Zhennan Palace, visiting Lu Chaochao

Shen Fan fled the imperial palace in a panic, as if a fierce beast was chasing him.

As Shen Fan's footsteps gradually faded, a young woman in her prime, around sixteen years old, gracefully walked into a quiet part of the imperial garden.

Her figure was lithe, her face delicate and pretty, and her eyes sparkled with curiosity and anticipation.

"Grandpa Emperor, did he... agree?"

The young woman walked to Royal Xuanji's side, her voice tinged with shyness and apprehension.

Royal Xuanji looked at her affectionately and chuckled, "He said he already has two wives at home, so if you go, you'd only be the third!"

Upon hearing this, a flicker of disappointment crossed the young woman's eyes. She lowered her head, hesitated for a moment, then said firmly,

"For the safety of Great Li Kingdom, third it is. As long as we and Tianxuan Sect can work closely together, even if I have to be his servant, I'm willing!"

Royal Xuanji gently patted the young woman's shoulder and said kindly,

"Silly girl, there's no need to be so humble. Their Tianxuan Sect also needs us. This is a mutual cooperation. It mainly depends on your wishes. If you truly like him, Grandpa Emperor will help you arrange it."

"I... I..."

The young woman looked up in the direction Shen Fan had left, stammering and unable to articulate anything for a long time.

How could she speak of liking someone she had never even met?

However, deep down, wasn't she longing for a hero-like companion?

...

After leaving the Imperial City, Shen Fan went straight to Prince Zhennan's manor.

Prince Zhennan was Great Li Kingdom's hidden trump card; his strength had reached the Late Stage Foundation Establishment Stage, and he also commanded an elite army composed entirely of Cultivators.

Last time, Shen Fan had encountered Lu Zhaozhao, who had been mistakenly arrested. After rescuing her, he had told her to seek refuge with Prince Zhennan.

Now that Shen Fan was here, he decided to visit Lu Zhaozhao and check on her situation.

After announcing his identity, he was soon personally welcomed by Prince Zhennan.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Shen Fan bowed slightly in salutation.

"Haha, it's you, young man! I've heard that you faced a 200,000-strong army alone, even slaying several Foundation Establishment Stage powerhouses and successfully repelling the rebels. Truly a young hero!"

Prince Zhennan laughed heartily, pulling Shen Fan into Prince Zhennan's manor.

Shen Fan secretly mused that when he had asked Lu Zhaozhao to secretly join Great Li Kingdom, Prince Zhennan probably didn't know about the connection between him and Lu Zhaozhao.

"Oh, right!"

Prince Zhennan suddenly changed the subject, voicing his confusion, "You said, for just a small Chaoxia City, why would they send 200,000 troops? And even several Foundation Establishment Stage powerhouses? Is it worth it?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Fan quickly leaned in and whispered into his ear, "I've already told Senior Royal Xuanji about this. In fact, their attack on Chaoxia City has another purpose."

"Oh? What purpose?"

Prince Zhennan raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.

"For the Great Qian Dragon Vein of the former dynasty!"

Shen Fan lowered his voice, uttering the forbidden term.

"What?!"

Prince Zhennan exclaimed, quickly looking around, fearing someone might overhear.

Then, with a grave expression, he asked, "Is what you're saying true?"

Shen Fan nodded solemnly:

"I believe Senior Royal Xuanji will contact you very soon, asking you to bring people to investigate.

Eighty years ago, that place was called Evening Radiance City, inhabited by the remnants of Great Qian.

Later, they buried the entire city underground, taking millions of lives with it.

The Mystic Yin Enchantress Sect's objective this time is precisely the Great Qian Dragon Vein!"

"Hiss!"

Prince Zhennan gasped, a look of shock flashing in his eyes, "Are you sure about this?"

"Hey! Why would I lie to you! Believe it or not, Senior Royal Xuanji might summon you to the palace today!" Shen Fan chuckled.

"If that's truly the case, then I really do need to make a trip to Chaoxia City!" Prince Zhennan murmured to himself.

"By the way, I heard that your Great Li Kingdom has its own Cultivator army, personally commanded by Your Highness. I wonder if I could have a look?"

Shen Fan suddenly changed the subject, making his request.

