Chapter 704: Nascent Soul (II)

"Third Uncle, what are you doing?" Xu Chi broke free from the interference of the middle-aged man's spirit secret art and shouted furiously upon seeing the secluded chamber's doors slowly opening.

"What am I doing? I am cleaning up the mess caused by your stupidity!" The middle-aged man snorted coldly. "No cultivator of unknown origin can be trusted, much less a demonic cultivator.

"Do you even know what it means to be a demonic cultivator? They are all lunatics! They are madmen who have lost themselves and can no longer control their own minds. They have already descended into insanity and are capable of anything.

"You even dared to bring someone like that into the clan grounds. Do you think the Xu Family is not dying quickly enough?" the middle-aged man demanded coldly.

By now, the doors of the secluded chamber had opened completely. Paying no further attention to Xu Chi's shifting expression behind him, the middle-aged man strode inside. The chamber was filled with dense demonic qi and the foul, nauseating stench of the formation. Xu Ruichen sat cross-legged within the formation, his face pale and his aura weak, while Lin Zheyu sat cross-legged elsewhere, recovering from his exertion.

As the chamber doors opened, Lin Zheyu emerged from his meditation and looked over with a slight frown. He had just finished dealing with Xu Ruichen's problem and had gleaned many insights into the mysteries of Immortal Dao cultivators from him.

He had been digesting those insights when the middle-aged man's sudden intrusion interrupted him, leaving him somewhat displeased. Xu Ruichen, who was seated cross-legged nearby, also sensed the disturbance and slowly opened his eyes. His eyes narrowed, a fierce light flashing within them.

"Get out! Who allowed you to enter without my permission?" Xu Ruichen shouted.

Although his voice was somewhat weak, his tone was exceptionally firm and brooked no dispute. With Lin Zheyu's help, the yao will that had invaded his sea of consciousness had been almost completely purged. However, even Lin Zheyu was incapable of removing the yao will that had already penetrated his soul origin. For Xu Ruichen, however, this was already enough.

Upon hearing this, a complicated mixture of disappointment, delight, and surprise flashed through the middle-aged man's eyes. "Second Uncle... Family Head, you have recovered?"

Still unwilling to believe it, he asked tentatively. The middle-aged man knew the severity of Xu Ruichen's condition. It was even worse than that of a cultivator on the verge of cultivation deviation from practicing demonic arts. The condition could only be forcibly suppressed through a formation, while Xu Ruichen's life was prolonged by keeping him in slumber.

There were indeed methods capable of alleviating such a condition, but alleviation was all they could achieve. A complete cure was impossible, and the price required was beyond what the Xu Family could afford. It was precisely because the middle-aged man understood how difficult it was that he had dared to force his way inside. Yet to his astonishment, this demonic cultivator of unknown origin whom Xu Chi had invited had truly alleviated his second uncle's condition. It was simply unbelievable!

Xu Ruichen did not answer and merely gave a cold snort. "Scram!"

With a casual wave of his right hand, Xu Ruichen sent a beam of azure light shooting forth and blasted the middle-aged man out of the chamber. Xu Chi, who had followed behind the man, did not even have time to rejoice upon seeing that his grandfather had recovered before the middle-aged man crashed into him and sent him flying as well.

Xu Ruichen cupped his hands toward Lin Zheyu apologetically. "My apologies. A junior of my clan has behaved discourteously."

The instant the middle-aged man stepped into the secluded chamber, Xu Ruichen had sensed the terrifying killing intent erupting from Lin Zheyu. Had he acted even a moment later, the middle-aged man's head might already have been separated from his body.

"You may recover here without worry, fellow friend. Unless this old man dies, no one will be allowed to force their way in again," Xu Ruichen continued.

Lin Zheyu gave him a meaningful look and smiled faintly. "No harm done."

He could discern the deeper purpose behind Xu Ruichen's actions. When Xu Ruichen blasted the middle-aged man out of the chamber, he had also sent a discreet spiritual sense transmission. Although well concealed, it could not escape Lin Zheyu's powerful perception. Xu Ruichen knew the middle-aged man inside and out. Neither the Xu Family's problems nor the man's ambitions could be hidden from him.

