Chapter 603 - 551: Heavy Pupils, Calling for Battle Before the Array

Chapter 603: Chapter 551: Heavy Pupils, Calling for Battle Before the Array

"He says he hopes True Master Chen will keep his neck clean and wait for him in Chu State. He will repay what you’ve done to him a hundredfold, a thousandfold. Of course, you’re also free to flee in fear."

The bearded Cultivator grinned, then continued:

"But make no mistake, he will march on Jinyun Valley and slaughter every last soul, including all the Cultivators in the lands of Yunzhou and Chi State, to avenge his people who died by your hand! And yes, that includes the bird on your shoulder."

"Now that it’s shed all its feathers, what tricks could it possibly have left?"

As he spoke, he even pointed.

Clearly, Wen Yangxi was still bitter. He was convinced that in a fair fight, he never would have lost to Chen Che. The defeat, in his eyes, was entirely because that Spirit Pet had used some bizarre trick to catch him off guard.

If they were to fight again, he was certain he would not lose.

SCREE—

The words had barely left his mouth when the Little Chick, sensing the provocation, spread its wings and let out a furious, indignant shriek.

The giant eagles carrying the messengers shuddered as if terrified, then plummeted toward the ground. The bearded man staggered, nearly falling off with them, and only managed to regain his balance after a frantic moment.

He looked up in fury, only to meet Chen Che’s placid gaze.

"I understand. But I have a message for Wen Yangxi as well."

"Luck only strikes once. Last time, he got away. This time, he won’t be so lucky. I’ll be waiting for him at Mist Rain Tower. If he runs, then I will march into the heart of the Azure Dragon Hall and slaughter every last one of them!"

"And another thing. Give my thanks to the Azure Dragon Hall’s Profound Turtle and Demon Python. I used them to make a Black Tortoise Banquet to reward my men, and they’re all waiting for their next meal! I hope the Old Hall Master provides some fresh ingredients in time. Don’t make me wait too long!"

This so-called pre-battle exchange was nothing more than a contest of bravado, a way to crush the enemy’s morale.

Chen Che had essentially thrown the man’s own words back in his face. The Chu State Cultivators erupted in jeers, laughter, and whistles. A volley of curses, accompanied by flying spittle, left the bearded Cultivator’s face flushed with rage.

He wanted to retort, but didn’t know what to say.

Whether it was a fluke or not, Wen Yangxi had fled. That was a fact. Their side had lost the moral high ground; anything more he said would just be splitting hairs. He could only summon the trembling giant eagle, tug sharply on its reins, and fix Chen Che with a deep, long look.

"The Cultivators of Mist Rain Tower are merciful. We allow a dead man walking to have his last few harsh words. I only hope that when True Master Chen meets our Patriarch, you can still be as confident as you are today."

With that, he sharply turned the eagle’s head and flew toward the Celestial River Mountain Range.

The other Cultivators scrambled to follow.

"Should we stop them?" Zhao Shifeng asked in a low voice. "That man was insubordinate. He’s merely at the Foundation Establishment realm, yet he dared to shout at a Golden Core master. It’s utterly disrespectful!"

"It was just battlefield taunts. I’m more broad-minded than that. Besides, the others didn’t lift a finger. If we killed them, wouldn’t it look like I’m afraid of him?" Chen Che waved a hand dismissively, his eyes sweeping over Duobao and the others before his brow furrowed.

"Wen Yangxi coming out of seclusion so soon, however... that was unexpected."

The exchange of taunts had been brief.

But it held a great deal of information.

Now that the messengers were gone, everyone recalled the provocations and threats. They realized that the Old Hall Master, Wen Yangxi, wasn’t just planning a comeback—he was coming back with a speed and ferocity that would dwarf his previous attack.

"Leave some men on guard. Be vigilant for any sneak attacks from Mist Rain Tower."

Chen Che waved his hand.

In truth, the war against Mist Rain Tower had begun the moment the two sects’ patriarchs reached their agreement back in Primordial City. And war was a treacherous thing; it rarely followed a predictable path.

For all they knew, the enemy might feign a direct assault on the alliance while preparing another sneak attack in the shadows. It wasn’t just Jinyun Valley; the other major Halls were on high alert, and had already posted their own guards.

「A short while later.」

Deep within the camp, eight Golden Core masters, including Yu Qian, gathered once again.

Chen Che personally poured Yu Qian a cup of hot tea before speaking.

"Elder Yu, I’d like to ask you about the Azure Dragon Hall. I was hoping you would be willing to enlighten me."