"Rest assured, I don't care what your intention is for infiltrating the Ling Family. As long as you agree to one thing, I will keep your identity a secret."

Empress Yunyao said.

"Oh, what might that be?"

Ling Chen's eyes slightly moved. He originally thought the other party was determined to expose him, but it seemed there was a turn of events. Thinking about it, if Empress Yunyao really intended to deal with him, she didn't need to summon him specifically. She could have just announced his identity at the Heavenly Sword Conference, saving all this trouble.

"The whereabouts of the Green Lotus Sword Song."

Empress Yunyao did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point, "As long as you can tell me the whereabouts of the Green Lotus Sword Song, I will not trouble you and will instead reward you handsomely according to normal procedures."

Upon hearing this, Ling Chen couldn't help but ponder. He could certainly tell Empress Yunyao the whereabouts of the Green Lotus Sword Song, but it's not his personal possession. To be exact, the Green Lotus Sword Song belongs to Qingcheng Palace, it belongs to Luo Xian'er and Shen Qianlang. It's not his place to tell Empress Yunyao.

"I can tell Your Majesty the secret of the Green Lotus Sword Song, but I have a condition." Ling Chen pondered for a moment, then said.

"Let's hear it."

Empress Yunyao was in no hurry. She held a leverage over Ling Chen, so she wasn't worried about him doing anything beyond control.

"The Green Lotus Sword Song is a treasure of Qingcheng Palace, and now the descendants of Qingcheng Palace are still wandering the Jianghu. I hope that after obtaining the Green Lotus Sword Song, Your Majesty will assist in rebuilding Qingcheng Palace and protect them."

Ling Chen initially wanted to handle these matters himself, but on second thought, if Empress Yunyao could agree to this, she would certainly do a better job. With her power and influence, rebuilding Qingcheng Palace would be a simple task.

"That's easy."

Empress Yunyao nodded without much thought, "Tang Sect went too far by destroying Qingcheng Palace to seize the Sword Immortal Poetry. I will send people to secretly assist and protect them, but as for rebuilding the sect, it will have to wait for a suitable time in the future."

"I can understand that."

Ling Chen nodded. Rebuilding the gates of Qingcheng Palace wasn't urgent, because if it were rebuilt now, it would certainly attract targeted actions from Tang Sect, which would do more harm than good.

As long as Empress Yunyao promises this matter, it will be enough.

Regarding the whereabouts of the Green Lotus Sword Song, Ling Chen never intended to monopolize it. Given the current circumstances, there might be no other way except to tell Empress Yunyao.

Empress Yunyao, who governs the vast Central Dynasty, is of noble status. One would assume she wouldn't be the type to go back on her word.

Thus, Ling Chen revealed the location of The Immortal Sword Jade Wall to her.

"Incense Burner Peak, Immeasurable Gorge, Great Waterfall…"

Empress Yunyao rested her chin in her hand, her face showing a contemplative expression, then her beautiful eyes lit up slightly, "From the Incense Burner arises purple smoke, and from afar, the waterfall hangs before the river. So, the secret of the Green Lotus Sword Song is hidden within these two lines of poetry."

Empress Yunyao's smile became more pronounced. She did not doubt that Ling Chen was making up stories to fool her—one, Ling Chen likely couldn't concoct such a story in so short a time, and two, deceiving her at this point would be tantamount to seeking death.

"Ling Chen, aren't you afraid that after knowing the whereabouts of the Green Lotus Sword Song, I would immediately go back on my word and kill you to keep it secret?"

Empress Yunyao suddenly shifted her tone and stared at Ling Chen. Her voice turned somewhat cold.

"I trust Your Majesty's character and am certain that such despicable acts would be beneath you."

Of course, Ling Chen was terrified, very much so. In this empty grand hall, even if he screamed, the court eunuchs and palace maids outside would likely pretend not to hear. Moreover, it's uncertain if his voice would carry outside. If Empress Yunyao had truly harbored murderous intent, this would be a perfect place for eliminating someone quietly.

Despite his fears, he could not express them aloud, yet in his heart, Ling Chen diligently remained on guard, ready to fight desperately if necessity arose.

"Hehe..."

As Ling Chen's heart raced with tension, Empress Yunyao let out a chiming laugh, causing a hiccup in his heart. After the laughter, she didn't take action but instead laughed and said, "Rest assured; having presented the unparalleled Swordsmanship of the Green Lotus Sword Song to me, how could I bear to kill you?"

"When I find The Immortal Sword Jade Wall and master the Green Lotus Sword Song of Taibai Sword Immortal, my strength will surely surpass those ancient relics of the Imperial Clan. Then I will no longer be subjected to their constraints."

There was a cold sharpness flashing in Empress Yunyao's beautiful eyes.

"Your Majesty is wise and mighty; you will surely sweep away rebellious factions, unify the rivers and mountains, and reign eternal!"

Ling Chen hurriedly bowed.

As he said this, even Ling Chen himself couldn't believe that such crass flattery was coming from his own mouth. Indeed, people always resort to instinctive acts to survive.

However, mastering the Green Lotus Sword Song is no easy task, though for a prodigious figure like Empress Yunyao, it might not be excessively difficult either.

"Alright, back to business—Ling Chen, I will not reveal your identity. You may continue as Ling Yu."

Empress Yunyao apparently agreed to form an agreement with Ling Chen. Her words were a relief to Ling Chen, and she continued, "As the champion of this Heavenly Sword Conference, I shall customarily reward you with a treasure. Tell me, what do you desire?"

Ling Chen thought for a moment but remained silent. What did he want? Of course, he wanted the Saint's Soul Niche of the Ling Family, yet he couldn't possibly expect Empress Yunyao to grant him a Saint's Soul Niche. Considering the risky ventures he was about to undertake, he made up his mind and said, "I desire something for self-preservation."

"Something that, under any circumstances, would prevent anyone from taking my life."

"Self-preservation?"

Upon hearing this, Empress Yunyao slightly furrowed her brows, pondered momentarily, then lightly raised her jade hand. In her hand appeared a Purple-Gold Talisman, adorned with thunder patterns.

"This is a Nine Heavens Emperor Thunder Talisman, which I spent a long time crafting. I'll teach you the activation method. The explosion's power of this talisman is sufficient to kill all living beings within a thousand meters, and Saints below the Triple Heaven cannot withstand the explosive power of this Nine Heavens Emperor Thunder Talisman."

Empress Yunyao handed the talisman to Ling Chen, "This item should be enough to save your life."

Ling Chen received the talisman and nodded. It was enough to kill saints below the Triple Heaven, a power that was indeed quite staggering. It's worth noting that elders like Ling Lie and Ling Zhen of the Ling Family are at the first and second levels of Saint cultivation. This single talisman could eliminate two elder-level figures of the Nine Great Families.