CHAPTER 185: CHAPTER 181: TWO STRANGE EMPERORS

Ye Jincen saw his appearance and knew there was probably no issue, so he quietly said, "Father, Chen Xuan... uh... has reached First-grade!"

"Oh, First-grade is just Fi..." Before the words were finished, he instantly realized.

He was stunned on the spot, motionless.

His open mouth forgot to close.

Then his neck slowly, very slowly, turned over to look at Ye Jincen, swallowing hard.

"Daughter, did you say Third-grade?"

It must be that Ye Jincen spoke in error, impossible! Completely impossible! First-grade? What a joke!

"No! I didn’t misspeak, he’s truly First-grade! Uncle Xuan told me so."

This was also unintentionally revealed when she went to ask Xuan Er about cultivation issues a few days ago, at that time, her expression was just like her father’s.

Stunned.

Dared not believe it for a long time.

First-grade realm, even a genius like Uncle Xuan took so many years, from the first time she met Chen Xuan, how long has it been, a year or so.

At that time he was Fourth-grade!

"Old Two!" Ye Yilan suddenly turned to look at Xuan Er again.

"It’s First-grade! And a very strong one at that, he’s already surpassed me." Surrounded by more than ten First-grades that day, when they saw Chen Xuan injure a First-grade with one punch, his performance was no better.

So young, and already reached the Five Layers of Purity.

Too exaggerated.

"Bang!"

Ye Yilan plopped down into a chair, silent for a long time.

The impact on him was truly too great, not that he did not want Chen Xuan to become First-grade.

On the contrary, he was happy for him in his heart.

But—

How to say it, it’s just hard to believe it’s true, he’s not even twenty, right!

"Father...?"

Ye Jincen saw him like this and also began to worry. After all, his injury hadn’t healed yet, and now he was jolted by Chen Xuan. Had she known, she wouldn’t have mentioned it.

"It’s nothing, it’s nothing!"

Ye Yilan squeezed out a smile, as if he was recovering, then looked at Xuan Er, "You masters and disciples, truly one more monstrous than the other!"

"Alright, don’t put on such a downcast face! However monstrous, haven’t I been protecting you all along?"

Truly too sentimental,

"In the future, Chen Xuan will also protect you, your life will be smoother than anyone else’s! Is that not enough?"

Ye Yilan listened,

Things seemed to be that way, but always felt somewhat awkward.

"Alright, I’m going to cultivate now, if there’s any trouble, I’ll step in. Otherwise, don’t come disturbing me."

Without giving him a chance to speak, Xuan Er vanished from the spot.

After Xuan Er left, Ye Yilan looked at this precious daughter, and recalling their matters, asked, "So, how have things been between you two recently?"

Letting her and Chen Xuan go to Yonghe Commandery was indeed undertaken with great risk.

If this matter was reported to the court by someone with ulterior motives, he would be seen as betraying Great Xia, it’s not a small crime.

But to foster some rapport between Ye Jincen and Chen Xuan, he finally agreed.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t have succeeded just by relying on Xuan Er’s word alone!

"It’s okay! Specifically, I can’t really say." Chen Xuan had an interest in her, she could feel it, but he had never been proactive in expressing it.

"Father understands, don’t worry, as long as you like him, that’s enough! Rest assured about everything else."

Ye Yilan fondly patted her head.

For the lifetime happiness of this precious daughter, since Chen Xuan, that brat, won’t speak, he will have to make the first move.

Previously he held back, feeling it was somewhat beneath him.

But now—

He’s already First-grade, if not for the relationship with Xuan Er, truth be told, he seemed somewhat unattainable now.

...

The Great Xia Imperial City!

Qi Lin has been truly overwhelmed these days, with the five states of Great Xia now completely in chaos.

All deployable troops and experts have been sent out as reinforcements.

Even so, in just a few dozen days, the deaths and injuries numbered nearly a million.

Not to mention there was still a looming threat from Great Zhou.

If Great Zhou chose this moment to launch an attack, there would truly be nothing he could do.

At this moment he came to the entrance of Taiji Hall as usual, standing ten meters away, after briefing the five states’ affairs,

he asked, "Your Majesty, should we deploy the secret guards?"

The secret guards directly report to Xia Yi, the lowest cultivation among them is Second Grade, and there are nearly a hundred of these experts among the secret guards.

Of course, most of these people in recent years have cultivated by borrowing Great Xia’s national spirit.

Commonly known as a paper tiger.

But even if they are paper tigers, their realms are real, and there are many of them, that’s enough!

"No need for now! It’s not time yet, the demon beasts appearing now are at most equivalent to early First-grade, still manageable."

Xia Yi’s majestic voice echoed from within Taiji Hall, even as the five states were in such turmoil, there was no slightest shift in emotion.

It seemed as though everything was under his control.

"What about Great Zhou? If they make a move, then..."

He dared not continue with that sentence.

Currently, most of the troops of the five states are focused on eradicating the demon beasts, with very few troops at the border. If Great Zhou suddenly declares war, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Unless they abandon dealing with the demon beasts, but in that case....

"Sigh!"

He sighed inwardly, so many more would die then.

"No need to worry, that youngster won’t start a war now, he knows better!"

Knows better?

Could it be....?

