Chapter 452 - 421: Baozong Sect

"Chief Huang..."

The visitor was no stranger.

It was none other than the Chief of the Pill Hall, Huang Shiwo.

"Tributor Chen, forgive my intrusion. The Interim Sect Leader said you were gravely ill, so he sent me to check on you and offer some treatment." His tone was filled with impatience, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes when he saw Chen Che.

"But judging by your posture, Valley Master Chen, it seems your injuries from the Black Tortoise Calm Sea are indeed severe."

He had been working nonstop, alternating between Alchemy and Artifact Casting. To top it off, right before Huang Shiwo's arrival, Chen Che had been using a fierce flame while refining the Fierce Beast Pill. The process had not only exhausted his True Essence but had also left his Divine Soul weary.

If it had been anyone else, Chen Che wouldn't have even granted them an audience.

But the visitor was, after all, the Chief of a Hall. It wouldn't be right to avoid him. Thus, in Huang Shiwo's eyes, Chen Che's condition was genuinely poor and not just an act.

"Does Chief Huang have business in Faqian City as well?"

Chen Che raised an eyebrow slightly, guessing at the man's intentions. He invited Huang Shiwo into the main hall and poured him some tea before raising the topic in a serious tone.

"Hmph. As if he has the right to order me around. I was just passing by on this trip, and he insisted on saddling me with this task. To be honest, I was also curious to see how badly you were hurt." Huang Shiwo took a sip of tea and sneered.

"The Primordial Sect is running low on Pill Masters. I can't let him ruin what's left."

'The sect-preserving faction.'

Chen Che instantly understood.

Huang Shiwo stood strictly on the side of the Primordial Sect. His stance was similar to Hu Yao's—the Sect's interests came first. To him, one more High Tier Alchemist was a benefit to the Sect.

Duobao naturally knew this as well, but he was more often concerned with lining his own pockets.

"Thank you for your concern, Chief. I'm afraid I'll need a while longer to recuperate."

Chen Che said with a smile.

"I can see that. I'll send a letter back to Duobao and tell him to give you more time."

Unsurprised, Huang Shiwo nodded. He took out a Jade Bottle and pushed it toward Chen Che. "I've prepared three Pills here for you. Use them to recover. You should be back to normal within a month at most. When that time comes, go to Faqian City and lend a hand."

!?

'I still have to go?'

Seemingly sensing Chen Che's reluctance, Huang Shiwo tapped his fingers lightly on the tabletop and said,

"Tributor Chen, let me give you some frank advice!"

"I know Duobao wants to make things difficult for you, but Xiao Chan has become a grave threat to our sect. From the moment he betrayed us, we have never stopped hunting him. That boy is far more vicious and cunning than any ordinary person. If his Cultivation gets any higher, it will spell disaster."

"That's why the Sect sent out experts from the very beginning—to sever any chance he had of Foundation Establishment or Core Formation. But no one expected him to actually make it this far."

"The Xiao Chan of today has taken on the form of a Fierce Beast. He even openly killed a Golden Core cultivator in Faqian City. He now possesses the power to shake the very foundations of our sect. No matter the cost, we must eliminate him."

At this, Huang Shiwo couldn't help but let out a cold snort, grinding his teeth as he said,

"How he managed to grow this powerful is what baffles me the most. I've always suspected the Star-Picking Sect is backing him. Otherwise, there's no way he could have achieved Foundation Establishment and Core Formation so easily. The Pills he uses are even better than the ones from our own sect."

"Is that so?"

Chen Che's eyelid twitched.

"Of course."

Huang Shiwo nodded. "It's easy to tell! He fought two Golden Core cultivators earlier. Our sect's Golden Core cultivator hasn't even recovered yet, but he's already completely healed."

"The Pills are indeed not bad."

Chen Che agreed.

Huang Shiwo glanced at Chen Che, then slowly looked away.

"Your skills are still a bit lacking. So, besides the Star-Picking Sect, who else in this world could it be? Damn them! They want to use Xiao Chan like a nail and drive it right into the heart of our Primordial Sect."

"And they've actually succeeded."

