The Great Chu capital was colossal, dwarfing Divine Will City by more than tenfold. Even Ye Chen couldn't see the city's edges at a glance. Its surface shimmered with countless array patterns, exuding an impregnable aura. The ancient, weathered charm hit newcomers with overwhelming awe.

Wang Lun sneered inwardly at Ye Chen's astonished expression, his disdain palpable.

Unnoticed, Li Feihuang emerged from the cabin, clad in a golden gown embroidered with phoenixes, her red hair pinned high with a golden hairpin. Her regal beauty radiated a cold, commanding arrogance.

"The Great Chu capital—I'm back," she murmured, her eyes swirling with complex emotions.

Wang Lun smiled lightly. "In half an hour, we'll reach the capital. I'll notify my clan to welcome Your Highness at the city gate. Once news of your return spreads, the entire capital will be abuzz."

Li Feihuang nodded slightly. After her breakthrough to Golden Core, not only had the Wang Clan reached out, but all four major clans of Great Chu had courted her favor, sending treasures.

Countless minor clans and court officials had followed suit. When she'd fled like a stray dog, humiliated, her return now demanded attention. She would prove her strength, erase her shame, and reclaim what was hers.

She wanted the entire Great Chu Empire to know: Li Feihuang, Princess of Great Chu, has returned!

As the building-ship neared the capital, Li Feihuang unleashed her aura. Moon Phoenix power surged, and a divine phoenix silhouette materialized, circling above her, its wings scattering radiant moonlight. Bathed in its glow, she stood at the ship's bow like a lunar goddess, dazzling and untouchable.

Her terrifying presence forced Wang Lun to step back, his heart marveling at the Moon Phoenix Body's might. Ye Chen, however, remained unfazed, lounging against the railing, calmly watching her show off.

But as they approached the main city gate, Li Feihuang's brow furrowed. The gate was crowded, but most were mere spectators. Only a handful—barely dozens—had come to greet her, all from the Wang Clan. Where were the other clans? The court officials?

Though puzzled, sensing something amiss, she descended into the city under the phoenix silhouette's glow, her head held high, her aura undiminished. Her overwhelming pressure rolled out like a tide, making low-tier cultivators tremble.

The onlookers at the gate buzzed with shock at her display of power.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" The Wang Clan patriarch led his dozens of clansmen in a respectful bow.

Li Feihuang nodded calmly. "Why are you the only ones here?"

The patriarch sighed. "It's complicated. Please, Your Highness, come to our residence to discuss."

Now certain something unknown had transpired in the capital, Li Feihuang nodded, retracting the phoenix silhouette. She stepped gracefully onto the Wang Clan's ornate spiritual beast carriage but glanced back at Ye Chen in the crowd. "Fellow Daoist Ye, come with me."

Li Feihuang's heart stirred with unease, a flicker of panic beneath her composed exterior. She insisted on keeping Ye Chen close. His unwavering, costly support proved his loyalty—unlike the Wang Clan, which might falter, Ye Chen would never betray her. Having such an ally by her side steadied her nerves.

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Her decision drew a frown from the Wang Clan patriarch, who sized up Ye Chen. Wang Lun's face darkened further, but Ye Chen ignored them, striding confidently onto the ornate carriage. The carriage soon glided into the city, escorted by the Wang Clan.

Inside, Li Feihuang sat in silence, her expression grave. Ye Chen observed her, noting her grand entrance had fizzled—her attempt to awe the capital had fallen flat with only a handful of greeters. He suspected Champion King had dropped his facade and revealed his true strength.

At the Wang residence, the patriarch's solemn revelation confirmed it: Champion King had stopped pretending. He'd shown his hand—capable of battling a Nascent Soul.

Li Feihuang maintained her calm facade, but her jade hands clenched beneath her sleeves. Champion King can fight a Nascent Soul? No wonder the major clans that had secretly backed her were absent, not even a shadow of them at the gate. They feared Champion King's wrath and future retribution.

And the Wang Clan? Though they appeared to stand with her, given Champion King's ruthless reputation, he'd likely make an example of someone to deter others. The Wang Clan was the obvious target. They likely had no choice but to align with her, or they'd have abandoned her too.

Watching the recording stone's footage of Champion King's battle with the North Nether Ancestor, Li Feihuang's heart sank. Even with her confidence, the sight of him commanding an ancient war chariot, radiating imperial dominance, shook her resolve. Could she, a mid-Golden Core cultivator, really challenge him? At late Golden Core, she might have a strong chance to suppress him, but now…

Champion King clearly knew this, which explained why he'd broken tradition to advance the throne contest, catching her off guard.

At that moment, several figures with towering auras stormed into the mansion. The Wang Clan members moved to intercept but froze upon seeing the intruders' battle armor, not daring to step forward.

The burly newcomers, brimming with battle intent, stood before Li Feihuang, their eyes devoid of respect. "By Champion King's decree: if Li Feihuang concedes, she'll be named Princess of Peace, and all past grievances will be forgotten."

The Wang Clan's faces paled. If Li Feihuang surrendered, their hopes would collapse.

Li Feihuang let out a cold laugh. "A mere Champion King dares issue decrees? Let him become emperor first. And you dare to address me by name?"

In an instant, a phoenix silhouette materialized, unleashing torrents of Southern Radiant Fire. The intruders' expressions shifted as they cast spells, but the flames devoured their magic. Moments later, they were blasted back, coughing blood, their faces twisting in horror as the fire began to erode and burn their spiritual energy.

Li Feihuang gazed down coldly. "Scram!"

The intruders fled in panic.

…

The Wang Clan members' eyes glinted with hope at the display. The divine general who'd delivered the decree, a mid-Golden Core cultivator, hadn't lasted a single exchange against Li Feihuang. The Moon Phoenix Body's might was undeniable—ordinary late Golden Core cultivators wouldn't stand a chance. Perhaps Li Feihuang could indeed hold her own against Champion King in the arena.

Li Feihuang's expression remained aloof. As a princess, she could afford to lose, but to surrender without a fight? Unacceptable. She had to fight.

The Wang Clan was now tethered to her, with no choice but to back her. But Ye Chen? Her gaze flickered as she looked at him. Even if she lost, as royalty, she'd likely face only house arrest. The ancestor might not care who took the throne, but royal bloodshed was strictly forbidden. Internal power struggles never resulted in a royal's death.

However, Champion King's ruthless nature meant her supporters wouldn't be so lucky. They'd face dire consequences—likely a fate worse than death. Ye Chen had been unwaveringly loyal, sparing no expense for her cause. With victory uncertain, Li Feihuang couldn't bear the thought of him dying at Champion King's hands. Perhaps she should urge him to leave now.

Yet, Ye Chen's strength was formidable. He'd crushed Wang Lun effortlessly. If he faced Champion King, he could deplete some of his strength and reveal more of his trump cards, potentially giving her a chance to win. But that would mean gambling with Ye Chen's life for her throne.

For a moment, Li Feihuang wavered, torn by indecision.

…

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