Chapter 535 - 504: Negotiation, Emergency Summoning Order

Chapter 535: Chapter 504: Negotiation, Emergency Summoning Order

He withdrew his fists, and his roiling Qi and Blood gradually subsided. Had anyone been watching, they would have seen the distorted air around Chen Che slowly return to normal—a phenomenon caused by his boiling Qi and Blood.

’I really didn’t make the wrong choice with the Flame Emperor Body Refining Technique. After perfecting the cultivation technique, although I haven’t broken through to the next realm, my Qi and Blood has become several times stronger.’

Chen Che couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction.

After gazing at the pool for a moment, Chen Che turned and left. Using Spirit Stones to nurture the Divine Court Tree was always just a stopgap measure. Moreover, as the back mountain area continued to expand and the Spirit Wood matured, the amount of Spiritual Qi required would be astronomical.

Therefore, he had to accelerate his search for a second Earth Store Profound Tree.

「Now.」

Jinyun Valley’s intelligence network had already begun an urgent search for areas with spiritual qi anomalies. These leads were then passed on to the Liu Family and the valley’s disciples for investigation.

He glanced around.

The forest was still teeming with Demon Beasts, but the Little Chick was nowhere to be seen. Chen Che wasn’t worried, though. Whether it was because it was still growing or because its bloodline had been awakened, its body had already swelled to over eighty zhang in size.

Every day, it led a flock of Golden Core Realm flying beasts, howling through the sky as they came and went, a truly majestic sight.

In contrast, the Juvenile Turtle released into the Black Water River had a more trying fate.

The opening of the canal had given the Aquatic Race more room to grow. Although it was a young Dragon Turtle, the underwater environment was harsh, and its flesh was a supreme natural tonic to other aquatic creatures.

As a result, it fought one or two vicious battles every day.

This was why the mortality rate for young Demon Beasts was so high. Fortunately, having a master meant it could receive timely treatment for its injuries and had a place to recuperate. The Juvenile Turtle, having just recovered from its wounds the day before, had already returned to the Black Water River.

「Leaving the back mountain.」

He immediately heard the sounds of disciples sparring. Among them, a white-haired disciple was particularly conspicuous—it was none other than Xiao Chan’s registered disciple. With his Earth Spirit Root, his cultivation speed was indeed impressive; he had already reached the Qi Refining Third Layer.

If not for Xiao Chan focusing on tempering his Qi and Blood and solidifying his foundation due to his advanced age, his realm might have been a level or two higher.

In addition, he was also studying Talisman Painting.

This former Mortal Emperor was like a sponge, greedily absorbing all knowledge and key points about cultivation. Of course, Zhou Lian was also worth mentioning. Although younger, he was also progressing rapidly under Hu Yao’s guidance.

"Mr. Che, have you finished your cultivation?"

Seeing her partner return, Meng Qingxuan’s face lit up with joy.

She quickly prepared hot water and a towel, then bustled about pouring tea.

Before they were together, she had been haughty and domineering, but now she had long since become gentle and considerate. She knew that as the Valley Master, Chen Che was burdened with many affairs, so she never threw petty tantrums. Instead, she was always trying to find ways to share his burdens and had never once complained.

Chen Che nodded slightly, enjoying his lovely partner’s care.

There was no need for effusive words between them. With a flick of his wrist, Chen Che placed several sticks of incense on the table.

"These are Divine Court Incense. I formulated them according to your realm, and their effect is better than Soul Nourishing Incense. From now on, light one of these whenever you temper your Divine Sense."

"However, your Divine Sense is still relatively weak, so don’t use them too often. Once every three days."

For a cultivator, the Divine Sense Barrier was undoubtedly the most difficult to overcome, requiring years upon years of seated meditation.

’I can guarantee she reaches Foundation Establishment, but advancing to the Golden Core Realm after that will depend on her own tireless efforts.’

"Mr. Che, you’ve gone to so much trouble. You work so hard every day and still think of me."

Meng Qingxuan was both surprised and delighted, carefully putting the Divine Court Incense away.

Having been with Chen Che for so long, she knew the value of these items. It was no exaggeration to say that even a Golden Core True Master might not be able to obtain them. "Oh, right. My father and grandfather have arrived. They’re in the main hall right now."

"They’re both out of seclusion?"

Chen Che’s eyebrows rose.

"Yes. The territories under the Primordial Sect are rife with problems. They said they came to discuss how to handle the situation with you."

"Then we shouldn’t delay."

Overall, in the past three months, the situation in the lands governed by the Primordial Sect had not eased in the slightest; on the contrary, it had grown progressively worse.

Even Jinyun Valley, this final sanctuary, had been infiltrated by Evil Cultivators. Many families had been ambushed, but because Chen Che had previously issued an order regarding this, any appearance of Evil Cultivators was met with a unified counterattack.

Coupled with constant patrols by Jinyun Valley disciples, the losses had been kept to a minimum.

However, Primordial City, on the very front lines, was already facing the Star-Picking Sect directly. Furthermore, according to intelligence from the front, many Golden Core cultivators from Faqian City had also quietly gotten involved.

