Chapter 734: Thousand-Year-Old White Nascent Fruit
Fortunately, Situ Lei had feared Xiao Chen’s strength as well, not daring to take risks. He could not chance suffering too much of a loss.
The people of this Situ Clan are all good-for-nothings. You saved one of them, and yet they treat you like this, Ao Jiao raged from the Immortal Spirit Ring.
Xiao Chen entered deep thought and then said, “Logically speaking, they do not know I have a lot of treasures on me. I am merely traveling through this place. Not only do I not bear any grudges or hatred against them, but they also should even feel grateful to me. Their reaction is utterly wrong.”
Ao Jiao glanced around, and a look of understanding appeared on her exquisite face. She asked, You mean that there is something fishy about this?
Xiao Chen leaped onto the tree beside him and quietly released his Spiritual Sense. He nodded and replied, “When anomalous things happen, some mischief is going on. I want to see what they are hiding.”
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Right in front of the mountain stronghold, Situ Feng asked in surprise, “Clan Head, why did you just let him go like that? This person is very strong. If we cannot use him, he might end up causing trouble, disrupting our plans.”
At this moment, Situ Lei’s expression turned completely sullen—it now appeared terrifying. He looked coldly at the group of people around. Then he replied, “What else can I do, other than look at him? The encirclement already broke. It would have been too difficult to make him stay.
“It was better to let him go than to make another enemy. It is about time to fight for the thousand-year-old White Nascent Fruit. I don’t want anything unexpected to happen.”
When Situ Feng heard the explanation, it astounded him. Is that white-robed bladesman truly that strong? Even the Clan Head personally said that it would have been hard to force him to remain.
“However, letting him go is risky. This person’s origins are unclear. He might even be here for the thousand-year-old White Nascent Fruit,” an old man beside the Clan Head said somewhat worriedly. This old man had deep cultivation, just a step away from half-Sage. He was the Situ Clan’s First Elder.
Situ Lei looked into the distance and said coldly, “Naturally, we must take precautions. Look for two people good at tracking others and have him followed from afar. See if he is really just passing by.
“If he is not, then no matter how much effort it takes, we have to kill him. The Liu Clan is already enough of a headache. I will not permit anyone fishing in troubled waters!”
This voice sounded bone-chilling—cold and emotionless, without any warmth.
---
On the tree, Xiao Chen withdrew his Spiritual Sense. Having finally understood what was going on, he muttered, “So, I see.”
The White Nascent Fruit had a similar use as the Earth Essence Fruit. It could raise a person’s cultivation without any side effects. However, the top-quality ones would not even survive five hundred years.
Hence, thousand-year-old White Nascent Fruits were exceedingly uncommon. It would not be a stretch to call it a mutated fruit. Its effect could interest even Martial Sages.
If the Situ Clan obtained a thousand-year-old White Nascent Fruit and gave it to someone trying to break through to half-Sage, they would immediately have another half-Sage in the clan.
A half-Sage equaled fifty Superior Grade Martial Monarchs. Given that, the balance between Azure Peak City’s Situ and Liu Clans would break.
No matter which clan obtained the thousand-year-old White Nascent Fruit, the other clan would suffer a disaster, either extinction or exile from Azure Peak City.
Hey, Trashy Master, are you entertaining some strange ideas in your head? Think carefully. The combined strength of the two clans is two half-Sages, thirty or forty Superior Grade Martial Monarchs, and more than a hundred Medial Grade Martial Monarchs.
When Ao Jiao saw that Xiao Chen appeared tempted, she reminded him.
Xiao Chen replied softly, “That is indeed my thought. In order for me to break through to Superior Grade Martial Monarch, I will need to use at least two hundred Medial Grade Spirit Gathering Pearls. That is an astronomical number. This thousand-year-old White Nascent Fruit is simply perfect for my situation.”
Ao Jiao continued advising Xiao Chen, However, snatching food from the mouth of a tiger is too much of a challenge. Remember, there are two half-Sages and a whole bunch of Martial Monarch experts behind them.
