Chapter 41: Chapter 41: The Battle Approaches
"Sister, did you come looking for me for something?"
At sunset, Fang Qingyao arrived at the Drunken Ink Residence.
This made Ji Chen pause for a moment.
Now that Ji Xiaotian was in seclusion cultivating, all the sect’s affairs, big and small, were handled by Fang Qingyao and Ji Chen.
However, although that was the case, Fang Qingyao was doing most of the work alone, and there were very few things that actually required Ji Chen’s assistance.
In Ji Chen’s view, unless it was something important, Fang Qingyao would almost never come to find him.
Which meant, most likely, something troublesome enough to give her a headache had happened.
Fang Qingyao frowned slightly, then spoke after a moment of silence, "I just received news that there seems to be some movement from the Celestial Profound Sect..."
She explained the entire situation.
Ji Chen’s eyes narrowed as he finished listening, "It seems they must have discovered something, and judging by this movement, they might be planning to make a move against our Lingyun Sect."
"Should we inform Master and have him come out of seclusion earlier?" Fang Qingyao asked.
If the Celestial Profound Sect truly pressed on with an army, and Sect Leader Nie Yunchang came along, undoubtedly, only Ji Xiaotian coming forward could resist them.
Ji Chen said, "No rush for now. Besides Nie Yunchang, does the Celestial Profound Sect have any other difficult figures?"
"There are also three elders who have reached the Spirit Transformation Realm. Together with Nie Yunchang, there are four Spirit Transformation Realm experts. Given the current situation of our Lingyun Sect, handling this is difficult," Fang Qingyao frowned.
Ji Chen stroked his chin, "In our Lingyun Sect, aside from my father, Grand Elder Li Sihai is also at the Spirit Transformation Realm. Senior Sister has also improved considerably in cultivation recently, reaching the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Vein Condensation Realm, and could break through to Spirit Transformation Realm at any moment. Plus, you’ve cultivated quite a few Profound Tier Martial Techniques; you should be able to handle one..."
"As for the remaining one, leave it to me."
"Leave it to you?" Fang Qingyao was slightly surprised by these words.
Though she didn’t know Ji Chen’s current realm, handling a Spirit Transformation Realm expert probably wasn’t that simple, right?
But Ji Chen just smiled, "Senior Sister, have you forgotten? I even managed to kill Song An. What threat does a Spirit Transformation Realm expert pose?"
Fang Qingyao suddenly realized after a brief start, indeed, that was the case.
"Calculating this way, if Master comes out of seclusion by then and holds off Nie Yunchang, the remaining three Spirit Transformation Realm experts could be tackled by Junior Brother, Grand Elder, and me together. This way, our Lingyun Sect seems capable of facing the Celestial Profound Sect head-on."
She was slightly shocked, having not noticed without deeper thought.
Unknowingly, Lingyun Sect’s strength has improved significantly compared to before.
At least in terms of top-tier power, it now stands on par with the Celestial Profound Sect.
"This battle... regardless of victory or defeat, will change the current structure of the Chu Kingdom. The imbalance among the three major powers is something many are unwilling to see. Order it to be spread among the disciples, prepare them mentally. The Chu Kingdom is facing turmoil," Ji Chen said.
Fang Qingyao nodded, understanding the stakes.
Regardless of whether Lingyun Sect or Celestial Profound Sect wins, one side will ultimately be completely removed from the Chu Kingdom.
And at that time, many family powers will be shaken.
After all, as one of the three major powers in the Chu Kingdom, both the Celestial Profound Sect and Lingyun Sect have many small families and sects as vassals.
Once one side falls, it will inevitably cause quite a disturbance.
"The Heaven-Gazing Pavilion watches from the side, and no matter who wins or loses between Lingyun Sect and Celestial Profound Sect, they will benefit. I’m just afraid the royal family won’t want the various families and sects to cause turmoil because of this battle and might intervene," Fang Qingyao frowned, considering the possibility.
"No worries."
Ji Chen waved his hand, "Ultimately, this battle was initiated by the Celestial Profound Sect, and during the Queen of Chu’s birthday celebration, even if the royal family investigates, it will involve the Celestial Profound Sect. Moreover, with my status as a Second Grade Alchemist trying to rely on the Alchemy Master Alliance, the royal family dares not have designs on our Lingyun Sect."
After discussing some more matters, Fang Qingyao soon left.
Ji Chen sat cross-legged alone in the Drunken Ink Residence, gazing into the distance and speaking to himself, "Whether it’s the Celestial Profound Sect or the royal family, any obstacles daring to stand in Lingyun Sect’s way will be swept away by me."
"Liu Qingcheng, the Spirit Veins you take pride in mean nothing before me, and it won’t take ten years for you to realize how the Purple Cloud Sect can’t compare to Lingyun Sect."
It’s not Ji Chen’s arrogance, but a self-confidence.
He has absolute confidence to make Lingyun Sect surpass the Purple Cloud Sect in strength within ten years.
In this so-called gamble, the ultimate winner will only be himself.
...
"Is the Celestial Profound Sect really going to start a war?"
"Alright, alright, perfect timing! I’ve advanced rapidly in cultivation during this time, eager to test my strength in actual combat!"
"I recently succeeded in cultivating a high-level Yellow Tier Martial Technique; it’s perfect for practicing on those Celestial Profound Sect people!"
"Seriously? It’s said the Celestial Profound Sect is so furious because Nie Yuan and Grand Elder Song An died at the hands of our Young Sect Leader?"
"The Young Sect Leader is truly unpredictable. His identity as a Second Grade Alchemist alone was surprising enough, but to think he hid his strength, killing even a Spirit Transformation Realm expert like Song An?"
"Years of enduring humiliation, now it can’t be hidden anymore?"
"In the recent period, our Lingyun Sect’s overall strength has improved by several folds. Most disciples have mastered Yellow Tier middle to high-level Martial Techniques. If the Celestial Profound Sect dares to come, they will definitely suffer a return without success!"
The news had spread, but surprisingly, none of the Lingyun Sect disciples panicked.
After all, everyone’s improvement in strength during this period was evident to all.
Today’s Lingyun Sect is no longer the same as before!
Moreover, everyone clearly knows who is behind all this progress—Ji Chen.
By now, many disciples have grown to respect him greatly.
Because everyone knows, under Ji Chen’s leadership, if Lingyun Sect continues its current development trajectory, it will certainly become a top-tier sect within the Profound Domain in the coming years!
As the tide rises, so will the disciples of Lingyun Sect gain face when venturing out.
"Buzz..."
In the blink of an eye, two days passed.
It was noon, in the sky not far outside Lingyun Sect’s mountain gate.
The space there suddenly rippled slightly.
Soon after, a black shadow appeared, as if a storm was approaching, nearly ten flying demon beasts with massive wings were flapping as they roared in.
On the backs of these flying demon beasts, led by Celestial Profound Sect Leader Nie Yunchang, stood hundreds of people, appearing en masse in the sky.