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

Shen Li’s smile stiffened, and a cold glint flashed deep within his eyes.

The sting of yesterday’s slap still faintly ached on his cheek, a constant reminder of his humiliation.

If the family hadn’t been weighing the consequences, how could he have possibly swallowed such an insult?

A direct descendant of the Shen Family, the heir apparent, forced to bow his head in public—it was the ultimate disgrace!

He could still see the judging stares of the elders, still picture the mocking smirk on Old Madam Ye’s face.

In that moment, he had felt as if he’d been stripped bare and flogged before the entire clan.

And yet… he couldn’t retaliate.

The ten great families of Azure Province were locked in a constant power struggle, and the Lin Family was watching them like a tiger stalking its prey. If he shattered their alliance with the Ye Family over a moment of anger, the clan would be placed in an incredibly vulnerable position.

Shen Li took a deep breath, forcing down the rage boiling within him. The mocking curve returned to his lips.

“Everything I did was for the good of the family,” he said slowly, his gaze locking onto Shen Xian like a viper. “But you… you were willing to sabotage the family’s grand ambitions, all for a woman. How truly… devoted.”

He bit down on the last word, his tone dripping with ridicule.

Shen Xian’s expression didn’t so much as flicker. Not even an eyelash moved.

Morning light streamed through the latticed window, dappling his face with fragmented light and making his handsome features seem all the more serene.

“There’s nothing wrong with valuing one’s relationships,” Shen Xian said lightly, his voice as clear and smooth as a mountain spring. “If a person is heartless to those closest to them, even their own family, they are no better than a beast.”

He raised his eyes, a faint, unreadable smile playing on his lips. “Don’t you agree, Second Brother?”

Shen Li’s pupils constricted.

How dare this worthless trash insinuate that he was cold-blooded and unfeeling?

His fingertips brushed against the short knife at his waist, and a faint, chilling smile touched his lips.

His gaze swept slowly over Shen Xian—from his infuriatingly handsome face, to the dragon-patterned jade pendant at his waist personally carved by Nangong Wan, and finally settling on his unnervingly calm eyes.

“Third Brother, you have quite a way with words,” he said, his tone gentle, as if they were discussing trivial family matters. But every word was laced with hidden sharpness. “However, in the world of cultivation, strength is all that matters. A ninth-grade spiritual root… Hah. I wonder who you could possibly protect.”

He paused deliberately, his faint smile returning as his gaze raked over Shen Xian once more. “Then again, with Mother’s protection, I suppose you have nothing to worry about.”

The implication was clear: without Nangong Wan coddling him, Shen Xian wouldn’t even have the right to stand here.

Shen Xian’s expression remained unchanged, the corner of his mouth merely lifting into a slight smile. “Mother does indeed treat me very well. If Second Brother is so envious, why not go and ask her for some guidance yourself?”

A cold glint flashed in the depths of Shen Li’s eyes.

Everyone in the Shen Family knew how Nangong Wan treated Shen Xian.

As a child, he too had craved his mother’s attention, but all he ever received were indifferent reprimands.

Yet Shen Xian—a good-for-nothing—was showered with her unconditional favor.

Suppressing the jealousy that surged in his heart, Shen Li’s smile widened. “Mother is a busy woman; I wouldn’t dare disturb her. As for you, Third Brother—I heard you’re participating in the Ancestral Worship Ceremony. The ancestral grounds are treacherous, and Mother cannot accompany you. With your level of cultivation… it might be best if you sat this one out.”

His words were coated in a thin veneer of concern, but the message was a clear reminder: without Nangong Wan’s protection, you are nothing.

Shen Xian let out a soft laugh, his gaze direct. “Second Brother worries too much. My cultivation may be shallow, but I am a direct descendant of the Shen Family. The Ancestral Worship Ceremony will decide the next family head… I have to at least make an appearance.”

