Chapter 365: Eastern Domain Chen Clan
Zhang Ruochen planned to visit the Western Courtyard to see the Ninth Princess.
Now, only a few members of the royal clan remained, and his relationship with the Ninth Princess was good. Before heading to the Eastern Domain Sacred Land, Zhang Ruochen intended to give her some cultivation resources to help her go further on the path of cultivation.
"Your injuries are severe. Don't go to the Western Courtyard yourself. Stay in the academy and recover. I'll send a Silver Robe Elder to the Western Courtyard to bring the Ninth Princess to the Inner Palace Academy. I can make an exception and let her become an Inner Palace student early, so she won't need to return to the Western Courtyard. In the Inner Palace Academy, she'll have a better cultivation environment," Lei Jing said.
"Thank you, Master."
Zhang Ruochen nodded and agreed.
He really wasn't fit to leave Heavenly Demon Martial City right now. Not to mention the risk of assassination by experts from the Black Market and the Moon Worship Demon Sect, the Blood Spirit King, who could appear at any time, was also a huge threat. If he ran into her again, Zhang Ruochen might not be so lucky as to escape.
"In that case, disciple will take his leave."
Returning to his cultivation residence, Zhang Ruochen saw Kong Xuan sitting cross-legged by the pond.
She wore a spotless white robe, seated on a smooth white stone. The pair of wings on her back emitted a seven-colored radiance, and her long hair hung from her head down into the water.
Kong Xuan was practicing the Ten Meridian Sword Wave, her ten fingers constantly shifting as she struck out.
Based on Zhang Ruochen's observation, she had already reached the entry level of the "Taiyin Meridian Sword Wave" among the Ten Meridian Sword Waves. By channeling true qi into her fingertips, she could unleash sharp sword energy, easily piercing a thousand-pound boulder ten zhang away.
Zhang Ruochen stood behind her, watching for a while, then nodded. "Not bad. In just a few months, you've grasped a hint of the true essence of the Ten Meridian Sword Wave. Your comprehension is top-notch."
The higher one's realm, the faster they could master martial techniques.
Kong Xuan was only at the Mysterious Extreme Realm now. Being able to cultivate a top-grade spiritual martial technique to the entry level was already quite impressive.
Hearing Zhang Ruochen's voice, Kong Xuan realized someone was behind her and immediately stood up. When she saw Zhang Ruochen's familiar face, she couldn't hide her joy and immediately knelt to bow to him.
"Greetings, Master..."
Zhang Ruochen extended an arm, and a surge of Azure Void True Qi flowed from his palm. The true qi, like wisps of smoke, froze Kong Xuan in place. "From now on, when you see me, don't kneel."
"But..." Kong Xuan said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "That's an order."
"Alright."
Kong Xuan lightly bit her lip and straightened up. She admired Zhang Ruochen even more. He could control her life and death, yet he gave her more freedom, never treating her like a mere servant.
Meeting Zhang Ruochen was truly a stroke of incredible luck for her.
"Master, have you broken through to the Heavenly Extreme Realm in martial arts?"
The moment she saw Zhang Ruochen, Kong Xuan could clearly sense the powerful force radiating from him. It was a thick aura, like an insurmountable mountain standing before her. When Zhang Ruochen released his true qi, she felt as if she might suffocate, unable to move at all.
"I've indeed reached the Heavenly Extreme Realm."
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "You're also impressive. In just a few months, you've reached the Great Perfection of the Mysterious Extreme Realm. After consolidating for a while, you should be able to break through to the Earth Extreme Realm."
Although Kong Xuan hadn't yet reached the Earth Extreme Realm, with her current cultivation, she could easily contend with Earth Extreme Realm martial artists. If she revealed her full strength, she could become the top proud daughter of heaven on the Mysterious Ranking.
Receiving Zhang Ruochen's praise, Kong Xuan was indescribably happy. A hint of shyness appeared on her face as she gently lowered her head.
There was no denying that Kong Xuan was extremely beautiful. She had a standard oval face, two willow-leaf-shaped eyebrows, crystal-clear lips, a delicate nose, and skin as white as mutton fat, flawless. Her long eyelashes were each perfectly curved.
As her cultivation grew, not only did her figure develop more perfectly, but her temperament also gradually emerged, giving her a captivating beauty that could topple kingdoms.
With her exceptional talent and stunning looks, who would think she was just a maidservant by Zhang Ruochen's side?
No wonder Huang Yanchen's gaze was always unfriendly whenever she saw Kong Xuan. Let alone her, any woman who saw such a peerless beauty as a maidservant by her fiancé's side would probably have a sour expression.
Kong Xuan seemed to suddenly remember something. "Master, there's one more thing I need to report. Three days ago, a mysterious person brought the old madam to the Martial Market Academy."
Zhang Ruochen said, "Which old madam?"
