Wang Chen breathed in Meng Hongchen's sweet scent as he held her soft, slender waist that felt boneless in his arms.
Meng Hongchen's breathing quickened, her delicate, white fingers clutching tightly at Wang Chen's clothes.
After a long moment, their lips finally parted.
A glossy sheen like syrup coated Meng Hongchen's small, rosy lips, making them look incredibly enticing.
Her pretty face was flushed crimson, and her sapphire-like eyes shimmered with mist as she gazed at Wang Chen's perfect face, her whole body weak, her mouth filled with sweetness.
Thinking about how she had just taken the initiative, she couldn't help but shyly bury her little head into Wang Chen's chest.
Wang Chen gently stroked her small head and teased,
"Weren't you bold just now? Why are you suddenly acting shy?"
He stopped at just a light taste—holding the fragrant little Meng in his arms, his mood was exceptionally good.
Between him and Meng Hongchen, there had only been kisses, hugs, and light intimacy. He clearly remembered all the kindness and affection Meng Hongchen had shown him.
The final step, he thought, couldn't be taken so casually—it had to be grand, passionate, and romantic. Only then would Wang Chen be satisfied.
Hearing his teasing, Meng Hongchen lifted her small head and, both embarrassed and annoyed, softly hit his chest with her pink, delicate fists.
"Brother Wang Chen, you're bad~ Who told you to smell so good? I couldn't help myself~"
Saying that, Meng Hongchen lay against Wang Chen's chest and took a deep breath.
She thought to herself,
Brother Wang Chen smells so good. I can't even describe it, but just breathing it in makes my whole body feel full of energy—warm and comfortable all over.
This feeling wasn't an illusion.
The reason Meng Hongchen felt this way was because, over the past three years, Wang Chen had absorbed a considerable amount of Gold of Life and its vitality.
Now, after being refined and cleansed by that energy, his body contained no impurities whatsoever—it was abnormally pure, flawless, almost perfect.
And because of the abundance of life force within him, not only could he heal from injuries rapidly, but he also naturally emitted a faint aura of life itself—pleasant to the senses, even to smell.
The two leaned against each other quietly for a long while.
Then, Meng Hongchen suddenly remembered the recent news that the eldest prince, Xu Tiannan, had been named Crown Prince. A trace of worry flickered in her eyes.
She immediately said with concern,
"Brother Wang Chen, if you ever find yourself in danger, you must come find me. My grandfather can protect you."
Hearing that, Wang Chen smiled as he gently ran his fingers through her soft white hair.
With his current strength, of course he didn't need anyone's protection—but being cared for and loved like this still felt wonderful.
Wang Chen smiled and agreed,
"All right."
Hearing his reply, Meng Hongchen proudly lifted her chin.
"Brother Wang Chen, guess what—I'm already level forty-five now! I should be able to break through to level fifty and become a Soul King in just over a year!"
After saying that, she looked at Wang Chen curiously and asked,
"Brother Wang Chen, what's your cultivation level now?"
Having already broken through to the Soul Emperor level, Wang Chen replied casually,
"Me? My level's just a tiny bit higher than yours."
"How much higher?"
"Take a guess."
"Forty-six?"
"Nope."
"Forty-seven?"
"Wrong again."
"…Forty-eight?"
Still smiling, Wang Chen shook his head each time, denying every guess.
Finally, Meng Hongchen puffed out her cheeks in frustration.
"Brother Wang Chen, you're tricking me! You couldn't have broken through level fifty already, could you?"
Wang Chen looked into her blue eyes, pinched her delicate little nose, and said mysteriously,
"I'll keep it a secret for now. You'll find out soon enough—I promise, it'll be a surprise."
Seeing Wang Chen acting all mysterious, Meng Hongchen pouted adorably and threw herself into his arms again, clinging to him playfully.
The two chatted for a long time—talking about cultivation insights, favorite things, and random thoughts. The room was filled with laughter and warmth.
Unknowingly, the sunlight streaming through the window bathed them both in a soft golden glow.
As the day wore on and the sun began to set, Wang Chen said his goodbyes to Meng Hongchen and returned home.
Sitting cross-legged in meditation, Wang Chen thought to himself,
Everything is ready… now all that's left is for Xu Tiannan to be assassinated.
——————————
Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince's Mansion.
Ever since Xu Tiannan had become the Crown Prince, every morning the area outside his gates had been bustling with endless traffic.
Luxurious carriages arrived one after another, as waves of officials and nobles lined up to deliver gifts.
At the front gate, a pale, beardless eunuch stood smiling from ear to ear as he received small offerings from every official and noble who came by.
Ever since Xu Tiannan had been named Crown Prince, this gatekeeper eunuch's own status had risen alongside him.
Every day, just from collecting these little "gifts," he earned several hundred gold soul coins—it couldn't get any better.
As he accepted each gift, he carefully recorded names while shrewdly sorting the gift-givers into three classes.
The highest-ranked ones were invited directly into the mansion.
The mid-tier ones were told to wait their turn.
And as for the lowest-ranking ones—they could leave their gifts and be on their way.
After all, the gates of the Crown Prince's Mansion were not something just anyone could enter. If everyone were allowed in, the place would be bursting at the seams.
Time passed quickly, and before long, night fell.
Under the glow of soul lamps, the Crown Prince's Mansion shone as brightly as day.
Its courtyards stretched deep, with carved beams and painted rafters—everywhere radiating royal grandeur and luxury.
Inside one of the great halls, the atmosphere was lively and somewhat noisy.
The reason was simple—Crown Prince Xu Tiannan was holding a grand banquet.
The purpose of this banquet, of course, was to firmly imprint his princely authority onto every noble and official in attendance.
After all, everyone knew what it meant to attend a Crown Prince's private banquet.
Xu Tiannan sat at the head of the hall, dressed in the Crown Prince's exclusive eight-clawed fire-dragon robe.
His posture was straight, his complexion rosy, and his eyes gleamed with confidence and self-satisfaction.
Below him, nobles and officials sat in two neat rows on either side of the hall.
Each was dressed in splendid attire, their expressions a mix of excitement and reverence. From time to time, they cast adoring glances at Xu Tiannan, as though he radiated an irresistible brilliance.
In the center of the hall, female musicians played various instruments with elegant grace—
The sound of zithers flowed like water, flutes trilled like birds in a forest, drums thundered like galloping horses.
Together, the melodies wove into a stirring, harmonious symphony that filled the hall.
Meanwhile, dancers swayed gracefully to the rhythm, their movements light and fluid, their gauzy costumes fluttering like mist.
The faint glimpses of their smooth, fair skin drew more than a few greedy stares from the lecherous nobles present.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, wise and heroic—your thunderous decisiveness in great matters commands my utmost admiration. I raise my cup to you!"
A middle-aged man, over fifty years old and a Soul Saint-level expert, stood up respectfully, holding his wine cup high toward Xu Tiannan.
Another minister followed, bowing deeply.
"Your Highness, brilliant and discerning, your wisdom shines like the sun and moon, bringing fortune to all people under heaven…"
Whatever their actual political skill, these officials and nobles had all clearly reached the highest level of flattery.