Generally speaking, the more powerful a cultivator was, the more addled their brain tended to be.

Chu Chen had never believed this saying before, but today, after meeting his newly acquired cheap master, Qi Lao'er, he finally understood.

Upon hearing that Chu Chen had confessed his love to the Empress, this old geezer kept asking if she had ordered his execution.

Even if the Empress hadn't struck him down herself, surely the Elder Council of the Divine Flame Imperial Palace would have stepped in to obliterate him on the spot, right?

...

It seemed that in this old man's mind, Chu Chen was doomed to die no matter what.

But if he, Chu Chen, were dead, then who was standing right in front of him?

Chu Chen wanted to curse out loud, but after touching the Storage Ring on his finger, he held his tongue.

After all, one who eats another's food has a soft mouth, and one who takes another's gifts has short hands.

"Master, neither the Empress nor the Elder Council made a move against your disciple."

Chu Chen cupped his hands toward Qi Lao'er, then hesitated before continuing:

"On the contrary..."

Qi Lao'er's curiosity was piqued once again. Chu Chen could clearly sense the surrounding void being enveloped by a powerful Saint King-level Pressure.

If he weren't this old man's disciple, he would probably... probably have been slaughtered on the spot by this old geezer.

"On the contrary what? Speak up, my good disciple!"

"Are you trying to worry your master to death? What exactly is the Empress's attitude toward you?"

The Empress's attitude toward Chu Chen would determine the next steps for him, the Central Palace Lord. This was a matter of utmost importance! A grand affair!

Why couldn't the boy just say it all at once, leaving a several-thousand-year-old man on edge?

"Then the Empress seemed to be on the verge of a breakthrough. Her internal aura was unstable, so she hurried into Secluded Cultivation."

"But before going into seclusion, she gave me a token and told me to come to Red King Mountain to participate in the outer disciple trial."

Upon hearing this, Qi Lao'er visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

But before he could fully relax, his brow furrowed deeply, and his murky old eyes stared intently at Chu Chen, as if lost in thought.

Qi Lao'er never expected that the person backing Chu Chen was actually the Empress, Lin Shuwang.

And it was the Empress who had sent him to Red King Mountain for the outer disciple trial. This meant that this kid was no longer someone he could manipulate at will.

But this didn't conflict with his plans. The stronger this kid was, the better. When the time came...

"Haha, my good disciple, since the Empress has no intention of killing you, congratulations!"

"It seems our Empress has a favorable impression of you. This is a great blessing."

As if remembering something, Qi Lao'er suddenly reached out and patted Chu Chen on the shoulder, laughing heartily.

"Your master doesn't have many years left to live. I don't understand matters between men and women."

"But since you confessed to the Empress and weren't executed, it means she has a good impression of you!"

"But do not forget, on the Desolate Ancient Continent, strength reigns supreme. My good disciple, from now on, you must set aside all distractions and focus on improving your cultivation. That is the top priority."

As Qi Lao'er finished speaking, Chu Chen appeared moved to the point of speechlessness. He immediately cupped his fists and bowed:

"Yes, Master!"

This pair of master and disciple, each harboring their own ulterior motives, had their own secret calculations behind the scenes.

But on the surface, they were the very picture of a kind master and a filial disciple.

"By the way, I didn't personally witness the great battle between you and the Empress three years ago."

"But I heard that after that battle, the Empress was severely injured and nearly perished, while you..."

Qi Lao'er, leaning on his cane, hadn't taken two steps before he seemed to remember something else. He turned back to look at Chu Chen and continued to question him:

"You ended up with all your Meridians destroyed, your cultivation lost, and your path to the Dao severed. How is it that now..."

Before returning to the Red King Palace, Chu Chen had already prepared his explanation. He immediately replied:

"Your disciple doesn't know either. It's just that while crossing the Demon Beast Gorge, I happened upon a walking ancient tea tree, its fragrance wafting all around."

"Your disciple knew it was a treasure and reached out to grab it, but that tea tree was too fast. It vanished in the blink of an eye. I only managed to pluck a single leaf."

"After eating that leaf, I felt a warmth spread through my body, and then..."

Before Chu Chen could finish, Qi Lao'er's face flushed red as he exclaimed in shock:

"An Immortal Medicine! The Ancient Tea Tree of Enlightenment!"

"No wonder! No wonder!"

"Only a legendary Immortal Medicine could possibly restore your path to cultivation."

As Qi Lao'er said this, his face was full of envy, and his murky old eyes gleamed.

"What a pity! What a pity!"

"If I had encountered that Ancient Tea Tree of Enlightenment, why would I be in this state now..."

