Chapter 133: Dual Promotions, Sky-High Betrothal Gifts, and the Scheme to Seize the Formula

Chapter 133: Dual Promotions, Sky-High Betrothal Gifts, and the Scheme to Seize the Formula

Understanding the implications, Su Chen offered a faint smile before handing the sealed letter to Qiao Qiliang. Such intelligence would serve better in his hands.

They remained occupied until the next morning when Su Chen departed.

Qiao Qiliang and the others did not leave immediately. The magistrate’s office had dispatched personnel overnight to take over Green Willow Manor, requiring their oversight for now.

By the following day, the second matter Qiao Qiliang had pursued bore fruit—fifty Vital Energy Pills and thirty Mystic Essence Pills arrived.

For the next several days, Su Chen immersed himself in cultivation and study.

By the fifth day, he had finally maximized both Fire Cloud Transformation and Xuan Yuan Qu.

[Easy Mode Activated: Roast by fire for fifty minutes to advance Fire Cloud Transformation to the Fourth Mutation.]

[Easy Mode Activated: Swallow saliva five hundred times to elevate Xuan Yuan Qu to the Fourth Layer.]

Spending a small portion of pills to unlock Easy Mode for both techniques, Su Chen swiftly mastered them.

Now, aside from the No Disturbance Manual still at its second layer and the Thick Earth Manual’s third tier, all three other attribute-enhancing techniques had reached the Bone Tempering stage.

The sixth-layer Iron Shirt and the fourth-layer Fire Cloud Transformation and Xuan Yuan Qu now all stood at Bone Tempering proficiency.

His strength surged again. Measured purely by Vital Force reserves, Su Chen now possessed the equivalent of three Bone Tempering cultivators combined.

His true combat capability, however, rivaled even a Jade Bones cultivator with three segments of cultivation. With Draw Cut Art, he might even contend against a four-segment Jade Bones cultivator—and with his full arsenal of techniques, he could potentially slay one.

This level of power, while not yet reaching Qinzhou City’s peak standards, solidified his status as a top-tier expert within Big Feng City.

No one had anticipated Su Chen’s rise to this level in less than half a year since arriving there.

One day, after many days apart, Qiao Qiliang sought out Su Chen.

“Finished with your errands?” Su Chen set down his medical tome, asking with feigned indifference.

Though the Shadow Assassin branch had left few material riches, the intelligence networks they controlled—nearly spanning half of Qinzhou City—remained an invaluable treasure for the magistrate’s office. Even now, Qiao Qiliang and his team were still organizing and digesting these resources.

“These things don’t get resolved that quickly!” Qiao Qiliang replied, pouring himself a cup of tea and draining it in one gulp before shaking his head. “I came to find you today because there’s something important to share.”

Su Chen glanced at him, his expression unchanging.

“You’re not even curious what this news is?” Qiao Qiliang asked, his enthusiasm waning slightly.

“Speak,” Su Chen responded flatly, his eyes never leaving his book.

Qiao Qiliang’s lips quirked in amusement. “Remember that news about the Chu Clan we discussed earlier?”

Su Chen nodded.

“Any guesses what happened next?” Qiao Qiliang’s eyes twinkled as he leaned in conspiratorially.

Su Chen closed his book, his posture subtly shifting as if preparing for action.

“Boring, boring!” Qiao Qiliang stepped back with a laugh. “The Hong Clan finally buckled under pressure. They’ve agreed to offer the Vital Energy Pill formula as the betrothal gift for their marriage alliance.”

“An engagement?” Su Chen raised an eyebrow.

“Precisely,” Qiao Qiliang confirmed. “The Chu Clan’s Twin Beauties originally came to Big Feng City for this very marriage. It was meant to be between Hong Hu, the Hong Clan’s heir, and the Chu Clan.”

“But wasn’t this engagement already called off?”

“It was, but now it’s back on track,” Qiao Qiliang muttered.

Su Chen’s curiosity stirred. “Why would the Chu Clan insist on renewing this alliance?”

Qiao Qiliang explained, “Originally, the Chu Clan needed the marriage to solidify their power in Yunzhou. Now that they have the Governor’s backing, it’s less critical. But they’re clearly not letting the Hong Clan off the hook. Any guesses why?”

“The Vital Energy Pill formula,” Su Chen deduced.

“Exactly,” Qiao Qiliang nodded. “It’s also a lesson for the Hong Clan. This time, the Chu Clan demands the formula not only as part of the marriage terms but insists it be personally delivered to Yunzhou.”

Su Chen interrupted sharply. “You said the formula will be taken to Yunzhou?”

