Chapter 257 - 257 241

Chapter 257: 241 Chapter 257: 241 ‘Surpass Chen Yuan?’

Shen Yanshu smiled bitterly in her heart. With Chen Yuan’s freakishly rapid cultivation pace, how could she surpass him? She was well aware that these were merely words of comfort from Chen Yuan.

However, she didn’t feel any sense of loss. Given her relationship with Chen Yuan, she would be happier if Chen Yuan’s strength and cultivation were even greater.

Setting aside other emotions, it was recorded in the Ancient Cultivation Method that as one’s cultivation deepened, the party with the lower cultivation would benefit more.

And if Chen Yuan became stronger, he could also be a support for her.

Shen Yanshu: “Yanshu possesses a Spiritual Body, it seems unlike Brother Chen…”

Chen Yuan was imperceptibly taken aback. He had indeed mentioned before that he harbored the Dragon Roar Body, which happened to be complementary to Shen Yanshu’s, also serving as an excuse for him.

After all, his growth rate was truly startling.

Especially once the news of his successful entry into the Reach Profound Realm got out, it would certainly draw even more attention.

“Hehe…”

Chen Yuan then laughed but didn’t say much more.

“Brother Chen has broken through to Reach Profound, I wonder what the future holds…” Shen Yanshu looked at him with concerned eyes as she inquired.

In the Reach Profound Realm, in theory, one could no longer continue to serve as a Heavenly Patrol Envoy. One would either be assigned to another place or be summoned to serve under the Golden Envoy of Qingzhou.

And the most likely possibility for Chen Yuan was to be transferred to the State City.

To become a Green Envoy of a prefecture, it required not just cultivation, but also extraordinary merit and temperament.

The position of a Green Envoy was highly prestigious and influential, considered a regional official, subject to little control from above and a top choice among Reach Profound Martial Artists.

“That will depend on how the Shangguan arranges it, but Chen won’t be leaving anytime soon,” Chen Yuan responded to the question, clear about the situation in his heart.

After his breakthrough, Nanling Prefecture could barely contain him anymore.

Perhaps, there indeed was a significant chance he would be transferred…

“Yanshu understands.”

Looking up at the sky outside, Chen Yuan said:

“Dawn is approaching. Miss Shen, you should return and rest early.”

They had fought fiercely the previous night, and coupled with the cultivation that took several hours, the dawn was already faintly breaking. If Shen Yanshu stayed any longer, she might be discovered by others.

Of course, it wasn’t that Chen Yuan was afraid of others finding out; he was simply considerate of Shen Yanshu’s feelings.

“Alright.”

Without hesitation, Shen Yanshu walked to the door. Suddenly, she paused, turned her head with a smile, and said:

“Brother Chen, we should continue to keep in touch in the future.”

Chen Yuan’s gaze lingered on Shen Yanshu for a brief moment before he nodded:

“Miss Shen, rest assured, we shall indeed keep in touch in the future…”

“Farewell.”

Shen Yanshu bowed slightly and, without lingering any longer, turned and left.

Chen Yuan watched her departing figure for a long time, then slowly shifted his gaze toward the streak of white now appearing on the horizon.

Dawn had broken, and with it, the power dynamics of Nanling Prefecture, all sorts of debts of gratitude and vengeance…

It was nearly time to settle scores!

…

…

Near midday.

Tang Qian climbed up to Dragon Tiger Sect alone. He had previously associated the person wanted by Dragon Tiger Sect with Chen Yuan, and after two days of gathering more details,

he was confident in convincing Xu Lingtian that Chen Yuan was that person.

Moreover, Tang Qian truly harbored some suspicion towards Chen Yuan, whether it be his strength or his way of doing things—they weren’t much different from Chen Yuan’s style.

Perhaps it was really him after all.

After being announced, Tang Qian followed a Dragon Tiger Sect disciple towards the Sect’s council hall, looking at the remnants of destruction that had yet to be cleaned up,

Tang Qian was also somewhat shocked.

It appeared that the impact of that day was indeed significant. If he had previously doubted the rumors that someone had cut through Dragon Tiger Sect,

now, having seen it with his own eyes, Tang Qian believed it.

Especially the saber mark he had seen before on the ground; although its sharpness had long dissipated, the mark stretching tens of meters in length was still present.

‘If it really was him, does that mean he has already attained a strength comparable to mine?’

Tang Qian was restless.

He hoped that person was Chen Yuan while also hoping it wasn’t.

He hoped it was because he wanted to use this opportunity to join forces with Xu Lingtian to withstand some pressure and eliminate Chen Yuan, which would provide him some peace of mind.

He hoped it wasn’t because if that saber strike was truly executed by Chen Yuan, then it would mean Chen Yuan had grown to a level where he could compete with them.

It was honestly hard to tell who wanted to kill whom!

All along the way, Tang Qian maintained a solemn expression…

Inside the Dragon Tiger Sect council hall.

Xu Lingtian sat alone on the Sect Leader’s throne, with no one else present in the spacious hall.

Tang Qian’s voice reached ahead of him.

“Brother Lingtian!”

“Brother Tang.”

Xu Lingtian’s face showed no emotion; whether joyful or distressed, it was impossible to tell. He gestured for Tang Qian to sit by his side.

“Is Dragon Tiger Sect doing well?”

“No harm done. What brings Brother Tang here?”

Xu Lingtian got straight to the point without the slightest intention of exchanging pleasantries.

Even now, he had not let go of the events of the past few days. Instead, his hatred for the thief had grown even stronger. The venerable Dragon Tiger Sect,

with an inheritance lasting over a hundred years, had been attacked right at its own Mountain Gate, and that person had even managed to escape unscathed.

