Chapter 56: Encounter.

Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Encounter.

The Royal Family delegation remained at the Chen Family grounds for several more days.

During that time, Zhao Linger and Zhao Lianyu were treated with the same hospitality they had received since their arrival.

They spent much of their time speaking with Chen Haoran and the elders, discussing matters concerning the eastern region, future cooperation between the two families, trade, cultivation resources, and even the possibility of closer communication between their younger generations.

The conversations were pleasant, and both sides showed considerable willingness to cooperate.

However, most of those discussions were still nothing more than words for now.

After all, the relationship between two great families could not truly be established through the conversations of a Princess alone.

As long as the true powers within the two families had not discussed matters themselves, they could only make small moves and establish limited cooperation.

Zhao Linger, in particular, had spent more time with several members of the Chen Family during her stay.

She had spoken with Chen Yichen, Chen Minghao, and Chen Yuexin while being guided around the family grounds, and even Zhao Lianyu had gradually become more familiar with Chen Haoran and the elders.

Several days passed almost without either side realizing it. Eventually, the day of their departure arrived.

At the front of the Chen Family’s grounds, the wide stone road stretched beyond the enormous gate and continued down the mountain toward the distant roads leading to Blue Cloud Mist City.

The Royal carriage stood waiting near the gate.

Its exterior reflected the morning sunlight, while the golden and red decorations along its edges glimmered faintly.

Several guards stood nearby, already prepared for the journey back to the capital, while the spiritual beasts waited patiently at the front of the carriage.

Chen Haoran stood at the front of the Chen Family’s delegation, with several elders standing behind him.

Chen Yichen, Chen Minghao, and Chen Yuexin were also present, having come to see the guests off.

Zhao Lianyu stepped out from the gate and looked toward the waiting carriage before turning back toward Chen Haoran.

"It has been several pleasant days," she said. "Thank you for your hospitality, Patriarch Chen."

Chen Haoran smiled and cupped his hands.

"Imperial Envoy Zhao, there is no need to thank us. You and Princess Linger are always welcome at the Chen Family."

Zhao Linger stood beside Zhao Lianyu and looked back toward the Chen Family grounds.

She smiled softly before turning toward Chen Haoran. "Patriarch Chen, thank you for everything. I hope that the next time we meet, it will not take another Royal decree for us to visit."

Chen Haoran laughed.

"Of course. The Chen Family’s gates will always be open to the Royal Family."

The exchange continued for a little longer as both sides exchanged the usual words of farewell, while the guards waited quietly beside the carriage.

Just as Zhao Linger was about to step toward the carriage, two figures suddenly appeared at the far end of the stone path, close to the carriage.

No one had noticed when they arrived.

One moment, the path beyond the gate was empty. In the next, an elderly man stood there beneath the morning light, his hands resting calmly behind his back.

He wore a deep black robe embroidered with faint silver patterns that resembled drifting clouds, with a dark jade crown holding his long silver-grey hair in place.

A wide jade belt wrapped around his waist.

Beside him stood Qingxue.

She wore a pale-blue robe embroidered with delicate silver patterns, her long black hair neatly arranged with a simple jade hairpin.

The sudden appearance of the two figures left everyone stunned.

Chen Haoran’s eyes widened slightly.

The elders behind him immediately froze, while Chen Yichen, Chen Minghao, and Chen Yuexin all turned toward the two figures in surprise.

Even Zhao Linger and Zhao Lianyu had not sensed their approach. But the greatest reaction came from the two guards.

Their faces instantly paled.

Cold sweat appeared across their foreheads as they looked toward the elderly man standing calmly.

They had been standing only a short distance away, yet they had completely failed to notice his arrival.

That alone was enough to make them understand the terrifying difference between their cultivation and that of the person before them.

The realization struck them like a thunderbolt.

A High Lord!

Neither guard dared to remain standing. They immediately stepped forward and lowered their heads.

"Greetings, Senior Chen!"

Their voices carried a trace of nervousness.

Chen Haoran and the elders quickly followed, bowing deeply toward the elderly man.

"Greetings, Ancestor!"

Zhao Lianyu’s expression became solemn. She immediately cupped both hands and bowed respectfully. Zhao Linger followed beside her, lowering her head in respect.

"Greetings, Senior Chen."

Only after seeing everyone bow did the elderly man finally move.

Chen Yan calmly walked forward with Qingxue beside him, his expression completely unchanged, as though his sudden appearance had been the most ordinary thing in the world.

His gaze first settled on Zhao Linger.

The princess immediately understood that the High Lord was addressing her.

