Chapter 495 - 18

Chapter 495: Chapter 18

"Greetings... Brother."

Shen Chong’s sudden visit took Shen Changchuan by surprise.

In truth,

he and this half-brother of his had barely interacted.

Even over the past dozen years, the two had hardly spoken.

However,

Shen Changchuan still thought well of him.

And he had, in fact, genuinely benefited from his kindness.

Back when he was breaking through to the Soul Emergence Realm, his brother had warned him about the crucial step of forming a Spirit Body. This act of goodwill had kept him from making a disastrous mistake.

Later, when Zhou Lingyun of the Zhou Family had tried to assassinate him on his journey from Tian Nan City back to Dawan Village with his mother, Shen Chong had intervened directly, stopping Zhou Lingyun’s Guardian.

If it weren’t for him, he would have been in mortal danger!

Shen Changchuan had never forgotten these kindnesses.

So, when he heard Shen Chong had come to visit, he immediately went to greet him.

It was just that,

seeing Shen Chong again,

Shen Changchuan was somewhat stunned.

Because,

the aura emanating from Shen Chong had already reached the Soul Emergence Ninth Layer Realm!

"Congratulations on your great progress, Brother!"

A flicker of shock crossed Shen Changchuan’s eyes as he clasped his hands in a salute, offering his sincere congratulations.

’The last time we met was over ten years ago, during Zhou Lingyun’s assassination attempt, wasn’t it?’

’Back then, Shen Chong’s strength was about the same as mine.’

’Now, over a decade later, he’s actually broken through to the Soul Emergence Ninth Layer? Could that ’old master’ of his really be that helpful?!’

For a moment,

a thousand thoughts raced through Shen Changchuan’s mind.

"There’s nothing to congratulate me for. This little bit of power... it’s still not nearly enough."

Shen Chong shook his head, a shadow passing through his eyes.

’To deal with that Great Madam,’

’and teach that man a harsh lesson,’

’the Soul Emergence Ninth Layer is truly far from enough!’

"Enough about that."

Shen Chong didn’t dwell on it, instead getting straight to the point.

"I came this time because I have something to give you."

With that, he took out a White Jade Token and handed it to Shen Changchuan.

"Brother, what is this...?"

Shen Changchuan hesitated for a moment but took the Token and examined it closely.

The Token was covered in intricate patterns, with an ancient character for ’Xiang’ on its face.

"This is the key that grants access to the Xiangshan Sect Gate Ruins."

Shen Chong explained calmly,

"Over the past few years, it’s thanks to this Token that I was able to enter the Xiangshan Sect Gate Ruins to practice my Cultivation. That’s how I managed to raise my Cultivation to the Soul Emergence Ninth Layer in such a short time."

"I have important business to attend to. After I’ve settled some scores, I plan to leave the Tian Nan Domain... so this thing is of no use to me anymore."

"So, I might as well give it to you."

"If you use it wisely, it should allow your strength to advance by leaps and bounds in a short time."

"But be warned: the whole affair with the Xiangshan Sect Gate Ruins is causing a huge commotion right now, so you must be careful."

Upon hearing this,

Shen Changchuan polished the Token in his hand, his gaze shifting slightly.

’The Xiangshan Sect Gate Ruins...’

’the same one that’s been causing such a stir recently?’

’How did this half-brother of mine come by something like this?’

But even though he was full of questions, Shen Changchuan didn’t voice them.

Instead, he asked Shen Chong,

"Do you need any help, Brother?"

"If there’s anything I can do, I will do everything in my power to help."

Hearing this, Shen Chong

felt a warmth spread through his heart.

But he just shook his head and said,

"There’s no need."

"You can’t be of much help in this matter."

"Just focus on your Cultivation. The greater your achievements, the angrier that venomous shrew becomes, and the happier I’ll be."

Shen Chong didn’t stay in Dawan Village for long.

After telling Shen Changchuan about the remaining opportunities within the Xiangshan Sect Gate Ruins—as well as the location of the entrance and how to use the Token—

he departed immediately.

Shen Changchuan personally saw him to the edge of the village.

He watched as his brother’s figure vanished over the horizon.

Clutching the Token in his hand,

an indescribable feeling washed over him.

...

"Shen Changchuan! Get the hell out here!"

An abrupt roar instantly thundered through the sky outside Dawan Village!

The voice, like a roaring torrent,

reverberated endlessly between heaven and earth!

At that moment,

the residents of Dawan Village all looked up toward the sky.

"Who’s that? How dare they come here looking for trouble? Don’t they know that even an Inner Sect Disciple from an Immortal Sect was defeated here not long ago?!"

"Yeah, the master of this place is a peerless prodigy, the kind you only see once in a millennium in the Tian Nan Domain’s Immortal Cultivation Realm! I heard he’s already reached the Soul Emergence Seventh Layer!"

"He’s so powerful. Why would anyone still dare to provoke him?"

"Anyone who dares to do this is either a madman or supremely confident. Coming in so aggressively... he must be certain of his victory!"

"Hmph! Of course! Just feel that oppressive aura! He has to be at the Soul Emergence Ninth Layer! How could he possibly be weak?"

"I wonder who he is, though."

"If I’m not mistaken, that’s Xuan Guangdao, the Direct Disciple of the East Sea Wanderer. His North Sea Azure Dragon Saber technique is unrivaled. He’s swept through all the young prodigies of the Dongping Domain, an undisputed, peerless genius of his generation!"

"So, this is a battle between the top prodigy of the Dongping Domain and our very own top prodigy from the Tian Nan Domain?"

"GASP! I’d die happy just to witness a battle like this!"

In Dawan Village,

or rather,

in what was now Dawan City, the Cultivators were all buzzing with discussion.

Especially after his identity was revealed and some of the more knowledgeable onlookers explained his background.

Countless people were both shocked and thrilled.

A peak battle between the greatest prodigies of two domains,

was an exceptionally rare confrontation!

It could even be said

that this was a legendary clash destined to be recorded in the annals of history!

For decades, even centuries to come, people would still talk about this day with great enthusiasm!

Just as someone had said,

witnessing a battle like this was worth the price of admission, even if it cost them their lives!

Meanwhile,

SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

Streaks of light shot across the distant horizon, one after another.

Some hovered high in the sky, miles away,

others landed atop the surrounding mountain peaks. All eyes were fixed on the imposing figure of Xuan Guangdao hovering above Dawan City, a great saber slung over his shoulder.

"He really came to challenge him right at his doorstep?"

"As expected of the number one prodigy of the Dongping Domain’s younger generation. He’s got guts!"

"Heh, what do you expect? His master is the East Sea Wanderer! As an expert at the Divine Travel Peak Realm, he doesn’t need to fear retaliation from Shen Changchuan’s master, Master Wandering Dragon. If I had a backer that powerful, I’d be challenging him at his door too!"

"Tch! You’d challenge him? And you think you could actually win?"

"Don’t forget, it wasn’t long ago that Lu Haoxuan, an Inner Sect Disciple of an Immortal Sect, was taken down right here. They say he was defeated with a single sword strike!"

"Hmph! You’ll never know if you can win until you try!"