She still has me in her heart! Banquet for Xiao Fan

After much travel, passing through several large teleportation arrays, and spending a month, Xiao Fan finally sent Liu Chen back to the Great Jing Immortal Dynasty.

Along the way, Liu Chen greatly admired this young man with extraordinary temperament and elegant demeanor.

He pulled Xiao Fan, calling him brother, and said he would repay him well once they returned.

Xiao Fan smiled and said that having his sister-in-law make him some dumplings would be enough.

Liu Chen didn't think much of it and said, “No problem.”

The imperial capital of the Great Jing Immortal Dynasty.

A month of recuperation had allowed Liu Chen's Physical Body to recover significantly; although his Qi and blood were still poor, he at least had the ability to move independently.

Xiao Fan, however, shook his head inwardly.

Sure enough, any Elixir of Passing would lose its effectiveness when encountering someone like the protagonist.

It was said to overdraw the Physical Body, but more than a month had passed, and he hadn't shown any signs of dying.

However, there was probably still some damage, it just wasn't obvious.

Xiao Fan followed Liu Chen back to the imperial palace, encountering many eunuchs and palace maids along the way, all bowing to Liu Chen.

Liu Chen then had the palace maids prepare a separate courtyard for Xiao Fan in the East Gate Villa of the imperial palace, making it convenient for Xiao Fan to reside there.

Xiao Fan did not refuse and settled in.

On the other side, Shen Biru, who learned of Liu Chen's severe injuries, remained calm.

In addition to her calmness, there was a faint hint of disappointment on her face.

“Alas, only severely injured?”

If Liu Chen could just die, that would be great. If Liu Chen died, she could ascend from empress to emperor, becoming the ruler of the Great Jing Immortal Dynasty.

“You seem very disappointed,” said the grey Qi in front of Shen Biru.

Shen Biru chuckled, “Do I? I was clearly worried about him.”

The grey Qi transformed into a beautiful woman, but without a Physical Body to rely on, her form remained somewhat ethereal.

The beautiful woman formed from grey Qi continued, “By the way, I heard someone saved him. If it weren't for that person, Liu Chen might have died in the wilderness.”

Shen Biru said, “I understand. After all, I killed him in my previous life, and he could still resurrect. It's not surprising that he could get injured in the wilderness and still come back alive.”

Just as the two were about to say more, footsteps sounded outside the door.

The grey Qi heard the sound and immediately drilled into Shen Biru's Physical Body.

Shen Biru's expression remained normal as she sat steadily on the jade couch.

Thump, thump, thump ~

A soft knock on the door sounded, followed by a gentle voice.

Who else could it be but Liu Chen?

“Bi Ru, are you doing well?”

“It’s been a long time, and I've missed you greatly. Is your Physical Body feeling better? Do you need me to send someone to buy you some Immortal Pills for recuperation?”

“Can I, can I come in and sit?” Liu Chen asked in a pleading tone.

Shen Biru casually found an excuse to keep Liu Chen out.

“No, I’m Cultivating recently, and seeing people casually will distract me.”

“Oh, is that so? Then no meeting, no meeting.”

Outside the door, Liu Chen stood quietly, even raising his hand gently, afraid of making any noise that might disturb Shen Biru's recuperation.

Shen Biru's expression remained unchanged, her voice devoid of emotion, as she merely said lightly, “I heard you were injured? You won't die, will you?”

As soon as these words left her mouth, Shen Biru cried out, “Not good!”

Damn it, how did I blurt out what I was thinking!

During the days when Liu Chen was away, Shen Biru had always been careless with her words.

When discussing Liu Chen with the grey Qi, she made no effort to hide her disgust for him.

As a result, she hadn't changed yet and blurted out what was on her mind.

Just as Shen Biru was about to explain, a small sobbing sound came from outside the door.

Shen Biru inwardly thought, “Not good, I need to find a way to salvage this.”

However, Liu Chen's reply from outside the door surprised her.

“Bi Ru, are you… are you concerned about me?”

“I'm fine, you don't need to worry.”

Liu Chen was in tears, overflowing with gratitude.

She's concerned about me; she still cares about me!

Shen Biru froze for a moment, “Huh?!”

How did you hear concern in my tone?

However, this also gave her an opening, and Shen Biru continued, “Mm.”

The more she said, the more mistakes she would make, so she didn't want to say too much, lest she expose herself again.

This ordinary, perfunctory “Mm” gave Liu Chen immense psychological comfort.

“Bi Ru is concerned about me, so all the grievances I suffered outside are worth it.” He silently lowered his head, looking at the Foundation he had dug out of himself, and burst into tears.

