The protagonist stole my spiritual root? Hey, heroine, give birth to me!

"Alright, you don't need to explain this to me. That kid has a lot of secrets!"

"What secret?"

"He uses a special method that can greatly enhance a person's cultivation level...!" She Jingxi explained to Shen Xirou in a low voice.

"One year? From Foundation Establishment to Golden Core?! This, how is this possible?!" Shen Xirou was also extremely shocked.

"So, I'm going to assign you another task!"

"What mission?"

"While he's treating you these days, build a good relationship with him, and then casually reveal your difficulties in your cultivation to see if he can guide you!"

"You...you want me to lie to him..."

"Hey, how can you call this a scam? You've experienced the disaster brought by the Eye of Flaw, and once this kid's secret technique is exposed, how long do you think he can live? We're protecting him!"

"I see. I'll remind him then!"

"Well, if he really has a good cultivation method, then let's use it together. I guess I've saved his life, right?"

“What you say makes sense, senior. I… I’ll give it a try!” Shen Xirou said.

Her face was still a little red after she finished speaking. I never thought that she, the dignified empress, would lie!

……

Several days passed in this way, and apart from treating Shen Xirou, Chen Xuan had nothing else to do each day.

With nothing else to do, he secretly moved some medicinal herbs from the Imperial Hospital to his own secret garden to help his wives relieve boredom.

During this time, Zhao Tianming did not come looking for her again. It is estimated that Chen Wenwen has been "missing" for several days and people are still searching for her all over Yulong City!

However, today, there was an important announcement to be made within the royal family, and everyone from the Imperial Medical Academy, including Chen Xuan, had to attend. Therefore, Chen Xuan was unable to go to the Empress Dowager's palace.

"Hey, Physician Liu, where are we going? Why are we making such a big fuss?" Chen Xuan casually pulled one of the physicians aside to ask.

"To the Taihe Hall Square! As for the specifics, I'm not entirely sure; we'll find out when we get there!"

"Could it be that some important person is ill?"

"That's not it. I heard that all the civil and military officials in the court, as well as the cultivators in the city, are going to attend. Even those prominent sects are sending people to witness the ceremony!" said Physician Liu.

"Oh? So grand? Is something big happening?" Chen Xuan stroked his chin, some guesses in his mind.

"Yes, there must be something important, but I don't know exactly what it is! However, it seems to be a very good thing. Physician Chen, as the most skilled physician in our Imperial Hospital, you must perform well!" Physician Liu cupped his hands and flattered him.

"Uh, how could this possibly concern us? We're probably just there to make up the numbers!" Chen Xuan said, rubbing his nose.

"Alright, alright, Physician Chen, there's no need to be so self-deprecating. We'll find out what it is as soon as we get there!"

……

In the Taihe Hall Square, Emperor Chen Sui sat on a high platform. He looked like an ordinary-looking middle-aged man, with civil and military officials standing on both sides.

Below the stage were cultivators, most of whom Chen Xuan did not recognize, such as the royal family's retainers, and a small number of whom he did recognize, such as cultivators from various sects.

However, Chen Xuan did not greet everyone. Instead, he sat down in his seat and wanted to see what was going on.

As time passed, more and more people gathered in the square. Finally, Emperor Chen Sui stood up and gestured for everyone to be quiet.

He looked around and said loudly, "The main reason I've gathered everyone here today is to announce something very important."

Upon hearing this, everyone quieted down, waiting for the emperor to continue.

Chen Sui then continued, "Our Great Chen Kingdom has enjoyed peace and prosperity for the past few decades. However, behind this tranquility lies an evil force. They collude with foreign enemies, attempting to overthrow the rule of the Great Chen Kingdom, and even want to harm our people!"

The cultivators below the stage exchanged bewildered glances upon hearing this. They hadn't noticed anything amiss, so they were somewhat puzzled by the emperor's words.

Emperor Chen Sui saw the doubts in everyone's eyes and continued, "The reason I say this is because I have evidence to prove it. Recently, I sent people to investigate and found that some people have appeared within our Great Chen Kingdom. They are spreading evil doctrines and trying to bewitch people. There are even some cultivators who are willing to join forces with them in order to gain power."

Hearing this, everyone was surprised. They were all seasoned veterans of the martial arts world, and they knew perfectly well what kind of evil forces existed. Yet he insisted that there were. Could it be that he had a grudge against some sect?

"Does Your Majesty intend to launch a campaign to suppress the rebels?" a minister asked.

"Yes and no!"

"So, Your Majesty's meaning is...?"

"Come out, Young Master Dai! Miss Zhu!" Chen Sui shouted, and two figures calmly walked out from behind him.

Upon closer inspection, the man was tall and of average appearance, with piercing eyes that seemed to see through everything. He wore a white brocade robe, with a long sword at his waist, and exuded an air of untamed arrogance.

The woman was dressed in a black bodysuit, with a beautiful face and captivating, watery eyes. Her long, black hair cascaded over her shoulders, giving her an air of mysterious allure.

She was tall and slender with a graceful figure, exuding feminine softness and charm. Her legs were long and straight, and as she walked, she moved with the grace and fluidity of willow catkins in the wind.

(Do you have a diagram to compare it to?)

"These two are not only the most distinguished guests of our royal family, but also young heroes!"

"They are upright, selfless, and honorable, and are very capable people who are worthy of being entrusted with important tasks..." Chen Sui said a lot of flattering things to them.

"So, Your Majesty, what do you mean?"

"Alas, under my rule, such an evil force has emerged in the Great Chen Empire, causing immense harm to my people! I am guilty! Therefore, I hereby issue an edict of self-reproach!"

"Your Majesty, why are you doing this? It's not your fault!"

"I am guilty because I failed to govern the Great Chen Empire well, which allowed evil forces to take advantage of the situation and brought heavy disasters to the people of Great Chen."

"Therefore, I have made up my mind to issue an edict of self-reproach, acknowledging my mistakes to show respect and repentance for the people," Chen Sui said solemnly.