"This talisman is handed over to you, but no matter what you have in mind, I advise you not to do anything too outrageous and bring about your own destruction."

Empress Yunyao looked at Ling Chen with a hint of warning because if the latter weren't planning something big, why would he ask her for something to preserve his life?

Given Ling Chen's current status in the Ling Family, if he acted obediently, how could anyone threaten him?

"I won't use it unless it's absolutely necessary."

Ling Chen put away the Nine Heavens Emperor Thunder Talisman. If it wasn't a situation where he had no other choice, he would not use something so dangerous. He hoped that, if possible, it wouldn't be necessary. If he could successfully obtain the Saint's Soul Niche, that would be ideal.

Empress Yunyao said nothing more, shaking her head. "Since you have taken first place in the tournament, apart from rewards, I will appoint you as Marquis. However, Ling Chen, I require your loyalty to me in the future, regardless of which side the Ling Family supports. You personally must be loyal to me."

"Naturally, I will be loyal to Your Majesty."

Ling Chen remained calm, knowing this was Empress Yunyao's attempt to win people over. He understood Empress Yunyao's current situation wasn't good in the entire Central Dynasty, hindered by the conservative forces within the Imperial Clan, and opposed by over half of the Nine Great Families. Thus, Empress Yunyao was actively cultivating her supportive faction, such as the Liu Family of the Heavenly Constructor Clan, Tang Sect, Shen Dao Family... these were already part of Empress Yunyao's camp, but the Ling Family still belonged to the conservative faction.

And Empress Yunyao obviously wanted to pull the Ling Family to her side of the camp.

The old relics of the Ling Family clearly wouldn't easily change their minds and join Empress Yunyao's camp, which is why Empress Yunyao placed her bet on Ling Chen, the younger generation of the Ling Family. Someday those old relics would be replaced, and Ling Chen's rise was inevitable.

Ling Chen naturally did not resist this. He personally had no political inclination; loyalty to anyone was the same. Moreover, it could be said that Ling Chen would not be loyal to anyone; it could only be deemed cooperation. If Empress Yunyao could provide him protection, cooperation with her would naturally pose no issue.

"Having you be loyal to me is not without compensation. Take this token; with it, you can command the Heavenly Dragon Guards all over the Central Dynasty to obey you."

Empress Yunyao once again flipped her hand and produced a token, handing it to Ling Chen.

"Heavenly Dragon Order!"

Ling Chen's expression slightly changed. He had not expected Empress Yunyao to give him such a significant item. It seemed she genuinely wanted to win him over. With the Heavenly Dragon Order, he could command the Heavenly Dragon Guards of the Central Dynasty, a mighty force directly under Empress Yunyao's control. They were filled with supreme experts and only obeyed Empress Yunyao, listening to no one else. They were absolutely loyal and significantly strong.

Being able to command the Heavenly Dragon Guards signified immense power.

Even Ling Chen couldn't have imagined Empress Yunyao would bestow upon him such great power.

Taking the Heavenly Dragon Order, Ling Chen solemnly nodded, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

He knew Empress Yunyao valued him mainly for his potential. After all, Peerless Sword was already ranked third on the Ten Thousand Years Green History Wall, a supreme genius just below the Taibai Sword Immortal and Empress Yunyao herself. And he had straightforwardly defeated the opponent during the Heavenly Sword Tournament. This strength, this qualification, was rare in centuries and could be said that Empress Yunyao valued his potential perhaps more than the entire Ling Family.

Who exactly was Peerless Sword?

The Crown Prince of the Imperial Clan, with outstanding talents. He was also the candidate the conservative relics of the Imperial Clan wished to establish as the new emperor. If Peerless Sword had easily won first in the Heavenly Sword Tournament, it would have created momentum for him, and his future ascension to emperor would be smooth as expected. But unexpected events occurred; Ling Chen defeated Peerless Sword. Not only did Peerless Sword fail to gain momentum, but his reputation dropped significantly, reducing his weight in the power struggle for the throne against Empress Yunyao.

Therefore, Ling Chen inadvertently helped Empress Yunyao greatly this time.

As long as Ling Chen does not fall mid-way, he is destined to become a supreme expert in the Nine Provinces Land.

Thus, Empress Yunyao invested a lot to win him over, equating to an investment that might not yield significant results immediately but perhaps will bear significant fruits in years or decades later.

"The edict appointing you as Marquis will soon be made public. For the time being, you will stay in Divine Capital, where the most top-tier cultivation rooms in the entire Central Dynasty are located, aiding you in enhancing your cultivation."

Empress Yunyao said calmly.

"Since Your Majesty orders, naturally, courtesy demands compliance."

Ling Chen nodded. He wasn't in a hurry to return to the Ling Family, and obtaining the Saint's Soul Niche was not something that could be done immediately, requiring careful thought on how to proceed.

Whether by subtlety or force, none were easy tasks requiring careful planning.

Staying a few more days in Divine Capital was no harm.

"Understood, you may retreat now. Should there be matters, I will summon you again."

Empress Yunyao nodded towards Ling Chen, signaling him.

"Then I shall take my leave first!"

Ling Chen cupped his fists towards Empress Yunyao, then slowly exited the great hall.

Seeing Ling Chen exit the great hall, Empress Yunyao murmured, "This lad better not do anything foolish to ruin his limitless future."

Ling Chen has mastered the Green Lotus Sword Song, which alone proves his talent.

The Green Lotus Sword Song is Taibai Sword Immortal's exclusive swordsmanship. Without Taibai Sword Immortal's approval, Ling Chen would've been unable to master it, not even getting started.

And a genius recognized by Taibai Sword Immortal would be extraordinary. Empress Yunyao had witnessed the strength Ling Chen displayed during the tournament; it indeed lived up to Taibai Sword Immortal's disciple, surpassing Peerless Sword, becoming the helmsman of this generation of geniuses.

The generation of geniuses appears once every few centuries, and its helmsman is naturally more remarkable, leading the era's trend, holding the youth's dominant position.

This is supreme honor, coupled with supreme destiny.

However, Empress Yunyao only knew part and not the other; if she knew Ling Chen had not only learned Green Lotus Sword Song but also apprenticed under the legendary first Supreme Expert—Human Emperor, she would undoubtedly be astonished beyond reconciliation.

Still, no matter how great the talent, becoming a supreme expert is a matter of the future. At present, Ling Chen remains a junior. If he truly creates some big event, he could easily face the wings of a folded talent and regretful fall.