At this moment, Qi Lin was also beginning to make guesses.

"Alright, if something comes up, I will handle it myself. Just coordinate the matters of the five provinces, and find the exit for the demon beasts as soon as possible!"

"Also, find time to meet that young man and see if his talent is truly extraordinary! If possible, try to bring him over to our side, for I will have use for him in the future."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Qi Lin replied respectfully.

"You may leave!"

"Yes!"

Having left the Taiji Hall, the worries in Qi Lin’s heart did not diminish much.

He still could not fathom what His Majesty really intended.

"The thoughts of the Emperor are truly unfathomable."

Over these years, Xia Yi had seemed more and more unfamiliar to him.

The young man he mentioned was the disciple of Xuan Er.

He remembered that back then, he had only briefly glanced at the manifestation of his Spiritual Power. The talent was indeed noteworthy; it seemed to be at the Third Grade at that time?

Unexpectedly, in such a short period, he had reached the Five Layers of Purity!

He had suppressed those old First Grade sects of Great Zhou to the point where they couldn’t lift their heads.

When he first heard this news, of course, he didn’t believe it. Even in the five thousand years of Great Xia, no one had ever cultivated to the First Grade before the age of twenty, let alone the Five Layers of Purity.

However, this matter was seen with the eyes of the person who brought the message.

"This master and disciple pair are truly more monstrous than the other."

First, one Xuan Er was enough to give him a headache, and now there’s an even more terrifying one.

Xia Yi made it sound easy, but trying to win over such a person was as difficult as climbing to the heavens.

"Sigh!"

Being the National Preceptor is truly exhausting!

....

At this time in the Great Zhou Imperial City.

Zhou Yi arrived at the hall of the National Spirit.

Raising his eyes, he saw the Shimmering Golden Phoenix emitting streams of golden light, while below, Zhou Zheng was bathed in the golden light.

The aura he exuded alone made Zhou Yi’s heart tremble slightly.

"He has grown much stronger."

At this moment, he saw the hope of Great Zhou’s prosperity.

"Uncle Wang has arrived!"

Immersed in cultivation, Zhou Zheng suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of golden light appearing in them.

"Yes, Your Majesty! This old minister has a matter to inquire about your opinion on?"

Though Zhou Zheng had already entrusted him with the governance of Great Zhou, this matter still needed to be discussed with him.

"What is it?"

"In Great Xia, the five provinces are in turmoil with the emergence of a large number of demon beasts, including many of high rank. So, this old minister believes it’s a good opportunity, but still wants to ask Your Majesty’s opinion."

Most of Great Xia’s forces are engaged in the demon beast suppression, leaving the neighboring Jingzhou and Liangzhou vulnerable.

This would be the best opportunity to send troops.

"No need."

Zhou Zheng’s response left him feeling surprised, prompting him to quickly say, "Your Majesty, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

"Uncle Wang! I’ve said, no need!"

His tone became significantly heavier, even making Zhou Yi feel unfamiliar with him. In his impression, Zhou Zheng had never spoken to him with such a tone.

"In the future, you will understand."

Although he wanted to explain, but—

After thinking for a moment, he decided against it.

Zhou Yi exhaled deeply. Although he was confused, seeing Zhou Zheng’s solemn demeanor left him with no choice but to respond, "This old minister understands."

"Mm!"

Zhou Zheng nodded and then reminded, "But be sure to prevent the demon beasts from Great Xia from coming over here!"

"Yes, this matter has already been arranged by sending experts to govern Yu Province and Jizhou."

"Thank you for your effort, Uncle Wang!"

Then he closed his eyes again, continuing his cultivation.

"What is the reason?"

Zhou Yi still didn’t understand in his heart.

....

A beautiful day begins with opening one’s eyes.

Seeing the message at the corner of his eye, Chen Xuan was very happy, just like receiving a monthly salary in a past life, with the joy of seeing a notification.

He looked down at the lovely Keren lying in his arms and the large round bed.

Home is still the best.

More importantly, the bed was large enough to stretch out, and the women could help each other.

But, well—

It’s time to get up for cultivation. The appearance of a large number of demon beasts in Great Xia gave him a vague sense of unease. Although he was already at the Five Layers of Purity, it still wasn’t secure, so the temptations of the gentle home must be cast aside for now.

Gently moving Pei Yuenan’s fair arm off his chest, he carefully lifted the blanket, dressed, and quietly left the room, heading to the side chamber.

"I want to cultivate too!"

On the round bed, Su Yun suddenly opened her eyes and said.

All of a sudden, a few women opened their eyes and looked at her.

Especially Su Wanqiu, who knew her sister was usually impatient when it came to cultivation, only practicing under her supervision in the past.

After that, even Chen Xuan accompanied her.

What was happening now? She was actually taking the initiative to start cultivating.

Seeing their confusion, Su Yun explained, "This time, Brother Xuan went to Yonghe Commandery for my sake to seize the Spiritual Rain. I consumed so much of it, if I don’t work hard in cultivation, I would really be letting him down."

"Besides, I know he likes it when I cultivate!"

"As long as he’s happy, I’ll do anything!"

A trip to Yonghe Commandery matured Su Yun a lot. At this moment, her eyes were full of determination, lacking the usual casualness.