Chapter 119: The Empress's First Kiss is Gone

The moment Xu Chen approached the imperial palace, the shadow guard informed the Empress. A sharp light flashed in her eyes: "He has come?"

She did not care why Xu Chen had come; the fact that he had arrived was good news for her. The shadow guard nodded: "He is outside the palace, requesting your audience."

The Empress frowned slightly: "Does he need to wait? From now on, when Xu Chen comes, he need not wait and may see me directly. Never mind, I shall go see him myself. Tell me, is this outfit of mine suitable?" Just as she was about to leave, the Empress suddenly asked.

An Wei was stunned; could she possibly say no? Therefore, she immediately replied: "Your Majesty possesses the beauty of a celestial being; paired with these noble garments, no one under heaven can surpass you." Hearing this, the Empress instantly became much more confident: "That is good."

With that, Luo Shen vanished from her room, leaving behind only a faint fragrance. An Wei clicked her tongue; did the Empress really need to be so excited?

She had never seen such a thing before; this was truly outrageous. Soon, the Empress arrived outside the palace and saw Xu Chen. She adjusted her clothes, and the coldness instantly vanished.

Tenderness crept onto her face, her red lips curved slightly, and she wore a warm smile.

Then, she moved with lotus-like steps, hands resting at her waist, looking exactly like a well-bred young lady. When she saw Xu Chen, Xu Chen also saw her.

She smiled charmingly, like a moon that makes flowers hide: "Xu Chen, why have you come today?" Xu Chen was startled on the spot. Damn, is this the Empress?

If one didn't know better, I would have thought a well-bred young lady from some family in 09 had arrived. She was full of delicacy and tenderness, with no trace of dominance or coldness. Xu Chen was stunned: "Empress, do you have a fever?"

Luo Shen pouted: "No."

She secretly felt annoyed; this person was completely unromantic.

Xu Chen felt relieved and asked, "Empress, I plan to enter seclusion for half a month soon. May I request an advance on some resources?"

Hearing this, the Empress immediately thought that Xu Chen might want to strengthen his power due to the puppet plot. Therefore, she said: "What resources do you need?"

Xu Chen pondered for a moment, then said: "About three hundred thousand spirit stones. I may need to absorb that much within half a month."

The Academy has some too, but it cannot withstand my consumption, so I wanted to ask you, Empress." The Empress smiled and pointed to her cheeks on both sides and her red lips: "Here." Xu Chen: "…………" Damn! The Empress is truly well-informed; she even knows this? However, for the sake of advancing, he could make a sacrifice. Therefore, Xu Chen gave the Empress a satisfactory answer and even added an extra kiss.

The Empress's face turned red with embarrassment: "Although it is not your first kiss, it is my first kiss. I am happy." Xu Chen was stunned, gritting his teeth: "Empress, may you give me three hundred thousand spirit stones?" On his way to the Ice and Flame Valley and the Nebula Forest, he had also seized some spirit stones from the Ten Thousand Gu Sect and the Five Poisons Sect.

But that was only about one hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones, which was completely insufficient. The Empress happily said: "Chen, have you ever heard of the 'Heavenly Spirit Gathering Tower' of the Tianzun Imperial Dynasty?" Xu Chen nodded: "I have heard of it. There are nine floors, each containing a vast amount of spirit stones and spiritual energy. Nine top-tier Grade Nine Spirit Gathering Arrays surround it, so the tower is perpetually filled with dense spiritual mist, even droplets of water. However, is the Heavenly Spirit Gathering Tower not reserved only for members of the imperial family or those who have made major contributions to the Tianzun Imperial Dynasty?"

The Empress smiled: "If you become my Yuan Jun, you may enter at any time."

However, even if you are not, it does not matter. I will issue an edict to campaign against the Ten Thousand Gu Sect and the Five Poisons Sect."

"In this way, the Alliance will receive recognition from the dynasty. As the Young Alliance Master, you will naturally be considered someone who has made a major contribution." Xu Chen clasped his hands and said: "Then I thank you, Empress."