She stepped forward and performed a graceful bow, maintaining the proper etiquette expected of a member of the Royal Family.

"Junior Zhao Linger greets Senior Chen. I am the Second Princess of the Great Yan Kingdom. It is an honor to meet Senior."

Chen Yan regarded her for a few breaths before giving a slight nod. "So you are the King’s daughter?"

Zhao Linger’s expression stiffened slightly. Chen Yan’s tone remained calm, almost conversational, as though her status amounted to nothing in his eyes. "You look quite different from what I imagined."

He glanced at her for another moment before continuing, "Your father sent you here?"

"Yes, Senior Chen," Zhao Linger replied respectfully. "His Majesty entrusted this visit to me as an act to bring the two families closer together."

Chen Yan nodded, his grey eyes drifting past her until they landed on Zhao Lianyu on the side. "That’s very kind of him."

The moment he looked at her, his expression became slightly more serious.

"And you..."

He stared at her for several breaths.

"Zhao Lianyu was it, the little girl from before?"

Zhao Lianyu immediately cupped her hands and bowed. "Lord Chen."

Chen Yan looked at her quietly and casually muttered, "I thought you were dead."

The words landed heavily, and the entire delegation’s convoy froze. Even Chen Haoran and the elders exchanged awkward glances, closing their mouths shut.

The two Royal guards lowered their heads so quickly that they nearly touched their chests, while Zhao Linger’s expression became visibly embarrassed.

Chen Yan continued as though he had said nothing unusual. "The Royal Family had been silent for almost a month after the battle. No delegation came. No Imperial Envoy came. No one even came to ask about the situation."

His grey eyes remained fixed on Zhao Lianyu.

"So I naturally assumed that something had happened to you."

Zhao Lianyu’s expression remained respectful, but there was a faint trace of embarrassment in her eyes. "Lord Chen, I apologize for the delay. I’ve already delivered the news as early as possible, but-"

Chen Yan raised an eyebrow, interjecting her words halfway through. "But?"

Zhao Lianyu’s words were caught in her throat. Slowly, Chen Yan glanced toward the distant mountain. "Almost a month is quite a long delay. It was as if the people of the Blue Cloud Mist City weren’t even a part of the Kingdom at all."

The entire Royal delegation felt even more embarrassed. None of them dared interrupt as everyone sensed the gradually worsening mood in the air.

Chen Yan sighed softly, his left hand rubbing his beard. "I thought the Royal Family, or even the Imperial Court, had at least sent someone to investigate what happened. Instead, we waited and waited."

He looked toward Zhao Linger again. "Fortunately, His Majesty eventually remembered that the Chen Family was still alive and that the Blue Cloud Mist City is still standing."

Zhao Linger could only maintain her respectful expression despite the awkwardness. "Senior Chen, my father placed great importance on this visit."

"I can see that."

Chen Yan’s gaze briefly shifted toward the ring Chen Haoran was holding. "The gifts were quite generous and I can feel the... sincerity."

The atmosphere finally eased slightly. Then Chen Yan looked back toward Zhao Lianyu. "Still, I suppose there is no point dwelling on the past."

"Since you are both already here, there is something I would like to discuss."

Zhao Linger immediately straightened.

"Senior Chen, please speak."

"I have several matters that require my attention in the capital. Some concern the Chen Family’s external affairs, while others involve matters related to Blue Cloud Mist City."

His gaze briefly shifted toward Qingxue. "She also has matters to attend to there."

He looked back toward the two Royal Family members, and a smile appeared over his face. "Since your delegation is returning to the capital, I would like to accompany you."

Zhao Linger immediately bowed, her tone hurried, excited even. "O-Of course, Senior Chen! It would be our honor to have you accompany us."

Zhao Lianyu followed with a respectful bow. "Lord Chen, the Royal Family naturally welcomes you. There is no need for you to travel separately."

"And His Majesty would be honoured to welcome you to the palace."

Chen Yan nodded. "Then I shall trouble you."

Qingxue stepped forward and gracefully bowed. "Thank you, Princess Linger. We will not cause any inconvenience during the journey."

Zhao Linger quickly shook her head. "Lady Qingxue, please don’t say that. You are both guests of the Royal Family."

Chen Yan gave a slight nod. "Then we should not delay your departure any further."

He turned toward the waiting carriage.

"Let us go."

The preparations began almost immediately.

The guards quickly returned to their positions around the carriage, while the two spiritual beasts at the front were checked once more before departure.

One of the attendants opened the carriage door, allowing Zhao Linger and Zhao Lianyu to enter first.

