Lu Chen subsequently flipped through the records of families annihilated by the Wolf Demon many times.

Just as he was about to give up, a sudden flash of inspiration struck him: could these families all belong to a certain faction in the court?

Having been an Emperor himself for countless years, Lu Chen was very familiar with court struggles. It was no wonder he would think along these lines, especially with the increasing intensity of the struggle for the throne, and it was not uncommon for people to use despicable methods.

Upon considering this possibility, Lu Chen immediately summoned Zeng Shuo.

When Zeng Shuo appeared before Lu Chen, he cupped his hands in salute and said, "Greetings, Princely Heir!"

Lu Chen said, "Go and check whether the families annihilated by the Wolf Demon belong to the Imperial Faction or the Empress Dowager’s faction."

Upon hearing this, Zeng Shuo was momentarily stunned.

Getting involved in the struggle for the throne could cost one’s head.

The Deceit Suppressing Guards generally wished to avoid such matters, and Zeng Shuo was no exception.

However, since it was an order from Lu Chen, he had no choice but to comply.

Collecting his thoughts, Zeng Shuo cupped his hands and said, "Yes, I will investigate immediately." With that, he turned and left the West Wing Courtyard.

After watching Zeng Shuo leave, Lu Chen instructed the maid outside the pavilion, "Put away the dossiers."

With these words, he immediately stood up and carried Zhou Youyou horizontally toward the room.

Zhou Youyou glanced at Lu Chen speechlessly; this guy was at it again.

Moments later, sounds emerged from within Zhou Youyou’s room.

At that moment, Lu Chen looked down at Zhou Youyou’s cute little face while busily attending to his matters and asked, "Youyou, can you help me?"

Hearing this, Zhou Youyou weakly replied, "Help... help you with what?"

Lu Chen lifted his hand to caress her jade-like cheek and said with a smile, "I want your sister, the Saintess of the Heavenly Fate Sect, and your Sect Hierarch to become my women."

Hearing this, Zhou Youyou’s heart shuddered. She had long predicted that Lu Chen was eyeing them, but for him to actually ask her to help him win them over left her somewhat displeased.

Perhaps sensing Zhou Youyou’s dissatisfaction, Lu Chen softly whispered in her ear, "Don’t you want sisters? Do you plan to serve me alone forever?"

Upon hearing Lu Chen’s words, Zhou Youyou was momentarily silent.

Over time, she had developed a possessive desire for Lu Chen, yet she also felt overwhelmed.

If Lu Chen visited her courtyard only occasionally, she would be very happy.

But coming every day was too much for her to handle, even if she was Mysterious. She couldn’t endure Lu Chen’s relentless demands.

Pouting, Zhou Youyou reluctantly asked, "How do you want me to help you? They won’t come to the Capital city unless it’s something important."

Lu Chen did not answer directly and instead asked, "Haven’t you felt it?"

Surprised by the sudden question, Zhou Youyou asked, "Felt what?"

Lu Chen smiled and replied, "Haven’t you felt your realm improving?"

With Lu Chen’s words, Zhou Youyou suddenly realized that ever since she entered the Zhen Nan Prince Manor, her realm had been slowly improving, even without consuming blood food, and the deceitful evil within her had grown denser.

However, her focus had always been elsewhere, so she hadn’t noticed it immediately.

Checking her own realm, Zhou Youyou realized she had reached the Mid-stage Xuan Realm.

When she came to the Capital city, her realm was at the Early-stage Xuan Realm; in just a few months, it had progressed to the Mid-stage Xuan Realm, faster than consuming blood food.

With these reflections, Zhou Youyou carefully recalled her time spent with Lu Chen.

She found that whenever she engaged in dual cultivation with Lu Chen, the deceitful evil within her always seemed stirred, flowing involuntarily toward Lu Chen’s body.

But the deceitful evil would return to her body, becoming more refined each time. This was why her realm continued to improve.

Lu Chen not only helped purify her deceitful evil but also infused her with vitality. Hence, being close to Lu Chen thrilled her—not merely due to her feelings but also because Lu Chen’s vitality was abundantly intense.

With these thoughts, Zhou Youyou’s gaze towards Lu Chen grew increasingly radiant, as if she were beholding a treasure.

However, she was somewhat puzzled: wouldn’t Lu Chen’s vitality diminish after infusing it into her? Wouldn’t that significantly shorten his lifespan? Considering this possibility, the excitement in Zhou Youyou’s eyes vanished, replaced by a hint of concern.

She then asked, "By infusing your vitality into us for cultivation, won’t that drastically reduce your lifespan?"

As she spoke, Zhou Youyou wanted to push Lu Chen away. Despite desiring his vitality, she didn’t want him to die.

Seeing Zhou Youyou’s worry, Lu Chen calmly reassured her, "I’m fine; this amount of vitality is nothing."

The deceitful evil entwined in Zhou Youyou would indeed deplete his vitality upon entering his body.

However, perhaps due to the presence of the Netherworld Evil Control Body, his vitality quickly restored itself.

Consequently, even with daily visits to Zhou Youyou, Lu Chen’s body remained unaffected.

On the contrary, his realm and strength continuously advanced due to the Spirit Evil Body Refining Skill.

The cultivation method for a Spirit Martial Artist involves inviting the spiritual evil into the body, allowing its devouring power to consume one’s vitality, damaging the cells to activate cellular activity, thus refining the physical body to make it stronger.

The deceitful evil’s penetration is more severe, devouring more vitality. When Zhou Youyou’s deceitful evil entered Lu Chen’s body, the greater damage caused resulted in stronger cell activity, which accelerated Lu Chen’s skill progression. Of course, the concept of cells doesn’t exist in this world.

At this moment, Lu Chen leaned down, aligning their bodies completely, and whispered softly in her ear, "Youyou, help me, won’t you?"

The deep, magnetic tone of Lu Chen’s voice sent a shiver through Zhou Youyou’s body and mind.

Zhou Youyou huffed, "Don’t even think about it. Why should I help you?"

Though she had already decided to assist Lu Chen, seeing his confident reliance on her stirred a small feeling inside her.

Seeing that Zhou Youyou was still unwilling to help, Lu Chen refrained from speaking further.

He immediately captured Zhou Youyou’s lips with his own, intensifying the experience; since she refused, she could endure it alone.

Startled by Lu Chen’s sudden aggression, Zhou Youyou quickly lifted her jade hands to push against Lu Chen’s chest. "Mmmmmm..."

She was only throwing a minor tantrum; how could this guy be so petty, getting angry so quickly?

Sobbing... she was about to be wantonly played with again by the jerk...