The Empress's face was full of tenderness: "No need for thanks; show it with actions in the future." Xu Chen coughed; no, if I take further action, the System will warn me. He said: "How can I enter the Heavenly Spirit Gathering Tower?"

The Empress pouted and muttered: "Just take my Tower Gathering Token and enter." With that, the Empress handed Xu Chen a purple-gold token, representing the highest nobility. The Empress said: "The Tower Tokens are divided into four types. The bronze one is for those who have contributed to the dynasty, often ministers or generals. The silver one requires no contribution but is for those born into the imperial nobility, such as the sons of princes or ministers."

"Gold signifies a prince or princess, but purple-gold? That belongs only to me." Xu Chen took a deep breath. "If I take this thing out, I fear for your reputation..." The Empress chuckled softly. "No need to worry. Who in the entire empire doesn't know they like you? It's you who keeps rejecting them, leaving them to guard their boudoir alone." As she spoke, a look of melancholy filled the Empress's eyes.

"Hiss!"

Xu Chen sucked in a cold breath; he was starting to feel overwhelmed.

When the Empress acted coquettish and expressed her grievances, he found it nearly impossible to refuse. So Xu Chen bid farewell and vanished from the spot immediately. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

As he left, Xu Chen's voice lingered behind. The Empress laughed cheerfully. "It seems this Emperor is quite attractive after all. Little Chenchen, you will never escape my grasp." On the other side, Xu Chen arrived at the Silver Sky Spirit Gathering Tower, heavily guarded by troops. It was a colossal tower rising twenty or thirty meters from the ground straight into the sky, towering and imposing. Countless powerful formations surrounded the tower; almost every single one was above the eighth grade, offering both offense and defense. From ten li away, he sensed countless strong ones watching him secretly. At least a dozen were eighth-grade experts, and there were likely ninth-grade ones too. Soldiers holding long spears were densely packed around the tower, changing shifts at regular intervals. It could be said that no thief could possibly enter here. When Xu Chen approached within five li, the soldiers blocked him. He produced the Purple-Gold Tower Token, causing the soldiers to immediately kneel in terror. "Greetings, Your Majesty." Xu Chen felt a bit awkward but said, "I am Xu Chen. Your Majesty ordered me to enter the Sky Spirit Gathering Tower." Hearing this, the soldiers immediately relaxed. It was Xu Chen, the one who became famous in a single battle during the Imperial Selection Tournament. That made perfect sense.

The hidden experts also relaxed. Xu Chen had been in the spotlight recently; how could they not know? Thus, they did not reveal themselves, allowing the soldiers to escort Xu Chen closer to the Sky Spirit Gathering Tower. At the entrance stood two eighth-grade Elders. Seeing the Purple-Gold Tower Token, they dared not stop him and let Xu Chen enter directly. Once Xu Chen was inside, the Elder on the left couldn't help but say, "The Empress treats Xu Chen very well. Hey, what do you think? Which floor will he reach?" The Elder on the right replied, "As for Xu Chen, although he is only mid-stage seventh grade, he should go beyond the fourth floor."

The Elder on the left nodded. "Indeed. Although only those with late-stage seventh-grade cultivation can enter the fifth floor, Xu Chen's physical body is formidable; he might be able to enter."

The many eighth and ninth-grade experts nearby also nodded silently.

Being mid-stage seventh grade yet entering the fifth floor was actually an exception. No one had ever dared to estimate such a thing before; it was just a special case for Xu Chen. "Buzz!"

As soon as Xu Chen entered, he felt a heavy pressure surrounding the Sky Spirit Gathering Tower, suitable for forging the body.

Accompanying this was an incredibly dense fog of spiritual energy. He barely had to extend his hand to feel the moisture in the air. Most importantly, he saw piles of high-grade spirit stones stacked here, at least one hundred thousand. "So many spirit stones on the first floor, truly bloody wealthy!" Xu Chen couldn't help but exclaim. After speaking, Xu Chen also saw the children of the imperial palace nobility inside.

