Villain: Manipulating the Heroines into hating the Protagonist

by Stayrr

What happens if a villainous playboy gangster is reincarnated into another world? Lin Feng: Wang Jian! How dare you capture my childhood friend and mess around with her! Su Xian: I-I am with him willingly. Lin Feng: N-No way. You are lying. There is no way you would wear that maid dress otherwise! Wang Jian: It's not just her. Before Lin Feng could understand what he meant, in fro

5. 131 - 152

Villain: Manipulating the Heroines into hating the Protagonist #Chapter 131 Discussion With Su Xian - Read Villain: Manipulating the Heroines into hating the Protagonist Chapter 131 Discussion With Su Xian Online - All Page - FREEWN

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After returning to the Royal Palace in Aria City, Wang Jian introduced Chen Yiyan to his mother, Bai Liqin, who was thrilled to meet her new daughter-in-law.

"Welcome to our family, Chen Yiyan. Make yourself at home," Bai Liqin said warmly.

Wang Jian then informed his mother that they were planning to settle down in Aria City.

To their surprise, Bai Liqin revealed that she had already constructed a personal palace for them in another region of the city.

As they made their way towards the new palace, Bai Liqin excitedly updated Wang Jian on the development of his faction and the current political situation in the city.

"Ah, my dear son, you truly are a dragon who will soar to great heights! Your breakthrough to the King Realm has attracted the attention of all factions," Bai Liqin declared.

She continued, "And those tribes you brought from the Zhenguan Region are thriving at an astonishing rate. I've been providing them with various pills and fruits to enhance their cultivation and strengthen their foundation. Many of their talents have already ascended to the Lord Realm."

"What about my women? Have they attained the Lord Realm?" he asked his mother.

"Indeed, they have. All of them have already broken through to the Lord Realm, but Su Xian has gone even further and reached the second stage of the Lord Realm. Her cultivation speed is truly remarkable," Bai Liqin responded with a grin.

Wang Jian expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Mother. This wouldn't have been possible without your support."

Bai Liqin waved her hand dismissively, "Don't mention it. I gathered all this power and influence for you. I am just pleased to see that you are finally devoted to developing your own faction. It will be of great help to you in the future, regardless of whether you ascend the throne or not."

After a short while, Wang Jian and his entourage arrived at the opulent palace.

The palace was built with the finest materials and decorated with intricate designs, making it a sight to behold.

As they approached the entrance, a group of servants in uniform appeared to welcome them.

The servants were quick to take care of their belongings and lead them to their respective rooms.

Lady Zhuoran's Silver-Tailed Fox Clan was also given a special area within the palace, decorated with fox-themed ornaments and designs. The members of the clan looked pleased with their new living quarters.

With Chen Yiyan by his side, Wang Jian walked through the halls of the palace, leading her to meet Su Xian and Fen Shuying.

The two women were overjoyed to see him and immediately rushed to embrace him upon his arrival.

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Wang Jian introduced Chen Yiyan to his women, and they welcomed her warmly.

As the evening wore on, Bai Liqin took her leave from the palace, leaving Wang Jian and his entourage to settle in and make themselves at home.

As they sat in the living room, Su Xian and Fen Shuying eagerly bombarded Chen Yiyan with questions.

"So, how was the journey to Aria City?" Su Xian asked with a curious glint in her eye.

"It was quite tiring, but it was worth it to finally meet you both," Chen Yiyan replied with a smile.

Fen Shuying leaned in, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "And what is the Windhaven Kingdom like?"

Chen Yiyan took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. "It's a beautiful place with lush greenery and rolling hills. The people there are friendly and welcoming."

"That's great! Maybe we should plan a trip for the Windhaven Kingdom sometime," Fen Shuying suggested with a bright smile.

A smile appeared on Chen Yiyan's face as she spoke, "That is a great idea. I will guide you around the best spots of the Kingdom."

"It's a promise!" Fen Shuying spoke.

Wang Jian couldn't help but smile as he watched his wives chatting and laughing together. However, he knew he had some serious matters to discuss with Su Xian, his first wife.

"Xian'er, I want to have a word with you in private?" he requested, motioning towards the door to head to a more secluded area of the palace. "I would like to hear a report on your group and how they're doing."

Su Xian nodded, her expression turning more serious. "Of course, my dear. I will update you on everything."

Wang Jian stared at Fen Shuying and subtly signalled her to keep Chen Yiyan occupied and help her settle down.

Fen Shuying understood his signal and smiled while reassuring him.

Very soon, Wang Jian and Su Xian were having a walk around the palace.

"So, first of all tell me how your group is doing? What is their current level of cultivation?" Wang Jian asked curiously.

Su Xian's eyes glimmered as she responded, "Thanks to Madam Bai's resources, they have already reached the Origin Realm. However, their battle strength is quite weak. I had them spar against some members of the Night Dagger Clan, and they were all defeated miserably."

Her face expressed guilt as she added, "I'm afraid I couldn't train them well enough."

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Wang Jian placed his hand on her shoulder, assuring her, "Don't worry, Xian'er. You are judging them based on your standards. You are a genius, and not everyone has the same natural talent and quick thinking as you."

"There is a solution to this, and it's simple. I will invite experts to our palace, masters in various fields, to guide and provide insights to them. This will clear any confusion they may have and allow them to progress quickly," Wang Jian said.

He then asked, "What about the other tribes? How are they developing?"

Before departing, Wang Jian had instructed his mother to oversee the faction's development and provide Su Xian with a report on each tribe. He wanted his wife to learn how to manage his faction effectively.

Su Xian reported back, "The growth of our faction is going extremely well. Four elders of the Night Dagger Clan have recently attained the Lord Realm, and so have three members of the Miracle Angel Tribe and two from the Crimson Mammoth Tribe."

"Moreover, each tribe is currently making remarkable progress in their cultivation and training. By the end of this month, we expect each tribe to have more than ten Lord Realm experts," Su Xian finished with a smile.

Wang Jian nodded, pleased with the progress, "Excellent news. With such a strong foundation, we can expand our influence in the city."

"Have they taken on any jobs?" Wang Jian inquired.

"Not at the moment. They are solely concentrating on refining their cultivation," Su Xian replied.

"That's wise of them, but if they stick to this strategy, it could take a considerable amount of time for them to make an impact in the Empire," Wang Jian remarked.

After pondering for a while, he suggested, "Let's create two teams, each with nine members. Each team should have two members from each of the three tribes and a Lord Realm expert from each tribe."

"What would be the task of these teams?" Su Xian asked eagerly.

After a brief pause, Wang Jian spoke, "The primary task of these teams will be to hunt down powerful beasts and demons, but they could also take on tasks such as escorting caravans or protecting towns from bandits."

"The more tasks they complete, the more famous they will become, and the more recognition they will gain from the people and other factions."

Su Xian couldn't help but voice her concerns, "Wouldn't the other clans and sects try to sabotage these clans?"

After living in the Empire for a short time, she had gained a lot of insight into the political landscape. She had come to understand that the Empire was a brutal place where the powerful sects, religions, and clans had established a monopolistic stranglehold.

Wang Jian nodded his head in agreement, "That's a valid concern, Xian'er. However, my current fame will make them pause and think twice before acting against these clans. For now, there's no need to fear them. Moreover, we should expand our reach by setting up businesses in the capital and other major cities. I have a few ideas in mind that can help us grow."

As he was about to divulge more details, a maid arrived and bowed before Wang Jian. Su Xian inquired, "What's the matter?"

"Your Highness, the Second Princess is here to see you. She's waiting in the main hall," the maid responded humbly.

Wang Jian raised his eyebrow in curiosity and replied, "Alright, you may leave now."

Once the maid had left, Su Xian looked at Wang Jian inquisitively. "What should we do? Why would the Second Princess come to visit us?" she asked.

Wang Jian pondered for a moment before speaking. "Let's find out," he said with a small smile.

"I-I can come?" Su Xian was taken aback by the invitation.

"Of course," Wang Jian replied, gesturing for her to follow him.

They made their way to the main hall, where the Second Princess awaited them.

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As Wang Jian and Su Xian made their way to the grandiose main hall while gazing at the ornate decorations and intricate designs of the walls and ceiling along the way.

The glittering chandeliers cast a soft light that illuminated the entire hall.

Wang Jian and Su Xian entered the opulent hall, their eyes immediately drawn to the arresting presence of the second princess, Wang Ying.

She sat atop her throne-like chair, radiating regal beauty that captured their attention. Her lustrous blonde tresses cascaded down her back in soft, undulating waves, while her striking green eyes glimmered with a fierce intelligence and commanding authority.

Her crimson gown, adorned with intricate golden embroidery that sparkled in the light, hugged her curves perfectly, accentuating her alluring figure.

Despite her captivating appearance, there was an unmistakable aura of frigid formality and detachment, a common trait among members of the royal family.

As she caught sight of the duo, Wang Ying's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise, especially when she noticed Wang Jian's companion.

Despite her initial shock, she couldn't help but appreciate the woman's beauty, her delicate features and graceful posture complemented her simple yet elegant attire.

Wang Jian gestured towards Su Xian and said, "This is my elder sister, Ying."

Su Xian bowed gracefully, showing respect to the second princess.

Then, Wang Jian turned to Wang Ying and said, "Elder sister, this is my wife, Su Xian."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Su Xian," Wang Ying spoke. "Are you one of the beauties my dear brother brought back from the Zhenguan Region?"

Su Xian felt a bit uncomfortable upon hearing that question, but she answered calmly, "Yes."

In the meantime, Wang Jian's eyes narrowed as he heard that question.

"So, what brings you here, elder sister? I am sure you didn't come here just to see the face of your lovely younger brother," Wang Jian spoke with a smile.

"Aww. But that's the primary reason I came to visit you today. After all, it's been quite some time since I last saw your face, my dear brother," Wang Ying spoke with a brilliant smile on her face.

Wang Jian arched an eyebrow, "And the other reasons?"

As they took their seats on the thrones flanking Wang Ying, the second princess leaned forward with a wily smile.

"One reason for my visit is to offer my congratulations on your promotion to the King Realm. I was truly overjoyed to hear the news, and I want you to know that you have my full support. If you encounter any difficulties, you can count on my assistance," Wang Ying spoke with a touch of sincerity.

Wang Jian responded with a genuine grin, "Thank you, elder sister."

"I also brought you a gift - the Titan Shield Talisman. It has the ability to withstand a full-powered King Realm attack, but you can only use it three times. The talisman can be easily linked to your spirit, and it can be activated with a single thought," Wang Ying explained, holding out a small metallic pendant.

Wang Jian's grip on the small metallic pendant tightened as he felt strands of spirit energy leaking from it and heading towards Wang Ying.

It was a clever move on her part; the talisman would save his life but also allow her to monitor his location at all times.

Wang Jian suppressed a smirk, knowing that his sister was always one step ahead.

"Thank you for this wonderful gift, sister," he said, his voice dripping with feigned gratitude.

Wang Ying's sly smile widened as she watched him accept the talisman. "I also wanted to thank you for saving the Jin Clan. By the time I received the information, it would have been too late to save them."

"It was nothing, sis. Did you find out anything about who ordered the attack?" Wang Jian asked, trying to sound casual.

With a tinge of anger, Wang Ying responded, "Who else could it be but our eldest brother Wang Hao?"

Wang Jian raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Are you sure it was him? It could have been someone else trying to frame him. You have a lot of enemies, sister."

"Perhaps you are right. But still, our eldest brother is the most suspicious. Also, only he has the resources and influence to convince the Jade Serpent Sect to undertake this task," Wang Ying argued.

Wang Jian shrugged. "Maybe, but it's best not to make assumptions before investigating properly."

Wang Ying thoughtfully nodded before changing the subject. "Let's talk about your time in the Windhaven Kingdom. It should have been under Ninth Brother's control. So why did you forcefully seize control over his faction?"

Wang Jian sighed inwardly, knowing his sister would not let this go. "I've already explained my reasons to father. I don't want to talk about it again."

"If father let it go, then it must have been nothing," Wang Ying said with a charming smile.

Wang Jian's lips twitched in annoyance, but he managed to keep his tone casual. "Nothing much happened, just some minor business deals."

Wang Ying couldn't resist teasing her brother, "Oh, and I heard an interesting piece of information. You were ambushed on your way back, but you surprisingly let the attacker go. Was it because that beauty Hong Meilin requested it?"

She smirked and added, "You are really too weak to a woman's charm. I always fear that you might be tricked by a woman one day."

As Wang Ying spoke, she subtly observed Su Xian's expression, curious about how she would react to the topic of her husband's interaction with another woman.

To her surprise, Su Xian remained composed, which made Wang Ying think, 'He sure found himself an understanding wife.'

Wang Jian didn't appear fazed by his sister's teasing and responded with a nonchalant expression, "Killing the attacker wouldn't have brought me any benefits. However, letting him go allowed me to get a personal favor from the Saintess of the Church of Divine Light."

Wang Ying's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? That's quite a feat. It seems like you are still as shrewd as ever, brother."

She asked ahead with an interested tone, "So, what else have you planned, brother? I noticed that your faction is rapidly growing in strength. Do you want my assistance?"

"No," Wang Jian responded curtly.

"Gee. You really are too cold to your dear sister," Wang Ying spoke with fake sadness.

Wang Jian rolled his eyes in disdain at his sister's act.

After chatting for some more time, Wang Ying left the palace.

Once she was gone, Wang Jian let out a relieved breath.

As Wang Jian conversed with his sister, he couldn't help but feel exhausted. After all, their talk had been quite long. However, he had to keep his guard up as six peak-level King Realm experts had locked onto him with their spiritual energy. He couldn't afford to let his guard down in their presence.

Judging from their immense power, Wang Jian concluded that these experts were much more talented than someone like Blade Serpent.

"It seems that my sister has hired some very capable experts as her guards," Wang Jian commented. "This is to be expected, considering her precarious position as the second princess."

Curious about his wife's opinion, Wang Jian turned to Su Xian and asked, "So, what do you think of my sister?"

Su Xian paused for a moment, carefully considering her words before responding, "She seemed to have a good sense of humor and was rather childish, in a positive way. She also seemed like a kind-hearted woman who cares about you."

Wang Jian let out a heavy sigh, clearly disappointed by her assessment. "That's just on the surface. In reality, she is cold, calculating, and extremely ruthless. I doubt she cares much about our sibling status."

"During the entire meeting, she was testing our bond and trying to extract more information from me. The gift she gave me was a tracker that allowed her to sense my location at all times.

Su Xian's eyes widened in surprise at this revelation. "I had no idea she would be like that," she said.

"Exactly why I brought you here, my love," Wang Jian replied, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You need to be cautious around her and not let slip any crucial information."

Su Xian nodded, her expression serious. "I understand."

The two continued to chat before a maid arrived and informed him, "Your Highness, your friends are here to meet you. What should I inform them?"

"Tell them to come inside," Wang Jian responded, and the maid left the hall swiftly.

Once she was gone, Wang Jian said to Su Xian, "Alright. Go back to your chambers and train."

Su Xian pecked his lips before leaving the hall quickly. She was excited to have spent so much time with her husband.

Wang Jian's friends entered the hall soon after Su Xian was gone.

All of them held relieved smiles as they saw Wang Jian.

"You are finally back, bro. We have something important to share with you," Luo Ying spoke.

"What is it?" Wang Jian asked curiously.

Soon, the infamous outlaws began to narrate the recent troubles they had encountered...

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Xie Zhiwei cleared his throat before speaking, "Brother, we are extremely pleased with your recent advancement and would like to congratulate you and celebrate this momentous occasion. Naturally, we all want a party from you."

His expression soon turned grim as he added, "However, we come bearing sorrowful news."

Wang Jian raised his brows as he asked, "What happened? And where is Li Wei?"

Tang Xiaohui responded with a grave expression, "That's what we're here to tell you, bro. Li Wei is no more. There's someone out there who is targeting us as soon as we leave Aria City."

Luo Ying added with a worried tone, "He wears dark clothes and a mask to hide his identity. He has already attacked Xiaohui and me. Fortunately, we were able to fend him off with our powerful guards, or he may have killed us as well."

Wang Jian spoke nonchalantly, "Ah, that person, huh? He attacked me too."

All of his four friends were stunned by his words. They couldn't believe that the assailant would be foolish enough to target a prince.

"Did you manage to discover his identity?" Xie Zhiwei asked curiously.

The other guys were also eager to know Wang Jian's response. With his strength at the King Realm, it should have been easy for him to defeat the assailant who was only at the Lord Realm.

Wang Jian spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, "Yes, Ye Chen of the Heavenly Blade Sect."

Xie Zhiwei's face turned red with anger. "How dare he! I have many contacts in the Heavenly Blade Sect, and I'll make sure he regrets crossing us!"

His friends nodded in agreement, their expressions similarly furious.

Luo Ying's voice was resolute, "I might not have many contacts in the Heavenly Blade Sect, but I will issue a decree in the Sacred Crane Sect to make Ye Chen's death our top priority."

Liu Yu chimed in, "I will offer free talismans to disciples of all sects on the condition that they kill Ye Chen. Let's see how long he can survive with a bounty on his head!"

Tang Xiaohui calmly suggested, "I will alert all the merchants in the Empire to keep an eye on Ye Chen and charge exorbitant prices for anything he wants to buy. Let's cut off his supplies and see how he survives."

Wang Jian sweat-dropped upon hearing each one of his friends' declarations. He understood they really deserved to be called the Outlaws of Aria City.

Clearing his throat, he spoke with a firm and commanding tone, "I forbid any of you from taking action against Ye Chen. Firstly, Ye Chen's identity is special. He is the only disciple of the previous sect master of the Heavenly Blade Sect."

His words hung heavily in the air, leaving no room for argument or disobedience.

His friends' expressions changed from anger to fear upon hearing this revelation.\

The previous sect master was a illustrious figure whose status was far above their own backgrounds. They knew that any reckless action could lead to severe consequences.

"Secondly, I will take care of Ye Chen personally. You all just need to use your networks and resources to help me gather information about him," Wang Jian stated with conviction.

Xie Zhiwei looked skeptical, "Are you sure about this, Wang Jian? Although our background might not compare to Ye Chen's, we can still help you."

Wang Jian reassured him, "Don't worry, I am well aware of his strength. I have defeated him once and I can do so again. However, I need your help on another matter. Could you please invite a few King Realm experts to discuss her insights on cultivation with a couple of warriors?"

Tang Xiaohui inquired, "Is there someone specific you have in mind?"

"The experts from the Lotus Blossom Sect would be ideal," Wang Jian answered.

Liu Yu nodded thoughtfully, "I know an elder from that sect. I will contact her and ask if she is interested and would know any other experts who can assist us."

"Thank you, Liu Yu. I appreciate your help. Please let her know that I am willing to offer a generous compensation for her time and expertise," Wang Jian said with gratitude.

Liu Yu smiled and replied, "Of course, Wang Jian. We're all good friends here. I'll make sure to convey your message and get back to you with her response."

"Zhiwei, I need you to send an elder from the Alchemy Association to the Jin Clan immediately. The two King Realm experts who were poisoned need to be healed," Wang Jian requested.

Xie Zhiwei raised an eyebrow, "Jin Clan experts? We did receive a request regarding their condition, but the higher ups told us to ignore it."

Wang Jian shrugged dismissively, "It's not hard to figure out that someone who has a grudge against the Jin Family may have exerted pressure on the Dao of Alchemy Society to deny their request for treatment."

Wang Jian asked nonchalantly, "Was it my third brother?"

His friends looked at Xie Zhiwei with inquisitive gazes, waiting for his response.

Xie Zhiwei confirmed Wang Jian's suspicions with a solemn nod, his expression reflecting the gravity of the situation.

"I suspected as much," said Wang Jian with a wry smile. "It's just like my third brother to pull something like this. He even had the Jade Serpent Sect implicate the crown prince as the one who instigated the attack."

With a serious expression, Wang Jian stared at Xie Zhiwei and spoke, "Regardless of this pressure, I want you to send someone from the Dao of Alchemy Society to the Jin Clan's residence and heal those two King Realm experts. Can you do that?"

Xie Zhiwei raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure it's a good idea to involve ourselves in this political mess? It could lead to trouble with the third prince's faction. Besides, the Jin Clan is a part of the second princess's faction, not ours. Should we risk offending the third prince's faction for the sake of the Jin Clan?"

Wang Jian replied with conviction, "I understand the risks, but I want to help them."

Tang Xiaohui chimed in, "I wonder why the second princess hasn't sent an alchemist to the Jin Clan yet. After all, they are a part of her faction. It's her responsibility to help them in their time of need."

Wang Jian's voice remained steady as he spoke, "If my deduction is correct, my second sister must have received a message from the Hua Clan, requesting her not to aid the Jin Clan. As long as my sister remains passive, she will gain unwavering support from the Hua Clan."

Liu Yu's voice was filled with incredulity as he said, "The political games played in the royal family are incredibly complex. I don't think I could survive even a day in the midst of all this intrigue."

Luo Ying sighed wistfully, his thoughts wandering back to his days in the sect. "I agree. Life in the sect was a lot simpler. The one with the stronger martial arts skills was the one who made the rules."

"Also, Zhiwei, make sure that the elder you send mentions that it's all because of a personal request from me that the Dao of Alchemy Society sent him. Otherwise, no one would have arrived," Wang Jian declared with a sly smile.

All his friends' eyes widened as they realized the depths of Wang Jian's political maneuvering.

"You're trying to woo the Jin Clan away from the second princess's faction, aren't you?!" Tang Xiaohui exclaimed, unable to hide her surprise.

"Correct," Wang Jian confirmed, his voice calm and collected.

Liu Yu raised an eyebrow, "Winning them over won't be a walk in the park. I mean, the Jin Clan won't lose faith in the second princess that easily."

"Perhaps, but we have to start somewhere," Wang Jian replied calmly.

Luo Ying's voice trembled slightly, "But won't we be making enemies with both the third prince and the second princess?"

Wang Jian sighed, "I promise you that neither you nor your families will be targeted. If you trust me, then follow my lead."

Wang Jian's friends exchanged uncertain glances, contemplating their next move.

Xie Zhiwei spoke up abruptly, his tone confident, "I trust Jian."

His friends looked at him curiously, wondering what made him so sure.

Xie Zhiwei explained his reasoning, "Think about it. Jian is now a King Realm expert, which means he will inevitably contend for the throne against the Crown Prince and Second Princess. We can either sit on the sidelines and watch or join forces with Jian's faction. If he wins the throne, our fame and influence will skyrocket. It's a risk, yes, but one that's worth taking." His words carried conviction, and his friends couldn't help but feel persuaded.

Tang Xiaohui nodded thoughtfully, "He has a point. If we align ourselves with Jian now, we'll have a better chance of coming out on top if he succeeds."

Liu Yu chimed in, "And if he doesn't succeed, at least we'll have made some powerful allies along the way."

Wang Jian listened intently, then spoke up. "I appreciate your support, but let's not be too hasty. It's best if you continue to support me from the shadows. When the time is right, we'll reveal our alliance to the world."

His friends nodded, understanding the wisdom in his words.

With their minds made up, they began to plan their next move, ready to navigate the dangerous waters of imperial politics.

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Once he had concluded his discussion with his comrades, Wang Jian returned to his chambers to get some rest.

Meanwhile, Fen Shuying sat in front of Chen Yiyan, a mischievous smile on her lips. "So, how is it going with Jian?" she asked, winking at Chen Yiyan.

Chen Yiyan blushed, "It's going well. We're happy together."

"But have you two...you know," Fen Shuying trailed off, looking at Chen Yiyan with an eyebrow raised.

Chen Yiyan looked away, embarrassed. "We haven't gone all the way yet," she admitted.

Fen Shuying gasped dramatically. "What?! You mean to tell me that Jian is still holding back? He must be crazy!" she exclaimed.

Chen Yiyan felt a twinge of worry in her chest. Was Wang Jian having second thoughts? Did he not feel the same way she did?

