《Great Villain: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate (Old Version)》 Chapter 1: The Protagonist Lin Feng, The Sect Outcast Amidst the vast expanse of the Thousand Star Mountain Range, the majestic Starry Abyss Heavenly Peak, adorned in shades of green and purple, pierced the clouds above. Nestled within the mountain peak, ancient trees and jagged rocks coexisted, while dense spiritual energy permeated the air like an undissipating white mist. A towering mountain gate, dozens of feet high, was meticulously carved from giant ck crystal stones, astonishing all whoid eyes upon it. Beneath the gate, a despondent young man dressed in simple clothing, carrying a walking bag, turned his back on the long, steep staircase that descended the mountain. Scattered before him, young men and women donned uniform ck and white robes. In the distance, grand halls and towering structures dotted thendscape. "What are you looking at?" "Lin Feng, the sect''s decree is clear; you''re no longer wee here!" "Lin Feng, you had so much potential. How could you let your dantian shatter? Hahaha!" "Address him as Senior Brother Lin!" "With a shattered dantian, you''re no longer our equal. You still want to stay in the sect? Delusional!" "What? Still not leaving? Waiting for your friends to send you off?" "Forget it. Only those of us with ''friendships'' like these even bother to see you off!" Each jeering remark was akin to a knife plunging into Lin Feng''s heart. ''Curse it all!'' ''Had my dantian not shattered, I could have reached the Mysterious tform, even the Heavenly Origin realm!'' ''But now, without my cultivation qualifications, even insignificant nobodies dare to insult me!'' ''And not one of my so-called close friends hase to see me off.'' ''...'' Lin Feng''s teeth were gritted, his fists clenched tightly, knuckles turning white as his unassuming nails dug painfully into his flesh. The Immortal Cultivation Path was divided into multiple realms: Physical Body, Elemental Movement, Soul Refining, Spiritual Awakening, Mysterious tform and Heavenly Origin. Achieving the Heavenly Origin realm signified the pinnacle ofbat prowess on this continent. Lin Feng''s future should have been filled with promise, but now... Observing Lin Feng''s clenched fists, the disciples who bore grudges against him reveled in his misery. At that moment, a contemptuous "Humph!" broke the silence. "Who says we''re noting to see Lin Feng off?" Two figures leaped from a distance,nding gracefully on the ground. "Senior Brother Li! Senior Brother Liu!" Lin Feng''s eyes lit up with joy as he recognized the neers, his fists unclenching. "It''s Li Kui and Liu Qing!" The disciples who had taunted Lin Feng earlier furrowed their brows, ncing behind them. Not far away, beneath a blossoming tree, a young man sat with his eyes closed. ''Why hasn''t Senior Brother Jiang Chene to crush Lin Feng?'' ''Could it be that Senior Brother Jiang anticipated someone woulde to Lin Feng''s aid, and that''s why he hasn''t acted yet?'' They exchanged nces, doubt clouding their minds. In the past, Lin Feng''s exceptional talent and bright future had inadvertently offended Senior Brother Jiang Chen, a cultivator of a much higher level. Simultaneously, Li Kai and Liu Qing noticed Jiang Chen''s presence. Their hearts clenched and their expressions grew somber. Unbeknownst to them, however, this Jiang Chen was no longer the person they once knew. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Upper Grade Innate Talent: None Realm: Early-stage Spiritual Awakening True Battle Power: Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening Cultivation Methods: Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture, Void Rainbow Sword Technique, Clear Dome sh, Violent Tiger Power... Viin Value: 0 ck Heavenly Fate Value: 0 Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Empty System Mall: Not Opened Yet] "Is this my panel?" "Is this my system?" "Viin Value! ck Heavenly Fate!?" Jiang Chen sat on the stone bench, perplexed as he examined the information panel visible only to him. The Immortal Great Viin System revealed that he had be a viinous character, one destined to suffer the protagonist''s wrath and ultimately lose his life. "A viin!?" "Have I truly transmigrated into a viin fated for misery?" "I don''t know what kind of demise awaits me, but it must be wretched! No, no, no, this can''t be! My fate must be in my own hands!" "As a viin, the best way to survive is to find opportunities alongside the protagonist. But who is the protagonist?" "Wait a moment, could it be that Lin Feng, the outcast being expelled from the mountain, is the protagonist?!" Jiang Chen''s eyes snapped open, and he red fiercely at Lin Feng standing beneath the mountain gate, cursing inwardly, ''Damn it, how could he be the protagonist?!'' ''It''s happening! Senior Brother Jiang Chen is making a move!'' ''Senior Brother Jiang''s gaze is fierce. He definitely won''t let Lin Feng off easily!'' ''Hahaha, Lin Feng is in for it now!'' Several disciples who had been watching Jiang Chen noticed his re, and their minds raced with spection. ''Jiang Chen!'' ''He tormented me without reason before.'' ''Now that my dantian is shattered, he still won''t leave me be. How petty and malicious!'' After casting a nce at Jiang Chen, a surge of resentment welled up in Lin Feng''s heart. He lowered his head, turned, and walked to join Li Kai and Liu Qing. In that instant, Jiang Chen closed his eyes once more. ''Sect outcast!'' ''This situation feels all too familiar!'' ''Once Lin Feng descends the mountain, he''ll undoubtedly encounter some great opportunity to be stronger and return for his revenge!'' ''He will surely investigate the truth behind his shattered dantian. He might spare others, but he will never forgive me!'' ''What should I do?!'' A flurry of thoughts raced through Jiang Chen''s mind, causing his brow to furrow. "Look quickly, Senior Brother Jiang Chen is frowning!" "Hmph, it seems Lin Feng is in for a world of pain!" "When Senior Brother Jiang Chen takes action, Lin Feng will undoubtedly suffer! Hahahaha!" "Yes, Senior Brother Jiang Chen must be contemting how to deal with Lin Feng right now!" "..." The disciples whispered among themselves and sneered at Lin Feng, oblivious to the fact that Jiang Chen was, in reality, feeling overwhelmed. ''First, I need to analyze my new surroundings and sort things out.'' Jiang Chen frowned as he started to sift through the vast amount of information in his head and organize his thoughts. First and foremost, this story took ce in an immensely vast Immortal Martial World. The Starry Abyss Sect was situated in the Mysterious Truth Continent within the Immortal Martial World. It was a major power that dominated one side and controlled dozens of martial cities. This body, also named Jiang Chen, was one of the core disciples of the Starry Abyss Sect. Additionally, he was the eldest young master of the Jiang n, one of the two major powers in the nearbyrge Autumn Glory City. As for Lin Feng, he was an orphan with exceptional natural talent and striking good looks. After being brought into the sect, Lin Feng demonstrated an extraordinary cultivation speed. He was soon promoted to an inner disciple and began to make his mark on the true disciple status. Thanks to his impressive qualifications, handsome appearance, and eloquence, Lin Feng garnered the support of many within the sect. Numerous female disciples fell for him, and even some of the older generation held him in high regard. As a core disciple, the predecessor felt threatened by Lin Feng''s potential rise to prominence and decided to take preventive measures. He devised a scheme in which Lin Feng would obtain a defective pill. Upon consuming it, Lin Feng''s dantian shattered, ultimately severing his cultivation path. And so, the n worked to perfection. Lin Feng''s life took a nosedive, plummeting from the peak of poprity to being scorned by everyone around him. Naturally, someone unable to cultivate had no ce on the mountain. And so, the day haderight at this very moment, Lin Feng was to be expelled from the mountain and left to survive on his own. ''Originally, Lin Feng had only cultivated to the Soul Refining realm, which was one significant realm below me.'' ''Now, with a shattered dantian and only the strength of his physical body, he wouldn''t even be able to defeat someone in the Elemental Movement realm. He could only pick on those in the ordinary Physical Body realm.'' ''Perhaps... I should nip this potential threat in the bud!'' With that thought in mind, a glint of ruthlessness shed across Jiang Chen''s eyes. Chapter 2: Actually, I Admire You Even though Jiang Chen had been a good citizen on Earth, this was no longer Earth, but the Immortal Martial World, where the strong ruled, the weak were trampled like ants, and human lives were as insignificant as grass! One had to adapt to the environment. Moreover, once Lin Feng regained his strength, it would be Jiang Chen who would face certain death! But as the thought of eliminating Lin Feng crossed Jiang Chen''s mind, the System''s voice suddenly echoed in his head. [Ding! Reminder to the host: the protagonist was born with the powerful protection of Heavenly Fate!] [To eliminate the protagonist, you must first weaken his Heavenly Fate Value to the point where he loses his protagonist status, only then can you use force to kill him!] [Otherwise, you will suffer a bacsh from the Heavenly Fate, triggering a chain of unforeseen consequences and potentially fatal crises!] [Actions such as breaking the protagonist''s spirit and will, altering his personality, stealing his opportunities and love interests, scheming against him, killing his subordinates, and changing the plot''s direction can weaken the protagonist''s Heavenly Fate Value to a certain extent, earning you Viin Value.] [Once the Viin Value reaches 1,000 points, you can automatically unlock the Level 1 System Mall and redeem items!] [Sessfully eliminating the protagonist grants you the ck Heavenly Fate and a chance to acquire the Heaven-Defying Fate Changer!] [ck Heavenly Fate Value: unique to the host, the higher it is, the greater the likelihood of encountering high-level opportunities and facing the protagonist, thus obtaining the identity of the viin!] [Upgrading the System Mall requires the ck Heavenly Fate Value to meet the standard!] These messages left Jiang Chen somewhat bewildered. ''What the hell!'' ''I''m a Spiritual Awakening Realm cultivator, yet I can''t even use force to kill a crippled cultivator?'' ''Is the protagonist''s ability to transform misfortune into fortune truly that remarkable?'' ''If Lin Feng is so incredible, how did he end up having his dantian shattered by his predecessor''s scheme?'' ''No... This time, the shattering of his dantian seems to be the catalyst for his true rise to power!'' ''To some extent, this is a tremendous case of "misfortune turning into blessing"!'' ''Darn, it seems I have no choice but to proceed cautiously.'' Thoughts raced through Jiang Chen''s mind before he ultimately took a deep breath and regained hisposure. Although his opponent was the protagonist, possessing Heavenly Fate in his body that allowed him to turn misfortune into fortune and achieve astounding sess against all odds. Jiang Chen was no mere sacrificialmb; on the contrary, he had the System! Anyone who had read plenty of novels would know just how formidable a System could be! Although the System had not granted him any unique abilities yet, Jiang Chen believed that it would not disappoint him. ''What''s happening?'' ''Has Senior Brother Jiang Chen not yet figured out how to handle that good-for-nothing Lin Feng?'' ''Senior Brother Jiang Chen hasn''t uttered a word; could this be a form of psychological warfare? The longer it drags on, the more terrified Lin Feng bes?'' ''...'' As the crowd observed Jiang Chen''s hesitation, they couldn''t help but specte in their hearts. At that moment, Jiang Chen slowly opened his eyes, revealing dark, ink-like pupils that held an enigmatic depth. The instant he opened his eyes, the expressions of everyone present shifted, and their gazes were drawn to him one after another. In terms of appearance and stature, Jiang Chen was undoubtedly among the finest. After all, the more attractive, influential, and powerful the viin, the more significant the impact when they faced defeat, and the greater the satisfaction derived from it! Next, they saw Jiang Chen rise leisurely from the stone bench. With his hands behind his back, he strolled towards Lin Feng, and as he did so, the corners of his mouth curved into a smile. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" The disciples, one after another, bowed with their hands sped in front of them and saluted respectfully. In their minds, the brighter Jiang Chen''s smile, the worse Lin Feng''s fate would be. "Hm." Jiang Chen nodded slightly, his footsteps unwavering as he continued towards Lin Feng. "Jiang Chen!" Lin Feng''s heart tightened as he looked at Jiang Chen with cold eyes. "What are you trying to do?" "Senior Brother Jiang!" "Lin Feng is already in such a state, and your status is honorable. The past disputes..." Li Kai and Liu Qing stepped in front of Lin Feng, offering a smile, and cupped their fists in a salute, attempting to shield Lin Feng for a moment. "Haha." "You all have misunderstood me," Jiang Chen said, his smile unchanging as he waved his hand dismissively. ''What does he mean?'' Lin Feng, Li Kai, Liu Qing, and the disciples who had mocked Lin Feng earlier were all left momentarily speechless. "Junior Brother Lin." "Cases of people returning to the path of cultivation despite having their dantian shattered are not unheard of." "Although we have had our differences, I must admit that actually, I admire you." "Therefore, I''m willing to step in and try to keep you in the sect. What do you think?" Jiang Chen smiled warmly as he looked towards Lin Feng. As far as he could tell, Lin Feng''s opportunityy at the foot of the mountain. If that was the case, Jiang Chen would strive to keep him within the sect and under his watchful eye, awaiting the oue. By doing so, he could potentially alter the original course of the story. At that moment, as Jiang Chen made this proposal, everyone present was left dumbstruck. "What? Senior Brother Jiang Chen actually admires Lin Feng?" "No way, how could Senior Brother Jiang Chen want to help Lin Feng?" "Could it be that my ears and eyes are ying tricks on me?" "..." One by one, the disciples who had mocked Lin Feng earlier stared at Jiang Chen in disbelief. The person in question, Lin Feng, as well as his close friends Li Kai and Liu Qing, were also left incredulous. ''What exactly is Jiang Chen trying to do?'' ''He has targeted me many times, and I have disgraced him in public on numerous asions. The feud between us cannot be resolved so easily.'' ''He actually wants to help me stay in the sect, but for what reason?'' Lin Feng pondered, instinctively feeling that Jiang Chen''s amiable demeanor was not as genuine as it appeared. Li Kai and Liu Qing, on the other hand, exchanged nces with a hint of joy amidst their astonishment. Although the chances of Lin Feng''s dantian being repaired were extremely slim and nearly impossible, it was still better than being forced down the mountain and left to die alone. Just at that moment! "I got it!" A female disciple eximed excitedly, then lowered her voice and whispered to those around her: "Senior Brother Jiang Chen is going to keep Lin Feng in the sect and slowly torture him. Hahaha, just thinking about it is so thrilling!" This remark spread quickly among the disciples. The faces of the other disciples around them instantly showed a sense of understanding. However, they looked at the excited female disciple with a somewhat peculiar expression. This girl seemed to think that she had kept her voice low. But in reality, she was so excited that the content of her words hadn''t been concealed at all! As a matter of fact. Both Li Kai and Liu Qing''s faces froze as the joy in their hearts instantly vanished, reced by a dense coldness and lingering fear. ''Jiang Chen!'' ''I knew you had no good intentions!'' ''You''re actually so vicious, nning to keep me in the sect to be slowly tortured!'' Lin Feng''s face turned pale as he cursed inwardly! "This junior sister, you think you''re very clever, don''t you?" Jiang Chen twisted his head to look at the female disciple and couldn''t help but roll his eyes internally. "Senior brother, I''m sorry!" The female disciple''s legs trembled as she stood there with trepidation, not daring to say a word. She was also very puzzled herself; how could she lose her mind and say something like that out loud? "You three." "That fellow junior sister was merely specting wildly; I''m not that kind of person." Jiang Chen turned his head to look at Lin Feng and the others, saying with a smile. ''A wild guess?'' ''I think she''s the one telling the truth, alright!'' Lin Feng''s face remained unchanged, but inwardly, he was gritting his teeth. "Ah ha ha!" "Yes, yes, we all know that Senior Brother Jiang isn''t the cruel type." Li Kai forced augh, "It''s just that... Lin Feng is crippled now; he truly isn''t fit to stay in the sect anymore." "Right, right, right." "He is crippled; how can he remain in the sect? It''s better for him to leave the mountain." Liu Qing also chimed in with a smile. Upon hearing these words, Even though Lin Feng knew that the two were acting in his best interest, he couldn''t help but feel a stabbing pain in his heart. The fact was that the word ''crippled'' was incredibly irksome to him! "Ugh." Jiang Chen sighed and looked at Lin Feng, "What does Junior Brother Lin think personally?" "I... I''d better leave the mountain." Lin Feng forced a small smile and nodded to Li Kai and Liu Qing, intending to depart immediately. Chapter 3: Accumulating Villain Value through Lin Feng鈥檚 Humiliation "It seems that..." "Junior Brother Lin is not showing me respect by rejecting my good intentions." "I, Jiang Chen, have never put so much effort into helping someone, and your response has disappointed me!" Jiang Chen''s tone turned icy cold, like a chilling wind emanating from an ice cave, sending shivers down one''s spine. Lin Feng''s body suddenly tensed up! Li Kai and Liu Qing also felt their hearts sink. Jiang Chen was a powerful Spiritual Awakening Realm cultivator, a core disciple of the sect, with extraordinary strength and a respected status. In the past, Lin Feng had the protection of the older generation. But what was he now? As a cripple, there were no powerful figures in the sect willing to protect him! If Jiang Chen were to be so angry, wouldn''t there be a risk of bloodshed on the spot? "Senior Brother Jiang." "Thank you for your kindness, I was wrong about what happened just now, but..." Lin Feng took a deep breath, suppressing the shame and anger in his heart, and spoke. [Ding! Protagonist Lin Feng has publicly apologized to you, his mental state is affected and his Heavenly Fate Value has been lowered by 100 points!] [Ding! You have gained 200 points of Viin Value!] Two system prompts appeared in Jiang Chen''s mind, causing him to rejoice. ''I''ve hurt his mental state!!'' ''That''s right, what kind of protagonist offers a public apology to a viinous character?" "Unless the protagonist is scheming... But Lin Feng clearly isn''t; he''s just being forced to apologize!'''' Jiang Chen thought to himself, a glint in his eyes, this operation hadn''t been a waste of effort. The Viin Value could be umted to open the System Mall! Countless incredible treasures must be waiting within! As expected. Although ted inside, Jiang Chen concealed his joy. "Junior Brother Lin." "I''ll give you onest chance." Jiang Chen spoke with a somber expression and an indifferent tone. Upon hearing these words, Lin Feng''s heart seethed with anger, his body tensing up. He quickly turned his head to look at Li Kai and Liu Qing, his gaze clearly conveying that he wanted the two of them to ensure his safe departure from the mountain. "What?" Jiang Chen chuckled faintly, "Do you think Junior Brothers Li Kai and Liu Qing will guarantee your safe departure from the mountain?" "Li Kai and Liu Qing are my close friends." Lin Feng took a deep breath and stated with a stern expression, each word deliberate and clear. "Lin Feng has been kind to us." Li Kai stepped forward, with Liu Qing following closely behind. Their expressions were solemn, and at first nce, it was apparent that they wanted to make their stance clear, ensuring Lin Feng''s safe descent from the mountain. Seeing this, Lin Feng''s heart swelled with gratitude, and his tense face rxed significantly. The other disciples frowned, murmuring to themselves that Li Kai and Liu Qing didn''t know what was best for them. Just at that moment, "There are certain matters you shouldn''t hastilymit to." Jiang Chen subtly interrupted Li Kai''s words and tossed over two small green bottles. "What are these?" Li Kai and Liu Qing caught the small green vials, their faces a mixture of surprise and suspicion. The rest of the onlookers'' gazes fell on the small green bottles, exchanging incredulous nces. As for Lin Feng, his expression shifted momentarily before returning to normal. Considering his bond with Li Kai and Liu Qing, he was confident that even if Jiang Chen offered a significant bribe, they would not ept it. "Why not open them and see?" Jiang Chen observed the shocked and suspicious expressions on their faces and said indifferently. Li Kai and Liu Qing exchanged nces before looking at Lin Feng. "Feel free to open them, Senior Brothers," Lin Feng encouraged, confidence shining in his eyes. Li Kai and Liu Qing, who had originally intended to return the small green bottles directly to Jiang Chen, hesitated no longer and opened them with a pop. Immediately, An incredibly pure, refreshing, and invigorating medicinal fragrance wafted out. "It''s a rity Awakening Pill!" "And it''s of Upper Grade quality!" Li Kai and Liu Qing were astonished, their faces lighting up with ecstasy as they couldn''t help but exim in surprise! "What?!" "An Upper Grade rity Awakening Pill?!" "That''s an invaluable pill that will definitely enable someone in the Soul Refining Realm to break through to the Spiritual Awakening Realm! It''s far more precious than an ordinary Spiritual Awakening Realm pill!" "Senior Brother Jiang actually gifted rity Awakening Pills to Li Kai and Liu Qing? This is simply unbelievable!" "..." The surrounding disciples gaped at the scene, letting out exmations of disbelief. ''Why?!'' ''Just to eliminate me, a man who has lost all his cultivation, he actually offered such a precious pill!'' ''Has Jiang Chen gone mad?!'' Lin Feng''s eyes widened as if struck by lightning, his mouth agape, and his heart filled with disbelief. "Well?" Jiang Chen looked at Li Kai and Liu Qing, a faint smile ying on his lips. He knew very well that to sway the protagonist''s close friends, ordinary offerings would not suffice. If he provided anything less, they would likely reject his gesture and ridicule him publicly. Therefore, Jiang Chen delved into his hard-earned savings, presenting the most valuable treasure in his possession, one that far exceeded everyone''s wildest expectations! Under normal circumstances, The typical Jiang Chen would never have done such a thing, as these two pills were undoubtedly his most prized possessions! By doing this now, on one hand, He had a greater chance of breaking through Li Kai and Liu Qing''s psychological barriers, getting a step closer to influencing them. Even if this attempt failed, The pills could still be retrieved. The worst-case scenario would be that he would lose face. Having already be a viin, Jiang Chen had long been mentally prepared for such a situation. "This..." "Many thanks, Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "But I still hope that Senior Brother Jiang spares Lin Feng''s life. After all, if word gets out, it will have an impact on your reputation." Li Kai lowered his head, his face disying a mixture of excitement and guilt. Liu Qing remained silent, one hand clutching the pill vial tightly, trembling slightly. He didn''t want to be like this, but what Jiang Chen had offered was simply too tempting! Soon after, Under Lin Feng''s shocked and sorrowful gaze, Li Kai and Liu Qing both epted the pills from Jiang Chen and silently retreated to a distance. Perhaps it was due to guilt, inner conflict, Or perhaps it was because of the hope that lingered from theirst request that they hesitated and did not leave entirely. "Li... Senior Brother Li! Senior Brother Liu!!!" Lin Feng looked at his two close friends who couldn''t bring themselves to meet his eyes from afar, and the anguish in his heart felt like ten thousand steel needles piercing him relentlessly. [Ding! You have sessfully incited the protagonist Lin Feng''s close friends Li Kai and Liu Qing; Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has been reduced by 300 points!] [Ding! You have sessfully humiliated the protagonist Lin Feng and hurt his state of mind; Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has been lowered by 100 points!] [Ding! You have gained 700 points of Viin Value!] Three system prompts appeared in session. ''Now I have 900 points of Viin Value!'' ''Still 100 points short of activating the System Mall!'' "It''s a pity that inciting Li Kai and Liu Qing only lowered Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value by 300 points." ''Perhaps it''s because these two weren''t very instrumental in his growth?'' ''That''s also true. Lin Feng is leaving the Starry Abyss Sect; by the time he returns, Li Kai and Liu Qing will have be minor characters long ago, right?'' Jiang Chen pondered in his mind, nced at the distant duo of Li Kai and Liu Qing, and then turned his attention to Lin Feng. "Actually," "At first, I genuinely wanted to help you out." "But now that things havee to this, I won''t make it too difficult for you. I promised Li Kai and Liu Qing that I''d spare your life this time." The corners of Jiang Chen''s mouth curved into a smile, "However, I have one condition." Upon hearing this statement, A glimmer of hope appeared in the eyes of the previously disheartened Lin Feng. However, this hint of joy soon dissipated. He knew instinctively that Jiang Chen wouldn''t let him off easily, and the condition would undoubtedly be extremely harsh. There were times when Staying alive could be worse than dying... The thoughts of most surrounding disciples mirrored Lin Feng''s, and their gazes, filled with pity, fell upon him. Chapter 4: Opening the System Mall "What condition..." Lin Feng couldn''t help but ask. "It''s simple," Jiang Chen replied indifferently, "Just take one move from me and let me vent my anger." ''As expected!'' ''He wants to make my life worse than death!'' ''With my current mortal body, if I''m maimed by him, it really would be better to just die!'' Lin Feng clenched his fists tightly, his hatred for Jiang Chen growing deeper. Not far away, Li Kai and Liu Qing''s expressions changed as they hesitated to step forward, but ultimately couldn''t bring themselves to do so. An Upper Grade rity Awakening Pill was simply too precious! "What?" "Weren''t you once the center of attention? Don''t you have the courage to take just one move from me?" The corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth curled into a cold, mocking smile. "I... ept!!!" Lin Feng roared quietly, knowing that he had no other choice at the moment. "Good." "I''ll only use one finger." Jiang Chen nodded slightly and took a step towards Lin Feng. Tap tap tap... The sound of footsteps seemed to strike Lin Feng''s chest like a hammer, his body tensing as cold sweat soaked his back. The surrounding disciples looked at Lin Feng with indifference. Li Kai and Liu Qing averted their eyes, unable to bear watching any longer. The crowd seemed to envision Lin Feng''s even more miserable future. At that moment, Jiang Chen raised his right hand and pointed a finger out across the air. A circr stream of air burst from the tip of his finger, turning into a ripple the size of a basin and fiercely striking Lin Feng''s chest and abdomen. Bang...! Lin Feng cried out in pain, his body flying backward and rolling three times on the ground before spitting out a mouthful of blood with a retch. However, the surrounding disciples were all stunned. They could easily tell that Jiang Chen hadn''t struck with full force. "Whatwhat''s going on?" "Senior Brother Jiang actually struck so lightly?" "All that build-up, but the oue is so mild!?" "With Li Kai and Liu Qing already retreated, why doesn''t Senior Brother Jiang just beat Lin Feng to the point of maiming him?" "..." The surrounding disciples stared wide-eyed at the scene, unable to believe what had just transpired. "You..." Lin Feng propped up his trembling body with one arm and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his heart a mixture of relief and shocked disbelief. He, too, couldn''t believe that Jiang Chen had struck so gently. Under that single finger, he sustained injuries that were difficult to heal, but not nearly as severe as the expected fate worse than death! "Leave." At that moment, Jiang Chen raised his head and squinted at Lin Feng, gently waving his right hand. Hearing those words, Lin Feng, without dwelling on the doubts in his heart, got up from the ground and dragged his aching body towards the mountain gate. Gradually, his figure vanished into the mountain path. "Senior Brother Jiang just let him go?" "I think I understand now; we were mistakenly judging a gentleman with the heart of a viin. Senior Brother Jiang has never been that narrow-minded!" "From the very beginning, Senior Brother Jiang was genuinely trying to help Lin Feng remain within the sect. It''s just that the crippled Lin Feng didn''t realize it!" "True, Lin Feng rejected Senior Brother Jiang''s help and brushed him off, yet Senior Brother Jiang still spared him lightly. Such magnanimity is truly admirable!" The surrounding disciples couldn''t help but whisper among themselves as they gazed at Jiang Chen, who stood with one hand behind his back and remained motionless. Li Kai and Liu Qing looked at Jiang Chen with eyes filled with even greater gratitude. "Alright, let''s all disperse." Jiang Chen nced at the crowd and offered a light smile. Little did they know that as a viin, he was eager to be rid of Lin Feng as soon as possible. Unfortunately, due to his opponent''s Son of Heavenly Fate status, he didn''t dare to kill him outright. Hisst condition for Lin Feng was meant to suppress and injure him. The oue was indeed satisfying. At that moment, the two system prompts from earlier still seemed to echo in Jiang Chen''s mind: [Ding! You have sessfully injured protagonist Lin Feng. Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fortune value is temporarily reduced by 100 points (the maximum Heavenly Fate Value remains unchanged) and will recover after the injury heals.] [Ding! You have gained 200 points of Viin Value!] ''Now the Viin Value is at 1100 points!'' ''It''s time to open the System Mall and redeem treasures. The anticipation is so thrilling, I''d better return to my residence first, lest I can''t help but burst intoughterter!'' With that thought in mind, Jiang Chen suppressed his excitement, took a step forward, and soared off towards another mountain path. Although a Spiritual Awakening Realm practitioner is already capable of flying through the air, doing so at their current realm consumes a significant amount of spiritual energy. As such, it is more efficient to fly by utilizing the force of the ground. In the blink of an eye, Jiang Chen arrived at the top of a cliff shrouded in clouds and mist. A small pavilion with a courtyard had been constructed on the summit, serving as his residence. He entered through the courtyard''s protective formation. "System!" "Open the System Mall!" Jiang Chen arrived in the quiet room and immediately issuedmands to the System in his mind. [Ding! Your Viin Value has met the requirement; the System Mall is now open!] [Ding! Congrattions on opening the System Mall. You have obtained the Heaven-Defying Fate Changer ''Viin''s Eye''!] [Ding! The current System Mall is Level 1. umting 10,000 ck Heavenly Fate points will unlock the Level 2 Mall!] [Ding! You have a Level 1 Mall Gift Pack*1 avable for im!] With the system prompt, a pair of illusory panels, visible only to Jiang Chen, materialized before him. However, Jiang Chen didn''t have the energy to examine them at that moment. Due to the fusion of the Heaven-Defying Fate Changer, Viin''s Eye, his eyes were undergoing a dramatic transformation! After a while, the change finally ceased. "It''s finally over!" Jiang Chen apprehensively took out a mirror. Upon closer inspection, his eyes didn''t appear to have changed at all; they looked exactly as they had before. It was then that some information emerged in his mind. [Viin''s Eye: Capable of observing special status targets such as protagonists, heroines, quasi-heroines, supporting characters... Disys the basic information of the target. The basic information includes their name, identity, and Heavenly Fate Value...] "Wow!" "With this, I''ll be able to monitor the main character''s Heavenly Fate Value!" "When the protagonist''s Heavenly Fate Value is weakened to the ''Decapitation Line,'' I will be the first to know and seize the opportunity to eliminate him!" "Moreover, I can also identify people who are close to the protagonist, discover more weaknesses through them, and prevent them from going undercover by my side." "Tsk, this Viin''s Eye is simply too powerful!" Jiang Chen rubbed his hands together in delight. Unfortunately, there was no one around for him to test his new ability on. So, he reluctantly set it aside for now and turned his attention to the System Mall panel. The illusory panel had four sections: ''Cultivation Methods'', ''Medicinal Pills & Elixirs'', ''Artifacts'' and ''Others''. Although the current System was only at Level 1, all four categories were essible! "Level 1 System Mall." "Even though it''s Level 1, it''s incredible... it''s possible to exchange for Heavenly Origin Realm treasures at the highest level!" Jiang Chen''s eyes widened as he gazed at the dazzling array of various treasures in the System Mall. His heart raced, pounding like an ever-quickening drumbeat! A Heavenly Origin Realm practitioner was already a formidable individual, capable of moving mountains and overturning seas. With a single strike, they could unleash devastating disasters at will. Chapter 5: Innate Physique: Eternal Boundless Body The founder of the Starry Abyss Sect, Chu Xingming, was a Heavenly Origin powerhouse. This realm was considered to be the pinnacle within the Mysterious Truth Continent. "A Level 1 Mall can exchange for Heavenly Origin Realm treasures!" "Wouldn''t it be possible to exchange for higher realm treasures after upgrading!" "Hiss, I thought the Heavenly Origin Realm was already very impressive, but now it seems that it''s actually ssified within Level 1 by the System!" "Just how terrifying is this Immortal Martial World? Just how many unimaginably powerful realms are there above the Heavenly Origin Realm!?" Jiang Chen couldn''t help but look up at the sky as he contemted this. He felt even more acutely the vastness and power of the Immortal Martial World, and also recognized his own insignificance. "To be a viin in such a world... Ah, this is so ridiculously absurd..." Jiang Chen took a deep breath, and then nced at the endless variety of treasures in the system panel. The sense of urgency in his heart slightly subsided. Soon after, he turned his attention to the very center of the System Mall panel, where there was an exquisite wooden box none other than the Level 1 Mall Gift Pack! "System!" "im Level 1 Mall Gift Pack!" Jiang Chen''s eyes sparkled with excitement as he mentally gave the system amand. [Ding! You have obtained a Level 1 Mall Gift Pack. Do you want to open it?] "Open!" [Ding! You have obtained the Wind Void Step Manual*1, the Ten-Turn Harmonious Spirit Pill*1, the Moondust Ring*1, and the Eternal Boundless Body*1!] Following the system prompt, A purple manual, a bottle of pills, a white finger ring, and a fist-sized, semi-illusory faceless figure appeared in front of Jiang Chen. The manual and the bottle of pills radiated a brilliant light and emitted powerful fluctuations! If it weren''t for the protective array formation surrounding the attic, it would have undoubtedly attracted the attention of numerous people. Through the information provided by the system, Jiang Chen quickly grasped the purpose and value of each item. [Wind Void Steps: A Heavenly Origin Realm movement martial skill. Once cultivated, it significantly increases movement speed, including flight speed when propelling oneself through the air.] [Ten-Turn Harmonious Spirit Pill: A Heavenly Origin Realm pill of perfect quality, highly beneficial for breaking through minor realm bottlenecks within the Heavenly Origin Realm and lower realms. It is also effective in breaking through major realm bottlenecks and can be used up to ten times after consumption.] [Moondust Ring: A Heavenly Origin Realm storage artifact, possessing 10,000 cubic meters of storage space. The ring emits no unusual aura or fluctuations, appearing as a mundane object. The wearer can use it to conceal their cultivation and aura to a certain extent.] [Eternal Boundless Body: A special innate physique with the ability to devour and fuse other innate physiques. Currently at the initial stage of the Heavenly Origin Realm, no innate physique has been devoured.] "Amazing, all these treasures belong to the Heavenly Origin Realm!" "If this were known, it would surely provoke a bloodbath!" "Especially that Eternal Boundless Body, the value of this treasure is undoubtedly countless times greater than the entire Starry Abyss Sect. I fear that even the great powers above the Heavenly Origin Realm would risk their lives topete for it upon seeing it!" Jiang Chen gazed at the treasures before him, his eyes shimmering with excitement. In this vast and endless Immortal Martial Continent, many individuals are born with exceptional innate talents, akin to having a head start in life! Cultivation methods, medicinal pills, elixirs, and artifacts can all be acquiredter in life, but an innate talent is a gift from heaven, nearly impossible to obtain after birth. Though Jiang Chen himself possessed good qualifications, hecked any special innate talents. With the Eternal Boundless Body, however, he would be able to devour and assimte other innate physiques for his own benefit. When the time came to merge countless innate physiques into one, the resulting power would be unimaginable! "This is incredible!" "With these treasures, my chances of avoiding the tragic fate of a viin will be even greater!" A surge of excitement rose in Jiang Chen''s heart. Nevertheless, He didn''t use the treasures immediately. That was because he still had 1,100 Viin Value points remaining! Jiang Chen''s thoughts shifted, and his focusnded on the System Mall, scanning the various categories. The Cultivation Methods section contained a wide array of cultivation techniques, martial skills manuals, five elements secret arts, temporary power boost secret arts, and even self-harming power boost secret arts... There was no shortage of options. The prices for various methods in the Spiritual Awakening Realm hovered around several hundred Viin Value points, with stronger ones being more costly. Those in the Mysterious tform Realm required over a thousand Viin Value points. The Heavenly Origin Realm methods were even more expensive, costing several thousand Viin Value points. "Amazing!" "These prices are unbelievably low!" "Heavenly Origin Realm cultivation methods only cost two to three thousand Viin Value points, and I just gained eleven hundred points from Lin Feng in such a short time!" "Just a few more instances like that, and I''ll be able to exchange for a Heavenly Origin Realm Secret Technique!" Jiang Chen observed the prices of the cultivation methods with a heart full of joy. One must understand that Heavenly Origin Realm cultivation methods were extremely rare in the Mysterious Truth Continent. Within the Starry Abyss Sect, these methods were only taught to core disciples. After a moment of satisfaction, Jiang Chen''s gaze shifted to the Medicinal Pills & Elixirs section. As for cultivation methods... He had already been cultivating the Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture and Void Rainbow Sword Technique from the Starry Abyss Sect, both of which were Heavenly Origin Realm methods, so there was no urgency to exchange for others. In the Medicinal Pills & Elixirs category, There were cultivation pills, body-forging pills, breakthrough pills, temporary enhancement pills, poison pills... the list went on. Their prices were lower than those of cultivation techniques and secret arts of the same level, with some costing only tens of Viin Value points. For instance, the rity Awakening Pill that Jiang Chen used to provoke Li Kai and Liu Qing was only 50 Viin Value points per Upper Grade pill. "I can exchange for some pills." "Combined with the Ten-Turn Harmonious Spirit Pill, I''ll definitely be able to advance to a higher realm quickly!" As Jiang Chen considered the next two categories, he thought that a good tool should be used for its intended purpose. As for pills, he would make a decisionter. In no time at all, Jiang Chen quickly skimmed through the next two categories, and the sheer number of treasures nearly made him drool with desire. The Artifacts section contained various weapons, defensive gear, and auxiliary artifacts such as flying artifacts and storage artifacts. The Other section was filled with all kinds of materials, creating an endless and dazzling list. After careful consideration, Jiang Chen decided to exchange for some cultivation pills. After all, his own cultivation was the most fundamental and crucial aspect! "System, exchange for ten Clear Mind Awakening Spirit Pills!" Jiang Chen issued themand mentally. The Clear Mind Awakening Spirit Pills were the best cultivation-type pills in the Spiritual Awakening Realm, and each one was worth 80 Viin Value points. [Ding! Spending 800 Viin Value points, you have obtained Clear Mind Awakening Spirit Pill*10!] Immediately, Only 300 of the initial 1,100 Viin Value points remained, kept as a reserve. "There''s no need to take the medicinal pills just yet." "It''s better to fuse the Eternal Boundless Body first!" Jiang Chen extended his hand and waved it, drawing the semi-illusory faceless figure into his grasp. In a short while, The half-illusory faceless figure absorbed Jiang Chen''s Yuan Power and breath, transforming from a mere humanoid outline into Jiang Chen''s likeness. Without dy, It merged into Jiang Chen''s skin, flesh, and bones like water... causing a profound change to ur within Jiang Chen''s body. The process was incredibly smooth and swift. In the blink of an eye, Jiang Chen had be an Eternal Boundless Body! After fusing with this Innate Physique, he felt a sense of emptiness in his core and an intense desire to consume something. "I''m so eager to devour an innate physique!" "I wonder if that Lin Feng guy has a special innate physique?" "Ah, what''s the point of pondering that? I''m not even sure I can finish him off. He''s a protagonist who defies convention..." As Jiang Chen found himself deep in contemtion, his mouth watered with a yearning so profound that it felt like he could cry, much to his disappointment. Chapter 6: Lin Feng鈥檚 Great Opportunity Gulp. Wiping the corner of his mouth. Jiang Chen brought forth the Ten-Turn Harmonious Spirit Pill and Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pill, making the corners of his mouth wet again. "Should I consume them? Gulp~" "I''m unsure how long the breakthrough will take, even with these pills." "Previously, breaking through a small realm took days; these pills will surely shorten that duration..." Jiang Chen found himself in a quandary. He desperately wanted to enhance his strength for his own safety. However, he was concerned about missing the perfect opportunity to confront Lin Feng. "No matter, dealing with Lin Feng is of utmost importance!" "Now, at his weakest, perhaps I can seize his ''Great Opportunity''!" After a few moments of contemtion, Jiang Chen made his decision. He nced at the Wind Void Steps and the Moondust Ring, then hung thetter around his neck as a pendant, concealing it within hispel. Shortly after. He stowed the Wind Void Steps and other valuable items inside the Moondust Ring. Jiang Chen opted not to remove the ordinary storage bracelet from his wrist, using it to mask the presence of the Moondust Ring. Having done this. Jiang Chen swiftly rose and dashed towards the courtyard''s exit. Upon leaving the formation. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen..." A white figure approached, flying to meet him. It was the talkative female disciple from earlier at the mountain gate. "Junior Sister Yao, it''s you? What''s going on?" Jiang Chen inquired with a detached expression. He discreetly activated the ''Viin''s Eye'', but no reaction urred. This indicated that Junior Sister Yao was merely a passerby in Lin Feng''s life. "Earlier at the mountain gate, I don''t know why I blurted out those words. I''m sorry, please forgive me!" Junior Sister Yao apologized with a contrite expression, avoiding direct eye contact with Jiang Chen. After reflecting on the earlier incident, she believed she had misunderstood Jiang Chen and sought to apologize out of respect and regret. "Oh, it''s fine, I forgive you." "I need to head to the Deacon Hall for some errands, so you should return first." Jiang Chen nodded slightly, spoke casually, and prepared to depart. But just then. "Ah, what a coincidence! I''m also going to the Deacon Hall. May I ask Senior Brother to apany me?" Senior Sister Yao looked surprised, as if she found Jiang Chen quite amiable and was eager to strengthen their connection. "..." "No, I''m rather busy." Jiang Chen was momentarily speechless, then promptly left, leaving behind a somewhat disappointed Junior Sister Yao. A few stepster. [Ding! You have slightly altered the plot, gaining 100 points of Viin Value!] "Hmm!?" "Changed the plot?" "And earned 100 Viin Value points!" "Could it be that, in the original plot, ''I'' agreed to apany Junior Sister Yao and didn''t immediately pursue Lin Feng?" "That''s usible; after all, Junior Sister Yao is rather attractive." "And ''I'' never considered Lin Feng a significant threat, but rather a trivial nuisance that could be dealt with at any time." "Thus, ''I'', due to Junior Sister Yao''s presence, didn''t chase after Lin Feng, inadvertently granting him precious time to grow." "Moreover, it''s likely that Lin Feng, a mere ''nuisance'', was simply overlooked, and by the time his rise was discovered, it was already toote." Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes, a contemtive glint within them. This person, Junior Sister Yao, didn''t share a close rtionship with Lin Feng, so her actions were unintentional. It must be Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate at y, his protagonist status exerting its influence. When Junior Sister Yao mentioned that her words under the mountain gate were a slip of the tongue, it wasn''t a lie; she genuinely didn''t dare to say otherwise. Thus, at that time, she too was swayed by Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate. "Ah, the power of a protagonist status is truly remarkable!" "Fortunately, I''m now aware of this deadly, threatening aspect of his and won''t overlook him any longer..." A cold glint shed in Jiang Chen''s eyes as he lightly tapped his feet and soared onward. As for Junior Sister Yao, she was merely an unwitting bystander, imperceptibly impacted by Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate. Even if she were removed... As long as Lin Feng''s protagonist status persisted, others like her would continue to emerge. As Jiang Chen dashed toward the mountain gate''s exit, In the midst of an incredibly treacherous mountain path, A feeble figure stumbled forward - none other than Lin Feng. "Jiang Chen actually didn''t kill me..." "Is he truly that kind-hearted?" "No... Based on what I know about him, he''s definitely the sinister type!" "He didn''t kill me today because he wanted to cultivate a positive image in front of the other disciples, right!" "I also don''t know if that hypocritical person, Jiang Chen, will secretlye after me to finish the job..." Lin Feng murmured as he trudged onward, a bitter smile gracing the corner of his mouth. The injuries on his body were severe and couldn''t be healed without potent spiritual medicine. If Jiang Chen truly caught up to him, death would be certain. Pondering this, Lin Feng''s heart felt heavy with despair. Just at that moment. Buzz hum! Suddenly, fluctuations arose beside him, sending shivers down his spine! Immediately afterward, A ck lightning-like rift emerged. A thin red line shot out of the rift, crashing straight into Lin Feng''s body! Bang!!! It was as if Lin Feng''s body had sustained a violent impact, and he was instantly propelled upward. He traced a long arc like a cannonball, sweeping over a mountain before finallynding with a crash in the middle of a mountain river! ''What the...!!'' Submerged in the water, Lin Feng''s eyes widened in shock, his first thought being that Jiang Chen had indeede after him. But he quickly realized something was amiss. If Jiang Chen had struck him, he would undoubtedly have been pulverized, reduced to a pile of mangled flesh! How could he have been hurled such a distance and still be alive? Suddenly, A warmth emanated from his lower abdomen, rapidly spreading to all his limbs. The icy chill of the river water vanished in an instant. Incredibly, wherever the warmth traveled, Lin Feng''s injuries began to heal. Even his previously shattered dantian appeared to mend itself! A trace of Yuan Power emerged from his dantian, and a long-lost strength gradually filled Lin Feng''s body. "This is!?" "I''ve been healed! My dantian has been restored!" Lin Feng''s heart swelled with boundless tion as he felt the staggering changes within his body. He looked inside himself and discovered a withered red lotus floating within his restored dantian. The healing power emanated from this withered red lotus flower. What was miraculous, This red lotus seemed to possess a spiritual nature. As soon as Lin Feng''s thoughts connected with the withered lotus, he received enlightening information. This lotus was the Burning World Red Lotus, a rare heavenly treasure in the world. Even in its withered state, the Burning World Red Lotus had reached the Inquiring Journey Realm, surpassing the Heavenly Origin! At this moment, the Burning World Red Lotus hadpletely fused with him, sharing both triumphs and tribtions. Although the current power of the Burning World Red Lotus had been exhausted to thest drop, As long as he consumed any elixir, he would be able to infuse it with power and gradually restore its vitality. The rejuvenated Burning World Red Lotus would then regain a myriad of extraordinary abilities. Chapter 7: Breakthrough, Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening "Burning World Red Lotus!" "What kind of treasure could this be? To achieve the Inquiring Journey Realm even in its withered and dying state, merely based on this level, it is sufficient to overshadow everything in the Mysterious Truth Continent!" "I never anticipated that I would obtain such a treasure after all that has transpired; the heavens truly have not abandoned me!" Lin Feng''s heart swelled with excitement, causing his body to quiver slightly. He examined and sensed his body carefully once more, discovering that his strength had returned to the Early-stage Elemental Movement Realm. Furthermore, he possessed an extraordinary affinity for Fire Attribute Spiritual Qi! In addition to that, He also had a rather peculiar connection with the surrounding nts. With a single nce, He could vaguely discern any nt''s age, medicinal properties, and other information! "My innate talent has increased significantly!" "And I possess a unique innate talent akin to the legendary Medicinal Spirit Body!" "Now I''m undoubtedly the unparalleled genius in the Starry Abyss Sect, the kind that emerges only once in a millennium!" A surge of astonishment welled up in Lin Feng''s heart, but soon his eyes clouded with mncholy. The Starry Abyss Sect had been so callous! After making a mistake in his cultivation and having his dantian shattered, he was mercilessly expelled! He had been raised within the Starry Abyss Sect! His affection for the sect had once been profound. Yet now, his loathing for it ran just as deep. "Such a cold and heartless ce... No! Wait! It doesn''t matter!" "Now that my dantian is healed, and my potential far surpasses what it was before, Starry Abyss Sect, I swear you''ll rue the day!" With renewed determination, Lin Feng clenched his fist. Riding the swift currents of the mountain river, he battled his way downstream. .... On the rugged mountain path. "Huh, where is he?" "It''s only been a short while, not even a quarter of an hour; considering Lin Feng''s condition, he couldn''t have ventured too far!" Jiang Chen extended his divine sense as he traversed the mountain path, but struggled to locate Lin Feng, and promptly realized that something was amiss. "Could it be..." "In the brief moment it took for me to ess the System Mall and organize the rewards, did he stumble upon a great opportunity, somehow leave the Starry Abyss Sect, and set out on the path to greatness?" The corners of Jiang Chen''s mouth twitched slightly, and his heart felt as if it had been caught off guard. Without dy, He reluctantly expanded his divine sense, persistently searching the areas where Lin Feng was most likely to be found. However, He still couldn''t locate him! "I''ve squandered only a bit of time, and yet he''s slipped away; this protagonist status is truly extraordinary!" "Could it be that a formidable figure passed by and whisked him away?" Jiang Chen stood atop a centuries-old colossal tree, his face tinged with gloom. Various conjectures sprouted in his mind, the most usible being that a powerful individual had chanced upon Lin Feng and spirited him away. Otherwise, could Lin Feng have ascended to the heavens or burrowed into the earth on his own? "Who could it be?" "If the most formidable members within the sect wanted to protect him, they would have done so already. It must be a powerhouse from outside the sect." "The Thousand Star Mountain Range is entirely under the Starry Abyss Sect''s jurisdiction; the one who spirited Lin Feng away could only be a cultivator visiting the Starry Abyss Sect as a guest." As this thought crossed Jiang Chen''s mind, he promptly grasped a jade token at his waist, infused it with his Yuan Power in the form of characters, and dispatched it to Elder Ge. Elder Ge was a seasoned true disciple and the most trustworthy guard in Jiang Chen''s service, a formidable figure of the Spiritual Awakening Realm. Offered up by the Jiang n, he was Jiang Chen''s most trusted escort. "Young Master!" "Rest assured, I will attend to this matter immediately!" Upon receiving Elder Ge''s response, he promptlymenced an investigation into the cultivators who had recently visited the Starry Abyss Sect as guests. Shortly thereafter, Jiang Chen nced at the end of the mountain path and narrowed his eyes, "System, open the shopping mall!" With a current Viin Value bnce of 400 points, he might be able to acquire something useful. Upon opening the shopping mall, Jiang Chen''s gaze began to scour the Artifacts and Other sections. Before long, "Found it, a tracking-type treasure!" His eyes gleaming with delight, he fixated on a treasure named ''Aura Finder Smoke'' in the Other section and immediately opted to exchange it. [Ding! Deducting 300 Viin Value points, you have obtained Aura Finder Smoke*1!] Following the system prompt, A ck, incense-like object materialized in Jiang Chen''s hand. This arm-length incense was hollow, resembling a wooden stick, and was none other than the Aura Finder Smoke. As long as an item bearing the target''s scent was inserted into the center of the Aura Finder Smoke and lit, the resulting smoke would guide the way to the target. "Speaking of items carrying Lin Feng''s scent, blood would be the best choice!" The corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth curved upward in a pleased smile as he swiftly made his way towards the mountain gate. Upon arriving, he discovered that the area below the mountain gate was spotless. The site where Lin Feng had earlier vomited blood had been meticulously cleaned. "Damn it, this is infuriating!" Rolling his eyes, Jiang Chen found himself at a loss for words. Nevertheless, he understood that the mountain gate was the sect''s facade, the ce where the cleaning disciples were most diligent, so it made sense for the blood to have been cleared away. Of course, Lin Feng''s protagonist status might also have yed a role in this. "So be it." "If we can''t find the blood, we''ll use other items." With a steely gaze, Jiang Chen once again retrieved his transmission jade token and contacted Elder Ge, instructing him to dispatch someone to search for Lin Feng''s personal belongings. Although Elder Ge wondered why Jiang Chen had requested these tasks, as a loyal old servant, he refrained from asking too many questions and promptly set out on his errand. Having delegated the matter to Elder Ge, Jiang Chen propelled himself into the air and flew towards his residence. At this point, Lin Feng had mysteriously vanished and likely obtained the great opportunity meant for him. Moreover, since Lin Feng''s personal belongings had not yet been discovered, there was no use in fretting over the matter. Hence, Jiang Chen resolved to enhance his strength first and wait until he acquired Lin Feng''s personal item. Returning to the attic, Entering the quiet chamber, "Spiritual Awakening Realm Middle-stage, here Ie!!!" Jiang Chen popped a mouthful of Ten-Turn Harmonious Spirit Pills into his mouth. Immediately, a majestic Spiritual Qi surged into every part of his body, his dantian, and his meridians, giving the impression that his entire body had swelled slightly. "Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture!" Jiang Chen focused his mind and steadied his breath as he executed his cultivation technique to begin assimting the medicinal power. Time psed. In the blink of an eye, the sky darkened and dawn broke once more... ... Autumn Glory City. This splendid city, nestled in the mountains, was home to arge poption. Martial arts cultivation was widespread here, with everyone practicing the discipline. Of course, most were at the Physical Body Realm, while fewer reached the Elemental Movement Realm, and those at the Soul Refining Realm were considered skilled experts. As for the Spiritual Awakening Realm, practitioners at this level were already considered first-ss experts in Autumn Glory City, with only the heads of the Jiang and Zhou families having attained this rank. The city bustled with life and prosperity. Wide streets teemed with peopleing and going, and the city overflowed with activity. In a rtively secluded inn called Vast Spirit Residence, a man dressed in ck robes and wearing a veiled conical bamboo hat entered the establishment. It was none other than Lin Feng! "What kind of room does the guest require?" A delightful female voice, as clear as an oriole, resounded. Lin Feng''s expression shifted as he traced the voice and found a smiling, stunning young girl dressed in a pale yellow gown. Even though he had encountered numerous beautiful female disciples within the Starry Abyss Sect, his heart still stirred. This young girl was not only attractive, but she also exuded an exceptionally clean and refreshing aura! Furthermore, she was a cultivator who had entered the Early-stage Elemental Movement Realm. Chapter 8: Vast Spirit Residence in Autumn Glory City "A quieter and more secluded guest room would be preferable." Lin Feng approached the young girl and asked with a smile, "May I know your name?" "Ning Xian." Ning Xian''s eyes widened in surprise, sensing that the other party''s body seemed to radiate a faint medicinal spiritual aura from within. Although the aura was subtle, Ning Xian had been studying Alchemy under her master for more than ten years and believed she couldn''t be mistaken. Immediately, Her curiosity about Lin Feng was piqued. "Miss Ning, my name is Xiao Feng." Lin Feng offered a respectful gesture, not revealing his full name. "Hmm." "Since we''ve only recently opened and our location is somewhat secluded, did an acquaintance refer you here?" Ning Xian ced the key in front of Lin Feng and inquired. "No." "I found it myself!" Lin Feng smiled as he took the key, feeling at ease, as if he had returned to the good old days when he had chatted andughed with the female disciples before his dantian was shattered. "You have a good eye, then, haha." Ning Xian smiled yfully and turned to leave. "She''s so good-looking..." Lin Feng watched Ning Xian''s graceful back and reluctantly shifted his gaze away. He then quickly took his keys and headed upstairs. What he needed most urgently now was to recover his cultivation! Upon entering the inn room, Lin Feng removed the cloak with the veiled conical bamboo hat on his head and ced it on the table. "Finally, I''vepletely left the Thousand Star Mountain Range." "Autumn Glory City is immense, and although the Jiang n is one of the overlords, there''s also the Zhou n, with other forces scattered around." "What''s more, Jiang Chen likely won''t pay attention to me as a ''cripple'' and has probably left me behind." "Now I can recover my strength in peace, and when I reach the Soul Refining Realm, I''ll go searching for spiritual herbs!" "With the Burning World Red Lotus, the Heavenly Origin realm is within my grasp." "When I break through to the Heavenly Origin... All those who hold grudges against me will receive a hundred times retribution!" Lin Feng sat down on the bed, took a deep breath, and began to meditate and circte his Qi. His cultivation level had already reached the Soul Refining Realm. This stage was mainly focused on refining the divine soul and condensing the divine sense. Although Lin Feng''s dantian was damaged, his divine soul remained intact, and as soon as his Yuan Power was restored, he would easily be able to reach the Soul Refining Realm again. At the same time. Starry Abyss Sect, in Jiang Chen''s pavilion. "A breakthrough!" "Is this the power of the Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening Realm?" "The effect of the Ten-Turn Harmonious Spirit Pill used in conjunction with the Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pill is truly remarkable!" In the attic''s quiet room, Jiang Chen slowly opened his eyes, as arge amount of Yuan Power coursed through his dantian and meridians. After refining the Ten-Turn Harmonious Spirit Pill, he had taken two more Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pills one after another. Following a night of cultivation, he had sessfully broken through to the Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening! "System, bring up my panel." Jiang Chen''s thoughts shifted and his information panel appeared before him. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Upper Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body Realm: Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening True Battle Power: Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening+ Cultivation Methods: Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture, Void Rainbow Sword Technique, Clear Vault sh, Violent Tiger Power... Viin Value: 100 points ck Heavenly Fate: 0 Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye System Mall: Level 1] "Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening+?" "This is beyond an ordinary Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening, but not yet at the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening, right?" "In other words, an ordinary Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening will be no match for me!" A smile appeared on Jiang Chen''s face as he considered this. Once he had practiced the technique more proficiently, his truebat power would further increase! If he learned the Wind Void Steps, even if only at the entry level, it was estimated that his battle power could reach the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening. However, it was not possible to master a martial skill in a short period of time. It was still imperative to leverage his superior cultivation level to resolve the threat from Lin Feng first, and the matter of martial skill practice could be addressed ording to the situation over time. Just at that moment. A formation ripple came from outside, signaling someone ''knocking'' at the door. "Come in." With a wave of his hand, Jiang Chen opened the courtyard protection formation. "Young Master." "Here is what you asked for!" A short-bearded, grey-robed old man walked in from outside, looking respectful as he presented a bundle. "Thank you for your hard work, Elder Ge." Jiang Chen nodded slightly and took the bundle into his hands. "It''s not hard work; it''s what old servants should do!" Elder Ge bowed slightly and then stood by the side with his head bowed in silence. "I''m sure you''re curious about what I need these items for. Watch." Jiang Chen''s mouth curled as he waved his hand and opened the bag, picking out some hair strands from it. These were naturally Lin Feng''s hair. Hair loss is a significant problem, and even martial artists are not immune! Under Elder Ge''s puzzled gaze, Jiang Chen took out the Aura Finder Smoke, stuffed the strands of hair into it, and lit it up! A wisp of ck smoke emerged and gathered in the same direction. "Is this a... tracking method!?" Elder Ge said with a mix of surprise and suspicion, "Young Master, are you tracking Lin Feng?" "Correct." Jiang Chen looked at the ck smoke and slightly narrowed his eyes, "That direction... Autumn Glory City, huh..." "Isn''t Lin Feng crippled?" "Having been kicked out of the sect''s mountain gate just yesterday, in that state, how could he arrive at Autumn Glory City overnight?" Elder Ge asked in a somewhat puzzled manner. He wasn''t foolish either, and immediately understood why Jiang Chen was tracking Lin Feng; there had to be something unusual about Lin Feng. "This person, Lin Feng, is not simple." Jiang Chen said in a cold voice as he stood up, "He has made an enemy of me, and I must eliminate him." "Yes!" "Old servant will go and investigate the situation, and if there''s an opportunity, I will definitely exterminate him!" Elder Ge nodded in deep understanding, as he was also involved in the ''Poison Pill Scheme'' against Lin Feng. "You, going?" "Don''t, you mustn''t go!" Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows and hurriedly stopped Elder Ge. He was the viin, and Lin Feng was the protagonist, so sending his subordinates to deal with the protagonist was like giving away heads, experience, and resources! In the stories I had read in the past, I don''t know how many protagonists had been fattened up by the viin bit by bit like this! "Ah, is Young Master going to send someone from the n to finish off Lin Feng?" Jiang Chen shook his head. In the original plot setting, I''m afraid that the Jiang n was a massive experience package for Lin Feng. Understanding that Lin Feng was the protagonist, something like giving away experience was something Jiang Chen was determined not to do! "I see." Elder Ge suddenly looked as if he had a sudden understanding, "Young Master, you want to settle your grudge with that Lin Feng fellow yourself! That''s why you don''t want the old servant and the n to interfere!" The moment this statement was made. The corners of Jiang Chen''s mouth immediately twitched. How did that sound like another ssic plot setting? But immediately he smiled faintly. He wouldn''t send Elder Ge and the people in his n to give experience to Lin Feng. But he wouldn''t leave such arge force unused either. If they were just sent to secretly investigate and spy on Lin Feng, not allowing them to strike and retreating immediately once they were discovered, that would still be fine. "Don''t think too much." Jiang Chen faintly nced at Elder Ge, "Go and get ready, I want to go down the mountain immediately." "Now?" "Young Master, the npetition is about to begin in a few days." "If you don''t participate, I''m afraid that the core disciple position will be taken away from you..." Elder Ge said hesitantly, "That Lin Feng shouldn''t be able to make any waves, why don''t we wait until the Grand Competition ispleted before we go and clean up that kid?" Chapter 9: The Unpursued Heroine Ning Xian "No." "Please ask someone on the Sect Master''s side to convey my apologies." Jiang Chen shook his head, realizing without a doubt that this sectpetition was just another event designed to confine him within the Starry Abyss Sect and provide Lin Feng with time to develop. Compared to the stakes of his young life, the core disciple position held little significance. "Understood!" Elder Ge replied. He genuinely could notprehend why Jiang Chen ced such great importance on Lin Feng. Holding back the numerous questions in his mind, Elder Ge retrieved a jade token and began sending a message. "Let''s proceed." Jiang Chen activated the formation and headed straight for Autumn Glory City, with Elder Ge following closely behind. Shortly after, "The Sect Master has consented!" Elder Ge stored the jade token and announced. "Hmm." Jiang Chen gave a faint nod. Simultaneously, a system prompt echoed in his mind. [Ding! You have slightly altered the plot, earning 100 Viin Value points!] "Changing the plot again, even if it''s a minor adjustment, it''s quite satisfying!" A smile tugged at the corners of Jiang Chen''s lips. By now, he had roughly grasped the notion that altering the plot centered around himself would likely be deemed minor adjustments. Only modifying the main character''s plot direction would be considered a significant change, and the amount of Viin Value gained should be substantially higher. As he continued onward, Jiang Chen retrieved his transmission jade token and contacted his second uncle, the current head of the Jiang n and Mysterious tform Realm cultivator, Jiang Xingtai. Leaving out details like the system, viin, and protagonist, Jiang Chen provided Jiang Xingtai with a general overview of the situation. To Jiang Xingtai, it seemed that Lin Feng had received assistance from a distinguished individual, had been granted immense fortune, and would pose a significant threat to Jiang Chen in the future. Jiang Chen''s standing within the Jiang n was quite prominent. His father, Jiang Xingyang, had been the young master of the previous generation of the Jiang n, Jiang Xingtai''s older brother, who was also a Mysterious tform powerhouse. His mother, too, was a Mysterious tform powerhouse, and it seemed that many years ago, the couple had left Autumn Glory City in pursuit of attaining the Heavenly Origin Realm. Furthermore, it was almost a certainty that Jiang Chen himself would reach the Mysterious tform Realm and was already a core disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect. As a result, the entire Jiang n held Jiang Chen in the highest esteem! Consequently, Jiang Xingtai swiftly assured Jiang Chen that he would dispatch Jiang n cultivators to secretly search for and observe Lin Feng. Thus, The Jiang n, a colossus upying half of Autumn Glory City, discreetly extended numerous tendrils! However, Autumn Glory City was indeed vast, and as the central city of the surrounding region, it harbored a substantial transient poption. Pinpointing Lin Feng amidst such a sprawling area and throngs of people would prove exceedingly challenging. Moreover, Lin Feng still possessed the protagonist''s status and was protected by the Heavenly Fate. Attempts to target him rarely unfolded smoothly. Until Jiang Chen and Elder Ge reached Autumn Glory City, the Jiang n cultivators had been unable to locate Lin Feng. At the eastern city gate of Autumn Glory City, Beneath the shadows cast by a nearby building, "He still hasn''t been found." "No matter, I have the Aura Finder Smoke!" Jiang Chen stored the transmission jade token in his possession and withdrew a ck incense stick, already burnt a quarter of its length. Upon determining Lin Feng''s position, He had snuffed out the Aura Finder Smoke to conserve it. Now, it was primed for use once again. Fwoosh. A small portion of the Aura Finder Smoke red up, swiftly pinpointing Lin Feng''s location. "How convenient!" "It wasn''t a waste to spend 300 Viin Value points." The corners of Jiang Chen''s mouth curved slightly as he sent messages to Jiang Xingtai and Elder Ge, hastening towards the direction of Vast Spirit Residence. Upon receiving Jiang Chen''s message, Jiang Xingtai and Elder Ge immediately sprang into action. Before long, Jiang Chen materialized in a courtyard near the Vast Spirit Residence. Gazing at the Vast Spirit Residence just a short distance away, he thought, "Is he here?" Jiang Chen''s eyes narrowed with a hint of caution. Although he possessed divine sense that allowed him to detect everything within a 100-meter radius with remarkable rity, He suspected that a formidable figure had escorted Lin Feng to Autumn Glory City. If such a powerhouse were indeed present, it would be problematic if he were to inadvertently alert them. To address this concern, He had already requested Elder Ge to dispatch someone to investigate, and Jiang Xingtai''s side was conducting inquiries as well. The subsequent course of action would depend on the findings of these probes. A message reached Jiang Chen. "Besides the patrons at the Vast Spirit Residence Inn today, only one ck-d, cloaked man has entered the Vast Spirit Residence, and he was alone?" "Based on his silhouette, he closely resembles Lin Feng." "Hmph, excellent!" Upon reading the message, the corners of Jiang Chen''s mouth twisted into a cold smirk, and he promptly expanded his divine sense! Instantly! Everything within a hundred-meter radius, epassing more than thirty thousand square meters, became astonishingly clear. This transformation Felt as if a severely nearsighted person had suddenly regained their vision and beheld an entirely new world. Naturally, As an inn, the Vast Spirit Residence wasmitted to safeguarding the privacy of its guests. Each room had its own independent protective formation. At this moment, the room Lin Feng upied had its formation already activated. Aside from that, The public areas of the Vast Spirit Residence were not shielded by formations, allowing Jiang Chen''s divine sense to pass through unobstructed. The yellow-shirted maiden Ning Xian, a brown-robed elderly woman, and several cooks and waitresses all came into Jiang Chen''s view. "Huh!" "This maiden is stunning!" "And she''s an Elemental Movement cultivator as well." "Did I just stumble upon something? She''s so beautiful and appearing near Lin Feng; could she be the unpursued heroine?" Jiang Chen instantly recognized Ning Xian''s extraordinary beauty and promptly activated his Viin''s Eye. Immediately, Some information appeared before him. [Name: Ning Xian Realm: Elemental Movement Early-stage Status: Heroine (Unpursued) Fate Value: 2243] "Unbelievable! As expected, she''s a heroine." "Or perhaps one of the heroines." "But she''s an unpursued heroine, like a pristine flower bud." Jiang Chen observed Ning Xian''s information, his mouth curving into a wide grin. The heroine was one of the most significant means to undermine the protagonist! Ning Xian would undoubtedly y a crucial role in Lin Feng''s rapid ascent to power. At this moment, she had minimal contact with Lin Feng, merely a passing acquaintance, which made it the perfect opportunity to intervene. Once he seeded in influencing Ning Xian, he would not only significantly weaken Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value but also capture a beautiful girl, essentially reaping enormous benefits. Just imagine a beauty of the heroine''s caliber; who wouldn''t be captivated? "System!" "Just to be prepared for the worst, if the instigation fails, can I kill Ning Xian?" The smile on Jiang Chen''s face faded away as he inquired in his mind. [Ding! You can''t!] [Remind the host that the heroine''s ''Fate Value'' and the protagonist''s ''Heavenly Fate Value'' are closely rted!] [If the protagonist loses his protagonist status when you kill the heroine, the severity of the consequences is no less than directly killing the protagonist!] "Okay." "I''m just considering it, I''m not the kind of person who would heartlessly trample flowers." Jiang Chen smiled, then took out his transmission jade token to send a message to his second uncle Jiang Xingtai, asking him to investigate the background of Vast Spirit Residence. Ning Xian had a heroine temte, so she must be no ordinary person! Jiang Chen wasn''t going to take any chances and rush in recklessly. Not long afterwards. Jiang Xingtai sent a reply. It had to be said that the Jiang n did have a lot of influence in Autumn Glory City! Chapter 10: Lin Feng鈥檚 Heavenly Fate Value In a short time, All the information about the Vast Spirit Residence was meticulously uncovered. "Vast Spirit Residence." "The owner is Qiu Liaoxi, a Soul Refining Realm alchemist." "Ning Xian is Qiu Liaoxi''s disciple, and her qualifications are quite impressive." "Well, that''s it? Ning Xian has a heroine temte, so I''m afraid there''s more to her origin than that, or it could be that Qiu Liaoxi has a hidden background." "Also, not long ago, the Vast Spirit Residence was a pharmacy selling medicinal pills and elixirs, but the supply of raw materials for these items was cut off because it refused the Di n''s marriage proposal, forcing it to be an inn." "Ow, this is suspicious... This Di n is definitely a target for Lin Feng to show off. Defying all odds and emerging victorious against all expectations!" "By overthrowing the Di n, Ning Xian will undoubtedly develop a favorable impression of Lin Feng!" "Maybe... The Di n will soon send someone to help him gain practical experience." "Moreover, the Vast Spirit Residence used to be a pharmacy selling medicinal pills and elixirs, which will probably be useful to Lin Feng!" "Perhaps he just regained his cultivation with the help of the Vast Spirit Residence? Returning to the path of cultivation? Or maybe it yed an extremely crucial role in his cultivation journey as well?" "..." Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows, a thoughtful glint appearing in his eyes. Soon after, He sent a message to Jiang Xingtai with his transmission jade token, asking him to send someone to covertly monitor the Di n. In addition, Numerous secret sentries were also arranged around the Vast Spirit Residence to keep an eye on everyoneing and going from the establishment. The Jiang n was extremely efficient and energetic, and it didn''t take long for the arrangements to bepleted. Arge area around the Vast Spirit Residence was filled with what appeared to be ordinary pedestrians, diners... and other secret sentries disguising their identities. They had also all been given orders never to make a move, let alone reveal their true identity, even if it meant death! "Now everything is ready, all that''s missing is a perfect n." Jiang Chen thought to himself, "Ning Xian, this woman is very clever, how should I approach her..." Time passed bit by bit. Evening. Lin Feng came out of his room and headed to the inn''s hall to eat. Because there weren''t many guests at the Vast Spirit Residence inn, the lobby was cold and cheerless, and it was alsopletely deserted outside. Little did he know, As soon as he had appeared, he had fallen into Jiang Chen''s field of view. The Soul Refining Realm already had a preliminary divine sense, but it was very weak, only capable of observing a few meters or ten meters around him. Therefore, Jiang Chen could see him, but he couldn''t see Jiang Chen. "Elemental Movement Realm!" "This guy actually recovered to Elemental Movement overnight? And still to the Late-stage?" "It looks like his dantian should have recovered, and I wonder what kind of opportunity he''se across." Jiang Chen looked at Lin Feng in the inn, a light flickering in his eyes. In an instant, With a thought, he unfolded his Viin''s Eye. [Name: Lin Feng Realm: Late-stage Elemental Movement (Middle-stage Soul Refining) Status: Protagonist Heavenly Fate Value: 5380/5380] The simple and clear information appeared before Jiang Chen''s eyes, but it brought him immense joy. "5380 points of Heavenly Fate Value." "Counting the previous deductions, Lin Feng''s total Heavenly Fate Value should be a little less than six thousand." "Also, the right number is the current Heavenly Fate Value, and the left number is the Heavenly Fate Value upper limit; wounding Lin Feng can temporarily lower the Heavenly Fate Value, but cannot lower the upper limit." "The decapitation line is determined by the Heavenly Fate Value upper limit." Jiang Chen looked at Lin Feng''s information and silently pondered in his mind. He observed Qiu Liaoxi with the Viin''s Eye again. [Name: Qiu Liaoxi Realm: Soul Refining Middle-stage Status: Supporting character Fate Value: 323] "Only 323 points of Fate Value?" "It seems that this Qiu Liaoxi is a supporting character of little significance." Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow and said mockingly, "I guess in the original plot, she was one of those who would soon be killed off..." In the inn. "Young man,e here for a moment." Suddenly, Lin Feng heard someone seemingly calling out to him. When he looked toward the voice, it was a gentle-faced, silver-haired old woman, none other than Qiu Liaoxi. "You''re calling for me?" Lin Feng looked stunned and pointed at himself. "There''s no one else around, who would I be calling if it wasn''t you?" Qiu Liaoxi shook her head with a smile and turned to walk into a room. "That is also true!" "I wonder what the elder is calling me for?" Lin Feng nodded and spoke as he followed. As a former Soul Refining Realm cultivator, he knew that the other party was also a Soul Refining cultivator, and at the peak of the Late-stage! "You sit down first." Qiu Liaoxi smiled and sat down at the table, "This is Ning Xian, my disciple. You''ve met her before." It was Ning Xian, sitting on the other side of the table, whom she introduced. "Yes, we''ve met." Lin Feng smiled faintly and took a seat at the table. Ning Xian nodded with a smile on her face. She was of the lively and kind-natured type and behaved like that with the vast majority of people. "Give me your hand." Qiu Liaoxi said to Lin Feng. Lin Feng promptly raised his hand and ced it in front of Qiu Liaoxi, having likely already guessed why she was doing this. If it were anyone else, he would definitely not have agreed and might have even started to consider escaping. But since Ning Xian was around... Lin Feng nced at Ning Xian from the corner of his eye, who had a crystal-clear face and eyes like stars, and his heart was slightly stirred. Now that he was no longer the wretched outcast, having obtained the Burning World Red Lotus and changed his fate, he had grown much more confident as a result. At that moment. "What Ning Xian said is indeed correct; it is indeed a Medicinal Spirit Body!" "A diamond in the rough, a fine diamond in the rough has actually appeared before me. This is great!" Qiu Liaoxi grasped Lin Feng''s hand and sensed his unique spiritual aura from within, her face showing excitement. "What? I''m a Medicinal Spirit Body!?" Lin Feng asked, feigning surprise. "Of course!" "I would never be wrong about this kind of aura." "Young man, you actually don''t know that you are a Medicinal Spirit Body? Have you not been aware of the abnormality in your physique?" Qiu Liaoxi asked curiously, "You... where did your mastere from, and how did you cultivate to the Elemental Movement Realm?" The Medicinal Spirit Body was a treasure. Any power that obtained one would hide and cultivate it carefully. It was quite peculiar that someone like Lin Feng, who had grown up and cultivated to the Elemental Movement Realm, didn''t even know about his own physique. In the courtyard nearby. "Oh?" "Medicinal Spirit Body?" "This fellow, Lin Feng, has be a Medicinal Spirit Body?" "I was right in my previous guess; this inn, which was once a pharmacy, ys a significant role in his growth journey." "That Qiu Liaoxi is an alchemist; she''ll probably take him as a disciple, pass on the mantle, and promise her only beautiful disciple to him. Wow, this routine is so obvious!" Jiang Chen couldn''t help butin in his mind as he observed Lin Feng and the other two people with his divine sense. Inside the inn. "You really don''t know?" "You''re not lying to me and Master, are you?" Ning Xian asked with a wry glint in her eyes and a suspicious look on her face. "I truly don''t know." Lin Feng shook his head with a solemn expression, "To be honest, I was once an inner disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect..." "What! A disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect?" Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian were stunned in unison when they heard this. The Starry Abyss Sect was a hegemon on the Mysterious Truth Continent, and the inner disciples within it were of noble status and did not show themselves easily. Now, a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect had actually appeared in front of them. "Was once... means?" Ning Xian''s expression changed as she asked, "You left the sect?" Upon hearing this remark, Qiu Liaoxi''s old face became even more delighted. If the other party was a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect, it would be almost impossible to poach him. But now that Lin Feng was no longer a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect, it would be much easier to do so. At this point. Chapter 11: He, is Precisely that One Variable "Not leaving." "Rather, my dantian was damaged by a viin, and I was eventually expelled from the sect." "The strange thing is that not long ago, my body suddenly changed, and my dantian actually healed." "And only now did I realize that I had actually be a Medicinal Spirit Body." Lin Feng hid the existence of the Burning World Red Lotus and said, "I... I don''t know what''s happening." He had aplicated expression on his face, a mixture of hatred, bewilderment, unwillingness, and astonishment... "Really?" "This sounds truly unbelievable!" Ning Xian''s eyes shone with amazement. "My real name is Lin Feng." "If you know someone from the Starry Abyss Sect, just ask around to find out if it''s true." "Also, I can show you some of the Starry Abyss Sect''s techniques. They thought I was already crippled and only ordered me to keep my lips sealed, but they didn''t get rid of me..." "By the way, I also ask you to keep this secret for me!" Lin Feng said, with a look of trust on his face. "I didn''t expect you to have such an experience." "Don''t worry, this olddy and Xian''er won''t leak a word about you!" Qiu Liaoxi let out a faint sigh of regret, "Now that your dantian has healed, are you nning to return to the Starry Abyss Sect next?" Upon hearing this statement, Lin Feng immediately shook his head and said in a cold voice, "They treated me this way; I won''t kowtow to them again. Of course, I will definitely make another trip back to the Starry Abyss Sect. I want to investigate the truth about my damaged dantian, seek revenge, and make the whole Starry Abyss Sect regret the wrongs they have done to me!" "I see!" Qiu Liaoxi''s heart was pleased, "Since you don''t intend to go back, how about staying at the Vast Spirit Residence? This olddy has an alchemy inheritance here..." The conversation in the room continued. It turned out that Qiu Liaoxi''s identity was not so simple, being the descendant of a great master alchemist. Unfortunately, she was not gifted in alchemy. Although Ning Xian possessed good qualifications, her talent for alchemy paled inparison to that of the Medicinal Spirit Body. And so, Fearing that her inheritance would be lost, Qiu Liaoxi extended an invitation to Lin Feng to take him on as a disciple. Lin Feng knew that Qiu Liaoxi was an alchemist from a renowned n, with a valuable heritage. His Burning World Red Lotus required a lot of spiritual herbs for nourishment. Moreover, his Starry Abyss Sect technique was iplete, and he needed to switch to a different technique upon reaching the Soul Refining Realm. With his current innate physique and talent, he could achieve twice the results with half the effort when cultivating alchemy-type techniques, and Qiu Liaoxi''s inheritance was a perfect fit for him! Both parties hit it off immediately. Lin Feng agreed on the spot to take Qiu Liaoxi as his master. Not far away in the courtyard, Jiang Chen rolled his eyes once again. "Sure enough." "It''s almost exactly what I thought it would be." "Next, Lin Feng bes Qiu Liaoxi''s disciple, and if there are no changes, he will get closer and closer to Ning Xian..." Jiang Chen pondered silently, the corners of his mouth slowly curving into a light smile. He, is precisely that one variable! At that moment, A message was sent to his transmission jade token. Raising his hand to look, Jiang Chen''s light smile turned into a coldugh as he got up and slowly left the courtyard. Inside the Vast Spirit Residence, The disciple ceremony was quite simple; there were no kneeling three times and kowtowing nine times. After serving a cup of tea, Lin Feng became Qiu Liaoxi''s disciple. In a few days'' time, the alchemy manual and cultivation technique would be taught. Not long afterward, Qiu Liaoxi prepared to leave Lin Feng and Ning Xian alone for a few moments so that they could get to know each other better, using the pretext that there was still a pill furnace to look after. She naturally wanted Ning Xian to have a happy family, and Lin Feng seemed to be the most suitable candidate for her. However, No sooner had Qiu Liaoxi left, "Is Master Qiu here?" "Di Junda is here to disturb you again!" An arrogant, high-pitched voice came in from outside. Even if separated by a door, one could still feel the strong sense of arrogance. Inside the room, "Di Junda!" Qiu Liaoxi''s expression changed, bing slightly gloomy. Ning Xian, on the other hand, had a re in her beautiful eyes, a hint of anger in her gaze. "What''s going on?" "Master, Ning Xian, who is this Di Junda?" Lin Feng instantly understood that Di Junda had ill intentions and immediately furrowed his brow. "Originally, our Vast Spirit Residence was a pharmacy..." Qiu Liao Xi briefly exined the feud with the Di n. ''Di n?'' ''Having an expert of the Spiritual Awakening Realm?'' ''In the past, the Spiritual Awakening Realm was a significant hurdle for me, but today, just give me a little time, and it wouldn''t be that difficult.'' Lin Feng pondered for a moment and then said with a solemn expression, "There''s no need to be afraid. I can use the identity of the Starry Abyss Sect to scare them off first!" "Good!" Qiu Liaoxi nodded her head. The Di n was getting more and more out of line, almosting close to snatching people in in sight. Now that Lin Feng''s cultivation was not strong, he had no choice but to use powerful connections to intimidate the people of the Di n and then seize the time to improve his cultivation. "Is that how it went in the original plot?" Not far away in the shadows, Jiang Chenughed coldly. In the original plot, no one uncovered the fact that Lin Feng had been expelled from the Starry Abyss Sect, which naturally managed to scare off the Di n. But now, "It''s time for me to step in." The corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth curled, and he waved gently to a distant ce before stepping out of the shadows and walking towards the Vast Spirit Residence. Not far away, A team of cultivators carrying a seriously ill person had received Jiang Chen''s signal and hurriedly moved to catch up. In the Vast Spirit Residence, "Master Qiu, Miss Ning Xian." "Don''t think that if you don''t answer, I won''t know that you are in the room. I am apanied by a Soul Refining Realm expert." A young man with a greasy face, dressed in red and ck brocade robes and wearing pompous jade ornaments at his waist, looked askance at the door and smiled proudly. This man was none other than Di Junda. Closely behind him was an old man with grey hair and sharp eyes like a hawk. Creak. The door to the room slowly opened. Lin Feng, Qiu Liaoxi, and Ning Xian slowly walked out, looking at Di Junda and the old man with expressionless faces. "Who are you!?" "What''s your rtionship with Ning Xian?" The first time Di Junda saw Lin Feng, he was displeased and asked directly with an unpleasant expression on his face. The other party, a young and handsome man, was actually so close to Ning Xian! It must be known, Ning Xian had long been considered by him, Di Junda, as a taboo! "Hehe!" "Who am I?" "Di Junda, open your wretched eyes and take a good look!" Lin Feng sneered, slightly pinched a hand seal with his right hand, circted his Yuan Power inside his body, and immediately a mist, like a starry night, rose from his body! Seeing this scene, That Soul Refining Realm old man''s pupils instantly shrank, and his face changed greatly. "This, this is!?" "The Starry Abyss Sect''s technique, the Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture!?" "This, this, how is this possible! Could you be a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect?" The arrogance on Di Junda''s face also disappeared in an instant, his eyes violently widening with horror! He was a fop, but not a fool. He had done his homework long ago, and he knew exactly who he could and could not mess with. He had seen the characteristics of the Starry Abyss Sect''s techniques more than once or twice before. Therefore, as soon as he saw the starry night mist disyed by Lin Feng, he immediately recognized that the other party was a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect. People from the Starry Abyss Sect were individuals one should definitely not mess with! Coming back to his senses for a moment, Di Junda immediately understood what he should do now: Apologize! But just then, "This Vast Spirit Residence is quite lively." "Hehe, isn''t this Lin Feng? You ran here after being expelled from the Starry Abyss Sect? What a coincidence!" A clear voice suddenly resounded throughout the hall of the Vast Spirit Residence. It was none other than Jiang Chen''s voice! Chapter 12: Jiang Chen Makes his Appearance, Earning Villain Value Points Upon hearing this somewhat familiar voice, Lin Feng''s face transformed dramatically, his expression tensing slightly as he turned towards the entrance. There, Jiang Chen stood in the doorway, a subtle look of surprise and amusement ying across his face, as though he were observing a performance. This amusement manifested in a yful smirk aimed at Lin Feng, As well as the system prompt still resounding in his mind - [Ding! You have sessfully stopped Lin Feng from both showing off and humbling others, reducing his Heavenly Fate Value by 200 points!] [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot, and Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has been reduced by 100 points!] [Ding! You have acquired 500 Viin Value points!] In the blink of an eye, 500 Viin Value points were earned, bringing the current bnce to 700 points. Meanwhile, ''Jiang Chen!!'' ''What''s happening here?'' ''How could he possibly be here?'' ''Could it be that... he chased me all the way here!!!?'' ''That can''t be right; does he truly hold me in high regard and see me as a threat that must be dealt with!?'' ''On top of that, I''m in trouble now; he has exposed the fact that I was expelled from the Starry Abyss Sect!'' ''And, to make matters worse, my regained cultivation has been discovered; he''ll definitely investigate it thoroughly!'' ''Damn, what do I do now!!'' ''...'' Lin Feng''s heart churned in turmoil, as if danger lurked everywhere, and a barrage of thoughts raced through his mind. Shock, bewilderment, rm, confusion... and the sheer embarrassment of having his identity exposed; various emotions swirled within him. Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian, on the other hand, were also filled with anxiety. If Lin Feng''s identity is revealed by Jiang Chen, he won''t be able to intimidate Di Junda! Immediately, The pair''s impression of Jiang Chen soured slightly. Simultaneously, "Jiang... Young Master Jiang Chen!?" Di Junda gazed at Jiang Chen, his eyes widening and his body trembling violently as he eximed, "It''s truly you! You''ve returned from the Starry Abyss Sect!!!" In Di Junda''s mind, Jiang Chen ranked among the most important figures not to be trifled with, so he had already gathered information about him early on. Thus, although he had scarcely encountered Jiang Chen in person, he recognized him instantly. "You can still recognize me?" Jiang Chen regarded Di Junda and smiled faintly. "Of course I do, and more than just recognizing you!" "Ever since childhood, I''ve admired your portrait. Among the cultivation prodigies, you are the one I respect the most. I''ve always aspired to follow in your footsteps..." Di Junda''s face brimmed with ttery as he continued to utter pleasing words, appearing as if he would do anything to be Jiang Chen''s follower. Witnessing this, Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian also recalled the figure of Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen, the young master of the Jiang n, was rumored to have a dubious reputation, and his purpose for visiting the Vast Spirit Residence this time remained unclear. A few thoughts raced through their minds, And the two almost believed that Jiang Chen and Di Junda were in collusion, causing their impression of Jiang Chen to worsen even further. However, Contrary to the duo''s expectations, Jiang Chen disyed no signs of appreciation for Di Junda''s ttery. "Enough of this ttery." Jiang Chen nced at Di Junda with a slight frown, "Tell me, what are you doing here?" "Young Master Jiang!" "I''m here to find Miss Ning Xian..." Di Junda said with an ingratiating smile. "Oh." Jiang Chen promptly interrupted Di Junda, "There''s no need to say the rest; I understand." "Eh hehe, hehe!" Di Junda hastily nodded his head, disying the demeanor of someone talking to a close friend. Upon witnessing this scene, Ning Xian''s eyes immediately dulled. Qiu Liaoxi''s face also turned pale, and the age spots on her face grew more prominent. One Di Junda was enough to ce the Vast Spirit Residence in an extremely difficult situation, and now there was another Jiang Chen, the young master of the Jiang n and a true disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect! With Di Junda now cozying up to Jiang Chen, what could they possibly do? ''Damn it, Jiang Chen!'' Lin Feng also gritted his teeth and cursed furiously in his heart. He harbored deep affection for Ning Xian and was determined to win her heart, but now Jiang Chen stood behind Di Junda... But just then! SLAP!! A resounding p echoed throughout the inn lobby! Di Junda spun around three times before crashing to the ground with a thud, his swollen face a mixture of shock and bewilderment. The old man stared, dumbfounded, but dared not move a single muscle. "Laughing?" "What I, Jiang Chen, detest the most are despicable people like you who only think with their lower body!" "You''ve tarnished the reputation of Autumn Glory City''s young generation with your foppish behavior!" "On top of that, you actually tried to establish a connection with me just now; get the hell out!!!" Jiang Chen''s face remained impassive as he shook off the hand he''d used to p Di Junda, his voice as chilling as a frigid wind emerging from an icy cer. "Yes, yes, yes!" "I... I''ll leave right away!" "I''ll never engage in such vile acts again, and I''ll make amends to the Vast Spirit Residenceter!" "Young Master Jiang, I''m leaving, I''m leaving!" Di Junda snapped back to reality, frantically nodding his head as if he were a chicken pecking at rice. Immediately afterward, Amidst Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian''s astonishment and shock, as well as Lin Feng''s puzzled expression, Di Junda humbly and clumsily scrambled out of the Vast Spirit Residence! The old man cast a fearful nce at Jiang Chen, his body trembling violently, and he too hastily followed, leaving the inn behind. All of a sudden, Only Jiang Chen and the other three people remained in the inn lobby. Watching Di Junda disappear, Lin Feng didn''t know why, but he suddenly felt a sense of emptiness, as if he had lost something. At the same time, Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi exchanged nces, both seeing the astonishment, doubt, and a hint of relief in each other''s eyes. It turned out that both the master and disciple had misjudged Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen and Di Junda were not in cahoots after all. It seemed that Jiang Chen was an exceptional young cultivator with an outstanding upbringing and high moral character! With that being the case, the situation wasn''t as dire as they had feared. [Ding! Unpursued heroine Ning Xian''s impression of you has changed, and protagonist Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has been reduced by 100 points!] [Ding! You have gained 200 points of Viin Value!] Two system prompts echoed in Jiang Chen''s mind, causing the corners of his mouth to curl into a smile. The conquest of the heroine had begun! With a smile on his face, Jiang Chen took a step forward and approached Lin Feng, Ning Xian, and Qiu Liaoxi. Abruptly. "Jiang Chen!" "You don''t need to feign innocence here!" "Before being expelled from the mountain, at the mountain gate, you humiliated me!" "Now, you''ve even pursued me to this Vast Spirit Residence; you truly are cold-hearted and merciless, employing vicious tactics!" As Jiang Chen approached step by step, Lin Feng, who had remained silent until now, finally clenched his teeth and growled. Once these words were uttered. Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi''s hearts sank immediately. From Lin Feng''s words, it was evident that a grudge existed between him and Jiang Chen. So. Was Jiang Chen a heartless and ruthless individual, or was he an honorable young man with an exceptional upbringing? Confusion clouded the minds of the two, but for some reason, they found themselves gradually leaning towards Lin Feng''s side. However, just at that moment. "Lin Feng, what are you implying?" "What do you mean by feigning innocence, and what do you mean by humiliation?" "When you were expelled from the mountain, I was the one willing to help you remain in the sect, and numerous sect disciples witnessed this event." "Yet, you believed I intended to harm you and rejected my assistance!" "I am a Spiritual Awakening Realm cultivator and a core disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect. Why would I go out of my way to harm you, an inner disciple with a shattered dantian?" "If I truly intended to harm you, with a singlemand, the entire Autumn Glory City would be your enemy, believe it or not?" Jiang Chen gazed at Lin Feng with aposed expression and spoke in a tranquil tone. Upon hearing this. Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi both conceded that it did make sense. With the amount of power at Jiang Chen''s disposal, handling Lin Feng would be far too easy. "No!" Lin Feng''s pupils narrowed slightly, filled with wariness, "If you''re not here to kill me, then what brings you here?" "I''m here to locate alchemist Qiu Liaoxi." "Encountering you here is purely coincidental. Please don''t tter yourself by assuming I''m here for you." "Even if you have now regained your cultivation and seemingly possess some secrets, I have no interest in you." Jiang Chen cast a somewhat impatient and disdainful nce at Lin Feng, then turned and walked to the door, gesturing towards a distant location. Chapter 13: Cousin Jiang Yuqian ''Did... Did I make a fool of myself?!'' Lin Feng gazed at Jiang Chen''s retreating figure, his heart awash withplex emotions. Above all, he felt a powerful sense of shame. It was because he had been looked down upon! His heart, already vulnerable and sensitive due to the words ''crippled'' and ''shattered dantian'', and slightly arrogant after acquiring the Burning World Red Lotus, made him particrly troubled by this! Beyond the shame, There was also disbelief and a hint of anticipation he couldn''t bring himself to acknowledge. If what Jiang Chen said was true, and he hadn''te to kill him, it would be akin to surviving a major catastrophe. At the entrance of the inn, A short whileter, A group of cultivators escorting avish sedan chair came into the crowd''s view. "Young Master!" "We have brought the Ninth Young Lady." "Alchemist Xie, who is apanying her, is also present." A cultivator at the front of the group addressed Jiang Chen with a respectful demeanor. "Hm!" Jiang Chen nodded slightly. This was the ''motive'' he had devised for himself to visit the Vast Spirit Residence. Ning Xian was not a naive and innocent girl who could be swayed with a few sweet words, much less easily conquered! Without a proper justification, Ning Xian might easily assume that Jiang Chen''s motives foring here were impure, and thus be cautious and distrustful. This would have significant consequences for Jiang Chen''s future ns. "The Ninth Young Lady?" Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi exchanged nces, quickly deducing that Jiang Chen''s arrival was connected to this Ninth Young Lady. ''Ninth Young Lady?'' ''Could it be that Jiang Chen truly didn''te here to pursue me?!'' Lin Feng''s eyes also narrowed slightly, filled with a blend of vignce and suspicion, as well as a touch of relief. "Ninth sister,e out." Jiang Chen disregarded Ning Xian and the others, speaking to the interior of the opulent pnquin. "Yes, big brother." The delicate, weak voice of a young girl emerged from within. The pnquin''s curtain was promptly lifted, revealing a captivating woman supporting a young girl of 15 or 16 years old. The young girl''s appearance was not exceptionally striking, bearing a faint resemnce to Jiang Chen, with a hint of sickly pallor. "Allow me to introduce her." "This is my cousin, Jiang Yuqian." Jiang Chen nodded towards Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian, "I havee to seek your assistance today for her illness." Jiang Yuqian offered a modest salute to Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian before sitting down with Alchemist Xie''s help. "Healing?!" "Your Jiang n is one of the two great families in Autumn Glory City, with countless alchemists at their disposal. Why would theye to the little-known Vast Spirit Residence for a cure?" Lin Feng questioned, frowning. His instinctspelled him to constantly scrutinize Jiang Chen''s actions. Upon hearing his statement, Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian also grew slightly suspicious. "My cousin suffers from a peculiar ailment." "Numerous alchemists in Autumn Glory City were unable to provide assistance." "As for Alchemist Qiu, it''s evident to me that you possess skills beyond what''s immediately apparent." Jiang Chen gazed at Qiu Liaoxi with a faint smile, exuding confidence as if he were in control of the entire situation. Upon hearing this, Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian both turned pale! Especially Qiu Liaoxi. She was not originally from Autumn Glory City and had maintained a very low profile since arriving here for some unknown reason. However, she had never done anything that might reveal her identity. Unexpectedly, Jiang Chen had still managed to uncover her background! What she didn''t know was that Jiang Chen had only recently deduced that her identity was far from ordinary. "Alchemist Qiu, Miss Ning Xian, please rest assured." "If I had intended to act against you, I would have done so already, wouldn''t I? Why wait until now?" "For all these years, I have never disturbed you, nor have I revealed your identities to anyone." "Now that my cousin is gravely ill, I truly have no choice but to seek your help." "Additionally, I''ve heard that the Di n has been causing trouble for you, so I''ll assist in resolving some minor issues while I''m here." Jiang Chen''s smile was gentle, exuding warmth and sincerity. ''So that''s how it is.'' ''If it weren''t for Jiang Chen''s benevolent heart in keeping our secret, our enemies would have caught up with us long ago.'' After careful thought, Ning Xian epted Jiang Chen''s exnation, and a hint of realization and admiration surfaced in her eyes. [Ding! Unpursued heroine Ning Xian''s impression of you has changed once again, and protagonist Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 100 points!] [Ding! You have gained 200 points of Viin Value!] The system prompt sounded immediately, causing Jiang Chen''s heart to swell with delight. "Young Master Jiang truly deserves to be praised as a gentleman for his noble character and unwavering integrity!" Qiu Liaoxi''s face also revealed a hint of understanding and gratitude. "Master... Ning Xian..." Observing that Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi seemed to have developed a favorable impression of Jiang Chen, Lin Feng couldn''t help but feel agitated in his heart. "Lin Feng." "From what I can see... is there some sort of misunderstanding between you and Young Master Jiang?" Qiu Liaoxi inquired with a touch of curiosity. She had covertly observed Lin Feng, and her many years of experience in discerning people''s character led her to believe that he was not a bad person. Simrly, Jiang Chen appeared to be kind and good-hearted. How could there be any grievances between the two of them? Could it have been caused by factional disputes within the Starry Abyss Sect? She pondered this possibility. "This..." Lin Feng knew that he couldn''t exin himself in just a few words, so he could only utter in a rigid tone, "Jiang Chen, I''ll trust you this time." Jiang Chen silently smiled and shook his head. It was akin to a person of higher standing who didn''t consider it worthwhile to argue with someone he perceived as beneath him. Witnessing this, Lin Feng felt a surge of shame rising in his heart. "I won''t say much more." "Please, Alchemist Qiu, do your best in aiding my ninth sister with her illness." "After the matter is resolved, I''ll ensure you''re satisfied with the reward." Jiang Chen stood up and slightly bowed to Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian. Jiang Yuqian, his ninth sister, also rose with the help of Alchemist Xie and offered a modest bow. "Young Master Jiang, please rest assured." "I''ll handle this matter." "Please, Alchemist Xie and Ninth Young Lady, follow me." Qiu Liaoxi immediately agreed. Even without Jiang Chen''s promise of a reward, she would still have consented because he knew her true identity. "Good." Jiang Chen smiled faintly and nodded to Alchemist Xie and Jiang Yuqian. The two of them immediately walked towards Qiu Liaoxi. "Xian''er, youe too." Qiu Liaoxi nodded towards Ning Xian, and thetter followed them. Soon after, The four women entered a room, activated the concealing formation, and began to diagnose the illness. In the inn''s lobby, only Jiang Chen, Lin Feng, and a team of Jiang n cultivators remained. Suddenly, [Ding! You have altered the plot, gaining 200 points of Viin Value!] A system prompt appeared in Jiang Chen''s mind once again. ''Another 200 points earned, this is fantastic!'' ''The total amount of Viin Value has now reached 1,300 points!'' Jiang Chen cheered silently in his heart, but on the surface, he remainedposed and instructed the guard to prepare tea. Once the tea was brewed, he even had the guard serve a cup to Lin Feng. However, Jiang Chen remained silent throughout the entire process, his gaze asionally shifting towards the room, disying his deep concern for the illness of his ninth sister, Jiang Yuqian. As for Lin Feng, Jiang Chen paid him no attention, treating him as if he were a stranger. Lin Feng himself was also baffled by this situation. ''Is this Jiang Chen... really here for his sister''s illness?'' ''Did he truly just happen to encounter me here?'' An inexplicable intuition told Lin Feng that something was off about Jiang Chen, but the reality left him uncertain. After ncing at the tea brought by the Jiang n cultivator and then at Jiang Chen, Lin Feng decided to wait and see what would unfold. Time passed slowly. At a certain moment, Chapter 14: Lin Feng Steps Up and Tries to Show Off The concealment formation within the room dissipated, and the door opened. Alchemist Xie assisted Jiang Yuqian in walking out, apanied by Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi trailing behind them. From their expressions, it was evident that the diagnosis and treatment had not proceeded smoothly. "How did it go?" Jiang Chen rose to his feet and inquired, his brow furrowing slightly. "Young Master Jiang..." "Your cousin is afflicted with the Purple Extreme Yin Devouring Syndrome, a congenital condition." "This particr ailment is exceedingly rare and can only be remedied using the ''Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill''." Qiu Liaoxi''s face bore a trace of embarrassment as she said, "I only possess a fragmentary form for the pill, rendering me unable to concoct it for treatment purposes." "..." The corners of Jiang Chen''s mouth twitched, leaving him somewhat at a loss for words. He recalled Alchemist Xie mentioning that although Jiang Yuqian''s illness was indeed umon, it was not the so-called Purple Extreme Yin Devouring Syndrome or anything of that sort. At that moment, "Eldest Young Master!" "Fortunately, you had the foresight to bring the Ninth Young Lady to the Vast Spirit Residence to seek Master Qiu''s assistance in her treatment. Otherwise, with my limited capabilities, I might have inadvertently caused harm to the Ninth Young Lady!" Alchemist Xie bowed to Jiang Chen, her expression a mix of fear and gratitude. "There''s no need for Alchemist Xie to reproach herself..." Jiang Yuqian''s face paled as she offered a wry smile, "Regardless, I''m suffering from the Purple Extreme Yin Devouring Syndrome, and no matter what, I won''t survive past the age of sixteen." Upon saying this, Her delicate frame swayed, and if it weren''t for Alchemist Xie''s support, she likely would have crumpled to the ground. Her sixteenth birthday was merely ten days away. Jiang Chen remained silent, but a tempest of frustration churned within him. He couldn''t help but sense a familiar pattern unfolding once more. What kind of protagonist was Lin Feng? From all appearances, he seemed to be pursuing the path of a Divine Physician. Suddenly, Jiang Yuqian was diagnosed with the Purple Extreme Yin Devouring Syndrome, and neither Alchemist Xie nor Alchemist Qiu could do anything about it. This situation was the perfect opportunity for the protagonist to step up, heal Jiang Yuqian, astonish the onlookers, and unt his abilities and arrogance! Once everything was settled, he could also receive Jiang Yuqian''s gratitude and forge a connection with the Jiang n. Perhaps Jiang Yuqian would even be Lin Feng''s devoted admirer, acting as his informant within the Jiang n. As for Jiang Chen, if he were still the old Jiang Chen and his cousin was cured by Lin Feng, he would be unable to act against Lin Feng, at least not overtly, lest the Jiang n''s reputation suffer significant damage. ''Holy crap.'' ''Is this Lin Feng''s protagonist status in action?'' ''I''ve freaking altered the plot, yet this still urs?'' Jiang Chen couldn''t help but ridicule the situation inwardly. However, this was merely a conjecture, and he promptly activated the Viin''s Eye on Jiang Yuqian. Name: Jiang Yuqian Realm: Physical Body Early-stage Status: Supporting character Fate Value: 298 Alright, it''s confirmed. So this unfortunate girl is merely a supporting character, and judging by her Fate Value, she''s likely just a prop for the protagonist to unt his prowess. ''Exactly.'' ''Jiang Yuqian''s appearance is merely above average.'' ''If I were to covertly sabotage Lin Feng, he would undoubtedly harbor deep resentment towards the Jiang n upon discovering the truth, and Jiang Yuqian wouldn''t fare any better.'' ''The future for this unfortunate girl seems precarious. It''s best to send her far away to avert anyplications.'' Jiang Chen mulled over the matter in his mind, and in the blink of an eye, he had already devised a n to address the situation. His 1600 Viin Value wasn''t just for show! After browsing the System Mall briefly, he located the Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill, priced at 1100 Viin Value. Though somewhat costly, it was within his means! Ning Xian bit her lip and stepped forward, parting her cherry-red lips to express her concerns. She was somewhat apprehensive that if she and her master failed to cure Jiang Yuqian, Jiang Chen might not be able toe to terms with it and would vent his frustrations on them. However, before Ning Xian couldplete her statement... "Allow me to try!" "Perhaps, I can save her!" In that instant, Lin Feng rose to his feet, a spark of determination shing in his eyes. Moments earlier, As soon as he heard about the Purple Extreme Yin Devouring Syndrome, the Burning World Red Lotus residing within his dantian quivered ever so slightly! Lin Feng harbored an intuition that he could not only cure Jiang Yuqian, but that the treatment would simultaneously prove advantageous to his own Burning World Red Lotus! This benefit was so substantial that he was even willing to disclose some secrets surrounding his Burning World Red Lotus. Consequently, Without any hesitation, he stood up. ''Tsk.'' ''Here hees, here hees, the ostentatious act, here ites!'' Jiang Chen gazed at Lin Feng as he rose, and couldn''t help but scoff inwardly once more. If events unfolded as anticipated, Someone would soon step forward to question him. And sure enough! "What?" "You intend to try?" "You''re not an alchemist, how can you speak of healing and saving lives?" "Moreover, even Master Qiu was unable to do anything; what can you possibly achieve?" Alchemist Xie furrowed her brow and questioned incredulously. "That''s right!" A Jiang n cultivator chimed in discontentedly, "Although you were once a disciple of the Star Abyss Sect, I have never heard of you learning any alchemy techniques!" "A disease that even Alchemist Qiu couldn''t cure, and you believe you can? You''re making meugh to death!" Another Jiang n cultivator scoffed. It wasn''t just the Jiang n. Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian also disyed faint frowns. "Lin Feng, even though you are... you haven''t studied alchemy, right?" "You... Could it be that you possess the Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill or the pill form?" "That pill, while not of an exceptionally high grade, is exceedingly rare, and it''s impossible for anyone in Autumn Glory City to have it! Even the ingredients can''t be assembled!" As Qiu Liaoxi spoke, she cast a meaningful nce at Lin Feng, cautioning him against making baseless ims. "No." "I don''t have the Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill." Lin Feng''s expression radiated confidence, even tinged with a touch of arrogance. "But, I truly can cure Miss Jiang Yuqian!" Upon hearing this deration, The crowd was even more astonished! "Lin Feng, from where do you draw the confidence to spout such nonsense here?" "Regardless of you being an outcast now, even if you were still an inner disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect, there''s no way you''d be capable of curing the Ninth Young Lady!" "Lin Feng, I believe you''ve lost your mind, how preposterous!" One by one, the Jiang n guards jeered at Lin Feng, disdain etched across their faces. In contrast, Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian furrowed their brows, filled with bewilderment and concern. Lin Feng was evidently only a Medicinal Spirit Body and hadn''t had the opportunity to acquire alchemy knowledge, let alone possessing the form or ingredients for the Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill! What could be the source of his unwavering confidence? Just then. "Hmph!" "If you don''t believe me, let''s make a wager, and put something at stake. How about it!" As Lin Feng spoke, he surveyed the crowd, his eyes eventually resting on Jiang Chen. Hearing this, the crowd sneered once more! ''Oh!'' ''Not only do you want to show off, but you also want to profit from it!?'' ''Making a bet, what a clich move!'' Jiang Chen rolled his eyes inwardly, but outwardly appearing displeased, he promptly stood up and let out a forceful growl, "That''s enough!!!" This low growl was incredibly imposing! Suddenly, silence enveloped the lobby of the Vast Spirit Residence! "Lin Feng!" "Jiang Yuqian is my cousin!" "I absolutely won''t allow anyone to use her as a pawn to initiate some gambling game, let alone ce bets!?" "I''ll let this slide this time, but if you dare to utter such things again, don''t me me for disregarding our past ties as fellow sect members!" Jiang Chen fixed his gaze on Lin Feng and enunciated each word clearly. Chapter 15: Joke, What a Joke The moment these words were uttered, Everyone present gazed in astonishment. Even Lin Feng found himself dumbfounded. They never anticipated that Jiang Chen could exhibit such loyalty and consideration for others'' feelings. When Lin Feng brought up the bet earlier, No one had considered how Jiang Yuqian might feel. "Alright, alright, I admit it was my mistake. I didn''t think it through, and I''m sorry." Though Lin Feng was seething with discontent internally, he still forced himself to apologize to Jiang Yuqian and Jiang Chen through clenched teeth. Jiang Chen had not demanded an apology, But Lin Feng opted to make amends for his error in order to preserve his image. And so [Ding! Protagonist Lin Feng publicly apologizes to you, causing his mood to sink and his Heavenly Fate Value to decrease by 100 points!] [Ding! You gained 200 points of Viin Value!] The system prompt resounded. Jiang Chen experienced a surge of satisfaction in his heart. He scoffed lightly on the surface and said icily, "There won''t be a next time." Just then, "But, Young Master Jiang," "There are still two alchemists." "I am confident that I can treat Jiang Yuqian. Let me try." Lin Feng, unwilling to relinquish the chance to nurture the Burning World Red Lotus, spoke up once more. "Brother Jiang Chen..." Unfortunate cousin Jiang Yuqian gazed at Jiang Chen with a pallidplexion. Now devoid of hope, she refused to abandon any possibility. Thus, she resolved to attempt a desperate measure and let Lin Feng give it a try. If no one intervenes, Lin Feng will undoubtedly heal herter, and their rtionship will grow closer. But would Jiang Chen permit such a development? Clearly not! "Ninth Sister, he''s just a guy who hasn''t even opened an alchemy book, how can you rely on him?" "Don''t worry, cousin, I won''t let you die young; your illness can be easily cured!" Jiang Chen shook his head at his cousin Jiang Yuqian, then offered an encouraging smile. "Jiang Chen!" "Don''t mislead Miss Jiang Yuqian; only I can save her now!" Lin Feng fearlessly red at Jiang Chen, his face brimming with confidence. "Hmph." "I''m deceiving my cousin?" "Only you can save Ninth Sister?" "Joke, what a joke! Take a look at this!" Jiang Chen sneered, lightly brushing his storage bracelet with his right hand, and suddenly a vivid red pill materialized. The moment this pill appeared, A chorus of gasps echoed! "It''s the Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill!" "And it''s the highest quality one!" "Young Master Jiang, I didn''t expect you to possess this pill! With this pill, Miss Jiang Yuqian''s illness is no longer a concern!" Qiu Liaoxi gazed at the pill in Jiang Chen''s hand, her face a picture of surprise, as she eximed repeatedly. All at once, Everyone present recognized that what Jiang Chen held in his hand was the Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill! "Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill!" "How could he have the Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill!" Lin Feng stared in disbelief at the pill in Jiang Chen''s hand, utterly astounded! He could never have anticipated it. Jiang Chen himself would actually possess such a pill! Now, having boasted about it, he had no opportunity to treat Jiang Yuqian, and he couldn''t prove that he wasn''t merely bluffing! "Why, why must it be like this!" A wave of frustration welled up from Lin Feng''s heart, suffocating him, causing his face to redden and his fists to clench involuntarily. However, At this moment, aside from Jiang Chen, no one was truly concerned about him. Everyone rejoiced that Jiang Yuqian could be saved! "So Young Master Jiang possessed the Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill all along!" "To have such a rare pill in hand, as expected of the Eldest Young Master!" "Hahaha, it seems our worries were unfounded; with the Eldest Young Master present, nothing will befall the Ninth Young Lady!" "..." The Jiang n''s cultivators exchanged surprised nces and conversed animatedly. "I, I, I''m saved!" "Big Brother Jiang Chen, you''re so naughty! Why didn''t you reveal the pill sooner? Ninth Sister was terrified! Wah wah wah!" Jiang Yuqian, both overjoyed and tearful, copsed into Jiang Chen''s arms, sobbing and yfully hitting him. "Since you left the room, you all have been engaged in non-stop chatter, so how could I have found an opportunity to speak?" Jiang Chenughed, patted Ninth Sister''s back, and handed her over to Alchemist Xie, who trailed behind her. In truth, he had deliberately refrained from revealing the pill immediately. Lin Feng had desired to unt his abilities. Of course, Jiang Chen needed to interrupt him at the height of his disy to achieve the greatest impact! Otherwise, how could he provoke Lin Feng''s emotions and shatter his spirits? The system prompt indicated that Jiang Chen''s tactic had been effective [Ding! You have sessfully thwarted protagonist Lin Feng''s attempt to show off and publicly humiliated him, causing him to lose an opportunity and dampening his spirits, reducing Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value by 300 points!] [Ding! You have obtained 500 points of Viin Value!] Although it cost 800 points of Viin Value to gain only 500 points, diminishing Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value was paramount. Now that Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value had decreased by 300 points, he only had 4480 points remaining. One step closer to vanquishing protagonist Lin Feng! "Big Brother Jiang Chen, quickly, give me the pill!" Jiang Yuqian extended her tiny hand towards Jiang Chen, her eyes pleading. "Here you go, this is for you!" Jiang Chen smiled faintly and handed the pill to Jiang Yuqian, "Take good care of yourself!" "Okay!" "I will always remember Big Brother Jiang Chen''s life-saving kindness and will never forget it!" "If Big Brother Jiang Chen has any requests in the future, I will absolutely not refuse, even if it means going through fire and water!" Jiang Yuqian tightly clutched the pill, expressing her gratitude and resolve. She was well aware of the value of the pill in her hand! And, even more so, the significance of Jiang Chen''s benevolence towards her! "Alright." "Am I the kind of person who would make my own cousin go through fire and water?" "Go, concentrate on treating your illness!" Jiang Chen smiled and patted Jiang Yuqian''s head, then turned to Alchemist Xie and inquired, "With the Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill, you won''t encounter any issues treating her, right?" "Eldest Young Master, rest assured, there won''t be any problems!" Alchemist Xie promptly reassured him; she too was grateful to Jiang Chen, as Jiang Yuqian was the girl she had watched grow up. "Okay, proceed!" Jiang Chen nodded slightly, signaling Alchemist Xie to escort Jiang Yuqian away. Shortly after, Alchemist Xie respectfully bowed, then guided Jiang Yuqian onto the luxurious carriage and departed from the Vast Spirit Residence under the protection of the Jiang n cultivators. Beside them, Watching the luxurious carriage vanish through the gate, Lin Feng, feeling unbearably frustrated, experienced another sharp twinge of loss in his heart! Had it not been for Jiang Chen, that profound sense of gratitude from Jiang Yuqian would have been directed at him! Clenching his teeth secretly, Lin Feng gazed at Jiang Chen, and a swell of resentment rose in his heart. But Jiang Chen didn''t even spare him a nce. "Alchemist Qiu." "Thank you very much for assisting my cousin in diagnosing and treating her illness alongside Miss Ning Xian." Jiang Chen stood up and offered a slight bow to the two. "Young Master Jiang, that''s not true!" "I couldn''t cure the Ninth Young Lady; it was Young Master Jiang''s Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill that saved her!" "Ah, I''ve dedicated my life to studying alchemy, but I''m ashamed to have my patient right in front of me and yet be powerless to help." Qiu Liaoxi quickly shook her head, not daring to ept the praise. "Yes!" "Ninth Young Lady was gravely ill, I saw it with my own eyes and felt anxious in my heart, but I was helpless to assist her..." "Fortunately, Young Master Jiang had the Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill, otherwise I would have been tormented by the thought of Miss Jiang Yuqian perishing before my eyes." Ning Xian also spoke earnestly, and her gaze toward Jiang Chen was no longer guarded. "Haha." "If it weren''t for you two diagnosing my cousin''s illness, how would I know that the Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill could save her?" Jiang Chen chuckled and said, "So, please don''t dismiss the credit that rightfully belongs to you both." Then, He took out two pills and presented them to Qiu Liaoxi. "These two pills are my tokens of gratitude for treating my cousin." "In addition, from now on, the Vast Spirit Residence will be under the protection of the Jiang n, and the incident with the Di n won''t happen again." "As for your identities, I will also keep them confidential." After speaking, Jiang Chen gazed at Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi with a sincere expression. "Treating and saving people is what I should do." "Moreover, we only contributed a little, Young Master Jiang. You''ve helped us keep our secret and resolved the trouble with the Di n, so we are already deeply grateful." "Yes, please take back these two precious Origin Fusion Spirit Pills, Young Master Jiang." Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi appreciated Jiang Chen''s promises and were truly grateful, but they hesitated to ept the pills once more. "As I said, this is a reward." Jiang Chen shook his head and spoke earnestly, "These are two distinct matters." Thus, Qiu Liaoxi reluctantly epted the pills and handed them to Ning Xian. These pills were valuable for helping one break through from the Elemental Movement Realm to the Soul Refining Realm, boasting an exceptionally high sess rate and no adverse effects. Their rarity determined their value, making them even more precious than ordinary Soul Refining Realm pills. With these two pills, one could swiftly advance to the Soul Refining Realm. If Ning Xian imed she wasn''t ted, that would surely be a falsehood. Seeing the others ept the pills, Jiang Chen smiled inwardly. He aimed to foster a positive rtionship with Ning Xian, and presenting gifts was undeniably one of the best approaches. However, offering something without reason invites suspicion! Ning Xian was far from naive and would surely be cautious. Once this path was taken, distrust would only increase, making it challenging to repair. Therefore, providing a gift with a justifiable reason would enable the recipient to ept it morefortably and naturally enhance the rtionship. At this moment. Having gifted the pills to Ning Xian. Jiang Chen turned his head and nced at Lin Feng, unveiling a smile. Chapter 16: Could it be that Jiang Chen Truly Harbored no Ill Intentions? Observing Jiang Chen''s smile, Lin Feng furrowed his brow and slightly narrowed his eyes. Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi also regarded Jiang Chen and Lin Feng, recognizing that a conversation between the two was imminent. In this moment, Both of them understood that a misunderstanding had arisen between Lin Feng and Jiang Chen, and they hoped the two could resolve it. "Lin Feng," "Now that your dantian has been restored," "Why not return with me to the Starry Abyss Sect for cultivation?" "The Starry Abyss Sect is among the most powerful sects on this continent, boasting ample resources and advanced techniques to aid your progress, enabling you to rise swiftly." Jiang Chen smiled as he gazed at Lin Feng, speaking slowly. "Return to the Starry Abyss Sect? Hah!" "Have you forgotten how the Starry Abyss Sect treated me?" "I shall never forget those humiliations!" "And you, don''t feign kindness towards me. Have you forgotten how you treated me when I was cast out from the mountain?" Lin Feng scoffed, "You manipted my rtionships with Li Kai and Liu Qing using two pills, subjecting me to public humiliation..." Gradually, Lin Feng recounted the events that had transpired at the mountain gate. Upon hearing this, ''What!?'' ''Young Master Jiang Chen would engage in such maniptive tactics?'' Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi were astonished, never expecting to hear of such actions. "Ah." "I did offer to help you remain in the sect at that time, but you rejected me, believing I intended to harm you." "I merely wanted you toprehend that, with my influence, harming you would be all too simple, and there would be no need to resort to any schemes!" Jiang Chen smiled, "It seems you still haven''t grasped my original intent, and you continue to harbor resentment." ''So that''s how it was.'' ''Did Lin Feng previously reject Jiang Chen''s offer, forfeiting the chance to remain in the Starry Abyss Sect?'' ''He believed that Young Master Jiang Chen intended to harm him, but Young Master Jiang Chen merely sought to demonstrate hisck of ill intent.'' ''...'' Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi had various thoughts racing through their minds. At present, it appeared that Lin Feng harbored an odd bias against Jiang Chen. "Heh!" "Employing two precious Upper Grade rity Awakening Pills to showcase your vast power?" Lin Feng sneered, "Young Master Jiang, your extravagance surpasses even that of a Mysterious tform Realm cultivator!" Upon hearing these words, Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi appeared puzzled. The rity Awakening Pill was an incredibly valuable elixir for those in the Spiritual Awakening Realm, and a treasure for individuals in the Mysterious tform Realm. Jiang Chen''s use of two pills to sever the rtionships between Li Kai, Liu Qing, and Lin Feng seemed excessive and illogical. "Extravagant?" "Do you consider two rity Awakening Pills extravagant?" Jiang Chen smiled wryly, "I''m afraid you have no idea just how many precious pills I possess." His self-assured demeanor evoked the image of a peasant attempting to estimate a nobleman''s wealth. Promptly, the doubts in Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi''s hearts subsided considerably, and they came to perceive Jiang Chen as even wealthier than they had initially imagined. "Hmph!" "Regardless," "I refuse to return to the Starry Abyss Sect!" Lin Feng snorted, repulsed by the memory of those who had once fawned over him. With the Burning World Red Lotus, even the Heavenly Origin Realm would be insignificant. Once he came into his full power, he would be able to dominate the entire Mysterious Truth Continent, with the Starry Abyss Sect as merely one among many! Furthermore, It was due to the Burning World Red Lotus that his dantian had been healed. Should he return to the Starry Abyss Sect, it might arouse the curiosity of certain individuals. If the Burning World Red Lotus were exposed before he had fully matured, his demise would be all but certain. "I understand that for your dantian to have healed, there must be some hidden secrets." "But you need not worry that someone will covet you because of your secret; I, too, have secrets." "When I imed to possess numerous precious elixirs, it was no fabrication, and the Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill is one such example." Jiang Chen smiled faintly, continuing, "Furthermore, I also possess medicine capable of healing dantian injuries." "What?" Lin Feng''s expression shifted, and he asked incredulously, "You have medicine that can heal dantian injuries!? How is that possible!" "Do you recall?" "At the mountain gate, I expressed my admiration for you." "That was no lie but the result of prior assessments I had conducted on you. Do you remember those minor conflicts we had? Those were the tests." "Had you remained at that time, I would have bestowed that pill upon you." "However, you stormed off from the mountain gate in a fit of rage and impulsiveness." "Fortunately, you encountered a fortuitous opportunity and managed to heal through some means, but I wonder if there were any side effects?" Jiang Chen was well aware that protagonist Lin Feng''s dantian healing could not have any side effects. He deliberately posed the question to lower the other party''s guard. As anticipated, Lin Feng was readily deceived. ''Side effects? Ha!'' ''My Burning World Red Lotus, if I were to reveal it, would make your eyes pop out of your head!'' He had held back several times before. Now that he could look down on Jiang Chen, he naturally wouldn''t let the opportunity pass. But he wasn''t foolish. In order to conceal the Burning World Red Lotus, he merely sneered inwardly and refrained from voicing his thoughts. "Give it some thought; return to the Starry Abyss Sect with me." Jiang Chen spoke softly when Lin Feng remained silent. "No need." "I have already epted Master Qiu as my alchemy mentor and will not return to the Starry Abyss Sect!" Lin Feng dered coldly, then nodded to Qiu Liaoxi, who smiled faintly and was quite pleased. "Very well." "It''s merely my personal gesture of goodwill." "If you cannot let go of your biases against the Starry Abyss Sect, then don''t return." Jiang Chen smiled subtly, not taking offense. Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi felt relieved to see this and their esteem for Jiang Chen grew slightly. They had anticipated that Jiang Chen would be displeased, but they didn''t expect him to be so magnanimous. "Hmph." Lin Feng grunted in response and ceased speaking. At this moment, "How about this?" "I invite you to join my Jiang n as an honorary guest." "This won''t affect your master-apprentice rtionship with Alchemist Qiu, and you can also gain ess to some additional resources." Jiang Chen spoke once more, appearing sincere. "Join your Jiang n as an honorary guest!?" Lin Feng questioned, his expression a mix of doubt and astonishment. He genuinely couldn''tprehend why Jiang Chen would extend such assistance to him! Could it be that Jiang Chen truly harbored no ill intentions? Was his initial use of subtle tactics to manipte him actually just a test? Had his effort to keep him at the sect gate been genuine? Reflecting on all that Jiang Chen had done, Lin Feng found himself somewhat perplexed. However, the intuition that had always been present prompted him to sense deep down that something about Jiang Chen seemed off, so he promptly dismissed those thoughts. "Yes, join my Jiang n as an honorary guest, how about it?" Jiang Chen nodded at Lin Feng and reassured, "You can rest assured, I won''t let you suffer any disadvantages." "Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Jiang." Lin Feng shook his head, smirking inwardly. With the Burning World Red Lotus, his confidence and self-esteem had soared to the point that he didn''t even care about the mere Jiang n in Autumn Glory City, let alone epting Jiang Chen''s generosity! Thus, his refusal was clean and unequivocal. This left Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian somewhat baffled, but they chose not to bring it up directly. After all, Lin Feng was a disciple recently epted by Qiu Liaoxi, and one who would potentially inherit the mantle. It wouldn''t be proper to cause him any embarrassment. Chapter 17: Ning Xian鈥檚 Favorable Impression of Lin Feng Wanes! "Uh..." "As an honorary guest, you needn''t do anything. I''ll only seek your assistance in specific situations." "However, since you''re unwilling, let''s just disregard my request and act as though it was never mentioned." Jiang Chen smiled faintly. He had already anticipated that Lin Feng would not acquiesce, and he harbored no expectations. The reason for his repeated overtures of goodwill towards Lin Feng was simply to exhibit his magnanimity and benevolence in front of Ning Xian. Enhancing Ning Xian''s favorable impression served as his strategy for dealing with Lin Feng! "Young Master Jiang." "I still have queries regarding my cultivation that I must discuss with my master, so I shall not engage in further conversation with you." With these words, Lin Feng grasped his tea and rose to take his leave. This action, Immediately caused Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi to frown subtly. Jiang Chen had just aided Vast Spirit Residence in resolving issues with the Di n; driving people away now seemed rather impolite. However, before the two could speak up, Jiang Chen rose to his feet and gracefully adapted to the situation. He retrieved a transmission jade token from his storage bracelet and ced it on the table, remarking with a smile: "In that case, I shall take my leave." "Should you encounter any predicaments you cannot resolve, feel free to use this transmission jade token to reach out to me." Having said this, He offered a slight bow, hands sped before him, and departed from the Vast Spirit Residence. "This..." Ning Xian opened her mouth and sighed softly, feeling somewhat discourteous on her part. Fortunately, Jiang Chen was generous and appeared untroubled. "Very well." "With the Di n crisis resolved, our Vast Spirit Residence can now reopen the pharmacy." "Before that, Lin Feng, I will impart to you some alchemy manuals and cultivation techniques..." Qiu Liaoxi turned her gaze to Lin Feng, a smile gracing her aged visage. Though Lin Feng had been slightly impolite, she was quite forgiving and delighted that he had not opted to return to the Starry Abyss Sect. "Understood, Master!" Lin Feng, ted, quickly added, "By the way, Master, this disciple still requires some spiritual herbs to nourish my dantian..." "At this time," "Let''s concentrate on studying the alchemy manuals first." Qiu Liaoxi replied with a faint, wry smile, "As for spiritual herbs, we must await the reestablishment of our supply channels." "Alright." Lin Feng''s spirits dampened slightly, but he nodded in acquiescence. Simultaneously, In a courtyard not far away, Jiang Chen reclined leisurely, extending his divine sense to observe Ning Xian and the others. To facilitate surveince of Vast Spirit Residence, He had purchased this courtyard, and the seller had been sworn to secrecy, ensuring no information would be leaked. "Does Lin Feng still require spiritual herbs?" "His Dantian must have mended by now, so the spiritual herbs should serve another purpose, such as... self-enhancement!" "Could it be that he''s the type of protagonist who grows stronger by consuming spiritual herbs? And he doesn''t need to refine finished pills!?" "Hmm, the fact that Vast Spirit Residence currentlycks spiritual herbs works in my favor." "However, this also implies that Lin Feng may venture out in search of spiritual herbs, inadvertently activating other plotlines and reaping substantial benefits. I must remain vignt." "..." Jiang Chen''s eyes shimmered with contemtive light as he murmured to himself. At that moment, He observed Qiu Liaoxi turning and entering a room, evidently prepared to bestow alchemy manuals upon Lin Feng. Lin Feng trailed closely behind her. Meanwhile, Ning Xian nced at the transmission jade token left by Jiang Chen on the table and lifted it. ''Master and I find ourselves in dire straits.'' ''The Jiang n''s assistance is a valuable resource in times of crisis; I truly must express my gratitude to Jiang Chen...'' Ning Xian contemted, a trace of joy gracing her lovely visage. Jiang Chen, too, was pleased with this development. His rapport with Ning Xian had just advanced a step further. Just then, "Ning Xian,e over here. What are you up to?" Lin Feng''s voice abruptly resounded. "Ah, nothing." Ning Xian spun around, shook her head, and approached. "This is the transmission jade token left by Jiang Chen!" "Why did you ept this transmission jade token? Don''t you realize that Jiang Chen isn''t as benevolent as you believe? He must have an ulterior motive!" Lin Feng was immediately displeased upon seeing the transmission jade token in Ning Xian''s hand! He had long been resolute in winning over Ning Xian. Yet now, Ning Xian had actually epted that guy Jiang Chen''s transmission jade token! "Lin Feng!" "I truly cannotprehend why you harbor such animosity towards Jiang Chen." "He extended an invitation for you to be an honorary guest of the Jiang n, which is undoubtedly a favorable opportunity, but you declined." "Furthermore, Jiang Chen assisted us, but you were discourteous and drove him away." "And now, I merely epted his transmission jade token, so we can utilize it when we require aid." "Do you understand that my master and I are currently in a precarious situation, and every bit of assistance is invaluable!" Ning Xian gazed at Lin Feng with furrowed brows, evidently quite upset. "Ning Xian!" "I, too, can protect you; we don''t need Jiang Chen''s protection!" "He harbors ill intentions; don''t be deceived by him!" "He''s aware of your exceptional background, and all of today''s events are undoubtedly orchestrated to get close to you and achieve his own objectives." "Consider this: the Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill is exceedingly rare. How could he just happen to possess one and coincidentally have a cousin afflicted with Purple Extreme Yin Devouring Syndrome!?" Lin Feng was agitated and somewhat anxious, "This isn''t mere coincidence; it''s a meticulously designed snare!" Upon hearing this, Ning Xian was taken aback. Not far away, Jiang Chen subtly raised his eyebrows. "Drat, the protagonist truly is difficult to contend with. Merely connecting a few dots, and he can identify every minute inconsistency." "The Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill is extraordinarily valuable, and even Qiu Liaoxi only has a fragment of the form. It''s genuinely hard to believe that I just happen to have one in my collection when, in reality, I had to rely on the System Mall to acquire it." "Additionally, the Purple Extreme Yin Devouring Syndrome is exceptionally rare. The two urrences coinciding, both originating from my end, do indeed arouse suspicion." "Thankfully, I''ve managed to cover my tracks. Don''t let me down, astute Ning Xian." Jiang Chen stroked his chin, a faint smile materializing at the corner of his mouth. As anticipated, After being momentarily stunned, Ning Xian shook her head at Lin Feng. "Lin Feng." "Have you forgotten that Jiang Chen confessed to having a secret?" "It''s probable that he encountered some sort of fortuity and acquired various precious pills." "The Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill is merely one of them, not an item he deliberately sought because he knew about Jiang Yuqian''s ailment." "Moreover, the Purple Extreme Yin Devouring Syndrome is exceedingly rare, and most alchemists cannot diagnose it, as it isn''t documented in the majority of alchemical texts." "Only Master can urately identify this disease in Autumn Glory City." "Thus, this isn''t a trap; it''s simply a coincidence." Having said this, Ning Xian pivoted and walked towards the room where Qiu Liaoxi awaited. "Ning Xian..." Lin Feng opened his mouth but couldn''t find words to counter her, and he also caught a fleeting glimpse of disappointment in Ning Xian''s eyes as she turned away. On the other side, [Ding! You have sessfully diminished Ning Xian''s favorable impression of Lin Feng, and you have gained 300 points of Viin Value!] "Hehe." "Another 300 Viin Value points earned; regrettably, I couldn''t reduce Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value." "It seems I must persist in driving a wedge between Ning Xian and Lin Feng!" Jiang Chen''s lips curled slightly, and his current Viin Value had exceeded 1200, reaching 1500 points! Within the Vast Spirit Residence, the door to the room closed, and a formation that obstructed divine senses was promptly activated. Instantly, Jiang Chen''s divine sense was barred from entry, leaving him unable to perceive anything. Chapter 18: Exchanging for the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade "Ah, it appears that both Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian exercise caution." "They''ve activated a shielding formation while discussing the alchemy manual inheritance." "When the subject of inheritance arises, they''ll undoubtedly reveal their own backgrounds." "This surely involves numerous original plot lines that hold great significance to me." Jiang Chen murmured to himself, "It seems essential to take a peek..." Having made up his mind, He immediately set out to devise a solution. The formation method selected by Qiu Liaoxi was effective, yet not overly advanced. Otherwise, the formation method alone might arouse suspicion and invite trouble. Therefore, With Jiang Chen''s Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening Realm divine sense, he could forcibly breach the formation if close enough. However, doing so would inevitably create a disturbance and reveal his presence. Enlisting his uncle Jiang Xingtai''s help would undoubtedly allow him to easily see through the formation. Nheless, as the head of the Jiang n, Jiang Xingtai is a busy man, and with the conversation in the room about tomence, it''s toote to summon him. Moreover, Jiang Chen prefers to minimize involvement, lest unexpected variables arise. "I must amplify my divine sense." Jiang Chen immediately issued an inwardmand, "Open the System Mall!" Instantly, A window panel materialized. Jiang Chen promptly essed the "Artifacts" and "Others" categories, seeking the treasure he required. Before long, He discovered an auxiliary treasure to amplify his divine sense: the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade. The Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade is priced at 600 Viin Value points! This is more expensive than an ordinary Spiritual Awakening Realm secret technique. However, it can significantly amplify divine sense to the level of a half-step Mysterious tform Realm and can be used repeatedly. In terms of cost-effectiveness, it is very high! "System." Jiang Chen issued themand without hesitation, "Redeem the ''Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade''!" [Ding! Deducting 600 Viin Value points, sessfully redeeming the ''Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade''!] Immediately, A small, me-shaped, t ck jade stone materialized in Jiang Chen''s hand, radiating a faint glow. Without hesitation, Jiang Chen swiftly pressed the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade against his forehead. Instantly, the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade melded into his skin, creating a ck me-like pattern. "Divine sense, activate!" Jiang Chen inhaled deeply and channeled all his divine sense into the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade. The divine sense grew much denser; while the total amount diminished considerably, the quality vastly improved. In no time, It attained the level of half-step Mysterious tform. It is worth noting that the highest realm cultivator in Autumn Glory City merely reached the Mysterious tform Realm. Subsequently, With a mere thought, Jiang Chen''s divine sense stealthily permeated the formation of the room in Vast Spirit Residence. Within the room, Qiu Liaoxi and Lin Feng sat facing each other. Ning Xian, on the other hand, sat to the side, maintaining aposed expression. "Lin Feng," Qiu Liaoxi began as she produced an alchemy manual, "Ning Xian and I hail from the neighboring Bright Cloud Continent, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain..." Lin Feng listened attentively. As it turned out, The Ning n was once one of the major families from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain in the Bright Cloud Continent. However, due to a book called ''Thousand Green Pill Heart Records'', they endured a tremendous catastrophe. Consequently, the Ning n was decimated. Only Ning Xian, with the assistance of Qiu Liaoxi, managed to escape. They fled to the Mysterious Truth Continent and sought refuge in Autumn Glory City. They have been in hiding for fifteen years! "This Thousand Green Pill Heart Records is now entrusted to you." "With ites the inherited karma, so never forget the enmity of the Ning n!" Qiu Liaoxi pushed the alchemy manual toward Lin Feng and spoke gravely. "Rest assured, Master, and rest assured, Ning Xian!" "Those who have wronged you shall suffer a fate worse than death!" Lin Feng appeared resolute. His temperament had been fierytely, and his words carried a slight chill. "Good." "I have faith in you!" Qiu Liaoxi nodded, and a smile emerged on her aged face. With Lin Feng''s Medicinal Spirit Body and the ''Thousand Green Pill Heart Records,'' the likelihood of exacting revenge was significantly high! Lin Feng took the alchemy manual in hand. Alongside it was a secret key, specifically designed for essing the manual''s content. Without the secret key, merely possessing the alchemy manual would not unlock its knowledge. With the secret key in hand, Lin Fengmenced reading the alchemy manual! He channeled his modest divine sense, activated the secret key, and then probed the alchemy manual, immediately uncovering a wealth of alchemy knowledge! The alchemy manual cataloged tens of thousands of spiritual nts and various materials for medicinal use. Additionally, it contained a vast number of alchemy forms. There were forms for cultivation, healing, body forging... all sorts of forms. Furthermore, the knowledge within the alchemy manual transcended the Heavenly Origin Realm, reaching the Inquiring Journey Realm! With Lin Feng''s possession of the Burning World Red Lotus, his alchemy talent was already unparalleled. A cursory nce, and he had already absorbed numerous forms! "Fantastic!" "With my alchemy talent, I can definitely be an alchemy grandmaster!" "Alchemy grandmasters are always esteemed guests wherever they go, nevercking in cultivation resources!" "As a result, I can advance to higher realms more rapidly!" "..." Lin Feng was overjoyed and continued to absorb the knowledge in the alchemy manual like a parched sponge soaking up water. In a nearby courtyard, Jiang Chen found himself deep in thought. "Thousand Green Pill Heart Records!" "The Ning n was originally a major n in the Bright Cloud Continent, surely not weaker than my Jiang n." "For such a force to copse, it seems that this alchemy manual is truly extraordinary." "Regrettably, the knowledge within the alchemy manual can only be essed with a secret key, rendering theft impossible." Jiang Chen rubbed his chin, lost in contemtion. Lin Feng''s acquisition of the alchemy manual would undoubtedly bring him immense benefits. However, he didn''t regret refraining from preventing Lin Feng from apprenticing under Qiu Liaoxi initially. Ning Xian was clearly a crucial part of Lin Feng''s main storyline. Could the main storyline be altered so easily? By thwarting Lin Feng''s apprenticeship, his protagonist status might likely trigger other variables, causing the main storyline to persist. Furthermore, such actions could potentially antagonize Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi, significantly escting the challenge of winning Ning Xian over. It simply wasn''t worth the risk. Thus, Jiang Chen did not intervene when Lin Feng sought apprenticeship under Qiu Liaoxi. If Lin Feng acquired the alchemy manual, so be it. Transforming knowledge intobat prowess required time and resources, enough to keep him preupied. "In the uing period," "Lin Feng will surely dedicate his time to studying and cultivating." "I too need to focus on my own cultivation and improvement. Strength is the foundation, evenpared to schemes!" Jiang Chen''s eyes sparkled, and he retracted his divine sense. Utilizing the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade to amplify his divine sense and continuously observing the scene beyond the formation for an extended period ced a substantial strain on him. However, Though he had temporarily halted his all-epassing surveince of Vast Spirit Residence, it did not imply that he would overlook everything. Near Vast Spirit Residence, the eyes of Jiang n cultivators covertly monitored the area. As for Ning Xian, Jiang Chen would not let his guard down. He took out his transmission jade token. Jiang Chen instructed the Jiang n cultivators to search for patients to be sent to Vast Spirit Residence for treatment, under the pretense of attending to the business of Vast Spirit Residence. In reality, this was to keep Ning Xian upied and minimize her time spent with Lin Feng. Furthermore, These patients presented rather challenging ailments. Lin Feng, having only just embarked on the path of alchemy, could not partake in treatments at such a level, thus preventing any opportunity to coborate with Ning Xian. With this double safeguard, Lin Feng would certainly be unable to establish closer contact with Ning Xian. Jiang Chen was aware that Lin Feng''s growth would be rapid, and this method wouldn''t hinder him for long. His own rate of development was not to be underestimated either! Exiting the courtyard and entering a secluded chamber, Jiang Chen sat down and retrieved eight pills from the Moondust Ring, all of which were of Top Grade quality. These were Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pills! It should be noted that each refined pill had four quality grades: Low, Middle, Upper, and Top Grade. The higher the quality grade, the more potent the medicinal power, with a vast difference between each grade. Top Grade quality was the finest! Without hesitation, Jiang Chen picked up a Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pill and popped it into his mouth. Chapter 19: Breakthrough, Late-Stage Spiritual Awakening! As the pill entered his mouth, it dissolved instantly, permeating his internal organs, dantian, and meridians. The immense medicinal power transformed into Yuan Power, merging with the pure white vortex at the dantian''s core. Those who have achieved the Spiritual Awakening Realm possess liquid Yuan Power. To advance to the Mysterious tform Realm, one must condense the vortex into a solid state; this solid-state Yuan Power vortex signifies the Mysterious tform. Upon attaining the Mysterious tform, The cultivator''s Yuan Power reserves, physical strength, and soul strength will all experience significant enhancements! A single Mysterious tform expert can triumph over ten Spiritual Awakening Realm experts single-handedly! Time passed gradually. In the blink of an eye, a week had psed. The door to the quiet chamber creaked open. Jiang Chen''s figure emerged, the sunlight illuminating his handsome visage, rendering him even more radiant, akin to jade. A week of diligent cultivation. Thebined effects of four Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pills and the medicinal power of the Ten-Turn Harmonious Spirit Pill allowed him to sessfully advance to the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening Realm! And now, The liquid cyclone within Jiang Chen''s dantian had further condensed, appearing semi-solid in his inner vision. Once the cyclone solidifiespletely, it will mark his ascent to the Mysterious tform Realm! During this cultivation period, Jiang Chen asionally exited the quiet chamber, using his Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade to meticulously investigate the Vast Spirit Residence. Fortunately, everything remained under control, with no unforeseen changes. "Mm." "Oh, dawn has arrived." "Let''s see what Ning Xian and the others are up to within the Vast Spirit Residence." Jiang Chen arrived in the courtyard, ncing up at the partially illuminated sky before activating his Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade. Instantly, A wave of divine sense expanded outward, epassing the Vast Spirit Residence. "My divine sense has increased its range by dozens of meters in the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening Realm. Fantastic!" Experiencing his even more potent divine sense and reveling in the enhanced rity, Jiang Chen smiled contentedly. At that moment, His divine sense stealthily prated the protective formation of a room, revealing a scene of lingering mist in the air. Immediately, arge bathtub came into view. A beautiful young girly half-submerged in the water, her hair syed across the surface, while shimmering reflections of sunlight danced on the water, concealing everything below her jade neck. Her eyes were closed as she breathed in the warm air slowly, evidently fast asleep. "Bathing until dawn?" "It seems she''s been exhausted these days." Jiang Chen''s lips curled into a smile as he unabashedly admired the scene of the beautiful woman bathing. Ning Xian was the heroine he was determined to win over, and he fully intended to shoulder his responsibilities in the future... Not long after, Ning Xian awoke. Jiang Chen was fortunate enough to once again witness a scene akin to a painting of a beauty bathing. A message arrived on Jiang Chen''s transmission jade token; it was from Elder Ge. "There''s activity?" Jiang Chen''s eyebrows raised slightly. Under his orders, the Jiang n''s cultivators had been closely monitoring developments and uing events within Autumn Glory City. Retrieving the transmission jade token, Jiang Chen infused it with his divine sense. "Eldest Young Master!" "The White Mountain Chamber of Commerce has appeared in Autumn Glory City." "They were initially supposed to head to Clear Water City, but their ns have changed for some reason." "Traditionally, the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce coborates with our Jiang n, the Zhou n, and other powers to host arge-scale trading event in Autumn Glory City." "..." This was the message conveyed by the transmission jade token. "White Mountain Chamber of Commerce?" "That''s the chamber ofmerce specializing in trading medicinal pills and spiritual nts, conducting transactions as they travel," Jiang Chen''s lips curled into a slight smile, as he instantly deduced, without hesitation, that the arrival of this Chamber of Commerce was likely the next plot development for Lin Feng. Lin Feng, however, is suspected of possessing a ''Medicinal Spirit Body''. Even if it isn''t explicitly stated, his path still seems to involve spiritual medicine, at least in the early stages. It appears highly probable that the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce, with its focus on selling elixirs and spiritual nts, has some connection to Lin Feng. "The White Mountain Chamber of Commerce has arrived in Autumn Glory City." "Next, Autumn Glory City will be bustling with activity." "Since Lin Feng requires spiritual nts, he is likely to take a stroll and check out their selection." "I also have the opportunity to ''identally encounter'' him, attempt to diminish his Heavenly Fate Value, and gain Viin Value!" Jiang Chen''s mouth curled into a grin as he stowed the transmission jade token. Shortly after, He once again employed his divine sense to probe into Lin Feng''s room. The young man was sitting cross-legged on the bed, diligently cultivating. Surprisingly, he had already recovered to his previous peak state, at the Middle-stage Soul Refining Realm. His speed of recovery was undeniably swift. Within the room, Sensing that his cultivation time was nearlyplete, Lin Feng gradually halted his cultivation, opened his eyes, and a fleeting emerald-green light shed within them. Not only had he restored his cultivation to the Middle-stage Soul Refining Realm, but he had also sessfully transitioned to the main cultivation technique found in the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records. This primary cultivation technique would be sufficient to enable him to cultivate to the Inquiring Journey Realm. "Middle-stage Soul Refining Realm!" "It''s a shame that I didn''t seize the opportunity to act when Jiang Yuqian was ill earlier. Otherwise, I would have surpassed my current level. Curse you, Jiang Chen!" "However, now that I have some self-defense capabilities in Autumn Glory City, I can venture outside and search for spiritual herbs." "I wonder if that guy Jiang Chen has already helped Master restore the supply channel for spiritual herbs." "If it has been restored, then that''s even better." As Lin Feng acquainted himself with his newfound power, he pondered. Knock, knock, knock! Suddenly, there was a knocking sound at the door. "Feng''er!" Immediately, Qu Liaoxi''s voice echoed from outside. "Master?" Lin Feng''s face shifted slightly, and he promptly opened the door. "You, you''ve broken through to the Middle-stage Soul Refining Realm?!" Sensing the fluctuations in Lin Feng''s cultivation emanating from his body, Qu Liaoxi''s face was filled with astonishment. "Hahaha." "It''s merely been restored, that''s all." Lin Feng said modestly, but a hint of pride still glimmered in his eyes. "That''s wonderful!" Qu Liaoxi nodded excitedly, "You must not ck off; you need to continue to work hard!" "Yes, Master!" Lin Feng smiled and then inquired about something that concerned him, "By the way, has the supply of spiritual herbs to Vast Spirit Residence been restored?" "Not yet." "Young Master Jiang Chen is already assisting with it." "However, since we''ve changed to an inn, those suppliers who used to provide us with spiritual herbs have already promised their shares to others." "They are also businessmen, and it wouldn''t be right for them to break their promises, so we still have to wait for a while." "Moreover, the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce hase to Autumn Glory City, and the spiritual herbs in Autumn Glory City will certainly converge at the trade fair organized by the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce in theing days." Qu Liaoxi shook her head with a touch of regret, "In that case, we will have to wait even longer." "The White Mountain Chamber of Commerce?" Lin Feng appeared puzzled. He grew up in the Starry Abyss Sect and had few opportunities to leave the mountain, so he didn''t have much knowledge of foreign chambers ofmerce like the White Mountain. "The White Mountain Chamber of Commerce is an external chamber ofmerce!" "They specialize in spiritual nts and also deal in pills. They offer all sorts of rare pills and spiritual nts." "They travel to different cities of cultivators to buy and sell spiritual nts and pills." "In my opinion, this is also a great opportunity for you to search for spiritual herbs," "And I still have a considerable amount of savings here. As long as it is something you need, I will help you buy it!" Qiu Liaoxi said with a smile. ''The chamber ofmerce from another ce that sells spiritual nt pills?'' ''Looks like the perfect opportunity hase knocking on my door!'' ''Although almost all spiritual medicines can help the Burning World Red Lotus recover, the stronger the fire attribute of the spiritual medicine, the better the effect!'' ''The White Mountain Chamber of Commerce travels through the cities of various cultivators and must have collected fire attribute spiritual medicines from different ces, with the number and variety exceeding those in Autumn Glory City.'' ''This time, we must obtain arge amount of fire attribute spiritual nts. The better the Burning World Red Lotus recovers, the faster my cultivation speed will be!'' Lin Feng''s heart swelled with joy, and a smile appeared on his face as he bowed to Qiu Liaoxi and said, "Many thanks, Master!" ... In a courtyard not far away, Jiang Chen witnessed everything that transpired in the Vast Spirit Residence. Chapter 20: Faking a Chance Encounter "What''s next?" "Lin Feng and the others will surely attend the trade fair organized by the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce." "At this trade fair, he is likely to unt his skills and reap significant benefits. I must prepare in advance and thwart his ns!" Jiang Chen contemted and retrieved the transmission jade token to send a message to the Jiang n, further tightening restrictions on the cultivators of the Jiang n and their affiliated ns. In doing so, he aimed to prevent bing a stepping stone for Lin Feng, who might exploit the situation. Without hesitation. With a single stride, his figure transformed into an afterimage and vanished from sight. In no time. Jiang Chen promptly arrived at thergest square in Autumn Glory City. This expansive square is encircled by the city''s most prominent market. The Jiang n holds a quarter of the market share here, managing various sectors. Their dealings epass medicinal pills, elixirs, and other rted products. However, all of their medicinal pills and elixirs are merely ordinary, possessing average grades and quality. There are no medicinal pills like the Upper Grade Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pill in the entirety of Autumn Glory City. For Jiang Chen, in the Late Stage of the Spiritual Awakening realm, There are scant cultivation resources in Autumn Glory City capable of having an immediate impact on his cultivation progress. The arrival of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce this time presents a valuable opportunity for him. At this moment, Jiang Chen strolled leisurely along the road. His Late Stage Spiritual Awakening Realm cultivation was concealed by the Moondust Ring, causing him to appear as if he were only in the Early Stage Spiritual Awakening Realm. However, he did not disguise his appearance. Many people recognized him. "Young Master Jiang!" "Young Master Jiang Chen!" "You''ve returned from the Starry Abyss Sect! That''s wonderful!" "Young Master Jiang, I just acquired a high-quality copper essence. If you''re interested, please feel free to take it!" "..." Eager faces surrounded Jiang Chen, but they dared not approach too closely due to his aloof expression. They all came bearing gifts. Some offered spiritual medicines, others brought mineral materials, a few directly presented weapons, and some even brought beautiful women. It was a chaotic assortment. Typically, gift-giving is not so overt, but who could fault them since Jiang Chen seldom returned and they had few other opportunities? Jiang Chen disregarded the fawning gestures from these individuals. "Viin''s Eye!" He activated the Viin''s Eye and persistently scanned everyone within the range of his divine sense. To anticipate Lin Feng''s ns, he naturally needed to identify the "battlefield." And the Viin''s Eye could detect supporting characters! Discovering the supporting characters meant identifying the targets that Lin Feng would either impress or befriend. As he continued on his journey, The Viin''s Eye yielded no reactions, and there were only passers-by in the vicinity. A message arrived through the transmission jade token. It appeared that Lin Feng and hispanions had already departed from Vast Spirit Residence. "They''ve already set off?" "I must hasten!" Jiang Chen''s eyebrows knitted slightly. Ignoring the astonished passers-by around him, he broke into a sprint! As he raced, He employed the Viin''s Eye to scan everyone within his divine sense as he dashed past. Jiang Chen was not moving aimlessly, but rather, directing himself toward the encampment of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce in the square. Before long, A white three-story building materialized before his eyes. This edifice served as the hallmark of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce. It was typically stored in a capacious storage artifact and brought out whenever they visited a city of cultivators. Surrounding the building were several carriages resembling transportation vehicles. These carriages carried items unsuitable for storage in a storage artifact, such as spirit beast cubs, spirit beast eggs, and other living entities. The White Mountain Chamber of Commerce was making preparations for the forting trade fair. There was a flurry of activity, with people constantly arriving and departing. "Jiang Chen from the Jiang n hase to visit the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce." Jiang Chen proceeded directly, announced his identity, and stated his purpose for visiting. There were staff members assigned to greet guests in front of the building. "Please wait a moment!" A woman who sensed Jiang Chen''s Spiritual Awakening Realm aura bowed respectfully to him and went to ry his arrival. However, "I''m sorry, Young Master Jiang!" "The president is feeling unwell this morning and is unable to meet with you for now. He can only have his steward meet with you in his ce." The woman promptly emerged and apologized, "The president said that once he feels better, he will personally visit the Jiang n to pay his respects to you." "Feeling unwell?" "Since that is the case, please have your president take good care and rest. I will take my leave first." Jiang Chen nodded slightly, then turned and departed. Although he didn''t meet the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce, Jiang Chen had essentially confirmed that he was a supporting character. A supporting character akin to Jiang Yuqian, but with a more significant role than Jiang Yuqian. If Lin Feng is the protagonist of the Divine Physician Path, how could he possibly treat only one supporting character? Now that he couldn''t see the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce, Jiang Chen couldn''t force his way in. For the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce to achieve this status, they must certainly have a formidable background. The transmission jade token once again delivered news that Lin Feng and hispanions had arrived at the square. "I have to go and ''coincidentally'' encounter them." "I can''t allow Lin Feng to reap all the benefits by showing off and acting superior." Jiang Chen''s lips curled up as he swiftly soared towards Lin Feng and the others. On the way there, As the trade fair was about tomence, an increasing number of cultivators gathered, and street vendors began to appear one after another along the route. "Street vendors..." "This taste, yes, it''s familiar. It''s the vor of the usual routine!" Jiang Chen observed the street vendors around him, his eyes brightened and his lips formed a smile. In the ssic routine, Onemon trope involves the protagonist discovering unexpected treasures at a roadside stall, which yields significant benefits. And the vendor remains oblivious, believing he has made a fortune! Alternatively, the confident protagonist might unveil the true value of the treasure, astonishing passersby, and feeling quite proud of himself. However, the vendor, upon realizing the item''s worth, refuses to sell it, leading to the next plot development... Jiang Chen expanded his divine sense, continuously scanning his surroundings. However, perhaps due to the scarcity of roadside stalls, he did not detect anything unusual, nor did he spot any supporting characters. Suddenly, Three familiar figures appeared ahead: Lin Feng, Qiu Liaoxi, and Ning Xian. Qiu Liaoxi walked in the middle, while Lin Feng and Ning Xian nked her on either side. As Jiang Chen spotted Lin Feng''s group, they also noticed Jiang Chen. "It''s Jiang Chen!" "He actually came to the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce''s trade fair?" "Damn, howe we keep running into him everywhere!?" Upon seeing Jiang Chen, Lin Feng''s heart skipped a beat, and a feeling of irritation gradually welled up within him. Regrettably, he couldn''t disy his irritation too overtly and felt quite stifled. "Alchemist Qiu, Miss Ning Xian, and Lin Feng!" Jiang Chen approached the three with a smile on his face. "I didn''t expect to run into you all here, what a coincidence." "Yeah, Young Master Jiang, what a coincidence." Qiu Liaoxi nodded with a smile, being very polite. No one questioned why Jiang Chen was here. This trade fair, jointly organized by the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce, the Zhou n, the Jiang n, and other forces, was not amon event in Autumn Glory City. Essentially, anyone who knew about it woulde to take a look. Therefore, it was normal for Jiang Chen to appear here. "Young Master Jiang Chen, are you here alone?" Ning Xian inquired. "Yeah, I just came alone to take a look around and see what''s new." "Since we''ve run into each other here, why don''t we walk around together?" Before the trio could respond, Jiang Chen walked over to Lin Feng and pointed ahead, saying, "Let''s go, let''s go take a look ahead." Lin Feng was about to decline, but before he could say anything, Jiang Chen had already joined their group! Now, he couldn''t really refuse. After all, in the eyes of Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi, Jiang Chen was a friend who had helped them before. At the same time, Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi were slightly surprised to see Jiang Chen join them directly. However, when they saw Jiang Chen standing next to Lin Feng, the two of them suddenly realized something. Over the past few days, Lin Feng had regained his cultivation, returning to his previous peak state of being in the Middle-stage Soul Refining, and even slightly surpassing it. Upon witnessing this scene, Jiang Chen was undoubtedly very surprised. In their eyes, Jiang Chen had always admired Lin Feng, and seeing his recent breakthrough, it was likely that Jiang Chen had once again set his sights on winning Lin Feng''s loyalty. Unfortunately, they were unaware that Jiang Chen had long been conscious of his feelings towards Lin Feng. Moreover, the so-called "admiration" was nothing but a facade that Jiang Chen had created. Everything he had done was for the sole purpose of killing Lin Feng! Chapter 21: Successfully Snatching the Opportunity! At this very moment, A group of four individuals approached from a distance. Their eyes continuously surveyed the surrounding stalls. Autumn Glory City''s cultivators seized this chance to showcase their most prized possessions for sale. As a result, numerous stalls disyed items that were deemed valuable or rare for the average cultivator. However, none of these items piqued Jiang Chen''s interest. Suddenly, An open space ahead caught his attention as a merchant unfurled a cloth and began arranging his wares on it. Jiang Chen cast a nce, He recognized the majority of the itemmon spiritual medicines. But one peculiar tuber-shaped spiritual medicine left him puzzled. In such a situation, Jiang Chen promptly activated his Viin''s Eye! Instantly, A panel materialized before his eyes, Revealing the vendor as a supporting character! ''A supporting character has emerged!'' ''It appears my intuition was correct. There is a subplot involving Lin Feng finding a bargain here.'' Jiang Chen felt ted and swiftly advanced. Simultaneously, Lin Feng experienced immense joy within his heart! Thanks to the unique ability granted by the Burning World Red Lotus, he instantaneously recognized that the stem-shaped spiritual medicine was a Mysterious tform Realm fire attribute mediche me Whisker Mica Ginseng! In fact, It seemed the Burning World Red Lotus had also detected the me Whisker Mica Ginseng''s presence, as it quivered incessantly within Lin Feng''s dantian, urging him to acquire the spiritual medicine. ''Fantastic!'' ''The me Whisker Mica Ginseng!'' ''Despite its unassuming appearance, resembling an ordinary item, it will undoubtedly aid in the significant recovery of my Burning World Red Lotus!'' As these thoughts crossed Lin Feng''s mind, he had already taken a step forward! However, at that very moment, He suddenly noticed that Jiang Chen, standing beside him, had already surged ahead, transforming into a blurry silhouette, and arriving at the stall before him. Inparison to Jiang Chen''s Spiritual Awakening Realm speed, his own Soul Refining Realm pace was far too sluggish! ''What!?'' ''How did that Jiang Chen guy manage to get there so quickly!?'' ''Could it be, could it be that he also recognizes the me Whisker Mica Ginseng!?'' ''That''s impossible. He has never studied alchemy; how could he identify such a scarce and valuable spiritual herb!?'' Lin Feng couldn''t help but exim in astonishment, a growing sense of unease gripping his heart. "What''s going on with Young Master Jiang and Lin Feng?" "Is there something valuable over there?" Ning Xian and Master Qiu Liaoxi didn''t recognize the me Whisker Mica Ginseng. The two exchanged nces and approached with curiosity. They trailed closely behind Lin Feng, arriving at the stall. Just in time to witness Jiang Chen pointing at the booth and dering to the vendor, "I''ll take everything on this booth." Upon finishing his statement, He promptly tossed a bag of spiritual stones, asserting there was no need to count them. "Excellent! Excellent!" "Thank you very much, Young Master Jiang!" "I''ll pack everything up for you right away!" Recognizing Jiang Chen, the vendor was overjoyed that he wanted to purchase all the subpar merchandise from his booth. He nodded enthusiastically, disying a gratified smile. Carefully, he gathered the weighty bag of spiritual stones and took out several rudimentary boxes, contentedly separating and packaging the items from the booth. [Ding! You have sessfully outmaneuvered the protagonist Lin Feng. Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 300 points, and you have gained 500 points of Viin Value!] The system prompt resounded in Jiang Chen''s mind, filling him with delight, and a faint smile graced his lips. At that moment, "Wait!" Lin Feng eximed, a hint of urgency in his voice. His eyes fixed on the me Whisker Mica Ginseng at the booth, he felt so exasperated he could nearly spit blood. Had it not been for Jiang Chen, that item would already be his! Cursed Jiang Chen, cursed happenstance! Why was he so unfortunate! Regrettably, at this very moment, he encountered Jiang Chen, who coincidentally knew about the me Whisker Mica Ginsengand Jiang Chen was even swifter than him! "Hmm? What''s the matter?" Jiang Chen purposely gave Lin Feng a puzzled look. Ning Xian, Qiu Liaoxi, and even the stall owner shared the same bewildered expressions as they gazed at him. "This..." Lin Feng opened his mouth but couldn''t find the words, his frustration mounting. Since Jiang Chen had purchased the items even faster than him, it was clear that he had recognized the me Whisker Mica Ginseng! There was no way he could persuade Jiang Chen to abandon the purchase by iming there was nothing worthwhile at the stall. If, at that moment, Jiang Chen were to directly point out the me Whisker Mica Ginseng, it would feel like a resounding p to his face. Furthermore, Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi were no fools; they would undoubtedly see through his deception and realize that he had tried to secure the treasure, only to be exposed. Should that happen, his reputation would be in tatters! At this juncture, "Lin Feng, just say what''s on your mind." Jiang Chen offered a slight smile and spoke. "This, this medicinal herb is of great importance to me." "Young Master Jiang, you hail from a prosperous family and have no shortage of material wealth. Why not let me have it?" Taking a deep breath, Lin Feng bravely pointed to the me Whisker Mica Ginseng and spoke. Nevertheless, this was also his way of testing Jiang Chen. Although he had always harbored resentment towards Jiang Chen, his recent actions had admittedly left him somewhat perplexed. Did Jiang Chen genuinely appreciate him? Did he wish to befriend him? Lin Feng intended to use this medicinal herb to put Jiang Chen to the test. At this moment, As soon as Lin Feng finished speaking, The gazes of Ning Xian, Qiu Liaoxi, and the stall owner immediately fell upon the me Whisker Mica Ginseng. While the item itself appeared unremarkable, Anyone with a shred of sense would realize that it was undoubtedly moreplex than it seemed on the surface. After all, It had captured the interest of Jiang Chen, the eldest young master of the Jiang n, andpelled Lin Feng, a Soul Refining Realm expert, to plead for it. The stall owner, recognizing this, felt somewhat powerless. Yet, the transaction had already taken ce, and the buyer remained the eldest young master of the Jiang n. The stall owner wouldn''t dare renege on the deal unless he had a death wish! As for Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi, they were both quite astonished. Both of them hailed from the Bright Cloud Continent''s alchemy sects and had even studied the "Thousand Green Pill Heart Records," yet they still couldn''t identify the medicinal herb. But Jiang Chen and Lin Feng could! Especially Jiang Chen. The moment the stall owner disyed the item, Jiang Chen recognized it instantaneously, even quicker than Lin Feng, who possessed a Medicinal Spirit Body. ''I didn''t expect Jiang Chen to also have remarkable achievements in the field of alchemy...'' Ning Xian''s eyes sparkled as she couldn''t help but shift her gaze to Jiang Chen, her mind awash with thoughts. [Ding! You sessfully prevented Lin Feng from showing off and earned 300 points of Viin Value!] [Ding! Ning Xian''s impression of you has further improved, and she has developed a slight fondness for you. Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 200 points, and you earned 300 points of Viin Value!] Two system prompts emerged. Jiang Chen''s heart fluttered, brimming with delight. Yet, outwardly, he maintained a serene andposed demeanor. "Tell me about it." Jiang Chen channeled his Yuan Power and took the me Whisker Mica Ginseng into his hand. Turning to Lin Feng, he asked with a smile, "What is this item called? What is its grade and purpose?" "This is the me Whisker Mica Ginseng." "It''s a spiritual herb of the Mysterious tform Realm. It can be used to refine breakthrough-type medicinal pills as well as explosive-type medicinal pills..." Lin Feng didn''t suspect for a moment that Jiang Chen didn''t recognize the me Whisker Mica Ginseng. He also didn''t consider Jiang Chen''s intentions behind asking about the herb. Eager to obtain this treasure, he immediately provided the answers. ''I see.'' ''So it''s called the me Whisker Mica Ginseng!'' Jiang Chen couldn''t help but feel amused in his heart, ''So it''s a treasure of the Mysterious tform Realm. No wonder Lin Feng is in such a hurry to get it.'' Simultaneously. Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi were both astonished. They never thought they would find a treasure of the Mysterious tform Realm at a street vendor''s stall! It was almost as unbelievable as discovering a pile of spiritual stones in a garbage dump. As for the vendor at the stall, he had rolled his eyes and fainted on the spot! The other vendors and passersby around them also gasped in surprise after hearing Lin Feng''s exnation. However, because someone recognized Jiang Chen as the eldest young master of the Jiang n. As a result, nobody dared to approach Jiang Chen too closely, afraid that they might offend him and endanger their own lives. They wouldn''t even dream of trying to snatch the herb from his hands. Of course, news spread quickly and soon many people gathered around them. At this time. "If it were anyone else, I wouldn''t even bother acknowledging them." "But since it''s you, Lin Feng, I will let you have it." Jiang Chen didn''tment on whether Lin Feng was right or wrong, but instead smiled and spoke. As soon as these words were spoken. "Really!?" Lin Feng blurted out, hardly able to believe his ears. He couldn''t believe that Jiang Chen would actually let him have the me Whisker Mica Ginseng. Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi were also amazed as they looked at Jiang Chen. They never thought that Jiang Chen would go to such lengths just for Lin Feng''s sake. The passersby around them began to whisper and discuss among themselves upon hearing this. "Did Eldest Young Master Jiang Chen just agree to give the me Whisker Mica Ginseng to that Lin Feng!?" "That''s a treasure of the Mysterious tform Realm! I''ve never even had the chance to touch such a thing in my entire life!" "The me Whisker Mica Ginseng can be used to refine breakthrough-type medicinal pills of the Mysterious tform Realm. It''s incredibly precious, even to the Jiang n, and they wouldn''t sell it no matter how much money they were offered. By giving it to Lin Feng, Jiang Chen has shown how highly he regards him!" "This Lin Feng''s rtionship with Jiang Chen is not ordinary. We should keep our distance and avoid provoking him!" "..." As the people continued to whisper and discuss, Jiang Chen smiled faintly and spoke again. Chapter 22: Conditions, Conditions, and More Conditions "What I, Jiang Chen, say, will naturally hold true." "However, you must also recognize the worth of this me Whisker Mica Ginseng." Jiang Chen gazed at Lin Feng and spoke earnestly, "It''s exceedingly valuable. I cannot merely hand it over without receiving anything in return. Wouldn''t you agree?" "That is indeed true." Lin Feng nodded in concurrence. This was a treasure of the Mysterious tform Realm. If Jiang Chen genuinely offered it without expecting anything in exchange, that would be illogical! The others also believed that Jiang Chen''s statement was entirely reasonable. "Thus," Jiang Chen smiled faintly and continued, "I am willing to give it to you, but on one condition." "What condition?" Lin Feng inquiredposedly. Yet, he suddenly experienced a hint of irritation in his heart. Conditions, conditions, and more conditions. It was like this at the mountain gate earlier, and it was the same now! Why did Jiang Chen always seem to have him ensnared like this? "The condition is quite straightforward." "As long as you agree to follow and serve me, this me Whisker Mica Ginseng shall be yours." Jiang Chen''s words were apanied by a warm smile that danced at the corners of his mouth. As the protagonist, Lin Feng was proud and sensitive. Would he be willing to submit to Jiang Chen in front of so many people, including Ning Xian? Certainly not! Then Lin Feng would not be able to obtain the me Whisker Mica Ginseng! As expected. Upon hearing Jiang Chen''s condition, Lin Feng''s expression abruptly shifted, and he couldn''t help feeling both humiliated and reluctant in his heart. He despised being spoken to condescendingly! This reminded him of the days when he was mocked and ridiculed by others after his dantian had been shattered. Nheless, In Lin Feng''s eyes, this was Jiang Chen''s disdain for him. But in the eyes of the others, this was Jiang Chen''s high regard for him! "Young Master Jiang Chen actually proposed such a condition. It''s incredible!" "Yes, being a follower of Young Master Jiang Chen is something we could only dream of! Even withoutpensation, I''d still be willing to do it!" "Wow, Young Master Jiang Chen truly values Lin Feng, even offering him a treasure of the Mysterious tform Realm!" "I wish I could rece Lin Feng immediately, but I''m not fortunate enough." "..." The people whispered among themselves, believing that Lin Feng would undoubtedly agree to Jiang Chen''s condition and be his follower, consequently soaring to new heights. Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi exchanged nces and thought to themselves that Jiang Chen was indeed attempting to win over Lin Feng once more. At that moment, "I must decline, Young Master Jiang." Lin Feng shook his head and spoke with a steady voice that resonated throughout the venue. As he said this, The surrounding whispers vanished instantly, leaving the atmosphere as quiet as a mouse. Almost everyone gazed at Lin Feng in disbelief, their faces etched with confusion, as though they were staring at a fool. Bing Jiang Chen''s follower, gaining the backing of the formidable Jiang n, and receiving a treasure of the Mysterious tform Realm, and yet Lin Feng actually rejected the offer! After a brief silence, More murmurs of varying opinions emerged once more. "What on earth is Lin Feng thinking? He turned down such an incredible chance to change his destiny!" "Good heavens, I seriously question if Lin Feng has a brain. He must be daft!" The sound of whispers reached Lin Feng''s ears, prompting him to furrow his brows slightly. He resolved to prove himself and demonstrate that the Jiang n was not worthy of making him bow his head! In the future, he was determined to prove them wrong and show them he was capable of achieving greatness! ''The current scene is a ssic setup for a "p in the face" plot.'' ''Unfortunately, Lin Feng, you might not have the opportunity to prove yourself and give these people a figurative p.'' Jiang Chen observed Lin Feng''s slightly furrowed brows and discerned what he was contemting. A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "It''s alright." "If you don''t want to, I won''tpel you." "This me Whisker Mica Ginseng will be reserved for you. Should you ever change your mind, it will be yours." Jiang Chen smiled subtly, flipped his wrist, and stored the me Whisker Mica Ginseng in the Moondust Ring. Lin Feng remained quiet, simply nodding. A cold, mocking smile graced his face. A mere Jiang n, a mere Jiang Chen not to mention the Inquiring Journey Realm when he reaches the Mysterious tform, he will dominate effortlessly! However, Although Lin Feng was rather annoyed, feeling that Jiang Chen was acting high and mighty, He was sessfully misled by Jiang Chen, which further convinced him that Jiang Chen held him in high regard. In Lin Feng''s view, Jiang Chen was an arrogant and conceited young master, who thought highly of himself. He desired to have him, Lin Feng, as his follower, but harbored no other malicious intentions. Thus, Lin Feng''s wariness towards Jiang Chen had diminished significantly. "Let''s go, let''s continue exploring." "Who knows, perhaps we''ll even discover some valuable items!" Jiang Chen chuckled and waved his hand, dispersing the crowd before proceeding towards the front. Ning Xian, Qiu Liaoxi, and a somewhat hesitant Lin Feng also advanced and followed him. Since the trade fair had not yetmenced and there was nowhere else to visit, they could only roam about. Lin Feng also hoped to see if he could secure a good deal. Regrettably, This stroke of remarkable luck was something that, even with his protagonist status, he couldn''t expect to encounter again in a short span of time. After meandering for a while, they managed to purchase only some marginally superior spiritual nts. These spiritual nts were not especially rare, and Jiang Chen did not prevent Lin Feng from acquiring them at a slightly lower price. Moreover, From the spiritual nts that Lin Feng had procured, Jiang Chen discerned a pattern: most of them possessed the fire attribute. "It appears that Lin Feng''s cultivation gravitates towards the five-element fire attribute." "Next, I should prepare more measures to counter fire cultivation techniques. Better to be safe than sorry!" Jiang Chen contemted. A voice called out from behind them: "Excuse me, please wait a moment, all four of you!" They pivoted to look. A slender-faced man with a friendly expression approached them. Viin''s Eye! With a single thought, Jiang Chen activated his Viin''s Eye and instantly discovered that this was a supporting character with low Fate Value, named Lai Peng. ''Another supporting character!'' ''It seems the second act of Lin Feng''s disy of prowess is about tomence!'' Jiang Chen mused, a slight smile forming at the corner of his mouth. "Young Master Jiang Chen!" "I am Lai Peng." "I have long heard of your illustrious name, and it is indeed an honor to meet a young hero such as yourself today!" Lai Peng approached Jiang Chen''s group, smiling and bowing with his hands sped in front of him. "You tter me too much." Jiang Chen offered a faint smile and said, "I wonder what brings Your Excellency to halt us. Is there something you require?" "Hahaha!" "Yes, indeed!" Lai Pengughed heartily and looked at Lin Feng. "I heard that this young friend Lin Feng just identified the me Whisker Mica Ginseng. You are indeed exceptional for your age!" "It''s just a minor skill, nothing worth mentioning." Lin Feng slightly sped his hands together in salutation and shook his head. "Young friend Lin Feng is too modest." "To be able to identify the me Whisker Mica Ginseng, your alchemy skills must be extraordinary. I wonder where the young friend has acquired such abilities?" Lai Peng''s smile remained constant as he posed the question. "I cannot disclose my master''s identity." Lin Feng frowned slightly and inquired, "Is there something else?" "Yes, there is!" "It doesn''t matter if you don''t wish to reveal your master''s identity, young friend!" Lai Peng smiled and said, "Actually, I would like to invite young friend Lin Feng to participate in the pre-trade fair appraisal!" Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen''s eyebrows immediately lifted, and he thought to himself, ''Here ites, the ssic setup of an appraisalpetition!'' ''ording to the original plot, Lin Feng managed to dominate thepetition and secure the championship, obtaining numerous benefits in the process.'' ''Hehe, let''s see how I can thwart you!'' Chapter 23: Lin Feng to Participate in the Appraisal Competition Lin Feng waspletely oblivious to Jiang Chen''s thoughts. "Pre-trade fair appraisal?" Lin Feng appeared confused, as he was unfamiliar with the concept. Even Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi were unsure about its nature. "Yes!" "The pre-trade fair appraisal!" "Every time our White Mountain Chamber of Commerce coborates with local cities to hold a trade fair, a vast array of treasures umtes here." "Among them, many treasures have unknown types, uses, and values, making them difficult to identify. They need to be appraised before the trade fairmences." "In the past, our White Mountain Chamber of Commerce president would personally handle it. However, this time, the president suddenly fell ill and cannot perform the task." "Although our chamber ofmerce''s appraisers have tried their best, numerous treasures remain unappraised." "Thus, I set out from headquarters to find a reputable appraiser within Autumn Glory City and was preparing to visit the Zhou n''s residence." "While en route, I heard that young friend Lin Feng had a keen eye and exceptional insight for rare and precious items, and was able to identify the me Whisker Mica Ginseng." "So, that''s why I pursued you to invite you to participate in this appraisal event." Lai Peng borated on the situation for Lin Feng, providing details about the reasons and background of the matter. Evidently, The rumors he heard were somewhat imprecise, as he only knew that Lin Feng had identified the me Whisker Mica Ginseng. The reason remains unclearperhaps it''s due to Lin Feng''s protagonist status. At this moment, A look of realization shed across Lin Feng''s eyes, and he nodded, saying, "I see." "Young friend Lin Feng," "Participating in the appraisal event offers not only rich rewards!" "The crucial point is that this appraisal event will be held as apetition, with well-known appraisers from Autumn Glory City participating!" "As long as young friend Lin Feng defeats them, he will immediately be famous and wealthy beyond measure!" Lai Peng looked at Lin Feng with an excited expression and said. After these words were spoken, Lin Feng became a little intrigued. However, He nced at Jiang Chen next to him and said, "I''ll pass on this one. Jiang Chen was the first to identify the me Whisker Mica Ginseng; he''s even more skilled than me. Please invite him instead." Jiang Chen was indeed the first to identify the me Whisker Mica Ginseng, and both Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi had witnessed the event, along with many others. If Lin Feng had agreed to the offer without considering Jiang Chen, it would imply that he believed himself to be more skilled than Jiang Chen. Such behavior would be contemptible and disrespectful towards Jiang Chen''s abilities. If news of Lin Feng''s disrespectful behavior towards Jiang Chen were to spread, it would further tarnish his reputation. That''s why He resisted the urge and mentioned Jiang Chen instead. "Huh!?" "Young Master Jiang Chen''s appraisal skills are even more remarkable!?" Upon hearing Lin Feng''s words, Lai Peng gazed at Jiang Chen in astonishment. Lai Peng possessed some knowledge of Jiang Chen, who was the eldest young master of the Jiang n. However, he had never heard of Jiang Chen being involved in alchemy. "Not quite, not quite." "I merely happened to recognize the me Whisker Mica Ginseng." Jiang Chen smiled and shook his head, "Let Lin Feng attend instead." He would have liked to simply take Lin Feng''s ce, as doing so would allow him to show off and alter the plot, while also reducing Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value and increasing his Viin Value. Regrettably, hecked the necessary appraisal skills to do so. Even if he were to exchange Viin Value for the relevant manuals now, there wouldn''t be enough time to learn the necessary skills. If he were to attend the appraisal event, he would undoubtedly expose hisck of skills. It would be better to assume the role of a good person once more and ''give'' the opportunity to Lin Feng. This would alleviate Lin Feng''s suspicions and potentially win Ning Xian''s favor. Indeed. As soon as he uttered those words, Ning Xian''s beautiful eyes sparkled with excitement, and Qiu Liaoxi also smiled in response to his words. Lin Feng was in dire need of this opportunity, and Jiang Chen''s willingness to help him and relinquish the chance was remarkably generous. Jiang Chen demonstrated himself to be a person worth befriending. [Ding! Ning Xian''s impression of you has improved slightly once more. Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 100 points, and you have gained 200 points of Viin Value!] The system prompt sounded, and Jiang Chen''s face broke into a pleased smile. Simultaneously, Lin Feng, who was entirely oblivious to what he had lost, experienced a surge of happiness at the prospect of participating in the appraisal event. Nevertheless, he assumed that Jiang Chen was still attempting to recruit him as a follower, so he didn''t harbor any gratitude towards him. As for Lai Peng, he possessed a rudimentary understanding of Jiang Chen and had never heard of him being involved in alchemy. Upon hearing Jiang Chen''s words, Lai Peng epted them without hesitation. "Since that''s the case," "Please, young friend Lin Feng, follow me," Lai Peng nodded at Lin Feng before turning to Jiang Chen, Ning Xian, and Qiu Liaoxi with an apologetic expression on his face, saying: "Young Master Jiang Chen, and these two friends, many of the items requiring appraisal must remain confidential. I apologize for that." "It''s alright." "You guys go ahead; we''ll wander around on our own." Jiang Chen smiled warmly and then walked over to Ning Xian''s side. Upon seeing this, Lin Feng couldn''t help but cast a nce at Jiang Chen and Ning Xian. ''Jiang Chen is here for me.'' ''He shouldn''t harbor any feelings towards Ning Xian, right?'' These thoughts crossed Lin Feng''s mind as he nodded in agreement. "Let''s proceed, young friend Lin Feng!" "We must also visit locations such as the Zhou n and Liao Hong Medical Hall." As he spoke, Lai Peng whisked Lin Feng away with him. "Agreed!" Lin Feng apanied Lai Peng, swiftly departing the scene. His thoughts were consumed by anticipation for the appraisal meeting. Concerning this appraisal gathering, He brimmed with confidence! Observing Lin Feng being ushered away by Lai Peng, Jiang Chen''s mind raced with fervor! How could he thwart Lin Feng''s exhibition of talent and deter him from reaping rewards at this appraisal meeting? "Young Master Jiang Chen, what are you pondering? Let''s proceed and enjoy a stroll!" Ning Xian''s melodious voice echoed, and as she spoke, her visage illuminated with a radiant smile. Herplexion was fair and wless, and her bright eyes and pearly teeth were genuinely captivating. "Ah, yes, let''s go!" Upon returning to the present, Jiang Chen offered a subtle smile. His rapport with Ning Xian had slightly progressed! Shortly after, Jiang Chen, Ning Xian, and Qiu Liaoxi advanced onward. As they ambled along, Jiang Chen''s thoughts raced, leaving him disinterested in the increasingly bustling marketce surrounding them. ''Lin Feng has already confirmed his attendance at the appraisal meeting.'' ''I cannot alter that reality, so I must consider other perspectives.'' ''At the appraisal meeting, if Lin Feng wishes to demonstrate his prowess and humble others, he will require adversaries, spectators, and treasures to evaluate.'' ''If that''s the case, then I will concentrate on these elements!'' ''Lai Peng must still visit numerous locations and extend invitations to multiple appraisers. I have time to strategize!'' ''...'' A subtle glimmer flickered in Jiang Chen''s eyes. He then covertly retrieved the transmission jade token and, shrouded by his robe sleeve and the Moondust Ring, ryed a message to Elder Ge "The White Mountain Chamber of Commerce is set to host an appraisal meeting prior to the main event, with Lin Feng participating." "Issue a directive forbidding anyone from our Jiang family or those associated with us from partaking in the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce''s appraisal meeting, be it as contestants or spectators. Even if invited, they must decline!" "Disseminate the order to promptly contact all renowned appraisers in Autumn Glory City before Lin Feng can, and deter them from attending the appraisal meeting!" "Convey the instruction to make every effort in reaching out to the owners of the items being assessed during this White Mountain Chamber of Commerce appraisal meeting, and purchase their treasures at any price topel them to withdraw from the event!" "Communicate the directive to devise methods of preventing key members of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce from attending the appraisal meeting. Additionally, request Uncle to negotiate with the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce, setting the rewards for the appraisal meeting as spiritual stones or othermonce treasures!" "Ensure that all actions remain ndestine, and identities stay undisclosed!" Chapter 24: Had He Come Here For a One-Man Show? "..." A series ofmands was conveyed to Elder Ge''s transmission jade token. The entire process unfolded silently, while Jiang Chen continued chatting andughing with Ning Xian. Upon receiving Jiang Chen''s instructions, Elder Ge felt puzzled but remained loyal, executing themands without question. As for Jiang Chen''s uncle, Jiang Xingtai, the patriarch of the Jiang n, he too held immense trust in Jiang Chen. He harnessed all the resources of the Jiang n and coborated with the operation. Instantaneously. The Jiang n, a colossus overshadowing half of Autumn Glory City, discreetly extended its numerous ''tentacles'' and sprang into action. Zhou n. In a spacious room suffused with various medicinal fragrances. An elderly man with a white beard hunched over a desk, scrutinizing a newly acquired form for the ''Vigor Qi Rejuvenation Pill''. He was Zhou Yongyan, the preeminent alchemist of the Zhou n, who also possessed expertise in artifact refinement and formation arrays. Moreover, he was an experienced appraiser. Suddenly. The transmission jade token exhibited signs of activity. "What is it?" "What? That old Liu Song has actually made some progress in studying this Vigor Qi Rejuvenation Pill!?" "And he invited me to exchange ideas? Hmph, he even invited others. Just look at this old man showing off!" With a cold sneer, Zhou Yongyan shook his head and then dispatched a message, epting Liu Song''s invitation. In Autumn Glory City, the Jiang and Zhou ns were the most formidable. As the saying goes, one mountain cannot amodate two tigers, unless they are a male and a female. Though some friction existed between the Jiang and Zhou ns, their rtionship was not entirely antagonistic, as they also shared ties through intermarriage and maintained a certain degree ofmunication. Furthermore, the two ns had interconnected rtionships with other forces in Autumn Glory City. Alchemists, artifact refiners, and formation masters from various factions would asionally exchange knowledge and techniques. After all, in their respective fields of expertise, they were essentially the most powerful forces in Autumn Glory City, leaving them with few others to engage in intellectual exchanges. Under Jiang Chen''s orchestration. The Jiang n extended invitations to numerous individuals in Autumn Glory City, most of whom were proficient in appraisal. No one declined the invitation from the Jiang n, and they all consented to it. Following this turn of events. The targets of Lin Feng''s ostentatious disy diminished by 80%! Shortly thereafter. Jiang Xingtai personally appeared and invited prominent members of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce to a meeting. When the members of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce indicated their intention to participate in the appraisal fair, Jiang Xingtai promptly responded by offering to supply rewards for the event. Those who rise to be the head of a family are no ordinary individuals, and Jiang Xingtai swiftly persuaded the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce with his proposal. He invited some key members of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce for drinks and conversation, rendering them unable to attend the appraisal conference. Subsequently, he altered the reward for the appraisal meeting to something marginally superior tomon treasures, as well as some spirit stones. Simultaneously. Lai Peng escorted Lin Feng to the Zhou n and met with the family head. Lai Peng revealed his intentions, only to discover that Zhou Yongyan had already departed. With time slipping away. Lai Peng had no alternative but to leave with Lin Feng, as he couldn''t delve further into the matter. Nheless. As they were departing, they encountered Zhou Yihe, the dissolute second young master of the Zhou n. Upon learning of Lai Peng''s purpose for visiting and hearing that Lin Feng intended to participate in the appraisal meeting, Zhou Yihe immediately disyed contempt and disdain. Having resided in Autumn Glory City for many years, he had never heard of Lin Feng, a personcking any reputation. This infuriated Lin Feng, who yearned to demonstrate his true abilities on the spot, to deliver a stinging rebuke to Zhou Yihe. However, with time running out, Lai Peng had to drag him away, leaving Lin Feng no option but to save his resentment towards Zhou Yihe for another day. In fact. If adhering to the original plot... Zhou Yongyan would not have departed from the Zhou n''s residence. Amid the confrontation between Zhou Yihe and Lin Feng, Zhou Yongyan would have been alerted and initiated a test for Lin Feng, enabling him to rebuke Zhou Yihe resoundingly. Subsequently, Zhou Yongyan and the Zhou n''s Patriarch might even take notice of Lin Feng and bestow upon him rewards as a result! Of course. These urrences are now a thing of the past! And so. [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot. Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value decreased by 200 points, and you gained 300 points of Viin Value!] A system prompt resounded in Jiang Chen''s mind, eliciting a glimmer of joy in his eyes. ''Hehe!'' ''I changed the plot!'' ''It appears that my preparations have been fruitful!'' Jiang Chen chuckled inwardly, and his steps became even lighter once more. Subsequently. Jiang Chen''s maneuver persisted. All the cultivators renowned for their appraisal abilities received an invitation from the Jiang n. Even the appraisers from the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce were not exempted! On the other hand. As for the items designated for appraisal at the event, the Jiang n dispatched representatives to purchase them from their owners. Although the price proposed was steep, Jiang Chen did not incur any losses. As long as Lin Feng didn''t reap any benefits, then, at the very least, it wouldn''t be a loss! Not to mention. Among these unappraised treasures, there might be some whose values far surpass their purchase price. After all, these items were intended for the protagonist Lin Feng''s appraisal. If they were allmonce goods, the appraisal event would hardly be worth spectating. On the other side. Lai Peng led Lin Feng in search of people, but most of the individuals they sought were nowhere to be found. Furthermore, they couldn''t even determine where these people had gone! Because the Jiang n had explicitly instructed them that this exchange involved profound knowledge and must remain confidential. Time passed slowly. Lai Peng searched based on a list of names, but in the end, he couldn''t find anyone except for Lin Feng. Immediately. He was dumbfounded! He was bewildered! Lin Feng also wore a peculiar expression, thinking to himself that they had agreed to gather the elites, but he ended up having to forge his path and establish his reputation alone. And ultimately, was he the only one attending!? Fine. It''s not terrible to have the entire stage to oneself. Having the whole stage to oneself wasn''t an unpleasant sensation at all. As long as he could showcase his skills, the cultivators attending the appraisal event would undoubtedly be astonished by his abilities! However. Upon arriving at the appraisal event with a disheartened Lai Peng, his eager expression came to a sudden halt. To his astonishment, there were merely a handful of people in the entire appraisal event venue. Moreover, they seemed to be ordinary staff members in charge of moving items around! There were also not as many objects to be appraised as he had envisioned. They were all items amassed over the years by the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce that could not be appraised. However, the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce frequently traveled to cultivator cities and held appraisal conferences upon their arrival. So, how many items could possibly be left unappraised? Lin Feng counted and discovered that there were only five items in total. Moreover, two of those items were not spiritual nts but rather a pill furnace and a bottle-like container that appeared to be used for storing medicinal pills. "Brother Lai." "Is this really the appraisal event of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce?" Lin Feng looked at Lai Peng beside him with a speechless expression. Had hee here for a one-man show? Furthermore, he couldn''t even perform his one-man show for long... "s!" "It wasn''t like this in the past." "I don''t know what happened this time." Lai Peng frowned and suddenly appeared serious, "Could it be that our chamber ofmerce president''s health is deteriorating, and it has had a negative impact? But this shouldn''t be the case!" "What happened to your chamber ofmerce president?" Lin Feng''s heart stirred as he inquired. His Burning World Red Lotus also possesses unique healing effects and can cure variousplex and challenging illnesses. If it can be used to treat the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce president''s condition, it will bring immense benefits! "Well, technically speaking, I''m not supposed to disclose this information." Lai Peng hesitated for a moment before saying, "But your alchemy skills seem quite impressive. Let me tell you about it and see if you can find a solution." "Alright." Lin Feng smiled slightly and said, "Maybe I can cure him." "Then listen while you appraise the items." "Our White Mountain Chamber of Commerce president first showed signs of illness about three years ago." "I saw him once during an attack, and it was very frightening. His robust body shrank to about a quarter of its original size, and the veins on his body twisted like withered tree roots!" "It is said that this terrifying aftermath was formed by the president identally experiencing a Qi Deviation during his own cultivation practice!" Chapter 25: President Du Bailei of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce "..." Once Lai Peng finished speaking, his face was etched with a mournful expression. "Experiencing attacks and bodily contraction?" "Veins throughout the body coiling like gnarled tree roots?" Upon hearing Lai Peng''s ount, Lin Feng was abruptly inspired by a thought. He hade across such symptoms in the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records before. Remarkably, that wasn''t even indicative of Qi Deviation... "What''s the matter?" "Can you truly cure the president?" Observing Lin Feng''s pensive expression, Lai Peng inquired. "Well." "I need to conduct a more thorough diagnosis to confirm. Can you take me to see the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce?" Lin Feng remained prudent and refrained from making any promises without further examination. "About that." "I''m uncertain if President Du Bailei would be willing to meet you, so why not appraise these items first?" Lai Peng offered a sheepish smile, aware that his standing within the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce was insufficient to casually arrange a meeting with the president. "Alright." "Of these five items, I''ve already identified three." "They are, respectively, the Easy Spirit Pinecone, the Three-Leafed Yin Soul Grass, and the Aconite Snake Pattern Flower." "However, I''m afraid I can''t determine the pill furnace and the bottle." Lin Feng ryed his findings to Lai Peng. "What!" "You truly identified them!" "And you even discerned three of them! Are you certain you''re not fabricating this?" Lai Peng gazed at Lin Feng in astonishment. He had merely wanted Lin Feng to attempt identification, and even if he had failed, Lai Peng would have epted the oue. To his surprise, Lin Feng had genuinely appraised three of the items. "These are the properties of the three spiritual nts." "You may have an experienced alchemist confirm my conclusions." Confidently, Lin Feng inscribed the properties of the three spiritual nts on the sheet of paper containing his assessment results. "Wow!" Lai Peng couldn''t help but express his admiration, "It appears that you''ve genuinely identified these three treasures!" Lin Feng had sessfully demonstrated his expertise; however, due to Jiang Chen''s interference, the results were significantly undervalued, and the rewards he received were minimal. "By the way." "When can you arrange for me to meet the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce?" Lin Feng inquired, nodding his head. "Allow me to inquire!" "You''ve managed to identify these three treasures that have eluded the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce for years. It''s quite probable that you''ll be granted an audience with President Du Bailei." Lai Peng nodded and promptly initiated contact with his connections to organize a meeting with President Du Bailei. Simultaneously. At the temporary encampment of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce, outside the three-story white edifice. Jiang Chen, Ning Xian, and Qiu Liaoxi continued to saunter about. Even while doing so. Jiang Chen was not merely wandering aimlessly! Upon discovering that President Du Bailei of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce was ailing and potentially the patient Lin Feng intended to treat, Jiang Chen incessantly pondered ways to thwart this scheme. As he reflected during their walk. He devised a strategy to convince Qiu Liaoxi to attempt treating President Du Bailei instead. Allowing Lin Feng to be sabotaged by his own people! Although it seemed that only Lin Feng could cure President Du Bailei''s illness. Even Qiu Liaoxi was incapable of treating the ailment. However. As long as Qiu Liaoxi could urately diagnose President Du Bailei''s condition. Jiang Chen remained confident that he could acquire the requisite treasures from the system mall and heal him! Furthermore. Lin Feng had also sought an audience with President Du Bailei of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce in hopes of having the opportunity to treat him. Initially. He had shone brilliantly at the appraisal event, capturing the attention of numerous high-ranking members of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce, which greatly facilitated his approach to President Du Bailei. Nheless, Jiang Chen''s maneuver had an impact! Lin Feng was left to rely on Lai Peng, a rtively low-ranking member of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce, to schedule a meeting with President Du Bailei. During this endeavor, they might cross paths with some upper-level members of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce. Hence. Jiang Chen purposefully sent a message to his uncle, Jiang Xingtai, requesting that he monitor the senior members of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce. Should someone seek to arrange a meeting with the president through these high-ranking members for the purpose of treating his ailment, efforts would be made to hinder their progress. At this moment. "Is this the encampment of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce?" Ning Xian nced at the bustling small building before her and hesitated, "Do we truly need to seek an audience with the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce president?" "Yes." "I''ve heard that their president has been unwell, and since Master Qiu''s medical expertise is remarkable, I considered asking her to give it a try." "If Master Qiu could heal him, it would benefit both Master Qiu and me!" Jiang Chen offered a faint smile and nodded towards Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi. "Alright!" "Lin Feng requires numerous spiritual nts. If we manage to treat the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce president, we''ll be able to purchase more spiritual nts at a more advantageous price." Qiu Liaoxi nodded and sped her hands before Jiang Chen, "In that case, we must trouble Young Master Jiang." Without Jiang Chen, It would undoubtedly be a daunting task for them to meet the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce President. "Then let''s proceed!" Jiang Chen chuckled softly, leading Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi onward. "Young Master Jiang Chen!" The female servant who had previously encountered Jiang Chen promptly approached to wee him. "Haha." "I''ve heard that the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce President is unwell, so I''ve brought two experts in the field of alchemy to assist. They will undoubtedly restore him to full health!" Jiang Chen brought his hands together and addressed the female servant. "I understand!" "I''ll go report this to the higher-ups immediately!" The female servant''s face lit up withprehension before she excused herself to ry the information to her superiors. In reality, Numerous people were aware that the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce President was unwell, and many sought to treat him. When they arrived, they were confident and made grand promises. Yet, In the end, they were all powerless and left empty-handed. As a result, The majority of those who wished to attempt treating the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce President faced rejection. However, Jiang Chen''s status was exceptional. Thus, the female servant reported the matter to the higher-ups with utmost respect. Shortly thereafter, The female servant reemerged, smiling as she said, "The President''s condition has already improved somewhat. Upon learning that Young Master Jiang Chen has returned with expert alchemists, he was quite pleased and requests that Young Master Jiang Chen meet with him right away." In truth, The White Mountain Chamber of Commerce President didn''t believe that the individuals Jiang Chen had brought could cure him. However, many senior members of the Chamber of Commerce and the Jiang n had recently be close allies. Furthermore, this marked Jiang Chen''s second visit, and his apaniment of alchemists demonstrated his concern. Regardless of whether the ailment could be remedied, the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce held a favorable impression of Jiang Chen. He promptly agreed to meet with Jiang Chen. "Excellent!" "Please guide us!" Jiang Chen nodded, smiling. Shortly after, Led by the female servant, Jiang Chen, Ning Xian, and Qiu Liaoxi arrived at a serene chamber on the third floor. They observed a man enshrouded in a ck robe, his figure tall and slender. This man was none other than the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce President. ''Viin''s Eye!'' With a mere thought, Jiang Chen activated his ability, and the other individual''s character panel materialized before him. Indeed, he was a supporting character! [Name: Du Bailei Realm: Early-stage Mysterious tform Status: Supporting character Fate Value: 682] ''Mysterious tform Realm!'' ''I didn''t anticipate Du Bailei would actually be a Mysterious tform Realm cultivator.'' ''The most powerful individual in all of Autumn Glory City is merely at the Mysterious tform Realm. It appears that this person must be Lin Feng''spetent aide.'' ''...'' Jiang Chen examined Du Bailei''s character panel, his thoughts swirling. Just then, in that instant. Chapter 26: May Seem Far Away, Yet Its Actually So Close "Young friend Jiang Chen." "And two esteemed alchemists." "I am Du Bailei, the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce." "Please forgive me for not revealing my true appearance, as I am currently unwell and my physical condition is far from ideal." Du Bailei''s hoarse voice conveyed a subtle undertone of pain. "I understand, I understand!" Jiang Chen responded empathetically, expressing his concern. He then engaged in a brief exchange with the President of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce. Soon after. Jiang Chen proposed that Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian examine him. After some consideration, Du Bailei consented to their suggestion. "Please excuse me." "I hope my appearance will not rm you three." Du Bailei spoke as he lifted his hand and removed his ck hood. Suddenly. A monstrous visage emerged before Jiang Chen, Ning Xian, and Qiu Liaoxi. The face consisted of intertwined muscles, resembling vines, and its hue was akin to that of severe burns. However. Jiang Chen, having experienced the era of information explosion, was unafraid. Qiu Liaoxi, well-informed as she was, also remainedposed. Only Ning Xian, with her limited life experience and having never encountered such a horrifying visage before, had her pupils contract momentarily before returning to normal. "Alchemist Qiu, please diagnose President Du Bailei!" Jiang Chen scrutinized Du Bailei and then nodded gravely at Qiu Liaoxi. "I will do my utmost!" Qiu Liaoxi nodded in response and approached to diagnose Du Bailei. In fact. Upon seeing Du Bailei, Qiu Liaoxi felt a sense of familiarity. After a moment of reflection, she recalled some information from the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records. Du Bailei''s condition was the result of something within his body that absorbed not only his Yuan Power and blood but also a portion of his spiritual power. "President Du Bailei..." "This wasn''t an ident, was it? Someone targeted you!" "The entity within President Du Bailei''s body is called the ''Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass''!" "This grass necessitates a highly skilled alchemist to imnt it into the target''s body using a specialized technique." "It will absorb the host''s spiritual power and blood to strengthen itself. If left untreated, it will drain the host entirely in a single instance!" "However, under the influence of a specific medicine, it will only absorb a portion of the host''s spiritual power and blood, ensuring the host''s survival." "President Du Bailei, it''s evident that you fall into thetter category; someone is employing this method to control you!" Following her meticulous diagnosis of Du Bailei, Qiu Liaoxi inquired gravely. Upon hearing these words. Du Bailei''s expression shifted, disying surprise. "Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass!" "So, this entity is called the ''Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass''!" "Alchemist Qiu, you truly possess extraordinary medical skills. I have journeyed to numerous locations across the Mysterious Truth Continent, yet only you were able to diagnose me." Du Bailei''s astonishment grew, and his tone became increasingly animated. Unbeknownst to him, Qiu Liaoxi was actually an alchemist hailing from the Bright Cloud Continent. "What is going on here?" Jiang Chen''s eyebrows arched, disying a curious expression. Internally, he was delighted. Qiu Liaoxi had identified the cause of Du Bailei''s affliction, which implied an increased likelihood of curing Du Bailei before anyone else. "This matter..." "I wonder if Alchemist Qiu possesses the ability to heal me?" "If you cannot, I would not dare to disclose it independently. It would be unfavorable for both of us!" Du Bailei''s astonishment morphed into a mix of anticipation and apprehension, as he spoke hesitantly. "I am aware of a method to save you!" Qiu Liaoxi nodded, then altered her tone, "However, it may be challenging to aplish." "Alchemist Qiu, please feel free to speak your mind." Du Bailei inhaled deeply and addressed her with a solemn expression. "To eradicate the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass." "We require a unique spiritual nt known as the ''Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss''." "Where the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss exists, the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass cannot thrive." "When the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass encounters the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss, it is akin to facing a lethal poison, and it will perish instantly." "Furthermore, upon its demise, a portion of the absorbed spiritual essence will be restored to your body." "Regrettably, the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss is an exceedingly rare treasure, and throughout my lifetime, I have yet toe across it even once." Qiu Liaoxi elucidated the specific treatment approach and then, with a hint of disappointment, shook her head. "Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss..." Du Bailei''s expression transformed into one of despair, disappointment supnting the hope he previously held, "Does this mean I am destined to be a tool or ve for the remainder of my life?" As the President of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce and an experienced appraiser, He possessed extensive knowledge of spiritual nts, yet he had never encountered this Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss before and had no notion of where to locate it. "I don''t know whomitted such a heinous act, utilizing the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass to torment people." Ning Xian dered indignantly, "It''s designed to make people yearn for death!" "s." "Many thanks to young friend Jiang Chen for inviting Master Qiu to diagnose me." "Although I cannot be cured at present, at least I now know the treatment method." "In the future, I will devote all my efforts to searching for the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss, hoping to find it and eliminate the harm inflicted by the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass." With a resigned sigh, Du Bailei regained hisposure and bowed to Jiang Chen in gratitude. Just when everyone assumed Jiang Chen was going to console Du Bailei. "Wait!" "Is it a dense, purple-red spiritual nt that resembles moss?" Jiang Chen rubbed his chin and inquired, astonishment evident in his voice as he addressed Qiu Liaoxi. "Yes!" "Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss appears precisely like that. It''s a dense, purplish-red moss that resembles flesh!" "Young Master Jiang Chen, is it possible that you''ve encountered this nt before!?" Qiu Liaoxi gazed at Jiang Chen in disbelief. Throughout her life, she had neverid eyes on the actual Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss! Simultaneously, Ning Xian''s eyes brimmed with astonishment as she too regarded Jiang Chen with incredulity. Naturally, If one were to consider the most emotionally stirred individual, it would be none other than Du Bailei! "Young friend Jiang Chen!" "Have you truly seen the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss? Where can it be found!?" Du Bailei approached Jiang Chen with immense excitement, his eyes widening and his eyeballs nearly bulging out! "Hahaha!" "Don''t worry, President Du. The Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss you seek may seem far away, yet it''s actually so close!" Jiang Chen smiled faintly, then touched his storage bracelet and retrieved an object... In another room on the third floor of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce''s encampment, "Lai Peng, any response yet?" Lin Feng paced back and forth, growing increasingly impatient. He turned to Lai Peng, who wore a sheepish expression, and inquired. "Well..." "My superior is preupied with some matters, so it might take a while before I receive a response." Lai Peng admitted helplessly. He now understood where the higher-ups of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce had gone. They were all upied with negotiations involving the Jiang n and their patriarch. "Alright." "I''ll wait a bit longer." Lin Feng nodded and took a seat at the table, pouring himself a cup of tea. His sense of urgency had dissipated. After all, the patient, Du Bailei, was right there and couldn''t escape. He would inevitably have the opportunity to meet with him. On the other side. At the top floor of the renowned Wind Observation Tower in Autumn Glory City. The head of the Jiang family was hosting a group of high-level cultivators from the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce. "Come on, keep drinking!!" "Today, we won''t return until we''re drunk, hahaha!" A middle-aged man with slightly graying temples raised his wine ss and downed it in one gulp, demonstrating immense enthusiasm. Buzzing. Suddenly, a transmission jade token in someone''s possession began to emit a sound. He promptly sought to check it out. Chapter 27: Lin Feng鈥檚 Stupefaction "Hey!" "Friend!" "Just enjoy your wine. Why are you ncing at your transmission jade token? Is there somethingcking in Jiang''s hospitality?" Jiang Xingtai yfully chided the man when he noticed him wanting to inspect his transmission jade token. Such urrences. He had already experienced them numerous times before. So much so that the message of Lin Feng requesting to meet Du Bailei was interrupted just like that! By this point, a substantial amount of wine had been consumed. Meanwhile, the cultivators of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce remained preupied with preparations for the trade fair, having no intention of partaking in further libations. "Patriarch Jiang!" "You truly are the most spirited individual I''ve ever encountered. If not for the trade fair today, I would certainly indulge in three days and nights of revelry with you!" "Regrettably, time is pressing, and the trade fair is about tomence. Let us reconvene for a drink on another asion, shall we?" One of the vice presidents of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce expressed his admiration for Jiang Xingtai. Without dy. The others rose to their feet, and one by one, they exchanged parting words to conclude the drinking session. "Ah, very well!" Jiang Xingtai nodded reluctantly and inquired, "So, how did the appraisalpetition unfold? I still have the rewards here to distribute!" "The appraisalpetition never took ce!" "A young man named Lin Feng unexpectedly appraised three items all by himself." "Patriarch Jiang, perhaps you could offer him some valuable rewards and see if he might be enticed to join the Jiang n, haha." The vice president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce chuckled, then nced at the transmission jade token. Abruptly, his expression shifted. "What? This Lin Feng ims he can cure the president''s post-Qi deviation syndrome!" "What!?" "Could this be a hoax? This Lin Feng is likely still a young man who hasn''t even fully matured; how could he possibly cure the president''s post-Qi deviation syndrome?" "Indeed, numerous renowned alchemists have failed to cure the president; what makes this Lin Feng believe he can seed?" "Regardless, I refuse to ept such a im. Let''s not allow him to disrupt the president''s recuperation." "..." The members of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce exhibited scorn and contempt towards Lin Feng. "Well..." "The president has suffered from illness for many years, and we cannot afford to overlook any opportunity." "This Lin Feng is confident and has sessfully appraised three treasures that have eluded identification for years. Why not allow him to attempt a cure? If he fails, we won''t lose much either." After contemting the matter, the vice president''s concern for the president overrode his skepticism, and he voiced his thoughts. "Since the vice president has expressed his support, I concur as well!" "Indeed, let Lin Feng have a try. If he dupes us, we''ll ensure he learns his lesson!" The cultivators of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce chimed in one after another, adeptly altering their stance to suit the circumstances. ''It appears that this matter can no longer be dyed.'' ''My dear nephew, your uncle has done his utmost. I hope I can assist you in some manner.'' Jiang Xingtai reflected inwardly. Concerning Lin Feng, in truth, ever since Jiang Chen highlighted his extraordinary talents, Jiang Xingtai gradually recognized his potential. This Lin Feng certainly possessed secrets! Though Jiang Xingtai harbored reservations about Jiang Chen''s motives, he set them aside and opted to ce his trust in him. Families of the viins were typically quite close-knit and maintained profound rtionships with one another. If the protagonist harmed or killed one of their members, they would bear a deep grudge. Consequently, the elder generations would avenge the younger ones, ultimately leading to theplete annihtion of the entire family, leaving nothing in their wake. Jiang Chen''s family also embodied this tightly-bound nature. Jiang Xingtai held his nephew, Jiang Chen, in the highest esteem and ced immense trust in him... Returning to the matter at hand. Seated at a table in a room, Lin Feng leisurely sipped his tea. All of a sudden, "We have a response!" "The vice president has instructed me to escort you to meet the president. He''s currently conveying the message to the president!" Lai Peng dered to Lin Feng, his face brimming with enthusiasm. "Let''s proceed!" Lin Feng gave a curt nod and rose to his feet. Without dy, The duo exited the room and made their way to the third floor. Simultaneously, Within a tranquil chamber on the third floor, "Could this be the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss!?" "It appears quite peculiar. Who would have thought that this piece of flesh is in fact a type of moss-like spiritual nt?" Ning Xian gazed at the purple-red ''flesh'' held in Jiang Chen''s hand, her curiosity piqued. She then attempted to prod it with her delicate jade finger. "Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss!" "It truly is the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss!" Qiu Liaoxi cried out in exhration, "After studying alchemy for so many years, I finally get to witness the genuine article!" Naturally, Du Bailei was even more thrilled! "It is indeed the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss!" "This really is the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss!" "My goodness, I''m saved! I can atst break free from that fiend''s grasp!" Overwhelmed with emotion, Du Bailei trembled as if he had been given a new lease on life. At that moment, His transmission jade token started to vibrate. However, instead of attending to his transmission jade token, Du Bailei charged towards Jiang Chen, his eyes bloodshot and fixated on him: "Young friend Jiang Chen, you must grant me this Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss. I am prepared to pay any price!" "President Du, you are being too earnest!" "Since I have presented this Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss, it is only natural that I n to give it to you!" "Of course, there will be a cost involved; if I were to offer it for free, you might not feel at ease utilizing it." "As for the specificpensation President Du will provide, we can negotiate thatter. I won''t make it exorbitant, so as not to cause undue difficulty for President Du." Jiang Chen''s face radiated a warm and reassuring smile. At that instant, [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot, preventing protagonist Lin Feng from showcasing his prowess and causing him to miss his opportunity. Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has diminished by 300 points!] [Ding! You have acquired 500 points of Viin Value!] Two system notifications echoed in Jiang Chen''s mind, making his smile even more genuine. This heartfelt expression, Stirred a subtle emotion within Ning Xian, who stood beside him, leading her to recognize that Jiang Chen was indeed an honest andpassionate individual. Following that, Amidst Du Bailei''s fervor and eagerness, Jiang Chen passed the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss to him. "Marvelous, simply marvelous!" "Young friend Jiang Chen, your immense benevolence is indescribable, and you are generous enough to offer me such a scarce treasure. I..." Du Bailei was nearly brought to tears, but fortunately, he still possessed the capacity to manage his emotions. He promptly suppressed his surging excitement. "President Du," "The most pressing matter now is to eliminate the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass. We can discuss the restter!" Jiang Chen''s face beamed with smiles as he firmly gripped Du Bailei''s hand. "Understood!" "I will remove the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass right away!" "Alchemist Qiu, could you please instruct me on the specific application of the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss?" Du Bailei nodded emphatically, then turned to Qiu Liaoxi. "Of course!" "President Du, do this... and then this..." Qiu Liaoxi promptlymenced guiding Du Bailei. At the staircase on the third floor, "What?" "We''re not permitted entry?!" "The vice president informed us that we could visit the president!" Lai Peng gazed at the guard who halted him and Lin Feng, his expression brimming with disbelief. "I apologize." The guard who stopped them offered a smile as he apologized. "I haven''t obtained any directives from the president as of yet..." "In that case!" "I''ll contact the vice president immediately!" Lai Peng opened his mouth and then produced a transmission jade token to consult with the vice president. Ultimately, The response they obtained indicated that the vice president had not received anymunication from the president either. It seemed that an urgent matter had arisen, so they were requested to wait a bit longer. Lin Feng furrowed his brow at this information, but had no choice other than to wait. Time trickled by. After roughly half an hour, Lai Peng finally obtained another transmission from the vice president. Upon reading the message, "The president''s lingering issues have been resolved!" Lai Peng''s eyes widened as he eximed with sheer tion, "He was undergoing treatment earlier! No wonder he didn''t have time to respond to us!" "What?!" "The White Mountain Chamber of Commerce president has been healed by someone!?" Lin Feng gazed at Lai Peng in astonishment, struggling to believe what he had just heard! Chapter 28: Oh, What a Coincidence! "Hahaha!" "Incredible! The president''s lingering ailment has finally been cured!" "This is undoubtedly the most uplifting news for my White Mountain Chamber of Commerce in recent years. It''s even more satisfying than amassing a fortune!" Lai Peng gazed at the transmission jade token and expressed his excitement once more. The guard who had previously obstructed the duo also drew near Lai Peng with immense enthusiasm, eagerly eyeing the message delivered by the vice-president. Just then. "No." "It can''t be!" "The White Mountain Chamber of Commerce president''s ailment isn''t that simple to cure!" Suddenly, Lin Feng asserted with a resolute expression. Lin Feng was acutely aware of the precise cause of the ''ailment'' afflicting the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce. In Autumn Glory City, perhaps only he, Lin Feng, his master Qiu Liaoxi, and Ning Xian possessed the ability to diagnose the specific condition of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce president. This ailment was meticulously documented in the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records. And if they sought to cure the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce, Lin Feng was convinced that only he could aplish it! This was due to the fact that the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss was exceedingly rare. Only he could directly consume the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass through his Burning World Red Lotus, thereby providing a fundamental cure for the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce. Hence. He simply couldn''t ept the notion that the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce had already been cured! "Lin Feng, what are you talking about?" "The president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce''s lingering ailment has already been cured. What do you mean it''s not that easy to cure?" Lai Peng said discontentedly to Lin Feng. The news hade from the vice-president, so it couldn''t have been false! "That''s right!" "You, young man, don''t you want to see my president recover!?" The guard''s face turned menacing, and he regarded Lin Feng with animosity. Had it not been for Lai Peng''s intervention in bringing Lin Feng here, he would have alreadymenced expelling him by now. "No, that''s not what I meant." "I fear that the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce has been deceived by someone!" Lin Feng''s heart raced, and he hastily rified. "Brother Lin Feng." "Is it even possible for someone to fabricate the fact that the lingering ailment has been cured?" "Now that the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce has already recovered, there''s no need for you to attempt anything. Let''s go." Lai Peng wordlessly patted Lin Feng''s shoulder and then grasped his arm, ready to escort him away from the scene. "Brother Lai, please trust me this time." "Only I, Lin Feng, can cure the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce in Autumn Glory City!" Lin Feng felt reluctant and didn''t want to witness this grand opportunity slipping through his fingers. "What do you mean only you can cure him?" "Look at you, you haven''t even grown a full beard. How dare you make such a presumptuous im!?" The guard immediately countered with a scornful expression. "Little brother Lin Feng." "It''s true that we share some connection, but if you persist in causing trouble like this, don''t me me for being impolite." Lai Peng also lost his patience and spoke unhappily. "I..." Lin Feng opened his mouth but struggled to find the right words. Persisting would only further aggravate Lai Peng and the guard, decreasing his chances of meeting the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce even more. But if he left now. He would feel extremely reluctant in his heart and harbor intense resentment towards the person he had never met before, who had treated the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce. "Let''s go!" Lai Peng tugged at Lin Feng''s arm forcefully, and the two of them strode toward the stairs. "Chatan!" "The person who treated the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce must be a chatan!" "I have to find an opportunity to see the president, expose the true nature of this imposter, and then genuinely cure his ailment!" "..." As Lin Feng descended the stairs, he clenched his teeth and spoke. Lai Peng was perplexed. What in the world had gotten into Lin Feng? Suddenly. There was activity in the third-floor corridor, as if several people had approached the staircase in unison. Immediately afterwards! "Who are you calling a chatan!?" A distinctly displeased, hoarse male voice echoed, apanied by a touch of authority. "Who!?" Lin Feng''s body stiffened, and he could discern from the voice that the neer was no ordinary person! He instantly pivoted to look! And then. He was rooted to the spot! He beheld a burly man with a peculiar visage, frowning and fixing him with an icy stare. Standing beside the burly man were three familiar faces. None other than Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi, wearing perplexed and speechless expressions, as well as Jiang Chen, who had widened his eyes and covered his mouth with one hand in astonishment! Lin Feng''s eyes widened in disbelief, his face twitching uncontrobly, as if he was on the verge of a breakdown! "I said!" "Who are you calling a chatan!!" Du Bailei stepped forward, his voice growing more severe! "No, it''s not..." Lin Feng was extremely mortified and at a loss for words. He was also utterly astounded to discover that the ''chatan'' he referred to was, in fact, Ning Xian, his mentor, and Jiang Chen. "President Du!" Qiu Liaoxi awkwardly spoke up, "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding, it''s all a misunderstanding." "Right, right, right!" "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding!" Jiang Chen immediately stepped forward and interjected, "This Lin Feng is a disciple of Qiu Liaoxi, a renowned alchemist. Oh, what a coincidence!" "What!?" "This Lin Feng is Alchemist Qiu''s disciple!?" Du Bailei''s expression turned exceedingly peculiar, and he felt a sense of absurdity welling up in his heart. Meanwhile. Lai Peng and the guard were equally bbergasted, never anticipating such a turn of events! "Master, Ning Xian!" "How...how did you all end up here?" Lin Feng inquired with a mix of embarrassment and bewilderment. Qiu Liaoxi smiled, shook her head, and proceeded to elucidate the circumstances. And so. Lin Feng grasped that it was Jiang Chen who had brought Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian here! ''Jiang Chen!'' ''It''s this guy again!'' ''He must be attempting to use my master''s assistance to cure the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce President and reap some rewards!'' ''Darn it, if it weren''t for him, I would be the one treating the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce President, and I wouldn''t have found myself in such an embarrassing predicament!'' ''Darn it, is Jiang Chen destined to be my nemesis? Every time he''s present, I''m always gued with misfortune!'' ''...'' Lin Feng''s heart harbored a surge of bitter resentment! At this moment. "Lin Feng!" "What are you doing here? Also, just now..." Jiang Chen tilted his head slightly and regarded Lin Feng curiously. Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi also gazed at him peculiarly, awaiting his response. ''This guy, he always stirs up trouble wherever he goes!'' Lin Feng felt a swell of anger in his heart, but he took a deep breath and spoke with a hint of embarrassment: "Well, I too heard about the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce President''s illness and had a n to help him recover. Who would have thought that we would encounter each other like this?" Upon hearing this statement, Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi suddenly appeared enlightened. They knew that Lin Feng must have learned about the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass and, upon recognizing an illness he could treat, wanted to showcase his skills. Who would have thought that he would be outpaced by someone from their own side? "I see!" "It was all just a misunderstanding!" Du Bailei shook his head wryly and said, "Thank you for your kind intentions, young friend Lin Feng. Your master has already cured my illness." "President Du...was really cured!?" Lin Feng nced at Qiu Liaoxi, Ning Xian, and Jiang Chen with a gleam in his eyes. After hesitating for a moment, he still asked. Having diagnosed Du Bailei''s illness, he believed that Qiu Liaoxi could do it, and Ning Xian could do it as well. However, he found it hard to believe that they could cure Du Bailei! Finding the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss was nearly impossible. He believed that only he, Lin Feng, could cure Du Bailei. And yet... Chapter 29: Lin Feng鈥檚 Doubts About Life "Indeed, he has been cured." "However, I merely diagnosed President Du Bailei''s condition and proposed a treatment n." "In truth, it was Young Master Jiang Chen who healed President Du Bailei." "Without him providing the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss, I would have been utterly powerless in treating this ailment." Qiu Liaoxi nodded assertively, attributing all the credit to Jiang Chen without iming any for herself. "No, no, I cannot ept all the praise." Jiang Chen promptly responded with humility, "Without Alchemist Qiu''s expertise, I wouldn''t have known that such a thing could cure illnesses..." As they observed Qiu Liaoxi and Jiang Chen graciously deflecting the credit to one another, Lin Feng''s heart was suddenly overwhelmed by a profound emotion, caught in his throat and inexpressible. ''Jiang Chen!!'' ''It''s him again!'' ''He actually possesses the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss, how is that possible!'' ''First, the Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill, and now the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss. Both are exceedingly rare treasures. How did he manage to acquire these items!'' ''That ursed Jiang Chen! Without him, not only could I have healed President Du, but I could also have utilized the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass to nurture the Burning World Red Lotus!'' ''But now... everything is lost!!'' Lin Feng''s fury swelled within his heart, akin to a tempestuous sea that nearly shattered his emotional restraint, almost causing him to erupt with emotions on the spot! Yet, he was aware that if he sumbed to his anger, his image in the eyes of his master and Ning Xian would deteriorate even further. In the end, Lin Feng clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and resolutely swallowed his rage. However, After several setbacks, all of which were caused by Jiang Chen''s "unintentional" actions, he couldn''t even find a reason to me Jiang Chen. Lin Feng truly began to question the meaning of his life... [Ding! You have sessfully damaged the protagonist Lin Feng''s mental state, reducing his Heavenly Fate Value by 100 points!] [Ding! You have gained 200 points of Viin Value!!] Two notifications abruptly resounded in Jiang Chen''s mind. "Huh?" "I''ve affected his mental state. It seems the impact on him was quite significant this time. Hehe!" Jiang Chen chuckled to himself. Shortly after, While he continued tough and deflect credit to Qiu Liaoxi, he also employed the Viin''s Eye on Lin Feng. [Name: Lin Feng Realm: Middle-stage Soul Refining Status: Protagonist Heavenly Fate Value: 3280/3280] "Only a little over three thousand remaining!" "I''ve already diminished Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value by nearly half, and I''m drawing closer and closer to being able to eliminate him!" "Additionally, the reduction in Heavenly Fate Value should weaken his protagonist status, right? I might be able to test that theory..." Jiang Chen pondered to himself, and then inspected his Viin Value. After exchanging for the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss, he retained a Viin Value bnce of 2100 points! With this amount, he could procure cultivation methods and secret arts for the Heavenly Origin realm. Even ordinary Heavenly Origin realm treasures would pose no issue! At that moment, "Jiang Chen, don''t be so modest." "You undoubtedly deserve more recognition for being able to cure President Du''s illness!" Ning Xian''s clear voice interrupted Qiu Liaoxi and Jiang Chen. "Yes, yes, that''s correct!" Qiu Liaoxi promptly concurred. "Well, alright then..." Jiang Chen grinned sheepishly and nodded. Off to the side, Lin Feng''s dissatisfaction only intensified. Just then, "The Trade Fair is about tomence." Du Bailei smiled and suggested, "Why don''t you all join me? What do you think?" "Excellent!" Jiang Chenughed heartily and extended his right hand, "Please!" "Please!" Du Bailei reciprocated the gesture. Jiang Chen and Du Bailei engaged in friendly conversation as they proceeded towards the location where the Trade Fair was taking ce. Before long, They arrived at the site of the Trade Fair and fortuitously encountered Jiang Xingtai along with a group of White Mountain Chamber of Commerce executives. "President!" "President, you''re alright!" "That''s wonderful, the aftereffects of the president''s Qi Deviation have been cured!" "From now on, the president will no longer suffer from the affliction of illness!" "..." The White Mountain Chamber of Commerce executives were tremendously excited and concerned upon seeing Du Bailei, greeting him with zeal. Having learned from the Vice President that Du Bailei''s ''aftereffects'' had been cured, they had all been eagerly anticipating the chance to see him as soon as possible. So, when they finally encountered him, how could they not be overjoyed? "Hahaha!" "I have indeed made a full recovery." "All of this is thanks to our young friend Jiang Chen and Alchemist Qiu Liaoxi!" Du Baileiughed heartily, drawing attention to Jiang Chen and Qiu Liaoxi for everyone present. "I see!" "Many thanks to young friend Jiang Chen and Alchemist Qiu Liaoxi!" "Your immense kindness will forever be remembered by us!" "The president''s benevolence towards me is as profound as a mountain, and his benefactors are my benefactors!" The high-level cultivators of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce expressed their gratitude to Jiang Chen and Qiu Liaoxi with respectful bows. Observing this, Lin Feng''s irritation intensified. Suddenly, "Nephew Jiang Chen!!" "Why are you with President Du Bailei? And you even cured his aftereffects!?" Jiang Xingtai eximed in astonishment, as if he was unaware of Jiang Chen''s journey to treat President Du Bailei''s illness. Such top-notch acting skills! "Second Uncle!" "You''re here as well!" Upon spotting Jiang Xingtai, Jiang Chen immediately disyed a warm smile. Then, Jiang Chen briefly recounted the situation to Jiang Xingtai, who expressed amazement andvished praise upon him repeatedly. The other cultivators naturally chimed in and extolled him one after another as well! Theyuded Jiang Chen as a divine physician possessing extraordinary medical skills, a young hero, and a heaven-sent prodigy... they praised him with every de they could conceive of. All of a sudden, Jiang Chen unexpectedly found himself at the center of attention, drawing the gazes of everyone nearby. Off to the side, Lin Feng couldn''t help feeling somewhat bitter as he observed the gratitude the people from the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce expressed towards Jiang Chen and the shower of praise he received from everyone. At this time, "Everyone!" "Young friend Jiang Chen, along with Alchemist Qiu Dan and Miss Ning Xian, have cured my longstanding ailment." Suddenly, Du Bailei spoke up, "To express my gratitude, I''ve decided to cover the cost of any three treasures that anyone desires at the trade fair, regardless of their value!" Upon hearing these words, The crowd couldn''t help but exim in astonishment! This was indeed a generous offer! "No, no, no!" "I appreciate the gesture, but I cannot ept this!" Jiang Chen persistently declined the offer. However, as Du Bailei was resolute in his decision, Jiang Chen ultimately had no choice but to reluctantly agree. Immediately afterward, Everyone burst intoughter, and the atmosphere grew even more lively. However, Lin Feng stood there feeling like an outsider. He couldn''t help but sense that the liveliness around him didn''t pertain to him. "Master," "I''ve gained some insights in my cultivation and n to seize this opportunity to practice and improve myself. I''ll take my leave now." Lin Feng interjected and addressed Qiu Liaoxi. "Alright." Qiu Liaoxi knew that Lin Feng was feeling disheartened, so she didn''t pressure him to stay. "Okay." Lin Feng then turned to Ning Xian and said, "Ning Xian, why don''t youe back with me?" He felt a twinge of mncholy in his heart. He yearned to find someone to confide in. As Ning Xian and Lin Feng were fellow disciples, she wasn''t inclined to refuse. She was prepared to agree. However, how could Jiang Chen let Lin Feng have his way? "Lin Feng!" "What are you doing?" Jiang Chen leaned toward Lin Feng and winked at him, "Each of us, including me, Ning Xian, and your master, can select at least one treasure to be paid for by President Du. So why would you ask Ning Xian to leave?" Chapter 30: Altering the Plot Once More and Sharing a Moment with Ning Xian The moment Jiang Chen uttered these words. A surge of anger welled up within Lin Feng. He had been conversing with Ning Xian, so when did Jiang Chen earn the privilege to intrude? Furthermore. Upon hearing Jiang Chen''s statement. He no longer possessed the desire to request Ning Xian''s departure. After all, it was due to Ning Xian reaping the rewards of Qiu Liaoxi''s favor that Du Bailei included her as well. Should Ning Xian have departed... Then selecting treasures on her behalf would prove arduous for Qiu Liaoxi. By urging Ning Xian to leave, wouldn''t he be forcing her to relinquish this opportunity? "How about this?" "Lin Feng, you return first. Master and I will rejoin you after we''ve chosen the treasures." "You''re in dire need of spiritual nts at the moment. Inform me of your preferences, and I''ll assist in selecting them for you!" Ning Xian was reluctant to relinquish this opportunity, particrly given the scarce resources at Vast Spirit Residence. Yet, in this moment, Lin Feng''s primary concern was to confide in Ning Xian rather than acquire any treasure. However, Ning Xian''s reply could be perceived as a dismissal of his intentions. Lin Feng experienced a pang of disheartenment. "No, it''s alright." "Ning Xian, simply select what you require. I''ll head back ahead of you." With a shake of his head, Lin Feng turned and departed from the group, his silhouette emanating an air of solitude. However, not many people paid attention to him. The anticipated disy and face-pping narrative had been disrupted by Jiang Chen, leaving scarcely anyone to recognize Lin Feng. "This child..." Observing Lin Feng''s retreating form, Qiu Liaoxi resolved to impart some wisdom to him if the opportunity presented itself. Simultaneously, [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot, reducing the protagonist Lin Feng''s opportunities. Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 300 points!] [Ding! You have rued 500 points of Viin Value!] The system notifications rang out, momentarily startling Jiang Chen before he suddenly grasped the situation! During this trading fair, Lin Feng was undoubtedly destined for additional opportunities. At this juncture, Lin Feng had departed due to a string of disappointments, and with his disquieted state of mind, he had naturally forfeited this chance. At that moment. "The trading fair ismencing!" "Esteemed guests, please follow me!" Du Bailei''s voice resounded, as he personally guided Jiang Chen and the others. Thus, The party reached avish pavilion situated near the square, designated as the VIP room. Below the pavilion, A sizable tform had already been arranged. The trading fair was to transpire on this tform, epassing auctions, bartering, wholesale trading negotiations, and more. Promptly, The group entered the most opulent VIP room. Once everyone was seated, Jiang Chen found himself positioned beside Ning Xian. Shortly thereafter, waitstaff entered with an array of spiritual fruits and exquisite delicacies. Girls typically enjoy snacking, and Ning Xian proved no exception. Furthermore, her life at Vast Spirit Residence was far from luxurious. Consequently, she was swiftly captivated by these treats. For Jiang Chen, these snacks were rather unremarkable, and he effortlessly identified the tastiest options and their unique attributes before presenting some to Ning Xian for sampling. In merely a few exchanges, the atmosphere grew exceedingly amicable. Shortly, Du Bailei mentioned that he needed to attend to other guests and apologized for his temporary absence. Jiang Xingtai''s eyes sparkled, and he promptly rose to his feet, volunteering to apany Du Bailei. With both prominent figures gone, The senior cultivators from the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce also departed. Subsequently, Jiang Xingtai beckoned Qiu Liaoxi. He exined that they would soon encounter a group of the most aplished alchemists in Autumn Glory City and wished to introduce everyone to them. Qiu Liaoxi had no choice but to ept the invitation. Observing this, Jiang Chen couldn''t help but inwardlymend Jiang Xingtai with a thumbs up! Why? Because everyone had departed. Only he and Ning Xian remained in the room! Hehehe! Once everyone had gone, The atmosphere grew subtly quiet, and since Ning Xian had rarely been alone with a man before, she felt somewhat uneasy. Fortunately, Jiang Chen had witnessed the inte information explosion and was well-versed in various anecdotes, writings, and jokes. By making minor adjustments to align with the cultivation culture here, he quickly enlivened the atmosphere. Ning Xian never anticipated that Jiang Chen could be so articte, clever, and engaging. She also hadn''t expected that conversing with him would be so delightful, and she found herself engrossed in the discussion without even noticing it. As they spent more time together, their interactions became increasingly enjoyable. Not long after, [Ding! Ning Xian''s favorability towards you has risen, and Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 200 points!] [Ding! You have acquired 300 points of Viin Value!] As the system notification echoed in Jiang Chen''s mind, his excitement grew, and he ryed his jokes even more effortlessly, causing Ning Xian to giggle andugh incessantly. Jiang Chen also felt somewhat fortunate. Though Ning Xian was indeed intelligent, she remained rtively naive and easily delighted... After some time, Du Bailei, Jiang Xingtai, Qiu Liaoxi, and others made their way back to the VIP room. As everyone entered, Ning Xian was beaming with joy. Upon noticing their arrival, a blush swept across her lovely face before she quickly regained herposure. Observing this, Qiu Liaoxi couldn''t help but steal a few nces at Jiang Chen. At this moment, the auction rmenced. ''Auction!'' ''Lin Feng must have secured an additional opportunity at this auction!'' ''I should stay vignt and see if I can discover what this opportunity entails!'' ''...'' Jiang Chen mused to himself, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of chances the protagonist seemed to have. Since Lin Feng descended the mountain, how many opportunities had hee across in less than half a month? Had it not been for Jiang Chen thwarting or seizing them, Lin Feng would likely have already advanced to the Spiritual Awakening realm by now. Next, The auction formallymenced, and one treasure after another was showcased, with the starting price announced before the bidding began. "The first item, a Spiritual Awakening realm spiritual nt called Earth Star Cyan Duckweed, aged 300 years! Starting bid at 10,000 Lower Grade Spiritual Stones!" "I bid 10,000!" "How dare you offer such a low bid! I bid 10,500!" "20,000 Lower Grade Spiritual Stones!" "This Earth Star Cyan Duckweed is crucial for me. I ask for your magnanimity, and I bid 30,000 Lower Grade Spiritual Stones!" "Treasures are destined for those who can afford them. It''s not about who needs them the most. I bid 35,000 Lower Grade Spiritual Stones!" "..." The first spiritual nt ignited a fierce bidding war among the attendees, and the atmosphere at the event was highly charged. Soon, The Earth Star Cyan Duckweed was sold for 39,500 Lower Grade Spiritual Stones. Next came the second item, the third item, and so forth. ''Lin Feng requires a fire attribute spiritual nt.'' ''I''ll keep a close watch on this!'' ''Furthermore, Lin Feng might also find a bargain at this auction.'' ''Although my identification skills are limited, I have the System!'' ''As long as the name announced by the auctioneer differs from what I found in the system mall, there''s a high probability that the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce made an error in their identification!'' ''If that urs, I''ll purchase it immediately!'' Jiang Chen quietly mulled over his thoughts, a subtle smile gradually spreading across his face. In the square, "Curse Jiang Chen!" "Ah, why, why!" Lin Feng clenched his fists, his fingernails turning white, and the veins on the back of his hand and arms bing prominent. He was too aggrieved, too disheartened, and too infuriated! Previously, he could only scream internally. Now, with no familiar faces nearby, he couldn''t help but release a subdued growl! Yet even so, The zing me of anger in his heart proved difficult to extinguish! Hence, Lin Feng decided to vent his frustration in a less crowded area. Taking a deep breath, he quickly made his way towards the outskirts of the city. Before long, He entered a forest outside the city. Chapter 31: The Protagonist Status is Truly Exceptional In Autumn Glory City, At the trade fair, "50,000 Lower-Grade Spiritual Stones!" Jiang Chen''s voice resonated throughout the entire venue. At this moment, the item being auctioned was a spiritual fruit. However, When Jiang Chen searched for ''Fireheart Pinecone Fruit'' on the System Mall, a different type of spiritual fruit appeared instead. The auctioneer introduced the item at the beginning of the auction, dering that it was a Top-Grade Fireheart Pinecone Fruit, superior to any other Fireheart Pinecone Fruit they had encountered before. Evidently, It turned out that the appraisers from the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce had made an error! The item resembling a Fireheart Pinecone Fruit was actually a more advanced type of spiritual fruit! The key is that this spiritual fruit remained fire-attributed! Jiang Chen recognized at a nce that this was likely the treasure Lin Feng was originally supposed to acquire. Thus, Without hesitation, he decided to join the bidding. "The current highest bid is 50,000 Lower-Grade Spiritual Stones!" "50,000 once, 50,000 twice, 50,000 three times! Sold!" With the auctioneer''s announcement, Jiang Chen sessfully secured this treasure, which was worth far more than everyone had anticipated. What was even more impressive, Jiang Chen didn''t even have to pay for it himself! Today, his expenses at the trade fair were covered by President Du Bailei. "Hahaha!" "Young friend Jiang Chen has a keen eye. This Fireheart Pinecone Fruit is of the highest quality I have ever seen!" Du Bailei praised Jiang Chen with a smile after witnessing him sessfully acquire the Fireheart Pinecone Fruit. "Yes." "Fireheart Pinecone Fruits of this caliber are indeed rare. I must also thank President Du for gifting it to me." Jiang Chen nodded and smiled. "What are you talking about?" "Young friend Jiang Chen has done me a great favor. A mere Fireheart Pinecone Fruit is nothing inparison." Du Bailei said generously, "From now on, if there are any treasures that catch your eye, don''t hesitate to bid for them!" "Hahaha, sure thing, sure thing!" Jiang Chenughed and nodded repeatedly. Of course, He wouldn''t actually do that. If he did, it would be akin to nullifying the favor owed to him. As a viin determined to alter his destiny, Jiang Chen believed that exercising a bit more care and caution in his actions would certainly cause him no harm. The White Mountain Chamber of Commerce and Du Bailei remained valuable to him, And it was worth investing some effort to maintain a friendlier rtionship with them. Next, The auction proceeded. Regrettably, Jiang Chen did not have another opportunity to secure a bargain. ''Hmm.'' ''Just this counterfeit Fireheart Pinecone Fruit caused Lin Feng to lose 300 points of Heavenly Fate Value?'' ''It seems that the value of this item is even greater than I initially thought!'' Jiang Chen mused to himself, a subtle smile gracing the corner of his lips. Just then, The transmission jade token quivered slightly. Jiang Chen probed with his divine sense and read the message: "Eldest Young Master, I apologize, I lost track of Lin Feng! He left the city and ventured into the forest. I maintained my distance, fearing he would detect me. On the way, he encountered a poisonous miasma that obstructed my divine sense exploration, and in the blink of an eye, he had vanished!" After reading the message, "Lost track of him!?" Jiang Chen''s heart sank. After Lin Feng departed, Jiang Chen naturally made sure not to neglect keeping track of him, ensuring that Lin Feng would not entirely vanish from his sight. As a result, Jiang Chen dispatched a Spiritual Awakening cultivator from his own Jiang n to monitor Lin Feng. And now, He had lost track of him! "The protagonist status is truly exceptional!" "It seems that Lin Feng is likely to stumble upon some opportunities in the forest outside the city!" Jiang Chen did not fault the cultivator responsible for surveince, as he understood that Lin Feng was no easy target to track. To let Lin Feng seize an opportunity, This was thest thing Jiang Chen wanted to witness. Lin Feng ventured into the forest outside the city alone. If he were to leave at this moment and directly intervene to ruin Lin Feng''s opportunity, yet he couldn''t outright kill him, Lin Feng would eventually divulge this matter if he remained alive, alerting everyone. By that time, wouldn''t one''s true intentions beid bare for all to see? The reputation he had previously established would not only copse entirely but also worsen. The n to win over Ning Xian would have been virtually thwarted! And then, to deal with Lin Feng, he would have to rely solely on brute force! "I''m feeling a bit stuffy, I''m going out for some fresh air." Jiang Chen patted his chest, offered a slight smile to Ning Xian, and then stood up to leave. Although Ning Xian was somewhat curious, she didn''t inquire further. Upon arriving outside the trading venue, Jiang Chen summoned a trustworthy cultivator from the Jiang family, handed him a piece of Aura Finder Smoke, and provided some instructions before returning to the VIP room. The cultivator who received the Aura Finder Smoke promptly dashed out of the city! At the same time, In a dense jungle, quite a distance from Autumn Glory City, "Snap!!" "Thud!!" Sounds of trees snapping and falling reverberated incessantly. Numerous innocent trees became the targets of Lin Feng''s venting and were directly broken by his outburst. It wasn''t just therge trees. Beside him on the ground, there were countless pieces of rubble, all from the stones that had been shattered by Lin Feng''s outburst! Could you tell whether he was furious or not? "Phew!" "This is just too infuriating!" "At this point, I shouldn''t be merely at the Middle-stage Soul Refining Realm. After all, I possess the Burning World Red Lotus!!" ... After toppling a wide expanse of trees and pulverizing a heap of rocks, Lin Feng took a long, deep breath. A slightly cold breath surged into his lungs, but it failed to extinguish his anger. So, "Burning World me!" Lin Feng''s eyes turned slightly red as he directly unleashed the innate skill brought by the Burning World Red Lotus! In an instant! A vast amount of crimson mes rippled out like waves, immediately setting the lush forest around them aze! The mes rapidly spread throughout the forest, consuming everything in their path. A tree, saturated with moisture, proved no different from dry kindling. In the blink of an eye, Vast stretches of the forest were set aze. "Chirp chirp!" "..." Terrified birds and beasts scampered in all directions. Numerous smaller creatures failed to flee in time and perished within the ferocious ze. Observing this, Lin Feng furrowed his brows slightly and activated his Yuan Power, causing a substantial amount of mes to return to his physical body, as if being poured into a container. The remaining mes, devoid of Yuan Power''s support, gradually died out. Just then... "Roar!!" An incredibly enraged voice emerged from underground. "What!?" Lin Feng''s expression shifted as he sensed a violent tremor beneath his feet. Amidst the thunderous noise, fissures materialized in the nearby mountain ravine. A pale gold giant python slithered out of it, its crimson eyes radiating a chilling gleam. "This is... a Spiritual Awakening Realm demon beast! The Entwined Silk Vajra Python!" Lin Feng''s expression altered, his pupils slightly contracting as he gazed at the enormous python. All of a sudden. A potent odor assaulted his senses. Apart from the foul stench emanating from the Entwined Silk Vajra Python, there was also a powerful medicinal fragrance! "What''s this?" "At least it''s a treasure of the Mysterious tform Realm!" "The treasure is deep underground, likely hidden within their of the Entwined Silk Vajra Python!" "I didn''t expect to encounter a spiritual nt of the Mysterious tform Realm here, this is great!" Sensing the medicinal fragrance, Lin Feng used the power granted by the Burning World Red Lotus to directly identify the grade of the spiritual nt. At once, He was overjoyed! If Jiang Chen were here, he would undoubtedly sigh at how terrifying the protagonist status is. The previous opportunity was destroyed, and now it was immediately reced with another! At this moment, "Hiss!! Roar!" The Entwined Silk Vajra Python suddenly opened its massive mouth. The gaping maw, which presented a 180-degree blood-red opening, unexpectedly emitted a deep and majestic roar! "Hmph!" "In the Early-stage Spiritual Awakening realm... I haven''t had a real battle since acquiring the Burning World Red Lotus. I''ll use you as a scapegoat today!" Lin Feng snorted coldly. The Entwined Silk Vajra Python before him boasted a pale golden hue, signifying that it had recently undergone metamorphosis and had just entered the Early-stage Spiritual Awakening realm. Even in its wilted state, his Burning World Red Lotus still held a rank equivalent to the Inquiring Journey realm. The Burning World mes, originating from the Burning World Red Lotus, were undoubtedly immensely powerful. Although the Burning World Red Lotus was now teetering on the brink of demise. Lin Feng''s cultivation level was also quite low, rendering him incapable of fully unleashing the power of these mes. Nevertheless, handling an unwise Entwined Silk Vajra Python at the Early-stage Spiritual Awakening realm should pose no problem! PS: Dear readers, I am pleased to announce that I have sessfully posted all previously released chapters (initially published on Webnovel: 31 chapters in 14 days). Beginning tomorrow, I will be sharing two new chapters daily for your continued enjoyment. Thank you for your support! Chapter 32: Zhou Yihe Who Seeks to Exploit the Situation "Hiss! Roar!" The Entwined Silk Vajra Python unleashed an enraged roar, charging directly towards the small figure of Lin Feng. Not far away. On a hilltop. In the dense jungle, several figures stood tall, watching the intense battle below with uncertain gazes. "What is this!" "Someone has taken the lead?!" A young man dressed in a brocade robe, his face oily and hair powdered, furrowed his brows deeply, his eyes brimming with anger. This individual was none other than the dandyish Second Young Master of the Zhou n whom Lin Feng had encountered before, Zhou Yihe! To his side and slightly behind him. A middle-aged cultivator stood, d in a brown robe with a weathered face. Holding a map, he too had a furrowed brow! The Entwined Silk Vajra Python, this formidable demonic beast. Zhou Yihe had identally discovered its tracks in another location quite some time ago. Furthermore, he also detected the lingering scent of high-grade spiritual nts on its body. Therefore, He dispatched people to embark on a pursuit that spanned several months. Although the Entwined Silk Vajra Pythoncked exceptional intelligence, it possessed the innate instinct to create false nests. Until today. They had finally eliminated the other decoy nests and discovered the authentic nest today. But unexpectedly, When an exhrated Zhou Yihe led a group of subordinates to this location, they found that someone had already beaten them to it. "Young Master!" "You''ve devoted so much effort to locating this true nest; the spiritual nt within the python''s nest must not be seized by that person!" "This individual dares to steal the fruits of yourbor; they deserve to perish. We will reduce them to dustter!" "..." The middle-aged man in the brown robe inhaled deeply, his voice filled with anger. His name was Ma Qiwei, a Spiritual Awakening Realm cultivator, a loyal servant who had served the Zhou n for many years and also acted as Zhou Yihe''s bodyguard. After inadvertently discovering the Entwined Silk Vajra Python''s tracks, Ma Qiwei assumed full responsibility for the pursuit, living in this dense mountain forest alongside a group of people for the past several months. Having endured so much, how could he willingly allow someone else to reap the rewards of their efforts? Furthermore, This matter concerned the Zhou n''s reputation. The other bodyguards shared the same sentiment; thus, when Ma Qiwei spoke, they wholeheartedly concurred. "This person dares to steal my treasure; they deserve to die!" "However, let''s first determine who this person is..." Zhou Yihe was not imprudent enough to lead his men into a direct assault. He retrieved a bronze mirror from his storage ring. This was a small magical treasure with functions akin to a telescope. He lifted the mirror and directed it towards the battlefield below. Suddenly, The scene of Lin Feng''s intense battle with the Entwined Silk Vajra Python became vividly visible to everyone. Lin Feng''s previously indistinct face now appeared crystal clear. "Hmm? It''s actually this person!" "When the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce paid respects to Zhou Yongyan before, this individual apanied them. He seemed to be called Lin Feng and mentioned participating in some sort of appraisal event?" "But, shouldn''t he be attending the trade fair right now? Why has hee here alone?" "Never mind, regardless of his reasons, he''s merely a Soul Refining Realm cultivator without any significant background. Eliminating him is of no consequence!" Upon recognizing Lin Feng, a cold smile spread across Zhou Yihe''s face. Observing this, Ma Qiwei and the others also sneered, rubbing their hands together as they prepared to dismantle Lin Feng. "Everyone, hold off on taking action!" "This youngster possesses some skill. He''s able tobat the Entwined Silk Vajra Python despite only having Soul Refining Realm cultivation. There may be hidden secrets on him." "Let''s wait for the Entwined Silk Vajra Python to wear him down first; then, we can capitalize on their struggle!" Zhou Yihe disyed a confident smile, appearing as if he had everything under control. Ma Qiwei and the others promptly praised Zhou Yihe, extolling his wisdom and courage. Their ttery was unreserved. During the time when Lin Feng was engaged in battle with the Entwined Silk Vajra Python, while Zhou Yihe secretly monitored the situation. In Autumn Glory City, the trade fair had already advanced to the stage of bartering goods for goods. Since Jiang Chen was not particrly captivated by anything, And the cultivators dispatched outside the city had yet to report back, He simply focused his attention on Ning Xian. Any item that piqued Ning Xian''s interest but remained unpurchased, Jiang Chen paid extra attention to. Upon encountering a suitable price, he would trade for it, intending to present it to Ning Xianter as a gift. After all, he only possessed a counterfeit Fireheart Pinecone Fruit himself and had made Du Bailei cover the cost. As long as it didn''t affect their rtionship, acquiring a few additional, rtively inexpensive items posed no issue. Besides that, If an item that intrigued Ning Xian could also prove useful for Lin Feng, Jiang Chen refrained from purchasing it. He was incredibly meticulous! Before long, He acquired several moderately priced treasures, all of which Du Bailei covered the cost for. Immediately after that, "Elder Ge." "For the next item that catches my eye, help me ce a bid on it." Jiang Chen discreetly ryed a message to Elder Ge through the transmission jade token, requesting his assistance in making the purchase, lest Du Bailei insist on footing the bill. "Understood, Young Master!" Elder Ge responded. Having altered his appearance, he was concealed within the crowd, serving as Jiang Chen''s informant. Time passed gradually. The trade fair persisted. Meanwhile, in the forest battlefield outside the city, The intense confrontation endured. However, just as the situation reached an impasse, with both sides embroiled in a war of attrition, "Void Rainbow Three Swords!" "Burning World mes! Attack!" Lin Feng''s right hand suddenly materialized a long sword. The long sword was enveloped in an immense quantity of crimson mes, to the extent that the sword itself could barely withstand it, appearing in a semi-liquid, molten orange state! The Entwined Silk Vajra Python, caught off guard, was directly impaled by the long sword! In the next instant, Boom! A massive surge of mes erupted from the Entwined Silk Vajra Python''s eyes, mouth, nose, and even the gaps between its scales, morphing into a fiery serpent! "Sssss roar!" The Entwined Silk Vajra Python emitted a pained scream, then copsed with a resounding crash. "How is this possible!" "He actually defeated the Entwined Silk Vajra Python! It''s a Spiritual Awakening Realm demonic beast and the undisputed apex predator in this area!" "Curse it, he''s going to im the spiritual nt in the mountain crevice. Mr. Ma, intercept him quickly!" Zhou Yihe cried out in disbelief at the sight, immediately instructing Ma Qiwei to intervene. Wearing a simrly astonished expression, Ma Qiwei promptly took flight like arge bird, soaring towards the base of the mountain! "Who!!" Lin Feng was about to gather the spiritual nt and then tend to the Entwined Silk Vajra Python''s carcass when he suddenly sensed a hint of murderous intent! "The one who will kill you!" Apanied by a ferocious sonic boom, the indistinct figure Ma Qiwei had transformed into directly attacked Lin Feng from behind! "Seeking death!!" Lin Feng instantly realized someone wanted to capitalize on the situation, and his fury ignited. He whirled around, delivering a fierce sword strike! Ding!! As sword and palm collided, a sound evocative of shing gold and iron resonated! Simultaneously, A surge of residual energy from the impact pushed Lin Feng back, making him stagger and his face turn slightly pale! "Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening Realm!" After regaining his bnce, Lin Feng''s hand still throbbed faintly. "Kid, you have some skill!" Ma Qiwei raised his right hand, which bore a ck-red sword mark on the palm! Just at that moment, Pitter-patter. Zhou Yihe and the others also arrived at the battlefield. Arge group of cultivators swiftly surrounded Lin Feng. "Lin Feng." "I didn''t expect to encounter you here." "Weren''t you going to participate in the appraisal meeting?" "How did it go? Were you kicked out after the appraisal? I bet your appraisal skills weren''t up to par, and you made a fool of yourself, right?" Zhou Yihe casually unfurled a folding fan, gazing at Lin Feng with a mocking sneer on his face. Chapter 33: Locating Lin Feng "It''s you!" "Zhou Yihe!" Lin Feng''s pupils constricted as memories of Zhou Yihe''s haughty demeanor during his time with the Zhou n resurfaced in his mind. Back then, he had already taken note of Zhou Yihe. Had it not been for Lai Peng intervening, Lin Feng would have beenpelled to showcase his appraisal skills and deliver a sound blow to Zhou Yihe''s face before he could be satisfied. And now, at this crucial moment, Just as he was on the verge of acquiring a valuable treasure, Zhou Yihe unexpectedly emerged to obstruct him. It was as if their past grievances were fusing with this fresh confrontation! Moreover, fueled by the suppressed rage towards Jiang Chen, a potent surge of murderous intent welled up in Lin Feng''s heart. "Heh heh." "It''s me, this Young Master!" "I''ve been tracking this Entwined Silk Vajra Python for months, yet you killed it and now you seek to im my spiritual nt!" "Bold enough to touch what belongs to me, Zhou Yihe? Today, your demise is inevitable!" "Everyone, assault and incapacitate him!" Zhou Yihe unveiled a sinister grin and gestured with his hand, prompting his subordinates to charge forth. However, Greed prevailed. It was quite possible that the aura of the protagonist status had influenced him. He harbored a keen interest in the secrets concealed within Lin Feng''s being, and thus, had no intention of killing him outright! Thus, Ma Qiwei and hispanions refrained from delivering lethal blows as well. This unexpected turn of events presented Lin Feng with a golden opportunity! "Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening!" "Along with several high-level Soul Refining Realm experts!" "If we continue like this, I stand no chance against them!" Lin Feng''s eyes glinted, and in a split second, he clenched his teeth as his body''s speed surged, morphing into a blur as he darted toward the mountain gorge crevice! "This is...Clear Sky sh!?" "It''s the Clear Sky sh that can only be mastered by Starry Abyss Sect''s inner disciples!" Ma Qiwei''s expression shifted dramatically, and for a moment, he was unable to halt Lin Feng, allowing him to sprint into the mountain gorge crevice! "An inner disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect!?" The others were simrly struck with profound changes in their expressions, each one exceedingly cautious! "What, Lin Feng is actually a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect!?" "That''s impossible. ording to my brother''s intel, not many disciples from the Starry Abyss Sect have left the mountain peak recently due to their uing grand tournament!" "Among the few who left the sect, I''m acquainted with all of them except for Jiang Chen, and I''ve never even heard of Lin Feng!" Zhou Yihe, too, was taken aback, his face painted with an expression of bewilderment. "What should we do, Young Master?" Ma Qiwei hesitated to take any further action. Even though Zhou Yihe''s sixth younger brother was also a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect, it didn''t imply that the Zhou n could freely eliminate sect disciples. Once theymitted such an act, It was highly probable that it would implicate Zhou Yihe''s sixth younger brother. "This..." "What should I do, what should I do!" Zhou Yihe''s heart was consumed by anxiety. "Young Master!" "We can''t simply allow Lin Feng to abscond with the treasure!" "We don''t have to kill him!" "Right, right! The Sixth Young Master is also a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect." "... " The other Zhou n cultivators chimed in one after another, their faces brimming with discontent. "I''ll consult my sixth younger brother!" Zhou Yihe took a deep breath, "You all go after him first, block his path, I refuse to believe he can evade us!" "Yes!" Ma Qiwei and the others promptly charged into the crevice. Zhou Yihe swiftly produced the transmission jade token and began contacting his sixth younger brother within the Starry Abyss Sect. Within the mountain crevice, Lin Feng continued to descend rapidly, soon arriving at a nest carpeted with an extensive array of bones. The overpowering odor was so intense that it was nearly akin to a miasma! Adjacent to the nesty a small, murky puddle, and nearby sprouted a spiritual nt. The potent medicinal fragrance counteracted the repulsive stench. "Found it!" "A Mysterious tform rank spiritual nt!" "Although its name eludes me, based on its medicinal properties, it''s a treasure capable of nourishing the Burning World Red Lotus!" Lin Feng''s face beamed with delight, and he instantly reached out to seize the spiritual nt! "Halt!" "Lin Feng, we have pursued the Entwined Silk Vajra Python for an extensive period, and this spiritual nt should rightfully be ours!" "You are a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect, and we too have connections within the Starry Abyss Sect!" Ma Qiwei was the first to arrive, and upon seeing Lin Feng about to im the spiritual nt, he immediately intervened to halt him! "Hmph!" "This treasure belongs to the deserving. Your n''s yboy is hardly worthy of it!" Lin Feng knew his identity would eventually be revealed, so he opted to unmask himself without dy. "You!!" Ma Qiwei''s face flushed with rage. "Believe it or not, no one will discover if we y you today!" Lin Feng remained silent, but locked his gaze on Ma Qiwei while promptly ripping out the spiritual nt and stuffing it into his mouth! This sight left Ma Qiwei dumbfounded. Ingesting spiritual nts in such a manner was tantamount to squandering precious resources! Furthermore, some spiritual nts could be highly toxic if consumed without proper refinement and neutralization! Even if this Mysterious tform rank spiritual nt wasn''t poisonous, its medicinal properties could be nearly intolerable for those in the Soul Refining and Spiritual Awakening realms. What''s more, Lin Feng was now directly consuming the spiritual nt without taking any time to refine and neutralize its medicinal properties. As a result, hisbat prowess would be diminished due to the uncontrolled surge of its medicinal power. In the instant that Ma Qiwei was struck with disbelief at Lin Feng''s audacious action, Lin Feng had already devoured the entire spiritual nt, including its roots! "You, expel it!" Ma Qiwei bellowed and lunged forward to strike. Seizing the opportunity while Lin Feng had yet to refine the medicinal power, forcing him to regurgitate the spiritual nt might still preserve much of its worth! However, at that very moment, Boom!! A surge of energy emanated from Lin Feng''s body, signifying a breakthrough in cultivation as he advanced to the Late-stage Soul Refining realm! Not only that, He was on the verge of attaining the half-step Spiritual Awakening level! "How can this be!?" "Did he actually digest the medicinal power of the spiritual nt!?" "No, how is this possible!" The exmation didn''te from Ma Qiwei, but rather from Zhou Yihe, who had arrived from behind. Ma Qiwei had alreadyunched his assault, like an arrow released from a bowstring, and he directly targeted Lin Feng! Lin Feng sneered, and with the support of the Burning World mes, his long sword transformed into a zing de, as he swiftly retaliated. Pfft--! A pair of severed arms soared into the sky. "Ahhhhh, my arm!" A torrent of blood erupted from Ma Qiwei''s severed limbs like a high-pressure water jet. Several cultivators hurried forward to stanch the bleeding and assist with healing. "Lin Feng, how dare you!" "Now I know that you''re a renegade disciple, expelled from your sect. If you dare to offend my Zhou n, you''re inviting death!" "Lay down your weapon, hand over the spiritual nt, and reveal how you mended your dantian. Share all your secrets with us!" "Otherwise, my reinforcements are already en route, and your demise will be certain!" "..." Zhou Yihe fixed his bloodshot eyes on Lin Feng, filled with avarice. He knew that Lin Feng harbored secrets. He also understood that if the Starry Abyss Sect discovered this, he would have no im to any part of it. Thus, Zhou Yihe refrained from informing his sixth younger brother that Lin Feng''s dantian had already healed. He didn''t even divulge the information to Zhou Ruiyu, the Zhou n Patriarch. Given hisckluster aptitude, it was highly probable that Zhou Ruiyu would not grant him all the benefits obtained from Lin Feng; at most, he would receive a small portion. Confronted with Zhou Yihe''s threats, Lin Feng remained silent, gripping his long sword as he strode determinedly towards Zhou Yihe! ... Simultaneously, At the trade fair, inside the opulent VIP room, Jiang Chen''s transmission jade token quivered. He instantly scanned it with his divine sense! "I''ve obtained the Aura Finder Smoke and ignited it. The target''s location has been pinpointed!" Lin Feng had been found! Jiang Chen experienced a faint sense of relief. Just at that moment, The transmission jade token trembled once more! "We''ve just received news that a Spiritual Awakening realm expert from the Zhou n has hastily left the trade fair, which is highly unusual!" "I''ve dispatched someone to discreetly monitor his whereabouts, and it is currently spected that he''s leaving the city." This message was transmitted by another expert from the Jiang n. In the original plot, Autumn Glory City served as Lin Feng''s stage. The Zhou n, being a major family, held a worse reputation than the Jiang n, aligning with the characteristics of the protagonist''s rival. Jiang Chen had already arranged for someone to monitor the whereabouts of important members of the Zhou n. ''An expert from the Zhou n is leaving the city in a hurry?'' ''Could it be because of something Lin Feng did?'' ''In just two hours, has Lin Feng already caused trouble?'' ''Is this the power of protagonist status? I lost track of him for such a brief time, and something unknown has transpired?'' ''Darn it, I can''t let this situation develop any further. The longer I leave it, the more benefits Lin Feng is likely to gain!'' Upon examining the message with his divine sense, Jiang Chen''s eyebrows furrowed. Chapter 34: I, Jiang Chen, Will Certainly Investigate This Matter Thoroughly! However. Leaving the trade fair was not an option at this time. Jiang Chen''s course of action was twofold. Firstly, he would wait for the subordinate who had procured the Aura Finder Smoke to locate Lin Feng. Secondly, he would dispatch someone to intercept the Spiritual Awakening realm cultivator from the Zhou n, ensuring that no "grand gift package" reached Lin Feng. In addition, he sought to uncover the truth behind these events. "You two, one of you will continue tracking Lin Feng, while the other must return to thwart the Spiritual Awakening realm cultivator from the Zhou n. Be mindful of the following considerations..." Jiang Chen discreetly conveyed his instructions through his divine sense. The two subordinates who received their orders promptly set off in different directions to execute their missions. Nheless. Jiang Chen soon obtained a response. "Young Master!" "I have failed. I was unable to intercept the Zhou n guest cultivator." "He sped past me from afar, giving me no opportunity to speak, and I couldn''t forcibly halt him..." Jiang Chen had assigned him the task of dying the Zhou n guest cultivator. However, he was not to engage in any conflict with the other party, and he must not disclose his involvement with Lin Feng. "Proceed to follow him." "Take heed, maintain a safe distance. Even if you cannot gather any information, you must ensure that Lin Feng remains unaware of your presence." Jiang Chen did not reproach his subordinate and calmly issued further instructions. Thus, The subordinate pursued the Zhou n guest cultivator, following his trail closely. Before long, Jiang Chen''s two subordinates reconvened and stealthily navigated the forest. All at once, An enraged bellow resounded: "You, how dare you y our Zhou n''s Second Young Master! Perish!" The duo was taken aback by the unexpected outburst! The Zhou n''s Second Young Master, wasn''t that Zhou Yihe!? Zhou Yihe was dead!? This was a momentous event! Consequently, The pair promptly ryed this information to Jiang Chen! ''Zhou Yihe is dead?'' ''The Zhou n guest cultivator seeks to confront the one who killed Zhou Yihe?'' ''The individual responsible for Zhou Yihe''s death is likely Lin Feng. I arrived a moment toote.'' ''The protagonist status is truly remarkable. In such a brief period, a major event has unfolded. It''s utterly unpredictable.'' ''Now... all we can do is strive topensate for this.'' Upon reading the message, Jiang Chen''s pupils narrowed slightly. Without dy, He instructed the two subordinates not to return. Instead, he directed them to stick together and venture further to gather medicinal herbs and the like. The primary reason was to avoid Lin Feng discovering and eliminating them, while the secondary objective was to establish a valid justification for departing the city. ''Given the current situation.'' ''Lin Feng has in Zhou Yihe.'' ''The Zhou n guest cultivator is likely to meet his demise at Lin Feng''s hands as well.'' ''This individual''sbat prowess is quite impressive. Defeating adversaries of higher levels... it''s truly a hallmark of a protagonist!'' ''Next, Lin Feng will sh with the Zhou n. In the original plot, it was probably with my Jiang n.'' ''Furthermore, in the original plot, Du Bailei should have shielded Lin Feng, granting him more time to grow.'' ''Now, he shall face the fury of the Zhou n!'' ''Nevertheless, as the protagonist, he cannot perish here.'' ''The Zhou n will be Lin Feng''s stepping stone, ceaselessly providing him with heads to collect...'' ''Such an oue must be prevented!'' Jiang Chen resolved to alleviate the animosity between the Zhou n and Lin Feng. Subsequently. He awaited further updates with patience. As anticipated! In less than the time it takes to enjoy a cup of tea, news arrived that Zhou Yihe had been in outside the city, and the Zhou n''s Patriarch was incensed! Moreover, two Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators from the Zhou n, Ma Qiwei and Bao He, had also been killed! The information was ryed by Bao He just prior to his death! And the culprit''s name was Lin Feng! The VIP room where Jiang Chen resided stood in contrast to the surrounding noise. Within the VIP room, utter silence reigned. Everyone gazed at Qiu Liaoxi in disbelief. They all recognized Lin Feng''s name. He was none other than Qiu Liaoxi''s disciple! At this moment, news broke that Lin Feng had killed Zhou Yihe? It was truly a shocking revtion that stunned everyone! Qiu Liaoxi herself was also incredulous, her eyes wide with astonishment, struggling to process the news. Just then! "What!?" "Lin Feng was the killer!?" "How could that be? Lin Feng is merely a cultivator in the Soul Refining realm. How could he have in two cultivators in the Spiritual Awakening realm? This must be a jest!" "The true culprit must be someone else. Lin Feng is undoubtedly being framed!" "I, Jiang Chen, will certainly investigate this matter thoroughly!" Jiang Chen rose to his feet, his face a mix of shock, anger, and disbelief, as he spoke with great indignation. Only his uncle was aware of his impressive disy of acting prowess! "Indeed!" "Lin Feng''s strength is well-known to all; he''s merely at the Middle-stage Soul Refining realm." "To im that he could eliminate two Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators from the Zhou n, along with several others at his same level, is simply too far-fetched!" Ning Xian remainedposed and methodically assessed the situation. "That''s true!" "Lin Feng''s strength is insufficient!" Jiang Xingtai nodded in agreement with Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen reciprocated the gesture towards his uncle, a faint smile gracing his face, "Hence, there must be some misunderstanding in all of this!" At that moment, A senior member of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce cautiously interjected: "It has been reported that before Bao He perished, he captured Lin Feng''s image with an Image Projection Stone, and it is indeed him..." "It is abundantly clear that he was framed." Jiang Chen dered without hesitation. Just then, Additional news arrived. It was reported that Zhou Ruiyu, the patriarch of the Zhou n, led a sizeable group of cultivators toward the location where Zhou Yihe had been killed! It appeared they sought vengeance and aimed to settle the score! "Although Lin Feng isn''t skilled at socializing, he remains a good person." "I have some acquaintance with him and cannot simply stand by as he is framed and killed." "Uncle, President Du, I n to head to the city outskirts as well." Jiang Chen''s brow furrowed slightly as he stood up, determined to ''seek justice'' for Lin Feng. "I shall apany you." "Since he is Jiang Chen''s friend and may have been framed, I cannot merely stand aside and do nothing." Jiang Xingtai rose to his feet, his expression grave. "I cannot ignore this matter!" "Although I am an outsider, I believe I possess some influence." Du Bailei also stood up and spoke his mind. Everyone understood. He was getting involved in this matter due to Jiang Chen''s connection. The others rose to their feet and reached a unanimous agreement - to aid Lin Feng in ''clearing his name and proving his innocence''! Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi were overwhelmed with gratitude towards Jiang Chen! Now, it was a young master of the Zhou n who had been killed! Even though it was possible that someone had framed Lin Feng, very few people were willing to involve themselves in this matter! Jiang Chen knew that doing so would antagonize the Zhou n, but he still chose to stand up for Lin Feng. How could they, as master and disciple, not feel grateful for this disy of righteousness and kindness? Qiu Liaoxi even offered a slight bow to Jiang Chen! "Jiang Chen, thank you!" Ning Xian stood up, looked Jiang Chen in the eyes, and nodded deeply to him. Their eyes met, and they both saw a hint of approval in each other''s gaze. [Ding! Ning Xian''s affection for you has increased, and Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 300 points!] [Ding! You have gained 500 points of Viin Value!] The system prompt resounded. "No need to thank me. Let''s go!" Jiang Chen smiled slightly and took Ning Xian''s slender arm, walking out with her. Ning Xian''s face flushed a bit, and she made a gentle effort to break free, but couldn''t, so she allowed Jiang Chen to hold her. The rest of the group followed closely behind. Chapter 35: Carrying Ning Xian, Showcasing His Acting Skills Stepping outside. "Ladies and gentlemen." "The Zhou n has already departed, and we must reach them as quickly as possible to avert any potential disasters!" After observing the crowd, Jiang Xingtai turned to Qiu Liaoxi and said, "Alchemist Qiu, since you''re only at the Soul Refining realm, I''ll take you with me!" "Youe with me." Du Bailei also instructed two trusted cultivators. The pair promptly approached him and allowed themselves to be grasped by the shoulders. Upon witnessing this, Qiu Liaoxi, concerned for her disciple, cast her reservations aside and nodded in agreement to Jiang Xingtai. "Ning Xian, allow me to carry you." "Though I''m only at the Spiritual Awakening realm, I''ve mastered the Starry Abyss Sect''s body forging techniques, so my speed is quite impressive." Jiang Chen nodded to Ning Xian. Then, Before Ning Xian could even respond, he effortlessly hoisted her onto his back, and instantly, a warm, tender sensation was transmitted. "Ah!" Ning Xian let out a gentle gasp, not having enough time to utter anything more. All she heard was Jiang Chen saying, "Hold on tight." Shortly after, A powerful surge of eleration enveloped her, and the surroundingndscape transformed into a blur of indistinct afterimages! Ning Xian''s heart clenched, her body tensed slightly, and she immediately grasped Jiang Chen''s shoulders more securely. Simultaneously, Jiang Xingtai and Du Bailei set off with their respectivepanions. As for the remaining individuals, their slightly dyed arrival was of little consequence, so they trailed behind independently. Dashing at full speed, Both Jiang Xingtai and Du Bailei were, after all, experts at the Mysterious tform realm. Meanwhile, Jiang Chen''s current cultivation level was merely at the Early-stage Spiritual Awakening. If he moved too quickly, he risked revealing himself. Thus, Even though he employed the ''Clear Sky sh'' technique, he gradually fell behind the pace of the two formidable Mysterious tform realm experts. "Jiang Chen, don''t fret!" "We''ll intercept the Zhou n first. Take your time getting there!" Jiang Xingtai called out to Jiang Chen before elerating and racing ahead. Witnessing this, Du Bailei nodded to Jiang Chen and trailed closely behind Jiang Xingtai. Abruptly, Only Jiang Chen and Ning Xian remained in the vicinity. ''Hehe!'' ''Time for another private moment!'' Jiang Chen felt a secret delight in his heart. He continued to employ the Clear Sky sh technique! Each time he utilized it, his body would abruptly surge forward. Whenever this urred, He would then grip Ning Xian''s two long, slender legs even more firmly. Ning Xian, in turn, would cling tightly to Jiang Chen''s back to avoid being thrown off. Instantly, The pair drew even closer, to the point where they could nearly discern each other''s breaths... Nheless, Joyful moments were always fleeting. Before long, Jiang Chen spotted a valley not far off, scorched by mes. Evidence of conflict littered the valley, along with the foul stench of demonic beasts'' bloody remains. A group of individuals stood in the valley, seemingly split into two factions. On one side were the members of the Zhou n, led by Zhou Ruiyu, while the other sideprised Jiang Xingtai, Du Bailei, Qiu Liaoxi, and others. As for Lin Feng, he was nowhere in sight. Whoosh. Jiang Chen quickly alighted behind Jiang Xingtai and the others. Though reluctant, he skillfully released Ning Xian. "Jiang Xingtai, what is the meaning of this?" Zhou Ruiyu furrowed his brow and looked at Jiang Xingtai, inquiring in an icy tone. The Jiang and Zhou ns were the most prominent families in Autumn Glory City, and the two were also linked through marriage. Although no particrly important members from either n were married to each other, this connection did help alleviate the tension between them to some degree. Hence, Zhou Ruiyu, despite his fury, halted when called out by Jiang Xingtai and waited patiently. "Ah, my dear inw!" "This situation is quite peculiar!" "Lin Feng is merely at the Soul Refining realm; how could he possibly y those at the Spiritual Awakening realm?" "Furthermore, there were two at the Spiritual Awakening realm, apanied by a group of cultivators at the Soul Refining and Elemental Movement realms!" Jiang Xingtai expressed his concern, "There are numerous uncertainties surrounding this matter. You must exercise caution!" Hearing these words, The members of the Zhou n fell silent. Indeed, This was the most significant point of doubt. "Sigh!" "I''m aware that this matter seems rather imusible." "However, the image Bao He sent to my transmission jade token using the Image Projection Stone before his death was of Lin Feng!" "Before embarking, I investigated and discovered that after parting ways with you all, Lin Feng headed in the direction outside the city!" "Furthermore, if it were a frame-up, the method employed was far too crude." "Who would think of ying two at the Spiritual Awakening realm and then pinning the me on someone at the Soul Refining realm?" "I''m more inclined to believe that Lin Feng concealed his true capabilities and murdered my dear grandson and the two esteemed guests of my n!" Zhou Ruiyu first sighed, then voiced his own analysis, growing increasingly agitated as he spoke. By the end of his statement, His eyes were bloodshot, and a murderous aura radiated from him! Although Zhou Yihe had mediocre aptitude and could only remain at home since he couldn''t join a superior sect for development, He was still his grandson, after all! Furthermore, it was only recently that someone from the Zhou n informed him. The reason Zhou Yihe ventured here was to present him with the spiritual nt guarded by the Entwined Silk Vajra Python as a gift of filial piety, intending to surprise him. But now, He met a premature demise in his youth. His body had even been dismembered! At this moment, in order to preserve the scene and facilitate the investigation, they had not yet collected the scattered bones and remains. Zhou Yihe''s body stilly in the mountain valley''s crevice, without a proper burial. "Patriarch Zhou, please calm down!" "This matter must be a misunderstanding." Jiang Chen stepped forward and bowed, "I know Lin Feng, and he is not a cruel person." "Sigh, Jiang Chen." "Sometimes, one may know a person for a long time without truly understanding their nature." "Whether Lin Feng is responsible for this or not, once I capture him and force the truth from him, everything will be revealed!" Zhou Ruiyu shook his head at Jiang Chen, a glimmer of determination in his eyes. "Patriarch Zhou." "In the Soul Refining realm, the ability to consecutively kill two at the Spiritual Awakening realm, one of them being in the Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening, is exceedingly rare even in our Starry Abyss Sect and can be counted on one hand!" "Although Lin Feng once trained in our sect, he was merely an inner disciple and could never have aplished such a feat." "Furthermore, he was expelled from the sect due to a shattered dantian. It was only with the aid of a secret medicine from the Jiang n''s treasury that he was healed not long ago." "From the time of his expulsion to now, it hasn''t even been ten days!" "May I ask, in ten days, how could he recover from such severe injuries and grow to the extent of consecutively killing two at the Spiritual Awakening realm?" "As for the authenticity of what I say, Patriarch Zhou can investigate and verify it!" Jiang Chen shook his head and approached Zhou Ruiyu directly, unveiling the background of Lin Feng. In fact, with the situation having progressed to this point, Given the power of the Zhou n, they could certainly investigate Lin Feng''s past. Rather than allowing the Zhou n to uncover it on their own and be intrigued by the secret of Lin Feng''s dantian recovery, It would be better for Jiang Chen to reveal it himself and take responsibility for Lin Feng''s dantian restoration. Instantly. His words had an impact. "What!? Is this true!?" Zhou Ruiyu and the other Zhou n experts exchanged surprised nces. If Jiang Chen dared to assert this confidently, then he must not fear being investigated. So. Could it be that Lin Feng was not the one who hadmitted the murder? "Jiang Chen!" "If what you say is true, then the likelihood of Lin Feng being the culprit is significantly diminished." "However, just to be sure, I still need to examine the scene of the battle and inspect the injuries on the bodies." Zhou Ruiyu nodded at Jiang Chen. "Alright!" "Please, go ahead and investigate!" Jiang Chen nodded emphatically, thinking to himself: ''Lin Feng, as the protagonist, can it be that you don''t even know how to clean up a battlefield properly?'' Chapter 36: Enigmatic Savoring "Then let''s investigate." Zhou Ruiyu decisively gave themand and promptly utilized the resources of the Zhou n to delve into Lin Feng''s background. The body in the valley crevice was also scrutinized by a skilled coroner dispatched to the scene. Simultaneously, Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian''s perception of Jiang Chen grew increasingly positive. They were astonished that Jiang Chen was willing to shoulder the secret of Lin Feng''s restored dantian all by himself. This not only spared Lin Feng from a plethora ofplications, But it also enabled them to persist in their scheme to exact revenge on behalf of the Ning n. At this moment, Two system prompts reverberated in Jiang Chen''s mind. [Ding! Ning Xian''s affection for you has increased, and Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 200 points!] [Ding! You have gained 300 points of Viin Value!] Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen''s heart swelled with tion. However, "Ning Xian," "It''s impossible for Lin Feng to have done this. Let''s message him and ask him toe and cooperate with the investigation." Jiang Chen pivoted, wearing aforting smile, and addressed Ning Xian. His words were not concealed in the slightest; in fact, they were intentionally spoken for the Zhou n members to overhear. As anticipated, Upon hearing this, the Zhou n members felt somewhat more reassured, and their suspicion towards Lin Feng diminished even further. "Alright." Ning Xian nodded and then turned to Qiu Liaoxi, "Master, let''s send the message together!" Qiu Liaoxi concurred. Without dy, The pair jointly transmitted a message to Lin Feng. In an exceptionally secluded location on a remote mountainside, Lin Feng sat cross-legged in a dim and damp fissure among the rocks, diligently cultivating and rejuvenating his energy. "It was only by chance that I stumbled upon this ce." "Moreover, it''s concealed within the mountain slope; even an expert at the Mysterious tform realm would struggle to locate it directly." "Regrettably, I can''t return to Autumn Glory City now that I''ve in members of the Zhou n. Ning Xian, Master, I will undoubtedlye back to find you," Lin Feng murmured softly, then gazed at the few storage rings and bracelets with a gleeful expression. These were the spoils he acquired from plundering the corpses of those he had vanquished. Two at the Spiritual Awakening realm, five at the Soul Refining realm, and six at the Elemental Movement realm! One of them was even Zhou Yihe, the second young master of the Zhou n. The treasures inside, These were sufficient to amass him a small fortune. The crucial aspect was that there were already prepared spiritual nts within these storage artifacts! These spiritual nts could be employed directly to rejuvenate the Burning World Red Lotus, thereby facilitating his rapid cultivation progress! Just at that instant, His transmission jade token suddenly quivered. "This is... Ning Xian and Master!" Lin Feng''s transmission jade token was acquiredter on, with only Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi registered as contacts. He picked up the transmission jade token and perused the message on it using his divine sense. "My disciple Lin Feng!" "Where are you now?" "Zhou Yihe has been killed, and someone has framed you!" "Initially, the Zhou n intended to hunt you down directly, but fortunately, Jiang Chen intervened on your behalf. He even enlisted the assistance of Patriarch Jiang and President Du to deter the Zhou n!" "Jiang Chen has convinced the Zhou n, and they nowprehend that you were framed. Nevertheless, they still need to carry out a final investigation." "They will scrutinize your background, cultivation, and corroborate Jiang Chen''s ims, but he has assumed responsibility for the confidential matter regarding your dantian, so don''t fret about it!" "Nowe over here and cooperate with the investigation!" "..." Lin Feng gazed at the message in the transmission jade token, feeling somewhat bewildered. Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian''s messages conveyed the same intent. They stated that Jiang Chen had nearly helped him dispel the suspicion and had shouldered the secret of his dantian himself. In summary, Jiang Chen had assisted him immensely! Subsequently, they requested that he emerge and cooperate with the investigation. "Jiang Chen... you went to such lengths for me!? It''s too much." "Is it because you possess keen judgment and discerned my potential, so you had to recruit me as your subordinate?" "Or is it that you are coveting the secret of my dantian recovery, and thus you aided me in concealing it?" "Either way, it won''t work!" "Today, I will utilize your help to escape trouble initially. If you don''t cause me any issues in the future, then it''s fine. But if you do, hmph..." Lin Feng stowed away the transmission jade token and snorted disdainfully. Lin Feng harbored an uneasy feeling about Jiang Chen, who had also provoked frustration and fury within him to the verge of eruption on multiple asions. Furthermore, Even without Jiang Chen''s assistance, Following this incident, Lin Feng possessed the confidence to confront the Zhou n and gradually grow stronger, ultimately vanquishing the Zhou n. Hence, Although Jiang Chen contributed significantly to this matter, he didn''t feel particrly grateful and even questioned Jiang Chen''s motives. "Regrettably, I can''t utilize these spiritual nts for now..." "If I consume them, I''m certain I could break through to the Spiritual Awakening Realm." "But then, I wouldn''t be able to exonerate myself from the suspicion of murdering Zhou Yihe." Lin Feng nced at the loot in his hand with a hint of remorse. Moreover, Retaining these items while cooperating with the investigation would be akin to courting disaster. He could only temporarily find a location to stash them. Consequently, He searched for a sizable rock nearby. He excavated a deep cavity in it and ced the storage rings and bracelets inside, then sealed it with debris and soil. Ultimately, he hurled it into a deep river. Immediately after, Lin Feng donned a fresh set of clothes and disposed of his old ones. He meticulously cleansed himself and reapplied dirt to eliminate any lingering traces. Shortly thereafter, He retrieved his transmission jade token and dispatched a message to Ning Xian. Following that, he neatened himself up once more and verified that there were no inconsistencies before hastening towards the previous battleground. Simultaneously, [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot. Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 300 points!] [Ding! You have gained 500 points of Viin Value!] Two system prompts resounded in Jiang Chen''s mind. ''Hehe, the plot has shifted!'' ''And Lin Feng consented to return for the investigation.'' ''This also signifies that he has confidence in himself. Well done, Lin Feng, you didn''t let me down.'' Jiang Chen mused to himself, his lips curling gently upwards with an enigmatic savoring. "Patriarch Zhou!" "Lin Feng has agreed and is already en route here!" Qiu Liaoxi eximed to Zhou Ruiyu with some excitement. "Good!" Zhou Ruiyu nodded. "If he has no issues, I will not make things difficult for him." Now that he had investigated Lin Feng''s background and verified that Jiang Chen had spoken the truth, Lin Feng was indeed merely a Soul Refining realm cultivator who had once damaged his own dantian, leading to his expulsion from the Starry Abyss Sect! And the examination of the bodies also corroborated this. The cause of death for Zhou Yihe and the others seemed to have been inflicted by a sharp weapon. In reality, including the Entwined Silk Vajra Python, the true cause of death was an extremely terrifying me. This was entirely different from the cultivation methods practiced by the inner disciples of the Starry Abyss Sect. At this time, Lin Feng was willing to return and undergo the investigation. As a result, Zhou Ruiyu had essentially ruled out Lin Feng as a suspect in his mind and started to consider which of his adversaries could have been responsible for the assault. Pairs of cultivators carried all the bodies out from the crevices of the mountain ravine. Even though the bodies were wrapped in thick cloth, the potent scent of blood could still be discerned. ''mes...'' ''Is Lin Feng''s ultimate move a fire-based technique?'' ''It seems that we need to make some preparations to handle this!'' Jiang Chen nced at the bodies and silently pondered in his mind. Time passed unhurriedly. Before long, Lin Feng''s silhouette emerged in the distance, advancing at the typical pace of a Soul Refining realm cultivator. "Lin Feng!" Upon catching sight of him, Qiu Liaoxi''s aged visage broke into a warm smile as she called out. "Master!" Lin Feng reciprocated Qiu Liaoxi''s greeting, then shifted his attention to Ning Xian and Jiang Chen. Observing their close proximity, he felt a surge of displeasure. However, he couldn''t genuinely express his irritation. After all, Jiang Chen had recently provided him with significant assistance. This was no secret! Whoosh. As Lin Feng''s robes billowed, he alighted before Qiu Liaoxi and respectfully saluted her, Jiang Xingtai, and Du Bailei in session. Next, he acknowledged Ning Xian and Jiang Chen with a nod. Atst, Lin Feng pivoted and extended a respectful bow to Zhou Ruiyu, addressing him, "Patriarch Zhou!" Chapter 37: Lin Fengs Emotional Outburst "Hmm!" "You''re quite candid for a young person!" Zhou Ruiyu narrowed his eyes, gestured toward the corpse, and said, "Now, recount everything you witnessed and heard regarding this incident!" "Apologies!" "Patriarch Zhou, I have neither seen nor heard anything about this matter!" Lin Feng promptly denied ever being present at the scene! He was well aware. His own image had been projected by Bao He using the Image Projection Stone. If he conceded to being here, there would be no way to justify Bao He''s death. Would that imply he admitted to killing Bao He, but not the others? Nevertheless, the cause of Bao He''s demise was identical to the others! Thus. He could only maintain that he had never been here, and that the ''Lin Feng'' captured by the Image Projection Stone was also a fabrication! "Are you truly certain you''ve never been here before?" Zhou Ruiyu''s eyes suddenly widened as his formidable Mysterious tform Realm aura bore down on Lin Feng without restraint! "No, I haven''t!" "Patriarch Zhou!" Lin Feng, as the protagonist, remained unshaken even under the pressure of Zhou Ruiyu''s Mysterious tform Realm. "Then, what led you to venture outside the city?" Zhou Ruiyu''s raspy voice resembled that of a feral beast. "Practicing my techniques." "Only by unleashing destruction can I trulyprehend the power of my moves." "This is also a habit I acquired in the Starry Abyss Sect." Lin Feng respondedposedly, "Inside the city, I can merely gesture and cannot fully exert my capabilities, so I ventured beyond the city." "Good." Zhou Ruiyu''s gaze grew frosty as he inquired, "I''d like to examine your storage artifact. Do you consent?" "Please proceed!" Lin Feng spread his arms and promptly dispelled his divine sense protection. Shortly after. Two members of the Zhou n advanced to inspect Lin Feng, and ultimately confirmed that there were no issues. "Very well." Zhou Ruiyu''s formidable aura abruptly vanished, and his gaze shifted away from Lin Feng. He had already reached a conclusion. It wasn''t Lin Feng... "Continue probing this matter for me!" "Anyone who departed the city during this time frame and possesses adequate cultivation level, I want them scrutinized." Zhou Ruiyu turned his head to regard the members of the Zhou n and spoke icily. "Patriarch Zhou." "The individual responsible for this deed can most likely be confirmed to have encountered Lin Feng prior, met Zhou Yihe and the others, and then acted out of avarice by orchestrating this incident at thest moment." "This modus operandi closely resembles that of the merciless and malevolent criminals who are sought by major cities and wander in the wilderness." Jiang Chen stepped forward and suggested, "Thus, I propose that we prioritize investigating these individuals." He appeared utterly earnest, entirely like someone who had Zhou Ruiyu''s best interests in mind. This performance was so persuasive that even Lin Feng was utterly deceived by it. ''Jiang Chen genuinely believes I''m innocent.'' ''s, he''s unaware that I''m the one who killed Zhou Yihe.'' ''He likely doesn''t even want to entertain the notion that I possess such strength. In his eyes, he looks down on me. Hmph.'' ''...'' Lin Feng gazed at Jiang Chen and mentally scoffed with a faint snort. "What Jiang Chen said is urate." "This matter is likely the work of those merciless and malevolent criminals. Curses!" Zhou Ruiyu heeded Jiang Chen''s suggestion and pondered it deeply. "We shall take our leave now." "Should we uncover any valuable leads, we will promptly ry them to the Zhou n." Jiang Chen offered a slight smile and bowed to Zhou Ruiyu. "I''m grateful for your assistance." Zhou Ruiyu nodded and reciprocated with a bow to Jiang Chen. Without dy. Both parties exchanged farewells. Jiang Chen and his group subsequently embarked on their return journey to the city. En route. "Lin Feng." "You see, this is the advantage of having a patron." Jiang Chen offered a faint smile to Lin Feng. The implication was clearswiftly be his subordinate! "I don''t need your help; I can manage on my own." Lin Feng felt displeased deep down and spoke with an icy tone. Even without Jiang Chen''s assistance, He was confident in breaking through to the Spiritual Awakening Realm on his own. At that point, he would be unrivaled beneath the Mysterious tform Realm. Possessing such power, even if he couldn''t face the Zhou n head-on, he would have the capacity to contend with them. In due course, he could plunder the Zhou n''s riches a few more times, enabling the Burning World Red Lotus to recuperate further, and hisbat prowess would escte once more... In response to Lin Feng''s deration, Jiang Chen offered a faint smile. He believed in Lin Feng''s words, but what about the others? They would simply assume that Lin Feng was boasting! "Lin Feng!" "This time, your safety was entirely due to Jiang Chen''s intervention!" "Without his help, do you truly believe you could have managed on your own? The Zhou n would have already captured and killed you!" Du Bailei furrowed his brows as he spoke. Had Jiang Chen not been Lin Feng''s friend, his words might have been even more cutting! Nheless, Lin Feng felt extremely displeased after hearing them. However, he couldn''t reveal his true strength on the spot, lest he expose himself as the murderer! Thus, he could only respond with a cold snort and remain silent. Yet, just at that moment... "This Lin Feng." "He hasn''t uttered a single ''thank you'' since the beginning..." A cultivator from the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce spoke indignantly on Jiang Chen''s behalf, "I can''t fathom where he derives his arrogance from!" "That''s true." Another person joined in, "Having a friend like Jiang Chen, he''s truly fortunate!" Upon hearing these words, Lin Feng, already somewhat irritated, grew even more incensed! Who was Jiang Chen? Merely a cultivator at the Early-stage Spiritual Awakening Realm! He himself had already in two Spiritual Awakening Realm cultivators! Yet, someone had the audacity to im he was inferior to Jiang Chen! How utterly blind! s, Lin Feng could only keep these thoughts to himself. Just at that moment, Perhaps influenced by Du Bailei and the others'' words, Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian also felt that Lin Feng''s behavior was somewhat improper. "In this situation, you should really express more gratitude towards Jiang Chen. If he hadn''t arrived in time..." With the intention of assisting Lin Feng in preserving his image, Qiu Liaoxi spoke up and advised him. "Lin Feng..." Ning Xian too, gently parted her red lips, preparing to remind Lin Feng not to be so unappreciative. However, Ning Xian had barely spoken two words, "That''s enough!" Lin Feng''s expression darkened instantaneously. When did his own master and Ning Xian begin siding with Jiang Chen like this? Was he perpetually in the wrong? Slowly, had everyone ceased to stand by his side? If not for Jiang Chen, He, Lin Feng, would have already advanced to the Spiritual Awakening Realm long ago, yet it was Jiang Chen who repeatedly impeded his progress! But it seemed Jiang Chen was always right, and Lin Feng was constantly wrong! In that moment, Lin Feng''s fury was uncontroble, akin to an active volcano on the verge of eruption! Ning Xian''s eyes widened, astonished by Lin Feng''s interruption. "Jiang Chen!" "I know what you''re thinking!" "You want me to be yourckey!" "Well, I''ll tell you, that''s impossible! I, Lin Feng, am destined to be the foremost individual in the Mysterious Truth Continent, and I''m fated to surpass the Heavenly Origin realm!" "You remain in your Starry Abyss Sect, stay within your Jiang family, and cease bothering me!" Lin Feng didn''t nce at Ning Xian, but instead unleashed his fury on the spot, ring at Jiang Chen with bloodshot eyes and bellowing at him loudly. "..." Jiang Chen appeared stunned, gazing at Lin Feng in disbelief. Meanwhile, this scene, Instantly incensed Jiang Xingtai, Du Bailei, and the others! Even Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi stared at Lin Feng in disbelief. To be ungrateful after being rescued was bad enough, But to berate one''s benefactor! A mere Soul Refining Realm cultivator with a shattered dantian had the audacity to utter such arrogant words about surpassing the Heavenly Origin Realm. He was simply delusional! Both Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian, master and disciple, started to question whether they had misjudged Lin Feng. Reflecting on their decision, It seemed they had been too hasty in passing on their legacy to Lin Feng... Chapter 38: Young Master Jiang Chen, Thank You for Today "Master!" "Ning Xian!" "You believe in me, don''t you?" Lin Feng turned his head to face Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian, his voice raspy. "..." Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxipsed into silence for a moment. Indeed, Lin Feng had opportunities. Reaching the Heavenly Origin Realm was also a possibility for him. This was precisely why Qiu Liaoxi had chosen to pass her mantle onto Lin Feng. However, to im that he could surpass the Heavenly Origin Realm... They had yet to discover any exceptional qualities in Lin Feng. Primarily because of Jiang Chen''s interference, Lin Feng had scarcely managed to make an impression on the master and disciple duo. As a result, Lin Feng was unable to enhance Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi''s acknowledgment of his abilities. Thus... To im that they believed Lin Feng could surpass the Heavenly Origin Realm and attain a higher level would have contradicted their true feelings. As Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi were immersed in their thoughts, "What?" "You don''t believe in me either?" Lin Feng gazed intently at Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi before offering a wry smile. "Lin Feng!" "Please, manage your emotions." With a worried expression, Jiang Chen presented a high-grade medicinal pill. "This is the Grand Extremity Reviving Spirit Pill. Consume it immediately. I fear you might suffer a Qi deviation." "Be gone!" "It''s you who''s experiencing a Qi deviation!" "You incessantly try to make others your followers! It''s truly infuriating! Begone!" Lin Feng''s eyes widened as he red at Jiang Chen, bloodshot veins pulsing on his eyeballs. Then, with a swift p, he sent the medicinal pill in Jiang Chen''s hand soaring! Ning Xian cried out, "How could you behave this way!" "I will demonstrate that I, Lin Feng, am correct!" Lin Feng cast a brief look at Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi before dashing headlong into the nearby woods. "Lin Feng! Return!" Witnessing this, Qiu Liaoxi instantly desired to pursue Lin Feng. "Alchemist Qiu, he requires time to regainposure!" Jiang Xingtai caught Jiang Chen''s subtle gaze and restrained Qiu Liaoxi. "Understood." "Allow him some time to cool off." "After all, we are near the city, and there isn''t any genuine threat here." Du Bailei also spoke, his toneced with annoyance, as his opinion of Lin Feng was incredibly unfavorable. Upon hearing their remarks, Qiu Liaoxi recognized the wisdom in letting Lin Feng regain hisposure, so she ceased her pursuit. "s." Jiang Chen sighed while observing Lin Feng''s retreating silhouette. However, deep down, he was actually ted! For a system notification still reverberated in his mind. [Diing! You have sessfully driven a wedge between Lin Feng and the master-disciple duo, Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian. Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has diminished by 200 points!] [Diing! You have rued 300 points of Viin Value!] Even though Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value only declined by 200 points, Jiang Chen understood. It was likely because Qiu Liaoxi had already transmitted her legacy to Lin Feng, so the impact was minimal. The reduction in Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value was predominantly linked to Ning Xian. ''Now, the bond between Ning Xian and Lin Feng is growing increasingly tense.'' ''I surmise that relying on pursuing Ning Xian to diminish Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value will gradually lose its effectiveness.'' ''However, it''s of little consequence, as Lin Feng only has 1780 points of Heavenly Fate Value remaining!'' Jiang Chen mused, a subtle smile flickering in his eyes. Without dy. "After all, a recent murder urred outside the city, iming the lives of two Spiritual Awakening Realm experts." "I think we should go and take a look. As long as Lin Feng remains unaware, it''s fine." Jiang Chen retrieved the medicinal pill and addressed Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi. "Young friend Jiang Chen, you..." Du Bailei shook his head, feeling that Jiang Chen was far toopassionate. This was truly a case of repaying malice with benevolence. That despicable Lin Feng didn''t even merit such consideration! "It''s all right." "Let''s proceed." Jiang Chen chuckled, then grasped Ning Xian by the shoulder as they both sprang forward. Following this episode. He would never let Lin Feng slip from his watch again! "Then let them proceed." Jiang Xingtai shook his head and inquired, "Alchemist Qiu, will you join us or follow them?" Initially, Qiu Liaoxi intended to apany them. However, she could no longer discern Jiang Chen and Ning Xian''s figures. Although skilled in alchemy, her Middle-stage Soul Refining cultivation rendered her too slow to keep pace. "I''ll return with Patriarch Jiang first." "I sincerely hope Lin Feng can resolve the misunderstanding with Jiang Chen..." Qiu Liaoxi offered an awkward smile to Jiang Xingtai. Lin Feng, her disciple, had indeed brought her considerable embarrassment today. On the other side, Lin Feng''s eyes turned bloodshot as he sprinted wildly, ultimately plunging headfirst into an icy mountain stream. Submerged at the bottom of the water. The cool spring water delivered a rejuvenating chill to his heart. Lin Feng''s seething rage finally started to ebb. "And Master!" "I will demonstrate to you that I am right, that I am the mightiest!" "I eagerly await the day when you will genuinely recognize my potential!" Lin Feng surfaced from the water, inhaled deeply, and proceeded towards the city with a somewhat somber expression. Not far away, "It appears he''s recovered now." Jiang Chen smiled at Ning Xian on his back. "Let''s return to the city as well." Lin Feng was undeniably swift. To keep pace with him, Jiang Chen had carried Ning Xian on his back. "Alright!" Ning Xian blushed and nodded her head. Being borne on Jiang Chen''s back, Ning Xian initially resisted out of bashfulness typical of a youngdy. However, both instances had legitimate justifications. The first asion was to urgently save Lin Feng, and the second was to track Lin Feng and avert any potential trouble. As the adage goes, familiarity engenders eptance. Ning Xian''s reluctance gradually waned in her heart. Subsequently. On the journey back, in order to maintain pace and not lose sight of Lin Feng, Jiang Chen once again carried Ning Xian on his back. It wasn''t until they reached the city gate. Only then did Jiang Chen set her down. The city was a safe haven. And Lin Feng was unlikely to face any further difficulties. Hence. "Alchemist Qiu has already returned to Vast Spirit Residence." "Once Lin Feng regainsposure, he will undoubtedly return on his own, so I''ll escort you back first." Jiang Chen smiled at Ning Xian beside him, and the lingering scent of her presence seemed to hover at the edge of his nostrils. "Mm-hmm." Ning Xian smiled and did not decline Jiang Chen''s offer. Shortly. Vast Spirit Residence. Within the room, the aroma of tea permeated the air. Three individuals were seated around the table. Ning Xian upied one side, while Jiang Chen and Qiu Liaoxi faced each other. This scene felt so familiar. Not long ago, it had transpired with Lin Feng, and now it was Jiang Chen''s turn! "Young Master Jiang Chen." "I am truly grateful for your assistance today." "My disciple Lin Feng disyed some impertinence, so I, as his master, extend my apologies to you on his behalf!" Qiu Liaoxi rose, offering Jiang Chen a formal bow. Ning Xian also stood up. "It''s all right, there''s no need to thank me!" "I understand Lin Feng quite well. He likely endured significant psychological distress within the sect after his dantian was shattered." "Thus, I have no intention of holding it against him!" "Besides, I fullyprehend his desire not to rely on anyone. This matter won''t be mentioned again." Jiang Chen promptly stood up, assisted Qiu Liaoxi to her feet, and stopped Ning Xian from offering further apologies. The n to recruit Lin Feng as a subordinate had initially been a pretext to get closer to him and Ning Xian. However. When Lin Feng erupted over being ''recruited,'' the pretext became untenable. Persisting with it would have been perceived as bullying and could have tarnished the reputation Jiang Chen had established for himself. Furthermore, Jiang Chen, Ning Xian, and Qiu Liaoxi had already grown acquainted. Numerous valid reasons existed for them to engage with one another. Consequently. Jiang Chen naturally and sensibly discarded the initial pretext. Chapter 39: Heavenly Origin Realm Ice Element Secret Art In this moment, Jiang Chen''s words brimmed with sincerity and goodwill, which only served to bolster the positive impression Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian held of him. The trio seated themselves, And their conversation proceeded. "Lin Feng, that young man," "When he returns, I will surely find a means to guide him and help him realize his errors." "With his present mindset, if he aspires to attain greater heights, change is imperative!" "..." Qiu Liaoxi let out a soft sigh. Jiang Chen smiled and nodded, for he knew more than he let on. In truth, Lin Feng''s mindset was fairlymendable, but the scorn he endured due to his damaged dantian had left a deep wound. He had not yetpletely healed from it. ording to the original narrative, a string of sesses would have inevitably helped him swiftly surmount his emotional turmoil. Regrettably, however, he crossed paths with Jiang Chen. Time and time again, ''idents'' and ''coincidences'' thwarted Lin Feng''s efforts. Although he knew Jiang Chen was behind it, he couldn''t vent his frustration due to various reasons, and was forced to bottle it up inside! As Ning Xian and Jiang Chen grew closer, Lin Feng''s feelings of discontent and unease only escted. Furthermore, The intuition that came with his protagonist status, constantly whispering to Lin Feng that ''Jiang Chen is not a good person'', shed with Jiang Chen''s actual deeds on multiple asions. This spawned a sense of contradiction and doubt in Lin Feng, which umted in his heart, fueling his frustration... All these negative emotions,pressed within Lin Feng''s heart over a short span, rendered his temperament somewhat vtile, culminating in an explosive outburst. At this juncture, Lin Feng''s image had drastically deteriorated in the eyes of many. In stark contrast, Jiang Chen''s reputation flourished! Upon finishing his cup of tea, Ning Xian stood up, intending to refill Jiang Chen''s cup. "Ning Xian, thank you, but there''s no need." "I still have some cultivation practice to attend to, so I won''t impose upon you two any further." With that, Jiang Chen gracefully rose and bowed to the master and disciple. "Indeed!" "As cultivators, our focus must remain on our cultivation." Ning Xian nodded in agreement, conveying her approval of Jiang Chen''s choice. Seeing that Jiang Chen intended to cultivate, Qiu Liaoxi refrained from insisting he stay, and together with Ning Xian, they escorted him outside the Vast Spirit Residence. Jiang Chen strode away with light, nimble steps, progressively distancing himself from the Vast Spirit Residence, as a smile gradually formed at the corner of his mouth. "Where is Lin Feng? What is his current situation?" Jiang Chen retrieved his transmission jade token and sent a message to the individual responsible for monitoring Lin Feng, inquiring about his status. Under Jiang Chen''s orchestration, Spies were scattered throughout the city. Many of them blended in as inconspicuous passersby, making them nearly impossible to guard against. Unless Lin Feng could be invisible, his discovery and tracking were inevitable. "Reporting to Young Master!" "Lin Feng is currently residing at the Golden Apricot Inn, situated in the southern part of the city." "Following your directives, we closely observed other passersby, but we did not encounter any attractive young women or individuals afflicted with severe ailments." "Nheless, it appears that Lin Feng''s perceptiveness has heightened. Some of our men reported that he seemed to be watchful of their presence. Fortunately, one of our agents acted swiftly, feigning the role of a thief to steal another person''s spirit stone, thereby avoiding detection." A session of responses materialized on the transmission jade token. ''Has Lin Feng''s perceptivity truly increased?'' ''It''s usible. After all, he has demonstrated the ability to defeat those at the Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening realm.'' ''Still, his discovery of the individuals I dispatched to observe him is not a significant concern.'' ''Based on today''s events, he is more likely to suspect that the Zhou n orchestrated the surveince due to lingering mistrust.'' ''Naturally, to more effectively monitor Lin Feng, I must take matters into my own hands!'' Jiang Chen pondered for a moment before reaching a decision. Exercising caution, he initially returned to the Jiang n. He nned to go there only after the n''s henchmen had secured a discreet residence suitable for observing Lin Feng. In the interim, Lin Feng was under temporary surveince by the n members. Since Lin Feng remained at the Golden Apricot Inn, his only option was to concentrate on cultivation for the time being. In a serene chamber of the Jiang n, ''Open the System Mall!'' With a single thought, a panel materialized before Jiang Chen. The panel disyed four categories: ''Cultivation Methods'', ''Medicinal Pills & Elixirs'', ''Artifacts'', and ''Other''. In order to advance from the Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening to the Late-stage, Jiang Chen had ingested four Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pills. Jiang Chen still possessed four pills. It went without saying that these four pills would not suffice for his subsequent breakthrough. Consequently, He intended to acquire a few more! "Currently, my Viin Value has amassed 4500 points!" "Exchanging for Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pills valued at 80 each is a breeze!" Jiang Chen eximed with excitement, then expended 800 Viin Value points to obtain ten Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pills. Having consumed the Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pills on multiple asions, he had a firm grasp of the quantity required for a breakthrough. Ten pillsno more, no less. Coupled with the wondrous effects of the ''Ten-Turn Harmonious Spirit Pill'', he was confident in achieving a breakthrough to the Mysterious tform Realm! Nheless, Since he was soon to surveil Lin Feng, Jiang Chen refrained frommencing cultivation immediately. Instead, he retrieved the transmission jade token and reached out to his uncle, Jiang Xingtai. Shortly thereafter, Jiang Xingtai requested and procured a highlyprehensive autopsy report on the Spiritual Awakening cultivator from the Zhou n, under the guise of assisting in the search for the perpetrator. In due course, The report surfaced on Jiang Chen''s transmission jade token. "Based on the analysis of the body and Lin Feng''s me attribute, we were unable to identify any corresponding cultivation method, but it possesses the following traits..." As Jiang Chen perused the report, he essed the ''Cultivation Methods'' section of the System Mall. Suddenly! A vast collection of cultivation methods unfolded before Jiang Chen''s gaze, densely arrayed and enticing, causing his vision to nearly blur from the overwhelming assortment. "List the cultivation methods that counterbnce the fire element!" "Omit the cultivation methods below the Heavenly Origin Realm, disregard those beyond my means, and exclude those that require extended periods to cultivate..." Jiang Chen sequentially issued directives in his mind. Shortly after. The array of cultivation methods before him had been diminished by more than half. Aiming to preserve some Viin Value points as a reserve, Jiang Chen ruled out certain cultivation methods with an insufficient cost-effectiveness ratio. Subsequently. Jiang Chen personally sifted through the remaining cultivation methods. Uponparing them to the autopsy report, he chose a secret art titled ''Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets'' after half an hour! [Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets: A Heavenly Origin Realm ice element secret art, characterized by rapid action and explosive power that is highly effective in neutralizing fire element cultivation methods. Its drawback is that it demands an immense quantity of Yuan Power, and sustained usage may potentially harm the meridians.] ''Exchange!'' [Ding! You have sessfully exchanged the ''Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets'' for 2,300 Viin Value points!] Upon receiving the system''s notification. A pristine, snow-white jade slip materialized before Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen grasped it, experiencing a frigid sensation as if holding ice. His divine sense delved into it. Instantly, a wealth of secret art profundities unveiled before Jiang Chen''s eyes, every nuance impably distinct! "I hope toplete its cultivation as swiftly as possible," "Besides this secret art, I have yet to master the ''Wind Void Steps''." "I can only attribute it to the exceptional protagonist status and Lin Feng''s incessant fortune, which leaves me with insufficient time to practice my martial skills." Jiang Chen clutched the jade slip in his hand and then ingested a pill that could soothe his mind and stabilize his breathing. Hemenced his study of the Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets. Time psed steadily. The Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets was indeed an essible secret art, which Jiang Chen grasped with remarkable speed. In a brief span, he had scrutinized it in its entirety and gleaned numerous insights. Just then. The mansion intended for surveilling Lin Feng had been readied. Jiang Chen momentarily set aside the secret art and stealthily infiltrated the mansion. Chapter 40: Breakthrough, Early-stage Mysterious Platform Realm Clear Spring Pavilion. Located not far from the Golden Apricot Inn, it provided the perfect vantage point for keeping a watchful eye on Lin Feng, with a straight-line distance of just over 150 meters. At this very moment. Jiang Chen stood on the third floor of the Clear Spring Pavilion, poised by the window. "Lin Feng, let me see what you''re up to!" Jiang Chen''s lips curled into a smile as his mind focused. He urged the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade, ''Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade, activate!'' Instantaneously. The ck me pattern upon his forehead emitted a faint glow. A wave of divine sense, equivalent to the level of a half-step Mysterious tform Realm, emerged and directly infiltrated the Golden Apricot Inn,mencing the search for Lin Feng! In fact, Once a cultivator attained the Soul Refining Realm, they could use divine sense to safeguard their physical body, creating a passive ''defense'' that prevented others from invading their privacy. Even if their divine sense was weak and susceptible to breaches. However, at the moment their divine sense waspromised, they would be able to detect it and be aware that they were being observed. The fundamental range of protection provided by a cultivator''s divine sense at the Soul Refining Realm epassed the surface of their skin. The higher the cultivator''s level of advancement, the more extensive the scope of their basic protection. For instance, Jiang Chen, who was presently at the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening Realm, boasted a basic protection range of half a meter. Within this radius, there was minimal need to expend divine sense. Expanding the range of protection would increase consumption, making it difficult to maintain and decreasing its effectiveness. As for cultivators at the Elemental Movement or Physical Body Realm whocked divine sense, they could utilize some affordable minor artifacts to preserve their privacy. However, When Jiang Chen had previously admired Ning Xian bathing, Ning Xian did not possess such a small artifact... Refocusing on the task at hand. Jiang Chen''s divine sense roamed within the Golden Apricot Inn, rendering ordinary shielding formations ineffective. Shortly. Lin Feng''s figure materialized before Jiang Chen''s eyes. At that moment, the man was seated cross-legged on the bed, engaged in cultivation as the surrounding Spiritual Qi ceaselessly flowed into his body. "The rate of absorbing Spiritual Qi seems rather fast." "I wonder to what extent his aptitude has been altered." "The Viin''s Eye can''t discern Lin Feng''s aptitude, nor can it perceive his cultivation techniques or truebat capabilities..." Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes, lost in quiet contemtion. Just then. A system notification abruptly materialized. [Ding! After obtaining a Heaven-defying Fate Changer ''Eye-type Method'', you can merge it with the Viin''s Eye, augmenting its prowess!] "Oh!?" "I never anticipated this possibility!" Jiang Chen''s eyebrows rose, his expression revealing a smile of newfound understanding. Shortly thereafter. Jiang Chen persisted in observing Lin Feng for some time. However, the man had already be engrossed in his cultivation, and it appeared that he wouldn''t be engaging in any other activities in the near future. Thus. "You all continue to surveil the Golden Apricot Inn." "If any suspicious individuals enter or exit, or if Lin Feng leaves, notify me at once." Jiang Chen ryed a message to his subordinates, instructing them to maintain their vignce. Immediately following. He too settled down on the bed, adopting a cross-legged posture. As Lin Feng grew stronger, Jiang Chen needed to keep pace and strengthen himself as well to preserve his cultivation advantage! ''Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pill!'' Jiang Chen mused to himself as ten Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pills materialized before him. He picked one up and tossed it directly into his mouth. The pill dissolved effortlessly. A surge of immense medicinal power erupted within his body, permeating his dantian, meridians, and every fiber of his being. Deep within his dantian, The Yuan Power vortex, previously in a semi-solid state, pulsated as if it were breathing, gradually growing more dense andpact. As the medicinal power started to wane, Jiang Chen did not hesitate to consume another pill. Time trickled by. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, half a month had psed. Over the half month, Autumn Glory City was plunged into turmoil by the Zhou n''s actions. Numerous searches were conducted outside the city, yet the perpetrator responsible for Zhou Yihe''s death and others remained elusive. Thus, The search transitioned from overt to covert, in hopes that the killer might reveal themselves. However, the Zhou n''s expectations of apprehending the murderer were not high, as the culprit had likely already escaped to another city. Simultaneously, During this half-month period, Jiang Chen had sessfully advanced his cultivation to the pinnacle of the Spiritual Awakening Realm, standing just a single step away from breaking through the bottleneck. At this moment, Clear Spring Pavilion, third floor. "The timing is absolutely perfect!" "It''s time to break through to the Mysterious tform Realm!" Jiang Chen closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The Yuan Power within his body started to circte slowly, converging entirely in his dantian. Within his dantian, The Yuan Power vortex elerated, spinning faster and faster! After a dozen or so breaths, The speed of the Yuan Power vortex reached its peak! Jiang Chen even felt as though his body was on the verge of being twisted into a pretzel. A whirlwind materialized around him, causing the furnishings in the room to be thrown into disarray. Just at that moment, "Break through!" Following the instructions from the Star Abyss Heavenly Scripture, Jiang Chen abruptly reversed the Yuan Power vortex! The rapidly spinning Yuan Power vortex came to an immediate halt, solidifying under thebined pressures of inertia and opposing force. Nevertheless, the entire vortex seemed on the brink of shattering. Suddenly, A golden light emerged and melded into the Yuan Power vortex, fully stabilizing it. This was the power of the Ten-Turn Harmonious Spirit Pill! Having taken this medicinal pill, Jiang Chen faced no more bottlenecks under the Heavenly Origin, which was why he was able to sessfully break through this time. After the Yuan Power vortex condensed, it took on the appearance of a white, round tform floating within Jiang Chen''s dantian. A mysterious aura emanated from it. "Mysterious tform Realm, breakthrough achieved!" Jiang Chen opened his eyes, a brilliant sparkle shining within them! Immediately, He procured several medicinal pills to replenish his Yuan Power, and activated his cultivation technique to absorb Spiritual Qi, filling his empty meridians and dantian. An abundance of spiritual energy surged into his body, congregated in his dantian, and ultimately fused with the Mysterious tform. In an instant, It transformed into high-quality Yuan Power, brimming with immense energy, and flowed out from the Mysterious tform, refilling his dantian and meridians. As the Mysterious tform Yuan Power coursed through Jiang Chen''s meridians, it began to invigorate every cell within his body! In no time. Jiang Chen''s physical prowess surged dramatically! That wasn''t all. His divine sense strength experienced a substantial enhancement as well! "This energy." "It far surpasses the Yuan Power of the Spiritual Awakening realm!" "Moreover, my Yuan Power reserve has seen a remarkable expansion, nearly tenfold from before!" Sensing the prodigious force of the Mysterious tform realm, Jiang Chen''s eyes gleamed with a hint of exhration. Instantly. He essed his personal panel. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Upper Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body Realm: Early-stage Mysterious tform True Battle Power: Early-stage Mysterious tform+ Cultivation Methods: Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture, Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets, Void Rainbow Sword Technique, Clear Sky sh, Violent Tiger Power... Viin Value: 1400 points ck Heavenly Fate: 0 Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye System Mall: Level 1] "Excellent!" "My true battle power surpasses that of an ordinary Early-stage Mysterious tform!" Jiang Chen examined his panel and nodded with gratification. Throughout the past half month. He didn''t solely rely on pill consumption for cultivation. He consumed ten Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pills in ten days and dedicated the remaining five days to solidifying his cultivation. Capitalizing on these five days, he sessfully mastered the entry-level of the Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets. Initially, the Heavenly Origin Realm cultivation method proved incredibly challenging to practice. Nevertheless, the method Jiang Chen selected possessed the attribute of swift learning, rendering itparatively manageable to practice. Hence, he managed to attain the entry-level of the secret art in a brief span of time. "Next." "Let''s check on Lin Feng''s progress..." Jiang Chen''s thoughts stirred, and he promptly activated his divine sense! Chapter 41: Protagonist, Utterly Preposterous Suddenly! Within a circr area spanning a radius of 1,000 meters, everything became crystal clear! The divine sense range of the Spiritual Awakening realm typically extended within a radius of 100 to 200 meters. In contrast, the Mysterious tform realm boasted a baseline coverage of up to 1,000 meters! "Amazing!" "Everything around me is nowid bare. The sensation of control is utterly exhrating!" Jiang Chen grinned. Without dy, He initiated his investigation of the Golden Apricot Inn. At this point, without resorting to the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade, he could effortlessly pierce through the protective formation guarding the Golden Apricot Inn and scrutinize Lin Feng''s situation, all without raising any suspicion. He delved in with his divine sense. However, he observed Lin Feng still seated cross-legged on the bed, immersed in his practice, as though he hadn''t budged for half a month. "Hmm?" "This state... appears rather peculiar!" "Could this be... attaining a state of sudden enlightenment, grasping the concepts of emptiness and selflessness?!" Jiang Chen''s eyes initially disyed bewilderment, but soon his pupils contracted and his mouth twitched. What defined a protagonist? This right here epitomized the quintessential protagonist! Devoid of any spiritual nts, one could achieve such a scarce cultivation state simply by casually practicing at an inn. Bear in mind that the vast majority of cultivators might never have the chance to experience such a state, even after several years of dedicated practice. That too, only if they were exposed to an assortment of favorable circumstances. Protagonist, utterly preposterous. Just at that moment! Abruptly, a wave of spiritual pressure burst forth from Lin Feng''s body. He had achieved a breakthrough! "Wow!" "He advanced so swiftly!" Jiang Chen''s eyes widened in astonishment, and his figure transformed into an afterimage, vanishing from the scene and retreating hundreds of meters in an instant! As Lin Feng made his breakthrough, his divine sense also expanded proportionately. Who could predict whether his divine sense would surpass that of other cultivators at the same level? To avoid detection, Jiang Chen withdrew without any hesitation. After all, his divine sense coverage radius now spanned one thousand meters, so it made sense to observe Lin Feng from a greater distance. He chose a random location. Jiang Chen persisted in monitoring Lin Feng. Unexpectedly, Lin Feng raised his right hand, and a me materialized at his fingertip. He yfully wiggled his finger. Shortly thereafter, Lin Feng appeared pleased with his own me and promptly extinguished it. "This is the me he utilized to eliminate his foes!" "It''s remarkably potent! It has already attained the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening and is nearing the half-step Mysterious tform realm!" "Good heavens, if Lin Feng continues to progress at this rate, wouldn''t he be capable of transcending major realms to vanquish his adversaries?" Jiang Chen''s mouth twitched, and suddenly he felt that his own Mysterious tform realm cultivation seemed rather unremarkable... Just at that moment, The transmission jade token on his waist quivered. Jiang Chen dispatched a thread of divine sense and scanned it swiftly. Instantly, his expression shifted. "Young Master!" "Following your directives, we have been keeping tabs on any formidable outsiders within Autumn Glory City!" "Not long ago, we identified several unfamiliar Spiritual Awakening experts materializing in the teleportation hall of Autumn Glory City!" "..." This message constituted the intelligence report conveyed by the cultivators subordinate to Jiang Chen. Upon uncovering the backgrounds of Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi, Jiang Chen understood that the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain from the Bright Cloud Continent would not let them off easily. It was highly probable that they had dispatched assassins to eliminate them and subsequently present Lin Feng with a ''generous gift package''. Consequently, He had already positioned a number of undercover agents. As for the teleportation hall in Autumn Glory City, It was a magnificent chamber housing numerous teleportation arrays. Serving as the swiftest transportation hub in Autumn Glory City, it was co-managed by the Jiang and Zhou ns. One could ess the teleportation service for a fee, although it came at a considerable cost. For Jiang Chen, keeping an eye on the teleportation hall was a breeze. Numerous members of the Jiang n held positions there. At this very moment, The surveince bore fruit! Typically, the Spiritual Awakening experts frequenting Autumn Glory City were cultivators from the city itself and neighboring martial cities. The staff working at the teleportation hall all year round were well-acquainted with these experts. Spiritual Awakening experts who had never been seen before indicated that they hailed from more distant ces and were visiting Autumn Glory City for the first time! Jiang Chen promptly associated them with Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain. To verify if they were from Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, all he needed was to utilize the Viin''s Eye! "Provide me with their location!" Jiang Chenmanded and swiftly received a reply! There were a total of five Spiritual Awakening experts: two in the Early-stage, two in the Middle-stage, and one in the Late-stage. The five individuals arrived via teleportation and lodged at separate inns. Jiang Chen was already aware of their precise locations. "Three in the east, two in the south!" "I''m currently in the south..." Jiang Chen''s lips curled into a smile as he took a step and vanished in a blur! He reached the nearest target inn, guided by the intelligence report. Unleashing his divine sense, Every detail of the inn came fully into view, not a single aspect overlooked. Within one of the ordinary guest rooms, a cultivator at the Spiritual Awakening realm sat! ''Viin''s Eye!'' [Name: Cao Junli Realm: Late-stage Spiritual Awakening Status: Supporting character Fate Value: 109] ''Just as anticipateda supporting character!'' ''The likelihood of this individual being connected to the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain is as high as ny percent!'' ''Hehe, with a mere Fate Value of 109, it seems he''s eager to meet his end!'' ''From this, one can deduce that his days are numbered. He will soon fall to Lin Feng and be a loot box!'' Jiang Chen contemted for a moment, and a smile emerged at the corner of his mouth. He had likely already deduced the uing plot development in the original storyline. It was merely a matter of Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian being assaulted, with Lin Feng arriving in time to vanquish the foe, astonishing the master and disciple pair and earning their gratitude. "Hehe!" "Lin Feng, allow me to assist you in fulfilling your plotline!" Jiang Chen smirked coldly and turned to depart. Exercising caution, He proceeded to examine the other four cultivators at the Spiritual Awakening realm and, without exception, they were all supporting characters! At this moment, The fifth Spiritual Awakening cultivator, Tian Wendong, captured Jiang Chen''s attention, prompting him to examine more closely. The reason was that Tian Wendong, despite his youth, had achieved Early-stage Spiritual Awakening cultivation, which would ce him as at least a true disciple within the Starry Abyss Sect. Additionally, this individual exuded a certain air of frivolity and arrogance, giving others an impression of domineering and overbearing behavior. ''This Tian Wendong...'' ''Is it possible that he''s some sort of second-generation figure or the like?'' ''Considering his Fate Value of 98, he''s likely to be the first to meet his end.'' ''Lin Feng killing him in the original plot must have incited even greater animosity and drawn more individuals to be ''loot boxes'' for his collection.'' ''Nheless, this person''s Fate Value is too low, signifying his eventual demise. I might as well just eliminate him.'' ''...'' Jiang Chen rubbed his chin, pondering the best course of action for his strategy. Simultaneously, "Based on the intelligence report," "The target, Qiu Liaoxi, has resided in Autumn Glory City for fifteen years and has taken a young girl under her wing as a disciple." "Despite the passage of fifteen years, their cultivation has likely only reached the Spiritual Awakening realm at most, or perhaps merely the Soul Refining realm." "This mission appears rtively straightforward. Once we''ve aplished the task, we can indulge in leisure before heading back." "We mustn''t return to the Illusory ying Tower too soon, given the rare opportunity to venture out!" Tian Wendong toyed with a dagger-shaped artifact, ascivious grin forming on his face. Illusory ying Tower, A formidable assassination organization within the Mysterious Truth Continent! On this asion, they epted a mission from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain in the Bright Cloud Continent to journey to Autumn Glory City and apprehend Qiu Liaoxi alive. If capturing her alive proved unattainable, eliminating her was also permissible; however, they were required to retrieve the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records and the secret key! Chapter 42: Illusory Slaying Tower, Sending Feeders In truth, The Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain found itselfpelled to seek assistance from the Illusory ying Tower. After all, they were situated within the Bright Cloud Continent, and direct intervention in the affairs of the neighboring Mysterious Truth Continent would be highly inappropriate. Such a transgression would undoubtedly incite the disapproval of local authorities, like the Starry Abyss Sect. Thus, It was due to these considerations that assassins from the Illusory ying Tower were dispatched to Autumn Glory City. For Tian Wendong and hispanions, A formidable team of five Spiritual Awakening realm assassins from the Illusory ying Tower had assembled. With such a formidable force at their disposal, apprehending a Soul Refining realm cultivator would be a task aplished with remarkable ease! At this juncture, Tian Wendong could hardly contain his eagerness toplete the task and indulge in leisure. As the son of the Illusory ying Tower''s Lord, he felt excessively constrained. "Cao Junli!" "Take action swiftly! What are you waiting for?" Tian Wendong extracted the transmission jade token and sent a message to Cao Junli, the most formidable member of their group. His father had specifically instructed Cao Junli to maintain a watchful eye on him. "Young Master, please exercise patience." "We have only just arrived in Autumn Glory City, and it is probable that the local powers have taken note of our presence." "Moreover, we must carry out on-site investigations to confirm the uracy of our information." "For the sake of caution, let us bide our time before initiating our n!" Cao Junli responded. "Hmph!" "A mere Autumn Glory City, who dares to dictate this young master''s actions? I''ll obliterate them!" Tian Wendong snorted, yet managed to momentarily quell his impulsive desire to act. Little did the young master of the Illusory ying Tower know that his muttering had been detected by Jiang Chen. ''Illusory ying Tower?'' ''So that''s the situation. The Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain enlisted the Illusory ying Tower''s aid!?'' ''It''s understandable, given that the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain hails from the Bright Cloud Continent, making it inconvenient for them to operate within the Mysterious Truth Continent.'' With this revtion, Jiang Chen continued to contemte his own strategies. ''Truth be told, there isn''t much to orchestrate for this scheme.'' ''The primary concern is Lin Feng. I must ensure he doesn''t arrive prematurely. He needs the opportunity to appear after I''ve neutralized the adversary.'' ''Additionally, I shouldn''t reveal myself at the onset. I need to materialize at the most critical juncture, and reverse the course of the battle! In doing so, both Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian, master and disciple, will face peril, but Ning Xian possesses an extraordinary Fate Value. She''ll undoubtedly be safe, so those surveilling the Vast Spirit Residence should refrain from intervening and ideally withdraw.'' ''As for Qiu Liaoxi, her fragile Fate Value suggests she may sacrifice herself to facilitate Ning Xian and Ling Feng''s escape, typically resulting in her demise. Fortunately, in this narrative, as the attack unfolds, her adversaries will initially attempt to keep her alive, as they need her assistance in locating the items they desire.'' ''Nheless, if my objective is to maximize my advantages, the opportune moment to aid her inbating her fate has not yet arrived.'' Jiang Chen''s thoughts whirled, with myriad ideas shing and coalescing into a multitude of brilliant insights. Before long, He gained a lucidprehension of the actions he must undertake. However, a newplication emerged. ''The current dilemma is...'' ''Since I must intervene and disy my prowess, or rather, rescue others...who will intercept Lin Feng?'' ''Common individualsck the necessary strength and would be instantly in by him! It seems we require someone at the Mysterious tform realm to halt his progress.'' ''Furthermore, if someone attempts to thwart Lin Feng, and he fails to save Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian, he might expose his true power in a desperate move. In that event, the Zhou n could deduce that he is the genuine perpetrator behind the murders.'' ''In such a scenario, the Zhou n would once again be a potential target, inadvertently ''sending feeders'' to Lin Feng, and my side would likely suffer a loss of face.'' ''Nevertheless, this would also present the perfect opportunity to solidify Lin Feng''s reputation as a ''criminal'' and ''fraudster,'' significantly diminishing Ning Xian''s impression of him!'' ''And I, too, will ''exert every effort'' once more to ''shield'' him from the Zhou n''s grasp one more time!'' ''...'' As Jiang Chen mulled over this, a faint smile gradually materialized on his lips. Taking action on his thoughts. Jiang Chen promptlymanded the surveince team to withdraw from the Vast Spirit Residence, ensuring no one was left behind. Subsequently. He reached out to his uncle, Jiang Xingtai. "Jiang Chen, half a month has passed. How is Lin Feng faring?" Jiang Xingtai was deeply invested in Jiang Chen''s matters and consistently kept a watchful eye on Lin Feng. Upon receiving Jiang Chen''s call, he inquired without dy. "Lin Feng, this individual, has advanced to the Spiritual Awakening Realm!" "Moreover, his true prowess, I fear, has attained the stature of a half-step Mysterious tform!" Jiang Chen responded. "Eh!" "He''s advanced to the Spiritual Awakening Realm!" Jiang Xingtai drew a deep breath, "Is he the one you mentioned with incredible fortune? He''s truly formidable!" "Undeniably formidable!" Jiang Chen grinned and replied, "However, I have also broken through to the Mysterious tform Realm." "What?!" "You''ve broken through to the Mysterious tform Realm?!" "Wow - a Mysterious tform Realm at just twenty years old!" "Jiang Chen, my nephew, you are the genuine individual with immense fortune. Inparison, Lin Feng is simply too feeble!" "Jiang Chen, my nephew, you are destined to reach the Heavenly Origin Realm, and our Jiang n will rise to be one of the top ns in the Mysterious Truth Continent. Ah, just contemting it is exhrating!" "..." Upon learning that Jiang Chen had broken through to the Mysterious tform Realm, Jiang Xingtai was utterly astounded! There were, in fact, quite a few individuals in the Mysterious Truth Continent who had attained the Mysterious tform Realm. However, a Mysterious tform Realm cultivator at the age of twenty was undoubtedly a rare and extraordinary feat! Achieving such an aplishment at such a young age signified that they were a prodigious talent with Heavenly Origin potential. If they continued to progress unimpeded, they would assuredly reach the Heavenly Origin Realm! "Very well, Uncle!" "Refrain from gasping so heavily; you''ll deplete all the air. Be cautious not to asphyxiate those around you." "Additionally, we must not underestimate Lin Feng. As long as he lives, we must consider him the Jiang n''s greatest adversary!" Jiang Chen smiled and shook his head, cautioning Jiang Xingtai. "Understood!" "Uncle is aware!" Jiang Xingtai responded, "So, what would you like me to do today, Jiang Chen?" "Thwart Lin Feng!" "Uncle, you may have also heard that there are five foreign Spiritual Awakening Realm cultivators..." "At that time, you''ll disguise yourself as someone from the Illusory ying Tower, intercept Lin Feng, and ensure your true identity remains concealed!" "As a precaution, I will provide you with a treasure that can mask your identity!" Jiang Chen concisely outlined the situation involving Tian Wendong and others. He refrained from mentioning the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records, Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, and other matters. He simply informed Jiang Xingtai that they had arrived for Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi. "I will unquestionably intercept Lin Feng!" Jiang Xingtai vowed solemnly. Had it not been for Jiang Chen''s warning, Jiang Xingtai would have undoubtedly underestimated Lin Feng. This was because, generally speaking, the disparity between the Spiritual Awakening Realm and the Mysterious tform Realm was immense. In a confrontation between the Mysterious tform Realm and the Spiritual Awakening Realm, there was simply no uncertainty; victory could be achieved with one hand alone! However, at this moment. Heeding Jiang Chen''s advice. Jiang Xingtai became vignt. "Good!" "Uncle, you must exercise caution. If you cannot intercept Lin Feng, prioritize your own safety and avoid engaging in an extended conflict!" Jiang Chen was somewhat concerned, as Jiang Xingtai was confronting Lin Feng, so he reiterated his warning. He also glimpsed Jiang Xingtai''s character panel, revealing him to be merely a supporting character with a mere few hundred points of Fate Value. In the original storyline, he was destined to be defeated by Lin Feng. Uncle Jiang Xingtai. To Lin Feng, he represented a minor viin, a mere stepping stone. For Jiang Chen, however, he was a warm and amiable elder. Naturally, Jiang Chen did not wish to see Jiang Xingtai fall. "I will give it my all!" Jiang Xingtai responded, "If I sense even a hint of danger, I will make my escape without dy!" "Very well!" "I shall arrange for someone to deliver a treasure to you shortly." After dispatching the message, Jiang Chen promptly essed the System Mall. At present, his Viin Value bnce stood at 1,400 points. He possessed sufficient points to exchange for the highest-grade Spiritual Awakening Realm concealment treasure or even a lower-grade Mysterious tform Realm treasure. Currently, Lin Feng was in the Early-stage Spiritual Awakening Realm. His ace in the hole was that enigmatic me, which likely had little rtion to divine sense. As such. It seemed improbable that Lin Feng''s divine sense would vastly surpass his contemporaries. Given that Jiang Xingtai was an entire realm above Lin Feng and would have the high-grade Spiritual Awakening Realm concealment treasure in his possession, it seemed usible to conceal his true identity from Lin Feng. In that instant. Having browsed through the offerings in the System Mall. Jiang Chen swiftly zeroed in on a Spiritual Awakening Realm concealment treasure valued at 700 Viin Value. Chapter 43: Finally Taking Action Mirage Spirit Beaded Amulet. This was the Spiritual Awakening realm treasure that Jiang Chen had chosen, imbued with the power to conceal divine senses and disguise one''s aura. "System! Exchange!" [Ding! Deducting 700 points of Viin Value, you have sessfully exchanged for ''Mirage Spirit Beaded Amulet''*1!] The system prompt resounded. A jade pendant materialized in Jiang Chen''s hand. Simultaneously, the remaining Viin Value bnce plummeted to 700 points. However, it was a worthy expenditure. Furthermore, from this moment on, it was time for him to amass a substantial profit! "Come forth!" Jiang Chen beckoned someone with the transmission jade token. Soon. Elder Ge materialized nearby. Ordinarily, such a task of transporting goods could be managed by regr subordinates. However, to exercise caution, Jiang Chen opted to entrust Elder Ge with this responsibility. After Elder Ge departed with the Mirage Spirit Beaded Amulet. Jiang Chen proceeded to one of the Jiang n''s estates to keep an eye on a Spiritual Awakening realm cultivator from the Illusory ying Tower, including Lin Feng. He observed Lin Feng consolidating his cultivation. Meanwhile, the Illusory ying Tower''s cultivator was also gearing up for the impending mission. Witnessing this. Jiang Chen allocated a portion of his divine sense to surveil them and devoted the majority of his energy to cultivating the Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets. Time passed slowly. Three dayster, at night. At the Golden Apricot Inn. Lin Feng concluded consolidating his cultivation and resumed his practice. At this moment, aside from Jiang Chen, Jiang Xingtai was also monitoring him. Meanwhile. The individuals from the Illusory ying Tower abruptly sprang into action! "Finally taking action!" Jiang Chen''s lips curved upwards as he ryed a message to Jiang Xingtai, then he took a step and soared away at lightning speed. He was astoundingly swift. The five individuals from the Illusory ying Tower before him appeared as slow as snails inparison. Soon after. He reached a location nearly a thousand meters away from the Vast Spirit Residence, from where he could survey it with his divine sense. After waiting for a moment. Cao Junli, Tian Wendong, and others approached the Vast Spirit Residence from various directions. At this time. The gates of the Vast Spirit Residence were shut, with both Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi, master and disciple, immersed in cultivation. "This is the ce!" "Let''s set up the formation first!" Tian Wendong sneered coldly and gestured with his hand. Immediately. Cao Junli produced a massive stone tablet. The front of the stone tablet was adorned with densely packed ck patterns, while the back featured grooves embedded with spiritual stones. ''A formation te that conceals movement!'' ''These guys are quite professional.'' Jiang Chen''s eyebrows lifted as he persisted in observing. "A mere trash formation, I''ll break it!" Tian Wendong smirked and stepped forward, mustering the strength to kick the door. Suddenly. The gates of the Vast Spirit Residence crumbled with a thunderous crash! ... At the Golden Apricot Inn, "My cultivation speed has significantly slowed down!" "I can''t bear it. I must find a way to reim the wealth of Zhou Yihe and the others!" Lin Feng furrowed his brow and rose from the bed. But just as he was about to depart, his footsteps abruptly halted. He felt a sense of unease in his heart, as though something unfortunate was on the horizon. "This feeling...perhaps I shouldn''t venture out for now." Lin Feng clutched his chest and his frown intensified. And so. He sat down and brewed himself a cup of tea, attempting to calm his nerves. At that moment, Jiang Chen''s silhouette materialized in the shadows, precisely two hundred meters away from the Vast Spirit Residence. Should anything befall Ning Xian, he would spring into action without hesitation. Given his Mysterious tform-level abilities, traversing the two hundred meters would be nearly instantaneous! Within the Vast Spirit Residence, "Who goes there?!" Qiu Liaoxi emerged from her room, her face etched with concern, while Ning Xian burst out, her eyes aze with fury. All of a sudden, The master and disciple were confronted by five unfamiliar cultivators on the lower floor! Each of these five individuals radiated a formidable presence, rendering it challenging for them to breathe. "Spiritual Awakening Realm!" "They''re all in the Spiritual Awakening Realm!" "Who are you people? What brings you to my humble Vast Spirit Residence?" Qiu Liaoxi''s eyes flickered with a touch of apprehension, as she already surmised that the intruders sought the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records. "Hahaha!" "You must be Qiu Liaoxi, am I right?" "I had assumed you''d be in the Spiritual Awakening realm by now." "But to think you''re still mired in the Soul Refining realm after all these years. How utterly pathetic." "As for our purpose here, surely you have some inkling?" Tian Wendong sneered, his expression dripping with disdain. "You hail from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain!" Ning Xian''s beautiful face contorted with rage, "After so many years, you still refuse to leave us be!" "Ah!" "Your name is Ning Xian, isn''t it?" "Qiu Liaoxi''s disciple from Autumn Glory City? Quite the beauty!" Tian Wendong appraised Ning Xian, his eyes momentarily widening in surprise before being overtaken by a lecherous glint. "Revolting!" "Absolutely revolting!" "You people are utterly repugnant! And the same applies to the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain!" "Did they not tell you that I, Ning Xian, originally hailed from the Ning n of Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain?" Ning Xian''s brow furrowed, her gaze brimming with loathing. It was apparent that the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain had concealed their extermination of the Ning n in a bid to safeguard their reputation. Even Ning Xian, the sole surviving member of the Ning n, was recast as a native of Autumn Glory City by their machinations, as well as a disciple taken under Qiu Liaoxi''s wing. Such conduct by the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain was tantamount tomitting heinous deeds while still coveting the veneer of sainthood. "Oh?" "Who would have thought such a thing transpired?" "But that''s irrelevant now!" "Hand over the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records and the secret key, ande with us!" "Or else...this shall be your destiny!" Tian Wendong sneered, seizing the table beside him and rapidly corroding it with a chilling, sinister force. "Hmph!" "You''re all living in a fantasy!" Qiu Liaoxi scoffed coldly, feeling relieved that she had already entrusted the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records and the secret key to Lin Feng. At this moment, Her foremost priority was to protect Ning Xian and ensure Lin Feng''s swift escape. Thus, In the midst of their conversation, Qiu Liaoxi positioned herself protectively in front of Ning Xian, concealing a transmission jade token in her sleeve and using her divine sense to send a message to Lin Feng. "Escape!!" Buzz. Lin Feng, who had been feeling uneasy even after sipping his tea, suddenly sensed the transmission jade token vibrating. "Could it be Master or Ning Xian?" Lin Feng''s face lit up. He had lost face in front of Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi thest time, and had been torn about whether to return to the Vast Spirit Residence. Now that Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi had taken the initiative to contact him, he naturally felt ted. However, The message on the transmission jade token read only ''Escape!!'' Lin Feng''s smile abruptly vanished, his eyes widening with a mixture of fury and apprehension that engulfed him in an instant! "Who?!" "Who dares toy a hand on my Ning Xian! Who dares to harm my Master!" Lin Feng unleashed a bellow of profound sorrow and outrage, consumed by intense concern, as he burst through the roof, speeding towards the Vast Spirit Residence! Ning Xian was the first girl to grace him with a smile after he descended the mountain. Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi, the master-disciple pair, were the initial individuals he had encountered who radiated genuine goodwill towards him, following his prolonged experiences of disdain and humiliation at the Starry Abyss Sect. Qiu Liaoxi had even entrusted him with a priceless inheritance despite knowing little about him! In his heart, He had alreadye to see Ning Xian as his own woman. But now, Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi faced peril! How could he not be anxious, how could he not be incensed! Chapter 44: I, Jiang Chen, Have No Intention of Leaving Today A piercing sound of slicing through the air echoed. This was followed by a fierce gust of wind that lifted the treetops and shredded the leaves to pieces! In the distance, Lin Feng''s silhouette materialized on a rooftop, continuing to create afterimages as he soared forward! But at that very moment! Another swifter afterimage lunged from the side, crashing forcefully into Lin Feng! Bang! A potent energy shockwave radiated outward, sending the nearby tiles scattering in all directions! "Who?!" Lin Feng erupted in a furious bellow. Caught off guard, he was propelled back hundreds of meters, leaving deep gouges in the ground with his legs uponnding! "Hmph!" "Lin Feng, correct? If you wish to save someone, you must first get past me!" A figure garbed in a ck robe and hood stood atop the roof, gazing down at Lin Feng from above. It was none other than Jiang Xingtai in disguise! "You are... from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain!" Lin Feng''s pupils constricted as he ''urately'' deduced the other''s identity! Furthermore, He discerned the other party''s cultivation level to be in the Mysterious tform realm, feeling a mix of shock and anger. It was worth noting that he himself was only at the Early-stage Spiritual Awakening, while the opposing party had dispatched someone in the Mysterious tform realm to confront him, which was utterly preposterous! "Come on, let''s see how many moves you can withstand before sumbing!" Jiang Xingtai did not respond to Lin Feng and instead charged forth! "Get out of my way!" Lin Feng bellowed, his figure flickering as he attempted to circumvent Jiang Xingtai and rush to the aid of Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi! "Attempting to flee?" Jiang Xingtai intercepted Lin Feng with a single stride and promptly followed with an assault. "Superior Overbearing Force!" Lin Feng knew that he couldn''t rescue Ning Xian and his Master without repelling the individual before him, so he instantly began to resist! "This move is quite impressive!" Jiang Xingtai grinned like a cat toying with a mouse, effortlessly neutralizing Lin Feng''s maneuver. "Damn it!" Lin Feng felt a surge of anxiety and anger. He knew that he had to go all out to stand any chance of shaking off this person. But once he unleashed the Burning World me, the Zhou n would... At this instant. Jiang Xingtai''s assault arrived once more! "I don''t care anymore!" "Burning World me! Kill him for me!" Lin Feng''s eyes reddened, and a surge of mes burst from his body, ferociously assailing Jiang Xingtai! "This me!" "What an intense feeling of danger!" Jiang Xingtai''s heart quivered, his figure flickering incessantly, narrowly evading Lin Feng''s mes. Had he not heeded Jiang Chen''s advice to remain exceptionally vignt throughout the encounter, despite appearing at ease, he would likely have suffered minor injuries this time. Simultaneously. Seizing the opportunity of Jiang Xingtai''s retreat, Lin Feng promptly spun around and sprinted! Jiang Xingtai''s feet pressed against the ground, propelling his figure to overtake Lin Feng. He delivered a ferocious whip kick, enveloped in an extraordinarily potent Yuan Power! "Out of my path!" Bellowing with profound sorrow and fury, Lin Feng''s arms ignited in mes once more, crossing defensively in front of him. "Boom!" Yet another muffled explosion resounded! Lin Feng''s body plummeted to the ground like a cannonball, forming a deep crater upon impact! "Lin Feng, is that the extent of your abilities?" Jiang Xingtai was not one for conversation, and under different circumstances, he would have rushed forward to pummel Lin Feng to death. However, Jiang Chen had cautioned him against taking Lin Feng''s life under any conditions! In that instant. Lin Feng''s form abruptly leapt out of the massive crater, soaring into the distance at a rapid pace! "Halt!" Jiang Xingtai closed the gap and intercepted Lin Feng once more... Rewinding a few moments earlier. Within the Vast Spirit Residence. "How dare you send a message!" Cao Junli discerned Qiu Liaoxi''s surreptitious action in an instant and struck her without hesitation! A palm shadow asrge as a table forcefully sent Qiu Liaoxi from the second floor to the first. The wooden walkway splintered entirely, leaving utter chaos behind! "Master!" Upon witnessing Qiu Liaoxi being knocked to the ground, Ning Xian cried out in anguish! She leapt straight from the second floor to Qiu Liaoxi''s side, anxious to assess her injuries. "Go!" "Xian''er, I''ll hold them off for a while, flee quickly!" Although Qiu Liaoxi was aware that she and her apprentice might not evade this cmity, she refused to yield and attempted to rise. Regrettably, Her injuries were too severe for her to stand, leaving her with no choice but to prop herself up and sit on the floor. "You old crone!" "Had you not still been of use, you would have perished just now!" "Now, hand over the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records and the secret key. Otherwise, I shall teach you the meaning of true cruelty!" Tian Wendong lifted his chin and menacingly approached Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi. "Don''t you dare harm my master!" Ning Xian positioned herself in front of Qiu Liaoxi, ring at Tian Wendong with bloodshot eyes! "What!" "You''re quite devoted to your master, aren''t you?" "Being a member of the Ning n, you must know the whereabouts of the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records. Perhaps you even have it with you!" "Submit them promptly, or I shall rip this old crone to shreds before your very eyes!" Tian Wendong regarded Ning Xian with a sadistic expression, akin to a maniacal murderer. Witnessing this scene, Ning Xian couldn''t help but sumb to a feeling of despair. Nevertheless, although her frail body quivered faintly, she refused to retreat even a step! Moreover, If Tian Wendong dared to approach, she would retaliate with every ounce of her strength, despite the futility... Yet, At that very moment! Boom!! A thunderous noise erupted, and the entire Vast Spirit Residence shuddered! "Who goes there!" Cao Junli, Tian Wendong, and the other three instantly shifted their expressions upon realizing that their formation had been disrupted! Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi also widened their eyes, turning their gazes towards the door. They saw a young, dashing man sauntering in, his face etched with an icy demeanor: "Who dares to act so brazenly in my Autumn Glory City and create havoc? Have you no regard for your lives?" "Jiang Chen!" Upon recognizing the formidable Jiang Chen, Ning Xian''s tense mind immediately eased, and her eyes brimmed with tears! But then! "Jiang Chen, flee!" "They''re all Spiritual Awakening Realm cultivators; they''re after us! You must escape!" Ning Xian''s joy swiftly morphed into concern as she cried out in rm. "Jiang Chen, leave swiftly; this matter concerns you not!" Qiu Liaoxi, too, was unwilling to drag the virtuous Jiang Chen into their predicament, and spoke with a feeble voice. "So young, yet already possessing Early-stage Spiritual Awakening Realm cultivation." "It appears that you are the prodigy of the Jiang n in Autumn Glory City." "I hadn''t anticipated your involvement with these two. Regrettably, you won''t be able to leave today!" Tian Wendong assessed Jiang Chen, whose expression remained impassive, and narrowed his eyes as he uttered coldly. Though he was reluctant to incite unnecessary strife with the Jiang n, It was evident that Jiang Chen maintained a close rtionship with Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi, and he might even possess the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records! "I cannot leave?" "I, Jiang Chen, have no intention of leaving today!" "Should you darey a finger on my friends, each of you shall perish today!" Jiang Chen''s eyes brimmed with lethal determination, and his voice resonated like a frigid gust emanating from an icy cavern! "Eliminate him first!" "Stay vignt; he may summon reinforcements!" Witnessing Jiang Chen''s resolute and unwavering stance, Cao Junli bellowed furiously and unleashed a ferocious punch! His fist glistened with a chilling gleam, evidently concealing a razor-sharp de! Tian Wendong and the other three wasted no time, each brandishing a short-ded dagger-type artifact of the Spiritual Awakening Realm! Simultaneously, "Take Ning Xian and flee; do not confront them directly!" Qiu Liaoxi shrieked frantically, and with an unforeseen surge of strength, she suddenly lunged at Tian Wendong! Ning Xian also strained to activate her Yuan Power, unleashing a burst of energy that ripped through the air, targeting Tian Wendong. The ambience within the Vast Spirit Residence transitioned from still to active, as everyone sprang into action! Chapter 45: None of You Will Be Spared "Before, I would have retreated when faced with five individuals at the Spiritual Awakening realm!" "But now, hmph, every one of you shall perish!" Jiang Chen gazed at the approaching lethal strikes of the five individuals, not even blinking his eyes, and promptly vibrated his body in ce. Violent Tiger Power!! Boom! An immense force burst forth from Jiang Chen''s body, akin to a shockwave, instantly striking Cao Junli and the others! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! The bodies of the five Spiritual Awakening realm individuals came to an abrupt halt! "This is!?" "Half-Step Mysterious tform realm?" "He''s not merely at the Early-stage Spiritual Awakening realm; it''s an illusion!" Cao Junli, taken aback and losing hisposure, let out an astounded exmation! The opponent appeared to be in his twenties, yet he was a Half-Step Mysterious tform Realm powerhousehow could this be possible!? The other four individuals were equally astonished and horrified! In an instant, The five of them felt an urge to retreat, and the assaults in their hands involuntarily weakened by a notch! At that very moment! Jiang Chen unleashed a terrifying chill that instantly enveloped the five individuals. Cao Junli, Tian Wendong, and the others felt as though they had plummeted into an incredibly frigid ice cave. The warmth of their bodies was rapidly sapped, causing them to stiffen! Immediately, The assaults of the five individuals weakened even more! Yet, despite the dys, their attacks were finally on the verge of striking Jiang Chen! Regrettably, Jiang Chen wouldn''t allow them to seed! "Clear Sky sh!" Through a series of agile steps, Jiang Chen''s stationary figure split into five afterimages. Each of the afterimages independently executed a punch, a palm strike, a hand seal, a finger technique, and a sword skill, abruptly assailing the five adversaries. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Pfft!! The sounds of four consecutive impacts striking flesh and a de prating flesh resonated simultaneously! In the following moment, The weapons of Cao Junli and the other fourbatants shattered and flew away, while they themselves contorted in agony, spewing blood as they were flung backward! The Early-stage Spiritual Awakening realm cultivator perished on the spot. The two Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators lost their mobility and their faces turned deathly pale. Without prompt treatment, they would soon meet their end. Cao Junli sustained severe injuries and temporarily lost his fighting capabilities! As for Tian Wendong, he dangled from Jiang Chen''s sword, impaled through his chest and protruding from his back, the sword de as serene as an autumnke bathed in the blood trickling down! Yet, he was still alive. Furthermore, he lowered his head in confusion, gazing at the long sword embedded in his chest. It was at this precise moment, Only then did Qiu Liaoxi reach Tian Wendong''s back and weakly p him with a feeble palm. Ning Xian''s burst of energy also struck his back. Two seemingly gentle attacks caused Tian Wendong to suddenly shudder, followed by an agonizing, pig-like wail! "Ahhhhh!" "It hurts so much, I''m in unbearable pain!" "No, don''t kill me, I don''t want to die! I am the son of the Illusory ying Tower''s Lord! Please let me go, aahhh!" "..." Tian Wendong''s face twisted with terror as he screamed in anguish, appearing as if he wore a mask of torment. "I''ve said it before." "Anyone who dares to harm my friends shall pay with their life!" Jiang Chen stared coldly at Tian Wendong, as if gazing upon a corpse. "How dare you!" "We hail from the Illusory ying Tower!" "Surely you must know that we, the Illusory ying Tower, are an assassin organization boasting multiple Mysterious tform realm cultivators!" "Should you dare to y Tian Wendong and us, the Jiang n will inevitably face destruction!" "Jiang Chen, there is still an opportunity to reconsider your actions. If you depart now, we shall pretend this never transpired!" Cao Junli mustered the strength to stand, hisplexion pallid yet his tone menacing. The Illusory ying Tower''s notorious reputation was widely acknowledged. Upon hearing the words ''Illusory ying Tower,'' ordinary Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators would be frightened and flee. However. Jiang Chen replied through his actions. His right hand, gripping the sword, suddenly quivered with intensity, and a terrifying force erupted instantaneously from the de! Bang! A crimson mist exploded from Tian Wendong''s body, and a potent stench of blood swiftly permeated the Vast Spirit Residence. "You..." Tian Wendong gazed at Jiang Chen in disbelief, as if unable to fathom that he truly dared to kill him. Immediately after. His terror and astonishment solidified in his eyes, and his entire body hung limp, utterly devoid of life. "Jiang Chen!!" Cao Junli stared at Jiang Chen with eyes wide in rage, his entire being teetering on the edge of madness. The other two individuals stared with lifeless, fish-like eyes, their gazes brimming with terror. Tian Wendong was dead! The son of the Illusory ying Tower''s Lord had perished! In this manner, even if they managed to return to the Illusory ying Tower alive, their fate would be sealed! An overwhelming sense of despair instantly enveloped Cao Junli and the other two! Just at that moment. Thud. Jiang Chen''s long sword descended, and Tian Wendong''s body copsed to the floor. Ding! The sound of the sword tip striking the ground echoed. However, they observed Jiang Chen, his face ashen, clutching the sword hilt with both hands, using the long sword to steady his slightly trembling frame. Such a scene. Everyone in the Vast Spirit Residence was left speechless. And then, without dy! "Jiang Chen!" "Are you alright?" Ning Xian''s beautiful face shifted in concern, and she prepared to dash towards Jiang Chen. However, Cao Junli was even quicker! "Hahaha!" "Who would have thought, young one, that you''d be a mere facade of strength, fragile on the inside!" "You must have relied on some ndestine pill or a burst-type secret art to exhibit that level of prowess just moments ago!" "Hmph, once the effects dissipate and the repercussions take hold, death will surely find you!" "Jiang Chen, you wretch, embrace your demise!" Sporting a warped and vicious countenance, Cao Junli charged at Jiang Chen, his right hand forming a tight fist, hurtling towards Jiang Chen like a colossal hammer! "Hmph!" Jiang Chen scoffed, lifting his right hand to brandish his long sword, using the t of the de to parry the assault. The two figures were hurled apart in opposite directions. Cao Junli crashed to the ground once more, spewing a mouthful of blood. Meanwhile, Jiang Chen couldn''t halt his retreat until his back collided with the wall, finallying to a standstill. He silently channeled his Yuan Power, and his face abruptly flushed as crimson blood seeped from the corners of his mouth. "Come on!" "Face me again!" Propped against the wall, Jiang Chen raised his long sword with a quivering hand, directing it at Cao Junli. "Die!" Cao Junli mustered the strength to rise and charged at Jiang Chen once more! Yet. As he drew nearer. Jiang Chen''s long sword, which had been drooping weakly in his hand, suddenly thrust forward with ferocity! Pfft! The razor-sharp de viciously prated Cao Junli''s heart! "How... could... you still..." Cao Junli''s eyes widened, gazing at Jiang Chen with disbelief. His body then shuddered violently before losing all strength and copsing to the ground. And so, this Late-stage Spiritual Awakening Realm expert met his end at the hands of Jiang Chen. "It''s over!" "I''m utterly doomed!" "Lord Jiang Chen, I implore you, please spare my life! I''ll do anything you ask of me. Just tell me yourmand, and I''ll carry it out!" The two remaining Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators, having witnessed Cao Junli''s demise, lost all hope of reversing their fate. They trembled and pleaded for mercy. "I told you, none of you will be spared!" Jiang Chen''s voice was raspy and frigid. He staggered weakly toward the two men, lifting his long sword. "No!!" Their cries were cut short, and the scent of blood within the Vast Spirit Residence grew even more potent. Chapter 46: Jiang Chen, Youre Injured [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot. Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value reduced by 300 points!] [Ding! You have acquired 500 points of Viin Value!] A system prompt echoed in Jiang Chen''s mind, filling him with a surge of tion. Yet, externally, he maintained a pale visage and disyed unsteady footsteps. Not only that. To enhance his pitiful appearance, he resumed his performance. Ding-dong! Plop! The tter of a long sword striking the ground and the thud of a body copsing reverberated. In that instant, it appeared that Jiang Chen''s injuries had worsened, and his physical strength depleted, leading him to fall to the ground once more. "Jiang Chen!" Ning Xian swiftly rushed to Jiang Chen''s side, her anxiety palpable, "You''re injured! How are you feeling!?" "I''m fine!" "Here, feed me..." Jiang Chen''s voice was barely perceptible, as though he had mustered hisst ounce of strength to retrieve a healing pill from his storage bracelet. tter. The pill slipped from his feeble grasp and rolled onto the ground. "Okay!" "Don''t worry, I''ll feed it to you right away! You must be alright!" In a slightly flustered manner, Ning Xian picked up the pill, wiped it on her clothes, and then ced it into Jiang Chen''s mouth. The situation was critical. In her haste to feed the pill to Jiang Chen, Ning Xian inadvertently inserted her own slender fingers into his mouth. Fortuitously, Jiang Chen was feigning weakness and helplessness, to the extent that he couldn''t even open his mouth. Thus, he epted Ning Xian''s delicate finger into his mouth... ''Mmm, so tender.'' Outwardly, Jiang Chen remained still, but inwardly, his heart swelled with affection. However, Ning Xian hastily withdrew her finger, gazing at him with a worried expression. It seemed as though she was assessing whether he possessed the strength to swallow the pill on his own. ''If I pretend I''m unable to swallow the pill... Would Ning Xian resort to kiss-feeding?'' Jiang Chen suddenly pondered with keen interest. However, he refrained from doing so and instead ''mustered all his strength'' to swallow the pill. Gradually. The medicinal power started to take effect. Jiang Chen''s self-inflicted injuries began to heal, and hisplexion progressively returned to normal. "Jiang Chen, Jiang Chen!" "Are you feeling better now!?" Ning Xian observed Jiang Chen''s steadily improvingplexion and grew somewhat excited. "Much better." "Thank you for feeding me the medicinal pill, or else I might not have been able to recover so swiftly..." Jiang Chen spoke ''feebly'' while ''struggling'' to rise. "Don''t move!" "I''ll help you!" Seeing this, Ning Xian promptly stepped forward to aid Jiang Chen. However, Jiang Chen''s body felt immensely heavy, akin to dead weight. Ning Xian had to utilize half of her body to support Jiang Chen''s back in order to lift him up. "Phew!" Jiang Chen sat cross-legged on the ground, exhaling a sigh of relief. Simultaneously, while circting his cultivation technique to refine the medicinal pill, he said, "Ning Xian, don''t worry about me, go and check on your master quickly!" "Alright, alright!" "If you need anything, just call me!" Ning Xian was moved and immediately dashed to attend to Qiu Liaoxi. In that instant. [Ding! Ning Xian''s fondness for you has grown, while Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has diminished by 200 points!] [Ding! You have acquired 300 points of Viin Value!] The system notification echoed within Jiang Chen''s mind, prompting him to nod with gratification. ''I have yet to encounter Lin Feng, and already he has forfeited 500 points of Heavenly Fate Value!'' ''This is quite promising!'' ''If all proceeds ording to n, then today...'' Jiang Chen pondered, as a chilling glint flickered in his eyes. Simultaneously. Ning Xian exhaled a sigh of relief after examining her master''s state. Regrettably, Qiu Liaoxi''s injury was severe and could not be remedied bymon medicine. Thankfully, Tian Wendong and hispanions aimed to apprehend Qiu Liaoxi alive, sparing her from any lethal harm. Nheless. If the situation were to persist for an extended period, it could still culminate in catastrophe. Therefore, Ning Xian promptly administered Qiu Liaoxi some basic healing medicinal pills to temporarily prevent her injuries from worsening. Conversely. Jiang Chen, who had been observing the entire scene. After casting a final nce at the wounded Qiu Liaoxi and feeling that all was prepared, He discreetly expanded his divine sense and utilized the transmission jade token to ry a signal to Jiang Xingtai, directing him to withdraw! Subsequently, he closed his eyes and continued refining the healing pill. Elsewhere. In a street engulfed by utter chaos. Lin Feng persistently attempted to breach Jiang Xingtai''s barrier, but each endeavor proved fruitless! "You fiend!" "Either y me or step aside!" Lin Feng bellowed in fury, his voiceden with sorrow and resentment! He had already discerned that his opponent was a formidable cultivator at the Mysterious tform realm, yet for some inexplicable reason, the adversary seemed to be deliberately restraining himself. "Hmph!" "If it weren''t for our reluctance to provoke the Jiang n, I would have dispatched you long ago!" "For now, stand herepliantly, and you will naturally be permitted to departter!" Jiang Xingtai uttered in a disguised voice, his tone icy. "What?!" "The Jiang n?! Jiang Chen?!" Lin Feng instantaneously conjured Jiang Chen''s visage in his mind. His sole connection to the Jiang n was through Jiang Chen. Could it be that this Mysterious tform realm cultivator spared his life because of that irksome fellow, Jiang Chen? Would he, Lin Feng, find himself indebted to Jiang Chen once more?! Upon contemting this, Lin Feng instantly experienced a sensation of unease and constriction in his chest, feeling immensely irritated! Just at that instant! "What!" "The mission has failed!?" "Jiang Chen from the Jiang n intervened?" "Curse it! Hadn''t we agreed with Jiang Xingtai not to provoke their n and they wouldn''t meddle in our scheme?" "Why, then, did Jiang Chen from the Jiang n take action?!" Jiang Xingtai extracted his transmission jade token, and upon examining it, uttered a disbelieving low snarl, feigning astonishment and rage! Shortly thereafter. "Jiang n, you''ve reneged on your promise!" "I won''t let you escape retribution!" Jiang Xingtai hurled these words, then with a single stride, vanished into the shadows! "Mission failed!?" "Ning Xian was rescued? And it was Jiang Chen who saved her!?" "Jiang Chen breached the pact between the Jiang n and Purple Bamboo Spiritual Mountain by independently intervening to save Ning Xian and Master?" Lin Feng''s eyes widened, his expression a whirlpool of conflicting emotions. Relief, doubt, and resentment intermingled within him! Ning Xian was meant to be his, Lin Feng''s, woman. He should have been the one to rescue her! Inhaling deeply. Lin Feng''s countenance darkened as he made his way towards the Vast Spirit Residence. Within the Vast Spirit Residence. ''Should be arriving soon, right?'' Jiang Chen mused to himself. Expanding his divine sense, he perceived the surroundings within a one-thousand-meter radius. In no time. A rapidly approaching figure materialized in his divine sense. It was none other than Lin Feng! ''Here hees!'' ''Preparing to act once more. s, life is like a y, and we must all take our turn on the stage...'' A gleam flickered in Jiang Chen''s eyes, and a subtle smile graced the corner of his lips. Just at that moment. Lin Feng had already closed the distance to two hundred meters. Anxious as he was, he had already extended his divine sense and would soon discern the events unfolding within the Vast Spirit Residence. "Cough cough cough!" Jiang Chen suddenly coughed violently, blood spilling from the corners of his mouth once more! "What''s wrong with you!" "Didn''t you take the pill? Please don''t let anything happen to you!" Ning Xian swiftly approached Jiang Chen, her expression fraught with worry. She tenderly patted his back and used a handkerchief to dab the blood from the corners of his mouth. This scene. It unfolded directly before Lin Feng''s eyes. "Ning Xian...!" Suddenly, his entire body trembled and his speed involuntarily slowed, transitioning from flight to a brisk walk. His heart ached intensely! It felt as though ten thousand knives were mercilessly stirring within! With a somewhat dazed expression, Lin Feng moved forward, experiencing a difort akin to when his dantian had been shattered! His eyes wide, he fixated on Ning Xian''s worried gaze and tender gestures. A sense of despair washed over him, as if his heart had turned to ashes. [Ding! You have sessfully damaged Lin Feng''s mental state! Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 200 points!] [Ding! You have earned 300 points of Viin Value!] ''Hehe!'' ''Did he truly be emotionally wounded just by witnessing this? He''s quite sensitive!'' Jiang Chen scoffed internally. He then raised his hand and grasped Ning Xian''s delicate jade hand, a determined smile crossing his face. Chapter 47: Ning Xian and Lin Feng Sever Ties "I''m all right." "Simply take another pill..." Jiang Chen''s voice was feeble. After uttering those words, he employed his divine sense to ess the storage bracelet. Abruptly. A pill tumbled out. "Let me help you!" Ning Xian observed Jiang Chen quivering as he attempted to grasp the pill, so she promptly collected it and administered it to Jiang Chen. "No!!" All of a sudden, a thunderous bellow reverberated throughout the entire Vast Spirit Residence! "Who...?" Jiang Chen swiveled his head with feigned difficulty. "Lin Feng!" Ning Xian gazed at the entrance in astonishment as she spotted Lin Feng. "Lin Feng, didn''t I tell you to leave!" Qiu Liaoxi uttered weakly. "You, you two..." Lin Feng disregarded Qiu Liaoxi''s statement and simply stared at Jiang Chen and Ning Xian with widened eyes. His voice quavered slightly. "What''s wrong with us?" "Jiang Chen is gravely injured and can''t move about. What''s the issue with me giving him a medicinal pill?" Ning Xian furrowed her brow. She discerned what Lin Feng was implying! This fellow felt hurt because she had administered the pill to Jiang Chen!? "Heh..." "What''s wrong?" "I''ve already warned you before that Jiang Chen cannot be fully trusted..." Lin Feng let out a bitterugh, nearly clenching his teeth. "I didn''t even realize how close you had be with him!" "Lin Feng, that''s enough!" "I never expected you to be this kind of person!" "When we were attacked, it was Jiang Chen who appeared in time and saved both my master and me!" "If it hadn''t been for him, it would have been uncertain whether my master and I could have even survived!" "Where were you when we were attacked?!" "And after Jiang Chen helped you get rid of the Zhou n, where did you go? Why didn''t youe back even once?!" "I''m simply giving Jiang Chen a medicinal pill now!" "Furthermore, I have no connection to you whatsoever, so what gives you the right to be so emotional for no reason?!" "Lin Feng, what do you have to say?!" Ning Xian''s beautiful face was filled with anger as she asked question after question. She and her master had barely survived, and Jiang Chen nearly lost his life attempting to save them! Yet, Lin Feng! Instead of inquiring about their well-being or their condition, he burst in and began shouting in disbelief! He even disyed a sneering, self-deprecating expression! And he ground his teeth in anger! How could Ning Xian not be furious at this?! [Ding! You have sessfully caused Ning Xian''s impression of the protagonist Lin Feng to plummet to an all-time low! Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 200 points!] [Ding! You have gained 300 Viin Value points!] ''Dropped to an all-time low?'' ''So that means there''s still a chance for Lin Feng to turn things around?'' Jiang Chen silently spected in his heart, ''So, do I have to make Ning Xian''s impression of Lin Feng fall to a negative level?'' Simultaneously. "I!" "I... I received the news and hurried over right away, but someone stopped me..." Lin Feng was choked by Ning Xian''s words, struggling to speak and feeling an agonizing pain within. It took him a considerable amount of time before he managed to convey his helplessness and sorrow. "Stopped by someone?" Jiang Chen inquired weakly, "You dealt with the other party, right? Were you injured?" Upon hearing these words, Lin Feng''s heart suddenly skipped a beat. Jiang Chen''s concern revealed how petty Lin Feng had been. But Lin Feng refused to acknowledge it! A suffocating feeling of frustration, threatening to tear him apart, filled his chest, yet he found no outlet for it at all! "He''s asking you, are you mute?!" Ning Xian was evidently still infuriated as she questioned indignantly. In truth, If it weren''t for Lin Feng being a disciple of Qiu Liaoxi, she wouldn''t even spare him a nce. "I sustained a minor injury..." Lin Feng''s expression stiffened for a moment; he suppressed his heartache and replied, "I didn''t kill the other party. He was a Mysterious tform realm cultivator, and ultimately, he let me go." "Mysterious tform Realm?" "If he pursued you, why did he let you go?" Ning Xian shook her head with a smile, clearly unconvinced by his words. "It''s..." "It''s because... Those people didn''t want to offend the Jiang n, so they struck an agreement with them to not meddle in each other''s affairs." "As for me, I was also their target... But due to my connection with Jiang Chen, they merely stopped me and didn''t kill me." Lin Feng exined in a subdued tone, evidently reluctant to do so. With that said, Everyone knew that he, Lin Feng, now owed Jiang Chen another enormous favor. "So it was Jiang Chen who saved you again." A flicker of understanding crossed Ning Xian''s face before she sharply turned her head to look at Jiang Chen. "And... Jiang Chen, you have breached the agreement between the Jiang n and those people!" "It''s nothing." "You guys are my friends." "Many times, interests are not the most crucial factor." Jiang Chen exined weakly, "Besides, those people approached with ill intentions; making a deal with them would be inviting disaster..." "Jiang Chen... Thank you!" Ning Xian interrupted Jiang Chen''s words, her eyes glistening with a few crystal-clear droplets of light. [Ding! Ning Xian''s fondness for you has increased, while Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 100 points!] [Ding! You have gained 200 points of Viin Value!] Jiang Chen''s heart surged with joy as the system prompt echoed within his mind. Observing this spectacle. Lin Feng felt as though he might rupture on the spot! All at once. "Iprehend now!" A spark of insight abruptly ignited within his mind, causing his eyes to widen as he fixed his gaze intently on Jiang Chen. Such an expression. It immediately prompted Ning Xian to knit her brows, and Jiang Chen too furrowed his forehead. "Lin Feng, what have you grasped?" Qiu Liaoxi inquired with a touch of detachment. Truth be told, she also harbored some disappointment towards this disciple. "All of this was orchestrated by Jiang Chen!" "Your Jiang n struck a deal with those individuals, but you reneged on the agreement when they took action!" "You merely sought my demise! You employed that Mysterious tform realm cultivator''s hands to eliminate me!" "Consider this, if that Mysterious tform cultivator discovered your breach of the agreement, he would undoubtedly target me!" "Regrettably for you, your scheme failed. That individual didn''t finish me off but merely retreated!" Lin Feng directed a frigid stare at Jiang Che, "And your true objective is Ning Xian and my master!" Upon uttering these words. They appeared to hold merit. "Hmph." "Lin Feng, I genuinely didn''t anticipate such malicious conjecture about my intentions." "If I truly desired your death, I wouldn''t havee to your aid when the Zhou n falsely used you. Wouldn''t it have been more advantageous for me to add fuel to the fire?" Jiang Chen scoffed and shook his head,den with disappointment. Upon hearing Jiang Chen''s words, Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi could unmistakably perceive the malice and prejudice directed towards Jiang Chen. "I never thought you could be so petty and narrow-minded that you would fabricate allegations against Jiang Chen after he saved your life!" "I deeply regret consenting to let my master take you on as a disciple!" "From this moment forward, I no longer know you. Leave!" Ning Xian stared at Lin Feng in disbelief, gesturing towards the door as she shouted in fury. [Ding! You have sessfully caused Ning Xian and Lin Feng to sever ties. Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 200 points!] [Ding! You have gained 300 points of Viin Value!] The system prompt resounded. Jiang Chen''s heart swelled with delight. Naturally, he maintained a facade of profound disappointment as he gazed at Lin Feng. "Ning Xian!" "I''m speaking the truth!" "Jiang Chen has harbored malicious intentions from the very beginning!" Lin Feng''s lips quivered and his expression abruptly transformed into one of extreme ferocity. His outburst grew even more frantic. "Enough!" "I don''t want to hear another word!" Ning Xian uttered in a frosty tone, her gaze upon Lin Feng turning increasingly contemptuous. Chapter 48: A Change in Lin Fengs Personality "You..." "Ning Xian, don''t regret this!" Lin Feng''s expression abruptly shifted, settling into a calm facade. Yet it was evident to everyone that a maelstrom of emotions roiled within him. "Lin Feng..." "This is all a misunderstanding. You can still apologize to Jiang Chen and Ning Xian, and mend the situation..." Qiu Liaoxi, not wanting to see Lin Feng sever ties with her and the others, attempted to reason with him. "No!" "I am not in the wrong!" "It doesn''t matter if you don''t believe me now. Soon, you will see his true colors!" "When that timees, for the sake of the ''Thousand Green Pill Heart Records'', I will rescue you all!" As Lin Feng''s emotions escted internally, his thoughts became increasingly turbulent. His words were frigid and detached. This was tantamount to deliberately distancing himself from his rtionships with Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi. As a protagonist possessing a strong sense of dignity, His psychological defenses crumbled when faced with repeated usations and misunderstandings. Lin Feng''s own feelings towards Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi began to wane. Once his emotions reached a boiling point, He relinquished his ties! Armed with the Burning World Red Lotus, was there any woman he couldn''t find? Lin Feng was confident that even without the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records, he could easily attain the Inquiring Journey realm and rule the entire Mysterious Truth Continent! Acquiring the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records would simply be an added bonus. Such a favor Could be effortlessly repaid. Above all, Lin Feng sought to prove that he, Lin Feng, was right, and that Jiang Chen was in the wrong... It was at this moment, "Sigh!" Jiang Chen shook his head and sighed. "Lin Feng, it''s not toote to set things right." "Hmph!" Lin Feng snorted coldly, a mocking smile gracing his face. He then turned around and departed. [Ding! You have sessfully instigated a significant change in the protagonist Lin Feng''s personality, and his Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 300 points!] [Ding! You have gained 500 points in Viin Value!] Two system notifications materialized in Jiang Chen''s mind, leaving him astonished. ''Lin Feng''s personality has changed?'' ''Indeed, after enduring multiple psychological traumas, he has grown much colder!'' ''ording to the original storyline, he should have been an overwhelmingly positive character.'' ''...'' Jiang Chen reflected on the situation, and a wave of tion swelled within his heart. At this juncture, Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value had been steadily declining, now reduced to a mere 280 points. Although he retained the protagonist status, The power of his protagonist status had undoubtedly reached an unprecedented low. Had he possessed only an ordinary Fate Value instead of the Heavenly Fate Value, he would currently be nothing more than a bystander who had fortuitously stumbled upon a grand opportunityan opportunity destined to be snatched away from him soon. Naturally, There remained a possibility for Lin Feng to make aeback. As a result, Jiang Chen dared not lower his guard, vigntly tracking Lin Feng''s movements using his divine sense. Nevertheless, he observed that after departing from the Vast Spirit Residence, Lin Feng halted at a secluded spot roughly a hundred meters away. Gazing in the direction of the Vast Spirit Residence, Lin Feng clenched his fists resolutely. In Lin Feng''s perception, Jiang Chen''s ''triumphant scheme'' this time likely indicated an imminent demand for the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records or something simr. Furthermore, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain might stage a resurgence following the failure of this mission. Hence, His opportunity to prove himself was fast approaching! With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Lin Feng promptly retreated to a corner and sat down,mencing his cultivation. The protagonist''s indomitable spirit in the face of adversity was vividly disyed at this very moment. Within the Vast Spirit Residence. "Ning Xian, Alchemist Qiu." "It''s no longer safe here; we must leave." "I''d like to take you back to the Jiang n, but... I''m concerned you might not trust me." Jiang Chen''s expression had ''improved'' significantly, and he spoke with a hint of embarrassment. After all. His n involved creating an illusion of an agreement between the Jiang n and the Illusory ying Tower. "Fret not, Jiang Chen!" "Considering the importance that the Jiang n''s patriarch ces on you..." "You''ve decided to break the agreement between the Jiang n and the Illusory ying Tower. Since the Jiang n can no longer rectify the situation, we will surely follow you." Ning Xian shook her head and reasoned. Through numerous endeavors by Jiang Chen. She had developed an incredibly high level of trust in him. Within Autumn Glory City, Ning Xian trusted Qu Liaoxi the most, and now Jiang Chen had be her second most trusted individual. ''This girl is truly clever.'' Jiang Chen praised her silently, smiling inwardly. Outwardly, he nodded and said gravely, "Very well, but if we encounter any signs of danger, I will take you to the Starry Abyss Sect, where you''ll be absolutely safe!" "Mm!" Ning Xian nodded emphatically. It was at this very moment. "Jiang Chen, are you alright?" Jiang Xingtai, bearing the marks of battle, suddenly materialized at the gate, his expression a mix of worry andplexity. "Uncle, I''m sorry." "I took it upon myself to defend the Vast Spirit Residence." Jiang Chen appeared remorseful as he engaged in a subtle exchange of acting prowess with his uncle. "It''s alright, it''s alright!" "I should have taken your feelings into ount. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have agreed to their demands in the first ce." Jiang Xingtai promptly shook his head and approached Jiang Chen. "Come, let me examine your injuries!" "I''m fine now, uncle." Jiang Chen smiled and shook his head, then inquired with concern, "What about you? Who were you battling?" "It was the leader of that group of people." "The outsider who has reached the Mysterious tform Realm!" "He assaulted me without any warning, and that''s when I discovered you were at the Vast Spirit Residence." "Rest assured, he isn''t faring well either. I''ve forced him to make a temporary retreat from Autumn Glory City!" Jiang Xingtai elucidated and dered, "Alright, this isn''t a ce for us to linger. Let''s return to the Jiang n!" "Alright!" Jiang Chen nodded, confirming, "I''ll take Ning Xian and Alchemist Qiu with me." "No problem at all!" Jiang Xingtai grinned, "Our Jiang n is already at odds with that group of individuals!" "Haha, I still apologize for that." Jiang Chen chuckled as well and instructed Ning Xian, "Quickly search their storage artifacts for any valuable information or clues." He mentioned finding information. In reality, he sought loot. Jiang Chen wouldn''t leave these spoils of war for Lin Feng to im! Upon hearing Jiang Chen''smand, Ning Xian promptlyplied and gathered the storage artifacts from the five Spiritual Awakening realm corpses. Subsequently. Jiang Xingtai guided Jiang Chen. While Ning Xian supported Qiu Liaoxi. The team of four departed from the Vast Spirit Residence, heading towards the Jiang n. Midway there. Arge contingent of ''bted'' Jiang n cultivators flocked towards them. They escorted Jiang Chen and Ning Xian into an opulent carriage. As for Qiu Liaoxi, she boarded a separate carriage and was tended to by Alchemist Xie, whom she had met earlier. Not far behind. Lin Feng had been trailing them the whole time, a frosty expression in his eyes. All he could contemte in his heart was proving himself... Simultaneously! At the Zhou n estate. Chapter 49: Zhou Ruiyu is Coming to Seek Vengeance Within a serene chamber. Zhou Yihe''s disfigured bodyy in a crystal coffin, his appearance nearly unrecognizable. The true perpetrator remained undiscovered. Zhou Yihe''s body could not yet be interred. For there was still the possibility that crucial evidence lingered upon his corpse. "My dear grandson." "Though your aptitude wascking, and your temperament peculiar, you are still my grandson!" "I, Zhou Ruiyu, shall certainly uncover the malefactor and exact vengeance for you!" "Be it one year or ten years, I shall never relent!" With a mournful expression, Zhou Ruiyu cast a final nce at Zhou Yihe''s body before turning to depart. At that very moment. "Report!" "Lord Patriarch!" "The true perpetrator has been discovered, the true perpetrator has been discovered!" "Young master''s vengeance can be attained now!" Urgent cries resounded from outside. Immediately thereafter. A Zhou n Spiritual Awakening cultivator hastened to Zhou Ruiyu''s side, his countenance a blend of fury and a hint of exhration. "What!?" "The true perpetrator has been discovered!?" "Who is this culprit, and where are they!?" Zhou Ruiyu''s initial shock gave way to a dramatic shift in his expression as he seized the other person''s cor, demanding answers with a thunderous roar! His emotions surged uncontrobly! "It''s Lin Feng!" "It''s that very Lin Feng, the one Jiang Chen protectedLin Feng!" "He is the one who murdered Young Master Zhou Yihe!" The Zhou n cultivator hastily eximed, his voiceced with incredulity, yet he was absolutely certain. "What did you say?" "The Lin Feng whom Jiang Chen protected?" "Hasn''t he already been exonerated?" "How could he, a mere Soul Refining realm cultivator, manage to y two of our Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators!?" Zhou Ruiyu bellowed in disbelief. Lin Feng. He was the one who had personally investigated the matter! It was he who had dered Lin Feng innocent! Now, the Zhou n cultivator standing before him imed that the perpetrator was Lin Feng. Was this not a p to his face? "It truly was Lin Feng!" "Lord Patriarch, we have just received the news!" "A group of unidentified cultivators assaulted Vast Spirit Residence. Lin Feng was confronted by one of them, leading to an intense battle!" "During the skirmish, Lin Feng..." The Zhou n cultivator hastily ryed the recent events. "A member of our n witnessed Lin Feng wielding fearsome mes with their own eyes!?" "Furthermore, upon examining the scene, it was verified that the me-inflicted wounds on my grandson''s body matched those discovered there!?" "Curse it! It indeed was Lin Feng! I''ve been duped!!" "This Lin Feng must have employed some method to obscure his true power!" "Lin Feng, as well as Jiang Chen! I cannot coexist with you!!" "..." Zhou Ruiyu bellowed with tremendous fury. Anger, disgrace, humiliation, and loathing hadpletely consumed his heart! "Patriarch!" "There''s more news!" "Jiang Chen has stepped forward to protect the Vast Spirit Residence!" "Now, Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian, master and disciple, are being escorted to the Jiang n''s estate!" The Zhou n cultivator reported furiously, "Lin Feng, that despicable man, is also following at a close distance!" Boom! Zhou Ruiyu stomped his foot, causing the stone b beneath him to shatter into a massive pit! In an instant, he transformed into a residual image and charged directly towards the Jiang n''s estate! Lin Feng was the genuine culprit behind Zhou Yihe''s death. Naturally, Zhou Ruiyu harbored resentment towards Jiang Chen for shielding Lin Feng. He was en route to the Jiang n to demand justice! As a Mysterious tform realm expert, Zhou Ruiyu''s speed was incredibly swift, and he rapidly approached the Jiang n''s domain. Nevertheless, his conspicuous movements were detected by the scouts arranged by Jiang Chen in advance, who promptly ryed the information to him. ''Zhou Ruiyu ising to seek vengeance?'' ''It appears that Lin Feng''s true capabilities andbat style have been revealed!'' ''His identity as the killer has been uncovered!'' ''This is an excellent opportunity to strike at Lin Feng!'' ''If sessful, his Heavenly Fate Value will be forfeited!'' ''...'' Within the opulent carriage, on thevishly adorned seat, Jiang Chen, with a ''pale''plexion, finished reading the message on the transmission token through his divine sense. After a moment of contemtion, A subtle smile graced his lips. "Things have reached this point, and yet you still smile?" Ning Xian, standing by his side, was somewhat perplexed upon witnessing Jiang Chen''s smile. "Sharing a carriage with you is undeniably delightful." Jiang Chen''s eyebrows rose, and his smile broadened. Between him and Lin Feng, Ning Xian had already made her choice. Thus, there was no longer any need for restraint in her presence. "Jiang Chen, you..." Ning Xian''s lovely eyes widened marginally, not anticipating Jiang Chen''s yful demeanor. In her perception, Jiang Chen had consistently been polite and respectful, a solemn and dignified young master. This was the first instance in which she had glimpsed his more spirited side. At that moment. "Halt right there!" A livid roar abruptly reverberated throughout the entire street. So intense that, The formidable sound waves toppled a considerable number of weaker cultivators. "A master of the Mysterious tform realm!" "It''s Zhou Ruiyu, the patriarch of the Zhou n!" "Good heavens, why is Zhou Ruiyu so incensed? He''s obstructing the Jiang n''s procession!" "Though the Zhou and Jiang ns are rivals, they still maintain some contact. How did things escte to this point?" Onlookers in the vicinity gazed at Zhou Ruiyu, who was blocking the path, with apprehension etched on their faces, as they whispered amongst themselves about the unfolding situation. ''Finally arrived, have you? Zhou Ruiyu!'' Jiang Chen inwardly sneered, yet on the surface, he feigned surprise. "Patriarch Zhou? Why would Patriarch Zhou obstruct our path?" "What!" Ning Xian was equally astonished, "What is happening here?" "Zhou Ruiyu is blocking the Jiang n''s procession?" "Could he be here for me?" Lin Feng''s face transformed as he stood dozens or hundreds of meters away from the Jiang n''s procession. He recognized that he had revealed his true strength andbat style during the previous encounter. By now, Zhou Ruiyu most likely deduced that he, Lin Feng, was the assassin responsible for Zhou Yihe''s death! In that instant, "Zhou Ruiyu!" "What is your purpose?" Jiang Xingtai emerged from the procession and approached Zhou Ruiyu, his expression dark and bewildered. "Hmph!" "I have already discovered that Lin Feng is the culprit who murdered my grandson, Zhou Yihe!" "Jiang Chen even harbored Lin Feng, hindering me from avenging my grandson in a timely fashion! Had Lin Feng not been exposed as a despicable scoundrel today, I can''t imagine how long I would have been kept in the dark!" Zhou Ruiyu dered in an icy tone, his eyes even turning slightly red. "Lin Feng is the murderer who killed your grandson, and my nephew protected him?" "But weren''t we all present at that time? Lin Feng''s suspicion was dismissed!" Jiang Xingtai feigned ignorance, his face filled with astonishment and skepticism. Zhou Ruiyu released a cold, disdainful snort. "Lin Feng, this contemptible scoundrel, recently engaged in a fierce battle..." As he narrated, Jiang Xingtai''s expression gradually shifted to one ofprehension and disbelief. The surrounding onlookers were also taken aback! Meanwhile. Chapter 50: You Deceived Jiang Chen, Most Egregiously ''Darn it!'' ''The matter of killing Zhou Yihe has been exposed!'' ''Zhou Ruiyu is an expert of the Mysterious tform realm, and I am not yet capable of confronting him!'' ''No, I must leave swiftly!'' With that thought, Lin Feng promptly prepared to depart! But just at that moment. "Lin Feng, you insignificant piece of trash, attempting to flee? Absolutely not!!" With a swift flicker of his body, Zhou Ruiyu instantly blocked the path behind Lin Feng! "This isn''t good!" Lin Feng''s expression shifted, and he immediately employed the Clear Sky sh to evade in another direction! However. Whoosh! The Clear Sky sh was employed again! "Lin Feng!" Jiang Chen''s figure obstructed Lin Feng''s path, "Aren''t you going to exin?!" His face turned deathly pale, and a trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth once more! It was as though his injury had worsened! Lin Feng''s expression darkened, and without uttering a word, he instantly attempted to flee in another direction! But. Another figure impeded Lin Feng''s escape route! It was Jiang Xingtai! At this moment. Three experts of the Mysterious tform realm encircled Lin Feng in a triangr formation! Jiang Chen''s expression turned grim as he spoke, "Without a clear exnation of this matter, you won''t be able to leave!" As soon as these words were uttered. Zhou Ruiyu immediately narrowed his eyes. It appeared that Jiang Chen had also been deceived by Lin Feng!? And it didn''t seem like an act. After all, Jiang Chen had endured his injuries to stop Lin Feng! At that moment. "There''s nothing to exin!" "I killed Zhou Yihe!" "Those around Zhou Yihe were also in by me, Lin Feng!" "At the Soul Refining realm, I defeated two Spiritual Awakening experts. Hahaha!" Lin Feng surveyed the three of them, a cold smile gracing his face! "It''s really you!" "How can this be!" Jiang Chen''s eyes widened, eximing in ''disbelief''! "For you, it''s indeed inconceivable!" "So you took it upon yourself to cunningly deduce that I hadn''t killed Zhou Yihe and then emerged with a haughty demeanor, offering your assistance like an act of charity!" "Hmph, do I require your help? I certainly do not!" "Were it not for Ning Xian and my master, I wouldn''t have bothered toe out and bluff my way through!" "If I killed someone, so be it. It''s not a significant matter. Even without your aid to dispel my suspicions, I would have fared much better!" Lin Feng red at Jiang Chen, his eyes bloodshot, furiously releasing his pent-up frustration! Having suppressed his emotions for so long, he finally erupted once more! Upon hearing this, Everyone was immediately stunned! Aside from Jiang Chen, no one had anticipated Lin Feng harboring such thoughts! "You have no shame!" "Jiang Chen offered his help out of goodwill, yet you insult him and believe you''re wiser than him!" "You imed you could have done better alone; were you nning to hide away? Leaving me and my master to shoulder the burden of the Zhou n''s pressure on your behalf, is that it?" "We... all misjudged you! Completely misjudged you!!" Ning Xian burst out of the carriage, furiously condemning Lin Feng, "You are a narrow-minded, obstinate, self-centered, arrogant, and conceited despicable person!" "Ning Xian!!" Lin Feng threw his head back and bellowed furiously, his eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets! "I never imagined you could be this type of individual!" "From this moment forth, our master-disciple bond is severed! You are no longer my disciple!" "If you retain any self-respect, relinquish the cultivation technique I imparted to you and return the alchemy manual to me!" Qiu Liaoxi, severely weakened, managed to step out of the carriage with Alchemist Xie''s assistance. Her expression was somber as she addressed Lin Feng. "You concealed your true nature so effectively!" "Even my family''s Jiang Chen was misled by you and came to your aid on multiple asions!" "And yet...you still ridicule him. I have never encountered such a brazen individual!" Jiang Xingtai''s voice wasden with fury, resembling a volcano on the verge of eruption, as he enunciated each word. "I suspected you were untrustworthy long ago!" "You deceived my benefactor, young friend Jiang Chen, most egregiously!" Another irate voice neared from a distance. Upon closer examination, it was revealed to be Du Bailei. A cascade of allegations. Like a thunderp shattering the air in the street! The onlookers, initially stunned, grasped the gravity of the situation. "Ahh, I see it now. This Lin Feng character duped Jiang Chen, the young master of the Jiang family!" "This fellow is so devious. He even managed to deceive young friend Jiang Chen, and neither the Jiang nor Zhou n patriarchs could immediately discern his true nature!" "This Lin Feng is utterly despicable. Just look, even his master has cast him out from the sect and seeks to reim his cultivation technique!" "Serves him right! This man deserves no less! He''s a wretch who repays kindness with malice, may he be damned!" "Lin Feng, you wretched scoundrel, there''s no escape for you today!" "..." Having assessed the situation, the onlookers erupted into fervent discussions and vehemently condemned Lin Feng. Some even went so far as to offer their assistance in apprehending Lin Feng. "You... all of you!" "You''re mistaken, every one of you is mistaken. I am not a shameless individual!" "Don''tbel me as such! Master, please, do not cast me out from the sect. I will prove my innocence, I am telling the truth!" "No, how did ite to this, why!" Lin Feng''s eyes widened as he surveyed his surroundings. He took in the cacophony of heated discussions and usations, and observed the expressions of revulsion and indignant res. He felt as if the entire world had forsaken him! It was chilling! His whole body shivered with cold! There was no refuge for him in this world, nor any warmth to be found! The whole world seemed popted by those who loathed him! "No!!" "It''s all your fault, all because of you!!" "Jiang Chen, it''s all because of you!" "You saved your cousin, you took my me Whisker Mica Ginseng, you rescued Du Bailei, and you feigned helping me, leading to Ning Xian and the others..." Overwhelming anger, resentment, and frustration engulfed Lin Feng''s thoughts,pelling him to unleash all the deeply concealed emotions in his heart! Those things that he instinctively felt belonged to him, his opportunities! They slipped through his fingers time and time again! Each time, Jiang Chen''s shadow loomed behind everything! Each time, Jiang Chen did nothing wrong! Jiang Chen was always in the right! He, Lin Feng, was left without a word to say! Now. He finally spoke out. From the beginning to the end, no one would believe orprehend his words! To everyone''s ears, Lin Feng''s words were merely nonsensical, the ravings of a madman! "I never expected that you''ve harbored such thoughts all this time." "Your narrow-mindedness is truly disheartening!" "Even now, you fail to recognize your errors, let alone show remorse!" Jiang Chen gazed at Lin Feng with a crestfallen expression, and his voice grew increasingly firm and icy. "I, Jiang Chen, hereby dere that I am in irreconcble conflict with you!" "Hahaha!" "Jiang Chen, you consider yourself powerful, don''t you!" "Years of cultivation, and you''re merely an Early-stage Spiritual Awakening Realm novice!" "I could defeat you with my eyes shut. How audacious of you to dere irreconcble conflict with me!" "And as for the rest of you! Jiang Xingtai! Zhou Ruiyu! And you, Ning Xian, you wretch, and you, Qiu Liaoxi, you old fool! You have noprehension of my true strength!" "I, Lin Feng, am destined to ascend to the Inquiring Journey realm and advance to even higher nes!" Abruptly, Lin Feng threw his head back and cackled maniacally. His visage twisted into a grotesque expression as tears cascaded down his cheeks! Lin Feng''sughter filled the entire street, a mnge of defiance, self-derision, and fury. Theughter brimmed with innumerable emotions. Chapter 51: Lin Fengs Character Collapses, Losing Protagonist Status Since everything had already been lost. Since there was no way to salvage anything back. Then let them all just perish! [Ding! You have sessfully caused the protagonist Lin Feng to embrace the dark side, his character copsing and his Heavenly Fate Value reduced to 0!] [Ding! Lin Feng''s Heavenly Fate Value has been downgraded to Fate Value, relinquishing his protagonist status!] [Ding! Lin Feng can now be killed!] [Ding! You have gained 3500 points of Viin Value!] System prompts echoed in Jiang Chen''s mind, filling his heart with tion. However. On the surface, he needed to maintain an appearance of sorrow and disappointment. Simultaneously. Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi gazed at Lin Feng in disbelief. The master and disciple knew they had misjudged Lin Feng, but they never anticipated he would be so malevolent! At the same time. "He''s gone mad!" "This guy is insane!" "That''s right, he talks about reaching the Inquiring Journey realm and even surpassing it?! The strongest on the Mysterious Truth Continent is only at the Heavenly Origin realm. Lin Feng is just delusional!" "This Lin Feng has not only lost his mind but also revealed his true nature. He even berated his own master, which is utterly disrespectful!" "Such a person must be ostracized by everyone!" "..." Outbursts of indignation erupted from the crowd! Some were genuinely outraged, while others aimed to ingratiate themselves with the Jiang and Zhou ns. Regardless, The jeers and taunts had entirely drowned out Lin Feng''s voice. "What a load of nonsense!" "How dare you criticize me! You can all go to hell!" Lin Feng was seething with anger, his eyes filled with murderous intent, as an overwhelming aura erupted from his body. "What?!" "This power... Half-step Mysterious tform realm!?" "Lin Feng seemed like an ordinary cultivator; how could he unleash such a formidable aura?" "Quick, fall back! We can''t witness this level of battle up close!" Arge crowd of onlookers were stunned and fearful, retreating in all directions. "Half-step Mysterious tform realm!" "I didn''t expect to have underestimated you!" A glimmer of shock flickered in Zhou Ruiyu''s eyes before he coldly stated, "However, the half-step Mysterious tform realm is still leagues away from the true Mysterious tform realm. You are destined to perish today!" "Surrender now!" Jiang Xingtai''s expression darkened, and he gripped a Top-grade long sword of Spiritual Awakening rank in his hand. "End your own life, and I shall leave your corpse whole!" Jiang Chen''s voice was frosty, akin to a frigid gust sweeping through. "Foolish!" Lin Feng sneered, a crazed glint in his eyes, as a crimson me suddenly erupted from his body! "What!" Having previously battled Lin Feng, Jiang Xingtai was the first to notice something amiss with Lin Feng''s me! This me is far more potent than before! It has actually ascended to the Mysterious tform level! Zhou Ruiyu was equally taken aback! Evidently, Lin Feng was merely at the Soul Refining realm earlier; how could he suddenly unleash an attack with the Mysterious tform-level mes? This simply defied all logic! Only Jiang Chen was aware that Lin Feng had once been the protagonist, the prior protagonist. Though he had lost his protagonist status, the power within his body remained intact. As a former protagonist, possessing a powerful means to temporarily boost one''sbat prowess was only logical... It was at this instant that both Jiang Xingtai and Zhou Ruiyu were taken aback. "Perish!" Lin Feng bellowed, unleashing an intensely terrifying me as he ferociously assaulted Jiang Chen! Firstly. The individual he loathed the most was Jiang Chen! Secondly. Among the trio besieging him, Jiang Chen was the weakest link, merely at the Spiritual Awakening realm. "Jiang Chen, dodge quickly!" "Young Master Jiang Chen!" "Avoid a direct confrontation!" Simultaneously, Ning Xian, Qiu Liaoxi, Jiang Xingtai, and other members of the Jiang n all cried out in unison, their anxiety palpable. Jiang Xingtai also gave it his all, fiercely attacking Lin Feng''s back in an attempt to force him into a defensive stance. Zhou Ruiyu clenched his right hand, wielding a top-grade Spiritual Awakening-ranked spear artifact that he swiftly thrust towards Lin Feng! Nheless. Lin Feng''s sudden eleration was incredibly swift, and he rapidly closed in on Jiang Chen. The horrifying me, capable of incinerating all in its path, was on the verge of engulfing Jiang Chen! "Curse it!" "Violent Tiger Power, Explosive Persona Force, Clear Sky sh!" A look of terror crossed Jiang Chen''s face as he unleashed a threefoldbo, barely evading Lin Feng''s scorching mes by a hair''s breadth! "Hmph!" "You may dodge the first attack, but you won''t evade the second!" Lin Feng coldly snorted, opting not to pursue the attack. Instead, he swiftly moved away from the spot where Jiang Chen had dodged. Despite being able to harness power at the Mysterious tform level, Lin Feng dared not confront two Mysterious tform realm cultivators, unless he further tapped into the Burning World Red Lotus. The Burning World Red Lotus was already significantly weakened. Each time Lin Feng drew from it, the Burning World Red Lotus would deteriorate, akin to an avnche! When the moment arrived for him to rescue the Burning World Red Lotus, he couldn''t predict the number of spiritual nts he would have to expend. It was wiser to temporarily retreat, seek out the treasures concealed within the river, achieve a higher realm after consuming them, and then return for a decisive confrontation! "Chase him!" "We mustn''t allow him to escape!" Zhou Ruiyu rapidly pursued Lin Feng with incredible speed. Not only him, but even the Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators who arrivedter joined the chase. Since Lin Feng''s cultivation realm was also within the Spiritual Awakening realm, their assistance might just tip the scales in their favor. "Jiang Chen!" Jiang Xingtai swiftly approached Jiang Chen''s side. Jiang Chen had already strategized with him that if they ever managed to corner Lin Feng one day, they should allow others to exhaust him first before engaging. Thus, he didn''t hasten to give chase, but instead came to examine Jiang Chen. This seemed reasonable to onlookers as well. "Are you alright?" Ning Xian also hurried over, her gaze filled with concern as she looked at Jiang Chen. "I, I''m fine!" Jiang Chen feigned weakness and popped a medicinal pill into his mouth, then nced at Jiang Xingtai. "Uncle, let''s pursue him!" "Alright!" Jiang Xingtai hoisted Jiang Chen up and dashed out without dy. The remaining Jiang n cultivators were poised to follow, but they received a message from Elder Ge, instructing them to remain behind and escort Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi to the Jiang n''s residence at once! This was to prevent the crowd from inadvertently ''strengthening'' Lin Feng and to safeguard Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi, since the danger of the Illusory ying Tower had not yet been fully neutralized. "Will Jiang Chen be alright?" Ning Xian gazed at Jiang Chen''s retreating figure, recalling his pale visage, and couldn''t help but feel apprehensive in her heart. "Don''t worry!" Qiu Liaoxi sped Ning Xian''s hand, "You have to trust Jiang Chen." Meanwhile, Lin Feng dashed wildly, almost transforming into a zing dragon! "Halt right there! You scum!" Zhou Ruiyu pursued him furiously from behind! The two of them, one leading and the other trailing, rapidly soared out of the city. After five or six breaths, Jiang Chen and Jiang Xingtai''s silhouettes materialized outside the city. "Uncle, you continue chasing him!" "I''ll alter my course and attempt to see if we can encircle and eliminate him!" Jiang Chen turned to Jiang Xingtai and spoke, the previous frailty on his face having long since vanished. "Okay!" "Be careful!" Jiang Xingtai nodded solemnly. ''Lin Feng, are you headed to that ce?'' Deep in thought, Jiang Chen shifted his feet slightly and instantly altered his course. His destination was the forested area where Lin Feng had previously concealed himself! Initially, He had deployed two subordinates armed with Aura Finder Smoke to track Lin Feng''s movements. Subsequently, They feigned hunting and herb-gathering activities while vigntly monitoring Lin Feng''s whereabouts. By utilizing the location identified by the Aura Finder Smoke, the direction of Zhou Yihe''s demise, and the area where Lin Feng had remained hidden for an extended period, As well as the time Lin Feng took to traverse from his hiding spot to Zhou Yihe''s death site, Lin Feng''s speed during his journey, and the distance between the location pinpointed by the Aura Finder Smoke and the ce where Zhou Yihe met his end, And following a few straightforward calctions, The approximate location of Lin Feng''s hideout at that time could be deduced! At that time, all the storage artifacts belonging to Zhou Yihe and the others had been confiscated. However, nothing was discovered on Lin Feng''s person. No traces of the medicinal scent that Zhou Yihe and hispanions carried could be detected from Lin Feng''s mouth and nose. Thus, Jiang Chen inferred that Lin Feng had likely concealed those storage artifacts near his hiding spot. Naturally, It was also usible that they had been discarded somewhere en route. Over the past few days, Jiang Chen had organized several search parties to locate them, but they remained elusive. Today, Lin Feng had activated the ''SEED mode''; he must have been consuming something! Lin Feng''s unique ability enabled him to grow stronger by ingesting spiritual nts, so he might have returned to retrieve them to sustain his consumption and potentially turn the tide. As for why Lin Feng didn''t steal spiritual nts in the city? The reason was that he lost his protagonist status and, without his former good fortune, he left the city without encountering a single medicine shop. Even if he hade across a medicine shop, it would have made no difference. Ever since the trade fair, the Jiang n had bought up anything that could benefit Lin Feng on a daily basis. At this moment, Jiang Chen was betting that Lin Feng would seek out those hidden spoils! Even if his gamble proved incorrect, it wouldn''t matter. Having lost his protagonist status, Lin Feng was now just an insignificant ant, and there would be plenty of opportunities to toy with him until his demise. It was also at the time when Jiang Chen changed direction. "No way!" "If this continues, the Burning World Red Lotus won''tst much longer!" "We have to go around and search for that storage ring concealed in the river!" Lin Feng''s face contorted with worry. "Once I obtain those spiritual nts, I will be able to survive this cmity!" Chapter 52: What? Theyre Nothing but Pebbles Pondering this, Lin Feng promptly sprang into action, subtly altering the direction in which he was headed. It wasn''t that he didn''t want to make an abrupt turn. If he were to execute a wide turn, Zhou Ruiyu tailing him could potentially close the gap. The chase persisted. Lin Feng led the way, with Zhou Ruiyu hot on his heels. As for Jiang Xingtai, he trailed further behind. Thus, He reached out to Zhou Ruiyu directly, obtained Lin Feng''s current trajectory, and identified the most direct route to pursue him. Regarding Jiang Chen, He swiftly soared towards the location where Lin Feng might have concealed the spoils. In no time, Jiang Chen reached the site where Zhou Yihe had met his demise! "Next, search along this path!" Jiang Chen surveyed the surroundings and focused his thoughts, channeling his divine sense into the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade before emanating it outward. Though the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade was merely a treasure of the Spiritual Awakening realm, It still possessed some supplementary effects for the Mysterious tform realm. Amplified by the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade, Jiang Chen''s divine sense evidently grew more potent! Jiang Chen sensed that he could now pierce through numerous less-dense soils and rocks. Without dy, He sustained this enhanced divine sense, which surpassed that of an ordinary Mysterious tform realm practitioner. Jiang Chen scoured an area within a five-kilometer radius but discovered nothing. Only then, He traced the path Lin Feng had taken during his inspection, searching as he went. At present, Jiang Chen''s divine sense spanned a radius of one kilometer, yielding a diameter of two kilometers, enabling him to perceive everything it swept over. Numerous concealed locations were directly exposed by his divine sense! He even detected a nest of rat demon beasts concealed underground at a depth of several tens of meters. With the swiftness of the Mysterious tform realm, In the blink of an eye, Jiang Chen arrived at the site where Lin Feng had lingered, ording to his estimations. Progressing smoothly, He promptly uncovered the crevice in the mountainside where Lin Feng had stashed his cache! "Could it be hidden here?" "Indeed, this is an excellent hiding ce!" "Even an ordinary Mysterious tform realm''s divine sense would struggle to detect this spot without meticulouslybing through every inch." "But if the loot isn''t here, then where did he conceal it?" After examining the crevice in the mountain, Jiang Chen proceeded to investigate the surrounding area. Beginning at the mountain fissure, he expanded his search radius in a circr pattern towards the surroundings! Before long, He reached a riverbank with rapidly flowing water. "So it was here!" "He concealed the loot within a hard, dense stone and ced it in the river! What an ingenious hiding spot!" "Regrettably, Lin Feng, you''ve lost the protection of the protagonist status, and you''ve encountered me..." With a sweeping motion, Jiang Chen employed his potent Yuan Power to part the river water, unveiling a direct path to the heart of the riverbed. One step at a time. Jiang Chen made his way to the core of the riverbed and procured the storage rings embedded in the stone. Shortly thereafter. He restored everything to its original state. "Next up, Lin Feng, I''ll be waiting for you!" Jiang Chen''s lips formed a frosty smile as he vanished into the dense forest. Time ambled on. Roughly fifteen minutester. A lithe figure darted through the mountainous woods and sheer cliffs, leaving an extended trail of afterimages while piercing through the whispering wind! It was none other than Lin Feng! Trailing him closely was Zhou Ruiyu. Bringing up the rear was Jiang Xingtai. "You fiend!" "Halt right there!" "Today, I''ll ensure you''re ground to dust!" Zhou Ruiyu''s eyes were bloodshot and brimming with fury as he bellowed in madness. "Hmph!" "A mere decrepit relic who has pointlessly lingered for countless years seeks to kill me? Keep dreaming!" Lin Feng retorted, as a glint of excitement flickered in his eyes. This is it! The location where the spoils are concealed! As he approached the river, he promptly dove down, plummeting into the water like a soaring spear! "What?" "What is this kid up to!?" "Does he believe he can elude pursuit by submerging into the river? Is he a fool?" Zhou Ruiyu was dumbfounded for a moment, then hastily followed suit! Boom! A massive surge of water erupted as the river suddenly burst. Lin Feng was spotted gripping arge boulder and, after somersaulting in mid-air,nded on the bank. Astonishingly, he chose not to flee! Witnessing this scene, Zhou Ruiyu promptly halted as well. Lin Feng''s peculiar behavior left him uncertain whether it was a trap or not. At that moment, Jiang Xingtai arrived from behind, joining Zhou Ruiyu to encircle Lin Feng between them. "Hehehehe!" "Two old fools!" Grasping the boulder, Lin Feng released a low, menacing chuckle. "Today, I shall vanquish you both and im all of your belongings!" "Finish us both?" "Hahaha, Lin Feng, you must have sumbed to Qi Deviation and lost your mind entirely!" "How long do you believe you can maintain this explosive-type secret art?" Zhou Ruiyu scoffed repeatedly, brimming with disdain. Upon hearing Lin Feng''s words, he couldn''t help but question if his ears were deceiving him. Just moments before, Lin Feng had been frantically fleeing, only to then approach the river, pick up a stone, and believe he could reverse the tide? Did he mistake that stone for an immortal one? "Lin Feng!" "You mad and ruthless fool, cease your absurd ramblings!" "Today, witness as I sever your tendons, peel your skin, and shatter your bones, subjecting you to agony until you yearn for death!" Jiang Xingtai''s expression darkened, and his eyes zed with murderous intent! "Hehe!" "I knew you wouldn''t believe me!" "So, allow me to demonstrate my true strength, and then plunge you into despair!" A cold smile graced Lin Feng''s face as he reached into the cavity at the base of the stone with his right hand, and then extracted something. "Take a look at this!" Lin Feng lifted his right hand, which held a multitude of storage rings. "These are the storage rings belonging to my grandson and the guards!" Upon seeing the remnants of Zhou Yihe and others, Zhou Ruiyu''s expression instantly turned to one of sorrow and fury! "Storage rings?" "Do you truly believe you can change the oue with merely these storage rings?" Jiang Xingtai spoke icily, then nced at Zhou Ruiyu. "Or is it possible that you provided your grandson with some extraordinary treasure?" "No, it''s nothing of the sort." "Merely some spiritual nts and medicinal pills." "Though numerous, they serve no purpose in a battle!" Zhou Ruiyu shook his head and then sneered at Lin Feng. "You dare to feign strength; just watch as I y you alive!" No sooner had he spoken. Zhou Ruiyu charged towards Lin Feng! "Allow me to demonstrate my true prowess!" Lin Feng lightly tapped his feet and deftly evaded to the side. Simultaneously, his divine sense prated each of the storage rings. However! "What...what is this?!" "They''re nothing but pebbles?!" "My spiritual nts! Where on earth have my spiritual nts gone?!" Gazing at the storage rings brimming with pebbles, Lin Feng was utterly dumbstruck! Chapter 53: Precisely, All a Performance "What a madman!" "Perish! Roaring Thunder Strike!" With a gaze filled with hatred and contempt, Zhou Ruiyu seized the opportunity amidst Lin Feng''s distraction andunched a direct attack on his opponent from behind! His hands came together, As countless white lightning shes flickered and merged to form a thunderous broadsword! Boom! An overwhelming pressure radiated outwards,pelling every living being within a ten-kilometer radius to tremble in fear! "No!" "It is you who will die!" Lin Feng was utterly petrified, the intense life-or-death crisis causing him to abandon the Burning World Red Lotus state and unleash its full force! Crack! Crack! Crack! Within his dantian, The Burning World Red Lotus disyed numerous fissures! Its rank plummeted straight from the Inquiring Journey Realm to the Mysterious tform Realm, and continued to deteriorate! Nevertheless, A tremendously fearsome power also surged within Lin Feng''s body. An orange-hued miniature mushroom cloud erupted, and the ferocious Burning World mes engulfed everything, instantly consuming Zhou Ruiyu! "Aaahhh!" "How can this be, how can this be!" Zhou Ruiyu released a wretched scream as his entire body transformed into a zing torch, frantically rushing towards the river. However. Just as he touched the water, that portion of the river instantly evaporated! "Whew!" "Lin Feng''s trump card is shockingly powerful. Thankfully, I heeded my nephew''s advice and didn''t charge up with Zhou Ruiyu!" From a distance, Jiang Xingtai observed Zhou Ruiyu''s pitiful condition on the battlefield and involuntarily shuddered. At that moment, "Perish!" Lin Feng bellowed towards the heavens, his body turning into a mixture of ck and red, riddled with numerous fissures, resembling a shattered porcin doll! Another surge of the fearsome Burning World mes erupted, transforming into a sea of fire that descended upon Zhou Ruiyu! "Thunder Shield!" Despite being gravely injured, Zhou Ruiyu was still a seasonedbatant and rapidlyunched a counteroffensive! Simultaneously, a chain of lightning bolts burst forth from his body, forming a dense,-like shield! The mes and lightning collided. A formidable shockwave exploded. Sizzle! Zhou Ruiyu''s Thunder Shield steadily crumbled, and his expression suddenly altered drastically. Disying a hint of terror, he cried out: "Brother Jiang, save me!" "Mountain Breaking Sword Edge!" Jiang Xingtai knew he couldn''t merely stand idly by; thus, he promptly raised his hand and swung it with determination! A Spiritual Awakening rank longsword materialized in his grasp. As he swung it, an immense surge of sword qi erupted and shed toward Lin Feng''s head! This technique represented the pinnacle of the Jiang n''s prowess! In a brief period, it could be executed only once! "Ahh, block it for me!" Lin Feng bellowed in fury, and a torrent of mes burst forth, enveloping him and obstructing the massive sword qi bearing down on him! Poof! The mes writhed like serpents! The colossal sword qi was obliterated along its path, ultimately disintegrating into a cloud of ash mere inches from Lin Feng''s face! Zhou Ruiyu witnessed Jiang Xingtai''s assault being thwarted by Lin Feng, and his expression immediately turned to one of despair! His Thunder Shield, At this critical juncture, could no longer endure and vanished without a trace! An overwhelming terror of death enveloped Zhou Ruiyu''s entire being, prompting memories from his entire life to flood his mind, from his birth...to his growth... Yet before he could continue reminiscing! Poof! Poof! Poof! Amid the sounds of water and fire neutralizing each other, a chilling force dispelled the intense heat, and the fierce fire serpent failed tond on his body! "Is someone saving me!?" Zhou Ruiyu was initially stunned, then overwhelmed with tion! "Patriarch Zhou, hurry!" A familiar voice rang in Zhou Ruiyu''s ears. It was Jiang Chen! In an instant, Jiang Chen appeared beside Zhou Ruiyu. He exuded an immense amount of cold qi, generating a series of frigid energy currents that swirled through the air like a vortex, persistently obstructing the Burning World mes! This was the Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets! It was a cultivation method he had chosen from the system mall, specifically designed to counter fire-based attacks! Naturally. The Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets could not match the power of Burning World mes. As a result. Jiang Chen''s cold qi swiftly dissipated within Lin Feng''s Burning World mes! Nheless. Jiang Chen''s goal was merely to create an opportunity for Zhou Ruiyu to flee. In that instant. The abrupt surge of cold qi momentarily hindered the Burning World mes. It granted Zhou Ruiyu a chance to catch his breath! "Jiang Chen, you''ve saved my life. I can never repay you for this immense kindness!" Zhou Ruiyu retreated hastily, calling out his gratitude to Jiang Chen. "Uncle, tend to Patriarch Zhou first!" Jiang Chen persistently neutralized Lin Feng''s Burning World mes with his cold qi while calling out to Jiang Xingtai. "Understood!" "I''ll return shortly!" Jiang Xingtai, aware of Zhou Ruiyu''s grave injuries and suspecting that Jiang Chen might have an ulterior motive, promptly responded. Without dy, He escorted the severely injured Zhou Ruiyu away from the battlefield. "Ahhh!" "How can this be!" "Jiang Chen, how are you able to withstand my Burning World me!?" Lin Feng''s eyes became bloodshot as he unleashed even more intense Burning World mes throughout his body. Yet, even so, He couldn''t immediately overpower Jiang Chen. Unexpectedly, he found himself in disbelief! For Jiang Chen was merely a Spiritual Awakening realm cultivator! "Hahaha!" "Did you assume the Spiritual Awakening realm was my true cultivation level?" "Did you believe you were the only one concealing your true power?" "Allow me to reveal my actual cultivation realm!" Jiang Chenughed heartily before directly lifting the Moondust Ring''s ability to hide his genuine cultivation realm! Abruptly. A potent Mysterious tform realm aura erupted from his body! Jiang Chen had utilized the Ten-Turn Harmonious Spirit Pill and the finest Spiritual Awakening realm pill, the Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pill, to advance to the Mysterious tform realm. Thus, his aura surpassed even Jiang Xingtai and Zhou Ruiyu''s! Jiang Chen''s true cultivation realm was exposed. Lin Feng was utterly astonished. "You, you are a Mysterious tform realm cultivator! You have concealed your true strength!" "In the Vast Spirit Residence, you battled five Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators, and it should have been a breeze for you, yet you feigned being gravely injured. It was all an act!" "You deceiver, you scoundrel! You misled everyone!" "..." Dumbstruck, Lin Feng gazed at Jiang Chen, his eyes narrowing progressively, brimming with boundless disbelief and rage! The overwhelming torrent of emotions. Caused his entire body to quiver! He even momentarily forgot to resume his assault! "Precisely, it was all a performance!" "From the beginning, I was merely pretending in front of you. It seemed as though I wished to recruit you, but in reality, my intent was to eliminate you!" Jiang Chenughed once more, before transforming it into an icy sneer. He didn''t utter these words because they had been pent up inside him for too long and needed release. Rather, he aimed to stall Lin Feng for a bit more time! Power-up style battles were unsustainable in the long run. The more protracted the conflict, the greater the disadvantage for Lin Feng! "You wish to kill me!" "I knew you harbored hidden intentions!" "Yet, with your cultivation realm, you could have in me long before I descended from the mountain. Why did you refrain?" "Is it possible that... you''re merely toying with me, exploiting me for your own entertainment!?" As Lin Feng articted his thoughts, fury surged within his heart like a volcanic eruption. He was instantly consumed with rage, nearly detonating on the spot! Chapter 54: The Death of Lin Feng, The Burning World Red Lotus "Hmph!" "You may believe so." "Everything about you lies within my grasp, epassing your opportunities and even your future!" Jiang Chen sneered repeatedly, "I can effortlessly strip you of everything!" Regarding the protagonist, the antagonist, and the system, naturally, he wouldn''t divulge a word. Who could tell if there were extraordinarily gifted individuals with expertise in divination within the Immortal Martial Great World? If he were to be discovered, his most substantial advantage would beid bare! Lin Feng believed he was being manipted, and that was undoubtedly the most desirable oue. "What?!" "You, you control everything about me? No, that''s impossible!" "I, Lin Feng, am a celestial prodigy destined to rise from the Mysterious Truth Continent!" "You cannot seize everything from me; it''s impossible, utterly impossible!" "Die!" Lin Feng shrieked like a lunatic, his entire body resembling a fiery beast devoid of reason, relentlesslyunching assaults at Jiang Chen! Poof! Poof! Poof! Poof! Poof! The terrifying Burning World me wielded such immense power that it utterly obliterated Jiang Chen''s cold qi. Innumerable fire serpents gaped wide, lunging towards Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen had long been prepared. With a tap of his foot, he transformed into an afterimage, vanishing from his original position. Boom! The raging me struck the ground, creating a massive crater filled with flowing magma and volcanic ss. "Hehe!" "Your power is impressive, but regrettably, your speed is somewhatcking." Jiang Chen''s indifferent voice emanated from another direction. After powering up, Lin Feng''s speed was merely on par with ordinary cultivators in the Early-stage Mysterious tform, like Zhou Ruiyu and Jiang Xingtai. And Jiang Chen was faster than all of them! "What?" "He dodged it!?" Lin Feng trembled with anger. His attack had drained a significant amount of his strength, and now it was all for naught. "Hahaha!" "Lin Feng, you must be struggling to ept that I can predict your every move, right?" "Well then, take a look at what this is!" Jiang Chenughed heartily as he revealed arge pile of spiritual nts. These were the treasures taken from Zhou Yihe and others that rightfully belonged to Lin Feng as spoils of war! "My spiritual nts!" "It was you who stole my spiritual nts!" "It''s you, you fiend! I''ll kill you!" Lin Feng''s eyes widened, bloodshot veins pulsing, and his boundless anger and resentment threatened to erupt like a tangible force. Those spiritual nts were the key to turning the tide in his favor! If he had consumed those spiritual nts. He would have already vanquished Zhou Ruiyu, even Jiang Xingtai, and Jiang Chen would have been no match for him! However, the spiritual nts were now in Jiang Chen''s possession! At this moment. Lin Feng experienced a sensation that eerily mirrored what Jiang Chen had dered. Jiang Chen had control over every aspect of his life! "Do you understand now!" "You''re just an ant in the palm of my hand!" "I orchestrated a plot to shatter your dantian!" "I sabotaged your n to defeat the scion of the Di n, and elevate Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi''s opinion of you!" "I snatched away your opportunities to treat Jiang Yuqian and Du Bailei, preventing you from reaping any rewards!" "..." "The woman you have been longing for, Ning Xian, is now fated to be mine!" Jiang Chenughed heartily, exposing each recent event one by one. "No!" "This cannot be real!" "How can this be? How could you have such control over me?" "This is an illusion, a nightmare! Leave me be, all of you! Stop tormenting me!" Lin Feng''s mind appeared to be shattered by the revtion, causing him to question himself, life, and the world. He cried out in anguish like a man driven mad. His hysteria tore at his heart! The mes engulfing his body thrashed wildly! He sought to break free from this nightmarish reality! Yet. All his efforts proved futile! Jiang Chen, wearing a smile, lightly tapped his foot, deftly evading any harm as he moved around. The surrounding environment remained unbroken and intact, providing an uncannily realistic feedback. The thunderous noises. The shockwaves. Each onemunicated to Lin Feng that this was reality, this was the truth! "No!!" Lin Feng abruptly fell to his knees, wailing at the heavens, his eyes split open, blood and tears pouring down his fierce visage. Simultaneously. His aura began to deteriorate rapidly! "Now!" "Violent Tiger Power!" "Void Rainbow Sword Technique!" "Clear Sky sh!" "Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets!" Jiang Chen''s eyes narrowed, a menacing gleam flickering within them. His body transformed into a blur, instantly materializing before Lin Feng! In that instant. The Violent Tiger Power infused the sword''s de, cold qi crystallized along the razor-sharp edge, and the six radiant beams of the Void Rainbow Sword Technique unified into one. Whoosh! The long sword cleaved through the air, unswervingly impaling Lin Feng''s heart and jutting out from his back! Blood cascaded forth. The ground became awash in crimson. "This cannot be..." Though not yet deceased, Lin Feng uttered a remarkably reluctant whisper. He even endeavored to activate the zing World me once more. Nevertheless. Jiang Chen''s velocity surpassed all expectations! The formidable Violent Tiger Power burst forth without restraint. Lin Feng''s body trembled violently, as blood gushed from his seven orifices. Moreover, an intense surge of cold qi spread, and copious amounts of white frost rapidly encased Lin Feng''s body, visible to the naked eye! "I... refuse... to... ept!" With these final words, Lin Feng sumbed to eternal slumber! [Ding! Congrattions on sessfully vanquishing protagonist Lin Feng!] [Ding! You have acquired 7000 points of Viin Value!] [Ding! You have amassed 5880 points of ck Heavenly Fate Value!] [Ding! You have obtained ''Heaven-Defying Fate Changer - Burning World Red Lotus'', with the option to utilize it or not!] Four consecutive system notifications resounded in Jiang Chen''s mind. Without dy. A crimson light emerged from Lin Feng''s body, soaring directly into Jiang Chen''s forehead and bing ensnared by the system! "Wow!" "A whole seven thousand points of Viin Value! Impressive, indeed!" "Additionally, there are nearly six thousand points of ck Heavenly Fate Value!" "With such an abundance of ck Heavenly Fate Value, I will undoubtedly encounter more high-level opportunities. Naturally, this also makes it easier for me to slip into the role of a viin." "However, there''s no need to fear that. The protagonist embodies life and death crises, but also signifies incredible opportunities!" "This time, defeating Lin Feng has granted me the Burning World Red Lotus!" "A Heaven-Defying Fate Changer rank treasure, the Burning World Red Lotus!" As Jiang Chen listened to the continuous system notifications in his mind, he couldn''t help but disy a joyful smile. Immediately afterward, he gazed at the Burning World Red Lotus. The Burning World Red Lotus took center stage on the system panel, utterly conspicuous! It was a withered scarlet lotus, with only oneyer of petals, clearly showing that it was missing many. Furthermore, the lotus was riddled with cracks, as if it would crumble with the slightest touch. Below the Burning World Red Lotus, there was aprehensive description. The Burning World Red Lotus was the remnant of a demon race expert who failed to cross the tribtion at the Third Step of the Cultivation Path, the ''Void Tribtion Realm''. This expert should have vanished into dust and smoke, but by a fortuitous coincidence, one in a billionth of their residual soul was preserved, and a hint of negligible spiritual essence merged into the remains... Chapter 55: Over 10,000 Villain Value Points This spiritual essence. Following the weakening of the Burning World Red Lotus, it had be increasingly fragile. Nevertheless. It persisted. This spiritual essence had never contained even a trace of spiritual wisdom from its inception, nor was it capable of resurrecting that formidable entity! Perhaps, as the Burning World Red Lotus gradually recuperated, this minute spiritual essence would give rise to a fresh spiritual wisdom and transform into apletely new life form. Yet. From Jiang Chen''s perspective. It seemed more probable that this spiritual essence merely represented a manifestation of karma. "Utilizing the Burning World Red Lotus might lead to even more fearsome karma!" "The Third Step of the Cultivation Path''s Void Tribtion Realm sounds incredibly impressive just by its name!" "I''m still uncertain about the various realms within the Second Step." "However!" "If the protagonist has already been vanquished, what further dread could karma possibly hold!?" A cold smirk materialized at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth! Without dy. "System!" "Activate the Burning World Red Lotus!" Jiang Chen concentrated his thoughts and issued themand to the system, unhesitatingly. [Ding! You have opted to utilize the Burning World Red Lotus!] [Ding! Added to the ''Heaven-Defying Fate Changer'' category!] As the two system prompts resounded, The withered lotus on the panel vanished, materializing directly within Jiang Chen''s dantian. Suddenly! Jiang Chen experienced a sensation akin to a warm, smooth jade nestled in his dantian. The Burning World Red Lotus emanated a gentle warmth, permeating every part of his body, his internal organs, and particrly his meridians and dantian, which held the utmost significance. This sensation arrived and departed fleetingly. Nheless, following this unremarkable transformation, Jiang Chen discerned that his body had undergone a prodigious metamorphosis! Primarily, He possessed an extraordinarily mystical perceptive ability concerning the nts in his surroundings. With a mere sweep of his divine sense, he could ascertain the medicinal properties of various spiritual nts. He could approximately determine which spiritual nts could bebined with others to yield distinctive effects. In addition to this, Following the transformation by the Burning World Red Lotus, The Mysterious tform within Jiang Chen''s dantian, already of the highest grade, attained an even more wless state, with virtually no imperfections to detect. Consequently, the quality and quantity of his Yuan Power experienced an increase! The strength of his physical body and the rate at which he recovered from injuries also demonstrated a substantial enhancement. Most importantly, Jiang Chen realized that his aptitude for cultivation had grown as well! Specifically, he exhibited a greater affinity for fire-based cultivation techniques and secret arts! This did not imply that his aptitude for other types of cultivation methods had diminished. For example, his affinity for water-based and ice-based cultivation had also progressed, albeit not as dramatically as his aptitude for fire-based cultivation. "Unbelievable!" "So this is Lin Feng''s trump card?" "No wonder the systembels it as ''Heaven-Defying Fate Changer''! Hehe, it''s mine now!" "System! Disy my attribute panel!" Jiang Chen''s eyes widened with excitement, feeling as though he had been reborn. He couldn''t help but reveal his own panel! [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Top Grade Talent: Eternal Boundless Body Realm: Early-stage Mysterious tform True Battle Power: Middle-stage Mysterious tform+ Cultivation Methods: Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture, Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets, Void Rainbow Sword Technique, Clear Sky sh, Violent Tiger Power, Explosive Persona Force... Viin Value: 13600 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 5880 points Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus System Store: Level 1] "My true battle power has reached the Middle-stage Mysterious tform+!" "Amazing, I can''t believe the Burning World Red Lotus has directly increased my battle power by an entire minor realm!" "And this is just in its severely weakened state. If it''s restored in the future, won''t my battle power be even more terrifying?" "..." Jiang Chen gazed at his attributes, pleasantly surprised by what he saw. It should be worth mentioning that the higher a cultivator''s realm, therger the gap between each realm. In the Mysterious tform realm, the gap between minor realms was much more significant than that of the Spiritual Awakening realm. Thus, The fact that the Burning World Red Lotus in its current state could increase battle power by a single minor realm was already an extraordinary feat. "Armed with the Burning World Red Lotus," "Next time I face a protagonist, I''ll have even greater resources to handle them!" Contemting this, Jiang Chen couldn''t help but feel slightly apprehensive. With nearly six thousand points of ck Heavenly Fate Value, What kind of protagonist would hee across? And when would their paths cross? "Regardless!" "When the enemy approaches, we shall face them head-on. We''ll tackle that obstacle when it arises!" "All I must do is to give my utmost effort and strive for excellence!" Jiang Chen inhaled deeply, then gazed upon Lin Feng''s lifeless body. With a gentle flick of his sword, he sent a storage ring soaring into the air. Mid-flight. An icy mist cleansed the storage ring before it descended into Jiang Chen''s grasp. The following instant. His divine sense probed into the storage ring. The contents inside were swiftly revealed. Truth be told, there wasn''t an abundance inside. Besides the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records and its associated secret key, only a few misceneous items remained. The majority of opportunities that once belonged to Lin Feng had already been eradicated or seized by Jiang Chen. The scant spiritual stones and low-grade spiritual nts that were left had also been exhausted by Lin Feng during his cultivation. "Thousand Green Pill Heart Records!" "Now that I possess a Medicinal Spirit Body, mastering the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records will be an effortless task for me." "However, as the esteemed and honorable eldest young master, I must not learn it covertly." "I shall bring it back first!" Jiang Chen smiled before examining the battlefield. He gathered the storage artifacts belonging to Zhou Yihe and the others, cing their relics inside. Just then. "Nephew!" "Are you alright?" "What urred? And where is Lin Feng?" The voice of his uncle, Jiang Xingtai, echoed from a kilometer away. "I am unharmed!" Jiang Chen responded loudly, "I have already dealt with Lin Feng!" "What!" "That is marvelous!" Jiang Xingtai eximed in delight, "We will be there momentarily!" Shortly after. Jiang Xingtai arrived at the battlefield with Zhou Ruiyu. Trailing behind them, a group of Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators from the Zhou n arrived, albeit somewhat btedly. "Uncle!" "Weren''t you supposed to escort Patriarch Zhou back for medical attention?" Jiang Chen feigned confusion upon seeing that Zhou Ruiyu, who had sustained severe injuries, had also arrived. In truth, he was well aware that Zhou Ruiyu would be unwilling to depart so readily. As anticipated. "Thank you for your concern, Nephew Jiang Chen." "I should indeed return to tend to my wounds. However, I couldn''t find peace until I witnessed Lin Feng''s demise with my own eyes!" "That''s why I requested Brother Xingtai to apany me here!" "Now that I see this despicable Lin Feng has met his end, the bitterness in my heart has finally subsided!" Zhou Ruiyu borated, then gazed at Lin Feng''s lifeless body on the ground, suddenly experiencing an overwhelming sense of relief! It appeared that not only was Zhou Yihe''s vengeance fulfilled. But his entire being, even his future, had be unexpectedly clear and luminous. "Hahaha!" Jiang Xingtai roared withughter, "Lin Feng was a devious individual, and today we have finally vanquished him. It''s truly a weight lifted off our shoulders!" "Regrettably, I misjudged his character." "Patriarch Zhou, I apologize for rescuing him without understanding the situation back then." "After I vanquished Lin Feng, I discovered these keepsakes belonging to Zhou Yihe and the others." Jiang Chen sighed and presented some storage rings to Zhou Ruiyu. "Thank you sincerely, Nephew Jiang Chen!" "If it weren''t for your intervention today, I would have perished amidst Lin Feng''s mes." "Now, you have also assisted me in retrieving my grandson''s mementos. I am truly indebted!" "In the future, if Nephew Jiang Chen has any requests, I, Zhou Ruiyu, will undoubtedly do everything in my power to help you!" Zhou Ruiyu appeared deeply grateful and, in spite of his injuries, bowed respectfully to Jiang Chen. Chapter 56: Return to Autumn Glory City "What are you talking about? Our Jiang n and Zhou n are inws; we''re all family and there''s no need for formalities." Jiang Chen said with a smile, maintaining his polite demeanor. "It''s getting ratherte." "Although we''ve provided Brother Ruiyu''s injury with some basic treatment, he still requires moreprehensive care. Let''s head back early!" Jiang Xingtai suggested. "Alright!" Jiang Chen nodded in agreement, then gestured towards Lin Feng''s body and inquired, "So, what shall we do with Lin Feng''s body?" "I initially intended to crush his bones to dust and scatter them to the wind." "However, I am currently unable to use my Yuan Power." "Furthermore, it was Nephew Jiang Chen who defeated Lin Feng." Zhou Ruiyu stated, "So, let Nephew Jiang Chen handle it." In reality, he was still capable of disposing of the corpse at this moment. Yet, the person had been vanquished by Jiang Chen. And Jiang Chen was incredibly formidable! He didn''t know the full extent of Jiang Chen''s power, but he recognized that it certainly surpassed the Middle-stage Mysterious tform realm in terms of strength! With such might, he could already dominate not only Autumn Glory City but many other neighboring cities as well! In this world, the strong were revered. Whoever possessed the greater strength would rise to the top. Though Zhou Ruiyu referred to Jiang Chen as his nephew, he had already begun to regard him with a mixture of fear and respect in his heart. "Very well." "I shall assist you in crushing his bones to dust and scattering them to the wind, to alleviate your resentment!" Jiang Chen nodded slightly, then waved his hand, releasing a terrifyingly cold qi that instantly froze Lin Feng''s corpse into a solid block of ice. Immediately following that, Jiang Chen''s mind shifted, and a powerful force descended upon the ice block containing Lin Feng''s corpse, shattering it into a mound of frosty powder. At that moment, a gust of wind swept through. The powdered remnants of Lin Feng''s corpse were scattered by the breeze, vanishing in the blink of an eye. "He''spletely gone now. Let''s go!" A faint smile graced the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth as he turned around and soared towards Autumn Glory City. Jiang Xingtai trailed closely behind, apanied by Zhou Ruiyu. Though he had already disyed some of his prowess, Jiang Chen endeavored to conceal as much as possible. Utilizing the Moondust Ring, he diminished his cultivation aura to resemble that of the Spiritual Awakening realm. Subsequently, Jiang Chen prompted Jiang Xingtai to discreetly advise Zhou Ruiyu against disclosing his genuine abilities. Zhou Ruiyuprehended. In due course, Jiang Chen was destined to be the preeminent expert in Autumn Glory City, so he wholeheartedly concurred. In the mere blink of an eye, The trio found themselves back in Autumn Glory City. Zhou Ruiyu was greeted by his n members, While Jiang Chen and Jiang Xingtai proceeded toward the Jiang n''s estate. As they neared the entrance, Two guards, garbed in meticulously crafted attire, stood tall and dignified, swords sheathed at their waists. The n''s emblema winding river etched in goldwas expertly embroidered on their chests. These guards were identical twins, Their visages weathered and resolute, their sharp, focused eyes conveying a wealth of experience. Upon identifying the Patriarch and the Eldest Young Master, the guards promptly bowed and saluted. "Wee back, Patriarch, Eldest Young Master." The guard on the right, his countenance reflecting both reverence and loyalty, spoke up. "Thank you, your diligence is always appreciated." Jiang Xingtai responded with a warm and grateful smile. "It is our honor to serve the Jiang n." The other guard, his eyes alight with pride, joined in. As they passed through the grand entrance, A female servant, d in a modest yet refined blue robe, approached them, a warm smile gracing her face. "The visitors who arrived not long ago, where are they?" Jiang Chen inquired. "Greetings, Eldest Young Master. The guests you mention are currently in the Ninth Young Lady''s courtyard." The servant replied, her voice brimming with respect. Jiang Chen acknowledged her with a nod. Then, With purposeful strides, he and Jiang Xingtai proceeded toward Jiang Yuqian''s courtyard. As they ambled through the estate, Lush gardens and venerable trees weed them. Graceful stone bridges spanned cid koi ponds, cultivating a serene ambiance. Meandering cobblestone paths guided them past traditional pavilions, where n members honed their skills or unwound. Refined woodenttice windows adorned stately edifices, casting intricate patterns of sunlight upon the ground. The aroma of fragrant blossoms pervaded the air as they approached the courtyard. ''Time to disy my acting prowess once more.'' ''Forgive me, Ning Xian, I promise not to repeat this in the future!'' Jiang Chen exhaled deeply, and his rosyplexion swiftly paled. His erect posture also ckened, appearing feeble. Without further ado, He ''bore his injuries'' and stepped into the courtyard. "Young Master Jiang Chen!" "Big brother, are you well? Yuqian has been so anxious for you!" "Patriarch Jiang, have you and Young Master Jiang Chen vanquished Lin Feng?" "Young friend Jiang Chen, no assault transpired here. What of your end?" "..." Beaming faces greeted them in session. Du Bailei, Jiang Yuqian, Elder Ge... Yet, just as Jiang Chen prepared to address each of them, A wail resounded. "Master! Master!" "Don''t perish, don''t abandon Ning Xian!" "Master! Hang on, I vow to master medicine and alchemy to aid your recovery!" It was Ning Xian''sment! It seemed as though Qiu Liaoxi''s injuries were too grave for her to endure. "How could this be?" Jiang Xingtai inquired in bewilderment, "Weren''t Qiu Liaoxi''s injuries rtively minor?" "She was afflicted by Lin Feng''s ''wrath''." Jiang Chen shook his head faintly, recognizing that Qiu Liaoxi had not evaded her destiny after all... Yet this was precisely what he had anticipated. Subsequently, He nced at his uncle Jiang Xingtai beside him. Originally, Jiang Xingtai''s Fate Value was a mere few hundred points, barely higher than Qiu Liaoxi''s. However, now, with Lin Feng''s demise, His Fate Value had indeed risen slightly, so there ought to be no issues for the time being. "I''ll go take a look." Jiang Chen stepped forward and proceeded ahead. Soon. Jiang Chen reached the room where Ning Xian, Alchemist Xie, and Qiu Liaoxi were situated. After knocking on the door to announce his presence, He entered. Upon first nce, he saw the injured Qiu Liaoxi lying on the bed, seemingly unconscious. Alchemist Xie stood beside her, evidently utilizing her Yuan Power, attempting to save her. Meanwhile, the pitiable Ning Xian was kneeling beside the bed, clutching her master''s legs and weeping. "Ning Xian." Jiang Chen approached Ning Xian and gently patted her shoulder, softly calling her name. "Jiang Chen, Master...wuwuwu!" Ning Xian turned to face Jiang Chen, tears cascading down her swollen eyes like spring water. She couldn''t help but throw herself into Jiang Chen''s embrace. "Don''t worry, I am here now!" Jiang Chen patted her on the back, speaking in aforting tone. Then. "Alchemist Xie, what happened?" "Is there a way to save her?" He directed his gaze toward the weary Alchemist Xie and inquired. "Sigh, I''m not sure what urred, Young Master!" "Everything was fine not long ago, but for some unknown reason, her body became incredibly weak!" "So much so that her meridians are unable to circte the medicinal power to heal her injuries!" "Moreover, the impurities of each pill taken have turned into a potent poison, ravaging her vital organs!" "That''s why I am using my Yuan Power to help alleviate her pain; it''s the least I can do!" Alchemist Xie sighed softly, exining the situation, and added with a helpless expression, "As for saving Alchemist Qui, we need at least a Spiritual Awakening rank healing pill of top-grade quality, devoid of impurities, and with a gentle medicinal power. Unfortunately, such a pill is impossible to find in all of Autumn Glory City." What Alchemist Xie said held true. Not a single alchemist in all of Autumn Glory City, nor the surrounding cities, could refine high-rank pills of top-grade quality. Only Lin Feng could have achieved that feat, but it would have taken him some time. And by then. Qiu Liaoxi would have already perished. After all, her demise in the original plot was the catalyst for the protagonist to leave the novice vige and embark on a new journey. However. Things were different with Jiang Chen. After browsing his system mall and redeeming the appropriate pill. "How about these pills? Do they meet the criteria?" Jiang Chen spoke suddenly, as a bottle containing three identical pills materialized in his hand. Upon hearing these words, Ning Xian, who was still crying in Jiang Chen''s embrace, looked at the bottle. Her pearly eyes filled with hope, as this was not the first time that Jiang Chen had created miracles. As for Alchemist Xie, she was initially skeptical. But then, as she took the bottle and examined the pills inside, "How is this possible!" "Young Master, this is the right pill!" "We can save Alchemist Qui now!" Alchemist Xie''s face initially disyed astonishment, but it soon turned to tion as she eximed, "That is good to hear!" "She doesn''t have much time; begin the treatment, Alchemist Xie." Jiang Chen urged with a sigh of relief. Additionally, this prevented the two women from asking too many questions. Both women regained theirposure. Alchemist Xie immediately initiated the treatment. Meanwhile, Ning Xian lifted her head and gazed intently at Jiang Chen''s striking face. After a brief pause, "Jiang Chen, I cannot thank you enough! I..." Ning Xian parted her rosy lips, attempting to convey her appreciation. However, before she couldplete her sentence, "What are you talking about? There''s no need for gratitude." "Rescuing your master was the least I could do." "You see, your happiness means everything to me." "I would do anything to safeguard you and those you cherish, always." Delicately wiping away her tears, Jiang Chen peered deeply into her eyes, his own brimming with warmth. He whispered, "Am I the only one feeling this way?" Upon hearing his words, Ning Xian was momentarily taken aback, astonished by his unexpected confession. Her heart started to race as warmth spread throughout her body. Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and she bashfully looked down for a moment, collecting her thoughts. Then, she raised her eyes back to his. "Your happiness means everything to me too." Ning Xian responded softly, a brilliant smile gradually spread across her face, illuminating her eyes and exposing the depth of her emotions. [Ding! You have sessfully won the heart of the heroine Ning Xian!] [Ding! You have gained 3000 points of Viin Value!] [Ding! Congrattions on sessfully capturing the heart of a heroine for the first time!] [Ding! You have obtained ''Heaven-Defying Fate Changer - Eternal Vows Binding Ring''!] [Ding! A new entry Intimacy (Only for women) has been added to the Viin''s Eye''s information panel!] [Intimacy: It measures the depth of emotional and physical connection between the host and any woman. 0-10: Indifferent; 11-30: Curious; 31-50: Friendly; 51-70: Attracted; 71-80: Infatuated; 81-99: In Love; 100: Boundless Love.] A series of system notifications echoed in Jiang Chen''s mind. "I''m so ''happy'' to hear that." Jiang Chen smiled warmly, his voice steady and reassuring. He then extended his hand and gently grasped hers. Simultaneously, With a single thought, Jiang Chen activated his Viin''s Eye. [Name: Ning Xian Realm: Middle-stage Elemental Movement Status: Heroine (Heart Captured) Intimacy: 95 (In Love) Fate Value: 2000] ''This ''Intimacy'' is incredibly useful!'' ''I won''t have to be overly cautious relying on this.'' ''Additionally, her Fate Value seems to have decreased slightly!'' ''Perhaps, it is connected to severing ties with Lin Feng.'' ''Well, it doesn''t matter now.'' ''Later on, I''ll assist her in advancing her realm.'' Jiang Chen contemted in his heart. Abruptly, "Groan!" A low, indistinct sound emerged, drawing the attention of Ning Xian and Jiang Chen. Tracing the source, They saw the bedridden Qiu Liaoxi, whoseplexion had significantly improved, gradually opening her eyes. "What happened?" Qiu Liaoxi initially felt disoriented, but then asked feebly. "Master, you''re awake!" Ning Xian eximed, her face reflecting her relief and joy. Qiu Liaoxi attempted to sit up, but grimaced in pain. Alchemist Xie promptly aided her by propping up some pillows, while Ning Xian held her hand. Recognizing that there was little more he could contribute, Jiang Chen discreetly slipped out of the room. PS: Only one chapter today. PS : Only one chapter today. Chapter 57: Breakthrough, Middle-Stage Mysterious Platform Realm Jiang Chen returned to the courtyard where everyone eagerly awaited his arrival. Each individual disyed a look of concern, anticipating news about Qiu Liaoxi''s condition. As he approached, "Big Brother, how is Alchemist Qiu?" Jiang Yuqian hurriedly approached, her voiceden with anxiety, "She''s awake and recovering well." "Thanks to Alchemist Xie and the pill I provided, we managed to save her just in time." Jiang Chen offered aforting smile as he responded. Relief washed over the faces of everyone present in the courtyard. "Big brother, you''re truly incredible!" "Time and time again, you perform miracles and rescue people in desperate situations!" Overwhelmed by emotion, Jiang Yuqian stepped forward and grasped Jiang Chen''s arm. Her eyes shimmered with admiration as she spoke. "It''s nothing, Yuqian." "I''m just d I could help in this situation." Jiang Chen gently patted her head, responding modestly. With a warm smile, he added, "Seeing all of you healthy and safe brings me immense relief. Remember to cultivate diligently and take good care of yourself." "I will, big brother. I promise to make you and the Jiang n proud." Jiang Yuqian nodded, her face set in resolute determination. At that moment, "Why don''t you go to recuperate for now?" "You''re still injured from the fight in the Vast Spirit Residence." Jiang Xingtai stepped forward and suggested. "That''s right, young friend Jiang Chen should also take care of his health!" "With us here, nothing will happen." Du Bailei joined in from the side. Hearing these words, Jiang Chen silently thanked his uncle for his assistance. Having resolved Qiu Liaoxi''s issue, he no longer wished to linger. There were other, more pressing matters to attend to. And so, "Thank you, Uncle, and President Du." "I''ll heed your advice and rest." Jiang Chen nodded in agreement and spoke. Before taking his leave, "Elder Ge, please have someone prepare a residence for Ning Xian and Alchemist Qiu next to mine." "They''ll need afortable ce to rest and recuperate." Jiang Chen directed his gaze toward Elder Ge and instructed. "Understood, Young Master Jiang Chen." "I will make the arrangements immediately." Elder Ge nodded respectfully. With everything settled, Jiang Chen departed from the courtyard. ... Returning to his own residence, Jiang Chen promptly entered his cultivation chamber. However, he did notmence cultivation immediately. With a mere flicker of thought, A nuptial band materialized in his hand, radiating refined elegance. Though inconspicuous at first nce, The ring shimmered with cosmic hues, and subtle, ancient runes adorned its surface, hinting at its arcane nature. Armed with the knowledge provided by the system, Jiang Chen swiftly understood its purpose. [Eternal Vows Binding Ring: A mystical ring crafted from materials that have endured the onught of innumerable ages, its true origins remain veiled in obscurity. It harbors an inner dimension. Once a woman''s heart is captivated by the ring''s possessor, a new ring inscribed with her name materializes within this hidden space. Upon donning the ring, an unyielding bond forms between the two souls, and the woman''s emotions ascend to the Boundless Love realm, a lofty state of devotion rarely experienced by mortals.] "Is this the System''s way of assisting me?" "But to what extent, I cannot be certain!" "After all, I must have the other party wear the ring to observe any ensuing changes." Jiang Chen murmured to himself. Without further hesitation, He slipped the ring onto the fourth finger of his left hand. As the Eternal Vows Binding Ring nestled into ce, Jiang Chen suddenly sensed a subtle connection taking shape between him and the artifact. He was aware that only those bound by the ring could perceive it. Intrigued, Jiang Chen delved into the ring with his divine sense. Indeed, he uncovered a small space within, at the heart of whichy another nuptial band. Upon closer examination, he noticed Ning Xian''s name gracefully inscribed on it. Discovering nothing else within the space, Jiang Chen retracted his divine sense and resolved to set this matter aside for the moment. Instead, he redirected his attention to exchanging some treasures. After all, he had amassed over ten thousand viin points by now! ''System!'' ''Open the system mall!'' Jiang Chen licked his lips and issued themand mentally. In an instant, The system mall panel materialized. The four categories of ''Cultivation Methods'', ''Medicinal Pills'', ''Artifacts'', and ''Other'' were neatly organized. ''Now that I possess the Burning World Red Lotus,'' Jiang Chen mused, ''I wonder whether medicinal pills or spiritual nts would aid my progress more effectively?'' Contemting for a moment, He resolved topare the two alternatives. So. First, he opened the ''Medicinal Pills'' category and searched for the ''Shaking Light Origin tform Spirit Pill'', a cultivation pill designed for the Mysterious tform realm. Without hesitation, he exchanged for two of them, each valued at 400 points of Viin Value! Immediately after. He essed the ''Other'' category and sought out fire-type spiritual nts. In an instant. A myriad of spiritual nts materialized, their varieties so vast that one''s eyes would blur just by gazing at them! Among these were the Half-Moon Blood Congealing me Pine, the Extreme Fire Gu Grass, the Thousand Birds Immortal Rosy Cloud Grass, and many more! "Wow!" "There are so many!" "Generally, they''re worth over 500 points of Viin Value!" "Oh, right! I also have some spiritual nts that initially belonged to Lin Feng." Jiang Chen abruptly smacked his forehead, recalling the two types of spiritual nts he had in his possession. One was the me Whisker Mica Ginseng he had acquired from a roadside stall. The other, akin to the ''Fireheart Pinecone Fruit'' but even more potent, had been secured at an auction. ''Let''s test these two medicinal pills and spiritual nts first.'' Jiang Chen contemted. He then promptly tossed one Shaking Light Origin tform Spirit Pill into his mouth. The pill dissolved instantaneously upon contact with his tongue. It felt as though a warm current flowed into his stomach, spreading out and integrating with his body! Immediately following that. As the medicinal power was assimted. A substantial amount of Yuan Power converged in his dantian, underwent sublimation through the Mysterious tform, and transformed into an even more refined Yuan Power! These more refined energies, In turn, solidified the Mysterious tform further, rendering Jiang Chen''s body even more robust! The Shaking Light Origin tform Spirit Pill, valued at 400 points of Viin Value per piece, was five times more expensive than the Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pill. With a few more of these, he could exchange them for cultivation methods in the Heavenly Origin Realm! Naturally, such a costly medicinal pill yielded exceptional results! Shortly after. Jiang Chen realized that he had made significant progress in his cultivation level, having recently entered the Early-stage Mysterious tform realm! The overall quality of his body had been enhanced in numerous ways. But that wasn''t all. His divine sense had also experienced substantial growth! "This pill is truly incredible; I love it!" "I wonder how many spiritual stones I could fetch for it if I were to bring it to an auction!" "Such a pill is likely only easily obtainable through my system. For others to acquire it, they may need to invest considerable effort and hard work!" "However,pared to spiritual stones, I''m even more delighted by the direct improvement in my cultivation level!" "Moreover, the exceptional effects of this pill might be connected to my enhanced aptitude following the advancement!" "Now, my aptitude has reached Top Grade!" "..." Jiang Chen was immensely impressed by the effects of the Shaking Light Origin tform Spirit Pill and was once again extremely content with his current aptitude! It must be emphasized. Even possessing an Upper Grade aptitude was exceedingly scarce. It was not an exaggeration to say that one might only encounter such an individual among a hundred thousand people, let alone one in ten thousand. Regarding the Top Grade aptitude. Even within colossal organizations like the Starry Abyss Sect, it remained an extraordinarily rare phenomenon! Among the current generation of Starry Abyss Sect disciples, None had yet disyed a Top Grade aptitude! Should Jiang Chen unveil his aptitude, he would indisputably be a prized asset for the entire Starry Abyss Sect! Now, back to the matter at hand. Once the medicinal effects of the Shaking Light Origin tform Spirit Pill had fully dissipated, Jiang Chen took the me Whisker Mica Ginseng, rinsed it with water, and directly grasped it in his hand, taking bites out of it. In a brief moment. The me Whisker Mica Ginseng was entirely consumed, leaving not even a single whisker behind. Upon finishing it, Jiang Chen discovered that the medicinal power of this rare Mysterious tform realm spiritual nt did not disseminate throughout his body like the medicinal pill had! Instead, all of it converged in his dantian, merging into the Burning World Red Lotus. After receiving the nourishment from the me Whisker Mica Ginseng, the fissures on the Burning World Red Lotus had somewhat vanished. Shortly thereafter, A warm current of energy radiated from the Burning World Red Lotus and permeated Jiang Chen''s entire body! Instantaneously, Jiang Chen felt as if his body had be even more pristine and transparent, resembling a crystal that had been meticulously cleansed of any dust or impurities! "What!" "My aptitude has improved yet again!" "Unbelievable, my aptitude can still progress? Then wouldn''t I be the preeminent genius in the entire Mysterious Truth Continent! Wow, this is incredible!" Jiang Chen excitedly examined his dantian and meridians through introspection. He observed that his Mysterious tform had be even more refined, with the quality and quantity of his Yuan Power reaching higher and greater levels! The velocity of his Yuan Power cirction had also be swifter and more fluid, and hisbat prowess had imperceptibly increased even further! Furthermore, In addition to the enhancement of his aptitude, his cultivation level had also evidently ascended. Though it could not rival the Shaking Light Origin tform Spirit Pill, it was still far superior to ordinary medicinal pills. "So this is a Heaven-Defying Fate Changer trump card!" "Simply by consuming spiritual nts, one can grow stronger, augment their aptitude, and boost theirbat power. Astounding!" Jiang Chen couldn''t help but exim in admiration! Immediately afterward. He popped the second Shaking Light Origin tform Spirit Pill into his mouth. Once more, it dissolved instantaneously upon entering his mouth. This time around. The medicinal power was digested even more swiftly! Additionally, the absorption rate had increased! In other words, he wasted less medicinal power than before! In no time. The pill was fully absorbed. Jiang Chen''s cultivation level had again exhibited a substantial enhancement! "After acquiring the Burning World Red Lotus," "The medicinal pills and spiritual nts can synergize with each other, enabling me to grow stronger at an elerated pace!" "It appears that I''ll need tobine both the raw and cooked forms for consumption from now on." Jiang Chen grinned and then ced the presumed ''Fireheart Pinecone Fruit'' spiritual nt into his mouth. After the Burning World Red Lotus had recuperated slightly. His sensitivity to spiritual nts had also experienced a minor increase. Although it was rtively subtle, it was indeed present. ''The more robust the Burning World Red Lotus bes!'' ''The greater my potential limit will be!'' As Jiang Chen pondered, he consumed the spiritual nt in his hand. Time passed gradually. In the blink of an eye, Half a month had psed. During these days. Besides the two medicinal pills and two varieties of spiritual nts he had ingested earlier, Jiang Chen had also expended 3000 points of Viin Value to exchange for additional medicinal pills and spiritual nts. Half of the exchange was dedicated to medicinal pills, while the other half focused on spiritual nts. After consuming them. And following an extended period of strenuous cultivation, as well as the support of the Ten-Turn Harmonious Spirit Pill, he finally advanced to the Middle-Stage Mysterious tform realm! Moreover, his true battle power had reached the Late-stage Mysterious tform realm! Chapter 58: Learning Alchemy, Practicing the Wind Void Steps ''My true battle prowess has reached the Late-stage Mysterious tform+!'' ''On this Mysterious Truth Continent, I''m nearly invincible below the Heavenly Origin realm!'' ''Yet, this is still insufficient, far from enough!'' ''Next, I must cultivate martial skills to further fortify myself!'' ''But first, I should visit Ning Xian.'' Jiang Chen sensed the tremendous power coursing through his body and contemted deeply. Without dy, he rose to his feet, activated the Moondust Ring to obscure his cultivation level, and made his way to the residence where Ning Xian resided. The two dwellings were situated in close proximity to one another. Soon enough. Jiang Chen spotted Ning Xian standing beneath a pavilion in the courtyard. Thete morning sun bathed her figure in a warm, golden light, enhancing her exquisite beauty. Her long, ck hair flowed gracefully down her back as she seemed lost in thought. A smile graced Jiang Chen''s lips as he entered the courtyard, the gravel crunching softly beneath his feet. Upon hearing the sound, Ning Xian looked over, her eyes lighting up as she recognized him. "Jiang Chen, you''ve arrived." Ning Xian greeted him, her voice reminiscent of a gentle breeze. "Xian''er, how have you been?" "What brings you here alone?" Jiang Chen inquired softly, his toneced with concern. "I''ve been well, all thanks to you." "I was with Sister Yuqian not long ago." "Now, I''m just taking a moment to savor the peace and tranquility here." Ning Xian''s eyes softened as she responded. "It''s good to hear that." Jiang Chen smiled at her words and inquired, "How is your master doing?" "Master''s recovery has been astounding, and her condition has significantly improved." "She is currently exchanging knowledge with Alchemist Xie." Ning Xian replied, gratitude filling her face as she added, "We truly appreciate all the care you''ve shown us these past days; I hope it hasn''t affected your own cultivation." "You needn''t worry. Striking a bnce between work and rest is crucial in cultivation." "After all, the goal of cultivation is to enable us to do what we love freely, right?" "Being able to share this peaceful moment with you is also an ideal life." Jiang Chen shook his head and reassured her. "Is it true?" Upon hearing Jiang Chen''s words, a hint of red graced Ning Xian''s cheeks, and her voice softened ever so slightly. "Of course it''s true." Jiang Chen affirmed, nodding earnestly. Sensing the atmosphere was ripe. "I have something for you." "Please extend your left hand." Jiang Chen murmured tenderly, drawing closer with a mysterious gleam in his eyes. A mix of curiosity and anticipation filled Ning Xian''s gaze as she presented her hand. "In the ancient myths of a faraway realm, couples would exchange such rings as tokens of their evestingmitment to each other..." Jiang Chen recounted the story while deftly slipping an exquisite nuptial ring, etched with her name, onto her fourth finger. As she perceived the extraordinary essence of the ring, Ning Xian was profoundly touched. Abruptly. Ning Xian sensed an intangible bond with the ring, as though it was conveying that she and Jiang Chen were now eternally devoted to one another. Joy swelled in her heart as her affection for Jiang Chen intensified. At that moment. "Do you like it? How does it feel?" Jiang Chen couldn''t resist inquiring, his heart brimming with curiosity. "I love it, thank you so much." Ning Xian replied, her radiant smile beaming, before her expression shifted to concern, "Through the subtle link with the ring, I''vee to understand that you are destined to challenge those chosen by the Heavenly Fate, such as Lin Feng. I now realize his hostility towards you, even though you''ve strived to change this fate for the better." Jiang Chen listened attentively, his heart moved. Despite her apprehension of the situation''s core. He knew that everything was ultimately falling into ce in his favor. He also grasped that from this point forward, she had relinquished her status as a heroine. After all. Previously, she merely viewed Lin Feng as the adversary of the one she cherished. But now, it epassed all the Sons of Heavenly Fate. To validate his suspicions, Jiang Chen activated his Viin''s Eye to ess Ning Xian''s information. [Name: Ning Xian Realm: Late-stage Elemental Movement Status: Viiness (Heart Captured) Intimacy: 100 (Boundless Love) Fate Value: Unknown] ''It is precisely as I suspected.'' ''Even her Fate Value has be unknown!'' ''This is likely due to my ownership of the Eternal Vows Binding Ring.'' ''From this moment on, her fate will be shielded by me.'' Jiang Chen mused as he perused Ning Xian''s panel. Immediately after. "You needn''t worry." "I have everything under control!" Jiang Chen reassured, his voice calming andforting. "Hmm..." Ning Xian smiled, yet she shook her head, tinged with self-reproach. "You already have your own problems to deal with, and here I am, bringing you additional trouble with the Purple..." Before she couldplete her sentence, "It''s the same with the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain." "It''s a power from beyond the Mysterious Truth Continent, a sect that belongs to the Bright Cloud Continent." "The individuals who attacked you earlier were from the Illusory ying Tower, which the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain must have paid a hefty sum to employ." "In the Illusory ying Tower, there''s no apparent expert at the Heavenly Origin realm." "Furthermore, the likelihood of such a formidable presence is rather low." "With the power I currently possess, not only can I cope with them, but contending with them is well within my capabilities." "So, don''t let it trouble you; just concentrate on your cultivation..." Jiang Chen interjected, reassuring her once more. With his true battle prowess at the Late-stage Mysterious tform+, as long as the Illusory ying Towercked any Heavenly Origin realm experts, there was no reason for him to fear this organization. "Well, I trust you!" "By the way, how''s your progress with the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records?" Ning Xian nodded and promptly inquired. When Jiang Chen returned the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records and the secret key the day after rescuing Qiu Liaoxi, She declined to ept them. Asserting that they now belonged to him. As a result, Jiang Chen became the new owner of this treasure. "I haven''t actually had the chance to read it yet, as I''ve been preupied with my cultivation." Jiang Chen shook his head, smiling. "I see!" "Would you like to study it together?" "If it''s quite challenging, I can help teach you!" Ning Xian''s beautiful eyes sparkled for a moment. "Although I haven''t learned much myself..." Initially, Jiang Chen intended to reveal the Moondust Ring''s concealment. Wanting to tell her that he didn''t require assistance. Since he now possessed the Burning World Red Lotus and the miraculous ability of the ''Medicinal Spirit Body'', enabling him to quickly acquire alchemical knowledge. However, upon seeing her adorable face with eager eyes, trying to demonstrate her expertise, Jiang Chen found himself unable to proceed. And so, "Well, that would be great!" Jiang Chen smiled warmly and took out the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records and the secret key. Within the secluded pavilion, Seated side by side at a table, with the manual open between them, The two engaged in quiet conversation, and their bodies naturally gravitated closer together. A gentle breeze wafted through the air. It lifted their hair, tenderly brushing against each other''s faces. The ambiance was harmonious and gentle, carrying with it a subtle hint of sweetness. In certain moments, Jiang Chen feigned misunderstanding. Only after Ning Xian''s patient guidance would he reveal a smile of enlightenment, as if he had gained profound insights. This never failed to elicit a delighted smile from Ning Xian. Time flowed unhurriedly. Engrossed in their studies, the two spent the entire day without partaking in a single meal. As daylight waned, Jiang Chen rose to bid farewell. This visit to Ning Xian, Not only deepened their bond but also imparted to him extensive knowledge from the Thousand Green Pill Heart Recordsa truly bountiful yield. Jiang Chen could even consider himself an ''alchemist'' now! Upon returning to his residence, Jiang Chen ventured to a more expansive martial skills practice room. While cultivation was essential for a cultivator''s might,bat skills held equal importance! As such, Jiang Chen resolved to devote some time to honing his martial prowess. "But first, let me review my subordinates'' reports..." Seated cross-legged on the floor, Jiang Chen retrieved the transmission jade token and employed his divine sense to peruse the reports one after another. Jiang Chen maintained constant vignce towards the outside world, never letting his guard down. His attentiveness to external threats had never waned! Numerous members of the Jiang n, along with cultivators nurtured by the n, kept a watchful eye on Autumn Glory City around the clock. Even the Zhou n had a hand in this. Likely aware that Jiang Chen was destined for greatness, Zhou Ruiyu had opted to align with the Jiang n''s camp! "Are there no suspicious individuals discovered as of yet?" "It appears that Illusory ying Tower is exercising caution." "However, Tian Wendong met his demise in Autumn Glory City at my hands. They won''t simply let this slide." "I wonder when they''ll make their move?" "..." Jiang Chen fastened the transmission jade token to his waist and extracted a purple manual. This very purple manual was none other than the Heavenly Origin body movement skill, the ''Wind Void Steps''! Chapter 59: Power Rises Again, Sects Recall Order Wind Void Steps, a Heavenly Origin realm body movement skill! Upon mastering it, one could greatly enhance their speed and agility, including their ability to control their physical body while flying through the air. In terms of flight, Though Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators possessed the ability to control their bodies and fly, most opted to skim the ground instead, as flight demanded excessive Yuan Power consumption. For a Mysterious tform realm cultivator, simply using flight for travel would enable them to soar continuously in the sky while easily managing the depletion of Yuan Power. In the context of battle, they would be able to deploy theirbat prowess more effectively on the ground. "Let''s begin!" Jiang Chen inhaled deeply, concentrated his thoughts, and then opened the purple manual. Upon opening the purple cover, he discovered that the pages inside were also purple, adorned with intricate golden characters, patterns, and diagrams of the human body. Among these, the golden characters were the most abundant! The method to read it also required the use of divine sense! Jiang Chen activated his divine sense and meticulously perused each page, nearly etching the content into his mind! The difficulty of practicing Heavenly Origin realm cultivation methods was extraordinarily high! Ordinary individuals would be utterly perplexed and incapable of deciphering it, let alone learning from it. However, Jiang Chen''s aptitude had now reached Top Grade, making him a rare prodigy within the Starry Abyss Sect, appearing only once in a millennium. As a result, His learning speed was incredibly swift. After reading it once, he had already obtained a preliminary grasp of the Wind Void Steps. Upon the second read, hisprehension deepened even further. By the third read, he had essentially mastered the theoretical knowledge. ... Time passed at a leisurely pace. In the blink of an eye, another month had psed! In the martial skill training chamber, "Ride the Wind!" Jiang Chen unleashed his Yuan Power, and currents of Qi swirled around him. His entire body floated gracefully, akin to a drifting willow catkin. Momentster, He transformed into a fleeting afterimage, leaving eighteen footprints on each adjacent wall in the blink of an eye! "Even though it''s merely the Entry Level, my speed has significantly improved!" Jiang Chen descended to the ground and seated himself cross-legged on a cushion. Subsequently, He gently lifted his right hand, and a potent surge of cold Qi emanated outwards. The walls of the martial skill training chamber became enveloped in ayer of frost! This move was exactly from the Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets! Over the course of this month, Jiang Chen had not only practiced the Wind Void Steps but also devoted himself to mastering this ice-element secret art. This was because the Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets was a secret art that emphasized swift casting. Thus, at this moment, he had already honed this secret art to the Great Aplishment Level! He was merely one step away from the Perfect Level! The mastery of a cultivation method was typically divided into Entry Level, Minor Aplishment Level, Great Aplishment Level, and Perfect Level. He had already practiced cultivation methods such as the Void Rainbow Sword Technique, Clear Sky sh, and Violent Tiger Power to the Perfect Level. Nevertheless, For the Void Rainbow Sword Technique, core disciples could only learn up to the sixthyer. As for inner disciples, they were limited to learning up to the thirdyer, just like Lin Feng. Within the Starry Abyss Sect, unless one was promoted to be a true disciple, or had made significant contributions to the sect over many years, They would not be granted ess to the final threeyers of the Void Rainbow Sword Technique. At this moment, Having practiced both the Wind Void Steps and the Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets, Jiang Chen nodded with satisfaction and then essed his own character panel. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Top Grade Talent: Eternal Boundless Body Realm: Middle-stage Mysterious tform True Battle Power: Peak-stage Mysterious tform Cultivation Methods: Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture, Wind Void Steps, Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets, Void Rainbow Sword Technique, Clear Sky sh, Violent Tiger Power, Explosive Persona Force... Viin Value: 12,200 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 5,880 Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring System Store: Level 1] ''Peak-stage Mysterious tform realm Battle Power!'' ''I am nearing the Heavenly Origin realm Battle Power!'' ''Next, I must persist in honing my cultivation methods. Both must attain the Perfect Level!'' ''I also need to further study the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records!'' In his mind, Jiang Chen devised a n, ''It''s been a month, time to pay Ning Xian a visit.'' With that thought. He exited the martial skill practice room and made his way to Ning Xian''s courtyard. However, the moment he stepped out the door. "Bzzz!" A vibration emanated from the transmission jade token! "Hm?" "Could this be someone from the Illusory ying Tower?" Jiang Chen''s brow furrowed slightly as he imbued the transmission jade token with his divine sense, immediately perceiving the message within. "Jiang Chen, it has been quite some time since you left the mountain. You should return to the sect and concentrate on your cultivation. Moreover, as no one contested your standing in the sect''s Grand Competition, you maintain your core disciple status. Furthermore, the Sect Master will reveal a significant announcement tomorrow. We are uncertain about the specifics, but one thing is clear: it is an issue that affects the entire Mysterious Truth Continent and even the neighboring continents!" The message was not rted to the Illusory ying Tower. Instead, it was a recall directive issued by the sect''s Deacon Hall. ''The sect is calling me back??'' ''Well, I have been away for almost two months now. It''s time to return.'' ''It''s unexpected that no one challenged my core disciple position. Perhaps it''s simply good fortune?'' ''After all, I now possess nearly six thousand points of ck Heavenly Fate Value. Even if it''s ''ck'', it remains Heavenly Fate Value, haha!'' ''...'' With a smile, Jiang Chen continued strolling toward the pavilion where Ning Xian resided. In no time at all. The pair found themselves seated opposite each other beneath the pavilion once again. After studying for some time. Jiang Chen had fully grasped the theoretical knowledge contained within the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records. Now, all he required was to engage in alchemy practice independently. Upon concluding their studies. Jiang Chen stored the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records and dered, "Ning Xian, the sect has summoned me. I intend to bring you along!" "Ah!?" Ning Xian expressed surprise and astonishment, "Are you returning to the Starry Abyss Sect?" "That''s right!" "Although I have everything under control, I cannot leave you in Autumn Glory City without concern." "Furthermore, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain won''t simply relent." "As one of the ruling powers in the Mysterious Truth Continent, the Starry Abyss Sect will not allow the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain to act rashly within its domain." "As for the Illusory ying Tower, the notorious assassination organization, they wouldn''t even dare toe near!" "As for Alchemist Qiu, ask her if she wishes to apany us." Jiang Chen nodded earnestly, "Additionally, your cultivation path would benefit more from being within the Starry Abyss Sect." "But, am I allowed to enter the Starry Abyss Sect?" Ning Xian''s astonishment transformed into delight, and she felt touched by Jiang Chen''s consideration. "With me here, there will be no issues!" Jiang Chen grasped Ning Xian''s hand and nodded emphatically, "Go pack your belongings; we depart immediately!" After Ning Xian hurriedly left to consult her master and gather her belongings. Jiang Chen informed Jiang Xingtai and others of his intention to return to the Starry Abyss Sect. "What?" "Jiang Chen is already heading back to the Starry Abyss Sect? But he hasn''t been here long!" "Sigh, time truly flies by. Nephew Jiang Chen is departing for the Starry Abyss Sect. Time seems nonexistent when cultivating in the mountains, and who knows when we will see him again." "..." Jiang Xingtai and Zhou Ruiyu were together when they received Jiang Chen''s message, and they couldn''t help but feel a sense of reluctance. "Let''s go; we shall bid him farewell together." Jiang Xingtai suggested. Promptly, the duo embarked on their journey. Simultaneously. "Young friend Jiang Chen is returning to the Starry Abyss Sect?" "I must go and see him off!" Du Bailei rose to his feet and addressed an attendant, "Go and collect all the treasures of the Chamber of Commerce and bring them to me!" "Yes!" The attendant nodded and quickly departed. Chapter 60: Its Somewhat Related to You At the entrance of Ning Xian''s residence. "Master, pleasee with us." Ning Xian implored, her eyes glistening with unshed tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. "My dear disciple, my ce is here, in Autumn Glory City. I cannot leave." "My heart is with you, but my duty remains with the Jiang n." Qiu Liaoxi offered a warm smile as she stepped forward and gently wiped the tears from Ning Xian''s face. Her voice was soft, yet resolute, "Utilizing my alchemy skills, I wish to repay Jiang Chen''s benevolence for saving my life, dedicating all that I can to aid the Jiang n." At that moment. "We shall honor your wishes, Alchemist Qiu." Jiang Chen bowed respectfully to Qiu Liaoxi. "Thank you, Young Master Jiang Chen." "Please take care of my Xian''er, and may the blessings of the heavens and the earth guide and protect you both on your journey." Qiu Liaoxi added, her gaze lingering on the couple, filled with love and concern. "Ning Xian, I understand that parting with your master is difficult for you." "But rest assured!" "Alchemist Qiu will be safe here with the Jiang n. They value her skills and wisdom, and they will ensure her well-being." Jiang Chen spoke gently, his voice soothing Ning Xian''s aching heart. Hearing these words. Ning Xian nodded to Jiang Chen, her eyes brimming with trust and gratitude. Seeing this, Jiang Chen tenderly grasped her hand. With a final, heartfelt farewell to Qiu Liaoxi, they turned away and approached the estate''s entrance. ... Soon. Outside the Jiang n''s estate. Jiang Chen and Ning Xian stood side by side, as Elder Ge positioned himself behind them, his head bowed and maintaining a solemn demeanor. Jiang Xingtai, Du Bailei, and Zhou Ruiyu, the three experts of the Mysterious tform realm, along with a group of prominent figures from Autumn Glory City, bade their farewells one by one... "Chen''er, while the Starry Abyss Sect possesses abundant resources, they won''t be easy to acquire. Take these items with you; they may prove useful!" "Indeed, indeed, Nephew Jiang Chen, don''t assume I''ve given you too little!" "Young friend Jiang Chen, please ept these gifts from me. I''ll be residing in Autumn Glory City henceforth. Should you require any assistance, don''t hesitate to contact me!" "Young Master Jiang Chen, I stumbled upon this spiritual nt, which is said to be exceptionally beneficial for experts at the Spiritual Awakening realm. Kindly ept it!" "..." One by one, everyone stepped forward and ced storage artifacts into Jiang Chen''s hands. ''What amotion!'' ''Why are there so many people this time?'' ''When I returned to the Starry Abyss Sect from Autumn Glory City before, there weren''t this many people to send me off.'' ''It seems my ck Heavenly Fate is quite impressive. These gifts can also be considered a stroke of luck.'' ''...'' Jiang Chen was slightly taken aback, but he was delighted to ept the gifts. What pleased him even more was that Du Bailei had decided to settle in Autumn Glory City. As the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce, he had journeyed extensively not only across the Mysterious Truth Continent but also to other neighboring continents, amassing a wealth of experiences and valuable intelligence-gathering abilities. In any case, Du Bailei was a highly resourceful individual. Of course. There was also a danger lurking behind Du Bailei, which was the person who controlled him using the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass. If time permitted, it would be worthwhile to have a conversation with him and uncover the identity of the one secretly manipting him. Having epted the gifts from the crowd, Jiang Chen departed the city alongside Ning Xian, making their way directly to the Starry Abyss Sect. As for Elder Ge, his astuteness prompted him tog behind, vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye. En route, "This pace is somewhat slow." Jiang Chen addressed Ning Xian, remarking, "We must arrive at the Starry Abyss Sect as swiftly as possible. Allow me to carry you." "Alright!" Ning Xian nodded in consent. Though still slightly bashful, she had begun to grow ustomed to the idea. "Ensure you hold on tight." Jiang Chen offered a faint smile and hoisted Ning Xian onto his back, soaring hundreds of meters into the sky. "Ah!" Caught off guard, Ning Xian shrieked in rm, instinctively clutching Jiang Chen tightly. And thus... ''So it seems, ''Soft and Fragrant like a Jade'' truly does exist!'' ''With just a gentle touch, it leaves a lingering aftertaste!'' Thoughts swirled within Jiang Chen''s mind, and a subtle smile gradually emerged on his face. Shortly thereafter, "Ah, my apologies!" "I haven''t flown extensively, so my expertise is somewhat limited." Jiang Chen suddenly eximed, causing their flight path to be unsteady and waver... Time progressed steadily. Amidst the boundless expanse of the Thousand Star Mountain Range, The grand Starry Abyss Heavenly Peak, piercing the clouds, came into sight. Following closely were the towering ancient trees and the dense spiritual Qi that resembled billowing white mist. Abruptly, A beam of light traced a graceful arc and descended upon the Starry Abyss Sect''s mountain gate za, transforming into a man and woman who appeared to have stepped straight from a fairy tale, emanating allure and harmony. "It''s Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen has returned!?" "Wow, this youngdy is so stunning. Could she be a servant brought back by Senior Brother Jiang Chen or...?" "Refrain from such baseless spection. Judging by appearances, this youngdy''s status is far from ordinary. She may very well be Senior Brother Jiang Chen''s partner!" "Setting that aside, this youngdy has attained Late-stage Elemental Movement realm cultivation at such a young age. She must be an exceptional prodigy. How envious!" Upon catching sight of Jiang Chen and Ning Xian, the disciples immediately fixed their gazes on the pair. The sect''s Grand Competition had recently concluded, and an important announcement was to be made the following day. As a result, aside from a few disciples with unique circumstances, all other members of the Starry Abyss Sect had gathered, causing the atmosphere to be livelier than usual. At that moment, The disciples started conversing amongst themselves, and subsequently approached Jiang Chen one by one to pay their respects. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "Greetings, Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen, please ept our respects!" "Greetings to all Junior Brothers and Sisters." Jiang Chen graciously acknowledged each of their salutations. Shortly after, Jiang Chen escorted Ning Xian to the Sect Master''s Main Hall. Situated in the middle to upper region of the Star Abyss Heavenly Peak, the Sect Master''s Main Hall held a prominent position. Yet, an even more enigmatic structurey further up, shrouded in clouds and mist that obstructed divine senses. Legend had it that this was the Cave Mansion of Chu Xingming, the founder of the Starry Abyss Sect. Presently, it was believed to house the Hidden Reserves of the Starry Abyss Sect. Jiang Chen surmised that at least one Heavenly Origin realm powerhouse must be in seclusion within, but whether there were more remained uncertain. In the blink of an eye, Jiang Chen guided Ning Xian into the Sect Master''s Main Hall. As the second most remarkable edifice in the Sect, only surpassed by the Mountain Gate, the Main Hall exuded grandeur. Feng Jun, the current Sect Master of the Starry Abyss Sect, was a diligent worker who spent nearly every day in the Main Hall. For this reason, A Spirit Gathering Formation had been specifically constructed within its confines. At the heart of the Main Hall, a solemn and reverential atmosphere permeated the surroundings. A magnificent, exquisitely carved wooden table extended horizontally across the hall. Sect Master Feng Jun was diligently working at the table, his head bowed in deep concentration. ''Viin''s Eye!'' With a single thought, Jiang Chen sessfully essed the panel of the other party. [Name: Feng Jun Realm: Late-stage Mysterious tform Status: Passerby Fate Value: 769] Evidently, Sect Master Feng Jun had also been a supporting character in Lin Feng''s plotline, but after Lin Feng''s demise, he became a passerby. Furthermore, his Fate Value appeared to have increased. "Jiang Chen, what brings you here to see me?" Feng Jun was meticulously examining the battle rankings and performance records of the disciples participating in the sect''s Grand Competition, assessing their potential. Uponpleting his statement, He also finished perusing the final page, lifting his head to observe Jiang Chen. He was momentarily taken aback before his eyes shifted to Ning Xian. However, before he could inquire, "This is Ning Xian!" "I''d like to rmend her as a disciple of the sect!" "Ning Xian possesses exceptional aptitude, equal to mine, and she is highly skilled in the arts of healing and alchemy." "As for her background..." Jiang Chen proceeded to introduce Ning Xian, providing detailed exnations about her situation one by one. He did not conceal the existence of the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records either, as there was no necessity to do so. The sect would not deny disciples their own opportunities, particrly given that he was a core disciple. Moreover, he elucidated the motives behind the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain''s malicious actions. Naturally, Jiang Chen deliberately emphasized the significance of the secret key required to ess the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records, mentioning that due to the challenge ofprehending the entire manual, no copies had been created thus far. This way, nobody would pester Ning Xian. Additionally, Jiang Chen was well-acquainted with Feng Jun. This individual greatly valued the disciples'' potential! For someone as gifted as Ning Xian, there was no possibility that Feng Jun would decline her admission into the sect! Furthermore, Feng Jun was extremely generous when it came to talented disciples! Upon hearing Jiang Chen introduce Ning Xian''s aptitude, Feng Jun''s interest was suddenly piqued. He produced a testing artifact for aptitude and assessed Ning Xian, verifying that she indeed possessed Upper Grade aptitude. "Hahaha!" "The Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain in the Bright Cloud Continent?" "I''ve dealt with them before; those people are truly shameless." "Ning Xian, from today on, concentrate on your cultivation within the Starry Abyss Sect. If the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain dares to sully our Sect, I''ll strike them down personally!" "As for the safety of your people in Autumn Glory City, I''ll dispatch a Middle-stage Mysterious tform realm Elder as a precaution!" Feng Junughed heartily while examining the test results, then presented Ning Xian with a disciple token. The disciple token merely required blood recognition. Once Ning Xian dripped her blood onto the token, she became an outer disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect. ''Great!'' ''I am now a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect as well!'' ''From this moment forward, I can live with Jiang Chen in the Starry Abyss Sect. When I grow stronger, I''ll seize an opportunity to return and exact revenge!'' Ning Xian clutched the disciple token in her hand, her heart swelling with excitement. At this moment, "Jiang Chen!" "Since you brought Ning Xian here, and I can see that your rtionship is far from ordinary, you may assume the responsibility of guiding Ning Xian from now on." Feng Jun cast his gaze over Jiang Chen and Ning Xian, offering a subtle smile. Suddenly, Ning Xian''s cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and she gently twirled the hem of her skirt with her exquisite, white jade fingers. "Many thanks, Sect Master!" "Well then, we shall take our leave!" Jiang Chen inclined his head respectfully. After all, his intention was to publicly acknowledge his connection with Ning Xian, so as to avert any ''viins'' from stirring up trouble! With that said, Jiang Chen readied himself to depart with Ning Xian by his side. "Wait." "Since you''re here, I''ll inform you of the announcement that will be made tomorrow, as it''s somewhat rted to you." Feng Jun abruptly called out to Jiang Chen. "Rted to me?" Jiang Chen''s eyebrows arched slightly, and his heartbeat quickened just a bit. How had this suddenly be something rted to him!? Could it be... Chapter 61: The Emergence of a Cave Heaven Secret Realm ''Could this be...?'' ''Am I about to be drawn into a new protagonist''s storyline!?'' Jiang Chen pondered inwardly, his gaze shifting towards Feng Jun. "Well, it''s rted to you!" "Let me exin." "Someone has uncovered a Cave Heaven secret realm at the shared border of the Mysterious Truth Continent, the Bright Cloud Continent, and the Snowy Wind Continent!" Feng Jun nodded, speaking deliberately. "What?" "A Cave Heaven secret realm?!" Surprise filled Jiang Chen''s eyes as he eximed. ording to ancient texts, The so-called Cave Heaven was a unique subspace, formed by a specific method and connected to the vast Immortal Martial World. The quality of Cave Heavens ranged from high to low. Even the most basic Cave Heaven surpassed the Heavenly Origin realm. A Cave Heaven secret realm signified opportunities beyond the Heavenly Origin realm within! No matter what it contained. As long as it exceeded the Heavenly Origin realm, it was an invaluable treasure for cultivators from the Mysterious Truth Continent and its neighboring continents! "That''s correct!" "A Cave Heaven secret realm!" "This matter has already been deliberated among the ten major sects of our three neighboring continents." "The allure of a Cave Heaven secret realm is immense. If left to unrestrictedpetition, it could very likely plunge our three continents into war." Feng Jun nodded, his emotions slightly stirred. "So." "After the meeting of the ten major sects, they decided to send an equal number of disciples topete inside?" Jiang Chen licked his lips and ventured a guess. "How did you know?" Feng Jun regarded Jiang Chen with astonishment. "Did someone disclose this to you?" "No." "I merely guessed." "Competing for the opportunities in the Cave Heaven secret realm this way would be fairer, and more eptable to everyone." "Furthermore, Sect Master, are there any restrictions on the Cave Heaven secret realm itself, such as copsing if a Heavenly Origin realm cultivator enters?" Jiang Chen offered a smile and a shake of his head, then inquired with a hint of uncertainty, "So, this time, can only cultivators at the Mysterious tform realm and below be sent in? Preferably recently promoted disciples?" "..." "You''re aware of this as well?" "I can''t help but suspect someone has informed you!" "Yet, you''ve remained at the mountain''s base all this time, and merely a handful of individuals knew about this mattermyself and the Grand Elder." Feng Jun gazed at Jiang Chen, his expression one of disbelief, "You shouldn''t have knowledge of such things!" "I inadvertently discovered information on the Cave Heaven secret realm within some ''ancient records''." Jiang Chen offered a faint smile, "My earlier statements were merely conjectures based on that." Such storylines involving secret realm dungeons... However, wasn''t that true for the vast majority of them... "Really?" "Are there any other valuable details mentioned in those ancient records about the Cave Heaven secret realm?" Feng Jun''s face disyed astonishment as he eagerly inquired. "That''s all there is." "There are only brief references to the Cave Heaven secret realm within those ancient records. I didn''t pay much attention to them initially, but I never anticipated their uracy." Jiang Chen shook his head as he spoke. While the settings of secret realm dungeons often shared simrities, the narrative within each dungeon could vary. Furthermore. Even if he possessed more knowledge, he wouldn''t divulge it openly. "I understand." "What a shame. If we could uncover additional details regarding the Cave Heaven secret realm, we might gain a strategic advantage and seize more opportunities!" Feng Jun shook his head in disappointment. He also refrained from interrogating Jiang Chen any further. After all, the number of people who knew about Cave Heaven secret realms was scarce, making information difficult toe by. Stumbling upon even a few lines of description within ancient records was already a surprising revtion, and expecting more would be unrealistic. "Well then." "Sect Master, I should be eligible for a spot in this Cave Heaven secret realm too, correct?" Jiang Chen smiled and said, "That''s why you mentioned it''s relevant to me!" "Indeed!" "The ten major sects across the three continents have reached a consensus that each sect may send thirty disciples into the secret realm." "The requirement is that the disciple''s bone age must not exceed fifty years. If I were a hundred years younger, I could enter as well." "As it stands, within our sect, the Mysterious tform realm disciples under the age of fifty include only the chief disciple and two true disciples." "Beyond that, there are core disciples like you all at the Spiritual Awakening realm!" "Furthermore, any opportunities secured by disciples within the secret realm won''t be imed by our sect. Instead, they will be reserved for those of you with the greatest potential, allowing the sect''s future to shine even brighter!" Feng Jun spoke fervently, his expression brimming with conviction. ''All opportunities are mine to seize!'' ''It''s yet another secret realm dungeon setting.'' Jiang Chen mused to himself, and with a subtle smile, he expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Sect Master, for providing me with this invaluable opportunity. I will certainly treasure it." "Mm!" "Jiang Chen, although you''re only at the Early-stage Spiritual Awakening realm and don''t hold a high ranking among the core disciples, yourbat prowess has reached the Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening realm, which is quite remarkable!" "As you venture into the Cave Heaven secret realm this time, make sure to give your utmost effort and seize as many opportunities as you can!" Feng Jun patted Jiang Chen''s shoulder approvingly and offered encouragement. "Understood!" "However, during my recent departure from the sect, I happened upon some fortuitous encounters, and I have already advanced to the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm!" Jiang Chen nodded before revealing this astonishing news to a stunned Feng Jun. As he spoke, Jiang Chen manipted the Moondust Ring, gradually amplifying his aura until he attained the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm. Although Jiang Chen was a prodigy, Advancing through two minor realms in less than two months was still incredibly exceptional. Even other disciples with Upper Grade aptitude typically required one or two years to achieve a breakthrough. "Sect Master," "I had been in the Early-stage Spiritual Awakening realm for quite some time, but I managed to break through after returning home." "Subsequently, over the course of the following two months, I encountered some experiences which led to another breakthrough." Jiang Chen elucidated with a smile. "I see." "Nheless, this only serves to emphasize the extraordinary caliber of your aptitude!" "Whenpared to the other core disciples, your aptitude is undoubtedly among the most exceptional!" "Here, ept this sword. It is a personal gift from me." Feng Jun nodded in immense satisfaction, then magnanimously produced a long sword and presented it to Jiang Chen. As for its quality, It was a top-grade long sword of the Spiritual Awakening rank. Such a weapon would require considerable effort and resources for a Mysterious tform realm cultivator to acquire! If exchanged using Viin Value points, it would still amount to around six to seven hundred. "Thank you, Sect Master!" Jiang Chen smiled, epted the long sword, and promptly ced it within the Moondust Ring. Although the top-grade long sword of the Spiritual Awakening rank was exceptional, it was no longer suitable for his use. With his cultivation base at the Mysterious tform realm, he could wield a superior weapon! Jiang Chen intended to obtain it from the system mall. By unveiling his cultivation base before Feng Jun, Jiang Chen also wished to determine if Feng Jun would grant him something to invest in his own growth. As anticipated, Feng Jun bestowed upon him rewards! Though he couldn''t utilize them, he could exchange them for other resources! In essence, There were asions when it was crucial to disy one''s prowess, and it wasn''t always wise to conceal one''s capabilities. Naturally, Everything should be exercised with moderation. Jiang Chen would not recklessly expose his true strength, choosing instead to reveal only his Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm cultivation base, which represented merely a small portion of his full potential. Chapter 62: Indulging in Spiritual Plants for Cultivation, Advancing Once More "Mm!" "In a few days, when we depart, the sect will distribute additional supplies to you." "Jiang Chen, return safely! You bear the responsibility of securing the sect''s future!" Feng Jun nodded, then ced a firm hand on Jiang Chen''s shoulder. "Understood." Jiang Chen nodded gravely in response. "Proceed." "Be sure to instruct Ning Xian gradually, and avoid the temptation of rapid achievement." As Feng Jun spoke, he settled back into his seat and resumed his work, the embodiment of dedication. "Yes, disciple takes his leave." Jiang Chen bowed respectfully and exited the Sect Master''s Main Hall alongside Ning Xian. The duo strolled along the path, their long sleeves billowing and spiritual mist enveloping them, resembling a pair of ethereal lovers. Bystanders couldn''t help but nce over and offer greetings. It was uncertain if the ck Heavenly Fate Value was at y. Numerous female disciples crossed their path. Furthermore, these disciples appeared smitten, enthusiastically greeting Jiang Chen and seemingly harboring a particr fondness for him. Upon seeing Ning Xian at Jiang Chen''s side, they disyed a touch of jealousy and envy. Regardless. Any man''s heart would undoubtedly be delighted in such an environment. "Jiang Chen... who are they?" Ning Xian bit her lip and inquired. "They''re just my junior sisters." Jiang Chen smiled and gently tousled the back of Ning Xian''s head. "What''s on your mind?" "Nothing!" "Nothing at all!" A blush briefly tinted Ning Xian''s lovely face as she shook her head. "Let''s go, we''re almost there." With a smile ying on his lips, Jiang Chen wrapped his arm around Ning Xian''s slender waist and took off in a single bound. In the blink of an eye. The two reached Jiang Chen''s modest building,plete with a secluded courtyard. Whoosh. The formation opened. Side by side, they entered. "From now on, this will be your home." "Should you need anything, feel free to contact the Deacon Hall. I can arrange for some disciples to assist you in my name." As he spoke, Jiang Chen guided Ning Xian into the residence. Ning Xian nodded continuously, her lovely eyes sweeping the area. She thought to herself, ''The house is pleasant, and the spiritual energy is plentiful, yet it''s too simplistic. When I have a chance, I''lle and embellish it...'' She resolved that, aside from cultivating, she would beautify Jiang Chen''s courtyard! Upon reaching the small building. In a private room upstairs. "This is my bedroom..." "Ah, currently, there''s only one room with a bed." Jiang Chen gestured towards the bed and smiled, "However, I rarely sleep in it. I typically cultivate in the meditation chamber. Feel free to rest wherever you''d like." "Um, alright..." A tinge of red graced Ning Xian''s lovely face. The thought of sleeping in Jiang Chen''s bed... was somewhat embarrassing. In the past, whenever she and Jiang Chen were alone together, they would be in the outdoor pavilion. "Mm-hmm." "The meditation chamber is right here." "And there''s a martial skills training room over there. It''s notrge, but it suffices." "By the way, these are the cultivation methods I''ll be teaching you. ording to our sect''s regtions, I''m allowed to teach you these..." Jiang Chen produced a stack of cultivation methods and guided Ning Xian to the meditation chamber. "Shall we begin learning now?" "Well, Jiang Chen, you''ll be entering the Cave Heaven secret realm in a few days." "These remaining days are invaluable. You should focus on your preparations, and we can study the cultivation methodster!" Ning Xian dered earnestly. "Indeed." "You should acquaint yourself with them." Jiang Chen smiled and nodded, "I''ll head to the meditation chamber to solidify my cultivation base and ready myself for the Cave Heaven secret realm in a few days!" "Alright!" "Please proceed. You needn''t concern yourself with me during this time!" Ning Xian also nodded and ushered Jiang Chen into the meditation chamber. Upon entering the meditation chamber, Jiang Chen settled onto a cushion in a cross-legged position and produced numerous storage rings. These rings were tokens of appreciation from Jiang Xingtai and others when he took his leave from Autumn Glory City. "Time to discover what''s inside!" Eagerly, Jiang Chen extended his divine sense and scanned the contents of each storage ring. Suddenly, A vast array of treasures materialized before his eyes. Among them were medicinal pills, spiritual nts, weapons, and cultivation resources such as cultivation manuals. There were also misceneous items intended for daily use. Someone had even included a generous assortment of rare spices, though the sender remained unknown... "The quality of these pills ismendable, but they''re low-rank, suitable only for practitioners in the Spiritual Awakening and Soul Refining realms. They''re of no use to me now." "I''ll reserve these pills, along with the weapons and cultivation manuals, for Ning Xian." "..." Jiang Chen sifted through the collection of gifts, the majority of which had outlived their usefulness to him. Consider these cultivation manuals, for instance. The most advanced among them pertained to the Spiritual Awakening realm, which was utterly futile for Jiang Chen. He had no desire to bequeath these manuals to Ning Xian either. Rather, he nned to instruct her in Heavenly Origin realm cultivation methods such as the Wind Void Steps and the Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets. As for the Starry Abyss Sect''s cultivation methods, he would adhere to the sect''s regtions and impart them progressively. Shortly, Jiang Chen set aside the items he found inapplicable. What primarily remained before him were spiritual nts and a few medicinal pills for healing and rejuvenating vitality. "Remarkably, there are over twenty boxes of Mysterious tform realm spiritual nts!" "Ah, these were provided by Du Bailei. Given the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce''s long-standing presence in the industry, it''s only natural that they possess such spiritual nts." Jiang Chen offered a slight smile and proceeded to collect the spiritual nts. In truth, the Burning World Red Lotus could be revitalized by any spiritual nt. Nheless, the effects varied across different spiritual nts. The lower the rank, the weaker the impact. During his training within the Jiang n, Jiang Chen had requested that the n gather some spiritual nts for his use. However, the collected nts were of rtively low rank, resulting in only mediocre effects, far inferior to those obtained through Viin Value points. Moreover, Even among rare spiritual nts of the same rank, distinct types yielded different oues. Utilizing the power of the Burning World Red Lotus, Jiang Chen could distinctly discern the potency of a spiritual nt''s influence on the Burning World Red Lotus. At this instant, He opted for the most potent spiritual nt as his first choice. "Crunch, crunch." With a few bites, the spiritual nt was consumed and settled in his stomach. Soon enough, The spiritual nt was fully absorbed by the Burning World Red Lotus. Suddenly, some of the cracks on the lotus mended, but its withered appearance remained unchanged. Evidently, Restoring the Burning World Red Lotus to the Inquiring Journey realm was no simple feat. Naturally, As the Burning World Red Lotus underwent restoration, Jiang Chen could reap the benefits. Each time the Burning World Red Lotus healed, his cultivation base and aptitude would enhance! Time ticked by, And the next day approached swiftly. Since Sect Master Feng Jun had already informed him about the Cave Heaven secret realm beforehand, there was no need to revisit the matter. Instead, he remained in the meditation room, continuing to consume pills. Ning Xian was also cultivating in the martial skills practice room, asionally stepping out to arrange the courtyard ording to her preferences. In the blink of an eye, three more days psed. Buzz, buzz, buzz. Dawn arrived. "Phew!" "The effects of this spiritual nt are truly remarkable!" Jiang Chen exhaled a deep breath of turbid Qi. After days of cultivation, his cultivation base had significantly improved, and a breakthrough seemed imminent! Furthermore, His truebat prowess had also increased once more! At this moment, A sudden vibration emanated from the transmission jade token. Jiang Chen''s divine sense swept over it. It was a message sent by the sect''s Deacon Hall! The thirty disciples chosen to enter the Cave Heaven secret realm were to convene at the square before the sect''s Deacon Hall! Chapter 63: Departure, Exchanging for Artifacts "Atst, the moment has arrived!" "I''m curious to see what kind of protagonist we''lle across this time." Taking a deep breath, Jiang Chen stood up and exited the meditation chamber. "Jiang Chen, you''ve emerged!" To his surprise, Ning Xian awaited him outside. "Today, you''ll be venturing into the Cave Heaven secret realm. Exercise caution!" "Don''t fret." "Here, take these items and train diligently while you wait for my return." Jiang Chen gave a nod, then presented a storage ring to Ning Xian. Contained within were an array of medicinal pills, cultivation techniques, and various other essentials. After epting the storage ring, Ning Xian apanied Jiang Chen to the edge of the courtyard, her steps halting with a hint of reluctance. With a warm smile and a wave, Jiang Chen took to the skies! Glide sweeping past several peaks crowned with towering ancient trees. A vast ck hall emerged into view, imposing and dignified, exuding an air of solemnity at first nce. This was the Deacon Hall of the Starry Abyss Sect! In the za before the hall. Over a dozen disciples already stood there, their expressions somber and serious. Sect Master Feng Jun, Grand Elder Yu Wenyao, Deacon Hall Master Tao Fengyu... one by one, the seasoned Mysterious tform realm experts assembled. The matter of the Cave Heaven secret realm bore significance to the entire future of the Starry Abyss Sect and was of utmost importance! "Disciple pays respects to the Sect Master, the Elders, and the Hall Masters." Jiang Chen touched down in the za and offered a slight bow to everyone present. "Hmm! Not bad!" The eyes of Feng Jun, Yu Wenyao, and the other sect elders fell upon Jiang Chen, and they nodded in unison! Evidently, Feng Jun had already apprised the others of Jiang Chen''s remarkable breakthrough in cultivation. Nheless, those disciples remained unaware. Upon discerning that Jiang Chen''s aura had intensified, they instantly regarded him with astonishment! "Brother Jiang Chen! You''ve genuinely advanced to the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm!" "Incredible! Weren''t you at the Early-stage Spiritual Awakening? Now you''ve reached the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening, truly surpassing us in a single stride, remarkable!" "Brother Chen, how did you cultivate? Enlighten me, your junior brother!" "..." A cluster of Spiritual Awakening realm disciples encircled Jiang Chen in amazement, engaging in animated conversation. Even the Chief Disciple Duan Ziming and the two True Disciples Xia Ding and Nie Wei were astounded. While thepetition among the disciples was intensely fierce in private, they maintained amicable rtions on the surface, and even fostered profound friendships among themselves. At this moment, with the sect master and others present, the atmosphere was decidedly harmonious. Furthermore, Since Jiang Chen''s cultivation base had surged to the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening in a single bound, The majority of core disciples promptly altered their form of address, referring to him as senior brother. In response to everyone''s inquiries, Jiang Chen simply stated that he had seized an opportunity during his training beyond the sect''s confines. He then advised that they should not solely rely on the Starry Abyss Heavenly Peak for cultivation and should venture out to explore when time permitted. The junior brothers and sisters wholeheartedly epted this notion. Contemting the uing visit to the Cave Heaven secret realm, everyone was filled with anticipation, envisioning that they, too, could obtain incredible opportunities like Jiang Chen and swiftly advance to higher realms. As a result, the disciples'' morale appeared to have significantly improved. Sect Master Feng Jun and others regarded Jiang Chen with even greater appreciation! Shortly, All thirty disciples had assembled. Three were in the Mysterious tform realm: Duan Ziming, Xia Ding, and Nie Wei! Six individuals, including Jiang Chen, were in the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm. Thebined number of those in the Early-stage and Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening realm totaled twenty-one, with fourteen in the Middle-stage. "Everyone is here, let''s proceed!" Feng Jun surveyed the group, then gestured with his hand, unveiling a colossal spirit boat. A magnificent vessel, gleaming in the sunlight, levitated above the ground. Its exterior was embellished with borate patterns and symbols that appeared to undte and contort as if sentient. This was a top-grade flying artifact in the Mysterious tform realm, a treasured heirloom bequeathed by the Starry Abyss Sect''s ancestors. ''A flying artifact!'' ''I truly need one of these; perhaps I can acquire one through exchange.'' ''With a flying artifact, mobility is significantly enhanced, allowing for more strategic retreats with ease.'' ''Furthermore, consider exchanging for long swords, as well as defensive and auxiliary treasures!'' Jiang Chen contemted, then joined the others in boarding the spirit boat. Boom! The spirit boat quivered gently, transforming into a beam of light and vanishing into the horizon. Aboard the spirit boat. Jiang Chen feigned closing his eyes to rest, but in reality, he was browsing the system mall. He essed the ''Artifacts'' category. Instantly, an extensive array of weapons, armor, and diverse artifacts materialized before Jiang Chen''s eyes. Jiang Chen proceeded to select artifacts for the Mysterious tform realm and the Heavenly Origin realm. A cultivator could only wield weapons corresponding to their own realm. If the weapon''s rank was too high, it would resemble a child attempting to use an oversized hammer - the question of whether they could lift it would arise, and the possibility of self-inflicted harm would be another concern. Naturally, gifted individuals could utilize more potent weapons, but they couldn''t surpass their own realm by a considerable margin. Otherwise,plications would arise. At the moment. Jiang Chen''s truebat prowess was at the ''Peak-stage Mysterious tform'', rendering him nearly invincible below the Heavenly Origin level. With such formidable capabilities, he could already employ Heavenly Origin realm artifacts with lower prerequisites. These Heavenly Origin realm artifacts were more powerful than top-grade Mysterious tform realm artifacts and constituted Jiang Chen''s primary choice. Of course, there were also the Viin Value points to take into ount! ''First, let me exchange for a weapon!'' Jiang Chen promptly searched for all the top-grade Mysterious tform realm and lower-grade Heavenly Origin realm longsword weapons. His weapon of choice was the longsword, and his mastery epassed the first six moves of the Heavenly Origin realm sword technique, known as the Void Rainbow Sword Technique. ''Hmm?'' ''Shadowde Sword!'' Jiang Chen''s gaze swept through the list and halted on a ck longsword. The Shadowde Sword! A lower-grade Heavenly Origin realm weapon that could grow stronger by integrating Shadowde Crystals! ''A growth-type weapon!'' ''While its potential may not be extraordinary, it suffices for short-term use!'' ''It''s you!'' Jiang Chen smiled faintly and opted for the exchange. [Ding! You have expended 2,000 Viin Value points and sessfully exchanged for the Shadowde Sword*1!] Under Jiang Chen''smand. The newly acquired Shadowde Sword materialized within the Moondust Ring. Extending his divine sense. The visage of the Shadowde Sword immediately entered his perception. It was a longsword with a dark hilt that progressively deepened in hue from the spine to the de. This imbued the de with an air of mystery, and a chilling gleam seemed to flow across its surface! ''Sure enough, it''s a Heavenly Origin realm long sword!'' ''Even if it''s a lower-grade, it''s far more formidable than a top-grade Mysterious tform realm weapon!'' ''Next, I''ll exchange a flying artifact!'' Jiang Chen refocused his attention on the system mall panel, disregarding the weapons and seeking flying artifacts. Before long, he chose a top-grade Mysterious tform realm flying artifact: the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle! This flying artifact resembled a shuttle. In Jiang Chen''s eyes, it looked like a cigar from his memory. It was entirely ck, sleek, and possessed a streamlined elegance. ''Flying artifacts naturally consume vast amounts of Yuan Power.'' ''It''s challenging for me to operate a Heavenly Origin realm flying artifact for an extended duration.'' ''This ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle has a speed burst feature, which can temporarily elevate its speed to the range of the Heavenly Origin realm. Quite impressive!'' Jiang Chen stroked his chin and opted to exchange. [Ding! You have spent 1,500 Viin Value points and sessfully exchanged for the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle*1!] As the system prompt echoed, the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle materialized within the Moondust Ring. ''I still have eight thousand seven hundred Viin Value points remaining!'' ''Time to exchange another defensive artifact!'' Jiang Chen surveyed his leftover Viin Value points and resumed browsing the system mall! Chapter 64: The Last Three Layers of the Void Rainbow Sword Technique Incredibly fast! Jiang Chen''s gaze zeroed in on a robe! The Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe! An upper-grade defensive artifact for the Heavenly Origin realm! This was also a robe that could be upgraded with materials! Furthermore, this robe could store energy in advance, so when utilized for defense, it consumed less Yuan Power. Therefore, even though it was an upper-grade artifact of the Heavenly Origin realm, Jiang Chen could still manage the Yuan Power consumption. As for the price... Two thousand six hundred Viin Value points! "System, exchange it for me!" [Ding! You have spent 2,600 Viin Value points, sessfully exchanging for the Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe*1!] The system prompt resounded. A pristine white robe materialized inside the Moondust Ring. The robe was consistently snow-white, but upon closer examination, one could discern subtle silver patterns on it, rendering it both enigmatic and luxurious. ''With the defensive power of the Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe.'' ''Ordinary Mysterious tform realm cultivators wouldn''t be able to breach my defense; only by joining forces and relying on long-term attrition to deplete my energy could they possibly exhaust my Yuan Power and shatter my defense.'' ''If I encounter an expert at the Heavenly Origin realm, depending on the energy I''ve previously umted and my continuous supply of power, I should be able to withstand them for a brief period.'' ''Indeed, with this defensive artifact, my journey to the Cave Heaven secret realm will be considerably safer.'' ''However, I mustn''t lower my guard; after all, I''m destined to cross paths with the protagonist this time!'' ''I just don''t know in what guise of a viin I will emerge this time.'' ''...'' Jiang Chen''s thoughts raced chaotically within his heart. At this moment, Sect Master Feng Jun, along with several elders and hall masters,menced the distribution of medicinal pills and other resources. Thepetition for opportunities within the Cave Heaven secret realm was crucial to the future of the entire Starry Abyss sect. As a result, The sect had invested significantly! For instance, the medicinal pills. Each disciple was granted a substantial amount of healing pills, recovery pills, and several other types of pills. These included high-level detoxification pills, poison pills, and temporary self-destructive secret medicines to enhance strength! An abundance of various medicines was avable. Upon receiving the medicinal pills personally handed to him by Feng Jun, Jiang Chen was astonished to discover that there was even a bottle of aphrodisiac! It appeared they were prepared to utilize any means necessary! "Esteemed disciples!" "We have seven days remaining before we arrive at the location of the Cave Heaven secret realm." "During this time, if you have any questions, please feel free to consult with us or engage in discussions amongst yourselves." After the distribution of the medicinal pills, Feng Jun dered. Upon hearing this, Everyone''s faces beamed with joy. With all the prominent figures of the sect assembled, it presented an excellent opportunity to seek advice on cultivation matters! "Disciple has a question for the Method Transmission Hall Master!" A disciple promptly stepped forward, articted his cultivation method-rted inquiry, and sought guidance. Shortly, He retreated, satisfied with the response he received. The remaining disciples followed suit,ing forward one after another. "Sect Master," "Disciple has a request!" Jiang Chen seized the chance to approach Feng Jun. Only a fool would pass up such a favorable opportunity! "Jiang Chen, please proceed!" Feng Jun responded with a warm smile. "Disciple has already cultivated the ''Void Rainbow Sword Technique'' to the perfect level of the sixthyer." "Originally, the final threeyers necessitate a formal request to obtain the true inheritance for instruction, but given the current urgency, might it be possible to expedite the process?" Jiang Chen gazed at Feng Jun expectantly, speaking in a soft tone. In truth, he desired spiritual nts but couldn''t devise a suitable justification. He could only attempt to acquire the Void Rainbow Sword Technique. "This matter..." "Absolutely not!" "By principle, only true disciples are eligible to receive theplete Void Rainbow Sword Technique, unless they have made significant contributions!" "Jiang Chen, you''re bing increasingly careless. Come here, I need to have a serious discussion with you!" Feng Jun chastised him with a stern countenance, then proceeded towards the interior of the spirit boat. "Yes!" "Disciple acknowledges his mistake!" Jiang Chen''s eyes flickered, and with a resigned expression, he trailed behind Feng Jun. Within the spirit boat''s cabin. The moment Jiang Chen stepped in, Feng Jun swiftly turned to face him, presenting a jade slip and a secret key while dering, "These are the sect''s rules. As your punishment, return and copy them ten thousand times!" "Understood!" "This disciple is willing to copy them a hundred thousand times!" Jiang Chen echoed the sentiment with fervor. Beaming, he offered a respectful bow to Feng Jun, epted the jade slip and secret key, and promptly exited the cabin. No sooner had he left the cabin, Than the gazes of fellow disciples converged upon him! "What are you all staring at!" "Has no one seen someone receive punishment before?" Jiang Chen surveyed the crowd, speaking as his eyes darted about in a frenzy. "Ow!" "Owo!" "Oh~~~!" The other disciples exchanged nces, their eyes suddenly alight with gratitude! Immediately afterward, A line formed at the cabin entrance as disciples eagerly awaited their punishment. "The sect master is truly a benevolent figure!" Jiang Chen lifted the jade slip, activated the secret key, and delved into its contents using his divine sense. Unsurprisingly, it contained the final threeyers of the Void Rainbow Sword Technique. "Mm." "Rules are but lifeless constraints." "At this critical juncture for our sect''s future, the sect master prioritizes the greater good rather than adhering rigidly to the rules. He is, indeed, amendable leader." The head disciple, Duan Ziming, approached Jiang Chen, a warm smile gracing his features. Previously, he hadn''t paid much heed to Jiang Chen. However, in recent days, having observed Jiang Chen, he found himself inexplicably drawn to this junior brother. "Haha." "With you as the future sect master, our Starry Abyss Sect will surely ascend to unprecedented heights." Sensing Duan Ziming''s amicable intentions, Jiang Chen responded with a heartyugh and encouraging words. "Me, the sect master?" "Impossible!" "Let''s not discuss that matter. Here are some insights I''ve gleaned on the Void Rainbow Sword Technique. You may use them as reference, junior brother." Duan Ziming dismissed the notion, then offered Jiang Chen a jade slip. "Thank you, Senior Brother Duan!" Jiang Chen gratefully epted the jade slip, his smile unwavering. "You''re wee. If you have any questions, don''t hesitate to seek me out." Duan Ziming returned the smile and shook his head before turning to depart. ''Having acquired the final threeyers of the Void Rainbow Sword Technique...'' ''Theprehensive knowledge of the technique has been conveniently delivered to me.'' ''This must be another opportunity afforded by the ck Heavenly Fate. Truly, the Heavenly Fate is astoundingly formidable!'' With these thoughts, Jiang Chen took the jade slip and retreated to a cabin tomence his practice. The grand battle loomed on the horizon. Even the smallest enhancement in strength could prove invaluable! Time gradually psed. Jiang Chen remained in his room, diligently studying thetter threeyers of the Void Rainbow Sword Technique. Seven days passed. The seventhyer reached minor aplishment level. The eighthyer reached entry level. Such progress was deemed exceptional. Without Jiang Chen''s foundational knowledge of the earlieryers of the Void Rainbow Sword Technique and the insights offered by Duan Ziming, attaining these results within a mere seven days would have been unattainable. ''Mybat prowess has slightly improved with the addition of these twoyers!'' ''s, the scarcity of spiritual nts prevents me from breaking through to the Late-stage Mysterious tform realm during these seven days!'' ''I must explore the Cave Heaven secret realm for its numerous treasures and find more spiritual nts to utilize.'' Lost in contemtion, Jiang Chen eventually exited his cabin. He arrived on the deck of the spirit boat. Arge group of disciples had already assembled there. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "Greetings, Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "Brother Chen, we can''t thank you enough!" "..." One after another, the core disciples expressed their appreciation and paid their respects to Jiang Chen. As a result of Jiang Chen''s aplishments, they had all received thetter threeyers of the Void Rainbow Sword Technique from the sect master. Thus, everyone was deeply grateful to Jiang Chen. Chapter 65: An Even Stronger Protagonist, Ye Fan ''Everyone has been so kind to me.'' ''If I were to be defeated by the protagonist, they would certainly be devastated.'' ''Then, one by one, they would offer their lives and possessions to the protagonist on a silver tter, until the Starry Abyss Sect waspletely handed over. Ah, such a familiar plot...'' As Jiang Chen responded to everyone, he couldn''t help but smile inwardly. With his presence. He was determined to turn the tide and alter the plot! At that very moment. "We''ve arrived!" "The location of the Cave Heaven secret realm is just ahead!" Sect Master Feng Jun suddenly interjected, reminding everyone. "We''re here!" "This ce is... the Forsaken Serenity Mountain Range!?" "The Forsaken Serenity Mountain Range? Isn''t this a barrennd with scarce spiritual qi? The Cave Heaven secret realm is actually located here!?" "This ce, where even ordinary nts struggle to survive and there are hardly any birds to be seen, is actually where the Cave Heaven secret realm is located. It''s truly beyond anyone''s expectations!" "Perhaps it''s precisely because this ce is so ordinary and unrted to cultivation that the Cave Heaven secret realm was only discovered now!" "Yes, that makes sense!" "..." Everyone leaned on the railing, looking down from the deck, and observed a deste and witheredndscape, which immediately sparked a flurry of discussion! ''The Cave Heaven secret realm is situated in a destend devoid of spiritual qi.'' ''Ah, another familiar setting!'' ''Within this secret realm, there could either be a great demon absorbing the spiritual qi, or some kind of ultimate treasure, or other incredible opportunities...'' ''If the protagonist appeared, these great opportunities would have been prepared for him, and he would undoubtedly ovee all obstacles and reap all the benefits!'' ''However, now that I''m here, hehe!'' A cold smile appeared on Jiang Chen''s lips. Suddenly. Two ck dots appeared in front of the spirit boat. Upon closer inspection, they were two flying artifacts. One was a massive kite, and the other was a colossal broadsword! "Floating Spirit Sect!" "Heavenly de School!" "These are the other two major sects in our Mysterious Truth Continent, on par with our Starry Abyss Sect!" "They arrived even earlier than us!" "This time, in the Cave Heaven secret realmpetition, it''s first a contest between the three continents, then followed by thepetition between sects. We can join forces with these two major sects!" Everyone engaged in another round of lively discussion. Shortly after, the ethereal spirit boat of the Starry Abyss Sect glided between the kite and the broadsword. "Daoist Friend Feng Jun!" A man and a woman, both esteemed Mysterious tform realm experts, greeted Feng Jun with hands sped together. "Daoist Friend Shao Yun! Daoist Friend Xia Hou!" Feng Jun reciprocated the gesture, "Have the delegates from the Bright Cloud Continent and the Snowy Wind Continent not arrived yet?" "Not yet!" Shao Yun, the sect master of the Floating Spirit Sect, shook her head. However, before she could borate further, seven colossal flying artifacts emerged in the distance. These flying artifactsprised spirit boats, soaring swords, snowkes, and more. As it turned out, the parties from the Snowy Wind Continent and the Bright Cloud Continent had arrived simultaneously! With the teams from the three continents converging. A trace of tension gradually permeated the air, akin to gunpowder on the verge of ignition. The atmosphere grew increasingly taut and frigid! Potent auras emanated from the bodies of the experts, intertwining high above, making it appear as though the very air had ceased to flow! ''Viin''s Eye!'' Jiang Chen stood on the deck, his mind agitated, as his gaze scanned across numerous formidable figures. In due course. His eyes focused on an unassuming youth donning a in ck robe, with a nondescript face, inconspicuously crouching in a corner. This seemingly ordinary youth was none other than the protagonist! [Name: Ye Fan Realm: Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening Status: Protagonist Heavenly Fate Value: 9968/9968] ''Ye Fan!'' ''A quintessential protagonist name!'' ''Furthermore, a Heavenly Fate Value nearing ten thousand!'' ''This Ye Fan far surpasses Lin Feng!'' Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes and discreetly averted his gaze to prevent drawing the attention of the other party. Ye Fan appeared unassuming, likely adept at concealing his true capabilities. If Jiang Chen stared at him for too long, it might render Ye Fan even more vignt! Upon redirecting his gaze. Jiang Chen employed the Viin''s Eye to scrutinize the others around him. Instantaneously! A series of panels materialized, all showcasing supporting characters! Moreover. Jiang Chen discovered that he could now peruse the panels of the Starry Abyss Sect disciples nearby, which indicated they had transitioned from mere passersby to supporting characters. ''Incredible!'' ''Everyone here is your supporting character!'' Jiang Chen''s gaze grew icy as he began to assess the Fate Value of each supporting character. By examining the Fate Value of the supporting characters, he could estimate their lifespans and determine when they might meet their demise. Nheless. There were quite a few individuals this time, and they were in apetitive rtionship, so the fatalities might not necessarily be attributable to the protagonist. Hence, anticipating the protagonist''s actions this time proved even more formidable! ''Nevertheless.'' ''I can still deduce from the supporting characters with the highest Fate Values.'' ''These individuals are likely to endure until the end, either because they harbor no animosity towards the protagonist and manage to persist, or because they are close allies of the protagonist and may coborate!'' ''Of course, the most usible scenario remains the protagonist acting autonomously.'' ''...'' Jiang Chen scrutinized each person one by one, rapidly contemting in his mind, ensuring no detail went unnoticed! In due time. Jiang Chen acquired a general understanding of the supporting characters in this narrative. Firstly, there were the sect masters from various sects. Essentially, aside from Feng Jun, whose Fate Value wasparatively low, the others appeared quite ordinary, aligning with the Fate Value of Mysterious tform realm experts. Moreover, regarding their strength. Their realms were predominantly in the Late-stage Mysterious tform, nearing the Heavenly Origin realm! Furthermore. The Fate Values of the elder-level members from the different sects were rtively lower within the Starry Abyss Sect, but their cultivation bases were fairly alike. The sect masters and elder-level figures from all factions wouldn''t personally venture into the Cave Heaven secret realm, thus eliminating the possibility of their demise within. As for the disciples belonging to the various sects. Jiang Chen discovered that the Fate Values of the majority of his own faction''s disciples were exceptionally low, even epassing chief disciple Duan Ziming! Their Fate Values were so dismal that it was evident they were destined to perish within the Cave Heaven secret realm. As for the disciples from the other sects. Their Fate Values were significantly higher than those of the Starry Abyss Sect. A select few possessed especially elevated Fate Values, suggesting that they would likely obtain substantial advantages within the Cave Heaven secret realm. Concerning these individuals. Jiang Chen kept a watchful eye on them all! Simultaneously. ''Jiang Chen!'' ''Starry Abyss Sect''s Jiang Chen!'' ''How dare you meddle and disrupt the affairs of our Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain! Today, I will ensure you die with no whole bones left!'' Aboard the floating artifact of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, an old man on the verge of entering the Heavenly Origin realm cast a murderous gaze upon Jiang Chen. This individual was none other than the sect master of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, Gao Zhang! The incidents in Autumn Glory City. Through various intelligence sources, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain had already be aware of the overall situation. For instance, Jiang Chen had in the individuals from the Illusory ying Tower, and he had also taken Ning Xian into the Starry Abyss Sect. As a result. Gao Zhang''s animosity towards Jiang Chen had prated deep into his very core! Had it not been for Jiang Chen, he would have already obtained the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records! Chapter 66: The Opening of the Cave Heaven Secret Realm Elsewhere. Aboard the flying artifact of the Snowy Wind Continent''s Azure Jade Sect. ''This time, the struggle over the Cave Heaven secret realm involves the Starry Abyss Sect from the Mysterious Truth Continent as one of the participating sects.'' ''Before Jiang Xingyang''s subordinate perished, he mentioned that Jiang Xingyang had a son named Jiang Chen, who was cultivating in the Starry Abyss Sect, with a status not to be underestimated. He should be present for this asion too!'' ''Jiang Xingyang, you annihted my entire n in pursuit of the Wordless Heavenly Jade. I vow to exact vengeance, repaying blood with blood, and eradicate your Jiang n down to thest member!!'' Ye Fan lowered his head, his fists tightly clenched with prominent veins, clearly consumed by immense hatred. Nevertheless, he adamantly refrained from gazing at the Starry Abyss Sect''s flying spirit boat to avoid betraying any hostility and attracting undue attention to himself. His origins were modest! Furthermore, he had been raised in a myriad of perilous environments since childhood. Had he not been more vignt than others at all times, he would have perished long ago, and he would never have acquired the supreme treasure ''Wordless Heavenly Jade'' that could elevate him to extraordinary heights! As for the enmity towards the Jiang n... When Ye Fan was just fifteen years old. Jiang Xingyang and his associates arrived in Lasting Mountain City on the Snowy Wind Continent, and subsequently epted him as a disciple. As time went on. They tormented him because of the Wordless Heavenly Jade. Even after he managed to escape with the Wordless Heavenly Jade in hand, they went to the extreme of annihting his entire n! Following that incident. There was an extended period of flight! Relying on the Wordless Heavenly Jade, Ye Fan managed to avert disaster after disaster, and ultimately seeded in vanquishing Jiang Xingyang and his wife... The supreme treasure, Wordless Heavenly Jade. It enabled Ye Fan to rapidly master an unfamiliar cultivation method in an incredibly short span of time, allowing him to swiftly attain the perfect level! Up until now. Ye Fan had mastered a vast array of cultivation methods. Though his cultivation realm remained at the Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening, hisbat prowess had long since surpassed the Late-stage Mysterious tform realm. The crux was that he possessed numerous methods at his fingertips. He was simply too challenging to defend against! Ordinary Mysterious tform realm cultivators were no match for him, and even those at the Late-stage Mysterious tform realm would find it arduous to defeat him! It was precisely due to this. Ye Fan managed to eliminate the two Mysterious tform realm experts, Jiang Xingyang and his wife! ''Let''s seize this opportunity toprehend additional cultivation methods.'' ''During this Cave Heaven secret realm expedition, I must acquire more cultivation methods to hone!'' Ye Fan inhaled deeply, ced his right hand on his chest, concealing the Wordless Heavenly Jade beneath his clothing, and a glimmer of determination flickered in his eyes. But just at this moment. "Everyone!" "Come forward and discuss once more; let''s finalize the n!" A muscr man, exuding a powerful aura, stepped forward and shouted loudly. His voice resembled that of a ferocious, wild ancient beast, brimming with savagery. After this individual put forth the suggestion. Whoosh! The sect masters from the ten major sects across the Mysterious Truth, Snowy Wind, and Bright Cloud continents emerged from their respective sects'' flying artifacts. Each continent''s sect masters journeyed together, forming three camps, and convened in the center. ording to intelligence gathered by the various major sects. At noon, when the yang Qi reached its peak, the Cave Heaven secret realm would exhibit a subtle, seemingly insignificant anomaly. The location of this anomaly also served as the dynamic entrance to the Cave Heaven secret realm. By harnessing the power of numerous Mysterious tform realm experts, a teleportation entrance could be activated. However, this teleportation entrance was single-use and had a limited duration. Once the time psed, the entrance would vanish and could no longer be essed. Those who failed to exit would be trapped inside for the remainder of their lives. As documented, the existence of the Cave Heaven secret realm was not permanent, and an ancient Cave Heaven secret realm could abruptly copse and be destroyed. Naturally, any living beings inside would also perish, with no ce toy their remains. "Fellow Daoists." "Concerning the rules of this Cave Heaven secret realm, if you have any objections, please voice them now so we may discuss them." "However, if we have already consented to these rules and choose to renege on our agreement, we must face thebined assaults of the other sects!" A stately middle-aged man dered. This individual was none other than the sect master of the Heavenly de School, Xia Hou! His cultivation base had already advanced to the threshold of the Heavenly Origin realm. Moreover, as a pure sword cultivator, his offensive techniques surpassed those of typical schools, rendering hisbat prowess nearly on par with a genuine Heavenly Origin realm expert. At the very least. Outwardly, this man was the most formidable among all those present! Thus. He was selected to serve as the provisional host. After concluding his statement, Xia Hou surveyed the assembly. Everyone exchanged nces, and no one raised objections, signaling their unspoken consensus. "Since no one has any objections." "Let us proceed ording to the rules we previously agreed upon!" "Each sect will send thirty disciples under the age of fifty in bone age to enter the Cave Heaven secret realm and vie for opportunities!" "The entrance will remain open for three months; everyone, be sure to remind your disciples!" "Now, let usmence verifying the bone age of each sect''s disciples! We aim to enter the Cave Heaven secret realm by noon today!" "..." Following Xia Hou''s promation, disciples from the various sects initiated the public bone age examination! Subsequently. The different sects unveiled their unique testing artifacts. Every disciple was required to pass through the testing artifacts of the ten major sects. "Ke Pengyue, bone age 38!" "Du Yeye, bone age 49!" "Fei Sitian, bone age 42!" "Duan Ziming, bone age 43!" "Jiang Chen, bone age 20!" Following a series of examinations. Numerous individuals possessed a bone age of fifty. Yet, all the disciples met the criteria, staying within the eptable range! In truth, everyone understood that tampering with bone age was impossible! Thus, they refrained from exerting any effort to deceive. "The disciple examination isplete!" "Now, draw lots to determine the order of entry!" Xia Hou announced once more, and then brought out a box for drawing lots. This box allowed the pration of divine sense. However, the ten small balls within were crafted from unique materials impervious to divine sense. Once the sect masters and elders from the major sects inspected and verified that there were no issues with the device, the drawing of lotsmenced! The Starry Abyss Sect drew the final position. Jiang Chen nced toward the Azure Jade Sect, where Ye Fan was situated, and they drew the eighth position! ''Excellent!'' ''If the teleportation locations are fixed, I can gain a slight advantage!'' ''Even a small edge can be extremely valuable!'' ''...'' Jiang Chen contemted, then sat cross-legged on the ground, waiting patiently! Time gradually passed. The sun slowly ascended, and finally, at a specific moment, it reached its zenith. Within the mountain range encircled by the ten major sects, wisps of white ribbon-like phenomena emerged! "Now is the time!" Xia Hou uttered a soft exmation, and a pure surge of Yuan Power descended upon the white ribbon-like phenomenon. Instantly. Feng Jun and others sessively sprang into action. Ten cascades of Yuan Power descended from above, resembling waterfalls crashing onto the phenomenon! Under the vignt gaze of all the disciples. The white ribbon-like phenomenon gradually expanded and started to exhibit a rotational motion! At this instant. Elders from the major sects stepped forward one by one, infusing their own Yuan Power. In a sh. The phenomenon''s expansion hastened, and it slowly began to spin, forming a vortex! "The first sect, Beast Emperor Mountain, enter!" Xia Hou dered in a low tone. Immediately, thirty disciples from the Beast Emperor Mountain filed into the vortex, vanishing from view. Shortly after. Disciples from one sect after another entered the Cave Heaven secret realm, and it rapidly became the Starry Abyss Sect''s turn. A note from AlphaWIA: Thank you for reading this chapter of "Great Viin: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate"! If you enjoyed it, please consider following me on Twitter [@DaoistAlphaWIA] for thetest updates, news, and discussions about the novel. Your support means the world to me, and I appreciate every one of you joining me on this incredible journey. Happy reading! [Follow me on Twitter: /DaoistAlphaWIA] Chapter 67: Entering the Cave Heaven Secret Realm "Starry Abyss Sect, enter!" With Sect Master Feng Jun''smanding shout, The disciples of the Starry Abyss Sect, led by Duan Ziming, ascended into the air one by one, flying towards the vortex. Jiang Chen seamlessly merged into the group and soared in as well. As soon as he prated the vortex, He instantly experienced a wave of disorientation. It was as though the light before him had transformed into a spiral! Subsequently, A sudden, intense radiance emerged before his eyes, apanied by the sensation of his feet making contact with solid ground. "We''ve arrived!" "Is this the inside of the Cave Heaven secret realm?" "I can sense the abundant spiritual qi here; it''s even denser than at our Starry Abyss Heavenly Peak!" "Hahaha, we are among the rare few who can enter the Cave Heaven secret realm. This in itself is a lifetime''s worth of stories to share!" "Yes, but, fellow disciples, the Cave Heaven secret realm is quite perilous this time. We must all prioritize our safety and return unharmed!" "Exactly, let''s go! Let''s seek out opportunities, and everyone, remember to be cautious!" "..." Amid the animated discussions of the crowd, most people were visibly exhrated. The primary reason was that Jiang Chen''s consecutive breakthroughs during his ''experience outside the sect'' had inspired them! ''So, this is the Cave Heaven secret realm!'' ''Wherever the protagonist appears, great opportunities always follow!'' ''And this type of crucial domain often harbors significant opportunities that can substantially empower the protagonist!'' ''Minor chances that can be casually discovered along the way are not even worth considering.'' ''Ye Fan entered here before me; I must first determine his whereabouts!'' ''...'' Jiang Chen contemted in his heart, and then promptly unleashed his divine sense, enveloping a radius of one thousand meters around him! Regarding Ye Fan, Jiang Chen held a realm advantage over him! Not only in actualbat power, But also in terms of divine sense, his detection radius was considerably broader than Ye Fan''s! This was because methods dedicated to enhancing divine sense alone were genuinely rare, and their effects were not particrly remarkable. The main way to improve divine sense involved advancing one''s realm. At this very moment, As he extended his divine sense, Jiang Chen promptly detected members from other sects! Among them was the Azure Jade Sect, to which Ye Fan belonged! ''It seems so.'' ''While the teleportation in this Cave Heaven secret realm possesses a random element, it isn''t particrly strong.'' ''The shorter the interval between cultivators'' arrivals, the closer their proximity!'' A spark flickered in Jiang Chen''s eyes as his divine sense swept across the members of the Azure Jade Sect, particrly concentrating on Ye Fan. As for the whereabouts of the protagonist, Jiang Chen was determined to keep it under control. However, at this juncture, Jiang Chen possessed minimal knowledge about the protagonist Ye Fan, not even aware of the nature of his trump card. He could only surmise, based on Ye Fan''s unassuming appearance, that this individual was likely the type to feign ignorance and strike unexpectedly, amassing wealth discreetly. Such protagonists were typically cautious! ''I must observe further.'' ''I cannot act recklessly... Otherwise, if he possesses some sort of extraordinary trump card and defeats me, it''ll be the end.'' Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes, his heart on high alert like a vignt cat. Aside from Jiang Chen, Chief disciple Duan Ziming and the two other true disciples were also observing the other sects. Naturally, the other sects were keeping a watchful eye on the Starry Abyss Sect as well. Some disciples disyed murderous intent on their faces, a stark contrast to their demeanor outside the Cave Heaven secret realm, evidently prepared to unleash their fury and embark on a rampage! "Everyone, stay vignt!" "Many individuals from those sects harbor ill intentions, so do not be separated!" Duan Ziming directed the group of disciples and specifically nodded at Jiang Chen. "Mm." Jiang Chen smiled, signaling his understanding. "We understand, Chief Senior Brother!" The group replied in unison. Just at that moment, "Wow!" "There are actually so many spiritual nts here!" "Although their ranks aren''t very high, it''s still astonishing to find them scattered on the ground like this!" Someone stumbled upon a vast cluster of spiritual nts and was immediately ovee with excitement, their entire body quivering. "Quick, quick, quick!" "There''s more here, and over there too!" "There are so many! This Cave Heaven secret realm has absorbed the spiritual qi of the Forsaken Serenity Mountain Range for countless years. There must be a wealth of treasures!" "Yes, yes, yes, this Cave Heaven secret realm is an extraordinary treasure trove. We must return fullyden this time!" "I''ve made up my mind; after I go back, I''ll propose to the junior sister who has stood by me for ten years!" Glimpsing the natural treasures, everyone''s eyes sparkled brightly, and they couldn''t help but scatter. "Everyone, stay cautious!" "Watch out for disciples from rival sects with malicious intent." "This Cave Heaven secret realm hasn''t been visited by anyone for countless years! Unknown dangers may lie in wait!" Duan Ziming observed the dispersing crowd and couldn''t help but furrow his brow. However. He couldn''t stop them. After all, this was an opportunity for them! For cultivators, obstructing someone''s chance was nearly as unforgivable as killing their parents! Fortunately. Disciples from other sects behaved simrly. Enticed by the opportunities scattered around them, they gradually dispersed! Since opportunities were abundant. The major sects had no intention ofpeting, for the time being, choosing instead to focus on gathering a plethora of natural treasures. Therefore. Even though they were dispersing, the major sects appeared to tacitly agree to head in separate directions. Duan Ziming and the others perceived this as a positive development. However, in Jiang Chen''s eyes, this situation was far from ideal. If they continued to disperse in this manner, Ye Fan would soon be beyond his surveince reach. Furthermore. As the protagonist, Ye Fan was destined to experience certain plot developments. For instance, demonstrating his prowess and putting others in their ce. Hence, there might be adversaries of Ye Fan within the Azure Jade Sect, who would be the targets of a well-deserved rebuke! If Jiang Chen failed to prevent Ye Fan from unting his abilities and humbling others, he would be unable to acquire Viin Value. Most crucially. Jiang Chen hypothesized that the protagonist''s Heavenly Fate Value was not inherent but rather rued over time. For example, seizing opportunities, showcasing his skills, and debunking others'' ims to bolster confidence and reputation could potentially elevate the Heavenly Fate Value. Jiang Chen was resolute in his decision to thwart Ye Fan''s attempts to show off, as well as to deny him any opportunities. ''What should I do?'' ''Should I simply barge in and instigate a group battle?'' ''No, no, not only am I unfamiliar with Ye Fan''s full capabilities, but even the Starry Abyss Sect''s fellow disciples would disapprove of such a heedless tactic.'' ''I could end up bing aughingstock.'' Jiang Chen found himself deep in thought, feeling somewhat perplexed. He observed as the major sects dispersed, gradually increasing the distance between one another. All of a sudden! "All disciples of nearby sects, halt!" Jiang Chen decisively activated his Yuan Power and shouted with great force! The intensity of his voice was immense. It was ear-splitting, leading people to question whether he had employed a special technique. To avoid revealing the extent of his divine sense range, he had no choice but to resort to shouting. Simultaneously. Everyone''s attention was effectively captured by Jiang Chen. "Junior Brother Jiang Chen, what are you doing?" Duan Ziming inquired, perplexed. The other disciples also directed their gazes toward Jiang Chen, filled with bewilderment. Disciples from other sects regarded Jiang Chen with derisive expressions on their faces. "Hehe!" "Let us stop?!" "Who is he? If hemands us to halt, do we simply obey? Absurd!" "I recognize this individual; he''s Jiang Chen from the Starry Abyss Sect. A mere Early-stage Spiritual Awakening realm cultivator dares to utter such audacious words!" "Heh, Jiang Chen? Never heard of him! Let''s proceed, let''s proceed, continue gathering natural treasures!" Disciples from other sects scoffed one after another, preparing to resume their treasure collection. However, among them, one individual''s eyes suddenly shed with a chilling, murderous intent! That person was none other than Ye Fan! Chapter 68: Joining Forces, Isnt That Wonderful? ''Jiang Chen!'' ''It''s him, Jiang Chen!'' ''He truly entered this Cave Heaven secret realm!'' ''Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm, huh? Hehe, excellent! Jiang Xingyang, today I shall avenge the blood debt!'' ''However, I cannot recklessly attack him now.'' ''Hisbat prowess may be as concealed as mine, and he has too many allies beside him!'' ''I must carefully observe him and await the ideal opportunity!'' ''...'' With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Ye Fan''s icy stare receded like a sheathed de. Simultaneously. Within the Azure Jade Sect, another sullen-faced man asionally cast his gaze upon Ye Fan. His name was Li Teng. This very Ye Fan had ruthlessly humiliated him during the sect''sbat examination! This time around. He wouldn''t let Ye Fan off the hook! ''I shall make you wish for death!'' Li Teng thought to himself, then sneered at Jiang Chen with contempt. What a farce! Bold enough to ask them to cease? Just at that moment. "Everyone, hear me out!" Jiang Chen spoke once more, "I possess crucial information that pertains to the opportunities we can seize!" Upon hearing this. Those who initially intended to disregard Jiang Chen''s words and persist in their treasure hunt suddenly grew intrigued, their gazes sharpened! "Junior Brother Jiang Chen!" "What are you referring to?" "How is it that we weren''t aware you possessed such crucial information?" "Indeed, if you hold such vital information, why didn''t you share it with us privately instead of making a public announcement?" "Jiang Chen, don''t dy and tell us, what exactly is your intention?" "..." Duan Ziming, Xia Ding, Nie Wei, and others regarded Jiang Chen with increased bewilderment, incessantly asking questions. ''Sigh!'' ''If only I weren''t a viin but rather the protagonist, I''d likely face mockery from the entire sect, only to make a triumphant return and deliver a resounding p to their faces!'' ''Yet, I am a viin, a viin with extremely united senior and junior brothers!'' ''Hmm, they do treat me quite well!'' With these thoughts, a contented smile graced Jiang Chen''s face. During this Cave Heaven secret realm expedition, if he had any spare capacity, he would endeavor to safeguard them. However, if he couldn''t even assure his own safety, then he would have no option but to abandon that notion. "Hey!" "That Jiang Chen from the Starry Abyss Sect!" "What kind of information do you possess? Speak up quickly! If we discover you''re toying with us, we won''t hesitate to y you alive!" "That''s right, if you have something to say, then get on with it!" Numerous people were growing incredibly impatient! Information regarding the Cave Heaven secret realm was exceedingly valuable! Why would anyone disclose it publicly? Thus, it was highly probable that Jiang Chen was merely toying with them! If not for the immense allure of the Cave Heaven secret realm information, they wouldn''t have paid any attention! From the side of the Starry Abyss Sect. "Fellow senior and junior brothers!" "I have my reasons for this course of action, just observe!" Jiang Chen nodded to Duan Ziming and the others before eximing once more: "I am Jiang Chen from the Starry Abyss Sect, possessing a unique ability to detect spiritual nts. The higher the rank of the spiritual nt, the more easily I can sense it!" "Logically, I ought to keep this ability hidden and revel in the natural treasures all by myself!" "However, the Cave Heaven secret realm teems with peril, and I dare not venture in solo to gather spiritual nts." "Even if our entire Starry Abyss Sect were to join forces, I stillck confidence!" "It''s not that our Starry Abyss Sect is weak, but rather that the risks are simply too immense, and undertaking such a gamble is not worth it!" Within this Cave Heaven secret realm. If anyone asserted that it was devoid of dangers, Jiang Chen would never believe it, even at the cost of his life! There had to be dangers! And immense dangers at that! Dangers potent enough to effortlessly annihte even a cultivator at the Mysterious tform realm! "What?!" "That Jiang Chen ims he can detect spiritual nts!" "Impossible, does he believe he''s a treasure-seeking spirit rat?!" "No, this Jiang Chen dares to make such a deration in public; he must possess genuine abilities!" "Indeed, his point is that the Cave Heaven secret realm is fraught with dangers! It''s excessively risky and not worth it for them to venture in alone! Thus, they wish to coborate with us!" "I''m uncertain if that''s the case, or perhaps he merely desires to unt his skills?" "Idiot, who would boast in such a manner! He''s not some yboy hailing from a wealthy family!" Disciples from various sects engaged in animated discussions before refocusing their attention on Jiang Chen. "Cough, cough!" "Fellow Daoist friends!" "This Cave Heaven secret realm is vast! Opportunities abound!" "Yet consider this, if numerous low-level opportunities exist, wouldn''t there also be an abundance of high-level ones?!" "Undoubtedly, right?!" "However, those more valuable prospects are likely apanied by lurking dangers!" "Individually, none of our sects possess exceptional strength." "Furthermore, our time is constrained, making it challenging to seize the most exceptional opportunities in such a brief period!" "Nheless, by uniting our efforts, we can potentially forge ahead together, and when confronting hazards, our chances of survival will be enhanced!" "Upon acquiring these opportunities, we can distribute them ording to our contributions in the end the more effort one puts forth, the greater the rewards. Isn''t that splendid?!" Jiang Chen cleared his throat, persistently channeled his Yuan Power, and bellowed loudly! Upon hearing this statement, Everyone present exchanged nces. Indeed! This Cave Heaven secret realm brimmed with treasures, yet they were not all equal in value; there were rankings among them! Given the limited time, only the acquisition of higher-ranked treasures would truly be considered a gain! The dilemma, however, Was that this marked the first time anyone had ventured into this Cave Heaven secret realm, and consequently, no information existed regarding the whereabouts of the treasures. In essence, everything surrounding them was shrouded in mystery! Under such conditions, it proved challenging to deliberately seek out high-level natural treasures. Furthermore, there were the unforeseen perils. Contemting this, The disciples from various sects abruptly realized that Jiang Chen''s words held considerable merit! "Jiang Chen is right!" "I believe we should coborate and explore this treasureden realm together, maximizing our gains within the limited time avable!" "Rather than squandering our time on these low-value prospects!" The Floating Spirit Sect''s chief disciple, Mu Tao, a beautiful and curvaceous female cultivator, nodded in agreement. The Floating Spirit Sect had previously interacted with the Starry Abyss Sect, and their rtionship was amicable. "Yes!" "I concur that Jiang Chen from the Starry Abyss Sect is indeed urate." "We can forge a temporary alliance!" "Although he can only detect spiritual nts, those alone would suffice for us to returnden with treasures." "Additionally, we can concurrently seek out other opportunities, primarily to confront hazards collectively!" Another sect''s chief disciple from the Snowy Wind Continent''s Ice Heart School, Miao Xiaorui, a beautiful female disciple as well, expressed her agreement with the proposition. The two beauties concurred in unison. Instantly, others couldn''t help but specte whether they were captivated by Jiang Chen''s allure. After all, Jiang Chen was undeniably handsome and possessed considerable charisma. Particrly after acquiring the Burning World Red Lotus and undergoing a transformation. As for Jiang Chen, he cast a nce at Ye Fan. Under typical circumstances, the protagonist was often good-looking and well-received by stunning women. However, Ye Fan appeared slightly different, possessing average looks. He likely belonged to the category with a solitary heroine or no heroine at all. Though the two chief female disciples were striking, they merely served as ordinary supporting characters and disyed no interest in Ye Fan. At this moment. A note from AlphaWIA: Thank you for reading this chapter of "Great Viin: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate"! If you enjoyed it, please consider following me on Twitter [@DaoistAlphaWIA] for thetest updates, news, and discussions about the novel. Your support means the world to me, and I appreciate every one of you joining me on this incredible journey. Happy reading! [Follow me on Twitter: /DaoistAlphaWIA] Chapter 69: All These Efforts Had Not Been for Naught "Hmph!" "Although Jiang Chen''s words may hold some truth, the foundation of his argument lies in the authenticity of his ability to detect spiritual nts!" "Otherwise, wouldn''t we simply be aimlessly wandering while following him?" "Opportunities would surely elude us in such a situation!" A male disciple of average appearance snorted coldly, clearly a highly skeptical individual. "Yes, yes, yes!" "I believe Jiang Chen is fabricating the truth. Throughout my life, I''ve nevere across any talent that enables one to detect spiritual nts!" "Even those possessing Medicinal Spirit Bodies can only vaguely sense the presence of spiritual nts when in close proximity." A disciple hailing from Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain stepped forward and expressed his disdain. The Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain harbored a deep resentment towards Jiang Chen. Not only had Jiang Chen thwarted their schemes, but he might have also acquired the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records. Their animosity towards Jiang Chen ran deep and intense. Given the chance, they would dly tear Jiang Chen to shreds! If an alliance were formed, what justification would remain for eliminating Jiang Chen? "Jiang Chen!" "In my view, you should simply demonstrate your capability!" "Once verified, I shall represent the Azure Jade Sect in giving our consent!" The chief disciple of the Azure Jade Sect, a somewhat weary-looking young man, chimed in. "Yes!" "Jiang Chen,e on, demonstrate your abilities!" Mu Tao, the chief disciple of the Floating Spirit Sect, nodded at Jiang Chen, signaling encouragement. "Very well, let everyone witness my prowess." Jiang Chen''s lips curved into a smile. He then closed his eyes and directed his right hand towards the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade! Instantly. The Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade flipped over, its me-like patterns quivering subtly. In fact, this was an additional function of the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade, enabling the extension of one''s divine sense! Jiang Chen executed this maneuver. Firstly, to create a deceptive appearance and mask his Burning World Red Lotus. Secondly, to enhance his divine sense''s reach and boost the chances of locating spiritual nts. Certainly. The Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade was exclusively a treasure for those in the Spiritual Awakening realm. Additionally, its primary purpose was to refine divine sense. Inparison, the capability to extend divine sense was considerably weaker, with the amplification range limited to a mere one-fifth. Moreover, upon expansion. The overall coverage of the divine sense and the precision of observation would be substantially diminished. Consequently. Jiang Chen had never utilized this function before. Now, however, it could serve a valuable purpose. With the enhancement of divine sense, the spiritual nt detection ability provided by the Burning World Red Lotus would be significantly amplified. The two abilitiesplemented each other, enabling Jiang Chen to sense spiritual nts within a five-kilometer radius! At that moment. As Jiang Chen executed this maneuver, the dark me-like pattern on his forehead captured everyone''s attention. "What is that me-like pattern?" "Previously, Senior Brother Jiang Chen didn''t have this mark on his forehead. It must be another fortunate encounter he had during his descent from the mountain. How envious!" "..." Duan Ziming and the others were all deceived by Jiang Chen, not to mention the cultivators from other sects. "That ck me is his treasure!" "Can it genuinely detect spiritual nts?" "In my view, it''s likely urate. I''m somewhat thrilled, perhapster we might find a Heavenly Origin realm spiritual nt!" "The oue hasn''t emerged yet, don''t celebrate prematurely!" "The higher the expectation, the greater the potential disappointment!" The cultivators from other sects engaged in conversation, all fixated on Jiang Chen. At this moment. "I''ve found it!" "I won''t bother mentioning the low-level spiritual nts." "To the east of Ice Heart School, just over a thousand steps away, lies a cave concealing a multitude of Spiritual Awakening realm nts - the Thirteen-Leaf Fragrant Flowers!" "North of Floating Spirit Sect, hidden beneath an inconspicuous boulder, resides a Mysterious tform realm Thousand-Legged Spirit Stem!" "Regrettably, I couldn''t locate any Heavenly Origin realm spiritual nts. I''ll need to change locations for that." After sensing, Jiang Chen reported his findings. He held nothing back. To him, these spiritual nts held little value. More importantly. His primary concern was confronting Ye Fan! Allowing Ye Fan to develop ording to the original plot for the sake of minor gains would be catastrophic! "So quickly!?" "This Jiang Chen is truly adept!" "Let''s go! Let''s see if it''s true!" "I don''t believe it. We from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain also want to go and verify! I want to expose his deception!" "I''m going too, I''m going too! If it turns out to be true, it would be fantastic to snatch some!" Instantly, a considerable number of people, exhibiting varying levels of doubt, made their way toward the location specified by Jiang Chen. They moved with astonishing speed. If it were true, a vast number of spiritual nts suitable for those in the Spiritual Awakening realm would be avable! And those Mysterious tform realm spiritual nts, even their sect masters would regard them as treasures! Before long, The two swiftest individuals managed to seize the spiritual nts. They were the chief disciples of Floating Spirit School and Ice Heart School, Mu Tao and Miao Xiaorui. Their sects were already situated rtively close to the spiritual nts, making them the first to reap the benefits. "What?!" "Could it be true?!" "Jiang Chen truly possesses the ability to sense spiritual nts in his surroundings!" "Sigh, I''m envious. If I had such a gift, I''d surely venture alone to im all the spiritual nts for myself!" "You''re naive. The Cave Heaven secret realm is treacherous; you''d likely meet your end after gathering only a few spiritual nts!" "Indeed. Jiang Chen made the wisest decision. His unique ability to sense spiritual nts ensures he contributes the most and reaps the greatest rewards. Inadvertently, we''ve be his protectors. His strategic thinking is truly impressive!" Astonishment rippled through the crowd, and many gazed at Jiang Chen with newfound admiration. As for the people of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, their eyes widened in disbelief! "How can this be?!" "Even possessing a Medicinal Spirit Body, aplishing such a feat is challenging!" "Directly sensing those far-off spiritual nts is truly astonishing!" "It all stems from that ck me within his brow. That power should belong to our Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain!" "Indeed. Our Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain excels in the arts of healing and alchemy. That treasure would be put to good use in our hands!" The people of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain discussed the matter, their voices filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment. At that moment, "These spiritual nts cater to the Spiritual Awakening and Mysterious tform realms." "Should Ie across spiritual nts for the Heavenly Origin realm, I could detect them even more rapidly!" "Now, esteemed geniuses of various sects, choosedo you wish to ally with our Starry Abyss Sect?" Jiang Chen surveyed everyone, his smile radiant as he spoke with confidence. "We, the Floating Spirit Sect, consent to join forces with the Starry Abyss Sect!" "We, the Ice Heart School, also concur in allying with the Starry Abyss Sect!" "The Azure Jade Sect stands in agreement as well!" "We, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain... acquiesce!" Following this series of promations, all four sects in proximity to the Starry Abyss Sect conveyed their eagerness to unite their efforts! Abruptly! [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot, leading the protagonist Ye Fan to miss certain opportunities. Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value has diminished by 800 points!] [Ding! You have rued 1500 points of Viin Value!] ''Incredible!'' ''The plot has shifted!'' ''And Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased significantly! I''ve umted so many Viin Value points!'' ''It appears that after this plot alteration, Ye Fan has indeed lost a considerable number of opportunities!'' Upon hearing the system notifications, Jiang Chen was initially taken aback, but then a wave of tion washed over him. All these efforts had not been for naught! Chapter 70: The Five Major Sects Join Forces and Set Off ''Viin''s Eye!'' Jiang Chen eagerly opened Ye Fan''s panel to verify the oue of his endeavors! [Name: Ye Fan Realm: Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening Status: Protagonist Heavenly Fate Value: 9168/9168] Indeed, the Heavenly Fate Value had diminished by 800 points! ''This is truly incredible!'' Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes, beaming with joy. To onlookers, it appeared that his tion stemmed from persuading the four major sects. Simultaneously, ''The sect has consented to coborate with the Starry Abyss Sect...'' Ye Fan furrowed his brow, for he had never been keen on group endeavors. He favored acting autonomously and seizing opportunities as they presented themselves. Working in coboration with so many individuals, he constantly felt constrained and irritated. Nheless, considering that he could effortlessly reap some benefits from the joint effort, he begrudgingly epted it. ''If something unforeseen transpires along the way, I''ll depart from the group and act independently.'' With this thought in mind, Ye Fan discreetly trailed the members of the Azure Jade Sect. At that instant, "Esteemed Daoist friends from the various sects!" "As our Starry Abyss Sect is spearheading this endeavor, allow me, Duan Ziming, to preside over it." "Disciples from all sects may observe the proceedings, and if there''s any issue, please bring it to our attention promptly." Duan Ziming stepped forward and spoke. This was an excellent opportunity to bolster the sect''s reputation, and he naturally couldn''t let it slip by. He advanced after exchanging nces with Jiang Chen. "Very well!" "Let us congregate around the Starry Abyss Sect as the focal point, search for spiritual nts, and discover additional opportunities along the way!" Mu Tao, the foremost disciple of the Floating Spirit Sect, concurred and spoke. Instantly, She guided a contingent of Floating Spirit Sect disciples to the vicinity of the Starry Abyss Sect. Observing this, the other sects sessively advanced as well, encircling the Starry Abyss Sect from all sides. A measure of distance was maintained between the sects as a safeguard. At that precise moment. "Attention, everyone!" "To ensure fairness and justice." "We must establish agreed-upon rules before taking action, so that the spoils can be distributed ordingly." "I propose a contribution point system, in which the value of different tiers of spiritual nts is predetermined as contribution points." "Ultimately, we will allocate the rewards based on each individual''s contribution points!" "Naturally, my personal share, Jiang Chen, will be higher, amounting to at least forty percent." "Furthermore, every participating Daoist friend will receive a base contribution point." "Should a battle arise, we''ll determine the contribution points for those involved on a case-by-case basis!" "Now, let us deliberate." Jiang Chen''s voice resonated in everyone''s ears. Without dy, The crowd couldn''t help but engage in discussion. "The contribution point system seems reasonable." "However, Daoist friend Jiang Chen, isn''t your share somewhat excessive?" "A whole forty percent! Over a hundred of us are left to share the remaining sixty percent?" "No, no, forty percent is far too much! I cannot agree!" "..." Everyone voiced their dissent. "In that case, I shallpromise..." Jiang Chen smiled, having initially asked for more, anticipating the need for negotiation with the others. In the end, His portion was determined to be thirty percent, along with a certain priority in selection. The primary rationale for this was the difficulty in locating spiritual nts. Higher-rank spiritual nts were often challenging to identify, and some were even expertly concealed! Furthermore, Jiang Chen''s rules provided substantial benefits for cultivators with lower cultivation bases. Initially, they could only gather lower-rank spiritual nts. The more valuable ones were typically imed by those who arrived first, or were outright taken by force. Worse still, if left unguarded, these cultivators might even face death! As a result, disciples with lower cultivation bases but greater numbers were apprehensive about disbanding, and thus willing to grant Jiang Chen arger share. Subsequently, Jiang Chen''s portion was established. Then, the contribution points corresponding to various ranks of spiritual nts were established. With everything in ce, Everyone eagerlypeted for the spiritual nts! Just at that moment, "Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "You need to use that unique sensing ability, and it''s inconvenient for you to move around. Why don''t we carry you instead?" A core disciple from the Starry Abyss Sect approached, attempting to please Jiang Chen. After speaking, he retrieved an exceedingly luxurious pnquin from his storage ring. Upon closer examination, it was revealed to be an artifact. Although not of the highest level, it was still quite impressive. "Yes, yes, yes!" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen, we will carry you. You don''t have to worry about anything. Just focus on sensing the spiritual nts!" "Make way, make way, I want to carry Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" Three more core disciples from the Starry Abyss Sect stepped forward, eager to assist. In fact, this was a rtively simple task for them. While others had to search for spiritual nts and confront dangers, all they needed to do was carry Jiang Chen. "Alright!" "When I''m sensing spiritual nts, it is indeed inconvenient for me to move. I appreciate your help." Jiang Chen readily agreed and entered the pnquin. It must be acknowledged. The sensation of being seated within this pnquin was truly unparalleled. Not only was itfortable, but it also exuded an air of superiority. "Now that everyone is prepared," "Junior Brother Jiang Chen, please begin detecting the spiritual nts!" Duan Ziming proimed loudly, "Everyone, be ready to gather spiritual nts and confront any potential dangers!" In a split second. Over a hundred disciples from the five sects, including the Starry Abyss Sect, held their breath and concentrated, prepared to vie for the spiritual nts at a moment''s notice. After all. The one who managed to seize the spiritual nts would naturally rue merit! Aside from the portion allocated to Jiang Chen, a bountiful harvest was guaranteed for all. The greater one''s merit, the more spiritual nts they would ultimately obtain! At that instant. "Head eastward!" Jiang Chen''s voice emerged from the pnquin. "Yes!" The four disciples bearing the pnquin promptly proceeded eastward. Everyone else hastened to keep up! In a sh. The immense group, akin to a gargantuan beast, surged eastward! ''Curse it!'' ''How will I ever have the chance to eliminate Ye Fan now!?'' ''Jiang Chen, you insufferable wretch. If I ever get the chance, I''ll end you and seize the treasure from your brow!'' ''...'' Within the Azure Jade Sect, Li Teng eyed Ye Fan, who was strolling in the periphery, and then nced at Jiang Chen''s pnquin, feeling a wave of bitterness in his heart! Suddenly. "Approximately two thousand steps north, a cluster of Spiritual Awakening realm spiritual nts can be found!" "Roughly three thousand steps south, there lies a heap of Spiritual Awakening realm spiritual nts!" "A mere thousand steps to the southeast, a Mysterious tform realm spiritual nt awaits!" Jiang Chen''s voice, announcing the locations, continued to echo. Instantly! Dozens, even hundreds of sect disciples surged forward! "Spiritual nts are up for grabs, hurry!" "Hahaha, I''ve secured the Spiritual Awakening realm spiritual nts right here!" "Mysterious tform realm spiritual nt, drat, it was snatched away!" In the blink of an eye, the spiritual nts revealed by Jiang Chen werepletely imed. Nevertheless, Jiang Chen persistently advanced. He consistently ryed new locations, enabling the vast group to harvest ceaselessly! Mysterious tform realm spiritual nts materialized one after another, without end! Spiritual Awakening realm spiritual nts were virtually gathered in copious amounts! Jiang Chen didn''t bother reporting the locations of spiritual nts below the Spiritual Awakening realm, unless their quantity was remarkably substantial, or they were exceedingly rare. Intriguingly, numerous spiritual nts within this Cave Heaven secret realm had long been extinct in the outside world. These nts could fetch even higher prices when brought out! A note from AlphaWIA: Thank you for reading this chapter of "Great Viin: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate"! If you enjoyed it, please consider following me on Twitter [@DaoistAlphaWIA] for thetest updates, news, and discussions about the novel. Your support means the world to me, and I appreciate every one of you joining me on this incredible journey. Happy reading! [Follow me on Twitter: /DaoistAlphaWIA] Chapter 71: Ye Fans Trump Card Type The group continued to press on. Having gathered a plethora of spiritual nts, everyone was brimming with joy. Abruptly. An even more thrilling revtion was shared by Jiang Chen: "Attention, everyone! The spiritual nts further ahead are generally of a higher rank! Three thousand steps to the east, there are three Heavenly Origin realm spiritual nts!" Upon hearing this. The crowd erupted into a frenzy! "Heavenly Origin realm spiritual nts!" "Unbelievable, there are three of them!" "These are treasures! We must hurry and im them!" "..." The eyes of many turned crimson with greed, and some even emitted a murderous aura, as if they were prepared to assault their fellowpetitors nearby! "Hmph!" "Who dares to make a move!" Duan Ziming bellowed furiously, and a potent oppressive aura instantly enveloped the entire scene! "Everyone, calm down!" "There are innumerable treasures within this Cave Heaven secret realm, and there''s more to it than just these few Heavenly Origin realm spiritual nts. What''s the rush!" Mu Tao of the Floating Spirit Sect also admonished her fellow sect disciples. "Exactly!" "Think bigger!" "We''ve only just begun!" "Each of you is behaving like a beggar who hasn''t eaten in half a year, isn''t that disgraceful?" Jiang Chen chimed in coolly, expressing his contempt. Instantly. The higher-ranked cultivators felt a pang of shame. Some also found the chastisement humiliating, such as Li Teng, who harbored even greater resentment towards Jiang Chen. Of course. The crowd eventually regained theirposure. Ultimately, it was the cultivators nearest to the east who managed to seize the Heavenly Origin realm spiritual nts. "Keep moving!" At Jiang Chen''smand, the sizable group promptly set forth. The quantity of spiritual nts ahead multiplied, and their ranks ascended higher and higher! However. An oddity caused everyone to feel slightly uneasy. From the moment they entered the Cave Heaven secret realm until now, not a single individual had encountered any other creatures! At most, they had only witnessed ordinary insects, devoid of spiritual qimerely the most mundane of beings. Logically speaking, The Cave Heaven secret realm teemed with spiritual qi, and numerous spiritual nts flourished within its confines. It seemed that ordinary animals could transform into demonic beasts merely by consuming these nts. Yet, oddly enough, none were present! ''Nothing but nts, scarcely any animals!'' ''What sets them apart? Flesh and blood!? Or is it something else, like the soul!?'' ''Qi, blood, and soul!'' ''Is there something in this Cave Heaven secret realm that specifically preys on animals and demonic beasts?'' ''...'' Jiang Chen mulled over the matter in his heart. He could essentially deduce that the plot of this Cave Heaven secret realm diverged from the conventional adventure narratives. Under ordinary circumstances, Dungeon plots would revolve around the protagonist battling monsters to seize opportunities, gathering spiritual nts, and reaping copious amounts of monster materials for artifact refinement. Now, The Cave Heaven secret realm left Jiang Chen somewhat perplexed. However, He could ascertain that the danger within the Cave Heaven secret realm would, at most, be at the Heavenly Origin realm level, considering Ye Fan''s cultivation base was merely at the Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening. ''We can only wait and see how things unfold!'' Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes and continued his report, "In the southwest direction, approximately one thousand nine hundred steps away, beneath a withered tree, you overlooked a Heavenly Origin realm spiritual nt concealed underground..." Instantly, several cultivators hurried toward the location! As time gradually psed, The group collected an increasing number of spiritual nts, and their delight grew exponentially. The persistent unease in their hearts could not be alleviated. This lingering apprehension, coupled with the discovery of peculiar footprints, intensified significantly! The one who stumbled upon the footprints was a Mysterious tform realm cultivator, a true disciple of the Ice Heart School. Upon discovering the footprints, She swiftly retreated and disseminated the news! Without dy, The teams ceased their advancement. Chief disciples from various prominent sects sprang into action to verify the existence of those footprints. These footprints were etched into the rocks. Yet they did not resemble ws, hooves, or cat paws; instead, they bore a striking simrity to human footprints. However, these footprints wererge, and it was evident that their owner possessed sharp nails. "Could it be an ape-type demon beast?" Miao Xiaorui, the chief disciple of the Ice Heart School, pondered aloud. "It''s possible, but the probability is rather low." "Ape-type demon beasts don''t rely solely on their two legs for lotion; they also use their arms for support." "However, in the tracks we''ve discovered, there''s no indication of the front limbs of ape-type demon beasts! Not even a single one!" Duan Ziming nodded, then shook his head. "This Cave Heaven secret realm is quite peculiar!" "To avoid unforeseen dangers, I suggest we first distribute the spiritual nts among ourselves." A disciple from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain proposed, his expression tense. "I concur!" Another voice chimed in, "Let''s take out the spiritual nts, divide them equally, and then proceed with our mission!" Following that, More and more individuals concurred. Naturally, Jiang Chen was in agreement as well! Among those spiritual nts, more than just a couple had piqued his interest! If Jiang Chen could acquire the spiritual nts earlier and consume them, it would expedite the recovery of the Burning World Red Lotus, and hisbat prowess would increase ordingly! Thus, At the behest of the majority, the teammenced the distribution of the spoils. Since everyone had agreed on a contribution point system, the process proceeded smoothly. Jiang Chen, utilizing his priority selection right, obtained a total of twenty Heavenly Origin realm spiritual nts, as well as an even greater number of Mysterious tform realm and Spiritual Awakening realm spiritual nts. The other members also received varying quantities of spiritual nts. ''These gains are quite satisfactory.'' ''With these peculiar footprints, it appears that the owner might possess formidablebat power. I must exercise caution and remain within the team to observe any developments.'' Ye Fan, clutching his share of the spiritual nts, contemted inwardly. At that moment, "Senior Brother Ye Fan," "I have a few cultivation method manuals here. Would you be interested in exchanging them for your spiritual nts?" A disciple from the Azure Jade Sect, who was at the Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening realm, approached Ye Fan and inquired discreetly. For such a minor matter, Others wouldn''t pay it much heed. However, Jiang Chen, who had been keeping a close eye on Ye Fan, suddenly narrowed his gaze! Observing the Azure Jade Sect disciple''s familiarity with the procedure, it seemed that Ye Fan had traded treasures for other people''s cultivation method manuals more than once. ''Cultivation method manuals, huh... I must verify this!'' Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes, covertly continuing to observe Ye Fan. "Let''s see what kind of cultivation method it is." Ye Fan remarked, "If it''s too low-level, I won''t be interested." "Senior Brother, please take a look first." The disciple presented the manual to Ye Fan. Ye Fan epted it, nced at the exposed section, and subtly nodded in agreement. Shortly thereafter. The two engaged in discussion for a moment, ultimately sealing the deal. Subsequently. Another individual traded a cultivation method manual for Ye Fan''s remaining spiritual nts. ''Hmph!'' ''What''s the use of being a jack of all trades and master of none? Pursuing cultivation methods like this, you''ll surely suffer from Qi Deviation sooner orter!'' Li Teng, standing not far away, gazed at Ye Fan with disdain and snickered internally. Ye Fan had demonstrated remarkable understanding of cultivation methods within the sect, ranking among the elite. In Li Teng''s perspective, Ye Fan was arrogant and overconfident; solely due to his impressive grasp of cultivation methods, he yearned to learn even more. This was a textbook example of overreaching oneself. Despite Ye Fan''s exceptional aptitude in understanding cultivation methods, if he took on too much, he still wouldn''t be able to assimte it all! No one was aware that Ye Fan''s understanding of cultivation methods was in fact average, with his primary reliance being on the Wordless Heavenly Jade to practice them. At this moment. Upon acquiring the cultivation methods, Ye Fan instantly began to read! As long as he filled his mind with the content of the cultivation methods, he could rapidlyprehend them with the aid of the Wordless Heavenly Jade! In a brief span of time, he could attain the perfect level, as though he had practiced for countless years! While Ye Fan was engrossed in studying the cultivation methods. Chapter 72: The Inevitable Had Finally Come to Pass ''Ye Fan has exchanged all his spiritual nts for cultivation methods!'' ''It appears his ace in the hole must be connected to these cultivation methods!'' ''Beyond unique opportunities, cultivation methods represent one of his most significant advantages. Spiritual nts, medicinal pills, and weapons all take a secondary role.'' ''Thus, if I can seize the cultivation methods that belong to him, I''ll be able to diminish his Heavenly Fate Value even more!'' ''...'' Having analyzed the situation, Jiang Chen felt somewhat gratified. Now, he possessed a more precise n of action to counter Ye Fan. Without dy. As everyone was preupied with organizing their spoils. Hemenced consuming spiritual nts to enhance himself! First, he ingested a fire-attribute Heavenly Origin realm spiritual nt known as the ''Precious me Vermilion Fruit''! "Chomp chomp, slurp." Jiang Chen tossed the Precious me Vermilion Fruit into his mouth and chewed it a few times. Immediately, the juice burst forth and seeped out from the corners of his mouth. He hastily reabsorbed it. Once the Precious me Vermilion Fruit reached his stomach, the potent medicinal effects swiftly converged in his dantian and were absorbed by the Burning World Red Lotus. In a sh, The cracks on the Burning World Red Lotus visibly mended at an astonishing speed. By the time the medicinal power of the Precious me Vermilion Fruit was entirely depleted, numerous cracks on the Burning World Red Lotus had also vanished. ''The second spiritual nt, Dark Vined Fiery Flower!'' Jiang Chen picked up the spiritual nt and crammed it into his mouth... then the third one, the fourth one... Soon, Jiang Chen had finished consuming all the spiritual nts he had collected this time. After being nourished, the Burning World Red Lotus had considerably healed, with only a minuscule crack remaining before it would be fully restored. Of course, Its withered state remained unchanged. ''Lin Feng had excessively utilized the Burning World Red Lotus.'' ''To restore it, I must consume an even greater amount of resources!'' ''Fortunately, during this process of nurturing the Burning World Red Lotus, my rewards have been quite significant!'' ''Not only has my ability to detect spiritual nts markedly enhanced, but most importantly, my aptitude and cultivation base have also progressed!'' ''At present, I find myself at the bottleneck between the Middle-stage and Late-stage Mysterious tform realm, poised to break through at any moment!'' Jiang Chen sensed the immense Yuan Power within his body, and his eyes sparkled with radiance! Without dy, He maximized the concealment ability of the Moondust Ring! This Heavenly Origin realm top-grade artifact, created by the system, wlessly masked Jiang Chen''s aura! ''Commence the breakthrough!'' As a thought formed in Jiang Chen''s mind, his Yuan Power started circting at a rapid pace. The medicinal effects of the previously ingested Ten-Turn Harmonious Spirit Pill also surfaced! As the Yuan Power amassed in his dantian reached its pinnacle, the Mysterious tform''s rotational speed achieved its peak as well! An increasing amount of Yuan Power merged into the Mysterious tform. At a specific moment, The entire Mysterious tform contracted and expanded like a beating heart, absorbing all the Yuan Power from the dantian! In an instant, The dantian and meridians were left empty, yet the Mysterious tform had significantly improved! An even more profound aura radiated from it. ''The Late-stage Mysterious tform realm has been achieved!'' A subtle smile graced the corner of Jiang Chen''s lips, and he promptly opened his panel. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Top Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body Realm: Late-stage Mysterious tform True Battle Power: Half-step Heavenly Origin Cultivation Methods: Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture, Wind Void Steps, Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets, Void Rainbow Sword Technique, Clear Sky sh, Violent Tiger Power, Explosive Persona Force... Viin Value: 7,600 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 5,880 Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring System Mall: Level 1] ''Half-step Heavenly Origin realm battle power!'' ''Furthermore, with all my artifacts, even if Ie across someone in the Heavenly Origin realm, I won''t be instantly defeated and will have a chance to flee!'' A thrilled smile emerged at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth. Subsequently, Jiang Chen retrieved the Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe he had exchanged earlier, wearing it as the innermostyer. Next, he produced the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, concealing it near his waist, prepared for use at any moment. As for the Shadowde Sword, he would only draw it if he could vanquish the enemy. If faced with an insurmountable foe, he would simply flee, eliminating the need to reveal the weapon. At this moment, Having achieved his breakthrough, Jiang Chen expanded his divine sense to survey the nearby sect disciples. He observed that everyone had essentially organized their gains and was basking in delight. None were aware that he had just advanced to the Late-stage Mysterious tform realm! "Now that the spiritual nts have been distributed," "Everyone has had a chance to rest, and time is limited, so it''s time to continue our journey!" "As for those eerie footprints, don''t be afraid, and don''t consider leaving the group to venture in other directions." "If it''s a danger that our five major sectsbined cannot withstand, how can a single individual survive?" Jiang Chen spoke with conviction, and then shouted, "Continue moving forward!" "Let''s go! Keep collecting spiritual nts!" "If we encounter a danger that our five major sectsbined cannot resist, then it''s merely our misfortune." "Yes, so we don''t need to worry excessively." "..." Everyone reassured one another, suppressing the unease in their hearts, and continued to advance! "Northeast direction, 4,000 steps! In a mountain stream, there''s a Heavenly Origin realm spiritual grass!" "Southeast direction, 3,000 steps! Within the heart of a giant tree, there''s a Heavenly Origin realm spiritual nt, ''Floral Rain Precious Vine''!" Jiang Chen''s voice announcing the locations further alleviated everyone''s anxiety. Numerous people were overjoyed, and the footprints were forgotten. However! Just as three disciples were gleefullypeting to gather a Heavenly Origin realm spiritual nt! "Roar!!" An incredibly terrifying roar erupted! Quicker than the sound was a red afterimage! Swish! The three Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators had no time to react and were directly cleaved by the sharp ws! With a series of thuds, Six pieces of mutted corpses fell to the ground, and an overwhelmingly potent scent of blood abruptly filled the air! The true form of the red afterimage was unveiled. A nearly ten-meter-tall giant humanoid monster with no skin, its flesh exposed and its bloody visage particrly horrifying! This sudden scene, Instantly shook everyone who witnessed it, their faces disying terror and astonishment! "Dead... someone''s dead!" "The owner of the footprints has appeared! They killed three Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators in an instant!" "This is at least a Mysterious tform realm monster, damn it, what on earth is this creature!" "Quick, go back and report the news!" The seven or eight cultivators nearby wore panicked expressions on their faces and fled towards the center of the group! In the blink of an eye, They materialized within the detection range of the divine sense of the chief disciples from all the major sects. Witnessing their rmed and terrified state, a sense of foreboding settled in the hearts of all Mysterious tform realm cultivators. The inevitable had finallye to pass! A note from AlphaWIA: Thank you for reading this chapter of "Great Viin: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate"! If you enjoyed it, please consider following me on Twitter [@DaoistAlphaWIA] for thetest updates, news, and discussions about the novel. Your support means the world to me, and I appreciate every one of you joining me on this incredible journey. Happy reading! [Follow me on Twitter: /DaoistAlphaWIA] Chapter 73: The Enticing Fragrance of Pure Qi and Blood "Roar, roar, roar!" The crimson-hued creature had also caught sight of the disciples from the five major sects! Remarkably, it exhibited no fear. With swift motions, it gathered the lifeless bodies strewn on the ground, shoving them into its gaping maw as blood sprayed in all directions. Simultaneously, The blood-colored beast continued its relentless pursuit, hot on the heels of the seven or eight fleeing disciples! "Quick!" "Faster!" "Senior Brother, save me! I don''t want to die!" "..." The seven or eight fleeing disciples were petrified, wishing they had sprouted additional limbs to aid their desperate escape! "Go and provide support!" "Quick! Halt that monster!" The disciples of the sects couldn''t simply stand idly by as their younger brothers and sisters met their untimely demise. Immediately, Several Mysterious tform realm experts sprang into action. Boom! A thunderbolt plummeted from the heavens, striking the crown of the blood-colored humanoid beast without dy. In an instant, Sparks erupted, and tendrils of electricity danced about! "Roar!!" The blood-colored humanoid monstrosity bellowed in pain as a deep, bone-exposing gash materialized on its head. However, In the very next moment, The flesh and blood on its cranium melded together as though alive, and the wound mended itself in the blink of an eye! At this time, Several long-range assaults struck the blood-colored creature''s body, including violet ice shards and spells imbued with incredibly potent toxins. Yet these spells only caused the monster''s speed to falter momentarily. The creature''s velocity had already far outpaced the Spiritual Awakening realm, rendering the brief pause insignificant. It effortlessly caught up to a male disciple, seizing him with one hand! Rip! A living Spiritual Awakening realm cultivator, along with the Spiritual Awakening realm defensive artifact he donned, was instantly reduced to a heap of dismembered remains. "What?!" "How can this monster, which only emanates a Middle-stage Mysterious tform aura, possess such strength?!" "Its regenerative capabilities are absurd! A typical Mysterious tform realm cultivator would have lost their fighting prowess by now!" The cultivators from the five major sects all wore expressions of sheer terror! Simultaneously! A flicker of ravenous hunger and thirst emerged in the disordered, savage eyes of the blood-hued creature as it grasped the dismembered corpse from the ground and crammed it into its maw like a famished tiger. Seizing this opportunity. Additional Mysterious tform realm cultivators initiated their assaults, striking the blood-hued creature''s body. The creature unleashed a sorrowful wail of agony as its flesh was ripped asunder, appearing particrly pitiful. Its forward advance came to a total standstill. It gnawed on the remains in its jaws. Crimson blood gushed incessantly, appearing exceedingly vicious. Witnessing this, some inexperienced female disciples paled, and nearly retched! ''Viin''s Eye!'' Jiang Chen directed his Viin''s Eye at the blood-hued creature, but there was no response. It was apparent that this was a purely monstrous entity, not some secondary character. Or perhaps it was once human, but now it had transformed, and could no longer be considered a supporting character. Simultaneously. Ye Fan was also scrutinizing the creature. ''This monster... possesses such abundant qi and blood!'' ''The beasts within this Cave Heaven secret realm must have been consumed by this entity!'' ''I''m uncertain how this creature came into being. It''s neither human nor demon, truly peculiar!'' ''However, qi and blood... Haha, my Wordless Heavenly Jade absorbs qi and blood every time I y someone. If I can vanquish this type of creature, I will undoubtedly reap immense benefits.'' ''But for now, the monster''s capabilities remain unclear. Let''s observe a bit longer.'' ''...'' With these thoughts, Ye Fan discreetly withdrew several steps. Jiang Chen, who had been watching Ye Fan, narrowed his eyes at this development. ''This fellow is exceptionally cautious.'' Jiang Chen contemted, ''I wonder if he will make a significant impact during this monster assault and stage a spectacr disy?'' Just then. The blood-hued creature bellowed like a madman and fearlessly charged toward the crowd! "Attack!!" The chief disciples from the five major sects bellowed in unison, and one after another, the disciples activated their Yuan Power,unching a barrage of attacks. All at once. The battlefield was awash with the brilliant light of various spells. Boom, boom, boom! Countless assaults struck the blood-colored creature, causing its flesh to scatter and exposing its gruesome skeleton! Nheless. Although the creature emitted a heart-wrenching roar, it persisted in charging forward, forcing the nearest cultivators to fall back. Fortunately, despite the monster''s high resistance, considerable vitality, and potent regenerative capabilities, it ultimately couldn''t withstand multiple adversaries at once. Under the relentless barrage of numerous spells and artifacts. Its flesh was incessantly obliterated, and its healing ability could no longer keep pace. After about a dozen breaths. Nearly all the flesh on the blood-colored creature had vanished, leaving only a towering, crimson skeleton! It copsed to the ground, utterly motionless. "Is it dead?" "Good heavens, this creature proved to be quite formidable!" "We from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain lost five disciples... We never anticipated such a sudden demise!" The crowd stared at the blood-hued colossal skeleton sprawled on the ground and heaved a sigh of relief. Without warning. An immense and unadulterated surge of qi and blood radiated from the crimson monster''s enormous skull, astonishingly apanied by an alluring aroma! "What is that scent?!" "It''s so captivating! I feel as if a single inhtion has invigorated my qi and blood, making me more energetic!" "Undoubtedly, there must be a unique treasure concealed within this monster''s cranium!" Everyone present caught a whiff of the enchanting fragrance, and their eyes instantly brimmed with desire! Among them. The most ted was none other than Ye Fan! ''The Wordless Heavenly Jade is actually disying a hint of activity!'' ''This has never urred before!'' ''Evidently, the treasure concealed within the blood-hued monster''s body must be incredibly beneficial for the Wordless Heavenly Jade!'' ''If I can acquire it, my strength will undoubtedly increase at a faster pace!'' A gleeful glimmer emerged in Ye Fan''s eyes, and he couldn''t help but inch forward. However, he still restrained himself. This monster had been vanquished by the Mysterious tform realm experts from the five major sects, and it had no connection to him, Ye Fan. If he were to advance and seize the treasure, he would be provoking everyone present. With his current prowess, handling ordinary Mysterious tform realm cultivators was not an issue. But facing more than a dozen or twenty Mysterious tform realm cultivators from the five major sects collectively was beyond his capability for now. ''Ye Fan appears to be quite intrigued by that enigmatic treasure!'' ''It seems that this monster must be one of his crucial opportunities!'' ''To usurp his opportunity, we must vie with him for the creature!'' Jiang Chen observed Ye Fan''s involuntary motion and promptly formted some conjectures in his mind. At that instant. "It seems this monster is harboring some treasure!" "Let''s extract it and determine its rightful owner!" The chief disciple of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain advanced and dered, "We from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain are well-versed in dissection. Allow us to handle this." "Agreed!" The others consented one after another. Subsequently, they observed intently as the members of Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain moved forward. But at that very moment! "This is bad!" The expressions of the Mysterious tform realm experts altered drastically! "Halt for now!" "More blood-hued monsters are rapidly approaching!" "Curse it, there are thirteen of them in total! Some even surpass the size of the one we defeated!" "Quick! Prepare to endure the onught!" Chapter 74: Monster Fusion, The Three-Headed Colossus "..." The chief disciples from the five major sects were all struck with terror, eximing in rm! Such an intense reaction. This immediately sent shivers down the spines of the other disciples, as they sensed that something was terribly amiss! In that moment. Thump! Thump! Thump! A session of muffled yet rapid footsteps echoed from a distance. Crash! Crash! Crash! Numerous towering ancient trees were felled one after another, carving a path through the dense forest. Soon enough. Everyone caught sight of the thirteen blood-red monsters charging directly at them! Among these creatures, three stood an imposing fifteen meters tall! The remaining ten were all formidable, measuring around ten meters each! An overwhelmingly potent aura radiated from these blood-hued beasts, replete with savagery, madness, chaos, and bloodlust... The fifteen-meter-tall monsters already possessed an aura akin to the Late-stage Mysterious tform realm! Furthermore, they were even marginally more formidable than the average Late-stage Mysterious tform realm cultivator! "Prepare for battle!" "All members of the Ice Heart School, heed mymand and assume the formation!" "All disciples of the Floating Spirit Sect, follow my directive and activate the Floating Spirit Killing Formation in unison!" "Members of the Starry Abyss Sect, ready the Void Rainbow Sword Technique!" The various major sects were on high alert and fully prepared! Disciples'' auras swelled one after another, their robes billowing, their Yuan Power churning within, poised to unleash their most potent assaults at a moment''s notice! Boom! Boom! Boom! Over a dozen massive, blood-hued figures charged headfirst, their visages fierce as theyunched their attacks. In that instant. Everyone realized that these monsters were all converging on the fallen blood-colored beast! It appeared that they were drawn to the treasure emitting the enticing aroma of blood and qi. However, there was no time for everyone to contemte further. For those monsters had already charged within the range of everyone''s onughts! Abruptly. Whoosh! A formation barrier materialized from the ground, resembling an inverted ss bowl, shielding everyone within! It was the defensive formation activated by the cooperative efforts of the Ice Heart School disciples. The monsters crashed headfirst into the formation barrier one after another. Instantaneously, numerous ripples emerged on the semi-transparent barrier. Even more strikingly. At the points where the threergest blood-hued monsters collided, a series of fine fissures materialized! "Pu!!" Within the Ice Heart School, several Spiritual Awakening Realm disciples turned ashen and coughed up fresh blood on the spot! Fortunately, the sect had supplied them with an abundance of medicinal pills. They promptly ingested the pills, just barely sustaining the formation! Simultaneously, Anotherrge formation took shape. This was the Floating Spirit Sect''s Floating Spirit Killing Formation! Thirty Floating Spirit Sect disciples each held a formation te, directing their Yuan Power into it through a distinctive method. Spiraling wind des materialized in mid-air, shing towards the monstrous creatures! Thebined assault of these thirty individuals was immensely potent! A slightly weaker monster was instantaneously riddled with injuries, with an indeterminable amount of flesh torn away. Meanwhile, The members of the Starry Abyss Sect each gripped a long sword, concurrently executing the Void Rainbow Sword Technique. Jiang Chen also emerged from the pnquin, brandishing the Spiritual Awakening realm long sword bestowed upon him by the sect master and joining the fray. "Void Rainbow Sixth Sword Style!" Thirty Starry Abyss Sect disciples simultaneously channeled their Yuan Power in an extraordinary manner, resonating with one another. Countless sword shadows coalesced, invoking the sensation of a majestic Thousand Sword Formation. In the next instant, A myriad of sword shadows cascaded like raindrops, annihting the monsters outside the formation! Both the Azure Jade Sect and the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain had their distinctbat styles. However, the disciples of the Azure Jade Sect emphasized individual battle prowess, resulting in less effective coborative efforts. Conversely, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain''sbat power was somewhatcking. Their primary focusy in the pursuit of alchemy, which granted them superiorbat strengthpared to average sects, but still rendered them inferior to top-tier sects at the same level. Nheless, There were over fifty of them, spanning the Spiritual Awakening and Mysterious tform realms. Theirbinedbat power was equally impressive! A barrage of attacks struck the monsters, sttering blood and gore in all directions. "Roar, roar, roar!" One blood-hued monster after another unleashed deafening roars, assailing the Ice Heart School''s defensive formation as if driven to madness. "Quick!" "elerate the assault!" "We can''t endure much longer!" The chief disciple of the Ice Heart School, Miao Xiaorui, turned ashen and cried out in desperation. "We want to y them too!" "But these monsters possess such formidable regenerative capabilities! Had it been an ordinary Mysterious tform realm, they would have been overwhelmed to death by now, yet they persist!" "Enough chatter, strike with your full might! If we let them breach our defenses, we may suffer substantial losses!" "We''re fortunate that Senior Brother Jiang Chen urged us to coborate. Otherwise, should a single sect encounter these beasts, they''d be obliterated!" Everyone yelled and ceaselessly unleashed their attacks! Some even had their artifact longswords, wielded by those in the Spiritual Awakening realm, bent from the relentless strikes! Jiang Chen persistentlyunched assaults while keeping an eye on Ye Fan. He observed Ye Fan brandishing a long spear, continuously sweeping out energy des. Thebat prowess exhibited surpassed that of an ordinary Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm. However, The disciples of the Azure Jade Sect surrounding him seemed unfazed. Clearly, Ye Fan had already showcased this level of power in their presence. ''This individual is incredibly cautious; the power he disys must only be a fraction of his true capabilities.'' ''His genuinebat prowess must have attained the Mysterious tform realm, and not merely an ordinary one. Otherwise, how could he distinguish himself among so many and reap the most significant rewards?'' ''...'' Jiang Chen contemted in his heart. His assaults did not cease either. Gradually. The ten weaker blood-colored creatures could no longer endure the relentless assault. Their bodies were severely battered, almost reduced to skeletal forms. In merely a dozen more breaths, they would unquestionably perish! "Quick! Exert more effort!" "Once we eliminate those ten weaker monsters, we can focus our strength on attacking the three more formidable ones and eradicate them all!" "Behold my Thunderous Lightning Storm! Go!" "Rainbow Sword Shatters the Heavens! y!" Over a hundred Spiritual Awakening and Mysterious tform realm cultivators were giving it their all! Various potent moves sliced through the air, relentlessly assailing the bodies of those monsters. Witnessing the three more powerful monsters bing riddled with injuries and the ten weaker ones teetering on the brink of death, Everyone couldn''t help but exhale a sigh of relief, sensing that the battle was drawing to a close. However. At that very moment! The ten weaker blood-colored monsters astonishingly abandoned their attack formation and instead rushed toward the three stronger monsters. This sight momentarily dumbfounded everyone. Immediately afterward, an even more peculiar event transpired. The ten weaker monsters collided with the three stronger blood-colored monsters, their heads plunging directly into the flesh of the others! Not only that. Innumerable muscles sprouted on the bodies of all the monsters, writhing like serpents, intecing with one another! In the blink of an eye. The ten somewhat weaker monsters served as bonds, linking the three more formidable monsters together to forge a three-headed colossal beast! "Roar, roar, roar!!" The three-headed colossal beast bellowed toward the heavens. Not only did its wounds mend instantaneously, but its aura also intensified, surpassing the Late-stage Mysterious tform realm and advancing to the Half-step Heavenly Origin realm! A note from AlphaWIA: Thank you for reading this chapter of "Great Viin: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate"! If you enjoyed it, please consider following me on Twitter [@DaoistAlphaWIA] for thetest updates, news, and discussions about the novel. Your support means the world to me, and I appreciate every one of you joining me on this incredible journey. Happy reading! [Follow me on Twitter: /DaoistAlphaWIA] Chapter 75: The Real Show is About to Begin ''Darn it!'' ''This guy has reached the Half-step Heavenly Origin realm!'' ''His aura is even more potent than mine!'' ''Given its incredible healing ability and resilience, I can''t defeat it quickly; I must gradually wear it down.'' ''Of course, with the aid of the Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe, it won''t be able to harm me either.'' Jiang Chen was initially taken aback, but he soon began to contemte Ye Fan''s potential reactions under the current circumstances. If his estimation of Ye Fan''s strength was urate, Then this guy would most likely opt for a tactical retreat and bide his time to search for treasures. If his assessment of Ye Fan''s strength was off, the adversary mightunch a direct attack, astonishing everyone present. However, the likelihood of thetter scenario was slim. This was because they had only recently entered the Cave Heaven secret realm, and the true hidden benefits had yet to be revealed. Ye Fan wouldn''t disclose his genuinebat prowess in front of everyone so prematurely. As anticipated, Jiang Chen observed Ye Fan discreetly withdraw to the rear of the crowd. "Roar, roar, roar!" The three-headed monster bellowed furiously once more, its malformed arms raised high before mming down onto the formation. "Crack!" The Ice Heart School''s formation instantly developed innumerable fissures before shattering with an explosive noise! "Pu!" Miao Xiaorui couldn''t help but cough up a mouthful of blood, while the other Ice Heart School disciples fared even worse, many of them appearing unsteady. "Run!" "We stand no chance against this creature!" "Disperse and flee; our survival hinges on our luck!" The chief disciple of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain yelled, and in a sh, he took off and bolted! The remaining Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain disciples were dumbstruck by this scene. Then, everyone else snapped into action and shifted from full-force attacks to fleeing with all their might! At this moment, The adage, ''When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter'' perfectly captured the scene. Chaos ensued for a time! "Duan Ziming!" "Let''s escape together!" The Floating Spirit Sect''s chief disciple, Mu Tao, called out to the Starry Abyss Sect before leading her fellow disciples to flee. All of the Ice Heart School disciples were injured and in a dreadful condition. Although Miao Xiaorui earnestly wished to rally everyone to follow the Floating Spirit Sect closely, The Ice Heart School, the Floating Spirit Sect, and the Starry Abyss Sect originated from different continents, and their rtionships were tenuous, increasing the likelihood of encountering hostility. Consequently, She had no choice but to abandon that n and guide her disciples to flee in a different direction. As a result, The five major sects scattered in four separate directions! The Azure Jade Sect fled in one direction, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain in another, the Starry Abyss Sect and the Floating Spirit Sect retreated together in a third direction, and the Ice Heart School in the final direction. ''Ye Fan!'' ''What will you do?'' ''Will you continue to flee, or pursue the monster?'' As Jiang Chen made his escape, he covertly monitored Ye Fan through his divine sense, simultaneously reducing his speed, not fleeing with his full strength! Simrly, Li Teng of the Azure Jade Sect exhibited the same behavior! Killing fellow sect members was strictly prohibited in the Azure Jade Sect, and only by capitalizing on the chaos would there be an opportunity to kill. Just then! "Roar, roar!!" The three-headed monster, after consuming the corpses on the ground, unexpectedly pursued the fleeing Ice Heart School disciples! "Quick!" "Run fast!" "Even if we join forces, we are no match for it! Scatter and run! Every person who can escape matters!" "..." The members of the Ice Heart School were both shocked and terrified. Left with no alternative, they had to disperse once more, causing their entire team to crumble. ''Is it going to hunt down the weakest Ice Heart School?'' A thought shed through Jiang Chen''s mind, a glint in his eyes, and his footsteps came to an abrupt halt. His divine sense emanated from the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade, epassing a broader range. Although the rity had significantly diminished, He could still discern which of the blurry figures was Ye Fan. Just then, He observed Ye Fan''s feet shift, gradually altering direction! Following the movement pattern, it was precisely heading towards the direction where the Ice Heart School was fleeing! ''As expected!'' ''This monster is a tremendous opportunity for Ye Fan! He wouldn''t relinquish it so easily!'' ''Furthermore, his turning back implies he has the confidence to confront that three-headed monster; perhaps he possesses some unique means to target the creature.'' ''Lastly, if there are casualties among the Ice Heart School disciples, most of their possessions will likely end up benefiting Ye Fan.'' ''I must stop him!'' Jiang Chen''s thoughts raced, and his feet immediately changed direction, pursuing the fleeing Ice Heart School. Certainly. He vigntly monitored Ye Fan at all times, ensuring that his own presence remained undetected by Ye Fan. At this instant, Jiang Chen also spotted an individual stealthily tailing Ye Fan from a few hundred meters behind! ''Viin''s Eye!'' [Name: Li Teng Realm: Early-stage Mysterious tform Status: Supporting Character Fate Value: 146] ''A Fate Value of 146?'' ''He appears to be on the brink of death, destined to lose his life!'' ''It seems this individual must be Ye Fan''s adversary, arriving here to surrender his life and belongings to Ye Fan as a tribute.'' ''No, I have to prevent this person''s self-destructive actions, either by saving him or ending his life.'' ''However, if I save him, his survival would likely be short-lived regardless, so it''s more prudent to eliminate this sacrificial pawn.'' Determined, Jiang Chen pressed on, continuing to sprint forward. Amid the chaos, The disciples of the Starry Abyss Sect failed to notice Jiang Chen''s absence from their group. Time whisked by in an instant, spanning several dozen breaths. "Ah! I don''t want to die!" A heart-wrenching scream echoed. A rather sophisticated male disciple from the Ice Heart School was treated as a mere morsel by the three-headed creature and crammed into its mouth. The pace of numerous individuals from the Ice Heart School was, in fact, not significantly different from that of the ill-fated male disciple. As such, These individuals were also in dire peril! "No, don''t!" "Help! Who can save me!" One by one, the Ice Heart School disciples revealed despair in their eyes and uttered desperate cries! However, No one came to their aid. That was because every member of the Ice Heart School was preupied with defending themselves. The monstrous creature was at the Half-step Heavenly Origin realm! Even if the chief disciple Miao Xiaorui intervened, she would be vanquished in a single move. One after another, the Ice Heart School disciples could only perish miserably amidst unending despair. Although Jiang Chen''s heart was stirred with emotions, he refrained from assisting. If he were to intervene, His true power would undoubtedly be revealed! At that point, it would be challenging for him to ndestinely confront Ye Fan. And if he failed to diminish Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value, allowing Ye Fan ample time to develop, Jiang Chen would ultimately face his own demise. At this very moment, The disciples of the Ice Heart School were frantically escaping, with no one concerned for the others! Jiang Chen trailed at a distance of approximately a kilometer behind, and in order to preserve his spiritual power, he refrained from using the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle. The three-headed creature possessed a malformed body, which slightly hindered its speed and agility. With Jiang Chen''s swiftness, keeping pace with the three-headed monster was not an issue at all. Time gradually psed. The three-headed monster consumed another disciple, and its velocity began to progressively diminish. This subtle detail went unnoticed by the Ice Heart School disciples, who were too petrified to observe. The disciples dispersed and fled. As they made their escape, they saw the creature behind them had ceased its pursuit, and they continued to sprint forward with unspeakable tion. ''Has its speed decreased?'' The corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth curved into a smile, ''It appears that the real show is about to begin!'' Chapter 76: The Disintegration of the Three-Headed Giant Monster Not long after, Jiang Chen reduced his speed. He employed his divine sense to continually observe Ye Fan and Li Teng, realizing that both were also decelerating, one trailing behind the other. In that instant, "Roar, roar, roar..." The three-headed giant monster emitted agonizing roars, and subsequently began to disintegrate. Visible to the eye, the sinewy flesh on their bodies decayed one after another, liquefying like crimson-ck wax candles and seeping onto the ground. In a mere moment, The colossal three-headed giant monster transformed into a mound of putrid flesh. Nheless, the sanguine creaturesposing the three-headed monster were not deceased. They squirmed and contended within the heap of decaying flesh, progressively rising to their feet and once again forming thirteen blood-hued creatures. Inparison to their previous state, The thirteen creatures had considerably weakened, with each of them descending at least a minor realm. The ten somewhat feebler creatures had nearly tumbled out of the Mysterious tform realm. Facing such entities, Jiang Chen could effortlessly handle them. As for Ye Fan, he likely wouldn''t encounter much difficulty either. "Roar..." One after another, the creatures abruptly emitted low growls andmenced grabbing and consuming the blood-tinged decayed flesh on the ground. Witnessing this scene, Jiang Chen couldn''t suppress his revulsion. These creatures were feasting on the pus and blood that had putrefied and seeped from their own forms. ncing at Ye Fan, He too was grimacing at the creatures. However, he refrained from taking action. Instead, he started to maneuver around the thirteen creatures, seeking to discern if there were any individuals nearby. En route to this location, Ye Fan experienced an intuition that someone appeared to be observing him all the while! Yet, no matter what, he couldn''t locate the other party. As a result, he maintained extreme vignce and dared not act impulsively. A kilometer away, Upon noticing Ye Fan starting to eliminate potential threats, Jiang Chen quickly withdrew his divine sense and retreated several hundred meters. Subsequently, He maneuvered around and proceeded towards the location where Li Teng was. Shortly, Ye Fan had scanned the vicinity of the thirteen creatures and returned to his initial position. Gazing at the thirteen creatures before him, Ye Fan unsheathed a long sword, raised his right foot, and readied himself to advance. But just as his right foot touched the ground! "Dare to trail and endanger me, perish!" Ye Fan''s body abruptly pivoted, transforming into an afterimage as he lunged at a shadow! Ding! The ng of metal reverberated! Amidst the surging waves of air, a figure was propelled out by Ye Fan; it was Li Teng! "It''s you again!!" Ye Fan stared at the astonished Li Teng, his eyes brimming with murderous intent. Numerous grudges existed between him and Li Teng, with most of the friction between them instigated by thetter. As a result, Ye Fan harbored a profound animosity towards Li Teng! "Hmph!" "I didn''t anticipate that you could actually locate me!" "Initially, I intended to wait for you to battle the monster for a few rounds, then seize the opportunity to eliminate you." "But now it''s no different; after all, you''re merely a trivial Spiritual Awakening realm cultivator, nothing more than an ant I can crush with one hand!" "Back in the sect, it wasn''t easy for me to kill you, but here in this Cave Heaven secret realm, even the transmission jade token is useless, and no one will know if I murder you!" "Now, Ye Fan, you little wretch, kneel down and kowtow to me immediately, and I''ll grant you a swifter demise!" "..." Li Teng gripped his long sword, his shocked expression rapidly fading, reced by thick disdain. In his mind, He had already envisioned the scene of Ye Fan wailing in agony at his feet. Observing this, Ye Fan sneered and prepared to speak. Nevertheless, Precisely at that instant! "Why squander precious moments in idle chatter?" "Make haste and embark on a one-way journey to the underworld!" An unexpected voice emerged. Simultaneously, "Swish!" A sword''s tip prated directly through Li Teng''s chest, the glistening silver de and vivid crimson blood strikingly visible! "Ah!!" "Who could it be, who... no..." Li Teng emitted a profoundly terrified shriek, his voiceced with agony and raspiness, as well as an intense yearning for survival and deep-rooted despair. In the following instant, The longsword quivered subtly. An immense force radiated, instantaneously rending Li Teng''s body to pieces. Li Teng''s eyes widened in shock, and he drew his final breath. [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot, thwarting the protagonist Ye Fan from unting his prowess and humiliating others, sabotaging Ye Fan''s opportunity. His Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 200 points!] [Ding! You have earned 300 points of Viin Value!] These two system notifications brought tion to Jiang Chen. This particr scene, Left Ye Fan, who had initially prepared to scoff coldly and then act to severely disgrace Li Teng, wearing an expression of amazement and bewilderment. There was a touch of caution! The adversary had managed to silently approach Li Teng from behind and eliminate him. He hadn''t detected any movement throughout the entire ordeal! Furthermore, Li Teng, who was at the Early-stage Mysterious tform realm, had been in directly without any capacity to resist. Evidently, the foe''s power was formidable! Ye Fan''s stunned thoughts persisted for merely a moment. In the following instant, he identified that the individual who killed Li Teng was Jiang Chen! ''What?!'' ''Jiang Chen?!'' ''Hasn''t he only just attained the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening? How on earth could he effortlessly eliminate someone at the Early-stage Mysterious tform?!'' ''It appears he has concealed his true prowess, and quite significantly at that! I must exercise caution!'' ''...'' Ye Fan brooded, his heart brimming with animosity towards Jiang Chen, yearning to vanquish him on the spot. Nheless, he refrained from any impetuous actions. Rather, he brought his hands together and offered a genial smile to Jiang Chen, remarking, "Ah, it''s Senior Brother Jiang Chen from the Starry Abyss Sect. I appreciate your assistance, Senior Brother Jiang!" From his perspective, Jiang Chen remained oblivious to the deep-seated grudge between him and both Jiang Xingyang and the Jiang n. This was because the Snowy Wind Continent was simply too remote from the Mysterious Truth Continent. Common transmission jade tokens simply couldn''t convey messages across such an immense distance. Under typical conditions, A superior transmission jade token could ry messages spanning several thousand miles, which was referred to as the Thousand-Mile Transmission. An ordinary transmission jade token, on the other hand, could onlymunicate across a few hundred miles. At that juncture, Jiang Xingyang and his associates had perished, leaving no avenue for the information to disseminate. Taking various factors into ount, Ye Fan deduced that Jiang Chen was uninformed about the animosity between them. His assumption was indeed urate. Jiang Chen genuinely had no knowledge of the grievances or disputes he had with Ye Fan. He was well aware that he was Ye Fan''s nemesis and adversary! The antagonistic bond was inly evident. It was merely that the rationale remained unknown for the moment. ''Ye Fan, this guy... he doesn''t appear to harbor any hostility towards me.'' ''However, it''s highly possible that this is merely a faade he''s putting on for my benefit.'' ''As a viin, I must share a life-and-death enmity with Ye Fan, not just a gradually intensifying rivalry.'' ''Otherwise, wouldn''t I be able to sidestep bing adversaries with him, instead forming an alliance, instantly nullifying my viinous status and avoiding the tragic fate of death?'' ''If it were that simple, it would be utterly preposterous.'' Jiang Chen analyzed in his heart, certain that Ye Fan was putting on an act. His objective. It was likely to lull him into a false sense of security and then strike him with a lethal blow! "Very well." "There''s no need for gratitude." "I came for these thirteen monsters. If you''ve nothing to do here, just leave, and avoid any idental harmter." Jiang Chen nodded slightly at Ye Fan, speaking in a condescending manner. Upon hearing this. A glint of imperceptible cold light shed through Ye Fan''s eyes. Jiang Chen had alsoe for those thirteen monsters! It appeared that he, too, sought to im the peculiar treasure that the thirteen monsters were harboring! A note from AlphaWIA: Thank you for reading this chapter of "Great Viin: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate"! If you enjoyed it, please consider following me on Twitter [@DaoistAlphaWIA] for thetest updates, news, and discussions about the novel. Your support means the world to me, and I appreciate every one of you joining me on this incredible journey. Happy reading! [Follow me on Twitter: /DaoistAlphaWIA] Chapter 77: Jiang Chens Performance, Ye Fans Move "Alright, I''ll take my leave first." "Senior Brother Jiang Chen, be cautious!" Ye Fan didn''t linger. He merely nodded at Jiang Chen and gradually withdrew into the distance. ''The treasure forged by the blood-hued beasts is of immense importance to Ye Fan!'' ''So, he isn''t truly departing, but rather concealing himself first, allowing me to deplete the creatures'' strength, and then seizing the opportunity to im the treasure!'' ''In essence, Ye Fan desires to be the unassuming bystander who profits from the conflict of others!'' ''Hehe! If I weren''t aware that you were the protagonist, I might actually trust you!'' Jiang Chen inwardly scoffed while outwardly offering a subtle nod. Subsequently, Ye Fan retreated slowly, vanishing into the dense foliage. Jiang Chen feigned ignorance of Ye Fan''s intentions and removed the storage artifact from Li Teng''s body. Li Teng was already deceased. The divine sense defense of his storage artifact naturally dissipated as a result. Jiang Chen explored with his divine sense. He quickly uncovered numerous cultivation methods within the storage artifact. Among them, besides the Azure Jade Sect''s methods, there was even a Heavenly Origin realm cultivation method! Moreover, The spiritual nts gathered by Li Teng were also present. Combined with various resources he had previously acquired, his wealth and assets were quite substantial! ''Hehe!'' ''These opportunities are mine now!'' The corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth curled up, and with a wave of his hand, a fire incinerated Li Teng''s remains to ashes. Then, he summoned a breeze to disperse the ashes. Havingpleted these tasks, He carried his bloodied sword and proceeded towards the location of the thirteen colossal beasts. His pace was unhurried. He appeared to be extremely cautious. A kilometer behind him, ''I should be beyond his divine sense detection range now.'' Ye Fan navigated the forest, gauging the distance between himself and Jiang Chen mentally. For added precaution, He traveled several hundred to a thousand meters more before seeking refuge in a tree hollow. ''Turtle Breath Concealment Secrets!'' Seated cross-legged in the tree hollow, Ye Fan''s hands fashioned hand-seals, employing a unique method to obscure his aura. In mere moments, The fluctuations of his cultivation base and various auras vanished without a trace. But that wasn''t all. He proceeded to activate multiple additional methods to further conceal his aura and presence. In the blink of an eye, Ye Fan merged into the darkness, rendering himself nearly undetectable. "At this level," "With the divine sense strength of an average Mysterious tform realm cultivator, it would be impossible to locate me!" "Hmph, Jiang Chen, not only do you harbor a profound enmity with me, but you also aim to seize my treasures today. Just wait and witness how I''ll vanquish you!" "..." Ye Fan murmured through clenched teeth. Then, he exited the tree hollow and advanced in the direction of Jiang Chen. Simultaneously, ''Ye Fan should be making his way back now, right?'' ''Hmm, I can''t sense him at the moment. It''s likely because he has concealed his aura.'' ''His ace in the hole must be connected to his cultivation methods. I presume he has practiced multiple methods to obscure his aura.'' Jiang Chen contemted as he feigned carrying his sword and approaching the monsters. In reality, He had already activated the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade, initiating the condensation of a more powerful divine sense! Shortly, An augmented divine sense radiated outward. Gradually, Jiang Chen detected a hazy figure trailing several hundred meters behind him. Based on the silhouette, it was Ye Fan! ''As anticipated, he followed!'' Jiang Chen smirked inwardly and feigned ignorance, persisting in his forward motion! Soon, He neared the thirteen blood-colored humanoid monsters. At this juncture, the weakened humanoid monsters continued to consume the pus and decayed flesh on the ground, not even sparing those immersed in the mud. They were in a marginally better state than when they initially began disintegrating. But it was only a slight improvement. Perhaps it was because the pus and decayed fleshcked any real ''nutritional value.'' "Ten at the Early-stage Mysterious tform realm." "Three at the Middle-stage Mysterious tform realm." "With my current strength, I can easily vanquish them." Jiang Chen smiled faintly, wielding the top-grade Spiritual Awakening realm sword bestowed by Feng Jun, and sprang into action in a sh! Whoosh! The afterimage sliced through the air, producing a powerful rupturing sound! "Roar!!" The thirteen monsters instantly detected the approaching Jiang Chen, each turning their heads and emitting fierce roars! "Void Rainbow Third Sword Style, Flowing Wind!" Jiang Chen prated the horde of monsters, brandishing his long sword, and unleashed a session of sword shadows. However, He did not exert his full strength. Instead, he disyed abat prowess marginally superior to that of an average Middle-stage Mysterious tform cultivator. Consequently, He metamorphosed into a nimble figure, darting in and out amidst the thirteen monsters, engaging in relentlessbat! "Roar!" Monster after monster unleashed enraged growls. One after another, colossal and grotesque arms crumbled like pirs, furiously assailing Jiang Chen. Boom! In virtually an instant, The forest spanning several hundred meters in radius was leveled, utterly devastated! "Clear Sky sh!" Jiang Chen exhibited astonishing speed, and his long sword fiercely prated the weakest of the blood-colored monsters! The monster emitted a pitiful, half-human, half-beast-like cry, with blood surging from its body! But it didn''t perish! Continuing to brandish its razor-sharp ws like divine weapons, it ferociously lunged at Jiang Chen! "I''ll dodge again!" Jiang Chen lightly tapped his feet, sidestepping the assault. Suddenly! Six colossal arms from behind forcefullyshed at him! Above his head, an even more potent and fearsome pair of arms plummeted from the sky! "Ah, that was quick! I must dodge!" Jiang Chen contorted his body, narrowly evading the monsters'' coordinated attack. He made the battle appear incredibly arduous through his calcted performance. Yet, whenever he neared a crisis, he managed to reverse the situation! Not far off. Concealed in the shadows, Ye Fan observed the scene, a trace of a smile flickering in his eyes. Jiang Chen and the thirteen monsters were locked in a war of attrition. This was precisely the oue Ye Fan desired most! Once both parties were nearly spent, he nned to intervene, y Jiang Chen, and avenge his family. Afterward, he would eliminate the weakened monsters with ease and seize the advantage! Time steadily progressed. Jiang Chen ceaselessly battled the thirteen monsters, and eventually, he managed to ''struggle'' and defeat the feeblest six. All at once. Only seven monsters remained. These remaining seven were also considerably debilitated by him; theirbat prowess was notably diminished, and they posed virtually no threat. Hence. ''Now is the time.'' Jiang Chen thought to himself, feigning a pallidplexion and adopting lethargic movements. In the remote forest''s shadows. ''He''s nearly finished!'' Excitement gleamed in Ye Fan''s eyes as he took a step, cautiously advancing from the front. Shortly after. He reached the optimal position to strike! Yet he saw Jiang Chen, ''valiantly fighting,'' momentarily unleashing formidable power, eliminating two more monsters. Immediately following. He darted toward the fallen creatures, and it was evident that he intended to gather the treasures left by the in monsters before making his escape! "Jade Harmony Mist Veiled Sword!" A radiant gleam filled Ye Fan''s eyes as he gripped his longsword, lunging forward in an instant! His speed was astoundingly swift! Comparable to the Late-stage Mysterious tform realm! The potency of the sword technique in his grasp was far beyond anything the mere Middle-stage Mysterious tform realm could rival! Furthermore. His target was presently weakened, likely only equivalent to the Early-stage Mysterious tform realm. The chasm between the two was immense. Ye Fan was confident that he could eliminate Jiang Chen with a solitary strike! As the adage goes, easier said than done. In an instant, Ye Fan arrived at Jiang Chen''s side, his longsword descending like a lightning bolt. However, just at that moment! Chapter 78: Defeating Ye Fan and Seizing His Opportunity "Ye Fan!" "You truly are a heartless and ungrateful individual!" "I saved you, yet you still seek to take my life!" Jiang Chen sneered as the feigned weakness he had been disying evaporated in an instant. He promptly raised his long sword to shield his head. "What?!" "He was pretending?!" Ye Fan''s face contorted with shock and disbelief. Nheless, it was toote for him to alter his move since he had alreadymitted to his attack. Ding!! The collision of swords produced an ear-piercing noise! An immense shockwave burst forth from the point where the two swords made contact. The garments of bothbatants billowed loudly in the fierce wind, and their hair whipped about wildly! "Damn it!" "You actually concealed your true strength!" Ye Fan was propelled backward by the force,nding on the ground and ring at Jiang Chen with a dark expression. "Roar!!" The remaining five blood-colored monsters disregarded everything else and charged directly at Jiang Chen. "Hmph!" "Void Rainbow Seventh Sword Style, Falling Star!" Jiang Chen coldly snorted, and his entire being merged with his sword, prating a monster''s skull like a shooting star! Boom! The monster''s carcass dropped heavily to the ground, and blood oozed out. "These treasures are mine and mine alone!" Ye Fan''s eyes glittered, and he seized the opportunity while Jiang Chen was engaged with the monsters, lunging toward the lifeless bodies! "Delusional!" Jiang Chen sneered, and with a tap of his foot, he transformed into a streak of light and forcefully collided with Ye Fan''s figure! Bang!! A loud muffled noise resonated. The two figures made brief contact and retreated! Ye Fannded at the edge of the battlefield, his right hand trembling slightly, and the base of his palm throbbing with pain! Meanwhile, Jiang Chen plunged back into the encirclement of the remaining four monsters! Swoosh swoosh swoosh! Several ferocious arms, akin to massive trees covered in thorns, came hurtling down, attempting to crush the person in the center into a pulp! "Die!" Jiang Chen bellowed, sweeping his sword horizontally, and a potent burst of cold Qi erupted, momentarily causing the four monsters to falter in their movements. Following that, Swish! The sword''s de sliced through the air as the four monsters copsed in unison, their bodies limp and crashing to the ground. One after another, their heads rolled away, emitting a gurgling sound. These monsters didn''t perish like the first one, which had been stripped of its flesh and reduced to a skeleton. This was because Jiang Chen''s cold Qi had already obliterated their flesh and blood! In that instant, The final four monsters met their end simultaneously. Ye Fan''s eyes narrowed, and he lunged towards Jiang Chen once again, brandishing his sword! In his perspective, Jiang Chen had just disyed his full strength, and Ye Fan was convinced that he could exploit this chance to vanquish Jiang Chen! However! As Ye Fan charged towards Jiang Chen and thrust his sword forward, he noticed that Jiang Chen''s face bore a mocking expression! "Not good! He''s feigning weakness again!" Ye Fan was immensely rmed and dismayed, inwardly cursing Jiang Chen''s shamelessness! Yet, his longsword had already been thrust out, and it was toote to alter his move or retreat. He could only clench his teeth and continue the thrust! Ding! In the next instant, the sound of metal shing reverberated once more. Ye Fan felt an even more fearsome force surging through his longsword, exploding into his right hand. Crack!! The sound of bones shattering resonated in Ye Fan''s mind, making his pupils constrict. Nevertheless, his body''s movements never ceased. Upon spotting an opportunity, he instantly pushed off the ground to retreat. However, "Too slow!" Jiang Chen''s lips curved up slightly, and the ''Clear Sky sh'' was unleashed. His entire body transformed into a streak of ck lightning, charging directly in front of Ye Fan. Swoosh! The sound of a sword slicing through the air sent shivers down one''s spine! The longsword was on the verge of striking Ye Fan''s body! "Burning Blood Art!" Ye Fan gritted his teeth and activated the secret art to burn his blood essence, inciting a colossal explosion of qi and blood energy. With the aid of this force, He twisted his body, and in the nick of time, narrowly evaded Jiang Chen''s sword! A powerful wave of cold Qi emanated swiftly from Jiang Chen''s sword de. Half of Ye Fan''s body was engulfed by it. In a sh, Ye Fan experienced the bone-chilling cold Qi, and half of his body turned rigid! "Get away from me!" He bellowed in fury, as the tumultuous qi and blood within his body resisted the invasion of the cold Qi. In the next instant, Ye Fan''s feet made contact with the ground, and like an arrow, he swiftly retreated, disappearing into the woods. Jiang Chen let out a cold snort, feigning weakness and refraining from pursuing his quarry. At this point, Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value was exceedingly high. It was utterly unfeasible to eliminate him, and even inflicting grave wounds would involve significant risks! Given that Ye Fan had activated a self-destructive secret art to flee, he must have paid a toll and surely sustained injuries. Thus, In a scenario where the opponent''s Heavenly Fate Value remained exceptionally high, Managing to exploit their vulnerabilities and inflict harm upon them was already the optimal oue. At this juncture, A series of system notifications abruptly resounded. [Ding! You sessfully defeated the protagonist Ye Fan, impaired his mental state, and reduced Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value by 200 points!] [Ding! You acquired 300 points of Viin Value!] [Ding! You effectively seized a portion of the protagonist Ye Fan''s opportunities, and Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value decreased by 600 points!] [Ding! You umted 1,100 points of Viin Value!] [Ding! You sessfully inflicted injury upon the protagonist Ye Fan, and Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value temporarily diminished by 200 points!] [Ding! You obtained 300 points of Viin Value!] The system notifications reverberated in Jiang Chen''s mind. A contemtive look flickered in Jiang Chen''s eyes. ''Defeating Ye Fan merely reduced his Heavenly Fate Value by two hundred points?'' ''It appears that he isn''t the type of protagonist who never falters throughout the tale, but rather one who stumbles, grows stronger through adversity, and eventually makes a triumphant return.'' ''Otherwise, it would be imusible to decrease his Heavenly Fate Value by such a modest sum.'' ''Furthermore, I snatched the opportunities within the thirteen monsters'' bodies, causing Ye Fan to forfeit six hundred points of Heavenly Fate Value. While not insignificant, it''s not a substantial amount either.'' ''It appears that these monsters represent merely a fraction of his opportunities in the Cave Heaven Secret Realm.'' ''The remaining parts likely epass more skinless monsters, as well as opportunities of other varieties.'' ''These other types of opportunities should also be connected to the skinless monsters, as they are the sole ''living beings'' within this Cave Heaven Secret Realm, possessing a mysterious origin and involvement in crucial narratives.'' ''...'' Jiang Chen continued to ponder in his heart, while simultaneously using his sword to crack open the monsters'' skulls. Shortly, The first monster''s skull was breached. Jiang Chen extracted a small golden-red bead from within. A rich and enticing aroma wafted from it, utterly irresistible! "This aroma... it''s incredibly enticing!" "It seems as if consuming this could yield significant benefits." "However, I must refrain. This isn''t a spiritual nt, and I have yet to identify it." "Once I fullyprehend its origin and purpose, I''ll decide whether to ingest it or not." "For the time being, I''ll dub it a monster''s inner core." "..." Jiang Chen murmured softly to himself. Simultaneously, while extracting the inner cores from other monsters'' craniums, he casually browsed the system mall for invented names. He hoped to fortuitously discover this golden-red, inner core-like object. s, after extracting all the monster inner cores, he failed to locate this item within the system by mere chance. "How unfortunate my luck is!" "The system is also to me. If only it possessed an object identification search function..." Jiang Chen vented a few grievances, then ced all the monster inner cores into the Moondust Ring. A note from AlphaWIA: Thank you for reading this chapter of "Great Viin: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate"! If you enjoyed it, please consider following me on Twitter [@DaoistAlphaWIA] for thetest updates, news, and discussions about the novel. Your support means the world to me, and I appreciate every one of you joining me on this incredible journey. Happy reading! Get 24-hour early ess to new chapters by joining my Patreon [@AlphaWIA] Chapter 79: Exchanging the Aura Finder Smoke Again, Tracking Ye Fan At that very moment. The monstrous corpses strewn across the ground, their skulls severed and ''inner cores'' extracted by Jiang Chen, abruptly dissolved into a pool of blood that seeped into the earth. "I still can''t determine what these creatures truly are!" Jiang Chen shook his head, promptly extending his divine sense in an attempt to locate Ye Fan''s presence. s, Ye Fan had activated a secret art to flee, his speed astonishingly swift. At this point, not a single trace of him remained. ''Given Ye Fan''s prudent nature, he surely wouldn''t continue fleeing in a single direction.'' ''Chasing him in the initial direction of his escape would prove fruitless.'' ''It appears I must exchange for additional Aura Finder Smoke!'' After a brief moment of contemtion, Jiang Chen essed the system mall! At this moment, His Viin Value bnce stood at 9,600 points! Exchanging for a stick of Aura Finder Smoke would be effortless. [Ding! Deducting 300 Viin Value points. You have sessfully exchanged for an Aura Finder Smoke*1!] A stick of incense materialized in Jiang Chen''s hand. It was pitch ck and the length of an arm. The middle section was hollow, designed to amodate personal belongings of the target or body tissues such as hair. "Handling the aura aspect, it''s quite simple!" Jiang Chen''s mouth curled into a smirk, and with a wave of his hand, a potent pressurepressed the surrounding air into a minuscule mass. Moments ago, Ye Fan had utilized a power-up secret art that consumed his blood essence. A potent and concentrated aura of qi and blood had erupted from him. These substances, which had burst forth from Ye Fan''s body, fell into the category of body tissues and were the optimal materials for tracking Ye Fan! "Let it burn!" Jiang Chen tossed the tiny mass of air into the opening of the Aura Finder Smoke and snapped his right fingers, igniting it instantly. In an instant. A wisp of smoke ascended and veered toward Jiang Chen''s left side with remarkable speed. "Ye Fan has indeed altered his course!" "Hmph! Foolish to believe you can escape from my grasp!" Jiang Chen scoffed, and in an instant, tapped his foot, morphing into a ck shadow and darting forward! At this moment, he unleashed his most formidable speed without restraint, the velocity of a Half-step Heavenly Origin realm! Before long. Jiang Chen''s divine sense pinpointed Ye Fan''s figure. This individual was employing a cultivation method to mask his own aura, cautiously creeping ahead. Unbeknownst to him. His location had already been unveiled under Jiang Chen''s vignt watch. "Incredible!" "Aura Finder Smoke truly is a product of the system." "Ye Fan''s concealment method is futile." Jiang Chen smirked faintly, then decelerated his pace, trailing behind Ye Fan. Time gradually psed. Having traveled several dozen miles further, Ye Fan eventually slowed to a stop. He scrutinized his surroundings with great care. Upon detecting no suspicious indications, he finally exhaled in relief. "Phew!" "Atst, I''ve managed to elude Jiang Chen!" "I hadn''t anticipated his immense strength; he appears even mightier than the average Late-stage Mysterious tform cultivator!" "What''s more, his caution rivals mine, surpassing it in certain aspects, which is utterly unlike his parents!" "Dealing with him is a daunting task. I must first enhance my abilities before seeking retribution against him!" "I vow to exact vengeance for my deep-rooted enmity, or I shall deem myself unworthy of being human!" Seated cross-legged in the shade of an enormous boulder, Ye Fan clenched his fists and murmured resentfully. Unbeknownst to him, Jiang Chen was observing him from afar at that very moment! His inadvertent mutterings had divulged critical information! ''???'' ''My enmity with Ye Fan is connected to my father, Jiang Xingyang?'' ''Could it be that my parents journeyed to the Snowy Wind Continent and encountered Ye Fan!?'' Jiang Chen was initially baffled, but then his pupils abruptly constricted! Although both his parents were Mysterious tform Realm cultivators, They were merely at the Early-stage, or at most, the Middle-stage. Such prowess was simply insufficient in the face of Ye Fan! ''No matter how the parents of this body provoked Ye Fan, ''Based on Ye Fan''s response, the animosity must be profound, either due to the death of his loved ones or some other incident.'' ''At present, I fear the parents of this body have already fallen into Ye Fan''s clutches!'' ''...'' Jiang Chen sighed inwardly as he contemted. Jiang Xingyang and his wife, the parents of his predecessor, naturally possessed a low Fate Value. They were initially destined to perish at the hands of Lin Feng. Yet, he vanquished Lin Feng. Nheless, the elderly couple ultimately met their demise at the hands of another protagonist, Ye Fan. In the end, they couldn''t evade their fate. Indeed. Fate is fate, but that did not prevent Jiang Chen from experiencing aplex medley of emotions! Although they were merely the parents of his predecessor... Regardless, they were still the parents of his current body. As he wrestled with this connection, an instinctive, profound hatred toward Ye Fan began to simmer beyond his control! Furthermore, upon observing his uncle, Jiang Xingtai, it was evident that the Jiang n genuinely cherished Jiang Chen, particrly his parents. The innate bond he felt with them weighed heavily upon his heart! If there were a way to rescue the elderly couple, of course, he would seize it! Now. They had perished at the hands of Ye Fan, so he would y Ye Fan in retribution and bring sce to their spirits in the heavens... ''Ye Fan!'' ''Just you wait!'' ''Soon, I will strip you of your protagonist status, subjecting you to an agonizing demise!'' A cold glint flickered in Jiang Chen''s eyes, only to vanish in an instant, returning to normal. No matter how fervent the emotions in his heart, they could not sway him! Especially when confronting an unreasonable protagonist like Ye Fan! Subsequently. Jiang Chen persisted in tracking Ye Fan, seizing the opportunity to consume restorative medicinal pills in between, fine-tuning his condition to its zenith. As for Ye Fan. He, too, extracted some healing and rejuvenating medicinal pills to steadily recuperate from his injuries. The medicinal pills from the Azure Jade Sect were quite exceptional. Ye Fan rapidly regained his strength to a significant degree, no longer hindered in battle. He observed Ye Fan rise to his feet, nonchntly select a direction, andmence his departure. Jiang Chen lightly tapped the ground with his foot, discreetly trailing behind. Just then! "Roar!" A ferocious growl echoed from the distance. It was the blood-colored monster''s fearsome roar! Both Jiang Chen and Ye Fan halted, their gazes sharpening. ''Darn it!'' ''Ye Fan''s luck is unbelievably good!'' ''I just snatched over ten monster inner cores from him, and now he''s encountering another lone monster!'' ''It must be his Heavenly Fate Value in action!'' Jiang Chen grumbled inwardly, then started observing Ye Fan''s reaction. "Blood-colored monster!" "Excellent, this time I must obtain the monster''s qi and blood core!" Ye Fan''s eyes widened with surprise, and he immediately sprinted in the direction of the monster''s roar! Shortly after. The presence of a blood-colored monster emerged within his divine sense! And astonishingly. This monster was tearing and gnawing at a corpse! Jiang Chen also witnessed this scene, his eyes narrowing, betraying a cautious expression. ''Judging by the attire on the corpse, it appears to be someone from the Heavenly de School!'' ''Among the five sects we encountered earlier, there was no Heavenly de School.'' ''This sect, along with the other four sects, dispersed throughout the area!'' ''Now it seems that their disciples have also gradually scattered, and this solitary individual has be prey for the monster.'' ''But this corpse holds another identity... it''s a gift package for Ye Fan.'' ''Darn, it''s not enough to have monsters waiting to be in, but it alsoes with a gift package!?'' Jiang Chen contemted for a moment, then became somewhat at a loss for words. Chapter 80: The Abnormality of the Wordless Heavenly Jade Simultaneously. "This creature is at the Middle-stage Mysterious tform realm!" "With mybat capabilities, defeating it should pose no problem!" "Yet, I''m unsure if this entity can be considered a living being. Maybe my Wordless Heavenly Jade can directly absorb its qi and blood!" "..." Ye Fan concealed himself in the shadows, observing the creature as it feasted upon the corpse, a flicker of light dancing in his eyes. Not long after. He nced left and right momentarily before producing a white jade token. The jade token appeared quite ordinary; even some transmission jade tokens seemed more intricate andvish byparison. Nheless. It captured nearly all of Jiang Chen''s focus! ''Ye Fan is exercising extreme caution and vignce.'' ''This white jade token must be his ace in the hole!'' ''An ace rted to cultivation methods!'' Jiang Chen inhaled deeply and continued to intently observe Ye Fan. He watched as Ye Fan positioned the white jade token in his left hand, gently pinching it, causing one corner of the token to embed itself into his flesh and blood. Gradually. Numerous blood threads emerged from Ye Fan''s hand and extended onto the jade token. Before long, the once immacte white jade token appeared as though it was enveloped in blood threads, akin to the whites of eyes, exuding a sinister aura. Immediately following. Ye Fan, brandishing his long sword, charged headlong toward the blood-colored creature! "Roar!!" The blood-colored creature instantly detected Ye Fan and unleashed a roar. Perhaps it hadn''t anticipated that while it savored its meal, additional sustenance would be delivered right to its doorstep. In the following moment. "Violent Tiger Power!" "Jade Harmony Mist Veiled Sword!" An immense force abruptly erupted from Ye Fan, and both he and his long sword nearly transformed into a slender streak, assaulting the monster! ''Violent Tiger Power!'' ''This is my Jiang n''s cultivation method!'' ''Ye Fan, that despicable individual, actually knows this secret art... It seems I was correct; his predecessor''s parents must have already perished!'' Jiang Chen''s eyebrows knit together slightly as he persisted in observing Ye Fan. On the battlefield. "Roar!" The creature brandished its lithe limbs, as its razor-sharp, menacing ck talons lunged at Ye Fan with ferocity! sh! The distinct sound of a keen de piercing through flesh echoed. One of the beast''s appendages soared skyward. Ruby droplets of blood spattered onto the earth, giving rise to billows of heated mist! Immediately after! Rivulets of crimson energy seeped from the severed limb on the ground and the creature''s mangled stump. Then, like a fine scarlet haze, it coalesced around Ye Fan, fusing into the blood-streaked jade token in his left hand! The ivory jade token, enriched by the sanguine mist, trembled faintly, emitting an even more potent suction force! The dismembered appendage on the ground rapidly depleted of its qi and blood, turning shriveled and desated like timber. Simrly, the beast''s injured stump gushed with its vital qi and blood energy, as if being siphoned away. These life forces all funneled into the jade token. The blood-hued creature, depleted of a significant portion of its qi and blood energy, swiftly began to weaken. The blood-hued monster''s aura visibly plummeted to the Early stage Mysterious tform realm. And it continued to decline! Unable to even stabilize its realm, the creature''s innate regenerative ability naturally failed to activate. As a result. In the eyes of the onlookers, the once-troublesome blood-hued monster appeared exceedingly vulnerable before Ye Fan. Soon. The blood-hued creature fell from the Mysterious tform realm, growing even weaker. "Die!" Ye Fan seized the opportunity, thrusting his sword through the monster''s skull in a single stroke, the de''s tip impably securing a golden-red inner core! Thump! The immense form of the blood-hued monster crumpled to the ground, utterly motionless. ''My Wordless Heavenly Jade truly possesses the ability to absorb the qi and blood energy of this monster during battle!'' ''It appears that this entity is not a living creature... I wonder how many more such monsters dwell within the Cave Heaven secret realm. This is simply the most ideal prey for me!'' ''...'' A glint of delight flickered in Ye Fan''s eyes as he inserted the jade token in his left hand directly into the wound on the monster''s skull. Swiftly. The blood-colored monster''s corpse withered away. Yet, it wasn''t over. Ye Fan retrieved the golden-red monster''s inner core that he had just procured and ced it atop the jade token. The blood streaks on the jade token''s surface slithered onto the golden-red inner core, resembling living organisms, and thenmenced absorbing its distinct energy. The golden-red inner core transformed into a gray-white hue, and subsequently disintegrated into a wisp of white ash that vanished with the breeze. ''Incredible!'' ''Such potent energy!'' ''With this energy for the Wordless Heavenly Jade to consume, I can elerate my cultivation practice!'' ''Since the energy is abundant, and the surroundings are rtively secure, why not find a ce to practice my cultivation methods!'' Pondering in his heart, Ye Fan promptly made a decision: to practice his cultivation methods and fortify himself! Primarily, it was Jiang Chen''s appearance that led him to face setbacks and adopt a more vignt approach, fostering an urgent yearning to enhance his strength. Otherwise. He likely would have scoured every corner for the blood-colored monsters, amassing more energy for the Wordless Heavenly Jade. Subsequently. Ye Fan retrieved the storage artifact belonging to the Heavenly de School disciple from the remains of the blood-colored monster. Upon inspecting it, he disyed a gratified smile. Throughout this entire process. Jiang Chen refrained from intervening to halt him. This was because he had justunched an attack on Ye Fan earlier. If he were to strike again now, even if Ye Fan were as astute as a monkey, he should realize that Jiang Chen could trace his whereabouts! As for the current opportunity. Rtively speaking, it was merely a minor one. Biding his time for when it mattered most, Jiang Chen aimed to strike at the crucial moment, in order to deal the most significant blow to Ye Fan! Furthermore. Jiang Chen was also curious to observe how Ye Fan would capitalize on these opportunities after acquiring them! At this instant. Ye Fan departed from the battlefield and began to move. Jiang Chen discreetly trailed behind him. Ye Fan sought a concealed location nearby and concealed himself within it. He proceeded to sort through the spoils of war stored within the storage artifact. His primary concern was the cultivation method manuals. This was because they could rapidly enhance hisbat capabilities. As for the other items, he temporarily set them aside. Shortly after. Ye Fan retrieved all the cultivation method manuals he had acquired from the storage artifact. Included were three Heavenly Origin realm cultivation methods from the Heavenly de School! Even though these three cultivation methods necessitated secret keys for unlocking them. For Ye Fan, this posed no obstacle whatsoever. He positioned one of the cultivation methods atop the Wordless Heavenly Jade in his left hand. The blood-like threads on the jade token appeared to spring to life, extending towards the jade slip that documented the cultivation method. Instantaneously! A subtle radiance emanated from the Wordless Heavenly Jade. Ye Fan''s entire body quivered, and an odd expression, a blend of confusion and enlightenment, graced his face. The confusion on his face diminished, while the enlightenment intensified! Ultimately. Ye Fan wholly grasped the cultivation method contained within the jade slip! Yet it wasn''t over!! The Wordless Heavenly Jade quivered slightly, and a substantial amount of peculiar energy coursed into Ye Fan''s body through the blood threads. "Majestic Gale Heavy de!" Ye Fan couldn''t resist rising to his feet, using his right hand as a de, andmencing practice. Throughout this practice session. The Wordless Heavenly Jade persistently channeled energy, infusing it into Ye Fan''s limbs and bones! Uponpleting a round of practice. Every cell within Ye Fan''s body had undergone transformation and nourishment from the energy of the Wordless Heavenly Jade. Although Ye Fan had only executed the ''Majestic Gale Heavy de'' once, it seemed as though he had trained for dozens or even hundreds of years, attaining the perfect level! His body even developed an instinctive conditioned reflex! Should the individuals from the Heavenly de School witness this, they would undoubtedly question their existence in that very moment. A note from AlphaWIA: Thank you for reading this chapter of "Great Viin: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate"! ***Get 24-hour early ess to new chapters by joining my Patreon [@AlphaWIA]*** If you enjoyed it, please consider following me on Twitter [@DaoistAlphaWIA] for thetest updates, news, and discussions about the novel. Chapter 81: Deploying the Black Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, Snatching Monsters ''Darn.'' ''Just one round of practice, and the cultivation method has reached the perfect level this is simply too preposterous!'' ''...'' Jiang Chen secretly observed Ye Fan, feeling as though a maelstrom of emotions swirled within his heart. His own cultivation method practice was already considered exceptionally rapid. Nheless, even for a quick-sess method like the Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets, he had to practice it multiple times, investing a significant amount of time before attaining the great aplishment level. For methods such as the Wind Void Steps and the seventhyer of the Void Rainbow Sword Technique, he had merely reached the minor aplishment level. But Ye Fan. In a matter of mere minutes, he had practiced a Heavenly Origin realm cultivation method to the perfect level! This was truly exasperating! At that moment, Jiang Chen witnessed Ye Fan retrieve a second cultivation method andmence practicing it with the same methodology. ''Drat!'' ''This is utterly absurd!'' ''Ye Fan''s sole weakness now is that his cultivation basegs behind, hindering him from fully unleashing the power of those cultivation methods.'' ''But even so, it''s excessively preposterous!'' ''No, I must enhance my own strength; otherwise, I won''t be able to contend with this guy!'' ''Fortunately, I still possess some spiritual nts on me, which I recently acquired from Li Teng.'' ''That''s right, Li Teng''s cultivation methods are also in my possession...'' ''Phew, even though Li Teng and Ye Fan both hail from the Azure Jade Sect, and their cultivation methods are somewhat repetitive, if Ye Fan were to obtain Li Teng''s cultivation methods as well, it would suffice to considerably augment his strength.'' Jiang Chen felt slightly reassured as he gazed at the cultivation methods in Li Teng''s storage ring. Immediately afterward, He extracted all the spiritual nts from Li Teng''s storage ring. Now capable of directly consuming spiritual nts, Jiang Chen seldom ingested medicinal pills. Unless they were system-produced pills or of exceptionally high quality, he wouldn''t consume them in the slightest. After all, medicinal pills harbored impurities, and excessive consumption could prove detrimental to one''s physical foundation. In that instant, After extracting all the medicinal pills and spiritual nts, Jiang Chen''s expression abruptly froze. ''Huh?'' ''This Li Teng is actually quite affluent!'' ''Judging by his possessions, he''s undoubtedly more than an ordinary Early-stage Mysterious tform realm cultivator; he must have a formidable background!'' ''Hehe, this is likely another subplot in Ye Fan''s narrative.'' ''Behind Li Teng stands a vast assembly of benevolent individuals eager to bestow generous gifts.'' Gazing at the stacks of spirit stones within the storage ring, Jiang Chen couldn''t help but marvel. Inside the storage ring, there were at least 500,000 spirit stones! Moreover, there were Li Teng''s weapons, artifacts, and other valuable treasures. ''Fortunately, all these things now belong to me.'' Jiang Chen smiled before popping the spiritual nts into his mouth. In no time, A vast amount of medicinal properties were absorbed by the Burning World Red Lotus. The nourished Burning World Red Lotus swiftly reciprocated with an extraordinary power, persistently enhancing Jiang Chen''s aptitude and elevating his cultivation. Having just advanced to the Late-stage Mysterious tform realm, his cultivation base rose once more. ''Hehe!'' ''My secret weapon isn''t too shabby either; it''s excellent for boosting my realm!'' ''Most crucially, it can augment my aptitude, which is incredible!'' Jiang Chen grinned inwardly and then turned his gaze back to Ye Fan. However, he noticed that Ye Fan had already mastered the second Heavenly de School''s cultivation method, achieving the perfect level. Given his Late-stage Spiritual Awakening cultivation base, he likely couldn''t even unleash a tenth of its potential. Nheless, Jiang Chen recognized that Ye Fan''s strength must have improved substantially, rendering his previousbat capabilities an inadequate measure. At this moment, Ye Fan was practicing the final Heavenly Origin realm cultivation method. However, it appeared that this method was not progressing smoothly, as the energy in the Wordless Heavenly Jade had already been depleted. "No, this won''t do." "The Heavenly Origin realm cultivation method is potent, but the energy it demands during practice is equally immense!" "Now that the energy in the Wordless Heavenly Jade has been drained, I must continue my search for monsters to vanquish!" Ye Fan resolved, then concealed his left hand with his broad sleeve, nonchntly selecting a direction in which to begin moving. ''Darn it!'' ''Here we go again!'' ''I can''t allow him to continue hunting monsters like this!'' ''I must get ahead of him and eliminate all the monsters he''s bound to encounter!'' ''Seriously, I never imagined I''d bepeting for monsters even after crossing over.'' Jiang Chen muttered inwardly, then began contemting how to seize the monsters. With his current speed at the Half-step Heavenly Origin realm, he was undoubtedly more powerful than Ye Fan, but only by a small margin! In order not to let Ye Fan detect him, He needed to dispatch the monsters and gather the loot as swiftly as possible! Otherwise, if Ye Fan came across him, it would raise his suspicions, make him more cautious, and even more challenging to handle! "It seems!" "I must use my treasure!" Jiang Chen licked his lips, and with a swift flick of his right hand, he produced the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle! In this instant, the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle was palm-sized, boasting a sleek design that was remarkably elegant and smooth, akin to a wless cigar! Jiang Chen held it delicately between his right fingertips before gently tossing it into the air. In an instant, The ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle rapidly expanded, morphing from a diminutive cigar-shaped object into a three-meter-long flying artifact. "Sky Piercing Shuttle, let''s go!" Jiang Chen seated himself on the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, and as the Yuan Power flowed, he immediately disappeared from his original position like a fleeting streak! En route, The ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle burst forth with a velocity far surpassing Jiang Chen''s own flying speed. This made Jiang Chen feel as though he were astride a rocket, an experience that was nothing short of exhrating! Moreover, This wasn''t even its top speed! "So fast!" "Holy moly, I believe I can push it even further!" "Full throttle, let''s go!" Jiang Chen''s face disyed sheer excitement as he persistently channeled Yuan Power into the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle. Immediately! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The velocity of the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle multiplied tenfold, surpassing the speed of sound! Nheless, During the initial creation of the flying artifact, the issue of sonic booms was taken into ount, leading to the development of a design that specifically masked the noise. As a consequence, Jiang Chen''s flight remained silent, reminiscent of a small spacecraft traversing through space - both swift and hushed. "I adore it! I adore it!" "ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, you''re astounding!" Jiang Chen''s eyes widened in amazement, his face brimming with overwhelming joy and astonishment! Within the scope of his divine sense, a blood-colored monster emerged! "A monster in the Early-stage Mysterious tform realm!?" "Pathetic, perish!" Jiang Chen swiftly navigated the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle behind the monster and lifted his hand, unleashing a barrage of dark sword radiance! It was the Shadowde Sword! A Heavenly Origin realm weapon! Confronted by the Shadowde Sword, the Early-stage Mysterious tform realm blood-colored monster had no means to defend itself. It couldn''t even react before being diagonally cleaved into two halves! Boom. The monster''s remains plummeted to the ground, bisected. It didn''t even have the opportunity to emit a final cry. Without dy, Jiang Chen extracted a golden-red inner core from one portion of the blood-colored monster''s severed head. "Right!" "I can''t leave this carcass for Ye Fan!" Jiang Chen stowed away the golden-red inner core and then waved his hand, unleashing the fearsome Burning World mes! With a whoosh! The mes engulfed the monster''s carcass like a ferocious tidal wave, and the acrid scent of charred flesh pervaded the air immediately. In a mere instant, The monster''s carcass transformed into ashes, dissipating in a wisp of smoke! [Ding! You have sessfully taken a portion of protagonist Ye Fan''s opportunities. Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 100 points!] [Ding! You have acquired 200 points of Viin Value!] The system notifications resounded. Jiang Chen''s expression grew increasingly exuberant! Chapter 82: Ye Fan鈥檚 Disappointment Following that event, "My precious! Let''s move!" Jiang Chen''s lips curled into a grin as he channeled a copious amount of Yuan Power into the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle. In a sh! He transformed into an afterimage and vanished from the spot! Nheless, the protagonist Ye Fan remained entirely oblivious to this. He soared ahead, his face brimming with anticipation, hoping toe across more blood-colored humanoid giant monsters. As time gradually psed, "It''s appeared again!" Jiang Chen, piloting the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, once more detected a blood-colored humanoid giant monster. This time, the monster had reached the Middle-stage Mysterious tform realm! Nevertheless, To Jiang Chen, there was no distinction between Early-stage and Middle-stage Mysterious tform realm monsters. "Shadowde Sword! y!" Jiang Chen fiercely elerated the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, and the Shadowde Sword in his grasp gathered an immense amount of cold Qi, decapitating the monster with a single, swift strike! By now, He had entirely grasped the monster''s vulnerability. The most significant weakness of these blood-colored humanoid monstersy in their heads, or to be more precise, the golden-red inner core within. As long as the golden-red inner core was extracted, they would perish instantaneously. However, Despite being a vulnerability, the monster''s head was, in fact, the most robust part of its body. Therefore, This weakness was only relevant to those like Jiang Chen, who could instantly prate their defenses and eliminate them in mere seconds. If it were an average Mysterious tform realm cultivator, they would be incapable of shattering the monster''s head and could only whittle it down to demise. At this moment, Jiang Chen effortlessly cleaved a monster with a single sword, extracted the golden-red inner core from half of its skull, and then unleashed a surge of fire to incinerate the monster''s remains entirely. The entire procedure had be highly adept by now. At this time, [Ding! You have sessfully seized a portion of protagonist Ye Fan''s opportunities, Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 100 points!] [Ding! You have acquired 200 points of Viin Value!] The system prompt resonated once more. ''It appears,'' ''The disparity between Early-stage and Middle-stage Mysterious tform realm blood-colored monsters is not significant; both reduce 100 points of Heavenly Fate Value.'' ''Furthermore, vanquishing a single blood-colored monster individually yields far more than the average gain from eliminating thirteen monsters.'' ''I surmise that each time I snatch a monster from Ye Fan now, it counts as a seizing opportunity event!'' ''...'' While contemting, Jiang Chen tossed a handful of restorative medicinal pills into his mouth, then utilized the Aura Finder Smoke to pinpoint Ye Fan''s location. However, the smoke from the Aura Finder Smoke wafted towards the back. This signified that Ye Fan had yet to change his course and was continuing his search in Jiang Chen''s direction. "Excellent!" "Now, proceed forward and seize more monsters!" Jiang Chen''s lips curled upward, spurring the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle to soar ahead. At the rear. ''What''s happening?'' ''Could it be that there are no more blood-colored monsters nearby? I haven''t encountered any in such a long while!'' ''In the beginning, there were thirteen, no, fourteen of them all at once!'' ''Logically, the density of monsters should not be this low at the moment.'' ''Is it because my luck is just that terrible?'' Ye Fan furrowed his brow, feeling a touch of annoyance in his heart. After all this time, he still hadn''t gained anything. He couldn''t shake the feeling that it wasn''t supposed to be this way. Feeling slightly disheartened and perplexed, Ye Fan continued to advance. Not long after. Some dubious traces materialized within the range of his divine sense. "Is this... a battleground?" "These footprints belong to the blood-colored monsters!" "But it appears that the blood-colored monsters have already been in by someone else!" "No wonder I haven''te across any blood-colored monsters for so long. It seems someone else got to them first!" Ye Fan examined the traces on the ground, and a look of understanding dawned in his eyes. Immediately after. He knit his brows. The blood-colored monsters held great significance to him, but now someone else had arrived before him and taken one away. ''No matter.'' ''The golden-red inner core of these blood-colored monsters is quite peculiar, and they won''t be able to figure out its use for some time. They''ll likely hold onto it.'' ''If there''s an opportunity in the future, I''ll attempt to barter it back from them!'' ''With some cultivation methods and in-depth insights at the perfect level, I''m confident they''ll be more than eager.'' With this thought, Ye Fan''s spirits lifted somewhat, and he continued his search ahead. It was not unusual for someone else to have arrived first and in a blood-colored monster. Surely, others wouldn''t always reach the prey before him, right? He was bound to encounter one eventually! Ye Fan believed that he would soon discover the third blood-colored monster. However! Time steadily ticked away. He had been advancing for quite a while, yet he hadn''te across a single blood-colored monster again! Instead, along the path, he stumbled upon evidence of at least ten different monster battles. In other words. At least ten monsters had been vanquished by others! Even the monsters'' remains were obliterated. As for the destruction of the monsters'' carcasses, Ye Fan harbored no doubts. Monsters possessed immense vitality, and when cultivators confronted them, it was customary to cautiously reduce their bones to ashes. However. What caused Ye Fan to furrow his brow was, who could have in more than ten monsters? Judging by the remnants on the battlefield, each battle was rapid and decisive, and the individual who defeated the monsters was evidently quite formidable! But. In the previous five major sects, there was no such powerful figure. Even if it was Jiang Chen who had concealed his true strength, he was only marginally more potent than Ye Fan. ying a monster in its prime wouldn''t be such an effortless feat! If it had been a coborative effort, the battle traces left behind would be even less likely to be so sparse. ''It seems that the top ten sects truly harbor hidden dragons and crouching tigers.'' ''Besides Jiang Chen, there are individuals even mightier than him! I must exercise greater caution.'' With this in mind, the notion of hunting blood-colored monsters in Ye Fan''s thoughts significantly diminished. At the very least. In this vicinity, Ye Fan had no desire to continue hunting the blood-colored monsters. Primarily, the monsters had been nearly eradicated, and secondarily, a perilous enigmatic expert lurked in this region. ''I have no choice but to change course and leave this area for now.'' Ye Fan''s figure altered its trajectory, veering towards a different direction. Simultaneously. "Hmm?" "The Aura Finder Smoke''s direction has shifted?" "It appears that Ye Fan has abandoned his pursuit of monsters in this area, intending to venture elsewhere!" "Heh heh, Ye Fan, regardless of your actions, I will always remain one step ahead!" Jiang Chen''s lips twisted into a frosty grin, and he promptlymanded the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle to alter its course, maneuvering around to reach the area ahead of Ye Fan. En route. He extended his divine sense into the Moondust Ring, discovering twelve additional golden-red inner cores within. These had been acquired from ying the blood-colored monsters subsequently. Counting the initial thirteen and the first one, there was a sum of twenty-six monster inner cores! ''I cannot utilize these cores at the moment.'' ''I must determine whether they can be employedter, or bide my time until I vanquish Ye Fan and seize his jade token before putting them to use!'' Jiang Chen''s thoughts stirred, prompting him to examine his panel. From the blood-colored monsters he had in thereafter, he had rued 2,400 points of Viin Value, while simultaneously reducing Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value by 1,200 points. A note from AlphaWIA: ***Get early ess to more chapters by joining my Patreon [@AlphaWIA]*** Thank you for reading this chapter of "Great Viin: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate"! If you enjoyed it, please consider following me on Twitter [@DaoistAlphaWIA]. Chapter 83: Half-Step Heavenly Origin Realm Battle Power ''My Viin Value bnce has reached 12,100 points!'' ''This allows me to exchange for a significant number of treasures!'' ''At this critical juncture in my confrontation with Ye Fan, enhancing myself with medicinal pills would be too time-consuming. However, I can utilize spiritual nts for this purpose!'' ''Before that, though, I can make use of the spiritual nts I already possess.'' Jiang Chen contemted, his eyes settling on a sizable stack of spiritual nts within the Moondust Ring. Throughout the course of monster hunting. He had consistently collected spiritual nts on his path. He didn''t squander time gathering low-rank spiritual nts, but he couldn''t resist acquiring spiritual nts from the Spiritual Awakening, Mysterious tform, and Heavenly Origin ranks! By this point. He had amassed over fifty Mysterious tform and Heavenly Origin rank spiritual nts, as well as an evenrger quantity of Spiritual Awakening rank nts! ''In any case, with the Burning World Red Lotus refining the medicinal power and then channeling it back to me, I don''t need to expend much energy.'' ''So, I''ll consume the nts on the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle!'' Jiang Chen retrieved a spiritual nt, conjured a stream of water to cleanse it, and then promptly devoured it. All at once. The medicinal power burst forth. The Burning World Red Lotus absorbed it seamlessly and subsequently channeled the wondrous energy back, augmenting Jiang Chen''s cultivation base and his aptitude for cultivation. Upon finishing one spiritual nt. Jiang Chen promptly began consuming the second one. In no time. He had ingested all the spiritual nts. At this juncture, Jiang Chen''s cultivation base had progressed slightly, and his aptitude had also improved! Moreover. The fissures on the Burning World Red Lotus had fully mended. Though it still appeared somewhat withered, its condition had visibly improved. Nheless. As the cracks on the Burning World Red Lotus healed, the impact of the Mysterious tform rank spiritual nts on it diminished significantly, and the potency of the Heavenly Origin rank nts began to decline as well. It remained uncertain when it would be able to recuperate to the Inquiring Journey rank. ''Now is the time to utilize my Viin Value!'' ''System, open the mall!'' ''...'' Upon opening the system mall, Jiang Chen immediatelymenced his search. Soon. He unexpectedly discovered a mystical nt known as the ''Heavenly Star Crossing Cmity Precious Ginseng''! Although the rank of this extraordinary spiritual nt was merely at the Heavenly Origin realm, its medicinal properties had astonishingly reached the Inquiring Journey rank! Typical Heavenly Origin rank spiritual nts were considerably less expensive than Heavenly Origin rank medicinal pills, weapons, and cultivation methods. Most of them only necessitated around 1,000 points for an exchange. Nheless, this ''Heavenly Star Crossing Cmity Precious Ginseng'' was valued at 2,600 points! ''Indeed, the world is brimming with marvels.'' ''This ''Heavenly Star Crossing Cmity Precious Ginseng'' can already be ssified as an Inquiring Journey rank spiritual nt!'' ''With my Viin Value, I can trade for four of them!'' Jiang Chen''s eyes sparkled with excitement. After making some calctions, he resolved to exchange for one to give it a try. ''System!'' ''Exchange for the spiritual nt ''Heavenly Star Crossing Cmity Precious Ginseng''!'' Upon giving themand. The system prompt resounded instantaneously. [Ding! You have spent 2,600 points of Viin Value and sessfully exchanged for a Heavenly Star Crossing Cmity Precious Ginseng*1!] An ancient bronze-hued ginseng materialized in Jiang Chen''s hand. An incredibly rich and invigorating aroma permeated the air, causing Jiang Chen to feel instantly delighted and exhrated! "Wow!" "No wonder it possesses Inquiring Journey rank medicinal properties!" "It''s significantly superior to ordinary Heavenly Origin rank spiritual nts!" "Given that this ginseng is so extraordinary, I should consume it separately." Jiang Chen''s eyes brimmed with excitement as he split the Heavenly Star Crossing Cmity Precious Ginseng in half, promptly cing one half into his mouth! Crunch, crunch. As the spiritual nt entered his stomach, it felt akin to a searing hot coal, showcasing the potency of its medicinal properties! Without dy. The medicinal power converged in his dantian and was consumed by the Burning World Red Lotus. Boom! A unique energy was returned by the Burning World Red Lotus, permeating into Jiang Chen''s limbs, dantian, and meridians! Immediately. Jiang Chen experienced warmth throughout his body, feeling exceptionallyfortable! "Inquiring Journey rank spiritual nts are indeed remarkable!" Jiang Chen''s eyes gleamed with joy as he proceeded to swallow the remaining half of the Heavenly Star Crossing Cmity Precious Ginseng. The immense medicinal power was once more absorbed by the Burning World Red Lotus. Subsequently, another surge of feedback energy arrived. Jiang Chen experienced the sensation of every cell in his body being immersed in a hot spring, so soothing that all his pores expanded. The feedback energy waspletely utilized. ''My cultivation base has advanced yet again!'' ''My aptitude has also experienced a notable enhancement.'' ''Although I still possess Top Grade aptitude, I am undoubtedly more extraordinary than the typical Top Grade genius talents!'' Jiang Chen could feel the increasingly robust Yuan Power within his body and the progressively refined and pure physique, which prompted a delighted expression on his face. He exchanged for three additional Heavenly Star Crossing Cmity Precious Ginsengs. The attributes of this spiritual nt were highlypatible with the Burning World Red Lotus, making it an ideal nourishment. It was on par with an Inquiring Journey rank spiritual nt, boasting an exceptional cost-effectiveness ratio! If it weren''t for the insufficient Viin Value, Jiang Chen would have wanted to exchange for even more. Following that. Jiang Chen munched on and consumed all the newly exchanged Heavenly Star Crossing Cmity Precious Ginsengs. The Burning World Red Lotus was promptly further nourished. Although it remained in a withered state, its hue had grown somewhat more vivid. ''The Burning World Red Lotus is a heaven-defying level treasure.'' ''Ordinary four Heavenly Star Crossing Cmity Precious Ginsengs still aren''t enough to restore it to the Inquiring Journey realm.'' ''I must continue striving and exploit Ye Fan!'' Jiang Chen smiled faintly, and then opened his own panel. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Top Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body Realm: Late-stage Mysterious tform True Battle Power: Half-step Heavenly Origin+ Cultivation Methods: Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture, Wind Void Steps, Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets, Void Rainbow Sword Technique, Clear Sky sh, Violent Tiger Power, Explosive Persona Force... Viin Value: 1,700 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 5,880 Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring System Mall: Level 1] ''My true battle power has progressed even further!'' ''Half-step Heavenly Origin+; this is an unbeatable level below the Heavenly Origin realm!'' ''Furthermore, once I break through to the Heavenly Origin realm, I''ll be more formidable than the average Early-stage Heavenly Origin cultivator!'' ''At present, my cultivation base has also reached a bottleneck under the reinforcement of the Burning World Red Lotus.'' ''Next, by ingesting some medicinal pills or spiritual nts, I''ll be able to advance to the Heavenly Origin realm!'' Jiang Chen gazed at his own panel, disying a joyful expression! The benefit of possessing a formidable cultivation base and exceptionalbat prowess was crucial when confronting the protagonist. Lacking adequate cultivation base andbat prowess would undoubtedly hinder any progress! At this instant, as hisbat prowess surged, Jiang Chen was understandably ted. Without hesitation. He continued to maneuver the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle forward. Time gradually psed. In due course. The Aura Finder Smoke wafted towards the rear. This indicated that Jiang Chen had sessfully maneuvered ahead of Ye Fan! "Hehe!" "I''ve overtaken you again, Ye Fan!" "Now you can merely trail behind me and choke on my dust!" Jiang Chen scoffed, looking back, and then steered the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle onward. Throughout the journey, he seized every opportunity that presented itself! Consequently. The trailing Ye Fan was once more baffled and unsure! ''What is happening?'' ''Why have all the spiritual nts for those with Spiritual Awakening rank or higher vanished along the path!?'' ''Could it be that disciples from the top ten sects are gathering spiritual nts ahead of me!?'' ''Is it feasible that a group of individuals have coborated to harvest the spiritual nts so methodically!?'' Chapter 84: The Collapse of a Great Mountain, the Appearance of a Cave Mansion ''...'' Ye Fan''s brow furrowed in contemtion before he altered his course. [Ding! You have sessfully imed a share of Ye Fan''s opportunities. Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value decreases by 100 points!] [Ding! You have gained 200 points of Viin Value.] The system prompt resonated in Jiang Chen''s mind. ''Intriguing.'' ''So, even acquiring spiritual nts is considered seizing opportunities? Well, that makes sense!'' ''While it may not be substantial, even a blunt knife, when cutting through flesh, can eventually bring down Ye Fan!'' A faint smile graced Jiang Chen''s lips. Without dy. He changed his direction as well, resorting to the tried-and-true tactic, and persisted in circling ahead of Ye Fan. However. After an extended period of operating the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle and sporadically unleashing the Heavenly Origin realm speed. Along with previously activating the Shadowde Sword to vanquish monsters on multiple asions. Jiang Chen had expended a significant amount of Yuan Power! He had been consuming medicinal pills to replenish his Yuan Power and sustain his usage. By this point, the medicinal pills were nearly depleted. Fortunately, he was on the verge of breaking through the bottleneck of the Heavenly Origin realm, so Jiang Chen wasn''t overly concerned. Subsequently. He persisted in gathering spiritual nts along the way, maneuvering ahead of Ye Fan. During his journey, he encountered blood-colored monsters, but defeating them did not decrease Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value. It appeared that these monsters were not initially affiliated with Ye Fan. Nevertheless. For Jiang Chen, it still proved advantageous. Shortly after. Jiang Chen managed to circle ahead of Ye Fan for the third time! However, just then. A thunderous roar erupted not far away! The sound was so deafening, it was as if their ears were being assaulted by a cacophony of thunderps! "Damn!" "What''s going on?!" Jiang Chen''s eyebrows shot up as he turned his gaze towards the source of themotion. He observed a vast plume of gray-brown dust and smoke billowing into the sky in that direction. ''With such an uproar, Ye Fan is bound to head there!'' ''But that location isn''t far, and it''s even closer to him. Intercepting him now would be futile.'' ''Damn it, this must be the work of his Heavenly Fate Value once more!'' Jiang Chen rolled his eyes before steering the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle towards the origin of the disturbance. In no time. A startling scene unfolded within the reach of his divine sense. He witnessed half of a towering mountain copsing, apanied by plumes of smoke and dust erupting skyward from its core. Within the still-standing half of the mountain, an exposed cave entrance, disying evident signs of human intervention, was revealed! Based on the entrance''s dimensions and adornments, it closely resembled the cave mansions documented in ancient texts! Surrounding this mountain. Hundreds of cultivators had already gathered! Jiang Chen observed that these cultivators all hailed from the top ten sects. In addition to the five major sects, such as the previously unencountered Heavenly de School, Jiang Chen also spotted individuals from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect. Nheless. The Heavenly de School and other five major sects boasted arger presence. Despite each sect having lost some disciples, they still maintained a count of over twenty individuals. As for those from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect, they were dispersed. Merely seven or eight were gathered on each side. ''These culprits caused the mountain''s copse!'' ''Darn it, if it hadn''t been for them, I could have outpaced Ye Fan to seize the opportunity!'' Jiang Chen shook his head in disbelief before turning his attention to the cave entrance within the partially crumbled mountain. Evidently. It was a dungeon within a dungeon... In other words, it was one of Ye Fan''s crucial opportunities! Within the cave, there likely existed medicinal pills, spiritual stones, cultivation methods, and so forth. If there was something more extraordinary, it could be... a heroine! Indeed. For cultivators, wealth,panionship, and territory were essential; a Daoist partner also represented one of these opportunities! A Daoist partner''s opportunity was even more significant! Countless young male cultivators desired to find an older, more aplished, and wealthier female cultivator as their Daoist partner. After all, cultivators aged more slowly than ordinary people, and even those at the so-called aunt-level would remain stunningly beautiful... "Cough!" "Whatever lies within this cave, we must not allow Ye Fan to obtain it!" Jiang Chen coughed softly, his eyes reflecting a hint of resolve. At that moment. Ye Fan arrived as well! He stealthily concealed himself behind a tree, carefully assessing the situation before him. ''Viin''s Eye!'' Upon detecting Ye Fan, Jiang Chen promptly activated his Viin''s Eye! [Name: Ye Fan Realm: Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening Status: Protagonist Heavenly Fate Value: 6668/6668] Following a period of upheaval. Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value had diminished by over 3,000 points! This achievement was certainlymendable! ''I am drawing nearer to the moment when I can vanquish Ye Fan!'' ''By the way, system, what is the elimination threshold for Ye Fan?'' Jiang Chen inquired inwardly, his lips curving into a subtle smile. [Ding! Host, the elimination threshold for the protagonist is one-tenth of your ck Heavenly Fate Value!] ''One-tenth of the ck Heavenly Fate Value!'' ''With my current ck Heavenly Fate Value at 5,880, this sets the elimination threshold for Ye Fan at 588!'' ''If I can reduce Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value to below 588, I can eliminate him directly!'' ''As my ck Heavenly Fate Value grows in the future, the elimination threshold will also steadily increase! It could reach one thousand, several thousand... even tens of thousands!'' Jiang Chen mused, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. Nheless, he understood the importance of focusing on the present situation and not being carried away by future possibilities or distractions. Consequently, Jiang Chen pragmatically pushed his wandering thoughts aside and started observing Ye Fan and the sect disciples ahead. Simultaneously, his divine sense expanded in conjunction with the growth of his cultivation base. No one among those present possessed a divine sense range broader than his! As a consequence. Jiang Chen could surveil everyone present, but they couldn''t ''see'' him! As for Ye Fan. Divine sense constituted one of his weaknesses! At this very moment. He was detected by numerous disciples beneath the partially-copsed mountain. "He belongs to the Azure Jade Sect!" "I recognize this individual; I believe his name is Ye Fan. I''ve heard that his cultivation aptitude is rather mediocre, but he possesses remarkableprehension in cultivation methods." "Ye Fan! Junior Brother Ye Fan! Join us over here!" "..." The crowd exhibited a range of reactions, and upon noticing Ye Fan, the members of the Azure Jade Sect immediately called out to him. Only seven people from the Azure Jade Sect were present, and even whenbining forces with those from Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, their total number amounted to merely fifteen people. The two sects were somewhat feeble in this region, so having an additional Ye Fan signified a slight increase in theirbat prowess! ''I''ve been detected...'' ''It appears that I must seek a cultivation method for honing my divine sense as soon as possible!'' ''Additionally, I cannotg in my cultivation. Whenever an opportunity arises, I should record my insights on cultivation methods to exchange for spirit stones and purchase medicinal pills!'' Feeling somewhat at a loss, Ye Fan emerged from behind a towering tree and soared toward his fellow sect members to join them. "Ye Fan, we didn''t see you when we were fleeing earlier. I feared you were in by that creature! I didn''t anticipate encountering you here. That''s wonderful!" A Mysterious tform realm true disciple from the Azure Jade Sect expressed with a grin. He introduced Ye Fan to the rest of the group, primarily those from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain. Each person greeted him in session, bing acquainted. Nheless, when the individuals from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain discovered that Ye Fan''s cultivation base was merely at the Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening realm, they didn''t regard him highly, even somewhat disdainful. As for this. Ye Fan had long grown used to it, and he even found it quite amusing! The chief disciples from the other five prominent sects approached. They hailed from the Heavenly de School, the Beast Emperor Mountain, the Water Cloud Sect, the Bright Sun Sect, and the Divine Wind School. A note from AlphaWIA: ***Get early ess to more chapters by joining my Patreon [@AlphaWIA]*** Thank you for reading this chapter of "Great Viin: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate"! If you enjoyed it, please consider following me on Twitter [@DaoistAlphaWIA]. Chapter 85: Not a Conventional Cave Mansion "Everyone!" "Since we uncovered this cave mansion together, it rightfully belongs to all of us!" "I hereby dere that everyone is permitted to enter the cave mansion!" "However, once inside, the opportunities you maye across will depend on your own fortune." "Lastly, I''d like to caution everyone that the cave mansion is teeming with peril. If youck confidence in your abilities, it''s wiser to refrain from entering." The speaker was Qiu Linrui, the chief disciple of the Bright Sun Sect. "That''s correct!" "You''re free to enter, but carefully weigh if you can make it out alive!" Fei Chao, the chief disciple of the Beast Emperor Mountain, remarked with a cold smirk on his face. "Enough discussion." The chief disciple of the Heavenly de School, Xie Lianchu, stated, "I concur with this proposal!" Ultimately. The chief disciples of the Divine Wind School and the Water Cloud Sect also expressed their agreement with a nod. Immediately thereafter. The disciples from various sects raised no objections. Collectively, one hundred and three individuals agreed in unison! Furthermore. None were willing to forgo this opportunity. Even though the interior was exceedingly treacherous, and the danger could potentially arise from fellow sect disciples also entering the cave mansion. Nheless. Those present were the finest among the disciples of the top ten sects spanning the three continents. With the opportunity right before their eyes, no one would relinquish it! "Very well!" "Then, in the interest of fairness, we shall count to three, and upon the final count, everyone will enter the cave mansion simultaneously!" Qiu Linrui, the chief disciple of the Bright Sun Sect, announced. Subsequently. The chief disciples of the five major sects exchanged nces with one another and dispersed. Disciples from various sects also lined up behind them in session. Many cast disdainful nces at the members of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect. These two sectscked top-tierbatants present, and their numbers were even fewer. If they dared to enter the cave mansion in search of opportunities, it would be tantamount to suicide! The individuals from the Azure Jade Sect and the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain also felt immense pressure as they observed the five major sects. Yet they didn''t intend to surrender. Among them, Ye Fan''s eyes sparkled brightly, and even if others backed down, he wouldn''t! "Three!" "Two!" "One!" Suddenly, the chief disciples from the five major sects initiated the countdown in unison. Upon the final count. Everyone charged towards the entrance of the cave mansion! "Charge!" The true disciple of the Azure Jade Sect, Guo Ji, issued a lowmand, and the rest of the group promptly followed and surged forward! "You dare vie with us for opportunities? Perish!" The members of the Beast Emperor Mountain were adjacent to the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect. Fei Chao scoffed coldly andunched a punch backward without hesitation! "Roar!" A deep, thunderous roar, akin to a tiger''s bellow in the wilderness, apanied his fist. A massive golden tiger phantom materialized and fiercely lunged at over a dozen individuals from the Azure Jade Sect! "Block it!" The most formidable disciples of the Azure Jade Sect and the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain simultaneously decelerated and instantaneously conjured defensive barriers. The remaining members hastened to assist, coboratively resisting Fei Chao''s assault. With sixteen people working in unison, they managed to fend off Fei Chao''s attack with rtive ease. However, they were relegated to the rear of the pack. The swiftest individuals from the Divine Wind School had already seized the lead and entered the cave mansion! Trailing closely behind. The Heavenly de School, the Bright Sun Sect, and the other three prominent sects entered in rapid session, with virtually no distinction in their order of entry. "Damn it!" Guo Ji bellowed, his face contorted in frustration. The cultivator at the Mysterious tform realm from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain also disyed a sullen expression. The remaining individuals seethed with indignation, clenching their fists and suppressing their boiling rage. Ye Fan, who was inconspicuous among the crowd, maintained hisposure. In his perspective. If the cave mansion harbored danger, those from the five major sects in the lead would inadvertently trigger the traps! If there was no peril. The five major sects would undoubtedly engage in battle against one another. Thus, there was no cause for them to be hasty. A few momentster. The united group of sixteen individuals from the Azure Jade Sect and the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain also ventured into the cave mansion. ''They''ve all entered.'' ''Let''s see what unfolds!'' Jiang Chen concealed himself in the shadows, the corners of his mouth curving into a cold, sinister grin. He utilized the Moondust Ring to fully mask his aura before swiftly advancing towards the cave mansion. Throughout the endeavor. He never let Ye Fan out of his sight. Upon stepping into the cave mansion. He first encountered a previously shattered formation. Navigating beyond it, he discovered numerous interconnected passageways, eachcking any clear destination. By all appearances. This location deviated from a conventional cave mansion, as it contained neither a meditation chamber nor any rooms for pill refining or artifact crafting, and no living quarters. Jiang Chen stroked his chin, decisively following the passage Ye Fan had entered. Pursuing the protagonist was undoubtedly the correct decision. As they advanced. The passageway initially appeared quite level. However, it rapidly grew steep! Countless irregr holes materialized around them, as if burrowed by some creature! This prompted Guo Ji and the others to proceed with caution. Among them, Ye Fan was particrly vignt, slowly drifting to the rear of the group. In that instant. "Roar!!" A ferocious roar echoed from ahead. The expressions of Guo Ji and the others shifted dramatically as they adopted defensive stances! The blood-colored monster was at least at the Mysterious tform realm! In the past, the Azure Jade Sect, Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, and the other five major sects had coborated to confront a Late-stage Mysterious tform realm creature. Now, they had only sixteen people. Should they face a Late-stage Mysterious tform realm beast, their annihtion was nearly guaranteed! At this juncture. The sixteen cultivators assumed positions to brace for the looming threat. Members from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect alternated their cements, readying themselves forbat! Thankfully, the passageway offered ample space; otherwise, if they were crammed together, their predicament would be even more dire! Thump, thump, thump! The muffled sound of footsteps approached from ahead. Subsequently, the footsteps paused momentarily before abruptly quickening! In no time. A blood-colored monster materialized within everyone''s divine sense range. "It''s heading our way!" "It''s a monster that has just attained the Middle-stage Mysterious tform realm, brace yourselves!" Guo Ji alerted everyone, feeling a slight sense of relief. At that instant, the blood-colored monster had already entered their attack range! "Attack!" A resounding cry erupted from an unknown source. Subsequently, a torrent of assaults struck the blood-colored monster. Swords, spears, halberds, and an array of spells pummeled the creature, leaving it battered and bloodied! Nheless, the monster possessed an astonishing regenerative ability. Almost as soon as the injuries manifested, its flesh began to writhe, scab over, and mend. The monster roared as it lunged into the throng! Guo Ji and a Mysterious tform realm cultivator from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain bore the full force of the onught! "Pin it down! Crush it!" Guo Ji issued a lowmand, then produced a chain artifact and tossed one end to the Mysterious tform realm disciple from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain. In that instant, the blood-colored monster abruptly shifted its gaze! Guo Ji clenched his teeth and lunged forward, nimbly evading the creature''s w strikes while cooperating with his counterpart to coil the chain around the monster''s body! Before long, the monster was ensnared by the artifact, resembling a trussed-up roast! "Intensify the assault!" The Mysterious tform realm disciple from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, weaker in cultivation, called out with some difficulty as he persevered. Instantly, the remaining fourteen individuals unleashed their full-force assaults! An assortment of spells bombarded the monster, causing blood and flesh to spatter and provoking incessant roars! Just as everyone believed they could gradually pulverize the monster to death in this manner. Unexpectedly! The creature''s body inted with force. The artifact chain actually snapped! "This is bad!" Guo Ji and the disciple from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain had exerted excessive force, and when the chain shattered, they were caught off guard, being hurled backward. Chapter 86: Underground Expanse, the Mysterious Giant Egg "Roar!" The blood-colored monster bellowed furiously. As Guo Ji and another individual were sent flying, it charged headlong into the remaining group. Swoosh! Its ebony ws left three afterimages in the air, and a disciple from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain was instantly transformed into a mutted cadaver, cleaved into four sections! The scarlet creature ferociously charged once more, reducing a disciple from the Azure Jade Sect to a pulpy mass! "Damn it, how can it be this powerful!" The remaining disciples were deeply shaken, and they all sprang into action,unching their attacks. Ye Fan repositioned himself, the light in his eyes flickering, unveiling a glint of brilliance. Swiftly. Following the initial panic. Everyone finally regained theirposure and resumed their assault on the monster while encircling it. Guo Ji and the other Mysterious tform realm cultivator swiftly recovered and joined the battle! The creature''s colossal size made it less nimble in the confined space, and as its injuries umted, its speed diminished as well. Observing this. Some adept and audacious cultivators promptly opted for close-quartersbat! They brandished weapons imbued with enchantments, capable of delivering more potent strikes than pure spells. ''Now''s my chance!'' Ye Fan thought to himself and covertly sped the Wordless Heavenly Jade in his left hand, fusing it together. Instantly. He surged forward with a long sword in hand, moving at an incredibly rapid pace, elusive and unpredictable! sh! As the sword swept past. A torrent of blood spurted from the monster''s thigh! Simultaneously. A surge of qi and blood imperceptibly flowed into the Wordless Heavenly Jade in Ye Fan''s left hand. Not only that. The other injuries on the creature''s body also had qi and blood being absorbed by the Wordless Heavenly Jade. The situation was exceedingly chaotic. In addition to Ye Fan prioritizing the concealment of the Wordless Heavenly Jade, and treatingbat as secondary, he was exceptionally cautious in staying hidden. Therefore. No one detected his subtle maneuvers. Behind the passageway. Jiang Chen observed the scene with interest and murmured, "Rather than overtly unting his power, he''s discreetly absorbing strength to fortify himself, which aligns perfectly with Ye Fan''s prudent nature of amassing wealth in silence." Although Ye Fan did not boast. He still reaped the rewards. The others remainedpletely unaware. For Ye Fan, this was also an aplishment worth taking pride in. At this very moment. Ye Fan had chosen not to unt his abilities and prove others wrong, allowing Jiang Chen to refrain from taking action. Otherwise. Jiang Chen would indeed find himself in a dilemma over whether or not to intervene. Ultimately, stepping in would reveal his presence. Even with his appearance and aura concealed, his involvement would be exposed. Moreover, the window of opportunity for Ye Fan to absorb the qi and blood energy from the creature''s wounds was rtively limited. Upon defeating the creature, it was highly probable that the golden-red inner core would not end up in his possession. Time gradually psed. Jiang Chen persistently observed Ye Fan. With Ye Fan''s discreet maneuvers, the monster''s strength diminished at an increasingly rapid pace! The others believed the blood-colored creature was weakening as a result of its own wounds. Shortly after. Everyone coborated to vanquish the monster. "Quickly extract the monster''s core!" Guo Ji instructed, "Once it''s removed, ce it in a storage artifact right away, or it will lure more monsters!" Evidently. Guo Ji had encountered a monster''s core before. Furthermore, he was aware that this inner core could easily draw the attention of other monsters. "I''ll do it!" A cultivator stepped forward, and astonishingly, he donned a w-shaped artifact on his right hand. With a ferocious swipe, he thrust the w into the monster''s eye socket! He extracted a monster''s inner core. Nheless. Upon observing the monster''s inner core, everyone disyed bewildered expressions. Jiang Chen''s eyebrows lifted as well! As it turned out, the inner core was minuscule, nearly the size of a grain of rice! "Why is it so tiny!?" One cultivator remarked, "On our journey here, we vanquished an Early-stage Mysterious tform realm monster, and its inner core was significantlyrger!" "There must be something peculiar happening here!" "Regardless, we still need to press on." "I''ll hold onto this monster''s inner core for the time being, and we''ll distribute it equitably once we leave this ce." After contemting for a moment, Guo Ji proposed, "Well, let''s adopt the approach of Jiang Chen from the Starry Abyss Sect and implement a contribution point system." "No objections." "The next loot we acquire will be entrusted to me." The Mysterious tform cultivator from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain dered. "Well then, let''s confirm everyone''s contributions..." Guo Ji nodded and proceeded to confer with the others, ascertaining each person''s contributions. Subsequently. The group proceeded onward. Along their path, they encountered several blood-hued monsters once more. Fortunately, the most formidable among them merely reached the Middle-stage Mysterious tform realm. Although they lost an unfortunate member, they still seeded in vanquishing all the monsters. Nevertheless. All the monsters they came across had minuscule inner cores, approximately the size of a grain of rice. Furthermore, solely Middle-stage Mysterious tform realm monsters were present, which was both a boon and a cause for suspicion. They had already in twenty to thirty monsters; why had they not encountered any Late-stage Mysterious tform realm monsters? Everyone was perplexed. With no choice but to hold their doubts, they proceeded onward. Jiang Chen, too, kept a watchful eye on Ye Fan. Throughout this journey. Ye Fan solely utilized the Wordless Heavenly Jade to extract the qi and blood energy from the monsters'' injuries, without even making contact with their lifeless bodies. It seemed he intended to wait until he was alone before employing the Wordless Heavenly Jade to absorb the qi and blood energy fully. Otherwise, the process would be far too conspicuous. The group pressed on. Unexpectedly. A vast underground expanse emerged before them! Intriguingly, sounds of conflict resonated from within. "Is someone battling!?" "Weren''t we separated?" "Could it be that all the passages ultimately lead to the same ce?" A person furrowed their brow and remarked. Their group was already small, and dividing to seek opportunities was safer, with no concerns about confrontations with other sects. However, now. It appeared they had once again encountered individuals from different sects. "Let''s go and investigate!" Guo Ji shook his head and moderated his stride as he advanced. Everyone exchanged nces and swiftly trailed behind. Havinge this far. There was no chance they would leave empty-handed! ''A vast underground expanse, huh?'' ''And it has attracted numerous cultivators?'' ''It appears that this location must be where the opportunity of the ''cave mansion'' resides.'' Jiang Chen''s lips formed a subtle grin. After trailing for so long, it was finally nearly time for him to act. He took a step. Silently, he tagged along. In no time. The sight of the underground expanse materialized within the reach of his divine sense. Members of the Azure Jade Sect and the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain stood at the entrance, gazing inside with grave expressions. The vast underground expanse soared to a height of tens of meters and extended for several kilometers! Within, more than fifty cultivators were engaged in fiercebat, exerting their utmost efforts. Facing them were twenty-three blood-colored monsters, each towering over ten meters tall! Among these blood-colored creatures, three even possessed the formidable prowess of the Late-stage Mysterious tform realm. On the battlefield, the remains of over twenty human cultivators had already been strewn about, apanied by the wreckage of more than ten blood-colored monsters. Yet, this ferocious sh was not the most arresting sight. Both Ye Fan and hispanions, as well as Jiang Chen, found themselves transfixed by a mysterious giant egg suspended from the ceiling of the subterranean chamber! The giant egg measured three meters in its shorter diameter and five meters in its longer diameter, encased in a semi-transparent, pale yellow membrane. Countless scarlet blood vessels proliferated upon the membrane. These vessels intertwined like the roots of a tree, descending to the ground and amassing into a small mound. Within the crimson blood vessels, a fluid brimming with vitality could be observed circting. Additionally, the giant egg emanated an astoundingly fearsome power of qi and blood, vastly outstripping the Mysterious tform realm. This signified that the giant egg was indeed alive! The identity of the formidable creature that hadid this egg remained shrouded in mystery. A note from AlphaWIA: ***Get early ess to more chapters (87,88&89) by joining my Patreon [@AlphaWIA]*** ***Get early ess to more chapters ( 87 , 88 & 89 ) by joining my Patreon [@AlphaWIA]*** If you enjoyed it, please consider following me on Twitter [@DaoistAlphaWIA]. Announcement: New Release Schedule & Your Support Matters Announcement: New Release Schedule & Your Support Matters Dear readers, I hope you''re all enjoying "Great Viin: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate"! I am truly grateful for your continuous support and enthusiasm for this work. Today, I''d like to share animportant updateregarding the release schedule of the novel. I hope you''re all enjoying " Great Viin: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate "! I am truly grateful for your continuous support and enthusiasm for this work. Today, I''d like to share an important update regarding the release schedule of the novel. Starting today, I will be postingsix chapters each weekhere on the website, withtwo chapters on Monday,two on Wednesday, andtwo on Friday. While I understand that you may have grown ustomed to the previous pace of12 chapters a week, please rest assured that the novel will continue to be avable forfree, just at a slightly slower pace. Starting today, I will be posting six chapters each week here on the website, with two chapters on Monday , two on Wednesday , and two on Friday . While I understand that you may have grown ustomed to the previous pace of 12 chapters a week , please rest assured that the novel will continue to be avable for free , just at a slightly slower pace. The good news is that if you''re craving more content, I will be posting14 chapters each weekon myPatreon [@AlphaWIA], withtwo chapters released daily. By supporting me on Patreon, you will not only have ess to more chapters but also help me sustain my passion for sharing this story and allow me to continue bringing new and exciting works for you to enjoy. The good news is that if you''re craving more content, I will be posting 14 chapters each week on my Patreon [@AlphaWIA] , with two chapters released daily . By supporting me on Patreon, you will not only have ess to more chapters but also help me sustain my passion for sharing this story and allow me to continue bringing new and exciting works for you to enjoy. I understand that this change might be disappointing for some, but I hope you can appreciate the circumstances that have led me to this decision. As someone deeply invested in this novel, your support ys a significant role in helping me continue to share this captivating story with all of you. I hope you''ll join me in this new journey. Thank you for yourunderstandingandcontinued support. I am excited to share the uing chapters and future works with all of you, and I am incredibly grateful for each and every one of my readers. Thank you for your understanding and continued support . I am excited to share the uing chapters and future works with all of you, and I am incredibly grateful for each and every one of my readers. Wishing you all the best, AlphaWIA Chapter 87: Ye Fans Great Opportunity, A Must-Have ''Incredible!'' ''This giant egg must be one of Ye Fan''s extraordinary opportunities!'' ''It''s so massive, still alive, and possesses such rich qi and blood. It appears that Ye Fan is destined to obtain it and subsequently hatch a formidable pet from within!'' ''Thebat prowess of this pet will undoubtedly be immense! It will provide invaluable assistance!'' ''Furthermore, with such potent qi and blood coursing through this pet, it''s akin to a portable power source for Ye Fan''s Wordless Heavenly Jade!'' ''With this pet by his side, that fellow Ye Fan will be able to elerate his cultivation progress even more!'' Jiang Chen''s eyes widened in astonishment, then he contemted, ''Additionally, the origin of those flesh and blood creatures is likely connected to this enormous egg...'' The defining trait of the blood-hued monsters was their consumption of the flesh and blood of living beings. Subsequently, a golden-red inner core would solidify within their heads. Yet, in this subterranean space, the golden-red inner cores of the creatures had diminished in size. It was undeniable. They had contributed the qi and blood they amassed to the giant egg! ''This must be a setup left by the previous possessor of the Cave Heaven secret realm!'' ''Capable of leaving behind a Cave Heaven secret realm, that formidable power must be exceptionally mighty, and this enormous egg is certainly no ordinary object!'' ''Perhaps, it will prove even mightier than I initially envisioned!'' ''In that case... I must seize it from Ye Fan''s grasp!'' Jiang Chen mulled over these thoughts, opting to remain in ce and continue his covert observation. On the battlefield. The conflict intensified with each passing moment. Injuries were sustained bybatants now and then! "Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain! Members of the Azure Jade Sect!" "Since you''ve made it this far as well, join the fray immediately! Rest assured, you won''t be denied your share of rewardster!" Qiu Linrui of the Bright Sun Sect called out without ncing back. "People of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect!" "I, representing the Heavenly de School, am prepared to offer generous rewards to enlist your aid in this battle!" Xie Lianchu from the Heavenly de School dered solemnly, "Upon the battle''s conclusion, we shall immediately fulfill our pledge!" "Hmph!" "People of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect, hasten to serve as monster bait!" "Or else, I''ll y you first!" Fei Chao from the Beast Emperor Mountain menaced with a sinister expression. The leading disciples of the Divine Wind School and the Water Cloud Sect likewise spoke up in turn, urging those from the Azure Jade Sect and the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain to spring into action. "Senior Brother, should we intervene?" A disciple from the Azure Jade Sect inquired of Guo Ji. Guo Ji''s brow furrowed, clearly uncertain about the appropriate course of action. "I believe it''s unnecessary at the moment." Ye Fan unexpectedly chimed in. "Why?" A puzzled voice inquired. "No one asked for your opinion. Why are you responding?" Someone shot a disdainful nce at Ye Fan. "I propose we enter the fray!" "However, not as hired assistance, but as contenders!" "We, too, aspire to vie for that grand opportunity!" A fierce determination shone on someone''s face as their gaze, brimming with greed and desire, locked onto the giant egg. "Exactly!" "By now, those five major sects have sustained considerable losses." "Merely judging by the numbers, they''re not much different from us!" "Thus, we''re already qualified to contend for that treasure!" Another person, with a covetous gaze fixed on the enormous egg, chimed in to sway the crowd. These two spoke in session, making persuasive arguments. Consequently. The others nodded in concurrence. "s!" Ye Fan sighed. In his perspective, they could have waited and observed the unfolding events. Regrettably, his ownrades had been blinded by their ambitions. What a shame. He couldn''t dissuade them. Or rather, he didn''t wish to reveal his true capabilities in order to halt their course. "Since everyone concurs, let''s proceed!" "Competing for this opportunity is a matter of mere moments, and advancing earlier will enable us to grasp the elusive chance more swiftly!" "..." Guo Ji dered, exchanging knowing looks with the true disciples of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, arriving at a mutual understanding. The others nodded in agreement. "Let''s move, we''re advancing!" Guo Ji gestured with his hand and promptly led the group to storm into the subterranean chamber! Ye Fan seamlessly merged with the throng. His gaze continually roamed over the giant egg. Of course, he could also discern the tremendous benefits this object would bestow upon him, and he was resolute in acquiring it! Nheless. The present moment was not the optimal time to act. As such. Ye Fan decided to maintain his hidden strength and bide his time for the perfect moment to act. At that moment. Members of the Azure Jade Sect and the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain simultaneously stormed the battlefield. However. Instead of targeting the monsters, they made a beeline for the giant egg. Indeed. With others preupied with fighting the monsters, they chose to take advantage of the situation and snatch the rewards for themselves. "You deceitful scoundrels, have you no shame!" Fei Chao from the Beast Emperor Mountain, notorious for his fiery temper, abandoned the monster he had been battling. He set his sights on the members of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect. With a forceful stomp, he cracked the ground beneath him, and like a cannonball, he charged at the members of the Azure Jade Sect and the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain from behind. "Roar!" The blood-colored monster promptly followed suit. "Unite to hold him off!" Guo Ji''s expression shifted drastically, not anticipating Fei Chao''s response to be so vehement. Unwilling to leave his back exposed to Fei Chao, he hastily spun around and activated his cultivation method, forming a protective barrier! Simultaneously. The majority of the others halted as well, pivoting to confront Fei Chao. Yet, some individuals remained fixated on the enormous egg, charging directly towards it! "Ahahaha!" "This mysterious treasure egg is mine!" An ted cry escaped this Late-stage Spiritual Awakening cultivator from the Azure Jade Sect. Overwhelmed with excitement, he even extended his arm and managed to touch the enormous egg! Precisely at that instant! Whoosh! Slice! A razor-sharp de morphed into a slender streak, immediately prating his skull! "Attempting to steal Qiu''s treasure,pletely seeking one''s own doom!" Qiu Linrui scoffed icily, retracted his hand, and proceeded to battle the monster before him. That assault had just been executed by him! "He got what he deserved!" Someone chortled in concurrence. In truth. Previously, the prominent sects had reached this location nearly concurrently, and initially, they all vied for the giant egg. They engaged in battle for some time, resulting in several casualties. Subsequently, from the small moundposed of blood vessels beneath the giant egg, numerous blood-hued creatures emerged. Everyone unspokenlymenced addressing the monstrous threat. As for the giant egg, once the monsters were vanquished, they would all vie for it once more! Currently, the Azure Jade Sect and the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain sought to breach this unwritten rule, so they were naturally met with a collective assault! At this very moment. "Bang!!" Fei Chao''s strike forcefully connected with Guo Ji''s defense. With a disparity of one minor realm between them, thetter was promptly sent soaring through the air, ultimatelynding directly in front of a monster. "No!!" Guo Ji''s hair stood on end in sheer terror, yet his body was enveloped by an immense force, rendering him immobile. The creature raised its hand, and the three lengthiest razor-sharp ws prated Guo Ji''s body without hesitation! Such a sight. Instantly struck fear into the hearts of the Azure Jade Sect and the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain members, their faces turning ashen! Guo Ji had been the mightiest among them. Yet now, he had perished so swiftly and so wretchedly! They could almost envision themselves meeting a fate akin to Guo Ji''s. Fortuitously. Now, in their struggle against the monsters, the five major sects required additional forces. "Go deal with the monsters on my behalf, or you shall all perish!" Fei Chao sneered and pivoted to confront the creature once more. Chapter 88: Encountering the Monster Fusion Again Witnessing Guo Ji''s tragic demise. The members of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect, who had served as cautionary examples, suddenly felt a chill run down their spines, their greed diminishing by more than half! In a sh. Everyone halted, and numerous individuals even retreated to a considerable distance. "What should we do?" "With the Beast Emperor Mountain and the other five major sects guarding it, we stand no chance of seizing the giant egg!" "Despite our sizable group, our high-endbat capabilities are woefully inadequate." "Should we just depart?" "..." The members of the Azure Jade Sect and the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain exchanged nces, monitoring the representatives from the five major sects while discreetlymunicating. Many individuals harbored intentions to withdraw and aimed to depart immediately. Others considered temporarily retreating, allowing the members of the five major sects and the monsters to deplete each other''s strength first! Among them. Ye Fan shared this notion! Weren''t the unscathed sects, such as the Beast Emperor Mountain and the Heavenly de School, along with those twenty-plus blood-colored monsters, currently embroiled in a struggle akin to two dogs vying for a bone? However. How could the five major sects present not discern their thoughts at this moment? Had they not entered the battlefield yet, there might have been an opportunity to act as a third party and abscond with the bone. But now. Having already stepped onto the battlefield, escaping unharmed proved to be a challenging endeavor! "Scoundrels of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect!" "I know precisely what schemes you''re concocting in your hearts!" "Should anyone dare to leave, I, Fei Chao, will be the first to y them!" Fei Chao from the Beast Emperor Mountain cast a menacing re at the members of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect. "That''s right!" "Anyone who dares to leave, even if it means refraining from battling the monsters, I shall eliminate them!" "Join the fray swiftly! If you contribute, there will be rewards afterward. But if you flee now, your fate is sealed! Can''t you discern the correct choice?" Disciples from the Heavenly de School, the Bright Sun Sect, and the other major sects also issued forceful threats and enticements in a fierce tone. "Not good!" "They''re forcing us to join the battle!" "If we don''t participate, we''ll perish. We have no choice but to proceed." The expressions of those from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect turned grim. Many, gripped by the fear of death, reluctantly consented. "So be it." "Everyone, stay close behind me!" "Let''s unite as one and confront the monsters first. Afterward, we can vie for the rewards." The sole Mysterious tform realm cultivator among them, a true disciple from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, spoke up. "Alright!" "Let''s go!" Everyone nodded, and with a step forward, they charged into the battlefield. Ye Fan was also mingled among the crowd. The battlefield at this moment was even more chaotic than within the passage, providing an ideal opportunity for him to discreetly absorb qi and blood energy. "Hmph!" "At least they''re sensible enough not to flee!" Fei Chao from the Beast Emperor Mountain sneered coldly, then focused onbating the monster before him. The others also disyed scornful expressions. In fact. If they weren''t concerned that those from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect would ally with one of the five major sect forces, everyone would be eager to deal with them once everything was settled! Now. The five major forces found themselves in a rtionship of both cooperation and confrontation. If the individuals from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect chose to join a particr force, that force would undoubtedly be the strongest among them. Therefore. The members of the five major sects all tacitly agreed to retain the people from the Azure Jade Sect and the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain. After all, these individuals were quite weak and unlikely to secure many advantages. At this time. The battle persisted. The entire battlefield was in turmoil! "Roar! Roar!" The blood-red humanoid monsters unleashed terrifying roars, their ck, razor-sharp ws continuously shing, etching deep gashes into the ground. "Die!" Fierce assaults erupted from the hands of numerous cultivators. Vibrant spells and keen, frosty swords and sabers rained down upon the monsters, showering the area with blood and gore! Intermittently. A monster would falter and copse under thebined onught of the cultivators. Tragically, some cultivators met their fate as they were inadvertently sliced apart by the monsters'' lethal ws, leaving no intact remains. Ultimately. The human cultivators maintained the advantage, vanquishing the monsters one by one and forcing them into retreat. After securing an advantage. The cultivators'' numbers steadily widened the gap against their monstrous foes! The monsters continued to suffer devastating losses. Their ranks rapidly diminishing from over twenty to a mere eight. "Quick!" Fei Chao cried out in sheer tion, "Ramp up the ferocity of our attacks, y them all, and the giant egg shall be ours!" A glint shed in the others'' eyes. As they intensified their attacks, their gaze fixated on the giant egg, avarice consuming their hearts. But just when everyone believed the monsters to be on the brink of extermination! "Roarrr!" The monsters unleashed anguished and harrowing wails! "They''re going to fuse!" The expressions of those from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect shifted dramatically! They had previously endured a battle involving monster fusion, and they were well aware of the horrifying power the monsters would gain after merging! Back then, there were also five major sects, boasting a formidable force of 150 individuals! Yet they were vanquished by a single fused blood-red monster! Though the number of monsters set to fuse was fewer, there remained three of them at the Late-stage Mysterious tform realm! Once merged. They would undoubtedly be no less formidable than the fused monster from their past encounter. "What kind of fusion!?" "What are these monsters trying to aplish!?" Fei Chao and the others had never encountered fused blood-red monsters, resulting in expressions of shock and disbelief on their faces. "Why fear these monsters even if they fuse?" "A group of weaklings, trembling like this!" A disciple of the Bright Sun Sect sneered and ridiculed them relentlessly. Many others harbored the same sentiment, believing that those from the Azure Jade Sect and simr groups were simply too weak, which was why they appeared so frightened. But at that moment. The remaining monsters sessfullypleted their fusion! Bloody flesh tendrils sprouted from the bodies of the monsters, intertwining and interlocking like living tentacles, rapidly merging into a single entity! Boom! An extraordinarily powerful aura radiated from the monsters'' form. "What?!" "This is... the aura of a Half-step Heavenly Origin realm!" "Damn it, why have these severely injured monsters be so potent after fusing?!" "Quick, retreat for now; don''t confront it directly!" The individuals from the five major sects finally grasped the formidable nature of the fused creature, their faces nching with terror, and thoughts of withdrawal surfaced! Nevertheless. Previously, everyone had been relentlessly pursuing and battling the monsters. Now, it was far toote for a retreat! Swoosh! The fused monster brandished its w, swiftly cutting through Fei Chao''s body! sh! This chief disciple of the Beast Emperor Mountain, a formidable cultivator excelling in physical prowess and defense, was effortlessly cleaved into three segments as if slicing through butter! His dismembered remains copsed onto the ground, and Fei Chao met his end with eyes still wide open! "Run!" Seizing the opportunity provided by Fei Chao''s demise, the other disciples obtained a fleeting reprieve and dispersed, dashing toward the distant passages! "Roar!!" The monster mmed its foot onto the ground, shattering it, as its massive form steamrolled over three cultivators like a juggernaut. Bang! The three cultivators were hurled away, their bodies gruesomely disfigured and unquestionably lifeless! Among them was the chief disciple of the Bright Sun Sect! Witnessing another Late-stage Mysterious tform realm expert meet a brutal end, the onlookers grew even more petrified, their spirits quaking with dread, and they longed to flee even more swiftly. The velocity of the fused monster was simply unparalleled! In a single stride, it brandished its dual ws ferociously, instantaneously reducing six cultivators to a dozen or more severed remains! A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : ***Get early ess to more chapters by joining my Patreon [@AlphaWIA]*** If you enjoyed it, please consider following me on Twitter [@DaoistAlphaWIA]. Chapter 89: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind "Run quickly!" "What are you doing? Why are you attacking me!" "Ahhh, I don''t want to die! Don''t me me!" "..." Some cultivators, gripped by fear, turned against their fellow cultivators, shoving them backward to serve as human shields! In this moment. The darkest aspects of human nature wereid bare! "Roar!" The blood-colored humanoid monster bellowed as it relentlessly continued its pursuit. However. The cultivators had already dispersed, each rushing into individual cave entrances, leaving the monster with no choice but to pursue only one of them. It seemed that the chief disciples of the five major sects had inflicted the most significant damage upon the creature, causing it to harbor a deep grudge against the five. Having in Fei Chao and another, it then targeted the chief disciple of the Heavenly de School! In the blink of an eye. The underground space turned deste. ''Next, Ye Fan will surely return to seize the giant egg!'' ''Ah, and those lifeless bodies strewn across the ground will also be his targets for plunder.'' Jiang Chen observed the scene with a detached expression, a cold, sardonic smile ying at the corner of his mouth. At that moment. Five cultivators charged forth from the front. Upon closer inspection, Jiang Chen recognized them as members of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain! Well, well. Old enemies indeed! ''Due to the incident involving the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain already bears a grudge against me.'' ''Since that''s the case, let me eliminate some of the exceptional disciples from this crumbling sect first!'' Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow and emerged from the shadows. "Who''s there!?" "Jiang Chen!? Jiang Chen from the Starry Abyss Sect!" "How is he here!?" "Never mind that, let''s kill him and continue escaping! Everyone, attack!" Upon seeing Jiang Chen, the five from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain hesitated for a moment before their eyes shed with murderous intent! As exceptional disciples of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain. They were privy to the details of the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records incident and, as a consequence, harbored resentment towards Jiang Chen. Faced with their foe Jiang Chen ahead and a rampaging monster behind, they almost immediately resolved to eliminate Jiang Chen! In an instant. The five unsheathed their weapons and charged fiercely towards Jiang Chen. "Pathetic ants." Jiang Chen shook his head dispassionately, his right hand shaping his fingers into a sword and executing a swift, fluid swipe. Swish! The sword light viciously sliced through the necks of the five! Under the force of inertia, their five lifeless bodies hurtled towards Jiang Chen before crumpling to the ground. Pitter-patter! Blood spurted from the severed necks, staining the ground a deep crimson. Five dismembered heads stared with wide eyes, filled with terror and disbelief. "Ye Fan." "Come back quickly, it''s your turn to take the field." With a casual wave of his hand, Jiang Chen gathered the loot, stepped over the lifeless bodies, and slowly advanced towards the underground expanse. Just then. A figure abruptly reappeared in the underground space. This person was not Ye Fan. Rather, it was the chief disciple of the Water Cloud Sect, Hu Hanshan! ''Hmm?'' ''Isn''t that Ye Fan?'' ''It seems there''s going to be a spectacle of Ye Fan strutting his stuff.'' Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, halted his steps, and leisurely began to observe. "Ahahaha!" "This treasure is mine now!" Hu Hanshan couldn''t suppress a jubnt grin as he surveyed the vacant underground space. Immediately after. He produced a palm-sized pouch, which was in fact a specially crafted Spirit Beast Pouch. Spirit beast pouches were exceedingly difficult to refine, requiring a vast quantity of costly materials. The crux was that even high-level spirit beast pouches could only amodate spirit beasts or demon beasts of rtively modest size. Therefore. Spirit beast pouches were quite a rarity among cultivators. Clutching the spirit beast pouch. Hu Hanshan darted towards the giant egg, intent on seizing it! At that very moment. An afterimage materialized behind Hu Hanshan, and an incredibly sharp dagger was thrust forth in an instant! "Who''s there?!" Hu Hanshan sensed the looming peril, his face awash with shock, but caught off guard, how could he possibly deflect the poised assault?! Thud! The dagger ruthlessly prated Hu Hanshan''s chest, piercing straight through his heart! Simultaneously. An immense force erupted from the dagger, obliterating a substantial portion of Hu Hanshan''s internal organs and meridians. "No!" Hu Hanshan unleashed a wretched scream, as despair gradually cemented itself on his visage. "Hahaha!" "Did you think you were the only one who''d return?" "This young master never strayed too far, always lurking in the passage!" "Now, this giant egg belongs to me~!" The cultivator who had in Hu Hanshan unveiled his presence and spoke with a series of chillingughs. "Uh." Jiang Chen observed the scene, rendered somewhat speechless. That''s because the one who had killed Hu Hanshan was not Ye Fan, but the chief disciple of the Divine Wind School, Wang Dong! The Divine Wind School was renowned for its mastery of speed. Wang Dong had been the first to evade the pursuit of the fused monster and hadin in wait within the passage. Sensing Hu Hanshan''s return, he had pounced. ''Damn it.'' ''Is this scenario a case of ''the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind'', and behind the oriole, there''s a snake?'' ''And if you count me in, behind the snake, there''s an eagle?!'' ''Damn, it''s like a set of nesting dolls...'' Somewhat speechless and grumbling, Jiang Chen''s expression gradually grew serious. That''s because Ye Fan had finally appeared! ''The moment the protagonist takes center stage is when I should make my move!'' Jiang Chen extended his divine sense, focusing intently on the ravaged underground field. He observed Wang Dong pick up the Spirit Beast Pouch that Hu Hanshan had been clutching, retrieve the storage ring, and then sprint towards the giant egg with a smug expression on his face. Suddenly. "Please hold on, sir." A voice emanated from behind Wang Dong. Cold sweat materialized on Wang Dong''s forehead. He hadn''t even detected someone approaching from behind! When he turned around and recognized that it was Ye Fan, he heaved a huge sigh of relief. "So it''s you, kid." "It seems your name is Ye Fan, right?" "Hmph, you want this giant egg too?" Wang Dong sneered at Ye Fan, thinking that he had been too arrogant before, which was why he hadn''t noticed Ye Fan''s arrival. "Not bad." "If you could give it to me..." Ye Fan spoke coldly, but before he could finish. "Give it to you? Ridiculous!" Another voice emerged from behind the two of them! Wang Dong and Ye Fan were both startled, and a trace of cold sweat appeared on their foreheads. They hadn''t even sensed someone approaching from behind! As they turned around to look. They saw Jiang Chen slowly walking out of a passageway from another direction, his face full of yful smiles. "Is it you? Jiang Chen?" "A core disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect, with a Late-stage Spiritual Awakening cultivation." "Hahaha, I never expected that two Spiritual Awakening cultivators woulde one after the other topete with me for this opportunity. Are you trying to make me die ofughter!?" Upon recognizing Jiang Chen, Wang Dong let out a sigh of relief and mocked disdainfully. Upon seeing Jiang Chen, a serious look shed in Ye Fan''s eyes. It was just a fleeting nce. Recently, he had absorbed a considerable amount of qi and blood energy and advanced his Heavenly Origin cultivation method to the perfect level! Hisbat power had reached a higher realm! ''Jiang Chen!'' ''You are indeed formidable.'' ''But you definitely can''t imagine that in such a short period, I have greatly improved mybat power...'' Ye Fan thought to himself, no longer as apprehensive of Jiang Chen. He was confident that after practicing those cultivation methods, he could defeat Jiang Chen! It was at this moment. Chapter 90: Jiang Chen, You Just Wait "Wang Dong?" "Do you consider me beneath you?" "Are you not afraid that I will humiliate you?" Jiang Chen scrutinized Wang Dong with an incredulous expression, tossing the questions his way. "You will humiliate me?" "More like I will pulverize you!" Initially taken aback, Wang Dong swiftly regained hisposure, sneering as he prepared to strike. But then! A radiant, slender line abruptly pierced through his neck. It was Jiang Chen''s Spiritual Awakening realm longsword. "I!" "I... cough, cough, gush!" Wang Dong''s body tensed, as he lowered his gaze to witness the blood seeping onto his chest. His visage was painted with a blend of disbelief and sheer terror. Immediately following this. He spewed even more blood, grasped his throat, and copsed onto his knees, ultimately sumbing to death. "Hehe." "To underestimate me is foolish." Jiang Chen''s cold sneer sliced through the air. He waved his hand, confiscating the storage artifacts from Wang Dong''s corpse, including the storage ring and the spirit beast pouch he had previously acquired from Hu Hanshan. Then, he recovered his longsword. [Ding! Sessfully thwarted protagonist Ye Fan''s attempts at grandstanding and humiliating others, seizing a portion of Ye Fan''s opportunities. Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value has been deducted by 300 points!] [Ding! You have umted 500 points of Viin Value!] The system notification resonated. An expression of pure tion spread across Jiang Chen''s face. This was a moment he had been anticipating for quite some time. "Jiang Chen!" Ye Fan''s voice suddenly sliced through the silence, as icy as a chilling gust emanating from a frostbitten cavern. "Oh?" "Ye Fan, correct? A defeated underling. If you have something to express, speak freely." Jiang Chen regarded Ye Fan with a frigid and haughty expression, wlessly embodying the viin''s persona. "Do youprehend!" "Between you and me, a profound enmity exists!" Ye Fan lowered his head, his eyes concealed in the shadow of his hair, his voice plunging to an even more freezing tone. "What!?" "Profound enmity?" "Merely because I trounced you and sent you scampering off with your tail tucked between your legs, this qualifies as profound enmity?" Jiang Chen feigned surprise and ridiculed him. Yet, in truth. A lethal intent had alreadymenced its ascent within his heart. "Your parents ughtered my entire family!!" "Thus, I will exterminate your entire lineage to exact vengeance and satiate my loathing!!" "Now that I''ve already dispatched your parents, today, it''s your turn!" Ye Fan abruptly raised his head, his eyes wide and veined with crimson streaks, aze with fervent hatred! "What!" "My parents annihted your entire family? You''ve in my parents? How could that be!" "..." Jiang Chen simted a shocked and irate countenance, a glimmer of sorrow flickering in his heart, as his preceding suspicions were validated... "Not bad!" "Today, it is you who will fall, and I who will continue to live!" Ye Fan growled, a wellspring of hatred seeping from his voice. He slowly unsheathed a Spiritual Awakening realm longsword with his right hand. The de of this longsword shimmered like a clear brook under autumn sunlight. It was in no way inferior to Jiang Chen''s top-grade longsword. "Cretin, the one destined to fall is you!" Jiang Chen bellowed furiously, brandishing his longsword and charging towards Ye Fan! "I am no longer the man I once was!" Ye Fan clenched his teeth, his right hand fiercely propelling the longsword forward. The air itself was rent asunder, giving off a spine-chilling shriek! With this sword strike. He mustered all his might! His intention was to obliterate Jiang Chen in one fell swoop! He also held the conviction that his new self could effortlessly vanquish Jiang Chen! However! In the very next moment! An unspeakably fearsome force and chill coursed upwards through the longsword in his grasp. "What!!" Ye Fan was profoundly shaken, his entire body propelled backwards. Bang, bang, bang! His feet hammered the ground, carving outrge craters, yet it was still challenging to arrest his body''s relentless backward flight! Furthermore. Ye Fan experienced an intense, bone-deep frost throughout his body. His hair and eyebrows were already crusted with ice crystals, and the Yuan Power within him momentarily stilled! "Is that your limit?" "Then meet your end!" Jiang Chen''s eyes zed with fury as he gripped his longsword, executing the Void Rainbow Sixth Sword Style - Piercing Through the Clouds. He was upon Ye Fan in an instant. "Violent Tiger Power!" "Burning Blood Art!" "Six Meridians Eight Gates, open!" Inside, Ye Fan was reeling in shock and disbelief, left with no alternative but to unveil his ndestine abilities one after another! Suddenly. Various power-boosting secret arts were deployed. Temporarily, Ye Fan''s cultivation base surged. The power of the various cultivation methods he had mastered also began to fully manifest. Hisbat power rocketed directly to the Half-step Heavenly Origin realm! "Do you assume you''re the only one harbouring hidden strengths!" Jiang Chen barked out coldly, "Wind Void Steps, Jade Void sh!" In a heartbeat. His form materialized before Ye Fan, his longsword descending towards his adversary''s head with lightning speed. "Jade Harmony Smoke Net, morph into a mist!" Ye Fan''s pupils contracted abruptly, and he instinctively swung his longsword, erecting a faultless defense before him! ng, ng, ng, ng! Longswords shed ceaselessly! Jiang Chen seemed to be under the possession of a berserk demon, recklessly hoisting his longsword time and time again, striking it down with unbridled fury! "Ah, ah, ah!" Ye Fan couldn''t help but release an enraged roar, his hands moving like a whirlwind, relentlessly warding off Jiang Chen''s onught. For an instant. The cacophony of shing metal resonated incessantly. The pair engaged in ferociousbat, sparks flying as their longswords even became distorted and damaged. "Heavy Magnificence - Frenzied Wind de!" "Meet your doom!" Suddenly, a lower-grade Heavenly Origin realm long saber materialized in Ye Fan''s left hand, shing vehemently towards Jiang Chen. ''What on earth!'' ''When did this fellow acquire such a weapon?'' ''Could it be from that Heavenly de School disciple who was earlier in by the monster?!'' Jiang Chen was deeply shocked, considering the protagonist''s fortune to be truly preposterous! Simultaneously, the Shadowde Sword materialized in his left hand, executing the Void Rainbow Seventh Sword Style - Falling Star. It descended from above like a meteor, striking Ye Fan''s long saber with unyielding force. ng!! A thunderous sound echoed. Terrifying aftershocks of the battle, with the twobatants at the epicenter, instantaneously swept in all directions. The surrounding corpses were all sent flying! "Heavenly Origin realm longsword weapon!" Ye Fan utilized the momentum to withdraw, his pupils contracting, his gaze brimming with gravity. "Let''s see how long you can persist!" Jiang Chen sneered icily, his feet shifted, and he once again executed the Void Rainbow Sixth Sword Style - Piercing Through the Clouds. He nearly metamorphosed into an azure dragon, barreling towards Ye Fan. "Unmatched Heaven Beheading de!" Ye Fan once more unleashed a saber technique, the long saber in his hand sprang forth with ferocity, colliding with the Shadowde Sword! Another resounding mor echoed! The aftershocks of the sh erupted once more, propelling the strewn corpses on the ground to the walls'' edge. "Void Rainbow Fourth Sword Style - Sword Shadow, strike!" Jiang Chen''s right wrist flicked, and a multitude of sword shadows assailed Ye Fan''s vital points from various cunning angles. "wless Heart Severing de!" Ye Fan deployed another saber technique, employing brute force to shatter Jiang Chen''s sword maneuver. "Have at it!" Jiang Chen bellowed lowly, hoisting his longsword yet again. Then. The nging symphony of metal against metal resonated continuously. After hundreds of exchanges. ''This isn''t good!'' ''My Yuan Power is nearly depleted!'' A sinking feeling seized Ye Fan''s heart! He had practiced numerous cultivation methods, and his Yuan Power reserves far surpassed those of simr level. However, whenpared to Jiang Chen, who stood a whole realm above him and was also a peerless powerhouse, his reserves seemed meager. ''Curse it!'' ''Am I destined to relinquish this mysterious giant egg?!'' Reluctance surged in Ye Fan''s heart, yet his body had already reacted, preparing to seize the opening to escape! He was the kind of protagonist who leaned heavily towards caution, preferring to avoid mistakes rather than seek glory, valuing his life above all else, and seldom taking risks without sufficient confidence. At this moment. His life was teetering on a perilous edge. Though Ye Fan''s heart was heavy with reluctance and resentment, he had no other choice but to beat a hasty retreat! "You just wait!" "I will undoubtedly avenge this deep-seated animosity!" "I refuse to believe you have any more tricks up your sleeve!" With gritted teeth, Ye Fan fiercely shed his weapon against Jiang Chen''s, then used the recoil to retreat, vanishing into thebyrinthine passage. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : ***Get early ess to more chapters (+8) by joining my Patreon [@AlphaWIA]*** If you enjoyed it, please consider following me on Twitter [@DaoistAlphaWIA]. Chapter 91: Securing the Mysterious Giant Egg "Damn it, don''t flee!" Jiang Chen''s roar echoed as he hotly pursued his quarry. Yet, midway into the chase, he feigned weakness, ncing back periodically at the giant egg. His eyes flickered with uncertainty. In the mere blink of an eye. Ye Fan had vanished into the farthest reaches of the tunnel. ''Damn it, I''ve been bested by Jiang Chen once more!'' ''This man appears to outdo even me in concealing his abilities! His caution surpasses my own!'' ''Fortuitously, I managed to slip away. By now, he must have employed his full might.'' ''Otherwise, given that I''m the one responsible for his parents'' demise, he wouldn''t spare any effort to relentlessly pursue me.'' ''...'' With a sense of relief coursing through him, Ye Fan, after a brief moment of contemtion, pressed on with his flight. In the underground expanse. [Ding! You have sessfully assaulted protagonist Ye Fan, temporarily diminishing his Heavenly Fate Value by 200 points!] [Ding! You have triumphed over protagonist Ye Fan, prompting his retreat and causing emotional turmoil, further depleting his Heavenly Fate Value by 200 points!] [Ding! You''ve umted 600 points of Viin Value!] Three system notifications chimed in. Jiang Chen, his countenance now serene, couldn''t suppress a triumphant smile. Without dy. He retrieved the spirit beast pouch and positioned himself beneath the giant egg. "Let''smence!" With a mere thought, the flow of Yuan Power began, generating a formidable force that deftly separated the giant egg from its surrounding membrane. Immediately following. Jiang Chen channeled a significant surge of Yuan Power into the spirit beast pouch. The palm-sized spirit beast pouch instantaneously inted, hovering mid-air. Then, a potent force of suction materialized, drawing the giant egg within. With a swift swish. The spirit beast pouch abruptly contracted, and gently alighted in Jiang Chen''s hand. [Ding! You have sessfully usurped part of protagonist Ye Fan''s opportunities, reducing his Heavenly Fate Value by 1,000 points!] [Ding! You''ve umted 1,900 points of Viin Value!] Two additional system notifications chimed in. ''My word!'' ''A direct reduction of 1000 points from his Heavenly Fate Value!'' ''It appears that this giant egg indeed holds significant importance for Ye Fan!'' Jiang Chen''s eyes shimmered with surprise and delight as he nonchntly tossed the spirit beast pouch in his hand, feeling an overwhelming sense of joy. His gaze shifted to the lifeless bodies huddled in the corner. These corpsesprised both the blood-colored monsters and human cultivators. This was initially an opportunity meant for Ye Fan. But now. It was Jiang Chen''s turn to plunder! "Can''t hold back any longer!" "Let''smence with the corpses of the human cultivators!" Jiang Chen rubbed his hands together eagerly and initiated the collection of storage artifacts from each human cultivator''s remains. Swiftly. He amassed more than thirty such storage artifacts! Along with scores of weapons, over a dozen defensive items including armors and robes worn on the bodies. Furthermore. He even unearthed a flying artifact. Naturally, their quality couldn''t match Jiang Chen''s own Shadowde Sword and Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe. "Next up." "Time to deal with the monsters'' corpses!" Having finished plundering the human cultivators'' bodies, Jiang Chen, longsword in hand,menced the task of scooping out brains. One by one, the monsters'' skulls were systematically split open by him. Sequentially, golden-red inner cores were extracted by him. Even though these inner cores were essentially only the size of rice grains, they still held value. "Burning World Raging mes!" Ultimately, Jiang Chen set all the corpses aze, reducing them to ashes, not sparing even the human cultivator corpses. This was to thwart any chance Ye Fan might have to utilize his trump card to absorb the residual qi and blood energy from the human cultivator corpses. Upon aplishing all of this. Two additional system notifications rang out! [Ding! You have sessfully usurped a portion of protagonist Ye Fan''s opportunities; Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value has been diminished by 300 points!] [Ding! You''ve umted an additional 500 points of Viin Value!] ''Hehe!'' ''Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value has been shed by another 300 points!'' ''In this round, he''s forfeited a total of 1,500 points of Heavenly Fate Value, not including the temporary decrease in his Heavenly Fate Value!'' Jiang Chen wore a faint smile, his gaze sweeping over the now deste underground space. Upon verifying that no further opportunities remained here. He procured the Aura Finder Smoke, ignited it, and pursued in the direction of Ye Fan''s escape. Simultaneously. Ye Fan had already bolted from the cave mansion entrance, plunging into a neighboring forest. Along the way. ''I''ve essentially gauged Jiang Chen''s prowess.'' ''Below the Heavenly Origin realm, he remains an indomitable force.'' ''Unless I ascend to the Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm inbat power, there''s no chance I can conquer him!'' ''Now, I must expedite the enhancement of my abilities to entirely eliminate him!'' Thoughts raced through Ye Fan''s mind, a spark of determination glinting in his eyes. In that moment. Roar!! A monstrous bellow resonated from ahead. Intermingled within the roar were the pleas and shouts of several human cultivators, their voicesden with trepidation and dread. ''It''s the blood-colored monster that merged earlier!'' ''If I can wholly absorb its qi and blood energy, I will undoubtedly be able to master another Heavenly Origin realm cultivation method!'' ''In that case! Let''s make a move!'' A thrill surged within Ye Fan''s heart, and he promptly dashed towards the monster''s location. Now, he no longer intended to conceal his true power. After all, Jiang Chen was already privy to his genuinebat potential and could expose it at any moment. The animosity between Jiang Chen and him was as deep as the ocean, and their next encounter would undoubtedly result in another vehement battle! Ye Fan had no desire to suffer a third defeat at Jiang Chen''s hands. He was not the type of arrogant genius incapable of tolerating failure. However, enduring a failure once or twice was tolerable. But being bested thrice consecutively by a peer, how could he ept that? Therefore. Ye Fan was determined to seize every chance to elevate his capabilities! His footsteps were as swift as the wind, propelling him forward with rapidity. In no time at all. He found himself at the heart of the battlefield. Boom! Boom! Crack! Crack! The muted rumbling of thunderous sounds reverberated incessantly. In addition, the cacophony of countless trees snapping and tumbling resounded. "Hurry!" "Give it everything you''ve got!" "It''s nearing its end; if we can persist just a bit longer, victory will be ours!" "..." The urgency and intensity in the voice of the Heavenly de School''s chief disciple, Xie Lianchu, was palpable, as the disciples around him scattered andunched their attacks. Numerous individuals, noticing a reduction in the fused monster''s power, promptly ckened their pace and began orchestrating an encirclement of the fused monster! Just as expected. Before long. "Roar...!" The fused monster whimpered, quickly disintegrating back into the original eight monsters. At this moment. All eight monsters had suffered a substantial depletion of theirbat prowess. Perhaps it was due to their contribution of qi and blood energy to the giant egg. They appeared even more diminished than when the fused monster had previously separated, and had even fallen by two minor realms. "Hahaha!" "The monster has finally disintegrated!" "Quick, everyone unite and vanquish them all!" "Whoever ys a monster, their spoils are their own!" Xie Lianchu erupted with an exhratedugh, immediately rallying the surrounding cultivators to attack and y the monsters! He himself, brandishing a long saber, charged forward. Swish, swish, swish. In the span of a single breath, he struck thirteen times, effortlessly bisecting the monster that had plummeted to the Early-stage Mysterious tform realm into three sections! But he didn''t stop. He continued his high-speed movements, converging on the partially copsed mountain from before! Yes. What Xie Lianchu prioritized above all was that giant egg! Compared to the giant egg, the value of these weakened humanoid monsters was simply inconsequential. Chapter 92: Because I Possess a Flying Artifact "Darn it! Xie Lianchu has made his escape!" "He''s making for that underground chamber in the cave mansion; his sights are set on the mysterious giant egg!" "Damn it, halt your steps!" "..." The expressions of the cultivators transformed dramatically, their voices thundering with uncontained fury. However, the mightier ones were entangled in ferociousbat with the monstrous creatures and could not extricate themselves promptly, while the less powerful cultivatorscked the courage to pursue. ''Hurry, hurry, hurry!'' ''We must secure that enormous egg!'' The gleeful smile that had once danced on Xie Lianchu''s face dissolved, supnted by a surge of profound anxiety! From his perspective, only he and the chief disciples of the Water Cloud Sect and Divine Wind School remained unscathed. He had been relentlessly pursued by the monster. Contrastingly, Hu Hanshan and the rest had managed to retreat with equanimity, likely locked in contention for the enormous egg at this very moment! Just as Xie Lianchu''s anxiety began to spike. A figure abruptly materialized before him it was none other than Ye Fan! "The Azure Jade Sect''s pitiful wretch?" "Since you''ve crossed paths with me, embrace your doom!" Xie Lianchu was steeped in frustration and anxiety. Uponying eyes on Ye Fan, a cultivator of the Spiritual Awakening realm as insignificant as an ant, a surge of murderous desire welled up within him, seeking to unleash his wrath through ughter! Grasping his elongated saber, he shed with ferocity: "Majestic Gale Heavy de!!" "Huh?" "We bear no grudges, yet you assault me!" "Since that is so, don''t fault me for dispensing justice without restraint!" Ye Fan hadn''t anticipated an unprovoked attack from Xie Lianchu. A surge of indignation swelled within him, prompting him to draw his own elongated saber, shing fiercely "Majestic Gale Heavy de!!" "What?!" "How is it conceivable that you too can wield the Majestic Gale Heavy de?!" "That is an arcane art exclusive to our school, not intended for external dissemination!" "Furthermore, how have you managed to refine the Majestic Gale Heavy de to the perfect-level?!" "And that elongated saber... did you y the scion of our Heavenly de School''s master?!" Witnessing that Ye Fan''s technique mirrored the Majestic Gale Heavy de and yet surpassed his own, Xie Lianchu was struck with immediate shock and dread! In the ensuing moment. The two elongated sabers shed. ng! Xie Lianchu''s saber fractured abruptly, his head was sent soaring, and a gaping wound on his neck gushed blood frically! "Hmph!" "Venturing to assault me! Ignorant of the sanctity of life!" Ye Fan grumbled, his toneced with irritation. He then retrieved the Wordless Heavenly Jade, preparing to absorb the residual qi and blood from Xie Lianchu''s lifeless form. But at that precise juncture. "Tsk, tsk." "Truly, utterly preposterous! It''s the epitome of absurdity!" A voice echoed from a nearby distance, followed by an apparition materializing beside Xie Lianchu''s corpse - it was none other than Jiang Chen! At this juncture, he found himself equally at a loss for words. Ye Fan had just been battered and coerced into retreat, only to promptly stumble upon an unexpected boon. This was a mboyant exhibition of the protagonist''s Heavenly Fate Value. Simultaneously. Jiang Chen was also appreciative of his foresight in utilizing the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle to traverse the majority of the distance, only resorting to his personal flight for the final leg of the journey after stowing away the flying artifact. Otherwise. He undoubtedly would not have arrived in time to thwart Ye Fan''s looting attempt. However. He was still a tad toote. Surveying Xie Lianchu''s lifeless form, he realized that Ye Fan had already flexed his might. "Jiang... Jiang Chen!" "How could you possibly have caught up so swiftly?!" On recognizing the new arrival as Jiang Chen, Ye Fan couldn''t suppress his astonishment, and a surge of intense wariness welled up within his heart! Not only had Jiang Chen managed to catch up. But he had aplished it in such a brief span of time. What did this imply? It suggested that Jiang Chen possessed a method to trace his steps, and his traversal speed was exceptionally swift! Earlier. When Jiang Chen materialized in the underground space. Ye Fan had harbored suspicions about whether Jiang Chen had a means to tail him. But given the massive uproar caused by the mountain peak''s copse, audible even from a considerable distance, he dismissed this conjecture. Unexpectedly. Jiang Chen truly did possess a method to track him! "Hehe!" "Ye Fan, do you grasp why I managed to traverse so rapidly?" "Because I possess a flying artifact!" Jiang Chen chuckled, thereafter revealing a Spiritual Awakening realm flying artifact. It was the very one he had previously procured from a fallen cultivator''s remains. Naturally, his disy of this flying artifact was intended to veil the existence of the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle. Indeed, he had once again yed his cards close to his chest! "A flying artifact!" "That exins it..." Upon spotting the flying artifact in Jiang Chen''s grasp, Ye Fan''s eyes instantly narrowed. "Ye Fan, you insolent cur!" "If you submit now, I''ll grant you a swift demise and preserve your mortal coil intact!" "But if you choose to resist, I''ll seize you alive and subject you to incremental torment until death ims you!" "Fear not, I''ll ensure your torment spans a considerable duration, even a lifetime, till your lifespan is fully depleted!" "Hehehe, you lowly wretch, kneel!" Jiang Chen scoffed, his gaze locked onto Ye Fan, the whites of his eyes gradually threaded with bloodshot veins, his countenance growing evermore menacing. His deep-rooted animosity was ringly evident! In the following moment. He produced the Shadowde Sword, appearing primed to execute Ye Fan. "Youck the standing to y me!" Ye Fan''s expression hardened, and he swiftly recoiled by several tens of meters, darting towards the expanse beyond! "Flee!" "Savor the creeping despair!" Jiang Chen unveiled a malicious grin, leisurely retrieved Xie Lianchu''s storage artifact, and annihted his remains! Subsequently. System notifications chimed in. [Ding! You have sessfully purloined a fraction of protagonist Ye Fan''s opportunities, Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value diminished by 100 points!] [Ding! You have rued 200 points of Viin Value!] Having heard the system notifications, Jiang Chen triggered the Spiritual Awakening realm flying artifact and pursued his quarry! ''Damnation!'' ''I''m left with no alternative but to utilize that thing!'' While Ye Fan frantically endeavored to escape, he produced a ck pill. Without dy. He sealed his eyes and ingested the pill devoid of any hesitation! Boom! An immense tide of energy burst forth from his form. In a sh. Ye Fan''s velocity soared, amplifying manifold, and his entire figure morphed into an afterimage, vanishing into the inky depths of the forest! ''A self-inflicted damage pill?'' ''It seems akin to the type that synergizes with a cultivation method.'' ''As anticipated of the protagonist, who can fathom the extent of his concealed stratagems!?'' ''...'' Jiang Chen mused inwardly, thereafter unveiling a frigid smirk. Even though Ye Fan''s velocity had escted manifold, rendering him faster than Jiang Chen''s current pace. Nheless. Jiang Chen too had his genuine swiftness concealed! "Materialize, ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle!" With a sweep of Jiang Chen''s hand, the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle instantly morphed into a three-meter-long streamlined flying artifact. Instantly. Jiang Chen mounted the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, and his speed surged to several times its initial rate. Shortly. Ye Fan''s silhouette resurfaced within Jiang Chen''s divine sense. The chase was relentless! Before much time passed. The impact of Ye Fan''s pill dissipated, and his velocity abruptly diminished. To be ready for any unforeseen circumstances, the exceptionally vignt Ye Fan ingested another ck pill, persisting in his sprint at top speed. Following the consumption of the second pill. He extracted a third pill and swallowed it. During his flight, he changed all his attire and meticulously cleansed his body employing various techniques! ''Darn it.'' ''You''re fleeing, even embarking on a nude sprint, why in the world hasn''t your character copsed?'' Jiang Chen grumbled internally. Nheless, his spirits lifted. Because he discovered that he was bigger than Ye Fan. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 93: The Restoration of the Burning World Red Lotus to the Inquiring Journey Rank Jiang Chen persisted in trailing behind Ye Fan. It could be that Ye Fan had exhausted his stock of ck pills, or perhaps his endurance was wavering; he atst ceased his flight and descended to earth. The location he selected for his respite was a swamp, pervaded by an assortment of repugnant and rotting odors. Upon alighting. Ye Fan plunged straight into the swamp, a morass teeming with muck, and his silhouette rapidly faded from view. As was widely epted. The reach of one''s divine sense had its boundaries. In a convoluted milieu such as a swamp, the challenge of prating with divine sense was hardly less daunting than that posed by solid earth. Furthermore. Submerging into the swamp left no conspicuous signs, and the process was swift. Otherwise, why would one not consider excavating a cavity in an open area? Consequently. Ye Fan selected the swamp as his sanctuary. His intent was to exploit the surroundings,bined with his concealment technique, to determine if he could shake off Jiang Chen''s relentless chase. Nheless. What Ye Fan failed to fathom was that his every move had been under the vignt scrutiny of Jiang Chen! This included his descent into the swamp. ''Impressive.'' ''Plunging into a swamp swarming with putrid muck, he''s indeed resolute.'' Jiang Chen halted at a safe distance and then employed his divine sense to investigate the swamp. Ye Fan submerged into the swamp, a ce beyond the grasp of his sight. Employing divine sense also proved to be somewhat troublesome. Gradually. Jiang Chen''s divine sense ventured dozens, even hundreds of meters into the swamp, yet it failed to discern Ye Fan''s whereabouts. ''Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade!'' With a spark of thought, Jiang Chen withdrew his divine sense. Then, utilizing the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade, he dispatched his divine sense once more to probe the depths. This time. Building upon his previous effort, his divine sense then delved an additional several hundred meters into the swamp. Atst, he located Ye Fan. This individual, after plummeting to the swamp''s depths, had astonishingly maneuvered several hundred meters beforeing to a halt. Truly, he was the epitome of prudence. Nevertheless, his careful movements were still detected by the ever-ready Jiang Chen. Subsequently. Jiang Chen maintained his surveince over Ye Fan. Ye Fan was observed to be enshrouded in a slim luminescent barrier, effectively keeping the mire at bay. In his left hand, he sped the Wordless Heavenly Jade, which was already tethered to his palm via sanguine threads. In his right hand, he retrieved a handful of medicinal pills from his storage ring and ingested them. Ye Fan possessed a considerable stock of healing pills. Particrly after acquiring the assets of the son of the Heavenly de School''s leader, his inventory had swelled even further. ''Has the healingmenced?'' ''Once his injuries mend, his temporarily diminished Heavenly Fate Value will rebound to its peak.'' ''Let''s ascertain the current Heavenly Fate Value this individual possesses.'' ''Viin''s Eye, activate!'' Jiang Chen contemted in his mind, then promptly initiated Ye Fan''s information panel. [Name: Ye Fan Realm: Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening Status: Protagonist Heavenly Fate Value: 4568/4768] As was evident. Ye Fan''s present upper limit of Heavenly Fate Value had plummeted to a mere 4768! A further decline of more than 4000 would ce him on the brink of elimination! ''This is splendid.'' ''Next, while Ye Fan is recuperating, I''ll seize the opportunity to enhance my own power!'' Jiang Chen exhibited a grin, and then procured several storage artifacts. These were all spoils from his prior looting spree. He hadn''t even explored their contents yet! "It''s akin to unlocking a surprise treasure chest." Jiang Chen grasped a storage ring, and his divine sense immediatelymenced its exploration within. Abruptly. A myriad of items materialized before his gaze. There was an abundance of spiritual nts, a considerable quantity of pills, some natural treasures, jade slips containing cultivation methods, a change of clothes, and various other implements. Jiang Chen adeptly extracted the fortifying spiritual nts and immediately popped them into his mouth. Regarding the pills, he sorted them into distinct ssifications and housed them in his Moondust Ring. At present, the assortment of pills he possessed was proliferating! Regrettably, the intake of too many low-quality pills could lead to an umtion of impurities, thereby undermining his cultivation foundation. Only pills of upper-grade and top-grade quality were worth ingesting. Among these spoils, the majority were average-quality pills, the count of upper-grade pills was sparse, and there wasn''t a single top-grade pill. This held true even when considering that the original owners of these storage artifacts were all prodigies hailing from various prestigious sects. Typical Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators would fare even more poorly inparison. Time gradually unfolded. One by one, Jiang Chen unlocked all the storage rings, bracelets, thumb rings, earrings, and so forth! Subsequently, he proceeded to empty all the treasures they contained! Personal items of no value were all disposed of! Throughout this procedure. Jiang Chen''s mouth was ceaselessly at work, perpetually consuming spiritual nts. Even after the task of organizing the storage artifacts waspleted, he had yet to finish devouring the spiritual nts. ''Incredible!'' ''Such a plethora of spiritual nts!'' ''Once I''ve consumed them all, a breakthrough is certain!'' ''I just wonder if achieving a breakthrough here might have any adverse consequences?'' ''After all... this ce prohibits the entry of Heavenly Origin realm powerhouses.'' ''Well, the priority is to eat. When my cultivation base is sufficient, I''ll subdue the bottleneck and seek an opportune moment to achieve a breakthrough!'' ''...'' With these thoughts running through his mind, Jiang Chen resumed his consumption of the spiritual nts. A vast quantity of spiritual nts was devoured. Among these, numerous were of the Heavenly Origin rank. Once all the spiritual nts had been wholly consumed. Jiang Chen had an instinctive feeling; the Burning World Red Lotus was on the brink of restoration to the Inquiring Journey realm! ''Once the Burning World Red Lotus is restored to the Inquiring Journey realm,'' ''My cultivation base will experience a significant boost, and my aptitude will be elevated to an even higher level!'' ''However, as of now, the impact of ordinary spiritual nts has dwindled to insignificance, and even the effects of the Heavenly Origin rank spiritual nts are remarkably faint.'' ''Thus, it''s imperative for me to procure Inquiring Journey rank spiritual nts.'' ''System! Initiate the exchange for the Heavenly Star Crossing Cmity Precious Ginseng!'' Having reached a decision, Jiang Chen promptlymanded the exchange of spiritual nts! Thest time he exchanged for the Heavenly Star Crossing Cmity Precious Ginseng, Jiang Chen had a remainder of 1,700 Viin Value points. In the subsequent encounters with Ye Fan, he rued an additional 3,900 Viin Value points, bringing his total to a staggering 5,600 points! [Ding! You have expended 2,600 Viin Value points and sessfully procured a Heavenly Star Crossing Cmity Precious Ginseng *1!] A Heavenly Star Crossing Cmity Precious Ginseng materialized in Jiang Chen''s grasp. Without a moment''s hesitation, he directly popped it into his mouth! As the spiritual nt descended into his belly, its boundless medicinal power coursed towards his dantian, where it was wholly absorbed by the Burning World Red Lotus! Once all the medicinal potency had been absorbed. Buzz buzz buzz! The Burning World Red Lotus began to vibrate subtly. Its wilted petals remarkably started to exhibit patterns pulsating with vitality. While it still appeared somewhat withered overall, it was undeniably different from its former state. The evidence was indisputable. The Burning World Red Lotus had indeed advanced to the Inquiring Journey rank! Simultaneously. A formidable, enigmatic energy radiated from the Burning World Red Lotus, immediately suffusing throughout Jiang Chen''s body and soul. In a fleeting moment. Jiang Chen felt his entire body swell, as if every single cell yearned for an ascension, a metamorphosis into a higher state of existence! This was the unmistakable harbinger of a looming breakthrough! ''I can''t risk a breakthrough here!'' ''Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture, engage the seal!'' Jiang Chen circted his Yuan Power, temporarily fortifying his cultivation base at the Half-step Heavenly Origin realm. Should he desire a breakthrough, with the potency of the Ten-Turn Harmonious Spirit Pill, it could be achieved almost instantaneously! A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to more chapters by joining my Patreon /AlphaWIA] Chapter 94: The Swamp鈥檚 Collapse Unveils the Underground Palace ''Incredible!'' ''The Heavenly Origin realm is now within arm''s reach!'' ''And not to forget, the Burning World Red Lotus!'' A smirk tugged at the corners of Jiang Chen''s lips. Without dy, he extended his right hand, from which sprouted a crimson me. Puff! Puff! The embers flickered, minute yet potent. Their force had amplified, more than twice its initial might! This concealed power, a weapon Jiang Chen had never wielded inbat, had amplified in intensity! Given Jiang Chen''s full-throttled attack, he could summon the formidable strength of the Heavenly Origin realm. This implied that future confrontations with Ye Fan would be considerably less challenging. ''Ye Fan!'' ''I''ve ascended in strength, what about you?'' Jiang Chen''s gaze, guided by his divine sense, drilled into the depths of the swamp where Ye Fan lurked, his eyes shing with an icy derision. Ye Fan had only justpleted mending his injuries. However, in that very instant... Ssh! Ssh! An unexpected quiver started shaking the entirety of the swamp! Under the influence of an unseen force, the extraordinarily thick mud began to churn, gradually shaping into a vast whirlpool! "What in the heavens is happening!?" "What''s wrong with this swamp?" Ye Fan''s countenance contorted in shock. His eyes darted about, yet failed to pinpoint the cause of the anomaly in the swamp. Nevertheless. Having weathered countless crises and emergedrgely unscathed, he remained rtively unperturbed. Simultaneously. ''The swamp is in upheaval!'' ''Could this be yet another fortuitous event for Ye Fan!?'' ''Is this the clichd narrative of plummeting off a cliff, discovering a grotto, andying hands on treasures!?'' ''...'' Jiang Chen was struck with a gut feeling that the turmoil in the swamp was triggered by Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value. Otherwise. The swamp had remained tranquil for so long. Why did it suddenly plunge into chaos shortly after Ye Fan sought refuge within its depths? In that moment. An aura, heavy with grandeur andced with an indefinable enigma, subtly suffused the surroundings. Jiang Chen meticulously tuned his senses to it and discovered that this aura originated from beneath the earth''s crust. ''Swamp, whirlpool, subterranean!'' ''This swamp is on the brink of a copse!'' ''With the swamp''s imminent downfall, as per the original storyline, Ye Fan will undoubtedly stumble upon that grand opportunity!'' Jiang Chen''s eyebrows arched upwards, his eyes flickering with an ineffable expression. This Ye Fan. Had stumbled upon yet another opportunity. The frequency was indeed astounding! However, Jiang Chen also understood that this might be tied to the environment epassing Ye Fan. This Cave Heaven secret realm, replete with various opportunities, resembled a vast dungeon, and in the original narrative, it served as Ye Fan''s stomping ground! At this moment. Ye Fan also discerned that the mud encircling his form was swiftly sinking, and his body was being pulled down in its wake. ''I''m sinking underground!'' ''No matter, I won''t be entombed alive anyway.'' ''In fact, plunging deeper underground provides a strategic advantage for me to elude Jiang Chen''s pursuit!'' ''I just hope the upheaval in the swamp remains subtle, so as to not draw Jiang Chen''s attention.'' With this line of thought, Ye Fan did not resist the pulling force of the sinking mud. Swiftly. The entire swamp morphed into a massive whirlpool, with innumerable bubbles surfacing. Immediately thereafter. The water level of the swamp slightly receded, and then all motion ceased. Subterranean. Carried by the relentless pull of the mud, Ye Fan descended into a fissure with a resonant rumble! The ensuing moment. His feet registered the touch of firm ground, the mud overhead ceased its downward slide, while the surrounding mire continued its sideward flow. As it transpired. Beneath his solesy a hanging stone bridge. Before him extended a passageway, while his rear was nked by the mountain''s inner wall. ''What is this locale!?'' ''Does it resemble an ancient underground pce?'' ''This stone bridge... Upon a mere nce, it''s evident it''s a relic of the Cave Heaven secret realm. Perhaps, I might uncover some opportunities here!'' Ye Fan''s gaze roved around, and a wave of exhration swelled within his chest. Subsequently. He recalled the over ten inner cores of monsters that Jiang Chen had absconded with, as well as the mysterious giant egg, and a swell of anger surged in his heart, prompting him to unconsciously clench his fists. ''This time around!'' ''I made a swift and extensive escape, and by sheer chance, I plunged into this ce.'' ''My opportunity will not be usurped by Jiang Chen again!'' Ye Fan gritted his teeth, then expanded his divine sense to its fullest extent and advanced towards the front of the stone bridge. Above ground. ''I can''t locate Ye Fan with my divine sense!'' ''It appears that the ce where Ye Fan fell is considerably distant from the surface.'' Jiang Chen drew a deep breath, then circted his Yuan Power and activated the protective robe draped over his form, the Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe! He yearned to continue the pursuit! Yet, to ward off potential hazards. He resolved to momentarily go all out and utilize all the treasures he had recently acquired. Not just that. He also diverted a fraction of his attention to focus on his dantian and the meridians threading through his body. So that he could initiate his cultivation method at a moment''s notice and ascend to the true Heavenly Origin realm! "ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, advance!" Jiang Chen manipted the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, plunging headfirst into the swamp. Promptly. He sunk to the deepest reaches of the swamp and made contact with a sturdy stone b! ''It''s a contraption!'' ''This contraption wasn''t triggered by Ye Fan.'' ''It appears it may have been activated by the others... perhaps it''s the Starry Abyss Sect, the Floating Spirit Sect, and the rest who fled earlier.'' After some reflection, Jiang Chen didn''t hastily attempt to dismantle the contraption. Instead, he surveyed the surroundings and discovered a slim fissure. The contraption was the kind that opened and closed from both sides towards the center. There was an extremely thin, narrow slit in the middle. ''Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade!'' Jiang Chen activated an even more potent divine sense, which slipped through the crevices and detected the scenario below - a stone bridge and some footprints. It was evident. Those footprints were Ye Fan''s handiwork. Tracking Ye Fan''s path with his divine sense, Jiang Chen soon discerned Ye Fan''s silhouette. He observed as Ye Fan had already ventured into a passage, cautiously navigating through the enveloping darkness. ''Allow him to advance a little further, then discover a means to descend!'' Jiang Chen contemted to himself, then patiently bided his time. Not a great distance from the swamp, in an even more subterranean area. A substantial group of individuals congregated in a vast underground za. As Jiang Chen had spected, these individuals were indeed disciples from the Starry Abyss Sect, the Floating Spirit Sect, the Ice Heart School, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, and the Azure Jade Sect. At this juncture. The predicament for the disciples from all the major sects was less than ideal. Among them. The Starry Abyss Sect and the Floating Spirit Sect had managed to retain their strength most effectively. Yet, both sects only had roughly fifteen members remaining. Duan Ziming, Mu Tao, and the true disciples from both sects were still present. The principal disciples of the Ice Heart School, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, and the Azure Jade Sect had also survived, but all their true disciples were absent, with merely a handful of ordinary disciples lingering by their side. Especially the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, their situation was the most dire! In total, only six disciples from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain remained. The Azure Jade Sect was down to eight survivors. Consequently, much like the other fallen disciples in that cave mansion ''dungeon'', they found themselvespelled to form a temporary alliance once more. Everyone was positioned in the subterranean square, encircled by the lifeless forms of blood-colored humanoid monsters. The monstrous corpses were bleeding profusely, their blood forming into uncanny patterns through the fissures on the square''s stone floor. Directly ahead of the square. The once fully sealed, hefty iron wall had ascended to the height of a person, unveiling an exceptionally wide passageway. "Atst, a passage has materialized!" "Had a passage not emerged soon, I would have sumbed to despair!" An Azure Jade Sect disciple eximed, his voice ringing with palpable exhration. "Fool, the passage only unveils itself once all these monsters are eradicated!" Xu Yuan, the chief disciple of the Azure Jade Sect, stated icily, "The underground vestige we''ve unearthed is evidently a legacy riddled with trials!" "Above ground in the world outside, Heavenly Origin realm spiritual nts are ubiquitous." "I am eager to discover the grand opportunities that this subterranean vestige harbors!" Duan Ziming focused intently on the passageway ahead, his eyes glinting with a stirring mixture of anticipation and desire. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 95: Deciphering the Cultivation Method to Unlock the Door "Hmph!" "Opportunities may present themselves, but it remains to be seen who will seize them!" Deng Jianying, the chief disciple of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, retorted with a frosty tone. Despite being apanied by a mere quintet of disciples. Yet, by forging an alliance with the Azure Jade Sect, thebined might of the two chief disciples was a formidable force. The eventual gains could be divided equally or proportionately. "Hahaha!" "Deng Jianying, are you convinced that we wouldn''t eliminate you on the spot, and then venture on our own to uncover these opportunities?" Xia Ding, a true disciple from the Starry Abyss Sect, scoffed, his eyes brimming with contempt. Mu Tao, the chief disciple of the Floating Spirit Sect, also fixed a chilly gaze on Deng Jianying. "You fancy a showdown? Bring it on then!" Xu Yuan proimed fearlessly, "After all, we have yet to determine the extent of the perils that lie in our path. We have nothing to lose." "Stand down." "We''ll decide the victor once the ultimate treasure reveals itself." Miao Xiaorui of the Ice Heart School intervened, easing the tension with her measured words. With that stated. She gestured gracefully, directing the ten disciples beside her tomence the somber task of retrieving their fallenrades and dealing with the remains of the humanoid monsters. Regarding the allocation of spoils. They adhered to the contribution-based system proposed by Jiang Chen. In short order. The bodies of their brethren had been respectfully gathered, and the monsters'' inner cores were equitably distributed. Subsequently, they all converged on the grand passage - a square tunnel soaring three meters high and extending dozens of meters wide. "Let''s reconnoiter the path ahead first!" Duan Ziming proposed, inhaling deeply as he spoke. Hispanions wore expressions of simr gravity. Ever since they discovered this subterranean passage, they had encountered numerous perils along their journey. Navigating this tunnel might not prove to be an easy feat. Without dy. They all initiated various strategies to probe the path. These included tactics like hurling carcasses of in monsters inside or employing spells tounch an attack, among others... Unbeknownst to the crowd. Directly above their heads. Ye Fan had already stealthily ventured into a room. The room''s three walls were starkly bare, while the fourth was distinguished by the presence of three doors! Each door bore a series of engravings thatbined to form a truly distinctive pattern. "These are... symbols denoting cultivation techniques and secret arts!" "And they appear to be jumbled!" "It seems we must arrange these characters in the correct sequence to unlock the door!" "Heh, deciphering cultivation methods... this is my forte!" "..." Ye Fan, surveying the disarrayed symbols of cultivation methods on the trio of doors, could hardly contain his excitement. Until this point. He had mastered a plethora of cultivation methods! These included several of those at the Heavenly Origin realm, all of which he had honed to the perfect-level. In terms of understanding cultivation methods, even the typical experts of the Heavenly Origin realm couldn''tpare to him. Furthermore. He also had the invaluable aid of the Wordless Heavenly Jade at his disposal. Although the Wordless Heavenly Jade held only a scant amount of energy, it nheless retained its essential functions, enough to elerate his training inbat skills to some degree. With this in mind. The three imposing doors before him took on the guise of an unexpected bounty! Conventionally, a mere single door among the trio would need to be unlocked for him to proceed further. However, through Ye Fan''s discerning eyes. These doors were no longer impediments but rather enticing opportunities, tantalizingly within his grasp! Hence, he sought to im all three doors! ''The disturbance in the swamp was triggered by someone activating a mechanism.'' ''This suggests that there are others present in these underground ruins; I must hasten my pace!'' As this realization swept over Ye Fan, he withdrew the Wordless Heavenly Jade, cradling it in his palm. Instantaneously, a profusion of blood-red threads began to weave themselves, linking him to the jade. Without hesitation. His visage became inscrutable as hemenced the restoration of the cultivation method etched into the far-left door. Nheless. As Ye Fan was utterly engrossed in the task of reconstructing the cultivation method. He remained oblivious to the fact that he was once again under the watchful eyes of Jiang Chen! Lurking in the shadows of the distant corridor. Jiang Chen pushed the stealth function of the Moondust Ring to its absolute limits. Next, utilizing the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade to augment his divine sense, he persistently kept tabs on Ye Fan. Indeed. He had sessfully infiltrated the underground ruins from beneath the swamp. Though the mechanism stone b boasted a thickness of ten meters, it proved futile against the might of the Heavenly Origin rank Shadowde Sword. Upon prating the underground ruins. Jiang Chen even went as far as to reseal the entrance. ''Reconstruct the cultivation method to unlock the door!'' ''Curse it, this seems like an obstacle tailor-made for Ye Fan!'' ''And yet, even this challenge has transformed into an opportunity for Ye Fan.'' As he kept a vignt watch over Ye Fan, Jiang Chen could only shake his head in silent disbelief. Such was the Son of the Heavenly Fate. Every endeavor he undertook unfailingly unfolded with remarkable ease! Yet. At this very moment. This Son of the Heavenly Fate, Ye Fan, had unwittingly fallen into Jiang Chen''s clutches, making escape a near impossibility! ''Let''s observe what kind of cultivation method this fellow reconstructs.'' As Jiang Chen beheld Ye Fan rapidly restoring the cultivation method on the stone door, a flicker of anticipation sparked in his eyes. As soon as Ye Fan reconstructed the cultivation method. Jiang Chen would be poised to acquire it instantaneously. In merely a brief moment. Assisted by the Wordless Heavenly Jade and fortified by his own vast knowledge, Ye Fan sessfully reinstated the cultivation method on the initial door. Boom, boom, boom. A muted rumble emanated from the door. The door began a slow revolution, exposing the dark passage lurking behind it. Even with Ye Fan''s divine sense, he was unable to perceive whaty beyond the passage. Thus. His entire focus was unwaveringly riveted on the door before him. "Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets!" "It''s actually a cultivation method of the Heavenly Origin realm specifically designed for training divine sense!" "Excellent, once I master this cultivation method, my divine sense will be honed, and both its power and detection capabilities will be significantly bolstered." "Furthermore, it will enable me to prevent myself from being surveilled or tracked to the utmost degree!" "Regrettably, the energy reserves of the Wordless Heavenly Jade are currently insufficient. Given my present state, it would take at least eight days to attain the entry level." "No matter, I''ll set this aside for now and focus on restoring the remaining cultivation methods first!" Ye Fan was awash with joy as hemitted the Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets to memory, and then set about restoring the cultivation method of the second door. Simultaneously. ''A cultivation method dedicated to refining the soul and divine sense, interesting.'' ''The soul and divine sense have always been Ye Fan''s greatest vulnerabilities. I anticipated they would be addressed eventually, but I didn''t foresee it happening here.'' ''If he sessfully cultivates this method, my ability to surveil him may bepromised.'' ''Unless I advance to the Heavenly Origin realm and secure a Heavenly Origin rank artifact specific to divine sense to aid me.'' ''Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade... its efficacy is no longer adequate.'' A hint of seriousness crept into Jiang Chen''s gaze, and then he eagerly beganmitting the Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets to memory. Acquiring such a Heavenly Origin realm cultivation method rted to the soul would demand at least 3,500 points of Viin Value in the system mall! This underscored its substantial worth. Swiftly. Jiang Chen absorbed every word of the Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets, missing not a single detail. Having practiced Heavenly Origin realm cultivation methods himself and backed by a formidable sect like the Starry Abyss Sect, he was able to grasp a preliminary understanding of this method''s utility. The primary functions of the Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets revolved around nurturing the soul and enhancing divine sense. Moreover, it contained a crucial secret art, the ''Spirit Stirring Sting''! This was a secret art designed specifically for assaulting others'' souls! During conflicts. If one''s soul were to be targeted, it was easy to be taken by surprise, revealing lethal vulnerabilities. Hence. In Jiang Chen''s perspective, the value of the secret art, Spirit Stirring Sting, constituted nearly half of the entire cultivation method''s worth. In that instance. Ye Fan''s hands worked with remarkable speed, and he had, indeed, restored the second cultivation method as well. ''Damn, his speed is truly impressive. Befitting of a protagonist.'' Jiang Chen couldn''t help but admire, before shifting his attention to the second cultivation method. It was a body refining technique named ''Seven Extremes Body Refinement'', also of the Heavenly Origin realm. Once mastered, it could drastically amplify one''s physical prowess, and even further intensify seven specific body parts through selective enhancement. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 96: The Secret Chamber of Cultivation Methods, The Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf ''Seven Extremes Body Refinement!'' ''This technique not only has the fundamental body tempering effect of the Heavenly Origin realm but also grants seven additional enhancements for body tempering.'' ''These supplementary enhancements should be precisely deployed on the most susceptible parts, such as...'' A faint smile yed around the edges of Jiang Chen''s mouth as he silentlymitted the ''Seven Extremes Body Refinement'' method to memory. Not long after. No time was wasted. The cultivation method behind the third door was sessfully deciphered by Ye Fan. It bore the title, ''Heavenly Spring Coalescing Sea Records''. This cultivation method specialized in refining Yuan Power. When mastered, it could substantially bolster the reserves of Yuan Power and dramatically enhance the quality of the said power. ''This appears to be yet another cultivation method tailored for Ye Fan!'' ''Ye Fan''s deficiencies lie in his divine sense, physical prowess, and the quality as well as reserves of his Yuan Power.'' ''Given these three cultivation methods, he could potentially rival an Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm cultivator.'' ''I should count myself fortunate for having seized his monsters'' inner cores; otherwise, he would have undoubtedly mastered these three cultivation methods by now.'' As Jiang Chen internalized the Heavenly Spring Coalescing Sea Records, a hint of inner grumbling surfaced. In the present moment. Ye Fan, standing before the three doors, fell into deep contemtion, and then proceeded to scramble the cultivation methods presented on the two side doors. Boom, boom, boom. Slowly, the two doors sealed themselves, leaving only the central door unbarred. Without dy. Ye Fan stepped through the middle door. ''What audacity.'' ''He leaves no scraps for those trailing in his wake. If he weren''t required to leave one door essible, Ye Fan would probably begrudge even the merest of remnants.'' A glint sparked in Jiang Chen''s eyes as he promptly followed in Ye Fan''s footsteps. Simultaneously. "We''ve finally broken through!" Surveying the dozen or so lifeless bodies littering the expansive passage, Duan Ziming and hispanions were riddled with unease. Theymenced cautious exploration. There was no response in the passage. However, upon entry, they were struck by the realization that they had been ensnared by an illusion from the very start! A series of formation traps had been concealed within the seemingly vacant passage. Luckily, the passage wasn''t extensive. Upon detecting the peril, everyone put forth their utmost effort, frantically scrambling out of the hazardous zone. Nheless, the lives of thirteen cultivators were imed within. Each sect and school suffered the loss of two or three disciples with rtively weaker cultivation bases. "Forward!" "Having navigated such treacherous challenges, we must be on the brink of reaching the final stage and securing the opportunities!" Duan Ziming rallied his surroundingpanions with these words. Their spirits were immediately rejuvenated. The friction among the major sects also escted further. But no one faltered; they relentlessly pressed onward. Before long. A bare stone stele materialized before them. However. Upon scrutinizing the stele with their divine senses, they were able to perceive a wealth of information. At that moment. Everyone projected their divine senses, examining its contents. Their expressions transformed rapidly, brimming with astonishment and delight. The stele''s contents did not hold any ndestine clues or simr elements. Rather, it bore the words bequeathed by the master of the secret realm. As it transpired. This Cave Heaven secret realm was the very site where the master of the secret realm had met his end. Prior to his demise, he had left behind three great inheritances within the confines of the Cave Heaven secret realm! Only those possessing extraordinary determination, remarkablebat prowess, outstanding aptitude, and a fate that defied the heavens could im them. This underground pce housed two great inheritances: the secret chamber of cultivation methods and the bloodline inheritance. A third opportunity awaited at another location. Furthermore, it was suggested that acquiring all three great inheritances could potentially transform one into a force surpassing even the secret realm''s master! Only the younger generation who embodied determination,bat strength, talent, and fate, all in one, could possibly seize these three great inheritances. "Remarkable!" "There are, in fact, two great inheritances nestled within this underground pce!" "Cultivation methods inheritance and bloodline inheritance, each is extraordinary in its own right!" "Considering the power required to create a Cave Heaven secret realm, I cannot begin to imagine how much more formidable this senior ispared to those in the Heavenly Origin realm. If one could seize even one of these opportunities, wouldn''t they ascend to the peak of the three continents?" "..." The crowd was ecstatic, engaging in excited discussions, their eyes aze with anticipation. Just then. The stone tablet abruptly started to quiver. Almost instantaneously. A subtle tremor rippled through the entire underground pce! Shortly after. The solid mountain wall ahead gradually parted, revealing an even more expansive passageway. "Roar!!" A roar, resonating with immense majesty yet tinged with ferocity and madness, echoed through the passageway! Compared to the howl of the humanoid blood-colored monster, this seemed more like a dog''s bark! Immediately following. A towering blood-red giant wolf, standing over thirty meters tall but as gaunt as a skeleton, manifested within everyone''s divine sense! "What is this creature!" "Could this terrifying presence belong to a demonic beast from the Heavenly Origin realm!?" "It bears a striking resemnce to the ''Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf'' described in ancient texts!" "Something''s off, this demonic beast appears lifeless, devoid of a soul. It''s just its body that radiates such potent qi and blood!" "Regardless, only by uniting our strengths do we stand a chance of ying this demonic beast!" Everyone gazed at the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf, fear creeping into their expressions. The aura emanating from this colossal wolf was on par with the Half-step Heavenly Origin realm! Had it not been for its significant age, it could well have been a true Heavenly Origin realm demonic beast! A shocked gasp echoed from among the crowd. "Look!" "There''s a concealed chamber beyond the passage!" "Within the chamber, there''s a small-scale formation. Sealed within it is a bottle of transparent golden liquid!" "That must be the bloodline the master of the secret realm mentioned!" "While it might not guarantee a safe fusion, once sessful, it would undoubtedly catapult the individual to among the mightiest across the three continents!" "We must vanquish this Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf!" The enigmatic bloodline inheritance was within their grasp. The intense allure swiftly overshadowed their previous fear! Facing a Half-step Heavenly Origin realm demonic beast, especially one with vacant eyes and seemingly devoid of a soul, seemed a far less daunting task! "Roar! Roar! Roar!" The Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf released a thunderous growl, its gargantuan form charging towards the crowd with an overwhelming force! "Scatter!!" "Gradually wear it down!" Duan Ziming''smand reverberated loudly. Despite beingpetitors, the various major sects had formed an unspoken understanding through multiple cooperative encounters. Immediately, everyone scattered. In swift session, they unleashed potent attacks, drawing the demonic beast''s attention! "Void Rainbow Seventh Sword Style! Strike!" Duan Ziming''s eyes glinted with intense focus as he crafted his hand seals. The Mysterious tform rank Sword Artifacts encircling him morphed into seven illusory trails, striking the body of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf in a blink. The other disciples from the Starry Abyss Sect also released their attacks, one after the other! "Roar!" In a fit of fury, the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf charged directly at Duan Ziming. However, Duan Ziming''s group, well-prepared as they were, opted not to confront the giant wolf head-on. They abandoned their attacks and swiftly retreated, employing the Clear Sky sh technique. "Formless de! Engage!" Trailing closely behind, Mu Tao''s groupunched their own attacks, aiming to draw the giant wolf''s attention. The Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf, devoid of any consciousness, simply reacted to the threats around it. With Duan Ziming''s group having swiftly escaped and facing relentless attacks from behind, the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf immediately wheeled around to confront Mu Tao''s group. And then, in a simr fashion, Mu Tao''s group dispersed. The responsibility of distracting the giant wolf fell onto the shoulders of the Ice Heart School members. In this manner, the five major sects split into three factions, each taking turns to draw the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf''s attention. Simultaneously, the others capitalized on the opportunity to unleash less potent attacks, gradually wearing down the massive wolf. However, it wasn''t long before they all made a sobering discovery. The speed of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf was simply too great! Although the chief disciples of the five major sects could, for a time, muster bursts of high speed to evade the wolf''s onught, their stamina was quickly waning. "This isn''t good!" "It appears we have no choice but to band together and face it directly!" Recognizing the imminent failure of their strategy, Duan Ziming promptly called out a warning. "Establish the formation!" Without a moment''s hesitation, Miao Xiaorui issued themand. ... Simultaneously, within a modestly-sized secret chamber, a remarkable sight unveiled itself. On three sides of this room, niches were carved into the walls, each one cradling a vibrant, luminous jade slips - repositories of cultivation methods! "Cultivation methods!" "Scores of cultivation methods!" "This must be the ce where the master of the Cave Heaven secret realm stashed his collection of cultivation methods!" "This is phenomenal! With these cultivation methods at my disposal, I can certainly propel mybat power to the Heavenly Origin realm!" Gazing upon the abundant trove of cultivation methods encircling him, Ye Fan couldn''t suppress the glimmer of tion in his eyes. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 97: The Prelude to His Grandstanding The truth was ringly apparent. The location where Ye Fan now stood represented one of the three grand inheritances left by the master of the secret realm the ''Inheritance of Cultivation Methods''! However, in his wave of exhration, he failed to notice. A secretive eye was always lurking in the shadows, monitoring his every move. ''Damn it!'' ''The Inheritance of Cultivation Methods!'' ''If Ye Fan absorbs these cultivation methods, and I fail to advance, I will undoubtedly be outmatched.'' ''However, now that his ace in the hole is depleted, there is no need to act hastily.'' In the face of the chamber teeming with cultivation methods, Jiang Chen could only watch, awestruck and brewing his next move. Indeed. Others still popted this underground pce. It was highly probable that an ''unforeseen incident'' might transpire here, affording Ye Fan the opportunity to grandstand. Otherwise, the inclusion of others in the pce would be nonsensical. To ensure maximum benefits when he made his move. Jiang Chen chose to remain in the shadows, continuing his watchful surveince. "Hahaha!" "All these cultivation methods are now mine!" "Good heavens, the lowest-ranked cultivation methods here are actually of the Heavenly Origin realm!" "Beyond the Heavenly Origin realm, there are Inquiring Journey realm cultivation methods! And surpassing the Inquiring Journey realm, there are even Dao Comprehension realm cultivation methods!" "..." One by one, Ye Fan picked up the jade slips to examine the cultivation methods, his face a picture of irrepressible ecstasy! Right after. He hastily stowed all the cultivation methods into his storage ring. But in that instant! Boom! Boom! Boom! A session of powerful tremors resonated from beneath his feet. "What''s happening!?" "Why is it shaking again?" "And it''s happening in waves. Could there be a major battle unfolding below!?" Ye Fan''s expression shifted, looking down at his feet, his eyes shimmering with contemtive light. Given his current strength. He feared no one, aside from Jiang Chen. As for Jiang Chen, he believed it was highly unlikely for him to be in this underground pce. After all, his own entry had been via a unique passage, a fortunate ident. ''It must be the disciples from the Starry Abyss Sect and the other five sects who had earlier scattered.'' ''The battle could be between cultivators, or between cultivators and monsters!'' ''No matter the scenario, as long as there are corpses, I can absorb the power of qi and blood!'' ''With that, I''ll be able to practice some of the cultivation methods stored in this storage ring.'' ''...'' A smile stretched across Ye Fan''s face, but he decided to bide his time, observing until the battle below approached its conclusion. Simultaneously. ''Just as I thought!'' ''Something unforeseen has urred!'' ''Judging from the circumstances, a significant battle is underway beneath the secret chamber where Ye Fan is located. It must involve Duan Ziming and the others!'' ''If all goes as anticipated, Ye Fan stands to gain considerably from this!'' Jiang Chen''s eyes narrowed, a smirk curling at the corner of his lips. He had a hunch. The optimal moment for him to intervene was drawing near! At that moment. Ye Fan nced back at thepartments lining the walls. Thesepact cubbyholes were clearly designed to house the jade slips containing cultivation methods. As such. Ye Fan plotted to annihte them! With no time to waste. Ye Fan drew out his lower-grade long saber of the Heavenly Origin realm, charged it with his Yuan Power, and directed a ''Majestic Gale Heavy de'' towards the wall! Swish! Swish! Swish! The Majestic Gale Heavy de relentlessly assaulted the wall, slicing through it as smoothly as cutting through butter, leaving the wall utterly ravaged. However. At that very moment. A burst of light seeped out from the wall, only to vanish momentster. "What on earth is that!?" Ye Fan gaped at the fleeting luminescence, sensing that something was off. ''This is the aftermath of formation patterns being obliterated!'' Though Jiang Chen was no formation master, he had encountered many formations and promptly recognized the source of the escaping luminescence. He understood. By annihting these concealed formations, Ye Fan could either instigate a crisis for Duan Ziming and hispanions, indirectly neutralizing his adversaries. Or, it might be... Suddenly, an enormous force fiercely struck the ground beneath Ye Fan, causing a myriad of fractures to surface. ''I see now.'' ''Ye Fan has shattered the formation that istes Duan Ziming and the others from him!'' ''This is the prelude to his grandstanding!'' Jiang Chen''s eyes sparkled, and he swiftly crept forward in stealth. Meanwhile, Ye Fan waspletely engrossed by the massive turmoil under his feet. ''st it.'' ''I must have demolished the istion formation from within, instigating the partition beneath me to be assaulted.'' ''Given the ordinary construction of this partition, it will unquestionably sumb next.'' Ye Fan''s expression shifted, and he swiftly made his way to the door of the secret chamber. Just then. Crack! Boom! The floor of the secret chamber erupted loudly, sending a hail of rock fragments cascading downward. Instantly! A tableau of intense conflict unfolded before Ye Fan''s eyes and within Jiang Chen''s divine sense. ''Just as anticipated!'' ''It''s Duan Ziming and the others!'' ''Now, it''s Ye Fan''s moment to shine and reap the rewards!'' A smirk spread across Jiang Chen''s face as he continued his surveince. ''Those are the five great sects, including the Starry Abyss Sect, and even the chief disciple of my Azure Jade Sect is there!'' ''What kind of monster is that? A colossal wolf at the Half-step Heavenly Origin realm!'' ''Judging by their struggle, the five great sects don''t seem to stand a chance against this monster.'' From his vantage point, Ye Fan observed the fierce battle unraveling below, thoughts whirling in his mind. Within the heart of the battlefield. The Ice Heart School and the Floating Spirit Sect orchestrated their formations in unison. Their efforts were bolstered by members of the Starry Abyss Sect, the Azure Jade Sect, and the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain. For the moment, they managed to establish a defensive perimeter, fending off the unyielding assaults of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf! Their resistance was fraying at the edges. Many of their attacks fell futilely into empty space, foiled by the giant wolf''s extraordinary speed. The reason for the obliteration of the secret chamber''s ground was due to the stray attacks that had missed their intended target. "Look up swiftly!" "There''s an additional secret chamber above!" "It''s a shattered secret chamber! Someone''s inside, it''s Ye Fan!" "Why would Ye Fan be in there? Did he cause the destruction of that chamber!? Could he have stumbled upon some sort of inheritance!?" Duan Ziming, Miao Xiaorui, Mu Tao, among others, noticed Ye Fan perched at the edge of the secret chamber above them. As they pondered, a whirlwind of conjectures swirled in their minds! The master of the Cave Heaven secret realm had once proimed that those who could obtain inheritances were individuals who embodied one or several of the four major attributes: willpower,bat prowess, talent, and immense luck. Ye Fan was the embodiment of ''immense luck''! However, the pressing situation left Duan Ziming and the others with scarce time to ruminate, as the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf initiated another savage onught! "Roar!" The Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf lunged forward with an unparalleled ferocity, its colossal form descending like a tumbling skyscraper. "Brace for impact!" Duan Ziming barked out an urgentmand, and everyone promptly executed their respective defensive tactics, harmonizing with the formations deployed by both the Ice Heart School and the Floating Spirit Sect to fend off the assault! Bang!! Ssh! The staggering impact made the fortifications of both esteemed sects quiver intensely. "Ptooey!" Both Miao Xiaorui and Mu Tao simultaneously spewed mouthfuls of fresh blood. The situation was dire for the other disciples of the Ice Heart School and the Floating Spirit Sect. Blood sprayed from their mouths in a horrifying disy of their exhaustion. They were teetering on the edge of their endurance! ''Now''s your moment, Ye Fan. It''s time for the protagonist to step into the spotlight!'' Upon seeing this, a sly grin tugged at Jiang Chen''s lips as he thought to himself. Indeed! A determined spark ignited in Ye Fan''s eyes, and without a moment''s hesitation, he leaped down from the gaping hole in the secret chamber''s floor! A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 98: Slaying the Seven Azure Jade Sect Members with One Sweep of the Sword "What audacity!" "Is he seeking his own doom?" "Ha, if he desires death, let him be! At least he can serve as a distraction for that beast!" "..." Upon witnessing Ye Fan''s daring leap, a wave of shock washed over the crowd, quickly reced by smirks of cold amusement. However, the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf, having endured relentless attacks from them for an extended period, had directed its full wrath towards the disciples of the five major sects. As for Ye Fan. Incredibly, it disregarded himpletely! Instead, it persisted in its onught on the formation! "Hurry!" "Admit me at once!" Ye Fan sprinted to the periphery of the formation, his voice resonating with urgency! Miao Xiaorui and Mu Tao shared a knowing look before their hands swiftly danced to form seals. Ssh! Instantaneously, a minor gap manifested within the formation. In their predicament, the more allies they had, the stronger their chances of survival were! Additionally. Ye Fan could potentially be carrying one of the three esteemed inheritances! If push came to shove, they could directly eliminate Ye Fan and escape, prioritizing their own survival! The disciples hailing from the five major sects shared simr thoughts, their eyes gleaming with uncertainty and calction. At this juncture. "Fellow Daoists from all sects and schools!" "I implore you to hand over the golden-red inner cores of those monsters forthwith!" "I possess a strategy to harness the power within these inner cores, evoking a formidable force, which will assuredly repel this colossal wolf in due course!" Upon infiltrating the formation, Ye Fan wasted no time in appealing to the gathered crowd. Upon hearing his words. Faces around him mirrored a mixture of astonishment and incredulity. Where did Ye Fan garner such audacity to assert that he could repulse the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf? This was a formidable beast that had sessfully withstood the collective onught of dozens from the five major sects! Concerning those monster inner cores. They had exhausted countless tactics, yet none had managed to exploit them. Could Ye Fan, a mere cultivator at the Spiritual Awakening realm, truly possess a method to harness their power? In a split second. Duan Ziming and hispanions were on the brink of dismissing Ye Fan, their faces painted with derision and scorn. However, before their words could take flight. A crisp, resonant voice suddenly echoed! "Pay no heed to Ye Fan''s drivel!" All eyes followed the sound and beheld the animated figure of Jiang Chen perched at the edge of the secret chamber high above! "Jiang Chen!" Expressions of relief washed over Duan Ziming and hispanions, but they swiftly shouted, "You must escape at once, we can''t hold out much longer!" "Take this, my storage ring. Our sect master desperately needs the spiritual nts within!" Nie Wei even went as far as to remove his own storage ring, poised to toss it to Jiang Chen. The members of the Starry Abyss Sect were a mix of surprise and tion, marred with worry for Jiang Chen''s arrival. Their concern stemmed from Jiang Chen''s limited strength. Though he had chanced upon some opportunities when he descended the mountain earlier, his cultivation base was only at the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm. His participation in the battle would hardly make a difference. "Hahaha!" "Rest assured, motivated by your words alone, I''ll guarantee every single one of you a safe exit today!" A boisterousugh erupted from Jiang Chen, his heart brimming with joy. Because. Just moments ago, an alert had shed in his mind! [Ding! You have sessfully altered the course of the story, thwarting protagonist Ye Fan''s opportunity to impress and humble others. Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 200 points!] [Ding! You have rued 300 points of Viin Value!] Meanwhile. ''Jiang Chen!'' ''It''s actually him!'' ''He''s tracked my location and followed me here!'' ''Fortunately, I''ve securely stowed away all the cultivation methods. Otherwise, he might have seized them all.'' ''...'' Upon setting eyes on Jiang Chen, Ye Fan''s eyes narrowed to pinpoints. A surge of shock and anger coursed through him, yet a glimmer of relief also surfaced in his heart. "Jiang Chen, enough of your prattle!" "Flee at once!!" Duan Ziming, Nie Wei, and others bellowed, with some even hurling their storage rings in Jiang Chen''s direction! Boom!! Simultaneously, the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf''s attack crashed against the formation. "It''s critical!" "We can''t sustain any longer!" "Scatter, retreat!!" Miao Xiaorui of the Ice Heart School and Mu Tao of the Floating Spirit Sect could no longer withstand the mounting strain. With a strained shout, they reluctantly abandoned the formation, withdrawing towards the rear! "Clear the path!" The disciples of the Starry Abyss Sect also hastened their retreat. Simultaneously. "Senior Brother!" "Quick, hand me all the monsters'' inner cores!" At this point, Ye Fan could no longer hold back. He bellowed as he sprinted towards Xu Yuan and hispanions! In this moment, he exhibited the speed of the Half-step Heavenly Origin realm, leaving many present utterly bbergasted! ''Half-step Heavenly Origin realm?'' ''When did Ye Fan reach such formidable prowess?'' Xu Yuan was profoundly taken aback, quickly reced by a wave of tion. Ye Fan had attained the Half-step Heavenly Origin realm. With such formidable might, he could easily overpower everyone present. Together, they might even stand a chance against the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf! At that juncture. They would not only escape this life-or-death predicament but also secure the coveted inheritances within this Cave Heaven secret realm! Nevertheless, Xu Yuan and the rest remained unaware. At this moment, Ye Fan''s heart was awash with unease and trepidation. Jiang Chen had arrived! He was no match for Jiang Chen. Without the monsters'' inner cores, he was bound to suffer another defeat at Jiang Chen''s hands. He had already chosen to retreat in the face of Jiang Chen on several asions, and even with his resilient nature, enduring the escting humiliation was bing increasingly arduous! Yet, the more he feared an eventuality, the more it seemed to materialize! "Hoping to secure the monsters'' inner cores? Dream on!" Jiang Chen''s voice echoed in Ye Fan''s ears. However, the afterimage created by him aboard the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle outpaced even his voice, overtaking Ye Fan in an instant! ''A flying artifact!'' ''It''s not the same one as before; it''s a top-grade Mysterious tform realm flying artifact!'' ''Jiang Chen deceived me; that Spiritual Awakening realm flying artifact was merely a diversion!'' Ye Fan gazed at the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle beneath Jiang Chen''s feet, his face awash with astonishment! He had no means to halt him! "What?!" Xu Yuan and the rest gawked at Jiang Chen, who had unexpectedly darted before them, utterly stupefied. Such speed was decidedly unattainable for a Mysterious tform realm! It was unequivocally the velocity of a Heavenly Origin realm! In the next breath. "Void Rainbow Fourth Sword Style - Sword Shadow!" With a swift thrust of Jiang Chen''s sword, it morphed into seven phantasmal des, piercing straight through the vital points of Xu Yuan and the other disciples of the Azure Jade Sect. "No!" "wless Heavy Severing de!" Ye Fan rushed frenziedly towards Jiang Chen, his long saber cleaving down with unreserved fury. But at the same moment, Jiang Chen gathered the bodies of Xu Yuan and the other six individuals while manipting the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle. He transformed into a fleeting apparition, darting towards the location of Duan Ziming, Nie Wei, and the others. Bang! Ye Fan''s saber struck nothing but the ground, carving out a vast crater! Duan Ziming, Nie Wei, and everyone else present were utterly speechless! They could never have foreseen. That Jiang Chen would actually exhibit such blistering speed and formidable battle prowess, ending the lives of seven individuals with a singr sword stroke. What they also hadn''t anticipated was that Ye Fan could disy such potent force - that strike just now unmistakably held the might of a Half-step Heavenly Origin realm. Beneath that saber. None could stand their ground. They had initially dismissed the pair as pushovers, yet it turned out they were both formidable powerhouses! At this juncture, Duan Ziming and the others stared at Jiang Chen, their mouths agape, yet they found themselves speechless. Meanwhile, Jiang Chen was relishing the system notifications that had just chimed in his mind. [Ding! You have sessfully altered the narrative, snatching a portion of the protagonist Ye Fan''s opportunities. Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 500 points!] [Ding! You have rued 900 points of Viin Value!] In that very moment. "Roar!!" The thunderous growl of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf echoed, as it charged headlong towards the densest congregation of individuals from the Starry Abyss Sect and others! A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 99: Burning World Raging Flames, Burn for Me "Jiang Chen!" "This battle will not end in my defeat once more!" Upon witnessing the assault of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf on Jiang Chen, Ye Fan, his face distorted with a vicious resolve, astonishingly redirected his assault towards the disciples of the Ice Heart School, drawing Miao Xiaorui into the fray as well. The Azure Jade Sect and the Ice Heart School, both heralding from the frigid expanses of the Snowy Wind Continent, were no strangers to the friction of frequent shes. Ye Fan''s intentions were ringly clear - he nned to sacrifice the disciples of the Ice Heart School as pawns, securing the monsters'' inner cores for himself. His ambition didn''t stop there; he also aimed to massacre them, in order to absorb the potent qi and blood from their fallen bodies. "Hmph!" "Your ns are mere daydreams with my presence!" Jiang Chen retorted icily, his hands aloft, "Burning World Raging mes!" Boom, boom, boom. An awe-inspiring surge of heat, terrifying in its intensity, filled the entirety of the underground pce in an instant. The pce was swallowed in a sea of crimson, its other colors all but devoured by the onught of the mes! The Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf was the target of Jiang Chen''s Burning World Raging mes. Seemingly, it sensed the impending doom. Guided by primal instinct, the Skywolf made a desperate attempt to evade. But. Despite itsmendable speed, the Skywolf was powerless against the all-epassing assault of the Burning World Raging mes, finding no refuge in sight. In the blink of an eye. It was submerged in an infinite inferno. "Roar, roar!" Its agonized roars reverberated ominously from the heart of the me sea. But Jiang Chen paid no heed to the plight of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf. His attention was elsewhere - he was busy collecting the storage artifacts from Xu Yuan and the others, then he callously tossed their lifeless bodies into the all-consuming mes. In the very next moment. He propelled the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle directly towards Ye Fan! Heavenly Origin realm, Half-step Heavenly Origin realm. The difference seemed marginal, just a hair''s breadth away. Yet, the chasm in actualbat power was staggering. Just as Ye Fan gravely injured Miao Xiaorui with a single, decisive strike, causing her to be hurled backwards, crashing into the ground with a thunderous thud, Jiang Chen had already materialized behind him. "Perish!" Jiang Chen and his sword seemed to merge into one, morphing into a slender streak of deadly intent. ''He is reputed for his mastery over ice, how could hemand such potent mes!'' Fear gripped Ye Fan''s heart, as his long saber whirled, crafting a wind-shielded barrier, "Majestic Gale Heavy de!" ng, ng, ng. The longsword and the long saber collided frenziedly, sending tremors of battle energy radiating in all directions! "Jiang Chen! My gratitude!" Miao Xiaorui called out weakly, retreating hastily with the aid of her fellow disciples. "All of you, retreat!" Jiang Chenmanded Duan Ziming and the rest with a roar. "We''re withdrawing!" Duan Ziming and hispanions made the decisive choice to retreat. They were no match for the power struggle between Jiang Chen and Ye Fan; their presence would only serve as a hindrance. However. The remaining disciples from the four sects only retreated as far as the entrance of the illusion mechanism passage, hesitant to venture any further. They were acutely aware of the passage''s terrifying nature. At this juncture, everyone was in a weakened state, unwilling to tempt fate by testing its perilous depths. "Let''s await Jiang Chen here!" With a wave of Duan Ziming''s hand, everyone instantly halted,mencing to tend to their injuries. One by one, the disciples from the Ice Heart School and the Floating Spirit Sect ceased their retreat. The disciples from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain huddled warily in a corner, prepared to breach the illusion trap passage at a moment''s notice. Because. They were well aware of the deep-seated enmity Jiang Chen harbored against their sect! At this point, Jiang Chen was engaged in fiercebat with Ye Fan. Assisted by his flying artifact, he seemed to be gaining the upper hand. If he could ovee Ye Fan, then it would be the turn of the disciples from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain. On the battlefield. "You impudent whelp!" "Today might just be the day you meet your end!" Jiang Chen sneered, his Shadowde Sword swinging with full force,unching an all-out attack. "Begone!!" Ye Fan bellowed in fury, his face painted with a crimson flush as he swung his long saber wildly, attempting to fend off Jiang Chen''s relentless onught. Despite his mastery over a plethora of cultivation methods and a diverse range of battle techniques, coupled with his extensivebat experience, he found himself being steadily overwhelmed by Jiang Chen. Indeed, Ye Fan excelled when it came to defeating adversaries beyond his level. But once the challenge surpassed his threshold, he found himself somewhat at a loss. Just at that moment. "Roar!" To everyone''s shock, the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf, its body wreathed in mes, burst forth from the Burning World Raging mes,unching an attack on Jiang Chen. "You beast!" Jiang Chen''s brows knit together in consternation. If it had been any ordinary Mysterious tform realm demonic beast, even one at the Half-step Heavenly Origin realm, it should have been reduced to ashes by now. But this Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf appeared to be a unique case. Itcked a true life force. What drove it into battle was the remnant instinct harbored within its body, coupled with a mysterious power. In the blink of an eye, the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf hadunched an attack from behind Jiang Chen, its w ferociously swiping down towards his back. "A golden opportunity!" A wave of exhration swept through Ye Fan''s heart. He promptly seized the moment, trapping Jiang Chen by cutting off all his escape routes. With a curt snort, Jiang Chen was left with no choice but to pivot and face the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf, his sword swinging in retaliation. His Shadowde Sword, wrapped in a vast expanse of Burning World Raging mes, directly shed with the w of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf. ng! Five extraordinarily resilient wolf ws were thrust high up in the air. The Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf abruptly retracted its now wless leg, its enormous maw gaping wide as it lunged to bite Jiang Chen. Simultaneously. "wless Heavy Severing de!" Ye Fan hoisted his long saber high above, wielding it with all his might to cleave Jiang Chen in two! The very next moment. Jiang Chen neither dodged nor evaded; instead, he targeted the throat of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf with his sword, thrusting it forward. Thud! His sword, charged with a sharply piercing sword Qi and the terrifying Burning World Raging mes, plunged directly into the throat of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf. In the same breath. Both the wide-open jaws of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf, teeming with razor-sharp fangs, and Ye Fan''s long saber struck Jiang Chen in unison. "Jiang Chen!!" Duan Ziming and the others cried out in shock, springing into action from their positions to lend aid. However, the scene that unfolded in the next moment halted them in their tracks. Because on Jiang Chen''s body, a barrier reminiscent of a wind-shield abruptly materialized, repelling the assaults of both the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf and Ye Fan. It was the Heavenly Origin realm defensive artifact, the Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe! "How can this be!" Ye Fan found this almost beyond belief. Did Jiang Chen truly possess not one, but two Heavenly Origin realm artifacts?! At this moment. Boom! mes burst forth from within the body of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf, akin to a barrage of cannons detonating within a rag doll. "Howl!" The Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf bellowed, its head thrashing wildly as it beat a hasty retreat! Some ckened organ fragments, along with thick, viscous blood, spewed forth from the mouth of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf. ''Its qi and blood!'' A look of surprise and delight shed across Ye Fan''s face. Swiftly sidestepping away from Jiang Chen, he held the Wordless Heavenly Jade in his left hand, pressing it into his flesh. Instantaneously. Strands of qi and blood energy began to pool into the Wordless Heavenly Jade from the surrounding air! ''So, he''s down to his final trump card?'' ''Seems I gave him too much credit. Ye Fan doesn''t have any more hidden aces up his sleeve.'' Upon witnessing Ye Fan expose his most vital treasure, Jiang Chen heaved a sigh of relief. The reason he had refrained from advancing his cultivation before stepping onto the stage was rooted in his concern that Ye Fan might still have hidden aces up his sleeve. However, at this juncture, Ye Fan had revealed his heaven-defying trump card; it was evident that he had exhausted his repertoire of strategies. "Burning World Raging mes, burn for me!" A chilling smile graced Jiang Chen''s lips as an overwhelming wave of mes erupted from his very being, essentially transforming him into a human embodiment of a methrower. The profuse Burning World Raging mes set about incinerating the qi and blood energy permeating the air. Upon witnessing this, Ye Fan''s countenance underwent a drastic transformation. Without a moment''s hesitation, he lunged towards the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf. If he could harness the qi and blood energy from the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf, he would have the power to overturn the dire situation in an instant! Regrettably. ''I won''t afford you that opportunity!'' With deft control over the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, Jiang Chen bypassed Ye Fan entirely,unching an attack adjacent to the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf. At this stage, the Skywolf was so grievously burnt that it had been rendered sightless, its eyes lost to the mes. Its colossal wolf head was nearly reduced to a grisly, flesh-adorned skeletal form. Its fighting prowess was precipitously dwindling, its movements hesitant and faltering; it teetered on the brink of copse. Whoosh! The residual image of Jiang Chen traversed over the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf''s head, and in unison, a streak of sword light shed across the scene. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 100: Your Future is Forfeit, Remain Here sh! The Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf''s body stiffened abruptly, its head severing cleanly from its neck and tumbling to the earth. This half-step Heavenly Origin realm beast had been thoroughly transformed into a lifeless husk. It was at this exact moment. At the periphery of the battlefield, within that secretive alcove, the vial of golden liquid gave off a sudden sh of illumination before abruptly dimming. This was the unmistakable signal of the formation''s copse! The vial, safeguarding the critical bloodline inheritance, had been constantly shielded by a formation. This was precisely why Duan Ziming and the others had not dared to circumvent the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf in an attempt to pilfer the vial. In this moment. The defensive formation safeguarding the bloodline inheritance crumbled along with the demise of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf. The sudden surge of light immediately drew the gaze of all present. Among them, Jiang Chen and Ye Fan were the closest to the source. ''That object... The qi and blood energy it radiates are immense!'' ''With it in my grasp, I can surely flip the situation in my favor and obliterate Jiang Chen!'' A surge of ecstasy filled Ye Fan''s heart, and without a moment''s hesitation, he left Jiang Chen behind and darted towards the vial. "Dream on!" A sneer etched on his face, Jiang Chen also bolted towards the vial. But in the span of a heartbeat. Both of them halted simultaneously, their intentions shifting as they abruptly veered towards the cadaver of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf. ''What!'' ''He actually deciphered my n and turned back as well!?'' Ye Fan was struck with profound shock. In truth, he was well aware that he stood no chance against Jiang Chen in a race for the vial. His primary objective had always been the carcass of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf from the outset. By absorbing the qi and blood energy from the Skywolf''s corpse, he too could seize the upper hand. Yet. His intentions wereid bare. His maneuvers, anticipated. In the face-off against Jiang Chen, he found himself at a disadvantage once more! The potent cocktail of rage, defiance, and humiliation within him simmered and amplified. Nheless. Ye Fan quickly reined in his emotions, maintaining his forward momentum. The carcass of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf was astoundingly resilient, not something that could be easily obliterated. As long as he could make it to the Skywolf''s remains, there was an opportunity to draw in the qi and blood energy! At that juncture, he could potentially shift the bnce in his favor. At the very least. He could secure his escape! In this instant. Both of them made a mad dash towards the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf, with Jiang Chen naturally possessing the superior speed. Before long, Jiang Chen found himself standing before the corpse of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf. Despite the circumstances, Ye Fan''s high-speed surge was impressively swift. After all, he had mastered numerous movement techniques, including some at the Heavenly Origin realm level! In the next breath. He was on the verge of reaching the remains of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf. But just at that moment. ''Moondust Ring, gather!'' Jiang Chen activated the Moondust Ring, encapsting the carcass of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf. [Ding! You have sessfully intercepted a portion of protagonist Ye Fan''s opportunities. Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value has been reduced by 800 points!] [Ding! You have acquired 1500 points of Viin Value!] System prompts reverberated in Jiang Chen''s mind. ''How can this be!'' ''How can such a massive body simply be whisked away!'' Ye Fan was stricken with horror that bordered on despair, his face drained of color. He struggled toprehend how the gigantic body of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf could evaporate from sight without a trace. He had made another miscalction. He hadn''t seen iting. Jiang Chen was in possession of an upper-grade Heavenly Origin realm storage artifactthe Moondust Ring! The Moondust Ring, boasting a capacity of ten thousand cubic metersapproximately 25 meters in width, 40 meters in length, and 10 meters in heightcould barely amodate the body of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf. ''Curse it!'' ''What''s my move now!'' Ye Fan felt as if the world around him was descending into shadows. His greatest beacon of hope had been extinguished. "Hahaha!" "Ye Fan, if you''ve any more tricks up your sleeve, now''s the time to show them!" Jiang Chen stood amidst a sky aze, his cold smile directed at Ye Fan, "So, are you going to opt for flight again this time?" As soon as these words were uttered. It was as if a dagger had been thrust into Ye Fan''s heart, each word twisting the de with brutal precision. "This vendetta, I, Ye Fan, vow to settle in due time!" Ye Fan''s face contorted in anguish, his eyes brimming with the intensity of blood-red tears! He didn''t want to flee! Yet, his sole chance for survival nowy in evasion. Without a shred of hesitation. Ye Fan instantly employed all his self-damaging power-enhancing secret arts, his speed soaring as he bolted towards the exit! "Your future is forfeit, remain here!" Jiang Chen''s cold smirk remained as he spurred the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle into pursuit. "Everyone, halt that scoundrel Ye Fan!" Duan Ziming bellowed hismand, urging all present to collectively obstruct Ye Fan! The Ice Heart School, having been rescued by Jiang Chen, and the Floating Spirit Sect, who held a cordial rapport with the Starry Abyss Sect, joined forces with the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, who dared not resist due to their precarious and feeble standing. And so. The four major sects joined forces once more, but this time, theirbined might was directed at halting Ye Fan! In truth. Their Fate Values were abysmally low. ording to the original narrative, they were all doomed to perish under the rending ws of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf, their treasures inevitably falling into Ye Fan''s grasp. But now. Jiang Chen''s arrival had rewritten their destinies. They had survived. They had turned against Ye Fan. Perhaps, this was a form of karmic justice wrought by the unseen machinations of fate. "Clear the path!" Like a man bereft of the fear of death, Ye Fan hurtled frantically towards the exit. In the following moment. Boom! He collided headlong into the barrier conjured by Duan Ziming and the others! Crash! The barrier disintegrated. Duan Ziming and the others were hurled backwards, their attempt at obstruction thwarted. But just in that fraction of a second. Jiang Chen had already taken a firm stand, blocking Ye Fan''s path! "Do you wish to live?" "Why not try crawling between my legs?" From his elevated vantage point, Jiang Chen looked down at Ye Fan, his wordsden with derision. Ye Fan remained wordless, his gaze lowered, fists clenched, his entire being radiating an overpowering aura, seemingly poised for a life-or-death struggle at any instant. But within his heart. It brimmed with unending humiliation and defiance! Upon seeing this, Jiang Chen was immediately ovee with heartyughter. In the next instant. He turned to Duan Ziming, performing a respectful gesture: "Senior Brother, could you do me the favor of retrieving that bottle?" "Of course!" Without a moment''s hesitation, Duan Ziming nodded, darted over to secure the vial containing the golden liquid, and passed it on to Jiang Chen. Throughout the proceedings. Ye Fan''s eyes zed crimson! Had it not been for Jiang Chen. That golden, enigmatic bloodline would have belonged to him, Ye Fan! Every individual present would have served as his, Ye Fan''s stepping stone! He could do nothing but watch impotently as the treasure fell into Jiang Chen''s possession. Ye Fan felt as though he had lost something of paramount importance in his life, his heart aching to the brink of rupture! Simultaneously! [Ding! You have sessfully intercepted a part of the protagonist Ye Fan''s opportunities, Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 1000 points!] [Ding! You have sessfully impaired the protagonist Ye Fan''s mental state, Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value has been reduced by 200 points!] [Ding! You have rued 2200 points of Viin Value!] Jiang Chen cradled the bottle in his hand, sensing the pulsating power within, while system prompts resonated in his mind. Shortly thereafter. He directed his gaze towards Ye Fan, engaging the Viin''s Eye! [Name: Ye Fan Realm: Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening Status: Protagonist Heavenly Fate Value: 2068/2068] In this round. Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value had been depleted by 2700 points! With an additional 1500 points, he could im Ye Fan''s life directly! ''He must be vanquished today!'' ''Otherwise, once he escapes and gains the protection of the Azure Jade Sect, his strength could flourish.'' With these thoughts coursing through his mind, Jiang Chen took a step forward, his hands sped behind his back. This step. It caused Ye Fan''s heart to contract with dread! A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to more chapters by joining my Patreon. Announcement: Chapter Delays, a Short Hiatus Announcement: Chapter Dys, a Short Hiatus Hey there, everyone, Just wanted to touch base with you all, as I realize I''ve been a bit radio silenttely - for that, I''m genuinely sorry. Life has a knack for throwing us curveballs and this time around, family matters needed my full attention. Unfortunately, this meant that I''ve fallen a tad behind with my regr release schedule over at my Patreon, so thetest chapters are running a weekte. Given the situation, I thought it would be only fair to put a brief pause on releasing free chapters. I want to ensure there''s enough lead-time between the paid and free content, just so it''s a square deal for everyone involved. In addition, I''m nning on making my novel avable on other tforms. More details on this will follow soon! Thanks again for your understanding and patience. You folks are the best. Chapter 101: Still Nurturing Hopes of Escape? Dream On "Hehe!" "Fear not!" "Truth be told, an unusual adversary like you gives me pause before delivering the killing blow!" "Let''s make a deal, we''ll engage in an honorable duel!" "I will set aside my ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle and Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe, and only wield the Shadowde Sword." A mischievous grin tugged at the corners of Jiang Chen''s lips, "Should you best me, I''ll grant you your freedom! Do you dare to ept such a challenge?" Upon processing his audacious proposal. Duan Ziming and the others regarded Jiang Chen with bewilderment. Really, what is he thinking? Why not simply eliminate Ye Fan on the spot? However, unbeknownst to them, Jiang Chen harbored a deeper desire to destroy Ye Fan than anyone present. Yet the circumstances forbade it! He waspelled to contrive opportunities to gradually erode Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value. "Can you truly mean this!?" At the sound of Jiang Chen''s promation, a glimmer of hope seemed to pierce Ye Fan''s oppressive gloom! Simultaneously. A derisive chuckle resonated in his heart. He had dispatched numerous haughty and self-absorbed young masters in his time, and it appeared that this Jiang Chen before him fell into the same category of egotistical fools. Despite possessing an undeniable upper hand. He sought to initiate a purportedly ''fair'' duel! In that case. Ye Fan would not hold back! After all, he had recently utilized the Wordless Heavenly Jade to siphon off some qi and blood power. The qi and blood of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf were far from ordinary. Such potent energy would suffice for him to refine a Heavenly Origin realm cultivation method to the perfect-level! "Assuredly, it is!" An air of a cat toying with a doomed mouse emanated from Jiang Chen''s smirk. With that, he tossed the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle and the Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe into Duan Ziming''s grasp. Nheless. He sneered inwardly with disdain. Handling the protagonist undeniably demanded devious strategies. Should any unforeseen event ur, Jiang Chen would unhesitatingly renounce the agreement. Even though he was prohibited from utilizing the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle and the Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe. His existing Viin Value was ample for him to exchange for at least one Heavenly Origin realm treasure. This was the foundation of his unwavering confidence. Moreover, his other pir of confidence was his cultivation base, primed to break through at any moment. "Very well!" "If this is the case, then let''s engage in battle and see who emerges victorious, who survives or perishes!" Ye Fan narrowed his eyes and consumed a pill, steadily retreating towards the heart of the battlefield. Throughout this maneuver. Externally, he seemed to be harnessing the medicinal power to heal his injuries, but in truth, he was using the Wordless Heavenly Jade to master a Heavenly Origin realm power-enhancing secret art! Once the practice reached fruition. Once deployed, it could momentarily elevate hisbat power to the Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm! At that juncture. Even if itsted merely a few breaths, he would seize an opportunity to strike down Jiang Chen! "Jiang Chen." "Why don''t we pool our strength together, to avoid the unnecessary risks of a prolonged battle." Out of the blue, Mu Tao made the proposition to Jiang Chen. Duan Ziming, Miao Xiaorui, and the others also shifted their gaze towards Jiang Chen in unison. As long as Jiang Chen consented, they would readily offer their assistance. "Hehehe!" "Today, Ye Fan''s demise will be by my hand alone. Any interference will earn you my, Jiang Chen''s, enmity!" A twisted smirk twisted Jiang Chen''s countenance. Upon hearing his decree. Everyone exchanged knowing looks, feeling somewhat at a loss. Then. They watched as Jiang Chen unsheathed his Shadowde Sword, steadily advancing towards Ye Fan. Shortly. Jiang Chen and Ye Fan found themselves squared off at the epicenter of the battlefield, a mere fifty meters apart. "Are you prepared, Ye Fan?" Jiang Chen''s gaze bore down on Ye Fan, his face a mask of derision, as if surveying an insignificant insect. "Prepared... to end you!!" Ye Fan''s eyes zed with fury, and the intimidating aura of the Heavenly Origin realm surged forth with staggering intensity! The following instant. He lunged directly towards Jiang Chen. "No!!" Duan Ziming and the others were stricken with terror, their hearts filled with acute remorse! Ye Fan had indeed unleashed thebat prowess of the Heavenly Origin realm! Deprived of the Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe and the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, how could Jiang Chen possibly evade!? They could do nothing but watch in despair as Jiang Chen barely managed to lift his hand in defense. In the ensuing moment. "I relish the sight of cocky fools like you, so full of yourselves!" Ye Fan bellowed manically, his long saber embodying unmatched power, savagely colliding with Jiang Chen''s longsword. In his mind''s eye. The vision of Jiang Chen losing control of his sword, and his body being cleaved in two was almost tangible. However! The resistance transmitted through his long saber abruptly shifted from feeble to potent. In the very next heartbeat. Boom!! An aura identical to that of the Heavenly Origin realm detonated from Jiang Chen! Simultaneously, a remarkably mysterious and peculiar wave radiated! "Ha-ha-ha!" "You, who dismiss the champions of the world, are the true fool!" Jiang Chen''sughter echoed, clutching the Shadowde Sword with both hands, staunchly thwarting Ye Fan''s long saber! "How can this be!" "How on earth could you have a breakthrough right now!!" Ye Fan''s eyes zed with fury, his heart abruptly filled with a mix of dread and shock, his mind nearly nk. He was petrified, rendered speechless! He had temporarily unleashed thebat power of the Heavenly Origin realm, but Jiang Chen had ascended directly to the Heavenly Origin realm! [Ding! You have sessfully shattered protagonist Ye Fan''s mental state, Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 300 points!] [Ding! You have gained 500 points of Viin Value!] The system alert resonated. "Void Rainbow Eighth Sword Style! Shattering the Clouds!" Seizing Ye Fan''s moment of shock, Jiang Chen executed his most potent sword technique at present, swiftlyunching sixteen strikes, eachnding on Ye Fan. Slice, slice, slice, slice! In an instant. Sixteen gaping wounds were carved into Ye Fan''s body! "Ahh!!" Ye Fan roared as he stumbled back, desperate to flee! But he had pushed himself beyond his limits multiple times, employing power-boosting secret arts, and even more significantly, invoking a Heavenly Origin realm power-boosting secret art at the Spiritual Awakening realm. His body was utterly depleted. His once unstoppable momentum had been crushed, and his spirit was in tatters! Hisbat power plummeted like a mountain copsing or a cliff crumbling away. "Halt!" Jiang Chen shifted his stance, activated Clear Sky sh, and his body blurred into an afterimage, instantly materializing by Ye Fan''s side! Ye Fan endeavored to dodge. But he couldn''t! His left arm was seized by Jiang Chen, who swung him with great force. Boom! Ye Fan''s body traced a semi-circr trajectory, crashing into the solid ground, forming a sizable crater! Yet, in the very next heartbeat. He burst forth from the massive crater, rushing towards the fractured opening in the ceiling of the secret chamber! "Hmph!" "Ye Fan, your end is nigh!" Jiang Chen scoffed lightly, lifting his right hand, upon which a storage ring glinted conspicuously. [Ding! You have sessfully seized part of Ye Fan''s opportunities, Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 1,000 points!] [Ding! You sessfully wounded the protagonist Ye Fan, temporarily reducing his Heavenly Fate Value by 200 points!] [Ding! You sessfully defeated the protagonist Ye Fan, causing him to flee, reducing his Heavenly Fate Value by 200 points!] [Ding! You have gained 2,500 points of Viin Value!] The system alerts streamed in. Indeed. The genuine objective behind gripping Ye Fan''s arm and swinging him just now was to pilfer Ye Fan''s storage ring. Because Jiang Chen had personally witnessed Ye Fan stowing those cultivation method jade slips and manuals within. ''Another staggering one thousand four hundred points of Heavenly Fate Value!'' ''Tack on the earlier mental onught, that tallies up to exactly seventeen hundred points!'' ''At this juncture, Ye Fan''s Heavenly Fate Value has plummeted to less than five hundred eighty-eight, thus he can be outrightly eliminated!'' Jiang Chen''s eyes sparkled with a concoction of surprise and tion, his velocity surging! At this moment. Ye Fan had already made a hasty retreat onto the nearby stone bridge! A dead end! Belowy nothing but a pitch-ck subterranean river, its terminus a mystery. "I''ll gamble everything!" d in grim resolve, Ye Fan took the leap of faith and plunged directly into the abyss! However. "Still nurturing hopes of escape? Dream on!" The coldughter of Jiang Chen resonated. His body, however, moved with even greater swiftness. Melding with his longsword, he formed an ominously sharp sword-light that pierced through the airborne Ye Fan with ruthless precision! Continuing its relentless trajectory, it sent him hurtling several tens of meters, mercilessly pinning him to a rocky mountainside! "No!" Ye Fan''s eyes, tinged crimson with blood, were widened in a blend of agony and defiance. Desperate, he strained to tap into the vestiges of Yuan Power within him, mustering the strength to resist! "Perish!" Jiang Chen''s eyes narrowed into slits, his killing intent chilling to the bone. Suddenly, a violent torrent of Burning World Raging mes erupted from his longsword. "Ah!" Instantaneously, Ye Fan was transformed into a silhouette consumed by fire, issuing a scream of excruciating torment. But the scream was ephemeral. The next moment, this Son of the Heavenly Fate was reduced to a charred husk! A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 102: The Demise of Ye Fan, Unforeseen Developments in the Cave Heaven "Damn, finally dispatched him!" Sensing that Ye Fan no longer exhibited any signs of life, Jiang Chen heaved a sigh of relief. From the very moment he had crossed paths with Ye Fan. He was persistently strategizing, nning his moves against Ye Fan. Each step was taken meticulously, each n executed with the caution of treading on thin ice! Now, he could finally afford some respite. Just then. [Ding! Congrattions on sessfully vanquishing the protagonist, Ye Fan!] [Ding! You have rued 15,000 points of Viin Value!] [Ding! You have earned 9,968 points of ck Heavenly Fate Value!] [Ding! You have procured the Heaven-Defying Fate Changer ''Wordless Heavenly Jade'', You may opt to employ it at your discretion!] [Ding! Your ck Heavenly Fate Value has surpassed 10,000 points, the System Mall has been upgraded to Level 2!] [Ding! Congrattions on acquiring the System Mall Upgrade Big Gift Package*1! Please retrieve it via the system main interface!] A barrage of system notifications reverberated in Jiang Chen''s mind. Subsequently. A ray of white light disengaged from Ye Fan''s hand, soaring into the apex of Jiang Chen''s head. "By the heavens!" "Such an abundance of rewards!" "Hahaha, I''ve hit the jackpot!" Jiang Chen was ecstatic, momentarily at a loss as to where to begin counting his newfound riches. But just then. Boom! The entire subterranean pce was seized by a violent quake. Debris from the ceiling cascaded down in a continuous rustling shower! "What!" "Is this... the underground pce copsing?" Jiang Chen''s expression turned grave, "Could it be that upon the collection of all inheritances, the underground pce has fulfilled its purpose andmenced self-destruction!" All of a sudden. A session of air-splitting sounds echoed from behind. "Jiang Chen!" "Jiang Chen, what''s going on!" "The underground pce is copsing, where are you?" "..." Apanied by a chorus of shouts, Duan Ziming and the others emerged at the exit of the passage at one end of the stone bridge. The disciples from the Ice Heart School and Floating Spirit Sect were also present. "I''m alright!" "Where are the folks from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain?" Jiang Chen, with a sweep of his hand, stowed away Ye Fan''s body, then promptly ascended onto the stone bridge, scrutinizing Duan Ziming and the others. "They ventured into the illusion passageway!" "However, that path is exceedinglybyrinthine, they most likely won''t escape with their lives." While passing the Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe and ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle to Jiang Chen, Duan Ziming asserted, "Jiang Chen, we need to vacate this ce, pronto!" "Indeed!" "The exit is right above us. Shatter this stone b, let the swamp muck seep away, and the exit will be revealed!" "I hold a vendetta against those from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, I must exact my revenge!" "You all proceed first, don''t wait for me!" Jiang Chen stored the items, his voice still resonating, but his form had already darted past Duan Ziming and the others, vanishing into the tunnel. "Quickly!" "Heed Jiang Chen''s advice, demolish the stone b above us!" Without a shred of hesitation, Duan Ziming echoed Jiang Chen''s directive and rallied everyone. Once finished speaking. He was the first to act, a formidable sword shadow mmed onto the stone b overhead, instantly causing it to fracture profusely. The rest promptly followed suit. In an instant. The thick stone b crumbled with a deafening crash. Ssh! An avnche of mud and fetid, murky water tumbled down, mimicking the onught of andslide. Meanwhile, on the other side. "We''ve finally emerged!" Deng Jianying, the chief disciple of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, cast a backward nce at the illusion trap tunnel, exhaling a sigh of relief. "Chief senior brother, we must depart immediately!" The other three disciples, eyes wide at the crumbling ceiling, spoke with a sense of urgency. "Agreed!" Deng Jianying acknowledged with a nod. "Where do you think you''re scurrying off to!" A figure strolled leisurely out from the illusion trap tunnelit was none other than Jiang Chen. Cloaked in a semi-transparent protective shield, he seemed impervious to the surrounding trap formations. "It''s Jiang Chen!" "Quick, make a run for it!!" The remaining four from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain paled with fear and instantly initiated their escape. The sudden appearance of Jiang Chen here was undoubtedly linked to Ye Fan''s downfall. Given Jiang Chen''s formidablebat prowess, theirbined strength fell short of even matching a single hand of his! "Flee?" "I am here to obliterate the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, and you... are merely a little interest paid in advance!" Jiang Chen sneered, and with a casual wave of his hand, four streaks of sword light zipped across the air. sh! Whether it was the chief disciple Deng Jianying or the other disciples, they all met the same gruesome fateeach one reduced to a disfigured corpse without exception! "Collect!" With a casual sweep of his hand, Jiang Chen drew all the lifeless bodies on the ground into the Moondust Ring. He now held the Wordless Heavenly Jade. These corpses could indeed be converted from waste to wealth! Immediately thereafter. Jiang Chen extended his divine sense,mencing his search for any exploitable resources. At this moment. He had ascended to the Heavenly Origin realm. His divine sense had amplified tenfold, achieving a detection radius of ten thousand meters and epassing an area of over three hundred square kilometers! Swiftly. Jiang Chenbed the path from which Duan Ziming and the others had emerged, then harvested all the remains of the blood-red monsters. Having aplished these tasks. He then maneuvered the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, directing it towards the swamp pathway. In a brief while. An expansive opening radiating bright light appeared overhead. Jiang Chen ascended, discovering that the swamp had vanished, supnted by an immense pit. However, these were not the most striking sights. What piqued Jiang Chen''s interest the most was that, even at the surface, he could still sense the tremors; the void itself seemed to quiver. "There might be an issue with this Cave Heaven secret realm!" Duan Ziming and the rest were all congregated at the edge of the expansive pit. As soon as they saw Jiang Chen emerge, they promptly closed in on him. "This secret realm does not permit the existence of the Heavenly Origin realm." "Now that I have advanced into the Heavenly Origin realm, this is likely the trigger for these celestial and terrestrial alterations." Jiang Chen surveyed the surroundings, cautiously probing with his divine sense, indeed discerning a pervasive sense of repulsion. "Is this Cave Heaven secret realm on the brink of destruction!" "Should we expedite our departure!" Miao Xiaorui from the Ice Heart School inquired anxiously. "To err on the side of caution, we should vacate this ce." Jiang Chen concurred, "If the Cave Heaven secret realm truly disintegrates, it will spell doom for us all." "Understood!" Everyone nodded in consensus. "Let''s move!" "I''ll lead the way, you all follow!" With a faint smile, Jiang Chen promptly steered the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle towards the location they had initially entered from. At this juncture. He could now sustain the Heavenly Origin realm''s velocity with the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle at any moment, and the expenditure of Yuan Power was rtively minimal. Pressing onward. Jiang Chen unfurled his divine sense, detecting spiritual nts with the potency of the Burning World Red Lotus, then collected all the valuable spiritual nts. On the journey. Jiang Chen encountered several blood-red humanoid creatures. With casual indifference, he eliminated them, dismembered their bodies, and stored them into different artifacts. Soon. A familiarndscape unfolded before him. It was the battlefield where the five major sects had previously shed against the fused blood-colored creature. The remnants were still visible. Looking upward. A passage, shaped like a vortex, hung in the sky. At this moment, it appeared rtively stable. However. Jiang Chen wasn''t considering the possibility of hunting the remaining blood-colored monsters or collecting spiritual nts. His life was the priority. This was his principle! He was not about to let overconfidence or recklessness take hold simply because he had defeated two protagonists. Every action he undertook was for survival, nothing more. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 103: This Time, A Huge Windfall! Without hesitation, while stationed at the same location awaiting Duan Ziming and his crew, Jiang Chenmenced a thorough examination of his acquisitions. "This time, I''ve hit a huge windfall!" Eyes brimming with eager anticipation, Jiang Chen activated his system panel. At once, he perceived two options in the most prominent central position. One such was the Heaven-Defying Fate Changer ''Wordless Heavenly Jade'', appearing no different than amonce jade token. It bore a striking simrity to when he had secured possession of the Burning World Red Lotus. Below the Wordless Heavenly Jade, apanying text supplied exnatory details. In actuality, the Wordless Heavenly Jade was the legacy of an astounding titan named Sikong Biexing. He sealed his umted wisdom and unparalleledbat prowess within the pinnacle bone of his skull before departing from this world. Subsequently, his lineage and countless formidable figures across generations perpetually refined it until the artifact ultimately came into existence. This Sikong Biexing was the mightiest being on the Great Heaven Immortal Star, and his progeny had maintained dominion over the Great Heaven Immortal Star for an incalcble span of years. However, in an unforeseen turn of events, the Great Heaven Immortal Star was annihted, leading to theplete disintegration of the entire. The fate of the Wordless Heavenly Jade thereafter remained a mystery. ''Great Heaven Immortal Star! An entire!'' ''This suggests that the Immortal Martial Continent isn''t the only hub of cultivator civilization in the cosmos.'' ''Beyond the boundaries of the Immortal Martial Continent, concepts ofs, and perhaps even star systems and star fields exist.'' ''Could it be that this Immortal Martial Continent is actually a massive in itself?'' ''Such a, however, would be so immense that even a potent cultivator civilization might struggle to explore it in its entirety.'' ''And the vast geographical expanses could lead to informational istion among the various ultra-powerful forces, akin to the pre-modern era on Earth when technology was still in its infancy.'' ''Of course, these are merely conjectures. In the realm of cultivation, all things are within the realm of possibility!'' ''...'' These thoughts whirlpooled in Jiang Chen''s mind. He understood. Employing the Wordless Heavenly Jade would unquestionably entangle him in the karma associated with the Great Heaven Immortal Star and Sikong Biexing. ''This could invite a multitude of troubles.'' ''However, it also heralds opportunities!'' ''System, I choose to utilize the Heaven-Defying Fate Changer, Wordless Heavenly Jade!'' A resolute gleam sparked in Jiang Chen''s eyes as he decisively delivered hismand without any second thoughts. [Ding! You have chosen to activate the Wordless Heavenly Jade!] [Ding! Added to the ''Heaven-Defying Fate Changer'' category!] A pair of system notifications echoed within his mind. Immediately following that. The Wordless Heavenly Jade from the system panel materialized directly at the core of Jiang Chen''s chest! ''It manifested itself within my body!'' ''That''s entirely dissimr to Ye Fan merely holding it in his palm.'' ''Hmm, it''s evident that my connection with the Wordless Heavenly Jade is far deeper than Ye Fan''s, to the point of fusion!'' A look of surprise was quickly followed by a gleam of joy on Jiang Chen''s visage. Just at that moment. Whirr! Jiang Chen could distinctly perceive numerous strands of blood coursing from his heart, intertwining and assimting with the Wordless Heavenly Jade. But it didn''t end there. Even his spine burgeoned with bony, spiderweb-like tendrils that seamlessly melded into the Wordless Heavenly Jade. All of a sudden! Jiang Chen experienced an indescribably mysterious sensation. It felt as if he had sprouted an entirely new organ, a super organ under his wlessmand! Through this newly-formed organ. Jiang Chen sensed hisprehension of cultivation techniques and secret arts ascend dramatically, reaching a pinnacle he had never dared to envision! Some cultivation methods he had recently practiced. Such as the Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets, the Wind Void Steps, and other cultivation methods. He found he no longer needed to train them, as he had already grasped a multitude of their core principles. If hemitted to their practice, he would certainly be able to attain the perfect-level in an extraordinarily brief span of time. Employing the Wordless Heavenly Jade, he could instantaneously master a cultivation method from its rudiments to the perfect-level! ''Marvelous!'' ''With the Wordless Heavenly Jade, I can finally cast aside concerns about mastering cultivation methods!'' ''This way, I can keep pace with those prodigious protagonists more swiftly and have a heightened chance of suppressing them!'' ''Furthermore, given the current cultivation techniques and secret arts, once Iplete the practice, it will undoubtedly cause mybat prowess to skyrocket, much like Ye Fan, I could practically challenge foes across two major realms!'' Jiang Chen mused, an infectious, beaming smile slowly spreading across his features. However, he did not plunge into practicing the cultivation methods right away. Instead, his focus shifted to the second option disyed on the system interface. The System Mall Upgrade Big Gift Package! ''The System Mall, upon its inauguration, showered me with a treasure trove of riches!'' ''Now, with the System Mall ascended to level two, I wonder what enticing rewards await me in this big gift package!'' Jiang Chen''s lips curled in eager anticipation before he dered, ''System, activate the System Mall Upgrade Big Gift Package!'' No sooner had his words echoed. The system prompt responded instantaneously. [Ding! You have been awarded a Dao Pce realm spiritual nt, ''Primordial Essence Moist Flower''*1!] [Ding! You have been awarded a Dao Pce realm top-grade cultivation pill, ''Nine Suns True Spirit Enhancing Pill''*1!] [Ding! You have been awarded a Dao Pce realm sword formation manual, ''Indestructible Myriad Shapes Sword Formation''*1!] [Ding! You have been awarded a Dao Pce realm storage artifact, ''Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring''*1!] [Ding! You have been awarded 10 random natural treasures suitable for the Dao Comprehension realm, 100 random natural treasures suitable for the Inquiring Journey realm, and 1000 random natural treasures suitable for the Heavenly Origin realm!] A lengthy catalogue of system notifications flooded Jiang Chen''s consciousness! "Inc-Inc... Incredible!" ''Is the System Mall Upgrade Big Gift Package seriously this astonishing!? Such an array of treasures!?'' ''Armed with these treasures, mybat prowess is bound to skyrocket in the blink of an eye!'' Jiang Chen''s heart pounded with exhration, a sense of euphoria sweeping over him as if he had stepped into a dream of unrivaled delight. In the very next moment. A purple-ck ring, sized to fit a thumb, materialized before him. This was the Dao Pce realm storage artifact the ''Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring''! Owing to the substantial volume of the remaining treasures, the system conveniently stowed them within the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. At that moment, Jiang Chen extended his hand and grasped the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. Instantly, he grasped the nature of this Dao Pce realm storage artifact. The Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring! It was practically the Moondust Ring, but escted, enhanced, and evolved to unparalleled levels! Not only did it offer a staggering storage expanse measuring ten thousand meters in every dimension, but it also endowed Jiang Chen with an amplified ability to conceal his existence. He could effortlessly mask his aura and disguise his cultivation base, even gaining the power of invisibility! Furthermore. The Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring boasted additional capacities to thwart divine sense detection, trace divine sense back to its source, and defend against spiritual assaults. ''It''s utterly astounding.'' ''Truly befitting of a Dao Pce realm treasure!'' ''Above the Heavenly Origin realm lies the Inquiring Journey realm, superseded by the Dao Comprehension realm, and only thenes the esteemed Dao Pce realm!'' ''This Dao Pce realm must represent the zenith of the Second Step of the Cultivation Path.'' ''Further beyond lies the Third Step of the Cultivation Path, known as the Void Tribtion realm.'' Cradling the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring, Jiang Chen couldn''t help but marvel in awe. Immediately thereafter. He slid both the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring and the Moondust Ring onto the fingers of his left hand. Then, with a mere flicker of thought. Both rings simultaneously vanished, mirroring the behavior of the Eternal Vows Binding Ring. "This is incredible!" "The Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring, a top-grade artifact of the Dao Pce realm, is so effortless for even me to activate. The consumption of Yuan Power is remarkably efficient!" Jiang Chen raised his left hand, his wide eyes studying it in wonder, his gaze filled with profound respect. After all, when juxtaposed with the Eternal Vows Binding Ring which, despite its unfathomable origins, could merely be ssified as an auxiliary artifact The Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring provided a direct enhancement to hisbat capabilities. However, he was aware. If he desired to utilize the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring to cloak his entire body and suppress his aura fully, the energy expenditure would be on a whole other scale. Even to achieve invisibility at the Heavenly Origin realm level ensuring he wouldn''t be detected by cultivators of the same realm would demand an enormous amount of Yuan Power. And to attain a level of invisibility that even practitioners of the Inquiring Journey realm couldn''t pierce through would necessitate an even greater surge of Yuan Power. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+50) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 104: Acquiring the Perfect Grade Aptitude At present, Jiang Chen reckoned that attaining invisibility at the Heavenly Origin realm was more than adequate. ''Next.'' ''Time to uncover the treasures within!'' With a sweep of his divine sense, Jiang Chen delved into the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring, the repository for the additional rewards of the big gift package. One after another, items hovered weightlessly within the ring''s space. Inparison to the expansive storage capacity of the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring, these items seemed astonishingly minute. Nheless, their worth was far from trifling! The spiritual nt alone, of the Dao Pce realm caliber, could greatly boost the recovery of the Burning World Red Lotus! Additionally, the stashprised pills, cultivation methods, and a plethora of various natural treasures. Any single item could incite a violent frenzy if unveiled. ''It''s regrettable that it''s imprudent to linger here for too long.'' ''Otherwise, I would surely assimte all the benefits here before departing.'' Jiang Chen grinned, gave a dismissive shake of his head, then withdrew his divine sense. His focus reverted to the interface of the System Mall. The System Mall had now advanced to level 2. The maximum tier of treasures that could be traded had been escted from the Heavenly Origin realm to the Dao Pce realm! Naturally, the requisite costs to exchange for various treasures had surged dramatically! Jiang Chen cast a fleeting nce at the prices of the spiritual nts. For the spiritual nts of the Inquiring Journey realm, the median cost for ordinary varieties hovered around three thousand points of Viin Value. The less expensive ones were roughly equivalent to the ''Heavenly Star Crossing Cmity Precious Ginseng'', while the pricier ones could range from four to five thousand Viin Value points. As for the spiritual nts of the Dao Comprehension realm, the baseline price kicked off at ten thousand points of Viin Value. When it came to the Dao Pce realm, the initial price was a staggering fifty thousand Viin Value pointsan almost exponential curve growth rtive to the Dao Comprehension realm. Inparison to spiritual nts, the prices of fully concocted pills were even more exorbitant. The same applied to cultivation method manuals and various artifacts. ''Now, it seems I can barely afford many of these items!'' Jiang Chen eyed these treasures with immense yearning, practically salivating at the sight. Ultimately, he resolved to hold off on spending his Viin Value points for the moment. Straight away, he essed his personal attribute panel. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Perfect Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body Realm: Early-stage Heavenly Origin True Battle Power: Early-stage Heavenly Origin Cultivation Methods: Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture (Heavenly Origin, main cultivation), Wind Void Steps (Heavenly Origin, entry-level), Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets (Heavenly Origin, great aplishment-level), Void Rainbow Sword Technique (Heavenly Origin, great aplishment-level)... some omitted Main Equipments: Shadowde Sword (Heavenly Origin, lower-grade), Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe (Heavenly Origin, lower-grade), ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle (Mysterious tform, top-grade)... Viin Value: 25,900 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 15,848 Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring, Wordless Heavenly Jade System Mall: Level 2] ''Ah!'' ''My panel information has be more intricate!'' ''Could this be a result of the System Mall upgrade?'' Jiang Chen expressed slight surprise and delight, then proceeded to peruse his personal data. Just one look sufficed to swell his heart with heightened tion. ''Great heavens!'' ''Has my aptitude escted to the Perfect Grade!?'' ''Does this surpass the Top Grade!? Could this be the amalgamated oue of the Wordless Heavenly Jade and the Burning World Red Lotus?'' Jiang Chen''s eyes bulged, the sparkle within them intensifying! After a significant pause. "Hahaha!" He abruptly pped his thigh, roaring with three triumphant guffaws toward the heavens! Given his current aptitude, even in his viinous role, he ought to be considered a high-ranking viin, far superior to his prior status as a mere elite boss-level minor viin. ''Hehe.'' ''I''m quite intrigued to find out what sort of viinous identity I''ll acquire next.'' Jiang Chen licked his lips, a smirk ying on his face. Without dy, he started categorizing the opportunities he had garnered from this Cave Heaven secret realm. The cultivation methods, jade slips, and manuals were objects he had earlier watched Ye Fan carefully stash away, so there was no necessity to inspect them again. The mysterious giant egg didn''t warrant another examination either. With a casual flick of Jiang Chen''s hand, a transparent miniature bottle housing a golden liquid materialized. Suddenly! A peculiar aura assailed him. The aura mirrored the energy of qi and blood, but it was of a purer kind and exuded a sense of cryptic, pulsating strength. ''Bloodline power!'' ''One of the three inheritances bequeathed by the master of the Cave Heaven secret realm!'' ''My Eternal Boundless Body possesses the extraordinary ability to assimte and incorporate other innate constitutions. It''s undoubtedly more than capable of absorbing this bloodline power.'' ''However, I should discern what this bloodline power represents before utilizing it.'' ''After all, it would spell disaster if I absorbed it, only to discover that it''s an exceptionally peculiar and difficult-to-ept bloodline power.'' ''...'' Carrying these thoughts, Jiang Chen tucked away the miniature bottle. Just at that moment, Duan Ziming and the others surfaced within the scope of his divine sense. ''Have they finally caught up?'' A subtle smile unfurled across Jiang Chen''s face as he nonchntly observed Duan Ziming and his group. He harbored no intention to veil his current strength; therefore, he didn''t engage the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring to suppress his aura. After all, his cultivation base, in the Early stages Heavenly Origin realm, had already been unveiled before everyone. He could, of course,mand them to remain silent, but should they encounter the protagonist, it was usible they wouldn''t manage to maintain secrecy. As for the rest, it was inconsequential if they were privy to this information. Indeed, divulging his profound cultivation base could potentially ord him more favorable treatment. Just as when Jiang Chen had previously exposed his Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm status, he promptly received a treasured gift from Feng Jun. Returning with the might of the Heavenly Origin realm, he was bound to garner a substantial allocation of resources from the entirety of the Starry Abyss Sect! Even more notably, assuming direct control over the Starry Abyss Sect wouldn''t pose much of a challenge. To counter the protagonist, he couldn''t deploy his underlings as sacrificial pawns, but he certainly needed subordinates. They were his eyes and ears, his antennae! Just like when dealing with Lin Feng, without the subordinates of the Jiang n serving as his informants, it would prove much more challenging for Jiang Chen to keep tabs on him. If he couldmand the Starry Abyss Sect, he would preside over a formidable power. Of course, this was a double-edged sword. However, Jiang Chen was of the belief that, at present, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks. When the situation reversed, he could simply depart. Returning to the matter at hand. Within a short span. "Lord Jiang Chen!" "Senior Jiang Chen!" "..." Duan Ziming and the others converged before Jiang Chen, each person dipping in obeisance and offering a salute! As for how they addressed Jiang Chen, it varied, but all carried a tone of respect. "Everyone, please rise." "Before we embark." "I would like to propose a barter to all of you." "These are some spiritual nts of the Heavenly Origin realm that I''ve gathered." "I have a particr interest in the inner cores of those monsters. If any of you possess them, we can trade them for spiritual nts." Jiang Chen articted, his face adorned with a subtle smile. For him, the Heavenly Origin rank spiritual nts held rather minimal significance. It would be more advantageous to trade them for the inner cores of the blood-hued monsters. "Heavenly Origin rank spiritual nts! Excellent, I''ll trade!" Miao Xiaorui was the first to concur, likely intending to reciprocate Jiang Chen for rescuing her. With Miao Xiaorui taking the initiative, the rest of the assembly proceeded to voice their agreement one by one. "I''ll also trade!" "Lord Jiang Chen, I''ll make the trade!" "Jiang Chen, I don''t require the spiritual nts, you can directly take the monsters'' inner cores!" Everyone began to respond in session, swapping spiritual nts with Jiang Chen, while Duan Ziming and his group straightforwardly passed the monsters'' inner cores over to Jiang Chen. In no time at all, the exchange waspleted. Jiang Chen had bartered away the spiritual nts, which were of scant use to him, and in return, he procured over twenty inner cores of blood-colored monsters. Each core was spherical and roughly the size of a thumb. These cores harbored a massive quantity of qi and blood energy. Once devoured by the Wordless Heavenly Jade, they were bound to render substantial aid in mastering various cultivation methods. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+50) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 105: His Arrival Sends the Ten Major Sects into Disarray "Excellent!" "Gentlemen anddies, we proceed!" Jiang Chen shed a satisfied grin, acknowledging the collective gaze of those assembled. He was aware that among the onlookers, some might be hoarding monsters'' inner cores, for personal research or to offer to their sect. Nevertheless, he made no demands for their surrender. Having dered his intentions, Jiang Chen rocketed skyward, morphing into a vanishing silhouette that pierced through the vortex passage. "We should follow!" Duan Ziming, Nie Wei, and theirrades took flight, tracing Jiang Chen''s path in a sequential manner, entering the swirling passageway. In the outskirts, at the nexus of the three continents, nestled within the Forsaken Serenity Mountain Range, the factions from the ten major sects staked their ims near the passage, establishing makeshift encampments in anticipation. The exploratory period allowed for the Cave Heaven secret realm was set at three months. At this juncture, barely a day had transpired. All were braced for the impending marathon of patience. But, without warning. Whooosh! The vortex passage undted abruptly, ejecting a figure with vehement force it was none other than Jiang Chen. "Someone has emerged from the passage!?" "Is it possible? Are there overwhelming perils within that are driving our disciples to retreat?" "..." The representatives of the ten major sects were instantly alerted to the vortex passage''s irregrity. Their countenances contorted dramatically, betraying a mixture of shock and incredulity. By their conjecture. This Cave Heaven secret realm was supposed to remain essible for three months post activation! Why would a disciple hasten out so prematurely? Could it be... That there was some formidable horror lurking within the Cave Heaven secret realm, so intense that it precluded exploration,pelling disciples to flee? In this moment. "It''s Jiang Chen!" "He hails from our Starry Abyss Sect!" "Something is amiss... could this really be Jiang Chen?" "Jiang Chen is only in the Spiritual Awakening realm, yet he''s exuding the aura of the Heavenly Origin realm! What is transpiring?" Feng Jun identified Jiang Chen. His initial reaction was one of shock, followed swiftly by a shift into grave concern. "What''s happening?" "How could a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect be a powerhouse of the Heavenly Origin realm!" "There has to be something off about this individual!" "The Heavenly Origin realm, it would typically take hundreds, if not thousands, of years to cultivate to that stage. How could this disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect possibly ascend to the Heavenly Origin realm in less than a day!" Expressions of the people from the other sects contorted severely. Instantly, they abandoned their freshly established camps and scattered into the distance. Even though the sect masters from the ten major sects were all assembled here. Not a single one among them was capable of confronting a Heavenly Origin realm powerhouse! Feng Jun and his associates exchanged uneasy nces. Their expressions grave, they congregated before withdrawing, as though confronting a formidable adversary. "Huh!" "Could it be... that they''re intimidated by me?" Observing the powerhouses of the ten major sects scatter in all directions, Jiang Chen was momentarily stunned before erupting intoughter. These individuals, who held dominion over the three expansive continents, were so frightened at this juncture. This indirect testament vividly showcased the overwhelming power of the Heavenly Origin realm! Suddenly, the vortex passage contorted once more. Then, Duan Ziming and others emerged, propelled out from the swirling passage. Hot on their heels were the disciples from the Ice Heart School and Floating Spirit School. As soon as they all materialized, they were immediately confronted by the tense visages of the sect masters and elders of the ten major sects. "They''ve been terrified by Jiang Chen!" "Indeed, it''s understandable. A practitioner of the Heavenly Origin realm might only emerge once every five hundred years across our three continents!" "Now, Jiang Chen stands unrivaled here. Anyone who dares challenge him will be utterly outssed!" The disciples couldn''t help but exhale collective sighs. In their hearts, envy overshadowed any trace of jealousy. Because the chasm between them and Jiang Chen was overwhelmingly vast, they were effectively in disparate realms, nullifying any potential for jealousy. Suddenly, Jiang Chen pivoted, his gaze fastening onto the gathering behind him. "Well, everyone." "I presume your sects are in need of your return. Go forth and ry the events that unfolded here." Jiang Chen spoke, his voice resonant and distinct. A cryptic smile traced his lips as he added, "In due time, be sure to choose wisely." His gaze, deep and discerning, swept over the crowd, lingering a moment longer on Mu Tao and Miao Xiaoru. Having said this, he nodded to Duan Ziming and his group, then pivoted and soared towards the Starry Abyss Sect''s flying artifact. A fog of confusion enveloped the crowd as they grappled to decipher Jiang Chen''s cryptic farewell. Whispers of uncertainty propagated amongst them. Eventually. "Does anyone understand what Lord Jiang Chen implied with his final remark?" Someone summoned the courage to shatter the silence, pivoting to Duan Ziming with a question. "I''m no more enlightened than you are." "For now, let''s heed his suggestion. Return to your respective sects and be patient. Time will unravel the essence of his statement." Duan Ziming shook his head, his countenance inscrutable. Following this, he, along with the other Starry Abyss Sect disciples, hurriedly trailed behind Jiang Chen. ... "They''re approaching!" "They''re headed this way!" Aboard the Starry Abyss Sect''s flying artifact, Sect Master Feng Jun, along with an assembly of elders and deacons, spotted Jiang Chen in flight towards them. The spectacle induced a chill to ripple through them. Jiang Chen''s cultivation base was indeed flouting thews ofmon sense! There was a significant chance that something was amiss, such as the current Jiang Chen being an imposter. At that instant. "Sect Master, we have returned." Jiang Chen alighted gently onto the flying artifact, smiling as he offered a respectful bow to Feng Jun. A few momentster. "Sect Master!" "Elders! Deacons!" Duan Ziming and the others trailed in Jiang Chen''s wake, each extending their respective salutations. "Jiang Chen, wha... what... what transpired with your cultivation base?" Feng Jun inhaled deeply, yet his voice still wavered slightly. "As is apparent!" "I''ve stumbled upon a colossal fortune, enabling me to break through sessfully to the Heavenly Origin realm!" "There''s an extensive tale behind it, but I''ll give you the abridged version." "Truth be told, I had already ascended to the Mysterious tform realm during myst venture for training down the mountain, and this time..." Under the intent gaze of everyone in the Starry Abyss Sect, Jiang Chen wove his narrative, recounting some of his adventures. However, Jiang Chen deftly edited his recounting, artfully spinning his experiences and the evolution of his cultivation base! He blended fact and fiction seamlessly, creating apelling tale, yet kept his deepest secrets hidden. First and foremost, he could not divulge anything about the Viin System. Secondly, concepts such as the Protagonist, Heavenly Fate Value, and the Heaven-Defying Fate Changer remained confidential. When it came to the incidents within the secret realm. He included specific details that only he and members of the Starry Abyss Sect would recognize, dissipating any suspicion of impersonation. Before long, Jiang Chen concluded his story, casting a smile towards Feng Jun and the others. "I understand!" "Jiang Chen, you are indeed a chosen child of the heavens, reaching the Heavenly Origin realm at a mere twenty years of age!" "Jiang Chen, undoubtedly, you''re the most prodigious figure in the history of the Mysterious Truth Continent. It''s an absolute honor for the Starry Abyss Sect to have a genius of your caliber among us!" "Jiang Chen, now that you''ve ascended to the Heavenly Origin realm, it''s only fitting that I abdicate the position of Sect Master!" The elders of the Starry Abyss Sect were bubbling with exhration, with Feng Jun even ready to relinquish his Sect Master title then and there! A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+55) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 106: Jiang Chen, Supreme Elder of the Starry Abyss Sect From Feng Jun''s perspective, with Jiang Chen assuming the mantle of the Starry Abyss Sect''s sect master, the sect would inevitably experience rapid growth and development within a brief period. Not just the Mysterious Truth Continent, but also the Snowy Wind Continent and the Bright Cloud Continent, along with other adjacent continents, would eventually yield to Jiang Chen''s influence, kneeling before the mighty Starry Abyss Sect in future times. Hence, once Feng Jun was satisfied that there were no discrepancies with Jiang Chen''s identity. He promptly resolved to abdicate his position as sect master in favor of Jiang Chen. Feng Jun''s decision, while it left the other elders and deacons taken aback, also elicited emphatic nods of approval, with voices rising in concurrence one after the other. Within a brief interval, the prospect of Jiang Chen assuming leadership as the Starry Abyss Sect''s sect master emerged as a universally anticipated development. Such was the privilege afforded by power. In an instant, one could seize control of a formidable faction and amass a vast body of subordinates and informants! However, Jiang Chen had no intention of assuming the role of sect master of the Starry Abyss Sect. Observing the tireless efforts Feng Jun put in made it clear just how demanding the position of a sect master could be. Moreover, he had yet to discern his viinous identity in the narrative of the third protagonist. Which implied, his departure could be imminent! As such, power was the most critical factor. Apart from his family, Jiang Chen''s time ought to be spent boosting his strength, rather than being consumed by trivial matters. Therefore. "I appreciate the trust, Sect Master, and esteemed elders." "But my focus remains on cultivation, and it would be in our best interest for Sect Master Feng Jun to retain his position as sect master." "Sect Master Feng Jun''s invaluable contributions to the sect are clear to all!" "His leadership has been instrumental in preserving our Starry Abyss Sect''s status as one of the three major sects on the Mysterious Truth Continent." "Additionally, we''ve secured a substantial amount of treasure from the Cave Heaven secret realm!" "Within this bounty are numerous spiritual nts apt for the Heavenly Origin realm! Should we refine these into pills, not just the sect master, but even the elders and deacons may stand a chance to ascend to the Heavenly Origin realm!" "..." With a subtle smile and a wave of his hand, Jiang Chen gracefully declined Feng Jun''s proposal to abdicate his position as sect master. Upon concluding his words, he proceeded to extract some Heavenly Origin rank spiritual nts from his storage ring to substantiate his statements. Once the spiritual nts were exposed, an incredibly rich and invigorating medicinal fragrance immediately permeated the surroundings! "Wow!!" "Heavenly Origin rank spiritual nts!" "These truly are Heavenly Origin rank spiritual nts!" "And they are of the highest quality and matured age!" "Additionally, there is a vast amount of Mysterious tform rank spiritual nts! There''s even an enormous pile of Spiritual Awakening rank spiritual nts!" "If these spiritual nts could be refined into pills, they would certainly provide us old ones with a chance to strive for the breakthrough into the Heavenly Origin realm!" Feng Jun and the others'' eyes widened in disbelief, their joy verging on insanity, and some elders were even moved to the brink of tears. Previously, they had been thoroughly shocked by the aura of Jiang Chen''s cultivation base. Furthermore, Jiang Chen and the rest had only spent less than a day within the Cave Heaven secret realm. Thus, they had never imagined that Jiang Chen would actually extract such an abundance of Heavenly Origin rank spiritual nts from within! Now, having sighted these spiritual nts, how could they not be ecstatic!? "Please ept these spiritual nts." Jiang Chen began, offering a subtle smile. "Sect Master, assemble thebined strength of our entire sect to refine them into pills for a breakthrough to the Heavenly Origin realm!" He then employed his Yuan Power to generate a gust of wind, elevating the nts towards Feng Jun. "This...this...this!" "Jiang Chen, we can''t thank you enough!" "The sect has barely contributed to your sess, yet you''ve generously gifted so many spiritual nts for us to refine into pills. This favor will forever be etched in our hearts!" Feng Jun and the others voiced their profound gratitude. At this juncture, Duan Ziming and the rest came forward, saying, "Sect Master, with Jiang Chen''s aid, we too have reaped a substantial harvest of spiritual nts." As they spoke, Duan Ziming, Nie Wei, among others, took out the spiritual nts one after the other and presented them to Sect Master Feng Jun. "Wow!" "Even more spiritual nts!" "With this abundance of spiritual nts, once they are all refined into pills, our Starry Abyss Sect will ascend to an unprecedented height!" "By then, asserting dominance over the neighboring continents will be effortless!" "Duan Ziming, rest assured that the pills processed from these spiritual nts will undoubtedly be allocated to you first!" "We, the old generation, are past our prime, and you are the future of the Starry Abyss Sect!" Feng Jun and the others, witnessing the spiritual nts proffered by each disciple, were overtaken by sheer excitement. "Sect Master." Jiang Chen chimed in once more, "Although the Cave Heaven secret realm disys some anomalies, it hasn''t copsed yet. Perhaps we can deploy some members to gather spiritual nt resources." Upon hearing this, Duan Ziming and the others promptly concurred. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen is spot on! The Cave Heaven secret realm is vast, and we''ve only explored a fraction of it." "Indeed, it harbors numerous perils the realm itself may copse at any moment, and it is inhabited by humanoid monsters possessing thebat power of the Mysterious tform realm. However, it''s also teeming with resources!" "Spiritual nts are plentiful within it! If we venture in now, we might secure a considerable cache of spiritual nt resources!" "Should the Sect Master decide to dispatch members, we can send the death warriors fostered by our sect. While the cultivation base of the death warriors may not be elevated, as long as they don''t exceed the Mysterious tform realm, they can still venture inside. Ordinary Mysterious tform realm cultivators can''t ovee those humanoid monsters." Duan Ziming, Nie Wei, and the other disciples all chimed in one after another. "I see!" "Then, I shall promptly summon the death warriors from within our sect!" Feng Jun''s eyes gleamed brightly, and he immediately approved the n. In regard to these expendable death warriors... Not to mention a significant entity like the Starry Abyss sect, even Jiang Chen''s own Jiang n cultivated quite a few of them. These death warriors, for varying reasons, were fearless in the face of death, even though their cultivation bases were typically low. At this moment, Feng Jun extracted his transmission jade token to give instructions, and the elders residing in the sect took the helm. At this juncture, an elder voiced his thoughts: "Jiang Chen has now ascended to the status of a powerhouse at the Heavenly Origin realm, his standing can no longer simply be a disciple, I propose, let Jiang Chen assume the role of Supreme Elder in our Starry Abyss Sect!" "Supreme Elder!" "A position that necessitates at least being at the Heavenly Origin realm, the true foundation of our Starry Abyss Sect!" "It has been many years since our Starry Abyss Sect had a Supreme Elder, now, we are on the cusp of weing one again!" "I concur, junior Feng Jun, pays respects to Supreme Elder Jiang Chen!" "I concur, junior Yu Wenyao, pays respects to Supreme Elder Jiang Chen!" Led by Feng Jun and Grand Elder Yu Wenyao, all the elders, deacons, and individuals like Duan Ziming, one by one, paid their respects to Jiang Chen. In the realm of cultivation, those who attain greatness invariably lead the pack. Despite being merely twenty years old at present, Jiang Chen''s cultivation base had ascended to the Heavenly Origin realm, thus catapulting him ahead of everyone else, granting him the status of a senior! "Supreme Elder, huh?" "Alright! From this point forward, I am the Supreme Elder of the Starry Abyss Sect!" Jiang Chen nodded in eptance, aware that the role of the supreme elder typically wasn''t burdensome, primarily responsible for deterring rival forces, which would afford him ample leisure time. The crux was that even the sect master was obliged to heed the orders of the supreme elder. "We pay our respects to the Supreme Elder!" Feng Jun and others bowed again in unison, their voices reverberating to the heavens, solidifying Jiang Chen''s identity. Simultaneously, the tumult from the Starry Abyss Sect had also piqued the interest of the other nine major sects. Sessively, gazes filled with astonishment were all centered on Jiang Chen. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+55) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 107: The Shroud of Despair Envelops the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain "Supreme Elder!?" "Could it be true that the Heavenly Origin realm powerhouse is indeed Jiang Chen!? Such a revtion is beyondprehension!" "With Jiang Chen, a Heavenly Origin realm Supreme Elder, the Starry Abyss Sect poses not merely a threat to our three continents, but extends its peril to the neighboring continents as well. None can resist their might." "Jiang Chen''s emergence signals an impending transformation of the world!" "..." One after another, the elder generation of powerhouses hailing from various sects exchanged apprehensive nces, their eyes revealing a shared sense of escting urgency. Yet, in the midst of the collective anxiety, the Floating Spirit Sect and the Ice Heart School, who had managed to acquire a considerable quantity of Heavenly Origin rank spiritual nts from Jiang Chen, felt somewhat at ease amidst the brewing storm. Furthermore, the uing generation of powerhouses from the Floating Spirit Sect and the Ice Heart School had all reaped benefits from Jiang Chen''s benevolence. Predictably, these two significant sects were likely to find themselves bending their knees to the Starry Abyss Sect in the future! Among the ten major sects, the most afflicted, almost teetering on the brink of despair, was none other than the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain! "Heavenly Origin realm!" "Indeed, it''s the Heavenly Origin realm! Jiang Chen has ascended to the lofty heights of the Heavenly Origin realm!" "Such a development is beyond belief! We dispatched people to seize the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records not too long ago. How could he have attained the stature of a Heavenly Origin realm powerhouse in such a fleeting span?" "Plus Jiang Chen maintains an intimate rtionship with Ning Xian, and we''ve even instigated the assassins from the Illusory ying Tower to target her. Surely, he won''t let this transgression pass!" "Of the disciples who came out this time, not one belongs to our Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain! What cmity has befallen them? If we fail to acquire any Heavenly Origin rank spiritual nts, we will be undoubtedly doomed!" The air around Gao Zhang, the sect master of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, and the other elders was thick with destion! They found themselves haunted by visions of the inevitable downfall of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain. "Fellow Daoists!" "We must retain ourposure!" "As long as we have disciples capable of procuring Heavenly Origin rank spiritual nts from the mystical confines of the Cave Heaven secret realm, then we stand a chance to thwart Jiang Chen!" Gao Zhang, the Sect Master of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, uttered these words with an expression steeped in unwavering resolve. However! "Hahahaha!" "Still nurturing hopes of your disciples returning with Heavenly Origin rank spiritual nts? What a fanciful delusion!" "Let me enlighten you, the thirty disciples of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain have already been eradicated within the Cave Heaven secret realm. Deng Jianying and the others met their end at my very hands!" With a roar of triumphantughter, Jiang Chen shimmered into existence, hanging in the sky directly above the members of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain. Rumble. A potent Heavenly Origin realm aura pervaded the air! In that moment, Gao Zhang and hispanions felt an oppressive weight akin to a mountain bearing down on them, leaving them gasping for breath! Moreover, the disastrous revtion made by Jiang Chen struck every individual in the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain like a thunderbolt out of the blue, their faces turned pale, resembling the faces of the departed! "No, this can''t be!" "Though we of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain mayck prowess inbat, how could our thirty disciples have been annihted entirely?" "This is a lie, an egregious falsehood, I refuse to acknowledge it!" With looks of sheer horror etched on their faces, Gao Zhang and his peers were teetering on the brink of hysteria. Their bodies felt as if they had plummeted into a frigid chasm, frozen to the point of paralysis! When faced with the grim reality of the total extermination of their thirty most exceptional disciples. They knew, it was an irrefutable truth. For Jiang Chen''s staggering power was there for all to witness! Even they were powerless against a Heavenly Origin realm adversary, so what chance could Deng Jianying and the others have possibly stood? Nevertheless, Gao Zhang and his cohorts were wholly unable to reconcile with this bleak reality. For it was excessively harsh. Deng Jianying, along with the other thirty disciples, symbolized the future of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain. With their demise, the future trajectory of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain was decidedly set to decline. "Tsk!" "Truly reminiscent of a pack of craven canines!" "Today, I shall purge you vermin to the veryst!" A cold smile tugged at the corners of Jiang Chen''s lips, "Before that, however, I shall unveil your nefarious deeds to all present!" His voice wasn''t raised. Yet, it resonated in the ears of every onlooker with crystalline rity. Instantly, theplexions of Gao Zhang and his associates became even more pallid, their bodies quaking with burgeoning fear! Simultaneously, the gaze of every cultivator belonging to the other sects was firmly locked onto Jiang Chen. "Who would have predicted that Jiang Chen would bear a grudge against the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain!" "Now, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain is on the brink of oblivion. Given Gao Zhang''s unremarkable abilities, Jiang Chen could eradicate him without so much as lifting a finger!" "I''m intrigued to discover what transgressions the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain hasmitted to incite such fury in Jiang Chen." The cultivators from the various other sects engaged in hushed exchanges. They then strained their ears to catch every word of Jiang Chen''s recounting. Before long, Jiang Chen began to reveal the affair of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain exerting undue pressure on the Ning n within their own sect. "So that''s the truth of the matter!" "It''s shocking that the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain would perpetrate such a monstrous act." "Certainly, internal disputes within a sect aremon, but what the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountainmitted extends far beyond the usual." "The Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain has indeed earned its impending destruction at the hands of Jiang Chen!" The cultivators from various sects debated the situation with newfound understanding. Among them, members of the Floating Spirit Sect and the Ice Heart School started to harbor a collective animosity, and their gaze towards the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain turned significantly frosty. In that moment, Jiang Chen voiced out once again. "By this point, Ning Xian is already mine." "From this moment forward, her vendetta is my battle to fight!" "On this day, no individual from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain will evade my fury!" Positioned high above, Jiang Chen cast a bone-chilling gaze over the entirety of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain. His voice was as cold as the winds that swept across the underworld. "No!" "Jiang Chen, we acknowledge our wrongdoings!" "Jiang Chen, spare our lives, we possess invaluable skills in pill refinement!" "Spare me, oh, spare me, I pledge my entire wealth to you, I beseech your mercy!" "Elder Jiang Chen, I had no hand in the oppression of the Ning n, I joined as a guest elder at ater stage!" Amidst the terrifying murderous aura radiating from Jiang Chen, the denizens of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain trembled in terror, with many sumbing to mental breakdowns, crying out for mercy. "Hmph!" "Those who didn''t actively participate in afflicting the Ning n, yet turned a blind eye to the injustice within the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, areplicit by their silence, and warrant judgment." Jiang Chen bore no intentions of extending mercy to any. "Zhang Li! Huang Ming! Liu Shang!" "Our four great sects all originate from the Bright Cloud Continent. You cannot stand idly by while we face extinction!" "Remember, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Jiang Chen won''t be satisfied with the eradication of just the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain. Once we are erased, you will be next!" "This isn''t merely about our Bright Cloud Continent. The same applies to the Snowy Wind Continent and the Mysterious Truth Continent!" "Fellow Daoists, Jiang Chen harbors rampant ambitions. He aims to decimate us all. We must unite!" Engulfed in sheer panic, Gao Zhang was gesturing wildly. His disjointed shrieks filled the air. Nheless, his words seemed to induce some effect. The expressions of the sect masters from the Water Cloud Sect, the Bright Sun Sect, and the Divine Wind School of the Bright Cloud Continent all fluctuated noticeably. However, the cultivators from the Heavenly de School and the Floating Spirit Sect of the Mysterious Truth Continent, along with those from the Ice Heart School of the Snowy Wind Continent, sneered at Gao Zhang''s pleadings. Jiang Chen''s ascension to the Heavenly Origin realm and his overwhelming dominance were already indisputable facts. Gao Zhang''s desperate struggle was nothing more than a pipe dream. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+55) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 108: The Desperate Plea of the Six Great Sects The air hung heavy. "Esteemed Daoist Jiang Chen!" "Indeed, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain has been involved in some indiscretions." "However, it is a sect entrenched in age-old traditions. What a sorrowful sight it would be to see it crumble!" "Besides, every debt belongs to its debtor, every fault to its perpetrator. By dealing with the prime instigators, you could bring justice for the Ning n. This act would truly mirror your magnanimity as a towering figure of virtue." Huang Ming, the sect master of the Bright Sun Sect, drew in a deep breath and stepped forward, confronting the situation. "Lord Jiang Chen, I am Liu Shang." "Lord Jiang Chen, you are the heaven''s chosen, perched atop the three continents in this epoch. We revere you above all else and are eager to heed your call." "Nheless, none among us yearns to witness a grand sect, cultivated over millennia, dissolve into nothingness." With clenched teeth, Liu Shang, the sect master of the Water Cloud Sect, implored, "Lord Jiang Chen, I beseech you to reconsider!" "Lord Jiang Chen!" "We are but motes in your grand universe, posing no threat to your supremacy. We merely plead for your magnanimity..." Stepping forth was Zhang Li, the sect master of the Divine Wind School. One after the other, the masters of the three sects voiced their pleas. Jiang Chen, cid and collected, allowed them to articte their sentiments without interruption. As a result, the Azure Jade Sect and the Beast Emperor Mountain of the Snowy Wind Continent also appeared poised to implore Jiang Chen. Yet, they faltered. Their feet were rooted in uncertainty, hindering them from stepping forward instantly. "Is there anyone else who wishes to speak?" "Step forward if you must." Wearing a detached demeanor, Jiang Chen swept his gaze over the assembly of sect masters from outside the Starry Abyss Sect, uttering these indifferent words. His voice was measured, his persona tranquil as a gentle breeze rustling through silent clouds, devoid of any traces of disquiet. Nevertheless, upon the resounding echo of his words, a shudder ran through the hearts of every sect master! The realization dawned on them. Jiang Chen was maneuvering them into a corner. Every voice that rose in opposition would irrefutably position its owner against him! At this juncture, the surrounding atmosphere descended into an abyss of silence. So profound that even the faintest sound would echo. The sect masters of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, the Bright Sun Sect, and others from the Bright Cloud Continent shared meaningful nces before they subtly shifted, congregating into a united front. At this stage, the sect masters from the Beast Emperor Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect also exchanged a brief look, their eyes twinkling with unspoken understanding, before guiding their respective flying artifacts to join the forming cluster near the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain. The implication was unmistakable. They all harbored a deep-seated fear that the Starry Abyss Sect might unify all the continents, usurping their long-held dominion over their respective territories! Yet, within their apprehensions, they clung to the dwindling hope of overturning the imminent catastrophe. For except for the Starry Abyss Sect, the Floating Spirit Sect, and the Ice Heart School, disciples from the remaining sects were yet to make their appearance. These disciples might carry Heavenly Origin spiritual nts. Moreover, they dreaded that Jiang Chen would merely stand guard at the entrance to the Cave Heaven secret realm, annihting their disciples in one fell swoop, thus obliterating their chances of advancing to the Heavenly Origin realm. And so, the six major sects chose to cast aside their differences temporarily, forming an alliance to stand against Jiang Chen! At the very least, they had to ensure that their disciples, blessed with the fruits of fortune they had reaped in the Cave Heaven secret realm, could safely return to their respective sects! "Six major sects!" Jiang Chen, his gaze fixed upon the congregation of nearly a hundred Mysterious tform realm powerhouses, let a frosty sneer curl the corners of his lips, "Good, very good indeed!" "Jiang Chen!" "We admit our missteps, yet you remain adamant in our annihtion!" "If that''s the circumstance, we have no choice but to resist to ourst breath!" "Even though you''re a Heavenly Origin realm powerhouse, you''ve just recently ascended!" "Facing off against over eighty of us, powerhouses of the Mysterious tform realm, it won''t be a walk in the park for you to obliterate us!" "How about a proposition? We, from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, will present you with apensation of extraordinary generosity, and we''ll bury the hatchet, forgetting the decade-old grudges. What say you?" Witnessing his sessful unification of such numerous powerhouses, Gao Zhang''s heart surged with delight, and he promptly vocalized his proposal. "Indeed!" "Lord Jiang Chen, your might is beyond dispute!" "However, we, the six major sects, boast of numerous Mysterious tform realm powerhouses, backed by the Hidden Reserves of our sects. Your endeavor to annihte us might not be as effortless as you imagine!" With a deep, resonating voice, Zhang Li of the Beast Emperor Mountain dered, "Perhaps, in the end, it may not be us who face annihtion!" As they articted their positions, they subtly continued their move towards the entrance of the Cave Heaven secret realm, with the intent to assist their disciples! "Hehe!" "It appears you greatly underestimate the immense divide that separates the Mysterious tform realm from the Heavenly Origin realm!" Gazing at Gao Zhang and the others, Jiang Chen allowed a chilling smirk to adorn his lips. Simultaneously. "Cease your futile efforts!" "Even if you sessfully acquire the Heavenly Origin rank spiritual nts, what of it?" "Indeed, even if you manage to refine the Heavenly Origin realm spiritual nts into pills, what significance does it hold?" "Lord Jiang Chen is the heaven''s favoured prodigy, blessed with an unmatched genius. How can you even dream to measure up against him?" The words of Shao Yun, the sect master of the Floating Spirit School, sliced through the mounting tension, clearly signalling her decision to align herself with the Starry Abyss Sect. "I concur!" "Lord Jiang Chen is leagues beyond your reach." Xia Hou, the head of the Heavenly de School, scoffed in ord. Without dy, the members of the Floating Spirit School and the Heavenly de School, in a sequential manner, took their respective positions behind Jiang Chen. After a moment''s thoughtful consideration, the individuals from the Ice Heart School also gravitated towards Jiang Chen''s side. Witnessing this, Feng Jun and the others, along with the Starry Abyss Sect members, aligned themselves behind Jiang Chen. Such a spectacle instantly drained the color from the faces of those in the Six Major Sects, including the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain. Six sects on their side, four on Jiang Chen''s. The numerical advantage of their Six Major Sects was no longer a formidable edge. Moreover, Jiang Chen, as a Heavenly Origin realm powerhouse, had the capability to obliterate any ordinary Mysterious tform realm cultivator with a mere flick of his wrist! In that moment, Gao Zhang, Huang Ming, and the others found themselves grappling with a constricting sensation, as if the air was growing thin around them. Within the Six Major Sects, a twinge of remorse started to prickle some of the elders, making them determined to either flee or plead for mercy once the battle broke out... Just at that moment. Whoosh! The vortex of the Cave Heaven secret realm quivered once again. Immediately following, several figures, lookingpletely bedraggled, came out from within. These were the very same individuals who had previously contested for the mysterious giant egg. Among the sects that had vied for the mysterious egg, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect had suffered absolute annihtion. The chief disciple of the Heavenly de School, Xie Lianchu, had met his demise, although a rtively substantial number of their other disciples had survived the ordeal. Disciples from the Divine Wind School, the Water Cloud Sect, and the Beast Emperor Mountain had also managed to pull through. At this juncture, upon witnessing their disciples return alive, a surge of tion washed over Huang Ming, Zhang Li, and the others! "Swiftly! Shield our sect''s disciples!" "Disciples of the Bright Sun Sect, rush over here, don''t dither!" "Disciples of the Beast Emperor Mountain, sprint over here with all your strength!" "..." The expressions of the sect masters were a hasty amalgamation of astonishment and urgency. They promptly marshaled all the Mysterious tform realm elders to wee their returning disciples. However! Before Jiang Chen even needed to utter amand, Feng Jun, Xia Hou, Shao Yun, and the Ice Heart School''s leader Yu Jie, together with their respective Mysterious tform realm elders, sprang into action,unching themselves forward! "What, what, what!" "What''s transpiring!?" "What precisely happened, why has the situation deteriorated to this extent?" The disciples of each sect who had just emerged from the vortex tunnel were utterly confounded by the sight of over a hundred Mysterious tform realm powerhouses storming towards them! However, they obeyed their sect masters''mands instinctively, immediately striving to fly towards their respective sects. The spectacle unfolding at this moment, in the eyes of the Mysterious tform realm cultivators, was exceedingly fast-paced, incredibly urgent. However, through Jiang Chen''s eyes. ''Too slow!'' ''It''s akin to observing a slow-motion sequence.'' ''Since you''ve already made your choices, then don''t fault me for showing no mercy.'' A streak of frosty resolve shed in Jiang Chen''s eyes, and then his figure blurred. The man and sword merged into one,unching into an immediate assault! A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+65) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 65 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 109: Jiang Chens Bloody Rampage In the blink of an eye, surpassing all those darting towards the entrance of the Cave Heaven secret realm, Jiang Chen found himself face-to-face with the newly emerged disciples. "No!" "Impossible, his speed is monstrous!" "The chasm separating the Mysterious tform realm and the Heavenly Origin realm is staggering." "We''re doomed; our disciples are beyond protection. Unite quickly and brace for Jiang Chen''s onught!" A silence hung heavy in the air. Witnessing Jiang Chen''s lightning-fast approach to the entrance of the Cave Heaven secret realm, an air of destion enveloped the sect masters and elders of the Azure Jade Sect, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, and the remaining four major sects. Then, in a heartbeat. "Burning World Raging mes!" An idea sparked within Jiang Chen''s mind, culminating in a surge of crimson mes that instantaneously engulfed the entire entrance to the Cave Heaven secret realm. "Ahhhh!" "It''s unbearable, please, no more!" "Someone, aid me!" "Can anyone deliver me from this torment, ah!" Echos of agony reverberated through the air. And just like that, disciples from all six major sects met their untimely end. Amid the pandemonium, the disciples of the Heavenly de School managed to escape harm, yet they were paralysed with fear, standing shell-shocked as their minds went nk. ''Who am I, where am I, what am I doing, what just transpired!?'' This was the solitary question dominating their thoughts. Concurrently. "It''s the end! We''re finished!" "Without the Heavenly Origin rank spiritual nts our disciples were supposed to gather, our breakthrough to the Heavenly Origin realm is now a pipe dream!" "Failing to ascend to the Heavenly Origin realm means we stand no chance against Jiang Chen; we''re doomed!" A cloud of despair descended upon the Azure Jade Sect, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, the Divine Wind School, and all others among the six major sects. Their disciples had fallen to Jiang Chen, extinguishing their only flicker of hope for aeback. "Hehe." "I gratefully ept these spoils." Jiang Chen sneered, casually waving his hand and amassing twenty or thirty storage artifacts from the fallen, clutching them in his grasp. Simultaneously, those bodies he had purposefully refrained from incinerating were collected into the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. Immediately thereafter, his gaze swiveled to the sect masters and elders of the six major sects. "Retreat!" "Flee swiftly! Our sole salvation lies in escape!" "If we pool together the strength of the six major sects, we might just manage to cultivate a Heavenly Origin realm powerhouse, then we stand a chance against Jiang Chen and hisrades!" Amid Jiang Chen''s icy stare, figures like Gao Zhang quivered in terror, immediatelymencing their hasty retreat! However, in that very instant, Jiang Chen summoned the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, and with a surge of Yuan Power, heunched it instantaneously! Without warning! Jiang Chen morphed into a razor-thin streak splitting the sky, piercing directly into the ranks of nearly a hundred individuals from the six major sects! His speed was so breathtakingly swift that the sect members had no time to mount any effective defenses. Had they predicted his onught and fortified their formations in advance, they might have been able to repel Jiang Chen. But now, even though they stood side by side, the major sects resembled a disordered pile of sand, each desperately fighting for their own survival - they were utterly outmatched by Jiang Chen. A piercing whizz resonated. The slim streak zipped through the mass. The shimmering sword light sliced through the upper echelons of the Mysterious tform realm cultivators, leading to severed heads tumbling from bodies, and blood spurting from lopped necks. One after the other, the lifeless bodies cascaded from the sky. However, a slender line emerged from Jiang Chen''s hand, acting like a sentient being binding the corpses one by one, suspending them behind the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle. This thin line was a seized artifact. Though not potent inbat, it was more than adequate fortching onto objects. Before long, a lengthy chain of corpses trailed behind Jiang Chen''s ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle. Further ahead, Jiang Chen had reached the sect master of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, Gao Zhang. "Don''t kill me, I vow to toil tirelessly for you, to be your servant!" Gao Zhang''s eyes mirrored the chilling gleam of Jiang Chen''s sword. It felt as if he had been plunged into a frigid cave, his hair standing on end, but he was utterly incapable of resisting. He could only muster enough time to implore. But would Jiang Chen heed his plea? sh! As the sword light whisked by, Gao Zhang was bisected diagonally. His eyes remained wide open, refusing to shut even in death! Nheless, Jiang Chen didn''t spare a nce. He used the artifact thread to tether the corpse, all while continuing to swing his longsword, dispatching three Mysterious tform realm cultivators from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain instantaneously. In the wake of Jiang Chen''s formidable might, Gao Zhang and hisrades were nothing more than sacrificialmbs. "Disperse and escape!" "Once we reach our sects, we must regroup at once!" "By merging the strength of our six sects, we can certainly spawn a Heavenly Origin realm powerhouse!" Huang Ming of the Bright Sun Sect bellowed, deploying every power-amplifying secret art in his arsenal, his speed reaching the Half-step Heavenly Origin realm! Even as he roared, he made a frantic escape. However, the faster one fled, the higher they ranked on Jiang Chen''s hit list. "ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, advance at full speed!" With a modest infusion of his Yuan Power, Jiang Chen was nipping at Huang Ming''s heels in a matter of mere moments. Huang Ming''s face morphed in terror, unleashing a horrified scream just before Jiang Chen cleaved him in twain. Simultaneously, the four major sects - the Starry Abyss Sect, the Heavenly de School, the Floating Spirit Sect, and the Ice Heart School - led by their respective sect masters, plunged into the chaos. Every participant endeavored to intercept the members of the six major sects; those who couldn''t be halted were chased, and those who could be stalled were ensnared. Before long, Jiang Chen, at the helm of the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, unleashed a storm of destruction. Numerous Mysterious tform realm cultivators found themselves defenseless, each meeting an instant demise. Subsequently, their lifeless forms were suspended behind Jiang Chen''s ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle. These fallen cultivators possessed qi and blood energy significantly denser than the average individual. Hitched by the rope-type artifact, the bodies of countless Mysterious tform realm cultivators trailed the sky. Suddenly, a gentle rain of blood began descending from the heavens! A heavy, metallic scent of blood permeated the air, even coalescing into a crimson mist. Having swiftly dealt with the fastest of his adversaries, Jiang Chen''s gazended on the cultivators tangled up by the four major sects. These individuals longed to escape, but they were ceaselessly ensnared by Feng Jun and hisrades. Their frantic attempts to risk their lives for a shot at freedom were futile. For Feng Jun and his allies were not engaging them in mortalbat, merely trapping them. At this moment, once marked by Jiang Chen, all remaining cultivators were plunged into abysmal despair! "Lord Jiang Chen, I implore you, spare me!" "I beg you, I have elders to attend to and children to provide for, I can aid you in suppressing the Azure Jade Sect!" "Lord Jiang Chen, I am willing to be your loyal servant, I beseech you, spare me!" "Elder Jiang Chen, I kneel in your presence, pleading for mercy!" One by one, the formidable figures of the six major sects, each wielding the might of the Mysterious tform realm, forsook resistance. They knelt in mid-air, bowing incessantly towards Jiang Chen. However, Jiang Chen was not one to dispense mercy or sympathy blindly! "I bestowed upon you the opportunity." "It was you who proved inadequate!" With a cold, scornfulugh, Jiang Chen relentlessly brandished his Shadowde Sword, ruthlessly massacring members from the six major sects! After all, these individuals, rendered mere onlookers, could not stir any significant repercussions. He could simply eliminate them, and it would be over! Whoosh! Whoosh! The fine trails sketched by Jiang Chen incessantly carved countless arcs in the ethereal space. Each cultivator of the Mysterious tform realm, entrapped by these sweeping curves, sumbed to an instantaneous demise! Very quickly, the entire force of the six major sects had been decimated! Close to a hundred corpses of Mysterious tform realm cultivators were strung together, trailing behind the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, invoking an intense wave of shock! Even Feng Jun and other esteemed individuals, who were nearing two centuries of age, had neverid eyes on such a ghastly scene. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+65) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 65 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 110: The Signature Treatment of High-tier Villains In this moment, Jiang Chen truly embodied the relentless deity of destruction''s persona. The mere sight of this filled the high-ranking members of the four major sects with a hidden dread! Then, piloting the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, Jiang Chen appeared before Feng Jun and his colleagues, a warm smile gracing his face. "Greetings, Supreme Elder!" A spark of respect shone in Feng Jun and the others'' eyes as they offered a deep bow, their faces pallid from the awe-inspiring spectacle they had just witnessed. "The main strength of the six major sects has been vanquished." "This triumph is not my aplishment alone." "Hence, the rewards should be divided among all of us!" Jiang Chen stated with a subtle smile, storing all the corpses into the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring before revealing the hundreds of storage artifacts he had amassed. Upon hearing his promation, Feng Jun and the others were caught in a storm of surprise and tion! The storage artifacts of the sect masters and elders from the Azure Jade Sect, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, and the other four major sects were all under Jiang Chen''smand. An inconceivable treasure, indeed! Following that, Jiang Chen attentively scrutinized each storage artifact with his divine sense, marking out the objects that aroused his curiosity. These epassed top-grade cultivation methods, spiritual nts, and other resources like spiritual stones. In conclusion. "The spoils of war will be apportioned among the four major sects; each one will get an equitable portion." Jiang Chen immediately passed the painstakingly selected hundreds of storage artifacts to Feng Jun. "Understood!" "We pledge toply with the Supreme Elder''s instructions!" Upon receiving the storage artifacts from Jiang Chen, Feng Jun exhibited his respect with a deep bow. Then, with a brief look at the war spoils, he was instantly filled with an overpowering joy. A vast number of these storage artifacts belonged solely to the Mysterious tform realm. The sheer quantity of other resources was so colossal that it was beyond estimation. The Heavenly de School, the Floating Spirit School, and the Ice Heart School were also suffused with delight. Their appreciation for Jiang Chen was boundless. Their initial decision to side with Jiang Chen had been tainted with skepticism, fearing that he might overlook them. However, as the situation developed, their doubts were wholly unfounded. Though their own sects could not rival the renown of the Starry Abyss Sect, they discovered themselves far from being disregarded. Despite this, among the ecstatic crowd, two individuals held differing views. Dissatisfied with the current setup, they desired to be considered equal to the Starry Abyss Sect in Jiang Chen''s eyes. Both of them masked their ambitions well, their eyes merely twinkling with a cryptic light as they covertly nced at the person next to them. As everyone was engrossed in the celebration, a contemtive spark emerged in Jiang Chen''s gaze. He stepped forward, addressing the gathered crowd. "Who among you can precisely identify the whereabouts of the Illusory ying Tower''s Lord?" His inquiry reverberated among the people, abruptly halting their merriment. Jiang Chen''s purpose was transparent. His next target was the Illusory ying Tower, even before news of the destruction of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain had spread far and wide. However, his true foe wasn''t the entire organization but its leader - the father of Tian Wendong. Pinpointing the man''s location was an essential precursor to his n. Among the crowd, many were aware of the Illusory ying Tower''s general location. Yet, determining the exact position of its lord within a short time frame, without raising his suspicions? This task was easier contemted than aplished. The group exchanged understanding nces, their silence answering Jiang Chen''s question more eloquently than any spoken words. Just as the situation seemed to reach an impasse, an Elder from the Heavenly de School stepped up. His countenance bore the distinctive marks of resolve and capability. "Supreme Elder, given a day''s time, I can guarantee the revtion of the precise location of the Illusory ying Tower''s Lord." After offering a respectful bow to Jiang Chen, he confidently voiced this assurance, his tone steady and unwavering. Upon hearing thismitment. "Excellent!" Jiang Chen acknowledged the Elder with an appreciative nod, announcing, "A reward will be bestowed if youplete this task." Nevertheless. "Supreme Elder, the honor is in assisting you. No reward is required." The Elder from the Heavenly de School firmly negated, his voice echoing his humility. Thereafter, without waiting for Jiang Chen''s response, he offered a deep bow, then swiftly pivoted and vanished into his new mission. Witnessing the man''s hasty departure, Jiang Chen couldn''t resist shaking his head, a hint of amusement glinting in his eyes. Next, turning his attention to Feng Jun standing in front of him. "We will await the urate details from him. We will strategize our next move tomorrow." Jiang Chen proimed, his voice then lowering to a more somber note as he addressed the whole congregation, "I want everyone to keep today''s events strictly confidential within their respective sects." He understood the potential repercussions if such informationnded in the wrong hands. If news of his ascension to the Heavenly Origin realm somehow reached Tian Wendongs father, that man would undoubtedly choose to flee. Securing promises of secrecy from the crowd, Jiang Chen retreated to the seclusion of his cabin. In the meantime, the assembly, now free from immediate duties, upied themselves with distributing the spoils from the six major sects. ... Within a cabin of the Starry Abyss Sect''s flying spirit boat, Jiang Chen sat in a lotus position on a plush futon, his eyes shut in deep meditation. Suddenly, two figures from the Ice Heart School''s flying artifact, and another two from the Floating Spirit Sect''s, sprang out simultaneously from opposite directions, setting their trajectory towards the Starry Abyss Sect''s flying spirit boat. Due to his ever-alert divine sense, Jiang Chen was the first to notice this unusual activity. His gazended on the four approaching figures, a frown forming on his otherwiseposed face. He recognized them instantly. They were none other than Yu Jie, the sect master of the Ice Heart School and Shao Yun, the sect master of the Floating Spirit Sect, each escorted by their respective chief disciples, the stunning Miao Xiaorui and Mu Tao. What struck him as odd was the change in these beautiful and courageous girls who he had observed fighting bravely in the secret realm, they now exhibited the disposition of demure maidens, their eyes cast down in what appeared to be bashful coyness. After a moment of reflection, Jiang Chen deciphered this conundrum. ''Ah, these crafty old foxes!'' ''They are capitalizing on the situation. Sending their most beautiful and capable disciples to win favor and secure influential positions.'' A cynical smile yed at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth as he muttered to himself. This was a treatementmonly enjoyed by high-tier viins, where attractive women were sent to be maids or concubines, their dignity bartered for a seat at the table of power, a share of the viin''s favor. And asionally, one of these beauties might be the Heroine, entwined with the destiny of a Son of the Heavenly Fate. However, with the recent fall of Ye Fan, the possibility of a protagonist appearing at this juncture was almost non-existent. As for the enchanting women presenting themselves at his doorstep, Jiang Chen was not one to refuse such voluntary gifts. His lips twisted into an entertained smirk, reflecting on the bravery demonstrated by Miao Xiaorui and Mu Tao in the secret realm. It didn''t significantly influence his judgement, but their talent and courage were noteworthy. In a blink of an eye, the foursome had reached the spirit boat. A palpable tension pervaded the atmosphere as Shao Yun and Yu Jie locked gazes, annoyance radiating from their expressions. "Yu Jie, I didn''t anticipate meeting you here." Shao Yun confessed, her voice brimming with surprise and irritation. "Likewise, Shao Yun." Yu Jie retorted tersely, the annoyance evident in her voice, "It appears we had the same thought." It was frustrating to realize that the other had mirrored their own strategy, acting quickly to maximize their benefits. However, the simultaneous arrival of both parties was a factor they hadn''t foreseen. They were gripped by uncertainty about Jiang Chen''s reaction. Lagging behind their sect masters, Mu Tao and Miao Xiaorui exchanged a nod and a friendly smile. The trials in the secret realm had created a bond between them, making them far more amicable than their respective masters. Meanwhile, their elders bickered. Shao Yun and Yu Jie were embroiled in a trivial argument about who should have the privilege of meeting Jiang Chen first. At that moment. "Esteemed sect masters, I am already aware of your intentions." "There is no need for further charade. Please take your leave." Jiang Chen''s voice rang out, sharp and clear. His tone exuded an authority that brooked no dispute. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+65) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 111: Mu Tao and Miao Xiaorui Join the Family His promation reverberated in the air. A shadow of disappointment fleetingly clouded the countenances of the two elder women. Exchanging furtive nces, they silently apportioned the me for this unforeseen development on each other. Concerning Mu Tao and Miao Xiaorui, theirplexions paled as though a foreboding specter had descended upon them. A keen pang of rebuff punctured their spirits. In their perception, it appeared as though they had lost their significance in the eyes of Jiang Chen. Just as the foursome prepared to bid farewell. "Indeed, my previous remarks were solely in consideration of the venerable sect masters." "I wish to engage in a private discussion with Mu Tao and Miao Xiaorui." Jiang Chen''s voice resounded once again. Now, the timbre of his voice carried a subtle undertone of mirth, yet his objective was unequivocal. Jiang Chen was never one to indulge in diplomatic decorum. His objective was always unambiguous, and this asion was not an exception. After all, the issue at stake was the destiny of the two young women. He deemed it fitting to address the matter directly with them, devoid of any external disruption. Upon Jiang Chen''s amended directive, a wave of change swept across the countenances of the four women. The veiled shyness that had temporarily retreated from the visages of Mu Tao and Miao Xiaorui resurfaced, now intertwined with a luminescence of relief and burgeoning tion. To assert that they bore no sprouting fondness for Jiang Chen would be a gross misrepresentation of the truth. His exceptional acumen, leadership, formidable prowess, the consideration he had demonstrated towards Ning Xian, his act of retribution on her ount, and his unparalleled abilities had left an enduring impression on their hearts. Sect masters Shao Yun and Yu Jie were not spared from the abrupt shift in atmosphere. Their spirits buoyed, perceiving the potential for a promising conclusion. They gazed at their chief disciples withforting smiles, their eyes glistening with reignited hope. ... At the entrance of Jiang Chen''s quarters, the pair of young maidens poised, ready to dere their presence. Before they could announce their arrival, however, Jiang Chen''s voice emanated from within, "Come in." Crossing the threshold of the cabin. "Supreme Elder." They bowed respectfully. Their voices trembled slightly, betraying their concealed apprehension. "Where have the courageous young women I met in the secret realm disappeared to? Why such anxiety now?" Jiang Chen jested, a chuckle woven into his words. He continued in a yful tone, "And haven''t we battled side by side? This degree of respect makes me feel like an ancient sage." His jovial words,bined with his easy-going demeanor and genial grin, dissolved their unease. In its stead, radiant smiles blossomed on their faces, further amplifying their distinct beauty. Miao Xiaorui, the embodiment of an icy enchantress, radiated a cool elegance. Her wless countenance mirrored immacte jade, meticulously crafted. Mu Tao, in striking contrast, portrayed an enticing picture of voluptuous allure. Her charm emitted warmth, as soothing as the vernal sun. "While I recognize my allure is irresistible, seducing any woman to yield." Jiang Chenmenced, his voice light and jesting. Yet, the mirth swiftly transitioned to earnestness, as he regarded the two young women, querying, "But I need to confirm, were youpelled into this? After all, your future contentment hinges on it." In spite of his Viin''s Eye indicating their Intimacy values in the ''Attracted'' stage, 59 for Mu Tao and 63 for Miao Xiaorui. Jiang Chen considered this candid dialogue essential. His cheery demeanor contrasted with his ruthless reputation in dealing with the six major sects, leaving the maidens momentarily taken aback. However, they appreciated his considerate concern for their sentiments. "There was no coercion, Jiang Chen." "We willingly stand here." They affirmed, their voices simultaneously echoing. "If that is the situation, then let''s move forward as such." Jiang Chen initiated, his eyes gleaming with endorsement. "How others address these matters, I remain unconcerned." "But within my family, there will be no disparities. You will not be maidservants or concubines, but cherished members, my spouses." His words rang with rity, allowing no room for misinterpretation, "Peace and harmony within my family hold paramount significance. Your initial task upon arriving at the Starry Abyss Sect will be to secure the approval of my Xian''er." Jiang Chen subsequently delineated their forting steps, instructing them to return to their respective sects, apprise their ns of their decisions, and then journey to his sect. He guaranteed that an Elder from his sect would apany each of them for support. Hearing his respectful and thoughtful words, both maidens were deeply touched. This was an umon approach, particrly for women in their circumstances. Their hearts brimmed with gratitude. After a few more imparting words of counsel, Jiang Chen observed as the girls exited the room, their faces glowing with delight and newfound self-assurance. Their hearts resonated with the confirmation that they had indeed made the right decision, adhering to the guidance of their masters. Once again seated in the tranquility of his personal quarters, Jiang Chen let a gratified nod adorn his features. The interaction with the maidens had been productive, resulting in a modest rise in their Intimacy levels, with a gain of three to four points each. In the ensuing peace, Jiang Chen shifted his focus to the transmission jade token in his possession. Promptly, he crafted a message to Feng Jun, briefing him on the recent developments and directing him to assign a Mysterious tform Realm female Elder to apany each maiden on their respective journeys. Upon fulfilling his task, he reclined, a smile threading its way onto his visage, a glimmer of amusement flickering in his eyes. It seemed that his elevated ck Heavenly Fate Value had blessed him with fortune in matters of the heart, akin to that of a protagonist. But unlike those indecisive leads, Jiang Chen opted to manage such affairs with a candid and straightforward demeanor. Jiang Chen''s mind then swiveled to contemte theplexities of nurturing these emerging rtionships, leading him to feel slightly overwhelmed. His prime focus was on augmenting his own skills and pursuing the elusive Sons of Heavenly Fate. Where could he carve out time to delicately nurture such intimate matters? Regardless, he acknowledged the essential requirement of achieving bnce in his life. It wasn''t merely an attraction to physical allure that drove him. Rather, his ambition was centered on establishing a family, building a vibrant home to which he could continually return. Whether they were brave heroines or simply kind-hearted women who bore an interest in him, if they resonated with his spirit, he would embrace them. His aim was to create a sanctuary, a haven for both mind and body, aforting refuge amidst the unyielding tempests of his life. In exchange for such tranquility, he would hold them dear, offering them the appreciation they deserved. Jiang Chen harbored a specific unease. Should he endure on this solitary path for an extended duration, he might gradually metamorphose into a creature of suspicion, a dispassionate instrument designed solely for the annihtion of protagonists. Amidst these swirling concerns, the Eternal Vows Binding Ring, which had remained quiet until now, abruptly trembled, its soft vibrations pulsating along his finger. As if discerning the predicament besieging its master, it ryed aforting message through their spiritual bond - it was capable of independently handling these affairs. Bolstered by this unexpected solution, Jiang Chen found himself eagerly awaiting the forting turn of events. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+65) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 112: Return to the Starry Abyss Sect As dawn crested over the horizon, the sun''s golden beams saturated the expansive world. Jiang Chen, whose cultivation base had risen to the Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm, reclined casually. The reverberations of his power, unrivaled across the three continents, encased him in an aura of invincibility. In light of this, he opted for tranquility over cultivation, preferring to bide his time until his eventual return to the sect. The tranquility was abruptly disrupted by the humming of his transmission jade token. Scanning it with his divine sense, Jiang Chen detected a message from Feng Jun. It was an update, notifying him that the Elder of the Heavenly de School had the necessary information and was awaiting him. Equipped with this knowledge, Jiang Chen stretched out his body and ambled onto the spirit boat''s deck. Upon his arrival. "Supreme Elder." Feng Jun greeted him. His tone was respectful yet firm as he announced, "The affairs concerning Lady Miao Xiaorui and Lady Mu Tao have been managed. This morning, under the insistence of their respective sect masters, they embarked on their journeys." Upon hearing the initial part of Feng Jun''s report, Jiang Chen nodded, his gaze reflecting the satisfaction of tasks sessfullypleted. However, thetter segment elicited a chuckle from him, leading to a mild, amused shake of his head. ''These two ''matchmakers'' indeed never tire in their endeavors.'' He silently mused. Clearing his thoughts. "Where is everyone?" Jiang Chen promptly questioned Feng Jun. "They have all convened at the location designated by the Heavenly de School." Feng Jun responded. At these words, he took the lead, with Jiang Chen following in contemtive silence. In no time, they arrived at their destinationa flying artifact constructed in the style of an ancient pavilion. Jiang Chen ventured inside, stepping into an environment ofvish grandeur. A magnificent table, sculpted from the purest jade, upied a majestic position in the room''s center. It was decked with an array of spiritual foods and celestial beverages, a feast designed to tantalize the senses. The seating was meticulously arranged; eight seats distributed evenly around the table, with a slightly elevated primary seat at the head. upying their respective seats were the sect masters and grand elders of the four significant sects. "Greetings, Supreme Elder." Upon recognizing Jiang Chen, they stood up reverently, their greetings resonating throughout the room. Acknowledging their deference with a nod, Jiang Chen conducted a scan of the room. His gazended on the radiant faces of Shao Yun and Yu Jie, their expressions gleaming with a prideparable to a mother-inw meeting her esteemed son-inw. Disregarding their overly enthusiastic smiles, Jiang Chen strolled calmly to the main seat and took his ce. The remainder of the room followed suit, each iming their seats. Jiang Chen delicately partook in the spiritual tea presented before him. His gaze then transitioned to Xia Hou, the Sect Master of the Heavenly de School, before he proposed a question, "Where is the Elder?" "Xia Deli, you may enter." Xia Hou retorted without hesitation, signaling towards the entrance. The individual identified was the Elder who had vowed to pinpoint the exact whereabouts of the Illusory ying Tower''s Lord the previous day. Upon entering the pavilion, Xia Deli offered a respectful bow towards Jiang Chen. "Supreme Elder, I have secured the information regarding the Lord of the Illusory ying Tower." He paused briefly before proceeding, "ording to my resources, he passed away recently. It seems that there has been an internal schism within the organization, simmering for two years. Upon receiving news of Tian Wendong''s demise, the rival factions used it as a foothold against the secluded Lord, who was endeavoring a breakthrough to the Late-stage Mysterious tform realm. Regrettably for him, he sumbed to Qi Deviation, which they capitalized on to assassinate him." In the wake of Xia Deli''s disclosure, the room was engulfed in a palpable air of surprise. Quiet contemtions circted among the attendees, all astonished at the fleeting existence of this man. Jiang Chen, however, remained mostly unmoved. To him, this man had been treading a doomed path, his life foreordained to a premature closure. ''His destiny was already predetermined. It appears fortune has spared me some exertion.'' Jiang Chen couldn''t resist musing inwardly. Having concluded his thoughts, Jiang Chen redirected his attention to the assembly around him. "The individual I had intended to eliminate no longer exists. The future of their organization is yours to decide." He articted with aposed yet resolute tone, "Now, let us redirect our conversation to the issue of the six major sects." Upon aplishing his task, Xia Deli offered another bow to Jiang Chen before taking his leave. The remainder of the assembly, their interest piqued, eagerly anticipated Jiang Chen''s subsequent words. True to his character, he didn''t keep them in suspense for an extended period. "Commanding through intimidation and power, while efficacious, engenders potentialplications for the future." "If we can transform the narrative and address theseplications, we should seize that opportunity." "Therefore, if you desire dominance over the remaining sects, we''ll require a persuasive narrative." Jiang Chen initiated, his voice stable yet imbued with a grave authority thatmanded attention. "Imagine this, before our venture into the secret realm, an enigmatic figure iming to be thest survivor of the decimated Ning n sought vengeance against the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain. Being a Late-Stage Mysterious tform cultivator, his usations were dismissed as baseless. In an endeavor to discredit him, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain rallied our nine sects to stand against him. However, only six sects responded to their call. We, the four sects, sensed a disquiet and opted for neutrality." Jiang Chen proceeded, his words crafting a narrative of betrayal and valor that echoed in the pavilion''s muted silence. "Challenged, this unknown individual unleashed a secret art, boosting his cultivation base to the Early-Stage Heavenly Origin realm. A fierce sh ensued between him and the united strength of the six sects. Despite confronting overwhelming forces, he obliterated them, paying the ultimate sacrifice in the process." "We were merely bystanders to this catastrophe." His voice plunged into a moment of silence, the gravity of the narrative thrusting the room into a breathless anticipation. "Now, your responsibility is to disseminate this narrative throughout our three continents." "Let it reverberate, underscoring the dire repercussions of avarice superseding righteousness." "This tale, this tragedy, will function as the foundation of your peaceful rule and enduring influence." Jiang Chen concluded, his gaze unwavering on the sect masters, their faces reflecting the gravity of their uing task. As Jiang Chen''s pronouncement echoed through the chamber, a profound silence overtook the convened sect masters. The profundity of his n, a daring fusion of reality and fabrication, incited diverse responses. The Sect Master of the Heavenly de School, Xia Hou, knit his brows, his gaze introspective and contemtive. He mulled over the narrative, weighing the potential fallout and the transformations it might engender. Conversely, Shao Yun and Yu Jie, both renowned for their sharp judgement, disyed expressions of fascination. This stratagem, as shrewd as it was, piqued their analytical instincts. Yet, it was Feng Jun who appeared the most impacted. He affirmed Jiang Chen''s proposal with a nod, the cogs in his mind already spinning, devising the optimal method to circte this fabricated ount. The chamber maintained its silence for a few more moments, each individual absorbing the repercussions of the narrative, their minds brimming with visions of thesting influence they could assert, and the tranquility they could attain. It was evident, the reverberations of Jiang Chen''s proposition would persist long after the conference adjourned. Subsequent to the prolonged quiet, Jiang Chen arose from his lofty seat, shattering the tranquility. "It should now be clear, my name, as well as Ning Xian''s, and my ascension to the Heavenly Origin realm, must remain confidential." "As for the narrative concerning the secret realm, devise it as you see fit. But remember, the fewer who know about the Heavenly Origin rank spiritual nts, the better." Jiang Chen concluded, his voice potent and reverberating. Having disseminated his directives, his gaze settled on Feng Jun, "I''ll return to the sect first." Barely had he finished speaking, he disappeared, his fading voice remaining, "Sect master Shao Yun, arrange for Mu Tao to meet Miao Xiaorui at the Floating Spirit Sect. They should arrive in tandem." Following that, tranquility ensued once more. Silence returned to the pavilion. The sect masters and grand elders, in unison, stood and respectfully bowed towards the spot previously upied by Jiang Chen. They then engaged in vibrant discussions about implementing the strategy he had proposed. Meanwhile, Jiang Chen was already en route back to the Starry Abyss Sect. When they had departed for the Forsaken Serenity Mountain Range aboard the flying spirit boat, the journey had taken seven days. Now, piloting the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle, Jiang Chen estimated a half-day for his return journey. ''Truly, the advantages of high-level cultivation are remarkable!'' He mused, as the familiar sight of the Starry Abyss Heavenly Peak emerged, eliciting a sigh of admiration. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+65) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 113: An Enchanting Night with Ning Xian Upon his return, Jiang Chen headed straight for the core of the sect. He reached his modest dwelling without dy. ''Unseal!'' He gave a mentalmand to the defensive formation. Instantly, the formation acquiesced, splitting to unveil the vista within. His previously barren courtyard was now a relic of the past. In its stead, a flourishing sanctuary bloomed. Ning Xian''s nurturing touch had transformed the courtyard into a lush tableau of verdancy, embellished with a profusion of brilliantly colored blossoms. Their aromatic allure permeated the air, serving as a testament to the vibrant oasis of life that now prevailed where destion once ruled. The spectacle was not only pleasing but utterly captivating. However, the true wondery in Ning Xian herself. Deeply engaged in her cultivation, her power had escted dramatically during Jiang Chen''s ten-day departure. Teetering on the edge of a breakthrough, she had achieved the Half-step Soul Refinement realm, merely a single stride from attaining the true Soul Refinement realm. Undoubtedly, her progress fell short whenpared to Jiang Chen''s. Yet, when contrasted with an average cultivator, her cultivation trajectory was a spectacle of exceptional haste. This only served to emphasize her uniqueness; she was far from an ordinary woman. Indeed, she bore the distinguishing sign of a Heroine. ''Indeed, my wife''s persistence is unparalleled.'' A warm smile curved Jiang Chen''s lips at the thought. ''Is it perhaps my exceptional cultivation speed that fuels her determination, inspiring her to match pace with me?'' His thoughts barely dissipated when an echo of his musings seemed to resonate in the ensuing silence. A pair of vibrant eyes, alight with joy, abruptly snapped open within the meditation chamber. It was Ning Xian, who promptly pushed open the substantial chamber doors to step into the sun-drenched courtyard. Standing amidst a lush tableau of blooming flowers and verdant leaves, Ning Xian appeared as an embodiment of ethereal beauty. d in a vibrant green robe that seemed to mirror the vital essence of the surrounding flora, she was a sight to behold. Her jet-ck tresses, flowing freely like a silken river, framed her glowing features and her sparkling eyes perfectly. Indeed, she was a mesmerizing vision. "Xian''er." Jiang Chen softly voiced her name, a tender smile on his face as he extended his arms open. "Jiang Chen!" Ning Xian''s reply was filled with pure, unadulterated joy. Caught in the warmth of the moment, she sprinted towards him, shedding her usual restraint and leaping into his weing embrace. Her initial exhration was unmistakable, outshining her typical modesty. As the initial surge of joy gradually receded, hints of bashfulness came to the fore. A soft blush spread across her cheeks, adding a touch of enchantment to her glowing visage. She ced her petite hands on Jiang Chen''s robust chest, attempting to extricate herself from his enveloping hold. But s, his grip was too firm for her to escape. Like a wily tiger guarding its precious prey, Jiang Chen held his delicate rabbit securely within his grasp. Would he permit her an easy retreat? Unlikely. Before she could fullyprehend his intentions, Jiang Chen tilted his head, their lips merging in a fervent bond. It was a tender kiss, a testament to their shared sentiments. Taken aback, Ning Xian momentarily resisted the intimacy. However, as her heartbeat began to align with Jiang Chen''s steady rhythm, her initial hesitation began to fade. Sumbing to the seduction of his touch, she allowed herself to be carried away by the intensity of their shared passion. After what seemed like an eternity, Jiang Chen withdrew reluctantly. A yful yet affectionate smile graced his face, his gaze softening as he studied her. In contrast, Ning Xian appeared somewhat bewildered. Her eyes wide in surprise, her cheeks ame with a captivating flush. Despite her bewilderment, a satisfied smile slowly spread across her features. The reflection of her joy in Jiang Chen''s eyes was as evident as the high-noon sun, filling their hearts with an enveloping warmth. "It appears..." "My absence has left you somewhat disconcerted, hasn''t it?" Jiang Chen''s voice carried a gentle ribbing as he gazed at Ning Xian. "Mm..." Ning Xian nodded, her cheeks still rosy. There was no disputing it now. Indeed, within the confines of the Starry Abyss Sect, Jiang Chen was her solitary pir of support. During his absence, her longing for his return had been a constantpanion. "Well, now I''ve returned!" Jiang Chen affectionately ruffled Ning Xian''s hair. "Furthermore, this journey has been quite fruitful. I''ve reached the Heavenly Origin realm." "Ah!!" "Heavenly... Heavenly Origin realm!" Ning Xian''s hands shot up to her mouth, her eyes wide in jubnt disbelief as she looked at Jiang Chen. "Indeed." "Heavenly Origin realm!" "Our Starry Abyss Sect''s founding master, Chu Xingming, was a practitioner of the Heavenly Origin realm." "And presently, across five or six adjacent continents, including our Mysterious Truth Continent, there isn''t a single practitioner of the Heavenly Origin realm." Jiang Chen chuckled as he tenderly tucked a stray lock of Ning Xian''s hair behind her ear, "So, for the moment, I am unmatched." "So, in all these neighboring continents, no one can rival you." Ning Xian bore a puzzled expression, "Then why do you suggest you''re safe only temporarily?" "The Mysterious Truth Continent is merely a portion of the Immortal Martial Continent." "And the Immortal Martial Continent is just a small segment of this boundless universe." "Beyond the Heavenly Origin realm, lies the Second Step of the Cultivation Path, epassing realms such as the Inquiring Journey, Dao Comprehension, and Dao Pce. Further still, the Third Step of the Cultivation Path includes a realm known as the Void Tribtion realm..." "The Heavenly Origin realm is simply the initial phase of the Cultivation Path and bears little significance." As Jiang Chen conveyed these thoughts, he shook his head. The sheer vastness of the universe was truly unfathomable. How many exceptionally talented protagonists could be silently lying in wait? As an antagonist, he could be thrust into the plot at any moment, transformed into a stepping stone for the protagonist. How could he afford to becent? "So, that''s the case!" "Those formidable beings in the Heavenly Origin realm, capable of rending mountains and rivers, are merely at the First Step of the Cultivation Path!" Ning Xian''s eyes shimmered with waves of astonishment. Yet, deep within those sparkling eyes, a profound concern was concealed. She knew exactly who Jiang Chen was referring to - the dreaded Sons of the Heavenly Fate. After that single time, mentioning them, she had since chosen her words carefully. The memory of that bone-chilling, piercing gaze, as though she were under the scrutiny of a superior entity, still sent shivers down her spine. Yet, that sensation was fleeting, almost illusory, as if a force of equal or superior strength shielded her. Guided by this experience and influenced by Jiang Chen''s attitude, she decided to bury this issue deep within her heart. And so. "Jiang Chen, you''re certainly destined to soar even higher!" She looked at Jiang Chen and affirmed with confidence, "To that Void Tribtion realm you mentioned, or even beyond!" "May your words carry blessings." Jiang Chen responded with a gentle smile, then unveiled a storage artifact, "Here''s a gift I''ve brought for you. It will aid in your cultivation." "Thank you, Jiang Chen!" Joy resonated in Ning Xian''s voice as she received the storage artifact from him. Jiang Chen replied to her gratitude with a soft smile. His tone then shifted to a more earnest note. "However, there''s another matter we need to discuss." With a gentle sp, he guided Ning Xian towards the lone bench nestled under the solitary tree in the courtyard. As they settled down, he gently prompted Ning Xian onto hisp, his arms cradling her in a close embrace. Despite the unusual closeness, Ning Xian neither resisted nor questioned, behaving more like a docile and tender wife. Engulfed in her delicate fragrance, a wave of tranquility washed over Jiang Chen. He savored this peaceful feeling, before resuming his narrative with steadyposure, "In the Cave Heaven secret realm, I encountered disciples from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain." Allowing a pause to let his statement sink in, Jiang Chen continued, "Every cultivator at the Mysterious tform realm from their sect, including Sect Master Gao Zhang, have been eradicated by me. His body now resides within my storage artifact." "Their evil deeds will soon beid bare for all to see. Their wless front will fall apart as easily as a sandcastle. Once their secrets are out, their end will be inevitable." Jiang Chen''s eyes shed with a cold light as he dered with utter certainty. Ning Xian, trying to make sense of his words, found herself struck dumb. Her envisioned n of revenge had always been perceived as a prolonged quest. Her joining the Starry Abyss Sect along with Jiang Chen had the secondary objective of achieving this aim. Yet now, barely two weeks had psed, and the unthinkable had been aplished. Jiang Chen had exacted retribution! The truth was so surreal that it verged on the eerie. Yet, she trusted him implicitly. "Retribution has been achieved!" "Father, mother! Jiang Chen has avenged you on my behalf!" "Gao Zhang has met his end, he is no more, and the others too, they''ve faced their doom!" "..." As she foundfort in Jiang Chen''s embrace, Ning Xian whispered to herself. Her head bowed, and her delicate shoulders shook subtly. Tears brimmed and streamed down her reddened cheeks. In the tranquil silence, Jiang Chen held Ning Xian gently. Her muted sobs echoed quietly within the confines of the courtyard. "Let go of your grief." His voice was aforting murmur, serving as a peaceful beacon amidst her storm of emotions. Time wore on, each passing moment slowly depleting the reservoir of her sadness. As the tumultuous whirlwind of emotions gradually subsided, her weeping diminished, finally blending into the tranquility of the night. Slowly, Ning Xian raised her head, her eyes shimmering with the remnants of her exhausted grief and unshed tears. "Jiang Chen." Her voice surfaced, gentle yet undeniably filled with emotional depth. "In this life and beyond, I will forever hold gratitude in my heart for you." And while her eyes bore the reddened traces of her shed tears, a luminous smile bloomed across her face, a symbol of her steadfast resilience. Ning Xian''s charm, amplified by her vulnerability, tugged at Jiang Chen''s heartstrings, entrapping him in a captivating enchantment he found impossible to resist. "Xian''er" His voice barely a whisper, he found himself unintentionally leaning closer, entranced by her alluring aura. Their lips met in a profound, shared kiss. Driven by the anticipation of their first kiss, Ning Xian responded reflexively, equalling his fervor. Without uttering a word, as if under a bewitching charm, they navigated their way to the bedroom upstairs, the atmosphere heavy with a heady mix of expectation and attachment. Shrouded in the curtain of the night, the cosmos bore witness to the merging of two heavenly bodies. Their gravitational forces pulled them together, intertwining their energies in a cosmic ballet that challenged thews of the universe. Their unison ignited a celestial sh, as stars stood in awe of their passionate devotion. The spectacle was nothing less than captivating, illuminating the cosmos with the splendor of their love. ... A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+70) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 70 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 114: Bloodline of the Death Calamity True Dragon As the rose-tinted light of dawn permeated the world outside, Jiang Chen was sequestered in the tranquility of his meditation chamber. The serenity of the chamber stood in stark contrast to the burgeoning life of the new day beyond. Meanwhile, in the upstairs bedroom, Ning Xian was cradled under a thick quilt woven from silky azure feathers, immersed in peaceful slumber. Her serene expression bore witness to the emotional purging that transpired the previous night. While in meditation, Jiang Chen found his thoughts drifting back to the warmth and closeness of their shared experience. A gentle smile tugged at his lips as he reveled in the fond reminiscence. Following the path of his reflections, his left hand instinctively rose. His attention was drawn to the Eternal Vows Binding Ring adorning his finger. "What might be the origins of this ring?" Jiang Chen found himself questioning aloud. His curiosity was sparked by another astonishing capability that the ring had unveiled. During his intimate exploration with Ning Xian, the ring had activated a dual cultivation function, seemingly integral to its core design. This discovery was both startling and fascinating to him. This mechanism was non-intrusive, honoring his agency by necessitating his explicit consent to initiate. Furthermore, if his partner wore her matching matrimonial ring, it could potentially augment their aptitude and enlightenment with his endorsement. Pondering these new aspects, Jiang Chen found himself enthralled by the ring''s intricacies. Undoubtedly, Ning Xian was the chief beneficiary of this unforeseen benefit. Considering her rtively modest cultivation base, her capabilities could hardly contribute to the enhancement of Jiang Chen. Likewise, in terms of aptitude and enlightenment, her contributions were significantly overshadowed by his. However, this imbnce mattered little in the eyes of Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen was, in essence, an aberration in this world of cultivation, endowed with a plethora of heaven-defying, destiny-shaping treasures. Keeping pace with him was a task few could aplish. Perhaps only those revered as the Sons of Heavenly Fate could vie with him, such was his extraordinary stature to this day. Yet, such realities did little to tarnish his affection for Ning Xian. His resolve to aid his beloved ones in growing stronger never diminished, irrespective of the initial discrepancy between their capabilities. He had always held one principle sacrosanct: when it came to enhancing the strength of the women in his life, he would spare no ''effort''. His introspection drew to a close as his gaze realigned to the task at hand. "It''s time to redirect my energies towards cultivation and bolstering my cultivation base." Jiang Chen spoke to himself, his mind settling into serenity. His gaze withdrew inward, concentrating on theplexndscape of his own body. His consciousness traversed the intricate channels, ultimately anchoring at his dantian. Abruptly, a peculiar spectacle unfurled before him. Floating serenely within his dantian was an immacte white orb, akin to a full moon basking in the ethereal glow of silvery light. This radiant sphere cast its celestial luminescence throughout his entire being! Dantian, meridians, flesh, bones, and down to the smallest cellsall basked and flourished in the nurturing radiance of this ''full moon''. This orb carried the distinctive hallmark of the Heavenly Origin realmthe Heavenly Core! In the Mysterious tform realm, the swirling Yuan Power would condense, assuming the form of a white square tform. As the cultivator ascended to the Heavenly Origin realm, this tform would undergo transformation, evolving into the Heavenly Core. The Heavenly Core, the nexus of Yuan Power for cultivators of the Heavenly Origin realm. Its presence signified a tremendous boost in the quality and reserve of a cultivator''s Yuan Power, surpassing the Mysterious tform realm by several magnitudes. In this moment, his Yuan Power initiated a remarkable metamorphosis. From this point forward, it could be referred to as the Heavenly Yuan Power! Under the celestial nourishment of the Heavenly Yuan Power, a cultivator''s attributes underwent a significant transformation. A cultivator''s various attributes would experience a metamorphic elevation. Techniques and secret arts invoked with the Heavenly Yuan Power gained increased potency, their effects exceeding previous limitations. Thus, the gap separating the Heavenly Origin realm from the Mysterious tform realm was as vast as the infinite sky and the extensive earth. ''The higher the cultivator''s realm, the more pronounced the disparity between neighboring realms.'' Jiang Chen pondered. His gaze turned spective as he continued, ''I cannot predict the realm of the protagonist I am fated to encounter next. I can only hope it is not a realm above mine.'' With a sigh, he cleared his thoughts and brought forth a variety of cultivation methods. The ones that demanded immediate attention were those procured from the Cave Heaven secret realm, the priceless inheritance left by the enigmatic owner of that realm! Jiang Chen surmised that the realm of this esteemed powerhouse, before his demise, must have been at the pinnacle of the Second Step of the Cultivation Paththe Dao Pce realm. The reasoning was straightforward. Among the array of cultivation method legacies, there were three from the Dao Pce realm! Not just that, seven originated from the Dao Comprehension realm, over ten from the Inquiring Journey realm, and a staggering forty-five from the Heavenly Origin realm! "If I could master all these cultivation methods..." Jiang Chen pondered, his eyes glistening with anticipation. "I wonder, to what realm could mybat prowess rise..." His gazended on a small booklet amongst the numerous legacies, its pages soon flipping open under his fingers. This was a unique piece, not a cultivation method, but a chronicle detailing the actions taken by the master of the Cave Heaven secret realm prior to his demise. The master, who referred to himself as Immortal Tian Cui, was a formidable figure within the Dao Pce realm. However, despite his strenuous efforts, the elusive threshold to the first realm of the Third Step of the Cultivation Paththe Transcendence realmremained unbreached. It was amidst this struggle that fate bestowed upon Immortal Tian Cui an extraordinary opportunity. He obtained a bloodline, the bloodline of the Death Cmity True Dragon! The Death Cmity True Dragon, from the lineage of true dragons, was renowned formanding the Void Tribtion realm upon reaching maturity. Their power was unparalleled, terrifyingly formidable! Should Immortal Tian Cui sessfully incorporate the Death Cmity True Dragon''s bloodline, his progression to the Transcendence realm would be an inevitable consequence. However, it proved an arduous task to imbue a human form with the bloodline of a true dragon. After numerous trials, Immortal Tian Cui was met with repeated failures, and he ultimately sumbed to death. The Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf was a consequence of these ventures. Spawned from a highly diluted variant of the Death Cmity True Dragon''s bloodline, it stood as a testament to the resilience of these experiments. Even though its spirit had long faded, its physical form had endured the ravages of time. Thissting relic was evidence of the formidable strength inherent in the Death Cmity True Dragon''s bloodline. "Hehe! The bloodline of the Death Cmity True Dragon, huh!" A subtle smile adorned Jiang Chen''s lips. "Immortal Tian Cui might have failed to assimte it, but for me, it is but a trivial matter!" Indeed, with the activation of his system, Jiang Chen was granted the Eternal Boundless Bodya physique capable of absorbing and integrating any bloodline in existence. The bloodline of the Death Cmity True Dragon was naturally no exception to this capacity. However, Jiang Chen held back the impulse to immediately assimte the Death Cmity True Dragon''s bloodline. He continued to peruse thepact booklet, curiosity sparkling in his eyes. Soon, he unearthed the mystery surrounding the giant egg. It appeared that this mysterious giant egg was the product of a dragon seed, nurtured by the diluted blood of the Death Cmity True Dragon. The egg was christened as the ''Void White Dragon''! While the Void White Dragon seed was robust enough to absorb the diluted blood of the Death Cmity True Dragon, a deficiency of vital energy had obstructed its maturation process. As his life neared its conclusion, Immortal Tian Cui generated an array of blood-hued humanoid monstrosities. His dying aspiration was that these entities might one day trigger the birth of the Void White Dragon, thereby fulfilling a longing that lingered with him until his final moments. "So, the Void White Dragon, it seems." Jiang Chen murmured, his voice tinged with fascination. "It requires a substantial amount of qi and blood energy for its maturation. However, that''s something I presently need. We''ll revisit this matterter." He then shifted his thoughts to the Death Cmity True Dragon''s bloodline. "Perhaps I could attempt to assimte itter. Firstly, I need to absorb the qi and blood energy, and then I''ll ponder over the rest." Jiang Chen deliberated. Then, with a determined air, he conjured a collection of storage artifacts, systematically arraying them in front of him. Each artifact was crammed with bodies. "Let''s start with you!" With a concentrated stare, Jiang Chen selected one itemthe Moondust Ring. It was the dwelling ce of the corpse of a formidable creature, the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf, whose power was barely shy of the Heavenly Origin realm. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+70) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 70 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 115: Instant Mastery of Heavenly Origin Cultivation Methods Though the meditation chamber was clearly insufficient to house the carcass of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf, the moment the Moondust Ring was activated, the Wordless Heavenly Jade was still able to assimte its qi and blood energy. ''Open!'' With a mere mentalmand from Jiang Chen, a rift appeared in the Moondust Ring. Immediately, a scent drenched in blood filled the environment. Sensing the surge of qi and blood vitality, the Wordless Heavenly Jade residing within Jiang Chen''s heart began to tremble, exuding a unique absorptive force. Subjected to this gravitational draw, the qi and blood energy of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf contained within the Moondust Ring burst forth, flooding the Wordless Heavenly Jade nestled in Jiang Chen''s heart. The pace at which the Wordless Heavenly Jade absorbed qi and blood was extraordinarily swift. Despite the incredibly dense qi and blood energy of the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf, it was rapidly exhausted. In a startlingly brief duration, the once formidable body shrank and withered, morphing into a skeletal structure, utterly devoid of energy. ''Such incredible power!'' Jiang Chen could distinctly sense the Wordless Heavenly Jade pulsating with a surging, exceptional energy. Nheless, Jiang Chen held back from immediatelymencing the cultivation practices. Instead, he drew out all the blood-colored creatures, the remnants of the cultivators, and the golden-red inner cores, exhausting their qi and blood one by one. The qi and blood vitality provided by these cadavers and golden-red inner cores was remarkably substantial, nearly on par with two Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolves. After all, the Extreme Wind Splitting Skywolf had endured the ravages of time, and its reserves of qi and blood were no longer as vigorous as they once were. The blood-hued humanoid monsters all lingered at the very least within the Mysterious tform realm. The remnants of the cultivators hailing from the six sects were also Mysterious tform realm adherents, each teeming with abundant qi and blood. At this point, all of the qi and blood power had been funneled into the Wordless Heavenly Jade, converting into an unidentified, mystical energy. Havingpleted the absorption process, Jiang Chen opted for a short break. He was acutely aware that his impending cultivation would require a period of uninterrupted time. Hence, he decided to first visit Ning Xian. Upon leaving the meditation chamber, he was greeted by the sight of Ning Xian gracefully descending the staircase. Catching sight of Jiang Chen, Ning Xian was caught off guard. Memories of the previous night infiltrated her thoughts, triggering a warm blush to spread across her countenance. She managed to divert her gaze, barely mustering a bashful, "Good morning." "Good morning, wife." Returning her greeting, Jiang Chen couldn''t help but relish the yful nuance of the moment. He queried, his tone teasing, "How are you feeling today?" Seeing her blush intensify, he added, "I mean regarding your enhanced strength." Jarred by his question, Ning Xian was wrested from her flustered state. Recalling the new wave of power that had left her astonished, her shyness swiftly dissolved. Overflowing with joy and curiosity, she bounded towards Jiang Chen, her eyes sparkling with exhration as she bobbed with unbridled joy. "How did this ur, Jiang... Husband?" Ning Xian inquired, her voice a blend of modesty and awe. Jiang Chen couldn''t withhold his smile at her spirited response. "Compose yourself! Compose yourself!" He counseled, his voice imbued with a soft authority. As hemenced exining the events, he observed Ning Xian through his Viin''s Eye. [Name: Ning Xian Aptitude: Top Grade Innate Talent: Evergreen Vitality Willow Body (Awakens at the Dao Comprehension realm) Realm: Half-step Mysterious tform Status: Viiness Cultivation Methods: Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture, Spirit Heart me Control Secrets... Intimacy: 100 Fate Value: Unknown] ''Now, this is intriguing!'' Jiang Chen''s eyebrows arched in curiosity as he surveyed the now enhanced information panel for those who had achieved maximum Intimacy level. The System upgrade had unquestionably led to an improvement in detail. Yet, a specific term piqued his interest. ''What does ''Evergreen Vitality Willow Body'' denote? And why does it only awaken at the Dao Comprehension realm?'' Jiang Chen reflected inwardly, instigating him to probe further. ''System, elucidate this for me.'' [Ding! Evergreen Vitality Willow Body: A remarkable Wood-based constitution that activates uponprehending the Wood Element Dao. It embodies limitless vitality and superior recuperative powers. Individuals endowed with this inherent physique naturally resonate with the energies of nature, radiating a calming, serene aura. Their rapid healing abilities and extraordinary endurance make them invaluablepanions in battles.] Afterprehending the system''s exnation, Jiang Chen opted to withhold this information from Ning Xian. Her innate constitution carried no immediate implications, and the Dao Comprehension realm was yet a distant goal. There was no need to burden her with such information prematurely. Therefore. "For now, adjust to the surge of your newfound strength and consolidate your realm." Jiang Chen counseled Ning Xian, concluding his guidance with a word of warning. "I''m about to embark on an extended period of cultivation, which could span several days." "Don''t worry, I understand. You can cultivate with peace of mind." Ning Xian, her cheeks still faintly rosy but eyes brimming with resolve, nodded in understanding. With her assurance, Jiang Chen''s mind found tranquility. He spun around, marching towards the meditation chamber. ''It''s time to delve into cultivation methods!'' A wave of anticipation pulsed within him, inducing a smirk to y upon his lips. Jiang Chen''s mind flickered back to when Ye Fan, in an exceptional achievement, had mastered the perfect-level of the Heavenly Origin realm cultivation method within mere instants. Now, it was his moment to make a simr attempt. "No hurry, let''s begin from the basics, starting with the Heavenly Origin realm!" He halted, releasing a light-hearted chuckle. Decision made, Jiang Chen chose to practice the ''Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets'', a scarce method renowned for boosting one''s divine sense. It was a method he had memorized while observing Ye Fan reconstruct it in the underground pce. At that moment, Jiang Chen stilled his senses, shutting his eyes and aligning his breath. His mind, akin to the calm surface of a sereneke, began to resonate with the mnemonic fragments of the ''Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets''. Simultaneously, a subtle fusion was silently urring between his divine sense and the Wordless Heavenly Jade. Then, a rush of distinct energy sparked to life within the Wordless Heavenly Jade, precisely as Jiang Chen concluded the reconstruction of the cultivation method in his mind. This power braided with his divine sense, weaving seamlessly into his soul and physique. An enigmatic transformation ensued. Jiang Chen''s understanding of the ''Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets'' was now imprinted, not merely in his consciousness but within the very essence of his being. It felt as though he had meticulously practiced this method for countless epochs. His soul expanded drastically, the range of his divine sense detection extending by a tenth, achieving a formidable reach of 11,000 meters. He had also fully understood the divine sense attack method, the ''Spirit Stirring Sting''. And this entire process, this profound enlightenment, transpired even more swiftly than when Ye Fan employed the Wordless Heavenly Jade. It was nearly a blink, and theprehension was total! "Incredible!" Jiang Chen couldn''t hold back his exhration. To grasp a Heavenly Origin cultivation method to the perfect-level within a single moment was an astonishing sensation. ''The Wordless Heavenly Jade appears to exhibit even more potency under mymand than in Ye Fan''s grasp. Perhaps, he had not yet uncovered its most effective usage.'' ''...'' He paused momentarily, a spark of realization illuminating his eyes, ''And my system, the Heaven-Defying Fate Changer, it''s undoubtedly amplifying the potential of the Wordless Heavenly Jade.'' As tranquility enveloped the room, Jiang Chen gently opened his eyes, the flicker of exhration swiftly fading. After a moment of reflection, he started to revisit another cultivation method, the ''Seven Extremes Body Refinement''! A Heavenly Origin body-cultivation technique purposed to vastly boost physical prowess, and rejuvenate qi and blood. Moreover, it possessed a unique feature, enabling the cultivator to selectively reinforce seven distinct sections of the body. Before long, the whole of the ''Seven Extremes Body Refinement'' was imprinted impably in Jiang Chen''s consciousness. Once again, a surge of unique energy burst forth from the Wordless Heavenly Jade, effortlessly integrating into Jiang Chen''s physical structure and soul. This time, arge portion of the energy flooded directly into his body, strengthening it in an extraordinary manner. Jiang Chen could practically sense each cellr framework within him trembling, constantly evolving and reinforcing from the core! The initial wave of improvement subsided, leaving Jiang Chen in a state of utter amazement. His physical strength had directly skyrocketed to three times its original capacity! This enhancement paralleled the bodily might of a typical cultivator at the Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm. At this moment, another wave of energy was ready, patiently waiting for Jiang Chen to actively designate the body parts for its reinforcement. "What parts should I fortify?" Jiang Chen mused, his fingers lightly brushing his chin. His gaze lowered, subtly nodding, his decision taking form. The dantian was undeniably the part most in need of strengthening. His gaze fixed on the area of the dantian, his lower abdomen. Of course, Jiang Chen ''junior'', although endowed with substantial vigor, remained one of the body''s most vulnerable regions. In no time, Jiang Chen''s choices for the seven additional enhancements were determined! The selected areas were the dantian, the five visceral organs, and Jiang Chen ''junior''. "Let''s begin!" With a resolute thought, Jiang Chen guided the seven clusters of distinctive energy that dwelled in his body, directing them towards their assigned locations for fortification. In the ensuing moment, a sensation of warmth radiated across the seven chosen parts. Upon deeper examination, Jiang Chen recognized that the strengthening process had achievedpletion. Further scrutiny verified his senses. The subsequent seven-fold enhancement might not have been as notable as the initial bodily fortification, yet it had substantially improved his physique. This result was quite pleasing to Jiang Chen. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+70) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 70 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 116: Inquiring Journey Sword Technique, Silent Annihilation Heavenly Sword Secrets ''Now, onto the third cultivation method, ''Heavenly Spring Coalescing Sea Records''!'' Jiang Chen decided,mencing the recall of thisplex method''sprehensive content. Mastering the ''Heavenly Spring Coalescing Sea Records'' would significantly enhance the reserves and purity of a Heavenly Origin realm cultivator''s Yuan Power! Before long, Jiang Chen had urately recalled the entirety of the cultivation method. The Wordless Heavenly Jade vibrated once more, emitting a distinctive energy. This time, the majority of this power flowed into the dantian and meridians, with a smaller fraction nurturing the rest of Jiang Chen''s body and soul. After the energy fully integrated, Jiang Chen noted a fascinating alterationhis Heavenly Core had subtly expanded, its color appearing purer. Additionally, the potency of his dantian and meridians had received a further enhancement! Rustle! The Heavenly Core underwent a slow rotation, unceasingly refining the Yuan Power stored within his dantian into a superior form. This refined Yuan Power overflowed, matching the quality seen in the average Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm cultivators. However, after the conversion of Yuan Power, the reserves within Jiang Chen''s body had substantially reduced. It required refilling to restore it to its former level of abundance. Therefore, Jiang Chen activated his primary cultivation method, the Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture, using it to absorb the surrounding spiritual qi, replenishing his Yuan Power. ''Indeed!'' ''The Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture is truly exceptional. However, its scope is restricted to the Heavenly Origin realm, leaving a gap in the cultivation method for the subsequent Inquiring Journey realm.'' ''It seems I still need to find a fitting primary cultivation method.'' ''Within Immortal Tian Cui''s cultivation inheritance, there exists the ''Four Knows Nine Royals True Canon'' at the Dao Pce realm.'' ''But, if I were to switch my main cultivation method at this point, I''m unsure if it might lead to unexpected dangers.'' ''...'' Jiang Chen''s eyebrows furrowed, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his eyes. The gap between primary cultivation methods, if excessively vast, could significantly increase the difficulty of making a transition. In the worst-case scenario, he might even have to relinquish his current cultivation progress andmence a new journey from the beginning. At this point, Jiang Chen found himself continuously gued by the impending risk of being entangled in a disastrous storyline, teetering on the brink of viiny. If he encounters the protagonist while undergoing the radical reset of his cultivation base, it would unquestionably result in catastrophe. ''Doesn''t a viin voluntarily surrendering his cultivation, thus falling into a state of vulnerability, provide the perfect opportunity for the protagonist tond a crushing blow?'' ''Such a situation is far toomon in the stories!'' After much consideration, Jiang Chen decided to continue with the Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture. His strategy involved seeking information about the subsequent segments of this cultivation method once Feng Jun returned. Should that not be possible, hemitted to adequately prepare before resetting his cultivation, thereby ensuring he could recapture his peak cultivation base in the minimum amount of time. ''It''s time to explore the other cultivation methods.'' Jiang Chen contemted to himself, his gaze scanning over the list of additional cultivation methods he had previously obtained. Among them, the methods that genuinely warranted the employment of the Wordless Heavenly Jade''s energy were the Wind Void Steps and the Void Rainbow Sword Technique. The Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Secrets was a fast-track method, intermediate in the context of the Heavenly Origin realm. Moreover, given Jiang Chen''s outstanding talent, he could swiftly master this method to the perfect-level. There was no need to spend the resources of the Wordless Heavenly Jade on this. ''It''s time to start with the Wind Void Steps!'' With this determination, Jiang Chen closed his eyes, remembering the details of this cultivation method. The Wind Void Steps were a gift from his system, standing out as the most formidable mobility technique within the Heavenly Origin realm. In fact, this technique had already verged halfway into the Inquiring Journey realm. The technique included the ''Jade Void sh'', ''Royal Wind Secrets'', and ''Ghostly Wind Secrets''. The Royal Wind Secrets were ideal for extended journeys, offering swift speed and minimal expenditure of Yuan Power. The Jade Void sh was a burst maneuver. Once mastered to perfect-level, it could nearly produce nine sessive shes across a hundred meters. The Ghostly Wind Secrets was a dodge technique. Upon activation, one would move as fluidly as a wind-blown willow seed, effortlessly evading adversarial attacks within the smallest possible range. At this moment, Jiang Chen had only mastered the ''Jade Void sh'', achieving only minor aplishment-level. Of course, in the following brief period, Jiang Chenpletely recalled the contents of the Wind Void Steps cultivation method. Instantaneously, the Wordless Heavenly Jade pulsated with an unusual energy, merging with his body and soul. Within a moment''s notice, the ''Wind Void Steps'' had also ascended to the perfect-level! Jiang Chen merely sensed a permeating lightness, his agility witnessing an astronomical tenfold enhancement. ''Incredible!'' ''Now, let''s proceed to the ''Void Rainbow Sword Technique''!'' Jiang Chen began to retrieve theponents of the ''Void Rainbow Sword Technique'' from his memory. This cultivation methodprised nine distinct sword styles! These included ''Breaking the Void'', ''Flying Radiance'', ''Flowing Wind'', ''Sword Shadow'', ''White Rainbow'', ''Piercing Through the Clouds'', ''Falling Star'', ''Shattering the Clouds'', and the ninth sword style ''Returning to One''. Jiang Chen had already achieved minor aplishment-level with the eighth sword style. As a result, the energy drawn from the Wordless Heavenly Jade this time was noticeably slight. In a mere instant, by absorbing the unique energy from the Wordless Heavenly Jade, Jiang Chen had mastered the entirety of the Void Rainbow Sword Technique, elevating it to the perfect-level. Jiang Chen could intuitively perceive the abundant reserves of qi and blood power still contained within the Wordless Heavenly Jade, more than sufficient to aid him in perfecting a substantial number of Heavenly Origin realm cultivation methods! Nevertheless. ''I have sufficiently practiced methods of the Heavenly Origin realm.'' ''It''s time to amass some genuine hidden power for myself!'' A spark of determination ignited in Jiang Chen''s eyes, leading him to resolve to practice cultivation methods of the Inquiring Journey realm. Hence, he started picking from the cultivation inheritance bestowed by Immortal Tian Cui. Immortal Tian Cui''s inheritanceprised fourteen cultivation methods of the Inquiring Journey realm, epassing a variety of secret arts, including body tempering, agility, sword techniques, and power-boosting self-damaging secret arts. After thoughtful consideration, Jiang Chen elected to first delve into the Inquiring Journey realm''s sword technique, the ''Silent Annihtion Heavenly Sword Secrets''. Within the sphere of the Inquiring Journey realm, the ''Silent Annihtion Heavenly Sword Secrets'' was undoubtedly a paramount sword technique. It epassed a single move: ''Silent Annihtion''! The usage of the ''Silent Annihtion Heavenly Sword Secrets'' demanded an enormous energy expenditure, yet its might was extraordinarily formidable. Once mastered, it would unquestionably evolve into a trump card! ''This is the sword technique!'' Jiang Chen unfurled the jade slip storing the ''Silent Annihtion Heavenly Sword Secrets'', scrutinizing it with his divine sense while cradling it in both hands. Suddenly, a deluge of knowledge poured into his consciousness. Jiang Chen promptly absorbed and memorized it. Simultaneously, the Wordless Heavenly Jade began to tremble subtly. When the entirety of the cultivation method was ingrained in his memory, the Wordless Heavenly Jade abruptly unleashed a substantial wave of mysterious energy, melding itself into Jiang Chen''s body and soul. In an instant, innumerable insights blossomed within Jiang Chen''s mind! After amalgamating with the energy from the Wordless Heavenly Jade, Jiang Chen progressively cultivated an instinctive proficiency over the ''Silent Annihtion'' sword technique. Once employed, he was confident he could execute it with the utmost speed and the smoothest precision! ''Now, being equipped with this move.'' ''I will be unrivalled within the Heavenly Origin realm!'' A hint of a smile gleamed in Jiang Chen''s eyes. Subsequently, he scrutinized the Wordless Heavenly Jade, noticing some residual energy, albeit scarce. ''I should conserve this energy for future use.'' After a brief contemtion, Jiang Chen decided to reserve it. ordingly, he retrieved a transparent vial from the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring, in which a golden fluid glistened. ''The pristine bloodline of the Death Cmity True Dragon!'' ''And it''s unadulterated!'' ''Immortal Tian Cui employed a secret method to refine this bloodline, yielding an incredibly pure concentrate that integrates seamlessly with the human body.'' ''Regrettably, the bloodline was too potent; Immortal Tian Cui himself couldn''t tolerate it.'' ''Eventually, he was forced to abandon it.'' Jiang Chen held the Death Cmity True Dragon''s bloodline up to his eyes, embarking on a thorough examination. Before him, the golden fluid continuously swirled, colliding and forming a sequence of dragon patterns, teeming with life energy. ''Even after such a long span, its vitality is still undiminished.'' ''Indeed, it''s the bloodline of a True Dragon at the Void Tribtion realm!'' A trace of eager anticipation shone in Jiang Chen''s eyes before he tilted his head back, gulping down all of the golden bloodline in a single move! Chapter 117: Middle-Stage Inquiring Journey Realm Battle Power Instantly, Jiang Chen experienced an intense warmth as though he had swallowed a globe of radiant sunlight. Subsequently, an explosion of golden dragon motifs erupted from his abdomen, akin to countless miniature golden dragons running amok within his body. Were his physical form of average constitution, he would have exploded on the spot, sumbing to a gruesome demise. However, Jiang Chen possessed the Eternal Boundless Body! The powerful energy, seemingly beyond Jiang Chen''s endurance threshold, was swiftly absorbed. Soon after, all of the golden fluid was metabolized by Jiang Chen. Golden dragon motifs traced illuminating paths across the surface of his skin, presenting an extraordinary spectacle. In Jiang Chen''s eyes, a radiance bloomed, overflowing with boundless coldness, majesty, aloofness, and a murderous aura! After a prolonged moment, the golden dragon motifs on Jiang Chen''s skin gradually dimmed and retracted into his body. His gaze gently refocused, returning to its usual sereneposure. ''Death Cmity True Dragon!'' ''Of the true dragon ns, the sovereign of death!'' Jiang Chen raised his right hand, and with a mere thought, his nails turned pitch-ck within a fraction of a second, lengthening by three inches, and radiating an eerily sharp luminescence. After integrating the power of the Death Cmity True Dragon''s bloodline, Jiang Chen''s abilities underwent an astronomical increase across all aspects. Take, for example, the strength of his body. At this moment, it had reached the Inquiring Journey realm! Additionally, his spiritual essence also experienced substantial enhancement, and he gained proficiency in a special pupil technique, the ''Death Cmity''s Pupil''. This pupil technique, simr to the ''Spirit Stirring Sting'', belonged to the same category of offensive skills. An amalgamation of the two could shatter the soul of a Mysterious tform cultivator with just a single nce. A Heavenly Origin realm cultivator caught under such a gaze would suffer severe spiritual trauma, teetering on the brink of imbecility! Moreover, Jiang Chen had also mastered the technique of Dragon Transformation! Upon transforming into a dragon, his overall battle power would undergo another significant surge! At his current stage, he could only partially transform into a dragon, predominantly maintaining his human form. As his stage advanced, the potency of his Dragon Transformation would continue to strengthen, and its form would draw closer to that of the Death Cmity True Dragon, eventually acquiring the capability to truly transform into a real dragon! ''Incredible!'' ''The power derived from this bloodline is simply astounding!'' ''At this stage, my actualbat strength has undoubtedly surpassed the Heavenly Origin realm and has entered the territory of the Inquiring Journey realm!'' Jiang Chen''s eyes shone brightly, his excitement nearly overwhelming. After a moment, he managed to rein in his excitement, deciding to continue consolidating his progress. Up to this point, he had inventoried and utilized all the benefits he had obtained from the Cave Heaven secret realm. However, the rewards given by the system were yet to be examined. This time, after defeating the protagonist, Ye Fan, his ck Heavenly Fate Value exceeded ten thousand, leading to an upgrade of the System Mall to Level 2. From the gift package of the System Mall upgrade, Jiang Chen gained a ''wealth of benefits''. Theseprised the Dao Pce spiritual nt, the ''Primordial Essence Moist Flower'', the Dao Pce top-grade cultivation pill, the ''Nine Suns True Spirit Enhancing Pill'', the Dao Pce sword formation manual, the ''Indestructible Myriad Shapes Sword Formation'', and the Dao Pce storage artifact, the ''Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring''. Also included were ten random natural treasures rted to the Dao Comprehension realm, a hundred random natural treasures of the Inquiring Journey realm, and a staggering thousand random natural treasures from the Heavenly Origin realm! He had already equipped the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring, and began to make use of it. However, the remaining treasures were yet to be deployed. ''Let''s start with the spiritual nts!'' ''Considering the spiritual nts from the Dao Pce realm, alongside those from the Dao Comprehension realm, Inquiring Journey realm, and Heavenly Origin realm, I''m eager to see to what extent they could rejuvenate the Burning World Red Lotus?'' With an air of anticipation, Jiang Chen proceeded to extract all the spiritual nts from the bounty of natural treasures he had acquired. The variety of natural treasures epassed spiritual nts and peculiar ores, among otherponents. Among the natural treasures Jiang Chen had obtained, there were a total of two hundred eighty-three spiritual nts from the Heavenly Origin realm, twenty-one from the Inquiring Journey realm, three from the Dao Comprehension realm, and a single one from the Dao Pce realm. ''The spiritual nts originating from the Heavenly Origin realm are almost inconsequential at this stage.'' ''Even though the system gifts are among the choicest within the Heavenly Origin realm, their potency seems somewhat deficient. It would be more judicious to preserve them for other uses.'' ''I''ll begin with the intake of the spiritual nts from the Inquiring Journey realm.'' Jiang Chen stored away the spiritual nts from the Heavenly Origin realm and arranged the ones from the Inquiring Journey realm in front of him. Compared to the Heavenly Star Crossing Cmity Precious Ginseng, which was a pseudo spiritual nt of the Inquiring Journey realm, the ones granted as part of the system''s grand gift package bore significantly greater power. Twenty-one spiritual nts, each one among the most coveted within the Inquiring Journey realm! "Time to get high!" With a swift motion, Jiang Chen grasped a spiritual nt, yed with it between his fingers, and then popped it into his mouth, swallowing it in one gulp. Instantaneously, an extraordinarily potent flood of medicinal energy coursed into his dantian, being absorbed by the Burning World Red Lotus. Post absorption, the Burning World Red Lotus subtly disyed elusive traces of a red hue, barely discernible to the unaided eye. ''These Inquiring Journey spiritual nts do have an effect!'' Casting a nce at the Burning World Red Lotus, Jiang Chen nodded in satisfaction. With that, he resumed his silent ingestion of the spiritual nts. Crunch, crunch. One by one, the spiritual nts, which even the powerhouses of the Inquiring Journey realm would covet, were consumed by Jiang Chen and absorbed by the Burning World Red Lotus. In no time, all the Inquiring Journey spiritual nts were consumed. The Burning World Red Lotus now radiated a noticeable crimson hue. Jiang Chen''s eyes sparkled with anticipation as he started consuming the Dao Comprehension spiritual nts. As soon as he gulped down the first one, a horrifying st of medicinal energy exploded within him! Jiang Chen felt an impending sense of danger, as if he was on the brink of explosion. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, nothing detrimental urred. The overpowering medicinal energy was wholly absorbed by the Burning World Red Lotus. Jiang Chen held back from inspecting the transformations in the Burning World Red Lotus again. Unperturbed, he proceeded to consume the remaining two Dao Comprehension spiritual nts and the lone Dao Pce spiritual nt. Upon the absorption of the massive medicinal energy by the Burning World Red Lotus, this parched lotus seemed to regain some semnce of moisture. Originally, the Burning World Red Lotus waspletely wilted, devoid of any lively color. Gradually, it recaptured a hint of its original hue. At present, it had rejuvenated from an entirely withered state to a semi-withered one, regaining much of its lost vibrancy. The resurgence of the Burning World Red Lotus correspondingly conferred immense benefits upon Jiang Chen! A substantial amount of peculiar energy reverberated from the Burning World Red Lotus, ceaselessly enhancing Jiang Chen''s aptitude and advancing his cultivation base! In the blink of an eye, Jiang Chen''s cultivation base was wholly consolidated, then sequentially shattered the boundary of the Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm and leapt directly into the Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm! Moreover, Jiang Chen could unmistakably perceive that his physical body underwent an even more profound purification process, bing further refined, signifying a notable improvement in his cultivation aptitude. ''It appears the Burning World Red Lotus is on par with the Wordless Heavenly Jade.'' ''To have my cultivation base directly bypass two minor realms, this sensation is beyond exhrating!'' ''Now, to what extent has my truebat power increased?'' With a gaze filled with astonishment, Jiang Chen activated his attribute panel. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Perfect Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body (Death Cmity True Dragon) Realm: Late-stage Heavenly Origin True Battle Power: Middle-stage Inquiring Journey Cultivation Method: Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture (Heavenly Origin, main cultivation), Silent Annihtion Heavenly Sword Secrets (Inquiring Journey, perfect-level), Wind Void Steps, Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets, Seven Extremes Body Refinement, Heavenly Spring Coalescing Sea Records, Void Rainbow Sword Technique (Heavenly Origin, perfect-level)... partially omitted Main Equipment: Shadowde Sword (Heavenly Origin, lower-grade), Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe (Heavenly Origin, lower-grade), ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle (Mysterious tform, top-grade)... Viin Value: 25,900 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 15,848 Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring, Wordless Heavenly Jade System Mall: Level 2] ''My true battle power is on par with the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm, truly astounding!'' A subtle grin appeared on Jiang Chen''s face, ''When I enact the Dragon Transformation, mybat strength will surely rocket!'' Feeling the torrential power surging within, Jiang Chen experienced a reassuring sense of security for the first time. Yet, he was keenly aware that this was hardly enough. The monstrous abilities showcased by some protagonists in the tales defied all norms; his status in the Inquiring Journey realm was hardly something to brag about. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 118: Granting of Ning Xians Consent Drawing a deep breath, Jiang Chen quieted his thoughts, steadfastly preparing to immerse himself in the cultivation process. After all, the realm of one''s cultivation base forever served as the essential cornerstone. ''Now, my cultivation base has progressed to the Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm, thus rendering the Ten-Turn Harmonious Spirit Pill obsolete.'' ''It appears the time has arrived to utilize these stockpiled Viin Value points for pill transactions!'' Armed with this conviction, Jiang Chen initiated the system panel. Possessing an impressive cache of 25,900 Viin Value points, he had ample resources to procure a pill capable of facilitating his ascent from the Heavenly Origin realm. However, Jiang Chen''s cultivation base hadn''t fully peaked in the Heavenly Origin realm. He needed additional cultivation umtion to reach the critical threshold for a breakthrough. Consequently, in addition to the breakthrough-type pill, it was also essential for him to secure cultivation-enhancing pills. Before long, Jiang Chen''s attention was drawn to a pill exclusive to the Heavenly Origin realm - the ''Heavenly Cauldron Qi Mysterious Pill''. This pill''s quality was of exceptional caliber, verging on the brink of surpassing the Heavenly Origin realm''s ssification, its effects remarkably extraordinary. Predictably, the cost was superiorpared to the standard Heavenly Origin pills. A top-grade Heavenly Cauldron Qi Mysterious Pill necessitated an expenditure of 4,000 Viin Value points. ''Two units of these ''Heavenly Cauldron Qi Mysterious Pills'' ought to be sufficient.'' ''Following that, I shall select a breakthrough-type pill, this ''Heavenly Ascent Origin Return True Pill'', priced at 7,000 points, seems apt!'' Once Jiang Chen reached firm decisions on his selections, he swiftly issued the exchangemand to the system, exhibiting not an ounce of uncertainty. [Ding! 8,000 Viin Value points have been deducted, you have sessfully acquired Heavenly Cauldron Qi Mysterious Pills*2!] [Ding! 7,000 Viin Value points have been deducted, you have sessfully acquired Heavenly Ascent Origin Return True Pill*1!] Simultaneously with the system''s alert, three pills materialized in Jiang Chen''s palm. Two among them were the size of pigeon eggs, radiating a jade-like luminescence, glimmering and semi-transparent, exuding a gentle, soothing aroma. Contrarily, the remaining pill was marginallyrger, exuding a light purple hue, intricately embellished with delicate golden designs. A closer examination evoked an ineffable sensation. ''Currently, I''mcking any Inquiring Journey cultivation methods.'' ''I''m curious if the Starry Abyss Sect has any supplementary technique to the Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture.'' ''Otherwise, I''ll explore whether there''s a suitable Inquiring Journey cultivation method within the system that can facilitate my practice''s seamless progress.'' ''The Four Knows Nine Royals True Canon from Immortal Tian Cui, a Dao Pce cultivation method, is indeed noteworthy, yet the cost ofmitting myself to its cultivation appears prohibitively high.'' ''...'' Engrossed in contemtion, Jiang Chen subsequently ced one Heavenly Cauldron Qi Mysterious Pill into his mouth. The hefty pill dissolved seamlessly once it entered Jiang Chen''s mouth. Instantly, the Heavenly Cauldron Qi Mysterious Pill transformed into a torrent of potent medicinal energy, permeating every corner of his body. ''Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture, circte!'' Jiang Chen''s focus sharpened, relentlessly harnessing the pill''s medicinal energy with his primary cultivation method. With his present cultivation base, the refining of the Heavenly Cauldron Qi Mysterious Pill was a rtively simple endeavor. The surging medicinal energy was entirely assimted within Jiang Chen''s physique, converted into superior-grade Heavenly Origin Power via the Heavenly Core in his dantian, subsequently rejuvenating him. This sequence was replicated continuously. Jiang Chen''s body and spirit were endlessly revitalized, while the Heavenly Core itself was consistently strengthened. Gradually, his cultivation base advanced, relentlessly progressing! Time flowed onward. Seemingly in an instant, twelve days had passed. After ingesting and refining the two Heavenly Cauldron Qi Mysterious Pills, Jiang Chen''s cultivation base had ascended directly to the peak of the Heavenly Origin realm. He stood merely a single threshold away from stepping into the Inquiring Journey realm! Once he secured a suitable primary cultivation method, he would consume the Heavenly Ascent Origin Return True Pill and transition into the Inquiring Journey realm! At that moment, having solidified his cultivation base, Jiang Chen concluded it was time to emerge from his secluded chamber. He strolled into the verdant courtyard, a sanctuary meticulously tended by Ning Xian. This tranquil refuge was abloom with an array of colourful flowers, their sweet scent gently perfuming the air. At the heart of this idyllic setting, he noticed Ning Xian, Miao Xiaorui, and Mu Tao. They were gathered in close proximity, engrossed in an ebullient conversation, theirughter ringing out like a harmonious melody echoing through the courtyard. They were ensconced amidst a multitude of vibrant blooms, their attention evenly distributed between their lively dialogue and the careful nurturing they were offering the flowers. Upon witnessing the exchange, a smile naturally unfolded on Jiang Chen''s face. Ning Xian was spearheading the impromptu gardening session, her hands expertly demonstrating the appropriate technique of tending to the flowers for her newfound sisters. The atmosphere was imbued with a sense ofradeship, a testament to the harmonious bond between the women. "Miao Xiaorui, Mu Tao, when did you two arrive?" Jiang Chen inquired, his tone rxed yet brimming with geniality. The women pivoted, their expressions illuminating at his emergence. "We arrived two days ago, Jiang Chen." Mu Tao responded, a hint of shyness tinting her demeanor. A momentary silence ensued before Ning Xian cast a yful scowl towards Jiang Chen. "You should have informed me about their arrival, Husband!" She huffed, affecting a semnce of displeasure. "Xian''er, it was my intention." Jiang Chen closed the distance, a tender smile gracing his lips. His arms gently wrapped around her waist, drawing her into a soft embrace. He delicately tilted her chin upwards, their gazes intertwining in a warm exchange, "However, I didn''t want your perception of them to be influenced by my words. They are not only my wives, but your sisters as well." Hisforting gesture began to thaw her contrived irritation. Yet, she held her stance, her lips maintaining a pout, refusing to yield quite so easily. Miao Xiaorui and Mu Tao, on the other hand, were observing the exchange with a blend of mirth and affection. Suddenly, unobserved by Ning Xian, Jiang Chen sent them a conspiratorial wink, tacitly inviting them into the spirited repartee. "Sister Xian." The astute Mu Tao seized the opportunity, her voice nearly a whisper as though their destinies were delicately poised in Ning Xian''s hands, "Jiang Chen mentioned he wouldn''t ept us without your consent!" Ning Xian was momentarily startled by the disclosure. She blinked, her gaze darting between Jiang Chen and the two women. The authenticity of Mu Tao''s words resonated within her, reinforced by Jiang Chen''s grave expression, suggesting that such a thing could indeed be a reality. Gently, she extricated herself from Jiang Chen''s embrace, moving towards Miao Xiaorui and Mu Tao. "Do not fret, sisters. I wasn''t truly upset. In fact, I find both of you delightful." With a reassuring squeeze of their hands, she ayed their concerns. As she recounted her experiences from the past couple of days, it was clear she hade to appreciate the additionalpanionship. Given that Jiang Chen was frequently engrossed in his cultivation, having more family in her surroundings had provided her withfort and happiness. Pivoting back towards Jiang Chen, a spark of apprehension flickered in Ning Xian''s eyes. She harbored a fear that he might rescind his eptance of Miao Xiaorui and Mu Tao due to her earlier act. "Jiang Chen, I genuinely ept them." Her voice,den with a plea, sought to dispel her anxieties. As Ning Xian''s deration echoed across the courtyard, Jiang Chen''s attention was drawn towards her. He noted the honesty and apprehension in her eyes, triggering a mischievous instinct within him. His lips morphed into a sly smile as he seemingly pondered over her words with gravitas. "Is that so, Xian''er?" Jiang Chen queried, rubbing his chin as if immersed in deep thought. His eyes sparkled with amusement, yet he preserved a solemn facade to further engage her. "If you have taken a liking to them, then... I suppose I will have to wee them, indeed." Upon hearing Jiang Chen''s affirmation, a surge of relief washed over Ning Xian, reflected in her eyes. Simultaneously, Miao Xiaorui''s face lit up with a radiant smile, while Mu Tao''s lips parted slightly, emitting a soft chuckle. Absorbing the amiable ambiance, Jiang Chen''s gaze subtly shifted from the cheerful expressions of his wives to an irregrity he had detected earlier. Upon his initial entrance into the courtyard, this peculiarity had piqued his interest, but the ensuing interactions and the flux of sentiments had diverted his focus elsewhere. Now, with tranquility nketing the courtyard, his attention resurfaced to that unique anomaly. It was Ning Xian''s nuptial ring. It throbbed rhythmically like a heartbeat, each pulsation emitting a faint energy wave. These waves, reminiscent of unseen ripples dispersing across a serene pond, emanated in a circr pattern, originating from Ning Xian. They stretched outwards for approximately three meters, encasing Miao Xiaorui and Mu Tao, before gradually dissolving into thin air. This strange spectacle was solely perceivable by Jiang Chen. Ning Xian, contrarily, remained unaware of the phenomenon transpiring on her digit. As he watched, a glimmer of thought crossed Jiang Chen''s mind. Endowed with the capabilities of the Viin''s Eye, he directed his gaze towards Miao Xiaorui and Mu Tao. ''It appears their Intimacy has slightly deepened since thest time I assessed them.'' Jiang Chen spected, yet he remained perplexed about the mechanics of this newfound function. Suddenly, a tremor swept through him as another spection surfaced. If this enigmatic feature of the nuptial ring affected all women indiscriminately, the ramifications could be catastrophic. Just the mere visualization of such a scene sent a shiver coursing down his spine. In search of answers, Jiang Chen reached out to the Eternal Binding Vows Ring via their spiritual connection. As per usual, a response-like sensation echoed within his consciousness, delivering the enlightenment he craved. It confirmed that the intimacy could increment by one point each day for every woman, and the range of the wave would proportionately expand with the number of women. The vital stiption, however, was that the function would solely apply to the women he elected, or those whom his wives picked for him. ''Thank goodness!'' A sigh of relief seeped from Jiang Chen''s lips upon garnering this knowledge. As for the final part of the condition, it didn''t constitute a substantial concern for him. He was convinced that it was highly unlikely. His wives wouldn''t voluntarily choose other women for him. Now armed with a moreprehensive understanding, Jiang Chen refocused his attention on Ning Xian, Miao Xiaorui, and Mu Tao. "Prepare yourselves. We will venture to the Jiang n upon my return." He issued his instructions in a resolute yet gentle tone. In response to his words, a spark of delight flickered in Ning Xian''s eyes. She was about to retort when she realized that Jiang Chen had already disappeared from his position. Simultaneously, Miao Xiaorui and Mu Tao exchanged a nce, their elegant faces reflecting a hint of surprise. Their momentary perception of Jiang Chen''s aura was fleeting, yet it heralded a powerful revtion - he had surpassed the Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm. His aura was too overpoweringly robust, too formidable to be confined within such a level. Noticing their stunned expressions, Ning Xian tilted her head inquisitively. "What''s the matter?" She queried, her eyes twinkling with innocence. "Jiang Chen...he has be more potent!" "This aura is beyond the scope of the Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm!" Miao Xiaorui responded, her voice imbued with a tinge of admiration. Their words ignited a wave of pride within Ning Xian. Swamped by this pride, she unconsciously started to speak, "Not only does husband strengthen rapidly, he can also..." Ning Xian''s words abruptly halted, as she became aware of the implications of what she was about to reveal. Her hand shot to her mouth, and her eyes widened in surprise. A flush of rose tinted her cheeks. However, it was toote. Miao Xiaorui and Mu Tao had already detected something beneficial in Ning Xian''s iplete confession. Swiftly, they encircled Ning Xian, their eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Come on, Sister Xian, tell us!" Mu Tao encouraged, her eyes glinting with intrigue. Even Miao Xiaorui, typically a paragon of serenity, exhibited clear interest. "What were you about to divulge?" She asked, a peculiar sparkle ying in her eyes. The ambiance was light-hearted, replete with gentle banter and soft chuckles. Ning Xian, despite her initial embarrassment, found herself sumbing toughter over the amusing situation she had instigated. Ultimately, under their relentless inquiries, she yielded, a resigned yet amused smile gracing her lips. "Fine, I''ll share with you." Ning Xian conceded, carefully revealing just enough, while consciously omitting any reference to the ring. Chapter 119: The Return to the Jiang Clan While a whirlwind of excitement unfolded within the courtyard, Jiang Chen was en route to the pinnacle of the Starry Abyss Heavenly Peak. In a short span, he breached the sea of clouds that shrouded the mountain''s midpoint. Finally, hended on the pristine, ethereal summit. Stationed at the apex was an ancient, diminutive hall that radiated a timeless aura. Although not grandiose, its quaint charm and unique style testified to its venerable history. This was the Ancestral Hall of the Starry Abyss Sect, a relic that once served as the residence of Chu Xingming, the founding sect master. ''If any location holds the secrets to the advanced stages of the Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture, it''s here.'' Jiang Chen mused, casting a contemtive nce at the Ancestral Hall. Yet, even within its proximity, he paused, opting not to deploy his divine sense to probe. His hesitance wasn''t driven by fear, but rather the potential for unexpected consequences. The peril of bing entangled in another protagonist''s narrative was a perpetual potentiality in his journey. What concerned him more was the chance for the Heavenly Fate to ensnare him, providing an opportunity for a budding protagonist from the three continents. ''Given my actions against the two Sons of the Heavenly Fate and the six major sects, the likelihood isn''t negligible.'' Jiang Chen''s thoughts took a somber turn. After carefully weighing the possibilities. ''Perhaps it would be prudent to traverse the three continents first, to see if I happen upon a new protagonist''s plot.'' Jiang Chen deliberated, making his decision, ''Once I''m confident there are no drastic shifts, I can return here.'' After all, the teleportation halls dispersed throughout the major cities would allow him to execute this swiftly. After onest nce at the Ancestral Hall, Jiang Chen retraced his path. As he moved away from the apex, he dispatched a message to Elder Ge. It included the announcement of his departure and instructions for refurbishing his residence to amodate more inhabitants. But the message didn''t stop there. Jiang Chen further instructed Elder Ge to use the newly establishedmunication ry stations to notify him of Sect Master Feng Jun''s return. These ry stations, strategically ced by the four major sects across the three continents, were crucial in intercontinental disputes. Carrying the esteem of a Supreme Elder, Jiang Chen had the privilege to utilize them for personal correspondence. ... Upon arrival at his residence, Jiang Chen discovered the three women waiting outside. Their responses to his presence formed aplex tapestry of emotions. Ning Xian averted her gaze, bearing the appearance of a child caughtmitting mischief. Mu Tao was noticeably anxious, her eyes brimming with questions she seemed reluctant to voice. As for Miao Xiaorui, she epitomized tranquility, but the longing in her eyes was unmistakable. Nheless, a unifying element among them was the subtle blush that lightly graced their faces. Jiang Chen quietly observed this tableau, a transient smile lighting up his face before it faded into oblivion. After all, this was exactly the oue he had anticipated. Why depend solely on the slow operation of the intimacy-enhancing wave, when he could elerate the process using the dual cultivation function of his ring? In the realm of cultivation, regardless of gender, the ultimate objective was always to transcend one''s current state. However, this path was littered with obstacles dictated by talent, aptitude, and destiny. But, if one''s chosenpanion could effortlessly aid in surmounting these hurdles, who could resist such a lure? Despite this, Jiang Chen opted to feign ignorance, pretending obliviousness to the unfolding situation. After all, this approach offered a far more entertaining dynamic. Then, with a mere thought, an upper-grade Mysterious tform carriage-type flying artifact materialized before them. Naturally, it was one of his spoils from the six major sects. The artifact exhibited an antique, majestic presence, embellished with intricate glyphs that glistened under the sunlight. Immediately following. "Let''s go," Jiang Chen dered, his voice steady. The group boarded the flying carriage. Surprisingly, its interior was more capacious than its outward appearance suggested, furnished withyers of silken cushions and jade fittings. It exuded an aura of opulence andfort. Shortly thereafter, they embarked on their journey towards Autumn Glory City, soaring through the sky adorned with clouds. In no time, they reached Autumn Glory City, flying straight to the Jiang n''s estate. Jiang Chen had no intention of prolonging his stay. Thus, before they entered the city, he had already activated his Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring, draping a cloak over their presence. Uponnding in front of his residence. He passed the Moondust Ring to Ning Xian, to conceal her aura, before allowing her and the girls to meet with Qiu Liaoxi. In the meantime, he sent a message to his uncle, Jiang Xingtai, via his transmission jade token, informing him of his arrival. Situated within his residence, Jiang Chen patiently awaited his uncle''s arrival. The dwelling, a reflection of antiquity and tranquility, emanated an atmosphere of peace. Before much time had passed, Jiang Xingtai made his appearance. "Nephew, it is a pleasure to see you so soon." He announced warmly, stepping in with a caring smile and traces of concern etched on his features. His words were infused with gentle worry, "Is everything okay? If there''s anything you need, don''t hesitate to let me know!" After all, it hadn''t been long since Jiang Chen and Ning Xian had embarked on their journey to the Starry Abyss Sect. "Uncle." "Don''t worry, everything is alright." Jiang Chen responded, his voice resounding with reassurance, sessfully soothing some of Jiang Xingtai''s worries. A helpless smile yed at the corners of his mouth as he added, "As for my swift return, it''s out of my control - things just transpired too quickly!" Subsequently, the two immersed themselves in a heartwarming conversation, sharing updates on their respective affairs. The familial warmth was palpable in their exchange. However, the once easygoing atmosphere rapidly transitioned as a veil of solemnity draped itself over Jiang Chen''s countenance. "Uncle, there''s a significant issue I need to discuss with you." He began, every word deliberately measured. "During my recent venture to the secret realm, I learned the fate of my parents..." He then ryed the tragic fate that had befallen his parents, and the subsequent vengeance he had exacted on their murderer. Taken aback, Jiang Xingtai''s congenial demeanor faltered, the harrowing news casting a pall over his usuallyposed exterior. However, as a seasoned patriarch of the n, he fortified his emotions, managing to offer words of sce. "Jiang Chen, you have honored your family." Jiang Xingtai spoke, his voice embodying a mix of grief and pride. A reflective silence followed, affording a moment for the elder to process the distressing information. The silence was eventually broken by Jiang Chen, this time to discuss his future intentions. "I n to embark on a journey. He divulged. Nonchntly, he added, "By the way, I wanted to consult with President Du Bailei. Is he currently in Autumn Glory City?" "I fear he is not present at the moment, and his return is indefinite." A faint furrow crossed Jiang Xingtais brow as he conceded. Unperturbed by the reply, Jiang Chen chose not to dwell on it. Their discussion carried on, and as the conversation began to wind down, Jiang Chen signaled a maid to call the girls. Prior to his departure, he gifted Jiang Xingtai a storage artifact, overflowing with invaluable cultivation resourcesa sign of his endorsement for the n. Jiang Xingtai, perceiving the act as a routine demonstration of filial regard, refrained from examining the artifact''s contents instantly. ''Ah, dear uncle, I can only imagine your surprise when you discover what lies within.'' Leaving the premises, Jiang Chen couldn''t resist a chuckle at his uncle''s unawareness. Upon exiting, he spotted thedies already assembled, joined by Jiang Yuqian, Qiu Liaoxi, Alchemist Xie, and other kin. With earnest goodbyes and assurances of a safe homing, Jiang Chen and his women signified their leave-taking. Upon arrival at the teleportation hall, they entered a vibrant expanse brimming with activity. The hall was a spectacle, pulsating with the vitality of bygone arrays and inscriptions. Despite the Jiang n being one of the stewards of the hall, Jiang Chen traversed the area without drawing attention. Employing his Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring, he shrouded his presence, rendering it almost imperceptible. His wives, Ning Xian, Miao Xiaorui, and Mu Tao, veiled their captivating visages beneath refined, conical bamboo hats. Their motivations were straightforward: to preserve their anonymity and forestall any unwarranted diversions during their voyage. Upon stepping into the teleportation hall. "Ladies, choose any destination on a whim. Let''s infuse our journey with a touch of unpredictability." Jiang Chen addressed the girls, his eyes twinkling with yful amusement. Amused, they handed over the requisite fees and entered the formation, experiencing the ancient power engulf themthe atmosphere humming with energy, electrifying their senses. And in a fleeting moment, they had vanished, teleported to an unfamiliar locale, signifying the onset of their nomadic adventure. Chapter 120: The Legacy Statue of Chu Xingming The Bright Cloud Continent was famed for its awe-inspiringndscapes, and Celestial Lake City was a testament to this reputation. On this particr day, the city was illuminated with festive fervor, a rich mosaic ofntern-lit vessels gently swaying on theke''s reflective surface. Mirthfulughter and lively cheers reverberated across the waters, while the air hummed with the enticing scent of celebratory delicacies and the harmonic cadences of traditional melodies. Yet, an overhead perspective would reveal a curious anomaly. Within the extensive armada of boats, there was one that inevitably drew the gaze. It wasn''t due to its dimensions or adornments, but rather its upants. Seated within the vessel were three veiled women, their faces obscured, but their radiant auras were undeniably prominent. It was a celestial brilliance, a divine luminosity that bore testament to their heavenly beauty. This aura cloaked the boat in an entrancing halo, akin to a lotus in full bloom upon a moon-kissed pond. Young masters from prosperous ns, captivated by their allure, sought to approach them. However, as they encroached upon the hundred-meter radius, a formidable presence descended. A regal aura, teeming with lethal intent, encapsted the boat, offering a stern warning to all who dared invade their space. It was an edict issued by a monarch, the verdict of a tribunal, threatening fatal retribution to any who transgressed the boundary. This culminated in a near ethereal scene: the vessel, a solitary haven of serenity and elegance, drifting amidst the ocean of revelry, encircled by a two-hundred-meter void. The mysterious boat in question was none other than the one ferrying Jiang Chen and his enthralling consorts. Eighty days hadpsed since they set sail on their expedition, meandering from one city to another across the span of the three continents, never allowing their hearts to settle for more than a trio of days. However, it seemed as though the customary protagonist''s destiny evaded Jiang Chen. The divine intervention, the eleventh-hour rescue, the fortuitous discoveries, the miraculous survival against all oddseverything was conspicuously missing. The world continued its rotation, indifferent to their existence, staunch in its adherence to banality. Yet, despite theck of a chance encounter, Jiang Chen harbored no resentment against the passage of time. Their journey was far from fruitless. On the contrary, it bore delightful yields. Through considerable ''endeavor'', and under the influence of the emotion-amplifying wave, Miao Xiaorui and Mu Tao finally received their nuptial rings etched with their namessymbols of their evesting bond. Additionally, a novel function had been revealed in the Eternal Binding Vows Ring, one facilitating mental dialogue between Jiang Chen and his spouses, each possessing a matching ring. This newly uncovered feature,parable to the telephones of Earth, seemed to surpass all spatial constraints, interweaving their hearts and thoughts irrespective of their physical separation. At this particr juncture, Jiang Chen''s eyes were drawn to his three wives, who seemed to be quietly absorbing the festive surroundings. In truth, their exchange was animated and vivacious, their thoughts interchanging through their respective nuptial rings. A tender smile adorned his features as he observed them, his Viin''s Eye unveiling their individual details. [Name: Ning Xian Aptitude: Top Grade Innate Talent: Evergreen Vitality Willow Body (Awakens at the Dao Comprehension realm) Realm: Half-step Mysterious tform Status: Viiness Cultivation Methods: Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture, Thousand Green Pill Heart Records, Wind Void Steps, Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets, Heavenly Spring Coalescing Sea Records... Intimacy: 100 Fate Value: Unknown] [Name: Miao Xiaorui Aptitude: Upper Grade Innate Talent: None Realm: Late-stage Mysterious tform Cultivation Methods: Ice Heart Divine Scripture, Wind Void Steps, Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets, Heavenly Spring Coalescing Sea Records... [Name: Mu Tao Cultivation Methods: Floating Spirit Heavenly Scripture, Wind Void Steps, Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets, Heavenly Spring Coalescing Sea Records... ''Given Xiaorui''er and Tao''er''s current prowess, reinforced by the cultivation methods I''ve bestowed, they could potentially hold their ground against an average Half-step Heavenly Origin realm cultivator.'' Jiang Chen mused, contemting their progress. As with Ning Xian, he had only amplified their cultivation base once, fully aware of the need to consolidate their swiftly boosted cultivation. Subsequently, he redirected his assistance towards the enhancement of their aptitude which, as a fortunate side effect, further amplified their celestial allure. Moreover, he facilitated their deeper understanding of the cultivation methods he had imparted, and the results were highly gratifying - each had achieved minor aplishment-level. While Jiang Chen was engrossed in his thoughts, a private exchange was underway amongst the women. Their utterances, though imperceptible to the ear, were transmitted clearly via the mental link their nuptial rings afforded. [Ning Xian: Sister Tao, are we genuinely considering that?] [Mu Tao: Unquestionably.] [Ning Xian: But what if Husband finds them displeasing?] [Mu Tao: That''s inconceivable! If we are fond of them, Husband will be too. What''s your opinion, Sister Xiaorui?] [Miao Xiaorui: I believe it''s a sound n. We require additional assistance tobat a True Dragon!] [Ning Xian:...] [Mu Tao: Hehe, Sister Xiaorui, you''re like a transformed individual when we converse here.] Before they could extend their covert conversation, Jiang Chen''s voice sliced through their mental exchange. Taken aback, they promptly withdrew from their telepathic chat group. "Husband, is something amiss?" Ning Xian, perpetually naive and endearing, queried, her eyes brimming with worry. Mu Tao and Miao Xiaorui also swiveled their gazes towards Jiang Chen, their faces marked by curiosity. "Elder Ge has just ryed a message." Jiang Chen disclosed, a touch of expectancy coloring his tone. "Feng Jun is predicted to return to the sect in two days. It''s about time we made our way back as well." When he had initially encountered Feng Jun, he had guided him to Ye Fan. Perhaps, this time, history was poised to replicate itself. Without further dy, Jiang Chen immediately mobilized his Yuan Power. The seemingly unassuming boat started to morph under the sway of his energy. In the blink of an eye, it transformed from a rudimentary watercraft to aplex flying artifact, radiating a grand aura. The artifact propelled into the sky, cleaving through the air like a keen de, leaving the mor of thekeside celebrations in its wake. ... Five days hence, the towering gate of the Starry Abyss Sect swam into sight. Having settled his wives in their newly refurbished dwelling within the sect, Jiang Chen lost no time. He took flight, his purpose mirrored in his gaze. His destination - the Sect''s Main Hall. In a sh, Jiang Chen found himself before the magnificent entrance of the Sect''s Main Hall. Notably, Sect Master Feng Jun was present, anticipating his arrival, unmistakably informed of his return. "Greetings, Supreme Elder!" Upon recognizing Jiang Chen, Feng Jun promptly bowed his head in deference. "Dispense with the formalities, Sect Master." Jiang Chen responded with an acknowledging nod. Then, without beating around the bush, he hit the nail on the head, "I''m in pursuit of the continuation of the Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture. Could you guide me?" "The seeding part of the Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture?" Feng Jun echoed in astonishment. "I''m unaware of such, but our sect''s progenitor, Chu Xingming, left a decree. He instructed that a sect member who ascends to the Heavenly Origin Realm should pay a visit to our Ancestral Hall. By merging their Heavenly Origin Power with his legacy statue, they could unravel the founding mysteries of our sect!" This disclosure kindled a flicker of gratification within Jiang Chen. It served as a beacon, hinting at the onset of a fresh narrative. His preliminary suspicions had been urate - the Ancestral Hall held the keys to his queries. His apprehensions concerning its safeguard, however, were assuaged by Feng Jun''s exnation. Nevertheless, his circumstance necessitated the highest degree of vignce. Keeping his emotions under control, Jiang Chen asserted, "Then, let''s advance to the Ancestral Hall, Sect Master Feng Jun." "Very well, Supreme Elder." Feng Jun concurred with a grave nod. He then soared into the air, charting the course. Jiang Chen, his mind abuzz with expectation, trailed closely behind. In the blink of an eye, Jiang Chen, apanied by Sect Master Feng Jun, found themselves before the imposing edifice, once the dwelling of the esteemed Chu Xingming. The expedition was rapid and unimpeded by diversions, as Jiang Chen''s sole attentiony in essing the Ancestral Hall. "Do you regrly visit this ce?" Jiang Chen''s gaze remained fixed on the majesty of the hall as he addressed his question to Feng Jun. "No." Feng Jun answered, his tone grave, "I only ventured here once, upon seeding the position of the Sect Master. This would be my second visit." He shook his head, borating, "Only the sessive Sect Masters are granted ess to the knowledge of the Heavenly Origin Realm and the heirlooms left behind by our ancestor." "Understood." Jiang Chen responded, a faint smile ying on his lips. He didn''t dwell on the conversation and stated, "Let''s proceed inside." "Yes!" A glint of expectation shone in Feng Jun''s eyes as he nodded, trailing behind Jiang Chen towards the Ancestral Hall. Despite holding the title of Sect Master for almost a century, the mystery surrounding Chu Xingming''s concealed secrets and the true origins of the Starry Abyss Sect continued to intrigue him. Within a few paces, Jiang Chen and Feng Jun found themselves standing on the cusp of the Ancestral Hall. Parting the imposing doors, they ventured into the sanctified expanse within. Despite its antiquity and infrequent use, the hall was impably maintained, preserved byyers of intricate wards, bearing testament to the profound skills of its constructor. Within,memorative tablets densely covered the space, tier upon tier, resembling a forest of stone. Jiang Chen projected his divine sense over these tablets, tallying a total of thirty. Each one signified a sessive Sect Master of the Starry Abyss Sect, with the uppermost one belonging to the Founding Sect Master, Chu Xingming. "Thirty Ancestors!" Jiang Chen expressed, a hint of astonishment gleaming in his eyes, "Our Starry Abyss Sect must span a history of at least three thousand years!" The profound age of the sect left a profound impact on him. "Indeed." Feng Jun confirmed, a surge of pride gracing his visage, "The Starry Abyss Sect has upheld its prominence for three thousand six hundred years. Throughout these millennia, it has consistently remained one of the paramount powers on the Mysterious Truth Continent." "Considering the Founding Ancestor''s legacy is at stake, there''s no time for dy." Jiang Chen asserted, his smile subtle but brimming with resolve. Disregarding the towering array of tablets, he advanced towards the depth of the hall. Beyond the imposing formation of ancestral tablets, a broad tform unveiled itself, bordered by jade railings that shimmered with a surreal luminescence. A solitary figure stood there, an elder robed in attire as pristine as the whitest snow. His stature was lofty and slender, emanating an aura of immortal elegance as he stood in silent vignce by the railing. His gaze appeared to be fixated on the relentless waves of the cloud sea, akin to an eternal guardian observing the passage of time. This was the Founding Sect Master, Chu Xingming. However, the man himself had long left this realm, leaving only this legacy statue, meticulously sculpted by his own hands, as his timeless testimony. "Disciple Jiang Chen offers his respects to the Ancestor." Jiang Chen respectfully dered, extending a bow towards the statue of Chu Xingming. "Disciple Feng Jun, likewise, offers his respects." Feng Jun mirrored, joining Jiang Chen in his act of reverence. Upon the conclusion of their formalities, Jiang Chen approached Chu Xingming''s legacy statue. He stopped in front of the statue, his gaze meeting Chu Xingming''s. The intricate engravings conveyed a sense of reminiscence and reluctance seemingly dwelling in Chu Xingming''s eyes, alluding to a history brimming with untold tales. "Ancestor, the time has arrived to uncover your secrets." Jiang Chen softly murmured. He extended a hand, resting it on the statue''s shoulder. "What drove you to establish the Starry Abyss Sect?" The instant his fingers brushed the statue, a rush of Heavenly Yuan Power erupted forth, coursing into the legacy statue like a river suddenly sprung to life. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 121: The Secrets of the Starry Abyss Sect In an instant, Chu Xingming''s legacy statue seemed to stir, its dignified bearing shifting in a mesmerizing fashion. "Incredible!" "To believe that despite the spiritual Qi depletion in the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain, a being capable of reaching the Heavenly Origin realm exists!" "I''m unaware of your identity, but you must indeed be a prodigious talent of unprecedented caliber! A rare gem seen once in ten millennia, outshining even myself, Chu Xingming. Haha, truly marvelous indeed!" The statue of Chu Xingming, peering across the limitless sea of clouds, uttered words in an uncanny semnce of life. Jiang Chen, however, understood the reality. This was merely a script preordained by Chu Xingming himself before his departure from the world. A conversation etched in stone, lying in wait for the deserving to hear. ''Everflowing Truth Northern Domain?'' ''So, the Mysterious Truth Continent, the Snowy Wind Continent, and others fall under the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain?'' ''If this expansive territoryprises only one-fourth of the entire Everflowing Truth Domain, then its scale is truly staggering.'' Jiang Chen contemted, a wave of satisfaction enveloping him as a broader, moreprehensive map was disclosed before him. At this critical juncture, the statue resumed speaking. "Heavenly Origin realm genius." "If you stand here today, you are either a member of the Starry Abyss Sect, or a formidable being that has seeded in annihting it." "Nevertheless, the specifics are inconsequential!" "Regardless of who you are, I will disclose the truth about myself, the inception, and the foundational purpose that ignited the establishment of the Starry Abyss Sect." The statue of Chu Xingming ceased speaking, its promation lingering in the atmosphere. '''' ''Does this statue unveil its secrets to anyone who achieves the Heavenly Origin realm?'' ''It seems more like a plot device contrived specifically for the chosen ones, perhaps individuals like Lin Feng or Ye Fan'' Jiang Chen ruminated inwardly, processing this fresh revtion. In that instant, the statue of Chu Xingming rmenced its tale. "I won''t dally with suspense, I shall speak straightforwardly." "I was once a disciple of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, located in the Everflowing Truth Central Domain." "After the spiritual Qi in the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain began to fade, the leading figures of my sect predicted the birth of a supreme treasure within its confines." "In response, the Purple Heaven Holy Land sent a battalion of disciples tob through the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain. Matching this effort, two other formidable organizations, the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple, also dispatched their disciples on this quest." "However, the endeavor was fruitless. We all returned empty-handed..." The statue of Chu Xingming articted slowly, sketching the course of history with his words. Subsequently, having found nothing, the three major forces - Purple Heaven Holy Land, Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, and Jade Lake Heavenly Temple - gradually withdrew their disciples. Despite this setback, their resolve remained unbroken. Consequently, each of these powers chose to leave a handful of disciples behind, maintaining their vigil over the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain for a more extended period. In the midst of these developments, Chu Xingming stepped up. He volunteered to stay behind, forming the foundation of the Starry Abyss Sect. He was not without a n; certain leads had led him to believe that he could seize the grand opportunity solely for himself. However, fate had a different script. As his life neared its conclusion, marking five hundred years of existence, the treasure he had set his sights on remained hidden. The entire endeavor was burdened with the gradual depletion of spiritual Qi within the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain. With the diminishing of spiritual Qi, the quality and worth of the natural treasures steadily declined. Cultivators with advanced cultivation bases found it unviable to continue their practice and opted to leave, one after another. The Purple Heaven Holy Land recognized the futility of Chu Xingming''s continued pursuit within the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain and suggested recalling him. However, Chu Xingming, having established the Starry Abyss Sect in these territories, was hesitant to relinquish his groundwork. After ample consideration, the Purple Heaven Holy Land chose to respect Chu Xingming''s decision. They agreed to let him remain and foster the growth of the sect in the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain. His duties epassed the scouting for gifted disciples to be sent to the Holy Land. The selected disciples, however, had to fulfill one condition - they must ascend to the Heavenly Origin realm before reaching the age of fifty. During the initial years, Chu Xingming seeded in propelling dozens of disciples forward. However, as time progressed, the count of those attaining the Heavenly Origin realm began to wane. Eventually, the breakthroughs came to aplete halt. For the three thousand years that ensued, the entire Everflowing Truth Northern Domain, not merely the Starry Abyss Sect, experienced a chilling scarcity in the number of cultivators reaching the Heavenly Origin realm. The once promising discourse of promoting disciples had be a mere echo, a distant reminiscence of a time long gone. ''Sending disciples, huh?'' ''This could be my opportunity to venture into the Everflowing Truth Central Domain. The ce is undoubtedly a sanctuary for cultivators, teeming with seasoned experts from the Northern Domain. It must assuredly be superior to other regions.'' ''Also, what could have caused the depletion of spiritual Qi in the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain? Could it have been the Cave Heaven secret realm of Immortal Tian Cui?'' ''No, no. If it were the Cave Heaven secret realm, it would surely have been discovered by now. Besides, the Cave Heaven secret realmcks the potency to drain the spiritual Qi from the entirety of the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain.'' ''Never mind, it''s fruitless to specte. Let''s concentrate on the ongoing narrative.'' Casting aside his spections, Jiang Chen decided to halt his needless conjectures. Chu Xingming''s legacy statue continued its tale. "You now understand my origins and the motives that underpinned the establishment of the Starry Abyss Sect." "Now, if you desire to join the ranks of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, this legacy statue of mine can serve as your conduit. It can teleport you directly to the Purple Heaven Holy Land, nestled at the core of the Everflowing Truth Central Domain." "The authority and prestige of the Purple Heaven Holy Land outshine anything you''ve ever experienced. It''s a treasure trove overflowing with countless cultivation techniques, secret arts, and abundant cultivation resources." "Consider, for instance, the ''Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture''. It is a principal cultivation method, capable of being advanced to the Third Step of the Cultivation Path!" "The ''Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture'' avable here is merely a condensed version, confined to cultivation up to the Heavenly Origin realm." "If you opt for the path of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, regret will never tarnish your journey!" As these words echoed around him, Jiang Chen found himself scratching his head. Aical notion surfaced in his mind, one that sparked a smirk on the corners of his mouth. ''Isn''t Chu Xingming starting to sound rather like a recruitment officer I once encountered?'' Nheless, the proposition of enrolling in the Purple Heaven Holy Land carried an undeniable appeal for Jiang Chen. The allure of the Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture alone was potent enough to influence his decision. After all, this was a cultivation method that promised a journey up to the Third Step of the Cultivation Path. This feat was unquestionably more powerful than what the ''Four Knows Nine Royals True Canon'' could possibly provide. Jiang Chen found himself grateful for his earlier caution, for not impulsively delving into the practice of the Four Knows Nine Royals True Canon. At this juncture. "This is the energy infusion socket of the teleportation array." "By supplying a significant amount of spirit stones into this socket and then channeling your Heavenly Yuan Power into it, the teleportation gateway leading to the Everflowing Truth Central Domain can be activated." "Take heed, only those who have reached the Heavenly Origin realm can traverse this gateway. Those of inferior power will encounter only their demise." With these words, Chu Xingming''s legacy statue stepped aside, revealing a small square recess at its base. ''So, this is the energy portal, the nucleus of the teleportation array.'' ''Everflowing Truth Central Domain, I am fated to set foot on your terrain, but before that...'' Jiang Chen contemted inwardly, then turned to observe Feng Jun, who was evidently stirred, his frame subtly quivering with anticipation. It was a universal truth that cultivators residing within the Mysterious tform realm were granted approximately two centuries of life. Feng Jun, having already lived over a century and a half, was no exception. However, he had already navigated the journey to thete stage of the Mysterious tform realm. Now, enriched with a wealth of Heavenly Origin spiritual nts, his chances of breaking through - given he could transmute these boons into pill form - were far from gloomy. In view of this, Feng Jun''s eyes sparkled with an unmistakable glint of hope. Chapter 122: Venturing towards the Everflowing Truth Central Domain "Sect Master Feng Jun," Jiang Chen proffered a serene smile, "I harbor strong conviction in your potential to ascend to the Heavenly Origin realm and acquire the credentials necessary to tread the exalted ground of Everflowing Truth Central Domain." "Your words of encouragement mean the world to me, Supreme Elder!" Feng Jun replied, his vigorous nods conveying his palpable zeal and gratitude. "Hmm." "I intend to advance to the Purple Heaven Holy Land and establish a foothold. Upon your arrival, together with the others, we shall present a unified front, embodying the pride and power of the Starry Abyss Sect." Jiang Chen articted with an amused chuckle. The Purple Heaven Holy Land was indeed a colossus, housing countless factions within its vast borders. In such a ce, an extra hand of assistance would undeniably make a difference. Even if Feng Jun and the others mightck the power to provide substantial aid, Feng Jun''s substantial tenure as a sect master would undeniably equip him to expertly handle minor yet significant affairs! "Excellent!" "I grasp your intention!" Feng Jun''s eyes glimmered with understanding as he nodded emphatically. "Sect Master, the cloak of nightfall has already descended!" "I have ns to set off for the Everflowing Truth Central Domaine tomorrow. Tonight, I wish to savour my remaining moments in the sect with thedies," Jiang Chen divulged, his gaze wandering towards the exterior where the darkness had already taken reign. With these words, he swiveled around, his silhouette darting into the skies towards his personal quarters. He departed, leaving behind Feng Jun who was on his way back to the Main Hall of the Sect. Now, with a distinct path delineated for Jiang Chen, an epassing sense of serenity nketed him. As Jiang Chen made his return, he was greeted by the enchanting sight of his cherished wives in the courtyard. Their features, caressed by the gentle radiance of the moonlight, were filled with anticipation of his arrival. Swiftly descending from the heavenly expanse, his form was framed as a silhouette against the luminescent glow of the moon. His feet made a gentle contact with the ground, positioning him before the trio of women who had been patiently awaiting his arrival. "Xian''er, Xiaorui''er, Tao''er." His voice resonated through the quiet, its soothing rhythm merging with the stillness of the night. With measured steps, he approached, locking gazes with each woman. In their eyes, a hint of anxiety was perceptible, a silent testament to the impending separation that lurked just beyond the horizon. Their bond was unyielding, resiliently standing its ground against the relentless passage of time. A solitary shared nce sufficed a wordless exchange between hearts bound together. "Let''s retire indoors." Jiang Chen suggested, preemptively curbing any questions before they could form. Inside, the dwelling had been transformed, now mirroring the opulence of an ancient mansion, serving as testament to Elder Ge''s meticulous adherence to Jiang Chen''s instructions. Golden dragons, carved masterfully from wood, adorned the grand ceiling, their forms intertwined in a celestial dance. The walls bore intricate depictions of age-old myths and legends, imbuing the environment with an aura of enduring grandeur. Yet, given the current mood, the splendor of their surroundings wentrgely unnoticed. Observing Jiang Chen settle onto therge, majestic divan, the trio followed suit. Ning Xian, the most prominent among them, imed her ce in Jiang Chen''sp. She nestled against him, her arms affectionately draping around his neck. To Jiang Chen''s right, Miao Xiaorui discovered her tranquil spot, her head resting serenely against his sturdy shoulder. On his left, Mu Tao found her niche, her voluptuous form leaning into his steady presence. Her head reclined gently against his arm. Subsequently, Jiang Chen initiated his recounting of the revtions obtained from Chu Xingming''s legacy statue, nestled within the Ancestral Hall. His voice, a constant flow of tranquility, diligently detailed the specifics of his imminent journey, gradually unveiling the unearthed reality. As his narration reached its end, a profound silence enveloped the room. This was not the silence borne of emptiness, but of understanding, of acknowledgment. Within this tranquil hush, words felt unnecessary. Each woman instinctively drew closer, their bodies seamlessly molding to his, their heartbeats syncing in a shared rhythm. As they basked in the nurturing warmth of their collective embrace, each cherished the bittersweet beauty of this transitory moment. ... As the blush-tinted dawn heralded the arrival of a new day, the first strands of sunlight softly caressed thendscape of their residence. Against this serene panorama, Jiang Chen, along with his wives, Ning Xian, Miao Xiaorui, and Mu Tao, stood unified at the entrance of their dwelling. "While my physical presence may be missing, our rings shall serve as the unbroken tether binding us together." Jiang Chen, his gaze affectionately sweeping over his wives, broke the tranquil morning with his words. "As for our journey ahead, we''ll navigate it step by step, adapting our strategy in response to the changing winds." "Weprehend, husband. We''ll keep our fortress secure here. Focus entirely on your voyage." Ning Xian responded, her voice a gentle murmur of unwavering resolve. "Absolutely, husband. Have faith in us. We''ll safeguard our haven until your return." Mu Tao chimed in, her voice a harmonious melody blending seamlessly with Ning Xian''s. Beside them, Miao Xiaorui affirmed her staunch agreement with a resolute nod. Having dispensed a few more nuggets of wisdom, Jiang Chen outstretched his arms. Without a fraction of reluctance, the women gravitated into his embrace, their bodies fitting impably against his form. A tender kiss was exchanged with each woman, a solemn vow of his assured return. Subsequently, gently freeing himself from their hold, Jiang Chen ascended towards the heavens. Meanwhile, the women, steadfast in their position, traced his receding silhouette until it disappeared from their vision. Just then. "Sisters, now that our husband has embarked on his journey towards transcendence..." Mu Tao, turning her gaze towards Ning Xian and Miao Xiaorui, began, her countenance marked by solemnity. Detecting her tone, the other two, influenced by the weight in her voice, mirrored her gravity. However, her ensuing words left them utterly astounded, as Mu Tao continued, "We too must gird ourselves, and forge the illustrious family our husband envisions!" This unexpected transition from serious to humorous left the women momentarily stunned before they burst into uncontrolledughter. Their collectiveughter reverberated throughout their dwelling, dissipating the residual somber ambiance. In the face of their husband''s departure, it seemed they had discovered their own distinctive way forward. In the meantime, Jiang Chen had once again ascended to the pinnacle of the Starry Abyss Heavenly Peak, returning to the erstwhile dwelling of Chu Xingming - the Ancestral Hall of the Starry Abyss Sect. On this asion, Feng Jun was also present, but he wasn''t alone. Apanying him was none other than Elder Ge. "Supreme Elder!" "Young Master!" Both Feng Jun and Elder Ge bowed in deference upon setting their eyes on Jiang Chen. "Hm!" "I summoned both of you here because I believe in your capability to manage matters." "As I set out on my journey, I anticipate that you will honor my wives'' directives as you would mine. My dwelling should remain untouched unless they call for you." Jiang Chen began the discussion, a genial smile gracing his features, and continued, "Abide by this order, and even if you''re unable to ascend realms through your own strength, I guarantee I''ll devise a means to facilitate it. And here''s my assurance..." Suddenly, the smile adorning Jiang Chen''s face evaporated. His demeanor shifted into a persona of aloof detachment and indifference. An aura of majesty, subtly infused with a trace of bloodlust, started to permeate the atmosphere as he unleashed the full might of his Peak-stage Heavenly Origin realm aura! Both Feng Jun and Elder Ge, who had been silently observing, now sported widened eyes, their expressions reflecting shock and disbelief. Feng Jun, in particr, was thunderstruck, considering his knowledge that Jiang Chen had only recently progressed to the Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm! This was beyondprehension! In an instant, as if an illusion had been shattered, normality was restored. Even Jiang Chen''s smile made aeback on his visage. Subsequently. "Supreme Elder, you can trust that I will ensure the fulfillment of your directives without exception." Feng Jun, steadfast, was the first to affirm his resolve, his eyes glinting with a deadly resolve, "Should anyone disregard the rules, they will confront my ire!" "Young Master, I''ll dedicate my utmost efforts to carrying out your mandate." Elder Ge, having recovered from his initial shock, also pledged his dedication, his face exuding reverence. Satisfied with theirmitments, Jiang Chen advanced towards the Ancestral Hall. Without hesitation, he stood before the legacy statue of Chu Xingming. Interestingly, the statue hadn''t yet returned to its initial position. Approaching the energy infusion port of the teleportation array, Jiang Chen extended his hand, and a generous amount of high-grade spirit stones streamed into it! Jiang Chen was in possession of a significant wealth of spirit stones tens of millions of low-grade spirit stones, hundreds of thousands of middle-grade spirit stones, and nearly ten thousand high-grade spirit stones. Spirit stones were ssified into four tiers: low, middle, high, and top-grade, with a conversion rate of a hundred-fold distinguishing each grade. Beyond spirit stones existed spirit jades, also separated into low, middle, high, and top-grade divisions. However, on the Mysterious Truth Continent, high-grade spirit stones were a raremodity. A top-grade spirit stone was virtually a mythical artifact, and spirit jades were even more so. At this point, Jiang Chen infused a considerable amount of high-grade spirit stones. Subsequently, he channeled his Heavenly Yuan Power into the energy infusion port. Instantaneously! The teleportation array sprang into action. Directed by the formation, each spirit stone located its assigned position, lending its energy to the activation process! In no time, the teleportation formation was fully charged. A brilliant white beam of light soared towards the heavens, its domineering force enveloping the surrounding area. "Godspeed, Supreme Elder!" Feng Jun executed a deep bow, his eyes shimmering with anticipation. "Travel safe, Young Master!" Elder Ge too conveyed his profound respects. In response, Jiang Chen acknowledged their salutes with a subtle nod and stepped into the glowing beam of teleportation! A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 123: Arrival in the Purple Heaven Holy Land A resonant whoosh echoed! Jiang Chen found himself tangled within a tube of vibrant luminescence. His entire existence was subjected to overwhelming pressure and shearing forces. Without the exceptional physical resilience conferred by the Heavenly Origin realm, he would unquestionably have been ground to dust. Inside this radiating passage, Jiang Chen''s perception of time became obscured; the passage of moments was nebulousit could have been an eternity or just a mere blink. Suddenly, a st of light far brighter than anything prior erupted from the tunnel''s termination! In the following moment, Jiang Chen felt a subtle tremor course through his body as the reassuring firmness of solid ground materialized beneath his feet. His surroundings transitioned swiftly from blinding radiance to an ordinaryndscape. He found himself standing within what seemed to be an incredibly ancient courtyard, the corners of the rooftops adorned with suspended cobwebs. Underfoot, a vast circr teleportation array sprawled out! A soft luminescence continued to pulse from the teleportation array, but it quickly began to fade. Adjacent to the teleportation array, a cultivator was staring at Jiang Chen, a look of utter disbelief painted across his face! ''Did I arrive in the Everflowing Truth Central Domain?'' ''This teleportation array''s location seems so run-down. Could it signify that the Purple Heaven Holy Land is considering severing ties with the Starry Abyss Sect?'' Jiang Chen''s gaze swept across his surroundings, finallying to rest on the visibly shaken cultivator. He focused the Viin''s Eye on the man. There was no reaction. Thisck of response suggested that the man was likely just a passerby. Judging by the energy of his cultivation base, he was merely a cultivator in the Soul Refining Realm. "Are you a disciple of the Purple Heaven Holy Land?" Jiang Chen addressed the dumbstruck man, his voiceced with nonchnce, "What might your name be?" "No... No, I''m not..." "I merely serve as a handyman for the Purple Heaven Holy Land." Under Jiang Chen''s formidable presence, the man stammered fearfully, "My name is Zhao Heguang." "Zhao Heguang, is it?" "Do you have any knowledge regarding the destination of this teleportation array? Also, why are you present here?" Jiang Chen''s demeanor remained calm as he asked these questions with a casual air. "I do, I do!" "This teleportation array is reportedly connected to the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain. There resides a subsidiary sect of ours, the Starry Abyss Sect." "However, this array has been dormant, neither allowing teleportation to that region nor receiving anyone from there for countless millennia." "I''ve been assigned to supervise this site. Never did I imagine someone would actually traverse from the other end." Astonishment painted Zhao Heguang''s face, "In thousands of years, you''re the first to emerge. Could it be possible that you hail from the Starry Abyss Sect?" "Indeed." "I am indeed a member of the Starry Abyss Sect!" "And it was precisely from there that I was teleported." "ording to the initial pact, those who achieve the Heavenly Origin realm before fifty can be teleported here, directly being inducted into the ranks of the Purple Heaven Holy Land." A subtle smile graced Jiang Chen''s lips, "Now, guide me to your leader." "Yes!" Zhao Heguang nodded immediately, his features shifting into an ingratiating expression. At first nce, Jiang Chen looked extraordinarily youthful, but he had already ascended to the Heavenly Origin realm. A true genius! Even within the esteemed Purple Heaven Holy Land, he was not an ordinary disciple. Being a humble handyman, if he could attach himself to Jiang Chen''s rising star, he might rapidly ascend to the status of an outer disciple! "Proceed." Jiang Chen gave a subtle nod. Without any dy, Zhao Heguang took the lead. However, his pace was excessively slow. Consequently, Jiang Chen seized his cor and steered him, permitting him to focus solely on charting the course. Before long, Jiang Chen had navigated through lush mountains, arriving at the base of an immense formation bathed in radiant light. "This is the foremost grand sect-protecting formation of the Purple Heaven Holy Land." "Only upon reaching the status of an outer disciple in the Purple Heaven Holy Land does one gain the privilege to set foot on the Holy Land. Only then can one genuinely deem oneself a disciple of the Purple Heaven Holy Land." "As a handyman, I''m confined to the peripheral areas. The Deacon Hall for handymen is in that direction." As Zhao Heguang spoke, he indicated a specific direction beneath them. "Hmm." Jiang Chen offered a slight nod in acknowledgement. He had earlier hypothesized that the teleportation array wouldn''t be located within the precincts of the Purple Sky Holy Land. Indeed, the reciprocal end of the teleportation array was situated in the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain, making it susceptible to external intrusions. At this point, Jiang Chen unleashed his divine sense. Beneath him, he discerned a bustling square, brimming with people, as well as an imposing hall. The hall exuded an aura of grandeur and majesty. However, in essence, it served as the administrative center overseeing the Purple Heaven Holy Land''s handymen. Most of the cultivators milling around were akin to Zhao Heguang, mere handymen. Only a select few were outer disciples garbed in the sect''s official uniform. Whenever an outer disciple sauntered through the crowd, people naturally parted ways, watching with envious nces. ''Purple Heaven Holy Land!'' ''Just the name distinguishes it from the ces I traversed across the three continents; it''s likely a ma for a protagonist.'' ''Let''s begin here. Perhaps among these handymen hides a protagonist following a slow, underdog-style progression!'' Engrossed in his contemtions, Jiang Chen began his descent, consistently employing the Viin''s Eye to scrutinize the vicinity. However, the Viin''s Eye yielded no feedback. There was no protagonist, not even a minor character. ''Nothing, huh.'' ''No matter. Given my current ck Heavenly Fate Value, I''m bound to cross paths with the protagonist.'' Jiang Chen''s thoughts were reflected in his gaze. He then set foot onto the square, with Zhao Heguang trailing behind. Whoosh. An abrupt release of his aura instantly drew astonished nces from hundreds of handymen and a few outer disciples! "What an overwhelming aura!" "That''s the aura of a Heavenly Origin Realm expert. I''ve been privileged enough to sense such an aura once before." "Good heavens! Such a young Heavenly Origin Realm powerhouse. He''s certainly a prodigy." "He''s even holding someone in his hand. Isn''t that... Zhao Heguang!?" "How did that guy wind up in the grip of a Heavenly Origin Realm genius? Did he affront him?" "It doesn''t seem so, based on what we can see." "..." The crowd whispered among themselves, their voices hushed, as if fearing to rouse Jiang Chen''s ire. At that moment, a group briskly emerged from the Deacon Hall, which supervised the handymen. Three in total, each was a cultivator of the Spiritual Awakening Realm, their faces etched with years. Jiang Chen identified them instantly. These were the overseers of the handymen''s Deacon Hall. ''Superior cultivation trulyes with its benefits.'' Jiang Chen pondered, ''Simply stand in ce, and people naturally converge to offer their greetings.'' "My name is Bao Zhu." "Honored to meet you, esteemed senior!" The trio approached Jiang Chen, their faces etched with respectful smiles. The leading figure respectfully bowed with hands folded in front of him. "I presume you are aware of who I am." Jiang Chen responded, his smile unchanging as he gently lowered Zhao Heguang from his grasp. "Indeed, I am." Bao Zhu, the leader of the trio, promptly confirmed! The duties of Zhao Heguang were well known to him! He was the guardian of the Teleportation Hall! Given that Jiang Chen and Zhao Heguang had arrived together, their identities were unmistakable. They were clearly from the Starry Abyss sect. "No need for extraneous words then." "Can you assist with my entry into the Purple Heaven Holy Land?" Jiang Chen nodded subtly, voicing his intention. "Absolutely!" "As a prodigy from the Starry Abyss sect, you are undoubtedly eligible to join the Purple Heaven Holy Land!" "However, it''s been millennia since a disciple from the Starry Abyss sect has teleported here." "In fact, among us three, only Zhao Heguang and I are informed of the Starry Abyss sect''s existence." "Consequently, this matter is not inconsequential. You might need to meet with the Holy Lord himself!" "I''ll convey this situation immediately. In the meantime, please feel free to rest inside." Bao Zhu responded, his face aglow with a weing smile. epting his invitation, Jiang Chen entered the Handymen Hall and awaited patiently. In the interim, Bao Zhu departed tomunicate the information. ... Chapter 124: Meeting the Purple Heaven Holy Lord Before long, five figures entered the Handyman Hall, each emitting a formidable aura indicative of the Heavenly Origin realm! With a brief scan using Jiang Chen''s Viin''s Eye, they were identified as supporting characters. Their Fate Values floated around the five hundred mark, suggesting they had a considerable amount of time ahead. ''Just as I predicted!'' ''There has to be a protagonist in this Purple Heaven Holy Land, or one is likely to arrive soon!'' ''If the former, the protagonist is probably gaining strength. If it''s thetter, it might signify imminent danger, potentially inciting a revenge plot leading to the sect''s downfall.'' After a few deep breaths topose himself, Jiang Chen stood up and bowed respectfully to the group of five. He had already deduced the identities of these five figures. The group''s leader was an elderly man named Rong Liangcai, with a mildly plump physique. "Did you journey here from the Starry Abyss Sect?" Among the five Heavenly Origin realm powerhouses, it was Rong Liangcai, an Elder in the Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm, who questioned. His gaze was prating, and the scrutinizing look he directed at Jiang Chen was filled with uncertainty. A simr skepticism was reflected in the faces of the other four. It had been quite some time since a disciple from the Starry Abyss Sect had been dispatched. A sudden arrival now, of course, sparked suspicion. They were acutely aware of the circumstances in the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain. The notion that a young man could ascend to the Heavenly Origin realm amidst such precarious conditions was, to put it mildly, astonishing. Consequently, their doubts were deeply etched! "Indeed." "My name is Jiang Chen." "Do you need verification?" Jiang Chen lightly nodded, posing the question with a subtle smile. "Certainly!" Rong Liangcai grunted, instantaneouslyunching a swift strike at Jiang Chen. ''Void Rainbow Sword Technique!'' Jiang Chen''sposure remained unbroken. Using a single finger as his sword, he gracefully channeled the profundity of the ninth sword style ''Returning to One'' into his action, releasing it with ease. "What?!" Rong Liangcai saw only a blur before his eyes, an overwhelming sword intent had already descended upon him. The whiff of impending doom permeated his senses. As if in the very next moment, this sword intent would cleave him in two! However, almost immediately, that terrifying sword intent astonishingly swept past his face, as gentle as a spring zephyr! "I-I-I, I made it through!" Rong Liangcai quivered from head to toe, finally snapping back to his senses. He hastily patted his own head. Once he confirmed that he was unscathed and very much alive, he breathed a sigh of relief. And this spectacle, Bao Zhu, along with the other four Heavenly Origin realm cultivators, observed, eyes wide and tongues stilled in disbelief! Rong Liangcai was a cultivator at the Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm. The fact that Jiang Chen could so easily overpower him was utterly bewildering. "How was it?" Jiang Chen withdrew his hand, shing a slight smile. "It''s the ''Returning to One'' sword style from the ''Void Rainbow Sword Technique''!" "And the method you use to circte your Yuan Power mirrors a simplified version of the ''Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture'' - fundamentally, it''s the ''Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture''!" "To have reached the Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm at such a young age, and to have honed the Void Rainbow Sword Technique to the ninthyer, you are indeed an extraordinary talent, a true prodigy!" "Daoist Jiang Chen, my attack was driven by circumstances. I trust you harbor no resentment!" Rong Liangcai first nodded seriously, then with a look of amazement and a hint of respect, he addressed Jiang Chen. "Mmm." "I hold no resentment." Jiang Chen responded with a casual smile. However, internally, he couldn''t help but berate Chu Xingming. Chu Xingming had dered that anyone, regardless of their origin from the Starry Abyss Sect, could utilize his teleportation array to reach the Purple Heaven Holy Land, and associate with them. As it transpired now, the Purple Heaven Holy Land members indeed insisted on verifying one''s true identity. Consequently, there was a possibility that Chu Xingming had set a trap. If a non-disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect indeed attempted to join the Purple Heaven Holy Land, their fate would be essentially sealed. Naturally, the protagonist was an exception. Ironically, if the Purple Heaven Holy Land were to incite the protagonist, it would then be an excellent harvesting ground for the protagonist. Returning to the current predicament. Recognizing that Jiang Chen did not intend to linger on the past dispute, Rong Liangcai promptly bowed, showing respect to Jiang Chen. He said gleefully, "I am grateful for your indulgence! Allow me to escort you to meet our Holy Lord!" The others, too, gazed at Jiang Chen, their faces adorned with ingratiating smiles. The once formidable quintet, in Jiang Chen''s presence, had already begun to exhibit tendencies of bing obsequious followers. It was inevitable. Jiang Chen was an extraordinary prodigy. Once he joined the Purple Heaven Holy Land, his future aplishments would know no bounds! What followed next. Under the guidance of Rong Liangcai and the others, Jiang Chen passed through the outer gate''s protective array of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. He then entered a cluster of white buildings built atop a towering mountain. Here, countless pce halls, brimming with immortal Qi, stood in a seemingly infinite array. One nce was enough to ascertain that this ce was not a typical dwelling for mortals. "This is the Holy Lord''s residence!" "The Holy Lord has granted permission to meet you. Please proceed straight along this path. We, being of lesser status, do not have the privilege to enter and will not apany you any further." Rong Liangcai gestured towards a formation passageway thaty ahead. "Understood." "This is my transmission jade token. It will allow us to remain in contact in the future." With a nod, Jiang Chen presented his transmission jade token. Rong Liangcai and the others, of course, were more than pleased to ept. They promptly produced their own transmission jade tokens and exchanged imprints. Soon thereafter, the quintet departed. Meanwhile, Jiang Chen stepped into the formation passageway. ''So, I''m about to meet the lord of the Purple Heaven Holy Land.'' ''This advancement is remarkably rapid. Most handymen might not even catch a glimpse of the Purple Heaven Holy Lord in their entire lifetimes.'' Shaking his head in amusement at the thought, Jiang Chen proceeded forward. He deliberately restrained his divine sense from wandering haphazardly, as he was about to enter the personal quarters of the Purple Heaven Holy Lord. Before long, navigating through numerous pces and towers, Jiang Chen arrived at a jade tform built on the edge of a precipice. Upon the jade tform stood a quaint pavilion, within which a middle-aged man and a young woman were seated across from each other. The middle-aged man, with his head of silver hair and a beard to match, exuded an aura of wisdom. His expression was serene, as tranquil as a cidke, reflected in his calm gaze. He was attired in ck robes embellished with a purple emblem of the Holy Land. Yet, Jiang Chen could barely discern any aura from this man. Surprisingly, it was the young woman who held a cultivation base at the Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm. Her silver-white hair, reminiscent of a cascade of frost, framed her porcinplexion that was as wless as a canvas of snow. Her frosty blue eyes held an icy elegance, a quiet dignity that was both alluring and aloof. Her outfit, an elegant robe of royal purple, entuated her refined aura. Although her cultivation base seemed somewhat unstable, like someone who had recently achieved a breakthrough, it was nheless a testament to her extraordinary talent! ''The man must undeniably be the Purple Heaven Holy Lord.'' ''And the young woman, she bears a certain resemnce to the Holy Lord. Plus, in terms of beauty, she matches Xian''er. Could she possibly be...'' With that thought, Jiang Chen activated his unique ability, ''Viin''s Eye!'' His gaze, now infused with the power of the Viin''s Eye, focused intently on the duo. Instantaneously, two information panels materialized before him. [Name: Ji Mingxiu Realm: Late-stage Dao Pce Status: Supporting character Fate Value: 1368] This was the identification panel of the Purple Heaven Holy Lord. Jiang Chen hadn''t expected that he would be a formidable powerhouse in the Late-stage Dao Pce realm! He then shifted his attention to the panel of the striking young woman. [Name: Ji Ruxue Realm: Early-stage Heavenly Origin Status: Heroine (Unpursued) Intimacy: 11 (Curious) Fate Value: 8425] ''Incredible!'' ''An unpursued heroine!'' ''Moreover, her Fate Value surpasses eight thousand points right from the start!'' ''I honestly hadn''t thought I would encounter the heroine before even meeting the protagonist!'' ''However, from this standpoint, the protagonist must be somewhere within this Purple Heaven Holy Land, and he must be familiar with this Ji Ruxue!'' ''Also, there''s unquestionably a connection between Ji Ruxue and Ji Mingxiu.'' ''...'' Numerous conjectures swirled in Jiang Chen''s mind. Yet, outwardly, he remainedposed, maintaining an appropriate disy of respect. