Chapter 313 - 49: Unwavering Seclusion, Celestial Sword’s Decline

Chapter 313: Chapter 49: Unwavering Seclusion, Celestial Sword’s Decline

These arrays were interconnected, forming a massive and complex natural Illusion Array that enveloped the entire rear mountain.

The power of the Array merged perfectly with the ley lines of the mountains and rivers, creating a self-sustaining, endless cycle.

’What incredible skill,’ Chen Ye marveled inwardly. Then, following his memories from last time, he stepped into the mist.

With his Inner Realm cultivation, the surrounding illusions could no longer affect him. Chen Ye’s steps were steady, and he soon passed through the mist, arriving at the valley that resembled a fairyland.

The Spiritual Qi was still so dense it was almost tangible, and all sorts of rare flowers and exotic plants, seldom seen in the outside world, grew everywhere.

Chen Ye didn’t linger. He walked straight toward the Immortal Cave in the depths of the valley.

Before he could even get close, a voice drifted out from the Cave Mansion.

"Come in. I’ve been waiting for you for some time."

As the voice faded, Chen Ye’s vision blurred, and in the next moment, he found himself inside the cave.

Despite being at the Inner Realm, Chen Ye hadn’t been able to perceive anything out of the ordinary during the entire process, and he was secretly astonished.

’I thought I would have closed the gap after reaching the Inner Realm. It seems that was just wishful thinking.’

’This Core Formation Realm is truly terrifying!’

At the same time, he saw Yuan Lan sitting on the main seat, calmly pointing to the stone stool opposite him.

"Sit."

Chen Ye sat down immediately.

"Tell me about it."

Chen Ye held nothing back. He recounted the entire process from start to finish: how he entered Qingzhou City, used the alias Du Dao to participate in the Immortal Ascension Ceremony, designed a trap to lure Jian Wuchen, and finally, how he killed him in public and shattered Jian Jingchuan’s avatar.

He spoke calmly, as if he were discussing something that had nothing to do with him.

But when Yuan Lan heard how Chen Ye had a breakthrough mid-battle, clashed head-on with Jian Jingchuan’s avatar, and shattered it, a strange light flared in his eyes.

"Not bad. That old fossil Jian Jingchuan suffered a severe injury in the past that damaged his foundation, drastically shortening his lifespan. Because of that, he had to enter life-or-death seclusion to seek a breakthrough, which is why he has no time to deal with you."

"After all, to someone like him, what’s a Sect’s direct heir compared to his own life?"

At this point, Yuan Lan suddenly sneered. "But the Nascent Soul Realm isn’t so easy to break through to. If it were, I wouldn’t have been trapped in these mountains for so long."

Yuan Lan’s voice carried an indescribable, world-weary tone.

Chen Ye’s heart trembled. He gained a clearer understanding of the hardships of cultivation.

’Even a Great Demon like Yuan Lan, who has lived for nearly a thousand years, feels this way. It just shows how perilous the path to the Nascent Soul is.’

"So, for the time being, you don’t need to worry about this matter." Yuan Lan’s voice pulled Chen Ye back from his thoughts. "Jian Jingchuan is hiding in his shell like a turtle right now; he definitely won’t dare to make any rash moves. Your task now is to raise your strength as quickly as possible."

"The day of the Seven-Star in a Row is less than two years away. That is when I will Transform into a Dragon, and it is also the day you fulfill your promise. Therefore, your blade must be sharpened enough for the task."

"I understand." Chen Ye nodded solemnly.

He knew that severing Yuan Lan’s flood dragon tail would be no easy feat.

Because it wasn’t just a physical cut, but a strike that would sever karma and fate. Therefore, for him, it was both a challenge and an opportunity.

"Go. The Quiet Chamber in the rear mountain is still reserved for you. The Spiritual Qi inside is more than enough for you to squander." Yuan Lan waved his hand, dismissing Chen Ye.

Chen Ye said no more, turned, and exited the Cave Mansion.

「A month passed in a flash.」

The monstrous waves Chen Ye had stirred up in Qingzhou City had not subsided. Instead, with the passage of time, they had fermented and grown even more intense.

The name Chen Ye was now known to every single person in the Qingzhou Cultivation Realm.

Some said he was the reincarnation of a god of slaughter, audacious enough to single-handedly take on Celestial Sword Manor.

Others said he was backed by a Southern Wilderness Great Demon, which was why he acted so unscrupulously.

All sorts of rumors flew about, painting Chen Ye’s image as increasingly mysterious and powerful.

In stark contrast was the unprecedented, deathly silence from Celestial Sword Manor.

Ever since losing all face at the Immortal Ascension Ceremony, Celestial Sword Manor had completely sealed its gates, adopting a stance of refusing all visitors.

The strangest thing was that in the face of such a humiliating disgrace, the Manor Master of Celestial Sword Manor, Jian Jingchuan, had not shown his face from beginning to end. He hadn’t even uttered a single threat.

This abnormal silence allowed all the major and minor powers in Qingzhou to scent something unusual in the air.

At first, some speculated that this was the calm before the storm, that Jian Jingchuan was brewing a world-shaking revenge.

But a month passed, and there was still no movement from Celestial Sword Manor.

Now, even the slowest person could see what was happening.

Celestial Sword Manor, the fierce tiger that had dominated Qingzhou for hundreds of years, probably had a real problem.

「Qingzhou Prefectural Yamen, Rear Hall.」

The Qingzhou Prefect clutched a secret report, the smile on his face unconcealed.

"My Lord, it has been confirmed. The silver mine to the east of Celestial Sword Manor was recently seized by three Sects working together. Celestial Sword Manor sent disciples to reason with them, but they had their legs broken and were thrown out. Yet, to this day, the manor has taken no further action," an official reported respectfully.

"Haha, good! They deserved it!" The Qingzhou Prefect slammed the table and said gleefully, "A tiger with no teeth dares to hoard so much fine meat? Serves them right!"

For years, Celestial Sword Manor had relied on its power to monopolize over seventy percent of Qingzhou’s Cultivation Resources. Their tyrannical behavior had long drawn the wrath of both heaven and man.

Now that the wall was collapsing, everyone was giving it a push. This was only natural.

"My Lord, our men sent to the Southern Wilderness have also returned." The official presented another document.

The Prefect opened it and read, his eyebrow twitching slightly. "Oh? Those mountain folk accepted our gifts?"