Chapter 659 - 262: Ruan Lingchun’s Astonishment: Voluntarily Offering the Map
Chapter 659: Chapter 262: Ruan Lingchun’s Astonishment: Voluntarily Offering the Map
"Sigh. We’re all just trying to make our way out here. Is all this fighting and killing really necessary?"
Yet, even after hearing the man announce his affiliation, Xiao Chen showed no hint of alarm.
He began to speak, his voice unhurried. "Since you recognize me, why not do me a favor and back away?"
Mei Zhanpeng’s brow furrowed at his words.
He was reluctant to let this Dao Crystal go.
After all, he had fought hard against his fellow disciples for the chance to enter the Cangran Secret Realm.
Besides, only a handful of Dao Crystals ever appeared each time the Secret Realm opened.
If he let this one go, he and his companion might not find another.
At this thought, Mei Zhanpeng opened his mouth. He wanted to try using the Sword Pavilion’s reputation to intimidate Xiao Chen into backing down.
However, before he could voice the thought, a warning came through a voice transmission from his companion.
He froze for a moment, then cupped his fist in a salute once more. "Xiao... you are absolutely right."
"I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now!"
With that, the two turned and left, their movements sharp and decisive as they quickly vanished into the forest.
Huh?
Standing to the side, Ruan Lingchun was completely dumbfounded.
Those men were True Disciples of the Cloud Sea Sword Pavilion, the sole Overlord Level power in the Tingtao Sea!
’Could a few simple words really be enough to scare them off?’
She looked at Xiao Chen in disbelief.
’Just who are you?’
She recalled how Mei Zhanpeng and his companion had obviously recognized Xiao Chen immediately, putting away their Spiritual Artifacts. Ruan Lingchun’s pupils contracted. ’Could this be a secret that only a select few are privy to?’
In that moment, her mind raced with possibilities.
"Greetings, Elder... Xiao. My name is Ruan Lingchun, from the Ruan Family of the Cangming Sea."
She quickly bowed. "Thank you, Elder, for saving my life."
Although cultivators of the same rank could theoretically address each other as peers...
...at a time like this, it was best to show some humility.
"Ah, no need for thanks."
Xiao Chen reminded her, "I was hired to make your problem go away."
"Now that I’ve chased off your trouble for you, don’t even think about shorting me what you promised."
Hearing this, Ruan Lingchun immediately took out the Dao Crystal she had just obtained from her Storage Ring.
She glanced at it with a hint of reluctance before offering it with both hands. "I always keep my promises. Please, Elder, accept this."
Xiao Chen took the item and inspected it briefly.
It was indeed a genuine Dao Crystal, and it was of the Wood Element.
"Good. Then we’re even."
Xiao Chen nodded and put the crystal away. "I still have to explore deeper inside. You should be careful."
"We’ll part ways here, then. Farewell."
With that, he too headed into the Blood Vine Forest.
"Elder Xiao, wait a moment!"
Ruan Lingchun suddenly called out, but then hesitated, a conflicted look on her face.
Xiao Chen asked curiously, "What is it? Is there something else?"
"Just so we’re clear, I’m a very busy man. I still have a Secret Realm to explore."
"Our deal just now was only to get rid of those two for you. It didn’t include anything else."
"If there are other matters—that’s a different price!"
Ruan Lingchun bit her lip, her eyes flickering for a moment before she finally steeled her resolve.
She took a gilded map from her Storage Ring. "My eldest uncle gave me this map before I came here."
"It records seven locations where Dao Crystals have appeared in the past."
"To be honest, the Dao Crystal from just now came from the first location marked on this map."
"I know my own strength is lacking, and I can’t explore the Blood Vine Forest any further. I’ll be heading back to the Spirit Monster Forest soon."
"That being the case, I would like to give this map to you, Elder. I hope you will accept it."
Ruan Lingchun meant what she said.
If she continued to explore the Blood Vine Forest, she might run into Mei Zhanpeng and his companion again, or other people with ill intentions.
If she encountered danger again, she couldn’t hope to be so lucky.
Therefore, Ruan Lingchun’s most rational choice was to return to a relatively safe place.
She could gather some Spiritual Objects there so the trip wouldn’t be a total waste, and then wait for the Secret Realm to close before returning to her family’s protection.
As long as she returned to the Cangming Sea, the Cloud Sea Sword Pavilion’s reach wouldn’t extend that far.
From that perspective, since she couldn’t use the map anymore, she might as well use it to build a connection.
Even though Ruan Lingchun still knew nothing about him except for his surname, Xiao...
...it was easy to tell from Mei Zhanpeng’s reaction that he was no ordinary person.
So, after a brief hesitation, she chose to offer him the map.
"Oh? So there’s something like this?"
Xiao Chen’s interest was instantly piqued. After all, Dao Crystals were the entire reason he was here.
So he didn’t refuse, accepting the map directly. "I won’t forget this kindness, Miss Ruan."
"If this bears fruit, I will be sure to repay you in the future."
If he really did find a Dao Crystal thanks to this map, he wouldn’t mind repaying the favor one day.
But Xiao Chen was careful not to make a firm promise.
’If it yields nothing, then it’s as if I never said a word.’
Even so, hearing his promise, Ruan Lingchun breathed an inward sigh of relief.
Her purpose for giving him the map had been completely achieved.
The two of them parted ways there.
Ruan Lingchun quietly found a place to hide and recover her True Essence, preparing to cross the swamp again.
Xiao Chen, on the other hand, followed the map’s instructions and headed to the second location.
From the map, one could see that the seven spots were rather scattered.
Some were on the left, others on the right, but they were generally arranged in order of increasing depth.