Chapter 180 - 178: I’ll Let You Give Me Some Pointers

Chapter 180: Chapter 178: I’ll Let You Give Me Some Pointers

At the foot of Yangshan, over four hundred White Tiger Guards from Zhenwu Hall gathered before the mountain gate.

Chen Yuan looked up at the towering, cloud-piercing Yangshan. ’This truly is a place of auspicious feng shui,’ he thought. ’No wonder the ancestors of the Yang Mountain Four Sects all chose to establish their sects here at the same time.’

Other sects that established themselves on mountains would usually post some disciples to guard the front gate.

However, Yangshan was so high, with a mountain path of over ten thousand steps, that at such an altitude, it was unnecessary to arrange for disciples to stand guard. Looking down from the top, it was clear at a glance how many people were coming.

"Let’s head up."

With a wave of his hand, Chen Yuan led the host of bloodthirsty White Tiger Guards up the eastern foot of Yangshan.

Inside the Thunder Shock Sect, Wen Cangyuan was drinking congee.

However, his was no ordinary congee. The rice grains were soaked in the liquid essence of Spiritual Medicine, and the congee was simmered with morning dew. Even a seemingly plain bowl of white congee like this was overflowing with medicinal fragrance and abundant Spiritual Qi.

He was getting on in years. If he didn’t properly maintain his health, his body’s Qi and Blood would likely decay even faster.

"Ancestor! That Chen Jiutian is coming up the mountain!"

Wen Chong ran in, flustered.

Wen Cangyuan set down his congee bowl and raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh? Has he finally arrived?

This young man may be on the Hidden Dragon Rankings, but why is he so hesitant and indecisive? To think he’d delay for so long and only come up the mountain today."

Wen Cangyuan had already sent someone to deliver the ten years of back taxes.

He had thought Chen Yuan would immediately come up the mountain to pay a visit after sensing his goodwill.

Who would have thought that after so many days of waiting, there had been no movement? Wen Cangyuan was even starting to feel a little displeased.

But at least he was here now. It hadn’t been a complete waste of his efforts.

’He’s a young man, after all,’ he mused. ’For all his talent and strength, he’s still lacking when it comes to worldly wisdom and social etiquette.’

"Ancestor! Something’s wrong!"

Wen Chong had a panicked look on his face. "That Chen Jiutian didn’t come alone! Yu Yousong is with him, and there are over four hundred White Tiger Guards!

Only a small portion of them are those good-for-nothings from the old Yangshan Prefecture Zhenwu Hall. The rest are all young elites with extraordinary auras!

What is he doing coming up the mountain with so many people? Does he really need such a grand display just to pay you a visit, Ancestor?"

Wen Cangyuan’s expression also grew grave.

Letting out a long breath, Wen Cangyuan said in a low voice, "Go at once and summon Nong Wentai, Fei Yuanhua, and Du Xiaochen. Also, tell them to bring the elites from their respective sects!"

「Before the main hall of the Thunder Shock Sect.」

Chen Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, surveying the Thunder Shock Sect before him.

The main hall of the Thunder Shock Sect, Xuan Ting Hall, was constructed entirely from black Profound Gold Stone. Its roof was tall and imposing, with eaves that pointed to the sky like swords.

Flashes of electricity occasionally arced across the rooftop, accompanied by the faint rumble of thunder.

This Profound Gold Stone, which resembled both stone and iron, was one of the basic materials for constructing Arrays. Although it was the cheapest of Array materials, it was still incredibly valuable.

For the Thunder Shock Sect to use it to build their main sect hall, and even have a Thunder Gathering Array inscribed upon it, one could only imagine how wealthy they were.

Moreover, this was purely for show; it wasn’t a Sect Protection Array. The Thunder Gathering Array could only store some lightning flashes to look impressive and couldn’t be used for attack.

’To build such a hall just to appear imposing... I can already guess what kind of personality that Wen Cangyuan has.’

At this moment, hundreds of Thunder Shock Sect disciples were standing guard before Xuan Ting Hall, facing off warily against the people from Zhenwu Hall.

The crowd parted, and Wen Cangyuan emerged from the hall with Wen Chong.