The moment the middle-aged man appeared inside the secluded chamber, Xu Ruichen had guessed his intentions. Regardless, the man was one of the Xu Family's few Golden Core realm experts and an extremely important part of its fighting strength. The family could not afford to lose him. Thus, despite the risk of displeasing Lin Zheyu, Xu Ruichen had acted first and blasted the middle-aged man out of the chamber, saving his life.

Xu Ruichen relaxed slightly and thanked him with a smile. "Thank you for your understanding, fellow friend."

"Continue resting here. I will take my leave." Lin Zheyu rose, waved his hand, and walked out of the secluded chamber.

Sparing the man's life out of consideration for Xu Ruichen was no great matter. After all, Lin Zheyu had spent more than ten days studying Xu Ruichen's Nascent Soul. Throughout that time, Xu Ruichen had offered no resistance and allowed Lin Zheyu to study him as he pleased, cooperating fully. Lin Zheyu was willing to do him this favor.

Xu Ruichen slowly rose and said solemnly, "Take care. This old man's injuries have not fully healed, so I will not see you out. I hope you will forgive me. Should you ever have need of the Xu Family in the future, please do not hesitate to ask. So long as it lies within my power, I will spare no effort!"

Lin Zheyu smiled and did not refuse the favor. Just as Wu Di had once said, Xu Ruichen was indeed a man of decent character who gave others the impression of being exceptionally upright. The same was true of Xu Chi, who did not appear scheming in the slightest.

The middle-aged man, however, was deeply calculating and concealed many dark impulses within him. There was likely no underhanded method he would balk at employing in secret. Yet someone like him was also indispensable to a powerful family. This was why Xu Ruichen was willing to tolerate him.

"You are too courteous. Farewell," Lin Zheyu said calmly.

He extended his right hand and lightly tapped the candle flame beside the doors. The tightly shut doors slowly opened once more.

"Fellow Xiao, how is my grandfather?" Xu Chi asked impatiently the moment Lin Zheyu stepped out of the secluded chamber.

"Stand down. Do not be disrespectful to Senior! I am Xu Yunhai. Greetings, Senior Xiao. Thank you for saving our family head's life! I have offended you repeatedly earlier. Please punish me, Senior!"

The middle-aged man, Xu Yunhai, dropped to one knee. A trace of humiliation flashed through his eyes, but he suppressed the bitterness in his heart and spoke respectfully.

Lin Zheyu glanced at Xu Yunhai in mild surprise. It seemed that when Xu Ruichen had blasted him out of the secluded chamber, he had told the man something.

Expressionless, Lin Zheyu lightly waved his right hand. A terrifying dark radiance erupted and blasted Xu Yunhai away. Although he had no intention of taking his life, there was no harm in administering a minor punishment.

Xu Yunhai did not dare resist and endured the blow head-on. He hurtled backward and slammed violently into the ground, leaving behind an enormous crater.

Xu Chi stared at the scene in shock and could not help swallowing hard. He drew a long breath, stepped forward, and said respectfully, "This junior is Xu Chi. Greetings, Senior. If I showed any disrespect earlier, please forgive me."

Lin Zheyu replied calmly, "No matter. Your grandfather's condition has improved considerably, and our transaction is complete. You need only give me the token for the Heavenly Derivation Sect's Formation Dao Exchange Gathering."

Great strength gave him great confidence. Now that his combat power rivaled the Nascent Soul realm and he possessed formidable means of preserving his life, Lin Zheyu had joined the upper echelon of this world. He no longer needed to conceal himself as he had before. Moreover, his current identity was that of a powerful demonic cultivator of unknown origin, giving him even less reason to hide his strength.

Xu Chi hurriedly replied, "Yes, senior. I will retrieve the token at once. Please wait a moment!"

His figure blurred slightly before vanishing from the spot. Xu Yunhai, whom Lin Zheyu had just blasted away, clambered awkwardly out of the crater. His face filled with deference, he approached Lin Zheyu with fearful trepidation and waited respectfully beside him.

A Nascent Soul realm expert! Just as the family head suspected, this man truly is a Nascent Soul realm cultivator!

Xu Yunhai was now certain.

He did not dare show the slightest disrespect toward an expert of this level. Had his second uncle not blasted him out first, he might already be dead. Lin Zheyu did not even glance at him and merely looked in the direction Xu Chi had departed. Around fifteen minutes later, Xu Chi returned, breathing somewhat heavily. He had clearly traveled at full speed, not daring to delay in the slightest.