110: Chapter 110 The Secret Realm Closes, All Good Stuff
[The moment the Secret Realm closed, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.]
[The massive light gate flickered several times before completely disappearing. Everyone stood in the valley, dispersing with their own hidden agendas.]
[Before leaving, Yun Qingshang glanced at Chu Sheng with a beaming smile, a smile that sent a chill down his spine.]
[Ji Haoxuan still wore a smile as he cupped his hands in farewell, but his eyes lingered on Chu Sheng for several turns.]
[Xiong Lieshan waved at him in a simple, honest manner.]
[Xia Nihuang was the last to leave. Holding the five fires seven birds fan, her Aura was as grand as a rainbow. She nodded to Chu Sheng before departing.]
["Nie Zhang, you did well."]
[Chu Sheng hurriedly bowed.]
["Thank you, Prefecture Princess."]
[Only after everyone had left did he let out a long breath.]
["It's finally over."]
[After returning to the back mountains of the Yan Yue Sect, Chu Sheng began to inventory his gains.]
[He pulled things out one by one.]
[Spirit Stones, a pile of them, enough for him to Cultivate for half a year.]
[Medicinal Pills, several bottles, second-grade High Grade; consuming them could increase his cultivation.]
[Magic Treasures, several Profound Rank Low Grade items; though not top-tier, their quantity was an advantage.]
[A Phoenix Immortal Incomplete Manual, but it was still good stuff.]
[And then there was that ring—]
[Chu Sheng took it out and scrutinized it carefully in his palm.]
[The entire body was dark gold, with fine patterns carved on the surface, and a faint shimmering light flowing within.]
[Heaven Rank Low Grade.]
["I'm rich, I'm rich!" He grinned so widely his mouth wouldn't close.]
[The Old Grandfather's voice rang out leisurely, but his tone had changed.]
["Fellow Daoist, this ring... is not simple."]
[Chu Sheng was stunned.]
["Fellow Daoist?"]
[The Old Grandfather gave a dry cough.]
["Well... this seat thought about it and decided that calling you 'Fellow Daoist' is more appropriate."]
[Chu Sheng's mouth twitched.]
[This old man used to call him 'kid' all the time, and now he's suddenly being polite?]
["You are..."]
[The Old Grandfather was silent for a moment.]
["This seat has lived for thousands of years and seen many Geniuses. But someone like Fellow Daoist..."]
[He paused.]
["I truly have never seen before."]
[Chu Sheng: "..."]
[Is this a compliment or an insult?]
[The Old Grandfather began to guide him in comprehending a sword manual.]
["It emphasizes using intent to control the sword and the sword to carry the Dao. Your foundation is good, but you lack a good Cultivation Technique."]
[He floated out of the ring and reached out a finger, pointing. A beam of light sank into the space between Chu Sheng's eyebrows.]
[The Void Returning Scripture, Earth Rank Medium Grade.]
[Chu Sheng felt a massive amount of information flood into his mind: methods for circulating Meridians, ways to condense spiritual power, the key points for a Breakthrough... they all surfaced one by one.]
[He sat cross-legged and began to Cultivate.]
[Seven days and seven nights passed.]
[On the morning of the eighth day, he opened his eyes.]
[Middle Stage True Firmament, completely stabilized.]
[Furthermore, the spiritual power in his body was at least thirty percent more condensed than before.]
["Thank you, Senior." He bowed solemnly.]
[The Old Grandfather waved his hand.]
["Don't thank me. This seat also... finds Fellow Daoist pleasing to the eye."]
[Chu Sheng laughed inwardly.]
[This old man is even speaking politely now.]
Chu Sheng watched this scene and laughed so hard he slapped his thigh.
"The Old Grandfather doesn't even dare to act superior anymore, calling him 'Fellow Daoist' directly. This move even stumped the well-traveled Old Grandfather."
"The Void Returning Scripture, Earth Rank Medium Grade, good stuff. Although the Phoenix Immortal Incomplete Manual is incomplete, it's enough. And that ring..."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Heaven Rank Low Grade, this time it's truly a massive profit."
[Half a month later, Xia Nihuang's rewards arrived.]
[A chest of Spirit Stones, several bottles of third-grade Medicinal Pills, and an appointment—]
["As of today, Nie Zhang is appointed as a Non-resident Enshrined Expert of Fengxian Prefecture and a Military Consultant."]
[Chu Sheng held the appointment letter with mixed feelings.]
[This was trust, but also a shackle.]
["Old Grandfather, do you think she truly trusts me, or does she want to tie me to her side?"]
[The Old Grandfather said leisurely.]
["Both. Who wouldn't want a talent like you? But she also has to prevent you from running away."]
[Chu Sheng nodded.]
["Understood. I'll do the job for now and see how things go."]
[Just then, Chu Sheng noticed a Messenger Talisman at his waist. He took a look.]
[It was from Ye Wuhen.]
[There was only one sentence on it:]
["The next time we meet, let's have a good chat."]
[Chu Sheng was stunned.]
