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Gu Chen naturally did not know what the other party was thinking, and of course, even if he did, Gu Chen would not care.
Since his physical body had reached the Vajra Stage and his cultivation had broken through to the Gang Qi Stage, warriors of the same level were not even worth his attention.
Although Ananda was strong, Gu Chen did not believe that the other's physical body could compete with his own.
After casting a few glances at Ananda, Gu Chen ignored the gaze directed at him and turned to leave.
Watching Gu Chen's retreating figure, Ananda's clear eyes lingered for a long time, but he did not speak out because the time had not yet come.
With the trip to Tiandu, not only did he obtain the information Da Yuan wanted, but Da Xueshan Longxiang Buddha Sect also gained a new Protector King and he gained a new follower.
Even Ananda, as a reincarnated living Buddha who seldom changed his mindset, felt a bit more cheerful.
A smile appeared on Ananda's face as well, as the saying goes, "the heart's joy is reflected in one's expression."
Soon, Gu Chen returned home, where he saw his aunt Xu Qinge and his sister Gu Qingyan, whom he had not seen for a long time.
The mother and daughter were planting flowers and watering the garden, leading a very pleasant life these days.
Ever since the Gu family moved to the inner city of Tiandu, the days at Gu Mansion had been getting better and better, and even the servants were receiving much better treatment.
When Gu Chen returned, the mother and daughter's eyes lit up.
"My son, you're back?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn
"Big brother, you are back!"
Gu Chen nodded slightly, and a gentle smile appeared on his face as he saw his family, saying, "Where is uncle, is he on duty today?"
"Your uncle has gone out with his colleagues, but I suppose he will be back soon," said Aunt Xu Qinge, walking up to Gu Chen and looking him up and down several times.
Confused by her scrutiny, Gu Chen asked with a laugh, "Aunt, what are you looking at?"
Xu Qinge frowned slightly and said, "My son, how come your skin is getting better and better?"
Gu Qingyan also approached and said softly with sparkling eyes, "Big brother, why is your skin still shining?"
At this, Gu Chen smiled awkwardly. Since his physical body had reached the Vajra Stage, even on a normal day, his body gave off a gleaming glow, which looked quite extraordinary.
At that moment, Gu Qingyan's delicate nose twitched, and she looked at Gu Chen with an astonished face, saying incredulously, "You smell so good! Big brother, why do you have body fragrance?"
Gu Qingyan's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Gu Chen—how could a grown man emit a body scent?
Hearing this, Gu Chen felt a bit helpless. This was simply one of the physical manifestations of reaching the Vajra Stage, a natural fragrance he could not suppress even if he wanted to.
Thankfully, Uncle Gu Chengfeng came back just in time, and Gu Chen quickly changed the subject, "Uncle, you've returned."
"Hmm."
Seeing Gu Chen home, Gu Chengfeng's eyes also brightened, and he nodded, but it was evident that he was not in a good mood.
Gu Chen, naturally noticing this, asked directly, "Uncle, what's wrong?"
They all think that the young monk from Da Yuan is far too arrogant, daring to openly recruit followers in Da Xia's capital, Tiandu, and defeating a multitude of martial artists without breaking a sweat.
If Gu Chengfeng was not aware that his own skills were insufficient, he would have wished to step onto the stage himself.
Fortunately, he retained a shred of reason.
Da Xia has dominated the world for twenty-three years. No one has ever dared to swagger in the capital of Da Xia like this, and yet, everyone seems to have no way to deal with Ananda.
Many people in Tiandu are now looking forward to the Emperor's appearance, wishing for him to once again dominate the world and show these barbarians from the steppes the strength of Da Xia.
"Hmph, I really hope someone can knock that young monk off the stage!" Gu Chengfeng said with a stern face. Today, Ananda even went so far as to boast that he would fight the entire Tiandu by himself.
Even the talents from other provinces of Da Xia are welcome to challenge him, he said, as he just sits here waiting for their challenge.
Such boastful words naturally angered many people in Tiandu. Unable to bear it any longer, a lot of martial artists joined forces to challenge him, but still could not force him to fight back. They were not his match at all and ended up like those before them, repelled by the protective golden light emanating from Ananda's body.
This, of course, added to Gu Chengfeng and the others' frustration, especially since Ananda, using some unknown nefarious method, had beguiled over a thousand citizens to gather around him and cheer for him. Even though the Crown Prince and King Huai were inclined to order his arrest, the presence of those citizens put the issue on hold.
This situation could not go on forever; Ananda's actions were undeniably a slap in the face to Da Xia. Now countless people are hoping for someone to step up onto the arena and defeat Ananda, the young monk from Da Yuan.
Gu Chen sat aside, listening to his uncle Gu Chengfeng's complaints, and also felt the thorny issue that was Ananda.
By now, the court officials in the palace must be racking their brains to deal with Ananda.
At that moment, Uncle Zhang, the doorman, suddenly came in and said to Gu Chen, "Elder son, someone is looking for you."
Gu Chen was puzzled at hearing this but went out anyway.
At the entrance of Gu Mansion, he saw a carriage and in front of it, a pale, beardless middle-aged man with a gentle appearance, waiting there.
Assuming the person was from the Jing Tian Department, Gu Chen grew even more puzzled when he saw the stranger, as he didn't recognize this man at all.
Then, the pale, gentle middle-aged man approached Gu Chen and said in a low voice, "Lord Gu, my master invites your presence."
With that, he gestured towards the carriage.
Upon hearing this, Gu Chen's eyes flashed with a trace of curiosity. He scrutinized the middle-aged man, noting the delicacy in his voice. Despite the man's effort to mask this, Gu Chen heard it clearly.
Also, with the man's gentle demeanor, an idea instantly sprang to Gu Chen's mind.
"A eunuch from the palace?"
Gu Chen looked towards the carriage. Since this middle-aged man came from the palace, then, regarding who was inside the carriage, Gu Chen had a faint notion.
Gu Chen stepped up to the carriage, pushed aside the curtain, and saw the interior space was extremely spacious and exquisitely arranged, even to the point of opulence.
Nobody would have guessed that a carriage with such a plain exterior housed such luxurious decoration inside.
Inside the carriage, there was only one young man sitting there. He had handsome features with narrow eyes, dressed in a bright yellow robe, with a high-quality jade pendant at his waist and an innate nobility about him. At a glance, it was clear he was no commoner, as if he were a high-born noble.
After seeing Gu Chen, the young man's eyes carried an almost condescending look, coupled with a scrutinizing intent.
Upon seeing the man's appearance, Gu Chen instantly identified who this young man exuding nobility was.
It was none other than the Crown Prince of Da Xia—Ji Nian!