Furious, Huang Shiwo slammed his hand on the stone table, making it thump loudly.

Chen Che sipped his Spirit Tea, remaining silent.

In truth, the Primordial Sect had never once been lenient with Xiao Chan's growth. They had tried to nip the problem in the bud. When Xiao Chan was still in the Qi Refining Stage, they had dispatched a large number of people, including Foundation Establishment experts, to hunt him down.

And for what reason?

Wasn't it precisely because they feared this outcome?

Now that Xiao Chan had grown so powerful, it was natural for the Primordial Sect to be terrified, and even to suspect the Star-Picking Sect was fanning the flames from behind the scenes.

"I understand. I'll go after recuperating for a month and a half."

Chen Che nodded helplessly and agreed.

Had it been anyone else, he would have simply ignored them.

But Huang Shiwo had come in person and even brought Pills. Chen Che no longer had any excuse to refuse. If he continued to avoid the matter, even a "nice guy" from the sect-preserving faction like Huang Shiwo wouldn't tolerate it.

"Rest assured, plenty of people are going this time. It won't be just you."

Satisfied with Chen Che's response, Huang Shiwo felt that he was quite sensible and willing to do his part for the sect. He continued,

"About ten Golden Core cultivators will be surrounding him. He's dead for sure. You probably won't even need to make a move; you're just going to make a show of force. If something unexpected does happen, just flee to Faqian City at all costs. Saving your own life is what's important."

"That many people?"

Chen Che's eyelid couldn't help but twitch.

'My goodness!'

'It seems Duobao doesn't just want to corner Xiao Chan, but maybe me as well.' "I wonder which Golden Core cultivators are participating?"

"I'm not sure. Besides some of the subordinate Golden Core cultivators, there are also some Loose Cultivator Golden Cores from outside the world. Most of them are formidable experts. You'll know when you get there."

Huang Shiwo shook his head. His relationship with Duobao was average at best. After the Sect Leader went into seclusion, Duobao had planted many of his own people in the sect. He even had a junior try to become Huang Shiwo's disciple, but he refused.

Why would he ask Duobao about such things?

Chen Che nodded. Since that was the case, he didn't press the issue. Instead, he asked about the purpose of Huang Shiwo's trip. "Chief, you mentioned you were just passing through Jinyun Valley. You must have other important matters to attend to. Might I ask what they are...?"

"I'm out collecting some Materials to refine a batch of Great Pills for the Sect Leader," Huang Shiwo said casually.

'Could they be Pills for Nascent Soul Formation?'

A thought stirred in Chen Che's mind. He smiled and said, "What Materials are you missing, Chief? I wonder if Jinyun Valley could lend a hand?"

"Fierce Beasts!"

Huang Shiwo burst out laughing and turned to look at Chen Che. "Does your Jinyun Valley have any of those?"

Seeing Chen Che's astonishment, he clapped him on the shoulder and said,

"Those are Demon Species left over from ancient times; they're extremely rare. You seldom find them on land anymore. They're more common in the sea. You probably don't know this, but one of the active Fierce Beasts in the Black Tortoise Calm Sea is a three-headed Flood Dragon that's five hundred zhang long. Even a Golden Core Great Perfection cultivator might not be its match!"

"It's a good thing you didn't run into it in the Jinghai. Otherwise, it's uncertain if you would have made it back alive."

"But I appreciate the thought."

With that, he drained his Spirit Tea in one gulp, brushed off some nonexistent dust from his robes, and stood up. "No need to see me out. Focus on healing. Go to Faqian City in a month and a half to lend a hand, but no matter what happens, save your own skin first."

"Thank you for the reminder, Chief."

Chen Che cupped his hands in a salute.

After seeing Huang Shiwo out of Jinyun Valley, Chen Che couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

Over ten Golden Core cultivators, each one a ferocious expert.

This time, things were bound to be troublesome. Not only was Xiao Chan in danger, but he was too.

It was only then that Chen Che understood why Duobao had issued several Pardon Decrees dispatching him to Faqian City, yet hadn't sent the three Golden Core cultivators from the Meng Family and the Chen Clan. It was obvious he wanted Chen Che to be isolated and helpless.