Feng Jiuge's clear voice resonated.

Jade Bamboo Forest.

This place is different from the outside world, still lush with greenery. The emerald bamboo swayed gently in the cold wind as Li Suqing raised her head heavily, gazing into the sky.

The snow... stopped.

As Feng Jiuge uttered those words, the vast snowfall melted away on its own, replaced by endless colorful petals falling like snowflakes.

Graceful figures emerged, with dozens of disciples from the Goddess Palace swaying their elegant bodies, dressed in cool attire, presenting Chen Yuan with a celestial greeting.

Fairies... welcoming guests.

Dozens of Goddess Palace disciples lined up, wearing gentle smiles, their appearances dazzling, and their auras at least at the Reach Profound level. They showed no timidity in front of Chen Yuan.

Clad in a bright red robe, her figure tall and slender, Feng Jiuge emerged, pressing her powerful presence forward with confidence at Chen Yuan. She gestured to the disciples behind her and asked:

"Brother Chen, what do you think?"

Chen Yuan stared at her, shook his head:

"Change them."

Feng Jiuge: "..."

Her intention was to have Chen Yuan evaluate the potential of the true disciples of the Goddess Palace, never expecting such a response. Though she found it somewhat incomprehensible,

She felt it was somewhat awkward.

As if...

As if a man was choosing an Oiran in a brothel.

"Brother Chen, several months have passed, and your demeanor has only grown more impressive."

"Prince Ning, your charisma remains unchanged. Tell me, why have you invited me here?"

"This is hardly the place for discussion. Brother Chen, why not enter the great hall of our Goddess Palace to continue?"

Feng Jiuge smiled faintly.

"No need, I have many matters at hand. Whatever Prince Ning wishes to discuss, just say it openly. Beating around the bush doesn't seem fitting for a reigning queen of this era."

Feng Jiuge frowned slightly, sensing that there was more to Chen Yuan's words. She watched him for a moment, seeing him remain calm. She then gestured to the Goddess Palace disciples behind her, signaling them to leave.

Once everyone had departed, only the two remained in the sky thousands of feet high. Feng Jiuge waved her hand to set up a barrier, bowed slightly, and spoke with full apologies:

"Today's actions by the Goddess Palace were somewhat excessive. Forcing King Yan here was indeed out of helplessness; I hope Brother Chen will be magnanimous and not take issue with a woman like me.

Jiugue has already sent someone to invite Sister Suqing, so please, Brother Chen, don't take offense."

"Heh, since I'm already here, Prince Ning, just state what terms you'd like to discuss with me." A throne with a dragon pattern quickly formed beneath Chen Yuan, condensed from Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy.

He slowly sat down, gazing steadily at Feng Jiuge with great presence.

"Brother Chen, your frankness is admirable to Jiugue."

"Speak."

"Today, under heaven, the five kings of the southeast, northwest are powerful, with armies numbering in the hundreds of thousands, masters everywhere, and experts as abundant as raindrops, seizing territories and commanding significant power.

Our Goddess Palace is located at the heart of the Central Plains, adjacent to Central State, Qingzhou, and East State. It has always been a strategic military site since ancient times. What does Brother Chen think?"

Chen Yuan chuckled:

"Apart from Jiao State, which is not contested by warlords, all of the Central Plains Twelve States are strategic military sites."

Within the Central Plains Thirteen States, Jiao State had the lowest presence, with the most impoverished resources, bordering the Blood State, located in a remote area, and had few external avenues apart from bordering Lanzhou.

It was always nominally under royal influence, but effectively semi-autonomous.

Unlike other states that were either resource-rich and traded externally, such as Liangyou East State and South State, or were situated inland, forming the survival base for the people of Central Plains.

Thus, what Feng Jiuge said didn't hold.

"The Goddess Palace, as one of the ten great Immortal Sects, has deep roots and strong power, though not superior to King Yan, it is still a leading force in the land. I wonder what conditions King Yan is willing to offer to win allegiance.

If it's acceptable, Jiugue might consider submitting."

Feng Jiuge continued.

