Ye Chen frowned inwardly at Li Feihuang's words. No wonder she'd been so full of herself lately—she'd secured the support of a major clan in the Great Chu Empire.

But Ye Chen had zero interest in rushing off to the Great Chu Empire to fight to the death just to help her claim the throne, especially since she didn't trigger critical hits anymore. Why would he, in his right mind, bother? Did she really think he was her loyal subject?

He'd rather spend his time crafting that spirit silk magic tool for Auntie. Not only would it likely trigger a critical hit, but it'd also come with… silky enjoyment. Besides, he'd been feeling the Nether Toxin acting up again these past few days. Once Auntie emerged from seclusion, he'd ask her to help purge it.

…

A five-hundred-fold multiplier was tempting, but without critical hits, it lost its allure. Li Feihuang could go her own way. Ye Chen planned to stay comfortably at the Divine Will Sect as a guest elder, prepare for his Nascent Soul breakthrough alongside Senior An, and then head to the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land to become a Holy Son. There, he'd gift treasures to every Holy Maiden, climbing to even greater heights. His plan was flawless. Holy Maidens would surely offer higher multipliers.

So, let the five-hundred-fold multiplier walk away. Why would he risk his life in the Great Chu Empire just to become some glorified Golden Dragon King?

He opened his mouth to refuse, but at that moment, Wang Lun spoke up. "Champion King has a wealth of talent under him. One of his prodigies, at mid-Golden Core, single-handedly slew a late Golden Core demon beast. The enemy is formidable. This battle will be incredibly perilous and concerns the Chu throne. So, Your Highness, please choose your subordinates carefully. Fellow Daoist Ye may not be weak, but he's merely a Golden Core cultivator from a small sect. My younger brother, Wang Ming, is an Earth Spirit Root prodigy and will break through to mid-Golden Core within half a year, just in time for the battle…"

Wang Lun clearly didn't want Ye Chen taking a spot. The Wang Clan had bet heavily on Li Feihuang and wanted to maximize their gains without outsiders sharing the spoils. Plus, victory came with significant rewards that could elevate the Wang Clan's strength.

Ye Chen smirked inwardly.

A small sect? Did I eat your family's rice or something?

Before he could respond, Li Feihuang cut in decisively. "Fellow Daoist Ye is exceptionally strong. It's him."

Having awakened her Moon Phoenix Body, Li Feihuang was confident but not blind. She knew Ye Chen was formidable, having once defeated her, which spoke volumes about his combat prowess. She was also aware of the Wang Clan's motives. If she ascended the throne, she couldn't rely solely on them. Ye Chen had supported her wholeheartedly during her lowest moments, his loyalty unquestionable.

Though she hadn't kept close tabs on Ye Chen lately, she knew he'd taken the role of guest elder at the Divine Will Sect—a position no one would take unless they were short on resources. Yet, even in such straits, he still sent her resources regularly. His devotion was undeniable. Even if he hadn't broken through to mid-Golden Core, she'd have found a way to help him advance and secure him a spot to balance the Wang Clan's influence in the future. Her father had taught her the art of imperial balance.

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Wang Lun frowned at her resolve but said nothing.

Li Feihuang continued, "The Great Chu Empire has accumulated imperial aura over countless years, which can rapidly boost a cultivator's strength without any drawbacks. If I win, my two subordinates will each gain a chance to be infused with this imperial aura, saving at least ten years of arduous cultivation.

"Additionally, they can choose a treasure from the empire's treasury. With a history spanning twenty thousand years and conquests across the land, our treasury holds countless rare treasures, like the Nether King's Gall, coveted by blood cultivators. It can elevate a Blood Spirit Root to a Nether Spirit Root, nearly comparable to a Heavenly Spirit Root. We have one in our treasury, among many other extraordinary items."

Beaming with pride, she detailed the Great Chu Empire's might and wealth to assure Ye Chen his efforts were worthwhile. Just as ninth-grade Golden Cores varied in quality, the Great Chu Empire's true foundation far surpassed that of the Divine Will Sect, even among Nascent Soul powers.

Ye Chen, about to refuse, swallowed his words.

Not helping for free? And there are such benefits?

Cultivation grew slower the further one progressed, and opportunities to accelerate it were rare. The Nether King's Gall sounded suspiciously like the treasure Su Yuxuan mentioned seeking in the Great Chu Empire.

Eagerly, Ye Chen asked, "Can the imperial aura infusion slot be given to someone else?"

Li Feihuang smiled. "Of course. In my father's generation, a subordinate saved their slot to nurture a junior. But you should use it yourself. If I win the throne, I'll have endless imperial aura and can directly reach the peak of Golden Core!"

Ye Chen smirked inwardly.

Send it to you? Overconfident much?

The slot was obviously for little demoness Su Yuxuan. But since she was already his partner, gifting to her wouldn't trigger a critical hit. A two-hundred-fold multiplier doubled to four hundred was decent but not enough.

Could he gift it to the old granny instead? Just like how gifting to An Yuyi triggered a critical hit from An Miaoli. With the granny's base five-hundred-fold multiplier, a critical hit could send the rewards soaring.

Whether it would trigger depended on how much the granny valued Su Yuxuan. Knowing Su Yuxuan, after nearly three years, she'd likely earned the granny's favor. So, he'd gift the imperial aura slot first, then the Nether King's Gall. This plan had serious potential.

Plus, since he'd run into Su Yuxuan, he could ask if the granny had any sinister techniques for refining others' Golden Cores. If she did, he could gift his own. Five-colored cores were great, but nine colors would be ideal. Gifting a Golden Core to Su Yuxuan would make this trip perfect.

…

"When do we leave? How long will the competition last?" Ye Chen asked briskly, now that benefits were on the table.

Li Feihuang smiled. She knew even without mentioning the rewards, Ye Chen would've agreed without hesitation. He'd previously given her phoenix blood without a second thought. Someone like him would stand by her side regardless of personal gain. The Wang Clan, however, only backed her after she awakened her Moon Phoenix Body. The difference was clear.

"The Great Chu Empire is currently under Champion King's control," she explained. "Returning too early risks falling into his schemes. Besides, I haven't broken through to mid-Golden Core yet. I'll use this time to cultivate diligently. We'll depart one month before the succession contest and arrive three days early. The competition's duration depends—each day has one match, and it ends when a victor emerges."

Li Feihuang shared her plan. She wasn't yet mid-Golden Core but didn't see herself as slow. Geniuses required far more resources—three to five times that of ordinary cultivators. Yet, once they broke through, their strength was proportionally greater. She was confident she'd reach mid-Golden Core within six months. When she did, Champion King would be no match for her.

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