My Wife Turns Out to be an Empress of the Dynasty

As Gu Lan spoke, his gaze casually drifted towards the two. His expression shifted slightly as he caught sight of what Zhongren had brought. He furrowed his brow, and a serious look took over his face. He could feel the immense power emanating from this object. After a brief moment of contemplation, he turned his gaze back to Zhongren and coldly asked, "Do you know what this thing is?"

Zhongren's face darkened with concern. He shook his head and replied, "I don't know what this is, but I've already calculated that if Gu Simu and I head to Dark World, it will be favorable."

Gu Lan, though skeptical of Zhongren's power, had complete trust in his abilities when it came to the art of divination. Zhongren's expertise in Qimen Dunjia (a form of ancient Chinese divination) was so profound that even Gu Lan could not rival it.

"Then when should we depart?" Gu Lan inquired, his tone neutral, though clearly aware that Zhongren must have already formulated a plan.

"We should leave tomorrow. But before we go, I need to ask my Lord for a small favor," Zhongren responded.

Gu Lan hesitated, his brow furrowing in slight confusion. He wasn't sure what Zhongren meant by "small favor," but Zhongren did not elaborate further. Instead, he simply smiled and nodded politely before he and Gu Simu turned to leave.

Gu Lan, observing them with a mixture of curiosity and wariness, could only sigh in exasperation. While he did trust these two, their secretive behavior still puzzled him. He decided to wait until tomorrow, when they would head to the Dark World.

The next day arrived quickly. Gu Lan awoke early and jumped to the skies with a single leap, ready to meet the day. To his surprise, Zhongren and Gu Simu were already there, waiting for him with knowing smiles on their faces.

Gu Lan smiled faintly, his voice steady, "What are you two up to? You may as well tell me now."

Zhongren, no longer holding back, explained, "There's a small issue we need to resolve. To reach the Dark World, we need to pass through the Dark Clan's territory. You may need to hold them off for us."

Gu Lan raised an eyebrow, a smirk appearing on his face. "Is that it? A minor issue, then?"

He wasn't particularly concerned, as this problem was trivial to him. He unsheathed his sword, and in an instant, the air around him crackled with energy. With a swift motion, hundreds of sword strikes rained down on the space before him.

The atmosphere trembled as the Dark Clan's strongest members immediately sensed the surge of power. They moved swiftly in response.

The Dark Clan's leader, Dark Master, was the first to appear. His presence was commanding, and his energy rippled outward as he soared into the sky. When he saw Gu Lan, his eyes narrowed, and a flicker of malice crossed his features.

Gu Lan did not flinch, meeting his gaze with cool disdain.

Without hesitation, Dark Master spoke, his voice low and tense, "What brings you here, Young Master Gu?"

"I merely wish to pass through," Gu Lan replied with a calm, almost mocking smile. "Does Dark Master intend to stop me?"

A brief moment of tension filled the air as Dark Master assessed the situation. Gu Lan's power was undeniably formidable, and Dark Master found himself unable to gauge the full extent of his strength. With a resigned sigh, Dark Master spoke again, his tone now less confrontational, "I will not stop you. Please, proceed."

Gu Lan raised an eyebrow. This response was unexpected, but he didn't waste any time questioning it. He shot a glance at Zhongren and Gu Simu, signaling them to proceed. Without a word, the two quickly became blurred figures as they moved at lightning speed.

The path now clear, Gu Lan exhaled deeply, feeling a subtle sense of unease lingering. As long as Dark Master did not have ulterior motives, the journey ahead would proceed smoothly. Still, Gu Lan couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

Watching as the trio moved away, Dark Master allowed himself a small, knowing smile. He had underestimated the situation. He had initially assumed Gu Lan would accompany them, but now that it was just Zhongren and Gu Simu, it seemed he had a chance to act.

The Dark World, after all, was his domain, and finding a few people within it was no challenge.

As Dark Master smirked, he turned to his subordinate behind him and spoke coldly, "You know what to do, right?"

His subordinate, recognizing the cue, nodded and swiftly vanished into the shadows.

Meanwhile, Zhongren and Gu Simu arrived at the edge of the Dark World. They were taken aback by the sight that greeted them. Instead of the ominous and foreboding world they had imagined, the Dark World appeared surprisingly tranquil, with vast stretches of golden sand stretching endlessly before them.

Gu Simu frowned in confusion. "Zhongren Uncle, is this really Dark World? It looks nothing like I expected."

Zhongren, unperturbed by the change in scenery, looked around carefully. "Don't worry, the real treasure is still ahead."

He activated his Qimen Dunjia once again, his focus intensifying as the power surged within him. With a single step, the energy of Qimen Dunjia rippled out, affecting everything within several dozen miles. Zhongren sat cross-legged, his face etched with concentration.

Gu Simu, sensing the gravity of the moment, wisely chose not to interrupt him. She knew that they were here because of something important, and it was best to leave him undisturbed.

Time passed slowly, and Zhongren finally opened his eyes, his expression serious. "We need to go to another location," he said, standing up abruptly.

"Where are we going?" Gu Simu asked, still uncertain but following his lead.

"Follow me," Zhongren said. With swift movements, he grabbed Gu Simu's arm and began to pull her forward, moving faster than she could react.

Confused and somewhat alarmed, Gu Simu protested, "Uncle Zhongren, where are we going? What's happening?"

Zhongren didn't answer her directly. Instead, they sped through the vast desert until they reached a fearsome, dark abyss. The sight of it took Gu Simu's breath away, and she stared down into its depths in alarm.

"Are we going down there?" she gasped, a shiver of dread running down her spine.

"Of course not," Zhongren reassured her, "but it's related to what we're looking for. Trust me."

Gu Simu hesitated, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "But... if we go down, will we be able to come back?"

Zhongren smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. Everything is under control."

He turned, and with a single leap, disappeared into the abyss, his figure vanishing from view. Reluctantly, Gu Simu followed, though she was filled with dread about what lay ahead. As they descended into the depths, Gu Simu felt as though the world around her was changing.

Soon, the two of them found themselves in a place unlike any other. The air here was heavy with a strange, tranquil energy, unlike the dark winds of the Dark World above. It was as if they had entered another realm altogether, a peaceful, hidden sanctuary amidst the chaos of the outside world. Gu Simu's heart pounded in her chest, the implications of where they were slowly beginning to sink in.

What could this place be, and what did Zhongren intend to find here? Only time would reveal the answers.