"Don't worry," Fen Shuying reassured her. "I know Jian better than anyone. He's just being cautious. He doesn't want to do anything to hurt you."

"But what if he doesn't want to take our relationship further?" Chen Yiyan asked, her voice trembling.

Fen Shuying rolled her eyes. "Don't be silly. Of course, he wants to be with you. He is probably waiting for the right time."

Chen Yiyan nodded slowly, feeling reassured by Fen Shuying's words.

"Listen, I have an idea," Fen Shuying said, leaning closer to Chen Yiyan. "Why don't you take the initiative? Show Jian that you're ready for the next step. Be bold, Yiyan. It's time to take matters into your own hands."

Chen Yiyan looked at Fen Shuying, her eyes wide with surprise. "Do you really think that's a good idea?"

Fen Shuying grinned. "Trust me, it's the best idea."

Chen Yiyan nodded slowly, feeling a new sense of determination. She would show Wang Jian that she was ready for the next step, no matter what it took.

Fen Shuying had a devious glint in her eye as she grabbed Chen Yiyan's hand and dragged her towards her personal room.

"I have a plan to make sure Wang Jian can't resist you any longer," she teased.

Chen Yiyan's heart raced with excitement and nervousness. What could Fen Shuying have in mind?

An hour later, a flushed Chen Yiyan emerged from Fen Shuying's room, her body concealed under a massive robe. She was heading straight towards Wang Jian's chambers.

As she raised her hand to knock on Wang Jian's chamber door, Chen Yiyan's heart began to race with uncertainty.

She couldn't shake off the feeling that she was moving too fast under Fen Shuying's influence.

But then again, she couldn't deny the excitement that coursed through her veins at the prospect of being with Wang Jian intimately.

She took a deep breath and steadied her nerves before knocking on the door.

The door soon opened, and there stood Wang Jian, looking surprised to see Chen Yiyan.

Chen Yiyan asked nervously, "Can I come inside?"

"Yes, most definitely," Wang Jian responded as he stepped aside and allowed her to enter.

Once Chen Yiyan was inside, Wang Jian closed the door and turned around.

As she saw the door close, Chen Yiyan couldn't help but feel a rush of heat creeping up her neck. The air was heavy with anticipation, and she knew there was no going back now.

Chen Yiyan's hand shook slightly as she lifted the hem of her robe, revealing a breathtaking dress that hugged her curves in all the right places.

The dress was made of silk, with intricate embroidery of golden dragons and blooming cherry blossoms that shimmered in the candlelight. Its low-cut neckline exposed just enough of her bosom to tease and tantalize, leaving Wang Jian breathless.

Chen Yiyan began to sway her hips seductively, the silk of her dress rustling with each movement.

She closed the distance between them, her hand reaching out to caress Wang Jian's face. With a coy smile, she whispered, "Do you like my dress, my prince?"

Wang Jian's eyes widened with admiration as he took in the sight of Chen Yiyan's dress. "You look absolutely breathtaking, my love," he said, his voice laced with genuine awe.

"I had hoped to take our relationship to the next level, but never did I imagine that you would make the first move like this."

Chen Yiyan blushed deeply at his words, her heart pounding in her chest. "A-Are you happy with it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I am more than happy," Wang Jian assured her, closing the distance between them. With a gentle touch, he lifted her chin, and their lips met in a soft, loving kiss.

After the kiss ended, Chen Yiyan whispered, "…I need to thank Sister Shuying for encouraging me."

With a grin, Wang Jian spoke, "Let's thank her together."

His hands traveled along Chen Yiyan's body, tracing the curves of her waist and hips, eliciting soft moans from her lips.

He leaned in to kiss her deeply, savoring the taste of her lips, which were sweet and inviting. He pulled back for a moment, looking deep into her eyes.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered, his voice full of emotion.

Chen Yiyan's cheeks flushed with pleasure, and she responded with a small smile. She could feel her heart racing as Wang Jian's hands continued to explore her body.

She arched her back, offering herself up to him, as he moved down to her neck, kissing and nibbling gently.

She let out a soft gasp as he found a sensitive spot, and he chuckled against her skin. "You like that, don't you?"

Chen Yiyan nodded, her breathing becoming more ragged. Wang Jian's hands moved up to cup her breasts, massaging them gently through the fabric of her dress. She moaned softly, and he smiled, pleased with her response.

He leaned in again to kiss her deeply, his tongue exploring her mouth. As they kissed, he whispered more sweet words in her ear.

"I will love you forever," he said.

Chen Yiyan's heart swelled with love for him, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her. She could feel his body responding to her, and she smiled.

They continued to kiss and touch each other for some time, lost in their passion.

Chen Yiyan's heart was pounding with anticipation as Wang Jian slowly undressed her. She couldn't believe that she was finally going to be with the man she loved so deeply. As they both stood naked before each other, she couldn't help but stare at the impressive length of his hard cock.

"I-I don't know if I can do this," she stuttered, her voice trembling with nervousness.

Wang Jian wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply, trying to reassure her.

"My love, I promise to be gentle with you. We can take things slow and stop if you want to. Just let me know if anything is too much for you."

With his words, Chen Yiyan felt a sense of comfort and safety wash over her. She smiled at him and nodded her head, indicating that she was ready to take the next step.

As Wang Jian positioned himself between her legs, Chen Yiyan gasped as she felt his cock rub against her slick entrance. She could feel her body tremble with anticipation as he slowly pushed himself inside of her.

Her pussy bled as it was forced to expand to take in that massive member. This made Chen Yiyan experience great pain, causing her to grip Wang Jian tightly.

"Oh, Wang Jian," she moaned as she felt him fill her up completely. She had never felt so full before.

Wang Jian leaned in to kiss her as he began to thrust slowly in and out of her. Chen Yiyan wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him in deeper with each movement.

"You feel so good," Wang Jian whispered as he nibbled on her earlobe. "I love you so much, my sweet Chen Yiyan."

"I love you too," she responded, her voice filled with passion.

As their bodies moved together in perfect rhythm, Chen Yiyan felt her pleasure build. She moaned loudly, arching her back as Wang Jian's cock hit all the right spots.

"Harder," she begged, her hands gripping the sheets tightly.

Wang Jian complied, increasing the pace of his thrusts as he brought her closer and closer to the edge.

"I'm going to come," Chen Yiyan cried out, her body writhing in pleasure.

Wang Jian's movements became even more urgent as he felt her walls clench around him. With a final thrust, they both came together, their bodies shaking with the intensity of their orgasms.

As they lay in each other's arms, Chen Yiyan felt a sense of completeness that she had never experienced before. She knew that she was meant to be with Wang Jian, and nothing could ever change that.

"I love you," she whispered as she snuggled closer to him.

"I love you more," he replied, kissing the top of her head.

For the rest of the night, they remained intertwined, lost in their love for each other. They had finally taken the next step in their relationship.

On the following day, Wang Jian dedicated his time to his beloved wives, Fen Shuying and Su Xian.

He had been away from them for quite some time, and he knew they must have been eagerly anticipating his return.

It was only fitting that he made up for lost time and showed them the affection they deserved.

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As Wang Jian indulged in his life with his beloved wives, his enemies were busy plotting their next moves.

After returning to her personal palace, Wang Ying wasted no time and summoned her most trusted subordinates.

"Summon Ye Chen immediately. I need to speak with him."

As her subordinates hurried to obey, Wang Ying leaned back on her throne, a wicked grin forming on her lips. "And while you're at it, gather all the information you can on him. His family, friends, and lovers. Everything."

She knew that Ye Chen was a skilled warrior, but more than that, she sensed a ruthlessness and cunning that could serve her well in her bid for power.

As her subordinates scurried away, Wang Ying mused to herself, 'This brat dared to harm even Jian. He can be very useful to me.'

With a devious smirk, she began to hatch a plan to recruit Ye Chen into her ranks and turn him against her brother.

…

Wang Lei was consumed with fury upon hearing the news of Wang Jian's advancement to the King Realm.

This sudden development had created a ripple effect within the Royal Family, causing significant changes.

The Emperor's favor had shifted towards Wang Jian, and he had been aiding in the development of Wang Jian's faction.

The Third Prince, who had previously been indifferent to Wang Jian, was now acutely aware of the Emperor's commands to the Church of Divine Light and the Heavenly Blade Sect.

The knowledge of the resources and the weapon at Wang Jian's disposal had sent a chill down Wang Lei's spine.

He knew that Wang Jian's newfound power could cause trouble for him and his faction in the future. The thought of being eclipsed by his younger brother made him seethe with anger.

Furthermore, Wang Lei was seething with anger towards Wang Jian for ruining his plan to obliterate the Jin Clan.

His relationship with the Jade Serpent Sec had taken a significant hit since the incident.

Wang Lei could sense that they were hesitant to make their next move, and this only added to his frustration.

It was clear to Wang Lei that the Jade Serpent Sect had lost faith in his abilities, and he was no longer considered a contender for the throne.

This realization opened his eyes to the harsh reality of the world, where strength was the only thing that mattered.

With a newfound determination, Wang Lei ordered his subordinates to gather as much information as possible about Law Fruits.

He was desperate to acquire one by any means necessary to reach the King Realm and show everyone his true strength.

…

Ye Chen wandered deep within the dense and perilous Crimson Canopy Woods, his senses attuned to the rustling of leaves and the sounds of ferocious beasts prowling nearby.

He had ventured into the forest for several days and had already slain a multitude of beasts at the Lord Realm, their lifeless bodies left to nourish the powerful Chaos Essence Bead that glowed vibrantly in his hand.

With each feeding, he felt an invigorating surge of pure energy pulse through his body, reinvigorating him for the next hunt.

Ye Chen wasn't content with just growing stronger by slaying beasts, he was driven by his true purpose of finding legendary herbs. However, despite his perseverance, he had not been able to spot any signs of the elusive plants.

As he was contemplating whether to explore another section of the forest, he heard a shrill cry in the distance. Ye Chen's senses sharpened, and he quickly identified it as a woman's voice, which seemed to be in distress.

Without a moment's delay, Ye Chen unleashed his fastest movement technique and darted towards the source of the sound. The thrill of a potential encounter with danger was surging within him, but he had no intention of backing down.

In another part of the woods, a group of stunning women, dressed in delicate pink robes adorned with lotus flowers, were making their way through the treacherous terrain.

They were the disciples of the renowned Lotus Blossom Sect, and their beauty was matched only by their formidable martial prowess.

Suddenly, the peace of the forest was shattered by a series of blood-curdling screams. The women had been ambushed by a horde of vile demons, their bodies surrounded by a thick, sinister aura of demonic energy.

The creatures had vicious, razor-sharp claws and gnashing teeth, and their eyes burned with an otherworldly glow.

The elder of the Lotus Blossom Sect was a mature beauty, with years of experience as an elder-ranked figure in the sect. She fearlessly charged towards the King Realm demon that led the pack, determined to take him down.

The disciples of the Lotus Blossom Sect fought valiantly, their weapons gleaming in the dim light of the forest.

But even with their skill and courage, they were no match for the ferocity of the demon horde. One by one, they fell to the ground, their bodies broken and bloodied.

A few disciples of the Lotus Blossom Sect couldn't help but scream aloud.

This was precisely the scream that Ye Chen had heard.

In a flash of lightning, a figure appeared before them. It was Ye Chen, his eyes blazing with righteous fury and his fists crackling with power.

He wasted no time in engaging the demons, his movements swift and precise as he dodged their attacks and landed devastating blows.

Ye Chen tapped into the energy that he had gathered from the Chaos Essence Stone, channeling it into his Heavy Sword as he charged towards the King Realm Demon.

He unleashed a devastating attack, imbued with the Laws of Sword, and simultaneously pulled out a talisman with the power of a King Realm expert.

But before he could use the talisman, his sword struck the demon's shoulder, piercing it.

This gave the elder from the Lotus Blossom Sect an opening to unleash her most powerful technique.

She conjured up hundreds of leaves, infused with her mastery of the Laws of Wind, and sent them hurtling towards the demon.

The leaves sliced through the air, slashing the demon into a thousand pieces.

The disciples of the Lotus Blossom Sect let out a cheer of triumph as all demons were soon exterminated with the combined efforts of Ye Chen and the elder.

After the fierce battle, Ye Chen finally had the chance to meet the group he had saved.

They were a team of talented warriors led by the renowned Elder Hua Qiao, a woman of exceptional beauty from the prestigious Hua Clan in Jinhua City.

Her delicate features were concealed behind a veil, but Ye Chen could sense her elegance and grace from the way she carried herself.

Elder Hua expressed her gratitude to Ye Chen for his timely intervention, recognizing that without him, more disciples of the Lotus Blossom Sect would have fallen in battle.

Ye Chen modestly accepted her praise, but he couldn't help but feel drawn to her captivating aura.

Meanwhile, the other disciples of the Lotus Blossom Sect expressed their excitement at meeting Ye Chen and introduced themselves eagerly, thanking him for his bravery in slaughtering the demons and saving them.

"What brings you all to these parts?" Ye Chen inquired curiously.

A young disciple from the group quickly stepped forward and replied, "We are on a quest to find the Heavenly Moon Blossom."

The mere mention of the legendary herb sent a jolt of surprise through Ye Chen's body. He had heard of its existence but never thought he would encounter anyone actively seeking it.

Elder Hua's eyes narrowed in disapproval, and she cast a sharp glare at the disciple who had let slip this valuable information.

Ye Chen couldn't help but ponder intently on the knowledge he possessed about the Heavenly Moon Blossom.

It is a rare and highly coveted plant in the world of cultivation. The plant only blooms once every hundred years, and it only grows in the most remote and inaccessible places. Its petals glow with a soft silver light, creating an otherworldly aura around it.

The plant has two unique abilities that make it a treasure for cultivators.

The first is its ability to enhance one's spiritual energy, making it a popular ingredient in spiritual pills and elixirs. Consuming its petals can increase one's cultivation speed by tenfold, allowing for rapid advancement in the martial arts.

The second ability of Heavenly Moon Blossom is its power to purify and refine spiritual energy. Its petals can absorb impurities and toxins from the body, enhancing the purity of one's spiritual energy. This allows cultivators to achieve greater heights in their cultivation and reach realms that were previously impossible to attain.

With its rare blooming cycle and unique abilities, the Heavenly Moon Blossom is a prized possession among cultivators, with many willing to go to great lengths to obtain even a single petal.

Ye Chen was consumed with a fervent desire as he thought to himself, 'This medicinal plant is of the same caliber as the Holy Blossom Fruit and the Phoenix Flame Fruit. I must obtain it and use the Chaos Essence Bead to cultivate it! With dozens of these blossoms in my possession, I can even placate the fury of the Church of the Divine Light.'

As he gazed at Elder Hua, his eyes betrayed his intense yearning, and he couldn't resist thinking, 'If I offer two of these flowers to her, it will surely enhance her impression of me.'

Without hesitation, Ye Chen implored, "Might I have the honor of accompanying you on this expedition?"

Elder Hua let out a resigned sigh, knowing that this request was inevitable. Any cultivator who learned of the existence of the Heavenly Moon Blossom would be irresistibly tempted.

A bit pressured by the gazes on her, Elder Hua responded, "Alright."

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While he was on the way, Ye Chen was informed of the guardian of the Heavenly Moon Blossom, the Lunar Tiger.

It is a massive white tiger with black stripes that stands at over 20 feet tall, and possesses incredible strength, speed, and agility that far surpasses any other beast at the King Realm.

The Lunar Tiger is said to be able to move faster than the speed of sound, and its claws can cut through even the hardest of materials.

It is fiercely protective of the Heavenly Moon Blossom and will stop at nothing to ensure that no one else takes it. It is also highly intelligent and can communicate telepathically with those it deems worthy of its attention.

However, it is notoriously difficult to gain the Lunar Tiger's trust, as it is highly suspicious of outsiders.

Despite its fearsome reputation, the Lunar Tiger is also known for its sense of honor and loyalty. It will always keep its word and never back down from a challenge, making it a formidable opponent in any battle.

Ye Chen realized that triumphing over the Lunar Tiger would prove to be quite a formidable task.

In fact, he recognized that it was imperative to vanquish a few beasts beforehand and subsequently place their corpses into the Chaos Essence Bead, in order to reinvigorate the pure essence of the bead.

As the sun started to set, they arrived at the entrance of the cave, shrouded in darkness. Due to the lack of visibility, they decided to postpone exploring the cave until the next day.

The disciples of the Lotus Blossom Sect, relieved from their journey, gathered around a bonfire to chat with Ye Chen.

However, Elder Hua stood a little farther away with a watchful expression, disinterested in the small talk.

Although Ye Chen was eager to approach her and start a conversation, he knew that it would be inappropriate to do so in front of her disciples. He sensed that making a move at this point would only worsen his chances with her.

Ye Chen continued chatting with the disciples of the Lotus Blossom Sect, enjoying their lively banter as they sat around the crackling bonfire. However, as midnight approached, it was time to call it a night and retire to their tents.

Just as Ye Chen was about to turn in, Elder Hua approached him and offered to show him a spot to set up his tent.

Ye Chen was surprised, as he had been considering pitching his tent right there. However, it quickly became clear that Elder Hua had other ideas in mind.

Without showing any annoyance, Ye Chen followed Elder Hua to the spot she had chosen for him.

It was a peaceful area about half a mile away from the Lotus Blossom Sect's camp.

While Ye Chen felt a twinge of disappointment at being excluded from their group, he didn't let it dampen his enthusiasm for the expedition.

All of a sudden, Elder Hua's pupils dilated as she detected an unusual energy signature. She could feel a colossal spiritual power rapidly approaching their camp, and her expression turned grave.

"Quickly, follow me," she ordered Ye Chen urgently, her tone laced with anxiety. "The Lunar Tiger has sensed us and is on its way here!"

Ye Chen didn't waste a moment and immediately ran after her, their feet pounding the ground as they dashed towards the camp.

Fortunately, when they reached their destination, they found that the Lunar Tiger had not yet arrived.

Elder Hua's eyes widened in shock and alarm as she saw a massive burst of light-blue lunar energy hurtling towards them with tremendous force.

Reacting quickly, she stepped forward with a determined expression and conjured a powerful barrier imbued with the Laws of Wind to intercept the incoming attack.

However, the sheer power of the blast was overwhelming, and the barrier she had hastily formed was incomplete.

In a blinding flash, Elder Hua was thrown back by the explosive impact of the attack.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen was utterly taken aback as he witnessed the sheer force of the Lunar Tiger's attack.

He could hardly believe that a beast could possess such power! It was evident that the creature was far more formidable than a typical King Realm beast.

As they recovered from the shock, a thunderous voice echoed in their minds, sending shivers down their spines. It was the Lunar Tiger, and it was clearly not pleased with their presence.

"How dare you humans invade my territory?! You will all meet your demise!"

A majestic white tiger with black stripes emerged before them, standing over 20 feet tall. Its eyes held a peculiar calmness, belying the ferocity of its appearance.

Elder Hua stood firm, brandishing her sword with determination etched on her face.

"Respected Lunar Tiger, we humbly request a single petal of the Heavenly Moon Blossom Flower. We mean no harm and will leave immediately," she spoke with a composed and imploring tone.

The Lunar Tiger let out a disdainful sneer, its powerful voice echoing in everyone's minds. "The Heavenly Moon Blossom belongs to the Lunar Tigers. We have been its protectors for generations, and we alone are entitled to its benefits!"

Its words were laced with a fierce determination that made it clear it wasn't going to give up the prized plant without a fight.

"Then fight we shall!"

With a loud roar, Ye Chen leaped into action, unleashing his powerful Whirlwind Slash attack from a safe distance. The attack was a stunning display of swordsmanship that launched a deadly flurry of razor-sharp blades towards the Lunar Tiger.

But to Ye Chen's surprise, the Lunar Tiger effortlessly countered the attack with a blast of pure moon energy that obliterated the blades in an instant, leaving Ye Chen vulnerable to a deadly blow.

Just as the Lunar Tiger was about to strike Ye Chen and kill him, Elder Hua stepped forward and intercepted the attack with her sword, her eyes blazing with determination.

"I won't hold back then!" she declared, her spirit activated and ready for battle.

Her spirit was in the form of a Skyblade Wolf as it appeared with an intense blue light.

The Lunar Tiger roared and charged at Elder Hua, but she was prepared. She jumped out of the way and unleashed her first attack, "Thundering Fang Slash!"

Her sword glowed with lightning energy as she slashed at the Lunar Tiger.

The Lunar Tiger countered with "Moonlit Claw!" as its claws glowed with moon energy and slashed at Elder Hua.

But Skyblade Wolf leaped into action, attacking the Lunar Tiger with "Sky Shatter Bite!"

Its jaws glowed with blue energy as it bit into the Lunar Tiger's side.

The Lunar Tiger roared in pain and fury and retaliated with "Lunar Blast!"

A blast of pure moon energy shot out of its mouth, but Elder Hua was quick to dodge it.

Elder Hua and Skyblade Wolf worked together, executing "Windstorm Fang Slash!" and "Blade Hurricane!"

The combination of their attacks created a fierce windstorm that pushed the Lunar Tiger back.

But the Lunar Tiger was not deterred. It countered with "Moonlit Fury!"

A series of powerful slashes with its claws that glowed with a silver light.

Elder Hua and Skyblade Wolf leaped out of the way, avoiding the attack.

Elder Hua then charged forward with "Stormbreaker Slash!"

Her sword glowed with blue and white energy as she swung it towards the Lunar Tiger.

The Lunar Tiger responded with "Moon Shadow Dance!" and disappeared from sight.

Elder Hua and Skyblade Wolf searched for their opponent, but suddenly the Lunar Tiger reappeared with "Moonlight Pounce!"

A powerful attack that sent them both flying back.

As Elder Hua and Skyblade Wolf stood up, they realized the Lunar Tiger was preparing its most powerful attack, "Moon's Wrath!"

A massive blast of pure moon energy that could obliterate them both.

But they refused to give up. Elder Hua and Skyblade Wolf combined their spiritual energy to create the ultimate technique, "Skywolf's Fury!"

A powerful attack that created a massive storm of wind and lightning.

The attack collided with the Lunar Tiger's "Moon's Wrath," and a massive explosion erupted.

As the intense battle between the Lunar Tiger and Elder Hua's Skyblade Wolf raged on, the surrounding landscape was left in ruins. The ground was torn apart, and the air was filled with the sounds of clashing swords and roaring beasts.

In the midst of the chaos, Ye Chen led the other disciples of the Lotus Blossom Sect to a safe distance. He knew that they would be no match for the Lunar Tiger and Elder Hua's power.

But Ye Chen wasn't going to sit idly by and watch the battle unfold from afar. He had a plan, and he was determined to see it through.

With multiple talismans in hand, he rushed back to the battlefield, his heart pounding with anticipation.

As he approached, the Lunar Tiger's attention was solely focused on Elder Hua and her Skyblade Wolf. It was a fierce and unrelenting battle, with neither side gaining the upper hand.

But Ye Chen was not deterred. All he had to do was get close enough to use them.

Once he was close enough, Ye Chen unleashed a bunch of his talismans at the same time. These talismans included Death-Dealing Sword Talisman, Celestial Blade Talisman, and the Phantom Sword Talisman.

The Lunar Tiger was caught off guard as hundreds of shimmering swords suddenly materialized and raced towards it, glowing with an intense celestial energy. The Lunar Tiger reacted quickly, setting up a powerful lunar barrier to protect itself.

However, the swords effortlessly phased through the barrier, causing the Lunar Tiger to realize it had been deceived.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen had reached the Lunar Tiger and unleashed a fierce attack with his Heavy Sword. The blade, infused with the power of the Celestial Sword Talisman, sliced through the beast's flesh, causing it to roar in agony.

But the Lunar Tiger was not defeated yet. It shook its massive body, unleashing a tremendous burst of Lunar Qi that sent Ye Chen flying through the air, crashing to the ground several meters away.

Elder Hua's eyes gleamed as she saw an opportunity to end the battle. She swiftly moved towards the Lunar Tiger with Skyblade Wolf by her side.

