76: Chen Xu's plan!

“Fortune favors the bold!”

“This chaotic era is not only a monstrous crisis but also the best opportunity for my Chen Family to rise and ascend to the heavens in a single step!”

In an instant, all of Chen Xu’s hesitation was cut short!

He no longer hesitated and immediately made a decision.

Go! Must go!

Not only must he go, but he must also, with a powerful and domineering stance, completely crush this rebellion, and uproot the Seventh Prince, who dared to subvert the established order, along with all the forces behind him!

However… he would not immediately set off for the capital in a hurry, as Madam Qin expected.

Go now?

That would be nothing more than acting as a firefighter, plunging headfirst into a trap meticulously laid by the enemy.

Even with his heaven-defying strength, he would likely fall into endless bitter battles.

This was not his style.

He, Chen Xu, never fought unprepared battles!

Since Zhao Wujie liked to play schemes and set up stages...

Then he would play a good game with him!

He wanted to send a grand gift!

Just then, a hurried sound of footsteps came from outside the door.

“Patriarch! Patriarch!”

Daoist Yuqing and Chu Xuan, along with several Family stewards who had just come out of seclusion with vastly increased Qi, burst in, their faces flushed and expressions excited.

“Patriarch, we heard that a secret letter arrived from the Imperial City?”

A steward asked, barely concealing his excitement.

“Could it be His Majesty’s decree, summoning the Patriarch to the capital to serve the King?”

Another steward was so excited that his body trembled: “Patriarch, this is a heaven-sent opportunity! The Seventh Prince has acted against the Way, colluding with the Demonic Path, and has long incurred the wrath of both heaven and man!”

“Now that His Majesty has personally issued a decree, if my Chen Family can march north at this moment, slay the rebels, and restore the nation, that would be the merit of supporting the Dragon!”

“Exactly! By then, my Chen Family will surely ascend to the heavens in one step, becoming the number one Family of the Great Feng Dynasty, coexisting with the nation, and enduring for eternity!”

“Patriarch, you must not hesitate! We are willing to follow the Patriarch and set off immediately to kill our way to the capital!”

The few spoke one after another, their eyes filled with infinite yearning for the prosperity of the Family.

In their view, this secret letter...

was a ticket to the pinnacle of power.

It was an excellent opportunity for the Chen Family to leap from a local powerful clan to the Dominator of the Dynasty!

However, facing the fervent pleas of the crowd...

Chen Xu merely shook his head slowly.

Then, his gaze swept over everyone, causing everyone’s hearts to suddenly chill.

The fervor in their hearts felt as if a basin of ice water had been poured over their heads.

“Heaven-sent opportunity?”

“It’s nothing more than a piece of meat on the royal chopping block.”

Chen Xu sneered, his voice suddenly rising: “When has the fate of my Chen Family ever needed to be bestowed by others?!”

As soon as these words came out, everyone was stunned!

Indeed, the Patriarch possessed vast Divine Ability.

But wouldn’t it be a pity to miss such an opportunity?

The steward who spoke first, emboldened, asked in confusion: “Patriarch, what do you mean? This… this is a personal letter from His Majesty and Madam Qin, how could it be meat on a chopping block?”

“Foolish!”

Chen Xu reprimanded unceremoniously: “You only see the merit of supporting the Dragon, but you don’t see the Dragon’s Den and Tiger’s Lair that is the capital!”

“As stated in the letter, the Seventh Prince Zhao Wujie has operated for many years, already infiltrating the Imperial Palace like an iron barrel; half of the Nascent Soul Ancestors have defected, and the Emperor has been stripped of power.”

“Do you think that if we go now, we are going to be saviors?”

“No! We are going to be targets!”

“Madam Qin is already at her wit’s end. This letter of hers is meant to push my Chen Family to the forefront, to attract all of Zhao Wujie’s firepower! To make us fight to the death with those Nascent Soul Ancestors and the Demonic Path forces behind the Seventh Prince!”

“If we win, she reaps the benefits, regains power, and my Chen Family at most receives some empty titles and rewards, but will surely be greatly weakened.”

“If we lose, my Chen Family will be doomed forever, and she, Madam Qin, will suffer no loss whatsoever!”

“This is the art of imperial manipulation! Do you still think this is a heaven-sent opportunity?!”

Every word of his speech struck at the heart!

Daoist Yuqing and the others listened, cold sweat streaming down their backs.

Their backs were instantly soaked.

Only then did they awaken as if from a dream, realizing that they had thought the problem too simply.

Yes, the capital was Zhao Wujie’s lair, and the enemy had already set up a net.

If they plunged in like this, wouldn’t it be walking into a trap?

Thinking of having to face several Nascent Soul Ancestors and Demonic Path forces of unknown depth...

The bit of fervor in everyone’s hearts instantly vanished without a trace.

“Patriarch is far-sighted, we… we are ignorant!”

Several stewards blushed with shame and bowed down in unison.

