Chapter 187: The Enchantress Drains Chen Zheng! Imperial Pen: Only I Can

"Young Master Chen, I will now take you to the gathering palace square. Once we reach there and all the princes of the Great Xuan Imperial Family have arrived, the Imperial Elder Council will lead us to the ancient teleportation array in the underground world, and we will ride the array to Panlong Star to seek treasure."

"The journey to Panlong Star also serves the Elder Council's purpose of testing the abilities of us princes; it is a royal trial to see which princes perform well, so that after returning they can receive the Council's focused cultivation. They may even report our names to my father the emperor, making us candidates for the future throne."

At dawn, when the sky was still dim, Prince Yi took on the role of driver, steering an ancient war chariot away from Yihe Palace, soaring over Xuanhuang City with a thunderous rumble that crushed the void, heading toward the Great Xuan Imperial Palace.

As they traveled, he introduced the basic details of the Panlong Star expedition to Chen Zheng, who sat upright in the carriage.

This ancient war chariot was far inferior to the priceless treasure chariot that Prince Yi had previously funded for Chen Zheng; instead, it was a top‑grade Dao‑weapon carriage war chariot.

Inside the carriage, Chen Zheng said casually, "Whether the trial tests you or not has little to do with you. If you want to become the Great Xuan Emperor, I can help you make your father the former emperor abdicate, and crown you today."

Outside the carriage, Prince Yi's heart raced at the words, pounding wildly.

He did not doubt Chen Zheng's words.

A single decisive statement from the direction, saying he could ascend the throne of the Great Xuan Empire today, would certainly be fulfilled.

Faced with such temptation, not only the many princes of the Great Xuan Empire, but also 99% of cultivators worldwide and even the ancient giants could not restrain themselves and immediately agreed.

But Prince Yi's choice was different.

He inhaled deeply, suppressing the turmoil within, and respectfully said, "I am but a minor figure, lacking the skill and ambition to be emperor; in this life I only wish to follow you, serving you in every way."

Chen Zheng shook his head and laughed, "Your ambition is actually quite great. Fine, if you don't want to be emperor, after we return from Panlong Star, come with me to the Luminous Fortune Land and become a true‑line disciple on the Righteous Qi Peak."

"Thank you, Young Master!"

Prince Yi was overjoyed, his excitement a hundred times greater than when Chen Zheng promised him the Great Xuan throne.

Had he not been driving at that moment, he would have knelt to bow before Chen Zheng in gratitude and pledge his loyalty.

Chen Zheng ignored him, extending his divine thought outward to survey the situation inside the distant Great Xuan Imperial Palace.

The palace, situated at the very center of Xuanhuang City, was, in Chen Zheng's view, not particularly large.

Nevertheless, its construction was impressive and grand.

Palaces scattered throughout the imperial complex were vast and luxurious, with carved beams, painted rafters, and dazzling brilliance.

Especially the central palace among them, whose entrance plaque bore three soaring dragon‑and‑phoenix characters reading "Xuan Tian Hall", towering above all surrounding halls, as if forged from liquid gold, resembling a golden sun that one dares not stare at.

Clearly, Xuan Tian Palace is where the Great Xuan Empire's emperor, the Xuan Emperor, and civil and military ministers attend court—a true national hub.

As Chen Zheng's divine thought swept the scene, he indeed saw nearly a thousand civil and military officials attending court, none of whom were below the Shen Tong Mi Jing level.

Even several of the ancient giants were present.

Most notably, a middle‑aged man seated upon the throne wore a Ten‑Dragon robe and a Flat‑Heaven crown, exuding great authority; his cultivation had reached the Eternal Life Fourth Tier Cosmic Light Realm, comparable to the supreme masters of slightly weaker major sects.

That imposing man was the emperor who ruled the endless territories and nearly a hundred billion people of the Great Xuan Empire—the Xuan Emperor.

Yet in Chen Zheng's eyes, the Xuan Emperor's cultivation was merely ordinary; his divine thought brushed over the man without the latter noticing at all.

However, deep within the Great Xuan Imperial Palace across numerous dimensions, Chen Zheng sensed many individuals stronger than the Xuan Emperor, including numerous cultivators at the Eternal Life Fifth Tier Creation Realm and the Sixth Tier Heavenly Position Realm.

He even sensed a hint of danger from beings at the Eternal Life Seventh Tier Realm‑King Realm, or the Eighth Tier Chaotic Void Realm.

Those were clearly the ancient ancestors of the Great Xuan Imperial Family, or figures akin to the Supreme Emperor.

"So there are such high‑level strongmen stationed here; no wonder people say the Great Xuan Empire is a nominal vassal of the Taiyi Sect, yet its power is not inferior to the Ten Immortal Sects and the Seven Veins of the Demonic Path. Moreover, due to the celestial realm's decrees, the Taiyi Sect cannot interfere with the Great Xuan Empire's development."

