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

Soon, Chen Xuan returned to the palace with practiced ease.

However, this time he did not rush back to the Empress Dowager's palace, but went to the Empress's palace first.

When Zhu Zhu learned that it was Chen Xuan who requested an audience, her heart skipped a beat. She didn't know how she felt—happy? Nervous? Panicked? Fearful? Surprised? Shy? Or perhaps all of the above?

Fortunately, she wasn't a long-winded person and met with Chen Xuan directly.

"What brings Physician Chen here this time?" She kept a straight face, meticulous and determined not to let Chen Xuan see the panic in her heart.

"Your Majesty, I have come here today to discuss an important matter."

"W-what is it? Tell me!"

"Your Majesty seems a little nervous? What are you worried about?"

"I...I didn't! Can you get to the point and stop focusing on other things!"

"Oh, alright then. Actually, what I wanted to say was that I will also participate in this sect conference!"

"I already said we can't...! Huh?!!"

"You want to participate in the sect tournament? Why? You can easily subdue and defeat me. You should have no rivals in this Mountain and Sea Realm. Why do you want to participate in such a boring competition?"

"Because I am a member of the Xuan Yang Sect, it is only right that I participate in this kind of activity for my sect!"

"Xuanyang Sect...which sect is that? I've never even heard of it!"

"This... is a bit troublesome. It's not a sect in this area. Anyway, I'm going to participate. I just came to let you know! You can just talk to the emperor."

"But what's the point of going there if you go? None of them are even a match for you!"

"I'm the only one from our sect. We can't make things difficult for our sect, can we?"

"Oh, well, okay then!"

"Well, in that case, I'll take my leave." With that, Chen Xuan prepared to depart.

"Huh? You, you just like this..."

"What did the Empress say?"

"Oh, I mean, what if Dai Dabai doesn't agree to you participating?"

"Well, this is indeed a bit difficult to handle. What do you think we should do, Your Majesty?" Chen Xuan walked back with a smile.

'Huh? He... he's back again. No, he's not trying to bully me, is he? If he bullies me, I'll definitely find a way to get him into the competition. Humph, I knew you, Chen Xuan, weren't a good person! Anyway, I can't beat you...'

Seeing Chen Xuan return, Zhu Zhu's heart pounded, and she even closed her eyes in nervousness.

However, after waiting for a while, Zhu Zhu did not encounter the bullying she had imagined from Chen Xuan.

She opened her eyes in surprise, and then was startled!

Because Chen Xuan was right next to her face, staring at her intently! The moment she opened her eyes, all she saw was Chen Xuan's big face—how could she not be scared!

"You, what do you want to do?"

"What do you mean 'what do I want to do'? It's actually Your Majesty who wants to do what? I'm asking you for help, and you insist on closing your eyes!" Chen Xuan said innocently.

He immediately guessed what the proud and aloof girl was thinking, but he just wanted to tease her.

"I...you!!!" Zhu Zhu was speechless.

"I suddenly feel a little soreness in my eyes, so I closed them!"

"Oh? Would you like Chen to take a look?"

"No need! I don't think Dai Dabai will agree to let you participate!"

"Why?"

"Because you are just a royal physician, he doesn't know your strength. He might think you will get injured in the competition and won't be able to treat him, so he won't let you participate!" The girl explained logically.

"Oh? What should I do then? Your Majesty, please help me!" Chen Xuan was secretly overjoyed.

"Hmph, I, I don't know either!"

"I'm begging you, Your Majesty. I know your words carry weight with him. At worst, I'll owe you a favor. Is that alright?"

"Okay, swear it!"

"Snapped!"

"Woo!"

"You think you can take advantage of me just because I'm being a little rude? I, Chen Xuan, am a man of my word, and I don't stand back. If I say I owe you a favor, then I owe you a favor. You don't need to be so cautious!"

"What kind of person begs like that! I've never seen such an arrogant person!"

"Hey, you've met him today, so tell me if you want him or not!"

"Well, if what you're saying is true, I definitely want it..."

"Well, I'll leave this matter to the Empress. Farewell!" With that, Chen Xuan left without looking back, leaving a slightly disappointed Zhu Zhu standing there in a daze.

Yes, she felt disappointed. Chen Xuan hadn't done anything this time; the only thing he did was to make her angry. Logically, she should have been happy, but why did she feel... disappointed instead?

As she pondered, Zhu Zhu frowned, then slapped her head in frustration. "Zhu Zhu! What are you thinking? You have a destiny you can't defy! And his identity is just... You'll ultimately ruin him!"

"But I just can't seem to feel better..."

With that, the girl left the palace and went to Dai Dabai's study.

Meanwhile, Dai Dabai was drinking water infused with the spiritual herbs given to him by Chen Xuan, and enjoying a shoulder massage from a palace maid.

"Empress Zhu has arrived!"

"What? Zhu Zhu is here? What's going on? Why is she here?"

Why can't I come?

Upon hearing Zhu Zhu's voice, Dai Dabai suddenly snapped back to reality.

"Um, I just find it a little strange. Zhu Zhu, you're free to come anytime!"

"Hmph!" Zhu Zhu responded with a cold snort.

"By the way, what brings you here?"

"Doctor Chen just came by. He said he needs your help with something."

"Oh? Physician Chen came by? What did he need me to help him with?" Dai Dabai asked curiously.

Zhu Zhu hesitated for a moment, then said, "He said he wants to participate in the sect conference."

Upon hearing this, Dai Dabai looked at Zhu Zhu with some surprise, "He wants to participate in the Sect Tournament? Isn't that a bit inappropriate? He is the imperial physician of our palace, representing the face of the royal family. If he loses in the Sect Tournament, wouldn't people laugh at our royal family?"

"But he said he's a disciple of the Xuan Yang Sect, so it's only right that he participates in the sect's assembly!"

“Xuan Yang Sect?” Dai Dabai frowned. “I’ve never heard of this sect before. Where is it located?”

Zhu Zhu had no choice but to explain again.

I talked to the most disgusting person again, Chen Xuan, you have to make it up to me!