Chapter 401 - 222: Aid from the True Master Realm?

As for this old man who had suddenly appeared...

Jiang Che’s gaze fell upon the white-haired elder.

’A True Master Realm expert?’

He could clearly feel the fluctuations of genuine True Qi emanating from the man!

However, his [True: All-Seeing Eye] hadn’t issued any warning.

This meant that this person posed no threat to him at all!

Jiang Che understood, but he was still a little puzzled.

’Why would a True Master Realm expert hole up in a small place like Lin Yuan City, and even become the teacher of someone like Zhao Kang? It’s very strange!’

He decided he would see just what this old man’s origins were.

Jiang Che questioned him in a hostile tone:

"Old man, who are you? And what’s your relationship with this Zhao Kang? What is a True Master Realm expert like you doing in a place like this?"

The elder looked at Jiang Che, then at Zhao Kang, who was pinned under his foot, and snorted coldly.

"Hmph! I should be the one asking you that!"

He let out a fierce shout, his body blurring into an afterimage as he instantly appeared before Jiang Che!

He thrust out a palm, the strike fierce and carrying the terrifying pressure of a True Master Realm expert as it shot straight for Jiang Che’s face!

However, faced with this thunderous strike, Jiang Che neither dodged nor retreated, simply meeting it with a casual palm of his own!

BANG!!!

The two palms met, releasing a muffled, thunderous explosion!

A visible shockwave of air blasted outward from the two of them!

The white-haired elder looked as if he’d been struck by lightning. He staggered back seven or eight steps before he barely managed to stabilize himself, his face a mask of disbelief!

’How is this possible?!’

A storm raged in the elder’s heart!

’I could never have imagined that my full-power strike, at the Second Layer of the True Master Realm, would be... so casually blocked by my opponent?! For a kid this young to have such a high cultivation level... what kind of monster is he?!’

He stared at Jiang Che, his eyes filled with shock and apprehension!

He immediately retracted all his killing intent and quickly forced a fawning smile onto his face, cupping his fist toward Jiang Che.

"Young man, to have such a cultivation level at your age is truly formidable! Why don’t... you and I cooperate? As for this piece of trash..."

As he spoke, he glanced at Zhao Kang, who was still whimpering on the floor, his eyes full of disdain.

"Do with him as you please!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kang’s heart leaped in shock, and his face turned ashen.

Seeing the old man change his tune faster than one could flip a book, Jiang Che found himself intrigued.

"Cooperate? Cooperate on what?"

It wasn’t that Jiang Che couldn’t kill this old man.

’It’s just that I don’t know his background. If he has some powerful backing, it would ultimately be a hassle. Besides, he’s an expert at the Second Layer of the True Master Realm, not some small fry. He might still have some tricks up his sleeve. If I can avoid a fight, it’s best to do so.’

"There are too many eyes and ears here; it’s not convenient to talk." The elder glanced at Zhao Kang on the floor and the soldiers waiting at attention outside the hall, then lowered his voice. "How about we find a place to talk in detail?"

"Fine!"

Jiang Che nodded. He wanted to see what kind of trick this old man had up his sleeve.

Then, he grabbed Zhao Kang from the floor and said coldly:

"As long as you do as you’re told and help me, I won’t kill you. And rest assured, I have no interest in your position as the king of Lin Yuan City. Now, tell your army to stand down!"

"R-Really?" Zhao Kang asked in disbelief.

"Do I, a dignified True Master Realm expert, need to joke with you about something like this?" Jiang Che said impatiently.

"Yes! Yes! I understand!"

Clinging to this lifeline, Zhao Kang scrambled to the entrance of the hall and yelled at the commander outside:

"All of you, stand down! Everyone, fall back! No one is to approach this place without my command!"

The soldiers exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of what to do.

"Are you defying my orders? Scram!" Zhao Kang said frantically.

Only then did the soldiers slowly retreat.

Afterward, Zhao Kang summoned a trusted subordinate and this time, he truly passed down the order to find Jiang Dawu as a top-priority command.

Seeing this, Jiang Che waved a hand at Zhao Kang. "You, get out for now."

"Right away! Please feel free to give me any orders!" Zhao Kang said, then bowed and retreated like a young servant.

