lightly tapped his fingertip on the table surface, sending a wisp of spiritual energy flowing quietly.

Boom!

Instantaneously, a thick, powerful Foundation Establishment spiritual pressure emanated from his body. It felt like a spring breeze brushing against the face—gentle, yet clearly perceptible.

“Hiss——!”

Within the great hall, everyone’s breathing hitched sharply.

The registering disciple jerked his head up, pupils contracting. The jade slip in his hand slipped, falling onto the table with a clatter.

He stared fixedly at Shen Xian, his voice trembling slightly. “You… when did you break through?”

Shen Xian smiled calmly, his tone casual. “Some days ago.”

…

Dead silence reigned within the great hall.

Everyone stared with wide eyes, disbelief written across their faces.

“This…”

“He actually reached Foundation Establishment?”

“Wasn’t he just at the sixth layer of Qi Refining?!”

“How could he possibly…”

Whispers rose and fell continuously. Everyone’s face was filled with shock and astonishment.

Reaching Foundation Establishment wasn’t normally a big deal. But happening to Shen Xian, it seemed exceptionally shocking.

Everyone knew this direct descendant of the Shen Family possessed a ninth-grade spiritual root—a waste of talent through and through.

So why, within a few short years, could he transform from the sixth layer of Qi Refining into the Foundation Establishment Realm?

Was this the cultivation speed a ninth-grade spiritual root should have?

The registering disciple finally snapped back. He hurriedly picked up the fallen jade slip, his voice pitching high. “Jun-Junior Brother Shen, please… please wait a moment. I’ll register you now…”

His fingers trembled slightly as he wrote the characters “Foundation Establishment” onto the jade slip. The handwriting was somewhat crooked.

Shen Xian gave a slight nod, turned, and left.

His retreating figure was composed, as if he had merely done the most ordinary, trivial thing.

However—

This news soon swept across the entire Divine Wood Sect like a storm.

The Third Young Master of the Shen Family reached Foundation Establishment!

Moreover, he did it silently!

And he intends to participate in the Godfiend Battlefield?!

The inner sect was shaken to its core.

…

Elsewhere, within a separate courtyard.

Zhao Ming learned of the matter. He was first stunned, then suddenly revealed a smile.

“Really obtained without the slightest effort,” he murmured softly.

He stopped cultivating and quietly flew alone toward the main peak.

A short while later, he arrived before an exquisitely decorated, luxurious cave dwelling. His posture became respectful as he released a wisp of spiritual energy.

The gate to the cave dwelling opened slightly.