NOVEL NEXT Chapter 175: Grandmaster, Ninth Stage
Chapter 175: Grandmaster, Ninth Stage
Xu Lian arrived at the main hall.
The civil and military officials were all friendly, smiling and chatting warmly with him.
Xu Lian knew that this wasn’t entirely due to his own influence. It was mostly because of his status as the legitimate husband of the princess.
With a cheerful smile, the Minister of Rites pointed to the front of the hall and said, “When I met you at the foot of Qifeng Mountain, I thought you were just here to join in the fun. I never expected you to stand out among so many geniuses and become the royal son-in-law.”
As the royal son-in-law, Xu Lian held a fifth-rank position. Was it appropriate for him to stand at the front?
Xu Lian suspected that the old man might be setting him up, but then he thought that this was the imperial court and such jokes were unlikely. Perhaps as the royal son-in-law and a newlywed attending his first court meeting, he was given special treatment.
Xu Lian stepped forward and said, “I didn’t expect it either. I just happened to become the royal son-in-law.”
Upon hearing this, the officials’ faces twitched. Many of their own sons had participated in the selection for the royal son-in-law, but they hadn’t even made it past the preliminary rounds. The competition had been fierce, and Xu Lian’s casual remark made it sound like a walk in the park. How would the other geniuses feel?
“His Majesty has arrived!”
The eunuch’s voice rang out in a rhythmic cadence.
The emperor entered the hall from the rear, followed by the eunuch and his entourage.
“Long live His Majesty!”
The civil and military officials bowed in unison.
Xu Lian followed suit.
“Rise, my loyal subjects.”
The emperor ascended the throne and sat down.
His gaze fell first on Xu Lian, who was standing at the front. He asked, “How are you and the princess getting along after your wedding?”
Could he say that they weren’t getting along? Xu Lian clasped his hands and replied, “Your Majesty, the princess is virtuous and I am delighted. We get along very well.”
This was a formal occasion, so he addressed the emperor as “Your Majesty.” In private, he would have to call him “Father,” just like a son-in-law.
“That’s good to hear.”
The emperor nodded slightly and then offered some words of encouragement, mostly about working hard and not slacking off in his cultivation.
After that, the emperor began to discuss state affairs with the officials.
Xu Lian listened, but he found himself lost in the jargon. Most of the discussions revolved around cultivation resources, and little attention was paid to the lives of ordinary people.
When the court session ended, Xu Lian left the palace.
He rode his magnificent exotic beast back to the princess’s residence, where he continued to spend time with Tantai Youxuan.
A few days later, Tantai Youxuan finally became less clingy and resumed her cultivation, giving Xu Lian some free time.
He first returned to the inn to spend time with Huo Xin’er, Jiang Yunyan, and Miao Yueyue. He had neglected them for a while and needed to make up for it.
A few more days passed, and Xu Lian finally found out where Li Xiya’s residence was, or rather, where Tantai Xiya’s residence was.
Under the cover of night, he sneaked into the residence and found Yang Chan’er.
“Brother Lian, am I dreaming?”
Yang Chan’er was overjoyed and burst into tears, throwing herself into Xu Lian’s arms.
Xu Lian comforted her for a while before she finally stopped crying. He asked curiously, “I’ve become the royal son-in-law, and it’s caused quite a stir in the capital. Haven’t you heard about it in this residence?”
Yang Chan’er wiped away her tears and said, “I heard about it, but I thought it was someone else with the same name as you.”
What a stupid girl… Xu Lian didn’t know what to say. In Yang Chan’er’s mind, he was just a small overseer from Green Bamboo Town. Although he had some skills, it was hard for her to associate him with a top-tier genius.
Yang Chan’er looked at him with sparkling eyes, “Brother Lian is so capable. Even the legitimate princess has become your wife.”
Xu Lian hugged her affectionately, “As the saying goes, ‘New clothes are better, but old friends are best’. Clothes look better when they’re new, but people are better when they’re familiar. In my heart, Sister Xiya and you, Chan’er, are the ones I care about the most. No matter how many wives I have, the joy you’ve given me will always remain in my heart.”
Bah! What a scoundrel… He hadn’t said anything like this when he was with Tantai Youxuan. Xu Lian didn’t want to say such a thing, but the favor system left him no choice.
“Old friends? Am I old?”
Yang Chan’er pouted, but she was clearly pleased.
And so, Xu Lian spent some time with her.
As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Not surprisingly, he received a favorability notification.
[Note 1: Yang Chan’er’s favorability toward you has increased from 92/100 to 93/100. You have gained 1 progression point.]
[Note 2: You now have 2 progression points available for use.]
Xu Lian glanced at the still sleeping Yang Chan’er and immediately used the points to upgrade his rank. He took out the Spirit Enhancement Pill, added the necessary ingredients, and promoted himself from seventh-stage grandmaster to ninth-stage grandmaster!
Now, his cultivation level was on par with that of Xue Wuyi. If they were to fight again, it wouldn’t be a draw. With the Sacred Spirit Record, an immortal level technique, and the system’s direct mastery, Xu Lian could use it flawlessly. Even if Xue Wuyi had a technique of the same level, he still wouldn’t be Xu Lian’s match.
“My strength should now be at the top of the second rank among the younger generation of major factions. I’m not sure how strong the first rank is, but I guess they’ve reached the level of a Great Grandmaster. I’m not far from the first rank myself.”
Xu Lian used the younger generation of the major factions as a yardstick. After all, these young geniuses would grow into powerful figures in the future. As long as he kept pace with them, he too would become a formidable force.
