Chapter 151: Indeed No Place to Linger

Chapter 151: Chapter 151: Indeed No Place to Linger

"I know Senior Brother is very strong, and I even fantasized that he was the one who dealt with the Nangong Family. But when I saw Nangong Mu had been refined into a Soul Slave, my first reaction wasn’t joy or gratitude. It was fear."

Ye Linglong spoke haltingly, "When I was still an ordinary person, Nangong Mu was already at the Body Tempering Middle Stage, a whole Realm higher than I am now. And Senior Brother just... so easily refined him into a Soul Slave."

"Why do you think that is? If he and Nangong Mu had no connection, he would have killed Nangong Mu at most, not refined him into a Soul Slave and brought him back."

Bai Qiulan’s voice was very calm, which allowed Ye Linglong to briefly suppress her fear and start thinking about the deeper meaning behind this matter.

"You’re so silly. Of course Senior Brother did it for you. Otherwise, with his personality—wanting nothing more than to stay on the back mountain every day—when would he have had the time to go looking for trouble with the Nangong Family, let alone bring Nangong Mu back?

If Nangong Mu were still alive, the Nangong Family would never have let this go. But now that he’s been refined into a Soul Slave, the Nangong Family will naturally assume he’s dead. If I were you, I’d absolutely make Nangong Mu serve me as a servant for the rest of his life!"

Ji Suyao stared at the crimson bamboo in her hand, speaking nonchalantly. Back in the Great Xia Royal Family, she too had been ostracized. At the time, she had fantasized about how she would get revenge, but unfortunately, she never had the chance.

If Senior Brother had refined those people into Soul Slaves back then, she would have been more than happy to pay them back a hundredfold for what she had gone through.

Ye Linglong couldn’t help but glance at Ji Suyao. It was the first time she had ever heard her friend speak like this. In the past, Ji Suyao had always given her the impression of being naive, but now it seemed that wasn’t entirely the case.

"While I don’t approve of you venting by torturing your enemies, Suyao has a point. Even if you feel what Liu Chen did was too cruel, it’s undeniable that if it weren’t for you, Liu Chen would not have refined Nangong Mu into a Soul Slave, even if he had killed him."

Bai Qiulan nodded. Although she didn’t entirely agree with Ji Suyao’s vengeful ideas, it was undeniable that if Ye Linglong deliberately distanced herself from Liu Chen because of this, the already fragile bond between them as senior brother and junior sister would come to an end.

This was not what Ye Linglong wanted, nor was it what she and Mo Xuan wanted to see.

"Thank you, Master. I understand now. I underestimated Senior Brother’s capabilities."

Ye Linglong nodded silently. Of course, she could figure that much out. She had to admit that when she first saw Nangong Mu as a Soul Slave, beyond the fear, she had felt a slight flutter in her heart. But now, even if she wanted to feel that way, it was impossible.

However, when she recalled Nangong Mu’s formerly condescending attitude, all Ye Linglong felt was anger. But that version of Nangong Mu was quickly shattered by Senior Brother Liu Chen, reduced to a fleeting illusion.

A genuine smile spread across Ye Linglong’s face. ’It’s best to leave Nangong Mu for Senior Brother to handle. From now on, I just need to focus on my Cultivation.’

"Don’t think that what you’ve seen is all there is to Liu Chen. To tell you the truth, Liu Chen’s Cultivation has already reached the Meridian Passage Middle Stage. In terms of Cultivation alone, he was the strongest one in the trial. As for his Talent in Magic, you two should know better than I do."

Bai Qiulan shook her head. Liu Chen’s Talent was immense. If before he had reached Body Tempering Peak, she and Mo Xuan could still discern his growth trajectory, then after he returned from Fire Dragon Valley this time, Liu Chen’s strength had become a complete mystery to them.

All they knew was that his Realm was Meridian Passage Middle Stage, but his actual combat strength and proficiency in Magic were complete unknowns.

"Meridian Passage Middle Stage..."

