293: Chapter 287 Returning to the Clan!

The wind in the Southern Wasteland carried a thick scent of blood.

This scent had swirled in the air for a full seven days, refusing to dissipate.

Ever since Chen Zhiwen had forcefully slaughtered the three Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators in that battle, the entire landscape of the Southern Wasteland's outer perimeter had completely collapsed overnight.

The four alien clans, once arrogant and domineering, were now left with nothing but the whimpering of stray dogs.

In the following days, the Ancient Spirit Clan sounded the horn of counterattack.

The long-suppressed rage poured out like a volcanic eruption.

With Chen Zhiwen, this "God of Slaughter," holding the fort, even if he didn't need to make a move, merely standing in mid-air, that suffocating pressure was enough to make the enemy forces tremble in fear.

The lair of the Black Scorpion Clan was breached, and the black totem pole that symbolized their evil was uprooted and smashed to pieces.

The Ghost Vine Forest was burned for three days and three nights, and the toxic miasma that once struck fear into the hearts of all who heard of it turned to ashes in the raging fire.

As for the Golden Eagle Clan's lair, they had directly raised the white flag, and the surviving clansmen knelt on the ground, offering up all their treasures, begging only for their lives.

In just seven short days.

The flags of the Ancient Spirit Clan were planted on every hilltop within a radius of ten thousand miles.

Not only was all the territory that had been encroached upon reclaimed, but it had also expanded by more than threefold.

The Ancient Spirit Clan had leapt to become the sole hegemon on the outer perimeter of the Netherworld Forbidden Zone.

Night fell, and the stars twinkled.

Behind the newly renovated main hall of the Ancient Spirit Clan, there was a secluded pavilion.

The terrain here was very high, and sitting here, one could overlook the entire brightly lit encampment of the Ancient Spirit Clan, and also gaze into the deep, dark Netherworld Forbidden Zone.

Chen Zhiwen sat by a stone table, toying with a rough clay wine cup in his hand.

The wine in the cup was clear, reflecting the bright moon in the sky.

"Elder Chen, you have worked hard these past few days."

An old voice came from behind.

Gu Shan leaned on his cane and walked slowly into the pavilion.

After a few days of recuperation, coupled with the high-grade Medicinal Pill gifted by Chen Zhiwen, his complexion had improved significantly; although his old injuries had not fully healed, he was in high spirits, as if he had grown ten years younger.

"Clan Leader Gu, you are too polite."

Chen Zhiwen put down his wine cup and gestured for Gu Shan to sit.

His expression was calm, and he did not show the slightest arrogance because of the brilliant battle achievements of the past few days.

"I merely did it in passing; the ones who truly risked their lives were the sons of your Ancient Spirit Clan."

Gu Shan sat opposite Chen Zhiwen, looking at the excessively young face before him, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

A year ago, this young man had just arrived and had to rely on the Ancient Spirit Clan's intelligence to enter the forbidden zone.

A year later, this young man returned as a peerless powerhouse who could cover the sky with one hand.

The opportunities encountered in between were truly wondrous.

"Elder Chen, you invited me here tonight, surely not just to drink and admire the moon, right?"

Gu Shan had lived for a long time and had long since become an old fox.

He keenly sensed a faint trace of sorrow in Chen Zhiwen's brows.

Chen Zhiwen smiled slightly, not beating around the bush, and nodded.

"Clan Leader Gu has a Wisdom Eye."

"Now that the external threats have been eliminated and the Ancient Spirit Clan has established its momentum, as long as you proceed steadily, within a hundred years, no one in the outer perimeter of the Southern Wasteland will be able to shake your position."

"It is time for me to leave."

Although he had long guessed this result, when he heard Chen Zhiwen say it personally, Gu Shan's hand could not help but tremble.

A trace of deep reluctance flowed in his eyes.

If Chen Zhiwen were to stay for a long time, the Ancient Spirit Clan would not just dominate the outer perimeter; even marching into the depths of the Southern Wasteland and competing with other top forces would not be impossible.

But he knew even better that shallow waters could not raise a true Dragon.

For a peerless Prodigy like Chen Zhiwen who possessed great Luck and great perseverance, his stage was the vast and boundless cultivation world, and even the legendary Spirit Realm and Immortal Realm.

