Shengdan City, Yunlai Inn.
During this unusually crowded time, the place seemed exceptionally deserted, a unique scene that attracted considerable attention.
However, when they paused to peer inside, they discovered a cloud of mist shrouding the inn, obscuring its true nature.
Suddenly, this ordinary inn took on a mysterious air, akin to the surprise of discovering someone close to them was a peerless master.
As they chattered, a seemingly unremarkable man and woman emerged from the crowd and walked directly toward the inn's entrance.
"Hehe, someone's skeptical again."
"Little brother, don't waste your time. Just now, a Nine-Star Dou Zong tried to get in, but got bumped on the head by the barrier at the entrance."
"Shut up, old man! What if he's the Chosen One? Once he gets in, tell everyone who's inside." "
..."
Listening to the various thoughts around him, the ordinary-looking young man sneered, bowed slightly to a few people who kindly tried to dissuade him, then took the woman by the hand and headed for the inn without hesitation.
Just when everyone thought they would also be stopped by the barrier at the entrance, something unexpected happened.
The two of them, as light as smoke, glided across the barrier without a single hindrance, disappearing from everyone's sight.
Chen Guan looked back and could see the astonished expressions of the crowd outside.
This barrier is quite interesting...
Without dwelling on this little trick, he brushed off the mythical beast skin mask and exchanged a glance with Yun Yun, who had also removed her mask. Soon, their eyes locked on the familiar figure in the center of the lobby.
"Sister Qingchen! It's you!"
Yun Yun exclaimed softly, greeting the veiled woman.
Ran Qingchen's brows curved, and he could sense her smile. He leaned in slightly in greeting, but did not step forward to greet her.
Compared to the two women, Chen Guan's gaze was fixed on the beautiful woman sitting before Ran Qingchen.
He had shared physical intimacy with her several times before, but now, seeing her in the flesh, Chen Guan recognized her instantly.
This person was none other than the Master of the Sound Valley!
"Chen Guan, hello, Senior. Thank you for your assistance just now."
Seeing a living person, he was almost certain that the powerful figure who had secretly aided the Three Heavenly Venerables was her.
The Master of the Sound Valley had a dignified demeanor and a distinguished appearance. She wore a regal, elegant blue-white palace dress, but unlike Ran Qingchen, she did not conceal her face with a veil. With a faint smile, her distinct black and white eyes gazed directly at Chen Guan, exuding an ethereal aura of authority without anger.
After gazing her up and down, the corners of her mouth slowly curled up, appearing much friendlier.
"A simple favor, nothing compared to your life-saving grace in dissolving the Heavenly Frost Crystal and the cold poison. Qingchen has my last name. Since you're friends, you can call me... Aunt Ran."
"Aunt Ran!"
Chen Guan and Yun Yun exchanged glances before happily addressing her.
For both public and private reasons, establishing a relationship with such a powerful being was a win-win.
"Well, when I recovered from my injuries, Qingchen told me you were a remarkable individual, capable of combining several different flames into one at such a young age. Seeing you today, I'm truly amazed by your remarkable talent. However, with your current strength, being targeted by the Soul Palace is not a good thing. You'll need to be more cautious when you venture out."
The Master of Yin Valley nodded gently, offering a kind reminder.
His gaze was as calm as water, yet it left Chen Guan feeling completely penetrated.
Presumably, the other party had sensed something about the peculiarities of the Burning Art, hence his ambiguous words.
"To be honest, Aunt Ran, I've dealt with the Soul Palace years ago. I knew then that this force was both treacherous and powerful. I've always tried to avoid direct confrontation with them, but unfortunately, it's finally come to this." "No
problem. Given the Soul Palace's temperament, as an alchemist, it's only a matter of time before you face them. Don't worry. With Danta here, as long as you're cautious, they won't be able to do anything to you. Also, I had a friendship with Gu You in my youth. While I can't make Soul Palace your enemy, I can guarantee that Gu You won't attack you, which will help relieve some of the pressure."
"Gu You is... the Second Celestial Venerable of the Soul Palace?!"
Chen Guan's memories were awakened, and some information about the Soul Palace suddenly flashed back to him. He
immediately took a second look at Aunt Ran.
The Lord of Yin Valley was a little surprised that he knew this information, but he didn't ask any further questions. Who doesn't have a little secret?