Ji Suyao and Ye Linglong glanced at each other. This past month, they had done nothing but cultivate when they weren’t resting, yet they had only advanced from Body Tempering Beginner to Body Tempering Early Stage. Meanwhile, their senior brother had leaped directly from Body Tempering Peak to Meridian Passage Middle Stage.

’At this rate, by the time we reach Body Tempering Peak, Senior Brother will probably be in the Qi Refining Realm, or maybe even higher.’

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"How did it go?"

Mo Xuan couldn’t help but ask as he watched Bai Qiulan return. While he had gone to find Liu Chen, Bai Qiulan had naturally gone to see Ji Suyao and Ye Linglong.

"One piece of good news, and one piece of bad news."

Bai Qiulan let out a deep sigh. Mo Xuan couldn’t help but look over. ’How could there possibly be bad news?’

"The good news is that neither Linglong nor Suyao will fear Liu Chen because of this. In fact, they’ll admire him even more. Although, strictly speaking, this matter has nothing to do with Suyao, her understanding of hatred perfectly aligns with Liu Chen’s methods from a certain perspective.

As for Linglong, she’s the one directly involved. Do you have any idea what a perfect impression a senior brother who can kill your nemesis for you leaves on a woman who has lived in constant fear?"

Bai Qiulan said with a sense of resignation. That was how Mo Xuan had appeared before her back then. Strictly speaking, her experience was somewhat similar to Ye Linglong’s in that regard, but the danger she had faced was during a training expedition.

Compared to what Ye Linglong went through, her own ordeal could be considered minor. The amount of pressure and trauma that Nangong Mu and the Nangong Family had inflicted on Ye Linglong would be directly proportional to the space Liu Chen now occupied in her heart.

"Of course I know."

Mo Xuan pulled Bai Qiulan into his arms. He had been the one in that position, after all. How could he not know?

"Then what’s the bad news?"

Mo Xuan stroked the beautiful hair on Bai Qiulan’s back and couldn’t help but ask. He really didn’t understand why there would be bad news. He was well aware that when a sharp sword like Liu Chen was unsheathed, many eyes would be drawn to him.

Likewise, he also knew that after Ye Linglong and Ji Suyao followed them back to the Mo Family, many people would want to use them to establish a connection with the Mo Family. If the three of them were a perfect match, then he wouldn’t have to worry about them being exploited by those with ulterior motives.

"The bad news is, you and I might have to find another successor."

Bai Qiulan couldn’t help but sigh. Both the Mo Family and Purple Cloud Valley needed a successor, but Liu Chen’s Talent was simply too immense. The Mo Family would, at best, be just a single stop on his Road of Longevity. And once Liu Chen left, the other two would inevitably not stay either.

In the end, it would just be the two of them again.

"I see."

Mo Xuan was very calm. He didn’t think this was a bad thing. As for a successor, perhaps he was considered a senior in Purple Cloud Valley, but in the Mo Family, he was at most a junior.

For the Mo Family, succeeding the Patriarch was just another kind of trial. While the Mo Family’s longevity was partly due to the administration of its Patriarchs, it relied more on the family’s deep-rooted foundation.

"You should go discuss the slots for Fire Dragon Valley with the Sect Leader. These might be our last few days in Purple Cloud Valley."

Bai Qiulan slowly stood up, pulling away from Mo Xuan’s embrace. She planned to write down all the Magic she had mastered. It was probably impossible for her to teach Liu Chen personally anymore. She wasn’t a genius; it was better to let Liu Chen cultivate on his own.

As for her two disciples, at the very least, Liu Chen’s guidance in Magic and Cultivation Techniques would be more than sufficient. When it came to their conduct, she felt there was no need to interfere.

"War is coming to the Profound Nether Province. It is indeed not a place to stay for long."

Mo Xuan nodded. The message from the previous Peak Master before his death was most likely true. It wouldn’t be long before the flames of war swept across the entire Profound Nether Province.