Chapter 145

Especially those sect members far from Jingcheng were deeply shocked.

After all, this was Yang Hao, the Saint Son of Taichu, just one step away from advancing to Eighth Grade, an peerless dominant force.

Yet such a powerful figure was utterly powerless before Xu Chen.

Whether in martial arts, Secret Techniques, or physical cultivation, Xu Chen towered above Yang Hao.

If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they simply could not believe it.

"Is this really the Young Palace Master of Jixia Xuegong? Not a Saint Son, yet superior to one."

"Don't speak nonsense—Jixia Xuegong has no Saint Son, only the Young Palace Master, equal to the Saintess."

"So that's the current Young Palace Master? He's unusually outstanding."

"Indeed, in the past Taichu Sacred Land always overshadowed Jixia Xuegong, but now Jixia Xuegong has become stronger." Many murmured in awe and astonishment.

The elders of major sects changed color even more—with Xu Chen in Jixia Xuegong, they had no hope of winning the championship.

The prodigies of the major sects also clenched their teeth in silence.

Were they doomed to be forever beneath Xu Chen?

Just as they thought this, an unexpected event occurred.

The Xu Chen who had just used a Secret Technique suddenly turned crimson-faced, then spat out a mouthful of blood.

Instantly, Xu Chen's aura withered, his face paling drastically. "What's wrong with you?"

Instantly, the female leads rushed to ask. Xu Chen shook his head: "Forcefully using the Secret Technique drained excessive vitality from my five viscera and six bowels."

My body is now weak and powerless, with extremely severe aftereffects.

I won't be able to compete in the upcoming matches—I'll need several days of rest." Shangguan Luoyun immediately said: "Then we won't compete. Rest right now, 463, listen to me."

Xu Chen nodded, rare as it was: "Alright. But what about Jixia Xuegong's next matches?" Shangguan Luoyun replied: "We'll just forfeit—what's the point? Nothing matters more than your life." Bu Fengshuang nodded: "The Palace Master is right. Rest for a few days—you're too weak, you can't even stand."

Xu Chen sighed: "I never thought the Young Palace Master of Jixia Xuegong would end up like this. I apologize, everyone." The Jixia Xuegong members quickly waved their hands: "Young Palace Master, you're joking—you've already done brilliantly. We're all proud of you. Rest well; Jixia Xuegong still relies on you."

Xu Chen sighed: "Since everyone says so, I'll rest for a few days. The Empress probably won't mind, right?"

Luo Shen, upon hearing this, was utterly speechless.

You're faking this so badly.

Your Seventh Grade Mid-stage physical body isn't this weak. Damn it, you still refuse to become my Imperial Consort, hmph! But she knew Xu Chen was genuinely a little weak now, so she said nothing more: "Fine. Rest well. If you need anything, just tell this Empress." Bu Fengshuang said: "Thank you, Empress." Her tone carried the air of Xu Chen's wife. Luo Shen snorted, pouted, and refused to speak further. Xu Chen, hearing this, finally relaxed. In his current state, not winning the championship would be unthinkable. But he couldn't keep using the Secret Technique—it truly had aftereffects.

His injury was fake, but his weakness was real. Using the Secret Technique too often harmed cultivation, never helped. Bu Fengshuang said: "Don't worry—Yi Bingrou is here. We'll go fetch her to Jixia Xuegong. Otherwise Yang Hao might kill her, and that wouldn't be good." Xu Chen nodded—Yi Bingrou couldn't die; there was plot ahead.

With that, he began cultivating his vital energy and waited for the matches to end. Hours later, the referee announced the day's matches were over, continuing tomorrow. Xu Chen said nothing, took the women with him, and intercepted the Frost Sect members. As expected, the Frost Sect was still inside the Imperial Palace, preparing to leave for the guesthouse outside. Yi Bingrou was immediately seized by Cao Yuanyuan; as her master, she offered little resistance. She intended to repay her master's kindness before returning to Xu Chen. Cao Yuanyuan's face was icy, silent. Xu Chen arrived and said calmly: "Madam Cao, wait."

Cao Yuanyuan, seeing Xu Chen, sneered: "Xu Chen, Yi Bingrou is still my Frost Sect disciple—you have no right to interfere."

Xu Chen asked: "What will you do with Yi Bingrou?" Cao Yuanyuan replied coldly: "Hand her over to the Saint Son. Whether she lives or dies depends on her fate."

Xu Chen scoffed: "What kind of master are you? So heartless toward your disciple? If Yi Bingrou is tortured to death, you won't care?"

Cao Yuanyuan gave no favorable look: "I'm her master—I can dispose of her as I wish." Xu Chen said calmly: "What a fine master. But I'm not here to negotiate—I'm taking her today, no matter what."

