The next morning.
Ling Xueyao's long eyelashes trembled slightly as she looked up at Chu Yunfei's muscular chest.
She was curled up in his arms, with one of her slender arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
Ling Xueyao's body froze instantly.
Last night's absurd memories flooded my mind like a tidal wave.
Once is not enough.
That bastard used the excuse of circulating his cultivation technique to drag her here three times!
In the end, she couldn't even remember how she fell into a deep sleep; she only remembered that her voice had become hoarse from shouting.
Ling Xueyao took a deep breath and carefully moved the arm that was wrapped around his waist.
acid.
A tingling, aching sensation that seemed to emanate from deep within the bones instantly spread throughout the body.
Even as a powerful cultivator at the Divine Sea Realm, and a princess of the Great Qian Dynasty, she was struggling to stand up.
Ling Xueyao gritted her teeth and forced herself to sit up.
The quilt slipped off, and looking down, she saw large patches of ambiguous red marks on that once flawless body, which stung her eyes.
An indescribable feeling of shyness rushed to my head.
She frantically searched for her clothes, only to find that the moon-white nightgown she wore last night had long been torn into pieces by Chu Yunfei and was hanging on the edge of the stone bed, making it unwearable.
Fortunately, the storage ring was still in my hand.
Ling Xueyao quickly took out a brand new light yellow dress and put it on. Her fingers flew as she simply tied up her disheveled long hair, deliberately covering the eye-catching marks on the side of her snow-white neck.
After getting dressed, she finally managed to spare a bit of attention to check her cultivation level.
Upon seeing this, Ling Xueyao froze on the spot.
Not only has his Divine Sea Realm First Level become completely stable, but the size of the spiritual energy ocean within his dantian has actually increased by 30% compared to when he broke through last night!
What kind of outrageous cultivation speed is this?
She cultivated the royal family's top-tier techniques from a young age, consuming countless rare and precious materials, and it took her a full year and a half to go from the Eighth Level of the Heavenly Origin Realm.
It was still the result of the Earth Vein Spirit Spring.
Now, it's just one night.
Break through, consolidate, and then refine by another 30%.
Ling Xueyao's feelings were extremely complicated.
Could doing that kind of thing... really increase one's strength?
And its effects are even more powerful than the deepest secrets of royalty!
"Your Highness, are you dressed already?"
A lazy voice drifted in from behind.
Ling Xueyao suddenly turned around.
Chu Yunfei had already sat up at some point, his muscular upper body bare, leaning against the stone wall, observing her with great interest.
The aura emanating from him was even more profound and restrained than when he had just broken through last night.
Heavenly Origin Realm Fifth Layer!
Ling Xueyao clearly sensed his level of cultivation, and her pupils suddenly contracted.
He broke through four levels in one night.
What kind of monster is this guy?
She desperately suppressed the shock in her heart, instinctively trying to adopt the demeanor of a cool and aloof princess.
But the moment he opened his mouth, his hoarse voice instantly shattered half of his imposing presence.
"You're awake." Ling Xueyao stared at him coldly.
Chu Yunfei stood up, took out a black robe from his storage ring and put it on, casually saying with a smile, "Thanks to Her Highness the Princess, I not only slept soundly last night, but my cultivation level also improved accordingly."
Upon hearing the words "last night," Ling Xueyao's blush, which she had just managed to suppress, crept back onto her cheeks uncontrollably.
Clang!
She suddenly raised her hand, and a golden slender sword instantly appeared in her palm, its tip pointing directly at Chu Yunfei's throat.
" Chu Yunfei, how dare you!"
Ling Xueyao stared at him, as if she wanted to devour him alive. "How dare you do such an indecent thing to me! I should have killed you with my sword last night!"
Chu Yunfei looked at the sword tip pressed against his chest, but instead of dodging, he took a step forward.
The sword tip pierced the black robe and pressed against the skin.
He looked at her with amusement. "Your Highness, you can kill me now. But then again, you also bear responsibility for what happened last night. Besides... weren't you quite cooperative in the latter half of the night?"
Ling Xueyao's hand holding the sword trembled violently, and she hurriedly took two steps back as if she had been electrocuted, fearing that this guy would come closer and do something to her again.
"Shut up!"
Ling Xueyao gritted her teeth, her jaw clenching. "I can pretend nothing happened last night! But if you dare to utter a single word of it, I will kill you!"
"I won't say."
Chu Yunfei shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm the kind of person who keeps his mouth shut the longest."
Ling Xueyao's chest heaved with anger at his shameless, unreasonable, and self-righteous attitude after getting the better deal.
But now she can't kill him, and scolding him is useless.
Most importantly, her own mind was in complete turmoil.
Originally, I was just worried that he might go mad and die in the side courtyard, so I kindly came in to check on him. Who knew that this check would lead to the loss of my own innocence!