Chu Xuan’s mind was even more shaken, and his gaze towards Chen Xu was still filled with immense admiration.

The Patriarch had seen through everything long ago!

He not only possessed strength unparalleled in the world but also such an ability to grasp the overall situation...

and a terrifying wisdom that could see through people’s hearts!

Seeing everyone’s enlightened expressions, Chen Xu’s face softened slightly.

He took out an ancient sea map from his Storage Pouch, and his index finger lightly tapped on it, landing precisely on the location of “Dragon Fall Sea Trench.”

“Going to the capital to be a pawn is the worst strategy.”

“I, Chen Xu, never like to act within rules set by others.”

He slowly said: “The Seventh Prince wants to sacrifice Ninghai with blood, and the Demonic Path wants to seize imperial power. What do they seek? They seek Luck! They seek power! And the Foundation of their power is that extremely vicious Demonic Technique!”

“Since that’s the case, why should we entangle with them in the capital? We only need to pull the rug out from under them!”

Chen Xu’s finger heavily tapped on the sea map!

“This place, named Dragon Fall Sea Trench, is where a true Dragon fell in ancient times. In the deepest part of that sea trench, a Heaven and Earth wonder is gestating—the vast sea dragon heart!”

“This item is the essence of ancient water veins and true Dragon Origin Qi, accumulated over ten thousand years. It contains the purest and most positive Dragon Qi, naturally being the bane of all evil and Demonic Techniques in the world!”

“More importantly…”

A glint flashed in Chen Xu’s eyes: “A true Dragon is the ancestor of Luck! This vast sea dragon heart can not only restrain evil demons but also suppress the Luck of a nation!”

“As long as I get it, Zhao Wujie’s so-called Dynasty Dragon Qi will be like a clay chicken or a ceramic dog before me, unable to withstand a single blow!”

“Instead of going to the capital to be a pawn that can be sacrificed at any time, it’s better to first firmly grasp this power, capable of overturning the entire chessboard, in our own hands!”

He did not tell others that this sea map came from the Legacy of that Purple Mansion Dao Lord.

But with just these resonant words of his!

He completely awed everyone present!

Turns out… the Patriarch already had a countermeasure!

And it was such an earth-shattering, far-sighted, and comprehensive plan!

Not to entangle with the enemy in their advantageous home ground, but to strike directly at the vital point, pulling the rug out from under them!

Such vision, such daring, was simply incredible!

“Patriarch is brilliant!”

Daoist Yuqing was the first to react, bowing deeply to Chen Xu.

“Patriarch is brilliant!”

Chu Xuan and the other stewards also bowed in unison.

Seeing this, Chen Xu did not say much.

He merely shifted his gaze, landing on Chen Daoxuan, who was standing behind the crowd, equally shocked.

“Dao Xuan.”

“Your son is here!”

Chen Daoxuan jolted and quickly stepped forward.

Chen Xu looked at his face, which bore some resemblance to his own, and said in a deep voice: “Books teach you cultivation, Cultivation Technique makes you stronger. But these are all just theoretical knowledge.”

“Today, your father will take you to kill.”

Chen Daoxuan’s heart trembled, and he heard Chen Xu continue:

“On this trip to the East Sea, you must not only observe but also learn.”

“Learn how I plan, how I scheme, how I make those self-righteous enemies capsize in a ditch!”

These words contained no warmth, but they made Chen Daoxuan’s heart pound!

He understood that this was not just a mission, but also a personal teaching from his father!

“Your son will not fail father’s high expectations!”

He knelt on one knee, his voice firm and strong!

Having arranged everything, Chen Xu walked out of the secret chamber and came before his wife, Bu Yifan.

Seeing the worry in his wife’s eyes, Chen Xu’s heart warmed, and he said softly: “Don’t worry, I already have a comprehensive plan for this trip.”

“I have already set up the Constellation Gathering Formation, which is enough to withstand the attacks of Golden Core Cultivators. But if there truly is a reckless Nascent Soul enemy who dares to invade, the jade talisman I gave you earlier—activate it directly, without asking for instructions, without hesitation!”

He held his wife’s hand, his gaze incredibly serious.

“Remember, the people of my Chen Family are more important than any Magic Treasure, any Foundation.”

These words instantly brought tears to Bu Yifan’s eyes.

She knew that in her husband’s heart, Family always came first.

This heavy love and trust transformed the worry in her heart into peace of mind and sweetness.

“Husband, please… be careful in everything. The children and I will wait for you to return home.”

“Mm.”

Chen Xu nodded, then turned around, without the slightest reluctance.

“Issue my command! Activate the black iron flying boat, destination, East Sea!”

With a single command, the entire Chen Family sprang into action.

Under the awestruck gaze of countless clansmen...

Crates of Top-Grade Formation Materials plundered from the Yun Family’s treasury, and small mountains of Top-Grade Spirit Stones, were continuously loaded onto the black flying boat docked in the center of the training ground.

