Chapter 280 - 163: Refining Gang! Refining Gang
A violent, chaotic, and destructive wave of energy burst forth uncontrollably, slamming into the stabilizing array carved on the secret chamber’s walls and causing it to ripple and hum.
The entire secret chamber felt as if it had become the center of an impending storm—dangerous and oppressive.
Just as the conflict between Yin and Yang escalated to a critical point, threatening to tear his meridians and destroy his Dantian, the Dust-Reducing Spirit Pill he had taken earlier finally began to display its miraculous effects.
It didn’t forcefully intervene in the struggle. Instead, it emitted a profound neutralizing and harmonizing power, acting like the most skilled of peacemakers to gently smooth the violent, jagged edges of the two forces.
It guided them away from pure opposition and repulsion, toward a slow, difficult... contact, then probing, and finally... a preliminary fusion.
Chen Sheng clung to the last sliver of clarity in his Spirit Platform, immersing himself completely in the incredibly dangerous breakthrough process. He carefully controlled the Profound Sun Treasure Pearl, continuously and steadily drawing in wisps of Profound Sun Qi.
Like a determined fire tender in a storm, he maintained the subtle, fragile balance within his Dantian, slowly pushing toward a deeper level of fusion and refinement...
Condensing Evil, Refining Gang. Breaking through to the Profound Gang Realm.
Today was the day!
.....
「Meanwhile.」
As Chen Sheng was in seclusion for his breakthrough, Lu Xuanzhou returned to Luoyun Manor, escorted by the Danxia Sect. His expression, however, was utterly grim.
He looked utterly bereaved, his emotions a complex and indescribable turmoil.
’He never, ever would have imagined that Chen Sheng’s strength could be so terrifying.’
’He had actually managed to fight and win against someone in a higher realm.’
’And most importantly, he had become the man’s stepping stone!’
Lu Xuanzhou had returned from the Vast Sea Upper Sect specifically to avenge his family’s shame. Instead, he himself had become a source of disgrace.
Lu Xuanzhou had no doubt that once the news spread, he would become the laughingstock of Ning’an Prefecture.
A dignified Profound Gang Martial Master, beaten into a sorry state by a mere Earth Fiend Martial Master... Lu Xuanzhou’s stomach churned just thinking about how the rumors would be hotly debated.
What Lu Xuanzhou found even harder to accept was that Chen Sheng had also comprehended a Mental Realm!
Although Lu Xuanzhou had never comprehended a Mental Realm himself, he had witnessed its power during his time at the Vast Sea Upper Sect. He understood just how terrifying it was, and this knowledge only deepened his sense of defeat.
After all, even in the Vast Sea Upper Sect, a place teeming with hidden masters and deep foundations, you couldn’t find many True Inheritors who had comprehended a Mental Realm. Those who managed it below the Mystic Realm were even rarer—few enough to be counted on one hand.
The only ones he knew of were two True Inheritors whom the Vast Sea Upper Sect had supported with all its might. They had broken their shackles to comprehend a Mental Realm while still in the Innate Realm. Now, both of those True Inheritors were ranked on the Dragon and Tiger List.
They had become top-tier prodigies, a rarity in all of Yunzhou.
’What did this mean?’
’It meant that Chen Sheng also had the potential to be a top-tier prodigy.’
And so, amid his gloom and misery, the killing intent in Lu Xuanzhou’s heart grew even heavier.
If he allowed Chen Sheng to continue cultivating, then with such potential and talent, a future breakthrough to the Mystic Realm was highly likely. It wasn’t even out of the question for him to reach the Pill Realm above it and become a Grandmaster.
When that time came, even with the Vast Sea Upper Sect’s backing, there was no guarantee Luoyun Manor would escape annihilation.
As things stood, there were only two paths before Luoyun Manor.
Either they could bow their heads to Chen Sheng and bury the hatchet, or they could eliminate him for good and end the feud completely.
If this were an ordinary grudge, Lu Xuanzhou would certainly advise his father to choose the path of reconciliation. But now, the enmity between their two sides ran too deep.
Chen Sheng had wiped out one of Luoyun Manor’s vassal forces and humiliated the manor by crashing the wedding.
And Luoyun Manor, in turn, had paid a heavy price to hire assassins from the White Tiger Hall.
It was safe to say their conflict would not end until one side was dead.
Even if they wanted to reconcile, they couldn’t help but worry. ’Could Chen Sheng truly let go of this grudge?’
"Brother."
Just as Lu Xuanzhou was lost in thought, weighing his options, a familiar voice suddenly rang out. He turned to see Lu Maozhi approaching, his face lit with excitement.
"What is it?"
Lu Xuanzhou asked, frowning.
"Brother, I’m sure you’ve heard about my situation. I can never forget the shame of my wedding being crashed, and this new humiliation to Luoyun Manor feels like a knife twisting in my heart.
"Please, Brother, you must avenge me! March on the Jingwu Bureau and crush Chen Sheng!"
Lu Maozhi spoke with a solemn air, a vicious glint in his eyes.
He had long pinned his hopes on his older brother, but due to the prior incident, he had been confined for a long time. He hadn’t even been able to see his brother after learning of his return.
Therefore, as soon as his confinement was lifted, he had rushed to see his brother at the first opportunity.
Lu Xuanzhou looked at his younger brother’s expectant gaze, opened his mouth, but for a moment, found himself at a loss for words. He could only respond with silence.
"Brother, don’t you want to see Luoyun Manor’s honor restored?"
Seeing his brother remain silent, Lu Maozhi grew anxious.
Even Li Xuance couldn’t withstand a single strike from Chen Sheng. He knew he could likely never catch up to the man on his own, so all his hopes were pinned on Lu Xuanzhou.
If Lu Xuanzhou was unwilling to act, he would be doomed to remain the laughingstock of Ning’an Prefecture.
"Maozhi..."
Lu Xuanzhou took a deep breath, his fists clenching within his sleeves, and said in a low voice,
"I’m sorry. Your brother has failed you. I... I was defeated at Chen Sheng’s hands."
"What?"
Lu Maozhi was stunned for a moment, then he gave a disbelieving laugh. "Brother, don’t joke around. How could Chen Sheng possibly be a match for you?"
He admitted that Chen Sheng was strong, far beyond any ordinary person.