Ling Xueyao abruptly sheathed her slender sword, turned around and walked out quickly and hurriedly, almost as if she were fleeing in panic.
"Your Highness, please slow down."
Chu Yunfei, ever the opportunist, added from behind, "If your legs are weak, don't walk so fast, be careful not to fall."
Ling Xueyao stumbled and almost bumped into the door frame.
Without turning her head, she pushed open the stone door and rushed out.
Bang!
The stone gate was slammed shut.
Chu Yunfei leaned against the stone wall, listening to the chaotic footsteps outside gradually fading into the distance, a satisfied smile curving his lips.
This girl has quite a temper.
In his mind's eye, Xiaoxiao Dragon's teasing voice rang out at just the right moment. "You've really struck it rich, getting both money and women. That dignified princess of the Great Qian Dynasty gave you her virginity; it's a miracle she didn't chop you to pieces with a single sword strike."
Chu Yunfei ignored her teasing.
He walked to the side, washed his face with water, and changed into a clean and neat black outfit.
After washing up, Chu Yunfei sat cross-legged on the bluestone platform and began to calmly process the surging power within his body.
Heavenly Origin Realm Fifth Layer.
The spiritual pool within his dantian had expanded more than ten times compared to before.
When the pure liquid spiritual energy surged and flowed through the meridians, a deep rumbling sound could even be heard.
The overwhelming power of the Boundless Creation Scripture was fully revealed at this moment.
He was certain that the total spiritual power of Heavenly Origin Realm Fifth Layer martial artist of the same realm was less than one-twentieth of his.
"This Flawless Spirit Physique truly lives up to its reputation."
Chu Yunfei examined his internal meridians and was secretly alarmed.
The Flawless Spirit Physique essence not only helped him perfectly resolve the backlash of the Great Heaven-Burning Art, but also solidified his foundation to be completely free of impurities.
The power of the Dragon and Phoenix Dao Yellow Scripture cleansed his meridians, and with the tempering of the Boundless Creation Scripture, his physical strength is now such that he can smash a Earth Rank Middle Grade spiritual weapon with just his fist!
Chu Yunfei slowly raised his right hand.
A thought subtly stirred within me.
Dark gold flames, crimson blood energy, and the power of the divine soul.
Three distinct forces converged and merged into one at the center of the forehead.
A deep red, ancient mark was faintly visible between his brows.
Great Heaven-Burning Art!
He didn't fully activate it, but only tried circulating it throughout his body for one cycle. The violent and unparalleled power surged wildly in his meridians, and the extreme sense of oppression that could tear everything apart at any moment made him very satisfied.
" Heavenly Origin Realm Fifth Layer, combined with the Great Heaven-Burning Art."
Chu Yunfei clenched his fist tightly and casually swung it forward.
Snap!
A deafening sonic boom exploded directly into the air.
" Early Stage of the Divine Sea Realm can be killed with a flick of the wrist; even those at the Divine Sea Realm Fourth Level can be dealt with head-on."
Xiaoxiao Dragon sneered in his mind, pouring cold water on the situation. "Try to fight? Do you really think the Divine Sea Realm is made of mud? Although the Great Heaven-Burning Art is a Saint-level secret technique, with your current divine soul, you can only last for a few dozen breaths at most. If you can't kill your opponent in a few dozen breaths, you'll be the one who dies."
Chu Yunfei didn't care that Xiaoxiao Dragon knew the Great Heaven-Burning Art was a Saint-level secret technique. He stood up, his eyes sharp as knives.
"A few dozen breaths is enough to kill a Divine Sea Realm Middle Stage."
He was well aware of his current situation.
Under normal circumstances, the Sea-Overturning Ninefold Sword is enough for him to roam freely below the Divine Sea Realm. Once he activates the Great Heaven-Burning Art, no one below the Divine Sea Realm Fourth Level can defeat him.
The situation in the capital.
He finally has some ability to protect himself.
Chu Yunfei pushed open the stone door and walked out of the cultivation room.
The sunlight was a bit too bright.
The side courtyard was quiet. Ling Xueyao had sent all the maids away last night, and no one had come yet.
Chu Yunfei stretched his limbs in the courtyard, his joints cracking like popping beans.
He walked to the stone table, sat down, and casually poured himself a cup of tea.
The tea had gone completely cold.
Chu Yunfei took a sip, his mind racing as he considered the upcoming situation.
Ling Zhantian's poison has been neutralized; he will definitely wake up within three days.
The Second Prince will definitely not sit idly by and wait for his doom.
Han Kui of the Puppet Sect, having suffered such a great loss, will not let this go easily.
Qin Hao wanted nothing more than to skin him alive and tear him apart.
And then there's the upcoming Seven Sects Grand Competition.
At that time, Nangong Wuhen of the Heavenly Sword Sect Nangong Wuhen will surely appear in the imperial city.
Thinking of Nangong Wuhen, Chu Yunfei's eyes suddenly turned cold.