Chen Yan waited until Qingxue had stepped forward before following her. Just before he entered the carriage, however, his gaze shifted toward Chen Haoran.

His lips moved slightly. "Take care of the family while I’m gone."

The words were accompanied by a faint fluctuation of spiritual energy that spread only a few feet before disappearing.

A voice entered Chen Haoran’s ears alone. "And Qingxue... I’ll take care of her during the journey. You don’t need to worry."

Chen Haoran’s expression remained composed, but his eyes moved slightly toward Qingxue before returning to Chen Yan.

"Understood, Ancestor."

The exchange had been so brief that no one else noticed anything unusual.

Chen Yan then stepped into the carriage.

Qingxue followed him, and soon Zhao Linger and Zhao Lianyu had also taken their seats inside.

The carriage was considerably more spacious than it appeared from the outside. Four people could sit comfortably within it, with enough room between the seats that no one felt cramped.

Once everyone was settled, Zhao Linger glanced toward Chen Yan. "Senior Chen, if you are ready, we can depart."

Chen Yan nodded.

"Depart."

Outside, the guards immediately moved into position. The two Foundation Establishment cultivators took the front and rear positions around the carriage, while the remaining guards mounted their spiritual beasts.

The attendants gave the signal, and the spiritual beasts raised their heads.

A surge of spiritual energy spread beneath the carriage. Then, slowly, the Royal carriage lifted from the ground.

The wheels left the stone road.

The carriage rose higher and higher until it was several dozen meters above the ground, where an invisible path of spiritual energy formed beneath it and extended toward the distant horizon.

The spiritual beasts followed, their bodies carried effortlessly through the sky. Behind, the Chen Family grounds gradually began to shrink beneath them.

From the front of the gate, Chen Haoran and the elders watched as the Royal delegation departed. The carriage continued through the sky, gradually increasing its distance from the Chen Family’s territory.

Inside, the atmosphere remained surprisingly quiet.

Chen Yan sat cross-legged on one side of the carriage, his hands resting naturally upon his knees as he entered meditation.

Qingxue sat nearby.

Across from them, Zhao Linger and Zhao Lianyu exchanged a brief glance.

Neither of them had any intention of disturbing Chen Yan. Instead, their attention naturally turned toward Qingxue.

Qingxue noticed their hesitation and smiled.

"Please don’t be so restrained. We are going to be traveling together for quite some time. There is no need to remain silent the entire time."

Zhao Linger smiled politely. "Then we shall trouble you, Lady Qingxue."

"There is no need for that."

Their conversation began quietly.

At first, they spoke about simple matters concerning the journey, but as the time passed, the conversation gradually became more relaxed.

Zhao Lianyu also joined the conversation from time to time, especially when the topic turned toward matters concerning the Imperial Court or the various regions of Great Yan.

Their voices remained low throughout.

The journey continued like this for several hours. And outside the carriage, the scenery slowly changed. The mountains surrounding the eastern region gradually gave way to broader stretches of wilderness.

Forests spread across the land beneath them, broken occasionally by winding rivers and scattered settlements.

From such a height, the roads below looked like thin lines stretching between distant towns.

The spiritual beasts pulled it through the open sky while the guards maintained their formation around it.

Inside, the three women continued their quiet conversation while Chen Yan remained immersed in meditation.

Eventually, the scenery ahead began to change. Zhao Linger happened to glance through the carriage window.

At first, she saw nothing unusual.

Only distant mountains beneath the pale sky. But as the carriage continued forward, something dark appeared along the horizon.

Her gaze narrowed.

"It’s the great divide..."

Qingxue turned toward the window.

Zhao Lianyu also stopped speaking and looked ahead. The dark shape on the horizon slowly became larger. At first, it looked like a distant mountain range, but the closer they got, its true form gradually became visible.

A vast line of darkness stretched across the land.

The farther they traveled, the wider it became. The ground itself seemed to have been torn apart, forming an enormous chasm that stretched from one horizon to the other.

The edges of the land disappeared into jagged cliffs, while an endless sea of mist filled the depths below. Even from their great height, there was no sign of the bottom.

Only darkness.

Only mist.

And the faint outlines of the enormous cliffs vanishing into the distance.

Zhao Linger’s expression slowly became one of awe. "I wonder how this huge wonder came to exist..."

Qingxue smiled from the side. "Perhaps, it was the work of the Ancient powerful cultivators."

Chen Yan remained completely motionless behind them, still meditating as the enormous chasm gradually occupied more and more of the horizon.

The carriage continued forward. And with every passing breath, the Great Divide grew larger as they finally crossed the entry edge.