With a fierce cry, she unleashed her most powerful attack, "The Storm Piercer!"

The Skyblade Wolf transformed into a stream of pure lightning and wind energy that enveloped Elder Hua's sword, imbuing it with incredible power.

The Lunar Tiger sensed the danger and launched a massive blast of lunar energy to block the attack.

However, to its surprise, the lightning and wind energies took the shape of a half-wolf, which effortlessly endured the attack and charged towards the Lunar Tiger with great speed.

The Lunar Tiger tried to evade the attack, but the half-wolf made of a mix of spiritual energy and qi was too fast.

It exploded upon the collision with the Lunar Tiger, causing a deafening explosion that shook the entire battlefield.

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As Elder Hua and her disciples made their way towards the cave where the Heavenly Moon Blossom was said to grow, Ye Chen trailed closely behind, deep in thought about how he could persuade Elder Hua to relinquish the coveted flower.

But as they approached the cave, their eyes widened with wonder at the sight of numerous glittering treasures scattered throughout the cavernous expanse.

Glinting gemstones and glittering crystals adorned the walls and floors, while rare herbs and exotic plants sprouted from the rocky crevices.

The group's eyes widened in amazement as they ventured deeper into the cave.

They found not only the highly coveted Heavenly Moon Blossom but also an array of other valuable medicinal plants like the rare Thunderstorm Vine, Wind Whistle Leaf, and Frostbite Grass.

The Ocean Pearl Coral, Mystic Wind Fern, and Soul Mist Mushroom were on par with the Heavenly Moon Blossom in terms of rarity and potency, sending the disciples into a frenzy of excitement.

As they scanned their surroundings, they realized that the cave also housed piles of ancient bones, which sparked curiosity about the cave's past.

The tomes they discovered were filled with secret techniques and ancient knowledge that could unlock unparalleled power for the wielder.

Among these techniques, Ye Chen came across a Body Cultivation Technique known as the Divine Bone Transformation Art.

It requires a profound understanding of the body's inner workings.

To cultivate this technique, one must first find a suitable place to cultivate, preferably somewhere with abundant natural energy.

The technique has a total of nine levels, with each level unlocking a new ability that enhances the cultivator's body and increases their strength.

The first three levels focus on enhancing the bones and muscles, granting the cultivator the ability to wield heavier weapons.

The fourth and fifth levels heighten the senses, boosting reaction time and detecting even the slightest movements.

The sixth level is a crucial milestone, where the bones become denser and harder, making them impervious to most attacks.

The seventh level enables the cultivator to recover quickly from fatal injuries.

The eighth level, known as the "Divine Transformation," is where the body reaches its zenith, and the bones become almost indestructible, enabling the cultivator to wield their bones as weapons.

Finally, the last level, the "Heavenly Transformation," empowers the cultivator to transcend human limits, granting tremendous strength and the ability to manipulate their body's density to move at unbelievable speeds and withstand the most formidable attacks.

It was a pity that the Divine Bone Transformation Art that Ye Chen had acquired contained description only until the seventh level.

There was no information on how to cultivate the technique to the eighth or final level.

As Ye Chen delved deeper into the secrets of the Divine Bone Transformation Art, his confidence swelled. With this technique, he felt like he could take on any foe and emerge victorious.

His attention was suddenly drawn to Elder Hua as she had made her way to the Heavenly Moon Blossom and was poised to pluck its flower.

Without hesitation, Ye Chen called out to her. "Please, Elder Hua, wait."

The elder turned to him with a dark scowl etched onto her face. She knew that Ye Chen coveted the blossom as well and was loath to relinquish it.

However, Ye Chen was the one who created that opportunity which allowed her to kill the Lunar Tiger so that she couldn't show blatant disregard for his words.

"I must request that you let me have the Heavenly Moon Blossom," he implored. Seeing the elder's expression grow even more sour, he quickly added, "I understand that the Lotus Blossom Sect has a pressing need for it, but I humbly ask that you allow me to keep the flower."

"Why?" Elder Hua demanded, her voice dripping with disdain.

Undeterred, Ye Chen answered gravely, "I have a unique technique that can allow us to procure more Heavenly Moon Blossom Flowers. But it requires me to hold onto this one for an entire day. And not just that, I can even multiply all the herbs and medicinal plants in this area!"

As Ye Chen spoke, his words dripped with such an infectious confidence that it seemed to mesmerize Elder Hua. Her initial ruthlessness began to waver, and for a moment, she found herself wanting to trust him.

The tension in the air was palpable as her disciples watched with bated breath.

They knew that the Heavenly Moon Blossom was a rare find, but they also felt that trusting Ye Chen would be the right choice.

As if on cue, the disciples began to speak up for Ye Chen, their voices rising in unison as they vouched for his trustworthiness.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Elder Hua hesitated for a moment longer before finally relenting.

"Very well," she warned, her voice laced with caution. "But you will not leave my range at any costs."

Ye Chen's eyes sparkled with triumph as he accepted her terms with a wide grin.

"Agreed," he said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "I wouldn't dream of it."

As the day passed, Ye Chen fulfilled his promise to Elder Hua by presenting her with dozens of herbs, each of which was of exceptional quality.

The herbs were brimming with energy that even surpassed the levels he had exhibited in the cave.

Elder Hua was left stunned and gazed at Ye Chen with newfound admiration. His reputation as a skilled cultivator was solidified in her mind, and she couldn't help but wonder about his true potential.

Maintaining his composure, Ye Chen projected the image of a seasoned expert and capitalized on the opportunity to impress Elder Hua even further.

After the group left the forest, Ye Chen parted ways with the Lotus Blossom Sect and began his journey towards the Church of Divine Light.

Ye Chen made a swift return to the Church of Divine Light, and the Pope was taken aback by the sudden appearance of his energy within the church's boundaries.

Just as the Pope was about to dispatch a deacon to investigate the situation, a bishop frantically barged into his chambers, bringing news of Ye Chen's arrival.

The bishop informed the Pope that Ye Chen had arrived with a bountiful donation of rare herbs, which he wished to present as a token of gratitude to the Church for their hospitality.

Furthermore, he also wished to express his deep regret for any inconvenience he might have caused them.

The Pope was taken aback by Ye Chen's magnanimous gesture and was impressed by his noble character.

Intrigued by this sudden turn of events, the Pope immediately ordered the bishop to escort Ye Chen to his chambers.

He was eager to hear more about Ye Chen's journey and how he came across these treasured herbs.

…

It had been a couple of days since Wang Jian settled inside his new palace.

He had been rather busy for these past few days. His primary task was to spend time with his wives.

The secondary task was to send a servant with the petal of Golden Lotus to the Dao of Alchemy Society.

He had already informed Xie Zhiwei to concoct a Thunderbolt Lotus Pellet for him.

Xie Zhiwei had responded that it would take a couple of days and Wang Jian was fine with the timeline.

Meanwhile, an esteemed alchemist of the Dao of Alchemy Society had already been sent to the Jin Family to cure Jin Meixiang's uncle and grandfather.

This matter had been completed perfectly as Wang Jian received thousands of points from Jin Meixiang. She was extremely touched by his actions and had thanked him profusely.

Actually, now that he had opened the notification center of the system, he began to check out the other notifications he had received.

These notifications dated back to the time when Wang Jian was still on the way to Aria City, and he had tormented Xiao Ling, Bixi Shuyan, and Lady Zhuoran.

All in all, he had acquired 290,000 Destiny Points from the three.

This was a rather impressive number. Most points were actually provided by Lady Zhuoran.

Well, it did make sense as she held the highest luck among the women who regained their Heroine status.

[

Status

Name: Wang Jian.

Age: 20 years old.

Destiny Points: 321,346.

Cultivation: First Stage of the King Realm.

Cultivation Technique: Soaring Dragon Technique (Level 4) (Requires 500,000 Destiny Points to level up).

Skills: Origin Fist, Beam of Destruction, Mystic Force, Divine Shielding Iron Body, Enhanced Strength, Spiritual Sensitivity, Moonrise Fist, Lunar Shield, Moonshadow Step, Shadow Manipulation, Dark Fog, Eclipse Domain Annihilation, Tranquil Mind Divine Mantra, Black Castle, Elemental Genius, Dragon's Prestige, Enchantment Ability (Level 1).

Ocular Abilities: True Eyes (Level 2) (200,000 Destiny Points).

Bloodline: Blue Moon Eclipse Devil Bloodline. (Second Level) (Next level: 500,000 Destiny Points).

Insight in Laws – Flame: Mid-Level (2,000,000 Destiny Points). Lightning – Nil (300,000 Destiny Points), Dark – Nil (100,000 Destiny Points).

Physique: Chaotic Yang Body (Dormant).

Spirit: Dark Flame Double-Headed River Dragon (Seven Star Spirit) (Mutated).

Weaknesses: Holy Attribute. Solar Attribute.

]

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Wang Jian in his private chambers while utilizing the True Eyes.

He had noticed that Kang Huian's loyalty was merely 30, and Han Xifeng's loyalty was even lower and was set at 26.

He could understand the reason behind their dwindling loyalty. They were planning to use the growing strength of their respective tribes to escape his grasp.

Wang Jian was naturally not going to allow that to happen. He had a plan, a plan that involved breaking them both, both physically and mentally.

With a flick of his wrist, he summoned the two girls to his chambers. They appeared in front of him, both dressed in maid uniforms he had designed especially for them.

The dresses were seductive, with short skirts that barely covered their thighs and tight bodices that accentuated their curves.

It was clear that the dresses were designed to be both humiliating and arousing for the two heiresses.

Kang Huian and Han Xifeng looked at each other, their faces flushed with embarrassment.

They knew what was about to happen, and they knew that they had no choice but to obey Wang Jian's orders.

The prince's voice was low and dangerous as he addressed them.

"I know what you two have been plotting," he said, his eyes blazing with anger. "You think that you can escape me by growing your tribes? You are wrong. You belong to me, body and soul."

Kang Huian and Han Xifeng hung their heads, shame written all over their faces. They knew that they had made a mistake, but they had not realized the consequences of their actions.

Wang Jian's demeanor softened, and a small smirk appeared on his lips.

"But, perhaps, we can come to an understanding," he said, his voice honeyed. "I am willing to forgive your transgressions on one condition."

The two maids looked up at him, their eyes wide with hope. Perhaps there was a way out of this after all.

Wang Jian leaned closer to them, his breath hot against their skin.

"You must learn your place," he said, his voice low and menacing. "And I will teach you. I will show you what it means to be loyal."

With a wicked grin, Wang Jian's eyes roamed over Kang Huian and Han Xifeng, their bodies glistening with sweat and their expressions a mix of fear and pleasure.

"You two can't resist me, can you?" he taunted, his voice low and commanding. "No matter how much you try to fight it, your bodies crave my touch."

Kang Huian and Han Xifeng exchanged nervous glances, their minds a haze of conflicting emotions.

But as Wang Jian approached them, they found themselves unable to resist his magnetic pull.

He reached out and grabbed Kang Huian by the hair, pulling her towards him, and she let out a small whimper.

"I-I can't," Kang Huian stammered, her eyes filled with desire as Wang Jian's lips crashed onto hers in a demanding kiss.

She melted into his embrace, her body responding to his touch, her nipples hardening as he groped her breasts.

Han Xifeng watched, her breath hitching as she felt a pang of anger.

She had been through this with Wang Jian before, but seeing him with Kang Huian ignited a fierce longing within her.

She tried to suppress her desires, but her resolve crumbled as Wang Jian pushed her to the ground, delivering sharp spanks to her backside.

She moaned, her body arching into his touch despite her protests.

Wang Jian's dominance was intoxicating, and the two women found themselves losing control of their carnal desires.

He positioned Han Xifeng on her hands and knees, thrusting into her with primal force, and she couldn't help but gasp at the sensation.

Her body responded eagerly, her moans growing louder as he pounded into her relentlessly.

"Master, please!" Han Xifeng cried out, her eyes glazed with lust. "Harder, faster...I need more!"

Wang Jian obliged, increasing the pace of his thrusts, and Han Xifeng's body convulsed with pleasure.

Her inhibitions vanished as she begged for his seed, her voice filled with need.

Kang Huian watched, her own body aching with desire.

She tried to resist, but her body betrayed her as Wang Jian turned his attention to her, taking her into a doggy-style position as well.

She moaned as he yanked her breasts, a mixture of pain and pleasure coursing through her.

"P-Please, Master," Kang Huian gasped, her voice filled with desperation. "Take me, use me as your own. I'm yours."

Wang Jian smirked, relishing in his control over them. He pounded into Kang Huian with unrestrained force, her body yielding to him completely.

The two women's inhibitions were shattered, and they fell deeper into depravity, their expressions twisted with pleasure as they begged for more.

This was just the start to the next dozens of rounds that Wang Jian spent with them.

In the evening, he stood up while gazing over the two women triumphantly, their bodies spent. He knew he had claimed them completely, and they were now at his mercy, obedient to his every command.

"Remember," Wang Jian said with a sinister chuckle, "you belong to me now. Your bodies, your desires, everything. You can't resist me, and you'll come crawling back for more."

Kang Huian and Han Xifeng nodded eagerly, their eyes glazed with submission.

They had fallen into a dark, carnal world with Wang Jian as their master, unable to escape the intoxicating pull he had over them.

…

After indulging in some fun with Kang Huian and Han Xifeng, Wang Jian decided it was time to have a conversation with the two women.

He didn't seem to care that they were still naked, as he sat on the bed in the middle of them.

Their voluptuous bodies hugged him as they laid their heads on each of his shoulders.

"Now then, ladies, let's have a little chat. I want to know why you had the foolish idea of thinking you could escape from me," Wang Jian asked, a sly smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

Han Xifeng spoke softly, her voice barely above a whisper, "We received a message from the Third Prince two days ago. He claimed to have conducted a thorough investigation on us and learned that our tribes were once esteemed clans in the Empire before they were banished to the remote Zhenguan Region."

Wang Jian's eyes narrowed, a sneer forming on his lips. "Is that so?" he muttered.

'It seems that third brother Chen did not reach out to the Night Dagger Clan, or else Fen Shuying would have informed me of it.'

However, as he pondered deeply, Wang Jian soon realized the reasoning.

'The difference in social standing between my wife, Fen Shuying, and my maids, Kang Huian, and Han Xifeng, must have been the reason why the Third Prince didn't contact the Night Dagger Clan. He probably assumed that persuading the two would be a simpler and less risky task compared to convincing my wife. I must admit, he is quite astute in his approach.'

Kang Huian whimpered, her fear palpable. "Yes," she murmured. "He said he would help us restore our clans' reputation and even elevate their status to what it once was in the Empire."

Wang Jian's lip curled into a sneer. "And what did he want in return?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

"He requested that we join his faction in his campaign for the throne," Han Xifeng replied, her voice barely audible.

Wang Jian chuckled darkly. "I see. So the Third Prince thinks he can use you to further his own ambitions. How amusing."

"So, what did you say to him?" he asked.

"We have yet to give one," Kang Huian replied, sensing Wang Jian's mistrustful gaze. "We planned to contact him in a few days with our decision."

A sly smile crept up on Wang Jian's face as he asked, "So, what will be your response to him now?"

Han Xifeng rolled her eyes as she whispered softly, "Whatever you want it to be, milord."

"That is a good answer," Wang Jian responded as his smirk widened.

Wang Jian leaned forward, fixing his gaze on Han Xifeng and Kang Huian. "Here's what we'll do," he said, his voice low and serious.

"You'll send a message to my third brother, letting him know that you can't join his faction, but you'll offer your support within my faction."

Kang Huian looked up, eyebrows raised. "And how should we explain why we can't join him?"

"I have leverage over you two," Wang Jian replied, his tone cryptic. "That's all he needs to know."

Han Xifeng nodded in agreement, her expression composed. "Understood, milord."

Wang Jian placed his arms around the two, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Good," he said. "Let's see how my third brother reacts to that."

"Yes, Milord," The two women muttered at the same time.

Soon, Han Xifeng asked Wang Jian with a worried tone, "…W-will you be angry with us for a long time, master?"

Wang Jian chuckled at her question and brought his arm down from her head while caressing her waist. Her soft skin was just lovely to touch and play with.

He spoke with an amused tone, "Angry? I have never been angry at you two, my dear. In fact, I am glad that you would do this. This shows that you have thoughts, ambitions, and the courage to take risks. It shows that you have a strong personality. And I do like my women with strong personalities."

Han Xifeng and Kang Huian seemed rather relieved to hear his words.

Kang Huian promised, "I would never think of betraying you again, master."

Han Xifeng repeated that promise.

"Then let's have another round to commemorate your vows." Wang Jian spoke with a sly grin on his face.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

The day following the incident involving Kang Huian and Han Xifeng, a most unexpected visitor arrived at Wang Jian's palace - the esteemed Saintess of the Church of Divine Light, Hong Meilin.

Although taken aback, Wang Jian granted her and her entourage entry into his palace.

They were escorted to the main hall, where Wang Jian was already seated on his imposing throne, perched atop a raised platform.

Hong Meilin and her companions took their seats on chairs positioned below.

A respectful bow accompanied by the sound of rustling robes interrupted the silence of the hall. Priest Pan, one of the teachers in the church, stood up and addressed Wang Jian with a formal tone.

"Your Highness," he began, "the Church of Divine Light humbly offers gifts as a gesture of seeking your forgiveness regarding the matter with Ye Chen."

He continued with an impressive oratory that could sway even the most skeptical, "We implore Your Highness to comprehend that the Saintess was restrained by her moral code. As an accomplished practitioner, Your Highness must be well aware that to attain expeditious accomplishments, one must remain steadfast to their convictions."

Wang Jian's eyes narrowed in contempt as he turned his gaze towards Hong Meilin. "Why do I hear a parrot's words instead of the one who truly committed the offense?" he hissed.

"Is this your idea of sincerity, Saintess? Making your lackeys beg for forgiveness on your behalf?"

The followers of the church, including Hong Meilin and Priest Pan, were taken aback by the disdainful words that escaped Wang Jian's lips.

Priest Pan tried to defend himself by saying, "Your Highness, I am a Priest-"

Wang Jian's icy voice sliced through the air, cutting off Priest Pan's defense. "Silence! Your prattle is but fuel to my anger," he declared with a chilling tone.

He then turned his eyes towards Hong Meilin and spoke with a razor-sharp tongue, "If the Church of Divine Light truly wishes to seek my forgiveness, then it is you, Saintess, who must beg for it. Prostrate yourself before me and show true regret with a kowtow."

His words were like a whip that lashed out at the followers of the Church. They immediately erupted in protest, and the hall was filled with the sound of their angry voices.

"How dare you insult our Saintess with such demands, you heretic!"

"Your insolence is insufferable! Our Holy Saintess is above such humiliating acts."

"Blasphemy! You are no one to demand such a thing from the Church of Divine Light."

"The Radiant God shall strike you down for your arrogance and lack of respect for the Church and its followers."

"Such insolence! Our Holy Saintess only kneels before the Pope and the Radiant God!"

"To think that he would be greedy enough despite the fact that we have brought such wonderful treasures as his gifts. Truly, a Royal Prince's greed is insatiable."

Wang Jian remained unmoved by their protests and continued to stare at Hong Meilin with an icy expression.

"Do not presume to school me on the intricacies of your customs and beliefs. You have committed a grievous offense against me, and I demand nothing less than a genuine apology."

"Your attempts to placate me with mere trinkets are insulting to my intelligence. Do you think I am so easily swayed by material possessions? The Church of Divine Light claims to uphold noble principles, yet your actions suggest otherwise."

His words elicited a wave of shock and anger from the church's followers, but before they could voice their protests, Hong Meilin intervened, "Silence, everyone! We are here to seek forgiveness, not to provoke His Highness."

Turning to Wang Jian, Hong Meilin spoke with conviction, "You are mistaken, Your Highness. The Church not only claims to uphold noble principles, but we also act upon them. If it is your wish, I will humbly kowtow to you and seek your forgiveness."

Hong Meilin, unlike her followers, understood the gravity of the situation. Having been scolded by the Pope, she knew how vital it was to obtain Wang Jian's forgiveness. To that end, she believed that kowtowing to Wang Jian in his palace was a small sacrifice to make.

Wang Jian's eyes widened in surprise as he heard Hong Meilin's compliance.

He had anticipated a heated argument and fierce resistance from her, but her sudden submission caught him off guard.

The scheming side of him had hoped to incite her and push her to commit another offense.

In due course, Hong Meilin completed her act of deference towards Wang Jian, and he watched as she rose from her kowtowing position.

Without hesitation, Hong Meilin issued a command, "Reveal the gifts."

In response to her directive, a bishop who was accompanying her took a step forward and presented the gift to Wang Jian. It was a Spatial Pouch, a highly valued possession, and it contained the offerings.

"Such tremendous wealth. Three Holy Blossom Fruits. Three Phoenix Flame Fruits. Oh, wait...There is also a pendant." He muttered. Turning his gaze towards Hong Meilin, he asked inquisitively, "What is this?"

With a foul expression, Hong Meilin explained, "This is the Holy Aegis Pendant, one of the most treasured items of the Church. It has two uses. The first ability allows you to conjure a powerful Holy Barrier that can block all attacks under an Emperor Realm expert, while the second ability allows your Qi to gain or empower the Holy Attribute temporarily. In Your Highness's case, it will allow you to gain the Holy Attribute."

Wang Jian raised his brow in interest and asked, "Interesting. What are the limitations of this pendant?"

"The pendant must be recharged by someone possessing Holy Qi, preferably a priest of the church," Hong Meilin responded calmly.

Wang Jian was deep in thought as he listened to her words, considering, 'This will be perfect for Han Xifeng then. It will also allow her to maintain the illusion in front of everyone that she can still use Holy Qi. Also, she can recharge this artifact by summoning her spirit as she can still use Holy Qi through this trick.'

"Very well. This matter is hereby concluded, and there is no longer any grudge or animosity between me and the Church," Wang Jian declared. He was aware that prolonging the issue would only bring him harm.

A collective sigh of relief escaped from the followers and members of the Church upon hearing Wang Jian's words. They had been on edge, anticipating that Wang Jian would continue to make things difficult for them, but he had surprisingly let the matter go.

"I would be honored if you all would join me for dinner," Wang Jian cordially extended the invitation to Hong Meilin and her followers.

Despite Hong Meilin's desire to leave the palace as soon as possible, she knew it would be impolite to decline the prince's gracious invitation.

With a beaming smile, Hong Meilin graciously accepted the invitation, "We would be thrilled to join you."

The group made their way to the dining hall, and as they entered, two tables caught their attention. One was opulent, adorned with exquisite tableware and glittering gold, while the other appeared shabby, with chipped plates and stained tablecloths.

The sight of the luxurious table was too tempting for the group, and they gravitated towards it.

Wang Jian's words cut through their excitement like a knife. "The Saintess will sit with me here," he declared, gesturing to the opulent table.

His finger pointed towards the dingy table, and he barked out, "The rest of you can make do with that one."

Hong Meilin's eyes widened in shock, and her followers began to murmur amongst themselves.

One of them spoke up, his voice tense with anger. "Your Highness, is it not disrespectful to segregate us like this?"

Wang Jian's expression hardened. "I think differently. I believe you are extremely insolent to sit at the same table as the Saintess and me when you are not equal to our rank. Do not forget your place."

Hong Meilin couldn't help but mutter as she stared at Wang Jian with a stern gaze, "We are all equal before the eyes of God, Your Highness."

Wang Jian's lips curved into a sardonic smile, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Ah, the elusive concept of equality," he chuckled. "It's quite intriguing how the Church preaches it yet fails to practice it within its own ranks."

The group looked on with quizzical expressions as Wang Jian continued, "Tell me, Saintess, how can you preach equality when you have created a hierarchy within your own organization? Surely, that creates disparity among your followers."

Hong Meilin bristled with anger at Wang Jian's accusations.

"The Church's ranks serve to organize tasks and responsibilities, not to create inequality among its members," she retorted.

