Chapter 291 - 167: Profound Flame Order, Yin Spirit Fire
He had comprehended a Mental Realm while at the Earth Fiend level, and even fought above his rank to soundly defeat Lu Xuanzhou.
It was no exaggeration to say that Chen Sheng was now an absolute top-tier Martial Dao genius, his reputation even surpassing that of Dharma Treasury from Golden Spring Temple and Zhang Daoming from Qingfeng Temple.
Coupled with their intimate encounter in the carriage that day, Wang Zilan was more than happy to marry Chen Sheng.
She had even mentioned it at the time, but Chen Sheng had never relented.
Faced with Wang Zilan’s earnestness, Chen Sheng didn’t joke around much this time. Instead, he stated decisively,
"I have said before that our relationship is just a transaction. So, while I appreciate the Wang Family’s kind intentions, let’s drop the matter of the marriage alliance."
Although Wang Zilan had long been mentally prepared, hearing these words from Chen Sheng again still caused the color to drain from her face. After a long silence, she gave a slight nod.
"I... I understand. But the Clan Leader’s wish is for you to visit the Wang Family in person to discuss this."
"I’ll go. As it happens, I also have some business to discuss with Clan Leader Wang."
Chen Sheng had already anticipated this and wasn’t surprised.
Besides, he had no desire to make an enemy of the Ning’an Wang Clan.
What the Wang Family wanted was simple. Besides taking an interest in a peerless genius like him, they also wanted his help in the upcoming battle at Wushan Mountain.
The former was out of the question; he was already the Nie Family’s designated son-in-law.
But the latter was negotiable.
As long as the Wang Family could put enough on the table.
’What’s the harm in helping the Wang Family just once?’
It was no exaggeration to say that after his cultivation advanced to the Profound Gang Realm, he no longer considered the so-called Ning’an Ten Heroes a threat. This was true even though Dharma Treasury from Golden Spring Temple and Zhang Daoming from Qingfeng Temple were touted as being extraordinary. But then again, he was hardly ordinary himself.
Now, his sights were actually set on the experts of the Mystic Realm.
"When will you go?"
"Tomorrow," Chen Sheng said after a moment of thought.
"I understand. Then... then I shall take my leave."
Wang Zilan sighed to herself and rose to leave.
"Wait."
Chen Sheng suddenly stopped her.
"Is there something else, Chen?"
Wang Zilan turned back, a sliver of hope subconsciously blooming within her.
’Could it be that Chen Sheng has changed his mind?’
"We haven’t seen each other in days. If I didn’t offer you some hospitality, wouldn’t that be rude of me?" Chen Sheng smiled, then continued his invitation,
"I’ve gathered some Spiritual Liquid recently. It tastes wonderful when paired with Spirit Tea. Would Miss Wang like to try some?"
A flicker of indecision crossed Wang Zilan’s features as she recalled their previous, pleasant tea experience in the carriage. After a moment of deliberation, she said nothing, but she made no further move to leave.
Understanding her unspoken answer, Chen Sheng smiled and stepped forward, wrapping an arm around Wang Zilan’s slender waist.
Wang Zilan’s body tensed slightly, but she didn’t struggle. With her eyes downcast, she allowed Chen Sheng to guide her into the quiet room to the side.
The door closed softly, and the scent of tea began to curl through the air.
It mingled with a sensual aura that slowly began to drift.
.....
「Ning’an Prefecture, Yinfeng Valley.」
The valley was shrouded in gray mist all year long. A desolate wind howled through the rocks, like the wailing of aggrieved souls, making it one of the few forbidden lands within Ning’an Prefecture.
Over a hundred years ago, the valley had been occupied by an outside Demon Sect that intended to establish itself in Ning’an Prefecture. However, it was later besieged by a joint attack from the six great powers of the prefecture.
In the end, the Demon Sect was wiped out.
To prevent anyone else from coveting the land, the six great powers went to great lengths to destroy a Yin Vein located there. However, this caused Yin Fiend and Earth Qi to mix, creating a Yin Wind that could corrode bone and extinguish the soul.
The Yin Wind was ferocious.
Even a skilled Martial Master at the Foundation Establishment stage would suffer internal organ damage if exposed to the wind for too long. Combined with the lack of any valuable resources or treasures, the valley was naturally abandoned once more.
「On this day.」
Inside Yinfeng Valley.
Over a dozen figures in blood-red robes appeared. Each had a sinister and unsettling face, with many bearing blood-colored runes. The same bizarre pattern was embroidered on all of their robes.
The group stood in silence, as if waiting for someone to arrive.
Anyone present would have been utterly astonished.
Because these people were all from the Blood River Sect!
This Demonic Dao Sect had migrated from another prefecture, and its appearance had caused quite a stir in Ning’an. Especially in recent years, its actions had become more and more brazen.
It had become a major headache for the six great powers.
