Chapter 341

Chapter 341

Dan Ding Pavilion.

"Has someone come asking about the affairs inside Dan Hall again?" Jing Lifeng frowned, sounding rather displeased.

"Indeed! It's pointless no matter how many times they ask. We truly have no knowledge of what's inside!" Jing Ming's brow furrowed, a hint of impatience flashing in his eyes.

When they were released, everyone from the prominent refining families in Dan Tower was dead. The Tower Master of Dan Tower, Chou Zhengrong, and the Supreme Elder Mo Li Xuan had vanished.

Jing Lifeng gave a bitter smile, saying, "Unfortunately, they don’t see it that way."

Jing Ming lowered his head, a trace of resentment in his eyes. When they were released by Mu Chen, they saw the main hall dug up three feet deep and the five palace gates burned and ravaged.

The five palace gates were nearly burned down. Mu Chen and his party could have released them earlier, but they didn't.

Clearly, Mu Chen feared someone else seizing the opportunity and intentionally delayed releasing them. Although Jing Ming understood their release was already a great favor, seeing Mu Chen's group return laden with treasures while they gained little was still frustrating.

Dan Ding Pavilion had prepared for Dan Tower for many years, but this outcome greatly disappointed Jing Ming.

In fact, within the central hall, the Level-9 Elixir Manual was still present. But the protective array around the manual was unbreakable. To access it, one needed the power of a Level-9 soul, which they lacked. They could only look at the valuable manual helplessly.

In the end, Mu Chen melted the main gate, letting them out. The people of Dan Valley seized the last moments to comprehend the soul techniques on the outside steles.

The Dan Ding Pavilion had tools to imprint the soul techniques. The stele was basically of no use to them.

"Grandfather, if we say all this, will the Bai family hold a grudge against us?" Jing Ming asked with a furrowed brow.

The Bai family alone would be manageable, but now they are allied with the Ling family. This alliance is even more formidable.

Jing Lifeng gave another wry smile, saying, "What choice do I have? We're just telling the truth. The Bai family might be upset, but I don't think they will take action against us."

Offending the Bai family means offending Dan Tower, and the force behind the Tower Master of Dan Tower is unimaginably powerful.

In the current situation, offending either side could lead to the downfall of the Dan Ding Pavilion. The best approach is to avoid conflicts with both.

Dan Valley.

"You sure know how to take it easy," Dan Miao said as he entered Dan Chen's courtyard.

Dan Chen poured a glass of wine for Dan Miao, asking, "What brings you here?"

Dan Miao sighed lightly, "A large group of alchemists came asking who killed those five from Dan Tower. Then they started hinting and probing about what benefits we gained in the secret realm, and what Mu Chen and his group obtained. It's so annoying."

Dan Chen chuckled. With everyone dead, very few truly cared about the cause of the deaths.

With Chou Zhengrong's announcement, the Bai and Ling families now stood against Dan Tower. What everyone was really curious about was the future direction of these two powerful factions.

"Mu Chen must be the biggest winner from this secret realm exploration. His alchemy skills are almost at the 8th level peak," Dan Chen said, somewhat envious.

Dan Miao gave a bitter smile, "There's always someone better."

Dan Chen looked at Dan Miao's melancholic expression, deeply empathizing. Both were top alchemists in Dan Valley, but compared to Mu Chen, they felt inferior.

"Mu Chen mentioned that there were three Martial Saints from Dan Tower who entered the secret realm. Do you believe that?" Dan Miao inquired.

Dan Chen nodded, "I think it's highly probable. As soon as we entered the realm, a Martial Saint attacked Mu Chen's group. When that Saint died, I discreetly observed the other two mysterious individuals from Dan Tower, and they didn’t show much reaction."

"I thought the same. Did you see? Mu Chen clearly intended to kill Mo Li Xuan and Chou Zhengrong. If it weren't for the Martial Saint's protection, how could they have escaped from Bai Chenxing and Ling Chuan?" Dan Miao stated.

Dan Chen's brow furrowed, "If Chou Zhengrong truly brought three Martial Saints into the secret realm, then he's not just any independent cultivator."

Dan Miao smirked, his eyes deep, "I also find it unlikely. I think Chou Zhengrong might be related to the Fate Clan."

With people like Zhuang Jin investigating, the Fate Clan's influence was gradually emerging from the shadows.

"The Fate Clan has always been plotting against the Five Spirit Tower," Dan Miao briefly mentioned.

Dan Chen sighed softly, "Both Dan Tower and the Bai and Ling families are formidable foes. We'll have to wait and see." If Dan Tower was indeed controlled by the Fate Clan, it would be unimaginable. But if that were the case, it wasn't something Dan Valley could handle.

"Mu Chen really is cunning. He actually melted the gates in the secret realm," Dan Miao said with a hint of jealousy.

Dan Chen replied enviously, "The materials used for that gate were truly extraordinary. It seems the Ninefold Cauldron that Senior Ling Chuan refined in the secret realm used materials from that very gate."

Dan Miao wryly smiled, "I always heard Senior Ling Chuan was a late 8th level refiner, but turns out he's actually at the 9th level. Truly formidable!"

Dan Chen nodded, remarking, "Exactly. Have you noticed that the separation melting method Mu Chen uses is unlike that of the Ling family?"

With a hint of exasperation, Dan Miao looked at Dan Chen for a moment and said, "Such words shouldn't be carelessly spoken."

…………

The Bai residence.

