Days passed, and neither the Gu family nor the Dragon Gate could ascertain the whereabouts of the master.
Logically, with such a commotion, the master couldn't have been unaware.
Yet, he had not appeared.
Alas!
Even the mighty Chen Jie couldn't help but sigh.
The next day, another significant event occurred.
The Qingcheng Sect was completely exposed to the world, offering a reward to anyone who discovered information about Chen Jie's companions or Chen Jie himself: a cultivation technique.
Simultaneously, the Wen family pledged allegiance to the Qingcheng Sect, while the Gu family was besieged by Qingcheng Sect members. Many died, and others fled.
The ancient families of the capital were all threatened: submit or die.
At this time, Zhou Yu had not yet appeared. The Gu family, along with the Ming and Zhao families, two ancient families, joined forces to resist, engaging in a brutal war.
Chen Jie only learned some news through Luo Nan.
Upon hearing this, Chen Jie immediately instructed Luo Nan to inform Gu Yue. He warned that a powerful figure remained hidden, someone who could obliterate the Gu family with a single gesture. He advised them to flee or hide, not to resist, and promised to find a solution upon his return.
Chen Jie forced a wry smile again; his only recourse now was to increase his strength.
"Stinking disciple, you've gotten your master into big trouble!"
One day, two old men suddenly appeared outside the villa where Chen Jie resided.
Chen Jie, who was cultivating, jolted and rushed out.
"Master!"
Chen Jie's voice was filled with excitement.
His master had finally appeared!
"Damn it, how did you offend someone of that caliber? If I had known, I would have slapped you to death!"
Upon seeing Chen Jie, the old man cursed him.
Beside the old man stood another elder, with white hair and a youthful countenance, tall and exuding an air of immortality.
"It's you! The Ancestor of Arts!"
Chen Jie, seeing the other man's face clearly, exclaimed in surprise.
This was the Ancestor of Arts, whom he had crossed paths with twice!
He had always believed this man to be an immortal, only appearing in the mortal world through a resurrection.
"You brat, you're quite something. You didn't even spare my face and went and killed my descendants!" the Ancestor of Arts raged.
Chen Jie looked embarrassed.
"So you're master's friend! My apologies, my apologies!" Chen Jie said politely.
"Friend? Hmph, if it weren't for that old monster Zhou Yu, I would have killed your master long ago!"
The old man also puffed out his beard and glared. "Kill me? Who the hell do you think you are? You couldn't do anything to me back then, and you still can't now!"
It seemed these two had a deep-seated history, and Chen Jie didn't dare to say much.
"Master, forget everything else for now. The urgent matter is for you to clean up my mess! I've caused great trouble!"
Facing his master, Chen Jie dropped all pretense, acting like a child begging an adult for protection.
The old man rolled his eyes. "You're a grown man, and you still need help wiping your backside? If you got married, would you expect me to help you with that too?"
Chen Jie's face darkened.
He almost transformed into a rebellious disciple.
Thinking of how the old man had always been so disrespectful, he didn't press the matter further.
"Hahaha... Don't expect your master to clean up your mess. He's not capable of it. When he clashed with that old geezer Zhou, he was screaming in pain! If it weren't for me, he would have died long ago!"
Chen Jie was startled. Had they already made contact with Zhou Yu?
And managed to retreat unscathed?
With this thought, he became excited.
"Master, if the three of us join forces, it's not impossible to defeat Zhou Yu!"
He wanted to say that his current strength was considerable, and if they, the two of them, plus him, might succeed.
"Cough..."
Before Chen Jie could finish speaking, the old man coughed violently, blood trickling from his mouth, his vitality greatly weakened.
"Master!"
Chen Jie cried out in alarm.
The Ancestor of Arts also slumped onto the ground.
"Still thinking of teaming up with us two old fellows? You think too highly of us. We were completely suppressed. If it weren't for a hair's breadth, we wouldn't have escaped. Now, it's good enough that we've managed to salvage half our lives. We're becoming cripples, how can we still fight?"
In an instant, Chen Jie felt as if struck by lightning, his heart heavy.
Even his master had no solution?
For a moment, Chen Jie could only offer a wry smile. "Then, Master, you should rest and recover here with me!"
"After you've healed a bit, I'll send you to a safe place to hide for a while. I'll figure out the rest!"
"Rest?"
The old man gave Chen Jie a disdainful look.
"If we two old guys can find you, do you think that old monster Zhou Yu can't find you?"
Chen Jie was startled again.
He suddenly realized.
"Could it be..."
"That's right, Zhou Yu already knows your location."
"What!"
The old man comforted him, "Don't worry too much. We've already made an appointment with Zhou Yu for a deathmatch in half a month at Wutai Mountain! Whether you live or die depends on whether you can kill Zhou Yu this time! Don't even think about running. If we can find you, he can too! It won't matter even if you hide to the ends of the earth."
Chen Jie offered a bitter smile. "Master, you think too highly of me. What's the difference between half a month and half a day?"
"This kid is no good! Where's the spirit he had when he killed my descendants?" the Ancestor of Arts complained.
The old man exchanged a look with him. "It seems we'll have to implement the second plan."
"What plan?" Chen Jie was bewildered.
"What about your confidantes?" the old man suddenly asked.
"This..."
"No need to hide them. They've already found your location, and it's only a matter of time before they find others. We'll see about life and death after the battle at Wutai Mountain!" the old man comforted him.
"Bring us along. It'll be more lively with more people!"
Since both of them said so, Chen Jie couldn't pretend anymore.
He immediately took them to where Wang Xiaoyan and the others were hiding.
Originally, Chen Jie had hidden them elsewhere, so that if something happened to him, they could at least preserve their lives.
Now, it seemed all that was in vain.
Not long after, the three of them arrived.
The old man glanced at the women and said to Chen Jie, "During these next half a month, what you need to do is completely activate the engagements!"
What?
Chen Jie was shocked.
The old man's second plan was to activate all the engagements, allowing his strength to grow rapidly?
Ignoring Chen Jie, he addressed the others, "My daughters-in-law, you understand the situation now. If that old fellow Zhou Yu kills Chen Jie, in the future, the entire world will be under his control."
"Now, I ask you, are you willing to help Chen Jie increase his strength and defeat Zhou Yu?"
"I am willing!"
Wang Xiaoyan was the first to step forward.
She supported Chen Jie unconditionally!
"I am willing too!"
Zhang Xinyan, blushing, hesitated for a moment before stepping forward.
She and the other women had learned about the secret of the engagements in the past few days; not just her, but everyone knew.
Beyond disbelief, there was a hint of secret joy.