Wang Jian raised a brow, a look of amusement in his eyes.

"Is that so? Then answer me this, Saintess: how many of your followers are entitled to the same resources as you?"

The question hung in the air, and for a moment, Hong Meilin was flabbergasted. Even the most devout followers of the Church were left stunned, their eyes fixed on Wang Jian in shock.

Despite their deep-seated loathing for Wang Jian, they could not help but acknowledge the weight of his words.

His logic was unassailable, and his argument struck at the very heart of the Church's teachings.

The expressions of shock and disbelief on the faces of the Church's followers did not go unnoticed by Wang Jian. He savored the moment, relishing in the uncomfortable silence that had descended upon the group.

"The Church preaches equality, but it's nothing more than a facade," he said with a sardonic smile. "Even the Pope recognizes this truth. If he truly believed in equality, why would he have sent you here with these gifts to appease me?"

The room fell silent, the weight of Wang Jian's words heavy in the air. The Church's followers exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to respond to the seventh prince's pointed criticism.

Wang Jian continued, his voice low and measured. "Let's not pretend that we're all equal. The reality is, I am the seventh prince of the Empire, and even the Church cannot afford to offend me."

A moment of tense silence followed as the gravity of Wang Jian's words sank in. The Church's followers shifted uncomfortably, struggling to reconcile their beliefs in equality with the harsh reality of power and influence.

Wang Jian's expression remained unchanged as he regarded the group before him.

"Remember this," he said, his voice cold and hard. "In this world, there is no true equality. There are only those who have power and those who do not. And I, for one, will always be among the former."

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Wang Jian's impassioned speech left a lasting impression on the group, and not a single follower of the church dared to make a fuss about the seating arrangements or the food that was served during dinner.

Despite the luxurious spread laid out before them, the air was thick with tension and unease.

The followers of the church ate their food in silence, stealing wary glances at Wang Jian every now and then.

It was clear that his words had struck a chord, and they were all grappling with the implications of what he had said.

Meanwhile, Wang Jian sat at the head of the table, watching his guests with a smug expression on his face.

Once the dinner was over, the group quickly dispersed, eager to escape the oppressive atmosphere that had hung over the dining hall throughout the meal.

As the group dispersed, Wang Jian made his way to the treasure chamber, where he retrieved a selection of exotic fruits and a few treasures. He soon headed to his private chambers, eager to relax after the tense dinner.

As he entered his quarters, he called out to his maids, instructing them to gather Su Xian, Fen Shuying, Chen Yiyan, Kang Huian, Han Xifeng, Xiao Ling, and Bixi Shuyan and bring them to his chambers.

The maids scurried off to carry out their orders, leaving Wang Jian to settle into a plush armchair.

Wang Jian's women arrived promptly, each one radiating a powerful aura.

Wang Jian wasted no time in getting down to business, addressing his ladies with a serious expression.

"You have all made remarkable progress, but as you know, the road to cultivation is long and difficult. To aid you in your journey, I have brought with me a selection of exotic fruits that will infuse your bodies with powerful Qi and help you advance even further."

He reached for a tray of succulent fruits, each one infused with a unique type of energy that corresponded to the elemental affinities of his women.

With a practiced eye, he distributed the fruits among his ladies, ensuring that each one received the perfect fruit for her cultivation needs.

"Xian, these three Arctic Aurora Fruits are for you," he said, handing her the plump, icy-blue fruit.

"Shuying, these Nightfall Bloom Fruits are for you," he continued, passing her a trio of dark, velvety fruits.

"Yiyan, I have saved these Phoenix Flame Fruits for you," he continued, placing three fiery red fruits in her hand.

Following that, Wang Jian distributed fruits to the rest of his women. Kang Huian was next in line, receiving three "Crimson Blaze Fruits." These fruits contained pure flame energy that was on par with the Phoenix Flame Fruits, except that they lacked slight insights of Laws of Flames.

Han Xifeng received three "Holy Blossom Fruits," which were the same fruits that Wang Jian had acquired from the church.

Following them was Xiao Ling, who was handed three "Frostbite Blossom Fruits". These fruits were known for their icy-cold energy, much like the Arctic Aurora Fruits.

The relationship between these two types of fruit was similar to that of the Phoenix Flame Fruits and the Crimson Blaze Fruits.

Lastly, Bixi Shuyan received three "Whirlwind Gust Fruits". As she possessed the wind element, these fruits were perfect for her.

The gust of wind energy contained in these fruits could be absorbed and used to enhance her cultivation.

After Wang Jian finished distributing the fruits to his wives, he dismissed everyone except for Su Xian, Chen Yiyan, and Fen Shuying. He then handed each of them a life-saving treasure and a weapon to enhance their power.

Su Xian's eyes lit up with excitement as she accepted the gift. "Thank you, husband. It is a wonderful present," she said.

She had received ice attribute bangles known as the Glacial Frost Bangles.

One of them possessed the ability to create an ultimate defense that could seal the user's body in a special ice possessing Laws of Ice. To break it required the strength of an Emperor Realm expert.

The second bangle possessed the ability to launch a powerful Ice Blast that could freeze the opponent. This attack would possess the Laws of Ice. The only disadvantage was that each of these bangles required a month to recover their essence.

Chen Yiyan couldn't contain her happiness either. "This weapon is amazing. Thank you so much, Jian," she said with a big smile.

She had received a fan known as the Inferno Control Fan that could shoot off and control flame tendrils. This was its normal ability.

However, this fan had a secret ability through which the user could easily burn all their surroundings with intense fire possessing Laws of Flame.

Considering that this fan had no method to protect her, Wang Jian had attached the Flame Barrier Talisman that could utilize the fan's essence to create a protective dome around Chen Yiyan if she ever required it.

Fen Shuying also expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, hubby. I'll make sure to use this treasure to protect our family," she said with determination in her voice.

Last, but not the least, Fen Shuying had received a pair of boots. These were known as the Wind Drifting Boots.

The ability of these boots was rather simple. It allowed the user to walk on the wind as if they were walking on land. The more qi they infuse within the boots, the higher their altitude would be.

These boots also held a secret energy source possessing Laws of Wind that could greatly boost the flying speed and allow the user to traverse a thousand miles in under one minute. Naturally, the energy would be exhausted after that.

However, since these boots didn't actually enhance Fen Shuying's offensive capabilities, he handed her a pair of gloves that could greatly boost her strength.

Wang Jian jokingly responded, "Well, you need to become a hell lot stronger then, Shuying."

"I will!" Fen Shuying replied resolutely.

Chen Yiyan then couldn't help but add, "I feel a bit sad that I can't reciprocate with something of equal value."

Wang Jian gave her a loving smile and added, "It would be best if you use these treasures to become so strong that I don't have to fear for your safety ever. This will be the greatest gift for me."

He was soon lying on the bed, surrounded by his three wives. Su Xian and Fen Shuying were positioned on either side of him, while Chen Yiyan took place behind him, gently cradling his head in her lap and stroking his hair with tenderness.

As two hours passed in the blink of an eye, Wang Jian asked his wives to leave. He had somewhere else he had to go.

Once his wives left, Wang Jian ordered the maids to summon Kang Huian and Han Xifeng.

"I summoned you here to hand you a couple of treasures that can save your lives and also enhance your strength in battle," Wang Jian spoke seriously.

Kang Huian was gifted a pair of Firestorm Earrings that had unique abilities.

The right earring had the power to summon a raging storm of fire that could annihilate all her foes, while the left earring granted her the ability to conjure a formidable flame barrier that could keep her safe from any harm.

Meanwhile, Han Xifeng was gifted the Holy Aegis Pendant.

In the meantime, Han Xifeng was bestowed with the esteemed Holy Aegis Pendant.

As the explanation unfolded, Han Xifeng's eyes welled up with tears, and a look of profound shock crossed her face.

Without hesitation, she rushed forward and embraced Wang Jian tightly, burying her head in his chest as she wept.

Kang Huian observed Han Xifeng sympathetically, understanding the turmoil of emotions that she was experiencing. The pendant was a source of immense relief for Han Xifeng, as it would enable her to harness Holy Qi.

Since unlocking the Fallen Angel Bloodline, Han Xifeng had lived in constant fear of being discovered by members of her tribe. The truth of her bloodline would lead to her denunciation, an outcome that she had been tormented by in her dreams.

But with the gift of the Holy Aegis Pendant, Wang Jian had put her fears to rest and granted her a newfound sense of ease.

After a couple of minutes, Wang Jian pulled away from the embrace while speaking seriously, "I want you to remember that you are indeed important to me. I know that my actions must have traumatized you. And honestly speaking, if I had a choice, I would still do it all over again."

"Do you know why? Because I want you to be mine. And this is my twisted way of getting what I wanted."

With a solemn tone, he added, "You both need to make up your mind whether you want to be my maids forever or would like to have a chance at becoming my wives someday. You should have noticed how I treat my wives."

"You treat them so nicely, so respectfully," Kang Huian replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes. It's because of their genuine feelings that I treat them differently. I want to treat you the same way, so don't disappoint me," He whispered with a smirk.

Wang Jian soon heard Han Xifeng's whisper, "I don't care about what happened before. This gift is like a light that has illuminated my life. I will never betray you in this life, master."

She then jumped up and kissed Wang Jian on her own accord. Even Wang Jian was a bit startled, but he soon enjoyed the kiss.

Once the kiss ended, Wang Jian stared at Kang Huian and thought up something. He spoke, "…I will let your father leave the dungeon. However, I will keep an expert on him at all times to ensure he wouldn't do anything stupid."

This time, it was Kang Huian's turn to embrace him and kiss him passionately.

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After finishing with Hong Meilin and Kang Huian, Wang Jian summoned Lady Zhuoran to his chambers.

He knew that he couldn't neglect her while showering his other women with treasures and resources.

When Lady Zhuoran arrived, she gracefully bowed down in front of Wang Jian, a hint of fear lurking in her eyes.

Wang Jian gazed intently at Lady Zhuoran, holding out a small, shimmering pearl bead in his palm.

"Behold, Lady Zhuoran," he spoke in a commanding voice, "This is the magnificent Oceanic Pearl Bead, a treasure that will aid you in enhancing your water-elemental attacks and allow you to gain deeper insights into the Laws of Water as you meditate."

Lady Zhuoran's eyes widened with awe as she stared at the beautiful bead.

She couldn't believe that such a treasure was in front of her, and that Wang Jian was willing to give it to her.

As she took the bead from him with a shaking hand, she bowed deeply, "Thank you, my lord. I will cherish this treasure and use it to strengthen my cultivation as you have commanded."

As she was about to turn and leave the room, Wang Jian suddenly reached out and grabbed one of her silver tails, pulling it forcefully.

Lady Zhuoran gasped in surprise and pleasure, her body trembling with ecstasy as she let out a seductive moan. "Ahh...Ahhh..." she moaned softly, feeling a rush of desire coursing through her body.

As she gasped in surprise and pleasure, Wang Jian's hand moved up to her waist, pulling her into his embrace.

He made her sit on his lap, pressing his hard member against her supple backside.

Lady Zhuoran let out a soft whimper, her body trembling with desire as Wang Jian began to kiss and nibble on her neck.

With one hand still wrapped around her waist, he used the other to explore her body, tracing the curves of her bust, hips, and thighs.

Lady Zhuoran let out a soft whimper as Wang Jian's fingers traced the curves of her breasts, sending shivers of pleasure coursing through her body.

Her eyes fluttered shut as she surrendered to his touch, her mind clouded with desire.

Wang Jian leaned in closer, his lips brushing against her ear as he spoke in a low, seductive voice. "You must have seen the fruits I provided to Shuyan. She is entitled to those resources only because she is your daughter."

Lady Zhuoran nodded her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "I understand, Your Highness."

Suddenly, Wang Jian tore her top, exposing her breasts to his gaze.

Lady Zhuoran gasped and moaned as Wang Jian continued to fondle her breasts, sending waves of pleasure through her body. "Aaahh...Your Highness," she moaned softly, her hands gripping his shoulders tightly.

Wang Jian's voice was husky as he spoke, "Good. Remember that your daughter's benefits depend on your obedience and willingness to please me."

"I understand," Lady Zhuoran moaned, her head thrown back in pleasure as he continued to explore her body. "I will do anything for my daughter's sake."

In fact, this was how she justified surrendering to the intense pleasure consuming her body at that moment.

Wang Jian's body burned with a primal desire as he held Lady Zhuoran's curvaceous figure in his arms. With a sudden burst of lust, he couldn't resist any longer, and threw her onto the bed before climbing on top of her.

He tore her clothes apart with a roughness that sent shivers of pleasure down her spine, and his hands roamed freely over her exposed flesh. In no time, he pulled out his throbbing member and rubbed it teasingly against her slick folds while his fingers tangled in her silver tails.

With a sudden yank, he elicited a loud moan from Lady Zhuoran as he brought her body closer to his own. "Ah yes...Ahhh..." she cried out, feeling waves of pleasure coursing through her veins.

Without warning, Wang Jian plunged into her, groaning as he felt the tight walls of her pussy clenching around him.

It was an indescribable sensation of pure bliss that made him lose control and thrust harder and harder, relishing in the euphoria of their mutual pleasure.

Lady Zhuoran moaned uncontrollably as Wang Jian's thrusts became rougher and more forceful. She felt as if she was being consumed by his raw, primal desire, and she welcomed it eagerly.

Wang Jian's hands gripped her hips tightly as he pounded into her, relishing the sound of their flesh slapping together.

Lady Zhuoran's moans turned into screams of ecstasy, and her nails dug into his back, leaving deep scratches.

He yanked on her silver tails roughly as he continued to thrust deeper and harder, pushing her towards the edge of her pleasure.

The bed shook violently under their combined weight, and the room was filled with the sounds of their wild, animalistic lovemaking. Wang Jian was lost in a haze of lust, consumed by the need to possess her completely.

As they caught their breath, Lady Zhuoran's mind raced with the knowledge that this was just the beginning.

She knew from experience that Wang Jian was insatiable, and that there would be many more rounds to come. Each one that was more thrilling and debauched than the last.

The thought sent a shiver of excitement down her spine as she gazed up at Wang Jian, his eyes dark with desire. She couldn't wait to see what he had in store for her next, eager to submit to his every whim and desire.

…

The following day, a servant from the Dao of Alchemy Society arrived at the palace, bearing a small but precious item: the Thunderbolt Lotus Pellet.

Wang Jian had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of this pellet, knowing its potent effects on the body. With great reverence, he accepted the delivery from the servant and thanked him before quickly retreating to the privacy of his courtyard.

Once there, he carefully inspected the tiny pellet, marveling at its delicate form and the power it held within. Without hesitation, he popped it into his mouth, feeling the bitter taste spread across his tongue.

He closed his eyes and waited for the pellet to take effect, feeling a surge of energy coursing through his veins as it began to work its magic on his body.

The Lightning Element within him surged to new heights, its strength amplified to an incredible degree.

Where before his lightning could only generate sparks, he now possessed the power to conjure thunderbolts that could vanquish even a Lord Realm expert.

Wang Jian immediately opened his status screen.

It was during this time that Wang Jian noticed he had twenty four of notifications unread.

About one-fourth of these notifications came from Hong Meilin, Xiao Ling, and Bixi Shuyan, while three-fourths came from Lady Zhuoran alone.

Hong Meilin provided Wang Jian with 5,000 Destiny Points as he had shaken her belief in the core values of the church.

Regarding the notifications from Xiao Ling and Bixi Shuyan, it appeared that they were delighted to receive cultivation resources and increase their strength. Thus, their positive feelings towards Wang Jian rose a bit and provided him with a total of 31,000 Destiny Points.

Meanwhile, Lady Zhuoran had provided Destiny Points to Wang Jian for multiple reasons.

The first was to receive such a precious treasure from him.

The second was when she heard that her daughter received a gift because of her. This did increase her favorable feelings towards Wang Jian as she liked that he was treating her daughter so well.

The next sixteen notifications were due to her getting lost in the pleasure during her rough intercourse with Wang Jian.

In total, Lady Zhuoran had provided Wang Jian with a total of 141,000 Destiny Points.

[

Status

Name: Wang Jian.

Age: 20 years old.

Destiny Points: 498,346.

Cultivation: First Stage of the King Realm.

Cultivation Technique: Soaring Dragon Technique (Level 4) (Requires 500,000 Destiny Points to level up).

Skills: Origin Fist, Beam of Destruction, Mystic Force, Divine Shielding Iron Body, Enhanced Strength, Spiritual Sensitivity, Moonrise Fist, Lunar Shield, Moonshadow Step, Shadow Manipulation, Dark Fog, Eclipse Domain Annihilation, Tranquil Mind Divine Mantra, Black Castle, Elemental Genius, Dragon's Prestige, Enchantment Ability (Level 1).

Ocular Abilities: True Eyes (Level 2) (200,000 Destiny Points).

Bloodline: Blue Moon Eclipse Devil Bloodline. (Second Level) (Next level: 500,000 Destiny Points).

Insight in Laws – Flame: Mid-Level (2,000,000 Destiny Points). Lightning – Nil (150,000 Destiny Points), Dark – Nil (100,000 Destiny Points).

Physique: Chaotic Yang Body (Dormant).

Spirit: Dark Flame Double-Headed River Dragon (Seven Star Spirit) (Mutated).

Weaknesses: Holy Attribute. Solar Attribute.

]

'The price to acquire an Insight in Lightning element has been halved. This trick really works.'

However, now that his points were so close to the five hundred thousand mark, Wang Jian felt that it would be better to wait and upgrade his cultivation technique.

He spent the day with his wives, assisting them in managing their respective groups.

Wang Jian devoted himself to helping Su Xian train her disciples, informing them that experts from the Lotus Blossom Sect would be arriving in a few days to guide them.

Once their training was complete, they would be ready to gain battle experience by venturing into the nearby woods to hunt beasts.

Meanwhile, Wang Jian helped Fen Shuying create two teams, as he had previously discussed with Su Xian.

These teams were promptly dispatched to accept missions from local towns and to spread the word of their clans.

Wang Jian watched intently as Chen Yiyan focused on the Inferno Control Fan in front of her.

Her delicate fingers moved with precision as she summoned forth the flames, coaxing them into tendrils that danced and twisted at her command.

As she worked, Wang Jian stepped closer, his eyes never leaving her graceful movements. He could feel the heat emanating from the flames, but he paid it no mind as he focused solely on his wife's progress.

He offered her pointers, guiding her on how to better control the tendrils and weave them into intricate patterns.

With each passing moment, Chen Yiyan's confidence grew, and the flames responded to her with even greater obedience.

Together, they continued to work, perfecting her technique until the tendrils moved with the fluidity of water, their heat tempered to a comfortable warmth.

Satisfied with their progress, Wang Jian stepped back and watched as Chen Yiyan continued to practice.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

A week had passed in the blink of an eye, and several significant events had transpired:

Firstly, Ye Chen met with the second princess, Wang Ying.

Secondly, Experts from the Lotus Blossom Sect arrived at Wang Jian's mansion.

Thirdly, The third prince had received messages from the Crimson Mammoth Tribe and the Miracle Angel Tribe and was planning his next move.

Lastly, Wang Jian received a sword forged by the Heavenly Blade Sect.

Now, let's delve into the first event that occurred: Ye Chen's meeting with the second princess.

After settling matters with the church, Ye Chen stayed for some time, waiting for Hong Meilin's return.

However, during his stay, he received a message from the second princess, requesting a meeting. The message included the time and location of the meeting.

Though hesitant at first, Ye Chen eventually made the decision to attend the meeting, believing that it would be beneficial for furthering his ambitions within the Empire.

Therefore, Ye Chen departed from Yuelu City and embarked on his journey towards Jinhua City.

The location for meeting with the second princess was set to take place at the illustrious Jin Clan's mansion.

It was communicated to him that he must carry the note with him, for without it, he would not be allowed entry into the premises.

Ye Chen's journey to Jinhua City took a mere day, thanks to the Cloudsoar Falcon he rode on.

This majestic creature was one of many tamed and trained by the beast taming community to serve as transportation for travel agencies and organizations across the Everlasting Mystic Empire.

Under an agreement with the beast taming community, travel agencies received these beasts at a high cost, but the investment was worth it for the speed and convenience they offered.

The community ensured that the beasts were obedient and safe for passengers, using special training centers to tame and condition them for use in transportation.

Despite having a few days before the scheduled meeting, Ye Chen felt an urgency to reach Jinhua City without delay.

He harbored doubts about the intentions behind the invitation and could not shake off the suspicion that this might be a trap set up by either Wang Jian or the second princess Wang Ying.

Even though he recognized that Wang Ying was aligned with a distinct faction and vying for the throne, Ye Chen deemed it prudent to take precautions and verify the situation before the meeting.

Upon arriving in Jinhua City, Ye Chen made it his priority to gather as much information about the Jin Clan as possible.

He spoke with a multitude of locals, including those in the city, taverns, and even some of the shadier alleys.

After conducting extensive research, Ye Chen discovered that there had been no unusual activity or rumors of any trap set by the Jin Clan.

However, Ye Chen did uncover a piece of information of interest.

The Jin Clan had previously faced a near-destruction threat from the Jade Serpent Sect, and as a result, all members of the sect were actively hunted by the Jin Clan members.

The days pass by in the blink of an eye and it's finally the time of the meeting.

During these days, Ye Chen bought all sorts of talismans by trading the precious fruits he had on him. He could always grow more of those trees by utilizing the Chaos Essence Bead.

Upon arriving at the Jin Clan's mansion, Ye Chen presented the message bearing the second princess's seal.

This allowed him entry into the mansion, and he was escorted to the main hall, where he found several chairs occupied by members of the Jin Clan.

Upon entering the grand hall, Ye Chen laid eyes on the patriarch of the Jin Clan, Jin Sheng, who sat regally on a chair placed on a raised pedestal.

The only other chair on the platform was unoccupied.

Among the various members of the clan present, Ye Chen also noticed Jin Meixiang, a strikingly beautiful woman who sat on a chair placed on the floor. Alongside her, Jin Sheng's father and brother had taken their respective seats.

Jin Sheng cast an inquisitive gaze towards Ye Chen and asked, "May I know who you are?"

With a composed demeanor, Ye Chen replied, "I am Ye Chen, summoned here by the second princess for a meeting."

"I see. Please be seated and wait until she arrives," Jin Sheng replied, gesturing towards an empty chair.

Ye Chen sat down and surveyed the members present in the hall.

However, his attention was particularly drawn towards Jin Meixiang.

She was an exquisite beauty, her features conveying an air of elegance and purity, which caused a lascivious gleam to appear in Ye Chen's eyes.

Jin Sheng observed Ye Chen's gaze and noticed a certain glint in his eyes that made him frown. He wondered why the second princess would summon someone with such a seemingly unrefined and impure demeanor for a meeting.

The members of the Jin Clan maintained their silence, observing Ye Chen with cautious eyes.

However, Ye Chen seemed to be completely oblivious to the uncomfortable atmosphere he was creating.

Instead, he fixed his gaze on Jin Meixiang, flashing his best smile, and asked in a tone that bordered on being irritating, "What's your name, dear?"

Jin Meixiang shuddered at Ye Chen's tone and responded with a cold voice, "Please refrain from addressing me so intimately. I am Young Miss Jin to you."

"Hello, Miss Jin, I am Ye Chen, a disciple of the previous sect master of the Heavenly Blade Sect. But feel free to use my first name, my dear," he spoke with a sleazy grin on his face.

Jin Sheng was on the verge of admonishing Ye Chen for his impertinence, but his father, Jin Piao, interrupted with a look of surprise etched on his face. "Are you truly a disciple of Old Chu?!"

Ye Chen gave a firm nod and showed Jin Piao the command seal of Chu Tianjin, proving his affiliation with the Heavenly Blade Sect's former master.

Jin Piao's excitement was palpable. "It does appear genuine," he said, examining the seal closely. "So this is why the second princess summoned you."

As Ye Chen basked in the moment, Jin Meixiang's mind suddenly flashed back to a request made by Wang Jian.