At the same time, the other three sects also arrived with their respective elites.

The Mystic Light Sect and the Yanxia Sect each brought over two hundred people, all of them elite disciples from within their sects who were at the Blood Movement Realm or above.

The Flying Shadow Sword Pavilion, however, had practically mobilized its entire force, bringing almost every disciple with any combat ability. This slightly surprised Nong Wentai of the Mystic Light Sect and Fei Yuanhua of the Yanxia Sect.

The Ancestor had spoken, so of course they had to bring people to put on a show of force, and they were all prepared to make a move.

But they hadn’t gone so far as to mobilize their entire sects, making it look like they were about to bet everything they had.

’This Du Xiaochen, who looks so honest with his thick brows and big eyes, is such a bootlicker. Is he trying to make a good impression on the Ancestor?’

Wen Cangyuan stared at Chen Yuan and said in a low voice, "You must be the Inspector of Yangshan Prefecture, Lord Chen Jiutian?

This old man was unaware that Yangshan Prefecture had acquired so many new White Tiger Guards.

And as for today, Lord Chen, you’ve brought so many people to my Thunder Shock Sect. What is the meaning of this?"

Chen Yuan gave a faint, unreadable smile. "As for why I’ve come to the Thunder Shock Sect, Elder Wen, you should know full well. A few days ago, Elder Wen sent someone to deliver ten years of back taxes, which was quite a pleasant surprise for everyone in Yangshan Prefecture. Some of the White Tiger Guards have spent their entire lives in Yangshan Prefecture and have never seen so many taxes paid. Looks like we’ll be having a prosperous year after all."

Wen Cangyuan’s expression softened slightly. ’So Chen Jiutian came because of the taxes after all.’

’But this young man is truly clueless. He could have just come alone. Why bring so many White Tiger Guards?

Is it to show off the power of his Yangshan Prefecture Zhenwu Hall? To tell me that the Zhenwu Hall of today is different from before?

If that’s the case, then this young man’s methods are far too crude, utterly unsophisticated.’

Just as Wen Cangyuan was pondering the meaning of Chen Yuan’s actions, the smile on Chen Yuan’s face suddenly vanished, replaced by a cold, grim expression. His demeanor changed faster than flipping a page.

"However, I seem to recall that my message to you Yang Mountain Four Sects was to pay back all the taxes you’ve owed over the years—to spit out everything you’ve devoured.

You think you can settle the matter with just ten years of taxes? Are you trying to shoo away a beggar?"

At these words, Wen Cangyuan could no longer maintain his composure. His face instantly darkened, and he felt as though he had been played for a fool.

’Here I was, trying to guess Chen Yuan’s intentions, and it turns out he simply came looking for trouble from the very beginning!’

"How audacious!"

"Insolence!"

Nong Wentai and Fei Yuanhua also shouted in anger.

Wen Chong stepped forward and roared, "Chen Jiutian! I gave you an inch and you took a mile!

Of all the Inspectors in Yangshan Prefecture’s history, which one have we, the Yang Mountain Four Sects, ever shown such respect to?

We have already given you immense face, yet you remain unsatisfied. You truly don’t know what’s good for you!

Do you think getting on the Hidden Dragon Rankings makes you some incredible figure? To clash head-on with our Yang Mountain Four Sects—do you have the right? Do you have the strength?"

Wen Cangyuan waved a hand, silencing Wen Chong.

He stared at Chen Yuan and said in a low voice, "Lord Chen, it’s good to be full of youthful vigor. If this old man had your strength and achievements at your age, I would surely be even more arrogant than you.

But while a person can be arrogant, their actions cannot be reckless.

Have you considered the consequences of making a move against my Yang Mountain Four Sects today?

Zhenwu Hall’s purpose in suppressing the Ning Province Martial Arts scene is to maintain stability.

In all of Yangshan Prefecture, we, the Yang Mountain Four Sects, call the shots. Even in the entire Ning Province Martial Arts scene, we hold a significant place.

For a mere Inspector like you to think of moving against the Yang Mountain Four Sects is far too arrogant. Go back and ask your White Tiger Hall’s Hall Master, Feng Wushang, if he would dare to come and stir up trouble with us!