Jiang Che then turned to the elder and said:

"You can speak now."

"What... did you want to cooperate with me on?"

The elder’s eyes lit up. "Let’s sit down and talk!"

Following that, Jiang Che and the white-haired elder found a place to sit.

"I am Gu Song, an Independent Cultivator who roams the Four Seas." The elder was the first to speak, introducing his background.

"Two years ago, I was wandering through this area and happened upon some news. It was said that a cave dwelling of an ancient Great Power, filled with countless treasures, might be hidden in Luoyan Mountain, northwest of Lin Yuan City. However, the outside of the cave dwelling is layered with restrictions, and the entrance is completely hidden. I spent several months but failed to find any clues."

"So, I found this local bully, Zhao Kang, and had him use the Zhao Family’s power to help me search for clues. In exchange, I took him as my disciple and guided his cultivation."

As he said this, a flash of contempt crossed his eyes.

"If not for that, how could a talentless piece of trash like him have leaped from the mere Bone Forging Realm to the Refining Organ Realm in just two short years?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Che understood.

’So that’s how it is.’

Of course, in his heart, Jiang Che only believed about thirty percent of it.

However, it did remind him of something from his past!

He clearly remembered that after killing Sacrificial Envoy Li, he had found a mysterious parchment map on his body!

He couldn’t read the script on the map, but based on the terrain, the destination it indicated was none other than Luoyan Mountain, northwest of Lin Yuan City!

Back then, he had been weak, not even having reached Force Integration, so naturally, he hadn’t dared to venture into such a dangerous place to investigate.

Later, he got caught up in other matters and had gradually put it out of his mind.

’Could it be... that cave dwelling of an ancient Great Power is real?’

Jiang Che’s heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.

Before returning to Lin Yuan City, he had happened to pack that very parchment map in his personal bag and brought it with him!

’I can study it later!’

However, Jiang Che showed no sign of this on his face. He just pretended he was hearing about it for the first time and asked curiously, "Oh? Such a strange thing exists? So... have you found any clues?"

"I have!"

An excited look immediately appeared on Gu Song’s face.

"Just half a month ago, a craftsman under that boy Zhao Kang actually found a clue hidden between the pages of an ancient book! Following that lead, I did indeed find the approximate location of the cave dwelling!"

"But..." His tone shifted, and a troubled look appeared on his face. "I was halfway through exploring when I was blocked by an extremely powerful restriction. Alone, I cannot possibly advance further. I must have another True Master Realm expert assisting me for there to be even a sliver of a chance!"

"Unfortunately, I searched for a long time without finding a suitable candidate. To meet you now... it is truly a blessing from the heavens!"

However, after listening, Jiang Che’s heart remained as calm as still water.

He shook his head, a perfectly calibrated look of regret on his face. "Senior, I appreciate your kind offer. However, I have returned this time on other important business, and I will be leaving Lin Yuan City soon to return to my Sect. I’m afraid I cannot delay here for too long."

The excited expression on Gu Song’s face froze. He clearly hadn’t expected Jiang Che to refuse so decisively.

However, he quickly regained his sagely, transcendent demeanor, stroking his beard with a smile. "If that is the case, it is truly a pity. But your own business is more important, young friend. I would not presume to insist!"

He then added, "I am temporarily staying at the Tingzhu Courtyard in the Inner City. If you change your mind, young friend, or after you’ve finished your business, you can come find me there at any time!"

Jiang Che nodded in acknowledgment. "Alright."

Gu Song said no more. He clasped his hands in a farewell gesture to Jiang Che, then turned and left the great hall.

Jiang Che watched his retreating figure, his gaze gradually growing profound.

’This guy probably isn’t up to any good!’ he mused.

’Join forces to break the restriction? Sounds nice. When the time comes, I’ll probably just end up as cannon fodder to clear the path!’

’He might have even called for other helpers and is just waiting to lure me out and trap me like a turtle in a jar.’

Although with all the trump cards he now possessed, he wasn’t particularly afraid.

But it was better to avoid trouble if he could.

He didn’t like putting himself in uncontrollable, dangerous situations.

Besides...

’I have that mysterious parchment map. I can go explore on my own, so why would I need to travel with this old man of questionable origins?’

...