The small Ancient Spirit Clan could not keep him.

"That is true, that is true..."

Gu Shan sighed, raised his wine cup, and concealed the disappointment in his eyes.

"Elder Chen is a dragon and phoenix among men, with ambitions in all directions."

"For over a year, the Ancient Spirit Clan has received too much of your kindness, and I have no way to repay you."

"This cup of wine, I toast to you!"

After speaking, Gu Shan raised his head and drank the strong wine in the cup in one gulp.

The pungent wine entered his throat, burning his chest like fire, and also ignited the heroic spirit in the old man's heart.

Chen Zhiwen also raised his wine cup and drank it down.

"Clan Leader Gu, you are too kind."

"That you and I met is fate."

"Before I leave, I have left a Jade Slip of Divine Thought in the main hall."

"If the Ancient Spirit Clan faces a crisis of annihilation in the future, crush the Jade Slip, and even if we are ten thousand miles apart, I will be able to sense it."

As Chen Zhiwen spoke, he tapped his finger lightly on the table.

A golden stream of light flashed and disappeared into the Void Realm.

This was the last protective charm he left for the Ancient Spirit Clan.

Hearing this, Gu Shan trembled all over.

He put down the wine cup, stood up tremblingly, and bowed solemnly to Chen Zhiwen.

"Elder Chen's great kindness is something the Ancient Spirit Clan will never forget for generations!"

This bow was not just for the protective charm.

It was also for this life-saving grace and the virtue of recreation.

Chen Zhiwen calmly accepted this bow, then stood up, casting his gaze toward the eastern horizon.

That was the direction of home.

"It is getting late, Clan Leader Gu, get some rest early."

"Tomorrow morning, I will leave without saying goodbye, so as not to add to the sadness."

Gu Shan nodded, his eyes slightly red.

"Good, good."

"Then I wish Elder Chen... a safe journey and great success in your martial path!"

The wind blew gently through the pavilion, rustling their clothes.

The wine of this night did not intoxicate.

But the friendship of this night was stronger than wine.

The next morning.

When the first ray of sunlight pierced through the perennial miasma of the Southern Wasteland and fell into the valley of the Ancient Spirit Clan.

A golden streak of light silently cut through the sky.

It did not disturb anyone, nor was there a grand farewell ceremony.

Just like when he came, Chen Zhiwen left alone, carefree and dashing.

But the legend he left behind was forever branded onto this land, becoming a myth passed down from generation to generation among countless Cultivators in the Southern Wasteland.

After leaving the Southern Wasteland, his field of vision suddenly opened up.

That oppressive and gloomy atmosphere gradually dissipated, replaced by the spiritual beauty and prosperity unique to the Eastern Continent.

Chen Zhiwen stepped on the Void Realm, his figure moving like lightning.

Having broken through to the Mid Nascent Soul Stage, coupled with the completion of the Indestructible Golden Body, his flying speed was several times faster than it had been a year ago.

The gale whistled by his side, but could not ruffle his hair.

He did not even need to use his Flying Sword; by merely breaking through the air with his Physical Body, he could produce a roar similar to a sonic boom.

"It has been a year."

Chen Zhiwen looked at the mountains and rivers rapidly receding below, his heart eager to return home.

For the long life of a Cultivator, a year was nothing more than a snap of the fingers.

Many old monsters would spend decades or even a century in seclusion.

But for Chen Zhiwen, this year had experienced too many life-and-death twists and turns.

From the wretchedness of being hunted by Daoist Tian Xuan, to the narrow escape after stumbling into the forbidden zone, and then to the rebirth after obtaining the Legacy.

Now returning to the Eastern Continent, there was actually a feeling of being in another lifetime.

"I wonder how those little ones are doing."

In Chen Zhiwen's mind, the four young faces on Hidden Sword Peak appeared.

When he left in a hurry, it was only to lure away Daoist Tian Xuan, and he did not leave many instructions for his Disciples.

Leaving for a year without any news, they must have been terribly worried.

Thinking of this, a trace of guilt could not help but arise in Chen Zhiwen's heart.

As their Revered Master, he was somewhat incompetent.

"I must return quickly and bring them some gifts to make up for it."

Chen Zhiwen's thoughts stirred, and his speed soared again.

