Chapter 194: Defeating Dong Qingshan (1)

On a certain core mountain peak shrouded in mist within the Primordial Holy Land.

Liu Qian and her party returned travel-worn, their faces still wearing the resentment of returning empty-handed from the Hundred Thousand Mountains, as well as the gloom over Li Mu’s death.

Li Mu’s death not only cost them an important companion but felt like a harsh slap to their faces; for the proud Liu Qian especially, this grudge had to be avenged.

"Investigate! Go to the Outer Sect and investigate thoroughly!" Liu Qian ordered coldly to a follower behind her.

"Focus on Outer Sect Disciples whose Cultivation has progressed by leaps and bounds recently, especially those who have reached the Great Power Realm, Ninth Level, or show signs of practicing a Cultivation Technique that significantly increases speed."

"I don’t believe that person could leave no trace!"

"Yes, Saintess!" Her subordinate took the order and left.

Soon, the information was gathered.

After a round of screening and elimination, a name gradually surfaced: Chen Chuan.

A follower responsible for intelligence analysis bowed and reported to Liu Qian:

"Saintess, according to the information we’ve obtained, this Outer Sect Disciple named Chen Chuan fits the description best."

"It is rumored that the Cultivation Technique he practices is quite peculiar; his Spiritual Energy is profound, and his progress is rapid. He matches the person we encountered in the Hundred Thousand Mountains in terms of Cultivation and timing."

A cold light flashed in Liu Qian’s beautiful eyes. "Chen Chuan? Are you sure it’s him?"

"Most likely!" the follower said with certainty. "His Cultivation progress is indeed abnormal. If he didn’t encounter some fated Opportunity, he must possess a special Cultivation Technique."

"Good!" Liu Qian slammed her jade-like hand onto the armrest of her chair, and the sandalwood armrest instantly turned to powder.

"Since we’ve found him, there’s no need to be polite. Send someone to the Outer Sect, find this Chen Chuan, and then..."

She made a throat-slitting gesture, her Killing Intent palpable. "Do it cleanly. He’s just an Outer Sect Disciple; no one will care if he dies."

"Understood!"

However, not long after, the person sent out returned with unexpected news.

"Reporting to the Saintess, Chen Chuan is no longer in the Outer Sect. He passed the assessment yesterday and was promoted to an Inner Sect Disciple!"

"What? Promoted to the Inner Sect?" Liu Qian was startled for a moment, but then a colder smile appeared on her face.

"Good, very good! He should be at the Spirit Transformation Realm, merely concealing his Cultivation. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to kill Li Mu at the Great Power Realm."

"It is now almost certain that the one who killed Li Mu is this Chen Chuan!"

A confidant beside her had a ruthless look in his eyes as he stepped forward and whispered:

"Saintess, now that he’s in the Inner Sect, the Holy Land’s rules are strict and forbid harming fellow Disciples. However, making him suffer a bit would be quite easy."

"We can find him first, give him a severe beating, and torture him until he wishes he were dead."

"When a fated Opportunity arises later, such as when he goes out for training, we can dispose of him completely without anyone knowing."

Liu Qian nodded slightly upon hearing this.

This suggestion was exactly what she wanted.

Killing someone directly in the Inner Sect was too risky, but teaching a newcomer with no background a lesson would not draw much interference.

"Do as you said." Liu Qian’s gaze swept over the crowd behind her before landing on a steady-looking young man.

"Dong Qingshan, with your Spirit Transformation Realm Seventh Level Cultivation, dealing with a kid who just reached the Spirit Transformation Realm First Level should be a piece of cake, right?"

"Go find Chen Chuan’s Cave Dwelling and give him a proper greeting. As long as you don’t kill him, you can do as you please."

"It would be best to make him spit out everything he took, with interest."

Dong Qingshan was one of the few who had followed Liu Qian into the Hundred Thousand Mountains and was equally resentful over Li Mu’s death.

Hearing this, a cruel smile appeared on his face as he cupped his fists and said:

"Rest assured, Saintess. A mere trash at the Spirit Transformation Realm First Level—I can crush him with one hand! I’ll make him regret ever coming into this world!"

