Agreeing to Yun Yun's Invitation, the Mysterious Iron Fragment

At their words, everyone turned to look toward the entrance.

"Sect Master Yun Yun, what are you doing here?" Jia Xingtian frowned at the sight of her, his tone somewhat displeased.

The relationship between the royal family and the Misty Cloud Sect had always been tense. With Yun Yun arriving at this moment, Jia Xingtian guessed that she had likely come for Tang Chen.

That was why he was somewhat dissatisfied. He did not want Tang Chen to be won over by Yun Yun.

Yun Yun paid no attention to Jia Xingtian's displeasure. Her gaze swept over Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa one by one. When she saw Medusa, a trace of surprise appeared on her face. Then, her eyes finally settled on Tang Chen.

When she saw Tang Chen, a smile appeared on her face, and her eyes were full of gratitude as she said softly, "I came to see this lord."

Seeing the way Yun Yun looked at Tang Chen, Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa immediately furrowed their lovely brows. This woman had come with ill intent.

"It has been a long time, Sect Master Yun." Tang Chen set down his tea and nodded to Yun Yun.

"So Your Excellency has long known Sect Master Yun. This old man was in the wrong. Sect Master Yun, please sit." Seeing that Yun Yun seemed to have a close relationship with Tang Chen, Jia Xingtian put away his displeasure and immediately had servants bring her a seat.

"Your Excellency may simply call me Yun Yun. You saved my life, and I have always kept that kindness in my heart. I wanted to find an opportunity to repay you, but I never had the chance."

After sitting down, Yun Yun ignored the looks from Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian. Her gaze remained fixed on Tang Chen as she spoke of the favor he had shown her.

"Now that Your Excellency has come as a guest to the Imperial City, the Misty Cloud Sect is also part of the Jia Ma Empire. Yun Yun wishes to invite Your Excellency to visit the Misty Cloud Sect, both to welcome you and to repay the debt of saving my life."

"Alright. I'll go tomorrow." After thinking for a moment, Tang Chen replied calmly.

Yun Yun had thought Tang Chen would refuse again, but he unexpectedly agreed, which made her very happy.

Hearing Yun Yun's words just now also reminded Tang Chen that, when his soul perception had covered the Imperial City before, he had vaguely sensed a wind-attributed natural treasure within the Misty Cloud Sect.

Tang Chen also wanted to take this opportunity to see exactly what that natural treasure was.

After that, they chatted for a while, mainly discussing with Medusa the Snake-People Tribe's habitat, as well as matters concerning how the Snake-People Tribe and humans would coexist.

Those matters were not for Tang Chen to handle, so Medusa naturally took charge of them.

It had to be said that, as the queen of the Snake-People Tribe, Medusa was exceptionally capable in every area besides cultivation.

Especially when she discussed matters with Jia Xingtian, she exuded confidence from head to toe, carrying herself every bit like a queen.

When the time was about right, Yun Yun took her leave early and returned to her sect to make preparations.

Jia Xingtian arranged a residence for Tang Chen and the others, practically the highest standard the royal family could offer. Not only was it lavishly decorated, but many maidservants had also been assigned to attend to their daily needs.

Tang Chen did not refuse. He moved in with the women, with Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin each taking a room. As for Medusa, the little maidservant, she naturally shared a room with Tang Chen.

As Tang Chen's personal maidservant, she was required to stay personal—at least according to Tang Chen's strict standards.

Not long after settling in, Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin began clamoring to go out and have a look around.

Seeing that it was still early and that they had nothing else to do, Tang Chen took the women out to stroll through the bustling streets of the Imperial City.

Though the Jia Ma Empire was not as prosperous as the Central Plains, it was still far more bustling than the cities where Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin had lived. There were many things they had never seen before.

"Tang Chen, look at this! It's so fun!"

"This is delicious! Tang Chen, have some too!"

"..."

The two little girls found everything novel and wanted to try it all.

Tang Chen did not spoil their mood. He bought them whatever they wanted, leaving the two girls thrilled. Their hands could barely hold all the toys and snacks, while their little cheeks puffed out from all the food they were eating.

Although Medusa was not as lively as the two little girls, the curiosity in her eyes showed that even the queen found these things quite novel.

Whenever Medusa took a liking to something, she was too concerned with appearances to ask for it directly like Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian did.

But how sharp was the perception of a Dou Zun expert? Tang Chen noticed Medusa's expression whenever she wanted something but was too embarrassed to say so, and he could not help finding it amusing that this queen cared so much about saving face.

Still, Tang Chen found this side of Medusa rather adorable.

Tang Chen fulfilled her wishes one by one, buying Medusa everything she wanted.

After getting what she wanted, a smile unconsciously appeared on the queen's face, and her heart felt sweet.

After wandering around for a long time, they had nearly toured the entire Imperial City. The four of them had also relaxed thoroughly.

As night fell, Tang Chen prepared to take the four of them back. But as they passed a street stall, an iron fragment on it caught his attention.

"This iron fragment... seems somewhat strange." Tang Chen stared at the iron fragment on the stall, confusion appearing on his face.

Tang Chen gathered several other items together with the iron fragment and said to the vendor, "Wrap these up. I'll take them."

The vendor had originally wanted to fleece Tang Chen, but seeing his luxurious clothing and extraordinary bearing, he knew Tang Chen was no ordinary man and did not dare play any tricks. He simply quoted a fair price.

After considering it, Tang Chen felt the price was about right and paid for the items.

Tang Chen had plenty of money, but that did not mean others could treat him like a fool. If anyone truly tried that, Tang Chen would not mind launching an activity called beating them up.

When the four returned to their residence, everyone except Tang Chen was carrying a full load. Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin had not stopped eating, while even Medusa held a candied hawthorn skewer and ate it elegantly.

Tang Chen did not linger. Instead, he found a secluded chamber. He was eager to learn what was hidden inside this iron fragment.

After entering the chamber and determining its rough material, Tang Chen chose to refine it with Heavenly Flames.

The material was quite tough. Tang Chen burned it with Heavenly Flames for several minutes, yet it did not change in the slightest.

However, as time passed, under the burning of Tang Chen's fused Heavenly Flames, the outer layer of the iron fragment began to peel away, gradually revealing its true form.

Tang Chen increased the intensity of the flames. Before long, the iron fragment's outer shell had completely fallen away. A flash of green light radiated from within, accompanied by densely packed dark green runes. Together, they illuminated the entire chamber.

Once those runes emerged, they circled Tang Chen's body. Tang Chen also released his soul perception to determine whether they carried any danger.

After checking, Tang Chen found no danger. With a wave of his hand, the runes surged into the center of his brow, and he learned the contents recorded within them.

"So that's how it is." After learning what the runes contained, Tang Chen's lips curved slightly. "Looks like I'll be busy next."