I picked up skill fragments in the demon world.

Chapter 976 The Wrath of the Royal Family
Upon hearing Zhang Gaqi's words, Zhang Chen's eyes flashed with a coldness. Now that the Great Victory Dynasty had quelled the internal strife in the capital, its actions today were not unusual. If the Great Victory King did not retaliate, Zhang Chen would find it strange.

A strange smile appeared in Zhang Chen's eyes: "The royal family's counterattack came much later than I expected."

Looking at Zhang Chen's face, which was as silent as an ancient grotto, Zhang Gaqi's eyes revealed a hint of anxiety: "Zhang Chen, do you have a solution? The Dasheng royal family is coming with great force, and it's not something that can be easily fooled. If you don't have a sure chance of winning, then hurry up and leave the capital through the secret passage. I'll stay here and hold them off."

Zhang Chen turned to look at Zhang Gaqi. He saw sincerity and earnestness in Zhang Gaqi's eyes. Zhang Chen sighed softly. This was the Zhang Gaqi he knew. He only cared about the interests of the Zhang family and protected the interests of the Zhang family. He would always stand on the side of the Zhang family's interests.

After hearing Zhang Gaqi's words, Zhang Chen reached out and gently patted Zhang Gaqi's shoulder. The next moment, the granulation tissue on Zhang Gaqi's severed shoulder began to twitch, and then a complete arm grew back.

Zhang Gaqi was stunned by what he saw. He stared blankly at Zhang Chen, his eyes filled with disbelief. He raised the newly grown arm to his eyes and stared at it, tears glistening in his eyes.

"Uncle, please rest assured, everything is as I expected. We can also use the pressure from the Great Victory Royal Family to see if there are any spineless people in my Zhang family, and who are the parasites in my Zhang family, and we can get rid of them in advance." Zhang Chen smiled at Zhang Gaqi.

When Zhang Gaqi heard Zhang Chen say this, he felt relieved and was about to say something when suddenly there was a sound of hurried footsteps, accompanied by a noisy shouting. Then, a group of people wearing golden armor rushed in from the distance, pushing and shoving the guards inside the Zhang family mansion.

Despite the Zhang family guards' best efforts to resist, they dared not kill the other party because they were wary of the other party's identity, and thus the other party still managed to break through.

“They are the royal guards.” Zhang Gaqi turned to look at the golden-armored warrior, a look of caution in his eyes: “You retreat first, I will hold them off.”

"No need, just call them over," Zhang Chen stopped Zhang Gaqi.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Gaqi hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Are you really sure? If we run now, it's not too late!"

Zhang Chen nodded to Zhang Gaqi, who then called out to the Zhang family guards in the distance, "Don't stop them, call them over."

At Zhang Gaqi's command, the golden-armored warriors swarmed over and completely surrounded the pavilion where Zhang Chen was located.

The golden-armored warriors parted to make way, and the old eunuch Dugu Qiu walked over from a distance with a gloomy expression. Behind him were Zhang Chen's acquaintances, including the third prince Chai Wenxin, the little princess Chai Wenji, and other members of the royal family, as well as some members of the Zhang family.

"Surround this place and do not let anyone escape." Prince Chai Wenxin's voice was full of pride as he gave the order to the imperial guards. Then, he arrogantly climbed up to the pavilion and angrily shouted at Zhang Chen, "Zhang Chen, get down here and die!"

Chai Wenxin was very pleased with himself. He had previously tried to win over Zhang Chen, but Zhang Chen had refused. He had long harbored a deep hatred for Zhang Chen, and now that he had the opportunity to get revenge, he naturally wanted to show off his power.

"Weren't you put in solitary confinement? How come you still have the chance to run around everywhere? You dare to jump around and run around freely?" Zhang Chen leaned on the railing, looking down at the group of people, without any fear on his face.

"Hmph, I am the King's most beloved son. I rendered great service in the annihilation of the six great families, and the King has already pardoned me." Chai Wenxin ascended the pavilion triumphantly, arriving opposite Zhang Chen. His voice was full of arrogance as he said, "Zhang Chen, do you know your crime?"

“I may know my guilt, but you may not be able to convict me,” Zhang Chen said calmly.

"I can't convict you? What a joke! The seven great families are about to become history, and I can't convict you? Not only will I convict you, but I will also cast you into an abyss of eternal damnation, turning everyone in your Zhang family into ghosts! Your Zhang family is good at manipulating souls, but I wonder if you can bring the dead back to life?"

Chai Wenxin's voice was full of sneer, and he was about to continue mocking Zhang Chen when he was interrupted by Dugu Qiu: "Your Highness, you may step down. Do not delay important matters."

Upon hearing this, Chai Wenxin glared fiercely at Zhang Chen, a cold glint in his eyes, before stepping aside to stand still.

At this moment, Dugu Qiu stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Zhang Chen, filled with emotion: "Zhang Chen, I always thought you were a smart man, but now it seems you're a fool, because a smart man would never do something like this. Because of the sudden retreat of your Zhang family's forces, the overall plan was disrupted, the Imperial Guards had to move in ahead of schedule, and the royal family's experts suffered heavy casualties. This time, the King is furious with you and will definitely have your entire Zhang family torn to pieces."

As Dugu Qiu spoke, he winked at Zhang Chen. Zhang Chen immediately understood the meaning behind Dugu Qiu's words: Dugu Qiu was telling Zhang Chen to use his abilities to escape and not fall into the hands of the royal family, or he would surely die.