"What's wrong? You seem upset," Mu Chen observed, glancing at Ye Shi's frustrated expression.

"Both Dan Ding Pavilion and Dan Valley chose to remain neutral. It feels like we wasted our effort saving them," grumbled Ye Shi.

Mu Chen chuckled wryly, commenting, "Relying on others is never truly reliable. Only personal strength can genuinely draw others to our side."

"I've heard that most of the alchemists in our clan have left?" Mu Chen inquired.

Ye Shi nodded, venting, "Indeed! A bunch of fools, each prouder than the last. They complain about the clan's treatment, even claiming we persecute alchemists. They're delusional and merely follow the crowd."

Even after reaching the rank of an 8th-level alchemist, Mu Chen remained humble, Mu Chen thought privately.

"Actually, most of the Bai family's alchemists had already left. It's just that a significant number from the Ling family left recently," Ye Shi admitted, sounding somewhat dejected.

Folding his arms, Mu Chen smiled nonchalantly, "Good riddance. The more who leave, the better."

Ye Shi's eyes widened in disbelief, "Mu Chen, are you mocking them?"

Mu Chen offered a reassuring smile to Ye Shi, explaining, "I plan to select a few alchemists from both the Bai and Ling families for special training. Initially, there were too many, and I couldn't focus on them all. With most of them gone, isn't this perfect?"

Ye Shi sighed softly, "But many talented alchemists have departed."

Mu Chen scoffed sarcastically, "Talented alchemists in the Bai and Ling families? That's news to me."

Ye Shi remained silent, thinking to himself that compared to Mu Chen, the skill level of those alchemists paled in significance.

"They were all ineffectual. Fortunately, those who remain are of decent character," Mu Chen said with a smile.

Ye Shi: "......"

"Hahaha, Mu Chen is right. They were all ineffective. It doesn't matter if they're gone," Ling Chen said jovially as he strolled along the corridor. Just having Mu Chen is equivalent to a hundred 7th-level alchemists.

"Seventh Grandfather," Ye Shi greeted.

As Ling Chen approached, Ye Shi asked, "Seventh Grandfather, I've heard that the Dan Tower is making aggressive moves?"

Ling Chen laughed dismissively, "It doesn't matter. It's not like the Dan Tower has all the alchemists. Moreover, with enough spirit stones, we can always buy elixirs, can't we?"

The Ling family employed those alchemists for emergencies. In reality, most of their elixirs were purchased externally, just like the Bai family did.

Ling Chuan brought back hundreds of 8th-level elixirs to the family, making the value of those alchemists seem insignificant in comparison.

...

Ling Chen's separate residence.

"Eighth Uncle, you've arrived," greeted Ling Chen with a smile.

When Ling Chuan left the secret realm, Ling Mo was summoned back to the clan to forge artifacts, so he didn't immediately meet the returning Ling Chuan.

The news about Ling Chuan's relationship with Qu Kun caused quite a stir in the clan.

Rumor has it that after completing his artifact forging and hearing the news, Ling Mo was so ecstatic that he berated the elder who summoned him thousands of times.

Without beating around the bush, Ling Mo asked, "You've met Bai Yanxing. Are you certain he's from the Ling family?"

Ling Chen confirmed, "Yes, Bai Yanxing definitely carries the strong bloodline of our Ling family."

Ling Mo nodded in relief, "That's good news. Very good news indeed."

"Seventeenth Brother must have known about this a long time ago. Eighth Uncle, you don't have to worry about him anymore. He even has great-grandchildren now. What is Bai Chenxing in comparison? He should be calling Seventeenth Brother 'grandfather-in-law' with all due respect," Ling Chen said flatteringly.

Ling Chen mused: Ling Chuan surely knew about Qu Kun's connection with him. No wonder Seventeenth Brother didn't react when Qu Kun berated him. He must have thought he deserved it.

Seventeenth Brother should have confided in him about such significant matters.

"If you're worried about not having heirs, you can always take a concubine. Eighteenth Brother already has many sons, yet you remain alone. Aren't you envious?" Ling Chen suddenly recalled advising Ling Chuan to take a concubine during his previous visit. Little did he know, Ling Chuan was actually seeking a wife.

Seventeenth Brother's response then was, "What's so great about Eighteenth Brother having sons? I might even have great-grandchildren soon."

At that time, Ling Chen thought Ling Chuan was daydreaming. But now... Seventeenth Brother truly has two great-grandchildren! The saying 'the latecomer surpasses the predecessor' rings true.

That cunning Seventeenth Brother. Instead of sharing the good news, he kept it to himself, enjoying the happiness alone!

"How is the relationship between Qu Kun and your seventeenth brother? Does Qu Kun like him?" Ling Mo inquired.

Ling Chen smiled softly, responding tactfully, "Most people would be fond of a talent like my seventeenth brother. Alas, Qu Kun isn't 'most people'."

"That's reassuring," Ling Mo nodded with satisfaction. "Not to boast, but since childhood, your seventeenth brother has been quite the charmer. Many a beauty, like Shuang Er, can't bear to take their eyes off him."

Ling Chen: "... Unfortunately, Qu Kun doesn't see things the way others do."

Qu Kun seems as if he could slay the seventeenth brother, who always has a lovestruck appearance that cries out 'deserving of a thousand cuts.'

Recalling the times he had spoken ill of Qu Kun in front of Ling Chuan, Ling Chen felt like an idiot. Zhou Yu was punishing Huang Gai; both were willing participants. Why had he interfered?