"It's Consort Lin of the Yunwu Commandery. That mysterious person said she is your mother," Kong Xuan said softly.
Zhang Ruochen was overjoyed. He hadn't expected news of his mother so soon. "Where is Mother now? Take me to see her immediately."
Seeing Zhang Ruochen's happy expression, Kong Xuan was also delighted. "She's in your cultivation residence. I'll take you to her now."
"So Zhang Tiangui didn't lie to me. Mother was indeed rescued by someone. That mysterious person is probably A Le."
Zhang Ruochen immediately followed Kong Xuan to the courtyard where Consort Lin was staying.
Seeing Consort Lin, the weight on Zhang Ruochen's heart finally lifted.
When Consort Lin saw Zhang Ruochen return, she naturally wept with joy. Mother and son embraced.
Afterward, Zhang Ruochen told her everything that had happened in the royal palace, including the massacre of the Lin Clan.
Hearing that the Yunwu Commandery King had died tragically, Consort Lin was devastated and burst into tears.
Hearing about the Lin Clan's annihilation, Consort Lin shed more tears. If Zhang Ruochen hadn't continuously infused true qi into her body, she might have fainted.
Although telling her the truth was somewhat cruel, she would find out sooner or later. A short pain was better than a long one. Why not tell her now?
At least now, Zhang Ruochen was by her side to comfort her.
Only after Consort Lin fell asleep did Zhang Ruochen leave the room, gently closing the door behind him.
The sky had darkened, and a cool breeze blew through the air.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Kong Xuan, who was still standing in the courtyard, and walked over. "Take good care of Mother. She'll be very sad for a while."
"Don't worry, Master. This servant will take good care of the old madam," Kong Xuan said.
Zhang Ruochen thought for a moment. "Did that mysterious person who brought the old madam to the Martial Market Academy leave a message for me?"
"He said one thing. He said he had already left Heavenly Demon Ridge to pursue a higher level of martial arts, and he would remember your kindness," Kong Xuan said.
"So it really was him. I wonder if we'll ever meet again."
Zhang Ruochen shook his head slightly. He had to admit that saving A Le's life back then was a wise decision.
If he hadn't acted, Consort Lin wouldn't have survived.
Zhang Ruochen took out his academy token and handed it to Kong Xuan, telling her to collect the Half-Saint True Liquid and Saint Liquid distributed each quarter.
Then, he entered his cultivation chamber to begin closed-door healing.
Inside the cultivation chamber, Zhang Ruochen took out the Time-Space Crystal and infused it with true qi. A layer of white light emerged from the crystal's surface.
"Whoosh!"
Zhang Ruochen entered the inner space of the Time-Space Crystal, set aside distracting thoughts, and swallowed a healing pill.
Sitting cross-legged inside the Time-Space Crystal, Zhang Ruochen spent a day and a night, aided by the healing pill, until his injuries fully recovered.
The blood qi he had lost, however, couldn't be restored in a short time. Zhang Ruochen still hadn't returned to his peak state.
"This time, the Blood Spirit King suffered a loss. She'll definitely mark me as her primary enemy. I must work hard to improve my cultivation. Otherwise, if I face her again, my chances of winning will be even slimmer."
Once the Blood Spirit King started guarding against Zhang Ruochen, she might kill him before he could even use the Soul Summoning Art.
Just as Zhang Ruochen was about to push forward and refine the Half-Saint Light in his qi sea, Kong Xuan came to the outside of the cultivation chamber to report. "Master, Senior Brother Chang and Senior Brother Si have come to the residence and want to see you."
Since Chang Qiqi and Si Xingkong had come to visit, Zhang Ruochen had to see them.
Zhang Ruochen stepped out of the Time-Space Crystal and put it away. Although he had cultivated for a day and a night, only a few hours had passed outside.
From a distance, he heard Chang Qiqi's loud laughter. "Junior Brother Zhang, you're finally back at the academy. You have no idea, after we heard you were in trouble, Senior Brother Si and I raided twenty-three Black Market branches in Yunwu Commandery, causing chaos everywhere. But we still couldn't find you. I didn't expect you to return to the academy on your own. Senior Brother and I wasted our efforts!"
In the past few days, Chang Qiqi and Si Xingkong had been searching for Zhang Ruochen, wreaking havoc across Yunwu Commandery, visiting almost every Black Market branch and even some Moon Worship Demon Sect sub-sects.
The Devouring Rabbit, Guo Guo, pushed Chang Qiqi aside and rushed toward Zhang Ruochen. "Master Chen, me too! I destroyed three Black Market branches and one Demon Sect sub-sect."
Zhang Ruochen was deeply moved. After his incident, so many friends had worried about him.
To find him, they had gone on a rampage.
Such friends were true friends.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Senior Brother Chang, Senior Brother Si, and Guo Guo, I won't say anything cheesy. Thank you for everything you've done for me."
