Ye Chuxue pressed her lips together, her dimples lightly spinning, and said, "I don’t know if I’m pregnant yet; it’ll take some time to confirm!"

Hearing Ye Chuxue’s words, Li Chen hugged and kissed her repeatedly, then delicately rubbed her flat abdomen.

"For the next few days, don’t worry about things in the Pavilion. Just stay put and wait for my return!"

Ye Chuxue smiled happily, nodded, and said, "Okay, I will!"

An hour passed in the blink of an eye.

After bidding Ye Chuxue farewell with a kiss, Li Chen got up and set off with the Merfolk to attend the banquet in the ocean realm.

On the way, he was in good spirits, even humming a tune.

The Merfolk, seeing Li Chen so elated, secretly thought: Hmph, let’s see how long you can stay this happy once you reach the ocean realm.

Li Chen’s speed was fast; in less than half a day, he had already reached the ocean realm.

As they neared the ocean surface, they saw turbulent currents swirling beneath, kicking up massive waves.

Soon, hundreds of vigilant minions emerged, ready for battle.

Seeing this, the Merfolk stepped forward, taking out a dark token.

"By the decree of the Sea Emperor, Master Li is specially invited to the banquet, do you all not make way quickly!"

Seeing the dark token in the Merfolk’s hand, the group of minions immediately knelt down in unison.

Then they used Fengshui Pearls to open a water curtain, creating a passageway.

The Merfolk pocketed the token and gestured with a "please" motion towards Li Chen, offering a sycophantic smile, "Master Li, this way please!"

Li Chen nodded, swaggering boldly towards the depths of the ocean realm.

Walking all the way, Li Chen saw minions scattered deep underwater, preparing for battle.

Regarding whom they guarded against, it was already obvious!

But Li Chen didn’t pay it any mind.

Just a bunch of minions; if they actually angered him, he wouldn’t mind having a little cookout on the spot, teaching these fellows a serious lesson.

As he neared the Nine-headed Sea Emperor’s palace, Li Chen furrowed his brow.

He acutely sensed two formidable presences lurking nearby.

Could it be that the Nine-Headed Beast had truly laid a trap for him?

Though Li Chen detected danger, he did not hesitate to move forward and continued towards the Nine-headed Sea Emperor’s palace as if nothing was amiss.

After slaying the black sword, his cultivation smoothly broke through to late-stage Divinity Transformation, coupled with the might of the Chi Dragon Spear.

Currently, his combat prowess was such that beneath a Mahayana Divine Monarch, there was no equal.

If it really were a Mahayana Divine Monarch coming, they’d likely have gone straight to Heavenly Pool Mountain, disdaining such treacherous plots like banquet traps.

If Li Chen guessed correctly, these two individuals’ combat abilities were probably on par with the black sword and Yun Ying.

If a fight were to break out, he now had Red Tiger, Taotie, and strangulation—three formidable forces. In the end, it’s truly uncertain who would emerge victorious.

As thoughts raced through Li Chen’s mind, contemplating the possible scenarios that might unfold, the Nine-headed Sea Emperor led the high-ranking Sea Clan members, marching tens of miles to personally welcome.

The Nine-headed Sea Emperor smiled broadly, respectfully saying, "Master Li, long time no see, didn’t expect you to return so quickly!"

Li Chen sneered coldly, without a trace of politeness, and said, "I was only gone for ten years, and the Sea Emperor has already stirred up troubles, submerging over a hundred coastal cities. If I didn’t come back, the entire Earth might have been completely submerged, becoming your Sea Clan’s domain!"

Upon hearing Li Chen’s accusation right off the bat, the Nine-headed Sea Emperor found himself a bit embarrassed.

He awkwardly smiled and said, "Master Li, it’s all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. The subordinates were ignorant, accidentally submerged some cities."

"I invited you here to discuss this matter and offer my apologies!"

Li Chen chuckled coldly and said, "Oh, then which subordinate was foolish enough that the Sea Emperor couldn’t manage them? I’ll take care of them for you on your behalf!"

"Uh!"

The Nine-headed Sea Emperor was embarrassed; he merely said it offhand, now pondering where to find a scapegoat?

Besides, his true intent in inviting Li Chen this time wasn’t to apologize, but to set a fatal trap.

However, with Li Chen not fully ensnared, he couldn’t afford to flip the table just yet.

After all, the ambush was set inside the palace, not at its gates.

If by any chance Li Chen escaped, then truly, letting a tiger return to the mountains, capturing him again wouldn’t be as simple.

Thinking of the implications, the Nine-headed Sea Emperor suppressed his anger and said with feigned cheer:

"Master Li, let’s discuss this matter later. I’ve already prepared a banquet in the palace, waiting for you to feast with us!"

While speaking, he respectfully made a "please" gesture towards Li Chen.

However, Li Chen showed no regard for the Nine-headed Sea Emperor’s gesture.

"Sea Emperor, let’s handle matters here. Without handing over the troublemakers who stirred up storms and submerged cities, I’m doubting your sincerity!"

Li Chen’s words were already very clear.

These made the Nine-headed Sea Emperor’s face turn dark.

If he handed over someone, his authority as the Sea Emperor may be severely undermined.

But not handing over anyone would prevent Li Chen from entering the palace.

After all, that’s where the ambush was arranged.

While hesitating whether to sacrifice a few subordinates, Li Chen suddenly drew the Seven-star Dragon Abyss and pointed it towards a few leading Sea Clan generals.

"Sea Emperor, are these the ones who stirred up storms, plundered ships, submerged cities, and rendered millions homeless?"

Before the Nine-headed Sea Emperor could respond, Li Chen slashed out with Sword Intent, beheading the dumbstruck Sea Clan generals one by one.

"Splat!" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Splat!"

"Splat!"

...

Blood sprayed into the air, dyeing the azure ocean waters a piercing scarlet.

Other Sea Clan members, witnessing such a gruesome scene, retreated in terror, lest they end up as Dead Souls under Li Chen’s sword.

The waiting elite of the Sea Clan saw bloodshed and immediately drew their weapons, surging like tidal waves, encircling Li Chen in an airtight blockade.

All of this was within Li Chen’s expectations.

He surveyed the group of minions with disdainful eyes, finally focusing on the Nine-headed Sea Emperor.

"Sea Emperor, I’ve cleaned up your ranks for you, do you still intend to attack me?"

Looking at his unlucky subordinates, the Nine-headed Sea Emperor steeled himself and ordered his entourage, "All fall back; without my command, none shall approach!"