Chen Yuan shook his head once more:

"Among the ten great Immortal Sects in the Human World, the Goddess Palace ranks last. In terms of power and influence, it is far behind other Immortal Sects. In power, there seems to be only you, Fellow Daoist Feng, as a Nourishing God True Monarch. How is that considered leading?

As for the foundation... having been suppressed by the court for so many years, I'm truly unaware of the Goddess Palace's foundation. It's not me trying to win over the Goddess Palace now.

It is you, using Suqing as leverage to force me to come here. To be honest, I didn't want to come.

You wish to seek my allegiance, wish for the revival of the Goddess Palace, please state what conditions you are offering. If acceptable, I might consider welcoming it."

Feng Jiuge's expression stiffened slightly, then she smiled and asked:

"By the looks of it, Brother Chen doesn't think highly of my Goddess Palace?"

"Indeed."

"That statement might be a bit too blunt."

"I'm straightforward, just unwilling to waste our time. So, state your grounds, what makes you think I should accept."

Chen Yuan leaned slightly, seemingly not taking Feng Jiuge seriously.

"First, the Goddess Palace will assist Brother Chen in capturing the throne, and the court must support the Goddess Palace to become the National Religion. Second, the Goddess Palace is willing to give Brother Chen half of its resources but will require double in return once Brother Chen succeeds.

Third, Brother Chen is a hero of this era, favored by destiny, with limitless potential. So.... I hope Brother Chen could take a disciple or Elder Li Suqing of our Goddess Palace as his principal wife.

This way, the Goddess Palace and the Chen Family could become one, eternally unbetrayed. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"Heh..."

"Brother Chen can choose any female disciple from the Goddess Palace as you wish. No matter who it is, it's okay. If Brother Chen fancies more than one, that's fine too.

After all, the Goddess Palace has many female disciples."

"As far as I know, aren't the disciples of the Goddess Palace not to be married out?"

"That depends on who it is. Ordinary men aren't worthy of marrying our Goddess Palace's disciples, but Brother Chen is different. With your strength and status, no one would dare to object."

"Goddess Palace disciples, Li Suqing, Elders... hmm.... does that include you, Fellow Daoist Feng?"

Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow, looking at Feng Jiuge with an amused expression.

"Heh, I didn't expect that with my ordinary appearance, I could catch Brother Chen's Dharma Eye. Hmm... if Brother Chen insists, Jiugue could agree.

But the conditions would have to be added."

"Why?"

"The Goddess Palace raised me, guided my cultivation. Naturally, I must strive for more for the palace. Besides.... Jiugue doesn't want to share a husband with other women.

If you want me, fine, just first dismiss your other wives and concubines before..."

"Stop."

Chen Yuan raised his hand, stopping her from continuing.

"Hmm?"

Feng Jiuge gazed intently at Chen Yuan.

"I was just asking casually, no need for Fellow Daoist Feng to elaborate unnecessarily."

"So, Brother Chen doesn't wish for Jiugue to serve?"

"Not just you, all those conditions you mentioned, I won't agree to any."

"So, it seems Brother Chen does not wish to negotiate properly?"

Feng Jiuge frowned deeply.

"There's really nothing to discuss with you. You overestimate yourself, overestimate the Goddess Palace. With what you are... is qualified to set terms with me?"

Chen Yuan chuckled.

"To talk like this in front of my Goddess Palace, Brother Chen, aren't you afraid Jiugue might forcefully keep you here?"

"Can you... do it?"

Chen Yuan leaned forward slightly.

"Jiugue can't do it, but that doesn't mean others can't. Brother Chen overestimates himself."

"Do you know why I've been talking with you for so long?"

"Why?"

"Because I've been waiting for Xiang Qianqiu to make his move. After so much talk, he still managed to hold composure. If I'm not mistaken,

He should be setting up a formation now, right?"

Feng Jiuge's face suddenly changed color, looking at Chen Yuan with horror:

"You... knew all along?"

"Of course."

"Then you... still dare to come to die?"

"It's delivering others to die, not myself."

"Heh... heh..."

A broad laugh echoed from the void. A man in a black-robe that bears a resemblance to Chen Yuan slowly coalesced in the void, his entire body radiating a powerful aura, staring at Chen Yuan, he smiled slightly:

"Father and son, meeting once again."