Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Upheaval
As expected.
In just two days, the news of the battle spread throughout the entire Chu Kingdom.
The turmoil swept across.
The collapse of the Celestial Profound Sect implicated many factions, big and small.
The entire Chu Kingdom became somewhat chaotic.
Some small families originally vassalized to the Celestial Profound Sect were worried, fearing the Lingyun Sect would also settle scores with them.
But clearly, they were overthinking it.
The Lingyun Sect had no intentions towards other powers besides the Celestial Profound Sect.
And because the Queen of Chu’s birthday was approaching, the Royal Family did not want to see this chaotic situation last long, so they quickly suppressed the turmoil.
In just a few days, the impact of the battle completely subsided.
However, the downfall of the Celestial Profound Sect was a done deal, meaning from now on, the position of the Lingyun Sect in the Chu Kingdom would be much stronger than before.
This is an issue no one can ignore.
As for the outside world’s discussions, Ji Chen didn’t pay much attention to them.
Over the past few days, the aftermath was entirely handled by Ji Xiaotian and Fang Qingxue, without needing him to come forward personally.
Nowadays, Ji Chen’s cultivation had broken through, reaching the Seventh Layer of the Vein Condensation Realm!
With his current strength, even when facing Spirit Transformation Realm experts, he could easily handle them.
The regretful thing is, his cultivation hasn’t reached the Returning Ruins Realm, making him unable to control the sky, which limits his mobility in battles.
Speaking of the Returning Ruins Realm.
The Sword King Sect’s matters had been weighing on Ji Chen’s mind these past few days.
That Venerable Zhou is unlikely to let it go.
If one day, the other party truly attacks the Lingyun Sect, undoubtedly, it would be a catastrophe for the entire Lingyun Sect.
So before that happens, Ji Chen must quickly improve himself and enhance the entire sect’s strength.
"It’s time to set off..."
At noon that day, he awoke from his cultivation state, gazed at the distant sky, and murmured to himself.
With the Queen’s birthday approaching and setting off for Celestial Essence City now, the timing should be just right.
Without hesitation, he exited the Drunken Ink Residence and came to a cliff on the back mountain.
After returning to the Lingyun Sect, Ji Chen didn’t confine Ao Tian within a spatial treasure but allowed it to roam freely within the Lingyun Sect.
At first, the disciples were fearful of Ao Tian, as it was, after all, a demon beast.
But gradually, when people realized Ao Tian was non-aggressive, they began to adapt.
Some even occasionally sought out Ao Tian to try and communicate as a way to pass time.
At this moment, on the cliff, Ao Tian was basking in the sun, lying on the ground and dozing.
Beside it, under a waterfall, sat a young figure—none other than Fang Qingyao.
Fang Qingyao often cultivated under this waterfall.
Currently, she was sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed, seemingly in a meditative state.
But as Ji Chen approached, Fang Qingyao seemed to sense it and slowly opened her eyes.
"Junior Brother."
She stood up and approached him.
Now, Fang Qingyao’s attitude toward Ji Chen had completely changed.
Once a wastrel, he had already become a genius Young Sect Leader leading the Lingyun Sect to power and glory.
Even with her Vein Condensation Realm Ninth Layer peak cultivation, potentially breaking through to the Spirit Transformation Realm at any moment, Fang Qingyao wasn’t confident she could match Ji Chen.
She didn’t know what had happened to Ji Chen to bring about such earth-shattering changes in a few months.
But all she needed to know was that Ji Chen was still Ji Chen, the Young Sect Leader of Lingyun Sect, and that was enough!
"For this journey to Celestial Essence City, I might not return for some time. During this period, Senior Sister, the Lingyun Sect will need your extra care." Ji Chen spoke.
With the Queen’s birthday, as one of the three major sects within the Chu Kingdom, the Lingyun Sect naturally needed to send representation.
Originally, besides Ji Chen, Fang Qingyao and Ji Xiaotian also planned to make a brief appearance.
However, after the battle with the Celestial Profound Sect, there were too many matters to attend to, so Fang Qingyao and Ji Xiaotian couldn’t break free, leaving Ji Chen to go alone in the end.
Of course, the Queen’s birthday was just an opportunity; Ji Chen’s real goal wasn’t for that but for the upcoming opening of the Emperor Ye’s Ancient Ruins.
If he could find some Holy Dragon Origin Qi during this trip, it would undoubtedly greatly aid the Lingyun Sect’s growth.
"I heard that Emperor Ye’s Ancient Ruins are fraught with danger, one of the ten most feared danger zones in the Profound Domain. Junior Brother, if you’re going, you must be extremely cautious." Fang Qingyao said solemnly.
"I understand."
Ji Chen smiled, nodding, and after a brief farewell, he woke Ao Tian and leaped onto its back.
"By the way, Senior Sister, this elixir was originally intended as a gift for the Queen’s birthday..."
Before leaving, Ji Chen suddenly remembered, then flipped his palm and tossed a jade bottle to Fang Qingyao.
The bottle contained an elixir, which was none other than the Face Stabilizing Pill.
When he first refined them, Ji Chen obtained several, and this was just one of them.
"Swish!"
After briefly explaining about the elixir, Ji Chen didn’t linger, urging Ao Tian to swiftly fly into the distant sky.
"Face Stabilizing Pill?"
Watching his departing direction, Fang Qingyao finally withdrew her gaze after a long time, looking at the jade bottle in her hand, "Such an elixir exists?"
She was surprised, yet also delighted.
In this world, no woman doesn’t want her appearance to remain forever in her most beautiful years.
If what Ji Chen said was true, and this Face Stabilizing Pill could keep her looks youthful for decades, it would obviously be a matter of excitement for Fang Qingyao.
...
Celestial Essence City.
It’s been just over a month since the Alchemy Master Alliance’s examination.
The bustling scenes in the city not only didn’t dissipate but grew even more vibrant in recent days.
The reason is none other than the upcoming Queen’s birthday, with the entire country celebrating.
Especially in this Imperial City, the streets are now adorned with red lanterns.
At night, when these lanterns are lit, looking down from above, it’s as if dragons and phoenixes are dancing together in the city, showcasing a lively and vibrant scene.
"Who would’ve thought, who would’ve thought, the Celestial Profound Sect, after developing for hundreds of years, saw itself about to become the strongest sect in the Chu Kingdom, second only to the Royal Family, yet collapsed in a single night."
"For a powerful Celestial Profound Sect to fall at the hands of the Lingyun Sect is truly unbelievable..."
"It’s said that the Lingyun Sect Leader is now an expert at the Fourth Layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm, and rumors have it that he seems to have mastered Profound Tier Martial Techniques, which led to Nie Yunchang’s collapse."
"In recent years, the Lingyun Sect was gradually declining, almost pushed out of the three major sects. Who would’ve expected they were hiding so deeply? After this battle, today’s Lingyun Sect must be the strongest sect in the Chu Kingdom, right?"
"The Heaven-Gazing Pavilion watched the tigers fight with indifference, hoping to benefit from both sides’ losses. But, the situation turned one-sided; Lingyun Sect not only won decisively but also absorbed the industries left by the Celestial Profound Sect, making itself thoroughly powerful."
Throughout Celestial Essence City, in teahouses and taverns, many cultivators who came for the Queen’s birthday gathered around, unable to resist discussing this significant recent event.