The Eight Empresses Betrayed Me, Only to Deeply Regret It After Being Reborn

Chapter 058: No Choice:

It had started.

Lu Qingyan’s protective shield remained intact as she launched an attack. Her palm struck the shield, transforming countless silver leaves into a whirlwind that charged toward Yue Hongling.

Yue Hongling didn’t flinch. 

With a raise of her hand, she unleashed a Mountain-Crushing Seal that smashed the silver leaves, scattering them into the air. The leaves quickly regrouped and attacked her from all directions.

Yue Hongling clapped her hands together, and her true essence surged, freezing the leaves in midair around her.

Lu Qingyan formed a hand seal, causing the silver leaves to glow brightly and tremble violently.

“Stop! Stop fighting!”

The others rushed out of the tent to intervene. Even Gu Qingtian furrowed his brows slightly and called out, “Junior Sister.”

“A mere 4th stage Nascent Soul Realm cultivator capable of such power… Your Grand Dao Sect truly deserves my respect,” Lu Qingyan remarked, her voice filled with sarcasm. 

With a wave of her hand, the silver leaves vanished into her sleeve.

Yue Hongling glared coldly at her and made a bold declaration. “No one will disturb my senior brother’s cultivation! If you insist, you’ll have to step over my dead body!”

“Oh? Since you’ve put it that way, I feel even more compelled to see him now,” Lu Qingyan retorted, a mocking smile on her face.

The two women locked eyes, the tension crackling between them.

Yue Hongling’s temper flared. “No one is stopping us! Come, let’s duel!”

“A duel? Fine by me!” Lu Qingyan snapped.

“Hongling!” Ding Yuqing hurriedly stepped in to stop her. 

Though Yue Hongling was strong, the Eternal Sect’s attitude was infuriating. However, Yue Hongling was still young and might suffer losses against more seasoned opponents, no matter her talent.

“Either way, none of you are going!” Yue Hongling remained steadfast.

“Whether I go or not is my choice. It’s not up to you,” Lu Qingyan said with a smile that only fanned the flames.

“Someone like you going to my senior brother? You’re practically begging to die!” Yue Hongling shouted.

“Oh, how terrifying! Your words make me even more curious now,” Lu Qingyan replied mockingly.

“Let’s just talk to him,” another person interjected. “If Lu Ye refuses, we can discuss it rationally. After all, we’re all part of the human race.”

“Exactly. The Enlightenment Tree allows both individual and group cultivation with similar effects. We’re not infringing on Lu Ye’s interests.”

“Not just that—we’re actually helping him. He hasn’t contributed in any battles against demons or other races. Sharing the resources we’ve gained through bloody combat is a huge favor to him.”

“Indeed!” Shangguan Wuchang added with a sly grin. Things were getting lively, just as he wanted.

Yue Hongling looked at the crowd, shaking her head. Some people were so eager for trouble that she couldn’t stop them.

Shangguan Wuchang retreated into the background, satisfied with how things were unfolding.

Gu Qingtian took the lead, heading toward the Enlightenment Tree, with the other human prodigies following suit.

Ding Yuqing hesitated before gritting her teeth and joining them. 

The Grand Dao Sect disciples were visibly angry, and even the Taishang Sword Sect and Calamity Sect members seemed displeased. These three sects generally had a good rapport.

The Mountain River Treasure Pagoda Sect, meanwhile, maintained a neutral stance, emphasizing reason over emotion.

The significant movement of human powerhouses quickly drew the attention of other races. When they saw the humans heading toward the area occupied by the Buddhist sect, confusion spread.

The Buddhist sect went on high alert. They hadn’t had any recent conflict with the humans in the Prodigy’s Ancient Battlefield, so why were so many sect members rushing toward their position?

To their surprise, the humans changed direction en route. Their true destination became clear—the Enlightenment Tree.

What were they planning?

Lu Ye had been meditating under the tree, deeply engrossed in comprehending the Dao. 

During his sessions, the tree would occasionally transmit feelings of closeness to him, seemingly unintentionally. 

Lu Ye paid it no mind. 

The Enlightenment Tree was still too young to provide substantial help. Given his rapid cultivation speed, its usefulness would diminish within five years. By the time the tree matured, he might have reached unfathomable heights.

The sound of the wind stirred.

Lu Ye opened his eyes peacefully. 

The numerous rushing footsteps signaled that things were about to get lively. That suited him just fine—the system thrived on chaos.

As the group arrived, they immediately noticed the bodies of monks sprawled across the ground. The one-strike kills left many visibly shocked.

“Are you Lu Ye?” Gu Qingtian asked.

“I am,” Lu Ye replied, scanning the group. None of the faces he particularly disliked were present, which improved his mood slightly.

“We’re here to discuss something with you,” Gu Qingtian began.

“Go ahead.”

Yue Hongling stayed far away, unwilling to appear before Lu Ye. She feared she would break down in tears if she did. Watching Lu Ye’s calm demeanor toward strangers only reminded her of how differently he treated her, bringing tears to her eyes.

Such a stark contrast. It made her want to cry.

“I’ve heard that the Enlightenment Tree aids in comprehending the Dao. We’d like to cultivate here as well. Would you agree?” Gu Qingtian asked.

He could have sweetened the offer by adding, “In return, you can use other sanctuaries controlled by the human race.” But he deliberately left it unsaid.

So, that’s what they’re here for, Lu Ye realized.

He had some knowledge of Gu Qingtian—a proud figure he had sparred with in his previous life. Though Lu Ye had narrowly won, their contact ended there.

“What if I refuse?” Lu Ye asked.

Gu Qingtian smirked. “Apologies, but refusal isn’t an option.”

The tension escalated in an instant.

Lu Ye glanced at the crowd behind Gu Qingtian. “Does anyone else share his view?”

The group fell silent. 

Gu Qingtian’s domineering attitude made them hesitant. Why hadn’t he mentioned the additional offer?

A prince from the Nine Li Celestial Dynasty finally spoke. “Lu Ye, if you allow us to cultivate under the Enlightenment Tree, you’ll gain access to the sanctuaries occupied by the human race. Wouldn’t that be a fair exchange?”

“And what of his claim that refusal isn’t an option? Who agrees with that?” Lu Ye asked.

Shangguan Wuchang looked around. 

Why were they all backing down now? 

He had planned to remain hidden, but the silence forced him to step forward.

“I agree!” Shangguan Wuchang declared. “As a member of the human race, it’s your duty to contribute. The Enlightenment Tree should serve all human prodigies!”

With someone taking the lead, others quickly followed suit.

“Exactly! You shouldn’t refuse!”

“The human race is stronger as a whole. Even if you’re powerful, you can’t monopolize the Enlightenment Tree. It should belong to all of us!”