https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-375-Severe-Punishment-for-Such-Words-/12991148/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-377-Comprehensive-Guide-to-the-Great-Jin/12991150/
Chapter 376: Departure
Chapter 376: Departure
During this period, Su Chen's proficiency in array formations had been steadily improving.
He had already begun to expand upon the basics of array formation layouts, taking it to the next level.
Among the many challenges of array formations, there were two that all practitioners faced.
According to the books left by Jingbo Immortal, the array formations he had been practicing were the most standard ones.
For Su Chen, this meant he had already mastered them.
However, in reality, the environments in which array formations were deployed were far from standard.
Sometimes, the array formations needed to be expanded, and occasionally, they had to be shrunk.
The leap in complexity between expanding and shrinking was significant.
Su Chen was still practicing this step, and he wanted to ensure others understood it as well.
Only by mastering the techniques of expanding and shrinking array formations could they be truly useful in combat.
Moreover, Su Chen had other ingenious uses for array formations.
He wanted to combine them with mechanisms to achieve unimaginable effects.
If he succeeded, the threat of demonic beasts on the frontlines might be further reduced.
During his practice of array formations, Su Chen hadn't neglected his cultivation.
The Xuan Tian Dao Xin Jue was still in motion daily, pushing him to advance further.
However, after reaching the sixth-grade in strength, it was no longer just a matter of relying on innate talent.
Talent, experience, and resources—lacking any one of these three would result in slow progress.
Su Chen was well aware of this.
Even a martial artist with exceptional talent like Qiu Ruoshang had to venture into the wilderness to seek cultivation resources.
For this, they would even risk their lives.
It was difficult to improve one's strength while staying within the sect.
During this period of rest, Su Chen was also planning his next steps.
Mid-October.
It had been a long time since the last encounter with those three Celestial Demons.
The frontline defenses of Heavencradle City seemed to be facing harassment from demonic beasts again.
Upon hearing this news, the elders and pavilion masters of Heavencradle City all felt relieved.
Their expressions seemed somewhat smug.
Without the harassment of demonic beasts, they felt somewhat uneasy and unhappy.
Su Chen also stayed on the frontline for three days, observing the situation.
On the third day, he received a message from the sect, instructing him to return immediately.
Without hesitation, Su Chen headed back to Heavencradle City after receiving the message.
The servant of Shangxuan Immortal had been waiting for him long before his arrival.
Upon seeing Su Chen, they escorted him to Shangxuan Immortal's courtyard.
In the courtyard, only Shangxuan Immortal was present.
Compared to usual, the Great Elder's expression was solemn, even grave.
"In the Great Zhou Dynasty, someone is investigating the identities of our disciples who went to the Shadow Bright Battlefield this year."
Su Chen nodded.
As he had guessed, it was indeed about this matter.
Otherwise, the Great Elder wouldn't have summoned him back in such a hurry.
"This news came from the Yunyang Sect. They informed us that the Jin Kingdom is investigating the five of you."
As expected, Su Chen's expression turned serious as he looked at the Great Elder.
"Great Elder, do we know the identities of these people?"
Shangxuan Immortal frowned, not shaking his head immediately.
"We're not sure, but it's extremely difficult to gather information about the Jin Kingdom.
The Jin Kingdom's information brokers even look down on us and are unwilling to sell us any information."
"We've only heard that the Five Storm Mountain Villa might be involved."
Su Chen hadn't even heard of the Five Storm Mountain Villa.
To be precise, he was unfamiliar with most of the Jin Kingdom's factions.
"Great Elder, do you know anything about the Five Storm Mountain Villa?"
"I know a bit."
Shangxuan Immortal's brows remained furrowed, clearly more worried about this matter than before.
"So, is the Five Storm Mountain Villa's strength extraordinary?"
"I don't know much about the Jin Kingdom's factions, but if I've heard of them, their strength must be exceptional.
At the very least, they are among the top twenty sects in the Jin Kingdom."
In the courtyard, both Su Chen and Shangxuan Immortal fell silent.
Su Chen now realized that the people he had offended might be even more powerful than he had imagined.
"This time, I heard that the one searching for you is an elder of the Five Storm Mountain Villa, Fan Chengyan.
In the Jin Kingdom, she has a nickname—Fan the Tyrannical.
She's notorious for her audacity, and many say she's reckless.
It's said that in her youth, she dared to challenge Transformation Realm experts."
As they spoke, Shangxuan Immortal glanced at Su Chen with concern.
Su Chen understood the implications of these words.
The trouble he had with Sang Moyuan wasn't a big deal.
A young genius alone couldn't pose much of a threat to him.
But the power behind them, the experts supporting them, could bring him lethal danger.
