At this moment, the female officer seated in the front, who was responsible for driving the soul-guided carriage, almost lost control of her soul power when she heard Princess Tianzhen actually tell Wang Chen to massage her feet—nearly flipping the vehicle in shock.
Inwardly, the female officer grumbled, "Princess Tianzhen is as willful and spoiled as ever! But this is Wang Chen we're talking about—the dream lover of countless girls in the Empire—and you're asking him to massage your feet? This is just… this is just…"
Well, since Princess Xu Tianzhen was royalty, the female officer dared not say much. Besides, she had heard certain rumors in the palace—that His Majesty intended to marry Princess Tianzhen to Wang Chen.
Though no one had confirmed the truth of this gossip, there's no smoke without fire. Judging by what she saw today, the chances were eight or nine out of ten—it must be true. Otherwise, how could Princess Tianzhen dare to behave so intimately with a man?
Unable to resist, the female officer turned to glance at Wang Chen sitting behind her in the carriage—and she was immediately stunned by his handsome and dignified appearance.
Especially considering that Wang Chen, at such a young age, already held a noble title of Duke and was now one of the honored members of the Imperial Worship Hall—his presence shone with unparalleled brilliance in her eyes.
Forget making Wang Chen her husband—even one night with him, she would gladly accept.
Xu Tianzhen noticed that the female officer wasn't focusing on driving properly. With a frown, she pulled down the divider, isolating the rear carriage from the front seat.
The female officer: "I can't even look, huh…"
After cutting her off, Xu Tianzhen turned to the man sitting opposite her and spoke mischievously, "Teacher Xiao Chen, give me a foot massage, and I'll tell you something important. I'm sure you don't want to enter the imperial palace unprepared, do you?
"If you don't get ready in advance and end up panicking later, it'd be embarrassing if you make a bad impression… So~"
Xu Tianzhen's lips curved upward, and two dimples appeared on her soft, tender cheeks—adorably charming.
Then, she slipped off her little leather heels, revealing her small feet covered in white silk stockings, and stretched them out toward Wang Chen.
Xu Tianzhen's white-silk-covered feet carried no unpleasant smell—on the contrary, there was a faint, refreshing fragrance.
Her ankles were delicate and well-shaped, her arches slightly raised, the graceful curve soft and beautiful. Through the thin, translucent stockings, her ten toes gleamed like little pearls—cute and elegant.
As the Emperor's only daughter, Xu Tianzhen's temperament had always been bold and unrestrained. She had once dared to set fire to palace halls for fun, so teasing Wang Chen a little was, naturally, no big deal.
Moreover, Wang Chen was her fiancé. On a whim, Xu Tianzhen couldn't resist wanting to tease him a bit—to see how he would react.
Of course, part of it was that she had worn high heels for the first time, and her feet really were sore. She just wanted someone to massage them.
Hearing Xu Tianzhen's words, black lines appeared on Wang Chen's forehead. This little Xu Tianzhen was truly mischievous—a playful princess like her definitely needed to be taught some discipline.
Looking at her cute and lively expression, Wang Chen, of course, had no intention of actually massaging her feet.
When a man and woman first get to know each other, that early dynamic often decides how the relationship develops later on. If a man is too soft, too compliant, too obedient, the woman's subconscious will judge that he's nothing special.
So, at this stage, a man must hold his ground—must have principles.
Wang Chen's principle was simple: I can give—but you cannot demand.
If she behaved well and made him happy, he'd willingly reward her. Otherwise, she'd get nothing.
This was exactly how Wang Chen treated Juzi. Juzi was obedient and thoughtful, took good care of him, managed his household affairs, and saved him time. When he was in a good mood, he would reward her—sometimes by improving her position, or even gifting her a life-saving soul tool.
In the future, if Juzi continued to display competence and understanding, keeping him comfortable and at ease, he would naturally keep rewarding her.
With an indifferent tone, Wang Chen said to Xu Tianzhen, "If you don't want to tell me, then don't. I'll find out once I arrive at the palace anyway."
Seeing that Wang Chen didn't react at all, Xu Tianzhen puffed her cheeks in frustration and withdrew her foot unhappily.
As the princess of the Sun Moon Empire—the Emperor's only daughter—she was used to getting whatever she wanted. Apart from her father, this was the first time someone had dared refuse her request.
