Chapter 161: News from the Front Line

"How do you figure that?" Xu Chen's eyes lit up.

"Discovering alien races and sounding the alarm to report them is one merit."

"If you trace these extraterrestrial aliens to discover the world behind them, that is another merit."

"Being able to find supreme treasures or things useful to the human race from these aliens will also be recorded as a contribution."

The brawny man and the sword immortal looked at Xu Chen with envy.

"If there really is such a thing, then I will invite both seniors for a drink," Xu Chen smiled slightly.

Upon hearing this, the brawny man and the sword immortal immediately took out their communication talismans.

"Come, come, let's add each other's contact information. We can be considered to have a shared affinity," the brawny man said warmly.

"Uh..."

Xu Chen felt he was just being polite, not expecting the two of them to actually want to exchange contacts.

Under the brawny man's enthusiasm, Xu Chen added both of them as friends.

"My name is Tie Yunshan."

"That one is called Ye Anping."

"Greetings, Senior Tie, Senior Ye. Junior is Xu Chen," Xu Chen saluted, not expecting that going on a mission could also expand his network.

The three exchanged more polite pleasantries before Xu Chen took out his mission jade token, activated it, and teleported back to Human Emperor City.

The sword immortal Ye Anping looked at Tie Yunshan, his brows furrowing slightly.

"You were a bit unusually enthusiastic."

"A top prodigy of the human race. Coincidentally, I've also noticed this Wu Ming. Among the favored children of destiny across numerous worlds, he stands out quite a bit."

Tie Yunshan grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth.

"Just think about who would be sent out to execute this mission at the same realm."

"Either they have top-tier talent, or..."

"This is a big figure of the future, you shouldn't be a bit enthusiastic?" Tie Yunshan raised an eyebrow slightly.

"You're romanticizing it. It's the kind where you won't even be able to climb high enough to forge a connection later."

While the two were talking, Xu Chen had already teleported to the Tianli Hall located in the outer domain of Human Emperor City.

Three celestial officials were waiting here for Xu Chen.

"Mission accomplished. Please test it, three celestial officials," Xu Chen said, taking out the mission jade token and returning it.

"Mission completed: 5 contribution points. Discovery of alien races: 5 contribution points. If there are any subsequent special contributions, we will notify you accordingly."

The celestial official in the middle spoke, then gave Xu Chen a slight bow, which Xu Chen hurriedly returned.

Sent back via the Heavenly Sacred Divine Tree, Xu Chen happened to encounter Jiang Beici basking in the sun.

The celestial official maneuvered the spirit boat to drop Xu Chen onto a leaf before leaving.

"How many contribution points was the reward?" Jiang Beici chuckled.

"Five for completing the mission, and five for discovering the alien invasion."

"You were right, it is indeed a bit few." Xu Chen originally thought there would be at least twenty contribution points, but later realized he had overthought it.

"Five contribution points is already quite a lot."

"Back in my day, I went through nine deaths and a lifetime, struggled for over a month, and they only gave me three contribution points."

"The missions assigned to you folks who break through to the Precious Body Realm at the limit of the Blood Qi Realm are just better," Jiang Beici said, sounding somewhat envious.

"If you're ever short on contribution points, just tell your brother. I can usually scrape some together," Xu Chen said.

"No need for that, I don't have any urgent needs recently," Jiang Beici waved his hand from his wheelchair.

"By the way, where are those worlds located in the Star Sea Domain? I only found out while executing the mission that our human race still controls this region," Xu Chen asked curiously.

"Those worlds are right up there in the Star Sea Domain above our heads," Jiang Beici pointed to the sky.

"I see."

"By the way, what's the situation on the front lines during the half-month I was gone?" Xu Chen suddenly asked.

"The Sovereigns of several continents jointly made a trip to the front lines, managing to drag down and destroy a Great Luo Immortality and four Golden Immortals of the Divine Spirit Heavenly Court, practically ruining an entire continent's territory belonging to the Divine Spirit Heavenly Court."