"If it's Fan Chengyan who wants to make a move, I might have to make other arrangements for you.
Perhaps it's best for you to travel and gain experience for the next year or two."
That Fan Chengyan, upon recognizing you, will likely strike without hesitation.
She won't have the slightest scruple and won't abide by any rules.
Even if I stand by your side, she might still take action against you."
Upon hearing this, Su Chen understood why the Great Elder's expression was so grim.
Previously, the Great Elder had spoken so boldly to Su Chen.
Even High Proclamation Master probably didn't anticipate the situation turning out this way.
"Putting aside whether I can block her attack, even if I do, the residual force of her technique could still injure you.
That's why..."
In truth, High Proclamation Master felt somewhat guilty.
Su Chen was a core disciple of Heavencradle City, and he had contributed greatly to the sect.
But as the sect's leader, High Proclamation Master lacked the ability to protect Su Chen.
Without the backing of strength, relying solely on rules and regulations was insufficient to uphold the sect's honor.
"Great Elder, rest assured. I understand your concerns.
I'll make some preparations and then report back to you on my next destination."
Upon hearing Su Chen's response, High Proclamation Master shook his head.
"Su Chen, when you leave and where you're going, it's best not to tell anyone.
If no one knows your whereabouts, it will be truly safe for you.
If you need to return to the sect, just come back directly without informing anyone beforehand."
After leaving the courtyard, Su Chen began making arrangements.
High Proclamation Master had instructed him to plan and strategize, which, in his opinion, indicated that the situation was already quite perilous.
Recalling his experience at Shadow Bright Battlefield, he wondered if Sang Moryan's audacity stemmed from his background.
Lying on the bed in his courtyard, Su Chen began contemplating his next move.
Having offended the Jin Kingdom's forces, which direction should he head in?
In the eyes of many, he should at least choose to stay far away from the Jin Kingdom.
But Su Chen didn't plan to do that.
His departure from Heavencradle City wasn't solely to evade danger; he also sought to enhance his strength.
He needed to quickly develop the ability to protect himself.
Therefore, his departure from Heavencradle City had to be planned and well-thought-out.
He couldn't just flee aimlessly and hide in fear.
At this thought, Su Chen once again took out the booklet left by Jingbo Immortal.
Besides the guidance on formations at the front, the booklet also provided information on the locations of many secret realms.
Perhaps he could find inspiration for his next destination from this booklet.
With this in mind, Su Chen began organizing his belongings.
He quickly packed the items he needed to take with him.
Some items that were not easy to carry, Su Chen placed in his hidden room.
At the hour of the rabbit, Su Chen swiftly departed Heavencradle City.
As High Proclamation Master had said, no one knew when Su Chen left.
In fact, it would take a long time for many people to realize that Su Chen was no longer in Heavencradle City.
After leaving Heavencradle City, Su Chen headed straight for the capital city.
His mother and younger sister had been living in the capital city for some time.
On this trip, Su Chen also missed them.
The Great Zhou was a relatively small country, and if Su Chen used the Cloud Stride Technique to its fullest potential, he estimated that it would take less than two days to travel from Heavencradle City to the capital city.
However, with no pressing matters at hand, Su Chen didn't feel the need to rush.
After traveling for two and a half days, Su Chen arrived at the capital city.
Living in the capital city was actually quite a good choice.
As the largest trade hub in the Great Zhou, the city was bustling with activity, offering a wide variety of goods.
If you wanted to buy something, you could find it in the capital city.
If you couldn't find it there, you'd likely have no luck in any other city in the Great Zhou.
Su Chen arrived in the capital city just before noon.
Hiding in the shadows, he observed his mother and sister from a distance.
They had been in the capital city for some time, and they seemed to have gradually adapted to life there.
His mother had resumed her cloth business, and she seemed quite satisfied with it.
The capital city was indeed bustling with people.
The cloth that she couldn't sell in Heavencradle City for days could potentially be sold out within a single morning in the capital city.
Seeing the smile on his mother's face, Su Chen felt much more at ease.
People always wanted to do something to prove their worth.
Back in Heavencradle City, with no financial worries and servants at their disposal, his mother had initially felt somewhat out of place, as if she were useless.
However, his younger sister had no interest in the cloth business. While their mother tended the stall, the younger sister wandered around on her own.
The capital city was even more stable than Su Chen had imagined.
The commoners living there all had some sort of background.
They had their own concerns and considerations, which was probably why there were few instances of bullying in the capital city.
Su Chen didn't leave immediately; instead, he checked into an inn.
He wanted to observe what methods Fan Chengyan and the others would use to find him.
The weather in October had already turned cool.
In a while, winter would arrive.
(End of Chapter)
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