A giant purple eagle with razor-sharp talons dove down, forcing Jia Xingtian to dodge frantically.
Now facing two Sixth-Rank beasts, he could not keep up.
Crash!
His earth armor shattered. A claw slashed deep across his back.....blood gushed.
Black flame engulfed him entirely.
"Now!"
Ye Chen fired a golden beam of soul energy straight into the flames.....perfect hit.
"Lingyou, stop.....don't kill him."
The flames dispersed.
Jia Xingtian appeared again—hair burnt, body charred, barely breathing.
And then.....
His wings vanished. His aura plummeted.
"NO....my cultivation… sealed?!"
Without the wings, he fell screaming....only to land on the Purple Devil Eagle's back.
Ye Chen descended slowly, looking down on him.
"Still planning to kill me?"
Jia Xingtian's voice trembled with despair.
"I am defeated… If I must die, so be it. But this was my decision alone."
"After I die… please spare Yaoye and Yaoyue. Those two girls know nothing of this."
Ye Chen sneered.
"Spare Yaoye? Don't joke. She tried to kill me first."
Jia Xingtian's eyes dimmed.....confirmation of his worst fear.
Ye Chen leaned down, smiling coldly.
"You don't need to worry. I will take very good care of those two sisters."
He knocked Jia Xingtian unconscious and shoved a pitch-black pill into his mouth—
A Puppet Pill.
Anyone below Dou Ancestor could not resist it.
Moments later, Jia Xingtian awoke and immediately bowed.
"Jia Xingtian greets his master!"
Ye Chen nodded in satisfaction.
He restored Jia Xingtian to peak Nine-Star Dou Emperor and ordered:
"When you return, hide your injuries. Then announce Princess Yaoye will become my concubine."
"Yes, Master! I will accomplish your will!"
With the empire's hidden ruler now his puppet…
The entire Jia Ma Empire would soon be in Ye Chen's grasp.
Meanwhile ... Wu Tan City, Miteer Auction House
Ya Fei had not appeared in public for over two months. Business fell sharply. Some within the family were already pushing to replace her.
Inside her lavish room, Ya Fei sat alone—thin red nightgown, eyes full of hidden sorrow.
Her hands stroked her slightly swollen belly. The sadness softened into tenderness.
She couldn't go outside. A pregnant, unmarried woman would be drowned in rumors.
Softly, she whispered:
"Child… your father just married the Nalan family's eldest daughter. He probably won't come for me before you're born…"
A cold breeze blew through the window. Her delicate body shivered.
She moved closer to the window, looking up at the moon.
"No matter what, you are his child… With Ye Chen's talent, his status will soar. Waiting a bit longer… isn't too hard."
Her charming fox-like eyes glowed with determination.
Suddenly—
"Standing in the cold wind… you'll catch a chill."
A warm black cloak draped over her shoulders.
A familiar voice spoke behind her.
She froze—slowly turned...
"Ye Chen… you finally came."
Tears welled as she threw herself into his arms.
Ye Chen gently held her.
"Ya Fei, I'm late. You've suffered."
She shook her head quickly.
"No… I'm happy enough just that you're here."
Ye Chen lifted her chin, smiling softly.
"I came to take you back to the capital...
To marry you properly."
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Really?! You… you're not joking?!"
"Of course not. My clan is already arranging the wedding. Invitations have been sent."
Joy lit up her entire face. She kissed him passionately...Ye Chen responded just as intensely…
Inside the Imperial Palace of the Jia Ma Empire—
After treating his wounds and changing into a fresh robe, Jia Xingtian immediately ordered the palace guards to summon all high-ranking officials currently in the capital.
Soon, the grand and luxurious golden hall filled with nobles and powerful figures.
Among them stood the heads of two of the Three Great Families of the Empire: Mu Chen of the Mu Clan, and Nalan Jie with Nalan Su of the Nalan Clan.
Both were not only clan leaders but Imperial Marshals .... high-ranked, influential giants.
Called urgently without explanation, Mu Chen and Nalan Jie stood at the forefront, silently guessing what this sudden court meeting could be about.
"Old Nalan, what do you think the royal guardian is planning today?"
Mu Chen lowered his voice.
"How would I know what that stubborn old man thinks?"
Nalan Jie answered flatly.
But both had the same guess ..... this meeting must be related to Hai Bodong, the Ice Emperor of the Miteer Family… who had shockingly returned.
Whispers and suspicion filled the air across the entire hall.
Suddenly.....
"Miteer Tengshan has been summoned too?!"
Everyone turned their attention toward the entrance.
A stern-faced white-haired elder stepped inside ..... the Miteer Family's current head, Miteer Tengshan. Feeling all eyes on him, his heart tightened further.
He understood clearly: Ye Chen's recent rise and Hai Bodong's return threatened the power balance of the empire.
Today's court meeting was probably aimed at the Miteer Family.
If this is truly about Ye Chen… this could be disastrous.
Tengshan swallowed his anxiety and walked to stand beside Nalan Jie and Mu Chen.
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