He had asked her to inform him immediately if she ever encountered Ye Chen, the same person who had ambushed him in the past.

pαndα--noνɐ1,сoМ Realizing the gravity of the situation, she kept her composure and remained silent, but her eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she regarded Ye Chen with suspicion.

Jin Meixiang held high regard for Wang Jian. He had saved the Jin Clan from the brink of annihilation without seeking any reward in return.

Moreover, he had gone out of his way to call in some favors to have alchemists sent to cure her uncle and grandfather.

As they conversed, Jin Piao's eagerness to learn more about Ye Chen's master, Old Chu, was palpable.

He had been a disciple of the Heavenly Blade Sect during Old Chu's tenure as sect master and had benefitted greatly from the pointers that were given to him.

These pointers played a crucial role in Jin Piao's ascent to the King Realm, making it a defining moment in his martial journey.

His reminiscing led to an engaging discussion with Ye Chen, who eagerly shared his knowledge and experiences of training under Old Chu.

He would occasionally shoot a lecherous glance at Jin Meixiang, hoping to see a look of amazement on her face.

However, Ye Chen's hopes were dashed as he noticed her face bore an apathetic and indifferent expression, utterly lacking in interest or emotion.

In the meantime, Jin Sheng and his brother stared at Ye Chen with scowls on their faces.

Fortunately, the second princess arrived soon enough. She entered the hall along with a couple of her subordinates and guards.

The room fell silent as everyone stood up and gave her a respectful bow, except for Ye Chen, who seemed startled by the sudden action.

He stood up, but unlike the others, he didn't bow. He seemed to be checking out Wang Ying and was surprised to see that she was such a gorgeous beauty.

In terms of looks, Wang Ying was equal to Jin Meixiang. However, in terms of that royal and commanding aura, Wang Ying easily beat Jin Meixiang.

One of Wang Ying's subordinates noticed Ye Chen's omission of a bow and spoke up, his voice laced with hostility. "Hey, you! Why aren't you bowing? Are you showing disrespect towards Her Highness?!"

Ye Chen smirked and replied with a hint of arrogance, "I don't bow to anyone except my parents, master, and the heavens."

The subordinate became even more furious and made a threatening gesture towards Ye Chen, ready to attack him.

However, before anything could happen, Wang Ying stepped in and asked, "You must be Ye Chen, correct?"

Ye Chen confirmed her suspicions with a confident tone. Wang Ying's expression shifted slightly, but she maintained her composure and ordered her subordinate to stand down. "Leave it," she said firmly.

She then addressed everyone else in the hall with a polite tone, "Please take your seats. Let us proceed with the meeting as quickly as possible."

Wang Ying settled herself on the vacant chair positioned beside Jin Sheng on the elevated platform.

Her retinue of guards formed a protective barrier behind her while the rest of her subordinates took their seats on the same level as Ye Chen and the others.

"Today's meeting is to deliberate our new strategy since our old one is no longer viable. I presume you're all familiar with the reason behind this shift. It's all thanks to my dear brother, Wang Jian, who has become a wild card in this situation," Wang Ying announced in a composed tone, her gaze sweeping across the assembly.

Ye Chen visibly trembled at the mention of Wang Jian. His reaction didn't escape Wang Ying's observation.

She was now sure that Ye Chen had a personal grudge against her brother. She was sure that his desire to take vengeance must be even stronger as he had tasted defeat at Wang Jian's hands.

At this moment, Jin Sheng turned towards Wang Ying and inquired, "Your Highness, is it wise to discuss such an important matter in the presence of an outsider?"

Everyone in the hall knew that Jin Sheng was talking about Ye Chen.

A scowl appeared on Ye Chen's face as he heard Jin Sheng's words. However, he took a quick glance at Jin Meixiang before calming his anger.

Wang Ying noticed Ye Chen's behavior and read the situation, gaining insight into his personality.

"Lord Sheng, Ye Chen is not an outsider. In fact, he will play a vital role in my new strategy," Wang Ying declared with a sly smile on her lips.

Everyone present in the hall, including Ye Chen, was stunned by Wang Ying's announcement.

They never expected that Ye Chen, who didn't belong to any faction formed by the members of the Royal Family, would play such an essential role in her new strategy.

Noticing the inquisitive looks of everyone in the hall, Wang Ying proceeded to elaborate, "Ye Chen is a formidable warrior who has reached the pinnacle of the Lord Realm. His mentor is an expert at the Emperor Realm, a testament to his exceptional talent. He has recently proven his bravery and might by attacking my brother Wang Jian for reasons unknown to me."

"Furthermore," she continued, "Ye Chen is well-connected to numerous influential figures in various domains. He has strong ties with the Heavenly Blade Sect, the Mystic Creature Handlers Union, the Brotherhood of the Steel Fist, the Crimson Guards, the Iron Mercenaries, the Church of the Divine Light, and the Lotus Blossom Sect."

As Wang Ying concluded her explanation, the members of the assembly were left in utter astonishment.

They gazed at Ye Chen with a mix of admiration and trepidation, finally realizing the extent of his power and influence.

Ye Chen's eyes narrowed as he stared at Wang Ying, surprised that she had knowledge of his recent interaction with the Lotus Blossom Sect.

Clearly, she had a wide information network across all factions.

Jin Meixiang rolled her eyes disdainfully and posed a challenging question. "Your Highness, while Ye Feng may have contacts in these illustrious factions, they are unlikely to be the decision-makers. How, then, can he be a core part of the new strategy?"

Wang Ying raised her brows, not expecting this question to arise. All the buildup she had created for Ye Chen now seemed to be in vain.

The other members of the Jin Clan were also beginning to realize the questionable nature of her decision.

Even Ye Chen had a dark complexion as he heard that question. However, since it was Jin Meixiang who asked that question, he restrained his anger.

In a calm and graceful manner, Wang Ying responded to Jin Meixiang's query, "That is indeed true. And that is precisely why Ye Chen is the core part of my strategy."

With a slight smirk, she continued, "All of Ye Chen's contacts in these factions are young yet talented individuals. By offering them assistance to acquire powerful positions in their respective factions, we can ensure their loyalty and strengthen our network. These individuals are the future decision-makers of their respective factions, and our support can guarantee their gratitude and devotion."

Her answer was convincing and appropriate, and it made everyone in the hall nod in agreement. Even Jin Sheng appeared satisfied with Wang Ying's reasoning.

Before Jin Meixiang could ask another question, Wang Ying turned towards Ye Chen, "This meeting is also a formal invitation for you to join my faction. However, before that, I have a couple of questions I would like you to answer."

Ye Chen paused for a moment before nodding his consent. "What would you like to know?" he asked.

Wang Ying's eyes bore into Ye Chen's as she posed her question. "Why did you ambush my brother Wang Jian? As far as I know, he had no prior connection with you, and couldn't have possibly offended you. And yet, you not only targeted him, but also attacked a few of his friends."

Ye Chen sneered arrogantly as he answered, "He and his despicable friends bullied my childhood friend."

Wang Ying arched a skeptical eyebrow as she spoke, "Guan Yin? I did hear about the incident involving my brother's friends harassing her, but it was resolved quickly without any harm coming to her."

Ye Chen retorted with a cold, unyielding expression, "Their intentions were malicious, and they had to face the consequences of their actions."

Wang Ying couldn't help but narrow her eyes at Ye Chen's arrogance, but she recognized the value of such a man - one who could be easily manipulated.

"I understand," Wang Ying responded calmly.

She posed her next inquiry, "Would you be willing to assist me in vanquishing my adversaries, Ye Chen?"

Ye Chen replied straightforwardly, "It depends on who you're referring to. If it's Wang Jian, I will spare no effort to ensure his faction suffers immense losses. As for others, I can't guarantee anything."

"I appreciate your candid response," Wang Ying said, her voice smooth and even.

She then posed her final query, "What compensation do you desire in exchange for your services, Ye Chen?"

This question caused Ye Chen to pause for a moment. He cast a glance at Jin Meixiang before meeting Wang Ying's gaze.

"I seek an official title as Duke, complete with a fiefdom. Additionally, upon defeating Wang Jian and dismantling his faction, I desire the right to first pick among his subordinates for recruitment into my own forces," Ye Chen replied with a serious countenance.

Wang Ying was taken aback by the audacity of Ye Chen's request. He was asking for a great deal - not only the coveted title of Duke, but also the privilege of recruiting Wang Jian's subordinates.

This made Wang Ying wonder whether she missed a talent among Wang Jian's subordinates. However, she decided to think about this later and smiled, "You have a deal."

The truth was, Ye Chen had ulterior motives for his second demand.

He remembered the five gorgeous women who accompanied Wang Jian and didn't want them to end up in Wang Ying's faction.

Ye Chen wanted them for himself and knew it would be more difficult to seduce them if they joined Wang Ying's side.

Wang Ying declared authoritatively, "Remember, I can only fulfil this promise after you've eradicated Jian's faction. Until then, I can issue a permit allowing you to recruit people without any conflict with the Empire's authorities. Also, if you require any resources, inform me, and I'll try my best to provide them."

Ye Chen was satisfied with these conditions and nodded in agreement.

Wang Ying rose from her seat and said, "Now that we've settled this matter, let's move on to discussing our new strategy in detail."

Jin Sheng nodded obediently and led the group out of the main hall, through a series of winding corridors until they finally reached the war chambers.

As they entered, the room revealed a grand round table, adorned with multiple maps, feather pens, ink pots, and various other tools for strategy and planning.

Wang Ying surveyed the room before turning to Jin Sheng and instructing him, "Pull out an extensive map of the entire Empire."

Jin Sheng nodded and began to rummage through a large stack of maps until he found one that was detailed and large enough to display the entire Empire.

Once the map was laid out on the table, Wang Ying motioned for everyone to gather around. "Alright, let's begin our strategy meeting," she said with a confident tone. "We need to plan our next move carefully."

As Ye Chen gazed upon the map spread out before him, he couldn't help but feel impressed by its scope and level of detail.

The map was not only expansive but also carefully annotated with a plethora of locations and names, many of which he had never seen before.

He took his time examining it, committing as much information as possible to memory.

It was a rare opportunity for him to lay eyes on such a comprehensive and accurate map of the entire Empire.

Wang Ying proceeded to outline her strategy, her voice ringing with authority.

"Our main focus will be on the region near the Jade Serpent Sect and the Celestial Dragon Sect. The Jin Clan and Ye Chen will be responsible for targeting all branches of the Dao of Alchemy Society, the Celestial Talisman's Guild, the Silk Road Traders, the Lotus Assassins, and the Sacred Crane Sect."

Ye Chen's face contorted with disgust as he questioned, "But what's the point? These are just the branches of factions that Wang Jian's friends belong to. It won't harm him directly."

Wang Ying patiently explained, "True, but my brother's faction is still in its infancy. By targeting these associations, we'll create a domino effect. Once we hit a few branches, the associations will become suspicious and launch their own investigations. It won't take long for them to realize that these branches were targeted because of their ties with Wang Jian's faction."

"Once they realize this, they will put pressure on the families of Wang Jian's friends, forcing them to cut ties with him. This will deal a significant blow to Wang Jian's faction and slow down their expansion."

Jin Sheng spoke up with a serious expression, catching everyone's attention. "Your Highness, your plan is well thought out, but there is a slight issue with it that needs to be addressed," he said.

Wang Ying raised an eyebrow curiously and asked, "What is it, Lord Sheng?"

Jin Sheng's voice remained firm as he spoke, "Your Highness, with all due respect, I cannot allow a single member of the Jin Clan to take part in targeting His Highness Wang Jian's faction."

Wang Ying and the others in the room were shocked by his statement.

"What do you mean, Lord Sheng?" asked Wang Ying, her tone becoming cold.

Jin Sheng responded with a calm and steady voice, "Wang Jian is the benefactor of our clan. He saved us from the brink of destruction and didn't ask for anything in return. In fact, he even sent an alchemist to cure my brother and father. Attacking his faction directly would be a betrayal of my clan's honor."

Wang Ying took a moment to process Jin Sheng's words before replying, "Your words are both admirable and frustrating, Lord Sheng. I am impressed with your sense of honor and loyalty, but at the same time, it makes our task more challenging."

She then turned to Ye Chen and assured him, "Since the Jin Clan won't participate in this mission, I will ask another clan to assist you in your mission."

Ye Chen nodded in agreement, understanding the situation.

Wang Ying gestured to a specific location on the map, which was located near the Emerald Mist Mountain.

"I want your clan to focus your efforts on this area," she commanded Jin Sheng in a commanding tone. "Subjugate the clans in Qianzhu City and Jiliu City and take control of the trade routes leading to the Emerald Mist Mountain. Additionally, any bandit camps or outposts in the region must be eliminated."

She then added, "There are three prosperous cities over this Emerald Mist Mountain. If we gain control of the trade routes leading to the mountain, we can extend our influence on those cities and earn significant profits."

Jin Sheng listened carefully and replied confidently, "The Jin Clan won't let you down, Your Highness."

Wang Ying nodded approvingly but added a warning. "Be cautious. I've heard that there are three King Realm experts in the area, each belonging to a different clan. However, I have no doubt that your clan will be able to handle them."

Jin Sheng's expression remained unchanged as he replied, "I will send a few teams and conduct thorough research before taking swift action."

"That would be the best approach," Wang Ying affirmed with a nod.

Afterwards, the group delved into various other important topics.

They discussed the distribution and transfer of resources and weaponry, along with the logistics of their transportation.

The conversation went on for a considerable amount of time, with each member providing their input and expertise.

Finally, they concluded the meeting inside the War Chambers, confident in their plans and ready to set them in motion.

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In the midst of the week, the second notable event occurred as experts from the Lotus Blossom Sect made their way into Wang Jian's grand palace.

"Greetings, Elder Qiu," Wang Jian respectfully welcomed the elder, who was accompanied by a group of disciples. "I am grateful for your presence and assistance in this matter. Please follow me," he spoke, leading the group to where Su Xian trained her disciples.

Elder Qiu smiled warmly and replied, "It is our pleasure to assist you, Your Highness. Lead the way."

As they approached the training area, Elder Qiu cast a critical eye around the room. She was renowned for her expertise in spiritual arts and combat, and her middle-stage King Realm status made her a formidable figure in the martial world.

She gave a brief nod before speaking her mind. "Their form is commendable, but their movements lack fluidity. With a day's worth of training, I can guarantee you a marked improvement."

Wang Jian's curiosity was piqued, and he asked eagerly, "Is it a significant issue?"

Elder Qiu reassured him with a smile. "Not at all, Your Highness. We can easily rectify the issue with some focused training."

With that, the group settled in for a productive day of training, with Elder Qiu's expertise and guidance proving invaluable to Su Xian's disciples.

Throughout the day, Elder Qiu and her disciples demonstrated a range of fighting styles to Su Xian's disciples, helping them to refine their basic techniques.

The impact of this training was significant, not only for Su Xian's disciples but also for Su Xian and Meng Xiangyi.

Until then, their exposure to different combat styles had been quite limited, primarily focused on the techniques used by Su Xian, Meng Xiangyi, and the members of the three tribes.

The new techniques demonstrated by Elder Qiu and her disciples expanded their horizons and gave them a fresh perspective on martial arts.

They learned how to incorporate different movements and styles into their existing techniques, creating a more dynamic and versatile fighting style.

Su Xian was particularly impressed by the fluidity and grace of Elder Qiu's movements, and she was grateful for the opportunity to learn from such an accomplished expert.

Even Wang Jian was somewhat impressed by Elder Qiu's teaching method. It was a dynamic rather than a static or theoretical process.

At the end of the day, Elder Qiu approached Wang Jian to report on the progress made by Su Xian's disciples.

"Your Highness, I am pleased to inform you that I have corrected their forms. While there are still some minor issues that require battle experience to resolve, they have made remarkable progress," said Elder Qiu in a calm tone.

Wang Jian's face lit up with gratitude as he replied, "Your assistance has been invaluable, Elder Qiu. Your training exercises have truly opened my eyes. As someone with no teaching experience, I cannot help but admire how effortlessly you impart knowledge."

Hearing his words, Elder Qiu couldn't help but feel flattered. She turned her face away, trying to hide her blush as she replied, "It's just a matter of experience, Your Highness. I have spent many years honing my skills."

"Indeed," said Wang Jian, nodding in agreement. "I must thank Liu Yu for sending such a talented expert to assist us."

"You flatter me, Your Highness," responded Elder Qiu. However, there was no denying that prideful look in her eyes.

Feeling a sudden urge, Wang Jian offered, "Why don't we share a drink, Elder Qiu? I would love to discuss the matter of payment and perhaps some other matters."

"Of course," replied Elder Qiu as they made their way to a scenic pond area.

The moon was casting its silver glow on the placid water, illuminating the entire area with its ethereal light.

Wang Jian and Elder Qiu took their seats on lavish chairs and a round table nearby, surrounded by nothing but the tranquil sounds of nature.

As they sipped their drinks, Wang Jian spoke, "This area is quite peaceful, isn't it, Elder Qiu? I often come here to clear my mind and escape the chaos of the palace."

Elder Qiu nodded in agreement, "Indeed, it's a beautiful spot. Your Highness has an excellent taste in choosing such a serene location."

A moment of silence followed as Wang Jian savored his drink, and then he said, "Regarding your payment, Elder Qiu, I would like to offer something more than the agreed-upon amount. I appreciate your hard work and dedication in training my men, and I believe it's only fair to compensate you accordingly."

Elder Qiu's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly regained her composure and replied, "Your Highness, your generosity is too great. I couldn't possibly accept more than what was agreed upon."

But Wang Jian persisted, "Please, Elder Qiu, consider it as a token of my appreciation."

He then threw a spatial pouch towards her.

Elder Qiu glanced inside the pouch by utilizing her spiritual energy and noticed there were precious gems inside. These gems were all filled with precious Qi and Elemental Qi.

These were just a part of what Wang Jian owned as he had gained three percent of the church's income, which was just astronomical.

"…This is around twice the price that we initially agreed upon. There is indeed a reason I am being so generous, Elder Qiu," Wang Jian spoke somberly.

"I would like to keep the presence of these disciples a secret. So, I request that you or your disciples do not mention anything about what happened today. I am sure you realize my concerns."

Elder Qiu nodded her head understandingly.

She spoke calmly, "Your faction is still new. You don't want to alert your enemies of the new force you are developing."

"That's right. Moreover, it won't just be harmful to me, but for you and your disciples," Wang Jian spoke.

Elder Qiu responded with a solemn tone, "Please rest assured, Your Highness. This secret will stay with me and my disciples."

"Thank you," Wang Jian said, finishing up his drink.

As they took a short walk around the lake before parting ways, Elder Qiu gathered her disciples to talk to them.

Meanwhile, Wang Jian sought out Su Xian and hugged her from behind.

"How did your task go?" Wang Jian asked softly.

"She agreed," Su Xian responded with a smile.

In reality, while Wang Jian was talking with Elder Qiu, Su Xian had a conversation with Lan Yu, one of Elder Qiu's disciples.

Su Xian had successfully bribed Lan Yu to plant a spy in the Lotus Blossom Sect who would keep them updated on Ye Chen's activities. Lan Yu had already received an advance payment in the form of a Spirit Empowering Pellet.

Su Xian reported, "Lan Yu informed me that Ye Chen encountered one of the teams that were exploring the Crimson Canopy Woods. Elder Hua led the team on a mission to acquire a Heavenly Moon Blossom Flower growing in a secret cave in the forest. However, when they returned, they had four Heavenly Moon Blossom Flowers. It appears Ye Chen was the reason behind the multiplication of the herbs."

Wang Jian looked intrigued at this new information, "It seems he possesses a treasure that can multiply herbs."

Su Xian nodded in agreement, "Yes, and it appears that he also developed a close relationship with all the disciples in the team led by Elder Hua."

Well, Wang Jian wasn't surprised by this information. He would be more surprised if this weren't the case.

"What about rumors of any relationship with Elder Hua? Is there any?" Wang Jian asked.

Su Xian shook her head and spoke, "I did think of that and asked Lan Yu. However, Lan Yu mentioned that Elder Hua is considered one of the cold fairies of the sect. She has no interest in pursuing romance. Moreover, she had treated Ye Chen very coldly during the expedition."

Wang Jian had a smile on his face as he heard this information. He was around 70% sure that Elder Hua was a Heroine.

"Alright. Get some servants to conduct thorough research on this Elder Hua," Wang Jian left Su Xian before meeting up with Elder Qiu and her disciples.

He accompanied them to the exit.

Before they could leave, Elder Qiu spoke, "If there are any other issues, please be sure to contact me, Your Highness. You can directly send a message to the Misty Rain Peak."

"I will be sure to remember that, Elder Qiu. Once again, thank you for your wonderful services," Wang Jian spoke politely.

This second event occurred somewhere in the first few days of the beginning of the week.

It was a major event as Wang Jian had successfully planted a spy within the Lotus Blossom Sect while also providing a proper training exercise for the women training under Su Xian. Most importantly, it also informed him a bit about Ye Chen's cheat's abilities and his current actions.

'Alright. According to what I know, Ye Chen possesses a rare insight into the Laws of Sword despite being in the Lord Realm. However, it's not because his weapon is special or nothing. It felt rather normal. Secondly, he has a special artifact through which he can multiply herbs. I wonder what the cost of growth is. Can it multiply other resources such as ores?'

'Ye Chen had accompanied Hong Meilin's group to the cathedral. From there on, he went to the Crimson Canopy Woods and came across Elder Hua's team. After that, he returned to the cathedral. That's his last known location.'

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

On the fourth day of the week, the third notable event took place.

It occurred in the chambers of Wang Chen, the third prince of the Everlasting Mystic Empire.

He was engrossed in reading the messages sent by the Miracle Angel Tribe and the Crimson Mammoth Tribe.

The room was dimly lit, and the prince sat on a cushioned chair, his eyes scanning the notes with intense concentration.

"My utmost appreciation to Your Highness for extending such a generous proposal to my tribe. As per your letter, it is true that we were exiled from the Empire centuries ago due to a grave mistake committed by our ancestors."

"Nevertheless, we have learned from our past and have come a long way since then."

"The Crimson Mammoth Tribe wholeheartedly accepts your offer. However, due to a precarious situation, we are unable to leave the faction of His Highness Wang Jian as he holds us under his power. Nonetheless, we will be honored to render our support to you discreetly."

"Of course, this is on the condition that you provide our tribe with necessary resources, aid us in our expansion, and remove the blemish on our clan's reputation."

Wang Chen couldn't help but grin ear to ear as he finished reading the message from the Miracle Angel Tribe.

It was almost identical to the one he received from the Crimson Mammoth Tribe.

Inwardly, he was pleased with the response. This was precisely what he had hoped for when he sent the offer to the exiled clans.

However, Wang Chen had no intention of allowing these tribes to work under him. He had a greater purpose in mind.

Instead, he intended to use these tribes to keep a close eye on Wang Jian's movements, using them as spies within his camp.

It was a brilliant strategy that could potentially give him the edge he needed to outmaneuver his cunning little brother.

As a result, the two tribes began to maintain regular communication with Wang Chen, providing him with valuable insights into the current state of Wang Jian's faction.

They informed him that Wang Jian was engaged in meetings with representatives from various tribes, which suggested that he was attempting to expand his influence and strengthen his position in the ongoing struggle for power.

Moreover, they earned Wang Chen's trust by sharing information about Wang Jian's meeting with the Lotus Blossom Sect. They informed him of the name of Elder Qiu.

Wang Jian's interest in forming an alliance with the neutral sect made perfect sense, as it could potentially provide a significant advantage in the ongoing conflict.

It was clear that Wang Jian was pursuing a smart strategy.

Rather than attempting to persuade other factions to defect and join his own, he was focusing on cultivating relationships with neutral parties.

This approach was likely to prove much more effective in the long run.

After receiving satisfying reports from the two tribes, Wang Chen decided to reward them with a generous amount of resources.

He also gave them their first assignment - to keep him updated on Wang Jian's meetings while remaining covert.

