After leaving Lake Chu Tian, on the way back to the Ye Family estate, Ye Piaoling clasped his fists inside the luxurious and comfortable carriage. "This time, I must thank you for your help, Prince."

Di Yu smiled and shook his head, getting straight to the point. "Actually, this Prince came for that Heavenly Grade Elixir."

Upon hearing this, Ye Piaoling's gaze sharpened. Indeed, this Tianyu King was up to no good!

This Prince had always kept a low profile. For him to make such a high-profile appearance today, accompanied by the ninth-ranked powerhouse on the Heavenly List, there had to be something worthy of his presence. And only that Heavenly Grade Elixir was worth such a display.

Di Yu smiled. "Patriarch Ye, rest assured. This Prince only wants half of the Heavenly Grade Elixir."

Ye Piaoling lamented inwardly but was helpless to protest. Without Di Yu's support, the Ye Family alone, even if they obtained the Heavenly Grade Elixir, would not be able to keep it. Instead, they would become a target for all.

"You've seen for yourself," Di Yu continued, "even the Proud Sun Sect and Xianyin Valley are siding with Luo Xiu. Without my support, how would you cope?"

"Sigh!" Ye Piaoling sighed. "Then we shall do as you say, Prince."

"However," Di Yu added, "we first need to deal with Luo Xiu."

Remembering the humiliation of being beaten by Luo Xiu at the Chu Family estate, Ye Piaoling gritted his teeth. "I will tear that whelp into a thousand pieces!"

"But, Prince... he is the Martial Champion, and he might have concocted the Heavenly Grade Elixir. The ancient martial forces will surely side with him now. How should we deal with him?"

Di Yu smiled. "Just make your move when the time is right. This Prince will lend you a hand." He glanced at Ye Piaoling and continued, "Based on my understanding of him, he will definitely come to the Ye Family."

Hearing this, Ye Piaoling's eyes narrowed slightly. "From the sound of it, Prince, have you known him for a long time?"

Di Yu simply smiled without saying a word.

Before long, Di Yu and Ye Piaoling went their separate ways.

「...」

In a hotel room, Di Yu bowed slightly to Xia Chan, who was standing by the window.

"Black Robe Cultist Di Yu pays his respects, Messenger Lord!"

Gazing at her voluptuous figure and stunning beauty, he still found it hard to believe... that the true identity of the Holy Boi Religion Envoy was such a beautiful young woman. Though a lecher by nature, he dared not harbor any improper thoughts toward Xia Chan.

Xia Chan looked at him expressionlessly. "How is the Archbishop faring?"

"Rest assured, Messenger Lord. The Archbishop is doing well while under house arrest and investigation," Di Yu replied.

"It's fortunate we have you," Xia Chan said.

"I saw Luo Xiu at the Chu Family estate," Di Yu said. "Just as you mentioned over the phone, the lad is incredibly strong. It seems only Luo Ying is capable of killing him."

"Stick to the plan," Xia Chan ordered.

Di Yu nodded. "Your servant obeys."

First, let the Ye Family wear down Luo Xiu. Then, have Yang Zhilu, ninth on the Heavenly List, continue to exhaust him. Finally, have Luo Ying deliver the killing blow. This was Xia Chan's plan.

"Additionally, your servant has added another step."

Xia Chan frowned. "What step?"

"After going to the Chu Family, your servant spoke with Old Master Chu. As it happens, the old master owes me a favor," Di Yu said, continuing, "Luo Xiu should be able to leave the Chu estate, but his strength will be greatly diminished in the process."

Xia Chan stared into his eyes. "That's fine, as long as it doesn't affect the final outcome. But remember, killing Luo Xiu is not the primary objective. Rescuing the Archbishop is."

"Your servant understands."

A faint smile touched Xia Chan's lips. "When the time comes, once Luo Xiu has turned the Capital City completely upside down, you can use the chaos to rescue the Archbishop."

「...」

「Lake Chu Tian. The Chu Family.」

After the Ancient Martial Arts Summit hastily concluded, Xu Qianqing brought Luo Xiu to her courtyard. Her private villa was exceedingly luxurious, even more so than Luo Xiu's number one villa in Sea City.