“Bi Ru is concerned about me, yet I cheated, and with ten sows.”

“I'm no longer pure; I've let Bi Ru down.”

Thinking of the unfortunate events that had occurred earlier, Liu Chen felt that he had emotionally betrayed Shen Biru, and he felt his debt to her deepen.

“Bi Ru, although I gained nothing from this trip, I will definitely acquire many treasures on my next outing and bring them all back for you.”

Liu Chen kept rambling outside for a long time.

Shen Biru grew tired of listening.

Shen Biru said, “Do you have anything else to say? If so, say it quickly, don't disturb me.”

Liu Chen said apologetically, “I'm sorry, I was just rambling about my own feelings.”

“It's like this: I was saved by a Fellow Daoist, and I've settled him in the villa in the East Garden.”

“The kindness of saving a life is immeasurable. I was wondering if we could hold a banquet to thank him and express my gratitude.”

Shen Biru said, “If you want to host it, then host it. Why tell me?”

“Isn't it just to inform you? You know, I report everything I do to you,” Liu Chen said.

“Moreover, someone brought me back from the wilderness; it’s not an exaggeration to say it was a life-saving kindness. With such a great favor, do you think you could also come out and meet him? We should observe proper etiquette; after all, we are the hosts.”

Shen Biru understood.

“Good fellow, you're finding all sorts of reasons to get me to come out, aren't you?”

To be honest, Shen Biru felt disgusted whenever she saw Liu Chen because he was too much of a bootlicker, lacking any masculine assertiveness.

The grey Qi, however, persuaded Shen Biru, saying, “Let's go out and meet him. After all, you are currently under his roof. If you really anger him, do you have a way if he forces his way in?”

That's right, she could string him along for a day, or two days.

But if she kept stringing him along forever without giving him a little sweetness, she was afraid he wouldn't continue to lick her boots.

Shen Biru said, “Mm, I understand.”

“You go arrange it yourself. Just send someone to inform me when it's ready, and I'll go then.”

Shen Biru's rare concession made Liu Chen feel as if joy had fallen from the sky.

“Bi Ru is starting to consider my image in front of outsiders; she has already assumed the role of mistress.”

“Okay, I'll go arrange it right away!”

Liu Chen was beaming with joy; he could finally meet Bi Ru again, how wonderful!

...

Xiao Fan's residence was in the eastern part of the imperial palace, while according to Xiao Fan's inquiries, the empress's palace was in the western part of the imperial city.

He suspected whether his intentions had been exposed and detected by Liu Chen.

“What should I do?”

Sneak in?

No, that's too sneaky, not open and above board enough.

Find a legitimate reason?

But what legitimate reason could there be? As an outsider, clamoring to see the empress—where would a legitimate reason come from?

This is tough.

Xiao Fan didn't dwell on it.

Time was precious. If there was no opportunity within [one Kun Month], then he wouldn't bother with this vulgar role-playing; he would directly eliminate Liu Chen and take the Daughter of Luck.

During this time, he would focus his attention on Cultivating.

Before, Xiao Fan had 720 million Primal Elephant Micro-Particles in his Physical Body.

After arduous Cultivation, the Primal Elephant Micro-Particles in his Physical Body were growing rapidly again.

Fifty times the time flow, six hundred days and nights, allowed the Primal Elephant Micro-Particles in his Physical Body to reach the number of Perfection.

840 million Primal Elephant Micro-Particles!!

But at the final step, the barrier between Primal Elephant and Divine Elephant was like a chasm, no matter how he consumed Immortal Stones and Immortal Pills, or how he diligently Cultivated with the two women, he could not successfully achieve a Breakthrough.

The Divine Elephant Micro-Particles had been unable to condense for a long time.

This was a crucial step. He understood that a turning point was needed here. As long as he completed the Breakthrough and a Divine Elephant Micro-Particle appeared, he could complete the Divine Elephant Physical Body.

In the description of the Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength, every Divine Elephant is infinitely powerful and extremely brutal. Any single Divine Elephant possesses the strength to shatter a world.

A boundless elephant trunk sweeping could even sever a galaxy, and the thick, pillar-like Divine Elephant legs, merely standing there, could shake the universe with a slight exertion of force.

This was only the strength of one Divine Elephant!

If all 840 million particles Awakened and transformed into Divine Elephant Micro-Particles, then the restrictions would be lifted, and the true Divine Elephant Physical Body would be completed.

Major Achievement of the divine Cultivation Technique!

At that time, the number of Divine Elephant Micro-Particles would not only be 840 million, but could reach a terrifying 60 trillion.

