Chapter 490 - 246: Great Advancement in Cultivation, Target: Gu King

Chapter 490: Chapter 246: Great Advancement in Cultivation, Target: Gu King

"She said that her writing to you is just the same."

Upon hearing this, a muscle in the corner of Chen Sheng’s eye twitched almost imperceptibly.

Since returning to Ning’an, a series of battles, dealing with the aftermath, strategic planning, and his cultivation had taken up almost all of his time.

Even with the expansion of the Initial Saint Sect, he had mostly left it to Chu Kuangfeng to handle, only managing the overall direction himself.

Maintaining correspondence with his fiancée, Nie Lingxi, who was far away in Yunzhou City, was indeed a matter that required special arrangements.

To avoid seeming neglectful, and to maintain this necessary connection, he had entrusted this matter to Sun Yuzhi, the person he trusted most and who best understood his methods.

Sun Yuzhi was meticulous and could imitate his tone and handwriting with seventy to eighty percent accuracy, and she knew how to handle things with discretion.

Now, Nie Lingxi had specifically asked her aunt to pass on a message. Her words seemed considerate, but in reality, she had likely already sensed that the letters arriving so regularly were not entirely from Chen Sheng’s own hand.

This was a subtle reminder, or perhaps, a small touch of dissatisfaction, tinged with the unique sensitivity of a young lady.

Nie Xiangjun was clearly unaware of these intricacies. Instead, her eyes twinkled with curiosity, intrigued by her niece’s considerate words and by the fact that Chen Sheng, despite being busy with his duties, still remembered to send letters.

"Well, well. I never would have thought our decisive and ruthless Inspector Chen was such a romantic in private. You actually manage to consistently write to Lingxi? How about it? Have any finished letters on you?

Let your auntie here have a look. What kind of sweet nothings do you young people talk about?"

Chen Sheng cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject.

"You jest, Senior. What was the third matter?"

Seeing him refuse to take the bait, Nie Xiangjun pouted, a little disappointed, but her expression turned serious again.

"The third matter is official business. Something has happened in Nanzhao Prefecture. The Ten Thousand Poisons Sect is facing threats from within and without. That Lady Lan seems to be losing control of the situation and has sent an urgent request for aid to the Nie Family.

The family has assigned this task to me."

"However, when it comes to negotiations, I’m not very good with all the roundabout scheming. That’s why I came to ask if you’re free to take a trip with me to Nanzhao Prefecture soon.

You’ll be in the open, acting as the Nie Family’s envoy, while I’ll be in the shadows, providing backup.

We’ll probe the Profound Yin Valley, see what they’re really up to, and find out just how strong they are."

"The Nie Family... is also wary of the Profound Yin Valley?"

A hint of surprise appeared on Chen Sheng’s face.

In his understanding, the Yunzhou Nie Family was a top-tier Noble Family that dominated an entire state, possessing a deep foundation and experts as numerous as the clouds.

And while the Profound Yin Valley was a Major Sect in the Southern Border with considerable power, there should still be a gap when compared to a behemoth like the Nie Family.

"’Wary’ isn’t the right word."

Nie Xiangjun shook her head and explained,

"But the Profound Yin Valley has been entrenched in the Southern Border for many years. They are deeply rooted, and their power cannot be underestimated. Most importantly, it would be unwise to clash with them rashly before we’ve thoroughly investigated whether they have other backing, and what their true intentions and bottom line are."

"Furthermore, the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect has only recently submitted to us and still needs to be observed. The Nie Family can’t just pour massive resources into a conflict with a local power like the Profound Yin Valley for the sake of a vassal that hasn’t fully integrated yet.

Having you go this time also serves to show the Nie Family’s stance. But as for how to navigate the situation, how to distinguish truth from fiction, and how to achieve our goals with minimal cost—that will require some skill."

Chen Sheng’s mind raced.

’The Ten Thousand Poisons Sect... I was already planning on making a trip there.’

’First, for the Sacred Artifact passed down in the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, which is said to have a miraculous effect on breaking through the bottleneck to the late stage of Profound Mastery.’

’My Cultivation is advancing rapidly, and sooner or later I’ll face the hurdle of breaking into the late stage of Profound Mastery. I am determined to obtain that item.’

’Second, for the secret Sun Yuzhi previously revealed about the Yin-Yang Gu King pair in the Poison Flame Cave.’

’If I could obtain and refine them, not only would it greatly improve my own innate talent, but I could also use a Dual Cultivation Secret Technique with Sun Yuzhi so that our Yin and Yang complement each other. The benefits to both of our future cultivation would be immeasurable.’

’It might even increase the chances of breaking through to a major realm.’

Originally, Chen Sheng had planned to pursue this matter only after the situation in Ning’an was completely stable and his own Cultivation had advanced further.

But unexpectedly, the situation in the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect had taken a sharp downturn, with the Profound Yin Valley pressing them hard.

Going with Nie Xiangjun now would be a perfectly justifiable reason to intervene, making it the perfect opportunity.

Of course, he had no intention of revealing these calculations to Nie Xiangjun.

"There is certainly no issue with accompanying you to Nanzhao, Senior."

Chen Sheng spoke slowly, the corners of his lips curling into a smile.

"It’s just that I’m not one to return from a task empty-handed. I wonder... what benefits can you offer me, Senior?"

"You brat! You really won’t get out of bed unless there’s a profit to be made!"

Nie Xiangjun shot him an exasperated glare.

"I, a master in my own right, am personally taking you out to gain experience, offering you guidance, and backing you up at critical moments. Isn’t that a huge benefit? This is a fortuitous opportunity that countless young prodigies could only dream of!"

Chen Sheng smiled. Just as he was about to explain that wasn’t what he meant, Nie Xiangjun waved her hand dismissively and said with a sigh of resignation,

"Fine, fine. For Lingxi’s sake, I won’t bicker with you. Go on, what do you want? Let me be clear first: it must be within my power to grant, and it must be an equal exchange."

Chen Sheng’s expression turned serious, and he spoke bluntly.

"I would like to explore the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect’s forbidden area, the Poison Flame Cave. Additionally, I wish to borrow their heirloom Sacred Artifact for a time."

Hearing this, Nie Xiangjun’s elegant brows furrowed slightly.

"The Poison Flame Cave... With your current status, plus the title of Nie Family envoy, if you request entry to take a look from Lady Lan, she most likely won’t refuse you—at least not openly.

But to borrow their sect-guarding Sacred Artifact..."

"I can’t make any promises about that. Even with the Nie Family’s backing, whether Lady Lan is willing to lend it out will be entirely her decision. You’ll have to negotiate that with her yourself."