The Golden Spatula Star Luo Branch, The Zhu Family's Opportunity

After leaving the palace, Yi Chen did not linger and headed straight back to the Zhu Mansion.

Zhu Zhuqing and her sister, Zhu Zhuyun, were waiting in the living room. Seeing him return safe and sound, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhu Zhuqing hurried forward, her eyes filled with concern. "Master, how did it go?"

Yi Chen sat down in a chair, picked up the tea the maid had just brewed, and took a sip. His tone was as casual as if he were commenting on the weather. "It's done. The engagement is annulled. The Emperor of the Star Luo Empire issued a decree himself; from now on, you and Dai Mubai have no further connection."

Zhu Zhuqing froze.

Although she knew that with her master stepping in, there was a high probability of success, she still felt a sense of unreality upon hearing the news.

That engagement which had weighed on her heart for years, that shackle which had startled her awake from nightmares countless times, had just been... undone?

"It's really... annulled?" Zhu Zhuqing's voice trembled, as if she couldn't believe it was true.

Yi Chen set down his teacup and looked at her. "What, do you not trust your master's abilities?"

"No, no!" Zhu Zhuqing shook her head hurriedly, though her eyes turned uncontrollably red.

She lowered her head, clutching the corners of her clothes tightly, her voice choked with emotion. "I just... I just didn't expect it to be so fast..."

Zhu Zhuyun stepped forward, gently wrapping her arms around her sister's shoulders, and said softly, "Silly girl, this is a good thing. Why are you crying?"

Zhu Zhuqing sniffled and nodded vigorously, but she didn't look up; she didn't want her master and sister to see her crying.

Yi Chen did not call out her little stubbornness. Instead, he turned to Zhu Zhuyun and asked, "Miss Zhuyun, where is your father? I have some matters to discuss with him."

Zhu Zhuyun was slightly startled, then quickly replied, "Father is in the study. I will go invite him at once."

Before long, the Zhu Patriarch hurried into the living room. He had already learned of Yi Chen's feat of storming the palace to annul the engagement from news sent from the palace, and his awe for this young Limit Douluo had deepened even further.

As soon as he entered, he cupped his hands in a salute. "Elder Yi Chen, thank you for standing up for my daughter regarding today's events."

Yi Chen waved his hand. "Patriarch Zhu, there is no need for such formalities. Zhuqing is my disciple; this was my duty."

He paused, then continued, "However, I have another matter I wish to discuss with you today."

"Please, Elder, speak your mind."

Yi Chen picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and set it back down, looking at the Zhu Patriarch with a calm gaze. "I want to grant the Zhu Family the exclusive agency rights for the Battle of the Golden Spatula within the Star Luo Empire."

The Zhu Patriarch was stunned.

Although he was not among the first to come into contact with the Golden Spatula, he was well aware of the waves the Battle of the Golden Spatula had been making across the continent recently.

With Spirit Hall promoting it with all their might, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect responding actively, and the Poison Douluo Dugu Bo publicly endorsing it... the influence of this game was expanding at an astonishing speed.

If he could secure the exclusive agency rights for the Star Luo Empire, it would be an immeasurable source of wealth and resources for the Zhu Family!

"Elder Yi Chen, are you serious?" The Zhu Patriarch's voice tightened.

Yi Chen nodded. "Naturally. However, I have a few conditions."

"Please, Elder, state them!"

"First, the Zhu Family must build a Golden Spatula Pavilion in Star Luo City, with specifications modeled after the one in Spirit City. I will provide the construction materials, but the Zhu Family will be responsible for the site selection and construction."

The Zhu Patriarch nodded repeatedly. "That is only natural, that is only natural!"

"Second, once the pavilion is built, the Zhu Family will receive thirty percent of the operating profits, while the remaining seventy percent will be used for the promotion and development of the Golden Spatula across the continent."

Yi Chen held up three fingers. "Of course, if the Zhu Family makes additional contributions to the promotion, the profit-sharing ratio can be adjusted accordingly."

The Zhu Patriarch agreed almost without hesitation. "No problem!"

"Third," Yi Chen's gaze became more serious, "the Zhu Family must select a group of talented disciples to undergo professional training for the Golden Spatula. In the future, these people will become the backbone of the Golden Spatula in the Star Luo Empire."

The Zhu Patriarch took a deep breath and bowed solemnly. "Rest assured, Elder Yi Chen, my Zhu Family will spare no effort and will not fail your trust!"

Yi Chen nodded with satisfaction. "Very well. Then it is settled. In a few days, I will send someone to deliver the construction materials and a detailed operational plan. Patriarch Zhu can begin selecting the site in advance."

"Good, good!" The Zhu Patriarch's face was full of joy as he spoke.

Zhu Zhuyun, standing to the side, watched her father's joyful expression and then looked at Yi Chen's calm and indifferent demeanor, feeling deeply moved.

This young man, who was only a few years older than her sister, had first entered the palace single-handedly, forcing the Emperor to issue a decree to annul the engagement.

In the blink of an eye, he had presented them with a gift that could change the fate of the Zhu Family.

The strength of a Limit Douluo, combined with the potential of the Battle of the Golden Spatula... the heights this man would reach in the future were simply unimaginable.

And for her sister to be able to take him as her master was truly a heaven-sent blessing.

"Zhuqing," Yi Chen suddenly turned to her, a hint of a smile in his tone.

"From now on, you are the brand ambassador for the Golden Spatula in the Star Luo Empire. Don't embarrass your master."

Zhu Zhuqing looked up, the tears in her eyes having faded, replaced by a glimmer of determination. "Don't worry, Master, I will not let you down."

Yi Chen nodded and stood up. "Alright, everything is finished, so I should be heading back. Those two girls, Rongrong and Xiao Wu, are probably already getting impatient waiting at the back mountain."

Zhu Zhuqing quickly said, "Master, I will go back with you."

Yi Chen glanced at her, then at Zhu Zhuyun standing beside her, and waved his hand. "No rush. You have finally resolved the knot between you and your sister; stay a few more days. It won't be too late to return once the Star Luo branch is on the right track."

Zhu Zhuqing hesitated for a moment. "But..."

"But what?" Yi Chen interrupted her. "Do you dare to disobey your master's words?"

Zhu Zhuqing opened her mouth, but in the end, she still obediently nodded. "Yes, Master."

Yi Chen smiled with satisfaction and turned to walk toward the door.

As he reached the entrance, he suddenly remembered something, turned back, and said, "Oh, that's right, Miss Zhuyun."

Zhu Zhuyun hurriedly replied, "What instructions do you have, Elder?"

"You are also a direct descendant of the Zhu Family. If you are interested, you are welcome to come and play Battle of the Golden Spatula as well."

A meaningful smile tugged at the corners of Yi Chen's mouth. "I see that your aptitude is quite good; perhaps you might even have more talent in this area than your sister."

Having said that, he did not wait for Zhu Zhuyun to answer and strode out of the Zhu Mansion.

He left Zhu Zhuyun standing where she was, watching his retreating figure with a complex glint flashing in her eyes.

Battle of the Golden Spatula...

Perhaps this truly was an opportunity for the Zhu Family.