Spiritual Qi flowed around the flying boat, and runes flickered.

Its luxurious and domineering presence...

silently displayed the Chen Family’s terrifying and outrageous financial power.

Chen Daoxuan stood beside his father.

He felt a rush of hot blood straight to his head!

This was the future of his Chen Family!

This was what a true man should do in this world!

He was full of anticipation for the upcoming journey to the East Sea!

Finally, all preparations were complete.

Boom~!

The black iron flying boat soared into the sky!

Breaking through the air towards the endless ocean to the east!

Above the flying boat, the fierce winds howled.

Chen Xu stood at the bow, hands behind his back, robes fluttering, like a deity.

He would wade into the murky waters of the capital.

But not now.

When he went, he would do so with the demeanor of a ruler over the world, bringing power that would make everyone tremble.

He would walk in with integrity!

He closed his eyes, his Divine Sense once again sinking into his mind, sifting through the massive amount of information obtained from Elder Demon You Ying’s memory.

He always felt that he had overlooked something.

Once, twice, thrice… As his Divine Sense swept over the fragments concerning the arrival of the “seven kill demon star”...

A detail he had overlooked was captured!

It was in an extremely blurry memory fragment.

Elder Demon You Ying seemed to have inadvertently overheard some Demonic Path colleagues talking.

“…The Seven Kill descends, the Demonic Tribulation begins… Dragon Fall Sea Trench, awaken the… holy embryo… sleeping there…”

Holy embryo?

Chen Xu raised an eyebrow.

He instantly connected this term with a legend he had read in the Qingyun Immortal Sect’s ancient texts.

In ancient times, there was a peerless Demonic Lord in the Demonic Path who attempted to refine Heaven and Earth to achieve an unparalleled Demonic Physique.

He was later suppressed by the combined efforts of Righteous Path Grand Cultivators, and his body was destroyed.

But a wisp of his natal Demonic Soul, along with his unborn offspring...

escaped into the depths of the East Sea, whereabouts unknown.

That offspring was respectfully referred to by those in the Demonic Path as—the demon lord holy embryo!

“So that’s how it is…”

Chen Xu murmured softly: “It seems the Demonic Path also intends to meddle in the East Sea and awaken this so-called demon lord holy embryo!”

What a seven kill demon star! What a Demonic Path!

They had laid out such a series of astonishing conspiracies!

If that demon lord holy embryo were truly to be born...

I fear the entire Great Feng Dynasty, and even the entire Cultivation world...

would usher in an unprecedented catastrophe!

“Since that’s the case, let’s see whose fist is harder!”

...In just half a day, they had already flown out of the Great Feng Dynasty’s territory.

Entering the boundless East Sea, rumored to be fraught with peril.

As soon as they entered the East Sea region, the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi instantly became violent and chaotic.

This Spiritual Qi was no longer as gentle as that inland.

Instead, it was filled with tyrannical energy.

Above the sea, sometimes giant waves hundreds of feet high would surge into the sky, and sometimes dark thunderclouds would gather, unleashing terrifying lightning bolts as thick as bowls.

If an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator’s flying boat were to venture here, it would likely be torn to shreds by this harsh Heaven and Earth power within half an hour.

However, the black iron flying boat moved as if on flat ground.

A faint black light barrier circulated around the hull.

Completely isolating all wind and lightning, it remained as stable as a mountain.

Roar—!

Just then, an earth-shattering roar suddenly came from the sea below.

Immediately after, a huge shadow broke through the water at an astonishing speed, charging directly towards the black iron flying boat!

It was a gigantic sea beast, over fifty zhang in size!

It resembled a giant python, with a single horn on its head, and its entire body was covered in dark blue scales.

Dazzling electric light surrounded its body.

Deep Sea Thunder Eel!

A powerful Yao Beast that fed on lightning.

Upon reaching adulthood, it possessed strength comparable to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

And this one before them, its aura was so powerful that it had clearly reached the Golden Core Realm!

It was obviously one of the overlords of this sea region!

It had clearly mistaken the black iron flying boat for prey invading its territory.

For such a Yao Beast with extremely strong territorial awareness...

any creature intruding into its territory was an act of provocation.

Subconsciously, it opened its gaping maw.

A violent lightning bolt, as thick as a bucket, shot towards the flying boat with a roar!

Above the flying boat, Chen Xu slightly raised his hand, and the myriad ages azure cloud sword appeared.

With a slight thought...

Buzz—!

An invisible sword pressure burst forth from the sword body, sweeping across!

The terrifying lightning bolt, upon contact with the sword pressure, instantly vanished.

And the huge body of the Deep Sea Thunder Eel King suddenly stiffened.

A look of fear also burst forth from its lantern-like beast eyes.

Too bad! It didn’t have time to escape!

Pfft!

Its massive body, in mid-air, was crushed into a sky full of blood mist by that invisible and formless sword pressure!