Chen Che considered this perfectly normal.

Since ancient times, whenever a great power was on the verge of collapse, it would trigger a massive frenzy. Countless hyenas and vultures would lie in wait, seizing the opportunity to carve out a piece for themselves and grow stronger.

Some smaller powers might even use the opportunity to transform themselves and take its place.

It was the same old story: as one power fell, another rose to take its place.

...

Arriving at the main hall, he found not only the two Golden Core cultivators from the Meng Family but also Lu Yuntian, Xiao Chan, Zhao Shifeng, Chen Xi, and Yu Qian.

The group sat holding tea bowls, discussing the day’s events in their territories.

If even Jinyun Valley was being harassed by Evil Cultivators, their own lands could not have been spared.

This was especially true for Chen Xi.

When she emerged from her seclusion, she found that the flames of war had already reached the foot of Thunder Accumulation Mountain, forcing her clan to retreat back into the mountain.

"...A few days ago, a Golden Core cultivator even tried to sneak into Thunder Accumulation Mountain. Luckily, the Array detected them, or I would have never known. I chased down and killed one of them, so things should be quieter for the next few days..."

"A Golden Core?"

Meng Qianxun put down his tea bowl. "Which Golden Core was so bold?"

"Golden Cores have infiltrated as far as Hunzhou?"

Chen Che was also somewhat surprised.

If even the Cave Mansions of Golden Core cultivators were being targeted, one could only imagine the plight of ordinary cultivators.

"I didn’t recognize them. Probably someone from Mist Rain Tower, or possibly a Golden Core from Faqian City."

Chen Xi sighed.

"The great ship of the Primordial Sect is riddled with holes, and all the monsters and fiends have come crawling out. The situation is far more than just ’complicated.’" Meng Qianxun looked up at Chen Che, the frost on his face melting.

"Che’er."

Chen Che waved his hand casually. "No need to stand. We’re all family here."

Seeing the worried expressions on everyone’s faces, Chen Che could guess they were also at their wits’ end over the situation.

"Since we’re all family, I’ll speak frankly."

Glancing at the group, Meng Qianxun set down his tea bowl. "The great ship of the Primordial Sect is going down. We can’t go down with it. We’re here today to discuss what comes next."

"Indeed."

Chen Che walked to the head of the hall and sat down, nodding slightly.

Of the Sixteen States of Primordial Chaos, almost none were peaceful. It was foreseeable that all the territories would be dismembered and then swallowed up by the surrounding powers. When that time truly came, no one would be able to stand alone and remain unscathed.

They truly needed to prepare an escape route in advance.

"What are your thoughts, Old Sir?"

"Leave!"

"?"

"There are six or seven Golden Core cultivators here. As long as we unite as a single spear, the world is vast. Where could we not find a place for ourselves? We can establish a foothold anywhere. If it comes to it, we can even establish our own Sect."

Everyone seemed to tacitly agree. This was clearly the result of their prior discussion.

The situation was indeed critical. No one wanted to be buried with the Sect.

Moreover, the resources they held were enough to sustain them for a long time after leaving.

"Che’er, I’d like to hear your opinion," Meng Qianxun said, picking up his tea bowl.

"It’s not time to leave yet."

Chen Che pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over their expressions before he continued:

"As long as the Sect Leader remains in seclusion, there is still a chance for a turnaround. If we wait until the dust settles, we won’t escape the reckoning even if we flee to the ends of the earth. But that doesn’t mean we don’t prepare to leave. Instead, we can keep an eye on the Chiefs within the Primordial Sect."

After a pause, Chen Che continued:

"They are the ones who understand the Primordial Sect’s situation best. The fact that they haven’t given up means there’s still a chance. If they make a move, we follow them. That’s the safest option."

"That’s true."

Meng Qianxun nodded heavily.

If they were all alone, they wouldn’t need to be so cautious; they could leave whenever and wherever they pleased. But of those present, aside from Xiao Chan and the father-son pair of Zhao Shifeng and Zhao Yunchen, who had no clan, everyone else had a large group of people behind them.

This was what it meant for a large ship to be hard to turn.

"Of course, we mustn’t neglect our preparations. Have your family forces get ready in advance. The moment the Primordial Sect can no longer hold on, we can grab our families and run," Chen Che added.

Everyone exchanged glances.

Indeed, for now, this was the most prudent course of action.

"Agreed!"

Meng Qianxun nodded heavily.

Once he agreed, Meng Changtu offered no objections.

"I concur!"

"I concur!"

Chen Xi and Lu Yuntian both voiced their agreement.

As for Xiao Chan and the father and son, Zhao Shifeng, they had even fewer objections.

"Good. Since we all agree, let’s all rest and recuperate for the time being." Chen Che rose with a smile. Just then, a sharp, piercing whistle suddenly rang out, a sound that seemed to pierce the nine heavens.

"What’s happening?"

Hearing the sound, the group stepped out of the main hall in unison. When they saw what was happening, their expressions changed drastically:

"An emergency Summoning Order from the Primordial Sect?"