His whole body turned into a thin golden line, directly tearing through the clouds, traveling a thousand miles in an instant.

Two days later.

The towering and continuous mountains appeared at the end of his vision.

Amidst the swirling clouds and mist, countless peaks pierced straight into the sky like sharp swords, emitting a fierce and sky-piercing Sword Intent.

The Ten Thousand Swords Sect had arrived.

Looking at the familiar mountain gate, Chen Zhiwen's tense heartstrings finally relaxed.

This was his root.

He did not alert the mountain-guarding Disciples, nor did he go to the main peak to pay respects to the Sect Head.

Instead, he restrained his aura, and like a falling leaf, silently drifted toward a peak in a remote corner of the Sect.

Hidden Sword Peak.

This peak, once the most desolate but now full of Spiritual Qi, was quiet and peaceful at this moment.

The bamboo forest on the mountainside was lush, swaying with the wind, making a rustling sound.

A few simple thatched cottages were scattered in an orderly fashion deep within the bamboo forest.

Chen Zhiwen landed in the center of the courtyard and took a deep breath of the air carrying the scent of bamboo.

Familiar.

So familiar.

This was the smell of home.

"Everyone is here."

Chen Zhiwen's Divine Sense swept slightly, and he sensed four familiar auras.

They were not resting, but each cultivating in different places.

This diligence made Chen Zhiwen quite gratified.

"Ahem."

Chen Zhiwen stood in the courtyard and coughed twice.

The sound was not loud, but it contained a trace of special Spiritual Qi fluctuation, clearly reaching the ears of everyone on the mountain.

The next moment.

The entire Hidden Sword Peak seemed to come alive instantly.

"This voice..."

Under the waterfall behind the mountain, a burly youth who was wielding a giant sword suddenly stopped his movements, his face revealing incredible ecstasy.

"It's Revered Master!"

Deep in the bamboo forest, a lithe girl was practicing footwork; hearing this voice, her foot slipped, she almost fell, and then her eyes instantly turned red.

"Revered Master is back!"

Inside the Pill Refining Room, a refined-looking youth's hand shook, and a furnace of herbs about to become pills instantly turned into black ash, but he didn't even look at it and rushed out of the door.

On a huge rock at the top of the mountain, a cold-looking youth holding a long sword and meditating with his eyes closed suddenly opened his eyes, and a sharp Sword Qi soared into the sky.

Swish, swish, swish!

Four figures rushed toward the courtyard from the four directions of Hidden Sword Peak at the fastest speed.

"Revered Master!!!"

Accompanied by a cry with a sobbing tone.

Four figures landed in front of Chen Zhiwen in unison.

Then, without any hesitation, the four of them "thumped" and knelt on the ground in unison.

"Disciples pay respects to Revered Master!"

"Welcome back to the mountain, Revered Master!"

The voice was loud, but carried obvious trembling.

Chen Zhiwen looked at the four Disciples in front of him.

"Get up, everyone."

Chen Zhiwen smiled gently and gestured with his hand.

A gentle force lifted the four of them up.

"You are all so big now, what does it look like to be crying?"

Although Chen Zhiwen said this, his eyes were full of doting.

He walked to Zhang Meng and reached out to wipe the tears from her cheeks.

"Revered Master, you have been gone for more than a year, without any news, we all thought..."

Zhang Meng sobbed, but dared not continue halfway through her sentence.

During this year, rumors about Chen Zhiwen flew everywhere in the outside world.

Some said he was killed by Daoist Tian Xuan, some said he fled overseas, and some even said he had fallen in some Secret Realm.

Although the four of them firmly believed that Revered Master's Divine Might was peerless, as time passed, the panic in their hearts grew day by day.

"Thought I was dead?"

Chen Zhiwen smiled and flicked Zhang Meng's forehead lightly.

"Your Revered Master's life is very tough; the King of Hell doesn't dare to take it."

Hearing this familiar joke, the four of them finally broke into laughter through their tears.

That omnipotent, always calm and composed Revered Master had really returned.

"Tell me, during the time I was away, did anything big happen in the Sect?"

Chen Zhiwen walked to the stone stool and sat down, gesturing for the four of them to sit and talk.

