Three days later, at the imperial palace of the Jia Ma Empire.
Inside the great hall, Jia Xingtian gazed respectfully at Chen Xuan, who sat before him. He took out a Storage Ring and said, "Your Majesty, nearly all the high-grade materials you asked me to gather are here. However, there were some seventh-tier medicinal materials that I couldn't find even after searching the entire empire."
Chen Xuan's eyes brightened at his words. He took the Storage Ring from Jia Xingtian and said slowly, "Forget the ones you couldn't find. I never held much hope in the first place."
"Teacher, won't you stay a little longer? It's been so long since I last saw you!"
Beside Jia Xingtian, a mischievous look appeared on Yao Yue's delicate face as she wheedled at Chen Xuan.
"You little imp."
Chen Xuan shook his head slightly before saying, "I only intended to come and see how the Jia Ma Empire was developing. I've already delayed my journey quite a bit."
"And you, Yao Yue-although you've reached the Dou Emperor realm, don't get too proud. Remember, there are always people beyond people, and heavens beyond the heavens."
"You mustn't slack off now. Forget anyone farther afield; just look at Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran, whom you know well. They've both reached the Dou Emperor realm, and Xiao Yan has probably already surpassed you."
Yao Yue's expression shifted slightly at his words.
She had managed to become a Four-Star Dou Emperor at her age because the Ten-Thousand-Year Vermilion Fruit her teacher had given her greatly improved her aptitude. Combined with the endless resources of the Jia Ma Empire, whose power had now grown tremendously, that had allowed her to reach her present realm.
Yet she hadn't expected Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran to keep pace and