Visit Chu Yao

"Boom!"

The Pill Furnace shook violently, and terrifying energy surged forth, as if a struggling, berserk Demonic Beast were sealed inside.

"Seal!"

Long Chen shouted, pressing his palm firmly onto the lid, but the essence of the Medicinal Pill could not be sealed by the strength of his Physical Body alone.

"Whoosh!"

As his palm sealed the lid, a powerful surge of Soul Power poured out like a tidal wave, forming layers of restrictions around the Pill Furnace, tightly locking its edges.

After struggling violently for a full hour, the Pill Furnace finally began to slowly return to silence, eventually calming down completely.

He slowly opened the lid, and the previously dark room instantly brightened. A Medicinal Pill, resembling a night-luminescent pearl, was emitting a soft glow.

"Hehe, finally refined it."

Long Chen let out a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. A wave of intense exhaustion washed over him; he felt as if he were about to pass out.

This was the third batch of Medicinal Pills he had refined. The first batch was the Star-Melting Pill refined for Chu Yao; by comparison, the Star-Melting Pill was actually the easiest to refine.

The second was the Soul-Devouring Heart-Corroding Pill, a poisonous pill refined using Heart-Corroding Grass as the raw material, meant for self-defense.

The last one, which was also the most difficult to refine, was called the Soul-Nourishing Pill. Its Alchemy Materials originated from the Night Devil Head skull obtained at the Huayun Pavilion.

The Night Devil's body was similar to a bat's, and an adult could reach three zhang in length. They were extremely fierce and bloodthirsty, and most terrifyingly, they possessed the ability to launch Soul attacks.

That was an extremely terrifying method of attack that targeted a person's Soul directly, making it impossible to guard against.

Long Chen used the crystal core from the skull of this second-rank Demonic Beast as the main ingredient to successfully refine one Soul-Nourishing Pill.

The Soul-Nourishing Pill was a very special type of Medicinal Pill, almost extinct in the modern world. In Long Chen's Pill Emperor memories, there were only three such recipes for nourishing the Soul.

The Soul-Nourishing Pill could nourish a person's Soul. Especially for a Soul Cultivator in the Early Stage of cultivation, consuming such a Soul-Nourishing Pill would definitely put them far ahead of others at the starting line.

This was one of the few Medicinal Pills with no side effects. This pill was also very precious to Long Chen; after all, Alchemists also required powerful Soul Power.

However, looking at this Soul-Nourishing Pill that resembled a night-luminescent pearl, the first image that appeared in Long Chen's mind was Meng Qi's flawless face.

Meng Qi was a Beast Tamer, which was a true Soul Cultivator. Giving it to her would not be a waste.

However, Meng Qi was currently in the Wind Soul Pavilion, and he had no idea where the Wind Soul Pavilion was. He had absolutely no news of her; he wanted to give it to the beauty, but had no way to reach her.

Sighing, he first put away the Soul-Nourishing Pill. If he still couldn't see Meng Qi within half a year, he would have to consume it himself.

After all, the Soul-Nourishing Pill was different from other Medicinal Pills; after half a year, the Soul Power within the pill would begin to dissipate.

After putting away the Medicinal Pill, Long Chen could no longer hold on. Waves of exhaustion washed over him, and he fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. When he opened his eyes again, it was already noon the next day.

He got up, washed up, greeted his mother, and after eating lunch, Long Chen went out, preparing to meet up with Chu Feng.

He had arranged to meet Chu Feng at a teahouse today. When Long Chen arrived, Chu Feng was already waiting.

Beside Chu Feng was a middle-aged man. When that middle-aged man saw Long Chen arrive, just as he was about to speak, his vision suddenly went black, and he passed out.

After knocking that guard unconscious with a palm strike, Long Chen immediately took out disguise liquid and applied it to his face. Within the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Long Chen had already changed into the guard's clothes and followed Chu Feng toward the Imperial Palace.

Everything was proceeding according to plan. A while ago, Chu Feng had followed Long Chen's instructions and brought a guard with him every day, just to deceive others.

Now that Long Chen was following by Chu Feng's side, he wouldn't be so conspicuous. Sure enough, the two of them entered the inner courtyard of the Imperial Palace very easily.

It was Long Chen's first time entering the Imperial Palace. Once inside, the twists and turns left him dizzy. If his Soul Power hadn't been exceptionally strong, anyone else would have gotten lost long ago.

"Brother Long, my sister is under house arrest in her own Yuyao Palace. There are guards stationed outside. When I go alone, they have never stopped me. However, I have no certainty at all about whether I can bring you in this time." Chu Feng said with some worry.

"It's fine, let's try our luck. We'll adapt to the situation. If it really doesn't work, I won't force my way in." Long Chen nodded and said.

Long Chen had come this time, on one hand, to deliver the Medicinal Pill to Chu Yao to dissolve the foreign True Qi within her body.

After all, there was only one Star-Melting Pill, and refining the Medicinal Pill required a certain level of skill. If Long Chen were there to protect her, he could remedy any accidents that might occur.

Additionally, ever since Long Chen had revealed his feelings to Chu Yao at the lantern festival, the image of this beautiful young girl had been in his heart, and he often thought of her.

He had come this time to give Chu Yao more confidence, to let her know that no matter how difficult the days were, Long Chen would be with her.

He hoped to share some of the pain in her heart and did not want her to suffer in helplessness, which was why Long Chen had come.

Finally, a palace appeared ahead; it was Princess Chu Yao's Yuyao Palace, with eight guards in brocade robes guarding the entrance.

Around the perimeter of Yuyao Palace, there were dozens of soldiers and generals patrolling back and forth, which made Long Chen's blood boil.

