Chapter 262: Betting with Ye Chen’s Life?

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.