Meanwhile, Wang Chen instructed his informants in the Lotus Blossom Sect to keep a close watch on Elder Qiu's movements.

In addition, the Jade Serpent Sect reached out to Wang Chen and apologized for the failure of their mission.

They explained that Blade Serpent couldn't have revealed his identity, as he was misled to believe that the order to attack the Jin Clan came from Crown Prince Wang Hao, not Wang Chen.

Despite the apology, Wang Chen made a mental note to keep a closer eye on the Jade Serpent Sect and their activities.

Meanwhile, inside Wang Jian's palace, he received intelligence regarding the resources that Wang Chen had discreetly sent to the Crimson Mammoth Tribe and the Miracle Angel Tribe.

According to the report, Wang Chen had sent seven tomes of different and rare assault techniques, two tomes of movement techniques, and three tomes of defensive techniques.

In addition, seven kilograms of the precious Azure Qi Heart Jade had also been sent to them.

The Azure Qi Heart Jade was known to possess one of the purest forms of energy, and its primary use was to construct a closed-room cultivation array that would allow a cultivator to absorb the purest form of qi.

Even Wang Jian only possessed a few dozen of kilograms of Azure Qi Heart Jade in his treasury.

Those jades were spread to all three tribes along with Su Xian's disciples.

…

The final event of the week was marked by the arrival of a magnificent sword crafted by the renowned Heavenly Blade Sect.

Elder Mu had arrived at Wang Jian's palace to deliver a sword personally.

Wang Jian was admiring the blade while Elder Mu began to explain the sword's construction.

"As per the Emperor's command, this sword has been forged using the rare and powerful Tyrant's Emperor Crystal for its blade," Elder Mu explained. "The handle is made of a special material known as Dragonhide Steel. This unique material not only provides a sturdy grip but also adapts to the wielder's hand size for maximum comfort and control."

Wang Jian swung the sword a few times, feeling the weight and balance of the blade. He looked at Elder Mu and asked, "What's the name of this sword?"

Elder Mu replied, "The name of this sword is Tyrannical Sovereign's Blade."

Wang Jian, impressed with the sword's design, gave it a few swings before commenting, "An interesting name for such an impressive weapon."

Elder Mu noticed Wang Jian's enthusiasm and took the opportunity to address the incident with Disciple Ye, "The Heavenly Blade Sect had no knowledge of Disciple Ye's actions. We apologize for any trouble he has caused and implore you to give us an opportunity to rectify our mistake."

"How will you make this right?" Wang Jian asked nonchalantly.

Elder Mu replied, "We will investigate Disciple Ye's motives and punish him severely depending on his actions. We do not condone such behavior and will do everything in our power to maintain our honor and reputation."

"You don't need to bother investigation. Ye Chen informed me of the reason behind the ambush. He accused me of harassing one of his friends, Guan Yin," Wang Jian replied while rolling his eyes in disdain.

As Elder Mu stood up, his face contorted with anger, he exclaimed, "What preposterousness! How could he falsely accuse Your Highness of such an egregious offense!"

Wang Jian swiftly turned towards Elder Mu and looked at him with a cold and unwavering gaze. In a voice dripping with arrogance, he spoke, "It does not matter if the accusation is true or not. Even if I did commit such an act, so what? Would that mean that a member of the Heavenly Blade Sect would raise hands against the imperial family?"

"…No, Your Highness. What Disciple Ye did was extremely wrong. Rest assured, we will find him and punish him appropriately!" Elder Mu spoke.

There was a short moment of silence in the area.

Wang Jian broke the silence with a cold tone, "I want five Sword Techniques and I will let this matter rest."

Elder Mu fell into deep thought before responding, "…That is acceptable. Which techniques do you want, Your Highness? I have brought a couple of techniques with me."

Wang Jian raised his brow in amazement. This really did surprise him. It implied that the Heavenly Blade Sect had anticipated this request.

After looking at all these techniques, Wang Jian selected five of them.

Starry Night Sky Strike: This sword technique involves the wielder gathering and concentrating their energy before unleashing it in one swift and powerful strike. When performed, the user's sword glows with a bright blue light, reminiscent of the starry night sky. The strike is so powerful that it can shatter even the most durable of materials, making it a deadly attack against both living beings and objects.

Serene Moonlight Slash: This technique involves the user moving their sword in a fluid and graceful motion, creating a shimmering trail of light as they do so.

The strike is executed with incredible speed and precision, making it difficult to defend against.

Upon impact, the strike emits a brilliant white light, reminiscent of the serene moonlight. It is a technique best used to quickly take down opponents with swift, deadly strikes.

Swift Silver Stab: This technique involves the wielder unleashing a lightning-fast thrust with their sword, aimed at a specific target.

The strike is delivered with such speed and precision that it can pierce even the thickest armor, making it a deadly attack against heavily protected opponents.

The blade of the sword glows with a bright silver light, making it appear as if it is moving too quickly to be seen.

Endless Blade Defense: This technique is a defensive move, involving the user rapidly moving their sword to block incoming attacks.

The user's sword moves in an unending, circular motion, creating a protective barrier around them.

This technique is incredibly useful in combat, allowing the user to deflect multiple attacks from various directions.

The technique is also useful in buying time to formulate a counter-attack strategy.

Flowing Water Guard: This defensive technique involves the user moving their sword in a fluid, graceful motion, mimicking the movement of flowing water.

eαglesnᴏνel When used, the user's sword emits a tranquil blue aura, making it appear as if it is surrounded by water.

The technique is best used to deflect and redirect incoming attacks, rather than completely blocking them.

The user can also use this technique to maneuver around their opponent, making it difficult for them to land a hit.

After choosing these techniques, Wang Jian received the system's notification.

[New techniques detected! Does the host wish to learn them?]

"Yes."

[Learning these techniques require 10,000 Destiny Points in total.]

"Use them."

Instantly, Wang Jian's mind was filled with complete knowledge of these techniques.

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In this week, Wang Jian had naturally spent his nights with his women.

He was already gentle to his wives and had become gentler with Kang Huian and Han Xifeng, considering that their hatred for Wang Jian was reducing every single day.

However, Wang Jian's nightly activities with Xiao Ling, Bixi Shuyan, and Lady Zhuoran remained rough.

Through his efforts, Wang Jian had amassed 35,000 Destiny Points. This brought his Destiny Points to 533,346.

However, after learning those sword techniques, 10,000 Destiny Points were deducted. Thus, his current status screen showed:

[

Status

Name: Wang Jian.

Age: 20 years old.

Destiny Points: 523,346.

Cultivation: First Stage of the King Realm.

Cultivation Technique: Soaring Dragon Technique (Level 4) (Requires 500,000 Destiny Points to level up).

Skills: Origin Fist, Beam of Destruction, Mystic Force, Divine Shielding Iron Body, Enhanced Strength, Spiritual Sensitivity, Moonrise Fist, Lunar Shield, Moonshadow Step, Shadow Manipulation, Dark Fog, Eclipse Domain Annihilation, Tranquil Mind Divine Mantra, Black Castle, Elemental Genius, Dragon's Prestige, Enchantment Ability (Level 1), Starry Night Sky Strike, Serene Moonlight Slash, Swift Silver Stab, Endless Blade Defense, and Flowing Water Guard.

Ocular Abilities: True Eyes (Level 2) (200,000 Destiny Points).

Bloodline: Blue Moon Eclipse Devil Bloodline. (Second Level) (Next level: 500,000 Destiny Points).

Insight in Laws – Flame: Mid-Level (2,000,000 Destiny Points). Lightning – Nil (150,000 Destiny Points), Dark – Nil (100,000 Destiny Points), Sword – Nil ().

Physique: Chaotic Yang Body (Dormant).

Spirit: Dark Flame Double-Headed River Dragon (Seven Star Spirit) (Mutated).

Weaknesses: Holy Attribute. Solar Attribute.

]

This time, Wang Jian felt it would be best to upgrade the Soaring Dragon Technique.

After Elder Mu's departure, he decided to utilize the points he had earned and make the most of his training.

As Wang Jian focused his mind, he sensed a mysterious energy coursing through his body. The energy flowed with newfound vigor and ferocity, causing his muscles to tense and his senses to sharpen.

The path of the qi was now completely different, much quicker and fluid than before, and Wang Jian felt a sense of serenity as he observed the changes in his body.

As the upgrade completed, Wang Jian sensed a layer forming over his physique, creating beautiful azure scales made of pure qi.

This was the True Dragon's Scales ability, a new power that significantly boosted his offensive and defensive capabilities.

The scales felt like a second skin, and Wang Jian marveled at their intricate patterns and their responsiveness to his movements.

As Wang Jian was studying the changes in his body, a notification from the system interrupted his thoughts.

[The Host's Cultivation Technique has significantly stimulated the Chaotic Yang Body. It can now be unlocked by utilizing 1 Million Destiny Points.]

The sudden notification took Wang Jian by surprise. He had long given up hope of awakening his physique, thinking it was impossible.

He had even considered releasing Yu Qing from the Divine Spirit Prison to seek her help, but he knew the risks involved.

Yu Qing would never forgive him for imprisoning her and might even seek revenge for what he did to Zhang Fei.

Thus, Wang Jian had to create a situation where he could release her without the fear of getting killed. Or, he would have to keep on utilizing the Enchantment Ability on her until it worked.

However, the system's notification stating that it would require a million destiny points caused Wang Jian to sigh.

It would be really hard to gather so many destiny points just by using Xiao Ling, Bixi Shuyan, and Lady Zhuoran.

The destiny points they were providing him was reducing.

eαglesnᴏνel Even if he made these three women fall in love with himself, Wang Jian felt that he would barely be able to gather 500,000 Destiny Points.

He had to think of something else. Target Ye Chen or one more of his Heroines.

Well, Wang Jian didn't spend too much time thinking about it. He would see how it goes.

Meanwhile, a branch of the esteemed Dao of Alchemy Society had been viciously attacked.

Xie Hui, the grand elder and a highly respected figure in the society, was present at the branch as he was guiding and mentoring the young alchemists.

With his exceptional skills, Xie Hui fiercely fought against the assailants, but unfortunately, he was overwhelmed and rendered unconscious.

His condition was alarming, and none of the healing pellets were having any effect on his spirit and soul.

The alchemists in the society were perplexed, and it took them a while to identify the root of the problem.

Finally, they discovered that the grand elder had been afflicted with a potent poison that was lingering over his spirit.

The alchemists immediately recognized the poison as the work of Huan Yi, also known as the Poison King.

Huan Yi was a notorious figure from one of the vassal kingdoms of the Everlasting Mystic Empire, known for his extraordinary talent in concocting deadly poisons.

The grave condition of Xie Hui, Xie Zhiwei's grandfather and the powerful grand elder of the Dao of Alchemy Society, had created a power vacuum that threatened Xie Zhiwei's family.

With Xie Hui's influence in the alchemy society at stake, other elders and even the leader saw an opportunity to seize power.

Xie Zhiwei's father, once a respected member of society, was now excluded from the inner circle of decision-makers, while the family's control over valuable pellets was being eroded.

Protests from Xie Zhiwei's family were met with vague promises, signalling that society was no longer on their side.

With the alchemy society turning against them, Xie Zhiwei's family knew they had to act fast to protect their wealth and influence.

In desperation, Xie Zhiwei turned to Wang Jian's palace seeking assistance to avert the looming crisis.

Xie Zhiwei sat nervously in the elegant hall of Wang Jian's palace, his mind clouded with worry. The weight of his family's future hung heavy on his shoulders.

"What should I do, Jian? If grandfather doesn't recover soon, our family could lose all its remaining influence," Xie Zhiwei spoke out his concerns, his voice laced with desperation.

Wang Jian frowned, deep in thought as he contemplated the dire situation. "This is not good news, my friend. It seems we must act fast."

Xie Zhiwei's eyes widened in hope, "Do you have any ideas, Jian?"

Wang Jian sighed heavily, "It won't be easy, but I might have a solution. However, it comes with great risk."

"What is it?" Xie Zhiwei leaned forward, his eyes twinkling in hope.

"I require a sample of your grandfather's blood first," stated Wang Jian.

Xie Zhiwei had anticipated this request and promptly retrieved a vial of blood from his pocket. "Here you go," he said, handing it to Wang Jian.

Wang Jian examined the blood closely and then gave a command to the system in a low voice, "Run a thorough analysis and provide details of the poison."

[This service requires 100 Destiny Points for a comprehensive analysis.]

Without hesitation, Wang Jian agreed to the fee, and the system quickly began to provide him with detailed information about the poison.

[Dream Weaving Poison: This poison creates a dreamlike state in the victim's mind, making them lose consciousness while it slowly weaves a web around their spirit, leading to eventual death. The poison possesses a bit of demonic qi that had been concealed very intelligently with appropriate holy herbs.]

"Is there any cure to this poison?"

"Yes. There are three ways to cure this poison, according to the current data within the system. However, this information will cost 1000 Destiny Points to the host."

"Use them."

[The first method is to utilize the Nine Heaven Root: Use Nine Heaven Root, Heavenly Cloud Fruit, and Sky Thunder Mushroom to create a powder that can alleviate the poison's effect on the spirit.]

[The second method is to use Venomous Transfusion: Introduce the Soul Eater Venom inside the victim's body. This potent poison will swallow the Dream Weaving Poison. Then, use a combination of "Frost Lotus" and "Nirvana Seed" to expel both poisons from the body.]

[Ghostfire Cleansing - Ignite a type of ghostly flame that burns at an extremely high temperature and then submerges the poisoned body into the flame. The heat of the flame burns away the poison, and the holy herb called "Dragon's Heart" heals the damaged cells.]

From these three methods that the system had provided, Wang Jian could only choose the second method.

The Soul Eater Venom was available and could be bought from the Lotus Assassins. He also held the Frost Lotus and Nirvana Seed, so it would indeed be possible to cure Xie Hui using this method.

"Go and get the Frost Lotus and Nirvana Seed ready. I will visit your mansion tomorrow and cure your old man. I know an expert who can treat this poison," Wang Jian spoke.

Xie Zhiwei was startled upon hearing those words.

He immediately nodded and spoke sincerely, "Thanks, Jian. If this goes through, I will make sure that my entire family joins your faction officially."

After Xie Zhiwei was gone, Wang Jian decided to visit his mother's palace. He asked her of two things. One was to procure the Soul Eater Venom for him. The second was to send one of her personal alchemists with him to Xie Zhiwei's mansion.

He knew that if he went alone, it would be impossible for Xie Zhiwei's family to let him administer the Soul Eater Poison to Xie Hui. However, it would be a different matter if an esteemed alchemist were to suggest this remedy.

It didn't take long for Bai Liqin to acquire the Soul Eater Venom for Wang Jian. She had a couple of contacts in the Lotus Assassins, who are rather notorious for coating their weapons with this poison.

Although the Soul Eater Venom is much stronger compared to the Dream Weaving Poison, it was easier to cure as it could be easily analyzed.

However, the same couldn't be true about the Dream Weaving Poison. It was weaker, but there was no way to figure out the hint of demonic attribute within this poison due to the presence of holy attribute herbs.

Thus, it became really challenging to cure the Dream Weaving Poison.

The only method of saving yourself from such a poison was to guard the spirit very carefully or keep a treasure on yourself that could prevent such a poison from reaching your spirit.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

The following day, Wang Jian paid a visit to Xie Zhiwei's mansion.

Having informed his family beforehand about the arrival of an expert who could heal Xie Hui, the entire family eagerly awaited Wang Jian's arrival.

Accompanying Wang Jian was an elderly man, instantly recognizable to the family as Wen Jie - an esteemed alchemist who had pledged his lifelong services to Bai Liqin.

His devotion to her was a result of her having saved his life and nurtured him into the alchemist he was today.

As they entered the mansion, Xie Chang, Xie Zhiwei's father, rushed to greet them.

"Thank you for coming, Your Highness, and bringing Master Wen Jie with you. We are indebted to you both," he said with a deep bow.

Wang Jian smiled and replied, "It's our pleasure to help. Master Wen Jie is one of the most skilled alchemists in the land, and I'm sure he will be able to cure the grand elder Hui."

Wen Jie nodded, his eyes glinting with determination. "I will do my utmost to heal Grand Elder Hui," he said.

"Based on my analysis of the blood sample, I have some theories on how to counteract the Dream Weaving Poison. Please lead me to his chambers."

eaglesnovɐ1,сoМ Xie Chang nodded and gestured for Wen Jie to follow him. As they walked through the halls, Xie Chang filled Wen Jie in on the state of his father's condition.

"He has been weakening by the day," Xie Chang said. "The maids have been administering the Spirit Empowering Elixir directly to his blood every hour, but it only strengthens his spirit for a short time."

When they entered the room, Xie Hui lay on the bed, his breathing shallow and labored. Wen Jie approached the bed and examined Xie Hui closely.

"I need some privacy to administer the cure," Wen Jie said, turning to Xie Chang.

Xie Chang hesitated for a moment but then nodded, understanding the need for secrecy in the alchemical arts.

"Please, do whatever it takes to save my father," Xie Chang implored, extending a small velvet pouch to Wen Jie. "Inside this spatial pouch, you'll find the requested medicinal herbs and even more. I beg of you, don't let him perish."

Wen Jie accepted the pouch, feeling its weight and nodding solemnly. "I will do everything within my power," he promised, before Xie Chang bowed and left the room.

Once Xie Chang had left, and Wen Jie looked troubled as he gazed at Wang Jian.

"Are you certain this is the right method to treat Xie Hui?" Wen Jie inquired, his tone concerned.

Wang Jian had already informed him about the plan to use the Soul Eater Venom to treat Xie Hui's condition, but Wen Jie was apprehensive due to the high risk involved.

"While it is possible to treat the Soul Eater Venom using the Frost Lotus and Nirvana Seed, the combination with this unknown poison could be fatal," Wen Jie explained.

Wang Jian remained confident. "I understand your concern, but it will work," he assured Wen Jie.

Wen Jie was still hesitant, unaware of the demonic and holy attributes within the Dream Weaving Poison that would prevent it from being too lethal when combined with the Soul Eater Venom.

Wang Jian was aware of this, but due to the lack of time, he could not explain it to Wen Jie.

As Wang Jian injected the Soul Eater Venom into Xie Hui's body, Wen Jie prepared to use the Frost Lotus and Nirvana Seed to counteract the venom's effects. He carefully held the herbs, ready to release their vital essence at a moment's notice.

As the venom began to take hold of Xie Hui's body, a dark aura began to spread across his skin, and he began to sweat profusely.

Wen Jie watched nervously, hoping that they would be able to save him.

Wang Jian used his Spiritual Sensitivity ability to closely observe the battle between the two opposing forces within Xie Hui's body.

The battle raged on for nearly half an hour, with the Soul Eater Venom slowly gaining the upper hand and winning eventually. The Soul Eater Venom was now extremely weak and planned to devour Xie Hui's spirit.

Just as the venom was about to consume Xie Hui's spirit, Wang Jian shouted, "Now!"

Wen Jie sprang into action, his hands bursting into crimson flames that heated the Frost Lotus and Nirvana Seed.

The herbs released their vital essence, and Wen Jie expertly manipulated it to envelop Xie Hui's entire body, counteracting the venom's effects.

The room was silent as they waited for the treatment to take effect. After a few tense minutes, Xie Hui's body began to calm down, and the dark aura dissipated.

He opened his eyes, and Wen Jie breathed a sigh of relief. "We did it," he said with a small smile.

Wen Jie couldn't help but stare at Wang Jian with admiration. "You truly are amazing, Your Highness. You were able to create an antidote for the Poison King's unknown poison," he said, impressed.

"It's called the Dream Weaving Poison. I will explain it to you in detail later, Wen Jie," Wang Jian responded calmly.

As they left the chambers, Xie Zhiwei and his family were waiting for them in the hall.

Xie Zhiwei practically leapt to pull Wang Jian in a tight embrace while whispering his thanks repeatedly.

Xie Chang was also delighted and hugged his wife as they all cheered happily.

"Thank you, Lord Wen. It's all because of your skill that we could resolve this deadly venom of the Poison King," Xie Chang soon came to thank Wen Jie.

Wen Jie accepted the gratitude with a complicated smile. "It was my duty to help a friend of His Highness," he said humbly.

Xie Chang turned towards Wang Jian with a wide smile on his face as he saw his son hugging the prince.

However, the smile soon turned into hesitation before a resolute expression appeared on his face.

"Your Highness," he began, his voice serious. "I must ask for your help once again."

"That's not a problem," Wang Jian spoke. He further added, "Take good care of Grand Elder. I will return after a couple of days. I want to discuss something with you."

"That would be absolutely fine, Your Highness. The doors to the Xie Family are forever open to you from now on," Xie Chang declared passionately.

After hearing those words, Wang Jian left the mansion in a good mood. He was heading towards his mother's palace.

Wen Jie was dismissed, and the mother-son duo were alone in Bai Liqin's chambers now.

"Judging by that smile, it went well," Bai Liqin commented with a grin.

Wang Jian nodded, "Yes. It won't be long before they contact me again and officially join my faction. Xie Zhiwei's family will be an extremely valuable support."

He then asked, "What about that group?"

"No. They received payment from an anonymous individual in a tavern in the Bihai Town. They will never know that the one who paid them to attack Xie Hui was us," Bai Liqin uttered.

Wang Jian nodded with a wicked smirk on his face, "Good."

He took his leave from his mother's palace soon enough.

As anticipated, Xie Zhiwei's family contacted Wang Jian soon after Xie Hui's recovery. Xie Chang paid a visit to Wang Jian's palace to discuss a matter of great importance.

"Greetings, Your Highness. I am here to discuss a serious matter with you," Xie Chang said upon arrival.

Wang Jian, already aware of the topic at hand, welcomed Xie Chang and invited him to the living room. After they both took a seat, a maid was called in to bring tea and snacks for the guests.

Xie Chang then spoke with a solemn expression, "Your Highness, the Xie Family would like to officially join your faction."

Wang Jian calmly responded, "As I stated earlier, Lord Chang, I would have saved Grand Elder Hui's life simply because he is my friend's grandfather. I do not want you to feel compelled by this incident and make a hasty decision."

Xie Chang, with conviction in his voice, replied, "No, Your Highness. This is not a hasty decision. I have given it much thought, and it is the right decision for the Xie Family. I have even discussed it with my father, and he has given his approval."

He then explained, "I am sure you won't deny that this attack occurred because of Zhiwei's association with you."

Wang Jian nodded hesitantly, "Yes, I had my suspicions as well. My eldest brother, second sister, or third brother might be responsible. Only they have the resources and intelligence to orchestrate such an attack."

Xie Chang agreed, "I came to the same conclusion, Your Highness. I was initially hesitant about joining your faction, but after this incident, it has become clear that the other members of the Alchemy Society have already chosen their factions. They used those factions to pressurize and humiliate us! If not for your assistance, the Xie Family might have lost everything."

He continued with a resolute tone, "Thus, it became clear to me that the choice has already been made. Since the enemy factions are already targeting us, we can't just sit back and take their attacks. We need to fight back. And I believe that officially joining your faction would be the way. You are bound to fight against those factions anyway."

Wang Jian nodded thoughtfully and replied, "I understand your concerns, Lord Chang. I accept the Xie Family's request to join my faction. I have two conditions for this alliance."

"What are they?" Xie Chang inquired.

"Firstly, I require 10% of the pellets assigned to the Xie Family every month. Secondly, I want the alchemists from your family to prepare pills for me for free, provided I provide the necessary resources," Wang Jian stated composedly.

Xie Chang visibly relaxed after hearing the terms and nodded in agreement.

"That's not an issue, Your Highness. The Xie Family pledges to fulfill these conditions. Furthermore, I assure you that no alchemist from the Xie Family, including my father Xie Hui, would ever refuse to concoct pills for you," Xie Chang pledged earnestly.

He then requested, "However, I do have a favor to ask. Would you kindly arrange for some experts to safeguard my family? The Xie Family would gladly pay for their services."