“Not that part,” Su Chen clarified. “The last line.”

“Honestly, I can’t remember,” Qiao Qiliang shrugged.

Su Chen leaned forward, enunciating each word: “The Hong Clan will personally deliver the Vital Energy Pill formula to Yunzhou?”

Understanding dawned on Qiao Qiliang’s face. He stared at Su Chen, swallowing hard. “You’re not planning to—”

Su Chen hummed affirmatively. “The Hong Clan sent assassins after me. I haven’t collected my interest on that yet.”

Qiao Qiliang’s expression tightened. “Su Chen, I advise you to stay out of this.”

“Why?”

Qiao Qiliang exhaled deeply, checking their solitude before continuing. “You know how crucial the formula is to the Hong Clan. The Vital Energy Pill has made them the dominant power in Qinzhou’s economy. They’d never part with it unless forced.

Even now, offering it as a betrothal gift doesn’t diminish its value—it remains their golden goose. They’ll guard it fiercely against anyone outside the Chu Clan.

According to my sources, the Hong Clan has deployed Blood Shifting Realm cultivators for the public escort. That’s just the visible force. There are undoubtedly more hidden operatives.

I suspect this is a deliberate trap. They’re testing their rivals, luring them into a confrontation to eliminate threats at once. You’d be walking into a death trap. Your strength rivals Qinzhou’s top young generation, but against a Blood Shifting Realm expert, you’d have no chance. You’ve experienced this with Yong Shu.”

Qiao Qiliang pleaded his case, hoping to deter Su Chen from this perilous path.

The plot’s danger was evident—a meticulously laid snare designed to ensnare any reckless enough to challenge the Hong Clan.

Su Chen understood the risks but remained resolute. This wasn’t just about revenge—though he longed to carve a significant chunk from the Hong Clan’s power. More urgently, he needed the Vital Energy Pill formula. Nearly ninety percent of his cultivation techniques required Vital Energy Pills to advance. Securing the formula would allow him to produce his own, breaking his dependence on external supplies.

The Hong Clan’s monopoly over the pills bordered on pathological control. Even the magistrate’s office had to kowtow to them for large quantities. Recent tensions had worsened—since Su Chen’s arrival, the magistrate’s office and Hong Clan had grown openly adversarial. While no outright conflict had erupted, the Hong Clan had begun restricting Vital Energy Pill supplies to the magistrate’s office, prioritizing spite over profit.

Su Chen naturally had no intention of sitting idle waiting for death. In fact, after his recent power boost, he'd been planning to begin his revenge against the Hong Clan.

Qiao Qiliang was right—Su Chen still couldn't contend with a Blood Shifting Martial Cultivator directly. But with his current strength, he could already rank among the top-tier experts within the Blood Shifting Cultivation Realm. Against cultivators below that realm, assassination would be effortless.

After killing them, he would seize their Vital Energy Pills, hide to secretly strengthen his power, and repeat the cycle—kill, hide, grow stronger.

After several such cycles, Su Chen would inevitably break through to the Blood Shifting Cultivation Realm. And with his current foundation, once he reached that stage, his power would skyrocket. Ordinary Blood Shifting cultivators wouldn't stand a chance against him.

Then, he could unleash his full wrath.

Wiping out the Xuan Shui Sect and Hong Clan would only be a matter of time.

Of course, he knew reality might not follow his plans so neatly. But the logic was sound.

Qiao Qiliang clearly sensed Su Chen's wavering resolve, which hadn't fully dissipated after their conversation. He added, "Besides, this situation is far more complicated than you think. Many factions will get involved. Alone, you might have a chance, but you'd never be able to seize it."

"Which factions?" Su Chen asked.

Qiao Qiliang hesitated, realizing Su Chen had completely ignored the second half of his warning. Still, he patiently replied, "One faction definitely involved is the Luo Clan of Cangzhou."

The Luo Clan of Cangzhou?

Su Chen fell into thought, recalling related information.

Like the Chu Clan of Yunzhou and the Hong Clan of Qin Prefecture, the Luo Clan was the most powerful family in Cangzhou.

As the Great Qian Dynasty declined, these aristocratic families gradually emerged from the shadows, replacing local governments as the true rulers of their regions. Sometimes, a single word from them carried more weight than official decrees—a chaotic power struggle reminiscent of a dying dynasty's final days.

Su Chen asked, "Why are they involved?"

