Chapter 214 - 211: Detection
Perhaps Shen Changchuan was just naturally a bit cold-blooded.
Among the fifty or sixty children of the Shen Clan Leader, Shen Fuxing, he shared no real affection with any of them.
Even during the usual New Year’s Eve dinners, when the entire large family gathered,
he would just watch coldly from the sidelines,
like an outsider.
Keeping his distance from those so-called brothers and sisters was both a strategy for self-preservation and a reflection of his own nature.
But then again,
since Shen Chong had appeared here today and subtly shown him goodwill,
he wouldn’t harbor any ill will toward him in the future.
While he might not be one to repay a small kindness with a grand one,
he could at least be clear about his debts and grievances.
’Speaking of which, that Shen Chong seems really strange...’
Shen Changchuan couldn’t help but wonder as he recalled their earlier meeting.
As someone whose Divine Sense had achieved Soul Emergence ahead of schedule,
his perception was far sharper than that of an ordinary Cultivator at the Qi Introduction Ninth Layer Realm.
From Shen Chong,
he had faintly sensed the aura of an incredibly powerful Divine Soul hidden within him...
’Could it be the classic "old grandpa" trope from ancient xuanhuan web novels? A ring carrying the remnant soul of an ancient expert?’
Shen Changchuan couldn’t help but be suspicious.
’A little over a year ago, when I left Tian Nan City for Dawan Village, was also when he injured his watchers, made some harsh threats, and fled the Shen Family...’
’If I recall correctly, his Cultivation Realm before that was only around the Qi Introduction Fourth Layer... How long has it been, and he’s already at the Ninth Layer Late Stage?’
A glint of light flashed in the depths of Shen Changchuan’s eyes.
Moreover,
judging by the way Shen Zeyu was desperately fleeing earlier, he was most likely trying to escape Shen Chong’s pursuit!
This made Shen Changchuan even more puzzled.
Because, by wielding the power of that Bronze Bell, Shen Zeyu could be said to be capable of temporarily unleashing Soul Emergence Level power!
Yet such a person, upon encountering Shen Chong, fled for his life in a blind panic...
If someone claimed that Shen Chong was weak, no one would believe it!
In just one short year,
he reached the Ninth Layer Late Stage,
and his combat strength was great enough to surpass the Ninth Layer Peak...
This...
just seemed completely illogical.
Although the speed of his own, Shen Changchuan’s, power increase was by no means slower.
But his progress was the result of numerous fortuitous encounters and his own hard work.
During this time,
the amount of Heavenly and Earthly Treasures he, Shen Changchuan, had obtained
was probably on par with what even the direct lineage disciples of the great Cultivator families or Major Sects would receive!
It was precisely because of his relentless hard work, which he was able to maintain thanks to the progress bar display,
combined with a supply of Heavenly and Earthly Treasures comparable to that of a direct lineage disciple from a great family or Major Sect, that he had achieved what he had today!
This was simply not something an ordinary Loose Cultivator could ever accomplish.
If someone were to say Shen Chong had no secrets,
no one would ever believe it!
’Forget it, why bother thinking so much about it... Whether Shen Chong has an "old grandpa" or not, it has nothing to do with me.’
’No, it does have something to do with me... The more powerful Shen Chong becomes, and the more outstanding his talent appears, the more of the First Madam’s attention he will attract. That means I, and my mother back in the Shen Family Mansion, will be safer...’
’With someone else drawing fire, I can continue to hide in peace.’
’But no matter what, the only strength I can truly rely on is my own...’
At this thought,
Shen Changchuan shook his head again, casting the many thoughts from his mind.
If he had an "old grandpa," that was his own fortuitous opportunity.
There was no need to waste energy speculating about others.
"I see..."
Nangong City said, looking thoughtful.
He had naturally heard the name Shen Chong before; it had caused quite a stir in Tian Nan City back then.
So,
the identity of the Shen Changchuan before him...
He looked at Shen Changchuan, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
He hadn’t expected the man to have such a background.
However,
Nangong City didn’t ask for any more details.
His curiosity today had already been a bit excessive.
For the son of the Shen Clan Leader to end up in a place like the Border Desolate Land... there had to be an inside story.
Nangong City had no desire to rub salt in another’s wounds.
"Brother Nangong, please stand guard for me."
"Alright. Go ahead, I will make sure no one disturbs you."
Shen Changchuan nodded,
then dragged Shen Zeyu to the side, placed a hand on his head, closed his eyes, and began the Soul Search.
In truth, he didn’t know any specific Soul Searching Technique,
but his Divine Soul, far surpassing that of an ordinary Qi Introduction Ninth Layer Realm cultivator, gave him the right to try.
According to the rumors, one could violently destroy the target’s Divine Soul,
and then forcibly read the information and memories within it, much like perceiving the contents of a Storage Bag...
Shen Changchuan’s eyes were tightly shut.
Time passed, bit by bit.
The scenes in Shen Zeyu’s mind flashed before Shen Changchuan’s eyes, one by one, as he read them.
...
"Your so-called little brother is really something... his Divine Sense can already achieve Soul Emergence and Body Separation at the Ninth Layer Realm, and he even vaguely sensed my presence... The young people these days are truly remarkable!"
In Shen Chong’s mind,
a hoarse, deep voice echoed faintly,
causing his expression, which had been blankly staring in the direction Shen Changchuan had left, to shift slightly.
"He can achieve Soul Emergence and Body Separation at the Qi Introduction Realm?"
"Of course, he can."
"Geniuses exist to break common sense."
"And before advancing to the Soul Emergence Realm, having one’s Divine Sense break free from the body to coalesce into a Spirit Body during the transformation is the threshold for maintaining one’s advantage and becoming a chosen one after reaching the Soul Emergence Realm..."
"Why have you never told me about this?"
Hearing this, Shen Chong
frowned.
"There was no need. Before you advance to the Soul Emergence Realm, I can naturally enable Divine Sense Detachment for you."
"You only need to follow my plan to forge an invincible path. Why waste so much thought and energy on other matters?"
The voice in his mind was completely unconcerned, its words filled with immense confidence.
Shen Chong didn’t answer,
but a dark look flashed through his eyes.
"The secrets concerning Divine Sense leaving the body before promotion, and what you mentioned about forming a Spirit Body... can you give me a copy of that information?"
Shen Chong’s voice was devoid of any fluctuation as he mentally questioned the voice.
He was certain
that this information was secret knowledge, monopolized by higher-level major powers.
Just like the Soul Emergence Pill...
"You want this for... oh, is it for that so-called little brother of yours?"
"Hm? Didn’t you swear to sever all blood ties with the Shen Family? It seems you can’t let go of those family bonds after all..."
The voice’s tone was first surprised,
then certain,
and finally, filled with a peculiar implication.
"Since he’s as outstanding as you say, I’m simply trying to build a good relationship."
"Perhaps in the future, I’ll have one more ally."
Shen Chong’s expression remained completely unchanged.
But he stopped gazing in the direction Shen Changchuan had gone
and turned to leave.
"With me here, you are destined to walk an invincible, heaven-reaching path. So-called geniuses will only be quickly left behind by you, farther and farther, until they can no longer even see your back, no matter how hard they try..."
"An ally? Heh heh..."