Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Homeward Journey
"Dead... dead?"
The scene that unfolded before their eyes instantly stunned everyone present.
A steward of the Sword King Sect, a Spirit Transformation Realm Sixth Layer expert, was killed on the spot like this.
Everyone’s gaze focused on Nangong Ao, and while they were astonished, they were also curious about who this person really was.
Obviously, a Returning Ruins Realm level powerhouse is indeed considered a first-rate figure within the entire Profound Domain.
But going up against a colossal entity like the Sword King Sect, relying on individual strength alone is utterly insufficient.
This person dared to publicly kill the steward of the Sword King Sect, which undoubtedly means he must have some backing that makes him unafraid of the Sword King Sect!
"Does anyone else want to take him away?"
Faced with the doubts of those around, Nangong Ao clearly had no intention of addressing them.
At this moment, his gaze scanned the front and finally fixed on those powerhouses of the Sword King Sect.
No one dared to speak, nor did anyone dare to step forward and speak up.
Clearly, even the steward Jiang was killed by a single finger from this opponent; stepping forward now would be seeking death, wouldn’t it?
"Who exactly is this person?"
All around, many could not help but frown, including Liu Qingcheng and the experts from Lingxiao Palace, Purple Cloud Sect, and the various major forces. Now their curiosity was at its peak.
Such an existence could not possibly be an unknown figure.
Moreover, what was most unbelievable to Liu Qingcheng was how Ji Chen knew such a high-level figure?
To kill a steward of the Sword King Sect for Ji Chen, risking offending the entire Sword King Sect, undoubtedly proves that the relationship between this person and Ji Chen is far from simple.
The former profligate Young Sect Leader, in just a few short months, what exactly had happened to him?
"Let’s go."
Ji Chen spoke, looking at Nangong Ao and Qu Luoning.
They nodded.
Soon, Nangong Ao waved his wide sleeve, stirring up a whirlwind, lifting Ji Chen and Qu Luoning, fleeing into the distant void.
Watching them leave, everyone could only look at each other in dismay; until now, they still knew nothing about Nangong Ao’s identity.
"Thank you, senior, for your intervention."
Meanwhile, high in the sky, Ji Chen slightly cupped his fist toward Nangong Ao.
"You helped me escape, it was the right thing to do."
Nangong Ao waved his hand, "Moreover, with your current strength, even if I hadn’t intervened, you could easily handle it."
"That may be true, but actually, I didn’t really want to expose my current cultivation in front of so many people." Ji Chen smiled.
It’s no false statement. To everyone outside, ten days ago, I was merely a small Cultivator at the Vein Condensation Realm, inconspicuous.
But ten days have passed, and coming out from the Emperor Ye Ancient Ruins, I possess a Spirit Transformation Realm Ninth Layer cultivation, which would have stunned everyone, even attracting the major forces’ attention.
This is not what Ji Chen wanted.
If it were not absolutely necessary, he still hoped to hide his current cultivation for a while longer.
"From this journey to the Emperor Ye Ancient Ruins, it felt like too much happened; after returning to the Chu Kingdom, I need a good rest for some time." Qu Luoning spoke.
Ji Chen said, "After all, for us, it was over a decade of time..."
As they chatted leisurely, under Nangong Ao’s lead, several days later, they arrived within the borders of the Chu Kingdom.
After sending Qu Luoning to Celestial Essence City, Nangong Ao then directly took Ji Chen toward the direction of Lingyun Sect.
With a Returning Ruins Realm expert leading, the distance from Celestial Essence City to Lingyun Sect took only half a day.
Finally, at dusk, Ji Chen and Nangong Ao descended within the mountain gate of Lingyun Sect.
"The Young Sect Leader has returned."
In a square, many disciples gathered in groups, discussing some problems encountered during cultivation.
Ji Chen and Nangong Ao’s appearance naturally caught their attention, and they cupped their hands in salute from a distance.
By now, Ji Chen had already established a high reputation throughout the entire Lingyun Sect, even surpassing that of Ji Xiaotian, the Sect Leader.
Because all the disciples were well aware that Lingyun Sect’s current state was closely tied to Ji Chen.
"Is this your sect?"
As they walked, the two returned to the Drunken Ink Residence.
During this time, Nangong Ao never spoke a word, but now, he couldn’t help but say, "Weaker than I imagined; are the sects in today’s world all this weak?"
After all, Nangong Ao is a figure from thousands of years ago; in his era, the overall strength of the various sects within the Profound Domain was significantly stronger compared to now.
A mountain gate, even the lowest-level small sect, would have at least one Returning Ruins Realm expert stationed within.
Because in that era, to many people, lacking a Returning Ruins Realm strength, one was not even qualified to establish a sect.
But now, arriving at Lingyun Sect and seeing the overall strength of the disciples, Nangong Ao could generally deduce how weak Lingyun Sect was now.
This surprised him somewhat.
After all, in Nangong Ao’s view, Ji Chen has a high probability of being Emperor Ye’s descendant.
So subconsciously, Nangong Ao mistakenly believed there was some connection between Lingyun Sect and Emperor Ye; such a sect could not possibly be weak.
"As you see, senior, my Lingyun Sect is in such a state now, even worse several months ago..."
Ji Chen smiled wryly, seemingly reading the thoughts in the other party’s heart, then he briefly explained Lingyun Sect’s situation and how Liu Qingcheng came to break off the engagement and the bet between them months ago.
After listening, Nangong Ao was somewhat surprised, "To improve Lingyun Sect’s overall strength by at least one level in just a few months is indeed not simple, and what did you say earlier? You’re also an Alchemist?"
Ji Chen nodded, "Second Grade Alchemist."
"Only Second Grade..."
Nangong Ao muttered softly to himself, seemingly a bit disappointed.
"Why?" Ji Chen wondered.
"I previously had my Spiritual Sea wounded, and I entered the Emperor Ye Ancient Ruins to seek a method of healing, unexpectedly being trapped inside for so many years..."
"However, before entering the Emperor Ye Ancient Ruins, I accidentally obtained a Pill Formula; it’s said this elixir can repair wounds in the Spiritual Sea, provided the injuries aren’t too severe."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Ji Chen was a bit surprised. The Spiritual Sea is the essence of the human body; once injured, it’s almost impossible to recover.
If what Nangong Ao says is true, he is indeed curious about this Pill Formula and wants to know what kind of elixir it is that has such miraculous effects.
You should know, even in my previous life, Ji Chen never heard of an elixir that could repair one’s Spiritual Sea.
"If it’s not inconvenient, could senior lend me the Pill Formula for a look?" He couldn’t help but ask.