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

“Yes, young master, if your cultivation hadn’t reached the Golden Core stage, our Zhao family would probably be less than a second-rate family in Zhoudu.” Zhao Ji sighed.

Zhao Tianming was in a bad mood at the time, and seeing that these two were bothering him, he blurted out:

"Father, you can't blame anyone else. If you hadn't been courting death all this time, how could you have ended up like this?!"

Zhao Tianming snorted coldly.

"What?! Tianming, what do you mean by this? I'm your father! Now that we're facing a major crisis, it's one thing for you not to work hard, but you dare to criticize me?!" Zhao Yi looked at Zhao Tianming angrily.

"Hmph, the Zhao family ruined itself, what does that have to do with me? Besides, what you've done is simply unbearable for me!" Zhao Tianming shook his head, his tone full of helplessness.

"Alright, alright, we're all in the same boat now, so let's stop blaming each other." Xiao Lü stepped in to smooth things over. "Tianming, is there something wrong with your cultivation? If you have any difficulties, you can tell me, maybe I can help you."

"Xiao Lü, thank you. But I'm afraid you can't help me with my current problem," Zhao Tianming said with a wry smile.

“Tianming, you can’t say that.” Xiao Lü looked at Zhao Tianming seriously. “We’ve been through this together… although not that much, but I believe that as long as we work together, we’ll find a way.”

Xiao Lü felt a little awkward; the person she had the most experience with was actually Zhao Yi…

Hearing this, Zhao Tianming was deeply moved. He looked at Xiao Lü earnestly and nodded, "Xiao Lü, thank you for your concern. However, this matter is not so simple, and I need time to resolve it."

"Okay, you should rest well first. Just let me know if you need anything, and I'll stay with you," Xiao Lü said gently.

"Yes, Tianming, just let me know if you need anything. Even though your father has nothing, he is your biggest supporter!"

"You have no idea! Those forces that were so respectful to our family before are starting to make their move. If you can't break through to the Golden Core stage soon, I'm afraid we'll all be trampled underfoot by those heartless bastards! You'd better make me proud!"

"That's enough! Stop talking!"

A ruthless glint appeared in Zhao Tianming's eyes as he glared fiercely at Zhao Yi, as if he wished he could tear him to pieces immediately.

Zhao Yi trembled at Zhao Tianming's gaze and immediately shut his mouth.

"How many times have I said it? Grandpa Zhao and the others are nowhere to be found, and Auntie is nowhere to be found either. There are no Golden Core level experts left to oversee things now. Do you still expect me to break through to the Golden Core stage?!" Zhao Tianming said angrily in a low voice.

“But Tianming, your aptitude is so good. With your talent, breaking through to the Golden Core stage should be just a matter of time.” Zhao Yi quickly said with a smile, “As long as you can break through to the Golden Core stage, our Zhao family will have hope of rising again.”

"Hmph!" Zhao Tianming snorted coldly, too lazy to pay any more attention to Zhao Yi.

He was now utterly disappointed in his cheap father. If it weren't for the father's disastrous downfall of the Zhao family, he wouldn't be struggling to find a place to settle down.

Now, they've even brought their families to seek refuge with a second-rate sect!

"Young Master, Master is also..."

"Alright, you can all go back now. I need to think about how to break through to the Golden Core stage." Zhao Tianming waved his hand, signaling Zhao Yi to leave.

"Hey, my son, wait a minute!" Zhao Yi said, rubbing his hands together as he walked up again.

"What else do you want?"

"Today, I've taken a fancy to one of the courtesans at Chunmanlou. Could you spare some spirit stones for me...?"

"Get out of here! Go wherever you want! Don't bother me with this kind of nonsense!" Zhao Tianming said impatiently.

"Alright." Seeing that Zhao Tianming was really angry, Zhao Yi didn't dare to ask any more questions and could only leave with the butler and Xiao Lü.

As Zhao Tianming watched Zhao Yi's departing figure, he felt increasingly agitated.

Now, the Zhao family can only rely on him, and they have no resources left to use! Breaking through to the Golden Core stage will be extremely difficult for him.

He joined this second-rate sect by claiming that he would achieve good results in the sect's conference, which is why they accepted him!

