Chapter 382 - 344: A Grandmaster Enters the Town, Everything Goes Smoothly

The news Yuan Zutong brought back was far beyond Chen Ping’an’s expectations.

He never imagined he would receive such a bombshell after night had already fallen.

’A Grandmaster has come to Beicang Town?!’

Chen Ping’an asked a few detailed questions before he fully understood the situation.

Just as night began to fall, the Vice Beicang Garrison Commander, Xue Kunsheng, suddenly rushed to the town’s main gate. The onlookers were completely bewildered, wondering why he had come out.

But before long, the truth came to light. A Grandmaster was arriving in Beicang Town, and Xue Kunsheng was waiting there specifically to welcome him in person.

The entire affair was not concealed in the slightest; in fact, it was quite a public spectacle.

And this Grandmaster arriving in Beicang Town was none other than a member of the Xue Family from Canglong State City! Xue Shishun of the Seven Luminaries Vein-Sealing Hand!

Chen Ping’an had read about the Seven Luminaries Vein-Sealing Hand in the *State Grandmaster Biography*.

The Seven Luminaries Vein-Sealing Hand! A Xue Clan Elder, he had stepped into the Grandmaster Realm over a century ago, making him an incredibly senior Grandmaster. While his power couldn’t match that of the Seven Extremes Elder, who had long since reached the Mid-Jade Balance Stage, he was undeniably a formidable figure among those at the Early Jade Balance Stage.

The biography recorded several of his classic battles, all of which highlighted his immense power.

The Seven Luminaries Sealing Vein was an exceedingly powerful Top Divine Skill. It could sever meridians and drain acupoints. In battle, it could continuously cut off an opponent’s source of True Qi and even seal their Profound Light Spirituality.

’So that old monster actually showed up!’ A flicker of apprehension crossed Chen Ping’an’s face.

If an ordinary Grandmaster had come, Chen Ping’an was confident he could hold his own. But against this particular master, it would be difficult. Although his Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill had a natural advantage against vein-sealing Divine Skills, he couldn’t be sure how effective that advantage would be given the vast difference in their Martial Arts Realms.

’Unless...’

A glint appeared in Chen Ping’an’s eyes.

’If my Soul-Severing Saber can reach the Minor Success Realm, then maybe I’ll have the confidence to tangle with this master of the Seven Luminaries Vein-Sealing Hand.’

’Minor Achievement of the Soul-breaking Blade!’

’The Beicang Auction lasts for three days. Based on my current cultivation progress, if I calculate the time... maybe on the final day of the auction, my Broken Soul Saber Technique can finally reach the Minor Success Realm!’

Based on his current estimations, once he achieved the Minor Achievement of the Soul-breaking Blade, even if his Martial Arts Realm didn’t break through to Grandmaster, his combat prowess should be nearly equivalent to one.

’In terms of the Dragon and Tiger Chart rankings, I should be able to place somewhere between fiftieth and sixtieth!’

The arrival of the Xue Family Grandmaster set off alarm bells in Chen Ping’an’s mind. The purpose of his visit was so obvious, it was as if they were laying all their cards on the table. Clearly, Xue Kunsheng alone was not enough to keep the situation in Beicang Town under control. The Grandmaster’s ostentatious arrival was specifically to back up Xue Kunsheng.

Beyond his title as Vice Garrison Commander, Xue Kunsheng was also part of the Xue Family’s core Direct Lineage. His prominent position represented the Xue Family’s interests in Beicang Town, and by extension, on the Trade Route. Under these circumstances, failure was not an option.

If Xue Kunsheng couldn’t control the situation in Beicang, then they would just add a Grandmaster to the mix and see if *that* could keep things in line.

The Xue Family Grandmaster’s arrival also made Chen Ping’an realize just how much more complicated the situation in Beicang Town was than it appeared on the surface.

’This Xue Family Grandmaster arrived with great fanfare, but what about any Grandmasters who might have slipped into town secretly?’

’The Xue Family is powerful, but they aren’t the sole power in Canglong State City! The Wang Family rivals them! And the Gu Family is even a step above the Xue Family in strength!’

’Since the Xue Family sent a Grandmaster, what about the Gu Family? And the Wang Family?’

’Could it be they already have Grandmasters in Beicang Town, and just chose not to announce it so publicly?’

’If all three great Noble Families have sent Grandmasters, what about the Canglong Province Garrison Command? Have they sent one as well?’

’After all, this auction is officially organized by the Canglong Province Garrison Command. And even though the State Garrison Command is rife with factions from the Noble Families, there are still those who are loyal to the Command itself and to Daqian!’

’And what about the Canglong State Qiankun Bureau? Did they also send a Grandmaster to keep things in check?’

’And beyond these major powers, what about practitioners of the Evil and Demon Dao? Or even expert Loose Cultivators? They could be lurking in the shadows, each with their own agenda, scheming for their own benefit and waiting for the right moment to strike.’

The thought was terrifying.

Although there was no proof, the more Chen Ping’an considered it, the more likely it seemed.

The sixth major item at the Beicang Auction was the Ice Soul Profound Heart Lotus—a Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure that could help one break through to the Grandmaster Realm. Even existing Grandmasters would be tempted by it. After all, most of them weren’t solitary figures; they had disciples and family obligations.

’Under these circumstances, how could the Noble Families not send Grandmasters to compete for it? And there’s more...’

’The auction’s final Heavy Treasure hasn’t even been announced yet!’

’If things go south, this final Heavy Treasure could be fatally alluring to Grandmasters as well! Enough to make them fight over it!’

The situation along the Trade Route was already tense. With certain parties deliberately fanning the flames, the undercurrents were turning into a raging storm. At this rate, chaos was bound to erupt.

A long while after Yuan Zutong had left, Chen Ping’an finally managed to calm himself.

’Cultivation!’

Only strength provided the foundation to face whatever was coming.