You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 337 Then let's summon them to serve us in bed!

Western Capital.

Cao Youxiang's face turned red, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

The cultivation and essence of the four Yin Realm experts and the dozen or so Nirvana Realm cultivators are not so easy to absorb and digest.

They're not so easy to deal with.

Even though Cao Youxiang absorbed the cultivation of the leading city lord, as well as the cultivation and essence of more than a dozen others, using the special nature of his Absorption Technique, causing them all to suffer severe injuries.

However, Cao Youxiang himself also suffered a significant blow.

The cultivation levels of the leading city lord, as well as those of the dozen or so Nirvana cultivators, surged and crashed within Cao Youxiang's body, like a flood breaking through a dam, destroying the eight extraordinary meridians and internal organs within him.

If it weren't for Cao Youxiang's profound skill and unique cultivation techniques, the cultivation levels of these four Yin Realm experts, as well as the cultivation levels of more than a dozen Nirvana Realm experts, would have caused Cao Youxiang to explode and die long ago.

Cao Youxiang sealed most of the cultivation he had absorbed, temporarily suppressing his injuries.

Cao Youxiang knew that at this moment, he absolutely could not show any signs of serious injury.

If Cao Youxiang's guess was correct, the people who attacked his Western Capital City should be from the Hundred Cities of the Great Wilderness.

Now that people from the Hundred Cities of the Great Wilderness have arrived, people from the other Hundred Cities of the Great Wilderness will likely follow soon.

If Cao Youxiang were to show signs of serious injury at this moment, Hua Xiong alone would not be able to deter the people who would follow.

The head of the Eastern Depot in Xidu City, seeing Cao Youxiang cough up blood, immediately came to Cao Youxiang's side and asked with concern, "Chief Supervisor, are you alright?"

Cao Youxiang glanced at the foreman and shook his head, saying, "I'm fine."

"Hang all these corpses on the city wall for me, so that everyone can see what happens to those who dare to attack my Western Capital and kill my Great Zhou soldiers."

Cao Youxiang pointed to the dozen or so corpses below and said in a effeminate tone.

Cao Youxiang intended to use this battle to temporarily deter the unscrupulous individuals who would follow.

"Yes, Supervisor."

The foreman accepted the order and left.

At this moment, the men outside the city gate who were leading the self-proclaimed city lord were all killed by Hua Xiong and his troops.

However, in order to eliminate these people, Hua Xiong's troops suffered many casualties, while Fei Xiong's army suffered relatively few casualties, proving itself to be a battle-hardened elite force.

Hua Xiong approached Cao Youxiang and bowed, saying, "Thank you very much, Chief Supervisor Cao, for saving me just now."

Hua Xiong knew that if Cao Youxiang hadn't intervened in time, he would probably be barely clinging to life, if not dead.

A palm strike from a late-stage Yin Realm expert is not something Hua Xiong, who has just entered the Life-Seizing Realm, can withstand.

Cao Youxiang waved his hand dismissively; "We are all serving His Majesty, General Hua, there's no need to be so polite."

"Now that the thieves have been eliminated, I will take my leave. The rest is up to General Hua."

After speaking, Cao Youxiang took a step forward.

In an instant, they disappeared from the city wall and returned to the city.

After Cao Youxiang left, Hua Xiong immediately ordered, "Pass on my order: from now on, strengthen the defenses of the city gates, and dispatch the best soldiers in the army to guard them..."

Hua Xiong knew that although the people who attacked Xidu City had been killed, the matter was far from over.

Next, people from all the cities of the Great Wilderness will come one after another.

Therefore, Hua Xiong had no choice but to strengthen the defenses of the city gates and be more cautious.

……

The sky above the courtyard rented by the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce.

The head of the guards from the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce watched Cao Youxiang's disappearing figure and muttered to himself, "This Cao Youxiang is indeed quite strong, and the cultivation technique he practices is extremely terrifying. It's unbelievable that he can absorb the cultivation of others."

"What Steward Yang said is really true. If we really fight, I am not sure I am a match for Cao Youxiang."

Commander Mu witnessed the entire battle that just took place at the city gate.

Cao Youxiang's strength and the strangeness of his techniques shocked Commander Mu.

Originally, when Chief Steward Yang said that if he and Cao Youxiang really fought, he might not be a match for the eunuch Cao Youxiang, he scoffed and thought that Chief Steward Yang was lying.

But now, after seeing Cao Youxiang's actions, Commander Mu knew that Steward Yang was right.

If he were to fight Cao Youxiang, he might not be a match for Cao Youxiang.

No.

To be precise, he was no match for Cao Youxiang.

If he and Cao Youxiang were to fight to the death, then it would definitely be him who dies and Cao Youxiang who lives.

……

"did not expect."

"It's quite surprising that a small, indigenous secret world that has just merged into the Great Wilderness actually has beings in the Life-Seizing Realm who are fighting against fate, as well as Nirvana Realm beings."

