Li Feihuang paused to think. She quickly realized that Ye Chen was deliberately keeping his distance from her.

In the eyes of outsiders, Ye Chen's public execution of the Champion King seemed to have caused barely a ripple. But within the Great Chu Dynasty, a storm was already brewing.

The royal clan's elders gnashed their teeth in fury at Ye Chen. After all, no matter how fiercely the clan had vied for power in the past, one rule had always held firm: the lives of the Li family were untouchable. It was an unspoken law no one dared to break.

Yet Ye Chen hadn't just killed the Champion King—he'd dug out his Golden Core and refined his soul. Such actions left the Li family both enraged and terrified.

The other prominent families were equally displeased with Ye Chen. His overwhelming strength threatened to carve away at the influence they had long hoarded.

The Wang family, despite their contributions to the dynasty's rise, hungered for even greater power. The other families, having backed the wrong side in past conflicts, now schemed to push Ye Chen out and claim a place closer to Li Feihuang.

As a result, the decree Li Feihuang had issued to name Ye Chen the Golden Dragon Peerless King faced relentless opposition from both the royal clan and the court's ministers.

Their goal was clear: even if the Ancestor's seclusion prevented them from killing Ye Chen outright, they would drive him out of the Great Chu Dynasty.

Ye Chen, of course, was fully aware of this. Despite his unmatched contributions, he chose to distance himself from Li Feihuang, sparing her the burden of their conflict.

But Li Feihuang remained resolute. Her father had once taught her a simple truth: if her vassals agreed with her decisions, she was likely on the right path. But if they opposed her, it was an even stronger sign she was doing the right thing.

These vassals, these clan elders—they had all once stood with the Champion King. Even the Wang family only sided with her because they'd had no better option. They were nothing but opportunists, swaying with the wind.

Ye Chen, however, had been different. From the moment they met, he had stood unwaveringly by her side. He was the only one she could truly trust. And so, no matter what, she would ensure Ye Chen stayed.

The matter of Ye Chen killing the Champion King was no small affair. Once the Ancestor emerged from seclusion, he would undoubtedly hold someone accountable.

But today, Li Feihuang had already devised a solution. She arrived at the place where the Ancestor was in seclusion, deep within the underground palace of the Great Chu Dynasty. Even she, with all her authority, could not enter this sacred chamber.

Standing at the entrance, she took out a jade slip and imprinted her thoughts upon it. She passed the slip into the array, watching it slowly vanish. When the Ancestor emerged, he would see it immediately.

Thinking of the contents of the jade slip, a faint blush crept across Li Feihuang's refined and regal face, despite her usual composure. Thankfully, only the Ancestor would see it.

But just as she turned to leave, an ancient voice echoed in her mind: "Feihuang, you wish to take this man as your consort?"

Li Feihuang froze, startled.

Wasn't the Ancestor supposed to be in the midst of breaking through to the late Nascent Soul stage? How could he respond to her so quickly? And if he wasn't focused on his breakthrough, why had he ignored the Champion King's death until now?

The answer came to her swiftly. The Ancestor cherished her above all else. The Champion King had schemed against her with all manner of plots and tricks, earning the Ancestor's ire. That was why he had stood by and done nothing.

Realizing this, Li Feihuang relaxed. She bowed respectfully and replied, "Yes, Ancestor! Ye Chen's talent is extraordinary. He possesses a high-grade spiritual root and likely a powerful physique. At only the mid-Golden Core stage, he wields combat strength comparable to a Nascent Soul cultivator. Beyond that, Ye Chen has a remarkable knack for commerce, amassing immense wealth.

"Taking him as a consort would bring tremendous benefits to the Li family. Our future heirs would inherit his bloodline. Moreover, Ye Chen has the potential to break through to the Nascent Soul realm, adding another mighty cultivator to our family and ensuring the Great Chu Dynasty's continued expansion and eternal prosperity!"

