Lu Chen's Scheme: How Much Is a Sovereign's Head Worth?

Not long afterward,

Night gradually descended, little by little shrouding the vast White Dragon City. Yet even as darkness fell, it could not conceal the city's fervor.

White Dragon City was exceptionally lively today. Besides the news of the Sovereign Spiritual Treasury that had spread from the auction house that afternoon, there was also word that a mysterious Sovereign expert had appeared.

A Sovereign Spiritual Treasury, a Sovereign expert!

These two simple phrases carried extraordinary implications, throwing the entire White Dragon City into a frenzy.

Because everyone understood what they represented.

The appearance of a mysterious Sovereign who had purchased the White Dragon Jade Pillar undoubtedly confirmed the authenticity of the White Dragon Spiritual Treasury, instantly making it an object of intense desire.

Countless people were fired up. Though they knew they could not contend with that mysterious Sovereign, surely they could at least get a sip of the soup by following along?

On a small hill deep within White Dragon Hill,

As the bonfire slowly rose, its faint glow drove away the darkness and illuminated the surrounding scenery.

"Lu Ge, have you really become a Sovereign?"

Sitting beside the bonfire, Mu Chen turned the rabbit roasting over the fire rack as he asked the figure in green beside him.

"Of course. Why would I lie to you?"

Lu Chen took a bite of rabbit leg and replied indistinctly through a mouthful of meat.

"But..."

A troubled look appeared on Mu Chen's face, and hesitation flickered in his eyes. He seemed to have something he wanted to say, yet found it difficult to voice.

"But how did I do it?"

Lu Chen swallowed the last bite of rabbit meat, narrowed his eyes slightly, and clasped his hands behind his head. Leaning back contentedly on the slope, he answered his own question.

"Actually, it was simple. I just happened to come across a cultivation technique that could improve one's aptitude, and I just happened to meet a kind big sister willing to help me. With those two things together, I luckily muddled my way into becoming a Sovereign."

"Come to think of it, choices matter more than effort. If I hadn't taken that gamble back then, perhaps I'd still be like you now, staying at Northern Azure Spiritual Academy and living a carefree life."

Lu Chen spoke with some emotion.

"Carefree?"

Mu Chen looked at Luo Li beside him and gave a bitter smile. Only he himself knew how much pressure he was under.

For Luo Li's sake, he cultivated desperately every day, all so that one day he would be qualified to go to the Western Heaven Realm and marry the girl he loved.

"Little Mu, there's no need for you to lose heart. With your talent, breaking through to Heavenly Supreme is only a matter of time."

"After all, you belong to that clan..."

A strange glint flashed through Lu Chen's eyes as he spoke with a smile.

"What clan? Lu Ge, do you know where my mother is?"

Mu Chen shuddered, excitement appearing on his face.

Even Luo Li, seated nearby, looked curious as she turned to Lu Chen.

Yet Lu Chen merely shook his head. "I can't say. Since your mother did not intend to tell you, there is no need for me to say more."

"You only need to know that your mother is safe for now. As for the rest, just cultivate diligently."

"Is that clan terrifying?"

Mu Chen's gaze sharpened, and he spoke with a grave expression.

"Of course it is. In that clan, young Sovereigns like me may not be everywhere, but they're as common as dogs. In that clan's eyes, I don't even count as an ant."

Lu Chen sighed, his tone full of sentiment.

Doesn't even count as an ant?

Lu Ge was already a Sovereign. Just how powerful was that clan?

Shock flashed through Mu Chen's eyes. Then he came back to himself, his expression turning firm again. "In that case, I absolutely cannot give up. I promised Father that I would bring Mother back!"

Silly child, perhaps your mother doesn't need saving at all?

Lu Chen gave Mu Chen a pitying glance, but did not expose the lie.

After all, Mu Chen was still young. He needed the motivation of saving his wife and mother to cultivate. Besides, the Saintess of the Ancient Buddha Clan probably would not appreciate him meddling in her affairs.

"Enough idle talk. It's time to discuss business."

"Do you know why I called you out here?"

Lu Chen rolled over and sat up, smiling at Mu Chen.

"Wasn't it to persuade me not to take part in this Spiritual Treasury struggle?"

Mu Chen asked blankly.

"That's only one reason. I know your academy's mission requirements. You only need to bring back a few items from the Spiritual Treasury to count as completing the mission, right?"

Lu Chen said seriously.

"That's true. It isn't a secret on the Northern Azure Continent, so when people from our academy participate in a Spiritual Treasury struggle, as long as we don't take anything too important, they generally won't kill us and will let us leave safely."

"This is also a mechanism the academy established to protect us."

Mu Chen nodded slightly.

"Then that settles it. You and Luo Li don't need to participate in this Spiritual Treasury struggle. I'll give you a few items to hand in, and I guarantee you'll be satisfied. But you must do me a favor."

The corners of Lu Chen's lips curved up as he spoke with keen interest.

"Ah? That would be too embarrassing..."

"Lu Ge, tell me. What is it?"

Mu Chen had originally wanted to refuse, but his waist suddenly hurt as if someone had pinched him. Turning his head, he saw Luo Li glaring fiercely at him.

Knowing that she did not want him to take risks, he could only give a bitter smile and immediately changed his words.

"How about delivering a message for me?"

A smile flashed through Lu Chen's eyes as he spoke calmly.

"Deliver a message?"

"What message? To whom?"

Mu Chen frowned, asking in confusion.

"Deliver it to your dean. Ask him how much Sovereign Spiritual Liquid the head of a Dragon Demon Palace Sovereign is worth."

Lu Chen smiled, but the killing intent in his voice made one shudder.

"Kill a Sovereign from the Dragon Demon Palace?"

Shock flashed through Mu Chen's eyes as he exclaimed.

"What? Aren't Northern Azure Spiritual Academy and the Dragon Demon Palace mortal enemies?"

"Originally, I didn't want to reveal my identity. I only planned to take the White Dragon Spiritual Treasury and leave, but I didn't expect to run into you, so I changed my plans at the last minute."

"As far as I know, the Dragon Demon Palace has killed quite a few outstanding students from Northern Azure Spiritual Academy over the years, hasn't it?"

Mu Chen nodded. "Yes. Ever since the Dragon Demon Palace failed to contend with Northern Azure Spiritual Academy for dominance several hundred years ago, its remnants have been hiding in the shadows, constantly hunting down our academy's outstanding students."

"Whether teachers or students, everyone at the academy hates them to the bone. The academy even created a bounty list containing every notable expert below the Sovereign level from the Dragon Demon Palace. Anyone who can kill someone on the bounty list will receive a generous reward from the academy."

"Then it's settled. Tell your dean that as long as he can hold off the Dragon Demon Palace's master, the Fifth Grade Sovereign Black Dragon Sovereign, I'll take care of the other five First Grade Sovereign deputy masters!"

Lu Chen said with a smile, his tone brimming with boldness.

"Take care of all of them?"

"Lu Ge, that's five Sovereigns! And the Dragon Demon Palace has always hidden itself deeply. They won't reveal themselves easily."

Mu Chen said worriedly.

"Don't worry. They're only a few worthless Sovereigns who don't even possess a Supreme Sovereign Celestial Body ranked ninety-nine or above."

"As for making them show themselves, I have my own way of making them walk straight into the trap."

Lu Chen smiled, his tone filled with indescribable confidence.