Outside the city gate, a faint sound of surprise echoed from the distant sky.

A figure stood proudly in the sky, seemingly one with the heavens and earth.

This figure was none other than Shi Yan, the city lord of the giant city.

Driven by the lure of the Great Zhou, the city lord of Giant Stone City, upon receiving accurate information, led his troops away from Giant Stone City and headed towards the Great Zhou.

Shi Yan had witnessed the battle that had just taken place at the city gate.

To Shi Yan's surprise, the western capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty was guarded by experts at the Life-Seizing Realm who were fighting against fate, as well as experts at the Nirvana Realm.

This is quite surprising.

"Lord of the city, that eunuch's cultivation technique is rather strange. It can absorb the cultivation of others, so its level should be quite high."

"However, in that battle just now, although he absorbed the cultivation of those people from Wuxi City and severely injured them, he himself should also have been seriously injured."

"Shouldn't we make a move?"

One of the people next to him spoke impatiently.

Two dogs fight, play off.

Now that those people in Wuxi City have been wiped out, and the guards of Xidu City are also seriously injured, it is the perfect time for them to make their move.

They could take over the Western Capital with almost no effort.

Shi Yan shook his head; "No rush, let's wait for the people from the other cities to arrive before we talk about it."

"I originally thought that since the Great Zhou had just merged with the Great Wilderness, there weren't many experts, but now it seems that the Great Zhou is quite extraordinary."

"If there are experts at the Nirvana Realm in just the Western Capital, then no one can say for sure whether the Great Zhou has any experts at the Yin-Yang Realm."

"If we act now, we will only end up like the people of Wuxi City, doing the work for others and becoming a touchstone for them to test the Great Zhou."

Shi Yan said, his eyes gleaming.

Shi Yan recognized the people who fought Cao Youxiang at the city gate; they were the city lord of Wuxi City and the city's powerful forces.

Wuxi City is a small city, not as big as Jushi City.

As early as when Wuxi City attacked the guards of Xidu City, Shi Yan and his men from Jushi City had already arrived outside Xidu City.

However, Shi Yan did not rush to show himself, but instead watched from the shadows.

Originally, Shi Yan thought that with the four Yin Realm experts and more than a dozen Nirvana experts from Wuxi City, taking over Xidu City would be no problem.

But who would have thought that instead of capturing Xidu City, the people of Wuxi City were completely wiped out outside the city.

Three Yin Realm experts and more than a dozen Nirvana Realm masters were all killed by a eunuch.

Even the city lord of Wuxi City, a powerful expert in the late Yin Realm, died at the hands of that eunuch.

This made Shi Yan realize that the Great Zhou was not as simple as they had imagined.

If even a Nirvana Realm expert has appeared in the Western Capital City, what about the entire Great Zhou?
Therefore, Shi Yan changed his plan to take direct action and decided to wait for the people from other city forces to arrive.

Otherwise, if they take direct action, they will only follow in the footsteps of those people in Wuxi City and become mere pawns, a touchstone for others.

Upon hearing Shi Yan's words, the people around him exchanged glances but remained silent.

These people are all leaders of various factions within Giant Rock City; they are not ordinary individuals.

They naturally understood what Shi Yan meant.

The situation in Da Zhou was beyond their expectations. If they were to rush into action, it would not be an advantage, but rather a battle between the snipe and the clam, making them pawns for others to test Da Zhou.

"Let's go! Let's bypass Xidu City and visit the other cities of Da Zhou to see what's really going on in Da Zhou."

As Shi Yan spoke, he took a step and disappeared outside the city of Xidu. ...

After returning to the East Depot's stronghold, Cao Youxiang could no longer suppress his injuries and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Upon seeing this, the guards nearby quickly stepped forward to support Cao Youxiang; "Chief Supervisor, are you alright!"

Cao Youxiang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and waved his hand, saying, "Immediately send a message back to Luoyang about the situation here and report to His Majesty."

"Yes, Supervisor."

The imperial guard bowed and accepted the order.

"besides."

"This Governor is currently in seclusion to heal his injuries. No one may disturb this Governor unless there is an important matter."

After saying that, Cao Youxiang went directly into a secret room.

The cultivation levels of four Yin Realm experts and more than a dozen Nirvana Realm masters are still sealed within Cao Youxiang's body. Cao Youxiang needs to go into seclusion to digest these absorbed cultivation levels.

……

royal palace.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

After reviewing the memorials, Zhou Chen stretched.

I glanced at the sky outside; it was already a starry night with a full moon.

"Cao Zhengchun, what time is it?"

Zhou Chen asked casually.

"Your Majesty, it is already 9 PM. Your Majesty should rest."

Cao Zhengchun bowed and said.

"Is it already 11 PM?"

"Time really flies!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen muttered to himself.