Chen Zheng formed a new understanding of the Great Xuan Empire, withdrew his divine thought, ceased scanning the palace, and began closing his eyes to nurture his spirit, contemplating the Ten Calamity Characters.

Just as his divine thought swept, the ancient‑ancestor‑level strongman deep in the palace had already noticed him.

The elder ancestor was extremely angry at this intrusion, deeming it a provocation of Great Xuan's majesty, and launched his own sweeping divine thought to strike, but upon seeing that the person in the war chariot was Chen Zheng, he quelled his fury, merely granting him a face and warning him not to cause trouble within the palace.

A person's name, a tree's shadow.

Since Chen Zheng's rise, his reputation throughout the Xuanhuang Great World has grown ever larger, shaking antiquity and dazzling the present, praised and feared by countless millions.

Aside from the major forces already at odds with him, almost no one dares to provoke or make enemies with him.

The Great Xuan Imperial Family is no exception.

At this moment, Prince Yi steered the war chariot to land on a plaza, rose, and reported to Chen Zheng inside, "Young Master, the gathering point has arrived."

The plaza stretched for miles, paved with massive yellow bricks unmarred by dust, upon which stood tens of thousands of cultivators of the Shen Tong Mi Jing level, many ranging from the Seventh to the Tenth Tier of Shen Tong.

A small portion wore splendid python robes, exuding grace, all Great Xuan princes—for example, Crown Prince Feng, Fourth Prince Yi, Thirteenth Prince Zhan, and so on.

Another small group comprised imperial relatives.

The majority were subordinates of the various princes or imperial relatives, as well as the powerful allies they summoned for the Panlong Star treasure hunt—a mixed lot including Elders of the Demonic Path, true‑line disciples of the Immortal Path, and formidable Free Cultivators.

"Sss… it's an elite Dao‑weapon war chariot; who is inside? Its display surpasses even the emperor's own grandeur!"

"The driver is the twenty‑fourth brother, Prince Yi, who is said to have long pledged allegiance to Chen Zheng and serves under him. Hence the person in the carriage is most likely Chen Zheng."

"Alas, Chen Zheng actually came? Then the Panlong Star treasure may no longer concern me…"

The crowd had originally gathered in groups of three to five, engaging in lively discussion or telepathic communication about the Panlong Star treasure hunt, formulating plans.

But when the war chariot carrying Chen Zheng landed on the plaza, the onlookers were instantly frightened by the imposing presence of the elite Dao‑weapon chariot.

Especially the many princes, or those aware of the relationship between Prince Yi and Chen Zheng, turned pale at the sight of Prince Yi driving; they bowed their heads, dared not glance at the carriage again, nor continue the discussion, fearing they might disturb Chen Zheng inside.

"My prediction was correct; the Panlong Star treasure indeed lured that wretched Chen Zheng. That wretch first slaughtered my descendants on the border of Great Li and the Great Virtue Dynasty, then killed my great‑grandson Xue Wu Yin on the Land of Five Elements. I was meditating in the Purgatory Blood Pool at the time, unable to act. Now that I have emerged, I will capture him and throw him back into the Purgatory Blood Pool to serve as a blood slave."

Among the crowd, an unremarkable man stared intently at Chen Zheng's carriage, his eyes flashing with cold murderous intent.

Do not be fooled by his modest appearance; it is merely a disguise. His true identity is the Supreme Elder Bixue Old Monster of the Blood‑Shadow Demon Sect.

Indeed, he is the Bixue Old Monster, famed as the one even the Yellow Springs Great Emperor cannot kill.

He infiltrated the trial team to avenge his two descendants.

But within the Great Xuan Imperial Palace, countless beings surpass him, so he refrains from rash action for now.

"Chen Zheng, three hundred years ago you killed my son, born of a man and a mortal woman; he was the finest among all my offspring, and you dared to slay him! I have heard you are unmatched in handsomeness and transcendent temperament, the dream lover of countless female cultivators. When we reach Panlong Star, I shall savor your flavor and squeeze every drop of Primordial Yang from your entire body."

On the other side of the crowd, an ordinary‑looking woman also stared at Chen Zheng's carriage, licking her scarlet lips, a fleeting lewd glint flashing in her eyes.

That plain woman was also a disguised powerful cultivator.

But she was not human.

She was a demon god among the Celestial Demons, hailing from the outer realms, the father of the Seven‑Leaf Demon Lord who was slain by Chen Zheng in the flesh‑mud mire—the Nine‑Yin Demon God.

Rumor has it that the Nine Yin Demon God changes gender every sixty years, sometimes becoming a handsome man, sometimes a charming woman, roaming the mortal world to flirt and steal fragrances, wreaking havoc on countless good families' girls and boys, all to practice the Great Method of Reversing the Seven Emotions.