Zhang Chen and Dugu Qiu naturally had a tacit understanding. After hearing Dugu Qiu's words, Zhang Chen said unhurriedly, "The Lei family is too powerful. The Zhang family disciples are no match for them. I can't just send the Zhang family members to their deaths."

At this point, Zhang Chen sighed softly, "I am truly flattered that the Grand Steward has personally come to escort me. I will naturally bear any punishment the King may impose upon me." Upon hearing Zhang Chen's words, Dugu Qiu was stunned. He never expected that Zhang Chen would willingly surrender. He stared blankly at Zhang Chen, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Under Dugu Qiu's shocked gaze, Zhang Chen approached Dugu Qiu and said, "Lock me up."

Dugu Qiu's eyes were filled with disbelief, and a faint whisper rang in Zhang Chen's ear: "What are you doing, kid? People will die!"

"I can't die! No one can kill me!" Zhang Chen's voice entered Dugu Qiu's mind directly. Dugu Qiu was stunned upon hearing this, and a look of astonishment appeared in his eyes. He stared at Zhang Chen for a full three breaths before saying, "You're quite sensible! Guards, lock him up and take him to the inner palace to see the King."

As soon as the words fell, a guard emerged from the crowd, holding a golden rope. Strange patterns shimmered on the rope, and a mysterious power flowed around it. Even the dragon's aura could not suppress it. Then, the rope flashed with mysterious patterns and flew out automatically, binding Zhang Chen tightly and turning him into a silkworm cocoon.

"This is the Immortal Binding Rope, a secret treasure of the Great Victory Royal Family. Even a twelfth-level expert can only obediently become a prisoner if bound by it," Chai Wenxin said smugly from the side.

Zhang Chen didn't speak upon hearing this, but simply looked down at the rope. Although the rope was extraordinary, it couldn't withstand the power of the Five-Colored Divine Light. He only needed to activate the Five-Colored Divine Light to take it away, so he wasn't afraid of the Immortal Binding Rope.

"Arrest all members of the Zhang family and imprison them to await the King's decree for punishment." With the Third Prince's order, the Imperial Guards began to move. Zhang Gaqi watched Zhang Chen from the side, waiting for Zhang Chen's command. As soon as Zhang Chen gave the order, he would immediately rise up in resistance. Unfortunately, Zhang Chen not only did not resist, but instead said, "Order all Zhang family disciples not to resist."

After speaking, Zhang Chen slowly walked down the stairs. Seeing Zhang Chen's nonchalant demeanor, Chai Wenxin was instantly enraged. He suddenly stepped forward and shoved Zhang Chen, causing him to stumble: "You bastard, you're nothing but a sinner, what are you so arrogant about? You deserve to die!"

Zhang Chen turned his head and glanced at Chai Wenxin, as if he were looking at a dead man. The chilling look in his eyes made Chai Wenxin's heart skip a beat, and he was so intimidated that he stood there stunned.

At this moment, Dugu Qiu said with dissatisfaction, "Third Prince, you must not be disrespectful to the head of the Zhang family. The King has not yet given the order to deal with this matter. If you cause any trouble, don't make me take the blame for you."

Upon hearing this, Chai Wenxin said nothing more, only coldly stating, "Zhang Chen, you're finished! The entire Zhang family is finished! I'm going to reduce Zhong Xiang to a slave, to make him my tool for gratification. I'm going to press him down and rub him against me, making him suffer a fate worse than death!"

"Men, quickly drag Zhong Xiang over here!" Chai Wenxin ordered the guards.

Upon hearing Chai Wenxin's words, Zhang Chen's eyes turned cold. He didn't say anything more, but in his heart, he sentenced the other party to death.

"My lord, Zhong Xiang is not here!" a guard reported.

Chai Wenxin glanced at Zhang Chen with a cold look in his eyes, then said, "It must be hidden. I'll search for it myself!"

All members of the Zhang family were escorted to the prison cart. Dugu Qiu followed in front of Zhang Chen's prison cart, lowering his voice to make sure no one around could hear: "What exactly do you want, kid? If you want to leave, I can release you now and escort you out of the capital."

"You don't need to worry about me, just do your job as usual," Zhang Chen replied in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Dugu Qiu frowned but did not say anything more. Instead, he left Zhang Chen's prison cart.

Looking at the crowds of onlookers on both sides of the street, and the Zhang family members who had been imprisoned in the prison van, Zhang Chen slowly closed his eyes, and his primordial spirit entered the spiritual world.

"How is your repair going?" Zhang Chen asked as he approached the pool of Ganlin, looking at the Empress who was soaking in it.

"Although it's not fully repaired, it can still lend you a hand." The Empress opened her eyes and said, "There was quite a commotion in the Eighteenth Heaven before. It seems that a supreme being has been revived. Be careful in the material world, and don't get killed. I'm just about to come find you. I want to go to the Eighteenth Heaven to find that supreme being and see if we can join forces to break through the shackles and find a glimmer of hope."

“You don’t need to go to the Eighteenth Heaven, because there’s nothing you’re looking for there. That powerful being has already left. Even if he hadn’t left, he wouldn’t have had the means to break the shackles of heaven and earth.” Zhang Chen replied to the Empress, “However, I do have a place where I can hide your aura, so that you are no longer disturbed by the Great Thousand Worlds, so that your essence will not be lost, and you can live smoothly.”

The great changes in the world are already a foregone conclusion. Even the Queen Mother of the West cannot break the world barrier, nor can the Primordial Golden Immortals break it. Zhang Chen does not believe that the Empress can break the world barrier. If she cannot find the sealed place before the great changes in the world, only death awaits her.

(End of this chapter)