Li Feihuang spoke with conviction. This was the only way she could think of to keep Ye Chen by her side—by making him one of their own. That way, even the Ancestor would have no objections. As for herself…

In the past, Li Feihuang might have arranged for a distant princess of the clan to marry him. But now, Ye Chen's strength had earned her full recognition. He was worthy of being her imperial consort.

Moments later, the Ancestor's voice echoed again: "Are you certain Ye Chen would agree to become a consort?"

In the cultivation world, prodigies were often proud and unyielding. Those willing to marry into a family as a consort were exceedingly rare.

Li Feihuang's refined face broke into a confident smile. "Of course he's willing!"

When she had been at her lowest, Ye Chen had spared no effort to support her. He had traveled thousands of miles to help her claim the throne. Now, with the chance to become her husband, Ye Chen would surely be overjoyed. How could he possibly refuse?

A moment later, the Ancestor's voice returned: "You are weaker than him. If he reaches the Nascent Soul realm and harbors ulterior motives, what then? Could he seize the Great Chu Dynasty's ten-thousand-year legacy?"

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Li Feihuang wasn't worried in the slightest. Ye Chen had always been stronger than her, yet he had supported her without complaint. How could he ever betray her?

She replied confidently, "That won't happen! And even if Ye Chen did have such thoughts, by the time he reaches the Nascent Soul realm, Ancestor, you'll surely be at the late Nascent Soul stage, more than capable of suppressing him. With you here, Ancestor, what is there to fear?"

Her words fell, and she waited for the Ancestor's response. But a long silence followed, as if the Ancestor was deep in thought.

After what felt like an eternity, his voice finally came again: "If he agrees to be a consort, he must offer up his True Dragon Treasure Technique and swear a Heavenly Oath. Furthermore, he must leave a wisp of his soul to create a soul lamp, which will be placed in the underground palace. If he refuses, he must leave Great Chu."

With that, the Ancestor's voice faded, leaving no further trace. Li Feihuang frowned slightly. These conditions were harsh. A Heavenly Oath was one thing, but the True Dragon Treasure Technique was priceless beyond words. And to leave a wisp of his soul for a soul lamp? That would place him under another's control.

To Li Feihuang, it was clear the Ancestor didn't trust Ye Chen. But the Ancestor's word was law, and she had no choice but to obey. After a moment's hesitation, she reasoned that, though the demands were strict, Ye Chen would likely agree for her sake.

A soft smile curved her lips. Once her coronation ceremony was over, she would share this good news with Ye Chen. She was certain he would be ecstatic when he heard it.

Within the small world, Ye Chen sat cross-legged in a pool, its once-abundant waters now drained dry. As he opened his eyes, a misty haze shimmered within them. His aura surged dramatically in that moment, climbing to new heights.

When the surge finally subsided, Ye Chen rose, thoroughly satisfied. He had now reached the peak of Golden Core perfection. The next step was preparing to form his Nascent Soul.

But as he glanced at the depleted Star Pool and then up at the sky, he frowned slightly. This small world lacked stars, and thus, no stellar energy existed to replenish the pool's spiritual liquid.

With a thought, Ye Chen left the small world. The inn was quiet. It seemed Su Yuxuan had not yet returned. It was the dead of night. Ye Chen activated his Myriad Star Body, using his physical form to draw stellar energy from the heavens and channel it into the small world.

The dry Star Pool began to refill with water.

After a quick calculation, Ye Chen estimated it would take about a month for the pool to be fully restored. The efficiency was impressive, considering his extraordinary physique required dozens of times more spiritual energy than an ordinary cultivator.

A single pool of stellar liquid had been enough to propel him from mid-Golden Core to its peak—a testament to its potency. For an average cultivator, that same pool might have been enough to advance from early Golden Core straight to perfection.

The only drawback was that Ye Chen himself had to personally draw stellar energy to restore the pool—a tedious task. If only he could one day refine an entire star and gift it to a female cultivator, triggering a critical reward of thousands of stars to place in his small world. That would solve everything.

As he pondered this, a knock came at the courtyard gate.

Once permitted to enter, the visitor revealed himself as the Head of the Great Chu Dynasty's Internal Affairs Office. "Fellow Daoist Ye, I come on Her Highness's orders to deliver a property deed!"