In fact, ordinary people who reach the second tier of Immortal Ascension and attain an undying body can freely alter their form, shifting between Yin and Yang, but few can, like the Nine Yin Demon God, switch mentally between male and female as well.

This is truly a ruthless character; if Chen Zheng fell into her hands, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Besides the Crimson Blood Old Monster and the Nine Yin Demon God, several of Chen Zheng's enemies hide among the crowd, even a Supreme Thus we have Title: Elder of Taiyi Gate, each either sneering coldly or boiling with murderous intent, all planning to strike him once they reach Panlong Star.

Moreover, among them is a being even stronger than Chen Zheng—a Realm King!

Numerous foes have surrounded Chen Zheng.

It is worth mentioning that among the crowd there is also a man who has come for Chen Zheng; although he conceals his identity with illusionary divine powers, he bears no ill will toward Chen Zheng.

This person turns out to be Ren Huangbi.

He is not the heavenly consort Wu Mo, who suppresses the divine race beneath the sealed Demon Ridge; why is he here?

Chen Zheng does not regard him highly.

In fact, the heavenly consort Wu Mo has already escaped the suppression of Ren Huangbi and fled.

Yet Ren Huangbi did not pursue Wu Mo, because he has more important business to conduct here.

"Chen Zheng, you rushed to join the Great Profound Imperial Court's Panlong Star trial, yet you do not know that many powerful foes who bear grudges against you have already set their sights on you, intending to kill you on Panlong Star. This time you are truly in danger. However, I will intervene at your most critical moment, rescue you from fire and water, and make you feel gratitude toward me again."

Ren Huangbi gazed at the carriage, a confident smile curling at the corner of his mouth, as if once he acted, even if Chen Zheng were hated by the whole world, it would be nothing.

Chen Zheng knows nothing of Ren Huangbi's confidence, and continues to sit upright in the carriage, contemplating the Ten Calamity Characters, showing no intention of leaving.

The Calamity Characters such as "Ji", "Zhu", "Lian", etc., rise with his cultivation deepening, swelling the water and raising the boat, enhancing his power, magical force, and the quality of his flesh.

For example, when he first comprehended the character "Ji", he could only draw the essence of ten thousand Pure Yang Pills each day from the cracks of the Celestial Realm.

Later, after advancing to the eighth tier of Divine Skill, his daily intake reached about three hundred million Pure Yang Pills.

After reaching the ninth tier of Divine Skill, the "Ji" intake surged again, reaching tens of billions per day.

This is an extremely terrifying figure, already comparable to the intake of a Realm King‑level Longevity Seventh Tier master.

Without exaggeration, if Chen Zheng simply exhaled a mouthful of Pure Yang Qi refined into essence, infused it with a certain amount of cultivation experience, then used the Three‑Life Stone to absorb the calamity Qi generated by the Wind and Fire Great Calamity, he could at any time forge a batch of Eternal Giants!

Mass‑producing Eternal Giants by such means is truly astonishing, its effect rivaling the "Longevity Fruit" of the World Tree, enough to frighten people senseless.

In some respects, Chen Zheng's ability even surpasses that of the World Tree.

Because the World Tree must absorb powerful divine beings to bear the Longevity Fruit.

Chen Zheng needs none of that.

Moreover, besides Pure Yang Qi, all things of heaven and earth can be refined by the character "Lian" into pure essence, which can help others become Eternal Giants.

If the high‑ranking members of the Feathered Ascension Gate learned that Chen Zheng possessed such defiant methods, they would surely regret it deeply.

Time passes.

Boom!

About a quarter‑hour later, the void between heaven and earth suddenly trembles, fierce winds arise, as if some peerless ferocious beast is reviving.

Many were startled; looking toward the depths of the palace, they saw a massive flying vessel approaching from there, arriving in an instant and hovering over the plaza.

The vessel was enormous, resembling a dragon‑whale, its prow bristling with tusks, spanning the sky, blocking the sun, exuding oppression.

This is a supreme treasure of the Great Profound Imperial Court, called the Dragon Whale Vessel, a mid‑grade Dao Artifact forged from the skin of an ancient dragon‑whale mixed with hundreds of divine materials over a thousand years.

Normally such a mid‑grade Dao Artifact would elicit countless exclamations and astonishment from the crowd.

Yet with Chen Zheng's upper‑grade Dao Artifact Battle Car and its jewel in front, the modest Dragon Whale Vessel seemed utterly ordinary, failing to spark any conversation.

"Set off now, everyone follow!"