Sons of Grand Generals or Chancellors, as well as princesses and young princes he didn't recognize.

These people had been cultivating here for several months and hadn't left even during the Selection Tournament. Therefore, they frowned and asked, "I don't seem to have seen you before. You look like you lack experience. Are you the son of a newly promoted general?" These noble children knew all the princes and princesses, as well as all other noble children, so they asked.

Xu Chen laughed cheerfully. "Don't ask. Telling you wouldn't make any sense." Those noble children sneered. "Don't you understand the order of respect and hierarchy? How dare you be so presumptuous?" Instantly, these noble children became angry. Normally, everyone outside treated them with utmost respect, even with extreme humility. How could this newly promoted noble child ignore their question and show no manners? They even felt an impulse to stand up and beat Xu Chen to a pulp. Xu Chen shrugged and directly took out the Purple-Gold Tower Token. "Seeing the Purple-Gold Tower Token, what should you do?" Everyone's faces changed slightly, then they all stopped cultivating and immediately knelt. "Greetings, Your Majesty." Seeing the Purple-Gold Tower Token was like seeing the Empress; this was a rule set by the Empress herself. They never expected the Empress would give such a token to a pretty boy. Xu Chen smiled and said, "Don't act arrogant in front of me in the future, got it?"

Xu Chen patted the face of the noble child who had shouted the loudest, then walked straight into the second floor amidst that noble child's pale, greenish face. That noble child, Zhang Yao, gritted his teeth and said, "His cultivation level must be above late-stage sixth grade."

The first floor is suitable for those with late-stage sixth-grade cultivation; the second floor requires late-stage sixth grade completion.

"This damn guy is actually stronger than us, who have abundant resources?" "No, wait, he seems to have passed the second floor and gone straight to the third. He... he is a seventh-grade expert."

In that instant, someone cried out in shock.

They looked at the spiritual energy mirror of the Gathering Tower in front of them. The mirror showed that Xu Chen had already entered the third floor. "He looks younger than us, at most eighteen. We are in our twenties, cultivating every day, yet we can't compare to him?" Instantly, the noble children on the first floor were dumbfounded. Could the one His Majesty let in this time be a monster?

A mysterious woman discovered in the tower (4th update!!! Requesting free votes). While Zhang Yao and others were startled, Xu Chen continued advancing. He could sense countless strong ones within the Sky Spirit Gathering Tower. Those on the first floor were merely late-stage sixth grade.

On the second floor, he saw about two hundred thousand spirit stones, and the spiritual energy was twice as dense. On the third floor, there were about three hundred thousand spirit stones, and the spiritual energy was dense again, doubling once more. Following this pattern, Xu Chen quickly entered the fourth floor of the tower.

This is a place only accessible to mid-stage seventh-grade experts. Coincidentally, Xu Chen saw Luo Zhendong.

However, this Luo Zhendong did not have even a shred of his past arrogance. Now, he only felt nervousness and fear, with a hint of reverence for Xu Chen in his eyes. Luo Zhendong had entered the Sky Spirit Gathering Tower only after the Imperial Selection Tournament. Therefore, he knew everything about Xu Chen at this moment.

At this moment, he forced a smile and said, "Young Palace Master Xu, we meet again." Xu Chen chuckled lightly. "You seem very nervous." Luo Zhendong wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. "N-no, maybe it's because I've been cultivating for a long time; there is quite a bit of moisture here." Xu Chen was about to leave when a prince nearby called out to him. "Who are you? Why don't I recognize you?"

Xu Chen turned and found it was the Ninth Prince, Luo Tianjian.

He remembered that in his past life, this person possessed the Heavenly Sword Body and Heavenly Sword Intent, extremely sharp and fierce. At only eighteen years old, he had already advanced to mid-stage seventh grade.

