Chapter 116: Rhyme Snow, Morning Light, Let's Go Together

The courtiers in the hall watched as Lu Chen approached, unconsciously holding their breath and staring.

Having served as officials for many years, many of them were seeing a cultivator with such terrifying cultivation for the first time.

"He looks so young, yet at this age he already possesses such terrifying cultivation."

"I don't know what realm he's in, but since the Empress is at the Spirit Transformation stage, he must at least be a Condensed Spirit cultivator!"

As the officials discussed, Lin Yunxue rose respectfully from the dragon throne and bowed.

"Your Majesty of the Great Xuan Dynasty, I pay my respects, Senior Lu!"

Normally she might not need to be so formal, but this is the morning court, and etiquette is indispensable.

"I pay my respects, Senior Lu!"

Immediately, the officials also bowed with clasped hands toward Lu Chen's direction.

"No need."

Lu Chen waved his hand; this time he came not to enjoy others' reverence.

After speaking, his gaze swept across the court, and he saw Lin Qingxi not far behind Lin Yunxue.

"This time, I came to take Qingxi away."

His voice was not loud, yet it silenced the entire hall instantly.

Lin Yunxue's fingers trembled slightly; although she had anticipated this, hearing those words still stirred an inexplicable complex emotion in her heart.

Although she should have had no connection with Lu Chen.

Although this is Qingxi and Lu Chen's free choice, she inexplicably felt a sense of loss.

"I..." she opened her mouth, her gaze unconsciously turning toward Lin Qingxi beside her.

Lin Qingxi appeared calm on the surface, but her inner self could no longer be restrained.

If not for being in the hall, she might have already flung herself into Lu Chen's embrace.

"I am willing to follow you!"

Her voice was clear and bright, carrying a barely perceptible excitement, echoing in the hall.

The officials exchanged glances; they had long known the princess and this Senior Lu shared an extraordinary relationship.

"If Princess Qingxi could truly marry Senior Lu, our Great Xuan Dynasty might receive eternal protection."

"However, it is said the demonic path now watches covetously, intending to launch a great war, and we do not know if Senior Lu can protect us."

Lu Chen heard all these words.

The Great Xuan Dynasty lies on the border of Heaven Continent; if war comes, it will be the first to suffer heavy blows.

Lin Qingxi walked up to him, her expression filled with boundless joy.

He stroked Lin Qingxi's head, his gaze turning toward Lin Yunxue on the dragon throne.

"Yunxue." His voice carried an undeniable meaning, "You come too."

The officials in the hall erupted in an uproar upon hearing this.

Lin Yunxue suddenly raised her head; the pearl strings on her phoenix crown shook violently at this moment:

"Me too......?"

She did not know whether her feeling was joy or worry.

Joy came from Lu Chen actually having a place for her in his heart.

Worry came from the dynasty being unable to do without her.

If a temporary successor were chosen to ascend the throne, it would be too hasty.

"What about the dynasty?" she looked at Lu Chen and asked.

"Do not worry, I have already sent elders from the Ziwei Palace to come over." Lu Chen spoke slowly, "The great war is imminent; this place will naturally become the first frontline. With them guarding here, the Great Xuan Dynasty will only become safer."

As his words fell, several streams of light suddenly appeared in the sky above Zixuan City.

The next moment, several elders of the Ziwei Palace appeared.

"Greetings, Little Friend Lu!"

"Greetings, Little Friend Lu!"

Several elders came to the outside of the hall, saw Lu Chen's figure, their expressions solemn, and bowed respectfully.

Lu Chen nodded, then turned his head to look at Lin Yunxue:

"From today, the Ziwei Palace will dispatch three Cave Heaven elders to reside permanently in the Great Xuan Dynasty, assisting in governing affairs while also serving as the first bulwark against the future righteous-demonic war."

These words fell like a thunderclap, exploding in the officials' minds.

Cave Heaven realm great cultivators! And three of them! Moreover, they actually show such respect to Lu Chen!

What kind of person is Lu Chen to have such influence!

Upon hearing this, Lin Yunxue's lips moved slightly, her eyes filled with incredulous light.

"Now, are you willing to go together?" Lu Chen said in a few short words.

"Mm." Lin Yunxue nodded.

She had been willing from the beginning, but state affairs were burdensome, and she did not want to be bound by romantic feelings.

Over these years, many men had pursued her, even the Emperor of the Northern Tian Yun Dynasty had once expressed his affection for her.

Unfortunately, she had never felt any affection for any man.

Except Lu Chen.

After meeting Lu Chen, it was the first time she had the idea of wanting to break free from her identity as Empress.

Thinking of this, Lin Yunxue took a deep breath, and in front of everyone removed the phoenix crown from her head.

"I...... no, I decide to follow Senior Lu in cultivation; from today, state affairs will be handled by the Ziwei Palace elders on my behalf."

After speaking, Lin Yunxue smiled slightly, walked to Lu Chen's side, and like a little girl embraced his other arm.

The three elders of the Purple Jade Palace standing nearby, upon seeing this scene, all had expressions that seemed somewhat off.

They all knew Lu Chen was fickle-hearted, but they never expected he could win over both of them completely in one breath.

"No wonder he's the variable the sect leader took a liking to—truly enviable to others."

One of the elders couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

Lu Chen embraced the two, turned, and looked toward the outside of the hall.

"The borders of the Nine Provinces have been unsettled lately; there's no time to delay—we must set out immediately."

"So soon?" Lin Qingxi asked in surprise, "I still have a few things to pack; other matters can wait, but I must bring the two sets of clothing you left behind."

Hearing what she said, Lu Chen froze for a moment.

What's so important about bringing two sets of clothing?

Could she possibly have some kind of fetish?

Still, he didn't refuse—though, in a vague, almost subconscious way, his Spirit-Wandering Technique alerted him to a hint of danger.

"Could it be that Yun Shu launched the war ahead of schedule?"

This sudden unease made his expression grow solemn.

He continuously activated his cultivation techniques, trying to trace the source of this unease.

Just as Lin Qingxi was about to return to her sleeping chambers, he suddenly reached out and pulled her back into his arms.

"We'll talk about the clothing later—come with me first."

"Three elders, prepare to meet the enemy!"

Lu Chen said, scooping up Lin Qingxi and Lin Yunxue, and in an instant, his figure appeared in the sky.

The next moment, he took out a transmission talisman and immediately contacted Huang Jingxuan.

Although the three elders of the Purple Jade Palace didn't know what had happened, they immediately followed suit.

They deployed every defensive measure they could, surrounding Lu Chen.

The next moment, a cold laugh suddenly echoed from the void.

"As expected, there's the aura of the Chaos Heaven Banner."

"I wasn't mistaken—back then, it was indeed you who stole my treasure."

"No wonder, in just a few short months, you've risen from the humble Essence Nurturing Realm to your current Spirit Condensation Stage."

As the voice spoke, the void tore open, and a black figure stepped out from within.

It was none other than the former sect leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect, Youxiang.

"I thought today would be another boring day, but I didn't expect to gain an unexpected harvest."

"Three Cave-Heaven Realm cultivators, one Chaos Heaven Banner, and one with imperial bloodline."

"This trip wasn't in vain!"