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 125: The Induction as the Holy Lords Direct Disciple In the midst of this moment, a melodious voice, reminiscent of a gently babbling brook, echoed throughout the surroundings. It was Ji Ruxue announcing, "Father, Jiang Chen from the Starry Abyss Sect has arrived." ''A father-daughter bond?'' ''Ji Mingxiu is quite advanced in age, yet he has such a youthful daughter. Could it be a case ofte fatherhood?'' Jiang Chen contemted inwardly. "Jiang Chen, is he here?" "Come forward, let me look at you!" Ji Mingxiu turned his gaze towards Jiang Chen, addressing him. His eyes conveyed warmth, entirely devoid of the authoritative aura one might expect from a Holy Lord. Indeed, his gaze on Jiang Chen held an undertone of admiration. Ji Ruxue, standing nearby, had been observing Jiang Chen with a deep curiosity ever since she had firstid eyes on him. Ji Mingxiu was not the type to freely offer smiles orughter. However, in this instance, he radiated warmth and admiration towards Jiang Chen, a sight rarely seen. "Yes!" "Holy Lord!" Immediately, Jiang Chen disyed due respect with a formal bow and then carefully set foot onto the jade tform. "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!" "Having ascended to the Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm at the mere age of twenty, particrly in a territory like the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain, your aptitude unquestionably ranks among the supreme ss!" "Come closer, let me examine you!" Ji Mingxiu gestured for Jiang Chen to approach, his words imbued with an approving warmth. Without any additionalment, Jiang Chen merely nodded and stepped forward. The next moment, Ji Mingxiu presented a unique spherical artifact, announcing: "This is an artifact designed for evaluating aptitude and physical constitution. Test yourself with it, and allow me to witness the extent of your aptitude!" Having said this, he extended the spherical artifact towards Jiang Chen. Ji Ruxue''s eyes also focused on Jiang Chen. She was equally intrigued, eager to gauge the depth of Jiang Chen''s exceptional aptitude. After all, it was well-known. She was hailed as the paramount genius of the Purple Heaven Holy Land in a thousand years! At the tender age of eighteen, through relentless determination, she had ascended to the Heavenly Origin realm, hardly reliant on pills. Her cultivation base was solid, a stark contrast to those so-called geniuses whose progress was artificially elerated by pill consumption. Of course, Ji Ruxue was cognizant of Jiang Chen''s confrontation with Rong Liangcai, acknowledging that Jiang Chen was genuinely remarkable. Consequently, a flicker ofpetitive spirit ignited within her. At that moment, Jiang Chen took hold of the artifact, but was unsure of how to operate it. "Prick your finger and let a drop of your blood touch the artifact." Instructed Ji Mingxiu, "Then infuse your Yuan Power and divine sense into it." "Understood!" Jiang Chen nodded, promptly executing as instructed. Instantly! A dazzling golden-red aura burst forth from the spherical artifact! "Golden-red!" "This symbolizes Perfect Grade aptitude!" "It''s even a notch above Perfect Grade aptitude!" "Incredible, I have truly borne witness to a prodigious genius bearing Perfect Grade aptitude! Heaven indeed favors our Purple Heaven Holy Land!" "Hahaha, splendid, it''s simply too splendid!" Seeing the spherical artifact radiate a magnificent glow, Ji Mingxiu suddenly stood, his eyes narrowing in astonishment, and the excitement in his voice was undeniable. "Superior to Perfect Grade aptitude!" "Could it be that it surpasses even my own aptitude?!" Ji Ruxue''s gaze, full of utter disbelief, was firmly locked onto Jiang Chen. A wave of respect surged within her,ced with profound joy. Contrary to what one might expect, she harbored no jealousy towards Jiang Chen. Her cultivation training and upbringing had expelled any seed of envy from sprouting in her heart, leaving only a spark of admiration and sincere delight. Just as Ji Mingxiu had proimed, the advent of a prodigy like Jiang Chen was unquestionably a boon for the Purple Heaven Holy Land! Naturally, witnessing the burgeoning prosperity of the Purple Heaven Holy Land filled her with tion! "Surpassing Perfect Grade aptitude, huh!" "So, it appears my aptitude is truly formidable; no wonder my cultivation journey has been so smooth." Jiang Chen feigned innocence, murmuring in simted surprise. "Jiang Chen!" "Given your origins in the Starry Abyss sect, you have an intrinsic connection to our Purple Heaven Holy Land!" "Now, you have returned to your roots! From this moment on, you are a true disciple of our Purple Heaven Holy Land!" Ji Mingxiu took a deep breath, curbing his inner excitement as he voiced these words steadily. "Thank you, Holy Lord!" Jiang Chen nodded, offering a respectful bow and dering earnestly, "I, Jiang Chen, pledge to dedicate myself to cultivation, enhance my strength, and stand ever ready to protect the Purple Heaven Holy Land!" "Wonderful!" "Your readiness to stand for the Purple Heaven Holy Land is truly encouraging!" "Now, I ask you, are you willing to be my disciple, to learn under Ji Mingxiu?" Ji Mingxiu''s eyes glimmered with approval as he posed the question. "Eh?" "Father, didn''t you promise that in this lifetime, you''d only guide me and not take any other disciples?" Ji Ruxue interjected, her disbelief apparent. "What?" "When did I ever make such a statement?" "Jiang Chen, pay no mind to Ruxue''s unfounded words, I never made any such promise." Ji Mingxiu deftly feigned ignorance, then redirected his attention back to Jiang Chen, pressing, "Now, answer me, are you willing to be my disciple?" "I, Jiang Chen, am indeed willing!" "Being a disciple under the Holy Lord is an aspiration for many!" A spark of joy lit up in Jiang Chen''s heart as he responded with a radiant smile. This oue was beyond his wildest dreams. In just a fleeting moment, Ji Mingxiu had offered to take him under his tutge! On his very first day at the Purple Heaven Holy Land, his status had skyrocketed, surpassing nine thousand nine hundred and ny-nine individuals out of every ten thousand. Indeed! This feeling was nothing short of exhrating! ''Could it be...'' ''Does this have to do with my ck Heavenly Fate Value?'' ''...'' As these thoughts swirled in Jiang Chen''s mind, a fresh wave of jubtion washed over him. At that moment. "Excellent!" "Jiang Chen, from now on, you are my sole disciple! You may call me master." "I pledge to impart all my knowledge to you, without holding back, in the hopes that you may ascend to an even greater realm than my own!" "Hmm, let us finalize this agreement today, and tomorrow we will conduct the master-disciple initiation ceremony! At that time, I want everyone to know that I, Ji Mingxiu, have a disciple whose aptitude shatters the celestial norms, haha!" Ji Mingxiu affirmed, his excitement undeterred, even erupting into spontaneous apuse. "Yes, Master!" Jiang Chen bowed reverently, embodying the ideal picture of a disciple. "Father!" "It seems it wasn''t your disinclination to ept disciples, but rather theck of a deserving candidate." "You imed you wouldn''t tutor anyone but me in this lifetime, you sly fox." Ji Ruxue cheekily stuck her tongue out at Ji Mingxiu. However, upon realizing the presence of an outsider, Jiang Chen, she immediately reverted to her dignified demeanor. "Here you go again!" Ji Mingxiu shook his head,ughing, seemingly bemused by Ji Ruxue''s yful behavior. ''Ah, so this is the true nature of Ji Ruxue.'' ''Behind the faade of frosty dignity, born from various circumstances, lies a vivacious inner character!'' ''If her aloofness isn''t a part of her inherent disposition, it would indeed simplify matters!'' A maelstrom of thoughts swirled within Jiang Chen''s mind. From the first instant he set eyes on Ji Ruxue, knowing she was an unpursued Heroine, the notion of making her his own had been germinating in his mind! If he could win her over, the Heavenly Fate Value of the third protagonist, who he had yet to meet, would undeniably suffer a significant dip! Moreover, as the temte of the Heroine, Ji Ruxue was blessed with extraordinary beauty. Her maism was potent, and any man would struggle to remain unaffected. "Come, Jiang Chen, take a seat and let us talk!" Ji Mingxiu gestured towards Jiang Chen, indicating a nearby stone bench. "As youmand, Master!" Jiang Chen returned a courteous bow before settling himself on the indicated stone bench. Following this, Ji Mingxiu initiated a conversation with Jiang Chen, with his inquiries primarily centered on Jiang Chen''s personal journey and the recent happenings within the Starry Abyss Sect. As their conversation unfolded, Ji Ruxue interjected intermittently. As the moments silently trickled by. Ji Mingxiu had procured an extensive understanding of Jiang Chen. Of course, any information rted to the Burning World Red Lotus and the Wordless Heavenly Jade was excluded. Simultaneously, Jiang Chen acquired a deeperprehension of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. The Purple Heaven Holy Land was a paramount sect, its lineage spanning a remarkable hundred thousand years. Not only did the Holy Land host Dao Pce realm powerhouses like Ji Mingxiu, but it also harbored hidden assets that had reached the Transcendence realm! However, Ji Mingxiu remained tight-lipped about whether this ndestine strength was personified by an individual, an artifact, or some other resource. Before long, the discourse between Ji Mingxiu and Jiang Chen segued into the current situation within the Purple Heaven Holy Land, introducing an imminent grand event thepetition for the title of the Holy Son of the Purple Heaven Holy Land! Chapter 126: Fang Yuan, the Unfazed Protagonist "Thepetition for the Holy Son''s title?" The words caused Jiang Chen''s brows to subtly furrow, repeating the statement quietly to himself. No doubt, an event of such a sweeping scale could hardly be overlooked by the protagonist. It was an absolute certainty that he would surface at the preordained moment! "Correct!" "Thepetition for the Holy Son''s title!" "Any core disciples within the sect or those under twenty-five possessing a solid cultivation base are eligible to participate." "The victorious contender will be honored with the Purple Heaven Holy Son title, being nurtured as the prospective Holy Lord!" "Jiang Chen, as my direct disciple, your standing warrants no further confirmationyou''re naturally deemed eligible. I anticipate your involvement when the event unfolds!" Ji Mingxiu dered with stern seriousness. ''Purple Heaven Holy Son...'' A thought skittered across Jiang Chen''s mind. His gaze settled on Ji Ruxue as he inquired, "Master, considering Miss Ruxue''s remarkable capabilities, why not nominate her to seed your position as the Holy Lord? What warrants thispetition for the Holy Son?" "Ruxue is indeed an extraordinary talent." "Nevertheless, the span of the Purple Heaven Holy Land is vast; it''s arduous to oversee single-handedly." "Designating a Holy Son not only fuels the disciples'' dedication towards cultivation, but it also ensures a perpetual influx of new blood into the sect, warding offcency. This approach ensures the sect''s prosperity across generations." "Additionally, this practice has been a time-honored tradition in the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Comparable sects such as the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple adhere to simr principles." "I too began my journey by contending for the Holy Son''s title, steadily ascending to the esteemed position of the Holy Lord." "Ruxue has matured beyond her tender years. My intent is to aid her in aligning her destiny with the incumbent Holy Son. Theirbined strength, if sessful, will undoubtedly radiate unprecedented brilliance across the Purple Heaven Holy Land." Ji Mingxiu paused here, his gaze osciting between Ji Ruxue and Jiang Chen, "This opportunity should not be squandered." ''...'' ''Is my ck Heavenly Fate Value truly this phenomenal?'' ''The Holy Lord not only receives me as his disciple but also subtly insinuates a potential union with his daughter?'' ''Without my self-awareness, I''d believe myself to be the protagonist.'' ''Although everything seems impably arranged at the moment, an inevitable significant cmity is imminent. It''s entirely possible for fortunes to invert without warning.'' ''Isn''t it typical for viins to face their downfall at the zenith of their triumph, delivering a thrill to the audience?'' ''I must remain vignt!'' An undercurrent of warnings and advisories surged within Jiang Chen''s mind. Yet, externally, he maintained a disconcerted smile on his face, appearing slightly uneasy, and nodded in acquiescence. Just then. "Father, I assert my right to determine my own marital future. I won''t consent to marry any Holy Son." Ji Ruxue, standing aside, maintained an icy demeanor. Upon registering these words. ''From her tone... Could Ji Ruxue already harbor feelings for someone? Could it be the protagonist? This could prove to be quite a predicament!'' Jiang Chen found himself taken by surprise. However, the subsequent words of Ji Mingxiu, Ji Ruxue''s father, served to mitigate his unease. "In numerous aspects, you''ve proved to be exemry." "Yet, on this specific matter, you disy an unwavering defiance." "That Fang Yuan had previously demonstrated exceptional potential, yet you dismissed him. Given the inexplicable regression of his cultivation base, we can exclude his name from this discussion. But this time, you must heed my counsel." Wearing a stern visage, Ji Mingxiu continued, "In a formidable sect, the foresight or absence thereof for the future holds immense significance. Your alliance with the Holy Son would indeed mark a moment worthy of celebration..." Ji Mingxiu''s sentence lingered in the air, unfinished. "I will not!" With a sinct three words, Ji Ruxue catapulted herself off the ground, soaring into the sky, leaving a profound silence in her wake. "This child..." "When will she finally understand?" Ji Mingxiu, tempered by innumerable tribtions, remained undisturbed by this minor setback. He shook his head, a tranquil expression on his face as he redirected his attention to Jiang Chen: "During this selectionpetition for the Holy Son, do not undervalue any contenders. Bear in mind, many have been cultivating for a full five years longer than you." "Yes, Master!" Jiang Chen nodded promptly in acknowledgment. "Excellent!" "This is the ''Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture'', our sect''s principal cultivation method for the nine major realms within the First and Second Steps of the Cultivation Path." "Furthermore, these three epass the emblematic cultivation techniques and secret arts of our Purple Heaven Holy Land - the ''Purple Feather Misty Steps'', the ''Dark Star Sky Splitting Sword Secrets'', and the ''Purple Heaven Heavenly Thunder True Canon''." "Inside this ring, you''ll discover a wee gift from me - a variety of cultivation resources designed to aid you on your journey." Ji Mingxiu presented four jade slips and a storage ring to Jiang Chen, "Engage in cultivation earnestly. Should you encounter any obstacles, seek my guidance. Refrain from making impulsive decisions." Upon uttering this, a tide of regret swelled within Ji Mingxiu as thoughts of Fang Yuan arose in his mind. "I shall heed Master''s advice!" A wave of tion washed over Jiang Chen''s face as he took the jade slips and the ring. He bowed respectfully and then made his departure. Upon reaching the outskirts of the Assembly Hall, Jiang Chen caught sight of Rong Liangcai and his fourpanions waiting in the distance. As soon as they identified Jiang Chen''s figure, they quickly closed in on him. "Salutations, Daoist friend Jiang Chen!" Rong Liangcai bowed deeply, "I have adhered to the instructions from our seniors and arranged temporary lodging for you!" Despite hisck of awareness about the specifics of Ji Mingxiu and Jiang Chen''s discourse, he didn''t dare to investigate. Nevertheless, he harbored a steadfast belief that Jiang Chen was predestined to be an influential figure within the Everflowing Truth Central Domain, an irreceable cornerstone of the Purple Heaven Holy Land! As a consequence, his gestures of cordiality towards Jiang Chen became progressively zealous. His fourpanions, unified in their stance, echoed his sentiments. "Very well, lead the way!" With a congenial nod, Jiang Chen expressed his acquiescence. In the forting days, Rong Liangcai and his cohorts would serve as his eyes and ears. As they journeyed, Jiang Chen pondered the extraordinary aptitude of Fang Yuan, as portrayed by Ji Mingxiu! This was followed by the unexined decline in his cultivation base. Even Ji Mingxiu harbored regret for this misfortune. At a cursory nce, this was undoubtedly the setting for an unfazed protagonist! Fortunately, ording to Ji Mingxiu''s narration, he once endeavored to foster a match between Fang Yuan and Ji Ruxue, but Ji Ruxue remained unresponsive. Consequently, in the original storyline, where Fang Yuan and Ji Ruxue were fated to converge, there must have been a gripping turn of events where Ji Ruxue''s feelings for Fang Yuan transformed from indifference, to recognition, and finally to affection. Among the numerous narrative tropes Jiang Chen was familiar with, there was one in which the heroine initially detested the protagonist, but eventually experienced a change of heart, adding a delightful twist to the story. Protagonists prone to a certain level of roguishness, exhibiting a more frivolous demeanor, typically followed this narrative pattern. At this moment, Ji Ruxue held no admiration for Fang Yuan, much less any hint of affection. This was precisely the circumstance that Jiang Chen found most, utterly most exhrating. ''As long as Ji Ruxue hasn''t developed any affection for Fang Yuan yet, that signifies the most favorable situation.'' ''Of course, it would be unwise to base such matters solely on spection. It''s more prudent to validate it by making inquiries.'' Prompted by this notion, Jiang Chen turned to Rong Liangcai and hispany, inquiring, "Are you all familiar with Fang Yuan?" "Certainly!" "Fang Yuan was once extraordinary, but now..." Seizing the opportunity to earn favor, Rong Liangcai and the others took turns sharing their views, each contributing their unique understanding. In no time, Jiang Chen had acquired a basicprehension of Fang Yuan''s persona. Fang Yuan, a descendant of the illustrious Fang n, a distinguished bloodline in the Everflowing Truth Central Domain. He was once regarded as a prodigy, his renown reverberating throughout the entirety of the Everflowing Truth Central Domain. Numerous major sects within the domain extended their invitations to him. Eventually, even the three paramount forces, the Purple Heaven Holy Land, the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple, made their move, each wishing to incorporate him into their ranks. By a twist of fate, Fang Yuan had an established rapport with Ji Ruxue but was an utter stranger to the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple. Consequently, he ultimately elected to join the Purple Heaven Holy Land. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 127: Ji Mingxiu鈥檚 Welcome Gift In those days, Fang Yuan was akin to a rising star, maizing the attention of all around him. Some visionaries even spected his imminent progression into the Third Step of the Cultivation Path. Such was his radiance that even the esteemed Purple Heaven Holy Lord, Ji Mingxiu, exhibited a significant interest in him, going as far as to probe Ji Ruxue about her potential attraction towards him. Yet, Ji Ruxue held an aloof attitude, treating the unfamiliar Fang Yuan with casual indifference. Rumors of Ji Mingxiu''s interest, however, spread like wildfire. The general assumption was that Ji Mingxiu intended to betroth Ji Ruxue to Fang Yuan. To the wider popce, Fang Yuan and Ji Ruxue embodied the quintessential golden boy and jade girl couple. This perception was further solidified in the minds of the masses as Fang Yuan''s cultivation base ascended rapidly, reaching its peak when he broke through to the Heavenly Origin Realm on his eighteenth birthday. In light of these developments, Ji Ruxue was beginning to feel somewhat vexed. However, in the aftermath of Fang Yuan''s advancement to the Heavenly Origin realm, an unexpected event urred. Merely a day after his milestone breakthrough, his cultivation base took a direct dive, plummeting to the Late-stage Mysterious tform realm! This unforeseen catastrophe was a massive blow to Fang Yuan, triggering an upheaval across the whole of the Purple Heaven Holy Land! Despite it all, Fang Yuan remained oblivious as to why his cultivation base had regressed so dramatically. Even Ji Mingxiu was unable to decipher the cause of this anomaly. Ultimately, the consensus was to attribute it to Fang Yuan''s hasty pursuit of swift sess, which they spected had led to Qi Deviation. Consequently, Ji Mingxiu counseled Fang Yuan to exercise patience, cultivate at a steady pace, and build a robust foundation for his future rise. However, just as everyone had started to believe that Fang Yuan would once again rise from the ashes, making a fresh breakthrough into the Heavenly Origin realm, an unforeseen development took ce. Shockingly, Fang Yuan''s cultivation base had taken a further dip, sliding into the Middle-stage Mysterious tform realm! Moreover, the regression of his cultivation base showed no signs of halting. Despite Fang Yuan''s frantic attempts at cultivation, including the consumption of a substantial quantity of pills, the decline in his cultivation base persisted unimpeded. This spectacle left the disciples of the Purple Heaven Holy Land at the foot of the mountain aghast in horror. Regardless of the measures taken, none could stem the ebb of Fang Yuan''s cultivation base. After enduring countless tribtions, nearly everyone in the Purple Heaven Holy Land hade to believe that Fang Yuan had faded into the background, blending into the crowd. In fact, his condition was deemed worse than themon lot. Others, at the very least, were making some progress in their cultivation journey. Whereas Fang Yuan, in stark contrast, was experiencing an unabated regression in his cultivation base! As time unfurled, the once radiant halo of genius hovering over Fang Yuan''s head began to gradually dim, transforming the once celebrated title of ''genius'' into a point of public mockery. Many who had initially harbored envy began to sneer at him, their taunts a caustic cocktail of icy ridicule and fiery derision. As this sentiment spread like a harsh gust of wind, it intensified, filling the Purple Heaven Holy Land with numerous individuals eager to scoff at Fang Yuan. Upon sighting Fang Yuan, they would step forward, seizing the opportunity to mock him. Some, bolder than others, went so far as to approach the entrance of Fang Yuan''s cave mansion, aiming to castigate and belittle him directly. Fang Yuan was left with no alternative but to weather this storm of humiliation. He remained resolute, persisting in his cultivation. But now, his cultivation base had plummeted further, sinking to the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm. This decline was so severe that he no longer warranted the revered title of a true disciple. This stirred discontent among numerous disciples coveting the prestigious position of a true disciple, thereby exacerbating Fang Yuan''s predicament. ... At this juncture, Jiang Chen, under the guidance of Rong Liangcai and his entourage, arrived at his provisional abodea secluded manor nestled between two imposing mountains, the surroundings imbued with tranquility. The location was appealing, suffused with a rich concentration of spiritual Qi and an aura of serene peace. Shortly thereafter, Rong Liangcai and hispanions courteously took their leave. Upon entering the manor, Jiang Chen promptly activated the protective formation. His gaze swept across the expanse, taking in its basicyout and design. He proceeded to a centrally located table and took a seat. First on his agenda was to reach out to his wives via the Eternal Vows Binding Ring, reassuring them of his safe arrival at the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Once the message was conveyed, he resumed his contemtions, simultaneously tallying the weing gifts bestowed by Ji Mingxiu. ''Fang Yuan''s cultivation base has plummeted.'' ''He has be a shadow of his former self, widely ignored and often tantly overlooked.'' ''In the uing selectionpetition for the Holy Son''s position, he is likely to stage a spectacreback!'' ''Fang Yuan, having once reached the Heavenly Origin realm, and being the protagonist, must surely have an ace up his sleeve. I must tread carefully, or I stand the risk of foundering.'' ''Furthermore, Ji Ruxue, in the original narrative, might have be intrigued by Fang Yuan''s unexpected ascendancy in the selectionpetition for the Holy Son''s position, kindling a nascent affection towards him.'' ''If this woman starts showing interest in the protagonist, it would spell trouble.'' ''I must endeavor to pique Ji Ruxue''s curiosity about me, outshining Fang Yuan.'' ''...'' Jiang Chen''s eyes sparkled as various thoughts vied for attention in his mind. All the while, his divine sense was actively probing the storage ring he held. The ring wasn''t particrlyrge in size. Nor was it bursting with an abundance of contents. However, if others were to behold its contents, they would be struck with disbelief. For housed within it was a staggering hundred high-grade spirit jades! These high-grade spirit jades were perfectly transparent, resembling the finest jade in the world, each one pulsating with an iparably pure spiritual Qi. The total value of these one hundred high-grade spirit jades amounted to a whopping one million low-grade spirit jades, equivalent to a staggering one billion top-grade spirit stones. It''s worth noting that, until now, not a single top-grade spirit stone graced Jiang Chen''s collection. With the sudden influx of a billion, he could only be described as having struck a fortune! ''Such generosity truly befits the Holy Lord!'' ''With these spirit jades at my disposal for cultivation, or by exchanging them for spiritual nts to consume, I can expect a rapid surge in my power level!'' Jiang Chen was thrilled and promptly shifted his attention to the remaining treasures. Among the other items, there were several vials filled with pills intended for cultivation. These pills were all top-grade quality, potent enough to catapult a cultivator at the Heavenly Origin realm straight into the Inquiring Journey realm! Even if Jiang Chen didn''t require them immediately, they would fetch a handsome number of spirit stones if sold. Moreover, he was also in possession of a top-grade flying artifact at the Heavenly Origin realm, known as the ''Unbroken Thousand Strings Rainbow Boat''! ''This Unbroken Thousand Strings Rainbow Boat renders the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle obsolete.'' A smirk yed on Jiang Chen''s lips as he drew out the Unbroken Thousand Strings Rainbow Boat for a thorough inspection. The boat, slender and sharp, emitted a soft blue hue. Once activated, it transformed into a dazzling streak of multicolored radiance. This flying artifact boasted the potential to briefly exceed the speed of the Heavenly Origin realm, lending it remarkable practicality. ''Truly remarkable!'' With delight shing in his eyes, Jiang Chen safely stored the Unbroken Thousand Strings Rainbow Boat, a subtle smile adorning his face. Without dy, he extracted the jade slip etched with the ''Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture'', and started to scrutinize it. The content withinid out the route to reach the final realm of the Second Step of the Cultivation Path, the Dao Pce realm. Swiftly, Jiang Chen imprinted the entire version of the ''Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture'' onto his mind and began tailoring his cultivation practice. Chapter 128: Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning Meanwhile, perched on a majestic cliff, bathed in an abundance of Spiritual Qi, nestled within the boundaries of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Amid a swirling vortex of Spiritual Qi, a young man sat immersed in profound meditation. His features were honed, his visage handsome, and his demeanor wasced with a hint of frosty severity. This individual was none other than Fang Yuan. From his being radiated waves signifying a cultivation base in the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm. Intriguingly, these vibrations appeared to ebb and flow, subtly diminishing as Fang Yuan tenaciously pursued his cultivation. As if paradoxically, the emanations from his cultivation base seemed to be more indistinct with the passage of time. "Why!" "Why is this transpiring!" "I''ve been ceaselessly cultivating, why is my cultivation base disappearing as if into nothingness! Damned cosmos, what transgression have Imitted to deserve this!!" "Ahhh! I cannot reconcile with this!" Overwhelmed, Fang Yuan released a roar of despair, his face twisting into a visage of torment. In that moment, his cultivation base regressed again, falling sharply to the Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening realm! "No!" A bitter outcry of defiance tore itself from Fang Yuan. However, he did not capitte. Instead, he redoubled his efforts, straining every ounce of his being to circte his primary cultivation method, ceaselessly drawing upon the ambient Spiritual Qi. Additionally, he swiftly seized a pill and forced it into his mouth, swallowing it whole. Owing to Fang Yuan''s unwavering determination, his cultivation base halted its decline and steadied at the Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening realm. "How detestable." "What on earth is transpiring... At this pace, I may very well regress to the Soul Refining realm." While maintaining his cultivation, Fang Yuan clenched his fist, the veins on the back of his hand surfacing prominently, throbbing in a rhythmic pulse. Suddenly! "Ah~~" "Finally, I''ve fully regained consciousness. Oh, the feeling of being alive is truly exhrating!" "Nangong Wan, that repulsive woman, must have been utterly vanquished, hahaha, this brings me even greater joy!" "..." A sequence of alluringly melodious feminine voices unexpectedly reverberated! "Who, who is speaking!!" A look of terror spread across Fang Yuan''s face as his eyes darted back and forth. Despite his efforts, he found no one in sight. Out of nowhere. "Shangguan Ning!" "You are the one who should face total obliteration!" "You had the audacity to ambush me while I was enduring the tribtion. I vow to exact my vengeance!" Another angered yet melodious feminine voice echoed. This voice, in contrast to the enchanting one from before, bore a markedly more chilling tone. "Who, who is it that speaks!?" Fang Yuan''s expression hardened, his eyes persistently roving over his body, as he had already sensed that the source of the voice seemed to reside within him. "What!" "Nangong Wan, you unsightly woman, you still draw breath!" "How could you possibly have survived, and how did you infiltrate my Soul Embodying Ring!" Shangguan Ning''s voice echoed once again, suffused with incredulity. "Heh." "You are the one who shall meet your end." "Would I have beenpelled to perish with you, had you not exploited my moment of weakness to ambush me?" "How regrettable! After countless years of strenuous cultivation, I finally ascended to the Half-step Primal Chaos realm. Shangguan Ning, you truly warrant death!" Nangong Wan''s frosty voice was permeated with an unmistakable aura of rage and lethal intent. "Hmph!" "Nangong Wan, I neglected to end your life before, but now, I will!" "I will seek vengeance for my n!!" Shangguan Ning''s retort was a disdainful snort, her words seething with murderous intent, her loathing for Nangong Wan ran marrow-deep. "Your n did not fall by my hand." Nangong Wan replied with a mix of resentment and helplessness, "How many times must I reiterate this!?" "The evidence against you is incontrovertible, yet you continue to deny it. Truly, your audacity knows no bounds." Shangguan Ning''s response was a frosty sneer, "Today, it is either your life, or my demise!" "Thene!" Nangong Juan retorted with icy derision, "Let''s see if you can summon the strength to even conjure a minuscule fireball!" Then, all was quiet. Both feminine voices fell silent. Having just regained consciousness after a fierce struggle, their souls were fragmented and frail. How could they possibly muster the strength to engage in battle? At that very moment. "Hey!" "Who might you two be?" "Why are you inhabiting the ring my mother bestowed upon me?" Fang Yuan realized that the voices were issuing from the ring adorning his right hand, rendering himpletely astounded. This ring had been a fixture on his finger for over a decade. He was wholly unaware that it harbored upants! "Fang Yuan, isn''t it?" "Are you hard of hearing, or do youck the capacity to reason?" An alluring, yet somewhat exasperated voice, unmistakably Shangguan Ning''s, resonated. The corners of Fang Yuan''s mouth twitched. On reflection, the quarrel between the two had indeed revealed a fair amount of information. The enchanting voice was Shangguan Ning''s. The calm and aloof voice belonged to Nangong Wan. The two were mortal enemies, meeting their demise together, residing in the ring on his right hand, known as the Soul Embodying Ring. Among them, Nangong Wan was a powerhouse of the Half-step Primal Chaos realm. Fang Yuan was unsure of what the Primal Chaos realm entailed, but he was aware it wasn''t within the purview of the first three Steps of the Cultivation Path. Therefore, it was likely a realm within the legendary Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path! If Nangong Wan possessed such formidable prowess, then Shangguan Ning undoubtedly wasn''t any less powerful, probably existing within a realm of simr stature. ... "Have you pieced it together?" "Fang Yuan, allow me to enlighten you, this Nangong Wan is bad news." "She exterminated my n, wiped out every single member, leaving us utterly decimated. Moreover, she unabashedly parades her actions as righteousness!" "When your cultivation advances and you gain strength, you must vanquish her, do you understand?" Shangguan Ning''s somewhat enchanting voice rang out, filled with a captivating charm. "Fang Yuan, pay no heed to her fabrications." Nangong Wan promptly countered, "Shangguan Ning is a fox demon from a different race originating from the Azure Hollow Immortal Star. She''s a master at seducing minds!" "Halt!" "Everyone, silence." Fang Yuan inhaled deeply, posing a question, "I only wish to ask one thing at present. The deterioration of my cultivation base, was it your doing?" "Indeed, it was." "To regain my consciousness, I was left with no choice but to utilize the power of your cultivation base." Shangguan Ning candidly confessed, "In the past, I was perplexed as to why my recovery was proceeding so slowly. It appears, it was because Nangong Wan, this unsightly woman, was siphoning it off!" "Such coarseness!" Nangong Wan snorted coldly, then proceeded, "Fang Yuan, I acknowledge that the drain on your cultivation base''s power has had a significant impact on you. I''m genuinely regretful, but I promise to make amends." "I also won''t leave any debt unsettled." Shangguan Ning quickly interjected, "That said, what form ofpensation would you prefer?" "A significant impact... it is far more severe than just an ''impact.''" "For two long years, anyone else in my ce might have been driven to suicide!" Gloominess spread across Fang Yuan''s face, clearly etching out the agonizing journey from apex to abyss that he had experienced over the past two years. Shangguan Ning posed her question with indifference, "Whatpensation do you truly seek?" "Restore my cultivation base to me immediately." The steady decline of his cultivation base had nearly pushed Fang Yuan to the brink of insanity, leading him to answer without a moment''s hesitation. "This." "This isn''t feasible." Shangguan Ning hesitated briefly before asserting adamantly, "It''s not just uneptable now, but in the future, I''ll need to draw on your cultivation base''s energy for my restoration." "Whether it''s eptable or not, it will have to be!" Fang Yuan grunted in indignation, "Otherwise, I''ll dispose of this worthless ring!" "If you dare, I''ll take your life!" Shangguan Ning retorted frostily. "Shangguan Ning, silence." Nangong Wan interjected, "Fang Yuan, rest assured, moving forward..." Time ambled on. An ord was struck between Fang Yuan, Shangguan Ning, and Nangong Wan. He would retain the ring and contribute a portion of his cultivation base for Shangguan Ning and Nangong Wan to recuperate. In return, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning would mentor Fang Yuan in his cultivation journey. Guided by two Void Tribtion realm powerhouses, this arrangement was undoubtedly an unparalleled privilege across the vast expanse of the Immortal Martial Continent! A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 129: Transitioning to the Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture To rify, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s reliance on Fang Yuan''s cultivation base wasn''t an absolute necessity. They could, in theory, draw upon someone else''s. Provided one achieved the Heavenly Origin realm, and the essence of their Heavenly Origin wasn''t woefully inferior, they could lend support in recuperation. However, apprehension arose from the prospect that Fang Yuan might hide the ring in a deste, unpopted location. Under those circumstances, the amount of time it would take for the ring to resurface was anyone''s guess. Furthermore, Fang Yuan''s aptitude was notably exceptional, fostering rapid progress and the capacity to supply them with an increased and superior energy sourced from his cultivation base. Hence, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning had never contemted recing him. Moreover, despite being mortal enemies, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were currently too weak to engage in conflicts. They could merely bide their time, waiting for an opportunity to regain some strength before attempting to eliminate the other. In this predicament, they formed a temporary alliance, prioritizing stabilizing Fang Yuan, the crucial provider of the cultivation base! At this juncture, a consensus was reached among the three. Subsequently, Fang Yuan put forth his immediate need to replenish his cultivation base, expressing his ambition to contend for the Holy Son''s position and thereby ascend to the role of Holy Son! Therefore, his capacity to supply energy from his cultivation base would be temporarily unavable. Shangguan Ning and Nangong Wan eded to this arrangement. At present, they had recuperated to a state of partial conscious rity. Despite their memories remaining patchy, aplete recovery wasn''t of pressing necessity. Given Fang Yuan''s current cultivation base, depleting it entirely would barely aid their recuperation process. It was deemed more advantageous to wait for his cultivation base to intensify before absorption. Further, in order to back Fang Yuan in his bid for the Holy Son position and to acquire superior cultivation resources, enabling quicker cultivation and the generation of a more abundant energy supply from his cultivation base. Hence, Nangong Wan conferred upon Fang Yuan a swiftly acquirable sword technique, while Shangguan Ning furnished a power-amplifying secret art that could be mastered speedily as well. Straight away, Fang Yuan embarked on his relentless cultivation process! Observing that Fang Yuan''s principal cultivation method wasmendable, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning saw no need to propose modifications. Shortly after, Fang Yuan found himself encircled by top-grade spirit stones, and he embarked on his cultivation process post-ingestion of a pill. During this cycle of cultivation, Fang Yuan was almost moved to tears by his tion. His cultivation base had amplified! And showed no signs of diminishing! "This is splendid!" "Absolutely splendid!" "I can finally engage in regr cultivation again!" Fang Yuan''s body vibrated with exhration, akin to a man afflicted by St. Vitus''s dance. Time continued its unhurried march. ... As if in a sh, twilight descended. Within the temporary dwelling. "The concentration of spiritual Qi in this Purple Heaven Holy Land, located in the Everflowing Truth Central Domain, is truly unrivaled!" "Even within this modest shelter, the density of spiritual Qi surpasses the maximum concentration found at the Starry Abyss Heavenly Peak multiple times over!" "Cultivating here can be summed up in a single word: invigorating!" Jiang Chen leisurely concluded his cultivation, opened his eyes, and shared a few thoughts with a smile. In just a day''s span, he had aplished a wless transition to the cultivation of the ''Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture''! Certainly, there were reasons contributing to this rapid advancement. Primarily, this cultivation method represented theprehensive version of the ''Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture''. Jiang Chen only needed to bridge the gaps and supply the missing elements. Secondly, without a doubt, it was attributable to Jiang Chen''s markedly enhanced cultivation aptitude and understanding! Finally, there existed another exnation: besides detailing the mantra of the cultivation method, the jade slip also preserved cultivation insights personally annotated by Ji Mingxiu! At this juncture, the Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture far surpassed the Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture in its impressiveness. The density of spiritual Qi in the Purple Heaven Holy Land was exponentially greater than that in the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain! Jiang Chen''s cultivation speed had likewise skyrocketed, elerating to an indeterminate degree beyond his previous pace. "The time hase to break through to the Inquiring Journey realm!" Jiang Chen slowly gathered his thoughts, then readied himself to ingest a pill and resume his cultivation. However, just as he prepared, amunication appeared on Jiang Chen''s transmission jade token. The message was from Ji Mingxiu. During their exchange at the Jade tform Pavilion, they had swapped imprints on their transmission jade tokens. ''A message from Holy Lord Ji Mingxiu?'' Jiang Chen''s eyebrows perked up, and he promptly inspected the transmission jade token. As it happened, Ji Mingxiu had nned to conduct a grand sect assembly the following day, where he would disclose two significant announcements! The first significant announcement involved epting Jiang Chen as a disciple. The second substantial matter was the formal deration of the contest date for the Holy Son position, confirming the contenders for the grandpetition! Subsequently, Jiang Chen was instructed to make the necessary preparations and journey to the sect''s Main Hall ahead of time. ''Aside from the matter of my induction as a disciple...'' ''Are they about to set the date for the Holy Son''s positionpetition?'' Jiang Chen stroked his chin, his eyes brimming with contemtion. The announcement of thepetition date for the Holy Son''s position was set for tomorrow, and the contestants would be chosen. Fang Yuan would assuredly partake in the Holy Son''s positionpetition. How could he neglect this grand sect assembly? Upon this reflection, Jiang Chen involuntarily curled a frosty smile on his lips. ''If you aspire for the Holy Son''s position, you must first enlist in thepetition!'' ''If you fail to participate, then abandon any hope of obtaining the Holy Son''s position!'' A chilly glint flickered in Jiang Chen''s eyes. He then drew out the transmission jade token and reached out to Rong Liangcai. A conversation ensued, words shuttling back and forth. It was then that Rong Liangcai learned of the announcement the Holy Lord intended to make the following day. What left him bbergasted was that Jiang Chen actually wanted Fang Yuan to miss this important sect assembly. He waspletely taken aback. After all, Jiang Chen had only recently inquired about Fang Yuan. Rationally speaking, Fang Yuan posed absolutely no threat to Jiang Chen. Why then would Jiang Chen take such a step, and moreover, instruct him so earnestly? Nevertheless, despite his surprise, Rong Liangcai had already resolved to be Jiang Chen''s unwavering ally. This was the first task Jiang Chen had entrusted him with, and Rong Liangcai was resolved to execute it impably! In line with Jiang Chen''s instructions, it must not be revealed that this was Jiang Chen''s own intent! The matter was rtively simple! Within the sect, numerous cultivators held a deep grudge against Fang Yuan, many taking pleasure in the difiture of this once prime talent of the Everflowing Truth Central Domain. When the time arrived, it would be effortless to covertly rile up these individuals against Fang Yuan. There would certainly be no dearth of people eager to participate! There were those who found amusement in regrly seeking out Fang Yuan, in order to humiliate and cause problems for him. This had happened more than once or twice; it was a recurring event. Another instance of such a situation wouldn''t raise any suspicion. Furthermore, there was an additional strategy, which involved stirring up public sentiment once more, potentially thrusting Fang Yuan into a significant crisis where he could lose his status as a true disciple! It''s crucial to mention. To partake in the contest for the Holy Son''s position, one had to be a core disciple or above, and the cultivator had to be under the age of twenty-five. Only then would they qualify to participate. If Fang Yuan''s status didn''t meet these criteria, he would be entirely left out of thepetition for the Holy Son''s position. Upon receiving Jiang Chen''s instructions, Rong Liancai immediately set to work, with the clock ticking against him. After all, the grand sect assembly was scheduled to kick off at dawn tomorrow. Time was pressing! Not much time had passed. Atop a cliff. "Remarkable! Truly remarkable!" "The sensation of my cultivation base revitalizing is so invigorating, haha!" Fang Yuan had been in deep cultivation for some time, with his cultivation base consistently improving. The surge of power excited him so much that he found it difficult to restrain his joy. It''s critical to understand. He hadn''t felt the thrill of his cultivation base expanding in over two years. Just then, vibrations pulsed from the transmission jade token. With a subtle change in his countenance, Fang Yuan withdrew the transmission jade token and perused its content. It bore two messages. The first dispatch was from the Deacon Hall for the true disciples of Purple Heaven Holy Land. It pointed out that he had not engaged in any sect tasks for an extended period and had not made any contributions to the sect. This, they deemed, was not in line with his status as a true disciple. Following this, they proposed that during the grand sect assembly, the number of cultivators safeguarding the periphery of the Purple Heaven Holy Land would be reduced. Consequently, they requested Fang Yuan''s assistance in maintaining order. The other message originated from the Sect''s Main Hall. It disclosed that Ji Mingxiu would be presiding over the grand sect assembly the following day. During the assembly, they would finalize the schedule for the battle for the position of the Holy Son, as well as confirm the list of contenders, among other things... Chapter 130: Breakthrough, Early Stage Inquiring Journey Realm "A grand sect assembly?" "Are they dering the schedule for the Holy Sonpetition tomorrow, and finalizing the contestants?" With eyes narrowed to slits, Fang Yuan''s fists gradually tightened. "The Holy Sonpetition... It''s not only that I must enter; I also must secure the Holy Son''s title!" If Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning had remained dormant, Fang Yuan would have dismissed the notion of participating. It would have been nothing less than inviting humiliation. But now, his cultivation had regained its equilibrium! Emboldened by an unyielding conviction and a robust fighting spirit, he was resolute in his pursuit of the Holy Son''s title! "The Holy Son''s title shall undeniably be mine!" Inhaling deeply, Fang Yuan clenched his fists even tighter. However, a subsequent message from the Deacon Hall, directed towards the true disciples, furrowed his brows. The Deacon Hall desired his protection for the sect''s perimeter, but wouldn''t that prevent him from participating in the Holy Sonpetition? Such an oue was simply uneptable! "It appears I must resort to invoking my n''s influence." Fang Yuan was besieged by a sense of powerlessness, but nheless, he extracted his transmission jade token. His cultivation base had been steadily declining, yet he had managed to endure, owing not only to his unyielding willpower but also the sustaining aid from his n. Without the continuous supply of cultivation resources from the Fang n, he likely would have descended to the Spiritual Awakening realm, or potentially, an even lower realm. In such dire straits, his ability to persevere was questionable. At this juncture, Fang Yuan made contact with his father, Fang Yehao. After a series of negotiations, he sessfully found a substitute. "Hmph!" "Even in my current state, you persist in harassing me and causing distress. This grievance will not be forgotten!" Fang Yuan''s fists tightened, a chilling glint emerging in his eyes. Meanwhile, elsewhere. Within Jiang Chen''s provisional dwelling. ''Has the issue been resolved?'' ''It seems the Fang n still holds some sway within the Purple Heaven Holy Land.'' ''However, if you believe that my machinations end here, then you are sorely mistaken!'' Receiving a message from Rong Liangcai, Jiang Chen learned that Fang Yuan had procured a recement. However, this development failed to provoke much surprise. After all, Fang Yuan was an individual with an impressive Heavenly Fate Value nearing twenty thousand, and the Fang n to which he belongedmanded a degree of influence. Subsequently, Jiang Chen dispatched a message to Rong Liangcai. His instructions directed him to assign patrols along the routes Fang Yuan was likely to travel. Once Fang Yuan was en route, they were to seek any usible excuse to dy him! Rong Liangcai respectfully epted the directive, then promptly departed to carry out the task. ''What follows now...'' ''Firstly, the breakthrough to the Inquiring Journey realm!'' A subtle smile adorned Jiang Chen''s countenance as he extracted the ''Heavenly Ascent Origin Return True Pill'' he had traded from the system, and then swallowed it. Time flowed serenely by. Within the chamber, a deeply mysterious aura began to permeate slowly. Suddenly! A translucent, orb-like oscition exploded from Jiang Chen''s body, and then swiftly contracted back within him. Boom. An aura surpassing the Heavenly Origin realm by a hundred times momentarily shed around Jiang Chen''s figure! ''Breakthrough aplished!'' ''Is this the power of the Inquiring Journey realm? Such phenomenal strength, a total qualitative transformation!'' ''No wonder the Inquiring Journey realm is considered the Second Step of the Cultivation Path. It far outstrips the Heavenly Origin realm!'' Jiang Chen''s heart was brimming with immense tion, as he inwardly scrutinized his transformed physique. Within his dantian, he observed a pristine Heavenly Core, as wless as a perfect moon, that had now metamorphosed into an entity resembling a radiant sun! As described in the annals of the ''Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture'', this was referred to as a ''Dao Core'' or ''Dao Cauldron'', serving as the most critical foundation for the Second Step of the Cultivation Path. Armed with the Dao Cauldron, one couldprehend the Dao, refine the Dao, and thus ascend to the Dao Pce realm. Upon attaining the Inquiring Journey realm, the power of a cultivator also metamorphosed from Heavenly Yuan Power to Dao Yuan Power. At this juncture, waves of Dao Yuan Power, brimming with colossal energy, coursed through Jiang Chen''s physique. With a mere casual gesture, he couldy waste to a vast expanse. ''System!'' ''Activate the attribute panel!'' At Jiang Chen''s mentalmand, a panel materialized before him. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Perfect Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body (Death Cmity True Dragon) Realm: Early-stage Inquiring Journey True Battle Power: Late-stage Inquiring Journey Cultivation Methods: Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture (Dao Pce, main cultivation), Silent Annihtion Heavenly Sword Secrets (Inquiring Journey, perfect-level), Wind Void Steps, Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets, Seven Extremes Body Refinement, Heavenly Spring Coalescing Sea Records, Void Rainbow Sword Technique (Heavenly Origin, perfect-level)... partially omitted Main Equipment: Unbroken Thousand Strings Rainbow Boat (Heavenly Origin, top-grade), Shadowde Sword (Heavenly Origin, lower-grade), Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe (Heavenly Origin, lower-grade), ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle (Mysterious tform, top-grade)... Viin Value: 10,900 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 15,848 Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring, Wordless Heavenly Jade System Mall: Level 2] ''My True Battle Power has now ascended to the Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm!'' ''With such an elevated cultivation base, dealing with Fang Yuan is bound to be significantly simpler.'' A subtle smile traced the contours of Jiang Chen''s lips. Then, employing the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring, he veiled his aura and resumed his cultivation. Time unfurled. In the early morning hour, within the immense expanse of heaven and earth. The eastern horizon wasced with hues of purple and red, a harbinger of good fortune. Surveying from the vast and limitless sky, three colossal peaks, none inferior to the Starry Abyss Heavenly Peak, stood towering high. An expansive za, hewn from white jade, was nestled within the waist of these three peaks, filling the crevice between the mountains. Upon the mountain closest to the za, numerous impressive ck halls were erected. Their soaring eaves seemed to caress the heavens, creating a truly majestic spectacle. On the most significant hall, oriented due south, a que hung, engraved with the characters for ''Purple Heaven Holy Land''. These four characters, imbued with an ancient, time-worn aura, radiated a profound grandeur thatmanded veneration at first sight. On the immense Holy Land Square, amid the epassing clouds and mist, a crowd gathered so densely that people were brushing against each other! Stretching to the horizon, one could see all were disciples garbed in the uniform of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. The standard attire of the Purple Heaven Holy Land was primarily white, embellished with patterns of purple clouds. The number of cloud patterns signified one''s statusmore patterns denoted a higher rank. As for the true disciples, golden cloud patterns would be added atop the purple base, and the sect''s uniform would appear even more refined, more dignified. At this juncture, Jiang Chen found himself standing within the sect''s Main Hall. Under the guidance of Ji Mingxiu, he respectfully paid homage to the four Dao Pce realm Supreme Elders and the eighteen Dao Comprehension realm Elders. Among the four Dao Pce realm Supreme Elders, one was the erstwhile Holy Lord, known as Mo Yu. Utilizing the Viin''s Eye, Jiang Chenmitted to memory the names and Fate Values of these twenty-two influential individuals. He observed that their Fate Values were quitemendable, all exceeding a thousand. This signaled that they would not meet their demise within a brief span of time. ''It seems...'' ''In the original narrative, the protagonist Fang Yuan did not annihte this Purple Heaven Holy Land in the end. Instead, he merely purged those who showed him profound disrespect.'' ''People like Rong Liangcai and others.'' Positioned beneath a congregation of eminent figures, Jiang Chen silently reflected on these thoughts. Those above, figures such as Ji Mingxiu and Mo Yu, observed Jiang Chen with a sense of satisfaction. Even though this young man had achieved substantial aplishments at a tender age, he did not exhibit an air of arrogance or pride. On the contrary, he exuded a vibe of determination and dependability - a person one could rely upon! "This indeed is the future of our Purple Heaven Holy Land!" "Indeed, in my assessment, the position of Holy Son is unquestionably destined for Jiang Chen." "Hahaha, the other disciples are not devoid of strength either. Let''s see how Jiang Chen confronts these formidable adversaries." "..." Such were the whispers that rippled amongst the elders. However, unbeknownst to them, Jiang Chen had already advanced to the Inquiring Journey realm! Moreover, his battle strength had even ascended to the Late-Stage Inquiring Journey realm! At this instant, Ji Mingxiu broke the silence, asserting, "The appointed time is nearing. Please, Supreme Elders, apany me." A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 131: The Unforeseeable Protagonist With these words spoken, he acknowledged Jiang Chen with a nod, then confidently strode towards the exterior of the sect''s Main Hall, taking the lead. Mo Yu and the rest promptly followed his lead. Like a subtle shadow, Jiang Chen trailed behind them, yet abruptly halted after just a few steps. The n had been previously discussed; he was fully aware that he was to be summoned to the stage. Yet, even while stationed there, nothing could prevent Jiang Chen from extending his divine sense to scrutinize the entire square. ''Fang Yuan... as anticipated, he''s absent!'' Using his divine sense, Jiang Chen searched through the crowd, and upon not detecting Fang Yuan, a faint smirk of satisfaction curled the corners of his mouth. Undeniably, Rong Liangcai and his team had sessfully executed their mission, and it had borne fruit! At this juncture, prominent figures such as Ji Mingxiu and Mo Yu emerged from the grand entrance of the Holy Land Grand Hall, positioning themselves under the quebeled ''Purple Heaven Holy Land''. Concurrently. [Ding! You''ve discreetly deviated the storyline, decreasing the Protagonist''s Heavenly Fate Value by 100 points!] [Ding! You''ve umted 200 points of Viin Value!] The dual system prompts that echoed were a cause for growing excitement in Jiang Chen''s heart. Nheless, he was conscious that he had only subtly altered the narrative; backed by an immense Heavenly Fate Value, Fang Yuan would undoubtedly make his appearance at this grand sect gathering. At this moment, the disciples of the Purple Heaven Holy Land stationed below, upon witnessing the arrival of Ji Mingxiu and other esteemed figures, instantaneously broke into ecstatic cheers. "The Holy Lord has graced us with his presence!" "All the Supreme Elders and Elders have assembled here too!" "We disciples express our deep respect to the Holy Lord, to all the Supreme Elders, and the Elders!" "..." Sessively, the eyes of the disciples twinkled with joy as they extended their respects toward Ji Mingxiu and other high-ranking dignitaries. "Disciples, dispense with the formalities!" Ji Mingxiu gestured downward with both hands, and the bustling za returned to silence once again, bing so quiet that even a pin drop could be discerned. "Today, we gather here for the grand sect assembly of the Purple Heaven Holy Land." "We have two pivotal announcements to make!" Without meandering, Ji Mingxiu addressed the point directly, "The first matter is, I have chosen Jiang Chen as my disciple! Step forward, Jiang Chen!" The moment his deration echoed, the previously serene za was instantaneously consumed with fervent excitement. "Jiang Chen! That''s the prodigy who was teleported here just yesterday from the Starry Abyss Sect in the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain!" "Yes, indeed, that''s him! It''s rumored that, despite his bone age being a mere twenty, he has already advanced to the Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm!" "What''s crucial is that he achieved this while cultivating under the harsh conditions of the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain! Had he cultivated in our Purple Heaven Holy Land, he might''ve reached the Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm by the age of ten!" "From my understanding, there''s more to this prodigy Jiang Chen than merely an impressive cultivation base! He''s far from being an underdog inbat prowess. He defeated the old-generation Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm disciple Rong Liangcai with a single move!" "One move, itpels me to wonder if Jiang Chen''sbat power has ascended to the Inquiring Journey realm!" "I specte that if it''s not the Inquiring Journey realm, he''s at least taken half a step into it, he''s truly formidable! No wonder the Holy Lord wishes to take him under his wing!" "I surmise that only Jiang Chen possesses the qualification to have the Holy Lord personally make an exception and ept him as a disciple, even Fang Yuan at his prime did not enjoy this privilege!" "Cease your chatter, nce quickly, Jiang Chen is making his appearance, oh my, he''s incredibly handsome, truly captivating!" "Aaahh, I wish to be Lord Jiang Chen''s wife!" In the za, the disciples carried on their conversation, their countenances mirroring their astonishment and admiration. Uponying their eyes on Jiang Chen, the female disciples in the crowd were instantly bewitched, their eyes sparkling like distant stars upon sighting him. Under the gaze of the multitude, Jiang Chen elegantly sauntered over to Ji Mingxiu''s side. Initially, he extended a salute to Ji Mingxiu, followed by respectful bows to the esteemed elders, and finally, a universal nod to the disciples popting the square. Subsequently, he proceeded with his personal introduction. The entire process was impably fluid, organized, and poised. Hisportment, radiating his inherent strength, exuded an irresistible allure! "Indeed, he''s deserving of the Holy Lord''s attention!" "His demeanorpliments his cultivation base andbat prowess, leaving no room for critique!" "Truly, if I were in his ce, I am confident my legs would tremble, and I''d struggle to articte a word." "Hehe, Jiang Chen is the Holy Lord''s disciple, possibly the sessor to the Holy Son''s title. With such a Holy Son, the future of the Purple Heaven Holy Land looks bright indeed!" "From my perspective, there''s no need for this contest for the Holy Son''s title, in the end, it''s destined to be a triumph for Jiang Chen." The disciplesunched into animated conversation, their words resonating with endorsement for Jiang Chen. At this very instant! A beam of light, unhurriedlyte, glided in from afar. Many within the white jade square swiveled their heads to look, sparking hushed whispers among themselves, thereby igniting a fresh wave of discussion. "It''s Fang Yuan who has arrived!" "What? Fang Yuan, too? True, he still retains the status of a true disciple." "He can only contribute to the spectacle now. As for contesting for the Holy Son''s position, he better discard that thought!" "Indeed, I''ve heard his cultivation base has regressed to the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm. Does he still harbor dreams ofpeting for the Holy Son''s position with such a cultivation base? Surely not, even in his most fanciful imaginations!" "It''s high time we propose revoking his true disciple status. A true disciple stuck in the Spiritual Awakening realm is simply a mockery to our Purple Heaven Holy Land." One by one, the disciples murmured amongst themselves, with an increasing number joining the conversation. Meanwhile. ''He''s arrived? Viin''s Eye, activate!'' A spark of interest danced in Jiang Chen''s brow as he engaged the Viin''s Eye towards Fang Yuan. Immediately, an information panel manifested. [Name: Fang Yuan Realm: Late-stage Spiritual Awakening (Early-stage Heavenly Origin) Status: Protagonist Heavenly Fate Value: 18686/18686] ''His authentic cultivation base resides in the Heavenly Origin realm!'' ''So he has temporarily regressed to the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm, interesting.'' ''An astonishingly high Heavenly Fate Value, nearing twenty thousand. That''s remarkable!'' ''I''m intrigued by what kind of a heaven-defying trump card Fang Yuan has up his sleeve... Wait, the sudden disappearance of his cultivation base... This scenario seems too familiar!'' ''Let''s ascertain if there''s an unusual ring on his person!'' Jiang Chen''s mind whirred with conjecture as his gaze thoroughly scanned Fang Yuan. Swiftly, his attention focused on a ring adorning Fang Yuan''s right hand. The ring appeared incredibly antique, its design unlike any that Jiang Chen had evere across before. ''There''s something peculiar about this ring!'' ''Could it be one of those instances where an old man''s residual spirit resides within the ring, covertly guiding the protagonist towards immense power?'' Once again, a spark of curiosity lit up in Jiang Chen''s brow as he attempted to deploy the Viin''s Eye on that specific ring. Subsequently, an event transpired that left himpletely astounded. Two panels unexpectedly materialized before his eyes! [Name: Nangong Wan Realm: Early-stage Soul Refining (Late-stage Void Tribtion) Status: Heroine (Unpursued) Intimacy: 0 (Indifferent) Fate Value: 16368] The second information panel disyed: [Name: Shangguan Ning Fate Value: 15996] ''Oh, heavens!!'' ''I was entirely wrong! It''s not the soul remnants of an elderly man, but the lingering spirits of two formidable women! And they are powerhouses in the Void Tribtion realm, no less!'' ''Good grief, living powerhouses at the Void Tribtion realm, and he obtained two right off the bat!'' ''Judging from their names and statuses, they are undoubtedly top-tier beauties.'' ''Beyond belief! Besides Ji Ruxue, there are two more unpursued heroines, powerful entities who constantly apany Fang Yuan, offering advice, guidance, and assistance whenever necessary!'' ''...'' Jiang Chen felt as though he''d been hit by a freight train of shock, his eyes nearly rolling in exasperation. Chapter 132: Jiang Chen Speaks Out, Altering the Plot It needed to be conceded. The protagonist, Fang Yuan, was truly outrageously extraordinary! His innate aptitude was staggeringly powerful, unequivocally belonging to the Perfect Grade category, showing virtually no discernible deviation from the current Jiang Chen. At this juncture, he had even managed to secure the support of two venerable beings from the Late-stage Void Tribtion realm! With these two formidable presences lending their assistance, every conceivable limitation on acquired knowledge was rendered utterly irrelevant. Eventually, they could even impart an impressive array of transcendent cultivation methods, and in a pivotal moment, these two venerable entities could unleash immense battle prowess to aid Fang Yuan in navigating a perilous crisis! This was absolutely surreal, deeply unsettling! At this instant, the luminous form that Fang Yuan had morphed into touched down on the ground. As the glow faded, his upright figure and striking features were unveiled. His face, which had previously been clouded with despair, had undergone a significant transformation. Fang Yuan''s countenance now bore a self-assured smile. ''This individual!'' Observing him, it seemed as though he had already begun receiving the support of the two distinguished figures and wasmencing his ascension. Jiang Chen''s eyes narrowed subtly, an undercurrent of frostiness coursing through them. Simultaneously. "What''s going on?" "Fang Yuan has actually reced his grim expression with a smile?" "Could it be that his cultivation base has rebounded? No, it remains in the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm!" "..." The crowd almost believed they were witnessing Fang Yuan in his prime. Exuding self-assurance, his spirit was invigorated! Yet upon closer inspection, everyone quickly recognized that Fang Yuan''s cultivation base remained within the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm, inciting a ripple of surprisedughter amongst them. "He''s still in the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm!" "Why the surge in confidence then? My cultivation base is even superior to his." "Could it be that he has finally reconciled with his predicament? Has he cast aside his previous concern for reputation, choosing to go with the flow, or is he on the brink of self-destruction?" "It''s entirely usible. Since his cultivation base started to deteriorate, Fang Yuan has been diligently cultivating for two continuous years." "Two years, who knows how he weathered that? I know I certainly couldn''t endure it." Everyone spected, then turned their gazes towards Fang Yuan, tinged with a hint of sympathy. In their eyes, if Fang Yuan was truly spiraling towards self-destruction, relinquishing all hope, then he had truly fallen... In regard to the surrounding conversations, Fang Yuan remained indifferent, standing silently in his spot. The most effective means to expose their misconceptions was to confront them with the stark reality. Just at that moment. "Fang Yuan!" "The grand sect assembly convenes at dawn, yet you choose to make your appearance now?" A disciple at the Late-stage Mysterious tform realm spoke with an icy tone. As these words were pronounced, those nursing grievances and resentments towards Fang Yuan were instantly ignited. "Fang Yuan, your disregard for the sect''s regtions is wholly uneptable!" "The Holy Lord, the Supreme Elders, and other elders have all spoken, yet you decide to appear only now. Are you suggesting that none of us here hold any significance to you?" One by one, the disciples erupted in righteous indignation, their wordsshing out like a torrent, all aimed at branding Fang Yuan with the severe usation of showing disrespect towards the elders and gross negligence of the sect''s rules. Figures such as Ji Mingxiu, however, remained poised, casting serene nces at Fang Yuan. Upon noticing this, Fang Yuan''s expression briefly wavered but promptly regained itsposure. He was about to raise his hands to show respect to Ji Mingxiu and the others, readying himself to provide an exnation. But just at that moment. "Fellow disciples!" "I trust that our Junior Brother Fang Yuan must have hadpelling reasons for histe arrival." "His tardiness was not intentional. We needn''t be overly severe with him, as long as he acknowledges his mistake and ensures it doesn''t happen again." Jiang Chen calmly interjected, following up with a nod in Fang Yuan''s direction. At his words, all attention was instantly drawn to Jiang Chen. No one anticipated that Jiang Chen, a disciple of the Holy Lord, would actually advocate for Fang Yuan, this fallen genius. However, since the words were spoken by Jiang Chen, the disciples found themselves unable to lodge any furtherints. Even prominent figures such as Ji Mingxiu made allowances for Jiang Chen, who was regarded as a future pir of the sect. They responded by offering a subtle nod to Fang Yuan, signifying they would not seek to penalize him. Fang Yuan, however, found himself momentarily taken aback. His bright, astonished eyes fell upon Jiang Chen. In the next instant, a subtle crease formed on Fang Yuan''s brow. For some inexplicable reason, his initial impression of Jiang Chen was decidedly unfavorable, sensing an insincerity about him as if he were a malicious viin shrouded behind an opaque facade. However, given that Jiang Chen had publicly defended him before such arge audience, how could he remain impassive? "Thank you for your counsel, Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "I also express my gratitude to the Holy Lord, Supreme Elders, and Elders, for your understanding." "Fang Yuan assures you, this will not happen again." Fang Yuan bowed to Jiang Chen, Ji Mingxiu, and the others as he delivered these words. [Ding! You have subtly influenced the storyline; the protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 200 points!] [Ding! You have umted 400 points of Viin Value!] Two system alerts rang out. A hint of delight, barely noticeable, flickered in Jiang Chen''s eyes. In his calction, ording to the original storyline, Fang Yuan would undoubtedly find himself ensnared in an ufortable dilemma. The viewpoints of Ji Mingxiu and the others towards him were bound to deteriorate further. The surrounding disciples would exhibit heightened contempt and disdain for him. Yet, no tangible punishment was due to be meted out to him. Following that, he was certain to opt into the Holy Son contest, once more igniting surprise amongst the crowd and amplifying their feelings of scorn for him. In future sequences, there could be simryers of strategizing, allowing emotions to progressively escte. All this was designed solely for Fang Yuan to seize the spotlight and take a stand! Perhaps at this grand sect assembly, he would ''regain his cultivation base and amplify his capabilities'', making a modest disy of defiance. Then partake in the Holy Son contest, proim boastfully, emerge as a dark horse amidst disbelief, and stage a grand performance in the ensuing Holy Sonpetition! Therefore, with each twist,yer uponyer of grandstanding, the shock value would persistently build up. Perceptions of Fang Yuan would undergo a dramatic shift, instantaneously turning skeptics into admirers! The present circumstances were presumably the onset of Fang Yuan''s strategy for grandstanding. Jiang Chen''s tactic was to preemptively speak out, aiming to avert any scornful or derisive opposition from the crowd. At that juncture, even if Fang Yuan stunningly regained his cultivation base and capabilities, and persistently emerged as the triumphant dark horse, Jiang Chen, who had spoken first, with his perceptive vision, had positioned himself superior to Fang Yuan! Fang Yuan''s recurringebacks were, to a certain degree, all fueling Jiang Chen''s agenda! Everyone would exim, ''Fang Yuan is indeed remarkable, but in truth, Senior Brother Jiang Chen is even more extraordinary''. Naturally, this was merely a sequence of spections within Jiang Chen''s mind. In his present predicament, he could only proceed one step at a time, and adapt to situations as they evolved. At this very instant, Jiang Chen had effectively counteracted one of Fang Yuan''s moves, gaining a slight upper hand. Then, a voice echoed. "All, dear disciples of the Holy Land." "Henceforth, Jiang Chen will be my sole disciple." Ji Mingxiu, disregarding Fang Yuan,manded, "Bring forth Jiang Chen''s disciple robes." "Understood!" A short distance away, a female disciple who had been ready for this asion held a square wooden tray. On it were distinct robes for disciples. She walked up to Jiang Chen and presented the garments. "Disciple offers homage to Master!" Jiang Chen rendered a formal salute to Ji Mingxiu, following the decorum of recognizing a master. He harbored no internal reservations about this act. Being a viin who was perpetually under the protagonist''s threat and living in ceaseless peril akin to a swirling storm, what was a simple master''s salutation? "Come, let me attire you!" Ji Mingxiu brandished a contented smile, then lifted the robe from the wooden tray and personally aided Jiang Chen in donning it. The disciple''s robe was predominantly white, adorned with cloud motifs in a purple-gold shade. It was intricate and opulent, yet devoid of any ostentation, exuding an aura of ultimate nobility. This robe alone had already surpassed the status of all disciples present, and even some of the elders. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 133: The Focus Shifts to Jiang Chen "Master, I am grateful!" Having clothed himself, Jiang Chen demonstrated his respect towards Ji Mingxiu with a deferential bow. "Well done!" Ji Mingxiu returned his acknowledgement with a glowing grin, nodding his approval. He then shifted his attention towards the assembly of disciples. "Why the dy? Show your respect to your senior brother Jiang Chen!" "Salutations, Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "..." The gathered disciples'' voices swelled, their unified greeting rolling forth like a surging ocean wave, its resonance shaking the very firmament. In response, Jiang Chen acknowledged the gathered disciples, offering his silent salute. Meanwhile, from a secluded spot within the crowd, Fang Yuan also offered his respect towards Jiang Chen. But an incessant unease gnawed at his heart. ''Senior Brother Jiang Chen...'' ''This man instills a peculiar unease within me. I must hasten my self-improvement to discern the root of this difort his presence stirs within me.'' ''And before long, I will find myself in his current standing,manding the gaze of evenrger throngs of people!'' ''...'' A glimmer of resolve red within Fang Yuan''s eyes as he ruminated on this. From being revered at the summit to plummeting into oblivion, scorned and overlooked by the multitude, he was driven to validate his worth! And such was the mindset of a gifted youtha perfectly natural inclination. At that instance, the throng roared in deference to their senior brother Jiang Chen, offering their salutations. Thus, Jiang Chen''s standing as a disciple of the Purple Heaven Holy Lord was wholly established, not only within the boundaries of Purple Heaven Holy Land but acknowledged by the forces across the entire Everflowing Truth Domain! "Everyone!" "Nowes the deration of the second agenda!" "Upon careful consideration by the sect, we have decided to hold the contest for the Holy Son''s title in two months, selecting the representative Holy Son of this era!" Stepping forward, Ji Mingxiu announced, "Only disciples holding the rank of core disciples and above, and those not older than twenty-five years, are eligible to register." Upon hearing this announcement, the crowd exploded with energy. "The contest for the Holy Son''s title has atst been ted!" "In two months'' time, eh? There''s still room for improvement!" "Within these two months, I must ascend to a higher realm, guaranteeing a superior rank." "As for the role of the Holy Son, it''s not something I dare to covet. It''s unquestionably a position for Senior Brother Jiang Chen. If I could just reduce the disparity with Senior Brother Jiang Chen, I''d be content." "Senior Brother Jiang Chen is overwhelmingly powerful, but I too wish to contend for the Holy Son''s title!" A spectrum of thoughts flickered through the minds of the disciples eligible for registration. Only a remarkably small subset of disciples harbored the audacity to oppose Jiang Chen. For the majority, the title of Holy Son was already deemed unattainable. To them, the contest for the Holy Son''s title signified an asion to demonstrate their capabilities, and it was of monumental significance. Such arge-scale event seldom transpired. Despite the plethora of immensely talented disciples, this sort of opportunity rarely presented itself before they reached the age of twenty-five. Should one radiate exceptional prowess in this grand asion, they would inevitably draw the attention of numerous formidable entities! This exposure would consequently bolster their renown substantially. In its core, prestige and affluence are often intricately linked. The more exceptional one''s performance in this event, the greater the benefits one could rue in the future, and the smoother the journey towards them would be. "Now." Scanning the crowd, Ji Mingxiu donned a stern expression. "Disciples willing to partake in the contest for the Holy Son''s title may proceed with registration." "I aspire topete for the Holy Son''s position." Jiang Chen was the first to show his deference to Ji Mingxiu, dering his intention. "Excellent! Make a record!" Ji Mingxiu unleashed a robustugh and directed an elder in charge of documentation to register this down. Such an asion would be indelibly etched in the chronicles of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, and the individual appointed the responsibility of documentation would certainly be of considerable prestige. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen is indeed entering the contest for the Holy Son''s title." "Isn''t that a given? Haha." "Senior Brother Jiang Chen shines so brilliantly, I''m eager to see how enthralling hisbat style might be?" Disciples initiated quiet discussions amongst themselves. Many female disciples observed with fervent anticipation, their flirtatious nces consistently settling on Jiang Chen. At that juncture. "Junior Brother Fang Yuan had pressing engagements to deal with, yet he still managed to rush here with utmost urgency." "I surmise Junior Brother Fang Yuan also aspires to contend in the contest for the Holy Son''s title!" Suddenly, Jiang Chen, with a beaming smile, turned towards Fang Yuan. "From my perspective, Junior Brother Fang Yuan will surely achieve outstanding aplishments in this grand assembly!" Upon hearing this, the assembly felt that Jiang Chen''s initial couple of sentences resonated with them. Fang Yuan had other obligations to address, and despite his dyed arrival, he made haste to be here. This suggested a strong probability that he was interested in joining the contest for the Holy Son''s title. If Fang Yuan were to announce his intention, it would certainly evoke a tidal wave of surprise and scorn. A buzz would assuredly ripple through the entire congregation! But now, Jiang Chen had voiced his thoughts. Hence, even if Fang Yuan were to confirm his intent, it wouldn''t appear sudden, and the emotional reactions wouldn''t be as tumultuous. And that concluding statement, he explicitly asserted the aplishment Fang Yuan would attain! This assertion catapulted everyone present into a state of astonished disbelief, struggling toprehend. "What?!" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen truly believes that Fang Yuan can secure notable aplishments?!" "Fang Yuan is merely at the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm. How can he perform well in the battle for the Holy Son''s title, where contenders at the Heavenly Origin realm are abundant andpeting vigorously?" "Although it''s hard to fathom, I ce my faith in Senior Brother Jiang Chen. Being the Holy Lord''s disciple, his words carry immense weight. If he''s bold enough to dere so, he must harbor confidence!" "Indeed,pared to Senior Brother Jiang Chen, weck foresight. He proimed that Fang Yuan could secure amendable position, and I choose to believe him!" Disciples began discussing in surprise, their expressions filled with shock. Even Ji Mingxiu regarded Jiang Chen with a hint of surprise. However, their attention had pivoted from Fang Yuan to Jiang Chen! At this juncture, to a certain degree, Fang Yuan had merely be an instrument for Jiang Chen to exhibit his dominance. Moreover, if Fang Yuan himself were to boast grandly, such a promation would undoubtedly spark off a series of debates. Everyone presumed that Fang Yuan''s involvement in the contest for the Holy Son''s title was a mere disy of overconfidence, inviting their unreserved derision. Yet, at this moment, Jiang Chen''s stature was evident. Utilizing his sway, he influenced a vast number of disciples into epting his hypothesis! At that very moment. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen''s words do hold weight." "Fang Yuan is indeed here for the Holy Sonpetition." "As for securing good results, Senior Brother Jiang Chen might be overly generous with his praise." Fang Yuan took a deep breath, his demeanor calm, responding without a trace of subservience or arrogance. However, in his heart, he was in turmoil. His eyebrows were tightly knitted! He was unable to fathom why Jiang Chen would prophesy his attainment of a high rank. Was this mockery? Encouragement? Or perhaps he had seen something more in him? Regardless, the true motivation was only known to Jiang Chen himself. Fang Yuan, not being a mind-reader and having only just encountered Jiang Chen, had no significant understanding of him. How could he decipher the enigma? Meanwhile, for Jiang Chen, two system alerts reverberated in his mind! [Ding! You have subtly influenced the plot. The protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 300 points!] [Ding! You have earned 600 points of Viin Value!] ''Outstanding!'' ''The reduction of the Heavenly Fate Value has escted to three hundred points!'' ''And I''ve also reaped six hundred points of Viin Value!'' A faint smile gradually etched onto the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth, almost undetectable. At this moment, a voice echoed. "Jiang Chen." "Why do you assert that Fang Yuan could secure a high ranking in the Holy Son''spetition?" Ji Mingxiu abruptly inquired. Contrary to the other disciples who promptly epted Jiang Chen''s derations, he had his own assessments. Upon observing Fang Yuan, he could not discern any extraordinary strength that could secure a high ranking. As these words were voiced, the four Supreme Elders, along with several of the more discerning and still doubtful disciples, were instantly stirred! All of the remaining disciples, almost in unison, shifted their focus towards Jiang Chen. Even Fang Yuan himself narrowed his eyes, his gaze settling intently on Jiang Chen. Chapter 134: Great Gains, Absolutely Exhilarating "So, this is the situation." "I''ve heard that Junior Brother Fang Yuan has experienced his fair share of ups and downs, his cultivation base frequently showing signs of decline." "But today, from my observation, Junior Brother Fang Yuan''s cultivation base appears to demonstrate a progression. I specte that Junior Brother Fang Yuan may have ovee his cultivation base''s unfortunate regression. Fortune appears to be favoring him!" "Importantly, Junior Brother Fang Yuan''s mentalposure is remarkable, his demeanor positively glowing, oozing confidence!" "If Junior Brother Fang Yuan himself exhibits such self-assurance, I have substantial grounds to predict his secured and noteworthy status!" Jiang Chen voiced his thoughts, acknowledging Ji Mingxiu with a respectful bow, his face adorned with a gentle smile. "So that''s the case!" "I too sensed earlier that Fang Yuan carries an exceptional aura of self-confidence, vastly contrasting his former dispirited and gloomy disposition!" "What could have spurred this sudden shift in Fang Yuan''s mood, making him so buoyant? Undoubtedly, it''s the advancement of his cultivation base!" "Fang Yuan, by nature, is a cultivator of the Heavenly Origin realm. The deterioration of his cultivation base was attributed to external factors. Therefore, when Senior Brother Jiang Chen predicts his secure standing, the reasoning is crystal clear!" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen truly possesses the insight to perceive the crux, discerning the most intricate details. He truly is the disciple of the Holy Lord I willingly respect, the prospective Holy Son!" "Oh, how much I admire Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "..." The disciples'' eyes gleamed with newfoundprehension as they conversed animatedly, one after another. Their perception of Fang Yuan had subtly shifted; traces of scorn and contempt had faded. On the other hand, their admiration for Jiang Chen was noticeably intensified! "Very well!" "Jiang Chen, your words indeed hold considerable merit!" With a gleeful expression, Ji Mingxiu addressed Fang Yuan, "Fang Yuan, tell us, can you now cultivate normally?" The crowd''s gaze collectively settled on Fang Yuan. "Yes!" "I can indeed rmence regr cultivation!" Under the crowd''s intense scrutiny, Fang Yuan feltpelled to acknowledge this fact. Upon confessing, he swiftly darted a nce at Jiang Chen, harboring an inexplicable apprehension towards this man. From a mere unintentional reveal of his feelings, so much was deduced! His original n was to keep this a secret, intending to seize the opportunity during a crucial battle to vanquish those who had belittled him, subsequently astonishing everyone with his might. But now, this clearly was not a viable strategy. [Ding! You have altered the plot. The protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has reduced by 500 points!] [Ding! You have rued 1,000 points of Viin Value!] Jiang Chen was once again met with the system alert resonating in his mind. ''Impressive, a reduction of five hundred points!'' ''And instantly garnered one thousand points of Viin Values!'' A glimmer of pleasure flickered in Jiang Chen''s eyes, ''This bounty is massive, absolutely exhrating!'' He conjectured that perhaps it was due to the fact that the protagonist Fang Yuan was more formidable than his predecessors, Lin Feng and Ye Fan. As such, once he managed to acquire a feat from Fang Yuan, the rewards were bound to be exponentiallyrger! At this juncture. "Really!" "Fang Yuan, you truly can resume standard cultivation! That''s splendid!" Upon hearing Fang Yuan''s personal confirmation, Ji Mingxiu was instantaneously ted. Had he not previously dered his decision to ept only Jiang Chen as a disciple, he might have been enticed to also take Fang Yuan under his wing, as he once pondered. "Fang Yuan may not quite match up to Jiang Chen, but he indeed is an authentic genius. This is phenomenal!" "Indeed, our Purple Heaven Holy Land has acquired two prodigies. In the future, I anticipate we will dominate the entire Everflowing Truth Central Domain!" "Perhaps not just the Everflowing Truth Central Domain, even the entire Everflowing Truth Domain might be within our grasp!" Supreme Elders like Mo Yu and other elders were ovee with joy and astonishment, involuntarily exchanging thoughts, envisaging the prosperous future on the horizon. As for the disciples, their reactions epassed a fair bit of surprise. However, since Jiang Chen had previously indicated it, the extent of their astonishment was somewhat restrained, far from culminating into a state of extreme shock or disbelief. Instead, their reverence for Jiang Chen only heightened!! "Hahaha." "Given that you, Fang Yuan, indeed desire topete in the Holy Son contest, let your intentions be duly registered." Ji Mingxiu chortled heartily, then addressed the Elder standing closeby. At this stage, Jiang Chen had already unveiled a part of Fang Yuan''s foundation. Everyone had mentally conditioned themselves to anticipate that ''Fang Yuan''s ranking could potentially be quitemendable''. What ensued, Fang Yuan''s name was duly registered. The remaining core disciples, and the true disciples too, hurried to enlist themselves! Promptly enough, the registration phase concluded. Over a hundred disciples had signed up to vie for the coveted position of the Holy Son! "The conclusion of the grand sect assembly is now upon us!" Ji Mingxiu addressed the gathering, "In a span of two months, the entire sect eagerly awaits your distinguished performances!" "We respectfully bid farewell to the Holy Lord!" The crowd rendered their salutations in unison. "Jiang Chen, apany me." Ji Mingxiu signaled specifically towards Jiang Chen, then pivoted and strolled directly back into the Main Hall of the sect situated behind him. The remaining four Supreme Elders and eighteen Elders in the Dao Comprehension realm trailed him in session. Upon their entry into the Main Hall. "May I inquire why the Master has summoned his humble disciple?" Jiang Chen initiated the conversation. "There''s no significant matter." "Just wanted to inquire about your progression with the ''Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture'' and check if you''vee across any hurdles?" Ji Mingxiumunicated, his words inteced with a warm smile. "If there are any challenges, make sure to ry them to us promptly!" Supreme Elder Mo Yu echoed in agreement, "You can''t afford to follow Fang Yuan''s example,promising your cultivation base, leading to severe setbacks." "Absolutely, indeed!" "In facing any predicament, do not resort to impetuous actions!" "In circumstances beyond yourprehension, refrain from making hasty decisions!" "You symbolize the future of our Purple Heaven Holy Land. As for us, the aged ones, we''re beyond our prime for further ascension." The remaining Supreme Elders and eighteen Elders collectively chimed in their advice. "Ah! What is the insinuation here?" "Jiang Chen is my disciple, what''s the intention behind this collective concern?" Ji Mingxiu shielded Jiang Chen like a protective parent would, amidst the gathering of Mo Yu and others. Suddenly, the Supreme Elders and eighteen Elders found themselves osciting betweenughter and emotional churn. "Jiang Chen is indeed under your guidance." Mo Yu responded with a genial smile, "But, being elders, wouldn''t it be eptable for us to share some wisdom?" "Absolutely!" "Well, do you question our reliability, us old ones?" Another Supreme Elder added humorously, "In times past, even this mischievousd here has benefited from my guidance!" "Absolutely not!" Ji Mingxiu, with a yful scoff, shook his head in dismissal. Jiang Chen was indeed an exceptional prodigy, harboring the potential to venture into the Third Step of the Cultivation Path with the right guidance. Should others guide him, the reflected prestige his role as a mentor would warrant might inevitably be diminished. Ji Mingxiu redirected his gaze towards Jiang Chen, a yful smile on his face, "Quickly share if you''ve encountered any challenges. If any arise, visit my abode. You could also assist me in appeasing Ji Ruxue while you''re there. That young maiden still holds a grudge against me!" Initially, Jiang Chen was inclined to decline. He encountered no difficulties! His transition to cultivating the ''Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture'' was impably seamless! Yet, when the matter involved Ji Ruxue, this unpursued heroine, how could he resist seizing the opportunity to pay a visit? A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 135: Fang Yuans Inner Turmoil Indubitably, Ji Ruxue, the Heroine, was a prize to be pursued! Furthermore, she symbolized a perpetual opportunity to gradually erode Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value. At the current juncture, Ji Ruxue had not yet graced the magnificent sect assembly with her presence. In the pre-established narrative, Fang Yuan was to reveal his remarkable recovery, a revtion that would stun his detractors, thereby leaving an indelible impression and ascending as a noteworthy figure. Though Ji Ruxue did not witness this transformative moment personally, word of it would reach her. Consequently, her curiosity about Fang Yuan would be piqued, gently pulling her toward the ''Abyss''. At this very moment, through Jiang Chen''s relentless endeavors, the collective sentiment and the overall ambiance underwent a dramatic shift. Fang Yuan, in particr, became an instrument in Jiang Chen''s hands, a chess piece to outshine rivals, effectively dominating the entire scene. Nheless, it remained an irrefutable truth that, the phenomenon of Fang Yuan reiming his cultivation prowess would undeniably stir people''s curiosity. Ji Ruxue might indeed be intrigued. Albeit, this intrigue would likely be less pronounced than in the original storyline. Nevertheless, Jiang Chen could not afford to becent! Perceiving an opportunity to build a rapport with Ji Ruxue, Jiang Chen recognized its significance and resolved to seize it. After all, Fang Yuan was the protagonist, the bearer of nearly twenty thousand Heavenly Fate Values! ''There are two months from the grand sect assembly to the contention for the title of Holy Son.'' ''In the canonical plot, this duration was meant for Fang Yuan to augment his strength, serendipitously piquing Ji Ruxue''s interest and evenpelling her to covertly monitor him.'' ''This interaction with Ji Ruxue, I must tactfully dampen her curiosity towards Fang Yuan, thereby inhibiting any prospective interaction between them!!'' ''Conversely, attempting to hinder Fang Yuan''s cultivation progression over this bi-monthly period poses a far more formidable challenge.'' ''Both Shangguan Ning and Nangong Wan are eminent figures in the Late-stage Void Tribtion realm!'' ''They are seasoned veterans, their discernment proving even more daunting. A slip-up could potentially betray some information.'' ''If Fang Yuan and the pair, Shangguan Ning and Nangong Wan, grow increasingly suspicious, navigating this predicament will be substantially more intricate!'' A torrent of thoughts cascaded through Jiang Chen''s mind, threatening to engulf him. Despite thebyrinthineplexities, he knew he had to persevere. He could only proceed with caution, limating and adjusting as the situation developed. At this juncture, when confronted with Ji Mingxiu''s query, Jiang Chen immediately affirmed without any semnce of hesitation. "Indeed." "Master, I find myself with a few questions to pose." A genial smile lit up Jiang Chen''s visage, and he swiftly pondered over several challenging aspects within the ''Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture'', feigning confusion. "Excellent!" "Let''s proceed then!" Ji Mingxiu expressed his approval with a warm nod, cing his hand on Jiang Chen''s shoulder, poised to depart. However, just then... "Hold on, Ji Mingxiu." "Our Purple Heaven Holy Land has finally nurtured a prodigy of Jiang Chen''s caliber." Mo Yu interjected, addressing Ji Mingxiu with a chuckle, "If you won''t permit us to guide him, at least let us extend our gratitude, yes?" "Indeed!" "Jiang Chen, please ept this as a small token of my admiration." Li Shang, the Supreme Elder, with a gentle smile, retrieved a storage ring and extended it towards Jiang Chen. "You cunning old fox, always one step ahead?" Mo Yu, an amused expression adorning his features, shook his head in mild resignation, and followed suit, presenting Jiang Chen with a storage artifact of his own. The other two Supreme Elders from the Purple Heaven Holy Land also beamed with pleasure, showing an exceptional level of amiability towards Jiang Chen. "This..." In the wake of the benevolence demonstrated by the four Supreme Elders, Jiang Chen nced uncertainly towards Ji Mingxiu. "When a gift is offered, ept it graciously. Don''t refuse unnecessarily, haha!" Ji Mingxiu bestowed upon Jiang Chen a nod of encouragement. "I understand!" "I extend my gratitude to the four esteemed seniors!" Jiang Chen''s countenance was marked by a radiant smile as he gracefully epted the tokens of goodwill from the four Supreme Elders. Without inspecting, he was already aware. Considering the cultivation base of these four Supreme Elders, who stood at the Dao Pce realm, the worth of their presents was bound to be astonishingly high! This was an unforeseen windfall. He hadn''t expected to harvest such a bounty during this asion. "Well done! ept it quickly!" "Jiang Chen, you must devote yourself to your cultivation!" "Indeed, indeed. The future of our Purple Heaven Holy Land''s capacity to yield a Third Step great powerhouse hinges on you now!" "..." Witnessing Jiang Chen ept their gifts, Mo Yu and the others also found themselves brimming with satisfaction. They proceeded to converse further with Jiang Chen, aiming to strengthen their budding camaraderie. Ji Mingxiu wasn''t rushing to depart with Jiang Chen, recognizing the significance of expressing reverence towards the four Supreme Elders. ''''Darn it.'' ''Could it be that the protagonist''s Heavenly Fate Value is at work here, mysteriously prompting the four Supreme Elders to dy me, preventing my rendezvous with Ji Ruxue?'' Jiang Chen quietly vented his frustration. Despite his eagerness to meet Ji Ruxue, and possessing a valid reason to depart, he knew it was appropriate to exchange a few pleasantries with the elders before making his exit. Meanwhile, beyond the confines of the Holy Land Grand Hall, disciples were scattering in small groups. Among them, the face of a female disciple was illuminated with anticipation as she hurried towards Ji Ruxue''s dwelling. Concurrently, Fang Yuan, his eyebrows slightly furrowed in mild irritation, vacated the assembly area. During this grand sect gathering, he had intended to personally dere his renewed ability to cultivate normally, to capture the spotlight, and regain everyone''s acknowledgement. However, circumstances did not unfold as smoothly as he had hoped from the outset. The moment he ventured out, he was ensnared by members of the Deacon Hall. They were insistent on recruiting him for the extermination of a nearby demonic beastir that had surfaced in the vicinity of the sect, even invoking sect regtions to enforce his participation. With no time to leverage his n''s influence on this asion, he found himself swept up in the pursuit of the demonic beast. Fortuitously, due to some unknown circumstance, the demonic beast was gravely wounded, allowing for his early return. Hence, he was not excessively dyed. Later, he had nned to retain a trick up his sleeve, choosing to register his participation before revealing his reimed ability. He wished to witness the shocked expressions of those present, to then make a resoundingeback. However, to his astonishment, it was Jiang Chen who spoke up... This expedition had proven to be quite bothersome and agitating. It had left Fang Yuan feeling exceptionally unfortunate. Furthermore, he had an instinctive suspicion about Jiang Chen not being a person of good intentions, sensed that Jiang Chen might turn into a rival, and as a result, his initial perception of Jiang Chen was decidedly unfavorable. "Senior Nangong!" "And Senior Shangguan!" "I harbor this lingering unease regarding Jiang Chen." "Do either of you perceive anything peculiar about him?'' Unable to suppress his inner unrest, Fang Yuan subtly engaged his left hand''s Soul Embodying Ring with his divine sense, expressing his doubts. "Is this an intuition of yours?" "Sometimes, a cultivator''s intuition proves to be incredibly precise." "Yet it might also be a case of your mind ying tricks. Given your past experiences, it''s natural to pique the interest of anyone within the Everflowing Truth Domain." "It''s perfectly reasonable for Jiang Chen to take note of you and observe you cautiously. I don''t find anything amiss." After some deliberation, Shangguan Ning added, "However..." "However what?" Fang Yuan''s attention sharpened at this. "However..." "Jiang Chen indeed isn''t ordinary!" "Beyond his Perfect Grade aptitude, he also bears some form of a True Dragon bloodline!" "The rank of that True Dragon bloodline is exceptionally high, it''s spected to be at the Void Tribtion realm, perhaps even transcending it!" Nangong Wan chimed in where Shangguan Ning paused. "What, a True Dragon bloodline!" "And it''s potentially of a caliber higher than the Void Tribtion realm, wouldn''t that be a fearsome bloodline of the Fourth Step?" Nangong Wan''s revtion left a hint of astonishment shing in Fang Yuan''s eyes. It should be noted that both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were merely at the Late-stage Void Tribtion realm. To ascend to the Fourth Step, one must face a horrifying ordeal, the Void Tribtion! The majority, eight or nine out of ten, are likely to falter at this juncture. Chapter 136: Reunion with Ji Ruxue "That is indeed the case." "Fang Yuan, it would be prudent for you to foster a rapport with Jiang Chen and stave off potential conflict. Otherwise, you may find yourself entangled in a substantial predicament." "I am aware that your initial perception of him might be less than favorable." "However, as an unparalleled prodigy with ambitions of surmounting the Fourth Step, even the Fifth, forbearance is an indispensable virtue." "Currently, neither of us is in an optimal condition and our assistance inbat scenarios remainsrgely peripheral. It''s possible this situation might persist for an extended period. Reflect upon this." Nangong Wan issued these words with an air of grave seriousness. "Hmph!" "Indeed, practicing forbearance is appropriate." "However, servility is not." "If your initial encounter with Jiang Chen resulted in discord, there''s no obligation for you to curry favor with him!" "Remember this, you are being guided by us two, true Void Tribtion realm great powerhouses. Bloodline is a trivial matter, it merely represents potential. What is there to be apprehensive about?" Shangguan Ning bore an undercurrent of intense disdain towards Nangong Wan. Even though she conceded the validity of Nangong Wan''s points. However, she was habituated to countering out of instinct. Nheless, Shangguan Ning''s statements bore logic. The most pertinent factor was its alignment with Fang Yuan''s aspirations. Consequently. "Iprehend!" "I, Fang Yuan, will assuredly ascend to the Fourth Step, even the Fifth Step, and surpass these to higher realms. I will not find myself at a disadvantagepared to Jiang Chen!" "If we are destined to be allies, then so be it. But should we be enemies, I am resolved to defeat him." Harboring this conviction, Fang Yuan gradually tightened his fists. As a predestined scion of the heavenly fate, he ced unwavering trust in his innate instincts and discernment! "That suffices." "Return to your cultivation without dy." "You''ve made us a promise. If you secure the esteemed title of the Holy Son, a portion of your cultivation base will be allotted to us!" Shangguan Ning pressed him further. Fang Yuan nodded in response and subsequently flew towards his personal cave dwelling. Meanwhile, within the Main Hall of the sect. Jiang Chen had finally concluded his extensive discussion with the four elders, thereby allowing him to take his leave without appearing impolite. After respectfully bidding the four elders goodbye, Jiang Chen was promptly seized by the arm by Ji Mingxiu, whisking him into the heavens. In the very next moment, the pair transformed into a gleaming streak of light, arriving at Ji Mingxiu''s pcepound, teeming with Immortal Qi, within the span of a few breaths. Nheless, Ji Mingxiu guided Jiang Chen towards an adjacent, smaller pceplex. Situated in close proximity to Ji Mingxiu''s abode, this ce served as the residence and cultivation grounds of Ji Ruxue. At that precise moment, Ji Ruxue was ensconced in her private chambers, when the female disciple, who had just arrived there, approached This female disciple, who had hurried here as soon as the grand sect assembly was adjourned, was named Xie Xiaojing. "Sister Xiaojing, you''re here?" Upon spotting Xie Xiaojing, who radiated palpable enthusiasm, Ji Ruxue promptly emerged to wee her. This Xie Xiaojing was not your run-of-the-mill cultivator. Gifted with exceptional aptitude and a formidable cultivation base, her prowess designated her as a prodigy among the disciples of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Raised under the tutge of her grandfather, a Late-stage Dao Comprehension Elder, she benefited from a life of abundant privileges. Furthermore, her bond with Ji Ruxue since their formative years was akin to a sisterhood, rendering them more than just close confidants. Owing to a disagreement with Ji Mingxiu, Ji Ruxue had opted to abstain from the grand sect assembly. Nheless, in truth, she nursed a hint of regret. After all, this was a majestic congregation that was convened only once every several years. With respect to the grand sect assembly, Ji Ruxue held some curiosity as well. As a result, she divulged her sentiments to Xie Xiaojing. Upon receiving this news, Xie Xiaojing immediately made her way over. Being somewhat of a rumormonger, she took delight in narrating such ounts to others. At this juncture, Xie Xiaojing had just made her arrival, eager to share her stories with palpable excitement. Yet, this very spectacle was beheld by Jiang Chen! ''Viin''s Eye!'' With a mere flicker of thought, he essed the interface that disyed the specifics about the young woman. [Name: Xie Xiaojing Realm: Early-stage Heavenly Origin Status: Quasi-Heroine Intimacy: 72 (Infatuated) Fate Value: 5645] ''Aha! A Quasi-Heroine, infatuated with the Viin!!'' ''It''s almost as though the Heavenly Fate is conspiring to assist Fang Yuan in poaching from another man''s pond while he himself remains idle.'' Jiang Chen was truly stunned by the information panel of Xie Xiaojing. In hisprehension, if the Heroine was the principal female lead fated to align with the protagonist, a decree seemingly etched in the heavens, then the Quasi-Heroine was the alternative female lead, representing an optional choice - a prospectivepanion shaped by the protagonist''s aspirations and actions. And this Xie Xiaojing, true to her status as a Quasi-Heroine, was undeniably a sight to behold. Slightly older than Ji Ruxue, she was of shorter stature, with untamed, curly chestnut hair cascading down to her waist. Her amber eyes, sparkling with yful mischief, were akin to twin droplets of honey, entrancing any who dared to meet her gaze. Her vivacious, petite figure emanated an undeniable allure. However, if the original narrative were to be followed, this unfortunate girl would inevitably traverse the road of unrequited affection for the Viin, who was already ensnared by the charms of the Heroine.... ''Curse this confounded Heavenly Fate!!'' ''Yet, that''s a matter to be addressedter. Presently, Ji Ruxue demands my attention.'' ''She indeed seems quite intrigued by the events of the grand sect assembly.'' ''Surprisingly, she chose to receive the information directly from other disciples rather than utilizing something akin to a transmission jade token.'' ''From the looks of it, the two have only just met and haven''t had the opportunity for an in-depth discussion.'' ''Experiencing events firsthand and learning about them from another are different experiences. The most significant urrence at this grand sect assembly was Fang Yuan''s restoration of his cultivation abilities.'' ''Additionally, considering the potential sway of Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value, it''s highly usible that Xie Xiaojing will center her narration around this event!'' ''...'' Within his heart, Jiang Chen pondered the situation, a slight crease forming between his brows. As Xie Xiaojing readied herself to speak, what could he possibly say to dissuade her? Furthermore, with Ji Mingxiu standing by his side, it wasn''t his ce to preemptively interrupt Xie Xiaojing! However, in the following moment, a spark of inspiration ignited in Jiang Chen''s eyes! Why should he rely on verbal interruptions at all? ''I was the centerpiece of this grand sect assembly!'' ''My mere presence alone is worth more than a thousand words!'' Embracing this realization, a slow, knowing smile began to dance on Jiang Chen''s lips. Consequently, he turned towards Ji Mingxiu, standing adjacent to him, and inquired, "Master, is this where Miss Ruxue rests?" His voice, though not loud, was perfectly audible to cultivators of the Heavenly Origin realm! "Yes, indeed." "This is indeed Ruxue''s sanctuary. I came to apany her;ter, I''ll guide both of you together." Ji Mingxiu responded with a genial demeanor, confirming Jiang Chen''s query. "Mm-hmm!" Jiang Chen beamed, nodding in affirmation. Simultaneously. "Eh!" "The Holy Lord and Senior Brother Jiang Chen are here!" Upon discerning Jiang Chen''s voice, Xie Xiaojing registered a surprise, her expression a mingling of reverence and delight. The reverence was towards Ji Mingxiu, the delight was for Jiang Chen. "My father and Jiang Chen are here?" Ji Ruxue, who hadn''t been persistently employing her divine sense, only now detected the arrival of Jiang Chen and Ji Mingxiu. The mention of Ji Mingxiu provoked her to pout. At this juncture, Ji Mingxiu, apanied by Jiang Chen, had reached the courtyard where Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing were engaged in conversation. "Honors to the Holy Lord!" "Honors to Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" Xie Xiaojing promptly bowed in respect towards Ji Mingxiu and Jiang Chen. "Xie Xiaojing?" Ji Mingxiu inquired, surprised to find her there, "What brought you here?" "In answer to the Holy Lord." "The Holy Maiden requested my presence here." Xie Xiaojing responded without hesitation. "Hmm, that''s good." Ji Mingxiu cast a fleeting nce at the trio of youngsters, a subtle smile gracing his lips. The arrival of Xie Xiaojing was indeed fortuitous. He had harbored a slight concern about potential awkwardness that might surface between Jiang Chen and Ji Ruxue if left to their own devices. However, with Xie Xiaojing''s involvement, the ambiance was bound to be more convivial. "Father, what brings you here?" Ji Ruxue questioned with a tinge of irritation. "I came to... oh, I suddenly recalled an errand! Carry on with your conversation." Ji Mingxiu nimbly revised his statement, maintaining his gentle smile, "I will rejoin you shortly." With these words, he swiftly turned on his heel and departed. Evidently, he was creating a conducive environment for the younger generation to interact without restraint! ''Such a thoughtful elder!'' Jiang Chen mused to himself, internally offering a silent nod of respect to Ji Mingxiu. ''Hmph, as if he suddenly remembered an errand.'' ''He obviously brought Jiang Chen here intentionally.'' Ji Ruxue snorted softly in her heart, diverting her gaze from Jiang Chen. At this, Jiang Chen felt a pang of helplessness stir within. Ji Ruxue was a formidable character yet to be swayed. Given the effects of the Heavenly Fate Value, it proved remarkably difficult to win her favor. And now, she seemed to be on the verge of losing the modicum of curiosity she once had towards him. Any other viin, in this scenario, would doggedly pursue her, oblivious to the consequences, which would only exacerbate Ji Ruxue''s annoyance, indirectly favoring Fang Yuan. That misguided viin would then, for unknown reasons, direct his ire towards Fang Yuan, provoking a conflict, and beheading his own fate... But refocusing on the current matter, he understood that precipitancy wouldn''t bear fruitful oues. Therefore, Jiang Chen was in no rush. He straightened his exclusive disciple robe, offered a courteous bow towards Ji Ruxue, and began to articte his thoughts, unhurriedly. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 137: Persuasion Not in Vain "Greetings, Holy Maiden!" Subsequently, Jiang Chen respectfully acknowledged Xie Xiaojing, "And to you, Junior Sister Xie. Your reputation preceded you when I first set foot in the Purple Heaven Holy Land. You''ve certainly made quite an impression." "Your words honor me, Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" tion filled Xie Xiaojing at Jiang Chen''smendation. "Xiaojing." "Have you forgotten the purpose of your presence here?" Ji Ruxue''s eyes rolled subtly, her question piercing the air with icy intonation. "Oh, no, not in the slightest!" Xie Xiaojing replied with a bashful smile, "Ah right, Senior Brother Jiang Chen is unquestionably the star of this momentous sect gathering!" "Well." "I suppose that''s urate." Ji Ruxue offered a nod of agreement. She was the first person to be aware that Jiang Chen was to be weed as a disciple by Ji Mingxiu, a promation to be unveiled at the grand sect assembly. ''I am cast as the viin, not the protagonist.'' Jiang Chen murmured inwardly, ''No one is privy to the fact that Fang Yuan is the authentic protagonist.'' At that juncture. "Let''s convene and discuss." Ji Ruxue cast a nce at Jiang Chen. Her impable etiquette dictated her hospitality. She gestured towards a secluded pavilion in the courtyard''s corner, inviting Jiang Chen and Xie Xiaojing to join her. Without hesitation, Xie Xiaojing and Jiang Chen obliged, taking seats in the pavilion from three distinct angles, thus forming an intimate circle. "In fact," Xie Xiaojing initiated conversation once they were seated, "An intriguing incident transpired during this grand sect assembly." "Do share. What urred?" Ji Ruxue prompted, curiosity piqued. "If I may interject," Jiang Chen cut across Xie Xiaojing, "Fang Yuan was present at this assembly as well. Remarkably, he has regained his normal cultivation prowess, and his cultivation base has ceased regressing." "Precisely, indeed!" "Even before Fang Yuan provided an exnation, it was Senior Brother Jiang Chen who was first among us to perceive this!" Having been outmaneuvered by Jiang Chen, Xie Xiaojing could only contribute to his revtion, "Not even the Holy Lord or the four Supreme Elders discerned it!" The central figure, Jiang Chen, was in her immediate vicinity. Even if Xie Xiaojing was somewhat slow on the uptake, she had the sense to keep hermentary focused on Jiang Chen. "Hmm?" "Fang Yuan has truly regained his cultivation capabilities? This is indeed promising news!" "I am intrigued by the circumstances he encountered. His cultivation base mysteriously declined, and even my father could not deduce the cause. Now, just as mysteriously, it''s restored." "Jiang Chen, you were the first to recognize Fang Yuan''s return to his normal cultivation abilities. How did you discern this? Were you able toprehend the cause of Fang Yuan''s fluctuating cultivation base?" Ji Ruxue found herself astounded by the dialogue unfolding between Jiang Chen and Xie Xiaojing. Yet, with Jiang Chen''smanding presence and Xie Xiaojing''sments orbiting him, he was simply too imposing to ignore! Hence, as Ji Ruxue mulled over the circumstances, her mind unavoidably wandered towards more considerations involving Jiang Chen. Fang Yuan and others were relegated to the background. In that instant, Ji Ruxue, demonstrating keen interest, posed her inquiries to Jiang Chen, sparking simr intrigue in Xie Xiaojing. Both women turned their attention towards Jiang Chen, anticipating his response. "Indeed, I did observe certain signs." "Besides the minute yet discernible improvement in Fang Yuan''s cultivation base, coupled with his notably uplifted mental state, he seemed to embody a reinvigorated spirit, brimming with life force." "On Fang Yuan''s left hand, there rests an unusual ring. It may appear ordinary but is decidedly extraordinary!" "I conjecture it might be an artifact with purifying properties, capable of restoring inherent purity, likely an artifact at the Transcendence realm." "The fluctuations in his cultivation base, I surmise, rte to this ring." "Now, even though he''s regained his cultivation prowess, he still dons that ring. Evidently, it''s a significant artifact." "The cultivation base that Fang Yuan had previously lost, should offer considerable returns in the future." Jiang Chen articted his observations deliberately. He directly addressed Fang Yuan''s ring. However, his subsequent assertions were mere fabrications. With these assertions, the mystery surrounding Fang Yuan''s regained cultivation abilities was seemingly resolved. Furthermore, the status of Fang Yuan''s ace was diminished, defined as an artifact within the initial realm of the Third Step, the Transcendence realm, significantly depreciating its original rank and value. This likely lessened Ji Ruxue''s curiosity about it. "An artifact from the Transcendence realm, you suggest?" Ji Ruxue mused, nodding thoughtfully, "No wonder my father couldn''t ascertain the cause of his declining cultivation base." "Actually..." "I conjecture that our Holy Lord may have already been aware of Fang Yuan''s ring." "However, instead of seizing Fang Yuan''s treasure, he chose to shield and protect it discreetly. This merely illustrates the Holy Lord''s consideration towards us disciples." Jiang Chen redirected his thoughts and continued his discourse. After all, these were only suppositions; they could be proven incorrect in the future without significant consequence. Yet, at this juncture... His words further stripped the mystique surrounding Fang Yuan''s artifact! As per his assertion, Ji Mingxiu was already aware of its existence; it was simply being kept confidential. "Ah, so that''s the case." "Indeed, upon reflection, I find myself in agreement with your view. My father must have unearthed Fang Yuan''s secret long ago." "We, at the Purple Heaven Holy Land, also harbor Transcendence realm treasures..." "..." Ji Ruxue nodded affirmatively, her gaze upon Jiang Chen now tinged with a newfound acknowledgment. Concurrently, Xie Xiaojing''s admiration for Jiang Chen only deepened. "I didn''t anticipate Senior Brother Jiang Chen to possess such meticulous observation skills!" "By noting the same details visible to all, he managed to infer the truth!" Xie Xiaojing folded her hands in awe, her gaze brimming with fascination as she beheld Jiang Chen. "Silly girl!" Ji Ruxue offered Xie Xiaojing an eye-roll, before shifting her gaze back to Jiang Chen. In truth, she found herself agreeing with Xie Xiaojing''s sentiment. Jiang Chen was indeed exceedingly meticulous, suggesting a highly thoughtful individual. [Ding! You''ve subtly adjusted the narrative and slightly altered the unpursued heroine Ji Ruxue''s impression of you, thereby reducing the Heavenly Fate Value of the protagonist Fang Yuan by 200 points!] [Ding! You''ve rued 400 points of Viin Value!] The system alert resounded. A sense of relief washed over Jiang Chen. His persuasive efforts had not been in vain this time. At that moment. "Ah right." "Fang Yuan also enlisted topete for the title of the Holy Son." "Senior Brother Jiang Chen even predicted that Fang Yuan would perform well." "Had anyone else made that prediction, I might have dismissed it. Buting from Senior Brother Jiang Chen, I have no reason to doubt!" Xie Xiaojing shared, her face lit up with a smile. "Really?" "Fang Yuan is vying for the title of the Holy Son?" "I heard his cultivation base plummeted to the Spiritual Awakening realm, surely he couldn''t have recovered substantially within two months, could he?" Ji Ruxue asked, taken aback, "Why did you surmise that Fang Yuan would perform well?" Her focus remained primarily on Jiang Chen. Instead of replying directly, Jiang Chen offered a smile and posed a question, "Does the Holy Maiden believe he would engage in an action that brings him disgrace?" Chapter 138: Ji Ruxue Ready to Wait and See "This..." "True, Fang Yuan isn''t the type to willingly bring humiliation upon himself." "However, can he really rely on that supposed Transcendence realm artifact to improve so dramatically that he surpasses the majority within such a limited timeframe?" Ji Ruxue ruminated for a moment, her brow slightly furrowed. She concurred with Jiang Chen''s reasoning, but found it difficult to ept that Fang Yuan could exhibit such remarkable improvement in just two months. "Absolutely, he can." "There''s a saying that nothing is impossible." Jiang Chen gave a firm nod, speaking with conviction, "Fang Yuan''s various disys so far provide ample justification for such an assessment." "It seems like you hold high expectations of him." Ji Ruxue offered a subtle smile, "Then, I will observe with anticipation to see if your forecast holds true." "Certainly!" Jiang Chen responded with a light smile. Jiang Chen took greatfort in Ji Ruxue''s readiness to observe the unfolding events based on his assertions. Now, with Ji Ruxue mentally bracing for Fang Yuan''s potentiallymendable performance, she would not be overly astonished when it did ur. Moreover, Jiang Chen stood in the foreground of Fang Yuan,manding a greater portion of her attention. Should Fang Yuan attainmendable results, it would consequently bolster Jiang Chen''s image in Ji Ruxue''s perception. Nevertheless, Jiang Chen wouldn''t be content with just this. After all, the two-month span had only justmenced! ''Next.'' ''My utmost effort should be directed at averting any potential interactions between Ji Ruxue and Fang Yuan.'' ''And the optimal strategy is to maintain her presence by my side!'' Jiang Chen silently deliberated within his heart, ''What approach should I employ?'' Suddenly, a faint glimmer sparked in his eyes. Immediately thereafter, the grand sect assembly discussion came to a close. Jiang Chen seamlessly shifted the conversation to the subject of cultivation. For cultivators, cultivation stood as their foremost priority. Frequently, it also became their central topic of discussion. Thus, the transition was executed smoothly. Swiftly, Jiang Chen started exchanging insights about cultivation methods with Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. This was his forte! Although Jiang Chen hadn''t practiced the advanced cultivation techniques and secret arts of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, he was versed in the ''Void Rainbow Sword Technique'', a respectable cultivation method worth discussing. Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, both at the Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm, had practiced the Void Rainbow Sword Technique as well, yet they hadn''t attained the perfect-level stage. Consequently, after some discourse, both Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing reaped significant benefits from Jiang Chen, gleaning insights on numerous aspects of the Void Rainbow Sword Technique! They found themselves astounded by Jiang Chen''s martial prowess. And this, was merely aponent of Jiang Chen''s strategy. His second step was on the horizon. He nned to introduce the ''Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture'' as a topic, but unlike the previous instance where he showcased his knowledge, he intended to humbly solicit their advice this time. "I achieved the perfect-level in the Void Rainbow Sword Technique only after extended periods of rigorous practice." "Just yesterday, Master bestowed upon me the Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture. I''ve managed toprehend only the basics after a full day and night." "Therefore, I''d like to ask you both a few questions about the Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture." Jiang Chen cupped his hands together and gave a courteous bow, appearing slightly embarrassed, "I wonder if that would be alright?" "Of course." "Feel free to ask any questions." Ji Ruxue responded with a nod. Given the insightful advice Jiang Chen had previously shared about the Void Rainbow Sword Technique, she would feel remiss to deny him. "In that case, I won''t hesitate." Jiang Chen granted a slight smile, thenmenced his queries. His questions were admirably discerning. They were neither too basic nor tooplex. Should they be too basic, it would suggest ack of understanding on his part, but if they were overlyplex, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing might be unable to provide an answer, thus disrupting the natural flow of their conversation. Subsequently, Jiang Chen would pose a question, which would be followed by an answer from either Ji Ruxue or Xie Xiaojing. Thereafter, Jiang Chen would express his gratitude or offer a modestpliment before swiftly proceeding to the next question. The atmosphere steadily grew more congenial. Throughout this interaction, Jiang Chen asionally introduced some of his ''novel concepts'', prompting revtions from Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. In doing so, their conversation continued to flow smoothly. Time gently ebbed away. Jiang Chen deliberately slowed the conversation, his divine sense periodically scanning beyond the courtyard. He was waiting. Waiting for Ji Mingxiu to witness this spectacle. ''Why hasn''t he shown up yet?'' ''Posing an excess of questions could potentially appear foolish, tarnishing one''s image.'' ''...'' With Ji Mingxiu''s absence, Jiang Chen was starting to feel a touch of anxiety. Yet, the conversation had to proceed. Somewhat reluctantly, he began to subtly increase theplexity of the questions. Nheless, he incorporated his own ''semi-formed'' understanding. This tactic not only indirectly mitigated the difficulty but also granted additional time for Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing to consider their responses. Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing were awestruck that Jiang Chen could propose a question that even they found challenging. They were further astounded by Jiang Chen''s unique interpretation of the issue. After all, Jiang Chen had only recently acquired the Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture just a day prior! Therefore, in the perspective of Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, Jiang Chen''s aptitude seemed to have escted once more. Xie Xiaojing was brimming with adoration. Meanwhile, Ji Ruxue''s perception of Jiang Chen deepened even further. [Ding! Your subtle actions have modified the impression of the unpursued heroine, Ji Ruxue, towards you. Consequently, the protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has reduced by 200 points!] [Ding! You have umted 400 points of Viin Value!] The sound of the system prompts resonated within Jiang Chen''s mind, bringing him a wave of satisfaction. Just then, Ji Mingxiu finally made his return. As soon as he arrived, he spotted Jiang Chen, Ji Ruxue, and Xie Xiaojing deep in conversation, which immediately eased his facial expression. Ji Mingxiu had initially been concerned that Jiang Chen might struggle to engage with Ji Ruxue. But now, the scene appeared to be quite harmonious! Shortly after, Ji Mingxiu continued to observe for a while. Upon realizing that both Jiang Chen and Ji Ruxue were reaping considerable benefits from their conversation, his contentment deepened. ''Excellent.'' ''I am usually upied with too many tasks.'' ''Given that they can interact with each other and mutually benefit from it, I should facilitate more encounters between them in the future.'' With this in mind, Ji Mingxiu took a step forward, venturing into the courtyard. Unsurprisingly, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing noticed Ji Mingxiu''s return. Consequently, the trio concluded their conversation, all shifting their attention to Ji Mingxiu as he entered the courtyard. "Father." Ji Ruxue acknowledged. "Master!" "Holy Lord!" Jiang Chen and Xie Xiaojing expressed their greetings in unison. "There''s no need for such formality." "It appears that you all have been engaged in a pleasant conversation, which indeed ddens me." Ji Mingxiu responded with a slight smile, then shifted his gaze to Jiang Chen, "Jiang Chen, after interacting with these two, do you have any further queries?" "In response to Master." Jiang Chen saluted, "Many of my questions have already been rified. I am truly grateful to Miss Ruxue and Miss Xiaojing." "Hmm." "That is indeedmendable." "I happen to have some spare time today. Therefore, I''ll seize this opportunity to guide you further and help clear any remaining doubts you might have." Ji Mingxiu nodded slightly, then took a seat at one side of the table. He cherished his daughter, Ji Ruxue, greatly, and would always make time to apany and educate her, regardless of his busy schedule. Otherwise, Ji Ruxue wouldn''t have turned out to be so well-rounded. This time, he had the chance not only to personally guide Jiang Chen but also to spend quality time with Ji Ruxue. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 139: Proposal for an Outdoor Practical Experience "Yes, Master!" Jiang Chen responded, his face aglow with anticipation and eagerness. For Xie Xiaojing, the excitement was genuine and palpable. Ji Ruxue, on the other hand, found it all rather mundane, with nothing particrly thrilling about it. Subsequently, Ji Mingxiumenced his instruction for Jiang Chen and Ji Ruxue, including Xie Xiaojing in the teaching as well. As the session progressed, Jiang Chen began to raise increasingly profound queries, demonstrating a depth of understanding that caught Ji Mingxiu off guard. He had never expected that Jiang Chen''s questions would reach the level of sophistication associated with the Inquiring Journey realm. Both Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing were left in a state of utter confusion, their awe for Jiang Chen''sprehension ability deepening with each passing moment. Nevertheless, Jiang Chen was careful to raise only a handful of these profound inquiries. Had he posed more, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing might have begun to suspect that his previous interactions had all been a disy, a pretense of ignorance. Such suspicion would have done no good. Eventually, the question-and-answer session concluded. Next came the phase of active learning under Ji Mingxiu''s tutge. Throughout this segment, Jiang Chen would often feign sudden realizations, eliciting repeated nods of approval from Ji Mingxiu. As time slowly trickled by, Ji Mingxiu''s hands-on teaching session eventually drew to a close. "We''ll conclude our lessons here." Ji Mingxiu announced, then turning to face the trio, he said, "Jiang Chen, Ruxue, my duties sometimes require much of my time. You two should foster moremunication in the future. Xiaojing, you join them as well." Upon hearing Ji Mingxiu''s words, Jiang Chen promptly responded. "Yes, Holy Lord!" Likewise, Xie Xiaojing, thrilled to her core, quickly echoed. "Always busy, huh." Ji Ruxue merely pouted, mumbling, yet she did not object. "I''ll take my leave now." Ji Mingxiu said, getting up from his seat. "You three may continue discussing your recent insights to consolidate your understanding." With a smile and a shake of his head, Ji Mingxiu vanished from the scene, leaving the three behind. "So, shall we continue?" Jiang Chen proposed, his gaze shifting between Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. "Sure." Xie Xiaojing immediately chimed in, her eager eyes darting towards Ji Ruxue, awaiting her response. "Alright." Ji Ruxue finally conceded. "Jiang Chen, the questions you posed earlier were a bit over my head as well. Could you borate on them for me?" "Certainly." Jiang Chen replied with a slight smile. "Let''s start from the top." With that, he began to exin, and Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing immediately tuned in, their attention undivided. Seeing this, Jiang Chen felt a surge of satisfaction within him. This was precisely the oue he had aimed for! Subsequently, Jiang Chen delved into each question, expounding upon them in great detail. As Jiang Chen''s exnations flowed forth, the hours too, trickled away unnoticed. In the blink of an eye, dusk had set in. Recognizing theteness of the hour, Jiang Chen rose from his seat, announcing, "It''s gettingte, and I have my own cultivation tasks to attend to. Shall we continue our discussion next time?" "Shall we reconvene next time?" As if mirroring his actions, Xie Xiaojing promptly stood up, looking expectantly towards Ji Ruxue. "Indeed." "Today''s discourse was quite enlightening, and I need some time to fully digest it all. Therefore, I won''t see you out." Ji Ruxue nodded in agreement. "Very well." Jiang Chen responded with a smile. He then feigned a sudden thought, "Only cultivating within the confines of the sect isn''t quite enough, don''t you think? What if we n a trip outside, to gain some hands-on experience?" Indeed, his intention was clear. He wanted Ji Ruxue by his side and even sought to bring her out from the Purple Heaven Holy Land! Fang Yuan was certain to remain entrenched within the Purple Heaven Holy Land for his own cultivation. By drawing Ji Ruxue out of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, Jiang Chen would effectively keep her out of Fang Yuan''s sight. Furthermore, Jiang Chen also had his own motivations. To advance his cultivation methods swiftly, he needed to gather qi and blood energy. Seclusion within the sect was insufficient for this purpose. Judging from Ji Mingxiu''s protective attitude towards Ji Ruxue, it was likely that she seldom ventured out for practical experiences. Perhaps she had been yearning to do so for quite some time. With this in mind, Jiang Chen anticipated that Ji Ruxue would likely embrace his proposal. And indeed, she did. "Venturing outside for practical experience?" "That''s a brilliant idea, and I''m all for it." She mused, her eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and resignation. "However, my father will probably object. He''s constantly worried about my safety. If you could somehow convince him..." "I''ll do my best to persuade the Master." "Wait for my good news!" Jiang Chen assured her, nodding solemnly. "Oh, and one more thing, we''ve yet to establish any transmission imprints. Should we do so now?" "Alright then." Ji Ruxue said, her hesitation giving way to resolve. She pulled out her transmission jade token, swapping imprints with Jiang Chen. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen, here''s mine too." Xie Xiaojing also chimed in, handing over her token, her eyes twinkling with admiration as they remained trained on Jiang Chen. The affection she held for him had clearly deepened, a development that Jiang Chen found deeply gratifying. However, he quickly sifted through the implications. While pursuing Ji Ruxue bore the goal of diminishing Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value, turning down Xie Xiaojing could potentially allow Fang Yuan an opportunity to deplete his own ck Heavenly Fate Value. He was mindful of this dynamic, yet it held little concern for him. For, when he looked at Xie Xiaojing''s information panel, he felt an undeniable sense of possession. He would never allow a woman with feelings for him to fall into the arms of another man. His approach to the situation was straightforward. Xie Xiaojing''s feelings for him were more apparent than those of Ji Ruxue, so he would simply let ''fate'' take its course. Where others might have been anxious about such a delicate bnce, fearing it might impede their pursuit of Ji Ruxue, Jiang Chen remainedposed. His ownership of the Eternal Binding Vows Ring was a key advantage. It allowed him to adeptly navigate Xie Xiaojing''s affection without needing to directly reciprocate or reject her feelings. His strategy was nuanced subtly intensifying his presence in her heart, patiently waiting for the day her nuptial ring would manifest. Subsequently, Jiang Chen shared contact details with Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing before he and Xie Xiaojing left Ji Ruxue''s pce together. As they traversed the path, Xie Xiaojing engaged Jiang Chen in an animated conversation. Their sharedughter and chatter echoed along their route, subtly fortifying the connection that was budding between them. Suddenly, Jiang Chen felt a vibration from his transmission jade token. Upon closer inspection, he discovered a message from Rong Liangcai. The message conveyed that Jiang Chen''s living quarters had been upgraded! As a disciple of the Holy Lord, he was allocated a dwelling befitting his status by the sect. This new abode was far superior to his temporary quarters and even surpassed those of some elders in terms of grandeur. With a warm smile and a nod of farewell, Jiang Chen bade Xie Xiaojing goodbye, setting off towards his new domicile. The Purple Heaven Holy Land was truly vast! His new residence was situated quite a distance from the pce cluster of Ji Mingxiu and Ji Ruxue. However, thanks to his Unbroken Thousand Strings Rainbow Boat, themute between locations didn''t take much time. Moreover, being situated at a distance from Ji Mingxiu presented its own benefits. At the very least, he wouldn''t constantly be under Ji Mingxiu''s divine sense. This would make many things considerably more convenient. For example, the unique aspects of his cultivation. Jiang Chen''s ability to dramatically boost his cultivation base simply by ingesting spiritual nts raw was quite unusual. When it came to his martial practices, there were certain aspects he needed to discreetly shield. Additionally, there were also some subtle strategies against Fang Yuan. Naturally, it would be most advantageous if these remained covert. As he journeyed, Jiang Chen was immersed in deep contemtion. Presently, since he couldn''t visit Ji Ruxue for the time being, it was the opportune moment to start taking action against Fang Yuan. ''Fang Yuan is undoubtedly making relentless efforts to enhance his cultivation base at the moment, and he might also be practicing martial arts.'' ''I have to figure out a way to disrupt him without exposing myself.'' ''...'' Jiang Chen''s eyes flickered with the gleam of calcted intent. Before long, he had formted a few strategies. ''Major actions aren''t feasible.'' ''Nangong Wen and Shangguan Ning are currently at the Soul Refining realm equivalent, but it''s uncertain what kind of special abilities they may have retained.'' ''Hmm, first, I''ll visit Fang Yuan, and then...I''ll make sure other people pay him visits too!'' A faint smile materialized on Jiang Chen''s lips as he pondered over his schemes. He then returned to his dwelling. His new residence, known as the Autumn Water Pce, consisted of an ensemble of eight pce structures. Arge spirit gathering formation had been constructed here, and the spiritual Qi was exceedingly abundant. The pces were shrouded in swirling mists, representing the condensed spiritual fog! Moreover, this fog was filtered and devoid of impurities, making it the highest quality spiritual Qi suitable for cultivation! Chapter 140: A Visit to Protagonist Fang Yuans Abode "Incredible! No wonder this is the cave mansion of a disciple of the Holy Lord." "Cultivating in such an environment definitely yields greater efficiency than anywhere else!" With a gleeful expression, Jiang Chen arrived at the grand entrance of the Autumn Water Pce. His uniform, a token of his status as a disciple of the Holy Lord, emitted an enchanting glow. Unexpectedly, a door formed within the intricate engravings of the Autumn Water Pce. "So this disciple uniform is more than just ornamental. It also serves as the key to this door. Intriguing, indeed!" Jiang Chen gazed appreciatively at the elegant and luxurious uniform of the Holy Lord''s disciple, a nod of satisfaction gracing his features. Without further ado, he stepped into the serene confines of the Autumn Water Pce. A colossal expanse of ptial splendor unfolded before him, exclusively reserved for his living and cultivation needs. The sense offort was simply overwhelming! In no time, Jiang Chen found himself in the most prestigious cultivation room within the Autumn Water Pce. He eased himself onto a meditation cushion crafted from the rare Tranquil Heart Blue Jade. "Now, time to see what gifts the four elders have bestowed upon me!" A wave of excitement coursed through Jiang Chen. His lips curled into an anticipatory smile as he began to extract the four storage artifacts for a closer examination, one by one. What he found was an array of treasures of various types, each housed within its own storage artifact. The first storage ring was brimming with an assortment of pills, ranging from those suitable for the Heavenly Origin realm to those meant for the Inquiring Journey realm. The second storage bracelet housed numerous cultivation method manuals, mostly catering to practitioners of the Inquiring Journey realm. In contrast, the third storage bracelet was filled with an abundant selection of spiritual nts, all fine-tuned for the Inquiring Journey realm, and a sizable amount of spirit jades. Inside the fourth storage ringy a top-grade defensive shield specifically designed for the Heavenly Origin realm. Evidently, elders like Mo Yu had coordinated their offerings to ensure a bnced array of resources. ''Incredible!'' ''The benefits orded to a Holy Lord''s disciple truly are exceptional. With these pills and spiritual nts at my disposal, I can significantly reduce my expenditure of Viin Value points.'' ''And this Heavenly Origin top-grade defensive shield? Its rank far surpasses my current Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe.'' ''Still, it''s worth remembering that the Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe is a growth-type robe. Given enough materials, its capabilities can be substantially amplified.'' ''The same potential for growth applies to the Shadowde Sword.'' ''Looking at it now, I should seize an opportunity to collect the necessary materials for their upgrade!'' ''...'' With these thoughts coursing through his mind, Jiang Chen began to categorize the treasures and meticulously transferred them into the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. Following that, Jiang Chen proceeded to draw out the transmission jade token, making contact with Rong Liangcai. "Fang Yuan has sessfully recovered his standard cultivation capacity." "This calls for a celebration. I n to pay him a visit tomorrow." "You should also spare some time to meet him, to mend fences, so to speak. Encourage those who harbor grievances against him to reconcile and prompt those who wish to befriend Fang Yuan to visit him." "However, caution must be exercised to prevent them from arriving en masse. Rather, have them go one by one. I trust you grasp my intention!" "..." Jiang Chen ryed his instructions to Rong Liangcai through the transmission jade token. With that done, he carefully stored the transmission jade token away, recing it with a handful of Inquiring Journey spiritual nts, ready to indulge in their benefits! As the time ticked away. In what seemed like a mere blink of an eye. The dance of day and night hadpleted its cycle, weing the arrival of a new day. Throughout the night, Jiang Chen had managed to consume the entire collection of spiritual nts. Although the influence of Inquiring Journey spiritual nts on the present state of the Burning World Red Lotus had lessened considerably. Nevertheless, given their sheer volume, these nts still managed to provide substantial nourishment to the Burning World Red Lotus, further enhancing its fiery hue. Jiang Chen''s cultivation base also saw notable progress within the Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm. He assessed that it wouldn''t be much longer before he could attain the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm. Once that happened, his truebat prowess was certain to surge yet again! ''It''s time for me to pay Fang Yuan a visit!'' A glint of icy determination flickered in Jiang Chen''s eyes. He proceeded to retrieve the ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle and set his course for Fang Yuan''s cave mansion. As for Fang Yuan''s cave mansion''s location, Jiang Chen had conducted his research thoroughly. In a matter of moments, Jiang Chen found himself at the edge of a lofty cliff. Fang Yuan''s cave mansion had been carved into the rock face of this cliff, forming a vast cavern. But, interestingly, a spiritual spring had taken root here, and the spiritual Qi it radiated was immensely potent. The surroundings were undeniably serene, providing an ideal setting for cultivation. However, a sizable crowd had already gathered outside Fang Yuan''s cave mansion. Yet, this did note as a surprise to Jiang Chen. Fang Yuan, a once dazzling genius who had experienced a fall and risen again, was sure to draw the attention of the members of the Fang n, his acquaintances, and those hoping to gain his favor, who would undeniably rush to his side. Jiang Chen didn''t need the services of Rong Liangcai to round up these people. In the present moment, Jiang Chen''s arrival had stirred somemotion among the crowd gathered outside Fang Yuan''s cave mansion. "Look, the Holy Lord''s disciple has arrived!" "The Holy Lord''s disciple! It''s Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "I didn''t anticipate that Senior Brother Jiang Chen would also pay a visit to Fang Yuan, and so early at that! It appears that Senior Brother Jiang Chen holds Fang Yuan in high regard!" "Indeed, Fang Yuan''s aptitude is extraordinary, and Senior Brother Jiang Chen, being a potential future Holy Lord, would surely need a right-hand man!" "Your point stands, but I believe Senior Brother Jiang Chen isn''t solely motivated by personal gain, he genuinely has Fang Yuan''s interests at heart." "Enough with the chatter, let''s show our respects quickly!" Following a flurry of discussion, the crowd moved collectively towards Jiang Chen, expressing their respect with earnest bows. "Junior Brothers and Sisters, please rise!" Jiang Chen offered a cordial smile, then inquired, "I assume this is where Junior Brother Fang Yuan resides? I havee to visit him." "Yes, Senior Brother Jiang Chen, this is indeed Fang Yuan''s abode." "We just arrived ourselves, and Fang Yuan has yet to emerge. He might still be engaged in cultivation." "Certainly, now that Fang Yuan has reimed his standard cultivation ability, he''s likely engrossed in his practice, neglecting both sleep and meals." The crowd hustled to provide their input, each individual eager to engage in dialogue with Jiang Chen and establish a rapport. Meanwhile, within the confines of the cave mansion. "So, Jiang Chen has made an appearance!" "I didn''t anticipate he''d pay me a visit this early in the day!" "I wonder what his intentions might be?" As Fang Yuan observed Jiang Chen and the others from inside, his eyebrows knit together slightly. Truth be told, he was aware much earlier that numerous visitors hade to his Cave Mansion. Yet, he was driven by his desire to cultivate, harboring no intentions of entertaining any guests. Therefore, he simply maintained the faade of being engrossed in secluded cultivation. However, now that Jiang Chen had made his arrival... Nangong Wan''s words from before began to resonate. Jiang Chen, being the disciple of the Holy Lord, boasted an extraordinary talent, even possessing the bloodline of a true dragon! Although Fang Yuan''s initial impression of Jiang Chen wasn''t favorable. After considering the insights shared by Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, even though he was reluctant to form a bond with Jiang Chen, he had resolved to adopt a stance of ''if he is not a foe, maintain neutrality; but if he bes an adversary, he must be eradicated''. Now that Jiang Chen had taken the initiative to visit him, on the surface at least, he seemed to bring a message of goodwill. Considering this, it would be discourteous of Fang Yuan to leave Jiang Chen waiting outside. "Should I go out and meet him?" Fang Yuan felt a slight unease in his heart, still a bit hesitant. "Let''s go greet him. It won''t take too much time." Nangong Wan spoke, not wishing for Fang Yuan to antagonize Jiang Chen and create an additional adversary. "Since Jiang Chen has made the effort toe, let''s receive him." Shangguan Ning added, "This way, we can observe him up close and try to glean more about his character." "Alright, I''ll meet him!" Fang Yuan inhaled deeply and nodded in agreement. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 141: Pointing Out Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning Just outside of Fang Yuan''s cave mansion, a swarm of cultivators had congregated around Jiang Chen, their visages adorned with ingratiating smiles. At this instant. "Why is Fang Yuan not yet visible?" "Given that Senior Brother Jiang Chen has been here for an extended period, this is quite remiss of him." "Indeed, having suddenly regained his ordinary cultivation capacity, he should anticipate an influx of visitors. Unprepared despite this foreknowledge, Fang Yuan''s hospitality leaves much to be desired." "..." Several cultivators, observing Fang Yuan''s prolonged absence and Jiang Chen''s considerable wait, felt a rising sense of indignation. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen, allow me to summon Fang Yuan on your behalf." A particrly observant male disciple stepped forward, bowing in deference to Jiang Chen. "No need." "If I were in Junior Brother Fang Yuan''s position, having experienced a protracted inability to cultivate and then abruptly regaining this capacity, I too would bepelled to immerse myself in deep cultivation." "Thus, he is not deliberately shunning us, we can afford to wait a while longer." Jiang Chen dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand, his face adorned with a warm and benevolent smile. "Yes, senior brother!" Upon hearing this, the male disciple promptly retreated, a look of reverence adorning his countenance. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen truly embodies magnanimity and kindness." "With a future Holy Lord of such caliber, we are indeed fortunate!" "Isn''t that the truth? Under Senior Brother Jiang Chen''s leadership, our generation will undoubtedly propel the Purple Heaven Holy Land to unprecedented heights." "Absolutely, we must earnestly follow in Senior Brother Jiang Chen''s footsteps!" Disciple after disciple continued to extol praises and proffer ttery. In response, Jiang Chen greeted theirpliments with a humble smile and a slight shake of his head. Just then, the formation etched into the cliff face ahead abruptly dissipated. Emerging from it was a striking young man - Fang Yuan. ''Viin''s Eye!'' Without dy, Jiang Chen invoked his Viin''s Eye. [Name: Fang Yuan Realm: Late-stage Spiritual Awakening (Early-stage Heavenly Origin) Status: Protagonist Heavenly Fate Value: 17186/17186] His Heavenly Fate Value had evidently dwindled by one thousand five hundred points. Yet, this individual possessed an abundance of Heavenly Fate Value. A reduction of one thousand five hundred points was negligible, necessitating further efforts to continue the journey. Simultaneously, Jiang Chen discerned that Fang Yuan''s aura had intensified, on the verge of returning to the Mysterious tform realm. Without dy, Jiang Chen shifted his gaze to ascertain the status of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, which remained unaltered. ''Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning.'' ''These two could be considered the most significant figures in Fang Yuan''s life.'' ''If I can sway them to my side, the impact will undoubtedly surpass that of winning over Ji Ruxue!'' ''However, they are perpetually attached to Fang Yuan, and I have yet to find an opportunity to interact with them in private.'' ''To gain their favor, it appears I need to point out their existence first...'' Jiang Chen pondered, slowly firming up his decision. At that moment. "My apologies!" "I waspelled to retreat into a brief period of seclusion." Upon making his appearance, Fang Yuan executed a bow to those assembled, "I apologize for keeping Senior Brother Jiang Chen and my fellow disciples waiting for such a length of time." "Haha, the fault lies with me for interrupting your seclusion." Jiang Chen responded with a light chuckle. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen, you are being excessively humble!" A smile blossomed on Fang Yuan''s visage as he gestured with his hand, "Senior Brother Jiang Chen, please apany me into the cave mansion for further discussion." His invitation was exclusively extended to Jiang Chen. The remainder offered no objections, perceiving this exclusivity as entirely fitting. Jiang Chen''s standing was undeniably superior to their own. "By all means." Jiang Chen orded Fang Yuan a nod of acknowledgement. Subsequently, the two strode side by side into the cave mansion carved into the mountain face. Whoosh. The protective formation reactivated, forming a barrier against the outside world. "My humble abode is rather simplistic, I trust Senior Brother Jiang Chen won''t find it distasteful." Fang Yuan nced around the austere cave mansion before addressing his guest. "Hahaha." "A peak''s height does not its grandeur make; its fame is in the immortal it does wake. A sea''s depth matters not at all; its spirit is in the dragon''s call. This dwelling may be modest and in, but with virtue, it''s a heavenly domain." Jiang Chen chuckled lightly, gesturing around and adding, "This cave mansion may be unpretentious, but how could one deem it modest?" As soon as these words were articted, Fang Yuan''s eyes widened a fraction. He fully grasped the underlying meaning of Jiang Chen''s words. However, if asked to express it himself, he would surely be unable to craft such an elegantly sophisticated sentence. Simultaneously, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, who were ensconced within the Soul Embodying Ring, were equally stunned. Their perception of Jiang Chen was involuntarily elevated. [Ding! The unpursued Heroines Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s impressions of you have subtly shifted. Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value diminishes by 200 points!] [Ding! You have rued 400 points of Viin Value!] The system prompt echoed. Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen was instantly overjoyed. He hadn''t anticipated that merely quoting Liu Yuxi to disy a hint of erudition would also slightly alter the impressions held by Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. At this juncture. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen, your praises are overly generous, please have a seat." Once his surprise subsided, Fang Yuan beckoned Jiang Chen to settle down for their discussion. Truth be told, his perception of Jiang Chen had further deteriorated. Due to Fang Yuan''s inherent bias against Jiang Chen, he found thetter''s somewhat effusive praise to be rather disingenuous... Jiang Chen nodded in acknowledgement and seated himself on a modest stone stool. Fang Yuan took a seat opposite him. A stone table sat between them, starkly empty, devoid of tea or any form of refreshment. Observing this, Jiang Chen promptly produced a tea set, materialized boiling water, and proceeded to brew a pot of tea. "This is a spiritual tea I procured from the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain." "Though itcks extravagance, it is a distinctive product of our region. Please have a taste." Jiang Chen offered a slight smile, lifted the teapot to pour two cups of tea, and pushed one towards Fang Yuan. "Thank you..." Fang Yuan nodded, somewhat taken aback, yet still under the impression that Jiang Chen''s amicability was disingenuous. However, through Nangong Wan''s perspective, it was Fang Yuan who appeared slightly unreasonable. "Junior Brother Fang Yuan." "My visit today serves two purposes. Firstly, to check in on you," Jiang Chen lifted his tea cup, taking a small sip before his countenance turned serious, "Secondly, to urge you to safeguard the ring housing the remnant souls of the two senior powerhouses." Upon hearing this, Fang Yuan was immediately frozen in ce, his face rigid, his mind a nk te. ''Wh... What!'' ''This Jiang Chen, he''s aware that I have the remnants of two mighty individuals within this ring!!'' ''How can this be possible? How could he have unearthed it!'' ''...'' Terrifying conjectures burgeoned within Fang Yuan''s mind, while an inevitable trace of cold sweat began to bead on his forehead. Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were his strongest anchors for ascending into higher realms in the future. And presently, they were exceedingly vulnerable. At this juncture, if even Jiang Chen could perceive the presence of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, the likelihood of others detecting them was not insignificant. The remnants of the two monumental powerhouses epitomized immense fortune! A repository of cultivation methods, an assortment of treasure-filled ruins, and hidden treasure locales, any one of these could ignite a wildfire of avarice! Once exposed, it was almost a certainty that others would harbor ulterior motives and seize the opportunity to act! At that point, he, Fang Yuan, would unquestionably confront a massive crisis. Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning could offer limited assistance in such a conflict. Should they encounter adversaries of superior realms, they would be entirely impotent. Meanwhile, within the confines of the Soul Embodying Ring, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were also startled, disbelieving, and overwhelmed by a profound sense of dread! Chapter 142: What, Then, Do You Desire? Immediately after, the esteem for Jiang Chen within their hearts had soared exponentially. Initially, they had perceived Jiang Chen merely as a prodigy blessed with the mysterious bloodline of a true dragon. However, it now appeared that Jiang Chen might be much more than they had imagined. Despite being nothing more than vestiges of souls, their concealment within the Soul Embodying Ring wasn''t a phenomenon an average person could discern. Otherwise, their existence would have been unveiled long ago. Naturally, the reason for their erstwhile undiscovered presence might also be attributed to their dormant state. Now, upon awakening, the pace of their divine sense activities had amplified, concurrently heightening the likelihood of detection. Nheless, they had always treaded cautiously, thus keeping the chances of their discovery rtively low. Their discovery by Jiang Chen, in such circumstances, was indeed remarkable to a shocking degree. At this instant. "Fang Yuan, there''s no need for such tension." "I hold no malicious intent towards you or the two esteemed seniors. If I did, I wouldn''t have openly pointed out their presence." Jiang Chen stated, a subtle smile gracing his features, addressing Fang Yuan whose countenance was rigid. Upon processing these words, Fang Yuan''s unease instantly dissipated, but in its stead, a potent internal conflict surged. He had conceived the notion that Jiang Chen was an ill-intentioned individual, yet now, Jiang Chen''s deeds contradicted his preconceived beliefs. Fang Yuan found himself grappling with doubt. Nevertheless, embodying the enthusiastic, youthful protagonist, brimming with vitality and perpetually in the limelight, he regarded himself as the focal point, and was more inclined to rely on his own intuition and discernment. In no time, Fang Yuan quelled the turmoil within his psyche, reinstating his conviction that Jiang Chen was a malevolent entity. Furthermore, now that Jiang Chen was aware of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s existence, his vignce towards Jiang Chen had escted significantly. It had reached a juncture where he wouldn''t waver to view any matter involving Jiang Chen through a lens of utmost suspicion. Simultaneously, within the hearts of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, their perception of Jiang Chen underwent a remarkable enhancement. Jiang Chen''s candor and straightforwardness, entirely bereft of craftiness, were traits that naturally invoked their affection. [Ding! You have sessfully elicited mild fondness from the unpursued heroines, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value diminishes by 500 points!] [Ding! You''ve rued 1,000 points of Viin Value!] The system notifications echoed in Jiang Chen''s mind, a melody exceedingly pleasing to his ears! Just at that moment. "We had not anticipated your discernment of our presence." "Fortunately, your nature is sincere. Should it have been another, they might already be scheming against us ndestinely." Nangong Wan''s voice reverberated within the cave mansion, "I am Nangong Wan. We are indebted to you for this asion." "Jiang Chen." "I am Shangguan Ning, your favor will not be forgotten." Shangguan Ning stated, "If you require assistance, do not hesitate to approach me." Upon absorbing these words, a wave of difort surged within Fang Yuan''s heart! Subconsciously, Fang Yuan had already imed Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning as his own, including all the advantages they could provide. But now, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were actually pledging benefits to Jiang Chen, a person he harbored immense displeasure towards. How could he react with anything but discontent? However, for the time being, he could only keep these feelings bottled up. What else was there to do? Would he abruptly sever ties with Jiang Chen? If he were to do so, wouldn''t Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning likely see through his motives? At this moment. "My deepest gratitude to the two seniors. This junior feels unworthy of your magnanimity, yet holds too much respect to decline." Jiang Chen responded with a light chuckle. When faced with the benefits offered by Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, he found himself confronted with two options: to refuse or to ept. If he rejected the benefits, it might instigate suspicions of hidden nefarious intentions beneath the facade of unrequested generosity. Alternatively, it could lead Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning to believe he intended to withhold their favor, in pursuit of greater gains. Either scenario was far from ideal. Certainly, they might perceive Jiang Chen as a genuinely altruistic and virtuous individual. However, would such individuals genuinely exist within the harsh realities of this world? Both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were formidable figures who had ascended to the Void Tribtion realm, boasting extensive experiences, having either witnessed or personally navigated various adversities. The chances of them harboring the aforementioned suspicions were arguably higher. Hence, Jiang Chen chose eptance! After all, reciprocity was a universal principle. epting the offer from Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning at this juncture didn''t signify the conclusion of their rtionship. On the contrary, it, to a certain extent, established the groundwork for future engagements between them. At this moment, after Jiang Chenmunicated his eptance of Nangong Wan''s and Shangguan Ning''s pledge. "There''s no need to deem yourself unworthy." Nangong Wan''s voice echoed once more, "Tell us, what is it that you desire?" Her voice was even gentler than before. Jiang Chen instantaneouslyprehended that his decision had been the right one! At this juncture. "Nangong Wan." "Are you permitting Jiang Chen to choose freely?" Shangguan Ning''s voice surfaced, tinged with a smidge of mockery, "You must be aware that all we can currently offer are cultivation method manuals. We don''t have anything else to give. Do not makemitments you cannot fulfill, thereby embarrassing me." "Shangguan Ning." Nangong Wan retorted, her tone nonchnt, "If Jiang Chen truly desires something I currently cannot provide, I can make a mental note and endeavor to acquire it for him." Her statement suggested that Jiang Chen''s requests were not confined to merely cultivation method manuals. Regarding this spectacle, as it registered in Jiang Chen''s gaze, it immediately struck a nerve! He had initially believed that Shangguan Ning and Nangong Wan shared an intimate sisterly bond. But now it appeared, something was slightly off. They were actually disputing with each other! ''Could it be that there''s friction between Shangguan Ning and Nangong Wan?'' Jiang Chen mused, storing this observation away for future reference. Directly after. "Thank you, esteemed seniors, but I seek neither cultivation method manuals nor any other natural treasures or unmatched divine weapons." He voiced out earnestly. "What, then, do you desire?" Shangguan Ning inquired, somewhat taken aback. Nangong Wan remained silent, her expression a tableau of confusion. Fang Yuan''s brow furrowed. As he observed Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning engage in conversation with Jiang Chen, his inability to interject left him increasingly irked. Now, with Jiang Chen''s deration, he had an inkling that Jiang Chen might spring forth with some unreasonable demands. The thought of this amplified his irritation. Just then. "Esteemed seniors." "I wish to understand, what exactly is the nature of this world?" "How extensive is our Immortal Martial Continent precisely, and what exists beyond the bounds of the Immortal Martial Continent? Does this world possess an edge?" Jiang Chen inquired, a fervent gleam in his eyes, "If the seniors could provide me with relevant documentation, that would be fantastic." Upon hearing these words, Fang Yuan''s expression faltered for an instant. He had anticipated that Jiang Chen would present some unreasonable demands, but he hadn''t expected such a simple request. ''Could I have misjudged yet again?'' ''Did Jiang Chen actually abstain from making any peculiar and excessive requests as I had assumed!'' Fang Yuan was a whirlpool of surprise and uncertainty. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 143: They Really Do Harbor Grudges Simultaneously. "Do you truly wish to understand the nature of this world?" There was an element of surprise in Nangong Wan''s voice, intermingled with an elusive flicker of joy. A mirroring sentiment was palpable in Shangguan Ning''s reaction. To them, the Immortal Martial Continent was no more than a small speck in the grand scheme of things. Yet for the local cultivators, this little segment ofnd was unimaginably vast. Many spent their entire lives without venturing beyond the confines of the Immortal Martial Continent, let alone contemting their existence beyond this fragment of earth beneath their feet. That Jiang Chen desired to explore the world beyond the Immortal Martial Continent was akin to a crane standing amidst a sea of chickensdistinctly unique and awe-inspiring! At the same time, paired with Jiang Chen''s outstanding aptitude, it painted an image of him as someone harboring lofty ambitions within the minds of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. This added another mark to his credit. "Indeed, I implore the seniors to indulge this curiosity of mine." Anticipation and thrill were etched prominently across Jiang Chen''s face. "Certainly, we can!" "However, at this moment, we don''t have any jade slips to give you." Nangong Wan replied with augh, "What about us rying it to you verbally?" "You need to choose your words with utmost care." Shangguan Ning retorted with a sneer, "Otherwise, if any details are overlooked and I need to fill them in, you''ll be the one losing face." ''They''re at it again!'' ''Do these two genuinely harbor grudges?'' Jiang Chen mused inwardly, though outwardly he responded with earnest agreement: "Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely." Immediately after, Nangong Wan started to methodically delineate her understanding of this world. In no time, Jiang Chen came to realize that neither Nangong Wan nor Shangguan Ning originated from the Immortal Martial Continent, nor from its immediate surroundings. Their origins traced back to the Evesting Baseless Immortal Domain, arriving here through spatial turbulence from an unknown and remarkably distant location. The Evesting Baseless Immortal Domain was teeming with gxies that supported life. For instance, Shangguan Ning was a denizen of the Azure Hollow Immortal Star, the most colossal life-sustaining within the Azure Hollow Gxy. In the universe, there existed numerous super-giant continentsparable to the Immortal Martial Continent, suspended amidst the cosmic abyss. These super-giant continents, deviating from the typical celestial body''s form, were primarily molded directly by exceptionally potent beings using a tremendous quantity of stars! ording to Nangong Wan''s knowledge, such expansive continents were plentiful within the Evesting Baseless Immortal Domain. Some were devised by formidable cultivation forces aiming to bolster their power. Others served as gargantuan bases established amidst the outbreak of super colossal wars. As for the category to which the Immortal Martial Continent belonged, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning remained uncertain for now. Time gradually drifted by. With Nangong Wan''s narration, Jiang Chen was steadily gaining a moreprehensive understanding of this boundless universe. The cosmos'' void was home to countless gxies and a variety ofs, such as the Azure Hollow Immortal Star and the Great Heaven Immortal Star. Furthermore, a multitude of life-sustaining continents akin to the Immortal Martial Continent existed. Within these gxies and continents teeming with life, numerous species, including sentient spiritualmunities, thrived. Humans were merely one of the most populous among them. Cultivation civilizations proliferated throughout the universe, nearly all subscribing to the Cultivation Path. This suggested that the intelligent civilizations spread across the cosmos must have established some links and reached a mutual understanding on this matter. "This Immortal Martial Continent is but a small vessel traversing the vast cosmic sea." Nangong Wan stated, "Jiang Chen, given your aptitude and bloodline, so long as your growth proceeds without hindrance, there wille a day when you depart from here." "Understood!" "I will undoubtedly dedicate myself to cultivation." Jiang Chen gave a firm nod, resembling a pupil absorbing knowledge. Following this dialogue, the bond between Jiang Chen, Nangong Wan, and Shangguan Ning subtly deepened. This situation added anotheryer of frustration to Fang Yuan''s heart. However, at this juncture, he could not express his displeasure, left with no choice but to stew in his silent indignation, wishing for Jiang Chen''s quick departure. Yet, Jiang Chen didn''t amodate his desires! Next, Jiang Chen''s focus pivoted towards Fang Yuan. "Junior Brother Fang Yuan." "Secluding yourself within the cave mansion for cultivation isn''t a failsafe approach. You should asionally venture outside and stretch your legs." Jiang Chen suggested with an anticipatory expression, "I intend to seize the opportunity to engage in outdoor training in theing couple of months. Would you be interested in apanying me?" "No, I''d rather concentrate on augmenting my cultivation base for now." Fang Yuan decisively shook his head. His irritation towards Jiang Chen was acute, and his current enthusiasmy in cultivation. Why would he consider venturing out for training with Jiang Chen? Wouldn''t that be self-inflicted torment? "Very well." "Should you wish to venture out for training in the future, feel free to invite me." Jiang Chen shed a knowing smile. He had anticipated Fang Yuan''s refusal and wasn''t taken aback in the least. ''Heh heh!'' ''This is all on you!'' ''Just wait until you learn that I''ve invited Ji Ruxue along. I hope you don''t harbor any regrets then, haha!'' Jiang Chen smirked inwardly with a sense of cunning triumph. Immediately afterward, he proceeded to ask a series of mundane questions. Such as, where Fang Yuan''s home was located, who constituted his family, how his parents were faring... A visible wave of irritation washed over Fang Yuan''s face, and he was on the verge of sending Jiang Chen away. It was only then that Jiang Chen leisurely rose to his feet, his expression brimming with lingering curiosity, and dered, "Junior Brother Fang Yuan seems eager to cultivate, so I''ll refrain from further disturbing you. I''ll drop by for another chat next time!" "Ah, yes, yes." "I won''t escort you out." A sigh of relief escaped Fang Yuan''s lips, barely stopping himself from urging Jiang Chen to leave post-haste. "Then, I''ll be on my way!" Jiang Chen nodded, offering a hand-sped bow towards Fang Yuan, and once more towards the ring on Fang Yuan''s hand. "Hmm." Nangong Wan acknowledged. Jiang Chen offered a smile before exiting Fang Yuan''s cave mansion in good spirits. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen has emerged!" "What is Fang Yuan up to, Senior Brother Jiang Chen?" "Do you think Fang Yuan''s cultivation base will continue to steadily improve, Senior Brother Jiang Chen?" "Fang Yuan must have agreed to apany you on future ventures, hasn''t he, Senior Brother Jiang Chen?" "..." Disciples gathered around Jiang Chen one after another. Their faces beamed with the desire to ingratiate themselves, and they continued to chatter, seeking a few words of conversation with Jiang Chen. "Junior brothers and sisters." "Fang Yuan is likelymencing his cultivation." Jiang Chen ryed with a smile, "If there are pressing matters, feel free to approach him at your earliest convenience." His remarks bore a hint of ambiguity, seemingly discouraging everyone from disturbing Fang Yuan, while simultaneously urging them to promptly visit Fang Yuan... And so it went. Regardless, Fang Yuan could hardly voice any objections. After concluding his words, Jiang Chen transformed into a streak of light and vanished from sight. Then, the disciples left in his wake stood bbergasted for a moment. Some decided to depart for the time being, while others opted to hasten their visit to Fang Yuan. Thetter group predominantly consisted of individuals with slightly elevated status, or those who shared a closer bond with Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan was hardly in the mood to entertain these guests. Yet, he waspelled to greet a few, which ended up consuming a significant chunk of his cultivation time. During his journey, Jiang Chen extracted his transmission jade token and reached out to Rong Liangcai to inquire about their progress. Rong Liangcai''s response proved quite satisfying. By this point, they had sessfully convinced some individuals to either apologize or pay a visit to Fang Yuan. ''This minor scheme may not be excessively effective.'' ''But it does serve a certain purpose.'' ''Next, I must continue focusing on my personal growth, then apany Ji Ruxue to explore life beyond the Purple Heaven Holy Land!'' ''At that juncture, I must gather copious amounts of qi and blood energy!'' ''...'' Jiang Chen mulled over his ns, a spark of resolve shing in his eyes. Chapter 144: Another Meeting with Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing Swiftly, Jiang Chen found his way back to his opulent residence. Settling himself cross-legged in his meditation chamber, he activated the spirit-gathering formation adorning the wall. It pulsed with a rhythmic luminescence, setting the tone for his imminent cultivation session. In an instant, a dense wave of pure spiritual Qi flooded the room, providing an ideal environment for cultivation. He quicklymanded himself, ''Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture, now!'' Fully immersed, Jiang Chen honed his focus and held his breath, setting in motion his primary cultivation method. The purpose was to assimte the surrounding spiritual Qi into his cultivation base. Relying solely on the ingestion of spiritual nts and pills for cultivation was not his style. With an aptitude that arguably topped the list in the Purple Heaven Holy Land, his diligent practice bore fruit that was every bit as satisfying. That said, Jiang Chen''s primary method of cultivation was still pill consumption. In a life-or-death showdown with the protagonist, the prospect of him relying solely on his personal cultivation efforts seemed foolhardy. How could he even dream of standing against the protagonist under such circumstances? ''Let''s check my current Viin Value points...'' While engrossed in his cultivation, Jiang Chen essed his status panel. Instantaneously, a new message surfaced. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Perfect Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body (Death Cmity True Dragon) Realm: Early-stage Inquiring Journey True Battle Power: Late-stage Inquiring Journey Cultivation Methods: Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture (Dao Pce, main cultivation), Silent Annihtion Heavenly Sword Secrets (Inquiring Journey, perfect-level), Wind Void Steps, Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets, Seven Extremes Body Refinement, Heavenly Spring Coalescing Sea Records, Void Rainbow Sword Technique (Heavenly Origin, perfect-level)... partially omitted Main Equipment: Unbroken Thousand Strings Rainbow Boat (Heavenly Origin, top-grade), Shadowde Sword (Heavenly Origin, lower-grade), Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe (Heavenly Origin, lower-grade), ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle (Mysterious tform, top-grade)... Viin Value: 15,200 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 15,848 points Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring, Wordless Heavenly Jade System Mall: Level 2] ''15,200 points, it seems.'' ''That''s precisely the sum needed to procure two top-grade cultivation pills suitable for the Inquiring Journey realm.'' Contemting his options, Jiang Chen''s brows knitted in thought. He ultimately opted to conserve the Viin Value points for now, given that a breakthrough was not imminent and they could potentially serve a purpose during their forting excursion beyond the boundaries of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Without further dy, he embraced a period of seclusion,mitting himself to relentless cultivation. Given Jiang Chen''s unmatched aptitude, soaring even beyond the Perfect Grade, paired with his primary cultivation method, the formidable Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture, his cultivation speed stood unrivaled among the select few across the vast Immortal Martial Continent! Time ambled on, unhurried. Fully engrossed in his ardent cultivation, Jiang Chen stayed grounded, consistently making strides, subtly improving with each passing moment. As for Fang Yuan''s circumstances. Subtly manipted by Jiang Chen''s covert stratagems, visitors found their way to him, creating asional interruptions. Disciples from the mundane sects, naturally, Fang Yuan turned them away, maintaining his solitude. Almost all visitors received the same unweing response from Fang Yuan. However, as news of the constant stream of cultivators seeking audience with Fang Yuan circted, it ignited a curiosity among others. They, too, feltpelled to meet this prodigious Fang Yuan. After all, Fang Yuan posed no substantial threat to Jiang Chen''s esteemed position, thus there were no qualms about potential partisanship or any suchplications. Consequently, the influx of visitors to Fang Yuan only increased, almost bing a customary practice. The situation reached a point where it wasmon for disciples to question each other upon meeting: Have you paid a visit to Fang Yuan yet? Yet, with the growing number of visitors to Fang Yuan, the stature of these visitors correspondingly escted. Among them were individuals whom Fang Yuan found difficult to dismiss. Esteemed figures such as Ji Mingxiu, Mo Yu, and even the sect elders made their appearance, sometimes solo, sometimes in groups. Fang Yuan found it hard to decline their visits. Doing so would risk projecting an image of excessive arrogance and disdain for others. Undoubtedly, this development further bolstered Fang Yuan''s renown, even bestowing upon him a degree of prestige. However, no matter how lofty Fang Yuan''s prestige soared, Jiang Chen''s shadow remained dominant. Whenever Fang Yuan was discussed, the conversation invariably led to Jiang Chen. His status was loftier, his perceptions, even sharper. Moreover, as Fang Yuan''s fame blossomed, the belief that he could emerge as a formidable contender in the battle for the Holy Son''s position grew increasingly prevalent and epted among the masses. This situation effectively nullified any surprise element he might have had in the grand battle, considerably diluting the impact of his swagger. And this was exactly the scenario Jiang Chen had envisioned. His only concern was whether Ji Ruxue would choose to visit Fang Yuan as well. Fortunately, he had previously exchanged transmission jade token imprints with Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. With individuals like Rong Liangcai covertly monitoring, he was able to stay apprised of Ji Ruxue''s movements. Furthermore, Jiang Chen soon found reassurance. Attempting to subtly inquire through Xie Xiaojing whether Ji Ruxue intended to visit Fang Yuan, he was met with a resolute rejection. Previously, Ji Mingxiu had harbored intentions of ying matchmaker between her and Fang Yuan, a proposition she had declined. A visit to Fang Yuan at this juncture could potentially stir the cauldron of rumors. That was an oue she wanted to avoid. Unquestionably, a considerable factor in Ji Ruxue''s decision to abstain from visiting Fang Yuan was that, thanks to Jiang Chen''s influence, any residual curiosity she may have had towards Fang Yuan was effectively quelled. Upon receiving this information, an involuntary smile of satisfaction graced the corners of Jiang Chen''s mouth. Time marched on, and the tenth day following the grand sect assembly dawned. Jiang Chen conjectured that Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing must have thoroughly assimted the cultivation insights they had shared earlier. So, at the crack of dawn, he reached out to Xie Xiaojing and scheduled a session to exchange insights. Subsequently, to avoid any hint of abruptness, he had Xie Xiaojing act as a go-between, extending an invitation to Ji Ruxue, thus setting up a three-way meeting for exchanging insights. Having coordinated with Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, Jiang Chen didn''t set forth immediately. Instead, he opted to pay a visit to his master, Ji Mingxiu, first. The primary motive was to strengthen the master-disciple bond. The secondary motive was to coax Ji Mingxiu into allowing Ji Ruxue to embark on an outdoor training trip. This was the inaugural promise he had made to Ji Ruxue, and it was one he absolutely could not falter on. Fortuitously, Ji Mingxiu already harbored intentions of matchmaking Jiang Chen and Ji Ruxue. Combined with Jiang Chen''s remarkable disy ofbat prowess, as long as they didn''t venture too far from the confines of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, there wouldn''t be an issue. And so, Jiang Chen floated a sinct suggestion, and after a brief period of contemtion, Ji Mingxiu concurred. This readiness caught even Jiang Chen slightly off guard. Immediately afterward, Jiang Chen took his leave from Ji Mingxiu. Joined by the punctual Xie Xiaojing, they made their way to Ji Ruxue''s dwelling. The nature of this exchange meeting diverged considerably from the previous one. This time around, it was primarily Xie Xiaojing and Ji Ruxue posing questions, with Jiang Chen providing the answers. After all, Jiang Chen had previously showcased such remarkable capabilities before Ji Mingxiu that it wouldn''t seem fitting for him to feign ignorance now, as it woulde off as disingenuous. As time gently ticked away, both Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing reaped substantial benefits from their interaction with Jiang Chen. However, they were yet to grasp the more profound nuances. Therefore, the meeting for exchange of insights reached its conclusion. "By the way." "Jiang Chen, you mentioned earlier that you''d help persuade my father to permit me to venture out for practical training, didn''t you?" With eager anticipation in her voice, Ji Ruxue asked, "How did your persuasion fare?" "How could I neglect matters concerning the Holy Maiden?" "Rest assured, Master has given his consent. As long as we don''t wander too far, we''ll be in the clear." Jiang Chen responded with a faint smile, "Naturally, we can''t be away for an extended period, a month at most." "Really?" "That''s wonderful!" Ji Ruxue''s eyes sparkled with joy as she eximed, "I''ve been yearning for an opportunity to get out and catch a breath of fresh air." A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 145: Departure, the Red Maple Heavenly Valley "I share your sentiments!" Augh escaped from Xie Xiaojing. "In that case," Jiang Chen slightly inclined his head, inquiring, "Holy Maiden, have you decided where you intend to practice?" "Well, now..." "I have traversed much of the Purple Heaven Holy Land." "I yearn for a destination I''ve yet to explore; otherwise, it would be quite a miss on this rare opportunity." Ji Ruxue lightly stroked her petite, fair chin, her voiceced with a hint of concern. "However," "The Holy Lord insists we remain within certain bounds." "Moreover, we''re constrained by a timeline. Merely a month is afforded to us. It''s hardly practical to fritter away precious time journeying, wouldn''t you agree?" Xie Xiaojing, after a moment''s reflection, proposed, "What if we sought a realm teeming with demonic beasts for our training?" "Absolutely not!" Ji Ruxue resolutely shook her head, "What benefit does that hold? I''d rather not embark on such a venture." "Holy Maiden, there''s no need for haste." "I''ll consult with others. Surely, there''s a suitable training site near the Purple Heaven Holy Land, one that remains unexplored by you." Jiang Chen promptly offered words of reassurance. In the past, he had enlisted Rong Liangcai''s aid to distract Fang Yuan, thwarting his attendance at the grand sect assembly. The stratagem Rong Liangcai and his associates deployed involved assigning Fang Yuan to a patrol where demonic beasts were known to frequent within the sect. Even during themencement of the grand sect assembly, numerous disciples were dispatched to oversee the surrounding precincts of the sect. This behavior strongly suggested that the demonic beasts around Purple Heaven Holy Land have disyed increased activity ofte. It stood to reason that new locales fitting for cultivation could have surfaced. "Make your inquiries without dy!" Ji Ruxue granted her assent to Jiang Chen, her gaze flickering with anticipation. "I''llmence immediately!" Jiang Chen wasted no time in contacting Rong Liangcai, requesting him to furnish a list of all cultivation-friendly sites within the vicinity of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, cing particr emphasis on the recently emerged ones. Even though Rong Liangcai''s cultivation base may be regarded as mediocre within the Purple Heaven Holy Land, his several hundred years of familiarity with the region has granted him a broadwork of contacts and a wealth of information. Shortly thereafter, Rong Liangcai proposed a location known as the ''Red Maple Heavenly Valley''. This valley, renowned for its stunningndscape, had recently seen the emergence of some Heavenly Origin realm demonic beasts. The sect had conducted an initial survey but found no Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts. Moreover, they had yet to assign anyone to subdue these creatures. Finding the Red Maple Heavenly Valley to be quite suitable, Jiang Chen rmended it to Ji Ruxue. "Red Maple Heavenly Valley?" "That seems unfamiliar. I believe I''ve yet to visit that ce!" "Then, we should set our course for this Red Maple Heavenly Valley!" Upon hearing Jiang Chen''s description, Ji Ruxue promptly arrived at a decision. "Agreed, we''ll venture to the Red Maple Heavenly Valley." Jiang Chen and Xie Xiaojing exchanged affirming nces, both nodding in consent. "Hehe, I can hardly contain my excitement!" Ji Ruxue rose, her spirit brimming with anticipation, dering, "I''ll get our preparations underway. We depart promptly tomorrow." [Ding! You''ve sessfully increased your favor with the unpursued heroine, Ji Ruxue. Protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value decreases by 200 points!] [Ding! You''ve acquired 400 points of Viin Value!] The system prompts echoed in Jiang Chen''s mind, eliciting an inward smirk from him. "Very well." "We''ll reconvene tomorrow!" Having dered this, Jiang Chen rose and departed, leaving behind the two maidens still buzzing with anticipation for their impending expedition. During his journey back. ''Ji Ruxue is the heroine yet to be pursued.'' ''Every event that befalls her might, in time, intersect with the protagonist, Fang Yuan.'' ''This impending training expedition, though it seems irrelevant to Fang Yuan, may provoke unforeseen circumstances.'' ''We dare not treat this training journey lightly!'' ''...'' Jiang Chen mulled over these thoughts, then produced his transmission jade token, instructing Rong Liangcai and hispatriots to ndestinely monitor Fang Yuan''s activities. Currently, Fang Yuan was the center of attention, receiving a steady stream of visitors. Rong Liangcai and hispanions felt little concern about their covert operations being detected. Upon returning to his Cave Mansion, Jiang Chen promptly resumed his cultivation. The night unfolded uneventfully. At the crack of dawn the next day, Jiang Chen coordinated with Xie Xiaojing, and they ventured towards Ji Ruxue''s pce together. Surprisingly, Ji Ruxue had remained vignt throughout the night, poised for this moment. "Quickly! Let''s set forth!" "This is my flying artifact, Jiang Chen, you''ll be at the helm!" Uponying eyes on Jiang Chen and Xie Xiaojing, Ji Ruxue instantaneously tossed a jade flute towards Jiang Chen. "Understood!" Jiang Chen examined the jade flute. It was a top-grade Heavenly Origin artifact, equal in ranking to his Unbroken Thousand Strings Rainbow Boat. Indeed, he surmised that if Ji Ruxue''s cultivation base was capable of operating a superior-level artifact, her flying artifact would likely ascend to at least the Inquiring Journey realm. Upon receiving the jade flute, Jiang Chen channeled his Dao Yuan Power into the object. Instantaneously, the jade flute magnified, stretching to ten feet in length. It was ample in size to amodate all three of them. "I im the front seat!" Overflowing with anticipation, Ji Ruxue vaulted onto the jade flute artifact, iming the foremost position. "I suppose I''ll take up the rear." Xie Xiaojing responded with a smile. "Then, I''ll upy the middle." Jiang Chen offered a slight grin, "It''s conveniently the most suited spot for maneuvering the flying artifact." With a beauty seated before and behind him, it was undeniably a delightful scenario. Regrettably, the jade flute''s extensive length of over three meters ensured a considerable distance between the trio. "Let''s embark!" Once Xie Xiaojing wasfortably seated, a mere thought from Jiang Chen ignited the jade flute. It promptly morphed into a radiant beam, slicing through the sky and vanishing beyond the horizon. The Purple Heaven Holy Land was expansive, extraordinarily expansive! It stretched over an area muchrger than the entire Thousand Mountain Range, which epassed the Starry Abyss Sect. The spiritual Qi within this territory was incredibly rich, reputedly the densest within the whole of the Everflowing Truth Domain, and even outmatching several neighboring domains. Only the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple could match the concentration of spiritual Qi found within the Purple Heaven Holy Land. An intriguing point worth noting was... The Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple were positioned in such a way as to create a triad with the Purple Heaven Holy Land. At the core of this triad rested a location known as the Bottomless Abyss! The Bottomless Abyss. In the entirety of the Everflowing Truth Domain and the adjacentrger domains, it was an extraordinarily well-known locale. That''s because the density of the spiritual Qi there even outstripped that of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple. However, the spiritual Qi in the Bottomless Abyss was tremendously violent, teeming with other anomalous energies. Cultivators could not directly absorb it for their practices. Doing so would certainly trigger Qi Deviation. Furthermore, several great powerhouses at the Dao Pce realm had once attempted to prate the Bottomless Abyss using Transcendence realm treasures. However, they were forced to abort their efforts halfway. Simply because they could not endure the progressively intensifying spiritual Qi environment. Subsequently, the three major forces of the Purple Heaven Holy Land attempted to harness the spiritual Qi of the Bottomless Abyss, but all endeavors ended in disappointment. Ultimately, the Bottomless Abyss had be a forbidden zone for cultivators. Barring those pushed to desperate straits, no one would willingly venture here. Returning to the matter at hand. The course towards the Red Maple Heavenly Valley, where Jiang Chen and hisrades were navigating, coincided with the direction of the Bottomless Abyss. Though they were still at a considerable distance from the Bottomless Abyss, Jiang Chen heightened his vignce. ''If my conjecture holds, there will undoubtedly beplications this time around.'' ''Given Ji Ruxue''s Fate Value, she won''t meet her downfall, but she will unquestionably encounter distinct tribtions.'' Jiang Chen drew in a deep breath, fully deploying his Inquiring Journey realm divine sense! As the realm of the Second Step on the Cultivation Path, the divine sense of the Inquiring Journey realm was tenfold that of the Heavenly Origin realm! At this juncture, the radius of Jiang Chen''s divine sense detection spanned a massive 100,000 meters, equivalent to a full 100 kilometers. Chapter 146: Ji Ruxue Battles the Six Extremes Flame Armored Beast In such a predicament, the utility of the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade had been wholly diminished. With no further need, Jiang Chen stowed it away, safely ensconcing it within the confines of the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. With Jiang Chen''s unyielding vignce as their shield, the trio sessfully breached the expanse of a vast red valley. The sheer enormity of this valley had far surpassed the limits of Jiang Chen''s divine sense. Sunken into the earth, it mimicked the likeness of a massive, vermilion bowl! ''Can this rightfully be termed a valley?'' ''It more closely resembles a basin.'' Jiang Chen mused in secret before shifting his attention to a meticulous examination of the valley. Nestled within the Red Maple Heavenly Valley, it was an extensive forest of colossal red maple trees, each boasting a diameter well over ten meters. Under the shelter of these grand trees, a thick carpet of purple-red thorns thrived, and the remaining foliage bore a simr hue of crimson. "Wow!" "What a breathtaking view!" "I can hardly believe I hadn''t discovered this ce earlier; I''m so pleased to have made the journey now." Ji Ruxue couldn''t contain her jubnt exmations, "Sister Xiaojing, be quick! Use the Image Projection Stone to immortalize this moment for me!" The Image Projection Stone. This was a unique gem that could manifest the current scene within its confines. However, its capabilities were limited; each Image Projection Stone could only capture a singr scene. To Jiang Chen, it bore a striking resemnce to what he would term a ''camera''. "Understood!" Without dy, Xie Xiaojing produced some Image Projection Stones and began to ''photograph'' Ji Ruxue in earnest. Jiang Chen responded with a nonchnt smile, his attention simultaneously trained on their surroundings. It didn''t take long. He soon identified the presence of five or six demonic beasts of the Heavenly Origin realm! These formidable creatures, known as ''Six Extremes me Armored Beasts'', bore a striking resemnce to rhinoceroses. Cloaked entirely in dark red scales, they boasted six imposing spikes protruding from their vast heads. Additional spikes were evident along their backs, four limbs, and tails. The Six Extremes me Armored Beast was a beast of the fire element. However, Jiang Chen perceived an unusual vigor in the aura of these Six Extremes me Armored Beasts, teeming with vivacity, an undercurrent of excitement, and an irritable edge! Further observation revealed something else. The eyes of these Six Extremes me Armored Beasts were alight with a fervor that bordered on madness. One should understand that Heavenly Origin realm spirit beasts typically possessed a modicum of intelligence. The Six Extremes me Armored Beasts were certainly not exceptions to this rule. Yet, the Six Extremes me Armored Beasts that currently appeared within Jiang Chen''s divine sense were notably devoid of the spiritual consciousness typically observed in such creatures. They brimmed with violent and murderous intentions, closely resembling the blood-red humanoid monsters he had previously encountered within Immortal Tian Cui''s Cave Mansion. ''I can''t help but wonder if the demonic beasts that have been sporadically emerging in other regions of the Purple Heaven Holy Land bear simr characteristics.'' Jiang Chen ruminated internally, careful to keep his vignce up at all times. Just then, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing also took notice of a Six Extremes me Armored Beast. "Quickly, look over there, it''s a Heavenly Origin realm demonic beast!" "I never anticipated encountering a Heavenly Origin realm demonic beast this swiftly. Hurry, let''s join forces and eliminate it!" "Before we engage, hold back on the assault for now, allow me some time to warm up." Ji Ruxue voiced her excitement. She had been well-versed in a wide range of cultivation techniques and secret arts, yet had seldom been afforded the chance to apply them in a real battle. "Holy Maiden, approach the battle with tranquility." "With me present, no harm will befall you." Positioning the jade flute to hover above the Six Extremes me Armored Beast, Jiang Chen conveyed his assurance to Ji Ruxue. With a decisive nod, Ji Ruxue leaped from the jade flute without hesitation! Mid-leap, she deftly waved her petite hand, summoning an oil-paper umbre that sprang open with a flourish. This seemingly delicate oil-paper umbre, in reality, was a top-grade Heavenly Origin artifact. Moreover, it functioned as a dual-purpose sword umbre, equally proficient in both offense and defense! At this juncture, Ji Ruxue unfurled the oil-paper umbre, her right hand subtly tugging on the umbre handle. Immediately, a slender, elegant white sword materialized, its needle-like fineness embodying a silent threat. Clutching the umbre in one hand and the sword in the other, Ji Ruxue descended from the heavens, poised to strike down the Six Extremes me Armored Beast! But the Six Extremes me Armored Beast was no easy prey. Detecting the imminent danger looming above, it reacted with swift vignce. "Roar!!" With a bellow that reverberated through the sky, the Six Extremes me Armored Beastunched the spear-like red spikes from its back directly at Ji Ruxue. As if that wasn''t enough, from the spike-riddled cavities in its back, the Six Extremes me Armored Beast spewed forth a torrent of zing mes, directing the deadly surge towards Ji Ruxue. "Hmph, such paltry tricks." Ji Ruxue dismissed it with a soft scoff. She utilized the broad surface of her umbre to shield against the beast''s spikes and searing mes. Simultaneously, she swung her long sword, executing the Void Rainbow Sixth Sword Style - Piercing Through the Clouds. Bang, bang, bang. A fierce battle was ignited in the heart of the mountain forest. Despite Ji Ruxue being merely at the Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm, her prodigious talent was undeniable. Furthermore, she wielded a top-grade Heavenly Origin artifact in her grasp. Therefore, Ji Ruxue was evenly matched against the Six Extremes me Armored Beast, at the Middle-stage Heavenly Origin realm, exchanging blow for blow. Jiang Chen and Xie Xiaojing refrained from intervening. This evenly matched contest was indeed a form of character-building trial. The battle raged on, with the colossal Six Extremes me Armored Beast, standing the height of a four or five-story building, bellowing incessantly as it charged relentlessly. The surroundingndscape was rapidly deteriorating into a scene of chaotic ruin. Gigantic red maple trees were uprooted and toppled, one after another. The panicked cries of countless airborne and ground-dwelling creatures echoed through the chaos as they scrambled to flee to more distant locales. Employing her nimble maneuvers and razor-sharp weapon, Ji Ruxue repeatedlynded blows on the Six Extremes me Armored Beast''s hide. An abundance of blood, akin to molten rock, spewed from the wounds on the Beast''s body. Any flora in its path was instantly incinerated, and some rocks were even shattered due to the terrifyingly high temperature. As time gradually ebbed away, under Ji Ruxue''s relentless onught, the Six Extremes me Armored Beast found itself increasingly on the back foot. However, a turn of events that caught Jiang Chen off guard unfolded. Instead of choosing to flee under its survival instinct, the Six Extremes me Armored Beast continued its reckless assault on Ji Ruxue. ''What in the world is happening?'' With narrowed eyes, Jiang Chen directed the jade flute to descend closer to Ji Ruxue. Roughly another quarter of an hour psed, Ji Ruxue''s sword plunged through the skull of the Six Extremes me Armored Beast, the immense Heavenly Yuan Power obliterating its brain. "Roar!" The Six Extremes me Armored Beast emitted a frantic, painden roar, then copsed to the ground with a resonating thud. "I prevailed!" "It''s been quite a while since I''ve experienced such a thrilling battle!" Standing triumphantly atop the head of the fallen Six Extremes me Armored Beast, Ji Ruxue waved her hand with an air of exhration. "An outstanding battle!" Guiding the jade flute, Jiang Chen, apanied by Xie Xiaojing,nded beside Ji Ruxue, offering his praise with a smile. "Sister Ruxue, your strength is truly remarkable!" Xie Xiaojingplimented with sincerity. "It''s merely adequate." "Do notvish me with undue praise." Ji Ruxueughed heartily, "Let''s hasten and seek more beasts to challenge!" "What about the carcass of this creature?" Jiang Chen gestured towards the lifeless form of the Six Extremes me Armored Beast and asked. It was, after all, the remains of a Heavenly Origin realm beast. The potency of its blood and Qi was incredibly powerful! "I have no need for it." Ji Ruxue dismissed it with a nonchnt wave of her hand, "Jiang Chen, feel free to take it." "That won''t do." "While it''s true that you, Miss Ruxue, are in want of nothing," "When we venture out for training, acquiring rewards is a significant part. It adds meaning to our trials." Jiang Chen shook his head, then turned to Xie Xiaojing and said, "Isn''t that right, Junior Sister Xiaojing?" "Indeed, indeed, Senior Brother Jiang Chen is correct!" How could Xie Xiaojing refute? She immediately concurred. "Thus, everyone should gain something." "And Miss Ruxue is no exception." "I''ll temporarily secure the carcass of this Six Extremes me Armored Beast, and we''ll divide it up when we return." Jiang Chen offered a faint smile, waved his hand to dismantle the body of the Six Extremes me Armored Beast into sizable chunks, and stored it within the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 147: Unusual Changes in the Red Maple Heavenly Valley "Agreed." "I''ll have a share as well." Jiang Chen''s logic resonated with Ji Ruxue, prompting her to voice her agreement. "Mm-hmm." "The monsters in this Red Maple Heavenly Valley are exhibiting peculiar behavior. We must tread with caution." "Unearthing the reasons behind these monsters'' strange behavior could potentially be a significant contribution to our Holy Land." A nod from Jiang Chen, a wave of his hand, "Let''s proceed, I''ve already identified several of these beasts." Ji Ruxue was subtly energized. She gave a nod, ascending to take a seat at Jiang Chen''s front on the jade flute flying artifact. Jiang Chen activated his Yuan Power. The jade flute advanced. With a soft whoosh. The jade flute morphed into a beam of light, traversing through the sprawling red-hued forest akin to an ocean. Throughout their journey, they encountered a multitude of demonic beasts, though the mightiest was merely at the Mysterious tform realm. With a swift movement of his hand, Jiang Chen swiftly subdued and dispatched them, thereafter storing them within the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. Before long, deep, resonant growls echoed from up ahead. "Two Six Extremes me Armored Beasts!" "These monsters, both of the Heavenly Origin realm, outmatch the one we previously encountered." Jiang Chen''s eyes narrowed, "Do you think you can handle them both?" Hisbat abilities had already ascended to the Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm. Eliminating Heavenly Origin realm demonic beasts had be as trivial as killing chickens for him, thus, he didn''t particrly relish the prospect. However, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, in need of the experience and eager forbat, seemed to be perfect candidates. Consequently, he suggested they join forces and engage the demonic beasts. "We''re up to it!" Ji Ruxue nodded affirmatively, "I''ve yet to truly exert myself." "Let''s tackle this together!" Xie Xiaojing unsheathed her weapon, bracing herself for the ensuingbat. Just at that moment, the jade flute serendipitously soared above the two Six Extremes me Armored Beasts. Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing shared a nce, nodded to each other, and simultaneously descended, carried by the wind. "Roar Roar!!" The two Six Extremes me Armored Beasts had already marked the presence of Jiang Chen and his twopanions, radiating aggressive hostility. As Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing began their descent, the demonic beasts bellowed in fury, charging to retaliate. Boom! Boom! Boom! ng! ng! ng! The sh of sword light and mes intertwined, the shockwaves of residual energy consistently rippling outwards, decimating miles of the surrounding red maple forest within moments! Jiang Chen maneuvered the jade flute to hover over the raging battle. Should Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing encounter any imminent threat, he stood prepared to intervene. However, Ji Ruxue, fittingly the epitome of a heroine and the Holy Maiden of Purple Heaven Holy Land, exhibited impressivebat prowess. Xie Xiaojing too held her own, quitemendable given her status as a sworn sister acknowledged by Ji Ruxue. The conflict ensued in a deadlock for some time. Together, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojingunched a decisive attack, dispatching one of the demonic beasts. Quickly following up, they vanquished the second one. This marked the conclusion of the battle. "What a thrill!" Gazing at the fallen demonic beasts, their massive forms akin to small mountains sprawled on the ground, Ji Ruxue shed a triumphant smile. Xie Xiaojing also wore a joyful expression. "Let''s proceed, there''s more to be done!" With a wave of his hand, Jiang Chen swiftly disassembled the two demonic beasts, transferring their remnants into his storage ring. The rationale behind dismembering the demonic beastsy in distributing their remains across multiple storage rings. This tactic helped conceal the vast expanse of the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring''s storage space. Having cleared the aftermath of the battlefield, Jiang Chen, alongside Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, resumed their hunt for the demonic beasts. Whenever they chanced upon an average Heavenly Origin realm demonic beast, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing would step in. Should they face a Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm demonic beast, or an unusuallyrge swarm of Heavenly Origin realm demonic beasts, Jiang Chen would take charge. More often than not, a single decisive move was all it took. Regardless of the demonic beast''s might or their numbers, they would fall instantly! This disy of overwhelming power astounded Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, earning their awe. Subtly, Jiang Chen''s image in their minds grew ever more imposing. Before they knew it, night had descended. Yet, for cultivators at the Heavenly Origin realm, the night proved no different from the day. Uninterrupted, the trio pressed on with their hunt! All the demonic beasts surpassing the Mysterious tform realm were defeated, their remains consigned to Jiang Chen''s Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. Time progressed inexorably. Before they knew it, twenty days had slipped away. In this time, Jiang Chen, apanied by Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, scoured the entirety of the Red Maple Heavenly Valley on their relentless hunt. The umtion of remains within the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring was akin to a mountain. There were over forty Heavenly Origin realm demonic beasts alone, with the count of Mysterious tform realm demonic beasts approaching a staggering thousand! Naturally, Jiang Chen intended to retain these spoils for himself. As for the portion of the loot owed to Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, he nned to rpense them with other treasures. In addition to the demonic beasts, the trio managed to gather a bounty of natural treasures, ingredients for pill refinement, artifact crafting, and formation setting. These, if traded, would fetch a considerable sum. At this juncture, Jiang Chen steered the jade flute artifact, carrying Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, as they prepared to make their return journey. "The demonic beasts in this Red Maple Heavenly Valley are indeed exhibiting strange behavior." "Under normal circumstances, such arge presence of Heavenly Origin realm demonic beasts wouldn''t be found in a location so close to the Purple Heaven Holy Land." "The Purple Heaven Holy Land routinely organizes disciples to purge the surrounding demonic beasts. The sudden, unexpected surge in their numbers is a matter of concern that must be reported." Ji Ruxue surveyed the swiftly receding red forest beneath her feet, her brow slightly furrowed as she spoke. After twenty days of hands-on experience, the initial novelty had faded, reced by an increasingly thoughtful demeanor. "Yes." "Rumors have circted about an unusual increase in demonic beasts across other parts of the Holy Land as well. The cause remains unknown." Xie Xiaojing slightly nodded, conjecturing, "Maybe, the Holy Land will schedule an early grand hunt this time to purge the area of these demonic beasts." Jiang Chen chose to remain silent. Still, myriad thoughts whirled within his mind. The Holy Land''s asional organization of a ''Grand Hunt'' fell perfectly in line with the protagonist''s knack for grand narratives. Perhaps, this ''Grand Hunt'' might be a storyline following the contest for the position of the Holy Son. One thing puzzled Jiang Chen, though. Throughout the twenty days of training with Ji Ruxue, everything had proceeded without a hitch. Could it be that this training period with Ji Ruxue would pass without any incidents? Had he made an incorrect assumption? Could this training merely serve as a catalyst leading to the ''Grand Hunt'' plot, set to ur earlier than expected? However, the surge in demonic beasts had been noted in other areas of the Holy Land as well. Couldn''t these locations alone suffice to set the ''Grand Hunt'' plot in motion? ''What is truly transpiring here?'' Jiang Chen couldn''t help but knit his brows in silent contemtion. Suddenly! Boom! A violent detonation echoed from a short distance ahead. The ground trembled vigorously, myriad web-like fissures spreading instantaneously across the entire Red Maple Heavenly Valley. Yet, what left them utterly astounded was... A faint, red-hued, colossal energy beam erupted from beneath the ground, piercing through the cloudyers and leaving a wake of shattered clouds in concentric rings! Terrifying shockwaves radiated in every direction, spawning whirlwinds. Myriad red leaves, akin to a cloud of butterflies, were tossed haphazardly into the air by the fierce gusts. ''Good heavens!'' ''Has it finally arrived, the irregrity aimed at Ji Ruxue!!'' ''This anomaly is quite formidable. If Ji Ruxue were to face this relying solely on herself and Xie Xiaojing, although they wouldn''t perish, they''d undoubtedly sustain severe injuries.'' ''...'' Jiang Chen promptly halted the jade flute flying artifact, his pupils constricting as he stared at the faint red energy beam. The beam evoked in him a chilling sense of unease. Chapter 148: Salivating in Anticipation "What in the heavens?!" "What is that radiating pir of light?!" Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, their lovely eyes widened in disbelief, fixed their gazes on the luminescent red beam that split the air. Residing within the confines of the Purple Heaven Holy Land for nearly two decades, this unprecedented urrence had utterly baffled them; such a phenomenon was unheard of in their experiences. Even Jiang Chen,posed as he was, felt a certain disquiet ripple through him at the sight of the beam. Unsurprisingly, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing were consumed by an even greater dread. In that fleeting moment, the crimson hue of the energy beam started to diminish gradually. Yet, an inexplicably abrasive aura began to seep into and pervade the entirety of the Red Maple Heavenly Valley! But that was not all. "Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar!" A cascade of deafening roars erupted from the location where the light beam had vanished. Even from the sound alone, one could surmise that these were no ordinary beasts, but formidable creatures of the Heavenly Origin realm! Among them, a distinct aura even suggested the presence of entities from the Inquiring Journey realm! Furthermore, the sounds of these beasts began to resonate closer and closer. In the blink of an eye, an imposing array of demonic beasts breached the horizon, entering the field of vision of Jiang Chen and hispanions. Among them, the Six Extremes me Armored Beasts, a single kind, constituted a force numbering in the hundreds. Additionally, there were dozens of aerial demonic beasts, resembling giant bats sshed in shades of obsidian and crimson, with wingspans stretching up to hundreds of meters. However, these were merely the lesser creatures. The demonic beast leading the charge, barreling its way to the forefront, was the focal point. This formidable beast, a terrifying entity from the Inquiring Journey realm, was a force to be reckoned with. Cloaked in deep sapphire fur peppered with golden patterns, it resembled an enormous incarnation of a blue-base golden-striped tiger. Its towering stature, exceeding six hundred meters in height and over a thousand meters in length, eclipsed the sun and the sky. Its body, adorned with a coat of fluffy golden fur encircling its neck, spreading across its back, and trailing along its extended tail, emanated an aura of majesty. Its horns rivaled mountain peaks in their grandeur, its eyes mirrored the vast expanse ofkes, its gaping mouth was akin to a profound chasm, its fangs stood tall and dense like a forest, and its four feet, robust and firm, resembled celestial pirs. Moreover, there were flesh membranes lined with fur stretching between its four feet, amplifying its already formidable figure and enhancing its overwhelming presence. "This is bad!" "It''s the Inquiring Journey realm demonic beast, the Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger! Quick, we must retreat!" Xie Xiaojing''s expression morphed in terror, and she cried out in rm. "Jiang Chen, we must flee!" Ji Ruxue, equally urgent, promptly extracted a red sphere adorned with intricate ck patterns from her storage ring! Jiang Chen examined it with his divine sense. He immediately perceived an exceptionally unstable aura of the Inquiring Journey realm from the crimson sphere. It was a self-destruct artifact! Without a shred of doubt, he deduced it to be a defensive mechanism left by Ji Mingxiu for Ji Ruxue to utilize in times of peril. ''In the original narrative, Ji Ruxue likely employed this artifact to effect her escape.'' ''As a disciple of the Holy Lord, I would undoubtedly sustain substantial injuries and bear the brunt of the me for my failure to safeguard the Holy Maiden.'' ''At that juncture, my reputation would suffer a significant hit, and I would also lose ground in the contest for the title of Holy Son.'' ''So this is the influence exerted by the Heavenly Fate Value; it''s indeed profound!'' ''Fortunately, I am no mere viin, but a significant adversary with tens of thousands of ck Heavenly Fate Value points and two Heaven-Defying Fate Changers to my name!'' ''In the original narrative, I, as a disciple of the Holy Lord, would bear the brunt of the damage, but now, I am poised to alter this fate.'' A multitude of thoughts surfaced in Jiang Chen''s mind, a hint of a smile ying at the corners of his mouth. In fact, from the moment he had intertwined with protagonist Fang Yuan''s narrative, he had orchestrated a significant deviation from the original story - his cultivation base had been directly ascended to the Inquiring Journey realm! Strength was, after all, the foundational bedrock for any transformation. Strategies, more often than not, were merely the icing on the cake. At this moment, casting a nce at the visibly terrified and flustered Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, Jiang Chen offered a faint smile, "Proceed ahead, both of you. I shall keep them at bay!" Having spoken, he channeled a considerable quantity of Inquiring Journey realm Dao Yuan Power into the jade flute, pushing it to its utmost limits. The flute, as a result, sprang into action with astonishing speed! "Jiang Chen!" "No, Senior Brother Jiang Chen, that''s an Inquiring Journey realm Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger!" "..." While Ji Ruxue''s and Xie Xiaojing''s cries echoed in the air, they had already been whisked away by the jade flute. Meanwhile, on Jiang Chen''s side, he gripped the Shadowde Sword, bracing himself against the swarm of demonic beasts charging at him from both sky and ground. "Roar!!" The foremost Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger, eyes ame with madness, its gaze awash with a brutal, bloodthirsty hue, closed the gap to Jiang Chen within mere moments, covering hundreds of meters. Boom! A fearsome golden energy beam exploded forth from the Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger''s mouth, reaching Jiang Chen''s vicinity in an instant. ''Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe, Rising Mountain Blue Crystal Shield, activate!'' Jiang Chen''s mind was in overdrive, his Dao Yuan Power surging immediately into the two defensive artifacts he bore. One of these was the Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe, obtained via an exchange with the system, while the Rising Mountain Blue Crystal Shield was a gift from a Supreme Elder. Under the influence of the Dao Yuan Power, the defensive capabilities of these two artifacts were immediately maximized! Jiang Chen''s genuinebat strength had already reached the Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm. The energy barrier he was capable of creating nonchntly could effortlessly repel the Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger. After all, the Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger was only in the Early to Middle-stage of the Inquiring Journey realm. However, he opted not to do so. At times, sustaining minor damage and leaving evidence of a skirmish might indeed be the best strategy! At this exact moment, the energy assault of the Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger collided with Jiang Chen''s defensive formation just as it was established. Bang!! Crack, crack. Awork of fractures began to form on Jiang Chen''s defensive shield. The Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe instantly lost its luster, and the Rising Mountain Blue Crystal Shield began to pulsate erratically. The force of the impact catapulted Jiang Chen backward, the surrounding air convulsing into a formidable vortex. "Roar, roar, roar!" The Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger, capitalizing on its momentum, swung its frighteningly sharp ws, carving a path through the air and directing a strike straight at Jiang Chen''s cranium! ''Wind Void Steps - Ghostly Wind Secrets!'' Jiang Chen''s mind whirred into action, his body swaying like a reed in the breeze, barely evading the lethal ws of the Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger. Bang! The Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger''s w missed its mark, instead colliding with a small hill, reducing it to a t expanse in an instant. ''First, let''s address the rest of these underlings.'' A mischievous smile tugged at Jiang Chen''s lips, ''As for this behemoth, let''s let it have a bit of a chase first.'' After all, he was expected to put on a disy of struggle and injury. He couldn''t bring the battle to a swift conclusion. He would need to endure an extended conflict before he could fell the Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger. Therefore, Jiang Chen''s gaze settled on the demonic beasts of the Heavenly Origin realm and the Mysterious tform realm trailing the Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger. These demonic beasts were replete with an abundant flow of qi and blood. Jiang Chen was practically salivating with anticipation. ''Wind Void Steps - Jade Void sh!'' With a mere thought, Jiang Chen vanished from the Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger''s line of sight, reappearing behind it before charging directly towards the horde of demonic beasts. ''Void Rainbow Sword Technique - Returning to One!'' Grasping the Shadowde Sword, Jiang Chen performed a subtle sweep with his right hand, instantly unleashing a terrifying sh of sword light that extended over thousands of meters. Swish! The colossal ck bats in the sky were caught entirely off guard, each one of them cleaved in two in the blink of an eye. ''One more round!'' Without sparing a second nce, Jiang Chen rotated his right wrist, initiating a deluge of sword light that descended upon the earth like a meteor shower. Thump! Thump! Neither the demonic beasts of the Mysterious tform realm nor those of the Heavenly Origin realm could escape. Even if they were merely brushed by the weakest portion of Jiang Chen''s attack, they were instantly extinguished. ''Gather!'' Jiang Chenmanded inwardly. A forceful pull emanated from him, drawing all the deceased bodies into the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 149: The Ascendant Favorability of Ji Ruxue "Roar!" In this instant, the Mysterious Blue Sky Tigermenced its chase from behind, its jaws teeming with a formidable energy onught poised for release. ''Spirit Stirring Sting!'' Jiang Chen nced back at the pursuing Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger, his eyes gleaming with a transient streak of obsidian light. "Ao, ao, ao!" As though electrified, the Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger contorted in convulsion, the energy shockwave within its maw detonating without warning. Boom! The once formidable giant tiger was instantaneously transformed into arge, fluffy feline by the recoil of its own st. It thrashed its head vehemently, its eyes hinting at lingering torment. Nheless, the Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger was deficient in intellect, propelled primarily by its carnivorous instinct. In spite of the injuries sustained by both body and spirit, it bore down on Jiang Chen with an insanity that was difficult to fathom. Yet, Jiang Chen enacted the Jade Void sh, evaporating from his initial position only to materialize in the distant skies above. In this moment, Jiang Chen''s divine sense detected Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, wielding the jade flute artifact, making a U-turn and rushing towards him. Yet, Jiang Chen had previously propelled them a significant distance away, and the battlefield''s location had shifted multiple times since then. Consequently, they were a considerable distance from Jiang Chen, about fifty to sixty kilometers afar. "These two silly girls." With a blend of relief and mild exasperation, Jiang Chen shook his head, then cast his gaze upon the demonic beasts beneath him. Now that Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing were unable to witness him, he decided to unt a fraction of his true power. With a swift motion of his hand, Jiang Chen invoked, "Burning World Red Lotus Raging mes!" Whoosh! A torrential deluge of fire cascaded from the heavens! Each individual mended with precision on a demonic beast, piercing through its cranial defense and extinguishing its life instantaneously. Subsequently, Jiang Chen waved his hand once more, causing the mes to dissipate. In their stead, a series of vacuum forces emerged, sweeping up the carcasses of the in demonic beasts from the terrain into the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. However, following these two grand massacres, several demonic beasts continued to charge from the horizon. A moment''s consideration was enough to surmise that these beasts must have been the subsequent escapees from the undergroundir. ''I wonder if there might be more Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts akin to the Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger.'' Jiang Chen mused, his gaze straying back to the Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger. This demonic beast, distinguished by the wing-like membranous structures between its limbs, was impressively swift, having fully ascended to the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm. ''Let''s go for another spin.'' A smug grin crept up internally as Jiang Chen sprung into motion, veering away into the expanse. Roar! The Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger unleashed an enraged roar and pursued him without hesitation. Throughout this chase, Jiang Chen intermittently halted, employing the Rising Mountain Blue Crystal Shield and the Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe for protection. Soon enough, visible signs of wear began to surface on these two defensive artifacts. Especially the Rising Mountain Blue Crystal Shield, which verged on the brink of cracking. In that instance, Jiang Chen observed Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, entwined inbat with three demonic beasts of the Heavenly Origin realm. Among the trio, two beasts were Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm adversaries, while one was at the Middle-stage Heavenly Origin realm. Both Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing struggled against the onught, their hearts teetering on the edge of despair. ''It''s time to deal with this Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger.'' Jiang Chen''s brow creased subtly as he initiated flight towards Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, with the Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger relentlessly pursuing him. Within moments, he would breach the divine sense coverage radius of Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. Gripping the Shadowde Sword, Jiang Chen pivoted to confront the onrushing Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger. The Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger bellowed with staggering ferocity, its abyss-like cavernous maw lunging at Jiang Chen in an attempt to engulf him entirely. "The Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger! It''s in proximity!" "Jiang Chen isbating it! After such a long time, Jiang Chen might be at his limits!" Even amidst her own dire circumstances, Xie Xiaojing spared a thought for Jiang Chen''s plight. "Xiaojing!" "We need to unify our forces and get rid of these three Heavenly Origin realm demonic beasts first!" "Once we''re within range of that Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger, I stand a chance of ying it." Ji Ruxue dered with resolve. "Understood!" Xie Xiaojing assented with a nod. Having practically grown up together, the two shared an intimate understanding of one another and consequently, they simultaneously triggered their power-enhancing secret arts. Suddenly, their velocity surged, enabling them to break free from the encirclement of the three Heavenly Origin realm demonic beasts. But just at that moment. "Silent Annihtion!!" Jiang Chen''s furious bellow reverberated from afar. Immediately thereafter, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing witnessed a radiant white sh engulfing their vision, akin to a lightning streak illuminating the night, bathing the world in a pallid glow! Reflected in their eyes, a gleaming silver sword light cascaded, plummeting from the heavens like a reversed Milky Way, colliding with the earth! The Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger managed a intive cry before sumbing to silence. "Jiang Chen!" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "What transpired!?" The expressions of Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing morphed, their concern growing palpable. The subsequent moment, their divine sense registered the figures of Jiang Chen and the Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger. They perceived Jiang Chen in a disheveled state, his aura faint, the long sword in his grasp shattered, with fresh blood trickling down from the sword-bearing right hand. In stark contrast, the Mysterious Blue Sky Tigery motionless on the ground, its skull split by a sword strike, its cerebrum wholly fragmented, unmistakably lifeless. "Jiang Chen, are you unharmed?" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen... you''re phenomenal!!" "..." Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing swiftly maneuvered to Jiang Chen''s side. On their visages, expressions of astonishment, tion, and reverence mingled. [Ding! You have sessfully bolstered the favorable impression of the unsolicited Heroine, Ji Ruxue, towards you. The Protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value diminishes by 300 points!] [Ding! You''ve umted 600 points of Viin Value!] "I''m fine..." Jiang Chen mustered an unwavering smile, yet internally, he was positively exultant. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen." Xie Xiaojing chimed in, her voice echoing with excitement, "We can''t desert you!" "Indeed!" "Actually, I possessed a trump card capable of exterminating this Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger." Ji Ruxue concurred, nodding, "I didn''t anticipate you propelling us so far away. I wonder where you sourced such formidable strength." "Ah ha." "Actually, I too had an ace up my sleeve, which facilitated a temporary surge of power equivalent to the Inquiring Journey realm." "Thankfully, this Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger''s cognitive abilities were rather poor, and it seemed to only know how tounch reckless assaults. So, I managed to defeat it, otherwise, evasion would have been my sole strategy." Jiang Chen chuckled lightly. At that moment. "Roar! Roar! Roar!" A series of roars resonated from the direction of Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. As it turned out, the three demonic beasts that had previously cornered them were giving chase. "Leave this to me." Jiang Chen hauled himself up, feigning fragility, prepared to confront the three demonic beasts single-handedly. "We stand together!" Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing positioned themselves alongside Jiang Chen. Seeing this, Jiang Chen was filled with delight. What could better strengthen bonds than weathering hardships together, battling shoulder to shoulder, and triumphing in unison? Initially, under the influence of Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate, as a disciple of the Holy Lord, he could only survive if Ji Ruxue deployed her trump card; how could he possibly deepen his rapport with Ji Ruxue? But now, the scenario had shifted! "Excellent! Let''s face this together!" Jiang Chen curved his lips, gripping the fragmented Shadowde Sword, and charged ahead to fight alongside Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. Following what seemed to be a perilous but in truth, was a rtively steady battle. The three demonic beasts fell to Jiang Chen''s sword. "We''ve prevailed!" "We finally vanquished these three cursed demonic beasts! Haha!" Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, having emerged victorious, were exuberant. [Ding! You sessfully enhanced the unpursued Heroine, Ji Ruxue''s impression of you, reducing the Protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value by 200 points!] [Ding! You rued 400 points of Viin Value!] Another system notification chimed in. Jiang Chen was likewise immensely pleased. But just at this moment! Both Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing abruptly experienced a series of piercing pains coursing through their bodies, and a severe bout of dizziness assaulted them, nearly causing them to copse on the spot! Immediately after, a surge of violent emotions welled up within their hearts, inducing an almost irresistible urge to indulge in a murderous rampage! From Jiang Chen''s perspective, both Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing''s faces were pallid, tinged with an aberrant flush of red. In their eyes, there was a progressively intensifying murderous intent. Chapter 150: The Bottomless Abyss Spiritual Qis Corrosive Nature ''This it can''t be!'' ''These symptoms, they mirror those of the demonic beasts!'' ''Could this tribtion faced by Ji Ruxue stem from the impact of Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value during their training?'' ''This situation is dire; I must evacuate them posthaste!'' A revtion zed through Jiang Chen''s eyes. Without dy, he gathered all the corpses of the demonic beasts into the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. Just as he aplished this. "Ah!!" A low growl erupted from Xie Xiaojing, clutching her head, seemingly overwhelmed by an uncontroble bloodlust that targeted Jiang Chen. Ji Ruxue, though marginally better off than Xie Xiaojing, bore bloodshot eyes and appeared to be nearing her breaking point! "I need to render them unconscious first." Jiang Chen''s brow furrowed in concern. With a wave of his hand, Xie Xiaojing and Ji Ruxue sumbed to unconsciousness, deprived of any power to resist. As they began to crumple to the ground, Jiang Chen deftly hoisted both women, one under each arm, and maneuvered the jade flute flying artifact in the direction of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. En route, Jiang Chen urgentlymunicated with Ji Mingxiu, recounting all the anomalies that transpired in the Red Maple Heavenly Valley, including the distressing predicaments of Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. "What?!" "A demonic beast of the Inquiring Journey realm manifested in the Red Maple Heavenly Valley!" "Impossible! The Red Maple Heavenly Valley is a stone''s throw from my Purple Heaven Holy Land. The quantity and realm of the demonic beasts have always been within our safety parameters!" "Wait, you''re saying the demonic beasts erupted from the ground? How could there possibly be so many underground?" "And, my daughter was hurt in a perplexing manner!?" "A peculiar injury akin to the mindless, murderous demonic beasts, and conventional pills offer no relief!?" "..." Ji Mingxiu, typically asposed as a seasoned elder, was unnerved by the message ryed by Jiang Chen. However, he did not cast any me on Jiang Chen. After all, Jiang Chen and his group had confronted a demonic beast at the formidable Inquiring Journey realm, and it was Jiang Chen who vanquished the beast. Throughout the entire ordeal, Ji Ruxue emerged unscathed. Her abnormal state only surfaced after the encounter. Though Ji Mingxiu was incensed, he retained his rity of mind and refrained from directing his ire towards Jiang Chen, his sole disciple. "Jiang Chen!" "You must expedite Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing''s return to the Holy Land!" "I will rendezvous with you forthwith!" Having dispatched his message to Jiang Chen, Ji Mingxiu instantaneously vanished from his present location, hastening towards the Red Maple Heavenly Valley. Simultaneously, while journeying through the sky, Jiang Chen reyed his recent experiences and the pivotal battle in his mind. The entire twenty-day sojourn had been uneventful. Neither Ji Ruxue nor Xie Xiaojing had sustained any injuries. The abrupt onset of their symptoms urred only after that crimson beam of light erupted from the earth, followed by a swarm of demonic beasts. ''That pale red beam of light, spewing forth from the earth...'' ''Its unsettling aura invoked a sense of irritation.'' ''The demonic beasts dwelling underground year-round, amidst that ominous red energy, became mindless, driven solely by a murderous impulse.'' ''Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing are disying symptoms akin to those of these berserk beasts. The pale red light must have influenced them.'' ''Likely, duringbat, they depleted their Yuan Power and instinctively absorbed the surrounding spiritual Qi for rejuvenation, only to be adversely affected.'' ''The energy within that eerie red beam, possessing odd properties, shares a striking resemnce with the spiritual Qi of the Bottomless Abyss!'' ''Indeed, the Red Maple Heavenly Valley resembles a petite basin, deeply embedded in the terrain, while the Bottomless Abyss is an even more daunting no-go zone, its depths unfathomable.'' ''That red energy beam was disgorged from beneath the ground...'' ''Possibly, the subterranean area of the Red Maple Heavenly Valley is interconnected with the Bottomless Abyss!'' ''...'' Deep in thought, Jiang Chen rapidly formted a usible hypothesis. Subsequently, Jiang Chen contemted his own condition. Compared to Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, he had been exposed to that sinister red energy for a longer duration and had assimted more spiritual Qi. However, he exhibited none of the symptoms guing Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. His current state was optimal, devoid of any difort. ''This likely stems from my robust cultivation base and unique physique.'' ''The Burning World Red Lotus bestowed upon me a peculiar constitution, and subsequently, I even acquired the bloodline of the Death Cmity True Dragon.'' ''Withstanding a degree of aberrant spiritual Qi is rtively effortless.'' Jiang Chen''s lips gradually etched into a smile. Initially, under the sway of Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value, not only would he have sustained grievous injuries from the onught of the Inquiring Journey realm demonic beast, but he would also have borne the brunt of criticism for failing to safeguard Ji Ruxue adequately. Moreover, in the end, he would have been subjected to the corrosive effects of that peculiar spiritual Qi. The predicament could be termed as perilous in the extreme, threatening to disrupt his entire existence. Otherwise, as a disciple of the Holy Lord, he would have been relegated to a tragic pawn, his dignity trampled by Fang Yuan. Thankfully, he was endowed with the Heaven-Defying Fate Changer! The Burning World Red Lotus and the bloodline of the Death Cmity True Dragon had significantly amplified his physique, aptitude, andbative prowess in all respects, thereby averting disaster! Time continued to flow. Roughly a quarter of an hourter, a luminescent streak crossed the horizon, materializing before Jiang Chen almost instantly. It was Ji Mingxiu. "Jiang Chen, are you unharmed?" Ji Mingxiu harbored no resentment towards Jiang Chen. Witnessing the shattered artifact that Jiang Chen had used for protection and his drainedplexion, he felt a surge of sympathy. He gravitated towards Jiang Chen''s side. A potent yet tender force radiated from him, cocooning Jiang Chen and the two unconscious girls. Subsequently, Ji Mingxiu, bearing Jiang Chen, ascended into the air, their speed magnified exponentially. "Master!" "I have failed. I was unable to safeguard Miss Ruxue and Miss Xiaojing!" "They are exhibiting abnormal symptoms. I had no alternative but to render them unconscious. Master, please ascertain their condition!" Throughout their journey, Jiang Chen expressed his remorse. "No." "On the contrary, we owe you our gratitude for maintaining my daughter and Xiaojing''s safety to the best of your ability." "Confronting a demonic beast of the Inquiring Journey realm is no trifling matter." "While my daughter possesses a one-time use artifact at the Inquiring Journey realm, it doesn''t guarantee her sess against a demonic beast of the same realm." Ji Mingxiu negated, then acknowledged Jiang Chen with an assuring nod. "I am deeply remorseful." Jiang Chen hung his head, his countenance adorned with a wistful smile. "Very well." "Let''s prioritize their well-being." Exuding reassurance, Ji Mingxiu then proceeded to assess Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing''s status. Considering his cultivation base situated at the Dao Pce realm, despitecking prowess in healing arts or alchemy, his deep-seated cultivation base could address myriad concerns directly. However, upon examination, Ji Mingxiu''s brows furrowed deeply. "Master, what is their condition?" Jiang Chen feigned anxiety while posing the question. In truth, he was aware that Ji Mingxiu would undoubtedly struggle to treat Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. If not for such a circumstance, how could Fang Yuan unt his superiority? Without question, the symptoms exhibited by Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing could only be mitigated by Fang Yuan, employing the methods unique to Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning! "This is grave!" "They''ve been tainted by the Bottomless Abyss Spiritual Qi!" Ji Mingxiu''s demeanor underwent a drastic shift! He was reminded of certain chronicles from the ancient texts of the Holy Land. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 151: Ji Mingxius Sorrowful Grief Several decades ago, numerous cultivators from the renowned factions - the Purple Heaven Holy Land, the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple, boldly embarked on a journey to explore the mysterious Bottomless Abyss. In those early days, some nave individuals sumbed to the corruption of the Bottomless Abyss Spiritual Qi! Inevitably, without any exceptions, these hapless souls transformed into ravenous killers and were ruthlessly annihted. Even individuals with influential backers found themselves powerless to reverse their conditions! In essence, it appeared that there was no remedy once a cultivator was tainted by the spiritual Qi of the Bottomless Abyss! In due time, the daring explorations into the Bottomless Abyss ceased altogether. Although Ji Mingxiu had existed through many epochs and attained the Dao Pce realm, he never fully ventured into the Bottomless Abyss, merely extending his divine sense from the periphery to conduct preliminary explorations, which yielded no insights. Subsequently, after aprehensive examination of Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing''s conditions, he recognized that the symptoms guing both women bore a striking resemnce to those detailed in ancient scripts concerning cultivators corrupted by the spiritual Qi of the Bottomless Abyss! In in terms, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing were all but certain to be condemned as vicious, blood-crazed lunatics! If that were to transpire, would their fate be any different from meeting death!? "No! No!!" "Why, why has this urred!" "I have but this one daughter! Oh Heavens, why!!" Silence ensued. Ji Mingxiu trembled as if thunderstruck, his countenance instantly marred by the trails of age-old tears! "Master!!" "Is it possible that even you cannot heal Miss Ruxue and Miss Xiaojing!?" "What, what, what is transpiring here!" Stillness permeated the air. Jiang Chen''s expression embodied abination of iparable horror and disbelief, as he cried out in sheer panic. "No!" Still submerged in his grief, Ji Mingxiu''s entire aura was in tumult, his eyes brimming with a wild desperation. "Master!" "Please regain yourposure!" Jiang Chen, with an affectation of terror, implored, "With your formidable abilities,bined with the might of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, you surely possess the power to cure Miss Ruxue and Miss Xiaojing!" "Difficult... exceedingly difficult, bordering on impossibility..." Ji Mingxiu''s body abruptly ckened, radiating an aura of defeat and the glow in his eyes rapidly dimmed. Recing it was a dawning sense of despair. "How can this be!" "Even with the rich heritage of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, we are unable to cure them!?" Jiang Chen eximed in utter disbelief, "We have esteemed elders like Mo Yu within our Holy Land, and I''ve heard from Miss Ruxue that our Holy Land possesses legacies reaching the Transcendence realm." "This cannot be." "We can''t even halt the deterioration of their conditions!" "Even in the epoch when the Holy Land was graced by the presence of Transcendence realm powerhouses, there was no remedy for such symptoms." The destion in Ji Mingxiu''s eyes deepened even further. "How could such a thing transpire!" "This was merely a routine trial!" Jiang Chen''s body convulsed, his visage abruptly morphing into a countenance of torment, "It''s my fault, the me is entirely mine..." "Don''t berate yourself..." Ji Mingxiu''s voice was raspy and frail, as though he had abruptly been aged by many years. Ji Ruxue was his precious daughter, born to him in hister years. Moreover, to optimize Ji Ruxue''s cultivation aptitude, Ji Ruxue''s mother had bravely chosen to employ ancient secret arts, an act that led to her untimely demise when Ji Ruxue was but eight years old... For Ji Mingxiu, his world orbited around Ji Ruxue, the person he held dearest. Yet now, fate sought to rob him of his sole family! Just then! "I have a solution!!" Jiang Chen''s countenance transformed dramatically, his eyes shimmering with an extraordinarily brilliant radiance, akin to dual beacons of hope. "Impossible." "What possible solution could you have..." A wry smile tugged at the corners of Ji Mingxiu''s mouth. If even a Transcendence realm powerhouse could not remedy the situation, how could Jiang Chen, a humble cultivator capable of confronting only those at the Inquiring Journey realm, offer any feasible solution? "Truly!" "Master, you must trust in me!" Jiang Chen implored sincerely, "In truth, I am acquainted with two seniors who are at the Third Step of the Cultivation Path, teetering on the precipice of advancing into the Fourth Step!" "What!?" "A Transcendence realm senior powerhouse on the cusp of transitioning from the Third Step of the Cultivation Path to the Fourth Step?" "How could that possibly be? Such a formidable figure doesn''t exist, not only in the Everflowing Truth Domain, but across the entirety of the Immortal Martial Continent!" "Jiang Chen, cease your jesting!" Ji Mingxiu''s expression was a nge of incredulity and shock, followed by a resigned chuckle as he shook his head. As the Holy Lord of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, he possessed aprehensive understanding of the broader scenario on the Immortal Martial Continent. Even the existence of a powerhouse on the brink of stepping into the Fourth Step was dubious, not to mention the uncertainty surrounding the continued presence of any Transcendence realm cultivators on the Immortal Martial Continent. "Since there''s no one avable to rescue Miss Ruxue and Miss Xiaojing, why not ce your faith in me this once?" Jiang Chen drew a deep breath, stating solemnly, "I genuinely do know two senior powerhouses. They may well be our salvation!" His words were humble. In truth, it wasn''t merely a potentiality. Should Nangong Wan or Shangguan Ning intervene, they would certainly restore Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing to health. Otherwise, how could Fang Yuan take center stage in the ''original narrative''? The moment Jiang Chen concluded his statement, Ji Mingxiu''s visage lit up instantly, a beacon of hope igniting within his eyes, akin to a drowning man clutching at a lifeline! Indeed! He had incessantly emphasized that no one could heal Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. He had also reiterated numerous times the improbability of there being any Transcendence realm or higher cultivators across the vast expanse of the Immortal Martial Continent. Yet, Jiang Chen remained unyielding in his assertion. Was Jiang Chen devoid of intellect? Certainly not! Thus, did Jiang Chen genuinely possess knowledge of two senior powerhouses teetering on the brink of the Fourth Step? "Are you speaking the truth?!" Ji Mingxiu''s eyes widened in anticipation, his gaze fixed on Jiang Chen. "Indeed, it is the truth!" "However, those two seniors find themselves in an extraordinary predicament. I cannot disclose their identities, nor can they likely intervene personally." Jiang Chen nodded gravely before his expression softened into an apologetic smile, "I can merely seek their guidance, and request them to assist me in restoring Miss Ruxue and Miss Xiaojing." "Excellent!" "Most excellent!!" "Where can these two seniors be located? I''ll escort you there posthaste!!" Ji Mingxiu swiftly grasped Jiang Chen''s shoulders, his words tumbling out in a rapid torrent. "Master, you must simply proceed towards the Purple Heaven Holy Land!" "Try to stabilize the conditions of Miss Ruxue and Miss Xiaojing, in coboration with Supreme Elder Mo Yu and the others, for the time being." Jiang Chenmenced, "I shall depart without dy to locate those two seniors, seeking their assistance to formte a solution!" "Embark on your journey with haste!" "Also, ept this Inquiring Journey realm magic treasure, use it and hurry!!" Ji Mingxiu concurred before passing a magic treasure to Jiang Chen. Upon ascending to the Inquiring Journey realm, the might of artifacts had amplified significantly, thus they earned the designation of Magic Treasures! At the Dao Comprehension realm, they were renamed Dao Tools! And at the Dao Pce realm, they were known as Dao Treasures! This indicated that the chasm separating the Second and First Step of the Cultivation Path was indeed vast; each major realm symbolizing a colossal milestone. Chapter 152: Practicing Cultivation Methods, Returning to the Purple Heaven Holy Land At this particr moment, were it not for the restriction limiting Jiang Chen''s use to only magical treasures at best, Ji Mingxiu, fraught with anxiety, would have temporarily loaned his Dao treasure to Jiang Chen. "Master, be at ease!" "I shall make a swift return!" With utmost sincerity, Jiang Chen epted the flying artifact and made his pledge. "Very well!" Ji Mingxiu nodded urgently, "Then I shall make haste back to the Purple Heaven Holy Land!" "Await my promising news!" Leaving these words, Jiang Chen promptly navigated the flying artifact off Ji Mingxiu''s flight course. In the blink of an eye, two streaks of light disappeared into different directions. En route. ''Truly, this is a magic treasure from the Inquiring Journey realm.'' ''The speed far surpasses that of the jade flute by dozens of times!'' Jiang Chen mused, inspecting the flying artifact under his feet. The flying artifact he held was a distinctive magic treasure named the ''Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf''. Its overall form had the elegance of a streamline, resembling a slender leaf from an orchid. The hue was a regal purple, exuding a sense of luxurious nobility. This magic treasure was also among the rewards acquired from this expedition! After all, Ji Mingxiu did not explicitly state that Jiang Chen was obligated to return it. Shortly thereafter, Jiang Chen cast a backward nce at Ji Mingxiu''s flight trajectory and released a mild sigh. Ji Mingxiu, such a formidable individual. However, in the face of his daughter''s plight, he was rendered anxious,pletely shedding theposure befitting a Holy Lord. This, perhaps, was the essence of fatherhood. Brushing aside these transient thoughts, Jiang Chen persisted in his forward flight. Nheless, he found his current pace stillcking in satisfaction. ''No!'' ''I must escape the reach of Ji Mingxiu''s divine sense posthaste, then make my way back to the Purple Heaven Holy Land!'' ''Otherwise, if I linger for too long, I might be surpassed by Fang Yuan!'' ''If that happens, not only will Fang Yuan takemand of the situation, but I also risk losing face before Ji Mingxiu and Ji Ruxue, considering I did bend the truth.'' ''Upgrading my cultivation base realm at this point is impractical, hence my only option is to practice cultivation methods to bolster mybat power!'' ''...'' With these considerations in mind, Jiang Chen promptly sent his divine sense into the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. This storage artifact wasden with a plethora of corpses. Among them was the Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger, a creature of the Inquiring Journey realm. ''Wordless Heavenly Jade,mence absorption for me!'' At Jiang Chen''s behest, the Wordless Heavenly Jade fused within his heart instantly produced an odd suction force. Instantaneously, a vast amount of Qi and blood power flowed into the Wordless Heavenly Jade, transmuting into a sizeable quantity of peculiar energy. Simultaneously, Jiang Chen retrieved a collection of jade slips containing cultivation methods! Several of these jade slips were acquired from the Cave Heaven Secret Realm, while others were gifts from Ji Mingxiu, Mo Yu, and their cohorts. Among these, merely the cultivation methods secured from the Cave Heaven Secret Realmprised three from the Dao Pce realm! In addition, there were seven cultivation methods from the Dao Comprehension realm and fourteen from the Inquiring Journey realm. As for the Heavenly Origin realm cultivation methods, Jiang Chen had ceased to harbor interest in them. The cultivation methods gifted by Ji Mingxiu, Mo Yu, and others also contained three from the Dao Pce realm. These three methods were the hallmark cultivation techniques and secret arts of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. They were the ''Purple Feather Misty Steps'', the ''Dark Star Sky Splitting Sword Secrets'', and the ''Purple Heaven Heavenly Thunder True Canon''. Moreover, there were in excess of ten Dao Comprehension realm cultivation methods, and over twenty from the Inquiring Journey realm. ''Let''s delve into practice and augment the storage capacity and quality of the Yuan Power, as well as develop body movement methods!'' ''The former can reinforce my Yuan Power''s stamina and output capability, while thetter can bestow upon me a greater array of flight maneuvers, and to some extent, enhance the speed of the flying artifact.'' Jiang Chen mulled over these considerations, then brought forth a cultivation method jade slip from the Inquiring Journey realm - the ''Crimson Jade Clear Sky Scroll''. This was a method specifically targeted at amplifying the quality and volume of the Dao Yuan Power. The reason Jiang Chen opted to practice an Inquiring Journey realm cultivation method, instead of the Dao Comprehension or even Dao Pce realm methods, stemmed from his concern over the potential deficiency of the qi and blood energy. After all, though the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring housed numerous demonic beast corpses, their grades paled inparison to those high-tier cultivation methods. Only the Azure Blue Heavenly Tiger could be deemed somewhat appropriate. At this juncture, Jiang Chen''s divine sense dove into the jade slip,mitting its contents to memory. Simultaneously, the Wordless Heavenly Jade emitted a subtle vibration. Once the contents of the cultivation method were firmly imprinted in Jiang Chen''s mind. Suddenly, torrents of peculiar energy erupted from the Wordless Heavenly Jade, integrating with his body and soul. This enabled Jiang Chen to master the Crimson Jade Clear Sky Scroll to the perfect-level stage in an instant. Under the impact of this cultivation method, his dantian and meridians experienced substantial fortification and expansion! Most crucially, his Dao Core, which shone as brilliantly as the sun, became even more resplendent! Jiang Chen procured a considerable quantity of restorative pills and consumed them. Immediately, the abundant medicinal energy transmuted into Dao Yuan Power of even higher quality, pervading Jiang Chen''s entire being. At this juncture, Jiang Chen could sense his strength advancing yet another step. ''Proceed!'' ''Now, to practice a movement-rted cultivation method, the Inquiring Journey-level ''Moonstride Starshift Steps''!'' Jiang Chen drew out another jade slip containing a cultivation method for review. Aided by the Wordless Heavenly Jade, he swiftly acquired numerous insights and cultivated the Moonstride Starshift Steps to the perfect-level stage. However, the Wordless Heavenly Jade siphoned all the qi and blood power Jiang Chen had rued this time, generating a considerable amount of miraculous energy. Having practiced two Inquiring Journey realm cultivation methods, he had approximately half of his resources left. Therefore, Jiang Chen opted for two additional Inquiring Journey realm cultivation methods. These were also designed to amplify Dao Yuan Power and enhance movement-rted techniques, specifically, the ''Dao Origin Bright Flow Chart'' and the ''Great Martial Eight Ghostly Steps''. In the blink of an eye, both cultivation methods had been honed to the perfect-level stage. Jiang Chen perceived a substantial augmentation in his genuinebat power. Although he had not ascended to the Dao Comprehension realm, his strength had already surpassed that of ordinary Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm powerhouses. The most significant advancement was his movement abilities. Having practiced two Inquiring Journey realm movement-rted cultivation methods. The velocity of his Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf had already doubled. Since movement techniques only had a limited impact on enhancing the speed of magic artifacts. Therefore, when Jiang Chen was not using a magic artifact, his speed had augmented by at least fourfoldpared to prior! ''This pace is indeed satisfactory!'' Jiang Chen nodded in satisfaction, flew a short distance forward before halting his advance. From the chronicles within the Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture, he had gleaned. The divine sense coverage of a Dao Pce realm powerhouse epassed a radius of ten thousand kilometers, that is, a diameter of twenty thousand kilometers, equivalent to half the circumference of Earth''s equator. A Dao Pce realm powerhouse. With just a solitary thought, they could survey half the Earth, a presence virtually akin to a deity. Of course, the Immortal Martial Continent was iparable to Earth. The expanse of the Mysterious Truth Continent even exceeded Earth''s surface area. Returning to the present situation. Jiang Chen and Ji Mingxiu were almost proceeding in opposite directions, with Ji Mingxiu traveling at a swifter pace. Therefore, in a remarkably short span, Jiang Chen had already covered over ten thousand kilometers away from Ji Mingxiu, evading detection by Ji Mingxiu''s divine sense. ''Next, return to the Purple Heaven Holy Land!'' Jiang Chen thought, shifting his focus onto the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. The Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring was a Dao Pce artifact; it fell under the category of Dao treasures! Employing it, he could perform six extraordinary functions: converging breath, disguising cultivation base, invisibility, shielding divine sense detection, divine sense counter-tracking, and defense against psychic attacks. Given Jiang Chen''s current might, he was already capable of harnessing some of the effects of the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. After all, he now wielded Dao Yuan Power. ''Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring! Conceal!'' Jiang Chen inhaled deeply, gulped down a generous handful of pills, and then channeled all his Dao Yuan Power into the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. Suddenly! The Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring activated. Jiang Chen''s figure gradually grew transparent, and his breath was entirely concealed. Not only was he invisible to the naked eye, but even divine sense couldn''t detect him. ''As long as I''m not meticulously scrutinized by a Dao Pce realm powerhouse at close range, there should be no issue!'' Jiang Chen mused, then steered the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf to swivel around and soar in the direction of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 153: Jiang Chen Will Have a Solution Even as he concurrently deployed the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf and the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring, Jiang Chen managed to retain a notable swiftness in his movements. This wasrgely due to the plentiful supply of pills he possessed, which restored his expended Dao Yuan Power. The pills, generously bestowed by Ji Mingxiu, Mo Yu, and others, were predominantly from the Inquiring Journey Realm, their quality top-notch. Throughout his journey, Jiang Chen would regrly consume these pills, maintaining his momentum. Transforming into a practically invisible meteor, he cut a path through the sky, making his way determinedly towards the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Meanwhile, Ji Mingxiu had sessfully escorted Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing back to the safety of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Mo Yu, along with the other Supreme Elders, hurriedly joined them upon hearing the news. Almost simultaneously, another figure entered the scene, promptly answering Ji Mingxiu''s urgent summons. This individual was none other than Xie Zhen, the grandfather of Xie Xiaojing. Although his face bore the marks of time, a serene tranquility surrounded him. His amber eyes, an uncanny reflection of his granddaughter''s, disyed a harmonious blend of wisdom and concern. At that instant. "What''s happened here?" "Why are Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing in this state!?" "They''ve beenpromised by the spiritual Qi of the Bottomless Abyss!" "Why would they venture into the Bottomless Abyss!?" "Weren''t they taken to the Red Maple Heavenly Valley by Jiang Chen?" "What exactly transpired?" "..." Upon observing the predicaments of Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, Mo Yu and the others descended into a state of great distress. However, amid this tumult, Xie Zhen maintained a steadyposure, moving towards his ailing granddaughter. He assessed Xie Xiaojing''s condition, his outward calm steadfast. But his eyes revealed an alternate narrative, a glimmer of sadness reflecting his inner upheaval. Subsequently, like the rest, he too directed his gaze towards Ji Mingxiu, expectantly awaiting the ount. "Sigh!" "There was an unexpected disturbance in the Red Maple Heavenly Valley..." Ji Mingxiu embarked on narrating the ordeals of Jiang Chen and the others. Instantly, everyone present was etched with a startling fusion of dread and solemnity! While their concern for Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing''s conditions was palpable, their anxiety regarding the future of the Purple Heaven Holy Land took precedence. The sudden disruption that had transpired in the Red Maple Heavenly Valley seemed to have a direct connection with the Bottomless Abyss. If the spiritual Qi of the Bottomless Abyss were to proliferate, it could potentially taint the spiritual Qi of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Consequently, the entire Purple Heaven Holy Land might be subjected to a radical transformation! It''s important to note that the current location of the Purple Heaven Holy Land''s territory was among the sites with the most abundant spiritual Qi within the Everflowing Truth Domain and its surrounding regions. "We cannot let word of this get out!" "The immediate priority is to tend to Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. Despite the slim chances of sess, we are obligated to try." "Additionally, we need to urgently dispatch individuals to barricade the Red Maple Heavenly Valley! Any approach must be prohibited! Moreover, the disturbance in the Red Maple Heavenly Valley requires constant monitoring." Post-discussion, Mo Yu and the others swiftly sketched out a preliminary n and issued directives. As for the intricacies of the n, their subordinates would refine and finalize it. Their main responsibility was to guide the overall course of action. "We must act immediately to save Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing!" "Any further dy will only decrease our chances of healing them." A wave of sorrow flickered in Mo Yu''s eyes as he gazed at Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. Both Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing were fundamental to the sect''s future prospects. Additionally, Ji Ruxue held an invaluable ce in Ji Mingxiu''s heart. The uncertainty surrounding Ji Mingxiu''s future if Ji Ruxue remained untreatable was daunting. While they conversed, Mo Yu and the others began to bring out various items. Some produced pills, some revealed extraordinary treasure cauldrons, and a few even procured ancient texts... Abruptly. "Everyone." Ji Mingxiu interjected, "There''s no need to continue with this." At his deration, a collective sigh echoed from Mo Yu and the others. "Holy Lord, don''t concede defeat!" "Though there have been no historical records of anyone recovering from the effects of the Bottomless Abyss''s Spiritual Qi, who''s to say our efforts won''t yield sess?" "Yes, even if the oues are subpar, if we manage to stabilize Ji Ruxue''s condition, it would be a victory in itself!" "Ji Mingxiu, don''t force my hand to admonish you, now is not the time for despair or surrender!" Mo Yu and the others took turns in attempting to rally Ji Mingxiu. "No." "On our journey back, I exhausted every possible method, but none had any effect..." As Ji Mingxiu began to shake his head, Mo Yu interjected. "That''s simply because your methods weren''t effective!" "What if our strategies seed?" "Step aside promptly. We are determined to do everything within our power to save Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing." Mo Yu and the others scowled, believing that Ji Mingxiu''s despair stemmed from the heavy blow he''d received. Nevertheless. "Supreme Elders." "You are all well aware that I have already mastered all of your techniques." "Besides, I haven''t finished speaking." A glimmer of hope shone in Ji Mingxiu''s griefden eyes as he shook his head, "Haven''t you observed that Jiang Chen is absent from my side?" "Hmm?" "Jiang Chen?" "Indeed, where has Jiang Chen gone? Why didn''t he return with you?" "Holy Lord, are you insinuating that Jiang Chen might possess a remedy for the girls? Have you lost your sanity?" "Good heavens, Jiang Chen is merely at the Heavenly Origin realm, originating from the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain, how could he possibly know how to treat the Bottomless Abyss Spiritual Qi infection?" "Ji Mingxiu, don''t harbor delusions that Jiang Chen has the answer. Let us give it a try." The disbelief was palpable amongst Mo Yu and the others, and they all came to the conclusion that Ji Mingxiu had lost his mind, for cing his hopes on an inexperienced Heavenly Origin realm cultivator like Jiang Chen. While it was true that Jiang Chen possessed a shockingly high aptitude, it merely represented potential, not actual prowess. "No!" "Jiang Chen will have a solution, I trust him!" Taking a deep breath, Ji Mingxiu clenched his fists tightly, his gaze locking with Xie Zhen''s. He found himself echoing Jiang Chen''s previous words, mentioning his acquaintance with the two formidable seniors on the verge of stepping into the Fourth Realm. "He''s gone insane!" "Ji Mingxiu, you''ve truly lost your mind!" "How could you ce your faith in such a im?" Mo Yu and the other elders cried out in shock, shaking their heads in resigned despair. One of them turned to Xie Zhen, saying, "Old man, it''s high time you chimed in. Your granddaughter''s life is on the line here." The ensuing silence seemed to thicken the atmosphere as all eyes turned towards the figure who had remained rtively silent throughout the deliberations. Atst, Xie Zhen''s voice cut through the stillness, steady and undeterred, "We know the brutal truth of our situation. Given that there is no one here capable of saving my granddaughter and the Holy Maiden, why not take a chance on Jiang Chen, as the Holy Lord suggests?" Xie Zhen''s faith in Jiang Chen was not without basis. He had observed the admiration his granddaughter held for the young cultivator, the fiery glint in her eyes whenever she spoke of him. Her unwavering faith in Jiang Chen gave him reason to hope, a reason to believe. Following Xie Zhen''s statement, a heavy silence fell over the group. Mo Yu and the others exchanged looks, their expressions a blend of disbelief, uncertainty, and a hint of hope. If the family members were willing to ce their trust in Jiang Chen, what grounds did they have to object? Meanwhile. [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot. The protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 1000 points!] [Ding! You have gained 2000 Viin Value points!] Two system notifications echoed in Jiang Chen''s mind. ''By the heavens!'' ''It''s here!'' ''The notification for the plot alteration has finally arrived!'' ''A straight deduction of a thousand points from Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate, that''s remarkable!'' Hearing the pleasing sound of the notification reverberating in his mind, Jiang Chen''s eyes instantly lit up with excitement. Subsequently, more thoughts began to flood his mind. ''The system notification just sounded.'' ''Perhaps it''s because a significant plot point has just been altered!'' ''Based on the timeline, Ji Mingxiu should have already reached the Purple Heaven Holy Land.'' ''Thus, his decision could dictate the future progression of this matter.'' ''In the ''original plot'' influenced by Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value, Ji Mingxiu, Mo Yu, and the others would undoubtedly be at a loss, leading a desperate Ji Mingxiu to recruit outside help, eventually leading to Fang Yuan''s entrance.'' ''But now, I''ve instilled hope in Ji Mingxiu. He didn''t choose to take that route, thereby depriving Fang Yuan of the chance to be involved in treating Ji Ruxue!'' ''For the life experiences that Fang Yuan should have had, this is undeniably a major shift.'' As these thoughts coursed through Jiang Chen''s mind, a faint smile gradually stretched across his lips. Chapter 154: Fang Yuans Envy, Jealousy, and Resentment In no time, he quickened his pace, persistently soaring towards the auspicious Purple Heaven Holy Land. As time unceasingly flowed like a gentle stream, before he knew it, Jiang Chen reached the outer defensive formation of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Unobstructed, a subtle light flickered upon his robe, prompting the formation to grant him unimpeded ess. Without any dy, Jiang Chen made a beeline for Fang Yuan''s secluded cave mansion. The impending phase was even more critical securing the cooperation of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning! Having interacted previously, Jiang Chen hadid a foundation of trust with Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Yet, he was fully aware; to approach them again, he couldn''te bearing empty hands! ''I must present them with some tangible advantages.'' This realization crossed Jiang Chen''s mind as he activated the System Mall interface. Presently, he had amassed 18,600 points of Viin Value. Such an amount was already sufficient to procure any top-grade pill suitable for the Inquiring Journey realm. And the object of Jiang Chen''s pursuit was a unique pill capable of treating injuries of the soul. Within a short span of time, Jiang Chen located a specific Inquiring Journey realm pill named the Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill within the System Mall. This pill boasted the ability to alleviate a wide range of soul-rted afflictions, boasting impressive effectiveness. It was nearly akin to a cure-all for such injuries. ''System! I wish to exchange for the Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill!'' [Ding! You''ve expended 8000 points of Viin Value, sessfully acquiring a top-grade Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill*1!] Upon the conclusion of the system prompt, a small vial materialized in Jiang Chen''s hand. Nestled within it was a pill, resembling a nocturnal pearl - the Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill. At this juncture, Fang Yuan''s cave mansion came into Jiang Chen''s sight. Over the past twenty days, the majority of individuals seeking audience with Fang Yuan were turned away, leading to a decrease in the number of visitors. Currently, not a soul could be seen outside Fang Yuan''s cave mansion, providing an ideal setting for Jiang Chen''s intentions. Jiang Chen stepped forward, lightly touched the protective formation, and projected his voice, "Urgent matter, Junior Brother Fang Yuan, please open the door promptly!" Within the Cave Mansion, Fang Yuan was engrossed in fervent cultivation. He had already attained the Heavenly Origin realm once, and his vast experience was now proving beneficial. Guided by Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, he had chosen the swiftest path. In the span of merely twenty days, even with the asional interruptions from visitors, his cultivation base had swiftly rebounded to the Late-stage Mysterious tform realm! "What?" "Is that Jiang Chen''s voice?" Upon hearing the voice that Jiang Chen had transmitted, Fang Yuan''s brows knitted together in annoyance. His animosity towards Jiang Chen was profound, an inexplicable disharmony marring their interactions. The moment Jiang Chen appeared, he found himself enveloped in a wave of difort. Yet, what struck Fang Yuan as peculiar was the fact that even when he stretched out his divine sense, he couldn''t detect Jiang Chen''s presence at all. The voice was audible, but the speaker remained unseen! Almost instantly, Fang Yuan''s brow creased more intensely. Could it be that Jiang Chen was ying a prank on him? Luring him out and then vanishing? In the following moment, Jiang Chen''s voice echoed once again, "Junior Brother Fang Yuan, open the door promptly! This is a matter of great importance, of absolute urgency!" "He truly is present!" "But why am I unable to locate him?" Fang Yuan''s pupils constricted, and a chill run down his spine. Situations that overstepped his control were what he detested most in life. Moreover, Fang Yuan had always considered Jiang Chen to be his adversary. Now, when he couldn''t even discern the silhouette of his foe, how could he not feel rmed, how could he not be on high alert? "Junior Brother Fang Yuan!" "Quickly, deactivate the formation!" "I have a matter to discuss with seniors Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. To ensure my presence doesn''t attract undue attention, I''ve cloaked my physical form!" Jiang Chen''s voice, imbued with a sense of urgency, resounded once more within the cave mansion. "Fang Yuan, grant him entry." Nangong Wan''s voice emanated from the Soul Embodying Ring. In spite of the previous incident where Jiang Chen had questioned them about the world''s structure and appearance, they were still somewhat indebted to him. Therefore, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning weren''t inclined to refuse a meeting with Jiang Chen. "Very well..." With a slight hint of discontentment, Fang Yuan nodded internally before activating the formation. Whoosh. A mild breeze blew over, halting before Fang Yuan. Following this, Jiang Chen''s voice rang out again: "Seal the formation promptly." Fang Yuan felt a surge of annoyance, as though he were being ordered around by Jiang Chen! Nevertheless, he couldn''t afford to quarrel with Jiang Chen, thus he had toply and seal the formation. Directly afterward, Jiang Chen deactivated the invisibility function of the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring, causing his form to reappear. "Jiang Chen,mendable indeed, to have ess to such methods." A slightly surprised voice from Shangguan Ning echoed, "Were you to remain silent, even I would find it difficult to discern your presence." "It''s merely a minor technique, hardly worth mentioning in your esteemed presence." Jiang Chen humbly shook his head before proceeding, "The matter at hand is urgent, so I''ll cut to the chase. Twenty days ago, Ji Ruxue, Xie Xiaojing, and I embarked on a joint training expedition..." Upon hearing this, Fang Yuan was instantly taken aback, his attention wavering from Jiang Chen''s subsequent words! ''What!'' ''Jiang Chen actually ventured out to train alongside Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing!?'' ''How is this possible? Why would Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing consent to embark on a training journey with him!?'' ''...'' Fang Yuan''s mind seemed to momentarily stall, his heart awash with a surge of disbelief and resentment. What had prompted him to choose the Purple Heaven Holy Land in the first ce? It was a chance encounter with Ji Ruxue that sparked it all! It could be said that the instant heid eyes on Ji Ruxue, he was captivated, ensnared at first sight. Later on, within the Holy Land, murmurs of him and Ji Ruxue being an ideal pair, a golden boy and jade girl, circted, causing him a mix of restlessness and immense satisfaction. In his heart, Fang Yuan had already imed Ji Ruxue as his own. Subconsciously, he also held the belief that only he was deserving of Ji Ruxue, and no other individual even had the right to converse with her. And then there was Xie Xiaojing. As the gifted female disciple who was closest to Ji Ruxue, she was virtually Ji Ruxue''s best friend. Xie Xiaojing, too, was exceedingly beautiful and captivating. Fang Yuan harbored intentions of courting both Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing simultaneously. This aspiration solidified even further upon receiving assistance from the two formidable figures, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. But now, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing had actually embarked on a training journey with Jiang Chen! And they had been together, training, for an unbroken stretch of twenty full days and nights! ''Damn it!'' ''Jiang Chen, you vile creature, how dare youy hands on my Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing!'' Fang Yuan''s heart seethed with rage, a burning desire to obliterate Jiang Chen consuming him! Simultaneously, a wave of regret swelled within him. Jiang Chen had once proposed they embark on a training journey together, a proposition he had rejected outright. Had he known that Ji Ruxue was also partaking in the expedition, he would undoubtedly have agreed to join. But life didn''t offer many chances for do-overs. Once an opportunity was lost, it remained lost. Just as Fang Yuan found himself tangled in a whirl of resentment, jealousy, regret, and near hysteria... "Fang Yuan, what are you pondering over?" Nangong Wan''s voice echoed in Fang Yuan''s mind, a hint of displeasure in her inquiry. Evidently, Nangong Wan had sensed the potent negative emotions stirring within Fang Yuan, and probably deciphered the reasons behind his internal turmoil. Suddenly, her perception of Fang Yuan seemed to slightly decline. [Ding! You have sessfully instigated a decrease in the unpursued heroine Nangong Wan''s impression of Fang Yuan, thereby reducing protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value by 200 points!] [Ding! You have gained 400 points of Viin Value!] A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 155: Fang Yuan, You Must Not Act Rashly System prompts echoed within Jiang Chen''s consciousness, prompting an almost imperceptible smile to graze his lips. Simultaneously, Fang Yuan perceived a sliver of dissatisfaction emanating from Nangong Wan, adding to his difort. In his perspective, Nangong Wan was meant to tread the same journey as him, in pursuit of the Cultivation Path. But now, her discontent with him had surfaced. "Nothing..." Fang Yuan retorted internally, swiftly shifting his focus to the still chattering Jiang Chen. Only then did he lend an ear to Jiang Chen''s words! "The Red Maple Heavenly Valley has undergone a transformation!?" "Have Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing been corrupted by the Bottomless Abyss Spiritual Qi!?" "No, how could such a thing transpire!!" "Jiang Chen, this disaster is all on you!" "You led them to that damned location, and now they''re mired in this catastrophe!!" Grasping the gravity of the situation, Fang Yuan was abruptly consumed by a tremor. His eyes red, bloodshot and filled with a hue of anguish, as he seized Jiang Chen''s cor, shaking him while growling incessantly! Even so, a glint of murderous intent sparked in his eyes, as if he were ready to rip Jiang Chen to shreds immediately to assuage his hatred!! "Fang Yuan!" "I never intended for this to happen, but regretfully, the Red Maple Heavenly Valley abruptly underwent a transformation." Jiang Chen allowed Fang Yuan to rattle him by the cor, a trace of sadness surfacing on his visage. However, deep within, Jiang Chen couldn''t suppress a sneer. Indeed, the one who had catalyzed Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing''s plight was Fang Yuan himself! The incident at the Red Maple Heavenly Valley unfolded solely under the sway of his Heavenly Fate Value. "No!" "You nned this!" Fang Yuan roared in fury, "Otherwise, how could they have been corrupted by the Bottomless Abyss Spiritual Qi, and you remain unaffected!!" "Fang Yuan, regain yourposure!" "Jiang Chen possesses a unique innate constitution, so it''s to be expected that he wasn''t infected after a brief exposure to that peculiar spiritual Qi." Shangguan Ning''s voice, tinged with dissatisfaction, broke through. She could empathize with Fang Yuan''s anger over Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing''s predicament. Indeed, as the Azure Hollow Demon Fox, who had witnessed numerous cruelties, she appreciated this courage to express outrage and contest. However, they had already informed Fang Yuan that Jiang Chen was endowed with the enigmatic true dragon bloodline. Yet at this juncture, Fang Yuan chose to feign ignorance and persistently interrogated Jiang Chen in anger. It was evident that he aimed to manipte the situation, to pin the me on Jiang Chen, forcing him to shoulder the responsibility. Such behavior was utterly distasteful to Shangguan Ning. [Ding! You have sessfully lowered the unpursued heroine Shangguan Ning''s impression of Fang Yuan. The protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value decreases by 200 points!] [Ding! You have earned 400 Viin Value points!] As the system notification chimed, a sneer once again rose within Jiang Chen''s heart. "I!" "I was...overwhelmed with worry and confusion, yes, I apologize..." Upon discerning the contempt in Shangguan Ning''s voice, a wave of embarrassment washed over Fang Yuan,pelling him to release his grip and offer an apology. [Ding! The protagonist, Fang Yuan, has publicly apologized to you, experiencing a mental setback, and his Heavenly Fate Value has dropped by 200 points!] [Ding! You have acquired 400 Viin Value points!] The system prompts chimed once more. Jiang Chen offered a faint smile, "It''s alright, I can understand." Observing Jiang Chen''s smile, the frustration and wrath within Fang Yuan only deepened. Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing were led by Jiang Chen to train and gather experience. They had been together for twenty days, and now that something had happened, Jiang Chen was entirely meless! Yet, he could not even find a valid reason to vent his fury on Jiang Chen! And there was Jiang Chen, still wearing a broad smile, how could he not feel even more indignant!? [Ding! You have slightly undermined the protagonist Fang Yuan''s mental state, and his Heavenly Fate Value has dropped by 200 points!] The system prompts resonated in Jiang Chen''s mind, slightly startling him. He truly hadn''t anticipated that merely by smiling, he could cause a disturbance in Fang Yuan''s mental state. He could only surmise that a significant amount of negative emotions had already built up within Fang Yuan. Now at a critical juncture, and unable to discharge and explode, he was teetering on the edge of bottling up his frustrations to the point of causing internal damage. At this moment. "Jiang Chen." "I have grasped the circumstances surrounding Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing." "From your ount, it''s clear that the Immortal Martial Continent has been infiltrated by the Nether Demon n." Nangong Wan voiced, "Furthermore, this Immortal Martial Continent was likely erected in response to the conflict with the Nether Demon n." Subsequently, it was Shangguan Ning who picked up the discourse. Through their descriptions, Jiang Chen swiftly assimted a wealth of information. For instance, the Bottomless Abyss, it was a conduit to the realm inhabited by the Nether Demon n. There remained ambiguity about whether these Nether Demons resided underground on the Immortal Martial Continent, or, to be more precise, the Bottomless Abyss was, in fact, a dimensional portal leading to the world of the Nether Demons. The Nether Demon n was dispersed widely across the cosmic void, with a presence in numerous locales. The Evesting Baseless Immortal Domain, the home of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, was not exempt. The environment in which the Nether Demon n resided was exceptionally harsh, and the traits of the spiritual Qi they employed for cultivation diverged from the standard spiritual Qi. That specific form of spiritual Qi, imbued with vtile characteristics, was typically referred to as Nether Demon Spiritual Qi. The Nether Demon Spiritual Qi resulted in the Nether Demon n possessing slightly less developed spiritual intellect, but theirbat prowess generally exceeded cultivators of the same rank. Given the properties of the spiritual Qi, the Human Race and the Nether Demon n were fundamentally ipatible; they were mortal adversaries upon encounter. In the Evesting Baseless Immortal Domain, lethal shes frequently erupted between the Human Race and the Nether Demon n, which were notably savage! "You two seniors possess such extensive knowledge of the Nether Demon n." "And the Evesting Baseless Immortal Domain frequently engages in warfare with the Nether Demon n." "Being formidable entities who have ascended to the third step, you two must possess much deeper insights about the Nether Demon n than anyone on the Immortal Martial Continent." Jiang Chen voiced urgently, "Please, esteemed seniors, devise a way to rescue Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing!" "Indeed." Nangong Wan chimed in, "We, in the Evesting Baseless Immortal Domain, do indeed possess a deep understanding of the Nether Demon n, and indeed have a method to save Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing." Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen''s heart surged with joy. But just at that moment. "Why not allow me to intervene!" "Senior Nangong Wan and Senior Shangguan Ning reside in my Soul Embodying Ring, they can guide me at any given moment!" Fang Yuan abruptly interjected, "It would be most prudent for me to undertake the task of properly healing Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing!" A determined gleam shed in his eyes. The task of saving Ji Ruxue had to fall upon him! This was a life-saving favor extended to Ji Ruxue. If Jiang Chen were to secure it, the implications... However. "No, no, no!" "Fang Yuan, you absolutely cannot intervene!" "The fact that Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing have been afflicted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi is alreadymon knowledge to Ji Mingxiu, it''s impossible to conceal it." "In the Immortal Martial Continent, no known methods can treat Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing!" "In order to dissuade Ji Mingxiu from resorting to desperate measures in his hurried quest for a cure, I have already assured him that I can heal Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing." "The crux of the matter is, to convince him, I had to reference the two seniors, albeit reluctantly." "But worry not, I didn''t disclose the circumstances of the two seniors, Ji Mingxiu wouldn''t dare entertain any inappropriate thoughts." "Now, if you, Fang Yuan, were to step in, it would inevitably reveal the existence of the two seniors, potentially even their conditions, and that absolutely cannot happen!" Jiang Chen asserted with a grave countenance, "So, it is still best that I take the lead!" Upon these words being uttered, they immediately silenced Fang Yuan, leaving him incapable of forming a single retort! Chapter 156: I Knew I Wasnt Mistaken About You The reasoning in Jiang Chen''s words was indeed cogent. Should Fang Yuan proceed to tend to Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing with the Soul Embodying Ring, wouldn''t this amount to a frank admission that Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were in hispany? In such an instance, irrespective of how obtuse Ji Mingxiu and hispanions might be, they would inevitably deduce the peculiar state of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. The certainty that no one would harbor unsuitable malevolent intentions due to this was simply non-existent! In this context, Fang Yuan was incapable of uncovering any faults in Jiang Chen''s contention. Nheless, there was still an inexplicable sense of unease about Jiang Chen in Fang Yuan''s mind. "Hmph!" "Your arguments do hold water!" "But you had solemnly assured earlier that you would not disclose the presence of Senior Nangong and Senior Shangguan!" "It hasn''t been much time, and you''ve already breached their confidentiality!" "Even though you have not divulged the condition of Senior Nangong and Senior Shangguan, you''ve inevitably subjected them to immense risk!" "Jiang Chen, your duplicity is nothing short of scandalous!" Beginning with a frosty snort, Fang Yuan''s tone escted in agitation as he proceeded, culminating in an outright roar! This vehement outcry offered a momentary release from the oppressive feeling constricting his heart. At this juncture. "I confess, I erred in revealing the presence of the two seniors without their permission and in making unwarranted promises to Ji Mingxiu." Jiang Chen lowered his head in a gesture of contrition. Yet, offering an apology cost him little. After all, he was not the protagonist of the tale. Merely a viin who lived with the daily uncertainty of survival. "Heh!" Hearing Jiang Chen''s remorseful words, a coldugh immediately escaped from Fang Yuan. However, before he could utter a word. "I am acutely conscious of my transgressions and harbor deep regret." Jiang Chen resumed, "Thus, I hope this Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill can serve as a token of my penance for my errors." With this, he produced the Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill, which he had readied earlier, uncapped the vial, and presented it before Fang Yuan. To be exact, it was offered in full view of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. "This is!" The sight of the Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill, unveiled by Jiang Chen, elicited an immediate change in Fang Yuan''s countenance. Although he couldn''t identify the pill, its extraordinary nature was undeniably apparent to him. Merely inhaling the pill''s fragrance invigorated him, sharpening his senses, brightening his eyes, and even stimting a heightened state of mental alertness. "Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill!" "It''s actually a Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill! And it''s of top-grade quality no less!" "I didn''t anticipate your possession of such a potent pill. It''s truly a revtion." Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning instantly recognized the Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill. Indeed, they were formidable entities who had ascended to the Void Tribtion realm. The Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill held the reputation of being the premier soul-nourishing pill within the Inquiring Journey realm. Even within the Dao Comprehension realm, its efficacy was pronounced. Moreover, due to the rarity of itsponents and its unique refining method, it boasted a value surpassing that of certain pills within the Dao Comprehension realm. While in the past, they would have disregarded such lower realm pills. Given their current constrained circumstances, the presence of a top-grade quality Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill was an unexpected boon for them. At that moment, Fang Yuan discerned the surprised and astonished reactions from Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, which instantly stirred difort within him. "Jiang Chen!" "Don''t assume that a single pill can absolve you of your transgressions!" An expression of discontent creased his face as he said, "You must understand that your disclosure of Senior Nangong and Senior Shangguan''s existence has exposed them to imminent mortal peril!" "This..." "But I couldn''t just remain idle and watch them perish." "I couldn''t bear to witness Junior Sister Ruxue and Junior Sister Xiaojing sumb to the corruptive influence of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, ultimately spiraling into insanity." A flicker of earnest distress appeared on Jiang Chen''s remorse-stricken face, "Such a fate would be even more tormenting than death for them!" As these words were articted, a surge of indignation welled up again in Fang Yuan''s heart. The familiarity with which Jiang Chen referred to Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing was outright infuriating! Furthermore, Jiang Chen''s words painted Fang Yuan as seemingly indifferent to the plight of others. Fang Yuan''s lips quivered, bracing himself to contrive a rebuttal to Jiang Chen. However. "Junior Brother Fang Yuan." "I was under the impression that we shared the same sentiments." "I initially believed that you would join me in seeking the two seniors'' assistance..." Jiang Chen''s eyes widened, his gaze rested on Fang Yuan, his countenance was one of profound sadness, and his voice brimmed with disbelief. "No, Jiang Chen, hold your tongue!" "I wouldn''t stand by idly while Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing sumb to the corrupting influence of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi. I''m not that kind of individual! I simply am not!" Faced with the imminent prospect of being branded as someone who remained indifferent to others'' suffering, Fang Yuan was quick to refute the im. Promptly. "I knew I wasn''t mistaken about you!" "Earlier, I presumed that you would not remain indifferent, and you would surely implore Senior Sisters Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning to intercede!" "Since Senior Sisters Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were poised to intervene, that''s why I made such a decision and pledged my word to Ji Mingxiu." "Furthermore, this course of action, though revealing the existence of the two seniors, wouldn''t insinuate their association with you, much less expose their current condition." A sigh of relief escaped Jiang Chen, and a knowing smile graced his visage. "This, this..." After digesting Jiang Chen''s assertions, Fang Yuan''s expression subtly shifted, but he was at a loss for words. Now, not only was Jiang Chen free from me, but he also seemed to have rendered amendable service! Otherwise, had he, Fang Yuan, directly sought the intervention of Senior Sisters Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, it would not only expose their presence but might also betray their current state. Now, Jiang Chen had sessfully sidestepped thetter. This was the course of action that posed the least risk to Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, while simultaneously ensuring the rescue of Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. Perhaps, there might not be any significant drawbacks at all. After all, Jiang Chen had openly proimed that Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were mighty entities who had ascended to the pinnacle of the Third Step - the Void Tribtion realm. Without knowledge of their conditions, people would only revere them. Furthermore, Jiang Chen had also offered the top-grade Inquiring Journey pill, the Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill, as a gesture of amends! In this manner, Jiang Chen was utterly beyond reproach. At this moment. "Jiang Chen." Shangguan Ning spoke in an approving tone, "You demonstrate kindness and righteousness, embody courage and strategy, your actions aremendable!" "Mm." "Considering the dire circumstances." Nangong Wan also voiced her praise, "Indeed, Jiang Chen has done his utmost to mitigate all possible risks." [Ding! You have sessfully improved the unpursued Heroine Nangong Wan''s impression of you, while simultaneously diminishing her impression of the protagonist Fang Yuan. The Heavenly Fate Value of the protagonist Fang Yuan has decreased by 600 points!] [Ding! You have sessfully improved the unpursued Heroine Shangguan Ning''s impression of you, while simultaneously diminishing her impression of the protagonist Fang Yuan. The Heavenly Fate Value of the protagonist Fang Yuan has decreased by 600 points!] [Ding! You have marginally distressed the mental state of the protagonist Fang Yuan. His Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 300 points!] [Ding! You have umted 3000 points of Viin Value!] The sound of four system notifications echoed in Jiang Chen''s mind, igniting a spark of jubtion in his heart. Simultaneously, he directed his gaze towards Fang Yuan. But what he saw was Fang Yuan''s visage contorted in an awkward, forced smile, looking more distasteful than if he had ingested something repugnant. Fang Yuan had initially nned to seize this opportunity to foster discord between Nangong Wan, Shangguan Ning, and Jiang Chen. However, he never anticipated. In the end, it was Jiang Chen who receivedudations from Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning! And him, Fang Yuan, his performance during this discourse was utterly foolish and trivial, nothing short of a cmity! A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 157: The Protagonist Fang Yuans Dilemma At this precise moment. "I must respectfully defer thepliments, esteemed seniors, for I fear they are not warranted," The countenance of Jiang Chen mirrored a blend of agreeable astonishment and modest difiture. Subsequently, with reverence, he extended the Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill nestled in his palms and earnestly entreated, "Junior Sisters Ruxue and Xiaojing find themselves in precarious health. I implore the two respected seniors to provide a curative method." "Very well." "We shall ept your offered pill." Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning provided their concurrent assent. Without dy, a gentle, alluring force diffused from the Soul Embodying Ring, gradually drawing the Heavenly Pearl Soul Nourishing Pill towards itself. Subsequently. "A method does exist to salvage your junior sisters, albeit its execution proves challenging." "Within our Evesting Baseless Immortal Domain, a formidable entity once devised a secret art predicated upon the cultivation method of the Nether Demon n." "Used in conjunction with certainmonce natural treasures, it can alleviate the symptoms of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi invasion." "However, the issue lies in the fact that this secret art is arduous to master!" "Despite yourmendable aptitude, Jiang Chen, it remains uncertain whether you can acquire its understanding before the condition of the two maidens deteriorates beyond salvation." Nangong Wan heaved a sigh, "We can only strive with all we have and leave the rest to destiny." "Is this secret art truly that formidable to master?" "Why shouldn''t I make an attempt at learning it as well? If Jiang Chen fails to seize its essence and I seed, I shall step forth." A spark ignited in Fang Yuan''s eyes as he put forth this proposal. "An agreeable n." Jiang Chen swiftly nodded his assent, "In this manner, we might be better positioned to ensure the earliest possible recovery of Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing." Fang Yuan was left feeling somewhat irked. He had intended to secure the verbal consent of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning as a means of salvaging his dignity. However, Jiang Chen had preemptively given his approval! Despite the negligible impact of this event, it was enough to stir difort in Fang Yuan. "If such is the situation," Shangguan Ningmenced, "You both may engage in studying the cultivation method concurrently." Following this, she and Nangong Wan, leveraging their residual soul power, began to craft ethereal characters in the air, utilizing the minute dust particles as their canvas. These characters constituted the mantra of the secret art. It bore the name ''Nether Qi Extraction Secrets''! Upon one nce, Fang Yuan set his mind on deciphering it. Jiang Chen, with a flicker of amusement in his gaze, too embarked on the exploration of this secret art. Were he not in possession of the Wordless Heavenly Jade, under the sway of the Heavenly Fate Value, he might potentially fall short against Fang Yuan. However, he held the Heaven-Defying Fate Changer, the Wordless Heavenly Jade! Even though the qi and blood energy he had umted from the Red Maple Heavenly Valley was expended, precluding him from mastering the secret art instantaneously, his martial prowess, reshaped by the Wordless Heavenly Jade, was fully capable of eclipsing Fang Yuan! As the moments leisurely unfurled. Fang Yuan''s journey in practice was punctuated with self-assured strides, progressing without a hitch. Conversely, the countenance of Jiang Chen was etched with gravity, punctuated by sudden creases of confusion, his eyebrows knitting together. "Jiang Chen, have you encountered a stumbling block so soon?" Fang Yuan couldn''t resist ament. Atst finding a window to suppress Jiang Chen, he threw caution to the wind and seized the moment! "Indeed, I seem to have stumbled upon an issue." Jiang Chen nodded gravely. ''Your martial prowess leaves much to be desired, doesn''t it?'' Fang Yuan snickered inwardly, even as he outwardly feigned concern and suggested, "Perhaps surrendering might be a wise choice." Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning found themselves mildly surprised. Both were well aware of Jiang Chen''s remarkable aptitude, but his current performance appeared to be falling short, a development that came as quite unexpected. Thus. Concerning Jiang Chen''s seemingly underwhelming performance, they chose to reserve their judgment for the time being. At that juncture. "No, surrender is not an option!" Jiang Chen shook his head, then inquired with a demeanor of humility, "May I request the esteemed seniors to elucidate the thirteenth line of the secret art..." Upon hearing this, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning couldn''t help but break into internal smiles, silently affirming that they hadn''t misjudged Jiang Chen! Jiang Chen''s quick query might appear obtuse at first. However, in reality, the secret art contained a mere ny-three lines in total. The fact that Jiang Chen had managed to reach the thirteenth line of the secret art in such a short time was nothing short of extraordinary! Fang Yuan stood bbergasted, his disbelief etched across his face as it oscited between shades of crimson and pallor, rendering him a veritable caricature of astonishment. ''The thirteenth line!?'' ''How could this be possible!! How could he have progressed at such a pace!?'' ''He must be fibbing, he must be intentionally posing a question about the thirteenth line!!'' ''...'' Following his initial shock, a whirlwind of thoughts besieged Fang Yuan''s mind. He found it impossible to reconcile with!! And he was unshakeably convinced that Jiang Chen was fabricating the truth. Because, as the once celebrated prodigy of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, he had just navigated through the third line of the secret art! Jiang Chen iming to have reached the thirteenth line seemed preposterous in his view! At this juncture. "Jiang Chen, have you assimted the first twelve lines of the chant?" Shangguan Ning voiced the question that hung in Fang Yuan''s mind; she sought to validate it. "Indeed." "The initial twelve lines of the chant, this is my interpretation and implementation of them..." Jiang Chen nodded and gradually began to articte his understanding, every word that followed about the secret art was beyond any cavil! "Remarkable!" "Truly remarkable!" Shangguan Ning couldn''t contain her admiration, "Your martial prowess undoubtedly ranks within the top five among all prodigies I''ve ever encountered!" "Allow me to elucidate the thirteenth line of the chant for you." Nangong Wan offered in her gentle tone. On the flip side, Fang Yuan''s expression was frozen, he was virtually questioning his own existence. ''Jiang Chen has genuinely assimted the first twelve lines of the chant!'' ''How can this be possible, this cannot be real!'' ''Why am I just embarking on the fourth line, while he has already traversed twelve!!'' ''This has to be a deception!'' Fang Yuan was inwardly roaring in hysteria. He found it arduous to ept this unyielding reality. In the interim. [Ding! You''ve sessfully undermined the protagonist, Fang Yuan, in public and dampened his spirit. Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 300 points!] [Ding! You''ve gained 600 points of Viin Value!] The system prompt resonated in Jiang Chen''s mind, a smirk ying at the corner of his mouth. Subsequently, upon processing Nangong Wan''s elucidation, Jiang Chen exhibited a look of suddenprehension. However, he refrained from resuming his practice right away, instead turning his gaze towards Fang Yuan, expressing with a grin: "I appreciate your concern earlier, Junior Brother Fang Yuan." "As is customary, Junior Brother Fang Yuan must have delved deeper into the chant than I have." "Senior Nangong Wan just rified the thirteenth line of the chant. Now, I''ll articte my grasp of it. Please, Junior Brother Fang Yuan, lend your assistance in verifying its correctness." Jiang Chen, with a serious mien, orded a respectful bow to Fang Yuan beforemencing his interpretation of the thirteenth line of the chant. However, despite having fully deciphered the line, he deliberately interspersed a few inuracies in his exnation. From Fang Yuan''s perspective, listening to Jiang Chen''s elucidation of the thirteenth line, a sudden wave of anxiety washed over him, cold sweat trickling down his back. He had only managed to assimte the first four lines of the chant! How could he possibly discern the uracy of the thirteenth line? However, he had earlier disparaged Jiang Chen, scorning his martial prowess, all in a bid to emphasize his own superior skills. At present, he alone knew he had merely navigated the first four lines of the chant. Any humiliation would be suffered privately. Yet, if he conceded his ignorance of the thirteenth line... Then he would be publicly belittled in front of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, his reputation taking a severe bruising! What should he do!? Should he persist in feigningprehension even in the face of ignorance? Or should he candidly admit hisck of understanding? Time was not on his side. For a moment, Fang Yuan found himself at a crossroads, ill-prepared for the impending embarrassment. Additionally, Jiang Chen''s exceptional talent couldn''t be denied, and his interpretations were likely urate. Consequently, he instinctively opted for the former. Upon hearing Jiang Chen''s rendition, Fang Yuan offered a subtle nod, uttering, "Hmm, your interpretation seems urate." "Ahh, I see!" Jiang Chen feigned a moment of enlightenment, enthusiastically nodding in response. "Mm-hmm." Fang Yuan experienced a pang of weakness in his heart, reciprocating with a nod. Chapter 158: The Protagonist Fang Yuans Humiliation Yet at this juncture! "Halt." "Theprehension of Jiang Chen seems slightly wed." "Fang Yuan, it appears you haven''t wholly mastered this incantation..." Nangong Wan''s voice echoed in the underground space. In an instant, Fang Yuan''s heart plummeted, understanding that the situation was turning adverse! He even discerned a trace of skepticism in Nangong Wan''s tone. In that split second. "Hm?" "Have I misconstrued?" Embarrassment shed across Jiang Chen''s face, which quickly morphed into a smile as he regarded Fang Yuan, "However, it seems I wasn''t the only one to err. Junior Brother Fang Yuan duplicated my exact mistake. What an intriguing coincidence." Upon hearing these words, Fang Yuan was so taken aback he nearly spit blood! Was Jiang Chen subtly ridiculing him for feigningprehension, unable to even discern his own errors, and mindlessly agreeing? Fang Yuan abruptly came to the understanding that he had been ensnared in Jiang Chen''s cunning trap! "No, no, no." "This isn''t mere coincidence." Fang Yuan contradicted, shaking his head, "Rather, it''s more likely that those queries are exceptionally challenging and potentially misleading." As his words hung in the air, Nangong Wan, who was poised to interject, held her tongue. Among the ''errors'' Jiang Chenmitted, one of them was remarkably straightforward. It was a trap within a trap, artfully contrived by Jiang Chen! Fang Yuan''s response inadvertently confirmed that he was indeed feigning understanding! Right at that juncture. "Fang Yuan." "Cultivation demands sincerity and a pursuit of truth." Shangguan Ning''s somewhat cool voice resonated. Her demeanor was less tenderpared to Nangong Wan''s, and her words unequivocally suggested that Fang Yuan''s pretense had beenid bare. Fang Yuan was no fool. He instantaneously grasped the implication behind Shangguan Ning''s words and nearly coughed up a mouthful of stale blood. He hadn''t foreseen this. He''d deftly sidestepped Jiang Chen''s trap, yet still managed to profoundly embarrass himself. ''Cursed Jiang Chen!'' ''He must haveid this snare for me!!'' Fang Yuan''s mind erupted into frantic turmoil, yet he was powerless. He could only bottle up his fury and frustration, without an outlet to express it! [Ding! You have sessfully diminished the unpursued Heroine Nangong Wan''s impression of the protagonist. Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value is reduced by 300 points!] [Ding! You have sessfully diminished the unpursued Heroine Shangguan Ning''s impression of the protagonist. Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value is reduced by 300 points!] [Ding! You have sessfully inflicted minor damage to the protagonist''s mental state. Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value is reduced by 300 points!] [Ding! You''ve rued 1800 points of Viin Value!] A flurry of system notifications resonated. A gale ofughter erupted in Jiang Chen''s mind. Simultaneously, he assumed a shocked expression as he regarded Fang Yuan, revealing a sliver of doubt. It was as if he wasmunicating: Senior Shangguan Ning spoke in such a way, suggesting that you,d,ck a grounded attitude and were merely pretending to understand? ''Feigning, still feigning!!'' Fang Yuan''s mind thundered with hysteria, though he didn''t truly discern if Jiang Chen was genuinely acting. But he never refrained from attributing the most malicious intentions to Jiang Chen, so he actually surmised correctly. Regrettably, correct spection was futile, as he couldn''t substantiate it. At this juncture, Jiang Chen once again took the floor, stating, "Please elucidate, Senior Nangong Wan!" Enlighten, naturally, pertained to identifying the inuracies in the thirteenth mantra. "Mm-hmm." "Listen attentively, everyone." "The initial error in Jiang Chen''s interpretation is..." As Nangong Wan''s voice resounded, Jiang Chen mirrored an expression of suddenprehension. Contrarily, Fang Yuan only gleaned a fragmentary understanding. He observed Jiang Chen steadily decipher the meaning, while an escting sense of worry and disarray consumed his heart. How could one fathom a cultivation method while engulfed in trepidation? In his heightened state of anxiety, grasping the true essence of the mantra became increasingly challenging! Originally, he had schemed to outperform Jiang Chen, suppress him, andpletely reverse the situation, taking charge to rescue Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. With his current mental state, that was simply unattainable! Time inexorably slipped by. In a sh, an entire day and night had passed. At a precise moment! "I''ve finally mastered it!" Jiang Chen abruptly rose from his meditative pose, his face alight with tion as he dered his breakthrough. The reason for such an extended duration was that theplexity of theter mantras escted dramatically! During this period, even though Jiang Chen had the ability to decipher them independently, he persistently sought rifications from Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. This not only enabled Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning to gauge his cultivation progress clearly but also, to a certain extent, concealed his true capacities. As a hapless viin, exercising restraint had almost be an instinct for Jiang Chen. Moreover, throughout this day and night, Fang Yuan helplessly observed Jiang Chen alternating between posing inquiries and deciphering answers, while he himself couldn''t even formte specific questions. His self-assurance was repeatedly shattered. He was aware that Jiang Chen possessed an exceptional talent in cultivation, but he hadn''t anticipated it to be this profound. Fang Yuan couldn''t even begin topare, feeling hopelessly inadequate. In that instant when Jiang Chen dered his sessful cultivation, Fang Yuan started questioning his own life choices! ''Why?'' ''Why is his cultivation talent so superior!?'' ''No, I am the foremost prodigy of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. I am the prodigy that the three major holynd-level powers vied to enlist!'' Fang Yuan bellowed internally, but he kept his head bowed, afraid to let others perceive the torment in his eyes. Meanwhile. "Have you genuinely mastered it!?" Shangguan Ning voiced her astonishment. "Jiang Chen, elucidate it from start to finish once more, let''s see if there are any discrepancies!" Mastering it within a mere day and night, in the eyes of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, was already an unprecedented feat. "Indeed!" Jiang Chen affirmed with a nod,mencing his solemn exnation of the secret art. The deeper Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning delved into his exnation, the more their amazement swelled. Jiang Chen''s exnations were entirely urate, devoid of a single error! Next, Nangong Wan urged Jiang Chen to demonstrate it once more, and yet again, there were no glitches! Abruptly, both women regarded Jiang Chen with even deeper admiration for his talent, and an impulse to cherish his abilities bloomed in their hearts. At that instant. "I extend my gratitude for both your guidance!" "We can''t afford any further dy. I must now go and rescue Junior Sisters Ruxue and Xiaojing!" Jiang Chen rose, offered his hands in gratitude towards Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, then he turned his attention to Fang Yuan. "Junior Brother Fang Yuan, rest assured, I ammitted to rescuing Ruxue and Xiaojing and will ensure their safety." Hearing these words, a wave of difort swelled in Fang Yuan''s heart. Had he not forcefully restrained himself, he would have been quivering from head to toe! Observing Jiang Chen''s retreating figure, Fang Yuan''s heart was seething with bitterness and defiance! Simultaneously, after Jiang Chen departed from Fang Yuan''s cave mansion, a system alert abruptly echoed. [Ding! You have sessfully altered the narrative. Protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has reduced by 2000 points!] [Ding! You have rued 4000 points of Viin Value!] A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 159: Jiang Chens Return, Commencing the Treatment ''Amazing!'' ''The awaited prompt to alter the storyline has finally arrived.'' ''It has straightforwardly deducted two thousand points from Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value!'' ''In return, I''ve umted a staggering four thousand points of Viin Value. Isn''t this yield overly abundant?'' A wave of astonishment rippled through Jiang Chen''s body, his eyes flickering with an unmissable glimmer of joy. However, this turn of events was within the realm of expectation. After all, the narrative involving Fang Yuan''s rescue of Ji Ruxue was integral to his progression. Yet, in this moment, even the opportunity to intervene had been seized by Jiang Chen! Without this pivotal moment, how could he possibly fortify his bond with Ji Ruxue? Until this point, in Ji Ruxue''s perception, he barely surpassed a stranger. On the contrary, Jiang Chen had sessfully established a connection with Ji Ruxue, and was now poised to don the role of a knight rescuing the damsel in distress. Given this stark disparity in their journeys, it would be an even steeper challenge for Fang Yuan to gain Ji Ruxue''s favor! ''Perfect!'' ''Upon sessfully courting Ji Ruxue, the Heavenly Fate Value of Fang Yuan is destined to take a nosedive!'' A sly grin tugged at the corners of Jiang Chen''s mouth. Following this, he channeled his Yuan Power, disappearing without leaving behind a single trace outside Fang Yuan''s cave mansion. He did not instantly set out to find Ji Mingxiu. Instead, he prudently distanced himself by ten thousand kilometers from Ji Mingxiu''s pce cluster before revealing his presence, a visage of surprise and urgency etched on his countenance as he swiftly made his return to the Purple Heaven Holy Land! With a resounding boom! Jiang Chen morphed into a radiant streak of light, slicing through the atmosphere, leaving behind a session of vortex-like detonations and wisps of white mist. He surged ahead as though gliding through the heavens. The colossal uproar also caught the attention of numerous individuals. "Look swiftly! That''s Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen''s flight speed is breathtaking, it mirrors the velocity of someone at the Inquiring Journey realm, truly formidable!" "Why is Senior Brother Jiang Chen in such a rush, he didn''t even attempt to conceal his maneuvers." "I''m not sure, but it surely signifies some sort of urgency. Observe, the direction Senior Brother Jiang Chen is progressing towards is precisely where the Holy Lord engages in his cultivation!" "..." The crowd spectated as Jiang Chen departed, their gazes filled with awe and reverence. Simultaneously, within Ji Mingxiu''s pce cluster, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing found themselves positioned atop a massive formation tform. The formation tform possessed a potent sealing capability, capable of thwarting Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing from activating their Yuan Power. To a certain degree, this slowed the rate at which the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi continued to corrupt them. This was the only technique that the Purple Heaven Holy Land had managed to devise over the years to restrain the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, yet its effectiveness was subpar at best, only marginally superior to having no solution at all. Beside the formation tform, Ji Mingxiu and Xie Zhen, along with the four Supreme Elders at the Dao Pce realm, sat in quiet contemtion. Periodically, Mo Yu and the other three Supreme Elders would nce towards Ji Mingxiu and Xie Zhen. They all deemed these two to be incredibly audacious for cing their entirety of hope on Jiang Chen. However, as Ji Mingxiu was insistent on this approach, they were left with no alternatives. Eventually, they resigned to abandoning any attempts at persuasion, choosing instead to remain in silent support at their side. "Sigh." "Why hasn''t Jiang Chen returned yet?" "Could it be possible that thed has fled out of fear of facing potential repercussions?" A note of skepticismced the words of one of the Supreme Elders, causing the space between his eyebrows to crease. Admittedly, this was indeed a usible scenario. Perhaps being swayed by Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value, doubts regarding Jiang Chen''s intentions began to creep into Mo Yu and his group''s minds, subtly altering their initial impressions of him. However, just at this critical juncture! "Jiang Chen has returned, he''s indeed back!" "He''s rushing towards us!" Ji Mingxiu abruptly rose to his feet, his face alight with pure ecstasy, "It seems he has procured a solution from those two elders!" Having surpassed his mentors and excelling beyond them, his strength was somewhat superior to the four Supreme Elders. Consequently, he was the first to spot Jiang Chen soaring towards them. "What!?" "Little Jiang Chen has returned! This is splendid news!" "Regardless of whether he has secured an effective remedy or not, his courage to face this dire situation and willingness to shoulder the responsibility is trulyudable." "Indeed! However, in my perspective, I suspect he really has procured an effective method. Just observe his countenance, he''s practically radiating joy!" All those present, barring Xie Zhen who was still at the Dao Comprehension realm, also spotted Jiang Chen''s figure, his facial expressions clearly visible to them. Seeing Jiang Chen''s euphoric and urgent grin, they felt as if they were ensnared in a dreamlike state. With Jiang Chen appearing so jubnt, it could only mean that he had procured a cure. This technique, for countless millennia across the entire Immortal Martial Continent, despite sessive generations of formidable individuals, none had been able to devise such a solution. But now, Jiang Chen was rushing towards them with that very cure! This implied that Jiang Chen would not only be able to heal Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, but his discovery could have an extraordinarily substantial impact on the evolution of the Purple Heaven Holy Land! One must remember that Red Maple Heavenly Valley had undergone a mutation. Other locations had also witnessed changes, albeit not as catastrophic as the Red Maple Heavenly Valley. With danger lurking at every corner, it was uncertain when the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi might erupt from the mountain gate of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. By then, if they failed to counteract the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, the Purple Heaven Holy Land would inevitably find itself in a perilous situation. "Hurry, hurry!" "Commence the treatment immediately!" Ji Mingxiu''s anxiety was palpable. Xie Zhen, at his side, remained silent, yet his eyes mirrored the same restless anticipation. "I require specific materials!" Jiang Chen nodded, "The requisite materials are the Returning Profound Grass, the Connecting Heaven Flower, the Origin Gathering Vine, the Condensing Lesser Sun Azure Ginseng..." "We have all of them!" "Here is the pill furnace!" "These are the pill refining materials you requested!" Ji Mingxiu, Xie Zhen, Mo Yu, and the other three Supreme Elders each produced items in turn, and in no time at all, they had amassed all the materials that Jiang Chen needed. "I don''t require the pill furnace..." Jiang Chen promptly collected those natural treasures and swiftly moved to Ji Ruxue''s side, "First, deactivate the formation!" "Understood!" Jiang Chen''s instruction was instantly heeded by Ji Mingxiu. The very next instant, Jiang Chen ced a spiritual nt known as the ''Condensing Lesser Sun Azure Ginseng'' on Ji Ruxue''s dantian. Then, he positioned his hand on her forehead and began to execute the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets. The Dao Yuan Power coursing within Jiang Chen''s body surged intensely, progressively influencing the Yuan Power within Ji Ruxue. Rapidly! The manner and rhythm of Yuan Power cirction within both of them synchronized. Throughout this procedure, Jiang Chen''s Yuan Power was subtly diffusing into Ji Ruxue''s body, merging with her Yuan Power. Almost immediately, a peculiar suction force radiated from Ji Ruxue''s dantian, acting upon the Condensing Lesser Sun Azure Ginseng. An unusual medicinal property started to seep from the Condensing Lesser Sun Azure Ginseng. Normally, during the refining of the Condensing Lesser Sun Azure Ginseng into pills, this kind of medicinal property would be discarded as impurities. However, in this particr scenario, this distinct medicinal property was exactly what was needed. Gradually, the unusual medicinal essence of the Condensing Lesser Sun Azure Ginseng prated Ji Ruxue''s body. Jiang Chen quickly switched to the other materials, persistently maintaining the operation of the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets. However, every time he transitioned to a different material, he would modify the incantation of the secret art. By the time all the materials had been utilized once. An hour had already psed. Chapter 160: Flawless Removal of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi Instantly! Jiang Chen started to channel the ny-second incantation of the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets in a reverse sequence. In a split second, a multitude of crimson spiritual Qi points, perceptible only through the divine sense, began to seep out from every crevice of Ji Ruxue''s form. Predominantly, these sprang forth from her dantian, seeded by her meridians, organs, flesh, and bones, with the scantiest quantity originating in her brain. In no time, these crimson spiritual Qi points converged atop Ji Ruxue''s head, coalescing into a minuscule sphere the size of a grain. "Secret Art Nether Qi Extraction!" Suddenly, Jiang Chen issued a resonant, low cry, as his Dao Yuan Power surged in ordance with the ny-third incantation! Within a moment, the grain-sized crimson sphere located below Ji Ruxue''s brow was ''extracted'' out by Jiang Chen! In his left hand, Jiang Chen grasped a precious artifact, prepared well in advance, into which he drew the crimson sphere. "It''splete!" "It''s a sess!" Jiang Chen, mopping the fine sheen of sweat from his brow, burst out in an exhrated exmation. "Is... is it genuinely resolved now!?" "Will my daughter no longer be tormented by the Bottomless Abyss Spiritual Qi!?" "Jiang Chen, you''re not deceiving me, are you!?" Ji Mingxiu queried, his voice a turbulent blend of overwhelming tion and incredulity. Fear gnawed at him that he might be ensnared in a dream, and equally, he harbored a dread that Jiang Chen was merely staging aforting act for his benefit. After all, in the boundless eons of the Immortal Martial Continent, not a single soul had ever achieved a sessful remedy for the affliction known as the Bottomless Abyss Spiritual Qi erosion. Even the perennially stoic Xie Zhen betrayed a hint of tion on his typically impassive countenance. His gaze was filled with a desperate hope, pleading for Jiang Chen to deliver the same miracle to his beloved granddaughter. The quartet of Supreme Elders, including Mo Yu, widened their eyes in awe, staring at Jiang Chen with a mixture of disbelief and amazement. Their deepest desire was for Jiang Chen to have truly healed Ji Ruxue, but the notion seemed simply too extraordinary! "It truly is resolved now!" "If I were being untruthful, I would willingly offer my life as an apology!" "However, the Holy Maiden needs ample rest, so it would be best to avoid disturbing her for now." Jiang Chen dered, his voice steady and confident, meeting Xie Zhen''s expectant gaze with an assuring nod, "There''s not a moment to spare, I''ll attend to Junior Sister Xiaojing immediately!" "Good! Excellent!" Ji Mingxiu gave an instant nod of approval, "Hurry and aid Xie Xiaojing!" Immediately, under the scrutinizing gazes of all present, Jiang Chen employed the same method to expunge the Nether Demon Spiritual Qipletely from Xie Xiaojing''s body. "It''s sessful!" "Another triumph!" "Jiang Chen, you''ve genuinely aplished it!" Mo Yu couldn''t contain his excitement, eximing aloud. "I feel remorseful." "However, I am grateful that it was sessful." Jiang Chen''s expression mirrored self-reproach, "Had it failed, I would have been unforgivable, even in death..." "The trials and tribtions are not your doing!" "Ji Ruxue has long yearned to explore and indulge in merriment, I am aware that she influenced you to coax me!" "Furthermore, when faced with the anomaly in the Red Maple Heavenly Valleyter, it was you who vanquished the Inquiring Journey realm demonic beast, thereby saving this girl once before!" Ji Mingxiu was in high spirits, the more he observed Jiang Chen, the more his fondness for him grew! He immediately made a resolution in his heart. He would arrange for Ji Ruxue to be betrothed to Jiang Chen. When the appropriate time arrived, he would dere this arrangement publicly! In his view, this could not be perceived as Jiang Chen marrying above his station, after all, Jiang Chen''s aptitude was evident to all. Moreover, he was privy to the fact that Jiang Chen had affiliations and even friendships with two Void Tribtion realm powerhouses! Simply on this ount, it wouldn''t be an overstatement to say that his Ji n was elevating their status by forging this connection with Jiang Chen. In this moment. "Jiang Chen, what ought to be our next course of action?" Mo Yu gestured towards Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, lying on the formation, seeking guidance. His primary intention was to inquire if there was anything else he and the others could assist with. "The detrimental spiritual Qi has been sessfully removed." "However, their physical and spiritual selves have endured a day''s worth of erosion." "Therefore, once they naturally regain consciousness, they should consume the most refined and pure spirit-restoring and soul-nourishing pills." Jiang Chen asserted with a grave expression, "I will further monitor their conditions afterwards to ensure no residual effects persist." In actuality, both Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing were entirely recovered. The rationale for the sustained observation was, of course, a beneficial opportunity Jiang Chen had skillfully contrived for himself, allowing for prolonged interaction with Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. "Spirit-restoring and soul-nourishing pills, indeed!" "I possess a considerable quantity of top-grade ones right here. Jiang Chen, assess if they''re of use!" Without dy, Ji Mingxiu produced a substantial array of pills, all of which were top-grade pills catered to the Heavenly Origin realm. "I also have a collection here!" "Come, verify if they''re appropriate!" "..." Mo Yu, Xie Zhen, and the remaining three Supreme Elders also started to present their respective pills in quick session. "Perfect!" "These pills are precisely what we need!" Jiang Chen immediately nodded his agreement. "In that case!" "You should hold onto these pills!" "After all, you''ll need to oversee Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing''s conditions for a while longer." "You can determine when and how they should consume the medication!" As he passed the pills over to Jiang Chen, Ji Mingxiu expressed his thoughts. "Indeed, indeed!" "You''re the most knowledgeable about when they should intake which pills, so we''ll entrust it all to you!" Mo Yu and the others also began passing their pills over to Jiang Chen. "But!" "There are too many pills here, we can''t possibly utilize them all!" Jiang Chen, somewhat overwhelmed, epted the pills from Ji Mingxiu and the others with a mix of amusement and incredulity. "If there are leftovers, feel free to distribute them amongst the girls." Ji Mingxiu dismissed the concern with a wave of his hand, making a firm decision. In that moment, he transitioned from a frenzied and anxious father back into the authoritative master of the Purple Heaven Holy Land! "Yes, thank you, Master." Jiang Chen offered no further objections and gratefully epted with a joyful expression gracing his face. "What are you thanking me for? No need for such formalities." Ji Mingxiu initially intended to add ''we are all family''. However, considering Ji Ruxue was not yet privy to the matter, he refrained from mentioning it. "Ah right!" Mo Yu suddenly interjected, querying earnestly, "Jiang Chen, concerning that secret method, did those two seniors mention anything about its disclosure?" As these words resounded, everyone''s attention sharpened! This ''Nether Qi Extraction Secrets'' was the sole technique known in the Immortal Martial Continent capable of extracting the Bottomless Abyss Spiritual Qi! If they could acquire it, perhaps they could venture into the Bottomless Abyss and uncover untapped opportunities! "Well..." "The two seniors didn''t explicitly prohibit its disclosure, but they also didn''t grant explicit permission." Jiang Chen adopted a sincere expression, "I can only solicit their views the next time I encounter the two seniors." "I understand!" "Then you should strive to meet those two seniors more frequently and foster your rtionship with them!" "If there''s a necessity to present them gifts or such, feel free to approach us directly." "Even though we are merely at the Dao Pce realm and the Dao Comprehension realm, having not even ascended to the Third Step of the Cultivation Path, we still possess greater wealth than you." Upon reaching a sudden enlightenment, Ji Mingxiu nodded his head and then addressed Jiang Chen earnestly. Mo Yu and the other four also indicated their agreement with nods. Undoubtedly, they also desired to strengthen their ties with the two Void Tribtion realm seniors through Jiang Chen. "Understood!" Jiang Chen assented with a nod. He might indeed have to offer gifts to Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning in the future. As long as it''s a treasure that doesn''t risk revealing their circumstances, he could solicit it from Ji Mingxiu and the others. "Haha!" "Then next up, Jiang Chen, you should look after them!" "When these two youngdies awaken, you should guide them back to Ruxue''s quarters." Ji Mingxiu chortled, promptly entrusted Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing to Jiang Chen, and then disappeared from the locale. As the Holy Lord of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. He truly had an abundance of responsibilities. Even a brief dy of a day or two had already resulted in a considerable pile of work. "Then we will take our leave as well." "Jiang Chen, should you require any assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to us." With amiable smiles, Mo Yu and the three Supreme Elders nodded towards Jiang Chen and then also vacated the premises. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 161: Residing in Ji Ruxues Abode "Take care, Master, esteemed Supreme Elders." "Blessings upon you, Holy Lord, and our Supreme Elders." Jiang Chen and Xie Zhen directed a respectful bow towards the spots once upied by Ji Mingxiu and the Supreme Elders. Next, Xie Zhen offered Jiang Chen an approving nod, his gaze radiating an aura of gratitude and respect before he too, faded from their sight. His exit served as a silent consent to Ji Mingxiu''s decision, entrusting the two girls under Jiang Chen''s careful supervision. "Until we meet again, Elder Xie Zhen." Jiang Chen respectfully inclined his head towards the spot once filled by Xie Zhen. ''Could this be a byproduct of a certain cultivation method?'' This question arose in Jiang Chen''s mind as he observed the stark contrast between Elder Xie Zhen''s stoic demeanor and the vibrant personality of his granddaughter, Xie Xiaojing. However, he quickly dismissed the fleeting thought, his attention refocusing on the pills nestled in his hand, his face illuminating with a spark of joy. These pills were all top-grade, intended for the Heavenly Origin realm. If traded using Viin Value points, they would demand a staggering tens of thousands! Although he could not personally utilize these pills, he nned to ndestinely offer the soul-nourishing pills to Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning! Given their current condition, the soul-nourishing pills from the Heavenly Origin realm could likely bring about a positive impact. Naturally, he would only distribute his portion after allocating the pills that Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing did not require. Following this, Jiang Chen stationed himself cross-legged beside the unconscious maidens, immersing himself in silent cultivation, patiently awaiting their awakening. Time unfolded at its leisurely pace. Two hours hence. Stirring from their slumber, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing opened their eyes slowly, a touch of confusion flickering within their gaze. They soon spotted a familiar face peering over them, brimming with a warm, reassuring smile. "Have you awakened?" "The treatment proved highly effective!" Jiang Chen announced, his grin never faltering. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "Jiang Chen, our savior!" Upon seeing Jiang Chen so close, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing''s eyes sparkled with an array of emotions, their joy and gratitude clearly reflected in their shimmering gaze. Truth be told, during their infiltration by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, their minds had remained terrifyingly lucid, yet they were powerless against their own violent thoughts. All attempts tobat this intrusion yielded no effect. They had been rendered helpless, experiencing the slow decay of their bodies and spirits under the influence of that eerie power. They were fully aware that once the corrosionpleted, the resulting torment would surpass the pain of death itself. Miraculously! Thanks to Jiang Chen, they were spared such a fate! "Excellent!" "You''re entirely safe now! You can rx, as long as I''m here, no harm will befall you!" Jiang Chen nodded, his voice maturing slightly, imbued with a charming resonance. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen, we are in your debt!" Xie Xiaojing''s grateful gaze met Jiang Chen''s, her words heartfelt. "Jiang Chen, we can''t thank you enough!" Ji Ruxue too, voiced her profound appreciation. [Ding! The affection of the unpursued heroine Ji Ruxue towards you has notably amplified, reducing the protagonist''s Heavenly Fate Value by 500 points!] [Ding! You''ve acquired an additional 1,000 points of Viin Value!] ''Excellent!'' Jiang Chen listened to the system''s prompt, a thrill of excitement coursing through his heart. At this juncture, Ji Ruxue inquired with a hint of curiosity, "Jiang Chen, could you exin what happened to us?" "You were infiltrated by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi." "My realm being superior and my constitution unique, I managed to resist it." "When you were initially assailed by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, I alerted Master immediately!" "Master hastened to transport you back here, yet he, along with the Supreme Elders, were at a loss. Luckily, as if by some fortunate coincidence, I encountered two seniors..." Jiang Chen proceeded to exin the series of events in thorough detail. As Jiang Chen exined, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing listened with widened eyes, periodically expressing their astonishment. Afterprehending the full scope of the situation, their gratitude and admiration for Jiang Chen deepened, especially in regards to his ability to expel the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi. "Though you''re now safe, you should still consume some pills to expedite your recovery." "Moreover, Master instructed that once you awake, I am to escort you back." Jiang Chen smiled and addressed the two women, "For the foreseeable future, I will keep a close watch on your conditions to guard against potentialplications." "Mmm, agreed!" Neither Ji Ruxue nor Xie Xiaojing raised any objections. After all, having been afflicted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, and following the treatment, it was indeed prudent to remain under observation for some time. "Let''s get moving, then." "After we arrive, you should take your medication!" Jiang Chen nodded gently, "You''re still unsteady, allow me to guide you!" With that, Jiang Chen produced the jade flute flying artifact, entrusted to him by Ji Ruxue, and activated it. Whoosh. The jade flute expanded and hovered in mid-air. Ji Ruxue, following habit, took her seat at the front, with Xie Xiaojing settling in at the back, ensconcing Jiang Chen in the middle. Recovering from a serious ailment and feeling somewhat weak, they sat closer to Jiang Chen this time, seeking a sense of security in his presence. Jiang Chen''s smile lingered as he channelled his Yuan Power into the jade flute, transforming into a beam of light as they darted out of the Main Hall. Simultaneously. A system notification echoed. [Ding! You have sessfully altered the narrative, diminishing the protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value by 500 points!] [Ding! You''ve rued an additional 1,000 points of Viin Value!] The system alerts reverberated in his mind. Managing to alter the storyline again, Jiang Chen was momentarily taken aback. However, upon reflection, it wasn''t entirely unexpected. Thwarting Fang Yuan from intervening was a critical development, and Jiang Chen''s sessful treatment of Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing was another key event. These two circumstances didn''t contradict each other. ''I''m curious to see my current Viin Value tally!'' With this thought, Jiang Chen opened his status panel, anticipation gleaming in his eyes. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Perfect Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body (Death Cmity True Dragon) Realm: Early-stage Inquiring Journey True Battle Power: Late-stage Inquiring Journey+ Cultivation Methods: Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture (Dao Pce, main cultivation), Silent Annihtion Heavenly Sword Secrets, Crimson Jade Clear Sky Scroll, Moonstride Starshift Steps, Dao Origin Bright Flow Chart, Great Martial Eight Ghostly Steps (Inquiring Journey, perfect-level), Wind Void Steps, Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets, Seven Extremes Body Refinement, Heavenly Spring Coalescing Sea Records, Void Rainbow Sword Technique (Heavenly Origin, perfect-level)... partially omitted Main Equipment: Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf (Inquiring Journey, top-grade), Unbroken Thousand Strings Rainbow Boat (Heavenly Origin, top-grade), Shadowde Sword (Heavenly Origin, lower-grade), Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe (Heavenly Origin, lower-grade), ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle (Mysterious tform, top-grade) Viin Value: 23,600 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 15,848 points Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring, Wordless Heavenly Jade System Mall: Level 2] ''Exceeding twenty thousand, not too shabby!'' ''But the primary gain here is the weakening of Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value!'' A smirk tugged at the corners of Jiang Chen''s lips. At that moment, they reached Ji Ruxue''s abode. Given its close proximity to Ji Mingxiu''s dwelling, their journey was brief, inducing a twinge of disappointment in Jiang Chen. Subsequently, the trio made their way into Ji Ruxue''s pce. "Jiang Chen." "In theing days, Xiaojing and I will be cohabiting." "You can...you''re wee to reside in the adjacent quarters. In case of any incident, you can assist us promptly." A blush tinted Ji Ruxue''s cheeks as she addressed Jiang Chen. Inviting a man to reside in her personal space was a novel experience for her. How could she not be somewhat bashful? Yet, given the potential for unexpectedplications for both her and Xie Xiaojing, they had no other choice but to make this concession. "Understood!" "These pills were bestowed upon me by Master, Elder Xie Zhen, and the four Supreme Elders, to administer to you." "At present, the ''Great Peace Cleansing Heart Profound Pill'' is the most beneficial for your recovery, here, one each." Nodding, Jiang Chen offered the pills to the two women with a congenial smile. "Alright, understood!" Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing took the pills and proceeded onward. Jiang Chen kept close behind. Shortly thereafter, navigating through a series of pavilions and corridors, they arrived at a jade-hued three-story structure encircled by a courtyard. This was Ji Ruxue''s true domicile. ''Beginning today, I''ll be residing in Ji Ruxue''s abode!'' ''I can''t help but wonder how Fang Yuan will react once he learns of this, hehe!'' Jiang Chen''s heart brimmed with silent mirth as he apanied Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing through the formation gateway into the jade-colored edifice. Chapter 162: Xie Xiaojings Heartfelt Confession Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing guided Jiang Chen up to the third floor. In stark contrast to the floors below, this space boasted hues of pink and white throughout, creating an atmosphere bursting with youthful energy and dynamism. As Jiang Chen attentively observed, the two women each swallowed their respective pills, subsequently channeling their primary cultivation method to assimte the benefits of the pills. During this, Jiang Chen himself was far from idle, embarking on his own cultivation whilst keeping a vignt eye on the women. Remarkably, the concentration of spiritual Qi in Ji Ruxue''s quarters surpassed that in his own mansion, even as the Holy Lord''s disciple. Time swept by unnoticed. Before they knew it, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing had fully incorporated the medicinal effects of the pills. Their eyes flickered open, seeking out Jiang Chen for his evaluation. "Approach." "Allow me to assess your conditions thoroughly." Jiang Chen suggested, gradually concluding his cultivation with a mild smile gracing his features. "Absolutely!" "Thank you, Brother Jiang Chen!" Almost instantaneously, Xie Xiaojing, the self-proimed superfan, voiced her agreement. Turning to Ji Ruxue, she suggested, "You should go first, Ruxue." "It''s your turn." Ji Ruxue insisted, her cheeks faintly pink. To be candid, the idea of Jiang Chen residing in her petite building made her feel quite shy. Had it been entirely up to her, she likely would have declined. However, the presence of her dear friend Xie Xiaojing, who confidently took the lead, eased her embarrassment. "Alright, I''ll be the first then." A delighted smile stretched across Xie Xiaojing''s face as she approached Jiang Chen. In the immediate aftermath, Jiang Chen outstretched his right hand, delicately cing it on Xie Xiaojing''s wrist. His divine sense slowly permeated her being. In no time at all, he had conducted aprehensive examination of Xie Xiaojing''s physical condition. Despite being a first-time practitioner of the ''Thousand Green Pill Heart Records'', his technique was remarkably steady. At the same time, he engaged his Viin''s Eye, unveiling her information panel. [Name: Xie Xiaojing ... Intimacy: 80 (Infatuated)] ''Interesting! She seems to have hit a teau in her emotional attachment.'' ''...'' As Jiang Chen processed this information, his mind began to formte new strategies. Snapping back to the present. "There''s nothing amiss," Jiang Chen reassured Xie Xiaojing, aforting smile ying at the corners of his mouth. "You''re in prime condition." His eyes then instinctively moved towards Ji Ruxue. Responding to Jiang Chen''s non-verbal cue, Ji Ruxue gave a nod and moved to Xie Xiaojing''s side. Subsequently, Jiang Chen employed the identical method to examine Ji Ruxue, finding her to be in good health as well. Nheless... "Ruxue, your health is generally satisfactory." "Though it falls somewhat short of optimal." "It''s likely due to the excessive absorption of Nether Demon Spiritual Qi that has resulted in a bit more serious erosion. Hence, continuous recuperation is necessary." Jiang Chen expressed with an air of earnestness. "Having recently consumed a pill, it isn''t advisable to take any others for a short duration. Rest is of essence now." "Alright, I understand!" Ji Ruxue had absolute trust in Jiang Chen''s judgment. Indeed, Jiang Chen was the pioneer on the Immortal Martial Continent in mastering the technique of extracting the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi. "We should rest for the time being." "I too need to engage in some cultivation." With these words, Jiang Chen rose to his feet and vacated the women''s room, heading towards his adjacent quarters. Time moved at its own leisurely pace. For a span of ten days, Jiang Chen''s daily routine unfolded in the tranquility of Ji Ruxue''s dwelling. Every three days, he would assess the condition of the two women, alternating his time between cultivation and leisurely conversation. Since Ji Mingxiu''s disturbances had subsided, an unusual calm had descended upon them, igniting a spark of curiosity within Jiang Chen. However, the routine was disrupted this particr night. Jiang Chen''s divine sense perceived Xie Xiaojing vacating the meditation room she cohabited with Ji Ruxue. Seemingly drawn by her perplexed thoughts, she sauntered outside, finding sce on a stone bench, her gaze lost amidst the celestial grandeur of the nocturnal sky. Every so often, a yearning look was thrown towards Jiang Chen''s quarters. ''It appears the time has arrived for the final step.'' Jiang Chen contemted, a hint of a smile ying at the corners of his lips as he observed the unfolding scene. He had been in anticipation of a moment such as this. In the quiet backdrop of his strategic nning, Jiang Chen had already ryed messages to his wives residing in the Starry Abyss Sect. He updated them on the recent urrences, weaving Ji Ruxue, Xie Xiaojing, and even familiar figures like Nangong Wan and Shangguang Ning into his narrative. He was noticeably taken aback when the responses from his wives were not just of eptance, but filled with anticipation to meet and interact with their newfound sisters from distant territories. However, this development incited a stirring within Jiang Chen,pelling him to face a truth he had been sidestepping since his time in the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain. The notion of him taking multiple wives had been met with surprising ease and eptance, not just from his surrounding world, but also from the women integral to his life. Reflecting on it, Jiang Chen understood that he could have navigated this intricatework of rtionships even in the absence of the Eternal Vows Binding Ring. Sure, there were bound to be minor roadblocks along the way, but he possessed the confidence to sessfully maneuver through them. Firstly, there was Ning Xian, who had tragically lost her family at a young age. Jiang Chen had emerged as her moral support, her family, filling the void in her heart. The mere thought of losing him was enough to prompt her to adapt to any changes, including sharing her husband. The same principle applied to Mu Tao and Miao Xiaoru. For these women, Jiang Chen was a figure perched atop a pedestal, seemingly out of reach. Their lives transformed when he ascended to the Heavenly Origin realm. His eptance of their presence and rtionships had more than sufficed to cate them. Moreover, it had revealed new vistas in their Cultivation Path. However, the present scenario portrayed a starkly contrasting image. Xie Xiaojing, and particrly Ji Ruxue, were unlike the other women in his life. They came from esteemed backgrounds, tracing their lineage to the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Everflowing Truth Central Domain. Their statuses alone set them apart. In addition, they were the cherished gems of their respective families. The notion of their beloved daughters being demoted to the roles of secondary wives or concubines was a revolting concept their families would never tolerate. Even with his potential to reach the Third Step of the Cultivation Path, as a Viin, Jiang Chen wasn''t elevated enough on the societal pedestal to persuade their families to acquiesce to the unconventional arrangement he proposed. His current standing didn''t offer a smooth solution that would miraculously render thempliant. The stakes were elevated, and the associated risks even higher. He understood that by prematurely disclosing his intentions, he risked losing these women. This was a gamble he couldn''t afford, whether considered from the selfish angle of his yearning to keep the women he adored near, or from the strategic requirement to reduce the protagonist''s Heavenly Fate Value. His sole viable option now was to persevere with his n, striving to achieve his objectives first and managing the falloutter. His approach needed to be measured and unequivocal. Thus, armed with newfound resolve, Jiang Chen rose from his bed. After ensuring Ji Ruxue was still immersed in her cultivation, he silently made his way toward Xie Xiaojing, who was engrossed in her contemtions beneath the starlit sky. Suddenly. "Junior Sister Xiaojing," Jiang Chen''s voice cleaved through the night''s tranquility, stating, "I''ve noticed your nces, the ones that persist even when you believe you''re unobserved." "I, I don''t understand what you mean." A blush spread across Xie Xiaojing''s cheeks as she stammered, her eyes widening slightly. Jiang Chen edged closer, never breaking eye contact. "You''re a terrible prevaricator, Xiaojing." He gently jested, his tone low and soothing. Xie Xiaojing, ensnared by the unfolding moment, failed to register the warmth and familiarity in Jiang Chen''s address. As his words hung in the air, she felt her cheeks heat up, yet she held her ground. Her eyes met his, defiance sparkling within them despite her evident embarrassment. A silence settled between them, heavy with unuttered words and suppressed emotions. Jiang Chen waited, his gaze unwavering, a silent call for her to proceed. "Alright," Xie Xiaojing finally conceded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I''ve been thinking about you, about us... A flicker of amusement yed across Jiang Chen''s eyebrows. "Oh? And what deductions has our charming Xiaojing arrived at?" Xie Xiaojing bit her lip, her fingers nervously tracing invisible patterns over herp. Throughout, Jiang Chen''s gaze held a tender gentleness, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. Under his gaze, she felt as though she was gradually being lulled into a trance, her defenses beginning to crumble. Mustering her courage, Xie Xiaojing finally gave voice to her deepest sentiments, "I care for you, Jiang Chen. More than I should, more than I ever thought possible." Jiang Chen''s eyes mirrored the honesty of her deration, his initial amusement supnted by a tender expression. "Xiaojing," Jiang Chen responded, his voiceden with emotion, "My heart resonates with yours, answering its call." However, their mutual understanding was briefly marred by a shadow of uncertainty. "What about Ji Ruxue? The swirling rumors..." Xie Xiaojing''s voice quivered slightly as she aired her concern. Jiang Chen noticed her burgeoning joy start to wane. Swiftly, he took her hands, pulling her back from her mounting apprehensions. His voice was steady, yet tinged with a profound solemnity, "What rumors?" "Rumors... that the Holy Lord intends to betroth Ji Ruxue to you." The words tumbled from Xie Xiaojing''s lips in a hushed, hurried whisper. Jiang Chen studied her countenance, noticing the apprehension clouding her eyes. He understood that the profound sisterly bond she shared with Ji Ruxue was causing her to second-guess her feelings. He was resolved to quell her concerns. Jiang Chen gazed deeply into her eyes, asserting, "You must understand this: no one but me gets to chart my course or decide whom I choose to share my life with." A brief silence fell between them as he allowed his words to take root. "And I chose you, Xiaojing," He continued, the sincerity in his eyes unflinching, "Just as I choose who else I want in my life. Ji Ruxue, or anyone else, will be part of my journey only if I desire it, and if they reciprocate that desire. No rumor or betrothal arrangement can alter that." He watched her facial expression transition from surprise to understanding, finally settling on relief. His steadfast confidence andmanding aura seemed to assuage her lingering insecurities, and her smile slowly returned, although still tinged with hesitation. Giving her hands aforting squeeze, he reassured her once again, "No one else can determine our fate, Xiaojing. It''s our lives, our choices." Embracing hisforting words, Xie Xiaojing felt her anxieties dissipate, reced by an effervescent happiness that reflected in her twinkling amber eyes. As Xie Xiaojing acknowledged her feelings with a bright smile, the System prompts chimed in. [Ding! You have sessfully captured the heart of the Quasi-Heroine Xie Xiaojing!] [Ding! You have earned 5000 points of Viin Value!] A triumphant smirk tugged at the corner of Jiang Chen''s lips as he extended his hand into the ethereal depths of the Eternal Vows Binding Ring''s inner dimension. A nuptial ring appeared, simple yet strikingly beautiful. Elegantly inscribed on it was her name - Xie Xiaojing. Simultaneously. ''Withhold any details concerning Fang Yuan and the Sons of the Heavenly Fate.'' ''Also, severmunication with the other girls momentarily.'' As Jiang Chen presented the ring to her, he ryed his directives to the Eternal Vows Binding Ring mentally. He didn''t want Xie Xiaojing to act differently based on the information she might receive. Then. "Xiaojing." Jiang Chen initiated, his voice warm like the embrace of summer, "With this ring, I aim to intertwine our fates even further." Her wide-eyed gaze fixated on him, he tenderly slid the ring onto her finger, the intimate act solidifying their connection. However, just as he leaned in to envelop her in his arms, his divine sense picked up on Ji Ruxue exiting the meditation chamber, presumably in search of Xiaojing. "Ji Ruxue ising." "Let''s keep this a secret for now, I''ll guide you on our next course of actionter." Jiang Chen murmured against Xie Xiaojing''s forehead before nting a soft kiss there. In a swift motion, he disappeared, leaving behind a stunned yet pleasantly surprised Xie Xiaojing. Her fingers brushed against the ring on her finger, then traced the spot where Jiang Chen''s lips had just been, a giddy smile broadening across her face. She was entranced, the dreamlike haze only shattered by Ji Ruxue''s distant voice calling out her name. In the meantime, Jiang Chen was already back in his quarters, his eyes gleaming with a sense of aplishment. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 163: The Commencement of the Holy Sons Contest In the blink of an eye, a full twenty days had transpired. Seated on his bed, Jiang Chen had just concluded his rigorous cultivation regimen. Immediately thereafter, he turned his introspective gaze inward, examining his Dao Core. After nearly a month of intense cultivation, his cultivation base had indeed experienced notable enhancement. Though he hadn''t managed to ascend to a higher realm, he had edged one step closer to achieving the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm. His battle prowess, too, had seen a modest enhancement. Both his resilience and offensive capacity had shown measurable improvement, yet his status panel obstinately remained at ''Late-stage Inquiring Journey+''. This reflected the sheer difficulty of elevating one''s genuinebat prowess to the Dao Comprehension realm! Subsequently, Jiang Chen once again retrieved the transmission jade token. Stored within were messages from hiswork of informants, such as Rong Liangcai. Throughout this time, they had maintained surveince on Fang Yuan''s cave mansion, yet they had not observed Fang Yuan exiting the premises. Only members of the Fang n were asionally seen visiting Fang Yuan, likely delivering essential cultivation resources. Thus, it was clear that Fang Yuan had been wholly engrossed in intense cultivation. ''Last time I encountered Fang Yuan, he had already recovered to the Late-stage Mysterious tform realm.'' ''By now, he must have advanced to the Heavenly Origin realm, and there''s even the possibility that he''s progressed to the Middle or Late-stage.'' ''After all, having Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning by his side makes the attainment of the Heavenly Origin realm as elementary for him as achieving the Physical Body realm is for me!'' ''Nheless, I reckon Fang Yuan''s true strength should lie somewhere between the Early and Middle stages of the Inquiring Journey realm at most. Even if he somehow ascends to the Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm, I have the capacity to best him.'' As Jiang Chen deliberated, he concluded, ''There''s no way this guy''sbat prowess has ascended to the Dao Comprehension realm, given that he was only at the Mysterious tform realm a scant two months ago!'' With his current ''Late-Stage Inquiring Journey+''bat power, he felt confident that oveing Fang Yuan was within his grasp. At that very moment. "Jiang Chen, the early morning is already upon us." The voice of Ji Ruxue resonated from beyond the door, "Only half an hour remains before the contest for the Holy Son''s positionmences." Indeed, today was the long-awaited day of thepetition for the Holy Son''s position! Over a hundred young elite disciples from the Purple Heaven Holy Land would vie for the coveted position of the Holy Son! "I understand." Jiang Chen responded with a slight smile, then slipped from his bed and opened the door. Waiting for him outside was Ji Ruxue, bathed in the day''s initial sunlight. Her silver hair caught the morning light, resulting in a mesmerizing shimmer. Adorned in an icy silk dress that entuated her figure, her captivating beauty was indisputable. She stood there as though she was the moon''s earthly incarnation, exuding an air of royal elegance. Upon spotting Jiang Chen, Ji Ruxue''s face broke into a warm, endearing smile. "Good morning, Jiang Chen." She extended her greeting, her eyes meeting his. "Morning, Ji Ruxue." Jiang Chen reciprocated the greeting, his lips curling into a warm smile of his own. ounting for their time in the Red Maple Heavenly Valley, Jiang Chen and Ji Ruxue had shared each other''spany for close to two months now! Living and cultivating side by side, the bond that had formed between them had only deepened and strengthened with each passing day. Moreover, Jiang Chen''s continuous care and guidance, which had facilitated herplete recovery from the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi erosion, made Ji Ruxue increasingly aware of her growing affection for him. However, Jiang Chen''s contentment was far fromplete, primarily due to Xie Xiaojing. After expressing their mutual feelings on that particr night, she had astounded him by suddenly dering her intention to enter seclusion in order to attempt a breakthrough to the Middle-stage Heavenly Origin realm. The news had arrived with the dawn, ryed by Ji Ruxue, apanied by a request for Xie Xiaojing''s remaining recovery pills. Deep down, Jiang Chen understood the genuine reason behind her actions. Following some introspective reflection, Xie Xiaojing must have discerned his ambiguous remarks regarding Ji Ruxue. Consequently, with emotions in turmoil - upset at being deceived, yet yearning for the man she had opened her heart to - she had chosen seclusion, partly as an expression of her discontent and partly to provide him and Ji Ruxue an opportunity to grow closer. Her absence, however, had presented a stumbling block in his strategic n to fully win over Ji Ruxue''s heart using the Intimacy-boosting wave. Despite hisprehension of Xie Xiaojing''s intentions, Jiang Chen couldn''t help but experience a trace of vexation. Nheless, he had no choice but to acquiesce and await another favorable opportunity. As Jiang Chen was immersed in these thoughts, a familiar voice punctured the silence. "Sister Ruxue, were you intending to depart without me?" Emerging from her meditation chamber, Xie Xiaojing''s voice carried a yful undertone. Her eyes locked onto Jiang Chen''s, sparkling with a re that was endearingly defiant. In reply, Jiang Chen could only muster an amused smile. Standing before him was Xie Xiaojing, her chestnut hair neatly bound, adorned in a vibrant crimson cheongsam that mirrored her fiery spirit. Her radiant beauty was a striking contrast to Ji Ruxue''s cool elegance. As both women stood in front of him, Jiang Chen felt the words slip out effortlessly, "You both look exceptionally beautiful today." This spontaneouspliment elicited a blush on both their faces. Almost in tandem, a system prompt rang out. [Ding! You have sessfully increased the Unpursued heroine Ji Ruxue''s fondness for you. The protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 300 points!] [Ding! You''ve gained 600 points of Viin Value!] A surge of delight washed over Jiang Chen. After all his diligent efforts, and coupled with Xie Xiaojing''s opportune arrival, he could discern through his Viin''s Eye that Ji Ruxue''s Intimacy level had finally ascended to 71 points, progressing to the Infatuated stage. Immediately following this. Whoosh. Jiang Chen concentrated his focus and summoned the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf. In a sh, it expanded, taking on the shape of an elegant, aerodynamic flying artifact, suspended in mid-air. Having positioned himself on the artifact, Jiang Chen turned towards Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, inviting, "Get on, I''ll transport us all over!" "Okay!" Without hesitation, Xie Xiaojing grasped Ji Ruxue''s hand and leaped onto the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf. "I didn''t expect Father to actually entrust you with the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf!" Expressed Ji Ruxue, her voiceced with surprise, "This used to be his favorite flying artifact. He was still operating it when he ascended to the Dao Comprehension realm." "Haha, my master is indeed very generous towards me." Jiang Chen responded with a sense of gratitude. Subsequently, Jiang Chen channeled his Yuan Power, and the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf morphed into a beam of light, soaring towards the Holy Land Square. Nestled within the triangle formed by the three great mountains, the Holy Land Square was already bustling with numerous disciples of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. The square was brimming with people, and the atmosphere was electric! The gathering this time far exceeded the attendance of thest grand sect assembly, numbering in the hundreds of thousands! The importance of the battle for the Holy Son''s position was unparalleled. It was a grand spectacle that every sect member was obligated to partake in, even the handyman disciples were fortunate enough toe and observe! At this moment, numerous streaks of light shot across the sky. Outer sect disciples and handymen lifted their gaze, their faces painted with longing and envy. Suddenly, a streak of purple light zipped in from afar. As it passed, other lights dutifully cleared a path, carving a broad way out of deference. "Who is that eminent figure?" An outer sect disciple inquired in astonishment, "All flying artifacts are yielding to him. Could it be the Holy Lord!?" "Haha!" A nearby spectator responded with reverence, "That''s our future Holy Lord, the present disciple of the Holy Lord, Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "Eh!" "Look, there are two stunning youngdies on Senior Brother Jiang Chen''s flying artifact! One of them must be the Holy Maiden!" A wave of gasps suddenly erupted from the distant crowd. Following this reaction, it triggered a chain effect, with incessant exmations echoing from the densely packed Holy Land Square! "It truly is the Holy Maiden Ji Ruxue!" "I didn''t anticipate that Senior Brother Jiang Chen would share his flying artifact with the Holy Maiden!" "It seems, Senior Brother Jiang Chen and Holy Maiden Ji Ruxue are the genuine pair, the so-called Fang Yuan from the rumors is entirely unworthy of the Holy Maiden!" "Right, I concur, within our Purple Heaven Holy Land, the only one deserving of Ji Ruxue is Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "There''s no suspense in this battle for the Holy Son''s position. Senior Brother Jiang Chen will undoubtedly secure the position of Holy Son, bing a perfect match with the Holy Maiden!" "..." One exmation followed another, and the eyes of countless disciples gazing upwards at Jiang Chen and Ji Ruxue were full of ord. Simultaneously. "Damn it!!" "That insolent Jiang Chen, he dares to share the same flying artifact with Ji Ruxue!" From a shadowy corner afar, Fang Yuan stood, outwardly calm, but inside his chest, a storm of anger was brewing! To him, Xie Xiaojing, who was also present, might as well have vanished into thin air. The moment his gaze fell upon her, any fleeting thoughts of her dissipated. Instead, she stirred within him simr emotions to those evoked by Jiang Chen, and none of them were pleasant. "Fang Yuan." "It seems you harbor deep feelings for that Ji Ruxue, hehe, the impetuosity of youth, isn''t it?" Shangguan Ning''s voice echoed, brimming with yful banter. Fang Yuan was already seething. Shangguan Ning''s jest only added salt to his wounds. Yet Fang Yuan remained silent, knowing well that Shangguan Ning was his most prominent ally. ''Jiang Chen!'' ''I shall triumph over you!'' ''I won''t relinquish Ji Ruxue to you!'' Fang Yuan''s fists tightened, his nails threatening to puncture his own flesh. However, he promptly rxed his fist, brimming with confidence in his ability to tackle Jiang Chen! His relentless training over the past two months had not merely returned him to his prime but had enabled him to ascend through two major realms, thus arriving at the Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm! Indeed, his swift advancement was not solely attributed to Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Despite exerting his utmost effort for a continuous two years without any visible progress, Fang Yuan never wavered in hismitment. The two years of intensive cultivation, while it did not elevate his cultivation base, it solidified the foundations of his Heavenly Origin realm immensely! Guided by both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, in conjunction with the cultivation resources dispatched from his n, he aplished the breakthrough to the Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm in such a short duration. Beyond the cultivation base, hispetence in cultivation techniques and secret arts was far from weak. The cultivation method he practiced epassed his n''s ancestral secret art, a Dao Comprehension realm martial skill, known as the ''Fierce God Seven Killings Spear''! While he had only mastered the initial three moves of the Heavenly Origin realm and one move of the Inquiring Journey realm, this mastery sufficed for him to assert his dominance in the Heavenly Origin realm! Chapter 164: Awaiting You in the Finals In the interim, Jiang Chenmandeered the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf, escorting Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing to their private area. As a disciple of the Holy Lord, he was, of course, not going to mingle with the ordinary disciples. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen! Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "Holy Maiden Ji Ruxue! Holy Maiden Ji Ruxue!" "..." Upon Jiang Chen''s touchdown, a thunderous ovation, akin to a roaring tsunami, ensued. ''Tsk!'' ''Adhering to the ''original plot'' under the sway of the Heavenly Fate Value, the greater the acim I receive now, the harsher the downfall I will face upon defeat!'' ''At that point, all would be stepping stones for the protagonist, Fang Yuan.'' ''Fortunately, I possess the capability to alter my destiny!'' A subtle smile danced on Jiang Chen''s lips. Promptly, he unfurled his divine sense and spotted Fang Yuan, standing in solitude at a corner. It wasn''t that Fang Yuan waspletely withoutpany, merely a few disciples from the Fang n in the Holy Land loitered nearby. ''Viin''s Eye!!'' [Name: Fang Yuan Realm: Late-stage Heavenly Origin Status: Protagonist Heavenly Fate Value: 7986/7986] ''Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm, is it?'' ''Impressive speed of progress indeed, but it still falls considerably short of the upper limit I can tackle!'' ''With his current cultivation base realm, it would be a generous estimate to say he could manifest thebat power of the Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm.'' ''Hmm, the Heavenly Fate Value is already just shy of eight thousand!'' ''I didn''t anticipate that during this period, unbeknownst to me, Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has dipped by nine thousand two hundred points!'' A faint smirk surfaced on Jiang Chen''s face, ''If I further deplete his Heavenly Fate Value by another six thousand four hundred points, I could eliminate him directly!'' Although his days seemed consumed by cultivation or dalliances with women, his ultimate goal remained to vanquish Fang Yuan and secure his own survival. Could one really me him, considering Fang Yuan was a protagonist of the ''living off women'' variety? Depriving him of his women was akin to robbing him of his opportunities! Next, Jiang Chen turned his gaze to the panels of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. [Name: Nangong Wan Realm: Early-stage Spiritual Awakening (Late-stage Void Tribtion) Status: Heroine (unpursued) Fate Value: 16368] The subsequent panel disyed: [Name: Shangguan Ning Fate Value: 15996] ''They ascended an entire realm!?'' ''Nheless, they remain in a soul remnant state and can''t offer substantial assistance to Fang Yuan inbat.'' Jiang Chen mentally nodded in acknowledgement. At that moment, many around him approached to offer their greetings to Jiang Chen, attempting to curry favor. Jiang Chen bore no opposition to this. As the Viin, he needed to foster a greaterwork of friends while keeping enemies to a minimum to improve his odds of survival. Though the impact of such actions wasn''t profound, it wasn''t insignificant either. Simply considering individuals like Rong Liancai made it evident that they held utility. When Fang Yuan hadpletely lost his stature, these acquaintances and underlings could potentially be the straw that broke the camel''s back! Time gradually psed. Soon, a vast expanse of majestic light streaked from a nearby location, alighting on the tform before the Holy Land Grand Hall. The luminescence heralded the arrival of Ji Mingxiu, Mo Yu, and others. "Greetings, Holy Lord!" "Greetings, Supreme Elders and all the Elders!" All the disciples bowed in deference to Ji Mingxiu andpany. Jiang Chen was no exception, demonstrating even more meticulous etiquette. Fang Yuan, on the other hand, casually performed the courtesy. After all, he was an unparalleled prodigy with two Late-stage Void Tribtion realm powerhouses as his allies. The Dao Pce realm was but a transitory phase in his future trajectory. "All of you, please rise." "The contest for the position of the Holy Son is a time-honored tradition that the Purple Heaven Holy Land has perpetuated for innumerable years." "This institution holds immense significance in perpetuating and fortifying the Purple Heaven Holy Land!" "Today, here in the Purple Heaven Holy Land, we are reconvening the contest for the Holy Son''s position. The victor will ascend as this generation''s Holy Son and will be nurtured to be the future Holy Lord!" Ji Mingxiu articted a few sinct phrases, then signaled to an Elder adjacent to him. "Now, let''smence the draw!" "All participating disciples, please select your opponents!" Post the Elder''s announcement, he gestured and dispersed arge quantity of luminescent orbs, imperceptible to divine sense, amounting to over a hundred. The orbs corresponded precisely to all the participating disciples. "Draw!" Jiang Chen extended his hand, arbitrarily choosing one among the levitating orbs, and drew it into his possession. Witnessing this, the rest of the participating disciples followed suit and selected their light orbs. Fang Yuan too stepped forward, iming an orb for himself. "Look, it''s Fang Yuan!" "He regained his normal cultivation ability two months ago; I wonder how much he has recovered since then." "Senior Brother Jiang Chen opined he could secure amendable rank, he must have made considerable progress!" "Indeed, Fang Yuan has been extremely diligent these past two years, it''s probable that his cultivation made immediate strides once it was restored." One by one, disciples watched Fang Yuan, their murmurs punctuating the air. Owing to Jiang Chen''s machinations, Fang Yuan''s narrative from the grand sect assembly had disseminated throughout the entire Purple Heaven Holy Land. Even the handymen were acquainted with some elements of it. Most disciples in the sect chose to believe Jiang Chen''s words. After all, during the grand sect assembly, Jiang Chen had exhibited an extraordinarily keen perception, even discerning what Ji Mingxiu could not! Listening to the chatter of the cultivators around him, a slight furrow appeared on Fang Yuan''s brow. He had not abandoned the notion of making a significant impression and thus concealed his aura. Surprisingly, under the influence of Jiang Chen, most individuals were already anticipating him to perform remarkably. ''Hmph!'' ''You may expect me to excel, but you surely don''t foresee that I will pave my way to Jiang Chen and ovee him!!'' Fang Yuan mentally scoffed, his eyes brimming with determination and confidence. In that instant. "Now we will disclose the match-ups!" The Elder gestured with a hand seal, and the light orbs held by Jiang Chen and the others extinguished instantly, transforming into ques. Numbers were etched onto these ques. Following the Elder''s announcement of the rules, they could ascertain their opponents based on the numbers! All at once, the atmosphere on site became mildly tense. Many participating disciples were nervous, palms slick with sweat, for fear of encountering a seeded contestant in their first battle and losing outright. "Now, let''s dere the rules and the list of participants!" The Elder proimed the regtions loudly and also read out the names one by one. "Jiang Chen, versus Tai Yuanqing!" "Ben Shu, versus Wei Si!" As the list was dered one by one, the participating disciples reacted with a mix of jubtion and apprehension. Tai Yuanqing''splexion instantly drained of color, followed by a wry smile. His strength was actually quitemendable, having attained the Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm, but he hadn''t anticipated facing Jiang Chen in the first round! However, in the interest of fairness, the defeated disciples would continue to draw lots to determine their ranking. At this moment, the Elder dered thest name on the list: "Fang Yuan, a bye round!" Simultaneously. "Wow! A bye round?!" "Fang Yuan is granted a bye round?!" "Impossible...impossible...what fortune is this! He indeed received a bye round!" "Incredible, what an advantaged individual, clinching a match victory without needing to engage inbat." "Ha, depending on serendipity for a bye round, where does the skill lie in that!" "Precisely..." All the cultivators were struck dumb upon learning of Fang Yuan''s bye round. If someone else were awarded a bye round, they would simply marvel at their fortuitousness. However, Fang Yuan was an exception, his bye round inciting a greater degree of attention and sparking debate. Even though Jiang Chen had openly expressed his favor towards Fang Yuan previously, followed by Rong Liangcai and others acting covertly, resulting in a shift in perspective from many who had initially stood against Fang Yuan. Yet, there persisted a handful of thoughtless critics who continued to oppose Fang Yuan, consequently bing the subject of Fang Yuan''s retaliatory maneuvers. ''Oh no!'' ''We cannot allow Fang Yuan to unt his triumph and ridicule those who scorned him. If he is to emerge victorious, it should be an inconspicuous victory.'' This was the train of thought rumbling in Jiang Chen''s mind before he suddenly erupted inughter: "Hahaha." His sway was indeed exceptional at this point. With thatughter, not just disciples of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, but even figures like Ji Mingxiu turned their attention towards him. As expected, Fang Yuan''s focus alsonded on Jiang Chen. He was unsure about Jiang Chen''s uing promation, but a sense of foreboding creeped in. A wave of internal revulsion swept through him. At that very moment. "I wouldn''t have guessed you''d receive a bye round, Fang Yuan." Jiang Chen said with a smile, "Your luck is truly terrible, after all, you''ve just lost a legitimate victory!" At this assertion, the faces of those who had been discreetly deriding Fang Yuan transformed instantly! Unquestionably, receiving a bye round was a stroke of good luck. But in Jiang Chen''s deration, Fang Yuan had be the unlucky one! He even insinuated that Fang Yuan had bypassed a surefire victory, exhibiting his confidence in Fang Yuan''s potential to string together a series of wins! With Jiang Chen''s words, those who were silently mocking Fang Yuan dared not voice their ridicule any longer. Moreover, it was as if Jiang Chen had preemptively shamed, on Fang Yuan''s behalf, those whom Fang Yuan was set to disgrace. If Fang Yuan disyed impressive performanceter, he would no longer be able to dishonor those who underestimated him. In light of this, Fang Yuan felt a strange sensation brewing in his heart, either way, he was diforted. Yet, he still had to maintain a decorous exterior. After all, the entire Holy Land''s gaze was affixed upon him! "Senior Brother Jiang Chen, your generosity is unparalleled!" Fang Yuan lightly sped his hands together and managed to paint a smile on his face. "And what is this about unparalleled generosity?" Jiang Chen roared withughter before adding, "I''ll eagerly await your presence in the finals!" As soon as these words were uttered, everyone present was taken aback! In the crowded Holy Land Square, there ensued an unprecedented hush, so silent you could hear the faintest whisper! They had anticipated that Fang Yuan would secure amendable ranking. However, Jiang Chen''s assertion that Fang Yuan could advance to the finals was simply beyond belief! "Surely you all don''t doubt my words!" Jiang Chen swept his gaze over the entire assembly, a subtle smile dancing on his lips, "If I im Fang Yuan can ascend to the finals, then he is certainly destined for the finals!" His voice reverberated with unwavering certainty, strong and clear. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 165: The Battle Officially Begins "What?!" Fang Yuan found himself unexpectedly disconcerted. He had initially believed that while everyone acknowledged his potential to secure a high rank, they remained oblivious to his prospects of reaching the finals. In this way, he could still astonish everyone with his ultimate performance. But now, Jiang Chen had openly revealed his anticipated results! Naturally, the crowd was taken aback by this sudden announcement. However, for most, their shock stemmed from Jiang Chen''s bold assertion; in their eyes, Fang Yuan merely served as a vehicle for Jiang Chen tomand attention and elevate his prestige. Nheless, Fang Yuan was in no ce to lodge any objections. After all, Jiang Chen''s motives were honorable! Amidst the prevailing doubt and dismissal, Jiang Chen had offered him both validation and motivation! "Hmph!" "Jiang Chen!" "You foresaw my favorable ranking, and now you predict my arrival at the finals." "But I wager you could never envision my victory over you, my ascendancy to the Holy Son position, my acquisition of the Holy Lord''s favor, and my intimate bond with Ji Ruxue!" "When that momentes, I yearn to witness the shock on everyone''s faces!" "..." Fang Yuan''s fists tightened covertly, his teeth grinding in silent determination as he dered his resolution. At this moment, Supreme Elder Mo Yu, taken aback to his very core, hesitated for a brief moment before intending to question Jiang Chen about the basis of his audacious forecast. However, Jiang Chen had been continuously scrutinizing the reactions of the surrounding spectators. Just as Mo Yu prepared to voice his query. "Esteemed elders, dear fellow disciples!" "I am aware of your skepticism towards my promation." Jiang Chen let out anotherugh, "But worry not, for words may be misleading, but witnessing lends truth. Observe the unfolding events and you shall understand." Upon hearing these words, everyone exchanged knowing nces. But, collectively, they chose to momentarily suppress their doubts. After all, Jiang Chen was widely acknowledged as the future Holy Son. Even the Holy Lord and the Supreme Elders would need to maintain their respect towards him. Consequently. "Very well!" "Jiang Chen, we shall wait and observe the veracity of your im." Ji Mingxiu offered a subtle smile, then dered, "Now, the contest for the Holy Son officiallymences!" Upon his promation, a group of Elders designated for officiating thepetition stepped forward. Simultaneously, several formation masters activated the myriad formations present on the Holy Land Square. Instantaneously, luminous trails of light delineated numerous floating tforms in the firmament! Each of these tforms was considerably vast. The diameter of a single tform spanned a staggering three thousand meters. Yet the expanse of the Holy Land Square was so vast that it could effortlessly amodate over sixty such tforms. Moreover, these tforms boasted built-in protective mechanisms. They were unaffected by external influences and could absorb any residual energy from the battles transpiring within. Shortly, all the formation tforms were fully operational, totalling sixty-three! "All disciples, please select your artifacts and ascend the tform ording to your number tes!" An Elder instructed, "Be aware that you are prohibited from utilizing your personal artifacts, talismans, pills, formations, and other external items." Whoosh! One after another, the cultivators sprang into action, ascending into the heavens, each selecting an artifact from another Elder thatplemented their unique skills. Unsurprisingly, Jiang Chen selected a long sword. The grade and quality of these artifacts were consistent across the board, each ranking at the upper-grade in the Heavenly Origin realm. However, these artifactscked any extraordinary abilities and could essentially be regarded as nk artifacts. Their purpose was to maintain fairness during thebat. Having received their artifacts, everyone promptly descended onto their respective tforms. Jiang Chen, too, made his way to the thirty-sixth tform. Almost immediately, a sh of light soared upward and transformed into a young cultivator at the boundary of the tform. It was Jiang Chen''s first round adversary, Tai Yuanqing. "I am Tai Yuanqing, and I extend my respects to Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" Tai Yuanqing offered a bow with cupped hands towards Jiang Chen, wearing a wry smile, "I hope Senior Brother will exhibit leniency." "Rest assured." "I will give my best." Jiang Chen, in response, shook his head and grinned, "To hold back would be to dishonor you." "Junior Brother acknowledges!" Tai Yuanqing''s forced smile flickered for a moment, then morphed into a resolute expression, his respect for Jiang Chen amplifying even further. Simultaneously, the remaining cultivators too prepared themselves for the impending battles. Fang Yuan stood beneath the tform, his gaze fixed on Jiang Chen in the arena, a chilly glint flickering in his eyes. At that moment, countdown figures, created by formations, began to appear on the tforms, starting from nine and decreasing steadily. As the numbers diminished further, hundreds of thousands of cultivators assembled in the Holy Land Square held their breaths, their eyes wide and fixed on the tforms they were most concerned about. Unsurprisingly, Jiang Chen''s tform drew the most scrutiny. The majority of the Holy Land''s poption had their attention trained on him. Just then, the countdown concluded! "Void Rainbow Sword Technique - Returning to One!" Jiang Chen gently gripped the long sword in his right hand, and in an instant, he unleashed an awe-inspiring surge of sword Qi! Boom! Immediately, an aura surpassing that of the Heavenly Origin realm enveloped the entire tform! ''Could this be... the might of the Inquiring Journey realm!?'' ''Senior Brother Jiang Chen has already elevated hisbat prowess to the level of the Inquiring Journey realm, while still within the Heavenly Origin realm! He is truly deserving of his status as the Holy Lord''s disciple, the unrivaled prodigy of the Holy Land!'' A whirlwind of thoughts raged in Tai Yuanqing''s mind. However, as a prodigy of the Holy Land, and buoyed by the encouragement from Jiang Chen, Tai Yuanqing was prepared for battle. The moment Jiang Chen released his sword Qi, Tai Yuanqing didn''t hesitate in the slightest, and swiftly unleashed all his trump cards! Layers of defensive light shields erupted from his body, immediately umting to dozens ofyers, each possessing the defensive strength of the Heavenly Origin realm! Not only that, an intangible and colorless assault burst forth from between Tai Yuanqing''s eyebrows, instantly advancing towards Jiang Chen''s visage. This was his most formidable trump card, a soul attack! At this juncture, Tai Yuanqing had marshalled the most potentbat power he had ever exhibited in his lifetime! Regrettably, the chasm separating him and Jiang Chen was simply too vast. Tai Yuanqing''s defensive light shield, confronted with Jiang Chen''s sword Qi, resembled a balloon pricked by a sharp knife, instantly bursting. Furthermore, his soul attack proved ineffectual against Jiang Chen. After all, Jiang Chen possessed a soul at the Inquiring Journey realm, and had honed his skills through the ''Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets''. To Jiang Chen, Tai Yuanqing''s soul attack was akin to a gentle zephyr caressing his face. In the following instant, the formation constituting the tform suddenly emitted a potent force, establishing a robust defense around Tai Yuanqing. This was the tform''s protective mechanism. It would activate when a disciple was subjected to a lethal assault, ensuring that none would perish. And the activation of this mechanism also signaled the end of the battle. At this juncture, Jiang Chen''s sword Qi violently collided with the formation defense, eliciting an explosive energy ripple. Tai Yuanqing, behind the formation, stiffened, his entire body taut to the extreme, before gradually rxing! "So, did you gain any insights?" Jiang Chen turned to Tai Yuanqing, a faint smile gracing his features. "Indeed!" "Thank you for your guidance, senior brother!!" Tai Yuanqing expressed his gratitude towards Jiang Chen with a bow. From Jiang Chen''s assault, he deeply perceived an even more formidable power. This direct experience enabled him to grasp his current standing and future aspirations more lucidly. This was immensely beneficial for Tai Yuanqing''s cultivation. "There''s no need for thanks." Jiang Chen offered a gentle smile and waved his hand dismissively, "I hope you can triumph in all your forting battles." "Junior Brother will surely give his all!" Tai Yuanqing saluted earnestly, his visage filled with resolve. Shortly thereafter, both Jiang Chen and Tai Yuanqing descended from the tform. "Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen is so formidable! I am well aware of Senior Brother Tai''s strength, but he couldn''t even parry a single move from Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen, you are indeed our destined Holy Son!" Witnessing Jiang Chen conclude the battle and depart the tform, innumerable disciples instantly erupted into enthusiastic cheers. Chapter 166: Second Round, Fang Yuans Turn Under thepelling force of Jiang Chen''s charismatic presence, tens of thousands of female disciples found themselves utterly spellbound, their cheeks blooming with an admixture of infatuation and awe. A handful were so overwhelmed by the sheer force of his appeal that they swooned, leaving Jiang Chen momentarily stunned. ''Has my allure truly reached such an extent?'' With a bemused lift of his eyebrows, he utilized his divine sense to scrutinize himself, acknowledging an undeniable enhancement in his physical maism. Jiang Chen had always been strikingly attractive - a distinguished Viin blessed with intense, dynamic eyes, an impably chiseled visage, and a faultlessplexion, adorned with hair as dark as the deepest night. Nevertheless, the metamorphosis induced by the Burning World Red Lotus, the advancement of his cultivation base, and the application of diverse cultivation methods had served to amplify his physical allure and personal charisma. The enhancements were unmissable - his facial features were more precisely defined, his skin radiated with a vibrant glow, and his eyes sparkled with intensified brilliance, mirroring a fusion of wisdom and captivating charm. Amid the plethora of changes, the transformation instigated by the Burning World Red Lotus bore the most substantial effect, elevating his charm to an unparalleled degree. ''No wonder Xie Xiaojing was immediately beguiled!'' A subtle, enlightened smile graced the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth at this revtion. Without skipping a beat, he raised his hand, acknowledging the zealous disciples. The straightforward gesture sparked an even more passionate torrent of cheers and excited shrieks from the enthralled onlookers. ''Damn it!'' ''All the spotlight has been stolen by Jiang Chen!'' Fang Yuan scoffed, ''Revel in your moment, the greater your joy now, the deeper will be your despair when you stumble!'' He had personally endured the excruciating plummet from paradise to purgatory. This exact agony, Fang Yuan desired Jiang Chen to experience as well! Moreover, he aspired to leave Jiang Chen not just defeated, but shattered, perpetually crushed beneath his dominance! Meanwhile, on Jiang Chen''s side, after engaging with a cluster of admirers, he settled down to await the next lottery draw while observing the duels unfolding on the other tforms. The contenders in this race for the Holy Son''s title were all the pinnacle disciples of the Purple Heaven Holy Land''s current generation. Differences existed among them, but the gap was rtively insignificant. Instances like Jiang Chen, who could settle thebat in a single move, were exceedingly rare. The majority had to spar through several rounds before a victor could be ascertained. Even on some tforms, two disciples were so closely matched that the oue was hanging in the bnce, making for a thrilling spectacle that strongly captivated the audience. On every tform, one could witness prodigious disciples pushing their limits, ceaselessly showcasing a multitude of spell types. Those blessed with substantial Fate Value were likely to be Fang Yuan''s future acolytes. For these individuals, Jiang Chen would, of course, strive wholeheartedly to win their allegiance! Time gradually unfurled. Swiftly, he evaluated all the supporting characters and categorized them. Simultaneously, the first round of the stage duels had concluded in its entirety. After all, these were confrontations at the Heavenly Origin realm, and every maneuver executed by the cultivators was strikingly rapid! Even those entwined in a deadlock wouldn''t linger for an extended period. "Now, let usmence the lottery for the second round!" The Elder overseeing the draw gestured, dispersing dozens of luminous orbs. These orbs were intended for the victors to draw lots. As for the defeated ones, their rankingpetition proceeded in the form of challenge matches. Any disciple discontented with their rank could challenge those holding higher ranks, and they were orded three opportunities. This time, in the winner''s draw, Jiang Chen also participated. In no time, everyone hadpleted their lot drawing. "Now I will reveal the lineup!" "Wu Xingwen, versus Jiang Chen." "..." "Shi Junying, versus Fang Yuan!" The elder concluded the roster announcement. Immediately, the entire venue was awash with a surge of animated discussions. A majority of the discourse centered around Fang Yuan. "Fang Yuan is finally stepping into the fray." "Senior Brother Jiang Chen mentioned his extraordinary strength, I wonder to what degree!" "Regardless, he''s incredibly powerful, Shi Junying doesn''t stand a chance." "True, I''ve witnessed their previous duel, Shi Junying was defeated." One disciple after another engaged in conversation. They all trusted in their Senior Brother Jiang Chen''s assessment, thus they were psychologically ready for Fang Yuan''s anticipated victory. Subsequently, the battlemenced! Jiang Chen orded Wu Xingwen the same respect as he had shown Tian Yuanqing, exerting his full strength, then swiftly resolved the duel with a solitary maneuver. Simultaneously, on the tform where Fang Yuan was positioned. His adversary was a mboyantly dressed young man, namely Shi Junying. This man hailed from a n even more formidable than Fang Yuan''s, he was a highly gifted cultivator, and a somewhat skilled prodigal son. Ordinarily, this wastrel, Shi Junying, would have certainly scorned Fang Yuan, only to receive a crushing rebuttal. But bearing in mind Jiang Chen''s prior remarks, and the unanimous conjecture among the disciples outside that he would fall to Fang Yuan. His inclination to deride Fang Yuan had dwindled, reced by a deep-seated seriousness. Shi Junying fell silent. His gaze was resolutely fixed on Fang Yuan, relentlessly scrutinizing for weaknesses. Yet, Fang Yuan appearedx and riddled with vulnerabilities, causing Shi Junying to hesitate even more about making a move. ''It seems, I must initiate.'' Fang Yuan mused to himself, then charged directly towards Shi Junying. However, he did not employ his full strength. After all, there were subsequent duels to contend with, conserving somebat resources could enhance the odds of emerging victorious in future battles. "Condense!!" Seeing Fang Yuan lunging towards him, Shi Junying instantly activated his defensive measures. A blue, ice-like defensive barrier materialized before him in an instant. Ding! Fang Yuan''s sword technique, reinforced with Yuan Power, struck the ice barrier, producing a sound akin to metal colliding with metal. But in the following moment. Crack crack! A multitude of spider-web-like fissures surfaced on Shi Junying''s ice barrier, teetering on the verge of instant shattering. "Sky Breaking w!" Shi Junying, instead of retreating, surged forward. His hands transformed into formidable ws and aimed at Fang Yuan''s head from both sides of the ice barrier. This was a tactic of substituting defense with a swift offense! However. "Boom!" Fang Yuan''s sword Qi abruptly detonated with even greater potency, piercing through the ice barrier instantaneously and converging at Shi Junying''s forehead. Hum hum! A protective formation barrier manifested, intercepting Fang Yuan''s sword Qi with a metallic ng, sparing Shi Junying. "Ah ah ah!" Shi Junying, although defeated, refused to abort his assault, his w-like hands furiouslyshing out at Fang Yuan. ''Hmph!'' ''Overlord Embodiment Art!'' Fang Yuan inwardly scoffed, a golden silhouette abruptly emerged around his body, effectively parrying Shi Junying''s onught. "Halt!" "Fang Yuan prevails!" The referee dered the result in a timely manner. "You''ve conceded me the victory!" Fang Yuan briskly bowed in a courteous salute, then swiveled around and departed. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 167: The Finals, Fang Yuans Unwavering Confidence "Heavens!" "Such might!" "He''s extraordinarily formidable! " "I must express gratitude for the forewarning given by Senior Brother Jiang Chen. It prevented me from deriding Fang Yuan earlier. Had I done so, I would currently be trapped in such a depth of humiliation that I would desire oblivion." Shi Junying drew in a ragged breath, casting his gaze toward the stoically serene Jiang Chen, a surge of veneration welling up in his heart. Simultaneously. "Fang Yuan truly emerged victorious." "Senior Brother Jiang Chen''s prediction held true!" "Isn''t it self-evident? The precision of Senior Brother Jiang Chen''s assessment is uncanny. If he decrees Fang Yuan''s victory, then victory will indeed be Fang Yuan''s. There is no room for debate." "Indeed, I concur. Our discussion should not revolve around Fang Yuan, rather it is the astuteness of Senior Brother Jiang Chen''s discerning vision that truly deserves praise." "Hmm, I wholeheartedly endorse your viewpoint." "..." The murmuring chatter of countless disciples filled the air. In the midst of this, Fang Yuan stood in a corner, his face unreadable. When several disciples sought to engage him in conversation, he brushed them off with a dismissive wave of his hand. On the flip side. [Ding! You have sessfully manipted the narrative subtly, averting any chance for the protagonist Fang Yuan to be overly mboyant or to deride others. Consequently, Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value decreases by 200 points.] [Ding! Your Viin Value has increased by 400 points!] These system prompts echoed within Jiang Chen''s mind. Upon hearing this, a satisfied, faint smile yed at the corners of Jiang Chen''s mouth. Following this, the second round of the tournament concluded. A fraction of the disciples were eliminated and were relegated to the ranking contests. The victorious thirty-two contestants drew lots, creating sixteen pairs of challengers, and the third round of battlesmenced. In line with his conduct during the prior two rounds, Jiang Chen showed due respect to his opponents, bringing the fights to swift conclusions. On Fang Yuan''s front, he dispatched his adversaries with the same effortless grace as before. This only increased everyone''s admiration for Jiang Chen''s ''astute judgement''. Even Ji Mingxiu, in conjunction with the Supreme Elders, found their doubts regarding Jiang Chen''s derations steadily diminishing. Regarding the two maidens, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, their eyes were firmly fixated on Jiang Chen. Nevertheless, concerning Fang Yuan, Ji Ruxue''s gaze merely flicked in his direction to validate Jiang Chen''s statements, nothing more. It was clear that the fruits of Jiang Chen''s unwavering dedication over the preceding two months wereing to bear. Still, right up to the end, Jiang Chen knew the importance of maintaining his vignce, never allowing it to wane even slightly! In due course, the third round of battles concluded. The fourth round kicked off, with sixteen contenders battling it out for the eight quarter-finalist spots. As anticipated, Jiang Chen emerged victorious! Fang Yuan also secured a win. Following this, the fifth roundmenced - a battle for the coveted top four spots, effectively the semi-final qualifications. Once again, Jiang Chen was triumphant, vanquishing his foe in a single move. Contrarily, Fang Yuan demonstrated a steady approach against stronger opponents. The strategies he had previously held in reserve proved unexpectedly effective, facilitating a more fluid victory and propelling him into the semi-finals. Following this, after a brief respite, the semi-finalsmenced. Post the sh, Jiang Chen unequivocally emerged as the victor. Fang Yuan also triumphed over his adversary, who despite exhausting all of his ace moves, was unable to prevail, thus advancing Fang Yuan to the final round. His victory served to solidify Jiang Chen''s words as an indisputable truth! This sess further deepened the awe everyone held towards Jiang Chen. Any surprise that Fang Yuan should have attracted was noticeably absent. While his breakthrough to the finals did bring him some acim, it was entirely eclipsed by Jiang Chen''s resplendent brilliance. Their current standing could be aptly depicted as a dim star juxtaposed with the luminous moon, aptly illustrating Fang Yuan and Jiang Chen''s respective situations. At this juncture, the final battle was on the cusp ofmencement. Within the vast expanse of the Holy Land Square, innumerable disciples were engaged in hushed discussions, a hum of conversation permeating the air. "Fang Yuan truly advanced to the finals." "Haha, witnessing his unbroken string of victories, I am certain Senior Brother Jiang Chen''s words were prophetic!" "Nevertheless, Fang Yuan''s winning streak halts here. There''s no conceivable way he can outmatch Senior Brother Jiang Chen." "Absolutely, Fang Yuan may have been undefeated up until now, but it''s tantly clear to any observer that Senior Brother Jiang Chen is the more formidable contender." "Could you all quit with the baseless conjectures? The title of the Holy Son has always been rightfully Senior Brother Jiang Chen''s. There''s no uncertainty in this battle; Fang Yuan is predestined to fall!" An anticipatory chatter filled the air amongst the crowd. The verdict had been preemptively passed - Fang Yuan was deemed the inevitable loser. Under the ''original storyline'', this moment would undoubtedly be a pivotal turning point. Fang Yuan could make all those who dared underestimate him choke on their own words, leaving each of them, including Jiang Chen, red-faced. At this precise moment, Fang Yuan harbored simr sentiments. ''Me, lose?'' ''Heh, clearly, you''re all blinded!'' ''Just wait until I overthrow Jiang Chen, then we''ll see the expressions on your faces!'' A scoff echoed in Fang Yuan''s heart as his eyes locked onto Jiang Chen, his thoughts continuing, ''Jiang Chen, you''re quite skilled at theatrics, aren''t you? After this battle, I''ll be an omnipresent shadow looming over you!'' Just then. "Junior Brother Fang Yuan!" "Your presence in the finals doesn''t disappoint, truly!" Jiang Chen stood with a hand poised behind his back, a faint smile adorning his features. "I am here due to Senior Brother''s motivation!" "However..." Fang Yuan chuckled, respectfully folding his hands in a formal bow, then abruptly shifting the topic, he proimed in a resolute and firm voice, "The final is not my destination, my aim is the title of the Holy Son!" Upon hearing these words, the entire square fell into a profound silence. Then, much like a tempest suddenly brewing on cid seas, the assembled disciples'' murmurs morphed into a wave of collective astonishment! "What?!" "Fang Yuan openly deres his aim as the title of the Holy Son!" "Has he gone mad? He just scraped through to the finals by a whisker, while Senior Brother Jiang Chen has consistently swept victories with a single move. How does he intend topete with Senior Brother Jiang Chen?" "Fang Yuan must have let his triumph go to his head. It''s regrettable that Senior Brother Jiang Chen ced such esteem and encouragement in him!" "Fang Yuan is simply indulging in a fantasy!" One disciple after another voiced their disbelief, their gaze upon Fang Yuan filled with a mix of scorn, contempt, and revulsion. It was as if Fang Yuan himself were emitting an obnoxious odor. On the stage. "Oh?" "You wish to vie for the title of the Holy Son?" "Haha, you possess the credentials, but whether you can attain it hinges on your capabilities." Jiang Chen''s gaze fell on Fang Yuan, whose determination was punctuated by a hint of coldness in his eyes, and a kindly smile blossomed on Jiang Chen''s face. In contrast to Fang Yuan, his demeanor was far moreposed and nonchnt. Simply judging by demeanor alone, it was clear that Fang Yuan was no match for Jiang Chen! "Don''t worry!" "I''ll ensure you understand the gulf that lies between us!" Fang Yuan asserted confidently, already envisioning his triumphant face after toppling Jiang Chen, coupled with Jiang Chen''s expressions of shock, agony, and defeat. "Haha, that''s the spirit!" "If a man doesn''t harbor some recklessness in his youth, he squanders it." Jiang Chen''sughter echoed, bereft of any irritation. Just at this moment, the countdown crafted by the formation flickered into view. Nine, eight, seven... The Holy Land Square fell into an even deeper hush as the countdown progressed. Not because they were anticipating an epic showdown. Rather, almost everyone was anticipating Jiang Chen schooling Fang Yuan, who had been spouting hubris, with a lesson he won''t forget. On the stage, both Jiang Chen and Fang Yuan unsheathed their chosen artifacts identical long swords! ...Three, two, one!! The instant the digit ''one'' vanished, the battle was set into motion! Chapter 168: Lets See If You Can Withstand This "Void Rainbow Sword Technique Ninth Style - Returning to One!" Both Fang Yuan and Jiang Chen synchronously elevated their right hands, simultaneously executing the same movements, the same technique in a split second! sh! A pair of vitreous sword Qi abruptly collided, culminating in a spectacr burst ofbative shockwaves. Whoosh! Waves of these aftershockspped against the battle stage''s formation barrier and were absorbed almost instantaneously. However, the moment the two sword Qi collided, the dominant force was instantly discerned! Jiang Chen''s Returning to One Sword Qi tore through Fang Yuan''s version of the same technique, with the remaining power fiercely bearing down on Fang Yuan! "Wow, Fang Yuan is going to be defeated!" "With identical techniques, he was straightforwardly bested by Senior Brother Jiang Chen. The disparity is ringly evident, yet he still dares to vie for the position of the Holy Son." "Fang Yuan merely intended to highlight the difference between them to Senior Brother Jiang Chen, and now the gap isid bare for all to see, hahaha!" "This Fang Yuan, stagnant in his cultivation for two years, must be delusional. Spewing such brash and absurd remarks, daring to exhibit arrogance without the requisite ability, is trulyughable." "..." Below the stage, the cultivators were muttering amongst themselves, their gazes rife with disdain as they focused on Fang Yuan. Ji Mingxiu, Mo Yu, and other high-profile figures also shook their heads in disbelief. They couldn''t help but feel that something was amiss with Fang Yuan''s mental state, indicating subtle signs of Qi Deviation. Naturally, people acknowledged that Fang Yuan indeed had a certain degree of skill. After all, he had held his own against Jiang Chen''s assertions and secured a spot in the finals! Hence, everyone was certain that Fang Yuan wouldn''t be defeated by a single move, so they continued to spectate with bated breath. On the stage, confronted with the residual power of Jiang Chen''s Returning to One Sword Qi, Fang Yuan showed no signs of panic, standing firm and unyielding. With his right hand, he held his long sword in a horizontal stance, and the Yuan Power within his body burst forth, generating a multyered radiant shield around him. Boom! Jiang Chen''s Returning to One Sword Qi struck Fang Yuan''s radiant shield, creating another potent shockwave. But just as the sword Qi and the light shield were on the brink of mutual exhaustion, Jiang Chen had alreadyunched the same move, with an even more formidable sword Qi following close behind! ''Lustrous Illusionary Steps!'' Fang Yuan''s robe fluttered as his body transformed into an elusive haze, spawning three illusory figures each dashing off in a different direction. Jiang Chen''s sword Qi eradicated one of these illusory figures directly, but it was nothing more than an illusion. ''Long Sea Reflecting Sky Sword!'' Seizing this opportunity, Fang Yuan burst forth like a beam of light, making his way to Jiang Chen''s side. Moreover, the remaining illusory doppelganger created by his ''Lustrous Illusionary Steps'' also simultaneously maneuvered its way to Jiang Chen''s side. The two figures intertwined, making it challenging to discern between the real and the counterfeit! For an average cultivator of the same level, this situation would undoubtedly be overwhelming! But for Jiang Chen, it was a mere trifle. ''Void Rainbow Sword Technique Fourth Style - Sword Shadow!'' At Jiang Chen''smand, nine sword shadows burst forth from his form, relentlessly bearing down on both Fang Yuan and his illusory double! In addition, the sword Qi from his earlier move, ''Returning to One'', pivoted and thrust towards Fang Yuan from behind! Suddenly, Fang Yuan found himself ensnared between converging attacks, unable to press forward or fall back! Outside the battleground. "That move, so impressive!!" "Indeed, Senior Brother Jiang Chen''s maneuver is terrifyingly formidable. Fang Yuan''s evasion routes are not only obstructed front and back, but his sides are also hemmed in by the sword shadows!" "Nheless, considering Fang Yuan''s performance up until now, perhaps he can still put up a fight." "He won''t be able to hold out for long, his defenses are as flimsy as a house of cards." Hundreds of thousands of onlookers indulged in spection, keeping their eyes glued to the unfolding battle. Inside the battleground, as he faced Jiang Chen''s all-epassing onught of sword Qi and sword shadows, Fang Yuan''s countenance remained unmoved. The Yuan Power within his body swirled frantically, generating another six illusions! These six illusions willingly threw themselves into the path of Jiang Chen''s sword Qi and sword shadows. sh, sh! One by one, the illusions were pierced by one or two sword shadows, simultaneously extinguishing the sword shadows in the process. However, among them, Jiang Chen''s Returning to One Sword Qi, after prating one illusion, continued unabated, plunging directly into Fang Yuan''s back without any decrease in its momentum! ''Has Fang Yuan been defeated?'' This thought spontaneously sprang up in the minds of nearly all the spectators. But they had no time to debate. Suddenly, the arena witnessed a drastic shift. It turned out that one of Fang Yuan''s illusions had directly obliterated one of Jiang Chen''s sword shadows, and the long sword in his hand burst forth with a sword Qi surpassing the Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm, mercilessly targeting Jiang Chen''s neck. The truth was unveiled! Fang Yuan had masterfully executed a ssic deception, disguising himself as an illusion andunching an impable counterstrike! "This guy, he''s more capable than he lets on!" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen did acknowledge his prowess, and he did make it to the finals after all. It''s only natural for him to possess some skills." "Exactly, don''t question Senior Brother Jiang Chen''s judgment, you''re always overthinking." The spectators below quickly exchangedments, their eyes glued to the arena without respite. At the center of the battleground, confronting Fang Yuan''s sudden assault, Jiang Chen merely offered a slight smile and promptly activated the ''Great Martial Eight Ghostly Steps'' movement technique! This was a movement technique of the Inquiring Journey realm. The moment he set it in motion, Jiang Chen instantly morphed into a spectral figure and executed a backward flicker, his entire form rapidly retreating dozens of meters. From the perspective of the audience, Jiang Chen appeared to have reversed his spatial orientation, serenely evading the oing swing of Fang Yuan''s sword! Fang Yuan''s sword met the ground where Jiang Chen had initially been, resulting in ripple-like waves forming on the ground, courtesy of the formation. "What?!" "What sort of movement technique is that, it''s astonishingly swift!!" Fang Yuan''s strike went wide, his pupils abruptly contracting, a sense of foreboding rising within his heart! During the grand sect assembly, he had perceived Jiang Chen to be a formidable adversary. Following a period of recovery and progressing to his current realm, his confidence resurged, leading him to believe that Jiang Chen wasn''t as fearsome as he had thought. However, in this moment, Fang Yuan once again experienced the chilling touch of apprehension and caution stirring within his heart. "You''re holding your own." Jiang Chen regarded Fang Yuan impassively, a faint smile gracing the corner of his mouth, "The warm-up concludes here, I''m about to get serious." "Bring it on!" "Let''s settle who''s superior!" Fang Yuan''s eyes disyed unwavering determination. Jiang Chen was mightier than he had anticipated, but he still harbored the confidence to triumph over Jiang Chen! "This sword strike, let''s see if you can endure it!" Jiang Chen''s expression became somewhat detached. He raised his right hand high and then abruptly shed downward, "Silent Annihtion!!" Whoosh!! Much like when he had in the Mysterious Blue Sky Tiger. A silver-white sword light descended from the heavens, resembling the Milky Way inverted, plummeting towards the earth! The entire Holy Land Square, which was originally brightly lit, now shone even more brilliantly! Every cultivator felt as though the battleground had practically morphed into a miniature radiant sun! ''What!'' ''Is this... an Inquiring Journey realm technique!!'' Fang Yuan was terrified, but his martial prowess was exceptional, and he instinctively triggered his defensive trump card. "Heavenly Star Shifting Secret Art!" This was a defensive secret art that Nangong Wan had imparted to him. The defensive capability of this secret art was remarkably potent, but its practice was only as challenging as the Heavenly Origin realm, which was why he was able to perfect it. Within an instant, a luminescent vortex-shaped shield materialized around Fang Yuan''s body, spinning with rapid velocity! And in that very moment, Jiang Chen''s Silent Annihtion Sword Qi viciously collided with Fang Yuan''s body. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 169: Its Time to End this Battle With a thunderous boom, the immense wave of sword Qi shed violently against the whirlpool created by the Heavenly Star Shifting Secret Art, instantly consuming it whole! Spectators were able to clearly discern Fang Yuan''s figure being assertively thrust downward, his stature diminished by half. He was brought to the verge of a humble half-kneel, seemingly bowing in deference before Jiang Chen! Yet, the Silent Annihtion Sword Qi didn''t shatter Fang Yuan''s defenses outright. Instead, Fang Yuan tenaciously endured the initial onught of the most fearsome power, and was now progressively defusing the vortex''s force produced by the Heavenly Star Shifting Secret Art! Witnesses watched as Jiang Chen''s Silent Annihtion sword Qi was systematically nullified, its energy redirected towards the epassing formation barrier of the stage. In the blink of an eye, akin to the serene surface of ake upon the arrival of a tempest, innumerable ripples were abruptly formed. ''Heavenly Star Shifting Secret Art?'' ''It carries a kind of deep-rooted enigma, akin to the Tai Chi principle of deflecting a thousand pounds with a mere four ounces!'' Jiang Chen''s eyes slightly narrowed. This defensive secret art was unquestionably the most formidable Inquiring Journey realm secret art he had encountered thus far! Meanwhile, Jiang Chen, instead of capitalizing on his evident advantage, appeared as if the energy expenditure was immense, necessitating a recharge of his Yuan Power. He hade to the understanding that in this battle, direct termination of Fang Yuan was not a viable option. In fact, even oveing Fang Yuan in one fell swoop was undesirable. The reason being, he aimed to create a favorable impression on Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Aplete and direct defeat of Fang Yuan would portray him as an intimidating oppressor,cking the grace of a gentleman. Given these considerations, Jiang Chen elected to conserve his energy, preserving it for potential future encounters with Fang Yuan. At this juncture, on the battleground, Jiang Chen''s sword Qi disyed an intriguing pattern it arrived with swift decisiveness and left with equal rapidity. Fang Yuan, clenching his teeth, utilized the Heavenly Star Shifting Secret Art and barely managed to hold on! This turn of events left the tens of thousands of spectators astounded. Yet, their thoughts soon shifted tomendations like ''Senior Brother Jiang Chen truly possesses a discerning eye'', ''keen perception'', ''sharp observation'', and so forth. In addition, the disy of Jiang Chen''s technique during this confrontation was incredibly impressive, exuding an aura akin to a celestial being gracing the mortal world. It was simply beyond the ordinary! On the other hand, Fang Yuan presented a pitiable spectacle! Consequently, countless cultivators found their respect for Jiang Chen deepening! As for Fang Yuan, he was relegated to being nothing more than a stepping stone, a means to an end, a backdrop highlighting Jiang Chen''s superiority! At this critical juncture, after surviving the onught of the Silent Annihtion Sword Qi, Fang Yuan swiftly retreated, his gaze firmly fixed on the slightly pale Jiang Chen. ''That recent sword Qi maneuver must have depleted his energy reserves significantly!'' ''To wield an Inquiring Journey realm sword technique while being at the Heavenly Origin realm, Jiang Chen is unquestionably formidable!'' ''However, he is not in my shoes. He doesn''t enjoy the mentorship of two seniors like Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Hence, he must be nearing his limit now. That sword Qi must represent his most lethal attack!'' ''...'' A flurry of thoughts sped through Fang Yuan''s mind, bolstering his confidence in emerging victorious. For he still held an ace up his sleeve! Nevertheless, out of prudence, Fang Yuan refrained fromunching an immediate assault while Jiang Chen was supposedly ''in a weakened state''. He chose to adopt a probing strategy again! This would also afford him some respite to replenish his Yuan Power. Previously, the usage of the ''Heavenly Star Shifting Secret Art'' had significantly drained his energy, leaving his Yuan Power almost depleted. At this point. "Wow." "You''ve lived up to your reputation, you actually withstood my Silent Annihtion Heavenly Sword Secrets." "Regrettably, you''re now heavily drained, your chances of triumph have diminished. Let''s call it a day, you ought to concede." Jiang Chen regarded Fang Yuan and chuckled. "No!" Fang Yuan''s eyes shed an intense red, "Unless the formation''s protective mechanism intervenes, I will not yield!" As he dered these words, the audience beneath the stage erupted into a cacophony of disapproving jeers! "This Fang Yuan trulycks self-awareness!" "Indeed, Senior Brother Jiang Chen was merely trying to leave him with some dignity, to avoid a total humiliation, yet he has the audacity to decline!" "He''s so excessively arrogant and stubborn!" "It''s such a shame that Senior Brother Jiang Chen holds him in high regard!" "..." Indignant, the cultivators voiced their shared contempt for Fang Yuan one after another. On the stage. "Very well." "Then I''ll continue to be your sparring partner!" A hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth, and he casually swept his right hand, which held the long sword. Swish! A de of sword Qi instantly barreled towards Fang Yuan''s face. ''Lustrous Illusionary Steps!'' Fang Yuan executed his movement technique, his entire form blurring into three distinct illusions. The three mirages he transformed into didn''t strike back but instead sought to escape at full speed! sh! Jiang Chen''s sword Qi obliterated one of the illusions, and the residual power pressed on to target the next mirage. However, Fang Yuan consistently utilized the Lustrous Illusionary Steps during his evasive maneuvers,pensating for the illusions that had been eliminated. Simultaneously, Fang Yuan rapidly absorbed the ambient spiritual Qi, supplementing his own reserves! Here, he once again put to use the Yuan Power restoration techniques imparted by Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, his rate of Yuan Power recovery significantly outpacing that of other Heavenly Origin realm cultivators of the same level. Even though he was perpetually employing the Lustrous Illusionary Steps, his Yuan Power was steadily recuperating, with his replenishment rate exceeding his consumption. Moreover, while deftly evading, Fang Yuan was also meticulously observing Jiang Chen. Analyzing Jiang Chen''s expressions, movements, aura, momentum, attack power, and other factors, he was gauging his opponent''s condition. Before long, Fang Yuan arrived at a conclusion in his mind Jiang Chen''s capacity to recuperate Yuan Power did not match his, and he seemingly didn''t have any additional tricks hidden. Otherwise, he would have already deployed them to subdue him, why would he allow the situation topse into a deadlock? ''The time hase to conclude this battle!'' While skilfully dodging and evading, Fang Yuan began to incrementally close the gap between him and Jiang Chen, seeming prepared to engage in a ferociousbat, ready for a lethal assault. ''Is he about to y his trump card?'' ''It appears it''s time to conclude this battle!'' Jiang Chen, too, noticed Fang Yuan''s unusual demeanor, and a cynical amusement rippled through his heart. "Let''s settle the score!" Fang Yuan bellowed,unching an attack on Jiang Chen from an unpredictable angle, "Long Sea Reflecting Sky Sword!" The remaining illusions simultaneously lunged at Jiang Chen. No one could discern whether the roaring Fang Yuan was the genuine one, or if his real body was concealed amidst these illusions. "Silent Annihtion!" Confronted with Fang Yuan''s counteroffensive, Jiang Chen remainedposed, forcefully sweeping his long sword horizontally before him! Just at this moment! "Die!" Fang Yuan''s eyes radiated an intense light, the sword technique in his grasp abruptly shifting, instantaneously transforming into a far more formidable spear technique, ''Fierce God Seven Killings Spear Fourth Move - Death Command''! Moreover, he simultaneously activated the self-harming power-amplifying secret art ''Wild Spirit Explosion''! In a sh, Fang Yuan''s attack power surged at least tenfold, and the abrupt alteration in his technique took everyone by surprise! Witnessing this spectacle, the hundreds of thousands of spectators beneath the stage widened their eyes, their expressions marked by sheer astonishment. However, Jiang Chen was acutely aware that Fang Yuan''s surprise attack had been meticulously nned! ''Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets!'' ''Great Martial Eight Ghostly Steps!'' Simultaneously, Jiang Chen deployed two techniques, one a soul attack and the other a movement technique! But this time, the utilization of the Great Martial Eight Ghostly Steps was at full power. In an instant, an invisible ripple propagated. Despite Jiang Chen''s counterattack initiatingter, it was astonishingly the first to strike, impacting Fang Yuan with full force. Concurrently, Jiang Chen''s figure abruptly flickered backwards! "Ahhhh!!" Fang Yuan found himself assaulted by the soul attack from the ''Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets''. Instantly, he was gripped by a throbbing headache, as if his head was on the verge of bursting! He let out an agonizingly shrill scream. Nevertheless, Fang Yuan did not abandon his attack on Jiang Chen. During the two years of descent from the pinnacle, only he knew the trials he had faced to survive those two years. His tenacity, his resolve, enabled him to resist the severe head pain. Even when he was scarcely able to think, he persisted in wielding his sword artifact and executing the ''Death Command Spear''! He and his sword amalgamated into a single entity, transforming into an incredibly sharp long spear. Like aet plummeting towards the earth, it aimed for Jiang Chen who was flickering and retreating. Chapter 170: Fang Yuans Frenzy sh! The staggering power burst directly into Jiang Chen''s form. Yet in the next fleeting moment, Jiang Chen''s silhouette dissipated and vanished! He reappeared hundreds of meters distant! What Fang Yuan had actually in was merely an afterimage! The scene mirrored a previous one, only the roles had now reversed! Nheless, his formidablebat prowess and exceptional fighting skills permitted Fang Yuan to swiftly discern the anomaly. Consequently, he didn''t halt his onught but perpetuated his forward charge! Neither his attacking power nor his velocity diminished in the slightest. The span of hundreds of meters was traversed in a mere blink! Fang Yuan once again skewered through Jiang Chen''s silhouette. But this, too, was another deceptive afterimage! Jiang Chen''s authentic figure materialized even further afield! "Ah!!" Fang Yuan erupted in a wild, uncontained roar. His figure didn''t pause for a split second, and his terrifying technique, the ''Death Command Spear'', didn''t wane in its intensity. He continued to barrel towards Jiang Chen! However, upon impact, Jiang Chen''s form dispersed yet again. It was yet another misleading afterimage! Suddenly, a ripple of panic welled within Fang Yuan. After sustaining such a lengthy charge, his attack power wasmencing to falter! Nheless, he found himself bereft of solutions. He was left with no choice but to endure the escting pain, clench his teeth, and doggedly persist in his forward assault! "Jiang Chen!" "I refuse to concede that you can sessfully evade the ''Death Command Spear'' four sessive times!" Fang Yuan''s countenance was savage, resembling a raging demon as he lunged towards Jiang Chen. However, at this precise juncture, another Jiang Chen materialized beside the original Jiang Chen''s figure! Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh! One after another, Jiang Chen''s figures began popting the field. In a blink, they had encircled Fang Yuan from every angle! "No!!" Fang Yuan''s eyes seemed on the verge of rupture, he felt a surge of nausea! But his momentum was too potent, he was unable to halt. The spear shadow generated by his body prated directly through the afterimage of Jiang Chen before him. In this moment, Fang Yuan desperately circted the Yuan Power within him, bracing to forcibly reverse the spear''s momentum and erect a defense. His decision was sound, but pitted against Jiang Chen, he was simply too tardy! "It''s over!" The genuine figure of Jiang Chen materialized unexpectedly behind Fang Yuan, as though it had always been stationed there. He brandished his long sword, unleashing the ''Silent Annihtion'' stab! Boom!! The radiant and resplendent sword Qi instantly engulfed Fang Yuan! "Ahhh!!" Fang Yuan issued a cry that was as agonized as it was defiant. However, he had already exhausted all his strategies. Even a typical Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm cultivator would have sumbed to his onught. Given that he couldn''t eliminate Jiang Chen, he was left without alternative options. Hum hum hum! The protective mechanism of the battle stage''s formation spontaneously activated, coalescing a robust defensive light shield to counteract Jiang Chen''s attack. At this juncture, the oue of the duel was conclusively determined! "Senior Brother Jiang Chen is victorious!" "That was inevitable, there was never a shred of suspense!" "Haha, but I have to acknowledge, that young man Fang Yuan possesses some prowess. It''s unfortunate he was so presumptuous to consider he could best Senior Brother Jiang Chen." "Mm, your observation is sound. Fang Yuan indeed boasts a considerable talent. However, his brazen ims of usurping the Holy Son''s position, only to be trounced by Senior Brother Jiang Chen now, he must be mortified enough to wish he could burrow into a hole!" "Tsk tsk, it''s utterly amusing. Fang Yuan''s antics today will assuredly render him the butt of our generation''s jokes in the Purple Heaven Holy Land." "Comrades, let''s not be overly harsh. Fang Yuan will likely prove to be apetent subordinate to Senior Brother Jiang Chen in the future. Choose your words carefully, you may cross paths againter!" "Correct, correct. We''ll simply share augh and cease any furtherment." "..." Upon the Holy Land Square, each cultivator regarded Fang Yuan on the battle stage, now enshrouded by the formation, their expressions rife with derision. Towards Jiang Chen, they disyed nothing but reverence, admiration, and even a certain fanaticism. Simultaneously. [Ding! You have sessfully manipted the plot and effectively humbled the protagonist, Fang Yuan, gravely undermining his mental state. Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has been reduced by 2000 points!] [Ding! You have rued 4000 points of Viin Value!] The system prompts reverberated in Jiang Chen''s consciousness. In an instant, Jiang Chen''s heart was filled with astonishment! He hadn''t anticipated that besting Fang Yuan in this confrontation would actually result in a direct depletion of his Heavenly Fate Value by 2000 points! However, after a brief internal analysis, Jiang Chen swiftly came to understand. This Holy Son contest marked Fang Yuan''s inaugural battle since plummeting from the apex to the nadir, having endured two years of silent restraint! During these two years, the torment he weathered, the internal pressure, and all other factors, had umted within him. This was a battle that Fang Yuan was obliged to win! Defeat, for him, would strike an exceedingly, exceedingly lethal blow. For a full two years, numerous individuals had dismissed him as a failure, yet he staunchly believed otherwise. But now, even with the assistance of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, he had been bested. Wasn''t this affirmation that he truly was a failure? At this juncture. "The battle has concluded! Jiang Chen emerges victorious!!" The Elder officiating as the referee proimed resonantly! His thunderous voice resonated throughout the entire Holy Land Square, heralding Jiang Chen''s triumph. This also provisionally designated Jiang Chen as the new Holy Son. The reason for its temporary nature was that in the subsequent ranking contests, all otherpetitors retained three opportunities to challenge for a higher rank. Others could also elect to challenge Jiang Chen. Should they prevail, they would secure the first position, assuming the role of Holy Son! However, considering Jiang Chen''s current standing and the formidable prowess he demonstrated, it seemed improbable that anyone would dare to challenge him now. At this juncture, following the Elder''s pronouncement. "Jiang Chen, the Holy Son!" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen has ascended as the Holy Son, this is splendid! Our Purple Heaven Holy Land now has its Holy Son!" "With a Holy Son like Senior Brother Jiang Chen, our future is promising!" "Under the stewardship of Holy Son Jiang Chen, our Purple Heaven Holy Land will indubitably dominate the Everflowing Truth Domain, subjugating the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple!" There was further simmering discussion and cheer under the ring, akin to cold water being sshed into a pan of boiling oil! "Hahaha!" "Indeed, my disciple has imed the title of Holy Son, excellent, most excellent." Ji Mingxiu was radiant with joy, his voice resonating with satisfaction. Those surrounding him immediately concurred, praising Ji Mingxiu''s discerning judgement. However, just as the entire venue erupted in jubtion, roars erupted from the ring! "Why! Why was I defeated, I can''t ept it!" "This is an illusion, it has to be an illusion, it''s not real, it''s not real!" "I won''t lose, how could I lose, I yearn for victory, I yearn to seize the position of Holy Son!" It was Fang Yuan, bellowing as if he had descended into madness! How could he possibly fall before his peers on this small Immortal Martial Continent when under the tutge of two Void Tribtion realm powerhouses!? At this juncture, the culmination of two years of torment had reached its zenith! The anticipations of the past two months had burst like a bubble! Fang Yuan felt as though he had been cast back to two years prior, when the agony of descending from heaven into hell had permeated his entire being. Furthermore, the anguish and resentment he felt this time were even more vehement! "Fang Yuan, regain yourposure." Jiang Chen''s brow furrowed as he counseled, "Victory and defeat aremonce in a cultivator''s path!" "No!" "I refuse to fall before you!!" Fang Yuan erupted in unparalleled fury,unching another assault on Jiang Chen! A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 171: A Disappointment, Simply So The sudden twist in events left everyone present dumbstruck! "Fang Yuan!" "The duel has concluded, what is this madness?" An exmation of surprise escaped Jiang Chen. However, rather than deploying his sword to deflect, he strategically implemented the Great Martial Eight Ghostly Steps, tactfully evading to the rear. Simultaneously, a surge of joy swelled from the depths of Jiang Chen''s heart. Fang Yuan''s recklessness had evidently cast a negative shadow on his public reputation, shing with his role as the protagonist! As the protagonist, how could he breach the established protocol, disy desperate exasperation, and vent his wrath through such rash actions? [Ding! You have sessfully instigated a minor shift in protagonist Fang Yuan''s character, resulting in a decrease of Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value by 300 points!] [Ding! You have acquired 600 points of Viin Value!] The echoes of two system notifications within Jiang Chen''s consciousness heightened his ecstasy! Meanwhile, on the other side. "Halt!" "Your actions border on lunacy now!" In the recesses of Fang Yuan''s mind, a startled Nangong Wan counseled. "Fang Yuan, cease!" "Do you grasp the degree of humiliation you''re self-inflicting!" Shangguan Ning too joined in, her astonishment clearly evident. At this juncture, both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were not just shocked, but thoroughly disheartened with Fang Yuan. Never had they anticipated that Fang Yuan would stoop to such a petty level of poor sportsmanship. Behaving so unbingly before an audience of many. Simultaneously, the disappointment was not exclusive to Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. The Holy Lord, Ji Mingxiu, Mo Yu, among other influential figures, as well as Ji Ruxue, who held significant relevance to Fang Yuan, shared the sentiment! "This Fang Yuan, his temperament is distressinglycking!" Supreme Elder Mo Yu expressed his displeasure with a furrowed brow, "He obviously fell short due to inferior prowess, yet he repudiates his loss and even resorts to offensive measures!" "The Fang Yuan I once knew wasn''t like this." "Perhaps the two solitary years greatly affected him." While maintaining a stoic demeanor, Ji Mingxiu bore an irrefutable shade of disappointment in his gaze towards Fang Yuan. Previously, he had even contemted facilitating a rtionship between Ji Ruxue and Fang Yuan. Now, he felt relieved that he had refrained. In another location. "This Fang Yuan is nothing short of ludicrous!" "What a letdown! Jiang Chen had invested such high expectations in him, even advocating on his behalf!" Xie Xiaojing remarked with evident disgust, "Fang Yuan is simply an ungrateful individual, forsaking righteousness for selfish pursuits. He''s unfit to be considered a friend by Jiang Chen!" ''I never anticipated Fang Yuan would embody such characteristics.'' ''I had envisioned him as a cornerstone of the Purple Heaven Holy Land in the future, but it now appears that despite hismendable cultivation aptitude, his temperament fails to meet the mark. I fear it might even impede hisprehension of the Dao.'' Such thoughts coursed through Ji Ruxue''s mind. In truth, she had previously harbored a modicum of curiosity towards Fang Yuan. Following Jiang Chen''s tireless efforts, this curiosity, though existing, wasn''t sufficiently stoked to divert her attention to Fang Yuan. However, she conceded to its slight presence. But now, Ji Ruxue''sst sliver of curiosity about Fang Yuan waspletely snuffed out. To her, Fang Yuan was hardly worth a mention. And as Xie Xiaojing had asserted, he was unworthy of befriending! Simultaneously, beneath the dueling stage, hundreds of thousands of disciples watched in disbelief, their eyes wide as saucers, as Fang Yuan unleashed his rage-filled assault on Jiang Chen. The entire contest for the Holy Son''s position had been proceeding smoothly. Even when disciples who had longstanding rivalries battled, they never descended into such a state of frenzy. But Fang Yuan... Jiang Chen had been consistently voicing his support, aiding him in reconstructing his image as a prodigy, and ensuring he was not scorned by all! Yet here was Fang Yuan, unleashing a rage-fueled onught on Jiang Chen, the very person who had extended kindness towards him. The spectacle was so staggering that it felt like their eyes might leap out of their sockets! "Even with the verdict already announced, Fang Yuan dared to assault Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "Fang Yuan''s audacity is staggering, considering Senior Brother Jiang Chen has consistently defended him!" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen showed such benevolence towards Fang Yuan, and this is how he reciprocates, it''s simply heart-wrenching." "Haha, despite his previous desperate efforts, he failed to surpass Senior Brother Jiang Chen. And now he attacks him. Is he hoping to triumph by leveraging the formation shield? It''sughable!" "Indeed! This Fang Yuan is unabashedly shameless and brazen. I feel second-hand embarrassment for him. How could our Purple Heaven Holy Land harbor someone like him?" "Fang Yuan is nothing short of a disgrace to the Purple Heaven Holy Land!" "..." One disciple after another indulged in fervent whispers, their debates were heated, and a collective sentiment of anger and disdain against Fang Yuan echoed among them. Much like Xie Xiaojing, nearly everyone was of the opinion that Fang Yuan was unworthy of Jiang Chen''s friendship. This incident precipitated a steep decline in Fang Yuan''s image in the eyes of all present. Sessive system notifications emerged within Jiang Chen''s consciousness. [Ding! You have sessfully diminished the Unpursued Heroine Nangong Wan''s impression of the protagonist Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value is reduced by 300 points!] [Ding! You have sessfully diminished the Unpursued Heroine Shangguan Ning''s impression of the protagonist Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value is reduced by 300 points!] [Ding! You have sessfully diminished the Unpursued Heroine Ji Ruxue''s impression of the protagonist Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value is reduced by 200 points!] [Ding! You have acquired 1600 points of Viin Value!] Owing to Fang Yuan''s brash act, he incurred a loss of eight hundred points from his Heavenly Fate Value! ''Remarkable!'' ''If this trajectory persists a few more times, Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value will plummet to the lethal threshold!'' Such satisfying thoughts popted Jiang Chen''s mind. In the meantime. "Ah ah ah!" "Jiang Chen, cease your evasion, face me inbat!" "Are you trembling with fear? I knew it, I won''t suffer defeat, you cannot best me!" On the tform, Fang Yuan persistently pursued andunched assaults on Jiang Chen, who adeptly eluded his attacks. The consistent failure tond a hit on Jiang Chen served only to amplify Fang Yuan''s frustration and fury! Suddenly! A stern roar thundered in Fang Yuan''s ear like a p of lightning. An overwhelming aura of coercion, coupled with an assertivemand, caused Fang Yuan''s body to quiver, abruptly ceasing his attack. It turned out that the one who had interjected was Ji Mingxiu. "You have proven to be profoundly disappointing!" Ji Mingxiu regarded Fang Yuan with a frosty gaze, "For you tomit such an act during the Holy Son selection duel, I believe it is time for you to retreat and reflect upon your behavior!" "I..." Fang Yuan''s frame shook, his fists tightened, his teeth clenching so intensely that fresh blood seeped from his gums! In his heart flickered a hint of regret, yet it was overwhelmingly eclipsed by sorrow, anger, and a sense of helplessness. He had already let everyone down once. His desperate strive for victory was fueled solely by his wish to prevent further disappointments! No one could fathom the depths of his thirst for victory. All they did was levy me upon him! Just then. "Holy Lord, I beseech you to maintainposure!" "Fang Yuan''s actions were indeed a tad excessive." "However, nobody is devoid of ws, and it is fairlymon for someone as youthful as Fang Yuan to exhibitpses in temperament." "As the saying goes, acknowledging and rectifying one''s errors is the noblest virtue." "I have faith that Junior Brother Fang Yuan will assuredly acknowledge his errors and make amends. After all, growth is a gradual process." Jiang Chen slightly bowed, his hands sped together in front of him, uttering respectfully, "Therefore, I implore the Master, as well as all fellow members of the Purple Heaven Holy Land to bestow upon Junior Brother Fang Yuan your understanding and forbearance." As these words echoed, the entire area fell into a sudden hush. Everyone present widened their eyes, gazing at Jiang Chen, their expressions tinged with astonishment. Chapter 172: A Public Apology from Fang Yuan What did it entail to possess a broad and enlightened perspective? Here was the perfect demonstration! Fang Yuan, stung by the sting of defeat, reacted with misced anger,shing out at Jiang Chen, despite thetter speaking in his defense. Remarkably, Jiang Chen bore no resentment. Instead, he demonstrated deep empathy and articted wise words that exhibited the demeanor expected of the head senior brother from a revered Holy Land! "Senior Brother Jiang Chen is truly extraordinary!" "In this life, I am resolved to follow in the footsteps of Senior Brother Jiang Chen till the end!" "Fang Yuan''s meeting with Senior Brother Jiang Chen is akin to him having exhausted his umted good fortune of eighteen generations!" "..." The cultivators exchanged nces. Within their eyes was a shared excitement, admiration, and an almost fanatical reverence for Jiang Chen! "Jiang Chen is indeed a virtuous individual,pletely free of faults!" Ji Ruxue observed Jiang Chen on the stage, her feelings of affection for him rising exponentially. Simultaneously, both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s perceptions of Jiang Chen also soared. "That''s the conduct befitting a true genius!" "Taking a single loss as a matter of life and death is utterly dishonorable!" Shangguan Ning muttered to herself. Her thoughts remained unspoken, for who knew how Fang Yuan might react if he heard them. "Jiang Chen''s character is truly of the highest caliber!" Such were the thoughts of Nangong Wan. She had encountered many individuals in her life, yet there were seldom any like Jiang Chen. Should anyone else have been in Jiang Chen''s shoes, they would most likely ridicule Fang Yuan or dismiss him with cold indifference. [Ding! You have sessfully enhanced the affection of the Unpursued Heroine, Nangong Wan, towards you. The Heavenly Fate Value of the protagonist, Fang Yuan, has decreased by 200 points!] [Ding! You have sessfully enhanced the affection of the Unpursued Heroine, Shangguan Ning, towards you. The Heavenly Fate Value of the protagonist, Fang Yuan, has decreased by 200 points!] [Ding! You have sessfully enhanced the affection of the Unpursued Heroine, Ji Ruxue, towards you. The Heavenly Fate Value of the protagonist, Fang Yuan, has decreased by 100 points!] [Ding! You have umted 1000 points of Viin Value!] The system notifications echoed in Jiang Chen''s mind. ''Yet another drop of 500 points in Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value!'' ''However, it seems Ji Ruxue is nearly fully swayed, given his Heavenly Fate Value has only dipped by 100 points on her ount.'' ''...'' Jiang Chen mused, a cocktail of tion and disappointment brewing in his heart. The tion stemmed from his imminent total sway over Ji Ruxue. The disappointment was rooted in the impending reality where he would no longer be able to leverage Ji Ruxue against Fang Yuan for his gain. Just then. "Very well." "Jiang Chen, your words bear merit." Ji Mingxiu dered, "Fang Yuan, if you acknowledge your fault and rectify your actions, we may absolve you of this transgression and waive any punitive measures." His voice was brimming with authority. "Apologize!?" The word nearly escaped through Fang Yuan''s gritted teeth. Apologize in front of such a multitude!! This was sure to etch an indelible mark on his life! He was a prodigy! He was a prodigy destined to rise above the masses! "Fang Yuan!" "A true man must have the courage to act and own up to his actions. Be flexible, admit your wrongdoing." Jiang Chen regarded Fang Yuan, conveying his message through both his eyes and transmitted words. "Jiang Chen!" Fang Yuan remained outwardly stoic, yet internally, he was seething. He had always considered Jiang Chen as an adversary. Jiang Chen was ostensibly creating an avenue for him to retain some dignity. Yet, through Fang Yuan''s lens, Jiang Chen was coercing him to concede his error, to capitte, to lose face! Rage! Fang Yuan''s heart surged with intense fury towards Jiang Chen! "I understand that you''re unwilling to yield to me." "I''m also open to another face-off!" "You still have three opportunities in the uing ranking tournament!" "But if you fail to handle this situation, you might end up being confined directly." Jiang Chen''s face bore an empathetic expression as he ryed his words, a hint of resignation in his voice. Fang Yuan''s response was immediate upon hearing these words. ''Indeed!'' ''I still hold three chances in the rankingpetition!'' Fang Yuan''s eyes ignited with fierce resolve, ''I must triumph, I will triumph!!'' If a simple apology meant safeguarding these three opportunities to vindicate himself, then such an act was not beyond consideration. ''If only I had maintained myposure from the start!'' ''Why does my temper re especially when confronted with Jiang Chen?'' Fang Yuan pondered, a hint of remorse surfacing in his heart. But remorse was futile at this juncture. He was left with no alternative but to apologize. "I, disciple Fang Yuan, concede my mistake!" "I ought not to have breached the Holy Land''s rules, nor should I have assaulted Senior Brother Jiang Chen! Imit to rectifying my conduct and will abstain from such transgressions henceforth!" Fang Yuan inhaled deeply, extended a respectful bow towards Ji Mingxiu, and issued his apology. "If such a situation recurs, I shall exhibit zero leniency!" Ji Mingxiu responded with a nod of indifference, his dismissive wave serving as a tacit signal to absolve Fang Yuan of the misstep. [Ding! You have sessfullypelled the protagonist, Fang Yuan, to issue a public apology. The Heavenly Fate Value of the protagonist, Fang Yuan, has decreased by 200 points!] [Ding! You have rued 400 points of Viin Value!] The system notifications chimed once more! Meanwhile, beneath the stage. "Amazing!" "Fang Yuan has been rescued by Senior Brother Jiang Chen once again!" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen is too benevolent, s!" "If that ungrateful Fang Yuan dares to repay Senior Brother Jiang Chen''s goodwill with treachery in the future, I swear I will confront him and criticize his lineage up to eighteen generations!" The fervent admirers of Jiang Chen were engaged in animated discussions. "We hereby announce, the rankingpetition is on the verge ofmencement." "All participating disciples, please proceed to the numbered arenas corresponding to your ranks. Thepetition officially begins an hour from now!" Following Ji Mingxiu''s directives, the presiding Elder dered in a resonant voice, "All participating disciples, please make use of this time to recuperate and restore your strength." In reality, the rankingpetition had been in motion since the conclusion of the first round. The disciples who were defeated in each round vied for the highest rank within their respective rounds. For instance, over sixty disciples had been vanquished in the first round. Therefore, the highest possible rank was in the sixties, while the lowest possible rank could run into hundreds, effectively cing one at the very end. Nevertheless, the Holy Land upheld a particr rule. Every disciple held the right to challenge the prospective Holy Son! At this juncture, what the presiding Elder announced essentially signified the initiation of the challenge against Jiang Chen. ''The challengemences in an hour!'' ''Within this timeframe, I must enhance my abilities!!'' As Fang Yuan proceeded towards his designated arena, being second in rank, he steeled his resolve. How could he possibly amplify his strength within such a narrow window? It was certainly unfeasible for him to achieve this alone! His only recourse was to rely on Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, two formidable figures who had attained the Void Tribtion realm! Consequently, he sought to connect with Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning within the Soul Embodying Ring. However, he was under the vignt scrutiny of a multitude of people, including towering figures like Ji Mingxiu and Mo Yu, who had reached the Dao Pce realm. After receiving a caution from Jiang Chen earlier, he dared not risk any reckless action. Thus, Fang Yuan plotted to retreat to his cave mansion first! At this juncture, disciples armed with healing and restorative pills were making their way into various arenas, distributing them among thepetitors. Witnessing this, Fang Yuan briefly paused, intending to acquire the pills before his departure. Nheless, he did not anticipate that the pill-bearing disciple would merely toss them his way. Further, as the disciple retreated, he muttered a remarkden with disdain and scorn. "Cursed!" As Fang Yuan stared at the receding figure of the disciple, a glint of icy menace flickered in his eyes. Yet, he dared not retaliate, he could only suppress his rage momentarily. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 173: This Time, I Must Triumph Over Jiang Chen Next. "I seek the Holy Lord''s permission to return to my cave mansion for healing," Fang Yuan dered, casting a respectful gaze towards Ji Mingxiu while bowing. "Permission granted." Ji Mingxiu responded. "All disciples are permitted one hour of free movement, but failure to return within the allotted time will lead to forfeiture of yourpetition qualifications!" With a nod, he conveyed his decision. "Thank you, Holy Lord!" In gratitude, Fang Yuan bowed once more, withdrew his flying artifact, and departed for his cave mansion. In his wake, several other participating disciples also made their exit from the stage. Indeed, not every disciple was capable of recuperating under the intense scrutiny of the vast crowd; some semnce of anxiety was inevitable. Yet, Jiang Chen remained on stage. Stationed at the center of the primary stage, he sat cross-legged, methodically ingesting pills to replenish his depleted Yuan Power. With regards to Fang Yuan, Jiang Chen was certain that he would enlist the aid of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Nheless, Jiang Chen harbored no worries. The prowess disyed by Fang Yuan during their prior bout hadn''t even touched the threshold of the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm. Even assuming he made significant progress within the hour, could he possibly ascend to the Dao Comprehension realm!? As long as the Dao Comprehension realm remained out of reach, Jiang Chen was confident in his impending victory. As time subtly trickled by, Fang Yuan, en route to his cave mansion, conscientiously ingested pills for recuperation and healing. In his concluding duel with Jiang Chen, he had enacted the self-damaging secret art, ''Wild Spirit Explosion''. It had not only devoured a substantial amount of Yuan Power but had also inflicted internal injuries. Promptly, Fang Yuan found himself within the seclusion of his cave mansion, engaging a myriad of protective formations! These defenses had been meticulously reconfigured under the sage tutge of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. While their ability to shield against divine sense was somewhat limited, offering inadequate protection from divine sense detection beyond the Inquiring Journey realm, these formations were exceedingly sensitive. Should even the faintest trace of divine sense attempt to infiltrate, Fang Yuan would be instantly alerted! Upon activation of the formations, a sigh of relief slipped from Fang Yuan. Seated on a stone bench, he sharpened his focus on his divine sense, directing it towards the Soul Embodying Ring. In a heartbeat, he established contact with Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. "Esteemed seniors!" "This victory holds immense significance for me! Given the formidable challenge Jiang Chen presents, I beseech your guidance!" With a grave countenance, Fang Yuan made his plea. "Fang Yuan." "We understand your desire for victory." "However, there is no feasible way to elevate your realm temporarily." "Even rapid-training killing techniques pose a significant challenge to master. The only usible options are power-boosting type secret arts." "But keep in mind, repeatedly invoking such secret arts in a short span can invite dire consequences, potentially undermining a cultivator''s very foundation!" Nangong Wan implored earnestly, "We do not wish to see your cultivation foundationpromised." "Indeed." "Fang Yuan, have you considered conceding? Second ce is an honorable achievement as well." Shangguan Ning concurred, "Furthermore, as Jiang Chen pointed out, triumphs and failures aremonce amongst cultivators. You seem to be overly fixated." "Jiang Chen, Jiang Chen, always Jiang Chen!" "Could you refrain from bringing up Jiang Chen constantly!" Hearing Shangguan Ning''s words, Fang Yuan couldn''t suppress the surge of indignation swelling within him. "Fang Yuan!" "Why do you harbor such an intense prejudice against Jiang Chen?" "Do you suspect him of plotting against you? If he truly intended to harm you, you would already be beyond our protection. Do youprehend that?" Perceiving Fang Yuan''s audacious retort, a chill crept into Shangguan Ning''s tone. "I''m not entirely defenseless against him..." Fang Yuan''s voice trailed off, his words punctuated by an awkward pause. He dared not venture further. After all, Shangguan Ning was a formidable entity of the Void Tribtion realm, her temperament far more vtile than Nangong Wan''s. It would be unwise to provoke her. "Very well." "Fang Yuan, perhaps it''s best to let this one pass." Nangong Wan continued her gentle coaxing, "If you wish to challenge Jiang Chen, future opportunities will be plentiful." "No!" "This is my inaugural battle since starting afresh, I cannot afford a loss!" With a shake of his head, Fang Yuan wore a look of resolution. This battle was vital to restoring his self-confidence! Moreover, this confrontation also implicated Ji Ruxue. Fang Yuan had a nagging sense that should Jiang Chen ascend to the role of the Holy Son, Ji Mingxiu might arrange a betrothal between Ji Ruxue and Jiang Chen! This was a scenario he would unequivocally reject! Therefore, despite his injuries, victory in this battle was non-negotiable! Nangong Wan acquiesced, "Then, we will extend our support." Drawing from her wealth of life experience, she could discern Fang Yuan''s mindset and understood the profound impact this potential defeat might inflict. That''s why she consented. "However." "Remember, the self-harming type secret art canpromise your cultivation foundation. Tread with caution!" Shangguan Ning added, "Here is the ''Vigorous Sift Diagram'', a unique power-boosting type secret art. It''s simple to grasp and potent. Begin practicing it immediately!" With that, she and Nangong Wanbined their limited soul power to materialize a convoluted scroll. Activating his divine sense, Fang Yuan examined it. Instantly, he was greeted by a cascade of peculiar images and countless characters interspersed within them. Moreover, a wave of intense, raw intent assaulted his mind, causing his eyes to re open instantly, the whites of his eyes tinged with a startling crimson! Time continued its relentless march. In what seemed like a mere blink, a whole half-hour had whizzed by. ''Trainingplete!!'' ''This time, I will undeniably defeat Jiang Chen!'' ''The victory is mine, the Holy Son''s mantle is mine, Ji Ruxue is mine, everything is mine! Everything is mine!'' Having sessfully mastered the ''Vigorous Sift Diagram'', Fang Yuan''s eyes shimmered with a blood-red hue, brimming with an insatiable thirst for battle! With thepletion of his practice, Fang Yuanmandeered his flying artifact towards the bustling Holy Land Square. Soon, the square, brimming with multitudes of people, registered within Fang Yuan''s divine sense. The assembled cultivators, for the most part, had their gazes riveted on Jiang Chen, their eyes a mix of awe, admiration, fanaticism, adoration, obsession, and a spectrum of other emotions... ''Just you wait!'' ''The ultimate victor will undoubtedly be me!'' ''All of you wille to regret your judgments!'' Fang Yuan''s hand clenched into a fist before he descended onto the number two fighting tform. "Fang Yuan has arrived!" "Oh, he''s brave enough to show up. I thought he might be too embarrassed to make an appearance!" "Wow, he''s really testing the limits of his allowed time, isn''t he? How much can he improve within a mere hour, and how many breaths can hest under Senior Brother Jiang Chen''s might? Let''s wait and watch!" "..." Many disciples directed their attention towards Fang Yuan on the number two fighting tform, their words carrying hints of mockery and ridicule. ''Has he arrived?'' ''Fang Yuan must have made some improvements.'' Jiang Chen mused, ''Yet, it doesn''t appear he''s ascended to the Dao Comprehension realm. My conjecture likely holds true.'' Despite his thoughts, he maintained a healthy vignce towards Fang Yuan. Consequently, he was prepared to confront any unexpected turns. At present, he had amassed quite a substantial amount of Viin Value! Exchanging it for treasures packed with abundant qi and blood was entirely usible. If any unforeseen circumstances arose, he would exchange his points of Viin Value for treasures that contain qi and blood, enabling him to swiftly grasp additional cultivation methods! With this approach, triumphing over Fang Yuan was virtually guaranteed! Just then. "Time''s up!" "We now announce, the rankingpetition officially begins!" The Elder supervising thepetition proimed loudly, "Disciples, please select your challenge targets!" Chapter 174: I, Fang Yuan, Challenge Jiang Chen The moment these words filled the air, an uproar instantly engulfed the entire venue. "It''s finally happening!" "That audacious Fang Yuan is definitely going to challenge Senior Brother Jiang Chen. He''s gravely overestimating his abilities!" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen ought to teach him a stern lesson!" "..." The assembled crowd shifted their gazes, focusing on Jiang Chen positioned at the premier arena and Fang Yuan upying the secondary. Even the multitude of disciples, numbering in the hundreds, elected to hold back from challenging higher ranks. All eyes were transfixed, eagerly awaiting the spectacle of Fang Yuan''s impending embarrassment. In an instant, Jiang Chen and Fang Yuan found themselves at the center of everyone''s attention! "I, Fang Yuan!" "Challenge Jiang Chen!" Fang Yuan, a spark of determination zing in his eyes, slowly arose from his seated position. Each word he spoke echoed with an unyielding resolve. "Second-ced Fang Yuan, challenging the potential Holy Son, Jiang Chen!" The Elder presiding over the event bellowed, "Fang Yuan, you are now permitted to arm yourself and make your way to the primary arena." Acknowledging this with a nod, Fang Yuan took action. Then, beneath the scrutinizing eyes of the onlookers, he selected a long spear and proceeded towards Jiang Chen''s arena, the primary battleground. "Fang Yuan." "Boldly facing challenges and charging forward,mendable, trulymendable!" "With such a fighting spirit, you are bound to achieve astounding sess on the Cultivation Path!" Jiang Chen''s gaze rested on Fang Yuan, his face revealing a blend of approval, encouragement, and concern for his junior brother. Fang Yuan maintained a stoic expression, a flicker of coldness slicing through his heart. From his perspective, Jiang Chen was in an unquestionably superior position, looking down upon him, a stance he found utterly uneptable! In that moment, the countdown began on the arena''s formation! Nine, eight, seven... "This time, I will surely defeat you!" Fang Yuan''s eyes sharpened, and he swung his long spear with formidable force, the horrifying sound of it cleaving the air amplifying a chilling momentum. However. "Fang Yuan is rambling again!" "I can''t help butugh, does he believe he could escte to the level capable of overpowering Senior Brother Jiang Chen in a mere hour?" "Fang Yuan usually seems sensible, but I can''t fathom what''s gotten into him these past couple of years!" "Haha, I trust that Senior Brother Jiang Chen will set him straight, so heprehends the true meaning of self-knowledge!" Beneath the arena, the disciples were whispering amongst themselves, their fingers pointing at Fang Yuan on the stage, their faces etched with disdain. Observing this, a chuckle bubbled up within Jiang Chen. Were this predicament befalling the protagonist, it would serve as a prelude to aposed and grand demonstration. But now, Fang Yuan had encountered him, Jiang Chen, and there would be no opportunity for showing off. At this juncture, the countdown dwindled to the final three digits. Three, two, one. The duel had officiallymenced! "Fierce God Seven Killings Spear Third Move - Lone Smoke!" Fang Yuan acted, his spear and he bing one. His velocity was so swift that he transformed into a streak of smoke in a blink,unching his assault directly at Jiang Chen. "Void Rainbow Sword Technique Ninth Style - Returning to One!" In response, Jiang Chen, wielding a long sword, delivered a single stroke that unleashed an enormous wave of white sword Qi. It shed through the air, assailing the encroaching Fang Yuan with brutal intensity. ng! Long spear met long sword. The sh of immense forces resulted in mutual annihtion, and copious amounts ofbat energy sshed recklessly about. Fang Yuan''s long spear carved a striking arc in the air, the sharp spear tip gleaming with a deadly frosty light, materializing at Jiang Chen''s neck in the blink of an eye. "Great Martial Eight Ghostly Steps!" Jiang Chen''s figure shimmered, and he swiftly retreated hundreds of meters in an instant. Fang Yuan''s serpent-like spear tip cut through Jiang Chen''s afterimage, leaving a chilling hum echoing in the air. However, he did not pursue. This round served primarily as a probe, a trial to discern the recovery status of the opponent after an hour''s rest. At this moment, both Jiang Chen and Fang Yuan had a tacit understanding - they had both recovered to their peak condition. "Have you also returned to your peak?" "It matters not, I can still best you!" A strong yearning to do battle and a firm resolve zed in Fang Yuan''s eyes, "Wild Spirit Explosion, Vigorous Sift Diagram!!" Almost instantaneously, two power-enhancing secret arts were activated simultaneously. A surge of potent Yuan Power began to circte in a unique pattern. Awork of hidden meridians were forcibly opened by the onught of Yuan Power. Alongside an agonizing pain, the vast potential hidden within Fang Yuan''s body burst forth in a sh! Boom! It all happened within a single breath''s time. Fang Yuan''s face flushed a deep red, his aura exploded, skyrocketing to the Inquiring Journey realm! Hisbat power even surged to the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm! In that singr moment. "Fierce God Seven Killings Spear Fourth Move - Death Command!!" Fang Yuan melded with his spear, morphing into aet-like streak of light, fiercely lunging at Jiang Chen. Previously, when he had used this move, he had wielded a long sword as a weapon to mislead Jiang Chen, which didn''t allow for the full expression of the Fierce God Seven Killings Spear''s might. But this time, he was using a long spear! This strike was undoubtedly the most potent attack he had everunched in his lifetime! ''A self-damaging power-enhancing secret art!?'' ''Truly, with merely an hour''s respite, this is likely his only option.'' ''The power of such temporary enhancements is typically fleeting. Under normal circumstances, all one needs is to dy, and it would be sufficient to exhaust the adversary.'' Jiang Chen''s eyes sparkled, a counter-strategy already taking form in his mind. Great Martial Eight Ghostly Steps! In an instant, he left an afterimage in his original spot, his genuine form appearing hundreds of meters away! However, this time, it appeared as though Fang Yuan''s observational skills had also improved. He tore right through Jiang Chen''s afterimage, his long spear tailing Jiang Chen like a heat-seeking missile, targeting his vital points and ferociously plunging down! ''I''ll evade again!'' Jiang Chen''s expression remained unchanged. Leaning back, he continued employing the Great Martial Eight Ghostly Steps to dodge. Yet, Fang Yuan wasn''t fooled. He stuck to Jiang Chen like a relentless bloodhound, refusing to let up. In that moment, Fang Yuan began to discern Jiang Chen''s strategy. A sense of disquiet suddenly stirred in his heart. His speed had significantly enhancedpared to before, and he had assumed that he could inhibit Jiang Chen''s maneuvers and decisively defeat him. Yet, astonishingly, Jiang Chen''s speed was always slightly superior to his! Clearly, he was just a fraction away from impaling Jiang Chen with his spear, but that mere fraction felt like an insurmountable chasm, impossible to bridge! ''He must be employing a power-boosting secret art too!'' ''It boils down to whose secret art is superior, and who can endure the longest!'' Fang Yuan concluded in his mind, the Yuan Power within him whirling frantically, tailing Jiang Chen persistently. Simultaneously. "This Fang Yuand indeed possesses some skill." "What skill? He''s just being led by the nose!" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen isn''t even making an effort to counter-attack, just focusing on evasion. Even if Fang Yuan exhausts himself, he won''t be able to close the gap." "Perhaps due to Fang Yuan''s incessant boasting, Senior Brother Jiang Chen has grown irked and is teaching him a lesson in this manner!" "Maybe Senior Brother Jiang Chen is still attempting to spare Fang Yuan some dignity. If Senior Brother Jiang Chen took action, Fang Yuan would be finished, and that would indeed be a significant loss of face." "Senior Brother Jiang Chen is simply too kind-hearted!" One by one, the disciples observed the chase unfolding on the stage, all the while engaging in animated discussions. However, influential figures like Ji Mingxiu and Mo Yu perceived much more depth in Fang Yuan''s actions. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 175: Then I Will Wait for You to Recover "The potency of Fang Yuan''s power-boosting secret art astonishes me. Could such a secret art truly originate from the Fang n?" Ji Mingxiu studied Fang Yuan, a mix of surprise and worry ying in his gaze. Mo Yu and the rest of the team shared his confusion and concern. The secret art employed by Fang Yuan had magnified his fighting prowess manifold, a truly daunting spectacle! Even the most formidable power-boosting secret art from the Purple Heaven Holy Land might only achieve a simr scale of impact, but at a terrifying cost. Regardless of Fang Yuan''s source of this secret art, was he capable of enduring the recoil of such a potent technique? Could he risk total devastation after invoking the secret art? "Ready the finest healing pills." "Fang Yuan, although slightly lesser to Jiang Chen, is an indispensable asset. We cannot afford any mishaps." Ji Mingxiu turned towards Mo Yu and the remaining three,municating his thoughts. "Affirmative." One after the other, Mo Yu and hispanions nodded, preparing to aid Fang Yuan when needed. Upon the stage, Jiang Chen and Fang Yuan, in swift session, dashed about wildly, trailing a myriad of afterimages. In an instant, the stage seemed to be teeming with spectres, an unusually mesmerizing spectacle. ''Curse it!'' ''Why isn''t his pace dwindling?'' ''If this proceeds, I''ll be ground down!'' As Fang Yuan beheld Jiang Chen, tantalizingly within reach yet elusive to strike, he felt his anxiety and irritation surging. In the subsequent moment. ''Piercing Wind Secrets!'' He gritted his teeth in resolve and once again staked his life to employ a technique to augment his velocity. This technique wasn''t superior-grade. But it was sufficient to lend Fang Yuan an incremental burst of speed. And at this moment, that slight boost in speed was all he sought! Just then, leveraging the ''Piercing Wind Secrets'', Fang Yuan finally managed to bridge that tiny gap, his spear tip on the verge of impaling Jiang Chen''s back! Yet, Jiang Chen had remained vignt of Fang Yuan''s potential outburst. ''Void Rainbow Sword Technique Fourth Style - Sword Shadow!'' With a deft sweep of the sword in his right hand towards his rear, Jiang Chen instantaneously summoned a host of sword shadows. Ding, Ding, Ding! The long spear collided with the long sword, triggering a continuous symphony of shing metal! In the wake of circr shockwaves, both Jiang Chen and Fang Yuan were concurrently propelled sideways. But in a sh, Fang Yuan once again took to the air, leaving a trail of sonic booms in his wake. Heunched his most powerful attack, ''Death Command'', charging yet again at Jiang Chen! Having pivoted around, Jiang Chen delivered a ruthless sh with his long sword forward! ng! The piercingly sharp sound was near deafening, threatening to rupture eardrums! The very next moment, Fang Yuan''s form was visible, catapulted backward like a cannonball, violently smashing into the formation barrier! Concurrently, Jiang Chen feigned a retreat of over ten meters, steadying his stance. "Ptui!" "How can this be!" Fang Yuan spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his face a mask of disbelief. His entire body shuddered, utterly incredulous that he had been outrightly vanquished by Jiang Chen. After all, he had employed two power-boosting secret arts. One of which, the ''Vigorous Sift Diagram'', was bestowed upon him by Shangguan Ning and Nangong Wan, it certainly wasn''t an ordinary secret art! But despite this, he was still sent hurtling by Jiang Chen! Just how formidable was Jiang Chen!? "Wow!" "Fang Yuan has been flung away. While he didn''t activate the formation''s protective barrier, he''s nearing defeat." "I''m somewhat baffled. This guy abruptly became so powerful, could it be that he consumed a pill to explosively enhance hisbat strength?" "That seems highly likely. Could Fang Yuan have mastered such a potent power-boosting secret art within such a brief span? He must have taken a pill! This is a clear breach of the rules!" "He''s truly pulling out all the stops to achieve victory. Sadly, all his efforts against Senior Brother Jiang Chen are futile!" "I''vepletely figured out this Fang Yuan. He''s a thorough viin, yet Senior Brother Jiang Chen has been so gracious towards him!" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen must discern the type of person Fang Yuan truly is. But as he previously stated, to recognize one''s errors and rectify them ismendable, which is why he endures Fang Yuan." "All you do is talk about Fang Yuan. That guy isn''t worth mentioning. Don''t disrupt my admiration for Senior Brother Jiang Chen''s valiance, alright?" "Right, right, right. Senior Brother Jiang Chen is so admirable, who can gauge just how mighty he really is!" "..." Countless disciples witnessed Fang Yuan being repelled and instantly unleashed a wave of taunts. The air was charged with sounds of mockery, scorn, and skepticism! From Jiang Chen''s corner, all that emanated was veneration and awe! On the stage. "Fang Yuan, let''s conclude this." Jiang Chen gazed at Fang Yuan, whose face was marked by disbelief and defiance, and spoke calmly. "No!" "I haven''t been defeated yet!!" "You''ve also invoked a power-boosting secret art, you''re bound to falter before I do!" Fang Yuan bellowed, his entire being lunging forward like a vengeful serpent, his long spear homing in on Jiang Chen''s throat in a blink! "Sigh." Jiang Chen let out a resigned sigh, shifting his footing as his long sword carved an arc through the sky. Ding!! The long sword and long spear met with a resounding sh. A circr shockwave emanated outwards, distorting the air around. Bang! Fang Yuan was thrust backwards once more, mming into the formation barrier, blood spilling involuntarily from his mouth. "Ah ah ah!" Fang Yuan roared in disbelief, his expression wild as he wielded the long spear andunched another attack. Jiang Chen, meanwhile, evaded while brandishing his long sword, employing the Void Rainbow Sword Technique to parry. Even though the Void Rainbow Sword Technique was merely a Heavenly Origin realm sword technique, Jiang Chen''sbat prowess was simply overwhelming, having already ascended to the Late-stage Inquiring Journey+. Therefore, despite Fang Yuan employing his n''s formidable spear technique, he was repeatedly repelled by Jiang Chen! At this juncture, on the stage, Fang Yuan assailed Jiang Chen like a possessed demon. Jiang Chen, in contrast, persistently brandished his long sword, sending Fang Yuan hurtling away time and again. After approximately a few dozen maneuvers. Boom! Fang Yuan was once againunched away by Jiang Chen, colliding into the barrier of the stage''s formation. Immediately thereafter, he copsed to the ground, a flicker of bewilderment and disorientation surfacing in his bloodshot eyes. He was nearing a state of existential crisis due to Jiang Chen''s relentless assault. But Fang Yuan still harbored an instinctual desire to charge at Jiang Chen once more. However, his body spasmed violently, the enormous strength dissipating without a trace in an instant. Overwhelming weakness and acute pain engulfed him like a tidal wave,pletely submerging him. The duration of his secret art''s potency had expired! ''No!!'' Fang Yuan''s lips quivered, he couldn''t even muster the strength to shout, and could only vent his anger and frustration internally. He strained. Desperately attempting to circte his Yuan Power, but his body felt as though it had been severed from his control, wholly unresponsive. At this moment, a figure materialized before him - it was Jiang Chen. "Are you alright?" "Here''s a healing pill, take it quickly!" Jiang Chen proffered a bottle containing the pill, a look of concern etched on his face. "No..." "I haven''t been defeated yet!" Drawing a deep breath, the light in Fang Yuan''s eyes slightly intensified. In a tremulous and incredibly stubborn voice, he dered his resilience. In his perspective, Jiang Chen was gazing down from an elevated position, feigning generosity! "You''ve already proven your mettle, why persist?" Jiang Chen shook his head in resignation, "Since you''re still unwilling to yield, I''ll wait for you to recover." Having said this, he stood up and retreated several meters, quietly observing Fang Yuan. In his heart, he was filled with silent derision. Naturally, Jiang Chen didn''t want Fang Yuan to capitte that easily either, as the ''fatal blow'' intended for Fang Yuan had yet to be delivered! Beneath the stage, seeing this, Ji Mingxiu and the others slightly furrowed their brows. However, they respected the choices of the two on stage and refrained from intervening. Chapter 176: The Desolation and Powerlessness of Fang Yuan The chatter of hundreds of thousands of disciples surged anew, their voices echoing around the arena. "Unbelievable! This Fang Yuan is truly beyondprehension!" "Indeed, even in his current condition, he refuses to yield, he''s clearly lost his senses." "He even declined the pill offered by Senior Brother Jiang Chen, does he consider himself the epitome of arrogance? In my eyes, he''s as obstinate as a donkey and as disagreeable as a drenched hound!" "..." Endless debates filled the air, many spectators regarding Fang Yuan with apparent disgust and contempt. Inside the Soul Embodying Ring, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were fraught with anxiety and helplessness. They wished to dissuade Fang Yuan from pushing himself any further. Nevertheless, bound by Jiang Chen''s prior warning and in the presence of Ji Mingxiu and others, they did not dare to converse with Fang Yuan through their divine sense. Upon the dueling tform, time flowed with each passing breath. Suddenly! Fang Yuan extended a hand to lift himself off the ground, shaking as he rose to his feet. In his eyes, the flickers of agony, rage, defiance, and resolve intermingled. Jiang Chen clutched his long sword, observing him with a detached gaze. The next instant. "Wild Spirit Explosion, Vigorous Sift Diagram, Setting Sun Spear!!!" Fang Yuan''s heart released a maniacal, heartrending outcry, irrespective of the consequences he once more initiated his self-damaging secret arts to push himself to the brink! Moreover, he dared to initiate the Fifth Move of the Fierce God Seven Killings Spear, a technique he was far from mastering! His entire existence seemed to fuse with the long spear, akin to a zing sun charging toward Jiang Chen. His velocity was extraordinarily high! He nearly instantaneously materialized before Jiang Chen! In the subsequent moment, the sphere of the roaring sun detonated vehemently, a force nearing the Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm erupted savagely! At this juncture, despite the barrier of the dueling tform, the outer world still experienced a sudden shift, apanied by the sensation of a darkening sky! "Impossible!" "This... this... this power surpasses the typical strength of the Inquiring Journey realm!" "What on earth did Fang Yuan do to harness such might!" "He must have consumed a strength-enhancing pill, I mentioned it earlier, now it''s been substantiated!" "This man truly has lost his mind, he disregards even his own life to overpower Senior Brother Jiang Chen." "Hmph, if he perishes, he brought it on himself. Our Purple Heaven Holy Land has Senior Brother Jiang Chen; one more of him won''t make a difference, and one less won''t either!" "Despite Fang Yuan unleashing such formidable force, Senior Brother Jiang Chen remains utterly stable. His tranquil and collected demeanor is genuinely captivating." Beneath the dueling tform, a myriad of cultivators revealed expressions of astonishment, followed by another surge of fervent discussions. Simultaneously. "What!" "Power approaching the Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm!" "Fang Yuan, while only in the Heavenly Origin realm, actually exerted power nearing the Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm; this, this is utterly unbelievable!" "Such audacity implies he will suffer an even more catastrophic consequence; it''s highly likely he will bring about his own downfall!" "It''s already toote to halt him now, we can only hope for his fortune, sigh, Fang Yuan''s temperament is indeedmentable!" Ji Mingxiu, Mo Yu, and others observing the spectacle in the ring all furrowed their brows, harboring a profound sense of exasperation and disappointment toward Fang Yuan. Upon the tform. Boom! Amid the terrifying surge of the ''Setting Sun Spear'', the robes of both Jiang Chen and Fang Yuan billowed, their long hair fluttering wildly. Amidst the disarray of light and shadow, both figures seemed on the brink of dissolution! "Inconceivable!" "How could you have possibly withstood it!" Fang Yuan, regarding the nearby Jiang Chen, was virtually at the brink of copse! The subsequent moment. Crack! The long spear in Fang Yuan''s grasp and the long sword in Jiang Chen''s hold disintegrated concurrently. Then, akin to fractured ss, they morphed into countless fragments and scattered in every direction! Fang Yuan was forcefully repelled, colliding once again with the barrier created by the formation! "Fang Yuan!" "This, in fact, represents my true strength the pinnacle of the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm!" "The fact that you could manifest such potent force is truly remarkable, but regrettably, you still cannot triumph over me." Jiang Chen swung his right hand, neutralizing the residual energy of the ''Setting Sun Spear'', and the protective barrier surrounding him began to slowly dissolve. Previously, he had merely relied on the defensive light shield around him and the long sword in his grip to parry Fang Yuan''s desperate assault! "No!" "Why!" "Why are you so formidable!" Fang Yuan''s eyes appeared vacant, a chilling sensation pervading his body, and his surroundings seemed to descend into darkness. Confronting Jiang Chen, for the first time, he was swamped by a sense of destion and powerlessness! "There''s no specific reason." "Fang Yuan, the immensity of this cosmos is virtually unfathomable, geniuses are too numerous to list, never underestimate anyone." "Allow me to conclude today''s battle!" Jiang Chen slowly elevated his right hand, pointing it like a sword, and swiftly brought it down, "Silent Annihtion!" sh!! The Silent Annihtion Sword Qi emerged like an inverted gxy, tumbling toward the ground! Everyone experienced a sudden ze of light sh before their eyes, akin to the flicker of a lightning bolt. Hum! Hum! Hum! Just as the sword Qi was on the verge of making contact with Fang Yuan, the formation identified it as a lethal strike that Fang Yuan could not withstand, and promptly erected a formation barrier, enveloping him within. Boom!! The Silent Annihtion sword Qi mmed into the formation barrier. Immediately, there was another sh of brilliant white light. Many of the lower-level disciples experienced a stabbing pain in their eyes! Fang Yuan, who stood at the forefront, was even more intensely blinded by the white radiance, mirroring his heart, filled with bewilderment about his future. Previously, Fang Yuan held an unwavering conviction that he could ascend to the pinnacle of the Immortal Martial Continent and proceed to a wider cosmos, achieving victory in every battle, proceeding all the way to the Void Tribtion realm and even advancing to the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path, transforming into a force to be reckoned with in the universe! Because he was exceptionally gifted! Because he had the support of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning! However, he was utterly vanquished under Jiang Chen''s sword. Were it not for the rules of thepetition and the safeguard of the formation, he would have perished long ago! Beneath the stage, no one took an interest in Fang Yuan''s current state of mind. "Hehe! Finally brought down!" "Daring to assert defeating Senior Brother Jiang Chen, it''s absurd! Even if he can muster the strength of the Inquiring Journey realm, so what? Our Senior Brother Jiang Chen is already a formidable entity in the Inquiring Journey realm!" "Being a major force in the Inquiring Journey realm at merely twenty years old, and further, at the zenith of the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm, it''s simply astounding!" "Even the Holy Lord could not parallel this achievement at the same age, correct?" "Under the leadership of Senior Brother Jiang Chen, our Purple Heaven Holy Land will undoubtedly unify the Everflowing Truth Domain in the future!" One after another, cultivators cast scornful nces at Fang Yuan, which subsequently morphed into boundless admiration for Jiang Chen. At this juncture, several figures materialized on the tform. They were Ji Mingxiu, Mo Yu, and others! "Disciple pays respect to the Holy Lord, and to the four Supreme Elders!" Jiang Chen saluted Ji Mingxiu and the rest, appearing somewhat uneasy. "Good!" Jiang Chen''s homage was acknowledged with a nod from Ji Mingxiu, who then turned to Mo Yu and the others, "Quickly provide Fang Yuan with some medical assistance!" Mo Yu and the rest approached Fang Yuan''s side, their expressions grave, andmenced diagnosis and treatment! A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 177: Fang Yuans Predicament, A Burden Not Yours to Bear Supreme Elder Mo Yu, apanied by the other three Dao Pce realm peers, meticulously scanned Fang Yuan from top to bottom. "What''s the prognosis?" Inquired Ji Mingxiu, his brows knotted in concern. "The situation is somewhat dire!" "He''s invoked self-destructive, power-amplifying secret arts numerous times within a short duration. Fang Yuan''s cultivation base has suffered substantial damage!" Mo Yu slightly shook his head in disapproval, then added with a hint of surprise, "Nevertheless, it''s less severe than I anticipated, likely due to the minor residual effects of the secret arts he employed." "That''s somewhat of a relief." "Fang Yuan, this young man, is excessively arrogant. He requires some discipline. Hopefully, this predicament will serve as a lesson for him." A Supreme Elder voiced his dissatisfaction with a hint of regret. "I ept the me. I failed to convince Junior Brother Fang Yuan to reconsider earlier on." With a solemn tone, Jiang Chen stepped forward and confessed. "Jiang Chen." "Fang Yuan''s predicament is of his own making; you needn''t shoulder any guilt." "We''ve all borne witness to Fang Yuan''s obstinacy and pride." Ji Mingxiu shook his head, casting a nce at Jiang Chen filled with approval and pleasure. Jiang Chen had exceeded his expectations in terms of strength. Given hisbat prowess, he was undoubtedly at the zenith of the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm. This surpassed Ji Mingxiu''s initial projections. Currently, Fang Yuan''s conduct had severely marred his reputation in the eyes of Ji Mingxiu and the rest. Moreover, he was the architect of his own downfall, his cultivation base waspromised, and the path to restoration would be extraordinarily challenging. Conversely, Jiang Chen showcased not just an awe-inspiring talent, but also an admirable character. As Fang Yuan''s prestige dwindled, Jiang Chen''s ascended. In Ji Mingxiu''s perspective and that of the others, Jiang Chen now held a loftier position than Fang Yuan, his significance even more pronounced. For the Purple Heaven Holy Land, Jiang Chen was the irreceable future Holy Lord. As for Fang Yuan, he was merely a slightly more extraordinary genius. "Very well." "Fang Yuan''s injuries aren''t critical; he merely needs time to convalesce." "However, mending his foundation isn''t a task that can bepleted swiftly. We can only endeavour to gradually restore it." Supreme Elder Mo Yu chimed in once more, "It might take a few centuries to regain some stability... Let''s start with his immediate treatment." As a Supreme Elder of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, he was far from being utterly helpless in such a predicament. If this had been a force outside the triad of major factions - the Purple Heaven Holy Land, the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple - they would undoubtedlyck the means to repair Fang Yuan''s foundation. At this juncture, Ji Mingxiu signalled approval, gestured with his hand, and summoned an Elder to escort Fang Yuan for medical attention. Throughout the process, Fang Yuan remained conscious yet seemingly disoriented and dumbfounded, silent as if in a vegetative state! As Fang Yuan was ushered off the stage. [Ding! You''ve sessfully altered a pivotal plot point. You''ve inflicted substantial psychological damage on the protagonist Fang Yuan, leading to a decrease in his Heavenly Fate Value by 500 points!] [Ding! You''ve rued 1000 points of Viin Value!] The system notifications echoed once more. A subtle smile emerged at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth. Toppling Fang Yuan for the second time was tantamount to exacerbating his "wound" to a nearly lethal extent! Subsequently, his gaze grazed over Fang Yuan, and in an instant, the Viin''s Eye was activated. [Name: Fang Yuan Realm: Late-stage Heavenly Origin Status: Protagonist Heavenly Fate Value: 3486/3486] ''Once I deplete his Heavenly Fate Value by another neen hundred, I''ll have the green light to annihte him.'' ''But, I can''t impulsively execute him. I must adhere to the strategy and primarily entrap Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning!'' A flicker of anticipation glinted in Jiang Chen''s eyes. Indeed, his triumph over Fang Yuan this time was partially influenced by their previous encounter. During the entire sequence of Fang Yuan''sbat, neither Nangong Wan nor Shangguan Ning dared to intervene or evenmunicate with Fang Yuan. It was only when Fang Yuan retreated to his cave dwelling to rest and heal, that they were able to pass on the power-amplifying secret art to him. Without this circumstance, vanquishing Fang Yuan would not have been such an easy feat! At this instant, Fang Yuan was transported by an Elder, destined for the specialized healing sector of the Purple Heaven Holy Land for meticulous treatment. In the Holy Land Square, all eyes were riveted on Jiang Chen! "The ranking contest proceeds." Ji Mingxiu made the announcement personally, his gaze sweeping across the crowd as he casually posed a question, "Is there anyone who dares to challenge Jiang Chen?" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen is unparalleled!" "We stand no chance against Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" "In the presence of Senior Brother Jiang Chen, we already feel deeply humbled, how could we dare to challenge?" "..." One by one, the prodigious cultivators of the Purple Heaven Holy Land conceded in utter humility. "In that case." "Effective immediately, Jiang Chen is dered the Holy Son of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, the future Holy Lord!" Ji Mingxiu pronounced loudly and extended a ring to Jiang Chen, "This holds the Holy Son''s token, exclusive sect secret methods only essible to the Holy Son, along with a number of spirit jades." "Thank you, Master!" With a slight bow, Jiang Chen epted the storage ring. "Holy Son, Holy Son!" "Senior Brother Jiang Chen is officially the Holy Son now!" "The future of our Purple Heaven Holy Land looks even brighter!" "Hahaha, this is certainly one of the most momentous celebrations of my lifetime. Let''s keep the merriment going postpetition till we''re thoroughly merry!" One after another, the disciples reveled in the excitement, chattering away in sheer delight. From this point forward, the Purple Heaven Holy Land had another pir, another stalwart to support another segment of its expansive sky. As disciples of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, all were overflowing with excitement! Well, all except for Fang Yuan! Just as everyone burst into jubtion, Jiang Chen''s divine sense delved into the storage ring. The contents of the ring instantly became perceptible. Among them was aplete set of luxurious garments signifying the status of the Holy Son. This ensemble also served as a top-grade defensive artifact tailored for the Inquiring Journey realm, and it was the kind that could be reshaped and enhanced. Additionally, there was a massive collection of cultivation techniques and secret arts, as well as five hundred high-grade spirit jades. Earlier, when Jiang Chen became Ji Mingxiu''s disciple, he had received a hundred high-grade spirit jades, and now he had secured an additional five hundred! In terms of spirit stones and spirit jades alone, his wealth had already eclipsed that of most cultivators in the Purple Heaven Holy Land. ''Next, I need to amass spiritual nts on arge scale to swiftly bolster my cultivation base!'' A thought that brought a sense of jubtion to Jiang Chen. At this moment. "Now that Jiang Chen''s status as Holy Son is firmly established." "Thepeting cultivators will continue the rankingpetition." Ji Mingxiu resumed speaking, "Fang Yuan''s rank is set at the second position. Given his prowess, I trust none of you have any objections, correct?" All the cultivators concurred with a nod. Despite Fang Yuan''s crushing defeat at the hands of Jiang Chen, his power was unquestionable. The other contending disciples present simply couldn''t rival him. "Hmm." "The next part is yours to handle." Ji Mingxiu gave a slight nod, immediately delegating the responsibilities of presiding over the event to the Elder who had originally been assigned to the task. "Yes, Holy Lord!" The Elder responsible for overseeing the event respectfully acknowledged themand, then proceeded to conduct the rankingpetition. "Jiang Chen, apany me." Ji Mingxiu turned his gaze to Jiang Chen, a benevolent smile of an elder adorning his face. "Yes, Master!" A thought flitted through Jiang Chen''s mind, approximately deducing Ji Mingxiu''s impending course of action. Subsequently, Ji Mingxiu nodded at Mo Yu and the others, then departed the main arena with Jiang Chen, heading towards the Holy Land Grand Hall. Chapter 178: The Successful Pursuit of Ji Ruxue "Ruxue, did you notice?" Xie Xiaojing nudged Ji Ruxue yfully, her eyes sparkling with mischievous intent. "Jiang Chen is departing with the Holy Lord. As he is now the Holy Son, it''s inevitable that the Holy Lord will arrange a betrothal for him." "You..." A soft blush of pink danced across Ji Ruxue''s cheeks. She found herself at a loss for words. Not long ago, she found her father''s attempts to set her up with Jiang Chen exasperating. The mere idea of it was irritating, and Xie Xiaojing''sments on the topic would have only amplified her annoyance. However, in just two short months, having shared in both peril and triumph with Jiang Chen, and even owed her life to him twice, her emotions had taken an unexpected turn, growing a profound affection for him in such a brief time. Even though it felt like a dream, Ji Ruxue knew her feelings for Jiang Chen were real. The notion of being together with him now seemed like a beautiful dream she longed to live in. What Ji Ruxue was not aware of, however, was that the intensification of her feelings was more linked to Jiang Chen''s System than to his actions alone. Observing Ji Ruxue lost in her thoughts, Xie Xiaojing mistook her contemtion as apprehension about the forting betrothal. "Ruxue." "I understand this may not align with your aspirations, but you mustn''t be inflexible. If you''re not careful, someone else might snatch Jiang Chen away." Xie Xiaojing''s words, intended as a gentle warning, punctured the silence. Ji Ruxue, jolted back to the present, did not respond immediately. Instead, she met Xie Xiaojing''s gaze, a slight smile lingering at the corners of her lips. Then, after a brief pause. "Oh, Xiaojing." "Just who might this ''someone'' be?" A teasing twinkle shone in Ji Ruxue''s eyes. "I... I have no idea what you''re implying," Caught off guard, Xie Xiaojing stammered, a flush of pink coloring her cheeks, a hint of nervousness evident in her voice. Observing her reaction, Ji Ruxue couldn''t help but chuckle. Herughter, melodic and light, echoed in their surroundings. "I was just teasing you," She offered reassurance, her gaze growing tender as she reached out to hold Xie Xiaojing''s hand. "Xiaojing, there''s no need to conceal your feelings for Jiang Chen." "The sparkle in your eyes when you see him or speak of him is telling." Continuing in a voice that was soft yet firm, Ji Ruxue added, "You''ve been different recently, maybe due to the Holy Sonpetition, or possibly because of my father''s matchmaking attempts. But there''s no need to suppress your emotions. Why should only one of us be hispanion? We both could be. And you''ve noticed it, haven''t you? Ever since his arrival from the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain, Jiang Chen hasn''t been as close to any other female disciple as he has been with us. I suspect he might share our sentiments." As Ji Ruxue concluded her thoughts, she gave Xiaojing''s hand a gentle squeeze. The honesty in her words was clear, reflecting the depth of their bond and the mutual affection they harbored for Jiang Chen. Upon hearing these words, Xie Xiaojing felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck her, sparking a surge of mixed emotions within her. Her initial reaction of shock swiftly transformed into one of surprised disbelief, her eyes widening noticeably. "Ruxue... Are you serious?" She managed to stutter out, her voice resonating with a thrilling blend of tion and awe. Jiang Chen and Ji Ruxue were the two individuals she cherished the most, second only to her own family. The mere thought of losing either of them felt like a dagger twisting in her heart an unthinkable possibility. Yet, with Ji Ruxue''s suggestion, a glimmer of hope was ignited in Xie Xiaojing, dissipating her apprehensions that had arisen after acknowledging her rtionship with Jiang Chen that night. "Indeed, I''m serious. As a woman and a cultivator, as long as he harbors affection for me and I see potential for progress in my Cultivation Path with him, it doesn''t bother me if he is involved with other women. More crucially, the more time I spend with Jiang Chen, the firmer my belief that standing by him is ultimately the best decision for both me and our Purple Heaven Holy Land." Ji Ruxue''s reply was candid as she watched Xie Xiaojing''s astonished face and glistening eyes. Her voice conveyed a profound conviction, reflecting trust not only in Jiang Chen but also in her own judgment. Yet, upon hearing this, Xie Xiaojing looked even more taken aback. She stared at her best friend, who seemed suddenly transformed, at a loss for words. "Are you really that surprised?" Ji Ruxue''s eyes sparkled with amusement, observing Xie Xiaojing''s reaction. "Did you assume my title as Holy Maiden was merely ornamental?" Still in a state of shock, Xie Xiaojing could only manage a mute nod. "Ah, so you thought I was all title, no substance?" Ji Ruxue feigned indignation, her voiceden with mirth. Regaining herposure, Xie Xiaojing yfully feigned innocence, retorting, "What? When did I ever imply that, Ruxue!" Following this, the mood significantly lightened as their yful banter filled the air. But just at that moment. "Ruxue,e here for a moment." The voice of Ji Mingxiu echoed in Ji Ruxue''s ear, "I need to discuss something with you." ''Ah!'' Surprise flickered across Ji Ruxue''s face, a flush spreading over her features. ''Could it be that father truly intends to betroth me to Jiang Chen!'' Noticing Ji Ruxue''s rosy cheeks, realization struck Xie Xiaojing. "The Holy Lord is calling for you? You should hurry!" With a gentle push, she yfully urged Ji Ruxue. Without a moment''s hesitation, Ji Ruxue rose and dashed off, soaring towards the Holy Land Grand Hall. Inside, her heart was thumping wildly as if a fawn had been set loose. Simultaneously, her movements caught the attention of the other disciples in the Holy Land. "Look quickly! The Holy Maiden is also headed towards the Holy Land Grand Hall!" "The Holy Lord has summoned both Holy Son Jiang Chen and Holy Maiden Ruxue. He''s probably going to arrange a betrothal between Holy Maiden Ruxue and Holy Son Jiang Chen!" "It''s not just probable, it''s certain! Holy Son Jiang Chen and Holy Maiden Ruxue are a match made in heaven. Furthermore, wedding Ruxue to Jiang Chen could strengthen his sense of belonging, especially considering his recent arrival to the Holy Land." "..." The cultivators engaged in a flurry of discussion. Even the disciples who were about to start their matches paused, nodding in agreement. Hundreds of thousands of cultivators conversed simultaneously. The collective chatter was like a roaring tsunami, overwhelming in its volume. Ji Ruxue naturally caught snippets of these conversations, her heart fluttering, a surge of shyness enveloping her. Meanwhile, in the grand Holy Land Grand Hall, Jiang Chen found himself standing before Ji Mingxiu. Fresh from his period of healing after the duel with Fang Yuan, he was now anxiously waiting for Ji Ruxue''s arrival. Suddenly, a shared instinct prompted both he and Ji Mingxiu to turn towards the entrance of the vast hall. Ji Ruxue had just made her appearance. After respectfully offering her greetings to both men, she took her position beside Jiang Chen, turning to face her father. A restrained chuckle bubbled up within Jiang Chen as he noticed the faint blush tinting her cheeks. Just prior, he had received an enthusiastic message from Xie Xiaojing, which had provided aprehensive ount of her recent conversation with Ji Ruxue. Observing Ji Ruxue in her current disconcerted state, particrly contrasting with her confident words from earlier, he found the circumstance rather entertaining. At this very moment. "Jiang Chen, tell me." "What do you think of Ji Ruxue?" Ji Mingxiu didn''t prolong the suspense; he immediately voiced his query with a solemn tone. ''Just as I thought, he intends to promise Ji Ruxue''s hand in marriage to me!'' The notion swiftly crossed Jiang Chen''s mind, prompting a faint smile to trace his lips. He opened his mouth to respond, every syble resonating through the silent hall. In the Holy Land Grand Hall, Jiang Chen found himself standing before Ji Mingxiu. Fully recovered after his showdown with Fang Yuan, he now awaited the arrival of Ji Ruxue. Abruptly, both he and Ji Mingxiu shifted their attention towards the entrance of the Main Hall. Ji Ruxue had made her entrance. After formally acknowledging the presence of both men, she positioned herself at Jiang Chen''s side, her gaze meeting her father''s. A concealed chuckle stirred within Jiang Chen, triggered by her subtly flushed cheeks. Only moments ago, an animated message from Xie Xiaojing had informed him about her recent discussion with Ji Ruxue. Observing Ji Ruxue''s present diposed demeanor, a stark contrast to her earlier confident assertions, he found the scene highly entertaining. At that very moment. "Jiang Chen, share your sentiments." "What do you think about Ji Ruxue?" Without prolonging the anticipation, Ji Mingxiu voiced his query solemnly. ''Indeed, he''s nning to promise Ji Ruxue to me in marriage!'' The thought streaked across Jiang Chen''s mind, his lips curling into a faint smile. He then began to articte his response, his words resounding in the hushed hall. "Miss Ruxue is undoubtedly the most extraordinary woman within the Holy Land!" "Regarding aptitude, she ascended to the Heavenly Origin realm at the mere age of eighteen, a testament to her astounding prowess." "As for appearances, she radiates elegance, evocative of a swan in graceful flight or a dragon skillfully navigating the waters. Her nce holds the strength to dismantle cities, her gaze, the potential to destabilize kingdoms." "In character, she exemplifiespassion, intelligence, perceptiveness, and loyalty." "I could enumerate innumerable virtues in Ruxue, yet when ites to deficiencies, I find myself grasping at straws." Jiang Chen''s voice carried a sincere and earnest tone, entuating the genuineness of his reverence for Ji Ruxue. Indeed, Jiang Chen''smendations weren''t hollow ttery. Ji Ruxue, after all, embodied a Heroine archetype, demonstrating a plethora ofudable attributes. Consider, for instance, the episode at Red Maple Sky Valley. Even though Jiang Chen had ensured her safe departure, she, alongside Xie Xiaojing, had opted to return, jeopardizing their lives to aid him... Now, Jiang Chen''s words reverberated distinctly in Ji Ruxue''s ears. Praise was always pleasing, especially when it originated from someone for whom you harbored affection. Ji Ruxue''s heart danced with delight, the genuineness in Jiang Chen''s expressions bestowing upon her immense happiness. At that moment. "I see." Ji Mingxiu replied, a satisfied nod apanying his words. His eyes slid from Jiang Chen to his daughter. "Ruxue, what are your feelings towards Jiang Chen?" "Jiang Chen...he''s...excellent." Ji Ruxue admitted, stealing a shy peek at Jiang Chen before swiftly diverting her gaze, her eyes cast down and her voice barely above a whisper. Her response presented a stark contrast to her initial resistance. "Excellent." Ji Mingxiu reiterated, his countenance illuminated by relief. A gratified smile surfaced on his face, solidifying his resolution internally. However, before he could articte his thoughts. "Master, if I may interject!" Jiang Chen cut in, his eyes overflowing with appreciation towards Ji Mingxiu. "I believe I grasp what Master is about to propose, and I''m deeply honored by your faith in entrusting your precious daughter to me." Then, directing his fond gaze towards Ji Ruxue, who stared back at him in disbelief, he continued. "However, Master, Ruxue despises the idea of arranged marriages and longs for a rtionship that blossoms organically. I wouldn''t want to blemish her newfound joy or leave a distasteful impression. Hence, I respectfully request you to ord us the time to nurture our rtionship at a natural pace." No sooner had Jiang Chen concluded his plea, Ji Ruxue''s visage brightened remarkably. Her eyes twinkled as they mirrored Jiang Chen''s captivating image, a genuine smile blooming on her lips, her happiness palpable. "Well, if that''s what both of you wish for, I shall step aside from this matter, allowing you to shape your own destinies." Witnessing the tion on his daughter''s face, Ji Mingxiu silently praised Jiang Chen for his thoughtful manner, giving him an internal nod of approval. Though the intense happiness and deep affection visible in Ji Ruxue''s eyes seemed atypical given her rtively short two-month acquaintance with Jiang Chen, he decided against overanalyzing it. The intricacies of the heart were, after all,plex. Nevertheless, this oue was precisely what he had been hoping for. Simultaneously, system notifications resonated in Jiang Chen''s mind, igniting a surge of joy within him! [Ding! You have sessfully captivated the heart of the Heroine Ji Ruxue. The protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has declined by 800 points!] [Ding! You have earned 8,000 points of Viin Value!] Atst, he had wooed Ji Ruxue! From this point forward, the considerable influence of the Purple Heaven Holy Land would be at Jiang Chen''s disposal. Regardless of the situation, Ji Mingxiu and the others would rally behind him first, with a significant amount of resources being skewed in his favor. Furthermore, he could enhance the exhibition of his cultivation talent. After all, there was no need for him to maintain such a guarded stance towards Ji Mingxiu and the others any longer. Demonstrating stronger cultivation and martial talents would only serve to solidify Ji Mingxiu''s and others'' support further. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 179: The Revitalization of Fang Yuan At the culmination of his intent, Ji Mingxiu set Jiang Chen and Ji Ruxue free. The couple''s exit from the Main Hall, their fingers interlocked, was greeted with raucous apuse from the onlookers, their faces illuminated by expressions of joy and affection. Ji Ruxue cast a sideways nce at the cheering crowd, then down at her hand, held firmly by Jiang Chen. "See what you''ve caused." She muttered, her cheeks tinged with a subtle blush. Jiang Chen, an amused grin gracing his face, simply acknowledged her scolding. After all, it had been his idea to leave the hall in such a conspicuous manner. Amid the celebrations, the attention of the elders shifted as well. Mo Yu and the other senior members watched the unfolding scene with tender smiles, their words of congrattions ringing out as Ji Mingxiu reimed his seat. However, Xie Zhen, typically stoic, watched on with underlying concern. His gaze flickered between Jiang Chen and Ji Ruxue, burdened by worry for his granddaughter. Guided by instinct, he searched for Xie Xiaojing in the private section, steeling himself for the sight of her heartache. Instead, he found her jubnt, which was quite the unexpected sight. His eyebrows rose, then knitted together as he attempted to decipher this unforeseen development. His contemtion was interrupted when he spotted Jiang Chen and Ji Ruxue approaching Xie Xiaojing. He watched their exchanges and slowly began toprehend the situation. ... As the day unfolded and the sky took on the hues of twilight, the rankpetition drew to a close. "Let''s return." Jiang Chen suggested, rising from his seat. His lips curved in a warm smile as he summoned the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf. With an unspoken agreement, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing promptly took their positions on the magical flying artifact. Jiang Chen channeled his Yuan Power into the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf, transforming it into a brilliant beam of light that shot towards Ji Ruxue''s abode. It seemed that the trio had reached a silent agreement to continue cohabitation. Of course, when privacy was needed, Jiang Chen would withdraw to his own quarters. Meanwhile, within the Healing Halls enve of the Purple Sky Sacred Land. In the expansive and majestic main hall, Fang Yuany in the best healing chamber, his gaze unfocused. He had been cleansed of his blood-stains and dressed in a pristine white inner robe. Fang Yuan''s face was as pallid as the robe he wore. ''I was defeated.'' ''I was genuinely defeated.'' ''Why, why can''t I best Jiang Chen...'' ''With all my hard work, plus the aid from the two great powerhouses, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, why am I still the one falling...'' ''Is this my destiny!'' ''Curse the heavens, why are they taunting me like this!'' Fang Yuan''s heart seethed with anguish, despair, a sense of powerlessness, and a tinge of decadence. Initially, he was at the apex, adored by countless people, only to fall hard into the abyss, his dignity shattered beyond repair. He thought he could ascend once more to the peak, but was cast down again into the abyss by Jiang Chen, nearly fragmented to pieces. What broke along with him was his confidence! Right then. "Fang Yuan." "Cheer up!" The voice of Nangong Wan echoed in Fang Yuan''s ears! Fang Yuan''s eyshes fluttered slightly, and a spark of light returned to his eyes. However, that light soon dimmed. What good would cheering up do? He never surrendered. He trained relentlessly for two years, sessfully awakening Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, but in the end, hadn''t he still been defeated? He had lost the Holy Son''s position. He had lost Ji Ruxue, whom he cherished the most. What he had gained was relentless humiliation and mockery, and the perpetual shadow of Jiang Chen looming over his head. "Don''t let the defeat against Jiang Chen consume you." "Jiang Chen is stronger than we anticipated. I''ve seen it this time; his cultivation base alone has reached the Inquiring Journey realm." "It''s understandable for you to lose to him while at the Heavenly Origin realm." Nangong Wan added, "As long as you bounce back, you will surely surpass Jiang Chen in the future." "Is that so?" "Can I truly surpass Jiang Chen?" "Time after time, he has caught us off guard, time after time, he has bested me. Who''s to say, while I am progressing, he isn''t advancing even faster!" "When I reach the Inquiring Journey realm, I have also promised to share half of my cultivation base with you. By then, it would be even less likely for me to catch up to him." "Furthermore, you both mentioned that he possesses the bloodline of a True Dragon. Now, as the Holy Son, all resources of the Holy Land will be directed towards him." "..." Fang Yuan''s eyes shone with a flicker of light. Amidst the intense feelings of impotence and self-doubt, a glint of struggle shed. Nangong Wan felt somewhat helpless. To be honest, if it were any other powerhouse in the Void Tribtion realm, they might have already abandoned Fang Yuan. But it was different for her and Shangguan Ning. Despite being age-old rivals, they both held oaths and promises in high regard. After all, they had initially made an agreement with Fang Yuan; they weren''t the type to renege on their words. "Tsk tsk!" "How pathetic!" "You can''t even handle a minor setback. One tumble and you''re unable to pick yourself up, pitiful!" "If you knew about all the trials I''ve faced in the past, I wonder if you''d be so mortified you''d want to end yourself?" The voice of Shangguan Ning, filled with derision, interjected, "Listen up, back when I was..." As Fang Yuan absorbed Shangguan Ning''s tale, the struggle within his eyes heightened. Shangguan Ning''s life was marked by a solitary term: tragedy. She hailed from the Azure Hollow Heavenly Fox n, situated within the celestial expanse of the Azure Hollow Immortal Star, born to parents of remarkable cultivation bases and distinguished status. Yet, her birth transpired amidst the n''s phase of expansion in a different star domain. Barely gaining an understanding of the world, Shangguan Ning witnessed a dreadful bacsh against the Azure Hollow Heavenly Fox n. In the tragic aftermath, her mother met her end. Shangguan Ning, with the assistance of the remaining n members, managed to conceal herself. Her status originally surpassed that of Fang Yuan''s, yet within a span of days, she faced the brutal loss of her loved ones, endured relentless pursuits, and was thrust into dire situations. Throughout her nomadic existence, marked by constant evasion and discement, Shangguan Ning endured untold trials. She was forced to concoct manifold strategies merely to safeguard her survival. However, upon maturing and returning to the Azure Hollow Immortal Star, driven by the desire for retribution for her mother''s death, Shangguan Ning was met with the star''s most severe catastrophe. The Azure Hollow Heavenly Fox n was on the verge of annihtion, and her father, too, met his demise in the ensuing battle. The main culprit behind the Azure Hollow Heavenly Fox n''s decimation was Nangong Wan. In her pursuit of revenge, Shangguan Ning ventured into the most daunting alien star domains to forge herself, barely escaping death numerous times. Inparison, Fang Yuan''s defeat in thepetition seemed insignificant. Eventually, Shangguan Ning managed to seize a chance, fighting Nangong Wan to a bitter end. Both perished, leaving only a sliver of Shangguan Ning''s soul enshrined within the Soul Embodying Ring. "Iprehend it now!" "What''s gone is gone, yet, in the future, I must surpass Jiang Chen. I have to safeguard all that is mine!" Under the guidance and persuasions of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, Fang Yuan steeled himself, refusing to sumb. He once more rallied his courage and resolve. After all, he was the protagonist. The impact of the Heavenly Fate Value ensured he did not readily plunge into despair. Of course, this newfound courage and determination remained somewhat fragile, tinged with a hint of skepticism. It paled inparison to his mental state prior to the defeat. The blow that Jiang Chen dealt to him was simply too great! Should Fang Yuan''s future days be smooth sailing, triumphing in consecutive battles, his confidence would undoubtedly be restored swiftly. Moreover, he could convert the defeat inflicted by Jiang Chen into the most potent form of training and tempering, making his willpower indomitable! Such was the terrifying advantage of being the protagonist. However, if Fang Yuan encountered constant hurdles and continuous failures, this nascent confidence would crumble even more thoroughly. If Jiang Chen were just an ordinary viin, oblivious to his predicament, Fang Yuan would surely mount a sessfuleback in their next encounter. Following the counterattack, his Heavenly Fate Value would rebound, paving the way for him to journey towards a more expansive world. "Excellent!" "Fang Yuan, we''ve devised an ideal solution for your foundational dilemma." "It won''t be an extensive process, just a few months to revert you back to your initial state!" "Nheless, we must exercise caution in dealing with this issue, as reckless actions might inadvertently expose our presence." Nangong Wan appeared quite gratified with Fang Yuan''s recovery from the brink of despair. "Can my foundation truly be restored?" "That''s fantastic! Once I''ve recuperated from my wounds, I''ll seek an opportunity to apply for an external assignment, depart from the Purple Heaven Holy Land, andmence my foundation repair!" A radiant spark ignited in Fang Yuan''s eyes as he softly voiced his thoughts. "That''s amendable n." Shangguan Ning expressed approval, "By vacating the Purple Heaven Holy Land''s headquarters, Nangong and I will be able to operate more flexibly." Nangong Wan also concurred. Suddenly, the door swung open and a figure walked in. At once, Shangguan Ning and Nangong Wan fully retracted their auras and divine senses into the Soul Embodying Ring. "A genius indeed, your recovery is impressively swift!" The neer was an elderly man well-versed in the medical arts. He surveyed Fang Yuan with a hint of surprise. Previously, Fang Yuan had been enveloped by an aura of utter despair, but now he had regained a significant measure of his vitality. "Mister Wenren." Mustering his strength, Fang Yuan pushed himself up to pay respects to the elderly man. The elder was known as Wenren Kang, a cultivator who had attained profound proficiency in both the medical and alchemical arts within the Purple Heaven Holy Land. When Fang Yuan''s cultivation base had inexplicably dwindled earlier, it was Wenren Kang who had attended to him extensively, leading to the establishment of a familiar and respectful rtionship between them. On this asion, after supreme elders like Mo Yu had seen to Fang Yuan, they delegated all subsequent matters to Wenren Kang. "Do not strain yourself." "Come, let me address your injuries." Sporting a gentle smile, Wenren Kang produced a collection of pills and elixirs, methodically arranging them on the adjacent table... As moments passed unceasingly, the veil of night lifted, reced by the nascent glow of dawn. Rising from his nocturnal cultivation, Jiang Chen swung the door wide open and descended the staircase. Upon reaching the dining room, he was greeted by the sight of Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing already seated at the table, immersed in an engaging discourse. It was clear they had been awaiting his arrival. "Good morning,dies." Grinning casually, Jiang Chen took his ce at the table, starting his breakfast with gusto. This was a tableau they had grown quite ustomed to. Having cohabitated for over a month, these informal meals andmunal dialogues had evolved into aforting facet of their daily lives. Just as they were concluding their meal, Jiang Chen chimed in. "By the way." "I intend to pay a visit to Fang Yuan." "His cultivation foundation suffered damage during the fight, and I''m unsure about the extent of it." A palpable concern showed in his gaze. However, a cial smirk quietly emerged within him. Although he had sessfully won Ji Ruxue over, he was yet to present her with a nuptial ring. Given Fang Yuan remained oblivious to this fact, bringing Ji Ruxue along for the visit could potentially deepen the blow to Fang Yuan''s mental state. Even if that didn''t materialize, there were other matters he wished to discuss with Fang Yuan. "Why trouble yourself by visiting him." "All he does is brag and prattle incoherently. He conveniently forgot that it was you who stood by his side when he was disregarded." "Hepromised his own foundation; that''s a consequence of his actions, and he received what he deserved." Xie Xiaojing puckered her lips, grumbling somewhat reluctantly. "Those are mere trifles." With a casual smile, Jiang Chen rose to his feet, "Come on, let''s proceed together." "Very well!" Ji Ruxue agreed, also standing up. Although Xie Xiaojing harbored some reluctance, she wouldn''t contradict Jiang Chen''s decision. Thus, the trio promptly set out, directing their steps towards the Healing Halls cluster within the Holy Land. Chapter 180: Jiang Chen, How Did You Get Here? Considering the reputation of Jiang Chen and Ji Ruxue, their passage was naturally unobstructed. Additionally, the individuals they encountered en route demonstrated a mix of respect and astonishment. Before long, Jiang Chen had escorted the two women, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, to the main hall where they came across Fang Yuan. "How do you fare, Junior Brother Fang Yuan?" Jiang Chen directed his gaze at Fang Yuan, who was seated in a cross-legged position on the bed. His tone carried a note of worry. On first appraisal of Fang Yuan, Jiang Chen recognized that Fang Yuan''s demeanor had vastly improved from his defeated state. There was no sign of despair or discouragement. However, this didn''t surprise Jiang Chen. After all, Fang Yuan was the main character, a protagonist under the guidance of two formidable figures from the Void Tribtion realm! "Jiang Chen, how did you get here?" The sight of Jiang Chen made Fang Yuan feel a sudden unease. Upon spotting Ji Ruxue at Jiang Chen''s side, fury surged in Fang Yuan. Ji Ruxue was a woman he once desired. But now, she was with Jiang Chen! However, after receiving enlightenment from Shangguan Ning and Nangong Wan, Fang Yuan had relinquished many things, and his wrath had somewhat subsided. "Hmm, is that any way to speak?" Xie Xiaojing''s eyebrows knit together, "Holy Son Jiang Chen hase to see you, and yet you''re still dissatisfied?" "No matter." "Junior Brother Fang Yuan is merely like this, he''s actually rather agreeable." Jiang Chen gave a reassuring smile and dismissively waved his hand, settling himself beside Fang Yuan. Nheless, a tinge of regret brewed within him. Observing Ji Ruxue, he noticed Fang Yuan''s mood was unbroken. Jiang Chen surmised that Fang Yuan must have epted early on that he would lose the opportunity to win Ji Ruxue''s heart, hence his reluctant resignation, given that he had already endured one setback. Conversely, Fang Yuan felt a fresh wave of unease as Jiang Chen seated himself nearby. "It seems your injuries have healed." Jiang Chen assessed Fang Yuan with a nce, his face breaking into a delighted smile. "Indeed." Fang Yuan responded somewhat dismissively, "Senior Wenren Kang attended to my wounds." "That''s good to hear, truly." Jiang Chen nodded in approval, then transitioned into a discussion on other matters. As Fang Yuan interacted with Jiang Chen, his internal difort escted! The adversary stood before him, yet he was unable to retaliate, instead suppressing his resentment to engage in conversation. Fang Yuan''s difort was palpable! "Holy Son Jiang Chen." "Did you merely visit me to engage in idle talk?" Unable to bear it any longer, Fang Yuan''s tone carried a hint of indifference. Upon hearing this, Xie Xiaojing and Ji Ruxue simultaneously furrowed their brows, feeling that Fang Yuan was indeed overly standoffish. He seemed to be taking their goodwill for granted. "Ruxue, Xiaojing." "I need to discuss something privately with Junior Brother Fang Yuan." Noting that Ji Ruxue''s presence hadn''t affected Fang Yuan''s mood, Jiang Chen proceeded to the next stage of his n. "Understood." Though Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing were intrigued by what Jiang Chen might discuss with Fang Yuan, they sensibly exited the room, gently closing the door behind them. Immediately, a beam of brilliance shed across the door - it was a prohibition, set to block divine sense. "What can''t be openly discussed?" Fang Yuan''s voice carried an air of indifference. "It''s regarding the foundation of your cultivation." Jiang Chen shed a serene smile, "If I''m not mistaken, Senior Nangong Wan and Senior Shangguan Ning should have a method to restore your foundation, correct?" Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, both mighty powerhouses who had reached the Void Tribtion realm, would undoubtedly have a method to restore the foundation of a Heavenly Origin realm cultivator! "..." Fang Yuan furrowed his brows, not particrly inclined to respond when his thoughts had been urately predicted. "Do you require assistance?" Jiang Chen''s demeanor remained steady, his smile undiminished. Fang Yuan was immediately inclined to decline. But just then... "Fang Yuan, your cultivation foundation could be restored more swiftly if Jiang Chen helps!" Nangong Wan''s voice chimed in, "To restore your cultivation foundation, Fang Yuan, requires a significant quantity of materials. Were we to gather them ourselves, we risk exposing certain details and attracting undue attention." "Jiang Chen has already seeded in deceiving Ji Mingxiu once." "If he assists you in restoring your foundation this time, it won''t raise any suspicions. It''s the quickest and safest method!" Shangguan Ning also chimed in, "If you hold no objections, Fang Yuan, let''s proceed with this." "I... have no objections." Fang Yuan exhibited slight hesitation before giving his assent. Internally, he was resisting. That was because Jiang Chen was his adversary, the rival who had inflicted profound humiliation upon him. He wished he could give Jiang Chen a taste of torment. How could he ept Jiang Chen''s ''benevolence''? However, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning had already consented. Should he, Fang Yuan, refute their decision, he would undoubtedly be branded as obstinate and wilful. "Hmm." "Specify any materials required, and I will directlymunicate your needs." "I will petition the Holy Lord directly, attributing the method''s acquisition to the two Void Tribtion ream seniors." "By doing so, their scrutiny will predominantly be on me, making the likelihood of them noticing the Soul Embodying Ring significantly lower." Jiang Chen responded affirmatively, his tone resonating with excitement. "Excellent." "In order to restore Fang Yuan''s cultivation foundation, several materials are necessary, in addition to mastering the neen methods within the ''Precious Pill Seeking Record''." "The exact materials are..." Nangong Wan meticulously detailed the required elements. Together with Shangguan Ning, they used their divine sense to materialize the ''Precious Pill Seeking Record''! The ''Precious Pill Seeking Record'', a Dao Pce realm pill manual! It thoroughly documented an array of pills, including descriptive profiles of the pills, pill refinement forms, as well as numerous diagnostic and treatment methodologies. Shortly thereafter. "I''vemitted it to memory!" "I shall take action immediately." "Meanwhile, there have been numerous unusual urrences involving demonic beasts near the Holy Land''s headquarters. Fang Yuan, it would be best for you to rest and focus on your cultivation. Try to avoid wandering about." Having memorized the contents of the material list and the ''Precious Pill Seeking Record'', Jiang Chen immediately stood up. "I shan''t escort you out." In the end, despite his lingering resentment towards Jiang Chen, Fang Yuan managed to suppress his feelings and offered a respectful salute. ''Sigh!'' ''Why does Fang Yuan always harbor such profound prejudice against Jiang Chen!'' ''It truly baffles me!'' Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning wore troubled expressions, both inwardly frowning. As for Fang Yuan''s attitude towards Jiang Chen, they were equally perplexed and helpless. Moreover, there was an undertone of apology directed towards Jiang Chen. "Until next time." With a subtle smile, Jiang Chen cupped his hands together, gave a courteous bow, spun on his heel, opened the door, and made his way out. The door gently shut behind him. Fang Yuan, left behind, closed his eyes and gradually began his cultivation. Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, however, used this opportunity to rest and restore their spirits with a newfound peace of mind. Given Jiang Chen''s assistance, they no longer needed to depart from the Purple Heaven Holy Land''s territory and hide in the outskirts,boring to seek materials to mend Fang Yuan''s foundation. Beyond the door, Xie Xiaojing and Ji Ruxue, who had been waiting for Jiang Chen, embarked on their journey back. In that moment. [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot. The Protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 500 points!] [Ding! You have acquired 1000 Viin Value points!] The system alerts echoed within Jiang Chen''s consciousness. ''I''ve depleted another five hundred points of his Heavenly Fate Value!'' ''Now, Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has dwindled to only two thousand one hundred eighty-six points, while my kill threshold stands at one thousand five hundred eighty-five points!'' ''With just one or two more deductions from his Heavenly Fate Value, it will drop below the kill threshold!'' ''...'' An enigmatic, cold smile formed at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth. Once Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value declined beneath the kill threshold, he would be akin to a helpless fish on Jiang Chen''s chopping block, ripe for Jiang Chen''s lethal strike! If Jiang Chen so desired, he could end Fang Yuan''s life at any given moment. The only quandary was devising the best strategy to exterminate him for the utmost advantage! A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 181: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants Subsequently, Jiang Chen apanied Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing back to Ji Ruxue''s abode, after which he ventured to see Ji Mingxiu. He had now reached a point where he could meet Ji Mingxiu anytime he wished. Before long, Jiang Chen encountered Ji Mingxiu by a cascading waterfall. "Do you have any concerns?" Ji Mingxiu inquired, a gentle smile adorning his visage as he regarded Jiang Chen. "Master, I have recently paid a visit to Fang Yuan." "His cultivation foundation has suffered significant damage, making his recovery exceedingly challenging." Cutting straight to the point, Jiang Chen revealed his intentions, "I intend to request the two revered seniors to devise a solution!" "Do you seek to implore the two mighty beings who have ascended to the Void Tribtion realm, all to devise a remedy for this youngster, Fang Yuan?" A glint of astonishment shed in Ji Mingxiu''s gaze. "Does this youth truly warrant such effort from you? You appear to be repaying animosity with benevolence." "I deny the notion of repaying animosity with benevolence." "Fang Yuan is equally a vaunted progeny of our Purple Heaven Holy Land, a future linchpin, who is currently merely brash due to his youth." "As a disciple, I refuse to disregard the future of the Holy Land over petty squabbles." Jiang Chen conveyed these sentiments, pressing his hands together in a solemn gesture, his countenance serious andposed. "Spoken truly!" "You indeed are the youth I hold in high regard!" "If only Fang Yuan could possess a fraction, even one-tenth, of your foresight, it would be wonderful!" A look of contentment and pleasant surprise washed over Ji Mingxiu''s countenance. Jiang Chen''s far-reaching vision and profound insight exceeded his expectations, which undeniably marked the hallmark of a capable leader. "Master, your praise is too generous." Jiang Chen responded with a modest grin, "I intend to promptly depart to seek the two revered seniors." "Very well!" "Ofte, things have been somewhat unsettled outside the Holy Land." "Although you''ve ascended to the Inquiring Journey realm, you must remain vignt!" "Here is the ''Peerless Sky Piercing Sword'', a top-grade magical treasure suitable for the Inquiring Journey realm. Utilize it for your protection." Ji Mingxiu handed a long sword directly to Jiang Chen, adding, "Don''t hesitate to ask if you require anything else. Do the two seniors necessitate us offering them any specific treasures?" The Peerless Sky Piercing Sword! Jiang Chen epted the long sword, immediately registering its frosty touch and subtle weightiness. A surge of power that appeared to puncture the heavens and transcend the celestial realm coursed from the sword into his being, inducing a brief moment of enlightenment. However, this sensation was transitory. "The two esteemed seniors evidently have no need for offerings." Jiang Chen confessed with a rueful smile, "Perhaps they simply do not require what we can offer. After all, they are mighty figures who have endured the Void Tribtion, a realm nearly beyondprehension." "Indeed." "Our most potent foundation here in the Purple Heaven Holy Land merely reaches the Transcendence realm." Ji Mingxiu chuckled and shook his head, "Very well, proceed on your journey. If the two seniors have any requests, notify me without dy." "Understood!" Jiang Chen acknowledged with a grin, gripping the Peerless Sky Piercing Sword as he turned on his heel to depart. ''Incredible!'' ''I genuinely didn''t foresee receiving another magical treasure from Ji Mingxiu.'' ''I no longer need to trade for a weapon in the System Mall. This Peerless Sky Piercing Sword is entirely adequate for my current stage.'' ''Indeed, it is advantageous to stand on the shoulders of giants, hehe.'' These cheerful thoughts danced within Jiang Chen''s mind. Immediately afterwards, he summoned the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf and soared away from the Purple Heaven Holy Land. En route, Jiang Chen did not neglect to instruct Rong Liangcai and his other subordinates to keep tabs on Fang Yuan. At this point, the majority of individuals within the Purple Heaven Holy Land were under hismand. Even those he was unacquainted with, would, at a singlemand, wear out their shoes without a murmur ofint! Consequently, Jiang Chen was able to maintain wless surveince of Fang Yuan''s movements within the Purple Heaven Holy Land. At this juncture, Jiang Chen continued onward, maneuvering the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf. His flight path was not chosen aimlessly. Previously, under the guise of ''visiting'' the two mighty beings, he had done so to provide treatment for Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing. His current trajectory mirrored the previous one. In terms of particrs that might arouse suspicion if not managed meticulously, Jiang Chen was certain not to overlook them. Subsequently, as Jiang Chen traversed the sky, he employed his divine sense to scan the verdant mountains beneath him. At this moment, he was in dire need of qi and blood energy. Given the rare opportunity to venture outside, he resolved to hunt some demonic beasts, at least sufficient to master the neenth technique from the Precious Pill Seeking Record. Throughout his journey, Jiang Chen encountered numerous demonic beasts. Some of these creatures were rtively ordinary, while others resembled the beasts in the Red Maple Heavenly Valley, bereft of rationality and consumed solely by their primal instincts. For these creatures, as long as they were beyond the Mysterious tform realm, Jiang Chen did not show any mercy. During the entire expedition, Jiang Chen''s speed didn''t falter in the least. He nonchntly dispatched these demonic beasts and gathered them. Since he was consistently keeping a close watch on Fang Yuan''s movements, and there were no pressing issues requiring his attention. Moreover, while the neen techniques in the Precious Pill Seeking Record constituted less than a tenth of the entire cultivation method, they still demanded an immense quantity of qi and blood energy to learn in a short span. Hence, Jiang Chen simply intended to prolong his outdoor venture, to hunt more demonic beasts. As the hours gradually psed, Jiang Chen, in his relentless pursuit and rampant ughter, brought cmity to numerous demonic beasts. No longer burdened by the responsibility of Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, he was free to unleash the full scope of his true power, making his execution efficiency nothing short of horrifying. In a mere day, he had exterminated a number of demonic beasts equivalent to the entire poption of the Red Maple Heavenly Valley. Jiang Chen deemed it an appropriate moment tomence his return to the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Naturally, he hadn''t amassed the requisite amount of qi and blood energy. Yet, Jiang Chen wasn''t in haste to aid Fang Yuan in restoring his cultivation foundation! His proposition to assist Fang Yuan served two purposes: firstly, to keep him within the confines of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, and secondly, to fortify his bonds with Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. This opportunity to mend Fang Yuan''s foundation provided an excellent premise to deepen his interaction with Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Jiang Chen clearly couldn''t hastily mend Fang Yuan''s foundation. After another day''s journey, Jiang Chen reached the Purple Heaven Holy Land and first sought out Ji Mingxiu. "Why has it taken you an extended duration this time around?" Ji Mingxiu asked with an amicable smile, "Did those two seniors detain you?" "To expeditiously restore Junior Brother Fang Yuan''s foundation, a unique medicinal method is required, which poses considerable challenges to master." Jiang Chen ryed the truth with a sincere expression. "I see." A look ofprehension dawned on Ji Mingxiu''s face. If he imed tock interest in a secret technique capable of rapidly repairing a cultivator''s foundation, it would be a falsehood. However, the medicinal secret technique belonged to two great powerhouses of the Void Tribtion realm; he dared not entertain lofty desires. Unless Jiang Chen broached the subject, he would abstain from prying further. "I understand!" "Apart from the medicinal method..." "To promptly mend Junior Brother Fang Yuan''s foundation, we still require the following ingredients..." "..." Jiang Chen methodically enumerated the materials essential for the repair of Fang Yuan''s foundation. "While some of these materials are indeed rare, they can still be sourced within the Holy Land." With a sweeping gesture, Ji Mingxiu took responsibility for procuring the materials, "I''ll have Wenren Kang deliver them directly to the main Healing Hallter." In truth, these materialsprised a recipe! It was a form, divulged from the hands of a Void Tribtion realm powerhouse, that was capable of promptly restoring a cultivator''s foundation. Even in the absence of theplementary secret technique, it should still exert some beneficial effects after an extended period of study! "Thank you, Master!" "I''ll take my leave now." Securing the necessary materials, Jiang Chen exited, content with his progress. Chapter 182: Delving into the Precious Pill Seeking Record Upon parting ways with Ji Mingxiu, Jiang Chen first reached out to Ji Ruxue,municating to both her and Xie Xiaojing his intention to repair Fang Yuan''s foundation. Thereafter, he propelled the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf, charting a course directly towards the central Healing Hall. En route, he pondered, ''I ought to begin by studying the Precious Pill Seeking Record.'' With this objective at the forefront of his thoughts, he promptly embarked on the task of recalling the content of the Precious Pill Seeking Record. The Precious Pill Seeking Record was a Dao Pce realm pill manual, itsplex nature posed a substantial challenge for its practitioner. The sum of qi and blood energy that Jiang Chen had amassed at this juncture was inadequate to cultivate it to the perfect-level stage. Nheless, even if the energy stored within the Wordless Heavenly Jade was insufficient to cultivate a cultivation method to the perfect-level stage, it could still be leveraged. It wasn''t necessary for Jiang Chen to immediately cultivate it to the perfect-level stage. All he needed was to master a handful of the techniques contained within, with no immediate obligation to acquire all the required techniques in a single attempt. In that instant, as Jiang Chen recalled the Precious Pill Seeking Record, the Wordless Heavenly Jade instantaneously sprung into action! A surge of miraculous energy sprang forth from the Wordless Heavenly Jade, enabling him to progressively master the initial technique, and subsequently, the second technique. By the time Jiang Chen hadpleted the initial five techniques of the Precious Pill Seeking Record, the energy housed within the Wordless Heavenly Jade was finally exhausted. ''Five techniques, they should suffice for now.'' A grin subtly surfaced on the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth. Just then, a majestic pce nestled amidst a mountain range entered his view - it was the central Healing Hall. All of a sudden, a streak of radiant light surged towards him from the distance. With a quick sweep of his divine sense, Jiang Chen identified the iing presence as Wenren Kang. This was an individual he had previously scrutinized with the Viin''s Eye. Wenren Kang''s Fate Value was considerably high; based on the ''original plot'' guided by the Heavenly Fate Value, he was unquestionably a subordinate of Fang Yuan. "This humble one pays respect to the Holy Son!" Uponying eyes on Jiang Chen, Wenren Kang immediately greeted him with reverence. He had been informed by Ji Mingxiu that Jiang Chen possessed a method capable of swiftly repairing Fang Yuan''s foundation! In addition to this, Ji Mingxiu had provided him with a list of requisite materials. A mere nce at this list was enough for Wenren Kang to surmise that Jiang Chen''s method was unequivocally far superior to his own. Consequently, confronted with the fact that Jiang Chen had mastered such an inconceivable secret technique, Wenren Kang found himself osciting between awe and disbelief. Yet, when he attempted to indirectly glean more information, he was met with a severe admonition from Ji Mingxiu! Wenren Kang was instantly taken aback, recognizing that Jiang Chen was an enigma far moreplex than he had initially presumed! "Greetings, Mr. Wenren!" Jiang Chen reciprocated the greeting with a courteous disposition, "Have you brought the requested materials, Mr. Wenren?" "Indeed!" Wenren Kang promptly presented a storage ring, "The materials required by the Holy Son are all prepared by this old man. They are all stored within this." "Your efforts are much appreciated, Mr. Wenren." "As for this list of materials, if youmit it to memory, you shall receive the corresponding secret technique in due course." With a smile gracing his lips, Jiang Chen epted the ring and dropped a hint. "Ah!" "Yes, yes, this old man expresses his gratitude to the Holy Son!" Hearing this, Wenren Kang was initially taken aback. His face registered surprise, which quickly morphed into immense delight as he bowed in salutation to Jiang Chen. After receiving Ji Mingxiu''s warning, Wenren Kang understood how exceptionally fortunate he was to know about this list of materials. He didn''t dare to harbor dreams of acquiring the corresponding method or witnessing Jiang Chen restore Fang Yuan''s foundation. Hence, he promptly handed over the materials to Jiang Chen. However, what he hadn''t anticipated was Jiang Chen''s promise to share the secret art with him in a short while! The worth of this secret art was utterly immeasurable! This was a secret art that even the entirety of the Purple Heaven Holy Land hadn''t managed to decode over a span of a hundred thousand years. "I shall make my way ahead then." With a gentle smile, Jiang Chen propelled himself towards the main Healing Hall. Wenren Kang saluted once more, standing ramrod straight with his head bowed, his respect for Jiang Chen was evident. "Greetings to the Holy Son!" "The Holy Son has graced our main Healing Hall once again." "The Holy Son must be here for Fang Yuan. That Fang Yuan really ought to engage in some introspection." "..." Jiang Chen alighted in the main Healing Hall''s za, before proceeding through the hall. Every disciple he encountered along the way offered him a respectful bow. As reverential gazes followed Jiang Chen''s departing figure, some individuals couldn''t help but quietly admonish Fang Yuan. Unperturbed by this, Jiang Chen continued straight towards Fang Yuan''s chamber. With a light tap on the protective formation, he waited for three breaths. Gradually, the formation dissipated and the door swung open automatically. Fang Yuan''s intense gazended on Jiang Chen, his emotions inscrutable. Acknowledging Fang Yuan with a slight nod, Jiang Chen shut the door with a sweep of his hand and reactivated the formation. "How is it?" Nangong Wan''s voice emanated from the Soul Embodying Ring. "Senior Nangong, Senior Shangguan." "I have procured the materials required to mend Fang Yuan''s foundation." "However, the challenge posed by the Precious Pill Seeking Record is quite formidable. I only have a rudimentary understanding of the initial technique as of now." With a gesture of respect towards the Soul Embodying Ring, Jiang Chen earnestly added, "Therefore, I continue to seek guidance from both seniors." "It''s promising that the materials have been procured." "The depth of the Purple Heaven Holy Land''s resources is indeed impressive." Shangguan Ning responded with a smile, "Regarding the Precious Pill Seeking Record, do not fret overly. We will undoubtedly provide you with wholehearted guidance." "Agreed." Nangong Wan also voiced her concurrence. "Thank you, esteemed seniors." "I understand that tutoring me can be quite an exhaustive endeavor." "Especially given that both seniors have recently used the soul condensing technique multiple times." "I wonder if the seniors require any treasures to replenish their soul power?" Jiang Chen''s face radiated sincerity and seriousness, "I will strive to procure them while ensuring discretion." His words struck a chord with Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Since their awakening, they had ceased absorbing power from Fang Yuan''s cultivation base. Instead, they sporadically guided Fang Yuan in his cultivation, distilling various cultivation techniques and secret arts. For them, in their current state, it was indeed an energy-draining task. In the ''original plot'', with Fang Yuan''s smooth ascent, they surely didn''t expend as much energy. But under Jiang Chen''s covert meddling, Fang Yuan''s path was strewn with hardships, and they were nearly exhausted from their efforts on Fang Yuan''s behalf. "We''ll have to impose upon you then," Shangguan Ning conceded, "We won''t let your efforts be in vain, there will certainly be a substantial reward." "At the current stage." "The natural treasure that is most beneficial for us and rtively easy to obtain is the Yin-Yang Soul Grass." Nangong Wan borated, "The specific appearance of the Yin-Yang Soul Grass is documented in the Precious Pill Seeking Record." "Yin-Yang Soul Grass?" "Understood, I''ll keep it in mind!" Jiang Chen affirmed with a nod and a smile. Shangguan Ning and Nangong Wan also felt a sense of relief and contentment in their hearts. However, not everyone present shared their sentiments. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 183: Fang Yuans Emotional Turmoil ''Damned Jiang Chen!'' ''Why should you curry favor with my seniors, Nangong and Shangguan?'' ''Your acts are merely a ploy to reap benefits from both seniors, even attempting to coax them onto your side!'' ''Hateful! Despicable!'' ''...'' Externally, Fang Yuan presented a veneer of tranquility. Yet internally, a tempest of fury raged, and his sense of caution towards Jiang Chen was amplifying! He could sense that the rtionship between Nangong Wan, Shangguan Ning, and Jiang Chen was steadily improving, their mutual trust burgeoning! Contrarily, despite their constant words of encouragement, it was evident that Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning harbored some disappointment towards him. Fang Yuan strongly opposed any interaction between Nangong Wan, Shangguan Ning, and Jiang Chen. His instinct screamed at him to consider Jiang Chen as a formidable adversary. A lingering suspicion persisted in his heart that Jiang Chen harbored hidden intentions. Indeed, his instinct had not led him astray. However, Fang Yuan found himself powerless to counteract this development. Should he cause conflict with them? What could he use as grounds to confront Jiang Chen? Opposing them would only tarnish his image in Nangong Wan''s and Shangguan Ning''s eyes further. After all, in the eyes of everyone, Jiang Chen''s every action was seemingly for Fang Yuan''s advantage. If it were not for his piercing intuition, even Fang Yuan wouldn''t suspect Jiang Chen of such hidden motives. Consequently, an overwhelming wave of frustration and rage surged within Fang Yuan. He was consumed by worry and anxiety, yet he could only bottle up these emotions! Just then, a voice jolted Fang Yuan from his tumultuous thoughts. "Junior Brother Fang Yuan." "Rest easy!" "The two seniors will soon instruct me on the first technique." Jiang Chen regarded Fang Yuan with a look of concern, "As soon as I grasp it, I can begin the first step of restoring your foundation!" "Alright, alright." Fang Yuan''s lips moved, and ultimately, all he could manage were two words of assent. Despite everything, Jiang Chen was indeedboring to mend his foundation. Regardless of Jiang Chen''s ulterior motives, this singr act indeed offered a tangible benefit for him, Fang Yuan. "Mm-hmm, just wait a moment!" With a gentle smile, Jiang Chen said, "Now, let me elucidate my understanding of the first technique." ''The Precious Pill Seeking Record is iparable to the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets.'' ''Even the first technique is quiteplex, I wonder how much of it Jiang Chen has actually mastered.'' Such thoughts swirled in Nangong Wan''s mind, and a simr sentiment echoed in Shangguan Ning as well. Subsequently, Jiang Chenpleted his exposition of his understanding of the first technique. He had correctly exined only one-third of the technique. However, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were decidedly amazed. "Just one day spent on the first technique, and you''ve already mastered one-third of it!" "Jiang Chen, your aptitude is truly extraordinary. It''s safe to say that not only in this Immortal Martial Continent, but even within the Evesting Baseless Immortal Domain, you''d be considered an absolute prodigy!" "With such a talent and our guidance, we can assuredly expedite the restoration of Fang Yuan''s Cultivation Path foundation!" Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning took turns expressing their astonishment and exhration. The fact that Jiang Chen could aplish such a feat within a single day of unguided study was utterly astounding. Even Nangong Wan, when she was at the Dao Pce realm and under direct instruction, hadn''t learned one-third of the first technique in just a day. ''Damned!'' ''Why have I never elicited such jubnt praise from the two seniors!?'' Fang Yuan was so envious that he failed to maintain hisposed expression, his face involuntarily twitching twice. At this moment [Ding! You have sessfully improved the favorability of the Unpursued Heroine Nangong Wan towards you. The protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has diminished by 100 points!] [Ding! You have sessfully improved the favorability of the Unpursued Heroine Shangguan Ning towards you. The protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has diminished by 100 points!] [Ding! You have earned 400 points of Viin Value!] Upon hearing these System prompts, Jiang Chen was immediately stirred. ''A decrease of just 100 points?'' ''It appears their affection for me has reached a certain threshold, making it increasingly difficult to enhance significantly.'' ''Moreover, their status is even more unique. They are the protagonist Fang Yuan''s heaven-defying secret weapons. As long as they remain allied with Fang Yuan, his Heavenly Fate Value won''t drop below a certain limit.'' These thoughts churned in Jiang Chen''s mind. Externally, he posed a question. "Is my aptitude truly that remarkable?" Jiang Chen sported a slightly bewildered look, then modestly responded, "Both esteemed seniors are too generous with their praise. I''m a bit flustered." Seeing this, Fang Yuan, who stood to the side, experienced a twitch in his rigid facial muscles, his heart swelling with unspeakable frustration. He dearly wished he could banish Jiang Chen on the spot! "I never heap praise unjustly, I merely voice the truth." Nangong Wan''s gentle voice floated over, "Let''s set this aside for now, Jiang Chen. Shall wemence!" "Of course!" Jiang Chen promptly nodded in assent. What ensued was the instructive process of the Precious Pill Seeking Record. Fang Yuan too was included in this lecture, aiming to once again pit himself against Jiang Chen! However, Jiang Chen frequently disyed a face of understanding, whereas Fang Yuan struggled to even raise a pertinent question! Suddenly, Fang Yuan found himself teetering on the brink of withdrawal, retreating into his own shell! [Ding! You have sessfully inflicted emotional distress upon the protagonist Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has been reduced by 200 points!] Hearing the system prompts, Jiang Chen was secretly thrilled. The strategy to exploit his intellectual exchanges with Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning to unsettle Fang Yuan had always been part of his grand design. Now, Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value had dwindled to one thousand seven hundred eighty-six points. The threshold for elimination was drawing perilously close! As time gradually ebbed away, half a day had passed almost unnoticed. "Thank you both for your guidance!" "I''ve almost grasped the first technique." Jiang Chen spoke earnestly, "However, to ensure that I make no mistakes, I n to further assimte today''s learnings." He certainly wouldn''t devote all his time here! The task of repairing Fang Yuan''s foundation, he would postpone it as much as possible! Regardless, Jiang Chen''s progress had already significantly surpassed the anticipations of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. "Alright!" Neither Nangong Wan nor Shangguan Ning harbored any doubts and consented to his proposal. "Here are the materials." "I''ll leave them here for now." "Upon my return, I''ll assuredly begin the process to restore Fang Yuan''s foundation!" With a respectful bow, Jiang Chen affirmed, "I will take my leave now." "Please, don''t let me detain you!" Internally jubnt, Fang Yuan reciprocated with a bow. Throughout this entire interaction, these were the only words he uttered. His situation was truly pitiful! Subsequently, Jiang Chen left the necessary materials behind and promptly exited the main Healing Hall. Without dy, he paid another visit to Ji Mingxiu. "Jiang Chen, what brings you here?" With a smile, Ji Mingxiu queried, "Did you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation?" "Not at all." Jiang Chen replied, his face brimming with eagerness, "I''ve just received directives from the two senior figures. They''ve asked me to procure certain spiritual nts!" Naturally, the spiritual nts were intended for his own use. Although he had initially nned to purchase them using spirit stones, now that he had the chance to tap into the resources of the Holy Land, why would he decline? However, he didn''t want to expose his secret of being able to enhance his cultivation base by consuming spiritual nts. Hence, he had no other choice but to fabricate a story. "What!" "Do those two great powerhouses of the Void Tribtion realm require something!?" Ji Mingxiu abruptly rose to his feet, eximing excitedly, "Quickly, tell me, what spiritual nts do they need?" If they could establish favorable rtions with those two Void Tribtion realm powerhouses, it wouldn''t be just the Everflowing Truth Domain, they might even be able to unite the entire Immortal Martial Continent under the banner of the Purple Heaven Holy Land! Chapter 184: Securing Spiritual Plants at No Cost "This is theprehensive list of spiritual nts!" Exerting his Yuan Power, Jiang Chen materialized a list; it enumerated the names of spiritual nts corresponding to the Dao Comprehension and Dao Pce realms. The spiritual nts from the Inquiring Journey realm had exhausted their relevance at this point. Only the spiritual nts from the Dao Comprehension and Dao Pce realms held substantial efficacy! Moreover, ''those two'' were formidable powerhouses at the Void Tribtion realm, how could they possibly settle for some inferior spiritual nts? As expected, they sought the highest grade ones! "Excellent!" "I''ll immediately contact the Alchemy Hall, and instruct them to dispatch the spiritual nts!" Havingmitted the list of spiritual nts to memory, Ji Mingxiu nodded, a sense of thrill evident in his demeanor. "My gratitude, Master!" A bow of appreciation was Jiang Chen''s immediate response, his face glowing with delight. "For the future prosperity of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, it is imperative that you cultivate a cordial rtionship with those two!" Ji Mingxiu gave his earnest counsel. In the presence of the two great Void Tribtion realm powerhouses, the significance of the Purple Heaven Holy Land was virtually negligible. He harbored no fear that these two great powerhouses might harbor covetous desires for the rtively insignificant Purple Heaven Holy Land. Rather, his concern revolved around the potential inability to foster a good rtionship with them. This could lead to a bleak scenario where, on an unfortunate day, they might thoughtlessly obliterate the Holy Land. In such a dire situation, to whom could one appeal for justice? "Your discipleprehends!" Jiang Chen nodded in earnest agreement. Shortly thereafter, with Ji Mingxiu''s intervention, the Alchemy Hall swiftly delivered the spiritual nts from the list. However, the collection was only halfplete. Furious, Ji Mingxiu immediatelymanded the Holy Land to procure the spiritual nts regardless of the cost! Instantly, the entirety of the Holy Land, like a gargantuan organism, extended innumerable tendrils in a quest to find the listed spiritual nts! Naturally, this process was time-consuming. After all, the spiritual nts Jiang Chen requested weren''tmonce items that could be easily procured; they were spiritual nts of the Dao Comprehension and Dao Pce realms! Nevertheless, Jiang Chen was not in a rush. He informed Ji Mingxiu that the ''two seniors'' hadn''t imposed a time constraint, which allowed Ji Mingxiu to heave a sigh of relief. Subsequently, Jiang Chen collected the gathered spiritual nts and took his leave for the time being. Upon departing Ji Mingxiu''s presence, Jiang Chen directly headed back to his residence - the Autumn Water Pce. As a Holy Son, he, of course, had his dedicated mansion. However, it was currently under construction. The tradition for each generation of Holy Sons forbade reusing the mansion of the previous Holy Son, thus necessitating the building of a new one. Hence, for the time being, he resided in the mansion awarded to him as the Holy Lord''s disciple. The reason he didn''t lodge in Ji Ruxue''s abode was because Jiang Chen desired privacy for his cultivation. Upon entering the meditation room, Jiang Chen positioned himself cross-legged on the floor and extended the shielding capabilities of the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring to their maximum! He then proceeded to unpack all the spiritual nts, aligning them one by one before his gaze. In total, there were fifty spiritual nts from the Dao Comprehension realm and three spiritual nts from the Dao Pce realm! ''Incredible!'' ''This truly highlights the perks of having considerable influence.'' ''If I had to depend solely on Viin Value for exchange, I wonder how many Viin Value points would be needed to exchange for such an abundance of high-level spiritual nts!'' Jiang Chen chuckled to himself, then tossed one of the Dao Comprehension spiritual nts into his mouth. As soon as the spiritual nt found its way to his stomach, an unparalleled and majestic medicinal energy erupted instantaneously. However, Jiang Chen was no longer his old self, and his capacity to withstand the medicinal energy had escted considerably. A single spiritual nt from the Dao Comprehension realm merely left him feeling a bit satiated. Shortly, the enormous medicinal energy congregated in his dantian, and was fully absorbed by the Burning World Red Lotus! Without dy, the Burning World Red Lotus restored a trace of its vivid red hue! Furthermore, a considerable amount of peculiar energy nourished Jiang Chen in return, instantly progressing his cultivation base a notch higher! Not only did his cultivation base advance, but his aptitude also saw a minor enhancement. Although it appeared insignificant, it was, in reality, extremely valuable! Following this, Jiang Chen relentlessly consumed the spiritual nts. After he had ingested thirty Dao Comprehension spiritual nts, the Burning World Red Lotus absorbed an even more potent medicinal energy, and the once withered lotus petals regained their luster, growing increasingly moist! Simultaneously, Jiang Chen''s aptitude and cultivation base received additional nourishment. At this juncture, his cultivation base had ascended to the pinnacle of the Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm! ''I''ve hit a bottleneck!'' A subtle smile graced Jiang Chen''s lips as he reached for a pill of the Inquiring Journey realm. Ji Mingxiu, Mo Yu, among others, had gifted him a substantial amount of pills, including those designed for breaking through the minor realm bottlenecks of the Inquiring Journey realm, and they were all of top-grade quality. They were just what he needed right now! Poping the pill into his mouth, Jiang Chenmenced full operation of the Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture! Instantly, an immense wave of medicinal energy burst forth, merging with the Yuan Power within Jiang Chen''s dantian, continuously funneling into the Dao Core. Suddenly, a peculiar fluctuation radiated from Jiang Chen''s body, seeded by a stronger aura naturally emanating outward. ''I''ve achieved a breakthrough!'' ''I''m now at the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm!'' A jubnt smile appeared at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth. He turned his attention inwardly towards his dantian, only to witness his sun-like Dao Core radiating an even brighter luminescence! The enormous and mighty Yuan Power flowed into it, being elevated into a more advanced Dao Yuan Power. This power then returned to Jiang Chen''s dantian, coursing through his meridians and permeating every corner of his body, boosting his abilities in all dimensions. Within a brief span, Jiang Chen felt a substantial elevation in his strength. ''System, disy my panel!'' Prompted by a thought, Jiang Chen called forth his attribute panel. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Perfect Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body (Death Cmity True Dragon) Realm: Middle-stage Inquiring Journey True Battle Power: Late-stage Inquiring Journey++ Cultivation Method: Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture (Dao Pce, main cultivation), Silent Annihtion Heavenly Sword Secrets, Crimson Jade Clear Sky Scroll, Moonstride Starshift Steps, Dao Origin Bright Flow Chart, Great Martial Eight Ghostly Steps (Inquiring Journey, perfect-level), Wind Void Steps, Dormant Spirit Stirring Divine Secrets, Seven Extremes Body Refinement, Heavenly Spring Coalescing Sea Records, Void Rainbow Sword Technique (Heavenly Origin, perfect-level)... partially omitted Main Equipment: Peerless Sky Piercing Sword (Inquiring Journey, top-grade), Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf (Inquiring Journey, top-grade), Unbroken Thousand Strings Rainbow Boat (Heavenly Origin, top-grade), Shadowde Sword (Heavenly Origin, lower-grade), Carefree Heavenly Extreme Robe (Heavenly Origin, lower-grade), ck Crystal Sky Piercing Shuttle (Mysterious tform, top-grade) Viin Value: 48,000 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 15,848 points Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring, Wordless Heavenly Jade System Mall: Level 2] ''Mybat prowess has indeed improved.'' ''It''s a significant increasepared to the previous level!'' ''However, it hasn''t yet reached the Dao Comprehension realm.'' ''It appears that the gap between the Inquiring Journey realm and the Dao Comprehension realm is indeed daunting.'' ''Currently, I have only practiced cultivation methods of the Inquiring Journey realm. No matter how plentiful they are, they can''t bridge the gap in quality.'' Musing to himself, Jiang Chen once again selected a spiritual nt for consumption. To elevate his truebat power into the Dao Comprehension realm, augmenting the realm of his cultivation base was undeniably the most fundamental and effective strategy! The next step was to practice cultivation methods of the Dao Comprehension realm! However, he was currently running low on qi and blood energy, and he alsocked the time to train on his own. He could only seek opportunities to gather qi and blood energyter on. Considering the situation surrounding the Purple Heaven Holy Land, he anticipated that there would be disturbances soon, inevitably leading to conflicts, and hence, a surge in qi and blood! Following this, Jiang Chen ingested twenty Dao Comprehension spiritual nts and three Dao Pce spiritual nts in session! A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 185: Massive Outburst of Nether Demon Spiritual Qi Boom! An astonishing surge of medicinal energy instantly flooded into his dantian, each one being absorbed by the Burning World Red Lotus. The medicinal energy from these twenty Dao Comprehension spiritual nts and three Dao Pce spiritual nts was far more intense than anything he had previously consumed. Under Jiang Chen''s introspective gaze, the Burning World Red Lotus was rejuvenating at a visibly rapid pace. One of the petals was particrly striking in its restoration. Even though it still appeared somewhat wilted, it contrasted markedly with its prior condition and the other petals. Once the Burning World Red Lotus was revitalized, it reciprocated by producing a considerable amount of cultivation base. With the nourishment of this cultivation base, Jiang Chen''s Dao Core expanded quickly, and his bodily strength also witnessed a significant enhancement. After all the medicinal energy was assimted, the cultivation base, which had just advanced to the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm, rapidly approached the threshold of the Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm. There was also a satisfying growth in terms of actualbat prowess. Jiang Chen could sense that hisbat power had risen by at least one third. Bear in mind that this was thebat power within the Inquiring Journey realm, where even a slight augmentation was an immense challenge. ''All the spiritual nts have been consumed.'' ''Further improvement can only continue once Ji Mingxiu provides more spiritual nts.'' ''Right now, the first n is to practice cultivation methods of the Dao Comprehension realm!'' ''...'' Musing to himself, Jiang Chen''s gaze then strayed beyond the confines of his meditation room. Outside his mansion, he saw a fair number of cultivators eagerly awaiting an audience with him. Previously, many people had sought out Fang Yuan. Now that he was the Holy Son, wouldn''t there be even more people aiming to curry favor with Jiang Chen? However, he had been quite preupied before, either treating Ji Ruxue, or embroiled in thepetition for the position of Holy Son, and subsequently helping Fang Yuan rebuild his foundation. Others who wanted to visit couldn''t find an opportune moment. Now that he had returned to his own mansion, those who sensed the opportunity immediately rushed over! "I require more individuals to assist me in managing misceneous tasks." "I don''t know when Feng Jun and the others will manage to break through ande over to assist me." "As for the girls, I wonder how they are faring." Jiang Chen''s eyes softened with fondness as he poured his divine sense into the Eternal Vows Binding Ring. ... Time ebbed away as Jiang Chenmuned with his wives. When he finally withdrew his consciousness, an hour had psed. Thinking of the visiting cultivators still patiently waiting outside, Jiang Chen quickly rose to his feet, preparing to activate the formation and address them. After all, many of them held considerable power and were of no insignificant status. But just at that moment! Hum Hum Hum! A startlingly urgent vibration emanated from the transmission jade token! ''A message from the Holy Land''s Deacon Hall!'' With a sweep of his divine sense, Jiang Chen was immediately taken aback. Not only him, but the influential figures who were eagerly awaiting outside to see him also quickly took out their transmission jade tokens, their expressions altering dramatically! Because a significant event had transpired within the Purple Heaven Holy Land! Many regions surrounding the Purple Heaven Holy Land, much akin to the Red Maple Heavenly Valley, were now experiencing massive columns of light bursting forth, each carrying vast quantities of Nether Demon Spiritual Qi. What followed closely were countless formidable demonic beasts that had lost their rationality, leaving behind only their primal instincts to kill. As of the present, there were up to dozens of locations experiencing the eruption of Nether Demon Spiritual Qi! And this number was still on the rise! ''Has the eruption of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi finally arrived?!'' ''Will the Nether Demon nunch their invasion next?'' Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes, a cold light flickering within them. Without dy, he picked up his transmission jade token and got in touch with Ji Mingxiu: "Master! The Nether Demon Spiritual Qi has erupted!" "Indeed, arge-scale eruption of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi is happening!" "It''s not only within our Purple Heaven Holy Land, but the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple are also simrly affected." Ji Mingxiu responded, "I''m currently engaged in strategic discussions with the Supreme Elders." "The Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple are also witnessing eruptions of Nether Demon Spiritual Qi?!" Jiang Chen''s eyes narrowed. The fact that two other major powers were now involved indicated that this was far from a minor issue! "Correct, what''s your take on this?" Ji Mingxiu queried. "We haven''t seen any signs of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi eruption for many years." "This sudden,rge-scale eruption strikes me as somewhat peculiar." "It''s impossible for me to dismiss the potential involvement of the legendary Nether Demons orchestrating from the shadows!" "Even though the likelihood is slim, I can''t discount it." Jiang Chen''s eyes shimmered with a brilliant light, "The Holy Land needs to be fully prepared, including... considering strategic retreat and relocation." The eruption of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, from any perspective, appeared like a grand stage set for the protagonist, Fang Yuan. If it were merely a horde of demonic beasts that Fang Yuan could effortlessly dispatch in one round, it would be far toockluster. Thus, Jiang Chen surmised that this event likely had something to do with the Nether Demon n. "The Nether Demon n?" "Don''t you think that''s a bit too paranoid?" "Nether Demon Spiritual Qi has always been present in the Bottomless Abyss, gradually eroding the surroundingnd. An eruption seems quite natural." "urrences like these have been sporadically recorded in the annals of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Though they were only isted incidents, it''s enough to affirm that this isn''t anything extraordinary." Ji Mingxiu evidently held his own assessment. And such an evaluation was precisely the kind of conclusion a rational individual would draw. After all, the Nether Demon n hadn''t appeared in the Immortal Martial Continent for countless years. Even the documents rting to the Nether Demon n had slowly faded into obscurity. Even the Purple Heaven Holy Land, with its hundreds of thousands of years of history, didn''t maintain records regarding the existence of the ''Nether Demon n''. All that everyone knew about was the Bottomless Abyss and its severe spiritual Qi. The Nether Demon n and simr matters were only brought to Jiang Chen''s attention indirectly when Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning informed him, and then Ji Mingxiu and others came to learn about it. Furthermore, only Jiang Chen was privy to the fact that Fang Yuan was the protagonist, and significant incidents centered around the protagonist would unquestionably be anything but simple. This was unknown to Ji Mingxiu. Considering various elements, even though Ji Mingxiu held deep trust in Jiang Chen, he still felt that Jiang Chen was being excessively vignt. "Master, it''s always wise to prepare for the storm before it arrives." Jiang Chen didn''t borate much, after all, actions speak louder than words. "Alright." Ji Mingxiu asserted his position, "I will exercise caution." "I will initially circte my ''Nether Qi Extraction Secrets'' among the upper echelons, and have it transported immediately." "By having proficient cultivators who can rapidly learn it, we will be in a position to timely assist those who have been afflicted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi." Having dispatched the message, Jiang Chen instantly activated the formation and made a hasty exit. "Holy Son!" "Greetings, Holy Son!" "..." Upon spotting Jiang Chen, the cultivators who were initially somewhat panicked managed to regain a degree ofposure. If Ji Mingxiu was the present pir of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, then Jiang Chen represented the future mainstay. "Everyone, maintain your calm!" "My master is already conferring with the Supreme Elders about this situation." "You, junior brother,e here and assist me by delivering this jade slip to my master!" After soothing everyone, Jiang Chen randomly selected a passing disciple that caught his eye and requested him to carry out this task. "I willply with the Holy Son''smand!" The chosen disciple was thrilled, promptly epting the jade slip from Jiang Chen, and took flight towards the Holy Land Grand Hall. The remaining disciples were instantly awash with envy. Chapter 186: Confining Fang Yuan to the Healing Hall At this juncture. "Fellow sect members." "The eruption of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi within our sect this time is far from negligible." "We must promptly exterminate those demonic beasts that have been tainted!" "Let us now proceed directly to the nearest eruption site to vanquish these demons and purge this evil!" Jiang Chen, his face burning with battle fervor, roused the crowd. "Superb!" "It''s a privilege for a junior brother like me to battle alongside the Holy Son!" "Brilliant, I will certainly obliterate those demonic beasts!" "..." The disciples too were ignited with zeal, their emotions running high! However, contrasting opinions were also heard. "Holy Son, those demonic beasts are extremely peculiar!" "Many disciples who engaged with them inexplicably sumbed to the corrosive influence of the Bottomless Abyss Spiritual Qi, turning just like those demonic beasts, losing their rationality and attacking on sight." "Despite efforts, those disciples can''t be healed. Once they''re affected, it''s tantamount to a death sentence!" "You represent the future of our Purple Heaven Holy Land, you mustn''t put your life at risk!" An elderly man at the Inquiring Journey realm voiced his concerns with a worried countenance. Once his words were expressed, the rest of the group also regained theirposure. "Indeed, the Holy Son should not ce his life in jeopardy!" "If ordinary people like us were to perish, it would be one thing, but the Holy Son absolutely cannot risk himself!" Many individuals felt that the elderly man''s caution was valid and promptly began dissuading Jiang Chen. "Fear not!" "I''ve already procured a cure for the corrosion caused by the Bottomless Abyss Spiritual Qi!" "It was documented in the jade slip from earlier! I personally have mastered this secret art." "So, everyone, there''s no need for concern. Proceed and y those demonic beasts!" Jiang Chen surveyed everyone, his demeanor warm and congenial, then raised his hand and swung it forcefully. Upon hearing these words, disbelief washed over the faces of the crowd, and waves of astonishment surged in their hearts. But before they could react, Jiang Chen had already transformed into a streak of light, soaring towards the horizon. "Quickly! Follow the Holy Son without dy!" Someone cried out and immediately took off, pursuing him. The others, not wanting to lose the opportunity to battle alongside Jiang Chen, promptly followed suit! En route, a message was ryed to Jiang Chen''s transmission jade token. He scanned it with his divine sense. "Jiang Chen, what are you up to?" "If you have the time, wouldn''t it be better to personally deliver the ''Nether Qi Extraction Secrets'' here? Ji Ruxue is currently present." The message was from Ji Mingxiu: "You can also instruct her on how to master the ''Nether Qi Extraction Secrets''." "In response to the master''s message." "I''m en route to the nearest Nether Demon Spiritual Qi eruption point to assist the frontline disciples!" Jiang Chen retorted, "Please request Ji Ruxue to stay behind and avoid going out. I have logged the mostprehensive practice insights in the ''Nether Qi Extraction Secrets''. Have her start practicing." "What!" "You actually ventured to confront the demonic beasts!" "Do you understand the risk associated with this? You might be able to handle those at the Inquiring Journey realm, but what about the ones at the Dao Comprehension realm? You''re really being reckless!" Ji Mingxiu was taken aback by Jiang Chen''s words, his toneced with urgency, "Jiang Chen, return immediately!" "Master!" Jiang Chen responded, "Flowers nurtured in a greenhouse cannot withstand wind and frost!" "Good, well said. As your master, I won''t hold you back any longer!" Seeing Jiang Chen''s transmission, Ji Mingxiu''s expression shifted. A sense of relief started to grow in his heart, driving away his initial anxiety. Jiang Chen was correct. He, Ji Mingxiu, could shield Jiang Chen for a while, but not for a lifetime. There woulde a day when Jiang Chen would have to confront innumerable challenges alone; he truly required such toughening. "Don''t worry, I won''t court trouble!" "Junior Brother Fang Yuan hasn''t fully recuperated yet. Please ensure that he rests properly and abstains from entering the battlefield." Jiang Chen added, "If he were to be afflicted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, I''d bepelled to return and extract it for him." "Understood." "I''ll immediately assign Wenren Kang to monitor Fang Yuan." Jiang Chen''s words struck Ji Mingxiu as very logical. Without any hesitation, he instantly consented. Seeing this, a slight smile appeared at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth. This eruption of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi could possibly be the plotline centering on the protagonist, Fang Yuan, and his stage. Hence, in this ''plot'', besides showcasing himself, Fang Yuan would undeniably reap significant advantages. As a result, Jiang Chen had to concoct a n to tether him to the Healing Hall, preventing him from going out and capitalizing on opportunities! At this moment, with his n falling into ce, he was naturally jubnt. Just then, a session of exceptionally vast and violent auras emanated from ahead. Added to this were numerous auras from the cultivators of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Boom, boom, boom! ng, ng! The sounds and shes from various spells detonating and striking continuously emerged, interspersed with the terrifying roars of beasts and the battle cries of the Holy Land''s disciples. This location was the eruption point nearest to the Purple Heaven Holy Land, known as the Blue Waterfall Green Stone in! A quick scan with his divine sense revealed a plethora of demonic beasts. The count of demonic beasts was nearly tenfold greater than the beast tide that had sprung up in the Red Maple Heavenly Valley. Most of them were Heavenly Origin realm demonic beasts, a handful were Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts, and the most formidable were Dao Comprehension realm demonic beasts! Indeed, Dao Comprehension realm demonic beasts had made their presence known in the Blue Waterfall Green Stone in, and it wasn''t just a solitary creature, but three! Three Dao Comprehension realm Elders were each grappling with one of the Dao Comprehension realm demonic beasts, and it was uncertain which side held the upper hand. The other disciples of the Holy Land dared not encroach upon the battleground of the Dao Comprehension realm. Those weaker demonic beasts would also be promptly eliminated if they ventured close. Circling the three Dao Comprehension realm battlegrounds, skirmishes of various scales were sprinkled around like stars. Those who hade to fight were at least of the Heavenly Origin realm! Moreover, every one of them was prepared to the hilt for defense, and they wholly depended on pills and spirit stones to rejuvenate their Yuan Power, refraining absolutely from absorbing the spiritual Qi in the atmosphere. This significantly reduced their chances of being invaded by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi. However, there were still disciples who sumbed to the demonic beasts, their defenses broken, their bodies thoroughly infiltrated by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, transforming them into mindless killing machines unable to distinguish friend from foe. The battlefield was embroiled in chaos. Mountains copsed, the earth cracked open, and rivers evaporated! A Holy Land deacon at the Inquiring Journey realm was locked in a fiercebat with a demonic beast of the same realm. The Holy Land deacon was violently ejecting blood from every orifice, his body contorted from severe injuries already sustained. If he carried on exchanging blows for a bit longer, his defenses would undoubtedly be breached, and even if he managed to survive, there was a high likelihood of being infiltrated by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi! Just at this critical juncture, "Silent Annihtion!!" Suddenly, a clear and resonant voice, like a thunderbolt from the clear sky, detonated on the battlefield! Simultaneously, a Milky Way-like sword Qi plummeted from the heavens, piercing straight through the Inquiring Journey realm demonic beast! "Roar!!" The Inquiring Journey realm demonic beast let out a wild and crazed howl, but it had no strength left to retaliate, and it copsed abruptly! "Silent Annihtion Sword Technique!" "It''s the Holy Son!" "The Holy Son hase to our aid!" "With a single sword stroke, he obliterated a Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm demonic beast. Is this the true might of our Holy Son!!" "Too powerful, the Holy Son is only twenty years old! I''ve been cultivating for eight hundred years!" One after another, the mighty figures from the Holy Land turned their gazes towards Jiang Chen, their eyes filled with a mix of awe and astonishment. "Thank you, Holy Son, for saving my life!" The deacon of the Holy Land, whose life was saved by Jiang Chen, was filled with gratitude as he paid his respects to Jiang Chen. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 187: Jiang Chens Enlightenment Amidst Battle "Unity and support, these are the cornerstones amongst our sect members!" Jiang Chen offered a subtle smile. With a simple wave of his hand, he effortlessly sliced the demonic beast of the Inquiring Journey realm into several pieces before stowing them away. Immediately after storing them, he harnessed the Wordless Heavenly Jade topletely deplete its qi and blood! "Holy Son!" "That demonic beast... it''s been tainted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi..." The deacon of the Holy Land turned a tad anxious at the sight of Jiang Chen storing the body of the demonic beast. A tainted beast, and all various materials harnessed from it, would deteriorate, losing their original worth. Furthermore, the covert Nether Demon Spiritual Qi permeating it rendered it utterly unusable. However, he was not allowed toplete his sentence, as he was abruptly interrupted by Jiang Chen. "No matter, the corrosion of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi holds no fear for me." "Furthermore, should anyone be corrupted, I have the ability to heal them. Therefore, everyone can fight without restraint; there is no need to hold back!" "Additionally, these demonic beast remains left scattered about present a significant hazard. They need to be removed." "Moreover, I have a method to make these demonic beast corpses somewhat useful. Everyone, gather these corpses and hand them over to meter!" Jiang Chen was now openly requesting the corpses of the demonic beasts! To influential figures like Ji Mingxiu and Mo Yu, his usage of these demonic beast corpses was perfectly natural, as he was under the guidance of a mighty figure from the Void Tribtion realm. It wouldn''t raise eyebrows. Now was the opportune moment for him to exhibit his prowess and build his reputation. Therefore, hemenced collecting the demonic beast corpses for his personal use without any reservations! "What! Holy Son possesses such a technique!" "Wonderful, there''s hope for my second junior brother who was just tainted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi!" "Holy Son is even capable of exploiting these demonic beast corpses, such proficiency is truly remarkable!" "..." The crowd was abuzz, their faces painted with astonishment. Even the three Elders at the Dao Comprehension realm, who were battling against the demonic beasts, nced at Jiang Chen with surprise. Were it not for their need to maintain focus on their opponents, they would undoubtedly pay more attention to Jiang Chen! "Fellow sect members!" "These demonic beasts dare to assault our Purple Heaven Holy Land. It''s akin to ants attempting to shake a tree. Stand with me and let''s eradicate them!" Jiang Chen cast his gaze around at everyone, clutching the Peerless Sky Piercing Sword, and instantly rushed at one of the Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts. "Attack, attack, attack!" "Let''s show these tainted beasts our strength!" "Hahaha, with the Holy Son backing me, I fear no corruption. Attack!" Each of the powerhouses from the Holy Land subsequently unleashed their even more potentbat power. Promptly, one by one, the demonic beasts emitted sorrowful screams as they dropped one after the other! With thunderous thuds, bodies asrge as small hills tumbled to the ground, their blood spilling out like cascades, pooling into veritablekes! Then, these corpses were swiftly disassembled by the Holy Land cultivators and ced into storage artifacts, all set to be handed over to Jiang Chen. Under Jiang Chen''s spirited encouragement, the previously deadlocked battlefield began to slowly tilt in favor of the Holy Land cultivators. The cultivators who had followed Jiang Chen also arrived, entering the conflict one after another, tipping the bnce of victory even more in their favor. Jiang Chen, brandishing the Peerless Sky Piercing Sword, relentlessly felled demonic beasts, and utilized the Wordless Heavenly Jade to consume their qi and blood. As for the qi and blood dispersed in the atmosphere, he paid it no heed. Although the risk of being discovered while covertly absorbing was extremely minimal, the amount of qi and blood was simply too trifling. In the blink of an eye, Jiang Chen had vanquished a full count of ten Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts. The remaining Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts were also collectively exterminated by the Holy Land cultivators who had managed to liberate their hands, felled one after another. At this juncture, all of the Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts on the entire battlefield had been eradicated! The Wordless Heavenly Jade had absorbed the qi and blood from a full ten Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts, transmuting it all into a unique energy! Jiang Chen didn''t immediately embark on practicing any cultivation method. Rather, he continued his ughter of the Heavenly Origin realm demonic beasts! If it took him only a handful of moves to eliminate Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts, then dispatching Heavenly Origin realm demonic beasts was as effortless as squashing ants. With a single sweep of his sword, the sword Qi transformed into a thread, instantaneously piercing through dozens of Heavenly Origin realm demonic beasts! The remaining Inquiring Journey realm cultivators also engaged rapidly, exhibiting swift maneuvers. Soon, only three Dao Comprehension realm demonic beasts remained on the entire battlefield. The gap between the Inquiring Journey realm and the Dao Comprehension realm was vast, thus everyone was reluctant to haphazardly join thebat. At this moment. "Everyone!" "Come to me, all of you. I intend to extract the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi from the disciples who''ve been corrupted!" "For the disciples who haven''t been corrupted, I wish to examine you too, just as a precaution!" Jiang Chen''s voice echoed across the battlefield, crisp and resonant, pleasing to the ears. "Holy Son, please save my second brother!" An Inquiring Journey realm cultivator, holding another restrained disciple, stepped forward, his face awash with anxiety. "Holy Son, I''ve been tainted! Ah, I can hardly hold on anymore!" There were also disciples long corrupted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, teetering on the brink of losing their sense of self. "Quick, quick, quick!" Jiang Chen swiftly stepped forward as well, unveiled all kinds of natural treasures, and inbination with the secret art, the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets, hemenced extracting the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi from those who had been tainted. His speed was staggering! In less than ten breaths, he could purge the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi from a cultivator''s body. When the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi was extracted from the first cultivator, everyone was bbergasted and lost for words. Even the three Dao Comprehension realm Elders, who were fending off the demonic beasts'' onughts, cast several additional nces at Jiang Chen, their eyes brimming with shock and delight! In the blink of an eye, all the disciples tainted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi were rescued by Jiang Chen. Immediately, cultivators lined up one after another before Jiang Chen, their eyes filled with grateful tears, all ready tobor tirelessly, to serve as diligent attendants and devoted helpers. Next was the examination of the remaining individuals who appeared normal for the time being. Upon inspection, a handful of cultivators were discovered to have Nether Demon Spiritual Qi within their bodies, though they had not yet exhibited any symptoms. These cultivators were terrified in retrospect. Had it not been for Jiang Chen, they likely would have remained ignorant of their infection until it was already toote! Consequently, another group of people overflowed with gratitude towards Jiang Chen. In a brief span of time, Jiang Chen had gathered a significant number of loyal followers from the Holy Land! In addition to this, he had also procured numerous storage artifacts filled with the corpses of demonic beasts! These storage artifacts contained at least hundreds of Heavenly Origin realm demonic beasts, along with seven to eight Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts. Upon securing the storage artifacts, Jiang Chen promptly submerged his divine sense into them covertly, utilizing the Wordless Heavenly Jade to absorb the qi and blood from these bodies. In an instant, the energy within the Wordless Heavenly Jade surged once more! "I''ve suddenly gained some insights from the battle. Please protect me!" Jiang Chen abruptly seated himself cross-legged on the ground, giving the impression that he had entered a state of cultivation. "The Holy Son has had a breakthrough?!" "Wow, as expected of the Holy Son, attaining enlightenment after just one battle, truly formidable!" "Quick, quiet down and ensure his protection, don''t disturb the Holy Son!" The Holy Land cultivators initially disyed shock, then broke into ecstatic expressions as they extended their protective barriers to guard Jiang Chen in his cultivation. In truth, Jiang Chen hadn''t experienced any sudden enlightenment; rather, he was preparing to exercise cultivation methods with the Wordless Heavenly Jade! This time, he nned to practice the Dao Comprehension realm cultivation methods. Jiang Chen had a total of twenty-seven such realm cultivation methods! Seven of them were procured from the secret realm in the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain, while the remaining twenty were gradually acquired from individuals like Ji Mingxiu and Mo Yu from the Purple Heaven Holy Land. After some deliberation, Jiang Chen selected a Dao Comprehension sword technique known as the ''Heaven Sundering Rainbow Sword Technique''. Unlike the Silent Annihtion Heavenly Sword Secrets, which was a single-strike decisive victory type, this sword technique was intricate with as many as ny-nine moves, making it suitable for prolonged battles! ''Let''s begin!'' Jiang Chen thought to himself, starting to recall the specifics of the Heaven Sundering Rainbow Sword Technique. Chapter 188: Grasping the Profound Sword Dao Abruptly, Jiang Chen''s consciousness and soul seemed to meld with the Wordless Heavenly Jade. An abundance of peculiar energy pulsed from the Wordless Heavenly Jade, permeating every single cell within his body. In an instant, a myriad of enigmatic Sword Dao teachings were etched into Jiang Chen''s soul. As his mind absorbed, his body too learned, as if he had undergone centuries of rigorous training, almost forming a reflex! At this juncture, Jiang Chen had wlessly mastered the Dao Comprehension realm sword technique, the Heaven Sundering Rainbow Sword Technique! In a fleeting moment, as Jiang Chen opened and shut his eyes, it was as if countless beams of sword light flickered past. All the surrounding cultivators felt a cold shiver run down their spines, and couldn''t help but stiffen up, their hair standing on end! "This is... This is the Sword Dao!" "The Holy Son has grasped the mysterious teachings of the Sword Dao!" "Even if it''s not theplete Sword Dao, isn''t this too fearsome? The Holy Son has just advanced to the Inquiring Journey realm!" "The most vital point is, after a fierce battle, the Holy Son could suddenly grasp a part of the Sword Dao, it''s simply unfathomable, beyond imagination!" "He''s too potent, truly too potent, indeed deserving of being the Holy Son of our Purple Heaven Holy Land!" "..." All the cultivators from the Holy Land were rendered speechless, gazing in disbelief at Jiang Chen, who was ensconced in their midst. Then, they couldn''t help but utter exmations of overwhelming joy and surprise. Even the three great powerhouses at the Dao Comprehension realm, who were battling the demonic beasts, were all taken aback, casting shocked nces towards Jiang Chen. Only when the demonic beasts pushed them to the point of requiring full force in response did they divert their attention away from Jiang Chen. Simultaneously, Jiang Chen was also meticulously feeling the formidable force within his body. The key focus of cultivation at the Dao Comprehension realm was deciphering the Dao! Countless Great Daos existed in the world, and everything in heaven and earth was linked with various Daos in innumerable ways. Even some entities were Daos in and of themselves. For instance, the Five Elements - metal, wood, water, fire, and earth - were the most characteristic Daos, and they were among the five fundamentalws of the universe. Moreover, the basicws of the universe also epassed elements like lightning, yin and yang, gravity, light, waves, time, space, and so forth. Aside from the primaryws, there were innumerable derivativews, such as those based on ice, rock, and so on, too many to enumerate. However, what cultivators practiced was not limited to the Daos constituted by the fundamentalws of the universe. Inparison to the universe''s Great Daos, cultivators themselves embodied a multitude of Great Daos. The most prominent and symbolic among these were the Great Dao of Spirit linked with the soul, and the Great Dao of Power associated with the body. Cultivators pioneered civilizations that nurtured the Dao, which was to embrace the natural progression of the Dao and embed it within themselves. This anthropocentric path to immortality aimed at achieving harmony with the myriad Great Daos of heaven and earth. When a cultivator''s personal Dao fused with the Daos of universalws, more Daos would emerge! The Sword Dao, Spear Dao, Knife Dao, along with other weapon Daos, were part of these. Moreover, there were superior ones like the Karma Dao, Worship Dao... and the most profound ones being the Great Dao of Life, the Great Dao of Death, and so on. At present, the Sword Dao that Jiang Chen understood was the fusion of a portion of his own Spirit Dao''s win array of intentswith a segment of the arcane teachings of the Great Dao of Metal. Included in these, the spiritual will consisted of at least the four core divine intents: Faith, Integrity, Benevolence, and Courage. Adding various other intents to these four divine intents resulted in the creation of the Sword Dao branch. The elements of the Sword Dao that merged with the Great Dao of Metal weremonly characterized by ''Sharpness'' and ''Rigidity''. Within this, the ''Rigidity''ponent aligned with the cultivator''s inherent qualities, forming a characteristic that seamlessly married power and adaptability. The sword, the supreme among weapons, and the Sword Dao, the sovereign of all Weapon Dao, represented an extraordinarily potent Dao understood by cultivators. Usually, cultivators who ascended to the Dao Comprehension realm would first understand the Great Dao of one of the Five Elements. This represented the most basic and fundamental Dao of the universalws, a Dao readily essible, and it did not require the fusion of a cultivator''s own spiritual will. For example, the Great Dao of Fire was simply the unadulterated Great Dao of Fire. Understanding the rule of the fire element and mastering its application was perceived asprehending the Great Dao of Fire. Naturally, there were cultivators who integrated their own spiritual will with the Great Dao of Fire, forging a more sophisticated Great Dao. Alternatively, by grasping the derivative rules of the fire element''sw, one could construct a more distinctive Great Dao of Fire, boasting extraordinarily miraculous functions. On the contrary, the Sword Dao, which integrated various intents of the cultivators'' will and the mystic teachings of the Great Dao of Metal from this cosmos''s heaven and earth, was extraordinarily difficult to grasp. In the universe, it was exceedingly rare for beings toprehend the Great Dao of the Sword as their initial Dao. ''The Heaven Sundering Rainbow Sword Technique!'' ''Myprehension of the Sword Dao leans towards the Swift Sword Dao, and also carries a hint of the Illusionary Sword Dao!'' ''The Sword Dao itself has countless sub-branches. I wonder what the spectacle would be when the entire Sword Dao is fully understood.'' ''System, disy my panel!'' After a series of introspections and visualizations in Jiang Chen''s mind, he centered his thoughts, and his personal panel promptly appeared. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Perfect Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body (Death Cmity True Dragon) Realm: Middle-stage Inquiring Journey Great Dao: Sword Dao (Fragmented) True Battle Power: Early-stage Dao Comprehension- Cultivation Method: Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture (Dao Pce, main cultivation), Heaven Sundering Rainbow Sword Technique (Dao Pce, perfect-level), Silent Annihtion Heavenly Sword Secrets, Crimson Jade Clear Sky Scroll, Moonstride Starshift Steps, Dao Origin Bright Flow Chart, Great Martial Eight Ghostly Steps (Inquiring Journey, perfect-level)... partially omitted Main Equipment: Peerless Sky Piercing Sword (Inquiring Journey, top-grade), Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf (Inquiring Journey, top-grade), Unbroken Thousand Strings Rainbow Boat (Heavenly Origin, top-grade)... partially omitted Viin Value: 48,000 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 15,848 points Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring, Wordless Heavenly Jade System Mall: Level 2] ''Mybat power has achieved a breakthrough!'' ''I have finally ascended to the Dao Comprehension realm!'' ''Even though I have just barely stepped into the Dao Comprehension realm and don''t match up to those freshly initiated into the Dao Comprehension realm, I am still hundreds of times stronger than the Inquiring Journey realm!'' ''Furthermore, with the progression of my realm, a new Great Dao attribute has been added to the attribute panel!'' ''...'' Observing his personal attribute panel, Jiang Chen slowly allowed a subtle smile to grace his face. Then, he gradually stood up, his gaze taking in the cultivators of the Holy Land surrounding him. As everyone fell into Jiang Chen''s line of sight, none dared to meet his eye, each standing with heads bowed in a blend of veneration and fervor. "Thank you, fellow sect members, for ensuring my safety!" "Now, having grasped a portion of the Sword Dao, I can engage in the battles of the Dao Comprehension realm!" Jiang Chen surveyed everyone, offering a fist and palm salute as a token of gratitude. "Protecting Your Excellency, the Holy Son, is our duty!" The crowd reciprocated his salute respectfully, their favorable impression of Jiang Chen further heightened by his respectful demeanor. "Then." "Everyone, please rest first. I will assist the three Dao Comprehension realm Elders in defeating the Dao Comprehension realm demonic beasts!" Jiang Chen acknowledged them with a slight nod, and with a single stride, his entire form flickered eight times instantaneously. In the following moment, he materialized not far from one of the Dao Comprehension realm Elders. Boom boom boom! This Elder, known as Liu Xiong, was engaged in a fiercely intense battle with a demonic beast. Jiang Chen cast a nce at the Dao Comprehension realm demonic beast, observing that the creature''s entire form was a deep dark green hue, resembling a monstrous, enormous centipede! But this ''centipede demonic beast'' boasted thousands of pairs of feet, and remarkably, these feet resembled tree roots, deeply rooted in the earth! Its body was enveloped in a potent green glow that seemed to pulsate with life and vitality. Evidently, this was a demonic beast that had naturallyprehended the Great Dao of Wood through its innate capabilities. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 189: Defeating the Dao Comprehension Realm Demonic Beast Jiang Chen''s gaze shimmered before shifting towards Liu Xiong. The understanding Liu Xiong grasped was one of the Five Elements the Grand Dao of Fire. His form was entirely shrouded by innumerable mes that seemed to have lives of their own, relentlessly assaulting the demonic beast. The conflict between Liu Xiong and the demonic beast was heatedlypetitive and evenly matched. Despite possessing a marginal upper hand due to elemental suppression and the reckless conduct of the demonic beast, which had forsaken its reasoning, exterminating it proved to be an immensely challenging task. The resilience of the Grand Dao of Wood was incredibly strong, boasting amendable defense. However, Liu Xiong''s Grand Dao of Fire held rtively weak defenses, and a moment''s neglect could potentially lead to a sudden turnaround! Hence, when Liu Xiong spotted Jiang Chen not too far off, his eyes instantly ignited with tion! He had personally borne witness to Jiang Chen''s mastery of the Sword Dao. The devastating strength of the Sword Dao was extraordinarily powerful. With Jiang Chen''s intervention, the doom of that demonic beast was essentially preordained! In that instant. "Elder Liu Xiong, I stand ready to lend you aid!" Jiang Chen''s voice carried softly, followed by a rapid gesture from his right hand. The Peerless Sky Piercing Sword materialized from nowhere, emitting a faint tremor. Threads of sword Qi sprouted on the Peerless Sky Piercing Sword, causing the surrounding air to warp! "Alright!" "I''ll pave the way for you!" Without dy, Liu Xiong replied robustly. Considering that the demonic beast had abandoned its reasoning, discussing tactics out in the open presented no issue. In the ensuing moment, Liu Xiong abruptly summoned a crimson sphere, within which surged a massive amount of wild energy. This was a singr-use fire element Great Dao treasure, long condensed via the persistent umtion of his own Great Dao of Fire. "Proceed!" Liu Xiong''s Dao Yuan Power pulsated fiercely throughout his body, with a significant amount of Yuan Power flooding into the fiery red sphere. In the blink of an eye! The fiery red sphere soared rapidly towards the dark green centipede demonic beast, radiating an incredibly intense heat and brightness. At this moment, it seemed as though twin suns had emerged in the sky! "Roar!!" The demonic beast released a savage roar. It intuitively sensed that this time the opponent''s attack packed a stronger punch than before, prompting it to immediately adopt a defensive stance. Whoosh! Numerous ck-brown tendrils sprouted from the centipede demonic beast''s body, rapidly cocooning it within a defensive wooden shell that covered it entirely, showcasing extreme resilience! Bang! Liu Xiong''s attacknded on the wooden cocoon of the centipede demonic beast, instantly setting it aze and scorching arge part of the battlefield. However, the energy of the fiery red sphere was simultaneously depleting continuously. Considering the condition of the centipede demonic beast, it definitely wouldn''t sumb to this attack alone. Jiang Chen, gripping the Peerless Sky Piercing Sword, allowed his sword intent to surge in waves, ceaselessly readying his most potent attack. After a duration of ten breaths, Liu Xiong''s fiery red sphere had entirely expended its energy. The wooden shield defense of the Dao Comprehension realm centipede demonic beast was also utterly shattered, with its carapace now marred by ck and red scorch marks. Of prime importance was its current state; it was caught in a phase where its previous energy was depleted, and new strength had yet to materialize. In simpler terms, it had slipped into a cooldown period and a temporary state of weakness. "Now''s the moment!" "Moon Treading Star Transformation, Heaven Sundering Rainbow Sword Technique!" A dangerous sparkle flitted across Jiang Chen''s eyes as he transformed into a lightning-fast streak of light, promptly charging towards the demonic beast''s head! The Dao Comprehension realm centipede demonic beast issued an immensely furious roar. Having surrendered its rationality, it paid no heed to its own state, baring its lethal fangs in a bid to ughter Jiang Chen. Apart from the Great Dao of Wood, it also boasted an exceptionally fearsome poison. Dao Comprehension realm cultivators,ckingprehension of the Great Dao of Poison, would also find themselves under significant peril. However, just as it widened its maw, a swifter sword light erupted from the streak of light into which Jiang Chen had morphed. Swish! The razor-sharp sword light instantly prated the upper jaw of the Dao Comprehension realm centipede demonic beast, piercing straight into its brain! The sharp sword Qi exploded incessantly, severing the head of the centipede demonic beast into eighteen fragments. Not only that, but the sword Qi proceeded to extend towards the several-kilometer-long body of the Dao Comprehension Realm centipede, slicing all the way. In a mere instant, the mountainous centipede demonic beast transformed into several smaller meat mounds, from which blood incessantly flowed, forming a scarlet river. "Roar..." The centipede demonic beast issued an aggrieved, yet feeble roar. One could observe vine-like flesh incessantly sprouting from the gashes on its body, striving to reassemble itself. However, Jiang Chen''s sword intent lingered within its wounds, gnawing away like maggots on a corpse. It not only hampered the demonic beast''s recovery but even inflicted further harm upon it. "Holy Son!" "How fare you?" Liu Xiong turned to Jiang Chen, expressing his concern. "I''m unscathed!" "Let''s finish this together!" Exuding an air of serenity, Jiang Chen gestured with his hand, and clutching his long sword, he instantly sprang into action against the centipede demonic beast. "Truly, the Holy Son is exceptional." Respect filled Liu Xiong''s eyes as he too, shrouded in infinite mes, charged towards the centipede demonic beast. What he had utilized earlier was ''stockpiled'', hence his own condition hadn''t been severely affected, and his battle strength was mostly intact, thus he required no rest. ''Heaven Sundering Rainbow Sword Technique!'' Wielding the Peerless Sky Piercing Sword, Jiang Chen relentlessly inflicted injuries upon the body of the centipede demonic beast. Liu Xiong, in contrast, unleashed ultra-condensed mes, mercilessly incinerating the critical parts of the centipede demonic beast. "Roar! Howl!" Sections of the centipede demonic beast''s body writhed and struggled continuously, but they were no longer able to reattach themselves. Its life force was progressively dissipating as well. Moreover, the glow in the bulging eyes of the centipede demonic beast hadpletely faded. Thus, a Dao Comprehension realm demonic beast met its end. "Remarkable!" "The Holy Son is indeed immensely powerful!" "To coborate at the Inquiring Journey realm and vanquish a Dao Comprehension realm demonic beast is truly an unprecedented feat in the Purple Heaven Holy Land!" "..." A group of cultivators gazed in wide-eyed awe, engaging in animated discussions, resolute in imprinting this spectacle onto their memories. Amidst the battlefield. "Elder Liu Xiong." "This demonic beast may prove useful to me..." Jiang Chen addressed Liu Xiong with a pleasant smile, his hands respectfully sped together. "Holy Son, please do!" "The future of our Purple Heaven Holy Land rests in the hands of the Holy Son. Your strength is synonymous with our Purple Heaven Holy Land''s strength." "Besides, this demonic beast has been tainted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, rendering it useless to us." Elder Liu Xiong spoke fervently, "Even if it were an untainted Dao Comprehension realm demonic beast, the Holy Son should be the one to im it!" "Haha." "In that case, I shall take up your offer." Jiang Chen responded with a slight smile, then extended his hand to gather the remains of the Dao Comprehension realm centipede demonic beast, piece by piece. With every fragment of the corpse he gathered, Jiang Chen utilized the Wordless Heavenly Jade to absorb all of its qi and blood. In an instant, the energy within the Wordless Heavenly Jade, which hadn''t been entirely consumed during the practice of the Heaven Sundering Rainbow Sword Technique, surged once again! Now, practicing one or two Dao Comprehension realm cultivation methods would pose no difficulty. However, Jiang Chen did not intend to utilize it immediately, instead nning to save it as a trump card for himself! "Elder Liu Xiong!" "Let''s go support Elder Lu and Elder Gui!" Having collected the demonic beast''s corpse, Jiang Chen saluted Liu Xiong with a fist and palm gesture and proposed. "I had the same idea!" Liu Xiong chuckled heartily. "Let''s assist Elder Lu first!" "The demonic beast he''sbating is stronger and he''s under considerable pressure." After a moment of deliberation, Jiang Chen suggested. "Agreed!" Liu Xiong nodded, as once again a surge of mes erupted from his body. "Let''s move!" Jiang Chen lifted his sword, instantly morphing into a streak of sword light and dashing off... A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 190: The Strategy Against Fang Yuan Meanwhile, in the main Healing Hall. "Why!" "Mybat prowess is restored, I''m capable of purging the demonic beasts appearing around the Holy Land!" Fang Yuan, his brows knitting together, sought an exnation from Wenren Kang. The Nether Demon Spiritual Qi had erupted, leading to an extensive invasion of the corrupted demonic beasts into the Holy Land''s territory. Fang Yuan too wished to venture out and y the demonic beasts, striving to hone his ownbat prowess. He preferred this to lying immobile, akin to a paralytic, in this healing room, confined and unable to even exit the room. "Fang Yuan, these are themands of the Holy Lord." "The Holy Lord imposes these constraints for your own welfare." "Consider this: the foundation of your Cultivation Path has sustained severe damage." "Imagine if you encounter a powerful demonic beast and overstrain yourself inbat, exacerbating the foundation injury?" "You''re still at such a tender age. Once the Holy Son assists in repairing the foundation of your Cultivation Path, won''t there be a plethora of opportunities for battles?" "..." Wenren Kang, without the power to contest Ji Mingxiu''s will,menced an endless discourse, hoping to reason with Fang Yuan. A buzzing noise was all Fang Yuan perceived in his ears. In addition, Wenren Kang incessantly brought up Jiang Chen, which, over time, irked him to the core. "Forget it, just forget it." "I''ll stay put!" With a wave of his hand, an annoyed and irritable Fang Yuan dropped himself onto the bed. On the other side. [Ding! You slightly altered the plot, the protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has declined by 200 points!] [Ding! You''ve rued 400 points of Viin Value!] Two system notifications resonated in Jiang Chen''s mind, instantly drawing a smirk on his lips. Without any need for pondering, he understood that Fang Yuan was essentially under house arrest, unable to participate in the battles, thus causing a shift in the plot. ''Hehe.'' ''It was certainly prudent to confine him to the Healing Hall.'' ''Without the possibility of leaving the room, I''m eager to see how you''d seize any opportunities!'' Jiang Chen chuckled internally, then shifted his gaze towards the demonic beast before him. Together with Liu Xiong, he rushed to Elder Lu''s aid. The trio coordinated wlessly, swiftly vanquishing the second Dao Comprehension realm demonic beast. Immediately thereafter, they proceeded to reinforce Elder Gui. With theirbined strength, they exterminated the third Dao Comprehension realm demonic beast at an even brisker pace. By this juncture, the demonic beasts infesting the Blue Waterfall Green Stone in had been utterly eradicated! Jiang Chen took possession of the corpses of the other two Dao Comprehension realm demonic beasts, and secretly extracted their qi and blood energy using the Wordless Heavenly Jade. "The Holy Son''s divine might is unparalleled, he''s destined to steer the Purple Heaven Holy Land to grandeur in the future!" "Haha, it''s an honor to have had the chance tobat demonic beasts side by side with the Holy Son!" The three Dao Comprehension realm Elders expressed their heartfelt admiration for Jiang Chen. In their perception, Jiang Chen was bound to surpass Ji Mingxiu and ascend to be the most formidable Holy Lord in the annals of the Purple Heaven Holy Land! Possessing the strength of the Dao Comprehension realm at a tender age of twenty was indeed an astonishingly extraordinary feat! "Seniors, I am undeserving of such high praise." With humility reflected in his voice and a modest smile gracing his face, Jiang Chen stated, "There are other battlefields that require our support, we must depart immediately!" "Agreed!" The trio of Dao Comprehension realm Elders concurred in unison. The cultivators of the Inquiring Journey and Heavenly Origin realms were also in immediate agreement. Subsequently, everyone dispersed, setting off in diverse directions to lend their support to different battlefields. Jiang Chen, however, did not join the others. Instead, he opted to individually reinforce a location known as the Gloomy Wind Mountain. Whoosh! A streak of sword light cut through the sky, steadfastly advancing towards the Gloomy Wind Mountain. On his way, Jiang Chen''s divine sense unexpectedly detected a pair of demonic beasts at the peak of the Inquiring Journey realm. ''Could these be... Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens?'' Jiang Chen murmured to himself, ''Humph, might as well y them in passing!'' Then he descended to a lower flight level, prepared to exterminate the two Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens. But in that moment, his expression abruptly changed, reflecting an element of surprise. This was due to the fact that the two Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens were actually concealing themselves! Such behavior was inconsistent with the traits of creatures tainted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi. Any demonic beast affected by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi would be stripped of all rationality, their sole instinct being to kill. Apart from their own ''kin'', simrly impacted, all other creatures became their prey! Actively hiding? This was entirely unprecedented! However, Jiang Chen also detected traces of Nether Demon Spiritual Qi on those two Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens at the Inquiring Journey realm. Upon meticulous observation, he discovered that, owing to their innate talents, these two Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens appeared to possess an inherent resistance to Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, and as such, they weren''t fully infected. They had managed to retain a semnce of their consciousness! ''What a pity.'' ''Even they couldn''t evade the fate of infection.'' Jiang Chen shook his head, gearing up to kill them, which could also be seen as a mercy to release them from their suffering. However, just as he was about to strike, a sudden spark of insight shed across his mind! He halted his hand, and a contemtive glint flickered in his eyes. ''This invasion of demonic beasts marks only the inception of this ''original plot''.'' ''The Purple Heaven Holy Land might easily tackle it, but there are bound to be subsequent waves of demonic beasts or other adversaries.'' ''I managed to confine Fang Yuan once, but under the sway of the Heavenly Fate Value, it''s improbable that he could be indefinitely trapped by me.'' ''As the protagonist, Fang Yuan will unquestionably have an opportunity to partake in thisrge-scale battle.'' ''So, why shouldn''t I anticipate this? Why not prepare some strategies beforehand?'' ''These two Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens at the Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm know how to conceal themselves and won''t be easily eliminated. They could prove useful in my nning!'' ''Given Fang Yuan''s strength, he can at best ughter demonic beasts at the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm. He would undoubtedly struggle against these Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens!'' Jiang Chen''s mind was tirelessly calcting, gradually formting a strategy. Of course, he wouldn''t be naive enough to contemte using the Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens to y Fang Yuan. Despite being at the Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm, they certainly couldn''t kill Fang Yuan, who held the role of the protagonist. However, they could be exploited for other purposes! At the current stage, what was the key to handling Fang Yuan? It was to further estrange his rtionships with Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. ''Let''s proceed in this manner!'' A subtle curve appeared at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth. Without dy, he began to recall a cultivation method named ''Misty Cloud Soul Tracking Secrets''. This was a Dao Comprehension realm secret art procured from the Cave Heaven Secret Realm, and its sole purpose was to imprint a tracking mark on the target. This specialized cultivation method was extraordinarily potent, and the tracking mark it imprinted was extremely, extremely covert. Unless one had reached the Dao Pce realm, it was virtually impossible to detect. In their current state, with their residual souls being too weak, neither Nangong Wan nor Shangguan Ning would be able to discern it. Moreover, the effective range of this tracking mark was remarkably expansive, and it had an extraordinarily long duration, eliminating any concern about the target eluding the tracking range. ''Wordless Heavenly Jade!'' At Jiang Chen''s solitary thought, his soul and the Wordless Heavenly Jade merged in a spectacr manner, and simultaneously, hemenced the practice of the Misty Cloud Soul Tracking Secrets. Within the same realm, the degree of difficulty of martial techniques and secret arts could be diverse. The Heaven Sundering Rainbow Sword Technique was among the more challenging ones due to its incredibleplexity. On the other hand, the Misty Cloud Soul Tracking Secrets was rtively simpler, as it served a singr function. Hence, during this cultivation practice, the unique energy within the Wordless Heavenly Jade was not extensively drained. In the blink of an eye, Jiang Chen had refined the Misty Cloud Soul Tracking Secrets to the perfect-level stage! With a mere wave of his hand, two imperceptible marks promptlynded on the two Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens, entirely unbeknownst to them. ''Two is an insufficient number!'' ''I need to seek out more suitable targets!'' A glint flickered in Jiang Chen''s eyes, and he swiveled around, morphing into a sword light and departing. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Can''t join Patreon? No worries! Help spread the word about my work instead. Every share makes a big difference. Thanks for your support! Chapter 191: Quelling the Demonic Beast Tide Concurrently, within the hallowed grounds of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, inside the Holy Land Grand Hall. In attendance were Holy Lord Ji Mingxiu, Supreme Elder Mo Yu, along with three other dignitaries. Apart from Mo Yu, the trioprised of Sha An, Si Zhangjian, and Yao Zong. "How does the current situation look?" A mild furrow etched across Ji Mingxiu''s forehead as he queried. The recent massive eruption of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi,pounded with the surge of high-level demonic beasts infiltrating the territory of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, was an unprecedented event! "The situation is now under control." "The Holy Son demonstrated an awe-inspiring level ofbat prowess. Remarkably, he even grasped certain facets of the Sword Dao on the spot, aiding Liu Xiong and the rest in ying three demonic beasts at the Dao Comprehension realm!" "Now, Liu Xiong and the others are dispersing to extend their support. The total eradication of these demonic beasts is just a matter of time." "Moreover, we found no traces of any Dao Pce realm demonic beasts." After Si Zhangjian had given his report, he raised a question, "Should we deploy one or two more individuals to expedite the extermination of the demonic beasts?" "There''s no need." "Given that no Dao Pce realm demonic beasts have shown themselves, there''s no reason for us to intervene." "The disciples of the Holy Land haven''t experienced such a grand-scale conflict in quite some time. They require this kind of tempering. This, after all, is how the Holy Land continues to thrive." Ji Mingxiu dismissed the concern with a casual shake of his head, a chuckle escaping him as he said, "Flowers nurtured in a greenhouse cannot withstand wind and frost!" "Agreed." Mo Yu nodded in concurrence, "So, we stay out of this one." "Back to the matter at hand." "The Holy Son is truly remarkable, having grasped a portion of the Sword Dao at the mere age of twenty." Sha An''s eyes sparkled with anticipation as he eximed, "Perhaps, our Purple Heaven Holy Land will nurture a Dao Comprehension realm prodigy who is still in his twenties!" "It''s not just a probability." Ji Mingxiu''s countenance beamed with delight, "Jiang Chen is bound to breakthrough to the Dao Comprehension realm very soon!" "By the way." Yao Zong posed a question, a hint of curiositycing his tone, "The Holy Son mentioned that he could utilize the bodies of those demonic beasts, but I''m unsure of the method he intends to employ." Even they, with their profound knowledge and power, could not harness the bodies of these demonic beasts. This was due to the pervasive erosion of every single cell by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, leading to some fundamental transformations. "It must have been imparted by those two Void Tribtion realm great powerhouses." "Regardless of the nature of the method, if it proves advantageous to the Holy Son, it invariably benefits our Purple Heaven Holy Land." Mo Yu expressed with a warm smile, "We ought not delve too deeply into this." "Certainly." "After the battle concludes, all the demonic beast corpses will be surrendered to Jiang Chen for further disposition." Ji Mingxiu voiced his agreement with a nod, then inquired, "What is the situation with the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple?" "Based on our informant reports, their circumstances mirror ours." Yao Zong responded, "Should we consult the Holy Son''s perspective on using the ''Nether Qi Extraction Secrets'' to potentially glean benefits from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple?" "This matter... I will seek Jiang Chen''s counsel." Ji Mingxiu mused. The Nether Qi Extraction Secrets was Jiang Chen''s property, and he would not make decisions recklessly. Mo Yu queried, "So, regarding the demonic beasts in by the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple, should we negotiate for their bodies on behalf of the Holy Son?" "Requesting the corpses of the demonic beasts might reveal certain aspects." Ji Mingxiu deliberated, "We should seek Jiang Chen''s advice first." Simultaneously, as Ji Mingxiu and the other Dao Pce realm powerhouses deliberated, outside the boundaries of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, Jiang Chen was in perpetual motion. He flew across diverse locations, rendering aid across multiple battlefronts and surreptitiously seeking out additional Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens. Throughout his journey, he did indeed locate more of these elusive Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens! Employing the Misty Cloud Soul Tracking Secrets, Jiang Chen left tracking marks on these dispersed Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens for future reference. Simultaneously, as the number of vanquished demonic beasts surged, more and more cultivators from the Purple Heaven Holy Land were bing avable. The pace of eradicating the demonic beasts was swiftly escting, akin to a snowball cascading down a hillside. Jiang Chen refrained from personal hunting and killing. Instead, he employed the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets to deliver rescue aid across various regions. While the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets was known among the higher echelons of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, only he had achieved mastery over it as of yet. Numerous cultivators from the Holy Land who had been afflicted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi were directed to him. Subsequently, they would depart, their hearts brimming with boundless gratitude and admiration, their vitality restored. Within a short span, all the cultivators of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, either directly or indirectly, reaped the benefits of Jiang Chen''s magnanimity, bestowing upon him their thanks and immense respect. At this juncture, Jiang Chen was akin to the ascendant sun, earning the adtion of countless individuals. Beyond reputation, Jiang Chen also reaped considerable material gains. Almost all the bodies of the invading demonic beasts that had breached the Purple Heaven Holy Land were delivered into his possession! This, however, did not include the demonic beasts from the Blue Waterfall Green Stone in. As for the demonic beast corpses gathered subsequently, there were a staggering seventeen Dao Comprehension realm demonic beasts alone! The tally of Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts exceeded one hundred and thirty, and there were so many Heavenly Origin realm beasts that he simply lost interest in keeping count. The qi and blood energy of these demonic beasts were fully absorbed by Jiang Chen through the use of the Wordless Heavenly Jade! If these energies were employed to practice Dao Comprehension realm cultivation methods, they would suffice for dozens of such routines! Even for the Dao Pce realm cultivation methods, the energies at hand were plentiful enough to practice more than a single method. However, Jiang Chen elected to defer its use for the moment, preserving it as a hidden ace. When the situation demanded, he could put these energies to use, training in particr cultivation methods to better counter his foes. At this juncture, outside the Purple Heaven Holy Land, Jiang Chen transformed into a streak of sword light, slicing through the sky. By his side, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing were apanying him. Indeed, both Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing had engaged in this battle, taking down numerous demonic beasts. Later, when Jiang Chenmenced his rescue operations, they lent their assistance to his cause. Besides Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, Jiang Chen was encircled by multiple streaks of light, each representing a cultivator. It resembled a scene where stars orbit the moon! Liu Xiong, Xie Zhen, and other Elders who had attained the Dao Comprehension realm were among them. "Honorable Holy Son!" "We offer our homage to the Honorable Holy Son!!" "..." As they flew past the grand protective formation guarding the outer gateway of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, an innumerable throng of disciples fell to their knees in reverence, their fervor unparalleled! "All fellow disciples, please rise!" Jiang Chen cast his gaze upon the ground beneath, his voice resonating with a blend of power and warmth, radiating an approachable demeanor. Following a brief pause, he continued his forward flight. Shortly, five streaks of light approached from ahead, signifying the arrival of Ji Mingxiu and the other four powerhouses at the Dao Pce realm. "Greetings to Master and the four Supreme Elders!" Jiang Chen greeted them with a radiant smile, his manners faultless. "Jiang Chen, yourprehension of the Sword Dao is truly a delightful surprise!" Ji Mingxiu''s face was illuminated, akin to a sunflower basking in the glow of the sun. "Indeed a young prodigy!" "We, as elders, anticipate witnessing your ascent to the Third Step of the Cultivation Path, ushering the Purple Heaven Holy Land to unprecedented heights!" Mo Yu and the others gazed at Jiang Chen with boundless exhration. At this juncture, Jiang Chen''s stature within their hearts had be iparable. "Thank you for yourmendation, Master and Supreme Elders." "I, Jiang Chen, will undoubtedly remain steadfast and persistently push forward." Jiang Chen bowed once more, voicing his gratitude with an air of humility and stability. His equanimity further elevated Ji Mingxiu''s and the others'' approval of him. If other young cultivators had achieved such feats, they likely would have be unbearably arrogant by now! "Come!" "Let''s convene a brief gathering!" Ji Mingxiu, sporting a radiant grin, stepped forward and took Jiang Chen''s arm, only to draw a re from Ji Ruxue. "Oh, Ruxue, youdies may also join us." Ji Mingxiu chuckled awkwardly in response. Subsequently, Jiang Chen, Ji Ruxue, and Xie Xiaojing, along with Ji Mingxiu and the rest, entered the Holy Land Grand Hall. The eighteen Elders, who were at the Dao Comprehension realm, also followed suit. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 192: A Message from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace Promptly, all attendees took their seats within the grandeur of the Holy Land Grand Hall. Without beating around the bush, Ji Mingxiu directly sought Jiang Chen''s viewpoint on exploiting the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets for gaining advantages from the other two Holy Land-tier factions, and whether they should ask for the corpses of the demonic beasts. In response, Jiang Chen proposed consulting the two great powerhouses at the Void Tribtion realm before making a decision. Utilizing the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets to aid the people of Purple Heaven Holy Land could, in some ways, be seen as a charitable deed. Given the personalities of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, this approach seemed fitting. However, using it to extract benefits would only serve Jiang Chen''s interests. Taking the lead in this matter felt somewhat unseemly. This was a crucial time to earn the trust of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, and Jiang Chen wasn''t going to take it lightly. Upon hearing Jiang Chen''s careful reply, Ji Mingxiu and the rest nodded in understanding. In their perspective, engaging with the two great powerhouses at the Void Tribtion realm called for the highest level of discretion, irrespective of how minor the issue! Shortly thereafter, the meeting addressed the two formidable powers, the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple and the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, along with some nearby forces that warranted surveince. This was part ofying the groundwork for Jiang Chen, the prospective new Holy Lord. As moments gradually passed, the upper echelon meeting of the Purple Heaven Holy Land was approaching its end. But at that moment, Ji Mingxiu received amunication from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce. Sweeping it with his divine sense, his gaze subtly altered. "Holy Lord?" The countenances of Mo Yu and the rest progressively hardened. ''A significant development might be underway!'' Jiang Chen''s eyes slightly constricted, thinking to himself, ''Just as predicted, the demonic beast tide is merely a prologue; the main spectacle is yet to unfold!'' "The message is from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce." "Dong Yuanzheng suspects that the massive surge of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi is peculiar and potentially conceals even graver threats." "Hence, they wish to invite the high-ranking members of our Purple Heaven Holy Land to convene and investigate the source of this anomaly." "They''ve already reached out to the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple, who have given their consent." "..." Ji Mingxiu announced slowly as he stored the transmission jade token. "The venerable pce lord of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, Dong Yuanzheng?" Mo Yu mused, "Indeed, he is a man of profound vision, and his concerns hold weight." The Purple Heaven Holy Land, the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple together maintained a tripartite equilibrium, inherently interwoven, and naturally, they experienced friction amongst themselves. "Given that the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple has given their assent." "We, representing the Purple Heaven Holy Land, should also venture forth." Sha An concurred, "If we can unravel the cause of this demonic beast tide, we might, to a certain degree, put an end to this cmity once and for all." Upon hearing this, Si Zhangjian, Yao Zong, along with Xie Zhen, Liu Xiong, and other Dao Comprehension elders, exhibited slight nods of agreement. However, Jiang Chen was plunged into deep contemtion. ''A gathering?'' ''Whenever the protagonist stumbles upon such a gathering, there''s bound to be a stir!'' ''Fang Yuan may not be able to attend this time, but this convergence of the three major forces could be manipted by his unseen Heavenly Fate.'' ''The typical scenario in such gatherings would be the ''Hongmen Banquet'' a seemingly innocuous assembly that actually hides a perilous trap!'' ''The Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce has extended the invitation to the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple as well.'' ''Comparatively, the rtionship between the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple and the Purple Heaven Holy Land is stronger.'' ''The likelihood of a plot against the Purple Heaven Holy Land seems extremely slim, which is why Supreme Elder Sha An consented to attend.'' ''So, there might not be an issue with the gathering per se, but it might set off other events?'' ''But is everything genuinely as straightforward as it seems?'' ''...'' A whirlwind of thoughts sped through Jiang Chen''s mind. This high-level meeting of the three predominant forces appeared unproblematic on the surface. However, one couldn''t dismiss the presence of the protagonist, Fang Yuan. On instinct, Jiang Chen felt that the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce''s motivation for arranging this gathering wasn''t as straightforward as it seemed. "Very well." "Let''s make the journey." Ji Mingxiu also believed it was best to tackle the issue head-on, hence he nodded in agreement. But just then. "Wait a moment!" "Master, has the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce decided on a location for the meeting?" Jiang Chen abruptly inquired. "Yes!" "The Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce has designated the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak near the Bottomless Abyss." Ji Mingxiu affirmed, "This site is equidistant from all three major factions, and it has traditionally been the venue for tripartite meetings." "The vicinity of the Bottomless Abyss?" Jiang Chen''s eyes narrowed, "Master, I suspect the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce harbors ulterior motives this time." "What makes you think so?" Ji Mingxiu asked, smiling. "Just an intuition." "Generally, each of the three major forces tends to its own affairs." "This demonic beast tide was sessfully managed by all three forces; under normal circumstances, the matter should have been put to rest." With a steady countenance, Jiang Chen slowly articted, "But the fact that the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce is orchestrating this gathering gives me pause." "That indeed warrants consideration." Ji Mingxiu nodded subtly. Mo Yu and the others adopted thoughtful expressions. "Esteemed Holy Son." "Your words do hold merit." "But please pardon my frankness, this demonic beast tide is already an anomaly, so it seems usible that the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce is treating it with increased seriousness." A Dao Comprehension Elder known for his forthrightness bowed and spoke. "So." "Master, Senior Mo Yu, have you considered marshaling the strength of the three major forces to delve into the root cause of the demonic beast tide?" Jiang Chen nodded, then posed the question. "Well..." "We haven''t, as yet." Ji Mingxiu and the others shook their heads, their eyes wide in surprise. Indeed, they had contemted probing into the origin of the demonic beast tide, but the idea of rallying the three major forces for a joint investigation had not urred to them. Compared to this, the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce indeed seemed somewhat dubious. Then. "Additionally..." Jiang Chen continued, "I suspect that this abrupt onught of the demonic beast tide might have ties to the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce." Upon hearing this, Ji Mingxiu and the others exchanged surprised nces. "Holy Son, isn''t that a touch too precautious?" "In this demonic beast tide, the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce was also assaulted." "Furthermore, these demonic beasts were tainted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, prompting their erratic behavior. It seems unlikely that the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce possesses the capability to manipte the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, right?" Si Zhangjian mused aloud, "I agree that the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce may have ulterior motives, but suggesting that they are linked to the outbreak of the demonic beast tide seems somewhat far-fetched." His remarks echoed the sentiments of Ji Mingxiu and the others. If one suggested that the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce was seizing this opportunity to deal with the Purple Heaven Holy Land, it might carry some weight. However, implying that the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce was the orchestrator of the demonic beast tide seemed too far-fetched. "Perhaps I''m overthinking it." "Regardless, if Master and the elders are attending, I implore you to exercise utmost caution!" Jiang Chen stroked his chin, voicing his thoughts slowly. His conjecture was predicated on the existence of the protagonist, Fang Yuan. Given the sway of Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value, any potential mishaps should be evaluated on arger scale. However, Ji Mingxiu and the others werepletely oblivious to Fang Yuan''s status as the protagonist, causing Jiang Chen''s suspicions to appear somewhat exaggerated, even outrageous. From the perspective of Ji Mingxiu and the others, it was quite unlikely for the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce to engage in underhanded tactics. As for Fang Yuan''s protagonist status, Jiang Chen couldn''t rify it either. Hence, Jiang Chen could only prompt everyone to exercise caution in all matters. Additionally, considering the Fate Value of Ji Mingxiu and the others, they shouldn''t face peril in the near future. This was also the reason why Jiang Chen didn''t vehemently discourage their participation. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 193: The Nether Demons Maneuver Behind the Scenes "Indeed, when the timees, we shall proceed with utmost caution." Ji Mingxiu affirmed, then turned to Jiang Chen, "As the appointed Holy Son, might you apany us?" "Certainly!" "The Holy Son can indeed seize this opportunity to scrutinize the formidable authorities of the other factions." "This serves as an excellent asion for amassing further experience." "..." Mo Yu and the rest also expressed their agreement with a series of nods. Yet, Jiang Chen''s lips gave an almost imperceptible twitch. At this moment, he felt a stronger conviction that the assembly convened by the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce was subtly swayed by the protagonist, Fang Yuan''s, Heavenly Fate Value. Presently, the most significant threat to Fang Yuan was none other than him, Jiang Chen! This confluence of the three major powers could well be a potential minefield. Were it someone else donning the mantle of the Holy Son, they certainly would not forgo this chance to make their presence known. If he were to attend and an unforeseen event transpired, he could very well pay the ultimate price there. Consequently, Jiang Chen felt that he was being surreptitiously pressured by Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate. Even though Jiang Chen was formidable and had a variety of aces up his sleeve, he was still reluctant to attend. Setting aside the potential crisis he could encounter, even if nothing transpired, Fang Yuan would manage to elude his vignt watch. Unforeseeable developments could arise, like Fang Yuan suddenly stumbling upon a pivotal opportunity or something along those lines. By the time such events unfolded, Jiang Chen would be left with no time to intervene. "I shall not attend." "Junior Brother Fang Yuan urgently requires to restore his cultivation foundation." "My priority is to assist him in restoring his cultivation foundation first." "As for the key figures from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and Jade Lake Heavenly Temple, a day wille when we cross paths. There''s no urgency." Jiang Chen concocted an excuse to decline Ji Mingxiu''s proposition. "That''s eptable." "For this gathering hosted by the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, I, alongside Sha An, Si Zhangjian, and Yao Zong, the three Supreme Elders, and a few other elders, shall be present." "All affairs within the Holy Land will be entrusted to Supreme Elder Mo Yu and Jiang Chen." Respecting Jiang Chen''s decision, Ji Mingxiu nodded without any insistence. "I will now visit Fang Yuan." "Master and all seniors, do take care!" Jiang Chen nodded in affirmation, rose, and bid his farewells to Ji Mingxiu and the rest. Simultaneously, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing rose to their feet alongside Jiang Chen, offering a respectful bow to the assembly. Observing this, Ji Mingxiu and the others all responded with warm smiles. Promptly, Jiang Chen ushered the two young women out of the Holy Land Grand Hall. Just as he crossed the threshold of the hall''s entrance [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot, the protagonist Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has been reduced by 200 points!] [Ding! You have rued 400 Viin Value points!] System prompts echoed in Jiang Chen''s mind. ''Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has been depleted by another 200 points!'' ''His Heavenly Fate Value now stands merely at 1386 points, which falls below the kill threshold!'' ''Essentially, Fang Yuan is akin to a fish on the chopping block, at my mercy to butcher.'' ''However, having decided to spare him for the time being, caution still needs to be exercised.'' ''...'' As these thoughts crossed Jiang Chen''s mind, a faint smile surfaced on his lips. At that instant. "Jiang Chen, why do you invest so much concern in Fang Yuan?" "Despite his constant annoyance and regr rudeness towards you." Ji Ruxue questioned, slightly bewildered. Her inquiry resonated with Xie Xiaojing''s long-standing curiosity. In the perception of both Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, Jiang Chen was positioned leagues above Fang Yuan. They were unwavering in their belief that Jiang Chen, single-handedly, had more than enough potential to elevate the Purple Heaven Holy Land to unmatched prominence, making Fang Yuan''s contribution unnecessary. "Fang Yuan might be a bit peculiar, but at the end of the day, he remains my junior brother from the same sect." "As the Holy Son of Purple Heaven Holy Land, as a disciple of the Holy Land, I shall not abandon any of them." Jiang Chen expressed these words with a stern countenance, his gaze filled with resolve. Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing were captivated by his resolute deration. Their eyes gleamed with admiration and they both thought to themselves, ''Jiang Chen is so charismatic when he expresses such seriousness!'' Modifying his tone, Jiang Chen addressed the girls gently, "If you''d rather not encounter Fang Yuan, then wait for me outside." "Mm-hmm!" Ji Ruxue nodded, her eyes twinkling with a smile. "I wouldn''t want to be subjected to his unsightly countenance anyway." Xie Xiaojing added, yfully sticking out her tongue. Subsequently, Jiang Chen guided them to the Healing Hall. Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing found a few junior sisters to mingle with, while Jiang Chen ventured towards the healing chamber where Fang Yuan was housed. Mirroring his previous actions, Jiang Chen raised his right hand and gently tapped on the protective formation. Soon after, the formation dispersed and the door to the healing chamber gradually swung open. Inside, there were only two individuals Fang Yuan and Wenren Kang. Fang Yuan met Jiang Chen''s gaze with a stoic expression. "Honorable Holy Son!" Wenren Kang orded a bow to Jiang Chen, his demeanor one of respect. "Mr. Wenren." Jiang Chen reciprocated the bow, stating, "Next, I shall undertake the task of repairing Junior Brother Fang Yuan''s foundation." "Indeed!" Wenren Kang bowed once more before departing. The door steadily closed, and the formation barrier was promptly reinstated. "Junior Brother Fang Yuan." Jiang Chen offered a smile and extended his hands in a traditional salute towards Fang Yuan, then did the same towards the Soul Embodying Ring in his possession, "Senior Nangong, Senior Shangguan!" Fang Yuan returned the gesture with minimal enthusiasm. "What is the status of the demonic beast tide outside?" The soft voice of Nangong Wan echoed from the ring. "It has been quelled." "However, this demonic beast tide has peculiar characteristics." "Not only has our Purple Heaven Holy Land been afflicted, but the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple have also sustained attacks of simr magnitude." With a solemn countenance, Jiang Chen disclosed, "Even demonic beasts of the Dao Comprehension realm have surfaced. The possibility of the presence of demonic beasts at the Dao Pce realm underground cannot be discounted." "Given these circumstances..." "It''s almost certain that the Nether Demon n has been orchestrating these events ndestinely." "It appears the Nether Demon n has covertly traversed the Bottomless Abyss and is gearing up to take action against the Immortal Martial Continent." The voice of Shangguan Ning carried a grim undertone, "The specific branch of the Nether Demon n involved, however, remains unknown." "Nether Demon n." Nangong Wan took a moment to reflect, muttering, "Somewhat troublesome." "Nether Demon n!" Fang Yuan inhaled sharply, "The Nether Demon n, which has remained absent for countless years, intends to invade the Immortal Martial Continent!" "Nether Demon n invading the Immortal Martial Continent!?" Jiang Chen''s gaze hardened, his eyebrows shooting upwards, "So these demonic beasts are their advance party?" At this juncture. "However, there''s no need for excessive concern." "Crossing such a distant spatial channel isn''t an easy feat." "The demon n channel in the Immortal Martial Continent has been deserted for countless years. The potency of the Nether Demons that can transit is likely restricted." "Per the norms of the Evesting Baseless Immortal Domain, the strongest of the Nether Demon n will not surpass the Dao Pce realm." Shangguan Ning added, "Of course, exceptions exist. It depends on the fortune of the Immortal Martial Continent." Upon hearing these words, Jiang Chen involuntarily directed his gaze at Fang Yuan. Given the presence of this individual, it was almost certain that a demon from the Third Step of the Cultivation Path wouldn''t appear. Otherwise, the enemy would prove too formidable. Following immediately after. "During the eruption of the demonic beast tide, I was apprehensive that many individuals would sumb to the corruption of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi." Jiang Chen conceded, "As a result, I took the initiative to distribute the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets..." "No harm done." "The Nether Qi Extraction Secrets isn''t some concealed knowledge." Nangong Wan promptly interjected, truncating Jiang Chen''s remorseful words, and dered approvingly, "Considering the apparent invasion ns of the Nether Demon n, it''s most appropriate for you to disseminate it widely, thereby augmenting the defensive strength of the Immortal Martial Continent!" A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 194: Changes Within Fang Yuans Heart "Deep gratitude to the pair of seniors!" With a bow to Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, Jiang Chen''s countenance reflected sincere appreciation. Fang Yuan, maintaining his silence throughout, subtly tightened his fists. He was aware that during his recuperation within the healing room, Jiang Chen had most likely manipted the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets to captivate a considerable crowd! Now, Jiang Chen was on the brink of disseminating the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets across the entire Immortal Martial Continent. He couldn''t even start to fathom how many souls would bear gratitude towards Jiang Chen then! ''Damn it!'' ''It was undeniably Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning who negotiated a deal with me, the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets should have rightfully been mine, and I should be the one receiving the collective hope of the people!'' ''Why, why does Jiang Chen have to exist!'' ''...'' Torrents of sentiment began to swell within Fang Yuan''s spirit, evoking profound feelings of sorrow and resentment. Right at that moment. "I''ve been engaged in battles recently and have derived some new perceptions." "Regarding the techniques within the Precious Pill Seeking Record, I have someprehension and would be grateful if the two seniors could provide some guidance!" Jiang Chen respectfully gestured towards the Soul Embodying Ring on Fang Yuan''s hand, his demeanor modest and earnest. "Good!" Nangong Wan responded softly, "Share with us your current cultivation achievements." "Understood." "Concerning the techniques in the Precious Pill Seeking Record..." Jiang Chen began to methodically detail his interpretation of those techniques. ''Damn it, damn it!'' ''This is the second urrence!'' ''No, I cannot ept this!'' As he observed Jiang Chen''s interaction with Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, Fang Yuan''s difort intensified! He was utterly clueless about the discourse between Jiang Chen, Nangong Wan, and Shangguan Ning, and was even more powerless to intervene. At this instant, Fang Yuan felt a disheartening sense of alienation. This realization delivered another sharp twinge to his already aching heart! As time gradually psed, Jiang Chen feigned acquiring the second technique under Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s tutge. "Now that I''ve grasped two techniques," Jiang Chen expressed with a bright smile, "it''s time to strategize on restoring Junior Brother Fang Yuan''s cultivation foundation." "Certainly." "However, before we proceed... Jiang Chen, I perceive a hint of Sword Dao radiating from you." Shangguan Ning questioned with a hint of surprise, "Could it be, you''ve deciphered the Sword Dao?" As soon as these words echoed. ''How can this be!'' Fang Yuan''s countenance hardened in an instant, and he anxiously cast a nce at Jiang Chen. The Sword Dao was a power attainable only at the Dao Comprehension realm! "I was fortunate enough to discern a fragment of the Sword Dao, but it remains iplete." Jiang Chen modestly grinned, "It''s hardly noteworthy in the presence of the two seniors." ''No, this can''t be happening!'' Internally, Fang Yuan was shrieking, his spirit teeming with bitterness. With Jiang Chen''s unfolding understanding of the Sword Dao, the chasm between him and Jiang Chen was widening to a degree where he was barely managing to keep pace! Gazing at Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, it was evident that they harbored a highly favorable impression of Jiang Chen! Given their existing condition, they were incessantly braving mortal danger. Their paramount hope rested on recuperating as swiftly as possible. Now, with Jiang Chen, who possessed superior talent, they might contemte recing their ''symbiotic'' ally and forsaking him, Fang Yuan! ''Could this be their line of thought?'' Fang Yuan mused, a frigid sensation slowly emanating from his core. For the first time, he sensed a trace of doubt towards Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning! [Ding! You''ve sessfully induced a state of discontentment within protagonist Fang Yuan, diminishing his trust in Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. His Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 200 points!] [Ding! You''ve rued 400 Viin Value points!] The system''s alerts reverberated in Jiang Chen''s consciousness. ''Hmm?'' ''Could that be a possibility?'' A thought darted across Jiang Chen''s mind, his eyes glinting with a touch of amusement. He realized that his disy of prowess had instilled in Fang Yuan an unparalleled sense of threat and a feeling of helplessness. Consequently, Fang Yuan harbored suspicions about whether Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning would opt for Jiang Chen over him due to his superior capabilities. ''This man is already grappling with self-doubt.'' ''Nevertheless, he certainly won''t capitte this easily.'' Ideas zipped through Jiang Chen''s consciousness. Then he sauntered over to the side, retrieving the natural treasures he had previously set aside. "Come, Junior Brother Fang Yuan, it''s time to restore your cultivation foundation." With the medicinal herbs in hand, Jiang Chen presented aforting smile. Fang Yuan''s expression tightened a bit as he nodded, maintaining silence. Immediately following this, Jiang Chen initiated the restoration of Fang Yuan''s cultivation foundation. He refrained from any minor maneuvers, but instead pushed the first two techniques to their limits! Even Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, who were observing, admired Jiang Chen''s dedication and diligence. However, unbeknownst to all, Jiang Chen had already mastered the quintet of techniques from the Precious Pill Seeking Record, utilizing not even half of his potential. "Junior Brother Fang Yuan, how do you fare?" Jiang Chen turned to Fang Yuan, his face adorned with a gentle, inquiring smile. "Much, much improved, I thank you." Fang Yuan offered a nod, but his heart was void of any genuine gratitude. To him, all of Jiang Chen''s actions were but a theatrical performance for Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. His ultimate objective? To snatch Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning from right under his nose! "There''s no need for thanks. This is merely my duty as your senior brother." Jiang Chen returned the nod with a smile, shaking his head, "Next, I will assist you in restoring your cultivation foundation once I''ve mastered the third technique. Please excuse me." Having said this, Jiang Chen readied himself to depart. Yet, just as he was about to leave, his transmission jade token suddenly vibrated. "Anotherrge-scale demonic beast tide has erupted!?" A sweep with his divine sense sent Jiang Chen''s expression into an abrupt shift, "Moreover, this demonic beast tide is of a greater scale than the previous one!" "What!?" "Didn''t we just quell a surge of demonic beasts?" Nangong Wan''s voice echoed in surprise, "The attacks from the Nether Demon n are increasing in frequency, bing more bothersome!" Yet, Fang Yuan was quick to rise to his feet. "Another demonic beast tide is approaching?" "I must engage in this grand battle!" Fang Yuan''s face was etched with resolve, his fists clenched in firm determination. ''As I thought, Fang Yuan is itching to leave the Healing Hall and join the fray.'' Jiang Chen contemted inwardly, ''Thankfully, I have a nid out, but it''s prudent I attempt to dissuade him first.'' If Jiang Chen could convince Fang Yuan, a load would naturally be lifted off his shoulders. Should he fail to dissuade Fang Yuan, he would cease to hinder him and allow his participation in the battle. Then, he would do his utmost to lure him into his carefullyid trap. So. "What?" "You wish to participate in the battle?" "Fang Yuan, that''s out of the question!" "Your cultivation foundation hasn''t yet been mended, you can''t heedlessly rush intobat!" Jiang Chen asserted, his expression grave, "Furthermore, if you join the battle, you risk revealing the presence of Senior Nangong and Senior Shangguan!" "Humph!" "When I took part in the battle tform previously..." "In all those fights, neither Ji Mingxiu nor the others discovered the presence of Senior Nangong and Senior Shangguan!" The mention of the battle tform brought back the torment of his ''wound'' tearing open, yet Fang Yuan soldiered on, gritting his teeth and finishing his statement. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : Get early ess to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Get early ess to (+ 75 ) more chapters by joining my Patreon. Chapter 195: Fang Yuan鈥檚 Reluctant Concession "That is apetition." "You can be assured of your safety." "There''s no need for Seniors Nangong and Shangguan to be concerned about their lives." "Yet, who can predict what might transpire in the uncharted world? Should you cross paths with a horrific demonic beast posing a threat to your lives, would Seniors Nangong and Shangguan merely remain idle?" "Unquestionably, they would intervene to aid you. Consequently, the risk of exposure is considerably high!" "Who can guarantee that the grand powerhouses of the Holy Land would not harbor sinister intentions! Furthermore, this demonic beast tide is under the control of the Nether Demon n. Who''s to say if there isn''t a potent Nether Demon surveying everything from the shadows?" Jiang Chen let out a sigh of frustration, "In the event of exposure, they would be confronted with lethal threats. What do you have to safeguard them?" "You!!" "Of course, I wouldn''t willingly thrust myself into peril!" "Neither would I allow Seniors Nangong and Shangguan to be exposed!" "Don''t dare to belittle me!" Fang Yuan''s face turned a flushed shade, appearing affronted as he pointed at Jiang Chen, bellowing thunderously. "This isn''t about belittling you." "Entering the battle isn''t your most advantageous option." "Were I in your shoes, I would choose to seclude myself, heal in tranquility, then progressively cultivate under the two seniors'' mentorship." Jiang Chen shook his head, stating, "With the presence of the two seniors, why worry about the impossibility of reaching a superior cultivation realm?" "That''s merely your viewpoint!!" Fang Yuan gnashed his teeth, his fists clenched tightly, veins prominent. His primary objective now was not to ascend to a more advanced cultivation realm, but to overpower Jiang Chen! It was due to Jiang Chen that he had nearly lost everything. He lost the respect of almost all the inhabitants of Purple Heaven Holy Land, he lost the woman who held the deepest ce in his heart, Ji Ruxue, he lost triumph, dignity, self-assurance... He detested Jiang Chen, yearning to shred him to pieces! But how could seclusion and gradual cultivation lead to defeating Jiang Chen? The assistance that Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning could provide him at this juncture was indeed finite; the advancement couldn''t match Jiang Chen''s! He had to brave the unknown, to battle, to refine himself, to seek opportunities! An opportunity that favored him, or Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, could surpass the rewards of prolonged rigorous cultivation! "Very well." "Given that you''re adamant about entering the fray, you may apany me." "I currently possess the prowess akin to one who has newly embarked on the path ofprehending the Dao. Should a peril arise that you can''t manage, I can promptly step in." With a sigh, Jiang Chen spoke resignedly, "This is my sole stiption. If you consent to it, I will acquiesce to yours." "Jiang Chen!!" Fang Yuan trembled with rage from head to toe. He sought to venture out, to sharpen his abilities, to seize opportunities. If Jiang Chen apanied him, would there be any point in honing his skills, and should an opportunity present itself, would there be any chance left for him? Yet, at that moment. "Fang Yuan." "Jiang Chen''s proposition does carry some merit." "If you''re insistent on going out to battle, then stay alongside Jiang Chen." Shangguan Ning''s voice chimed in. "Correct." Nangong Wan concurred. They had been attentively following Jiang Chen''s discourse all this while, and it was the safest choice for both Fang Yuan and themselves. Fang Yuan''s rigid determination to venture out and train had turned obstinate and self-focused. "Senior Nangong! Senior Shangguan!" Surprise made Fang Yuan blurt out in disbelief. Hearing Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning align with Jiang Chen''s sentiments felt like a betrayal from his own, stabbing him in the heart. The psychological and physical pain rendered his mind numb and vacant, leaving him speechless. The initial distrust Fang Yuan felt towards Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning only intensified! "Fang Yuan!" "Everything must prioritize safety." "We cannot afford any mistakes. One erroneous step, and we stand to lose all!" Nangong Wan''s voice carried a frosty edge, reflecting her extreme displeasure with Fang Yuan''s obstinacy. "...Very well." "I consent to apany Jiang Chen..." Fang Yuan trembled, and after a moment of internal strife, he had no option but to concede. Simultaneously, in his heart, he perceived that Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were now at least partially aligned with Jiang Chen''s stance. This realization kindled a profound sense of helplessness, solitude, and bewilderment in his heart. [Ding! You have sessfully undermined the impressions of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning towards the protagonist, Fang Yuan, and effectively disturbed Fang Yuan''s mental state. Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 400 points!] [Ding! You have gained 800 Viin Value points!] The system prompts resonated in his mind. "Well." "Fang Yuan, brace yourself for battle!" Jiang Chen was inwardly ted, but on the exterior, he merely offered a slight nod to Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan remained quiet, drawing an upper-grade long spear for the Heavenly Origin realm from his storage artifact. "Let''s proceed!" Jiang Chen tightened his grip on his right hand, and a top-grade long sword for the Inquiring Journey realm, the Peerless Sky Piercing Sword, materialized. Shortly thereafter, he swiveled around, deactivated the formation, opened the door, and stepped outside. Fang Yuan moved, trailing him. "Honorable Holy Son!" "Greetings to the Honorable Holy Son!" "..." As they traversed the Healing Hall, everyone they encountered along the way paid their respects to Jiang Chen. Yet, they swiftly departed afterward, as the demonic beast tide had rekindled, making them immensely upied. Walking behind Jiang Chen, Fang Yuan witnessed these scenes, and a pang of sorrow swelled in his heart. There was a time when he too basked in such prestige. But now, even if he regained his title of a heavenly prodigy, he remained eclipsed by Jiang Chen''s radiance. Simultaneously, Jiang Chen''s eyes scanned the vicinity, yet Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing were absent. He promptly extended his divine sense, locating them in a distant hall. There they were, diligently tending to those recently afflicted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi. A wave of relief washed over Jiang Chen, and he quicklymunicated his n to depart with Fang Yuan. He also urged them to stay within the safe confines of the Holy Land, refraining from venturing out to battle demonic beasts this time, and to persist with their current healing endeavors. "Mount up!" Having received affirmative replies from the girls, Jiang Chen waved his hand to release the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf, beckoning Fang Yuan. A wave of irritation surged in Fang Yuan''s heart, but he wordlessly climbed onto the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf. In an instant, the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf transformed into a streak of light, slicing through the sky and soaring into the distance. Simultaneously, the sky was a canvas of interwoven lights, creating a breathtaking tableau. This stunning disy symbolized that the Purple Heaven Holy Land was once again mobilizing all resources. Countless cultivators were heading towards various battlefields to y the demonic beasts and defend the Holy Land! "Let''s head to the nearest battlefield first." Jiang Chen inquired casually, "Fang Yuan, what''s your opinion?" "I''d prefer somewhere more remote." Fang Yuan maintained a stony expression, his tone disinterested. There were too many people nearby. What opportunity could there be? Even if one arose, it would be shared! "That''s fine." "You decide." Concealing his inner tion, Jiang Chen then produced a map. The map pinpointed the locations where the demonic beast tides had erupted. This map had been disseminated to all disciples by the Holy Land''s Deacon Hall, promoting open and transparent information. "Let''s head here, to the ck Heavenly in." Fang Yuan selected the ck Heavenly in as their destination. Jiang Chen nodded, then prodded the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf to soar towards their determined destination. When he was setting up theyout earlier, Jiang Chen had traversed far and wide. In almost every direction, there was a Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Marten that he had marked. Close to the ck Heavenly in, there was also Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens tagged by Jiang Chen. The Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens usually appeared in pairs, and in the case of the ck Heavenly in, there were two as well. Both Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens were at the Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm! Jiang Chen discreetly used the Misty Cloud Soul Tracking Secrets to confirm that the two Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens were still in their original location. A subtle smile emerged at the corner of his mouth, almost imperceptible. Before long, Jiang Chen arrived at the ck Heavenly in with Fang Yuan. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : If you''re enjoying my work, consider supporting me: Patreon (Membership) /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support & Membership (The chapters will be added soon)) /alphawia] Chapter 196: The Hidden Peril of the Black Heavenly Plain The area teemed with demonic beasts! Demonic beasts surged from a copsed sinkhole, their overwhelming numbers akin to a tsunami. Among them, many demonic beasts carried an immense aura, their strength reaching the Inquiring Journey realm. However, likely due to the effect of Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value, no demonic beasts of the Dao Comprehension realm surpassing his own capabilities appeared. Moreover, given the sudden eruption of the demonic beast tide, the cultivators within the Holy Land focused their efforts on supporting the battlefields near the Holy Land first. As a result, the ck Heavenly in was notably devoid of many Holy Land cultivators. At this juncture, Jiang Chen, with Fang Yuan in tow, halted at the fringes of the ck Heavenly in. This immediately captured the undivided attention of all the Holy Land cultivators. "Honorable Holy Son!" "The Honorable Holy Son has actually graced the ck Heavenly in, ha ha, this is fantastic!" "Look, the Honorable Holy Son has even brought Fang Yuan along. His benevolence towards Fang Yuan truly knows no bounds!" "Indeed, but let''s momentarily set aside our focus on Fang Yuan. With the presence of the Honorable Holy Son here in the ck Heavenly in, let us all push forward and disy our best performance!" "..." One by one, the Holy Land cultivators, while engaged in ying the demonic beasts, excitedly cast nces at Jiang Chen, their discussions filled with delight. "Fang Yuan, proceed." Jiang Chen pivoted, bestowing a nod upon Fang Yuan, "Unless there''s a dire need, I won''t intervene." Fang Yuan remained silent. Grasping a spear, he leaped from the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf, morphing into a brilliant streak of light that instantly skewered three Heavenly Origin realm demonic beasts! ''The ck Heavenly in, the protagonist''s chosen battleground, may holdplexities beyond what meets the eye.'' Jiang Chen cast his gaze to the terrain below, his eyes flickering with contemtive luminescence. Immediately after, he too soared into the fray atop his Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf, diligently assisting those cultivators who found themselves in precarious situations. Throughout the endeavor, Jiang Chen''s divine sense was thoroughly engaged in scanning the surroundings, the sinkhole in particr! However, the sinkhole was simply too profound! Despite Jiang Chen already attaining the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm, and his divine sense''s reach extending further, fathoming the sinkhole''s full depth proved difficult. His view revealed only the numerous, intricate passageways etched into the massive pit''s walls, their endpoints an enigma. From these conduits, an unending torrent of demonic beasts continued to pour out. Even though the Holy Land cultivators battled fervently, exterminating the demonic beasts, the beast count on the battlefield''s surface didn''t discernibly dwindle until Jiang Chen initiated his intervention. Following his move, the surface''s demonic beast count began to swiftly plummet. Time inexorably advanced, and nearly all the demonic beasts on the surface were eradicated. Jiang Chen led a cadre of Holy Land cultivators around the sinkhole''s maw, decimating each wave of emerging demonic beasts! Fang Yuan was among them, channeling his pent-up negative emotions onto these demonic beasts! Regrettably, with Jiang Chen, his primary adversary, in close proximity, Fang Yuan couldn''t strike against him. Killing these beasts was merely addressing the surface issue, not the root of his resentment. Ironically, the more he killed, the more his anger red. Soon, the influx of beasts emerging from the ground started dwindling. The rest of the Holy Land cultivators surmised that the demonic beast tide in the ck Heavenly in was on the verge of total eradication. But Jiang Chen''s brow furrowed. The protagonist''s chosen site, just this? So mundane and unremarkable? Something seemed amiss! Could it be that the ck Heavenly in was merely a training ground for Fang Yuan, and the real tumulty elsewhere on the battlefields? Right as Jiang Chen was deep in thought... "Roar! Roar! Roar!" Supremely terrifying roars reverberated from the ground below. The mere echoes of these roars caused the entire ck Heavenly in to quiver, as if in the throes of a ten magnitude earthquake! "A Dao Comprehension realm demonic beast!!" "This aura, it''s an Early-stage Dao Comprehension realm demonic beast!" "There''s actually a Dao Comprehension realm demonic beast that hadn''t yet emerged, Honorable Holy Son, what do we do!!" All eyes turned to Jiang Chen! The news of Jiang Chen''s heroic act of joining forces with Liu Xiong and others to vanquish Dao Comprehension realm demonic beasts had already permeated throughout the Holy Land. However, Jiang Chen, not having reached the Dao Comprehension realm himself and with his understanding of the Sword Dao still iplete, would likely struggle confronting a Dao Comprehension realm demonic beast single-handedly. "Everyone, evacuate immediately!" Jiang Chen''s expression shifted slightly as he waved his hand, shouting, "I will hold the rear!" "No!" "We can''t allow the Honorable Holy Son to cover our retreat!" "If we must fight, we stand together, I refuse to retreat!" "The life of the Honorable Holy Son is of greater value than all of usbined. We can''t let him risk himself!" One after another, the disciples disyed fervor and resolution, steadfastly refusing to retreat. "Enough with the unnecessary chatter!" "Everyone, fall back!" Jiang Chen rolled his eyes and swung his hand. A formidable Dao Yuan Power propelled everyone away, towards a safer distance. Even the cultivators at the Inquiring Journey realm struggled to resist. Fang Yuan was among them. The other cultivators were profoundly touched by Jiang Chen''s act. Moreover, sensing Jiang Chen''s resolve, they all retreated towards the distance, frantically signaling for backup. However, Fang Yuan was different. ''I want to engage the Dao Comprehension realm demonic beast too!'' ''By contending with a Dao Comprehension realm beast, I''m bound to reap substantial benefits!'' ''Whatever Jiang Chen can achieve, so can I. I yearn toprehend the Great Dao, I crave to be stronger!'' ''...'' Fang Yuan inwardly roared, fervently charging towards Jiang Chen''s location. Within the Soul Embodying Ring, both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were furrowing their brows. However, they dared not use their divine sense to dissuade Fang Yuan, for fear of revealing themselves. Moreover, with Jiang Chen''s presence, they refrained from intervening. Whoosh! Fang Yuan sliced through the sky, alighting at a position not far from Jiang Chen. Just then! Rumble! An incredibly fearsome pir of crimson light erupted from the ground! The immense Nether Demon Spiritual Qi gushed out like a surging sea, wildly spreading in all directions! "Quickly, go!" Jiang Chen''s countenance shifted. He waved his hand, using his energy to draw Fang Yuan from a distance, and instantaneously retreated in another direction. "By the heavens!" "There''s so much Nether Demon Spiritual Qi!" "Quickly bolster the protective barrier, retreat, retreat!" "Swiftly contact the Holy Lord and ry the situation here!" "I''ve already sent word ages ago, and you''re just considering it now?" The remaining Holy Land cultivators all heightened their defenses to avoid inhaling the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, and they scrambled for safety into the distance. Given the scale of this battle, their presence would merely pose a hindrance. Escape was indeed the optimal choice for all. Just then. "Roar, roar, roar!" The crimson pir of light shattered into countless fragments. A gargantuan three-headed demonic python erupted from the ground! The demonic beast''s colossal length spanned ten thousand kilometers, with a diameter nearing a kilometer. Its triple heads resembled threerge mountains, covered in an array of sharp scales, giving it a fearsomely intimidating appearance! Because Jiang Chen was diligently diffusing his aura, the three-headed demonic python locked onto Jiang Chen as its initial target! "Roar, roar, roar!!" With a roar that convulsed the air, the three-headed demonic python tore through the sky, making a beeline for Jiang Chen. Its mammoth body, akin to a long shroud of dark clouds bisecting the sky, struck fear into the hearts of those who witnessed it! ''An Early-stage Dao Comprehension realm, huh?'' ''Initially, there weren''t any demonic beasts at the Dao Comprehension realm, but now there suddenly appears one stronger than me. Could this be the influence of Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value?'' A cold smirk flitted across Jiang Chen''s eyes. Even though he was only on the cusp of stepping into the Dao Comprehension realm in terms of power, he had umted a significant amount of energy within his Wordless Heavenly Jade! ying this Early-stage Dao Comprehension realm demonic beast would be a walk in the park! Furthermore, he could fully utilize this demonic beast to bring his ns against Fang Yuan to fruition! A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : If you''re enjoying my work, consider supporting me: Patreon (Membership) /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support & Membership (The chapters will be added soon)) /alphawia] Chapter 197: Fang Yuans Desperate Denial ''The Heavenly Fate intends to utilize this demonic beast to dispose of me, clearing Fang Yuan''s path by annihting his main adversary, hmph!'' Jiang Chen, sporting a cold smirk, clutched onto Fang Yuan and swiftly retreated into the distance. The path he selected was precisely where the two Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens, marked by tracking imprints, resided. "Roar, roar, roar!" The three-headed demonic python was hovering in the sky. Dark clouds churned tumultuously, while wind and rain tangled together, making it seem as though the entire sky was copsing onto Jiang Chen. In a mere contest of speed, Jiang Chen''s movement technique naturally couldn''t outstrip the three-headed demonic python. Yet it wouldn''t manage to overtake him within a brief timeframe either. After all, the Sword Dao he hadprehended veered more towards the Swift Sword Dao, which also somewhat bolstered his speed. At this moment, with Jiang Chen and the three-headed demonic python in a pursuit, the gap between them was closing rapidly. "Jiang Chen!" "Don''t you possess thebat power of the Dao Comprehension realm?" Observing this, Fang Yuan promptly remarked, "Why are you retreating? Don''t you dare confront it?" Originally, Fang Yuan had intended to gain experience by aiding Jiang Chen from the sidelines during his sh with the three-headed demonic python. However, now that Jiang Chen had opted to flee directly, bypassing any confrontation with the three-headed demonic python, Fang Yuan found himself with nothing to gain. "Why don''t I release you so you can engage it?" Jiang Chen slightly lifted his eyebrows, responding lightly, "This is the first time I''m detecting some strange vibes from you." "You!" Fang Yuan was suddenly left speechless, finding no words to counter. Within the Soul Embodying Ring, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning sighed softly at Fang Yuan''s behavior. Fang Yuan''s eagerness to enhance his strength, to the point of impulsiveness, even expressing the desire to participate in battles of the Dao Comprehension realm to refine himself, was certainly not a prudent choice. What they needed most was consistent and steady progress. [Ding! You have sessfully lowered Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s impression of the protagonist, Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 100 points!] [Ding! You have received 200 Viin Value points!] The system prompts echoed in Jiang Chen''s mind. ''Well, well!'' ''One scornful remark aimed at Fang Yuan this time, and it managed to deteriorate Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s impression of him.'' ''It appears that Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning already harbor a rather negative impression of Fang Yuan!'' ''With a little more effort, I predict their rtionship will rupture!'' A wave of satisfaction welled up in Jiang Chen''s heart, though naturally, his facial expression remained unchanged. The bellow of the three-headed demonic python echoed again, drawing ever closer to Jiang Chen. ''Wordless Heavenly Jade!'' With a flicker of thought, Jiang Chen''s soul immediately fused with the Wordless Heavenly Jade. Subsequently, a Dao Comprehension realm cultivation method named ''Overwhelming Wind Riding Steps'' began to unfold in his mind. To engage the three-headed demonic python, he first needed to match its agility. Otherwise, what was the use of the battle? As Jiang Chen began to review the content of the Overwhelming Wind Riding Steps, the Wordless Heavenly Jade suddenly responded. When hepleted the recall of the cultivation method... Boom! A tremendous, enigmatic energy erupted from the Wordless Heavenly Jade instantly, merging into Jiang Chen''s soul and every individual cell in a sh. In the twinkling of an eye, Jiang Chen had mastered the Dao Comprehension realm movement technique, the Overwhelming Wind Riding Steps, to the perfect-level stage. All of a sudden, a barely perceptible and gracefully lively, mysterious aura emanated from Jiang Chen''s body. "What is this!?" Fang Yuan''s eyes widened in disbelief, almost stupefied as he sensed the enigmatic aura radiating from Jiang Chen''s body. Because that was the aura of the Great Dao, the aura of the Wind Great Dao! Being a former prodigy, Fang Yuan had also encountered several Dao Comprehension realm powerhouses, including five from the Purple Heaven Holy Land, as well as a follower from the Fang n. Among these were some who hadprehended the Great Dao of Wind. ''How can this be possible!'' ''How could this happen!'' ''He was just about to flee, how could heprehend the Great Dao from this!'' ''No, this can''t be real, I must be trapped in a nightmare!'' Fang Yuan simply couldn''t bring himself to believe his own senses. He even started to question the reality of the entire world, wanting to escape this perceived false reality in panic. Questioning himself, questioning life, questioning the world; such was the current state of Fang Yuan''s mind. Meanwhile, within the Soul Embodying Ring, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning also detected that faint, elusive aura of the Wind Great Dao radiating from Jiang Chen. For them, who had once ascended to the Void Tribtion realm, the aura of the Wind Great Dao was all too familiar. After all, they hadprehended numerous Great Daos, and the Great Dao of Wind was just one of them. ''Jiang Chen has abruptlyprehended the Great Dao of Wind!'' ''Being able toprehend the Great Dao while being pursued by a demonic beast, even if it''s not aplete Dao, his talent is simply awe-inspiring!'' ''I truly can''t gauge the upper limit of Jiang Chen''s talent!'' ''If Jiang Chen continues to develop unimpededly, his aplishments will not be inferior to my former pinnacle, he might even ascend to the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path!'' ''...'' A flurry of surprised thoughts blossomed in the minds of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. They had witnessed countless prodigies, but those as extraordinary as Jiang Chen were few and far between. At this moment, as Jiang Chen practiced the Overwhelming Wind Riding Steps andprehended a fraction of the Wind Great Dao, his speed abruptly surged. Suddenly, the gap between Jiang Chen and the three-headed demonic python no longer diminished but was maintained at a nearly constant distance. The three-headed demonic python roared in fury, yet it was unable to close the gap and strike at Jiang Chen. ''Next.'' ''An endurance cultivation method!'' A thought shed through Jiang Chen''s mind, and he selected a manual titled ''Evergreen Mystic Vein True Technique'' from a stack of cultivation methods suitable for the Dao Comprehension realm. This cultivation method could holistically enhance a cultivator''s bodily attributes, including physical strength, meridians, resilience and capacity of the dantian, quality of Yuan Power, and so on. Its attribute tilted towards the element of wood! A thought flitted across Jiang Chen''s mind as he continued to utilize the Wordless Heavenly Jade to practice this cultivation method. Following the same pattern, in an eye''s blink, Jiang Chen appeared to have trained in the ''Evergreen Mystic Vein True Technique'' for hundreds of years, wlessly mastering it and directly reaping all the benefits of his practice. One could see a faint glow radiating from him, exuding a vibrant, full-of-life aura. Furthermore, another remarkably profound aura began to pervade the surroundings. This time, it was the aura of the Wood Great Dao! ''The Great Dao of Wood!?'' ''Has Jiang Chenprehended another Great Dao?'' ''This is too formidable! It''s simply preposterous!'' Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s hearts were filled with a wave of incredulous thoughts. Meanwhile. ''Again, it''s happening again!?'' ''This can''t be real, I must be dreaming, ah, thank goodness, it''s a dream!'' Upon sensing the aura of the Wood Great Dao radiating from Jiang Chen, Fang Yuan was initially taken aback. However, soon his expression rxed, and a look of relief washed over his face. He had actually started to perceive this scene as a mere nightmare! Subsequently. ''Such dreams shouldn''t recur, they''re too distressing.'' ''I need to wake up, wake up!!'' Fang Yuan mused to himself, and then clutched the inner part of his thigh, pinching it harshly! Stab! His fingers prated through the skin and flesh, sinking into the tender interior. Blood spurted freely, and Fang Yuan''s groin area quickly stained a bright red. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : If you''re enjoying my work, consider supporting me: Patreon (Membership) /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support & Membership (The chapters will be added soon)) /alphawia] Chapter 198: Confrontation with the Three-Headed Demonic Python ''Ah!'' ''It hurts so much!!'' ''This... this isn''t a dream!'' Fang Yuan''s eyes widened in terror, abruptly snapping out of his daze. Shortly thereafter, he realized this was no dream; everything unfolding before him was reality. Fury seemed to crack Fang Yuan''s eyes wide open. His mouth opened and closed in a tremulous rhythm, but he found himself unable to form a single word. His self-assurance appeared to have been crushed under a club, as a chilling pang of pain radiated incessantly through his heart. Just then. ''The battle power seems just about right.'' ''The distance from here to the Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens also seems appropriate. Should I get any closer, it will surely send them into flight.'' Jiang Chen mulled over, and with a clench of his right hand, the Peerless Sky Piercing Sword materialized from thin air, held tight within his grip! Following closely. "Run away!" Jiang Chenunched Fang Yuan towards the location of the Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens! "No!" "I also have the right to fight!" Fang Yuan''s roar reverberated, his eyes reddening as if he had spiraled into madness. His self-confidence had been brutally shattered by Jiang Chen. Yet, a tenacious obstinacy within him spurred him to resist surrender, to refuse to capitte! It was akin to the time he lost his regr cultivation ability, plummeting from the pinnacle to the depths of hell! He could sense his Yuan Power swirling within his body. The speed of his forced flight began to wane, until eventually, he came to a halt in the sky fifty kilometers away. ''This guy...'' ''Sure enough, he refuses to retreat!'' ''Under the sway of his Heavenly Fate Value, perhaps the ''original plot'' foresees both the demonic beast and I meeting our end together, while Fang Yuan reaps the rewards.'' ''Hmph, it''s for the best if you don''t depart. Otherwise, hurling you directly into the presence of the Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens might raise eyebrows.'' ''...'' Jiang Chen''s eyes narrowed, an array of thoughts sparking in his mind in a fleeting instant. Subsequently, he disregarded Fang Yuan. Instead, gripping his long sword, he halted his flight and abruptly wheeled around, positioning himself in the face of the three-headed demonic python. "Roar, roar, roar!!" The three colossal snake heads of the Dao Comprehension realm demonic python towered, their open jaws stretching nearly to aplete 180-degree angle. Crimson mouths harbored snow-white, elongated fangs, denselyyered in concentric circles. A mere nce was enough to incite a shiver down the spine. Furthermore, as the Dao Comprehension realm demonic python bellowed, venom scattered around, with the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi engulfing all directions. Even more daunting, the Great Dao of Poison permeated the air, instantly plunging the immediate vicinity into darkness! And then, in the following moment! "Heaven Sundering Rainbow Sword Technique, Shadowless Gapless!" Jiang Chen''s Dao Yuan Power within his body circted wildly. As he invoked various cultivation methods, he seamlessly vanished from his original location! "Roar, roar, roar!" The three titanic heads of the Dao Comprehension realm demonic python, carrying an unstoppable hurricane, swiftly swept through the space Jiang Chen had previously upied. The surroundingndscape warped in that instant, as if space itself was jolted! Precisely when the Dao Comprehension realm demonic python''s strike hit nothing but air, Jiang Chen''s nearly ethereal and colorless silhouette re-emerged atop the back of the Dao Comprehension realm demonic python. His long sword in hand transformed into a breathtaking thunderbolt, mercilessly impaling the gap in the demonic python''s scales! Boom! The unparalleled sharpness of the Sword Dao, the power of the Wind Dao, and a strand of the Wood Dao''s force erupted wildly in a single heartbeat. "Roarrr!!" The Dao Comprehension demonic python unleashed a savage roar. A massive, bloody cavity was punctured directly into its back by Jiang Chen. A gush of red and ck, foul-smelling blood erupted, spraying upwards into the sky. Showers of blood descended onto the earth, instantly corroding a vast forest into a swamp. Inside the gaping wound on the demonic python''s back, the power of the three Great Daos rampaged through its flesh! The potency of the Sword Dao incessantly cleaved, the might of the Wind Dao consistently eroded, and the power of the Wood Dao rendered the flesh and blood vessels rigid and withered. The internal damage within the body of the Dao Comprehension realm demonic python was far more devastating than it appeared externally! But after all, it was a formidable demonic beast of the Dao Comprehension realm. And it was one of those beasts with potent innate talents. Once it matured to its full form, it couldprehend threeplete Daos, each embodied within its three giant snake heads. Even if it was merely in the Early-stage Daoprehension realm and only wielded the Great Dao of Poison, its power could not be underestimated. As the Dao Comprehension realm demonic python roared, the powerful force of the Poison Great Dao began to collide with the amalgamated power of Jiang Chen''s three Great Daos. Jiang Chen''s three Great Daos were notplete, so the residual power of their fusion, lingering within the demonic python, almost immediately neutralized itself with the force of the Poison Great Dao. Simultaneously, the three-headed demonic python whirled around rapidly, its three enormous heads lunging at Jiang Chen. Its entire scaled body blossomed like petals, instantly detonating! An endless surge of poisonous Qi exploded, directly swallowing up Jiang Chen''s form. Yet, Jiang Chen''s figure dissipated in the subsequent instant, revealing itself to be nothing more than an afterimage! In the following moment. ''Heaven Sundering Rainbow Sword Technique, Void Dash!'' Jiang Chen materialized at the belly of the three-headed demonic python, poised as elegantly as a startled swan, his sword colliding with the python''s scales. "Ding!!" An extraordinarily piercing sound reverberated across the heavens and earth, mingled with faint cracking noises. The Peerless Sky Piercing Sword once again punctured the defenses of the three-headed demonic python, embedding itself deep within its underbelly. Though the size of the swordpared to the python''s body was akin to a toothpick against a towering tree, the power it delivered was in no way lesser. In an instant, the united force of the three Great Daos red up once more! The demonic python''s belly twisted and writhed, and in the blink of an eye, it unnaturally deted. However, at this instant, an incredibly terrifying force of the Poison Great Dao surged forth from the three-headed demonic python, ferociously charging at Jiang Chen. The velocity of this assault was particrly appalling. In the blink of an eye, it had fully engulfed Jiang Chen''s form. The formidable Great Dao of Poison directly bypassed the protective light shield on Jiang Chen, and in nearly an instant, it was zeroing in on his skin! ''Burning World Red Lotus, Raging mes!'' Jiang Chen''s expression swiftly shifted, and he promptly summoned the Burning World Raging mes, shaping a fire barrier around his body. "Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!" A spine-chilling sound persistently echoed! The inherent potent mes of the Burning World Red Lotus did not let him down. Even though Jiang Chen had not yet mastered the Great Dao of Fire, the Burning World Raging mes effortlessly repelled the three-headed demonic python''s power of the Poison Great Dao. With the support of the Burning World Raging mes and the amalgamated might of the three Great Daos, Jiang Chen was set to defeat the three-headed demonic python in due time. However, Jiang Chen did not consistently sustain the Burning World Raging mes, because his ultimate goal was not the defeat of the three-headed demonic python, but Fang Yuan! "Come to your end!!" Wielding the Peerless Sky Piercing Sword, Jiang Chen unleashed a relentless barrage of various techniques, embroiled inbat with the rugged and resilient three-headed demonic python. He repeatedly inflicted damage on the colossal demonic beast, yet none of his attacks were fatal. Jiang Chen''s enduring capability wasrgely due to his practice of the Evergreen Mystic Vein True Technique. At this moment, the battlefield of the two Dao Comprehension realm beings spanned the entirety of the ck Heavenly in. What was originally a vast in nketed with dense ck vegetation had transformed into a muddy marsnd. Mountains were leveled, and rivers were obliterated. All creatures that didn''t manage to retreat met their end, with not aplete corpse left behind. Atop a colossal peak, the summit of which had been sheared off by the fallout of the battle, Fang Yuan stood as if anchored to the ground, his gaze riveted on the aerial battlefield. His expression wasplex. On one hand, Fang Yuan hoped that Jiang Chen would fall at the hands of the three-headed demonic python, eliminating a formidable adversary for him. On the other hand, he didn''t wish for Jiang Chen''s demise because if Jiang Chen were to perish, he, Fang Yuan, would likely be next in line. Facing the Dao Comprehension realm demonic python, his chances of escape would be slim. Moreover, Fang Yuan''s greatest obsession was to ascend in power and then conquer Jiang Chen himself. He wanted to seize the opportunity of the battle between Jiang Chen and the three-headed demonic python to attempt toprehend the Great Dao and grow stronger. At this time, Fang Yuan didn''t believe he had the capability to intervene in the battle, so he observed the skirmish from the fringes of the battlefield. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : If you''re enjoying my work, consider supporting me: Patreon (Membership) /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support & Membership (The chapters will be added soon)) /alphawia] Chapter 199: Jiang Chens Calculated Strategy "The Sword Dao... is it thus?!" "The strength of the Great Dao... My Spear Dao, should it be..." Fang Yuan was perpetually murmuring to himself. Gifted with the protagonist''s temte, his aptitude was incredibly exceptional, only somewhat lesser to Jiang Chen, who held the Wordless Heavenly Jade. Within the expansive Purple Heaven Holy Land, and even in the vast Everflowing Truth Domain, besides Jiang Chen, his martial aptitude was likely the greatest. After all, he had honed the Fierce God Seven Killings Spear Technique, a Dao Comprehension realm martial skill, to the Fifth Move - Setting Sun, whilst at the Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm. He had already stolen a nce into the Dao Comprehension realm! Coupling his superior martial talent and the intricate teachings learned from the Fierce God Seven Killings Spear Technique, Fang Yuan''s progress was swift! Shortly, he had instinctively grasped some mysterious teachings of the Spear Dao. s, he had not yet ascended to the Inquiring Journey realm, and absent the Dao Core, he was incapable of condensing the power of the Great Dao. In addition, Jiang Chen had been meticulously monitoring Fang Yuan''s every action, not letting even a subtle shift in his expression slip past. Now that Fang Yuan was exhibiting inklings ofprehension intermittently, how could Jiang Chen overlook it? ''Desire to fathom the profound teachings of the Great Dao? Hehe!'' A faint smirk surfaced at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth. His figure blurred,unching an attack on the three-headed demonic python. The following instant, a tail as colossal as a celestial column swung over, instantly scattering the dense clouds overhead. Bang!! Jiang Chen, grasping his long sword, collided with the tail of the three-headed demonic python, promptly stripping it of dozens of scales. However, the impact flung him backward, propelling him forcefully towards Fang Yuan! "This is bad!" Fang Yuan sensed a crisis of life and death, wrenching himself from the state of understanding the Great Dao, and the profound insights evaporated instantly into the void. Yet, he had no alternative but to dodge hastily towards the distance! Rumble! Jiang Chen impacted the colossal peak where Fang Yuan stood, like a meteor. In the subsequent violent explosion, the entire massive peak unexpectedly disintegrated as if made of foam! In the wake of the intense detonation, Fang Yuan barely managed to control his trajectory, blown away like a willow catkin caught in a tempest. With a thunderous crash, a gargantuan rock plummeted from the sky, barreling towards Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan''s expression shifted dramatically, hastily pulling out his long spear to obliterate it. However, at that instant, the three-headed demonic python was already lunging towards him! The python''s body cast an enormous shadow,pletely engulfing Fang Yuan. "Move!" Jiang Chen abruptly materialized beside Fang Yuan, seized his arm and hurled him to safety. "Roar, Roar, Roar!" The threeke-sized mouths of the three-headed demonic python swooped down from three directions. Jiang Chen was practically cornered, immediately ensnared by the demonic python''s central head. An incredibly dull noise resonated as the cavernous mouth mped shut, causing the heaven and earth to seemingly quake! "Jiang Chen!!" Within the Soul Embodying Ring, both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning felt their hearts involuntarily tighten! If Jiang Chen were to fall here, it would indeed be amentable loss! Yet, at this very moment. Boundless raging mes burst forth from the mped mouth of the demonic python, billowing out through the spaces between its fangs. "Roar, roar, roar!" The three-headed demonic python immediately extended its neck, widely agape, and roared towards the heavens, expelling an endless torrent of crimson mes. Jiang Chen''s silhouette materialized, appearing dire, his entire form in disarray! "He escaped!" Within the Soul Embodying Ring, both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning exhaled a breath of relief. Fang Yuan touched down on the ground, his heart pounding wildly, yet his primary concern was not that Jiang Chen had saved him, but that he had nearly grasped the Great Dao of Spear just now. Even without a Dao Core, he was able to understand the profound teachings of the Great Dao, and upon entering the Inquiring Journey realm, he could immediately exhibit some of the power of the Great Dao. ''Damn it!'' ''Just a bit more!'' ''That Jiang Chen just had to crash into my observation spot, damn it!'' ''...'' Fang Yuan''s thoughts were steeped in immense bitterness and resentment. Simultaneously, on the other nk. "Roar!" The three-headed demonic python agape its bloody maw once more, its body radiating a terrifying aura of the Poison Great Dao, savagely lunging at Jiang Chen! "You foul beast, today you shall meet your end under my de!" Jiang Chen clenched his teeth, brandishing his sword with both hands, and instantaneously appeared above the demonic python''s central head, violently hacking down towards it. However, the three-headed demonic python was prepared, the two nking heads instantlyunched a pincer assault! Jiang Chen had no choice but to abandon his strike; his figure dissolved from the spot once again. As he reappeared, the agile tail of the three-headed demonic python swayed menacingly towards him. Jiang Chen was forced to evade in an ''ungraceful'' fashion. Simultaneously, he yelled at the distant Fang Yuan: "Fang Yuan, for heaven''s sake, flee quickly, I can''t resist much longer!!" ''Best if he perishes!'' A trace of a sinister smile flickered across Fang Yuan''s heart. On the surface, however, he maintained hisposure, still using the duel between Jiang Chen and the three-headed demonic python toprehend the profound teachings of his own Great Dao. Even Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning in the Soul Embodying Ring were taken aback by this behavior. "Fang Yuan!" "You must depart now!" Shangguan Ning spoke quite frankly, directly rebuking in a cold voice, "Jiang Chen genuinely can''t endure any longer, there''s no point in you remaining here. Do you intend for all of us to apany you to the grave!" "No!" "I''m on the verge of grasping the Great Dao, I''m about to gain strength, I won''t depart!!" Fang Yuan bellowed like a madman, his eyes riveted on the threads of the Great Dao''s power that were swirling and fading on the battlefield. "Do not be obstinate!" Nangong Wan too, reprimanded in an icy tone, extremely displeased with Fang Yuan''s stubbornness. "It''s my tenacity that has brought me this far!" "Do youprehend how I''ve endured these past two years!!" Fang Yuan''s emotions crumbled under the rebuke from Shangguan Ning and Nangong Wan, letting loose a wail resembling a blood-curdling scream. Yet his eyes, streaked with bloodshot veins and a gaze of defiance, remained staunchly fixed on the battlefield! On the battlefield, Jiang Chen deliberately allowed himself to be cornered, ruthlessly pursued by the three-headed demonic python, narrowly evading the jaws of death at every juncture! Fresh blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, staining his garments. His right hand, gripping the sword tightly, revealed prominent veins, trembling with a subtle yet uncontroble shiver. The three-headed demonic python unleashed a bloodthirsty bellow, its terrifying onught once again targeting Jiang Chen. Fangs, venom, poisonous fog, scales, snake tail... Each strike carried a lethal threat. Jiang Chen kept on evading, akin to an average person dancing on a tightrope at the edge of a cliff, where a careless step could result in a fatal plunge into the abyss. But in reality, he even had the spare capacity to observe Fang Yuan while strategizing his next move. ''The tactic of self-inflicting injuries to gain the enemy''s trust is nearly perfectly executed, it''s time to conclude.'' ''Next, I''ll push the trick to its extreme, go all out, and exterminate the three-headed demonic python.'' ''At the same time, I must ensure that Fang Yuan gets attacked by the Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Marten without raising any suspicion from Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning.'' ''In this manner, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning will surely intervene, leading to their exposure!'' ''And all this, will be the oue of Fang Yuan''s stubbornness!'' A cold smile flickered in Jiang Chen''s eyes. In his mind, the Dao Comprehension realm sword manual, ''Blood Sword Heaven Epassing Secrets'', began to emerge. This was a power-boosting sword manual that involved self-harm, filled with profound and abstruse content, yet it epassed only one move - ''Blood Sword Epassing the Heavens''! ''Wordless Heavenly Jade!'' Jiang Chen''s mind stirred, recalling the Blood Sword Heaven Epassing Secrets at the quickest possible speed! A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : If you''re enjoying my work, consider supporting me: Patreon (Membership) /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support & Membership (The chapters will be added soon)) /alphawia] Chapter 200: The Fury of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning "Roar, roar, roar!" All at once, the three-headed demonic python let out a thunderous roar, emanating a terrifying power of the Poison Great Dao as it charged ferociously toward Jiang Chen. "Jiang Chen" Inside the Soul Embodying Ring, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning couldn''t help but worry. On the other hand, Fang Yuan waspletely engrossed in the ongoing battle, tirelessly seeking deeper insights into the Great Dao of Spear. "Roarrr!!" Suddenly, the three-headed demonic python rose to its full height, reaching an astonishing ten kilometers into the sky, bing a divine pir between heaven and earth. What happened next was truly astonishing; the middle head twisted, devouring the head to its right with gaping jaws before swiftly moving on to consume the head on its left. The entire spectacle unfolded with shocking speed. In the blink of an eye, an even more overwhelming aura erupted from the demonic python''s body! "It''s battling as if its very life depends on it!" The moods of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were unbearably gloomy. Jiang Chen was already facing unfavorable odds, and now, with the demonic python amplifying its power, could he still hold his ground? On the battlefield, Jiang Chen arched an eyebrow in surprise. "What in the world... Is it devouring itself?" His face showed astonishment, but not a hint of fear. Inside him, an unusual surge of energy erupted from the Wordless Heavenly Jade, instantly merging into his soul and permeating every fiber of his being. In the span of a single breath, Jiang Chen had mastered the Blood Sword Heaven Epassing Secrets to perfect-level stage! Instantly, an even more profound aura radiated from him, aplete embodiment of mastery over the Sword Dao! "Jiang Chen has achieved another breakthrough in the Sword Dao!" Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were both awe-struck at the same time! "Damn it!" Fang Yuan''s fists tightened, his vulnerable heart enduring yet another harsh blow. ... "Roar!" Just then, the demonic python enveloped in a dark red glow bellowed as it lunged towards Jiang Chen with an irresistible force. ''Blood Sword Epassing the Heavens!'' The Peerless Sky Piercing Sword materialized in Jiang Chen''s hand, and countless blood-red lines etched across his body, resembling numerous intricate sword wounds. As the blood-red lines materialized, Jiang Chen immediately employed his utmost mastery of the Sword Dao, brandishing the Peerless Sky Piercing Sword! Whoosh! The numerous blood strands on his body rapidly merged with the Peerless Sky Piercing Sword,bining with the formidable Dao Yuan Power to form a blood-red sword Qi that shot forth! The next moment, the demonic python''s immense, terrifying head collided directly with Jiang Chen''s outstretched sword. Stab! Boom! The sounds of flesh being pierced by the sword and the violent impact reverberated in tandem. Jiang Chen''s body was instantaneously thrown backward. Previously, Jiang Chen had deliberately positioned himself between Fang Yuan and the demonic python, creating the illusion of protecting Fang Yuan from the beast. As a result, he was now catapulted directly towards Fang Yuan''s location! The shes between those at the Dao Comprehension realm were extraordinarily powerful. In a sh, the ejected Jiang Chen was only a kilometer away from Fang Yuan. Jiang Chen''s body crashed into the earth, instantly carving arge rift valley. In that split second, dust, soil, shattered stones, and fragments of nts were hurled into the air, creating a wild and chaotic scene. However, before the scattered debris could settle back onto the ground, Jiang Chen''s figure leaped from the gigantic trench, swiftly covering the kilometer andnding right next to Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan''s body froze instantly, his eyes filled with irrepressible fear. For a moment, he was convinced that Jiang Chen intended to take his life. "Move, now!" But in the next instant, Jiang Chen, covered in wounds and blood, grabbed Fang Yuan''s arm and used all his strength to fling Fang Yuan aside! Fang Yuan turned into a streak of light, cutting through the somber sky, andnded not far from where the two Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens were located. "Roarrr!" At the same time, the Dao Comprehension realm demonic python let out an agonized roar. Its serpentine body, stretching tens of kilometers from head to tail, wasced with thin, blood-red lines. Despite its injuries, the demonic python barreled recklessly towards Jiang Chen, reaching him in a mere heartbeat. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! The wind howled as the imposing body of the demonic python cast an enormous shadow, engulfing Jiang Chen sprawled on the ground! "Roar!" The very next moment, the demonic python bellowed towards the sky, then descended headfirst. Its mouth, as wide as ake, promptly devoured both Jiang Chen and the nearby hillock. "Jiang Chen!!" Within the Soul Embodying Ring, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning couldn''t help but cry out in shock, their voices tinged with terror and disbelief. Fang Yuan, however, was stunned. Nheless, witnessing Jiang Chen''s end filled his heart with a surge of tion! Jiang Chen, who had always been one step ahead, continually disrupting his ns and nearly stripping him of everything, was finally gone! He had bottled up his emotions for so long, nursing such deep resentment that he almost exploded on the spot. But now, he could finally let it all out! In fact, Fang Yuan struggled to contain his joy, his face revealing a triumphant grin! Suddenly, the sharp tones of two distinct female voices echoed. "Fang Yuan! How dare you even smirk! You heartless traitor, what gives you the right to smile?" Shangguan Ning''s voice was biting, her words sharp as knives. Nangong Wan''s voice followed,ced with bitter disappointment. "Fang Yuan, Jiang Chen saved your life, and this is how you repay him. Wepletely misjudged you!" The stinging condemnations from Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were unmistakable. Simultaneously, Jiang Chen, nestled inside the beast''s maw, heard the system prompts ringing in his head. [Ding! You have sessfully caused Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s impressions of Fang Yuan to plummet, reducing Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value by 400 points!] [Ding! You have gained 800 Viin Value points!] "I..." Fang Yuan''s heart lurched, and he was just about to exin. "You''ve got it wrong. Jiang Chen, he..." "Roar! Roar!" Suddenly, two roars, nearly synchronous, echoed from a spot not far from Fang Yuan, causing him to halt mid-sentence. The very next moment, two shadows, one to the left and the other to the right, lunged at Fang Yuan with manic intensity! They were the two Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens that Jiang Chen had previously marked for tracking! Having been further corrupted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, they were inherently vicious beasts! Upon spotting Fang Yuan, a mere Heavenly Origin realm intruder, invading their sanctuary, they were instantaneously consumed with uncontroble rage and charged to attack! "What!" Fang Yuan''s expression morphed dramatically, and he swiftly assumed a defensive stance. "Why are there two Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts here!" Shangguan Ning cried out in shock. "They''re Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts! Two of them! We''re in deep trouble!" Nangong Wan was simrly taken aback, acknowledging the imminent danger! Fang Yuan''s current strength barely allowed him to fend off a Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm demonic beast. Against two Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts, whether he could escape with his life was doubtful. Assailed by the two Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts, Fang Yuan found himself in a grave life-or-death crisis, his body abruptly turning cold! "Two seniors, I need assistance!" He cried out in desperation, seeking help! Simultaneously, he didn''t forget to resort to his final defensive maneuvers. He instantly activated the self-harming secret arts, the Wild Spirit Explosion, and the Vigorous Sift Diagram, without a second thought! However, this was far from enough! "We''ve got no other choice! Use that technique!" Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning came to an immediate agreement and promptly released all their soul power! They channeled this soul power using a unique cultivation method, amplifying Fang Yuan''s body and significantly boosting his battle efficiency. This enhancement was the fruit of their extensivebat experience. Both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning had endured countless brushes with death. Their battle-hardened expertise couldn''t be earned through mere diligent study and practice. With the backing of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, Fang Yuan felt a wave of relief wash over him. His spear in hand, heunched into a frenzied attack. "Roar! Roar!" The two Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens unleashed ferocious roars, practically morphing into a pair of lightning bolts as they relentlessly charged at Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan swung his spear with expertise, striking while skillfully retreating! His n was to push back the two Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens, then utilize the effects of his secret arts to make a rapid exit! Cultivators from the Holy Lands had already sent out a distress signal for reinforcements. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : I''ve improved the readability of the text. What''s your opinion? If you''re enjoying my work, consider supporting me: Patreon (Membership) /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support & Membership (The chapters will be added soon)) /alphawia] Chapter 201: Fang Yuans Loss of Protagonist Status Undoubtedly, with Jiang Chen''s prominence and identity, Ji Mingxiu''s appearance was a certainty! With his immense strength at the Dao Pce level, saving him would be a breeze. Yet, in Fang Yuan''s thoughts, a clear scenario had formed. It showcased Jiang Chen''s downfall and his own emergence as the leading prodigy of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. He envisioned himself rising to the esteemed position of the Holy Son and capturing Ji Ruxue''s affection. "Roar!!" Suddenly, from the distance, a sharp and brief cry pierced the air. Fang Yuan instantly recognized that chilling sound. ''The three-headed demonic python!'' he thought, ''What''s going on?'' ''Could Ji Mingxiu and the rest have already arrived and defeated the demonic python of the Dao Comprehension realm?'' Fang Yuan, initially startled, felt a rising tide of relief. The sooner Ji Mingxiu''s group made their presence known, the faster his safety would be ensured! Without a moment''s dy, Fang Yuan changed direction, speeding towards the previous battleground of Jiang Chen and the demonic python. However, hot on his heels were two Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens, ready to pounce on Fang Yuan in an instant! "Holy Lord! Honorable Holy Lord, I''ve arrived!" As the edge of the battlefield entered his divine sense, Fang Yuan shouted. Yet, what greeted him next was an unexpected sight: Jiang Chen stood firm, sword in hand, while the colossal body of the demonic pythony sprawled, reminiscent of a vast mountain range! The giant python''s body was marred with countless gashes, as if it had been assaulted by a relentless onught of swords! "Holy Lord? I''m merely the Holy Son. Watch your words." Jiang Chen turned, his face, though strikingly handsome, was smeared with a mix of blood and dirt, giving him a disheveled appearance. "You... you''re still alive?!" Fang Yuan gasped, his eyes almost popping out as he stared incredulously at Jiang Chen. Hadn''t the demonic python swallowed an utterly vulnerable Jiang Chen? Yet, how was it possible that, in such a short span, the pythony defeated while Jiang Chen stood triumphant? Any joy that had ignited in Fang Yuan''s heart was now rapidly quenched, leaving nothing but cold destion in its wake. At the same moment, joy swelled in both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s hearts. Neither wished to see the fall of Jiang Chen, a prodigy that defied the heavens. "Indeed, I still breathe." A cold smile formed on Jiang Chen''s lips. "Did you eagerly await my end?" Without missing a beat, he advanced, his sword poised, exuding an aura of impending doom. "Two seniors, protect me!" Fang Yuan''s face contorted with terror as he saw Jiang Chen bearing down on him, so petrified he felt he might lose control of himself! sh! sh! In a heartbeat, the gleaming de swung, cleaving through both Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens, their blood painting the skies. "He... he didn''t kill me?" Fang Yuan, still trembling, checked himself for injuries. Hisplexion shifted rapidly between shades of green, white, and red, resembling the chaotic spill of a dye shop. The humiliation of the situation was beyond words! "Phew!" Jiang Chen let out a weary sigh, releasing his pent-up tension. He then settled onto a nearby rock, appearing drained. From the corner of his eye, Fang Yuan''s gaze held a subtle but unmistakable glint of malice. Yet, he refrained from acting. For one, he recognized his own inferiority to Jiang Chen. Even though it stung his pride, he knew that, even weakened, Jiang Chen was out of his league. Furthermore, the esteem in which both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning held Jiang Chen was evident. Any rash action on Fang Yuan''s part might alienate their support entirely. At that moment, Jiang Chen''s voice, carrying a hint of fragility, pierced the silence. "Fang Yuan, how did these two Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martense to be? And the prowess you disyed earlier, did Senior Nangong Wan and Senior Shangguan Ning assist you?" Fang Yuan''s eyes flickered evasively, "I''m not sure where those Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens came from." He hesitated for a moment, "Yes, the two seniors intervened to boost mybat power." Jiang Chen exhaled deeply, the weight of his thoughts rendering him silent for a lengthy period. Fang Yuan said nothing, though his countenance darkened considerably. "Fang Yuan," Jiang Chen finally began, after a long pause, shaking his head, "I advised you against venturing out earlier, yet you ignored my counsel." "Now, due to Senior Nangong and Senior Shangguan stepping in, we might have drawn the Nether Demon''s attention." Jiang Chen''s voice grew more somber, "This recklessness could precipitate a grave crisis for all of us, you included. If only you had heeded my words, this predicament could''ve been sidestepped." "Hmph!" Fang Yuan responded with a derisive snort. "Who could''ve possibly anticipated such a turn of events?" Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s tempers red at his retort. "Fang Yuan! You remain willful, headstrong, cowardly, and unappreciative!" Shangguan Ning rebuked, her voice filled with incredulity. "To this moment, you won''t admit your misjudgments! I can''t believe you could be so callous." However, her voice bore an undertone of weariness. Both had drained the bulk of their soul power to temporarily amplify Fang Yuan''s fighting strength, leaving them on the brink of a restorative slumber. "Fang Yuan," Nangong Wan''s voice, though weak, rang with disappointment. "You''ve genuinely let me down. I once believed that with your steadfast spirit, having resisted for two long years without yielding, and your unparalleled innate abilities, you would soar in your cultivation journey." She sighed deeply, "It seems I was mistaken. As of today, our pact is null and void!" Fang Yuan''s actions had thoroughly disillusioned Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Reflect on his choices: he was adamant, choosing to venture out for cultivation against better advice. When faced with a powerful adversary, he wavered, opting to remain idle, which consequently caused a plethora of problems for Jiang Chen. Ultimately, his run-in with other demonic creatures forced them to unveil their hidden positions. Had Fang Yuan either stayed put or heeded Jiang Chen''s warnings and retreated promptly, the ensuing chain of events would have been avoided. Now, they were likely exposed and vulnerable. For them, the stakes were rmingly high, teetering on the brink of life and death. Given Fang Yuan''s reckless behavior without a thought for the broader consequences, who in their right mind would ce trust in him? Hearing the scathing remarks from Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, a wave of disbelief washed over Fang Yuan. His eyes bulged in shock, looking as though they might pop from their sockets! Momentster, his entire frame quaked uncontrobly, the shaking a testament to the storm of emotions raging within himdespair, denial, fury, bitterness... Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning had just annulled the mutual agreement that promised assistance and shared growth! In Fang Yuan''s eyes, this was the ultimate act of treachery! [Ding! You have sessfully instigated Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning to dissolve their alliance with the protagonist, Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value has plummeted to zero, and he has been stripped of his protagonist status!] [Ding! You''ve been awarded 10,000 Viin Value points!] These notifications from the System echoed loud and clear in Jiang Chen''s consciousness! "Hahaha! Hahahaha!" Fang Yuan''s suddenughter echoed with a manic edge, his voice dripping with sarcasm and pain. "I knew it, I just knew it!" he spat bitterly. "From the moment Jiang Chen came into the picture, you''ve been ruing the day you allied with me, haven''t you?" "Yes, he''s undeniably exceptional! Achieving Dao Comprehension realmbat power at just twenty!" "But can''t you see through his motives? He''s only out to steal you from me!" "Why can''t you discern this truth? Why don''t you understand the very crux of my persistent anguish?" "It''s because he''s inherently superior, better suited to assist in your quick recuperation. You''ve been condescending towards me for ages, always plotting to cast me aside!" "Ha! What opportunists you are! So pragmatic! Utterly heartless!" Fang Yuan''s voice broke, and with a frenzied flourish, he tore off the Soul Embodying Ring. His face twisted into a mask of sheer terror, a chilling blend of madness and sorrow. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : If you''re enjoying my work, consider supporting me: Patreon (Membership) /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support & Membership (The chapters will be added soon)) /alphawia] Chapter 202: The Downfall of Fang Yuan "So, this is your perspective? Do you believe you''re the only one with wisdom?" Shangguan Ning retorted sharply as she fully absorbed Fang Yuan''s words. "We''re fully aware that Jiang Chen treats us well, advocating for mutual aid!" "However, he bears no intent of usurping us, he nurtures the aspiration that the four of us can advance in unison!" "Why else do you think Jiang Chen rescued you time and time again!? Wouldn''t his path be easier if you perished! Fool!" Shangguan Ning''s voice crescendoed, her vehemence palpable, marking the end of her fiery rebuttal against Fang Yuan''s allegations. "No! His every action is but a faade!" Fang Yuan countered, his eyes zing with indignant fury. "His disy is riddled with falsehoods!" "Everything he''s orchestrated, is solely to curry favor with you!" "I was the one who brokered our pact, yet you rally behind him merely because of some trivial benefits he bestows! Is it not because his talents outshine mine!" "Why else won''t you stand unwaveringly by my side!" "Both of you are equally guilty of duplicity!" With these final words, Fang Yuan was a tempest of brewing negative emotions, his entire being poised on the brink of an emotional eruption. "Fang Yuan! Why do you suppose we exhibit amicability towards Jiang Chen? Is the reason not evident?" Nangong Wan challenged, her voice fraught with clear disappointment as she rapid-fired questions at him, "Have you forgotten that Jiang Chen was aware of our existence and took it upon himself to seek us out with a warning?" "Jiang Chen could have hoarded this secret, biding his time to trade it for considerable gains," Shangguan Ning interjected, her tone firm. "But he refrained from such actions. His choices indeed had an objective, but one can''t overlook his benevolence!" "For us, Jiang Chen is indeed an ideal ally. The four of us banding together, supporting each other, is the optimum course for all involved!" "It''s specifically due to your envy and animosity, your pettiness, that you''ve continuously resisted Jiang Chen, resulting in the current predicament!" "And yet, despite the dire state of affairs, you exhibit no signs of remorse!" Shangguan Ning''s tone was far more direct than Nangong Wan''s,ced with evident disappointment. Her trust in Fang Yuan was entirely eroded, leaving no room for sugar-coated words. "No! You''re entirely misguided, Jiang Chen harbors malevolent schemes, he''s a foe, an irreconcble adversary!" Fang Yuan snapped, his voice filled with desperation and anger. "You never put your trust in me! You''ve always harbored an interest in Jiang Chen from the outset!" "Ah, devoid of honor, I''ll exterminate you, annihte you all!" Fang Yuan''s eyes red with madness as he sumbedpletely, spouting disjointed sentences whilst desperately assailing the Soul Embodying Ring! "Fang Yuan!" Both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning eximed, shocked beyond words. They hadn''t anticipated Fang Yuan would unravel into such hysteria. "Fang Yuan, cease this!!" Jiang Chen''s expression shifted drastically, and he promptly unleashed the ''Spirit Stirring Sting''! Boom! An invisible spiritual shockwave hit Fang Yuan without warning! "Ahhh!" Fang Yuan''s agonized scream echoed through the void, as the feeling of his head about to explode overtook him. The aggressive force he had sent towards the Soul Embodying Ring halted abruptly. But he didn''t stop. At this point, Fang Yuan had even lost the support of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Faced with Jiang Chen, his predestined enemy, he was drowning in desperation! He was certain of his impending demise. Yet, even as he teetered on the brink of death, he longed to drag Jiang Chen, Nangong Wan, and Shangguan Ning down with him, to make them pay, even if it was thest thing he did! Nevertheless, Jiang Chen had no intention of allowing him to achieve this! "Halt!" Jiang Chen roared, his body crashing into Fang Yuan''s side, followed by a swift, precise knife-hand strike. Instantly, the Soul Embodying Ring was jarred loose from Fang Yuan''s hold. Propelled sideways, Fang Yuannded with a thud into the pool of blood beneath the corpse of the demonic python, a creature proficient in the Great Dao of Poison. Even in death, the demonic python radiated a lethal venom. Fang Yuan, with only thebat prowess of the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm, stood no chance against its potency. As Fang Yuan plunged into the pool of blood, his body immediately sank, and copious plumes of gray-white smoke spiraled upward! "Ahhh!" The sheer intensity of the pain elicited a heart-wrenching scream from Fang Yuan. Despite the overwhelming agony, sheer willpower drove him to mber out of the venomous blood pool. His protective artifact had beenpletely destroyed, and a significant portion of his skin was ulcerated. Where there once stood a robust young man was now a bloodied, mutted figure, unrecognizable from his former self. Nevertheless, without missing a beat, Fang Yuan started a frenzied dash into the wilderness. As he fled, his deranged screams echoed across thendscape, "Jiang Chen harbors the residual souls of two Void Tribtion realm great powerhouses! Whoever seizes them can ascend to the Third Step of the Cultivation Path!" "Fang Yuan!" Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning eximed in horror. They hadn''t expected Fang Yuan''s desperation to reach such heights, he was attempting to lead them all to their destruction! "We have no other options!" A flicker of ''pain'' crossed Jiang Chen''s face before he strode forward,unching an attack from behind Fang Yuan. "You won''t escape retribution...!" Fang Yuan roared in fury, but his words cut off abruptly before he could finish. For Jiang Chen''s Peerless Sky Piercing Sword had already pierced his heart! With an influx of raw, overwhelming power, Fang Yuan''s life was extinguished in an instant. [Ding! Congrattions on sessfully eliminating the protagonist, Fang Yuan!] [Ding! You have rued 50,000 Viin Value points!] [Ding! You have amassed 18,686 ck Heavenly Fate Value points!] Three System prompts echoed in Jiang Chen''s mind. Yet, he paid them no heed for the moment. Instead, with a powerful swing, he sent Fang Yuan''s corpse soaring through the air, transforming into a streak of light that plunged directly into the gaping mouth of the Dao Comprehension realm demonic python. Inside the python''s maw, a pool of venomous blood, now even more potent than before, had formed. Once Fang Yuan''s corpse was immersed in the pool, his flesh and blood disintegrated in the blink of an eye, reducing him to a blood-soaked skeleton. The only evidence of his identity was the Heavenly Origin top-grade spear, now corroded beyond recognition. At this point, a soft glow radiated from Jiang Chen''s forehead, cascading onto the Soul Embodying Ring in his grasp. Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning immediately felt a subtle binding force, and deep within their hearts, they intuitively understood that they were faced with a binary choice: to refuse or to ept. They could sense that the power guiding them to this realization was astoundingly potent, far surpassing anything that the Void Tribtion realm could offer! This force was even stronger than the power of the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path they had envisioned, by an immeasurable magnitude! As for the choices confronting them: if they opted to refuse, their current situation would persist; if they epted, they would forge a deeper bond with Jiang Chen, one that was unbreakable. Simultaneously, Jiang Chen was aware that his System had targeted the Soul Embodying Ring, providing Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning an opportunity to make a decision. Although it may have seemed like the System was offering them a choice, in reality, everything hinged on Jiang Chen''s desired oue and the pathway to achieve it. ''If Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning harbored no favorable feelings for me, the circumstances would be different,'' Jiang Chen mused to himself as a self-assured spark twinkled in his eyes. ''But now...'' A note from AlphaWIA: If you''re enjoying my work, consider supporting me: Patreon (Membership) /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support & Membership (The chapters will be added soon)) /alphawia] Chapter 203: The Choices of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning "Who truly is Jiang Chen?" Shangguan Ning queried, her voice filled with curiosity. "Why does he not only possess the mysterious True Dragon bloodline but also hide such formidable power within himself?" Nangong Wan added, her voice tinged with intrigue and wonder. Amid the glow of the System''s luminescent white light, a profound sense of astonishment began to well up within both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. From their perspective, Jiang Chen''s identity was shrouded in ayer of captivating mystery. However, this enigma did not provoke any apprehension within them. Instead, it only piqued their interest further. If Fang Yuan''s influential Heavenly Fate Value had continued to linger, it might have incited suspicion in Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. They could have started to suspect that Jiang Chen had been manipting events from the very beginning, leading to a potential sense of unease. Nheless, at this moment, even though Jiang Chen had exhibited an almost unfathomable power, he had not forced anyone into taking specific actions. The choices both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning faced were entirely their own. They held the ''freedom'' to forge their own paths. This fact alone was enough to underscore Jiang Chen''s kindness and sincerity. ''Exceptionally talented! Extraordinarybat prowess!'' ''Harboring the mysterious True Dragon bloodline and an even more formidable power!'' ''The crux is, he''s steady, sincere, and respects others'' choices. He''s truly an ideal partner!'' These thoughts spontaneously arose in the minds of both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. It was bing increasingly clear that their hearts were leaning towards eptance. "Both of you," Jiang Chen gently asked at that moment, "are you willing to join me on this journey?" "I am willing!" Shangguan Ning was the first to respond. "I am willing!" Nangong Wan echoed, her voice resolute. There were no more reasons left for them to refuse. eptance was clearly their best option. As the pair voiced their decisions, the Soul Embodying Ring was instantly swallowed up by the white light radiating from between Jiang Chen''s eyebrows. It appeared within the system interface in just a fraction of a second. [Ding! You have acquired the Heaven-Defying Fate Changer ''Void Tribtion Soul''; the choice to utilize it is entirely in your hands.] The system''s notification chimed out. Jiang Chen did not hesitate for a moment. He chose to activate it. With a mere thought, the Soul Embodying Ring within the system interface dissolved into countless points of light and disappeared into thin air. The next instant, a faint, ring-shaped tattoo appeared on the space between Jiang Chen''s eyebrows. It was so subtle that it could easily be overlooked without careful observation. Having undergone the system''s transformation, the Soul Embodying Ring was no longer a mere trinket for the Void Tribtion realm. Instead, it had ascended to a status far more exalted. Not only could the fragments of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s souls receive enhanced nourishment and protection. Jiang Chen''s own soul could also benefit from this preservation and nurturing, growing stronger without any additional effort on his part. Furthermore, Jiang Chen sensed an astonishingly deep connection between his own soul and those of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. The three of them couldmunicate with just a single thought, obviating the need for spoken words or attracting unnecessary attention. Most importantly, this form ofmunication allowed for a wless exchange of the profound and arcane cultivation methods they had acquired. Naturally, the more information they shared, the more their soul energy would be drained. However, this method far surpassed using divine sense for long-distancemunication, exceeding it many times over. In the end, under the influence of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s souls, Jiang Chen''s soul underwent a subtle refinement. Though the change was nuanced, it directly catapulted Jiang Chen''s soul into the Daoprehension realm. Moreover, his divine sense detection capacity dramatically expanded to cover an impressive radius of one hundred thousand kilometers! For the time being, these were the benefits granted by the Heaven-Defying Fate Changer, the Void Tribtion Soul. However, Jiang Chen was well aware that as Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning gradually regained their strength and recovered, it would undoubtedly yield even more advantages in the future. For instance, they could provide him with aid during battles! In that scenario, during his confrontations with adversaries, while it might appear as a one-on-one duel on the surface, in reality, it would turn into a team battle! ''The Void Tribtion Soul, simr to the Burning World Red Lotus, is a growth-oriented Heaven-Defying Fate Changer!'' Jiang Chen mused. ''It even surpasses the Burning World Red Lotus in terms of level, considering thetter merely transforms from the remains of a Great Demon in the Void Tribtion realm.'' ''In contrast, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning are living, sentient Void Tribtion realm souls!" As his thoughts raced ahead, a satisfied smile gradually spreading across Jiang Chen''s face. Without wasting a moment, he then essed his personal panel. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Perfect Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body (Death Cmity True Dragon) Realm: Middle-stage Inquiring Journey Great Dao: Sword Dao (Fragmented), Wood Dao (Fragmented), Wind Dao (Fragmented) True Combat Power: Early-stage Dao Comprehension+ Cultivation Method: Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture (Dao Pce, main cultivation), Heaven Sundering Rainbow Sword Technique, Blood Sword Heaven Epassing Secrets, Evergreen Mystic Vein True Technique, Overwhelming Wind Riding Steps (Dao Comprehension, Perfect-Level), Moonstride Starshift Steps, Great Martial Eight Ghostly Steps (Inquiring Journey, Perfect-Level)... Partially Omitted Main Equipment: Peerless Sky Piercing Sword (Inquiring Journey, Top-Grade), Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf (Inquiring Journey, Top-Grade), Unbroken Thousand Strings Rainbow Boat (Heavenly Origin, Top-Grade)... Partially Omitted Viin Value: 111,000 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 34,534 points Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring, Wordless Heavenly Jade, Void Tribtion Soul System Mall: Level 2] ''Combat power at Early-stage Dao Comprehension+?'' Jiang Chen contemted, raising an eyebrow in surprise. ''I have not ascended to the Middle-stage yet, but this progress is stillmendable.'' ''Now that Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning are with me, I''m hardlycking in martial techniques and secret arts. The Wordless Heavenly Jade still possesses a significant amount of mysterious energy. As long as I wish, I can drastically augment mybat power in a short span of time!'' With these thoughts, Jiang Chen was primed to amplify his strength immediately. "Jiang Chen, are you alright!" But just at that moment, a streak of light shot over from afar, transforming into two figures. One was Ji Mingxiu, and the other was Ji Ruxue. They both wore expressions of concern. Ji Ruxue''s eyes clouded with worry, which swiftly transformed into a surge of heartache upon catching sight of Jiang Chen. The sight before her was of Jiang Chen in tattered clothes, drenched in blood - a truly pitiful sight! "Master, Ruxue, I''m fine!" Jiang Chen reassured, shaking his head and offering a wry smile. "Unfortunately, Junior Brother Fang Yuan has fallen..." "Fang Yuan has fallen!" Ji Mingxiu''s expression wavered. He nced at the Dao Comprehension realm demonic python and quickly identified the remnants of Fang Yuan''s body. After all, he was a prodigy second only to Jiang Chen within the Purple Heaven Holy Land; with the right guidance, he could have be a key pir of support. His premature departure was indeed a heavy blow. On the other hand, Ji Ruxue seemed unaffected; all her attention was focused on Jiang Chen. "Jiang Chen, are you in pain? Quickly, take care of your wounds!" Her radiant eyes reddened slightly, and with tears brimming, she hurriedly fed various healing pills into Jiang Chen''s mouth. "I''m truly okay, don''t worry!" Jiang Chen extended his hand to gently pat Ji Ruxue''s back, his voice soft and soothing. Then he continued, "It''s all my fault. I couldn''t resist Fang Yuan''s pleas and due to my soft-heartedness, I brought him along to battle the demonic beasts." Turning towards Ji Mingxiu, his expression mirrored his guilt: "I presumed that the strongest demonic beast in the ck Heavenly in would only be of the Inquiring Journey realm, I didn''t anticipate this Dao Comprehension realm demonic python''s appearance..." As they were speaking, anotherrge group of light streaks soared over from the distance. These were the cultivators from the Holy Land who had previously retreated from the ck Heavenly in. "Honorable Holy Son!" the crowd of cultivators eximed in unison upon seeing Jiang Chen. "Wonderful, the Honorable Holy Son is safe!" "Sob, I was afraid I wouldn''t see Holy Son Jiang Chen again! He is our Purple Heaven Holy Land''s future beacon!" Seeing Jiang Chen alive and in good health, the crowd of cultivators from the Holy Land breathed a sigh of relief, followed by a buzz of excited chatter. A note from AlphaWIA: If you''re enjoying my work, consider supporting me: Patreon (Membership) /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support & Membership (The chapters will be added soon)) /alphawia] Chapter 204: Unveiling the Nether Demon Clans Involvement "Look, there!" An astute cultivator suddenly whispered, "That''s Fang Yuan''s body. He''s gone. Such a pitiful and tragic end." "Pitiful? Not in the least!" A cultivator at the Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm stepped forth, his voice carrying a hint of rebuke. "During our rushed escape, I saw the Honorable Holy Son urging Fang Yuan to flee. Yet Fang Yuan refused, insisting he was on the cusp ofprehending the Great Dao. He believed he was about to achieve unmatched power, and thus, he would stand his ground." "My view of what followed is fragmented due to my distant retreat, but even then, I could sense this would be Fang Yuan''s inevitable end." "The one truly deserving our sympathy is the Honorable Holy Son. If not for Fang Yuan''s stubbornness, his injuries might not be this severe." The cultivator''s voice was thick with frustration. A voice from the crowd piped up, "Exactly!" "I too heard Fang Yuan''s defiant roar!" "Fang Yuan truly acted as if he were possessed!" Several other cultivators at the Inquiring Journey realm joined in, their voices resonating with shared sentiment. "So that''s the tale," Ji Mingxiu mused, a cold light shing in his eyes. "Reflecting on it, it''s evident that Fang Yuan''s Dao Heart had beenpromised long ago, and a Qi Deviation was just around the corner. We should consider ourselves lucky that Jiang Chen didn''t fall prey to his recklessness. If he had, it wouldn''t just be his end the entire Fang n would have been in jeopardy as well!" "Cursed be Fang Yuan!" Ji Ruxue''s voice trembled with rage as she stared disdainfully at Fang Yuan''s fallen body. Clinging tightly to Jiang Chen''s arm, her eyes overflowed with sorrow. Jiang Chen, however, showed no sign of surprise at the unfolding scene. His decision to stop and confront the Dao Comprehension realm demonic python wasn''t made on a whim. The battleground he chose was purposefully within the divine sense detection range of the Inquiring Journey realm cultivators from the Holy Land. If he wanted these Inquiring Journey realm cultivators to bear witness to an event, he made sure it happened within their scope of awareness. Conversely, if he wished to keep certain matters private, Jiang Chen would deftly position himself just out of their reach, ensuring he remained unseen and unheard. The battle''s intensity increased, pushing its borders ever outward and forcing the Holy Land cultivators to retreat even further. Because of this, they were only privy to Jiang Chen urging Fang Yuan to flee and Fang Yuan''s staunch refusal. The events that transpired afterward remained a mystery to them. By orchestrating things this way, Jiang Chen cleverly shielded himself from any me regarding Fang Yuan''s downfall. At this point, the ounts from those who witnessed events firsthand were plentiful, painting a clear picture of Fang Yuan''s character. The consensus was unanimous: Fang Yuan met his end due to his own choices. Some even voiced their scorn, ming him for nearly bringing about Jiang Chen''s downfall. "Truly, when someone dies, it''s as if amp goes out. Everything about them fades, like smoke carried away by the wind," Jiang Chen remarked with a heavy sigh. His face quickly turned grave. "Our primary focus now should be on ridding the Holy Land of the lingering demonic beasts." "You''re right, Jiang Chen," Ji Mingxiu affirmed with a nod. He then ordered decisively, "Everyone, clean up this battleground and move quickly to support the battles in other sectors!" "Understood!" The Holy Land cultivators sprang into action, swiftly clearing the battleground. Their main task was to collect the defeated demonic beasts, designated for Jiang Chen''s future endeavors. Ji Mingxiu took it upon himself to deal with the remains of the Dao Comprehension realm demonic python. Swiftly, the battlefield was immacte once more. The gargantuan corpse of the Dao Comprehension realm demonic python, now contained within several artifact storages, was presented to Jiang Chen. Subsequently, the Holy Land cultivators scattered, each dashing to support the ongoing battles in other regions. On the other hand, Ji Ruxue and Ji Mingxiu fervently implored Jiang Chen to return to the safety of the Holy Land, advising him against risking his life any further. Feelingpelled, Jiang Chen reluctantly agreed. Besides, even without his direct intervention, the warriors of the Purple Heaven Holy Land were more than capable of defeating the demonic beasts, ensuring their remains would be delivered to him. And with Fang Yuan, the central figure, now gone, the urgency for Jiang Chen to monitor individuals and oversee every event had diminished. For now, at least, he could afford a moment''s respite. In a short span, with Ji Ruxue by his side and Ji Mingxiu leading the way, Jiang Chen returned to the Holy Land. Prominent figures like Supreme Elder Mo Yu had been eagerly awaiting their return. As Jiang Chen entered, they quickly closed in to check on him. Realizing his cultivation foundation was undamaged, a wave of relief washed over them. After the initial exchanges of concern, Jiang Chen stepped forward to address the gathered. "Master, Supreme Elders!" His demeanor was serious as he continued, "From those two Void Tribtion realm powerhouses, I''ve unearthed crucial information!" "What vital information?" The faces of Ji Mingxiu and the other Supreme Elders changed in an instant, their voices tinged with apprehension as they posed their questions. "The two Void Tribtion realm powerhouses confessed that the real orchestrators behind this surge of demonic beasts are none other than the Nether Demon n, operating from the shadows!" Jiang Chen''s voice wasden with gravity as he spoke, "The Bottomless Abyss acts as a gateway between the Nether Demon n''s domain and our Immortal Martial Continent. They are scheming to invade ournds!" "What?! The Nether Demon n?!" eximed a shocked Elder from the crowd. "Do the Nether Demons actually exist?" "So, it''s the Nether Demon n behind this surge of demonic beasts, intending to overtake our Immortal Martial Continent?" Ji Mingxiu and the rest of the assembly disyed expressions of rm and disbelief. Jiang Chen exined calmly, "Indeed, these waves of demonic beasts are essentially the vanguard for the Nether Demon n." "They fulfill two main objectives: firstly, to erode the defenses of our three primary forces, and secondly, to infuse our realm with the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi." "For us human cultivators, adapting to this Nether Demon Spiritual Qi is challenging, as it can erode our mental faculties." "Conversely, the Nether Demon n finds it difficult to limate to the Spiritual Qi of our Immortal Martial Continent. To thrive, they need an environment tailored to their unique cultivation needs." "Without the right Spiritual Qi environment, while the Nether Demon n might stave off erosion, their battle capabilities would be drastically diminished," Jiang Chen concluded, driving home the significance of his revtion. "That being the case, our primary focus should be on eradicating these waves of demonic beasts at the earliest," Ji Mingxiu remarked with a thoughtful nod. "Jiang Chen, did those powerhouses provide any further warnings or insights?" Jiang Chen nodded in response, "Yes, from what the two esteemed seniors conveyed, the Bottomless Abyss, having been abandoned for countless eons, is probably challenging to navigate. The mightier the Nether Demon n member''s cultivation base, the tougher it will be for them to cross the Bottomless Abyss and arrive at the Immortal Martial Continent." He then summed up, "Hence, in the near future, the Nether Demon invaders'' strength should not surpass the Dao Pce realm." "They won''t exceed the Dao Pce realm? That''s indeed a silver lining!" Sha An eximed with visible relief. "Yet, even if members of the Nether Demon n from the Transcendence realm were to invade, with our two Void Tribtion realm powerhouses recognized by the Holy Son to protect the Immortal Martial Continent, we should be well fortified." Yao Zong nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Those two are the very pirs of our human race here on the Immortal Martial Continent. They wouldn''t idly stand by as our world plunges into chaos." Ji Mingxiu, Si Zhangjian, and several others let out audible sighs of relief at this discussion. Yet, Jiang Chen''s subsequent sigh shifted the hall''s energy. "We should be cautious about cing undue dependence on those two Void Tribtion realm powerhouses," he warned. Ji Mingxiu, taken aback, asked, "What do you mean? Are you suggesting that these two esteemed powerhouses might just stand idly by? That''s hard to fathom!" The revtion left the rest of the group with raised eyebrows and evident surprise on their faces. Jiang Chen paused before speaking, "It''s high time that I share some deeper truths with Master and all the esteemed elders." He took a deep breath and continued, "The two Void Tribtion realm powerhouses are entangled in a peculiar situation. They can''t offer us direct support. At best, they can only impart critical knowledge to help us navigate these challenges." Sha An''s eyes widened. "That''s impossible!" He struggled to find the right words, his disbelief palpable. "They''re Void Tribtion realm powerhouses! How could anything stop them from intervening?" Si Zhangjian, deep in thought, offered a theory. "The Void Tribtion realm is elusive, its depths far beyond our understanding. From its very name, we can guess it involves confronting a severe tribtion. Perhaps it''s this very tribtion that binds their hands." Ji Mingxiu and the other elders exchanged nces, a silent consensus forming. Each nodded slowly, lending weight to Si Zhangjian''s theory. All were left wondering if these two behemoths of the Void Tribtion realm were somehow incapacitated. But out of respect, none dared voice this concern aloud. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : If you''re enjoying my work, consider supporting me: Patreon (Membership) /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support & Membership) /alphawia] Chapter 205: The Indirect Benefits of Killing the Protagonist "Thankfully, those demons, once they reach the Third Step of the Cultivation Path, can''t cross the Bottomless Abyss." Sha An took a moment to reflect, then stated with conviction, "Given the strength of our Immortal Martial Continent, we should stand firm." However, Mo Yu, with a look of deep concern, tempered the rising hope. "We shouldn''t be too quick to celebrate." "While the invading Nether Demon n might not have Third Step demons now, the future is uncertain. And we can''t overlook the fact that their numbers are unpredictable." "We have a limited count of Dao Pce realm cultivators on our Immortal Martial Continent. If the Nether Demon n sends an overwhelming number of Dao Pce realm demons, we''ll still face an inevitable disaster." His voice was tinged with worry. "It seems our most prudent strategy is to unite all the powerhouses of the Immortal Martial Continent against the looming threat of the Nether Demon n." Si Zhangjian stated, his gaze unwavering and serious. "The proposal from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce to bring together the three major forces is now of utmost urgency." Ji Mingxiu, deep in reflection, finally broke his silence. "It''s not just about our three main forces. We need to rally powers from every corner of the Immortal Martial Continent." "In essence, we must gather all avable resources to cultivate or find a formidable individual who has the greatest potential to attain the Third Step of the Cultivation Path." "If the Nether Demon nunches an attack with a titan from the Third Step, no matter how vast our army, we''d simply bembs to the ughter." "Even our so-called secret weapons from the Transcendence realm can''t match the sheer power of a true cultivator from the Third Step of the Cultivation Path." Ji Mingxiu concluded, the weight of his words hanging in the air. "Your words ring true!" Mo Yu asserted, his face grave. "We of the older generation have reached our limits. No amount of resources will let us break through to the Transcendence realm." "We need to invest in a young prodigy with impable aptitude." "For me, Jiang Chen is the clear choice," Mo Yu concluded, his gaze fixed on Jiang Chen. Upon hearing Mo Yu''s statement, every gaze in the hall settled on Jiang Chen. At just twenty years old, he''d mastered the Sword Dao and wielded thebat prowess of the Dao Comprehension realm. Such talent was unparalleled in the Immortal Martial Continent; it was unmatched under the heavens! But inside, Jiang Chen hid a smirk. Fang Yuan''s end meant that many opportunities meant for the protagonist were now his to seize. Indeed, this was an unexpected reward for taking out the protagonist! "During the three major forces'' gathering, we should propose this idea," Si Zhangjian said. "The Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple, and the other factions should divert resources to foster Holy Son Jiang Chen''s growth!" "But will they agree?" Yao Zong asked skeptically. "They have their own talents to nurture. I doubt they''d easily part with their resources." "If they decline," Ji Mingxiu replied with a steely nce, "they''ll regret it when the Nether Demon n breaches their defenses and shatters their legacy." "Absolutely! Those unwilling to invest in Holy Son Jiang Chen''s growth can''t expect our protection," Sha An said firmly. "If they face peril, they will only have themselves to me! Or they might find our assistancees at a higher price." Mo Yu added gravely, "Discussing protection now may be jumping the gun." "Our primary concern is elerating Jiang Chen''s cultivation." "If we can''t elevate Holy Son Jiang Chen to a Third Step powerhouse, further discussions might be moot. The Immortal Martial Continent would have already fallen." Mo Yu finished. All eyes fixed on Jiang Chen, filled with eager hope. "I promise to give my all to my cultivation," Jiang Chen vowed with earnest conviction. "Whether or not those sects assist us, I won''t waver in mymitment." "That''s the spirit, Jiang Chen!" Ji Mingxiu eximed, handing him a storage ring. "These are the high-grade spiritual nts you asked for; we managed to collect even more. Seek the guidance of those two Void Tribtion realm powerhouses. With them mentoring you, your progress will surely be faster." "Thank you. Actually, the two Void Tribtion realm great powerhouses needed these spiritual nts to aid my cultivation, they don''t need them themselves," Jiang Chen exined, epting the storage ring with a nod. "Moreover, I''ve acquired the ability tomunicate across spaces with the two seniors and can even send items. This means I don''t need to physically find them." Ji Mingxiu''s eyes lit up, "That''s incredibly advantageous! Traveling poses many dangers, and while we try, our protective reach has its limits. If you canmunicate and transport things through the void, it reduces many of those risks." The group exchanged a series of pleased smiles. As for Jiang Chen''s im, everyone epted it without any shred of doubt. Because, given the capabilities of the great powerhouses of the Void Tribtion realm, no matter how incredible a phenomenon may seem, in their eyes, everything was within the realm of possibility. Ji Mingxiu dered, "Next, we shall purge all demonic beasts!" "There''s a possibility that the Nether Demon n harbors Dao Pce realm demons. Given that their count is undisclosed, it isn''t wise for us all to venture out. Someone must stand guard over the Holy Land. Who will step up?" Ji Mingxiu asked, surveying everyone. "I shall stay behind and safeguard it," dered Mo Yu, determination evident in his gaze. "Should our Holy Land face a siege from multiple Dao Pce realm demons, I''ll wield the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword to fend them off." The Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword was no ordinary weapon. Hailed as the ultimate defense of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, it was an iplete Transcendence realm immortal sword. Invoking its power demanded a hefty toll, especially if the cultivator''s base wasn''t formidable. Even for those skilled in the Dao Pce realm, using it risked their very lives. Being the eldest among the five Dao Pce realm cultivators of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, Mo Yu stood at a crucial juncture in his life, with death lurking ominously close. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, he willingly stepped up to take on this perilous duty. "Elder Mo will handle this," Ji Mingxiu said decisively. His kind and others like him weren''t ones for sentimentality. Given the evident wisdom in the decision, they all signaled their agreement with solemn nods. "Move out! The dominion of the Purple Heaven Holy Land is safe in my hands," dered Mo Yu. He turned and proceeded deeper into the Holy Land''s Grand Hall, where the esteemed Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword was stored. Ji Mingxiu then turned to Jiang Chen, advising, "You''d be wise to stay behind. Remain within our territory and focus on healing those affected by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi." Jiang Chen met his gaze and nodded in understanding, ready to take on the responsibility. "Let''s get going!" Ji Mingxiu said, shing a quick smile. With determination in their steps, he, Sha An, Si Zhangjian, and Yao Zong swiftly headed towards the exit of the Holy Land. Jiang Chen turned to Ji Ruxue, urgency in his voice, "Ruxue, we need to move. Many of our fellow cultivators are relying on us." He grasped her hand, leading the way out of the Grand Hall and into the Holy Land Square. Upon their arrival, they were met with a significant number of Holy Land cultivators. These individuals had recently been affected by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi and were in dire need of treatment. Taking charge of the situation was Elder Geng Tian, a respected figure in the Dao Comprehension realm. His martial prowess was second to none within the Purple Heaven Holy Land, boasting mastery over a vast array of cultivation methods. In this particr area, even Ji Mingxiu paled inparison. Though the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets had been avable for only a short time, Geng Tian, with his advanced Dao Comprehension realm cultivation and unmatched martial aptitude, had managed to achieve a rudimentary grasp of it. However, his expertise in this area could best be described as elementary. Upon spotting Jiang Chen, relief washed over Geng Tian. The excitement among the lucid Holy Land cultivators was palpable. A voice rang out, "The Honorable Holy Son has arrived!" "The Honorable Holy Son is here! With him by our side, we''ll certainly be safe!" "I owe my life to the Honorable Holy Son from our previous encounter. It''s regrettable that I''ve been ensnared by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi again. I hope the Honorable Holy Son can spare some of his grace to rescue me once more." The buzz of hopeful conversations filled the air. Amused by the reception, Jiang Chen gave a light chuckle, alighted from his elevated position, and without pause, began applying the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets to aid those in need. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : If you''re enjoying my work, consider supporting me: Patreon (Membership) /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support & Membership) /alphawia] Chapter 206: Suspicion towards the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace Time passed in a leisurely manner. Under Jiang Chen''s skilled hands, the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets were wlessly executed. Thanks to him, cultivator after cultivator from the Holy Land was shielded from the devastating effects of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, achieving full recovery. Elsewhere, outside the Holy Land''s boundaries, the might of the Dao Pce realm was in full disy. Led by Ji Mingxiu and three other formidable beings, they effortlessly dispatched demonic beasts below the Dao Comprehension realm. It was a testament to their power, akin to the simplicity of turning a hand. Before long, the Purple Heaven Holy Land had sessfully thwarted the second wave of the demonic beast tide. Throughout the ordeal, the Holy Land wasn''t threatened by any demonic beasts or Nether Demons of the Dao Pce realm. This offered a much-needed breather to the senior experts of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. If arge number of Dao Pce realm adversaries had descended upon them, Mo Yu might''ve had to unsheath the mighty Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword. At that juncture, the leaders of the Purple Heaven Holy Land convened another high-level meeting in the grandeur of the Holy Land Grand Hall. Those present were either of esteemed rank or had a cultivation base of the Dao Comprehension realm or above. Jiang Chen was, of course, among them. Meanwhile, Ji Ruxue rejoined Xie Xiaojing. Ji Mingxiu surveyed the dozens of Holy Land powerhouses gathered in the Grand Hall. Taking a deep breath, he began, "Earlier, we came across a crucial piece of intel." "Just as with the initial onught, the second demonic beast tide simultaneously affected the territories of our three primary factions." "While the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple managed to repel the demonic beast tide, they''re bereft of the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets. This deficiency resulted in substantial casualties among their disciples." He paused momentarily, letting the information sink in, before continuing, "Moreover, we''ve just received word from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce. They urge us to expedite the gathering of the three major entities to strategize our response." "Given the recent insights from Holy Son Jiang Chen," Mo Yu began, "we now believe that a Nether Demon of the Dao Pce realm might be lurking underground. It would be imprudent to leave the Holy Land unprotected." He paused for effect, then added, "Additionally, Jiang Chen has expressed concerns about the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce''s intentions. With the mounting evidence of their dubious actions, such suspicions are not unwarranted." Jiang Chen''s influence was on a steady rise. His words now carried more weight, and many were inclined to trust his judgments. Ji Mingxiu nodded thoughtfully before turning his attention to Jiang Chen. "Jiang Chen, if the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce is indeed up to something sinister, what do you anticipate the consequences might be?" At Ji Mingxiu''s prompting, all eyes in the hall settled intently on Jiang Chen. "If the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce harbors any ulterior motives, their tactics could mirror strategies like ''leading amb to the ughter'' or ''luring the tiger away from its mountain domain''," Jiang Chen mused, fingers tracing the curve of his chin thoughtfully. "Should we respond in haste, we risk ying directly into their hands. Sending a small group would make them easy targets, akin tombs led to their doom. Conversely, deploying a significant force could leave our base vulnerable, reminiscent of enticing a tiger from its territory." An Elder''s voice broke through the tense silence, "So, what''s our course of action?" "We surely can''t decline their invitation. Yet attending might y right into their trap!" "Indeed, it''s a conundrum." The attendees exchanged worried looks, their unease palpable from the creases forming on their brows. The weight of the decision pressed down on them. Mo Yu stepped forward, seizing the moment to interject, "Given our possession of the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets and the intelligence at hand, it stands to reason that we, the Purple Heaven Holy Land, take the mantle of hosts." A glint of realization shone in Ji Mingxiu''s eyes. "You''re suggesting... that we, the Purple Heaven Holy Land, should spearhead the assembly of the three dominant forces? And select a venue advantageous to us?" "Exactly. Propose this, and observe," Mo Yu confirmed, "The reaction from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce might be quite revealing." Ji Mingxiu''s determination solidified. "Then I''ll convey our stance to both the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple. Moreover, I''ll highlight the need to gather spiritual nts and collect demonic beast remains for Jiang Chen." Without dy and in the full view of everyone present, Ji Mingxiu established contact with the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple. The trteral dialogue that ensued was concise yet pivotal. ... Tucked into the southwestern reaches of the Bottomless Abyss, deep within the Everflowing Truth Central Domain, majestic golden halls and pces stood tall, piercing the very heavens amidst cloud-kissed mountains. The glittering structures,yer uponyer, resembled a cascade of mountains bathed in gold. They shimmered with an opulent, regal aura under the sun''s embrace. This was none other than the heart of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce! Yet, as grand as the setting might seem, a secretive meeting was currently underway within its walls. In attendance were just five individuals. Leading the group was Dong Yuanzheng, the reigning Pce Lord of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce. nking him were the Deputy Pce Lords: Wei Pengcheng, Gan Xiangwen, Hou Yuquan, and Ruan Tianzong. Dong Yuanzheng''s voice,den with a mixture of surprise and unease, filled the room. "The Purple Heaven Holy Land has sent a message. They wish to preside over this assembly." He paused, looking around the room, "I honestly didn''t anticipate that they would actually possess the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets. I wonder where they acquired it!" Deputy Pce Lord Gan Xiangwen leaned forward, his face tight with worry. "ording to Lord Long Tianlu''s intelligence, such a secret art shouldn''t even exist on the Immortal Martial Continent!" "Could it be possible that there are higher-level cultivator forces covertly stationed on the Immortal Martial Continent?" "If this holds true, our allegiance to the Nether Demon n won''t enable us to unify the Immortal Martial Continent. Instead, we might be ushered into an irreversible catastrophe!" As he finished, he looked at the others with an expression of deep concern and horror. "So, what''s our course of action?" Dong Yuanzheng cast his gaze around the room at everyone and spoke with determination. "Hmph! We''ve already epted Lord Long Tianlu''s gifts and have fully transformed into true demonic cultivators. Retreating now is not an option!" "We must press on, fight with our backs against the wall!" "Moreover, the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets might be a relic passed down from ancient times, and there may not be any higher-level cultivator forces ndestinely monitoring the Immortal Martial Continent," Dong Yuanzheng concluded with a steely resolve. "Correct. Since we epted Lord Long Tianlu''s gifts, there''s no turning back. Regardless of where the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets originated or whether there''s a formidable force behind it, we have no other choices." Deputy Pce Lord Hou Yuquan nodded in agreement, stating, "Our current concern should be whether to proceed with our established n or to make necessary adjustments?" "The emergence of the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets has significantly upset our strategy. If we don''t agree to the Purple Heaven Holy Land''s proposition, we might inadvertently reveal something." Deputy Pce Lord Ruan Tianzong interjected, "In my view, it''s wiser to consent to the Purple Heaven Holy Land''s proposal, keep them in the dark, and adapt to the situation as it evolves." "No. I disagree. The Nether Qi Extraction Secrets is their bargaining chip," Vice Pce Lord Wei Pengcheng said, his face unreadable. "If we have something even more valuable, we can insist on convening at the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak." Ruan Tianzong''s eyebrows drew together. "Something even more valuable? We don''t have such a thing." Wei Pengcheng''s voice was cold and precise. "Why not create one? im we''ve developed a powerful formation that istes the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, protecting our sect''snd, or offer other tempting advantages. The endgame? Get them to the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak. How we do it, whether through deception or other means, doesn''t matter." "Haha," Hou Yuquanughed, offering a fist and palm salute. "In such little time, Daoist Wei has truly taken on the ways of a demonic cultivator. Quitemendable." Ruan Tianzong shook his head. "Ji Mingxiu and the rest aren''t gullible. The Nether Qi Extraction Secrets are widely recognized and their existence can''t be denied. But our supposed grand formation or other made-up advantages? Won''t they want proof?" Turning to Dong Yuanzheng, he sped his hands respectfully. "I urge the Pce Lord to rethink this approach." "Each of you has made valid arguments. I will consult with Lord Long Tianlu," Dong Yuanzheng said, a cial light flickering in his eyes. "Perhaps he might have a bargaining chip for us..." A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : If you''re enjoying my work, consider supporting me: Patreon (Membership) /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support & Membership) /alphawia] Chapter 207: The Formation that Isolates the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi In the northern expanse of the Bottomless Abyss, aplex array of white stone mountains sprawled out, covering the vast horizon. Each ivory peak cradled numerous vibrant mountainkes. From a bird''s eye view, these peaks appeared like massive white dragons, stretchedzily across thend, their forms glistening with iridescent scales. Within these picturesquekes sat floating pces, each radiating an otherworldly aura, hinting at the divine. This reverednd was known as the domain of the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple. Xu Xin, the esteemed Temple Lady of the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple, sat in counsel with senior cultivators from the Temple. "The Purple Heaven Holy Land possesses the secrets of Nether Qi Extraction," she dered. "Of our three major factions, they suffered the least during the recent demonic beast tide onughts." "Now, they intend to reveal the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets and, in return, demand a multitude of benefits. Such a cunning strategy they have woven." Casually, Xu Xin fanned herself with her radiant silk fan as she conveyed her insights. The cultivation method of the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple imparted a distinct chill, an emotionless demeanor, to every member, from the esteemed Temple Lady to the humblest disciples. Moreover, they were unburdened by worldly desires. While the rtionship between the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple was warmerpared to their ties with the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, it was still a bond of convenience more than anything. And the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple was not one to yield easily when significant interests hung in the bnce. "The demonic beast tide invasion threatens the very fabric of the Immortal Martial Continent, endangering innumerable souls!" Miao Qiong, a powerhouse of the Dao Pce realm, dered in an icy voice, "How dare the Purple Heaven Holy Land exploit the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets for mere personal gain and hoarding? They ought to share it openly!" A voice interjected, "Indeed, the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets should be shared freely!" "We must join forces with the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and press the Purple Heaven Holy Land!" One by one, the prominent members of the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple expressed their unanimous ord. Yet, deep down, Xu Xin and her cohorts knew the reality. The idea that the Purple Heaven Holy Land would share the secret without a price was pure fantasy. Their heightened demand was nothing more than a stratagem for negotiation. ... Time seemed to slip away subtly. In the Grand Hall of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. "We''ve received word," Ji Mingxiu began, examining the transmission jade token he held. "The Jade Lake Heavenly Temple has epted our invitation for the meeting." He paused for a moment before continuing, "But they''ve set a condition we must unconditionally hand over Jiang Chen''s Nether Qi Extraction Secrets to them." "What? Give it away for nothing?" Mo Yu''s voice dripped with disbelief. "The women of the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple must be dreaming!" Ji Mingxiu nodded slowly, "Exactly. Offering it without anypensation isn''t feasible. They undoubtedly recognize that. It''s a game they''re waiting for our counter-move." Mo Yu''s eyes narrowed, "And the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce? Do they share this sentiment?" Ji Mingxiu, with a measured tone, said, "Both the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple demand the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets withoutpensation." "Moreover, as a sign of goodwill, the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce has pledged to freely share a hereditary formation that can iste the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi." Taking a breath, he added, "They''ve also declined our proposal to change the meeting venue, insisting we gather at the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak." "A formation to iste the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi?" A ripple of disbelief swept the hall. "Can the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce truly hold such a formidable power?" Another voice chimed in. Expressions of surprise echoed across the hall, painting every face with a simr shade of astonishment. Even Jiang Chen was visibly startled. "A formation to iste the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi..." Mo Yu mused aloud. "Our insiders from Purple Heaven Holy Land within the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce have neither encountered nor seen evidence of such a formation." With furrowed brows and a rhythmic drumming of his fingers on his chair''s armrest, he proposed, "Perhaps we should ask them to unveil the actual formation, just to verify its authenticity." "That seems reasonable." Ji Mingxiu nodded. Turning to Jiang Chen, he inquired, "Jiang Chen, your take on this?" On the surface, it seemed a simple consultation with Jiang Chen. In reality, Ji Mingxiu was creating a tform for Jiang Chen to engage with the two mighty figures of the Void Tribtion realm. With other cultivators present, it wasn''t a matter of trust. Discussions concerning the Void Tribtion realm were best kept under wraps! "Give me a moment to reflect," Jiang Chen said, a contemtive expression crossing his features. Silently, he''d already exchanged insights with Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. The formation designed to iste the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi wasn''t a myth; it was rtively well-known in the Evesting Baseless Immortal Domain. Two distinct versions existed: one forged by the wisdom of human cultivators and the other birthed by the Nether Demon n itself. The divergence between the two was stark. A light sparked in Jiang Chen''s eyes. "I recall it now!" "I encountered details about the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi formation in an ancient manuscript." "It described two types: one devised by cultivators and another, an innate Nether Demon n formation." With growing rity, he continued, "We should request a closer look at the formation held by the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce. It might give us a chance to discern any ties between them, the demonic beast tide, and the Nether Demon n." "That''s a brilliant n!" Ji Mingxiu nodded, appreciation evident in his eyes. "Then I''ll urge the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce to present the formation for our examination," he continued, his eyes radiating approval. "Yet, they''ll certainly be hesitant to disclose the formation''s finer details," he cautioned. "Jiang Chen, do you believe you can discern its true nature even then?" "No problem!" Jiang Chen dered, shing a confident smile and nodding. With the immense experience and knowledge of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning to lean on, their insights became his own. Whatever they knew, he was privy to! Indeed, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning hadn''t just encountered the formation isting the Nether Demon Spiritual Qithey had mastered it! Ji Mingxiu''s face brightened. "That''s heartening to hear!" he acknowledged, nodding in agreement before swiftly initiating talks with the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce. Surprised nces were thrown in Jiang Chen''s direction, eyes widening in disbelief. Nobody had foreseen that Jiang Chen, already privy to the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets, was also familiar with a formation that could iste the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi. In the eyes of many, his stature grew. He seemed even more formidable, wrapped in an aura of mystery. Prompted by Ji Mingxiu, the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce soon conceded. They agreed to let the Purple Heaven Holy Land inspect their wares. For the evaluation, they''d furnish a segment of the formation''s structural method, the associated mnemonics, and visual representations of the formation designed to iste the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi. Momentster, a pale cultivator emerged at the entrance of the Holy Land Grand Hall, identifying him as an inner sect disciple. "Greetings, Esteemed Holy Lord!" Trembling from head to toe, he promptly knelt, presenting a peculiar mirror aloft with both hands. Every eye turned his way, and the realization dawned on them: this disciple was an embedded spy from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce within the ranks of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Still, this revtion wasn''t shocking. After all, they had also positioned their own agents deep within the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce. With a swift "whoosh," a gust of wind brushed through the hall. Almost instantly, the mirror from the turncoat disciple''s grip was seized by Ji Mingxiu. And just as abruptly, the betrayer disintegrated, transforming into myriad particles that faded into the vastness of the heaven and earth. A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : If you''re enjoying my work, consider supporting me: Patreon (Membership) /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support & Membership) /alphawia] Chapter 208: Revelations about the Formation, Ji Mingxius Shock "Ji Mingxiu, we have little time, pay close attention." Dong Yuanzheng''s figure shimmered into view within the mirror. He was a statuesque, lean elder, his raven-ck hair emphasizing his cold detachment. No sooner had Dong Yuanzheng finished his words than the mirror''s image shifted, revealing intricate text. Disyed were snippets of formation-setting techniques and mnemonic incantations. Shortly after, the mirror''s imagery shifted dramatically. Contained within a small formation that radiated a gentle white glow, was a disciple from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce. But he was no longer recognizable he had been utterly transformed into a demonic entity, a chilling consequence of extensive corruption from the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi. As he screamed in deranged fury, a massive surge of Nether Demon Spiritual Qi erupted from him. Yet, every wisp of this dark energy was trapped, unable to escape the confines of the formation. The disysted only for a brief moment. Secondster, the mirror shattered, turning into gleaming fragments that drifted away with the wind. "Jiang Chen, what''s your verdict?" Ji Mingxiu asked, his eyes intently focused on Jiang Chen. Every eye in the room followed suit, awaiting Jiang Chen''s analysis. "It''s unmistakably a formation tailored to contain the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi," Jiang Chen confirmed, nodding thoughtfully. "Furthermore, it''s clear that it was developed by human cultivators." "A human-crafted formation?" Ji Mingxiu exchanged uncertain nces with his peers. "Could we have misunderstood the intentions of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce?" Jiang Chen''s face was a mask of tranquility. "We might have jumped to conclusions," he replied evenly. However, he held back a critical piece of information. The formation Dong Yuanzheng had showcased wasn''t ancient at all. Its techniques and chants pointed to a creation from just thest hundred thousand years. Moreover, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning recognized severalponents of the formation, suggesting its origins were outside the Immortal Martial Continent. The Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce''s assertion that the formation was an ancestral legacy was clearly unfounded. Without much introspection, the truth was evident. The origin of this formation from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce was undoubtedly suspect! ''It''s highly likely the Nether Demon n granted this. To deflect attention, they introduced a formation of human design. Still, they inadvertently exposed themselves.'' A flurry of thoughts raced through Jiang Chen''s mind, his gaze cold and calcting. Might the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce have such a formation due to ties with a superior human civilization? Absolutely not! Because they didn''t have the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets. Contrary to popr belief, this wasn''t a treasured secret art. If a superior cultivator force backed the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, wouldn''t they already have the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets? This line of reasoning solidified Jiang Chen''s suspicions of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce''s coboration with the Nether Demon n. Yet, he concealed these insights, already strategizing his retaliation. In the present situation, the Purple Heaven Holy Land possessed the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets, while the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce proposed a formation that isted the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi. The issue of changing the meeting venue still required further discussion. Considering the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple''s involvement, the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak appeared to be a likely option. This was mainly because the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak was most advantageous for the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple. Jiang Chen had now abandoned the idea of changing the meeting ce. Instead, he was racking his brain for strategies to break the deadlock or shift the momentum in their favor. Jiang Chen was now convinced of the secret alliance between the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Nether Demon n. Their plots, likely aimed at setting traps and diverting attention to execute multiple ns at once, seemed to be falling into ce. Now, Jiang Chen''s challenge was discerning the main aim of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce. Were they nning to eliminate the top leaders of the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Jade Lake Heavenly Pce during the gathering? Or was their goal broader - an invasion and subversion of the territories held by the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Jade Lake Heavenly Pce? With these thoughts, Jiang Chen''s eyes shifted towards Ji Mingxiu and the other powerful figures in the Dao Pce realm. He observed that they had now taken on the role of mere Passersby, and their Fate Value had decreased. Ji Mingxiu''s drop in Fate Value was slight, almost unnoticeable. Yet, the Fate Values of Sha An, Si Zhangjian, and Yao Zong had drastically dropped, now hovering just above three hundred points. This suggested that, unless there was some external help, their days might be numbered. Jiang Chen''s gaze shifted to Mo Yu, noticing that his Fate Value had also drastically decreasending just above four hundred points. This was only marginally better than the others. ''Mo Yu is likely to stay at the Holy Land''s headquarters.'' ''Ji Mingxiu and the other three are destined for the meeting.'' ''Of the five, four have seen their Fate Values plummet to dangerously low levels.'' ''It''s bing evident. The Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Nether Demon n have a n in ce. They''re looking to simultaneously eliminate the Purple Heaven Holy Land''s top members and take over its headquarters!'' ''Previously, their Fate Values weren''t this low. Has Fang Yuan''s downfall triggered these changes?'' ''Indeed, with Fang Yuan at the Purple Heaven Holy Land, it would''ve been unassable. Ji Mingxiu and the others, under the protection of his Heavenly Fate Value, would''ve been safe.'' ''Yet, circumstances have shifted, and we''re facing a dire situation.'' Deep in thought, Jiang Chen''s eyes shimmered with understanding. Time continued its relentless march. Noticing Jiang Chen deep in contemtion, Ji Mingxiu and the rest transitioned their talk. They began casually discussing the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets with representatives from both the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple. Following these conversations, Ji Mingxiu, acting on Jiang Chen''s behalf, secured the remains of demonic beasts. These creatures had been vanquished by the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple during the two demonic beast tides. As for spiritual nts, there were a few avable, but they were not plentiful. The high-level assembly at the Holy Land soon came to an end. The venue for the three major powers'' gathering remained the same: Verdant Leaf Giant Peak. Once Ji Mingxiu and the four Supreme Elders left, the Elders of the Dao Comprehension realm gradually dispersed, each attending to their individual tasks. With the unpredictable timing of the next demonic beast tide,bined with potential threats from the Nether Demon n, there was an urgent need to bolster the Holy Land''s defenses. Only after everyone had dispersed did Jiang Chen make his exit from the Holy Land Grand Hall. Rather than heading to his own dwelling, he redirected his steps to Ji Mingxiu''s residence, hoping to have another conversation. "Jiang Chen, you''vee." Ji Mingxiu had sensed earlier that Jiang Chen wanted to discuss something. Thus, he had been anticipating this visit. "Master, the formation from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce is dubious!" Without hesitation, Jiang Chen said, "It''s clear that the Nether Demon n provided that formation. They''ve been coborating with the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce for a while now!" Ji Mingxiu''s eyes widened in shock. "Come again?" He responded, voice thick with surprise. "I thought that formation was a human creation. How could the Nether Demon n have bestowed it?" "That formation did originate from the human race..." Jiang Chen began, deliberately piecing together each mystery. "It''s bing clear: the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce has indeed been in league with the Nether Demon n!" Ji Mingxiu''s expression shifted quickly from understanding to rage. "How can they, as humans, ally with the Nether Demon n? They must be out of their minds!" "In their pursuit of higher realms, it''s not astounding that the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce would resort to such measures," Jiang Chen remarked. "The two great powerhouses at the Void Tribtion realm have mentioned that among human cultivators, many have chosen this path. They''re often referred to as ''demonic cultivators''." With a calm demeanor, Jiang Chen continued, "I now suspect that many of the elite cultivators within the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce have transformed into demonic cultivators." "Demonic cultivators..." Ji Mingxiu heaved a sigh. Jiang Chen nodded grimly, "At present, the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce is in league with these demonic cultivators." "Their strategy is to iste the elitebat forces of both the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple during the gathering, then defeat them one after another." He cast a meaningful nce at Ji Mingxiu, "If we''re not vignt, our Purple Heaven Holy Land could be wiped out." "Then..." Ji Mingxiu furrowed his brows, "Should we consider not attending and instead fortify ourselves within the Holy Land?" A note from AlphaWIA: A note from AlphaWIA : If you''re enjoying my work, consider supporting me: Patreon (Membership) /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support & Membership) /alphawia] Chapter 209: Turning the Tables, Jiang Chens Counterattack "Then..." Ji Mingxiu furrowed his brows, "Should we consider not attending and instead fortify ourselves within the Holy Land?" "Absolutely not!" Jiang Chen responded with conviction. "Do you fear that the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Nether Demon n will join forces and attack the Purple Heaven Holy Land?" Ji Mingxiu''s eyes deepened with thought as he posed the question after a brief pause. "Precisely," Jiang Chen affirmed. "The Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce wants to divide our elitebat forces, attacking both divisions separately on two fronts." "But in doing so, they also split their own strength!" "If we skip this gathering, they might figure out that we''re aware of their covert alliance with the Nether Demon n. As a result, they''d abandon their current n and concentrate all their might against our Purple Heaven Holy Land." "Therefore, my suggestion is this: we must attend." A cold smile began to form on Jiang Chen''s lips. "It''s time to turn the tables!" "Turn the tables?" Ji Mingxiu''s eyes widened in surprise. "The strength of our Purple Heaven Holy Land is evident, but thebined might of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and the Nether Demon n surely surpasses us. How do you n to counteract them?" Jiang Chen exined, "We have the potential support of the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple." "But they might not fully trust us," Ji Mingxiu pointed out. Jiang Chen nodded. "That''s why our main priority must be to strengthen our own forces." "How can we significantly boost our power in such a short time?" Ji Mingxiu asked, his brows furrowing with concern. "The oue of this battlergely depends on the strength of the Dao Pce realm." "You''re right," Jiang Chen acknowledged. "It''s not just about the overall strength of the Dao Pce realm." "Rather, ites down to the might of the most powerful among us." Jiang Chen paused before posing his next question, "Where does Master''s power truly stand? And Dong Yuanzheng from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce?" "The gap between us is minimal; both of us are in the Late-stage Dao Pce realm," Ji Mingxiu admitted. "Late-stage Dao Pce realm," Jiang Chen echoed, processing the information. Without hesitation, he essed the System Mall, scanning the selection for pills specifically designed for the Dao Pce realm. His objective was clear: acquire pills that could enhance the fighting capabilities of Ji Mingxiu and the others. Given that his current Viin Value of over a hundred thousand points wouldn''t significantly boost his ownbat abilities, nor instantly advance him to the Dao Pce realm, amplifying the strength of Ji Mingxiu and the team seemed to be their best bet in the given situation. If they emerged victorious from this war, wouldn''t the rewards far surpass what one could attain with a mere hundred thousand points of Viin Value? Jiang Chen''s eyes darted across the items in the System Mall, meticulously weighing his options. Spiritual nts tailored for the Dao Pce realm started at fifty thousand points of Viin Value. Pills of equivalent rank were slightly pricier, but not by a noteworthy amount. This made sense, given that not all Dao Pce realm pills were crafted from spiritual nts of the same realm. Typically, they were made using a primary spiritual nt from the Dao Pce realm, enhanced with spiritual nts from lower realms. Not all Dao Pce realm pills required Dao Pce realm spiritual nts in theirposition. Moreover, a single furnace wasn''t restricted to producing just one pill; it often yielded multiple pills. A top-grade pill tailored for the Dao Pce realm usually cost around eighty thousand points of Viin Value. The price decreased with the pill''s grade: the lower the grade, the more affordable it became. And the System Mall didnt exclusively stock top-grade pills. Jiang Chen''s thoughts raced. ''There''s little time left. It''s unrealistic for Ji Mingxiu and the others to significantly advance their cultivation bases now.'' ''Attaining a breakthrough in the Dao Pce realm isn''t an overnight task.'' ''Our best bet is to acquire pills that can temporarily boost their fighting strength!'' ''Considering Ji Mingxiu''s Fate Value, he seems destined to outlive this tale. The Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce might be powerful, but they aren''t unbeatable.'' ''If Ji Mingxiu and the team take these power-boosting pills, their strength will surge. Even if they can''t turn the battle in their favor, they''ll definitely approach it with greater confidence!'' ''And Yao Zong, along with the other two, should be well-prepared to defend.'' With these considerations, Jiang Chen quickly zeroed in on a pill from the System Mall the ''Jade Thunder Vigor Infusion Pill''. He chose the middle-grade quality version. This choice was both economical and efficient, with a set of three pills priced at 96,000 points of Viin Value - an amount well within his budget. Though aware of possible side effects, they were notably less severe and not nearly as life-threatening as those associated with the lower-grade variant of the Jade Thunder Vigor Infusion Pill. Jiang Chen mused, would Yao Zong and the others genuinely fret about side effects when their lives hung in the bnce in this plot? ''System! Procure three middle-grade Jade Thunder Vigor Infusion Pills!'' Jiang Chen mentally instructed. [Ding! You have expended 96,000 Viin Value points and sessfully redeemed middle-grade Jade Thunder Vigor Infusion Pill*3!] The System confirmed his purchase. "Master," Jiang Chen began, extracting the three Jade Thunder Vigor Infusion Pills, "These pills were given to me by the two seniors. Given the impending challenges, it would be best if you held onto them." He offered the pills to Ji Mingxiu. "We have only three. Take one and share the other two among the four Supreme Elders." Ji Mingxiu''s eyes widened in awe. "Are these... Dao Pce realm pills? Such immense power!" He stared intently at the pills, a tremor running through him, before realization dawned. "These can grant a temporary boost inbat prowess!" In the current times on the Immortal Martial Continent, the number of alchemists with the expertise to create Dao Pce realm pills was extremely limitedso few that one could count them on a single hand. Yet, even these few could only produce basic pills meant for cultivation and recovery, with a mere three or four types in their repertoire. No other varieties were known to exist! Thus, a Dao Pce realm pill, one that could provide a temporary surge in power, was truly unmatched on the Immortal Martial Continent! "That''s correct!" Jiang Chen confirmed. He then cautioned, "Master, please be extremely careful. If you find you can''t gain an upper hand and dominate the situation, then retreat!" He added with emphasis, "Life is paramount; it''s more important than any battle!" "Understood!" Ji Mingxiu responded, eyes gleaming with resolve. He nodded, taking the pills from Jiang Chen, "With these three pills in our possession, we stand a better chance against any lethal threats!" Holding the three pills, Ji Mingxiu was flooded with emotion. It reaffirmed that trusting Jiang Chen had been the right choice. Jiang Chen had effortlessly handed over three Dao Pce realm pills, not hesitating even for a moment. His unwaveringmitment to friendship and honor was truly admirable. "I must be on my way," Jiang Chen said, a smile touching his lips as he made a courteous farewell gesture. Ji Mingxiu didn''t attempt to keep Jiang Chen back. Given the urgency of their situation, there was no time for casual chat. As soon as Jiang Chen left, Ji Mingxiu promptly gathered Mo Yu and the other Supreme Elders. He briefed them about his conversation with Jiang Chen and distributed the pills. Mo Yu and the rest were swept up in a mix of astonishment and tion. Their admiration for Jiang Chen deepened even further. After everyone received their portion, they discussed finer details and made extensive preparations. For instance, Ji Mingxiu, Si Zhangjian, and two others each drew a strand of power from the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword. This extraction didn''t weaken the sword. Instead, it allowed them to deploy an incredibly potent sword technique. This strategy provided them with an extra advantage up their sleeve! ... Leaving Ji Mingxiu''s residence, Jiang Chen headed straight for Ji Ruxue''s grand mansion. When he arrived, he saw Ji Ruxue deep in thought, walking alone in the courtyard, seemingly lost in her own reverie. Moving carefully, Jiang Chen was mindful to keep his intentions hidden from the ever-watchful Void Tribtion Soul. "Ruxue, where''s Xiaojing?" He broke the peaceful quiet, his eyes scanning the calm surroundings. Ji Ruxue halted and turned to face Jiang Chen. A flicker of happiness danced in her eyes upon seeing him. "She''s at the Method Transmission Hall. She''ll be back soon," she replied. She was just warming up to the conversation when an idea sparked in her mind. With Jiang Chen mentioning Xie Xiaojing, it seemed like a good time to discuss her best friend''s feelings for him. But reading her intentions, Jiang Chen cheekily interrupted. "Ruxue, rx. I''m well aware of Xiaojing''s feelings for me." He assured her with a calm smile. Shifting to a more yful tone, he added, "You''re quite keen on pairing me with someone else, aren''t you?" Ji Ruxue''s cheeks took on a subtle hue of pink at Jiang Chen''s jest, realizing her attempts hadn''t been as covert as she''d imagined. "I just want Xiaojing to experience the same joy I''ve found," she said, her voice a blend of genuine concern and mild anxiety. Seeing her response, a teasing smile appeared on Jiang Chen''s face. Suddenly, an idea crossed his mind. Without hesitation, he smoothly reached into his Eternal Vows Binding Ring. He produced a nuptial ring, intricately inscribed with Ji Ruxue''s name. Holding her hand tenderly, he carefully ced the ring on her finger, his eyes shining with deep affection. "Ruxue, I''ve meant to give you this for some time now. This ring is not just any ordinary adornmentit''s a testament to our bond." His voice was gentle, each word steeped in earnest emotion. "No matter the challenges ahead, remember we''ll face them together, always." Ji Ruxue stared at the ring in quiet astonishment, emotions of happiness flooding her. Simultaneously, with a level of subtlety only he could muster, Jiang Chen sent a ndestinemand to the Eternal Vows Binding Ring through their spiritual link, ensuring Xie Xiaojing''s ring remained hidden from Ji Ruxue''s perception, at least for the time being. As Jiang Chen and Ji Ruxue shared a quiet moment, the timely entrance of Xie Xiaojing interrupted the peace of the courtyard. "Jiang Chen, you''re here!" Joy radiated from Xie Xiaojing''s face upon seeing him. Aware of his recent confrontation, her relief was evident when she found him unharmed. Ji Ruxue, observing their exchange, smiled warmly. Without waiting for a reaction from either, she gracefully stepped back, granting them their moment. Her tactful exit was reminiscent of a seasoned harem queen, ensuring harmony among her fellow consorts. Jiang Chen chuckled, appreciating the aptness of theparison. It perfectly captured Ji Ruxue''s talent for preserving peace in the ''Harem''. Adjusting to the unexpected turn of events, he beckoned Xie Xiaojing to the pavilion. They spoke amiably until he sensed the right moment to summon Ji Ruxue. With both by his side, Jiang Chen allowed the Eternal Vows Binding Ring to reveal its hidden power. Then, with a serious expression, he introduced the matter that had brought him here. "We''re on the brink of an unprecedented conflict, far surpassing any challenge we''ve faced before," Jiang Chen began. He delved into the intelligence he''d gathered, the impending threat, and the ns to counteract it. He outlined every aspect with precision, ensuring rity and understanding. Once Jiang Chen finished speaking, he fixed a deep, unwavering gaze upon Xie Xiaojing and Ji Ruxue. "For your safety, stay within the Holy Land''s borders. Don''t leave unless I give explicit approval. Do you understand the importance of this?" His voice held firmness, almost verging on sternness, leaving no room for disagreement. However, his eyes betrayed his profound concern and anxiety, emphasizing the seriousness of his request. Grasping the gravity of Jiang Chen''s directive, and fortified by the newfound insights from their rings, Xie Xiaojing and Ji Ruxue nodded in immediate agreement. Feeling a heightened sense of duty, theymitted to rigorous training. They recognized they might not fight side by side with Jiang Chen in the approaching conflict. Yet, their aim was clear: to aid and support him in any possible way. With their assured agreement, Jiang Chen released a pent-up sigh of relief. Noting the women''s growing interest in their nuptial rings, he decided to give them space for their discoveries. Now, he would focus on his own cultivation practice. A note from /DaoistAlphaWIA] Patreon /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support) /alphawia] Chapter 210: Ingesting Spiritual Plants, Enhancing Cultivation Base In a tranquil chamber, suffused with rich Spiritual Qi, Jiang Chen settled onto a woven mat and drew forth a storage ring. This very ring safeguarded the spiritual nts that Ji Mingxiu and his team had so diligently amassed. A sweep of his divine sense unveiled two Dao Pce realm spiritual nts,plemented by an impressive sixty from the Dao Comprehension realm within! While there was one Dao Pce realm spiritual nt fewer than before, Jiang Chen couldn''t contain his tion. At that moment, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning also beheld the spiritual nts inside the ring. Due to their unique bond as part of his Heaven-Defying Fate Changer, they could view through his eyes when he permitted. Witnessing him retrieve these spiritual nts, both women were taken aback. Was Jiang Chen preparing to concoct pills? Yet, in the very next moment, both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s astonishment deepened. Without a hint of hesitation, Jiang Chen popped a raw spiritual nt directly into his mouth! "Jiang Chen, since when do cultivators consume raw spiritual nts? Isn''t the norm to refine them into pills?" Shangguan Ning''s voice was heavy with incredulity. Though Nangong Wan said nothing, her expression of shock echoed Shangguan Ning''s sentiments. "I should have told you earlier. Consuming spiritual nts raw boosts my cultivation," Jiang Chen began, patiently borating on the ''Burning World Red Lotus'' to Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Considering their crucial roles in his Heaven-Defying Fate Changer, he trusted them implicitly. Sharing such insights with them would yield advantages rather than drawbacks. Quickly, it dawned on Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning that Jiang Chen had remnants of a Void Tribtion realm Great Demon. From his detailed ount, it was evident this wasn''t just any Great Demon! Discovering this secret weapon in Jiang Chen''s arsenal, both women were filled with renewed hope and tion. The more powerful Jiang Chen became, the closer they were to regaining their previous might. Without hesitation, Jiang Chen ingested spiritual nts one after another. Their potent medicinal essence surged, flowing directly to his dantian and fueling the Burning World Red Lotus. In mere moments, another petal of the Burning World Red Lotus came to life, visibly regaining its vitality. Once rejuvenated, the lotus bestowed upon Jiang Chen a tremendous surge of cultivation power, amplifying every facet of his being and reinforcing his Dao Core. Every bone, muscle, vital organ, dantian, and meridian felt this profound enhancement. His very soul was elevated. Once the Burning World Red Lotus fully assimted the spiritual nts'' power, Jiang Chen''s cultivation soared to the pinnacle of the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm, nearly touching the cusp of the Late-stage. ''The next breakthrough is imminent!'' Excitement gleamed in Jiang Chen''s eyes as he procured a breakthrough pill for the Inquiring Journey realm from his storage ring. While the Purple Heaven Holy Land mightck Dao Pce realm pills, they were well-stocked for the Dao Comprehension and Inquiring Journey realms. Until reaching the Dao Pce realm, Jiang Chen had no need to exchange for breakthrough-type pills from his System. With a decisive motion, Jiang Chen consumed the pill in one swallow. Its potent force surged inside him, reminiscent of an unleashed flood''s roaring might. In the moments that followed, his Dao Core transformed, shining as luminously as the sun, channeling the surge into an overflow of Dao Yuan Power. This power permeated Jiang Chen''s being, growing more potent. With its sun-like brilliance, the Dao Core''s glow intensified. Both the Dao Core and the Dao Yuan Power evolved in tandem, creating a self-sustaining cycle of enhancement. Cycling through these transformative phases, Jiang Chen seamlessly progressed to the Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm! Inside his dantian, the Dao Core glowed with the intense brilliance of a true sun. His meridians pulsed with the overwhelming surge of Dao Yuan Power, heralding unparalleled might. Both Jiang Chen''s soul and physical form experienced significant fortification, reaping the benefits of this profound enhancement. With the boost in his cultivation base, the martial techniques and secret arts Jiang Chen practiced revealed their deeper potential. The Burning World Red Lotus was revitalized, and the World Burning Raging mes'' power refined even further. Most notably, his Death Cmity True Dragon bloodline began to resonate with an even more profound force. Despite possessing this powerful lineage, Jiang Chen had yet to unveil this ace up his sleeve! Simultaneously, Shangguan Ning eximed, "Jiang Chen has achieved a breakthrough!" Nangong Wan, eyes wide in surprise, responded, "He''s advanced to the Late-stage Inquiring Journey Realm, so rapidly!" Shangguan Ningughed heartily, adding, "Haha, this brings me such joy!" Observing Jiang Chen''s breakthrough, both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were filled with pure tion. With a focused thought, Jiang Chenmanded, ''System! Disy my panel!'' Instantly, his attribute panel materialized before him. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Perfect Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body (Death Cmity True Dragon) Realm: Late-stage Inquiring Journey Great Dao: Sword Dao (Fragmented), Wood Dao (Fragmented), Wind Dao (Fragmented) True Combat Power: Middle-stage Dao Comprehension Cultivation Method: Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture (Dao Pce, main cultivation), Heaven Sundering Rainbow Sword Technique, Blood Sword Heaven Epassing Secrets, Evergreen Mystic Vein True Technique, Overwhelming Wind Riding Steps (Dao Comprehension, Perfect-Level), Moonstride Starshift Steps, Great Martial Eight Ghostly Steps (Inquiring Journey, Perfect-Level)... Partially Omitted Main Equipment: Peerless Sky Piercing Sword (Inquiring Journey, Top-Grade), Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf (Inquiring Journey, Top-Grade), Unbroken Thousand Strings Rainbow Boat (Heavenly Origin, Top-Grade)... Partially Omitted Viin Value: 15,000 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 34,534 points Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring, Wordless Heavenly Jade, Void Tribtion Soul System Mall: Level 2] Jiang Chen thought to himself, ''Middle-stage Dao Comprehension realm, is it?'' ''Perhaps, if I utilize the transformation technique of the Death Cmity True Dragon bloodline, and pair it with the ''Blood Sword Epassing the Heavens'' and the ''Burning World Raging mes'', I could potentially manifestbat powerparable to the Late-stage Dao Comprehension realm.'' ''However, this is merely my current strength. I still have a vast reserve of untapped qi and blood energy. Moreover, there are countless cultivation methods still open for practice!'' As these thoughts circted, Jiang Chen''s gaze inevitably drifted towards the Wordless Heavenly Jade. During the initial onught of the demonic beast tide, Jiang Chen had used only a small portion of his umted qi and blood energy. However, after oveing the second, more expansive wave, he had imed the remains of every defeated demonic beast. This wave had been far more substantial than the first. As he absorbed the qi and blood from these fallen creatures, the formidable energy within the Wordless Heavenly Jade surged. Now, it held enough potency for him to delve into four to five Dao Pce realm cultivation methods. A spark of eagerness flickered in Jiang Chen''s eyes. ''It''s time to delve into the ultimate cultivation methods of the Purple Heaven Holy Land!'' Three revered methods emerged in his consciousness: the ''Purple Feather Misty Steps'', the ''Dark Star Sky Splitting Sword Secrets'', and the ''Purple Heaven Heavenly Thunder True Canon''. Each of these cultivation methods was ranked amongst the most formidable in the Purple Heaven Holy Land, all being of the Dao Pce realm caliber. Yet, their elements were versatile enough to be studied and harnessed even at the Dao Comprehension realm. With his reservoir of qi and blood energy brimming, Jiang Chen resolved to master these three cultivation methods first. ''Let''smence with the Purple Feather Misty Steps!'' With a mere thought, Jiang Chen''s soul seamlessly melded with the Wordless Heavenly Jade. The intricate intricacies of the Purple Feather Misty Steps began to unveil themselves in his consciousness. Almost immediately, he had fully internalized the entire content of the Purple Feather Misty Steps. A surge of immense power, reminiscent of a dam breaching its limits, flooded through him. This allowed Jiang Chen to achieve mastery over the martial technique, reaching the perfect-level stage in an astonishingly short span! Silently, Jiang Chen felt a transformation. He likened himself to an insubstantial featherephemeral and intangible, akin to a fleeting wisp of mist. He could vanish in a heartbeat, only to reemerge elsewhere, his presence elusive and leaving no mark. His movements had be profoundly unpredictable. This cultivation method tapped into the profound essence of the Great Dao, specifically the Wind Dao. The vast array of deep teachings from the Wind Dao honed Jiang Chen''s understanding, drawing him closer to its ultimate mastery. A note from /DaoistAlphaWIA] Patreon /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support) /alphawia] Chapter 211: Escalating Battle Prowess, Late-Stage Dao Comprehension Realm Both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning sensed an alteration in Jiang Chen''s aura. Upon closer observation, they found themselves utterly taken aback. "Wait, what''s happening here?" Shangguan Ning inquired, eyes wide. "Is that... the aura of the Wind Dao?!" Nangong Wan eximed, disbelief evident in her voice. "Jiang Chen," Shangguan Ning probed with urgency, "have you really mastered the Wind Dao again?" Nangong Wan, her eyes sparkling with excitement, added, "To progress within a minor realm and simultaneously decipher the profound wisdom of the Great Dao? This prowess is beyond extraordinary!" Jiang Chenughed heartily, "It''s not just a sudden enlightenment. I have another trick up my sleeve." With a gleam in his eye, he revealed his heaven-defying secret weapon: the Wordless Heavenly Jade. Immediately, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were rendered speechless with disbelief! However, Jiang Chen was unperturbed by their amazement. Instead of using the ''Purple Feather Misty Steps'', he immediately delved into practicing the ''Dark Star Sky Splitting Sword Secrets'' and the ''Purple Heaven Heavenly Thunder True Canon''. The approach was the same. With the aid of the Wordless Heavenly Jade, he achieved mastery over both cultivation methods, reaching their perfect-level stages in no time. Remarkably, among the four Supreme Elders, not all might have attained the perfect-level stage in these three cultivation methods! After honing these cultivation methods, Jiang Chen''s Sword Dao edged ever closer to wlessness. Additionally, he unraveled the mysteries of the fourth fragmentary Great Dao - the Great Dao of Thunder. This Thunder Dao was incredibly powerful, presenting a formidable restraining force against demonic beasts. Jiang Chen could feel a powerful surge coursing through his body, almost making each of his movements feel uncontrobly potent. However, he was no longer alone in this. With the support of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, both souls of the Void Tribtion realm, he was confident he''d soon master this overwhelming power. After adjusting to the newfound strength within, Jiang Chen continued his dedication to practicing cultivation methods. But now, he turned his focus to a Dao Comprehension realm cultivation method. The reason was evident. In the Wordless Heavenly Jade, more than half of the energy of qi and blood had been depleted, rendering him unable to pursue Dao Pce realm cultivation methods. In choosing Dao Comprehension realm cultivation methods, Jiang Chen predominantly picked those centered on refining the body. The main aim of these techniques was to bolster the resilience of his body, enhance the vigor of his dantian and meridians, and improve both the reserve and quality of his Dao Yuan Power. Prominent among these techniques were the ''Nine Images Treading Sea Scripture'', the ''Sun Body Absolute Record'', the ''Heavenly Body Sun Moon Scripture'', among othersa total of seven powerful cultivation methods. After mastering these techniques, Jiang Chen''s grasp of the Great Dao of Wood deepened, drawing almost level with his understanding of the Great Daos of Sword, Wind, and Thunder. Additionally, he began unraveling the mysteries of the Water Great Dao. This Dao force, pivotal in its own right, had the power to nourish the body and bolster both the quality and reserves of Dao Yuan Power. Not limiting himself to just the seven body-refining techniques, Jiang Chen also perfected three potent secret arts, even though they were self-damaging in nature. Two of these, the ''Wild Spirit Explosion'' and the ''Vigorous Sift Diagram'', had been showcased by Fang Yuan. The third was the formidable ''Shattered Sky Secret Scripture''. By this point, the reservoir of energy in the Wordless Heavenly Jade had dwindled almost to emptiness. Yet, with his foresight, Jiang Chen preserved a fraction as a safeguard. At this juncture, given the extensive training in both Dao Pce realm and Dao Comprehension realm cultivation methods, there was no doubtJiang Chen''s battle prowess had again skyrocketed! ''System, disy my attribute panel!'' Once again, Jiang Chen summoned his personal panel. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Perfect Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body (Death Cmity True Dragon) Realm: Late-stage Inquiring Journey Great Dao: Sword Dao (Fragmented), Wind Dao (Fragmented), Thunder Dao (Fragmented), Wood Dao (Fragmented), Water Dao (Fragmented) True Combat Power: Late-stage Dao Comprehension+ ... System Mall: Level 2] Seeing the increase, Jiang Chen''s eyes sparkled with satisfaction. ''Mybat prowess has surged by one and a half minor realms!'' Boosting one''sbat abilities within the Dao Comprehension realm was notoriously challenging. Most who practiced cultivation at this level could only maintainbat power equivalent to their realm''s standing. The news of Jiang Chen surging beyond his realm''s limits inbat power would surely send shockwaves across the world. Yet, what would be even more shocking was the realization that this newfound strength represented only his regrbat prowess. Imagine if he were to deploy his arsenal of trump cards: the Dragon Transformation, the power-amplifying secret arts, the Burning World Raging mes, and the Blood Sword Epassing the Heavens. He might evene close to touching the threshold of the Dao Pce realm! Jiang Chen mused, ''Mo Yu, supported by the hidden reserves of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, can withstand the impending threat.'' ''Plus now, with the power-enhancing pill I''ve provided, hisbat power has advanced further, he''ll be more than capable of resisting a potential Nether Demon n''s attack.'' ''And given the substantial boost in my ownbat prowess, our safety seems virtually guaranteed.'' Contentment flickered in Jiang Chen''s eyes as a smile formed on his lips. One should be aware that events like the Nether Demon n invasion would have presented immense opportunities for Fang Yuan! And now, these very opportunities were within Jiang Chen''s grasp. What possible opportunities might the Nether Demon n''s invasion of the Purple Heaven Holy Land headquarters bring? Only time would tell, and Jiang Chen was burning with anticipation! Before he knew it, between making a breakthrough and practicing a host of cultivation methods, a night had passed. Ji Mingxiu and the others had already set off towards the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak. Thanks to Jiang Chen''s intervention and warning, they had been thorough in their preparations before leaving. Their objective was just as Jiang Chen had phrased it: ''turning the tables''. They aimed to root out the threats from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce. ''The meeting at Verdant Leaf Giant Peak will soon begin. The grand battle for the fate of the Purple Heaven Holy Land is nearing its start,'' Jiang Chen mused, rising and walking out of his meditation room. "Jiang Chen!" Ji Ruxue stood there, having waited for him. It appeared Xie Xiaojing had returned to her dwelling the previous night. "Ruxue, don''t worry. The Holy Land will stand strong," Jiang Chen said, offering her aforting smile. He stepped closer, his fingers brushing gently against her cheek. "If I''m not here, stick to our n. Stay safe inside the Holy Land with Xiaojing. Oversee the logistics. The frontlines are dangerous; it''s not where you should be." Ji Ruxue met his gaze, her expression solemn. "We''ll heed your advice. We''ll avoid any risks." Jiang Chen nodded, pleased with her response. "If either of you encounters any unforeseen dangers, let me know right away. Even if the Holy Land were to fall, the thought of losing you is unbearable." His eyes, filled with genuine concern, held hers. "I have to meet Senior Mo Yu now. Take care." He was about to leave when a soft voice held him back. "Jiang Chen..." Ji Ruxue''s emotions swelled like a tidal wave. Nervously, her fingers yed with the hem of her skirt. Then, without warning, she lunged forward, pressing a passionate kiss onto Jiang Chen''s lips. For a brief moment, Jiang Chen stood frozen, surprise evident in his eyes. But swiftly, he gathered her into aforting embrace, his initial shock giving way to tender eptance. As they pressed close, the air around them hummed with palpable warmth... With the looming battle casting its heavy shadow, this fleeting moment of shared tenderness offered sce before their impending separation. A brilliant beam of light erupted from the three-tiered structure, piercing straight towards the Holy Land Grand Hall. As Jiang Chen stepped onto the entrance tform of the hall, his eyes quickly scanned the vast square before him. It was eerily emptyno one in sight. With weighty tasks at hand, everyone was deeply engrossed in their respective duties, leaving no room for idle meandering. ''This battle... it''s all part of Fang Yuan''s ''plot''. But how will it y out with my ck Heavenly Fate Value in the mix? Could this event mark the rise of a new protagonist?'' Such thoughts whirled in Jiang Chen''s mind, sharpening his vignce. His ck Heavenly Fate Value had skyrocketed to an astonishing thirty-four thousand five hundred thirty-four points! A high ck Heavenly Fate Value meant enhanced chances of encountering top-tier opportunities. Yet, it also increased the odds of being trapped in the Heavenly Fate''s Son''s narrative, relegating him to the role of a Viin. ''Whatever awaits, I''ll face it head-on when the moment arises,'' Jiang Chen thought determinedly, drawing a deep breath and marching into the Holy Land Grand Hall. Deep inside the Holy Land Grand Hall, the Supreme Elder, Mo Yu, awaited. Jiang Chen''s footsteps echoed as he made his way through the expansive hall. Massive vermilion pirs stood tall, seeming to part as he moved with purpose and resolve. Soon, he reached his destination: a hidden chamber located beneath the hall''s rear section. The chamber was a marvel, with intricate formationsyered upon one another with precision. Though Jiang Chen hadn''t delved into the study of formations, the knowledge of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning equipped him to easily discern their levels and objectives. These formations served two primary functions: protection and the concentration of spiritual energy. Amidst these patterns sat Supreme Elder Mo Yu, his back to the stairway leading into this secret space, surrounded by myriad array symbols. Facing him was the very heart of the Purple Heaven Holy Land the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword! A note from /DaoistAlphaWIA] Patreon /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support) /alphawia] Chapter 212: Discovering a Damaged Immortal Tool Jiang Chen''s gaze was immediately captivated by the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword. The sword boasted a dark purple hilt and guard. Contrasting this, its de was an immacte white, both clear and transparent. This de emitted a softvender glow. With a delicacy reminiscent of a cicada''s wing, the sword''s edge disyed numerous tiny cracks, almost imperceptible to the unaided eye. From the sword emanated an overpowering aura, as if it were spinning threads of sword Qi, weaving them through the air. Through Jiang Chen''s eyes, Nangong Wan inspected the weapon. Her voice tinged with awe, she remarked, "A sword for the Transcendence realm!" "Such a magnificent artifact deserves the title of an Immortal Tool." After a brief pause, she added with a hint of concern, "However, this Transcendence realm sword must have suffered damage in some conflict, as it seems to only muster less than thirty percent of its initial power now." "I see, a damaged immortal tool," Jiang Chen replied, nodding subtly with a sh of interest in his eyes. He was urgently in search of a suitable weapon. His Peerless Heaven Piercing Sword, a top-grade weapon for the Inquiring Journey realm, was no longer sufficient for him. Despite its current state, the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword, being of the Transcendence realm, vastly surpassed any Dao Pce realm weapon. With his current capabilities, once his cultivation base improved, he''d be ready to control the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword at a moment''s notice! "Holy Son, have you joined us?" Mo Yu shifted his attention to Jiang Chen, his eyes filled with unease. "The uing conflict involves the Dao Pce realm. It would be safer for you to stay here." "I''m grateful for your concern, Senior Mo Yu," Jiang Chen replied with a slight smile. "But with my current skills, I believe there''s no need to be overly cautious." "Your current skills?" Mo Yu''s eyes widened in surprise at Jiang Chen''s statement. "Have you experienced another boost in yourbat strength?" "In fact, the two seniors from the Void Tribtion realm have temporarily granted me some of their power," Jiang Chen shared, revealing a faint grin as he subtly emanated the aura of the Peak-stage Dao Comprehension realm. "This... this power is nearly at the Dao Pce realm!" Recognizing the truth in Jiang Chen''s words as he sensed the aura radiating from him, Mo Yu''s expression quickly shifted to one of tion. With such strength, even if Jiang Chen couldn''t significantly contribute in a Dao Pce realm battle, he could at least ensure his own safety. Now, facing opponents from the Dao Pce realm, Mo Yu could engage with full vigor, relieved of some burdens on his mind. Jiang Chen responded with a nod, "Exactly." "Elder, the looming conflict is bound to draw powerful adversaries of the Dao Pce realm, and they won''t just be average practitioners from that realm!" He continued with earnestness, "Unless we face unforeseen challenges, even armed with the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword, this battle will be immensely challenging. I hope the preparations are in order." "I understand." Mo Yu nodded, showingplete trust in Jiang Chen''s assessment. Jiang Chen''s gaze sharpened with resolve. "I''m confident that, in the imminent battle, I can amplify mybat prowess to match the Dao Pce realm. When that moment arrives, I believe I''ll bepetent enough to fight alongside you and provide support." "Elder, I urge caution as we start. Our primary mission is safeguarding the Holy Land. If we can, let''s dy direct confrontations." Jiang Chen conveyed his strategy, and then, with a gesture of respect, bowed deeply. His lips formed a slow, confident smile as he straightened. What was a constant in war? Corpses!! This looming sh was sure to dwarf the intensity of the prior two demonic beast tides. Even if he couldn''t elevate his cultivation base, Jiang Chen knew he could leverage specific cultivation methods to boost hisbat capabilities to the Dao Pce realm. With Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning assisting him, he wasn''tcking in Dao Pce realm cultivation methods! "Raisebat strength to the Dao Pce realm?" Mo Yu looked intently at Jiang Chen, his emotions churning with surprise. This quickly gave way to an expression of sheer joy. "That''s right, it''s very likely!" Jiang Chen responded, his face radiating steadfast confidence. "Jiang Chen, I believe in you," Mo Yu dered, nodding seriously. "When the battle starts, I''ll adjust as needed!" "Well said. I''ll be on my way then." With a smile, Jiang Chen took his leave from the Holy Land Grand Hall. Determined to use the gains from one battle to prepare for the next, he had no intention of isting himself in the secret room of the Holy Land Grand Hall. He was set on actively joining the forting grand battle! ... Meanwhile, at the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak, an immense mountain located near the Bottomless Abyss, its stature overshadowed the Starry Abyss Heavenly Peak, which was only half its size. A chilling, powerful aura began to radiate from the summit of the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak. Dong Yuanzheng, along with his entourage from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, had announced their arrival. Suddenly, eight brilliant trails of light shot across the sky from the horizon. Four of these radiant paths touched down on the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak, revealing Ji Mingxiu, Yao Zong, and two other figures. Soon after, another four streaks of light approached from a different angle, transforming into Xu Xin and three other Dao Pce realm experts from the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple. Ji Mingxiu and Xu Xin exchanged nces, their faces remaining impassive before quickly averting their gaze. On their way to the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak, they had secretly held discussions. Ji Mingxiu had ryed Jiang Chen''s spections and some corroborating evidence, leading to profound shock in Xu Xin and the others. However, they still harbored doubts, even casting doubts on the trustworthiness of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. After all, the ''Nether Qi Extraction Secrets'' were unfamiliar to them. Moreover, the im that the Purple Heaven Holy Land had a method to exploit demonic beasts influenced by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi was also met with skepticism. Yet, Ji Mingxiu had aplished his goal. His intent was simply to keep Xu Xin on high alert, ensuring she would not be easily deceived. "Ji Mingxiu, Xu Xin, and esteemed daoists!" Dong Yuanzheng called out, his hands sped behind him. "Years have passed, yet you all still exude an ageless elegance." His face was awash with smiles as he observed Ji Mingxiu, Xu Xin, and the rest of the group. "Let''s skip the pleasantries," Xu Xin replied, her tone neutral, as she shifted her gaze to Ji Mingxiu. "We should focus on the task before us." "I have theplete version of the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets," Ji Mingxiu confirmed, presenting two jade slips. "Included are the highest-level cultivation insights. Have you brought the items for our exchange?" "Rest assured, we have brought what was promised," Xu Xin said, her face a mask of tranquility. "These are the demonic beasts that we of the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple vanquished during the previous two demonic beast tides. The agreed-upon spiritual nts are also included." With an elegant wave of her hand, tens of thousands of storage artifacts appeared, forming a small hill on the ground. The storage capacity of each artifact has its limits. Unique artifacts like Jiang Chen''s Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring are rare treasures, likely unparalleled on the Immortal Martial Continent. Therefore, to store the vast number of demonic beasts, many of which could span the size of a mountain range, arge collection of storage artifacts was necessary. "These belong to us." Dong Yuanzheng, too, produced tens of thousands of storage artifacts, cing them before Ji Mingxiu. Truth be told, he was hesitant about this trade. The leader of the Nether Demon n, Long Tianlu, already had the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets. Yet, if they abstained from this deal, their Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce might raise eyebrows. To ensure the subsequent n''s sess, gaining Ji Mingxiu''s trust was crucial. So, begrudgingly, Dong Yuanzheng handed over the demonic beast remains and spiritual nts. But the thought of possibly eliminating Ji Mingxiu and hispanionster, along with the chance to reim the spiritual nts, brought a sense of constion to Dong Yuanzheng. "Elder Yao, please inspect these," Ji Mingxiu directed Yao Zong and the others. Without hesitation, the three stepped forward to scrutinize the items. Soon, they simultaneously gave a nod of approval. Both Xu Xin and Dong Yuanzheng had delivered exactly as agreed. Satisfied, Ji Mingxiu smiled and handed the jade slips to Dong Yuanzheng and Xu Xin. "The Nether Qi Extraction Secrets are now yours." A note from /DaoistAlphaWIA] Patreon /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support) /alphawia] Chapter 213: A Twist in the Ambush Xu Xin examined the jade slip. "So, additional materials are required for its activation," she remarked. "It appears to be a secret art connected with the healing discipline," herpanion added. Together, they nodded in agreement, signifying there were no issues. "Then, our transaction is finalized," Ji Mingxiu stated, a grin spreading across his face as he took possession of all the storage artifacts. It''s important to note: one storage artifact cannot be kept inside another. The sheer number, totaling over twenty thousand storage artifacts, was impressive. Yet, for individuals like Ji Mingxiu, who stood as prominent powerhouses of the Dao Pce realm, umting these artifacts was hardly a challenge. ''Once Jiang Chen gets his hands on these, and with the guidance of the two Void Tribtion realm great experts, his progress will surely skyrocket. What fantastic news!'' Ji Mingxiu thought. His smile remained, growing brighter as he carefully gathered all the divine storage artifacts. In that fleeting moment, Xu Xin turned to Dong Yuanzheng, her face devoid of any discernible emotion. "So, what''s your strategy for investigating the Bottomless Abyss?" she inquired with a detached tone. Dong Yuanzheng, holding a storage ring, responded, "Naturally, we n to employ the formation that blocks the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, methodically probing our way down." "The formation is already set up; there''s no better time than now. Please proceed." He directed them towards a massive pit nearby that resembled a dark abyss, affirming his intent. Ji Mingxiu thought, ''They''re scheming to lead us into the Bottomless Abyss before making their move!'' ''Of course! It''s all crystal clear. They must be in league with the Nether Demon n. That abyss is their domain.'' ''Hmph! If not for Jiang Chen''s warning, we might have walked right into their trap.'' Externally, they remained stoic. But deep inside, Ji Mingxiu and hisrades shared an understanding, their faces subtly reflecting their consensus. "Where is the formation located?" Xu Xin inquired, scanning the surroundings. Dong Yuanzheng held up his storage ring. "Right here," he replied, indicating that the enormous formation disc was contained within. Xu Xin studied the formation, her gaze devoid of emotion. "Ah, it''s the same type of formation that I''ve seen before," she remarked. "I didn''t anticipate that the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce would possess such a unique ancestral treasure," she continued. "I''m curious as to why there were no historical ounts or gossip about this before. Also, why wasn''t it utilized earlier?" Dong Yuanzheng, maintaining his stoic expression, began, "Previously, there were no activitiesing from the Bottomless Abyss. We didn''t see the need to exhaust efforts exploring it, considering it''s a perilous territory that even our forebears couldn''tprehend despite their countless attempts." He paused momentarily, his gaze intensifying. "However, the circumstances have changed. With the anomalous demonic beast tides urring one after another, and the extensive diffusion of the Bottomless Abyss Spiritual Qior rather, the Nether Demon Spiritual Qiwe''repelled to attempt to unearth the source of the issue." "That seems reasonable," Ji Mingxiu acknowledged, nodding. "In that case, our friends from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce should take the lead in setting up the formation." Dong Yuanzheng, his expression grave, countered, "This formation isn''t trivial. We''ll need the assistance of Ji Mingxiu, Xu Xin, and all our daoist colleagues to sessfully deploy it." Hearing this, Ji Mingxiu and the others held back their derision. It was clear to them: Dong Yuanzheng''s n was not just to lead them into the Bottomless Abyss, but also to preupy and bind them with the formation setup, paving the way for his intended ambush. Without giving away their insights, Ji Mingxiu shared a brief, knowing look with Xu Xin. "Very well," he addressed Dong Yuanzheng, "Lead on. We guarantee our full cooperation." Saying this, he gracefully rose into the air, seemingly directing himself towards the Bottomless Abyss. Seeing this, Si Zhangjian and the rest swiftly followed suit. "Very well!" Dong Yuanzheng responded with a smile. He gestured to Ruan Tianzong and the rest, thenunched himself towards the Bottomless Abyss. But just as the four of them were barely off the ground... Boom!! A surge of potent sword light erupted suddenly from Ji Mingxiu, aimed straight for Dong Yuanzheng''s exposed back. In perfect sync, Si Zhangjian, Yao Zong, and Sha An made their moves, all converging on Dong Yuanzheng. Yao Zong mirrored Ji Mingxiu''s technique, wielding the Dark Star Sky Splitting Sword Secrets. Contrastingly, Si Zhangjian and Sha An unleashed the power of thunder, employing the Purple Heaven Heavenly Thunder True Canon. In a split second, the serene atmosphere of the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak was shattered. Sword lights zed like shooting stars, while thunderbolts danced menacingly like serpentine dragons through the air. With the furious onught of the four attacks, the peak of the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak vanished, as if consumed by an insatiable void. Caught off guard, Dong Yuanzheng gasped in astonishment, "What?!" His thoughts raced, ''How could they strike back at me? Did they uncover some clue?'' ''What could''ve given us away?'' His heart pounded with rising panic. "Ahhh! Damn it!" The onceposed figure was now a picture of raw terror, his eyes ame with both fear and rage. Dong Yuanzheng''s n had been to ensnare Ji Mingxiu and his team, but in a twist of fate, he was the one ensnared! If anyone asked what a real shock felt like, this was it. A stinging, brutal surprise! Unprepared for Ji Mingxiu and the onught from the other Dao Pce realm experts, Dong Yuanzheng struggled to counter their ferocity. But just when all seemed lost, dense streams of inky mist erupted from him, solidifying into a formidable, jet-ck barrier. The atmosphere thickened with a wild, almost maniacal bloodlust. An aura so fierce, so cold, it sent shivers down the spines of all who sensed it. Boom, boom, boom! Ji Mingxiu''s team rained down their blows on Dong Yuanzheng, enveloping him in a storm of power! Like an unending celestial cascade, thunderbolts plummeted without mercy. Sword lights flitted across the scene, slicing the very fabric of thendscape countless times in mere moments! This was no ordinary retaliation; it was Ji Mingxiu and hisrades unleashing their full might. Among the fury of strikes, Ji Mingxiu''s sword Qi radiated an aura reminiscent of the legendary Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword''s power. Dong Yuanzheng, having metamorphosed into a demonic cultivator with blessings from the Nether Demon n, possessed extraordinary abilities. Yet, even he struggled to summon a protective barrier against this onught. The intensity of the attack was so overpowering that blood spurted wildly, cries pierced the air, and within seconds, Dong Yuanzheng was left grievously wounded, teetering on the edge of life and death. The drama yed out with the breathtaking speed of a lightning sh! The Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce''s remaining members stood dumbfounded. It was only after witnessing Dong Yuanzheng''s grievous injuries that they snapped back to reality,unching their counteroffensive with fervor. Boom! Boom! Boom! A chilling demonic aura burst forth from the Deputy Pce Lords, including Wei Pengcheng of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce. Almost instantly, they unleashed a barrage of ruthless attacks on Ji Mingxiu and his allies. Within mere moments, a pervasive dark Qi enveloped the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak, casting an immense shadow that stretched for hundreds of thousands of kilometers! Simultaneously, Xu Xin and herrades from the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple stared in stunned disbelief, but soon, realization took root. They wholeheartedly epted the revtions shared by Ji Mingxiu''s team. It was the sheer release of demonic Qi from Dong Yuanzheng and hispanions that bore irrefutable testament to their allegiance to the Demon Race. "Dong Yuanzheng!" Xu Xin''s voice wasced with anger. "Who would''ve thought? The Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, which paraded itself as the beacon of righteousness, now in league with the Demon Race! You''ve sealed your fate!" "Exterminate these foul traitors!" Such intense wrath was umon on the faces of the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple''s great powerhouses. But now, without a moment''s hesitation, they sprang into action. Had it not been for Ji Mingxiu''s timely alert, they might have been unsuspectingmbs walking into a ughter within the depths of the Bottomless Abyss, vulnerable with no defenses up. This betrayal had carved a chasm of animosity that could never be bridged. "Ha! You think revealing my scheme grants you the advantage? Foolish!" Dong Yuanzhengughed, blood staining his lips, a maniacal glint in his eyes. "With Lord Long Tianlu by our side, your end is imminent. Pledge your allegiance to him, and perhaps you can stave off the inevitable!" "Surrender now, and when the Immortal Martial Continent morphs into the Demonic Martial Continent, there may yet be a ce for you amidst the new order." "Fail to do so, and every being of your Holy Land and Heavenly Temple will be obliterated their very souls wiped from existence!" His taunts were punctuated by a chilling smile, his face contorted in wicked glee despite the blood he coughed up. Momentster, a thunderous boom resonated! The very fabric of earth and sky spanning hundreds of thousands of kilometers around Dong Yuanzheng trembled. From the depths of the Bottomless Abyss, a colossal pir of ck and red light surged upwards, piercing the heavens! A note from /DaoistAlphaWIA] Patreon /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi (One time support) /alphawia] Chapter 214: Initiation of the Great Battle, Demonic Beast Deluge This formidable column of light, formed of Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, possessed a diameter surpassing that of the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak. For a fleeting moment, it appeared as though a dark cosmic pir had prated both the heavens and the earth of the Immortal Martial Continent! "What! Such a thick concentration of Nether Demon Spiritual Qi!!" Ji Mingxiu''s countenance altered drastically. He swiftly ingested the pill offered by Jiang Chen, and bellowed, "We must engage inbat posthaste!" "Strike!" Yao Zong and the rest also consumed their half-pills in sequence. Their battle prowess surged immediately, and they rushed toward Dong Yuanzheng with reckless abandon. Xu Xin along with the remaining cultivators from Jade Lake Heavenly Temple''s Dao Pce were seething with fury, all of them assailing Dong Yuanzheng and his allies with unbridled force. ... Simultaneously, within the confines of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, the expansivendscape of the Holy Land was shrouded beneath an immense luminary barrier. This defensive grand formation was born out of merging the primary outer-sect formation and the inner-sect formation of the Purple Heaven Holy Land into a unified entity! Across the expanse of the Holy Land, hundreds of thousands of disciples stood ready for battle. Each individual had their unique responsibilities - those tasked with maintaining the formations, those delegated tounch attacks, and those entrusted with healing the wounded... Cultivators of various realms were prepped to engage adversaries of their respective realms. Junior disciples would certainly refrain from squandering their energy in tackling high-level demonic beasts. Advanced cultivators wouldn''t revel in the exhration of eliminating low-level demonic beasts but would instead strive to battle demonic beasts of aparable level as much as possible. At this juncture, disciples were either positioned at the densely congregated array of nodes or stationed within the protective grand formation. Through the dense formation barrier, they observed the eerily quiet world beyond. "Gulp." A disciple couldn''t resist swallowing, evidently quite anxious. Yet, this disciple represented merely a fraction. The entirety of the Purple Heaven Holy Land now resembled a tightly wound bowstring, strained yet brimming with potent energy! Abruptly, the sky grew dim, and the pristine clouds morphed into ominous ck tempests, whirling relentlessly. Daylight and darkness swapped ces in an instant, everything within the heavens and the earth was immersed in shadow! "The Great Dao of Darkness!!" Mo Yu arose, his divine sense allowing him to perceive everything in the external world distinctly. "Such a mysterious power of the Great Dao! This must be a foe from the Dao Pce realm!" "The demonic beasts, they''re approaching!" Jiang Chen, too, had observed the external situation, his eyes glittering with a chilly intensity. "Roar!!" The very next moment, from an indeterminable direction, a startling roar of a demonic beast reverberated across the heavens and earth. Immediately thereafter, pirs of light pierced through the earth, rocketing directly into the sky. The majority of these beams were a sinister blend of crimson and ck, appearing incredibly menacing at first sight. Apanied by the eruption of these Nether Demon Spiritual Qi columns, formidable demonic beasts erupted from the ground, hurtling towards the Purple Heaven Holy Land like a rampaging tidal wave! "All disciples,unch your assault!!" An Elder from the Deacon Hall of the Holy Land sounded the rallying cry! Whirl, whirl! One disciple after another unleashed their onught. Thunder, mes, potent winds, heavy water... varied attacks wove a dazzling yet perilous magical canopy, instantly shing with the onrushing demonic beasts. Crash!! It resembled the collision of two kilometers-high waves in an immense ocean. Clusters of radiant spells detonated in a brilliant explosion. One by one, the demonic beasts were either pulverized instantly or flung high into the sky, viciously ripped apart! The heavens and the earth were engulfed in a shower of gore and blood in that fleeting moment! Yet, the demonic beasts, dispersed as far as the eye could see, had entirely lost their rationale, devoid of any fear of life or death! They pressed onward, willingly sacrificing their lives to drain the energy of the disciples from the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Furthermore, not all demonic beasts were vanquished in this wave of attack. Those that perished were merely the demonic beasts below the Heavenly Origin realm, numerous yet inconsequential. Nheless, any demonic beast that had attained the Heavenly Origin realm managed to withstand the inaugural spell wave, creeping closer to the Holy Land''s defensive formation. But the Holy Land had been prepared from the outset. Having endured two demonic beast tides, they had already honed their skills in defensive warfare. The second wave of spell assault was promptly discharged. This time, the attackersprised entirely of cultivators beyond the Heavenly Origin realm! One by one, formidable cultivators exceeding the Heavenly Origin realm initiated their assaults, crafting an even more potent spell sky-cover, cascading down onto the demonic beasts. Boom! Countless demonic beasts bellowed, morphing into myriad fragments of flesh and blood. However, some demonic beasts managed to prate the tsunami-like spell sky-cover, colliding harshly against the sect''s Grand Protective Formation! Crash! Wave-like oscitions detonated from the formation barrier, causing the proximate earth to quake! Some junior disciples situated at the core of the formation involuntarily spewed blood, teetering precariously on the edge of copse. "Swap the formation maintainers!" An Elder in charge, who was ferventlyunching attacks, bellowed. Immediately, a considerable number of substitute disciples supnted the pallid-faced injured disciples, ensuring the formation continued to sustain its apex condition. "Roar, roar, roar!" Just at that moment, amid the sessive horrifying beastly roars, a Dao Comprehension realm demonic beast,den with countless spells and covered in wounds, charged straight up to the formation. "Destroy!!" Elder Liu Xiong''s eyes were aze with lethal intent. An immensely powerful Great Dao of Fire erupted from the formation, morphing into a heaven-engulfing, sun-eclipsing fire dragon, surging towards the Dao Comprehension realm demonic beast. In an instant, the fire dragon ascended, and a rain of heavenly fire descended haphazardly! The Dao Comprehension realm demonic beast also unleashed its innate power, and it happened to also be the Great Dao of Fire! A frightening explosion of extreme temperatures ensued, instantaneously transmuting the adjacent battlefield into a sea of magma. Numerous demonic beasts were vaporized before they could even emit a cry. "Roar!" Liu Xiong''s fire dragon issued a feral roar, entwining with the Dao Comprehension realm demonic beast, luring it away to a distinct location. Wherever the two titanic beasts traversed, everything was reduced to cinders! From various other directions, Dao Comprehension realm demonic beasts ceaselessly emerged, madly hurtling towards the Purple Heaven Holy Land. The Dao Comprehension realm Elders of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, including the likes of Xie Zhen, also sprang into action in session, fiercely bombarding their selected targets! Simultaneously, Jiang Chen hovered in the sky above the Purple Heaven Holy Land, visible to all below. By this point, he had be another cornerstone of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. His mere presence there bolstered the spirits of everyone present. ''Still not making an appearance, huh!'' Jiang Chen surveyed the earth below, his divine sense feverishly probing every inch of the terrain. He was searching for the aura of the Dao Pce realm demonic beast, but he had yet to detect it. Without the emergence of the Dao Pce demonic beast, Jiang Chen could not abandon the safety of the grand formation to absorb qi and blood energy. Mo Yu had to restrain it before he could venture forth. Otherwise, Jiang Chen would likely find it challenging to withstand even a casual strike from the Dao Pce realm demonic beast. Simultaneously, in the profundities of the dark underground, a malevolent voice whispered, "Unexpectedly, this Purple Heaven Holy Land was prepared well in advance!" Another voice, dripping with suspicion, asked, "Could there be a Third Step cultivator force backing them?" "Impossible, this continent has been abandoned for so many years, how could there still be Third Step cultivator forces paying heed?" "The initial investigation also indicated that this continent has been isted from the outside world for hundreds of thousands of years." "So, they must have surmised some of the truth through some residual documents." The initial malevolent voice, punctuated by an unmistakable tone of ambition, "Humph, in any case, this continent will be my, Long Tianlu''s, personal yground! Hehehe!" The air grew cold as sinisterughter echoed through the vast underground caverns. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to. Patreon: /AlphaWIA] Patreon : /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi: /alphawia] Ko-fi : /alphawia] Chapter 215: The Siege of the Nether Soul Demon Clan, The Arrival of Long Tianlu A chillingughter echoed through the dim expanse of the subterranean cavern as a scarlet radiance gradually suffused the darkness, revealing the figure of a tall, imposing man. This man, distinguished by a crown of bloody hair and aplexion as pale as moonlight, possessed eyes that were demonically captivating. His identity was none other than Long Tianlu! The Nether Demon n was a diverse congregation, split into myriad branches. Some of its members bore the visage of grotesque monstrosities, while others bore uncanny resemnce to ordinary human beings. Long Tianlu was of thetter group. "Hehehe!" Long Tianlu''s savageughter reverberated throughout the space, the scarlet aura surrounding him intensifying until it bathed the entire cavern in its ominous light. In his wake, a multitude of demonic cultivators prostrated themselves in subservience. The majority of these demonic cultivators were females, interspersed with a handful of males. Each was marked by the tell-tale crimson hair. ... "The moment has arrived. Rise, my brethren!" Within the half-shut eyes of Long Tianlu, a dangerously icy glint abruptly shed. A horrifying surge of power, an aura that far outstripped those within the ordinary Dao Pce realm, erupted with unparalleled force. Boom! Instantaneously, the terrain of this subterranean expanse bulged upwards. The crust of the earth split and heaved, undting like a monstrous wave. A column of dark red light, mighty and awe-inspiring, pierced the heavens! Amanding voice bellowed, "Annihte them!" "Show no mercy to the resistors!" "im dominion over all beings in this continent!" One after another, the demonic cultivators swirled within the ominous crimson energy pir, their expressions fierce, charging unyieldingly toward the sacred grounds of the Purple Heaven Holy Land! Lastly, Long Tianlu emerged from the heart of the crimson energy column, casting frigid, scornful looks upon the expanse of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. In his gaze, this Purple Heaven Holy Land was no more significant than a brittle bubble! "So, they''ve finally emerged! The Nether Demon n!" Jiang Chen''s gaze was riveted upon the towering column of dark red energy, his attention swiftly drawn to Long Tianlu and his demonicpatriots. "It''s the Nether Soul Demon n!" Nangong Wan''s voice echoed in Jiang Chen''s Sea of Consciousness, "A demon n naturally adept in the art of soul attacks and seduction, yet their other offensive capabilities are not to be underestimated whenpared to other ns of the Demon Race." Shangguan Ning added, "Even within the ranks of the Demon Race, the Nether Soul Demon n is considered elite, with members reaching the realm of Inquiring Journey upon maturity. Those blessed with superior aptitude may even ascend to the Transcendence realm!" "The brain of a Nether Soul Demon n member forms a soul core, brimming with extraordinarily pure soul force. With the application of a unique technique, it can be harnessed to substantially augment one''s soul without any adverse effects!" "The Nether Soul Demon n''s soul attack methods are indeed formidable, but they harbor a critical vulnerability." "Located at the base of their neck is a ruby-like Nether Soul Crystal. Should it be destroyed or extracted, the Nether Soul Demon n member will plummet into a state of near-death." The voices of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning took turns, providing Jiang Chen with aprehensive understanding of the Nether Soul Demon n. Jiang Chen mused internally, ''The Nether Soul Demon n, huh?'' ''So, taking them down yields these ''Nether Soul Crystals''...'' ''This was meant to be Fang Yuan''s jackpot!'' ''Armed with these crystals, the recovery of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning could be elerated. Plus, Fang Yuan''s soul would also see remarkable amplification. The benefits are numerous.'' ''But now, these enticing opportunities lie right before me. How delightful!'' A subtle smile gradually unfurled on Jiang Chen''s lips as he scrutinized the Nether Soul Demon n through his Viin''s Eye. Only the final Nether Soul Demon n member to appear, wielding a power that exceeded themon Dao Pce realm, revealed his statistics. [Name: Long Tianlu Realm: Late-stage Dao Pce (Middle-stage Transcendence) Status: Passerby Fate Value: 3234] Jiang Chen pondered, ''This Long Tianlu is truly exceptional, his authentic realm is actually the Transcendence realm!'' ''It seems he incurred severe injuries while traversing the Bottomless Abyss, resulting in a downturn in his realm.'' ''Well, he was initially destined to be a supporting character overshadowed by Fang Yuan, but now that I have ended Fang Yuan, he''s be a mere passerby.'' Such musings coursed through Jiang Chen''s mind as he turned, lifting his gaze skyward. A figure exuding an aura of divine elegance and profound wisdom gradually ascended, his grey robe rustling as it danced with the wind. He was none other than one of the Supreme Elders, Mo Yu! "Supreme Elder Mo Yu, the aggressors hail from the Nether Demon n of the Demon Race. This n, also known as the Nether Soul Demon n, excels in soul assaults." Jiang Chen swiftly transmitted his thoughts to Mo Yu using his divine sense, "Furthermore, their most formidable member is a fallen Transcendence realm individual, exercise extreme caution!" Without dy, he shared the vulnerabilities of the Nether Soul Demon n with Mo Yu. "Understood!" Mo Yu responded with a grave nod. Immediately, he forwarded this information to a group of cultivators at the Dao Comprehension realm, and also alerted those at the Inquiring Journey realm. In the blink of an eye, every cultivator within the Holy Land was privy to the intelligence regarding the Nether Soul Demon n. Cultivators equipped with soul-protective measures instantly stepped up, forming sessive rings of defense, safeguarding the remaining cultivators as theyunched their offensive! And then, with a thunderous boom, amid the vast horde of corrupted demonic beasts, members of the Nether Soul Demon n, swift as wraiths, charged straight to the forefront of the formation. "Soul Thorn!" Each member of the Nether Soul Demon n swiftlyunched a soul assault, aiming directly at the cultivators strategically positioned at the heart of the formation! Once these central cultivators were vanquished, the defensive prowess of the formation would dramatically dwindle, inevitably opening a breach for the relentless onught of the demonic beast tide. However, under Jiang Chen''s advisement, the disciples of the Holy Land had already instituted protective measures against such soul attacks. The members of the Nether Soul Demon n were undeniably formidable, with their weakest ranking at the Heavenly Origin realm. Nevertheless, the formation of the Purple Heaven Holy Land inherently possessed certain divine sense protection capabilities, capable of diminishing the impact of soul attacks. Among the Holy Land cultivators, tens of thousands were proficient in methods of soul protection. Therefore, despite the generally inferior cultivation base of the Holy Land cultivators, they managed to endure the Nether Soul Demon n''s initial wave of soul assaults when they rallied their full strength. Naturally, the disciples of the Holy Land had to pay a steep price. Some disciples with lower cultivation bases sustained critical injuries, mental impairments, and some were even struck dead on the spot. Suddenly, a thunderous detonation rent the air. Long Tianlu could be seen soaring upwards, his figure shrouded by thick, dark clouds. They swirled and morphed around him, manifesting a colossal, peak-like silhouette in ck. "Perish!!" From his elevated position, Long Tianlu bellowed as he gathered his soul power and unleashed a savage Soul Thorn attack! The breadth of this assault epassed a significant area of the Holy Land''s formation! Should he seed, a vast number of disciples would undoubtedly perish instantly. "Divine Azure Soul Fire!" Just in the nick of time, Mo Yu initiated his counterattack. His powerful soul force metamorphosed into a dazzling azure light, shimmering resplendently. However, in the very next moment, Mo Yu''s expression altered, hinting at a trace of pain in his eyes. Long Tianlu was undeniably formidable, specializing in soul assaults. In this domain, Mo Yu was not his equal! Yet, despite the pain, Mo Yu was resilient! He wouldn''t challenge the enemy''s strength with his own weakness. "Dark Star Sky Cleaving Sword!" The Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword was drawn, its icy gleam glinting. Mo Yu vanished from his original position instantaneously, weaving through the grand formation to engage Long Tianlu! "What! An immortal sword!" Long Tianlu''s expression shifted, his eyes awash with astonishment, he promptly acted to deflect Mo Yu''s attack. In the following moment, the two became entangled in a fiercebat! ''It''s my time to act!'' A smirk tugged at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth. With a single mentalmand, he pushed the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring to its utmost capacity. Suddenly, his figurepletely vanished, leaving no trace to the naked eye. In the next heartbeat, outside the grand formation, a sword light mysteriously materialized at the nape of a Dao Comprehension realm Nether Soul Demon n member. sh! Blood spurted, and a red crystal embedded with flesh was propelled high into the air. This Nether Soul Demon n member trembled violently, his eyes wide open in horror, brimming with despair. But he didn''t even have the opportunity to utter a scream before his head tumbled to the ground! A Dao Comprehension Realm Nether Soul Demon n member had silently met his end at Jiang Chen''s hands. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 298. Patreon: /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi: /alphawia] Chapter 216: Jiang Chens Murderous Spree, Reaping Nether Soul Crystals ''Next!'' Grasping the Peerless Heaven Piercing Sword, Jiang Chen metamorphosed into an unseen specter, navigating unimpeded amidst an endless swarm of demonic beasts! Even as he was engaged in the bloodbath against the Nether Soul Demon n, Jiang Chen was meticulous not to overlook the opportunity to employ the Wordless Heavenly Jade, absorbing the qi and blood energy effusing from the in beasts. The fierce battle had been raging for a considerable amount of time before his intervention. The cadavers of the fallen demonic beasts had umted, forming a ''ring-shaped mountain range'' that encircled the Holy Land. The wealth of qi and blood energy sequestered within this range was simply unfathomable! In the fleeting moments, Jiang Chen had garnered sufficient energy to initiate the practice of a Dao Pce realm cultivation method. Not missing a beat, he promptly invoked the Wordless Heavenly Jade and elected the Dao Pce realm martial technique, ''Myriad Changes Evesting Sword''! Nangong Wan had graciously shared this martial technique, which indubitably ranked amongst the top Sword Dao cultivation methods avable in the Dao Pce realm! Once mastered to the perfect-level, it would undoubtedly unlock a subset of the profound Sword Dao! ''The mystery of the sword resides within the Dao Heart...'' Engraved in Jiang Chen''s consciousness, the principles of the Myriad Changes Evesting Sword were incessantly reverberating. In an ephemeral moment, the entire essence of this cultivation method was wholly etched in his memory. Subsequently, an immensely vast and deep energy erupted from the Wordless Heavenly Jade, flooding into Jiang Chen''s form, seamlessly merging with his soul and every fibre of his existence. In just a heartbeat, Jiang Chen had honed the Myriad Changes Evesting Sword to the perfect-level stage, achieving a milestone that other prodigies mightbor for centuries or even millennia to aplish! The Myriad Changes Evesting Sword was a potent cultivation method, encapsting diverse facets of the Sword Dao. To master it to the perfect-level indicated that at least one of these facets could be fully apprehended. Jiang Chen elected topletely apprehend the ''Swift Sword Dao''. At this juncture, having wholly absorbed the Swift Sword Dao, Jiang Chen''s agility and attack speed exponentially amplified. In an instant, his sword could cleave through the bodies of scores of adversaries! Decaying demonic beasts, formidable members of the Nether Soul Demon n, all those inferior to the Late-stage Dao Comprehension realm, fell to a single sword strike! Even those at the Late-stage Dao Comprehension realm from the Nether Soul Demon n could barely endure around ten moves before their lives were imed by Jiang Chen''s sword. In a mere moment, Jiang Chen had dispatched twenty demons of the Dao Comprehension realm and thousands of demonic beasts from various realms. Such a spectacle swiftly seized the attention of many onlookers! Even Long Tianlu, who was presently engaged in a fierce battle with Mo Yu, allowed his brows to knit slightly. As per the intelligence from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, there weren''t supposed to be any Half-step Dao Pce realm powerhouses in the Purple Heaven Holy Land! At present, the four Dao Pce realm powerhouses from the Purple Heaven Holy Land were stationed at the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak, leaving only Mo Yu in charge of defending the Holy Land. Where could another cultivator, whosebat prowess verged on the Dao Pce realm, have emerged from to create such mayhem!? ''No, we cannot let this vermin continue his rampage!'' Long Tianlu''s gaze hardened, a fleeting glint of icy light shed and vanished. However, Mo Yu had already discerned his intentions, immediately unleashing an even greater surge of power, keeping him anchored inbat! "What! You were holding back earlier!" Long Tianlu''s expression betrayed his shock, and a sense of unease started to creep into his heart for an inexplicable reason. However, he couldn''t quite put his finger on what was amiss. Given the current state of affairs, even if an unforeseen powerhouse had surfaced from the Purple Heaven Holy Land, it wouldn''t be sufficient to reverse the tide. A mere Half-step Dao Pce realm cultivator was something he, Long Tianlu, could easily suppress single-handedly. "Hmph! Today, you will not escape!" Mo Yu retorted with a sneer, incessantlyunching offensive strikes with the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword in his grasp. Tucked under his tongue, he hid half of the pill that he had procured from Jiang Chen, prepared to swallow it at a moment''s notice. "You conceited insect, ignorant of the vastness of heaven and earth!" Long Tianlu thundered with disdain. "Do you truly believe a mere shattered immortal sword is sufficient to challenge me?" "Had my power not plummeted significantly, I could have annihted you as effortlessly as ughtering a chicken!" "Even in my present state, I assure you, within a hundred moves, your demise is inevitable!" shing a cold smirkced with murderous intent, his tremendous power exploded in an instant, once again subjugating Mo Yu. However, every time Long Tianlu attempted to engage Jiang Chen, Mo Yu fiercely intervened, thwarting his advancement! Scores of breaths transpired in the span of a heartbeat. On the battleground beyond the Holy Land, Jiang Chen wielded the Peerless Heaven Piercing Sword, running rampant in a murderous spree. Relying solely on his formidable strength, he fragmented the elitebat forces of the demonic beasts, plunging them into chaos! Capitalizing on this disarray, the upper echelons of the Purple Heaven Holy Landunched a vigorous counteroffensive! Elders, like Liu Xiong, sprung into the fray, no longer needing to risk headlong charges. Their role was simply to engage the demonic beasts, creating openings for Jiang Chen to strike fatal blows! In a fleeting moment, Jiang Chen had once again exterminated countless demonic beasts of the Dao Comprehension and Inquiring Journey realms, amassing a colossal amount of qi and blood energy. All this qi and blood were metamorphosed by the Wordless Heavenly Jade into a mysterious form of energy and stockpiled. In addition, Jiang Chen also collected numerous Nether Soul Crystals from the fallen members of the Nether Soul Demon n. These Nether Soul Crystals would offer the first substantial enhancements for Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning since their revival! Dealing with these Nether Soul Crystals posed no difficulty. Following a single exnation from Nangong Wan, Jiang Chen gained aplete understanding, not even requiring the assistance of the Wordless Heavenly Jade. At this moment, Jiang Chen was still wreaking havoc on the battlefield. This increasingly caused Long Tianlu''s brows to furrow. He made multiple attempts to shift his focus and obliterate Jiang Chen, but Mo Yu resolutely intercepted him each time. At this point, Mo Yu had not yet consumed the half piece of the Jade Thunder Vigor Infusion Pill. He was relying solely on his personal repertoire of secret arts and trump cards. Despite managing to keep Long Tianlu engaged for even this brief period, he had already sustained some injuries. ''No, this won''t work! If I don''t eliminate that nuisance soon, all of the kin that I brought will be ughtered.'' Long Tianlu nurtured a deep-seated hatred for Jiang Chen in his heart, simultaneously regretting his decision to leave all his other Dao Pce realm subordinates back at the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak. Indeed, the Nether Soul Demon n still had four Dao Pce realm powerhouses tucked away within the Bottomless Abyss, poised to coborate with the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce to entirely obliterate Ji Mingxiu and hispanions. At this juncture, these four Dao Pce demonic beings had also sprung into action, and the entire Verdant Leaf Giant Peak had already been decimated! On the side of the Holy Land, Long Tianlu''s gaze turned frosty, his body suddenly erupted with the aura of the Transcendence realm! As this aura emerged, the very hue of heaven and earth shifted! Across the entirety of the Holy Land, all cultivators felt a frigid shiver course down their spines, their hair standing on end instantaneously, a wave of terror washing over them! "Not good!!" A drastic shift in Mo Yu''s expression was apparent, as he fearlessly channeled his Dao Yuan Power into the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword. Hum, hum, hum! Beams of sword Qi, reminiscent of wandering dragons, hurtled towards Long Tianlu almost instantly! "Damn it!" Long Tianlu''s movements stuttered, leaving him with no choice but to defend against the onught of the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword''s Qi. "Jiang Chen, we have nearly gathered enough Nether Soul Crystals!" Shangguan Ning''s voice suddenly resonated within Jiang Chen''s Sea of Consciousness, urgent and clear. "We must deal with Long Tianlu first. Otherwise, even if Mo Yu manages to hold on, he won''t endure much longer!" "Alright!" Without a moment''s dy, Jiang Chen pivoted and began to withdraw. Simultaneously, he didn''t neglect to signal Xie Zhen, Liu Xiong, and other Holy Land powerhouses engaged in the external conflict to retreat as well. ''Hmm? Has that whelp stopped his attack?'' Long Tianlu mused, watching as Jiang Chen began to pull away. Questions and theories darted through his mind. ''Perhaps he used a secret art or some artifact to boost his strength temporarily. Now that its effects have faded, he''s forced to fall back.'' Given the intelligence he possessed, this was the most logical assumption. On this front, Jiang Chen retreated into the protective formation and rapidly made his way into the underground secret chamber of the Holy Land Grand Hall. The protective array here offered maximal shielding against divine sense detection. For the sake of prudence, Jiang Chen opted for a few additional safeguards, choosing to absorb the Nether Soul Crystals and engage in his cultivation practice here. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to. Patreon: /AlphaWIA] Ko-fi: /alphawia] Chapter 217: A Leap in Combat Prowess, Jiang Chens Surprise Attack "Let''s begin!" Jiang Chen retrieved a Dao Comprehension realm Nether Soul Crystal. His hands sped and fingers entwined, he nestled the crystal within his palms. Immediately thereafter, the Dao Yuan Power within him followed a unique pathway, beginning to circte. With the aid of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, Jiang Chen''s soul force meticulously interfaced with the Nether Soul Crystal, progressively purifying it. Everything was advancing without a hitch. Shortly, the initial Nether Soul Crystal was wholly purified! Filled with immense anticipation and tion, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning watched as Jiang Chen positioned the purified Nether Soul Crystal between his eyebrows, ready to activate another secret art. In an instant, a massive influx of extraordinarily pure soul force poured into the Void Tribtion Soul. "Ah! Such immense soul energy!" Shangguan Ning eximed, her eyes widening in amazement. Nangong Wan nodded in agreement, "The restoration speed surpasses even direct absorption from the cultivation base''s power!" "My soul has immediately rebounded to the Inquiring Journey realm, and it''s persistently rejuvenating. This is extraordinary!" Both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, sensing their own souls intensifying, were on the verge of joyful tears. Time steadily ticked away. The confrontation outside was still ongoing. Assuming that Jiang Chen had retreated due to the cessation of his secret art''s effects, and wouldn''t possess the energy for another skirmish soon, Long Tianlu began handling Mo Yu with newfound confidence. He was reluctant to exacerbate his wounds by invoking the power of the Transcendence realm. Of course, even a famished camel is stillrger than a horse. Even so, Mo Yu''s wounds were bing increasingly serious, to the point where he had to consume his half of the Jade Thunder Vigor Infusion Pill! Without the pill, he would be risking his life to activate the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword for even greater power. After consuming half of the Jade Thunder Vigor Infusion Pill, Mo Yu''sbat power amplified, allowing him to persist in his entangled battle with Long Tianlu! Within the Holy Land Grand Hall, Jiang Chen diligently purified each Nether Soul Crystal, subsequently employing them to rejuvenate the residual souls of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. When all the Nether Soul Crystals had been expended, the residual souls of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning had already returned to the Dao Pce realm! At this juncture, both of them were constituents of Jiang Chen''s Heaven-Defying Fate Changer ''Void Tribtion Soul'', their souls directly reinforcing Jiang Chen. In the past, the souls of Nangong and Shangguan were only at the Heavenly Origin realm, and with the Void Tribtion Soul''s initial boosting effect, they allowed Jiang Chen''s soul to ascend to the Dao Comprehension realm. Now, having been rejuvenated to the Dao Pce realm, Jiang Chen''s soul had likewise achieved the Dao Pce realm! But the process wasn''tplete yet. The mysterious energy umted within the Wordless Heavenly Jade had not yet been tapped into. Jiang Chen intended to train in the cultivation methods that enhance the soul and provide soul-based assaults! Shortly, guided by the suggestions of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, he opted for the soul-based methods, ''One Thought Vanishing Moon'' and ''Silent Sacred Heart''! Both methods could amplify the soul and respectively possessed offensive and defensive capabilities for the soul. In addition, he also selected the body refinement techniques, ''Tyrant Body Channels Ultimate Intent Secrets'', ''Benevolent Monarch Heavenly Wheel Scripture'', and the self-inflicting power-enhancing secret art, ''Heavenly Blood Surge Secrets''! All these cultivation methods were of the Dao Pce realm! ''Wordless Heavenly Jade!'' A thought streaked across Jiang Chen''s mind, and within mere moments, he had mastered all five cultivation methods to the perfect-level stage. Each of these perfect-level Dao Pce realm methods notably amplified Jiang Chen''s soul and body! At this juncture, his soul level had already touched the peak of the Dao Pce realm! If not for the lower realm of his cultivation base, which curbed the effectiveness of the cultivation methods, Jiang Chen could have potentially advanced further, approaching the brink of the Half-step Transcendence realm! As for his physical body, its power surged substantially from within. Within his dantian and meridians, the storage capacity for Dao Yuan Power directly expanded tenfold. The flow rate of Yuan Power he could sustain while casting spells also shot up dramatically! This set the stage for Jiang Chen''s battle power to leap across realms. ''System, disy my panel!'' With a mere thought, Jiang Chen summoned his detailed information. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Perfect Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body (Death Cmity True Dragon) Realm: Late-stage Inquiring Journey Great Dao: Swift Sword Dao (Complete), Wind Dao (Fragmented), Thunder Dao (Fragmented), Wood Dao (Fragmented), Water Dao (Fragmented) True Combat Power: Middle-stage Dao Pce+ Cultivation Methods: Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture (Dao Pce, primary cultivation), Dark Star Sky Splitting Sword Secrets, Myriad Changes Evesting Sword, Purple Feather Misty Steps, Purple Heaven Heavenly Thunder True Canon, One Thought Vanishing Moon, Silent Sacred Heart, Tyrant Body Channels Ultimate Intent Secrets, Benevolent Monarch Heavenly Wheel Scripture, Heavenly Blood Surge Secrets (Dao Pce, perfect-level)... Partially omitted Main Equipment: Peerless Heaven Piercing Sword (Inquiring Journey, top-grade), Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf (Inquiring Journey, top-grade)... Partially omitted Viin Value: 15,000 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 34,534 points Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring, Wordless Heavenly Jade, Void Tribtion Soul System Mall: Level 2] ''Incredible! Mybat prowess has advanced across two major realmspared to my cultivation base!'' Jiang Chen thought to himself, eyes scanning his information panel in awe. ''This is the gargantuan effect brought forth by the three Heaven-Defying Fate Changers!'' His heart swelled with anticipation. However, he didn''t squander any time. He promptly activated the concealment function of the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring, and then bolted from the Holy Land Grand Hall! Outside the Holy Land, the conflict had already escted to a boiling point. Countless demonic beasts were scattered outside the protective formation of the Holy Land, and a significant number of Holy Land disciples were drained, with some even having fallen in battle. The protective formation of the Holy Land was also slightly unstable. Beyond the formation, Mo Yu, brandishing the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword, was ceaselessly entangled in battle with Long Tianlu. His body was drenched in fresh blood, and his skin was riddled with fissures, a repercussion of repeatedly utilizing a self-damaging secret art. Fortunately, he had the Jade Thunder Vigor Infusion Pill provided by Jiang Chen as external support. Even though it had side effects, it was considerably better than a secret art that drained one''s own life force. Despite Mo Yu being severely wounded and teetering on the brink of copse, he hadn''t yet reached the point of total exhaustion. "Weak human elder, struggle, despair!" Long Tianlu taunted, his eyes gleaming with malevolence. Noticing that Mo Yu was nearing copse, he erupted into fits of derangedughter. "Hahahaha! This is the spectacle I savor the most." His voice echoed with sadistic glee. In his view, with Mo Yu''s demise, the entire Purple Heaven Holy Land would be as docile as amb prepared for ughter, ripe for his rapid ravaging and defilement. The remaining disciples of the Purple Heaven Holy Land who dared to resist would be massacred, and the rest would be transmuted into demonic cultivators, serving under his rule! With the Purple Heaven Holy Land as his stronghold, he could not only expand outwards more effectively, but also secure and perfect the Bottomless Abyss, ushering over even more of the Nether Soul Demon n! In this way, unifying the Immortal Martial Continent would be merely a matter of days within his reach! Yet, as Long Tianlu indulged in his grand designs, Jiang Chen materialized silently beside him. ''Heavenly Blood Surge Secrets! Vigorous Sift Diagram! Shattered Sky Secret!'' With unwavering intent, Jiang Chen concentrated, letting his energy flow as his aura surged to the Late-stage Dao Pce realm. The lingering souls of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning fused with Jiang Chen''s, and utilizing the ''One Thought Vanishing Moon'', they instantaneouslyunched a soul attack that exceeded the power of a typical Dao Pce realm! The duo of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were once formidable powerhouses on the cusp of entering the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path. Even if only their residual souls persisted and their power was still at the Dao Pce realm, their solid foundation made the soul attack they executed simply unparalleled to cultivators of the same realm. Adding Jiang Chen''s soul, various power-amplifying secret arts, and the profound soul-based attack methods, the soul onught that the trio had coborated to deploy had faintly reached the Transcendence realm! The velocity of the soul attack was simply too swift, virtually impossible to ward off. Moreover, with Jiang Chen''s current cultivation base activating the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring for concealment, by the time Long Tianlu detected it, the attack had alreadynded on him! In a sh, the unguarded Long Tianlu was brutally struck at the back of his neck by Jiang Chen''s close-range soul attack! In addition to this, Jiang Chen''s body also unleashed a substantial amount of Sword Dao power, violently bombarding Long Tianlu''s body! A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : We''ve hit ! A huge shoutout to my amazing patrons for their unwavering support. Their contribution is a big reason we''vee this far. To everyone reading, know that each chapter is fueled by their generosity and your encouragement. Onward we go! Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Chapter 218: The Demise of Long Tianlu, The Annihilation Begins "What?!" Long Tianlu''s expression, initially marked with a sneer, underwent a rapid transformation filled with stark disbelief and terror. He had assumed in his heart that Jiang Chen, suffering from the aftereffects of the secret art, had lost his fighting capabilities and retreated into the Holy Land. But to his shock, not only had Jiang Chen retained hisbat prowess, he had unexpectedly unleashed such a tremendous surge of power! The potency of this unexpected assault was teetering on the precipice of the Transcendence realm! Most notably, the soul attack was on par with his own, despite his expertise in the Spirit Dao! At this juncture, Long Tianlu was wholly engrossed in restraining Mo Yu. However, he was ill-prepared for Jiang Chen''s premeditated surprise attack. With no time to formte an effective defense, he could do nothing more than brace for the impending assault, his eyes wide with shock. Boom! The ethereal, colorless soul assault,bined with the overpowering Sword Dao attack, squarely struck Long Tianlu. In that moment, Long Tianlu''s scalp tingled with dread as the terror of impending doom caused every cell in his body to shriek in panic! Immediately after, an unbearable surge of intense pain exploded within his brain. His form was simultaneously enveloped by countless sharp forces of the Sword Dao, swiftly shing him into a myriad of pieces! "Ptui!!" Long Tianlu spewed out a mouthful of fresh blood, his face contorted in agony, and the light in his eyes momentarily faded! "Now''s the time, Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Star Splitting sh!" Mo Yu''s eyes red open as he funneled all his Yuan Power into the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword without reserve. A sword light, akin to a venomous serpent, impaled Long Tianlu''s body! "Ah!!" Only then did Long Tianlu''s agonized scream resonate. He desperately attempted to deploy the techniques of the Transcendence realm, but as new wounds triggered older ones, his body convulsed violently, vomiting another geyser of fresh blood! Caught off guard, Long Tianlu was struck squarely by the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword. It tore straight through his defenses and embedded deeply into his vitals! sh! Multiple strands of sword Qi detonated again, causing Long Tianlu''s body to swell violently. His pores spewed forth vast sprays of blood arrows and a fog of blood mist. ''One Thought Vanishing Moon!'' Jiang Chen wasn''t going to allow Long Tianlu a moment''s respite. Seizing the opportunity while his adversary was vulnerable, heunched another potent soul attack, paired with a full force disy of Sword Dao. Countless threads of sword Qi, as swift as light, fired directly into the bloody aperture in Long Tianlu''s chest. "Ah! You dare, you wretch!" A rare hint of desperation echoed in Long Tianlu''s agonized cry. He desperately yearned to employ his power-amplifying secret art, but his injuries were too severe! His near-death ordeal in the Bottomless Abyss had already taken a heavy toll, reducing his realm to the Dao Pce realm, thereby underscoring the gravity of his condition. He was akin to a towering edifice whose foundational pirs had crumbled, rendering him dangerously unstable. Now, the relentless barrage from Jiang Chen and Mo Yu was simply too much for him to bear, resulting in a bloody copse! "Hahaha, what wouldn''t I dare!! Today, I will im the head of a Transcendence realm powerhouse!" A murderous glint shone in Jiang Chen''s eyes as he, along with Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning,unched relentless soul attacks that made Long Tianlu feel as if his head would burst. If it weren''t for Long Tianlu''s soul originally being at the Transcendence realm, he wouldn''t have survived even three moves. At this moment, he had truly reached his breaking point! "Hand me the sword!!" Jiang Chen assaulted Long Tianlu like a berserker, all the while signaling Mo Yu. "Take it!" Mo Yu instantly grasped the situation, promptly handing the immortal sword to Jiang Chen. Seizing this moment of distraction, Long Tianlu attempted to flee. But how could he foresee that he wasn''t just up against two adversaries, but four in reality!! "Falling Radiance! Soul Silence!" Both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, without any concern for the depletion of their soul power, simultaneouslyunched their own secret art soul attacks! In an instant, the twin soul assaults bombarded Long Tianlu''s soul. "No! How can this be!" Long Tianlu''s body stiffened, even twitching momentarily, his heart flooding with boundless disbelief and despair. ''Dark Star Sky Cleaving Sword!'' In the next instant, wielding the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword, Jiang Chen channeled an immense amount of Dao Yuan Power into it, propelling his Sword Dao to its utmost limit. He resembled a frigid streak of light, shing across Long Tianlu''s neck in a heartbeat! Rumble! The sheer potency of the Sword Dao, unleashed by the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword, detonated forth, with the force of numerous Great Daos such as the Thunder Dao burgeoning in its aftermath! The Burning World Raging mes surged even more dramatically, setting half the sky alight!! In an instant, Long Tianlu could no longer maintain his defense, and the Nether Soul Crystal at the nape of his neck was cleanly severed. "Ahhhh!" Long Tianlu''s face contorted into a horrifying grimace as he emitted a truly gut-wrenching scream. However, he had entirely lost the capacity to resist and could only watch helplessly as his power and life rapidly dwindled away. In a mere blink, the light in Long Tianlu''s eyespletely extinguished, his consciousness eternally engulfed by darkness. Thus, this formidable demon, originally at the Middle-stage Transcendence realm, met his demise at Jiang Chen''s hand! "He''s dead, he''s actually dead! Jiang Chen, you slew him, hahaha, outstanding!" Upon witnessing this sight, Mo Yu instantly erupted in exultantughter. ''Gather!'' With a casual wave of his hand, Jiang Chen retrieved the corpse and the Nether Soul Crystal, then promptly assisted Mo Yu in flying towards the Holy Land''s formation without dy. Though Mo Yu had managed to avoid irreparable foundational injuries thanks to his timely intervention, the wounds inflicted on his body were still grave and demanded immediate attention. "Lord Long Tianlu has been in!" In a voice tinged with shock, a demon cried out. Another, grappling toprehend the events, eximed, "How can this be? Lord Long Tianlu was a formidable powerhouse at the Third Step of the Demonic Path. How could he fall so easily?" The remaining members of the Nether Soul Demon n stared in disbelief, their eyes wide, almost bulging from their sockets. The dread and despair on their faces were palpable. A revered Transcendence realm powerhouse, of unfathomable strength, had just been defeated. It felt like a dreadful nightmare! In panic, one demon shouted, "Retreat! With Lord Long Tianlu gone, we must flee! Return to the Nether Soul Demon Domain and call for backup!" Almost instantly, driven by instinct, the remaining demons began their retreat. But s, how could Jiang Chen let such a golden opportunity slip through his fingers? His speed had already peaked, unparalleled across the entire battlefield. After swiftly securing Mo Yu within the Holy Land''s Grand Formation, he instantly pivoted and in a solitary stride arrived in front of a Dao Comprehension realm demon. "Ah! If I''m going down, you''reing with me!" Aware that escape was impossible, the Dao Comprehension realm demon lunged at Jiang Chen like a frenzied beast. "Mere insects!" Jiang Chen''s expression remained impassive as he casually swung the long sword in his hand, instantly dispatching them. He didn''t halt; with his subsequent step, he materialized behind another demon. Without even a moment''s hesitation, he swung his sword down and rapidly redirected his focus. In the space of a single breath, he had annihted over a dozen formidable demons. These members of the Nether Soul Demon n were the quickest to flee. Those demonic creaturesgging behind, upon witnessing this spectacle, were instantaneously consumed by utter despair! However, these beings were termed ''demonic'' for a reason, attributed to their ruthless, bloodthirsty, and feral nature. Despite their impending doom, they astonishinglyunched suicidal attacks against Jiang Chen. "Good, this spares me the trouble of hunting them down one by one!" A chilly smirk surfaced at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth as he brandished his long sword. A de of sword Qi instantaneously ascended like a rising sun, banishing the darkness and annihting all the members of the Nether Soul Demon n in its path. Simultaneously, countless demonic beasts perished under this sword. Large swaths of beasts toppled like sheaves of harvested grain. ''Excellent, all these present opportunities for me!'' A satisfied smile emerged at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth. Without dy, he brandished his sword and plunged back into the fray. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : We''ve hit ! A huge shoutout to my amazing patrons for their unwavering support. Their contribution is a big reason we''vee this far. To everyone reading, know that each chapter is fueled by their generosity and your encouragement. Onward we go! Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Chapter 219: Unleashing Wrath Upon the Traitors, Jiang Chens Decision In a distant location, where the once lofty Verdant Leaf Giant Peak had stood, only a leveled terrain could be seen. This towering mountain was now reshaped into a wide expanse resembling arge basin! Ji Mingxiu, along with several other formidable individuals from the Purple Heaven Holy Land, and four members from the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple, making a total of eight, found themselves in a face-off with four members of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce and four Dao Pce realm demons. These four demons were all ordinary Dao Pce realm powerhouses, their cultivation bases ranging between the Early and Middle stages. Significantly, because their cultivation bases had not exceeded the highest threshold of the Bottomless Abyss, their power had been rtively preserved in its original state. At this juncture, the intense conflict continued to re up with unabated fervor. Within the ''original plot'', orchestrated by Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value, Dong Yuanzheng and hisrades managed to inflict severe wounds on the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple. Their sess wasrgely attributed to a strategic advantage provided by the unique geography of the Bottomless Abyss,bined with an unexpected ambush. Only Ji Mingxiu and Xu Xin were fortunate enough to elude the devastating onught wrought by these two potent forces. However, at this juncture, Dong Yuanzheng and his associates found themselves bereft of any upper hand. The confrontation between the two sides was caught in a deadlock! Suddenly, a cacophony of distressed cries cut through the tense atmosphere. "Disaster strikes!!" "Lord Long Tianlu''s aura has dissipated!" "Could it be... he has fallen!? Impossible! The strength of this continent is merely so!" "When an aura vanishes, it signifies an unfortunate incident. We need to move quickly!!" The Dao Pce realm powerhouses from the Nether Soul Demon n, one after another, through a unique sensory method, detected the abrupt disappearance of Long Tianlu''s aura. Recognizing that he must have run into a perilous situation, they were immediately engulfed by profound disbelief and shock. Following this revtion, the four demons withdrew from the battlefield without hesitation, fleeing the scene posthaste. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh. Four dark silhouettes abruptly left the battlefield, plunging headlong into the depths of the Bottomless Abyss. "What?!" Dong Yuanzheng shouted in disbelief. "How could they just abandon the fight?!" one of hisrades questioned, aghast. "Damn it, they''ve double-crossed us!" "We''re finished, what''s our course of action now that they''ve fled!" Caught off guard by this turn of events, the four members of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce were instantly overwhelmed. Consequently, under the sudden influx ofbat pressure, they were filled with dread! "The demons have taken flight!?" Ji Mingxiu eximed, trying to grasp the situation. "What''s transpiring!? Could this be part of their plot!?" an associate of his voiced out, equally confused. They were all somewhat bbergasted, not daring to initiate a full-scale assault on Dong Yuanzheng and his party. Suddenly, a message vibrated in the transmission jade token nestled at Ji Mingxiu''s waist. It was dispatched by Mo Yu. With a swift sweep of his divine sense, Ji Mingxiu was immediately awash with exhration. He roared, "The leader of those demons has met his end! y these betrayers of mankind!" "What!" Dong Yuanzheng gasped. "Their leader has perished, Long Tianlu is no more!?" one of his crew members eximed in shock. "Inconceivable," another added, "Lord Long Tianlu was a genuine Transcendence realm powerhouse! How could he have been vanquished!" They were all vociferating in disbelief. Yet, they understood the harsh reality; the demons wouldn''t have abandoned the battlefield without just cause! "The leader of the demons has fallen?" Xu Xin mused aloud, her eyes widening. "So that''s why the demons retreated so abruptly!" A sudden understanding dawned upon her face. With a determined glint in her eyes, she issued a chillingmand, "Annihte them all!" Under the leadership of Ji Mingxiu and Xu Xin, their team of eight cultivators at the Dao Pce realm started to besiege andunch their assault against Dong Yuanzheng and his three aplices! It was worth noting that Ji Mingxiu and his group hade thoroughly prepared for this encounter! Now, with the odds stacked at eight against four, this situation could only be described as a premeditated ambush. Despite the fact that Dong Yuanzheng and hisrades had transitioned into demonic cultivation, amplifying theirbat prowess, it remained within bounds. Amidst the relentless onught led by Ji Mingxiu and his allies, Dong Yuanzheng and his party found themselves unable to flee or retaliate. They could merely look on helplessly as the Dao Yuan Power within their dantian began to dwindle progressively. "No, no!" Dong Yuanzheng cried out in desperation. "Ji Mingxiu, we can negotiate, there''s room for discussion, we werepelled into this situation!" "As long as you spare us, the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce is yours tomand!" Confronted with the looming specter of death, he swiftly sumbed to fear and began to plead for mercy. However, Ji Mingxiu and the rest were resolute, turning a deaf ear to the pleas. Their onught remained as ferocious as ever. They were determined to bring down Dong Yuanzheng and hispanions! Realizing that begging was futile, Dong Yuanzheng and his party were suddenly consumed by a profound sense of despair. ... Simultaneously, over at Purple Heaven Holy Land, Jiang Chen, wielding the formidable might of a Dao Pce realm cultivator, swiftly eradicated the lingering remnants of the demonic beast tide. He utilized the Wordless Heavenly Jade to draw out qi and blood from all the demonic beast and demon corpses strewn about. In addition, as some cultivators were still affected by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, he devoted some time to their rescue. If these individuals were left untreated, they would eventually degenerate into frenzied monsters, a fate they were helpless against. Given Jiang Chen''s current strength, purging the lingering traces of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi was a straightforward task. Before much time had passed, all disciples under the influence of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi had been cured by him, resulting in a wave of profuse expressions of gratitude. Following this, Jiang Chen proceeded to the Holy Land Grand Hall, cing the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword within. This sword, now damaged, had exerted a significant amount of energy in the recent skirmish. To restore it to its former glory, it required the age-old grand formation of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. "I must devise a method to mend it." Jiang Chen murmured, casting a nce at the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword before pivoting to exit. At the threshold of the Holy Land Grand Hall, Ji Ruxue was already pacing nervously, anxiety etched on her face. Witnessing the severe injuries Elder Mo Yu had sustained in thebat, she harbored genuine apprehensions that Jiang Chen might meet a simr fate. "Ruxue, there''s no need to fret, I''m unscathed!" With those words, Jiang Chen advanced to wrap his armsfortingly around Ji Ruxue. As they savored this moment of tranquility, a teasing voice chimed in, her tone a blend of envy and mischievous jest, "Jiang Chen, I demand a hug as well!" Xie Xiaojing interjected, having observed the intimate exchange following her own arrival. Without a moment''s hesitation, she insinuated herself into Jiang Chen''s right arm, subtly nudging Ji Ruxue to his left. The impish grin that danced on her lips conveyed her yful intentions. Her rtionship with Jiang Chen was no longer cloaked in secrecy. The era of ndestine affection had passed and she reveled in the liberty to openly express her love. Far from being offended, Ji Ruxue simply responded with a warm smile, shaking her head in mild indulgence at Xie Xiaojing''s caper. She had long since be familiar with this rapport. With both women nestled under his arms, Jiang Chen''s face turned apologetic, his wordsced with a tone of self-reproach. "I apologize for not informing you both earlier about your sisters in the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain. I don''t have a reasonable justification. The truth is, when I presented you with your nuptial rings, I was so consumed with the war and concern for your safety that itpletely slipped my mind. I deeply regret this oversight." "It''s okay, Jiang Chen." Ji Ruxue,fortably tucked under his left arm, lifted her face towards him. Her smile radiated understanding and forgiveness. "Weprehend that your mind was preupied with the war and our wellbeing. We can''t fault you for that." Xie Xiaojing, nestled under Jiang Chen''s right arm, rolled her eyes, a hint of sympathy flickering for her friend''s naive disposition. Having once been enchanted by Jiang Chen''s eloquent words, she had now be immune to such charms. "No, Ruxue, he needs to learn his lesson." While remainingfortably nestled against Jiang Chen, Xie Xiaojing looped her arm around his waist, her fingers yfully pinching a small fold of his flesh, thus inflicting a mild, yful punishment. Her amber eyes shimmered with a mix of slight annoyance and jest as she directed a yful re at him. Acknowledging his mistake, Jiang Chen offered no resistance. He merely grimaced lightly at Xie Xiaojing''s teasing pinch, allowing her to vent her minor frustration. This heartfelt interaction lingered for a while longer before Jiang Chen, having bestowed a gentle kiss on each woman''s forehead, progressively loosened his hold on them. Inside the Void Tribtion Soul, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning bore witness to this intimate exchange between Jiang Chen, Ji Ruxue, and Xie Xiaojing. On this asion, Jiang Chen had intentionally refrained from severing their shared vision, and the scene stirred a whirlwind of emotions within them. Both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning shared amon characteristic: they had never been involved in an intimate rtionship with any male cultivator before. This wasrgely attributable to the overpowering influence of Fang Yuan''s Heavenly Fate Value. This feature was not exclusive to them. In fact, nearly every heroine who had associations with a protagonist possessed this trait. The only exceptions were those protagonists who managed to win over even the most resolute hearts - the infamous ''homewreckers''! At this point, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning had intertwined their destinies with Jiang Chen, bing integral parts of his Heaven-Defying Fate Changer. The secrets they shared had deepened their bond, drawing them closer than ever before. Their perception of Jiang Chen had progressively transformed. To them, he was no longer merely a fellow cultivator or a friend. Subtly but irrevocably, Jiang Chen had evolved into their man. Watching himfort Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing in his embrace stirredplex emotions within them. This sight ignited within them a blend of desire, affection, and perhaps even a hint of envy. How could they remain unmoved by such an intimate moment? However, characterizing this as a battlefield of love would be incorrect, especially in the context of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Their loyalty andmitment to Jiang Chen remained firm, solidified by shared experiences and trust. There were no feelings of resentment or ill will towards him, only admiration and respect. In this moment, Ji Ruxue spoke up, her voice tinged with relief. "Jiang Chen, we''re relieved you''re safe!" She continued with a softer tone, "After such a fierce battle, you need to rest. We... we won''t disturb you any further." Her cheeks were tinged with pink, still warm from Jiang Chen''s kiss, causing her words to falter slightly. With that, she took hold of Xie Xiaojing, who showed apparent reluctance to leave, and they flew away together. As Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing gracefully retreated into the expanse, Jiang Chen''s gaze lingered on their elegant forms, a primal yearning awakening within him. However, he promptly subdued that desire,mitted to maintaining restraint. He had already set a steadfast decision: only upon ascending to the Dao Pce realm would he progress their rtionship. He recognized that to Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, their ''first time'' bond carried immense significance - a grand opportunity, and he had no intention ofpromising it for his own transient desires. Moreover, in contrast to Ning Xian, Mu Tao, and Miao Xiaoru, whose need to amplify their powers for personal safety was critical, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing found themselves in a different predicament. Nestled safely within the Holy Land, they didn''t require Jiang Chen''s assistance to enhance their cultivation base at present. With that concluding thought, Jiang Chen ceased his contemtions. Subsequently, he soared through the sky, returning to Ji Ruxue''s three-story abode. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : We''ve hit ! A huge shoutout to my amazing patrons for their unwavering support. Their contribution is a big reason we''vee this far. To everyone reading, know that each chapter is fueled by their generosity and your encouragement. Onward we go! Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Chapter 220: The Emergence of a New Protagonist Having returned, Jiang Chen promptly found himself a serene chamber to recuperate and rest. The secret arts that Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning had selected for him were self-damaging in nature, albeit with rtively mild consequences. Given the judicious usage of these secret arts, the resultant repercussions were far from severe. There was no necessity for pills; he could restore his body simply by channeling his main cultivation method. While recuperating, Jiang Chen even mustered the energy to purify the impurities within the Nether Soul Crystals. Time imperceptibly drifted. Three hourster, a message of good news arrived via Jiang Chen''s transmission jade token. The conflict at the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak had reached its conclusion. Dong Yuanzheng, along with the other three from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, had met their demise, leaving behind only Gan Xiangwen, the sole surviving Dao Pce realm powerhouse. At present, Ji Mingxiu, Xu Xin and the rest hadn''t yet made their return, continuing their offensive against the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce instead! The Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, having been an eminent power towering over others for well over a hundred thousand years, held untold benefits just waiting to be seized! Upon receiving this news, a subtle smile graced Jiang Chen''s countenance. Yao Zong, Si Zhangjian, and Sha An were initially fated to fall, but with his intervention, they had survived! Subsequently, Jiang Chen devoted his time within his meditation chamber to mend his injuries and simultaneously purify the Nether Soul Crystals. The top-grade Nether Soul Crystal he had acquired from Long Tianlu presented a notably higher challenge in purification. After all, it had transcended a vast major realm, evolving into a treasure of the Third Step on the Cultivation Path. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, three days had psed. Jiang Chen had sessfully purified all the Nether Soul Crystals and fully utilized them. The vestiges of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s souls had directly rebounded to the Early-stage Transcendence realm! With the support of both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, Jiang Chen''s soul abilities had officially ascended to the Transcendence realm. His divine sense detection alone had expanded to a radius of one million kilometers, making a diameter of two million kilometers! This formidable expanse of his divine sense detection bestowed upon Jiang Chen a potent sense of control. At that moment, four rays of light pierced through the sky. The Holy Land''s formation activated automatically, ushering them inside. It was Ji Mingxiu along with the other three who had made their return! Subsequently, a high-level meeting of the Holy Land was assembled. Jiang Chen naturally attended this as well, with the primary subject of discussion being the Nether Demon n. In the climactic confrontation at the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak, four demons of the Dao Pce realm managed to flee into the Bottomless Abyss. Neither Ji Mingxiu nor Xu Xin and the others held the capability to pursue them. It could be anticipated that a more formidable demonic legion would make their advance into the Immortal Martial Continent in the future. The entirety of the Immortal Martial Continent shouldmence thorough preparations for the impending grand war. As per the earlier n, the Immortal Martial Continent would necessitate the presence of a substantial powerhouse from the Third Step of the Cultivation Path to counter the invasion of the Nether Demon n. The senior generation of cultivators had reached the limits of their potential. Thus, it was crucial to select the most gifted individual from the entire Immortal Martial Continent to cultivate. Jiang Chen, endorsed by the Purple Heaven Holy Land, was identified as the sole prodigy capable of reaching the Third Step of the Cultivation Path within a short span and consequently, save the world. Particrly, Jiang Chen had already exhibitedbat prowess nearing the Transcendence realm, and in unison with Mo Yu, had vanquished the Middle-stage Transcendence realm demon, Long Tianlu! Whether it was his cultivation speed,bat skills, or strategic intellect, Jiang Chen disyed no shorings. In essence, he embodied perfection. Of course, this recognition was primarily within the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Across the entire Immortal Martial Continent, Jiang Chen''s name wasn''t particrly renowned. Beyond the borders of the Everflowing Truth Domain, he was practically unknown. Other domains would likely be hesitant to allocate their resources to Jiang Chen, a prodigy from a different region. Given a choice, it would always be preferable to cultivate their own constituents. The members of the Purple Heaven Holy Land were cognizant of this. In the uing selection for the supreme prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent, a multitude of talents would inevitablye to light, all contending for the esteemed title of the foremost prodigy. As the meeting progressed to this juncture, a notion kindled within Jiang Chen''s mind. He quietly contemted that the stage was being set for a new protagonist to emerge! Who would this new protagonist be? What kind of heaven-defying ace might they hold? urate predictions would prove challenging. All Jiang Chen could do was to maintain extreme vignce and quietly observe the unfolding events. Subsequently, the focus of the conversation shifted to the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce. Gan Xiangwen, the lone survivor, had been informed of the downfall of Dong Yuanzheng and hisrades via their ''Life Tablets''. In the face of their defeat, he had made his escape, taking with him a vast amount of treasures. Ji Mingxiu and the others hadn''t managed to intercept him in time. After all, the journey from the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak to the location of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce would require at least half a day''s time. Moreover, while all the Dao Pce realm cultivators of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce had veered towards demonic cultivation, those of the Dao Comprehension realm and below remained oblivious to this shift. It was only when Ji Mingxiu unveiled the corpses of Dong Yuanzheng and the others, along with evidence of Gan Xiangwen''s flight, that the remaining authorities of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce reluctantly acknowledged the truth. Faced with the prospect of an even more formidable demonic onught in the future, the current state of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce would inevitably be untenable. Consequently, a split urred within the ranks of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce! A significant number of cultivators elected to join the Purple Heaven Holy Land, while a few opted for the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple. Some decided to escape to even more distant locales. As the majority elected to affiliate with the Purple Heaven Holy Land, the primary territory of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce transitioned into a branch of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, with several teleportation arrays presently under construction. The Jade Lake Heavenly Temple, understanding well the principle of ''united we stand, divided we fall'', opted to cooperate with the Purple Heaven Holy Land. They mutually established teleportation arrays for expedient reinforcements or transfers. Beyond these matters, the spoils of the grand battle imed by Ji Mingxiu and the others were discussed. Foremost amongst them were the spiritual nts and the corpses of demonic beasts gathered for Jiang Chen. Indeed, during the third wave of the demon''s all-out assault, both the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple came under attack. However, they both sessfully withstood the onught. The demons were nearly exterminated in the grand battle, leaving behind a sea of corpses. Ji Mingxiu had already traded these corpses with Xu Xin. The umtion of bodies was so extensive that it filled tens of thousands of storage artifacts! At this juncture, during the Holy Land''s high-level meeting, Ji Mingxiu handed over all the spiritual nts and demonic beast corpses to Jiang Chen. As for what Jiang Chen intended to do with these corpses, no one ventured to question. The faith that everyone in the Purple Heaven Holy Land held for Jiang Chen had reached its zenith. Before long, the high-level meeting drew to a close. Ji Mingxiu, Mo Yu, and others began to work in tandem with the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple, orchestrating the selection for the premier prodigy in the Immortal Martial Continent. Jiang Chen, however, transported those tens of thousands of storage artifacts to his solitary sanctuary, where he absorbed them all utilizing the Wordless Heavenly Jade. ''Wow, such an immense surge of qi and blood energy to assimte!'' Jiang Chen thought to himself. The joy was palpable on his face. ''Adding to what I already have, it''s likely sufficient to cultivate a Transcendence realm cultivation method!'' This was the reward he received for expending more than 90,000 points of Viin Value - a truly worthwhile exchange! Nevertheless, he didn''t immediately embark on practicing any cultivation method. Jiang Chen had already mastered a plethora of cultivation methods, and due to his cultivation base realm being rtively low, he couldn''t fully manifest their power. ''I''ll reserve these mysterious energies of the Wordless Heavenly Jade forter use.'' Jiang Chen thought to himself, and then he proceeded to refine the recently procured Nether Soul Crystals. Among the demons that assailed the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple, members of the Nether Soul Demon n were also present. Since the primary target of the assault was the Purple Heaven Holy Land, the strongest demon on the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple''s front was a run-of-the-mill Dao Pce realm demon, sessfully eliminated by the formidable powerhouse remaining at the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple using their ultimate hidden arsenal. The crystals nestled at the napes of these Nether Soul Demon n members were essentially all intact. Jiang Chen meticulously extracted each of these Nether Soul Crystals, using them to nourish Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning post-purification, swiftly facilitating the regeneration of their fragmented souls once more. Although the degree of recovery was substantially less than the previous instance, it was nheless quite substantial. Finally, Jiang Chen procured the spiritual nts presented by Ji Mingxiu, preparing to consume them. But just at that moment, a message surfaced in his transmission jade token - it was amunication from Ji Mingxiu. "Hmm?" Jiang Chen put down the spiritual nt and picked up the transmission jade token. Upon reading the message, his eyebrows shot up in astonishment! The message stated, "Jiang Chen, I''m handling the matter of the Immortal Martial Continent''s premier prodigy, aiming to disseminate the news to other domains. Unexpectedly, an older female cousin of mine who is married far away came across your story and insists on bestowing upon you a sort of bloodline power..." A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Patreon : [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Ko-fi : [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Chapter 221: The Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo Bloodline, Protagonist Gu Ran The message from Ji Mingxiu was detailed, yet its essence was far from convoluted. In essence, it revolved around Ji Mingxiu''s cousin from a different domain, Ji Yn. News of Jiang Chen a peerless prodigy and his imminent quest to rise as the foremost genius of the entire continent sparked a keen interest in her. An overwhelming urge to curry favor with him washed over her. As a result, she had in mind to gift Jiang Chen a bloodline of extraordinary potency! The aforementioned bloodline was none other than the legendary ''Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo''! Rumour had it that a cultivator endowed with this bloodline would undoubtedly reach the Third Step of the Cultivation Path, and even stood a high chance of progressing to the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path! Moreover, Ji Yn proposed an ancient secret art intended for the transference of this bloodline. Utilizing this secret art, one could assimte eighty percent of the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo bloodline! In Ji Yn''s perspective, Jiang Chen was already a towering genius. Once he gained this bloodline, it was a foregone conclusion that he could ascend to the Third Step of the Cultivation Path. At that point, both she and her affiliated faction would immensely benefit from the prestige of ''aiding the emperor to his ascent'', under Jiang Chen''s safeguarding - it promised to be a situation ripe with prosperity! Ji Mingxiu''s tone also wasced with a sense of anticipation. After all, this was about the ''Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo'', which could serve as a massive enhancement for Jiang Chen! Should he sessfully integrate with the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo, bing the ultimate powerhouse of this Immortal Martial Continent would be a certainty. ''The ''Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo'' bloodline!'' Jiang Chen mused. ''A bloodline that could potentially elevate one to the Fourth Step, has been astonishingly entrusted to me!'' ''This is essentially a windfall that''s dropped into myp, a boon from the heavens!'' ''This must be the result of my ck Heavenly Fate Value, rewarding me with such grand fortune!'' Then, with a hint of caution, he reflected, ''But, this could also indicate that I''ve possibly been ensnared in the plotline of the new protagonist.'' When it came to protagonists of the bloodline variety, Jiang Chen was no neer to such themes. These types of protagonists often had their bloodlines taken from them, or possibly Dao bones, Emperor bones, and other inherently miraculous bodilyponents. Subsequently, they would set off on a path of retaliation, exacting their vendettas and surging to the peak of their lives... ''Better inquire first...'' Jiang Chen wasn''t swept away by the unexpected windfall; instead, he remained on high alert internally. Promptly, he utilized his transmission jade token to query Ji Mingxiu, seeking the origins of the ''Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo'' bloodline! Ji Mingxiu, initially overwhelmed with excitement, had overlooked this detail. However, on Jiang Chen''s prompt, he was suddenly struck by realization. Indeed, for a bloodline as formidable as the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo, it wouldn''t have been procured easily; there must be some consequences tied to this bloodline! Yet, after a round of questioning, Ji Mingxiu was promptly reassured. This was because Ji Yn had stated that this bloodline was extracted from a disciple whose cultivation pace was markedly slow, seemingly ipatible with the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo. The disciple was named Gu Ran. He was young and naive, with a remarkably ordinary background, devoid of any significant lineage. In any case, the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo was wasted on Gu Ran, so Ji Yn and her associates crafted a scheme to seize it from him. To extract the most impable bloodline, they required Gu Ran''s willing cooperation. Thus, Ji Yn and her crew orchestrated a charade, deploying a captivating youngdy to ensnare Gu Ran''s emotions. Then, when the girl was stricken with a severe illness, they duped Gu Ran into voluntarily surrendering his bloodline to save the enchanting young woman. Gu Ran sumbed to the scam, surrendering the wless ''Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo''! At this juncture, Ji Mingxiu ryed Ji Yn''s narration to Jiang Chen in a nonchnt manner. Jiang Chen''s eyes instantly narrowed, ''Damn, he is undeniably the protagonist!'' Through Ji Yn''s disclosure, Jiang Chen was wholly convinced that this Gu Ran was undoubtedly the new protagonist, no doubts whatsoever! "When did Ji Yn and her crew swindle Gu Ran out of his bloodline?" A chilly spark flitted across Jiang Chen''s eyes as he queried via the transmission jade token, "And where is Gu Ran at this moment?" Ji Mingxiu responded after receiving Ji Yn''s response, "Approximately a month ago." He continued, "After being defrauded of his bloodline, Gu Ran perished on the spot, and his body was taken away for burial." ''What? He''s dead!? Buried!?'' A jolt of surprise flickered in Jiang Chen''s eyes. The death of a protagonist typically implied a resurrection, and there were numerous methods for revival, including through soul transmigration. He, too, had arrived in this world through the process of soul transmigration. Jiang Chen pondered, ''Holy hell! Could this Gu Ran potentially be a soul transmigrator like myself?'' ''However, there are other methods of resurrection too, such as body possession, or revival through sacred artifacts.'' ''Given my present ck Heavenly Fate Value, the protagonist I encounter is bound to be formidable!'' ''Additionally, my cultivation base has risen substantially now, and mybat prowess is on the verge of reaching the Transcendence realm.'' ''And Gu Ran just had his bloodline snatched away a mere month ago!'' ''As the viin, I am predestined to be overshadowed by him!'' ''In such a brief period, if he were to perish and then be reborn to outshine me, his development pace must be astoundingly extraordinary!'' ''Good grief, I have no clue as to how much Gu Ran has advanced in the past month, I can''t afford to let him continue to develop unchecked!'' The more Jiang Chen mulled it over, the more rmed and cautious he became! Without dy, he swiftly grabbed the transmission jade token, dispatching a message to Ji Mingxiu, instructing Ji Yn to verify if Gu Ran''s corpse was still present! Ji Mingxiu was somewhat perplexed by this instruction, but due to his unwavering faith in Jiang Chen, he promptly obliged. When Ji Yn received the message, she too was utterly bewildered. What could be so interesting about Gu Ran''s remains? He was simply a nonentity with no significant background. He was dead and gone. Who would bother? However, since it was a request from Jiang Chen, Ji Yn wouldn''t decline. After all, she had already made up her mind to hitch her wagon to Jiang Chen''s star! As a result, Ji Yn swiftly issued amand to locate Gu Ran''s corpse. However, what she discovered left her stunned: there was no body whatsoever in Gu Ran''s grave! Additionally, there were no signs of any wild or demonic beast disturbances around the burial site. Initially, even if this had been found out, Ji Yn wouldn''t have given it much consideration. At most, she might have presumed some peculiar individual had absconded with Gu Ran''s remains. Could a mere disciple possibly resurrect after death? That seemed far-fetched. But now, Jiang Chen, from a distant location in the Everflowing Truth Domain, had instructed her in the Lustrous Yang Domain to investigate Gu Ran''s corpse! Jiang Chen wouldn''t ce such weight on this issue without a valid reason; there must be something worth contemting here. Ji Yn began to treat this situation with seriousness, and she immediately inquired about their next course of action from Jiang Chen. "Gu Ran is far from ordinary! We must locate him immediately! I''ll rush to the Lustrous Yang Domain as swiftly as I can!" Jiang Chen urgently ryed his message through the transmission jade token. After a brief pause, he added, "Regarding the affair of the Immortal Martial Continent''s foremost prodigy, please arrange for it to be deferred in the Lustrous Yang Domain for now, Master. We''ll adjust ordingly if any changes ariseter!" Jiang Chen was reasonably certain that the protagonist, Gu Ran, was most likely still within the Lustrous Yang Domain. Even if he wasn''t there, the starting point of the search for Gu Ran would have to be that location. Furthermore, he was fully aware of the peril posed by losing sight of Gu Ran. Hence, he immediately decided to leave the Purple Heaven Holy Land and embark on his journey towards the Lustrous Yang Domain! "Understood!" Ji Mingxiu promptly concurred without any hesitation. At this juncture, the Nether Soul Demon n had just suffered the loss of a great powerhouse at the Middle-stage Transcendence realm, with most of their lower-level forces virtually decimated. In the short term, the probability of the Nether Soul Demon nunching another invasion should have significantly diminished. This was something Jiang Chen felt even more certain about. Any major incidents unfolding near the protagonist''s location were basically stages being set for the protagonist. Since the protagonist, Gu Ran, was still in or around the Lustrous Yang Domain, the likelihood of any major incidents transpiring in the Everflowing Truth Domain in the short term was rather minimal. This was also why Jiang Chen felt somewhat reassured about leaving the Everflowing Truth Domain. Not to mention, ironically, his departure would make the domain safer. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Patreon : [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Ko-fi : [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Chapter 222: Breakthrough, Early-Stage Dao Comprehension Realm Jiang Chen thought to himself, ''I must hurry to the Lustrous Yang Domain now.'' ''Yet, the power of the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword... it hasn''t fully recovered.'' ''In addition, after utilizing the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword, it requires immediate return to its formation for recuperation.'' ''If deployed forbat, it can likely withstand only a single grand battle before it endures root damage.'' ''Thus, the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword must stay within the Holy Land as a deterrent, also providing a defense against the unlikely event of a Nether Demon invasion.'' With determination setting in, he stood up, his eyes reflecting deep contemtion, ''However, before I set off, I need to amplify my strength. The key to sess is preparation; power is the supreme principle!'' Without a moment''s hesitation, he looked at the spiritual nt in his hand and stuffed it into his mouth in one swift motion! Gulp! The spiritual nt slid down his throat, its powerful medicinal energy detonating instantly, congregating in his dantian, and absorbed by the Burning World Red Lotus. This time, Ji Mingxiu had exchanged a substantial quantity of spiritual nts with the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple and the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, and eventually even took over the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce itself. As a consequence, the quality and quantity of the spiritual nts Jiang Chen received greatly exceeded the previous two asions. Almost instantly, the third and fourth petals of the Burning World Red Lotus gradually reimed their lushness and vibrant hue. The first two petals had even fully restored to their original state! Jiang Chen also reaped substantial gains. His already exceptionally exceptional cultivation aptitude had once again been amplified! Crucially, his cultivation base was skyrocketing, almost hitting the bottleneck of the Dao Comprehension realm. Without a moment''s break, Jiang Chen continued his relentless consumption of spiritual nts. Simultaneously, through his Eternal Vows Binding Ring, he shared the situation with his beloved women in a subdued tone. Certain subjects were too sensitive to be discussed openly, and he needed to exin his abrupt departure from the Everflowing Truth Domain. Once they understood, Jiang Chen introduced a topic that had been upying his thoughts for a while. He finally introduced them to Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, though it was only through their voices. This fostered not only mutual recognition, but with the help of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, two Void Tribtion realm powerhouses, his wives were now in a position to make significant advancements in their cultivation journey. Having set these events into motion, Jiang Chen let the group get to know each other while he withdrew his consciousness from the Eternal Vows Binding Ring. Continuing to ingest his spiritual nts, he then exited his meditation room, left the three-story building, and set out to find Ji Mingxiu. ... The moment Jiang Chen set eyes on Ji Mingxiu, he swiftly scanned him using the Viin''s Eye. Just as expected, Ji Mingxiu''s status had once again transitioned to ''supporting character''! What''s more, his Fate Value, which had substantially recovered and even exceeded its prior level, had plummeted yet again, barely hovering around seven hundred points. This suggested that Ji Mingxiu was fated to meet a tragic end soon, directly or indirectly due to Gu Ran! Yet, Ji Mingxiu remained blissfully unaware of his impending doom! His primary concern at this moment was the shifts in Jiang Chen''s auraJiang Chen was now definitively on the brink of the Dao Comprehension realm! With wide eyes, he eximed, "Jiang Chen!" Catching his breath, he continued, "You''re on the verge of a breakthrough!" The excitement radiating from Ji Mingxiu was tangible, seeming to even surpass Jiang Chen''s own sense of anticipation. "Quick, retreat to the meditation room! I''ll stand guard. Do you have the breakthrough pill for the Dao Comprehension realm? If not, I have some right here!" He hurriedly guided Jiang Chen into the meditation room, distributed a varied array of pill bottles, and started to exin the purpose of each pill, the ideal time to take them, and so forth. However, before Ji Mingxiu could evenplete his instruction, Jiang Chen ingested a breakthrough pill and, just like that, breezed through the breakthrough process! All thanks to the perfect cultivation base power granted by the Burning World Red Lotus. Everything smoothly fell into ce, encountering absolutely no hurdles! Boom! A powerful aura of the Dao Comprehension realm erupted from Jiang Chen''s body. Ji Mingxiu was left with wide eyes and an open mouth,pletely bbergasted! In the hundred-thousand-year history of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, numerous individuals had risen to the Dao Comprehension realm. However, none had ever achieved a breakthrough with such astonishing ease, as if they were merely having a meal or a drink. It was unbelievably mind-boggling. Even Ji Mingxiu himself had meticulously strategized and made several attempts, finally achieving his breakthrough under the protection of individuals like Mo Yu. Amused by Ji Mingxiu''s stunned look, Jiang Chen directed his attention inward. Inside his body, a Dao Core, shining as brightly as a dazzling sun, had expanded to ten times its original size! If it weren''t for his dantian expanding correspondingly, the Dao Core would havepletely filled it. Furthermore, the Dao Core had undergone a transformation in its appearance. Initially radiating intense light, all of the brilliance had now converged, transmuting it into a semi-transparent Dao Core, molded in the form of primal chaos. Inside the Dao Core, beams of red and colored ze intertwined with smaller strands of purple, green, white, and blue. These represented the forces of the Great Dao that Jiang Chen hadprehended so far! Theplete Great Dao of Fire, theplete subsidiary of the Sword Dao, the Swift Sword Dao, as well as fragmented Great Daos of Thunder, Wood, Wind, and Water! Indeed, the most advanced Dao, that Jiang Chen hadprehended at this juncture, was the Great Dao of Fire. All these benefits were gifts from the Burning World Red Lotus! After numerous nourishments and consuming many Dao Pce realm spiritual nts, the Burning World Red Lotus had sessfully revived to the pinnacle state of the Dao Comprehension realm and was on the brink of reaching the Dao Pce realm. Given that the ''Burning World Raging mes'' was an inherent skill of the Burning World Red Lotus, and the Great Dao of Fire was its innate Great Dao since its inception, upon its recovery to the Dao Comprehension realm, theplete Great Dao of Fire was instantly manifested! Besides the transformation of his Dao Core, Jiang Chen''s Dao Yuan Power had also undergone a significant qualitative change! Each unit of his Dao Yuan Power now held potency far exceeding its previous state. Furthermore, it directly integrated the powers of the Great Dao of Fire and the Swift Sword Dao. With just a simple flick of his wrist, Jiang Chen could now wield a part of the powers from the Fire and Sword Daos. This mirrored the ability of Rong Tianlu, who, in the past, had invoked the Great Dao of Darkness with just a thought. His force descended upon the Holy Land without him needing to be physically present or uttering a single word. Of course, this implied a significantly more powerful level! In the Second Step of the Cultivation Path, the Inquiring Journey realm served as the foundation for the Dao Comprehension realm, which was primarily focused on decoding the Great Dao. However, to evolve into the Dao Pce realm, a cultivator would generally need to fully understand at least one Great Dao. Partial understanding of the Great Dao would not be enough; without apleteprehension, progression was unattainable! At this point, Jiang Chen, having mastered the entire Great Dao of Fire and the subsidiary Sword Dao known as the Swift Sword Dao, had effectively removed the main barrier to enter the Dao Pce realm. Moreover, this significant leap boosted hisbat capabilities. After all, Jiang Chen had practiced nearly ten cultivation methods from the Dao Pce realm, not to mention countless others from the Dao Comprehension and Inquiring Journey realms. The power of these cultivation methods had previously been restrained due to his realm limitations, unable to exhibit their full potential. However, with Jiang Chen''s significant breakthrough, these cultivation methods were now suddenly amplified! ''System! Disy my information panel!'' With a mere thought, Jiang Chenmanded the system. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Perfect Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body (Death Cmity True Dragon) Realm: Early-stage Dao Comprehension Great Dao: Swift Sword Dao, Fire Dao (Complete), Wind Dao, Thunder Dao, Wood Dao, Water Dao (Fragmented) True Combat Power: Late-stage Dao Pce++ Cultivation Methods: Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture (Dao Pce, primary cultivation), Dark Star Sky Splitting Sword Secrets, Myriad Changes Evesting Sword, Purple Feather Misty Steps, Purple Heaven Heavenly Thunder True Canon, One Thought Vanishing Moon, Silent Sacred Heart, Tyrant Body Channels Ultimate Intent Secrets, Benevolent Monarch Heavenly Wheel Scripture, Heavenly Blood Surge Secrets (Dao Pce, perfect-level)... Partially omitted Main Equipment: Peerless Heaven Piercing Sword (Inquiring Journey, top-grade), Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf (Inquiring Journey, top-grade)... Partially omitted Viin Value: 15,000 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 34,534 points Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring, Wordless Heavenly Jade, Void Tribtion Soul System Mall: Level 2] A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : There will be no release this Sunday. See you next week! By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Patreon : [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Ko-fi : [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Chapter 223: Stepping into the Lustrous Yang Domain Checking his information panel, Jiang Chen thought to himself, ''My standardbat power has nearly hit the peak of the Dao Pce realm!'' ''It''s unquestionably exceeded the capabilities of an average Late-stage Dao Pce realm cultivator, hasn''t it?'' ''This implies that with just my standardbat power, Ji Mingxiu stands no chance against me!'' And then, with overwhelming satisfaction, he thought, ''Wow, what a thrill!'' A victorious grin inevitably found its way onto Jiang Chen''s face. "Jiang Chen, have...have you actually made a breakthrough!?" At that moment, oveing his surprise, Ji Mingxiu finally regained hisposure, his entire worldview radically redefined by Jiang Chen! "Absolutely!" Jiang Chen nodded sincerely and affirmed, "Master, I have indeed made a breakthrough!" Ji Mingxiu suddenly erupted into a luminous smile, eximing, "Hahaha! You''ve made the breakthrough, you''ve genuinely done it!" "Jiang Chen, you''ve now ascended to the Dao Comprehension realm. A Dao Comprehension realm cultivator at just twenty!" "My goodness, our Purple Heaven Holy Land is poised to stride towards unparalleled greatness!" Overwhelmed with emotion, he dered, "Hahaha, Jiang Chen, my heart overflows with joy, haha!" His robustughter echoed, resonating in the atmosphere for an enduring while. "Thank you, Master, for provisioning such an abundance of resources for my cultivation!" Jiang Chen expressed his appreciation, "Without those spiritual nts, how could I have achieved this breakthrough in such a brief timespan?" "We just added the finishing touch." Ji Mingxiu chuckled, "Jiang Chen, from this point forward, we''ll be basking in your radiance, haha!" "Every drop of kindness will be reciprocated with a spring." Jiang Chen dered solemnly, "I''ll always remember those who''ve extended their help and concern towards me!" "Jiang Chen, don''t overly concern yourself about us! Your mission is to keep growing until you''re capable of staunchly defending the Immortal Martial Continent!" With a satisfied gleam in his eyes, Ji Mingxiu redirected the conversation with a smile, "Also, something seems amiss with Gu Ran. You should head to the Lustrous Yang Domain soon, we can''t afford to dawdle!" "Understood!" Without any hesitation, Jiang Chen readied himself to depart instantly. "Just a moment." Ji Mingxiu suddenly interjected. "Now that you''ve ascended to the Dao Comprehension realm, your former weapons are no longer adequate." "Here''s the weapon that Mo Yu and the rest have prepared for you, a Dao Pce realm middle-level Dao treasure, the Purple Sun Thousand-Mile Sword!" "It''s one of the trio of sword artifacts crafted by our ancestor ten thousand years ago, modeled after the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword. It encapstes aplete subsidiary of the Sword Dao, the ''Cleaving Sword Dao''!" While enlightening him, he handed over the Purple Sun Thousand-Mile Sword to Jiang Chen. The Purple Sun Thousand-Mile Sword bore an uncanny resemnce to the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword. Its hilt and guard were a deep purple, while the de was as white and crystalline as snow. The edge, thin as a cicada''s wing, emanated a subtle purple shimmer. "A Dao treasure! The apex weapon realm in the Second Step of the Cultivation Path!" Jiang Chen received the Purple Sun Thousand-Mile Sword, his eyes sparkling with joy, "This sword will surely amplify my strengths!" By integrating his Swift Sword Dao with the Cleaving Sword Dao, the resulting power would be staggeringly formidable! "I''m d it pleases you! Now, off you go!" Ji Mingxiu responded with a slight nod, his smile beaming. "I bid you farewell, Master!" Without any further ado, Jiang Chen pivoted and promptly departed. As he stepped through the doorway, a voice called out to him, "Honorable Holy Son!" Already awaiting him was Liu Xiong, an Elder of the Dao Comprehension realm. Jiang Chen''s destination was the Lustrous Yang Domain, and to sidestep unnecessary issues, Liu Xiong was delegated to apany him and deal with various sundry matters. Uponying eyes on Jiang Chen, Liu Xiong immediately offered a respectful bow. He too felt the overwhelming aura radiating from Jiang Chen, which only intensified his reverence! At this juncture, Jiang Chen''s standing in his mind equated to, if not surpassed, Ji Mingxiu''s! "Elder Liu Xiong, your courtesy is noted. Let''s proceed!" Jiang Chen responded to the greeting with a warm smile. Following this, Liu Xiong escorted Jiang Chen to a covert teleportation array erected by the Purple Heaven Holy Land. In a re of teleportation light, the figures of Jiang Chen and Liu Xiong vanished from their initial location. As his sight adjusted, Jiang Chen found himself in the heart of a valley, nketed by a hazy mist. "We salute the Esteemed Holy Son!" One after another, silhouettes bowed down, disying the highest form of reverence. These were individuals from the Jing n of the Lustrous Yang Domain, the potent n into which Ji Mingxiu''s elder female cousin, Ji Yn, was married. This n was impressively vast, possessing a Dao Pce realm powerhouse at its core. They were concurrently one of the two most formidable powers in the Lustrous Yang Domain, and a significant influence within the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. In view of this, the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect often interacted with the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Nheless, the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect fell short of the Purple Heaven Holy Land''s stature. They had only three Dao Pce realm members, one of whom had retreated into seclusion for a millennium and was virtually deemed out ofmission. As a result, the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect generally regarded the Purple Heaven Holy Land as their superior. "Everyone, please rise!" At this point, Jiang Chen, observing the cultivators prostrate all around, maintained aposed demeanor and spoke in a soothing voice. With a gentle sweep of his hand, he assisted the cultivators in standing up, one by one. Simultaneously, Jiang Chen''s Viin''s Eye had already swept over each individual present. These people were all support characters with low Fate Value; they seemed to be living on borrowed time. "Honorable Holy Son!" An excited and humble cultivator of the Jing n, in the Inquiring Journey realm, spoke up, "We are not yet in the Lustrous Yang Domain, please apany us further!" Jiang Chen''s courteous behavior had eased their collective anxiety. Previously, they had envisioned this prodigious prodigy from the Purple Heaven Holy Land as unbearably arrogant and hard to deal with. "Please, guide the way." Jiang Chen responded with a subtle nod of his head. He understood that the distance between the Everflowing Truth Domain and the Lustrous Yang Domain was not something a single teleportation array could span. Next, under the direction of the Jing n''s cultivators, Jiang Chen and Liu Xiong journeyed through five teleportation arrays before they reached the territory of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. The Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect''s territory sprawled across a collection ofrge and small inds in the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea, offering a unique and beautifulndscape. At Jiang Chen''s behest, their movements were kept under wraps, exceedingly ndestine. Concerning Gu Ran, Jiang Chen wanted to secure an informational edge and thus nned to proceed stealthily. With the enemy in in sight and him hidden in the shadows, more strategies could be implemented! At this point, on a modest-sized ind, Jiang Chen encountered Ji Yn and her daughter, Jing Miaoyao. "Greetings, Honorable Holy Son!" Ji Yn, Jing Miaoyao, and others extended their respects to Jiang Chen. Jing Miaoyao, a stunning vision of beauty, had a delicate and refined face, radiating an alluring charm that masked the captivating enchantment within her gaze. Her eyes, reminiscent of sparkling gems, were unmistakably attracted to Jiang Chen. From the moment she set her eyes on Jiang Chen, Jing Miaoyao was bewitched! This extraordinarily striking man was the same individual her mother had told her about, the paramount prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent, the future ultimate ruler of the same. Influential, distinguished, and with a countenance that could be regarded as peerless in the world - how could she not be enchanted by such a man? She had been initially inclined to offer her hard-earned ''Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo'' to Jiang Chen. After meeting him face to face, her eagerness to do so only intensified! Indeed, the alluring young woman who had betrayed Gu Ran''s trust and pilfered his bloodline was none other than her, Jing Miaoyao! "I extend my respects to Aunt Ji and Miss Jing." Jiang Chen reciprocated the greetings to Ji Yn and Jing Miaoyao respectfully. His soft voice,den with a captivating charm, caused Jing Miaoyao''s heart to flutter, further intensifying her infatuation. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter304. By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 304 . Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Patreon : [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Ko-fi : [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases:1/2. Today''s releases: 1/2 Chapter 224: The Missing Protagonist A wave of relief flooded over Ji Yn as she observed the engrossed expression on her daughter''s face, her eyes narrowing in thought. ''As expected... this girl.'' She had initially foreseen that if Jing Miaoyao agreed to yield her painstakingly earned bloodline to Jiang Chen, it might cultivate a root of remorse in her heart. But presently, it appeared that this girl was even prepared to give herself to Jiang Chen! As for Jiang Chen, he observed Jing Miaoyao''s conduct, yet he wasn''t surprised in the slightest. Jing Miaoyao, the character mainly misleading the protagonist Gu Ran, had undoubtedly incited a deep-seated resentment within him. The mysterious hand of Heavenly Fate seemed to have cast Jiang Chen in the role of Gu Ran''s antagonist, likely aiming to inme a seething rivalry between them. Aside from protagonist Gu Ran''s innate aversion and natural scorn for the viin, any additional reasons for hostility would simply spice up the situation. The ''Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo'', Gu Ran''s bloodline, being ceded to Jiang Chen - this served as the most potent wellspring of enmity. Furthermore, there was Jing Miaoyao. If she were to form any close rtionship with Jiang Chen, it would unquestionably amplify Gu Ran''s animosity for Jiang Chen to an even greater extent! ''How should I handle Gu Ran?'' Jiang Chen mused, unable to reach a conclusion swiftly. Firstly, if he chose to feign camaraderie with Gu Ran, he would have to decline Ji Yn and the ''Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo'' bloodline. Refusing Ji Yn would perhaps difort her, the Jing n, and the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. Even so, they would not dare to voice their dissatisfaction. However, denying the ''Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo'' bloodline would imply its return to Gu Ran! As the protagonist, Gu Ran would undoubtedly grow more potent with this item''s possession. Additionally, having vanquished three protagonists in the past, Jiang Chen was intimately aware of the inherent suspicion and caution a protagonist harbored towards him. What if he failed to befriend Gu Ran, yet ended up returning the ''Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo'' bloodline, thereby making Gu Ran even more powerful and challenging to confront? If he took the ''Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo'' bloodline for himself, the hostility would surely escte. There seemed to be no usible way for him to handle Gu Ran as he had with Lin Feng and Fang Yuan, hiding hostility beneath a faade of cordiality. Jiang Chen sighed. ''s, the main problem is my limited understanding of the protagonist Gu Ran; if not, I wouldn''t be so torn.'' Pausing for a moment, he thought, ''I''ll have to take things as theye.'' With that, he deferred making a decision, deciding instead to observe how events would unfold. At that moment, Ji Yn spoke up, her tone nearly fawning. "Honorable Holy Son, this isn''t a suitable ce for discussion, pleasee with me." Jiang Chen raised his hand, replying with a warm smile. "Please lead the way." "He''s so enchanting!" Jing Miaoyao,pletely enchanted, observed each of Jiang Chen''s movements. Next, guided by Ji Yn, the group utilized a series of hidden short-range teleportation arrays and discreetly arrived at Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind. The Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind, the main base of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, was thergest ind in this sea area, stretching far and wide. After navigating through Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind for a while, they swiftly reached Ji Yn''s cave dwelling - a fine and opulent house with a small courtyard. The quaint courtyard was festooned with countless gauze curtains that billowed in the sea breeze, creating an ethereal spectacle reminiscent of a fairnd. By this time, the high-ranking members of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect had gathered and were waiting at the entrance of the cave dwelling. This included Sect Master Jing Chengwang and the two Supreme Elders, Le Zhengren and Zhu Zhihai. The issue of the ''Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo'' bloodline was of significant importance, and knowledge of it was kept among only a select few. Indeed, some who had previously participated in duping Gu Ran for his bloodline had been silenced. Upon sighting Jiang Chen, Jing Chengwang, Le Zhengren, and Zhu Zhihai promptly stepped forward to greet him. Jing Chengwang said warmly, "Holy Son Jiang Chen, I''ve long held you in high regard. Wee, wee!" Le Zhengren added, "Holy Son Jiang Chen, it''s said that seeing is believing, and today, I can attest that you truly stand out from the masses. I am in awe!" Zhu Zhihai chimed in, "Your capability to eliminate a Transcendence realm grand powerhouse is undoubtedly beyondprehension. Holy Son Jiang Chen, aplishing such a feat at such a tender age is really exceptional!" "Exactly, even if I possessed the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword, I would surely meet defeat!" All three of them wore congenial smiles, showering Jiang Chen with praises. They had learned early that Jiang Chen was a prodigious talent who had dispatched a Middle-stage Transcendence realm demonic powerhouse, and was fated to ascend as the sovereign of the Immortal Martial Continent! When it came to forging connections with Jiang Chen, all of them exhibited warmth and fervent enthusiasm. "You overpraise me, esteemed seniors." Jiang Chen responded modestly. "I was only able to vanquish the demon after its strength had significantly waned, dwindling to the level of the Dao Pce realm." As he spoke, Jiang Chen appraised Jing Chengwang and the other two with his Viin''s Eye. However, he found the Fate Value of these three Dao Pce realm individuals was surprisingly low. It seemed their time was nearing its end. After some more courteous exchanges, everyone proceeded into Ji Yn''s plush residence and found seats. With Gu Ran, the protagonist, preupying his thoughts, Jiang Chen promptly redirected the conversation. Ji Yn spoke with a hint of frustration, "I''ve deployed numerous individuals to probe into Gu Ran''s location." She added, her voice filled with concern, "Yet, there''s no sign of Gu Ran, as if he has dissipated into thin air!" An undercurrent of unease coursed through her heart. Her primary task from Jiang Chen was to locate Gu Ran. Despite their strenuous attempts, they had failed to trace him. The thought of her subordinates'' ipetence was enough to push her to the brink of ire. "So he still hasn''t been located?" Jiang Chen mused aloud. "That''s fine. Gu Ran is not a simple character. It''s not surprising that he remains elusive. Continue the search, intensify the efforts," he continued coolly, his concerns about Gu Ran growing subtly. The Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect was not a small faction; it was brimming with seasoned experts. Gu Ran was simply a minor disciple, barely managing to attain the Mysterious tform realm. The fact that Ji Yn''s underlings couldn''t locate him indicated that he must have extraordinary abilities to conceal himself! It was still unclear whether he utilized external tools or employed a certain secret art. Ji Yn nodded firmly. "Yes!" She then dered with determination, "This time, I will personally undertake the task!" It was evident she intended to fullyply with Jiang Chen''s instructions. Upon hearing her deration, Jiang Chen''s expression swiftly altered. "Hadn''t you personally searched for Gu Ran before? Didn''t I request you to confirm if his body was still there?" Dispatching subordinates to tangle with the protagonist was like bestowing experience and resources! That''s why he had previously urged Ji Yn to personally ascertain if Gu Ran''s body was still present. But what was the result? Ji Yn had still sent her minions instead! "This... um... I thought a regr individual should be adequate enough to inspect Gu Ran''s body..." Upon observing Jiang Chen''s shifting expression, Ji Yn immediately grew apprehensive, carefully selecting her words. As for Jing Miaoyao, she scrutinized Jiang Chen thoughtfully, musing: ''Even in displeasure, Holy Son Jiang Chen remains so charismatic!'' "Ah, such is the human nature." Jiang Chen let out a gentle sigh. If he hadn''t been away from the Lustrous Yang Domain earlier, he would have personally examined Gu Ran''s body as soon as the bloodline incident transpired. However, the situation hadn''t allowed for that. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter306. By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 306 . Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Patreon : [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Ko-fi : [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases:2/2. Chapter225: [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] Today''s releases: 2/2 . Chapter 225 : [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] Chapter 225: Supporting Characters Cant Hide Jing Chengwang spoke, "Holy Son Jiang Chen." "Why do you give such weight to this Gu Ran, that you seem to harbor some concern?" he asked, sensing a touch of unease from Jiang Chen towards Gu Ran. Jiang Chen had even brought down a Transcendence realm great powerhouse before, so how could he possibly feel any unease towards a seemingly insignificant figure in the Mysterious tform realm? "All you need toprehend is that we should remain highly vignt against Gu Ran." Jiang Chen responded, shaking his head. He certainly couldn''t unveil his viinous status or Gu Ran''s role as the protagonist. "Remain highly vignt against Gu Ran?" Zhu Zhihai pondered, his gaze immersed in contemtion, then abruptly eximed, "Could it be possible, he is linked with the Demon Race!?" "You may construe it in that manner if you wish," Jiang Chen affirmed with a nod. In truth, for the denizens of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, Gu Ran wasparable to a grim reaper reaping lives, presenting a danger far beyond that posed by the Demon Race. "So, Holy Son Jiang Chen, what''s your subsequent course of action?" Jing Chengwang queried, appending, "Our Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect will provide you with our fullest cooperation!" "Full cooperation? That''s precisely the response I was anticipating." Jiang Chen retorted with a smile, "Promptly provide me withprehensive information regarding Gu Ran and collect all the Dao Comprehension realm and Dao Pce realm spiritual nts within the sect for me!" "Understood, we''llmence it without dy!" Jing Chengwang concurred readily. To attach oneself to a powerhouse, to align with Jiang Chen''s rising tide, who wouldn''t have to foot a certain price? Jiang Chen eximed, "Excellent!" Turning to Ji Yn, he instructed, "Aunt Ji, recall everyone who was deployed in search of Gu Ran!" He then added, "Ensure you ount for any casualties." "Yes!" Ji Yn dared not allow Jiang Chen''s casual form of address to muddy her discernment. She preserved an element of reverence. Next, Sect Master Jing Chengwang, along with the two Supreme Elders, Le Zhengren and Zhu Zhihai, set the whole Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect into motion to amass all the spiritual nts of the Dao Comprehension realm and the Dao Pce realm in their possession. Simultaneously, Ji Ynmanded all those who had been dispatched in search of Gu Ran to return. Yet, the absence of casualties somewhat startled Jiang Chen - no one was harmed or missing, purely because no one had crossed paths with Gu Ran. ''None of the minor characters sent after the protagonist perished?'' he pondered internally. ''Isn''t it a norm for a protagonist to annihte one if one approaches, vanquish a duo if a duo appears, and obliterate a crowd if a crowd surfaces?'' ''Gu Ran didn''t execute anyone?'' Jiang Chen''s brows twitched slightly, his face revealing an element of surprise. It seemed either the minor characters were simply incapable of locating Gu Ran, thus avoiding any face-off, or Gu Ran was consciously exercising restraint! Regardless, the situation was far from satisfactory. "Holy Son Jiang Chen, should I embark now to trace Gu Ran''s location?" Ji Yn inquired respectfully. "There''s no need," Jiang Chen said, shaking his head. He continued, issuing new directives, "All of you should cease the hunt for Gu Ran immediately, creating an impression that he has slipped from your minds!" Then, with an added emphasis, he instructed, "Subtly, gather as much information as possible about dubious individuals and unusual urrences in the major cities, and supervise all transportation arrays with utmost diligence." In the end, he would still have to y the central role. The Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, despite its substantial scale, was relegated to a supportive role. "Understood." With a grave countenance, Ji Yn affirmed the instructions, "We will conduct the task efficiently this time!" Instantly, Ji Yn and her peers disseminated Jiang Chen''s directives, ordering every cultivator engaged in the Gu Ran matter to adhere strictly. Any deviators were to face immediate execution. On Jing Chengwang''s side, he handed over the necessary spiritual nts to Jiang Chen. In total, there were two Dao Pce realm spiritual nts and over seventy Dao Comprehension realm spiritual nts, which already strained the resources of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect to the maximum. Without any reluctance, Jiang Chen epted the spiritual nts, intending to keep them as his hidden advantage and not to utilize them for now. At this juncture, Ji Yn furnished detailed information about Gu Ran, including his life experiences and socialworks. Upon perusal, Jiang Chen found it striking that Gu Ran scarcely had any friends. Since his induction into the sect, Gu Ran had always been dedicated to solitary cultivation, seldom stepping out - he was an epitome of an extreme homebody! The people most acquainted with Gu Ran turned out to be Jing Miaoyao and others who had duped him for his bloodline through their sham. ''I wonder if tools like Aura Finder Smoke would be of any assistance.'' Jiang Chen mused inwardly, then questioned Ji Yn and the rest, "Has anyone among you employed any treasures capable of tracking Gu Ran''s location via his aura?" Ji Yn responded with a serious countenance, "Well, the subordinates who were summoned back earlier reported that they''ve triedparable methods." She continued, her tone emphasizing the gravity of the situation, "One cultivator in the Inquiring Journey realm even utilized a magic treasure specifically for tracing, but they failed to ascertain even the direction of Gu Ran, let alone his precise location." By now, she somewhat grasped why Jiang Chen seemed slightly apprehensive about Gu Ran. The Gu Ran they were dealing with currently was not the same individual Ji Yn remembered. An uncanny transformation had taken ce! The fact that Jiang Chen could perceive this merely by hearing about Gu Ran from tens of millions - perhaps hundreds of millions - of miles away seemed unfathomable to Ji Yn. "Even tracking treasures can''t pinpoint him?" Jiang Chen stroked his chin contemtively. He could expend his remaining fifteen thousand Viin Value points to obtain a top-tier tracing artifact, and evaluate it himself. However, the chances of reaching the same conclusion as the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect were quite substantial. In such circumstances, it would be imprudent to squander his valuable Viin Value points. Not to mention, the resources essible to the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect were certainly not trifling. It could only be concluded that Gu Ran''s capacity to remain concealed was truly remarkable. In that case, they would have to discern Gu Ran''s whereabouts through other means! What other means, exactly? The supporting characters! While Gu Ran could cloak himself, his supporting characters could not! The exceptional prowess of the Viin''s Eye came into full y at this juncture! "Everyone should now pay meticulous attention to any peculiarities in their vicinity." Jiang Chen rose to his feet, his expression serene, "Even the slightest sign of deviation should be taken note of. Remember my instructions well." "Understood!" Ji Yn affirmed. "Be assured, Holy Son Jiang Chen!" Jing Chengwang added. The others present also nodded in concurrence. Subsequently, the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect organized a suitable lodging for Jiang Chen and Liu Xiong. Standing in the courtyard of his new abode, Jiang Chen shut his eyes, and with his divine sense, he scanned the surrounding oceanic expanses and inds within a radius of a million kilometers. However, Gu Ran was nowhere to be detected. This did not take him aback. Next, Jiang Chen began to utilize the Viin''s Eye to scrutinize the individuals within his purview, in quest of the supporting characters. Upon inspection, he discovered that a considerable number of members in the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect had turned into supporting characters - at least half, to be exact! Consequently, Jiang Chen started assessing the specific Fate Value of these supporting characters, aiming to estimate their lifespan. Among these characters, the vast majority held nearly identical values, suggesting their time of demise was likely to coincide. The chances were high that the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect had borne the brunt of Gu Ran''s massacre! He then shifted his focus to the small portion of supporting characters with even lower Fate Values. The lowest among them hovered around six hundred points, indicating they could survive for at least a month. ''That''s to be expected, after all, Gu Ran still needs time to improve.'' Jiang Chen contemted, as he started to broaden his observational field towards the outskirts. The Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect was situated in an expansive ocean, with most of the area deste. The further one drifted from the sect, the fewer inds they encountered. In terms of poption density, it was substantially lesser than the Everflowing Truth Domain. Fortunately, Jiang Chen''s divine sense covered a million kilometers in radius. It was incredibly potent and managed to spot some supporting characters on an ind of moderate size. These supporting characters possessed extremely low Fate Values - a vivid signal that their demise was imminent. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 308. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 1/2. Chapter 226: The 鈥楨ndless Dark Blood Moon Bloodline Jiang Chen sneered internally, ''Hmph! Finally, we''ve pinpointed where you''ll be stirring up trouble, Gu Ran!'' ''Finding you has been no easy task, truly no simple feat!'' ''If it had been anyone else, they wouldn''t have managed to locate you at all. They would''ve unknowingly let you grow stronger, only to be ruthlessly in and beheaded by you.'' As these thoughts raced through his mind, a fleeting sense of relief crossed his face, vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. Simply tracking down this protagonist, Gu Ran, had proven to be a daunting task. Confronting him would likely be no less arduous. ''Given Gu Ran''s velocity, he shouldn''t have arrived at that ind yet.'' he mused. ''After all, the ind is considerably remote from here, at least nine hundred thousand kilometers away!'' ''Gu Ran was only at the Mysterious tform realm before. If he could traverse such a distance in such a brief time, that would be extraordinarily aberrant!'' As these considerations swirled, Jiang Chen''s gaze swiftly shifted to Liu Xiong. "What directives does the Honorable Holy Son have?" Liu Xiong immediately asked, bowing respectfully. "Nothing major," Jiang Chen responded, giving a slight shake of his head. "I''ll be stepping out for a bit, you don''t need to apany me." "Understood!" Liu Xiong did not probe further, merely bowing in eptance. Following that, Jiang Chen withdrew a transmission jade token and ryed a message to Ji Yn: "Aunt Ji, I''ve pinpointed the ind where Gu Ran is likely to makendfall. It''s in the southeast... Keep a vignt eye for any irregrities along Gu Ran''s route, and remember, we must not startle the snake by hitting the grass." "What!" Ji Yn eximed, profoundly startled by Jiang Chen''s transmission. "Honorable Holy Son, you''ve identified where Gu Ran is expected tond!?" "How did you aplish that? It''s truly unimaginable, absolutely befitting of the Honorable Holy Son!" she praised. Yet, as the memory of Jiang Chen''s previous feat ying a formidable powerhouse of the Transcendence realm surfaced in her mind, her astonishment gave way to profound admiration. Not just Ji Yn, Jing Miaoyao, who was standing beside her, grew increasingly fascinated by Jiang Chen. Shortly after, Ji Yn heeded her instructions, and started delegating tasks to the members of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect outside, asking them to keep a vignt eye on the developments along Gu Ran''s path and to attempt to pinpoint Gu Ran''s location. Additionally, she provided Jiang Chen with a detailed map. The map wasden with various teleportation arrays, both for long and short-range travels. The potential routes Gu Ran might utilize were also meticulously plotted. The destination that Jiang Chen had earlier pinpointed, where Gu Ran was likely to makendfall, was an ind known as ''ck Wood''. At this juncture, Jiang Chen deduced that there was no direct teleportation pathway leading to ck Wood Ind. This suggested that regardless of the path chosen to reach ck Wood Ind, a segment of the journey would demand self-navigationeither through flight or by sea. Deep in thought, Jiang Chen pondered, ''Gu Ran selected ck Wood Ind as his final destination.'' ''The first possibility is that he is exceedingly cautious, deliberately making such a decision!'' ''Generally, most fugitives strive to get as far away as they can in the shortest possible time, opting for the most convenient and quickest routes. However, Gu Ran did the exact opposite!'' ''The second possibility is that ck Wood Ind holds something vital to Gu Ran.'' As he contemted these possibilities, an icy glint flickered in his eyes, underscoring his intense ruminations. Next, Jiang Chen bid his farewells to Ji Yn and the others, taking the map with him as he departed from Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind. Ji Yn and the rest expressed their desire to apany him, especially Jing Miaoyao, who was exceptionally eager to join him. However, Jiang Chen firmly refused them all! This was not a trivial matter, he was on a mission to confront the protagonist! Should supporting characters like Jing Miaoyao join, they would undeniably alert the enemy and impede his progress! As Jiang Chen left Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind, a colossal marine vessel was barreling through a distant expanse of the sea at a remarkable speed. This ship was not a dedicated ferry service between inds, but rather a hunting vessel,bing the sea for marine beasts to ensnare. Only on rare asions was it utilized for passenger transport. At present, the cabin was bustling with cultivators. Unbeknownst to them, hidden in one of the grimy corners was an invisible figure. In that dirt-filled crevice, Gu Rany concealed. He sat in a meditative pose, his expression stone-cold, lips tightly pursed. Yet, beneath that calm exterior, a tempest of emotions swirled. ''Miaoyao!'' His heart cried out in anger. ''Damn it, damn it all!'' The thoughts continued to torment him. ''I was sincere towards you, but who would have imagined that you were merely interested in my bloodline!'' ''Furthermore, you bear the surname Jing, belonging to the Jing n!'' ''I''m seething with rage! Such overwhelming rage!'' Gu Ran''s fists clenched tightly, each thud of his heart echoing with his thunderous fury. He had once believed that the affection presented to him was genuine. Having been solitary since childhood, he had finally tasted the sweet nectar of love. He had held it as a precious gem, cherishing it deeply. Yet, to his utter dismay, it all turned out to be a farce! Everyone who appeared in his life were mere performers! This included Miaoyao, who had seemingly defied all odds to fall in love with him, and the friends who had rallied behind him, cheered him on... It was all an illusion! Everything was solely for the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo nestled within him! Only after a close encounter with death did heprehend the truth about the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo. Initially, he had no idea about the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo, let alone the fact that he possessed a special bloodline. Even when he was tricked into voluntarily surrendering his bloodline to Miaoyao, the excuse offered by those behind Jing Miaoyao waspletely unrted to his bloodline. ''Miaoyao!'' ''And all you scum of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect!'' ''You could never have predicted that I woulde back from the brink of death!'' ''And even less so that the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo you extracted from me was actually suppressing my true bloodline!'' ''My authentic bloodline is called the ''Endless Dark Blood Moon''!'' ''Hahaha, I must thank you. Had you not deceived me into surrendering the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo, my Endless Dark Blood Moon would have remained sealed!'' ''And I, unable to awaken the ''Endless Dark Blood Moon'' bloodline, would have been forever stuck in my cultivation journey, unable to reach the Inquiring Journey realm even at the point of death.'' ''However, don''t think that inadvertently aiding me means I will show you any mercy!'' ''How dare you y with my feelings, disregard my life, my dignity... I will return all of it a hundredfold!'' Mad cries and howls reverberated in Gu Ran''s heart. Only through these could he release the fury and resentment simmering within him! A momentter, his turbulent emotions somewhat subsided, and he began to perceive the potency of his bloodline. Since his rebirth, his ''Endless Dark Blood Moon'' bloodline hadpletely shattered its shackles. Not only had his physique undergone dramatic transformations, but even his cognitive capabilities had been enhanced, rendering him less awkward and clumsy. In addition, the Endless Dark Blood Moon carried with it a trove of information, outlining the genesis of this bloodline and its functions. The specifics regarding the origin of his bloodline were rather vague. All Gu Ran knew was that his bloodline was linked to an extraordinarily powerful cultivator named ''Rangsi Kangcheng''. asionally, fragments of memories that weren''t his own would flit across Gu Ran''s mind, though such instances were rare. The function of his bloodline, conversely, was much more explicit. As the bearer of the ''Endless Dark Blood Moon'' bloodline, he possessed the ability to directly absorb a portion of the pure cultivation base of any formidable beings he defeated, iming it as his own! The more he slew, especially stronger adversaries, the mightier his bloodline became, and the greater the cultivation base he could umte! However, Gu Ran remained exceedingly cautious. When he had first resurrected and was on the run, he was attacked by a demonic beast. But instead of ying the creature, he chose to evade. Throughout his journey, he abstained from killing anyone! Gu Ran was aware that in his current state, he was no match for the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. His immediate strategy needed to focus on maintaining a low profile to ensure survival. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 308. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 2/2. Chapter 227: [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] Chapter 227: Arriving at Black Wood Island, Tracking Down Gu Ran Moreover, there was more to it than just the ability to kill extraordinary beings and drain a portion of their cultivation base. The ''Endless Dark Blood Moon'' bloodline had two additional unusual abilities. The first one was the ''Spectral Concealment'' ability! The effects of this concealment were immensely chilling. It hid not only the physical form but also the aura, fluctuations in the cultivation base, and much more. However, this camouge ability had one w - it would cease to function if the Yuan Power was utilized excessively fast. Forget about intensebat, even an overly high flight speed could cause its failure. Naturally, the more entities Gu Ran vanquished, the stronger the activation of the Endless Dark Blood Moon became, in turn enhancing the power of the Spectral Concealment. It could even reach a point where it could be utilized in low-intensitybat. The second trait was the ability to boost cultivation speed and efficiency in martial training. This attribute was prevalent in almost all high-tier bloodlines. The rank of the Endless Dark Blood Moon was extraordinarily lofty. Even at a very low activation level, it brought about a dramatic enhancement in Gu Ran''s cultivation speed and martial training efficiency! Under equivalent conditions, Gu Ran''s cultivation speed had already outstripped that of typical Top Grade aptitude geniuses. The rapid cultivation ability,bined with the power to eliminate extraordinary entities and seize a portion of their cultivation base, if unhindered, would undoubtedly propel Gu Ran''s cultivation base realm to astonishing heights! ''My bloodline is immensely potent!'' Gu Ran thought to himself. ''It won''t be much longer before I can exact my revenge!'' Drawing slow, profound breaths, his eyes sparkled with asional shes of murderous intent. The ''Endless Dark Blood Moon'' bloodline bestowed Gu Ran with immense self-assurance. As long as he could secure an environment conducive to growth, he harbored no doubts about his ability to exact retribution. Moreover, he wasn''t overly concerned about the ''Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo'' bloodline that had been taken from him. The Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo and the Endless Dark Blood Moon were mutually constraining bloodlines, each possessing simr levels of power. However, removing the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo from Gu Ran''s body was not without consequences. Even with the most meticulous procedure, some losses were unavoidable. The term ''perfect extraction'' was rtive, signifying a lesser extent of losspared to other methods that would result in more significant depletion. And the incorporation of the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo would once again diminish a portion of the bloodline''s power! After being weakened twice, the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo no longer had the strength to rival the Endless Dark Blood Moon. The two bloodlines counterbnced each other. If one was enfeebled, it would be mercilessly suppressed, unable to recover its vigor. Thus, from Gu Ran''s perspective, even if the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect nurtured an exceptionally gifted individual with the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo, that person wouldn''t pose a threat to him. Time steadily passed as the ship skillfully sailed across the sea. In what felt like an instant, they arrived at a nondescript ind. This ind housed a teleportation array that connected to other inds. Gu Ran wasted no time; he blended into the crowd and, without spending a single spirit stone, utilized the teleportation array to reach his intended destination directly. Using this method, he quickly made his way towards ck Wood Ind. ... Meanwhile, on ck Wood Ind, a figure hovered above, surveying the entire ind from the sky. That person was none other than Jiang Chen, who had utilized the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring to conceal his presence. Compared to Gu Ran''s slow advance, Jiang Chen''s speed was remarkable, and he had already arrived at ck Wood Ind ahead of him. ''The Feng n...'' he thought. ''They are the most formidable force on this ind, the ones destined to sh with Gu Ran. This encounter will surely lead to their humiliation and eventual elimination.'' ''The ones with the lowest Fate Value among them are several Mysterious tform realm cultivators. It seems they will be the first to fall to Gu Ran''s hands.'' As he scanned a vast mountain valley on the ind, a spark of anticipation ignited in Jiang Chen''s eyes. The abundance of buildings nestled within the valley signified the residence of ck Wood Ind''s leading n, the Feng n. The Feng n was numerous, but their most formidable member had reached only the Inquiring Journey realm. After all, this was merely a remote and minor ind. After taking stock of all the supporting characters in the Feng n, Jiang Chen''s divine sense shifted towards the sea. During his journey to this ce, Jiang Chen had amassed detailed knowledge about ck Wood Ind, and one particr detail had caught his attention. Every year, in the eleventh month, a migrating pack of demonic beasts would pass by ck Wood Ind. This pack was made up of a varied assortment of demonic beasts, broad in scope, yet their realms were not especially elevated. The most potent among them were at the Inquiring Journey realm, but they were few in number. These migrating Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts were too absorbed in their migration to attack the barren ck Wood Ind. Therefore, every eleventh month of the year, bold cultivators with remarkable skill would gather here to hunt demonic beasts. If they seeded in taking down some rare and valuable demonic beasts, they could gain considerable rewards. ''It''s almost the eleventh month of the year in the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea!'' Jiang Chen thought. ''Could it be that Gu Ran chose ck Wood Ind as his growth base not just for its istion and the difficulty of being discovered, but also for the demonic beast tide?'' Jiang Chen rubbed his chin, setting aside this suspicion for the time being. Shortly afterward, he descended onto the ind, casually selecting a ce to hide himself. He thenmenced cultivation while he waited patiently. Regarding the Feng n, Jiang Chen remained constantly vignt, though he had no intention of intervening prematurely. Such an action could inadvertently allow Gu Ran to remain hidden. Time strolled at its leisurely pace, and before he knew it, half a month had vanished. ''Still no sign?'' Jiang Chen thought, frustration mounting. ''Damn it, could I have been wrong?'' His watch had grown painfully protracted, his brow furrowing more with each passing day. He was now on the edge of losing his patience. It wasn''t that he was impatient, but rather that the protagonist, Gu Ran, was proving to be exceptionally elusive. An entire half month! If Gu Ran had utilized this time to strengthen himself, how much could his cultivation base and fighting ability have improved? Breathing deeply, Jiang Chen once again extended his divine sense, focusing especially on ck Wood Ind and the neighboring maritime regions. The initial scan revealed nothing no trace of Gu Ran, no sign of anything unusual. The second sweep was equally unfruitful. Just as Jiang Chen was executing his third sweep with divine sense, the protagonist, Gu Ran, finally appeared! He was situated on a barren coral reef in the eastern sea region of ck Wood Ind. Whoosh! A Mysterious tform realm demonic beast, resembling a massive ck tortoise, burst through the sea''s surface. Among the waves, it scrambled onto the coral reef, ready to bask in the sunlight. However, at that very instant, a young man suddenly appeared as if from nowhere. This man emanated the aura of the Mysterious tform realm, and he was d in a ck robe. He had a slender build, above-average appearance, and his eyes shone with a determined, icy re. It was, indeed, Gu Ran! The moment he materialized, Gu Ranunched a deadly attack on the demonic beast. Boom! Taken by surprise, the creature was struck in the head by the young man''s onught, letting out an immediate cry of agony. In an instant, a sh of cold light swept by, and a razor-sharp de quickly prated from the demonic beast''s mouth into its skull, twisting with cruelty. The demonic beast spasmed, its body quaking as it thrashed wildly, and with a loud crash, it fell into the sea. But only a few breathster, the massive corpse of this tortoise-like demonic beast resurfaced. ''Endless Dark Blood Moon!'' Gu Ran thought, a spark of delight in his eyes. With a soft growl in his heart, he promptly unleashed the power of his bloodline. A faint red glow slowly rose from within the body of the ck tortoise-like demonic beast, surrounded by streams of glistening ''fluorescence''. This bloody radiance was thebination of Gu Ran''s Yuan Power and the energy of his bloodline, while the gleaming ''fluorescence'' was the pure essence of the cultivation base, siphoned from the body of the demonic beast. ''Absorb!'' Gu Ran ordered, pulling the red light and the cultivation base into his own body. The speed at which he absorbed the cultivation base was astonishingly swift, integrating it into his own essence in a mere moment. ''Excellent!'' Gu Ran eximed. ''I''m one step closer to the Heavenly Origin realm!'' ''Even though I cultivate rather quickly, hunting and seizing demonic beasts is still faster!'' Feeling a boost in his cultivation base, a faint smile appeared on Gu Ran''s face. Suddenly, as if struck by a bolt of lightning, he shuddered, every hair on his body standing on end. Gu Ran felt as though he was being watched, an unseen gaze fixed on him. His expression shifted, and without a moment''s hesitation, he activated his bloodline power, concealing his presence. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 308. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 1/2. Chapter 228: Plan to Stifle Gu Rans Growth ''His alertness is truly remarkable!'' Jiang Chen eximed to himself. ''In addition, his Heavenly Fate Value endows him with a keen sense for detecting viins.'' ''I merely watched him briefly, and his intuition instantly came into y.'' With these thoughts circting in his mind, a soft smile gradually appeared on his face. In front of him, Gu Ran''s profile panel was floating in mid-air. [Name: Gu Ran Realm: Late-stage Mysterious tform Status: Protagonist Heavenly Fate Value: 29688/29688] ''His Heavenly Fate Value exceeds twenty thousand!'' Jiang Chen''s eyes narrowed. ''My goodness, it''s even greater than Fang Yuan''s!'' ''It appears Gu Ran''s shocking trump card surpasses even Fang Yuan''s!'' With this realization, a hint of seriousness began to seep within him. Shortly thereafter, he began to dissect the events he had previously observed. Gu Ran had acted without Jiang Chen''s divine sense catching wind of it. It''s worth mentioning that Jiang Chen''s divine sense was bolstered by the residual souls of the two great powerhouses, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning! Yet, Gu Ran was simply in the Mysterious tform realm. With such a pronounced difference in their realms, the fact that Jiang Chen couldn''t detect him indicated that Gu Ran''s stealth ability was truly extraordinary. ''I wonder how far ahead in realm I would need to be to prate his concealment technique...'' Jiang Chen mused, finding Gu Ran''s stealth method too adept for surprise attacks, making it challenging to anticipate. Subsequently, Jiang Chen''s focus shifted to the event where Gu Ran extracted the pure essence of the cultivation base from the tortoise-like demonic beast. ''That ''fluorescence'' stirs a feeling within me akin to the cultivation base energy returned by the Burning World Red Lotus.'' ''After Gu Ran absorbed it, his cultivation base did indeed surge!'' ''It seems that one of Gu Ran''s abilities is to extract a segment of the cultivation base from the creature he''s personally killed!'' ''Damn, this heaven-defying trump card is too direct and unambiguous. Power increases with killing, astounding!'' ''However, what''s the origin of this ability, and how is that crimson glow created?'' As he considered these points, Jiang Chen managed to draw some urate conclusions, but the nature of that blood-red glow still eluded him. However, even if he couldn''tprehend, he could always seek assistance! With the likes of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, two great powerhouses who had reached the Void Tribtion realm, there were certainly no limitations in terms of their insights and experiences! "Wan''er, Ning''er, how is that crimson glow created?" Jiang Chen inquired directly through his divine sense. "Have you noticed any special treasures on Gu Ran''s person?" Now that they had grown closer, their manner of addressing each other had be more intimate. "Let us ponder," Nangong Wan replied thoughtfully. "I sense it resembles the mythical immortal tool, the Bloodthirsty Heavenly de," Shangguan Ning suggested "No, it cannot be the Bloodthirsty Heavenly de, the characteristics don''t match!" Nangong Wan quickly countered. "I merely suggested a resemnce, I didn''t confirm it. Why are you so quick to react?" "Hmph, if you''re uncertain, just admit it. What''s with this ''resembles''?" "Then why don''t you enlighten us, what is it?" "It''s the well-known Immortal ying Blood Devouring Forbidden Art!" "Ha, the Immortal ying Blood Devouring Forbidden Art? Ridiculous! Allow me to describe what it looks like when the Immortal ying Blood Devouring Forbidden Art is executed!" A lively debate ensued between Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, a slight tension brewing amidst their exchange. In truth, the misunderstanding between the two had long been resolved. Uponparing certain details, Shangguan Ning discovered that her n''s demise wasn''t brought about by Nangong Wan, significantly alleviating the tension between them. However, their penchant for squabbling persisted. "Um! What is it exactly? Can you provide a definitive answer?" Listening to the two women bickering, Jiang Chen couldn''t help but interject in a slightly frustrated tone. "..." Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning fell silent. Both women had realized their blunder! "You don''t know?" A twitch yed at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth. He had confidently expected that Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning would be able to identify the ''treasure'' Gu Ran possessed. Was his assumption about to be proven incorrect? "I actually have some impressions, but we need more information." Just then, Nangong Wan broke the silence, "Ning''er, why don''t we exchange our insights and specte together?" "Who are you calling Ning''er?" Shangguan Ning retorted with a hint of tsundere, "But we can theorize together." Thus, the two women resumed their discussion. "So that''s it!" Shortly after, Shangguan Ning and Nangong Wan voiced simultaneously, "That Gu Ran actually possesses a bloodline of the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path, the Endless Dark Blood Moon!" "What? The Endless Dark Blood Moon, a bloodline of the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path?" Jiang Chen''s eyes widened in astonishment, "Damn, that''s utterly outrageous!" "The Endless Dark Blood Moon. Indeed, it''s incredibly outrageous, a name that strikes fear into hearts upon mention!" Nangong Wan added, her voice tinged with slight awe. "This is a bloodline that veers towards the Demonic Path and is exceedingly rare!" Shangguan Ning exined, her tone serious. "At least, within our Evesting Baseless Immortal Domain, it has long been extinct, and records about it are notably vague." "Were it not for Gu Ran''s previouslyckluster aptitude, who only began to show rapid advancement following his death and resurrection after the extraction of the ''Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo'' bloodline, we may not have been able to identify it solely from his disyed abilities." Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning alternated their inputs. "The Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo!" A spark ignited in Jiang Chen''s eyes, "What''s the rtionship between the Endless Dark Blood Moon and the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo?" "They counterbnce each other at the same realm!" Shangguan Ning exined. "But it''s rumored that through certain unique methods, they can be fused to form the Endless Star Moon Dao Embryo!" Nangong Wan interjected. "Since Gu Ran possesses both these bloodlines simultaneously, his true status is undoubtedly extraordinarily formidable!" "At the very least, it bears an indirect link to a great powerhouse who has reached the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path!" Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning continued to talk in turn, their voices filled with seriousness. ''Amazing!'' Jiang Chen marveled, trying to understand the significance of the revtion. ''Having two bloodlines of the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path at the same time!'' ''And it appears he has a direct or indirect connection with a great powerhouse at the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path!'' ''Maybe, he might even be the reincarnation of a great powerhouse who sessfully ascended the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path. I''m uncertain if he retains the memories of such an influential figure.'' ''With two bloodlines and a mysterious status, it''s no wonder Gu Ran boasts such a high Heavenly Fate Value!'' ''Also, if things go as nned, in the ''original plot'' shaped by the Heavenly Fate, he will undoubtedly reim the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo and sessfullybine it. By then, he''ll be an even stronger opponent!'' ''Furthermore, Gu Ran''s actual status is frightening, killing him might lead to serious karmic consequences.'' ''But I have no choice, he''s the protagonist and I''m the viin, it''s either his death or my downfall!'' As various thoughts raced through his mind, Jiang Chen''s pupils narrowed slightly, only for a faint smile soon to appear on his face, because presently, the desired Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo was securely in his possession. Did Gu Ran desire to reim it? Impossible! At the same time, Jiang Chen had managed to unravel most of the secrets surrounding Gu Ran. This included not just Gu Ran''s cultivation base realm but also his heaven-defying trump card! True, Gu Ran was gifted with the extraordinarily formidable ''Endless Dark Blood Moon'' bloodline, but no matter how potent this bloodline, it necessitated time to mature, didn''t it? It was only through personally ying his enemies that Gu Ran could trigger his bloodline to take effect, consequently seizing their cultivation base. Just from this unique characteristic of Gu Ran''s heaven-defying trump card, Jiang Chen could deduce Gu Ran''s likely behavior and growth trajectory. It suggested a pattern of instigating conflicts for a range of reasons, then eliminating these adversaries to appropriate their cultivation base. This action, in turn, would inevitably attract even stronger foes, doomed to the same fate, thus perpetuating an unending cycle of escting conflict and power absorption. Naturally, other life experiences would certainly be intermingled. For instance, meeting female lead characters, encountering male supporting characters, etc., various friendships would adorn Gu Ran''s life. But regardless, enduring a multitude of battles would undeniably remain the main theme of Gu Ran''s life. Therefore, to curtail Gu Ran''s growth, the most straightforward approach would be to prevent him from engaging in fights, to stop him from killing! In this way, the formidable ability of the ''Endless Dark Blood Moon'' bloodline could be substantially restrained. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 310. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 2/2. Chapter 229: [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] Chapter 229: Depriving Gu Rans Opportunities Jiang Chen, with a n to confront Gu Ran well-established in his mind, decided to act decisively. Propelling himself with a swift push of his feet, he ascended into the sky towards the marine region where Gu Ran resided. Simultaneously, on the coral reef, Gu Ran persisted in maintaining his ability of invisibility. However, a trace of unease was slowly starting to seep into his heart. He pondered, ''What was observing me just a moment ago?'' ''It induced a numbing chill, making my spine tingle with fear!'' ''Is there a terrifying demonic beast lurking around this coral reef?'' ''But that can''t be... I meticulously selected this reef as my hunting ground. There''s no possibility of a demonic beast beyond the Mysterious tform realm appearing here!'' ''Could it be that a formidable powerhouse passing by has noticed me?'' The more Gu Ran contemted, the more regret pervaded his heart. The moment he sensed the feeling of being observed, he instantly activated his invisibility ability. As a result, the observer who had spotted him would now be blind to his presence, probably leading to astonishment and perhaps prompting them to investigate further. This scenario presented a significant threat to Gu Ran. ''I mustn''t let myself be overtaken by panic this way in the future!'' Gu Ran reprimanded himself as he began to navigate with discreet and subtle movements. As long as he refrained from using his Yuan Power, he could maintain his invisible state while on the move. Shortly, Gu Ran discreetly submerged himself into the sea and continued to stealthily drift away. Assisted by the billowing waves and tumultuous currents, any sound he made while moving was masked. Jiang Chen lost track of Gu Ran, but he was not worried. All he had to do was keep a vignt watch over the demonic beasts in this marine region. Gu Ran''s strategy was to hunt demonic beasts, seize their cultivation base to strengthen himself, which signified he would unquestionably continue ying these beasts. The moment Gu Ran initiated his hunt, his location would surely be exposed! The only way of evading this would be to flee millions of kilometers in a single bound. However, could Gu Ran, with his current cultivation base, possibly aplish such a feat? In no time, Jiang Chen arrived at the nearby marine region where Gu Ran wasst seen. Just like Gu Ran, he used the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring to conceal his presence. Regardless of whether he hid or not, it wouldn''t matter much; Gu Ran''s divine sense range was too limited, he couldn''t detect Jiang Chen from afar! Jiang Chen silently decided, ''Next, I''ll begin hindering Gu Ran''s progress.'' ''I''ll eliminate all surrounding demonic beasts, leaving none for your hunt!'' A chilling smirk surfaced on his face. Without dy, he flicked his hand, releasing strands of sword Qi that surged into the seawater. These incredibly fine threads of sword Qi darted wildly through the seabed, exterminating any demonic beasts they encountered. A single strand of sword Qi could vanquish thousands of Mysterious tform realm demonic beasts before eventually fading away. In a brief span of time, a vast number of demonic beasts in the surrounding marine region sumbed to Jiang Chen''s might. Some of the demonic beasts sensed the anomaly and fled in sheer terror. As a result, the marine region chosen by Gu Ran was devoid of any suitable demonic beasts for his hunting. Moreover, Gu Ran remained entirely oblivious to this development. He cautiously navigated the seabed, simultaneously dodging any potential great powerhouse or powerful demonic beast that might approach, and made his way towards other hunting grounds. Just then, a much-anticipated system notification echoed in Jiang Chen''s mind. [Ding! You have subtly manipted the plot, usurped a portion of the protagonist Gu Ran''s opportunities. Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 500 points!] [Ding! You have earned 1,000 Viin Value points!] ''Hehe,'' Jiang Chen let out a frosty chuckle. ''So, you aim to hunt demonic beasts? Keep dreaming!'' He didn''t need to think to understand that Gu Ran would definitely continue his pursuit of hunting demonic beasts. Well, let him search far and wide, only toe back empty-handed! Next, Jiang Chen focused his divine sense exclusively on the demonic beasts. Whenever a creature traveled from afar to this vicinity, he would kill it and then confiscate the carcass. These remains still contained some qi and blood energy. Even if it wasn''t much, it was still better than nothing. He would dly umte them! Moreover, confiscating the corpses was a tactic to prevent Gu Ran from leaving prematurely. Otherwise, if Gu Ran stumbled upon a trail littered with demonic beast carcasses, he would surely be rmed into quickly withdrawing to safety. Time gradually slipped by. In the blink of an eye, five days had passed. Jiang Chen asionally eliminated demonic beasts, but for the most part, he was idle. Of course, Jiang Chen did not waste this time; he used it for cultivation. Although he had no immediate ns to use spiritual nts, his innate cultivation aptitude far surpassed the usual Perfect Grade aptitude, leading to a notably rapid cultivation speed! ording to Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, Jiang Chen''s aptitude was approaching the Peerless Grade, a tier above the Perfect Grade. Such extraordinary aptitude would not be left untapped by Jiang Chen. Throughout these five days, he had been steadily engaged in cultivation, making notable progress. Moreover, he took out the mysterious giant egg obtained from the Cave Heaven Secret Realm and had it inspected by Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. The results were consistent with the information left by Immortal Tian Cui. The mysterious giant egg was indeed cultivated using the ''Void White Dragon'' egg as a foundation,bined with the bloodline of the Death Cmity True Dragon. Although the bloodline of the Death Cmity True Dragon utilized was somewhat diluted, the Void White Dragon was no less significant. The fusion of the two resulted in a substantial enhancement! However, Jiang Chen had no immediate intentions to incubate the mysterious giant egg. The Cave Heaven Secret Realm issue was likely to entail significant repercussions, so he chose to bide his time. Besides, he currently needed the qi and blood energy as a secret weapon. Meanwhile, in another location, Gu Ran stood on the coastline of a small ind, his brows furrowed in bewilderment. With mounting frustration, he mused, ''Five days! Five entire days!'' ''Why haven''t Ie across a single demonic beast above the Spiritual Awakening realm!?'' ''There should be numerous Mysterious tform realm demonic beasts here, why is this happening!?'' And then, a hint of suspicion entered his mind, ''Could it be as I spected, that a more stronger demonic beast has passed through this area, or perhaps even made it its home, scaring off the local weaker demonic beasts!?'' However, not all seemed bleak for him. At the very least, he hadn''t felt that spine-chilling gaze surreptitiously observing him for the past five days. This brought a considerable sense of relief to Gu Ran''s heart. Mulling over his next move, he contemted, ''Since the demonic beasts here have likely all been scared away, I should move to a different location! Perhaps the demonic beasts from here have scattered elsewhere, making them more concentrated and easier to hunt!'' ''Demonic beasts alsopete for territory amongst themselves; I may even manage to exploit the situation and reap the benefits!'' With a renewed sense of hope, Gu Ran''s expression progressively lightened. Without further ado, he ceased his stealth, pulled out a flying artifact, and rapidly flew off into the distance. ''Oh?'' Jiang Chen picked up on the change, ''He''s starting to relocate?'' ''Too bad, with me in the picture, you won''t be able to hunt down a single demonic beast again, hehehehe!'' A frosty grin spread across his face. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 312. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 1/2. Chapter 230: A Sudden Turn of Events, a Gathering of Fools ''What''s going on?'' Gu Ran questioned internally. The moment Jiang Chen''s gaze fell upon him, he was ovee with confusion and apprehension. ''I felt as though someone just swept their gaze over me again!'' ''There clearly aren''t any cultivators in this nearby sea area, what exactly is happening?'' He pondered, his skin tingling with a chilly sensation. However, the sensation this time wasn''t as potent as the first. It appeared the beholder of the mysterious gaze wasn''t particrly interested in him, merely casting a fleeting look before moving on. This allowed Gu Ran to breathe a sigh of relief. Remaining alert, he continued his forward flight. On his journey, he didn''t feel the mysterious gaze again, but he also didn''t encounter any demonic beasts suitable for hunting. Without him realizing it, ten days had swiftly passed by. ''Ten days! An entire ten days without encountering a single demonic beast suitable for hunting!?'' Having aimlessly roamed the sea for a full ten days, Gu Ran was nearing a breakdown, with not one suitable demonic beast to be found. He couldn''t continue like this. Furthermore, the vanishing demonic beasts might be signaling a significant event about to unfold! ''All the demonic beasts in the nearby seas, those above the Spiritual Awakening realm, have utterly vanished,'' he mused. ''Plus, there''s an intimidating presence with an incredibly potent divine sense lurking nearby.'' ''These two urrences could be linked!'' ''No, I can''t stay in this sea region any longer. If a major incident happens, with my cultivation base being lower than the Heavenly Origin realm, I might even struggle to flee!'' These thoughts whirled through Gu Ran''s mind, making him grow increasingly cautious and solemn. ''I must leave immediately.'' Without dy, he summoned his flying artifact and continued towards the direction of ck Wood Ind. [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot, iming a share of protagonist Gu Ran''s opportunities. Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 1000 points!] [Ding! You have gained 2000 Viin Value points!] As Gu Ran chose to pivot and depart, the system''s notifications echoed in Jiang Chen''s sea of consciousness. Under normal circumstances, Gu Ran would have garnered considerable gains from this sea area, enough to elevate his cultivation base to the Heavenly Origin realm, and possibly even advance to the Inquiring Journey realm. However, apart from the ck, tortoise-like demonic beast Gu Ran slew in the beginning, he hadn''te across another demonic beast above the Spiritual Awakening realm! The subplot of hunting demonic beasts was significant for Gu Ran. After all, those sea-dwelling demonic beasts, intended to be his prey, were supposed to be his first bounty. Now, returning empty-handed, the oue hadpletely flipped, and his Heavenly Fate Value naturally plummeted. ''Dropped by 1000 points!'' Jiang Chen thought after hearing the system''s notifications. ''Not bad, not bad, the days spent tirelessly observing the surrounding seas and eliminating the encroaching demonic beasts weren''t wasted.'' A satisfied smile appeared on his face. However, at that moment, a group of individuals suddenly caught Jiang Chen''s attention. This group, who were merely passersby before, their information panel not even essible, had suddenly turned into supporting characters! And they were the type of supporting characters with extraordinarily low Fate Value! At first nce, Jiang Chen knew these supporting characters were on the brink of death! ''Damn, this group of cultivators must have been temporarily transformed into supporting characters due to Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value!'' He realized. ''Heavenly Fate is so crafty. To ensure Gu Ran doesn''t return empty-handed, it ''snags'' some cultivators en route to make them easy kills for him!'' Jiang Chen rolled his eyes, irritation and annoyance surging within him. On closer inspection of the group of cultivators, itprised eleven members, with the most powerful one at the Late-stage Mysterious tform realm. The leader was an extravagantly attired young man at the Early-stage Mysterious tform realm, with a mboyant expression. His name was Fu Huacan, and he exuded the air of a pampered and privileged young master. This setup was tantly intended to lend a hand to the protagonist! ''I can''t allow Gu Ran to cross paths with these cultivators!'' A cial gleam shed across Jiang Chen''s eyes, and with a swift motion, he morphed into a beam of light and took off. However, he was somewhat distant. Fu Huacan and his entourage were already quite close to Gu Ran, and their sudden transformation into supporting characters was just too damn abrupt! In the blink of an eye, this group of cultivators, poised to ''assist'', had entered Gu Ran''s divine sense range. As Gu Ran spotted Fu Huacan and his team, they too became aware of Gu Ran, who hadn''t concealed his presence. Fu Huacan red at the sea beneath his feet, fists clenched. "Damn it, why haven''t we encountered a demonic beast of the Spiritual Awakening realm or above yet!?" His voice resounded with a strong hint of defiance. "This sea area was teeming until recently. What has caused such a sudden change!?" another cultivator remarked. "We''ve been scouring this ce for days, managing to y just a few demonic beasts initially. The yield is far too meager!" a voice chimed in. "When this young master set sail, I boasted a lot. I can''t return in such a pitiful condition, that''s just uneptable!" Fu Huacan eximed, his frustration evident. "Yes, yes, we can''t go back like this. We''ll be the butt of all jokes!" a different cultivator agreed. At this, Jiang Chen was somewhat at a loss for words. Under usual conditions, wouldn''t arge-scale disappearance of demonic beasts incite rm andpel people to escape? Yet, Fu Huacan was still fretting over his scanty harvest, stubbornly refusing to return. It was as if his intelligence had plummeted. His apanying cultivators seemed equally obtuse, offering no wise counsel. All they did was fawn over him and echo his sentiments. ''Heavenly Fate is indeed terrifying!'' Jiang Chen mumbled under his breath, and then watched as Fu Huacan and his group ran into Gu Ran. From Gu Ran''s perspective, the moment he spotted Fu Huacan and his group, his brow knitted, sensing an imminent nuisance! In the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, Gu Ran had encountered numerous dandy scions, and Fu Huacan''s demeanor perfectly fit the mold! These extravagant young masters were the most challenging to handle, as they could bear grudges over petty disputes. Currently, all Gu Ran yearned for was to cultivate and advance in peace. He was exceedingly averse to engaging in conflicts with others! Upon sighting Gu Ran, Fu Huacan instantly burst intoughter and eximed, "Yo, Dear Daoist friend!" Drawing near him like a social butterfly, he continued, "Crossing paths in this vast sea, it''s truly fated!" Then, with a twinkle in his eye, he asked, "So, have you snagged any good hauls?" The rest of the entourage also chimed in, each wearing a grin as they eyed Gu Ran. Gu Ran nced at Fu Huacan and his group, answering with aposed disposition, "Indeed, it''s fated that we meet here." "Unfortunately, it seems something odd has urred in this sea area, causing all the demonic beasts of the Spiritual Awakening realm and above to vanish." He sighed slightly, "As such, I haven''t managed to procure anything either, and I''m nning to return to ck Wood Ind." "Oh?" Fu Huacan''s eyes flickered, scrutinizing Gu Ran from head to toe as he remarked, "So, you didn''t secure anything either. It seems we''re in the same predicament." Ultimately, his gaze settled on the flying artifact beneath Gu Ran''s feet. Pausing for a moment, he then suggested, "I, too, am nning to return to ck Wood Ind. How about we journey together?" For a Mysterious tform cultivator from the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect and an outer disciple like Gu Ran, owning a flying artifact was rathermonce. However, in a remote ce like ck Wood Ind, a flying artifact would be somewhat of a rarity. The fact that Gu Ran wasn''t stripped of his storage artifact when his ''corpse'' was handled was indeed abnormal. This could solely be chalked up to the protagonist''s halo, courtesy of the Heavenly Fate. At this moment, Fu Huacan had scrutinized Gu Ran from head to toe, swiftly deducing that he was a loose cultivator without any significant backing, albeit a tad affluent. Immediately, a frigid sneer flickered in his heart! A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 312. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 2/2. Chapter 231: [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] Chapter 231: The Terrifying Snort, A Lesson Learned "My friend, let''s journey together! This stretch of sea seems peculiar. Having somepany on the return journey would be advantageous." One of the followers caught Fu Huacan''s eye, immediately grasped his intentions, and amplified his proposal. "Indeed!" Another follower added, "Let''s not dy further. We should return right away!" The rest of the ensemble joined in the mor. They presented their team in such a cordial and eager manner that if Gu Ran declined, he woulde across as ungrateful. Ordinary individuals facing such circumstances would likely agree, provided they were somewhat broad-minded. But Gu Ran was far from ordinary. Bolstered by his bloodline and the protagonist''s halo, he possessed a keen intuition for peril. From the very first nce, he knew that Fu Huacan harbored malicious intent. As such, Gu Ran shook his head. "No, thank you," he politely declined. "I need to visit another stretch of sea before returning to ck Wood Ind. Please excuse me." He offered a small bow to Fu Huacan and his party, then promptly turned around to depart. "Halt!" Fu Huacan shouted and the others quickly fanned out, effectively blocking all of Gu Ran''s potential escape paths. "Do you have other destinations, fellow Daoist?" one of them questioned assertively. "The seas are in such turmoil, yet you refuse to return?" "Don''t tell me you''ve discovered where those demonic beasts have retreated? Or that you know a location where demonic beasts can still be hunted?" "How generous we were to extend an invitation, yet you withhold valuable information. That''s truly ungrateful." "Fellow Daoist, when we cross paths outside, everyone is a friend. We share both troubles and joys alike. If you know where there are still demonic beasts, take us along!" "Fellow Daoist, I am of the Fu n from ck Wood Ind. Assist us, and future benefits will not elude you." Fu Huacan said, his voice both enticing and threatening. "Hmph! All of you, with your hidden agendas, truly disgraceful!" Gu Ran surveyed his surroundings, snorted icily, and readied his Yuan Power forbat! "You reap what you sow!" someone dered. "Since you rejected our offer of friendship, don''t me us for showing no mercy!" "Young man, disying such arrogance while isted. Today, I''ll teach you the true meaning of cruelty!" The expressions of Fu Huacan and hispanions shifted instantly. They wore sinister grins, unsheathed their weapons, and prepared to strike! Gu Ran''s expression was as cold as ice. Despite the numerous adversaries, he remained undaunted. The major advantage granted by his ''Endless Dark Blood Moon'' bloodline was the capacity to plunder his enemies'' cultivation bases and maintain concealment. However, itsbat amplification was also formidable. Even without mastering a myriad of cultivation methods, his apparent realm only resided in the Late-stage Mysterious tform, yet his fighting prowess had already ascended to the Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm! Once he sprang into action, Gu Ran was confident he could vanquish them all! But, just as the decisive battle was about to erupt, the heaven and earth abruptly underwent a drastic transformation. The once clear sky swiftly turned into a tumultuous storm of lightning and thunder! Boom!! Following this, a truly terrifying aura descended! Whoosh! Under this aura''s influence, even the sea waves intensified markedly. "What?!" A voice eximed in shock. "What, what, what... what kind of great powerhouse is this?!" "My heavens, this must be an immensely powerful cultivator from the Second Step of the Cultivation Path, at least within the Dao Comprehension realm!" "Why would such a great powerhouse, who should be around Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind, appear in such an isted ce?" The expressions of Fu Huacan and the others underwent a severe shift, and they immediately refrained from any action. Gu Ran''s pupils contracted sharply, his body tightened, and his heart pounded as if a wild boar was in a frenzy within him! ''No, it couldn''t possibly be a powerhouse from the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, could it?'' ''Could they have traced my path ande to hunt me?'' ''What should I do if that''s the case?'' A slew of terrifying thoughts abruptly flooded Gu Ran''s mind. "Hmph!" But in that moment, a soft snort abruptly reverberated through the heavens and the earth. The voice was enchantingly pleasant, evidently belonging to a supreme beauty! Yet, the deterrent encapsted within this light snort was astonishingly fearsome! "Ah!!" Fu Huacan was scared into yelping, nearly toppling into the sea. Gu Ran also shuddered from head to toe, his heart hitting its peak of tension! However, after that mysterious female powerhouse issued a light snort, the celestial phenomenon began to quickly dissipate. It was clear that this imposing figure did not wish to engage too deeply in the affairs of those who were mere ants in her eyes. ''She''s departing, she''s gone! Excellent, she''s not pursuing me!'' As he watched the lightning spectacle vanish at the horizon where sea met sky, the tension in Gu Ran''s heart instantly transformed into tion. "Chatter, Chatter!" Simultaneously, Fu Huacan was so petrified that his teeth chattered, and it took him a moment to regain hisposure. Subsequently, he swallowed hard, bowed to Gu Ran, and said with a strained smile: "I was impolite earlier, fellow Daoist, I hope you can overlook my transgression." "Indeed, indeed, indeed!" "We all earn our livelihood at sea and should assist each other rather than instigate conflict." "Fortunately, we received a warning from that senior, otherwise, we would have strayed into deviant paths. We''re so lucky!" Fu Huacan''s followers, too, were terrified, and they all smiled sheepishly, bowing to Gu Ran. "It''s all a misunderstanding, merely a misunderstanding." Gu Ran didn''t n to linger on the matter either and immediately seized the chance to extricate himself from the situation. Because he could sense that the female senior''s chilly snort was directed at them all, not favoring him in particr. "Indeed, indeed, indeed, it''s a misunderstanding, just a mere misunderstanding!" Fu Huacanughed heartily, "Now that the misunderstanding has been resolved, we are friends, fellow Daoist, would you like to join us on our journey?" "Still no." Gu Ran shook his head, "I truly have matters to attend to, so I''ll bid you farewell." He offered a bow to Fu Huacan and hispanions, and then turned to take flight. "Let''s depart as well." Fu Huacan signaled his followers, and the group hastily made their exit. After they had put a considerable distance between themselves and their previous location, Fu Huacan and the others regained someposure. However, recollections of the recent incident still sent a chill down their spines. "I never expected such a powerful senior to appear here!" "Just from the voice of that senior, it''s clear she loathes evil as if it were her personal enemy. Thankfully, we didn''t get a chance to initiate our actions!" "We need to abandon these opportunistic acts of robbery, I thought I was on the brink of death just now!" Fu Huacan and hispanions kept patting their chests to soothe their anxiety. Then, they resumed their journey towards ck Wood Ind. Meanwhile, Gu Ran was pondering deeply, ''Could there actually be a powerhouse at the Second Step of the Cultivation Path in this sea region? They might be at either the Dao Comprehension realm or the Dao Pce realm.'' ''The sudden disappearance of the demonic beasts in this area might be linked to this powerhouse.'' ''But that female cultivator is incredibly powerful. Surely, she wouldn''t be concerned with those minor demonic beasts!'' ''There must be another reason for the odd disappearance of the demonic beasts. This powerhouse might be here to uncover that mystery!'' ''I wonder if that female cultivator is affiliated with the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect...'' Just the thought of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect caused a chill to pass through Gu Ran''s eyes, and deep resentment welled up inside him! ''I must be more powerful!'' ''This sea region is showing signs of irregrity. I should change my direction!'' ''The Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, Jing Miaoyao... and all who yed a part in this, I swear to exact my revenge!'' With these thoughts burning in his mind, Gu Ran quickly turned and darted towards the horizon. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 314. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 1/2. Chapter 232: Demonic Invasion of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea [Ding! You have slightly altered the plot, sessfully preventing the protagonist, Gu Ran, from showing off and emerging victorious. Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has been reduced by 300 points!] [Ding! You have earned 600 Viin Value points!] At the same moment, system prompts resonated within Jiang Chen''s Sea of Consciousness, drawing a smile to his lips. The great powerhouse who had conveniently ''passed by'' the location of Gu Ran and Fu Huacan, was, of course, none other than him! Throughout the entire event, he didn''t show himself, nor did he reveal his aura, cultivation base, or even the slightest ripple of his divine sense. The entire procedure was overseen by Nangong Wan! That icy snort was also emitted by Nangong Wan! In this manner, Gu Ran would remain oblivious to Jiang Chen''s existence, thus maintaining the upper hand in information secrecy. ''By interfering, I managed to prevent the dandy cultivator, Fu Huacan, from sessfully ''lending a helping hand'' to Gu Ran, bringing this plotline to a temporary halt.'' ''However, influenced by the Heavenly Fate, Fu Huacan and the others are destined to cross paths with Gu Ran again, eventually leading to hostility and their ultimate downfall.'' ''After Gu Ran offends the Fu n of ck Wood Ind, his path will intersect with the Feng n due to the ties between the Fu and Feng ns, among other reasons...'' ''Thus, I will head back to ck Wood Ind to continue my covert interference in Gu Ran''s ''storyline'', aiming to halt his triumphant rise!'' With this n in mind, Jiang Chen readied himself to journey back to ck Wood Ind. "Roar!!" Yet, right at that instant, a profoundly terrifying roar erupted from the nearby seabed. Following that, it felt as though an underwater volcano had erupted! A massive column of seawater sted up from the seabed, creating a monstrous wave, before plummeting down with a terrifying force! Boom! As if a giant peak in the ocean had copsed, numerous massive waves radiated outward, sweeping across the vicinity! During this event, an extraordinarily powerful aura nketed arge section of the surrounding sea! This aura... it undoubtedly belonged to the Dao Pce realm!! Beyond this potent aura, a faint tinge of scarlet began to diffuse across the ocean and the sky. ''Holy smokes! Could this be the surge of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi?'' Sensing the subtle traces of Nether Demon Spiritual Qi in the air, Jiang Chen''s eyes widened in disbelief. ''Incredibly, has the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi erupted here in the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea?!'' ''The Purple Heaven Holy Land just overcame Long Tianlu and repelled the Nether Demon n. In such a brief time, could the Nether Demon n have initiated an invasion here in the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea?!'' Then, it dawned on him. The reason for the Nether Demon n''s invasion of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea undoubtedly had to do with the protagonist, Gu Ran! As the protagonist, how could Gu Ran not partake in an event as monumental as the Nether Demon n invading the Immortal Martial Continent? He was bound to engage in the battle against the Nether Demon n, zing a path of strength! Throughout this journey, making a name for himself and joining the battle for the title of the ''number one prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent''. Eventually, he would stand off against Jiang Chen, seed in unting his prowess and triumphing, leapfrogging to be the number one prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent. This would stun the entire world, earning him countless admirers and a horde of girls throwing themselves at his feet... ''Damn! The protagonist halo is truly exasperating!'' Jiang Chen internally grumbled, rolling his eyes. ''Just because of him, the Nether Demon invasion simply urs!'' ''Now, I''m likely to get tangled up with this Dao Pce realm demon.'' ''While Gu Ran has the liberty to ughter demons at will, plundering their cultivation base to be stronger.'' He then extended his divine sense towards the part of the sea from where the roaring and the potent aura were originating. From the depths of the dark and frightening seabed, a massive pit appeared, with the seawater churning and roiling endlessly! A substantial amount of Nether Demon Spiritual Qi painted the surrounding seawater a vivid red. Furthermore, increasing volumes of Nether Demon Spiritual Qi erupted from the pit on the seabed, forming an eerie ''pir of light''! Ssh! Ssh! A gargantuan creature, asrge as a mountain, swam within the seabed, its formidable body faintly discernible in the shadowy waters. It was a Late-stage Dao Pce realm demonic beast that had been corrupted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi! Its form resembled a gigantic octopus with innumerable tentacles. Its size surpassed one hundred thousand meters, and every movement it made could set off a terrifying natural catastrophe! Furthermore, within the brain of this colossal octopus-like demonic beast, Jiang Chen detected another aura of the Dao Pce realm, this time emanating from the Demon Race! And it was a familiar aura from the Nether Soul Demon n! This Dao Pce realm Nether Soul Demon n member seemed to have employed some special technique to temporarily fuse with the octopus-like demonic beast, resulting in an even more formidable entity! Watching the undercurrents brewing beneath the sea and the Dao Pce realm demon, Jiang Chen''s mind was awash with numerous thoughts: ''This creature! Could it be one of the Nether Soul Demon n members who escaped from the sh at the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak?!'' ''Defeated and driven away from the Purple Heaven Holy Land, their leader was killed, and surprisingly, rather than recuperating, they''ve chosen to immediately invade the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea.'' ''Furthermore, it seems the Nether Demon n is nning to seize the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea in one swift action, using it as a base to extend their reach throughout the Lustrous Yang Domain!'' ''Well, there were four Dao Pce realm demons that escaped previously, and with this newly surfaced Dao Pce realm demonic beast, that makes five Dao Pce realmbatants!'' ''On the other hand, the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea only has three Dao Pce realm beings, and theirbat power is mediocre.'' ''With such might, it''s indeed usible ording to calctions that the Nether Demon n could take over the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea.'' ''However, the arrival of the Nether Demon n is essentially a boon for Gu Ran.'' ''Of course, it''s possible that the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect might genuinely fall, after all, they are the adversaries of Gu Ran.'' Pondering this, Jiang Chen''s musings were interrupted when another disturbance erupted from the seabed pit. This explosion resulted in countless fissures instantaneously forming in the seabed of the surrounding sea area. Within the tumultuous sea, a horde of demonic beasts tainted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi surged forth wildly, their objective being to assault the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect! And standing as the initial line of defense against these demonic beasts was the susceptible ck Wood Ind! ''Damn, there are so many!'' Jiang Chen''s eyes narrowed at the oing horde of demonic beasts. ''But then again, the more I can ughter, the better!'' ''Plus, these demonic beasts offer quite the opportunity for me, heh heh!'' A sly grin began to form on his face. Then, Jiang Chen unsheathed the Purple Sun Thousand-Mile Sword and shed fiercely into the ocean below, ''Myriad Changes Evesting Sword!'' Ssh! This mystical Sword Dao technique instantly split into numerous sword threads, ying a multitude of demonic beasts in the blink of an eye! However, this time, Jiang Chen specifically aimed for demonic beasts below the Heavenly Origin realm. This was because these demonic beasts were the primary prey for Gu Ran, who currently could not handle advanced demonic beasts. Swoosh! Stter! With a single swing of Jiang Chen''s sword, the area spanning tens of thousands of miles beneath him instantly transformed into a sea of blood! A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 312. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 2/2. Chapter 233: [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] Chapter 233: A Dao Palace Realm Clash, Jiang Chen vs. E Tianjiu Without even a chance to shriek, helpless demonic beasts met their demise abruptly. A multitude of corpses, either sinking to the ocean floor or floating to the surface, swiftly dotted vast expanses of the sea with their diverse remains. Nevertheless, from the cracks in the ocean bed, an incessant stream of demonic beasts continued to gush forth. They fearlessly barreled towards the direction of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, utterly disregarding their survival. ''Damn, their numbers are overwhelming!'' Jiang Chen''s brow furrowed deeply as his long sword sliced through the air once more. Sword Qi emanated in countless waves with each sweep of his de, iming the lives of thousands, possibly tens of thousands of demonic beasts. At the same time, Jiang Chen did not overlook his duty to monitor the information of that Dao Pce realm demon. [Name: E Tianjiu Realm: Late-stage Dao Pce (Middle-stage Dao Pce) Status: Supporting character Fate Value: 1218] With a mere nce from his Viin''s Eye, Jiang Chen gained aplete grasp of his adversary! ''E Tianjiu?'' ''Following the fusion with that octopus-like demonic beast, his realm has temporarily ascended to the Late-stage Dao Pce.'' ''Given his Fate Value, surpassing a thousand points... he doesn''t seem like one who would fall effortlessly.'' ''In Gu Ran''s life history, it''s probable that E Tianjiu is a formidable boss, with his demise likely seeding those of characters like Ji Yn.'' As Jiang Chen examined E Tianjiu''s information panel, a whirlwind of conjectures began to stir within his mind. Conversely, E Tianjiu was naturally aware of Jiang Chen, engaged as he was in the widespread massacre of the lesser demonic beasts. ''A Dao Pce realm cultivator here?'' ''ording to my estimations, we should still be approximately one million kilometers away from the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. How is it possible for a Dao Pce realm human powerhouse to surface here?'' ''Additionally, he seems to have mastered the profound teachings of the Sword Dao!'' E Tianjiu, gazing at Jiang Chen who was suspended high above the sea, was swept by a wave of astonishment. Yet, he held no fear of Jiang Chen. He was, after all, at the Late-stage Dao Pce realm, and not a typical representative of it. He possessed a broader array of skills and was unpredictable! Inevitably, any cultivator of an identical realm would lose in a face-off against him! ''Since fate has led me to a Dao Pce realm human cultivator here, I shall eliminate you first to honor our fallen Transcendence realm powerhouse, Long Tianlu!'' ''Once I prate the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea and capture the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, I will retaliate against the Purple Heaven Holy Land and avenge Lord Long Tianlu!'' E Tianjiu held this resolution in his heart, yet he was ignorant that the individual before him was the exact killer of Long Tianlu. From his perspective, the yer of Long Tianlu was surely an expert from the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Given that the immense battle at the Purple Heaven Holy Land had just concluded, how could a Dao Pce realm powerhouse have strayed this far? Thus, E Tianjiu immediately categorized Jiang Chen as a native of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea. How could a native of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea match the might of the powerhouses hailing from the Purple Heaven Holy Land? Once he, E Tianjiu, made his move, the opponent''s defeat was assured! And thus, the demon, formed from E Tianjiu''s fusion with the octopus-like demonic beast, unleashed waves of horrifying sounds, "Human vermin, embrace your demise!" Countless tentacles erupted from the seabed like deadly spears, targeting Jiang Chen from multifarious angles. In a sh, Jiang Chen found himself surrounded by a barrage of iing attacks from all sides. Yet, he remained unfazed. With full force, his right hand swung his long sword! Swish! A vast circle of sword Qi burst forth around him, severing all the iing demon''s tentacles. However, these tentacles seemed unending. No sooner had the first wave been cleaved, the second wave immediately followed suit, aiming to strike at Jiang Chen. "Hmph!" Jiang Chen gave a cold snort, unleashing a torrent of sword Qi! ''Myriad Changes Evesting Sword, Sky Splitting Star!'' Fusing himself with his sword, he charged directly at E Tianjiu, through tens of thousands of ravenous tentacles! ''Hehehe!'' E Tianjiu''s heart echoed with a coldugh as he abruptlyunched his most potent soul attack, ''Soul Thorn!'' In the silent and invisible domain, the extremely powerful soul attack bore down on Jiang Chen. However, the scene E Tianjiu had anticipatedJiang Chen screaming in agonydid not transpire. Instead, what materialized were ripple-likeyers on Jiang Chen''s body, which entirely repelled his soul attack! ''How can this be! How can he possibly demonstrate such a potent mastery of soul attack and defense!'' E Tianjiu was profoundly shocked, his face dramatically altered as he unleashed an internal scream of hysteria! At the same time, Jiang Chen''s long sword ruthlessly struck E Tianjiu''s demon body. Thud! The sound of the de tearing through flesh resonated, as the Purple Sun Thousand-Mile Sword punctured a sizeable hole straight through E Tianjiu''s demon body. ''Nether Demon Disintegration!'' Despite his terror, E Tianjiu''s battle prowess remained remarkably strong. At the pivotal moment, he activated a secret art exclusive to the Nether Demon n. Suddenly, the colossal body of the octopus-like demonic beast fragmented into countless points of light, copsing with a thunderous crash! These points of light converged into E Tianjiu''s body. In an instant, E Tianjiu''s aura surged wildly, remarkably escting from the Late-stage Dao Pce realm directly towards the Peak-stage. Yet, that was not the end. E Tianjiu also deployed a self-harming secret art, sacrificing his own life essence to metamorphose into a stronger power! In a sh, E Tianjiu''sbat strength solidified at the Peak-stage Dao Pce realm. No ordinary Late-stage Dao Pce cultivator could rival him now. "Ha ha ha ha!" E Tianjiuughed maniacally. "In the face of absolute power, all tricks are futile!" "Bold enough topel me to use a self-harming secret art, today I''ll make you endure all the torment in the world!" His face twisted with fury, his eyes were bloodshot, and his entire being was consumed with boundless resentment and lethal intent. In his perception, he was so powerful that Jiang Chen could not possibly resist, his doom was inevitable! Yet, at that moment, an event contrary to E Tianjiu''s expectations took ce! "Peak-stage Dao Pce realm?" Jiang Chen questioned. "I didn''t expect you could momentarily unleash such formidablebat power." "Regrettably, it''s still insufficient against me!" he dered, a hint of mockery emerging at the corner of his mouth. His aura abruptly surged, instantaneously reaching the Peak-stage Dao Pce realm, and it didn''t halt there but continued to ascend! The lethal intent on E Tianjiu''s face abruptly froze, and then his eyes bulged as if on the verge of popping out! "Wha, what!!" he stammered, disbelief evident in his voice. He had struggled to the brink of death to temporarily reach the Peak-stage Dao Pce realm, but Jiang Chen was already far beyond that. This was a futile battle; his sacrifice had been in vain! Frozen in terror, E Tianjiu waspletely paralyzed, shaking uncontrobly, preparing to exert every ounce of his energy to escape. "I understand you wish to flee." However, Jiang Chen offered a faint smile, his overpowering aura directly epassing E Tianjiu! "But do you believe you still have a chance?" he asked, confidence radiating from his voice. E Tianjiu wouldn''t surrender his life easily. "Move out of my way!" he bellowed and charged full force towards the fissure in the seabed! If he could reach the underwater cave saturated with Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, he might have a shot at survival! If Jiang Chen dared to follow, he even had faith in turning the situation around. "I told you, you have no chance, hehe." Jiang Chenughed coldly, his words dripping with disdain. The Great Dao of the Wind Element wound around him, and he transformed into an afterimage, intercepting E Tianjiu''s escape route. "Perish!" With bloodshot eyes, E Tianjiu roared, a massive axe materializing directly in his hand, targeting Jiang Chen and striking down with full force! With this axe, E Tianjiu had employed all his strength! Nevertheless, Jiang Chen''s expression remained unchanged, "A trifling ploy!" he dered. The long sword ascended in the air, resolutely blocking the giant axe! Boom! In an instant, a terrifying ripple of energy erupted. The surrounding sea water was forcefully pushed aside, crafting a colossal sphere that resembled a vacuum. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 316. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 1/2. Chapter 234: Gu Rans Cultivation Breakthrough, E Tianjues Demise "Ahh!" E Tianjue experienced an overwhelming, unseen force emanating from the axe and coursing into his arm, igniting surges of unbearable pain. Upon inspection, he found his arm''s skin ruptured! More than that, there was an additional influx of energy wreaking havoc inside him, inflicting intense torment. However, as a warrior of the Demon Race, E Tianjue had endured innumerable challenges. A bout of extreme pain wasn''t sufficient to strip him of his fighting prowess. Whoosh! The mammoth axe was thrust aloft once more, promptly directing a rapid sh towards Jiang Chen. "Stop your futile defiance; allow me to offer you a quick death." Jiang Chen wielded his Purple Sun Thousand-Mile Sword, countering E Tianjue''s assault with a nonchnt expression. E Tianjue chose to fall silent, instead, channeling all his might, employing every tactic to dart into a fissure on the ocean bed. But, that brief span felt like an unreachable horizon; he found it impossible to traverse, despite his best efforts. ''Do I truly need to strain myself?'' Jiang Chen realized that while he could keep E Tianjue in check, executing him quickly would still be somewhat taxing. In the meantime, the low-ranking demonic beasts that had erupted from the ocean bed had already breached the borders of ck Wood Ind. Gu Ran, who had been at sea, was rapidly swarmed by a legion of demonic beasts. Beside him, the formerly carefree young masters led by Fu Huacan were also overpowered. Employing his bloodline''s power, Gu Ran took refuge in a coral reef cave, rendering him undetectable to the demonic beasts outside. However, Fu Huacan and hisrades fell victim to the savage onught of the demonic beasts, meeting their demise in a sh. Hiding in the coral reef cave, Gu Ran was far from idle. Whenever a suitable demonic beast ventured near him, he would promptly initiate a surprise assault! Whether his strike resulted in the death of the target or not, he would swiftly withdraw and hide himself. Those demonic beasts, already tainted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, had lost their rationality and only attacked visible living beings. As they failed to detect Gu Ran, they did notunch an attack on him. Thus, Gu Ran performed a delicate dance between attack and concealment. His aptitude and fortune were extraordinary; nearly every blow he delivered resulted in a demonic beast''s downfall. Soon, Gu Ran had umted sufficient cultivation base, progressing to the Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm! This enhancement further amplified hisbat prowess, with his targets now being the slightly weaker Heavenly Origin realm demonic beasts and those at the Peak-stage Mysterious tform realm. Jiang Chen had been monitoring these developments. By now, Gu Ran had already reaped significant benefits from this demonic incursion, and if left unimpeded, he would continue to fortify his strength. In this brief period, he had already ascended to the Heavenly Origin realm. If permitted to proceed, he might even reach the Inquiring Journey realm! It must be acknowledged that Gu Ran''s heaven-defying trump card was indeed extraordinary. However, if Jiang Chen interjected, E Tianjue might slip away - after all, thetter was not to be overlooked either. Hence, he could only attend to E Tianjue first. "Then witness the zenith of my power!" Jiang Chen''s gaze honed, as frosty as ice. ''Heavenly Blood Surge Secrets! Vigorous Sift Diagram! Shattering Sky Secrets! Death Cmity Dragon Transformation!'' With a quick thought, he unleashed his secret arts! Within moments, numerous purple-ck crystal dragon scales surfaced on Jiang Chen''s body. Dragon horns sprouted from his forehead, his eyes stretched and narrowed, and his facial features took on a sharper and more pronounced contour! The pupils of both his eyes, akin to specks of ck ink, metamorphosed into imprably deep purple-ck dragon pupils. His hands transformed into lethal dragon ws, radiating an aura that set one''s nerves on edge. But this was merely the metamorphosis brought about by his True Dragon Bloodline. The effects of the three self-damaging power-enhancing secret arts ensued immediately. As he activated the sequence of secret arts, countless tendrils of Dao Yuan Power swelled and surged, unlocking numerous rarely utilized meridians. In the blink of an eye, Jiang Chen''s aura was on the brink of the Transcendence realm! "You...you...true...True Dragon Bloodline!" E Tianjue stammered, regarding Jiang Chen with stark terror. His heart brimming with wrath and desperation, he seemed as though he was rooted in ce. "No, this cannot be!" he eximed, panic seeping into his voice. "There has never been a True Dragon on this continent before. How could you possibly possess the bloodline of a True Dragon!" His entire body trembled, and all that remained was despair. "Your end is nigh!" Jiang Chen coldly sneered, discarding the Purple Sun Thousand-Mile Sword, he charged directly towards E Tianjue in his dragon-human hybrid form. E Tianjue had no chance to respond, feeling only an intense pain searing his body! ncing down, he saw Jiang Chen''s hands had punctured his chest! "No! Please spare...!" In his desperate plea for mercy, E Tianjue attempted to articte his request, but before he couldplete his sentence, he fell into unconsciousness. A member of the Nether Soul Demon n, who had tapped into the power of the Peak-stage Dao Pce realm, sumbed to Jiang Chen''s might. ''The second Dao Pce realm Nether Soul Demon n member.'' Jiang Chen''s mouth twisted in satisfaction. With a thought, a significant amount of qi and blood was quickly consumed by the Wordless Heavenly Jade. At this moment, a system alert rang out. [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot, reducing the protagonist Gu Ran''s opportunities. Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has dropped by 2000 points!] [Ding! You have gained 4000 Viin Value points!] Clearly, E Tianjue was a considerable opportunity for Gu Ran. Now that Jiang Chen had pre-emptively in and beheaded E Tianjue, Gu Ran could not do the same and absorb E Tianjue''s cultivation base! ''Reducing 2000 points of Heavenly Fate Value, quite satisfying indeed!'' A pleased smile crossed Jiang Chen''s face. Immediately after, he retrieved the Nether Soul Crystal from E Tianjue''s neck, purified it, and used it to nourish Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Although E Tianjue''s Nether Soul Crystal could notpete with Long Tianlu''s, it was still a crystal of the Dao Pce realm. After Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning absorbed it, their residual souls advanced another step further within the Transcendence realm. Having addressed E Tianjue''s corpse, Jiang Chen promptly secured the massive axe and E Tianjue''s storage ring. His gaze then shifted to the caves and crevices on the seabed, which had been expanding incessantly, and by now, they had surpassed what he could mend with his power alone. ''Let''smence by ughtering these tainted demonic beasts on the surface first.'' Jiang Chen''s gaze became frosty. ''I refuse to believe that the demonic beasts beneath the ground are infinite!'' He dered as his formidable dragon-human form blurred into an afterimage as he streaked through the ocean, heralding death in his path. Wherever he journeyed, countless demonic beasts crumbled into dust! Streams of qi and blood power were also absorbed by Jiang Chen. Even though each amount was minuscule, the umted energy, transmuted by the Wordless Heavenly Jade into miraculous energy, could be conserved as a backup. Simultaneously, Jiang Chen made it a priority to eradicate the demonic beasts near Gu Ran''s marine territory. Although his attack range was limited and he couldn''t wholly exterminate the demonic beasts within a short timeframe, it did decrease the number of demonic beasts Gu Ran could hunt. Meanwhile, Jiang Chen observed that each subsequent demonic beast tide was always stronger than the preceding one. The inaugural demonic beast tideprised mainly of creatures below the Heavenly Origin realm, with Inquiring Journey realm beasts scarce enough to be counted on one hand. The tides that contained arger number of Inquiring Journey realm beasts, including some from the Dao Comprehension realm, mostly emerged around the time of E Tiaojue''s demise. No sooner had these demonic beasts materialized than they were obliterated by Jiang Chen. While Jiang Chen persisted in his relentless culling of the demonic beasts, a potent aura abruptly emanated from a distance. As it neared, Jiang Chen soon discerned that this aura belonged to a being from the Dao Pce realm! So, as he maintained his ughter, he utilized his Viin''s Eye to scrutinize the approaching figure, instantaneously gainingprehensive knowledge about them. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 316. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 2/2. Chapter 235: [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] There will be no release tomorrow. See you next week! Chapter 235: Thwarting the Union of Gu Ran and Wu Qian [Name: Wu Qian Realm: Late-stage Dao Pce Status: Supporting character Fate Value: 6879] ''Wu Qian?'' Jiang Chen pondered. ''A Late-stage Dao Pce realm...Ah, I understand, this individual is set to be an ally of Gu Ran!'' ''If a Dao Pce realm demon like E Tianjiu enters the war, how would ck Wood Ind stand a chance of surviving unscathed? And how could Gu Ran continue to best his adversaries on ck Wood Ind?'' ''This Wu Qian is supposed to be E Tianjiu''s primary adversary, but he certainly can''t defeat E Tianjiu. At best, it would be a stalemate.'' ''In this scenario, Wu Qian also stands a chance to vanquish the surrounding menacing demonic beasts, sparing ck Wood Ind from annihtion, and enabling Gu Ran to thrive.'' ''It''s probable that Gu Ran woulde to appreciate this Wu Qian, leading to a close-knit friendship between them regardless of their age difference. Essentially, Gu Ran gains another potent defender.'' ''I wonder what position this Wu Qian holds. His name wasn''t mentioned by the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect.'' As these thoughts yed out, Jiang Chen began strategizing - should he seek to control Wu Qian or eliminate him? Naturally, the optimal course of action would be to bring him under control! So, without hesitation, Jiang Chen surged ahead. His immediate objective was to thwart the formation of a karmic bond between Wu Qian and Gu Ran. ''By the heavens!'' Wu Qian gazed at the ocean through his divine sense, immediately noticing its deviation from what he remembered. ''What in the world is transpiring here?'' ''Why would such an event ur in this part of the sea?'' ''This wouldn''t interfere with the underwater cavern dwelling I''ve discovered, would it!?'' he wondered, filled with a measure of concern. He was a famed expert in the Immortal Martial Continent many years ago, but his pursuit of a breakthrough caused him to gradually recede from the public eye. Eventually, Wu Qian serendipitously obtained a map that pointed to a location suspected to be the cave dwelling of a Transcendence realm great powerhouse. However, the cave dwelling was peculiar and no matter what method he tried, it wouldn''t yield. Moreover, he refrained from using brute force to break in, fearing he might damage it. After all, it was potentially a cave dwelling of a Transcendence realm great powerhouse. There could be remnants inside that could help one achieve a breakthrough! If that were the case, he, Wu Qian, could ascend to be a Transcendence realm great powerhouse! Now, this scarcely inhabited marine area was suddenly in turmoil, creating a substantial upheaval. He was genuinely concerned that the cave dwelling he had discovered might be destroyed. Just as Wu Qian was anxiously deliberating his next move, his divine sense abruptly detected an incredibly formidable presence! ''That''s... a Peak-stage Dao Pce realm! A True Dragon Bloodline!!'' he realized. ''How can this be? How could a True Dragon Bloodline exist on the Immortal Martial Continent!?'' ''Could it be that he''s not from the Immortal Martial Continent!?'' ''He''s approaching!!'' The sight of Jiang Chen''s figure made Wu Qian''s scalp tingle with unease! Confronting a Peak-stage Dao Pce realm cultivator possessing a True Dragon Bloodline, and uncertain if he was an ally or adversary, how could he not feel on edge? By this point, Jiang Chen had already arrived by Wu Qian''s side, his elongated dragon eyes observing himposedly. "May I know the distinguished name of my Daoist friend?" Although Wu Qian was internally on edge, he maintained a serene facade, offering a fist and palm salute in a manner that was neither servile nor overbearing. "Jiang Chen. Holy Son of the Purple Heaven Holy Land." Jiang Chen responded with a faint smile and reciprocated the salute, "And you, Daoist friend?" "Wu Qian." Wu Qian chose not to use an alias, "I am a solitary individual living in seclusion nearby." After speaking, he examined Jiang Chen from top to bottom, his eyes filled with surprise. In Wu Qian''s perception, the Purple Heaven Holy Land didn''t have a Holy Son, only a Holy Lord named Ji Mingxiu, who wasn''t a Peak-stage Dao Pce realm cultivator. And yet, the person standing before him imed to be the Holy Son of the Purple Heaven Holy Land! Had the Holy Sons of today be so powerful?? "It is indeed fortuitous to encounter you today. Surely, it is the work of fate," Jiang Chen stated. "My master, Ji Mingxiu''s cousin, is Ji Yn. Thus, I came to visit the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. I noticed a peculiar urrence in this region of the sea and decided to investigate." "Unexpectedly, it turned out to be an assault by the Nether Demon n!" "Among the demons, there was a formidable being at the Peak-stage Dao Pce realm. I had to expend all my might to barely decapitate him." As he spoke, he revealed the body of E Tianjiu. Even though the qi and blood had been drained from E Tianjiu''s body, the distinctive aura of a Peak-stage Dao Pce realm Nether Soul Demon n member remained. The moment it was unveiled, Wu Qian''s eyes first widened in shock, then quickly shifted into a look of awe, tinged with a measure of veneration! After all, this was a being at the Peak-stage Dao Pce realm! The supposed pinnacle ofbat strength in the Immortal Martial Continent! This was utterly astonishing! Simultaneously, Wu Qian harbored doubts about this alleged Nether Demon n invasion. Since his birth until now, he had never once encountered a member of the Demon Race. How could they abruptly appear? Jiang Chen noticed the skepticism in Wu Qian''s eyes and said, "In truth, this isn''t the first incursion by the Nether Demon n. The inaugural, or rather the previous one, urred during the outbreak in the Bottomless Abyss of the Purple Heaven Holy Land..." Soon after, Jiang Chen narrated the entire episode in detail. With every word, Wu Qian grew more astonished. The Nether Demon n had actually opened a spatial channel with the intention of invading and seizing the Immortal Martial Continent! This was an issue of profound importance to the entirety of the Immortal Martial Continent! In the Nether Demon n''s first invasion, a colossal force like the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce had been reduced to a shadow of its former glory! This underscored the formidable strength of the Nether Demon n! Moreover, Wu Qian had deep admiration for Jiang Chen after learning how he had seen through the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce''s conspiracy and allied with everyone in the Purple Heaven Holy Land to thwart the initial wave of the Nether Demon n''s incursion. Witnessing this, Jiang Chen couldn''t help but feel a sense of relief. Indeed, first impressions yed a crucial role in meeting individuals! Consequently, Jiang Chen decided to have this dialogue with Wu Qian. For characters that might be allies of the protagonist, their character and personal morality were generally impable. While there could be a few exceptions, they were scarce. Thus, Jiang Chen was confident that after hearing his tales, Wu Qian would hold a positive perception of him. As expected, that indeed proved to be the case! [Ding! You sessfully created a positive first impression on the protagonist''s supporting character, Wu Qian, and the Heavenly Fate Value of the protagonist Gu Ran has decreased by 200 points!] [Ding! You have rued 400 Viin Value points!] As the system notifications echoed in his mind, Jiang Chen''s smile became even more genuine and warm. Subsequently, Jiang Chen proceeded to converse with Wu Qian. Simultaneously, at a distant coral reef within the sea, the figure of Gu Ran gradually materialized. ''Has the wave of demonic beasts entirely passed? he wondered. ''There ought to be a swarm of demonic beasts besieging ck Wood Ind. If I can continue to y these creatures, my cultivation base could ascend even further!'' Gu Ran clenched his fist. He had now advanced to the Middle-stage Heavenly Origin realm! In a brief span, his cultivation base had experienced a considerable surge. This instilled tremendous confidence in Gu Ran. He was deeply convinced that he could be the mightiest in the Immortal Martial Continent and then seek higher realms on the Cultivation Path. Shortly thereafter, he summoned his flying artifact, hastening towards ck Wood Ind. Jiang Chen vigntly observed the entire sequence. Yet, Wu Qian observed none of this, as Jiang Chen''s divine sense enveloped a much wider area. Jiang Chen wasmitted to intercepting Wu Qian to prevent him from forming any rtionship with Gu Ran. Why would he allow Wu Qian to see Gu Ran at this juncture? As for the future, well, that would hinge on the unfolding circumstances. After conversing aloft for a while, Wu Qian initially proposed to assist Jiang Chen in dealing with the remaining demonic beasts, but Jiang Chen politely declined. Indeed, such lesser demonic beasts didn''t warrant the focus of two Dao Pce realm cultivators. Concerned about the Transcendence realm cave dwelling, Wu Qian cheerfully took his leave. ''Next on the agenda, persist in stealing Gu Ran''s targets and thwart his plot of grandstanding and confuting others!'' A smirk edged onto Jiang Chen''s face as he promptly headed towards ck Wood Ind. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 320. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Chapter 236: The Great Battle of Black Wood Island Throughout his journey, Jiang Chen relentlesslyunched assaults, mercilessly eliminating any demonic beasts that crossed his path. Given his current might, his range of attack was impressively expansive, leaving no demonic beast alive in the sea territories he traversed. Meanwhile, at the unfathomable depths below the seafloor caverns, a multitude of passages spread in every direction. These tunnels were constructed by the Nether Soul Demon n, utilizing the unique demonic beasts they bred locally. They spanned a substantial area centered around the Bottomless Abyss! The Lustrous Yang Domain was merely one of these areas. The Nether Soul Demon n had not just infiltrated the Lustrous Yang Domain but had also concurrently made incursions into three other massive domains. The assants were the other three Dao Pce realm demons that had previously withdrawn frombat at Verdant Leaf Giant Peak. These three domainscked protagonists, and certainly, none had amanding figure akin to Jiang Chen. As a result, the imposing armies marshaled by the three Dao Pce realm demons took them by surprise, leading to severe losses. Furthermore, in the Lustrous Yang Domain, even with E Tianjue''s demise, the Nether Soul Demon n directing the demonic beast forces remained concealed within the seabed caverns'' depths, propelling the wave of demonic beasts to assault the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. In an instant, Jiang Chen had reached ck Wood Ind. His velocity was markedly superior to Gu Ran''s, and as such, he arrived first. By this juncture, ck Wood Ind was already under the relentless invasion of countless demonic beasts, plunging it into utter pandemonium! However, the demonic beasts assaulting ck Wood Ind only constituted a minor segment of the total force. The lion''s share of the demonic beasts that emerged from the fissures in the sea floor had bypassed ck Wood Ind, surging towards the area closer to Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind. After all, ck Wood Ind was merely a small ind, and it wouldn''t necessitate arge number of demonic beasts to obliterate it. On ck Wood Ind, the most formidable Feng n had assembled cultivators from the ind and neighboring regions to counter the relentless assault of the demonic beasts. Among them, the elder patriarch of the Feng n, Feng Hongbo, was the sole Inquiring Journey realm expert in the vicinity. There was another Inquiring Journey expert who had arrived from a different location a few days prior - Feng Hongbo''s friend, You Dan. At this moment, an exceedingly intense skirmish was perpetually unfolding in the seas surrounding the ind! "Roar!!" Two Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts bellowed,unching a synchronized attack on the ind! Feng Hongbo and his Inquiring Journey realmrade, You Dan,bined their forces to counter them! The remaining ck Wood Ind cultivators confronted the Heavenly Origin realm and lower-tier demonic beasts. The quantity of these demonic beasts was vast, they obscured the sky, even casting a considerable shadow, blocking out much of the sunlight. Throughout the grand confrontation, groups of cultivators and countless demonic beasts fell ceaselessly. The sea was strewn with bodies, its waters had turned entirely crimson from blood. A wave surged, carrying nothing but shattered bones and decaying flesh! Jiang Chen concealed his presence, observing thebat from a distance in the sky. His gaze evaluated the duo of Feng Hongbo and You Dan. Feng Hongbo could be scrutinized using the Viin''s Eye, but the other man was inscrutable, indicating that he was merely a passerby. ''A passerby, huh...'' Jiang Chen mused internally. ''Given his cultivation base, he''s merely at the Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm. He''s likely to perish here.'' ''If he meets his end before encountering Gu Ran, there won''t be any karmic consequences. In that case, he''s indeed just a passerby.'' With that thought, he cast another quick nce at Gu Ran. Gu Ran was still hastily making his way towards the ind. Suddenly, he felt a shiver course through his body, which then quickly returned to normal. ''Something''s amiss!'' Gu Ran was taken aback. ''This sensation... It''s the mysterious powerhouse who had observed me earlier!'' Despite recognizing the presence, he found himself less rmed than before. Firstly, he realized that the mysterious powerhouse didn''t appear particrly interested in him - both times he had observed him, he was merely passing through. Secondly, the prior battle between Jiang Chen and E Tianjue had been exceedingly terrifying, demolishing countless seabeds and provoking massive tidal waves. Gu Ran had naturally sensed the enormity of that disruption. Harnessing the power of his bloodline, he was certain that a sh between two Dao Pce realm powerhouses had urred. One was a great powerhouse from the Lustrous Yang Domain at the Dao Pce realm, while the other was the formidable entity orchestrating the demonic beast tide. It appeared that the battle had concluded with a clear victor. And the powerhouse who had observed him earlier was likely the victor, given that the tide of demonic beasts had been halted, and no further reinforcements were arriving. ''This powerhouse doesn''t seem like one of the three from the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect,'' Gu Ran reasoned with a degree of confidence. ''Furthermore, the cold snort I heard earlier came from a woman, and the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect doesn''t have any female powerhouses at the Dao Pce realm.'' ''Perhaps, she is one of the other great powerhouses from the Lustrous Yang Domain at the Dao Pce realm.'' ''But this great powerhouse at the Dao Pce realm indirectly assisted me earlier, and now she''s decimating demons and curtailing the demonic beast tide. She shouldn''t be a viin." ''But why do I perpetually feel a sense of wariness, resistance, and even revulsion?'' ''Does this person view me as an adversary? But she''s so formidable. If she desired my death, a mere nce would suffice. If she regarded me as an enemy, she would have dispatched me nonchntly by now.'' Various thoughts swirled in his mind. Evidently, Gu Ran had been sessfully misled by Jiang Chen''s crafty maneuvers. Much like the protagonists before him, Gu Ran started to question his own intuition! Time progressed gradually. Gu Ran persistently sped towards ck Wood Ind. On the ind, the conflict between the cultivators and the demonic beasts remained fiercely intense. The roars of the demonic beasts reverberated to the heavens, and the assaults of the cultivators filled the sky. Blood colored both the sky and the sea a stark red. Numerous immense bodies of demonic beasts were amassed, augmenting the size of ck Wood Ind by several folds! In the sky, two Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts were attacking with relentless intensity, undeterred by the prospect of death. Feng Hongbo and hisrade, You Dan, were soaked in sweat, their faces etched with terror, and they seemed to be on the brink of sumbing. "This isn''t promising, if we persist this way, we are doomed!" Terror washed over Feng Hongbo''s face, his voice quivering slightly as the demonic beast before him forced him to retreat. You Dan was in an even more precarious state. His body was riddled with injuries, dripping blood. He was already at his wit''s end. "Brother Feng!" he gasped, "I can no longer hold on, and escape is impossible." "Let me assist you, let''s eliminate the strongest demonic beast together!" "Remember... to seek revenge for me!" Despair clouded You Dan''s eyes, and a bitter smile gradually surfaced on his face. Upon hearing You Dan''s words, Feng Hongbo instantly understood his intentions, and he immediately let out a frantic cry, "No! We still have a chance to escape!" But it was toote. Suddenly, a surge of golden light exploded from You Dan''s body! It was the Great Dao of Metal! The Great Dao of Metal had numerous branches, some of which were pr opposites, like the ''Impregnable'' and ''Unstoppable'' Metal Daos. The golden light at this instant was the ''Sharp'' Metal Dao! You Dan was sacrificing his life to invoke the Sharp Metal Dao! Even though it was merely at the level of the Inquiring Journey realm and wasn''t perfect, its potency was already exceedingly formidable within the same realm. The following moment, You Dan transformed into a golden ray of light, directly impaling the head of the demonic beast battling Feng Hongbo. That demonic beast didn''t even have the opportunity to let out a cry before it perished instantaneously, its colossal body plunging into the ocean. "You Dan!" Feng Hongbo howled in agony, recklessly lunging at the other Inquiring Journey realm demonic beast. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 324. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 1/2. Chapter 239: [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] Chapter 237: One Sword Strike Slays Myriad Demonic Beasts The demonic beast from the Inquiring Journey realm surpassed You Dan in strength but was no match for Feng Hongbo. After an intense battle, Feng Hongbo finally emerged victorious! From the sidelines, Jiang Chen, having observed the entire confrontation with an air of indifference, reflected, ''This tactic... It''s like sacrificing a pawn to ensure two victories.'' ''Using the less powerful to eliminate the mightier demonic beast, then deploying the stronger to vanquish the weaker. This ensures victory.'' These insights coursed through his mind. Concerning You Dan''s fate, he chose not to interfere, avoiding potentialplications and staying true to his original theories and ns. He wouldn''t y the role of a savior, endangering his own life for someone he had no ties with. Furthermore, if someone''s fate was truly sealed, being saved once or twice wouldn''t change much. If their destinies weren''t linked with Jiang Chen''s, the result would stay the same. Fu Huacan and his group were prime examples of this concept. At that moment, Jiang Chen''s gaze turned to the nearby sea. He noticed a figure who had silently made his way into the outskirts of the demonic beast horde it was Gu Ran! ''Haha! So many demonic beasts!'' Seeing the swarm of demonic beasts in front of him, Gu Ran''s face lit up with excitement and eager anticipation. ''Today, I should at least be able to advance further!'' He then began alternating between ''killing demonic beasts'' and ''concealing his aura''! In no time, Gu Ran had taken down more than a dozen demonic beasts, amassing a significant cultivation base. Yet, as a Heavenly Origin realm cultivator, the cultivation base he gained from defeating Mysterious tform realm demonic beasts was only marginal. Furthermore, he couldn''t consistently take down the Heavenly Origin realm demonic beasts in just one hit. As a result, he had to eliminate arge number of demonic beasts to advance to the Inquiring Journey realm. ''Keep up the assault, persist in the fight.'' Jiang Chen watched Gu Ran below, who was tirelessly dispatching demonic beasts, choosing not to intervene. ''Before long, those supporting characters will have their eyes on you.'' At the same time, Gu Ran''s potent techniques, remarkable achievements, andmendable feats caught the attention of many. "Who is that individual? He''s extraordinarily powerful!" someone eximed, eyes fixed on Gu Ran''s performance. "Truly, how does he conceal his presence so effectively? I can''t detect any hints whatsoever." "He must be using some sort of treasure or secret art, or possibly an Inquiring Journey realm magic treasure!" "Amazing! Watch him he disappears one moment and ambushes the next. Before the demonic beasts can even react, he''s taken one down and seamlessly blended back into the shadows!" "I wish I had such a secret art or treasure!" "Absolutely, who wouldn''t! With that treasure or secret art in hand, you could navigate this demonic beast tide with ease!" "I''m so jealous!" One by one, the cultivators observed Gu Ran, who seamlessly vanished and reappeared, taking down demonic beasts and weaving through the battlefield in an impressive dance. Everyone watched with palpable admiration. Soon after, the envy and greed in the eyes of some began to surface! ''I never expected to find such a treasure on my ck Wood Ind!'' Feng Liu, the eldest son of the Feng n, squinted his eyes, greed surging in his heart, ''I must have it!'' From his viewpoint, employing such a powerful invisibility skill merely to kill demonic beasts was a sheer squandering of its potential. Were it in his hands, he would undoubtedly prioritize wandering the world, bing the epitome of a ''flower'' thief, and indulging in his most decadent desires... Yet, as he entertained this thought, Feng Liu''s envy only deepened. He spected that Gu Ran had likely yed the ''flower'' thief role on multiple asions. ''Damn, he''s truly living the dream!'' Feng Liu clenched his teeth, his icy gaze locked onto Gu Ran, wishing he could take him down right then and there. However, he was aware that the moment wasn''t right. Gu Ran was busy battling demonic beasts, and if Feng Liu were bold enough to strike, Feng Hongbo would undoubtedly be the first to counter!! Thus, Feng Liu could do nothing more than maintain his intense scrutiny of Gu Ran! ''That guy... has malicious intentions!'' Gu Ran astutely sensed Feng Liu''s gaze and instinctively furrowed his brows. However, he didn''t have the luxury to dwell on it at the moment, as his priorityy in exterminating demonic beasts and absorbing their cultivation base. And regarding the unfolding events below, Jiang Chen was a vignt observer of it all! ''That Feng Liu, the eldest son of the Feng n, soon to meet his end, has set his eyes on Gu Ran!'' ''It seems the tale involving Gu Ran and the Feng n is about to unfold.'' Jiang Chen''s lips curved into a subtle smile. ''If that''s the case, then it''s time for me to make my move.'' Without dy, he flicked his hand and a burst of light erupted. Over the vast sea, Gu Ran continued to fervently ''leap back and forth'', relentlessly attacking demonic beasts. The cultivation base he was umting was also gradually increasing! ''Almost there! Just a few more demonic beasts to eliminate, and I''ll break through to the Inquiring Journey realm!'' Gu Ran felt the surging power within him intensify, filling him with exhration. Suddenly, a torrent of innumerable sword Qi strands surged from a distance, instantly shrouding the entire battlefield! These sword Qi strands were dense, their sole targets being the demonic beasts! In an instant, all the demonic beasts besieging ck Wood Ind were annihted. Their bodies fell incessantly into the sea, creating countless ripples. [Ding! You have sessfully curtailed a portion of protagonist Gu Ran''s opportunities, Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value decreased by 500 points!] [Ding! You have rued 1000 Viin Value points!] At the same time, as the system prompts echoed in Jiang Chen''s mind, Gu Ran''s eyes widened in confusion, his expression reflecting sheer bewilderment as he surveyed the ominously deste surroundings. "Hold on, what the..." A surge of unspoken curses welled up in his throat. He was on the verge of leveling up! Yet, at this crucial moment, the demonic beasts had been swiftly obliterated by someone! Conversely, the cultivators from ck Wood Ind disyed an entirely different reaction. "My goodness, all the demonic beasts have been annihted!" eximed a voice in astonishment. "So many demonic beasts eradicated in an instant, am I hallucinating!?" "There''s a mysterious powerhouse in action here, they must be at least at the Dao Comprehension realm!" "Haha, we''ve safeguarded ck Wood Ind, this is fantastic!" "Thank you, whoever you are, mysterious powerhouse! My children won''t have to face death now!" A crowd of cultivators first stared in bewilderment at the eerily silent battlefield, then their faces lit up with relentless waves of joy, one after the other. Even more cultivators promptly dropped to their knees, tears streaming down their faces, overwhelmed with emotion. It wasn''t only thesebat-ready cultivators who dwelled on ck Wood Ind; there were also countless elders, women, and children! If they couldn''t halt the demonic beast tide, not only them but the entire ind''s poption, from the eldest to the youngest, would be devoured alive! Now that Jiang Chen had intervened, he had essentially saved countless families. In addition to the low-ranking cultivators, Feng Hongbo was equally astonished, not expecting such a powerful figure toe to ck Wood Ind''s aid. "I, Feng Hongbo, offer my respects to the esteemed senior!" Feng Hongbo disyed an expression of profound respect and gratitude. Since he was unaware of Jiang Chen''s whereabouts, he bowed in all directions as a sign of respect. "We offer our respects to the esteemed senior!" The other cultivators from ck Wood Ind also bowed simultaneously, conveying their gratitude. "This demonic beast tide is unusual," Nangong Wan''s voice suddenly echoed. "The legendary Nether Demon n has emerged!" "The incursion route of the Nether Demon n lies eighteen thousand miles to the southeast." "I have eliminated the Dao Pce realm powerhouse of the Nether Demon n. They should abstain from counterattacking in the near term, but you must remain vignt. Furthermore, the demonic beast tide has not beenpletely eradicated, so be prepared." Though her tone was gentle, her words resonated clearly in everyone''s ears. "Yes!" Feng Hongbo immediately bowed, his voice firm and authoritative. "We will follow the esteemed senior''s guidance!" The revtion about the Nether Demon n left him astounded and apprehensive, yet the knowledge that the Nether Demon n''s most formidable powerhouse had been eliminated alleviated his worry considerably. "We will follow the esteemed senior''s guidance!" All the cultivators of ck Wood Ind bowed in unison. Furthermore, none of them could have foreseen that this mysterious female powerhouse had already eliminated a Dao Pce realm demon beforeing to their aid! This revtion immediately deepened their admiration. Meanwhile, Gu Ran sighed inwardly, thinking, ''It seems the great battle against the demonic beasts on ck Wood Ind has reached its conclusion.'' A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 324. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 2/2. Chapter 239: [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] Chapter 238: Feng Hongbos Offer, Gu Rans Unexpected Predicament Gu Ran found himself falling short of his expected oue, leaving him unable to suppress a tinge of regret. Yet, could he ce the me on the mysterious female cultivator for eradicating the demonic beasts entirely? No, he couldn''t! That mysterious woman had be the savior of the entire ck Wood Ind. From start to finish, her actions remained altruistic, directed towards the collective good. She alone had defeated the Dao Pce realm demon and quelled a substantial portion of the demonic beast tide... She had even extended her assistance to him, Gu Ran, with a simple ''Hmph'' as her intervention. At his core, Gu Ran himself embodied a man of steadfast principles. His Heavenly Fate Value and bloodline endowed him with a formidable intuition and sharp senses that raised an rm about the potential danger presented by this mysterious female cultivator, sparking a deep-rooted aversion within him. However, what he was witnessing kindled an intense sense of discord deep within him. Under the influence of Jiang Chen, these contrasting sentiments had now been amplified. Gu Ran, who should have been joyfully advancing in levels and relishing a surge in strength, now found himself confronted with a state of stagnation. Naturally, this sowed a certain degree of discontent within his heart. For the time being, he could only bury these adverse sentiments deep within himself. Gu Ran was a solitary figure,cking friends to confide in and without any prospect of finding someone to converse with. Moreover, the fact that his secrets were not meant for public consumption added to theplexity. Just at that moment, Nangong Wan''s voice echoed once more, "Mm-hmm." "I, too, am wounded. You all need to tread with caution." "These demonic beast corpses will taint the Spiritual Qi in the surroundings, so I''ll remove them," she stated, her voice gradually dissolving into the void. "The esteemed senior has left!" someone dered, their words carrying a blend of awe and reverence. "She has defeated the Dao Pce realm demon but has sustained injuries herself!" "I sincerely hope for her swift recovery!" "Yes, may the heavens bestow a swift recovery upon the esteemed senior!" One after the other, the rescued cultivators vocalized their immense gratitude, bowing once again. However, some individuals felt an intense rush of exhration at Jiang Chen''s ''departure''. ''The female senior has left!'' Feng Liu thought. ''Excellent, I initially held reservations about making my move while she was present.'' ''Now that she''s injured, she will undoubtedly leave this secluded location and return to her cave mansion for recovery.'' ''With this, ck Wood Ind will once again fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of my Feng n.'' ''Handling a mere Heavenly Origin realm cultivator will be as simple asting a fish in a pond.'' His excitement was palpable, his gaze continually fixed on Gu Ran. The group of cultivators surrounding him resonated with Feng Liu''s sentiments. They promptly deciphered his intentions, and their gazes, too, were drawn to Gu Ran. ''Dare to fixate on me! These individuals are truly disgusting!'' After casting a fleeting look at Feng Liu and his associates, Gu Ran chose to withdraw first. After all, Feng Hongbo, who was in the Inquiring Journey realm, was still present. But just then, Feng Hongbo arrived before Gu Ran with a pleasant smile, and respectfully inquired, "Haha, young friend, may I know your honourable surname?" "Oh, I go by the name Niu Qing," Gu Ran nonchntly fabricated a pseudonym, "How may I be of service to you, senior?" He remained equally vignt in his approach towards Feng Hongbo. "Young friend Niu Qing, your performance during the grand battle was truly remarkable!" Feng Hongbo conveyed with a touch of admiration. "And as a young Heavenly Origin realm powerhouse, it is beyond doubt that you possess the potential to ascend to the Inquiring Journey realm." "I''m curious if you would consider taking on the role of a Guest Elder in our Feng n? We would oversee all your cultivation resources!" "In time, even more promising opportunities will unfold. You could establish affiliations withrger ns, or even the prestigious Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect!" He spoke sincerely and with a grave countenance, "And all that would be required of you... is to focus on your cultivation, nothing more!" As soon as these words were uttered, everyone present exhibited surprise. The conditions Feng Hongbo proposed were extraordinarily generous! This wasn''t merely about recruiting a Guest Elder; he was openly offering full patronage to this ''Niu Qing''. Feng Liu was greatly surprised as well. His father was unexpectedly offering such favorable conditions to ''Niu Qing''. He was extending even more courtesy to him than to his own children! Furthermore, with his father acting in this manner, how could he possibly devise a n against ''Niu Qing''? How could he go about robbing his invisibility secret art or treasure? These thoughts intensified Feng Liu''s jealousy towards Gu Ran, growing to the extent that he almost wished to tear him apart! Right at that moment, an even more astonishing development unfolded. "I appreciate your kind offer, senior. However, I must respectfully decline." "I am ustomed to my freedom, considering the four seas as my dwelling, I can''t endure any restrictions." Gu Ran offered a fist and palm salutea gesture of gratitudetowards Feng Hongbo, and responded in a nonchnt tone. His intuition told him that while Feng Hongbo''s goodwill was sincere, it was not devoid of ulterior motives. He had guessed right. Indeed, Feng Hongbo was also highly intrigued by Gu Ran''s concealment treasure. Because even with his Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realmbat prowess, he couldn''t decipher Gu Ran''s invisibility skill. How could he remain indifferent? However, Feng Hongbo''s method was far more nuanced than Feng Liu''s, promising a bright future to keep Gu Ran within his reach, then plotting to gradually make his move. But now, he hadn''t anticipated that Gu Ran would reject his offer so categorically! "What!" A voice eximed in disbelief, "That Niu Qing actually declined?" "The Feng n is the most formidable force on our ck Wood Ind, and it also holds significant sway among the surrounding inds." "If Niu Qing had agreed, with Elder Feng''s assistance, he would undoubtedly have been able to break through to the Inquiring Journey realm, ascend to the Second Step on the Cultivation Path, and earn the admiration of countless individuals!" "The critical point is that Elder Feng didn''t demand anything in return; it was practically like extending benefits, akin to establishing friendship. Niu Qing turned all these down!" "Wow, this Niu Qing is not ordinary, I also sense a hint of him looking down on others." "That''s right, I share the same sentiment, he seems a tad arrogant simply because he possesses some abilities." "Haha, I once thought likewise. I also imagined I could cultivate to the Dao Pce realm and rule the Lustrous Yang Domain, but I was merely naive!" Many cultivators around couldn''t resist engaging in discussions, with a myriad of conjectures surfacing one after another. "Niu Qing, my young friend!" Feng Hongbo''s voice conveyed a mix of surprise and concern, "You need not dismiss my proposal so hastily." "You have recently partaken in a monumental battle, resisting the demonic beast tide; why not stay on ck Wood Ind for a few days to recuperate, and give my proposal some thought during this time." With his vast life experience, he managed to maintain hisposure exceptionally well. His smile was quite natural, void of any awkwardness. "Still, I must refuse." Gu Ran shook his head and responded, "I intend to depart from ck Wood Ind today and venture to other inds to hunt demonic beasts." But just at that juncture, a cultivator, marred with injuries, hurried over from a distance, eximing with a face contorted by distress. "This is not good! The teleportation array has been destroyed in the grand battle!" "What?!" another cultivator''s voice rang out, marked by shock, "The teleportation array has been destroyed!" "How severe is the damage? Can it be fixed? If not, we''re in deep trouble!" "I spotted some demonic beasts approaching the teleportation array earlier. I never imagined my apprehensions would materialize." "Now we''re trapped. None of us can vacate ck Wood Ind anytime soon." One by one, the cultivators voiced their astonishment, followed by a profound feeling of helplessness. Gu Ran was also bbergasted. He hadn''t anticipated the destruction of the teleportation array! A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 326. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 1/2. Chapter 240: [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] Chapter 239: Jiang Chens Death Warriors To evade pursuit by the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, Gu Ran purposefully selected ck Wood Ind, a markedly isted locale. The neighboring inds were considerably distanced from ck Wood Ind! For anyone attempting to journey by flight, they would need to confront the immense, limitless sea. Even a great powerhouse at the Inquiring Journey realm would require a significant period to arrive at any of the closest inds. By such time, it''s probable that the teleportation array would have been repaired. ''The teleportation array is presently inoperative,'' Feng Liu thought to himself. ''So, we are all essentially trapped on ck Wood Ind.'' A fleeting, cold light flickered in his eyes as he advanced and addressed Gu Ran, "Brother Niu, since departure isn''t an option, wouldn''t it be preferable to stay with us at the Feng n''s mansion for the moment?" "Absolutely," Feng Hongbo concurred, nodding his head in agreement. "Niu Qing, my young friend, surely you won''t decline this honor I offer you?" he added, his voiceced with what seemed to be amicable chuckle. Yet, beneath the surface, a hint of annoyance stirred within him. The demise of his good friend, You Dan, had already soured his disposition significantly. Gu Ran''s denial of his nearly sycophantic proposition, in the presence of many, was a slight to his standing as the lord of ck Wood Ind. Had it not been for the secrets he sought from Gu Ran, coupled with the fear of forfeiting potential gains, Feng Hongbo would have taken aggressive action against Gu Ran much earlier! "Very well then, it appears I''ll be in your debt, senior." Gu Ran concurred with a nod. Given his current abilities, even if the Feng n harbored ill intentions, they would struggle to inflict harm upon him. Why not consent, and potentially profit from some resources in the process? "Hahaha! Excellent, excellent, excellent!" Feng Hongbo roared withughter, repeating ''excellent'' thrice, then extended a fist and palm salute to Gu Ran. "Young friend Niu Qing, please apany me. Although our meeting is recent, I feel an intense kinship with you, as if we have shared a longstanding friendship!" "Please!" Gu Ran reciprocated with the same gesture, then promptly joined Feng Hongbo, soaring towards the core of ck Wood Ind. Feng Liu and the others trailed closely behind. As for the disorderly battlefield, the demonic beast carcasses had already been imed by Jiang Chen, and the corpses of the cultivators were gathered by their respective families. Simultaneously, from a distance, Jiang Chen withdrew an Image Projection Stone and instilled it with his Dao Yuan Power. Instantly, all urrences on ck Wood Ind subsequent to his departure materialized within the Image Projection Stone. Under thebined influence of Gu Ran''s bloodline and his Heavenly Fate Value, Jiang Chen practiced extreme caution and had already ceased using his divine sense to directly monitor Gu Ran. Prior to his departure, he had discreetly concealed an Image Projection Stone within a cultivator''s body, expressly to document Gu Ran''s actions and movements. For added security, Jiang Chen even refrained from essing the Image Projection Stone immediately. He allotted a brief period before hemenced his review. ''As anticipated, he remained on ck Wood Ind.'' A flicker of thoughtfulness danced in Jiang Chen''s eyes. ''However, relying consistently on such surveince isn''t a viable long-term strategy.'' ''It''s not just inconvenient, but also fraught with limitations, and the information often arrives with a dy.'' ''I need to devise an alternate n!'' After a moment of careful consideration, a spark of insight lit up his mind! ''Alright, let''s proceed this way!'' A slight smile crept onto Jiang Chen''s face. Without dy, he extracted a transmission jade token and dispatched a message to Ji Mingxiu, requesting him to send some reliable, low to mid-level cultivators, preferably those willing toy down their lives for their cause. The Purple Heaven Holy Land was certainly notcking such dedicated death warriors. These faithful death warriors might not boast high cultivation bases, but there was an abundance of those at lower levels. They had undergone thorough indoctrination and demonstrated utmost loyalty, essentially functioning as tools for executing orders! Stowing the transmission jade token, Jiang Chen''s eyes gleamed coldly as a smirk crossed his face. ''Heh heh! Gu Ran, your end is drawing near!'' Given that any extent of his surveince on Gu Ran would likely be detected, he might as well deploy some mid to low-level cultivators to watch over him. This way, even if Gu Ran were to exercise caution, he wouldn''t be driven to extreme alertness. Moreover, Jiang Chen had additional ns for those individuals! Subsequently, Jiang Chen directly made his way back to the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. The members of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect were also cognizant of the demonic invasion unfolding in the southeastern seas. At this juncture, Jing Chengwang, Le Zhengren, Zhu Zhihai, Ji Yn, and other high-ranking members of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect were assembled, each donning an expression of utmost seriousness. "The demons have breached our Lustrous Yang Domain so swiftly!" One of them said. "And the onught began right here in our Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea!" "Hadn''t the Purple Heaven Holy Land sessfully fended off the demons, assuring their invasion of the Immortal Martial Continent would not recur in the near future?" "Could it be possible that the demons repulsed by the Purple Heaven Holy Land were not the entirety, and that the Nether Demon n still conceals unexposed power?" "Holy Son Jiang Chen is still stationed in the southeastern seas, in the vicinity of ck Wood Ind. I wonder how the situation is unfolding?" "With Jiang Chen''s cultivation base and battle prowess, he shouldn''t encounter any issues. He even slew a Transcendence realm great powerhouse who had dropped to the Dao Pce realm." "Indeed, Holy Son Jiang Chen''s fighting capability is exceptional, there''s no way he could encounter any trouble!" The assembly conversed in turns, asionally reaching a decision and promptly issuing orders. They all held considerable confidence in Jiang Chen, who was positioned in the southeast direction. Just at that moment, a rustling noise echoed. A beam of light, emanating a powerful aura, appeared near the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. "It''s Holy Son Jiang Chen returning!" a voice dered. "Holy Son Jiang Chen is indeed unscathed!" "That''s anticipated, it''s no small feat for a Transcendence realm demon to traverse the Bottomless Abyss channel. The ones breaching our Lustrous Yang Domain are probably just average Dao Pce realm demons." Visible delight filled the faces of the gathered crowd. Instantly transforming into a series of afterimages, they soared into the sky to greet Jiang Chen. "Fellow Daoists, the demons invading from the direction of ck Wood Ind were led by a Peak-stage Dao Pce realm demon. I''ve already eliminated it," Jiang Chen said, cutting straight to the point. "I''ve also vanquished the more potent demonic beasts within the demonic beast tide. You may deal with the rest as you see fit." "Additionally, death warriors from Purple Heaven Holy Land will soon arrive here." "As for that, act as if you''re unaware," he added sternly. "And finally, regarding Gu Ran, no one is allowed to make any rash moves. I have a n in ce." "Yes! Holy Son Jiang Chen, rest assured, we won''t act recklessly," assured individuals like Ji Yn, who were keen to remain in Jiang Chen''s good graces, without any hesitation. Shortly after, the death warriors dispatched by Ji Mingxiu arrived at the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. The death warriors numbered over a thousand, with three belonging to the Inquiring Journey realm, while the rest were cultivators of the Heavenly Origin realm or below. They bore no distinct differences from ordinary people, and even their expressions and emotions varied widely. At first nce, it was impossible to discern that they were death warriors. "Very well!" Jiang Chen expressed satisfaction with these death warriors and promptly led them towards ck Wood Ind. Given his speed, it took little time to reach the proximity of ck Wood Ind. Next, Jiang Chen directed a few of the death warriors to feign seeking refuge and make their way towards ck Wood Ind. As for himself, he located a secluded spot at a considerable distance and embarked on his cultivation. Time was precious, and Jiang Chen had to employ it judiciously. On ck Wood Ind, Gu Ran graced the Feng n''s banquet organized to wee him. All the ind''s distinguished individuals were present. Every one of them enthusiastically proposed toasts to Gu Ran, their fervor was palpable. Some even brought along beautiful youngdies, hopeful to test their fortunes and see if Gu Ran might show some interest. But how could Gu Ran find interest in such ostentatious, shallow disys? Fleeting snippets of memory sporadically shed through his mindimages on a scale transcending the Immortal Martial Continentrendering him indifferent to these enticing spectacles. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 326. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 2/2. Chapter 241: [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] Chapter 240: Feng Clans Banquet After three rounds of toasts, Feng Liu''s eyes sparkled as he said, "Brother Niu, I was quite impressed with your adept handling of the demonic beast tide earlier. Your poise and your skillful maneuvers were truly praiseworthy!" "Absolutely," chimed in one of Feng Liu''s trusted confidants, nodding in agreement. "Brother Niu''s prowess is unmatched!" "And your invisibility skill! Once you disappeared, those demonic beasts becamepletely disoriented, unable to sense Brother Niu''s presence at all!" The others were equally swift in joining the wave of des, heaping praise upon Gu Ran as if elevating him to the skies! An ordinary young man might have be slightly inted by the adtion. However, Gu Ran was different. He continued to respond with his characteristic grace andposure. "Brother Niu, you have my utmost respect!" Feng Liu announced, his curiosity bubbling over. "I would love to witness that invisibility skill again, just to marvel at its grandeur!" "Nonsense!" Feng Hongbo interjected, his voice stern as he reprimanded Feng Liu. "Brother Niu has just emerged from a grueling battle; he needs to rest!" "To pressure young friend Niu Qing into demonstrating his invisibility skill againaren''t you asking too much?" Even though Feng Hongbo was reprimanding Feng Liu, he himself was also eager to see Gu Ran''s invisibility skill again, curious to determine whether it was a secret art or a magical treasure at y. However, in his opinion, requesting such a demonstration at this juncture was premature. However, Feng Hongbo''s admonishment was not simply a rebuke aimed at Feng Liu! He had another intention, namely to see if he could subtly provoke Gu Ran. Indeed, it was a mild form of reverse psychology. Should Gu Ran be keen to validate himself, to unt his abilities, he would surely take the bait. If not, there was no harm done to Feng Hongbo. But was Gu Ran the kind of individual eager to validate himself? Certainly not! His demeanor was vastly distinct from that of the protagonist, Fang Yuan. Instead, he bore some resemnce to the protagonist Ye Fanboth were prudent yet steady, yet notcking in determination. "Indeed, I do require some rest," Gu Ran acknowledged, offering a modest bow and a slight smile to Feng Hongbo, Feng Liu, and the others. "Perhaps on another asion, I can perform the skill for all to see." "Haha, that''s the spirit!" Feng Hongbo bellowed inughter, lifting his wine cup high. "Everyone, raise your sses! Today, we on ck Wood Ind have weathered the demonic beast tide, thanks to the timely intervention of our esteemed savior. Let''s toast to this moment of relief and gratitude!" His words electrified the mood. Consequently, the banquet continued, drawing to a close only after a full day had passed. Gu Ran was then ushered to rest in the area with the most abundant Spiritual Qi on ck Wood Ind. ... At this juncture, a battered spirit boat surfaced near ck Wood Ind. The boat bore the marks of demonic beast attacks, and the cultivators aboard were all bruised and weary. As the spirit boat neared ck Wood Ind, Feng Hongbo promptly detected its arrival and rallied others to wee it. From their initial glimpse of the boat, Feng Hongbo and the others deduced that these cultivators were survivors of the demonic beast tide. Aboard the boat was an Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm cultivator named Zhang San, while the others were cultivators from the Heavenly Origin realm, the Mysterious tform realm, and the Spiritual Awakening realm. As expected, Feng Hongbo began a dialogue with Zhang San, who was at the Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm. Soon, he discovered that the individuals on the boat had essentially banded together in their flight, and they were not well acquainted with each other. This revtion brought immense pleasure to Feng Hongbo. Because in such circumstances, he could freely recruit these cultivators. If they were members of an organization, it would amount to poaching, which was undoubtedly uneptable. However, Feng Hongbo was oblivious to the fact that all the individuals on the boat were death warriors dispatched by Jiang Chen! Soon, Feng Hongbo warmly weed Jiang Chen''s death warriors ashore and treated them hospitably. During this process, many cultivators from the boat chose to go their separate ways, not wishing to remain with this makeshift crew. Consequently, many dispersed and blended into the poption of ck Wood Ind, bing an unobtrusive part of it. The leader, Zhang San, along with some experts from the makeshift crew, epted Feng Hongbo''s invitation and relocated to the Feng n. From that moment on, Zhang San and the others initiated their covert surveince of Gu Ran! Gu Ran was acutely aware of Zhang San and the others'' scrutiny. However, the vibe they gave off was akin to that of Feng Hongbo and his associates. It made him cautious but not anxious. Gu Ran surmised that Zhang San and the others were likely nning to affiliate themselves with the Feng n, hence his heightened vignce towards them. The following day, Feng Hongbo arranged another banquet to wee Zhang San and hispanions. For the ensuing few days, Zhang San and the others dedicated their time to recovery. Simultaneously, Feng Hongbo seized this opportunity to recruit many cultivators from the ''makeshift crew''. Moreover, a few dayster, Feng Hongbo subtly proposed the idea of recruiting Zhang San as a Guest Elder. Zhang San confessed that he was a wandering cultivator, wearied by theck of support. His recent brush with death had left him yearning for a stable environment to settle down and focus on his cultivation. Thus, their interests aligned. Subsequently, Zhang San, apanied by a few Heavenly Origin realm cultivators, joined the Feng n. This development affirmed Gu Ran''s suspicions. In his perception, he had fully ssified Zhang San and the others as part of the Feng n, utterly oblivious to the fact that they were actually Jiang Chen''s agents! It was at this very moment, a system alert echoed in Jiang Chen''s Sea of Consciousness. [Ding! You have sessfully slightly altered the plot, Protagonist Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 500 points!] [Ding! You have earned 1000 Viin Value points!] ''Slightly altered the plot!?'' he mused. ''The main n seems to be working!'' ''Next up, the plot involving Gu Ran iming lives on ck Wood Ind is set to unfold!'' Thoughts burgeoned in Jiang Chen''s mind, his eyes shimmering with an icy glint. He approached ck Wood Ind, extending his divine sense. He deliberately sidestepped Gu Ran, initiating observation of the other supporting characters. He needed to deduce their death timeline based on these supporting characters'' Fate Values! Only by doing so could he deploy his death warriors to thwart Gu Ran! Time gradually psed. On ck Wood Ind, as the teleportation array underwent continuous repairs, Feng Hongbo, Feng Liu, and others began to feel a mounting sense of urgency. Therefore, another banquet was hosted by the Feng n, this time to celebrate a marriage within the n. Being a guest of honor, Gu Ran was unable to decline the invitation and participated in the festivity. Simrly, after the third round of drinks, Feng Liu and his groupmenced their praises for Gu Ran once again, inviting him to showcase his invisibility skill. In response, Gu Ran''s heart brimmed with sardonic amusement. At this juncture, he could definitively discern that the Feng n''s ultimate target was his ''Spectral Concealment'' ability! "If you wish to see it, then I shall oblige." Gu Ran rose to his feet with an impassive countenance, directly activated his bloodline power, and exhibited his cloaking ability. Suddenly, his form vanished from everyone''s sight, and even divine sense couldn''t detect it. "Remarkable! Daoist friend Niu Qing, your invisibility skill is truly extraordinary!" said an elderly man, his voice brimming with admiration. "Indeed, it''s so potent that we can''t perceive him at all!" "An undeniable young hero, such an exceptional talent!" "I wonder if Young friend Niu Qing requires a maid?" The crowd burst into a chorus of exmations, one after the other. After a few moments, Gu Ran rematerialized, merely bowing slightly and offering a fist and palm salute as a response to everyone''s praises and tteries. However, those harboring hidden intentions, such as Feng Hongbo and Feng Liu, found themselves somewhat taken aback. Even at such a close proximity, employing the maximum extent of their divine sense for examination, they couldn''t gather any clues. They were unable to determine whether Gu Ran''s invisibility was the result of a secret art or an artifact. ''This young man''s invisibility ability is formidable!'' Feng Hongbo mused, his avarice intensifying. As for Feng Liu, it went without saying. He had alreadymenced daydreaming about the marvelous life he would lead once he obtained Gu Ran''s invisibility skill. The banquet persevered. Late into the night, the other guests progressively departed, leaving behind only the Feng n''s core members, the Guest Elders, and Gu Ran. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 328. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 1/2. Chapter 243: [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] Chapter 241: Feng Hongbo Unveils his True Intent Following Jiang Chen''s directive, individuals like Zhang San promptly excused themselves. Gu Ran also rose, preparing to take his leave, politely dering, "I must return to my cultivation practice, so I bid you farewell." "Wait a moment, Young friend Niu Qing." Feng Hongbo, shing a radiant smile, interjected, "I have one more matter I''d like to address." "What might that be?" Gu Ran questioned, a perplexed expression on his face. Internally, however, he smirked, ''This old man is about to reveal his true nature.'' "Young friend Niu Qing, are you sure you want to decline our Feng n''s offer?" Feng Hongbo, his expression grave, held out a small bottle. "Contained within is a pill that can instantly assist your advancement to the Inquiring Journey realm. Simply say yes, and it''s yours!" As he uncapped the bottle, an intense, alluring medicinal aroma immediately filled the air. "I appreciate the generosity, Patriarch Feng," Gu Ran said, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Water naturally flows downward, and people naturally strive upward. My ambitions reach far and high; I must respectfully decline." "Yet, it''s also said that one should advance step by step for a stable journey," Feng Hongbo retorted, shaking his head. "In the Feng n, the opportunities for your growth are ample. You could soon align with the You n, or even greater powers. Why wouldn''t you want our support?" "Regrettably, my position remains unchanged," Gu Ran replied, his expression resolute, as he offered another respectful gesture. "You!" Feng Liu shot to his feet, his expression livid as he rebuked Gu Ran. "Niu Qing, your refusal of the esteem and privileges we''ve offered is disgraceful!" "Our Feng n has shown you considerable kindness recently, giving you priority ess to all training resources!" "Is this how you repay us?" "You ungrateful wretch!" he eximed. "Precisely! Niu Qing, you''re showing ingratitude!" another voice chimed in. "It seems your skill has puffed up your ego, making you underestimate our Feng n!" "Your audacity is truly beyond belief. Despite your talents and invisibility skill, you''re still just a Heavenly Origin realm cultivator. Daring to oppose our Feng n, your downfall is inevitable!" "A genius who is dead is no longer a genius, but merely a corpse. Niu Qing, your demise is preordained!" The surrounding Feng n cultivators dropped all pretenses and quickly encircled Gu Ran. Adding to that, the protective Great Formation of ck Wood Ind began to rise, enclosing more than half of the ind. This strategic move effectively sealed off Gu Ran''s path of retreat. "Niu Qing!" Feng Hongbo dered, "Since you''ve declined to form a favorable alliance with our Feng n, you must return all the resources we''ve given you!" "If you can''t return them, then trade them for your invisibility skill!" His voice grew menacing as he bellowed, "Otherwise, don''t expect to leave ck Wood Ind alive!" "Hahaha!" Gu Ran erupted inughter. "Old man, did you really think I was oblivious to your true aim for my concealment ability?" "Hehe, I dly epted those free training resources, and if you dare to interfere further," Gu Ran sneered menacingly, "I won''t hesitate to take your lives!" His demeanor disyed no mercy for those like Feng Hongbo who harbored ill intentions against him. "If you''re courting death, then I''ll oblige!" Feng Hongbo growled, propelling himself directly at Gu Ran. He still harbored the desire to apprehend Gu Ran alive and extract the secrets of the invisibility skill from him. As Feng Hongbo initiated his attack, others promptly followed. Numerous individuals directly cast tracking spells on Gu Ran. "Petty maneuvers!" A crimson light flickered across Gu Ran''s body, swiftly dispersing those tracking signs, and he himself disappeared from sight! "Boom!!" Feng Hongbo''s attack missed its mark, the residual energy utterly annihting the opulent pavilion where they had been hosting the banquet. "Where did he vanish to?" someone eximed in disbelief. "How did he manage to escape so quickly?" "Our patriarch is a Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm expert, how is this possible?" "How could Niu Qing, just a Heavenly Origin realm cultivator, elude our patriarch''s grasp?" The Feng n members were left deeply stunned, each scrambling to cover any escape routes that Gu Ran might exploit. Nevertheless, they were a moment toote. Gu Ran''s figure abruptly materialized in a corner, instantly breaking through the encirclement, and then disappeared once more. "Damn it! Niu Qing, there''s no escaping!" Feng Hongbo, infuriated and humiliated, bellowed and immediatelyunched an assault in the direction Gu Ran had vanished. However, Gu Ran had already relocated, and Feng Hongbo''s strike met nothing but air. The attacks of the others followed in quick session, akin to a cast across the sky, raining down relentlessly, yet they still failed to flush out Gu Ran. "He''s eluded us!" Feng Hongbo roared in frustration. "Damn it, his invisibility skill is a major threat; we must capture him as soon as possible!" "Station someone at the ck Wood Ind''s Great Formation; we can''t let him kill the cultivators who are controlling it!" "Everyone else, spare no efforts and start searching!" He thundered with rage, "I won''t ept that a mere Heavenly Origin realm cultivator could evade me!" In his eyes, regardless of whether Gu Ran''s invisibility skill was a secret art or an artifact, its utilization would consume a substantial amount of Yuan Power! Gu Ran''s invisibility skill couldn''t possibly sustain for a prolonged period! Soon, Gu Ran would reveal himself under his vignce. Dealing with him then wouldn''t pose a challenge! "Quickly, start the search and leave no stone unturned!" hemanded urgently. "Send a team of cultivators to Bull Horn Street, led by three Heavenly Origin realm members!" "Where''s Zhang San and his team? Call them here at once!" Under Feng Hongbo''s directives, the Feng n''s elites began to disperse. Thus, no matter where Gu Ran materialized, there would invariably be individuals nearby to spot him, to pin him down! Even if Gu Ran seeded in eliminating the individuals restraining him, it would deplete his time. If this continued, by the time Feng Hongbo ultimately arrived at the scene, Gu Ran would surely meet his demise. Moreover, Zhang San was also a high-ranking expert of the Inquiring Journey realm! However, what Feng Hongbo could never have anticipated was that Gu Ran could indeed siphon off a portion of the cultivation base of the individuals he vanquished! Those who engaged Gu Ran first would invariably be a valuable source of strength for him! After a few confrontations, Gu Ran could potentially ascend to the Inquiring Journey realm! Yet, Jiang Chen was entirely aware of this! ''It''s starting! Time to identify the first casualty,'' Jiang Chen thought as he activated his Viin''s Eye, gathering all the data rted to the supporting characters. Shortly, he witnessed the first casualty Feng Liu! As the eldest scion of the Feng n, Feng Liu possessed a crucial status, representing the hope of the n, almost entirely. Once he fell at Gu Ran''s hands, it would heighten the Feng n''s animosity towards Gu Ran, making them relentless in their pursuit. Therefore, even without the help of the Viin''s Eye, Jiang Chen could deduce that Feng Liu would be the first to fall. "Zhang San, gather your men and head to Golden Leaf Street at once. Protect Feng Liu and his team and assist them in handling Gu Ran!" Using his potent divine sense, Jiang Chen remotely instructed Zhang San. Withser-focused determination, Zhang San said nothing and immediately executed the order! A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 328. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 2/2. Chapter 243: [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] Chapter 242: The Abrupt Arrival of the Inquiring Journey Realm Demonic Beast At this juncture, the Feng n''s cultivators had fanned out, covering a significant number of pockets within the range of the formation. Gu Ran would be instantly noticed the moment he showed himself. On Golden Leaf Street, Feng Liu, the eldest offspring of the Feng n, led a party of his trustedrades on a search mission, his heart pounding with anticipation. From his perspective, this ''Niu Qing'' character daring to stand against his Feng n was clearly asking for trouble. Soon enough, he, Feng Liu, would seize the invisibility skill of ''Niu Qing'' and rise as an unrivaled expert within the same realm! Moreover, possessing such an invisibility skill would open a world of opportunities for him. Just contemting this prospect stirred such excitement in Feng Liu that his pulse quickened. Meanwhile, nearby on the roadside, Gu Ran, concealing his presence, stood openly yet unnoticed, casting an indifferent nce at Feng Liu and his approaching party from afar. ''Feng Liu, you dare harm me,'' he thought to himself, a deadly glint shing in his eyes. ''I''ll send you to mingle with the female ghosts in the underworld!'' While making a move would certainly reveal his presence and attract more opponents, Gu Ran was convinced that if he had escaped the encirclement once, he could do it a second timeespecially given that after dispatching Feng Liu and his gang, his power would only amplify! With each battle serving as a catalyst for the next, he would soon be able to ascend to the Inquiring Journey realm! However, just as Gu Ran was preparing to strike. "Roar!" A formidable roar of a demonic beast reverberated from outside the ind. By the sheer resonance of it, it was undeniably not a demonic beast of the Heavenly Origin realm or any lower realm! ''A demonic beast has trespassed onto ck Wood Ind!'' Gu Ran''s heart skipped a beat, his eyes flickering with a trace of surprise. ''And it appears to be a demonic beast from the Inquiring Journey realm!'' Simultaneously, the rest of ck Wood Ind''s inhabitants also detected the resonating, savage roar of the demonic beast, their expressions shifting dramatically. "A demonic beast incursion!" Feng Hongbo''s face contorted in shock, his eyes mirroring his disbelief. He thought incredulously, ''Why now of all times? Damn it! That formidable powerhouse hadpletely wiped out thest wave of demonic beasts.'' ''Even if they were to return, it wouldn''t be for a significant amount of time.'' ''How could an Inquiring Journey realm demonic beast suddenly attack ck Wood Ind?!'' As these questions swirled in his mind, hisplexion visibly paled. Meanwhile, the other inhabitants of ck Wood Ind were even more astounded and anxious! "A demonic beast is attacking!" cried one of them in rm. "An Inquiring Journey realm demonic beast has appeared again!" "Let''s hope it doesn''t cause as much chaos as thest one. ck Wood Ind simply can''t withstand another disaster of that scale!" One by one, the faces of the cultivators turned ashen, mirrors of their stark terror. Naturally, this included the Feng n''s cultivators as well. "Damn it, a demonic beast invasion!!" Feng Liu cursed, his face contorting with frustration. "A demonic beast is assailing ck Wood Ind, how can I pursue Niu Qing under these circumstances?!" His gaze fixed on the area beyond the formation, his eyes clouded with anxiety. ... "This won''t do!" Feng Hongbo''s eyes sharpened, the steadfast determination in his pupils unmissable. "We can''t let Gu Ran get away!" "If he manages to evade us, even if we make it through this wave of demonic beasts, we might eventually be his victims!" "He must be eliminated!" Without a moment''s hesitation, he ordered all the members of the Feng n to continue their chase for Gu Ran! As for Feng Hongbo himself, he dashed out of the ck Wood Ind''s Great Formation, emerging outside the ind. In the distance, a massive figure hovered in the air, darting towards them at a swift pace. It was a Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm bird-like demonic beast, its body simrly tainted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi. To Feng Hongbo''s relief, only this single demonic beast had shown upthere were no signs of an impending demonic beast tide. It seemed likely that this beast was a straggler that had escaped the cast by that great powerhouse. Perhaps it had been too distant to be in initially, or it may have been tainted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi at ater stage. Regardless, as long as there was just one demonic beast, and itsbat capabilities weren''t too formidable, it should be within their control. ''Once I''ve dealt with this demonic beast, Niu Qing will be next!'' Feng Hongbo pondered. ''Perhaps by the time I get there, Niu Qing will already have been captured.'' ''Even though Zhang San is only at the Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm, defeating an exposed Niu Qing should be rtively straightforward,'' he thought, slowly regaining hisposure. "Roar!" The bird-like demonic beast unleashed a roar akin to a lion''sfar removed from a bird''s call, exceedingly chilling. In an instant, the immense beast, reminiscent of a dark cloud, swept close to ck Wood Ind. Upon spotting Feng Hongbo, the avian demonic beast lunged into an immediate assault! "Damned beast, perish!" Feng Hongbo''s face contorted in rage as he retaliated. Boom! The deafening sounds of conflict echoed immediately. Inside the Great Formation of ck Wood Ind, Gu Ran, concealed and closely observing the unfolding situation, thought to himself, ''So, an Inquiring Journey realm demonic beast is indeed attacking the ind!'' ''Haha, the timing of this demonic beast couldn''t be more perfect.'' ''Feng Hongbo ispelled to deal with the beast, leaving me free tounch a full-fledged attack!'' A cold smirk appeared on his face. As for Feng Liu and his faction, they found sce in Feng Hongbo''s directive. "If Father is confident enough to make such a deration, he must be certain he can handle that bird-like demonic beast," Feng Liu mused. "Then, it''s up to me to deal with this cornered beast, Niu Qing!" A cold smile also crept onto his face. Without hesitation, he led his team forward, each step bringing them nearer to Gu Ran. Meanwhile, Jiang Chen was concealed in the sky, his expression serene. He had spotted the bird-like demonic beast earlier but had refrained from attacking it. Because he had surmised that this avian demonic beast was here due to the influence of Heavenly Fate. Its purpose was to distract Feng Hongbo, affording Gu Ran enough time to execute his killing spree without the threat of Feng Hongbo''s pursuit. By the time Feng Hongbo realized the situation, Gu Ran would have already grown significantly stronger, capable enough to confront an Inquiring Journey realm expert. In the end, Gu Ran would undoubtedly y and behead Feng Hongbo, and the bird-like demonic beast would also fall prey, perishing under his power. In short, all the spoils were destined to fall into Gu Ran''s hands! ''Now that I''ve entered the scene,'' Jiang Chen thought to himself. ''Gu Ran, how much of what should be yours can you hold onto?'' A faint smile touched the corners of his mouth. He continued to monitor the events unfolding on ck Wood Ind. On Golden Leaf Street, Feng Liu guided a group of cohorts forward, his divine sense meticulously scouring the area for any trace of Gu Ran. Just then, a frigid light abruptly materialized out of nowherethe distinct sound of a de slicing through the air reverberated instantly. Swish! In a mere blink of an eye, the icy luminescence was already dangerously close to Feng Liu''s chest! "Young Master, beware!" An elderly man standing beside Feng Liu detected the imminent danger and yelled. But it was already toote for him to initiate any defensive maneuvers. His only choice was the most direct methodusing his body to thrust Feng Liu out of harm''s way! Bang! The sound of bodies colliding echoed, and Feng Liu''s body was catapulted away like a rag doll. sh! In the next instant, the chilling sound of a de prating flesh resonated. The long sword in Gu Ran''s hand impaled the elderly man''s shoulder, the blood-streaked de protruding menacingly from his back. Moreover, surges of power erupted from the long sword, reducing the elderly man''s shoulder to a gory wreck. ''A Half-step Inquiring Journey realm expert!'' Gu Ran, whose figure was now revealed, changed his expression and immediately prepared to withdraw his long sword and melt into the shadows once again. However, the remainder of Feng Liu''s entourage had already responded, unleashing a barrage of wide-ranging attacks. These cultivators were all at the Heavenly Origin realm. While individually, each one would be dispatched instantly by Gu Ran, their collective onught was not a force Gu Ran could simply dismiss. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 330. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 1/2. Chapter 246: [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] Chapter 243: Zhang San Intervenes, True Identity Unveiled Woosh! A luminous defensive shield erupted from Gu Ran''s body. Thud, thud, thud, bang, bang, bang! Vibrant waves of energy collided with the shield, producing an array of power ripples. But the strength of Gu Ran''s bloodline was extraordinary; its enhancement bolstered hisbat prowess to the Half-step Inquiring Journey realm, surpassing the elderly man. The onughts from those in the Heavenly Origin realm were insufficient to prate his defenses. However, to sustain his shield, Gu Ran had to forfeit his invisibility skill. "Act fast, capture this rascal alive!" Suddenly, Feng Liu''s voice cried out as he charged towards Gu Ran. The elderly man was even faster, rapidly closing the distance to Gu Ran. The rest of the cultivators also pounced on Gu Ran in a unified rush. "Hahaha!" Feng Liu jeered, "Niu Qing, you little rat, today I vow to seize you alive and make you endure every torment I''ve honed!" "Do you know what my preferred method of punishment is? Castration!" "Hehehe, kneel and plead for mercy now, share your invisibility secret, and I might consider sparing you." "But if you insist on being stubborn, don''t fault me for being merciless!" he warned, watching as a throng of cultivators encircled Gu Ran. "Heh!" A scoff adorned Gu Ran''s face. "Feng Liu, you''re a despicable creature. I could handle ten of you single-handedly." He dered, "Since castration is your favorite punishment, I''ll be sure to fulfill your desire!" "You!" Feng Liu seethed, his fury zing like wildfire. "Defiant even at death''s door!" "Seize him!" Hemanded, shooting a venomous re at Gu Ran, as if wishing to consume him whole on the spot. "Pathetic loser," Gu Ran scoffed, fixing his gaze promptly on a Mysterious tform realm cultivator. He wouldmence by eliminating the weakest! Though the cultivation base attained from ying a Mysterious tform realm cultivator was minimal, every little bit counted. He was teetering on the edge of a breakthrough; it was highly likely that dispatching a Mysterious tform realm cultivator would furnish just the right amount of cultivation base he required. In the blink of an eye, Gu Ran was on the verge of striking down that Mysterious tform cultivator. Abruptly, a sound of a sword''s hum pierced the air! Faster than the sound, a streak of white light targeted Gu Ran in a sh! "What?!" Gu Ran''s expression morphed in an instant, and he hastily retracted his attack to defend. Fortuitously, his intended victim was merely a Mysterious tform realm cultivator, so he hadn''t exerted much force and could swiftly adjust his course. Ding! The sharp resonance of metal shing reverberated. Gu Ran''s hands quivered as he hastily retreated. "Elder Zhang!" Feng Liu''s voice,den with surprise and tion, rang out. From a rooftop, a figure emerged. It was Jiang Chen''s Death Warrior, Zhang San! Should Gu Ran manage to kill anyone, his cultivation base would expand, potentially triggering a dangerous upward spiral. Jiang Chen wasn''t about to grant him that opportunity, hence he dispatched Zhang San into the fray immediately. "Seize him!" Feng Liu''s followers, thrilled by this unexpected turn of events, swiftlyunched an assault on Gu Ran. With Zhang San, who was in the Inquiring Journey realm, at their side, the likelihood of capturing Gu Ran alive had significantly improved. ''An Inquiring Journey realm expert!'' Gu Ran''s expression shifted, realizing, ''It''s that Zhang San!'' ''Why would he happen to surface here at this critical juncture?'' His eyes flickered with hesitation before promptly transforming into a determined gaze. He was originally a disciple of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. While his aptitude wasn''t ster, he had learned a range of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect''s martial techniques and secret arts. Among these were a self-harming, power-enhancing secret art and some formidable offensive techniques. To avoid exposing his true identity, he had refrained from using these techniques on ck Wood Ind. But now, he was left with no choice. If he withheld these techniques, he might face a crushing defeat. ''As long as I annihte them all, no one will discover that I hail from the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect!'' With an unwavering resolve, Gu Ran''s internal Yuan Power started to alter its course, aligning with the meridian routes of the self-harming, power-enhancing secret art ''Ageless Spirit - Extinguishing Origin!'' Boom! An extraordinarily potent aura erupted from Gu Ran''s body, momentarily reaching the Inquiring Journey realm. "What!" Someone eximed. "He''s actually ascended to the Inquiring Journey realm!" "I''ve seen this secret art before, it belongs to the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect!" "This Niu Qing is actually a member of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, why didn''t he disclose this earlier!" The expressions of Feng Liu and the others shifted drastically. Even a mere disciple of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect was someone they would have to carefully consider before daring to provoke. Just then, Zhang San''s voice resonated, "I''ve heard that the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect is pursuing a disciple named Gu Ran!" "This Niu Qing is likely Gu Ran! He adopted a false name and refrained from using the secret art earlier, fearing it would reveal his true identity!" Upon hearing his revtion,prehension dawned on Feng Liu and the others, their fear swiftly dissipating. Since Gu Ran was a nemesis of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, they found relief. Aware now that Gu Ran had been expelled from the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect for some reason and was on their hit list, they were confident his downfall was imminent. If they could assist the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect in capturing Gu Ran, they might even reap some invaluable rewards! Moreover, the secrets Gu Ran harbored were worth probing into! "Elder Zhang, the stage is yours now!" Feng Liu hollered in sheer delight. Zhang San did not respond but persisted in his relentless onught on Gu Ran. Jiang Chen had instructed him not to kill Gu Ran, and he adhered to this directive meticulously. By this juncture, the skirmish on Golden Leaf Street had reached a deadlock. Gu Ran was growing increasingly restless. His secret art had a finite duration! Furthermore, additional cultivators from the Feng n were hastening over to bolster this side! ''This isn''t working! I must extricate myself from here first!'' Driven by desperation, Gu Ran once more activated his secret art, causing hisbat prowess to spike up another level. This subtle enhancement in power surprisingly granted Gu Ran a slight advantage over Zhang San. However, it was still insufficient to vanquish Zhang San. Nevertheless, Gu Ran had no intentions of toppling Zhang San at the moment. He seized a fleeting opportunity to swiftly retreat, utilizing his Inquiring Journey realmbat power to withstand the siege of the Heavenly Origin realm cultivators and sessfully cloak himself in invisibility! With hisbat power reaching the Inquiring Journey realm, Gu Ran''s bloodline power wielded a more potent influence, boosting his invisibility. Even while moving at an elerated pace, the effect of invisibility remained undiminished. "Elder Zhang!! Quickly, execute an area-effect attack!" Upon witnessing Gu Ran vanish without a trace, Feng Liu hollered in a state of panic. "Ptui!" However, Zhang San suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, hisplexion turning slightly ashen. "Elder Zhang! Elder Zhang, are you alright?" Feng Liu''s expression petrified, and he darted in front of Zhang San, his anxiety apparent as he was relying on Zhang San for his protection. "Old wounds have red up." Zhang San stated, his breathing slightlybored. "Don''t fret over Gu Ran. Once the effect of his secret art expires, it will signify his demise." As he spoke, Zhang San retrieved some pills and swallowed them,mencing his wound healing process. Upon hearing Zhang San''s reassurance, Feng Liu''s eyes sparkled with exhration. "Absolutely, absolutely!" "That Niu Qing, no, that Gu Ran, the rogue, has employed a self-harming secret art. Once its duration expires, hisbat prowess will undoubtedly plummet!" "At that juncture, I might even be capable of apprehending him personally!" he mused, a confident smirk forming on his lips. Simultaneously, system prompts echoed within Jiang Chen''s sea of consciousness. [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot, the protagonist Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 1000 points!] [Ding! You have rued 2000 Viin Value points!] A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 330. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 2/2. Chapter 244: [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] There will be no release tomorrow. See you next week! Chapter 244: Gu Rans Growing Frustration ''1000 point reduction in Heavenly Fate Value!'' Jiang Chen thought to himself, ''Ha, quite a decent gain.'' A gratified smirk spread across his visage. ''Indeed, this minor event has significant implications for Gu Ran. He was originally poised to ascend to the Inquiring Journey realm at this juncture...'' Thereafter, Jiang Chen persisted in observing the supporting characters residing on ck Wood Ind. At this juncture, Feng Liu''s party had momentarily survived the lethal predicament, and their Fate Value had experienced a marginal upsurge. Those with the lowest Fate Value were found elsewhere on ck Wood Ind, specifically at the ck Wood Public Square! In the vicinity of the ck Wood Public Square, although there were no Inquiring Journey realm experts like Zhang San, several Peak-stage Heavenly Origin realm death warriors were present. These death warriors were all carefully selected by Jiang Chen. They were cultivators capable of temporarily exhibiting thebat prowess equivalent to the Inquiring Journey realm. "Proceed, intercept Gu Ran ording to the original n!" Jiang Chen instructed, rying Gu Ran''s imminent list of victims to the death warriors, who sprang into action without dy. ''It''s high time I made my move!'' A slight smile tugged at Jiang Chen''s lips. Promptly masking his presence and aura, he stealthily advanced towards ck Wood Ind. Within ck Wood Ind, Gu Ran, still concealed, traversed at maximum velocity. In no time, he reached the ck Wood Public Square. Those assigned to Golden Leaf Street had already received the information and retreated to their respective territories. Meanwhile, the upants of ck Wood Public Square persisted in scouring the entire za. Suddenly, a voice disseminated through divine sense jolted them into heightened vignce "Brothers, stay alert, Gu Ran, known by the alias ''Niu Qing'', is suspected to have infiltrated the ck Wood Public Square!" "What?!" Someone eximed. "That fellow has infiltrated ck Wood Public Square?!" "I heard that youngster used a strength-boosting secret art to reach the Inquiring Journey realm, utterly daunting!" "Who ryed this message, and where are they now?" "It''s Old Chen who arrived with Elder Zhang on that spirit boat. I''m acquainted with him! He should be in the vicinity. We can align our actions with his!" The cultivators from the Feng n situated at ck Wood Public Square initially exhibited shock, then wore vignt expressions, and started to converse surreptitiously. At that moment, Gu Ran, in his concealed state, observed his next targets. ''Four Heavenly Origin realm!'' he thought. ''And a few Mysterious tform realm cultivators.'' ''Eliminating them all, even if it doesn''t enable me to ascend to the Inquiring Journey realm, will surely enhance my cultivation base!'' A chilling gleam shed across his eyes as he abruptly sprang into action! Boom! A formidable aura erupted in a sh. Gu Ran''s fierce assault ruthlessly zeroed in on the Heavenly Origin realm cultivators from the Feng n. "Brace yourselves!" However, the well-prepared cultivators from the Feng n instantly put up their defenses in unison. Gu Ran''s onught shattered their collective defense. But just as he was priming to deliver the lethal strike, an Inquiring Journey realm aura abruptly ambushed him from the rear! ''How can there still be an Inquiring Journey realm presence?!'' Gu Ran''s heart pounded fiercely as his expression took a drastic turn. ''And why, out of all ces, here?!'' Without any hesitation, he relinquished his imminent victims and whirled into a defensive stance! ng! The mor of weapons shing reverberated throughout the za. Gu Ran''s silhouette and Jiang Chen''s death warrior were forced apart upon collision! ''It''s a Heavenly Origin realm cultivator employing a secret art!'' Gu Ran realized, his frustration mounting. ''Damn it, I refuse to ept that others among them can also manifest Inquiring Journey realm battle prowess!'' With a grim expression, he used the recoil to catapult himself a considerable distance, vanishing into the obscurity of the night. [Ding! You have sessfully slightly altered the plot. Protagonist Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value decreases by 300 points!] [Ding! You have umted 600 Viin Value points!] The system prompts chimed again. ''Only a reduction of three hundred points?'' Jiang Chen mused, feeling slightly disappointed. ''It appears those cultivators couldn''t catalyze Gu Ran''s breakthrough to the Inquiring Journey realm.'' Maintaining a serene countenance, he stood atop the dome of ck Wood Ind, surveying everything beneath him, his divine sense and gaze deliberately bypassing Gu Ran. Shortly after, he observed that the Fate Values of the cultivators at ck Wood Public Square had seen a modest increase. It was evident that Gu Ran had shifted his targets. Upon detailed scrutiny, Jiang Chen quickly identified a group of cultivators with the lowest Fate Values, situated at a location known as Vernal Horizon Lake. Theke, the ind''s only source of freshwater, boasted exquisite scenery. "Proceed, assume your positions!" Jiang Chenmanded his death warriors via divine sense. Swiftly, the battalion of death warriors encircled those cultivators. Gu Ran, still moving stealthily, was unable to mobilize at his maximum pace and thus fell behind Jiang Chen''s death warriors. By the time Gu Ran reached Vernal Horizon Lake, Jiang Chen''s death warriors were already primed for action. At this juncture, hovering above Vernal Horizon Lake, a group of cultivators were meticulously scrutinizing their environment, even beneath the water surface. However, this batch of cultivators was feeble, with only a single individual at the Heavenly Origin realm. Even with the preemptive alert from Jiang Chen''s death warriors, they would undoubtedly fail to withstand Gu Ran''s assault. Hence, Jiang Chen directed his death warriors to merge with this group of cultivators. The team nowprised five Heavenly Origin realm cultivators! Not far off, Gu Ran, still concealed, stood secluded with gleaming eyes as he surveyed the group of cultivators busily probing their surroundings. ''Five of them are at the Heavenly Origin realm...'' Gu Ran noted, his heart pounding with anticipation. ''I refuse to ept that among these individuals, there exist ones who can manifest Inquiring Journey realm battle prowess!'' Harboring these thoughts, his eyes radiated resolve as he audaciouslyunched his attack! Swoosh! Gu Ran''s figure abruptly materialized, his long sword striking like a venomous serpent towards a Heavenly Origin realm cultivator. "He''s here!" However, one of Jiang Chen''s death warriors shouted. He instantly unleashed his Inquiring Journey realmbat prowess, directly thwarting Gu Ran''s assault! ''Wh... what?!'' Gu Ran was instantly dumbstruck. ''How can another Heavenly Origin realm cultivator erupt with Inquiring Journey realmbat power? This is preposterous!'' ''How can a minor ce like ck Wood Ind have so many Heavenly Origin realm cultivators with extraordinarybat talents?'' Once or twice might be chalked up to chance, but thrice was downright absurd! Gu Ran almost began to suspect he was trapped in a nightmarish hallucination. Otherwise, how could everything go so horribly wrong!? ording to his calctions, he should have already eliminated a number of Feng n cultivators and advanced to the Inquiring Journey realm. Yet in reality, from the moment he exited the Feng n''s banquet until now, he gained absolutely nothing! He hadn''t even managed to y a single insignificant cultivator! Gu Ran was swallowed by a surge of frustration, akin to a nauseating swirl in his gut, threatening to explode. Additionally, the time window for his secret art was rapidly closing. If circumstances remained unaltered, the risk would escte excessively. ''This won''t do!'' Gu Ran pondered, gritting his teeth, clenching his fists, and feeling his veins pulse. ''While Feng Hongbo is entangled with that demonic beast, I must leave ck Wood Ind first and seek retributionter!'' Without further ado, he seized an opportunity and retreated without a second thought. Cloaking his presence, he sped towards the boundary of ck Wood Ind''s Great Formation. ck Wood Ind''s Great Formation primarily served as a defensive barrier against outside threats; its effectiveness at trapping individuals within was not potent. Even restraining a genuine Inquiring Journey realm expert was a challenging task. Furthermore, formation masters usually positioned themselves at the formation node or adjacent to the formation disc. Eliminating the formation master and decimating the formation node or the formation disc would simplify the process of navigating through the formation. However, Gu Ran remained oblivious. Jiang Chen had already deciphered his thoughts through the fluctuating Fate Value of the supporting characters! ''Thinking of making a getaway, are you?'' Jiang Chen mused, a glint of triumph in his eyes. ''It appears his mindset is beginning to crumble under my machinations.'' ''Next, let''s toy with him one more round, then initiate the final stage of the current strategy.'' A mischievous smile crept onto his face as he once again ryed hismands. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 338. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Chapter 245: Unfortunate Situation, Gu Rans Conundrum Abruptly, death warriors charged toward Gu Ran''s position. Their velocity far outpaced Gu Ran''s, constrained as he was by his need to stay hidden. In a mere moment, several death warriors at the Heavenly Origin realm positioned themselves in stealth near Gu Ran''s destination. Time proceeded at its measured pace. Unnoticed, Gu Ran inched closer to his objective. Simultaneously, the Feng n and their subordinates sped toward Vernal Horizon Lake, intending to tighten the perimeter of their search. Within the radiant barrier of the ck Wood Ind''s Great Formation, numerous cultivators were positioned at its focal points. They executed distinct formation strategies to sustain its function. At one of the formation nodes sat a man of advanced years, his hair as white as frost, looking as though he was teetering on the precipice of life and death. As cultivators advanced in age, theirbat prowess declined. Hence, Gu Ran had identified this elderly individual as his target for assassination. ''You''re my target!'' he mentally dered, a ruthless resolve taking over his features. ''Perish!'' A lethal glint shed in Gu Ran''s eyes as he abruptly materialized,unching a deadly assault on the elderly man. However, this elderly man had already been alerted by Jiang Chen''s death warriors! ''So he has finally shown up!'' he thought, feeling tense. ''Thank heavens someone warned me, or else, I would surely be in the afterlife by now!'' A silent gasp escaped the elderly man, his eyes filled with startled realization. Simultaneously, he tapped into the formation''s energy, conjuring a swift defensive light shield to deflect Gu Ran''s assault. He scrambled frantically to make his escape using every avable tactic. ''He''s exceedingly vignt!'' Gu Ran was momentarily stunned, but he didn''t halt his onught and continued his pursuit of the elderly man. Crash! With the power of his Inquiring Journey realmbat prowess, he ripped a fissure directly into the hastily erected defense. While the elderly man had managed to retreat a significant distance from his conjured light barrier just before the impact, he still bore the brunt of a fraction of Gu Ran''s assault. The force sent him careening backwards, beyond the periphery of the ck Wood Ind''s Great Formation. He was grievously wounded and tottering on the edge of death! The sheer intensity of the Inquiring Journey realm strike, even just a fragment of it, was not something a Heavenly Origin realm cultivator could casually endure. "Hmph! Obstruct me, and meet your doom!" A chilling light flickered in Gu Ran''s eyes as he prepared to prate the formation to finish off the elderly man. Although he had previously resolved to conserve time and depart from ck Wood Ind, the sight of the weak elderly man reignited the notion of vengeance and killing in his thoughts. For as soon as he extinguished the man''s life, he could absorb a portion of his cultivation base. But just at that juncture, a voice shouted, tension filling the air, "Gu Ran has appeared, annihte him!" Several Heavenly Origin realm cultivatorsunched assaults from every angle. Among them, one cultivator momentarily exhibited thebat prowess of the Inquiring Journey realm. The others all exhibited battle power equivalent to that of a Half-step Inquiring Journey realm! ''What!'' Gu Ran looked on, astonished, as the cultivators from a distance converged to eliminate him. ''There are even cultivators nearby who can exert Inquiring Journey realmbat power!'' ''How...how can this be!'' Unable to grasp how his luck could turn so abysmal, he was stunned. Choosing a random direction for his escape, he had inexplicably encountered numerous Heavenly Origin realm cultivators, some of whom were even capable of mustering thebat power of the Inquiring Journey realm! And this was the third time! Each scheme had ended in utter failure! Gu Ran sincerely wished to rail against the heavens. However, his precarious situation didn''t permit such an indulgence as Jiang Chen''s death warriors had already converged by his side! ''Darn it!'' Gu Ran couldn''t afford to expose his back to the enemy and had no choice but to mount a defense. ng! ng! The battle was underway! Amidst the blurring afterimages, Gu Ran, leaning on the potency of his bloodline and the secret art of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, held his ground against a host of adversaries. Of course, a contributing factor was Jiang Chen''s directive to his underlings not to end Gu Ran''s life. The objective was to instill deeper fear in Gu Ran, leading to aplete breakdown of his mental resilience. ''This won''t work!'' As the skirmish wore on, Gu Ran''s anxiety escted. ''I can''t carry on this way, or else, once the Feng n''s forces encircle me, it will spell catastrophe!'' The periphery of his gaze ceaselessly scanned his surroundings, hunting for an escape route. ''It''s time,'' Jiang Chen mused, instantlyunching a soul attack on the avian demonic beast that hovered in the sky. ''Any further dy and the Heavenly Fate might trigger another upheaval.'' In a split second, the demonic beast in the skyof the Inquiring Journey realmunleashed a piercing cry. "Roar!" it wailed, as if grievously wounded, writhing in intense agony. ''What''s happening?'' Feng Hongbo was somewhat puzzled; he hadn''t caused this! However, spotting the opportunity, Feng Hongbo didn''t overthink and promptly acted to y the demonic beast! The gigantic carcass of the demonic beast plummeted into the sea, triggering towering waves. "Atst, it''s dead! Gu Ran, your doom is certain now!" Thrilled, Feng Hongbowho had previously been informed about the true identity of ''Niu Qing''no longer bothered with the remains of the demonic beast. He instantly soared toward Gu Ran''s location! Within moments, he reached the airspace above Gu Ran, casting his gaze down from an elevated position. ''How can this be!'' Gu Ran eximed in disbelief. ''Why did that demonic beast suddenly falter? Did it harbor a concealed ailment?'' ''Why did that demonic beast suddenly falter? Did it harbor a concealed ailment?'' ''Now that old man Feng Hongbo is unupied, and with that Zhang San, there are two Inquiring Journey realm cultivators. Moreover, there are also three Heavenly Origin realm cultivators who can temporarily elevate theirbat powers'' realm!'' ''What should I do? What should I do now?'' His thoughts spiraled into chaos, and unbeknownst to him, cold sweat began trickling down his forehead. "Gu Ran!" Feng Hongbo called out, not immediately springing into action. From his superior position, he exuded the confidence of a sure victor. "Cease your resistance!" "As long as you surrender your invisibility skill, we''ll be in the same boat! I won''t just spare your life; I''ll also assist you in maintaining your cover and ward off the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect from pursuing you." "But if you decline," he continued, "I''ll have no choice but to subject you to some torment before delivering you to the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect in exchange for other advantages." Now privy to Gu Ran''s true identityand, more importantly, the fact that he was sought by the Ageless Spirit Heavenly SectFeng Hongbo grasped the significance. And the manhunt was likely incited by that invisibility skill. Once Feng Hongbo gained ess to such an invisibility skill, there was a high chance he''d be marked as a target by the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. Hence, when he dered his intention to spare Gu Ran, he was sincere in his offer. Gu Ran was no fool; he knew Feng Hongbo wasn''t bluffing. However, even if he desired to, he couldn''t extract that invisibility skill. It was a gift derived from his bloodline. Moreover, Gu Ran wasn''t prepared to surrender it. Feng Hongbo was merely an Inquiring Journey realm cultivator... If it weren''t for his incredibly adverse luck this time, he, Gu Ran, would have already in enough adversaries to ascend to the Inquiring Journey realm! Reflecting on his unfortunate predicament, Gu Ran felt so disheartened that he wanted to tear his hair out. "Gu Ran! You have the span of three breaths to decide!" Feng Hongbo red icily at Gu Ran. Just as Gu Ran was debating whether to feign cooperation, a potent aura suddenly surged from afar. Boom! It momentarily paused, then altered its course and raced toward them. "This aura, it''s from the Dao Pce realm great powerhouse!" someone eximed in awe. "The Dao Pce realm great powerhouse is on her way!" "She must have been in transit and sensed the upheaval here!" On ck Wood Ind, everyone''s expressions underwent a drastic transformation. Especially Feng Hongbo, who was essentially attempting to assassinate Gu Ran and plunder from him, an act of extreme perfidy. Everyone knew that this esteemed Dao Pce realm great powerhouse upheld stringent moral codes and had an unimpeachable character. What could Feng Hongbo possibly do if she unearthed the reality? In desperation, he began conjuring up potential alibis in his mind. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 338. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Chapter 246: Feng Hongbos Downfall, Jiang Chen Alters the Plot Simultaneously, Gu Ran thought in surprise, ''It''s that mysterious Dao Pce realm great powerhouse! Unexpectedly, she happens to be passing by here!'' ''Judging by the direction she''s moving in, is she heading toward the source of thest demonic beast tide?'' A flurry of thoughts raced through his mind. At the same time, as Jiang Chen''s gaze bore into him, Gu Ran felt his hair stand on end. His heart pounded, overtaken by an instinctual sense of vignce. However, a wave expectation also welled up in his heart. The intervention of the great powerhouse could potentially rescue him from his current peril! Two entirely disparate emotions plunged Gu Ran''s heart into turmoil once more, prompting him to question the uracy of his intuition. At this juncture, Jiang Chen had already soared above ck Wood Ind. He didn''t utter a single word, his formidable aura pressing down on the entire ind, cloaking it in a silence so profound that one could hear a pin drop. "S-Senior..." Overwhelmed by the pressure, Feng Hongbo tried to speak, intending to smear Gu Ran''s reputation first. But Jiang Chen cut him off as soon as he opened his mouth. "Do you believe I can''t see through your intentions?" Nangong Wan''s aloof voice echoed, even colder and more ruthless than before, like a supreme being surveying all realms! "This junior..." Feng Hongbo quivered, his carefully crafted n dissolving like smoke in the wind, his mouth trembling, unable to form words. "The Demon Race is invading," Nangong Wan spoke, aligning with Jiang Chen''s thoughts. "ck Wood Ind has barely survived a demonic beast tide, and yet you dare betray your own kind?" "Under ordinary circumstances, this could possibly be overlooked. But with the demons encroaching, it''s unforgivable," she dered, her wordsced with bone-chilling murderous intent. Feng Hongbo made a desperate attempt to bring up Gu Ran''s conflict with the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. However, he was given no chance. An almost imperceptible sword shadow swiftly pierced his skull, obliterating his soul. Thud! Feng Hongbo''s body dropped lifelessly to the ground, his eyes still wide open in death, carrying the lingering traces of his resentment. Despite his chilling demeanor, there was no doubt that he had met his end. "The culprit has been dealt with. Should there be further transgressions of this nature, the perpetrators shall meet the same fate!" Nangong Wan proimed. After delivering these words, her towering aura shot off into the distance, fading into the vast expanse of the horizon. On ck Wood Ind, everyone remained seemingly enveloped in Nangong Wan''s lingering presence, too afraid to make a move! After about ten breaths, Zhang San materialized not far from Gu Ran, his face adorned with an apologetic expression. "I apologize," he said sincerely. "We were merely following orders." "If we continue to engage now," he added gravely, "I fear that senior might annihte us all." "Indeed," another death warrior chimed in, expressing the same sentiment. "Let''s rece hostility with camaraderie." Gu Ran nodded in agreement, for there was no other viable option. Could he possibly choose to re-engage in battle? If he did, even if his cause was justified, he risked bing the next casualty. "Alright, everyone disperse!" Zhang San gave a nod, signaling the crowd with a wave of his hand. At present, he was the most powerful individual on ck Wood Ind, the only one at the Inquiring Journey realm. Coupled with the protective circle of death warriors surrounding him, his words held more sway than those of the Feng n. Almost everyone present was keenly aware of the impending shift on ck Wood Indthe Feng n''s influence was dwindling. "Disperse, disperse!" A few cultivators echoed, one by one breaking away from the gathering. The palpable tension eased noticeably. "Gu Ran, you should depart as well," Zhang San said, directing his gaze at Gu Ran. "But let me make one thing clear: if the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sectes investigating, we won''t shield you." He stated this indifferently before preparing to depart. "Wait," Gu Ran suddenly intervened. "What is it?" Wearing a nk expression, Zhang San halted in his tracks. "Why is it that you and your group always seem to appear near me?" Suspicion flickered in Gu Ran''s eyes. "I find that curious as well. It''s been a long time since I''ve encountered someone with as much misfortune as you," Zhang San responded, casting a wry smile and a slightly sympathetic nce at Gu Ran. He shook his head, pivoted, and pivoted to leave. "..." Gu Ran''s mouth twitched, feeling as if he''d just been pped in the face. Far out at sea, Jiang Chen stood atop the water''s surface when suddenly, system prompts rang out in his sea of consciousness. [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot. Protagonist Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 3000 points!] [Ding! You have gained 6000 Viin Value points!] ''This time, Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value decreased by three thousand points,'' he thought, a satisfied smile forming on his lips. ''That''s a significant gain!'' ''Next, let''s see how Gu Ran reacts.'' With that thought, he immediately cast his gaze toward the chilling, abyss-like cave on the sea floor and the extensivework of cracks that spread across the seabed. A cold glint shed in his eyes. The concentration of Nether Demon Spiritual Qi was intensifying within the undersea cave and crevices. It was clear that the Nether Demon n had not abandoned their ns to invade the Immortal Martial Continent! Just then, a message arrived via the transmission jade token. Jiang Chen''s divine sense skimmed over it, his brow furrowing instantly. The message had been sent by Ji Mingxiu. The intelligence report stated that both the Pure Frost Domain in the northwest and the Vibrant ze Domain in the southeast had suffered invasions by the Demon Race. The leading powers within these domains were under assault, and their fall seemed only a matter of time. Following this, the message revealed that preparations for the ''number one prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent'' wereplete and couldmence at any moment. ''Both domains are teetering on the brink of copse! It appears the event for the number one prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent must be expedited.'' A contemtive gleam flickered in Jiang Chen''s eyes. Without dy, he employed the transmission jade token to query Ji Mingxiu about his opinion on the optimal timing for the event to begin. "Three months from now." This was Ji Mingxiu''s response. The tentative venue for thepetition of the Immortal Martial Continent''s foremost prodigy was set in the Lustrous Yang Domain. Participants from other domains would have to travel there. However, the travel time would vary, with the longest journeys potentially taking more than three months. "Then let''s set thepetition to begin three months from now," Jiang Chen stroked his chin as he addressed Ji Mingxiu. "Could I bother you, Master, to preside over it?" "Hahaha! Overseeing the grandest event on the entire continent would be my absolute pleasure. How could that be considered a bother?!" Ji Mingxiu replied, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Rest assured, Jiang Chen, I''ll make sure this event is conducted spectacrly!" "Alright, I trust you, Master!" Jiang Chen responded with a smile, then ended themunication with Ji Mingxiu. Subsequently, he entered a deep contemtion. Three monthsthat was the time frame Ji Mingxiu had decided on. As Ji Mingxiu rejoined the viin''s faction, it was likely that his decision was influenced by Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value! In other words, despite the disruption to Gu Ran''s original storyline, he could still reach the Peak-stage Dao Pce realm or even ascend to the Transcendence realm within these three months! Only by doing so could he surpass Jiang Chen, disy his dominance, astound the entire Immortal Martial Continent, and inspire the awe and admiration of countless people. "This fellow is turning out to be quite the challenge." Jiang Chen murmured, his eyes tightening subtly before making his exit. Contrary to expectation, he did not return to the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. Rather, he opted to hide himself within a portion of the ocean''s vast expanse. Once his divine sense was activated, Jiang Chen initiated his investigation of the supporting characters. His first scrutiny was directed at ck Wood Ind. On this ind, nearly all supporting characters had been diminished to mere passersby, including individuals such as Zhang San. Yet, amidst this transformation, Feng Liu managed to retain his status as a supporting character! A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 336. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Today''s releases: 3/3. Chapter 247: Three Mountains Island, Three Clans Jiang Chen thought to himself, ''By leveraging my influence, I can certainly prevent any potential discord among ck Wood Ind''s cultivators.'' ''Gu Ran is likely to leave ck Wood Ind in search of new opportunities elsewhere.'' ''Considering his current cultivation base, he''ll probably avoid the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect and opt for the fringe regions instead.'' ''The fact that Feng Liu remains a supporting character is likely rted to uing events in the plot.'' ''Exploring these peripheral areas should be my next priority.'' After a period of thoughtful consideration, he reached this conclusion and proceeded to meticulously examine the inds surrounding ck Wood Ind. In doing so, he unveiled a multitude of newly emergent supporting characters! Among these was the You n. ''The You n, recognized for their strong bond with the Feng n, should logically be part of the supporting characters'' group.'' ''As per the initial storyline, they were expected to be adversaries with Gu Ran following Feng Hongbo''s murder by his hand. Gu Ran would likely have been med for the demise of You Dan.'' ''But now, having disrupted the plot on ck Wood Ind, Feng Liu remains alive. Through Feng Liu, the You n is still set to be Gu Ran''s enemy, establishing the stage for the next part of the narrative.'' ''However, akin to the You n, the Cai and Gan ns are also home to supporting characters. These three ns should all y supporting roles within the same subplot.'' ''Yet, it''s probable that the subsequent Cai and Gan ns won''t directly engage in enmity with Gu Ran, which leads to the question, what part of the storyline will they be entangled in?'' As he ruminated, Jiang Chen didn''t interrupt his divine sense. Instead, he persisted in his search for the other supporting characters in the vicinity. Suddenly, a formidable figure entered the radar of Jiang Chen''s divine senseit was Wu Qian. Wu Qian''s cultivation base resided at the Late-stage Dao Pce realm. However, hecked Gu Ran''s protagonist halo, nor did he harbor anything akin to the ''Endless Dark Blood Moon'' bloodline. He was merely an ordinary person. Boosted by Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, Jiang Chen''s soul had already ascended to the Transcendence realm. Furthermore, Jiang Chen had mastered numerous cultivation methods associated with soul power. Due to his careful demeanor, Wu Qian remained oblivious to the fact that he was under surveince. ''Wu Qian... Previously, his Fate Value stood above six thousand, and now it''s unexpectedly surged to seven thousand. Could it be that the forting plot concerning Gu Ran has ties with him?'' Jiang Chen appeared thoughtful, slowly solidifying his hypothesis. If Wu Qian, a cultivator at the Dao Pce realm, didn''t possess a special justification, why would he seclude himself in such a secluded sea region? Hence, Wu Qian must harbor a secret. This secret, as per the original storyline, might be a significant boon that Heavenly Fate had arranged for Gu Ran. ''The You n, the Cai n, the Gan n, and the Dao Pce realm great powerhouse, Wu Qian!'' ''Next, Gu Ran will first cross paths with the You n!'' Forming his own conjecture, Jiang Chen began to attentively observe the unfolding events. Time gradually ebbed away. Sequestered within a humble dwelling on ck Wood Ind, Gu Ran sat cross-legged on a bed, absorbed in his cultivation. After a while, he gently exhaled a breath of turbid qi, marking the end of his practice session. Feeling a sense of relief, Gu Ran thought, ''The adverse effects of the ''Ageless Spirit - Extinguishing Origin'' have been resolved.'' ''The teleportation formation on ck Wood Ind has also been fixed and is nearly ready for activation.'' ''The moment has arrived for me to leave ck Wood Ind and venture elsewhere to hunt demonic beasts and enhance my cultivation base.'' Rising from the bed, he cloaked his presence and set off towards ck Wood Ind''s Teleportation Hall. He quickly approached the teleportation array and paused. The repair work was in its final stages, with several cultivators in the vicinity. These cultivators all sought to capitalize on this opportunity to exit ck Wood Ind, Feng Liu among them. Yet, a considerable number also chose to stay. The rise of Zhang San as a new power on ck Wood Ind had ushered in a wave of fresh opportunities, a gamble many were willing to take. Soon, joyous shouts resounded from up aheadthe teleportation array had been sessfully reactivated! ted, someone eximed, "Fantastic!" "Finally, we can leave this cursed ind!" "We''re too near to the origin of the demonic beast tide here, it''s dangerous. I must find a way to reach Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind!" "Count me in! I''m also aiming for Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind. Let''s go together!" A lively chatter erupted among the assembled cultivators, who swiftly moved toward the newly operational teleportation array. In an instant, the teleportation array was teeming with people. "Spirit stones!" A voice shouted, tinged with urgency, "Anyone who wishes to teleport must offer up spirit stones!" "We''ve spent a substantial amount of resources repairing the teleportation array, and using it requires spirit stones. If you''re not willing to part with them, step aside!" These stern derations came from several cultivators. At this, a handful of cultivators paled and reluctantly withdrew from the teleportation array. Subsequently, the teleportation array was set in motion, and the cultivators who had parted with their spirit stones were instantaneously teleported away. Pensive, Gu Ran thought, ''Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind... With my current power, I wouldn''t be able to defend myself there. I need to reach the Dao Pce realm before heading to Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind. Otherwise, if a Dao Pce realm powerhouse from the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect were to find me, I''d be annihted with a mere flick of their finger.'' ''Additionally, I''m not sure if the recent demonic beast tide has fully subsided. I should first explore the surrounding inds...'' After a brief period of consideration, he discreetly took his position on the teleportation array. In a burst of light, he disappeared! Simultaneously, one of Jiang Chen''s death warriors, tasked with tracking Gu Ran, was likewise teleported. "Proceed with the teleportation at once!" Feng Liu handed a significant number of Spirit Stones to the cultivator overseeing the teleportation array, his voiceced with urgency. The cultivator shot him an understanding nce and shook his head. He was indifferent to others'' plights, his sole focus was on collecting his dues for the service rendered. As such, he promptly initiated the teleportation array, transporting Feng Liu to the same destination as Gu Ran. Three Mountains Ind, this was an ind significantlyrger than ck Wood Ind. It boasted three colossal peaks, interspersed with a multitude of smaller mountainsit was akin to a mini continent adrift in the sea. The three primary forces on Three Mountains Ind were the You n, the Cai n, and the Gan n. These were the three ns of supporting characters Jiang Chen had earlier identified. As per the original plot progression, they were all probably destined to be decimated by Gu Ran. Jiang Chen had entertained the idea of leveraging the power of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect to either directly eradicate or relocate these three ns, thereby depriving Gu Ran of his potential targets for unting his prowess. However, such a move would invariably lead to changes, and crucially, the plot surrounding the You n could likely implicate Wu Qian. The reason Wu Qian, a cultivator in the Late-stage Dao Pce realm, would opt to reside in such an isted location, was most probably due to the presence of some sort of treasure. If a treasure couldpel a Late-stage Dao Pce realm cultivator to remain in such a deste spot for numerous years without any inclination to depart, then that treasure might be of the Transcendence realm. What Jiang Chen needed to ensure was not only thwarting Gu Ran''s chance at seizing opportunities, but the ideal strategy would be to appropriate Gu Ran''s opportunities! Treasures of the Transcendence realm were immensely valuable to Jiang Chen at this juncture, especially considering that he was presently incapable of acquiring them from the System Mall. ''One step at a time,'' Jiang Chen thought to himself, ''First, let''s determine whether Gu Ran and the You n will opt for direct conflict or subtler tactics.'' ''Back on ck Wood Ind, the approach was more shrouded in secrecy, but now they are more likely to confront each other openly. A protagonist''s journey is, after all, varied, not monotonous...'' With this in mind, he signaled the death warriors on Three Mountains Ind to stand by for orders. Indeed, he had already sent the remaining death warriors to infiltrate the ranks of the three ns on Three Mountains Ind! A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 338. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Ko-fi: [https://bit.ly/3KJOiH3] Chapter 248: Feng Lius Revenge Scheme, Deceiving the Unwitting You Caigao Considering the greater strength of Three Mountains Indpared to ck Wood Ind, Jiang Chen deemed it essential to recruit an extra squad of death warriors from the Purple Heaven Holy Land. This particr set of death warriors, most renowned for their unparalleled stealth skills, made up the assassin division among the death warriors. In time, these death warriors would be personally escorted by experts of the Dao Pce realm from the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. As for Jiang Chen, there would be no need for him to leave his current location. In the meantime, Ji Mingxiu had sessfully disseminated the news of thepetition to elect the ''number one prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent'' to every significant authority across the Immortal Martial Continent. This extraordinary event was scheduled to take ce three months hence, hosted at the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect within the Lustrous Yang Domain! At this point, every major entity within the domains of the Immortal Martial Continent had been informed. It was only a matter of time before this matter would be public knowledge across the Immortal Martial Continent. There were, initially, several reservations regarding thepetition to crown the ''number one prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent''. However, in light of the Pure Frost Domain and Vibrant ze Domain sumbing to the demonic invasion, any objections from the major forces across the continent had been effectively stifled, rendering them speechless. Given the onught of the Nether Demon n''s invasion, the Immortal Martial Continent was exceedingly vulnerable! Thus, the pressing need arose to cultivate a formidable powerhouse at the Third Step of the Cultivation Path, someone capable of truly resisting the Nether Demon n''s assault. There was a continent-wide agreement on this matter. However, there were also emerging discordances. A significant number of ancestor-level and supreme elder-level powerhouses from the major factions, as cultivators in the Dao Pce realm, held the conviction that they could most rapidly ascend to the Third Step of the Cultivation Path. After all, they were merely a stride away! With thebined opportunities from across the entire Immortal Martial Continent, their chances of making this breakthrough would considerably amplify. To this suggestion, Ji Mingxiu, Xu Xin, and others responded with disdain and apathy. They themselves were counted among the recognized prodigies of the Immortal Martial Continent and held no ambition to seize the title of the ''number one prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent''. Yet, these Dao Pce realm powerhouses from major factions, who were already less aplished than them, dared to insinuate that they could take the crown! Nheless, Ji Mingxiu understood that the stakes at hand were enormous. It would be an insurmountable task to sway these people in a short span of time. Hence, it was decided to allow all inhabitants of the Immortal Martial Continent to participate. After all, with Jiang Chen around, these individuals wouldn''t be able to cause any substantial disruption. Jiang Chen voiced no objections to Ji Mingxiu''s arrangement. After all, regardless of their strength, those Dao Pce realm powerhouses were nothing more than supporting characters, mere scenery. His focusy solely in managing matters rted to Gu Ran. Currently, Jiang Chen was perched in a location that allowed him to oversee the entire expanse of Three Mountains Ind. Within the boundaries of You n City on Three Mountains Ind, Gu Ran ponderated internally, ''Finally, I''ve broken free from the shackles of ck Wood Ind.'' ''That ce seems cursed; it''s brought me nothing but bad luck.'' ''I know little of the hunting grounds here on Three Mountains Ind; an investigation is in order.'' ''My determination is fixed this timeI will reach the Inquiring Journey realm!'' With that, he seamlessly merged into the bustling crowd. Meanwhile, in a secluded corner of the teleportation hall, Feng Liu was awash in a torrent of deep-seated resentment. ''Gu Ran, you despicable wretch!'' ''You caused my father''s death and allowed our Feng n to be overthrown by Zhang San, leaving us existing in name only!'' ''I, Feng Liu, am honor-bound to exact revenge for my father''s death and for the ruin of our n!'' ''No matter the cost, I will see you destroyed!'' His fists clenched so tightly that his nails nearly dug into his own flesh! He also held a deep-seated grudge against that mysterious Dao Pce realm powerhouse. Had it not been for this Dao Pce realm great powerhouse who murdered his father, they might have already captured Gu Ran and delivered him to the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, reaping significant rewards. Perhaps he, Feng Liu, might have even uncovered Gu Ran''s secret of remaining hidden! But now, all dreams of a brighter future had been dashed. He, Feng Liu, was like a homeless hound, stripped of everything he had once possessed. ''That female powerhouse...so she''s in the Dao Pce realm, what of it?'' ''Gu Ran is the one the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect aims to capture, yet she chooses to protect him. This is a clear affront to the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect!'' ''As long as I report this to the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, let''s see if she dares to interfere again!!'' Fury billowed within Feng Liu''s heart, his eyes blood-red, nearly submerged in his loathing. He had reached a resolution. He would seek his revenge, no matter the cost! The initial step towards vengeance was to leverage the might of the You n to eliminate Gu Ran! The incident that transpired on ck Wood Ind had urred a while back and news of it had already spread to Three Mountains Ind. To preclude any potential apprehension from the You n, fearing that the mysterious powerhouse might still lurk in the neighboring sea, thus making them hesitant to act, Feng Liu chose not to directly approach the patriarch of the You n. Instead, he decided to seek out a kindred spirit, You Caigao. You Caigao was a gifted cultivator with a rebellious nature, a perfect exemplification of a rogue. This man was straightforward, obstinate, and easily manipted by others. And so, Feng Liu had set his eyes on him! ''If my guess is urate, You Caigao should currently be enjoying thepany of women in his private residence.'' Suppressing the raging fury within him, Feng Liu closed his eyes and began making his way to You Caigao''s home. Soon enough, he found himself standing in front of a magnificent mansion. From the main gate, the giggling and chatter of women could be heard, punctuated by the asional shrillughter. Even from beyond the gate, Feng Liu could sense the hedonism that reigned within. He was no stranger to this. He raised his hand and knocked on the door. Shortly, the door swung open. The cultivator guarding the entrance recognized Feng Liu and invited him in... Simultaneously, Gu Ran found himself meandering through the streets of Three Mountains Ind. He swiftly discovered that the demonic beasts of Three Mountains Ind had been nearly eradicated. Only a region located a significant distance from Three Mountains Ind still harbored some scattered demonic beasts. Gu Ran felt a pang of disappointment but continued to probe about the situation on other inds. As a result, he learned that the demonic beasts on other inds had simrly been almost extinguished, mirroring the circumstances on Three Mountains Ind. Given the uniformity of the situation across a substantial surrounding area, Gu Ran resolved not to relocate and chose to hunt in the vicinity of Three Mountains Ind. Upon making the decision, Gu Ran topped up his stock of healing pills while further investigating for more specific information. After all, this was the open sea. Even a slight deviation in his course could lead him astray by a thousand miles. As time marched on, half a day passed. Emerging from You Caigao''s mansion, Feng Liu''s face was aplex mosaic of emotions. The You n was aware that the Feng n was on the brink of extinction. You Caigao, a man renowned for his incredibly poor emotional acuity, openly mocked and pitied him on the spot, causing him considerable humiliation. But for the sake of revenge, Feng Liu disyed an unprecedented level of patience. In the end, just as Feng Liu had anticipated, You Caigao fell for his ruse hook, line, and sinker, growing immensely interested in the issue of Gu Ran. Given that the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect was also in pursuit of Gu Ran, this significantly diminished You Caigao''s apprehension towards the unidentified great powerhouse. The You n had the capacity to establish contact with the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect! However, You Caigao nned to apprehend Gu Ran independently and then report the incident to the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. In this manner, his aplishment would be far more substantial. If he were to report directly to the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, he would likely only receive recognition for providing a lead. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 338. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Today''s releases: 2/2. Chapter 249: Gu Rans Hidden Allies!? The Mysterious Black Warriors ''Gu Ran!'' Feng Liu clenched his teeth, ''The You n vastly outmatches my Feng n!'' ''You barely scraped through your confrontation with my n. Against the You n, you don''t stand a chance!'' ''I can hardly wait to see the look of despair that will contort your face!'' His fists clenched anew, his nails digging into the still unhealed wounds on his palms. Just then, "Feng Liu!" A voice, tinged with arrogance and nonchnce, reverberated behind him. "This young master has already identified the target we''re after! We''re quite efficient, aren''t we?" A tall figure soon materialized behind him. The man was somewhat stout, his skin pallid, exuding an atmosphere of affluence and leisure. His aura revealed him as a Late-stage Heavenly Origin realm cultivator. For his age, he was unquestionably a prodigy. "Of course, it''s quick!" Immediately, Feng Liu stered on a smile and responded obsequiously, "With Young Master You leading the way, how could it be otherwise?" Yet, in his mind, he couldn''t help but scoff, ''Obviously, Gu Ran made no attempt to hide himself. Otherwise, how could you, You Caigao, have found him so quickly?'' "Absolutely!" Confidence suffused You Caigao''s visage, "Most territories on Three Mountains Ind are under my dominion. When I issue an order, none dare to oppose!" "Let''s go capture Gu Ran now!" With a grand wave of his hand, a horde of shadowy cultivators burst forth from behind him. Whoosh! One after the other, the cultivators melded into the crowd, charging towards Gu Ran''s location. "Your target is too obvious, just stay put," You Caigao told Feng Liu, casting a disdainful look his way. In a whirlwind-like motion, he disappeared around the street corner. "Hmph!" A gleam of cold mockery flickered in Feng Liu''s eyes. "Underestimating Gu Ran could be your downfall, You Caigao." "Maybe you''ll even fall victim to him!" "And if that happens, all the better. Those who dare underestimate me deserve nothing less than death!" With that, he promptly turned and walked back into You Caigao''s mansion, where a group of beautiful women quickly surrounded him... ... On the busiest street of You n City on Three Mountains Ind, Gu Ran roamed. Using his divine sense, he discreetly tapped into the conversations of nearby cultivators, searching for potential sources of information. After a series of inquiries, Gu Ran had significantly narrowed down his target location. A few more questions, and he would be prepared to embark on his journey. Suddenly, his expression shifted, and a heightened sense of vignce instinctively awakening within him, ''What''s happening? Is someone following me?'' ''Could it be that Feng Liu from the Feng n?'' ''They''re approachingone, two... quite a formidable group indeed!'' ''But I like it, hahaha! I never start trouble, but if you bring it to my doorstep, I won''t hold back!'' With narrowed eyes, a brief flicker of icy light vanished almost instantly from Gu Ran''s gaze. Almost immediately, he slowed his pace, his Yuan Power circting within his body, fully ready forbat! Time ticked away in an instant. The crowd on the street bustled on, utterly oblivious to the imminent great battle! At a specific moment, three Heavenly Origin realm cultivators in close proximity to Gu Ran sprang into action. Three brilliant streaks of de light materialized without warning, shing ruthlessly towards Gu Ran! "I''ve been waiting for you!" Gu Ran sneered, and with a flick of his hand, a burst of sword light emerged, directly parrying the attacks of the three Heavenly Origin realm cultivators. ng! The sound of metal shing against metal echoed down the street, reverberating through the air. A significant wave of residual energy dispersed, unsettling many nearby onlookers. "Let''s get out of here, a fight''s broken out!" a voice eximed in panic. "It''s You Caigao''s followers, from the You n!" "Move it, don''t get caught up in this!" "Run! You Caigao doesn''t spare bystanders like us when he goes on a rampage." Cries of terror filled the air, as surrounding cultivators hurriedly scurried away to safety. Against the tide of the crowd, several vicious-looking cultivators charged forth, their eyes frosty as they surged towards Gu Ran. ''What prime prey!'' A sneer formed deep within Gu Ran''s heart. After fending off the three Heavenly Origin realm cultivators, he changed his location, all while cloaking his presence. "Where did he go?" one cultivator muttered in disbelief. "How did he just vanish?" "Stay on high alert, the Young Master warned us that this man has mysterious concealment techniques!" "Group up in threes and stay vignt!" You Caigao''s men shifted their expressions, each entering a state of high alert. Meanwhile, on the periphery of the street, a group of cultivators formed a broad circle, each holding a jade mirror in their hands. These jade mirrors cast rays of light, creating a hemispherical barrier. While this barrier might not have substantial defensive power, its primary function was to act as an rm! As long as any cultivator brushed against the light screen, they would be detected. This was a precaution specifically arranged by You Caigao for Gu Ran! However, retreat was far from Gu Ran''s mind. ''Be the stepping stones on my journey to power!'' His eyes red with murderous intent, readying him for a deadly onught. But just then, a cry shattered the tension. "Ah!!" someone screamed in horror. "Over here! Help!" "He''s on me, he''s ambushing me, help, I don''t want to die!" A torrent of anguished shrieks filled the air. It was visible that one by one, You Caigao''s men fell prey to an unseen executioner''s de, their faces contorted in agony. ''What... what''s going on?'' Gu Ran watched the cultivators who were suddenly in, his face etched with confusion. ''I haven''t even made a move yet! How did they die?'' At this point, several men with stern faces, dressed in ck, materialized. ''Who are these people?'' Gu Ran''s face registered surprise, ''Could they be enemies of the You n?'' He sensed a hint of danger emanating from these men d in ck. However, he remained unaware that these assants were, in fact, Jiang Chen''s death warriors. In other words, they were the assassins brought in by a Dao Pce realm powerhouse from the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect half a day earlier! To prevent Gu Ran from enhancing his strength throughbat and to keep the storyline advancing, Jiang Chen had devised this strategy. At this moment, Gu Ran''s potential victims were falling one after another at the hands of Jiang Chen''s death warriors! Gu Ran understood that these ck-d men were not allies. Furthermore, his inherent wariness made him recognize that these men in ck might even be his foes. But this was unbeknownst to You Caigao and his men. They still believed they were reinforcements for Gu Ran! "What!" someone eximed in disbelief. "Does Gu Ran have so many aplices?" "Everyone, be cautious, hurry, call for reinforcements!!" Shouts of surprise erupted from the You n''s cultivators, their eyes darting anxiously around their surroundings. Yet, the massacre carried on! One after another, cultivators from the You n met their end at the hands of Jiang Chen''s death warriors. Naturally, there were also death warriors who were bested by the You n''s cultivators and in on the spot. These death warriors met their end with stoic calm, or it could be said that many of them were already dead in a sense. The reason they were alive and had be death warriors was that they all harbored a certain obsession or desire in their hearts. This obsession, this wish, would be fulfilled by the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Aside from this, there were also some death warriors who, due to various reasons, wouldn''t live long. They chose to exchange their lives to secure substantial benefits for their loved ones. Hence, these death warriors didn''t fear death in battle but weed it with tranquility. Jiang Chen wouldn''t bear any psychological burden due to this either. The battle raged on. The conflict extended to other streets, with bodies strewn across the thoroughfares. "Damn it! Feng Liu, that rat, imed Gu Ran was alone, is this what he calls alone!" You Caigao red at the battlefield before him, his heart aze with intense fury. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 340. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Today''s releases: 1/2. Chapter 250: Heavenly Gu Society, Protecting Young Master Gu "Quick!" shouted a death warrior, "Cover Young Master Gu''s retreat!" "We''ll never let you go, curse you, Three Mountains Ind!" another warrior bellowed, representing the sentiment of the Heavenly Gu Society. "Young Master Gu, hurry, leave now!" Simr final words echoed around Gu Ran from the other death warriors as they met their fate. "Heavenly Gu Society?" Gu Ran stood there, both bewildered and speechless, finding it hard to believe what he had just heard. "When did I be this ''Young Master Gu'' of the Heavenly Gu Society?" "Damn, is someone ying a prank on me?" he wondered aloud, his voice tinged with incredulity and confusion. "You Heavenly Gu Society!" roared You Caigao, his eyes practically aze with fury. "Damn it, our You n has powerful allies! None of you from the Heavenly Gu Society will escape!" Filled with both confusion and surprise, Gu Ran quickly collected himself. ''I can''t afford to care about this anymore!'' ''Protesting won''t rid me of this ''Heavenly Gu Society''bel, no matter how much I try.'' ''So, if that''s the case, I''ll make the first move and fight. What matters most is increasing my cultivation base!'' At this moment, his best strategy was to kill in order to grow stronger. Thus, Gu Ran took action. Stalking a cultivator, heunched a fierce attack and shouted, "Perish!" However, just then, a ck-d assassin exuding an Inquiring Journey realm aura appeared from the side, shouting, "Young Master Gu, flee! I''ll provide cover!" With that, the ck-d assassin moved swiftly, taking down Gu Ran''s target before he could. "..." Gu Ran was momentarily at a loss for words but didn''t linger on it. He quickly redirected his attack towards another cultivator from the You n. Yet, another assassin d in ck, exhibiting the power of the Inquiring Journey realm, appeared and eliminated Gu Ran''s new target before he couldnd his strike. "Young Master Gu, escape! Leave the rest to us!" the assassin urged. "..." Gu Ran was not just speechless, but his expression also registered shock and surprise. ''This... this has to be a coincidence, right?'' After reassuring himself, Gu Ran, wearing a determined expression, took aim at his third target. Yet again, another ck-d assassin, exuding the formidable power of the Inquiring Journey realm, emerged, taking out Gu Ran''s target before he could deliver his attack. "Young Master Gu, escape now! When the senior members of the You n arrive, we won''t stand a chance!" ''What in the world is happening?'' Gu Ran gaped at the unfolding events, his mind racing. ''Why... why does it keep ending like this?'' he thought, utterly bewildered by the course of events. At that moment, three ck-d assassins, each radiating the strength of the Inquiring Journey realm, circled around Gu Ran, forming a defensive perimeter. "Hurry, hurry, hurry! Cover Young Master Gu''s retreat!" They urgently raised their voices, desperately trying to guide Gu Ran to safety. "Damn it! Stop them, no matter the cost!" You Caigao''s voice boomed, filled with uncontroble fury. "Enough of this chaos! Eliminate this You n braggart!" Three assassins from the Heavenly Origin realm appeared beside You Caigao. Each disyed the formidable power of the Inquiring Journey realm as they unleashed their merciless attacks. "Begone!" A deafening roar echoed. Arger figure materialized behind You Caigao, forcefully repelling the three attacking death warriors with a single shove. "Ah!" The warriors hit the ground and instantly fell silent. They hadn''t achieved the power of the Inquiring Journey realm through natural martial talent. Rather, they had managed this terrifying feat through a self-destructive secret art. "Hmph! You dare harm our Young Master Gu, You n scum? Your fate is sealed," a chilling snort echoed, followed by a sh of light that shot straight towards You Caigao. This sh of light was an authentic assassin from the Inquiring Journey realm, strategically positioned by Jiang Chen and fully capable of annihting You Caigao and his protectors! "No! Shield me!" Sensing an immediate and intense threat to his life, You Caigao let out a desperate cry. "Don''t harm my young master!" You Caigao''s Inquiring Journey realm guard shouted. However, in the very next instant, his head was cleanly severed from his body. "Please, spare me!" Stripped of his protection, You Caigao was suddenly ovee with fear. "I am You Caigao! My n can offer abundant cultivation resources for my life!" "Please!" His face turned pale, and he trembled so violently that he lost control of his dder. "Eliminate him," Jiang Chen conveyed the thought telepathically, and the loyal death warrior swiftly executed themand. Swish! A streak of silvery sword light zipped through the air, sending You Caigao''s head soaring skyward. "Young Master You!" a voice screamed in abject horror. "No, Young Master You, don''t die!" "Ahhh, I''ll fight you to myst breath!" One by one, cultivators from the You n let out frenzied cries of despair and charged headlong at Jiang Chen''s death warriors. It wasn''t out of deep affection for You Caigao that they did this, but because they knew that if they survived, the You n would demand they join You Caigao in death. Failure to protect him meant only one oue: certain death! "Fight, fight, fight! Cover Young Master Gu''s escape!" one death warrior shouted urgently. "Hurry, the high-ranking members of the You n are almost here, we need to move faster!" another urged frantically. One by one, they let out urgent calls, fighting and retreating in tandem. On Gu Ran''s end, Jiang Chen ensured he wasn''t left without a single kill. For You n members with weak cultivation bases, like those at the Mysterious tform realm, even if Gu Ran yed them, Jiang Chen directed the death warriors to overlook these actions. However, for You n members who had attained the Heavenly Origin realm, Jiang Chen instructed the death warriors to attempt to im as many kills as possible. Otherwise, if every kill were hijacked, Gu Ran would undoubtedly suspect his secret had been exposed and that he was in danger of being targeted! At this juncture, with meticulous nning and a keen eye for avoiding any potential pitfalls, Jiang Chen''s strategy yielded impressively effective results. In the heat of the conflict, Gu Ran had dispatched around a dozen Mysterious tform realm cultivators, and a few Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm practitioners. This feat granted him ample cultivation base, potentially paving the way for his breakthrough to the Inquiring Journey realm. Yet, with the threat of the You n''s higher-ups looming, Gu Ran dared not tarry. He quickly concealed himself and made his exit. As he retreated, the Fate Value of the remaining supporting characters incrementally rose. Upon observing this, Jiang Chen promptly issued an order for the death warriors to pull back. "Fall back, fall back, fall back!" A ck-d warrior yelled loudly. "Young Master Gu has already escaped; everyone, evacuate swiftly!" The other death warriors acted quickly, hastily withdrawing towards the city''s outskirts. In no time, they had entirely vacated You n City. [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot, protagonist Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has been reduced by 1000 points!] [Ding! You have earned 2000 Viin Value points!] System notifications echoed in Jiang Chen''s mind. At that moment, a screen of light rose, encapsting arge area including You n City. Both Gu Ran and Jiang Chen''s death warriors found themselves ensnared within! "Who is it!" A voice, quaking with unbearable rage, resounded across Three Mountains Ind. "Who dares to y my dearest grandson? I''ll y him alive and slice him into a thousand pieces!" Then, a streak of light descended upon the ind, materializing into a stern, hawk-nosed elder. This man was You Haiyin, a Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm cultivator and the ancestor of the You n. Typically, You Haiyin wouldn''t be on Three Mountains Ind but would instead be meditating on Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind. The scenario where potent cultivators from peripheral inds retreat to the central ind for cultivation was quitemon in the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea. Upon hearing about the outbreak of the demonic beast tide, You Haiyin hurriedly rushed back to his homnd. However, just as he was about to reach his destination, he was greeted with the horrific news of You Caigao''s murder! You Haiyin was consumed by intense fury and profound grief! A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 340. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Today''s releases: 2/2. Chapter 251: Gu Rans Breakthrough, Enhanced Bloodline Abilities You Haiyin''s heart seethed with boundless rage. Any trace of rationality teetered on the edge of copse; he cast aside any consideration of who the enemy might be or the potential repercussions. "All members of the You n, encircle and annihte these insolent fools!" From his perch atop You Mountain''s summit, You Haiyin looked down upon the ins below, his formidable aura radiating from his Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm, enveloping the entire area. "Yes, Honorable Ancestor!" The You n''s cultivators responded with fervor. "Excellent, our ancestor has returned!" "How dare Gu Ran and the Heavenly Gu Society murder the eldest son of our You nthey''re courting their own destruction!" "Eliminate them. With our ancestor watching over us, we have nothing to fear." Initially hesitant, they now felt a surge of renewed vigor, rushing out of the city one after another. Moreover, the remaining elites of the You n were also hastening to the scene. Previous attacks on Gu Ran were carried out by the personal guards of You Caigao, not representing the You n''s full strength. Now, two experts of the Inquiring Journey realm, along with five Heavenly Origin realm cultivators capable of manifesting the collectivebat power of the Inquiring Journey realm, thundered out of You n City with fury. Outside the city walls, Gu Ran used his ''Spectral Concealment'' ability to effortlessly find a secluded spot. Settling into a meditative stance, a cold, derisive chuckle slipped from his lips. ''Hmph!'' ''They aim to assassinate me?'' ''Let''s see who turns out to be the predator and who bes the prey!'' He had built up a sufficient cultivation base and was now on the verge of advancing into the Inquiring Journey realm. Reflecting on his streak of recent misfortunes, Gu Ran let out a soft sigh. It had indeed been a challenging journey... Before initiating his breakthrough, Gu Ran threw a final sweeping gaze across the war-torn field. He observed a considerable group of assassins, iming allegiance to the Heavenly Gu Society, beginning to disappear into the shadows. However, their levels of stealth varied greatly. Thosecking in skill were promptly detected by You Haiyin, who swiftly mobilized his troops to trap them. Abruptly, skirmishes erupted on the fringes of You n City! Sword-like glimmers and de-like silhouettes danced chaotically with the discharge of explosive spells, birthing potent waves of residual energy that decimated the surroundingndscape. Numerous ck-d assassins with weaker cultivation bases were obliterated instantly, and a significant portion of the You n cultivators met a simr fate. A thick, oppressive atmosphere filled with the scent of blood hung heavily over the battlefield, stubbornly refusing to dissipate. ''Heavenly Gu Society...'' Gu Ran mused, perplexed, ''What on earth is that?'' ''I sense a dangerous aura emanating from them; they must have some hidden agenda.'' ''Who has marked me for their target? Why chase me? And why do they appear to be aiding me?'' ''Do they n to curry favor with me before making their move?'' ''In any case, since they are the enemy, let them wear each other out first.'' A whirlwind of thoughts cascaded through his mind. But he swiftly shook off these distracting ruminations, clearing his head, andmenced his breakthrough. Meanwhile, from his vantage point, Jiang Chen observed the unfolding chaos and didn''t need to specte to realize that Gu Ran hadmenced his breakthrough. The fact that Gu Ran could initiate a breakthrough under such circumstances was within Jiang Chen''s expectations. After all, Gu Ran was a protagonist. Having managed to suppress his breakthrough for this long was already quite a feat. Furthermore, even after attaining the Inquiring Journey realm, Gu Ran could at best only contend with cultivators at the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm. Challenging those at the Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm would be a stretch for him. After all, his power was confined to the boundaries of his cultivation base; his martial techniques, secret arts, and armaments were all rather ordinary. His capacity tobat opponents beyond his realm wasrgely attributable to his ''Endless Dark Blood Moon'' bloodline. Consequently, Gu Ran''s breakthrough this time didn''t significantly affect Jiang Chen''s ns. ''Gu Ran''s current weakness lies in hisbat skills,'' Jiang Chen pondered, considering the implications. ''Could that grand opportunity linked with Wu Qian and most likely at the Transcendence realm, serve to make up for this shoring?'' ''Or is that opportunity still designed to help him advance through realms, ceaselessly pushing forward like a tempest, overpowering his enemies with sheer cultivation strength alone?'' ''Hmm, the mere thought of it does have a certain thrill to it.'' After contemting briefly, he redirected his attention back to the battle unfolding around You n City. His legion of death warriors was locked in a ferocious battle with the cultivators of the You n. Despite being outnumbered, theybated with dauntless courage. The You n''s cultivators, having varying degrees of concern for their own lives, struggled to suppress Jiang Chen''s relentless death warriors. You Haiyin held back, choosing not to join the fray immediately. His apprehensions were twofold: not only did he fear that stronger Inquiring Journey realm cultivators might exist within the ''Heavenly Gu Society,'' but he also was wary of potential threats from the Gan n and the Cai n. Sharing the limited resources of Three Mountains Ind, the You n, Gan n, and Cai n were bound to have conflicts and disputes. And indeed, these weren''t mere trifling squabbles; they were deep-rooted animosities that virtually made them sworn enemies. Watching his troops struggle for the upper hand, You Haiyin shouted with a mixture of frustration and encouragement, "What do you fear? y them all!" "Eliminate one and you''ll be rewarded with fifty thousand spirit stones!" "Cowards shall meet gruesome ends in the Ancestral Hall!" In doing so, he deftlybined both threats and incentives. "Attack, attack, attack!" cried out some of the You n cultivators, their voices tinged with a frenzied excitement. "Fifty thousand spirit stones for just one kill!" "With such spirit stones, my breakthrough is assured!" "I can''t miss this golden chance!" "I won''t let myself be hauled to the Ancestral Hall for tormentbrothers, charge!" Energized as though they had been injected with a potent stimnt, thebat capabilities of the You n''s cultivators surged. Seeing his squadron of death warriors forced into a defensive retreat, Jiang Chen pondered, "Are they being pushed back?" "Hmm, this, too, is within my expectations." Opting not to intervene immediately, he held back. He had a contingency n at the ready, but he decided against deploying it for the moment. At the same time, Gu Ran, who was observing the brutal battlefield, thought to himself with a sense of urgency, ''The Heavenly Gu Society''s members are teetering on the edge of defeat!'' ''I must hasten my breakthrough; otherwise, if left to shoulder this battle alone, things could be exceedingly difficult.'' Although he suspected the Heavenly Gu Society had ill intentions towards him, he recognized the need to utilize their strength for the time being. Because You Haiyin was, at the moment, an opponent beyond his capability to handle. Should the Heavenly Gu Society''s members be wiped out entirely, there was no question that You Haiyin would personally enter the fray. With their fall, the absence of powerful forces to hold the front line would be ringly apparent. After all, how could anyone simply stand by and watch theirrades be defeated? You Haiyin was far from a fool. He would certainly act quickly to address the situation, preparing himself for potential moves from both the Gan n and the Cai n. ''Grant me my breakthrough!'' Sitting cross-legged, Gu Ran let out an inward cry as Yuan Power whirled frically around him. Rapidly, a faintly red Dao Core took shape within his dantian, denoting his entry into the Inquiring Journey realm! The instant the Dao Core materialized, an unusual ripple spread, delicately connecting with the energies of heaven and earth. The pulsations were subtle, but Jiang Chen, whose divine sense had reached the Transcendence realm, picked up on them with incredible acuity. "Has Gu Ran achieved his breakthrough?" he wondered. "So, he''s preparing to make his move." "Heh, it appears it''s once again my turn to steal his thunder and limit his options." A faint smile tugged at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth. With a mere thought, he signaled his concealed forces outside the ind to ready themselves. Indeed, Jiang Chen hadn''t merely orchestrated troops within the ind; he had also stationed formidable yers outside of it. Among them, the most powerful was Liu Xiong, who was at the Dao Comprehension realm! Initially, Liu Xiong was enlisted as a reserve, but now he might indeed prove useful. However, Jiang Chen directed Liu Xiong to only exhibitbat power on par with You Haiyin initially, and whether to reveal his Dao Comprehension realm cultivation base would be dictated by the evolving circumstances. Near the battleground, as he sensed this newfound surge of energy, Gu Ran''s heart pounded with sheer exhration. ''I''ve finally broken through, and my bloodline power has been further unleashed!'' ''Not only has mybat power significantly escted, but my capacity to absorb the cultivation base from my defeated enemies has also expanded!'' He had now ascended to the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm. Armed with his cloaking ability, cultivators within the same realm would find it exceedingly difficult to stand against him. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 340. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Today''s releases: 1/2. Chapter 252: Stolen Prey, a Feeling of D茅j脿 Vu "Hahaha!" Gu Ranughed triumphantly. "Now it''s my turn!" "I can finally fight to my heart''s content. I want to see who dares stand in my way with the strength I now possess!" Brimming with anticipation, he immediately rose andunched himself into the battlefield. However, at that moment, a thunderous rumble echoed. Boom! A ck orb plummeted from the sky, striking the protective formation of You n City with a savage impact, setting off a horrific explosion! The massive energy released by the explosion made the entirety of the Three Mountains Ind quiver. Many cultivators with lower cultivation bases lost their bnce, stumbling under the force of the shockwave. Crack! Crack! From the formation barrier, a chorus of harsh fracturing sounds radiated as one crack after another began to intertwine. They formed a densely packed spiderweb of fissures that spread across the entire formation barrier. "A Dao Comprehension realm attack!" You Haiyan eximed in disbelief. ''It''s a single-use attack magic treasure from the Dao Comprehension realm!'' ''Damn, the Heavenly Gu Society truly has some powerhouses. They''ve even brought out a treasure of this magnitude,'' he thought, staring in sheer horror at the overhead formation barrier now riddled with cracks. His heart pounded as his eyes sharply narrowed! On the battlefield, cultivators from the You n were overtaken by terror. "What?!" one of them cried out in panic. "What happened?!" "A powerhouse is assaulting the formation barrier!" "This is bad, the reinforcements must be from the Heavenly Gu Society! What do we do now?!" As a result of their distraction, they met their demise at the hands of the death warriors whoy in wait. "What?!" Gu Ran, who was initially preparing a sneak attack, halted abruptly. His eyes widened in surprise as he looked up at the formation dome. ''There are still people from the Heavenly Gu Society here?'' ''And they''ve even managed a Dao Comprehension realm attack, damaging the You n City formation with just a single strike!'' ''I wonder what cultivation base the Heavenly Gu Society cultivator outside the city possesses?'' he pondered, eyes narrowing with concern. Suddenly, "Crash!" The formation that had shielded You n City for countless years was utterly shattered. Figures d in ck immediately emerged, advancing through the debris of the ruined formation and storming onto the battlefield. Several unprepared You n cultivators were instantly cut down. Bodies fell to the ground one by one, their blood flowing like a river. ''No, not this!'' Teetering on the brink of a meltdown, Gu Ran seethed with frustration. ''My targets have been stolen from me!'' ''Damn it!'' He watched as his intended victims were cut down one after another. His potential share of cultivation base was dissipating into the heavens and earth, making him feel as if he would explode with rage! He had just broken through to the Inquiring Journey realm. Finally, he had the chance to sow chaos, to rapidly bolster his strength in a delightful snowballing effect. But now, all the ''snow'' he''d hoped to gather had been snatched away from him! Unable to bear it any longer, he muttered to himself in a mix of rage and desperation, ''This won''t do! I can''t continue like this!'' ''Every time my cultivation base gets stolen, how will I ever ascend to the Dao Pce realm and exact my revenge on the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect?'' ''These people from the Heavenly Gu Society mean me no good; they might as well be my enemies. A surprise attack is warranted now!'' ''Along the way, I can also clear my name. Otherwise, my identity as the Heavenly Gu Society''s Young Master Gu could draw unnecessary trouble.'' Seething with rage, Gu Ran prepared tounch an indiscriminate surprise attack. However, just then, an icily menacing voice reverberated across the battlefield: "You Haiyan!" "How dare you plot to surround and kill our Heavenly Gu Society''s Young Master Gu? You truly are courting death!" A tall and lean figure appeared in the skyLiu Xiong. With a mighty rumble, his Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm aura erupted, instantly overpowering You Haiyan''s aura as both sides imed sections of the sky. "Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm," You Haiyan''s face turned frosty, looking as if he had swallowed a bitter pill. "Heavenly Gu Society, I don''t know what sort of force you represent, but don''t think the You ncks its own backing." "Hahaha!" Liu Xiong sneered incessantly. "Backing? Absurd!" "We answer to no one," he cast a disdainful look at You Haiyan. "Hmph! Presumptuous fool!" You Haiyan''s face turned a deeper shade of anger, but he dared not make the first move. He still had to keep an eye on the Gan and Cai ns! As the Heavenly Gu Society shed with the You n, how could the Gan and Cai ns resist such a golden opportunity to y the third party, reaping all the benefits? At this moment, high-level cultivators from the Gan and Cai ns were already lying in wait at a distance, ready to seize their chance. All this was seen clearly by Jiang Chen with his powerful divine sense. You Haiyan had also correctly deduced most of it. However, Jiang Chen wanted to speed up the course of events, pushing the Gan and Cai ns to make their move prematurely! As a result, he directly ordered Liu Xiong to attack. "Surrender now, You Haiyan, and I''ll grant you a quick death!" Liu Xiong icily shouted before charging forth in an instant. "You wretch!" With no other option, You Haiyan could only retaliate. "Do you think I fear you? Let''s see who ends up killing who!" Rumble! Rumble! The two high-level experts of the Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm began their aerialbat, ascending higher and higher to avoid causing harm to their own allies on the ground! Simultaneously, Gu Ran halted his steps once more, his expression freezing momentarily as a flicker of hesitation appeared in his eyes. ''A Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm cultivator!'' If he were to impulsively attack and kill, he''d make an instant enemy of the Heavenly Gu Society, bing a public foe. Could he fend off the joint assault of two Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm high-level cultivators within a short period, break through to the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm, and then strike back? Maybe, but the odds were against him. Cornered by two Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm high-level experts, amidst their powerful wide-scale assaults, finding opportunities for surprise attacks on other cultivators to reverse the situation would be challenging. ''Forget it,'' Gu Ran mentally steadied himself. ''Better to stick to the previous n. Let the Heavenly Gu Society and You n fight it out, which will lessen the pressure on me.'' ''Once I''ve grown stronger, I''ll deal with all of you,'' he thought, abandoning his n to attack the Heavenly Gu Society and refocusing his attention on the You n cultivators. Initially, the Heavenly Gu Society was dominated by the You n cultivators, but now the scales had bnced. Losses mounted continually on both sides, keeping the numbers roughly equal. The fallen You n cultivators were almost all practitioners of the Heavenly Origin realm. ''I''ve now ascended to the Inquiring Journey realm," Gu Ran contemted. ''Seizing arger share of cultivation base from Heavenly Origin realm cultivators won''t significantly bolster my strength anymore.'' ''My prime targets are now Inquiring Journey realm cultivators,'' he thought, squinting as he concealed his presence and slinked forward. His prey was an Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm cultivator from the You n. ''Oh? So this is your target?'' A cold smirk curled up on Jiang Chen''s lips. Utilizing the Viin''s Eye to track fluctuations in supporting characters'' Fate Value, he precisely pinpointed the first Inquiring Journey realm cultivator that Gu Ran intended to ambush. He was prepared for this. "Liu Xiong, it''s your turn. The target..." Jiang Chen directly ryed orders to Liu Xiong through his divine sense, and at the same time,manded the death warrior who was engaged in battle with Gu Ran''s targeted cultivator. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 342. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Today''s releases: 2/2. Chapter 253: Misfortune Strikes Again, Gu Rans Desperation ''zing Blood Secret Art!'' The death warrior unleashed a self-destructing secret art uponmand, charging toward his opponent like a feral beast. Meanwhile, without uttering a word, Liu Xiong discreetlyunched an attack on the cultivator whom Gu Ran was about to assault. With his cultivation base at the Dao Comprehension realm, executing this covert attack without arousing suspicion was quite effortless for him. In fact, Jiang Chen would have intervened himself if not for the risk of Gu Ran more easily detecting his involvement. The key issue was that Gu Ran, endowed with Heavenly Fate Value and his bloodline power, was exceptionally sensitive to Jiang Chen''s presence. Taking the entire situation into ount, a subtle, behind-the-scenes approach was more judicious; direct intervention would likely be detected. Therefore, Jiang Chen entrusted the task to Liu Xiong, using the death warrior''s esctingbat prowess as an effective distraction. At this moment, Gu Ran was lurking just a short distance behind his target cultivator, poised to attack, his emotions in a whirlwind. However, thebat strength of the cultivator from the Heavenly Gu Society abruptly surged. Caught off guard, the cultivator from the You n failed to put up an effective defense in time and was swiftly killed by the Heavenly Gu Society cultivator! in... Vanished... Utterly annihted... Gu Ran observed the unfolding events, a twitch forming at the corner of his mouth, his eyes somewhat vacant. He had a nagging suspicion that the same ill-fortune he''d faced on ck Wood Ind was on the brink of resurfacing! ''No!'' Gu Ran shook his head vehemently, ''It can''t be!'' ''This must simply be a coincidence!'' he quickly refocused and stealthily moved towards the second Inquiring Journey realm cultivator. ''Hehe!'' A faint smile crossed the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth as he thought, ''Gu Ran, how does it feel now?'' He simultaneously took note of the second target Gu Ran was preparing to ambush. Suddenly inspired, Jiang Chen sent anothermand through divine sense to the Inquiring Journey realm death warrior who was engaging Gu Ran''s target. In response, the Inquiring Journey realm death warrior immediately unleashed a sweeping attack, indiscriminate of friend or foe, acting as though gripped by madness! ''What the...!!'' Gu Ran was in the midst of preparing his strike when he was abruptly thrown off bnce. Swiftly shifting to a defensive stance, his figure was instantly revealed. "Young Master Gu, run!" As if to ensure the enemies were aware of Gu Ran, Jiang Chen''s death warrior shouted a warning and lunged at the adversaries like a crazed beast! "What!" The Inquiring Journey realm cultivator from the You n was utterly stunned and quickly retreated. Relentlessly, Jiang Chen''s death warrior gave chase, trapping him while executing a barrage of extensive attacks. ''...'' Gu Ran wore a look of utter disbelief on his face, feeling a mild sense of nausea within! Again, for the second time! This was happening for the second time! That familiar tide of ill-fortune engulfed him once more, making Gu Ran involuntarily shudder! Shortly thereafter, Gu Ran turned his attention to the third Inquiring Journey realm cultivator from the You n, who was still engaged inbat. This was thest genuine Inquiring Journey realm expert of the You n, excluding You Haiyinthis wasn''t just a Heavenly Origin realm cultivator temporarily disying Half-step Inquiring Journey realmbat strength. However, before Gu Ran could even find a hiding spot, a voice thundered, "Perish!" A cultivator from the Heavenly Gu Society, also at the Inquiring Journey realm, charged in from the side, initiating a two-on-one assault and surrounding the You n''s Inquiring Journey realm cultivator. The Heavenly Gu Society cultivator who had joined the battle was the same one who had previously activated the self-destructing secret art, killing the You n''s Inquiring Journey realm cultivator. ''No!'' Gu Ran''s heart screamed in frustration, ''Let him go, let me handle it!'' Casting aside his concealment, he decided to throw caution to the wind, intending to jump into the battle and secure the kill himself! With three against one, the odds ofnding the killing blow were favorable! After all, one of Jiang Chen''s death warriors had already activated a self-destructing secret art, weakening him and diminishing hisbat capabilities. The other was simply at the Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm. To genuinely prevent Gu Ran from iming the kill, and to lure out members from the Gan n and the Cai n, Jiang Chen once again resorted to his old tacticfeigning defeat! "Ptui!" After shing with You Haiyin, Liu Xiong abruptly spat out a mouthful of blood, cursing, "Damn it, if not for this lingering old injury, you''d be done for today!" "Mark my words, once I''ve recovered, your miserable life will be mine!" He then swiftly began to retreat. ''What? He has an old injury?'' You Haiyin was a little slow toprehend, his heart filling with astonishment. However, he didn''t dare to pursue. Instead, he heightened his vignce, carefully surveying his surroundings. He suspected that the Gan and Cai ns had alreadyid an ambush nearby. At the same moment, Liu Xiong roared, "Flee!" "Cover Young Master Gu''s retreat!" He hurled himself into the fray that Gu Ran was about to join. "No, I don''t want to die!" The You n cultivator was so terrified that his soul quivered, paralyzed with fear. However, Liu Xiong and the other two death warriors didn''t kill him. Instead, they seized Gu Ran, whose face was frozen in disbelief, and rapidly retreated into the distance. ''What... what''s going on!!'' Gu Ran found himself questioning his very existence. ''This Heavenly Gu Society expert was so arrogant; why would he suddenly im an old injury and retreat?'' ''After achieving a breakthrough, I haven''t even killed anyone yet!'' He felt the urge to vomit rising again. Then, a surge of boundless rage erupted within him, nearly driving him to confront Liu Xiong right there and then. However, he suddenly felt a menacing aura emanating from Liu Xiong, which made him pause, ''This Liu Xiong, he might be more than just a Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm cultivator!'' ''Did he decline to this state due to his injury?'' Various theories sprang to mind, yet he couldn''t possibly guess that Liu Xiong''s imed injury was a ruse, orchestrated under Jiang Chen''s orders. At that moment, while Gu Ran was hesitating, Liu Xiong and the others had already whisked him away from the battlefield to the ind''s outskirts. On the battlefield, the death warriors called out, "Quick, retreat!" "Young Master Gu has been shielded and has retreated; everyone, pull back!" "Cease fighting!" They, too, began to withdraw one by one. Witnessing this, the You n cultivators grew increasingly agitated, their eyes filled with murderous rage. "Damn it, kill them!" "They dared to make an attempt on our young master from the You n; they must be wiped out!" "Brothers, let''s get our revenge!" They were all keen to pursue and counterattack. However, You Haiyin''s voice, frigid and gravely serious,manded, "Everyone, halt!" "Quickly attend to the wounded! Spare no effort in their healing!" His icy tone reached the ears of every You n cultivator. "Ah! Why can''t we retaliate now?" someone among the You n shouted in disbelief. "Ancestor, we must seek revenge!" "Quiet, all of you fools," You Haiyin silenced them. "We must remain vignt against the Gan and Cai ns." "That''s right, heed the ancestor''s words. Rush to recover; otherwise, you''ll have no one to me if you die in theter battles with the Gan and Cai ns," another elder advised. "It''s infuriating! We just fended off one Heavenly Gu Society, and now the Gan and Cai ns are salivating over us!" One by one, the You n cultivators ceased their movements. Conversations broke out briefly before they quickly turned to the process of healing. While they were administering to their injuries, streaks of light from the north and south converged, transforming into tworge groups of individuals. An overwhelming aura saturated the area as they arrived. These were the elite warriors of the Gan and Cai ns! "Hahaha!" An elder, clothed in a brown short robe and with twinkling eyes, stepped forward. Hisughter dripped with disdain as he announced, "You Haiyin, you''ve put up a good fight!" "Unfortunately, from this day forth, your You n will no longer exist on the Three Mountains Ind," he concluded, his face adorned with a cold smile. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 344. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 254: Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing Take the Stage "Indeed," dered another portly cultivator, donned in resplendent purple robes. His face was an emotional void as he fixed his gaze on You Haiyin, sizing him up like a man living on borrowed time. "From this day forth, Three Mountains Ind will be our joint dominion." "You dare, Gan Ruifeng! Cai Xueqing!" You Haiyin spat out, his voiceced with incredulity and contempt. "I had a feeling you wouldn''t let this opportunity pass," he sneered, his eyes narrowing into slits as he surveyed the gathered experts from the Gan and Cai ns, his fists subtly trembling with restrained anger. At this moment, the You n and the Heavenly Gu Society were reeling from a recent, bitter conflict, having sustained heavy casualties. Two cultivators from the Inquiring Journey realm had been permanently taken out of the equation, leaving them in apromised position and unable to maintain a bnced triad with the Gan and Cai ns. "Of course," Gan Ruifeng''s smirk widened. "Where else would a once-in-a-millennium opportunity like this present itself?" "You Haiyin, if you have any wisdom, remove your people from Three Mountains Ind. We''ll guarantee a respectful exit." "Should you resist, don''t think we''ll show mercy." His demeanor suggested that he had You Haiyin entirely cornered. "Out of the question!" You Haiyin''s eyes zed with fury as he red at Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing. "Three Mountains Ind is the ancestralnd of my You n!" "Your Gan and Cai ns are nothing but interlopers." "If you think I''ll let the You n abandon Three Mountains Ind, you''re sorely mistaken!" "So, you aim to take advantage of our weakened state? Fine, bring it on!" With these words, a palpable aura of murderous intent surged from You Haiyin, embodying a spirit of indomitable resistance. "Even if I, You Haiyin, meet my end today, rest assured you''ll pay a heavy price!" He was painfully aware of the reality: the Gan and Cai ns had no intention of granting the You n leniency. They aimed for nothing less thanplete annihtion. If the You n were to capitte now, they would truly be left with no hope. "Are you sure, You Haiyin?" Cai Xueqing''s eyes narrowed dangerously, a glint of malice shing within them. "Don''t express regret only after we''ve wiped out your You n!" "Hahaha!" You Haiyin''sughter rang out wildly, resounding across the area. "Men of the You n, stand forth!" "Are you prepared to forsake Three Mountains Ind and be aimless wanderers?" he roared, his voice filled with disdain and challenge. "We, the You n, reject that fate!" One by one, the cultivators of the You n were roused by the impassioned speech, their voices merging into a collective outcry of defiance. Their eyes, many tinged with red, were ame with the fervor of impending battle. They too understood the dire predicament facing the You n. At this critical juncture, only direct confrontation could possibly shift the bnce of power. To yield now would be to ept their roles as helpless prey, hastening their downfall. "Excellent!" You Haiyin''s voice thundered, resonating through the atmosphere. "Today, alongside you all, I, You Haiyin, will fight to the bitter end!" "If the Gan and Cai ns seek to im ournd, let it be known: we, the You n, will make them regret their ambitions for a thousand years! They will fade away under the pressure of other forces, gone in the blink of an eye!" As he spoke, his body surged with an overwhelming energy that palpably shifted the surrounding winds and clouds. The tension in the atmosphere was palpable, as if the very air had solidified. "So be it!" Gan Ruifeng''s face was a mask of icy resolve. "If you''re so determined to court death, then I shall happily amodate you!" A fierce glint shed in his eyes as he dered, "Descendants of the Gan n, where do you stand?" "Here stand the descendants of the Gan n!" The voices of the Gan n cultivators echoed in unison, reverberating like a divine chant through the heavens. "And where stand the descendants of the Cai n?" Cai Xueqing queried in a low, unyielding tone, his face a stoic mask. "Here stand the descendants of the Cai n!" One by one, the Cai n cultivators responded. Their demeanors were mostly as impassive as Cai Xueqing''s, emanating an air of calcted detachment, as if they were war machines devoid of emotion. "Attack!" Both Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing issued themand simultaneously. "Attack!" A wave of over a hundred warriors, each surpassing the Heavenly Origin realm, lunged forward without hesitation, aiming directly for the You n''s cultivators. "Men of the You n, to my side!" You Haiyin gritted his teeth, weapon in hand, andunched himself at Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing with fervor. And so, a fierce new sh erupted! Boom, boom, boom! The cataclysmic collision of formidable energies, apanied by spells and weapons bathed in ominous light, rapidly engulfed the battlefield. Thendscape, already marred by previous conflict, was once more fractured by immense craters and chasms, as if parts of Three Mountains Ind itself were breaking away. Meanwhile, Jiang Chen stayed concealed from above, closely watching the grand conflict that was erupting on Three Mountains Ind. The persistent chime of system notifications still echoed in his mind. [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot. Protagonist Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 2000 points!] [Ding! You have earned 4000 Viin Value points!] ''Another 2000 points off Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value,'' Jiang Chen thought, a satisfied smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth. ''My meticulous nning hasn''t been for naught.'' Soon after, his eyes shifted toward Liu Xiong. There he saw Liu Xiong, along with a squad of death warriors, strategically positioned more than a hundred kilometers away from Three Mountains Ind. They were conveniently out of the divine sense detection range of the Inquiring Journey realm cultivators. And Gu Ran was there too. Rather than leaving, he had opted to stay, aiming to unravel the true essence of the Heavenly Gu Societyeven if it meant grasping only the slightest clue. On a colossal seafaring vessel, Liu Xiong and his elite squadron of death warriors were at rest, apanied by Gu Ran. "Who exactly are you?" Gu Ran directed a chilling question at Liu Xiong. "What is the purpose of the Heavenly Gu Society, and where do I fit into its ns? What are your intentions concerning Three Mountains Ind?" "Young Master Gu, I urge you to curb your anger," Liu Xiong responded. "The Heavenly Gu Society is an organization founded in an era long past, and it has been patiently awaiting your appearance." "The name ''Heavenly Gu Society'' holds a deeper meaning: we are fundamentally your guardians." "You possess a remarkable gift and an extraordinary aptitude for cultivation, but the path to greatness is fraught with danger." Following Jiang Chen''s guidance, Liu Xiong began to spin a web of deception around Gu Ran. Even though he himself was uncertain about the real purpose behind his words and actions toward Gu Ran, he obeyed without question, as it was amand from Jiang Chen. "My guardians? A force waiting for me since time immemorial?" A puzzled expression settled on Gu Ran''s face. Though inwardly skeptical of this im, he couldn''t deny the rising sense of caution within him. While the Heavenly Gu Society had indeed shown a protective stance towards him, his sharp intuition sensed an underlying motive. They imed that the Heavenly Gu Society had been founded long ago, solely in anticipation of his arrival. This assertion resonated with Gu Ran for a particr reason. That''s because he had asionally experienced shes of fragmented memories, fleeting moments that felt ancient. These memories seemed to emanate from epochs long past, almost as if they were indelibly imprinted into his bloodline. Gu Ran even started to suspect that the Heavenly Gu Society might have originated in that ancient era, perhaps keeping tabs on the ''Endless Dark Blood Moon'' bloodline ever since. Given the two powerful, yet conflicting bloodlines he inherently possessed, a multitude of questions began to swirl within him. However,cking concrete evidence, he could do nothing but temporarily set these doubts aside. Still, Gu Ran was convinced that the truth would eventually reveal itself. The more he found himself inbat, the more his ''Endless Dark Blood Moon'' bloodline became agitated, leading to an increasing frequency and rity of those elusive memory shes. Once enough fragments of memory were collected and assembled, the truth would inevitably begin to emerge. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 344. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 255: The Battle for Three Mountains Island "Young Master Gu," Liu Xiong began, adhering to Jiang Chen''s instructions, "the Heavenly Gu Society was established to serve as your protective force." "Anyone who opposes you, or obstructs you, instantly bes our target for eradication!" "If the You n should dare attack you, we will decimate them without hesitation." "As for the Gan and Cai ns, who scheme behind the scenes to exploit the situation for their benefit, they also warrant destruction!" "Although you may have seen me retreat earlier, it was merely a feigned defeat. The goal was to bait the You, Gan, and Cai ns into fighting among themselves. Once the time is right, we''ll confront all three ns at once," he dered, his demeanor resolute and his performance utterly convincing. After all, for a seasoned cultivator like him who had lived through many years, reciting scripted lines was hardly a challenge, was it? "Oh?" A light of understanding shed across Gu Ran''s face. "I was puzzled why you, previously so full of confidence, suddenly retreated!" His heart was tinged with a flicker of irritation. Liu Xiong''s feigned retreat had cost him the opportunity to eliminate the formidable Inquiring Journey realm warriors from the You n. "Haha," Liu Xiong burst into heartyughter. "That was all part of my strategic design." "Next, we will mount an intense counterattack, wiping out all three major factions on Three Mountains Ind. In doing so, we''ll undoubtedly secure a wealth of cultivation resources," he confidently patted his chest. After all, under the watchful eye of the Esteemed Holy Son, what could they possibly fear from a mere Three Mountains Ind disrupting the equilibrium? "Excellent! I too am in favor of retaliating against Three Mountains Ind!" A flicker of contemtion crossed Gu Ran''s eyes as he nodded. "You don''t need to apany meter; I wish to fight on my own." Having recently ascended to the Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm, he was intoxicated by the electrifying sensation and keen to hasten his next breakthrough. Naturally, he aimed to eliminate the You, Gan, and Cai ns to absorb their cultivation base, as they deserved their doom. "Absolutely not, Young Master Gu! Even if it costs us our lives, we cannot allow even the slightest harm toe your way," Liu Xiong urgently interjected, his hands animatedly gesturing. "You''ve juste through a major battle; it would be wise for you to rest here. I will handle the affairs at Three Mountains Ind." "No, I wish to go! I want to fight on my own!" Gu Ran retorted, "Aren''t you all my protectors? Are you going to ignore my orders?" "Ththis is... Very well, then," Liu Xiong reluctantly agreed, nodding his head. "But rest assured, I will always keep a close watch on your situation." "If anything were to happen to you, the higher-ups would never forgive me," he added cautiously. This aligned perfectly with Jiang Chen''s intentions. Pressuring Gu Ran to stay back, especially given the influence of Heavenly Fate, was not what Jiang Chen sought. He needed Gu Ran to be directly involved in the unfolding events to more efficiently deplete his Heavenly Fate Value! "Stay out of my affairs," Gu Ran nodded subtly, detecting a hint of resolve in Liu Xiong''s voice. While the Heavenly Gu Society seemed to hold him in high regard and constantly ensured his well-being, he was aware that supervision and control lurked beneath the surface. This only intensified Gu Ran''s urge to eliminate Liu Xiong and his associates. His face remained impassive, but internally, he sneered continuously. ''When the battle among the four factions breaks out, I''ll certainly have the opportunity to annihte many, umting enough cultivation base to enhance mybat power,'' he thought. ''Then, I''ll deal with the members of the Heavenly Gu Society stationed here, all at once.'' ''They call themselves my guardians; I look forward to their reaction when I y them myself,'' Gu Ran mused darkly. Next, he directed his gaze toward the direction of Three Mountains Ind. His divine sense, having ascended to the Inquiring Journey realm, now covered an area within a one-hundred-thousand-meter radius. Even though the battlefield was out of sight, he could sense residual battle vibrationsing from the ind. ''The You, Gan, and Cai ns have started their conflict!'' A surge of exhration and anticipation welled up in Gu Ran''s heart. Before, he and the Heavenly Gu Society had been in directbat with the You n, while the Gan and Cai ns took the opportunity to act as opportunistic third parties. Now, however, the tables had turned; he and the Heavenly Gu Society were the ones capitalizing on the situation! "The conflict has only just begun," Liu Xiong announced, his aura brimming with deadly intent. "When the time is right, we''ll strike back at Three Mountains Ind!" Gu Ran signaled his agreement with a subtle nod. ... High above the sea, Jiang Chen surveyed the battlefield from his elevated vantage point, a flurry of thoughts racing through his mind. ''The three dominant ns of Three Mountains Ind have started their internal strife,'' he pondered. ''This development likely existed in the original storyline, influenced by Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value as well.'' ''Gu Ran could have manipted the You n into a simr crisis solely by boosting his own power.'' ''I''m d I stepped in to prevent him from taking all the credit. Doing this on his own is quite noteworthy,'' Jiang Chen considered. ''If we follow the original plot, Gu Ran should be exploiting the current unrest, taking out the experts of the three ns to enhance his own capabilities.'' ''Following that, Wu Qian would probably get involved due to a certain n, sparking a new chain of events.'' ''Gu Ran has already advanced to the Inquiring Journey realm. His rate of progression is genuinely breathtaking. If left unchecked, he might even surpass me, defy all expectations, and be an unparalleled prodigy in the Immortal Martial Continent,'' he mused apprehensively. On the battlefield, Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing were seen cornering You Haiyin in a two-on-one assault! The other experts had started to encircle and suppress the remaining members of the You n. Having already been weakened by Jiang Chen''s death warrior squad, which had eliminated two of their Inquiring Journey realm experts, the You n was at a significant disadvantagepared to thebined might of the Gan and Cai ns. Therefore, despite the You n''s cultivators showing remarkable courage and fearlessness, they couldn''t avoid being utterly overwhelmed. As time marched relentlessly forward, the battlefield was alive with flickering sword-like radiance and shadowy des, magical lights darting around at high speed. The ferocious conflict had already wrought considerable damage to the areas surrounding You n City. Just then, a series of rallying cries resounded from within You n City: "Attack!" "If the You n falls, we won''t fare well either!" "That''s right, I have deep ties with the You n. The Gan and Cai ns won''t spare me." "I took refuge in You n City precisely because I''ve angered the Gan and Cai ns. If the You n is defeated, my fate is sealed. I''m joining the fight against the Gan and Cai ns!" Momentster, several cultivators burst forth, reinforcing the You n''s ranks. These cultivators were mainly those with amicable rtions with the You n or outcasts who had antagonized the Gan and Cai ns. Their arrival offered a momentary respite to the You n''s dire situation. However,cking any Inquiring Journey realm cultivators among them, they remained considerably weak. Their contribution was but a drop in the ocean, serving only to briefly dy the You n''s inevitable downfall. "Ha-ha-ha!" Members of the Gan and Cai ns erupted in derangedughter. "Let the little rabbits of the You n tremble! Embrace your despair!" "Kill, kill, kill! ying you is as easy as slicing vegetables!" They continued their merciless ughter of the You n''s cultivators. A few victors among them refrained from immediately killing the younger female cultivators of the You n. Fueled by ignoble desires, they chose to restrain them, intending to ''deal with'' their captives after the battle concluded. As time relentlessly progressed, the situation remained woefully one-sided. From its highest leaders to the rank and file, the You n was disintegrating. High above, You Haiyin was soaked in blood, his face etched with acute pain and hopelessness. He had reached the limits of his endurance. Two factors had enabled him to hold on until now: first, a secret art that consumed his lifespan, and second, a diminishing trust between Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing. The closer You Haiyin came to his end, the less these two allies trusted one another. Each was wary that the other might seize the chance for a treacherous strike. After all, dividing Three Mountains Ind between two ns was far less appealing than having it all for oneself. Due to this growing mistrust, thebined efforts of Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing became increasingly ineffective, allowing You Haiyin to hold out. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 346. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 256: Gu Rans Disturbing Discovery "Give it up, You Haiyin," Gan Ruifeng sneered. His words, "We assure you a whole corpse," resonated with ice-cold finality, perfectly matching his frigid expression. Marks on his own visage stood as a testament to You Haiyin''s desperate resistance. "You Haiyin!" Cai Xueqing bellowed, further provoking him. "Cease your resistance, and we pledge to preserve a lineage for the You n!" For ns of cultivators, the importance of safeguarding their bloodline even surpassed that of maintaining their cultivation traditions. After all, what value would the passing down of cultivation methods hold if the bloodline itself were extinguished? However, You Haiyin scoffed at the idea of surrender. "The offspring of the You n would rather die than submit!" "Even if we are fated to die today, you will pay a devastating price!" His voice trembled but remained resolute, a trickle of blood escaping from the corner of his mouth as he spoke. Gan Ruifeng''s eyes shed with murderous resolve. "In that case, I''ll wipe out every member of the You nno survivors!" Turning to Cai Xueqing, he suggested, "Stop keeping your guard up against me. Let''s finish off You Haiyin together!" "Agreed," Cai Xueqing conceded with a nod, recognizing the hopelessness of the situation. However, as the two prepared to strike down You Haiyin, shadowy figures suddenly materialized on the battlefield. One by one, they brutally attacked members of the Gan and Cai ns! Thrust! Thrust! Thrust! des pierced hearts from behind, their bloody tips protruding starkly from chests. Faces twisted in agony, and the acrid scent of blood filled the air. "You Haiyin, are you ready to meet your end?" Liu Xiong''s silhouette soared into the heavens, wreathed in boundless mes. He aggressively hurtled towards Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing! "What!" Faces of Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing twisted in disbelief, filled with shock. They couldn''t believe their own eyes. Astoundingly, the Heavenly Gu Society, which had supposedly retreated, had inexplicably rejoined the battle. Even more astonishing, they were aiding the You n, their former mortal enemies! Can you believe it? ''The Heavenly Gu Society!'' You Haiyin''s eyes, once filled with despair, sparked with newfound hope. ''They''ve actually returned to the fray!'' He realized that the Heavenly Gu Society wasn''t aiding him out of pure benevolence. However, at this moment, his only desire was for the Gan and Cai ns to meet the same grim fate as him! As for any other concerns, he simply didn''t have the capacity to worry. It was, indeed, a pitiful situation. At that moment, as Liu Xiong lunged from behind, a bone-chilling sensation crawled up the spines of Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing. Instinctively, they pivoted sideways, steeling themselves for defense. "Damn it, you intercept him!" Gan Ruifeng shouted in frustration. "Why don''t you take him on!" Cai Xueqing retorted irritably. A rapid argument unfolded between the two, as neither was willing to confront Liu Xiong alone. If one engaged Liu Xiong while the other tackled the weakened You Haiyin, only for the victor to then join forces with Liu Xiong, what could they possibly do? Wouldn''t their fate be sealed? Faced with no other option, they had to abandon their pursuit of You Haiyin and join forces to charge at Liu Xiong! Deafening impacts resounded. An immediate, terrifying sh unfolded, causing the very heavens and earth to tremble. The shattered clouds above were dispersed by the residual shockwaves. "Gan Ruifeng, Cai Xueqing, you treacherous dogs, don''t you dare flee!" With a roar that shook the heavens, You Haiyin gathered his remaining strength and hurled himself into the battle. Knowing he had already exhausted his secret art, he was well aware of his impending doom. His only aim now was to inflict as much damage as possible on Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing before meeting his own end! Suddenly, the sky became a battleground for four formidable warriors, their conflict soaring to celestial heights! Meanwhile, both on thend and in the adjacent airspace, Jiang Chen''s death warriors unleashed a savage onught, mercilessly ughtering cultivators from the Gan and Cai ns. Specially trained forbat, these death warriors exhibited strengths that outmatched their counterparts. Some were even capable of temporarily essing the power of the Inquiring Journey realm! With the support of Jiang Chen''s death warriors, the battle tide began to swing in favor of the You n''s cultivators. Surveying the entire battlefield, Jiang Chen''s eyes sharpened as he focused on the supporting characters with the lowest Fate Value. He then issuedmands to the cultivators under his authority. Although death was widespread across the battlefield, those cultivators unconnected to Gu Ran were essentially bystanders. Their premature or dyed deaths wouldn''t significantly alter the oue, and even Jiang Chen couldn''t see their panels. Whatmanded Jiang Chen''s focus were solely those supporting characters teetering on the edge of contributing their cultivation base to Gu Ran. Meanwhile, at a specific location on the battlefield, Gu Ran hid his presence. Gleefully thinking to himself, ''This time, I''ll kill to my heart''s delight!'' a spark of excitement shed in his eyes as he zeroed in on a particr cultivator. His chosen quarry was an Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm cultivator from the Gan n. Once identified by Gu Ran, the Fate Value of this supporting character cultivator plummeted almost to zero. Suddenly, a deafening noise reverberated from above! Following that, a terrifying me plummeted from the heavens, resembling a world-endinget! It was an attackunched by Liu Xiong, deflected by Gan Ruifeng and seemingly ricocheted downward! However, this was merely a ruse. The attack was still subtly manipted by Liu Xiong, following Jiang Chen''s instructions. Just then, Gu Ran was ready to strike. But he sensed an imminent, overwhelming danger from above. Every hair on his body stood on end, and his scalp tingled with an electrifying sensation. The moment his divine sense scanned the area, his facial expression shifted dramatically, leading him to retreat immediately. The very next second, "Boom!" The fearsome fireball drove the Inquiring Journey realm cultivator from the Gan n straight into the ground. A three-hundred-meter radius transformed into a massive crater filled with moltenva, instantly snuffing out the life of the Inquiring Journey realm cultivator! Staring at the slowly solidifyingva, Gu Ran''s pupils narrowed dramatically as he thought in disbelief, ''Th-thi-this again! No!!'' That ursed feeling of monumental misfortune had reemerged once more!! His lips trembled slightly, but words failed him. However, this time a seed of suspicion nted itself in his heart: Could it be that someone was intentionally targeting him, and it wasn''t simply a case of bad luck? Pondering deeply, he mused, ''If someone is truly after me, then they must know the secret of my "Endless Dark Blood Moon" bloodline!'' ''They''re stunting my growth, that''s it!'' ''Even more troubling, they seem to know exactly who I''m targeting, making my ability to hide utterly futile against them!'' Chilled to his core, Gu Ran thought, ''This person is terrifying; even my unique bloodline talent can''t evade their detection.'' His eyes gradually filled with a glimmer of realization, as well as deep-rooted terror and apprehension. After repeatedly falling into Jiang Chen''s snares, Gu Ran finally sensed that something was awry. But immediately, new questions swarmed his mind. ''Who is after me?'' ''Why are they deliberately hampering my growth?'' ''If they''re focused on me, why not simply kill me now when I''m weakest?'' The rity in Gu Ran''s eyes faded, reced by an inscrutable look of perplexity. Mulling over it alone wouldn''t help his situation. Right now, the most pressing issue was to kill and absorb cultivation bases. With teeth gritted in resolve, Gu Ran thought, ''Let''s try this one more time!'' He zeroed in on a cultivator from the Cai n in the Inquiring Journey realm and discreetly moved to execute him. However, almost instantly, three death warriors from the Heavenly Gu Society deployed their power-boosting secret arts in coordination. Joined by a genuine Inquiring Journey realm cultivator, they overwhelmed the cultivator from the Cai n, also in the Inquiring Journey realm! ''As I suspected, he can actually see through my stealth ability! Then he eliminates my targets to hinder my growth!'' Gu Ran''s eyes narrowed, his pupils shrinking to tiny dots, as he advanced once more toward another cultivator in the Inquiring Journey realm. This time, he only feigned an attack. And just as he had anticipated, nothing unusual urred. The cultivator he pretended to target wasn''t killed, due to various reasons. Feeling puzzled, Gu Ran thought, ''That mysterious entity didn''t make a move this time!'' ''Why didn''t they act? Can they actually discern whether my intentions are genuine or a mere ruse?'' The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. ''They''re actually this formidable!'' He felt his entire body tremble, his hair seeming to want to leap off his skin, as if an ominous shadow had suddenly enveloped him. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 346. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 257: Chaos Ensues, Gu Ran Reaches His Limit At the same time, Jiang Chen mused, ''Hmm? Was Gu Ran just testing the waters?'' ''He faked an attack on that cultivator, suggesting he''s onto something.'' ''But this was to be expected; after all, he is the protagonist.'' ''Furthermore, epting the truth might be even more unnervingaware of the maniption but utterly powerless.'' A cold, disdainful smile curled his lips. He stood overlooking the battlefield, masterminding the entire situation! On the battlefield, myriad cultivators engaged in fiercebat. The sounds of battle reverberated incessantly, as thendscape was repeatedly upturned. Cultivators fell one by one to the merciless warfare, their blood staining the earth. The numbers of cultivators from the four factions were rapidly dwindling. Jiang Chen''s squad of death warriors exhibited fearless tenacity. The cultivators from the You n, despite being cornered, still managed to maintain a rtively high level of morale andbat capability. However, an insidious dread began to permeate the cultivators from the Gan and Cai ns! ''When will this battle end? All myrades have fallen!'' a cultivator thought desperately. ''Why hasn''t our ancestor taken down You Haiyin yet? How much more must we suffer? If this continues, we''re facingplete annihtion!'' another wondered. ''I can''t hold on any longer. To persist in this fight would be to court death!'' yet anothermented. The morale of the cultivators from the Gan and Cai ns was plummeting. A growing internal anxiety gripped them, and the specter of death loomed everrger. Initially, they had believed they were stepping in to exploit the chaos, likening themselves to the fisherman who gains while the snipe and m fight. However, the reality was sharply at odds with their expectations. Many lives had been forfeited, and they were reaching the limits of their endurance. The disparity was simply too great. As a result, cultivators began to be consumed by rising fear and thoughts of retreat, one after another. Those of weaker resolve could no longer withstand the pressure. Confronted with the overwhelming fear of death, they initiated their withdrawal! "I can''t hold on, I can''t fight any longer!" one cultivator shouted. "Retreat, retreat quickly! Most have already fallen. Once our ancestor deals with You Haiyin and that unknown cultivator, a single blow will finish them off!" "We''re the n''s younger generation, filled with limitless potential. It''s better to live to fight another day. Retreat!" He hastily moved back, sparking a domino effect simr to a dam breaking. A tidal wave of fear engulfed them, causing a sizable number of cultivators from the Gan and Cai ns to instinctively start their retreat! ''This is the very picture of a disorganized and routed army, much like andslide,'' Jiang Chen observed, his expression unchanging as he surveyed the unfolding chaos. Amid the battlefield, the cultivators from the You n burst into cheers one after another upon seeing the retreat. "They''re falling back!" "Hahaha, the Gan and Cai n members are retreating; this is fantastic!" "We''re on the verge of winning; I''m still alive and fighting!" one eximed jubntly. ''Such behavior from the You n is inappropriate,'' Jiang Chen thought, arching an eyebrow as he sentmands to his death warriors via his divine sense. Immediately, voices echoed from various parts of the battlefield. "The Gan and Cai ns are scared, they''re retreating!" "Stay alert, everyone! Take this chance to chase them down relentlessly. Let''s raid their homes and seize their women!" "This is a golden opportunity! Wipe them all out, and Three Mountains Ind will belong solely to our You n!" "Attack, attack, attack! They''re no stronger than we are, annihte them!" "This is our only chance. If we let them recover, our doom is certain!" These were the vociferous shouts of Jiang Chen''s death warriors. Without any hesitation, these death warriors were the first to dive into the fray. Hearing thesepelling calls to action, many fervent cultivators from the You n found them reasonable and quickly followed the lead of the ck-robed death warriors, attacking the Gan and Cai ns from behind. In a remarkably short time, they managed to widen their advantage. Sensing victory, the You n cultivators'' morale soared. They pressed their attack on the Gan and Cai ns like relentless madmen. "Damn it!" From high above, Gan Ruifeng watched his own cultivators scatter in panic, his face turning a furious shade of green. "These worthless descendants! They dare to run while I''m in the midst of battle!" Cai Xueqing harbored simr sentiments, his expression as grim as if he had identally ingested something vile. Unable to bear it any longer, Gan Ruifeng roared furiously, "Death to those who flee without permission!" Swiftly, he unleashed several weakened strikes of the Inquiring Journey realm, decisively wiping out the lead deserters among his own cultivators. Immediately, the faces of the Gan n''s cultivators changed dramatically. They quickly turned back to face the oing You n cultivators and Jiang Chen''s ck-robed death warriors. Taking this moment as a severe warning, members of the Cai n also ceased their retreat, not daring to continue their escape. They all turned around to re-enter the battle. As a result, the battlefield once again descended into chaos, the level ofbat intensifying in both its ferocity and brutality. In a secluded corner of the battlefield, Gu Ran found himself caught in the crosshairs of a mysterious powerhouse from the Heavenly Gu Society. The more his growth and killing potential were stifled, the greater his anxiety grew. For a brief moment, he stood still, pondering his next move. However, a resolute wave of determination soon filled his heart. He thought defiantly, ''I possess the Endless Dark Blood Moon, a potent bloodline with the capability to rise to the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path!'' ''While a Dao Pce realm expert may be beyond my grasp now, I will soon have the power to annihte him!'' ''You may focus on suppressing me now, but I swear to reciprocate this enmity a hundredfold in the future!'' A steely resolve shed in Gu Ran''s eyes. Then, with an unwavering focus, he decided, ''I''ll make another killing attempt!'' ''If each target is eliminated before I get to them, then I''ll cast aside all reservations, drop all pretenses, and risk it all!'' ''Let''s see then how long you can maintain your charade!'' With a merciless glint in his eyes, Gu Ran''s icy determination echoed within his heart. If the power of his ''Endless Dark Blood Moon'' bloodline continued to be restrained, his greatest advantage would be utterly neutralized. This felt as crippling as beingpletely incapacitated, something Gu Ran could not tolerate. ''Attack!'' Taking a deep breath, he zeroed in on a cultivator in the Inquiring Journey realm, skillfully concealing himself as he closed in stealthily. However, just as he made his move, arge group of Heavenly Gu Society cultivators suddenly attacked his intended target, resulting in the cultivator''s immediate death. ''Curse it!'' Clenching his fists, Gu Ran felt resentment re up within him like a raging inferno, bringing him perilously close to the edge of fury. Without missing a beat, he set his sights on another cultivator in the Heavenly Origin realm, whosebat abilities temporarily peaked at the Inquiring Journey realm level. He dashed forward to dispatch him. Yet, history repeated itself. His chosen victim was once again eliminated by a member of the Heavenly Gu Society. ''Argh! Despicable, utterly despicable!'' Gu Ran seethed inwardly, wishing he could instantly wipe out the Heavenly Gu Society cultivators interfering with him. Yet, he ultimately held himself together, bracing for another go at it. For his next attempt, he picked a cultivator in the Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm. High above the melee, Jiang Chen observed the unfolding events, musing to himself, ''If this continues, Gu Ran is bound to lose his patience and go on a rampage.'' ''When that happens, he''ll undoubtedly rebel against my fabricated ''Heavenly Gu Society'', bing a lethal enemy.'' ''It would then be difficult to get close to him again, as he would likely see anyone of unfamiliar origin as a mortal threat, with only intentions of eliminating them.'' ''In such an irredeemable situation, he''ll battle to the death against whoever I send. Under the sway of Heavenly Fate, my agents might very well be sacrificialmbs.'' ''Looks like it''s time for me to step back and allow Gu Ran to experience some sess.'' Thinking this, Jiang Chen chose not to interfere with Gu Ran''s next move. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 348. The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 258: Gu Rans Surge of Joy, Speeding Up the Plan Thus it happened. With a swift, decisive "Whoosh," Gu Ran''s longsword streaked across the neck of the Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm cultivator, effectively ending his life. Gu Ran''s pupils widened subtly as he thought, ''I''ve done it! No one hindered me!'' He sensed the influx of cultivation base power seeping into his body. A wave of unstoppable tion surged within him. Without wasting a moment, Gu Ran pinpointed another Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm cultivator and unleashed his onught, striking gold once again! With an internal thrill, he thought, ''They''re not preventing me from battling Heavenly Origin realm cultivators! This is valuable information. While each Heavenly Origin realm cultivator provides a rtively modest boost to my cultivation base, it allpounds over time!'' ''Yet, this strategy isn''t viable long-term. I need to concoct a n to eliminate thempletely,'' he pondered further. ''At this point, it''s clear their target is my ''Endless Dark Blood Moon'' bloodline. But their tactic mirrors that of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sectfeigning proximity and trust.'' ''They''re apprehensive that my rapid ascension in power couldplicate their ns to extract the power of my potent bloodline. Thus, they''re employing every strategy to stifle my growth.'' ''Ha! Little did they know I''ve already seen through their scheme!'' As Gu Ran proceeded to tackle the remaining cultivators, his mind was ceaselessly at work, considering his next moves. Regrettably, despite all his strategic nning, Gu Ran failed to foresee that the sole motivation behind Jiang Chen''s actions was to kill him. The situation had beplicated due to one key factor: Gu Ran was safeguarded by the cursed Heavenly Fate. As he observed Gu Ran''s relentless ughter, a slight furrow appeared on Jiang Chen''s brow. ''We need to elerate our actions,'' he thought. ''We cannot allow Gu Ran to eliminate too many Heavenly Origin realm cultivators, despite their rank.'' Acting without dy, hemanded all the death warriors to give their utmost and instructed Liu Xiong to feign an increase in power. ''Seven Meridians Shattering Art!'' ''Spirit Ignition Secrets!'' In an instant, each death warrior unleashed their lethal, power-enhancing secret arts, propelling theirbat strength to a monumental peak. Caughtpletely off guard, their opponents rapidly found themselves defenseless. After a series of swift maneuvers, they were left bleeding profusely, their spirits entirely dissipated. Hovering in the sky, You Haiyin teetered on the brink of defeat, staggering unsteadily as he barely maintained his flight. Seizing a window of opportunity, Gan Ruifeng ruthlessly swung his de, eximing, "Breaking Mountain Splitting Earth de!" sh! With no strength left to counter, You Haiyin''s face twisted in anguish. His eyes widened in startled realization as he watched his body being cleaved into two. "Damn it, You Haiyin, you inept fool! You couldn''t even withstand for this short duration!" Liu Xiong eximed, widening his eyes asrge as copper bells and feigning an inability to assist. This, too, was part of Jiang Chen''s calcted strategy. Gan Ruifeng roared in triumph, "Hahaha! That vile You Haiyin has finally met his end!" Cai Xueqing eximed jubntly, "With You Haiyin''s demise, the once-respected You n of Three Mountains Ind is definitively obliterated!" Both were visibly overjoyed at the sight of You Haiyin''s downfall. Their eyes then shifted toward Liu Xiong. Cai Xueqing examined the ck-d cultivator standing before him, his face icy, and dered, "If you leave now, we won''t hold any resentment toward you." Gan Ruifeng retained his impassive expression and added, "Indeed! But if you choose otherwise, don''t me us for being ruthless." "Do you truly think just the two of you can defeat me?" Liu Xiong scoffed, steeling himself for the imminent battle. Gan Ruifeng sneered, "If it''s death you seek, have no regrets!" He then exchanged a nce with Cai Xueqing before theyunched their coordinated attack on Liu Xiong. Believing their numerical advantage would ensure a swift victory, they were confident in their ability to eliminate this bothersome ck-d interloper. With this edge, they felt certain that victory in the battle was securely within their grasp. However, just as they lunged forward, Liu Xiong''s voice resounded, "Perfect timing! Violent Blood Rupturing Veins Art!" Pretending to activate a self-destructive secret art, Liu Xiong temporarily amplified his strength to that of a Half-step Dao Comprehension realmbatant. Gan Ruifeng eximed in disbelief, "What?! How can this be?! How can you still disy thebat strength of a Half-step Dao Comprehension realm when you''re severely injured?" Cai Xueqing cried out in rm, "Curses, retreat, retreat!" Both immediately scrambled to escape, seeking safety. "Where do you think you''re going, you two failures?" Liu Xiong roared, consumed by fury. "You sought my life, didn''t you? Don''t even think about fleeing!" He charged directly at them. For a Dao Comprehension realm cultivator like Liu Xiong, dispatching Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing would be an easy feat. However, Jiang Chen had taught him that a convincing act demanded measured restraint. Therefore, Liu Xiong deliberately held back from delivering the fatal blow right away, allowing Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing to struggle for a bit longer. Simultaneously, down on the battlefield, the cultivators from the Gan and Cai ns found themselves utterly bewildered. What was going on? Were their own ancestors really fleeing? Hadn''t these ancestors pledged to execute any deserter? Why then were they now making their own escape? However, their bewilderment was short-lived. Quickly grasping the gravity of the situation, the Gan and Cai n cultivators also initiated their retreat. Their unified forces crumbled entirely, and the members of the Gan and Cai ns dispersed haphazardly, fleeing chaotically in every direction, much like a mudslide. Upon witnessing this scene, shouts reverberated through the air. "Kill, kill, kill!" "Victory is ours!" "Eradicate those Gan and Cai n scoundrels! Three Mountains Ind belongs solely to our You n!" Some of these triumphant cheers originated from the You n''s descendants, while others came from Jiang Chen''s death warriors, who acted as provocateurs to further incite the crowd. In the distant sky, Jiang Chen surveyed the unfolding drama on Three Mountains Ind while idly stroking his chin, pondering deeply. ''Is this it? Have the Gan and Cai ns been defeated so easily?'' ''Where is Wu Qian? Shouldn''t one of the three ns summon him by now? Without him, how will the original plote together?'' ''Could it be that Wu Qian is set to appear only after all is said and done? That would make for a rather uninspiring turn of events.'' ''The stage seems perfectly set for a major plot twist at this very moment!'' In ordance with his conjecture, Wu Qian was bound to appear on Three Mountains Ind if the original plot went undisturbed. It was highly likely that he would put Gu Ran in a corner. In that unchanged storyline, Wu Qian had met Gu Ran during a maritime hunting expedition and taken quite a liking to him. Gu Ran, in turn, would wreak havoc on Three Mountains Ind, sessively battling the three major factions. Each conflict would make him stronger, while the Yu, Gan, and Cai ns would struggle to counter his might. Either Cai Xueqing or Gan Ruifeng would then call upon Wu Qian, their hearts filled with eager anticipation, preparing for aeback. However, a mysterious twist had already enabled Wu Qian and Gu Ran to be acquainted, each harboring a favorable impression of the other. Nheless, Wu Qian would certainly find multiple reasons to side with Gu Ran. This would leave the Gan and Cai ns stunned, realizing they had inadvertently strengthened their opponent. As a result, Gu Ran would showcase an extraordinary disy of power. In this unfolding scenario, the main troublemakers from the Gan and Cai ns would be wiped out, leaving only a few insignificant survivors, none of whom mattered to Gu Ran. Returning to the main subject, multiple shifts had already urred in the storyline due to Jiang Chen''s interference. However, the general course remained unaltered. Wu Qian would still make his entrance, and although the fondness from their ''first'' encounter might be different, Heavenly Fate, among other factors, would still incline him to ally with Gu Ran and facilitate his momentous show of strength. Such an oue was uneptable! Therefore, sticking to his prearranged n, Jiang Chen took flight toward the spot where, based on their previous meeting and Wu Qian''s likely route, he believed Wu Qian would appear. His goal was to locate Wu Qian and intercept him! A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter350. By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 350 . The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 259: Seeing Wu Qian Again, A Candid Exchange At this very moment, on the battlefield of Three Mountains Ind, Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing were being relentlessly pursued by Liu Xiong, their faces drained of color. "Don''t push me any further, you dark-robed viin!" Cai Xueqing shouted, his voice tinged with desperation. "My Daoist friend, let''s handle this with reason and restraint, lest we both meet unfortunate fates," Gan Ruifeng urged cautiously. "Hold on, just stop! I possess a secret art that guarantees your defeat if used. Halt your chase, and a wealth of cultivation resources will be yours!" "Pause! Be aware that a Dao Pce realm expert supports me. Do not force me to call upon him!" Each continuously advocated for a peaceful resolution, employing a mix of threats and enticements. Ignoring their appeals, Liu Xiong remained steadfast in his pursuit, chasing them as if his very existence depended on it. Despair hovered at the fringes of Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing''s consciousness, their hopes nearly extinguished. Amid the chaos, Cai Xueqing''s boast of a secret art was nothing more than empty words,cking any real substance. On the other hand, Gan Ruifeng''s im of a Dao Pce realm backer wasn''t entirely without basis. Yet, he was aware that this support was tenuous at best. Their n''s rtionship with the aforementioned Dao Pce realm expert was frail, founded on a series of ancestral favors granted long ago. The question of whether that Dao Pce realm expert even existed anymore added anotheryer of uncertainty to their predicament. Even if such a powerhouse were still alive, the chances of them being in the remote outskirts of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea were slim to none. The area was barren,cking in resources, and not a ce a Dao Pce realm expert would likely frequent. At this critical moment, Gan Ruifeng found himself without any options, forced to resort to even the most desperate of measures. Reaching into his storage artifact, he pulled out an unusual metallic coin and channeled Yuan Power into it. ''Oh, esteemed senior, please, make your presence felt!'' he thought desperately. All of a sudden, a strange ripple emanated from the metallic coin. ... At the same time, far across the sea, Jiang Chen glided above the water''s surface, his divine sense casting a wide over the area. ''How could I have neglected to ce a tracking mark on Wu Qian during ourst encounter? What an oversight,'' Jiang Chen thought, his brow knitted in concentration as he scoured the area for any sign of Wu Qian. Just as he was deep in thought, a figure suddenly materialised under the sea, filling him with a surge of excitement. ''He''s indeed close by!'' Jiang Chen thought exultantly. ''I never expected there to be an area here that even my divine sense couldn''t prate. Could it be the rumored location that holds a Transcendence realm opportunity?'' ''Since Wu Qian has revealed himself, there''s no need to be lenient with Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing anymore.'' Without wasting another second, he issued themand, "Liu Xiong, finish them off!" ''Atst, it''s my turn!'' Liu Xiong grinned inwardly. With a mere flick of his hand, Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing''s heads burst like ripe melons. Upon Gan Ruifeng''s demise, the metallic coin in his hand was deprived of its Yuan Power source, and the ripple it had been emitting abruptly ceased. Instantly, Liu Xiong collected the metallic coin and secured it in his storage artifact. Moreover, he also removed Gan Ruifeng and Cai Xueqing''s bodies, all in ordance with Jiang Chen''s stiptions. With all tasks aplished, Liu Xiong donned a chilling smile and plunged into the battlefield beneath him. Simultaneously, system notifications echoed in Jiang Chen''s sea of consciousness. [Ding! You have sessfully altered plot. Protagonist Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 3000 points!] [Ding! You''ve earned 6000 points of Viin Value!] ''Another alteration in the plot, wonderful.'' A faint smile crept onto Jiang Chen''s lips. Meanwhile, at the seabed, Wu Qian stood steadfast amidst the churning currents, his eyes filled with a touch of confusion. ''Did I get teleported out again?'' ''It seems I''m still unable to ess that ce.'' ''I thought I sensed a familiar vibration for a moment. Could it be a token I left here a long time ago?'' However, a meticulous scan revealed nothing. ''Is my mind ying tricks on me?'' he pondered. ''Well, if I can''t detect anything, there''s little I can do.'' Then, a voice that sounded vaguely familiar rang through his ears, jolting Wu Qian. "Hmm? Wu Qian, is that you?" ''Jiang Chen!? The Holy Son of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, Jiang Chen!?'' His expression changed immediately, and employing his divine sense, he quickly located the source of the voiceJiang Chen. At this juncture, Jiang Chen wasn''t in his dragon-human hybrid form, but his features still held enough resemnce for Wu Qian to recognize him immediately. Wu Qian had formed a positive and respectful impression of Jiang Chen from their first meeting. So, Wu Qian grinned and greeted Jiang Chen, saying, "Holy Son Jiang Chen, encountering you here again was unexpected!" He offered a traditional fist and palm salute across the churning sea waters. "Hahaha, it''s indeed a serendipitous asion to run into you here, Daoist friend Wu. Fate must be weaving its threads once more," Jiang Chen responded with a heartyugh. "The ambiance underwater isn''t ideal for a conversation. Shall we move above the surface?" "Agreed!" Wu Qian nodded, and both men ascended to the water''s surface, facing each other amidst the rolling waves. Looking at the remarkably young Jiang Chen before him, Wu Qian felt a tinge of inferiority wash over him. Despite his early twenties, Jiang Chen, who stood across from him, had already shown the capacity to behead a Demon Race expert in the Peak-stage Dao Pce realm. Compared to Jiang Chen''s achievements at the same age, Wu Qian felt his own paled significantly. Suddenly, Jiang Chen released a sigh. "What''s on your mind, Holy Son?" Wu Qian inquired, his curiosity sparked. "Do you know, Daoist friend Wu, that the Nether Demon n has once again infiltrated the Immortal Martial Continent?" Jiang Chen''s face took on a somber expression. "This time, they''ve directly taken control of both the Pure Frost Domain and the Vibrant ze Domain!" Hearing this news, Wu Qian''s face went ashen with astonishment. "What?! Has it really gotten this bad?!" It was indeed chilling to think that shortly after Jiang Chen had exterminated thather soul demon and quelled the demonic beast tide, two major domains on the Immortal Martial Continent had already been seized. The gravity of the situation was irrefutable and unnerving. "Yes," Jiang Chen confirmed, nodding gravely. "The situation deteriorates with each day that passes." "I''ve lost my interest in cultivation for now and have been wandering, looking for any traces of the Nether Demon n." "Although I haven''t found any signs of them, I did uncover some other intriguing clues in this sea region." Then, locking eyes with Wu Qian, he asked earnestly, "You reside in this sea area; you must''ve noticed something unusual too, haven''t you?" His tone carried a sense of finality, leaving no room for doubt. Hearing this, Wu Qian''s expression shifted subtly. He knew that the mysterious cave dwelling he had guarded for years had been discovered by another, and he felt powerless; Jiang Chen was just too overwhelming. In fact, during their first meeting, Wu Qian had already mentally prepared himself for a situation like this. So, he swiftly regained hisposure. "Yes," Wu Qian readily acknowledged. "Your insight is indeed sharp, Holy Son Jiang Chen. There is, in fact, a mysterious cave dwelling in the vicinity." Denial seemed pointless, and proactively admitting the truth felt like the wiser course of action. Besides, he himself was unable to unlock the secrets of the cave, so seeking help from someone else appeared logical. If he stubbornly denied it, he''d only turn Jiang Chen into an adversary. Wu Qian was well aware that he wouldn''tst ten moves against someone of Jiang Chen''s caliber. "A mysterious cave dwelling?" Interest flickered in Jiang Chen''s eyes. "Has Daoist friend Wu stayed in this area solely because you haven''t uncovered what lies within?" "Indeed, I haven''t even managed to enter it," Wu Qian confirmed, nodding. He then smiled warmly, "Since Holy Son Jiang Chen has also found this cave, it''s clear that fortune smiles upon the discoverer. How about we try to unlock its secrets together?" "Your generosity is much appreciated," Jiang Chen replied solemnly, bringing his hands together in front of his chest and bowing slightly towards Wu Qian. "I''ll always cherish this spirit of cooperation." "You''re too kind, Holy Son," Wu Qian returned the gesture immediately. "I''ve been unable to gain ess to the cave myself. If we seed in opening it and finding what it hides, your guidance will have yed a key role." "Haha, I can''t guarantee we''ll unlock it, but I can promise we''ll put in our best effort," Jiang Chen chuckled softly, shaking his head. As it stood, the opportunity within was intended for Gu Ran, and it was highly likely that only he had the ability to unlock it. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter350. By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 350 . The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 260: The Climax of the Three Mountains Island Plot "Your proficiency, Daoist friend, undoubtedly surpasses mine," Wu Qian chuckled in acknowledgment. "If we can''t unlock it, we''ll find an alternate path." "First, let''s give it a try," Jiang Chen suggested, nodding subtly. "Daoist friend, please lead the way." "Certainly!" Wu Qian gestured toward Jiang Chen with an inviting hand, then swiftly soared toward the location of the mysterious cave dwelling. He found himself here due to an unsessful attempt to enter the mysterious cave dwelling, which had randomly teleported him to this area. ''I wonder what type of cave dwelling it is,'' Jiang Chen mused. ''This ''dungeon plot'' surely tells a grander narrative, one much more substantial than merely ''Gu Ran''s rule over Three Mountains Ind.'''' ''Yet, for now, only Wu Qian and I know about this cave dwelling; it remainsrgely unexplored.'' ''How can such a limited number of yers sustain such a vast arena?'' ''This ''dungeon plot'' is bound to attract more contenders; that''s what gives it depth and unpredictability.'' ''So, who else might join the fray? The Nether Demon n? That does seem highly probable,'' he pondered, as his thoughts collided, sparked insights, or quietly faded away. Regardless of how much he pondered, it remained pure spection. Under the sway of Heavenly Fate, countless peculiar events could transpire. So, while Jiang Chen followed Wu Qian in their quest for the mysterious cave dwelling, they stood on the cusp of unexpected developments. ... On Three Mountains Ind, Liu Xiong stalked the battlefield, singling out and eliminating those who tried to escape. "Perish!" Arge number of formidable cultivators fell to his power in a sh. Watching the ensuing chaos, Gu Ran''s anger simmered, itching to confront Liu Xiong. Yet, self-awareness restrained him; he knew he was no match for Liu Xiong, forcing him to endure the frustration. Still, Liu Xiong, following Jiang Chen''s instructions, left a few rtively minor individuals for Gu Ran to handle, providing him a measure offort. Besides Liu Xiong and Gu Ran, the other death warriors d in ebony, along with the You n''s cultivators, relentlessly hunted down and eradicated members of the Gan and Cai ns. "Kill! Kill! Kill!" "All from the Gan and Cai ns deserve to die, hahaha!" "I''ve taken down ten! The thrill is unparalleled, so satisfying!" Amid the cacophony of derangedughter and fervent cries, powerful spells and relics rained down on the dwindling cultivators from the Gan and Cai ns. Boom! Several cultivators were instantly annihted, their remains dispersed without a final resting ce. At this point, all representatives from the Gan and Cai ns had perished in this savage conflict. Even the remaining Heavenly Origin realm cultivators, engaged elsewhere, couldn''t muster their ns for a revival. "We''ve finally wiped them all out!" "These Gan and Cai n vermin thought they could exploit our You n and wipe us out. They were delusional!" "Hahaha, they never saw itingthat the Heavenly Gu Society would turn the tables and save us!" "Wait... Something''s not right here. The Heavenly Gu Society, initially..." One after another, surviving members of the You n reveled in their victory, having witnessed theplete eradication of the Gan and Cai ns'' cultivators. However, it soon became clear: the Heavenly Gu Society had originally been their foe. With the Gan and Cai ns now eradicated, was the You n next in line for a simr destiny? This grim realization plunged the You n''s cultivators into a chilling abyss, their earlier exuberance quickly dissipating. Recing it was a rising tide of fear and despair that washed over them, causing them to shudder. From his elevated position, Liu Xiong looked down upon the quaking You n cultivators, his eyes akin to an eagle scrutinizing its timid prey, and sneered, "Hahaha! You all seem quite thrilled!" "Sir, we beg you!" the voices trembled in desperation. "We realize our mistake; we shouldn''t have wronged Young Master Gu. Please, have mercy!" "Sir, we were under coercion too! It was that fool, You Caigao, who initiated this mess by provoking Young Master Gu. We had no choice but toply, lest we suffer terribly!" "We beg for our lives! We stand ready to obey anymand you issue!" One by one, the cultivators from the You n prostrated themselves, tears and snot marring their faces as they beseeched for mercy, their hearts awash with unutterable fear. "Hmph," Liu Xiong scoffed, "Regardless of the situation, you attacked Young Master Gu. That''s an unpardonable offense." "me your own ill fortune, if you must!" Raising his hand, Liu Xiong prepared to end the lives below him, their desperate eyes fixed on his form. Just then, Gu Ran interrupted sharply, "Stop," his voice frosty. "They wronged me. I should be the one to handle them." Members of the Heavenly Gu Society had positioned themselves as Gu Ran''s self-anointed protectors. Would they heed hismand or challenge it? He was testing the limits of the Heavenly Gu Society''s loyalty. "Since Young Master Gu wishes to handle this, we''ll leave these individuals to his judgment," Liu Xiong nodded, albeit with a hint of reservation, and added cautiously, "However, for safety''s sake, I''ll take care of the stronger ones. The rest should be enough for Young Master Gu to vent his frustration." Hearing this, Gu Ran was incensed! ''Vent my frustration? The only one I need to eliminate to quell my fury is you! The remaining You n cultivators are already mine to deal with,'' he thought angrily. Nheless, he kept aposed exterior and responded, "Heavenly Origin realm cultivators are no threat to me." "That''s not an option," Liu Xiong shook his head, dismissing the idea. "We can''t afford to underestimate anyone. What if one of them suddenly awakens Inquiring Journey realm power?" "I don''t disagree with you, but the fact remains: the Heavenly Gu Society sees it differently." With a sweeping gesture, he unleashed a devastating attack that engulfed the surrounding area. "Ahh!" The agonized screams pierced the air. "Heavenly Gu Society, you won''t find peace!" "Please, don''t kill me! I don''t want to die! Ahh!" With that, all thete-stage Heavenly Origin realm cultivators from the You n were mercilessly annihted. "You!" Gu Ran''s fists tightened, his eyes ame with unchecked fury. However, he held his anger at bay. Something was better than nothing, after all. As long as the Heavenly Gu Society didn''t kill him outright As long as he could gradually improve his cultivation base, he was sure the tides would turn. And when that day arrived, he would make them pay a hundredfold! "Thank you for understanding, Young Master Gu," Liu Xiong said, nodding appreciatively as he saw Gu Ran contain his rage, a smile gracing his features. In that moment, Liu Xiong also realized that Gu Ran grew stronger by killing others, and he understood that Jiang Chen was suppressing him. While he couldn''t fathom why Jiang Chen hadn''t simply eradicated Gu Ran, Liu Xiong knew better than to meddle in affairs that didn''t directly concern him. The less he knew, the better off he would be. His wisest move was to stick to his orders and fulfill his role as a loyal subordinate. "Hmph!" With a icy snort, Gu Ran unsheathed his weapon andunched an attack on the lower-ranked You n members. sh! sh! sh! Weapon in hand, Gu Ran carved a path through the You n''s cultivators, felling them with an efficiency akin to cutting grass. Unfortunately, these cultivators were too weak, providing only a meager boost to his cultivation base. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter352. By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 352 . The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 261: The Appearance of the Mysterious Cave Dwelling In a remote and isted location far out in the open sea, Wu Qian announced, "We''re here! This is the spot!" Pointing at the serene waters ahead, he continued, "Every twelve hours, subtle spatial fluctuations manifest in this area." ''Spatial fluctuations!'' The term resonated deeply within Jiang Chen, sending his heart aflutter. He narrowed his eyes and thought, ''This is simr to a Cave Heaven!'' Indeed, for an aplished cultivator, a mere cave would never suffice as a dwelling. It must be a grand and awe-inspiring Cave Heaven. "Holy Son, please apany me." Nodding at Jiang Chen, Wu Qian dived into the sea. "Boom!" A formidable aura burst forth around them, pushing aside the seawater to form a transparent passage. Following closely, Jiang Chen descended through the watery corridor. Swiftly, they arrived at the ocean floor, positioning themselves on a dimly lit reef. "We have twelve hours until the next spatial fluctuation," Wu Qian dered. "Our sole option is to wait patiently." "No worries," Jiang Chen responded calmly. "Twelve hours is but a fleeting moment for us; it''ll pass in the blink of an eye." "In the meantime, we can exchange our experiences and insights in cultivation." He chuckled softly, gestured expansively with his hand, and cleared away the surrounding water, creating a spacious area. Next, he produced a table and chairs, cing them thoughtfully on the shadowy reef. He then set a pot of premium spiritual tea on the table. "I''ve also gathered a unique array of spiritual fruits over the years. Please, indulge yourself," Wu Qian offered, noticing Jiang Chen''s arrangement of the fine spiritual tea. He then showcased a selection of top-tier spiritual fruits, some nearing the realm of Dao Comprehension, each fruit corresponding to a specific grade of spiritual nt. ''Quite the generous gesture,'' Jiang Chen mused inwardly. ''Perhaps Wu Qian has seen my hybrid dragon-human form and recognizes my boundless potential, hence his eagerness to build a good rapport.'' ''My ck Heavenly Fate Value might also be influencing his choices.'' With these considerations in mind, he wore a pleased smile as he relished the sumptuous fare and beverages with Wu Qian, taking the opportunity to share cultivation insights. Apanied by Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, the two women in hispany, Jiang Chen was notcking in cultivation insights. His goal was to impress Wu Qian, to unt his own abilities, and thereby deepen Wu Qian''s admiration and loyalty towards him. Time moved on its own ord. Jiang Chen and Wu Qian stayed deeply engrossed in their discussion on cultivation. So profound was Jiang Chen''s wisdom that Wu Qian found himself nearly lifting his jaw off the ground in astonishment. So captivated was he that he almost feltpelled to kneel before Jiang Chen in sheer reverence. What began as a mutual exchange soon transformed into a one-sided tutorial, steered masterfully by Jiang Chen. With his incisive guidance, Wu Qian found his years-long, puzzling questions seamlessly resolved, touching him to the extent that he nearly became emotional. While these resolutions wouldn''t catapult Wu Qian into the Transcendence realm instantly, they undoubtedly elerated his journey toward the Peak-stage Dao Pce realm and edged him closer to achieving the Transcendence realm. ... Just as Jiang Chen was using his cultivation expertise and insights to influence Wu Qian, back on Three Mountains Ind, Gu Ran was mercilessly wiping out the remaining You n cultivators. His actions were devoid ofpassion. Afterpleting the ughter, he took over an empty inn in You n City for his ongoing cultivation, choosing to iste himself from the outside world. Despite the carnage, Gu Ran''s cultivation base failed to achieve a significant breakthrough, leaving him far from reaching the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm. If not for Jiang Chen''s surreptitious meddling, Gu Ran might have already advanced to the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm and perhaps even been on the brink of progressing to the Late-stage. Aware that Gu Ran''s prowess in concealment outstripped their ability to monitor him, Liu Xiong chose not to assign anyone to keep an eye on him. Only Jiang Chen, the Holy Son, had the ability to pierce Gu Ran''s cloak of invisibility. As such, Liu Xiong directly ordered his death warriors to clear the battlefield and recover any valuable cultivation resources they could find. Even the tiniest fragment was considered of worth. Collecting these resources for the sect''s treasury would undoubtedly contribute to the growth of the sect. With the battlefield restored to its original condition, the saga on Three Mountains Ind reached its definitive conclusion. At the same time, a system alert resounded within Jiang Chen''s sea of consciousness. [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot slightly. Protagonist Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 500 points.] [Ding! You have gained 1000 points of Viin Value.] Upon receiving these notifications, Jiang Chen wore a faint smile, unfazed by the results. Originally, Gu Ran was fated to eradicate the You n''s cultivators entirely. However, in thisst showdown, he was prevented from eliminating several of the You n''s Heavenly Origin realm experts. Consequently, his avenues for advancement were inevitably limited. Time surged forward at a relentless pace, and almost twelve hours had flown by in the blink of an eye. Deep beneath the ocean, far away from Three Mountains Ind, the spatial fluctuations that heralded the appearance of the mysterious cave dwelling were on the verge of manifesting. Both Jiang Chen and a revitalized Wu Qian stood up, their spirits elevated, ready to initiate the cave dwelling''s opening. ''This is undeniably a victory on my part,'' Wu Qian thought exultantly. ''I''ve not only gained invaluable wisdom but also established a valuable alliance with Jiang Chen.'' ''Given Jiang Chen''s remarkable talents and keen insight, his ascent to the Transcendence realm is inevitable!'' Filled with these thoughts, his anticipation continued to grow. Nheless, as a Dao Pce realm powerhouse, he had his own dignity to uphold. It was not in his nature to immediately yield to Jiang Chen, simply because he had derived some benefits. Suddenly, an anomalous spatial fluctuation rippled through the area, causing a subtle distortion in the environment that was visible even to the naked eye. "It''s happening," Jiang Chen murmured, narrowing his eyes. He was no stranger to spatial fluctuations. He had encountered simr phenomena in the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain, specifically within the Cave Heaven Secret Realm of Immortal Tian Cui. From his first entrance into that spatial channel, up to the moments when the Cave Heaven was unstable and on the brink of copse, the spatial fluctuations he had experienced were much more intense than the current ones. This was also a primary reason why the mysterious cave dwelling here had remained undetected by the general popce for such an extended period. "Indeed, it''s about to happen! Holy Son Jiang Chen, soon a unique entrance to the cave dwelling will manifest right here!" Wu Qian said, his excitement now more controlled, as he pointed toward a small reef ahead. Jiang Chen nodded subtly, silently watching the unfolding changes. After a few moments, the spatial fluctuations grew a bit stronger. Then, a soft golden light began to appear at the spot Wu Qian had indicated, gradually solidifying. Finally, a distinct golden-red door materialized within Jiang Chen''s line of sight. Impervious to divine sense scans, this golden-red door was only visible to the naked eye. It looked somewhat illusory, reminiscent of a mirage. ''Could this be the entrance to the mysterious cave dwelling?'' Jiang Chen pondered, intrigued. Curiosity and surprise filled him, yet he remainedposed as he took several steps toward the golden-red door. Wu Qian followed closely behind, keen to see whether Jiang Chen could sessfully unlock the door. "Wan''er, Ning''er, what technique do you think was used to create this entrance?" Jiang Chen inquired via divine sense, addressing Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning directly. "Is there a way to unlock it?" Unfazed, Nangong Wan replied, "The entrance to this cave dwelling appears to be a fusion of Illusion Great Dao and spatial-rted techniques." "The person who created this must be, at a minimum, a practitioner in the Transcendence realm. Generally, with the exception of immortal tools, only those who have reached the Transcendence realm can start to grasp the nuances of spatial cultivation methods. There are very few exceptions," she added, seemingly unimpressed by the cave dwelling. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter352. By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 352 . The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 262: The Mystery Behind Opening the Door, Jiang Chens Decision Shangguan Ning spoke solemnly, "To breach the entrance of this cave dwelling, one must either possess the secret knowledge to unlock it or resort to a superior spatial technique to force it open." "Some are capable of harnessing the potent power of their bloodline to pry it open. It''s known that all high-level bloodline abilities harbor a formidable spatial innate skill." Expounding further, she said, "This innate skill, when applied to basic spatial techniques, acts almost like a master key." "In our current situation, if we pool our resources and support you with spatial techniques, we have the capability to open it," Nangong Wan suggested. "Utilizing your True Dragon Bloodline could also serve to unlock it, although it would consume some of your bloodline power. Fortunately, this consumption can be replenished." "However, this door seems to function as a main gateway, connected to several arbitrary secondary gates. Once the primary gateway is breached, the secondary ones will open simultaneously." Continuing, she added, "Therefore, after unlocking the door to the cave dwelling, other cultivators who happen upon these secondary gates could also gain entry." "Naturally, only those cultivators with advanced cultivation bases will be able to detect these secondary gates. As such, anyone capable of breaching these gates will undoubtedly be formidable." Pausing for emphasis, she urged, "Jiang Chen, take some time to consider whether you wish to initiate the unlocking process now." Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen immediately sank into thought, instinctively raising his hand to stroke his chin. Now equipped with his Heaven-Defying Fate Changer, the Void Tribtion Soul, he had the means to unlock this mysterious cave dwelling. No longer did he need to remain passive, tantalizingly close to the cave dwelling and its opportunities, yet unable to ess them. However, the fact that this door served as a main gateway, connected to a variety of random secondary gates, introduced an unforeseenplication. Still, this revtion also shed light on some of Jiang Chen''s lingering questions. For instance, the supporting characters involved in the narrative of this mysterious cave dwelling would surely enter through these secondary gates. Scattered across various domains within the Immortal Martial Continent, these gates would be infiltrated only by individuals far from ordinary. Once the primary gateway was opened, it would inevitably draw a slew of formidable cultivators from all corners of the Immortal Martial Continent. This realization indicated that the scope of this story extended beyond the Lustrous Yang Domain, epassing the entire Immortal Martial Continent. As for Gu Ran, being the protagonist with an extraordinary Heavenly Fate Value, there was no doubt he would also enter through one of the secondary gates. This was indisputable. In deep contemtion, Jiang Chen thought, ''So, we''ve escted to the level of the Immortal Martial Continent.'' ''This mysterious cave dwelling plot serves as the inaugural gathering of the Immortal Martial Continent''s heroes and marks Gu Ran''s first step onto such a grand stage.'' ''Without my intervention, it''s almost certain that Gu Ran will amass considerable rewards and grow immensely powerful.'' After thorough consideration, he decisively chose to unlock the door to the mysterious cave dwelling. Otherwise, propelled by the force of his Heavenly Fate, Gu Ran would undoubtedly find a way to unlock this mysterious cave dwelling in the near future and gain ess. In that case, Jiang Chen would have no choice but to follow himeither stumbling upon a secondary gate by sheer luck or shadowing Gu Ran at the risk of being detected. Finally, Gu Ran would likely utilize his Endless Dark Blood Moon Bloodline to unlock the gateway. However, such an expenditure could be replenished, ensuring that Gu Ran wouldn''t suffer any substantial loss. In summary, Jiang Chen concluded that unlocking the door himself would be more beneficial than leaving that task to Gu Ran. By doing so, he would control the main gateway, leaving Gu Ran to enter through any secondary gates that might appear randomly. This strategy would keep Gu Ran in the dark about Jiang Chen''s role in opening the main gateway, let alone his existence altogether. At the very least, this information asymmetry would give Jiang Chen an initial advantage upon entering the mysterious cave dwelling. Resolute in his decision, he thought, ''Then it falls on me to unlock this door.'' ''As for the method, I''ll seek the assistance of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning.'' ''The collective efforts of the two won''t deplete their soul essence, and the energy they expend will be considerably less than what my Death Cmity True Dragon bloodline would use.'' With this, he subtly nodded, finalizing his decision. So, under the anticipatory gaze of Wu Qian, Jiang Chen turned, a subtle smile touching his lips. "This door may be high-level, but I can unlock it." "It can be unlocked!" Wu Qian''s eyes widened, a blend of shock and joy overtaking him. "Incredible as always, Holy Son Jiang Chen!" he eximed in admiration. An emerging sense of reverence for Jiang Chen took root within him. He had made numerous attempts to prate that door, each one ending in failure. Yet, upon Jiang Chen''s initial arrival, a solution for unlocking it was already in hand. The gap between them was ringly evident. "It''s not something extraordinary," Jiang Chen responded with a humble smile, before his expression turned serious. "Daoist friend Wu, please take a step back. I''m about to begin." "Alright!" Wu Qian immediately retreated several tens of kilometers. "No need to go that far," Jiang Chen chuckled and shook his head. "A few tens of meters will suffice." "Alright!" Wu Qianughed and quickly returned to the shorter distance. Then, under the focused and eager eyes of Wu Qian, Jiang Chen advanced, positioning himself before the golden-red gate. Though he had never specialized in spatial techniques, both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were knowledgeable in this area. This time, Jiang Chen nned to have Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning channel their spatial technique through his body. "Are you ready? We''reing in!" Nangong Wan''s voice reverberated in Jiang Chen''s sea of consciousness. "Uh, your choice of words is... a bit suggestive," Jiang Chen replied, a slight twitch forming at the corner of his mouth as he sensed something was slightly off. "What''s suggestive about it?" Shangguan Ning queried, seemingly puzzled, before adding with a yful lilt, "You''re not thinking about... that, are you?" Speechless for a moment, Jiang Chen shook his head and chuckled, "That didn''t sound innocent at all. Would it kill you to feign ignorance?" Grinning cheekily, Shangguan Ning retorted, "Who was it that let their mind wander first?" "In a moment, I''ll be entering your body," she teased, her voice tinged with growing excitement, akin to a child discovering a new toy. "If you''re so keen on entering mine, you''d better assist me in materializing my physical form soon!" "Enough, Shangguan Ning. Don''t cross the line," Nangong Wan interjected abruptly, "Let''s focus on the task ahead. Prepare yourself." "What do you mean by ''crossing the line''? Are you just jealous because of what I said to Jiang Chen?" Shangguan Ning huffed, her tone a mixture of feigned innocence and slyness. "Tsk, such pettiness. Unlike you, I wouldn''t get upset over how you tease Jiang Chen." "Enough, Shangguan Ning," Nangong Wan responded, a trace of exasperation in her voice. "Stop being so flirtatious." "That''s my innate talent!" Shangguan Ningughed yfully but then quickly adopted a more solemn tone. "Alright, alright, I was just joking. Let''s not be humorless." "Then let''s begin," Jiang Chen dered, his voice carrying an unwavering determination. "Alright, Jiang Chen, here wee!" Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning echoed in unison. Almost immediately, their formidable residual souls infused Jiang Chen''s body in perfect harmony. Remarkably, there was no discord among the three souls. Instead, they melded together as naturally as water mixing with milk, achieving an even greater unity. ''Incredible, such boundless soul power...'' Jiang Chen thought, feeling his soul brim with vitality. Concurrently, he assimted a trove of knowledge from the souls of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Theplex spatial technique that both women were focused on remembering was instantly grasped by Jiang Chen. And this epitomized the most powerful aspect of his Heaven-Defying Fate Changer, the Void Tribtion Soul! A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter352. By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 352 . The first protagonist, armed with a system, takes the stage. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 263: Unlocking the Main Gate of the Cave Heaven In a profound fusion of the three souls, Jiang Chen effortlessly mastered the spatial technique taught by both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Yet, he refrained from using the technique right away to unlock the entrance of the cave dwelling. Instead, he used the transmission jade token to direct Liu Xiong, instructing him to block Gu Ran from prating what was likely a secondary gate. During the whole interaction, he concealed his movements with the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring, ensuring that Wu Qian, who was in close proximity, remainedpletely oblivious. ... On Three Mountains Ind, Liu Xiong was initially stunned upon receiving Jiang Chen''s transmission: ''A cave dwelling with a potential Transcendence realm opportunity! I''m supposed to stop Gu Ran from essing what might be a secondary gate?'' This shock, however, quickly transformed into intense excitement. ''Amazing! Holy Son Jiang Chen has discovered a cave dwelling with a Transcendence realm opportunity in no time at all! If he secures this, won''t his chances of reaching the Transcendence realm increase dramatically?'' He then stealthily approached Gu Ran''s location, keeping a vignt eye on him. Should the secondary gate of the cave dwelling indeed manifest, he was poised to intercept Gu Ran as efficiently as possible. After rying his instructions to Liu Xiong, Jiang Chen also transmitted a message to Ji Mingxiu. He then took his position before the golden-red main gate without dy. From the main gate, a subtle vibration in space emanated. Its surface''s golden-red glow started to pulsate in a rhythmic pattern. "Vast Void Spirit Technique!" Jiang Chen raised both hands as Dao Yuan Power surged wildly throughout his body. Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning pitched in, offering their maximum energy to bolster Jiang Chen. Through the collective might of all three, a fluctuating glimmer slowly materialized between Jiang Chen''s outstretched palms. Within this glimmer, a growing spatial force was encapsted. The spatial secret art, a mysterious technique essible only at the Third Step of the Cultivation Path, was indeed the essential key to unlocking the Great Dao of Space! ''He''s using a Spatial Technique!'' Wu Qian waspletely stunned as he watched Jiang Chen. ''Good heavens! Holy Son Jiang Chen is extraordinary. He''s actually mastered the spatial secret art!'' ''For someone at the Dao Pce realm to master a technique that even some Transcendence realm experts find elusive is truly awe-inspiring,'' his heart rippled with surges of astonishment and admiration. Boom! All of a sudden, the spatial power cocooned within Jiang Chen''s palms surged, amplifying in intensity. "Go!" With a resolute expression, Jiang Chen propelled the concentrated spatial energy from his palms. Instantly, the spiraling spatial force melded seamlessly into the golden-red entrance of the cave dwelling. The entrance reacted as though it were paper catching fire, igniting from the center and rapidly spreading outward in all directions. In a sh, a gray void unfurled before both Jiang Chen and Wu Qian. A powerful suction force emanated from the gray void, making their hair whip around and their robes flutter. "It''s open! Holy Son Jiang Chen, you''re truly exceptional!" Wu Qian''s eyes widened with excitement as he stared at the now-unlocked golden-red entrance. Despite his previous tireless attempts, this entrance had always eluded him, costing him countless hours of futile effort. Yet Jiang Chen had managed to open it effortlessly in a single move, a truly extraordinary feat. "The passage is still unstable. Let''s give it a moment before we venture in!" Jiang Chen cautioned, his face a picture of calm focus as he kept his gaze intently on the gray passageway. Inside, turbulent spatial forces swirled, capable of tearing apart an ordinary Dao Comprehension realm powerhouse in an instant, and subduing a Dao Pce realm powerhouse in less than three breaths. Jiang Chen knew that this instability was the result of triggering the mechanism left by the original owner of the cave dwelling, which was now in the process of opening the dwelling''s secondary gates. Suddenly, a message alert sounded from Jiang Chen''s transmission jade token. He discreetly checked it with his divine sense and found that Liu Xiong had sent a message: "Holy Son! A strong spatial fluctuation is emerging on Three Mountains Ind!" "Stop Gu Ran!" Using his divine sense, Jiang Chen quickly keyed in and sent the directive. Just then, the cave dwelling''s main gate abruptly stabilized, expanding swiftly into a massive gray vortex. "I will certainly... Oh no! The spatial secondary gate has appeared at..." Liu Xiong''s message shed on Jiang Chen''s transmission jade token, but was cut off before it could fully transmit. ''What! It just appeared at...where?'' A flicker of surprise crossed Jiang Chen''s eyes as his heart skipped a beat. ''Could the spatial gate have materialized right above Gu Ran?'' ''Damn it, has Heavenly Fate thrown in such a disruptive curveball?'' ''It seems stopping Gu Ran from entering this cave dwelling might be an impossible mission now. Sigh.'' ''On the bright side, Liu Xiong should also be inside, keeping an eye on Gu Ran for the time being. I just hope he doesn''t be sacrificial fodder for Gu Ran,'' he thought, swiftly regaining hisposure. "Holy Son Jiang Chen! The cave dwelling''s entrance is now stable. Shall we go in?" Wu Qian, unable to contain his excitement, inquired eagerly. "Let''s proceed. Enter," Jiang Chen responded with a slight nod. With a tap of his foot, he levitated, gliding smoothly into the gray vortex. Wu Qian''s face beamed with excitement as he quickly followed Jiang Chen into the vortex. Simultaneously, secondary gates to the cave dwelling sprang up in other regions across the Immortal Martial Continent. Apart from the gate that appeared over Gu Ran''s head in the Lustrous Yang Domain, pulling him directly inside, secondary gates also emerged in the four major domains: the Everflowing Truth Domain, the Vibrant ze Domain, the Ninth Heaven Domain, and the Wind Gold Domain. Remarkably, the secondary gate in the Everflowing Truth Domain appeared close to the Purple Heaven Holy Land! Upon receiving Jiang Chen''s message, Ji Mingxiu immediately directed all his operatives to monitor various areas within the Everflowing Truth Domain. Little did he expect that a secondary gate would materialize right in his own territory. ''It''s really here!'' he thought in amazement, ''A Cave Heaven suspected to contain Transcendence realm opportunities!'' ''And it''s even more shocking that it manifested right near my Purple Heaven Holy Land!'' ''I can''t help but wonder how Jiang Chen managed to find such an immense opportunity. His luck is truly out of this world!'' Ji Mingxiu pondered, his mind a mix of astonishment and awe. Brimming with anticipation, Ji Mingxiu was tempted to dive into the spatial passage immediately. However, he managed to rein in his excitement and promptly called for an urgent high-level meeting at the Purple Heaven Holy Land. In a matter of moments, all the Supreme Elders and other high-ranking Elders gathered together. With palpable excitement, Ji Mingxiu announced, "As everyone can see, a spatial passage has appeared right outside our Purple Heaven Holy Land." "That is the Cave Heaven Secret Realm discovered by Holy Son Jiang Chen. This passage materialized after he activated it." "Inside this Cave Heaven Secret Realm could be opportunities for ascending to the Transcendence realm!" he dered, his eyes gleaming with zeal. "Truly, Holy Son Jiang Chen is our fated savior!" an Elder eximed, his voice tinged with reverence. "In these troubled timesamidst the demonic invasion and the turmoil that engulfs the Immortal Martial ContinentJiang Chen has managed to uncover such a crucial opportunity for us!" "That''s incredible news! I don''t dare to covet the opportunity for myself. As long as it can assist Holy Son Jiang Chen in powering up, that''s all that matters!" The atmosphere among the high-ranking cultivators in the Holy Land was electric, each person feeling as if the future of the Immortal Martial Continent had just be a little brighter. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 358. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 264: The Enormous Naturally Formed Cave Heaven Sensing the atmosphere in the main hall had settled, Ji Mingxiu solemnly announced, "Holy Son Jiang Chen has dered that the moment the secondary gate opens, we must seize the opportunity to enter!" "Given multiple secondary gates exist, other entities will undoubtedly try to gain entry through alternative gates!" "These intruders will inevitably create obstacles for Holy Son Jiang Chen, putting at risk his chances of seizing the opportunities. We are duty-bound to assist Holy Son Jiang Chen in navigating and neutralizing these challenges." Concluding his address, he said, "Now, let''s determine who among us is privileged to enter the Cave Heaven." He then proceeded to initiate the selection of candidates. ... Meanwhile, in the remaining three major domains, whether guided by Heavenly Fate or due to some mysterious force, the other secondary gates to the Cave Heaven appeared near the most influential organizations within each domain, much like the situation in the Everflowing Truth Domain. In the Ninth Heaven Domain, the dominant force was none other than the Nine Heavens Tower! Outside the Nine Heavens Tower headquarters, a massive gray vortexzily rotated, signifying the location of another secondary gate to the Cave Heaven. However, this gate''s emergence stirred a palpable sense of dread and unease among all members of the Nine Heavens Tower, from the top echelons to the lowest ranks. "Quick, look! A gray vortex is forming outside!" someone cried out in rm. "By the gods, it must be the legendary spatial passage! How terrifying!" "How can such a vast spatial passage appear right outside our sect? Could it be a scheme by the Nether Demon n to seize the Nine Heavens Tower?" "This is critical. The Immortal Martial Continent has already seen two domains fall to the ruthless invasion of the Nether Demon n. Are we, in the Ninth Heaven Domain, next?" "The might of our Ninth Heaven Domain is on par with that of the Vibrant ze Domain, and we''re clearly no match for the Nether Demon n. We must make haste to evacuate!" Each cultivator from the Nine Heavens Tower gazed in horror at the looming gray spatial passage, feeling as if they were on the brink of an apocalypse. Engulfed by a wave of terror, many cultivators hastily began preparations to desert the sect. At the core of the Nine Heavens Tower''s headquarters loomed an awe-inspiring pagoda. With its manyyers of eaves and countless floors, it exuded a grandeurparable to a towering mountain peak. From the pagoda''s highest level, Lu An, the current leader of the Nine Heavens Tower, scrutinized the assembled cultivators below him, his expression a mix of gravity and solemnity. "The spatial passage appeared without any prior warning," he dered. "It chose to manifest right on the doorstep of our Nine Heavens Tower headquarters!" His eyes sweeping across the ashen faces of the cultivators, he asked, tinged with a trace of desperation, "What are your thoughts on how we should proceed?" It was clear that even Lu An regarded the looming vortex as a potential gateway for a demonic invasion! A Dao Pce realm expert took a deep breath before asserting, "We cannot abandon our ancestral heritage." "Nor can we forsake the countless residents of the Ninth Heaven Domain." With steely determination, he urged, "Lord Lu, we must hold our ground to the bitter end!" Another Dao Pce realm powerhouse interjected, "No! Our focus should be on fortifying ourselves for a higher causetobat the Nether Demon n!" "Take note: in the Everflowing Truth Domain, the Purple Heaven Holy Land reigns supreme. They''ve already defeated the Nether Demon n. We could seek their powerful protection!" "As it stands, the Purple Heaven Holy Land is preparing to host the ''Number One Prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent'' event. Should one of us triumph, our Nine Heavens Tower could very well ascend in prestige and even overshadow the Purple Heaven Holy Land..." he mused thoughtfully. "This is preposterous!" another voice erupted in disbelief. "We can''t possibly follow such a strategy!" "Moreover, even thinking about usurping the Purple Heaven Holy Land is sheer nonsense." A fervent debate erupted among the cultivators gathered below. The Nine Heavens Tower was home to a total of three Dao Pce realm powerhouses. Besides Tower Lord Lu An, the two other figures were the ones currently engaged in this intense dispute. As it was, these two Dao Pce realm authorities harbored opposing opinions. The tension between them had escted to a boiling point, their faces flushed in the heat of argument. Meanwhile, Lu An stood aside, his feeling of helplessness intensifying amidst the escting chaos. Much like the Nine Heavens Tower in the Ninth Heaven Domain, the dominant power in the Wind Gold Domain also found itself in a quandary. Faced with the menace of the demon race, theycked confidence, yet their unwillingness to capitte ignited heated debates among their members. Over in the Vibrant ze Domain, its premier sect, the Burning ze Ancient Sect, had fallen into the clutches of the demons, bing a horrifying stronghold. From the sect master to the outermost disciples, the remaining members had been warped into demonic cultivators! This tragedy was not an isted case. Other groups within the domain were meeting a simr dark fate, undergoing demonization one after the other. Nearly everyone had been turned into soulless puppets, their free will usurped by the Nether Soul Demon n. At this moment, a spatial passage materialized outside the Burning ze Ancient Sect. Even the Nether Soul Demon n couldn''t decipher the true purpose behind this enigmatic portal. Nevertheless, they wasted no time in disagreement and swiftly sent their puppet cultivators into the passage to explore. However, none of the demonic cultivators who ventured inside managed to report back, as though they had met their end. Abruptly, the demon race forces within the Vibrant ze Domain were cast into a state of indecision, unsure whether to risk dispatching more souls into the cryptic passage. At this juncture, Jiang Chen, Wu Qian, Gu Ran, and Liu Xiong had sessfully traversed the spatial gateway, entering the Mysterious Cave Dwelling. The air vibrated with a humming sound. Amid faint tremors, Jiang Chen and Wu Qian exploded out of the grey spatial gateway in session,nding securely on the ground. The moment Jiang Chen emerged from the spatial passage, he swiftly expanded his divine sense, scanning a vast area within the cave dwelling. Beneath himy a sprawling grasnd, tinged with shades of yellow and green. In this area, a handful of small animals and demonic beasts had managed to survive. In the distance, towering mountains extended in one direction, a boundless ocean unfolded in another, while dense forests dominated the remaining quadrants. Even further afield, thendscape morphed once more. Beyond that, the view became hazy and indistinct. Stretching his divine sense to its utmost limit, Jiang Chen was immediately stunned. ''What is going on? I can''t see any further?'' ''Is this Cave Heaven so incredibly expansive that even my divine sense can''t fathom its full scope?'' he marveled. The sheer vastness of this Cave Heaven was genuinely awe-inspiring. Even though his Transcendence realm divine sense could span a radius of a million kilometers, Jiang Chen found he could only grasp a fragment of the Cave Heaven''s total expanse. "Unbelievable!" Wu Qian gasped, his eyes wide with a mix of awe and disbelief. "Who could possess the power to create such a Cave Heaven? Its enormity is staggeringit''s like its own small world!" "Is it possible that this is the creation of a mighty cultivator at the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path?" he wondered aloud, deeply awestruck. A Cave Heaven is a specially crafted sub-space, fashioned by a cultivator at the Third Step of the Cultivation Path. It is tethered to the vast Immortal Martial Continent through a unique technique. The most basic Cave Heavens function at the Heavenly Origin rank and span a radius of merely ten kilometers. Normally, these constructed sub-spaces aren''t exceptionallyrge, their usual size ranging from hundreds to thousands of kilometers in radius. Currently, the existence of a Cave Heaven with a radius exceeding one million kilometers is an extraordinarily rare phenomenon, bordering on the unprecedented. In Wu Qian''s eyes, only a powerhouse at the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path could be capable of crafting a Cave Heaven of such colossal dimensions. Suddenly, Nangong Wan''s voice echoed in Jiang Chen''s sea of consciousness. "This Cave Heaven is naturally urring, not the handiwork of any being!" "Even with our advanced levels of cultivation, both Shangguan Ning and Ick the ability to manifest, let alone sustain, a dimensional space of such immense scale." ''So, this Cave Heaven formed naturally,'' Jiang Chen realized, a sense of relief washing over him. ''Given that it was shaped by the formidable cosmic forces, its staggering vastness is understandable,'' he mused internally. While man-made Cave Heavens like Immortal Tian Cui''s Cave Heaven Secret Realm harbored the risk of instability and potential disintegration, naturally urring Cave Heavens were notably more stable, and their copse was a rare event. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 358. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 265: Abundance of Cultivation Method Inheritances Jiang Chen turned his head and addressed Wu Qian, "This is a naturally formed Cave Heaven." "Let''s explore; we''ve yet to unearth any opportunities!" he eximed, before soaring ahead. "A naturally formed Cave Heaven?" Wu Qian''s face crossed with understanding as he grasped this reality. ''Do Cave Heavens ur naturally? I must confess, myck of knowledge is apparent; Holy Son Jiang Chen truly possesses a wealth of wisdom,'' he thought to himself. Without further ado, he promptly trailed behind Jiang Chen. En route, Jiang Chen took out his transmission jade token, attempting to connect with Liu Xiong. To his delight, the transmission jade token remained functional even here! ''Top-quality items truly stand apart,'' Jiang Chen mused internally. ''Earlier, substandard goods proved utterly useless, even in Immortal Tian Cui''s secret realm,'' he reflected, while engaging inmunication with Liu Xiong. In a short while, Jiang Chen learned that Liu Xiong and Gu Ran were in an area filled with red hills. However, within the scope of Jiang Chen''s divine sense, no terrain resembling red hills was in sight. ''Damn it,'' he cursed inwardly. ''Could they be that far from where I am now?'' ''Even with a divine sense radius of one million kilometers, I can''t locate Gu Ran?'' ''It''s quite possible that Heavenly Fate is at y once more,'' Jiang Chen thought, a wry smile crossing his face as a sense of unease began to set in. Inside this Cave Heaven, figuring out directions was a significant challenge. Their only option was to use uniquendmarks, identifiable by both Jiang Chen and Liu Xiong, to verify their respective locations. ''I can only hope that Liu Xiong doesn''t fall into Gu Ran''s trap,'' Jiang Chen worried inwardly. ''I must quickly seek help from Ji Mingxiu and the others.'' ''Additionally, I''m unaware of how many secondary gates there are or how many people mighte through them.'' ''Here''s hoping thatters don''t unintentionally aid Gu Ran,'' he thought. As these concerns filled his mind, he continued his quest for distinctivendmarks, continually cross-referencing them with Liu Xiong''s updates. Simultaneously, Jiang Chen remained on high alert, continually scanning his environment for hidden opportunities. He had not examined his surroundings closely before, but now, as he conducted a thorough investigation, his eyebrows lifted in astonishment. Before himy an abundant collection of cultivation method inheritances, left behind by earlier cultivators! These inheritances were dispersed within the scope of his divine sense, conspicuously out in the open, without any barriers to ess. Any unassuming cultivator stumbling upon them could easily im one such inheritance. The inheritances ranged in potency; some were appropriate only for those at the Heavenly Origin realm, while others were robust enough to suit those in the Dao Pce realm! ''Such an abundance of opportunities, casuallyid out as if they''remonce!'' Jiang Chen marveled inwardly. ''Perhaps this Cave Heaven was not just a secluded residence in times past but also a focal point for various cultivators.'' ''Time to delve deeper and unearth any valuable insights, as well as uncover the Cave Heaven''s history,'' he thought. Motivated by this idea, he set off on his mission to glean essential information from these cultivation method inheritances. Meanwhile, Wu Qian was also diligently scanning his environment. However, his divine sense had a reach of only ten thousand kilometers, a mere fraction of Jiang Chen''s rangeprecisely a hundred times less. As a result, he had not yet discovered the opportunities that Jiang Chen had alreadye across. ... In another section of the Cave Heaven, two figures were cautiously floating through the air. These were none other than Gu Ran and Jiang Chen''s subordinate, Liu Xiong. ''What in the world is this ce? Could it be that I''ve left the Lustrous Yang Domain?'' Gu Ran pondered, as a whirlwind of thoughts consumed his mind. He kept a watchful eye on Liu Xiong, who was beside him, ever ready to summon his fullbat strength and make a break for it. Fortunately, Liu Xiong disyed no intentions ofunching an attack. Suddenly, a massive river appeared before them. The river''s turbulent waters roared powerfully, winding through thendscape like an enormous dragon. At one section of the river, a towering white rock mountain emerged, its surface adorned with myriad tiny golden runes. ''Could that be... a cultivation method inheritance?'' Liu Xiong was the first to notice the white rock mountain in the river, his heart instantly filled with eager anticipation. However, he quickly sensed something off. Usually, inheritances would be somewhat hidden ande with specific conditions for acquisition. This was because nobody would want their valuable legacy to be easily imed by any random individualit would be considered a defilement. Yet, the inheritance now within the range of Liu Xiong''s divine sense bore no such restrictions. This created a significant dilemma. ''What is going on here? Perhaps I should consult with Holy Son Jiang Chen. He knew about the secondary gate to the Cave Heaven appearing on Three Mountains Ind. He might have some insider information,'' Liu Xiong thought. Spurred by this notion, he immediately activated his transmission jade token to contact Jiang Chen. On the other end, Jiang Chen''s expression remained steady as he read Liu Xiong''s message. ''So, Liu Xiong and Gu Ran have found an inheritance?'' he pondered. ''Indeed, inheritances are abundant in this Cave Heaven. It''s not surprising that they''ve stumbled upon one.'' ''All these inheritances seem to be without any constraints, open for anyone who discovers them. Clearly, something unusual is at y here.'' ''Unfortunately, I haven''t yet found any pertinent records,'' he thought. Without further ado, he messaged Liu Xiong back, advising him to do everything in his power to prevent Gu Ran from discovering these inheritances. If Gu Ran happened to discover any inheritances, Liu Xiong could attempt to interfere and obstruct him, but he should avoid forcibly taking it away, as that could lead to unwanted consequences. Moreover, when encountering demonic beasts, Liu Xiong was advised to take the initiative and focus on those with higher cultivation bases first, thereby depriving Gu Ran of the opportunity to defeat them personally. Lastly, Jiang Chen instructed Liu Xiong to keep an eye out for any inheritances or items that might contain information about the history of this Cave Heaven. ''Gu Ran''s greatest strength is his ability to grow by defeating others and absorbing their cultivation bases,'' he mused. ''All these inheritances areprised of cultivation techniques, martial skills, or secret artsnone offer cultivation resources. It''s likely that some event prevented the original cultivators from leaving behind such assets.'' ''Given that these inheritances consist solely of cultivation methods, even if Gu Ran gains some benefit, his rate of growth won''t be especially fast.'' ''Rtive to other aspects, the speed at which he can practice his cultivation method is a weak point.'' ''Therefore, these inheritances aren''t particrly valuable to him.'' With these thoughts in mind, Jiang Chen continued on his path. Throughout their expedition, Wu Qian also stumbled upon numerous cultivation method inheritances, eagerly documenting them without any reservation. Though the inheritances he discovered were of lesser quality, Wu Qian was nheless ted. Even these easily avable cultivation method inheritances were at the level of the Inquiring Journey realm, making the likelihood of finding Dao Pce realm inheritances quite promising. In fact, there was even a chance they mighte across Transcendence realm inheritances soon! ''Inviting Holy Son Jiang Chen to explore this cave with me has undoubtedly been the smartest decision I''ve ever made! I would have missed out on all these opportunities without him!'' Wu Qian couldn''t contain his excitement as these thoughts raced through his mind. Time flowed on at a gradual pace. Suddenly, Jiang Chen came to a standstill. This pause was prompted by a message from Liu Xiong: "Holy Son Jiang Chen, Gu Ran and I have unexpectedly been attacked by a demonic beast of the Inquiring Journey realm and several others from the Heavenly Origin realm." "Heeding your counsel, I was able to eliminate the Inquiring Journey realm demonic beast. However, Gu Ran has also defeated a significant number of the Heavenly Origin realm beasts." "After we dispatched the demonic beasts, Gu Ran stumbled upon a hidden stone stele. It seems to contain some historical information rted to this Cave Heaven..." As Jiang Chen read through Liu Xiong''s message, a satisfied smile crossed his face. ''Finally, we''ve stumbled upon relevant records,'' he thought contentedly. ''And the one to find them is Gu Ran.'' ''Indeed, the protagonist halo is incredibly potent.'' ''While I''ve been meticulouslybing the area with my Transcendence realm divine sense, Gu Ran, who is only at the Inquiring Journey realm, has already unearthed something of significance,'' he mused as he continued to read the rest of the message. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 360. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 266: The Untold History of the Doomsday Cave Heaven Jiang Chen quickly absorbed the full scope of Liu Xiong''s message, gaining considerable insight into the intriguing history of the Cave Heaven. Indeed, the ancient venerable cultivators who once considered this Cave Heaven their sanctuary had bestowed upon it a prophetic name: ''Doomsday Cave Heaven.'' During those critical times, the Immortal Martial Continent faced a monumental crisisthe Nether Demon Invasion. The struggle was an intense one for survival, with an oue that would determine the fate of the entire continent. The circumstances at that time genuinely resembled a doomsday scenario, cing the continent on the brink of an impending apocalypse! The chain of events leading to this critical situation had its roots deeply entrenched in the Immortal Martial Continent''s own history. Being a part of the Profound Jade Immortal Domain, the Immortal Martial Continent was both conceived and sustained by the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star. Thisndmass served a vital role, acting as a frontline stronghold in the unyielding war against the Nether Demon n. As time passed, this stalwart warfront seeded in securing numerous victories against the invasive Nether Demon n. However, as epochs went by, the Spiritual Qi within the man-made Immortal Martial Continent started to diminish at an rming rate. Maintaining the Immortal Martial Continent required a substantial amount of resources from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, leading to increasing dissatisfaction and discontent. As a result, the idea of abandoning the Immortal Martial Continent had been brewing within the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star for a considerable period. Yet, the watchful eyes of several significant immortal star alliances in the Profound Jade Immortal Domain prevented them from taking such a reprehensible action. Then, millions of years ago, the demon raceunched a massive invasion against the Immortal Martial Continent. Pretending to be defeated, the residents of the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star and their allies executed a calcted withdrawal. Effectively, they sealed the passage linking them, severing all ties with the Immortal Martial Continent. The result was catastrophicthe Immortal Martial Continent, left vulnerable to the demon race''s invasion, fellpletely, with no hope of mounting any resistance. In executing this move, the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star sessfully shed the significant burden that the Immortal Martial Continent had be. The scheme of the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star had been executed with impable precision. Under normal circumstances, the remaining cultivators on the Immortal Martial Continent would have faced certain annihtion. Even the demonic beasts would be corrupted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, losing their usual consciousness. However, when faced with this grim reality, the abandoned cultivators of the Immortal Martial Continent were consumed by deep sorrow and rage. Despite this, they adamantly refused to capitte. Led by the era''s most formidable cultivator, they stumbled upon thergest sub-space existing within the Immortal Martial Continent. Some influential figures even surmised that this Cave Heaven could be connected to the Nether Demon n''s invasion route, known as the Bottomless Abyss. In light of this revtion, a daring n crystallizedto take control of the Nether Demon n''s base! Utilizing the Doomsday Cave Heaven, they seeded in cutting through a spatial channel, establishing a direct link to what was then the demon race''s primary stronghold. Indeed, this path led directly into the deepest recesses of the Bottomless Abyss and served as the entryway to the spatial channel connecting to the Nether Demon Domain. Their carefully nned ambush caught the demon race off guard, inflicting heavy casualties. The passage to the Bottomless Abyss was also severed, blocking any potential reinforcements from the Nether Demon n. Finding themselves at a disadvantage, the Nether Demon n members already within the Immortal Martial Continent were forced onto the defensive, having to retreat. Yet, these brave cultivators made the ultimate decisionto go down with the retreating demon race army, sealing a mutual fate. As a result, the invading forces of the Nether Demon n werepletely eradicated. Regrettably, the cultivators involved in this battle either found sanctuary at the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star or made the ultimate sacrifice in the final apocalyptic sh, leaving none to survive. Their heroic efforts ensured the Immortal Martial Continent''s survival up to the present day. Nheless, despite the demon race''s rapid invasion and abrupt withdrawal, their brutality left the Immortal Martial Continent in a state of ruin. Nearly all its mighty inhabitants were wiped out, and the weaker beings had little chance to fully grasp the magnitude of the events that had unfolded. Those who did manage to grasp some understanding of the situation could only offer ounts that mightck credibility, given the chaotic and overwhelming nature of the invasion. As time marched on, the intricate details of that devastating sh gradually faded into the annals of forgotten history. In fact, when it came to the demon race, scant historical records existed on the Immortal Martial Continent. Subsequent to these events, organizations like the Purple Heaven Holy Land, the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce, and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple were established near the Bottomless Abyss. Yet, they remained ignorant of the true nature of the Nether Demon n. Even the residual Nether Demon Spiritual Qi within the Bottomless Abyss was misidentified as the spiritual energy originating from the Bottomless Abyss itself. ''So, this is the origin of the Doomsday Cave Heaven?'' Jiang Chen pondered, his thoughts tinged with both awe and a tinge of mncholy. ''Abandoned by the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star for its own selfish reasons, the once-glorious Immortal Martial Continent narrowly avoidedplete ruin.'' ''These inheritances, scattered throughout the Doomsday Cave Heaven and evident at every turn, must be the remnants left by the final cultivators prior to theirst stand.'' ''Looking back on that situation, it was undoubtedly a poignant and heart-wrenching affair!'' ''The leaders of the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star were thoroughly despicable back then. Clearly, they were intended to be a viinous force opposing the protagonist in the original storyline.'' ''Without my intervention, Gu Ran would certainly have risen to prominence, and upon leaving the Immortal Martial Continent, the people of the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star would have be the next formidable adversary for him to confront.'' ''Yet, with my involvement now, the likelihood of Gu Ran achieving that status is slim to none.'' A subtle smile formed on Jiang Chen''s face as he pondered over these thoughts. Moreover, based on the information provided by Liu Xiong, Jiang Chen identified other crucial elements. For example, within the Doomsday Cave Heaveny a passage that plunged into the darkest depths of the Bottomless Abyss, even stretching directly to the spatial channel leading to the Nether Demon Domain. This seemed an ideal path for a counter-offensive. It could potentially set the stage for a significant storyline involving arge-scale invasion by theher demons. However, this remained spective thinking on Jiang Chen''s part, and the finer details of the situation were still unclear. At this point, Jiang Chen''s main goal was to curtail Gu Ran''s advantages and opportunities. Securing run-of-the-mill cultivation method inheritances was not his primary focus. The focal point of his concerns centered on the advanced inheritances and the challenges Gu Ran would facebe it from demonic beasts or other adversaries within the Cave Heaven. These advanced inheritances could offer more than just high-level martial techniques and secret arts. Other priceless resources, such as alchemy manuals, artifact crafting guides, and array formation blueprints, could also be among them. Equipped with such resources, Gu Ran could potentially evolve into a diverse and formidable force in a short period, given his already notable innate talents. ''Where could Gu Ran be hiding?'' Jiang Chen thought, his eyes narrowing as he continuously extended his divine sense in search of Gu Ran''s whereabouts. Just as he was deeply engrossed in his quest, his transmission jade token vibrated once more. Scanning the message with his divine sense, Jiang Chen saw it was not from Liu Xiong, but rather from Ji Mingxiu. It appeared that Ji Mingxiu had already finalized the list of candidates. Leading Si Zhangjian, Yao Zong, seven Dao Comprehension realm Elders, and various other cultivators from the Inquiring Journey realm and lower, he had entered the spatial channel and arrived within the bounds of the Doomsday Cave Heaven. ''So they''ve already made it here? Excellent! This means we have more hands on deck!'' Jiang Chen''s face broke into a smile as he promptly reached out to Ji Mingxiu. After a quick exchange of words, Jiang Chen learned that Ji Mingxiu and his team had not scattered; they had instead gathered into a unified force. Shortly after receiving Jiang Chen''s instruction, Ji Mingxiu and his team prepared themselves. They dispersed in multiple directions, initiating a thorough search for Gu Ran and Liu Xiong. ... Meanwhile, in the Ninth Heaven Domain on the Immortal Martial Continent, Lu An scrutinized the kneeling cultivator before him. A mixture of eagerness and disbelief colored his expression as he questioned, "Is this information trustworthy?" "Did Ji Mingxiu and the others from the Purple Heaven Holy Land really enter the spatial channel?" Lu An''s tone was tinged with skepticism as he awaited confirmation. The messenger nodded emphatically, "The information is credible, sir!" "Additionally, we have reason to believe that the spatial channel leads to a world resembling a Cave Heaven, connected to the Immortal Martial Continent." "Given its vast scope, it likely originated from a Transcendence realm powerhouse many ages ago," he blurted out hurriedly. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 360. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 267: Trading the Fate Chasing Kite Pupils In disbelief, Lu An''s eyes bulged and his pupils contracted sharply. "A Transcendence-level cave dwelling!?" he eximed. "Could it truly be a Transcendence-level Cave dwelling?" He couldn''t contain his excitement and mused, "If it genuinely is a Transcendence-level Cave dwelling, then doesn''t that mean I could acquire treasures of the Transcendence realm, aiding my ascent to the Third Step of the Cultivation Paththe Transcendence realm?" However, he remained skeptical of the reporting cultivator''s words. Approaching the Cave Heaven entrance with caution, Lu An personally utilized various techniques to verify the information. ... Simultaneously, events were unfolding in parallel within the Golden Proud Cult, the most formidable force in the Wind Gold Domain. Likewise, the Burning ze Ancient Sect, controlled by the Nether Soul Demon n, had also received news of the significant activities within the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Having already deployed their demonic cultivators into the Cave Heaven Secret Realm, they monitored their status using tools like the Life Tablet. Once it was confirmed that these cultivators had survived, they promptly sent a second wave of teams into the realm. Simultaneously, in the Doomsday Cave Heaven, Gu Ran studied the engravings on the concealed stone tablet before him. "I never anticipated that this Cave Heaven would harbor such hidden secrets," he mused. "This ce once served as a beacon of hope for the entire human race on the Immortal Martial Continent!" he continued, his voice tinged with awe. Taking a deep breath to calm his rising anger and blood pressure, he added, "The people of the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star were truly heartless; they betrayed their own kind and severed ties!" Liu Xiong sighed as well, reflecting, "All these inheritances were left by those predecessors." "Without these exceptional predecessors, the Immortal Martial Continent might not have survived to this day," he stated, his voice filled with unfeigned admiration. "Let''s move," Gu Ran instructed, casting a brief nce at Liu Xiong before soaring into the distance. Keeping a nearly negligible gap, Liu Xiong followed closely behind. ''This fellow is like a stubborn burr, rather irritating,'' Gu Ran thought, his brows subtly furrowing as he pondered how to shake Liu Xiong off. Suddenly, Liu Xiong''s facial expression shifted rapidly. He had spotted a group of cultivators with peculiar appearances! Their faces were savage, their hair and beards disheveled, and their eyes gleamed with an unsettling mix of madness and murderous intent, making them distinctly different from ordinary people. ''These must be cultivators from the Burning ze Ancient Sect!'' Liu Xiong internally rmed, ''The Vibrant ze Domain has been taken over by the Nether Demon n. These peculiar members of the Burning ze Ancient Sect must have transformed into demonic cultivators.'' ''Recently, the Honorable Holy Son foresaw that demonic forces might infiltrate this Cave Heaven. His insight is truly extraordinary.'' ''I need to inform the Honorable Holy Son immediately!'' Shaking off his initial shock, he quickly regained hisposure and immediately sent a message to Jiang Chen. At the same time, Liu Xiong shouted to Gu Ran, "We need to retreat! Demonic cultivators are ahead, and they''ve spotted us!" He prepared to lead Gu Ran in the opposite direction to evade the threat. "Let go of me! Are you trying to trick me with tales of demonic cultivators?" Gu Ran was deeply skeptical, unwilling to trust Liu Xiong''s warning. Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh! Just at that moment, a cascade of glimmering lights apanied by ck and red mists rushed towards them, entering Gu Ran''s divine sense range almost instantly. Quickly, Gu Ran''s expression shifted. Among those mysterious glimmering lights was a presence emanating from the Dao Comprehension realm. "We can''t dodge them," Liu Xiong softly exhaled, giving up the idea of retreat. "Gu Ran, prepare for battle." Gu Ran nced at Liu Xiong, pondering, ''He doesn''t seem particrly scared?'' ''Could it be that he''s confident in handling that Dao Comprehension realm demonic cultivator?'' ''This could turn into a significant opportunity for me!'' Gu Ran thought, feeling a surge of anticipation swell within him. In the scenario where Liu Xiong was upied battling the formidable demonic cultivator, he could take on the weaker demonic cultivators himself. Upon defeating them, he could siphon their cultivation base to strengthen his own abilities. Even if he found himself unable to fend off multiple enemies alone, escape was still an option. At the very least, this strategy would allow him to shake off Liu Xiong, who had been clinging to him like a persistent leech! By then, the group of demonic cultivators had already materialized in front of Liu Xiong and Gu Ran. "Hehehehe!" The leader, a demonic cultivator at the Dao Comprehension realm, let out a maniacalugh. "Who would''ve thought we''d find cultivators in such a deste ce!" Gazing at Liu Xiong and Gu Ran as if they were already doomed, he dered, "Two mere ants, you now have two choices: submit or die!" Liu Xiong responded with a contemptuous snort. "Heh, you still have your sanity; you must be nothing more than a traitor who has surrendered to the demon race," he said, bracing himself for the battle ahead. "It appears you''re tired of living!" The expression of the Dao Comprehension realm demonic cultivator changed, growing icy cold. Without a moment''s hesitation, heunched an attack on Liu Xiong. And so, a fierce battle was ignited. Elsewhere, after receiving Liu Xiong''s message, Jiang Chen''s brows furrowed. ''Liu Xiong and Gu Ran have encountered demonic cultivators,'' he thought apprehensively. ''And among them is even a demonic cultivator in the Dao Comprehension realm!'' ''It seems as though Heavenly Fate is subtly guiding the events, leading to this confrontation.'' ''With Liu Xiong now preupied with the Dao Comprehension realm demonic cultivator, he won''t be able to manage the others. This leaves Gu Ran free to take out the weaker foes and bolster his own strength.'' ''In the end, Gu Ran might just wipe out both Liu Xiong and all the demonic cultivators in one clean sweep.'' ''This is a tricky situation,'' he contemted with growing concern. If he allowed this scenario to unfold without intervention, it was highly likely that events would transpire as he had envisionedGu Ran would defeat both Liu Xiong and all the demonic cultivators. ''Initially, I wanted to conserve my Viin Value points,'' Jiang Chen mulled over internally. ''But now it seems I have no choice but to break this deadlock by using the System Mall.'' ''To keep the edge in informational asymmetry over Gu Ran, the price might be high but still within manageable limits,'' he thought as he opened the System Mall to browse for tracking treasures simr to the ''Aura Finder Smoke.'' Low-grade treasures certainly wouldn''t do. For a quest spanning over a million kilometers, he would need treasures that operate at the Dao Comprehension realm at the very least! Thankfully, after a period of umtion, Jiang Chen''s Viin Value had soared from 15,000 points to 46,600 points! Having sufficient Viin Value points to redeem a Dao Comprehension realm treasure, Jiang Chen quickly sifted through the System Mall''s catalogue, his eyes scanning for the right item. Soon enough, a tracking-type treasure called ''Fate Chasing Kite Pupils'' caught his attention. Crafted from the two pupils of a Dao Comprehension realm demonic beast known as the ''Fate Chaser Kite'', this treasure could track targets over an incredibly vast distance. While its usage had limitations, it was not a single-use item and could be activated up to nine times. ''System! Redeem the Fate Chasing Kite Pupils!'' Without a moment''s hesitation, Jiang Chen immediately issued themand. [Ding! You''ve spent 42,000 Viin Value points and sessfully redeemed the Fate Chasing Kite Pupils*1!] Upon receiving the system prompt, two red crystals materialized in Jiang Chen''s hand. ''Fascinating, they resemble colored contact lenses,'' Jiang Chen thought, promptly cing the Fate Chasing Kite Pupils over his own eyes. In an instant, his eyes turned a vivid shade of blood-red. "Holy Son Jiang Chen, what are those?" Wu Qian inquired, eyeing Jiang Chen with curiosity. "It''s nothing significant," Jiang Chen casually brushed off the question. "I have a close friend who''s also in this Cave Heaven, and it appears he''s in trouble." He then touched the Fate Chasing Kite Pupils with the index and middle fingers of his right hand, seamlessly infusing a trace of Liu Xiong''s aura into the crystals. He had also gathered Gu Ran''s aura, but he was unsure if the Fate Chasing Kite Pupils would be effective in tracking him. Considering Gu Ran''s capability to conceal himself, such a skill could potentially thwart any tracking attempts. As a safeguard, Jiang Chen chose to utilize Liu Xiong''s aura instead. Once he had infused the Fate Chasing Kite Pupils with Liu Xiong''s aura, Jiang Chen proceeded to channel a trace of Dao Yuan Power into them. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 364. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 268: Gu Rans Foiled Ambitions In the next instant, an otherworldly sensation coursed from his Fate Chasing Kite Pupils into his mind. It was as though he had gained a new, peculiar type of vision. "Go this way!" He quickly turned his head, pinpointed a specific direction, and darted forward. "Hold on, Holy Son Jiang Chen!" Wu Qian, ignoring the surrounding cultivator inheritances, immediately followed. "Wu Qian, there may be a moment when I can''t directly intervene. Could you assist me with some tasks?" Jiang Chen turned toward Wu Qian, seeking his help. "Absolutely!" Without hesitation, Wu Qian nodded. "Then, thank you." Jiang Chen smiled and gripped Wu Qian''s arm. Together, they surged forward at maximum speed. ''This speed is unbelievable! Holy Son Jiang Chen''s cultivation base exceeds all my expectations!'' Wu Qian''s initial understanding of Jiang Chen waspletely transformed, filling him with not just awe but also deep respect for Jiang Chen. Simultaneously, a resolve to loyally follow Jiang Chen''smands settled in his heart. Now fully grasping the scope of Jiang Chen''s abilities, Wu Qian chose to align himself with Jiang Chen without any reservations. Subsequently, system notifications resounded in Jiang Chen''s sea of consciousness. [Ding! You''ve sessfully swayed a potential ally of Protagonist Gu Ran. Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 1500 points!] [Ding! You''ve rued 3000 points of Viin Value!] ''Securing Wu Qian as an ally, not a bad result.'' A subtle smile graced Jiang Chen''s lips as he maintained his swift flight. By this point, Jiang Chen''s course was no longer directionless, and Heavenly Fate had minimal influence on him. Soon enough, Gu Ran, Liu Xiong, and others came into the range of Jiang Chen''s divine sense. At that moment, Liu Xiong was already engaged in intensebat with a demonic cultivator at the Dao Comprehension realm. The other demonic cultivators from the Burning ze Ancient Sect were unrelentingly surrounding Liu Xiong andunching their attacks. As for Gu Ran, the reason they didn''t target him was that he had sessfully hidden his presence! Currently, Gu Ran had adeptly concealed his presence, lingering on the outskirts and waiting for the perfect moment to ambush the unprepared demonic cultivators. On the other hand, Liu Xiong was wholly engrossed in his intense battle, leaving him no time for distractions. Unlike Jiang Chen, he alsocked the foresight to anticipate Gu Ran''s targets. As a result,peting with Gu Ran for kills was not an option for him. Within a short span, Gu Ran had already eliminated five or six demonic cultivators. Those who had weaker cultivation bases found their cognitive abilities diminished once they became demonic cultivators, making it easy for Gu Ran to dispatch them with little resistance. "There they are!" Jiang Chen announced to Wu Qian,ing to a halt about a hundred thousand kilometers away from Gu Ran. "Ahead are two individuals. The one engaged inbat at the Dao Comprehension realm is Liu Xiong. The other, who is continuously carrying out assassinations, is Gu Ran." "Both are under assault from demonic cultivators of the Burning ze Ancient Sect. Assist me in dealing with those demonic cultivators," he instructed. "Understood!" Wu Qian nodded, propelling himself in the direction Jiang Chen had pointed out. Unable to perceive the grand battle Jiang Chen had outlined, Wu Qian realized the extent of Jiang Chen''s divine sense far exceeded his own. In Wu Qian''s estimation, Jiang Chen had already ascended to the status of a formidable powerhouse, likely at the Half-step Transcendence realm. On the battlefield, the demonic cultivator at the Dao Comprehension realm watched with ack of concern as his minions were steadily taken down by Gu Ran. He was indifferent to the fate of his subordinates on one hand, and on the other, he considered Gu Ran merely an irritant, posing no substantial threat. "Hehehe," he chuckled sinisterly, "Even if the young upstart can hide his presence, it doesn''t matter. I''ll deal with him soon enough." "But first, I''ll consume you, old man!" he dered with malicious intent. However, if not for Jiang Chen''s forting intervention, this demon would have found himself gravely mistaken, humiliated, and ultimately vanquished by an ever-more formidable Gu Ran. Even posthumously, his cultivation base could have been up for grabs. But just then, a furious roar echoed from a distance, "Who dares to be so audacious in my presence? From whence came this vile creature! Meet your demise!" The sheer force of the words reverberated like thunder from the heavens, shaking one to the core. "What! A Dao Pce realm powerhouse! Impossible!" The demonic cultivator at the Dao Comprehension realm saw his earlier arrogance vanish, reced by boundless terror. In the next instant, a bolt of lightning descended from the sky, reducing the Dao Comprehension realm demonic cultivator to ashes immediately. "Many thanks, esteemed senior!" Knowing this expert had been sent by Jiang Chen, Liu Xiong promptly conveyed his gratitude with a smile. "There''s no need for thanks. Let''s focus on eliminating these demonic cultivators first!" Wu Qian responded with a warm smile, showing none of the arrogance one might expect from a Dao Pce realm powerhouse. "Agreed!" Liu Xiong quickly nodded and set about the task of vanquishing the remaining demonic cultivators. As he watched the demonic cultivators of the Burning ze Ancient Sect fall one by one, Gu Ran felt an almost heart-wrenching sorrow. After all, it was his own cultivation base they were depleting. ''What the...'' he thought in disbelief, ''How could this happen?'' ''Why has a Dao Pce realm powerhouse suddenly appeared?'' ''Weren''t Liu Xiong and I supposed to be the only human cultivators in this Cave Heaven?'' ''Could it be possible that the spatial channel we used isn''t the only one? Have others entered from the outside?'' ''Damn it, this infuriating feeling of being interrupted, could it be the work of the ''Heavenly Gu Society'' again?'' ''Is this Dao Pce realm powerhouse part of the Heavenly Gu Society? What rank could he possibly hold within it?'' he spected anxiously. He had nned everything so meticulously. While Liu Xiong was engaged inbat with the demonic cultivator of the Dao Comprehension realm, Gu Ran had plotted to capitalize on the ensuing chaos. His initial n was to eliminate the weaker underlings, thereby umting enough power to aid Liu Xiong in vanquishing the Dao Comprehension realm adversary. Then, at an opportune moment when Liu Xiong least suspected it, Gu Ran would unleash a sudden assault, killing Liu Xiong and seizing the chance to take his head. In Gu Ran''s assessment, the absence of any other members of the Heavenly Gu Society in this mysterious Cave Heaven meant that disposing of Liu Xiong would grant him unfettered freedom and ultimate dominance. Following that, Gu Ran nned to methodically exterminate all demonic beasts and cultivators within the Cave Heaven Secret Realm, rapidly ascending to the level of a Dao Pce realm powerhouse. This newfound status would empower him to challenge the Heavenly Gu Society head-on. s, dreams often prove loftier than reality. Before he could even dispatch many of the lesser minions, a Dao Pce realm powerhouse from the Heavenly Gu Society had already intervened... As this reality sank in, Gu Ran felt sick to his stomach. Those detestable individuals from the Heavenly Gu Society really knew no bounds. However, he was left without options. With his current level of strength falling short, Gu Ran had no choice but to hold back for now. Channeling his frustration into renewed energy, he went all out, fervently exterminating the demonic cultivators of the Burning ze Ancient Sect. In mere moments, the entire group of demonic cultivators from the Burning ze Ancient Sect had beenpletely annihted! "Wu Qian, stay with Liu Xiong and Gu Ran," Jiang Chen secretly transmitted his instructions. "Gu Ran is one of my juniors. Please ensure his safety and keep him out of dangerous situations." "Rest assured, Holy Son Jiang Chen! Even if it costs me my life, I will protect Gu Ran from harm," Wu Qian quickly replied. At this point, Wu Qian also caught sight of Gu Ran. Oddly enough, upon setting eyes on this young man, Wu Qian felt an immediate sense of kinship, as if he had reconnected with a long-lost rtive. What Wu Qian failed to recognize, however, was that while his initial impression of Gu Ran was positive, the feeling was not mutual on Gu Ran''s end. For Gu Ran viewed Wu Qian as an enemy now that he had aligned himself with Jiang Chen, transitioning from being a possible ally to a clear adversary! Heavenly Fate had already made Gu Ran vignt, and Wu Qian''s entrance had only further thwarted his master n! A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 364. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 269: The Nine Heavens Tower and the Golden Proud Cults Entrance At this critical moment, Jiang Chen''s subordinates had utterly vanquished the Burning ze Ancient Sect''s advance troops, who were demonic cultivators from the Nether Soul Demon n. Though Gu Ran had also eliminated several of these demonic cultivators, their cultivation bases were rtively inferior. Even after adding the cultivation base he had captured to his existing reserves, the sum was still insufficient for him to ascend to the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm. ''Damn it!'' A fierce growl resonated deep within Gu Ran''s heart. It was as though his fate were being throttled! At the same time, a system notification echoed in Jiang Chen''s sea of consciousness. [Ding! You''ve sessfully executed a minor plot change. Protagonist Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 800 points!] [Ding! You''ve gained 1600 points of Viin Value!] ''An 800-point drop in his Heavenly Fate Value. Not too drastic, yet not too trivial either,'' Jiang Chen thought to himself, giving a subtle nod. ''So, what''s left of Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value now?'' Jiang Chen chose not to use the Viin''s Eye to scrutinize Gu Ran''s current status. Instead, he mentally revisited prior plot developments. Shortly thereafter, he estimated that Gu Ran should still possess slightly more than 11,000 points of Heavenly Fate Value. ''Still above eleven thousand, isn''t it?'' Jiang Chen mused internally. ''This Gu Ran has an exceptionally high Heavenly Fate Value.'' A cold smirk took shape at the corner of his mouth. ''The longer he stays alive, the greater the rewards I''ll reap!'' Just at that moment, Liu Xiong discreetly contacted Jiang Chen using a transmission jade token. "Honored Holy Son, what shall we do next?" Responding with aposure as serene as a cidke, Jiang Chenmunicated through his divine sense, "Tail Gu Ran and observe in silence." This wave of demonic cultivators, acting as the demon race''s frontline, was just the beginning. Clearly, Gu Ran was bound to encounter new plot twists shortly. "Understood!" Liu Xiong confirmed themand. Next, Jiang Chen conveyed the same instructions to Wu Qian through his divine sense. Acknowledging this, Wu Qian gave a discreet nod to indicate his understanding. "Young Master Gu, where shall we head next?" Liu Xiong asked, adopting a respectful demeanor as he turned to Gu Ran. "Hmph! Better keep your distance," Gu Ran retorted, still seething with anger, and then he took off into the distance. "This..." Wu Qian was left somewhat startled, watching Gu Ran soar away. Wu Qian couldn''t shake the feeling that Gu Ran was disying an inexplicable level of arrogance. He even dismissed themhis seniorswithout a second thought. This experience tarnished Wu Qian''s initial perception of Gu Ran. "I apologize. The encounter with those demonic cultivators may have soured Young Master Gu''s mood," Liu Xiong said, sping his hands together in a gesture of regret as he spoke to Wu Qian. "Let''s not dwell on it. We should quickly follow; we can''t allow any harm to befall Young Master Gu," Wu Qian dismissed his reservations and immediately set off in pursuit of Gu Ran. Liu Xiong aligned his stride with Wu Qian''s, keeping pace as they moved. For the moment, Jiang Chen opted not to join them. He instead made his way back to the spot where Gu Ran had discovered the historical records of the Cave Heaven. While the distance to this site was significant for Gu Ran and Liu Xiong, it was trivial for Jiang Chen, whose divine sense could reach a million kilometers. Shortly, Jiang Chen found himself standing in front of the stone tablet. He personally read its inscriptions before proceeding to destroy it. It was vital to note that this time, the demon race had also gained ess to the Cave Heaven. A million years ago, the demon race had fallen into a trap set by the human race within the Cave Heaven, through a ''secret passage'', marking the beginning of their decline. Now, with the Nether Demon n initiating a new invasion, their momentum was nothing short of formidable. To vanquish the demon race, employing the strategy of covert infiltration into their domain could prove effective once again. However, a crucial precondition was to ensure that the demon race remained unaware; any tip-off could put them on alert, rendering any ambush useless. ''Earlier, despite an exhaustive search, I found nothing of relevance,'' Jiang Chen pondered internally. ''It was only due to the influence of Heavenly Fate that Gu Ran managed to discover this ce.'' ''Therefore, the likelihood of the demon race finding rted records is exceedingly low. Even a demon race powerhouse at the Transcendence realm would likely have divine sense detection skills simr to mine.'' ''Nevertheless, we can''t afford to bex. Anypromising records must be immediately destroyed!'' Wasting no more time, he pivoted and set off in the direction Gu Ran had taken. ... At the same time, within the Ninth Heaven Domain on the Immortal Martial Continent, Lu An stood before the immense spatial vortex of the Nine Heavens Tower, his eyes aglow with excitement. ''This is incredible!'' Lu An thought to himself. ''The characteristics of this passage closely resemble those of the small Cave Heaven under the jurisdiction of our Nine Heavens Tower.'' ''This must indeed be a Cave Heaven Secret Realm, likely arge-scale one, teeming with opportunities even for those at the Transcendence realm!'' ''Ji Mingxi and others from the Purple Heaven Holy Land have already been inside for a considerable time. I need to hurry!'' Without any further dy, he issued amand, rallying all the experts of the Nine Heavens Tower to collectively enter the spatial channel. Simrly, within the Golden Proud Cult in the Wind Gold Domain, aparable situation was unfolding. After thorough verification, they ascertained that the spatial channel matched the intelligence they hadit led to a vast Cave Heaven Secret Realm, ripe with abundant opportunities. As a result, the Golden Proud Cult also mobilized a significant number of experts, who eagerly dived into the spatial channel! In fact, the Golden Proud Cult adopted an even more aggressive approach than the Nine Heavens Tower. They left behind only a small number of experts to defend their sect, while the vast majority of their forces entered the spatial channel leading to the Cave Heaven. This action could be viewed as an ''all-in'' gamble, putting everything they had at stake! The rationale for such a bold move was evident. The incursion of the Nether Demon n posed a dire threat to their very survival, and acquiring the most potent power was their only guarantee of enduring this crisis. Meanwhile, in another location within the Burning ze Ancient Sect, Sect Master Xu Yuqi sat, attentively listening to a disciple''s report. "Sect Master! The majority of our disciples who entered the spatial channel have already met their end!" "Their demise was swift, implying they faced a formidable opponent!" the disciple eximed, his voice tinged with urgency and disbelief. "What? They''re all dead?" Xu Yuqi''s eyebrows furrowed as he questioned in an icy tone, "Every single one of them?" "Reporting back to the Sect Master! The deceased include..." The disciple tasked with delivering the report quivered as he spoke. He was already the tenth disciple given this duty, as all those before him had been executed by Sect Master Xu Yuqi. "It seems our forces have likely shed with Ji Mingxi and his group," Xu Yuqi mused grimly, before posing another question, "What about the other domains where spatial channels have appeared? Have any forces entered them?" Trepidation filling his voice, the disciple continued, "We''ve just received updated information." "The two major powers from the Wind Gold Domain and the Ninth Heaven Domain have already sent individuals inside, although we couldn''t confirm who exactly has gone in." "We''ve also heard of a spatial channel manifesting in the Lustrous Yang Domain, but given its significant distance from the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, they haven''t made a move yet," he added cautiously. "Mmm, very well," Xu Yuqi nodded, making a dismissive hand gesture. "You''re dismissed." "Yes!" A wave of relief flooded the reporting disciple as he made a hasty exit. Wasting no time, Xu Yuqi formed a hand-seal, sealing off the entire chamber. "Oh, My Lord! What should be our next course of action?" Kneeling before the screen situated behind him, Xu Yuqi exhibited the highest degree of submission, resembling a docile dog in his demeanor. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 366. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 270: A Fateful Encounter with Dao Palace Inheritance "This Cave Heaven Secret Realm must be expansive indeed," a hoarse voice dered, its tone as grating as metal screeching against a surface. "Surely, it houses significant opportunities for human race cultivators." "Even though our numbers have dwindled, and despite the impending second wave of reinforcements, standing against at least three human factions seems unlikely for us." "I will personally spearhead our group into the Cave Heaven Secret Realm moving forward!" the voice announced emphatically. "Your presence is required as well!" "Yes! My Lord!" Xu Yuqi responded, bowing his head respectfully. Subsequently, the entire Burning ze Ancient Sect sprang into action. Nearly all experts convened, ready to venture into the Cave Heaven. Moreover, this asion saw a significant gathering of experts from the Nether Soul Demon n, including Ji Junhao, a figure in the Dao Pce realm! Ji Mingxiu would undoubtedly be astounded at the sight of Ji Junhao! For this Ji Junhao was, indeed, an unfamiliar face. That is to say, Ji Junhao was not part of the Nether Soul Demon n faction that had fled the previous confrontation at Verdant Leaf Giant Peak. Rather, he was a newly emerged member of the demon race at the Dao Pce realm. This signaled a reinforcement of the Nether Soul Demon n''s forces on the Immortal Martial Continent! After a period of preparation, Ji Junhao, along with other formidable figures of the demon race and a substantial contingent of experts from the Burning ze Ancient Sect, entered the grey vortex spatial channel, venturing into the Cave Heaven. ... Meanwhile, in the Doomsday Cave Heaven, Gu Ran propelled himself forward aimlessly, his flight revealing his pent-up frustrations. Wu Qian and Liu Xiong followed, giving Gu Ran the space he needed to vent his emotions. Calmly observing their actions was Jiang Chen, who also kept a vignt eye on the surrounding environment. "Roar!" Suddenly, a powerful roar from a demonic beast echoed in the distance. It was a beast at the Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm. Curiously, this beast appeared to be alone, with nopanions in sight. The reason for its solitary presence remained a mystery. ''It doesn''t matter,'' Jiang Chen thought. ''This demonic beast would undoubtedly prove useful to Gu Ran.'' ''It could, at the very least, provide a boost to Gu Ran''s cultivation base.'' ''However, let''s observe first. This lone beast at the Inquiring Journey realm... something about it suggests it''s not as straightforward as just gaining experience through ying monsters.'' Engrossed in his thoughts, he immediately used his divine sense to warn Wu Qian and Liu Xiong against taking any impulsive actions. Simultaneously, Gu Ran''s eyes ignited with a spark as he quickly nced over his shoulder, ''An Inquiring Journey realm demonic beast? What enticing prey!'' Noticing that Wu Qian and Liu Xiong seemed rather indifferent to the demonic beast, he was thrilled. With a swift movement, he charged toward the solitary demonic beast at the Inquiring Journey realm. "Roar!" Sensing Gu Ran''s approach, the Inquiring Journey realm demonic beast lunged at him instantly, its eyes a fiery red. "Perish, you vile beast!" Gu Ran roared, his voice tinged with lethal intent, eager to unleash his pent-up frustrations on the demonic beast. However, when he unleashed his full might against the beast, he found that he couldn''t bring it down! "Roar!" In a fit of anguish, the demonic beastunched a ferocious counterattack against Gu Ran. "You''re quite resilient! Let''s put that toughness to the test!" Gu Ran shouted back, lunging to strike the demonic beast. In an effort to vent his pent-up frustrations, he forwent his usual stealth, instead choosing to confront the beast openly. Immediately, man and beast were locked in an intense ground battle, their unceasing roars causing tremors and even crumbling mountains. ''This battle is quite evenly matched,'' Jiang Chen mused. ''Typically, protagonists effortlessly overpower monsters when they''re grinding for experience.'' ''There must be something unusual about this demonic beast,'' he thought as he continued his watchful scrutiny, signaling to Wu Qian and Liu Xiong to remain alert. Subsequently, Gu Ran and the demonic beast engaged in dozens of rounds ofbat, stirring up clouds of dust and causingrge areas of the forest to copse. "Roar!" The demonic beast could resist no longer. Blood spurted from its mouth as it turned swiftly to flee. Its speed surprised even Gu Ran, who was extraordinarily quick. ''Thinking of running away?'' Gu Ran thought scornfully. ''Just ept your fate and enhance my cultivation base!'' With a low growl in his throat, he fixed the beast with an icy stare andunched into pursuit. However, as he chased after it, the beast unleashed some form of innate skill. Its speed in a straight sprint surged remarkably, making it difficult for Gu Ran to catch up quickly. ''Damn it! Let''s see how long you can maintain this!'' With teeth gritted, Gu Ran persisted in his chase, resolute not to let the beast escape. "Follow them," Jiang Chen immediately instructed Wu Qian and Liu Xiong, having observed the chase. Watching Gu Ran pursue the demonic beast, Jiang Chen suspected that an unexpected twist was imminent. The beast would likely lead Gu Ran to something significant, setting the stage for a new development. Jiang Chen hypothesized that this could lead to a valuable inheritance or a simr discovery. As time passed, the high-speed chase between Gu Ran and the demonic beast continued. After about half an hour, the beast began to slow down. "Trying to escape? Where do you think you''re going?" Closing the distance, Gu Ran shouted a threat andunched his attack. "Roar!" The demonic beast had used a self-harming innate secret art, significantly diminishing its battle strength. Now, it couldn''t withstand Gu Ran''s assault. sh! The head of the demonic beast was severed, flying skyward before falling back to earth alongside its decapitated body. Bang! The massive, weighty corpse crashed into the ground, forming a huge crater upon impact. ''What''s this? The ground below seems hollow, and there are indications of man-made structures in this underground space!'' Gu Ran looked down into the crater, his face reflecting his unexpected delight. ''Could this be a cultivator''s hidden cave?'' Wu Qian and Liu Xiong looked at each other, their eyes widening in astonishment. Both were amazed at Gu Ran''s incredible luck. By chasing a demonic beast, he had inadvertently discovered what appeared to be an extraordinary cultivator''s cave dwelling. In Doomsday Cave Heaven, where various inheritances were strewn about, stumbling upon one that seemed exceptionally promising was a rare stroke of luck indeed. ''Just as I thought,'' Jiang Chen mused internally, ''that demonic beast was but a decoy, a piece on the board of Heavenly Fate.'' ''It was destined to lead Gu Ran here, to this promising inheritance.'' ''Let''s see what this inheritance has to offer.'' A subtle smile appeared on his lips as he extended his divine sense, deliberately avoiding Gu Ran, to explore the vast underground space. Before long, Jiang Chen''s eyes caught the sight of numerous golden patterns adorning the walls of the cavern. Some of these golden designs resembled words, while others took the form of images, together creating a visual narrative. With the help of his divine sense, Jiang Chen was able to decipher the meanings behind them. It turned out that this cave dwelling had been left behind by a cultivator at the Dao Pce realm who had once been part of this Doomsday Cave Heaven. The golden patterns narrated significant events in this cultivator''s life. These recounted stories ranged from arge-scale invasion by the demon race to the tragic abandonment of the Immortal Martial Continent and more. They also detailed how the remaining cultivators in Doomsday Cave Heaven hadunched a counteroffensive against the rear of the demon race. Finally, it mentioned that this cultivator had left behind various nonbat-oriented cultivation method inheritances and items, reserved for those who were fated to find them. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 366. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 271: Gu Rans Determination to Obtain the Inheritance After meticulously deciphering the golden patterns etched onto the walls, Jiang Chen gained profound insight into this inheritance. ''It''s a Dao Pce realm inheritance,'' he mused internally. ''Furthermore, it''s quite an advanced one at that.'' ''In the Immortal Martial Continent, such an inheritance carries enough significance to establish a sect, giving birth to a forceparable to the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect.'' Yet, it didn''t captivate him. After all, with Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ningtwo vibrant beauties in the Void Tribtion realmby his side, he was hardlycking in cultivation methods. In the grand scheme of things, a Dao Pce realm inheritance hardly mattered. However, Jiang Chen''s disinterest didn''t imply that he''d allow Gu Ran to im this inheritance without a struggle. Discovered under the influence of Heavenly Fate, this cave dwelling that Gu Ran found was rather extraordinary, far surpassing the typical, mundane discoveries. So, this inheritance would likely be of greater significance to Gu Ran. "Wu Qian, Liu Xiong, aim to secure this cave dwelling''s inheritance for yourselves. Gu Ran has a tendency to overreach; we can''t indulge him any longer." With a knowing smile gracing his lips, Jiang Chen conveyed these orders to Wu Qian and Liu Xiong through divine sense. "Understood!" Both Wu Qian and Liu Xiong nodded in session. In truth, upon setting eyes on this Dao Pce realm inheritance, both were immensely excited. To say they didn''t desire it would be aplete falsehood! So, following Jiang Chen''s instructions, Wu Qian and Liu Xiong quickly positioned themselves on either side of Gu Ran, effectively cornering him. ''These two old foxes!'' Sensing the changing atmosphere, Gu Ran''s expression began to darken. "Young Master Gu, umting more cultivation methods at this stage may not serve you well. Therefore, we''ll take temporary custody of this inheritance for safekeeping," Wu Qian gravely told Gu Ran before advancing further into the cave. "Fear not, Young Master Gu. The inheritance will still be yours; it''s just that now is not the ideal time for you to practice it." With a conciliatory smile, Liu Xiong also moved closer to the inheritance. "You old scoundrels! I discovered this inheritance; don''t even think about iming it for yourselves!" Unable to restrain his fury, Gu Ran shouted vehemently. Immediately, Wu Qian and Liu Xiong came to a stop and turned their heads to confront Gu Ran. "Hmph!" With a defiant gleam in his eyes, Gu Ran stared down Wu Qian and Liu Xiong, emphasizing each word through gritted teeth: "Always talking about the Heavenly Gu Society!" "Always boasting of your roles as my guardians!" "Yet in the end, you''re here merely to stifle my growth!" "Mark my wordseither this inheritance is mine today, or you might as well kill me!" Gu Ran was convinced that the Heavenly Gu Society had ulterior motives rted to him, most probably connected to his own bloodline. Therefore, he surmised they wouldn''t dare harm him until their goals were achieved. Fueled by heightened emotions, he was ready to gamble everything. If they didn''t yield, he was prepared for an all-out confrontation! "Young Master Gu, we''re merely looking out for your well-being," Wu Qian earnestly advised. "A cultivator should focus on mastering a single Dao, rather than spreading themselves thin." "Young Master Gu, your growth rate is extraordinary," Liu Xiong stated earnestly, his voice tinged with concern. "In such a situation, do you really think the Heavenly Gu Society remains ignorant?" "With your shaky foundations, reaching a higher realm would be a strenuous journey. Once your innate potential is exhausted, what path will you take to progress further?" Informed by Jiang Chen''s insights, he sighed as he spoke these words. "Enough! I''ll ask onest time, are you nning to stop me from acquiring this inheritance?" Ignoring Wu Qian and Liu Xiong''s advice, Gu Ran''s face grew icy, underscored by a subtle ferocity. "Let him have it," Jiang Chenmanded, his brow slightly furrowed. Gu Ran had not yet fully broken away, which suggested lingering reservations in his heart. As long as this remained true, they could continue to use the ''Heavenly Gu Society'' as a restraint on his development, until the day came when Gu Ran deemed his own power sufficient and fully unleashed it. "Seeing your determination, we won''t obstruct you any further." Receiving Jiang Chen''s order, both Liu Xiong and Wu Qian immediately stepped aside, ceasing to impede his path. "Hmph!" With a disdainful snort, Gu Ran advanced into the cave dwelling. A glimmer of satisfaction sparked in his heart. His firm stance today had also served as a litmus test to gauge the boundaries of the Heavenly Gu Society. It now seemed that the Heavenly Gu Society was indeed cautious about directly confronting him. Unfortunately, he was unaware. The Heavenly Gu Society was a makeshift entity created by Jiang Chen; even the pretense of desiring his bloodline was a deception. Thebel ''Heavenly Gu Society'' was useful only as long as it served its purpose, and disposable once it outlived its utility. At this moment, Gu Ran entered the cave dwelling, followed closely by Wu Qian and Liu Xiong. While they were prepared to allow Gu Ran to im the inheritance, it didn''t mean they wouldn''t also partake in its benefits. Once inside the cave dwelling, they faced no obstacles. The path before them was clear, and soon Gu Ran, Wu Qian, and Liu Xiong found themselves standing in front of a jade bed. Arrayed neatly on this polished jade bed were numerous jade slips. Based solely on their materialposition, some of these jade slips seemed extraordinarily precious. The concise details of the cultivation methods inscribed on their surfaces were no less captivating. Besides the jade slips, small vials containing a few pills each were also present. Unfortunately, the relentless passage of time had diminished the medicinal potency of some of these pills, leaving only a limited number still effective. Yet, the remaining usable pills were of immense value, as they were all discontinued breakthrough pills specifically designed for the Dao Pce realm! In today''s world, ny-nine percent of Dao Pce realm cultivators in the Immortal Martial Continent had hit their potential limit due to the exhaustion of avable breakthrough pills. These newly unearthed types of breakthrough pills could offer them invaluable benefits! "I''ll take the cultivation method inheritance! You two can split the pills." Gu Ran briefly eyed the pills, then casually stated his choice as he gathered all the jade slips rted to cultivation methods. "Very well," Wu Qian and Liu Xiong agreed with a nod. This was also in line with Jiang Chen''s ns. As for the jade slips detailing cultivation methods, once Jiang Chen had a chance to examine them, he could precisely assess their quality and rted effects, guided by the insights of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Upon reviewing them, Jiang Chen found that these cultivation methods did indeed contain a few superior secret arts suitable for the Transcendence realm! For Liu Xiong and Wu Qian, these cultivation methods were nearly impossible to practice. Likewise, they were not resources that Gu Ran could make use of in the near term. Therefore, in the immediate future, these jade slips detailing cultivation methods were unlikely to bring significant benefits to Gu Ran. Given that these cultivation methods were discovered in this Dao Pce realm cultivator''s cave dwelling and were serendipitously acquired by Gu Ran, they certainly held some uniqueness. Jiang Chen spected that they most likely represented a sort of ''causality''. In simpler terms, they could serve as catalysts to spark another subplot. This great powerhouse had been dead for over a million years, leaving no heirs on the Immortal Martial Continent. Moreover, the rank of this inheritance of cultivation methods was effectively at the Transcendence realm level! ording to the original path set by the Heavenly Fate, Gu Ran was definitively going to begin practicing these cultivation methods at the end of the Immortal Martial Continent''s saga. Subsequently, there was a high chance that after pleting'' his journey on the Immortal Martial Continent, he would move on to the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, which is closely rted to the Immortal Martial Continent. Therefore, the ''causality'' of this inheritance of cultivation methods was likely connected to the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star! This was merely Jiang Chen''s spection, so he chose not to interfere with Gu Ran''s exclusive im to these cultivation methods. At this moment, a system prompt sounded. [Ding! You have slightly reduced Protagonist Gu Ran''s opportunities. Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 200 points!] [Ding! You have earned 400 Viin Value points!] The diminished opportunities pertained to the pills. Due to Gu Ran''s unique ability to absorb the cultivation base of his victims through his bloodline, he could achieve breakthroughs without hindrances. As a result, the pills were of little importance to him. Therefore, the decrease in his Heavenly Fate Value was rtively minor. ''The inheritance is secured.'' Jiang Chen mused, stroking his chin, ''So, what''s the next twist in the plot?'' All of a sudden, his divine sense detected a disturbance in space, and arge group of individuals materialized out of thin air. ''So, they''vee,'' he thought, a knowing smile crossing his lips. ''Just as I expected.'' ''These individuals are from the Ninth Heaven Domain''s Nine Heavens Tower.'' ''Their Fate Values aren''t high; they''re clearly here to assist Gu Ran in advancing his level.'' With a pensive look, Jiang Chen assessed the neers through his Viin''s Eye. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 366. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 272: Showdown at the Entrance of the Underground Cave Dwelling "Is this the inside of Cave Heaven?" Tower Lord Lu An mused. "The Spiritual Qi here seems even more sparse than in our sect. I reckon the furthest one can cultivate here is up to the Dao Comprehension realm." "Eh, look, there''s an inheritance over here! And another one over there!" eximed Dao Pce realm powerhouse He Tian, his eyes widening in disbelief. "While these aren''t high-grade inheritances, they are cultivation methods I''ve nevere across before. And the inheritances are scattered everywhere,pletely unguarded. It''s astonishing!" "With so manymon inheritances in in sight, it stands to reason that the high-grade ones must be treasured immensely. Perhaps there truly is a chance to reach the Transcendence realm." "Even if we can''t locate it, by tapping into this Cave Heaven to its full extent, our Nine Heavens Tower is bound to elevate to another level!" Their eyes reddened, the group of experts from the Nine Heavens Tower scanned the numerous inheritances scattered around them. Just then, after surveying the area, He Tian proposed, "Tower Lord, this Cave Heaven seems immense; our divine sense can only detect a small corner of it. How about we divide into two teams to explore, and then regroup?" Searching as arge group seemed inefficient, given the numerous inheritances scattered around. "Good idea!" Tower Lord Lu An nodded, his face serious. "But we mustn''t stray too far. We aren''t the only ones who have entered this Cave Heaven." "I understand!" responded He Tian, a buoyant smile on his face. "Then I''ll lead a team in this direction." Lu An gave his assent and watched as He Tian led a portion of the group onward. Subsequently, he led the remaining members in a different direction. ''They''ve split into two groups?'' Jiang Chen pondered internally, a flicker of realization crossing his mind. ''He Tian''s chosen direction leads straight to Gu Ran!'' ''Initially, this way, Gu Ran will only encounter the Nine Heavens Tower group led by He Tian.'' ''Thebat prowess of these cultivators is not much different from Wu Qian, Liu Xiong, and Gu Ran.'' ''So, if an evenly matched situation arises again, Gu Ran could stealthily kill, grow stronger, and eventually break the deadlock,'' he theorized within himself, closely monitoring the movements of the Nine Heavens Tower cultivators. Through divine sense, he ryed this information to Wu Qian and Liu Xiong. Before long, the group of Nine Heavens Tower cultivators led by He Tian discovered the underground space entrance where Gu Ran and the others were hiding. "What''s this?" one of them questioned, his voice tinged with curiosity. "A cave formed by a battle? But why are there so many golden patterns adorning the walls here!" Upon discovering the cave, He Tian and his group quickly deciphered the golden patterns, gleaning a wealth of information. "Could this be... a Dao Pce realm inheritance!" a voice eximed, brimming with excitement. "But someone''s beaten us to the inheritance!" another observed, frustration coloring his tone. Just as they reveled in their discovery, they spotted Gu Ran, Wu Qian, and Liu Xiong, who were still in the underground space and had yet to depart. Suddenly, the faces of He Tian and the others darkened. ustomed to having their way throughout the Ninth Heaven Domain, this group of experts from the Nine Heavens Tower couldn''t stomach the fact that someone else had imed the inheritance they''d just discovered. "One at the Dao Pce realm, another at the Dao Comprehension realm, and the least powerful among them at the Inquiring Journey realm," He Tian observed, his voiceced with disdain. "They''re all unfamiliar faces; they must be loose cultivators without any notable backing." "How dare they snatch the inheritance meant for my Nine Heavens Tower! Today, we''ll teach them a harsh lesson about the ruthlessness of the cultivation world!" A cold light shed in his eyes as he ordered everyone to secure the entrance. He too took cover, readying himself to ambush Gu Ran and his group. However, unbeknownst to He Tian and his party, Jiang Chen had already detected their movements and swiftly informed Wu Qian and Liu Xiong. Inside the underground dwelling, Wu Qian and Liu Xiong divided up the pills. Along with Gu Ran, they scoured the vicinity once more but found no additional inheritances. Deciding to head back, the trio approached the entrance of the underground cave dwelling. Just as they did, Wu Qian gestured for the group to halt. Staring at the vacant entrance, he spoke in an icy tone, "Slinking around like this, could it be you''re too unsightly to show your face?" "Hmph! It seems your senses are keener than I anticipated," He Tian emerged from his hideout, his expression grim, locking eyes with Wu Qian. "I''m offering you a chance. Leave behind everything you possess, and I might just spare your three worthless lives." "Exactly!" another cultivator chimed in, his voice tinged with arrogance. "Surrender all your belongings!" "Otherwise, we won''t hesitate to end your lives." "And not just you, but also your friends and family. Our Nine Heavens Tower will ensure theirplete obliteration!" "Hand over the inheritance swiftly, surrender all the treasures. You have only one chance!" The other Nine Heavens Tower experts joined in, their eyes equally filled with greed. "So, you''re nothing but a band of beggars. I''ll offer you a chance too! Apologize right now and leave, or face certain death!" Liu Xiong red coldly at He Tian and the others, his voice unwavering and devoid of fear. Standing behind him was Jiang Chen, the one who had in Long Tianlu. What did they have to fear? Moreover, Jiang Chen had personally instructed them to be assertive and confront their adversaries head-on. Once the battle began, they were to seize the opportunity to eliminate the weaker cultivators first! "Hahahaha!" one cultivator burst intoughter, his eyes filled with mockery. "Coming from you, the im that we''ll die is simplyughable." "Old man, you''vebored hard to reach the Dao Pce realm. I suggest you preserve that and retreat promptly, lest you meet a tragic end." "More of us from the Nine Heavens Tower are on their way. If you''re so eager to court death, we''ll happily oblige." One after another, the members of the Nine Heavens Tower sneered relentlessly, their faces twisted into merciless expressions. Under the influence of Heavenly Fate, they had already grown ''less judicious'' and came to view Gu Ran as a sworn enemy. Now, with Jiang Chen stealthily encouraging Liu Xiong and Wu Qian to stir up trouble, reconciliation between the two sides had be impossible. "Young man," He Tian, his eyes narrowing as he observed Gu Ran''s demeanor, began to speak, "it seems you''re the one calling the shots here." "These two are merely your guardians, correct?" "Or perhaps, you''re the prized disciple these two elders discovered after much effort?" "You have a boundless future ahead of you. Are you willing to throw that away for mere material wealth?" "Wouldn''t it be more prudent to persuade these two elders to step aside? That would be your path to survival," he concluded, his voice tinged with a cold, calcted maniption. "Heh. A pack of scum, today will be your end," Gu Ran dered, a cold chuckle escaping his lips. Far from afraid, he was actually thrilled! After all, opportunities to encounter another group of enemies, especially ones with a substantial number of Inquiring Journey realm cultivators, didn''te around often. If he could eliminate just a few, he would have the chance to instantly advance to the Middle-stage, or even the Late-stage, of the Inquiring Journey realm. "Hmph!" He Tian snorted disdainfully, his eyes shing menacingly. "Since you remain obstinate and hell-bent on courting death!" "Then I, He Tian, will grant your wish and leave you without a grave!" "All disciples, attack!" With a chillingmand, his aura surged and his robe billowed, ready to spring into action at once. However, at that very moment, a dull sensation clouded his mind, dying his move ever so briefly. By the time he regained his rity, the opposition had already sprung into action. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 273: Escaping the Heavenly Gu Societys Surveillance "Kill them. First, kill the weak ones!" A cold smirk appeared at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth. This was because of his soul attack that He Tian''s move was postponed. All of this was to forge an opportunity for Wu Qian, to eliminate the less formidable members of the Nine Heavens Tower. At this instant, thanks to Jiang Chen''s stealthy meddling, Wu Qian had already seized the initiative. His terrifying assault was aggressively aimed at the more vulnerable cultivators of the Nine Heavens Tower. Boom, boom, boom! Waves of the Great Dao''s power, akin to a celestial river flowing in reverse, overwhelmed all the cultivators of the Nine Heavens Tower. "Scum! Stop it!" He Tian, with eyes almost exploding with fury, watched the scene unfold before him. Without a moment to think, he leaped into action. But sadly, it was already toote! "Ahh! No, no! How could this happen, Lord He, why didn''t you act sooner?" "Don''t kill me, I was forced into this, I didn''t want to ambush you!" "Please, spare us! Ahh! I don''t want to die!" Cries of despair reverberated as the cultivators of the Nine Heavens Tower fell one by one. The first to meet their fate were the rtively feeble cultivators in the Inquiring Journey realm. This left Gu Ran utterly shocked. Because those cultivators were his main hunting targets! But now, these top-tier prey were simply eradicated by Wu Qian! ''How... how... how could this happen! Wasn''t it supposed to be Wu Qian against the Dao Pce realm cultivator on the other side, with the remaining Nine Heavens Tower cultivators dealing with me and Liu Xiong?'' Gu Ran''s eyes bulged with disbelief, his frustration so intense he almost tore his hair out. At that moment, all of the Inquiring Journey realm cultivators from the Nine Heavens Tower had been wiped out. One by one, the Dao Comprehension realm cultivators could not endure Wu Qian''s relentless assault. Their demise was only a matter of time. Meanwhile, seeing that he couldn''t assist his fellow sect members, He Tian unleashed a furious attack on Wu Qian. Wu Qian had no option but to halt his attack on the cultivators of the Nine Heavens Tower and turned his attention to He Tian. Both were cautious of harming their own people, so they quickly moved their battlefield to the sky above. Even so, the underground cave dwelling below was ravaged by the residual impacts of their fierce sh. "Kill! Kill these two fiends and avenge our fallenrades!" The remaining three Dao Comprehension realm cultivators from the Nine Heavens Tower wore fierce expressions. They charged furiously towards Liu Xiong and Gu Ran. "Three of them! We can''t defeat them!" Liu Xiong cried out, then, following Jiang Chen''s suggestion, urged, "Gu Ran, you go first, I''ll cover our retreat!" Without a word, Gu Ran dashed towards the distance, picking a direction at random. [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot; the protagonist Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 1000 points!] [Ding! You have earned 2000 Viin Value points!] The system notifications echoed in Jiang Chen''s sea of consciousness, prompting a sly smirk from him. But Jiang Chen wouldn''t forget to keep a handle on the overall situation. Now, Wu Qian was tangled up by He Tian, and Liu Xiong was being stalled by three injured cultivators of the same realm. Even though he had altered the plot this time, preventing Gu Ran from killing and seizing opportunities, Under the sway of Heavenly Fate, Gu Ran still reaped some benefit - he managed to slip away from the watchful eyes of Liu Xiong and Wu Qian. In Jiang Chen''s original n, none of the Dao Comprehension realm cultivators from the Nine Heavens Tower would have survived Wu Qian''s onught. ''Now that Gu Ran has escaped, he has regained his freedom. Then, he is bound toe across more opportunities.'' Jiang Chen mused, then his expression changed as he spotted that He Tian had sent out a unique signal. Following that signal, the other group from the Nine Heavens Tower, who had split up earlier, immediately began converging on the location of the underground cave dwelling. Lu An headed straight to assist He Tian. Simultaneously, He Tian didn''t overlook the need to specifically mention Gu Ran. As a result, there were quite a few individuals hot on Gu Ran''s trail. But those close to Gu Ran were all in the Inquiring Journey realm. The Dao Comprehension realm cultivators were too swift; they had ventured far while searching earlier, so returning now would take some time. ''Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value is taking effect again!'' Jiang Chen rubbed his chin, a thoughtful look in his eyes. ''Judging by the current situation, those Inquiring Journey realm cultivators who are closer will undoubtedly intercept Gu Ran first, and then be experience points for Gu Ran to level up and grow stronger!'' ''Following that, Gu Ran will likely break through to the Dao Comprehension realm on the spot, and then take down those Dao Comprehension realm cultivators too.'' ''In this way, he will reap great benefits from this wave of encounters.'' ''I need to sabotage this!'' Although he still had some strategies left to y in this Doomsday Cave Heaven, like summoning Ji Mingxiu and the others, they were too far away to assist in time. Therefore, he had no choice but to take action himself! ''Let''s do it this way.'' As he monitored Gu Ran''s situation, Jiang Chen formted a n in his mind. He had no intention of killing the minions, mere cannon fodder, chasing Gu Ran, as doing so would expose his presence and forfeit the advantage of information discrepancy. So, Jiang Chen''s n targeted He Tian and Lu An, but he had no intention of revealing himself. To be precise, he nned merely to speak out. Just at that moment, high in the sky, Wu Qian repelled He Tian with a move and coldly surveyed the two individuals trying to nk him. "You can still back off now. Otherwise, if you disrupt the n of that Great Powerhouse, you will suffer the consequences!" "That Great Powerhouse? Hmph! Quit pretending! Within this Cave Heaven, is there anyone who could be called a greater powerhouse than us? I, Lu An, am already the Great Powerhouse!" Lu An retorted, his icy gaze sweeping over Wu Qian. "Old fellow, surrender everything you obtained from the inheritance! Otherwise, I will teach you what it means to wish for death over life." Then he nced at Liu Xiong below. He was nning to kill Liu Xiong first as a warning to the others! But just then, "Is that so?" A faint voice resonated in Lu An''s ears, infused with a hint of indifference as if it were looking down upon the world. "Within this Cave Heaven, you are the Great Powerhouse?" "What!! Who is there!!" Lu An instantly became as tense as a threatened cat, his pupils sharply constricting as he frantically scanned the surroundings with his divine sense. However, he couldn''t detect anyone at all! This didn''t soothe him; instead, it only heightened his rm! The range of the other party''s divine sense far surpassed his own, suggesting that it very likely belonged to a being in the Transcendence realm. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : : [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up toChapter 368. By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to . Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Patreon : [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 274: On the Verge of Mental Breakdown "Tower Lord! What''s the matter with you?" He Tian''s eyes widened, catching sight of Lu An''s peculiar behavior, and his face contorted with concern. His voice shook as he inquired, "Is there a senior present?" With a restrained aura and a countenance bearing both solemnity and a touch of regret, Lu An offered a fist and palm salute to his surroundings. "I spoke out of turn earlier, driven by my own thoughtlessness. Please, let''s not dwell on it! All of this is nothing but a misunderstanding..." "A misunderstanding? It seems like you left something out before saying that." Jiang Chen observed Lu An, who appeared both anxious and uneasy in his divine sense view, yet his voice remained cool and detached. At Jiang Chen''s words, realization dawned on the faces of both Lu An and He Tian. In their haste, they had indeed forgotten that their own followers were still in pursuit of the genius cultivator. "Senior, forgive us!" He Tian inhaled deeply, his voice taking on a somewhat ingratiating quality. "We willmand our disciples to retreat immediately!" With these words, he pulled out a transmission jade token and swiftly sent instructions to those below. On the other side, merely momentster, Gu Ran was fleeing with all his might when he found himself encircled by individuals from every direction. Panic welled within him at first. But it wasn''t long before he recognized that the surrounding cultivators were merely at the Inquiring Journey realm. A surge of joy reced his fear, and Gu Ran''s face lit up. "You little brat, stop right there!" An arrogant shout rang out. "Scum, daring to run away with the inheritance that belongs to our Nine Heavens Tower? It seems you no longer wish to live." "Hand over the inheritance immediately, or we will show you what cruelty really means!" One after another, the Nine Heavens Tower''s Inquiring Journey realm cultivators taunted and sneered as they encircled Gu Ran. ''Hmph! Good,e at me!'' Gu Ran thought, a gleeful expression hidden in his eyes. ''Now that those two old pests are not here, I can finally embark on my killing spree freely.'' ''Hahaha, Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm, I''ming for you. Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm, I''m on my way!'' ''Hey, there''s even an Early-stage Dao Comprehension realm, perfect!'' Gu Ran''s gaze swept over the surrounding Nine Heavens Tower''s cultivators, his heart brimming with delight. Unable to contain his excitement, he burst intoughter, his face alight with joy. "Scum! You dare tough!" The Dao Comprehension realm cultivator from the Nine Heavens Tower spat, his eyes filled with contempt as he directed the cultivators to move forward and encircle Gu Ran. "Senior and Junior brothers, let''s set aside talk for now. First, we must catch him and unleash all our ny-nine methods of torture on him before we relent!" "Great! I can''t wait any longer!" Gu Ran''sughter rang out, bold and exuberant, a joyous thrill evident in his voice. However! Just as the tension was reaching its peak and a great battle seemed imminent, a voice thundered, "Stop! Everybody, damn it, stop! Don''t you darey a finger on him!" The face of the Dao Comprehension realm cultivator twisted in sudden terror, his fear akin to that of amoner witnessing a ghost. "Back off, everyone back off! Disperse, flee! I must escape as well!" "What? Why should we stop? Why do we need to get out?" One of the cultivators couldn''t help but blurt out, confusion etched across his face. "Didn''t this guy steal the Dao Pce realm opportunity belonging to our Nine Heavens Tower? Shouldn''t we torture him, reim the opportunity, and then put him to death?" "Could it be that this guy is not as simple as he appears?" Each cultivator was consumed by doubt, their faces reflecting their uncertainty. Despite their questions, they halted, then quickly turned to flee into the distance, their movements swift and urgent. Meanwhile, ''What, what? Weren''t they about to attack me?'' Gu Ran stared as the Nine Heavens Tower cultivators fled in haste, his smile frozen in ce, confusion etched across his face. ''Why would they suddenly halt and all flee?'' Then, as if struck by realization, his eyes gradually widened, and a tidal wave of anger surged within them. A feeling of intense frustration and fury welled up in his heart, choking him, consuming him! ''Heavenly Gu Society!'' ''This familiar sensation, it''s the Heavenly Gu Society!'' ''It''s the Heavenly Gu Society ying games once more!'' ''Why, why does the Heavenly Gu Society always haunt me like a relentless ghost?'' ''Why, why, when I''ve clearly rid myself of Liu Xiong and Wu Qian, can the Heavenly Gu Society still exert influence over me, still thwart my attempts to y my foes and ascend in strength!?'' ''No, no! Heavenly Gu Society, get the hell out of my life!'' Gu Ran''s inner scream resonated, his thoughts a whirlwind of madness, his mental state teetering on the edge of breakdown. Immediately afterwards, "Stop, all of you stop!" Gu Ran''s scream, wild and frenzied, ripped through the air as he bolted after the fleeing cultivators. "Don''t run! I want to kill you, I want to break through!" "The young master is furious!" The Dao Comprehension realm cultivator''s voice cracked with terror. "Run, run, scatter and flee! If caught by him, even if we can defeat him, we are sure to perish!" "If you are captured and dare to resist, your own family will be ensnared, and your entire n will face annihtion!" "Give it everything you have and run!" He marshaled the group of Nine Heavens Tower cultivators, urging them to disperse and escape with every ounce of their strength. Suddenly, everyone exerted themselves to the fullest, fleeing like they were possessed by sheer madness! Watching the scattering cultivators, Gu Ran felt as if his heart was being torn apart. "Stop!" he howled, desperation in his voice. With no other options, he was forced to pursue the slowest fleeing cultivator. But even the slowest among them was at the Inquiring Journey realm. After a frenzied chase, Gu Ran managed to catch up and y him, only to find that the rest of the cultivators had vanished without a trace. ''Damn it! Curse it all!'' ''How overwhelmingly powerful is the Heavenly Gu Society that they can thwart my ns at every turn?'' ''Could the puppeteer behind the Heavenly Gu Society be a great powerhouse of the Transcendence realm?'' Gu Ran''s fury bubbled within him, his eyes scanning the surroundings as a profound sense of powerlessness and bewilderment welled up in his heart. The Heavenly Gu Society was overpowering. How could he ever break free from its grasp and obliterate it! Then, a surge of determination and wild resolve welled up in Gu Ran''s heart. ''No! I will not be defeated! I have the Endless Dark Blood Moon; I cannot and will not lose!'' Gu Ran''s teeth ground together, his eyes ame with fury, fists clenched, veins throbbing, his entire being trembling as if on the verge of detonation. Without hesitation, he darted off into the distance. This was the sole course of action left to him - to strain every sinew to flee from the region where Wu Qian and Liu Xiong might be lurking! Simultaneously, system notifications echoed in Jiang Chen''s sea of consciousness. [Ding! You sessfully altered the plot; protagonist Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 1000 points!] [Ding! You have gained 2000 Viin Value points!] ''Another triumph, delightful!'' A faint smile yed at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth. Without a moment''s pause, he concealed his aura and vanished from Lu An and He Tian''s awareness. ''Phew! The senior has departed!'' Lu An and He Tian exhaled in unison, a shared sense of relief washing over them. ''We''ve narrowly skirted death''s door; that was too horrifying!'' Suddenly, their bodies were slick with sweat, a tangible manifestation of their intense fear. Even though Lu An and He Tian suspected that Jiang Chen might have already departed, they didn''t dare to make any hasty moves. Instead, they posed a question in an utterly respectful tone, "Thank you, senior, for sparing us! We won''t transgress again! May we ask if we are permitted to leave now?" "Hmph!" Liu Xiong suddenly let out a disdainful snort. He gazed at Lu An and He Tian with a sneer, taunting them, "Thinking you can just walk away like that, aren''t you dreaming?" Upon hearing Liu Xiong''s words, Lu An''s response was not one of anger but rather one of jubtion. "We understand, we understand!" "We will undoubtedly demonstrate our utmost sincerity!" The implication that the other party might demandpensation gave them hope that they were indeed nning to release them. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : : [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up toChapter 368. By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to . Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Patreon : [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 275: Ten Thousand Soul Seed Secrets, Another Pawn Enters the Game "Good, you understand!" Liu Xiong''s voice was as cold as ice. "Bring it forth quickly. If our Lord changes his mind, you''re finished!" "Yes, yes! We''re fetching it right now!" Both Lu An and He Tian nodded frantically, hastily bringing out their most prized possessions. Among their treasures were the spiritual nts from both the Dao Pce realm and the Dao Comprehension realm. Additionally, they possessed other misceneous treasures and a significant number of spirit stones. "Hmph! Begone!" Wu Qian sneered dismissively, waving them away with a flick of his wrist. "We''re going, we''re going right now! Our gratitude to the senior for your mercy!" With a deeply obsequious bow in all directions, Lu An and He Tian didn''t dare to linger. In the next moment, they began to fly away cautiously, their bodies trembling with fear. Once they were far enough, they elerated dramatically, risking everything to flee into the distance. ''Why haven''t they turned into passersby yet?'' Jiang Chen nced at the retreating figures of Lu An and He Tian, his brows furrowing in thought as he noted their panels. Considering their circumstances, Lu An and He Tian wouldn''t dare to target Gu Ran anymore. Logically, they should have turned into passersby rather than continue as supporting characters. However, the situation didn''t seem to be unfolding as Jiang Chen had anticipated. ''What could it be?'' Jiang Chen mused, stroking his chin as his eyes suddenly sparkled with realization. ''Could it be the golden patterns?'' The underground cave dwelling had indeed been obliterated by the aftershocks of their recent battle. However, prior to its destruction, He Tian and his group had glimpsed the golden patterns within. Those golden patterns bore the records of a nearlyplete history, including the final all-out attack of the Doomsday Cave Heaven. The knowledge they held was of immense importance and could significantly sway the plot''s progression. Could it be that Lu An and He Tian, either by design or ident, or under coercion or willingly, had disclosed this information? In the original storyline, the protagonist Gu Ran would undeniably have strategized to utilize this Doomsday Cave Heaven for a surprise onught against the demon race''s rear nk. However, with this leak, Gu Ran''s carefully constructed n would crumble, inevitably igniting a deep-seated resentment against Lu An and He Tian. ''That appears to be the most usible exnation.'' ''I had initially intended to let you go. After all, during this invasion of the Immortal Martial Continent by the Nether Demon n, your presence could be of some benefit.'' ''Unfortunately, it seems you''re likely to betray the Immortal Martial Continent. Even if you don''t willingly do so, you could be forced into spilling secrets, thus ying into the roles of supporting characters, offering Gu Ran easy kills and experience points.'' ''In light of this, I can''t possibly let you roam free. If ites down to it, I''ll eliminate you myself.'' With these thoughts swirling in his head, Jiang Chen''s figure stirred, swiftly soaring towards Lu An and He Tian''s location. As the main viin, Jiang Chen harbored no qualms about killing when necessary. Moreover, the fates of Lu An and He Tian were already sealed, destined to fall under Gu Ran''s sword. Jiang Chen''s interference had merely extended their lifespans momentarily. Yet, given preferable alternatives, Jiang Chen would opt to control the two. After all, Dao Pce realm pawns had their worth. As he set off in pursuit of Lu An and He Tian, Jiang Chen simultaneously instructed Wu Qian and Liu Xiong to hand him the spiritual nts. Furthermore, he directed them to monitor Gu Ran''s actions. He had consistently kept a vignt eye on Gu Ran''s movements. As such, he was well-aware of Gu Ran''s current location. Furthermore, his divine sense, covering a vast expanse of a million kilometers in radius, continuously hovered around Gu Ran. "Yes!" Both Wu Qian and Liu Xiongplied instantly, darting in the direction Gu Ran had headed at their top speed. Lu An and He Tian hadn''t managed to escape far. Thanks to Jiang Chen''s blistering speed, he caught up with them in a mere heartbeat. There was no need to intercept them physically. Whoosh! An aura, brimming with potent power, engulfed them. Instantly, Lu An and He Tian shuddered violently, their steps faltering to an abrupt halt. "Se...Senior! Do you require anything else from us?" Lu An stuttered, putting on a sycophantic smile. "Nothing much. Just that you''ve seen those golden patterns, which can''t be shared," Jiang Chen replied nonchntly, casting a nce at the two below. "But, I can''t trust you, so I''ve decided to take control of you." "Wait! You promised to spare us..." Both Lu An and He Tian''s faces paled instantly, their voicesced with desperation. "If you need us for anything, justmand us, we won''t resist! Senior, it''s our honor to follow you, but please grant us some level of freedom!" "If you don''tply, you die," Jiang Chen interrupted them coldly, delivering his final ultimatum. "We, weply!" Ovee by tremors, Lu An and He Tian hurriedly voiced their agreement. In the face of death, freedom seemed a trivial concern. "Hmm. Now, open your souls to me and offer no resistance." Jiang Chen nodded slightly. After giving his instructions, he discussed briefly with Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, and obtained a Transcendence realm secret art specifically designed for controlling people the ''Ten Thousand Soul Seed Secrets''. After ying the hybrid of the demon race, which was a fusion of the Dao Pce realm demon, E Tianjiu, and the Dao Pce realm octopus-like demonic beast, Jiang Chen had stored enough energy in the Wordless Heavenly Jade to practice the Transcendence realm cultivation method. Among all the Transcendence realm cultivation methods, the soul-based ones were the most suitable for Jiang Chen at the moment. This was because his soul alone had attained the level of the Transcendence realm. Presently, to control two Dao Pce realm experts, soul-based control methods proved more effective than other restraint techniques. ''Wordless Heavenly Jade! Practice the Ten Thousand Soul Seed Secrets to perfection!'' With a mere thought, Jiang Chen merged his soul with the Wordless Heavenly Jade. Suddenly, a massive wave of peculiar energy gushed out from the Wordless Heavenly Jade. The majority of it infused into his soul, with a minor portion permeating his physical body. In an instant, he had mastered the Ten Thousand Soul Seed Secrets to the perfect-level stage. ''I need to replenish my qi and blood.'' Jiang Chen mused, lightly stroking his chin beforemencing the Ten Thousand Soul Seed Secrets on Lu An and He Tian. Two red specks of light soared from the area between the eyebrows of Lu An and He Tian, descending into Jiang Chen''s hand where they took the form of two magatamas. "I will be privy to all your thoughts. With this soul seed, I have the power to end your lives instantly," Jiang Chen dered impassively, his frosty gaze fixed on He Tian and Lu An. "However, rest assured that as long as you follow my orders, your lives will be spared." "Yes, Master!" Lu An and He Tian bowed swiftly, saluting their new master. It appeared they had alreadye to terms with their altered status. Meanwhile, system prompts chimed in Jiang Chen''s sea of consciousness. [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot. The Heavenly Fate Value of protagonist Gu Ran has decreased by 500 points!] [Ding! You have earned 1000 Viin Value points!] Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen nodded in satisfaction, but a slight frown creased his forehead. The fact that Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value didn''t decrease significantly hinted that in the original plot, the act of Lu An and He Tian leaking information was probably quickly neutralized. ''Hmm? More people are approaching!'' Just then, Jiang Chen noticed arge group of people appearing within the range of his divine sense. To his surprise, this group consisted of demonic cultivators from the Burning ze Ancient Sect, along with their actual puppet masters, the Nether Soul Demon n! ''Viin''s Eye!'' Jiang Chen''s eyes shifted, activating the panel of one of the Dao Pce realm demonic cultivators. [Name: Ji Junhao Realm: Late-stage Dao Pce (Peak-stage Dao Pce) Status: Supporting character Fate Value: 343] A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter372. By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 372 . Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 276: The Super Imposing Peak within the Cave Heaven ''Only 343 points of Fate Value? He doesn''t have much time left,'' Jiang Chen mused. He nced at the rest of the demonic cultivators and demon race members, noting their equally low Fate Values. "Follow me. Do not deviate from mymands, not even the slightest bit," Jiang Chen ordered. With a wave of his hand, he exerted a force that whisked Lu An and He Tian along, darting towards Gu Ran''s location. As they traveled, a message popped up. It was from Ji Mingxiu. After exchanging a few messages, Jiang Chen discovered that Ji Mingxiu''s group was approaching their location. It was clear that the individuals from Purple Heaven Holy Land were going to get tangled up in the events toe. ''Let''s see how this ys out,'' Jiang Chen thought to himself, instructing Ji Mingxiu''s group to continue their journey. Meanwhile, in another mountain range within the Doomsday Cave Heaven, Ji Junhao, a powerhouse at the Dao Pce realm from the Nether Soul Demon n, was taking in his surroundings. ''Such a vast Cave Heaven exists within the Immortal Martial Continent!'' He silently marveled. ''What a pity, it''s been sealed for so long that the Spiritual Qi has be thin. Restoring it will be a challenging task.'' ''Still, it''s an ideal location for deploying troops!'' ''If Lord Long Tianlu were alive and had regained hisbat prowess to the Transcendence realm. With this Cave Heaven, he could have constructed a series of spatial channels, enabling invasions into various regions of the Immortal Martial Continent.'' ''Under such circumstances, the fall of the Immortal Martial Continent would be inevitable.'' These ideas echoed in Ji Junhao''s mind as he gazed over the expanse of the Doomsday Cave Heaven from his elevated viewpoint. Standing alongside him were several expert demonic cultivators from the Burning ze Ancient Sect, including Xu Yuqi, apanied by guards from the Nether Soul Demon n at the Dao Comprehension realm. Their group was substantial, their force overwhelming, as they unabashedly radiated their wild and intimidating auras. ''So many inheritances reside within this Cave Heaven.'' ''Inheritances from cultivators are rarely publicized. This circumstance is quite peculiar.'' ''Nheless, let''s first identify where those demonic cultivators met their end.'' After some contemtion, Ji Junhao started to use his demonic cultivation technique, trying to detect the initial group of cultivators from the Burning ze Ancient Sect who had ventured in. Despite their demise, a hint of his imprint remained on their left-behind body parts. This was because these high-level demonic cultivators were personally transformed by him. In no time, Ji Junhao had estimated the direction and approximate distance to the location of the first batch of deceased demonic cultivators. He dered, "The previous demonic cultivators met their end in that direction. The group included experts at the Dao Comprehension realm. It would not have been easy to defeat them so swiftly." "This implies that among their attackers were Dao Pce realm powerhouses. Daring to kill my men they must be tired of living," Ji Junhao''s eyes narrowed further in anger. He then turned to Xu Yuqi and the rest, instructing them to head towards where the first group of demonic cultivators had fallen. He was determined to confront those responsible personally, intending to either torture them to death or convert them into new demonic cultivator underlings. "Yes, My Lord!" Xu Yuqi, ever the loyal subordinate, eagerly acknowledged themand, and promptly ryed the orders. In a matter of moments, the members of the Burning ze Ancient Sect and the demon race, led by Ji Junhao, hastened towards the initial scene of the demonic cultivators'' demise. Their course incidentally took them past the location where Jiang Chen, Gu Ran, and others were gathered. In a remote expanse of the Doomsday Cave Heaven, an immense mountain peak, sharp as a de, pierced the earth. A single nce was enough to discern that it was not a natural formation, but shaped by the powerful hand of a highly skilled cultivator. The majestic peak ascended an indeterminate number of tens of thousands of fathoms into the sky. A vast gorge split the mountain from base to midway up, as if cleaved by a single, mighty stroke. Yet, the entire mountain was shrouded in a faint white mist. Upon first look, one could clearly see the mountain. However, on the second nce, it appeared blurred, carrying an ominous hint of death. At this moment, at the foot of the mountain, a group of cultivators stood, their eyes fixed on the seemingly endless peak above. These individuals, regardless of their gender, were remarkably sturdy, their muscles bulging. Each of them had short, gleaming, golden hair. They were the proud members of the Golden Proud Cult. The Golden Proud Cult was the dominant force in the Wind Gold Domain and a renowned body cultivation sect in the Immortal Martial Continent. Most of their experts at the Second Step of the Cultivation Path had mastered the robust Great Dao of Metal, affording them extraordinarily sturdy defense. Their offensive capabilities, however, were so forceful that they could shatter thousands of techniques with raw power. "This towering peak is not ordinary! Everywhere else within this Cave Heaven seems typical, aside from the numerous inheritances..." The cult master of the Golden Proud Cult, Bao Xunwu, eyed the mountain peak with a glimmer in his eyes, murmuring to himself. "This ce stands out, suggesting there must be something here." Yet, even when speaking softly, this group of muscr individuals had notably loud and resonant voices. "Cult Master! Should we explore inside?" A Dao Comprehension realm expert asked in a deep, echoing voice. "Absolutely!" Bao Xunwu nodded, "Leave a few people outside for backup, the rest will apany me inside!" "Understood!" A group of Golden Proud Cult experts acknowledged the orders, swiftly splitting into two teams. "Let''s move, follow me." With a wave of his hand, Bao Xunwu led the muscr group towards the massive gorge at the center of the towering peak. ... "Huff! Huff!" At this moment, Gu Ran, breathless, found a rock to sit on and began to consume pills to replenish his Yuan Power. Having previously vanquished some cultivators, he had no shortage of healing or Yuan Power recovery pills. Almost instantly, his attention was drawn to an immense shadow in the distance that pierced the clouds. "That''s... an enormous peak! My heavens, I''ve never witnessed such a vast mountain, it''s beyond belief." Gu Ran''s eyes mirrored his astonishment. In the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea, inds were few and far between, and the peaks on these inds were not tall. This was the first time he had seen a mountain of such towering height. ''Why would such an immense mountain exist within this Cave Heaven?'' ''ording to the inscriptions on that stele, the Doomsday Cave Heaven was once the final bastion of the Immortal Martial Continent against the Nether Demon n.'' ''Thatmanding mountain peak may well have been the strategic center for our predecessors.'' ''With so many inheritances scattered around, if that mountain holds what I suspect, there could be even more inheritances inside!'' A contemtive spark shed in Gu Ran''s eyes, and with a swift leap, he took flight towards the towering peak. Suddenly, an astonished voice sliced through the air not far off, "There''s a human cultivator!" "He''s merely an Inquiring Journey realm cultivator, weak and yet audacious enough to venture alone. He''s practically courting death." "Hahaha, I''m eager to carve out his heart, liver, and lungs for a meal!" "Young fool, stand still and face your doom!" A cacophony of overconfident voices followed. A group of demonic cultivators from the Burning ze Ancient Sect surged in from a distance. The group consisted only of Inquiring Journey realm cultivators. Unsurprisingly, they were influenced by the Heavenly Fate. ''What! Someone''sing to y me!'' The thought struck Gu Ran. ''These people seem familiar, like those who fell earlier. They must be from the same group!'' ''Hmph, these individuals'' cultivation bases are weak, just the right fodder for me to eliminate and boost my own strength!'' With this thought, Gu Ran readied himself to strike. ''Heavenly Gu Society, you''ll pay for all of this, sooner orter!'' But in that split second, a chilling sensation raced down his spine. His hair stood on end, his body tightened, and his pupils contracted sharply. ''This isn''t good! There''s an unbeatable adversary lurking in the shadows! I need to flee!!'' Without a moment''s hesitation, Gu Ran pivoted and darted away. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter372. By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 372 . Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 277: Obstructing Gu Rans Counterattack "Ha ha ha! Kid, where do you think you''re going?" barked a voice, one of the cultivators from Burning ze Ancient Sect. His derisiveughter echoed across the space. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Dont be so hasty to kill him. Lets toy with him a bit first," another cultivator added, his wordsced with sinister amusement. "You little human runt, you better run!" A third voice joined the fray. The cultivators from Burning ze Ancient Sect, seized by a peculiar whim, all adopted a cat-ying-with-a-mouse mentality. Instead of immediately cornering and killing Gu Ran, they seemed to delight in the chase. And so, these cultivators from the Burning ze Ancient Sect trailed behind Gu Ran, filling the air with a relentless stream of belittling and insulting words, jeering him in their game of torment. If Jiang Chen were present, he''d instantly diagnose the situation: a ssic set-up where the protagonist is cornered, only to eventually turn the tables, forcing his adversaries to eat humble pie. ''A bunch of worthless scum! If it wasnt for the powerhouse backing you, one I cant challenge, you''d be nothing more than worthless trash in my eyes!'' Fueled by simmering anger, Gu Ran hissed under his breath, while continuing his flight into the distance. Yet, the unnerving sensation of being under the watchful gaze of a formidable foe persisted. He dared not use his powers of concealment. If this powerful enemy were to notice his sudden disappearance, they would likely resort to a wide-sweeping assault, engulfing the vast expanse he was in. If such an event were to ur, his demise would be all but guaranteed. ''Damn it! It must be a cultivator of the Dao Pce realm!'' Gu Ran concluded bitterly, his teeth gritted in frustration. Oddly enough, he found himself longing for the presence of Wu Qian and Liu Xiong. If Wu Qian and Liu Xiong were here, he might have been able to take down a few enemies from the Inquiring Journey realm. He wouldn''t have been reduced to such a desperate flight. Time, however, waited for no one. In just a few dozen breaths, Gu Ran had moved towards the distant peak, its colossal shadow loomingrge. Hot on his heels, a throng of Burning ze Ancient Sect cultivators followed relentlessly. Perched high above in the sky, Ji Junhao surveyed the scene below. His gaze followed Gu Ran''s route of escape, eventuallynding on the imposing mountain peak. ''What mountain is that?'' He thought, amazed by what he had just discovered. ''This Cave Heaven is expansive, but such a colossal mountain peak is a rarity. Moreover, it doesn''t appear naturally formed.'' ''We''re not far from where those demonic cultivators perished earlier. We''ll dispose of those people first, then delve into the mysteries of this massive peak.'' Doubt and curiosity sparked in Ji Junhao''s eyes as he quicklymanded his subordinates to exterminate the ''insignificant ant'' scurrying below. Simultaneously, he retracted his divine sense, pressing onwards in his journey. "Sect Master''s orders! Kill that human runt. No more games. Take him down." The unhinged demonic cultivators of the Burning ze Ancient Sect sneered with malevolent delight, ready to act against Gu Ran. But with themand from above, the task of finishing Gu Ran fell on the shoulders of a group of Inquiring Journey realm cultivators. To everyone present, dealing with an Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm cultivator was hardly a challenge, requiring minimal effort. As such, the majority of the forces opted to follow Ji Junhao, leaving only a handful to handle Gu Ran. In a sh, Ji Junhao and his group moved swiftly, their figures disappearing into the distance. Every move, every nuance of the scene unfolding before him, was keenly observed by the hidden Jiang Chen. ''Tsk, Ji Junhao and the others tantly disregarded Gu Ran,'' he thought. ''It''s not just their disdain for Gu Ran, this ''insignificant ant'', but also the workings of Heavenly Fate at y.'' ''Otherwise, a stronger cultivator might have already intervened and killed Gu Ran in a heartbeat.'' ''With the higher-ups of the Burning ze Ancient Sect gone, leaving only the less significant ones behind, its Gu Ran''s chance to strike back, proving them wrong.'' These thoughts raced through Jiang Chen''s mind as he, along with Lu An and He Tian, swiftly moved towards Gu Ran''s location. En route, Jiang Chen also gathered Wu Qian and Liu Xiong, cloaking their presence using the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. Ji Junhao''s group and Jiang Chen''s party nearly intersected, yet none among Ji Junhao''s team detected the quiet approach of Jiang Chen and hispanions. In a sh, Jiang Chen and his fourpanions arrived not far from Gu Ran, carefully steering clear of the observation range of Ji Junhao and the other Dao Pce realm adversaries. ''Gu Ran, to save you from making a spectacle of yourself and teaching others a lesson, I even forfeited a chance to ambush Ji Junhao.'' Surveying the bustling scene below, a cool smirk tugged at the corner of Jiang Chen''s mouth. Simultaneously, a sense of relief washed over Gu Ran. "They''re gone! That Dao Pce realm cultivator also left!" he eximed, the joy palpable in his voice. "Ha ha ha, the heavens are truly on my side!" ted with this realization, Gu Ran quickly pivoted,unching an attack against a Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm cultivator. "This kid''s done for," one of the remaining demonic cultivators from the Burning ze Ancient Sect remarked with derisive certainty. "A mere Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm taking on a Middle-stage? He''ll be crushed in an instant." "There''s no need for us to intervene." The rest of the demonic cultivators from the Burning ze Ancient Sect echoed simr sentiments,cking any real intention to step in. Instead, they seemed to relish in the spectacle unfolding before their eyes. From Jiang Chen''s vantage point, it was clear as day that Heavenly Fate was subtly orchestrating the events! "You dare underestimate me! Die!" Gu Ran''s eyes zed with a fierce, blood-red light, brimming with a desperate, do-or-die resolve as he charged headlong at the cultivator! The ensuing sh was titanic, sending shockwaves rippling across the vicinity. "Spurt! How is this possible?" Theplexion of the demonic cultivator from the Burning ze Ancient Sect altered drastically as he coughed up a mouthful of blood, hastily attempting to flee. Gu Ran''s face shone with a triumphant grin, ready to press on and deliver the final blow to the wounded Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm demonic cultivator. "Hmph!" But at that moment, a disdainful snort echoed from the sky, cutting short the life of the injured demonic cultivator in an instant. Boom! It was only then that Gu Ran''s attacknded, pulverizing the remains of the demonic cultivator into bits and pieces. But the joy that had previously lit Gu Ran''s face vanished in an instant, reced first by momentary bewilderment, which rapidly gave way to unbridled fury! ''Again?!!! How can this be?!'' he thought, the disbelief clear in his inner voice. ''Where are the high-ranking demonic cultivators? Where is that Dao Pce realm demon?!! Why didn''t they run into the Heavenly Gu Society members?!'' ''They were supposed to cross paths and engage in battle!'' ''Why has it turned out like this?!'' ''I was on the verge of a breakthrough after killing that demonic cultivator!'' Gu Ran''s internal outcry escted into a frenzy. He clenched his teeth with such force that they made a grinding noise, the sheer intensity causing his gums to bleed. Meanwhile, an overwhelming sense of helplessness and fear swallowed him, continually testing his fundamental beliefs. He had always adhered to the principle of not taking innocent lives - a moral cornerstone for any protagonist. Yet, in that moment, Gu Ran felt a potent urge to kill indiscriminately, to fortify his strength. It seemed as if only by ughtering anyone he encountered could he stand more chances of growing stronger! The scale of the carnage could indeed be amplified. Gu Ran deduced that whenever he harbored the intention to kill, the Heavenly Gu Society rarely intervened to halt him. Instead, they preemptively pilfered his potential victims from under his nose. So, how would the Heavenly Gu Society react if he initiated arge-scale ughter or razed an entire city to the ground? Would they put a stop to him? Or would they continue their previous approach, swooping in first to wreak havoc on the city? If thetter scenario were to unfold, it would certainly escte the situation, inevitably drawing the attention of other major powers. With the intercession of these significant forces, he might find a chance to extricate himself from the grips of the Heavenly Gu Society sooner, evading the perilousbyrinth he was currently navigating, where every step was loaded with challenges! As these thoughts whirled in his mind, another crushing assault descended from the sky,ying waste to the stunned demonic cultivators in one fell swoop. ''Ah! I yearn to kill... No, I can''t sumb to this, I am a human, not a demon, not a beast!'' Witnessing this scene, Gu Ran roared internally, his clenched fists trembling with rage. The shadows cast by his disheveled hair masked his eyes, which flickered with aplex intery of struggle and pain. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 374. Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 278: The Clash of Six Dao Palace Realm Powerhouses [Ding! You''ve sessfully made a minor change to the plot, causing a shift in Protagonist Gu Ran''s mindset. Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has dropped by 1000 points!] [Ding! You''ve rued 2000 Viin Value points!] System notifications sounded in Jiang Chen''s sea of consciousness. ''A decrease of 1000 points, it''s not insignificant, yet not substantial either,'' he pondered. ''The real blow to Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value woulde when the Cave Heaven plot is entirely thwarted.'' A self-satisfied smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth. Soon after, his attention swung towards Ji Junhao and hispanions. They had halted. It seemed they had discerned that all the forces they''d left to confront Gu Ran were now wiped out. In the distance, Ji Junhao and his group remained stationary, observing Gu Ran, their expressions slightly furrowed. "My Lord! That human brat couldn''t possibly have handled so many enemies on his own. Someone must be assisting him!" Xu Yuqi said emphatically, bowing slightly towards Ji Junhao. "I''m well aware!" Ji Junhao responded coolly. He also suspected that the individual who had previously destroyed his demonic cultivators was a human powerhouse at the Dao Pce realm. Approaching from Gu Ran''s position, he didn''t sense the presence of any other cultivators within his divine sense range. Based on the timeframe, the ally aiding Gu Ran isn''t much slower than him. Considering that his demonic cultivators were wiped out en masse instantaneously, the enemy is at least a Late-stage Dao Comprehension realm expert. Therefore, Ji Junhao has inferred that the one aiding Gu Ran is a human powerhouse at the Dao Pce realm. "My Lord, what is our next course of action?" Xu Yuqi asked, looking at Ji Junhao with deep respect, quietly seeking his counsel. "We retaliate!" Ji Junhao replied with a frostyugh, vanishing from his ce in a heartbeat. "Quickly! Keep up with Lord Ji Junhao!" Xu Yuqi and the rest hurried to match pace. ''So, they are in pursuit?'' Jiang Chen, detecting Ji Junhao''s group with his divine sense,mented with a faint smile. Without dy, he directed Wu Qian and the others to ready themselves to confront Ji Junhao''s group. Meanwhile, on the battlefield below. ''No! I refuse to be a blind killer. How is that any different from sumbing to wickedness?'' Gu Ran wrestled with his inner conflict. ''I still possess the potential to grow stronger, to fight back and eliminate the Heavenly Gu Society!'' ''On this Immortal Martial Continent, the Transcendence realm is the ultimate threshold. I refuse to believe that the Heavenly Gu Society can house a powerhouse beyond this realm!'' ''Transcendence realm... If I can annihte more foes from the Dao Pce realm, I might have a shot at breaking through!'' ''I must bide my time. I''m on the brink of crossing into the middle-stage of the Inquiring Journey realm. Additionally, I must enhance my cultivation methods!'' ''So the Heavenly Gu Society wants to prevent me from killing to grow stronger? Then, honing my martial techniques and secret arts should be permissible!'' After battling his internal tumult, Gu Ran managed to stabilize his mental state, standing firm on his principles. Gu Ran drew confidence from his Endless Dark Blood Moon lineage. Suddenly, He Tian shouted in rm, "This is bad. We have a formidable enemy approaching! It''s the demonic cultivators from the Burning ze Ancient Sect, and even the demon race!" "The demon race is here! Be on guard!" Lu An echoed, putting on a surprised face. "The enemy has three Dao Pce realm powerhouses! Liu Xiong, you need to get Young Master Gu out of here quickly!" Wu Qian dered, his face stern. "Yes!" Liu Xiong promptly agreed, turning to Gu Ran, "Young Master Gu, we need to leave immediately!" "Then let''s move," Gu Ran replied impassively. He took to the skies towards the distance, not allowing Liu Xiong to decide their escape route. After all, Gu Ran was always keen on doing anything that would thwart the control of the Heavenly Gu Society. What Gu Ran failed to notice, however, was that his actions were fitting perfectly into Jiang Chen''s strategy. ''Just as expected, he''s heading for that towering peak,'' Jiang Chen noted with a faint smile, then followed suit towards the same peak. Just then, Ji Junhao and his party made their appearance. "You''re the one who eliminated my underlings!" Ji Junhao used, his gazending on the human adversaries. "That young man, protected by three Dao Pce realm experts, is no ordinary individual. I hadn''t expected to underestimate him," Ji Junhao added, interspersing his words with chillyughs as he appraised the three Dao Pce realm human powerhouses before him. With a simple gesture, several demons and demonic cultivators, some at the Dao Comprehension realm, pursued in the direction Gu Ran had taken. "This is disastrous! Halt them!" He Tian''s expression turned grave as he sprung into action, aiming to thwart the underlings at the Dao Comprehension and Inquiring Journey realms. "Your opponent is me!" Xu Yuqi countered with a smirk,unching a powerful counterattack to intercept He Tian''s move. "Attack!" Ji Junhao roared, directing his assault straight at Wu Qian. In a sh, the six Dao Pce realm experts from both factions shed, turning the surrounding earth into craters. ''The fight has begun,'' Jiang Chen noted, casting a casual nce back at the battleground where the six Dao Pce realmbatants were locked in conflict, an easygoing smile on his face. He wasn''t perturbed about Wu Qian and the others being outmatched by Ji Junhao and his team. After all, in the original narrative, Wu Qian had held his ground against E Tianjiu, repelling the Nether Demon n''s initial onught on the Lustrous Yang Domain. Xu Yuqi and the other Dao Pce expert were evenly matched with Lu An and He Tian, with virtually no discernable difference in their prowess. ''However, the number of Dao Comprehension realm cultivators chasing Gu Ran is rather high,'' Jiang Chen contemted, focusing his attention on the cultivators from the Burning ze Ancient Sect who were tailing Gu Ran. Among them were nine Dao Comprehension realm cultivators and over twenty Inquiring Journey realm cultivators. They represented nearly all the high-ranking demonic cultivators of the Burning ze Ancient Sect. ''If Gu Ran eliminates these individuals, his progression to the Dao Comprehension realm will be certain,'' Jiang Chen reflected. ''The protagonist''s fortune is truly extraordinary. Despite my numerous attempts to stifle his progress, Gu Ran consistently seizes opportunities for major advancement.'' ''It''s no surprise that in the original narrative, he could grow from the Mysterious tform realm to a level where he could challenge someone of my Half-step Transcendence realm status in just a few months.'' Immersed in his thoughts, Jiang Chen returned his gaze to the towering peak in the distance. By now, he had already discerned the distinctiveness of that colossal peak. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter374. By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 374 . Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 279: The Greatest Site of Inheritance "The peak that towers over us isn''t naturalit''s man-made," Nangong Wan''s voice echoed within Jiang Chen''s Sea of Consciousness. "This entire peak is shrouded by a formation. It bears resemnce to the ones we have in our Evesting Baseless Immortal Domainit''s a lethal array, designed specifically for demons and demonic cultivators." "The artistry behind the design of this formation is truly noteworthy," Shangguan Ning added. "It''s powered by a fraction of the entire Cave Heaven''s energy, imbued with a touch of spatial force. Its lethal potential is incredibly fearsome. Even with its age and reduced power, it remains a deadly threat to demons and demonic cultivators of the Dao Pce realm." Jiang Chen mulled over the newfound knowledge in his mind. ''Oh? I didn''t expect this peak to have a formation protecting it.'' ''It appears, this must be thest stronghold of the human race in the Immortal Martial Continent a million years ago.'' ''The outside world of this Cave Heaven is filled with inheritances, but inside this mountain, there must be even more precious treasures!'' ''Additionally, this formation can pose a significant threat to demons and demonic cultivators at the Dao Pce realm. It will surely be used by Gu Ran in the original plot to counterkill Ji Junhao and his crew.'' A thoughtful gleam flickered in Jiang Chen''s eyes as he ryed the information through divine sense to Liu Xiong. ''There''s a formation that can restrain the demonic cultivators and demons!'' Liu Xiong''s eyes widened in shock, and he shot a nce at Gu Ran. Understanding dawned on him. Gu Ran''s chosen direction had seemed arbitrary, yet now an ancient formation capable of restraining demons and demonic cultivators appeared on their route. It was clear evidence of Gu Ran''s extraordinary luck. Still, regardless of how fortuitous Gu Ran was, he could not elude Jiang Chen''s grasp. Liu Xiong''s admiration for Jiang Chen had reached the point of sheer awe. In his heart, only Jiang Chen held the power to save the Immortal Martial Continent! As time slipped by, Liu Xiong, inpany with Gu Ran, steadily moved closer to the peculiar towering peak. Simultaneously, inside the towering peak, the members of the Golden Proud Cult had already ventured into its depths. Previously, they had sessfully navigated through one security point after another. Indeed, this monolithic peak was the final stronghold for all humans in the Doomsday Cave Heaven, a hub where the human experts amassed. Moreover, it was thest refuge where all cultivators bequeathed their inheritances. The inheritances strewn about the outside world had been left by the early fallen cultivators, with their quality varying significantly. But the ones here were generally high-grade inheritances, at least of the Dao Comprehension realm. However, to ess the interior, one needed to traverse several security points. The first checkpoint was straightforward. It was merely a stone gate. One could unlock it simply by infusing it with the Dao Yuan Power of the human race. The second checkpoint was a luminescent screen that scrutinized the souls of cultivators, thwarting demonic cultivators and demons from masquerading as human cultivators to gain entry. Once these two checkpoints were cleared, one would find themselves within the vast interior of the peak. Inside, a sprawling square crafted from white jade dominated the space. A collection of buildings were nested into the surrounding mountain walls. At this moment, the members of the Golden Proud Cult stood on the square, their gazes sweeping the area. Much to their disappointment, there were no inheritances left by any powerhouse. It was empty, devoid of anything of value. However, their attention was captured by a massive bronze entrance at the far end of the square. "This is... the Azure Firmament Heavenly Copper Essence!" Bao Xunwu advanced to the bronze entrance, his eyes shing with intense shock. The Golden Proud Cult, specialists in the Great Dao of Metal, possessed a deep understanding of various metals and had numerous cultivation methods that harnessed their power. The Azure Firmament Heavenly Copper Essence, a metal of the Dao Pce realm, was one of the finest cultivation materials listed in the Golden Proud Cult''s cultivation methods. In addition, this type of metal wasn''t suitable for tool refining. Hence, they were molded into this entrance instead of being crafted into a multitude of weapons tobat the demon race. Of course, its Dao Pce realm grade ensured an iparably sturdy structure. Even an average Dao Pce realm powerhouse couldn''t hope to destroy it. At that moment, the remaining Golden Proud Cult cultivators gradually congregated at the bronze entrance, their eyes aglow with longing, their lips moistened in anticipation. Next, Bao Xunwu extended his hand and gently grazed the bronze entrance, a faint radiance appearing where his fingertip made contact. Information transferred from the entrance directly into his mindprior to the Doomsday Cave Heavenunching a full-scale attack against the demon race, many powerhouses had deposited their entire inheritances here. But to unlock the bronze entrance, a considerable number of cultivators needed to simultaneously infuse it with Dao Yuan Power. Otherwise, not even a Dao Pce realm cultivator could singlehandedly open it. ''So it requires simultaneous infusion of Dao Yuan Power from multiple cultivators.'' Bao Xunwu muttered to himself, a spark in his eyes, his mind fully preupied with the forting inheritances. A few momentster, Bao Xunwu instructed, "Everyone, heed mymand! ce your hand on the bronze entrance and channel your Dao Yuan Power!" Following Bao Xunwu''s directive, each member of the Golden Proud Cult reached out to touch the bronze entrance, permeating it with Dao Yuan Power. Rumble! Rumble! Instantly, the bronze entrance issued a thunderous roar, a crack swiftly materializing. "Keep going!" Bao Xunwu roared, his face alive with excitement. The other members of the Golden Proud Cult were equally exhrated, their eyes wide and sparkling with avarice. They exerted themselves, infusing Dao Yuan Power with all their strength. Slowly, the bronze entrance creaked open, unveiling the scene beyonda cavernous space crafted from white jade, radiating a gentle, white luminescence. The underground expanse was evenrger than the square where Bao Xunwu and the others were standing. Inside, countless orbs of light floated idly. Encased within these orbs were either books, jade slips, or treasures such as pills and spiritual nts. "By the heavens! Look at the multitude of inheritances!" one member of the Golden Proud Cult eximed in awe. "That jade slip was actually crafted from the Azure me Spirit Jade! It must house a Dao Pce realm inheritance!" "The spiritual nts have been preserved for so long, yet they''re still fresh. This method is beyondprehension." "That''s a breakthrough pill of the Dao Pce realm! Hahaha, fantastic! My breakthrough is within reach now!" "Transcendence realm inheritances must be present here! Look, there, at the very farthest end!" Bao Xunwu and the others from the Golden Proud Cult, staring at the orbs carpeting the sky, were so overwhelmed with excitement that they stood aghast, their bodies quaking with anticipation. ''Hahahaha! I can''t believe I''ve acquired so many high-level inheritances!'' Bao Xunwu''s inner voice resonated, an exultant chuckle echoing in his mind. ''Given enough time with these inheritances, I am certain to make the breakthrough to the Transcendence realm!'' ''And when that timees, what will the so-called prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent amount to? Nothing, that''s what!'' ''By then, I''ll already be a great powerhouse in the Transcendence realm. The entire Immortal Martial Continent will be mine for the taking!'' Bao Xunwu''s heart pounded fiercely, resonating with a drum-like rhythm! Unable to resist his excitement, he took a step forward, and so did the othersuncontainable joy radiating off them! However, Bao Xunwu had only taken a few steps when a light screen materialized suddenly in his path, blocking everyone''s way. The light screen entrance bore a striking resemnce to the previous bronze entranceonly one was forged of metal, the other a semi-translucent screen of light. "What? Why is there a light screen blocking our path?" a member of the Golden Proud Cult questioned, their voiceced with surprise. "We''vee this far, passed every test!" another cultivator interjected, their tone marked by frustration. The expressions on the faces of Bao Xunwu and the others morphed rapidly, their once ebullient moods nowced with potent frustration. In that instant, lines of text began to form on the light screen entrance. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter376. By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 376 . Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 280: Internal Strife of the Golden Proud Cult In that instant, lines of text began to form on the light screen entrance - Only a single individual may enter the inheritance grounds at a time. The inheritances of all cultivation methods are imprinted with soul power through a unique secret art, and can only be utilized once. Following their use, the teachings of the cultivation method can be mastered to a minor aplishment-level or potentially, a great aplishment-level. All inheritances of spiritual nts and pills require immediate use. Once the light screen is removed, these must be consumed on the spot; otherwise, their medicinal properties will disperse and evaporate into thin air. The majority of other inheritances also necessitate immediate usage and cannot be stored for future use. ... Upon reading the text on the light screen entrance, the expressions on most of the faces in the Golden Proud Cult turned rather sour. The text implied that only one person could acquire the majority of the inheritances, leaving the rest to scrounge over the leftoversif any remained at all. This situation seemed profoundly unfair! Just then, the previous text faded, reced by a new line - The light screen entrance will open in a quarter of an hour! "Hmph! Open for me!" Bao Xunwu snorted coldly, and, astoundingly, he threw a punch at the light screen entrance. Bang! A massive wave of energy erupted. Yet, the light screen entrance remained entirely unresponsive. "It won''t open!" Bao Xunwu''s expression shifted, and he promptly ceased his attempt. His fear was that any forceful attempt to open the light screen might obliterate the inheritances within. "Cult Master, what should we do now?" A cultivator inquired, swallowing nervously. "Hmph! What else can we do?" Another member of the Golden Proud Cult retorted, "Our Cult Master is the strongest among us. Naturally, he should be the one to receive the inheritance!" "Exactly, the inheritance should indeed be bestowed upon the Cult Master alone. When the Cult Master bes stronger, we will inevitably reap the benefits." A number of cultivators surrounding Bao Xunwu started to express their agreement, their voices creating a cacophonous uproar. Following these statements, a hushed silence fell over the scene. There appeared to be no dissent. Yet, the private thoughts of individuals told a different tale. This was a tremendous opportunity for monumental advancement. Upon receiving the inheritance, the chances of ascending to the Transcendence realmand bing the mightiest cultivator on the Immortal Martial Continentskyrocketed. To attain the Transcendence realm, to stand at the pinnacle of the Immortal Martial Continent, to hold sway over all beingswho could resist such allure of power and status? "Since everyone is in agreement, I shall ept these inheritances, andter, I''ll impart these cultivation method inheritances to you all!" Bao Xunwu surveyed the crowd, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. His focus was entirely on the inheritances; his gaze stubbornly fixated on the deepest inheritance, unwilling to shift for even a moment. In the congregation of the Golden Proud Cult, the countenances of the other two Dao Pce realm cultivators remained unaltered. However, a plethora of ndestine thoughts were already brewing within their hearts. ''Hmph! Even if he imparts these teachings to uster, how could it equate to directly understanding the esoteric principles of the cultivation methods to the great aplishment level?'' ''Moreover, that Transcendence realm inheritance... would he truly share it with us? Absolutely not!'' ''And those pills, only he can consume them!'' ''Why not me? I am in no way inferior to this Bao Xunwu. The only reason he is the leader is because I couldn''t be bothered with the hassles of managing the sect!'' ''I must obtain this inheritance. Once in my possession, I will stand as an unrivaled entity, reigning supreme over all and controlling everything!'' These two cultivators were waiting for the other to make the first moveto strike at Bao Xunwu! Nheless, as the quarter of an hour rapidly approached, neither of them took action, resulting in growing anxiety in their hearts. Then, in a sh, the two covertly extended their divine senses, conducted an instantaneous exchange, and agreed upon a mutual n to attack and eliminate Bao Xunwu! Time, thus, passed by the second. A blink of an eye and half a quarter of an hour had already psed. ''It''s opening! It''s opening!! I''m on the verge of advancing to the Transcendence realm, hahaha!'' Bao Xunwu, entirely oblivious to the lethal intentions harbored by his fellow sect members, was brimming with anticipation! Swoosh! Swoosh! At that very moment, the other two Dao Pce realm powerhouses of the Golden Proud Cult simultaneouslyunched their most potent strikes, concurrently aiming at Bao Xunwu. Their close proximity meant the attacks from the pair reached Bao Xunwu almost instantaneously. "What!! You dare to attack me! Ah! You scoundrels! Traitors!" Bao Xunwu''s face transformed with shock, it was already toote to muster his strongest defense. In his desperation, the characteristic sturdiness of the Great Dao of Metal surged forth, shaping a golden shield around him! Boom! The dual power-packed strikes impacted Bao Xunwu, instantaneously detonating with overwhelming aftershocks of the battle. "Ah! Flee!" cried out an anonymous member of the Golden Proud Cult. "The Supreme Elders and the Cult Master are locked inbat!" "No, please cease, I don''t want to die!" "Ah! My leg!" One by one, cultivators who were situated too close were instantly torn to shreds, while arge number of cultivators suffered grave injuries, uttering horrified screams as they scrambled to escape. In merely a brief span, a substantial portion of the Golden Proud Cult cultivators were either in or hurt, with the remaining ones also suffering severe injuries. Simultaneously, while the grand battle between Bao Xunwu and the two others was unfolding, outside the immense peak, Gu Ran and Liu Xiong had finally reached the colossal crevice of the towering peak. ''There must be invaluable treasures hidden within this massive peak!'' Gu Ran nced up at the pinnacle of the crevice that remained out of sight, a potent premonition surging within him. Suddenly, an unidentified voice pierced the silence, "Run, run, let''s see where you can escape!" "Hehehe, there''s no way out, right? Today, this demon will certainly devour you whole!" One after another, demons and demonic cultivators at the Dao Comprehension realm swarmed in from the distance, and in the blink of an eye, they had Gu Ran and Liu Xiong cornered. ''Damn it! All the adversaries are at the Dao Comprehension realm!'' Gu Ran''s face contorted as if he had swallowed something revolting. If it had been a cultivator at the Inquiring Journey realm, he would have still had a chance to engage and emerge stronger, using the chaos of battle to feed his growth, and eventually overturn the situation. But at present, he found himself woefully outmatched. Despite his desire to kill and grow stronger, he found himself obstructed at the very first step, rendered incapable of ying a single foe! Suddenly, a sh of insight pierced through Gu Ran''s mind. ''There''s no other way. After all, the secret of my ability to kill and grow stronger is already known to the Heavenly Gu Society.'' Indeed, he nned to use Liu Xiong! "Liu Xiong, listen closely! If you don''t want to die, follow my lead!" Gu Ranmanded urgently, his eyes locked on the impending foes. "In the uing battle, do everything in your power to defeat the Dao Comprehension realm enemies. However, the final blow must be mine to deliver!" "Once I have in several Dao Comprehension realm adversaries, I can level up to their realm. Only then will we stand a fighting chance!" Gu Ranmunicated this crucial strategy to Liu Xiong with utter seriousness. "Honorable Holy Son!" Liu Xiong''s expression shifted as he absorbed Gu Ran''s words, and he swiftly used his transmission jade token to contact Jiang Chen, "About Gu Ran..." "Refuse his request and prevent him from entering the mountain rift," Jiang Chen instructed Liu Xiong through his divine sense. "Reinforcements from our Purple Heaven Holy Land will arrive shortly." With his Transcendence realm divine sense, he had already noticed the intrusion into the mountain and vaguely sensed the battle taking ce within. It posed a vexing dilemma. If Gu Ran stayed outside the mountain peak, under the maniption of his Heavenly Fate, he would find opportunities to kill the demons and demonic cultivators, thereby enhancing his power. If Gu Ran infiltrated the mountain, he could potentially get entangled in the internalbat and gain strength through those battles. Moreover, there was the formation inside the mountain which could be exploited by Gu Ran. In the original timeline, Gu Ran managed to turn the tables and dominate, no matter the circumstances. ''Heavenly Fate... It''s indeed a troublesome power,'' Jiang Chen mused, stroking his chin. Soon, a smirk formed on his face, ''Fortunately, I have my Heaven-Defying Fate Changer treasures!'' A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter376. By joining the membership, not only do you support the ongoing development of the novel, but you also gain ess to read up to Chapter 376 . Patreon: [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Patreon : [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] Chapter 281: Holy Son Jiang Chens Divine Foresight Following closely, Jiang Chen nced over his shoulder. Not only had the demons and demonic cultivators from the Burning ze Ancient Sect, who were in the Dao Comprehension realm, already arrived, but there were also over twenty demonic cultivators and demons in the Inquiring Journey realm charging fiercely towards Gu Ran. Thesetter ones trailed noticeably, moving at a slower pace. Jiang Chen mused, ''In the original plot, Gu Ran would''ve used the formation to dispatch those Dao Comprehension realm foes. Only after their fall would these Inquiring Journey realm opponents have dared to approach. Had things yed out as before, this arriving group would be paralyzed with shock and dread, letting Gu Ran unt his prowess without moving a muscle.'' ''But this time is different. Now, it''s my turn to upset the pattern.'' A subtle smile graced Jiang Chen''s face as he retrieved a transmission jade token. Quickly, he messaged Ji Mingxiu, signaling him to send someone to dispatch the approaching Inquiring Journey realm adversaries. He then calmly shifted his focus to Liu Xiong below. "Young Master Gu, I can''t let you face such danger!" Liu Xiong''s voice wasced with urgency. His face reflected deep concern as he spoke, "Once you''re inside this mountain peak, there''s no returning. Seek a different escape route!" With these words, he seized Gu Ran and flung him far away. "No!" Gu Ran''s protest was futile against Liu Xiong''s strength. He found himself hurtling several kilometers distant. From behind, mocking voices erupted, "Still hoping to flee? Such foolish fantasies!" "Comrades, to arms! Rip this old man apart!" "Heh heh heh..." The air grew cold as one by one, the demons and demonic cultivators of the Burning ze Ancient Sect unleashed their malevolentughter. With a surge of murderous intent, they bore down on both Liu Xiong and Gu Ran. "Damn it!" Gu Ran''s eyes widened in rm. Without hesitation, he invoked his concealment ability, disappearing from sight. One demonic cultivator from the Burning ze Ancient Sect eximed, "Where did that young runt go?!" "How did he vanish? Even my senses can''t trace him!" "Quick,unch an area-wide assault. Force him into the open!" The experts of the Burning ze Ancient Sect were taken aback by Gu Ran''s sudden disappearance. Without missing a beat, they unleashed a barrage of attacks on hisst known location. "Do not harm the prodigious talent of our Heavenly Gu Society!" With a battle cry, Liu Xiong, undeterred by the impending danger, hurled himself towards the Dao Comprehension realm cultivators who were in hot pursuit of Gu Ran. Boom, boom, boom! Liu Xiong, wounded but resolute, single-handedly countered the expansive onught of the Burning ze Ancient Sect. "Damn it!" spat a demonic cultivator from the Burning ze Ancient Sect. "He''s obstructing us, and while we''re distracted, that young one''s likely fled!" "Take down this old fool first!" Faces of the experts from the Burning ze Ancient Sect darkened, their animosity wholly focused on Liu Xiong. "Face me, you demon-infested vermin!" Blood spurted from Liu Xiong''s lips, yet his spirit remained unbroken. He taunted and jeered at his foes without ceasing. "Come, all of you! I have the strength to end each one of you!" Knowing Jiang Chen had his back, Liu Xiong felt invincible and held nothing back. "It''s infuriating!" a demonic cultivator from the Burning ze Ancient Sect seethed. "Even at death''s door, you dare to spout such nonsense. Today, I''ll skin you alive and swallow you whole!" One by one, the infuriated demons and demonic cultivators surged forward, targeting Liu Xiong. With Jiang Chen''s guidance fresh in his mind, Liu Xiong made a split-second decision and sprinted towards a fissure in the mountain behind him. "Seize him!" another demonic cultivator from the Burning ze Ancient Sectmanded. "Seeking refuge inside the mountain? He''s just asking for death!" "Together, we''ll trap him!" "Ha-ha-ha-ha!" Uproariousughter echoed from the members of the Burning ze Ancient Sect. They believed Liu Xiong was rushing towards his own doom and eagerly chased after him, murderous intent in their eyes. In that instant, Liu Xiong seemed to m into a radiant barrier. Luminescent ripples surged from his point of impact, yet his momentum remained unbroken as he darted forward. Guided by Jiang Chen''s insights, Liu Xiong was well-prepared to navigate this formation. The demons and demonic cultivators from the Burning ze Ancient Sect, on the other hand, were left in the dark. Witnessing the shimmering ripples, they mistakenly believed them to be a result of a secret art Liu Xiong had deployed. Consequently, a contingent of nine Dao Comprehension realm demons and demonic cultivators, devoid of caution, fervently charged after Liu Xiong. In a fleeting moment, all nine assants crashed into the formation. Bang!! The dense aura of their demonic presence immediately activated the formation''s defensive mechanism. A formidable energy burst forth from the formation, relentlessly assailing the Dao Comprehension realm demons and demonic cultivators. From the midst of the chaos, a voice cried out, "Ahh!!" "What is this?!" "How could he possibly erect such a formidable formation in this ce?!" "No, I don''t want to die, please no!" Their anguish was palpable as, one after another, the Dao Comprehension realm demons and demonic cultivators released tormented shrieks. Among the attackers, three demons from the Nether Soul Demon n met their untimely demise instantly. The remaining six, gravely wounded, teetered on the edge of death. But as they sought the strength to escape, Liu Xiong, who they believed to be fleeing, astonishingly pivoted and lunged at them with heightened vigor, his tactics evidently premeditated. Clutched in his hand was a fan, its essence infused with the Great Dao of Fire. A sweeping gesture, and he ensnared the six severely wounded Dao Comprehension realm demonic cultivators. "No! No! Spare me!" From amidst the mes, the chilling pleas resonated, only to be silenced abruptly in the following heartbeat. In a swift sequence of events, Liu Xiong, with the aid of the formation, effortlessly eradicated all nine Dao Comprehension realm demons and demonic cultivators. "Holy Son Jiang Chen''s foresight is truly unparalleled!" Liu Xiong gazed at his hands, a surge of tion overwhelming him. The realization of his remarkable aplishment was hard to grasp. "I... I''ve really taken down nine Dao Comprehension realm demons and demonic cultivators with just that formation! This is incredible, truly incredible!" However, such an oue was precisely what Jiang Chen had anticipated. After all, in the initial storyline, even when armed with only the power of the Inquiring Journey realm, Gu Ran had used the formation to turn the tables and decimate the majority of the demons and demonic cultivators. From a distance, a hidden Gu Ran bore witness to Liu Xiong''s spectacr counter-attack against the nine Dao Comprehension realm demonic cultivators and demons. His eyes bulged in astonishment, and rage made his body quake. ''How is this possible?!'' Gu Ran thought in shock. ''Why is that mountain peak fortified with such a formidable formation, and why does it specifically target demonic cultivators and demons?!'' ''How was Liu Xiong privy to this secret, readying himself in advance for their folly?'' ''Could it be... it''s the puppet master of the Heavenly Gu Society orchestrating this from the shadows?'' ''Darn it! The Heavenly Gu Society again, and that elusive viin!'' Anguish consumed Gu Ran. He too had glimpsed the faint luminescence encircling the mountain peak, sensing treasures inside that might offer an opportunity to turn the tide. He, Gu Ran, was meant to harness those formations to dispatch the nine Dao Comprehension realm adversaries! Nine entire Dao Comprehension realm demonic entities! Had he taken them down, it would have been his ticket to break through to the Early-stage Dao Comprehension realm! But Liu Xiong''s intervention had robbed him of this monumental chance! ''Aargh! It should have been my ascent to the Dao Comprehension realm!'' Gu Ran''s inner voice wailed, the pain so deep it felt like his heart was bleeding. Just then, notifications from the System echoed within Jiang Chen''s consciousness. [Ding! You''ve sessfully achieved slight alteration in the plot; Protagonist Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has reduced by 1000 points!] [Ding! You''ve gained 2000 Viin Value points!] Chapter 282: The Arrival of Ji Mingxius Group Jiang Chen''s inner voice echoed with excitement, ''Another 1000 Heavenly Fate Value points! This is excellent!'' ''What''s crucial to note is that Gu Ran''s cultivation base remained stagnant, while some plots require a certain threshold to move forward!'' ''For instance, the ongoing fierce battle inside that mountain peak involves a Dao Pce realm cultivator.'' ''In the original storyline, Gu Ran was destined to defeat three Dao Pce powerhouses, including the likes of Xu Yuqi and Ji Junhao. He was also supposed to eliminate other demonic cultivators and demons, paving his path to the Dao Pce realm.'' ''But here he is, still lingering in the Inquiring Journey realm!'' ''So, Heavenly Fate, what tricks do you have up your sleeve now? How will you adjust the narrative to let Gu Ran emerge victorious?'' Jiang Chen mused. As he pondered, a fleeting smile touched his lips, and he shifted his attention towards the majestic mountain peak. It was now unmistakably clear that a vast inheritancey within, serving as the catalyst for the intensebat inside. After all, who would gamble their life without reason? ''Perhaps I can im the inheritance within. And while I''m at it, gain control over the battling cultivators inside.'' Jiang Chen''s lips quirked up in anticipation as he geared up to delve into the mountain''s depths. Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Suddenly, the entire super mountain peak shuddered. Almost immediately after, a massive formation barrier materialized, sealing the mountain peak in its entirety. ''This is unexpected! What significant event could this be?'' Jiang Chen''s eyebrows shot up, a steely glint evident in his eyes. ''What''s going on!?'' Liu Xiong, amidst collecting bodies, was startled. Without a second thought, he soared towards the mountain''s exterior. ''What just happened?'' Gu Ran raised his eyes, a look of shock oveying his grief-marked face. Suddenly, an outburst of collective gasps pierced the air. From the mountain''s heart, a potent force repelled a group. It was none other than Bao Xunwu and hisrades from the Golden Proud Cult! Rustle! Rustle! Thrown outside by the immense force, the group gazed around, bewilderment etched on their faces. Their eyes widened in sheer amazement at the colossal mountain peak looming ahead. The ranks of the Golden Proud Cult had noticeably thinned following their internal disputes. Still, while Bao Xunwu and the other two Dao Pce realm experts bore injuries, none among them had been lost. Jiang Chen''s thoughts whirled as he watched the group, ''Bao Xunwu?'' ''From their cultivation methods, it''s evident they hail from the Golden Proud Cult. Renowned for Body Cultivation and mastery in the Great Dao of Metal.'' ''Infighting within the Golden Proud Cult? The inheritance inside this mountain must be exceptionally precious.'' ''Considering this unexpected turn, these individuals are undeniably linked to it. However, I suspect the maniptive hand of the Heavenly Fate behind the scenes.'' His eyes keenly observed the unfolding drama, mentally piecing together the situation. The influence of the Heavenly Fate never ceased to amaze him. In the wake of Gu Ran''s missed chance, it swiftly intervened, reshaping the circumstances and spawning new opportunities. Soon enough, the initial shock wore off, and the gathered individuals steadied themselves. "Damn it!" Bao Xunwu, his face a mask of frustration, surged towards the formation barrier, channeling his Dao Yuan Power into it. "How was I so suddenly and forcibly evicted?" Yet, a deafening bang echoed as an overpowering force thrust Bao Xunwu back. "What?! This can''t be!" Anger zed in Bao Xunwu''s eyes, his disbelief palpable. So close to securing the inheritance within, only to be abruptly cast out and sidelinedhis situation was nothing short of a cruel twist of fate. Suddenly, an ethereal voice echoed from the depths of the mountain peak, "Such... disappointment." "You betray each other for mere inheritance. While I can fathom the thirst for opportunity, ignoring the pressing threat of formidable foes is inexcusable." "You''ve all proven unworthy of this inheritance. Depart now, introspect, and contemte the consequences of your actions." The voice, ancient and otherworldly, imparted a surreal feeling to those who heard it. "Is someone actually alive inside this mountain?!" eximed a cultivator from the Golden Proud Cult, his toneced with incredulity. "No, that''s not the case. It''s not a living entity but a particr mechanism. The exact nature of which eludes me." The moods of the Golden Proud Cult''s cultivators shifted visibly, reflecting their internal turmoil. "It''s what''s known as a ''Sub-soul''," Nangong Wan''s voice whispered into Jiang Chen''s consciousness. "A soul fragment, stripped of emotions, designed to endure within specific formations. Its sole purpose is to retain and convey pre-recorded messages, devoid of any other functionality." Jiang Chen mused, ''So, it''s essentially a pre-set ''program''.'' ''A million years past, the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star forsook the Immortal Martial Continent, leading to undeniable resentment among the left-behind cultivators.'' ''Betraying kin in dire times is almost unforgivable.'' ''The Golden Proud Cult''s greed clouded their judgment, resulting in internal strife. With the formation outside under siege by demons and demonic cultivators, it''s no wonder the ''program'' was triggered.'' ''This led to the Golden Proud Cult being ousted and their opportunity to acquire the inheritance denied.'' ''The inheritance is now primed for Gu Ran''s taking.'' ''Under typical circumstances, Gu Ran, being only of the Inquiring Journey realm, wouldn''t even be in contention. Yet, observing how events have transpired, the workings of the Heavenly Fate are indeed astounding.'' Jiang Chen''s reflections brimmed with intrigue, yet he harbored no regrets. With the Heavenly Fate at y, he recognized that the realm of possibilities was boundless. His caution was meticulous, almost painstaking. He avoided confronting Gu Ran directly. Like slowly boiling a frog in tepid water, Jiang Chen proceeded incrementally with matters concerning Gu Ran. Any abrupt move could invite fierce retaliation from the Heavenly Fate. At that juncture, the Golden Proud Cult''s attention converged on Liu Xiong, who stood slightly apart. Bao Xunwu''s voice seethed with rage, "Old man, what are you doing here?" "Did you bring about the upheavals within this peak?" "You wretch! Today, I''ll ensure you suffer a fate more harrowing than death itself!" Overwhelmed by festering resentment and seeking an outlet, Bao Xunwu''s eyes fixed on Liu Xiong, seeing in him an opportunity to unleash his suppressed fury. From afar, Gu Ran''s gaze locked onto Liu Xiong, a tide of lethal intent rising within him. ''Kill him. End him,'' he thought. Liu Xiong, a member of the Heavenly Gu Society, was the ever-watchful eye and the very obstacle that thwarted his progress. Even though Gu Ran was aware that other adversaries would rece Liu Xiong if he were eliminated, the yearning to witness Liu Xiong''s end was undiminished. Yet, fate had other ns for Gu Ran. A disdainful snort broke the silence, the voice dering, "How audacious of an insignificant sect like the Golden Proud Cult to target someone from my esteemed Purple Heaven Holy Land!" Immediately, a substantial contingent advanced rapidly, casting an expansive shadow over the vicinity. The fresh arrivals were unmistakably from the Purple Heaven Holy Land. At the forefront stood Ji Mingxiu, closely nked by Yao Zong and Si Zhangjian. Apanying them were seven Dao Comprehension realm elders, along with multiple experts of the Inquiring Journey realm. A hint of a smile yed on Jiang Chen''s lips. ''Finally.'' His restraint from intervening on Liu Xiong''s behalf was precisely because he had anticipated the imminent arrival of Ji Mingxiu and his entourage. "Purple Heaven Holy Land?" Bao Xunwu''s face drained of color as he fixed a piercing gaze on Ji Mingxiu''s group, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. Just then, a muscr, bald man from the Golden Proud Cult, one of the Dao Pce realm cultivators, barked with disdain, "Heh! Purple Heaven Holy Land, so what?" "We both boast three Dao Pce cultivators. Why should we quake in your presence?" "It''s due to your meddling that we were ejected just as we neared the inheritance!" "Ji Mingxiu of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, do you not think you owe us some answers?" His eyes, ame with raw fury, remained unyieldingly trained on Ji Mingxiu and his entourage. Chapter 283: Entering the Inheritance Gigantic Peak Seizing the moment, Liu Xiong darted into the center of the Purple Heaven Holy Land assembly. His voice, dripping with scorn, challenged them, "Are you tantly lying with your eyes wide open?" His face twisted in disdain as his gaze settled on the members of the Golden Proud Cult. "The Inheritance Master warned of a great enemy''s approach. Do you consider me that great enemy? The true enemies are the demons and those who practice demonic cultivation. As for me, I''ve always stood firm, cutting down such demons and their followers." "A bunch of mere worms, driven by petty motives. You bicker amongst yourselves in the shadow of the Inheritance. It''s pitiful, disgraceful, absolutely worthless!" With that, Liu Xiong''s tirade came to a close. "Old man, repeat that!" Bao Xunwu''s voice was a dangerous hiss, his teeth gritted as he red furiously at Liu Xiong. He seemed on the verge of lunging forward in rage. "Today, I swear I''ll tear you apart a thousand ways!" Ji Mingxiu stepped in, his demeanor cool and detached. "If you dare, then try," he challenged, his voice as icy as a midwinter chill. "For each of mine you harm, I''ll im a hundred of yours. Mark my words." Bao Xunwu''s hands formed tight fists, tension evident in every line of his frame. He stood there, caught between action and restraint. Meanwhile, Gu Ran observed the tense confrontation between the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Golden Proud Cult. Intriguing thoughts swirled in his mind: ''Liu Xiong is actually from the Purple Heaven Holy Land!?'' ''One of the biggest powers in the Everflowing Truth Domain, the Purple Heaven Holy Land! Could the Heavenly Gu Society have been formed by members of the Purple Heaven Holy Land?'' ''No, the mightiest in the Purple Heaven Holy Land are merely at the Dao Pce realm. The leader of the Heavenly Gu Society has to be of the Transcendence realm!'' ''Furthermore, the history of the Heavenly Gu Society is undoubtedly more ancient than the Purple Heaven Holy Land''s!'' ''It would be more urate to say Liu Xiong is a part of the Heavenly Gu Society and also has ties with the Purple Heaven Holy Land.'' ''The Heavenly Gu Society seems to have woven its influence into many dominant forces within the Immortal Martial Continent.'' Moreover, he eagerly anticipated the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Golden Proud Cult shing head-on. In his eyes, neither side wasmendable! Meanwhile, from a vantage point above, Jiang Chen surveyed the unfolding drama, his Viin''s Eye sweeping meticulously over every supporting character. He noted with interest that the Fate Value of every Golden Proud Cult member was in rapid decline. Simrly, many from the Purple Heaven Holy Land saw their Fate Value dwindling, dangerously verging on a critical low. Jiang Chen''s eyebrows raised slightly. Deep in thought, he pondered, ''Is a major conflict about to break out?'' ''But given the current situation, it seems unlikely for them to actually fight.'' ''So, some twist is bound to ur, pushing the plot forward?'' His divine sense continuously swept around, keenly observing every shift. Suddenly, the towering peak emitted another resonating hum. Following that event, an ancient and ethereal voice rang out once more. "Since none of you could obtain the inheritance on your own," "And the invading demons and demonic cultivators have been cleared out," "The remaining contenders may now proceed to the mountain''s core to receive the inheritance." With those words, the ethereal voice faded away. A palpable silence enveloped the area. The Golden Proud Cult members'' expressions darkened, reflecting a deep destion. Their opportunity to acquire the coveted Transcendence realm inheritance had been irrevocably lost. In stark contrast, the members of the Purple Heaven Holy Land brimmed with joy. "The inheritance inside can still be pursued!" eximed one member, eyes shining with anticipation. "Great, let''s hurry inside!" "Hahaha, to think that an inheritance could cause three Dao Pce realm members of the Golden Proud Cult to turn on each otherit must be something exceptional! We''ve truly hit the jackpot!" Voices from the Purple Heaven Holy Land rose, one after the other, as the cultivators trembled with excitement. Simultaneously, a fervent gleam ignited in Gu Ran''s eyes. Despite the undeniable strength of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, he recognized an opening to contest for the inheritance. His unique capability to render himself invisible was unparalleled, rendering even those at the Dao Pce realm incapable of detecting him. Likely, only the mysterious head of the Heavenly Gu Society could discern his actions. Meanwhile, Jiang Chen''s mind buzzed with rapid thoughts. ''Restarting the inheritance process, huh?'' ''A fresh plotline is taking shape.'' ''With Gu Ran''s stealth abilities, in the original storyline, he''d have easily snatched the inheritance right under the Purple Heaven Holy Land''s watch.'' ''Furthermore, the Golden Proud Cult won''t simply stand by. They''ll definitely lie in wait outside, likely presuming the Purple Heaven Holy Land as the inheritance''s possessors. This would spark a massive sh.'' ''All the while, the true inheritor, a now-empowered Gu Ran, could either slip away or bide his time, observing the mayhem. He might even manipte the situation, pitting both sides against one another for his gain.'' These deductions shed swiftly in Jiang Chen''s mind, his eyes reflecting a chilling determination. Just then, Ji Mingxiu looked around, his expression stoic. "Fellow disciples, follow me!" hemanded. With a decisive wave of his hand, he guided the Purple Heaven Holy Land group to the formation barrier''s entrance. Spotting an opening, Gu Ran deftly slipped into the Purple Heaven Holy Land''s crowd, expertly masking his presence. Unbeknownst to him, Jiang Chen, a figure he had always profoundly feared, had simrly hidden himself and merged seamlessly with the throng. Without dy, Ji Mingxiu pressed his hand against the formation, channeling his Dao Yuan Power. Like magic, the formation barrier shifted and morphed, revealing a sprawling gateway. "Let''s move in!" Ji Mingxiu motioned, leading the way for the Purple Heaven Holy Land cultivators to proceed. "Dammit!" Bao Xunwu and his associates couldn''t contain their frustration, witnessing the scene unfold. Temptation gnawed at them, urging them to dash towards the mountain''s heart. "Don''t even consider it!" Ji Mingxiu, along with Yao Zong and Si Zhangjian, stationed themselves at the formation''s entrance. Their icy stares locked onto Bao Xunwu and his group, warding them off. In short order, every member of the Purple Heaven Holy Land had crossed into the formation''s depths. As thest one passed, the formation barrier snapped shut. Ji Mingxiu, apanied by the other two, shot a final warning nce at Bao Xunwu''s team before venturing deeper into the mountain. Having expertly concealed himself, Jiang Chen seamlessly merged with the crowd. He quickly deduced that Gu Ran must''ve used the same strategy to sneak in. The assembly pressed on. Before long, they were met with a grand stone gate. This entrance bore a resemnce to the previous formation barrier: the key was to channel Dao Yuan Power for ess. Both Jiang Chen and Gu Ran discreetlytched onto a nearby Purple Heaven Holy Land cultivator, feeding their Dao Yuan Power in tandem and smoothly transitioning through the stone gate. And they weren''t alone in this tactic. Many from the Purple Heaven Holy Land, driven by their eagerness, pooled their Dao Yuan Power collectively, hastening their passage through the gate. Once inside, the group was faced with another gateway, this one shimmering with light. Crossing this barrier was even more straightforward. Instead of Dao Yuan Power, it only required a hint of one''s divine sense. This divine sense was ethereal, unseen, and insubstantial. By merely extending a sliver and swiftly withdrawing it, one could progress without risk of detection. In no time, they moved past this phase and reached the za paved with pristine white jade, leading up to the grand bronze entrance. essing whaty beyond this door was just as uplicated. All it took was the collective channelling of Dao Yuan Power from the attending cultivators. Merely touching the bronze entrance allowed an understanding of its regtions, just as Bao Xunwu and his cohort had experienced before. Rumble! A deep, echoing rumble resounded as Dao Yuan Power from the gathered cultivators converged. The bronze entrance then slid open with ease, unveiling an expansive underground chamber of pristine white jade. This was the sanctuary of the inheritances. Eyes of every Purple Heaven Holy Land disciple sparkled with hope and expectation. Yet, seasoned leaders like Ji Mingxiu managed to curb their enthusiasm. For they knew Jiang Chen had the counsel of two eminent Void Tribtion realm powerhouses - a privilege that eclipsed the allure of the dormant inheritances. Suddenly, a light gate materialized, mirroring the bronze entrance. Characters slowly appeared on its surface, crafting the identical script Bao Xunwu and his group had deciphered earlier. Chapter 284: Successfully Seizing the Inheritance Everyone gazed at the semi-transparent entrance, where the inheritance orbs awaited. Murmurs spread through them as they gasped in astonishment: "Once someone obtains a cultivation method inheritance, they can instantly grasp its theory. They might even reach the minor aplishment-level or soar to the great aplishment-level." "Just these cultivation method inheritances alone are treasures that would make anyone envious." "Securing those cultivation methods is like being halfway into the Transcendence realm." "But only one person can enter. All the cultivation methods can be obtained by a single individual." "And it''s the same with those pill and spiritual nt inheritances." The group''s murmurs faded, but the weight of their words lingered in the air. Jiang Chen looked at the words on the light screen, pondering internally, ''Only one person can enter at a time?'' ''No wonder members of the Golden Proud Cult would cast aside their camaraderie, show their true colors, ande to blows over this.'' ''I assume that a million years ago, the cultivators of the Immortal Martial Continent wanted to nurture a genuine powerhouse as the ''Pir of the Continent'', which is why they set it up this way.'' ''They probably never imagined that it would be a million yearster that someone would finally open this Doomsday Cave Heaven.'' ''While this inheritance is impressive, it still pales inparison to my Wordless Heavenly Jade.'' ''After obtaining all the cultivation method inheritances, one can only grasp a portion of the theory. To truly harness its power, one must still practice on their own.'' ''In contrast, my Wordless Heavenly Jade allows one topletely grasp a cultivation method, as if they''ve practiced it for countless years.'' ''I may have an abundance of cultivation methods, but those spiritual nts are vital for me. Among them are spiritual nts of the Transcendence realm!'' Jiang Chen''s thoughts continued to swirl, deeply absorbed in the implications of whaty before him. Obtaining those spiritual nts would surely elevate the Burning World Red Lotus back to the Peak-stage Dao Pce realm. Such a gain would not only elevate his cultivation base but would also intensify the effects of the cultivation methods he practiced. Put simply, it would greatly amplify both his realm andbat abilities. It was also bing evident that in the original plot, Gu Ran had ns to intervene. He would likely use the Purple Heaven Holy Land as a shield against the Golden Proud Cult and smoothly make his escape. This was a scenario Jiang Chen was determined to prevent. Just then, another sentence appeared on the light screen, notifying everyone that the inheritance would be activated in a quarter of an hour. Upon seeing the words on the light screen, the weight of the revtion made nearly everyone''s breath catch. Hidden among the crowd, Gu Ran blended in, going unnoticed. In his mind, thoughts raced, ''In a quarter of an hour, the inheritance will be activated!'' ''I, Gu Ran, cannot let this inheritance slip through my fingers!'' ''Given that no one knows I''m here, if I move quickly enough, there''s a solid chance I''ll seize the inheritance first.'' ''Once it''s in my hands, I can swiftly liberate myself from the ever-watchful eyes and subtle maniptions of the Heavenly Gu Society.'' ''And considering the number of Purple Heaven Holy Land members around, would they risk an all-out assault?'' ''This is the golden chance I''ve been waiting for!'' His eyes burned with fervor, emotions surging with intensity. However, what Gu Ran didn''t know was that Jiang Chen had long since seen through his ns. "Master, among us lurks a hidden cultivator Gu Ran." Jiang Chen''s voice resonated clearly in the ears of Ji Mingxiu, Si Zhangjian, and a few others. "His cultivation base might not be impressive, but he''s an odd one. For various reasons, we can''t simply take him down directly. But he''s set his sights on seizing the inheritance amidst the confusion. I suggest we take the following action..." The revtion caught Ji Mingxiu and the others off guard. They hadn''t sensed anyone concealed nearby, which underscored just how crafty this Gu Ran was! Yet, with unwavering trust in Jiang Chen, they stood ready, prepared to act on his guidance at the slightest hint. Time seemed to stand still. Every person there had eyes that shone with eagerness and anticipation. But as the moments passed, a collective calm settled over the crowd. After witnessing the Golden Proud Cult''s reckless actions, who would dare to be impulsive? The quarter-hour mark was drawing near. ''Inheritance, you will be mine!'' Gu Ran drew a deep breath, suppressing his mounting excitement, and stealthily made his way to the light screen, positioning himself right next to it. His n? To be the first through when the light screen gave way! However, just then, Ji Mingxiu''s voice rang out, fraught with urgency, "This isn''t right!" He dered, "Someone might be lurking among us!" Without hesitation, heunched a formation disc. In quick session, Yao Zong and Si Zhangjian followed suit, releasing their own formation discs. In a fleeting moment, the three formation discs became luminous streaks, setting down nearby. Swiftly, they merged, creating a luminous barrier that ensnared everyone inside. Caught in the abrupt ensnarement, Gu Ran''s thoughts raced: ''What''s happening?'' He found himself trapped within the barrier, perplexed. ''Liu Xiong was supposed to think I''d escaped. Why are they on high alert now?'' His heart was a tumult of emotions. Overwhelm, frustration, and a deep-seated sorrow rose within him, threatening to spill over in tears. Life was unrelentingly tough for him, Gu Ran. After all, when an elusive golden opportunity finally presented itself, it was snatched away just as abruptly. And the oue? With the formation restraining him, he could only watch in agony as the coveted inheritance was seized by another. ''No! This can''t be happening!'' Gu Ran seethed internally as a surge of anger overwhelmed him. ''I bore no ill will towards any of you. My only desire was the inheritance, then to depart in peace.'' ''Yet, you stand in my way, obstructing my only chance at changing my fate! Now, I''m left with no option but to retaliate. You''ve all pushed me to this point!'' The intent to harm, even kill, was palpable as he red at the disciples from Purple Heaven Holy Land. Unbeknownst to Gu Ran, Jiang Chen had already picked up on the subtle shifts in Fate Value amongst the lesser significant supporting characters, deducing who was in imminent peril. "Master, shield Outer Sect Elder Li Dong." Jiang Chen sent a silent mental message to Ji Mingxiu, positioning himself beyond the light screen. The light screen''s entrance suddenly swung open. Shortly thereafter, the ''chosen'' inheritor from the Purple Heaven Holy Land moved confidently through the formation, gearing up to enter the underground space made of white jade. Meanwhile, Jiang Chen maneuvered into the underground space with greater stealth and speed, unseen by others. His tactic? Let the conspicuous actions of others divert attention while he worked ndestinely. Then, the gentle sounds of "puff, puff, puff" filled the air. The glowing orbs shattered one by one, transforming into luminous streaks of light. They merged at the center, and then, just as quickly, disappeared without a trace. "What!?" a voice from the Purple Heaven Holy Land group eximed in shock. "The inheritance... it''s gone!" "Who would dare take what''s rightfully ours?" "By the heavens, mobilize everyone! They can''t get away with this!" The expressions of the Purple Heaven Holy Land cultivators morphed with rm. While most were genuinely taken aback, Ji Mingxiu and a few others were merely putting on a show. ''Impossible! There''s someone else, hidden like me, intent on taking the inheritance?'' Gu Ran''s eyes widened in disbelief as he took in the chaotic scene, his stomach churning with a mix of dread and anger. ''Why weren''t they confined within the formation? Who could they be?'' The mood grew tense as the surrounding cultivators, now on high alert, unleashed their might,unching widespread attacks. Masking their faces with horror, Ji Mingxiu and his associates swiftly abandoned the formation, darting towards the underground chamber made of white jade, letting loose a barrage of formidable spells. Chapter 285: Ambush of the Golden Proud Cult "Damn it! My chance for a surprise attack is gone," Gu Ranmented. He had hoped to ambush the Inquiring Journey realm''s cultivators, banking on the notion that they would hesitate to strike back, fearing harm to their allies. This brief window of confusion would have given him the chance to eliminate more foes, bolstering his strength inbat. Yet, the members of the Purple Heaven Holy Land struck first. Assassinating in the wake of scattered attacks had intensified the challenge! Nevertheless, Gu Ran chose a path that left even Jiang Chen astoundedhe pressed on with his deadly chase! The reason? ''After all, the Heavenly Gu Society won''t let me die!'' A chilling smirk yed in Gu Ran''s heart. ''If that''s their game, then I''ll give it everything I''ve got!'' Without hesitation, he brandished his weapon and lunged at one of the Inquiring Journey realm cultivators. ''He''s pressing the attack?'' Jiang Chen, having newly acquired the inheritance, was momentarily stunned. ''Ah, I get it. Gu Ran is betting on the Heavenly Gu Society''s backing... Is he trying to make others do his dirty work for him?'' Luckily, Jiang Chen had been tracking the Fate Value of supporting characters. He''d discerned Gu Ran''s aim: the Outer Sect Elder, Li Dong. He''d also given Ji Mingxiu a heads-up. So, when Gu Ran finally struck, while the blow did connect with Li Dong, it wasn''t life-threatening. Li Dong was repelled by the ''residual force of a previous attack''. ''What?'' All Gu Ran sensed was a void where his target once stood Li Dong had disappeared from his sight! He had nowid himself bare! A voice rang out, "There! That''s the thief who took our inheritance!" "Take him down! Get back what''s ours!" "We can''t end him. Without him, the cultivation method inheritance is lost!" "Seize him, but keep him breathing!" The Purple Heaven Holy Land members'' cries of shock and rage filled the air as they swarmed toward Gu Ran. Yet, unbeknownst to most, the real possessor of the inheritance was Jiang Chen. Misled into thinking it was Gu Ran, they refrained fromnding a lethal strike. Ji Mingxiu and the others, heeding Jiang Chen''s warning, also held back from delivering a fatal blow to Gu Ran. But as the members of the Purple Heaven Holy Land closed in on Gu Ran, another unexpected turn took ce! "Sigh." The Sub-soul guarding the inheritance let out a sound of resignation. "As expected, under the lure of prospective gains, they''ve turned on one another." "The inheritance is now in your hands, and my purpose hase to an end," it concluded. Yet, these expressions weren''t truly reflective of the Sub-soul''s feelings or consciousness. In fact, it didn''t possess any emotions or subjective awareness. Such statements were merely pre-programmed responses, set to activate under these conditions. ''It''s evident those elders had a keen understanding of human nature,'' Jiang Chen mused with a chuckle. ''Humans stay consistent in their ways; why expect a sudden change?'' However, soon after, he sensed an overwhelming force bearing down on him. In a blink, this immense power flung Jiang Chen straight out of the vast peak. It wasnt just him. Every member of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, Gu Ran included, found themselves forcibly ejected from the mountain. Whoosh! Beams of light burst from the mountain''s heart, settling just outside the grand peak''s perimeter. At that moment, a system alert echoed in Jiang Chen''s Sea of Consciousness. [Ding! You have sessfully altered the plot and snatched the protagonist''s opportunity. Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has dropped by 2500 points!] [Ding! You have acquired 5000 Viin Value points!] Boom! Boom! Boom! Suddenly, the peak reverberated with thunderous tremors. Dust clouds billowed upwards, obscuring the heavens, as the mountain itself began to copse at a staggering pace. Like a great behemoth meeting its end, the majestic peak plummeted, causing the ground to shudder upon its descent. Yet, despite this chaos, the fierce confrontations between the cultivators raged on unabated. "They''ve emerged!" eximed a voice in anticipation. "It''s the Purple Heaven Holy Land group!" "Strike now! All of you, strike!" The air was filled with enraged cries. Leading these shouts was none other than Bao Xunwu from the Golden Proud Cult. They hadnt nned on retreating so easily. On the contrary, they hadid a multitude of traps in wait to ambush the unsuspecting members of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. In a heartbeat, a massive wave of Golden Proud Cult cultivators unleashed their fury, swiftly cutting down several Inquiring Journey realm practitioners from the Purple Heaven Holy Land. ''st it! Is the Golden Proud Cult always this rash? To charge in so recklessly?'' Jiang Chen''s face clouded over in suspicion. ''The Heavenly Fate must be pulling strings behind the curtain.'' Swiftly, he essed the Fate Value of the supporting characters. The unfolding chaos was tilting distinctly in Gu Ran''s favor. Inside the mountain, Gu Ran had been isted, pitted against the Purple Heaven Holy Land''s might. With formidable enemies all around, hunting the vulnerable to enhance his own power was akin to treading on thin ice. Yet, with the Golden Proud Cult now shing head-on with the Purple Heaven Holy Land, the vise of pressure around Gu Ran had significantly loosened. He was free to engage or retreat on his own terms. With the current state of affairs, Jiang Chen felt certain that Gu Ran wouldn''t let this prime chance slip away, especially in pursuing his grudge against the Purple Heaven Holy Land. And he was right. Hidden once more, Gu Ran mused silently, ''To think I''d be ejected from the inheritance peak!'' ''How fortunate! With the Golden Proud Cult and the Purple Heaven Holy Land at each other''s throats, the tides have turned in my favor!'' ''Hmph, Purple Heaven Holy Land, don''t think I''ve forgotten!'' ''As for the Golden Proud Cult, they''re no saints. If the opportunity arises, a few of them will meet their end!'' With these thoughts, his gaze eventually settled back onto Li Dong, his prior target. Already weakened by Gu Ran''s prior assault, Li Dong was particrly vulnerable, primed for a deadly strike. On the other hand, tapping into the insights offered by his Viin''s Eye, Jiang Chen discerned that, amidst the tumult, Gu Ran had once more set his sights on Outer Sect Elder Li Dong. "Guard Li Dong!" Jiang Chen urgently ryed to Ji Mingxiu. Ji Mingxiu gave a subtle nod, signifying he''d gotten the message. Meanwhile, the Purple Heaven Holy Land members were rallying, managing to solidify their defenses against the sudden onught by the Golden Proud Cult. "Golden Proud Cult scum, halt your attack!" Thundered Supreme Elder Si Zhangjian. "The inheritance isn''t with us! Another has imed it! Cease your assault!" "You expect us to swallow that nonsense?" Bao Xunwu shot back, refusing to buy into Si Zhangjian''s ims. "Only the Purple Heaven Holy Land''s members entered the inheritance peak. If you haven''t taken the inheritance, then who has?" His fury unabated, he roared, "Brothers, to the fray! If the Purple Heaven Holy Land won''t yield the inheritance, then let''s rain havoc and drench the earth!" Elsewhere in the turmoil, Gu Ran lunged at Li Dong once more. But a potent force intervened, swiftly pulling Li Dong out of harm''s way. This left Gu Ran''s strike to slice through empty air, revealing his position for the second time. ''Darn it, again?'' Gu Ran''s face twisted in rm. ''Someone from the Heavenly Gu Society is covertly protecting him!'' Cold sweat streamed down his back as a shiver raced up his spine. This eerie feeling of being thwarted had now made him profoundly cautious. Without a second''s dy, Gu Ran masked his aura and veered towards the Golden Proud Cult. If the Purple Heaven Holy Land housed an elusive powerhouse from the Heavenly Gu Society who could monitor him, then his focus would shift to targeting the Golden Proud Cult members. He would confront them, regardless of any covert disruptions from the Heavenly Gu Society. The ranks of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, already outnumbered by the Golden Proud Cult, had further dwindled with recent losses. Their forces, stretched thin, struggled to maintain order. Given this situation, it was unlikely the Purple Heaven Holy Land could hinder him should he focus his ire on the Golden Proud Cult. Chapter 286: Playing Another Card Observing the unfolding situation, Jiang Chen quickly discerned Gu Ran''s maneuvers. ''Is he setting his sights on the Golden Proud Cult now?'' ''The Purple Heaven Holy Land is struggling to protect their own. Trying to intercept Gu Ran''s targets would undoubtedly test their limits.'' Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Jiang Chen murmured, "Perhaps it''s time to y another card." Having made up his mind, Jiang Chen swiftly ryed his instructions to Wu Qian and the team. The card up his sleeve was, in fact, Wu Qian''s faction. To be exact, it was the trio of Ji Junhao! Ji Junhao, Xu Yuqi, and their ally were demons and demonic cultivators, viewed as natural adversaries by the rest of the cultivation world. When confronted with demons and their ilk, it''s customary for humanity to set aside differences, banding together to drive out thismon threat. Such a sentiment is fundamental, a principle any righteous protagonist would undoubtedly champion. Gu Ran, ever the principled fighter with a robust moralpass, had legitimate causes for his actions against both the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Golden Proud Cult. Yet, introducing the demon race into the frayplicated matters. With both the Golden Proud Cult and the Purple Heaven Holy Land uniting against this shared enemy, it would ce Gu Ran in a precarious position. How could he justifiably act against fellow humans? To continue on this path would mar his reputation, leading to a substantial dip in his Heavenly Fate Value. The keen instincts provided by the Heavenly Fate would likely sway him from proceeding further. Tens of thousands of kilometers away, Wu Qian''s group shed fiercely with Ji Junhao''s trio. Wu Qian yelled amidst the cacophony, "Our Lord has issued an order, head to the Inheritance Peak!" Lu An questioned, "You mean that copsing mountain in the distance?" "We can''t waste a moment, move!" Receiving Jiang Chen''s directives, Wu Qian''s squad feigned defeat and withdrew, charting a path towards the Inheritance Peak. Smelling victory, Ji Junhao roared, "They''re faltering! Follow them, don''t let them escape!" Immediately, Ji Junhao and hisrades gave chase with murderous intent. Thus began a high-speed chase, with one side fleeing and the other pursuing relentlessly! At this moment, the Inheritance Peak was crumbling continuously, with massive chunks of rock plummeting downward, echoing the imagery of a meteor shower. Dust and smoke surged skyward, quickly obscuring the vicinity. The already intense battle among the cultivators reached a fever pitch. High above, Ji Mingxiu and his tworades shed with Bao Xunwu''s trio. Theirbined strength unleashed the formidable forces of various Great Daos, colliding in epic showdowns. Brilliant streaks of light pierced the gloomy heavens, reminiscent of lightning threading through storm clouds. In the skies below, cultivators of both the Dao Comprehension and the Inquiring Journey realms locked in intensebat. Energies of various Great Daos, along with the brilliance of Magic Treasures and Dao Tools, wove a dazzling tapestry of power in midair. Within this fierce battlefield, Jiang Chen was concealed nearby, observing the shes with a calm demeanor. Suddenly, his gaze shifted to Gu Ran who was sneaking up on someone. In a fluid motion, Gu Ran attacked a cultivator from the Golden Proud Cult who was at the Inquiring Journey realm. sh! With a swift movement of his sword, Gu Ran dispatched the unsuspecting opponent. ''Aah! I''ve managed to kill someone again!'' Tears of sheer joy and excitement welled up in Gu Ran''s eyes. Suddenly, a shout echoed. "It''s him!" "He''s the one who stole the inheritance!" "He even attacked our outer sect elder earlier!" "This lowlife! He''s set our two major factions against each other, making us fight, while he sneakily ambushes and kills. Utterly despicable!" The voices, filled with resentment, rose from the Purple Heaven Holy Land crowd. "What? It''s him who took the inheritance? Is it true?!" a voice from the Golden Proud Cult group eximed. "It seems so. I did witness him attacking the outer sect elder of the Purple Heaven Holy Land." "But why would he stay and keep killing if he secured the inheritance? Why not escape?" "Im not sure, but everyone, stay alert! We cant afford to be caught off-guard by him." "Damn it, he''s vanished!" The cultivators from the Golden Proud Cult shouted in disbelief. Whether they believed the news or not, Gu Ran had left asting mark on their mindsmixing caution, doubt, and perhaps even a hint of avarice. ''Damn!'' Gu Ran swiftly concealed himself, his face stone-cold as he took cover. He kept a close watch on the unfolding battle. After all, a confrontation as intense as the one between the Golden Proud Cult and the Purple Heaven Holy Land wouldn''t just stop abruptly. The skirmish in the high skies among those of the Dao Pce realm needed to wrap up first. Only then would the shes between the Inquiring Journey and Dao Comprehension realms below possibly cease. So, while the members of the Golden Proud Cult and the Purple Heaven Holy Land were on high alert briefly, their focus soon reverted to the ongoing battle. The battle''s ferocity escted once more. ''Now''s my moment!'' Gu Ran''s eyes sparkled with intent, gearing up to ambush the Golden Proud Cult members again. But just then, Jiang Chen looked to the horizon. A chilly smile yed on his lips as he mused, ''You''ve had your share of the spoils, Gu Ran. It should be enough.'' Rumble! Rumble! Suddenly, six rays of light, reminiscent of shootingets, soared from the distance, halting around ten thousand kilometers from thebat zone. Three were as dark as the night, while the other three each bore a distinct hue. The sources of these radiant streaks? They were none other than Ji Junhao, apanied by Xu Yuqi and another demonic cultivator, and not to forget, Lu An, He Tian, and Wu Qian! "What?! The peak has actually copsed! What happened?" Ji Junhao eximed in shock. "Look out! Six human Dao Pce cultivators are battling!" "Let''s make our escape!" However, upon spotting Ji Mingxiu and his allies, the expressions on the faces of Ji Junhao and his crew shifted dramatically, and they whipped around to retreat. But at that very moment, He Tian burst outughing, "Hahahaha! Now that you''ve stepped in, don''t even dream of stepping out!" "Scum of the demon race, freeze in your tracks!"manded Lu An. "Block their path! Today marks their end!" Wu Qian dered with resolve. With renewed intensity, they tapped into their deeper reserves of power, ensuring Ji Junhao and his team were firmly cornered. Bang, bang, bang! Boom, boom, boom! The sheer might of the energy reverberated through the skies and earth, instantaneously catching the notice of the cultivators from both the Golden Proud Cult and the Purple Heaven Holy Land. "It''s... the demon race!" An astonished voice cried out. "Members of the demon race are actually here!" "Hold your positions! The demons have invaded this Cave Heaven!" "Halt thebat!" "We have demons and demonic cultivatorsunching an attack! We must band together to fend off these adversaries first! If they were to breach the spatial channel leading to our sects, the aftermath would be catastrophic!" With these urgent realizations, all sides promptly stopped their confrontations, disengaging from their adversaries. ''What... The demon race...'' The revtion rooted Gu Ran to the spot, grappling with indecision. Acting now would not only sh with his moralpass but also paint a ring target on his back. Above, Bao Xun Wu and his team momentarily ceased their skirmish with Ji Mingxiu''s group. Their faces were a tableau of disbelief as they turned their gazes towards Ji Junhao. "What are you all staring at?" Ji Mingxiu roared, "Let''s first deal with the demon race! Do we want to be like the m and the sandpiper, allowing the demon race to capitalize on our strife?" Without hesitation, he soared in Ji Junhao''s direction. "Attack! We take down the demon race vermin first!" With gritted teeth, Bao Xunwu rallied his team, leading a fierce charge against Ji Junhao and hispanions. In an instant, six Dao Pce realm human powerhouses dove into the fray, bringing the total count to nine. They began encircling and assailing Ji Junhao and his two allies. "My Lord! What do we do now? We''re doomed if we don''t move!" Xu Yuqi cried out to Ji Junhao, desperation evident in his voice. Although the other Dao Pce realm powerhouse remained silent, the urgency in his eyesmunicated his feelings clearly. "Run! Make haste!" Ji Junhaomanded, his visage contorted with fury. Without missing a beat, they invoked various self-sacrificing speed-boosting secret techniques, making a desperate dash for escape. At that moment, Jiang Chen discreetly sent a divine sense message to Ji Mingxiu, Lu An, and the rest of his team. "Allow them to retreat. Once they''re at a distance, I''ll strike!" Upon receiving the message, Ji Mingxiu and the others subtly rxed their chase, affording Ji Junhao and his group a bit of breathing room. Thanks to the unparalleled speed of those in the Dao Pce realma velocity that greatly surpassed those in the Inquiring Journey realm and Dao Comprehension realmJi Junhao and hispanions vanished from everyone''s divine sense in a mere heartbeat. Chapter 287: Gu Ran Cant Bear It Any Longer "The Holy Lord and the others have moved the battlefield elsewhere to protect us!" a disciple from the Purple Heaven Holy Land eximed. "With demons and demonic cultivators now present in this Cave Heaven, we need to set aside our personal disputes and address this threat first." "Absolutely. In front of the demon race, our internal conflicts need to take a backseat." A collective sense of agreement spread among them. The cultivators from both the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Golden Proud Cult halted their actions, standing in ce and awaiting good news. ''Damn it!'' Gu Ran thought bitterly, observing the unified gathering of the two major forces in front of him. ''How did those three Dao Pce realm beings from the demon race suddenly get drawn here?'' With growing frustration, Gu Ran internallymented, ''Now that the Golden Proud Cult and Purple Heaven Holy Land have paused their feuding, I''m shackled!'' He felt an immense pressure on his chest, so much so that he felt like spitting blood. He had already locked onto his target. He was primed and ready. Given the chaos, he was certain he could ascend to the Dao Pce realm. But all of a sudden, his golden opportunity vanished. ''What a coincidence...'' Gu Ran mused, his thoughts drifting. ''Could it be the mysterious Transcendence realm powerhouse from the Heavenly Gu Society pulling the strings once more?'' As he pondered, a fleeting darkness clouded his vision, apanied by a trace of dizziness. His determination faltered yet again. At first, Gu Ran had been steadfast in his belief. With his potent bloodline, he was convinced that even in the face of suppression, he''d slowly rise, eventually turning the tide in his favor. And upon witnessing the inheritance of the Transcendence realm, this conviction deepened further, filling his heart with an even greater sense of hope and anticipation. Yet, time and time again, he was met with defeat! Within the hallowed grounds of the Inheritance Peak, he failed toy im to the crucial inheritance. His attempts to kill and thereby strengthen himself were also thwarted. Just when fortune seemed to be on his side, with the Golden Proud Cult and the Purple Heaven Holy Land at each other''s throats, that promising chance was dashed too! Looking back since his ''resurrection'', he realized that his sessful ventures were rmingly rare. Furthermore, he began to suspect that even his arrival in this secluded part of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea might have been a ploy masterminded by the head of the Heavenly Gu Society. It felt as though every aspect of his life was under the puppetry of the Heavenly Gu Society. He felt as if he''d been perennially poised on their sacrificial altar, always a step away from the final blow. And the most infuriating part? He had never even seen the face of the mastermind behind the Heavenly Gu Society! The sensation was like an all-epassing shadow, an unseen force, constricting his breath, leaving him gasping for air. ''No! This ends now!'' A vehement cry resounded within Gu Ran''s core. ''I refuse to be their puppet, their ything, their sheep led to ughter!'' His gaze swept across the nearby cultivators, an intense, chilling aura radiating from him. The crushing weight of hopelessness and frustration bore down on him, fragmenting thest of his optimism and self-assuredness. For Gu Ran, sticking to his principle of sparing the innocent felt increasingly like a chain that bound him. ''It''s time to overstep that boundary.'' Gu Ran''s gaze settled on the weapon he clutched, his emotions a turbulent mix. He recognized that the moment he acted, he''d irrevocably sever ties with the man he once was. Meanwhile, Jiang Chen, sensing something amiss, thought, ''Hm? What''s happening now?'' He had been readying to pursue Ji Mingxiu andpany, with the intent to settle scores with Ji Junhao and his gang. However, unexpectedly, the Fate Value of the supporting characters, those who hovered at a low altitude, took a precipitous plunge. At that very moment, a system notification reverberated through Jiang Chen''s Sea of Consciousness. [Ding! You''ve sessfully caused a blow to the mental state of protagonist Gu Ran. Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 500 points!] [Ding! You''ve earned 1000 Viin Value points!] Jiang Chen''s eyes momentarily flickered with surprise, a thought racing through his mind, ''Gu Ran''s mental state has beenpromised!'' ''And the Fate Value of all the supporting characters has plummeted too.'' His brow furrowed as another realization struck him, ''Could Gu Ran be at his breaking point, on the verge of forsaking his morals and boundaries?'' The moment Gu Ran took that fateful step, he would shatter the moralpass that defined him. Such an action would strip him of his Protagonist Status, and with it, the protective shield of the Heavenly Fate. Consequently, no matter the reservoir of Heavenly Fate Value he retained, it would transmute directly into Fate Value, leaving him exposed to myriad threats. Jiang Chen, lost in contemtion, stroked his chin. ''Has Gu Ran truly reached his breaking point?'' ''After all, I''ve remained a shadow, constantly piling the pressure on him, orchestrating his series of unexinable failures and robbing him of countless opportunities." Taking a deep breath, he acknowledged, ''Given all he''s been through, it''s no wonder he''s on the brink.'' A subtle smile graced Jiang Chen''s face. His strategy had always been to linger in the shadows, seldom intervening directly. While it might appear conservative to some, this method not only granted him the upper hand in gathering information, fortifying his schemes against Gu Ran, but it also cast a shadow of psychological torment over Gu Ran. Now, the fruits of his approach were bing evident. Yet, just as Jiang Chen sat in anticipation, waiting for Gu Ran to take that decisive step, a voice pierced the silence. "Members of Purple Heaven Holy Land! Are you truly saying you haven''t received the inheritance?" It was a cultivator from the Golden Proud Cult, voicing an unexpected question. "Indeed! The inheritance inside was snatched by a cultivator adept in stealth!" a representative from the Purple Heaven Holy Land dered. "Tragically, before our ''designated inheritor'' could even step foot inside to im it, it was already taken by that individual." "It was an inheritance of the Transcendence realm!" The members of the Purple Heaven Holy Land wore expressions of deep sorrow, mourning their loss. Unbeknownst to them, it was Jiang Chen who was the true beneficiary of the inheritance. They had mistakenly presumed it was Gu Ran. Thus, the genuineness of their expressions and sentiments was undeniable. "Is it really so?" a member from the Golden Proud Cult inquired. "That thief is truly despicable!" another member vented. "To think he stole the inheritance and made our two great forces sh, resulting in significant losses." "Damn it! To be merely at the Inquiring Journey realm and yet dare to steal such an inheritance and attack our own? He''s courting death!" "Everyone, stay alert," someone advised. "He might not have gone far. He could even be among us right now." "I had my eye on him earlier," another shared. "He''s in the Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm, but his strength rivals those in the Middle-stage." And finally, one piped up, "I''ve gathered some of his aura using a secret art. If we move swiftly, we might be able to trace him." Following a concise discussion between the cultivators of the Golden Proud Cult and Purple Heaven Holy Land, any misunderstanding between them was swiftly resolved. United now, both groups zeroed in on Gu Ran. Jiang Chen''s eyebrow quirked in surprise. ''What''s going on?'' he wondered internally. ''Gu Ran hasn''t acted, and he still possesses his Protagonist Status. Why does it seem like he''s in greater peril now?'' Simultaneously, Gu Ran''s countenance grew stormy. However, just then, the cultivator from the Golden Proud Cult who had previously mentioned the secret art piped up, "My secret art has never failed!" With brimming confidence, he activated his technique. Moments after channeling his secret art, his eyes darted excitedly in one direction. "He''s that way!" However, his excitement was short-lived as confusion set in. "Hold on, why am I getting a signal from over there too?" To his bewilderment, the secret art indicated another direction. "This can''t be! The aura''s pointing in multiple directions. Which one do we follow!?" And the perplexity deepened. Within mere moments, three additional signals emerged. To the astonishment of all, the secret art now indicated a staggering five different directions! Chapter 288: Heavenly Fate, So Impressive, Truly Impressive A cultivator from the Purple Heaven Holy Land eximed, "What?! Five directions? Are you sure you''re not mistaken?" The cultivator from the Golden Proud Cult replied with unwavering confidence, "My secret art is no less powerful than those of the Dao Pce realm. Its tracking range is vast. Of the five directions, four are ces he once was. The remaining one indicates his current location." A voice piped up, "Sounds logical! That little brat shouldn''t slip through our fingers." "With the power we possess now, dividing into five teams will still give us ample strength to capture that rogue." "We''ll split into five groups, each taking a direction. Let''s see who gets the luck of nabbing that little menace!" After some deliberation, the cultivators from both the Golden Proud Cult and the Purple Heaven Holy Land swiftly came to a consensus: they would proceed with this strategy. From his vantage point high above, Jiang Chen''s lips quirked in an involuntary twitch. He''d been puzzled about why his focus had suddenly shifted to Gu Ran. Now it was clear: it was the machinations of the Heavenly Fate! Gu Ran had initially nned to act without dy. Yet, if he proceeded, his most significant loss would be his Protagonist Statusa result the Heavenly Fate surely wouldn''t want. Powerhouses like Ji Mingxiu from the Dao Pce realm had relocated their battles. The mightiest ones left were merely at the Dao Comprehension realm. And considering the recent truce between the two factions, their defenses were notably elevated. Still, to Gu Ran, they were a formidable force, making any aggressive move perilous. As a result, under the subtle orchestration of the Heavenly Fate, this unforeseen twist emerged! It was akin to hitting two birds with a single stone! The first bird was the Golden Proud Cult and Purple Heaven Holy Land cultivators'' decision to pursue and eliminate Gu Ran. Their choice cast Gu Ran''s deeds in a righteous light, safeguarding his Protagonist Status. The second bird? The very fact that these cultivators willingly divided into five separate teams. This strategic move drastically lowered the risks for Gu Ran, amplifying his odds of triumph. Guided by the Heavenly Fate, Jiang Chen intuited that Gu Ran would surely seed in vanquishing one group, progressing to the Dao Comprehension realm. Subsequently, he''d overpower the remaining groups in sequence. Once he achieved that, advancing to the Dao Pce realm would be the next milestone. Moreover, he might even seize an opportunity to ambush a Dao Pce powerhouse amidst the colossal sh between Ji Mingxiu''s faction and Ji Junhao''s side, reaping significant rewards. Should he manage to take down all twelve Dao Pce realm powerhouses, his ascent to the Transcendence realm would be within arm''s reach, if not achieved. With this development, Gu Ran had masterfully turned the tables. Upon his exit from the Cave Heaven, Gu Ran would decisively subdue the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, both avenging past slights and silencing his doubters. He could then join the continental conference for the ultimate prodigy title. There, he''d stun all by besting Jiang Chen, the reputed ''big boss'',pelling the world to acknowledge his supremacy. Finally, after triumphing over the demon race, his path would lead him to the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, unlocking a new map. However, this trajectory would remain unaltered only if Jiang Chen stayed out of the fray. Currently, watching the fervent debates among the Golden Proud Cult and Purple Heaven Holy Land''s members, Gu Ran found himself in a daze. He had once contemted betraying his values, discarding his moralpass, and transforming into someone prepared to wreak havoc. Yet, what did he now witness? Both the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Golden Proud Cult were keen on hunting him down! This shift in circumstances felt like a burden being removed from his shoulders. ''This is fantastic!'' Gu Ran couldn''t contain his joy. ''It''s beyond wonderful!'' ''If you''ve all resolved to hunt me down, then don''t me me for disregarding our shared humanity.'' It felt as though the obscuring clouds had parted, revealing the azure expanse. His mood soared. ''Heavenly Fate, so impressive, truly impressive!'' Jiang Chenughed softly, shaking his head. ''But, as I always say, I possess more than one Heaven-Defying Fate Changer!'' By this point, the Golden Proud Cult and the Purple Heaven Holy Land had finalized their strategy, readying themselves to split up and pursue Gu Ran. Suddenly, Liu Xiong and the other Dao Comprehension realm powerhouses from the Purple Heaven Holy Land felt a ripple in their Sea of Consciousness: a divine sense transmission from Jiang Chen! "Elders, you may split to chase Gu Ran, but ensure you mix with members from the Golden Proud Cult." "After all, can we trust that Golden Proud Cult cultivator''s wordspletely? What if his directions are meant to mislead?" "Also, when you divide, you might be walking into an ambush. The Golden Proud Cult could be ambushed too. I''ll alert you when it happens." After hearing Jiang Chen''s transmission, understanding dawned on the faces of Liu Xiong and his fellow Dao Comprehension realm cultivators from the Purple Heaven Holy Land. They discreetly nodded in agreement. "Let''s move!" A Dao Comprehension realm cultivator from the Golden Proud Cult urged. "We need to split up and chase that young brat before he escapes too far!" "Hold on," an Elder from the Purple Heaven Holy Land stepped in. "I suggestbining forces from both our sides and then breaking into five teams." This caused a stir among the Golden Proud Cult members, as they exchanged nces of surprise. The Purple Heaven Holy Land Elder''s reasoning was sound. Were the situations swapped, the Golden Proud Cult would harbor the same apprehensions. "Very well. Each of our major forces will form five teams. Then, we''ll merge them one-to-one, creating stronger teams," dered a prominent Dao Comprehension realm cultivator from the Golden Proud Cult. "Once that young man is in our grasp, we''ll distribute the rewards based on individual contributions. Does that sound fair?" "Agreed!" Voices from the Purple Heaven Holy Land echoed in immediate consensus. The logic was clear-cut, and with Liu Xiong refraining frommenting, Gu Ran remained oblivious to the covert maniptions of the Heavenly Gu Society''s leader. Meanwhile, the protagonist, Gu Ran, was bubbling with anticipation. He envisioned himselfying ambushes for these two powerhouse factions, taking them down one after the other, and exponentially amplifying his strength! At that exact moment, the two prominent forces, the Golden Proud Cult and the Purple Heaven Holy Land, seamlesslybined and divided into five distinct teams. In each team, there was a mix of members from both the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Golden Proud Cult, though thetter always held a majority. "Forward!" The Golden Proud Cult cultivator, adept with the secret art, shouted, leading his group towards their designated direction. The remaining four teams employed a temporary spell, which he had embedded into their respective artifacts, to guide their path. ''Best avoid Liu Xiong''s team. I should target a team with the most weaklings first.'' Gu Ran assessed the five branching teams, a smirk ying at his heart. Making up his mind, he mused, ''That''s the one.'' And began to tail them. ''Have you made your choice? Get ready to once again know what it feels like to be toyed with by me.'' Jiang Chen''s lips curled up slightly, his eyes observing the team with the diminishing Fate Value. Within this team, the unfortunate ''designated inheritor'' was present. Perhaps this was the retribution they earned, trying to snatch away the protagonist''s opportunity. Such thoughts only intensified Jiang Chen''s appreciation for his System''s protection. Time moved on. The five teams, tasked with tracking down Gu Ran and having to adjust to the speed of the Inquiring Journey realm cultivators, didn''t progress quickly. Gu Ran managed to tail them effortlessly, skilfully concealing himself and moving amongst the teams unnoticed. Along the path, a thought crossed Jiang Chen''s mind, ''Gu Ran, once this plot ys out, it might spell the end of your story.'' His eyes, surveying the teams below, carried a faint, knowing smile. Chapter 289: From Start to Finish, Its All Me Jiang Chen paused to do some quick calctions. From the outset, Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value had plummeted by over twenty-five thousand. Now, only three thousand eight hundred eighty-eight points remained. For Jiang Chen, the limit to actthe protagonists killing thresholdwas set at one-tenth of the ck Heavenly Fate Value. This came to three thousand four hundred fifty-three points. That meant there was a slim margin left: just four hundred thirty-five Heavenly Fate Value points separated Gu Ran from his fate. Once that gap closed, Jiang Chen could take decisive action against him. If Jiang Chen could thwart the current turn of events, it would further erode Gu Rans Heavenly Fate Value. Even if it didn''t hit the threshold, it would be dangerously close. Simply put, Gu Ran stood before Jiang Chen with no real means to defend himself. Therefore, Jiang Chen was resolved to take matters into his own hands this time around! Always a shadowy figure, he now felt the urge to step into the spotlight. Still, he tapped into his divine sense to apprise the Purple Heaven Holy Land team of the unfolding situation. The news jolted the cultivators of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. But with Jiang Chen''s guidance, they managed to maintain their poise, careful not to tip off their foe. The sands of time flowed on. The five major squads began to scatter, distancing themselves to the point where rapid assistance became unfeasible. Meanwhile, Gu Ran, blending seamlessly among the teams, gauged the widening gaps between the squads. Sensing an opportunity, he prepared to strike! ''Die for me!'' Gu Ran whispered, his steps silent as a ghost. He closed in on the slowest cultivator of the groupMao Lun of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. With eyes locked onto his prey, he abruptly unleashed his ambush. Swish! He moved as if bending space itself, materializing suddenly behind Mao Lun, weapon poised for a lethal strike. In Gu Ran''s vision, the gleaming edge of his weapon was inches away from Mao Lun''s robes. He could almost feel it piercing the heart beneath, sealing a fatal blow. Yet, with just a simple gesturea flick of Jiang Chen''s fingeramand echoed: ''Rise!'' To Gu Ran''s astonishment, a protective barrier burst forth around Mao Lun. Boom! His powerful assault crashed against Mao Lun''s shield, but to his frustration, it didn''t even produce a tremor, let alone shatter it. ''How... How is this possible? How did he react so fast? And that defense...'' Gu Ran was in disbelief. He had picked his target believing him to be the weakest link, but his assured strike hade to nothing. Suddenly, the air was filled with cries of rm. "Quickly!" "That bastard''s shown himself!" "How dare he attack one of our own? Today, he won''t just die. We''ll torture him a thousand ways until he begs for the end!" One after another, cultivators swarmed towards Gu Ran, their aim clear: surround and annihte. But Gu Ran''s response was anything but predictable. Rather than trying to escape, he darted towards the densest part of the group, concealing himself amidst them. His tactic was simple: create hesitation by making them fear they might strike down one of their own. And just as he had predicted, members from both the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Golden Proud Cult held back, worried about identally striking an ally. ''Damn it!'' Gu Ran thought, masking his presence and watching the vignt cultivators search their surroundings. His face was a portrait of despair, and his heart screamed silently with each beat. ''Why? Why?!'' ''Why, with such an ideal moment, did I fail yet again?'' ''Is this cursed feeling a result of some hidden hand from the Heavenly Gu Society obstructing me?'' ''But Liu Xiong isnt even on my selected team!'' ''Is it possible... could the entire Purple Heaven Holy Land be under that individual''s sway?'' ''How? How can such an immense force even exist on the Immortal Martial Continent?'' ''No, my gut tells me something''s off. That immediate defense earlier wasn''t something a mere Dao Comprehension realm cultivator could muster.'' ''In the shadows lurks a hidden powerhouse, whos at least of the Dao Pce realm!'' ''And this modus operandi, preventing me from killing... the one who acted just now is that mysterious figure from the Heavenly Gu Society, the same one who snatched away the inheritance!'' ''Damn him! He''s stolen everything, aargh!'' His mind teetered on the brink, consumed by fury and bitterness. Simultaneously, the overwhelming sensation of being manipted, of being utterly dominated, surged through Gu Ran. He felt as if he were drowning in an ocean of powerlessness, with waves of despair threatening to pull him under. Yet, Gu Ran''s spirit remained unbowed. ''That bastard! If you won''t end me, then I''ll persist. Let''s see how many times you can thwart my ns!'' With gritted teeth and measured breaths, Gu Ran covertly neared a Golden Proud Cult cultivator. ''So, now you''re setting your sights on the Golden Proud Cult?'' Jiang Chen observed the plummeting Fate Value of a Golden Proud Cult member named Te Dan and couldn''t help but scoff silently. In an instant, Gu Ran emerged from the shadows, his movements a blur as he lunged at Te Dan. Such was his swiftness that even the Dao Comprehension realm cultivators of the Golden Proud Cult were caught off guard! However, just as Gu Ran''s weapon neared Te Dan, signaling the moment of kill swish a protective curtain of light unfurled around Te Dan, repelling Gu Ran''s attempt. Undeterred, Gu Ran''s voice was fierce. "Attack!" Without missing a beat, he directed his deadly intent at another. Yet, once more, he was rebuffed! "Argh! Damn you, Heavenly Gu Society! And you, the viinous bastard hiding in the shadows, if you''re bold enough to halt my strikes, then face me head-on!" Gu Ran''s rage reverberated around him, but it did not deter his relentless assassination attempts. He seemed to have lost all reason, continuously moving in a shadowy dance of hide, strike, retreat, and strike again... But each of his relentless attempts was seamlessly parried by Jiang Chen. The Golden Proud Cult members looked on in bewilderment, unable to grasp the unfolding chaos. And for those directly in Gu Ran''s crosshairs, the sensation was surreal. Each felt the chilling embrace of imminent death, only to be cocooned by a mysterious protective force, an experience both terrifying and exhrating. "Give up, Gu Ran. I won''t let you have your way," Jiang Chen''s calm voice echoed as his divine sense finally locking onto Gu Ran. Suddenly, a tidal wave of impending danger crashed over Gu Ran. rm coursed through him, making every hair on his body prickle. This was eerily familiar. It was the exact feeling he''d encountered at the ck Wood Ind seas, the moment he became the target of that mysterious Dao Pce powerhouse. "It''s you! You''ve been tailing me, hindering my journey to bing stronger from the shadows!" Halting his assassination attempts, Gu Ran emerged and hurled his furious roar toward the vacant sky. As he did, a trio of system notifications resounded within Jiang Chen''s Sea of Consciousness. [Ding! You''ve sessfully altered the plot; Protagonist Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has been reduced by 1000 points!] [Ding! You''ve earned 2000 Viin Value points!] [Ding! Protagonist Gu Ran''s Heavenly Fate Value has breached below your set kill threshold. You now hold the liberty to execute Gu Ran without incurring the Heavenly Fate''s bacsh.] Observing Gu Ran, whose face was now a canvas of pain and anguish, Jiang Chen''s voice wasced with a hint of triumph. "Yes, it''s been me all along. From the very beginning to this very moment, always me." Chapter 290: Slaying the Protagonist, The Death of Gu Ran "No! Its not like that!" Gu Ran eximed. "The true powerhouse is a woman. She halted the demonic invasion by exterminating the Peak-stage Dao Pce realm demon. "You are after my bloodline, acting purely out of selfishness. Youre no less than a devil! In fact," his voice rising with bitterness, "you''re even more demonic than the demon race itself!" With fierce resentment, Gu Ran roared, eyes bloodshot and veins prominent on his forehead. The depth of his loathing for Jiang Chenling was palpable, as if he wished to torment him over and over again. A sharp retort came, "Stop your nonsense! "You, of all people, should not insult our Holy Son!" "Our Holy Son took down the Transcendent realm powerhouse from the demon race, Long Tianlu, who invaded the Everflowing Truth Central Domain. And in the ck Wood Ind region, E Tianjiu, another of their kind from the Peak-stage Dao Pce realm, met the same fate." "All you''ve done is think of ambushing fellow cultivators and taking lives for power." "Ever since you set foot on the inheritance peak, you''ve been relentless in your attacks on us." "With such devious tactics, you have the audacity to nder our Purple Heaven Holy Land''s Holy Son? The sheer nerve!" Elders from the Purple Heaven Holy Land continued, one after another, each voice more contemptuous, showering disdain upon Gu Ran. Voices erupted in disbelief upon hearing the revtion. "What?!" "How is that possible?!" "So the mighty figure is actually the Holy Son of Purple Heaven Holy Land? Incredible!" "It''s one thing to face off against a Transcendent realm powerhouse, but to defeat him? That''s something else entirely!" "I''ve heard that the Transcendent realm great powerhouse from the demon race had fallen to the Dao Pce realm. But to think he was defeated and beheaded? It''s beyond my wildest imagination." The cultivators from Golden Proud Cult were visibly stunned. While they had caught wind of the events in the Everflowing Truth Central Domain, the details remained elusive. Only now did the full picture emerge. The young talent in front of them, the one who vanquished the leader of the demon race and thwarted their initial onught, was none other than the Holy Son of the Purple Heaven Holy Land! Gu Ran''s voice quivered with disbelief. "No! This can''t be true!" "You? The Holy Son of the Purple Heaven Holy Land?" "And you defeated a Transcendence realm demon?" "It''s all lies! You''re the head of the Heavenly Gu Society. You''ve been coveting the power of my bloodline from the start!" Gu Ran red at Jiang Chen, eyes zing with fury. He roared, the veins on his neck standing out, his demeanor unhinged. Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. "Heavenly Gu Society?" He smirked. "Thats just a trick to fool children." "While I am intrigued by the power of your bloodline," he continued with measured calm, "everything I''ve done, as hard as it might be for some to believe, has been for self-preservation." Gu Ran''s voice faltered, "Self...self-preservation?" "You, a Dao Pce realm elite who took down an injured Transcendent realm titan, feel threatened by me?" His eyes widened in disbelief, struggling to absorb the revtion. The members of the Golden Proud Cult and the Purple Heaven Holy Land shared Gu Ran''s astonishment. After all, Jiang Chen stood at the pinnacle of the Dao Pce realm, while Gu Ran was but a novice in the Inquiring Journey realm... Jiang Chen cut in sharply, "Enough chatter." He cast a dismissive nce at Gu Ran, stating coldly, "I''ll send you on your journey now." "What?!" Gu Ran''s eyes shot open in terror. "You n to... kill me?" He retreated a step, his voice tinged with desperation. "Dare you! If you kill me, you''ll never obtain the Endless Dark Blood Moon!" In Gu Ran''s mind, Jiang Chen had always coveted his unique Endless Dark Blood Moon Bloodline. He was convinced that to obtain a pristine Endless Dark Blood Moon, it required his voluntary surrender. Any forceful extraction would degrade its quality significantly. In Gu Ran''s eyes, this was the reason Jiang Chen hadn''t made a direct attempt on his life. Instead, Jiang Chen subtly sabotaged Gu Ran''s progression, masquerading behind the guise of the Heavenly Gu Society to earn his trust. That belief had anchored Gu Ran''s perceptions. But now, with Jiang Chen''s looming threat, everything seemed contradictory. It challenged the very foundation of what Gu Ran believed to be Jiang Chen''s goals. Jiang Chenughed, shaking his head in amusement. "Who ever told you the Endless Dark Blood Moon was my main objective?" His true intent had always been singr: Gu Ran''s end. "No, please!" Desperation filled Gu Ran''s voice. "I''ll give it to youthe Endless Dark Blood Moon! I''ll surrender it willingly!" "Swear you won''t kill me, and it''s yours. The whole, unblemished Endless Dark Blood Moon!" "Please, just spare my life!" The sheer terror made Gu Ran retreat further, struggling to remain airborne. His knees buckled, and he fell, his face a canvas of disbelief and dread. Once a protagonist blessed by Heavenly Fate, Gu Ran was now vulnerable. Jiang Chen''s repeated assaults had stripped away his pride and arrogance. He was prepared to abandon all dignity if it meant a sliver of hope for survival. The figure before them was a shadow of his former selflike a once-mighty oak now bent and twisted by the storm,pletely isted.. "Gu Ran, your time in this world is up." Jiang Chen''s voice was a chilling contrast to his calm demeanor as he peered down at the quivering Gu Ran. With a deliberate motion, he raised a hand, pointing at him. Gu Ran''s scream of "No!" echoed in the air. But in an instant, he disintegrated into a fine mist of blood, leaving no trace of his existence behind. [Ding! Congrattions on sessfully killing the protagonist, Gu Ran!] [Ding! You''ve been awarded 300,000 Viin Value points!] [Ding! You''ve gained 29,688 ck Heavenly Fate Value points!] The trio of system alerts resonated in Jiang Chen''s Sea of Consciousness. ''It''s finally over,'' Jiang Chen thought, a contented smile forming on his face. Throughout his confrontations with Gu Ran, he had treaded carefully, wary of the mighty bacsh of the Heavenly Fate. Pushing too hard might invoke dire consequences he couldn''t rectify. But with Gu Ran''s demise, the looming threat of Heavenly Fate''s retribution was, for now, at bay, at least until the next protagonist appeared. Suddenly, from the very spot where Gu Ran met his fate, a radiant red light emerged. This luminance swiftly turned into a beam that shot directly into Jiang Chen''s forehead, seamlessly merging with him. [Ding! ''Endless Dark Blood Moon'', a Heaven-Defying Fate Changer, has been acquired. Would you like to use it?] Upon hearing the system notification, Jiang Chen willed the system panel to appear. Floating in its midst was a shimmering droplet of dark red bloodthe Bloodline Power of the Endless Dark Blood Moon. ''It''s the fifth Heaven-Defying Fate Changer!'' ted, Jiang Chen thought, ''System, use it now!'' [Ding! Initiating fusion with the Endless Dark Blood Moon!] As the system notification sounded, Jiang Chen sensed an intense transformation coursing through every cell of his being. Even his very soul was not left untouched, undergoing a deep, fundamental change. Momentster, another system prompt echoed. [Ding! Fusion with the Endless Dark Blood Moonplete!] [Ding! Your new Heaven-Defying Fate Changer is of the bloodline type. It''s harmonious with the Eternal Boundless Body and has been seamlessly integrated. It merged with the Death Cmity True Dragon bloodline, extracting its essence and discarding any impurities!] Thanks to the system''s precision, the merging of the bloodlines was executed to perfection, without a hitch. Jiang Chen marveled at the profound energy now surging within him. ''Such unparalleled, mystical power!'' He''d never felt so empowered. Now, he had the unique ability to kill and absorb the cultivation bases of others. And whenbined with the Wordless Heavenly Jade, each kill yielded even more significant benefits. He could simultaneously enhance his cultivation methods and cultivation base with every life taken! As he processed this, further insights emerged in his Sea of Consciousness. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : Enjoying the story? Join me onPatreon[https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. On a tight budget? You can still follow me ontform X[https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Enjoying the story? Join me on Patreon [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. On a tight budget? You can still follow me on tform X [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Chapter 291: A New Heaven-Defying Fate Changer Jiang Chen mused, ''Endless Dark Blood Moon... Does it have ties to a powerful figure of the Cultivation Path''s Fourth Step, ''Rangsi Kangcheng''?'' ''Rangsi? Apound surname. In history, those with such surnames oftenmand great influence and aren''t to be underestimated.'' He continued, ''This seems like another substantial karmic thread. Yet, it might also signal a golden opportunity.'' As these thoughts yed out, a faint smile hinted at the edges of his lips. With Gu Ran''s demise, aside from the immediate opportunities now within his grasp, every advantage that once belonged to Gu Ran would soon be his tomand. Among them was the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo, whose power rivaled that of the Endless Dark Blood Moon. Although Jiang Chen had the opportunity to secure the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo from the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, he hesitated. He knew that the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo and the Endless Dark Blood Moon negated each other. Even a minor imperfection in the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo would make it considerably more vulnerable. This understanding made Jiang Chen wary of immediately merging with it. However, with Gu Ran out of the picture and the Endless Dark Blood Moon now in Jiang Chen''s possession, his earlier reservations about merging with the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo have evaporated. Jiang Chen also stumbled upon another crucial piece of information. The current state of the Death Cmity Dark Blood Moon Bloodline wasn''t its ultimate form. As he vanquishes foes and seizes their cultivation base, the bloodline''s prowess will evolve. For now, the Death Cmity Dark Blood Moon could siphon off one-tenth of a cultivation base. Yet, as time progresses, its capacity would increase from one-fifth to one-third, and eventually, it might absorb a victim''s entire cultivation base with a single strike! Jiang Chen couldn''t help but marvel. ''Such a formidable bloodline.'' He chuckled lightly, and with a mere thought, he prompted, ''System, disy my information panel.'' [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Perfect Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body Realm: Early-stage Dao Comprehension Great Dao: Swift Sword Dao, Fire Dao (Complete), Wind Dao, Thunder Dao, Wood Dao, Water Dao (Fragmented) True Combat Power: Peak-stage Dao Pce++ Cultivation Methods: Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture (Dao Pce, primary cultivation), Ten Thousand Soul Seed Secrets (Transcendence, perfect-level), Dark Star Sky Splitting Sword Secrets, Myriad Changes Evesting Sword, Purple Feather Misty Steps, Purple Heaven Heavenly Thunder True Canon, One Thought Vanishing Moon, Silent Sacred Heart, Tyrant Body Channels Ultimate Intent Secrets, Benevolent Monarch Heavenly Wheel Scripture, Heavenly Blood Surge Secrets (Dao Pce, perfect-level)... Partially omitted Main Equipment: Fate Chasing Kite Pupils (dao tool, top-grade 8/9), Peerless Heaven Piercing Sword (magic treasure, top-grade), Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf (magic treasure, top-grade)... Partially omitted Viin Value: 326,600 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 64,222 points Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring, Wordless Heavenly Jade, Void Tribtion Soul, Death Cmity Dark Blood Moon System Mall: Level 2] Jiang Chen looked at his information panel, deep in thought. ''All this time with Gu Ran, and there hasn''t been much change in my cultivation base on the system panel.'' ''Yet, my potential has expanded. In the Heaven-Defying Fate Changer Category, the Endless Dark Blood Moon hasbined with the Death Cmity True Dragon bloodline, forming the Death Cmity Dark Blood Moon.'' He grinned, ''The name ''Death Cmity Dark Blood Moon'' sounds like it belongs to a viin.'' His smile didn''t fade. Although his currentbat strength has increased only by a minor realm, once he absorbs the gains from defeating Gu Ran, hisbat strength will take a significant jump, reaching the Third Step of the Cultivation Path: the Transcendence realm! ''Once I''ve dealt with the Cave Heaven, I''ll return to the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. My next goal is to prepare for the assembly of the number one prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent. I''ll rise to the continent''s apex!'' Jiang Chen''s lips hinted at a smirk as his eyes darted towards the members of the Golden Proud Cult and the Purple Heaven Holy Land below. Throughout Jiang Chen''s confrontation and subsequent killing of Gu Ran, the onlookers from both the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Golden Proud Cult had borne witness. They''d also caught every word exchanged between Jiang Chen and Gu Ran. To them, it appeared that Jiang Chen''s primary motive against Gu Ran revolved around obtaining the Endless Dark Blood Moon Bloodline. The crowd was somewhat perplexed by Jiang Chen''s decisive act against Gu Ran. Still, they recognized their ce and chose not to voice their thoughts. So, they silently observed as Jiang Chen dispatched Gu Ran. When he finally emerged from his reflective state, many in the crowd averted their eyes, avoiding direct contact with his intense gaze. "Honorable Holy Son!" A group of Dao Comprehension realm Elders felt Jiang Chen''s intent to speak. Without dy, they bowed, bringing their hands together before their faces in reverence. "Whatever was discussed earlier remains between us. To ensure your discretion, I will use a secret art to oversee you. If anything is amiss, your lives will be forfeit." Even though the contents of the conversation weren''t overly sensitive, Jiang Chen was adamant about confidentiality. "Understood! Proceed with your art, Honorable Holy Son!" The cultivators from Purple Heaven Holy Land immediately knelt mid-air, their heads lowered in deep respect. "But, Honorable Holy Son, we represent the Golden Proud Cult. Is it right for you to subject us to this?" An Elder of the Dao Comprehension realm from the Golden Proud Cult voiced his concern with some hesitation. The other members of the Golden Proud Cult might not have outwardly reacted, but their internal disapproval was evident. "Refusal only brings death," stated Jiang Chen, his gaze settling coldly on the Golden Proud Cult members. "This is your singr opportunity. Make your choice." "We ept! We''ll seize the chance!" The weight of Jiang Chen''s words pressed heavily on the previously vocal Golden Proud Cult cultivator, causing him to tremble and swiftly kneel. "We too, submit to yourmand!" The rest of the Golden Proud Cult cultivators soon followed, kneeling one after the other. The proceedings went undisturbed. No one dared to send out any distress signals or betray Jiang Chen''s earlier pronouncements. Jiang Chen acknowledged this with a subtle nod. Forming a hand gesture, hemenced the ritual of the "Ten Thousand Soul Seed Secrets" on the assembled cultivators. From each one''s forehead, bright red points of light emerged, gathering in Jiang Chen''s hands, culminating in a string of glowing crimson magatamas. These soul seeds granted him an intimate connection to their bearers'' thoughts, granting him the ability to sense any betrayal and, if needed, to end their lives instantaneously. "That will suffice. Search the area for additional inheritances,"manded Jiang Chen, gesturing to his followers below. He then turned his attention to the ongoing skirmish involving Ji Mingxiu. Ji Junhao and his team were yet to be subdued. As he approached, a sprawling mix of dust and inky mist became visible. Within this haze, sporadic shes of various-colored lights illuminated the area, revealing the meeting of powerful spells and weapons. The aftermath of the fierce battle churned the vast shroud of darkness, giving it the appearance of a gargantuan creature writhing amidst storm clouds. "They continue to resist," remarked Jiang Chen. Hovering high, he extended his divine sense across the battlefield, capturing a full view in an instant. Ji Junhao''s team disyed remarkable resilience. Though they were heavily outnumbered, three to nine, their defenses held strong. This was partly due to Jiang Chen''s directive to Ji Mingxiu and his team to refrain from delivering lethal blows. To Jiang Chen, the trio of Dao Pce realm powerhouses led by Ji Junhao presented a significant reservoir of powerdeemed as ''nourishment'' in his perspective. Without any dy, Jiang Chen advanced. With a single step, he morphed into a swift sh of deep red light, speeding towards the heart of the fray. Chapter 292: Dao Palace Realm Instakill, Surging Cultivation Base "Things look grim! If we keep this up, death is certain!" In the thick of battle, a look of rm overtook Ji Junhao''s features. He had ventured to the Immortal Martial Continent to seek its delights. After merely a few days of revelry, thest thing he desired was to meet his end. "We have to band together and break out!" Xu Yuqi, pallor resembling that of a corpse, managed to utter these words amidst his defense against the relentless attack. But suddenly, Ji Junhao''s eyes took on a piercing intensity. "Both of you, stay and cover our escape! I promise, I''ll seek retribution for this." Without another word, he transformed into a streak of shadowy light, vanishing from sight. "What?!" Both Xu Yuqi and his ally looked utterly stunned, their expressions a harrowing blend of shock and despair. In the next moment, their Yuan Power surged chaotically, triggering the demon race''s dire self-destructive secret art. Boom! Boom! Boom! Waves of potent demonic energy erupted from Xu Yuqi and hisrade. Theirbat strength skyrocketed, but at the cost of burning through every ounce of their power. Despair evident in his trembling voice, Xu Yuqi eximed, "This is the end! We''re finished!" "Curse the Purple Heaven Holy Land! Curse the demon race!" "Why did it have to be like this? Ahhh!" Xu Yuqi''s final outcry was one of sheer anguish as his sanity unraveled. His eyes glowed a terrifying red, and his face contorted in wild fury. Without hesitation, heunched himself in a final, doomed charge at Ji Mingxiu and his group. Yet, just as he initiated his assault, whoosh! A ze of ck and red zipped across the battlefield, materializing as the dragon-esque form of Jiang Chen. His physique was adorned with myriad purplish-ck crystal dragon scales. Elegant dragon horns arched upwards from his forehead, and his deep purplish-ck draconic eyes emanated a cold, murderous aura. Almost instantly, Jiang Chenmanded, "Die!" Raising his hands, his razor-sharp dragon ws prated both Xu Yuqi and his ally, hoisting them effortlessly into the sky. "Ahhh!" Xu Yuqi and hispanion unleashed mournful screams, even as they endeavored to attack, all while under Ji Junhao''s control. Yet, by merely shaking his hands, Jiang Chen caused the two bodies to disintegrate explosively, resulting in the sky being shrouded in a mist of blood. In such an abrupt manner, two Dao Pce realm elites fell at the hands of Jiang Chen. ''Absorb!'' Perceiving the rising qi and blood force from them, Jiang Chen mentallymanded, and immediately, the Wordless Heavenly Jade started its absorption process. Simultaneously, the bloodline power of the Death Cmity Dark Blood Moon activated. A force, so deeply enigmatic that it eluded any detection, reached for the remains of Xu Yuqi and hispanion, extracting their cultivation essence. Immediately, Jiang Chen sensed an immense quantity of pure cultivation base materializing spontaneously within his dantian. This cultivation essence was utterly pure, free from any contaminants, as though he had cultivated it through his own meticulous efforts. As continuous surges of this cultivation base energy flowed into his Dao Core, the pace of Jiang Chen''s own cultivation base''s growth became astoundingly rapid. Within a short span, he advanced from the Early-stage Dao Comprehension realm to the Middle-stage Dao Comprehension realm. Without pausing, this progress quickly continued, elevating him to the Late-stage Dao Comprehension realm. Within the acquired pure cultivation base, there were subtle hints of deep insights linked to certain Great Dao teachings. Prominently, the Fire Great Dao teachings were the most plentiful. They were followed by intricate teachings associated with the other Five Elements Great Dao, as well as the Thunder, Wind, and Ice Daos. Both Xu Yuqi and his ally were Dao Pce realm experts, possessing knowledge that spanned beyond a single Great Dao. Although, at this moment, Jiang Chen''s Death Cmity Dark Blood Moon had only a one-tenth absorption rate. This meant he obtained merely one-tenth of the profound teachings of the Great Dao from them. However, Jiang Chen already possessed understanding of several Great Dao teachings. By merging his knowledge with the acquired teachings, the once fragmented insights became whole. Furthermore, new energies surfaced from several derivative branches of the Five Elements Great Dao. While many of these insights were not fully formed, the collective knowledge was undeniably substantial. By this point, the absorbed cultivation base waspletely utilized. Jiang Chen''s cultivation level settled at the Half-step Dao Pce realm. Yet, his fighting prowess had markedly improved. Even if he hadn''t ascended to the Transcendence realm, his current strength could effortlessly best five iterations of his former self. "Ji Junhao, it''s your turn!" Jiang Chen dered, a chilling smirk pulling at the corner of his lips. Without any dy, he surged forward, quickly tracking down the fleeing Ji Junhao. Despite his current state, Ji Junhao was no pushover. Originally a Peak-stage Dao Pce realm powerhouse, he had fallen to the Late-stage Dao Pce realm. Now, driven to fight with every ounce of his being, hisbat prowess had rebounded to its Peak-stage. Yet, Jiang Chen''s baselinebat strength stood at ''Peak-stage Dao Pce++'', significantly outssing Ji Junhao. With his recently enhanced capabilities, Jiang Chen was in a league of his own, overshadowing Ji Junhao. So, even though Ji Junhao had a brief three-breath lead, it didn''t take long for Jiang Chen to bridge the gap, intercepting Ji Junhao in the air over an expansive desert. "Ji Junhao, your resistance is futile," Jiang Chen stated, his elongated dragon eyes emanating a piercing and icy glint. "True Dragon Bloodline!" Recognizing the dragonic form of Jiang Chen, Ji Junhao was taken aback. His pupils contracted to minute pinpoints as he stuttered, "Who... just who are you?" "How can the Immortal Martial Continent boast of a being of your caliber?" "Is it possible... are you a dragon cultivator hailing from the Dragon Sovereign Immortal Domain?" As Ji Junhao tried toprehend the sight before him, a wave of hopelessness welled up inside. "Dragon Sovereign Immortal Domain? Perhaps I''ll venture there if the opportunity arises," Jiang Chen mused, his grin tinged with foreboding. "No!" Sensing Jiang Chen''s lethal aura, Ji Junhao, driven by sheer desperation, mustered all his strength to dart away. However, even his speed was no match for the rapidity of Jiang Chen''s de. ''Sword Great Dao, sh!'' Jiang Chen''s right hand mimicked a sword motion, dispatching a sword beam adorned with dragon motifs. With a gruesome noise, Ji Junhao, while still airborne, came to a jarring halt, then emotionlessly divided into halves. Immediately after, his remains transformed into a blood mist due to countless sword Qi, leaving only a lone Nether Soul Crystal behind. Bursts of intense qi and blood energy, apanied by a vast amount of pure cultivation base, poured into Jiang Chen''s body in a rush. Boom! Jiang Chen experienced a sensation as though both his body and soul had detonated. The strength of his flesh, the depth of his sea of consciousness, and his Dao Yuan Power all elevated at that very moment. In his dantian, the radiant Dao Core, bright as a magnificent sun, grew multiple times in size. It then changed into flows of golden energy that integrated into his dantian. The entire dantian experienced a significant change. From the typical fleshly dantian, it evolved into a Dao Pce, able to hold andbine even more of the Great Dao''s strength! Indeed, when the Dao Core and the dantian unite, it creates the Dao Pce. This stage is the foundation for cultivators to dive deeper, understand, and control the vast power of the Great Dao. It also sets the groundwork for the Third Step of the Cultivation Path. Before, the power of the Great Dao was housed in the Dao Core. But now, the power of the Great Dao exists directly in every single part of Jiang Chen''s dantian, and even in every cell of his own flesh! Jiang Chen voiced his thrill, "I''ve made it! The Dao Pce ream!" "Haha, the rewards from this Ji Junhao are really significant, pushing my cultivation base straight to the Dao Pce realm!" Unable to hold back his happiness, heughed with great joy. Right after, he checked his detailed status again. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : Enjoying the story? Join me onPatreon[https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. You can also follow me ontform X[https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Enjoying the story? Join me on Patreon [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. You can also follow me on tform X [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Chapter 293: Transcendence Realm Battle Power [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Perfect Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body Realm: Early-stage Dao Pce Great Dao: Swift Sword Dao, Fire Dao, Metal Dao (Complete), Wind Dao, Thunder Dao, Wood Dao, Water Dao, Ice Dao, Darkness Dao (Fragmented) True Combat Power: Early-stage Transcendence Cultivation Methods: Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture (Dao Pce, primary cultivation), Ten Thousand Soul Seed Secrets (Transcendence, perfect-level), Dark Star Sky Splitting Sword Secrets, Myriad Changes Evesting Sword, Purple Feather Misty Steps, Purple Heaven Heavenly Thunder True Canon, One Thought Vanishing Moon, Silent Sacred Heart, Tyrant Body Channels Ultimate Intent Secrets, Benevolent Monarch Heavenly Wheel Scripture, Heavenly Blood Surge Secrets (Dao Pce, perfect-level)... Partially omitted Main Equipment: Fate Chasing Kite Pupils (dao tool, top-grade 8/9), Peerless Heaven Piercing Sword (magic treasure, top-grade), Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf (magic treasure, top-grade)... Partially omitted Viin Value: 326,600 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 64,222 points Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring, Wordless Heavenly Jade, Void Tribtion Soul, Death Cmity Dark Blood Moon System Mall: Level 2] Within Jiang Chen''s mind, thoughts raced, ''I''ve reached the Transcendence realm in truebat strength!'' ''Now, on the Immortal Martial Continent, I can move without hindrance or fear.'' ''The power of the Death Cmity Dark Blood Moon is immense. It let me advance a major realm in no time!'' Feeling the surge of this power, a gleam of excitement lit his eyes. Shortly, he pivoted and flew towards Ji Mingxiu and the rest. Ji Mingxiu and the other nine Dao Pce realm elites stood, faces awash with disbelief, watching Jiang Chennow transformed into a dragon-human hybrid formapproach. Earlier, these nine had joined forces against Ji Junhao and his team in a three-on-nine skirmish. It would have taken them longer to win without going all out, risking their very lives. Yet, Jiang Chen, with his strength, dispatched all three from Ji Junhao''s side effortlessly, as if swatting away insignificant ants. "Is that truly you, Jiang Chen?" Ji Mingxiu inhaled deeply, his eyes reflecting both excitement and apprehension. "It is indeed me," Jiang Chen replied, a faint smile on his face. "I carry the true dragon bloodline and have ascended to the Dao Pce realm." Everyone present sharply inhaled, taken aback. While they had seen Jiang Chen''s dragon-like transformation and held their guesses, his open acknowledgment left them profoundly taken aback. The true dragon bloodline is known to reach at least the Third Step of the Cultivation Path! For someone with this bloodline, like Jiang Chen, the Immortal Martial Continent would seem like a mere puddle. "In the cultivation world, Jiang Chen, we honor those who reach heights of greatness," Ji Mingxiu remarked, his voice filled with both joy and sentiment. "I''m no longer worthy to call myself your master." "Yet, Teacher, it was you who showed me the way. That''s something I''ll always remember," Jiang Chen responded, his face earnest as he nodded. "Hahahaha! Well said!" Ji Mingxiu erupted in heartyughter, then became solemn, nodding his agreement. Suddenly, voices echoed, "Lord Jiang Chen!" "We let greed cloud our judgment and turned against our brethren from the Purple Heaven Holy Land." "Given our earnest efforts in battling the demons and those who delve into demonic cultivation, we beseech you to show mercy!" Bao Xunwu, along with others from the Golden Proud Cult, hastily knelt, bowing deeply to Jiang Chen. With an indifferent look, Jiang Chen surveyed Bao Xunwu and hispatriots. "While I might spare you from the ultimate penalty," he began steadily, "you will not escape punishment." "You must repay a hundredfold for the lives you took from the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Additionally, you are to make amends through meritorious deeds." He finished, "The specifics? I''ll entrust that to my teacher." Taking in Jiang Chen''s decision, Bao Xunwu bowed low, voice shaking, "Thank you, Lord Jiang Chen, for such grace! We vow to right our wrongs, confronting the demon race with all our might and guarding the Immortal Martial Continent!" "Thank you, Lord Jiang Chen!" Simultaneously, the utterances of the other two Supreme Elders of the Golden Proud Cult mirrored Bao Xunwu''s, with clear relief etched on their faces and evident gratitude shining in their eyes. Being granted clemency by Jiang Chen meant they not only preserved their lives but also gained affiliation with Jiang Chen''s potent influence. Even if they only held peripheral roles in Jiang Chen''s close-knit group, it still indicated they had his favor. Eyeing those around him, Jiang Chen spoke earnestly, "Currently, most of the elite demonic cultivators in the Vibrant ze Domain have been eradicated." "Yet, the Vibrant ze Domain is now heavily dominated by the demon race. The taint runs deep, and the junior cultivators have endured unspeakable torment at the hands of the Demons. We need to save them." "It''s likely the remaining members of the Burning ze Ancient Sect are aware of Ji Junhao and his team''s downfall and might be in retreat." "Thus, it''s imperative you all mobilize at once. As for this Cave Heaven, there will be plenty of time to delve into its depthster." He finished, emphasizing the immediate priorities. "Lord Jiang Chen, if we''re dispatched to the Vibrant ze Domain, where do you intend to go? You aren''t contemting a journey to the Pure Frost Domain, are you?" Si Zhangjian inquired, evident astonishment etched on his face. Beyond the Vibrant ze Domain, the Pure Frost Domain was another territory that had sumbed in the Immortal Martial Continent. Yet, regarding the machinations around the Doomsday Cave Heaven, the Pure Frost Domain remained uninvolved. "I have no such ns. My intention is to keep preparing for the ''Number One Prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent'' conference," Jiang Chen responded, shaking his head and grinning. Hearing Jiang Chen''s ns, the expressions of everyone present froze in sheer astonishment. Wouldn''t the logical move for Jiang Chen be to concentrate on ousting the demons and demonic cultivators in the Pure Frost Domain? Why then would he ce greater importance on a mere title over such a pressing issue? Such decisions didn''t resonate with the foresight expected of a leader. Had arrogance clouded Jiang Chen''s judgment? It wasn''t just Bao Xunwu from the Golden Proud Cult who was left scratching his head. Ji Mingxiu, Lu An, and others too were deeply perplexed. Jiang Chen responded evenly, "Don''t jump to conclusions. The ''Number One Prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent'' conference isn''t just a simple event, but a calcted strategy." "The details of this n will be clear to you in due time." His lips curved subtly, keeping the intricacies to himself. From his deductions, even if the Pure Frost Domain hadn''t engaged in the present plot, they were likely to enter the fray in the future. The most usible expectation was their orchestration of a surprise assault right as the ''Number One Prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent'' conference neared its end, aiming to wipe out the brightest talents of the Immortal Martial Continent in a single strike. Such a n was designed to cut the root of their lineage. While these young talents might not yet match the battle prowess of the more seasoned warriors, they embody the Immortal Martial Continent''s forting era. Should these promising figures face obliteration, the Immortal Martial Continent would confront a bleak horizon, possibly capitting without putting up a fight. Chapter 294: Returning to the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect At the Immortal Martial Continent''s conference for the top prodigy, influential figures gathered, bringing together nearly all of the prominent powerhouses of the continent at that juncture. Merely with the Pure Frost Domain''s forces, the demon race would undeniably be ill-equipped for a covert assault. Furthermore, considering the portion of the Transcendence realm''s hidden underpinnings that humans had, the demon race would only act if they possessed a strength on par. At this moment, other than the demon race Army faction in the Pure Frost Domain, the rest remained concealed. The exact number and potential strength of these hidden forces remained a mystery. Should Jiang Chen decide to engage, he would undoubtedly embark on a rampage. However, the adversaries he could meet afterward remain uncertain. Simply put, the situation bore risks. Additionally, concerning the segment of the demon race Army lurking unseen, if they opted to stay hidden, they would pose a continuous menace to the Immortal Martial Continent. Jiang Chen had no desire to be in a constant state of vignce. What''s more, Jiang Chen couldn''t predict when he might cross paths with a new protagonist. If he failed to confront the demon race Army swiftly and then met a new protagonist, battling on dual fronts would escte the challenges. Hence, Jiang Chen had no ns to recklessly storm the enemy stronghold alone. His strategy was to use their own tactics against them, devising a snare to draw them out and seal their doom, with the aim of wiping out the demon race Army in a single, defining stroke. To Jiang Chen, even if his conjecture regarding the demon race''s initial strategy was off the mark, it was inconsequential. He would still take the initiative to provoke the demon race into making a move. This tactic is termed as luring the snake out of its hole! "Strategy..." Ji Mingxiu''s eyes gleamed with surprise, then he nodded, "Whatever assistance you require, we stand ready." "We from the Golden Proud Cult pledge our support as well!" Bao Xunwu swiftly chimed in. They were in the dark about Jiang Chen''s n, but they sensed it would be nothing short of remarkable. "Very well. Begin by purifying the Vibrant ze Domain. Ensure you retrieve the remains of the powerful fallen." Jiang Chen offered a smile, and with a flourish of his right hand, a gray token materialized from nowhere. Though the token was gray, its design mirrored the golden-red spatial entryway of the Doomsday Cave Heaven. This was precisely what he had acquired from the legacy: the key to the entrance of Doomsday Cave Heaven! It could activate one primary portal and five subsidiary portals simultaneously. The primary portal was stationed at the ck Wood Ind maritime zone. The subsidiary portals could be positioned anywhere on the Immortal Martial Continent. "Open!" Jiang Chen infused his Dao Yuan Power, and quickly, a potent disturbance emanated from the gray token. Subsequently, two oscitions materialized behind Jiang Chen. These oscitions grew rapidly and in a mere moment, transformed into two gray whirlpools. These whirlpools soon solidified into two spatial gateways. One gave ess to the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, while the other led to the Burning ze Ancient Sect. Ji Mingxiumanded, "Move out!" Bao Xunwu prompted, "Make haste! Or the demon offspring of the Burning ze Ancient Sect may flee!" Driven by fury, Lu An snarled, "Cursed demon race, for each one I seize, I will inflict ten million-fold pain." United in their mission, Ji Mingxiu, Bao Xunwu, Lu An, and the remaining six Dao Pce realm elites promptly ventured into the portal directing them to the Burning ze Ancient Sect. ''Next, I''ll address some other matters, get things ready, and then hold the "number one prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent" conference!'' Jiang Chen thought, stroking his chin. He then flew to the two spatial entrances, selecting one to go through. Instantly, his surroundings changed. He transitioned from the vistas of the Doomsday Cave Heaven to a shimmering beach shoreline. He was now on Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind. Jiang Chen extended his divine sense. His soul realm was even more advanced than his cultivation level. With support from Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, his sea of consciousness was greater than that of a typical Transcendence realm expert. His divine sense spanned an astounding two million kilometers in radius! On Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind, Jiang Chen had a panoramic view of the entire Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea, even catching glimpses of the Everflowing Truth Domain. The vastness of his viewpoint was incredibly invigorating. ''Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo, it''s time.'' With a gesture from Jiang Chen, the spatial channel behind him sealed shut. In one stride, he was at the heart of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. Using his divine sense, he ryed a message to Ji Yn, Jing Chengwang, and others. At that very moment, Jing Chengwang and his group were rallying their forces. They aimed for Three Mountains Ind, nning to venture into the Cave Heaven for a search operation. But upon getting Jiang Chen''s message, they swiftly changed course and headed in his direction. It wasn''t long before Jing Chengwang and other senior members of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect stood before Jiang Chen. Among them was the enamored beauty, Jing Miaoyao. "Brother Holy Son!" Jing Miaoyao''s eyes lit up like twinkling stars upon seeing Jiang Chen. "To all my daoist friends," Jiang Chen began, "I''ve taken care of Gu Ran. As for the other matters, this jade slip will exin everything." He handed the jade slip, which detailed the Doomsday Cave Heaven, to Jing Chengwang. "And I''m here for the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo." A voice piped up in surprise, "Gu Ran has been dealt with?" "Of course. Even though that young man mysteriously came back to life and managed to evade us all, he stood no chance against Lord Jiang Chen." "As for the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo," another voice interjected, "we had nned to give it to you sooner, but then Gu Ran, that unusual individual, showed up." "Now that matters are clear, the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo should rightfully be returned to you." Ji Yn, Jing Chengwang, and others chimed in one after the other. Shortly after, Jing Chengwang presented a finely crafted jade box. This box was a seamless piece, entirely shut. From its translucent surface, one could see the multipleyers inside, each having its distinct sealing property. At its very heart, a faint silver gleam was visible this was the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo. "This holds the bloodline of the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo," Jing Chengwang stated, holding the box with great respect before handing it over to Jiang Chen. "Lord Jiang Chen, please take it!" Acknowledging with a brief nod, Jiang Chen said, "I appreciate it," and epted the box. "Arrange a private chamber for me." "Understood!" Jing Chengwang and the others responded promptly. They prepared the most prestigious meditation chamber in the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect for Jiang Chen. "I''ll guide Brother Holy Son there," Jing Miaoyao offered enthusiastically. "No need. I can find my way." Jiang Chen said with a smile, shaking his head. In an instant, he disappeared. When he materialized again, he was already inside the top meditation chamber of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. The chamber was nestled within the heart of a mountain on Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind. Beneath, there was a remarkable view an ocean where spiritual Qi merged, creating a vast sea of spiritual energy! The walls around were engraved with myriad runes, enhancing meditation and concentration. Not long after, Jiang Chen positioned himself on a spirit-gathering stone and gently crushed the jade box he held. Immediately, a relentless stream of shimmering starlight burst forth, lighting up the entire cavern with a dazzling glow. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : Enjoying the story? Join me onPatreon[https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. You can also follow me ontform X[https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Enjoying the story? Join me on Patreon [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. You can also follow me on tform X [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Chapter 295: Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo, Another Bloodline Fusion With a hint of anticipation in his eyes, Jiang Chen mused, ''The Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo is on the same level as the Endless Dark Blood Moon.'' ''Even though it has ws from being seized, its bloodline power still rivals that of the Death Cmity True Dragon.'' ''This was one of the grandest opportunities that once belonged to Gu Ran.'' ''I wonder how potent the fusion of the Endless Dark Blood Moon and this Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo would be once Gu Ran achieved it.'' ''But now, with Gu Ran''s body and spirit wholly obliterated, the chance to merge these two bloodlines falls to me.'' With that realization, Jiang Chen dismissed all distractions and opened the jade box withplete focus. With but a mere thought, an intangible force acted upon the blood bead that shone with starlight, drawing it directly into his mouth. In an instant, Jiang Chen felt a cold yet profoundly pure energy rise within him. The moment this energy manifested, the power of the Death Cmity Dark Blood Moon sprung to life. These two forces stood as mortal adversaries, primed to repel and obliterate one another in a heartbeat. Yet, at that pivotal moment, a vaster and more profound mysterious force welled up, wrapping the two contrasting bloodline powers in its embrace. It was the might of the Eternal Boundless Body! In the span of a heartbeat, the two forces, which once fiercely opposed and shed, astonishingly bound as closely as glue, melding wlessly. Within moments, they melded into a singr entity, utterly inseparable! At that precise moment, a power even more formidable than before emerged from this newly-forged bloodline, silently weaving its way into every cell and the deepest recesses of Jiang Chen''s soul. Concurrently, a swath of knowledge innate to the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo unfurled before Jiang Chen. Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo: Among the myriad mysterious innate talents the cosmos offers, beings blessed with the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo can, wherever stars gleam, effortlessly draw the essence of starlight to refine their forms. Put simply, with the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo, under the gleam of starlight, one can undergo self-cultivation. Even if Jiang Chen chooses not to actively refine his physique, this bloodline will take the reins, harnessing the quintessence of the stars to autonomously sculpt and fortify his body. Jiang Chen''s eyes sparkled in astonishment, ''Incredible! A bloodline that amplifies physical prowess!'' ''The Endless Dark Blood Moon and the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo one piges the foundation of cultivation, while the other naturally enhances the physique. Together, they form the perfect union!'' ''From here on, I won''t be burdened with the fear ofcking time for body cultivation.'' As he sensed the overwhelming vigor of his new bloodline, a joyous smile graced Jiang Chen''s lips. Thanks to the Death Cmity True Dragon bloodline, Jiang Chen''s physical might had always surpassed that of cultivators in his own realm. Now, bolstered by the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo, his physical strength had the potential to soar even further from this formidable baseline. This newfound power meant he could not only overwhelm peers in his realm using sheer physical might but even challenging those from loftier realms seemed within reach. "Time to gauge the potency of the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo!" An eager Jiang Chen licked his lips, his gaze shifting skyward. The apex of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Mountain, akin to a volcano, bore an open crest, granting a clear view of the heavens above. Though the world was bathed in daylight, this posed no obstacle to Jiang Chen''s quest to harness the ster energies to refine his form. The vast expanse of the celestial Sea of Stars remained ever-present, both day and night. The sole distinction? Mere mortals couldn''t discern the stars in daylight. In that moment, Jiang Chen took a cross-legged posture amidst the void, his gaze fixed upwards, wearing an expression of profound calm. Through his heightened senses, he felt wisps of pristine star power cascade over him, each strand seamlessly assimting into his very being. Every cell within him experienced a nuanced enhancement. Only a few breaths had transpired, yet the changes were already discernible. It begged the questionhow prodigious would his bodily strength grow with sustained cultivation? "It''s incredible, truly exhrating! To have my body auto-cultivateit''s such a delight!" Jiang Chen eximed, shaking his head in sheer glee. He then procured a set of Nether Soul Crystals, employing them to nurture the lingering souls of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. The batch of Nether Soul Crystals he secured this timeprised the Peak-stage Dao Pce realm crystal from Ji Junhao, in addition to some Nether Soul Crystals belonging to those of the Dao Comprehension realm. While Ji Junhao''s Nether Soul Crystal might not match the caliber of Long Tianlu''s crystal, it certainly surpassed the one from E Tianjiu. After Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning absorbed the Nether Soul Crystals, their souls edged progressively closer to the Middle-stage Transcendence realm. This process also bode well for Jiang Chen, as his divine sense underwent another expansion. ''Next on the agendadevouring spiritual nts!'' Anticipation lit up Jiang Chen''s eyes as he drew forth a multitude of spiritual nts. ''Time to ingest and amplify my power!'' The majority of these spiritual nts were sourced from the heart of the Inheritance Peak. Though the inheritance''s owner had imposed a stiption demanding immediate consumption, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning expertly breached this restriction, enabling Jiang Chen to abscond with the coveted spiritual nts. Beyond the spiritual nts from the inheritance, Jiang Chen also secured more of them after defeating and beheading formidable foes like Xu Yuqi and other Dao Pce realm elites. In total, he had in his possession three Transcendence realm spiritual nts, neen from the Dao Pce realm, and a plethora of others from the Dao Comprehension realm. Despite some decline in the medicinal vigor of these spiritual nts, their cumtive efficacy remained nothing short of awe-inspiring! "Crunch! Crunch!" Without any hesitation, Jiang Chen seized a spiritual nt, popping it directly into his mouth. A monumental surge of medicinal essence unfurled, pooling in his dantian. Without dy, the Burning World Red Lotus absorbed it, subsequently replenishing him with a copious amount of undiluted cultivation base. With each spiritual nt Jiang Chen consumed, he felt a surge of pure cultivation base permeate him. This formidable infusion propelled his cultivation realm, breaking through and elevating him to the Middle-stage Dao Pce realm! The Burning World Red Lotus, too, underwent its own transformation, rebounding from the Dao Comprehension realm to fortify itself in the Dao Pce realm. More petals vibrantly regained their hue, a stark contrast to their previouslynguished state. With the resurgence of the Burning World Red Lotus, the potency of the Burning World Raging mes intensified. Once unleashed, its dominance was unquestioned within the Dao Pce realm. Jiang Chen''s soft chuckle echoed, "Hehe." His mind raced, ''My arsenal grows ever strongerWan''er, Ning''er, Burning World Raging mes, and even my dragon-human hybrid form...'' Filled with resolve, he delved into his cultivation, employing the Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture. Jiang Chen opted to keep the Viin Value in reserve for now. After all, it could be traded for indispensable techniques and might prove more beneficial when deployed judiciously. While he was deeply immersed in his cultivation, both the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect and the Purple Heaven Holy Land mobilized a considerable contingent of cultivators. Their task? To erect the venue for the much-anticipated conference of the Immortal Martial Continent''s paramount prodigy! These cultivators worked withmendable proficiency. In a fleeting period, they sculpted a vast, ring-shaped floating venue. Dominating the heart of this venue was a towering ck arena! Simultaneously, young prodigies from diverse territories, escorted by their Dao Protectors, streamed into the Lustrous Yang Domain. Their destination? The Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. Chapter 296: Practicing More Transcendence Realm Cultivation Methods The Immortal Martial Continent was vast, epassing sixteen domains in total. Each domain spanned an incredibly expansive area, with the smallest being equivalent to six times the size of the Mysterious Truth Continent. The Everflowing Truth Domain, Lustrous Yang Domain, Pure Frost Domain, and Vibrant ze Domain were situated at the continent''s heart. The remaining twelve domains encircled them. The farther one was from the center, the less concentrated the Spiritual Qi became, and thus, the weaker the potentialbat prowess. However, the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain stood as an exception. To this day, the reason for the depletion of the Spiritual Qi in the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain remained a mystery. The great powerhouses of the past spected that it might have been due to the gestation of a treasured relic. Returning to the main topic, of the sixteen domains that existed at the time, the Vibrant ze Domain and Pure Frost Domain had been captured by the Nether Soul Demon n. Only fourteen domains participated in the Immortal Martial Convention. Given the cautionary tales from the Vibrant ze Domain and Pure Frost Domain, Besides the Everflowing Truth Domain and Lustrous Yang Domain, most major powers had retained a greater portion of theirbat prowess to defend their sects. As a result, the teams of Dao Protectors they dispatched weren''t as formidable. Under normal circumstances, the more dominant domains would typically send a Dao Pce realm powerhouse as their leader, while the lesser ones would only muster a Dao Comprehension realm cultivator at the helm. But this situation was exactly what Jiang Chen had hoped for! Because the weaker the Dao Protector teams were, the more straightforward it became to eliminate the prodigies of the Immortal Martial Continent! For the Nether Soul Demon n, this situation was undoubtedly a tantalizing lure. Moreover, Jiang Chen intended to heighten this allure even further. Yet, this strategy could only be deployed once teams from the other domains had assembled. Time passed slowly. In his secluded chamber, Jiang Chen diligently immersed himself in cultivation. Although his progress could be described as ''gradual'', its stability was undeniable. From the foundational middle stage of the Dao Pce realm, he advanced yet another step. Upon concluding his cultivation session, a deep contemtion enveloped Jiang Chen. ''I''m nearing the threshold of the Late-stage Dao Pce realm,'' he reflected inwardly. ''In the Early-stage Transcendence realm, mybat prowess seems more honed, yet within that realm, I probably rank as average at best.'' A persistent doubt troubled him. ''The essence of my worry lies in my cultivation methods they''re gradually bing antiquated. The moment hase to delve deeper into Transcendence realm martial techniques and secret arts.'' For now, Jiang Chen''s mastery in the Transcendence realm was limited to the soul-centric secret art known as the ''Ten Thousand Soul Seed Secrets''. This art, while supplemental in nature, had a focused purpose and offered scant advantage in directbat. Having harnessed the qi and blood power from vanquishing Ji Junhao and hispanions, Jiang Chen found himself with enough energy to delve into at least one more Transcendence realm cultivation method. Moreover, by virtue of inheritance, Jiang Chen had, in theory, attained the great aplishment-level in various cultivation methods. Given his innate prowess, it was naturally inconceivable that he would settle at just the minor aplishment-level post-inheritance. Being theoretically proficient in these cultivation methods up to the great aplishment-level meant the energy consumption when utilizing the Wordless Heavenly Jade would be diminished. Consequently, Jiang Chen surmised that with his current energy reserves, he could potentially master two of the inherited cultivation methods. Both methods guaranteed to substantially augment hisbat power. With this in mind, he resolved to tap into the energy ensconced within the Wordless Heavenly Jade. Jiang Chen delved into his mental repository of knowledge. ''I need to ascertain if the cultivation methods I procured from the Inheritance Peak align with my practices.'' As he pondered, he absentmindedly stroked his chin and voiced his musings aloud, "Wan''er, Ning''er, might you lend your expertise? Evaluate these for me." Nangong Wan immediately acknowledged, "Of course, Jiang Chen." Shangguan Ning added confidently, "Rest easy, we''ve got this." They then embarked on the task of perusing the inherited cultivation methods from the Inheritance Peak. Jiang Chen chose to bypass the cultivation methods that pertained to the Dao Pce realm and its lesser tiers. Instead, his attention gravitated towards the cultivation methods associated with the Third Step of the Cultivation Path. From the bounty of inheritances, Jiang Chen identified nine cultivation methods tailored for the Third Step of the Cultivation Path. This ensemble consisted of one foundational cultivation method, supplemented by eight Transcendence realm martial techniques and secret arts. These spanned the Five Elemental Great Dao cultivation methods, an agility-enhancing movement skill, a technique dedicated to body refinement, an art augmenting divine sense, and a self-harming secret art designed for amplifying power. Having undergone Nangong Wan''s and Shangguan Ning''s meticulous scrutiny, both the primary cultivation method and the self-inflicting power-boosting secret art were deemed unsuitable. The former exhibited constrained potential, while thetter bore rmingly adverse side effects. It was deduced that only the typical martial techniques and secret arts would trulyplement Jiang Chen''s strength without jeopardizing his well-being. Sifting through the shortlisted six, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning held two in high regard: the Great Dao of Sword cultivation method titled ''Death Attraction Nine Tribtions Sword Technique'' and the Great Dao of Metal cultivation method christened the ''Golden Cicada Umbra Shield Skill''. The Death Attraction Nine Tribtions Sword Technique brimmed with the intricate wisdom of the Swift Sword Dao and also wove in arcane principles and teachings. In action, the strikes it enabled had an uncanny ability to guide and relentlessly pursue, capable of hunting and eliminating a target up to nine sessive times. The Golden Cicada Umbra Shield Skill stood as a distinct defensive cultivation approach within the Metal Great Dao, marrying both defense and agility in its techniques. Once invoked, it manifested a spectral silhouette of a golden cicada, serving as a strong shield barrier against attacks. Should this barrier have beenpromised, the cultivator experienced a rush of invigorating energy, granting them the agility to almost instantaneously shift their position, artfully dodging the iing assault. ''So, I''ve settled on these two methods,'' Jiang Chen resolved decisively. Subsequently, he let his eyes rest shut. With a nuanced maniption of his divine sense, he engaged the Wordless Heavenly Jade and immersed himself in the nuances of the Death Attraction Nine Tribtions Sword Technique. Within a heartbeat, an overwhelming and awe-inspiring energy erupted from the Wordless Heavenly Jade, intertwining seamlessly with Jiang Chen''s soul and flesh. In a mere blink, myriad arcane insights of the Death Attraction Nine Tribtions Sword Technique coalesced with Jiang Chen''s very essence, ensuring he mastered the theoretical facets of this de art wlessly! With just that, Jiang Chen''sprehension of the Sword Great Dao evolved, no longer confined to merely the Swift Sword Dao. The esoteric ts of the Sword Great Dao encircled Jiang Chen, warping the vistas around him. Hum... Hum... Hum... Externally, Magic Treasures, Dao Tools, and Dao Treasures of the sword archetype seemed swayed by an unseen force, initiating a gentle tremor. A voice rang out in astonishment, "What is going on!? Why does my sword hum?" "It''s resonating with the Great Dao of Sword and an exquisitely profound one at that!" "Incredible! Merely from my de, I can discern a hint of the deep essence of the Sword Dao." "Throughout our sect''s annals, none have delved into the Great Dao of Sword with such depth. It must be Holy Son Jiang Chen!" "You''ve hit the mark. The intricate wisdom of the Sword Dao that affects our des emanates from where he''s in his intensive retreat." This unparalleled urrence sent tremors through the very heart of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. Eminent personalities, Jing Chengwang among them, turned their eyes to the summit where Jiang Chen was in seclusion, expressions painted with unadulterated awe. Simultaneously, inside the tranquil chamber, Jiang Chen''s every fiber and cell absorbed the profound energy emanating from the Wordless Heavenly Jade, undergoing swift and transformative shifts. In mere moments, Jiang Chen''s physique felt as though it had honed the Death Attraction Nine Tribtions Sword Technique over countless millennia. It resonated seamlessly with the profound insights of the Sword Dao embraced by his spirit. His body and soul merged, forging an unyielding innate reflex! ''It''s done!'' Jiang Chen''s sealed eyes gradually unfurled, a sh akin to lightning darted and vanished, seeming as if it could cleave the very fabric of the cosmos! Then, with a mere flicker of intent, he veiled the profound nuances of the Sword Dao. The vibrating des within the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, previously influenced, began to calm sequentially. Yet, even with this fleeting encounter, numerous cultivators reaped substantial enlightenment from the experience. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : Enjoying the story? Join me onPatreon[https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. You can also follow me ontform X[https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Enjoying the story? Join me on Patreon [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. You can also follow me on tform X [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Chapter 297: Pure Frost Domains Demons in Council ''Next, the Golden Cicada Umbra Shield Skill!'' Without hesitation, Jiang Chen immediately began practicing the second cultivation method. In terms of the Great Dao of Metal, he had already delved deep into its profound teachings. He had nearly mastered the principles rted to ''Sharpness''. Moreover, his theoretical grasp of the Golden Cicada Umbra Shield Skill had attained the great aplishment-level. Thus, the remaining energy in the Wordless Heavenly Jade proved ample. The procedure for practicing the cultivation method mirrored his previous endeavors. A wave of mystical energy emanated from the Wordless Heavenly Jade. Some seeped into his soul, while the remainder melded with his body. In an instant, Jiang Chen had honed the Golden Cicada Umbra Shield Skill to the perfect-level stage. Having perfected two Transcendence realm cultivation methods to this apex stage, one could surmise, even without direct observation, that Jiang Chen''sbat capabilities had escted to an awe-inspiring tier within the Early-stage Transcendence realm. Should his cultivation base progress, the efficacy of these two methods will undoubtedly reveal even more potent effects. Jiang Chen pondered, ''For the time being, I''ve reaped ample rewards from these methods.'' ''Considering my other skills, like the invisibility granted by the Death Eclipsed Moon Dao Embryo, my dragon-human hybrid form, and the Burning World Raging mes, vanquishing an average Early-stage Transcendence cultivator would be child''s y!'' ''Nether Soul Demon n, I trust you won''t let me down. I anticipate you''ll present numerous powerhouses from the Transcendence realm.'' A spark of eagerness danced in Jiang Chen''s eyes. Promptly, Jiang Chen set about arranging the other treasures he''d gleaned from the inheritance peak. Among them were pills safeguarded by Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s secret art,plemented by a selection of array, alchemy, and crafting manuals. Jiang Chen reflected, ''The caliber and traits of these pills are fairly rudimentary; they''re somewhat superfluous for someone of my stature.'' ''I''d be wise to reserve them for my Dao Pce realm allies.'' ''If any among them can ascend to the Transcendence realm, it would bolster my standing.'' ''Regarding the array, alchemy, and crafting manuals, with the presence of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, there''s no pressing need for me to pore over them just yet.'' ''I might contemte immersing myself in them when the reservoir of the Wordless Heavenly Jade brims with surplus.'' Concluding his review, Jiang Chen stowed them away in the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. Next, he activated the transmission jade token and reached out to Ji Mingxiu. From their conversation, Jiang Chen gathered that the formidable demons and demonic cultivators of the Vibrant ze Domain had been neutralized. Those who could be seized alive were imprisoned, and for those resistant to capture, utmost care was taken to preserve their bodies unscathed. Currently, only a smattering of weaker demonic cultivators lurked in the shadows of the Vibrant ze Domain. These insignificant adversaries were designated for the disciples to manage. In addition, Ji Mingxiu and his squad had pinpointed the conduit the Nether Soul Demon n used to breach the Vibrant ze Domain. The Nether Soul Demon n had enlisted specialized tunneling demonic beasts to carve out an expansive subterranean corridor, employing it to spring a covert assault on the Vibrant ze Domain, situated alongside the Everflowing Truth Domain. This aligned with Jiang Chen''s foresight. Evaluating the situation, he mulled, ''With the Vibrant ze Domainrgely secured, our next step should be to obliterate the subterranean corridor and position a Dao Pce realm cultivator to oversee it.'' ''Wu Qian is suited for this role. Given his prowess to manifest Peak-stage Dao Pce realmbat strength swiftly, he can stand his ground for an extended duration, even if the Vibrant ze Domain faces another onught.'' ''As for the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea, the underwater caverns in the ck Wood Ind vicinity needn''t be a concern at present.'' After reflecting briefly, he directed Ji Mingxiu to proceed with the stipted preparations. Jiang Chen next asked about the conditions in the Doomsday Cave Heaven. The Cave Heaven was undeniably vast, but even its extensive reach couldn''t resist the scrutiny of a multitude searching it all at once. As time passed, the treasures within the Doomsday Cave Heaven had been exhaustively unearthed. Many cultivators had gained immense rewards from it. Learning of this, a pleased smile formed on Jiang Chen''s face. The Immortal Martial Continent would now be better prepared to fend off the demon race''s onught. At this moment, Ji Mingxiu ryed another update. After leaving Wu Qian behind, they had ventured into the Doomsday Cave Heaven and were now gearing up to head back to the Purple Heaven Holy Land. People like Bao Xunwu from the Golden Proud Cult and Lu An from the Nine Heavens Tower had expressed their wishes to go back to their own sects. Jiang Chen, of course, saw no issue with that. Before long, Ji Mingxiu and the seven other Dao Pce realm experts parted ways within the Doomsday Cave Heaven, each heading to their respective territories. ''The entry points to the Doomsday Cave Heaven can be sealed for now. We can always reopen them when needed.'' Jiang Chen contemted. Following this, he extracted the unique key that governed ess to the Doomsday Cave Heaven, infusing it with his Dao Yuan Power. Without dy, all entryways to the Doomsday Cave Heaven mped shut, the main portal included. ... Elsewhere, in the Pure Frost Domain, biting winds screamed and a thick snow danced in the air. Yet, this wasn''t ordinary snow it bore streaks of ck. Stretching across the sprawlingndscape, a dominating ck-red glow covered everything. Every lifeform had been tainted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi! On the Clear Frost Moon Plucking Peak, sessive powerful Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect cultivators were turned into demonic practitioners, yielding before the ghostly figures of the Nether Soul Demon n. At that time, inside the central hall of the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect, a number of influential Nether Soul Demon n members convened. One voiced out, "The Vibrant ze Domain has fallen back into human hands!" "Ji Junhao met his end in that mysterious human Cave Heaven." "He was truly reckless. It was evident that ce belonged to the humans, and yet he brazenly ventured in with a pair of ineptpanions." "We were forced to assist with a covert strike on the Vibrant ze Domain, leading to its swift capture. Ji Junhao sure has a knack forplications." "With the Vibrant ze Domain reimed by humans and other domains on alert, staging another stealthy onught will be challenging." Members of the demon race assembled in session, deliberating over the humans regaining control of the Vibrant ze Domain. Even though they were already privy to the situation, hearing it again made them scorn the departed Ji Junhao. After a bout of contempt, silence enveloped the group once again. "Enough about the Vibrant ze Domain." A Dao Pce realm demon interjected, "Our demon race''s main army is mobilizing." He went on, "The spatial passage in the Bottomless Abyss is widening too. Once our main forcends, the Immortal Martial Continent''s conquest will be imminent." "Isn''t that obvious?" Another Dao Pce realm demon retorted, his face grave. "But if our main army arrives and witnesses the chaos we''ve caused, wouldn''t that be shameful?" Another demon from the Dao Pce realm chimed in, "We were the vanguard. Many of us arrived here." "We initially assumed we''d effortlessly traverse a good portion of the Immortal Martial Continent, setting the stage for the main force. But the current state is far from that." He hesitated, then remarked apprehensively, "I''m even fearful the Demon Lord might execute us." "Indeed, before our main army gets here, we must show our worth!" Another agreed gravely. "Show our worth? How now? Byunching a direct assault on the Purple Heaven Holy Land?" "That''s bound to ignite a fierce confrontation. Some of us might meet the same fate as Long Tianlu and perish." As the conversation progressed, the demons became deeply engrossed in the discussion. Chapter 298: Jiang Chens Ploy Disguised as Fairness "Everyone, not long ago, I received some news." Just then, a Dao Pce realm demon, draped in a red robe, suddenly looked agitated and proimed, "The remaining fourteen domains of the Immortal Martial Continent are set to gather in the Lustrous Yang Domain for the ''Number One Prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent'' conference!" "The Number One Prodigy Conference?" Another demon questioned, "I''ve only just arrived; what is this about?" "It''s a gathering to identify the most gifted individual from the Immortal Martial Continent. Once chosen, they intend to dedicate every avable resource to nurture this prodigy, in hopes that this prodigious talent will ascend to the Transcendence realm and stand against us!" An informed demon borated. A piqued demon quirked an eyebrow, "Oh? Selecting the supreme genius and molding them into a Transcendence realm force to confront us?" "Hahaha! Such grandiose delusions! The Immortal Martial Continent is so barren. What resources could they possibly harness? Humans here are even more frail, scarcely any prodigy worth a nce." "And even if there does exist such a prodigy, advancing to the Transcendence realm in such a brief period? Preposterous!" Hearing this, the other demons erupted in mockingughter. "Hehe, this ''Number One Prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent'' conference seems like child''s y, merely a gathering of young rabbits. Why should we even bother?" Another demon remarked with a hint of disdain. "No!" The red-robed demon of the Dao Pce realm quickly countered. He shook his head, conveying deep seriousness, "When the timees, every genius of the Immortal Martial Continent will gather in the Lustrous Yang Domain." "You must grasp this: these prodigies represent the final beacon of hope for the Immortal Martial Continent." "If we manage to eliminate all these human prodigies at once, the blow to the Immortal Martial Continent would be immense!" "The older human cultivators, stripped of hope, might plunge into despair, abandon their resistance, and choose either to flee or capitte." Locking eyes with those around him, he drove home his point, "The humans have a saying: ''The simplest warfare targets cities, but the most profound targets the mind.'' This is our chance to strike at their very spirit." "I concur with your assessment!" A formidable figure from the Nether Soul Demon n asserted, nodding in agreement. "This ''Number One Prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent'' conference takes ce in the Lustrous Yang Domain. Though Lustrous Yang Domain holds power, especially after the demise of E Tianjiu within its boundaries, it surely doesn''t rival the Everflowing Truth Domain." "From what our sources tell us, the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sectcks an underpinning in the Transcendence realm as well." "The sects from the other domains, cautious of our potential ambush, are unlikely to dispatch many of their elite Dao protectors for their prodigies." "Therefore, the forces convening in the Lustrous Yang Domain will inevitably be restricted. Given our might, we can decisively crush them in direct confrontation!" "When thates to pass, the Immortal Martial Continent will be utterly devoid of hope, with the Lustrous Yang Domain falling right into our grasp." "Aplishing this would be a fitting achievement to present to the Demon Lord." He concluded, eyes shimmering with eager anticipation. This Nether Soul Demon n member was, remarkably, at the same level as Long Tianlu, being a Transcendence realm demon. Even though he had also descended to the Dao Pce realm, his condition was notably superior to Long Tianlu''s. This suggested that the spatial channel below the Bottomless Abyss was widening and stabilizing, allowing even more potent powerhouses to traverse through it. "Many thanks, Lord Jiu Xiaoyin!" The red-robed demon''s spirits soared upon hearing Jiu Xiaoyin''s endorsement of his perspective. "What are your thoughts, Daoist Bo Lang?" Jiu Xiaoyin, bypassing the red-robed demon''s gratitude, directed his attention to another demonic authority seated alongside him. "It''s a solid n. We should proceed as you''ve delineated and prepare for the ''Number One Prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent'' conference." Bo Lang, despite having a cultivation base matching Jiu Xiaoyin''s, was renowned for his elevated status and nodded in agreement. "Very well," Jiu Xiaoyin responded, nodding before proceeding with the preparations. Soon after, demons and demonic cultivators from across the Pure Frost Domain were set in motion. They tirelessly gathered information about the Immortal Martial Continent''s premier prodigy conference, which included insights into the major domains taking part, profiles of their standout talents, theposition of their Dao protector squads, among other details. Time continued its march. When the demon race finalized its n to stage an ambush during the ''Number One Prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent'' conference, the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect had already readied the venue. A vast circr arena dominated the scene, with a sizable fighting tform at its heart. This arena was ringed with seating areas, designated for the cultivators who would be watching. Merely observing this arena was enough to grasp the scale and splendor that the conference was set to achieve! In the meantime, the top brass of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, including Jing Chengwang, had already greeted the teams from the various major domains. All participating teams had been duly settled and organized. Currently, everyone was awaiting instructions from the Purple Heaven Holy Land. More specifically, they were anticipating Jiang Chen''smand, signaling the start of the Immortal Martial Conference. However, a surprising piece of news began to circte among the teams: After careful consideration, the Purple Heaven Holy Land, along with other influential forces, had determined that any powerhouse beyond the Dao Comprehension realm would be barred from approaching the venue. This was to guarantee a level ying field for thepetition. This announcement immediately ignited spirited discussions. While some expressed concerns for the safety of their prodigious cultivators and thus voiced objections, the majorityuded the decision for its fairness. The reasoning was simple: not all Dao protector squads apanying the talents had cultivators from the Dao Pce realm, but some did. Moreover, the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect had the benefit of being on their home turf and directly boasted three powerhouses from the Dao Pce realm. If any underhanded tactics were employed, what would be the fate of those talents guarded only by Dao protectors of the Dao Comprehension realm? Given the consensus, the decision was swiftly approved. Once the conference kicked off, any powerhouses above the Dao Comprehension realm would need to distance themselves from the venue. Instead, they would be assembled in one ce, watching over each other! But what remained unknown to many was that this proposal came from Jiang Chen. And his primary motivation wasn''t fairness; it was to bait the demon race into taking action! Consider this: prodigies left without their Dao protectors would be utterly exposed to the formidable demon race. Such prodigies could be easily overwhelmed by the mere flick of a finger! Subsequently, the fairness-driven decision was announced widely. Every cultivator monitoring the ''Number One Prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent'' conference was informed. In these times, there were plenty who covertly furthered the demon race''s objectives. ... As such, this piece of news quickly reached the demon race stationed in the Pure Frost Domain. A demon elder voiced his astonishment, "What!? They''re separating the Dao protectors from their prodigies under the guise of fairness?" "Ahahaha! This just makes those prodigies all the more vulnerable!" "How can the humans act so naively? I mightugh my fangs out!" "As soon as that Immortal Martial Conference kicks off, we''ll ughter every single human prodigy! With the humans then in a weakened state, taking out the rest of the human powerhouses will be even easier than we thought!" "I''m eagerly anticipating the look on the human cultivators'' faces a mix of remorse and despair as they see their prodigies fall one after another!" The upper echelons of the demon race roared withughter upon hearing this revtion. Unbeknownst to them, they were walking straight into a trap meticulouslyid out by Jiang Chen! Chapter 299: The Opening of the Immortal Martial Grand Assembly "To all of my kin, the assembly arena for the human race has beenpleted. The Immortal Martial Grand Assembly is about tomence. We should set off." Jiu Xiaoyin stood, surveyed everyone, and announced with authority. A voice responded, "Yes!" "Ahahaha, I''ve longed to teach those humans a lesson for some time now." "Even if Ji Junhao is useless, he remains one of us. It''s time for his vengeance." One by one, the demon race cultivators rose, faces contorted into menacing smiles, their eyes brimming with malevolence. "Then let''s move!" Bo Lang gave a slight nod, waving his hand. Turning into a continuously rolling ck mist, he flew toward the outer regions of the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect. Whoosh whoosh whoosh! Jiu Xiaoyin and other powerhouses of the demon race, along with the corrupted Dao Pce realm powerhouses from the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect, all took to the skies. They morphed into a vast expanse of ck luminescence, trailing closely behind. After leaving the headquarters of the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect, the elite members of the demon race reached argeke nearby and descended headfirst. They had long ago received intel that the Dao Pce realm great powerhouses of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect were preupied with preparations for the Immortal Martial Grand Assembly. The underwater passage in the ck Wood Ind sea domain wasn''t watched over by any experts of the human race! From thisrgeke in the Pure Frost Domain, one could directly ess the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sea! Plop, plop. Numerous members of the demon race entered theke. They moved like shadowy dragons weaving through thekebed, steadily vanishing into the abyss below. However, the forces dispatched by the demon race weren''t merely these. Bo Lang, Jiu Xiaoyin, and the rest were entrusted with confronting the high-level cultivators. The junior cultivators were left to the lesser demons, demonic cultivators, and the tainted demonic beasts. Swiftly, demons and demonic cultivators of the Dao Comprehension realm, leading vast legions, entered thekebed one after the other. ... Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, three days had gone by. On this day, the sky was a brilliant clear blue, with not a cloud in sight. The radiant sun gently rose from the horizon, casting a soft pink shade across the sky. Jiang Chen stood atop the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Mountain''s peak, taking in the view below. He noticed that at the vast southern foothills of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Mountain, a huge circr arena had been fully set up. Streaks of light, created by cultivators flying across the sky, intersected overhead. They were so numerous, they looked like threads interweaving a tapestry. These glowing trails all led to the circr arena. The majority were spectators. But these spectators weren''t solely from the Lustrous Yang Domain. Countless cultivators from other domains had also arrived, totaling in the millions. After all, this event marked the most significant cultivator gathering in the Immortal Martial Continent for hundreds of thousands of years. No cultivator who could attend wanted to miss this; otherwise, it would be a regret for life. "Ding!" In that instant, three clear and resonant bell tones rang out across the entire Ageless Spirit Heavenly Mountain, marking the beginning of the Immortal Martial Grand Assembly. Upon hearing the bell sounds, all cultivators quickened their steps, hurrying into the arena to find their ces in the circr seating. Before long, not a single person remained outside. Every seat within the arena was upied, and the crowd was so tightly packed it appeared imprable. The hum of conversations was deafening; the excitement palpable. An awed voice remarked, "Such an expansive arena!" "It''s truly incredible!" "Hurry, look over there! That''s the group from the Silver Ring Domain. So striking in their silver robes!" "That''s nothing. Look at the delegation from the White Sea Spirit Pce each one a beauty. A true vision!" "Certainly a sight to see. And although the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple isn''t participating, many of their female cultivators havee as spectators." "Best not to gawk. Those women from the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple are known to look down on men. Be wary or they might just re daggers at you!" Male cultivators gazed admiringly at the women, their faces bright with eager smiles. This assembly indeed brought together the best of the best from the Immortal Martial Continent, including many famous beauties. Many cultivators were treating their eyes. "Hey, can you all not just focus on the women? We''re here to pick the future of the Immortal Martial Continent!" A stern-faced man admonished. "What''s there to pick?" Another chuckled. "I''ve heard the Holy Son of the Purple Heaven Holy Land has already defeated and beheaded an injured Transcendence realm powerhouse. Surely, he''ll be the champion." "Defeated an injured Transcendence realm powerhouse? Really?" Someone countered. "That sounds like a stunt by the Purple Heaven Holy Land for attention." "I dont buy it either!" "If that Purple Heaven Holy Son could defeat an injured Transcendence realm powerhouse, then why even have this Immortal Martial Grand Assembly?" "Exactly. Word is, that demon race powerhouse wasn''t even taken down by the Purple Heaven Holy Son alone. He had help from a Supreme Elder from the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Isnt it obvious?" "Yes, regardless of whether that demon was in the Transcendence realm and injured, dropping to the Dao Pce realm, I bet the Supreme Elder of the Purple Heaven Holy Land is the one who defeated him. Then they simply gave the credit to the Purple Heaven Holy Son." Many shared these doubts. Mostly, the news of Jiang Chen defeating and beheading the injured Transcendence realm figure, Long Tianlu, was so extraordinary that many found it hard to believe. This skepticism wasn''t just among the audience but also thepeting prodigies. "The Purple Heaven Holy Son, Jiang Chen, might have some skill, but I doubt he''s as powerful as the rumors say," a resolute man in a ck and gold short robe muttered to himself. "Besides, this assembly isn''t solely about showcasingbat skills." His eyes sparkled with ambition as he added, "I am sure I''ll get the opportunity to best everyone, im all the cultivation resources of the Immortal Martial Continent, advance to the Transcendence realm, and be the first to do so in the Immortal Martial Continent in over a million years!" He was none other than Peng Shi, the undisputed top prodigy of the ck Wastnd Domain, and one of the three Dao Pce realm powerhouses from the same domain. Given his natural talent and young age, with the right resources, he genuinely had a good shot at reaching the Transcendence realm. Besides Peng Shi, there were two other prodigies in the Early-stage Dao Pce realm. The rest were prodigious cultivators at the Dao Comprehension realm and below. This Immortal Martial Grand Assembly wasn''t solely a showcase ofbat prowess but also a testament to one''s aptitude, innate talent, willpower, and wisdom! In total, there were fourpetitive categories! Each contest had a set of points attached, and the contestant with the highest cumtive score would be named the top prodigy of this Immortal Martial Grand Assembly! Suddenly, a resonating voice spread across the venue, clear and audible to every listener. "Everyone! Silence, please!" the announcer dered. With an authoritative tone, he proceeded, "We will now rify the criteria for selecting the foremost prodigy in the Immortal Martial Grand Assembly! The whole assemblyprises four parts..." "Fourpetitions!" someone shouted. "Even though our domain''s prodigies are only of the Inquiring Journey realm, we still stand a chance!" "Push your limits and don''t back down, show them your resilience!" Upon hearing the official rules, domains with lesser-known prodigies buzzed with newfound excitement. Shortly after, the authoritative voice rang out again, "Now, all spectators of the Dao Comprehension realm and above, kindly move to the designated viewing area." "What?" a spectator cried out in surprise. Another expressed his bewilderment, "I thought only the Dao Protectors were being relocated. Why are all Dao Comprehension realm cultivators being shifted?" Many shared their sentiments, wearing expressions of shock. Chapter 300: Purple Heaven Holy Sons Unmatched Strength Seeing the reactions, another spectating cultivator exined, "To naturally prevent cheating." "Who knows if those cultivators who appear to be spectators might be bribed and intervene in secret?" "That''s right, this is the most foolproof method." "Tsk, I wonder if that guy has been bought off?" "Don''t overthink it. Daoist friends of Dao Comprehension realm and above, let''s proceed." Amid the murmuring, streaks of radiant light ascended, heading towards the exclusive viewing area prepared by the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. This area was situated far from the Immortal Martial Grand Assembly venue, making itpletely impossible for anyone to secretly assist. Those cultivators remaining in the circr audience seats, with the strongest among them only reaching the Inquiring Journey realm, were separated from thepetition stage by a formation. They couldn''t possibly assist the participants in cheating. Soon, everything was ready. The host''s booming voice echoed throughout the venue once more, "Announcing now, the Immortal Martial Grand Assembly officially begins." "The first event is a test ofbat prowess! For fairness, this event is divided into two major phases. The first phase is a standard test ofbat strength." With amanding tone, he directed, "Now, all participating prodigies, please enter thepetition field!" With a rustling sound, thirteenpeting cultivators leapt up, passing through the formation passage, and entered the vast arena. "Why is there one missing?" a voice whispered. "Where is the Holy Son of Purple Heaven Holy Land?" One by one, the cultivators frowned as they looked towards the stage. Suddenly, a figure appeared out of thin air amidst the group of prodigies, as if he had been there all along. It was Jiang Chen. "Ha!" one prodigy gasped. "What a formidable technique!" another marveled. "I didn''t notice any anomaly at all!" "Is that the Holy Son of Purple Heaven? There''s no aura emanating from him; it''s impossible to gauge his strength!" "Such an imposing presence; my hand, it''s trembling!" Shock gripped the hearts of the prodigies, a bead of cold sweat forming on their foreheads. Some cultivators showed defiance, their eyes filled with disdain. One of them snorted, "Hmph!" Another chimed in with contempt, "All show and no substance! Just posturing!" Yet deep down, even these cultivators harbored significant apprehension and unease. Outside the stage, the cultivators in the circr seating area buzzed with chatter, their gazes fixed on Jiang Chen. Meanwhile, Jiang Chen didn''t even spare a nce at the surrounding so-called geniuses. He had already assessed them using his Viin''s Eye. All of them were mere passersby, devoid of any supporting characters. This suggested that no protagonist would emerge during this Immortal Martial Grand Assembly, which put Jiang Chen in a good mood. Just then, the host''s voice reverberated across the venue once again, "For the first phase, to ensure the contestants remain unharmed, we''ve specially constructed fourteen steles to gauge truebat strength. Each minor realm''sbat power is divided into a hundred segments." He continued lucidly, "All steles are open for the prodigious contestants to choose from. Contestants, give it your utmost and strike the stele. You''re free to use any method, save for weapons." Subsequently, fourteen towering steles ascended from beneath the stage, positioning themselves around the circumference of the circr tform. These steles, each reaching hundreds of meters in height, were made from unique materials robust enough to endure multiple strikes from individuals of the Dao Pce realm. A formation inside each stele gauged the potency of the blows. "Thepetition begins now!" dered the host. One by one, the prodigious contestants approached their chosen steles, their faces taut with concentration as they mustered their energy. Only Jiang Chen stood still,posed and unhurried. "Boom!" An unknown prodigious cultivator took the initiative, mming the stele with utmost power. The stele didn''t budge but radiated a soft glow which materialized into words "Orchid Stone Domain, Wu Xiaoman, True Combat Power, Late-stage Dao Comprehension realm, Thirty-Seven Segments!" "Boom! Boom! Boom!" Sessively, the other contestants stepped forward,unching their most forceful attacks against the steles. Even those of the Inquiring Journey realm gave their best. Knowing their odds were slim against the stronger contestants, a higher score was their only advantage. In no time, all thirteen contestants hadpleted their turns. Theirbat capabilities spanned from the Early-stage Dao Comprehension realm up to the Early-stage Dao Pce realm, with a few nearing the Middle-stage Dao Pce realm. Now, only Jiang Chen was left to take action. "How strong is Jiang Chen, really? We''re about to find out," one spectator remarked. "I''d wager he''s at the Middle-stage Dao Pce realm at best." "I''m guessing it''s the Late-stage Dao Pce realm; anything beyond that seems unlikely." As whispers and spections filled the air, Jiang Chen didn''t even bother approaching the stele. He merely raised his hand and delivered a p. "Bang!" With a resounding crash, the stele broke apart on the spot, leaving no opportunity to showcase any results. "What... What just happened?" a cultivator eximed, wide-eyed. "How can he possess such might?!" "He demolished the stele in one strike! That''s a stele that can endure the force from someone in the Late-stage Dao Pce realm!" "His fighting prowess must be beyond the Late-stage Dao Pce realm, edging towards the Transcendence realm!" "We clearly underestimated him. So the tales were true, Holy Son Jiang Chen did decapitate a demon race being from the Transcendence realm!" "He''s on another level, absolutely peerless! All hail the Holy Son of Purple Heaven as the foremost in the world!" Every pair of eyes fixated on the fragmented remains,pletely taken aback, their expressions a blend of shock and awe. Those who had earlier cast doubts on Jiang Chen now looked visibly embarrassed, as if they''d received a stinging p to the face. On the stage, the prodigious contestants stood frozen, utterly dumbstruck. Some were tempted to question the authenticity of Jiang Chen''s stele, but theycked a basis for such doubts. After all, Jiang Chen had made his choice only after everyone else had picked theirs! "Stayposed; there''s more toe!" A voice from the crowd encouraged. "Get a grip!" "This is just the beginning!" Cultivators from different regions shouted their support, backing the prodigies representing their areas. Hearing the support,petitors like Peng Shi swiftly recovered their confidence. ... Meanwhile, deep within the northern seas of Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind, Bo Lang, Jiu Xiaoyin, and several others hid inside a formation. Spies kept them updated on thepetition''s proceedings, and Jiang Chen''s remarkable disy took them by surprise. For Bo Lang, Jiu Xiaoyin, and the others, Jiang Chen wasn''t really on their radar. Their knowledge of him was limited to his name and the story of his sh with Long Tianlu. However, they found it hard to ept the tale of Jiang Chen''s triumph over Long Tianlu. In the minds of Bo Lang, Jiu Xiaoyin, and their group, Long Tianlu''s downfall was probably due to the formidable backing of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. This notion partly exined their reluctance to directly challenge the Purple Heaven Holy Land. "This Jiang Chen, even if he didn''t truly defeat Long Tianlu, is no doubt skilled," Bo Lang mused. Jiu Xiaoyin chimed in, "The circumstances of Long Tianlu''s demise are unclear. But given this, it''s conceivable Jiang Chen leveraged the power of the Purple Heaven Holy Land." "Indeed, with the support of the Purple Heaven Holy Land''s Supreme Elder and their secret weapon from the Transcendence realm, it''s possible he was the one to take down Long Tianlu." Members of their assembly now regarded Jiang Chen with a mix of surprise and newfound esteem. Yet, their admiration was soon overshadowed by dismissive smirks from other dominant figures of the demon race. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : Enjoying the story? Join me onPatreon[https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. You can also follow me ontform X[https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Enjoying the story? Join me on Patreon [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. You can also follow me on tform X [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Chapter 301: The Demon Races Conceit "Hmph!" A voice, thick with scorn, echoed through the air. It emanated from a demon of the Dao Pce realm. "The only reason he stood a chance was his reliance on the foundation of the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Only with that could he coborate with the Supreme Elder of the Purple Heaven Holy Land to bring down Long Tianlu." His voice dripped with disdain as he continued, "With the Purple Heaven Holy Land now distant, and in the absence of Ji Mingxiu and others, there''s no way that foundation is with him. How much chaos can Jiang Chen truly stir?" "Indeed," another demon rumbled in concurrence. "Jiang Chen is destined to fall before us." "Geniuses... Ah, nothing pleases me more than crushing the the human race''s prodigies." The eyes of the demon race''s elite powerhouses shed malevolently, their expressions twisting into wicked grins. ... At that moment, on thepetition tform, the host''s voice rang out, "The first phase of thepetition has concluded!" "Here are the scores achieved by ourpeting prodigies: Jiang Chen with 999 points... Wu Xiaoman with 637 points..." He paused briefly, letting the scores resonate with the audience, then continued, "Next, we will move on to the second phase of thebat prowesspetition: a battle contest where each participant''s True Combat Power is suppressed to the same realm." "Eachpeting cultivator will face off against the remaining thirteen opponents. Winners will be awarded 300 points, while losers will earn points based on their performance!" "We will now begin the drawing to determine pairings." After his announcement, a device for the draw was presented on the tform. "Suppressed to the same realm?" a spectating cultivator mused aloud. "That rule seems genuinely fair!" another chimed in, nodding in agreement. "Its a significant advantage forpeting prodigies of a lesser realm!" "If it''s within the same realm, then it trulyes down to one''s innatebat talent!" "Thispetition is certainly well-organized!" Conversations buzzed among the spectators, many nodding in agreement with the change, their faces reflecting their shared sentiment. By suppressing the realm, advantages held by individuals like Jiang Chen would be significantly reduced. Next, the thirteenpeting cultivators stepped forward for the drawing of lots. Though this was a drawing process, its primary purpose was to determine an order. Because every cultivator would spar against each of the other cultivators in session. Before long, the drawing concluded. "Jiang, Holy Son Jiang Chen!" Wu Xiaoman, a prodigy of the Dao Comprehension realm, whispered with a pallidplexion. She let out a heavy sigh, "Of all people, the first I drew was Holy Son Jiang Chen!" Even with the knowledge that Jiang Chen would suppress his realm for the duel, she believed her odds of victory were thin. Buzz buzz buzz. At this juncture, the formation split into seven sections, each designed to serve as an individual battleground for thepetition. "Begin the battle!" At the host''smand, the second phase of thebat prowesspetition started. "Please advise!" From a kilometer away, Wu Xiaoman addressed Jiang Chen, her face solemn. Aware that her chances of victory were thin, she remained undeterred. "Please!" Having adjusted to match Wu Xiaoman''s realm level, Jiang Chen replied without any hint of condescension. "Attack!" Wu Xiaoman''s Yuan Power swelled, morphing her into a whirlwind as she charged towards Jiang Chen in an instant. ''Myriad Changes Evesting Sword!'' With his fingers mimicking a sword, Jiang Chen extended them lightly, unleashing a formidable sword Qi tempest. "Ah!" Wu Xiaoman was sent flying backward with a shriek, though she was unscathed. Quickly gathering herself, she dove at Jiang Chen anew. "I''ll allow you to score some points at least," Jiang Chen remarked with a subtle grin, engaging Wu Xiaoman for a short time using only his Myriad Changes Evesting Sword. Seizing the opportune moment, he thrust forward with sudden force, propelling Wu Xiaoman into the air. Buzz buzz. The formation''s defense mechanism sprung to life, erecting a protective barrier around Wu Xiaoman, ensuring she sustained no harm. "Jiang Chen vs. Wu Xiaoman, Jiang Chen wins!" The host''s voice boomed. As the audience absorbed the result, Jiang Chen, maintaining hisposure, turned and exited the tform. "Jiang Chen earns three hundred points, Wu Xiaoman one hundred!" the host dered. The subsequent battles unfolded. Facing the remaining twelve cultivators consecutively, Jiang Chen always allowed his opponents some points rather than achieving an absolute victory. This strategy not only preserved the dignity of his fellow cultivators but also lulled the demon race members into a sense ofcency. In no time, all the duels wrapped up. Jiang Chen triumphed in all thirteen contests, amassing a total of three thousand nine hundred points. In the depths of the Northern Seas. "This Jiang Chen is truly exceptional," noted a Dao Pce realm demon, nodding appreciatively. "Even when his realm is suppressed, he clinches consistent victories. The techniques he deploys are distinctly unique, and he''s yet to reveal his full potential. Hisbat prowess is undoubtedly formidable." "Hmph, regardless of his strength, he remains at the Late-stage Dao Pce realm," another demon scoffed. "The more impressive his achievements, the more devastating it''ll be for human cultivators to witness his downfall. I''m genuinely eager to see his end." "Hahaha, we should prolong his torment. The greater the suffering, the more profound the blow to the humans!" The demons echoed with maliciousughter, reveling in their gruesome imaginings. By now, the Immortal Martial Grand Assembly had kicked off its secondpetition: the Innate Talentparison. "With my unique bloodline, Im certain I''ll clinch the top spot in this round!" An eager prodigy of the Dao Comprehension realm dered. He had been anticipating this moment for ages. Many fellowpetitors resonated with his enthusiasm. Every chosen participant in this grand assembly, hailed as the premier prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent, stood out as the crme de crme in their fields! While some mightck inbat prowess, they were immensely confident about their aptitude and inborn gifts. Sequentially, the thirteen contenders started showcasing their talents. Jiang Chen was tedst. Although each cultivator postedmendable scores, a pecking order emerged. Those whogged behind wore their dejection openly, whereas the top scorers radiated assurance. Atst, Jiang Chen''s moment arrived. Every gaze converged on him. Without hesitation, he rested his hand on the distinctive artifact purposed to gauge aptitude and innate talent. Boom! Suddenly, a dazzling surge of light erupted, sending the artifact''s readings off the charts! "What?!" A cultivator blurted out, his voice saturated with incredulity. "Could Jiang Chen''s innate talent truly be this formidable?!" "I was aware of his phenomenal talent, but this... How profound must his aptitude and innate talent be to yield such an oue?!" Everywhere one looked, cultivators wore expressions of sheer astonishment: eyes wide as saucers and mouths agape, seemingly on the verge of dropping their jaws. Those prodigious participants were even more shell-shocked, their gazes vacant and lips quivering. Such was the magnitude of their demoralization by Jiang Chen that their confidence appeared nearly shattered. The host then advanced, signaling themencement of the thirdpetition: the Willpower assessment. For this challenge, a specialized artifact would exert immense mental strain on the contenders. Based on each participant''s cultivation stature, varying degrees of pressure were administered. The duration one managed to endure this intense stress determined their score. Many contestants, though mentally bruised by Jiang Chen''s prowess, remained undeterred. Even if the top spot was out of reach, amendable rank promised notable des. The thirdpetition was soon underway. One after another, the cultivators yielded to the monumental pressure. Only Jiang Chen stood unswayed, as if untouched by any pressure. Such a spectacle plunged the onlookers into sheer wonderment. Having clinched first ce and not wishing to prolong the process, Jiang Chen promptly ended his round. The concludingpetition was next: Wisdom! This round revolved around ''Yin-Yang Go'', a beloved strategy board game on the Immortal Martial Continent. Here, thepetitor''s sole asset was their intellect, driving them towards triumph on the gameboard. Numerous cultivators rallied their confidence for this round, seeing that it bore no connection to aptitude, realm, orbat prowess. Some even discreetly fueled their resolve, yearning to outdo Jiang Chen! On the cusp of this finalpetition''s beginning, deep within Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind''s northern seas. Jiu Xiaoyin spoke in a chilling tone, "Once thepetition wraps up, the Dao protectors will rejoin the venue. We must set our trap and ensnare all those gifted talents before that." Bo Lang''s voice, cold and ruthless, interrupted, "Not merely the prodigies." Murderous intent shed in his gaze, making his voice sound as if it arose from a cial void. "The multitudes of human cultivators are like fish awaiting their fate. Ripe for the kill." Assertively, hemanded, "All divisions, advance with utmost stealth!" In unison, the demons and demonic cultivators responded, "Yes!" They stealthily made their way towards the Immortal Martial Grand Assembly venue. Chapter 302: The Immortal Martial Grand Assemblys Crisis Within the venue of the Immortal Martial Grand Assembly, the fourthpetition was unfolding with intensity and fervor. With the aid of Shangguan Ning and Nangong Wan, Jiang Chen overshadowed all other prodigies. In essence, no challengersted a hundred moves against him. This spectacle left the entire assembly of cultivators in awe and disbelief! "He''s too powerful!" one eximed. "Truly, unmatched in strength!" "The wisdom of Holy Son Jiang Chen is beyondprehension!" "Who could have predicted? Holy Son Jiang Chen doesn''t just possess an unmatched cultivation base,bat prowess, and willpower - his wisdom is unparalleled!" "At first, I believed a genius might edge past Jiang Chen in this round. But now, it''s clear that Holy Son Jiang Chen is simply insurmountable. He stands as the epitome of prodigious talent on the Immortal Martial Continent!" "Undoubtedly, the title of ''number one prodigy of the Immortal Martial Continent'' belongs to Holy Son Jiang Chen. The vast resources of the Immortal Martial Continent should rightly favor him!" "It''s certain that Holy Son Jiang Chen will ascend to the Transcendence realm, bing the guardian deity of our Immortal Martial Continent!" One by one, the cultivators bore witness to Jiang Chen''s resounding victory, their gazes filled with unbridled admiration. In their hearts, they held profound acknowledgment and reverence for Jiang Chen. Even the prodigies defeated by Jiang Chen showedplete submission, with no hints of resentment or defiance. Of course, even though the oue seemed apparent at this juncture and the fortingpetitions might appear superfluous, every event must have a definitive beginning and conclusion. Therefore, thepetition proceeded as scheduled. At that moment, as another prodigy stepped forward to challenge Jiang Chen, a sudden insight struck him. ''This sensation...'' His eyes sparkled with recognition. ''The powerhouses of the demon race have truly arrived, and they''re already here! Where might you all be?'' With this thought, his divine sense swiftly epassed hundreds of thousands of miles around him. His full divine sense extended to a radius of two million kilometers. Employing its full capacity within several hundred thousand miles meant his observational prowess was unparalleled. Moreover, Jiang Chen discreetly tapped into a sliver of the True Dragon Bloodline''s power, sharpening his perception even further. With the support of both Shangguan Ning and Nangong Wan, his ability to observe and anticipate peril reached astonishing levels. Soon, Jiang Chen discerned faint yet formidable auras, identifying the direction, location, and estimated strength of the demon race''s mighty powerhouses. His eyes narrowed in focus. ''Neen of them at the Dao Pce realm!'' He deduced. ''Moreover, the pressure two of them emit feels eerily simr to Long Tianlu''s. They''re likely powerhouses who once reached the Transcendence realm. These two can undoubtedly exhibit thebat prowess of the Transcendence realm, albeit briefly.'' ''Had Gu Ran been alive and swayed by the Heavenly Fate, the assaulting demon race Army wouldn''t be as dominant. At best, perhaps only one at the Transcendence realm would be in their ranks.'' But as Jiang Chen reflected, his expression altered yet again. He detected another, brilliantly concealed presence. This aura radiated a potent sense of decay. Jiang Chen''s eyes subtly widened upon recognizing this distinct aura. ''This is... a human powerhouse!'' ''Furthermore, this is a human powerhouse capable of momentarily unleashing Transcendence realmbat prowess. I hadn''t foreseen the Immortal Martial Continent hiding such an ace. Even the Purple Heaven Holy Land merely wields the fragmented immortal tool, the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword.'' ''Influenced by the Heavenly Fate, this formidable human has likely covertly made their way here upon hearing of the Immortal Martial Continent''s convention. Had Gu Ran''s original n yed out, this powerhouse would have lent him aid, bearing much of the burden, providing him ample chances to y and amplify his power.'' A hint of a smirk appeared on Jiang Chen''s face. ''Now, this human powerhouse will serve as my ally. With their support, vanquishing the demon race will be substantially more straightforward.'' A gentle smile graced his lips. Armed with this newfound confidence, the demon race, to him, seemed as if they were volunteering as tribute. "Holy Son Jiang Chen?" The prodigy opposite Jiang Chen observed the change in his demeanor and inquired, sounding slightly puzzled. "It''s nothing; it''s just that thispetition can''t continue." Jiang Chen replied with a casual smile, then turned to look toward where the demon race was. Suddenly, the ambiance shifted! "Hehehehe!!" A spine-chillingugh resonated. "All of you prodigies from the Immortal Martial Continent shall perish! Killing you means extinguishing the future of the Immortal Martial Continent!" As the cruel and mockingughter persisted, the once luminous sky darkened. A terrifyingly vast humanoid shadow sprawled across half the sky, blocking out the sun. It looked like a monstrous figure, snapping and snarling threateningly. In that moment, the millions of cultivators present werepletely stunned and caught unprepared. From a distance, the atmosphere became tense among the gathering of the stronger human powerhouses. "What?!" One eximed in disbelief. "It''s a demon race''s great powerhouse!" "The demon race is ambushing us, intending to annihte all our prodigies!" "Damn it! We''re helpless!" "Jing Chengwang, it''s entirely your fault for convening us in such an isted location. You ought to be punished!" Their faces were contorted with fury, and theirbined outrage echoed in the vicinity. Immediately after, everyone bolted simultaneously, eager to intervene. Jing Chengwang and the other three Dao Pce realm cultivators from the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect also hurriedly headed to the assembly ground for support. However, in contrast to the panic and urgency of the others, he remained calm. Surrounded by countless angry gazes from those around him, Jing Chengwang slowly began to speak, "Everyone, please remain calm!" "All of this is a trap set up by Holy Son Jiang Chen!" "He had anticipated that the demon race would seize the opportunity during the Immortal Martial Grand Assembly tounch an attack. He''s thoroughly prepared, capable of trapping the entire iing demon race Army in a single!" Upon hearing this, astonishment appeared on the faces of the human powerhouses, and much of their anger quickly dissipated. "Holy Son Jiang Chen is fully prepared?" Someone eximed. "He intends to trap all the attacking demon race in one move?!" One by one, the human powerhouses were taken aback, never having imagined that Jiang Chen would possess such foresight. However, deep concern remained, as the invading demon race Army was overwhelmingly powerful! From the vast, ominous shadow in the sky, they could make out at least ten Dao Pce realm demons! "There are too many demons attacking!" An elderly man at the Dao Pce realm voiced with deep concern. "Even if they can protect themselves, what of the millions of regr cultivators?" One of the cultivatorsmented, "Damn it! It''s toote!" "I just hope Holy Son Jiang Chen truly is fully prepared!" The remaining cultivators, with grim expressions, stared intently at the unfolding scene in the distance, watching as the shadows of the many Dao Pce realm demons descended, obscuring all in their path. "You filthy demons! As long as I, Yu Hong, am here, you won''t seed!" Just then, an extremely hoarse voice echoed throughout thend. Subsequently, a gray figure materialized out of nowhere. A terrifying aura, resembling a white hurricane, surged into the sky. Rumble! The white hurricane swiftly dispersed the shadows cast by the demon race''s great powerhouses, akin to a potent gust clearing away dark clouds. A cultivator blurted out, "Is this Holy Son Jiang Chen''s backup n?!" "This elder... he''s at least a Half-step Transcendence realm great powerhouse!" "So formidable, truly formidable!" Expressions of tion appeared on the faces of the human cultivators. "What?" The expressions of the Dao Pce realm demons shifted, with wariness evident in their eyes. "There''s actually another human cultivator here. That aura... Half-step Transcendence realm!" "He''s nothing more than a dying man clinging to life. Even if he dares act, he''ll meet his end. No elixir could save him." Jiu Xiaoyin sneered, "Everyone, resume the assault. I''ll deal with him." "Yes!" The demons and demonic cultivators, with renewed confidence and fierce determination, charged towards Jiang Chen and the others. Chapter 303: Half-step Transcendence Realm Powerhouse, Yu Hong "Cease your insolence and yield your life to me!" The eyes of the gray-robed Yu Hong shed with murderous intent. Without holding back, he unleashed the power of the Early-stage Transcendence realm, targeting the ordinary Dao Pce realm demons and demonic cultivators. "Your opponent is me." Jiu Xiaoyin, disregarding his injuries, burst forth with the power of the Early-stage Transcendence realm, transforming into a dark beam and stopping Yu Hong in his tracks. Boom! Boom! Boom! The two shed fiercely, the impact resonating throughout. In an effort to prevent the aftermath of their battle from causing harm to the human cultivators, Yu Hong had to divert a portion of his power to neutralize the residual forces. This immediately ced him at a slight disadvantage. A deep, resonatingugh echoed through the air. "Ha ha ha ha!" "The human race''s Transcendence realm great powerhouse has been intercepted, attack!" "With Lord Bo Lang holding the fort, not only will these human prodigies die, but that human great powerhouse will also fall!" "Today, we will erase the Lustrous Yang Domain, leaving neither chicken nor dog alive!" One after another, powerful Dao Pce realm demons and demonic cultivators stormed towards the arena. Their intimidating aura drained the color from the faces of the prodigies inside. A shocked young prodigy gasped, "How can this be?!" "With such an army of Dao Pce realm demons and demonic cultivators, victory is impossible!" "Damn it, we''re trapped!" The faces of the human prodigies were etched with despair. They might be geniuses, but they were still in the early phases of their journey. Confronted by so many Dao Pce realm enemies, their desire to fight was stifled by a feeling of helplessness. Bang! Bang! The forceful thuds resounded as the demon race hammered the protective formation around the arena. Spiderweb-like cracks swiftly expanded across the barrier of the formation, making it appear as if it would shatter any second. "Holy Son Jiang Chen, you need to leave!" Peng Shi of the Dao Pce realm stared intently at Jiang Chen, dering, "You''re the sole hope for our Immortal Martial Continent. Many of us can perish, but not you!" One voice concurred, "Exactly!" Another urgently eximed, "Holy Son Jiang Chen, we''ll provide cover. Make your escape!" Two additional prodigies from the Dao Pce realm voiced their intentions, their eyes alight with determination. "We''ll do the same!" The rest of the prodigies set their unwavering gazes upon the demon race''s powerhouses outside the formation, prepared to give their lives for Jiang Chen''s safe retreat. With a faint smile, Jiang Chen observed the demon race beyond the formation, opting not to say a word. Then, with a sharp sound, the protective formation of the arena turned into countless points of light, dissipating into the vast expanse of the sky. An oppressive dark demonic aura, akin to a ferocious beast, engulfed the prodigies on the stage in mere moments. "Holy Son Jiang Chen, run!" Peng Shi shouted, filled with a determination to perish, and lunged straight at the Dao Pce realm powerhouses of the demon race. The other prodigies, without a hint of hesitation, yelled and stormed the Dao Pce realm demons and demonic cultivators, as if drawn to inevitable doom. Cold, malevolentughter resonated within the arena, "Hehehehe!" "Likembs willingly walking to their end. This will be delightful!" "The taste of desperation!" "That female cultivator, don''t touch her! I have special ns for her!" One after another, the Dao Pce realm demons and demonic cultivators unleashed their wicked mirth and joined the onught. Among them, five Dao Pce realm demons and demonic cultivators zeroed in on Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen stood out prominently, making him an irresistible target they had to pursue! In a sh, their numbers grew, with seventeen Dao Pce realm demons and demonic cultivators surrounding them. The oppressive feeling was like the heavens copsing onto Jiang Chen and hispanions, and to any onlooker, their fate looked grim. But, Jiang Chen murmured softly, "Thank you for your good intentions." "However, none of us will fall today." With his whisper, seventeen sword lights burst forth from him without warning. This disy was the Death Attraction Nine Tribtions Sword Technique fused with the arcanews of the Myriad Changes Evesting Sword Dao. Each of the seventeen sword lights held power akin to a Half-step Transcendence realm! At that exact moment, an overwhelming dread gripped the hearts of the demon race''s Dao Pce realm powerhouses. Such was its intensity that their very hairs threatened to stand on end! "What is this..." one shouted in disbelief. "How can Jiang Chen possess such tremendous battle power?" "We''re in deep trouble! We can''t withstand the force of the Half-step Transcendence realm!" "No! This can''t be! I don''t want to die!" "Run, everyone run!" The once fearsome Dao Pce realm demons and demonic cultivators were now filled with raw fear. They darted chaotically, abandoning their initial aims. But, the sword lights Jiang Chen had cast were like silver dragons in the sky, unyielding in their chase, always on the heels of their targets. "These sword beams... they''re tailing us?! How can this be?" one demon eximed in sheer terror. "No, no! Lord Jiu Xiaoyin, Lord Bo Lang,e to our aid!" "Despicable human, I won''t go down without a fight!" Fear was evident in the eyes of the Dao Pce realm demons and demonic cultivators. While some sent out desperate cries for assistance, others mustered their courage and chose to retaliate. Meanwhile, the countenances of both Jiu Xiaoyin and Bo Lang underwent a drastic transformation, mirroring sheer astonishment. Had Jiang Chen trulyunched seventeen strikes, each embodying the strength of the Half-step Transcendence realm? Could this imply that his battle prowess was on par with the Transcendence realm? The very thought was staggering, unimaginable, and challenging to digest! Furthermore, Jiang Chen''s unforeseen disy of power left Jiu Xiaoyin and Bo Langpletely caught off guard, rendering them unable to lend a hand. Jiu Xiaoyin found himself already ensnared in his duel with Yu Hong. As for Bo Lang, even if he were to disregard his wounds, mustering the might of the Transcendence realm wasn''t something he could do in a blink. It demanded a brief period of focus. But within that fleeting moment, a span that seemed eternal for beings in the Transcendence realm, the battlefield was turned on its head! Bo Lang thrust out his hand, channeling his Transcendence realm strength in a desperate bid to counter Jiang Chen''s zing sword beams. However, he could only stare in dread, realizing he was a hair''s breadth toote. The agonizing sight of Jiang Chen''s sword beams drilling through the craniums of hisrades met his gaze. The haunting melody of swords slicing through skulls yed repetitively. The once defiant faces of the Dao Pce realm demons and demonic cultivators twisted in ghastly terror before they plummeted, their voices stilled for eternity. Among the human cultivators, this sight ignited a fervor of cheers and tion. Yet, it rendered the eyes of both Bo Lang and Jiu Xiaoyin ame with an ire that seemed boundless! "Jiang Chen, you are nothing! I swear I''ll kill you!" Bo Lang''s eyes turned even deeper blood-red, his robes billowing more intensely as he emanated a terrifying Transcendence realm aura, surging towards Jiang Chen. Now fully immersed in the battle, his strength surged to the Middle-stage Transcendence realm. "Let''s see who kills whom!" Jiang Chen retorted with a colder smirk. With a mere flick of his hand, both the Wordless Heavenly Jade and the Death Cmity Dark Star Moon Dao Embryo sprung to life simultaneously, draining the qi and blood energy and the cultivation base from the seventeen Dao Pce realm powerhouses. "Die!" In a blink, Bo Lang stood before Jiang Chen, his long-handled scythe cutting through the air with the overwhelming might of the grim reaper. The sheer force of the Middle-stage Transcendence realm burst forth, with myriad Great Dao forces, overshadowed by darkness, swirling powerfully, instantly changing the very colors of heaven and earth! ''Breakthrough! Dragonization! Heavenly Blood Surge Secrets! Void Tribtion Soul!'' Jiang Chen''s multiple aces were unleashed at once. With the vast cultivation base recently acquired, he instantly broke through to the Late-stage Dao Pce realm. Swiftly, he changed into his dragon-human hybrid form: his eyes turned long and narrow, his face became sharper, with majestic purple dragon horns rising from his forehead. His entire body was enveloped in ck and purple crystalline dragon scales, and his hands shifted into fearsome dragon ws. Then, the Heavenly Blood Surge Secrets activated, with thick plumes of blood mist emerging and swirling around him. But the spectacle didn''t end there! In a mere heartbeat, the souls of Jiang Chen, Shangguan Ning, and Nangong Wan fused together, permitting Jiang Chen to momentarilymand the capabilities of two Void Tribtion realm powerhouses. A deluge of Great Dao forces, vastly superior to Bo Lang''s, filled the heaven and earth in a sh, staunchly subduing Bo Lang''s Great Dao forces with unmatched might. Chapter 304: Complete Annihilation of a Demon Powerhouse "What?! Impossible!" Bo Lang''s eyes bulged in disbelief, the shock nearly consuming his very soul. At this juncture, Jiang Chen presented such a formidable aura that even at Bo Lang''s peak, he couldn''tpare. A rush of panic and the urge to retreat welled up inside Bo Lang. Yet, a full-force assault like Bo Lang''s was not something he could just pull back from. Realizing this predicament, he drew upon every ounce of his strength, directing it at Jiang Chen. He clung to the hope that if he could just weather this strike, he might find a chance to escape. ''Golden Cicada Umbra Shield Skill!'' Just as Bo Lang''s attack neared, Jiang Chen promptly unleashed the Metal Great Dao''s defensive technique. Suddenly, a golden cicada appeared out of the blue, epassing Jiang Chen within. Thud! In no time, Bo Lang''s scythe shed with the protective golden cicada. Ting!! A high-pitched, almost unbearable sound resonated. The golden cicada around Jiang Chen broke apart, dispersing into numerous golden fragments that lit up the sky. A sliver of hope ignited in Bo Lang''s eyes as he wielded his scythe once more. But immediately, his face contorted in sheer horror, for he didn''t feel the sensation of his weapon meeting its mark. Instead, a coldness, akin to the abyss of hell, crawled up his spine, causing him to shiver uncontrobly. ''From the back?!'' Bo Lang''s eyes bulged in terror, an internal scream reverberating in his mind. He tried to dart forward, aiming to sidestep the looming threat. Yet, he was a beat toote! ''Death Attraction Nine Tribtions Sword Technique!'' Jiang Chen''s right hand moved in a swift arc, and a sword with a radiant white body and an incredibly sharp de materialized out of thin air. It was the Immortal Tool, the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword! If he intended to ambush the demon race, wouldn''t he arm himself with the crown jewel of the Purple Heaven Holy Land? Indeed, he had earlier entrusted Ji Mingxiu to secure the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword, which he had kept close ever since. With a desperate tone, Bo Lang eximed, "No! You cannot do this!" Panic painted his eyes, and his voice quaked with fear. "The mighty legion of the demon race is en route. Release me, and I promise the same for you!" Desperation permeated his very being as the all-consuming dread of death''s grip tightened around him. But Jiang Chen paid no heed to his desperate entreaty. sh! With one swift motion, the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword cut through Bo Lang''s neck. Blood sprayed like a fountain, and his severed head took to the air. A tremendous burst of sword Qi followed, reducing Bo Lang''s body to ash. And yet, he remained undying. ''Secret Art - Soulless Body Burial!'' As the ashes of Bo Lang''s form scattered to the winds, he mustered this final secret art in a bid for survival! Abandoning his physical shell, his soul swiftly retreated into the Nether Soul Crystal, giving off an impression of total obliteration. To one unacquainted with the esoteric ways of the Nether Soul Demon n, it would certainly seem that Bo Lang had met his doom. However, his opponent was Jiang Chen, bolstered by the strength of two Void Tribtion realm powerhouses! "Heh, thought you could deceive me with that trick? Hand it over!" Jiang Chen sneered, quickly grasping the Nether Soul Crystal from a remnant of Bo Lang''s body. "How did this happen?! How could you be aware of the Nether Soul Demon n''s hidden vulnerability?" Despair consumed Bo Lang. Even though he had the secret art at his disposal, unlike Long Tianlu, he didn''t meet his end immediately. Rather, he could find sanctuary within the Nether Soul Crystal. However, with Jiang Chen having knowledge of the Nether Soul Crystal, Bo Lang found himself cornered, much like a fish out of waterinescapably doomed. ''No! I can''t meet my end like this! I can still possess him!'' Clutching at straws in his desperation, Bo Lang, seeing a glint of hope, made a move to possess Jiang Chen. Boom! His soul took on the form of a shadow, diving into Jiang Chen''s Sea of Consciousness. Yet, upon making his entry, he was instantly petrified! Before him, Jiang Chen''s soul was securely bound by the souls of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Their souls intertwined, creating aplex and mystifying union. However, what truly halted Bo Lang was the overwhelming aura emanating from theman aura of unimaginable terror. Inparison to them, he felt as insignificant as a mayfly before a phoenix; the disparity was simply vast. Believe in possession? That was pure delusion! In that brief instant, Jiang Chen obliterated Bo Lang''sst vestige of hope. Frozen in sheer terror andplete despair, Bo Lang ceased all resistance, dropping to his knees before Jiang Chen. "Die!" With a direct gaze at Bo Lang''s soul within his sea of consciousness, Jiang Chen executed a direct soul attack! Assisted by the souls of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, what he unleashed wasn''t merely the Moon Devouring Thought but an even more potent Transcendence realm soul-type secret art. Offering no resistance, Bo Lang was immediately obliterated by Jiang Chen''s soul attack. He was thrust out of the sea of consciousness and assimted into the Nether Soul Crystal. That was the true end of Bo Lang. "Damn it. He even had a secret art for possession!" Jiang Chen muttered to himself. Pausing for a moment to recollect his thoughts, he inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. ''Good thing I have the Heaven-Defying Fate Changer Void Tribtion Soul, or I would''ve faced real danger.'' He shook off a brief dizziness and pondered the recent altercation. It dawned on him that taking down Bo Lang''s Middle-stage Transcendence realm soul was no small feat. Still, everything had proceeded without a hitch, and Bo Lang had met his end. Jiang Chen then procured the Nether Soul Crystal, aligning it with the Void Tribtion Soul pattern on his forehead. Shortly after, the Nether Soul Crystal was absorbed by Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. With the addition of Bo Lang''s Nether Soul Crystal, the duo neared their restoration to the Middle-stage Transcendence realm. ''Wordless Heavenly Jade! Death Cmity Dark Star Moon Dao Embryo!'' With singr intent, Jiang Chen absorbed both the qi and blood energy of Bo Lang, as well as his cultivation base. Wasting no time, heunched an assault on Jiu Xiaoyin. Jiu Xiaoyin, meanwhile, was rooted in ce, the chilling image of Bo Lang''s demise seared into his eyes. Tremors of fear rippled through him, his face the very picture of terror. "How did this happen?" He whispered, disbelief heavy in his voice. "Jiang Chen is but a mere human prodigy. How can he wield such power?" "This isn''t reality... it has to be a nightmare! Run! Run!" The overwhelming fear bellowed within him. Driven by sheer survival instinct, Jiu Xiaoyin spun around, making a desperate dash for the distant horizon. "You think you can flee?" Yu Hong, in spite of his grievous injuries, made a move to intercept and trap Jiu Xiaoyin. "Out of my way!" Marshaling all his strength, Jiu Xiaoyin sent Yu Hong hurtling backward. But it was toote. Jiang Chen had rapidly closed the gap. With a swift motion, his Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword surged forward, impaling Jiu Xiaoyin. Sword Qi erupted en masse, and within moments, Jiu Xiaoyin was marred with a multitude of gaping wounds. The Nether Soul Crystal, positioned at the nape of his neck, was cleanly severed and soared into Jiang Chen''s grasp. Without hesitation, Jiang Chen harnessed Jiu Xiaoyins qi and blood energy, as well as his cultivation base, and immediately turned his attention to Yu Hong. He discovered Yu Hong sprawled on the ground, hisplexion ashen. The man teetered on the precipice of death. "Is there any hope for him?" Jiang Chen asked with a note of concern, seeking insight from Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Shangguan Ning exhaled a somber sigh. "It''s beyond us now. He''s been pushing his limits, holding onto life by sheer force of will. But this confrontation was fated to be his undoing," she responded, a hint ofment in her tone. As Jiang Chen entered his line of sight, a glimmer of relief shone in Yu Hong''s eyes. "Jiang Chen," he rasped weakly, "... these items... I trust you''ll find them useful." Holding out a bracelet, hope sparkled in his fading eyes. "With you leading the Immortal Martial Continent, victory over the demon race seems inevitable..." However, as he uttered these words, his body tensed, and his voice cut off abruptly. Within mere seconds, the vitality in Yu Hong ebbed away. "Rest now," Jiang Chen whispered, epting the bracelet from Yu Hong''s lifeless grasp. He then shifted his focus to the direction of the Bottomless Abyss. Bo Lang''s parting threat to Jiang Chen hadid bare a crucial revtion: the demon race''s vast legion was on the brink of invasion! Chapter 305: Reopening of the Doomsday Cave Heaven Jiang Chen stroked his chin, a contemtive look in his eyes. ''The real demon race army has truly descended this time,'' he pondered. ''Bo Lang and his group were just the vanguard.'' ''The Immortal Martial Continent isn''t as formidable as one might think. Under normal circumstances, Bo Lang and his vanguard should have been able to take control.'' ''So, it seems the Immortal Martial Continent isnt the demon race''s ultimate goal, but rather a stepping stone.'' ''Their true intention is likely the humannds beyond the Immortal Martial Continent!'' His eyes sharpened. ''If my hunch is right, their sights are set on the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star.'' At this moment, Jing Chengwang and the others finally arrived. The human prodigies gathered around, their faces awash with reverence and admiration for Jiang Chen. One dashed forward, eyes shining with gratitude, "Lord Jiang Chen!" A dignified woman in refined robes inclined her head gracefully, "Greetings, Lord Jiang Chen!" Another, a man whose face bore scars, brought his hands together, voiceden with emotion, "Lord Jiang Chen, thank you for saving our disciples!" A lofty figure at the back, donned in majestic attire, voiced with certainty, "Lord Jiang Chen, you are the paramount figure in the Immortal Martial Continent, its true Lord!" Sequentially, the cultivators paid their homage to Jiang Chen, their visages radiant with respect and tion. Jiang Chen was revealed to be a formidable force of the Transcendence realm! After a million years, the Immortal Martial Continent finally beheld a mighty figure of the Transcendence realm! Under Jiang Chen''s guardianship, the defense of the Immortal Martial Continent was significantly fortified. Additionally, it became clear to all that this Immortal Martial Grand Assembly was a clever ploy devised by Jiang Chen, aimed to trap and eradicate the demon race entirely! From this day forward, the acknowledgment and reverence for Jiang Chen would be wholehearted and undisputed. "Everyone, please stand," Jiang Chen uttered withposure, his gaze sweeping across the gathering, acknowledging each individual. Whispers spread among the crowd, but his voice quelled them effortlessly. "Regarding the title of the Lord of the Immortal Martial Continent, let''s refrain from discussing it at present." He took a step, his voice tinged with a hint of urgency. "At the moment, I''ve only vanquished the vanguard of the demon race. A far more formidable demon race army is on the horizon!" "What?!" A cultivator eximed, eyes wide in disbelief, mirroring the sentiment of many. "A more potent demon race army?!" "If the vanguard of the demon race already had a powerhouse of the Transcendence realm, then wouldn''t the main force be teeming with even mightier figures of the Third Step of the Cultivation Path?" "There''s no need for concern. With Lord Jiang Chen present, the Immortal Martial Continent will surely remain protected!" "Indeed! Lord Jiang Chen is both profoundly wise and valiant, peerless in our world. The iing demon race army is no cause for undue worry!" After their initial shock, the cultivators'' faces transformed from surprise to assurance, their expressions alight with confidence,vishing praise upon Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen remained expressionless, his eyes abruptly turning toward the seas of ck Wood Ind. There, a host of the demon race''s leaders from the Dao Comprehension realm led a dense horde of demons and demonic cultivators. Erupting from the underwater caverns, their faces were twisted with malevolent intent, charging headlong toward this side. These were the demon race vanguard who had bravely traversed the underwater passage from the Pure Frost Domain''ske. From the advancing lines, loudughter echoed, "Hahaha!" "Lord Jiu Xiaoyin and the others surely have eliminated all the human prodigies and the Dao Pce realm cultivators. Those left are merely our prey for ughter!" "Quickly, quickly! We mustn''t let a single human slip away. I wish to obliterate them entirely, leaving not a dog or chicken standing!" ted with their impending victory, the demons and demonic cultivators were jubnt, utterly ignorant of the fact that Jiu Xiaoyin and his group had already met their demise. ''Remnants from the Pure Frost Domain''s demon race?'' Jiang Chen''s eyes sharpened. In a brilliant streak, he covered a hundred thousand kilometers. After several such streaks, he stood right before the demon race battalion. From the center of the marching mass, a demon, eyes zing red, voiced his incredulity, "Is that... a human?" Swiftly, other demons and demonic cultivators of the Dao Comprehension realm fixed their attention on Jiang Chen, momentarily pausing in their march. However, before they could muster any response, a myriad of sword Qi whizzed, trailed by the intense ze of the overpowering Burning World Raging mes! A demon chieftain shouted, "That''s a powerhouse of the Transcendence realm!" "How can this be? Since when do humans possess a Transcendence realm powerhouse?" A piercing shriek resounded, "No!!" Overwhelmed by dread, the vast demon race army stood paralyzed. But momentster, they were mercilessly dispatched, decapitated by the swift might of Jiang Chen. ''Wordless Heavenly Jade, Death Cmity Dark Star Moon Dao Embryo!'' With a mere thought, Jiang Chen invoked the two Heaven-Defying Fate Changers, instantly drawing in a vast sea of qi and blood energy, and the essence of cultivation bases. Instantly, Jiang Chen sensed his cultivation base surge. ''While this isn''t as abundant as the cultivation base offered by a Transcendence realm demon, this haul is certainly noteworthy.'' Jiang Chen gestured, dispelling the lingering demonic qi in the atmosphere, then swiftly returned to Ageless Spirit Heavenly Ind. "Lord Jiang Chen!" The great powerhouses of the human race looked upon the rapidly returning Jiang Chen with a hint of uncertainty. Jiang Chen stood tall amongst the human cultivators, his voice ringing with authority and decisiveness. "I''ve eradicated the subsequent demon race vanguard from the Pure Frost Domain." "But, there are still remnants lurking within the Pure Frost Domain." "I will usher you to the Pure Frost Domain to vanquish the lingering forces of the demon race." "Moreover, with the top-tier of the demon race vanguard fallen, those remaining in the Pure Frost Domain are certainly alerted and havemunicated this." "When they receive word, the demon race''s principal army will undeniably quicken their march." He paused briefly, allowing his words to permeate, and then continued, "I entrust the Pure Frost Domain to you. As for the demon race''s principal force, I will take the lead in confronting them." "Understood!" a voice cried out from the crowd. "We obey!" another shouted back. "Justmand us, Lord Jiang Chen!" As Jiang Chen''s words resonated, a sea of cultivators bowed in respect, readying themselves for the uing battle. "Doomsday Cave Heaven, open!" With a slight nod, Jiang Chen produced the secret key to the Cave Heaven, unlocking all its primary and secondary gates. Spatial entrances swiftly appeared across various domains, including the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect. Each territory was now interconnected by a spatial channel. Soon after, human race experts began entering the Cave Heaven in session. With a determined step, Jiang Chen too entered the Cave Heaven. Above the crumbling inheritance peak, powerhouses from both the Dao Pce realm and the Dao Comprehension realm began to assemble. It seemed as if experts from every corner of the Immortal Martial Continent had now convened. "Go! Beyond this spatial gate is the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect of the Pure Frost Domain," Jiang Chen dered, guiding a spatial door to the Pure Frost Domain with a mere gesture. "Yes!" Jing Chengwang and the others affirmed, moving swiftly to enter the Pure Frost Domain. ... Meanwhile, within the Pure Frost Domain and atop the majestic Clear Frost Moon Plucking Peak draped in pristine white snow, the demon race''s remaining forces descended into utter turmoil. For inside the sect, an array of the powerhouses'' Life Tablets had suddenly fractured. No tablet remained intact, not even those of the demon race''s mightiest! This ominous sign indicated that every member of the demon race''s forces, from prominent figures like Bo Lang and Jiu Xiaoyin to the most unassuming members, who had ventured into the Lustrous Yang Domain, had met their end! "How can this be?" eximed one of the demons, his eyes wide in disbelief. "What on earth happened?" another questioned, his gaze darting around in panic. "Lord Bo Lang and Lord Jiu Xiaoyin are formidable powerhouses of the Transcendence realm! It''s inconceivable that they could have fallen!" "The situation is dire! We must immediately notify the demon race army!" The handful of demon race experts left to safeguard the region were seized by terror, their frames quaking with fear. Without a moment''s dy, they conveyed the grave news to themunication team stationed deep within the Bottomless Abyss. Boom! Yet, as they did so, a spatial gate burst open, rending a vast chasm in the heavens. Secondster, Jing Chengwang and his allies descended, initiating a ferocious onught against the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect. Within the Doomsday Cave Heaven, Jiang Chen stood unyielding. His intense gaze captured Ji Mingxiu and the other human powerhouses in attendance. "Fellowrades," he began, his voice echoing with authority. "The demon race army stands poised to descend." "If they seed in their invasion, even my power might be insufficient to repel them." He allowed a brief pause, ensuring the weight of his words settled upon everyone, then proimed, "Therefore, they must be thwarted!" With no further dy, Jiang Chen channeled his Dao Yuan Power into the Cave Heaven''s secret key, which he clenched with determination. Suddenly, the existing spatial channels dissipated. In their stead, a vastly more expansive spatial channel started to emerge from the remnants of the inheritance peak! Chapter 306: The Myriad Demons Continent This spatial channel was the same through which thest remnants of human cultivators had secretly attacked the demon race''s rear lines a million years ago! Ji Mingxiu and other Dao Pce realm powerhouses looked intently at the vast spatial channel, their faces bearing expressions of determination and solemnity. Uncertainty loomed. No one knew if mightier beings from the demon race awaited on the other side of the channel. "We mustn''t dy. Forward!" Jiang Chen, after surveying the gathered, was the first to step into the spatial channel. At this juncture, deep within the Bottomless Abyss, the deepestyers had been fully unearthed, almost sculpting an entire subterranean world! At the heart of this underground domain, a colossal spatial channel hung suspended, its vast diameter stretching for several kilometers! Inside this channel, thick dark gray mists roiled and swirled tumultuously, periodically contorting. Ominous spatial ripples radiated incessantly from it, inducing a bone-chilling dread. Directly beneath this spatial channel stood a grand formation altar, erected in its shadow. The primary function of this altar was to sustain and augment the spatial channel''s potency. Numerous members of the Nether Soul Demon n were fervently working to refine the altar, aiming to perfect it. Their goal was to stabilize the spatial channel further, thus allowing even more formidable entities from the demon race to cross through. But abruptly, a distressed cry reverberated within the subterranean depths, "Disaster! Lord Bo Lang and his entire legion have fallen!" The voice wasden with raw terror, sparking immediate chaos in the vast underground chamber. Several panic-stricken Dao Comprehension realm beings from the demon race wasted no time, propelling themselves into the spatial channel. Echoes of urgent cries filled the air: "Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!" "Lord Bo Lang and his entire force have been wiped out. The main army will undoubtedly be enraged and dispatch support!" "Intensify the spatial channel now!" Legions of the demon race''s cultivators rallied beneath the spatial channel, channeling theirbined energy into the altar, bolstering the spatial channel''s stability. However, just as they were channeling their energy, a powerful spatial fluctuation radiated from behind the demon race''s cultivators. Suddenly, a grey, vortex-like spatial channel appeared. Almost immediately, an exceptionally handsome young man with an icy demeanor emerged from the spatial channel. Without saying a word, heunched his assault. "Disaster! A human powerhouse has invaded!" One demon screamed, clear panic echoing in his voice. "It''s a Transcendence realm human! Everyone, flee!" Fear surged among the demon race''s members, causing them to scatter frantically. "Die." Jiang Chen voiced coldly. Without even making a move with his sword, hundreds of sword lights burst from him, targeting the amassed demon race. "Save yourselves!" The demon race''s cultivators dispersed in sheer panic, with the majority seeking refuge inside the spatial channel. Yet, they couldn''t escape fast enough. And to make matters worse, Jiang Chen''s sword lights appeared to have a mind of their own, chasing them with unwavering determination. The constant sounds of swords piercing through bodies echoed. In merely a heartbeat, everyst one of the demon race''s members met a grim fate, with none surviving the onught. Following the fall of these demon race''s members, the spatial forces within the channel grew increasingly chaotic. It was at this moment that Ji Mingxiu and the others stepped out from the spatial channel. Surveying the strewn bodies, all present drew in sharp intakes of breath. Their gazes, when shifted to Jiang Chen, were a mix of profound reverence and awe. "Is this the altar that sustains the spatial channel?" Jiang Chen stepped forward, drawing closer to the altar. "Jiang Chen, hold off on destroying it. It seems no demons have entered the spatial channel for now," Nangong Wan''s voice resonated within Jiang Chen''s Sea of Consciousness. "Indeed, the state of this spatial channel indicates that it''s been unused for a while," Shangguan Ning observed. "Let''s wait for the demon race''s main force to enter the spatial channel before we act." With a hint of confidence, she added, "With our help, you can even obliterate the spatial channel entirely, ensuring no future threats." "To deceive the demon race on the other side," Nangong Wan suggested, "you should maintain the spatial channel. We''ll be right beside you to help." "Hmm, I''ll heed your advice," Jiang Chen nodded. Trusting both Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, who were Void Tribtion realm great powerhouses skilled in the Great Dao of Space, he believed their assessment of the spatial channel was urate. Consequently, Jiang Chen deployed his ''Void Tribtion Soul'' Heaven-Defying Fate Changer once more, harnessing the spatial mastery of both Nangong and Shangguan. Soon after, he stood at the entrance of the spatial channel, channeling his power to maintain it. With his enhanced strength, the results surpassed even thebined might of the entire demon race''s horde. Within moments, the spatial channel stabilized. Observing this, Ji Mingxiu and the other cultivators withheld any skepticism. Their faith in Jiang Chen was unwavering. In their eyes, every action Jiang Chen took had purpose. ... Meanwhile, on the other side of the spatial channel, a vast continent floated amidst the boundless expanse of the cosmic void. The continent was vast, its surface shrouded in a seemingly infiniteyer of dark mist, signaling the presence of a thick demonic aura. This was the hearnd of the demon race army: the Myriad Demons Continent. Much like the Immortal Martial Continent, the Myriad Demons Continent had been sculpted from a multitude of stars by a formidable entity. In terms of size, it surpassed even the Immortal Martial Continent, and under the continuous influence of the demon race, its cultivation pinnacle reached the Third Step of the Cultivation Path. At this juncture, the demon race''s forces were gathering. Their encampment spread across the horizon, housing millions of demons and demonic beasts. The grounds pulsated with the presence of formidable beings. Dozens hailed from the Transcendence realm, rivaling the prowess of Jiu Xiaoyin. Yet, overshadowing them all was a cultivator from the Nirvana Peering realm, who stood as the suprememander of the vast army. Inside a towering ck edifice, shaped like a spear''s tip, several Transcendence realm demon powerhouses were deeply engrossed in conversation. "Hasn''t Bo Lang, along with Jiu Xiaoyin, secured the Immortal Martial Continent yet?" One asked, a note of impatience evident in his tone. "It''s been an age. Considering the strength of the Immortal Martial Continent, Bo Lang and his team should havepletely subdued it by now!" "It''s only a matter of time. Once we''ve taken the Immortal Martial Continent and infused it with our demonic aura, there will be a subtle shift in the Great Dao of heaven and earth. This will hasten the stabilization of the spatial channel. Then, crossing it will pose no threat." As they spoke, their gazes often settled on the immense spatial channel, eyes shimmering with a mix of anticipation and urgency. Suddenly, several Dao Comprehension realm demons burst forth from the spatial channel. Their faces were masks of pure rm as they raced towards the assembled demon race army. "What''s going on?" a Transcendence realm demon immediately inquired. "What happened to the Immortal Martial Continent?" another demanded sharply. The appearance of these neers shifted the expressions of the previously conversing powerhouses instantaneously. An instinctual feeling informed them that something significant had urred on the Immortal Martial Continent. Sure enough, as the Dao Comprehension realm demons hurriedly shared their ounts, a multitude of high-ranking demons rose in unison, their faces awash with shock and rage! "What?!" eximed one of them in disbelief. "Bo Lang and his forces were entirely wiped out? How is this conceivable? Could the Immortal Martial Continent harbor an actual Transcendence realm great powerhouse?" "However, after our extensive years of investigation, the Immortal Martial Continent never revealed any sign of the Transcendence realm. They couldn''t have produced any Transcendence realm powerhouses. Their peak was the Half-step Transcendence realm!" "Furthermore, even if an Early-stage Transcendence realm cultivator emerged, they shouldn''t have the capability to defeat both Jiu Xiaoyin and Bo Lang!" "What in the world happened?!" The Transcendence realm great powerhouses of the demon race were filled with growing shock and bewilderment. Chapter 307: Slaying a Million-strong Demon Race Army At that moment, an immensely furious roar spread throughout the demon race army''s camp. "How dare you kill my grandson!" "Today, I shall turn the Immortal Martial Continent into and of death!" the voice continued, its fury palpable. With a final, resoundingmand, the voice dered, "Armies, heed mymand,unch the attack!!" Whispers spread quickly among the ranks. "It''s Commander Bo Luncang!" "Themander is furious... What shall we do?" "What else can we do? We must forcibly pass through the spatial channel, even if it causes a decline in our realm. Otherwise, there is only death!" "Hurry,mand the entire army to attack!" One after another, Transcendence realm demon race great powerhouses changed their expressions to one of frenzy, but dared not defy Commander Bo Luncang''s order, and began to instruct their troops to move. Suddenly, the entire demon race army stirred like a massive creature, causing heaven and earth to tremble. "Kill! Kill! Kill!" they chanted in unison. "Exterminate all living beings in the Immortal Martial Continent, and let them be buried with Lord Bo Lang!" One by one, demon race powerhouses roared, rushing into the spatial channel. These demons were not limited to the Nether Soul Demon n; there were other demon race tribes, each with its own unique strengths,bining to form an exceptionally formidable force. Additionally, there was an incredibly vast demonic beast army, which included nock of Dao Pce realm demonic beasts. Boom! Boom! Boom! The sound of the numerous armies, full of ferocity, echoed as they rushed into the spatial channel. In the blink of an eye, the entire army, save for Commander Bo Luncang and his few Transcendence realm guards, had entered the spatial channel. Unbeknownst to the demon race''s ranks, none had noticed anything amiss, as Jiang Chen had maintained the spatial channel covertly. They still believed that the demon race on the other side was safe and sound, fully maintaining the spatial channel. ... Beneath the Immortal Martial Continent, in the depths of the Bottomless Abyss. "They''reing!" The voices of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning resonated in unison. Jiang Chen too sensed a significant shift in the spatial channel, with violent spatial fluctuations emanating continuously! Clearly, the demon race army had entered the spatial channel, and there were many powerhouses! ''Hmph, all of you shall perish within this spatial channel!'' Jiang Chen coldly sneered in his heart, then bellowed softly, "Everyone, attack!" Before his voice even faded, Jiang Chen made the first move! With a stomp, the array tform beneath him shattered instantly. At the same time, he channeled all his strength to deploy Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s spatial techniques. In a sh, the previously stable spatial channel began to boil fiercely, akin to water being boiled over. Even more terrifying spatial fluctuations swept across the surroundings. Jiang Chen''s robe fluttered wildly. In the eyes of Ji Mingxiu and others, his entire figure seemed slightly distorted. To Ji Mingxiu and hispanions, these intense spatial fluctuations posed a significant threat. However, no one retreated. Instead, they all went all out,unching their strongest attacks against the spatial channel! The spatial channel became increasingly unstable, trembling continuously, with numerous ck lightning-like spatial cracks emerging within it. Meanwhile, inside the spatial channel, the demon race army was swiftly navigating through the dim passageway. The stronger the demon race individual, the more pressure they would exert on the spatial channel, resulting in the forces of space recoiling against them. Dozens of Transcendence realm demon race great powerhouses were already in a dire state under the onught of spatial forces, with many among them severely injured. Yet, at this moment, an even more terrifying event transpired! Ahead in the spatial channel, there was a sudden and intense vibration, and an overwhelmingly powerful spatial force surged ferociously through the corridor. Surrounding the walls of the spatial channel, countless ck lightning-like cracks started to appear. "Ahh! The spatial channel is going to be destroyed!" a cry rang out. "How can this be? Don''t we have our demon race''s cultivators on the other side maintaining the spatial channel?" "Could it be that the Transcendence realm cultivator who killed Lord Bo Lang has found the spatial channel in the Bottomless Abyss and is attempting to destroy it?" "That''s impossible! That Transcendence realm great powerhouse was in the Lustrous Yang Domain. How could he suddenly appear in the Everflowing Truth Domain and locate our extremely concealed underground space?" "Quick! We need to escape!" the cry of desperation rang out. The entire demon race army, from the Transcendence realm great powerhouses to the lowest minions, were all stricken with horror, their faces etched with despair. One by one, the Transcendence realm demon race members tried to flee in sheer terror. But they were originally traveling to the Immortal Martial Continent by harnessing the power of the spatial channel. To reverse course midway through the spatial channel, one would need to haveplete mastery over the Space Great Dao. These Transcendence realm demon race individuals, though powerful, had only a superficial grasp of spatial forces. Thus, their attempts to turn and flee were highly challenging. And the copse of the spatial channel was even faster than their traversal speed; escaping was but a pipe dream. In a blink of an eye, the spatial channel was utterly destroyed, and countless millions of the demon race army were annihted in the process! On the Myriad Demons Continent, the massive exit of the spatial channel was also affected. It underwent a drastic transformation, with the terrifying spatial fluctuations tearing apart the surrounding formations. "No!!" cried out themander of the demon race army, Bo Luncang, his voice echoing with disbelief, "The spatial channel is destroyed! How can this be?" "I spent so long repairing this spatial channel; even a Transcendence realm cultivator shouldn''t be able to destroy it in such a short time!" "What on earth happened? Just what cultivation realm has the great powerhouse that exists in the Immortal Martial Continent?" He, along with a few of his personal guards, stared wide-eyed in utmost horror, gradually disying a look of sheer fury, rage burning in their hearts. "Damn it! Who was it?!" Bo Luncang roared, his voice filled with agony, almost as if tears of blood would pour forth. He madly rushed to the entrance of the spatial channel, deploying his immense power in an attempt to stabilize it. However, how could his skillspare to those of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, especially when Jiang Chen had the upper hand, setting the spatial channel on an unstoppable path to destruction? The demolition of the spatial channel was inevitable. Just a breath after Bo Luncang made his move. Boom! The entire spatial channel explosively disintegrated. Countless ck lightning-shaped spatial tears, sharp as des, sliced through the surroundingnd for miles around. Amidst the swirling dust and debris, Bo Luncang emerged with a deathly pale face and bloodshot eyes. His robes were tattered, his appearance one ofplete devastation. His personal guards were in a wretched state, disheveled and blood-soaked, resembling beggars who had been brutally beaten. "Ahhh! I swear to avenge this, I swear!" Bo Luncang roared in rage, his whole body trembling with fury. The sound of his voice was a primal cry of loss, anger, and a vow of retribution. The personal guards beside him remained silent as cicadas in winter, fearful that Bo Luncang would vent his anger on them. They dared not even breathe, their eyes wide with terror and sympathy. Meanwhile, at the Immortal Martial Continent, within the Bottomless Abyss. The entire underground space was also in disarray, as the spatial channel entrance and exit here had also exploded. Rocks had fallen, dust was settling, but the battle''s turmoil was fading away. Now, only Jiang Chen remained here. He had timely sent everyone else back to the Doomsday Cave Heaven. "It''s over. At least, for now," Jiang Chen said, looking at the gradually healing spatial rift ahead, a faint smile curling up at the corner of his mouth. His eyes sparkled with a mixture of satisfaction and relief. ''It went smoothly. No new protagonist showed up to cause trouble, which is nice.'' Chapter 308: Come, Follow Me Inside Jiang Chen''s eyes immediately shot forward. The moment the spatial channel was destroyed, the powerful force did more thanpletely shatter the array tform; it also formed a massive pit. The surface of the pit was scarred with irregr traces, created by the relentless force of space. ''It''s a pity that the entire demon race army died inside the spatial channel,'' Jiang Chen mused, taking a few deliberate steps forward. He arrived at the edge of the giant pit, a scar left by the destruction of the spatial channel. ''The qi and blood energy in their bodies are now beyond my reach, and I cannot plunder their cultivation base.'' He continued his inward contemtion, ''However, the demon race will surely not stop here. They will regroup and attack once more. I will have plenty of opportunities to kill then.'' In the pit, a ck ''thunderball'' flickered constantly, suspended in the air. Intense spatial fluctuations emanated from it, a lingering echo. This was a small spatial node, a remnant left behind after the spatial channel had been destroyed. "Ning''er, Wan''er, can wepletely eliminate this?" Jiang Chen''s eyes shed as he asked in his Sea of Consciousness. "No, this is a natural ce where space is weak," Nangong Wan replied. "It will take tens of thousands of years for this spatial rift to heal on its own if no one interferes," Shangguan Ning added. "Even though we master the Great Dao of Space, our strength is still too low. We can only slightly elerate the healing speed of the spatial rift." "If someone had the strength of the Nirvana Peering realm, they could significantly shorten the time it takes for the spatial rift to heal." "However, even if the spatial rift heals, this will remain a naturally weak spatial node, and it can still be connected to be a spatial channel," they continued, eachpleting the other''s thoughts. "So it is. Alright then." Jiang Chen listened and nodded slightly, his belief growing that the demon race would regroup and attack again. "Let''s do our best to elerate the healing of the spatial rift now," Nangong Wan said. "I have mastered some rted formations, and they can be arranged as long as we have the appropriate materials." "I have some as well," Shangguan Ning added. "I''ll figure out a way to get the materials for the formations." Jiang Chen nodded slightly. As the foremost person in the Immortal Martial Continent, he had ess to all the resources spanning the entirend. "Let''s hurry then," Nangong Wan urged. "I have a premonition that the demon race will soon tear open the spatial rift again, and this time, even more demons will get involved." "Let''s return to Doomsday Cave Heaven first," Jiang Chen agreed. He took out the Cave Heaven''s secret key, poured in his Dao Yuan Power, and a spatial door materialized before them. With a powerful leap, he soared, his body arcing gracefully as he dove into the spatial door. Ssh. The very next moment, Jiang Chen emerged from the spatial exit, finding himself once more within the confines of Doomsday Cave Heaven. As soon as Jiang Chen appeared within Doomsday Cave Heaven, he was met with the sight of Ji Mingxiu and arge group of people, their faces marked by concern. "Lord Jiang Chen! How are you?" one of the voices called out, filled with worry. One by one, the cultivators converged at Jiang Chen''s side, their expressions tense. However, seeing that he was unharmed, a collective sigh of relief filled the air. "What could possibly happen to Lord Jiang Chen? He''s perfectly fine!" one of them asserted, his voice ringing with confidence. "Great, this is really great. The destruction of the spatial channel was so terrifying. I was worried that Lord Jiang Chen wouldn''t be able to handle it!" "Hmph, there''s nothing in this world that Lord Jiang Chen can''t handle. He is invincible!" The cultivators continued to discuss among themselves, their words a mixture of awe, relief, and unquestioning faith in Jiang Chen''s abilities. Jiang Chen surveyed the crowd, his face calm, his voice authoritative as he spoke, "My fellow human brothers and sisters, the spatial channel to the Bottomless Abyss has been temporarily destroyed. It will not be easy for the demon race to attack again in the short term." "However, I hope that all of you will not let your guard down or neglect your cultivation." "Furthermore, from now on, this Cave Heaven will be renamed the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven, and its spatial door will remain open, gathering the Spiritual Qi from all major domains into one." His eyes gleamed with conviction as he proimed, "Any cultivator who passes the selection may enter the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven to cultivate!" His n was ambitious and far-reaching. He wanted to concentrate not just the cultivation resources of the Immortal Martial Continent but also to unify its Spiritual Qi and cultivators. Only in this way could he maximize the remaining potential of the Immortal Martial Continent. "Excellent!" one cultivator eximed, his voice filled with admiration. "Lord Jiang Chen''s n is brilliant!" "Gathering Spiritual Qi here will surely create more experts." "We can also cultivate here, and perhaps we may even hope to go further, and glimpse into the Transcendence realm!" One by one, the cultivators showed smiles on their faces, visibly thrilled and fully aligned with Jiang Chen''s vision. Their faith in him was unshakeable, and their hopes were set high. "So then, next, I will open the spatial channel," Jiang Chen dered, nodding slightly. He took out the Cave Heaven''s secret key and continued, "Please return to your respective domains and set up spirit-gathering formations in the ces where the Spiritual Qi is most abundant!" Without hesitation, he activated the secret key, and all the spatial doors opened in response. Immediately, a main spatial gate and five secondary spatial gates burst into existence! The main spatial gate materialized within the Everflowing Truth Domain, specifically in the Purple Heaven Holy Land. As for the other five spatial doors, they were strategically distributed in key locations such as the Lustrous Yang Domain, the Ninth Heaven Domain, the Wind Gold Domain, and more. These spatial doors were not static; they were not anchored permanently within these five domains. Instead, they would change locations in the future. Within each domain, they would rotate, moving from one major sect headquarters to another. For example, after drawing the Spiritual Qi in the Purple Heaven Holy Land for some time, the gate would shift its location to the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce or the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple. This pattern would extend across all the other major domains in the Immortal Martial Continent, where the constant gathering of Spiritual Qi would be amon practice. When the Spiritual Qi in the currently selected six major domains neared depletion, the gates would transition to other domains, ensuring a constant flow of energy. In this meticulously nned manner, the entire Immortal Martial Continent''s Spiritual Qi would converge into the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven, substantially enhancing the cultivation environment and maximizing the potential for growth. "Let''s begin!" Jiang Chenmanded, nodding at the crowd after opening the channels. "Yes!" The cultivators responded, their voices united in purpose and determination. Some of them promptly entered the spatial channel and departed to fulfill their roles. Jiang Chen then methodically changed the destinations of the spatial channels, transporting the remaining cultivators back to their domains one by one. When the task wasplete, he reset the gates to the original six selected domains. ''Next, the cultivation environment of the Immortal Martial Continent will undergo a dramatic transformation,'' Jiang Chen mused, his thoughts turning inward. ''I wonder if these major changes will give rise to any new protagonist.'' ''After all, my actions could be seen as depriving most people of their path to cultivation. Although the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven is vast, its space is still limited.'' ''However, four protagonists have already emerged from the Immortal Martial Continent, so it''s quite possible that no new protagonist will appear.'' ''If that''s the case, I''d be content to cultivate quietly for a while.'' His thoughts then shifted to the broaderndscape. ''Moreover, since the Immortal Martial Continent was invaded by the demon race and is viewed by them as a stepping stone, I wonder if the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star and Profound Jade Immortal Domain will intervene. Most likely, they won''t.'' ''But if they do decide to intervene, they will surely send someone. Will I encounter a new protagonist at that time?'' he wondered. With a step forward, he arrived in the Everflowing Truth Central Domain. The process to gather Spiritual Qi in the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven had only just begun, and the optimal ces for cultivation remained the headquarters of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple, and the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Pce. ... Entering the Purple Heaven Holy Land, Jiang Chen''s divine sense swiftly swept through the area. He observed that the people were already busily arranging personnel to construct the spirit-gathering formation next to the spatial entrance, a satisfying sight. Suddenly, a harmonious cry rang out: "Jiang Chen!" Two ethereal figures, as graceful and elegant as heavenly phoenixes, appeared before him. They were Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, and their presence filled the area with a radiant glow. "Xue''er, Jing''er, it''s been far too long. I''ve missed you both," Jiang Chen''s voice resonated with warmth, his eyes reflecting his sincere feelings. Their unique beauty, allure, and poise subtly stirred his heart. Thebination of their grace and the charm they each possessed reminded Jiang Chen of the profound connection he had missed in their absence. "Mm-hmm, Jiang Chen, we''ve missed you too!" they replied in unison, their voices tinged with affection. "Your sisters in the Everflowing Truth Northern Domain must be feeling the same. Fortunately, this time I have the means to bring them here," Jiang Chen said, a note of self-reproach coloring his words. He quickly recovered, his voice taking on a cryptic tone. "However, before that, during my journey, I''ve uncovered a new secret art that I''d like to share with you both. Come, follow me inside?" Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing exchanged a nce, their curiosity ignited by Jiang Chen''s mysterious tone. They nodded in agreement. "What secret art?" they questioned in unison. Jiang Chen''s eyebrows arched, his expression enigmatic. He remained silent, allowing the suspense to mount. "A new technique, perhaps?" they spected, sensing something extraordinary in his demeanor. Jiang Chen''s mouth curved into a knowing smile, his eyes twinkling with yful mischief. He whispered, "Prepare yourselves for a surprise." With those words, he led Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing towards their quaint three-story abode, his arms tenderly encircling their slender waists. Meanwhile, within Jiang Chen''s Sea of Consciousness, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, though blind to the scene unfolding outside, intuitively sensed a shift in the atmosphere. Shangguan Ning''s voice, tinged with envy and longing, resonated within the confines of Jiang Chen''s mind. "I want my physical body back too!" she dered, a mischievous grin evident in her tone. "Hmph, when that timees, Jiang Chen will have eyes for no one else." Her imagination wandered to ces only she knew. Nangong Wan, ever poised, cast a sideways, contemptuous nce at Shangguan Ning''s deration, her silence a stark contrast to Shangguan Ning''s vocal desire. Yet, her eyes also betrayed a hidden longing, leaving those who knew her to wonder whether her desire was solely for regaining her physical form or something even more profound. Chapter 309: The New Protagonist, Mo Hao Simultaneously, within the vast abyss of the cosmos, an immense and gigantic golden-yellow slowly revolved around a sun, so colossal that it defied imagination. This golden-yellow was none other than the renowned Prosperous Stone Immortal Star! The''s appearance as golden-yellow was not a result of its surface being made entirely of golden-yellow rocks. Instead, it was because the majority of the nts nketing its surface exhibited this golden hue. As for the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, within its Five Elements Great Dao, the Great Dao of Metal and the Great Dao of Earth were markedly more dominant. These traits had forged the unique characteristics of the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star''s Cultivation Path civilization. This civilization concentrated primarily on the Great Daos of Metal and Earth Elements, thus equipping it with both offensive and defensive capabilities, and making it exceedingly formidable. On the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, numerous cultivator forces made their home. Among these, a highly powerful first-rate sect called the Northern Dipper Immortal Sect stood out as a formidable force. With seven distinct branch forces under itsmand, it upied an expansive territory. However, in recent times, the Northern Dipper Immortal Sect had endured great losses in strength. The cause of this decliney in the catastrophic war between the Profound Jade Immortal Domain and the Nether Soul Demon n. The Prosperous Stone Immortal Star waspelled to send warriors to partake in the battle, and the team dispatched by the Northern Dipper Immortal Sectst time met a tragic fate, beingpletely annihted. Furthermore, the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star had recently received rming news from the frontlines. The war continent known as the ''Immortal Martial Continent'', which had originally belonged to the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, had be the target of an invasion by the demon race. Their intention was to infiltrate the rear of the Profound Jade Immortal Domain through this very continent! If the demon race were to seed in this endeavor, the Profound Jade Immortal Domain might be forced to pay a devastating price. Therefore, despite any reluctance, the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star had no option but to manage the defense of this war continent. Yet, the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star found itself short-handed to send forces to the Immortal Martial Continent, as the pressure on the frontlines was already severe. Finally, the esteemed forces of the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star conducted a draw, and the critical responsibility of guarding the Immortal Martial Continent was assigned to the Northern Dipper Immortal Sect. At this juncture, the Northern Dipper Immortal Sect was in the midst of preparations to dispatch their forces to the Immortal Martial Continent. Nestled amongst the dense golden mountains, inside a luxurious pce sculpted from blue jade, a formidable assembly of powerful cultivators convened. In the center of the grand hall within the pce, a young man stood amidst the gathering, his face betraying a puzzled expression. "Mo Hao! Cultivation base at the Early-stage Transcendence realm, battle power also at the Early-stage Transcendence realm, a True Disciple selected as part of the first batch to head to the Immortal Martial Continent!" A stern-faced, middle-aged cultivator looked down imperiously at the young man named Mo Hao and proimed loudly. This authoritative figure was none other than the current Sect Master of the Northern Dipper Immortal Sect, Yu Buhe. Upon hearing Mo Hao''s name, the surrounding cultivators immediately revealed expressions of malicious delight. One of them sneered, "Tsk, it''s indeed that kid Mo Hao!" "Hmph, no need to ponder, he''s always the one. Heaven knows how many people he managed to offend when his parents were still alive! Now it''s time for his retribution!" "By my estimates, the Immortal Martial Continent has already been preliminarily overrun by the demon race. Those who are sent first as scouts will face perilous danger! Mo Hao''s fate is sealed!" "Hmph, a mere wastrel who has been nurtured with pills. He should have met his end long ago; his very existence is a squandering of cultivation resources!" "Had I been gifted the resources his parentsvished upon him, I would have ascended to the Nirvana Peering realm by now!" Another chimed in with a savageugh, "I heard that today is Mo Hao''s birthday, yet he''s being dispatched to face his demise. Haha, the irony is killing me withughter!" Mo Hao was a notorious dandy within the Northern Dipper Immortal Sect. Shielded by the Mo n and his parents, Mo Hao had carried himself with unbridled arrogance for a century, antagonizing almost everyone within his reach. His cultivation base had been artificially boosted through the use of pills by his parents. Though proimed to be at the Early-stage Transcendence realm, it was actually somewhat below that level. When the Northern Dipper Immortal Sect sustained grievous losses on the frontlines, including a significant portion of the Mo n, Mo Hao''s parents were among the casualties. In a sh, Mo Hao''s life was upturned, transforming him from a haughty young master into a forlorn and destitute figure. Those whom he had wronged in the past began to seek retribution one by one. Once shielded by his parents'' merits, Mo Hao had been spared from conscription into the war. Now, however, he found himself forcibly dispatched to the Immortal Martial Continent, facing what many deemed a certain death! For the remainder of the Northern Dipper Immortal Sect, this turn of events was a highly anticipated and wee development! At that moment, Mo Hao stood bewildered among the throng, the words of Sect Leader Yu Buhe utterly failing to register with him. ''Wha, what''s going on?'' ''Did I truly awaken at the age of one hundred?'' ''And what is this system? What do acting pretentiously and proving someone wrong even mean? How did these thoughts find their way into my Sea of Consciousness!?'' ''What are all these foreign memories? Airnes? Cars? Computers?'' Just moments prior, a gender-neutral voice had suddenly resounded within his Sea of Consciousness, proiming that he had lived for a full hundred years, thereby formally activating a mysterious system and unlocking his sealed memories! Then, a deluge of memories inundated his mind. These images, both unfamiliar yet somehow known, brought a profound shock to Mo Hao''s very core. For they originated from an entirely different realm, a world known as the Sky Blue Star... Subsequently, the gender-neutral voice sounded again, informing him that he had bound the ''Fancy Pretentious Super God System''. By acting with unabashed arrogance and demonstrating superiority over others, he could earn Pretentious Points. These could then be exchanged for ''Wealth, Companions, Methods, and Land'' within the system itself! Yes, exchanged for Wealth, Companions, Methods, and Land! Wealth epassed the general resources essential for cultivation. Companions referred to Daopanions, implying that even wives could be exchanged for. Methods covered a range of martial techniques and secret arts, inclusive of ancient tomes on alchemy, refining treasures, formation arrays, and talismans. Land pertained to territories! Provided the Pretentious Points were ample, even the acquisition of a like the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star was not out of the question. But after binding the system, it was far from over. During the past hundred years, Mo Hao had unwittingly performed acts that fit the system''s criteria for being pretentious and proving others wrong. The system had tallied these Pretentious Points, and now it distributed them all at once. The total amount was as staggering as one hundred thousand. If Jiang Chen were present, he would surely exim in disbelief at the sheer outrageousness of it all! At that moment, Yu Buhe''s icy voice reverberated once again, filling the entire main hall and carrying a hint of vengeful satisfaction. "Mo Hao!" he thundered. "Mo Hao! Come forth and ept the order! Are your ears so full of wax that you cannot hear!?" "Step forward quickly, or suffer the sect''s punishment!" he threatened, his voiceden with ominous intent. In days gone by, before he had ascended to the position of sect master, during the time when the Mo n wielded considerable influence, he had been the subject of a severe humiliation at the hands of Mo Hao. "Mo Hao, you insolent fool! Step forward at once!" A voice rang out, dripping with contempt. "Do you believe anyone will shield you now!?" "Still feigning deafness, you worthless thing, thinking that acting like a turtle withdrawing into its shell will preserve you?" "Hmph, someone drag him out!" One by one, the cultivators of the Northern Dipper Immortal Sect vehemently denounced him, their visages twisted with malevolence. Amid shoves and prods, Mo Hao was forcibly thrust from the crowd. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : Enjoying the story? Join me onPatreon[https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. You can also follow me ontform X[https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Enjoying the story? Join me on Patreon [https://bit.ly/3OHBfqz] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. You can also follow me on tform X [https://bit.ly/3Oy8eO0] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Chapter 310: You Will Definitely Regret This At that juncture, Mo Hao had entirely assimted his newfound memories. After all, these memories were indeed his own, only concealed for a century. As for the system, he hade to grasp its intricacies fully. ''Who would have thought, I would find myself in this vast and mystical realm, triggering such a system!'' Mo Hao reflected, his heart brimming with exhration. ''My current predicament may be dire, but with the system''s support, I can boldly forge ahead, striving for the pinnacle of the Cultivation Path!'' This thought ignited a me of determination and optimism within him. "Hmph, still feigning ignorance, are you?" Yu Buhe sneered from his seat of honor, his eyes narrowing to slits as he scrutinized Mo Hao''s silent, distant gaze. His irritation surged, and he abruptly rose to his feet. "Guards!" he barked, jabbing a finger towards Mo Hao''s nose. "Here!" Several of the sect''s enforcers sprang forward, their faces twisted with cruelty. "Stop! My Mo n has spilled blood and made sacrifices on the front lines, and yet you treat me thus? Utterly ignoble and dishonorable!" Mo Hao suddenly erupted, his eyes fixed coldly on Yu Buhe. "Hmph,pared to your infamous reputation as a spoiled brat, our actions can hardly be deemed contemptible," Yu Buhe retorted with a dismissive scoff. The remaining cultivators of the Northern Dipper Immortal Sect joined in, their sneers apanied by eyesden with disdain as they regarded Mo Hao. "Since you insist on this course of action, then I find no reason to remain in the Northern Dipper Immortal Sect!" Mo Hao dered. "And Yu Buhe, you, and all of you here, mark my words, you will rue this day!" His gaze swept over Yu Buhe and the surrounding Northern Dipper Immortal Sect disciples, his expression as cold as ice. "You must be jesting! You, of all people, causing us regret?" Yu Buhe''s face twisted into a sneer, dripping with scorn. "Guards, escort him away. Banish him to the Immortal Martial Continent with the others selected. Unless he achieves exceptional merit, he shall never set foot on Prosperous Stone Immortal Star again!" With an imperious wave of his hand, two cultivators advanced, seizing Mo Hao and dragging him from the main hall. ''Just wait and see! You will undoubtedly regret this!'' Mo Hao vowed silently to himself. Given his current might, Mo Hao was momentarily unable to challenge the Northern Dipper Immortal Sect, for Yu Buhe was an imposing figure of great power, anchored in the Nirvana Cleansing realm. Thus, he had no alternative but to submit to his banishment to the Immortal Martial Continent. Indeed, Mo Hao perceived that journeying to the Immortal Martial Continent might not be entirely disadvantageous. At the very least, on this distantnd known as the Immortal Martial Continent, he could rely on the system to swiftly augment his power without drawing the gaze of the Northern Dipper Immortal Sect. By the time he had amassed sufficient strength to return, the Northern Dipper Immortal Sect would be powerless to thwart him. Concerning the perils of the Immortal Martial Continent, Mo Hao harbored some apprehensions, as the demon race had likely already begun to upy portions of thend. However, he now possessed one hundred thousand Pretentious Points. These substantial Pretentious Points, if strategically deployed, were certain to propel him beyond his obstacles, enabling him to ascend to unprecedented heights! Upon being forcibly removed from the main hall, Mo Hao was conducted to a teleportation array and subsequently found himself within an obscure, pitch-ck subterranean chamber. Besides him, over a thousand others had been gathered here, destined for the Immortal Martial Continent. Within this assembly, three were of the Transcendence realm, around twenty hailed from the Dao Pce realm, and the remaining were hardly worth noting, as they were mere cannon fodder. "Hehehe!" A brawny man, ranking among the Transcendence realm,id eyes on Mo Hao and immediately unleashed a malicious chortle. "Isn''t this Young Master Mo!" "How has the once-renowned scion of the Mo family fallen so low as to be dispatched to the Immortal Martial Continent?" he taunted, his toneced with scorn. "An insignificant nonentity." Mo Hao cast a fleeting nce at the brawny man and responded with contemptuous indifference. His personality naturally inclined towards that of a dandy, having cultivated that image for a hundred years. His newly regained memories might have granted him some measure of stability, but only to a limited extent. Yet, to Mo Hao''s perspective, wasn''t his system precisely attuned to his character? He must exude arrogance! He must embody pride! Anyone who dared question or belittle him had to be met with a resounding p across the face! "Hmph, still so audacious even when death looms!" Another cultivator of the Transcendence realm jeered, drawing near. "A pampered brat without a shred of realbat experience, let''s see how long you''llst." "I can live forever, whether you choose to believe it or not!" Mo Hao retorted, his smile infused with unadulterated disdain. "Tsk, Mo Hao must have lost his mind, maintaining such arrogance even in dire straits!" an onlooker remarked, shaking his head in disbelief. "You all watch, he surely won''t survive long!" another asserted, his voice filled with conviction. The others, surveying Mo Hao''s defiant yet downcast demeanor, whispered amongst themselves. Their eyes brimmed with disdain, some casting nces at him as though observing a walking corpse. At that moment, a robust man, d in ck armor, materialized, his voice booming like a thunderp. "Listen up, everyone." "Once we have gathered two thousand souls, the mission will officiallymence, and you will be dispatched to the Immortal Martial Continent to gather vital intelligence." "In one month''s time, the passage will reopen, and those cultivators who seed in bringing back crucial information will earn the privilege to return to the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star." His words reverberated through the chamber like the tolling of a bell, leaving a silence in their wake. With those solemn words, the armored man vanished as abruptly as he had appeared. The atmosphere in the hall turned grave. For everyone in attendance, this journey was unmistakably filled with perilous threats. However, what remained unbeknownst to all on the entire Prosperous Stone Immortal Star was the following revtion: The Immortal Martial Continent, forsaken by them for a million years, had not only resisted the advance of the demon race''s vanguard but had also annihted a million-strong demon army in the spatial channel. ... At the same time, while Mo Hao was preparing to be dispatched to the Immortal Martial Continent, on that veryndmass, within the boundaries of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, a full ten days had psed since the tumultuous battle hade to an end. As the first rays of dawn broke the horizon, Jiang Chen emerged from his chamber. Softly resonating behind him were five distinct breaths. He paused momentarily, ncing over his shoulder, his eyes resting on the five enchanting beauties, each radiating her own unique allure, all immersed in peaceful slumber. The view was one that could incite the envy of even emperors. A fleeting smile crossed his lips, but he swiftly reminded himself: after days of reveling in such emperor-like pleasure, it was now time to center his mind and prepare for the impending battles. Striding into the courtyard with a rejuvenated determination, he selected a serene spot beneath the ancient trees, positioning himself for cultivation. As for the duties of purging the remaining demonic cultivators in the Pure Frost Domain and constructing spirit-gathering formations on the Immortal Martial Continent, he remained undistracted by those affairs. Those responsibilities were being adeptly managed by others. "Let''s begin the cultivation!" With a wave of Jiang Chen''s hand, mountains of spiritual nts manifested around him. These spiritual nts, gathered from various regions of the Immortal Martial Continent, had just been delivered into his possession. Though the majority of these nts were not of the highest grade, their deficiency in quality was amplypensated by their overwhelming abundance. In addition to these spiritual nts, Jiang Chen had also procured a substantial stockpile of refining materials, epassing those vital for the restoration of the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword. ''After partaking of the spiritual nts, I''ll concentrate on restoring the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword,'' Jiang Chen resolutely contemted. ''Given my prevailing strength, coupled with Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning''s expertise in artifact refining, this restoration process should not present much of an obstacle.'' With this determination guiding him, Jiang Chen started to ingest the spiritual nts, systematically channeling his main cultivation method to fortify his cultivation base. He had ns to supnt his main cultivation method, the Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture. Nangong Wan had already arranged a superior one for him. Therefore, there was no need to solicit Ji Mingxiu for the subsequent portion of the Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture. He merely required elevating his cultivation base to shatter the constraining bottleneck, and then he could concentrate on his main cultivation method to ascend to the Transcendence realm. Time progressed with unrelenting speed. Almost without realization, Jiang Chen had consumed the entirety of the spiritual nts. The Burning World Red Lotus exhibited indications of further revitalization, edging nearer to the Transcendence realm with each passing instant. His cultivation base and innate abilities underwent a significant enhancement, reaping considerable advantages. ''Now, it''s time to mend the immortal tool, the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword!'' Inhaling deeply, Jiang Chen extracted the sword andid it horizontally across hisp, readying himself to begin the intricate process of restoration. Chapter 311: Repairing the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword Subsequently, Jiang Chen retrieved a massive dao treasure-level artifact refining cauldron from the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring. This cauldron, silver-white in hue, boasted a unique design with double ears and four feet. The surface was intricately engraved with patterns representing mountains, rivers, mes, thunder, and lightning. He had obtained this dao treasure-level cauldron from the inheritance peak within the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven. As it was not a piece ofbat equipment, it had been left behind. ''Burning World Raging mes!'' Jiang Chen extended his hand and gestured, causing the cauldron to rise and float in the air. It was then immediately engulfed by copious Burning World Raging mes. The Burning World Raging mes held the potent power of the Fire Great Dao. These mes were not only incredibly forceful but also erratic in their nature, making them highly suitable for refining. Once the cauldron was enveloped in Burning World Raging mes, Jiang Chen began to extract a plethora of materials. He meticulously melted them down to their essential elements, ensuring that not a trace of impurity remained. However, it must be noted that his understanding of artifact refining was rather rudimentary. Even in the process of smelting the materials, he required the assistance of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. ''Void Tribtion Soul!'' At a mere thought from Jiang Chen, his soul merged with those of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, providing him with an extensive understanding of artifact refining. Then began the meticulous process of refining the various necessary materials. Time continued to tick away. Before long, all the essential materials had been refined at least once. Jiang Chen lifted the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword from his knees and ced it inside the cauldron, systematically employing artifact refining techniques. Different forces were skillfully channeled by Jiang Chen into the cauldron through various methods, leading to immediate alterations in both the cauldron and the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword. Especially thetter, it swiftly exhibited signs of semi-melting. At this crucial juncture, Jiang Chen selected one of the materials and flicked it with his finger, transmuting it into a mist that was drawn into the cauldron. Upon entering the cauldron, the material behaved like iron filings drawn to a potent ma, rapidly integrating with the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword. Subsequently, Jiang Chen proceeded with the meticulous task of repairing, utilizing the remaining materials. The process varied for each material, with some individually melting into the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword in various states, while others were synthesized from several differentponents. Bang! After all the materials had been utilized, the cauldron sealed itself with a thunderous noise, entrapping the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword within. Boom! The Burning World Raging mes suddenly intensified, transforming the entire cauldron almost into a miniature sun. The blistering heat pervaded the surroundings, even liquefying the floor beneath Jiang Chen''s feet into moltenva. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, three days had passed. ... Within the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, the team that had been ''exiled'' to the Immortal Martial Continent had atst assembled two thousand people. They were further bolstered by one individual at the Transcendence realm, five at the Dao Pce realm, and several dozen at the Dao Comprehension realm. During these three days, Mo Hao had remained silent, secluded in a corner of the underground pce. The rest of the people hadn''t hesitated to look down on him throughout this period. Even the pce guards asionally directed contemptuous nces his way. ''Damn it, scorn me now if you will,'' Mo Hao sneered inwardly. ''Wait until we reach the Immortal Martial Continent, and then see how I''ll deal with you.'' With this resolve, he nned to continue keeping a low profile. At that juncture, the muscr man d in ck armor suddenly materialized once again, bellowing, "Listen, all of you!" "The number of people is now sufficient, and we will soon open the spatial channel to connect to the Immortal Martial Continent!" "Follow me now!" With those words, he pivoted and strode towards the rear. The surface that had appeared as a tall stone wall in front of them suddenly shifted, transforming into water ripples and vanishing. In its stead emerged a colossal array altar, disying abination of both new and ancient features! This array altar was specifically designed to maintain the spatial channel. Constructed a million years ago, it had been lying in disuse ever since. Only recently, following directives from the higher-ups in the Profound Jade Immortal Domain, the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star had no option but to refurbish it. At this moment, the immense array altar was encircled by rings of cultivators, all of whom were aplished formation masters. The formation masters exchanged discreetmunications. "I never thought this altar would be reopened one day." "Yes, ording to my wife''s great-great-grandmaster, thest time it was activated was a million years ago. They said it was for purging the remnants of the demon race in the Immortal Martial Continent. The expedition went and returned within a day, and then the altar was sealed." "Oh? Such a secret? Eliminating the demon race remnants in one day? That seems somewhat imusible." "Just rumors; exaggerations are normal. What concerns me more is this time''s opening of the spatial channel to the Immortal Martial Continent. I wonder how much cultivation resources it will deplete." While the formation masters continued their conversation, the muscr man in ck armor guided Mo Hao and the two thousand others behind the assembly of formation masters. "We appreciate your efforts," the muscr man bowed to the crowd of formation masters. "You''re wee," an elderly man with a white beard responded, nodding at the muscr man. With those words, hemanded all the formation masters to activate the array altar! Immediately, each formation master''s Yuan Power began to circte, their robes billowing and hair wildly dancing, as potent forces were directed into the array altar through a series of intricate formation techniques. Meanwhile, other cultivators tirelessly inserted top-grade spirit stones into the altar, consuming them at a rate calcted in the tens of thousands. With the ceaseless infusion of spirit stones and the unified efforts of the formation masters, the formationmenced operation smoothly. "Begin!" The white-bearded elderly man nodded at the muscr man and then thrust a punch towards the space above the array altar. The muscr man followed suit, erupting with the formidable might of the Nirvana Cleansing realm, imbued with a touch of spatial power. Alongside the elderly man and the muscr man, several other experts acted simultaneously. Everyone targeted the same point, leading to an immediate fracture in space. Crack! A ck dot abruptly materialized in mid-air, emanating a bone-chilling crackling noise. After the ck dot appeared, the surrounding spatial forces immediately surged over to mend it. But at that instant, the might of the formation coalesced into a beam of white light, fully enveloping the area. The spatial forces trying to repair the ck-dot-like crack were suddenly halted, and the ck dot was violently forced open. Following that, cracks radiated from the ck dot, swiftly morphing into a vastwork of spiderweb-like fractures. The ck dot also continued to expand, and its growth rate hastened. In the eyes of ordinary cultivators, the ergement of the ck dot urred almost instantaneously. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, the ck dot metamorphosed into an enormous ck vortex, within which countless surging waves appeared to roar and tumble. "Hold it steady!" The white-bearded elderly man bellowed, marshaling all his strength to sustain the operation of the formation. The other formation masters did the same, each contributing their utmost effort. Under the united endeavors of the formation masters, the ck vortex finally began to stabilize, transforming from a chaotic ''ocean floor'' into a tranquil ''sea surface''. But the task was far from over. "Next, open the spatial door to the Immortal Martial Continent and stabilize it!" The white-bearded elderly man scanned those present, then promptly issued themand. "Bring the Void Suppressing Heavy Water!" A cultivator from the Transcendence realm stepped forward, drawing out numerous bottles one by one, and hurling them into the vortex. With the addition of the bottles, the ck vortex once again became agitated. Chapter 312: The Spatial Channel of the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star At that very moment, within the Immortal Martial Continent, in one of the sixteen domains referred to as the Pure Frost Domain, not far from the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect, a terrifying fluctuation suddenly emanated, sending shivers down the spines of those who sensed it! "What''s going on!?" The Dao Pce realm cultivator responsible for guarding the area, Zhu Zhihai, immediately changed his expression, "Could it be another invasion by the demon race!?" Without a moment''s hesitation, this cultivator sent word to the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Then, his face turning pale yet resolute, he rushed towards the direction from where the abnormal fluctuation was originating. Even if it were an army of the demon race, he had to ascertain their numbers and gauge the strength and arrangement of their forces. ... Inside the Purple Heaven Holy Land, Jiang Chen was seated in a massive molten crater. In front of him floated a white long sword with a purple hilt, emanating a faint glow. It was the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword. "Finally, it''spletely repaired!" The process of repairing the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword had consumed most of the artifact refining materials he possessed. But the oue was highly gratifying. The Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword was now fully restored, and he no longer had to fret about its power diminishing or it suddenly breaking down. "It''s a pity I can''t use the Transcendence realm scythe I obtained from Bo Lang," Jiang Chen thought, recalling Bo Lang''s shy scythe weapon, and smiled with a hint of regret. "Otherwise, I would have two powerful immortal tool-level weapons." Just then, a message suddenly arrived through his transmission jade token. ''What?'' Jiang Chen thought. ''A strange fluctuation appeared near the Pure Frost Domain''s Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect? It''s simr to a spatial gate but even more intense and suffocating!'' ''It seems that a new spatial channel is about to be opened.'' ''The possibility of it being the demon race is slim. They''ve just lost a million-strong army in the spatial channel, so how would they dare to brazenly open a spatial channel to invade the Pure Frost Domain? That would be like lighting a candle next to a gas leak, seeking death!'' ''Could it be another power? Could it be the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star?'' ''Dwelling on it now won''t help; I''ll have to go and see for myself.'' Without a moment''s hesitation, he took out the Cave Heaven''s secret key, opened the spatial gate, and passed through the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven to head towards the Pure Frost Domain. During this time, the entire Immortal Martial Continent was on high alert. All the renowned powerhouses and promising talents of the Immortal Martial Continent were ushered into the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven. While these powerhouses stood ready to enter the Pure Frost Domain at Jiang Chen''s beckoning, he chose to assess the situation personally. After all, he had two methods of concealment at his disposal: the Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring and the Death Cmity Dark Star Moon Dao Embryo. Particrly thetter, given his current prowess, no one within his realm could feasibly detect him. In no time, Jiang Chen arrived at the Pure Frost Domain via the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven, which acted as a ''transit hub''. The journey was astonishingly swift, taking merely five or six breaths'' time. ''Heavenly Demon Hidden Heart Ring! Death Cmity Dark Star Moon Dao Embryo! Conceal my presence!'' With this intention, Jiang Chen invoked both concealment techniques, and he immediately disappeared from where he stood. Simultaneously, his divine sense expanded to cover a radius of over two million kilometers, scrutinizing the location where the anomaly had arisen. "It''s the initial state of a spatial channel''s entrance and exit!" Nangong Wan''s voice echoed in the Sea of Consciousness. "It''s evident someone is initiating an ultra-long-distance spatial channel." "Mm, this channel appears one-directional. Its scale seems smaller than the one beneath the Bottomless Abyss," Shangguan Ning remarked. "This suggests the distance to the Immortal Martial Continent from the other side is shorter, making it highly probable that it originates from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star." ''The Prosperous Stone Immortal Star!?'' Jiang Chen''s eyes gleamed with reflective intensity. ''Could it be that the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star has be aware of the demon race''s movements?'' ''The demon race aims to utilize the Immortal Martial Continent as aunching pad, targeting either the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star or some other ce.'' ''So, the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star has decided to step in after all, hasn''t it?'' From the present indications, there was a strong likelihood that the other end was indeed the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star. Once the spatial channel was activated, a link would be established between the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star and the Immortal Martial Continent. The Prosperous Stone Immortal Star represented a fresh realm, hinting at the emergence of potentially formidable new protagonists! If Jiang Chen halted the spatial channel''s formation, he might cut off this bridge and perhaps relish in more tranquil days. However, after a moment''s thought, Jiang Chen chose to let events unfold naturally. After all, the resources on the Immortal Martial Continent were finite. Reaching the pinnacle of the Transcendence realm was approaching its limit. For further ascension, would he need to foster a multitude of cultivators solely for him to ughter? Setting aside the debate of whether such an act was excessively ruthless or a deviation from one''s humanity, rearing cultivators as ''fodder'' also came with its own set of challenges. The scarce and irreceable resources of the Immortal Martial Continent made it difficult to cultivate arge number in a brief span. Moreover, the entirety of the Dao Pce realm''s cultivation base was but a mere fraction inparison to the vastness of the Transcendence realm. Additionally, Jiang Chen carried the weight of over 60,000 points of ck Heavenly Fate Value. This made him susceptible to bing ensnared in a protagonist''s narrative. Under the sway of this Heavenly Fate, whatever was destined would inevitably ur, and evasion wasn''t an option! Given these circumstances, confronting it directly seemed the most sensible approach! Equipped with his System and fivebat-centric Heaven-Defying Fate Changers, he held numerous aces up his sleeve. A resolute gleam shone in Jiang Chen''s eyes. Just then, at the source of the peculiar spatial disturbance, a minuscule ck point materialized. Under Jiang Chen''s vignt observation, this ck speck, interspersed with ck, lightning-esque fissures, expanded rapidly. In mere moments, it transformed into a colossal vortex. "Remarkable! Such an expansive spatial vortex!" someone eximed. "It''s alright; it''s not as vast as the one below the Bottomless Abyss." "Who do you think is on the other end? Could it be an army from the demon race?" "If only Lord Jiang Chen were here; he would undoubtedly be capable of annihting this spatial channel!" One after another, formidable individuals assembled beneath the spatial channel. All present were no less than cultivators of the Inquiring Journey realm. Witnessing the mild panic among the cultivators below, Jiang Chen swiftlymunicated with them. "Everyone, remain calm. I am overseeing the situation from a concealed position. Proceed as though I am not present." "It''s Lord Jiang Chen, the most revered figure in the Immortal Martial Continent!" a cultivator dered, his tone brimming with both admiration and relief. "With Lord Jiang Chen overseeing, what is there to be afraid of?" "Let''s heed Lord Jiang Chen''s instructions; continue our duties and do not betray his presence!" The group of cultivators swiftly converged on a shared understanding, feigning unawareness of Jiang Chen''s presence and portraying unease towards the spatial channel. ''Well yed.'' Jiang Chen gave a subtle nod of approval, his focus returning to the spatial channel. By now, the spatial channel had fully solidified. ''The moment is near!'' Jiang Chen''s eyes sharpened, his concentration unwavering. In the distant Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, within the shadows of a grand, dimly lit pce situated directly below the spatial channel, the elderly man with a white beard instructed the heavily armored man. "The spatial channel stands open! Sustaining it demands immense resources, so time is of the essence!" "Roger that!" The burly figure acknowledged, promptly issuing a directive. "Lead the vanguard to the spatial channel''s entrance!" Without dy, a procession of ashen-faced cultivators, their power levels rtively modest, was ushered to the brink of the channel. These individuals, owing to their inferior cultivation states, were dispensable. They were selected to probe potential perils that might lurk beyond the channel. "Proceed!" The armored figure gestured, and with an unseen might, propelled the group into the channel. Shortly after, a cultivator from the Dao Comprehension realm, clutching a sizable mirror, announced, "All have survived." This was evident from the multitude of luminescent dots on the mirror, each still brightly aglow. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : Enjoying the story? Join me onPatreon/AlphaWIA] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. Enjoying the story? Join me on Patreon /AlphaWIA] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. If you appreciate what I''m doing and aren''t interested in a Patreon membership, feel free to support me onKo-fi/alphawia] If you appreciate what I''m doing and aren''t interested in a Patreon membership, feel free to support me on Ko-fi /alphawia] You can also follow me ontform X/DaoistAlphaWIA] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! You can also follow me on tform X /DaoistAlphaWIA] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Chapter 313: Mo Hao, An Astonishingly High Heavenly Fate Value "Very well, bring in the next group!" the man in ck armor dered, gesturing for the second batch to advance. In a systematic fashion, two thousand individuals were divided into ten groups, entering the passage in a sequential order. After each group''s entry, a review for casualties would be conducted to assess if a trapy in wait on the other side. Mo Hao was allocated to the second-tost group. Thoughbeled as a ''waste'' because of his reliance on medicinal pills to reach his current strength, Mo Hao had still ascended to the Transcendence realm, giving him a certain degree of usefulness. ... Near the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect on the Immortal Martial Continent, Jiang Chen hid himself in the sky, keeping watch over the spatial channel and the groups of cultivators that had just emerged. ''Viin''s Eye!'' With a mere thought, his gaze systematically scanned each individual, and panels of information appeared one by one. Among these cultivators, astonishingly, many were ssified as supporting characters. ''Supporting characters have shown up!'' Jiang Chen reflected. ''It seems I''ve been ensnared in a protagonist''s plot once more!'' ''I wonder how unpredictable this protagonist will turn out to be.'' With a gleam in his eye, he continued to scrutinize the people below. They were arriving in increasing numbers, and surely, the protagonist would expose himself sooner orter! Simultaneously, Zhu Zhihai, a cultivator of the Dao Pce realm under Jiang Chen''smand, advanced, his face a mix of shock and caution. He challenged, "Who goes there!? How dare you intrude upon the Immortal Martial Continent? Are you a spy of the demon race!?" ''That acting, not bad at all,'' Jiang Chen acknowledged with a slight nod, his eyes still fixed on the scene below. "Is this the Immortal Martial Continent?" A questioning voice emerged from the crowd. "These dozens of people, are they natives of the Immortal Martial Continent?" "I never thought the Immortal Martial Continent would remain free fromplete domination by the demon race. That''s fortunate indeed!" One by one, the cultivators from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star gazed at Zhu Zhihai with tion, their hearts finally finding some ease. Their most dire fear had been the possibility of stumbling into a demon race ambush upon arriv predicament where even pleas for assistance would fall on deaf ears. Simultaneously, wave after wave of cultivators from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star continued to appear. Mo Hao''s group had atst reached the Immortal Martial Continent! ''Is this the Immortal Martial Continent?'' Mo Hao surveyed his surroundings. ''A faint demonic aura lingers here. It appears the demon race has indeed invaded!'' ''But there are native cultivators present, so the demon race hasn''t seized control of the Immortal Martial Continent as thoroughly as we anticipated.'' ''This is wee news! With natives, demon race members, and those who scorn me all around, there are plenty of people to impress and ample opportunities to prove myself. I can aspire to grow stronger more quickly!'' He felt a surge of satisfaction. Suddenly, he sensed as if someone had cast a nce his way, making his hairs stand on end before the sensation vanished. ''What was that!? Is a powerhouse secretly probing me!?'' ''Who could it be? Perhaps a powerhouse from the Immortal Martial Continent? But are there any Transcendence realm human powerhouses here?'' ''Could it be the demon race? But if so, why wouldn''t they destroy the spatial channel?'' ''Maybe it''s someone among these two thousand people near me, harboring ill will?'' ''That seems likely. I''ve offended so many; it''s only natural to be targeted.'' ''This unseen observer instills a sense of danger. They must be among the Transcendence realm cultivators.'' ''Hmph, you dare watch me? Wait until I be stronger, and I''ll make you pay!'' Mo Hao''s instincts, honed by his Protagonist Status, were set on edge by Jiang Chen''s Viin''s Eye, and he immediately sensed that something was amiss. But after carefully surveying his surroundings and contemting the situation, Mo Hao failed to detect or deduce Jiang Chen''s presence. He concluded that the observer must be one of the Transcendence realm powerhouses who had apanied him to the Immortal Martial Continent. While Mo Hao boasted a higher Heavenly Fate Valuepared to Gu Ran, hecked the terrifying sense of danger that was a feature of the Endless Dark Blood Moon. Moreover, his inherent character ensured that his level of caution couldn''t match that of Gu Ran. Lastly, Mo Hao''s numerous enemies and the ever-present possibility of hostile scrutiny further muddled his judgment. In sum, Mo Hao''s sensitivity to being observed by Jiang Chen was markedly less acute than Gu Ran''s. As such, Mo Hao remained oblivious to the fact that he had been singled out by Jiang Chen. Simultaneously, a panel disying Mo Hao''s information materialized before Jiang Chen''s eyes. [Name: Mo Hao Realm: Early-stage Transcendence realm Status: Protagonist Heavenly Fate Value: 62682/62682] ''It''s one thing for him to be in the Early-stage Transcendence realm, but a Heavenly Fate Value of nearly 70,000!'' Jiang Chen mulled in his heart. ''I wonder what heaven-defying trump card he possesses to have such an elevated Heavenly Fate Value!'' ''I must observe him closely and attempt to glean more information from those supporting characters. I mustn''t act impulsively.'' With this determination, he continued to scrutinize the unfolding situation below. However, the spatial channel began to gradually mend itself and eventually vanished from sight. The dozens of cultivators under Jiang Chen''smand gazed rigidly at the two thousand cultivators from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, a mixture of awe and uncertainty in their eyes. "Transcendence realm cultivators!" One of them murmured in disbelief. "And there are five of them!" "More than fifty are in the Dao Pce realm!" "Who are they to wield such might?" "They shouldn''t be foes... After all, they''re human, just like us." "But we can''t be certain, for appearances can be deceiving!" "What does Lord Jiang Chen think?" It would be dishonest to say that Zhu Zhihai and hispanions weren''t filled with apprehension. If not for the reassuring knowledge that Jiang Chen was present to support them, they might have been teetering on the brink of panic. At this moment, Jiang Chen''s voice echoed within the minds of Zhu Zhihai and the others, a sound transmission enabled by the secret arts he''d learned. "Everyone, be at ease." "These cultivators are from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star." "Although they hail from a different ce, in the face of the demon race, they are our allies." "Of course, should they dare to overstep, I will ensure they experience the sting of death." Currently, his regrbat prowess had approached the level of the Middle-stage Transcendence realm. Together with the unique sound transmission secret arts of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, the message he ryed to Zhu Zhihai and hispanions would elude detection by the Transcendence realm cultivators present. Of course, Jiang Chen continued to watch Mo Hao''s reactions throughout this. Observing that Mo Hao disyed no signs of recognition, he tentatively concluded that Mo Hao hadn''t intercepted his sound transmission. By now, the two thousand cultivators who had arrived from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star had begun to limate themselves to their new surroundings. Their attention refocused on Zhu Zhihai and his group, who seemed less intimidating byparison. "You, who exactly are you all? Why have youe to our Immortal Martial Continent?" Guided by Jiang Chen''s instructions, Zhu Zhihai inhaled deeply and called out with authority. "And this ''native'' term you keep using, can''t you speak like regr people?" "My apologies!" A cultivator from the visiting group stepped forward, his tone somewhat frivolous. "We hail from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star. Your Immortal Martial Continent is considered a wand within the domain of the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star." "The demon race has invaded the Immortal Martial Continent, and so we''vee to assist," another cultivator from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star added. "What is the present situation between the Immortal Martial Continent and the invading demon race army? How much territory have the demons imed?" "Um, how many Transcendence realm powerhouses does the demon race have here? What''s the situation on your side?" The remaining cultivators from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star continued to interrogate in a haphazard fashion, each tossing out their own queries, revealing a conspicuousck of discipline and coordination. Chapter 314: Exchanging Information, Tracking the Protagonist Jiang Chen looked down at the cultivators from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, his mind deep in contemtion. ''These people... they are nothing more than a disorganized mob!'' ''The Prosperous Stone Immortal Star actually dispatched such a group to the Immortal Martial Continent?'' ''It''s not entirely surprising. They must believe that the Immortal Martial Continent has beenpletely taken over by the demon race, so they''ve merely sent these expendable individuals to gather information.'' At that moment, a man named Shao Ji, who was in the Transcendence realm, barked out an order, his formidable aura immediately pervading the surroundings. "All of you, shut your mouths!" Without hesitation, everyone sealed their lips, too intimidated to utter another word. Shao Ji scanned Zhu Zhihai and the others, speaking in a condescending tone. "I''ll be the one questioning you. What is the current situation in the Immortal Martial Continent? Who is orchestrating the grand scheme of things? How much territory has the demon race''s army imed? What cultivation realm has their leader attained?" Being a Transcendence realm cultivator born and raised in the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, he regarded the Immortal Martial Continent, an incredibly barren ce, with contempt. The people here were mere ants in his eyes. ''That tone and attitude...'' Jiang Chen''s brows furrowed, a fleeting expression of disdain crossing his eyes. The Prosperous Stone Immortal Star had betrayed the Immortal Martial Continent, neglecting it for over a million years, and now they were begrudgingly sending people. Yet the individuals they sent were a chaotic and unruly bunch, their arrogance insufferable. However, Jiang Chen''s eyes narrowed slightly. As the ruler of the Immortal Martial Continent and as the Viin, how had he found himself in conflict with the protagonist Mo Hao? In the original plotline, was it because the inhabitants of the Immortal Martial Continent held resentment towards the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, and thus, by extension, offended Mo Hao as well? ''Mo Hao''s heaven-defying trump card is still unknown,'' Jiang Chen pondered. ''First, I will y along with them and exchange information!'' With this in mind, he swiftly conveyed his instructions to Zhu Zhihai below using his divine sense. "Hmph! What of the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star? This is the Immortal Martial Continent!" Zhu Zhihai responded with an ice-cold expression, spurred on by Jiang Chen. "You wish to learn our information? Then exchange yours first!" "What? You dare to speak to me in such a manner?" Shao Ji''s brow furrowed deeply, but then he seemed to remember something, and his expression rxed somewhat. "Fine, considering we are all of the human race. This is not the ce to talk; shall we move elsewhere to discuss in detail?" Hearing this, the other Transcendence realm cultivators present nodded in agreement. In the assessment of the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, the Immortal Martial Continent was initially thought to have been entirely upied by the demon race. But now, since the Immortal Martial Continent hasn''t been fully conquered by the demon race, it signifies that the continent still retains some strength. At the very least, there are undoubtedly cultivators of the Transcendence realm present. They came to gather information, hoping to earn recognition through meritorious deeds, and then return to the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star. There was no need to provoke unnecessary conflicts with the local inhabitants. "Detailed discussion? Hmph, I''ll return your words to you, and I''ll reluctantly agree, seeing as we are of the same human race," Zhu Zhihai retorted, acting under Jiang Chen''s guidance. "Then please lead the way," Shao Ji responded, a hint of disdain in his heart but maintaining a broad smile on his face. "Let''s go," Zhu Zhihaimanded, turning towards the headquarters of the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect. With that, the two thousand cultivators from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star immediately fell in line, following closely behind. "Mo Hao!" But just then, a scar-faced Transcendence realm burly man turned to Mo Hao with a series of cold, sneeringughs. "You useless thing, you''d best stay out of this matter!" "You''ll be of no use even if you go, so you might as well find a ce to bury yourself now to save yourself from embarrassment!" he spat disdainfully. "Exactly!" Another cultivator chimed in. "Mo Hao, you wastrel who''s only been built up through pills, I suppose even defeating me, a Peak-stage Dao Pce realm cultivator, would be a challenge for you." "A waste is a waste. Once your family perishes, you lose everything, just like a stray dog!" Others joined in, their eyes filled with contempt as they red at Mo Hao. Even those cultivators with a low cultivation base joined in mocking Mo Hao. After all, for them, the opportunity to berate and insult a Transcendence realm cultivator was a rare treat indeed. A Transcendence realm cultivator, and a former young master at thathow thrilling it was to jeer at him! "Mo Hao, get lost!" A voice shouted from the crowd. "Leave at once. Dream on if you think you''ll get any information!" "That''s right, think about all the despicable things you''ve done. Scram now!" The cultivators were echoing each other, and the atmosphere was bing increasingly heated. The scene had turned into a raucous gathering where arge crowd was ganging up on one individual. "What are you doing? Why are you treating that cultivator named Mo Hao like this?" Zhu Zhihai, under Jiang Chen''s guidance, interjected with a furrowed brow. "This daoist friend, that Mo Hao is merely a dandy wastrel. He hasn''t been shy about bullying others in the past..." One cultivator stepped forward, beginning to exin to Zhu Zhihai. "I see." Zhu Zhihai nodded and then urged, "But we are pressed for time. Let''s move on." His insistence somewhat displeased Shao Ji and the others, but they eventually agreed, temporarily leaving Mo Hao alone, and followed Zhu Zhihai. Arge throng of cultivators trailed closely, fearing they might miss out on vital information. This was a matter affecting their very lives and livelihoods. Soon, a massive assembly of cultivators gathered beside Zhu Zhihai, prepared to find a suitable ce for discussion. Meanwhile, Mo Hao lingered in ce, his eyes ice-cold as he watched Shao Ji and the others, a sneer forming in his heart. ''Hmph, you will pay a heavy price for your actions!'' With that determined thought, he turned and headed in a different direction. ''He has willingly left the crowd,'' Jiang Chen mused to himself, observing the unfolding events. ''When he''s alone, the chance of exposing secrets will be greater!'' ''Zhu Zhihai and the others are responsible for exchanging information, while I will personally follow Mo Hao.'' ''ording to the plot''s development, Mo Hao, having been ridiculed and bullied, is sure to seek retribution quickly!'' ''Then, his departure alone is likely to attract someone who wants to take advantage of the situation, only to be humiliated and then killed in return!'' His eyes flickered, and his divine sense swept over the group from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star. Instantly, he found a group of cultivators with extremely low Fate Value, including an Early-stage Transcendence realm cultivator with a scarred face. The Fate Value of this group was so low that it had reached a critical level, a point where disaster was almost certainly imminent. ''These people are merely experience fodder for Mo Hao.'' Jiang Chen slightly nodded, keeping some of his divine sense on this group of soon-to-be victims. Monitoring this group of doomed supporting characters would reveal protagonist Mo Hao''s movements! Meanwhile, another part of his attention remained on Zhu Zhihai and the others. Soon, Zhu Zhihai and his group, along with Shao Ji and arge crowd, arrived at the headquarters of the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect. Surveying the surrounding deste environment and the cold, empty buildings, Shao Ji and the others didn''t need to guess to understand that most of the sect''s members had perished at the hands of the demon race. Next, Zhu Zhihai, acting as the representative, began to exchange information with Shao Ji and hispanions. But Jiang Chen''s primary focus, of course, was on Mo Hao. He observed Mo Hao leave the crowd and fly towards the distance. In no time, Mo Haonded on a barren ck mountain peak and sat down cross-legged. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : Enjoying the story? Join me onPatreon/AlphaWIA] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. Enjoying the story? Join me on Patreon /AlphaWIA] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. If you appreciate what I''m doing and aren''t interested in a Patreon membership, feel free to support me onKo-fi/alphawia] If you appreciate what I''m doing and aren''t interested in a Patreon membership, feel free to support me on Ko-fi /alphawia] You can also follow me ontform X/DaoistAlphaWIA] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! You can also follow me on tform X /DaoistAlphaWIA] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Chapter 315: Controlling the Crowd, Preparing for any Eventuality "What is this guy up to? nning to cultivate here?" The cultivator with a facial scar observed as Mo Hao descended onto the mountain peak and assumed a meditative posture. He couldn''t suppress a disdainful chuckle. "Heh, the Spiritual Qi here is so thin that even a Transcendence realm cultivator would struggle to restore their Dao Yuan Power, let alone advance their cultivation. Absurd!" What he didn''t realize was that he was about to encounter a monster unlike any other! Atop the dark mountain peak, Mo Hao sat undisturbed. A part of his consciousness was busy ryingmands to his systemhe was preparing to use his Pretentious Points to solidify his current state in the Transcendence realm. Pretentious Points served two purposes: they could be exchanged for valuable treasures or directly used to enhance one''s realm of cultivation. Thetter option, although avable, was less cost-effective. Unless pressed for time, it was generally wiser to exchange the points for treasures that could aid in self-improvement. Mo Hao, however, wished to stabilize his Transcendence realm immediately, and therefore, procuring a suitable pill became the optimal choice. In no time, Mo Hao redeemed pills worth thirty thousand Pretentious Points, each of them top-grade Transcendence-level pills! Almost instantly, an overwhelming aroma emanated from the pills. In response, a few barren nts on the deste mountain peak began to sprout and grow at an astonishing rate. "That''s... Transcendence realm top-grade pills!" The cultivator with the facial scar, also in the Transcendence realm, was struck with sheer horror. "I never thought Mo Hao would possess such invaluable pills!" "Could these be a legacy from the Mo n? They''ve really invested heavily in this supposed waste!" "Nheless, those pills will be mine soon enough, hahahaha!" His eyes were alight with uncontainable greed, his excitement palpable. Simultaneously, Jiang Chen, utilizing his potent divine sense, also picked up on the presence of the pills in Mo Hao''s possession and was immediately taken aback. ''Damn it! Transcendence realm top-grade pills!'' ''And not just a few, this is excessively abnormal!'' ''ording to the information I have, Mo Hao is more of a dandy than anything else; he''s probably not an alchemist. And even if he were, he wouldnt be able to produce such an abundance of top-grade pills.'' ''So where did he get these pills? A family heirloom? Gifted by his n? Unlikely on both counts, given how lowly regarded he is among cultivators of his own realm.'' ''Is he a protagonist with a heaven-defying trump card rted to these pills?'' ''No, if his trump card were merely these pills, it would beughably inadequatepared to his sixty to seventy thousand Heavenly Fate Value.'' ''It has to be another, even more preposterously powerful, heaven-defying trump card.'' As Jiang Chen mulled over these considerations, he found himself increasingly uneasy, his apprehensions escting with each thought. Considering the anomaly, Jiang Chen entertained the notion that Mo Hao''s pills might also have been acquired through a system, just like his own! After all, Mo Hao is a protagonist; would it be too far-fetched for him to possess a system? Still, Jiang Chen was merely specting about Mo Hao''s potential system; he had no concrete evidence. Meanwhile, the scar-faced Transcendence realm cultivator had already positioned himself above Mo Hao, chuckling derisively. "Hahahaha! Mo Hao, you dare to brandish such valuable treasures under the sun, unaware of the basic principle of not showing off one''s wealth? You truly are a fool!" "I''ll offer you a chance now. Hand over those pills voluntarily, and your life will be spared." "Refuse, and I will acquaint you with what it means to be in a fate worse than death!" His eyes, gleaming with greed, looked down on Mo Hao from his elevated vantage point. "Heh, who is this inconsequential nobody daring to swagger before me? Are you courting death?" Mo Hao, unable to ingest the pills in time, stood up and eyed the scar-faced cultivator with a frosty expression. "What!" The scar-faced man looked at Mo Hao in partial disbelief. "Youre on the edge of peril and yet still dare to exude arrogance?" "It appears that you have truly lost your sanity through your spoiled lifestyle!" "Once more, I say: hand over the pills, or else you''ll yearn for death yet be unable to achieve it!" Even as his ire rose, he held back from making a rash move. Concerned that Mo Hao might destroy the invaluable pills, he resorted to issuing another threat and exerting his aura, all in an attempt to cow Mo Hao into submission. All of this didn''t escape Jiang Chen''s notice. He thought to himself, ''Judging solely bybat prowess...'' ''Both are in the Early-stage Transcendence realm, yet the aura emanating from the scar-faced cultivator is undeniably more potent than Mo Haos.'' ''He could easily kill Mo Hao. So how will Mo Hao turn this situation around?'' His divine sense was trained intently on Mo Hao. This was a golden opportunity to witness Mo Hao''s heaven-defying trump card, as he would surely have to power up immediately. Mo Hao, whose alertness to dangergged far behind that of Gu Ran, remained oblivious to Jiang Chen''s surveince. Especially with the menacing scar-faced cultivator focusing on him, he waspletely unaware of being watched. Then Mo Hao spoke, his voice dripping with disdain. "Trash remains trash. You aren''t even worthy of presenting yourself before this young master." "If not for the cmity that has befallen my Mo n, you wouldn''t dare to address me in this manner even if you mustered the courage ten thousand times over." "And now you think you can take advantage of me at my weakest? I say, you''re delusional!" Mo Hao remained entirely indifferent to the scar-faced man''s threats, countering them with a frigid smile. Abruptly, streaks of light materialized in the distance, and a group of cultivators from both the Dao Pce realm and the Dao Comprehension realm swiftly approached. The majority among them bore enmity toward Mo Hao and were eager to see his downfall, so they hastened in his direction. "Quick, look, there''s Mo Hao!" someone pointed out. "And that senior is there too; he hasn''t killed Mo Hao yet, fantastic!" "I want to personally witness Mo Hao''s death, that useless dandy. I hope that senior will permit me to assist, to lend my power in killing Mo Hao." Upon realizing Mo Hao was still among the living, the crowd was ted. They were keen not only to witness Mo Hao''s demise first-hand but also, if possible, to participate in it themselves! ''Another set of spectators?'' Jiang Chen mused, ''Ah, this group seems like mere passersby.'' ''The confrontation has escted, the verbal jabs are nearly over, and now with an audience in ce, it looks like Mo Hao is about to turn arrogant, prove himself, and retaliate against the scar-faced man.'' ''Whatever Mo Hao''s heaven-defying trump card might be, I need to prevent him from boasting and belittling others. This way, I can alter the narrative and lessen his chances.'' With this in mind, he quietly conferred with Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. His eyes soon sparkled, and he gave a slight nod before turning his gaze back to the group of ''onlookers''. Having reaped the advantages of employing tools (people manipted by others) multiple times, he nned to manipte a few from this crowd of onlookers, staying prepared for any situation. With his capabilities, achieving this was trivial. Through abination of intimidation and incentives, he was confident of gainingpliance. Meanwhile, at ground level, the arrival of the new onlookers hardly registered for the scar-faced cultivator. Mo Hao, on the other hand, disyed yet another wave of disdain. "Mo Hao! Since you fail to grasp the gravity of the situation and choose to resist, don''t me me for whates next!" Frustrated by his inability to intimidate Mo Hao, the scar-faced cultivator could only resort to brute force. His aura erupted, his robe billowed in the wind, and his overpowering momentum seemed to alter the very hue of the world around him! Chapter 316: Mo Haos Failed Show-off "Think you can kill me? Dream on, even in another lifetime!" Mo Hao shot a frosty re at the scar-faced cultivator. Without a moment''s hesitation, he gave a directmand to his systemuse Pretentious Points to ascend realm! In the blink of an eye, forty thousand Pretentious Points were spent. A mystic force abruptly welled up within Mo Hao''s body. Almost immediately, fluctuations indicative of a cultivation base breakthrough pulsated through him! Exactly, he had leapt directly from the Early-stage Transcendence realm to the Middle-stage Transcendence realm! ''The method of counterattack is realm elevation!'' Jiang Chen mused as he observed the unfolding events. ''An advancement without any warning signs!'' ''And it''s a jump from an unstable Early-stage to a Middle-stage, far more challenging than progressing from the peak of Early-stage to Middle-stage.'' ''Could this guy''s heaven-defying trump card actually be a system?'' A glint of realization shed across Jiang Chen''s eyes, reinforcing his suspicion that Mo Hao was utilizing a system. After all, even Gu Ran, who had the ability to steal cultivation bases, required the prerequisite of killing someone to instantaneously grow stronger. But Mo Hao''s advancement seemed as if some extraordinary force had directly, and inexplicably, elevated himcatapulting him into the next minor realm! This was entirely consistent with the traits of a ''System.'' Simultaneously, realizing that Mo Hao had already finished his ascension, Jiang Chen determined it was time to eliminate the scar-faced cultivator. This tool had outlived his usefulness; retaining him would only give Mo Hao more opportunities to grandstand and potentially deprive him of his loot. At this moment, the scar-faced cultivator, along with a host of other cultivators, fixed their eyes on Mo Hao, whose aura had surged exponentially. Their faces were masks of disbelief. "What!" One of them gasped, terror painting his features. "This aura!" "He actually broke through to the Middle-stage Transcendence realm?" "How is this even possible, how did Mo Hao achieve it!" Every cultivator, including the scar-faced one, was utterly stunned; their eyes seemed on the verge of bulging out of their sockets. Indeed, Mo Hao had sessfully stunned the scar-faced cultivator and the rest, making it the first time he had pulled off acting like a pretentious prick! But would Jiang Chen let him bask in this fleeting moment of grandiosity? ''It''s time to deploy my tools,'' Jiang Chen thought to himself, a sly smirk appearing on his face as he activated his divine sense. Immediately, amidst the crowd''s initial awe, dissenting voices began to surface. "Why are you all so taken aback? Don''t be deceived!" someone dered. "Exactly, that brat Mo Hao''s sudden ascension has to be a sham!" "Absolutely, no one can progress in the manner he did; it must be a trick to scare us off!" "Yeah, yeah, yeah, that little runt is making a fool out of himself by attempting to scare us this way!" One voice followed another, effectively halting the crowd''s amazement and promptly altering their opinions. Some cultivators appeared enlightened, their expressions showing that they''d seen through Mo Hao''s ruse. They almost fell for his act, the conniving scoundrel! "Mo Hao, you pathetic worm!" A scornful voice rang out. "Trying to intimidate us? How absurd!" "You''re so ignorant. Who can ascend a minor realm instantaneously in the Transcendence realm? Especially with your pitiful cultivation foundation!" "Your supposed leap to the Middle-stage Transcendence realm is a farce, a mere illusion. Even if you want to bluff, make it somewhat credible! Doing it this way is so over-the-top, not even your own parents would believe you!" Cultivator after cultivator now looked at Mo Hao as if he were a jesting fool, their gazes filled with derision. ''What!'' Mo Hao''s eyes widened, his ns having gone awry. ''They''re not astounded by my power-up?'' ''What sort of warped reasoning do these fools have? using me of faking the moment I demonstrate my newfound strength!'' He nced sullenly at the crowd, especially at the individuals under Jiang Chen''s control, but couldn''t spot anything out of the ordinary. Simultaneously, in Jiang Chen''s Sea of Consciousness, system notifications resounded! [Ding! You''ve slightly altered the plot and sessfully thwarted protagonist Mo Hao''s show-off attempt. Mo Hao''s Heavenly Fate Value reduced by 300 points!] [Ding! You''ve acquired 600 Viin Points!] ''Excellent, mission aplished!'' A smug smile appeared on Jiang Chen''s face. ''Now, he''s bound to take action, and it''s my duty to stop him.'' "Mo Hao, you little good-for-nothing!" The scar-faced cultivator snarled, revealing his stained teeth. "Enough games. Hand over the pill and I might just spare your life!" "You truly doubt me?" Mo Hao retorted, assessing the words. ''Heh, a bunch of ignorant fools,'' he mused, preparing to unleash a devastating counter. However, just as his eyes narrowed, poised to strike, a series of chilling, distortedughs echoed across thendscape, spanning hundreds of miles. The voice was imbued with immense power, "Hehehehe! I never expected to find human cultivators embroiled in internal conflicts here. Die!" "Who is that?!" The scar-faced cultivator''s eyes darted around in panic. "Could it be a member of the demon race?!" Mo Hao echoed, his own eyes searching the vicinity. Terror enveloped them and everyone else present. Before anyone had a chance to react, an almost invisible blood-red line materialized on the neck of the scar-faced cultivator. In the next heartbeat, a gush of bright red blood erupted, propelled with enough force tounch his severed head into the air! A cultivator of the Transcendence realm, beheaded in an instant! Additionally, his lifeless body morphed into a mist of blood and bizarre light, rapidly absorbed by a mysterious figure that materialized for a fleeting moment before vanishing into the ether. A trace of demonic aura remained, dissipating gradually. "It''s a demon, it''s actually a demon!" someone shrieked. "It''s a demon specializing in assassinations! Must be from the Dark Sprite Demon n, known for their innate stealth abilities!" "They''ve just effortlessly killed a cultivator of the Transcendence realm! The Dark Sprite Demon n is horrifying!" "Run, everyone scatter and run, or we''re all doomed!" Chaos erupted among the cultivators, their screams cutting through the air as they dispersed, each darting in a different direction as if the hounds of hell were on their heels. ''Not good!'' Mo Hao witnessed the beheading of the scar-faced cultivator and felt his heart sink. ''A dark sprite demon is actually here!'' ''Even though I''ve advanced, my cultivation foundation is still unstable. Mybat prowess is slightly inferior to an average Middle-stage Transcendence realm cultivator.'' ''While the enemy lurks in the shadows and I stand in the open, I might not be an easy target for this dark sprite demon, but eliminating him would prove equally challenging. Better to evade a sh for now.'' His face twisted with urgency, and he shot away at full speed. His sense of frustration deepened. He had envisioned that upon gaining the system, he would instantly rise to unt his might and rectify others'' misconceptions, soaring into a splendid future. Yet his initial attempt to do so had crashed and burned. For Mo Hao, this was an undeniable setback. Meanwhile, in Jiang Chen''s Sea of Consciousness, another system alert resounded. [Ding! You''ve subtly altered the storyline, causing protagonist Mo Hao to fail in his boastful antics. His Heavenly Fate Value has plummeted by 1000 points!] [Ding! You''ve rued 2000 Viin Points!] ''A thousand points, that''s quite a haul,'' Jiang Chen mused. ''Next, I''ll tail him discreetly to gauge his level of vignce and incidentally observe if he unveils any more heaven-defying abilities.'' ''However, I must be cautious not to back him into a corner; otherwise, the Heavenly Fate might instigate an unexpected twist in the plot.'' Watching Mo Hao''s hasty retreat, Jiang Chen remained pensive for a moment before deciding not to let him off so easily. He continued in pursuit, all while keeping his presence veiled. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : Enjoying the story? Join me onPatreon/AlphaWIA] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. Enjoying the story? Join me on Patreon /AlphaWIA] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. If you appreciate what I''m doing and aren''t interested in a Patreon membership, feel free to support me onKo-fi/alphawia] If you appreciate what I''m doing and aren''t interested in a Patreon membership, feel free to support me on Ko-fi /alphawia] You can also follow me ontform X/DaoistAlphaWIA] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! You can also follow me on tform X /DaoistAlphaWIA] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Chapter 317: Could Mo Hao Be a Transmigrator? "Hehehe! Run? Where do you think you''re running to?" Jiang Chen let out a sinisterugh, his voice skillfully altered to disguise his true tone. Hisughter reverberated through the sky, his figure invisible yet his voice omnipresent. The sound immediately ced immense pressure on Mo Hao. ''Damn it! That dark sprite demon has caught up,'' Mo Hao thought. ''I can''t pinpoint his exact location; the sound seems to being from one direction, but he could already be behind me.'' ''This can''t continue!'' Mo Hao took a deep breath and essed his Pretentious System Mall. With 30,000 Pretentious Points remaining, he had enough to either enhance his cultivation base or acquire a valuable item. After some consideration, Mo Hao made his decision. He spent 20,000 Pretentious Points to acquire a temporary battle power-boosting pill from the Pretentious System. The product he received was extraordinary. The pill not only offered a significant power boost, elevating hisbat abilities to the Late-stage Transcendence realm, but also had minimal side effectspractically none. Had he used the 30,000 Pretentious Points to enhance his cultivation base instead, reaching the Late-stage Transcendence realm would have been unattainable. In that scenario, his odds of oveing the dark sprite demon would have been significantly reduced. ''The truebat strength of that dark sprite demon is only at the Middle-stage Transcendence realm,'' Mo Hao quickly considered. ''With this pill, mybat power can certainly ascend to the Late-stage Transcendence realm.'' ''Add in the emergency measures my family has left for me.'' ''Unless something unforeseen urs, that dark sprite demon is as good as dead!'' ''Furthermore, I can try to provoke him to reveal himself, making it easier to eliminate him.'' These thoughts raced through his mind in mere moments. Without hesitating, Mo Hao continued to fly forward, shouting, "You, demon race s.o.b., go eat sht! F** your mother! If you''ve got the b*lls,e out and fight me head-on. I''ll beat you so badly, even your mom won''t recognize you!" A continuous stream of profanities poured from Mo Hao''s mouth. Jiang Chen, who was hot on Mo Hao''s trail, was left stunned. The insults Mo Hao used were phrases that had only existed on Earth before his own transmigration. Had there been just one or two simr phrases, he might have considered it a coincidence. However, Mo Hao''s curses contained a series of expressions that were all too familiar to him, making coincidence an unlikely exnation. ''Damn,'' Jiang Chen''s mouth twitched as he observed the cursing Mo Hao below him. ''Could this guy also be a transmigrator from Earth like me?'' ''A transmigrator, huh? Then he likely does have a System.'' Based on earlier clues, Jiang Chen had already suspected that Mo Hao might possess a System. Now, with the revtion that Mo Hao was also a transmigrator, his suspicion only deepened. He had never anticipated encountering such a protagonista protagonist equipped with a System, who generally proved far more outrageous than those with material-based, heaven-defying trump cards. Such protagonists didn''t require exnations for many irrational urrences. ''Phew! I still need to confirm whether he really has a System or not,'' Jiang Chen thought to himself. ''If he does, I must be more cautious. Protagonists with Systems are the most unpredictable; I can''t afford a careless mistake,'' he grew increasingly vignt. Meanwhile, Mo Hao continued his barrage of insults. "Hahahaha!" Mo Haoughed uproariously, his face filled with disdain and mockery, appearing incredibly punchable. "You fool, you probably don''t even understand what I''m saying!" "However, you don''t need to understand; you just need to know that I''m using the filthiest curses in the world to insult you and your family!" Mo Hao sneered, maintaining his sarcastic tone. Jiang Chen felt waves of anger rising within him. ''Something''s not right,'' he thought. ''How can I be so angered by Mo Hao''s vulgarnguage?'' ''Could it be that Heavenly Fate is secretly influencing me?'' ''Is it possible that my intelligence goes offline due to emotional disturbance, leading me to reveal myself and duel with Mo Hao, only to be killed afterward?'' ''Damn, this Heavenly Fate is really annoying.'' Then he took a deep breath to dissipate the anger welling up inside him. At the same time, Mo Hao gradually realized that his taunts were losing their effectiveness, which irked him. Back on Sky Blue Star, his ability to provoke others through insults had always been spot-on. "No, this won''t do," Mo Hao muttered, maintaining a thoughtful expression. ''This dark sprite demon is moreposed than I expected. Provocation won''t work.'' ''In that case, I''ll face him head-on!'' With that thought, he abruptly stopped, his face turning pale as a sheet. Furthermore, he shouted with feigned bravado, "Come on then! You''re just a trashy demon, right? Come and kill me! This Young Master is right here. If you can even touch a single hair on my head, I''ll kneel for you..." As he continued speaking, his tone grew increasingly uncertain, creating the impression of wavering confidence. ''What is this guy up to?'' Jiang Chen''s brows furrowed slightly, his eyes filled with confusion. ''Is he deliberately appearing weak? Is he baiting me into attacking him? Ah, ying dead to catch the tiger, huh? Let''s see what you''ve got.'' Of course, he had no real intention of attacking Mo Hao. His move was merely a feint, designed to coax Mo Hao into revealing his true capabilities. After all, based on thebat power Mo Hao had shown so far, he would likely struggle against him, the ''dark sprite demon''. "Hehehehe!" Jiang Chen deliberately let out a boisterousugh. "What a timid human brat, daring to intimidate me. Howughable." Then he feigned an attack on Mo Hao. "Die now, you foolish mortal!" Whoosh! A barely visible shadow appeared not far behind Mo Hao. ''He''s here!'' Mo Hao instantly swallowed the pill. His aura surged as he spun around to deliver a fierce blow. But his attack struck only air. Jiang Chen''s figure shattered, dispersing like mist. "Hehe," Jiang Chen''s voice held a note of surprise, "As I suspected, you still have a trick up your sleeve." "Mark my words, I''ll definitely not let you off!" With that, he turned and retreated, even retracting the divine sense he had been using to monitor Mo Hao. Immediately, Mo Hao felt a sense of relief wash over him; the ufortable feeling of impending danger vanished. However, his mood didn''t improve. Initially, Mo Hao had believed he could eliminate that ''dark sprite demon,'' but in the end, he had failed. Now what? He''d used up the pill worth 20,000 Pretentious Points, but the enemy remained alive, and he hadn''t even managed to act pretentious sessfully. This was far from what he had anticipated! Moreover, he was left with only 10,000 Pretentious Points; he had nearly depleted his resources without sessfully acting pretentious or proving anyone wrong. This heightened the sense of urgency he felt. ''Damn it!'' Mo Hao thought, his internal frustration palpable. ''I need to act pretentious and prove someone wrong as quickly as possible.'' ''Otherwise, the pill I exchanged for 20,000 Pretentious Points will have been a waste!'' ''Let''s head back to the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect first. There, I can find human forces; at least in a crowd, I won''t be easily assassinated by that dark sprite demon, and there will be more targets for acting pretentious.'' With that thought, he immediately set off for the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect. Chapter 318: Spoiling the Plot, Stealing Mo Haos Thunder The pill Mo Hao had consumed produced a rather longsting effect. If he returned now, his formidablebat abilities would be more than enough to prove all his previous detractors wrong. The prospect of seeing Shao Ji and others wear expressions of sheer horror greatly lifted Mo Hao''s spirits. Simultaneously, Jiang Chen was also on his way to the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect. After conducting a thorough investigation, he discovered that within a radius of several million miles, there were no supporting characters to be found. The Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect was the only ce where they existed. Therefore, Jiang Chen surmised that Mo Hao would most likely make a beeline back to the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect. Throughout the journey, Jiang Chen took the opportunity to reassess his current cultivation base andbat capabilities. After eliminating the man with the scarred face, Jiang Chen had made significant gains in his cultivation base, and hisbat power had risen yet again. In addition, he had acquired a substantial amount of qi and blood energy. Combined with his existing reserves, he was now capable of practicing various Transcendence realm cultivation methods. ''Let''s see how far those pawns have gotten.'' With a single thought, Jiang Chen instantly reached out to the tools he had previously manipted. Controlled by the Ten Thousand Soul Seed Secrets, these individuals were unfailingly loyal. Soon enough, through these pawns, Jiang Chen learned that the ''onlookers'' who had scattered earlier were now regrouping and moving toward the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect. They had already set their eyes on Moon Plucking Heavenly Mountain. ''Still not enough tools,'' Jiang Chen mused. ''I''ll need to recruit more individuals from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star to serve as pawns.'' ''Now, let''s check in with Zhu Zhihai about the progress of the information gathering.'' He quickly made an inquiry through the transmission jade token. Shortly thereafter, Zhu Zhihai replied, providing a detailed ount of the events that had transpired during the exchange of information. Shao Ji and hispanions still disyed immense arrogance, convinced that as people from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, they were inherently more honorable than the natives of the Immortal Martial Continent. This fleeting sentiment angered Zhu Zhihai and his associates, although the exchange of information continued to proceed without a hitch. From Shao Ji and the others, Jiang Chen gained insight into the overall situation on the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, and acquired more nuanced details about the protagonist, Mo Hao. ''So, the Profound Jade Immortal Domain is actively engaged inbat with the demon race,'' Jiang Chen pondered. ''And this conflict has been prolonged. The Prosperous Stone Immortal Star continually dispatches people into the fray.'' ''It appears that the demon race is indeed formidable. The Evesting Baseless Immortal Domain is embroiled in conflict on one front, while the Profound Jade Immortal Domain fights on another.'' ''As for Mo Hao, he''s already a century old and has been a wastrel for nearly as long. Always unremarkable, he''s relied solely on the prestige of the Mo n to live a life of arrogance and ease.'' ''After the fall of the Mo n, those he had offended sent him to the Immortal Martial Continent as his ultimate punishment.'' ''ording to the original storyline, he should have ascended through the ranks here in the Immortal Martial Continent before making a triumphant return to the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, astonishing everyone,'' Jiang Chen thought, piecing together various bits of information to form arger picture. Before long, the pawns Jiang Chen had previously controlled, along with a crowd of onlookers, arrived at the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect. Inside the sect''s main hall, where the information exchange was nearingpletion, all eyes turned toward the returning group of minions. "They''re back," someone remarked. "It seems Mo Hao must be dead by now, though we don''t know how he met his end." "Ha, he probably died a very, very miserable death!" "And what happened to the guy with the scarred face? Logically, he should have been the first one back." "Do you think he ran into some trouble along the way?" Shao Ji and hispanions were abuzz with spection, fully aware of the original mission the crowd of onlookers had embarked upon. Upon seeing their return, everyone instantly assumed that Mo Hao must have been killed by the man with the scarred face. At this juncture, a cultivator among the crowd of onlookers hesitated before dering, "Mo Hao isn''t dead!" "What?" someone blurted out. "He''s alive?" "How is that even possible? He managed to defeat the guy with the scarred face? Given hiscklusterbat abilities?" Shao Ji and the others wore expressions of disbelief, theirments tinged with skepticism. "When we made our escape, Mo Hao was indeed still alive, but the man with the scarred face was dead," another onlooker rified. "However, it wasn''t Mo Hao who killed him. It was a member of the Dark Sprite Demon n who appeared out of nowhere!" "We all fled the scene, and Mo Hao also made a hasty exit," he added. "What?" another cultivator inquired. "The man with the scarred face is dead? in by an unexpected member of the Dark Sprite Demon n?" "It appears that quite a few experts from the demon race are still active within the Immortal Martial Continent!" "I knew it, there''s no way Mo Hao could have bested the guy with the scarred face. So a dark sprite demon was involved." "Even that man with the scarred face fell to this dark sprite demon. Mo Hao''s chances of survival are bleak; he''s as good as gone." The crowd nodded, their discussions animated by this newfound revtion. Jiang Chen was closely monitoring their conversations through his pawns. ''They believe Mo Hao is already dead,'' he mused. ''When they discover he''s alive, the shock will let Mo Hao effortlessly prove them wrong. A forceful p to their faces.'' ''No, I can''t let that happen. I have to spoil their surprise first!'' A smirk yed at the corners of Jiang Chen''s mouth as hemunicated with his pawns. Immediately, one pawn, spurred by Jiang Chen''s instructions, stepped forward and loudly proimed, "No, Mo Hao is not dead; he will not die!" As soon as these words left his mouth, all eyes snapped toward him, filled with disdain. "You''re merely in the Dao Pce realm. What could you possibly know?" one sneered. "Mo Hao is but a weakling among Transcendence realm cultivators. How could he escape the clutches of a dark sprite demon''s assassination attempt?" "Exactly, young man. Are you in league with Mo Hao? Are you courting death?" Shao Ji and hispanions fired back, their voices dripping with derision. "No, you''ve got it wrong," another pawn interjected. "Honorable seniors, esteemed cultivators, Mo Hao truly can escape." The pawn borated, "He''s miraculously advanced to the Middle-stage Transcendence realm. I suspect his family must have bequeathed him some hidden resources!" "Exactly!" Another pawn chimed in. "Senior Shao Ji, you''re well aware of the Mo n''s former wealth; they undoubtedly left Mo Hao with some aces up his sleeve." The pawn pressed on, "In addition to treasures that could enhance his cultivation, there must be various life-saving devices as well!" Three pawns had spoken in quick session, their derations bold and stunning. "What!?" A voice rang out in shock. "He actually reached the Middle-stage Transcendence realm?" "That''s preposterous! We all know his Cultivation Path foundation is nothing more than a farce constructed through the use of pills." "They can''t be lying; Mo Hao genuinely did break through!" "Impossible, I heard that following the copse of his family on the front lines, all his treasures were seized by higher-ups!" "Exactly, by all logic, he should bepletely impoverished." Shao Ji and the others found themselves at a loss, their discussions filled with a mixture of astonishment and skepticism. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : Enjoying the story? Join me onPatreon/AlphaWIA] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. Enjoying the story? Join me on Patreon /AlphaWIA] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. If you appreciate what I''m doing and aren''t interested in a Patreon membership, feel free to support me onKo-fi/alphawia] If you appreciate what I''m doing and aren''t interested in a Patreon membership, feel free to support me on Ko-fi /alphawia] You can also follow me ontform X/DaoistAlphaWIA] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! You can also follow me on tform X /DaoistAlphaWIA] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Chapter 319: Mo Haos Ostentatious Display Ends in Another Failure "Senior Shao Ji!" Suddenly, the pawn, who was the first to speak, cried out, his face alight with excitement as though the truth was already known to him. "Since Mo Hao''s family has gone to the front lines, they must have nned meticulously. How could they leave their treasures vulnerable to theft?" He added, "The treasures that were stolen are mere trinkets. Mo Hao still possesses the truly valuable ones." Hearing this revtion, everyone''s expressions shifted, faces lighting up with sudden understanding. "Exactly!" Shao Ji concurred. "Mo Hao''s family is far from foolish." "So, it appears that the scum has a way to survive after all." He scoffed, "Well, surviving is one thing, but we can''t allow the demon to obtain his treasures; otherwise, it would be a significant loss for us." Turning to the other three cultivators in the Transcendence realm, he proposed, "Many among us have longstanding grievances with Mo Hao. What do you say we join forces to hunt him down and share the loot?" At this juncture, influenced by Jiang Chen''s pawn, everyone was convinced that Mo Hao remained alive. Furthermore, the notion of Mo Hao''s ''treasures'' had deeply kindled avarice in many hearts. "Why hesitate?" One individual piped up, eagerness coloring his voice. "I''m very keen on acquiring Mo Hao''s treasures." "To let a wastrel like Mo Hao hoard the Mo n''s treasures is a travesty. They would be better utilized in our hands." "It''s agreed, then. Our intel on the Immortal Martial Continent suggests that the demon race army has been temporarily pushed back, leaving only stragglers. There''s no immediate urgency; we can focus on dealing with Mo Hao before gathering more detailed information." Shao Ji and the rest exchanged knowing nces, swiftlying to a mutual decision to pursue Mo Hao. However, as they were about to embark on their hunt, Jiang Chen directed his pawn to interject once more, "Esteemed seniors, while Mo Hao may be alive, he''ll undoubtedly seize the chance to return to human territory!" Wearing an expression of one who had unraveled a mystery, he added, "The only human stronghold in the Pure Frost Domain is the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect. It stands to reason he will return here. All we need to do is lie in wait." "Oh? There''s such a reasoning?" Shao Ji''s brows lifted subtly, before nodding. "It does ring usible." Finally, he turned to the pawn and queried, "You''ve shown considerable insight, young man. May I inquire your name?" "My name is Lu Jianbai," Jiang Chen''s pawn answered. "Hmm, if you''re correct, consider yourself under my wing. If you lead us astray and cause us to miss a prime opportunity to capture Mo Hao, don''t think I''ll spare you!" Shao Ji warned, arrogance radiating from his features. "That seems fair," another voice echoed in agreement. "Lu Jianbai, we''ll heed your advice for now. But make no mistake: if you''re wrong, your life is forfeit," added the rest of the group. Just as they were speaking, a streak of light appeared in the distance, registering within the divine senses of Shao Ji and the other Transcendence realm cultivators. "It''s that scoundrel Mo Hao!" Shao Ji eximed, his face gleaming with glee. "So, he truly is alive and has even returned!" Quickly, he pped Lu Jianbai on the shoulder. "Well done, Lu Jianbai. Your wit has proven useful. From now on, you''re with me," he said, unaware that Lu Jianbai was actually under Jiang Chen''s influence. By this time, the streak of light representing Mo Hao was drawing near. ''Hmm,'' Mo Hao pondered internally. ''The man with the scarred face and the dark sprite demon chased me with murderous intent. They must''ve thought I was as good as dead.'' ''Now that I''ve returned alive, their expressions will surely be priceless!'' ''Pretentious Points, here Ie!'' Full of anticipation, Mo Hao directed himself toward the Moon Plucking Heavenly Mountain. In no time at all, he reached the vicinity of the Moon Plucking Heavenly Sect. However, as he arrived, he found Shao Ji and a sizable group already stationed at the entrance, awaiting his return. "Shocked, aren''t you? A bunch of losers!" Mo Hao taunted, hovering above the crowd. But the scene didn''t unfold as he''d anticipated. Shao Ji and the others betrayed not an ounce of surprise, as if they had fully expected his return. ''What is happening?'' Mo Hao felt flummoxed. ''They were supposed to believe I was dead, weren''t they?'' ''Why are they staring at me so calmly, showing no signs of astonishment?'' ''Could they have known I''de back alive? How is that even possible?'' A sense of deep disappointment and frustration washed over him. Once again, Mo Hao''s attempt to show off had failed spectacrly. Not a single Pretentious Point was scored! Meanwhile, system notifications rang in Jiang Chen''s Sea of Consciousness. [Ding! You''ve slightly altered the plot, sessfully preventing Protagonist Mo Hao from unting his survival, thereby proving others wrong. Mo Hao''s Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 1000 points!] [Ding! You''ve earned 2000 Viin Points!] ''Heh, heh,'' Jiang Chen smirked internally. ''I''ve sessfully thwarted his attempt to show off and set the record straight.'' ''And what a hit to his Heavenly Fate Value!'' ''Logically, all he did was act pretentiously; he didn''t even harm anyone to gain benefits. How could he lose 1000 Heavenly Fate Value points?'' ''When I took down Scarface earlier, Mo Hao lost the same amount of Heavenly Fate Value, and that was for a Transcendence realm opponent.'' ''Could Mo Hao actually possess a system connected to showiness? Does unting his achievements in front of arger audience bring him greater rewards?'' Jiang Chen began connecting the dots, lost in deep thought. He sifted through the ''knowledge'' he''d umted from Earth, forming a series of spections that gradually approached the truth. Quickly refocusing on the unfolding scene below, Jiang Chen pondered the motivations at y. Why had Mo Hao returned? To unt his survival and to seek retribution. And what of Shao Ji and the others? They were gathered here to ambush Mo Hao and seize his treasures. Left to their own devices, a grand confrontation would surely erupt. Under the sway of Heavenly Fate, Shao Ji and hispanions would most likely fall. The remaining people would kneel and beg for mercy, allowing Mo Hao to grandstand triumphantly. ''This isn''t eptable! I can''t allow him the satisfaction of boasting,'' Jiang Chen mused. ''It seems the time hase for me to intervene.'' Simultaneously, Shao Ji broke the silence. "Mo Hao, you''ve managed to escape the dark sprite demon, which clearly means you must be in possession of treasures bequeathed by your family." "Though you''ve concealed them well until now, unfortunately for you, we''re aware." "Surrender your treasures immediately, or brace yourself for an array of excruciating torments," he jeered, his eyes alight with both greed and anticipation. "Yes, hand them over now, Mo Hao!" Another Transcendence realm cultivator chimed in. "Valuables ought to be in the hands of the deserving. You, a wastrel, are unworthy of them. Surrender them immediately!" "Mo Hao, didn''t your elders teach you that treasures can bring cmity to their possessor? Allow us to be your educators today!" "Give us your treasures this instant, lest you discover the meaning of true cruelty!" One by one, the cultivators set their eyes avariciously upon Mo Hao, rapidly forming a circle around him. Chapter 320: Practicing Cultivation Methods, Late-Stage Transcendence Realm Combat Power In this critical moment, Jiang Chen immediately activated the Wordless Heavenly Jade. Though his existing strength could easily dispatch a Middle-stage Transcendence realm cultivator, it wasn''t sufficient to defeat Mo Hao, who had temporarily ascended to the Late-stage Transcendence realm in hisbat power. To ensure his safety, Jiang Chen feltpelled to elevate his peakbat abilities to the Late-stage Transcendence realm. He had already eliminated Jiu Xiaoyin, along with other demon race experts, and the scar-faced mana human cultivator in the Transcendence realm. The qi and blood he''d absorbed gave him more than enough resources to practice multiple Transcendence realm cultivation methods. ''Wan''er, Ning''er, help me choose the cultivation methods with the highest cost-effectiveness for enhancing mybat power right now!'' Jiang Chen mentally contacted Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, the two beauties at the Void Tribtion realm. He quickly received their suggestions in return. Among the inheritance he had received from the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven, Jiang Chen identified four cultivation methods he had yet to practice. He had already achieved great aplishment-level theoretical knowledge for these methods, and the energy they required from the Wordless Heavenly Jade was rtively minimal. Given the current energy levels of his Wordless Heavenly Jade, Jiang Chen had more than enough to fully practice all four methodsand even additional ones if he chose. Heeding the advice of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, Jiang Chen decided to first focus on these four. The methods in question were the ''Bright Spirit Pure Heart Art'', the ''Mysterious Body Locking Primordial Technique'', the ''Falling Sun Nine Heavens Mystic Art'', and the ''Titan Body Forging Ancient Scroll''. These covered a range of disciplines: one focused on soul cultivation, one on enhancing power temporarily, and two on diverse body-forging techniques. ''Wordless Heavenly Jade!'' With a mere thought from Jiang Chen, the intricacies of the first cultivation methodthe Bright Spirit Pure Heart Artshed vividly in his mind. Instantly, a surge of wondrous energy burst forth from the Wordless Heavenly Jade, seamlessly merging into his soul and body. In mere moments, Jiang Chen achieved perfect-level mastery in the Bright Spirit Pure Heart Art, dramatically extending his divine sense''s detection range to an astonishing 2.6 million kilometers. Wasting no time, Jiang Chen pressed on to master the remaining three Transcendence realm cultivation methods, each to perfect-level, in just a few moments. The Titan Body Forging Ancient Scroll considerably bolstered his bodily strength. Coupled with enhancements from the Ten Thousand Stars Dao Embryo, Jiang Chen had far surpassed the capabilities of a typical Middle-stage Transcendence realm cultivator. Upon practicing the Mysterious Body Locking Primordial Technique, the quality and volume of Jiang Chen''s Yuan Power surged exponentially. Now, with his Dao Pce realm cultivation base, his Dao Yuan Power fully met the Immortal Yuan Power standard. Lastly, the power-boosting secret art equipped him with a technique to unleash the full extent of hisbat prowess in an instant. After practicing these four cultivation methods, Jiang Chen didn''t stop there. He set his sights on another methodthe ''Great Changes Celestial Sword Canon''. Unlike the others, this Transcendence realm cultivation method, owned by Shangguan Ning, was renowned for its limitless variations. Although it bore simrities to the Myriad Changes Evesting Sword, it was considerably more advanced. As this particr cultivation method was not part of the inheritance he received from the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven, Jiang Chen relied solely on the Wordless Heavenly Jade to practice it from start to finish. Consequently, the energy consumption from his pool of qi and blood was notably higher. Uponpleting his practice, Jiang Chen found the energy reserves of his Wordless Heavenly Jade almost entirely drained. Yet, the result was an unmistakable rise in hisbat power. ''System, disy the detailed information!'' Jiang Chen mentallymanded, proceeding to open his personal information panel. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Perfect Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body Realm: Late-stage Dao Pce Great Dao: Swift Sword Dao, Fire Dao, Metal Dao (Complete), Wind Dao, Thunder Dao, Wood Dao, Water Dao, Ice Dao, Darkness Dao (Fragmented) True Combat Power: Late-stage Transcendence Realm Cultivation Methods: Purple Heaven Dark Star Heavenly Scripture (Dao Pce, primary cultivation), Bright Spirit Pure Heart Art, Mysterious Body Locking Primordial Technique, Falling Sun Nine Heavens Mystic Art, Titan Body Forging Ancient Scroll, Death Attraction Nine Tribtions Sword Technique, Golden Cicada Umbra Shield Skill, Ten Thousand Soul Seed Secrets (Transcendence realm, perfect-level)... Partially omitted Main Equipment: Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword (immortal tool, lower-grade), Fate Chasing Kite Pupils (dao tool, top-grade 8/9), Peerless Heaven Piercing Sword (magic treasure, top-grade), Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf (magic treasure, top-grade)... Partially omitted Viin Value: 331,200 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 64,222 points Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring, Wordless Heavenly Jade, Void Tribtion Soul, Death Cmity Dark Star Moon Dao Embryo System Mall: Level 2] ''Mybat power has now ascended to the Late-stage Transcendence realm,'' Jiang Chen mused internally. ''Plus, I''ve amassed more than three hundred thousand points of Viin Value! With this much value, I could easily trade for a game-changing trump card.'' ''But considering my present strength is already enough to alter the plot, I''ll opt to continue umting my Viin Value.'' His eyes then shifted towards Mo Hao and his assembled foes below. Remarkably, although Jiang Chen had cultivated an entire array of five Transcendence realm methods, mere moments had psed in the real worldsuch was the overwhelming potency of the Wordless Heavenly Jade. Below, Mo Hao found himself encircled by a battalion of enemies, and the air was thick with the tension of an imminent battle. Yet Mo Hao appeared anything but perturbed; he was on the verge ofughter. After all, his ownbat power had temporarily spiked to the Late-stage Transcendence realm. Facing him were four Transcendence realm cultivators, the most formidable among them only reaching the Middle-stage Transcendence realm. In the Transcendence realm, even minor realm disparities carried significant weight, far more than in the Second Step of the Cultivation Path. So, as long as Shao Ji and his cohorts continued to underestimate him, dealing with them would be child''s y. "Hehe, so you dare to humiliate and even besiege me?" Mo Hao sneered, his body emanating an intense fighting spirit, ready to single-handedly confront the gathering foes. ng! Weapons unsheathed, Shao Ji and his cohorts responded with disdainfulughter. In a sh, the glint of des and the shadow of swords danced through the air, their sharp edges forming a menacing forest of metal. The disy sent a shiver down the spines of onlookers like Zhu Zhihai. To Zhu Zhihai and hispanions, if hostilities were to erupt, the odds would likely favor Shao Ji''s group. Consequently, Zhu Zhihai and his friends had essentially been reduced to spectators, mere extras in the grand spectacle that Mo Hao appeared set to stage. Without Jiang Chen''s intervention, Mo Hao''s dramatic performance was sure to go off without a hitch. But of course, Jiang Chen was never one to act without certainty. Just as Shao Ji''s crew and Mo Hao were poised for a brutal sh, a voice saturated withmanding authority suddenly echoed through the area. "Hold on!" The voice was incisive, its resounding rity signifying that its owner was someone of significant stature. Apanying this voice was an aura nearly matching that of a Middle-stage Transcendence realm cultivator. Of course, it was Jiang Chen making this grand entrance, but he had deliberately suppressed his own aura to approximate that of the Middle-stage Transcendence realm. Mo Hao wished to show off? Jiang Chen resolved to steal his thunder yet again. Let''s see how Mo Hao would act now! "Who is this interloper?" someone demanded, annoyance edging their voice. "How dare you meddle in our affairs?" The brows of Shao Ji and his four Transcendence realmpatriots furrowed, their attention abruptly shifting towards the source of the voice. ''Who dares to intervene at this moment?'' Mo Hao''s eyes likewise shed with curiosity, as he, too, sought out the owner of themanding voice. What met their gaze was a beam of light descending from the heavens, metamorphosing into a young man adorned invish robes. The young man was none other than Jiang Chen. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : Enjoying the story? Join me onPatreon/AlphaWIA] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. Enjoying the story? Join me on Patreon /AlphaWIA] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. If you appreciate what I''m doing and aren''t interested in a Patreon membership, feel free to support me onKo-fi/alphawia] If you appreciate what I''m doing and aren''t interested in a Patreon membership, feel free to support me on Ko-fi /alphawia] You can also follow me ontform X/DaoistAlphaWIA] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! You can also follow me on tform X /DaoistAlphaWIA] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Chapter 321: No Need to Act Tough ''Something''s off about this person,'' Mo Hao thought, his brows furrowing as he sensed a growing hint of aversion within him. "Greetings, My Lord!" Zhu Zhihai and the others bowed in unison, their expressions brimming with profound reverence. Yet, deep within them, lingering concerns persisted. This was because Jiang Chen, despite ranking first in strength on the Immortal Martial Continent and having sessively killed two Transcendence realm demons, was now facing several cultivators of the Transcendence realm. "These people call you ''My Lord''? You''re the leader of the Immortal Martial Continent?" Shao Ji raised an eyebrow as he sized up Jiang Chen from head to toe. A trace of contempt shed in his eyes, nearly undetectable. The esteemed leader of the Immortal Martial Continent was merely a young man in the Early-stage Transcendence realm? Truly unexpected! It made one wonder how the Immortal Martial Continent had even managed to fend off the invasion from the Myriad Demons Continent. Previously, Shao Ji and hispanions had harbored some apprehensions about the Immortal Martial Continent''s power. But seeing its strongest figure was merely an Early-stage Transcendence realm cultivator, those concerns now seemedughable. "That''s correct, I am Jiang Chen," said Jiang Chen, his expression calm as he scanned the crowd. "Currently, I am the number one genius, the top expert, and the leader of the entire Immortal Martial Continent." Shao Ji and the others instantly responded with a cold sneer upon hearing this statement. A mere Early-stage Transcendence realm cultivator speaking with such grandiosity and arrogance! "Hahaha," Shao Ji burst into heartyughter, folding his hands in front of him as he turned toward Jiang Chen. "So you''re Jiang Chen, the Immortal Martial Continent''s number one expert." "Should the opportunity arise, we''ll certainly seek to learn from your expertise," he added. "But for now, our focus is on weeding out the troublemaker among us. I''d appreciate it if you could prepare detailed information about both the Immortal Martial Continent and the demon race. Given your status, I expect the intelligence will be quite precise and clear." "After we''ve dealt with that troublemaker Mo Hao, I trust you will have everything prepared for us." Though his tone seemed polite, it came dangerously close to issuing amand for Jiang Chen. Given theirbined strength, the four could easily dominate the Immortal Martial Continent. To them, Jiang Chen seemed inconsequential. Yet, a scene that left everyone stunned unfolded. "A troublemaker? Not necessarily, in my view," Jiang Chen spoke, his expression serene as he looked around, unafraid. "At present, the Immortal Martial Continent faces the demon race''s menace, and the situation is dire. Your assistance from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star is much appreciated." "But if your intention is to bully the weak and incite internal strife on my turf, that I cannot ignore." "Out of respect for me, I hope you will turn your weapons into gifts of friendship. If issues arise, we can discuss them sitting downno need for violence." He then turned to Shao Ji, adding, "Wouldn''t you agree, Daoist friend?" Who could have imagined that Jiang Chen would dare speak so boldly? With hisbat capabilities at the Early-stage Transcendence realm, what gave him such audacity? Coldughter erupted from Shao Ji and hispanions. Meanwhile, Zhu Zhihai and the others internally fretted but outwardly remainedposed, nodding in agreement. In their hearts, loyalty to Jiang Chen was paramount; if it meant dying alongside him in battle, they would have no regrets. As for Mo Hao, his eyes darted between Jiang Chen and the group led by Shao Ji. To him, Shao Ji and hispanions were clear adversaries, while Jiang Chen gave him an unsettling vibe. The tension between Shao Ji and Jiang Chen actually pleased him. But these were merely his inner thoughts. Since Jiang Chen had spoken up on his behalf, Mo Hao deemed it inappropriate to take actions that could harm him, abiding by the saying, ''One shouldn''t harm someone who is being helpful.'' At that moment, a voice sneered, "Heh heh! Jiang Chen, is it? Don''t overestimate yourself!" "Who exactly do you think you are? The Immortal Martial Continent''s number one genius and expert? Ha! You''re nothing but thergest turtle in a muddy pond, yet you act like a king. Howughable." "Step aside. Don''t interfere as we deal with the troublemaker, or you''ll find yourself in our way too." Cold smiles appeared on the faces of Shao Ji and the other three Transcendence realm cultivators. Their gazes toward Jiang Chen were full of contempt. "You! How could you be so despicable!" Disbelief and incredulity clouded Jiang Chen''s face. "That Daoist friend is also a human cultivator. Amidst the demon race invasion, any grudges should take a back seat to dealing with them!" This statement prompted another round of coldughter from Shao Ji and hispanions. "Daoist friend Jiang Chen," Mo Hao finally broke his silence, shaking his head toward Jiang Chen. "You don''t need to get involved; they''re here specifically for me." "It''s fine! One draws their sword to help when they see injustice on the road," Jiang Chen responded, shaking his head and wearing an expression of righteousness. "At this critical juncture for the Immortal Martial Continent, I absolutely won''t allow them to kill you." "Heh!" A disdainful snort resounded. "Are you naive, or just foolish?" "With a disposition like yours, I truly wonder how you rose to lead the Immortal Martial Continent?" "If you insist on allying with Mo Hao, don''t fault us for showing no restraint and targeting you too. The Immortal Martial Continent has no shortage of people; we don''t need you for detailed information." Noticing that Jiang Chen remained defiant, as if he were the sworn enemy of evil, Shao Ji and hispanions instantly lost their patience, their killing intent surging! "Daoist friend Jiang Chen, you truly don''t need to interfere," Mo Hao said, furrowing his brows. "I can handle these people on my own!" Despite his initial reservations about Jiang Chen, Mo Hao didn''t want him to risk his life on his ount. "No, there''s no need to act tough!" Jiang Chen shook his head solemnly. "These individuals aim to kill fellow cultivators,pletely forsaking their humanity. Allow me to deal with them," he dered with resolve. "Ahahaha!" Another voice burst into mockingughter. "He thinks he can handle us!" "It''sughable! An Early-stage Transcendence realm cultivator, talking about killing the four of usit''s sheer fantasy!" "I''m genuinely curious how someone at the Early-stage Transcendence realm from the Immortal Martial Continent could even scratch us!" Shao Ji and hispanions erupted in disdainfulughter,pletely dismissing Jiang Chen. ''Forget it,'' Mo Hao thought, ''there''s no point in worrying about him anymore.'' ''The pill''s effects are time-limited; I should act now!'' With this realization, he prepared to make his move. But just as Mo Hao got ready to act, Jiang Chen roared, "A bunch of scum! I''ll ughter you all!" andunched the first strike. His hands clenched, raised high, and then shed down with immense force! At that moment, a potent aura of the Late-stage Transcendence realm burst forth from him! Various energies of the Great Dao encircled him, the Sword Dao being the most conspicuous and lethal among them. Furthermore, the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword materialized in Jiang Chen''s hand out of nowhere! He employed abination of the Falling Sun Nine Heavens Mystic Art and the Death Attraction Nine Tribtions Sword Technique. In an instant, Jiang Chen channeled all his might through the Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword! A sword light, surpassing the capabilities of a typical Late-stage Transcendence realm, immediately engulfed Shao Ji and hispanions. Chapter 322: One Strike, Four Transcendence Realm Cultivators Killed "What?!" Shao Ji''s eyes widened, his pupils shrinking to pinpoints. "How is this possible!" "How... how could he unleash such a powerful sword technique!" His lips trembled, his body stiffened, and utter disheartenment washed over him. He knew that any defensive measures he could hastily muster would be useless. The only thing that awaited him was death. Even Shao Ji, the most powerful among them, hadpletely despaired. So what about the other three Transcendence realm cultivators? They were even more horrified, their minds going nk! They had no time to think, only feeling an iparably terrifying pain. Then their consciousness plunged into darkness; they had fallen! Jiang Chen''s single sword strike had instantly in four Transcendence realm cultivators! This scene left Zhu Zhihai and the others ecstatic, bowing in utter reverence. Mo Hao''s eyes bulged, first looking at the corpses of Shao Ji and the others, then at Jiang Chen, who had suddenly unleashed a strength even greater than his own. Utterly dumbfounded andpletely thrown into disarray, he eximed, ''Dead, they''re dead! Jiang Chen killed them?!'' ''How is this possible? How could Jiang Chen unleash such formidablebat power? Isn''t he merely in the Early-stage Transcendence realm?!'' ''It should have been me who killed Shao Ji and the others!'' ''How did it turn out like this?'' Staring in astonishment at the unfolding scene, Mo Hao''s heart surged with violent emotional turmoil and profound heartache. This was supposed to be his moment to shine! But now, someone else had killed the targets of his ambitions! cing his hand over his chest, Mo Hao felt a sense of suffocation and even a slight urge to throw up. While Mo Hao was so frustrated that he felt sick to his stomach, Zhu Zhihai and the others were busy adting Jiang Chen. [Ding! You have slightly altered the plot, sessfully preventing protagonist Mo Hao from making a grandiose disy and humiliating others. Mo Hao''s Heavenly Fate Value decreases by 3000 points!] [Ding! You have gained 6000 Viin Value points!] System prompts resounded in Jiang Chen''s Sea of Consciousness. ''3000 points deducted,'' he contemted inwardly. ''It seems that this pretentious show and proving others wrong hold great significance for Mo Hao!'' ''Indeed, this asion involved a grand total of four Transcendence realm cultivators and an audience exceeding two thousand people!'' ''This scale exceeds the one when I defeated the scar-faced man by more than four times!'' ''Furthermore, following this incident, Shao Ji and hispanions are gone. People from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star will no longer dare to provoke Mo Hao; it''s as if one subplot has reached its conclusion.'' ''At present, I have sessfully disrupted one of Mo Hao''s subsidiary plots; the decline in his Heavenly Fate Value is undoubtedly meaningful.'' ''Hehe, causing such a significant drop in his value all at once is indeed satisfying.'' A profound sense of joy filled Jiang Chen''s heart, while outwardly, he maintained an air of indifference toward the cultivators who had been apanying Shao Ji and the others. "No, I beg you, spare me!" one of them pleaded in sheer desperation. "Please, I beseech you, do not take my life!" "I was forced into this; I never intended to oppose Mo Hao. Theypelled me!" "Lord Jiang Chen, the Immortal Martial Continent is currently understaffed. Circumstances coerced us into this mistake. You possess wisdom andpassion; I implore you to show mercy!" "Lord Jiang Chen, we are ready tobor like oxen and horses under yourmand. Please afford us a chance to redeem our wrongdoings!" "My Lord, the instant Iid eyes on you, I recognized you as my master. I implore you, ept me!" "Master, henceforth, I shall be your loyal hound!" One by one, the cultivators who had previously followed Shao Ji and his group knelt in mid-air. With Jiang Chen''s gaze fixed upon them, a profound sense of dread gripped them, leading to continuous kowtowing and desperate pleas for leniency. To ensure their survival, these individuals were truly prepared to cast aside their pride. Such an oue was foreseeable. A significant portion of those enlisted as the initial wave of ''cannon fodder'' to infiltrate the Immortal Martial Continent did not possess particrly virtuous qualities. After brief contemtion, Jiang Chen opted to spare them. After all, he held the Ten Thousand Soul Seed Secrets and had no concerns regarding their allegiance. "Hmph," Jiang Chen let out a cold snort. "I''ll spare your lives since you have expressed remorse in a timely manner." "However, from now on, you are my death warriors! If I let you live, you live; if I say die, you die!" With that, he activated the Ten Thousand Soul Seed Secrets. Without dy, minuscule red lights sprouted from the bowed heads of the kneeling cultivators and drifted into Jiang Chen''s palms, metamorphosing into soul-seeding magatamas. "Thank you, My Lord, thank you, My Lord," someone spoke up, his voice carrying a blend of relief and gratitude, leading the chorus of voices. "For granting us mercy and an opportunity for redemption, our master has our eternal gratitude." "Your humble servant expresses gratitude, Master. Whatever you may demand, your servant stands ready!" The group of cultivators breathed a collective sigh of relief. Overwhelmed with the joy of survival, they bowed and thanked Jiang Chen. Observing this scene transpire, Mo Hao''s lips twitched involuntarily. Those cultivators were supposed to be kowtowing and showing reverence to him. As per his n, he would have taken out Shao Ji and the others, then dealt with these people in a perfect disy of swagger. However, at present, he found himself reduced to a mere onlooker. Jiang Chen hadpletely stolen the spotlight from him! At that very moment, a voice reached his ears, calling out, "Daoist friend Mo Hao! Daoist friend Mo Hao!" Mo Hao finally shook off his regrets and unwillingness, managing to force a smile onto his face. "Lord Jiang Chen, your skills are truly remarkable." He had to concede; Jiang Chen''s actualbat prowess surpassed even his temporary abilities. At this moment, Jiang Chen was someone he couldn''t risk antagonizing; all he could do was exchange some superficial pleasantries. "Your praise is generous, your praise is generous," Jiang Chen chuckled, letting out a sigh, "I''ve shown all I have. Unlike you, daoist friend, who conceals your abilities!" ''That does appear to be the case,'' Mo Hao thought, curling his lip in secret disdain. In his perception, Jiang Chen had already utilized all avable means, leading to a slight disorder in his energy now. Yet, what eluded his knowledge was that Jiang Chen had a handful of hidden cards left. For instance, the concealment ability of the Death Cmity Dark Star Moon Dao Embryo, his Dragon Transformation, and the Void Tribtion Soul, to name a few. "You''re too humble, daoist friend. My ownbat skills are rather unimpressive," Mo Hao sneered inwardly at Jiang Chen, all the while maintaining a courteous facade. "Haha, you''re too modest," Jiang Chenughed, then extended an invitation to Mo Hao. "Now that the real threat has been eliminated, it would be opportune for us to engage in an open conversation." "Perhaps another time. I was chased and nearly killed by a dark sprite demon not long ago. I need some time to recover," Mo Hao said, uninterested in wasting more time with Jiang Chen, and thus declined directly. Furthermore, Jiang Chen wasn''t exceptionally impressive to begin with. Mo Hao now regarded Jiang Chen as the ideal subject for his ostentatious disys. The mightier and more numerous his targets, the more Pretentious Points his system would grant him! Currently, Jiang Chen reigned as the pinnacle of power in the Immortal Martial Continent and had also managed to irk Mo Hao to a significant degree. Wasn''t he the ideal target for showcasing his prowess? To disy his superiority to Jiang Chen, there was no requirement for conflict and bloodshed. His task was simple: astound Jiang Chen through various means, reshape his perspectives, render him speechless, prompt him to reassess his abilities, and the like... Should he manage to effectively disy his superiority to Jiang Chen, he would undoubtedly umte a substantial number of Pretentious Points. Subsequently, he could build momentum, growing more potent and adept at unting his prowess, until he could utterly disdain Jiang Chen. At that moment, Jiang Chen exhibited an apologetic expression. "I''m sorry for my oversight," he said. Slightly bowing with sped hands, he remarked, "I will arrange the finest secluded area for your cultivation, daoist friend." "I would greatly appreciate that," Mo Hao nodded, offering a smile. "Please," Jiang Chen replied with a warm smile and opened the spatial passage to the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : Enjoying the story? Join me onPatreon/AlphaWIA] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. Enjoying the story? Join me on Patreon /AlphaWIA] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. If you appreciate what I''m doing and aren''t interested in a Patreon membership, feel free to support me onKo-fi/alphawia] If you appreciate what I''m doing and aren''t interested in a Patreon membership, feel free to support me on Ko-fi /alphawia] You can also follow me ontform X/DaoistAlphaWIA] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! You can also follow me on tform X /DaoistAlphaWIA] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Chapter 323: Breakthrough, Early-stage Transcendence Realm Whoosh! Suddenly, a spatial channel materialized in the sky, like a deep-sea vortex hanging upside down. "Ah, a Cave Heaven spatial channel! Daoist friend Jiang Chen, you owning a private Cave Heaven is indeed impressive," said Mo Hao, smiling as he observed the channel. "Please, Daoist friend Mo Hao. With your distinguished background, a Cave Heaven must be trivial," Jiang Chen replied, shaking his head and chuckling. Not letting himself be swept away by Mo Hao''s praise, he was cautious. Mo Hao''s background was extraordinary; his family undoubtedly possessed multiple Cave Heavens. Bing overly proud could lead Jiang Chen into humiliation. "I once owned a Cave Heaven," Mo Hao interjected, his tone shifting. "It''s no longer mine, but rest assured, I will reim all that was once mine." His eyes emitted a cold sh before heughed and soared into the spatial channel. Jiang Chen turned to his freshly subjugated subordinates. "Zhu Zhihai will handle the arrangements for the rest of you. Disperse throughout the Immortal Martial Continent and secure various locations," he ordered. Gathering the corpses of the Transcendence realm cultivators, he too entered the spatial channel. In truth, Jiang Chen hadn''t initially nned to unveil the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven to Mo Hao. Yet, he surmised that Mo Hao might already know of its existence, given it wasn''t a well-kept secret on the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star. Opting for transparency, he invited Mo Hao and orchestrated a temporary evacuation of the Immortal Martial Continent''s popce, thereby eliminating many potential targets for Mo Hao''s pretentious disy. As they traversed the spatial channel, the scene abruptly shifted. Inside the Immortal Martial Cave Heaven, Mo Hao and Jiang Chen found themselves amidst a sprawling headquarters, erected upon the remnants of Inheritance Peak. The Spiritual Qi drawn from various domains of the Immortal Martial Continent primarily funneled into this location. However, due to the spirit-gathering formation''s limited scale and the brief period it had been operational, the concentration of Spiritual Qi at Inheritance Peak was roughly equivalent to that found in the Purple Heaven Holy Land. Jiang Chen turned to Mo Hao, gesturing expansively. "This is the most Spiritually-rich area within the Immortal Martial Continent. I trust it meets your expectations." "Quite satisfactory, indeed. How could I find itcking?" Mo Hao responded with a chuckle. The truth was, he had no pressing need for concentrated Spiritual Qi for cultivation. He already possessed a system that negated the need for such rigorous training. After all, why expend the effort to be strong through hard work when ostentation could achieve the same result? Quickly, under Jiang Chen''s lead, Mo Hao was guided to a pce constructed atop the ruins of Inheritance Peak. There, he selected a secluded chamber for himself. ''Once I consolidate my realm, it''s time to find some folks to impress!'' thought Mo Hao as he settled into his meditation chamber. Jiang Chen, a glint flickering in his eyes, had his own thoughts. ''This guy hasn''t yet used some of the pills he traded for. Once he''s done cultivating for a bit, he''s bound to emerge, looking for people to show off to and demean. I can''t allow him that victory.'' Following that, Jiang Chen selected a nearby meditation chamber and sequestered himself to sift through his recent gains. At the top of the list? The corpses of four Transcendence realm cultivators! With a mere thought, he activated two Heaven-Defying Fate Changers: ''Death Cmity Dark Star Moon Dao Embryo'' and ''Wordless Heavenly Jade.'' The four corpses instantly dissolved into misty clouds of blood and shimmering specks of light, which were swiftly absorbed into Jiang Chen''s body. Immediately, the Wordless Heavenly Jade absorbed a copious amount of qi and blood, converting it into an immense wellspring of mystical energy. Moreover, a formidable cultivation base integrated directly into Jiang Chen''s body. Since his ascension at the Immortal Martial Grand Assembly to the Late-stage Dao Pce realm, Jiang Chen had already vanquished Bo Lang and Shao Ji, two Middle-stage Transcendence realm experts. Additionally, he had taken down four Early-stage Transcendence realm individuals, such as Scarface. Beyond that, he had also eliminated several demons from both the Dao Pce and Dao Comprehension realms. In addition, the cultivation base absorbed by the Death Cmity Dark Star Moon Dao Embryo had now surpassed the one-tenth mark, reaching approximately fifteen percent. At this juncture, Jiang Chen had sessfully amassed sufficient cultivation base to break through from the Dao Pce realm to the Transcendence realm. ''I have what it takes to ascend to the Transcendence realm now,'' Jiang Chen pondered. ''It''s time to switch my main cultivation method to the ''Supreme Pure Creation Heart Sutra,'' prepared for me by Wan''er and Ning''er.'' ''The Supreme Pure Creation Heart Sutra is remarkablypatible with almost any main cultivation method, facilitating seamless advancement to even higher realms!'' ''Once I master this method, I can progress to the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path. Beyond that, I could continuously ascend through the ''Primal Chaos realm'', ''Expanding Chaos realm'', all the way to the apex of the Fourth Stepthe ''Primordial Chaos realm''!'' His expression turned earnest, and with a focused thought, hemenced delving into the impable insights provided by Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning. Given his innate talent and the tutge from the two formidable Void Tribtion realm powerhouses, Jiang Chen would swiftly assimte vast portions of the cultivation method''s profound teachings. Moreover, when using the Wordless Heavenly Jade, he could conserve a considerable amount of martial training energy. As time ticked on, Jiang Chen, guided by Shangguan Ning and Nangong Wan, delved deeper into the Supreme Pure Creation Heart Sutra. It didn''t take long for him to gain an initial grasp of the cultivation method''s core essence. Persisting in his study andprehension, he steadily understood more of the method''s profound teachings. Several days passed. Jiang Chen had surmounted all the immediate challenges within the cultivation method; what remained demanded focused efforts. Now, it was the Wordless Heavenly Jade''s turn toe into y! Given his victories over Shao Ji and the other Transcendence realm cultivators, he had amassed a significant amount of martial training energy. Subsequently, using the Wordless Heavenly Jade, Jiang Chen sessfully mastered the entirety of the main cultivation method, the Supreme Pure Creation Heart Sutra! Setting aside the cultivation of the first and second steps of the Cultivation Path, the third step focused on cultivating the ''Great Dao Immortal Body''. In the Dao Pce realm, a cultivator had already incorporated the Dao Core, infused with the profound wisdom of the Great Dao, into the dantian''s cells. This enabled preliminary unification with the Great Dao. To ascend to the Transcendence realm, the cultivator had to build upon the Dao Pce foundation, disseminating the power of the Great Dao across the body to initiate the cells'' transcendence. A prerequisite for this was mastering the powers of the Five Elements Great Dao: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Once in the Transcendence realm and persisting with one''s cultivation, specific secret techniques were employed to refine every cell in the body. This enabled the cells to merge with the Dao Core in the same manner as the dantian. This crucial step set the groundwork for advancing to the next realm: ''Peering into Nirvana''. As its name implies, the ''Nirvana Peering realm'' provides the initial insight into the realm of Nirvana. At this juncture, the power of the Great Dao would be infused into each and every cell, culminating in a state referred to as the ''Complete Dao Pce Body''. Once this step finalized, the ''Complete Dao Pce Body'' would take form, also recognized as the ''Great Dao Immortal Body''. In the Great Dao Immortal Body, every inch functioned akin to the ''dantian'' and ''meridians''. The stored Immortal Yuan Power experienced an exponential surge, while the encapsted power of the Great Dao grew increasingly profound and boundless. Next came the Nirvana Cleansing realm, marking the third stage in the Third Step of the Cultivation Path. This realm served as a continuation of the Nirvana Peering realm, focusing primarily on deepening the understanding of the power of the Great Dao. Uponprehending the power of forty-nine types of Great Dao, one could harness the Great Dao''s power to attain true Nirvana. At this juncture, the cultivator essentially became an emissary of the Great Dao. A marked feature was an intensifiedmunion with the universe, leading to a significant enhancement in the cultivator''s aptitude, which progressed beyond ''Perfect Grade'' to achieve the ''Peerless Grade'' level. Chapter 324: No Target Left to Impress After the Nirvana Cleansing realm came the Void Tribtion realm. At this point, due to the cultivator''s excess fusion with Great Dao energy and a heightened connection to the universe, they became exceedingly vulnerable to being absorbed by the vast cosmic forces, potentially losing their consciousness. In a way, this stage could be seen as a form of decline. Therefore, this phase was termed the ''Void Tribtion realm''. The term ''Void'' signifies emptiness, a nothingness that implies the total loss of one''s self if assimted by the cosmic forces. The key to oveing this cmityy in practicing the ''Space Great Dao''. By mastering this essential cosmicw, a cultivator could forge their own world. This would not only elevate theirbat capabilities but also sidestep the peril of being absorbed by the cosmic forces. Mastering the Space Great Dao was no simple feat, and achieving unity with it was even more daunting. Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, present within Jiang Chen''s Void Tribtion Soul, served as prime examples. Nangong Wan had managed to grasp the Space Great Dao but hadn''t yet merged with it, preventing her from advancing to the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path. Shangguan Ning, on the other hand, had not evenpletely grasped the Space Great Dao, trailing a bit behind Nangong Wan. Turning back to the main issue at hand, Jiang Chen''s immediate task was to use the Dao Pce as his foundation and to disseminate the power of the Great Dao throughout his body, thus initiating the transcendence of his cells. Jiang Chen had already achieved no small feat inprehending the power of the Great Dao, especially after defeating Shao Ji and four other Transcendence realm cultivators. These were cultivators of the Transcendence realm, each possessing mastery over the Five Elements Great Dao as well as other fragmented aspects of the Great Dao. Using the Death Cmity Dark Star Moon Dao Embryo, Jiang Chen had already seized full control of the Five Elements Great Dao. Now in his possession were the Great Dao powers of the Five Elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, as well as the Sword Great Dao. He alsomanded theplete Great Dao powers of Wind, Thunder, Ice, and Darkness, in addition to the fragmented Soul Great Dao. In total, this amounted to eleven different types of Great Dao powers. For him, reaching the Early-stage Transcendence realm was entirely feasible. ''Let''s begin! Vast purity, profound creation, through the ages...'' Jiang Chen started channeling his primary cultivation method, the Supreme Pure Creation Heart Sutra. From the Dao Pce, waves of Great Dao energy peculiarly radiated throughout his body! As this was happening, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning kept a close watch on him. Under the guidance of these two seasoned Void Tribtion realm powerhouses, the chances of Jiang Chen making a mistake were significantly reduced! As time slowly psed, the aura around Jiang Chen underwent continuous transformations. At one specific moment, his eyshes quivered slightly, followed by a sh of light skimming over his skin, rendering his entire form elusive. This peculiar transformation quickly subsided, and Jiang Chen reverted to his previous state. Yet, he had sessfully ascended to the Third Step of the Cultivation Path and entered the Transcendence realm! ''System, show me the detailed information!'' Upon thinking this, an information panel immediately materialized in front of Jiang Chen. [Host: Jiang Chen Aptitude: Perfect Grade Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body Realm: Early-stage Transcendence Great Dao: Sword Dao, Fire Dao, Metal Dao, Wood Dao, Earth Dao, Wind Dao, Thunder Dao, Water Dao, Ice Dao, Darkness Dao (Complete), Soul Dao (Fragmented) True Combat Power: Peak-stage Transcendence realm Cultivation Methods: Supreme Pure Creation Heart Sutra (Primordial Chaos, primary cultivation), Bright Spirit Pure Heart Art, Mysterious Body Locking Primordial Technique, Falling Sun Nine Heavens Mystic Art, Titan Body Forging Ancient Scroll, Death Attraction Nine Tribtions Sword Technique, Golden Cicada Umbra Shield Skill, Ten Thousand Soul Seed Secrets (Transcendence realm, perfect-level)... Partially omitted Main Equipment: Purple Heaven Immortal Martial Sword (immortal tool, lower-grade), Fate Chasing Kite Pupils (dao tool, top-grade 8/9), Peerless Heaven Piercing Sword (magic treasure, top-grade), Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf (magic treasure, top-grade)... Partially omitted Viin Value: 337,200 points ck Heavenly Fate Value: 64,222 points Heaven-Defying Fate Changer: Viin''s Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring, Wordless Heavenly Jade, Void Tribtion Soul, Death Cmity Dark Star Moon Dao Embryo System Mall: Level 2] ''Everydaybat power at the Peak-stage Transcendence realm!'' Jiang Chen couldn''t help but exim inwardly, excitement surging within him. ''If I were to assume my dragon-human hybrid form, employ the Void Tribtion Soul, and engage in ambush tactics, I''d be unbeatable within the Transcendence realm!'' ''Even those in the Nirvana Peering realm would struggle to defeat me in my full-fledged state!'' These thoughts swirled in his mind as he felt the immense power pulsating within him, a rxed smile adorning his face. Nheless, he continually reminded himself that, as the Viin perpetually embroiled in tribtions,cency was not an option. Simultaneously, as Jiang Chen achieved his breakthrough, Mo Hao sat in a meditation chamber. He consumed all the pills he had previously traded for, finally stabilizing his shaky cultivation foundation. Although his cultivation base had seen significant improvement through these potent pills, they could only mend his foundation to a moderate level, nothing extraordinary. ''I''m merely at the Middle-stage of the Transcendence realm now,'' Mo Hao thought to himself. ''Mybat capabilities are quite average. To face Jiang Chen in this condition is undoubtedly insufficient.'' ''Even leveraging those ten thousand Pretentious Points won''t propel me past Jiang Chen,'' he mused, furrowing his brows. ''So what''s my next move?'' After a moment of contemtion, Mo Hao devised a strategy: the age-old trick of feigning weakness to catch the enemy off guard. However, this approach wouldn''t work on Jiang Chen; he''d have to target weaker individuals. ''With my current level of power,'' Mo Hao considered, ''perhaps only Jiang Chen outsses me on this Immortal Martial Continent.'' ''If I act weak against others, overpowering them would be a simple matter. I could deceive them all.'' ''Though acting feeble against lesser foes would earn me fewer Pretentious Points, the little increments will add up over time.'' With this thought, he promptly opened his meditation chamber''s door. Checking the chamber next door, Mo Hao sensed long, steady breaths emanating from within, signaling that Jiang Chen was deep in cultivation. ''Continue your cultivation, don''te out. Big brother is going out to y some tricks,'' Mo Hao thought gleefully. Without giving any indication, he slipped quietly away from the Inheritance Peak''s ruins. What he didn''t realize was that Jiang Chen had already anticipated his moves! Jiang Chen had relocated every cultivator from this Cave Heaven to the outside. As a consequence, Mo Hao wandered around the expansive Cave Heaven for an extended period, only to discover, much to his astonishment, that he couldn''t find a single person! "Damn it! How can there be not a single person in such a vast Cave Heaven?" Frustrated, Mo Hao stood on a mountain peak, ring at the only living creatures he had found: a group of harmless demonic beasts. But what use would deceiving mere beasts be? "Damn it. What a sheer waste for Jiang Chen not to allow anyone in such a vast Cave Heaven," Mo Hao grumbled, his lips curling downwards. Flying back toward the Inheritance Peak''s ruins, he intended to have Jiang Chen release him from this Cave Heaven. Yet, as he approached the meditation room, the sound of steady, prolonged breaths reached his ears. Jiang Chen was still engrossed in his cultivation! The corner of Mo Hao''s mouth twitched; he had been roaming for so long, yet Jiang Chen remained undisturbed. Mo Hao''s brow furrowed as he called out, "Daoist friend Jiang Chen?" There was no response from within the room. Jiang Chen seemed to be deeply submerged in a sea of cultivation, blissfully exploring its depths. ''Am I trapped in this Cave Heaven? If he doesn''te out, I can''t deceive anyone,'' Mo Hao pondered, his face growing darker. Rubbing his forehead, he thought, ''Should I disturb his cultivation? Interrupting a cultivator during meditation is a serious taboo.'' As Mo Hao stood there, torn in his indecision, the door to the meditation room before him suddenly swung open. A Message from AlphaWIA: A Message from AlphaWIA : Enjoying the story? Join me onPatreon/AlphaWIA] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. Enjoying the story? Join me on Patreon /AlphaWIA] to read advanced chapters and get ess to my new workyour support really motivates me to keep going. If you appreciate what I''m doing and aren''t interested in a Patreon membership, feel free to support me onKo-fi/alphawia] If you appreciate what I''m doing and aren''t interested in a Patreon membership, feel free to support me on Ko-fi /alphawia] You can also follow me ontform X/DaoistAlphaWIA] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! You can also follow me on tform X /DaoistAlphaWIA] to catch more free updates. Your engagement is truly appreciated. Thank you! Chapter 325: How About We Make a Bet? Important: Important : This is my final chapter on this website. To continue reading public chapters, please visit myPatreon/AlphaWIA]. This is my final chapter on this website. To continue reading public chapters, please visit my Patreon /AlphaWIA]. For notifications on when I post free chapters, you can also follow me ontform X/DaoistAlphaWIA]. For notifications on when I post free chapters, you can also follow me on tform X /DaoistAlphaWIA]. Thank you! Emerging from the quiet room, Jiang Chen wore a somewhat gloomy expression. "Finally, you''ve emerged, Daoist Friend Jiang Chen!" Mo Hao eximed with joy, stepping forward hastily to greet him, all while disregarding Jiang Chen''s darkened countenance. "Something''s gone wrong, Daoist Friend Mo Hao," Jiang Chen stated grimly. He held several red magatamas in his hand, soul seeds belonging to his subordinates that could convey simple thoughts to some extent. Jiang Chen and his team had prearranged signals. Just a short while ago, a message came through these soul seeds, indicating an anomaly in the spatial node beneath the Bottomless Abyss. No further exnation was needed; it was clear that the demon race was trying to open a spatial channel. "What? What''s happened?" Mo Hao''s face showed concern, but inwardly he was indifferent. At this moment, his sole desire was to act ostentatiously; other matters held no interest for him. "The demon race is trying to open the spatial channel of the Bottomless Abyss again!" Jiang Chen looked at Mo Hao. "Their onught this time will surely be far more terrifying. Last time, they sent more than one Middle-stage Transcendence realm demon. Now, it''s highly probable that a great powerhouse from the Nirvana Peering realm will make an appearance." "What! A great powerhouse from the Nirvana Peering realm?" Mo Hao''s face turned serious for a moment. "That would indeed be a problem!" However, his smile quickly returned. "Rest assured, Daoist Friend Jiang Chen. I have a way for the Immortal Martial Continent to weather this crisis!" "Oh? What''s the method?" Jiang Chen inquired, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. In truth, he likely already had an idea of what Mo Hao was plotting. If his hunch was urate, the n involved gaining strength through ostentatious acts, humiliating those who had disparaged him before the demon race''s invasion, and then dealing a decisive blow to the demons! Sure enough, Mo Hao dered, "The solution is quite simple!" "All that''s needed is for Daoist Friend Jiang Chen to allow me to roam freely across the Immortal Martial Continent." "However, there''s a single condition: you, Daoist Friend Jiang Chen, must not interfere in any of my actions, nor even disclose my identity." "In essence, act as though I don''t exist." "Soon enough, afterpleting my wanderings, I''ll naturally gain the power to wipe out the demon race!" His gaze met Jiang Chen''s, his expression a mix of arrogance and mystery, as he eagerly awaited Jiang Chen''s shocked and incredulous response. In Mo Hao''s mind, his proposal was oundish, something Jiang Chen would certainly find hard to believe. Yet, given that Jiang Chen was backed into a corner with no other alternatives, he would likely resort to trying anything, thus granting Mo Hao an opportunity to test his n. Under circumstances where Jiang Chen waspletely disbelieving and desperate, Mo Hao could then proceed with his wanderingsostentatiously amassing powerand return to fundamentally shake Jiang Chen''s beliefs. In doing so, he would stage yet another grand spectacle and rack up additional Pretentious Points. If Mo Hao sessfully put on airs before Jiang Chen, the Pretentious Points he''d umte would undoubtedly be significant. Next, having gained formidable strength, he could also disy ostentation before the demon race. Thus, once the snowball started rolling, his rise would be unstoppable! Yet, Jiang Chen''s response caught Mo Hao off guard. "No need to worry, I understand that the universe is vast and full of possibilities. If you say wandering will make you stronger, I believe you," Jiang Chen said, a confident smile suddenly gracing his face. "However, if I''ve sessfully repelled the demon race''s invasion once, I can certainly do it again." "Huh?" Mo Hao stared at Jiang Chen, disbelief coloring his expression. "You yourself said the demon race is likely to bring Nirvana Peering realm experts this time." "While you do possess thebat strength of the Late-stage Transcendence realm, that''s still insufficient against the demon race in the Nirvana Peering realm." "I honestly can''t see how you could fend off the demon invasion." "Do you n on severing the spatial channel? They''ll surely be prepared for that and won''t let you seed." "So, trust me this once, Daoist Friend Jiang Chen," he urged, utterly baffled by the source of Jiang Chen''s confidence. "I''ve already told you, I believe you," Jiang Chen said, looking at Mo Hao with a smile and eyes filled with certainty. "But I also have a genuine method to thwart the demon invasion." "However, I''ll need your help for it. I hope you''ll assist me," he added. "This!" Mo Hao blurted out, "You really have a method?" "Your strength is currently limited; what if something unforeseen urs and your n fails?" Feeling a surge of emotion, he dered, "I still believe that I should be the one to act. It''s more reliable than relying on you, whether you believe it or not." "Haha," Jiang Chen uttered, a faint smile on his lips. "There''s zero possibility of failure." "I wouldn''t gamble with the lives of countless beings in the Immortal Martial Continent," he dered, his tone unwavering. "Sigh, I know you don''t believe me," Mo Hao said, shaking his head. "How about we make a bet?" "A bet?" Jiang Chen responded with a smile. "What sort of bet?" "You im you can manage the demon race''s impending disaster," Mo Hao proposed. "Then go ahead and repel them while I proceed with my wanderings. We''ll strike from both angles, thus increasing our chances of averting this crisis!" He stated confidently, "If I can''t attain a level where I can single-handedly resolve the demon invasion, then you can consider me the loser." "What''s at stake if you lose?" Jiang Chen inquired, shaking his head with a smile. "Are you proposing to bet your secrets?" "Haha," Mo Hao let out a dry chuckle, "Let''s opt for a different wager. How about ten million high-grade spirit stones?" "Very well. I ept the bet," Jiang Chen said, nodding with a smile. "Proceed with your wanderings; I''m curious to see just how remarkable you can be." In truth, Jiang Chen could readily find another reason to decline Mo Hao''s offer. However, he was wary that pressuring Mo Hao excessively might provoke a sudden shift in the Heavenly Fate. Furthermore, he surmised that the anomalies in the spatial node within the Bottomless Abyss, which could lead to another demon invasion, might be partially prompted by the Heavenly Fate in response to him keeping Mo Hao confined in the Cave Heaven, thereby inhibiting him from concocting any plots. Additionally, if he obstructed Mo Hao from devising a particr plot, he would also lose the opportunity to thwart that plot, making it challenging to diminish Mo Hao''s Heavenly Fate Value. After pondering the matter, he resolved to let Mo Hao proceed. Once Mo Hao had set his n in motion, Jiang Chen would then take it apart! Regarding the demon race invasion, his strength had surged dramatically in just a matter of days. For him, stopping the demon incursion was no longer a formidable challenge. "Excellent! Daoist Friend Jiang Chen, please open the spatial channel so I can embark on my wanderings!" Mo Hao''s face beamed with excitement. "Remember, don''t reveal my identity to anyone; behave as if I''m not here." "I assure you, I won''t disclose your identity and will refrain from interfering in your wanderings throughout the Immortal Martial Continent," Jiang Chen said with a smile. "However, keep in mind that I have no control over the demon race. As you''re aware, they still have hidden powerhouses within the Immortal Martial Continent..." "I understand. Go ahead and open the spatial door," Mo Hao nodded. "For added precaution, I''d like to be transported far from the Pure Frost Domain." He had already resolved to travel far from the Pure Frost Domain, concealing his identity to y the fool in order to outsmart the wise. He found it hard to believe that, despite his caution, he would draw the attention of that dark sprite demon. Furthermore, as long as he could amass some Pretentious Points, he wouldn''t fear facing that demon again! What Mo Hao couldn''t possibly have anticipated, however, was that the dark sprite demon he had previously encountered was none other than Jiang Chen in disguise! "Very well, I''ll open the door for you now." A slight curve formed on Jiang Chen''s lips as he produced the secret key to Cave Heaven, opening a spatial channel. Chapter 326: Giving Mo Hao a Taste of Sweetness "Thank you," Mo Hao said, offering Jiang Chen a slight bow before stepping into the spatial channel. In an instant, he materialized in a secluded corner of the Immortal Martial Continentthe ck Wastnd Domain! This domain, abundant with ck soil yet sparse in cultivation resources, was sparsely popted. "Atst, I''m out!" Mo Hao sighed, ncing at the gradually closing spatial channel behind him. "It was indeed a bit rash to enter Jiang Chen''s Cave Heaven world so directly." Jiang Chen had already suspected that he was hiding something. Luckily, Jiang Chen had underestimated the gravity of the secret he held, thereby showing no interest and refraining from taking any action against him. Additionally, he hadn''t expected the Cave Heaven world to be empty aside from Jiang Chen, rendering any attempt at pretense impossible. ''What sort of individual is Jiang Chen, actually?'' Mo Hao pondered internally. ''On the surface, he seems kind, but I can''t shake the feeling that he harbors ulterior motives.'' ''Yet, he chose not to act against me in the Cave Heaven, even though that would''ve been an ideal chance. Whether I could''ve escaped or not remains uncertain.'' ''Have I misjudged him, or are his ns too intricate and his goals too lofty for him to act hastily?'' ''Enough pondering. My priority now is to find people I can show off to, p them around a bit, and earn some Pretentious Points to grow stronger.'' ''Jiang Chen, whatever your motives may be, if they''re detrimental to me, don''t me me for serving you a slice of humble pie and using that to strengthen myself.'' His face gradually lit up with a sense of excitement and anticipation as he settled on this thought. Upon leaving the Cave Heaven, he felt as liberated as a bird soaring through the sky or a fish swimming in the boundless ocean! "Let''s head toward the crowds!" Mo Hao expanded his divine sense and swiftly located a sprawling city next to a massivekeGlorious Obsidian City. Arge-scale cultivator hub, Glorious Obsidian City boasted a poption of one million. Constructed primarily of obsidian, the city emanated an aura of both strength and mystery. "This is the ce!" Mo Hao dered, propelling himself through the air toward his chosen destination. Unbeknownst to him, this decision was precisely what Jiang Chen had been counting on. At that very moment, Jiang Chen was positioned 3 million kilometers away, surveying the whole of Glorious Obsidian City. All of a sudden, amidst the bustling crowds, a multitude of supporting characters materialized. ''So, supporting characters have made their appearance,'' Jiang Chen thought to himself. ''It seems Mo Hao really did choose to go to the sprawling Glorious Obsidian City!'' ''He''s moving around, but it''s not aimless wandering; he has an objective.'' ''I was the one who selected the ck Wastnd Domain as his roaming location; Mo Hao didn''t specify it. His quest for strength isn''t tied to the area or even its cultivation resources. What he values most is interaction with people.'' ''He can derive benefits from people. Given earlier spections, it''s highly likely that he operates on some sort of systemwhere acting pretentiously would yield him gains.'' ''It could be another type of system too, perhaps one focused on amassing emotional points or something simr.'' ''To ascertain the details, I''ll need to closely observe Mo Hao''s actions for more urate information.'' ''Now that Mo Hao has settled on Glorious Obsidian City, he''s certain tomence his pretentious acts, duping others only to prove them wrongter. Typically, the more extensive and numerous his targets are, the greater the benefits he stands to gain.'' ''The gains Mo Hao could rue from acting pretentious in Glorious Obsidian City will likely be modest at best. After all, he himself has already reached the Transcendence realm, while the most powerful beings in Glorious Obsidian City are merely at the Middle-stage Dao Pce realm,'' Jiang Chen reflected as he surveyed the sprawling city below, his mind a battleground of shing thoughts and emergent insights. Ultimately, he chose to let Mo Hao''s plot unfold undisturbed for the time being, opting to gather moreprehensive information instead. After all, Jiang Chen had ns to offer Mo Hao a taste of sweetness, aiming not to push him too far into a corner. Now was the ideal moment, given that Mo Hao''s targets for his pretentious acts were rtively weak; the benefits he stood to reap would likely be limited. ''That settles it,'' Jiang Chen thought, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth. Without dy, he produced a transmission jade token and reached out to a cadre of subordinates controlled by the Ten Thousand Soul Seed Secrets. Following the events in the Bottomless Abyss, Jiang Chen had dispatched a considerable number of individuals to ensure order was maintained. The majority hailed from the Prosperous Stone Immortal Star, including over a dozen individuals at the Peak-stage Dao Pce realm and even a few at the Half-step Transcendence realmoverall, a decent set of pawns. With these individuals in ce to maintain order, and the formation provided by Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning set up to suppress the tearing of the spatial node, the challenge for the demon race to reestablish the spatial channels would be substantially heightened. In the short term, concerns about the spatial node in the Bottomless Abyss could be set aside. ''What''s next,'' Jiang Chen pondered, ''is to tackle Mo Hao in earnest.'' "Wan''er, Ning''er, I can''t step in personally this time, so the two of you will have toe up with a solution." With these thoughts in mind, he reached out once more to his two stunning assistants. "Use the same trick we used to deceive Gu Ran," Nangong Wan suggested. "With the concealing capabilities of the Death Cmity Dark Star Moon Dao Embryo, and with the aid of the Void Tribtion Soul, let us take over your physical form while you orchestrate everything from behind the scenes," Shangguan Ning proposed. "In doing so, your body will appear as though it has morphed into someone else," Nangong Wan added. "Even if Mo Hao remains suspicious due to the Heavenly Fate, he won''t suspect it''s you. He''ll think it''s someone else," Shangguan Ning concluded. "Alright," Jiang Chen nodded in agreement. "However, utilizing the Void Tribtion Soul is quite draining on both of you." "Although you''ve managed to recuperate to the Middle-stage Transcendence realm thanks to Jiu Xiaoyin''s Nether Soul Crystal, it would be wise to conserve energy." "This time, only one of you will ''possess'' me, while the other takes the opportunity to rest," he stated, making minor modifications to their original n. "Then let me take the lead this time," Shangguan Ning softly suggested, her smile faint yet warm. "It''s been a while since I''ve had the chance to control a physical body." Nangong Wan offered no words, her silence serving as a tacit agreement. "Alright, go ahead," Jiang Chen nodded, unfurling the Void Tribtion Soul without a moment''s hesitation. In a mere moment, Shangguan Ning''s soul melded seamlessly with that of Jiang Chen, almost as if they had be one. Right after that, Jiang Chen withdrew his own consciousness, tucking it deep within the Void Tribtion Soul. This allowed Shangguan Ning''s will to assume full control of the body. Within a split second, a profound transformation overtook Jiang Chen''s aura and demeanor. Even his facial features softened, adopting a more delicate and nuanced expression. Jiang Chen watched this transformation unfold before his own eyes. Though he wasn''t particrly keen on assuming a more effeminate look, he found this minor inconvenience entirely eptable in the grand scheme of handling the protagonist more adeptly. After all, reverting back to his original form was always an option. More important than the shifts in his demeanor, aura, and physical features was the crucial transformation in his divine sense. Now under the guidance of Shangguan Ning''s soul, the chance of Jiang Chen''s true identity being discovered was virtually nil. "Let''s begin, for now, focus on the supporting characters," Jiang Chen directed from within his sea of consciousness, pulling all the strings behind the scenes! "Yes!" Shangguan Ning responded with a slight nod. She promptly activated the Death Cmity Dark Star Moon Dao Embryo to mask her form and suppress her aura, then proceeded to enter Glorious Obsidian City. ''This time, the Fate Value of most supporting characters aren''t very low, none reaching a fatal level,'' Jiang Chen silently pondered. ''It seems Mo Hao will kill fewer people, likely only eliminating those who truly deserve it. After all, he has to give some face to me, the Lord of the Immortal Martial Continent.'' It wasn''t long before Mo Hao made his entrance into Glorious Obsidian City as well. With his Viin''s Eye, Jiang Chen detected him at once. He observed that Mo Hao had subtly changed both his appearance and clothing, while concealing his aura down to the Mysterious tform realm. For daily free chapters, go to my Patreon The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!