"I have the ideal organization in mind - the Ivory Fang Legion. They are powerful, reliable, and upright. I'll contact them and request their assistance in protecting your family," Wang Jian responded assuredly.

"Thank you, Your Highness. We eagerly await their arrival," Xie Chang expressed with a grin.

64c3e69bf75c4d1715a59001

The news of Wang Jian's successful healing of Xie Hui spread like wildfire, eliciting various reactions from the people.

The Poison King and his followers were taken aback to learn that their potent poison had been resolved by Wang Jian.

But they were not the only ones; members of the Dao of Alchemy Society were equally stunned.

The Dao of Alchemy Society's members had never imagined that Xie Hui would recover from the deadly poison that had been administered to him.

When he was on his deathbed, each member had humiliated the Xie family, believing that they would soon be free of their influence.

However, with Xie Hui's impending return to the society, they knew they had made a grave mistake.

Xie Hui, although a King Realm alchemist, was the only one capable of creating incomplete Emperor Rank pellets.

The members of the society knew that they would be in trouble when he returned, and they were anxious about how he would react to their behavior towards his family.

They knew that Xie Hui was a well-respected and influential figure, and that he had significant sway over many powerful individuals in various factions.

In light of this, they decided to take preemptive measures to assuage any potential anger or resentment from Xie Hui.

One of the steps they took was to restore all the power and privileges that the Xie Family had previously held, including access to rare pellets and the royalties associated with them.

In fact, the society went even further this time, granting the Xie Family even more privileges and rights than they had before.

However, these two groups were not the only ones affected by this incident. The factions belonging to each of the members of the Royal Family fighting for the throne were the ones most impacted.

While the Crown Prince was still involved in his battle against the demons and had yet to return, his subservient groups were shocked to learn of Xie Hui's miraculous recovery.

The Second Princess and Third Prince's factions were the ones affected the most. Each one had planned to slowly target the Xie Family to ensure their collaboration with Wang Jian resulted in a great loss.

However, someone else had acted before they could even begin their plans, and the Xie Family had fallen directly into Wang Jian's lap.

With the Xie Family now firmly aligned with Wang Jian's faction, the balance of power in the kingdom was shifting, and those vying for the throne were forced to reevaluate their strategies.

It didn't take long before the conditions of Wang Jian's partnership with the Xie Family were leaked, a move that was deliberately orchestrated by Wang Jian himself. He had informed the Xie Family beforehand of his intentions.

The reason behind this move was simple: to broadcast to the entire empire that he had gained access to vast quantities of rare pellets through the Xie Family's affiliation.

This announcement rendered him a prime target for factions seeking pellets, but it also held an allure for organizations that required these precious substances but couldn't purchase them in the open market.

Such organizations included those that had been outlawed by the Empire, such as the Crimson Cult, the Phantom Brotherhood, the Black Hand, the Shadow Warriors, and the demons.

It was only known to a select few individuals in the upper echelon that there were demons with extremely rare bloodlines that possessed a human-like form scattered across the empire.

These demons were strategically located in various parts of the Empire to secure resources for their kind.

After a few days, Xie Hui had made a full recovery and was able to return to the Dao of Alchemy Society. To the surprise of many, he did not seek revenge on those who had caused trouble for his family during his absence.

Instead, he opted to give them a mild punishment, such as a compensation in the form of rare alchemy resources or wealth.

This decision was unexpected but was seen as a display of Xie Hui's magnanimous character, as he chose not to hold grudges and instead turned the situation into an opportunity for reconciliation.

Naturally, this was occurring all under Wang Jian's instructions.

Xie Hui actually wanted to slaughter these bunch of scamps for harming his family. However, Wang Jian had instructed him to act magnanimously.

He wanted the Xie Family to boost their fame.

Wang Jian requested a detailed list of all the individuals who had caused trouble for the Xie Family, including the benefits they received from Xie Hui's condition.

He was taken aback when he saw the name of Xu Mo on the list provided by the Xie Family.

Xu Mo was actually Xu Yuting's grandfather and was in line to become the next Grand Elder of the Dao of Alchemy Society due to his extensive experience and exceptional skills.

In fact, he was even faster at concocting pellets than Xie Hui, which was quite impressive considering Xie Hui's talent and reputation.

However, it was a pity that Xu Mo fell slightly short in terms of the quality of pellets compared to Xie Hui.

It was known to the public that Xu Mo was affiliated with the Second Princess, Wang Ying's faction.

Meanwhile, Xu Yuting, Xu Mo's granddaughter, was currently in the Everlasting Mystic Empire, gaining valuable experience in pellet concoction by creating various types of pellets for Wang Ying's faction.

Wang Jian couldn't help but wonder, 'Has she regained her Heroine status?'

He felt it was unlikely as Xu Yuting couldn't have met up with Ye Chen yet.

"System, set up an alert for when Xu Yuting regains her Heroine status."

[Alright, host.]

…

Ye Chen had been diligently carrying out his mission as a member of the second princess's faction.

He had been stationed in the vicinity of the Jade Serpent Sect and the Celestial Dragon Sect for some time, acquainting himself with the area and scouting potential escape routes.

He had also been busy preparing secret hideouts, such as a secluded cave or secret shacks, in case of emergencies.

During this time, the Tung Clan, which was one of the many clans working under the second princess, had arrived to assist him.

Their arrival had greatly eased Ye Chen's burden, allowing him to focus more on his task without having to worry about logistics or support.

Accompanying the Tung Clan's experts, Ye Chen's friend from the Mystic Creature Handlers Union, Liao Boqin, arrived at the area near the Jade Serpent Sect and the Celestial Dragon Sect.

Liao Boqin was the youngest son of the leader in the Mystic Creature Handlers Union and had a low status.

However, he had the good fortune of meeting Ye Chen during an expedition to the Celestial Sage's Temple, where he was saved by him.

During this journey, Liao Boqin also discovered a powerful and rare beast known as the Golden-Maned Thunder Lion.

This unique and rare beast was known for its shimmering, golden mane, and lightning-fast reflexes.

It was said to possess unparalleled speed, agility, and strength, making it one of the most formidable creatures in the entire empire.

As a Mystic Creature Handler, Liao Boqin had formed a close bond with the Golden-Maned Thunder Lion and trained it to follow his commands.

Together, they had become a formidable duo, feared by all who crossed their path.

Liao Boqin had always been thankful to Ye Chen for saving his life, so when he heard about Ye Chen's mission, he quickly volunteered to help.

He brought with him thirty griffins, each one at the peak of the Lord Realm, which was considered the cream of the crop in the Mystic Creature Handlers Union.

These griffins were no ordinary beasts; their speed and agility were unparalleled, making them ideal for reconnaissance and swift strikes.

Even a seasoned warrior at the peak of the King Realm would have a tough time keeping up with them.

Each member of the Tung Clan began rigorous training, alongside Ye Chen, to gain proficiency in riding the beasts.

After a week of training, Ye Chen and his team were finally prepared to attack a branch of the Dao of Alchemy Society.

However, fate had other plans for them. News had spread like wildfire that Xie Hui, who had been the target of their attack, had made a miraculous recovery.

Upon hearing of this news, Wang Ying, the second princess and the leader of their faction, quickly sent a message on her fastest messenger to call off the attack on the branch of the Dao of Alchemy Society.

The message left Ye Chen fuming with rage. He couldn't comprehend why Wang Ying would forbid him from attacking the branch at the last possible second.

After all, they had spent a considerable amount of time and effort planning for it. Despite his frustration, Ye Chen had no choice but to comply with Wang Ying's orders.

Thus, Ye Chen and his team switched their targets, and their new objective was the Celestial Talisman's Guild.

Each member of the team took the necessary precautions and made sure to cover their faces before striking their new target.

The Celestial Talisman's Guild was known to be a powerful organization that dealt in talismans, that was sure to attract the attention of other sects and clans.

However, Ye Chen and his team were confident in their abilities and their plan.

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The branch of Celestial Talisman's Guild was a sprawling complex that dominated a significant area of Zhuyu City.

The impressive structure was compartmentalized into various sections, each dedicated to a specific type of talisman.

These sections included one for assault talismans, another for defensive talismans, one for sealing talismans, another for unsealing talismans, and a section for general-purpose talismans.

The Celestial Talisman's guild was heavily guarded, but Ye Chen and his team had carefully planned their attack and swiftly made their way to the guild master's office.

As they approached the door, they were confronted by the guards who tried to prevent them from entering.

With lightning-fast reflexes, Ye Chen launched a powerful attack, sending the guard flying through the gate and crashing into the wall with a painful groan.

The guild master and his guest, an elder of the Celestial Dragon's Guild, were shocked by the sudden intrusion and the display of power.

"Who are you?!" The guild master demanded, his voice filled with fear and anger.

By this time, all the Lord Realm experts of Ye Chen's team were stationed outside and were dealing with the guards of the Celestial Talisman's Guild.

"Hand over the talismans and no one will be harmed," Ye Chen replied coldly, his eyes fixed on the guild master.

The elder of the Celestial Dragon's Guild moved forward and struck one of Ye Chen's team members.

But Ye Chen was quick to react, intercepting the attack by launching the Whirlwind Slash, infused with his Sword Qi and the vital essence from the Chaos Essence Bead.

This attack caught the Celestial Dragon Sect's Elder off-guard and caused him to suffer a slight injury.

"You underestimate us," Ye Chen said, his voice filled with determination. "We are not to be trifled with. Now hand over what we came for or face the consequences."

The Celestial Talisman's Guild Master remained undeterred by Ye Chen's threat and stepped forward while utilizing a talisman to create a barrier ahead of himself.

Members of Ye Chen's team stepped forward as they struck that barrier with enchanted weapons.

The guild master's eyes widened in disbelief as he witnessed the enchantments on the weapons. The Celestial Talisman's Guild didn't possess these enchantments.

"Which clan do you belong to?!" he demanded, while releasing his qi to prepare for battle.

The guild master may have been a King Realm expert, but his skills were more attuned to creating talismans than actual combat.

Nevertheless, he was determined to defend his guild at all costs.

Two of Ye Chen's team members, who were also King Realm experts, immediately approached the guild master to engage in combat.

However, the guild master was quick to release multiple powerful assault talismans to fend them off.

The talismans managed to drive the two warriors away, but they didn't give up. Instead, they regrouped and planned a more strategic approach.

Meanwhile, the remaining two King Realm experts of Ye Chen's team fought fiercely against the Celestial Dragon Sect's elder. The sound of clashing swords and explosions echoed through the room as the two groups engaged in a heated battle.

"Your efforts are futile," the elder of the Celestial Dragon's Sect sneered as he unleashed a powerful attack.

But Ye Chen's team members were not easily defeated. They dodged and countered with their own attacks, gradually wearing down the elder's defenses.

As the battle continued, it became clear that Ye Chen's team had the upper hand.

Meanwhile, the Celestial Talisman's Guild guards rushed towards the commotion, but it was too late. Ye Chen's team had already managed to grab hold of the guild master.

"You are making a grave mistake," the guild master warned, struggling against their grasp. "The Celestial Talisman's Guild will not take this lightly. You will face the consequences for your actions."

"We knew the risks when we came here," Ye Chen replied calmly.

The guards hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. They had been trained to protect their guild master at all costs, but they were no match for Ye Chen's team.

Seeing their hesitation, Ye Chen stepped forward and addressed them directly.

"You can either stand down and let us leave with what we came for, or you can continue to fight and suffer the consequences."

The guards exchanged uneasy glances, but in the end, they chose to stand down. They were worried that if they chose the wrong option here, the guild master might pay the price.

Outside, the battle raged on.

The two King Realm experts of Ye Chen's team had joined forces and were now pushing the Celestial Dragon Sect's elder back. Despite his skills, the elder was struggling to keep up with their combined might.

Ye Chen stared at the guild master and ordered, "Lead us to the warehouse."

The guild master led Ye Chen and his team through the maze-like corridors of the warehouse, leading them to the most heavily guarded section where the most valuable talismans were stored.

As they entered the room, Ye Chen stood with his team, scanning the warehouse's contents as the guild master watched in utter defeat.

"Make sure you don't forget anything valuable," Ye Chen spoke aloud.

The guild master could only clench his fists in fury as he watched them rummage through the warehouse, taking anything they deemed valuable.

After some time, they managed to acquire an impressive collection, including thirteen King Realm assault talismans and ten defensive King Realm talismans, which were considered rare and powerful artifacts.

Moreover, they also found themselves holding hundreds of Lord Realm talismans.

Ye Chen's team felt a sense of relief and satisfaction as they knew they had successfully completed their mission.

With their newfound talismans, they could now strengthen their combat power and increase their chances of success in their upcoming battles.

eaglesnovɐ1,сoМ With their mission accomplished, Ye Chen and his team let out a series of sharp whistles that echoed across the city.

In response, thirty majestic griffins swooped down and landed near them.

The griffins launched a powerful gust, sending most of the Lord Realm experts flying and causing chaos in the vicinity.

The two warriors who had been fighting the Celestial Dragon Sect's elder immediately seized the opportunity to launch a series of devastating attacks.

As the elder dodged their combined assaults, he was startled to see Ye Chen's team members swiftly mount the griffins and soar into the sky.

Not a single guard attempted to pursue them as the guild master was still in Ye Chen's hands, and they knew that trying to stop them would only bring them more trouble.

After flying some distance away, Ye Chen turned to his team member and gave a curt order.

"Throw him away now."

Without a word, the team member grabbed the struggling guild master and hurled him off the griffin.

Luckily for the guild master, his martial prowess allowed him to maneuver in the air and land on his feet.

Glowering in the direction of the griffins as they vanished into the distance, the guild master's eyes smoldered with anger.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen's team had retreated to their hideout, a secluded clearing deep in the forest. With adrenaline still pumping through their veins, they eagerly examined the talismans they had acquired.

"Wow, we hit the jackpot this time!" one team member exclaimed as he marveled at the King Realm assault talismans.

Another member grinned as he inspected the defensive King Realm talismans. "These will come in handy for sure."

Ye Chen leaned back against a tree, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. "We did well today. No casualties, and we got what we came for."

As the team reveled in their success, congratulating each other on their first mission without any casualties, Ye Chen sent a message to the second princess's palace to inform them of their victory.

Along with the message, he sent some of the talismans they had acquired as proof of their success.

Little did they know that their celebration would be cut short.

Two days later, Ye Chen's group was suddenly attacked in their hideout.

They found themselves surrounded by a group of powerful experts, who had been led to their location by none other than the guild master.

It turned out that he had struck a thousand miles tracking talisman on the griffin they used to escape, allowing him to track their every move.

Ye Chen quickly assessed the situation and realized that they were up against some of the most powerful forces in the region.

He looked around at his team and saw the fear in their eyes, but he knew that they couldn't afford to falter now.

"We're not going down without a fight," he declared, drawing his sword.

The group braced themselves for the impending battle as the attackers closed in on them.

They could see the powerful elders of the Celestial Dragon Sect leading the charge, their eyes filled with fierce determination.

As they fought for their lives, it became clear that the Guild Master had spared no expense in hiring the best mercenaries to aid in this attack.

The three groups of mercenaries fought with ruthless efficiency, their weapons glinting in the sunlight as they attacked relentlessly. They had been provided with powerful talismans and some enchanted weapons.

Despite their best efforts, the group soon found themselves overwhelmed and outnumbered.

The guards of the Celestial Talisman's Guild were closing in on them, and Ye Chen knew that they had to act fast.

"Fall back!" he shouted to his team, as they began to retreat towards the edge of the clearing.

But it was too late. The attackers had surrounded them from all sides, leaving them with nowhere to run.

Adding insult to injury, Ye Chen's team had neglected to disguise themselves in dark clothing to conceal their identities.

The guild master's gaze swept over the group, and recognition dawned on his face as he spotted the two elders of the Tung Clan. His lip curled into a sneer.

"So the Tung Clan has joined forces with the enemies of the Celestial Talisman's Guild. You will pay for your treachery," he growled.

Suddenly, his attention was drawn to Ye Chen, who was wielding a Heavy Sword and emanating Sword Qi. The guild master's eyes widened with realization. "You're Ye Chen!" he exclaimed.

Ye Chen let out a snarl as he heard that voice. He quickly pulled out a Thousand Miles Escape Talisman and crushed it.

In the next moment, Ye Chen disappeared.

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The Guild Master of the Celestial Talisman's Guild and the elders of the Celestial Dragon's Sect were fuming over Ye Chen's successful escape.

Despite their best efforts, they had been unable to locate him.

On the bright side, they had managed to capture numerous members of the Tung Clan who had participated in the raid on the guild. Moreover, they had also recovered five assault and three defensive King Realm talismans.

These captives had undergone intense interrogation under the effects of talismans, and they were willing to share whatever information they had.

Upon interrogation, the captured members of the Tung Clan revealed that the attack was orchestrated by the Second Princess Wang Ying's faction.

However, the motive behind the attack on the Celestial Talisman's Guild remained a mystery.

The Tung Clan also disclosed that their initial target was actually the branch of the Dao of Alchemy Society in Zhuyu City.

However, for some reason, the princess called off the attack, which led Ye Chen's team to set their sights on the Celestial Talisman's Guild.

The news of the attack on the Celestial Talisman's Guild by Ye Chen's team spread like wildfire, reaching the ears of everyone in the Empire within a matter of days.

However, the report didn't mention the involvement of the second princess.

The guild master knew that it would be unwise to reveal the princess's involvement in the matter.

He had his reasons to believe that the princess would pay a hefty sum to keep her name out of the news.

As he fled from the city, Ye Chen couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

His team had been exposed, and the guild master was sure to have sent out his most skilled trackers.

As he headed north, he kept a watchful eye on his surroundings, scanning the landscape for any sign of pursuit.

He knew he had to put as much distance between himself and the Celestial Talisman's Guild as possible.

Unbeknownst to Ye Chen, he was unwittingly making his way towards one of the fierce battlefields between the human and demon realms.

The Crown Prince himself was leading the charge, battling fiercely to subdue the demons.

This battlefield held immense strategic value for the demons, owing to the presence of a natural Yin Essence Spring that sprouted from the ground.

This spring was a vital resource for the demons, capable of strengthening their bloodline and enhancing their abilities.

Ye Chen stumbled upon a scene of intense battle, where the Crown Prince's soldiers had raided a demon hideout.

To their surprise, they found the demon princess of the Void Soul Twilight Dominion inside, protected by a cadre of powerful demon experts.

The air was thick with the clash of weapons and the whizzing of spells as human King Realm experts engaged the demon experts in fierce combat.

Ye Chen was ready to lend his support to the human side when his eyes fell upon the demon princess, who was unleashing devastating attacks with a purple belt.

However, it wasn't her fighting style that captured Ye Chen's attention, but her striking beauty.

Her long, flowing pink hair and piercing green eyes were mesmerizing, and her slender, curvy figure moved with deadly grace as she fought off the human attackers with ease.

Despite his loyalty to the human race, Ye Chen found himself transfixed by her otherworldly beauty and stood frozen in awe for several moments.

It wasn't until a sudden gust of wind jolted him back to reality that he realized he needed to snap out of his trance and focus on the situation at hand.

As Ye Chen snapped out of his trance, he noticed the perilous situation the demon princess was in.

She had sustained severe injuries and was on the verge of being dealt a fatal blow.

In desperation, she pulled out a talisman, but Ye Chen knew it would take time to activate it, and by then, it would be too late.

Reacting on instinct, Ye Chen charged forward with his Heavy Sword, unleashing a powerful attack called the Gust Slash.

The move disrupted the practitioner who was about to land the killing blow on the demon princess, causing him to retreat with a scowl on his face.

Ye Chen valiantly stood in front of the demon princess, shielding her from any further harm. His tone was cold and direct as he asked, "Are you alright?"

But before he could receive an answer, the demon princess struck him with her purple belt, sending him hurtling to the ground.

As he looked up, he saw her swiftly healing her wounds. It was clear that she had only pretended to be injured in order to catch her opponent off-guard.

However, Ye Chen's unexpected intervention had foiled her plan, and she redirected her attack towards him in frustration.

The demon princess bellowed with frustration, "The plan has failed. We must retreat!"

Upon hearing her command, all the demons quickly scattered and fled deeper into the demon territory.

The human experts, knowing the danger of venturing further, gave up on chasing them.

However, some of them turned their attention to Ye Chen and questioned his actions earlier.

They wondered why he had chosen to protect the demon princess, who was their enemy.

"Who the hell are you? Why did you interfere? We could have killed that devil if not for you!" he yelled with indignation, his face twisted in anger.

The others chimed in with mocking comments.

"Looks like we have a devil lover here," one of them sneered.

"Seriously, what were you thinking?" another scoffed. "Helping the enemy is just foolish."

Despite the derogatory comments thrown his way, Ye Chen kept his composure and got up, brushing off the dirt from his clothes as he began to walk away.

But his attempt to leave was interrupted by the human experts who surrounded him, their expressions a mix of disbelief and suspicion.

"Wait a minute," one of them said, stepping forward. "We can't just let you go like that. Why did you protect the demon princess? Are you in league with the demons?"

Ye Chen looked at the group, sensing their hostility and mistrust. He spoke calmly, trying to reason with them.

"I assure you, I have no affiliation with demons or any other enemies of humanity," he said.

"We'll be the judge of that!" a human expert sneered, using his King Realm qi to intimidate Ye Chen.

But Ye Chen stood firm, his own aura just as potent.

"If you want to stop me, then you'll have to defeat me first!" he declared, brandishing his Heavy Sword.

Without hesitation, Ye Chen charged towards the human experts, ready to fight them all and make his escape. He knew that he couldn't take them all on, but he refused to go down without a fight.

However, it quickly became apparent that he was outnumbered and outmatched.

The humans were skilled fighters, and Ye Chen was unable to keep up with their attacks. As they closed in on him, he realized that there was no way he could escape with his meager abilities.

However, the impressive display of his swordsmanship had changed the human experts' opinion of him. They were impressed by his skill and wondered who he was and where he had come from.

Ye Chen had even used Sword Qi, which had startled the King Realm experts and made them wonder about his true identity and background.

After subduing Ye Chen with chains, the humans presented him to the Crown Prince Wang Hao.

As Ye Chen lifted his head, he met the prince's gaze and was taken aback by his striking appearance.

Wang Hao had dark blue hair that fell to his shoulders in elegant waves, and his eyes sparkled with the color of rubies. He had an extremely handsome face, with sharp features and a lean, muscular body that exuded power and authority.

Ye Chen's heart began to race as he stared at Wang Hao, feeling a sense of fear for one of the first times in his life.

The crown prince gave off an oppressive and intimidating aura, as if he could crush Ye Chen with a mere flick of his finger.

Even when Ye Chen had fought Wang Jian, he hadn't experienced such a feeling.

The Crown Prince Wang Hao's impassive gaze was fixed on Ye Chen as he spoke, "My subordinates told me what you did on the field. Why would you try and save the demon princess?"

In response to the Crown Prince's question, Ye Chen hesitated for a moment before answering. "I... I've never encountered a demon that looked so similar to a human before. I was confused and thought that some powerful experts were bullying a defenseless woman."

Wang Hao sneered in response, "…Who are you?"

He cleared his throat before finally speaking up. "I am Ye Chen, a disciple of Old Chu from the Heavenly Blade Sect," he said firmly, making sure to emphasize his master's name.

Wang Hao's expression turned cold at the mention of Old Chu's name. He narrowed his ruby eyes dangerously, sizing up Ye Chen with a critical gaze.

"Old Chu, you say? The previous sect master of the Heavenly Blade Sect, huh?" he said slowly. "But what makes you think you can interfere in our affairs?"

Ye Chen felt a wave of fear wash over him as he stared up at the imposing figure of the Crown Prince. He swallowed hard before replying, "I... I acted on impulse. I didn't know that I was getting involved in your affairs."

Wang Hao snorted in response. "Ignorance is not an excuse," he said icily. "Guards, take him away and throw him in with the demon prisoners."