By then, Xiao Fan wouldn't even need to act; with just a roar from a Divine Elephant, falling stars, trembling heavens, and even shattered galaxies would be effortless.

This was a qualitative leap! His strength would greatly increase.

Would the day he Broke through the defenses of Revered Master Qing Yu, Yu Yue, and Xin Xi be far off?

His motivation for Cultivating was even stronger now!

Thinking of this, Xiao Fan dispelled distracting thoughts and sat in meditation, focusing on Cultivating single-mindedly, so as to achieve an early Breakthrough.

Time passed by second by second.

One day...

Two days...

Three days...

Xiao Fan stayed indoors, secluding himself for Cultivation.

He even rarely activated the Chronospace Codex to accelerate his meditation and Cultivation.

One should know that a treasure like the Chronospace Codex, in the past, Xiao Fan would only use during dual Cultivation or triple Cultivation.

Using it for meditation and Cultivation was very rare, which also indicated his diligent Cultivation.

However, no matter how hard he tried, he could not Break through the barrier from Primal Elephant to Divine Elephant.

He couldn't help but doubt himself, wondering if his Cultivation method was incorrect.

As the saying goes, all paths lead to the same destination. Unable to find the answer in the Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength, Xiao Fan turned his attention to Cultivation Techniques like “Reversed Phoenix and Dragon.”

All methods return to one!

“Hey, here’s one about bravely climbing peaks until the Heavenly River bursts its banks. Not a bad idea.”

Just as he was engrossed in Cultivating, unable to extricate himself, a knocking sound came from outside the door.

Thump, thump, thump.

Xiao Fan stopped Cultivating and swept his Divine Sense.

He found a young man standing outside the door, dressed in a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon robe and wearing an imperial crown. Behind him followed several eunuchs and palace maids.

It was Liu Chen.

Liu Chen spoke, “Brother Xiao, do you have a moment?”

Xiao Fan couldn't help but ponder, “Why is he looking for me?”

“Let’s go see what he wants.”

Xiao Fan slowly walked out, cupping his hands slightly in a bow.

He still had to put on a show; after all, he was in someone else's imperial palace, coveting their empress.

“Fellow Daoist, what is the matter?” Xiao Fan asked.

Although he was the monarch of the Great Jing Immortal Dynasty, Xiao Fan did not intend to give him too much special treatment. Calling him “Fellow Daoist” was enough; he shouldn't expect any special titles.

If there really was one, it would be “Green-shelled Turtle.”

Liu Chen didn't mind, for he understood that the identity of the man before him was no lower than his own.

Otherwise, how could a Heavenly Immortal have a Golden Immortal Realm Kunpeng as a mount?

Liu Chen smiled, “Fellow Daoist, are you accustomed to your residence?”

“My preparations were insufficient, and I fear I may not have entertained you well. Please be understanding.”

Xiao Fan smiled, “We Cultivators do not concern ourselves with such empty formalities. External things are all illusory and make little difference to us.”

Liu Chen said, “It's good that you're accustomed to your residence.”

Xiao Fan: “May I ask why Fellow Daoist sought me out?”

Liu Chen: “It's like this: Fellow Daoist saved my life and escorted me back to the palace, for which I am grateful.”

“I, Liu, am one who repays kindness, so I naturally cannot just offer empty words. But if I were to send you mundane things, I fear they would not enter your Dharma Eye.”

“After much thought, I've decided to host a banquet to entertain Fellow Daoist.”

“Sending me mundane things, afraid I wouldn't appreciate them?”

“Good heavens, the truth is you're just being stingy, isn't it?”

However, he seemed to understand. After all, Liu Chen's pants were practically stripped off on this trip.

His storage ring was empty, and the Nameless Scroll in his Sea of Consciousness had also been taken away.

Despite this, Xiao Fan still felt quite disgusted listening to this rhetoric.

“How can he say such things? I might not want it, but you can't not give it.”

“It's as if I'm a common person, and even though I am quite common, you shouldn't say it like that.”

“A banquet is unnecessary; I prefer a more secluded environment,” Xiao Fan refused.

“How can you refuse? If you refuse, what reason will I have to get Bi Ru to come out and meet me?”

Liu Chen quickly said:

“That's not a problem. Since Fellow Daoist doesn't like crowds, we can have a family banquet, just you and I, brothers, and my Empress.”

“The few of us can drink and chat, and it will also allow me to express my gratitude to you.”

Xiao Fan instinctively wanted to refuse, but then his lustful brain heard the key word.

Empress!

His words of refusal seemed to be choked, unable to come out.

Now he had no choice but to go!

Xiao Fan cleared his throat and said seriously, “Tell me the time, and I’ll prepare.”