The Jianghu is not about fighting and killing; it’s about connections and worldly wisdom.

For all these years, we, the Yang Mountain Four Sects, have given Zhenwu Hall face, never causing trouble for your Master Feng.

During the Blood God Sect’s previous rampage, Jianghu Forces elsewhere colluded with them, but here in my Yangshan Prefecture, the Blood God Sect couldn’t even get a foothold!

The Yang Mountain Four Sects did everything that was required of us, and this is how your Zhenwu Hall repays us?

Lord Chen, I advise you to think thrice before you act. Otherwise, once this escalates, not even your status as a prodigy on the Hidden Dragon Rankings or a young hero of Zhenwu Hall will be enough to bear the consequences!"

Wen Cangyuan had lived for so long; what kind of situation hadn’t he seen?

In his view, this was all because Chen Jiutian was young and impetuous. Having just taken over Yangshan Prefecture, he wanted to test himself against the Yang Mountain Four Sects, to make them bow their heads and submit, thereby displaying his own power and authority.

Wen Cangyuan didn’t want to fight a battle with nothing to gain. It was best to make this Chen Jiutian understand the consequences, to prevent him from acting on a hot-blooded impulse and convince him to retreat on his own.

A strange smile appeared on Chen Yuan’s face. "Wen Cangyuan, oh, Wen Cangyuan. You really think you’re someone important, don’t you? You’re nothing but an old fossil who’s lost his edge and only knows how to play dirty tricks!

Weren’t you just offering to ’instruct’ me? Fine. Today, I’ll let you give me all the instruction you want!"

As his voice fell, Chen Yuan suddenly bellowed, "Attack!"

The instant Chen Yuan’s voice fell, an incomparably powerful wave of energy erupted from his body.

With the Blood Fiend Entering the Body, a spark ignited a prairie fire within his Dantian and Reincarnation Sea. In an instant, a monstrous Demon Flame surged, and its immense power immediately enveloped the entire Xuan Ting Hall.

He slashed down with his saber. A bone-chilling Killing Saber Intent erupted, and the power of the Blood Refining Divine Saber surged like a reverse-flowing Blood River, carrying with it the monstrous Demon Flame.

The might of this single slash caused Wen Cangyuan’s expression to change drastically!

Condensing Truth Realm!

Saber Intent!

’All my previous assumptions about Chen Yuan were based on the premise that he was merely a Sea of Reincarnation Realm Martial Artist.

No matter how strong a Sea of Reincarnation Realm Martial Artist on the Hidden Dragon Rankings is, they’re still only in the Sea of Reincarnation Realm.

But a Condensing Truth Realm expert on the Hidden Dragon Rankings is a true heaven-defying prodigy with a boundless future. It’s not unheard of for some to achieve Condensing Truth and Slaying Origin Pill!

And especially since this Chen Jiutian has comprehended ’Intent’!

I, Wen Cangyuan, only managed to comprehend the existence of ’Intent’ several years after breaking through to the Primordial Pill Realm, and only with the help of the Power of the Primordial Pill.

How old is this Chen Jiutian? Even if he had started cultivating in his mother’s womb, it should be impossible for him to possess such powerful comprehension and combat strength.’

In that instant, Wen Cangyuan felt utterly ridiculous.

’I actually dared to think I could ’instruct’ such an astonishingly talented prodigy.

What did I have to instruct him with? My experience of taking several years after reaching the Primordial Pill realm just to comprehend ’Intent’?’

As the immeasurably powerful slash bore down on him, Wen Cangyuan had no time for such thoughts.

’Today’s battle isn’t a matter of Chen Jiutian’s arrogance; it’s a true battle for the life and death of my Yang Mountain Four Sects!’

Wen Cangyuan let out a furious roar as lightning flashed around his body. Violent True Qi instantly surged and gathered, erupting with peals of roaring thunder.

His Thunder Tribulation Primordial Pill, which he hadn’t used in a long time, began to spin within his Dantian, stirring up boundless Thunder Power.

He thrust out a palm, surging with killing intent, as thunder shook the heavens.

Thunder Shocking Tribulation Hand!