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

At the entrance to the Godfiend Battlefield, Shen Xian and Wei Zhaoli stood facing one another.

Wei Zhaoli took a deep, shuddering breath. Her fingertips traced the smooth surface of the jade pendant, her voice barely rising above a whisper. “Actually… I didn’t approach you by accident. I had an agenda.”

She mustered every ounce of her courage to voice the secret weighing on her heart.

Over time, she had realized a terrifying truth: she had fallen for this fiancé of hers. And the deeper her feelings grew, the heavier the guilt crushed her chest.

She could no longer hide behind lies. She chose total honesty.

Shen Xian’s brow twitched slightly. A flicker of surprise passed through his eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it came, replaced by his usual calm.

He recalled their first “chance encounter,” her perfectly timed gentleness, the way she had seamlessly integrated into his life. The vague suspicions he had harbored were finally confirmed.

“For what?” His tone was indifferent, betraying neither joy nor anger.

She had approached him with a motive, but hadn’t he done the same? He viewed her as a source of system rewards first, and a person second.

He felt no anger—only curiosity. He wanted to know the price of her loyalty.

Hearing his flat tone, Wei Zhaoli faltered. But seeing that Shen Xian remained unruffled, the tension in her shoulders eased.

She inhaled deeply. “It’s because of my Master, Zhao Wuji…”

She recounted everything in detail, omitting nothing. She explained how she discovered her Master’s vile intention to use her as a cultivation furnace, and her desperate plan to use the Shen Family’s influence as a shield.

As he listened, a chill crept into Shen Xian’s eyes.

It wasn’t directed at Wei Zhaoli for using him, but at Zhao Wuji.

A dignified Grand Elder of the Divine Wood Sect, a supposed pillar of the righteous path, engaging in such despicable acts? How was he any different from the demonic cultivators they had just fought?

“Is it because of your unique spiritual body?” he asked, his voice dropping an octave.

Wei Zhaoli lowered her head, offering a soft “Mm.”

When she first learned the truth, she had wanted to fight back. But Zhao Wuji held high status and immense power. Who would believe a disciple over a Grand Elder?

She had told her father, but the Wei Family was too weak to contend with a monster like Zhao Wuji.

It wasn’t until the Shen Family announced their search for a secondary wife for Shen Xian that she saw a glimmer of hope—a lifeline.

“I’m sorry… I…”

She suddenly grabbed Shen Xian’s sleeve, her knuckles turning white from the force of her grip. A single tear fell, splashing hot against the back of his hand, searing his heart.

The Fairy usually known for being as cold and aloof as frost now stood before him with red-rimmed eyes, tears rolling down her cheeks. She looked like a frightened animal that had made a mistake, panicked and at a loss.

Shen Xian sighed. He reached out, his thumb gently brushing the tear from the corner of her eye. “It’s fine.”

His expression hardened into seriousness. “Since this old scoundrel is so shameless, we can’t let him off.”

As he spoke, a distinct flash of killing intent sharpened his gaze.

Regardless of how it started, Wei Zhaoli was his Dao Companion now. He would never allow harm to befall her.

If someone dared to covet what was his, they would pay the price.

Especially since he planned to leave for the Northern Region soon. He had to eliminate this hidden danger before he left, or it would fester.

Wei Zhaoli’s delicate body trembled. She looked up at him, the guilt in her eyes deepening. Yet, in that moment, the ice around her heart seemed to melt away.

“Husband Shen, Zhao Wuji is about to emerge from seclusion. If he discovers…” Her voice trailed off weakly.

She had lost her virginity, and the [Same Heart Tribulation Body] would no longer provide the benefits Zhao Wuji sought.

She wasn’t worried for herself; she was terrified he would target Shen Xian out of spite. That was why she had confessed.

“Don’t worry. He wouldn’t dare move against me. Besides, do you have so little faith in my strength?” Shen Xian said with a confident smirk.

He was the future heir of the Shen Family. Zhao Wuji, at least on the surface, wouldn’t dare lower himself to attack a junior personally.

If he sent assassins? Shen Xian possessed three True Spirit Treasures and an arsenal of artifacts. He feared no one.

And if worse came to worst…

He could simply turtle up inside the Shen family estate until he broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm.

