As Wang Jian indulged in his life with his beloved wives, his enemies were busy plotting their next moves.
After returning to her personal palace, Wang Ying wasted no time and summoned her most trusted subordinates.
"Summon Ye Chen immediately. I need to speak with him."
As her subordinates hurried to obey, Wang Ying leaned back on her throne, a wicked grin forming on her lips. "And while you're at it, gather all the information you can on him. His family, friends, and lovers. Everything."
She knew that Ye Chen was a skilled warrior, but more than that, she sensed a ruthlessness and cunning that could serve her well in her bid for power.
As her subordinates scurried away, Wang Ying mused to herself, 'This brat dared to harm even Jian. He can be very useful to me.'
With a devious smirk, she began to hatch a plan to recruit Ye Chen into her ranks and turn him against her brother.
…
Wang Lei was consumed with fury upon hearing the news of Wang Jian's advancement to the King Realm.
This sudden development had created a ripple effect within the Royal Family, causing significant changes.
The Emperor's favor had shifted towards Wang Jian, and he had been aiding in the development of Wang Jian's faction.
The Third Prince, who had previously been indifferent to Wang Jian, was now acutely aware of the Emperor's commands to the Church of Divine Light and the Heavenly Blade Sect.
The knowledge of the resources and the weapon at Wang Jian's disposal had sent a chill down Wang Lei's spine.
He knew that Wang Jian's newfound power could cause trouble for him and his faction in the future. The thought of being eclipsed by his younger brother made him seethe with anger.
Furthermore, Wang Lei was seething with anger towards Wang Jian for ruining his plan to obliterate the Jin Clan.
His relationship with the Jade Serpent Sec had taken a significant hit since the incident.
Wang Lei could sense that they were hesitant to make their next move, and this only added to his frustration.
It was clear to Wang Lei that the Jade Serpent Sect had lost faith in his abilities, and he was no longer considered a contender for the throne.
This realization opened his eyes to the harsh reality of the world, where strength was the only thing that mattered.
With a newfound determination, Wang Lei ordered his subordinates to gather as much information as possible about Law Fruits.
He was desperate to acquire one by any means necessary to reach the King Realm and show everyone his true strength.
…
Ye Chen wandered deep within the dense and perilous Crimson Canopy Woods, his senses attuned to the rustling of leaves and the sounds of ferocious beasts prowling nearby.
He had ventured into the forest for several days and had already slain a multitude of beasts at the Lord Realm, their lifeless bodies left to nourish the powerful Chaos Essence Bead that glowed vibrantly in his hand.
With each feeding, he felt an invigorating surge of pure energy pulse through his body, reinvigorating him for the next hunt.
Ye Chen wasn't content with just growing stronger by slaying beasts, he was driven by his true purpose of finding legendary herbs. However, despite his perseverance, he had not been able to spot any signs of the elusive plants.
As he was contemplating whether to explore another section of the forest, he heard a shrill cry in the distance. Ye Chen's senses sharpened, and he quickly identified it as a woman's voice, which seemed to be in distress.
Without a moment's delay, Ye Chen unleashed his fastest movement technique and darted towards the source of the sound. The thrill of a potential encounter with danger was surging within him, but he had no intention of backing down.
In another part of the woods, a group of stunning women, dressed in delicate pink robes adorned with lotus flowers, were making their way through the treacherous terrain.
They were the disciples of the renowned Lotus Blossom Sect, and their beauty was matched only by their formidable martial prowess.
Suddenly, the peace of the forest was shattered by a series of blood-curdling screams. The women had been ambushed by a horde of vile demons, their bodies surrounded by a thick, sinister aura of demonic energy.
The creatures had vicious, razor-sharp claws and gnashing teeth, and their eyes burned with an otherworldly glow.
The elder of the Lotus Blossom Sect was a mature beauty, with years of experience as an elder-ranked figure in the sect. She fearlessly charged towards the King Realm demon that led the pack, determined to take him down.
The disciples of the Lotus Blossom Sect fought valiantly, their weapons gleaming in the dim light of the forest.
But even with their skill and courage, they were no match for the ferocity of the demon horde. One by one, they fell to the ground, their bodies broken and bloodied.