Cao Zhengchun then whispered, "Your Majesty, the nine selected ladies have all been trained. Tonight, shall Your Majesty summon them to serve you in bed?"

Zhou Chen looked up and gave Cao Zhengchun a deep look.

Cao Zhengchun immediately lowered his head.

Zhou Chen said slowly, "Now that the young ladies have been trained, let's summon them to serve me in bed!"

Zhou Chen is neither a monk nor immune to beautiful women.

Previously, Zhou Chen was too preoccupied with other matters to attend to these things.

Now that he has entered the palace through the imperial selection process, Zhou Chen naturally no longer needs to pretend to be a hermit.

Upon hearing Zhou Chen's words, Cao Zhengchun's face lit up with joy; "Your Majesty, of the nine selected ladies, which one will Your Majesty summon to serve you tonight?"

Zhou Chen hesitated for a moment; "Zhang Yan, I guess!"

Zhou Chen knew all the information about the nine selected women.

A master like Zhou Chen, who has reached the level of a celestial being, will basically never forget anything he has seen once.

Zhang Yan was the eldest daughter of the Zhang family, the family of the emperor's brother-in-law, and a relative of the empress dowager. She and the other eight imperial concubines each had their own unique strengths.

Zhou Chen chose Zhang Yan as his first concubine because of the Empress Dowager in Cining Palace.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Old slave, go get ready now."

Cao Zhengchun's eyes flashed, and his heart inexplicably tightened.

It seems that nothing can escape His Majesty's discerning eyes.

Cao Zhengchun left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The emperor summoned beautiful women to his bedchamber, but it wasn't that simple.

There are many steps involved, and Cao Zhengchun needs to inform Zhang Yan in advance to prepare.

……

Cining Palace.

The Empress Dowager sat in the main seat, seemingly waiting for something.

moment.

The old palace maid who served the Empress Dowager walked in with a happy expression; "Empress Dowager, there is news."

"Eunuch Cao has sent word that His Majesty wishes to summon a young lady to serve him tonight."

"His Majesty has chosen Lady Zhang Yanxiu."

The old palace maid reported.

"Oh!"

"That's good."

When the Empress Dowager heard the old palace maid's words, a hint of relief appeared on her face.

The Empress Dowager looked up at the old palace maid and said, "Tell Cao Zhengchun that I'm troubling him with this matter."

"Yes, Queen Mother."

The old palace maid responded, bowed, and left.

After the old palace maid left, the Empress Dowager murmured to herself, "Zhang Yan, this is all I can do for you."

In order to ensure that Zhang Yan, a young lady from the Imperial Uncle's family, would win the imperial concubine selection and gain an advantage, the Empress Dowager specially sent a message to Cao Zhengchun.

After all, this isn't a major issue involving principles.

Moreover, power unused expires.

Since the Empress Dowager was from the Zhang family, she naturally wanted to help Zhang Yan within her power.

If Zhang Yan wins the first prize and is the first to serve the emperor, she will be one step ahead of the other concubines.

If Zhang Yan can establish a firm foothold in the harem, then the Empress Dowager will no longer need to worry about the future of the Zhang family, the imperial uncles.

Even the Empress Dowager could not escape such mundane matters.

Just like Emperor Zhou Chen, who knew the ins and outs of the matter, he still went along with it and chose Zhang Yan.

……

Half an hour later.

Zhang Yan, a young lady who had just bathed, was wrapped up and sent into the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

When a young woman is to spend her first night with the emperor, she cannot have anything on her body, not even a jade hairpin or other jewelry.

The purpose was to prevent the imperial concubines from harboring ill intentions towards the emperor and harming his health.

If a concubine harbors ill intentions towards the emperor, the jade hairpin she carries could potentially be used as a weapon.

Therefore, the young women who served the emperor for the first time were basically like lambs that had been stripped naked.

Only after the first time the young ladies were summoned to the emperor's bedchamber and granted official titles, did they receive their own palaces. Subsequent summons to the emperor's bedchamber would not be like the first time.

Instead, the emperor would choose by flipping cards and then visit the various palaces in the harem.

As Zhou Chen looked at Zhang Yan, who was being brought to the dragon bed and wrapped up like a lamb to the slaughter, a strange impulse welled up in his heart that he had never felt before.

Zhou Chen knew that this was a normal reaction for a man.

Even though Zhou Chen was the emperor, he was still not immune to worldly customs.

The silk curtains on both sides of the dragon bed were lowered, and there were not many words spoken, only simple exchanges.

A series of beautiful, unforgettable melodies began to resound...

Outside the inner palace, all the palace maids, eunuchs, and imperial guards had already retreated to the outside.

Only Cao Zhengchun silently stood guard outside the inner hall, waiting for Zhou Chen's summons at any moment.

Cao Zhengchun kept records of Zhang Yan's nights with him...

(End of this chapter)