Chapter 6735 Time to Part Ways
Atop a small flying boat, Long Chen’s gaze moved swiftly across a map.
Xue Ying stood silently behind him, her eyes fixed on his back. A gentle smile hung on her face. This time spent beside Long Chen had given her a sense of peace she had never known before.
Long Chen was like a large tree lifting the sky for the people beside him. As long as he existed, no one could threaten them.
Xue Ying’s gaze carried reverence. At the same time, she wondered when she could become such an existence for her people? When could she create a safe harbor for them in the sea of bitterness?
Long Chen handed the map to Xue Ying. When Xue Ying examined it, she was startled.
“I never thought that the Starry River Palace was in such a barren region!”
This map was centered around the Starry River Palace, yet the surrounding area was almost completely empty. Aside from a few sparse markings indicating wild beasts, there was nothing else.
Long Chen gazed at the wasteland all around them.
He said, “After the battle in the Devil Slaying Battlefield, the laws of this region were shattered. The chaos made proper cultivation impossible, forcing the factions that fought there to migrate. But that very barrenness makes this place ideal for the Starry River Palace. They have the Heavenly River Silk, so their disciples still have an unending stream of astral energy for cultivation.
“Look at the spots where those demonic beasts are located. Li Wanci used them as trials for the disciples and wiped them out. Beyond that, her group raided several nearby small factions. They were quite willing to play bandits.”
“No wonder she could keep them outside the Starry River Palace and raise them to such a level without additional resources!” said Xue Ying.
It seemed that all these years, Li Wanci had been plundering others.
“Wait, the nine star line’s aura is easy to recognize. Doesn’t that mean...” Xue Ying said, suddenly covering her mouth with her hand.
“Even though they are dead, the blame will still fall on the Starry River Palace,” Long Chen said calmly. “I already warned Qu Liushang about this before leaving.”
“But what can he do? There were already plenty of people slandering the nine star line. Now, with Nine Star heirs openly plundering others, there’s no need for slander at all.”
The Brahma line had spent countless years slandering the nine star line, saying that they were the source of calamity throughout the world—the perpetrators of the primal chaos war.
Now, the idiot Li Wanci had practically handed them evidence on a silver platter. It was infuriating.
“That’s why a foolish ally is even more frightening than a wise enemy,” said Long Chen.
Li Canghao wanted to give Long Chen the Starry River Palace, but Long Chen sneered in response. He wanted Long Chen to clean up after Li Wanci? He had to be dreaming!
According to Long Chen’s predictions, it wouldn’t be long before people came up to the Starry River Palace demanding compensation. As for whether they were victims or simply “warriors of justice,” it was hard to say.
However, the fact that Li Canghao had slaughtered over half of the Starry River Palace’s experts was recorded by the Heavenly River Silk. He could show them the recordings, and that should quell their rage. With a bit of compensation, this matter should blow over.
However, while the victims could accept such a thing, those “warriors of justice” were different. They would use this as an excuse to create more conflicts.
In any case, Long Chen couldn’t be bothered to deal with such a thing. If anyone dared to blame him for it, he would simply ignore them or kill them.
“Lord Long Chen, where are we going now?” asked Xue Ying.
“We’re headed for a place called the Ox Head Range on this map. We should part ways there,” said Long Chen.
Although Xue Ying was mentally prepared, she still felt slightly disappointed. Once she split ways with Long Chen, she would have to go back and report the status of her mission—back in that den of vipers and jackals. Once again, she had to prepare for a constant battle of wits.
However, she did not express any disappointment.
She said, “Lord Long Chen, you don’t need to worry about me. During this period of training, my power has risen immensely. My blood soul energy is also growing stronger. As long as Xiao Yin does not personally examine me, no one will be able to tell that my astral energy is different. As for the matter of Miss Qingxuan, I will set up a bewildering formation to mislead Xiao Yin’s side and stall for time.”
Long Chen nodded. “I trust you to handle that. But there are two things you must remember.”
“Please instruct me.”
“When you get back, do not try to strengthen anyone from your race, not even the person you trust the most. Others do not have your talent or mind, so they can accidentally expose you. Too many eyes are watching you. There will be no escape if you slip even once,” warned Long Chen.
Xue Ying’s heart shook, and cold sweat dripped down her back. She had truly thought of doing such a thing.
With the support of her dragon soul, she could transmit her cultivation insights and comprehension to others. Even without the Seven Treasure Colored Glass Tree, she could still nurture a formidable group of experts.
Having personally witnessed the rise of the Starry River Legion, Xue Ying also wanted to increase the power of her race. This was an urgent thing for her.
Long Chen’s warning was like icy water poured over her head.
Traitors among her people were not unthinkable. After all, Xiao Yin’s faction had been brainwashing them for countless years; many no longer knew the truth.
Even if they did not betray her, if someone as idiotic as Li Wanci appeared, that would truly be an irrecoverable disaster for her.
If Xiao Yin noticed anything off about them, the result would be total annihilation of her entire race!
Long Chen gravely continued, “The second matter is that I do not want you to take risks to advance. When you get back, your power will definitely make them pay more attention to you and promote you in rank. As your position rises, Xiao Yin’s trials for you will only increase in difficulty. He may even toss out some things that relate to my life or death to test you. If you take the risk of informing me, you will fall for his trap.”
“But...”
Long Chen shook his head. “There are no buts. You must peacefully hide yourself by Xiao Yin’s side and protect yourself. This is a tablet you can use to reach me. Unless you are actually in a life-and-death situation, do not use it!”
“Lord Long Chen...” Xue Ying muttered, her voice quivering.
From his words, she could feel it clearly—her life mattered to him above all else.
Mist appeared in her eyes. She finally understood that Long Chen had never regarded her as a bargaining chip. Just like the Starry River warriors, she was one of his comrades, bound by life and death.
Several days later, they arrived at a giant mountain range with countless buildings built randomly throughout it. Countless experts were shuttling between them.
Xue Ying bowed deeply to Long Chen and then vanished into the city first.