Chapter 642: 644: Nan Liang Royal Family Crown Princess (Fourth Update)
The arena rules didn’t allow someone to challenge repeatedly. There was a time limit. So, when Liang Chen saw Lin Zhen’s prize pool had reached 320 billion, he had his heart set on it.
320 billion was not a small amount. Even as the Imperial Grandson of the Nan Liang Empire, he didn’t have that much money.
Although he had won some before, he had bought many things, and money came and went quickly, so he was always short on cash.
Without money, he couldn’t possibly bet the whole 320 billion. If he won less, he wouldn’t be willing either. Lin Zhen also seemed to have strong strength, and ordinary people wouldn’t want to win money from him. Therefore, during this time, Liang Chen had been raising money everywhere, preparing for a big move.
Liang Chen had many friends, like little princes and princesses, who generally followed him as their leader.
Firstly, Liang Chen had the strongest strength among them, with a Tier Nine Star System and a Star Power of 1,030,000. He stood out in the Nan Liang Empire.
Furthermore, Liang Chen’s identity as the only Imperial Grandson of Nan Liang was undoubtedly highly respected.
Although his father, the Crown Prince, didn’t care about him at all, he was helpless because he had a good mother, or rather, a good stepmother.
Ning Qingxuan, the first beauty of Nan Liang, held the title of the number one beauty for over a thousand years, and no one had ever challenged her position.
Not only in appearance, but Ning Qingxuan was also a Martial Arts Prodigy, a heroine. Her sect, the Qingye Sect, trained her intensively. Her cultivation path went smoothly, and she had become a Longevity Master before she reached the age of two thousand.
So she was not only the first beauty of Nan Liang but also the first remarkable woman of Nan Liang. She was a role model for women all over the world. Even when the incident of someone secretly taking pictures of her bathing happened, the royal family didn’t dare to mention divorce with Ning Qingxuan.
Such a stepmother doted on Liang Chen, which was also one of the significant reasons for Liang Chen’s unyielding dominance.
However, no matter how dominant he was, he still didn’t have enough money when he needed it. Liang Chen had been looking for his friends recently, but these prodigal sons spent money like water, and they didn’t have much in their hands. Barely able to touch the 320 billion hanging there, Liang Chen was quite anxious.
Left with no choice, Liang Chen finally decided to ask his mother for some money.
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The Qingye Sect was the number one sect in Nan Liang, with the position of Sect Leader and Elders held by Longevity Masters. They had a habit of marrying into the royal family. Since Ning Qingxuan, a core disciple of the sect, showed extraordinary talent from a young age, she was engaged to Liang Zhihuan, the Crown Prince, who was more than a thousand years older than her.
Now, Ning Qingxuan could establish herself independently. Besides occasionally returning to her sect, she mostly lived in the Qin Yin Villa in Nan Liang City.
Qin Yin Villa was an enormous courtyard, covering an area of hundreds of square kilometers, located in the bustling area of Nan Liang, a paradise in the bustling city.
Liang Chen returned swaying and pushed open the door of Qin Yin Villa. Immediately, servants came over and prepared the Immortal Crane mount for him to ride.
“Is my mother here?” Liang Chen’s biological mother had died early, and he had been used to calling Ning Qingxuan his mother after being with her for hundreds of years.
“Your Highness, the Crown Princess is here.”
Although Ning Qingxuan never married the Crown Prince, the servants had grown accustomed to addressing her this way.
“How is my mother’s mood today?”
“She seems to be in a good mood. She’s playing the zither in the backyard.”
“Well, a good mood is nice, at least she’ll be easier to talk to.”
Liang Chen casually threw a few Crystal Coins at the servant. One Crystal Coin was one million, and he spent money so extravagantly that he never seemed to have any left.
He rode the Immortal Crane straight to the backyard, covering a hundred kilometers in an instant.
Getting off the Immortal Crane, Liang Chen tiptoed to the backyard gate. A string of melodious zither music came out, like a mountain stream and pearls falling on a jade plate.
After patiently waiting for the end of the zither music, Liang Chen was ready to walk in with applause, praise his mother a few words, and then bring up the money matter. However, before he could clap, he heard Ning Qingxuan’s voice coming from inside.
“Chen’er, come in. Aren’t you tired of holding your breath outside?”
Liang Chen showed an awkward expression, poked his head out from the door, and then ran in with a whoosh.
“Is Mother in a good mood today?”
“Whether I’m in a good mood or not, isn’t it all the same in the end?”
Ning Qingxuan stood up, her light pink dress swaying with the wind. Looking at her mother’s breathtaking appearance, which could make the heavens and the earth pale, Liang Chen was fascinated.
No wonder his father was so obsessed with her. In fact, Liang Chen had a very serious Oedipus complex in his heart.
If he couldn’t find a beauty like his mother in this lifetime, Liang Chen would rather not get married.
But there was only one Ning Qingxuan under the heavens. A woman like the phoenix among ordinary people with her appearance, martial arts, and character was hard to find.
It seemed that people had said that the Phoenix Clan had a Saintess, with stunning appearance and unparalleled grace, no less outstanding than his mother’s. Liang Chen mostly did not believe the rumors.