When Yang Chan’er woke up and finished washing up, she had meals brought to her room. Since the relationship between Tantai Xiya and Xu Lian was still not public, it wouldn’t be appropriate for Xu Lian to openly appear in Tantai Xiya’s residence.
As they ate, Xu Lian asked her how she had been living here.
Yang Chan’er replied, “Life here is luxurious. I have fine clothes, delicious food, and servants to take care of me. It’s like living as a young lady from a wealthy family. But I’m so lonely. I have no one to talk to. I miss you and my parents so much.”
As she spoke, she began to cry again. Xu Lian quickly comforted her, understanding her loneliness. While material comforts were abundant, they couldn’t bring her happiness. Back in Green Bamboo Town, they had also enjoyed good food and drink, so the lack of spiritual fulfillment was what troubled her.
Xu Lian said, “I plan to return to Pingyang County soon. I’ve already moved Aunt Wang and the others there. Would you like to come back with me?”
Yang Chan’er hesitated, “Sister Xiya has assigned a female official to teach me cultivation. I want to stay here and continue my cultivation. Once I become a true cultivator, I’ll come back to find you.”
“That’s fine, too. Once you become a cultivator and strengthen your body, you won’t be restricted from going out during the day. You’ll gain your freedom.”
Xu Lian respected her decision, but he couldn’t help feeling a bit sentimental. After experiencing the world, Chan’er had grown up. She was no longer the girl from Green Bamboo Town who was content with just having enough to eat, like Wang Cuiyun.
But that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. People had to grow.
Xu Lian “hid” in the residence and spent three days with her, thoroughly easing her longing before finally leaving.
He returned to the other princess’s residence – the one belonging to Tantai Youxuan, the legitimate princess.
After spending some time with Tantai Youxuan and fully enjoying their “honeymoon phase”, her favorability rose to 91/100, earning him another progression point. Only then did Xu Lian bid her farewell.
Tantai Youxuan was reluctant to let him go, “It’s a pity. The royal family has a rule that the legitimate princess cannot leave the capital. I can’t go to Pingyang County with you.”
Actually, Xu Lian didn’t want her to go either…
A legitimate princess with “princess syndrome” like her would undoubtedly assume the role of household mistress. While Huo Xin’er and Jiang Yunyan might be able to earn her approval, she would likely look down on the ordinary women in the household, causing chaos.
So, Xu Lian had never planned to take her back to Pingyang County. The place was too small to accommodate a legitimate princess.
She should stay in the capital, beautiful and content… Xu Lian could visit her whenever he came to the capital, enjoying her company without having to deal with her royal temper. This was the best way to handle their relationship.
Of course, Xu Lian couldn’t say this out loud…
With a reluctant expression, he said, “I also wish I could stay in the capital with you, but my roots are in Pingyang County. I can’t give up the connections I’ve worked so hard to build. The strong supporters who came to my aid during the finals were also the result of my efforts in Pingyang County.”
Tantai Youxuan was immediately worried, “In that case, you can’t stay in the capital for too long and neglect those connections. A man’s ambition should span the entire world. Improving your strength and expanding your network are the most important things.”
Xu Lian nodded, “Don’t worry, Youxuan. I’ll visit you often in the capital. Once I return to Pingyang County, I won’t slack off for a single day. When I become a powerful figure and form my own faction, I’ll ask the royal family to allow you to come with me.”
Tantai Youxuan smiled in satisfaction. This was exactly the future she had envisioned for herself. With their goals aligned, she was naturally pleased.
She took Xu Lian to the palace to bid farewell to the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress.
After leaving the palace, Xu Lian returned to the inn and prepared to leave the capital with Huo Xin’er, Jiang Yunyan, and Miao Yueyue.
A graceful figure lingering at the entrance caught his attention. It was Jing Se from the Duke of Jing’s residence.
Jing Se’s eyes were red, filled with tears as she watched him silently.
When you flirt, you have to take responsibility… Xu Lian finally remembered this matter. Without hesitation, he took Jing Se directly to the Duke of Jing’s residence to formally visit.
Bold, meticulous, and thick-skinned… These qualities were just as useful in this world.
As a top-tier genius of the younger generation, with a powerful background and now the status of the legitimate husband of the princess, the Duke of Jing’s residence was very pleased with him. They had no objections and readily approved of his relationship with Jing Se.
With the family’s approval, Jing Se finally smiled through her tears and joined him.
In this world, there weren’t so many formalities. Everything depended on strength and influence. Xu Lian understood this very well. If he wasn’t a top genius or didn’t have a powerful background, the Duke of Jing’s residence would never have allowed their daughter to be with him so casually.
So Xu Lian left the capital with Jing Se and the three women.
They reached the exciting part of the journey with Huo Xin’er’s flying sword.
Fortunately, Jing Se could also use a flying sword. She carried Xu Lian, relieving Huo Xin’er, who only had to carry Jiang Yunyan and Miao Yueyue.
After a nerve-wracking journey, they exited the rift and landed at the foot of Qifeng Mountain.
As he used the altar, Xu Lian felt a pang of regret. With Jing Se in the group, the cost of using the altar had increased by several hundred thousand spirit stones.
Originally, he had brought 30 million spirit stones with him. He spent over 20 million on the Spiritual Strength Pill and another 3 million on the teleportation array of the altar. Now, he only had 5 to 6 million left. He regretted not taking some treasures from Tantai Youxuan’s treasury before leaving… It was a missed opportunity to take advantage of the “wealthy woman”.
However, he did have many rare treasures, gifts from the Emperor and Empress, worth at least 50 million Spirit Stones. All in all, it was a fruitful trip.