Chapter 207: Chapter 139: This Is My First Time, I Don’t Really Understand

Looking at the tall and handsome Wang Xiao before him, his hair held in place by a golden jade hairpin.

Chen Fang sighed with emotion:

"Ninth Prince, these past few years have been hard on you."

’Seven years. To go from a mere mortal to the Peak of Body Cultivation.’

’He knew Wang Xiao must have put forth an incredible amount of effort!’

’After all, while Body Cultivators were a far cry from Cultivators, their training process was excruciating.’

’It required them to constantly temper their muscles, bones, and skin, breaking their limits time and time again!’

’Each breakthrough was said to be as agonizing as death by a thousand cuts.’

Wang Xiao said, "Thank you for pleading my case, Eunuch Chen. I will be sure to repay you handsomely in the future!"

’He knew that without Chen Fang’s help, getting out wouldn’t have been nearly this easy.’

Chen Fang shook his head.

"Years ago, your mother, the Empress, showed me a kindness I can never forget. It is only right that I repay it. There is no need for thanks, Your Highness."

As he spoke, he added a reminder:

"However, your journey to the frontier to battle the Witchcraft Gu Country will be fraught with danger. You must prioritize your own safety, Your Highness. If you encounter a Cultivator, you must flee. Do not hesitate. Though you have reached the Peak of Body Cultivation, the gap in power between you and a true Cultivator is as vast as the heavens and the earth."

Wang Xiao nodded. "I will be careful, Eunuch Chen. Xiyue has been my constant companion. Is it possible for her to leave the Imperial Palace with me?"

Chen Fang considered it for a moment. "Very well. I will speak with the Imperial Court Order shortly and arrange for her to leave with you. The journey ahead is long, and it is only right that you have someone to look after you."

Nearby, Shangguan Xiyue let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

"My thanks, Eunuch Chen," Wang Xiao said, cupping his fists in a salute.

Chen Fang nodded. "It is getting late. Please come with me, Your Highness. The sacrificial rites at the Imperial Mausoleum are about to begin."

Wang Xiao asked Shangguan Xiyue to wait in the courtyard, then followed Chen Fang out of the Imperial Harem.

「An hour later.」

A train of grand carriages slowly processed out of the Imperial Palace.

Each carriage was drawn by a team of eight horses.

These were no ordinary steeds. Their coats were the color of blood, and faint horns could be seen sprouting from their heads.

They looked like some sort of half-breed Mutant Beast.

In the lead carriage was, of course, the Venerable Emperor himself—the current ruler of Wenchang Country, Liu Wencheng.

Following him were the carriages of the Empress and the other imperial consorts.

Behind them came the Princes and Princesses—the various royal sons and daughters.

Some rode on horseback, others in sedan chairs, presenting a magnificent sight.

The civil and military officials of the court followed the Princes and Princesses.

Behind the officials marched a procession of attendants dressed in bright yellow garments.

They carried Jade Gui scepters and held aloft Curved Handle Umbrellas, along with the banners of Wenchang Country.

The umbrellas and banners were embroidered with images of dragons, phoenixes, qilin, Vermilion Birds, Black Tortoises, and other mythical beasts of old, creating a truly imposing spectacle!

At the tail end of the procession were eunuchs and Palace Maids carrying the three sacrificial animals—ox, sheep, and pig—as well as flower baskets, paper houses, paper carriages, and other offerings for the rites.

The entire procession stretched for miles, a truly immense and magnificent spectacle.

Elite soldiers flanked both sides of the procession, each one brimming with vitality—all were masters from the imperial guard.

The sounds of chime bells, stone chimes, reed pipes, and globular flutes rang through the air.

The immense, miles-long procession surged majestically toward the Imperial Mausoleum.

Wang Xiao stood with a calm expression among the other Princes, moving forward with the procession.

Since leaving the palace grounds, Liu Wencheng hadn’t spoken a single word to him. It was as if the Emperor had already forgotten his existence.

’Wang Xiao, for his part, didn’t care. He was just waiting for the rites to conclude so he could go and properly see this world teeming with Immortal Sects.’

Just then, a crisp voice sounded near his ear:

"You’re a Prince? How come I’ve never seen you before?"