Xiao Chen jumped down the tree and said calmly, “I know my limits. There are differences in strength among half-Sages. This half-Sage is much weaker than Bai Wuxue and the other seven giants.
“The most important thing is that these two people are not working together. Given that, I stand an excellent chance.”
“Shua! Shua!”
The sound of light footsteps reached Xiao Chen’s ears. He checked with his Spiritual Sense and saw two black-clad men sneaking around. They stood on a tree five hundred meters away, monitoring him carefully.
The two black-clad cultivators withdrew their auras and became like rocks, devoid of any noticeable lifeforce as they stuck close to the tree.
The skill of the two black-clad cultivators in hiding was extremely impressive.
Unfortunately for them, Xiao Chen’s Spiritual Sense was much stronger than any regular cultivator’s perception or Mental Energy. As such a distance, the two black-clad cultivators could not hide anything from him.
Xiao Chen withdrew his Spiritual Sense and continued walking forward like there was nothing for him here. Nothing seemed to be out of place. However, a murderous intent flashed in his eyes.
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The stronghold of Azure Peak City’s Liu Clan in the Savage Beast Forest also had guards crawling all over it, a tightly secured place.
Wooden huts stood erect in this mountain stronghold. The guards who patrolled the place all had apprehensive expressions on their faces.
The Liu Clan’s upper echelon gathered in one of these wooden huts, anxiously discussing countermeasures.
The Liu Clan elders crowded the rectangular rosewood table. Several other cultivators stood behind the chairs.
For the sake of the thousand-year-old White Nascent Fruit, the Liu Clan had mobilized its elites. The weakest Liu Clan disciple here was a Medial Grade Martial Monarch.
An old man in black brocade sat at the head of the table. He radiated might from his calm expression. This man was the Liu Clan’s Clan Head, Liu Chen.
A youth stood beside Liu Chen—his eldest son, Liu Enze, a peak Superior Grade Martial Monarch. If they obtained the thousand-year-old White Nascent Fruit, it would be given to Liu Enze to break through to half-Sage.
“Clan Head, this subordinate is incapable. In the end, that Situ Feng managed to escape.”
A black-clad swordsman with only his right arm remaining knelt with his head on the ground, not daring to get up.
Liu Chen said expressionlessly, “Get up. Whether you caught him or not makes no difference. After he discovered our goal, he would have sent word to Situ Lei, that old fogey, via a messenger bird as soon as he could.”
An old man sitting on the right said somewhat helplessly, “The scouts report that Situ Lei has brought all the experts of his clan to their stronghold in the Savage Beast Forest. It looks like obtaining the thousand-year-old White Nascent Fruit this time will be tough.”
The thousand-year-old White Nascent Fruit would no doubt have Spirit Beasts guarding it. The moment it ripened fully, it might even attract Spirit Beasts from farther away.
Snatching the thousand-year-old White Nascent Fruit from these Spirit Beasts would already be very difficult. Now that the Situ Clan was involved, there would be many unknown quantities, so the Liu Clan could not help but worry.
Liu Chen revealed a ferocious gaze. No one dared to look directly at him. He said in a cold voice, “There can only be one ruling clan in Azure Peak City. This old man has already endured that old fogey, Situ Lei, for too long. Since he dares to come here, then I can make use of this opportunity to destroy him.”
A strange light appeared in the eyes of Liu Enze standing at one side. He said, “Father, a mysterious white-robed bladesman rescued Situ Feng. That white-robed bladesman could easily injure five Martial Monarchs; we have to keep our guard up against him.”
The one-armed black-clad swordsman revealed a gaze filled with hatred as he said, “I agree. Clan Head, this person has questionable origins and is very strong. If he supports the Situ Clan when the thousand-year-old White Nascent Fruit is ripe, the situation will be disadvantageous to us.”
