Chapter 198: An Easy Victory

Chapter 198: An Easy Victory

In the rain-soaked night, thunder and lightning raging, they left behind a trail of bodies as they marched towards the Earth Immortal City amidst the downpour.

"Is everyone taken care of?" Old Chen asked, still radiating a murderous aura, long spear in hand.

"All the key figures are dead. Every one of the geniuses and the six Herb Gathering masters," Wang Xuan replied.

Under the dark sky, amidst the storm, with occasional lightning strikes, their steps were firm, reflecting a cold and resolute demeanor.

Although there were still Law Enforcers left to deal with, Wang Xuan, having already killed two, didn't want to further escalate the situation, wary of provoking the collective wrath of the land's creatures.N0v3lRealm was the platform where this chapter was initially revealed on N0v3l.B1n.

"How does it feel to kill Herb Gathering experts, Old Chen?" Wang Xuan asked with a smile.

Old Chen, brimming with confidence, casually replied, "Not bad, but I don't think they were that strong. I wonder if they really harvested any great medicine? It's quite different from the legends in the ancient myths."

Wang Xuan shook his head, knowing that comparing contemporary cultivators to legendary figures of myth was unfair. He sensed Old Chen's ambition to rival those legendary figures.

"Old Chen, let's spar and push each other to grow," Wang Xuan suggested, feeling that Old Chen needed to be more grounded.

Old Chen glanced at him and declined, "Am I the kind of person who takes advantage? You're exhausted from fighting. I won't spar with you."

"I'm full of energy. Come on, Old Chen, show me the strength of a Patriarch," Wang Xuan urged.

"I'm a realm above you; I won't bully the weaker," Old Chen dismissed the idea of calling himself a Patriarch.

"I thrive in cross-level battles!" Wang Xuan approached him.

"I don't fight my own people," Old Chen refused.

In the end, they didn't fight. Old Chen firmly declined any sparring.

"I need to save my strength for settling scores with Old Zhong!" Old Chen remarked, ignoring Wang Xuan further.

This night was destined to shake the Earth Immortal City.

Four groups, each led by Herb Gathering masters, had ventured out from the city, only to be annihilated. Dozens of transcendent beings perished, with just a few escaping back.

As they strode through the city in the downpour, their steps splashed water on the deserted streets, engulfed only by the sound of rain. It wasn't that the city was asleep; rather, the transcendent beings of the city were terrified, not daring to show themselves.

According to the survivors, the duo had slain six Herb Gathering transcendent beings. Including the Law Enforcers, Owl and Crow, that made eight formidable Herb Gathering opponents killed by just two people.

What was most astonishing was that one of them was at the Lantern realm and the other at the Life-Soil realm. Such a record was both splendid and terrifying.

Many had come from the three extraordinary planets, and most of those who died were associated with a few geniuses. Now, Wang Xuan and Old Chen's achievements were enough to deter everyone.

"In the middle of the night, let's not bother Old Zhong. Let him have a peaceful night's sleep," Old Chen said, wiping his spear and heading towards a cluster of buildings to rest.

"You just want the news to ferment and keep Old Zhong awake all night, don't you?" Wang Xuan glanced at him, not buying Old Chen's apparent kindness.

Old Chen suddenly said, "Hold on, let me think. We've seized so many jade tokens tonight, causing heavy losses to the experts from the three planets. Considering the number of tokens Old Zhong has, he might now be comfortably in third place. Especially since we've eliminated several major token holders, those geniuses, and the six Herb Gathering masters... Old Zhong's ranking must have skyrocketed!"

By the end of his statement, Old Chen was visibly irritated.

With nowhere to vent his pent-up frustration, Old Chen waved his hand dismissively, "You all go out. I'll stay with Old Zhong in case something unexpected happens. I suppose I owe him a few more looks."

The civet cat, with its eyes flashing golden, hesitated but eventually nodded and left, aware of the duo's formidable achievements and wary of them.

Old Chen touched Old Zhong's head, only to find the cocoon-like layer sticky, leaving a residue on his hand, much to his disgust. He stayed, intending to vent his frustration on Old Zhong.