"Is it really impossible for me to break through to the Golden Core stage?"

……

For several days in a row, She Jingxi did not contact Chen Xuan again.

Perhaps she was consolidating her cultivation, perhaps she was embarrassed, or perhaps she was trying to alleviate the harm Chen Xuan had caused her; in any case, Chen Xuan was living a very leisurely life.

At this moment, Dai Dabai was summoning Chen Xuan to inquire about She Jingxi. Chen Xuan told him personally that he could lure She Jingxi away, and Dai Dabai showed a satisfied smile.

He patted Chen Xuan on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Chen Xuan, I know everything about you. You've done so much for me, I will definitely not let you down."

"Then thank you very much, Your Majesty!" Chen Xuan smiled slightly, his tone full of gratitude.

"This young master... cough cough, I also heard from the Empress that your medical skills are indeed very impressive, and that you can treat all kinds of difficult and complicated diseases. Is that true?"

"Your Majesty flatters me, but I can cure most diseases in this world."

“Good! Very good! Then come here now and give it to me…” Dai Dabai didn’t finish his sentence, then glanced at Zhu Zhu beside him and immediately shut his mouth.

It's best not to let her know about this. I'll find some time to talk to Chen Xuan alone.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I have discerned your needs from your expression just now!"

Chen Xuan calmly took out several medicinal herbs from his storage bag.

"Crush these and boil them in water to drink, and you will be able to relieve your immediate crisis."

Dai Dabai glanced at the medicinal herbs and quietly put them into his pocket.

"Good, good, good! You are truly my lucky general! Don't worry, regardless of whether you can help me lure She Jingxi away, I can make an exception and take you as my follower, leading you to the true world of cultivation!" Dai Dabai looked at Chen Xuan and promised again.

Chen Xuan remained calm inside, but outwardly showed great joy and nodded.

Dai Dabai then dismissed him from the Imperial Study.

"This man is indeed a talented individual. After meeting him today, I also believe he is qualified to be my follower." Dai Dabai looked at Zhu Zhu, his eyes revealing a satisfied expression.

"Hmm? Aren't you afraid that such a person will be difficult to control?" Zhu Zhu asked, puzzled. Dai Dabai was usually very arrogant and looked down on people from the lower realms. Why was he acting the opposite today?

"Doesn't he have a fatal weakness? It's not that I'm afraid of what he likes, it's that I'm afraid of him liking nothing at all! And he'd rather offend both of us than hurt those who have been kind to him. This kind of person is the easiest to control!"

“You mean…” Zhu Zhu pointed to herself.

"That's right, that's exactly what I mean! But don't worry, I'm just letting you keep him hanging on. Once we reach the Upper Realm, you won't have to do this anymore!"

"Hmph, I'll remember this. I'll settle the score with you properly when we get to the Upper Realm!" With that, Zhu Zhu stormed out of the door and returned to her palace.

"You want me to keep him hanging on? He's already taken advantage of me, and you want me to continue? Anyway... this is your own choice! If he really tries to force himself on me, there's nothing I can do!"

……

Chen Xuan had barely stepped out of the Imperial Study when he received a summons from the Empress Dowager. Upon receiving the message, he immediately rushed to the Empress Dowager's palace.

Inside the palace, She Jingxi had been waiting for a long time.

As soon as Chen Xuan entered the palace, he was stunned by the sight before him. She Jingxi's beauty and temperament left him somewhat lost in thought.

At this moment, She Jingxi was wearing a light blue gauze dress. The skirt swayed and outlined her graceful curves. At the same time, her fair skin was faintly visible under the light blue gauze, making her look even more mysterious and alluring.

A touch of red lips, like a delicate rose, can evoke endless imagination with just a gentle purse.

Chen Xuan took a deep breath to calm himself down, then bowed to She Jingxi and said, "Your humble servant greets the Empress Dowager."

She Jingxi nodded slightly, indicating that Chen Xuan need not be so polite. She parted her red lips and slowly said, "Imperial Physician Chen, do you know why I summoned you?"

Chen Xuan had a slight guess in his mind, but he did not expose it. Instead, he immediately replied, "Your Majesty, I am apprehensive. What are your instructions?"

She Jingxi looked at Chen Xuan, a strange light flashing in her eyes.