Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, Qian Renxue's Filial Devotion to Her Parents
The next day.
The weather was fine and sunny.
The city gates of Heaven Dou City were now under martial law, jointly enforced by the Royal Knights and the City Garrison Guard, and no one was allowed to enter or leave.
Outside the city gate, a wide red carpet stretching for miles had been laid out. On the red carpet, Zhu Zhuqing, Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan, and Xue Ke were surrounding Zhou Chen and Yu Tianmeng, chattering incessantly, mainly reminding Zhou Chen to be careful.
Xue Ke even buried her face in Zhou Chen's chest, sobbing softly.
Zhou Chen felt no annoyance at all; on the contrary, his heart was filled with tenderness.
After all, parting is always painful. He was about to go to the Star Dou Great Forest, and the round trip would take at least several months, or even half a year. It was inevitable that he would feel sad before leaving.
Just as Zhou Chen and the women were bidding each other a reluctant farewell, a gentle and refined voice rang out:
"Zhou Chen, the Star Dou Great Forest is not far from the Shrek Academy. I wrote a letter to Rong Rong, and I would appreciate it if you could take it with you."
The speaker was Ning Fengzhi. He and Sword Douluo had both come to see Zhou Chen off today.
Not only Ning Fengzhi, but also Xue Ye and Crown Prince Xue Qinghe came.
After all, the Purple Micro Palace, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School are allies now, and Xue Ye is Zhou Chen's Father-in-law. The fact that Zhou Chen is about to embark on a long journey cannot be kept from them no matter what.
To show their affection and loyalty to Zhou Chen, they all came to see him off.
As for the powerful figures from the Purple Micro Palace such as Dugu Bo, the Three Elders of the Shi Family, Wang Sheng, Marx, they all came without exception.
At this moment, Ning Fengzhi was looking at Zhou Chen with a smile, and handed him a letter.
Zhou Chen took the letter and put it away, then said calmly, "Sect Master Ning, please rest assured, I will definitely deliver this letter."
"Thank you very much."
Ning Fengzhi smiled, then glanced at Xue Ye standing not far away, and whispered to Zhou Chen, "Zhou Chen, His Majesty has come to see us off in person, you should at least go over and say hello."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen suddenly understood.
Yes, after all, the Xue Ye, yet he's here flirting with these women, leaving his Father-in-law, the Emperor, standing aside. It's rather unreasonable, both in terms of sentiment and logic.
It has to be said that Ning Fengzhi is better at dealing with people.
"Thank you for your guidance, Sect Master Ning."
Zhou Chen nodded his thanks, then said something to the women before striding up to Xue Ye and saying with respect, "Thank you for seeing me off, Father-in-law -in-law. I am deeply grateful."
"Haha, between you and me, father-in-law and son-in-law, why bother with thanks?"
Xue Ye laughed heartily, his voice booming. Now, having taken the Longevity Pill, his complexion was rosy, and his hair and beard were gray-black, making him look like a middle-aged man.
Last night, he learned from Xue Ke that Zhou Chen was about to go to the Star Dou Great Forest, so he decided to personally see him off today in order to enhance the relationship between father-in-law and son-in-law and to better win over Zhou Chen.
"Chen'er, I am your Father-in-law, and also your half-father. The Star Dou Great Forest, your destination, is fraught with danger. Today, your Father-in-law will give you a protective treasure."
As he spoke, Xue Ye clapped his hands, and a servant brought a brocade tray to Zhou Chen.
A red cloth covered the brocade plate, and something bulged out underneath. Xue Ye pointed to the plate and said with a smile, "Open it and take a look. I'm sure you won't be disappointed."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen's heart stirred. He lifted the red cloth, and immediately, a dazzling blue light spread out!
On the brocade plate lay a triangular crystal, resembling a sapphire carved from jade. A shimmering blue light emanated from within the triangular crystal!
Upon seeing this, Qian Renxue, who was impersonating Xue Qinghe, felt a pang of pain in her heart. How could she give away this treasure? Especially not to Zhou Chen, that cunning villain?
This is a magical artifact!
Wouldn't it be better to leave it to the Spirit Hall?
Ning Fengzhi, Dugu Bo, Ye Yinzhu, and others not far away also showed expressions of envy.
"The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud?"
Upon seeing this familiar triangular shape, Zhou Chen couldn't help but exclaim.
"Indeed, this is the national treasure of my Heaven Dou Empire — the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud! This item has many wondrous uses; you will understand them once you infuse your Soul Power into it. I hope it can protect your safety."
Xue Ye spoke lightly, but his eyes still occasionally revealed a look of heartache.
The Heaven Dou Empire had treasured this item for over a thousand years, so it naturally understood how precious the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. If the royal family weren't currently weak and in dire need of winning over talented and powerful allies, it wouldn't have given this item to Zhou Chen.
"Thank you, Father-in-law."
Zhou Chen readily agreed. The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was a divine artifact of the First-Level Main God, the Sea God, and the most crucial key to inheriting the Sea God Godhood. Only a fool would refuse it!
"Haha, I'm glad you like it."
Xue Ye waved his hand dismissively, then said affectionately, "Alright, Father-in-law, I won't disturb you and Xue Ke's farewell any longer. I'll head back to the palace now."
Without further ado, Xue Ye waved his hand, and the nearby palace eunuchs and imperial guards escorted him away.
Qian Renxue lagged behind, looking at Zhou Chen with a smile on her delicate, handsome face, and said, "Zhou Chen, you must be careful on your journey to the Star Dou Great Forest. My sister is waiting for you to come back."
"Of course, Your Crown Prince Your Highness rest assured."
Zhou Chen said with a smile.
"Still calling me Your Crown Prince Your Highness? That's too formal," Qian Renxue frowned, feigning anger.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly. Should I call you "Your Crown Prince Your Highness" instead of "Your Highness"?
Of course, Zhou Chen would never say these words aloud.
He reached out and put his arm around Qian Renxue's thin shoulder, taking full advantage of her, and said affectionately, "Since you don't like being called His Crown Prince Your Highness, I'll call you Brother-in-law from now on."
"That's... very good."
Held tightly in Zhou Chen's arms, Qian Renxue felt extremely annoyed and uncomfortable, but she had to pretend not to mind.
Fortunately, Zhou Chen was quite sensible.
Before Qian Renxue could completely erupt, Zhou Chen decisively released her, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Brother-in-law, until we meet again."
Take care on your journey.
Qian Renxue forced a smile and said something that didn't come from her heart.
After saying that, Qian Renxue quickly turned around and left with Xue Ye's imperial carriage.
She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, Zhou Chen would come over and hug her again, taking advantage of her.
Seeing Qian Renxue flee in panic, Zhou Chen's lips curled up.
He felt secretly delighted to be able to take advantage of the angel sister like this.
"Zhou Chen, Xue Qinghe is a good kid. You should get along well with him in the future."
Ning Fengzhi walked over and said in a gentle tone.
As the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Ning Fengzhi was quite satisfied with Xue Qinghe, a disciple who was filial to his parents and kind-hearted.