Cao Yuanyuan's face darkened: "You dare?"

At this moment, the conflict between Jixia Xuegong and Frost Sect drew the attention of all sects. They murmured in excitement—this was about to turn into a fight.

Would Jixia Xuegong and Taichu Sacred Land now engage in a major battle? Xu Chen ignored Cao Yuanyuan and looked at Yi Bingrou: "Your master treats you like this—and you still don't resist?" He found this odd; Yi Bingrou's personality was reverent toward teachers, yet also rebellious.

To be captured without any plan or countermeasure—he found it suspicious.

Yi Bingrou smiled sweetly: "Sending me to Yang Hao means she has severed all ties with me. This is how I repay her."

The moment our debt is fully settled, that's when I'll come to you. Xu Chen, wait for me—I'll find you." Xu Chen shook his head: "Taichu Sacred Land has too many Elders—I'm not reassured." Come on, there are dozens of Eighth Graders there—if you don't come back and die, I'll have to reincarnate again!

He didn't know how likely that was, but he'd crush any such possibility in its cradle. So Xu Chen continued: "Whoever blocks me from taking Yi Bingrou today—I'll kill them." His words carried thick Spiritual Qi.

Instantly, his voice rang like a great bell, radiating overwhelming might, spreading instantly throughout the entire Imperial Palace.

Everyone's ears rang, their eardrums trembling, many instinctively covering their ears. Their faces showed shock—this was no bluff. If Frost Sect refused to hand over Yi Bingrou, war was inevitable. Yi Bingrou's eyes turned red—she had wanted to bear all suffering alone. But Xu Chen had gone this far for her?

In that moment, Yi Bingrou's heart swelled with emotion, her resolve to follow Xu Chen hardening. The Taichu Sacred Land Elders stepped forward, frowning: "Xu Chen, you insist on forcibly taking this woman?"

Xu Chen replied calmly: "You may choose to start a war."

Yang Hao's face darkened: "Frost Sect has consumed vast resources from Taichu Sacred Land. Today, this Saint Son declares—this woman is mine…" Xu Chen turned his cold gaze on Yang Hao. Instantly, Yang Hao grew fearful and dared not continue. Perhaps this was the shadow.

The Taichu Sacred Land Elders were furious—Yi Bingrou had made them lose face. If they did nothing, wouldn't they appear weak? So the Elders said: "Taichu Sacred Land is no easy target. Xu Chen, don't think Jixia Xuegong is invincible." At that moment, Shangguan Luoyun arrived, coldly saying: "Is that so? What if the two sects fight today?" Her tone showed no fear of Taichu Sacred Land. She didn't care how Xu Chen acted—but if anyone dared oppress him, she'd strike. The Taichu Sacred Land Elders gritted their teeth—fighting today was not wise. But if they didn't, Taichu Sacred Land would become a laughingstock. People would say: "You can't even control a disciple from a minor sect—you're worthless, easily bullied." At that moment, the Empress's faint voice echoed: "Xu Chen's words today are my words."

"Whoa!"

At these words, the crowd erupted in uproar.

The Empress herself openly supported Xu Chen in seizing a woman? No way! If they hadn't heard it with their own ears, who'd believe it? It made Xu Chen seem like the head of the household, with his wife fiercely defending him—even protecting his concubine.

Too perfect—blindly protective. The Empress felt a pang of jealousy—she knew Xu Chen cared for Yi Bingrou, and it hurt. But she had to help now—otherwise her man would be bullied. Whoever dared oppress Xu Chen, she'd kill. Yang Hao's face turned livid—damn it. The Taichu Sacred Land Elders finally paled. If it were only Jixia Xuegong, they wouldn't fear. But if the Tianzun Dynasty's Empress also intervened, Taichu Sacred Land would have no resistance. At that point, they'd be utterly destroyed over a mere Yi Bingrou. Realizing this, the Elders panicked. Too dangerous—truly too dangerous!

So they gritted their teeth: "Fine. For the Empress's sake, we hand over Yi Bingrou." Yang Hao seethed inwardly but dared not speak—how could they defy the Imperial Empress?

Xu Chen nodded: "Then thank you. From now on, Frost Sect and Yi Bingrou are severed—no debts remain."

Cao Yuanyuan's lips twitched—no cost, just severed ties? You're something else. The Elders' temple veins bulged, yet they dared not speak: "Fine." Hearing this, Xu Chen took Yi Bingrou's hand: "From now on, whoever dares touch her—dies." Then, before all eyes, he led her away. Over fifty sects watched, mouths agape, none daring to stop him. They knew this scene was more shocking than any hero-saves-beauty tale—Xu Chen had stood alone against the entire Taichu Sacred Land. From this moment, Xu Chen's name would shake the world.

PS: Five chapters!!