Chapter 196: Jian Chen (1)

At the peak of the mountain, inside a pavilion shrouded in mist, Liu Qian was lightly sipping spiritual tea, her expression carrying a hint of cold indifference as if everything was under her control.

She was calculating the time; by now, Dong Qingshan should have thoroughly dealt with that arrogant Chen Chuan who didn’t know the heights of the heavens.

However, what came from outside the palace doors was not the steady or triumphant footsteps she expected, but a series of staggering and unsteady movements accompanied by suppressed groans of pain.

Everyone’s gaze was drawn toward the source, only to see Dong Qingshan leaning against the doorframe, struggling to drag himself inside.

His face was bruised and swollen, traces of uncleaned blood remained at the corners of his mouth, and his clothes were torn and covered in dust.

The arrogance and Aura of a Spirit Transformation Realm Seventh Level expert he previously held had completely vanished, leaving behind a wretched state of someone who had been severely trampled.

The main hall instantly became silent, so quiet that a falling needle could be heard.

Liu Qian’s hand holding the teacup froze in mid-air, the coldness in her beautiful eyes replaced by profound astonishment.

The followers beside her also looked at each other in confusion, their faces blank, completely unable to comprehend the scene before them.

"What happened to you?" Liu Qian set down her teacup, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible alarm and doubt.

"I merely sent you to teach a new Spirit Transformation Realm First Level Disciple a lesson; how did you end up in this state?"

She even wondered if Dong Qingshan had encountered some other powerful enemy on the way.

Hearing her question, Dong Qingshan’s face immediately burned—partly from his injuries, but even more from unbearable shame and indignation.

He collapsed onto one knee with a thud, his voice hoarse and filled with humiliation: "Saintess, your subordinate is incompetent! That Chen Chuan... that Chen Chuan, he..."

"What about him? Did someone intervene on his behalf?" Liu Qian’s gaze sharpened.

"No! There was no one else!" Dong Qingshan shook his head hurriedly, a look of lingering fear and trepidation appearing on his face. "It was Chen Chuan himself. He is not a normal Spirit Transformation Realm First Level at all. This boy is extremely bizarre, and his strength is outrageously powerful."

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his turbulent blood and Qi, and continued:

"The Cultivation Technique he practices is extremely overbearing and its power is terrifying, far exceeding those of the same level—it’s even not much weaker than mine."

"Furthermore, his Physical Body is incredibly tough. My Wind and Cloud Sword Art’s full-power strike was actually caught by him with his bare hands."

"What? Caught your sword with his bare hands?" someone nearby exclaimed in shock; this was simply unheard of.

Dong Qingshan confirmed heavily:

"It is absolutely true! Not only that, he has mastered an extremely profound movement technique. His speed is shocking, as swift as a ghost."

"I could hardly even touch the corner of his clothes. The battle was extremely passive, and I couldn’t even exert seventy percent of my strength."

He recalled the punch Chen Chuan landed after circling to his side like a teleportation; even now, he felt a dull ache in his ribs.

With a hint of unbelievable dejection on his face, he added: "In my opinion, based on the strength he displayed, even an ordinary Spirit Transformation Realm Ninth Level might not necessarily be his match."

"A Spirit Transformation Realm First Level can rival a Spirit Transformation Realm Ninth Level?" Hearing this, Liu Qian’s pupils constricted suddenly, and the shock on her face was gradually replaced by solemnity.

She knew Dong Qingshan’s strength well; while not top-tier, his Spirit Transformation Realm Seventh Level Cultivation was no lie.

To be defeated so cleanly and decisively, even causing him to think that a Ninth Level wouldn’t be a match, this Chen Chuan was definitely not simple.

"It seems we all underestimated him." Liu Qian’s voice returned to its icy tone, but with an added trace of wariness. "To be able to kill Li Mu, he is indeed not simple. If he is allowed to grow, he will surely become a major threat in the future."

Her gaze swept across the people behind her, finally landing on a woman who had been standing quietly to the side. Her Aura was restrained yet gave off a deep sense of pressure.

This woman’s appearance was not stunningly beautiful, but her eyes were sharp, and her body was faintly surrounded by fluctuations of Law. She was Zhou Yan, at the Dharma Manifestation Realm Fifth Level.

"Zhou Yan," Liu Qian spoke slowly. "Take a trip and go meet that Chen Chuan."

"Senior Sister Zhou Yan?" Everyone was startled upon hearing this.

A confidant couldn’t help but say: "Saintess, isn’t asking Senior Sister Zhou Yan to act giving Chen Chuan too much credit? She is at the Dharma Manifestation Realm Fifth Level!"

The Dharma Manifestation Realm and the Spirit Transformation Realm were as different as clouds and mud.