He nodded and said, "If there's no second Gu You in the Soul Palace, he must be it. Gu You and I knew each other before he joined the Soul Palace. Back then, he was slightly inferior to me. Until he was recruited by the Soul Palace, he was probably at the level of a mid-level semi-saint. After more than twenty years of hard training, I think he's probably as strong as me, and he's most likely already reached the level of a high-level semi-saint. He's only the second-level Celestial Venerable of the Soul Palace!"
By looking at the details, one can imagine the strength of the higher-ranking Great Celestial Venerables and Palace Masters of the Soul Palace.
The Lord of Yin Valley said this simply to encourage Chen Guan to pay more attention to the Soul Palace.
What she didn't know was that Chen Guan knew the most about the Soul Palaces, and even the Soul Clan behind them, on the Dou Qi Continent.
Barely anybody!
"I'll remember that, Aunt Ran."
"Well, I'm telling you this so you don't slack off. Don't let winning the Alchemy Competition let you slack off on your Dou Qi cultivation. Strength is the key to your safety. Of course, there's no need to worry too much. Even if the sky falls, we've got you and your teacher to hold it up. As for you, just focus on your cultivation."
Then, the Yin Gu Valley Master changed the subject, cracking a rather unfunny joke to lighten the seriousness.
However, her expression gave these words a slightly strange air.
One felt as if she and Xuan Kongzi and the others weren't from the same generation.
"Before I came here, my teacher asked me to tell you I'd like to invite Aunt Ran to visit the Dan Tower."
Shaking off any distractions, Chen Guan chuckled and extended the invitation.
From Xuan Kongzi's previous words and his interactions with Yin Gu, it seemed they had a good relationship.
At the very least, their opinions were generally positive.
"Xuan Kongzi? Forget it. He used to be so annoying. If I went, I wouldn't be able to leave for at least ten days. It's just right that now that I've woken up, it's time to prepare Qingchen's baptism. Just give him my regards."
The Master of Yin Valley shook his head and declined without a second thought.
Chen Guan was slightly surprised. It seemed he had uncovered some significant information.
Seeing that the other party was determined, Chen Guan couldn't say much and could only change the subject to chat.
For example, the Young Master's baptism ceremony, and after Ran Qingchen's baptism, his strength would undoubtedly undergo a transformation.
And then there was the 'hidden' reward of the Three Thousand Flames at this alchemy meeting. The atmosphere was quite pleasant.
...
That night.
Somewhere in a secluded mountain range.
The area was perpetually shrouded in miasma and infested with poisonous insects, a forbidden zone.
However, deep within the mountains, a desolate and silent hall stood, from which shrill screams could be heard from time to time, leaving one's blood boiling.
"Get out! Get out!"
"I want to see the Palace Master, I want to see Lord Xuwu!"
"You two, this instant, go to Shengdan City right now, and do everything in your power to assassinate Chen Guan's associates. I will make him pay for his blood debt with blood, and make him feel the pain of being alone!"
Suddenly
, a hysterical roar echoed through the hall, so loud that the poisonous fog in the mountains swirled.
Many less powerful black-robed figures shuddered at the sound, their very souls trembling. They couldn't imagine the hatred that could fuel such rage.
One of them, feeling a sinking feeling in his heart, pondered how to convey the message.
Two figures also quietly emerged from the gray sky.
"Defeated at the hands of a Dou Zong, and even humiliated in front of Yao Chen, this old fellow has completely disgraced himself today. Humph, if it weren't for the Palace Master's order, I wouldn't even bother saving him. Let's see how arrogant he gets in the future.
" "After this setback at the alchemy conference, the Palace Master and the higher-ups won't be using him for a while. Let him fend for himself in this branch palace. After all, he's an eighth-grade alchemist, so he'll always be useful."
"Should we notify Zhaixing to keep an eye on him?"
"No problem. As long as he doesn't leave, let him be."
With those words, the two figures suddenly vanished, as if they had never been seen.
They knew well that sending a few Dharma protectors for a so-called assassination would be a futile effort, given the enemy's strength today.
But they didn't really care if a few Dharma protectors lived or died.
Ten, even a hundred, wouldn't be as effective as a single Venerable!
And so, a suicidal attack, tacitly approved by the Soul Palace's high-ranking officials, planned and directed by Elder Mu Gu, and watched by Venerable Zhaixing, began with great fanfare...
(End of this chapter)