Chapter 393: Learning the News!
Jiang Chen’s expression turned thoroughly bizarre. “You’re not going to name her… Sun Shangxiang, are you?”
Shen Peng’s eyes lit up with profound realization. “I originally planned to name her Shen Shenghua, since flowers are fragrant. But ‘Sun Shangxiang’… the name you just bestowed has a magnificent ring to it! It even echoes her childhood nickname.”
Shen Rong nodded sagely beside them. “Indeed. Shangxiang is a far superior name!”
Jiang Chen stared at them, realizing he had just accidentally trolled the entire family with a historical pop-culture reference. I really need to learn to keep my big mouth shut, he thought, a wave of deadpan regret washing over him as they treated his blurted joke like a sacred blessing.
Shen Peng gently tickled the infant’s cheek. “Sheng—no, you are Shangxiang now. Remember, little one, this profound name was gifted to you by Fellow Daoist Cai.”
As if on cue, the baby’s lips curled into a toothless smile, seemingly accepting her fiercely martial namesake.
Seeing this, every excuse Jiang Chen had prepared died in his throat. A complicated knot of emotions—amusement, bewilderment, and a profound sense of being entirely out of his depth—settled in his chest. This was definitely a first for him.
Shen Peng and Shen Rong exchanged a meaningful glance. Shen Peng gently handed over the swaddled infant. “Father, please take Xiang’er back inside first. I need to have a word with Fellow Daoist Cai.”
Shen Rong gave a slight nod, cradled the child, and departed.
Soon, the vast rear garden emptied, leaving only Jiang Chen and Shen Peng.This time, Jiang Chen kept his mouth firmly shut, his gaze cool and detached. He adopted a clear stance: If you don’t speak, neither will I.
They stared at each other. A silent battle of patience.
After a long while, Shen Peng finally cracked. He took a deep breath, his tone solemn. “Fellow Daoist Cai, on behalf of the Shen Clan, I want to thank you for your unwavering support over the years. And… I want to apologize.”
Jiang Chen asked with a half-smile, “Apologize for what?”
Shen Peng offered an awkward, self-deprecating smile. “I know that our involvement with the Long Clan in Mystic Heart City caused you great dissatisfaction with me and the Shen Clan.”
Jiang Chen gave a noncommittal grunt, neither confirming nor denying it.
Suddenly, Shen Peng bowed deeply, his posture radiating absolute sincerity. “I know I was wrong. I only hope you can give us another chance.”
Jiang Chen reached out and firmly hoisted the man back to his feet. “Haven’t we been cooperating this entire time?”
He was a pragmatic man. Even though he hadn’t visited personally, he had instructed Lin An to deliver the Spirit Rice and Spirit Wine every single month without fail. The profits were too good to ignore. While he was certainly annoyed with the Shen Clan, it hadn’t reached the point of severing ties. He genuinely hadn’t expected Shen Peng to be this terrified of him.
Shen Peng immediately raised a hand. “I swear, we dare not harbor any further ambitions regarding Mystic Heart City. From this day forward, the Shen Clan will dutifully guard Green City and nothing else.”
Jiang Chen waved him off. “We can discuss Mystic Heart City later.”
Shen Peng nodded emphatically. “Agreed. Given the current state of Mystic Heart City, your decision to observe from the sidelines is incredibly wise.”
Jiang Chen frowned, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. “What exactly happened to Mystic Heart City?”
Shen Peng blinked in surprise. “You don’t know?”
Jiang Chen’s mind raced, and he smoothly covered his tracks. “So much has happened recently. How am I supposed to know which specific disaster you’re referring to?”
Realization dawned on Shen Peng’s face. “Ah, that makes sense. After all, the Long Clan has already fled, and the City Lord’s Manor has fallen into chaos.”
Truthfully, Jiang Chen had been completely in the dark about the events in the Canglan Sea and Mystic Heart City. The Immortal Sect had locked down all information with an iron grip. Furthermore, with everyone’s attention fixated on the Return to Ruins Secret Realm, he had zero channels to gather intelligence. But judging by Shen Peng’s reaction, the man knew plenty.
“Why did the Long Clan flee?” Jiang Chen asked.
“You must have seen that massive golden band of light in the sky, right?”
“Of course.”
“Rumor has it that the dragon vein anchoring the Canglan Sea was severed. Now, corrupted waters are flooding the region. The Long Clan packed up and ran to avoid being dragged down with it.”