The Situ Clan and the Liu Clan were about equally strong. One side having helpers would break the balance of power. What this person said had merit.
“Enze, bring some people and go check him out. If he is just a passing cultivator, then forget about it. This is a critical period. Don’t bring in any additional problems,” Liu Chen said after thinking for a while.
The one-armed black-clad swordsman quickly objected, “Clan Head, he injured our Liu Clan cultivators and chopped off my arm. How can we let it go so simply?”
Liu Chen’s gaze turned cold as he looked at the one-armed black-clad swordsman. He said frostily, “You trash! I already didn’t reprimand you for letting Situ Feng escape, and now you dare to question my decision?!”
The one-armed black-clad swordsman’s chest tightened when he felt Liu Chen’s killing Qi. His body slumped down, and he no longer dared to speak.
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Dusk drew near. Xiao Chen found an empty field and started a fire. Then he began roasting some Spirit Beast meat that he had hunted.
The two scouts of the Situ Clan hid quietly on a tree five hundred meters behind Xiao Chen. They withdrew their auras and used the remnant light to observe him.
The two scouts moved very carefully and cautiously, afraid of attracting Xiao Chen’s attention.
Speaking of which, Ao Jiao, how is the Thunder Emperor related to the Eternal Heavenly Sword School? How do they know Thunder Light Fleeing Shadows Sword?
If Situ Feng had not used this Sword Technique, Xiao Chen would have left long ago. It was impossible for Xiao Chen not to be curious.
Ao Jiao, who was in the Immortal Spirit Ring, felt very uncertain. Her pretty face revealed a baffled expression as she replied softly, I don’t know. I don’t remember Sang Mu establishing any sects.
“Zi Zi!”
Xiao Chen had skewered the golden flesh of a Golden Savage Ox. As the fire roasted the meat, it gave off sizzling sounds.
The surface of the beef split open, and golden oil flowed out. The meat exuded an intense and very appetizing aroma.
Xiao Chen adroitly rotated the tree branch and looked at the beef. He said mentally, Since he did not set up his own sect, then did the Thunder Emperor leave behind any secret manuals?
Ao Jiao did not even bother thinking before replying, He did leave behind some secret manuals. However, I am sure that others would not be able to obtain them. It would be impossible for them to have leaked.
Then did he have a disciple? If he had any disciples, it would not be strange if the technique leaked out.
Ao Jiao shook her head and replied, Sang Mu always moved about alone. He did not even have many friends. How could he have any disciples?
Since the secret manuals were not available and there were no inheritors, Ao Jiao felt that it was quite peculiar to see the Thunder Emperor’s Thunder Light Fleeing Shadows Sword on her return to the Kunlun Realm after two thousand years.
After the golden ox meat was ready to eat, Xiao Chen tore off a piece of beef. As he enjoyed the delicacy, he took out a bottle of wine from his Universe Ring and started drinking.
He sat beside the fire, eating and drinking light-heartedly.
After Xiao Chen finished eating, he stood up and stretched. Then, he held the Lunar Shadow Saber in his hand and said softly, “Actually, to find out the truth, I just have to visit the Eternal Heavenly Sword School.
“Of course, the proviso is that I survive snatching the thousand-year-old White Nascent Fruit.”
Right after Xiao Chen spoke, he quickly turned around, instantly drawing the Lunar Shadow Saber. A resplendent saber light immediately lit up the dark forest.
Five hundred meters away, the tree the two Situ Clan cultivators hid behind exploded, leaving them thoroughly exposed to Xiao Chen.
“Let’s go. This person discovered us long ago.”
The two startled Situ Clan cultivators did not say anything else before splitting up to run.
Xiao Chen’s gaze locked on the Situ Clan cultivator on the left. He smiled faintly and pushed off the ground. An Azure Dragon image appeared under his feet and carried him into the air.
The two scouts specialized in hiding and tracking. They did not have high cultivations, no more than Inferior Grade Martial Monarch. How could they be a match for Xiao Chen?