Chapter 525 - 250: Xu Qingshan’s Gratification, the Giant Spirit Assassins Strike Again, Jiang Che Breaks Through to the Fifth Layer of the True Master Realm

He stared blankly at the impossibly young disciple before him, an indescribable mix of emotions swelling in his heart.

’He, Xu Qingshan, had cultivated painstakingly his entire life, yet he was now only at the Fourth Layer of the True Master Realm.’

’And his disciple... how old was he?’

’Barely in his twenties!’

’And he was already about to surpass him!’

’Was this what they meant by the old guard being swept away by the new?’

However, that sliver of dejection vanished in a flash, replaced in an instant by an even more potent sense of pride.

’This is my disciple!’

’The stronger my disciple, the prouder I can be as his master!’

"Good! Excellent!"

Xu Qingshan patted Jiang Che’s shoulder firmly, his eyes brimming with gratification.

"I never thought my humble Cangyun Sect would actually produce a True Dragon like you!"

"You’re now a True Inheritor Candidate, a status even higher than that of an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple. In the future, you might even have the chance to contend for the legendary position of a True Inheritance disciple..."

"I... am truly proud of you!"

The master and disciple then chatted for a while longer and shared a simple meal in the courtyard.

Xu Qingshan did not stay long. He was already eager to rush back to the Cangyun Sect to share this incredible news with the Sect Leader—with everyone!

He wanted all of Cangzhou Prefecture to know that their Cangyun Sect had produced a True Inheritor Candidate!

Leaving behind all the resources he had brought in a package, Xu Qingshan instructed:

"Che’er, focus on your Cultivation and don’t worry about things back home."

"Take these. You might not need them now, but they’re a small token of the Sect’s goodwill."

Jiang Che then escorted his master all the way to the sect’s main gate.

"Take care, Master!"

"Go on back! No need to see me off any further!"

Xu Qingshan waved his hand.

His back seemed much straighter than when he had arrived, his steps far lighter. It was as if the good news had taken more than ten years off his age.

Jiang Che stood before the main gate, watching his master depart.

A long moment passed.

He pulled his gaze back, about to turn and head back into the Sect.

Suddenly, he seemed to remember something.

’Oh... there’s one more thing I nearly forgot...’

...

In a dense forest a few miles from the main gate of the Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect.

Two figures, seemingly one with the environment, lay prone in the dense thicket. Through a screen of leaves and branches, they stared intently in the direction of the main gate.

The two were dressed as hunters in coarse linen, and they were none other than the two Great Yan Kingdom Giant Spirit Assassins who had previously met with the black-robed informant deep within the Black Mist Wood.

It turned out the two had learned from their informant that only one person had entered and exited the depths of the Black Mist Wood that day: a newly-promoted Inner Sect Disciple named Jiang Che.

But even though Jiang Che was a True Inheritor Candidate, he had only entered the Sect a year ago. His Cultivation, at best, could only be at the Fourth Layer of the True Master Realm. It was absolutely impossible for him to have killed Old Third and Old Fourth.

Therefore, the two concluded that Jiang Che must have a powerful expert backing him.

Perhaps it was a Protector assigned by the Sect, or some Elder following him in secret.

Old Third and Old Fourth must have run into that expert and met their doom!

So, the two decided to lie in wait by the main gate. They planned to kidnap Jiang Che to lure out the expert backing him and avenge their brothers.

However, ever since Jiang Che had returned to the Sect, he hadn’t come out once.

The pair had waited fruitlessly for days, gaining nothing.

"This is no good. If we keep wasting time here, the Law Enforcement Hall will eventually find this place!"

The two exchanged a look, each seeing the intention to retreat in the other’s eyes.

The mission was a failure, their comrades were dead, and the target was holed up inside, refusing to come out.

Staying here any longer was pointless; it only increased the risk of being discovered.

"Let’s go."

One of them sighed. "Let’s hunt the other targets on our list first. As for this Jiang Che... we can deal with him later, if the opportunity arises."

The two were just about to leave.

Suddenly.

"Wait!"

A look of delight crossed one assassin’s face. He whispered urgently, "Look! Who’s that?!"

The other followed his gaze.

Before the towering main gate, two figures were bidding a reluctant farewell.

The tall, youthful figure was none other than Jiang Che, the very person they had been waiting days to see!

And opposite Jiang Che stood an ordinary-looking old man, whose Cultivation was only at the Fourth Layer of the True Master Realm.

"Is that..."

"Looks like one of the kid’s elders, or an acquaintance?"

Seeing Jiang Che bow respectfully to the old man and watch him depart, the two assassins exchanged a look of instant understanding.

One of them licked his lips, a cruel glint in his eyes.

"The kid is hiding in the Sect where we can’t get to him."

"But..."

The other finished his sentence with a sinister laugh:

"If we grab this old man, that kid will have no choice but to come out!"

"Then, not only can we kill the kid to avenge Old Third and Old Fourth, but we can also force him to tell us who that expert backing him really is!"

"The old man is getting away. Let’s follow!"

With that, the two set off, secretly tailing Xu Qingshan. They decided to wait until he was clear of the Sect’s domain before making their move.

...

「On the edge of the Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect’s territory.」

It was a barren stretch of broken stone. Beyond this point, one was completely outside the Sect’s protection.

The two assassins, still disguised as hunters, hid behind a pile of boulders. They watched the distant figure recede, a murderous glint in their eyes.

"This is far enough. There are no more patrolling disciples ahead."

One of them licked his lips. "Let’s do it! Cripple his limbs first, but don’t kill him!"

"Right!"

The other agreed. The two began to circulate their True Qi, just about to spring their attack.

Just then.

A young, slightly mocking voice, suddenly rang out from behind them:

"What are you two up to?"

The two assassins froze, the hairs on their necks standing on end.

Someone had snuck up right behind them, and they hadn’t even noticed?!