Imperial Capital, Royal Palace
Inside a grand and magnificent palace—
A tall, graceful woman dressed in a luxurious brocade robe sat behind a large desk, her face cold yet regal, exuding a unique blend of icy elegance and commanding nobility—an aura born from years of royal upbringing.
She was none other than the Grand Princess of the royal family, Yao Ye.
At this moment, Yao Ye sat silently behind her desk, reviewing imperial reports and memorials submitted from all corners of the empire. Though her sharp eyes still held their dignified edge, they were laced with exhaustion.
Her father, the previous Emperor, had passed away when she was still young. The aging Grand Elder, Jia Xingtian, had since taken charge of the royal household.
As Yao Ye matured, Jia Xingtian began grooming her step by step, intending to mold her into a brilliant and capable Empress.
However, before her transformation was complete, a dreadful piece of news shattered everything—Jia Xingtian, the royal guardian and pillar of the empire, had fallen in battle. He had been slain in the royal capital of the Serpentfolk by a young human cultivator, his body destroyed.
The bearer of this news had been none other than Reina, one of the ten strongest experts of the Jia Ma Empire, who had witnessed it with his own eyes.
When Yao Ye received the news, it felt as though the sky had collapsed around her. Her vision darkened, and she collapsed on the spot.
Upon awakening and confirming her great-grandfather’s death, she forcibly suppressed her sorrow and began displaying the qualities of a future Empress.
First, she secretly withheld the news of Jia Xingtian’s demise, tightly sealing the information. Then, she reinforced the empire’s borders, wary of foreign nations taking advantage of their internal weakness. Finally, she ordered the withdrawal of troops stationed near Mt. Yunlan, hoping to ease tensions with the Yunlan Sect.
After all, in such a critical time, managing foreign threats took top priority.
But despite her efforts, the news eventually leaked.
Yunshan, the old master of the Yunlan Sect, suddenly emerged from seclusion and seized full control of the sect. He immediately abandoned their previously detached attitude—rapidly recruiting disciples and subtly dispersing them across various regions of the empire.
As time passed, chaos and unrest began to spread throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire. Calamities struck from all sides.
Even the neighboring Chu Yun Empire began mobilizing troops near their shared border—clearly having caught wind of Jia Xingtian’s fall.
Now, most of the reports crossing Yao Ye’s desk were urgent updates from the borders.
"Reporting!" A eunuch suddenly burst into the hall, panic-stricken. "Your Highness! The Serpentfolk have launched an invasion—emergency at the frontier!"
In the blink of an eye, two months flowed by like sand through one’s fingers.
During this period, Chen Mo had thrown himself completely into cultivation, spending far less time with Ya Fei.
He frequently went into secluded training, and in the two months that had passed, he had only met with Ya Fei three times.
Her favorability toward him had risen to 59.
The Dou Zhe Pill he had promised to refine for her had long been completed—but he hadn’t given it to her yet.
This was all part of his plan. After all, the three major clans had suffered substantial losses during the last auction and needed time to recover.
Additionally, withholding the pill served to string Ya Fei along just a bit longer. That way, when he finally handed her the pill, he could give her a Foundation Establishment Pill as well—and pull even more "wool off the sheep."
A cyan-colored lotus seat hovered above the bed, and atop it sat a handsome young man clad in white robes embroidered with golden thread—Chen Mo.
Suddenly, the calm air in the spacious room rippled violently. Threads of black-and-white Dou Qi swirled eerily around Chen Mo’s body.
Moments later, his eyes shot open, a cold breath escaping his lips.
His hand seals suddenly changed—thumb and forefinger touched, middle fingers pressed together—his ten fingers forming an intricate, mysterious hand seal.
With this motion, the powerful Dou Qi within his body seemed to be drawn downward by a tremendous force, rapidly concentrating toward his lower abdomen.
The energy compressed again and again—
A muffled explosion echoed from within.
With it, an overwhelming surge of energy burst forth from Chen Mo’s body. The feeling of constant resistance and fatigue that had plagued him vanished in an instant.
Letting out a long breath, Chen Mo collapsed backward, thoroughly drained, his chest rising and falling heavily.
[Cultivation: Five-Star Dou Ling]
[Host Level: Lv3 (259/300)]
[Bonded Goddesses: Die (Dao Companion), Queen Medusa (Dao Companion), Ya Fei (59/100 to Dao Companion)]
[Techniques: Supreme Primordial Art, Chaotic Meditation Technique, Indestructible Mystic Gold Body]
[Skills: Kunpeng Wings (Upgradeable), Sword Severing the Ages, Heaven-Slaying Sword Art, Great Star Art, Azure Dragon Yin-Yang Technique, Great Sage Art, Undying Sun Body, Breath Concealment Technique] (Others omitted)
[Affection Points: 87]
[Bloodline: Human Emperor Bloodline (Blue Rank)]
[Physique: Heaven and Earth Sword Body (Perfected)]
[Aura: Exiled Immortal Temperament]
All of his Epiphany Incense Sticks had been used to comprehend the Great Star Art.
He had gained one star in the Dou Ling realm from the favorability reward from Ya Fei, while the next level had taken over a month of cultivation and a significant amount of precious resources to barely achieve.
After all, at his current level, even advancing by a single star required an enormous amount of energy.
"As expected—wealth, companions, techniques, and location are all essential. Even with talent, a poor man can’t reach the peak."
Exhaling deeply, Chen Mo muttered, "Time to head out."
"Sir, please... some food..."
"Please, I’m starving..."
"Go away. No food for beggars."
As Chen Mo walked through the streets, he glanced at the rows of displaced refugees huddled along the sides—and found himself stunned.
I only went into seclusion for a while...
How did the world change so drastically?
Miteer Auction House – VIP Lounge
Ya Fei’s alluring crimson lips were slightly parted in surprise, her eyes staring dazedly at the three jade boxes laid out before her.
Her ample chest, emphasized by her tightly fitted dress, rose and fell in a breathtaking arc.
Only after Chen Mo had admired the scene to his heart’s content did he cough lightly, snapping her back to her senses.
[Ding! Favorability +1. Gained 2 Affection Points.]
Ya Fei gently caressed one of the cool jade boxes and opened it. Bringing it to her nose, she took a light sniff—then widened her eyes in astonishment.
"This... is the Dou Zhe Pill?"
Chen Mo nodded. "One is for you. The other two are for auction."
[Ding! Favorability +2. Gained 3 Affection Points.]
Ya Fei raised a delicate brow and lovingly stroked one of the boxes, her captivating eyes scanning Chen Mo from head to toe. Her smile brimmed with seductive charm.
"Just over a month without seeing you, and you already bring me such a pleasant surprise?"
Chen Mo chuckled. "You call this a surprise?"
Ya Fei blinked, then looked at him in astonishment. "There’s more?"
"Of course. Ya Fei, have you ever considered improving your cultivation aptitude?"
With a brilliant smile and gleaming white teeth, Chen Mo leaned forward, eyes shimmering with mystery.
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