He had not forgotten the humiliation the other party had inflicted on him.
Whether it was the arrogant mockery at their first meeting, the ambush in the Cangwu Mountain Range, or even paying a high price to have the Blood Baleful Intent Tower take his life...
This debt had long been etched into his kill list.
Previously, we lacked the strength to do so and had to endure it.
But now, the roles have reversed.
Chu Yunfei crushed the teacup in his hand and sneered, " Nangong Wuhen, just wait, this imperial city will be your burial ground."
I was just thinking about it.
Footsteps sounded outside the courtyard gate.
Chu Yunfei looked up.
A maid dressed in a light blue palace gown stood outside the courtyard gate, looking flustered. She clutched a gold-embossed invitation card tightly in her hands, barely daring to breathe.
"Young Master Chu."
The maid kept her head down, not daring to look him in the eye.
Although she didn't know what happened in the side hall last night, judging from the way the princess walked this morning and the fact that she stayed overnight in the side hall, how could she not know what had happened?
Chu Yunfei recognized the maid as Ling Xueyao's personal maid.
"Where is Her Highness the Princess?" Chu Yunfei asked, leaning back in his stone chair.
The maid lowered her head even further, her voice trembling, "His Highness said... she is unwell and needs to recuperate in seclusion, and has strictly forbidden anyone from disturbing her."
Chu Yunfei almost burst out laughing.
Feeling unwell.
really.
After all that commotion last night, the fact that she could still manage to walk back to her palace today shows how strong her Divine Sea Realm cultivation foundation is.
This woman clearly didn't know how to face him, so she simply hid away.
"What's the deal with this invitation?" Chu Yunfei asked, pointing to the item in the maid's hand.
The maid, feeling as if she had been granted a pardon, quickly stepped forward and respectfully placed the invitation on the stone table.
"This was sent by His Highness."
The maid stepped back two paces and quickly replied, "His Highness is hosting a banquet at the Jingyuan Hall this noon, inviting the seven sects' prodigies for a welcome feast. The invitation specifically states that Your Highness and... and your consort are invited to the banquet together."
Chu Yunfei's gaze fell on the gold-embossed invitation.
The eldest prince, Ling Chengyuan.
He hosted a banquet for the seven prodigies, specifically requesting that he, the "son-in-law," be invited as well.
Chu Yunfei reached out and picked up the invitation.
It feels extremely heavy, indicating it's made of exceptional materials.
Upon opening it, the handwriting was strong and powerful, penetrating the paper, revealing an undisguised sharpness between the lines.
What did Her Highness say?
Chu Yunfei casually tossed the invitation back onto the table.
The maid swallowed hard and replied, "Her Highness said that this matter is up to Young Master Chu to decide. If he doesn't want to go, she will send someone to the Jingyuan Hall to refuse him; if he wants to go..."
"How about you go?"
"Her Highness said... you should be careful. If you die, she won't collect your body."
Chu Yunfei chuckled after hearing this.
This woman is really proud; it seems this horse will need some serious taming from now on.
but.
Ling Xueyao did not immediately refuse, but instead sent someone to let him decide, most likely to see his attitude.
Chu Yunfei tapped his fingertips twice on the stone table.
The Crown Prince's decision to hold a banquet at this critical juncture is clearly a trap set against him.
Qin Hao of Qin Hao Cangyun Sect was humiliated by him at the entrance of the Pill Pavilion last night, so he's definitely going to cause trouble at today's banquet.
Not to mention the holy sons of other sects.
To go or not to go?
If she doesn't go, the First Prince will definitely use this as an excuse to spread rumors throughout the capital that "the Prince Consort is a coward," and Ling Xueyao will lose face.
Going there means taking on the three holy sons of the sects single-handedly.
Chu Yunfei slowly stood up.
"Go back and tell Her Highness."
Chu Yunfei straightened his perfectly wrinkle-free black robes, his tone calm and undisturbed. "I will attend the midday banquet on time."
The maidservant, feeling as if she had been granted a pardon, hurriedly bowed and fled the side courtyard as if escaping.
As Chu Yunfei watched the maid's departing figure, the temperature in his eyes gradually dropped to freezing.
The eldest prince is hosting a banquet?
A gathering of geniuses?
It just so happens that he has just broken through to the Heavenly Origin Realm Fifth Layer, and his hands are itching to get started.
If you want to test his strength, just see if these people have enough backbone.
"You brat, are you really planning to go alone?"
In his mind's eye, Xiaoxiao Dragon lazily spoke, "We still don't know what gives the First Prince his confidence, but the Holy Sons of the Seven Sects each have powerful figures from their respective sects standing behind them. If you can't handle this banquet today, you'll truly become a laughingstock."
"Joke?"
Chu Yunfei's lips curled into a sneer of arrogance.
"Today I'll see who's the laughingstock."