Breathing in Meng Hongchen's sweet fragrance, Wang Chen wrapped his arm around her slender waist, soft and boneless like willow branches.
Her breath grew rapid, jade-white fingers clutching tightly at his clothes.
At last, after a long moment, their lips parted.
Meng Hongchen's small mouth glistened with a syrup-like sheen, shimmering with temptation.
Her delicate face was flushed red, sapphire eyes misty as she gazed at Wang Chen's perfect features. Her body felt powerless, her lips still sweet from the kiss.
Remembering her own boldness just now, she grew shy, burying her head into Wang Chen's chest.
Wang Chen gently stroked her silver hair and teased:
"Weren't you just brave a moment ago? Why the sudden shyness?"
He stopped there, content with just a taste. Holding the soft, fragrant girl in his arms, his mood was light and cheerful.
For him, with Meng Hongchen, it was enough to kiss, to hug, to hold her high. He remembered her affection clearly—yet the final step couldn't be taken casually. It had to be grand, passionate, romantic. Only then would he be satisfied.
Hearing his teasing, Meng Hongchen raised her head in embarrassment, her tiny pink fists tapping weakly against his chest.
"Brother Wang Chen, you're bad Who told you to be so fragrant? I couldn't resist"
With that, she snuggled back into his embrace, taking in a deep breath.
Meng Hongchen thought to herself:
Brother Wang Chen smells so good. I can't describe it… But just breathing it makes my body feel more alive. So warm, so comfortable.
This was no illusion.
For three years, Wang Chen had absorbed vast amounts of Golden Essence of Life, his body constantly refined and purified by it. Now, without any impurities, his flesh was flawless, nearly perfect.
His surging vitality not only gave him incredible recovery ability but also caused his body to naturally radiate life force. No wonder he smelled so good.
The two stayed embraced for a long while.
Then, Meng Hongchen remembered the recent news—Xu Tiannan, the eldest prince, had been made Crown Prince. Worry flickered in her eyes.
Concerned, she whispered:
"Brother Wang Chen, if you ever face danger, you must come to me. My… my grandpa can protect you."
Wang Chen smiled as he gently combed his fingers through her silver hair. With his current strength, he certainly needed no one's protection. But this feeling—of being cared for and cherished—was truly pleasant.
He chuckled softly:
"Alright."
Meng Hongchen lifted her chin proudly, her sapphire eyes sparkling.
"Brother Wang Chen, let me tell you—right now, I'm already at level forty-five. In about another year, I should be able to break through to level fifty and become a Soul King!"
After bragging, she tilted her head curiously at him.
"Brother Wang Chen, what's your cultivation now?"
Already a Soul Emperor, Wang Chen smiled and replied:
"Me? My cultivation is just a tiny bit higher than yours."
"How much higher?"
"Guess."
"Forty-six?"
"Nope."
"Forty-seven?"
"Wrong again."
"..."
Meng Hongchen tried again and again, but every answer was met with Wang Chen's denial.
Finally, she puffed her cheeks in anger.
"Brother Wang Chen, you're tricking me. Don't tell me… you've already broken through fifty?"
Wang Chen gazed into her blue eyes, pinching her delicate nose with a smile.
"I'll keep it secret for now. But soon, you'll know. I promise—it'll be a surprise."
Seeing his mysterious look, Meng Hongchen pouted adorably and clung to him, acting spoiled.
They chatted for a long time after—sharing cultivation insights, favorite things, and idle thoughts. The room was filled with laughter and joy.
Unnoticed, sunlight streamed through the windows, gilding them both in golden radiance.
As dusk fell, Wang Chen finally bid farewell to Meng Hongchen and returned home.
Cross-legged, he settled into meditation, a sharp thought flashing through his mind:
Everything is ready. Now… It's just waiting for Xu Tiannan's assassination.
…
Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince's Mansion.
Ever since Xu Tiannan had been named Crown Prince, the mansion's gates had been swarming with visitors from dawn each day.
Luxurious carriages lined up endlessly, officials and nobles arriving one after another with lavish gifts.
At the gates, a pale, beardless eunuch grinned broadly, eyes narrowed to slits as he accepted bribes one after another.
Since Xu Tiannan's rise, even a minor gate eunuch like him enjoyed soaring status. Merely from accepting these "small gifts," he earned hundreds of gold soul coins daily. Life had never been sweeter.
As he took the gifts, he meticulously recorded names and amounts, his sharp eyes categorizing every official and noble into three tiers.
The top-tier gifts earned their givers direct entry into the mansion.
The middle-tier were told to wait.
The lowest-tier? Their gifts were taken, and they were politely dismissed.
After all, the Crown Prince's mansion was not a place where just anyone could enter. If everyone were allowed in, the estate would burst at its seams.
Time slipped by, and evening descended. With the glow of soul lamps, the mansion blazed bright as day.
Deep within the mansion, towering halls exuded the majesty and extravagance of the royal family.
Inside one grand hall, noise and merriment filled the air.
A lavish banquet was underway, hosted personally by Crown Prince Xu Tiannan.
Its purpose was simple—to firmly stamp his authority onto every minister and noble present.
To attend a private banquet of the Crown Prince—everyone knew what that meant.
Xu Tiannan sat at the head in the special attire of the Crown Prince: an eight-clawed fire dragon robe. His posture was tall and proud, his complexion glowing, his eyes brimming with triumph.
Below him, nobles and ministers sat to the left and right, resplendent in silks, their faces alight with excitement and reverence. Their gazes continually drifted toward the Crown Prince, drawn as if by an irresistible light.
At the hall's center, musicians played gracefully, instruments in hand.
The zithers flowed like mountain streams; flutes trilled like birds in the forest; drums thundered like a thousand galloping steeds. Together, the melodies wove into a stirring, resounding symphony that filled the hall.
Amid the music, dancers in gauzy dresses spun and swayed. Their movements were elegant, enchanting, full of charm and spirit.
The sheer silk revealed glimpses of pale skin beneath, drawing furtive glances from lustful eyes among the crowd.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, wise and martial, decisive as thunder—you command my utmost admiration. Allow me to toast you!"
A Soul Saint–ranked powerhouse, already past fifty, rose with a cup in hand, his expression full of reverence.
"Your Highness, your vision pierces all, your judgment is unmatched—truly, you are the Sun Moon Empire's blessing, the people's fortune…"
One by one, nobles and ministers raised their voices. Whatever their actual ability, their skill at flattery was second to none.