Still, Xu Tianzhen couldn't truly refuse to tell Wang Chen. After all, he was her father's appointed fiancé—her future husband. For the sake of their future happiness, she needed to get along well with him.
Playfulness was one thing; serious matters were another.
Having grown up in the palace, Xu Tianzhen might be spoiled, but she wasn't stupid—she had her own ways of handling things.
She wasn't like those brainless, tantrum-throwing noble girls who couldn't tell right from wrong.
Her mischievous smile softened. "Alright, alright, no massage then. Since you're my Teacher Xiao Chen, I'll tell you anyway."
Wang Chen hadn't expected that refusing her would still earn her cooperation.
This made him realize that Xu Tianzhen wasn't as spoiled or unreasonable as the rumors claimed.
And indeed, that was true. If Xu Tianzhen were nothing but willful and arrogant, how could she have remained the Emperor Xu Jing's most beloved child all these years?
Xu Tianzhen's tone turned serious. "The reason Father summoned you to the palace this time is because Elder Kong wants to meet you."
Wang Chen was taken aback. "Elder Kong?"
Xu Tianzhen nodded. "That's right—Elder Kong Deming himself."
Wang Chen hadn't expected that. Of course, he knew exactly who Kong Deming was—the strongest man in the entire Sun Moon Empire, the foremost Soul Engineer in the world.
The chief researcher behind the Humanoid Soul Tool, the High-Energy Compression Array Soul Tool, and other top-tier soul-guided weapons.
A peak powerhouse who, even with just Rank 94 cultivation, could rival a Limit Douluo.
Later, after breaking through to Rank 95, he became the first-ever Rank 10 Soul Engineer, whose power even surpassed that of Limit Douluos.
His personal soul tool, the Silver Moon Divine Light Shield, could toy effortlessly with Elder Xuan of Shrek Academy, who had already broken through to Limit Douluo level.
His understanding of spatial power even surpassed that of the so-called "Son of Destiny," Huo Yuhao.
In short, the Sun Moon Empire's Soul Engineer community could be summarized as Kong Deming and his subordinates.
Wang Chen remembered that for years, Kong Deming had secluded himself within the laboratory of the Imperial Worship Hall, focusing entirely on the Humanoid Soul Tool project.
In the original storyline, he only reappeared after Emperor Xu Tiannan's death and the completion of that project.
Wang Chen had thought his current visit to the palace was for the Emperor to discuss his engagement with Xu Tianzhen—but to learn that Kong Deming wanted to meet him was completely unexpected.
He pondered for a moment. Whatever the reason, it could only be to his advantage.
He resolved that when he met Kong Deming later, he would try to use the Black Book to record any of the old man's powerful abilities.
There was no way someone capable of fighting Limit Douluos as a Rank 94 Soul Douluo wouldn't have some extraordinary techniques.
If he could learn even one of them, his own strength would surely rise to another level.
That was Wang Chen's unique path—to use the Black Book to collect and integrate the talents and powers of the world's strongest experts and geniuses.
Not only using them, but refining and innovating them—surpassing even their creators—to ultimately forge Wang Chen's invincible road.
Although he was still far from his peak, the shape of that path had already taken form.
The Clear Sky Sect's Ring Explosion, Dragon God Douluo Mu En's battle skills, Ji Juechen's Soul-into-Sword technique—all of these, sublimated and fused together, had created Wang Chen, the genius who, as a mere Soul Emperor, could defeat Titled Douluo-level evil Soul Masters.
Seeing Wang Chen's astonished expression, Xu Tianzhen giggled.
"How's that? Surprised? Elder Kong is the cornerstone of our Empire. Even Rank 9 Soul Engineers bow to him as students.
"You'd better perform well! If he takes a liking to you and gives you some guidance, your strength will soar."
Wang Chen smiled. "Alright, I'll make sure to do my best."
Then the two chatted for a while.
After a few exchanges, Wang Chen's attention was drawn to Xu Tianzhen's outfit—her dress, her heels, and the white stockings on her legs.
Noticing his gaze, Xu Tianzhen pouted. "What are you looking at?"
Wang Chen said seriously, "It's just that your outfit today looks different from usual. I couldn't help noticing."
