Cultivation of immortality begins with an eighty-year-old eunuch.

Chapter 620 The Prince's Assessment! Chen Fan's Request!

For once, Eunuch Wei didn't retort with sarcasm. Instead, he put down the account book, cupped his hands respectfully, and said, "Thanks to Eunuch Chen, I've taken all three Nascent Soul Pills and studied the Nascent Soul section of the 'Heavenly Fire True Technique' you gave me. After several months of seclusion, I've finally broken through the core and formed a Nascent Soul. However, unlike some people who fight and kill outside, covered in blood, I quietly farm and keep accounts, and my cultivation is still rising rapidly."

Chen Fan ignored his gossip.

He picked up the teapot on the table, poured himself a cup, and then poured one for Eunuch Wei. He then briefly recounted the story of the Boundless Sea.

From disguising himself as Gui Muzi to infiltrate Demon Abyss Island, to being promoted to deputy island master by Li Jiuyuan, and then to personally twisting off Li Jiuyuan's head, he spoke of it all casually, as if he were just telling someone else's story!

When talking about how Song Tianren had been made a fool of for more than half a month, Eunuch Wei laughed so hard he almost fell over:

"Song Tianren must have had the worst luck in eight lifetimes to run into a living devil like you."

After laughing, Eunuch Wei picked up his teacup, took a sip, and a serious look flashed in his eyes. "However, on the other hand, you are now cultivating both immortal and demonic arts. Although this path is broad, it is also dangerous. Demonic techniques are, after all, external forces, and if you are not careful, you will be devoured by demonic energy. Leaving room for maneuver in everything is the way to long-term success."

Chen Fan nodded and kept those words in mind.

The two drank a few more cups of tea, during which time Eunuch Wei got up and went to work in the spirit field.

Feeling bored, Chen Fan also went to take a look around the field.

Nearly 300 acres of land were planted with sweet potatoes, radishes, and glutinous rice, and a refreshing fragrance wafted through the air when the wind blew!

The dozen or so Qingyun Sect disciples working in the field were like scarecrows, busy with their tasks clearly divided!

Shi San and Xiao Die also moved among them, supervising the work in the fields.

When Chen Fan passed by the dragon whisker fruit tree, Black Emperor was fast asleep under the tree.

After breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, the dog grew even larger, its fur became even shinier, and it grew a few more whiskers around its mouth. When it snored, the air it exhaled blew out created a small crater in the ground.

Chen Fan glanced at it, but didn't wake it. With a thought, he took out the golden bowl.

……

Night had fallen, and it was time to attend the banquet.

The First Prince's residence, the lakeside pavilion in the back garden.

The moonlight was silvery, the lake surface shimmered, and a few lotus flowers emitted a faint glow in the night.

A round table made of rosewood was placed in the pavilion, and the food and wine on it were much more exquisite than usual, obviously prepared specially to welcome Chen Fan.

Zhao Yan sat in the main seat, with Han Cen and Ouyang Ye on his left and right respectively. When the three of them saw Chen Fan arrive, they all stood up and bowed to greet him.

"Lord Chen, you've had a tiring journey across the Boundless Sea." Zhao Yan personally poured Chen Fan a cup of wine, his tone full of heartfelt emotion. "Li Jiuyuan has roamed the East Sea for hundreds of years, and our East Sea border army has been besieging him for many years without being able to kill him. Lord Chen, you not only killed Li Jiuyuan this time, but also destroyed Black Reef Island, eliminating a great scourge for our Zhao Kingdom's border army. Today, when I saw the Fourth Prince's face in the Hall of State Affairs, I felt extremely gratified."

Han Cen stroked his beard and laughed, "Chen Gongfeng, you threw that head at his feet, and the Fourth Prince turned pale. His lips trembled for a long time, but he couldn't utter a single word."

Ouyang Ye rarely spoke more than a few words: "The one who felt the most satisfied was that fat steward. Last time he was reprimanded in public by the First Prince, and this time he was so frightened by Chen Gongshen's head that his legs went weak. I'm afraid he won't dare to stand up for the Fourth Prince again in the future."

Chen Fan raised his glass and clinked it with everyone's, taking a small sip. The wine was smooth and mellow as it went down his throat, quite different from the spiciness of strong liquor.

He put down his wine cup, his expression remaining calm: "Your Highness flatters me. The reason I was able to slay Li Jiuyuan was thanks to Your Highness's influence in the court, protecting my family. Without Your Highness's support in the Hall of State Affairs, I wouldn't have received this mission."

Zhao Yan waved his hand, the smile on his face slowly fading, and his expression became solemn: "Lord Chen, I invited you here today not only to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey, but also to discuss something with you."

Chen Fan put down his wine glass and waited quietly for what was to come.

Zhao Yan picked up his wine cup and took a sip, as if carefully choosing his words. After a moment, he slowly spoke: "The King will be in seclusion for the next two months. Before that, he will conduct a talent assessment for all the princes. The content of the assessment has been roughly determined, and it will be divided into three parts: first, a strategy for governing the country; second, a contest of cultivation; and third, a competition of the abilities of the advisors and retainers. The last part carries the most weight. The King's intention is that a King must have a group of capable and hardworking people by his side. Therefore, the performance of the advisors and retainers under each prince in the assessment will directly determine the final outcome."

Chen Fan nodded after listening, but did not respond.

This made the eldest prince smile, his gaze falling on Chen Fan, his tone becoming more sincere and earnest: "Although I have quite a few retainers under my command, only Chen Fan can truly rival the Fourth Prince's side. The Fourth Prince has Song Tianren and several retainers at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, their strength should not be underestimated. If I want to win this assessment, I cannot do without Chen Fan's assistance."

Chen Fan held his wine glass in silence for a moment, his mind racing as he weighed the weight of his words.

If Zhao Yan succeeds in the King's assessment, he will become the next King of Zhao.

At that time, as Zhao Yan's top guest advisor, his position in the Hall of Worship will be unshakeable.

More importantly, when Chen Fan wanted to use the interdimensional teleportation array, a single sentence from Zhao Yan, the future ruler of the country, was worth more than a thousand words.

Thinking of this, he put down his wine glass, looked up at Zhao Yan, and spoke in his usual calm voice:

"Your Highness, if I help you secure the position of Regent, could you grant me a favor?"

Zhao Yan nodded without hesitation: "Please speak freely, Lord Chen."

"I need to use the interdimensional teleportation array in the Hall of Offerings to travel to the Great Qin," Chen Fan said, enunciating each word clearly. "Activating the teleportation array once requires one million contribution points, and at my current rate of accumulation, it will take at least several years. If Your Highness can activate the teleportation array for me after assuming the regency, exempting me from the contribution point requirement, I will do my utmost to help Your Highness pass this assessment."

Zhao Yan paused for a moment, then raised his head and met Chen Fan's gaze frankly: "Very well. If I were to become regent, the interdimensional teleportation array would be opened once for you, Chen. All expenses will be borne by the court, and no contribution points will be required. This is a promise."

Chen Fan stood up and bowed respectfully to Zhao Yan: "With Your Highness's words, I am relieved. Please give me your instructions regarding the assessment."

Zhao Yan smiled sincerely, stood up to return the greeting, and then refilled Chen Fan's wine glass.

The atmosphere at the banquet became much more lively. Han Cen and Ouyang Ye relaxed considerably, frequently clinking glasses with Chen Fan and discussing the interesting events in the Hall of Offerings and the changing political landscape of the court.

Chen Fan listened more and spoke less, occasionally interjecting a word or two, but mostly just listened quietly.