"What's there to see? Most of them are at the Qi Refinement Stage; they won't enter your Dharma Eye!"

Prince Zhennan waved his hand, but secretly pondered.

He had heard that Shen Fan had killed seven or eight Foundation Establishment Stage powerhouses in Chaoxia City, including some at Foundation Establishment Stage Perfection.

One must know that his current strength was only at the Late Stage Foundation Establishment Stage!

In other words, Shen Fan had killed seven or eight people like him?

If that were true, his attitude towards Shen Fan would have to undergo a drastic change.

Such a person must be befriended.

"Low strength can be improved! But I heard that Your Highness is excellent at training armies, even these Cultivators are trained in an orderly fashion. Our Tianxuan Sect has just undergone a reform and needs to learn from your experience in this regard, which is why I need to see them!"

Shen Fan casually made an excuse.

"Is that so? In that case, I'll call them out for you to see, and it'll be good for you to give them some pointers!"

Saying this, Prince Zhennan sent someone to summon the army.

Before long, a squad of Cultivators in black armor arrived uniformly before the two of them.

Their figures were tall and straight, their eyes firm, revealing a resolute and disciplined aura.

Shen Fan's eyes lit up at first glance. Among the crowd, Lu Zhaozhao's figure was clearly visible.

The moment Lu Zhaozhao saw Shen Fan, her eyes nearly popped out.

But remembering Shen Fan's mission for her to remain undercover, she forcefully suppressed the urge to acknowledge him.

"How is it?" Prince Zhennan asked, quite proudly.

"Not bad, not bad! Quite the resolute spirit!"

Shen Fan nodded, then asked, "Are the Magical Artifacts on them uniformly configured, or do they each have their own?"

At this point, Prince Zhennan couldn't help but say somewhat awkwardly, "Training such an army is too expensive. Currently, this team has a total of three thousand people, and most are uniformly equipped with a Low Grade Magical Artifact."

"Is that so!"

Shen Fan pondered for a moment, then said, "This time, I killed several Foundation Establishment Stage powerhouses of the Mystic Yin Enchantress Sect and took their qiankun bags. There are some things inside that I don't need, consider it my gratuitous donation to Your Highness!"

Saying this, Shen Fan poured out a pile of Magical Artifacts and Spiritual Artifacts from his qiankun bag with a clatter.

Among them were several hundred Low Grade Magical Artifacts, over a hundred Medium Grade Magical Artifacts, and dozens of Low Grade Spiritual Artifacts.

Seeing this, Prince Zhennan's eyes immediately widened: "So many?"

These things were truly of little use to Shen Fan.

Of course, Shen Fan had looked through all these items; he kept the useful ones for himself and poured out the useless ones here.

"Your Highness, take a look. See if there's anything you need. If not, distribute them to others!" Shen Fan chuckled.

Upon hearing this, the ten-person squad that had been called over all held their breath.

Except for Lu Zhaozhao, every one of them swallowed hard, their eyes gleaming with desire.

"Then it would be disrespectful not to accept!"

Prince Zhennan immediately took a fancy to one of the Low Grade Spiritual Artifacts and put it into his own possession.

The rest, he had people take away.

Of course, these items would not simply be distributed to the people below at random.

The Cultivator army numbered five thousand, and there were only a few hundred Magical Artifacts and Spiritual Artifacts, so they had to be given to those with outstanding contributions and strength.

And just at this moment, a sharp voice came from outside: "Prince Zhennan, receive the imperial decree!"

"By imperial decree, Prince Zhennan is summoned to the palace for a discussion!"

"Yes!" Prince Zhennan responded, then turned to Shen Fan and chuckled, "It seems you were right!"

Seeing this, Shen Fan couldn't help but smile as well.

"You rest here in the manor for a while. I'll be back shortly. Tonight, we'll have a few drinks!"

After giving his instructions, Prince Zhennan left the manor.

Shen Fan was happy to agree; after all, he was here to see Lu Zhaozhao.

After Prince Zhennan left, Shen Fan casually said to the ten people who had been called over, "Um... you stay here and tell me about your team's situation. The others can leave!"

"Yes!"

Lu Zhaozhao pursed her lips, standing still.

After everyone else had left.

She pounced on Shen Fan like crazy.

"Ah~!!! Little Fanzi, I missed you so much!"