This was the Imperial Palace, which was effectively Chu Yao's home. Yet, in her own home, she was guarded by so many people; how was this any different from being in prison? Long Chen grew increasingly repulsed by the Imperial family.

"The Empress Dowager has ordered that outsiders are not allowed to enter Yuyao Palace."

Sure enough, as soon as Chu Feng and Long Chen arrived at the entrance, they were stopped by the guards.

"How bold! I am here to see my sister, why can't I enter?" Chu Feng's expression turned angry, and he couldn't help but shout coldly.

"Seventh Prince, apologies, you may enter, but this guard of yours cannot enter." The guard said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Presumptuous! He is my personal guard and the person I trust the most. Do you believe that with one word from me, I could have your head?" Chu Feng shouted sternly.

The guard shook his head, his voice still indifferent: "Apologies, this is the Empress Dowager's order, and no one can change it."

While Chu Feng and the guard were arguing, Long Chen had already spread out his Divine Sense. He saw a figure sitting by the window, and his heart couldn't help but ache with pity.

Chu Yao was still beautiful, but she had lost much weight and looked very haggard. It was clear that this period of imprisonment had caused her great suffering.

Long Chen wished he could punch this guard who was blocking them to death, but he dared not. This was the Imperial Palace, and he dared not act recklessly.

"What is the matter? Why such a commotion?"

Suddenly, a displeased voice came, and a figure appeared before everyone.

"Greetings, Fourth Prince."

The person was none other than the Fourth Prince, Chu Xia. It seemed he was just passing by and had come over upon hearing the noise.

Seeing the Fourth Prince appear, Long Chen frowned slightly, because he saw that Chu Xia was actually looking at him with some surprise.

Long Chen was shocked. Although he didn't know where he had slipped up, his intuition told him that Chu Xia had recognized him.

"What is going on?" Chu Xia glanced at Long Chen, then looked at the guards with a displeased expression and asked.

"Reporting to the Fourth Prince, the Seventh Prince wants to bring this guard into Yuyao Palace, but…"

"Presumptuous, you bold servant! Are you suspecting my younger brother? Could he possibly do anything detrimental to his own sister?" The Fourth Prince suddenly shouted sternly.

"This servant dares not!" The guard was startled and hurriedly knelt down. Clearly, he was much more afraid of the Fourth Prince than the Seventh Prince.

"Let them in." The Fourth Prince said with a cold face.

"But…" The guard hesitated immediately.

"If the Empress Dowager blames anyone, I will naturally take the responsibility. Do you not even trust me?" The Fourth Prince shouted coldly.

"This servant dares not." Seeing this, the guard dared not speak again.

"Go in." The Fourth Prince patted Chu Feng's shoulder, but his eyes looked at Long Chen with deep meaning.

Long Chen nodded. Although he didn't know why the Fourth Prince was helping him, now was not the time to think about that.

Seeing Long Chen and the Seventh Prince enter Yuyao Palace, a smile appeared on the Fourth Prince's face. After pondering slightly, he also vanished from the spot.

Entering Yuyao Palace, they passed through the front gate and arrived at the central courtyard. Chu Yao, who had originally been leaning against the window, watching the swimming fish in the pond below, suddenly turned around and looked at the two of them.

When she saw Long Chen, she was stunned at first, and then a look of wild joy appeared in her beautiful eyes. Her jade-like hand gently covered her cherry lips, and tears gushed out.

Clearly, she recognized Long Chen. Long Chen slowly walked up to Chu Yao and said apologetically: "Apologies, I'm late."

"Wuwu."

Chu Yao could no longer hold back; she threw herself into Long Chen's arms and began to sob uncontrollably, as if she wanted to cry out all her grievances.

During this time, she had been under house arrest. When she heard that the Empress Dowager had already decided to marry her off to Xia Changfeng, she had completely fallen apart.

If it hadn't been for Chu Feng secretly bringing her Long Chen's promise, she would probably have been utterly disheartened and left this world filled with gray long ago.

Over these past few days, Chu Yao had watched the sun rise and set every day. In her bitter waiting, every passing day felt longer than a year. Only she knew such suffering.

For a moment, his arms were filled with her fragrant body, and his nose was full of Chu Yao's maiden scent. Long Chen gently stroked Chu Yao's long hair, letting her vent.

At the same time, Long Chen also secretly swore that no matter the cost, he must protect Chu Yao well, even if it meant death, he would not hesitate.

Sometimes he felt that Chu Yao was far more pitiful than he was. No matter what, Long Chen had parents who loved him, while Chu Yao lived in the Imperial Palace, a place without a shred of human warmth, where there was no one she could trust or rely on. For a weak girl like her, it was truly too bitter.

While he was musing, Long Chen finally noticed Chu Feng, who was standing there somewhat at a loss, not knowing whether to leave or stay.

"Ahem." Long Chen coughed lightly. Only then did Chu Yao react, hurriedly pulling away from Long Chen's embrace, her pretty face seemingly about to drip blood, not daring to look at anyone.

"How about I step away for a moment?" Chu Feng asked tentatively.

"No need, you help me keep watch for a moment. I have some secret matters to attend to with your sister." Long Chen waved his hand and said.

However, when he saw Chu Feng's dazed expression, he knew the kid had misunderstood, so he hurriedly said: "It's not what you think."

It would have been better not to explain. Once explained, it sounded even more explicit. Chu Yao's pretty face became even more like a ripe apple, so shy she couldn't show her face.

Long Chen simply stopped explaining, took Chu Yao's hand, and headed straight upstairs, leaving a dumbfounded Chu Feng standing there alone, dazed.