“And… what happened at the City Lord’s Manor?”
“An earthquake shattered the island! The Subdue Flood Dragon Tower fractured, and the ancient flood dragon sealed beneath it broke free!”
These few sentences hit Jiang Chen like a physical blow, sending his mind into a tailspin. He never imagined the situation had deteriorated to this extent. The Canglan Sea’s dragon vein severed. Mystic Heart City in ruins. The Long Clan gone.
But the most shocking revelation of all: there actually was a living flood dragon trapped beneath the Subdue Flood Dragon Tower.
Noticing his pale expression, Shen Peng asked with concern, “Is Fellow Daoist Cai alright?”
Jiang Chen’s heart was bleeding, but he forced a stiff, reassuring smile. “I’m fine. Just… surprised.”
In reality, he was lamenting his cosmic misfortune. Ever since he used the Spirit Finger to evolve the Four Seasons Fruit Tree into the Spacetime Ring Tree, his luck had completely tanked. Disasters piled up one after another. First, the Spirit Finger hadn’t succeeded a single time since that day. Second, his hard-won hundred-year fishing rights for the Spirit Gathering Abyss had vanished into thin air. Finally, the Water Spirit Fruit was still firmly in the grasp of the Mermaid Princess, Xuan Zhu.
To call his situation ‘miserable’ was an understatement.
Shen Peng glanced around cautiously before lowering his voice. “Regardless, Mystic Heart City—and the entire Canglan Sea—is a death trap right now. Not only are hordes of water demons and sea monsters running rampant, but there’s also a literal flood dragon churning the waters.”
Jiang Chen’s curiosity peaked. “How did you come by this information?”
Shen Peng gestured subtly toward the banquet hall. “Our relationship with the Long Clan has always been solid. They specifically sent a messenger to warn us.”
Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes, his hyper-logical mind already calculating the angles. The Nine Transformations of the Wandering Dragon can store nine distinct draconic abilities. I already possess the Sinking Water Tree. If I could somehow absorb that flood dragon’s bloodline, my breakthrough to the Golden Core realm would be practically guaranteed.
But reality was a cruel, unforgiving mistress. This flood dragon was a millennium-old great demon. A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like him trying to hunt it down was no different from a sheep offering itself to a tiger. His scrawny limbs wouldn’t even serve as a toothpick for the beast.
Still, he was relieved to finally understand the chaos engulfing the Canglan Sea.
With their business concluded, the two men headed toward the banquet.
As one of the five great families of Green City, the Shen Clan spared no expense. This was Shen Peng’s firstborn, making the occasion all the more momentous. To celebrate the birth of their daughter, the Shen Clan had exclusively hired Green City’s only Spirit Chef.
The feast was a masterclass in symbolism and extravagance. The opening course featured a whole chicken and a whole fish, representing the auspicious union of the dragon and phoenix. Dessert consisted of delicate dumplings, symbolizing a prosperous lineage. The cups overflowed with premium Daughter’s Red, blessing the child with smooth growth. Every single dish reached the exalted tier of Spirit Cuisine, costing an absolute fortune.
Bound by both etiquette and genuine goodwill, Jiang Chen presented his gift: a high-grade protective talisman. It required no specific elemental spiritual power to activate; a simple drop of blood would bind it to the child. If it sensed any elemental attack or malicious intent directed at Sun Shangxiang, it would instantly deploy a dense, impenetrable barrier. It could effortlessly block any strike below the Foundation Establishment realm and sustain itself for an incense stick of time.
He hadn’t gifted a Spirit Weapon for a very pragmatic reason: the child was too young to have her Spirit Root tested. If she turned out to be a mortal without a Spirit Root, a Spirit Weapon would be useless—and worse, a fatal temptation to thieves. Possessing a treasure without the strength to protect it only invited disaster. The Shen Clan might be a tyrant in Green City, but outside these walls, no one cared about their status.
The lavish banquet stretched from the bright afternoon deep into the night. Guests gradually filtered out or retired to the guest quarters.
Jiang Chen finally stood up to take his leave. “I’m heading out.”
Shen Peng quickly tried to persuade him. “Our estate has plenty of vacant rooms. Why not stay the night and rest?”
Jiang Chen’s old face flushed a sudden, guilty red. “Ah… well… I need to go inspect the Fragrance Pavilion!”