He set off immediately. Using his status as a follower of the Saintess and his connections, he quickly found the location of Chen Chuan’s newly assigned Cave Dwelling.

Meanwhile, Chen Chuan was sitting cross-legged inside his new Cave Dwelling.

Having just dealt with the trouble from Su Mengxi and Gu Chen, he had wanted some peace to think about the Pill Refining Assembly in three days and the bet of two hundred thousand Origin Stones.

However, the tree craves stillness, but the wind will not subside.

"Chen Chuan! Get the hell out here!"

A shout infused with Spiritual Energy exploded outside the Cave Dwelling like a clap of thunder, causing ripples to spread across the cave’s defensive light screen.

Chen Chuan frowned slightly as he withdrew from his Cultivation state. "I just arrived at the Inner Sect. Besides Gu Chen, who else have I offended?"

His first reaction was that Gu Chen was narrow-minded and had sent someone to find trouble so quickly.

He straightened his robes and walked out of the Cave Dwelling with a calm expression.

Outside the Cave Dwelling, Dong Qingshan stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes arrogant and cold. He radiated the powerful Aura of the Spirit Transformation Realm Seventh Level, pressing down on the cave entrance without concealment.

Some Inner Sect Disciples had already been disturbed and were watching from a distance, pointing and whispering.

When Chen Chuan walked out and saw the visitor’s face, everything became clear.

It wasn’t Gu Chen, but an old friend from the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

"They really came looking for me."

Chen Chuan thought to himself; it seemed Liu Qian and the others had traced it back to him.

Seeing Chen Chuan, the Killing Intent in Dong Qingshan’s eyes surged instantly as he shouted:

"Chen Chuan! You rat who hides his head and shows his tail, you’re finally willing to come out?"

"You killed Li Mu in the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Today, I, Dong Qingshan, will avenge him."

"If you’re smart, hand over the Blood Lingzhi obediently and then cripple your own Cultivation. I might consider leaving your corpse intact."

He spoke very loudly, clearly intending for the surrounding people to hear, wanting to establish Chen Chuan’s guilt first.

Chen Chuan, however, looked completely bewildered and spread his hands.

"Senior Brother, have you mistaken me for someone else? I’ve never been to any Hundred Thousand Mountains, and I don’t know anyone named Li Mu."

"Blood Lingzhi? How could a minor new Inner Sect Disciple like me possess such a spiritual item? Senior Brother, don’t believe slanderous rumors and wrong an innocent man."

His act of playing dumb made the veins on Dong Qingshan’s forehead throb with anger.

He couldn’t afford the charge of murdering a fellow Disciple.

"Good! What a sharp-tongued brat!" Dong Qingshan laughed out of extreme anger. "Still stubborn even in the face of death? Let’s see if your bones are as hard as your mouth."

Their conversation clearly reached the ears of the surrounding Disciples watching the spectacle.

"Eh? Isn’t that Dong Qingshan, who stays by Saintess Liu Qian’s side? Why is he looking for trouble with this new Disciple?"

"Chen Chuan? The same Chen Chuan who made a two-hundred-thousand Origin Stone bet with Holy Son Gu Chen?"

"Hundred Thousand Mountains? Li Mu? Sounds like some personal grudge."

"Dong Qingshan is at the Spirit Transformation Realm Seventh Level, while Chen Chuan is only at the Spirit Transformation Realm First Level. The gap is too large; Chen Chuan is in trouble."

"Dong Qingshan has Saintess Liu Qian backing him. Chen Chuan is in big trouble now; even if he’s crippled, no one will likely dare to speak up for him."

The crowd discussed fervently. Almost everyone believed Chen Chuan was doomed today; a Spirit Transformation Realm First Level facing a Seventh Level—the outcome was a foregone conclusion.

"Since you’re seeking death, I’ll fulfill your wish!"

Dong Qingshan stopped talking and drew the long sword from his waist with a clang; the blade vibrated, emitting a clear hum.

Spiritual Energy surged around him, transforming into streaks of sharp Sword Qi.