By then, whether it was Zhao Wuji or Zhao Shameless, they would be nothing but clay chickens and pottery dogs—easily crushed.

Hearing his confidence, Wei Zhaoli felt a wave of security wash over her. She nodded gently.

“Alright. Let’s leave this place first,” she said softly.

“Just leaving like that? Hello? I’m still standing right here.”

Wang Yu watched the celestial couple transform into streams of light and shoot into the sky. He muttered a few complaints to the empty air before scrambling to catch up.

This trip to the ruins had been profitable for him as well.

Specifically, obtaining his ancestor’s Fated Chance had given his artifact forging skills a massive boost.

…

Outside the ruins, the various factions craned their necks, eagerly awaiting the return of their disciples.

Beside the bronze war chariot of the Divine Wood Sect, Elder Xuanming sat leisurely sipping spirit tea. A crowd of surviving disciples had already gathered around him.

Shen Xian stepped out from the giant bronze gate. The fresh air hit him like a physical weight, washing away the stench of decay.

Inside the ruins, the atmosphere had been thick with baleful energy. His mind, taut as a bowstring for days, finally relaxed.

“Elder Xuanming!” Shen Xian and Wei Zhaoli landed on the lotus platform, bowing respectfully.

“Good, you’ve returned. Have you seen your elder brother?” Elder Xuanming nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Shen Xian for a split second longer than usual.

Shen Xian shook his head.

“Mm. Go rest,” Elder Xuanming waved his hand, asking no further questions.

The couple retreated to a quiet chamber aboard the lotus platform.

Wei Zhaoli sat cross-legged on the meditation mat, spiritual light circulating around her form. Her moon-white dress made her appear transcendent, like an exiled immortal cleansing herself of mortal dust.

Although her injuries had largely recovered, hidden wounds still lingered deep within her meridians.

Shen Xian stood by the window, watching the sea of cultivators below. His thoughts churned like a turbulent ocean.

The trip to the Northern Region is imperative. Ye Qingxian’s situation is a black box; I must get there immediately. His slender fingers tapped a rhythm against the window lattice. But before that, I need to make thorough preparations.

First, he needed to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm. He was currently at Golden Core Perfection, but for the Northern Region—a land of higher power levels—this was far from sufficient.

Fortunately, with the System, as long as Zhaoli breaks through, I can rise with the tide.

Second, he needed to trigger more returns for powerful treasures.

He had hauled a mountain of spirit treasures out of the ruins. He could easily cycle them through the System to upgrade them into True Spirit Treasures. The [Heavenly Secret Disk] was a priority. If he could roll a high multiplier and get a Heaven-Connecting Spirit Treasure, his combat power would soar to a new dimension.

Repairing the [Turtle-Snake Lamp] was also on the agenda.

That Ancient Treasure had an extraordinary origin. If fully restored, it would be a game-changer.

Once we get back, I need to hunt down those three materials…

Then there was the Mysterious Turtle. Combining the [Spirit Beast Ascending Dragon Art] with the Azure Dragon Essence Blood might force it to Awaken a true dragon bloodline.

A treasure-hunting beast with dragon instincts would make finding materials infinitely easier.

Zhao Wuji…

At the thought of that name, a cold light sharpened Shen Xian’s gaze.

That old bastard dared to threaten Wei Zhaoli. He had to be dealt with.

But it had to be done cleanly. He couldn’t afford to “stir the grass and alarm the snake.”

Time was tight. The to-do list was long.

Ye Qingxian, I hope you take your time breaking through… he prayed silently.

If she stepped into the Nascent Soul Realm early, the Ice Soul Immortal Sect would harvest her before he arrived.

But with her talent, I’m afraid time is not on my side.

The top priority was raw power.

He pulled his thoughts back to the present and glanced at Wei Zhaoli. In the soft glow of the room’s spiritual light, her features were picturesque—red lips, white teeth, skin like porcelain. She looked breathtaking.

If we dual cultivate, perhaps we can improve faster…

The dual cultivation method of the [Same Heart Tribulation Body] allowed both parties to advance together. If one party actively offered their spiritual power to the other, the speed would be explosive.

Since his cultivation was tethered to hers, helping her break through was the same as helping himself.

Shen Xian’s eyes flickered. The decision was made.

“Zhaoli,” he said suddenly, breaking the silence. “Let’s dual cultivate.”