Chapter 66: Changes Triggered by Reaching Lian Qi Stage 9

Chapter 66: Changes Triggered by Reaching Lian Qi Stage 9

The flying vessel’s deck was vast, yet strangely, aside from the Jiang family siblings and their close friends, all other disciples had gathered on the right side. Xiao Chen stood at the edge, gazing at the scenery.

The moment he turned his head, he found himself surrounded by a crowd of disciples openly staring at him.

Though most had never personally witnessed Xiao Chen’s fighting skills, they’d heard vivid accounts from others about what had transpired in the Inner Layer.

Their gazes held admiration, reverence, awe, and even adoration.

Not a soul envied Xiao Chen, nor dared covet the massive haul of spirit stones he’d just acquired.

The cultivation world had always revered strength above all.

Xiao Chen’s rapid progress, unmatched talent for earning spirit stones, and shocking cultivation realm had already earned him the status of a role model among many disciples.

As they returned to Lihuo Sect, news of the Forbidden Realm’s events spread like wildfire, becoming the sect’s hottest topic.

On Servant Peak, Wu Instructor now spoke of Xiao Chen as a diligent, promising disciple.

In the lecture hall, the junior who’d once hung lanterns with Xiao Chen would dream at night of his own sudden Awakening, soaring to greatness.

Some disciples even began imitating Xiao Chen’s past act of carrying water to irrigate the spirit fields, hoping to grasp the Dao of cultivation through this method.

In the Second Sub-Academy, disciples who’d attended the exchange meeting together recalled Xiao Chen’s cultivation methods shared during his Qi Condensation Fifth Layer breakthrough.

Suddenly, his teachings on "fragmented time" and "self-reflection three times daily" became mantras for countless disciples, inspiring other Sub-Academies to follow suit.

One family disciple collected three spirit stones to compile Xiao Chen’s recorded teachings into a booklet, selling copies for a single spirit sand each. He not only recouped his costs but profited five extra spirit stones.

On Azure Water Peak, Shen Simyue felt dazed.

She couldn’t believe that the cheerful junior who always smiled had slaughtered a Lian Qi Stage 9 expert as easily as killing a chicken.

Last month, as the senior apprentice, she’d earnestly warned him about the outside world’s dangers, insisting she’d "protect him", and Xiao Chen had actually agreed.

"What a humiliation! If I’d known he was this strong, I’d have kept my mouth shut."

Now recalling it, Shen Simyue felt her face burn. Who was protecting whom here?

Elder Qi also felt disoriented.

Since Xiao Chen’s arrival at Azure Water Peak, she’d met him only once, exchanging barely two sentences.

Busy cultivating a water technique recently, she’d planned to let him train independently for a while before guiding him later.

Who could’ve predicted that in the time she’d spent learning a mere technique, Xiao Chen had already reached Great Perfection?

This made her seem neglectful, as if Xiao Chen’s success relied solely on his own efforts.

"This breakthrough speed… this Fire Spirit Crystal…"

Elder Qi rubbed her forehead, both delighted and astonished, her heart tangled in complex emotions.

Elder Chen shared similar feelings.

Truthfully, Xiao Chen’s rapid Great Perfection defied all logic.

He’d lived half a lifetime without encountering such a prodigy.

Though he’d taken Xiao Chen as a disciple, he’d barely taught him anything before the youth surpassed expectations.

This seemed fortunate, yet raised concerns—how attached could Xiao Chen truly feel toward the Chen family if his growth relied entirely on self-cultivation?

Traditionally, families ensured loyalty by nurturing gratitude through years of guidance, or ideally, binding geniuses through marriage alliances.

At minimum, they’d ensure debts of obligation. Only then would a Foundation Building cultivator wholeheartedly aid their clan.

"Luckily, it’s not too late. There’s still the Foundation Building Pill trial ahead."

Elder Chen headed to the Alchemy Hall, seeking Chen Tianyuan. "We must prepare Xiao Chen’s Foundation Building Pill immediately—before other families interfere."

Chen Tianyuan nodded. "I’ll investigate the required herbs. Other families won’t outmaneuver us in this."

He sighed, shaking his head. "Never expected Xiao Chen to breakthrough so fast. We should’ve prepared earlier."

Across the sect, Jiang family head Jiang Changhua echoed the same sentiment after hearing his son Jiang Cungang’s account.

Previously, the Jiang family had dismissed Xiao Chen as a mere tool to pressure the Chen family.

After the Enforcement Hall incident, they’d only slightly obstructed him by manipulating cultivation manual allocations.

A simple disciple wasn’t worth their attention. Their focus remained on the Chen family’s Foundation Building elders.

But now, Xiao Chen’s meteoric rise threatened their plans.

Once he reached Foundation Building, the Jiangs would face a new enemy—a Foundation Building expert allied with the Chen family and trained as a pill master.

Unacceptable.

"Everyone, share your thoughts", Jiang Changhua commanded, summoning elders and Foundation Building cultivators to the family’s private hall.

"Changhua, better to resolve grudges than let them fester", an elder proposed. "Let’s negotiate before he reaches Foundation Building."

Jiang Jiquan, Scripture Pavilion Manager, opposed fiercely. "Nonsense! Eliminate him before he becomes a threat."

Another elder asked, "How might we reconcile? Ordinary gifts won’t suffice now."

"The Foundation Building Pill we prepared for Cungang’s cultivation", the first elder suggested. "Offer it as a peace token."

Jiang Cungang panicked but remained silent. He urgently signaled his father, Jiang Jishuang, overseer of the sect’s quarry.

Jiang Jishuang intervened. "Unwise! Why gift such a critical resource to an outsider? At least reserve it for our own blood."

Jiang Shiwei, elder of Tanmu Peak, agreed. "Foundation Building Pills must stay within the family. Xiao Chen remains a mere disciple, and worse—he bears the Xiao surname, not Chen."

"Only living geniuses hold value", Jiang Shiwei added coldly. "End him, and his potential dies with him."

Jiang Changhua weighed their words.

Six Foundation Building cultivators existed in the Jiang family. With Jiang Shiyou imprisoned and the ancestral founder secluded, only three remained active.

All three opposed negotiation.

Jiang Shiwei’s logic held weight. Until Xiao Chen reached Foundation Building, he remained vulnerable—a disciple whose death would erase his promise.

Even if Xiao Chen had shown formidable strength in the Yan Chi Secret Realm, a single Foundation Building cultivator could end him.

Better yet, the assassin should appear unconnected to the Jiangs.

Jiang Changhua had just met a solitary Foundation Building cultivator from Quanzhou seeking refuge. The cultivator sought alliance—this mission would serve as his initiation.

Two birds with one stone.

Jiang Changhua finalized his decision. "No negotiations. I’ll arrange his elimination immediately."

Jiang Jiquan clapped in approval. "Exactly! That’s the Jiang family way—crush those who defy us!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end