"Her Highness has granted you the Champion King's Manor," he continued. "It's the grandest estate outside the imperial palace. Her Highness's favor toward you is truly enviable!"

With that, he presented a jade slip with both hands.

Ye Chen took it, his brow furrowing slightly. The cultivation world had its own real estate economy. Even cultivators had families they couldn't always keep by their side. They needed safe places to settle or establish clans.

Market towns were vulnerable to beast tides or bandit raids, but cities like the Great Chu capital, Divine Will City, were true havens. High-level cultivators often chose to establish homes there, making such properties immensely valuable. They were even a significant source of income for sects and other powers.

The Champion King's Manor, located near the imperial palace, was vast and undoubtedly the most luxurious estate in the capital. But to Ye Chen, it was utterly useless. He had no intention of staying in the Great Chu Dynasty.

Besides, his portable small world was more than sufficient to house those close to him. Taking the jade slip, Ye Chen asked casually, "Can this Champion King's Manor be gifted or sold?"

The Head of Internal Affairs froze, stunned.

Sold? Gifted? This was a gift from Her Highness! And he wasn't going to cherish it?

After a moment's hesitation, the official replied, "The Great Chu Dynasty recognizes property deeds. As long as the owner willingly removes their imprint from the deed and allows another to claim it, the property changes hands. So, it should be possible."

Ye Chen nodded.

Selling it was likely out of the question—no one in Great Chu would dare buy the Champion King's Manor. Even those with enough spirit stones wouldn't have the status to match. So, he decided he'd gift it to Su Yuxuan instead. Perhaps it would trigger some kind of reward. At the very least, it was better than letting it go to waste.

After seeing off the Head of Internal Affairs, Ye Chen waited quietly. He planned to catch up with Su Yuxuan once she emerged from seclusion, then return to the Divine Will Sect.

A week before Li Feihuang's coronation, Su Yuxuan finally returned. Her aura, like Ye Chen's, had reached the peak of Golden Core perfection. When she noticed Ye Chen had also broken through to the same level, she was only momentarily surprised before accepting it with ease. After all, this was just how her senior brother was.

Su Yuxuan had long grown accustomed to his extraordinary feats. Though Manjusaka urged her to leave, Su Yuxuan insisted on staying with Ye Chen for a few days. Before they got down to serious matters, Ye Chen handed her the property deed.

Su Yuxuan pouted, curling her toes in disdain. It couldn't be sold for spirit stones, and she was leaving the Great Chu Dynasty—perhaps even the continent of Great Yan in the future.

What use was this useless manor? Was she supposed to hold onto it waiting for it to appreciate?

Ye Chen chuckled. "Since we're bound as Dao companions, why not keep it as our marital home? When we've seen all the wonders of the world and reunite one day, it'll be a place to settle. And if we ever lose track of each other, we can come here to wait quietly for the other."

A house, if not needed, had to be given value. Just like on his previous world, Blue Star, where homes were tied to marriage, residency, or education.

Ye Chen was testing this logic, giving the manor a sentimental purpose. If the system didn't recognize Su Yuxuan's need for it and didn't reward him with treasures, so be it. He was just trying his luck.

A marital home?

Su Yuxuan thought for a moment, then a smile spread across her face. She nodded, imprinted her mark on the deed, and carefully stored it away.

The next moment, a notification sounded in Ye Chen's mind…

Three days later, Su Yuxuan left with Manjusaka. She waved goodbye with a bright smile, her delicate figure transforming into a graceful shadow that drifted away. Despite their tender moments, when it was time to part, she left without hesitation.

As for Ye Chen, he prepared to return to the Divine Will Sect. But just before departing, he heard news that changed his plans. The Heavenly Evolution Holy Land was sending its Holy Son and Holy Maiden to attend the Great Chu Dynasty's ceremony.

Ye Chen's interest was piqued. He wanted to witness the elegance of the Holy Land's prodigies—especially the Holy Maiden. Mostly, he was curious to see what kind of multiplier her presence might trigger!

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