Chapter 121

Boom!

As Xu Chen pondered, he suddenly unleashed his Seven-Rank Initial Stage aura. Instantly, that aura surged like tidal waves, radiating endlessly from his body. The square, capable of holding tens of thousands, was now filled entirely with Xu Chen's Spiritual Qi. "S-seven-rank?"

Tens of thousands of white-robed disciples froze again at the sight. My god! Is this really the Young Palace Master?

They had entered the academy at the same time—and they were only Fourth Grade.

Yet the Young Palace Master has already achieved levitation, advancing to Seven-Rank.

Luo Dian, Luo Zhendong, and the others who had just fled in disgrace felt this aura and were instantly startled within.

So stable an aura, so young a age, what an monstrous talent!

For Xu Chen to reach this level in such a short time is truly terrifying. Luo Dian's face twisted with fear, yet he gritted his teeth: "This time, I'll make Xu Chen pay." Luo Zhendong was now utterly sober: "Are you insane? Haven't you realized your mistake yet? Last time, the Empress held Xu Chen in high regard."

Luo Dian sneered: "I'm returning to the palace—I don't believe she'd value Xu Chen more than me." Luo Zhendong was speechless: "Fine, do as you please. I'm done with this." He'd originally come hoping to learn how to pursue Feng Shuang from Luo Dian's relentless pursuit. But he hadn't expected Luo Dian to be nearly crippled upon arrival.

He'd almost pissed himself, so he quickly dragged Luo Dian away. Xu Chen's talent was the most terrifying, most absurd he'd ever seen. If possible in the future, he must recruit him—never provoke him! Thinking this, Luo Zhendong fled even faster. "Luo Zhendong is surprisingly sensible."

Xu Chen watched the retreating backs of Luo Dian and Luo Zhendong and said coolly.

In his past life, he'd pledged allegiance to Luo Zhendong and been treated like a servant. This life, even if he pledged to Luo Zhendong, Luo Zhendong would surely be terrified. Bu Fengshuang nodded: "He's one of the five competing Princes who's relatively clever." Xu Chen smiled lightly: "I'm curious whether Luo Dian will survive today." He guessed that if the Empress was like other heroines, Luo Dian was dead for sure. Based on her prior behavior, it was ninety-nine percent certain.

Having finished speaking, Xu Chen prepared to leave and train his Heaven-Rank Technique.

But Li Ruoling grabbed his sleeve: "W-wait."

Xu Chen paused: "What is it?"

He'd come only to warn others not to use his name to oppress anyone—or face consequences.

He hadn't paid much attention to Li Ruoling. But Li Ruoling gathered courage and said: "Thank you."

Xu Chen nodded: "Remember this: any enemy who threatens you using my name, ignore them—or kill them."

Li Ruoling's heart stirred, and she bit her lip: "But what if I can't kill them?" Xu Chen remained calm: "Then I'll kill them."

Li Ruoling nearly burst into tears again: "What if I kill them and it brings trouble to you?" Xu Chen smiled proudly: "For enemies like that, I'll kill their entire family." With that, Xu Chen swept his sleeve and departed. The three women followed closely behind.

Tears slipped down Li Ruoling's cheeks; her heart was deeply moved. He was still him—so kind to her.

She realized she still held such an important place in his heart. Tens of thousands of white-robed disciples watched, filled with envy. Is this love? The Young Palace Master dares to offend the Tianzun Dynasty for the Saintess. The Young Palace Master truly has grandeur!

Shangguan Luoyun and Chi Lian's eyes dimmed slightly. He still loved Li Ruoling so much. In his past life, it was like this—and in this life, too.

Xu Chen, why are you so good to her?

At this moment, Xu Chen quickly returned to his quarters to prepare for cultivation.

But Bu Fengshuang couldn't help saying: "Luo Dian is the most useless Prince of the Tianzun Dynasty."

Xu Chen nodded: "Every dynasty has such worthless Princes—it's nothing unusual." In the original text, Luo Dian didn't even qualify for succession. The five competing Princes did not include Luo Dian.

This was precisely why Xu Chen crippled Luo Dian—because it would barely affect the major plot. Bu Fengshuang nodded: "Cultivate. I'll guard you at all times." Xu Chen said nothing, sat cross-legged, and began cultivating the "Immortal Body Emperor Spirit Scripture." He estimated that in five days, he'd advance his physical body to Seven-Rank Initial Stage. After completing his body, he'd train other things—like the Shen Yu Battle Armor and his Divine Sense. Tianzun Dynasty, Imperial Palace.

The Empress Luo Shen was gazing at a portrait, her eyes lost in its features, almost dazed—as if nothing in heaven or earth could match even a fraction of its beauty. Upon closer look, the portrait was none other than Xu Chen.

When Luo Shen returned from her reverie, her eyes regained clarity.

"When will that charming fellow finally come to the Tianzun Dynasty?"

"I really can't wait any longer."

