Chapter 173

(1st chapter!! Please set auto-subscribe!!) Xu Chen descended from the Seventh Layer, strongly accompanied by Yin Suyun.

When they reached the Fourth Layer, Xu Chen merely glanced at Luo Tianjian. Luo Tianjian's body tensed instantly, sweat drenching his forehead just like Luo Zhendong. His earlier arrogance had vanished completely. One reason was Xu Chen.

The other reason was Yin Suyun—the National Guardian General, legendary for exterminating all evil. The scene of her once shaking a million troops with a single spear still felt vividly present. Even as a child, Luo Tianjian had admired Yin Suyun.

Even after growing up, he still wanted to marry Yin Suyun. But now, it seemed he had no hope left.

At this moment, he saw Yin Suyun gently holding Xu Chen's hand, quietly standing behind him, smiling. That smile was identical to the joy of seeing one's beloved.

Xu Chen looked at Luo Zhendong and Luo Tianjian and said calmly: "Don't be nervous—I didn't come to fight you." Luo Zhendong forced a laugh: "Young Palace Master, you're joking." Luo Tianjian dared not speak, only silently wiping the sweat from his forehead, just as Luo Zhendong had done. Xu Chen soon left. Seeing Luo Tianjian in this state, Luo Zhendong could only smile bitterly. He sighed: "Ninth Brother, I told you not to provoke people recklessly—he's Xu Chen!"

At this moment, Luo Tianjian might not yet fully grasp the meaning behind Xu Chen's two words. But the name and figure of Xu Chen were already deeply etched into his mind. Unless he defeats Xu Chen, this obsession will never fade. Xu Chen descended further and soon reached the First Layer.

At this moment, the noble youths all stared in terror, then lowered their heads instinctively. Their earlier arrogance and bullying had vanished without a trace. This was the manifestation of reverence for strength.

They internally accepted the principle of bullying the weak and fearing the strong. Xu Chen said nothing more, nor did he glance at these noble youths—he had always felt speaking to them was utterly pointless. Soon, he walked out of the Tianling Juqi Ta with Yin Suyun. The left and right Elders watched Xu Chen, their faces filled with envy—what luck this boy has! To win the Empress's favor is already enough, yet he even captures the National Guardian General. The left Elder smiled: "Young and accomplished, extraordinary talent."

The right Elder teased: "The Empress might be waiting for you."

Xu Chen grinned: "No problem—the Empress probably prefers listening to me." The left and right Elders: "…"

Is this even possible?

As expected, the moment Xu Chen stepped out of the tower,

the Empress immediately sensed it and used Space Displacement to appear directly before him. She looked at Yin Suyun and pursed her lips.

Why had Yin Suyun also been reborn? Her earlier behavior had made the Empress think she was acting normally. She gazed at Xu Chen with a sigh: "You've charmed another one." Xu Chen winced—"I didn't do anything! She threw herself at me—would you believe me?" You wouldn't believe me, so I won't bother explaining.

So Xu Chen sighed: "Your Majesty, how are the Wan Gu Sect and the Five Poisons Sect doing lately?" The Empress replied: "Complete Puppets have emerged—equivalent to the Eight-grade Realm and Eight-grade Physical Body, though they lack martial arts." Xu Chen asked curiously: "Eight-grade Initial Stage?" The Empress nodded: "Mostly Eight-grade Initial Stage. Occasionally some reach Middle Stage; almost none reach Late Stage. After all, Puppet Crystals that power Eight-grade operations require immense energy—they're exceedingly rare."

"The Wan Gu Sect and Five Poisons Sect together possess about ninety-nine Complete Puppets and nearly a thousand Non-complete Puppets." Xu Chen mused: "Do Puppet Crystals contain tremendous energy?" As he spoke, his eyes lit up.

This stuff must rival high-grade Spirit Stones—no, it's even stronger. In his past life, Ye Xuan took them all; he didn't even get a sip. This life, he's short of Spirit Stones for cultivation—he must seize them quickly. The Empress nodded: "One Complete Puppet Crystal equals fifty thousand high-grade Spirit Stones."

"A Non-complete Puppet Crystal is roughly ten thousand high-grade Spirit Stones. Moreover, these Puppets inherently carry Eight-grade Gathering Spirit Arrays, so Spiritual Qi isn't entirely supplied by the Crystals." Xu Chen knew this—he also knew Puppet Crystals were fragile. They were merely hidden deep within the Puppet's physical body, making them hard to reach. Once exposed, destruction was effortless. 0…………Requesting flowers…………

Even if a Puppet dies, the surge of Spiritual Qi can easily damage the Puppet Crystal. These are all the drawbacks of Puppet Crystals.

Xu Chen asked: "So now, have Gu Poison Puppets appeared in all major sects?" The Empress nodded: "Yes. The Heavenly Sword Sect has the most. No one knows why, but all major sects are now gathering at the Heavenly Sword Sect."

"Three rare Nine-grade Puppets are currently holding back your Palace Master and others—they've already fought all the way to the Xingyun Forest."

"The trees there are falling in vast swathes, but you shouldn't concern yourself with that now—you should go to the Heavenly Sword Sect."

Xu Chen's gaze turned strange. Could the Heavenly Sword Sect have some special quality?

Otherwise, why does calamity always seem drawn to it?

Though he never noticed anything unusual about the Heavenly Sword Sect in his past life, this time he had to investigate—it was too strange.

Xu Chen said: "Alright, I'll take Yin Suyun there."

The Empress sighed softly: "You haven't even held her hand—you're so biased. I hate you." Xu Chen: "..."

For an Empress like her, with such tone, such vocal assault—