A few disciples of the Lotus Blossom Sect couldn't help but scream aloud.
This was precisely the scream that Ye Chen had heard.
In a flash of lightning, a figure appeared before them. It was Ye Chen, his eyes blazing with righteous fury and his fists crackling with power.
He wasted no time in engaging the demons, his movements swift and precise as he dodged their attacks and landed devastating blows.
Ye Chen tapped into the energy that he had gathered from the Chaos Essence Stone, channeling it into his Heavy Sword as he charged towards the King Realm Demon.
He unleashed a devastating attack, imbued with the Laws of Sword, and simultaneously pulled out a talisman with the power of a King Realm expert.
But before he could use the talisman, his sword struck the demon's shoulder, piercing it.
This gave the elder from the Lotus Blossom Sect an opening to unleash her most powerful technique.
She conjured up hundreds of leaves, infused with her mastery of the Laws of Wind, and sent them hurtling towards the demon.
The leaves sliced through the air, slashing the demon into a thousand pieces.
The disciples of the Lotus Blossom Sect let out a cheer of triumph as all demons were soon exterminated with the combined efforts of Ye Chen and the elder.
After the fierce battle, Ye Chen finally had the chance to meet the group he had saved.
They were a team of talented warriors led by the renowned Elder Hua Qiao, a woman of exceptional beauty from the prestigious Hua Clan in Jinhua City.
Her delicate features were concealed behind a veil, but Ye Chen could sense her elegance and grace from the way she carried herself.
Elder Hua expressed her gratitude to Ye Chen for his timely intervention, recognizing that without him, more disciples of the Lotus Blossom Sect would have fallen in battle.
Ye Chen modestly accepted her praise, but he couldn't help but feel drawn to her captivating aura.
Meanwhile, the other disciples of the Lotus Blossom Sect expressed their excitement at meeting Ye Chen and introduced themselves eagerly, thanking him for his bravery in slaughtering the demons and saving them.
"What brings you all to these parts?" Ye Chen inquired curiously.
A young disciple from the group quickly stepped forward and replied, "We are on a quest to find the Heavenly Moon Blossom."
The mere mention of the legendary herb sent a jolt of surprise through Ye Chen's body. He had heard of its existence but never thought he would encounter anyone actively seeking it.
Elder Hua's eyes narrowed in disapproval, and she cast a sharp glare at the disciple who had let slip this valuable information.
Ye Chen couldn't help but ponder intently on the knowledge he possessed about the Heavenly Moon Blossom.
It is a rare and highly coveted plant in the world of cultivation. The plant only blooms once every hundred years, and it only grows in the most remote and inaccessible places. Its petals glow with a soft silver light, creating an otherworldly aura around it.
The plant has two unique abilities that make it a treasure for cultivators.
The first is its ability to enhance one's spiritual energy, making it a popular ingredient in spiritual pills and elixirs. Consuming its petals can increase one's cultivation speed by tenfold, allowing for rapid advancement in the martial arts.
The second ability of Heavenly Moon Blossom is its power to purify and refine spiritual energy. Its petals can absorb impurities and toxins from the body, enhancing the purity of one's spiritual energy. This allows cultivators to achieve greater heights in their cultivation and reach realms that were previously impossible to attain.
With its rare blooming cycle and unique abilities, the Heavenly Moon Blossom is a prized possession among cultivators, with many willing to go to great lengths to obtain even a single petal.
Ye Chen was consumed with a fervent desire as he thought to himself, 'This medicinal plant is of the same caliber as the Holy Blossom Fruit and the Phoenix Flame Fruit. I must obtain it and use the Chaos Essence Bead to cultivate it! With dozens of these blossoms in my possession, I can even placate the fury of the Church of the Divine Light.'
As he gazed at Elder Hua, his eyes betrayed his intense yearning, and he couldn't resist thinking, 'If I offer two of these flowers to her, it will surely enhance her impression of me.'
Without hesitation, Ye Chen implored, "Might I have the honor of accompanying you on this expedition?"
Elder Hua let out a resigned sigh, knowing that this request was inevitable. Any cultivator who learned of the existence of the Heavenly Moon Blossom would be irresistibly tempted.
A bit pressured by the gazes on her, Elder Hua responded, "Alright."