For a brief stretch, there was nothing but open sky ahead. The opposite side was still far away, and beneath them, the mist stretched endlessly into the distance.

The guards remained vigilant as they continued escorting the carriage across the vast chasm, and everything proceeded smoothly.

Until the guard flying ahead on the side suddenly slowed as his expression changed. His divine sense had caught something far ahead in front of them, and to that...

He immediately stopped and stared into the distance. Several hundred meters ahead, a faint figure stood suspended in the sky.

At first, it was difficult to make out through the sunlight and drifting mist. The figure was completely motionless, seemingly waiting in the middle of their path.

The guard narrowed his eyes and carefully extended his spiritual sense.

The figure remained there.

"It’s a person?" the female guard asked, and her eyes narrowed as she too sensed the strange figure up ahead. "It seems we have company."

Several hundred meters away, a lone figure stood silently above the Great Divide, with the endless mist and darkness beneath him.

He did not appear to be moving toward them, and he simply stood there, blocking the path as if he had been waiting for their arrival.

The two guards’ expressions changed, and suddenly, an old voice came from within the carriage as everyone was caught off guard by it. "Stop the carriage..."

Chen Yan ordered as he finally exited his meditation, his eyes slowly opening. Almost immediately, he vanished from the spot and reappeared outside.

He stood over the air, his robe moving gently in the wind as he faced the distant figure. His grey eyes remained fixed on the person standing several hundred meters away, carefully observing his every movement.

Behind him, the Royal carriage had already come to a complete stop. The two Royal guards quickly moved into position around it, their expressions tense as they stared toward the stranger.

One remained ahead of the carriage while the other moved slightly to the side, keeping himself between the unknown cultivator and those inside.

Zhao Lianyu stepped out of the carriage.

Her expression had become serious as she released her spiritual sense, carefully examining the person ahead. Yet despite her efforts, she could not determine his cultivation.

Her brows furrowed as her heart fell into her stomach. "Princess, be careful" she said quietly.

Zhao Linger nodded, though her eyes remained fixed on the stranger. Qingxue stayed inside the carriage, looking toward Chen Yan from the front window with a trace of concern. "Is it an enemy?"

Qingxue’s fingers tightened slightly around her sleeve.

The spiritual beasts shifted uneasily in the air, sensing the tension surrounding them. The two guards also remained ready, their hands resting near their weapons but neither drawing them.

For several breaths, nothing happened.

Then the wind shifted.

Mist rose from the depths of the Great Divide, briefly obscuring the stranger before slowly drifting away.

His appearance gradually became clearer.

He was a man dressed in a long dark robe, with faint silver patterns embroidered along the edges of his sleeves. His long black hair flowed behind him in the wind, while a dark mask covered the upper half of his face.

Only his eyes were visible.

Zhao Lianyu’s expression became more solemn at this sight.

She had encountered countless cultivators during her years as an Imperial Envoy, yet she could not determine this man’s cultivation.

That alone was enough to make her cautious, since it meant that this person’s strength was obviously greater than hers.

Middle stage?

Late stage?

She couldn’t tell.

And seemingly he had waited enough, time came to a halt as the masked man finally spoke. "I never thought the one who was supposed to remain hidden for so long would suddenly choose to appear in public..."

Zhao Linger’s expression changed slightly, and her gaze couldn’t help but shift toward Chen Yan. Qingxue’s expression also became more serious. She looked toward Chen Yan through the front window, confusion appearing in her eyes.

Chen Yan, however, remained completely calm. With his hands behind his back, he slowly took a step forward and smiled with dangerous eyes. "You shouldn’t have come," he said.

The masked man’s eyes narrowed, and Chen Yan’s voice remained cold. "You... the one who had strayed too far from the light."

The masked man gave a faint laugh, as if he had heard the most ridiculous joke ever. "After all these years, yet you still cling to the old ways like a loyal dog."

The masked man slowly raised his hand. "Enough."

His voice became colder, and his cold words dropped into the air like dark ink. "Tell me where the tomb of the Ancient Lord is, and I will spare your life."

Chen Yan remained unmoved. He looked at the masked man for several breaths before calmly replying, "You people have never given it up, huh."

The masked man’s eyes narrowed. "And why should we? The time is coming, Chen Yan. The world is slowly darkening, and those secrets from the past..."

The masked man gestured his hand to the front, his palm opened as if he was inviting. "They will begin appearing all over the world. As a sign that the divine do bleed..."

Chen Yan’s expression remained indifferent.

"How far have you fallen?" The wind swept across the Great Divide, carrying mist between the two figures. "You’ve gone too far from the right path, then stay here forever!"