He wasn't lying. Xu Tianzhen was certainly beautiful, but she had always dressed casually before—so casually that one wouldn't even guess she was a princess.
With her petite figure, she didn't exude the mature allure of a voluptuous woman, so her charm wasn't particularly striking.
But now, wearing a refined light-yellow dress, white stockings, and heels—her charm had multiplied tenfold.
Especially with her bright, lively demeanor paired with those snow-white legs, she radiated a pure yet playful allure.
Hearing Wang Chen's words, Xu Tianzhen's ears twitched slightly, and she thought to herself, Finally, my little Teacher Chen noticed my careful outfit today.
Pretending to be nonchalant, she asked casually, "So, what do you think of my outfit?"
Wang Chen replied sincerely, "It's beautiful—elegant and pure."
When a girl dresses up for you, you should praise her. If she spends time looking good for your sake and you give her no positive feedback, she'll only be disappointed.
That's why "charming men" are popular—they understand emotional value.
For example, when a girl texts asking, "Rough day at work?"
A clueless man would start complaining endlessly about his boss.
But a smooth one would smile and reply, "It feels nice to have someone care. Thank you. I just got off work—how about dinner together?"
Dinner would lead to a movie, and then… a lovely evening.
Which one do girls prefer? The answer is obvious.
Hearing Wang Chen's compliment, Xu Tianzhen immediately felt delighted. It was worth the effort I spent dressing up.
Wang Chen, seeing her pleased expression, knew at once—she had dressed this way especially for him.
He didn't dislike Xu Tianzhen. Though their engagement was political, that didn't mean it was a bad thing.
And he needed to grow closer to her. If he kept a cold, distant relationship, what would the Emperor think?
Wang Chen picked up the small high heel Xu Tianzhen had taken off and asked, "Wearing heels must be hard on your feet, right?"
Xu Tianzhen pouted. "Hmph, so what?"
"Did you wear them for me?" Wang Chen asked with a smile.
Xu Tianzhen huffed, tilting her little head. "Who wore them for you? I just felt like wearing them myself, that's all."
Wang Chen stood up, then sat down beside her. Gently, he lifted her slender, stocking-clad leg and rested it across his thigh.
Xu Tianzhen froze for a moment, flustered by his sudden movement. Then Wang Chen's deep voice whispered near her ear,
"They look beautiful. Princess Tianzhen should keep dressing beautifully like this."
Breathing in Wang Chen's faint, masculine scent, gazing at his flawless, handsome face so close to hers, and feeling the solid strength of his thigh beneath the silk fabric, Xu Tianzhen's delicate cheeks flushed crimson.
It was her first time being so close to a man—especially her fiancé. Her heart raced wildly in her chest.
Blushing shyly, she nodded lightly. "Okay."
Wang Chen smiled faintly when she agreed, then placed his hand gently on her small, silk-clad foot and began to massage it.
Massage techniques were something Wang Chen had actually learned from the Black Book long ago.
Back then, he'd studied them to help relieve muscle fatigue after training.
But ever since absorbing the Gold of Life, his body had become incredibly resilient and full of energy. He hadn't felt tired in years, so he'd stopped using the skill.
Now, though, it came in handy.
Xu Tianzhen's small feet were soft to the touch, and the silky texture of the stockings made them even smoother. Wang Chen didn't resist—it was actually rather enjoyable.
Feeling Wang Chen's warm hands kneading her sensitive feet, Xu Tianzhen felt both ticklish and comfortable. The soreness from her heels melted away completely.
Watching Wang Chen's focused expression as he massaged her feet, her heart began to pound uncontrollably.
Before, she had only admired Wang Chen as an exceptional, capable man—her father's chosen fiancé. She didn't dislike the engagement.
But now… now her feelings for him were changing—becoming something deeper, more confusing.
Before long, the carriage arrived at the imperial palace.
It was a large vehicle, over a meter above the ground.
Wang Chen leapt down lightly, then caught Xu Tianzhen by the hand as she descended, lifting her gently into his arms.
Then, quite naturally, he took her small hand in his—like a pair of lovers.
Xu Tianzhen's cheeks flushed red, but she didn't pull away—allowing him to hold her hand as they walked forward together.
A moment later, at the Imperial Worship Hall,
Wang Chen stood before the strongest Soul Engineer of the Sun Moon Empire—Kong Deming.
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