An Immortal Medicine was a heaven-defying treasure that could allow an ancient Great Emperor to live a second life. Qi Lao'er was only at the Saint King realm; he wouldn't even need a complete Immortal Medicine to live a second life and regain his youth.

Unfortunately, he lacked such fortune!

"Wait, an Immortal Medicine appeared in the Demon Beast Gorge? Excellent!"

"Legend says the Ancient Tea Tree of Enlightenment not only has healing properties but can also aid in comprehending the Dao."

"If I obtain this Immortal Medicine, I can not only live a second life but also break through to the Quasi-Emperor realm!"

"No! I must go to the Demon Beast Gorge right now!"

As he spoke, Qi Lao'er didn't even bother with Chu Chen anymore. He tapped his cane and directly used a great spatial divine ability to teleport to the Demon Beast Gorge.

"..."

Chu Chen was stunned. He never expected his cheap master to be so impulsive.

He had only made up a random story, and this old man was already rushing into the Demon Beast Gorge.

What kind of place was the Demon Beast Gorge?

It was a paradise for Demon Beasts, one of the forbidden lands on the Desolate Ancient Continent!

Not only were there Saint King-level Demon Emperors, but even many Demon Emperors who had entered the Emperor realm lurked within.

If things went wrong, Qi Lao'er might very well die in the Demon Beast Gorge.

"Living for several thousand years and still so reckless."

Chu Chen shook his head helplessly, then pushed open the palace gate and walked out of the Red King Palace.

He had found a cheap master and secured cultivation resources. Now it was time to start cultivating.

Reborn into a new life, Chu Chen was curious about how fast his cultivation speed would be.

Also, being able to cultivate meant his body could refine and store spiritual energy, which meant he could fully refine the Heaven-Swallowing Magic Jar, this supreme Imperial Weapon.

Supreme Imperial Weapons all possessed weapon spirits. Once fully refined, he could summon the weapon spirit to serve him.

With an Imperial Weapon spirit protecting him, wouldn't he be able to walk unhindered through the entire Divine Flame Imperial Palace?

The Heaven-Swallowing Magic Jar was Chu Chen's greatest reliance and trump card!

Finally, after waiting two more days, the ten-day limit would be up, and Chu Chen could use the Heaven-Swallowing Magic Jar to perform [Grasping Heavens] once more.

What treasure would he grab this second time?

Chu Chen was incredibly curious!

Hopefully, he could grab something that would help the Empress, Lin Shuwang. After all, the only person he owed was the Empress, Lin Shuwang.

Lost in thought, Chu Chen walked toward the Purple Bamboo Forest where Zhang Ke'er resided.

Having successfully entered the Divine Flame Imperial Palace and become a disciple of the Central Palace Lord, Qi Lao'er, he naturally needed to inform the Empress and Zhang Ke'er before starting his cultivation.

Moreover, the Empress had stripped her God Phoenix Feather to save him, causing her realm to drop and forcing her into seclusion.

How was she now? Chu Chen naturally had to go and see for himself.

Leaving the Red King Palace, he looked up to see a full moon as large as a silver plate hanging high in the nine heavens.

The cold moonlight bathed the entire Red King Mountain, shrouding the night in a hazy glow.

Following the signs, Chu Chen descended the steps, crossed a quiet lake, and arrived at the Purple Bamboo Forest.

Pushing open the half-closed courtyard gate, he hadn't taken two steps before a five-pointed starlight rose, activating a protective Formation that blocked his path.

"Zhang Ke'er! Zhang Ke'er!"

"Is anyone there? I'm Chu Chen!"

...

Standing before the Formation, Chu Chen didn't dare to barge in recklessly and could only call out.

Even if his talent was extraordinary now, he hadn't started cultivating yet.

If he were killed by the Formation, it would be a truly unjust death.

But no matter how long he called, the door remained tightly shut. It seemed Zhang Ke'er wasn't home.

Stepping back outside the courtyard, Chu Chen thought for a moment, then turned and walked toward the Empress's Imperial Palace.

The Purple Bamboo Forest, Red King Mountain, and the Empress's Imperial Palace were not far apart, forming a triangular layout.

However, Chu Chen had no cultivation and couldn't use Sword Riding, so he had to rely on his own two feet. Fortunately, the night was pleasant, and after walking for about half an hour, he reached the Empress's Imperial Palace.

Along the way, he encountered many patrolling disciples who questioned him. Fortunately, after he showed the tokens given to him by the Empress and Qi Lao'er, the disciples' attitudes immediately did a complete turnaround. They bowed respectfully and watched him leave.