In the past life, under the protection of the Empress, Luo Tianjian also became a Sword Emperor, gaining fame across the continent. This was enough to show how strong Luo Tianjian's sword talent truly was. Xu Chen replied, "Just an ordinary person here to cultivate. Does the Ninth Prince have an objection?" Luo Tianjian was slightly displeased. "Why was my fifth brother so nervous when he saw you?"

Xu Chen laughed cheerfully. This Luo Tianjian had extraordinary sword talent, but his emotional intelligence was lacking; he was young. Xu Chen had no intention of indulging Luo Tianjian and chuckled lightly. "Scared by me." Luo Zhendong hurriedly said, "Ninth brother, cultivate well and do not speak too much." Luo Tianjian sneered. "Fifth brother, you are a royal prince of the imperial family. How can you be scared by just anyone? Today, I must avenge you to prove that our imperial family possesses innate pride that cannot be insulted."

Having said that, he stood up directly.

Then, golden light radiated from his body, with faint dragon shadows roaring. Sword qi also suddenly shot out from within his body, instantly making his aura extremely powerful. Holding a precious sword in his right hand, he said, "Since you can reach the fourth floor, it shows you are quite extraordinary. Fight me."

Xu Chen said indifferently, "Boring. Fighting you is a waste of my time. You are the Empress's brother. Even if I don't give you face, I must give the Empress face." Having said that, Xu Chen stopped looking at Luo Tianjian and prepared to leave. "Whoosh!"

Unexpectedly, a hint of anger arose in Luo Tianjian's eyes. He had been ignored. He had cultivated in the tower for over a year, his cultivation base skyrocketed, and his sword qi increased greatly. Being ignored now was something he could not tolerate. "Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Ancestor!" Luo Tianjian shouted coldly. The next second, ten thousand sword qi and sword shadows appeared behind him. The sword shadows quickly locked onto Xu Chen and then rushed towards him like arrows leaving the bowstring. The power of this sword qi was obviously a rare Earth-grade high-level martial art in the world. Xu Chen frowned and shook his head. "Restriction."

This time, Xu Chen did not use the Space Law; he only used the spatial restriction of an eighth-grade expert. In the blink of an eye, the ten thousand swords stopped in front of him.

Then, Xu Chen waved his hand, and amidst the stunned gazes of everyone on the fourth floor, the ten thousand swords crashed and shattered.

In an instant, the ten thousand swords turned into streams of spiritual light and vanished into the world. Luo Tianjian was also shaken by this momentum and quickly retreated several steps; blood had already seeped from the corner of his mouth. Xu Chen said coldly, "For the Empress's sake, I won't touch you this time, but I hope you understand: there won't be a next time." Before Luo Tianjian could speak, Luo Zhendong hurriedly said, "Thank you, Young Palace Master Xu. He has remembered." Speaking of which, the Ninth Brother attacked first; the fault lies entirely with the Ninth Brother. Therefore, he apologized first, hoping Xu Chen would forgive his younger brother.

Xu Chen nodded. "Good to know. I didn't come here to fight anyway." Having said that, amidst the shocked gazes of everyone, Xu Chen went directly from the fourth floor to the fifth floor.

Luo Tianjian asked in shock, "How old is he?"

Luo Zhendong, who naturally knew Xu Chen well, replied with a bitter expression. "One year younger than you, about seventeen."

"What?"

Upon hearing this, not only the noble children on the first floor, but even Luo Tianjian cried out in shock.

Xu Chen is only seventeen, yet he possesses late-stage seventh-grade strength? How is this possible?

Even the many Elders guarding the Sky Spirit Gathering Tower heard this and wore expressions of full astonishment. They thought Xu Chen was eighteen, but he turned out to be only seventeen? He is too young. Advancing to late-stage seventh grade at such an age must be a rare genius in the world. The two eighth-grade Elders guarding the gate smiled bitterly. "In just one and a half months, he reached late-stage seventh grade. You and I have no choice but to admit defeat!" Back in the day, it took them a full fifty years to advance from mid-stage seventh grade to late-stage seventh grade. The gap between them was evident.