Hundreds of Great Profound Imperial Court Thus we have Title: Elder stood on the Dragon Whale Vessel, all of them startled by the upper‑grade Dao Artifact Battle Car parked on the ground, feeling that their own Dragon Whale Vessel had nothing to boast about, they shouted downwards and propelled the vessel toward the palace outskirts.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

Tens of thousands on the plaza each displayed their divine powers, soaring upward, following the Dragon Whale Vessel into the distance.

Prince Yi also rode an ancient battle car soaring into the high heavens, hanging behind the Dragon Whale Vessel, departing from Xuanhuang City.

After roughly half an hour of flight, the Dragon Whale Vessel ahead suddenly lowered its altitude, plunging headfirst into a black fissure on the earth's surface, entering the underground world.

Those behind did the same, closely following; various sword lights and divine powers illuminated the dim underground world as bright as day.

Along the way they encountered no underground demon tribe, evidently all had been cleared away by the Great Profound Imperial Court.

After a further moment of flight, a massive ancient teleportation array appeared ahead, surrounded by piles of magical crystal jade stones, clearly used to power the ancient teleportation array.

"Activate!"

The Dragon Whale Vessel hovered beside the array; a Thus we have Title: Elder gave a light command, instantly igniting the mountain‑high piles of magical crystal jade stones around the array.

The tremendous energy drove the ancient teleportation array, releasing vast spatial force.

"All right, you all enter this ancient teleportation array and head to the habitat of the ancient Sky‑Dragon clan on Panlong Star to seek treasure. We Thus we have Title: Elder council will stay here to guard against strong underground demon tribe intruders."

On the Dragon Whale Vessel, a chief divine‑skill Tenfold Thus we have Title: Elder scanned the surroundings and solemnly instructed the crowd.

"Yes!"

The crowd responded, rushing into the ancient teleportation array.

Prince Yi likewise steered his battle car into it.

In the blink of an eye, everyone vanished, leaving only the Dragon Whale Vessel quietly hovering, its many imperial‑family Thus we have Title: Elder conversing with each other.

One elder said, "Although Panlong Star suffered attacks by the Heaven‑Demon and war raged for millennia, leaving it barren, the dragon race loves to collect treasures, surely there is celestial affinity here, and we wonder what marvelous encounters our princes will have there?"

Another elder retorted irritably, "What a ridiculous encounter! Didn't you see Chen Zheng has entered? With him, not even the soil on Panlong Star will be blown away three feet; our imperial descendants won't get any encounter, as long as we aren't killed by him."

The many elders' faces slightly changed upon hearing this.

They all were reluctant to let Chen Zheng go to Panlong Star and plunder their Great Profound Imperial Court's treasures.

Yet, because of Chen Zheng's notorious reputation, none dared to stand up and drive him out, so they could only allow him to enter the ancient teleportation array.

This time the Great Profound Imperial Court has been busy in vain.

A female elder, however, voiced a different view, loudly saying, "I think it's not certain; Prince Yi that boy has allied himself with Chen Zheng, so he will surely gain benefits. We only need to guard here, prevent underground demon tribes from causing trouble, and when Chen Zheng returns, we will have merit for our protection and will not be forgotten by our Great Profound Imperial Court."

"You're right, whether our Great Xuan Imperial House can ally with Chen Zheng depends on this occasion..."

All the elders nodded heavily, raised their spirits to twelvefold vigilance in all directions, guarding against the underground demon tribe.

Coiling Dragon Star is a fixed star with a diameter of three billion li, its territory extremely vast, yet it was already abandoned in ancient times, with ruins and broken walls everywhere, decayed relics, desolate to a frightening degree.

At this moment, someone is facing off on this desolate fixed star.

One of them is none other than Bi Xue Lao Guai, who upon arriving at Coiling Dragon Star revealed his true form and let out a grating, strange laugh.

The other is none other than Chen Zheng, who has just stepped out of the carriage.

He completely disregarded Bi Xue Lao Guai, his calm gaze sweeping over everyone, and said in a leisurely tone, "Is there anyone else who wants to kill me? Come forward then."

"I don't want to kill you; I see you're handsome and want to subdue you, make you my male favorite, hehe."

Jiu Yin Mo Shen stepped out of the crowd, transforming into a bewitchingly beautiful woman, her gaze toward Chen Zheng so intense it seemed to draw silk.

"Chen Zheng's fate belongs to my Grand One Sect; it's not yet your turn, you two demonic scoundrels, to lay a hand on him."

A woman with a head of green hair, her complexion slightly pale yet extremely beautiful, delicate and frail like a sickly beauty, stepped out of the crowd, her gaze contemptuous as she glanced askance at Bi Xue Lao Guai and Jiu Yin Mo Shen.

Behind her followed a sturdy, domineering middle‑aged man—none other than Tai Ba Tian, who that day had proclaimed the Supreme Mixed Heaven Holy Edict at the entrance of the Cluster Stars Sect.

(End of chapter)