"Palace Lord Bai Yu, the Empress, my master, is in seclusion in her bedchamber. Without a summons, no one may enter."

Just as he approached the Empress's Imperial Palace, he saw Zhang Ke'er, holding a long sword, blocking the Southern Palace Lord, Bai Yu.

"Besides, it's already late at night. This is not an appropriate time for an audience."

Facing Bai Yu, who was at the Saint King realm, Zhang Ke'er showed no fear. Although she was only fourteen or fifteen years old, her stern expression carried considerable authority.

"Saintess, this King means no harm. I only wish to see the Empress."

Bai Yu, holding a scroll and exuding an air of elegance, was not angered by being stopped. Instead, he looked at Zhang Ke'er with sincerity and earnestness.

"This sudden seclusion worries me. I fear the Empress might have encountered trouble in her cultivation."

"Moreover, I heard that today, the Holy Son of the Ye Family came to the Divine Flame Imperial Palace to issue a challenge to the Empress. I'm worried..."

Shing!

Before Bai Yu could finish, Zhang Ke'er, her face frosty, directly drew her long sword and said coldly,

"It is my duty. Please forgive me."

"If Palace Lord Bai Yu insists on forcing his way in, Ke'er knows she cannot stop you, but you will have to step over my corpse!"

"..."

Bai Yu was taken aback, then sighed softly. As a member of the Divine Flame Imperial Palace, he knew Zhang Ke'er's temperament all too well.

This stubborn little girl was completely single-minded and impervious to reason.

In the Divine Flame Imperial Palace, aside from the Empress, her master, she listened to no one else. She was already being polite to him.

As for the other Palace Lords...

She didn't even have a kind word for them!

Bai Yu couldn't possibly kill Zhang Ke'er. After all, she was the Saintess of the Divine Flame Imperial Palace and the beloved disciple of the Empress.

Attacking Zhang Ke'er would mean completely severing ties with the Empress and the Divine Flame Imperial Palace.

"Then... very well!"

"If the Empress emerges from seclusion, please inform me, Saintess."

Bai Yu sighed softly. Just as he was about to leave, as if remembering something, he clenched his hand, and a crimson fruit appeared in his palm.

"This is an Earth Core Fire Spirit Fruit. It contains rich fire-attribute spiritual energy and is beneficial for the Empress's cultivation and breakthrough."

"Please pass it on to her on my behalf. I will... take my leave now!"

Zhang Ke'er nodded and expressionlessly took the Earth Core Fire Spirit Fruit.

After all, he was a Saint King-level powerhouse and the Southern Palace Lord. Refusing such a small favor as passing on a spiritual fruit would be too cold and unfeeling.

Moreover, this Earth Core Fire Spirit Fruit was indeed beneficial to the Empress, Lin Shuwang.

"Thank you!"

Seeing Zhang Ke'er accept the fruit, Bai Yu smiled gently, then waved his hand, shattering the void before him and disappearing.

Clap, clap, clap!

As soon as Bai Yu left, Chu Chen clapped as he walked out of the shadows to the palace gate.

"Saintess, how impressive! I admire you!"

Chu Chen, with a flattering smile, continued to praise her:

"To dare draw your sword and block a Saint King-level powerhouse, the Saintess is truly a dragon among men. One day, you will surely enter the Emperor realm and become a Great Emperor..."

Before he could finish his flattery, Zhang Ke'er interrupted him with a cold snort.

"Hmph. Coming here shows you still have some conscience."

As she spoke, without waiting for Chu Chen to respond, Zhang Ke'er waved her hand, instantly deactivating the Formation and restrictions at the palace gate.

"If you want to see the Empress, my master, just go in directly. Stop with the flattery."

"..."

Chu Chen was momentarily speechless. He gave Zhang Ke'er a thumbs-up, then snatched the Earth Core Fire Spirit Fruit from her hand and strode straight into the palace.

"Since it's a gift for the Empress, I'll... pass it on for you. Don't mention it."

"Why are you staring at me like that? Do you think I would embezzle this spiritual fruit?"

"You underestimate me, Chu Chen, don't you?!"

"..."

Zhang Ke'er stomped her foot in anger but didn't stop him.

After entering the Imperial Palace, Chu Chen quickly closed the door behind him.

Then, looking at the graceful figure sitting cross-legged in the void at the center of the palace, his heart warmed.

As he walked toward the Empress, Lin Shuwang, he held the fruit in his hand and took big bites out of it.

Would he pass on a gift from a love rival to the Empress?

That would be pure idiocy.

...