Chapter 491 - 246: Great Advancement in Cultivation, Target: Gu King

Chapter 491: Chapter 246: Great Advancement in Cultivation, Target: Gu King

"It’s fine. Your word is enough, Elder."

A glint flashed in Chen Sheng’s eyes.

"When do we depart?"

"Any time."

"I would like to bring someone else with me."

"Who?"

Nie Xiangjun raised an eyebrow.

"The Vice Governor of the Jingwu Bureau, Sun Yuzhi."

Chen Sheng said calmly.

Sun Yuzhi’s presence was required to retrieve the Yin-Yang Gu King.

Furthermore, her late-stage Profound Mastery cultivation would be a reliable asset.

Upon hearing this, Nie Xiangjun’s gaze grew peculiar. She looked Chen Sheng up and down, her tone playful.

"You really are something... Can’t seem to go anywhere without a lovely companion at your side."

Chen Sheng remained unfazed and simply asked,

"Will that be a problem?"

Nie Xiangjun scoffed softly. She turned, her figure drifting out of the room like a wisp of smoke, leaving only a clear, lingering voice to echo within the stone chamber:

"Do as you please. I’ll be waiting outside Yunze City."

...

After reaching an agreement with Nie Xiangjun, Chen Sheng wasted no time. He immediately set out for the Jingwu Bureau Office and found Sun Yuzhi handling official business.

He succinctly informed her about the Nanzhao Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, Nie Xiangjun’s invitation, and his plan to acquire the Yin-Yang Gu King and the Sacred Artifact.

Sun Yuzhi had mixed feelings after listening.

She was thrilled by the prospect of obtaining the legendary Gu King and drastically improving her aptitude and cultivation, yet she also felt a sense of unease about Nie Xiangjun accompanying them.

After all, the woman was Nie Lingxi’s own aunt, a person of special status, and as for her own relationship with Chen Sheng...

Although she had Chen Sheng’s approval and was, to some extent, tacitly accepted by the Nie Family, she couldn’t help but feel intimidated when facing a core member of the Nie Family, especially a Pill Realm Grandmaster.

Chen Sheng noticed her apprehension and comforted her gently,

"Don’t worry. Elder Nie may be Lingxi’s aunt, but more importantly, she’s a reasonable and practical person. Our purpose on this trip is clear: we’re here to help the Nie Family deal with a vassal’s affairs, and it’s a mutually beneficial arrangement."

"She’s well aware of who you are and what you’re capable of. As long as you conduct yourself properly, she won’t give you trouble without reason."

Sun Yuzhi wasn’t one to be needlessly coy; her earlier apprehension stemmed more from an instinctive reverence for a Pill Realm Grandmaster.

Seeing Chen Sheng’s calm confidence, she quickly pushed aside her distracting thoughts and nodded.

"I understand. When do we leave?"

"In two hours. We’ll meet outside Yunze City. I’ll go with you to request your leave of absence," Chen Sheng said, meticulous as ever.

The two then went to see Nie Xuanfeng together.

Sun Yuzhi requested leave, stating that she needed to accompany the Inspecting Envoy to Nanzhao Prefecture to handle official business related to a Jianghu influence. Chen Sheng, standing beside her, confirmed her account.

Although Nie Xuanfeng was unaware of the full story, seeing that Chen Sheng had come personally was enough for him. He readily agreed and advised them both to be careful.

...

「Outside Yunze City, on a secluded riverbank.」

A huge Cyan Bird stood with its wings folded, its appearance majestic beyond compare.

Nie Xiangjun was already standing on the bird’s back. Her plain clothes fluttered in the wind, a wine gourd in hand, giving her the ethereal air of a transcendent master.

With a sound of rushing air, Chen Sheng and Sun Yuzhi arrived in unison, landing before the Cyan Bird.

Sun Yuzhi had changed into a light-cyan martial robe that allowed for easy movement, outlining her curvaceous yet athletic figure. With her long hair tied up, she looked sharp and capable.

She took a step forward and faced Nie Xiangjun on the bird’s back, cupping her fist in a salute that was neither humble nor arrogant.

"This junior, Sun Yuzhi, greets Elder Nie."

Nie Xiangjun’s gaze fell upon Sun Yuzhi, filled with both scrutiny and amusement. She sized her up from head to toe before speaking with a wry smile:

"Sun Zhenfu, no need for such formalities. If we’re really going to get into it, based on certain relationships, perhaps you... should be calling me ’Auntie’ as well?"

Her words were laden with insinuation, her teasing tone obvious.

Sun Yuzhi pressed her lips together and lowered her gaze. She didn’t take the bait, merely maintaining her cupped-fist posture in silence.

’She expected me to just go along with it and call her "Auntie"? Not a chance.’

For a moment, the atmosphere grew subtly tense.

"Elder, it’s getting late. We should be on our way."

Chen Sheng spoke at the perfect moment, breaking the brief silence with a perfectly calm voice.

At this, the smile on Nie Xiangjun’s lips deepened. Seemingly finding the whole exchange quite amusing, she stopped her teasing.

She lightly patted the Cyan Bird’s neck. The intelligent creature let out a clear, long cry, slowly spreading its wings and stirring up gusts of air.

"Get on."

Chen Sheng and Sun Yuzhi exchanged a look and leaped onto the bird’s broad back in a single motion.

With a mere thought from Nie Xiangjun, the Cyan Bird gave a mighty flap of its wings. A fierce wind kicked up, and its massive body lifted effortlessly from the ground. It ascended rapidly into the sky, becoming a streak of cyan light.

It sped toward the southern horizon.

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