But the fiends of the Blood River Sect were elusive, their movements unpredictable, leaving even the six great powers helpless to do anything about them.
What no one knew, however, was that Yinfeng Valley was the Blood River Sect’s base of operations in Ning’an Prefecture.
SWOOSH!
A moment later, a blood-red streak of light shot across the sky, halting above Yinfeng Valley. As the sanguine glow faded, a figure completely shrouded in a blood-red robe slowly materialized.
A striking, blood-red rune was embroidered upon its chest.
A heavy stench of blood hung about the figure.
"Greetings, Fourth Elder!"
The dozen or so figures bowed in unison, their expressions deferential.
The Fourth Elder’s gaze slowly swept across the group as a hoarse voice emanated from beneath the blood-red robe.
"Have you found that traitor, Wang?"
"Reporting to the Fourth Elder, we’ve determined Wang Qianlang’s whereabouts. He was hiding in Shuimuyue Nunnery not long ago. Three months ago, he was unexpectedly ambushed and killed by the Jingwu Bureau," a middle-aged man with a withered face, who seemed to be the leader, hurriedly replied.
"And the Profound Flame Order?"
The Fourth Elder’s voice dropped, and the chill emanating from him seemed to make the surrounding Yin Wind sluggish.
The withered-faced man’s heart clenched, and his voice trembled slightly.
"A long time has passed since that day, so the details are unclear. Not only was the team led by Chen Sheng, the Deputy Captain of the Jingwu Bureau’s G Camp... Vice Governor Sun Siniang also made a move. Wang Protector died by her hand, and the Profound Flame Order has since disappeared.
"I speculate it’s either in Chen Sheng’s hands or was taken by Sun Siniang. It’s difficult to make a move against people from the Jingwu Bureau, so... without instructions from the sect, I dared not act rashly."
"That traitor Wang was on the run with the Profound Flame Order for all this time, and after investigating for so long, all you can give me is speculation?"
"Useless. A bunch of useless trash."
The Fourth Elder’s voice grew colder still, and an invisible pressure began to emanate silently from him.
All the surrounding figures in their blood-red robes lowered their eyes, not daring to object.
"I am incompetent. I deserve death. Please instruct us on what to do next, Fourth Elder."
The withered-faced leader hurriedly admitted his fault.
"The battle at Wushan Mountain is about to begin, which will be the perfect opportunity to deal with the Danxia Sect. Sun Yuzhi is a Vice Envoy for the Jingwu Bureau, so it’s not wise to move against her for now; the Government Office’s reaction would be too strong. For now, test that Deputy Captain, Chen Sheng.
"See if the Profound Flame Order is in his possession. If it is, bring it back to me."
The Fourth Elder snorted, his killing intent palpable.
"Yes, I obey! I will not fail your command, Fourth Elder."
The withered-faced man gave his immediate assurance, afraid that even a moment’s delay would provoke the Fourth Elder’s wrath.
"What is the situation with the Danxia Sect?"
The Fourth Elder changed the subject. He had recently returned to the sect for a time, leaving this Protector before him in full charge of all affairs.
"Reporting, Fourth Elder, everything is proceeding according to your plans. I have already subjugated and now control several Danxia Sect disciples who can be activated at any moment. As for the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance..."
The withered-faced man quickly summarized the events of the past few weeks.
He made a point of mentioning his own personal achievement in killing a Profound Gang elder from the Danxia Sect, hoping to appease some of the Fourth Elder’s anger and perhaps even earn a reward.
Unfortunately, the Fourth Elder showed no reaction, merely nodding indifferently.
"Since you have moles in place, lay low for a while. Focus everything on the battle at Wushan Mountain. Chen Sheng, however, is an exception. Within three days, I want to know whether or not he has the Profound Flame Order!"
"Rest assured, Fourth Elder. I will deal with him personally," the withered-faced man declared, his tone decisive.
"Go."
The Fourth Elder waved his hand dismissively.
"Yes, sir!"
"Yes, sir!"
The crowd of blood-robed figures bowed in unison, then scattered like phantoms, seeming to melt into the surrounding Yin Wind and mist.
The Fourth Elder watched them vanish without a word.
’But inwardly, he was already deep in thought.’
’The Blood River Sect was targeting the Danxia Sect not only because it was the weakest of the five other major powers and thus the easiest to invade, but also because, according to their spies, the Danxia Sect also possessed a Profound Flame Order.’
’According to the sect’s Great Elder, gathering all three Profound Flame Orders would reveal the exact location of Profound Flame Daoist’s estate.’
’Within that estate was not only the accumulated legacy of his entire life’s work, but also a strand of Profound Spirit Yin Fire that the Sect Leader was determined to obtain. That fire was the Blood River Sect’s true objective.’
’Of course, there was no need to inform his subordinates of such things.’
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Author’s Note: The next Chapter will be out this afternoon. I finished writing this one at 3:30 AM. I’ll get the second Chapter up after I’ve had some sleep.