"I don't know the full details", Qiao Qiliang admitted. "Back then, the Hong Clan stole the formula from the Luo Clan. That's all I know. When I was a child, I heard about their deep grudge. If not for Chu Clan's protection, the Hong Clan would never have reached its current glory. But the Chu Clan never expected their former subordinate would grow strong enough to break free. Unfortunately, they eventually had one wing broken by the Chu Clan."

Qiao Qiliang's metaphor painted a vivid picture of betrayal and ambition in Su Chen's mind.

"Of course, after so many years, the Luo Clan's hatred toward the Hong Clan has faded. Now, they're more concerned about preventing the Chu and Hong Clans from forming an alliance. If those two powerhouses united, other factions might struggle to maintain influence—especially the Luo Clan, who would certainly lose sleep over this development."

Looking at Su Chen, Qiao Qiliang asked, "Still planning to go?"

Su Chen shook his head. Just as Qiao Qiliang thought he'd convinced him, Su Chen added, "Killing people is too much trouble. But I wouldn't mind going to see the commotion."

Qiao Qiliang's forehead twitched. His face contorted in frustration, unable to speak for a moment.

"Your expression looks terrible. Want me to brew you a medicinal decoction?" Su Chen asked innocently.

Qiao Qiliang waved his hands frantically. "You keep that poison for yourself."

He sighed, then grinned. "Since you're determined, take me along."

Su Chen: "...!"

——

In a small town ten miles from Big Feng City, a courtyard buzzed with tension.

"Discuss the plan for intercepting the Hong Clan's transport of the Vital Energy Pill formula", a broad-shouldered man with a fresh facial scar commanded.

Three men stood before him, each bearing wounds. At the mention of the Hong Clan, their killing intent surged.

"What plan?" a burly man spat. "We ambush them halfway and slaughter every last one!"

The scarred man glanced at him, then turned to a taller companion. "He Quan, what do you think?"

He Quan studied the map on the table. "The best location would be Funiu Mountains. That's their only route to Yunzhou."

"Then we strike at Funiu Mountains!" the burly man interjected.

"The others will have the same idea", a shorter man replied.

The deputy leader nodded. "Though we're not the only force targeting them, our goal differs. We seek revenge for our fallen comrades, not the formula itself!"

The three men's eyes burned with fury.

"Funiu Mountains stretches for miles. Others will ambush there too. We'll lie in wait at the gorge and seize the perfect moment", He Quan said.

"Agreed!"

——

Elsewhere, thirty miles from Big Feng City, another secret meeting unfolded.

"We must seize the formula during the Hong Clan's transport. We cannot let them deliver it to Yunzhou!" an elder hissed, his voice filled with ruthless determination.

The gathered crowd roared in unison, their faces set with grim resolve.

"Study this map", the elder said, spreading a map of the route from Qin Prefecture to Yunzhou. He pointed, "This will be our ambush point. Our plan is..."

Everyone nodded. "Understood!"

"Good. This time, we either succeed or perish. We'll return every humiliation the Hong Clan has inflicted upon us!"

——

Meanwhile, the Hong Clan remained eerily calm, showing no signs of action.

This unnatural stillness only heightened the sense of impending doom.

Two days later, at the foot of Qingxi Mountain's Xuan Shui Sect, a procession assembled.

"Hong Shan, this journey is fraught with danger. Be vigilant", Sect Master Hong Jingrui warned.

At two meters tall, Hong Shan's massive frame towered like a mountain. His deep voice rumbled, "Don't worry, Sect Master. Whoever dares attack, I'll ensure they never return!"

Hong Jingrui nodded, then signaled their departure.

As the group of men marched down the mountain, Hong Jingrui turned to Hong Jinchen. "Have we made contact with Chu Qing?"

"No. She's likely been instructed by the Chu Clan to avoid us", Hong Jinchen replied.

"Hmph. Cowardly!" Hong Jingrui sneered. "After three days, they still haven't found her? Reduce their Vital Energy Pill rations until they do!"

——

Meanwhile, Su Chen and Qiao Qiliang had arrived at Funiu Mountains hours early.

"We're not the only ones here", Qiao Qiliang sighed as they paused at a safe distance from the gorge. "I've already spotted five factions—all after the Vital Energy Pill."

Su Chen remained expressionless. "This is better. More people fighting the Hong Clan means fewer headaches for us."

He glanced at the map. "Besides, the chaos will give us the perfect chance to seize the formula ourselves."

He wisely kept this last thought to himself.

Qiao Qiliang grimaced but said nothing. Watching Su Chen study the map, he asked, "What are you calculating?"

"Their estimated arrival time at Funiu Mountains."

"When will they arrive?"

Su Chen lifted his head, grinning. "In one hour!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end