Chapter 253: Gift a Golden Core?

Ye Chen frowned inwardly at Li Feihuang’s words. No wonder she’d been so full of herself lately—she’d secured the support of a major clan in the Great Chu Empire.

But Ye Chen had zero interest in rushing off to the Great Chu Empire to fight to the death just to help her claim the throne, especially since she didn’t trigger critical hits anymore. Why would he, in his right mind, bother? Did she really think he was her loyal subject?

He’d rather spend his time crafting that spirit silk magic tool for Auntie. Not only would it likely trigger a critical hit, but it’d also come with… silky enjoyment. Besides, he’d been feeling the Nether Toxin acting up again these past few days. Once Auntie emerged from seclusion, he’d ask her to help purge it.

…

A five-hundred-fold multiplier was tempting, but without critical hits, it lost its allure. Li Feihuang could go her own way. Ye Chen planned to stay comfortably at the Divine Will Sect as a guest elder, prepare for his Nascent Soul breakthrough alongside Senior An, and then head to the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land to become a Holy Son. There, he’d gift treasures to every Holy Maiden, climbing to even greater heights. His plan was flawless. Holy Maidens would surely offer higher multipliers.

So, let the five-hundred-fold multiplier walk away. Why would he risk his life in the Great Chu Empire just to become some glorified Golden Dragon King?

He opened his mouth to refuse, but at that moment, Wang Lun spoke up. “Champion King has a wealth of talent under him. One of his prodigies, at mid-Golden Core, single-handedly slew a late Golden Core demon beast. The enemy is formidable. This battle will be incredibly perilous and concerns the Chu throne. So, Your Highness, please choose your subordinates carefully. Fellow Daoist Ye may not be weak, but he’s merely a Golden Core cultivator from a small sect. My younger brother, Wang Ming, is an Earth Spirit Root prodigy and will break through to mid-Golden Core within half a year, just in time for the battle…”

Wang Lun clearly didn’t want Ye Chen taking a spot. The Wang Clan had bet heavily on Li Feihuang and wanted to maximize their gains without outsiders sharing the spoils. Plus, victory came with significant rewards that could elevate the Wang Clan’s strength.

Ye Chen smirked inwardly.

A small sect? Did I eat your family’s rice or something?

Before he could respond, Li Feihuang cut in decisively. “Fellow Daoist Ye is exceptionally strong. It’s him.”

Having awakened her Moon Phoenix Body, Li Feihuang was confident but not blind. She knew Ye Chen was formidable, having once defeated her, which spoke volumes about his combat prowess. She was also aware of the Wang Clan’s motives. If she ascended the throne, she couldn’t rely solely on them. Ye Chen had supported her wholeheartedly during her lowest moments, his loyalty unquestionable.

Though she hadn’t kept close tabs on Ye Chen lately, she knew he’d taken the role of guest elder at the Divine Will Sect—a position no one would take unless they were short on resources. Yet, even in such straits, he still sent her resources regularly. His devotion was undeniable. Even if he hadn’t broken through to mid-Golden Core, she’d have found a way to help him advance and secure him a spot to balance the Wang Clan’s influence in the future. Her father had taught her the art of imperial balance.

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Wang Lun frowned at her resolve but said nothing.

Li Feihuang continued, “The Great Chu Empire has accumulated imperial aura over countless years, which can rapidly boost a cultivator’s strength without any drawbacks. If I win, my two subordinates will each gain a chance to be infused with this imperial aura, saving at least ten years of arduous cultivation.

“Additionally, they can choose a treasure from the empire’s treasury. With a history spanning twenty thousand years and conquests across the land, our treasury holds countless rare treasures, like the Nether King’s Gall, coveted by blood cultivators. It can elevate a Blood Spirit Root to a Nether Spirit Root, nearly comparable to a Heavenly Spirit Root. We have one in our treasury, among many other extraordinary items.”