The Left Elder said helplessly, "I didn't expect the Empress's judgment to be so accurate. With such achievements, he might become a Wu Di in the future." The Right Elder nodded. "Yes. A late-stage seventh-grade expert at seventeen. Not to mention the Tianzun Imperial Dynasty, looking across the entire continent, there are probably very few." The two silently marveled; this child has a promising future! While the two were thinking, Xu Chen had already reached the fifth floor. "Buzz!"

At this moment, Xu Chen felt the pressure of the Sky Spirit Gathering Tower suddenly double again.

The spiritual energy inside also became much denser; due to the concentration of the spiritual energy, his vision was vaguely obscured. Of course, for an eighth-grade Xu Chen, this was not enough. Therefore, Xu Chen went straight to the... grade?"

"My heavens, I feel it. He is releasing eighth-grade aura to resist the gravitational pressure of the seventh floor."

"I even vaguely feel that Xu Chen seems to be resisting it very easily, with no pressure at all. Did I see wrong?"

At this moment, Luo Zhendong and others, along with the noble children on the first floor, were all dumbfounded. They never expected Xu Chen was aiming for the seventh floor, and that he entered it so easily. The many experts outside, seeing this scene, finally showed a trace of shock in their eyes. An eighth-grade expert at seventeen?

They had never seen such a thing, nor had they even thought of it. Yet Xu Chen had done it.

The Left and Right Elders were almost dumbfounded. "Is... is this real?"

"If you said an eighth-grade expert at one hundred and seventy years old, I would believe it. But an eighth-grade expert at seventeen? There isn't one on the entire continent. Damn! This kid is too terrifying."

At this moment, Xu Chen entered the seventh floor and immediately felt powerful pressure. This pressure required an early-stage eighth-grade expert to use spiritual energy to resist. Alternatively, an early-stage eighth-grade physical body could do it; otherwise, upon entering, one might instantly turn into a lump of minced meat. Xu Chen glanced at the spirit stones nearby; there were a full eight hundred thousand. The spiritual energy fog inside had already begun to obscure part of the view, enough to show how dense the spiritual energy was here. "However, I have already cultivated an eighth-grade physical body and released spiritual energy."

"Therefore, this immense pressure is almost non-existent to me."

"No, the oppression this seventh floor gives me is not enough."

After releasing his spiritual energy and physical strength, Xu Chen immediately shook his head. For an early-stage eighth-grade expert without an eighth-grade physical body, entering here would be very suitable. However, it was indeed not very suitable for Xu Chen. "If I enter the eighth floor, my physical body is very likely to break through again within half a month." Xu Chen said with a smile in his eyes. Having said that, Xu Chen broke through the barrier of the seventh floor in a hundred years and went directly into the eighth floor. "Boom!"

The moment he entered the eighth floor, Xu Chen suddenly felt endless pressure, surging towards him wildly like a tremendous wave. Even walking felt difficult for Xu Chen. He grinned. "Very good. It is very suitable for tempering the physical body, and there are eight hundred thousand spirit stones here, which is enough." Having said that, Xu Chen immediately sat down in a cross-legged position.

After sitting down, Xu Chen was perfectly fine; even his aura and physical body were subtly strengthening. At the same time, Xu Chen seemed to have discovered a woman, but he didn't pay attention to her for now; he needed to cultivate. At this moment, whether it was Luo Zhendong and others, the noble children, or even the many experts outside and the Left and Right Elders, seeing this scene, they were all completely dumbfounded.

Xu Chen actually entered the eighth floor with early-stage eighth-grade strength and remained unharmed. Once this news spread, it would surely cause a sensation throughout the entire imperial family, no, it would cause a sensation throughout the entire Tianzun Imperial Dynasty. Strong, truly not just a little strong!

— Author's Notes —

PS: Stuck on the plot, thought for four or five hours. Sigh. Chapter 129: Xu Chen goes straight to the eighth floor, shocking everyone inside and outside the tower!