Ye Lingyuan paused and continued, "At that time, cultivators could reach the highest realm, known as the Divine Lord realm. As the name suggests, the Divine Lord realm is one where one controls the fate of all beings!"
Zi Linling lowered her eyes and said, "If the Divine Lord realm can control the fate of all beings, then the Creation realm, which is above the Divine Lord realm, must be..."
Ye Lingyuan nodded. "It is said that the Creation realm can create all things, bringing something from nothing and opening up a world, much like the Ancestral God of those ancient times."
Zi Linling exclaimed in surprise, "Was the Ancestral God in the Creation realm?"
She had learned about the Ancestral God from Huang Yi. As for the Ancestral God's cultivation level, this was the first time she had heard about it.
Ye Lingyuan replied, "Yes, it is said that this world we inhabit is the Ancestral God's masterpiece. It is a pity, however..."
He tapped the table with his long, slender fingers, a hint of an unreadable glint in his eyes. He continued, "It is a pity that after the Ancestral God, no one has been able to break through to the Creation realm."
Zi Linling furrowed her brow. "Why?"
Ye Lingyuan shook his head. "I am not sure. The ancient texts do not record it. However, based on my speculation, it is likely due to the absence of a certain medium."
A certain medium?
Zi Linling's heart churned like a tempest.
Ye Lingyuan's words had undoubtedly opened up a new vista for her. But it was precisely because of this that she began to question whether her transmigration to the Tianyuan Continent was accidental or inevitable.
However, she quickly suppressed this thought, as it was not the time to ponder such matters.
The Patriarch's Token of the Zi family was still in her possession, which meant she would inevitably confront the members of the Imperial Zi family sooner or later.
She looked intently at Ye Lingyuan and asked, "Are you implying that the Zi family's Sumeru Space holds the inheritance of the Ancestral God?"
Though it was a question, she was already nine-tenths certain in her heart.
Ye Lingyuan nodded again. "There is no doubt about it!"
Zi Linling's brows furrowed deeply. If everything unfolded as Ye Lingyuan speculated, then both the Zi family and she herself would be in grave trouble.
One must understand that the Tianyuan Continent now lacked the Primordial Purple Qi, making it nearly impossible to even break through to the Emperor realm.
Let alone an inheritance from a god that could grant a leap to such heights!
Ye Lingyuan observed Zi Linling's tightly knitted brows, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
Even if the Zi family were to be wiped out from the Tianqi Kingdom, he would not intervene. But if someone dared to scheme against his Lin'er, then he would not be held responsible...
He gently stroked Zi Linling's brow, his voice filled with concern. "Lin'er, would you be willing to stay at the Underworld King's manor for now?"
A warmth spread through Zi Linling's heart.
How could she not understand Ye Lingyuan's good intentions?
The members of the Imperial Zi family were undoubtedly coming with ill intent.
And Ye Lingyuan wanted her to reside at the Underworld King's manor temporarily to protect her.
But to retreat and evade when faced with difficulties was not the style of a ghost-handed poison doctor like herself.
Therefore, she shook her head apologetically and said, "Ye Lingyuan, you can protect me for a while, but can you protect me for a lifetime?"
Ye Lingyuan's expression slightly darkened, and just as he was about to speak, Zi Linling's voice rang out again.
"What I mean is, you cannot always be by my side, so there are some things I must face myself."
Ye Lingyuan said with a hint of helplessness, "Lin'er, other women would do anything to gain my protection, yet you shy away from it."
A flicker of light sparkled in Zi Linling's eyes. "Ye Lingyuan, do you wish for me to be like them?"
Ye Lingyuan shook his head. "If you were like them, would you still be you?"
He pulled Zi Linling into his embrace, his voice filled with doting affection. "Lin'er, the one I love is you, and only you. While I wish to protect you, I do not wish to clip your wings or dull your edges."
Zi Linling's eyes filled with more emotion.
As the renowned God of War of Tianqi, why would Ye Lingyuan need to consider the feelings of others when doing anything?
Yet, such a decisive and ruthless man was so uncertain and anxious in front of her. If he did not love her deeply, how could he be this way?
"Ye Lingyuan, if I were to live perpetually under your protection, what qualifications would I have in the future to stand by your side and help you chart the course of empires?"
Ye Lingyuan's lips curved upward, and his smile became radiant.
"Chart the course of empires? Hmm, if you wish it, shall I bestow this empire upon you?"
The Emperor Ye Moyuan was constantly wary of him, fearing he would usurp his throne.
Little did he know that he had always disdained such a picturesque empire. If it weren't for the sake of the common people, he wouldn't even want the title of Underworld King.
Of course, if he desired it, obtaining the empire would be as easy as picking something from his palm.
But if Zi Linling desired it, then even if he disdained it, he would fulfill her wish.
An empire spanning thousands of miles as a betrothal gift, and the Tianyuan Continent as a dowry, was not a difficult matter.
Zi Linling chuckled, speechless. "Ye Lingyuan, what would I do with this empire? It's just a hassle!"
Ye Lingyuan raised an eyebrow. "Indeed! Just a hassle!"
If Emperor Ye Moyuan of Tianqi knew that the vast empire he coveted was considered a mere hassle by Ye Lingyuan and Zi Linling, how would he feel?
"Ye Lingyuan, I..."
Just as Zi Linling was about to speak, Qingyu's voice sounded from outside the study.
"Your Highness, the Immortal Doctor Yu Chan seeks an audience!"
Yu Chan, the Immortal Doctor, Bai Yu Chan, was none other than Situ Yunfeng's junior sister and a direct disciple of the Medicine King Valley's master.
Previously, when Qingfeng was severely injured, Ye Lingyuan had sent someone to invite Situ Yunfeng to treat Qingfeng.
However, his good brother Situ Yunfeng, being unreliable, had turned his horse midway to chase after Zi Linling, diverting to the Fengyun Business Firm. Instead, he had sent his junior sister to the Underworld King's manor.
Afterward, Bai Yu Chan healed Qingfeng and temporarily resided at the Underworld King's manor.
Interrupted, Zi Linling hurriedly withdrew from Ye Lingyuan's embrace and said, "I'll be going back now!"
Without waiting for Ye Lingyuan to ask her to stay, she opened the study door and fled as if escaping.
Anyone who brushed past her would surely notice a blush on her face.
Ye Lingyuan's expression turned somewhat grim upon Qingyu's announcement.
He was about to bark out an order to refuse the audience when he felt his embrace suddenly empty, followed by a fleeting shadow darting out.
The warmth in his arms suddenly vanished, and Ye Lingyuan's face grew even more somber. The study became chillingly cold. This coldness shot directly from the doorway, targeting Qingyu outside.
Qingyu couldn't help but shiver and instinctively tried to retreat.
Recalling Zi Linling's hurried exit, Qingyu belatedly realized that he had inadvertently disrupted his master's intimate moment.
Therefore, as the wave of cold air enveloped him, only one word echoed in his mind: "Escape!"
But before he could turn, Ye Lingyuan's icy voice boomed out, "Get in here!"
Qingyu shivered again, then forced himself to step into the study.