“Mother, lately, you haven’t added any new flowers to your garden. Is it because you’re short of money? If so, your son has more than a billion Crystal Coins here to offer in exchange for fresh flowers.”
Ning Qingxuan slowly walked among the flowers, her fingers gently brushing past several flower buds. Interestingly enough, the flowers bloomed one after another as her fingertips slid over them.
The mystical scene mesmerized everyone present, including Liang Chen. Longevity Warriors did possess remarkable abilities, but what Ning Qingxuan was doing was something no one else could learn.
Standing in front of a tulip, Ning Qingxuan looked back at Liang Chen: “You would give me money? I’m touched by your words. However, it would be best if you stop beating around the bush and be straightforward about it.”
“Hehe, Mother, your eyes are like the bright shining sun. There’s nothing you don’t see!”
Ning Qingxuan stepped back from the flowers and sat on a beautifully designed recliner. She picked up an ancient book, glanced over the pages, and spoke to Liang Chen: “If you want money, you need to provide a legitimate reason. If you can persuade me, I’ll give you the money; if not, go and cultivate.”
Liang Chen cleared his throat solemnly: “You see, there is a Martial Artist in the Dimensional Universe who has set up a challenge arena and does not take back the prize money. I have troubled him a few times and won, perhaps between ten to a hundred billion.”
Ning Qingxuan remained silent and gently flipped through the pages of her book, her raven-black hair contrasting with her snow-white skin. She resembled a beautiful painting.
“Uh… this time, that Martial Artist set up the arena once again. I wanted to challenge him and make some extra spending money. However, his prize pool has unexpectedly grown to 320 billion, and I am eager to fight but lack the funds to challenge. I haven’t even figured out how to get the money to buy flowers for Mother.”
“320 billion… do you think I am a bank? Where would I get that much?”
Ning Qingxuan shook her head gently, rejecting Liang Chen’s proposal.
Liang Chen’s face crumpled: “Well then, I can only let that Martial Artist continue to wreak havoc before my very eyes.”
“What is the name of the Martial Artist you mentioned?” Unable to bear Liang Chen’s expression, Ning Qingxuan asked.
“His name is Lin Zhen! I’ve beaten him several times already. Mother, rest assured that as long as I go there, the 320 billion is as good as ours!” Liang Chen’s spirits were lifted by Ning Qingxuan’s continued questioning.
Ning Qingxuan pondered and felt that something was off about this whole situation.
Regardless of where it was, 320 billion was no small sum. The fact that Lin Zhen, a Star System Stage Martial Artist, dared to leave such a large sum unchecked indicated his absolute confidence.
However, looking at Liang Chen’s confident stance, Ning Qingxuan knew his abilities in the Star System Stage were unparalleled. Perhaps this was indeed an opportunity.
Moreover, Ning Qingxuan felt that since Lin Zhen was so strong, he should have the pride befitting a strong one.
“Are you sure this person isn’t a swindler?”
“Absolutely not! He has been setting up his arena in the Star System Stage for years. My friends have all challenged him, some losing and some winning, but his strength is indeed formidable, just slightly below mine. If it weren’t for me, no one would be able to defeat him in his arena.”
“Fine.”
Ning Qingxuan nodded, “I will transfer the money to you now, but remember, after the competition, you must return my investment and safeguard another 200 billion. Otherwise, you’re spending money too fast.”
“Deal! I promise not to disappoint you, Mother!” Having 120 billion was good enough, so Liang Chen readily agreed, knowing that if he ran out of money, he could always come back for more.
Ning Qingxuan transferred 320 billion to Liang Chen, who excitedly left.
Watching Liang Chen depart, the maid beside Ning Qingxuan asked: “Miss, do you think Lin Zhen might be a swindler?”
“It’s hard to say. Based on Chen’er’s description, Lin Zhen should also be a formidable figure. Strong ones should possess noble character and not stoop to deceit. There shouldn’t be such shameless people in this world.”
Ning Qingxuan continued reading her book as she spoke, while her maid disagreed, thinking her young mistress was too trusting of people. She didn’t know how many treacherous bastards there were in the outside world, and Lin Zhen might just be one of them.
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“Boss, are we heading into the city today?”
“Yes, we’re preparing to go now.”
Lin Zhen looked at Lin Feng, who was packing his belongings, in anticipation of the charms of a bustling city. He couldn’t help feeling a bit regretful.
The last day of his three-month challenge arena was today. When he first set it up, the rule was to return the initial funds every three months. If that royal challenger didn’t come today, all his efforts would be in vain.
“It’s all about fate! What isn’t mine will never be mine!”
Lin Zhen followed Lin Feng out the door, who wore new clothes and had the air of a dandy as if he were going on a blind date.
Outside the door, a spotless-white Unicorn and an opulent carriage awaited. Lin Feng had bought them with his own money, saying that he didn’t want people to think they were hillbillies. However, in Lin Zhen’s eyes, this kind of arrangement was a sign of nouveau riche.
Upon leaving the inn, checking out of their rooms, and preparing to leave their carriages, they received a sudden message from the Dimensional Universe.
“Master, someone in the Dimensional Universe wants to challenge you at your arena. Do you accept the challenge?”