Chapter 85

He had thought that, given the Empress's personality, she would treat the killing of Luo Dian as a non-event and do nothing further. Yet now the Empress had directly sent an envoy to apologize and even gifted a Nine-Spirit Night Pearl. It truly left him bewildered!

He rubbed his temples: "Does your Empress consider the matter of Luo Dian very serious?" The imperial envoy replied with utmost reverence: "The Empress deems it very serious, which is why she specially sent us to apologize. Young Palace Master, please do not be angry; the Empress was unaware of this incident." Xu Chen said, "Very well! Whether she knew or not, I feel her sincerity. Return and tell the Empress I will not hold it against her. As for this Night Pearl, keep it; take it back." Upon hearing this, the envoys immediately grew anxious: "The Empress ordered us to say you must accept it, or she will have us executed. This Night Pearl was crafted by her own hand and holds extraordinary significance." Xu Chen felt a toothache; this woman...

He grew slightly impatient: "Fine, leave it here; you may go." He had just been cultivating when these people interrupted him. And they gifted this so-called Night Pearl, which was practically useless anyway! The envoys replied, "Yes!"

The disciples of Jixia Academy surrounding them saw this scene and their jaws dropped. Good heavens, you disdain the Empress's gift and show impatience? Awesome! In the entire Tianzun Imperial Dynasty, only you, Young Palace Master, would dare do such a thing. Just as everyone thought everything was over, golden light suddenly erupted above Xu Chen's head. A crimson-gold dragon, accompanied by a roar, slowly manifested above. Simultaneously appeared a graceful, breathtakingly beautiful woman. She radiated nobility and dragon qi, her jade feet bare, walking upon the air. An indescribable majesty subtly emanated from her, making people tremble with awe. With such momentum, who else could it be but Empress Luo Shen? Xu Chen was stunned. The Empress came in person? Damn, what does this woman want?

The tens of thousands surrounding them were utterly stunned by this scene.

Holy crap, did the Empress really come in person to apologize?

Is this real? This is even more outrageous than the gift!

Before Xu Chen could speak, he heard the Empress say in a resentful tone, "You do not like my Night Pearl?"

Her words carried a charming elegance, radiant and brilliant.

Her voice was like heavenly music, capable of stealing souls and captivating hearts. Xu Chen was at a loss; what should he say?

She had come in person; saying he didn't like it would be excessive. But if he said he liked it, what if this woman pushed her luck? He did not doubt for a moment that the Empress intended to pounce on him. Helplessly, he said, "It's alright, I just don't really need it."

Everyone was stunned again. That tone sounded like he was reluctantly accepting it? Young Palace Master is amazing, truly amazing!

The Empress said softly, "I spent several days making this Night Pearl; it was quite tiring." Xu Chen: "…………"

What did her tiredness have to do with him? He couldn't possibly understand.

He bared his teeth and said, "Thank you for the Empress's gift. I guarantee there will be no rift between Jixia Academy and the Tianzun Imperial Dynasty."

Upon hearing this, the Empress immediately asked, "Then will you participate in the Tianzun Imperial Dynasty's selection?" Xu Chen nodded: "I will."

Upon hearing this, the Empress's dark eyebrows lifted, and she offered a breathtaking smile: "Then I will wait for you." Having spoken, her body moved lightly, and she vanished from the spot.

Only a faint, fragrant breeze remained, refreshing and intoxicating, stirring the heart and mind.

Inside, she chuckled lightly. As long as Xu Chen participates, she has a way to ensure his victory. As for that so-called protagonist Ye Xuan, go die for me.

Xu Chen looked around: "Everyone disperse; this Young Palace Master needs to cultivate." Upon hearing this, everyone let out a dry laugh and departed one by one.

Yet after this incident, Xu Chen's image in their minds became even more towering and imposing. So powerful! Young Palace Master, a role model for us all!

Ling Sheng Quan Ling and the Fire Qilin gritted their teeth and said, "That woman clearly just wants to seduce Brother Chen." Xu Chen coughed: "Do not speak recklessly; keep a low profile."

The two women said no more, though they remained pouting.

Bu Fengshuang did not speak much. She could see that currently, all the female protagonists had been reborn. Moreover, without her needing to say anything, each one was helping Xu Chen.

In that case, she had no need to investigate further. As long as Xu Chen suffered no wrong, everything was fine. While pondering, Xu Chen resumed his body refinement. This time, no one disturbed him again.

Five days later, with the aid of massive amounts of elixirs and the Soul-Refining Liquid obtained from the secret realm, Xu Chen raised his physical body to the early stage of the Seventh Grade.

"The resources Shangguan Luoyun gave me are truly too abundant; even if I went to rob, I wouldn't get this much."

"And Bu Fengshuang; her Spirit-Gathering Array must have gathered an immense amount of spiritual energy. I am moved," Xu Chen thought inwardly.

Having used them, it would be difficult to refuse them in the future.

Especially if they had any problems, then he would truly have to help.

Although he did not wish to get close to the female protagonists, if they approached him, there was no way around it.

Seeing Xu Chen wake up, Bu Fengshuang said, "By the way, Chen, take out that stone and let me see it." Xu Chen nodded, suddenly startled: "You didn't mention it; I almost forgot."