"What's there to thank? If anyone should thank, it's us. Without you, Senior Brother and I wouldn't have obtained the dragon blood or achieved what we have now. Pavilion Master Lei has informed us that Senior Brother and I are also qualified to go to the Eastern Domain Sacred Land for the Holy Academy examination. We leave in half a month. If I can get into the Holy Academy, I'll really be a big shot from now on! Haha!" Chang Qiqi laughed loudly.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "Senior Brother Chang, since you're back, have Senior Sister Huang and Senior Sister Duanmu returned?"
"Don't you know? Your fiancée, Junior Sister Huang, was taken by her mother to the Eastern Domain Sacred Land. Oh, and Junior Sister Chen too. They left Heavenly Demon Martial City long ago," Chang Qiqi said.
Back at Tongming River, Zhang Ruochen had been in a hurry to return to Yunwu Commandery, so he didn't know what happened afterward.
Listening to Chang Qiqi and Si Xingkong's account, he learned that the Half-Saint who had defeated the Infant Elder Demon at Tongming River was actually Huang Yanchen's mother.
That same day, that Half-Saint had taken Huang Yanchen and Chen Xi'er away to the Eastern Domain Sacred Land.
Chang Qiqi smacked his lips enviously. "Junior Brother Zhang, you have no idea. Your mother-in-law is incredibly powerful. With just one sword strike, she severely wounded the infamous Infant Elder Demon. I almost knelt in worship. If only I had a mother-in-law like that!"
Si Xingkong smiled. "Junior Sister Huang's mother is named Chen Liuli. When she was young, she ranked in the top fifty of the Heavenly Ranking. As a proud daughter of the Chen Clan, it's no surprise she reached the Half-Saint realm."
Chang Qiqi said, "The Palace Master of our Heavenly Demon Ridge Martial Market Academy was also a young talent of the Chen Clan back then. Though he couldn't compare to Junior Sister Huang's mother, he was still ranked in the top thirty of the Chen Clan at the time."
Both Si Xingkong and Chang Qiqi seemed familiar with the Chen Clan, but Zhang Ruochen knew little about it. He asked, "Is the Chen Clan very powerful?"
Chang Qiqi's eyes widened. "Junior Brother Zhang, you're Junior Sister Huang's fiancé, and you don't even know about the Chen Clan?"
A rare look of reverence appeared in Si Xingkong's eyes. "The Chen Clan is a medieval aristocratic clan with over a hundred thousand years of history. In the Eastern Domain, the Chen Clan's influence is deeply rooted, with clan members spread across the land. Even Empress Chi Yao has to tread carefully around them."
"The Palace Master of our Heavenly Demon Ridge Martial Market Academy, Chen Ying, is a member of the Chen Clan."
"Junior Sister Huang's mother, Queen Chen Liuli of the upper-level commandery Thousand Waters Commandery, is also a member of the Chen Clan."
...
"Of course, the one who truly gives the Chen Clan unparalleled influence in the Eastern Domain is its current patriarch, Chen Yuhua. He is also the Domain King of the Eastern Domain, governing tens of thousands of commanderies and the Eastern Domain Sacred Land."
Zhang Ruochen murmured to himself, "So the patriarch of the Chen Clan is the Domain King of the Eastern Domain."
"That's right! Now do you understand how terrifying the Chen Clan is?"
"So this Chen Clan must be the same one from back then," Zhang Ruochen muttered.
Chang Qiqi seemed not to hear Zhang Ruochen's words and continued, "The Palace Master of our Heavenly Demon Ridge Martial Market Academy is the top expert among the thirty-six commanderies of Heavenly Demon Ridge. But back in the Chen Clan, he was only barely ranked in the top thirty among the younger generation. Keep in mind, every ten years, a new generation rises. Palace Master Chen was only in the top thirty of one generation of the Chen Clan's younger disciples."
Zhang Ruochen naturally knew the Chen Clan's power. Not just now, but even eight hundred years ago, the Chen Clan had a pivotal position in the Eastern Domain. Though not comparable to the Nine Emperors, they were still a regional overlord.
After listening to Chang Qiqi and Si Xingkong's account, Zhang Ruochen matched the Chen Clan in his memories with the one they described.
He really hadn't expected Huang Yanchen to have ties with a medieval aristocratic clan like the Chen Clan.
After Chang Qiqi and Si Xingkong left, Zhang Ruochen entered the Time-Space Crystal again to refine that mass of Half-Saint Light. He wanted to raise his spiritual power to the fortieth rank before heading to the Eastern Domain Sacred Land.
(I've been writing transitional chapters recently, and the pace is slow. I couldn't write much today, so I'll update a big chapter. I'll make up for it tomorrow.)
Also, a new year, a new beginning. Happy New Year to everyone!