Luo Shen lay sideways on her bed, crossing her long, elegant legs, her exquisite face glowing with anticipation and longing.

Had Shangguan Luoyun not been so troublesome, she'd have seized him outright—why wait so painfully? "Swoosh!"

As she pondered, her Dark Guard appeared, kneeling and bowing: "Your Majesty, urgent news." Luo Shen dismissed it: "Speak."

The Dark Guard immediately recounted everything that had just happened at Jixia Xuegong.

Upon hearing it, the Empress flew into a rage—and her heart ached slightly: "He still loves Li Ruoling so much."

She could never understand: her strength, her aura, her beauty—all surpassed Li Ruoling's.

Was it only because Xu Chen met Li Ruoling first that he fell for her? "It's all that damn original author's fault—if not for him, this wouldn't have happened."

Luo Shen clenched her silver teeth in fury.

Then her eyes flashed with killing intent: "Where is Luo Dian?"

If he'd offended someone else, she'd have ignored him.

But if he dared offend Xu Chen, she would spare no effort to ensure he suffered not a single insult.

The Dark Guard replied: "He's on his way to the Imperial Palace—he wishes you to intervene and arrest Xu Chen." Luo Shen sneered: "What does he plan to do with Xu Chen?"

The Dark Guard said: "Bring him back, sever his tendons, destroy his dantian, gouge out his eyes—make him beg for death."

Luo Shen's face turned icy cold: "Exact words?"

The Dark Guard nodded: "He said them just fifteen minutes ago."

Luo Shen said coldly: "Then he need never arrive. Let him vanish forever." The Dark Guard was startled but bowed: "As Your Majesty commands."

With that, the Dark Guard's figure vanished from within the palace.

Luo Shen sneered: "Dare to touch my Xu Chen? How dare they? Must make an example." Her brothers' crimes—kidnapping commoners, embezzlement—she'd ignored before.

But don't think she doesn't know. If they grow even more reckless after that, they die. Luo Dian's offense against Xu Chen far exceeded her limit.

Xu Chen is her Achilles' heel—no one dares touch him.

The next day, news of Luo Dian's death in the palace spread like a storm. The entire Tianzun Dynasty knew. All sects and factions heard whispers.

Even before learning of Luo Dian's death, they'd heard he'd been humiliated and fled by Xu Chen, vowing revenge before leaving.

Yet within a single day, he was gone.

The wise instantly deduced: death in the palace meant the Empress had acted. No one else could kill so freely under her watch. Further inference: the Empress had killed Luo Dian for Xu Chen. Clearly, Xu Chen's importance to her outweighed Luo Dian's by a hundredfold.

Instantly, the Princes vying for succession panicked. The sects planning to strike against Xu Chen were stunned. With the Empress backing him, no one dared touch Xu Chen! The Empress's power was beyond ordinary comprehension. Third Prince Luo Zhendong trembled: "Thank heaven I didn't act—if I had, I'd be dead too. That bastard Luo Dian, why pick on Xu Chen's woman? Damn it! I thought Luo Dian might succeed—turns out Xu Chen just hadn't moved yet. When he did, someone died!" He swallowed hard, vowing to curry favor with Xu Chen. The other Princes also realized the gravity of the situation.

Before their strength reached 450, they must not touch Bu Fengshuang or Shan Qianqian. Both are within Jixia Xuegong—touch them and death is likely. The Five Poisons Sect and Heavenly Sword Sect felt equally bitter. They'd plotted to kill Xu Chen—but now, better forget it. If Xu Chen were harmed, these two sects might be wiped out by the Empress. The Empress's power was unfathomable. Ultimately, news of Luo Dian's death reached Jixia Xuegong. Originally, everyone there assumed relations with the Tianzun Dynasty would be severed. But instead, Empress Luo Shen sent an envoy—directly to Xu Chen—to apologize. Yes, to Xu Chen, not Shangguan Luoyun. Shangguan Luoyun was stunned: "Luo Shen secretly killed Luo Dian—and sent an apology the next day?" Chi Lian was equally bewildered: "This is insane. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it." The tens of thousands of academy disciples stared, dumbfounded. Not only did they avoid rupture—the Empress came to apologize? What immense face must Xu Chen have to make the Empress do this? Holy shit! No wonder the Young Palace Master is legendary! Instantly, Xu Chen was revered as a divine being throughout Jixia Xuegong. Soon, the Empress's envoy appeared before Xu Chen before all eyes: "Young Palace Master, this is the Nine-Spirit Night Pearl. It calms the spirit, aids cultivation, and quenches thirst."

"The Empress deeply regrets yesterday's incident. She hopes you, as a magnanimous person, will overlook Luo Dian's foolish behavior." The envoys all knelt, pleading for Xu Chen to accept the Nine-Spirit Night Pearl. Xu Chen: "..."

He'd expected the major plot wouldn't break, and that the Empress might help him—but he never imagined she'd do this.

Holy shit, you've got him completely stumped now.