103: Chapter 103 Phoenix Fairy Secret Realm

[Xia Nihuang personally leads her army to attack the Yan Kingdom, and Chu Sheng accompanies the expedition under the identity of "Nie Nie Zhang."]

[Standing outside the central army's main tent, Chu Sheng watches the woman riding on the back of a crimson Yao Beast, his heart filled with complex emotions.]

Xia Nihuang.

Spirit Sea Realm, Commandery Governor Xia Nihuang—the woman who slapped him to death in the fourth simulation.

Now, he is her Vanguard Military Strategist.

["Old Grandfather," he transmitted his voice, "do you think I have Stockholm Syndrome?"]

[Old Grandfather remained silent for a moment.]

["Stock-what?"]

["It's... being beaten by an enemy, yet working for them instead."]

[Old Grandfather said leisurely.]

["That's called being aware of the circumstances. If you can't beat them, join them; there's nothing wrong with that."]

[Chu Sheng thought about it and agreed.]

Anyway, he had already died in the simulation. Being able to infiltrate the enemy camp now could be considered another form of revenge.

"Just you wait."

He muttered, "Sooner or later, I'll let her taste the feeling of being slapped to death too."

[The Yan Kingdom suffered defeat after defeat.]

[Chu Sheng's demon refining pot displayed its Divine Might on the battlefield.]

[One Yao Beast after another was subdued by him, turning around to charge at the Yan Kingdom's defensive lines.]

[Those Yan Kingdom soldiers had never seen such a display before and were scared out of their wits.]

["Military Strategist Nie is valiant!"]

["With Military Strategist Nie here, the Yan Kingdom is bound to fail!"]

[The soldiers of the Xia army admired him to the point of total prostration.]

[Chu Sheng appeared humble on the surface, but he was secretly delighted.]

["This feeling is even better than being a Marquis of the Yan Kingdom."]

[The capital of the Yan Kingdom was besieged.]

[Chu Sheng stood on a high slope outside the city, looking at the familiar city walls.]

[On the city wall, Ji Yuanzhao's figure could be seen faintly.]

[The former Crown Prince was now commanding the defenders to resist to the death.]

[Looking at that face, Chu Sheng's heart was filled with mixed feelings.]

In the fourth simulation, he had been his lord.

He had fought and bled for him, only to be slapped to death by Xia Nihuang in the end.

Now, he was the Vanguard Military Strategist attacking him.

"Fate certainly plays tricks on people," he muttered.

[Old Grandfather's voice rang out.]

["You're quite successful as a traitor."]

[Chu Sheng rolled his eyes.]

["Can't you say something nice?"]

[Old Grandfather chuckled.]

["This seat doesn't know how to say nice things, but I have plenty of truths."]

[Just as the Xia army was about to breach the city, a terrifying aura descended from the sky.]

[The Old Ancestor of Yan Kingdom, Spirit Sea Realm.]

[That old man stood in mid-air, his hair and beard bristling, as he struck a palm toward Xia Nihuang!]

[Xia Nihuang's expression changed, and she quickly summoned several Peak Profound Rank Magic Treasures to block the attack.]

["Boom—!"]

[The collision of two Spirit Sea Realm powers caused houses within a hundred-foot radius to collapse instantly!]

[Chu Sheng was knocked to the ground by the aftershock. He scrambled up and saw—Xia Nihuang had retreated.]

[Holding several Peak Profound Rank Magic Treasures, her face was grim, but she was clearly at a disadvantage.]

["Withdraw!" she ordered through gritted teeth.]

[The Xia army retreated like a ebbing tide.]

[Chu Sheng followed the ranks, glancing back at the elderly figure on the city wall.]

He sighed inwardly.

"In the last simulation, you saved my life; in this simulation, you repelled my army. I guess we're even?"

[During the retreat, Xia Nihuang's face was dark.]

[Chu Sheng approached her and asked cautiously.]

["Commandery Governor, those Magic Treasures of yours..."]

[Xia Nihuang glanced at him.]

["Peak Profound Rank. This seat has not yet obtained a true Lifebound Treasure."]

[Chu Sheng's heart stirred.]

In the fourth simulation, she had used the earth rank magic treasure, the five fires seven birds fan.

It seemed she hadn't acquired it yet.

["Then what do you plan to do?"]

[Xia Nihuang remained silent for a moment.]

["The Fengxian Secret Realm is about to open. There might be something this seat wants there."]

[Chu Sheng's eyes lit up.]

