"Let's go!"

Outside Divine Will City, a massive, opulent building-ship hovered, exuding grandeur. It belonged to Wang Lun's family. Stepping onto the deck, Li Feihuang's red hair danced in the wind, her aura commanding. Her stunning, regal face radiated unshakable confidence.

This return to Great Chu wasn't about proving her worth—it was about reclaiming everything she'd lost with her own hands.

Wang Lun stood behind her, his eyes gleaming as he envisioned his future as the imperial consort. Despite the setbacks during his time in the Divine Will Sect, as long as the outcome was favorable, nothing else mattered. He glanced at Ye Chen, who'd also boarded the ship, but paid him little mind. Once they reached the Great Chu capital, someone would make Ye Chen see the chasm between them. He'd abandon the slot and slink away in defeat.

With Li Feihuang's command, the building-ship ascended, its colossal bow piercing the clouds as it thundered toward the Great Chu Empire.

…

As the throne succession contest drew closer, the Great Chu capital buzzed with unprecedented activity. Cultivators from across the empire flooded in, joined by powerhouses from neighboring major forces to observe the ceremony. Discussions naturally centered on who would emerge victorious.

Champion King was renowned for his terrifying combat prowess, commanding an ancient war chariot that crushed all foes. Few in the Golden Core stage could challenge him, his reputation towering. Yet, the empire's princess, Li Feihuang, reportedly possessed the elite Moon Phoenix Body. Debates over who would win raged on.

Within the empire, various factions placed their bets, eager to claim the glory of backing the victor. But a sudden piece of news swept through the capital like a bucket of cold water, silencing the fervor.

"Champion King fought the North Nether Ancestor for three days and nights, and the North Nether Ancestor withdrew!"

The North Nether Ancestor was a famed Nascent Soul rogue cultivator, one of the rare few to reach that stage without a sect. Even if rogue cultivators were considered weaker, a Nascent Soul was still a Nascent Soul. That Champion King, a mere Golden Core cultivator, could fight him to a draw was staggering.

Skepticism abounded, but as recording stones capturing the battle circulated, doubts vanished. The stones showed Champion King atop his ancient war chariot, wreathed in divine flames, wielding a long halberd against the North Nether Ancestor. Awe replaced skepticism.

The outcome of the throne contest now seemed a foregone conclusion. With Champion King's Golden Core strength rivaling a Nascent Soul, his power was near the pinnacle of what the stage could achieve.

…

"It's said Champion King obtained an ancient inheritance from the war chariot."

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"That halberd he wields looks extraordinary, likely retrieved from an ancient battlefield."

"He's like an ancient war god, summoning battle spirits to fight his enemies."

"Champion King's methods are endless—a true son of heaven, a born emperor."

The crowd marveled, convinced the upcoming contest held no suspense.

In Champion King's mansion, a man in battle armor sat at the head, his gaze cold and commanding, as if the world lay beneath him. Below, his subordinates looked up with awe.

A man in a green robe entered, beaming. "Greetings, Lord! The Zhao, Qian, Sun, and Wang Clans have just sent calling cards, requesting an audience."

Champion King didn't even lift his eyes, his voice booming like thunder. "Tell the Zhao, Qian, and Sun Clans to offer a hundred times the resources they gave Li Feihuang as an apology. As for the Wang Clan? Throw out whatever they send. After this is over, their clan will be razed, and their line extinguished. The Great Chu Empire has no need for them."

His subordinates' eyes gleamed with excitement. The green-robed man bowed. "Your wisdom is flawless, Lord. You deliberately suppressed news of your draw with a Nascent Soul, luring Li Feihuang into agreeing to advance the throne contest before the ancestor emerges. You even spread word of her Moon Phoenix Body within the empire, baiting those who oppose you to reveal themselves. Now, you can crush them all in one sweep, killing the chicken to warn the monkey."

Unlike his exhilarated subordinates, Champion King's expression remained impassive, his eyes devoid of ripples. To him, neither Li Feihuang nor Wang Lun were worthy adversaries.

His gaze shifted to the far end of the hall, where a barefoot woman sat, idly swinging her feet, seemingly indifferent to the world. The others followed his gaze, their eyes flashing with wariness.

This woman, Su Yuxuan, was terrifyingly powerful. Her blood-path techniques were masterful. Had Champion King not intervened, his strongest subordinate, the Flying Dragon General, would've been refined alive by her. And her reason for attacking? To secure a subordinate slot in the throne contest.

The subordinates had been dumbfounded. With your strength, wouldn't Champion King have welcomed you with open arms? A simple spar would've sufficed—why go for the kill?

Despite her sweet, alluring appearance, no one dared linger on her, fearing her wrath. Only Champion King watched her with interest, his domineering eyes betraying unmasked possessiveness.

…

On the building-ship, Ye Chen leaned against the railing, gazing out. They had entered Great Chu territory days ago, and the capital was reportedly close. The nearly month-long journey hadn't been dull.

Beyond cultivating, Ye Chen soaked in the breathtaking natural splendor of the cultivation world—majestic mountains and rivers far surpassing anything from his past life's Earth. With Li Feihuang on board, he also kept up his gifting routine without delay.

At that moment, Wang Lun, dressed in an ornate robe, emerged from the cabin. His face darkened the instant he saw Ye Chen. This journey was supposed to be his chance to bond with Li Feihuang. He'd prepared an array of precious gifts, but Ye Chen had outdone him spectacularly.

Every gift Ye Chen offered was a treasure, valued at tens of thousands of high-grade spirit stones, some even reaching 100,000. In just a month, Ye Chen had gifted items worth at least 300,000 high-grade spirit stones, making Wang Lun's carefully curated presents seem too modest to offer.

Even worse, Wang Lun's two maidservants had started casting increasingly fervent glances at Ye Chen. His failure to outshine Ye Chen in gifting and relationship-building fueled his rage. His initial plan to merely teach Ye Chen a lesson and scare him off had evolved. Now, he wanted Ye Chen's treasures—and his life.

…

Though Wang Lun's heart burned with murderous intent, his face remained impassive, betraying nothing. Then, as the silhouette of an immense, sprawling city appeared on the horizon, a smirk curved his lips.

The Great Chu capital had finally come into view.

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