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Wang Jian was in the midst of a discussion with his fellow comrades when he received a report about Ye Chen's recent actions.

By this time, Wang Jian had managed to gain the loyalty of all his friends' families, following the example set by Xie Zhiwei's family.

As they had learned from Xie Zhiwei's family's experience, it was wiser to align with Wang Jian's faction now as the other princes' factions had already started targeting them.

"Unbelievable," Luo Ying said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Attacking the Celestial Talisman's Guild? That's just asking for trouble."

Liu Yu nodded in agreement and added, "Yes, my father informed me that the guild's top executives are planning to take strict measures against him. They are even contemplating permanently banning him from purchasing any talisman from us in the future."

Xie Zhiwei let out a contemptuous snort, "What's the point? He'll just ask someone else to buy it for him."

Liu Yu's brow furrowed in contemplation, "What do you suggest we do then?"

Tang Xiaohui interjected firmly, "We should take action ourselves and eliminate this idiot once and for all."

"No," Wang Jian spoke firmly.

Xie Zhiwei seemed unconvinced as he replied, "But why, Jian? The longer he runs around, the more mess he will make."

Wang Jian explained his reasoning calmly, "Right now, he is creating enemies for himself and making a huge mess. We should let him do that. Meanwhile, we need to focus on strengthening our own faction. Although each of your families is extremely powerful in your respective organizations, it still won't be enough to challenge my siblings."

He continued, "My eldest brother Wang Hao has complete control over the Crimson Guards, the Brotherhood of Steel Fist, and the Jade Order. He also has close allies in the Heavenly Blade Sect and the Celestial Dragon Sect."

"Meanwhile, my second sister Wang Ying has complete control over the Silk Road Traders, the White Lotus Society, and significant control over the Dao of Alchemy Society. She has influence over major clans like the Jin Clan, Tung Clan, and so on. I have also heard that the Lotus Blossom Sect's Mistress is close to her."

"Lastly, my third brother has a mysterious yet wide network that encompasses every organization. He has the majority of experts in the Lotus Assassins and the Black Hand working for him. He also has the Jade Serpent Clan working for him."

Wang Jian finished speaking and looked at each of his comrades.

Tang Xiaohui asked with curiosity, "Then how do you want us to proceed?"

Wang Jian's tone became serious as he spoke, "Our first target should be the Dao of Alchemy Society. Pills and elixirs are crucial for all cultivators, and without them, it's impossible to grow stronger."

Luo Ying nodded in agreement, "You're right."

All of Wang Jian's comrades appeared to agree with that statement.

Xie Zhiwei expressed his concern, "But what should we do? My grandfather's status has already made my family very influential in the Alchemy Society."

Wang Jian responded calmly, "That may be true, but don't forget what happened when your grandfather fell ill. The members of the Alchemy Society humiliated your family. In fact, without your grandfather, the Alchemy Society wouldn't even care about your family."

Xie Zhiwei gritted his teeth and clenched his fists in anger while recalling that painful memory. "…You're right about that."

Wang Jian's eyes flashed with a dangerous glint as he spoke, "We will change that. They need to fear you and your family."

Xie Zhiwei looked at Wang Jian intently and asked, "How will I do that?"

Wang Jian pulled out a list and handed it to Xie Zhiwei with a sinister smile, "These are the names of all the members who took action against your family. Your task is to gather information on each member and identify the ones who are loyal to my second sister's faction."

Xie Zhiwei nodded and accepted the list, "I understand. What should I do once I have identified them?"

"I will inform you later," Wang Jian replied with a cryptic smile.

Luo Ying spoke for the rest of the group, "And what about us?"

Wang Jian looked at them all and gave clear instructions. "Yu, I want you to do the same task as I just assigned to Zhiwei. However, I also want you to ask your family to stop selling talismans and instead gather them. I will provide a buyer who will purchase them at twice the price."

Liu Yu was thrilled by this news and grinned widely. "You got it!"

Wang Jian turned his attention to Tang Xiaohui next. "Expand your network and make contact with local blacksmiths and armoursmiths from towns, villages, and other cities. I will provide the funds. Pay them an advance and ask them to create the weapons quickly. Also, ask the merchants who have a good relationship with your family to keep tabs on Ye Chen and report any information about his actions to my palace directly."

Tang Xiaohui nodded firmly. "That can be arranged as long as there is sufficient funding."

Wang Jian chuckled in response. "There is no shortage of that for now."

He then turned to Luo Ying. "As for you, I want your family to gather as many disciples as possible and begin recruiting them for my faction. Even if there are only a few at first, it doesn't matter."

Luo Ying raised a concern. "But if the Sect Master finds out about this, it could be a problem. He has strictly forbidden any factions within the sect."

Wang Jian was confident. "I will handle that."

"Any other doubts?" he asked the group.

It was Tang Xiaohui who spoke up this time. "What if the other factions discover what we are doing?"

Wang Jian replied simply, "For now, we'll hire powerful mercenary groups. I'll take care of this issue soon enough."

"Does anyone else have any other questions or concerns?" he asked.

"Naa," they responded rather lazily.

With that settled, they decided to relax and unwind. They spent the rest of the day in leisure, enjoying each other's company as they chatted and drank.

Wang Jian's instructions to his friends were well-received, and they immediately set to work carrying out their respective tasks.

Xie Zhiwei diligently worked through the list of twenty-eight names and had already identified seven members who were loyal to Wang Ying's faction.

Despite Xie Zhiwei's best efforts to be discreet in his investigation, it didn't take long for the seven individuals he had identified to catch wind of what was going on.

They were outraged to hear that Xie Zhiwei's subordinates were asking questions about them both in the Alchemy Society and on the streets and wasted no time in expressing their displeasure to the Xie family.

They stormed into the Xie family's estate, demanding to know why they were being investigated.

Xie Zhiwei remained calm despite his family's scolding in front of the faction members. After they left, he revealed that the investigation was carried out on Wang Jian's orders.

The Xie Family was taken aback by this revelation and pressed him for more information.

Xie Zhiwei, however, had no further information to offer, leaving the family to wonder what Wang Jian's motives could be.

Their curiosity led them to investigate further, and they discovered that Wang Jian had accompanied Luo Ying to the Sacred Crane Sect.

It seemed that he would be away for a while, leaving them with no choice but to wait for his return.

Meanwhile, Liu Yu and Tang Xiaohui had already started their tasks.

Liu Yu followed Wang Jian's instructions and asked his family to withhold their share of talismans that they received from the Celestial Talisman's Guild.

His family was thrilled when they learned that Wang Jian would provide them with a buyer who would pay double the price for the talismans.

However, they were curious about the buyer's identity, suspecting that they must be someone with a sensitive identity to pay such a high price.

On the other hand, Tang Xiaohui used his father's influence to gather various merchants, craftsmen, blacksmiths, armoursmiths, tailors, hunters, and others.

He informed them to prepare large quantities of supplies and provided them with a part of payment as advance.

Additionally, Tang Xiaohui also informed them to send any information related to Ye Chen directly to Wang Jian's palace.

As Wang Jian reached the Sacred Crane Sect, he found out that Old Chu, the former sect master of the Heavenly Blade Sect, had left for the Crown Prince's camp in a hurry.

The reason behind his sudden departure was that Ye Chen had fought against the Crown Prince's subordinates and saved the Demon Princess.

Upon hearing this news, Wang Jian couldn't help but think to himself, 'As expected.'

He was pleased that his plan was unfolding as he had anticipated.

With a sly grin on his face, he swiftly penned a letter to his palace, instructing his men to use this information to ruin Ye Chen's reputation and destroy his popularity.

At roughly the same time, the second princess Wang Ying was also informed of Ye Chen's actions.

She was utterly astonished and couldn't resist slapping her forehead in exasperation.

The news had deeply disappointed her, and she felt a profound sense of frustration at Ye Chen's behavior.

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Old Chu, a respected Emperor Realm expert and Ye Chen's master, had made his way to the Crown Prince Wang Hao's camp in the north to inquire about his disciple's whereabouts.

"Where is my disciple?" Old Chu demanded, his tone blunt and unapologetic.

Despite his authority, not many dared to speak to the crown prince in such a manner. However, Old Chu's reputation and standing in the martial world allowed him that privilege.

The Crown Prince remained unperturbed by Old Chu's mannerisms and responded calmly, "He has been imprisoned alongside the demons. His actions have left me with no choice. He did try to save the demon princess, after all."

Old Chu's expression darkened at the mention of Ye Chen's involvement with the demon princess.

"Ye Chen has always been rash and impulsive. I will take full responsibility for his actions and will ensure that he receives the punishment he deserves," he said firmly, his voice laced with disappointment.

The Crown Prince nodded solemnly, "I understand, Master Chu. However, I must ask you to keep a close eye on him. We cannot risk any more incidents like this."

Old Chu nodded upon hearing those words. However, the Crown Prince continued with a cold tone, "I expect the Heavenly Blade Sect to make up for this magnanimity."

A frown appeared on Old Chu's face as he replied, "I shall personally owe you a favor, Wang Hao."

Wang Hao smiled slyly, "That is good enough. You can take him away."

While Old Chu went to retrieve his disciple, Ye Chen was engaged in a fierce battle against the demons locked up with him.

Despite being outnumbered, Ye Chen easily dispatched the demons because of his superior physique and skills.

As he threw their lifeless bodies into his Chaos Essence Bead, he noticed something strange happening.

A dark energy was being generated within the bead as a result of the demon corpses being absorbed.

This energy was absorbed by Ye Chen's body, making him feel stronger and more invigorated than ever before.

In fact, his vitality and stamina were being fully restored with each demon he defeated and absorbed.

Ye Chen was amazed by this unexpected turn of events. He never knew that the Chaos Essence Bead possessed such a unique ability.

With renewed determination, Ye Chen continued to fight the demons, growing stronger with each victory.

Suddenly, a booming voice from above interrupted his battle. "Ye Chen!" the voice called out, causing him and the demons to look up in surprise. They saw Old Chu flying in the sky, his powerful Emperor Realm aura causing the demons to shrink back in fear.

Old Chu landed in front of Ye Chen, his face stern and serious. "Ye Chen, what were you thinking?" he scolded. "Your actions have brought shame to the Heavenly Blade Sect and endangered our relationship with the royal family."

Ye Chen hung his head in shame. "Master, I know I have made a mistake. I am willing to face any punishment."

Old Chu sighed, his tone softening. "Ye Chen, you have always been impulsive, but I hope you learn from this incident. We will deal with the consequences later, but for now, we need to escape this place."

Ye Chen nodded in agreement, his eyes brimming with gratitude towards his master. "Thank you, Master Chu. I will make up for my mistakes."

Old Chu gave a nod and waved his hand, breaking the shackles that restrained Ye Chen's cultivation.

With that, Old Chu and Ye Chen flew out of the barrier, leaving the demons trembling in fear.

As they flew towards the Heavenly Blade Sect, Ye Chen couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him. He was grateful to be out of that prison and to have his freedom back.

As they soared towards the Heavenly Blade Sect, Old Chu fixed Ye Chen with a piercing gaze. "Enlighten me, Ye Chen," he demanded with a stern edge to his voice. "Why have you been making such reckless choices? Firstly, you ambushed the seventh prince Wang Jian!"

Ye Chen quickly replied, eager to explain himself. "Master, that bastard Wang Jian and his friends had bullied Guan Yin. They treated the matter as if it were nothing. I couldn't just stand by and let them get away with it."

Old Chu's expression remained unyielding. "And what of your involvement in the attack on the Celestial Talisman's Guild Branch in Zhuyu City?"

Ye Chen's face tensed with regret. "I acted on orders from the Second Princess. My participation was intended to remain confidential."

Old Chu snorted derisively. "And yet your name has still surfaced. What about the demon princess? Why did you involve yourself in her rescue?"

Ye Chen hesitated briefly before answering, "I believed her to be a human in need of aid. I couldn't simply stand by and watch her be mistreated."

Old Chu shook his head in exasperation. "Ye Chen, your impulsivity could lead to your ruin. You must learn to consider the ramifications of your actions. They will catch up with you in time."

Ye Chen hung his head in acquiescence, fully grasping the severity of the situation.

"Do you understand the consequences of your actions?" Old Chu asked, his voice heavy with disappointment. "The Heavenly Blade Sect has paid a steep price to calm the factions affected by your rash decisions. We were forced to use three kilograms of the Tyrant Emperor's Crystal to forge a sword and gift it to Wang Jian."

Ye Chen's eyes widened in shock at the mention of the Tyrant Emperor's Crystal, one of the most valuable treasures of the Heavenly Blade Sect.

He knew that only a select few could afford to forge a sword from it, and even the Sect Master was not among them. To gift it to Wang Jian was a huge loss.

His frustration was palpable as he realized that it was all because of his ambush on Wang Jian.

Old Chu's next words only added to Ye Chen's distress. "The repercussions of your actions have extended even further," he said with a scowl.

"The Celestial Talisman's Guild has threatened to blacklist our entire sect unless we provide a reasonable explanation for your attack. No one from the Heavenly Blade Sect will be able to purchase a talisman from them."

Ye Chen felt his heart sink as he realized the gravity of the situation. The Celestial Talisman's Guild was one of the most important sources of talismans for the Heavenly Blade Sect, and being cut off from them would be a serious blow.

Before Ye Chen could even come up with a solution, Old Chu added, "…As for this latest incident of you saving the demon princess, I have no doubt that this will cause everyone in the Empire calling out for your blood!"

Ye Chen felt a shiver run down his spine at the thought of the entire Empire turning against him.

Old Chu, noticing the fear in Ye Chen's eyes, decided to offer some reassurance. "Fortunately, it seems that the news of this incident couldn't have spread very far," he said. "Since Wang Hao wants to use it as leverage against me, he won't actively spread it. I'll also use my contacts to make sure that the news doesn't reach too many ears."

Ye Chen felt a glimmer of hope at Old Chu's words. He knew that Old Chu was well-connected and had a lot of influence in the Empire, so his assurance was comforting.

Old Chu continued, "Your good relationship with the church will also come in handy. People will have a hard time believing that someone who is so closely tied to the church would conspire with a demon."

Ye Chen felt a surge of gratitude towards Old Chu. "Thank you, Master. I am forever in your debt for this favor," he said earnestly.

It's my duty as your teacher to aid you in your time of need," Old Chu replied sagely. "Remember to take this as a lesson and learn from it."

That night, Old Chu made an effort to contact his allies in an attempt to prevent the spread of the information. However, it quickly became evident that his efforts were in vain.

To Old Chu's dismay, it was revealed that someone had already disseminated the news throughout the Empire.

It had been a calculated and premeditated attack on Ye Chen's reputation.

As Old Chu dug deeper into the matter, his frustration grew, and he soon uncovered the culprit responsible for this heinous act: the seventh prince Wang Jian.

When Ye Chen learned of this, he couldn't contain his anger and punched the ground in fury, his frustration boiling over.

The most annoying part was that Old Chu and Ye Chen couldn't challenge these rumors as they were the truth!

"We must act swiftly to rectify this situation," Old Chu said with determination.

Ye Chen was all ears, desperate for a solution to his predicament. "What can we do?" he asked.

"Forget about the agreement with the second princess," Old Chu advised. "Instead, we must focus on eradicating demon nests that are plaguing the Empire. By actively hunting these demons, news of your exploits will spread, and eventually, the people will forget about this incident."

Ye Chen nodded, understanding the gravity of his situation. "I'll do whatever it takes to clear my name," he replied with conviction.

After returning to the Heavenly Blade Sect, Ye Chen sent a message to the second princess to inform her of his decision.

Second Princess Wang Ying was more than happy about this decision. In fact, if Ye Chen hadn't taken this decision, she would have thrown him out of her faction.

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At this very moment, Wang Jian was in the middle of a meeting with the highly influential Sect Master of the Sacred Crane Sect, Zhi Huan.

With his peak stage King Realm cultivation, Zhi Huan was widely respected throughout the sect for his wisdom and strength.

Meanwhile, Luo Ying's father held the position of sixth elder in the sect, with a mid-stage King Realm cultivation.

Although his status wasn't very high among the elders, he had enough clout to arrange a meeting between Wang Jian and the esteemed Sect Master Zhu Huan.

Wang Jian and Zhu Huan sat on comfortable cushions on the ground, with a low table separating them. As they spoke, a young disciple entered the room, holding a tray with two cups of steaming tea.

Zhu Huan gestured towards the cups and said, "Please try our tea. It's one of the specialities of our sect, made from the finest tea leaves we cultivate ourselves."

Wang Jian picked up his cup and took a sip, his face breaking into a pleased smile. "This is truly remarkable. The tea is smooth and refreshing."

Zhu Huan chuckled modestly. "Our sect may have some skill in tea-making, but that is not why you are here, is it?"

Wang Jian smiled. "Indeed not. I come to discuss a matter of mutual interest, Sect Master Zhu."

"Does this matter relate to the matters regarding your faction, seventh prince?" Zhu Huan asked rather politely.

With a nod, Wang Jian confirmed his suspicions, "That's correct. I come here, bringing you with a proposition. Join my faction."

Zhu Huan's expression turned sour. "Join forces? Or should I say, surrender to your faction? Your true intentions are transparent, Seventh Prince."

Wang Jian shrugged nonchalantly. "I understand why you might think that, but I assure you that I have no plans to interfere with how you govern your sect. However, I do hope to have your sect on my side if a conflict arises."

Zhu Huan remained unconvinced. "And what guarantee do I have that you won't meddle in the affairs of my sect?" he asked.

Wang Jian leaned back in his cushion, his expression serious. "I give you my word that I won't interfere in your sect's governance. I know the value of having allies in times of need, and your sect's strength and expertise would be invaluable to me."

The Sect Master pondered Wang Jian's proposal for a moment. "What would you offer in return for our support?" he asked.

Wang Jian's eyes gleamed with ambition. "The resources and protection of my faction," he replied confidently. "And I assure you that if you choose to join us, your sect will have a prominent position in my kingdom."

Zhu Huan studied Wang Jian for a moment before replying, "...Your offer is indeed enticing, Seventh Prince. However, I must decline. You see, I have a strict policy of keeping my sect untainted by imperial factions."

Wang Jian rolled his eyes and retorted, "I am aware of your reasons. Your brother was killed thirty years ago when both of you joined my uncle's faction in the fight for the throne. Not only did you suffer the loss of your brother, but the future of the Sacred Crane Sect was also jeopardized."

Zhu Huan replied sarcastically, "I am honored that the Seventh Prince has taken the time to thoroughly investigate me." His annoyance was evident as soon as Wang Jian brought up the topic of his deceased brother.

Wang Jian asked him, "Are you sure you won't change your mind?"

Zhu Huan spoke rather resolutely, "Yes. I have spent the past decades trying to rebuild this sect. I don't want to destroy it because of another battle for the throne."

Taking another sip of the tea, Wang Jian spoke, "…Do you know why the Sacred Crane Sect never became one of the great sects of the Empire? Do you know what you lack?"

"…Resources," Zhu Huan responded calmly.

"No. You lack resources and reach. And I am the only man who can provide it to you," Wang Jian spoke confidently.

Zhu Huan rolled his eyes in disdain as he responded, "If I must go against my principles to grow this sect, why should I join your faction? I believe it would be better for my sect to join the Crown Prince's faction. He has a much higher chance of winning the throne than all others."

"Did my uncle's defeat at my father's hands teach you nothing, Zhu Huan? My father was originally the fourth prince of the Empire, yet he is the one whom you refer to as the Emperor now. So, don't judge too quickly," Wang Jian spoke.

Zhu Huan sneered, "You think you can fool me with that? The current situation is much different than that. You have no idea just how far ahead Wang Hao is ahead of you. He has the strongest sects, clans, and even the top associations working for him. There is no way he will lose in this battle for the throne."

"Never be so sure about this. But enough about that, I can't convince you to change your mind today," Wang Jian spoke calmly.

A sly smirk appeared on his face as he added, "I have another proposal that will definitely get you thinking about our cooperation. As you know, my faction is small and there are no sects allied to me. This means that if you join my faction, you will receive a much greater share than you will from any other faction."

"Let's hear it," Zhu Huan seemed interested as he spoke those words.

Wang Jian nodded and began speaking, "Since you will be the first sect that will join my faction, I will give you the spot of the One of the Four Great Sects if I do win the throne. But I guess that's for later and you might want something more direct. So, I will provide you with land, tax concessions, resources, and even the support of the local authorities."

"Oh really? Where?" Zhu Huan asked sarcastically.

"The Silvercrest Dominion and the Windhaven Kingdom," Wang Jian responded instantly.

Zhu Huan raised his brows in wonder as he heard those names. He instantly recalled that the Silvercrest Dominion was indeed assigned to Wang Jian's faction. It was Concubine Bai who was managing this region until now.

Meanwhile, the Windhaven Kingdom was under the Ninth Prince Wang Lan. However, Zhu Huan had heard information of how Wang Jian had once seized control of this Kingdom from his brother.

"…I will tell you after a discussion with my elders," Zhu Huan responded after contemplating the offer for some time.

"Send the answer to my palace," Wang Jian spoke as he stood up and prepared to leave. There was no longer any reason for him to stay here.

From the start, Wang Jian knew that Zhu Huan was actually merely pretending to be disinterested in the offer.

He knew that since Zhu Huan had joined up a faction belonging to the royal family once, he could do it again as well.

Wang Jian just had to give him enough incentive.

Right now, Zhu Huan had a pretty good deal, and no other faction could provide it.

It was all because each one had already promised a lucrative deal to the other powerful sects.

Wang Jian chose the Sacred Crane Sect not because of its influence or techniques, but because he had someone on the inside he could trust to run the things in the sect. That was Liu Yu.

It wouldn't take long before Liu Yu could start to actively recruit sect disciples and even elders for his faction.

Well, this was just one fish done, though. There were a lot more sects that he had to target.

While he was on his way back, Wang Jian's palace received more information from those merchants stating that Ye Chen was sighted in the Jinhua City two weeks earlier. It appeared that he headed to the Jin Clan.

This information interested him a little. After all, he had asked Jin Meixiang to inform him if Ye Chen came to visit her clan, yet she sent him no message.

"…Did something happen between them?" Wang Jian wondered as a sly smirk appeared on his face.

For the following two days, Wang Jian journeyed towards Jinhua City. When he arrived, he landed his griffin a safe distance away from the city to avoid arousing any suspicion. He then proceeded to enter the city by making use of his Moonshadow Step technique, moving with stealth and agility.

The Jin Clan's security measures were quite formidable, but Wang Jian was able to overcome them by utilizing his Shadow Manipulation skills to create a Shadow Clone.

The clone blended seamlessly with the shadows and quietly infiltrated the Jin Clan's opulent mansion, which was a hub of activity with guards patrolling the premises.

Considering that Wang Jian had been inside the mansion before, it didn't take his clone much time to find Jin Meixiang.

At this moment, Jin Meixiang was in her chambers, cultivating at this moment.

"…Miss Meixiang. I feel distressed that you didn't inform me about Ye Chen's visit to your mansion. I thought we were friends," Wang Jian's voice resounded in the room.

Jin Meixiang was startled to hear Wang Jian's voice so suddenly.

"Y-Your Highness?!" Jin Meixiang spoke aloud as her voice trembled in fear.

The shadow on the ground suddenly turned into a corporal being with Wang Jian's physique. He spoke, "Don't worry. I am just a clone sent by the master to ask you a couple of questions."

Jin Meixiang wasn't unfamiliar with the clone techniques, but it was the first time she had seen one appear from shadows like that. She whispered, "I see. It's not that I couldn't inform you, but my father came to inform me that the second princess's men are watching me. They will intercept all my messages to you."

"My second sister, huh? Why was Ye Chen here? Was it something to do with her?" Wang Jian's clone asked.

Jin Meixiang nodded, "That's correct. She wanted his help to deal a huge damage to your faction, Your Highness."

After asking a couple more questions, the clone dispelled itself.

Wang Jian received those memories soon enough. A sly smirk appeared on his face as he felt that things were becoming really interesting.

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