Chapter 426 - 222: I’m Afraid Chen Sheng Will Misunderstand

Chapter 426: Chapter 222: I’m Afraid Chen Sheng Will Misunderstand

「The next day, in the courtyard pavilion.」

Chen Sheng sat quietly on a stone bench, holding a celadon teacup. He took a light sip of the Nie Family’s special Spirit Tea, his gaze fixed on an ornate jade box before him.

That was the Enlightenment Tea Nie Lingshan had just delivered.

The jade box was warm to the touch, with a faint spiritual light flowing across its surface.

With this item’s help, Chen Sheng felt he could make another step forward in his Mental Realm cultivation, perhaps even break through to the Second Realm.

Cultivating the Mental Realm was exceptionally difficult. Even among experts of the Mystic Realm, those who could comprehend a Mental Realm were few, to say nothing of reaching the Second Realm.

Many experts at the Divine Communication stage—the late stage of the Mystic Realm—could go their entire lives without breaking through to the Second Realm of the Mental Realm.

If he could grasp the Second Realm of the Mental Realm with his mid-stage Profound Mastery cultivation, he would be able to stand his ground even against a late-stage Profound Mastery expert.

Right now, all he lacked was that Ice Flame Barrier-Breaking Pill.

Perhaps it was true that a heartfelt wish would always be answered.

Or perhaps Nie Lingshan and Nie Lingxi’s messages had done the trick. Just after noon, Nie Xiangjun arrived gracefully.

She was still dressed in a simple white Daoist Robe and carried a flask of Spirit Wine, her unhurried steps revealing a graceful figure.

Her unrestrained and ethereal aura, combined with her exquisitely beautiful face, truly made her seem like a celestial maiden under the moon, her elegance impossible to conceal.

"You really are impatient. Not only did you have Nie Yuanliu hurry me, but you also got those two girls to pass on messages. What, were you afraid I’d go back on my word and renege on our deal?"

Nie Xiangjun casually sat down across from Chen Sheng, her opening words teasing, though her eyes held a hint of a smile.

"Zhenren, you see things clearly. I admit I was a bit impatient."

Chen Sheng didn’t deny it, replying with a smile.

"Fine."

Nie Xiangjun waved her hand. A faint light flashed in her palm, revealing a white jade pill bottle and a Gilded Token.

"Let’s not mention the Ink Flame Spirit Frog. This is a Top-Grade Ice Flame Barrier-Breaking Pill I took directly from the family’s treasury. It’s yours. Remember to calm your mind and focus when you refine it. Don’t be rash.

If you need to enter seclusion, take this Token to the spiritual land on the back mountain and choose a Cave Mansion to use."

"Thank you, Zhenren."

Chen Sheng accepted them with a solemn expression, a weight lifting from his heart.

For a breakthrough in seclusion, the Spiritual Land Cave Mansion of a thousand-year-old Noble Family like the Nie Family was, after all, a much safer option.

"Speaking of which, you’ve met those two girls, Lingshan and Lingxi."

Nie Xiangjun changed the subject, a mischievous glint appearing in her eyes.

"Who do you think suits you more? For this marriage alliance, it’s not just their feelings the Nie Family values; the clan is also concerned with your own preference."

"Well..."

Chen Sheng paused in thought for a moment, then smiled faintly.

"Miss Lingxi and Miss Lingshan are both kind-hearted, intelligent, talented, and beautiful. It would be my honor to be united with either of them.

As for which one I’ll marry, I’ll leave it to the family’s arrangements. I have no preference."

Since he had already agreed to Nie Lingshan’s request, he naturally had to play his part perfectly.

Whether things would ultimately go as Nie Lingshan wished was not something he could control.

He would only cooperate; he wasn’t responsible for the outcome.

"Slick."

Nie Xiangjun scoffed, seemingly finding his answer boring, but didn’t press the matter further.

Chen Sheng smiled without a word and took the opportunity to steer the conversation toward cultivation, asking Nie Xiangjun for advice and experience on breaking through to the Thunder Sound Realm from the mid-stage of Profound Mastery.

Nie Xiangjun didn’t hold back, carefully pointing out several key points. She especially warned him not to be greedy for quick success and rush forward during the breakthrough, but to be cautious and advance step by step.

Otherwise, failing at the last moment would result in an immense backlash for a Martial Artist.

While it wouldn’t be enough to damage his foundation, it could stall his future cultivation progress.

Chen Sheng benefited greatly from the long talk.

After seeing Nie Xiangjun off, he didn’t waste a moment, immediately applying to the Nie Family to use a Spiritual Land Cave Mansion.

For this seclusion.

He swore not to emerge until he had broken through to the Thunder Sound Realm!

...

"Well, if it isn’t Wei? What a coincidence."

On the bluestone path outside the Nie Family’s guest courtyard, Qi Heng, a True Inheritor of Zhenyuan Palace dressed in white with a graceful air, raised an eyebrow. He looked at Wei Jing, the True Inheritor of the Vast Sea Sect who was slowly approaching, his voice laced with ridicule.

The two had a long-standing grudge and had crossed hands several times. While their relationship wasn’t exactly one of fire and water, it was by no means friendly.

Therefore, upon seeing each other this time, he couldn’t resist starting trouble.

"What rotten luck."

Wei Jing snorted coldly, his expression darkening.

"Wei, you’re mistaken."

But Qi Heng was not at all polite, his smile tinged with mockery.

"Am I the one with rotten luck? I heard you’re quite smitten with Miss Lingshan of the Nie Family. What a shame... Now that the Nie Family and your esteemed sect are on bad terms, I’m afraid the marriage alliance is nothing but a fantasy.

Shouldn’t you be off somewhere quiet, nursing your broken heart, instead of showing up at their door? Or do you want to watch Miss Lingshan marry someone else with your own two eyes?"

"Qi Heng, are you looking to die?"

Wei Jing’s face turned icy cold in an instant, Sword Intent faintly shimmering in his eyes.

"My blade is still as sharp as ever!"

He had come this time precisely because he had learned that the Nie Family had rejected the Vast Sea Sect’s marriage proposal. In his desperation, he wanted to see Nie Lingshan in person, hoping to change her mind.

’If she’s willing to stand firm, and I can then ask the Nie Family’s Great Elder to mediate, perhaps there’s still a chance.’

Already in a state of turmoil, being mocked to his face by Qi Heng instantly ignited his anger.

"Heh."

Qi Heng let out a cold laugh, Sword Qi humming faintly from within his sleeve.

"My sword has never been dull."

In an instant, the atmosphere between the two froze, as if a great battle was about to erupt at any moment.

"This is the Nie Family’s territory. If you two wish to spar, please do it elsewhere."

A passing Nie Family elder of the Pill Realm spoke calmly, his tone peaceful yet carrying an undeniable authority.

"Senior, please calm your anger. I had no such intention. It was just Qi Heng’s provocation..."

Wei Jing quickly wiped the anger from his face and cupped his fist to explain.

’The marriage alliance isn’t a lost cause yet. How could I dare offend a Nie Family elder at a time like this?’

’If I anger the elder, a single word from him could make this bad situation even worse.’