My cultivation disguise has been exposed by Xiao Sizi.

Taiji Palace, Lizheng Hall.

The fragrance of sandalwood rose slowly from the incense burner inlaid with gold lion-shaped incense.

This should have been the most peaceful and tranquil place in the palace.

But at this moment, the atmosphere inside the hall was unusually solemn.

Li Chen stepped over the high threshold and strode into the hall.

As soon as he looked up, he saw Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun sitting at the head of the table.

The usual ease was gone from the faces of the two highest rulers of the Tang Dynasty; instead, deep worry was on their faces.

And in Empress Zhangsun's arms.

Princess Sizi of the Tang Dynasty peeked out half of her head.

The little girl stuck out her tongue at Li Chen and made a smug face, her big, dark eyes filled with "Let's see what you do now."

"Your subject greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty."

Li Chen pretended not to see his sister's provocation and respectfully bowed.

"Chen'er, you may dispense with the formalities."

Empress Zhangsun sighed and beckoned Li Chen to sit down.

Her eyes were filled with deep worry as she looked her most prized son up and down.

"Sizi said you want to leave Chang'an and go to a small world within the Buddhist kingdom's sphere of influence?"

Empress Zhangsun got straight to the point; although her tone was gentle, it carried an undeniable seriousness.

"I summoned you not to blame you for making your own decision. It's just that the Western Buddhist Kingdom is no safe place, and it would be far too dangerous for you to go there."

Li Shimin, sitting next to him, also had a stern face and snorted heavily.

"This is utter nonsense!"

The Tang emperor slapped his thigh, puffed out his beard, and glared.

"You told me just a few days ago that the old monster from the Buddhist Kingdom might break out of seclusion at any time."

"These are turbulent times. Why aren't you staying in Chang'an? What are you doing wandering around enemy territory?"

Li Shimin glared at Li Chen, his tone stern.

"Those subordinate small worlds may only be the outer perimeter of the Buddhist Kingdom, but who can guarantee that they are not fraught with hidden dangers? If something goes wrong with you, who will take charge of the Great Tang's star defense line?"

"I will absolutely not allow this long journey!"

Faced with a barrage of questions from her parents.

Li Chen rubbed his temples in exasperation.

He knew that Old Li and his mother were doing this for his own good.

After all, in their minds, although they were masters of array formations and unparalleled in wisdom, their own cultivation level did not seem to be particularly astonishing.

Going deep behind enemy lines alone is indeed like playing with one's life.

"Father, Mother, please calm down."

Li Chen picked up the teacup on the table and took a slow, deliberate sip.

"Your subject's trip to those minor worlds was not a rash act, but merely an attempt to explore the inner workings of the Buddhist kingdom and, incidentally, to clear one's mind."

"Besides, since I dare to go, I am confident that I can protect myself."

"Self-protection? What can we use to protect ourselves?"

Li Chen put down his teacup.

He glanced at Empress Zhangsun, whose face was full of worry, and then at Li Shimin, who was impatient.

He sighed inwardly.

It seems I won't be leaving this place unless I show off my true skills today.

"Father, Mother."

Li Chen slowly stood up and walked to the center of the hall.

His expression became incredibly calm, and a faint, confident smile appeared on his lips.

"Your subject has not neglected his cultivation at all during this time."

The voice just fell.

Li Chen slowly closed his eyes.

next second.

An indescribable, terrifying aura suddenly surged from his body without warning!

There was no storm, no thunder or lightning.

But in that instant, the air in the entire Rissei-den Hall seemed to become as heavy as lead.

It was an overwhelming and unfathomable pressure.

This oppressive aura perfectly avoided the palace maids and eunuchs nearby, and even the rhinoceros in the empress's arms; it simply displayed its suffocating level of power.

This aura contains not only the purest Taoist essence.

It is also intertwined with the vast imperial fortune of the Tang Dynasty!

The two blend perfectly, creating an endless cycle of life.

"Clatter."

The jade ruyi that Li Shimin was playing with fell to the ground and broke into two pieces.

The Tang emperor suddenly stood up from his chair, his dragon eyes wide open.

He stared intently at his son, who stood in the center of the hall, his lips trembling slightly.

"Transformation... Nascent Soul stage?!"

Li Shimin exclaimed in shock, his voice trembling.

He could hardly believe his eyes and senses.

As the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, he barely managed to reach the realm above the Nascent Soul stage by relying on the immense fortune of the entire world.

But his own son, who usually kept a low profile, spent his days lying in a rocking chair in the Qin Prince's mansion, eating melon seeds.

How did he manage to break through to the highest realm in this world so quietly?!

Empress Zhangsun was also filled with shock.

Although she did not practice combat techniques, she could clearly feel that vast and unfathomable aura.

That is an unparalleled power comparable to heaven and earth!

Li Chen concealed his aura, and the hall returned to silence.

He looked at his stunned parents, smiled slightly, and spoke in a nonchalant tone.

"Father, Mother."

"Over the years, I have occasionally received some opportunities that have been bestowed upon me by the void."

Li Chen cleverly described the system's reward as a stroke of luck.

"Furthermore, with the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty and the constant replenishment of the dynasty's fortune, my body has already undergone a complete transformation without my knowledge."

He opened his arms, looking calm.

"Your subject is now at the Nascent Soul stage, and also possesses lightning and spatial abilities."

"Even within the Buddhist Kingdom's sphere of influence, if I encounter those hidden old monsters and cannot defeat them, and I wish to leave, no one in this world can stop me."

"So, you two can rest assured about this long trip."

Inside the Lizheng Hall, there was a deathly silence.

Li Shimin stared blankly at Li Chen.

The expressions on their faces were incredibly varied.

Shock, jealousy, relief, and pride—a mix of emotions caused his facial muscles to twitch slightly.

"Good lad..."

After a long while, Li Shimin finally let out a long breath.

He strode forward, patted Li Chen on the shoulder heavily, and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"As expected of my son! Such talent and such opportunity are truly the envy of everyone!"

The worry in Empress Zhangsun's eyes finally turned into tears of pride at this moment.

She knew that the fledgling eagle had grown into a mighty eagle capable of soaring through the sky.

No matter how many obstacles there are, they are just constraints.

"That's enough, that's enough."

Empress Zhangsun gently wiped her eyes, revealing a relieved smile.

"Since you have such cultivation, your mother will not stop you."

"Going out to relax is good, but remember, never overexert yourself, and safety first."

Hearing that his mother had finally relented, Li Chen was overjoyed.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will be careful."