Chương 178: Chapter 177: True Identity

"Ah, yes, yes, of course..." Li Feihuang, now with her Fire Phoenix Spirit Body activated, listened to Ye Chen's words and couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth in a slight smile. See? The moment her Fire Phoenix Spirit Body was revealed, Ye Chen was already so shocked he could barely speak. But this was just the beginning. Her Fire Phoenix Spirit Body was only the start. In the future, she would ascend to the Moon Phoenix Body. However, Li Feihuang didn't dwell on these thoughts.

She withdrew her Fire Phoenix and sat back down across from Ye Chen. Although Ye Chen wasn't on her level, she still considered him a talented individual. Li Feihuang believed she would eventually reclaim the Great Chu Dynasty and become its Empress. As an emperor, she would naturally need a reliable support base. Ye Chen seemed decent enough and could assist her in the future, standing behind her. An emperor must have not only authority but also grace to manage their subordinates.

Using both benevolence and severity was the true way of leadership. So after impressing Ye Chen with her Fire Phoenix Spirit Body, Li Feihuang thoughtfully decided not to speak further, giving him time to calm down. What Li Feihuang didn't expect was that Ye Chen regained his composure far quicker than she imagined. In the next moment, Ye Chen was back to normal and, looking at Li Feihuang, spoke seriously, "Fellow Daoist Li, you are indeed powerful. I, Ye Chen, am sincerely impressed.

However, I wonder, what is the purpose of your visit to me?" Ye Chen truly didn't want to watch Li Feihuang continue with her show. He just wanted to get to the point quickly. Li Feihuang, seeing how calmly Ye Chen accepted the reality that he wasn't her match, couldn't help but admire him more. He was unshaken by victory or defeat, and his mindset was as exceptional as his talent. Li Feihuang believed she had already taken the initiative, seized control of the rhythm, and completely suppressed Ye Chen.

She had also studied imperial tactics with her father. Her father always said that a true emperor, even when in a dire situation, should still carry the aura of a king within their chest. To openly speak of one's struggles wouldn't be seen as a weakness or something to be looked down upon. In fact, it would make others feel honored, as if they had gained the emperor's trust, and they would be moved, eager to support the emperor's rise. Li Feihuang believed her father's words were absolutely correct.

So, when Ye Chen asked her a question, Li Feihuang didn't hesitate to speak frankly, revealing her situation without any concealment.

"My father encountered an accident and has passed away. And my ancestor is currently in closed-door meditation, attempting to break through to the late stage of the Nascent Soul. After my father's death, within half a month, my father's younger brother, the Champion King, seized power without hesitation. He even attempted to have me imprisoned and disposed of...

"I fled the Great Chu Dynasty with the help of loyal subordinates and came to the Divine Will Sect to seek the Phoenix Blood. My father spent twenty years of effort, gathering countless treasures and materials to help me upgrade my physique. Once I obtain the final drop of Phoenix Blood, I can not only break through to the Golden Core stage, but also advance my Fire Phoenix Spirit Body to the Moon Phoenix Body!

"And with the Moon Phoenix Body, I can return to the Great Chu Dynasty and reclaim everything that belongs to me. After all, the ancestor is still alive, and the rules must be upheld. When an emperor dies, if the ancestor does not designate a new emperor within seven years, the Imperial Throne Contest must be held, allowing all family members to participate, with the emperor chosen by strength. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"The Champion King wants to become emperor, so he must face me in a duel after seven years. If I can awaken the Moon Phoenix Body, I will crush him from every angle!" When she mentioned the Champion King, Li Feihuang's eyes filled with murderous intent, and she paused for a moment before continuing.

"Ye Chen, right now, I am indeed trapped in a shallow pond. But if you give me the Divine Will Sect's direct disciple qualification, you will have helped me greatly. It will be a service to the dragon. When I awaken the Moon Phoenix Body, defeat the Champion King, and reclaim everything that is mine, becoming the Empress of the Great Chu. I will make you the Golden Dragon Marquis, with command over all the military forces of the Great Chu Dynasty.

You will be the true ruler of the Great Chu, second only to me, with power above all others." Li Feihuang finished speaking and looked at Ye Chen with unwavering determination in her eyes. Ye Chen was truly stunned this time. He understood Li Feihuang's background clearly. A princess in exile, huh? That wasn't rare in the cultivation world. Power struggles within sects and families were quite common in the cultivation world as well. After all, greater power meant access to rarer resources.

Everyone would want a piece of that. In fact, the power struggles in the cultivation world were even more brutal than those on Earth. There were stories of sects, where elders who held power suddenly died, and entire families were wiped out overnight, their bloodlines erased. There were also occasional tales of side branches betraying the main family, slaughtering them to the last person. So Li Feihuang's experience made sense.

As for Li Feihuang wanting Ye Chen's direct disciple spot to improve her physique, Ye Chen could understand that as well. Initially, Ye Chen almost believed everything she said. But then, the last part of her speech made Ye Chen want to laugh out loud and nearly burst into sarcastic commentary. All she needed was for him to give up his Divine Will Sect direct disciple qualification. Then, once she became the Empress again, he would be made a marquis. A marquis—second only to two people, above all others.

Powerful enough to control the court. That pitch... the déjà vu was too strong. It was almost identical to the scam emails Ye Chen received in his past life.... Ye Chen had encountered plenty of female cultivators trying to get something from him in the cultivation world after he transmigrated. But Li Feihuang's approach was unique. What made it even more surprising was that she seemed completely serious. Ye Chen was genuinely at a loss for words. Li Feihuang had clearly run into the wrong person.

He had a system, so whether what she said was true or not didn't matter. If she wanted it, he could give it to her. If he had met a normal person, it would be impossible to get a direct disciple spot out of him. And what in the world was this Golden Dragon Marquis business? Could it sound any worse? He was definitely going to give away the direct disciple spot. However, Ye Chen thought to himself that he should drag this out a bit to make sure Li Feihuang would end up getting a solid blow.

Otherwise, just like with An Yuyi, if Li Feihuang thought it was natural for him to hand over the spot without any consequence, that would be a huge loss for him. Ye Chen showed a hint of hesitation before finally speaking, "Is it possible for the Divine Will Sect to allow the transfer of the direct disciple qualification?" Li Feihuang immediately responded, "In principle, it's not allowed, but for me, it's possible! After all, what the Divine Will Sect needs is talent.

I am exactly the kind of person who meets their requirements." Ye Chen couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. This exiled princess, Li Feihuang, revealed her true form, flaunted her special physique, and talked about her impressive background. And now she expected him to fall on his knees and submit. If it weren't for her three hundred times multiplier, Ye Chen would have been tempted to call her a "basic girl" by now.

After a few more back-and-forth exchanges, Ye Chen, afraid he might not be able to hold back his sarcasm, finally spoke seriously.

"Fellow Daoist Li, your aspirations are grand, and your talent is extraordinary! Your identity is so noble, yet you are still so candid and open, with no concealment at all. I am truly honored and deeply impressed. Fellow Daoist's desire to restore the glory of the Great Chu Dynasty—I, Ye Chen, cannot stand aside! I am willing to give my Divine Will Sect direct disciple qualification to Fellow Daoist, without any compensation." Upon hearing this, Li Feihuang's eyes instantly widened…