"An eye for an eye, blood for blood. But the price paid was also quite heavy; Sovereigns from two continents have fallen into a deep slumber."

"Was that Tai'a Mountain Spirit killed?" Xu Chen asked with concern.

"It fled to the holy city of the Spirit Eye clan under the Divine Spirit Heavenly Court, where there are Supreme-level powerhouses," Jiang Beici shook his head.

A war between two races, a dispute over land and resources, generally stops at Great Luo Immortality. Once Supreme-level powerhouses are mobilized—whether they fall or suffer mishaps—it becomes a matter concerning the survival of an entire race.

"When the two of us grow up, we'll join forces and wipe out that Tai'a Mountain Spirit, that ungrateful dog!"

Jiang Beici harbored deep resentment as well. He had lost half his divine soul on the front-line battlefield and almost died there, all because of this Tai'a Mountain Spirit.

"The Nether River Clan can't be let off either," Xu Chen added.

"Right, there was a huge scandal among your batch of people. The person with the weakest strength actually carried a trace of divine sense belonging to a Nether River Clan Supreme."

"If it weren't for being in Human Emperor City, enveloped by the human race's destiny, it wouldn't have been discovered at all."

"There really was one?" Xu Chen felt a lingering sense of good fortune.

At this moment, Li Chengfu and Zong Changshou walked out of their immortal caves, their faces lighting up with joy upon seeing Xu Chen.

"Since we're all gathered, now that I'm back from the mission, I'll treat you all to a grand feast—the kind that costs contribution points," Xu Chen waved his hand grandly, preparing to indulge in a contribution-level gourmet feast.

"Very well, I'd like a divine soul therapeutic set meal," Jiang Beici's eyes lit up.

"Almost forgot, can I invite one more person? Not an outsider, either."

Jiang Beici added immediately, as if suddenly remembering something.

"Not an outsider?" Xu Chen was stunned.

"You'll know when the time comes."

Jiang Beici smiled mysteriously.

Human Emperor City, the Four Seas Tower. Despite its ordinary-sounding name, it was the most top-tier restaurant in the entire Human Emperor City.

At this moment, Su Yueyao looked at the distant Four Seas Tower, continuously encouraging herself in her heart.

A quarter of an hour ago, she had received a message from the Highness who had saved her family from the brink of ruin, telling her to come over and meet her future husband.

"The Four Seas Tower. When my ancestor was alive, he always took pride in having attended a big figure's birthday banquet here."

"Even before his mortal demise, he still spoke of it with longing."

"I wonder what occasion brings us together for a meal here?"

"I don't know what kind of person that Highness's brother is, but no matter what, he is the one destined for me."

Su Yueyao held some expectations. Regarding the Highness's brother, she only knew he was from the Daxiong Sect in Leizhou; everything else about his condition was entirely unknown.

Four Seas Tower, Luohe Lesser World.

Jiang Beici, Xu Chen, Li Chengfu, and Zong Changshou raised their cups to each other.

The four of them were on a riverside grassland where a misty aura seemed to rise from the river, accompanied by a special spiritual energy that made everyone present feel extremely relaxed and whetted their appetites.

On a giant table sat three hundred and sixty dishes, all made from precious delicacies and immortal spiritual items. Every single dish could stimulate the taste buds of the four of them.

"Who is this person you said isn't an outsider? Is it your senior brother?" Xu Chen couldn't help asking.

"They'll be here soon, wait a moment."

Jiang Beici smiled mysteriously, and Xu Chen vaguely guessed what was going on.

At that exact moment, spiritual light flashed at the entrance of the Lesser World.

Su Yueyao, dressed in a light purple long dress, arrived inside the Lesser World.

"Not an outsider, right? This is your insider," Jiang Beici chuckled.

Su Yueyao walked not far from the four of them and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Your Highness. Greetings, three fellow Daoists."