He knew the position of family head was what his brother coveted most; the words were meant to provoke, and they hit their mark.

Shen Li’s pupils constricted again.

The position of family head!

This waste of space dared to mention the family headship to his face?

“You certainly have lofty ambitions, Third Brother,” he snarled, the words squeezed from between clenched teeth. The smile on his face was now a stiff, unnatural grimace. “But the path of cultivation isn’t paved with wishful thinking!”

As he spoke, he shot a meaningful glance at Shen Xian’s dantian.

A ninth-grade spiritual root… and he dared to covet the position of family head?

Shen Xian remained unbothered. “The ways of the world are unpredictable,” he said lightly. “Perhaps if our founding ancestor sees my sincerity, he’ll bless me with a fortuitous encounter.”

The words struck Shen Li like a clap of thunder.

The greatest opportunity in the Ancestral Worship Ceremony was to gain the founding ancestor’s recognition. If this good-for-nothing really…

No! Impossible!

What qualifications did this waste have to earn such an honor?

Shen Li forced himself to calm down, the mockery in his eyes practically overflowing. “In that case, I wish Third Brother… good luck.”

He turned and strode away, his dark brocade robe snapping sharply in the morning wind.

After ten paces, he tossed a final sentence over his shoulder without turning back.

“I hope you don’t die in the ancestral grounds.”

The voice was light, almost conversational, yet it carried a bone-deep chill.

Shen Xian watched his retreating back, a slight smile touching his lips as he replied softly, “I’ll take that as a word of encouragement.”

…

Shen Xian watched until Shen Li’s figure vanished at the end of the long corridor. The warmth in his eyes slowly faded, replaced by a profound coldness.

He gently stroked the dragon-shaped jade pendant at his waist, his fingertips tracing the subtle array patterns carved into it. A cold smirk curled his lips.

“Second Brother… did you really think I was coming unprepared?”

He turned and walked toward the third floor of the Treasure Pavilion, his steps unhurried, as if their verbal skirmish had never happened.

On the third floor, Shen Xian stood before rows of ancient wooden shelves, his gaze sweeping over a dazzling collection of cultivation techniques recorded on jade slips.

This was where generations of Shen Family ancestors had stored their secret arts. While none were of the highest grade, the variety was immense, including many obscure yet practical methods.

He made his way to a section dedicated to arrays, where the shelves were lined with glowing jade slips.

Some slips detailed the intricate steps for setting up an array, while others were single-use items that could be activated instantly.

Shen Xian was looking for the latter. That way, any array he received as a system return would also be instantly usable.

But it had to be something Ye Qingxian needed. Given her prideful nature, she was unlikely to accept a gift otherwise.

He searched back and forth along the shelves.

Half an hour later, he finally found a suitable array.

It was called the Tiangang Spirit-Locking Array. Its primary purpose was to stabilize one’s cultivation and enhance the absorption of spiritual energy. It also possessed a defensive function, capable of resisting external intrusions—perfect for her needs.

He had previously noticed that the Empress showed great interest in treasures related to stabilizing one’s cultivation realm.

After making his choice, he casually picked up a few other treasures before leaving the Treasure Pavilion. His mother had given him free rein, after all. Why not take full advantage?

Not long after Shen Xian departed, Shen Li reappeared in the shadows.

The same gaunt elder from before materialized before him, handing over a report on the array and other items Shen Xian had selected.

Upon seeing the Tiangang Spirit-Locking Array on the list, a thoughtful expression crossed the elder’s face.

“That good-for-nothing is doing this for that woman…” Shen Li immediately guessed the purpose behind the selection. The array’s main function was to aid cultivation, which would be a complete waste on someone like Shen Xian. Only someone who had recently received a major inheritance would need such a thing.

Then, as if another thought occurred to him, a slight smile touched his lips. “So, this is your so-called trump card for entering the ancestral grounds?”

“Even if that woman truly recovers her cultivation, I will not let her protect you!”