He did not blame his disciples for not risking their lives; he blamed himself for raising a wayward daughter who had betrayed the Sect that brought her up for the sake of a man, and even carrying an illegitimate child!

The Xu family’s face had been completely lost.

Hearing Xu Lingtian’s somewhat unpleasant tone, Tang Qian was unaffected and spoke indifferently:

“I have come here to help alleviate Brother Lingtian’s worries.”

His eyes flashed with a sharp light as Xu Lingtian stared at Tang Qian:

“Has Brother Tang found any trace of that thief?”

Right now, he had only this one concern.

Tang Qian smiled without saying a word, poured himself a cup of tea, and sipped it leisurely, only speaking under Xu Lingtian’s somewhat impatient gaze:

“I have a question for Brother Lingtian.”

“Speak freely, Brother Tang.”

Looking directly at Xu Lingtian with a smile, Tang Qian said, “I wish to know what the thief wanted at Dragon Tiger Sect? Why did he ultimately flee from the Sect…”

“I’ve said it before; that man was seeking revenge.” Xu Lingtian’s expression remained unchanged, that was the story the Dragon Tiger Sect had released.

“If Brother Xu doesn’t wish to tell the truth, so be it… I shall take my leave,” said Tang Qian, making a gesture to stand up and leave.

He didn’t believe the story released by the Dragon Tiger Sect. If it was for revenge, why would that person have killed his way through the Sect and fled, instead of wiping out the entire Sect?

If it was said to be due to a lack of strength, that would be even more laughable.

Was it all just for the sake of causing a disturbance?

Moreover, he had received news that Xu Lingtian’s daughter, Xu Caiyue, had been grounded and supposedly slapped by Xu Lingtian himself, a piece of information of great significance.

The shrewd and experienced Tang Qian, who had been standing strong in Nanling Prefecture for over ten years, would not simply accept rumors, would he?

“Please hold, Brother Tang,” Xu Lingtian called out after taking a deep breath.

“Hmm?” Tang Qian paused in his tracks.

“To tell you the truth, the thief actually came for a treasure of the Dragon Tiger Sect. After being discovered, he alarmed the former Sect Leader and had no choice but to flee from the Sect…

This matter concerns the secrets of the Dragon Tiger Sect, and I hope Brother Tang will not divulge it to others.”

Xu Lingtian’s eyes flickered unconsciously as he spoke.

“What treasure?”

Tang Qian pressed on.

The treasure might be something even he coveted, to risk such an audacious raid on the Dragon Tiger Sect.

“It’s just a treasure passed down from our ancestors. It’s nothing that would catch Brother Tang’s fancy,” replied Xu Lingtian.

“Brother Xu misunderstands. I’m merely curious,” Tang Qian chuckled awkwardly, deftly changing the subject.

“Well, if Brother Tang truly has a lead on the thief’s whereabouts, once verified, Xu certainly will thank you generously in the future.” Xu Lingtian looked at him intently.

“There are some leads, but I’m afraid Brother Xu may not have the courage to act on them,” Tang Qian said cryptically, continuing to tease.

By not directly implicating Chen Yuan, Xu Lingtian would surely think he was doing it on purpose. It was necessary for him to realize the truth of the identity himself.

Xu Lingtian chuckled coldly: “There’s no one in Nanling Prefecture that I dare not touch. Whoever it is, having caused such turmoil at my Dragon Tiger Sect, must pay the price.”

“Really?”

“Truly!”

“Good, Brother Xu has guts.”

“Speak your mind, Brother Tang.”

“I would like to ask, what was that person’s Saber Technique like on that day?” Tang Qian asked with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.

Xu Lingtian frowned slightly and murmured:

“The Saber Technique was unparalleled, clearly not some ordinary technique. In the Gang Condensation Realm, it was among the very strongest.”

“And his strength?”

“Being able to escape unscathed from the former Sect Leader means there’s no need to comment on his strength; I’m afraid no one among the Gang Condensing Martial Artists can match him. His strength may well have reached the top fifty on the Hidden Dragon List.”

“What about his temperament?”

“Cruel and insidious, he started by attacking Caiyue…”

“How did he finally escape?”

“He fled into Yunjiang.”

Standing up, Tang Qian took a step forward and looked directly at Xu Lingtian, saying:

“Escaping into Yunjiang, vanishing at the bottom of the river, indicates that this person either had a premeditated plan or was extremely familiar with the nearby areas of Nanling Prefecture. Such confidence to play games with Elder Sect Leader Xu… I lean towards the latter.”

“What are you trying to say?” Xu Lingtian squinted his eyes.

“Unrivaled Saber Technique, formidable strength, ruthless temperament, extraordinary means, and a profound understanding of Nanling Prefecture. Brother Xu, when we connect these dots, do we really need to say who the thief is?”

Xu Lingtian stood up abruptly with a frown and said:

“You mean… the Heavenly Patrol Envoy Chen Yuan?”

Looking at Tang Qian with a touch of suspicion, Xu Lingtian was aware of Tang Qian’s animosity towards Chen Yuan and now had to question Tang Qian’s motives for bringing it up again.

However, Tang Qian, facing Xu Lingtian’s scrutiny, didn’t seem bothered and continued:

“When it comes to Saber Technique, Chen Yuan’s skills were clearly displayed during several fights in Nanling Prefecture, even earning him the moniker ‘Demon Blade.’ As for his temperament, he has shown no hesitation to kill those who provoked him, fitting the ruthless label.”

“He fought the Japan Martial Artist Yagyu Shinichi above Yunjiang and killed a Snake Demon at the bottom of the river, demonstrating a knowledge of Yunjiang far beyond that of an ordinary man. Along with his status as the Heavenly Patrol Envoy,

he surely has people willing to work for him, providing him with an understanding of Nanling Prefecture’s terrain…”