"Rise. This is my brother Xu Chen, and also your future man," Jiang Beici pointed at Xu Chen.

Su Yueyao looked at Xu Chen with her beautiful eyes, walked up to his side, and bowed slightly.

"Su Yueyao greets Husband."

This greeting of "Husband" caught Xu Chen off guard; who addresses someone like that the very moment they meet?

"Take a seat, drink with us," Jiang Beici waved his hand.

At that moment, Su Yueyao suddenly realized that her husband whom she had just met for the first time was sitting in the master's seat.

A chair conveniently appeared beside Xu Chen, and Su Yueyao sat down.

Looking at these immortal delicacies that she had never even heard of or seen before, Su Yueyao felt quite tempted, but she obediently sat beside Xu Chen and poured wine for him.

Xu Chen glanced at Su Yueyao, nodded slightly, and resumed chatting with Jiang Beici, Li Chengfu, and Zong Changshou.

All 360 dishes on the table were nourishing spiritual dishes, cooked using special magical powers.

No matter how much one ate, the energy contained in the food would gather in the dantian, nourishing the physical body over time.

Not a single one of the 360 dishes was left behind.

After eating and drinking their fill, Su Yueyao operated a spirit boat to send the four of them back to their leaf-shaped immortal caves on the Heavenly Sacred Divine Tree.

All four of them were somewhat intoxicated. Jiang Beici, Li Chengfu, and Zong Changshou tacitly returned to their respective immortal caves.

Su Yueyao helped Xu Chen into his immortal cave.

"Alright, you can go back now," Xu Chen said, feeling slightly drunk.

"This concubine will first serve Husband to sleep," Su Yueyao looked at Xu Chen with a somewhat complicated expression.

Her destiny was bound to be sacrificed for her family. Rather than being used as a breakthrough cauldron by those powerhouses, wholeheartedly serving the man before her was already the best outcome.

Looking at the obedient and beautiful Su Yueyao, Xu Chen thought of the scene when his good brother had written to him introducing a wife.

"No need. Tell me about your cultivation technique first."

Xu Chen sat on the bed while Su Yueyao gently removed his shoes.

"The *Phoenix-Dragon Entwining Scripture*. The greatest characteristic of this cultivation technique is devoting oneself to a single person for life, both body and mind. Should there be any betrayal or overstepping of boundaries, one will suffer the pain of ten thousand ants devouring the heart."

"As a maiden, being at the same realm as Husband, I can help Husband break through bottlenecks and ascend to a higher level."

Su Yueyao's face flushed slightly.

Sitting on the bed, Xu Chen looked down at Su Yueyao who was squatting below, and reached out to gently lift her chin.

Su Yueyao submissively raised her head, revealing her delicate and lovely face.

"Cultivate diligently, and wait for me at the Ascension Realm."

"Understood, Husband," Su Yueyao quickly stood up and bowed.

These words represented the recognition of her status; the nurturing grace of her family could be considered repaid.

"Alright, go back. Having you here easily disturbs my Dao heart."

"Then I shall first serve Husband to sleep."

Xu Chen originally wanted to refuse, but after thinking about it, he nodded instead.

Once their garments were laid aside, Su Yueyao tucked the duvet over Xu Chen and left.

Early the next morning, Xu Chen woke up feeling refreshed.

"As expected of top-tier immortal wine. After sleeping off the tipsiness, feeling refreshed and having a clear divine intellect makes everything go smoothly."

Saying this, Xu Chen took out a divine power jade slip and began formally studying divine powers.

As for cultivation, that was a matter for the evening; at most, after three or four hours, his dantian would reach its limit and he would have to stop.

The *Five Elements Divine Axe*: harnessing the power of the Five Elements to forge an opening-heaven giant axe. When cultivated to the deepest levels, it can cleave myriad worlds.

"Learn single-target divine powers first, so it's easier to master other divine powers later."

The divine powers recorded in the jade slip came in two versions: one in the human language, and the other in the complete Dao script version.

(End of this chapter)