Chapter 744 - 47: Schemes
Chapter 744: Chapter 47: Schemes
The next day.
At the gates of the Canglan Sect, three figures rode atop Spiritual Sparrows with wings spanning two yards, soaring into the sky and leaving the Canglan Sect.
The White Feathered Spirit Sparrow, a flying monster beast nurtured by the Canglan Sect.
A tuft of white feathers crowns its head, from which it derives its name.
The speed of the White Feathered Spirit Sparrow is much faster than the Flying Rider Lin Chen used when he came to the Canglan Sect, but to ride the White Feathered Spirit Sparrow, one must at least be in the Innate Realm.
The White Feathered Spirit Sparrow is surrounded by flames, and only Innate Martial Artists can use Protective Gang Qi to insulate themselves from the fire.
The Canglan Sect has not just one type of flying monster beast, but also the Flowing Cloud Immortal Crane. However, the Flowing Cloud Immortal Crane prefers cold climates, and this time they are heading to the Ten Thousand Flames Sect. Once they enter the domain of the Ten Thousand Flames, the temperature rises, and the speed of the Flowing Cloud Immortal Crane lags behind that of the White Feathered Spirit Sparrow.
Three two-hour periods later.
Three White Feathered Spirit Sparrows halted in the sky, and Chai Daoqi spoke: "Little Junior Brother, I haven’t been home for a long time, planning to go back for a while. Why don’t you come to my house as a guest for a few days?"
"Third Senior Brother, this is my first sect mission, so I should complete it first before anything else. Third Senior Brother should be staying at home for some time, right? I’ll visit when I return."
Facing his Senior Brothers’ invitation, Lin Chen smiled slightly and politely declined.
Although it only takes twenty days from the Canglan Sect to the Ten Thousand Flames Sect, as it was his first time leaving the sect, Lin Chen decided to allow himself enough time.
"Hmm, Little Junior Brother, you should finish your sect mission first. If Third Senior Brother and I are still here when you return, we brothers will reunite then."
Liang Hanyang spoke on the side, agreeing with Lin Chen’s thoughts.
Lin Chen bid farewell to his two senior brothers; here, their paths diverged, and he had to proceed alone.
"Second Senior Brother, inviting Little Junior Brother to my house wouldn’t delay him for too long."
Chai Daoqi watched Lin Chen’s departing figure with some dissatisfaction, but Liang Hanyang was indifferent to Chai Daoqi’s tone and responded, "I understand your thoughts, you just want to show off your relationship with Little Junior Brother."
Little Junior Brother recently topped Martial Arts Mountain and is currently a hot topic among the young martial artists from various regions of the Flame Dynasty. If he appeared in the Red Flame Dynasty, it would undoubtedly cause a sensation throughout.
"What’s that about? Little Junior Brother is my Junior Brother after all."
Chai Daoqi curled his lip dismissively; even if Little Junior Brother wouldn’t visit, he could still speak of their brotherly connection.
"Little Junior Brother doesn’t have as prestigious a background as you. Even though he shows great potential, you should know that the sect has multiple factions. Before Little Junior Brother grows, don’t make enemies for him."
Liang Hanyang revealed the true intent. Chai Daoqi was slightly taken aback, but he quickly understood what his Second Senior Brother meant.
"Are you referring to the Celestial Vault Dynasty? The Celestial Vault Dynasty shouldn’t dare to have any designs on Little Junior Brother, right?"
Chai Daoqi shook his head. His family had grievances with the Celestial Vault Dynasty, and he himself had contested with Tu Bin within the sect for years. Yet, he believed that after Little Junior Brother’s achievement atop Martial Arts Mountain, Tu Bin wouldn’t dare harbor any ill intentions towards him.
"Who can ever be certain? Don’t forget, there once were Celestial Pride holders of the Martial Arts Mountain ranking first, only to be assassinated or fall in subsequent training."
Liang Hanyang’s eyes narrowed slightly. He believed the Celestial Vault Dynasty wouldn’t have wicked thoughts toward Little Junior Brother, but if he showed up at the Third Brother’s home, they’d undoubtedly hear about it, knowing how close Little Junior Brother and Third Brother were.
No wicked thoughts don’t mean there won’t be hindrances in Little Junior Brother’s cultivation.
The Celestial Vault Dynasty, as one of the Ten Great Dynasties of the Canglan Domain, has close ties with several elders in the sect. Additionally, numerous stewards have ambiguous ties with the Celestial Vault Dynasty. Sometimes, when it comes to the distribution of sect cultivation resources, they might trip up Little Junior Brother.
Regarding Little Junior Brother being from the same sect brotherhood as Third Brother, the Celestial Vault Dynasty won’t be concerned. Sects sharing sect brotherhood doesn’t mean great relations, considering every Elder has limited cultivation resources, and brotherly competition is also intense.
Chai Daoqi paused for a few breaths, suddenly speaking: "Second Senior Brother, you don’t suspect I invited Little Junior Brother to provoke the Celestial Vault Dynasty to be wary of him, forcing him to align with my family, do you?"
