Chapter 83

So, she had finally yielded? It reminded him of a philosopher’s saying that the quickest way to a woman’s heart is … some-thing. Especially with his fused Dragon Spine.

“From now on, I will call you Rou’er, and you can call me Brother Chen,” Yang Chen said.

“Brother Chen?” Zhao Shirou couldn’t help but laugh, her face glowing with allure.

Yang Chen raised an eyebrow in dissatisfaction, “Why are you laughing?”

“I’ve cultivated for hundreds of years. Calling you Brother Chen, when you’re only in your forties, makes you a little kid in my eyes!”

“A little kid?” Yang Chen’s face darkened. “You dare call me a little kid? Watch how I deal with you!”

“What are you going to do?” Zhao Shirou was flustered, seeing the intense look in Yang Chen’s eyes.

Suddenly, a wave of true qi surged from Yang Chen’s body.

“Not good, I’m about to break through!” Sensing the restless qi within, Yang Chen immediately sat down cross-legged, focusing on stabilizing his cultivation.

He was at the Fifth stage of Nascent Soul realm, but the benefits from absorbing a third of Zhao Shirou’s Profound Yin Qi pushed him closer to the Sixth stage.

Zhao Shirou, a vessel nurtured for a half-step Soul Transformation cultivator, held a massive amount of Profound Yin Qi. Even a third of it was enough for Yang Chen to advance by one level.

With a burst of qi, a green lotus formed on Yang Chen’s body, surrounded by a coiling golden dragon. Zhao Shirou watched, mesmerized, as his aura surpassed hers, despite his lower cultivation stage. It explained how he could defeat her with a single strike before.

“This guy, despicable and shameless as he is, has incredible strength! At the Fifth stage, he could defeat me, a Seventh stage cultivator. Now, at the Sixth stage, he could contend with a Tenth stage Nascent Soul cultivator!”

Admiration and affection welled up in Zhao Shirou’s eyes. After cultivating alone for centuries, she never thought she’d experience love again. Yet, this man forced his way into her heart.

Perhaps it was destiny. He did save her life. Without him, her master would have absorbed her as a cauldron long ago. His flaws were minor in comparison. She could help him correct them over time.

Yang Chen’s breakthrough was swift. The green lotus and golden dragon returned to his body as he stabilized his Sixth stage cultivation. At this moment, Li Hao arrived at Zhao Shirou’s palace, noticing the fading green-gold glow.

Strange, is Mother cultivating? Li Hao thought. She told me she was at the Seventh stage of Nascent Soul realm, stronger than Father! I have great ambition, but my cultivation is still too low, only at Foundation Establishment realm. Mother’s strength is a huge asset to help stabilize the kingdom and counterbalance that scoundrel Yang Chen!

Thinking Zhao Shirou was cultivating, he hurried towards the palace.

“Mother!” Li Hao called.

Inside, Zhao Shirou’s face turned pale with panic.

“It’s Hao’er! What do I do?”

She quickly got up, putting on her scattered phoenix robe. Yang Chen opened his eyes, a look of regret on his face. He had heard Li Hao’s voice and sighed internally.

Hao’er, your timing is terrible. Why couldn’t you come a bit earlier? I had a gift for you. Such a missed opportunity!

Li Hao entered the palace, excitedly saying, “Mother, are you alright? Were you cultivating? I sensed a powerful aura!”

Seeing Zhao Shirou in her phoenix robe, he felt reassured. Her strength was crucial for his plans.

But his expression quickly darkened upon seeing Yang Chen.

“Yang Chen, what are you doing here?” Li Hao’s voice was heavy with anger, his eyes flashing with killing intent.

Seeing Yang Chen reminded him of the hatred he harbored. This bastard killed his father, absorbed the Dragon of Fortune meant for him, and humiliated him before Xu Qingxuan, making him kneel before a nobody. His hatred for Yang Chen knew no bounds.

Yang Chen felt Li Hao’s murderous gaze but remained composed, smiling warmly. “Hao’er, I’m here discussing important matters with your mother.”

However, hearing Yang Chen call him “Hao’er” made Li Hao explode with rage.

“Yang Chen, what did you just call me!?”

***

Li Hao roared in fury upon hearing Yang Chen’s words.

Veins bulged on his forehead, and his eyes were filled with murderous intent.

“Hao’er!”

“Is there something wrong?” Yang Chen’s lips curled into a barely noticeable playful smile.

Is Hao’er angry?

Hehe.

I’m your stepfather, you fool. If I don’t call you Hao’er, what should I call you?

“You bastard!” Li Hao’s face twitched with rage, his eyes spewing venom.

Hao’er.

That was a name only his father and mother could call him! This bastard, who the hell was he to dare call him Hao’er!

“Hao’er, do not be rude! Yang Chen is a friend of your mother’s, and therefore an elder to you! How can you speak to him like that?” Zhao Shirou scolded at this moment.

She was worried that Li Hao might provoke Yang Chen. After all, Li Hao’s life and his ascension to the throne of Liyang were all thanks to Yang Chen’s support. Moreover, Yang Chen, despite his gentle appearance, was quite ruthless inside. Even though she was now his Dao companion, she couldn’t guarantee that he would always be lenient with Hao’er.

Hearing his mother scold him, Li Hao’s face turned blue with anger, and his body trembled. But before he could say anything, Yang Chen smiled and said: “It’s okay, it’s okay! Hao’er is young and full of vigor, I understand! Hao’er, even though Uncle Yang and your mother have not known each other for long, we share a deep bond.

“We’ve become very close! Although we had some unpleasant moments before, Uncle Yang hopes you can forget those. From now on, we are family, no, we are one and the same! If you face any difficulties, just tell Uncle Yang, and he will surely help you!”

“Yang Chen, you damn bastard!” Li Hao growled through gritted teeth, fury blazing in his heart as he heard Yang Chen repeatedly call himself Uncle Yang.

He felt as if his lungs were about to explode. He wanted to smash Yang Chen’s head with his palm and crush his brain, but deep inside, he felt a profound sense of powerlessness.

His strength was only at the Foundation Establishment realm, far too weak to be Yang Chen’s opponent. He could only glare at Yang Chen like a wild beast about to go berserk, ready to pounce and bite.