Qian Feng was in a good mood.
His father, the King, had already sent Guo Kai to escort him into the palace.
Once he was in the palace, Chen Nan was sure to meet a miserable end.
Chen Nan's face contorted in ferocity, and he strode towards Qian Feng.
"You..."
"What do you want?"
As Chen Nan advanced, Qian Feng inexplicably felt an immense pressure.
*Slap!*
Chen Nan's fist smashed into his nose, caving it in deeply. Blood gushed out.
He then kicked Qian Feng to the ground.
A flurry of punches and kicks followed.
Qian Feng was like a... firecracker.
Yes.
Indeed.
As Chen Nan landed blow after blow, the sound of bones snapping echoed like crackling fireworks.
The others were stunned.
"Holy hell. The Emperor has summoned you to the palace, and you're still beating up the Third Prince? This is practically slapping the Emperor in the face!"
Qian Feng nearly died.
Even though Chen Nan hadn't used any immortal power, his physical strength was terrifyingly immense, far beyond what Qian Feng could withstand.
Chen Nan stopped, panting, then spread his hands. The divine sword appeared in his grasp.
As the divine sword was revealed, everyone felt a powerful oppressive aura. Even Guo Kai, a ninth-level Immortal Emperor, looked grave. He could sense the terrifying power of the divine sword; even he would be unable to resist it.
Chen Nan looked at Qian Sheng. "Ninth Prince, I have fulfilled my mission. This divine sword is now repaired and will be returned to its rightful owner today."
Qian Sheng took a step back and said earnestly, "Master Chen, I was the one who broke our agreement, putting you in such danger. I cannot accept this sword."
"Present it to Father King. With this sword, you will surely quell his anger."
Chen Nan hadn't expected Qian Sheng to say that. He had to admit, this guy was decent. He was willing to give up his chance at becoming Crown Prince for Chen Nan, all to appease the Emperor's wrath.
"Ninth Prince, I appreciate your kindness. I am bound by my promise, and I must see this through. Please, take the sword!" Chen Nan, without waiting for a response, handed the divine sword to Qian Sheng.
Qian Sheng: "Then I shall accompany you into the palace."
Guo Kai's voice cut in: "Ninth Prince, His Majesty has only summoned Master Chen to the palace."
Qian Sheng grew anxious. He had intended to go with Chen Nan, to perhaps intercede on his behalf if his father became enraged, or even offer the divine sword to the Emperor. But now, his father wouldn't even allow him into the palace.
Chen Nan smiled and patted Qian Sheng's shoulder. "Ninth Prince, have no fear. The Emperor has only summoned me. If he truly wished to kill me,"
"He could have ordered Commander Guo to strike me down directly."
"Why would he go through all this trouble?"
Guo Kai's mouth twitched. *Master Chen, you jest. With my strength, I'm afraid I couldn't defeat you!*
Chen Nan: "Commander Guo, shall we go!"
"Indeed." Guo Kai ascended into the air. Chen Nan followed closely, arriving at the Qian Kingdom's imperial palace.
He met the Emperor in the Golden Dragon Hall. The Emperor glared at him, his eyes burning with rage. Chen Nan met his gaze calmly. Neither spoke, and a silent battle of wills began. Even the void began to distort.
After a long while, the Emperor broke the silence. "The Ancient Desolate Sacred Body is indeed terrifying."
"The Emperor summoned me to the palace, surely not just to praise me?" Chen Nan chuckled, not surprised that the Emperor knew of his Ancient Desolate Sacred Body.
The Emperor let out a heavy snort. "I am extremely displeased with you."
Chen Nan shrugged. "I don't require your respect."
"Insolence!" The Emperor was enraged. "Chen Nan, I am the ruler of the Qian Kingdom, one of the eight Supremes of the human race. Do you speak to me in such a tone?"
"Enough, enough. Stop playing the prima donna in front of me." Chen Nan said impatiently. "If we were truly to compare foundations, you are no match for me."
Chen Nan wasn't boasting. He was the Lord of the Demon Realm. Even Ao Lie, the proud patriarch of the Dragon Clan, called him master. He was also on brotherly terms with the Emperors of the Wu and Yan Kingdoms. He commanded four laws, possessed a divine cauldron, a pillar of merit, and a celestial abode. In terms of connections and foundation, who in the current immortal realm could compare?
The Emperor laughed in fury. "You are truly arrogant."
"However..."
"Why have you come to my Qian Kingdom?"
"And why did you help young Jiu repair that divine artifact?"
"If I'm not mistaken, you two had a transaction."
"And that transaction..."
"Was it perhaps this pill recipe in my hand?" He produced a tattered piece of ancient sheepskin scroll. "Indeed, at your level of achievement, there are few things in this world that can attract your attention."
"Grandmaster of Formations, Grandmaster of Artifact Refining, Grandmaster of Alchemy..."
"Tsk tsk!"
"The reputation of a Three Grandmasters is something even I envy."
Chen Nan wasn't surprised that the Emperor had guessed his purpose for coming to Qian Kingdom. As he said, at his level of achievement, very few things in the world could truly attract him. The only thing in the Qian Kingdom that could was this divine pill recipe.
The Emperor spoke, "Let's make a deal."
"The Xue Kingdom is currently facing an invasion from the demon race. Although the Xue Kingdom's Great Divine Official, Ling Yanran, possesses the strength of a ninth-level Immortal Emperor,"
"Her strength alone is insufficient to suppress that passage."
"I wish for you to go to the Xue Kingdom and help Ling Yanran suppress the demon passage."
Hearing this, Chen Nan looked at the Emperor with newfound respect. He hadn't expected the Emperor to want him to go to the Xue Kingdom to help Ling Yanran suppress the demon passage. This showed that he cared for the well-being of the world.
"If you can go to the Xue Kingdom and help them suppress the demon passage,"
"The Empress will surely look upon me with favor, and perhaps even accept me." The Emperor's face displayed a look of longing.
Chen Nan's newfound good impression vanished instantly. Truly, the Emperor lived up to his title as the foremost lapdog of the immortal realm.
"Let's consider another condition," Chen Nan said. "I will not go to the Xue Kingdom."
The Emperor frowned. "This matter is something you can accomplish with ease."
Chen Nan shrugged. "But I don't wish to do things I dislike."
The Emperor let out a heavy snort. "Then we have nothing to discuss."
Chen Nan: "Shall I leave, then?" Although he desperately wanted that divine pill recipe, he would not compromise for the Emperor's sake.
The Emperor, enraged, said, "Chen Nan, you are the only Three Grandmasters in the immortal realm. You should mind your image, not act like a scoundrel."
Chen Nan raised an eyebrow. "What does it matter to you how I act?"
The Emperor gritted his teeth. "Do you believe I can capture you and send you to the Xue Kingdom right now?"
Chen Nan: "I don't deny you want to send me to the Xue Kingdom, but I advise you not to. Otherwise, you will be the one harmed."
"And another thing."
"Do you truly believe you can capture me?" His gaze was arrogant, revealing his utter disdain for the Emperor.
Guo Kai, standing nearby, felt his heart leap into his throat. *How can this fellow be so arrogant? Isn't he afraid His Majesty will act against him?*