"If you had such foresight, Uncle would have long made you Crown Prince instead of letting you roam.",
Liang Hanyang gave Chai Daoqi a meaningful look, leaving Chai Daoqi feeling aggrieved. Ever since Little Junior Brother’s arrival, even Master’s attitude changed, and now even Second Senior Brother is teasing him.
"Little Junior Brother doesn’t have a family supporting him like us; his only backing is Master. As Senior Brothers, our duty is to ensure he avoids too much trouble before he possesses absolute strength."
Though Master never explicitly instructed it, as a Senior Brother, Liang Hanyang felt it was his responsibility.
Little Junior Brother should maintain his independence. Not becoming too affiliated with any sect faction or drawing enmity is best for now.
A genius with no grudges against anyone will receive the support of everyone in the sect.
Such a genius, the higher their cultivation, the more the entire sect benefits.
...
...
Three days later.
Directly ahead of the sky, a massive city appeared in Lin Chen’s line of sight.
The Capital of the Celestial Vault Dynasty!
Lin Chen glanced down a few times, then continued onward, but after three breaths, he halted the White Feathered Spirit Sparrow, his gaze fixed ahead.
Two middle-aged men appeared in the sky, and upon seeing Lin Chen, smiles appeared on their faces.
"Is it Little Friend Lin Chen?"
Innate Second Realm or Third Realm experts.
Sensing the aura emanating from them, Lin Chen judged their strength and said in a deep voice: "Who are you two?"
"We are Princes of the Celestial Vault Dynasty. Not long ago, you ascended Martial Arts Mountain, bringing glory to our Canglan Sect, which also made our dynasty, part of the Canglan Domain, proud. We didn’t expect you to pass by our capital, which is truly a coincidence. Little Friend Lin, why not visit our Celestial Vault Dynasty and allow us to offer our hospitality?"
Did they know in advance that I would pass by here?
Lin Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly, not believing it to be a coincidence. When he and Senior Brother Gao came to the Canglan Sect before, the Celestial Vault Dynasty was quite arrogant, even requiring mounts to descend. If it weren’t for Senior Brother Gao revealing his identity, they might not have been allowed to pass above the Celestial Vault Dynasty.
Now, riding the White Feathered Spirit Sparrow, which is a level higher than the previous Celestial Flying Horse—only Innate Martial Artists of the Canglan Sect are qualified to ride it—the Celestial Vault Dynasty might not dare to intimidate it like before.
He believed there were definitely quite a few sect Innate Martial Artists flying over on White Feathered Spirit Sparrows or Flowing Cloud Immortal Cranes. It was unlikely each one would be specifically questioned by the Celestial Vault Dynasty. These two appeared the moment he entered their territory, indicating they were waiting for him.
Someone must have leaked information to the Celestial Vault Dynasty.
I took the task at the sect’s Task Hall. Many knew I took on the task to go to the Ten Thousand Flames Sect—the disciples responsible for issuing tasks at the Task Hall, the Steward managing it, and even the Elder overseeing it.
To find out who leaked the information is almost impossible, as any link could be responsible.
"I am on a sect mission, and I truly cannot stay. I appreciate your kindness."
Lin Chen refused; due to the previous obstruction by the Celestial Vault Dynasty, he didn’t harbor much goodwill toward them.
Additionally, when he started challenges at Martial Arts Mountain, he defeated many sect disciples. These disciples united and went to the Elder Hall, wanting the elders to punish him. Although his master and senior brothers didn’t say much, he later learned some details.
This matter was pushed by a sect’s direct disciple named Tu Bin, who was a prince of the Celestial Vault Dynasty.
"Little Friend Lin, it won’t take much time; whether early or late by a day should be fine."
One of the Celestial Vault Dynasty’s Princes spoke kindly, and Lin Chen furrowed his brow: "It’s my first time executing a sect mission, and I have concerns. I’m truly not in the mood for a banquet. Let’s discuss it another time."
"Little Lin..."
"Fifth Brother, since Little Friend Lin is concerned about the sect mission, don’t force him."
The older Prince stopped his younger brother from speaking: "Then I wish Little Friend Lin a smooth journey. After completing your mission, if you have spare time, feel free to visit our Celestial Vault Dynasty."
Lin Chen didn’t respond, merely nodded, and rode the Spirit Sparrow away.
"Third Brother, this Lin Chen really didn’t give us any face."
Watching Lin Chen’s departing figure, the fifth Prince of the Celestial Vault Dynasty snorted, a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes.
"The message Bin’er sent back indicated some friction between him and Lin Chen. It’s normal for Lin Chen to have grievances and not want to visit us. A celestial pride should naturally have some pride."
"What celestial pride? Just a lucky kid from a barren island. If we had just mentioned the treasures we prepared earlier, I think he would have agreed."
"Since he doesn’t want to be a guest, we save ourselves from gifting these treasures. Based on his timing, he hasn’t delayed in the Red Flame Dynasty. As long as his relations with the Red Flame Dynasty aren’t close, that’s fine for us. Our Celestial Vault Dynasty need not rely on him."