By condensing a Dharma Image and making initial contact with the Laws of Heaven and Earth, one’s strength would undergo a qualitative change.

In their view, dealing with a Spirit Transformation Realm First Level, no matter how bizarre he was, using Zhou Yan was like using a cleaver to kill a chicken.

Liu Qian shook her head, her eyes deep:

"This boy is strange and cannot be judged by common logic. Dong Qingshan’s lesson is right before us; we cannot give him any more opportunities."

"We must thoroughly suppress his arrogance and make him understand the consequences of becoming our enemy."

Thinking of Dong Qingshan’s wretched state, everyone felt this was reasonable and nodded in agreement.

Indeed, that kid could not be allowed to remain arrogant any longer.

Zhou Yan stepped forward with a calm expression, as if she were merely going to complete a trivial task.

"Rest assured, Saintess. A junior in the Spirit Transformation Realm cannot stir up any significant waves."

Hearing this, Dong Qingshan endured his pain and quickly said: "Senior Sister Zhou, I will lead the way for you!"

A venomous light flickered in his eyes now that Zhou Yan was taking action.

He could already envision the scene of Chen Chuan kneeling and begging for mercy: "This time, I will make Chen Chuan pay back today’s humiliation a hundredfold!"

Zhou Yan glanced at him indifferently, full of confidence: "Lead the way. Suppressing him will be as easy as flipping a palm."

When Dong Qingshan appeared again in the area where Chen Chuan’s Cave Dwelling was located with Zhou Yan, it immediately caused an even greater sensation.

Many Inner Sect Disciples saw the returning, battered Dong Qingshan and the unfathomably powerful Zhou Yan beside him, and they understood instantly.

"Look, it’s Senior Sister Zhou Yan. Dong Qingshan brought her here."

"My god, Saintess Liu Qian is truly enraged; she even sent out Zhou Yan, who is in the Dharma Manifestation Realm."

"Chen Chuan is completely finished now. The gap between the Spirit Transformation Realm and the Dharma Manifestation Realm is not something that bizarre techniques can bridge."

"What a pity. A Genius was just about to rise, only to be ruthlessly suppressed."

"Who told him to offend both the Holy Son and the Saintess at the same time? Without a background in the Inner Sect, no matter how high your talent is, it’s hard to survive."

The crowd discussed fervently, all believing that Chen Chuan was doomed this time with no possibility of a lucky escape.

With a Dharma Manifestation Realm Fifth Level dealing with a Spirit Transformation Realm First Level, the result held no suspense.

Outside the Cave Dwelling, Dong Qingshan now had a backer and was full of confidence. His previous wretchedness was swept away, replaced by arrogance and ruthlessness.

He channeled his Spiritual Power and roared at the Cave Dwelling: "Chen Chuan! Get out here and face your death!"

Inside the Cave Dwelling, Chen Chuan, who was Cultivating cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes.

He clearly sensed that besides Dong Qingshan’s familiar but weak Aura, there was also a vast and deep power like a dormant volcano outside—that was the unique pressure of the Dharma Manifestation Realm.

"Dharma Manifestation Realm Fifth Level..." Chen Chuan was startled. "I didn’t expect Liu Qian to be so decisive, sending such an expert so quickly."

He frowned slightly; the gap between the Spirit Transformation Realm First Level and the Dharma Manifestation Realm Fifth Level was simply too large.

Even with the Nine Revolutions Battle Scripture and the Wind God Art, he would absolutely be unable to contend with her.

This was a fundamental difference.

"But if she thinks she can handle me with just this, it won’t be that easy."

Chen Chuan sneered inwardly, his mind already communicating with the System mall.

The source of his confidence was precisely that [Dharma Manifestation Realm Experience Card] which could temporarily boost his strength.

Although it would cost a significant amount of Gold Banknotes, it was enough to turn the tide at a critical moment.

Having made up his mind, Chen Chuan stood up, his expression returning to calm as he composedly walked out of the Cave Dwelling.

Seeing Chen Chuan come out, Dong Qingshan immediately pointed at his nose and blustered: "Chen Chuan! Let’s see how much longer you can stay arrogant."

Chen Chuan acted as if he hadn’t heard the barking, his gaze sweeping over Dong Qingshan’s pig-like face, his tone carrying a bit of playfulness:

"Senior Brother Dong, it seems the lesson just now wasn’t deep enough. Your skin is itching again so soon that you specifically brought someone over to get beaten?"

"You!" Dong Qingshan was so choked that his face turned flushed, nearly spitting out another mouthful of blood from anger. "Still acting tough when death is at your doorstep! Senior Sister Zhou, look at how arrogant he is!"