Under a large tree in the yard, Luo Xiu gently pushed Xu Qianqing as she sat on a swing. "So, your name is 'Chu Xierou' now?"

Xu Qianqing looked a bit embarrassed. "Well, that wasn't my first name. It was Chu-something-Yao, but that name was too common, so I chose 'Xierou' for myself."

"It's because the cultivation technique I practice is called the 'Wicked Tenderness Technique'."

"I see."

Suddenly, Xu Qianqing hopped off the swing, turned, and stared into Luo Xiu's eyes.

"By the way, Luo Xiu, your illness..."

Luo Xiu smiled. "It's much better. Don't worry."

"How can I not worry? All this time I've been..." She lowered her head, her face flushing with shyness.

Luo Xiu looked at her tenderly. "You've been what?"

Xu Qianqing suddenly mustered her courage. "I decided a long time ago! If I ever saw you again, I was going to make you mine!"

"Ah?" Luo Xiu's eyes widened. "What do you mean 'make me...'"

Before he could finish, Xu Qianqing threw herself into his arms, stood on her tiptoes, and boldly pressed her lips to his.

Luo Xiu's body stiffened, and he didn't dare move. Gradually, as Xu Qianqing's passion grew, his body relaxed, and he slowly placed his hands on her waist.

After a long while, Xu Qianqing reluctantly pulled back, her face blushing. "Luo Xiu," she whispered, "shall we go inside?"

Unbeknownst to her, Luo Xiu, driven by the effects of the Sky Yin Pill, could no longer restrain himself. He decisively swept her up in his arms and strode into the house.

「...」

A long time passed. As evening approached, Luo Xiu slipped out of bed. He gathered the men's and women's clothes scattered across the floor and placed them on the bed.

"Qianqing, I have to go."

Xu Qianqing weakly reached out and grabbed his arm. "So soon?"

Luo Xiu nodded. "I need to get that elixir back as soon as possible."

Her face filled with worry. "But... what if you don't come back?"

"Then so be it." Luo Xiu smiled faintly and ruffled her hair. "I'm all alone now, with nothing to tie me down and no one to worry about. Every extra day I live is a bonus. Besides, I believe I have the power to do this, so there's no need to waste time with them."

"I'll just go and finish them off."

Tears welled in Xu Qianqing's eyes. After a moment of silence, she said, "Then I'll see you out."

She knew that was just how Luo Xiu was. Once he had made up his mind, no one could stop him.

"Lake Chu Tian is surrounded by a Spiritual Energy barrier," she added. "It's hard to get out if you don't know the way."

「...」

Just as Luo Xiu and Xu Qianqing stepped out of the courtyard, they saw Chu Tianming. It seemed he had been waiting for them.

Beside Chu Tianming stood an old man with white hair and a gaunt, skeletal frame. It was none other than the old patriarch of the Chu Family, Chu Aoran.

Chu Aoran sized up Luo Xiu and asked Chu Tianming, "So this is the Martial Champion of this generation?"

Chu Tianming smiled. "Indeed, that's him. Dad, what do you think of this son-in-law?"

Hearing this, Xu Qianqing's face turned crimson. "Dad, what are you talking about?" she protested softly. "Luo Xiu and I... we're just friends."

"Really? Just friends?" Chu Tianming gave her a meaningful look.

After Luo Xiu's performance at the summit, Chu Tianming had taken a great liking to the young man and intended to use Xu Qianqing to bind him to the Chu Family. Besides, he could see that his precious daughter had eyes only for Luo Xiu. That was hardly the look one gave a friend. This was the perfect opportunity to give them a push and fulfill his daughter's wishes.

Just then, Chu Aoran snorted disdainfully. "What nonsense!"

"My Xierou has inherited the complete ancestral bloodline. Her future is limitless; she may even reach the heights of our ancestors! Who in this world is worthy of her?" he declared. He then added, "However, this boy is indeed quite impressive. Let him stay and serve the Chu Family from now on."

Luo Xiu frowned. "My apologies, but I have matters to attend to. I must take my leave."

Chu Aoran's gaze darkened. A powerful aura suddenly emanated from his body as he rose into the air, blocking Luo Xiu's path.

"Boy, what do you take my Chu Family for? A place you can come and go as you please?"

...

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