Chapter 423 - 230: The Truth Beneath the Eerie Ancient Well

"You must have pushed yourself too hard while cultivating! You child, you just don’t know how to take care of yourself!" Mrs. Zhou scolded, her voice laced with concern. "Cultivating is important, but your body is your greatest asset!"

"Yes, yes, you’re right, Mother," Jiang Che replied obediently.

Jiang Dawu, who was standing nearby, chimed in.

"Che’er, I think you’re just exhausted. Once we get settled, Dad will go to the market, buy an old hen, and make you some chicken soup to get your strength back!"

A warmth spread through Jiang Che’s heart. He smiled and waved his hand. "Dad, you don’t have to go to all that trouble. I’m just..."

"Yes, you do! It’s absolutely necessary!" Jiang Dawu’s eyes widened as he cut him off. "Don’t look down on your dad just because he’s a carpenter. This chicken soup recipe is a family heirloom! Back when your mother was pregnant with you, she loved my soup more than anything! Right, old woman?"

Mrs. Zhou shot him a playful glare but nodded with a smile. "Yes, yes. Your father’s cooking is about the only skill he has that’s worth showing off."

"I want some too! I want some too!" Jiang Ling chimed in, hugging Jiang Dawu’s arm and wheedling, "Dad’s chicken soup is the most delicious!"

"Alright, alright, there’s enough for everyone, enough for everyone!" Jiang Dawu beamed, unable to contain his joy.

The family returned to their previous cheerful laughter and continued to stroll down the street.

However, Jiang Che, who was walking behind them, had an exceptionally grave expression in his eyes.

Though he appeared calm on the surface, he felt a deep sense of dread toward the bizarre world connected to the bottom of that well.

’That world... it’s terrifying!’

He could sense that the monkey-like monsters that had just killed his Clone were likely the lowest of the low in that world.

Mere bottom-tier monsters could easily tear apart his Clone after its Black Armor Transformation!

What about the more powerful beings in that world?

Or... the ruler of that world?

A sudden chill ran through Jiang Che.

He had a strong premonition.

He felt that even top experts at the Seventh Layer of the True Master Realm or higher would be walking into a death trap if they entered that place.

’Perhaps... only the legendary top-tier Great Cultivators who have stepped into the True Mastery Realm would have the confidence to investigate it...’

’Could that place be related to the Black Magic Disaster? Or the Master of the Black Abyss?’

However, Jiang Che recalled the world of the Master of the Black Abyss he had once accidentally visited, and it felt different.

’No... when I get the chance, I have to find a way to investigate what the hell that place is!’

...

Afterwards, the family found a well-regarded restaurant in Hengsha City, enjoyed a delicious lunch, and didn’t linger any longer.

The carriage started up again, heading onto the main road toward Cangzhou Prefecture.

「Two days later.」

The silhouette of a colossal city appeared in their line of sight.

"Dad, Mom, look! That’s Cangzhou Prefecture!" Jiang Ling pointed ahead, shouting excitedly.

Jiang Dawu and Mrs. Zhou lifted the carriage curtain, looked up, and were instantly stunned, completely captivated by the sight.

Before them, on the plains, stood a magnificent city wall dozens of meters tall!

The wall was constructed entirely from massive, blue-black stone blocks, each weighing thousands of pounds. It resembled a sleeping ancient black dragon, coiling and winding, stretching infinitely to either side, with no end in sight.

Banners and flags fluttered atop the wall, nearly obscuring the sun. Arrow towers stood tall every hundred paces, exuding a suffocating aura of battle-hardened might and majesty.

Compared to this colossal city, both Lin Yuan City and the recently passed Hengsha City seemed utterly insignificant.

Jiang Che smiled as he watched his parents’ astonished expressions.

Then again, he’d had a similar look on his face the first time he came here.

"My goodness... This wall... it must be as tall as a dozen-story building..." Jiang Dawu muttered to himself, his face a mask of disbelief.

The carriage followed the flow of traffic, slowly approaching the city gate.

The massive gate was open wide, like the gaping maw of a great beast, swallowing and spitting out an endless stream of people.

A long line had already formed at the entrance, a convergence of all sorts of people from every direction.

The soldiers guarding the gate were all clad in Heavy Armor and wielded Long Halberds, their gazes as sharp as lightning as they scrutinized everyone who entered.

At last, it was Jiang Che’s group’s turn.

The guard was about to ask the routine questions, but the moment he got a clear look at Jiang Che’s face, his pupils shrank. A storm of shock surged through his heart!

’Isn’t... isn’t that Jiang Che? The number one on the Hidden Dragon List and the Chief Disciple of the Cangyun Sect?!’

Jiang Che, keenly aware of the guard’s reaction, gave a slight nod and a calm look, signaling him not to make a scene.

The guard was a sharp one. He suppressed the fervent excitement in his heart and quickly composed himself.

Without daring to take a second look at their travel permits, he immediately waved them through.

This scene left Jiang Dawu, who was watching from behind, scratching his head. The people ahead of them had been questioned at length, so why was their family let through so quickly?

However, before he could ask, the carriage had already passed through the deep gate tunnel.

The next moment, he was struck speechless by the bustling, wide-open scene that unfolded before him!

A broad avenue, wide enough for eight carriages to travel side-by-side, stretched straight into the distance.

The street was flanked by towering buildings, packed tightly together.

Teahouses, taverns, silk shops, Weapon smiths...

There were all kinds of shops imaginable, their banners and signs snapping in the wind.

"So this is Cangzhou Prefecture..."

Jiang Dawu and Mrs. Zhou gazed at this world, a place countless times more prosperous than Lin Yuan City, their eyes unable to take it all in.

The two of them let out continuous gasps of amazement, their expressions a mixture of excitement and the reserved caution of newcomers to a big city.

Seeing his parents’ reactions, a faint smile touched Jiang Che’s lips.

’It seems Mom and Dad quite enjoy getting out and traveling...’

’If I get the chance in the future, I should take them to see more places.’

...