Chapter 147.2: Plans, Prodigies of Canglan

Xu Tongchen left the grand hall with an expression full of grief, as if mourning a parent. In truth, he was ecstatic inside.

In the past few days, major events concerning the Bright Palace had erupted one after another. Violet Palace cultivators were falling like flies. In just a few days, nearly ten were dead already. That number exceeded the total deaths of the entire world over the past hundred years combined.

One could easily imagine how dark Huang Tu's expression had to be. The Blood-Clothed Sword God, who they once casually chatted about over tea, had suddenly become a monstrous, towering figure.

Even Zheng Fangxing's Violet Palace master had fallen. Xu Tongchen naturally felt proud. Of course, he had to pretend to be devastated.

Just a few days, and my True Sun Fire has grown by ten percent. Qi Yuan truly is my lucky star!

Thinking of Qi Yuan, Xu Tongchen's joy surged even more. Two great joys in one day.

Suddenly, a voice transmission brushed against his ears. Xu Tongchen's gaze sharpened. Avoiding the dazed spies trailing behind him, he slipped into a narrow alley.

Xu Tongchen's eyes lit up with surprise. "Master? What are you doing here?"

Xu Yeli said slowly, "Why have you been running around so much lately?"

"I met a prodigy. He's strange." Xu Tongchen then explained everything that had happened between him and Qi Yuan.

Xu Yeli frowned deeply as he listened. "There's actually someone like that in this world? He must have encountered some kind of fortuitous chance."

A young man participating in the Eastern Lands' Prodigy Battle...

Usually, Xu Yeli wouldn't care too much. Especially now, when his own situation was precarious.

Xu Yeli said gravely, "Tongchen, be ready at all times. We may have to run at a moment's notice."

Xu Tongchen's expression changed. "Master, what's happened? Don't tell me, the Bright Palace wants to move against us?"

Xu Yeli said darkly, "The True Sun Fire is too eye-catching. The Bright Palace will never allow you to keep it forever."

The Bright Palace used to be tyrannical, yes, but at least they pretended to care about face. Recently, whether it was launching the Hundred Nations Blood War or anything else, they had acted without restraint.

Xu Yeli faintly sensed that something major was brewing. Unfortunately, due to his extremely low ranking, he had no way of knowing what it was..

Xu Tongchen first got angry, then became excited. "But Master, the Bright Palace got their hands full with the Blood-Clothed Sword God. Will they even have time to seize my True Sun Fire?"

Xu Yeli said nothing as Xu Tongchen went on. "The Blood-Clothed Sword God is truly a peerless powerhouse. He singlehandedly slaughtered nine Violet Palaces from the Bright Palace. With their lackeys included, he had killed more than a dozen. Someone like him should be the leader of the Cuiyun Continent's righteous path."

Then, Xu Tongchen finally voiced the question that had nagged at him, "Still, I'm confused. Why is there a black-robed Violet Palace who just blows a suona behind him in every battle? Why doesn't he fight? Is he too weak?"

That suona player was like a random passerby, completely useless.

"

Haa

... Why would the Blood-Clothed Sword God accept such a useless old servant?" Xu Tongchen mused.

Xu Yeli's expression grew darker and darker.

Xu Tongchen noticed and quickly asked, "Master, what's wrong? Did the Bright Palace bully you again?"

Xu Yeli glared at him. "Your master is the useless old servant you're talking about!"

Xu Tongchen was stunned. Guilt surged through him, only to be replaced by excitement moments later. "Master, you've met the Blood-Clothed Sword God? How is his presence? Is he like the legends say? Like a saint?"

"A saint?" Xu Yeli snorted. "He's a killing god."

Where would you find a saint like that?

***

When Xu Tongchen returned to Qi Yuan's cave residence, his mind was still buzzing.

His master was actually the Blood-Clothed Sword God's follower! However, that was also an issue. The Blood-Clothed Sword God could offend the Violet Palace and walk away freely. Yet his master couldn't. If they found out, the Seven Word Sect would be doomed.

Still dazed, he entered Qi Yuan's cave.

Qi Yuan said urgently, "You're here. Hurry, take it out. Let me study it."

Xu Tongchen summoned the True Sun Fire. "Alright."

Worrying about anything else was pointless. Increasing his strength was what mattered.

Qi Yuan fixed his gaze upon the core once more. His eyes narrowed as he examined it in detail. At the same time, on the tiny sun in the heavens, a strand of flame seemed to flicker.

Half an hour passed...

Qi Yuan grinned. "Not bad, not bad. I've gained something."

Feeling his core had strengthened, Xu Tongchen couldn't help asking, "Qi Yuan, did you gain some insight?"

𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Qi Yuan replied seriously, "A little bit."

Indeed, just a little bit. Like a tricycle carrying only a little load.

Xu Tongchen was dumbfounded. He had spent decades to gain insight. Qi Yuan already had results after just a few days? Was he being lied to?

"In another ten days or half a month, I should be able to fully comprehend it."

"Good..." Xu Tongchen hesitated, unsure if Qi Yuan was telling the truth. "If you comprehend the True Sun Fire before the Prodigy Battle, you'll definitely dominate and place in the top twenty."

"Honestly, top twenty feels a bit stressful. Those geniuses are all from noble backgrounds. I'm just a nobody, whenever I see them, I feel inferior."

Xu Tongchen was speechless. Just a while ago, Qi Yuan had mocked him for having a tiny golden core, and now he was acting self-deprecating?

Qi Yuan then said, "Still, heaven rewards diligence. I worked hard, walked out of the mountains, and achieved Heavenly Dao class. I've finally widened the gap between me and those so-called geniuses."

Ah. So everything before is nonsense. Heavenly Dao class and still inferior?

Xu Tongchen was now certain that Qi Yuan was mentally unstable, his words were all over the place.

Still, he couldn't help sighing, "This year's tournament does have a Heavenly Dao class expert, he is named Gu Xiaoyao."

"Heavenly Dao class?" Qi Yuan's expression grew serious. "Is it a perfect Heavenly Dao class, or flawed?"

According to the Iceberg Empress, perfect Heavenly Dao class meant that the power was activated just by speech. Qi Yuan lacked talent and only achieved a flawed version, hence why his strength was still pitiful.

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he could only kill Nascent Souls. That was why whenever he met a Nascent Soul brat, he would roar,

I have a Heavenly Dao class! Killing Nascent Souls, is that wrong!?

He wasn't bragging, he was venting his sorrow.

Xu Tongchen stared blankly.

Since when are there perfect and flawed Heavenly Dao?

Xu Tongchen replied, "Naturally, it's perfect."

Qi Yuan's expression darkened even more. He was finally facing a terrifying opponent. The legendary perfect Heavenly Dao class.

Qi Yuan whispered, "Do you think someone with a Heavenly Dao Foundation plus a Star Golden Core like me can beat Gu Xiaoyao?"

Xu Tongchen shook his head. "Even if you comprehend the True Sun Fire, you won't be his match."

Qi Yuan fell silent.

I didn't even stand a chance, huh? Maybe I shouldn't participate...

If he lost against that Heavenly Dao cultivator, how embarrassing would that be? Then, he remembered the promise he made to the Sect Master, and felt very conflicted. He had to think of a way to avoid running into that person!

Xu Tongchen said before leaving, "Two days from now, Huang Tu will host the Fish-Dragon Banquet. I must accompany him, so I won't be able to cultivate with you. Please forgive me."

Qi Yuan blinked. "Alright."

The Fish-Dragon Banquet? Then the Rogue Immortal should be arriving soon...