The eldest Disciple Zhao Qian, as the Senior Brother, immediately stepped forward and respectfully replied:

"Reporting to Revered Master, for this past year, everything in the Sect has been peaceful."

"Senior Martial Uncle Sect Head sent people several times to inquire about your news; although he was also very anxious, he did not let outsiders disturb the tranquility of Hidden Sword Peak."

"As for the other peaks, although there were occasional gossip, because they feared Revered Master's remaining prestige, no one dared to come and cause trouble."

Chen Zhiwen nodded.

It seems that the Ten Thousand Swords Sect treated him quite well; at least they didn't abandon him just because he went missing.

"That's good."

"Don't worry about outside matters; as long as you are all fine, that's all that matters."

Chen Zhiwen picked up the hot tea handed over by Zhang Meng, took a sip, and then his gaze became a bit more serious.

"Since the Sect is fine, then I must check your homework for this year."

"If anyone was lazy, hmph, hmph..."

Chen Zhiwen deliberately straightened his face, putting on the appearance of a strict Revered Master.

Hearing this, the four of them were not afraid, but instead puffed out their chests, their faces revealing confident expressions.

Over the past year, in order not to lose face for their Revered Master, and in order to one day be able to help their Revered Master, they had been cultivating with all their might.

"Disciples dare not slack off!"

Zhao Qian stepped out first, his blood and Qi surging throughout his body.

Boom!

An aura as heavy as a mountain erupted from his body.

That was the Spiritual Qi fluctuation of the Late Foundation Establishment Stage!

And the Foundation was extremely solid, obviously cultivated step by step.

"Good!"

A trace of appreciation flashed in Chen Zhiwen's eyes.

Immediately after, Zhang Meng stepped out.

Clang!

A clear sword chime rang out.

Although he did not draw his sword, he himself was like a sharp sword out of its sheath, with his sharpness fully exposed.

Late Foundation Establishment Stage!

And he had comprehended a trace of extremely sharp Sword Intent!

"Not bad, Sword Heart Clear, a good seedling."

Chen Zhiwen nodded; Zhang Meng's talent was the highest among the four, and he was the most suitable person to inherit his Sword Dao.

Then it was Sun Jing and Li Xiu.

Sun Jing's footwork was agile, her breath long, and she had also reached the Mid Foundation Establishment Stage.

And what surprised Chen Zhiwen the most was Li Xiu.

This little Disciple who only liked to study Alchemy on weekdays and seemed the most inconspicuous, at this moment was unexpectedly emitting a faint medicinal fragrance, and his cultivation had also broken through to the Mid Foundation Establishment Stage.

"It seems that in the year I was away, you really did not slack off."

Chen Zhiwen put down his tea cup, the severity on his face disappeared, and he revealed a satisfied smile.

The four Disciples, their cultivation had all broken through very quickly!

This, placed in the entire Ten Thousand Swords Sect, was also a quite dazzling report card.

If this got out, I am afraid those Core Disciples who were still struggling in the Qi Refining Stage would be so ashamed they would want to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

"Since you have all performed well, then as your Revered Master, I naturally must have rewards."

Chen Zhiwen said, waving his large sleeve.

Clatter!

A large pile of glittering treasures instantly appeared on the stone table.

These were all scavenged by him when he was in the Ancient Spirit Clan, from the treasuries of the alien clans that had been wiped out.

Although they were not very useful to him, a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator, to Disciples at the Foundation Establishment Stage, they were rare treasures.

There were Spirit Medicines that could enhance the strength of the Physical Body, Magical Artifacts that could cut iron like mud, and Medicinal Pills that could advance cultivation.

An array of items, with treasure light soaring to the sky.

"Wow!"

Zhang Meng's eyes went straight instantly, and she let out an exclamation.

Even Sun Jing, who was always calm, had her breathing become a bit hurried.

"This... isn't this too much?"

Zhao Qian swallowed his saliva, feeling a bit dizzy.

"Is it too much?"

Chen Zhiwen waved his hand casually, as if he were dealing with a pile of junk.

"This is just a welcome gift."

"The four of you, distribute them as needed, no one is allowed to fight over them."

"If it's not enough, I have more here."

This is the benefit of having a "rich" Revered Master.

Watching the four Disciples excitedly picking treasures, Chen Zhiwen leaned back on the chair, smiling as he watched this scene.