551: You're so naughty, but people like it.

“Mhm, I understand. I won't lose face for the Prince.” Ruan Xingzhu's eyes sparkled; the feeling of being pampered was truly wonderful.

Moreover, it was such a domineering Prince.

In today's Martial Forest, probably only someone like Duan Zhengchun would dare to speak such domineering words.

“Alright, let me help you clean the grime off your body first.”

At this moment, Ruan Xingzhu realized a foul stench permeated the surroundings, and the smell was coming from her own body.

“Ah... this, what's going on?” Ruan Xingzhu looked at Duan Zhengchun in panic.

“Don't panic. This is the effect of the marrow cleansing pill. These are the impurities from your body. Their accumulation affects the circulation of Internal Energy, and over time, it would also affect your health.”

“The reason ordinary people cannot live long is that there are too many impurities and grime in their bodies, affecting the circulation of Qi and blood.”

“It's fine now. However, after reaching a certain Realm, you can perform Body Tempering yourself. Every time you undergo Body Tempering, residues will be expelled, allowing your body to advance toward perfection,” Duan Zhengchun explained with a smile.

“So that's how it is. Is this the difference between a Genius and an ordinary person?” Ruan Xingzhu nodded thoughtfully.

“Exactly. Those so-called Geniuses are born with their Eight Meridians clear. They don't need to struggle to open them; they only need to guide the circulation of Internal Energy to increase their strength.”

Ruan Xingzhu nodded, finally understanding the reason.

As she watched, Duan Zhengchun simply snapped his fingers, and a Water Dragon flew in from outside, swirling around her body.

She was once again shocked by Duan Zhengchun's methods.

Especially when that Water Dragon swirled over her body, it wasn't being well-behaved; it was just as much of a rogue as its Master.

“Prince, you... you're terrible.” Ruan Xingzhu gave Duan Zhengchun a bashful glare.

“Cough... well, a mistake, a mistake.” Duan Zhengchun rubbed his nose awkwardly.

Out of habit, he only then remembered that Ruan Xingzhu was already carrying his child and could no longer engage in strenuous exercise.

“It's nothing. If the Prince wishes, I still can.” Ruan Xingzhu's eyes were seductive, her watery gaze fixed on Duan Zhengchun.

With that look, Duan Zhengchun felt as if he were about to melt.

But he could only endure, endure, and endure some more.

Otherwise, it really would be life-threatening.

“Alright, I know your heart, but right now it's really not possible,” Duan Zhengchun comforted her.

Hearing Duan Zhengchun's words, Ruan Xingzhu looked at a certain place with a strange expression, her eyes filled with doubt.

Now, how could any man stand such an expression? His face immediately darkened.

“What kind of look is that? Don't you already know whether this Prince is capable or not?”

“This Prince is feeling bad for you. In your current state, if we continue, you'll be the one getting hurt.”

“Now, the most important thing is to quickly increase your strength. Time is running out,” Duan Zhengchun said with a stern face.

At this, Ruan Xingzhu became even more confused. What did he mean by time was running out?

Could it be that something was about to happen?

“No, Prince, what do you mean by that? What do you mean time is running out?” Ruan Xingzhu looked at Duan Zhengchun, her face full of questions.

“The matter is like this...”

Duan Zhengchun explained the situation to Ruan Xingzhu. She hadn't expected that so many secrets were hidden behind the Nine Provinces Continent.

Even more unexpected was that in less than half a year, the Nine Provinces Continent would face an unprecedented crisis. If they couldn't overcome this crisis, humanity might face extinction.

The only way to survive this crisis was to increase one's strength; only then would they have a bit more ability to protect themselves when the disaster struck.

“Prince, are you sure you're not joking?” Ruan Xingzhu looked at Duan Zhengchun with doubt—not because she didn't believe him.

It was just that the news was too shocking, making it truly hard to believe.

“What good would it do me to fool you with something like this? Besides, this matter is easily exposed, okay?”

“In half a year, the truth will be known. Moreover, only the core members of each Imperial Dynasty know even a tiny bit about this.”

“As for others, it's simply impossible for them to know this news,” Duan Zhengchun said, shrugging.

“That's true. It's not that I don't believe the Prince, it's just that the news is too shocking.” Ruan Xingzhu's expression was a bit awkward.

“Understood, understood. If this Prince hadn't seen it with his own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it either.”

“Furthermore, some things don't just not exist; it's just that your current standing can't reach that circle.”

“When your strength reaches a certain level, you will know things that others don't. This is the reason for the clear division of classes.”

“It's just like how people at the bottom can almost never know the affairs of the upper circles.”

“For example, your Ruan Family are merchants; can the ordinary commoners know the affairs of your household?” Duan Zhengchun nodded.

“Mhm, that's true. But, can I really reach the Earth Immortal Realm's strength within half a year?” Ruan Xingzhu looked at her hands with some doubt.

She knew her own situation; although she had some Aptitude in martial arts, she hadn't reached that level of a Heaven-Defying Prodigy.

Let alone the claim of reaching the Earth Immortal Realm in half a day.

Even those Masters of the Late Heaven-Man Realm wouldn't dare to say they could reach the Earth Immortal Realm within half a year.

Because many people remain stuck in the Heavenly Human Realm for their entire lives, unable to Breakthrough; that is perfectly normal.

Now, Duan Zhengchun was telling her that he could make her reach the Earth Immortal Realm within half a year, which was somewhat ridiculous.

“Alright, let's go. I'll take you to level up.” Duan Zhengchun stood up and gestured for Ruan Xingzhu to follow.

As soon as Ruan Xingzhu stood up, she felt a chill and realized she wasn't wearing any clothes. Her pretty face flushed red, and she quickly picked up her clothes to put them on.

This scene was a feast for Duan Zhengchun's eyes; he watched until his saliva was almost dripping.

Unfortunately, he could look but not touch, which was truly uncomfortable, though he could still indulge his hands a bit.

This made Ruan Xingzhu feel bashful; she gave Duan Zhengchun a reproachful glare, signaling him not to delay her dressing.

However, even so, the clothes that should have taken only the time of an incense stick to put on were delayed by Duan Zhengchun, taking a full hour to finish.

If Duan Zhengchun hadn't reined himself in just in time, there really might have been a fatality.

“Prince, you're too bad, delaying for so long.” Ruan Xingzhu leaned bashfully into Duan Zhengchun's embrace.

“Oh, I couldn't help it. Who told you to be so enticing, Madam? In your state just now, any man would lose control,” Duan Zhengchun explained with an innocent face.

Ruan Xingzhu's face flushed slightly, the corners of her mouth curling up, her large eyes sparkling with light.

As the saying goes, 'a woman dolls herself up for the one who pleases her.' She felt she was too lucky to have met Duan Zhengchun, her Prince Charming, in her most precarious moment.

This was Heaven's pity on her, allowing her to meet Duan Zhengchun at this time.