Chapter 370 - 200: Ascending to the 5th Rank! Governor

Chapter 370: Chapter 200: Ascending to the 5th Rank! Governor

The Yunze Waters, headquarters of the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance.

「Three days passed in a flash.」

In the secluded cultivation chamber, Chen Sheng slowly opened his eyes. A sharp glint flashed in their depths before he drew it back in.

Then, Chen Sheng abruptly opened his mouth and exhaled a stream of white air, condensed like an arrow. It struck the opposite stone wall with a soft HISS, leaving a shallow indentation.

The Hundred-Year Vermilion Fruit was now completely refined.

To prevent the essence of this Spiritual Object from dissipating further, Chen Sheng had acted decisively, entering seclusion to refine it right here in the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance’s secret chamber.

The results were quite satisfactory.

Perhaps it was due to the advantages of perfecting the Fishing Toad Force Secret Technique, or maybe because the Vermilion Fruit’s properties were gentle and easy to assimilate. In any case, the refining process was exceptionally smooth and successfully completed in just three days.

Its effects far surpassed those of the many Spiritual Objects he had refined in the past.

After a moment of contemplation, with a thought, the Celestial Book Panel materialized before him.

[Mental Realm: Level One (422/500)]

[Blood Slaughter Floating Light Body: Perfected (756/2000)]

[Six Paths True Scripture - Profound Mastery Chapter: Minor Achievement (202/500)]

Within his Dantian, his True Essence was markedly vaster and more robust than it had been three days prior. Faint waves surged within, brimming with Primordial Power.

Although the Hundred-Year Vermilion Fruit hadn’t allowed him to ascend to the heavens in a single leap and reach the peak of the Primordial Sea Realm, such significant progress was enough to bring a satisfied smile to his lips.

As Chen Sheng rose to his feet, a series of faint, crisp cracks echoed from his joints. His qi and blood flowed freely, his True Essence was lively, and he was in peak condition.

CREAK—

The heavy stone door was pushed open. Hearing the sound, the few Jingwu Guards on duty outside immediately turned and bowed. Their respectful tones were laced with undeniable awe.

"Congratulations on your successful seclusion, Sir!"

"Where is Vice Envoy Sun?"

Chen Sheng’s gaze swept across the rather empty corridor.

"Sir, Vice Envoy Sun led the main contingent back to the Jingwu Bureau yesterday, escorting the most valuable spoils."

A quick-witted Captain quickly replied,

"Before he left, the Vice Envoy gave specific instructions. If you came out of seclusion, you were to return to the Government Office at once. Governor Nie has summoned you."

Chen Sheng nodded slightly.

"How many men are left in the fortress?"

"Including us guards, there are thirty-seven in total. They are all either lightly injured or in charge of the cleanup."

"You will all continue the cleanup here. Return on your own when you are finished. I will go on ahead."

After giving the order, Chen Sheng delayed no further.

The moment he finished speaking, he took a step, and his figure swept through the corridor like a wisp of smoke.

Reaching an open area outside the main hall, his Gang Qi pulsed slightly. A faint, two-toned radiance of blood and gold flickered, and he transformed into a streak of light, soaring into the sky and vanishing among the distant clouds in the blink of an eye.

"We respectfully see you off, Sir!"

The Jingwu Guards hurriedly bowed toward the sky, their eyes filled with admiration and reverence.

...

The Jingwu Bureau, in the Governor’s Office.

Nie Xuanfeng, dressed in the official robes of a Standard Fifth Grade, sat in the seat of honor, scrutinizing Chen Sheng. While his eyes didn’t show outright shock, they still held a trace of astonishment.

Over the past few days, news that Chen Sheng had killed Zhou Kuohai had spread throughout the entire Ning’an Prefecture. Nie Xuanfeng had slowly progressed from utter shock to acceptance of this fact.

Yet, seeing Chen Sheng in person, he still couldn’t hide the astonishment in his eyes.

’Slaying a Thunder Sound Realm expert just after breaking through to Profound Mastery.’

If it weren’t an undeniable fact, he would never have believed such a thing could happen. It was simply too outrageous, too illogical.

He knew Chen Sheng was no ordinary man. Both his talent and his strength were far beyond compare. Even so, the young man managed to shock him time and time again.

"Governor."

Chen Sheng greeted him with a cupped-fist salute.

"Sit."

Nie Xuanfeng pointed to a nearby chair. He looked at Chen Sheng, opened his mouth as if to speak, but then closed it, finally letting out a sigh.

"You kid... I truly never imagined you’d now have the strength to kill a Thunder Sound Realm expert. I’m afraid it won’t be long before I’m no match for you either."

This wasn’t simple praise; it was what Nie Xuanfeng genuinely felt in that moment.

When he first met Chen Sheng, the young man had only recently broken through to the Innate Realm. At best, his aptitude could be called decent. Yet in less than a year...

...he had grown at an unbelievable pace.

Condensing Earth Fiend, Refining Profound Gang.

And now, he had achieved Qi Condensation and Essence Transformation, Breaking Through to the Profound Realm, and was even capable of killing a peak Thunder Sound Realm expert.

Nie Xuanfeng believed that with a little more time, Chen Sheng’s strength would even surpass his own.

When he first heard the news, Nie Xuanfeng had been utterly and completely stunned.

’Who was Zhou Kuohai?’

Nie Xuanfeng knew him very well.

The two of them had even clashed in the past.

And he hadn’t been able to take Zhou Kuohai down.

While there were many reasons for that outcome, it still proved one thing: Zhou Kuohai was strong enough to escape unscathed from a late-stage Profound Mastery expert. His power was terrifying.

The fact that Chen Sheng could kill him meant Chen Sheng’s true strength far exceeded that of a typical Thunder Sound Realm expert.

’By that logic...’

...even he wasn’t entirely confident he could crush Chen Sheng in a fight.

And yet, Chen Sheng had just entered the Profound Mastery realm, while he himself was a true late-stage Profound Mastery expert.

"You praise me too highly, Governor. I am still a long way from your level."

Chen Sheng smiled.

’Nie Xuanfeng’s strength is enough to rank him in the top three of Ning’an Prefecture,’ Chen Sheng thought. ’With my current power, even with the Nine Nether Yin Fire Divine Techniques, I’m no match for him.’

’However, if it were just a matter of escaping with my life, I’m fairly confident I could manage that.’

Nie Xuanfeng waved a hand, setting aside his sentimental thoughts. His expression turned serious.

"Alright, enough with the pleasantries. I am truly happy for your achievements, and gratified that the Jingwu Bureau has gained such a pillar of strength. Do you know why I summoned you back so urgently?"