[Back at the camp, although they had lost, it was only due to high-level factors. Xia Nihuang distributed rewards based on merit.]

[Standing among the generals, Chu Sheng calculated what kind of reward he should ask for.]

[Triggered Key Choice: How to ask for a reward?]

[1. Ask for Spirit Stones and Medicinal Pills. Practical, but not conspicuous.]

[2. Ask for Cultivation Technique Secret Manuals. Useful, but might arouse suspicion.]

[3. Ask for Magic Treasures. The demon refining pot is already conspicuous enough; asking for more might get him targeted.]

[4. Ask for an Opportunity to enter the mystic Realm. High risk, but high reward.]

Chu Sheng thought about it and chose option 4.

[He took a step forward and cupped his hands.]

["Commandery Governor, this subordinate does not seek Spirit Stones or Medicinal Pills, only the chance to explore the Fengxian Secret Realm."]

[Xia Nihuang looked at him with a subtle gaze.]

["You certainly know how to pick."]

[Chu Sheng lowered his head.]

["This subordinate only wishes to serve the Commandery Governor more."]

[Xia Nihuang was silent for a moment before nodding.]

["Granted. However, you must take a few trusted aides with you."]

[Chu Sheng was overjoyed, but he kept his expression calm.]

["As you command."]

[Upon returning to the Yan Yue Sect, Chu Sheng's status rose significantly.]

[Zhou Yuerou personally hosted a banquet for him, looking at him in a new light.]

["Elder Nie has performed great service this time; this seat toasts to you."]

[Chu Sheng hurriedly raised his glass.]

["Sect Master is too kind. It was all within my duty."]

[Zhou Wantang sat to the side, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at him.]

["Master, you are so amazing..." she transmitted her voice.]

[Chu Sheng smiled slightly.]

["It's nothing."]

[The next day, Murong Tian came to visit.]

["Brother Nie!"]

[He had dropped his previous arrogance and was all smiles. "I heard you're going into the Fengxian Secret Realm?"]

[Chu Sheng nodded.]

[Murong Tian rubbed his hands together.]

["Um... could you take me with you?"]

[Chu Sheng looked at him, laughing inwardly.]

[A second-generation immortal offering himself up—it would be a waste not to fleece him.]

["If Young Master Murong wants to go, of course you can," he smiled. "However, the mystic Realm is dangerous; Young Master Murong must be prepared."]

[Murong Tian nodded repeatedly.]

["Don't worry, don't worry, I have Magic Treasures for protection."]

[Chu Sheng silently lit a candle for him in his heart.]

[In the following days, Chu Sheng seized the time to Cultivate.]

[Resources flowed into his body continuously, and his cultivation level rose steadily.]

[Early Stage of Gu Zhen, Peak of Early Stage of Gu Zhen, Middle Stage Gùzhēn—]

["Boom!"]

[A month later, he successfully made a Breakthrough to Middle Stage Gùzhēn.]

[Old Grandfather's voice rang out, carrying a hint of gratification.]

["Not bad, not bad. At this rate, it won't be long before you can match this seat's style from back then."]

[Chu Sheng asked curiously.]

["What Realm were you at back then?"]

[Old Grandfather was silent for a moment.]

["...Better not mention it."]

[Chu Sheng understood.]

[This old man was acting cool again.]

[Old Grandfather taught him some secret techniques.]

[Such as how to hide his aura, how to disguise his cultivation, and how to run away at critical moments.]

[Chu Sheng learned them with great interest.]

["Old Grandfather, where did you learn all these secret techniques?"]

[Old Grandfather said proudly.]

["This seat traversed the world back then; what have I not seen?"]

[Chu Sheng nodded.]

["Sure, keep on bragging."]

[Old Grandfather was so angry his beard curled up.]

["You brat!"]

[The day the Fengxian Secret Realm would open drew closer and closer.]

[Various forces were beginning to stir.]

[Yan Yue Sect, Overlord Body Sect, Qinglan Sect, Luo Feng Valley... even the Tianfeng Kingdom had sent people.]

[Chu Sheng stood atop the back mountain, gazing at the mist-shrouded valley in the distance.]

[That was the Fengxian Secret Realm.]

[Legend has it that it is the place where the ancient Phoenix Immortal, Fengxian, fell.]

["Old Grandfather," he suddenly asked, "what do you think will be inside?"]

[Old Grandfather pondered for a moment.]

["Opportunity, danger, and... things you can't even imagine."]

[Chu Sheng smiled.]

["Then I'll have to take a good look."]

[He turned and walked back to the bamboo hut.]