"Senior Chen, my great-grandfather left something for you," Zhong Qing, tall and elegant with long, smooth hair and clear, bright eyes, interrupted Old Chen's 'assault.' She handed him a piece of beast skin filled with dense writing.

"A detailed explanation of the Sixteen-Foot Golden Body and several hundred words of the partial Sakyamuni True Scriptures?" Old Chen was deeply moved.

"My great-grandfather mentioned that he had no choice but to kill those people who intended to murder him in such a situation. But he felt he might have implicated you, so he left these scriptures as compensation," Zhong Qing explained, her natural beauty radiant and pure.

Wang Xuan also approached, examining the text on the beast skin. The detailed explanation of the Sixteen-Foot Golden Body revealed key techniques of this method, which he found extremely vital. However, what truly astonished him was the partial Sakyamuni True Scriptures, one of the foundational Buddhist teachings. Regrettably, it was only a fragment – a deliberate choice by Old Zhong, perhaps?

"Young Chen, I've also left you a letter," Zhong Qing handed another piece of beast skin to Old Chen.

In the letter, Old Zhong affectionately addressed Old Chen as 'Little Chen' and referred to himself as his senior, causing Old Chen to feel a mix of annoyance and amusement – only Old Zhong could get away with such liberties.

"Little Chen, your master and I were very close friends. Regarding the mysterious encounter thirty years ago, I am deeply pained by his sudden disappearance. I've been investigating and have made a significant discovery!"

Old Zhong mentioned that he had left a crucial clue in his study, hidden inside a copy of 'Lu Zu's Sword Explanations' on his bookshelf.

"My great-grandfather also has a startling theory, but he chose not to disclose it due to lack of evidence and fear of leading you astray into unforeseen dangers. He plans to discuss it with you once he awakens," Zhong Qing conveyed.

"Zhong Qing, don't follow in your great-grandfather's footsteps of always holding back information. It's not a good practice," Old Chen lightly scolded.

Although his use of 'Little Zhong' was customary, Zhong Qing still felt slightly miffed upon hearing it.

Old Chen touched Old Zhong's head and face, then quickly wiped off the sticky residue from his hands. He restrained himself from slapping Old Zhong, realizing that Old Zhong had understood his deepest desire – to unravel the mystery of the encounter and save his master. If it weren't for his master's push, Old Chen would have been consumed by that light too.

Zhong Cheng, looking fondly at Wang Xuan, warned, "Little Wang, it's too dangerous outside. Don't wander around needlessly."

Unaware of Wang Xuan's recent rampage, Zhong Cheng couldn't comprehend the conversations of people from the three superhuman planets.

Zhong Qing, however, was more perceptive. Despite not understanding their language, she carefully observed and began to harbor various suspicions and conjectures.

"Ding!"

In the heart of Di Xian City, a melodious and terrifying bell toll resounded, clearing the lingering clouds in the sky and allowing bright sunlight to cascade over the city, casting it in a glorious and serene light.

"It's the ancient bell of Di Xian City," noted a law enforcer, looking up at the clear sky.

At the city's center stood a time-worn but grand altar, from which a faint light screen slowly rose, revealing a vast and blurred world within.

A majestic white peacock appeared, its voice echoing throughout the city, announcing, "The battle of the superhumans enters its final three days. Opportunities for fortune are at their peak. Impress greatly, and you may witness the assembly of immortals."

Wang Xuan felt a chill run down his spine at the announcement, realizing the gravity of what was termed as a great opportunity. The city, he thought, held a certain terror within its ancient confines.

"If there's a chance for fortune," Zhong Cheng said with longing in his eyes as he gazed toward the shimmering light screen, "just carry my great-grandfather there."

Wang Xuan remained silent, filled with apprehension for Old Zhong. As the superhuman energy ebbed and the laws of nature decayed, the dwellings of the immortals seemed to descend from the void. Knowing Old Zhong's history of plundering these celestial domains, Wang Xuan couldn't help but worry. If Old Zhong were brought there and the immortals discovered his past misdeeds, it could spell disaster.