[He stared at that line for three seconds and then laughed.]
["A good chat? Chat about what? Chat about my experiences and insights from snatching your ring?"]
[He crushed the Communication Talisman.]
["Sure, the next time we meet, I'll treat you to a drink."]
Chu Sheng watched this scene and laughed so hard he slapped his thigh.
"A good chat next time? Is this a threat or an invitation? That kid Ye Wuhen is becoming more and more interesting."
"But we're not afraid. In any case, you can't die in the simulation. Even if you die, you'll be a hero again in the next simulation."
He looked at the screen.
"The question now is, what to do with that phoenix immortal bone fragment?"
[Triggered a key choice: How to handle the phoenix immortal bone fragment?]
[1. Hand it over. Give it to Xia Nihuang to gain greater trust and more resources. Risk: It might be used for Artifact Refining or research, losing the chance for enlightenment.]
[2. Don't hand it over. Keep it for yourself and slowly comprehend it. Risk: Xia Nihuang might discover it, leading to a loss of trust.]
Chu Sheng looked at these two options and fell into deep thought.
["Old Grandfather, what do you say about this fragment?"]
[The Old Grandfather pondered for a moment.]
["Hand over half, keep half."]
[Chu Sheng was taken aback.]
["That's also possible?"]
[The Old Grandfather chuckled.]
["There are so many fragments. If you hand over a few and keep a few for yourself, who would know?"]
[Chu Sheng's eyes lit up.]
["Brilliant!"]
[He picked the three smallest pieces, wrapped them up, and prepared to hand them over.]
[The rest he would keep for his own research.]
[A few days later, Chu Sheng went to Fengxian Prefecture to report for duty.]
[When Xia Nihuang saw him, her attitude was clearly several degrees warmer than before.]
["Nie Zhang, you performed well in the Secret Realm. This seat is very satisfied."]
[Chu Sheng hurriedly showed humility.]
["It was all due to the Prefecture Princess's cultivation of me."]
[He presented the three phoenix immortal bone fragments.]
[Xia Nihuang took them and scrutinized them carefully, a flash of surprise and joy crossing her eyes.]
["Phoenix bones? Good stuff!"]
[She put them away and became even more pleasant toward Chu Sheng.]
["Work hard. This seat will not mistreat you."]
[Chu Sheng laughed inwardly.]
[Times have changed.]
[Three fragments in exchange for the trust of a Spirit Sea Realm big shot—it's worth it.]
[When leaving the Prefecture Governor's Estate, Chu Sheng encountered someone.]
[Ji Haoxuan.]
[The Third Prince still wore a smile, as gentle as jade.]
["Brother Nie, long time no see."]
[Chu Sheng hurriedly bowed.]
["Greetings, Third Prince."]
[Ji Haoxuan waved his hand.]
["No need for such formalities. This prince saw Brother Nie's performance in the Secret Realm with my own eyes."]
[He stepped closer and lowered his voice.]
["Are you interested in developing within the Imperial Family? The benefits will be excellent."]
[Chu Sheng's heart skipped a beat.]
[Is this another attempt to poach him?]
[His expression remained unchanged.]
["The Third Prince overestimates me. I am currently serving the Prefecture Princess, so it is inconvenient..."]
[Ji Haoxuan interrupted him.]
["I know. However, I can wait."]
[He smiled and turned to leave.]
[Before departing, he looked back at Chu Sheng.]
[That look was full of hidden meaning.]
[Chu Sheng felt a chill in his heart.]
["Old Grandfather, is he trying to win me over or get rid of me?"]
[The Old Grandfather said leisurely.]
["Both are possible. This kind of person is all smiles on the surface but sinister behind the scenes."]
[Chu Sheng nodded.]
["Understood. I'll stay away from him."]
Chu Sheng watched this scene and shook his head silently.
"The Third Prince's move is typical of a smiling tiger. Winning me over on the surface, but he might have already sent people to investigate me behind the scenes."
"But I'm Xia Nihuang's person now; he doesn't dare to act openly. At most, he'll just trip me up in the shadows."
He looked at the screen.
"Ye Wuhen is also investigating. But Chu Sheng is already dead; Nie Zhang is a different person, he won't find anything."
He smiled.
"Interesting. It's getting more and more interesting."
[A sudden commotion came from the distance.]
[Chu Sheng looked up.]
[In the direction of the Prefecture Governor's Estate, a crimson light soared into the sky!]
[That was the Aura of the five fires seven birds fan!]
[Xia Nihuang had completely refined this Earth Rank High Grade Magic Treasure!]
[Chu Sheng felt that terrifying pressure and clicked his tongue inwardly.]
["Spirit Lake Stage, plus an Earth Rank High Grade Magic Treasure... this woman will be even harder to mess with in the future."]
[The Old Grandfather said leisurely.]
["So you'd better hold onto her thigh tightly."]
[Chu Sheng nodded.]
["Understood."]
[He turned and sped off in the direction of the Yan Yue Sect.]
[Behind him, the crimson light gradually dissipated.]