Recently, he had been immersed in the joy of abundant resources and had momentarily forgotten about this item.

He immediately took it out from his storage ring and discovered the pebble had turned black.

Faintly, wisps of black poisonous gas emanated from it.

Xu Chen immediately activated his Divine Jade Battle Armor, isolating the black poisonous gas.

Bu Fengshuang produced a pile of white gloves, put them on, and said, "Let me see it." Xu Chen handed it to her as instructed. After a long while, Bu Fengshuang said, "This item is very rare; it is a stone formed from the condensed essence blood of ancient poison cultivators.

This pebble contains the essence blood of at least a thousand poison cultivators.

Most importantly, every drop of essence blood belongs to a powerhouse at the peak of the Sixth Grade.

Piled together, they have undergone a qualitative transformation, comparable to a Seventh Grade heavenly treasure." Xu Chen, who knew little about poison cultivators in his past life, asked curiously, "Then what is its name?" Bu Fengshuang said, "Ancient Essence Mysterious Stone. This thing can automatically absorb any poison gas of the Seventh Grade or below.

Furthermore, if refined by a poison cultivator of the Eighth Grade or above, it can be upgraded.

If upgraded to the Ninth Grade, it can absorb any Ninth Grade poison.

If not refined, a poison cultivator who directly absorbs all the poison gas within will see their cultivation base surge." Xu Chen sighed, "No wonder that Demon Poison Old Woman wanted to snatch it; it is indeed very precious."

Bu Fengshuang nodded: "That Demon Poison saw it at a glance. For her, this is worth at least tens of thousands of high-grade spirit stones."

Xu Chen said, "Forget it, give it to you; I do not use poison."

Bu Fengshuang pondered: "Very well; after all, I am yours. If there is danger, I will give it to you." Xu Chen: "..."

Such tiger-and-wolf words; I am scared, scared.

Bu Fengshuang is not only formidable in strength, but her words are equally impactful; I can't take it!

Xu Chen pondered: "Fortunately, the Bi Shui Qing Ming Yu is unused. I will refine the Divine Jade Battle Armor; it should take about half a month."

The time required for artifact refinement is far greater than that for cultivation. Bu Fengshuang said, "Good."

Having spoken, she, along with the Fire Qilin and Ling Sheng Quan Ling, stood aside to guard Xu Chen. "Voom!"

Xu Chen began to summon his battle armor, which hovered in mid-air. Then, he sprinkled the Bi Shui Qing Ming Yu onto the Divine Jade Battle Armor, repairing its various marks. After finishing the repairs, Xu Chen began to refine the armor. Time passed slowly, and the marks on the Divine Jade Battle Armor rapidly vanished. About ten days later, the marks were completely repaired, and it regained its crystal-clear appearance. Another seven days passed, and the aura of the Divine Jade Battle Armor kept rising. "Boom!"

The next second, the aura of the Divine Jade Battle Armor suddenly broke through from the peak of the Sixth Grade to the early stage of the Seventh Grade.

The entire armor remained crystal clear, appearing as if naturally formed, exquisitely beautiful, without a single flaw.

It simply hovered in mid-air, looking like an exquisite work of art. Xu Chen touched it and found it incredibly smooth, with an excellent feel. If something had to be used to describe it, it would be diamond.

But compared to diamond, the Divine Jade Battle Armor had a more rounded luster, and its visual effect was even more explosive. With a thought of his spiritual sense, this Divine Jade Battle Armor instantly covered his body, its momentum overwhelming. It was as if the armor was a part of his own body.

"Once the Seventh Grade Divine Jade Battle Armor appears, a Seventh Grade early-stage powerhouse will likely be unable to harm me."

Xu Chen clenched his fist and chuckled lightly.

With a movement of his spiritual sense, the Divine Jade Battle Spear extended from his palm, its sharpness fully revealed. A slight slash produced continuous humming, and the air suddenly exploded.

Even space seemed to be on the verge of being sliced open by Xu Chen. "Recently, Jiutian has still not found the Calamity Female Protagonist."

"Less than half a month remains until the Tianzun Imperial Court's selection."

"However, with nothing else pressing at the moment, I shall refine my spiritual sense," Xu Chen pondered. The previous Divine Soul Refining Body Fluid had, while tempering his physical body, also unconsciously enhanced his spiritual sense.

At this moment, his spiritual sense had surpassed the peak of the sixth rank. Fortunately, the elixirs given to him by Shangguan Luoyun were abundant, greatly aiding the refinement of his spiritual sense. Having decided, he sat in meditation, swallowed the elixir, and continued refining his spiritual sense. Six days later, Xu Chen's spiritual sense broke through the peak of the sixth rank and advanced to the early stage of the seventh rank. At this moment, whether in physical body, spiritual sense, or realm, Xu Chen had all surpassed the seventh rank. "Jun Tianjun, a discovery regarding the person of calamity has been made." Just then, Zhao Qingyun's voice came through. Xu Chen sighed; finally, there was news!

Just as his cultivation had borne fruit, it was time to make the journey.

This was also a plot he must experience.

— Author's Notes —

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