87: A gentle mask, but murderous intent

A vast territory, independent of the mortal world.

This place does not belong to any Imperial Dynasty, nor is it under the jurisdiction of any Holy Land.

Thousands of immortal mountains float above the sea of clouds, auspicious Qi steams, and countless immortal cranes and divine deer reside within, truly a sacred realm of immortals.

This is the Taichu Dao Academy.

In the hearts of many young Cultivators, it is the supreme cultivation hall.

On a mountain peak named Wen Dao Cliff.

Clouds and mist swirled, and ancient pines stood strong.

Several young people, dressed in Dao Academy Disciple robes, were sitting cross-legged, discussing the Dao.

...Therefore, the Dao follows nature, and acting with the flow is the right path. Forcibly going Heaven-Defying will inevitably lead to backlash.

A Disciple held a Jade Slip, speaking eloquently.

Everyone around him nodded in agreement, looking deeply convinced.

In the center of the crowd sat a handsome and elegant young man.

He wore a moon-white robe, a faint smile on his face, quietly listening to everyone's discussion, occasionally nodding in acknowledgment, but never speaking.

But everyone, whether speaking or listening, would unconsciously cast their gaze towards him, with a hint of awe.

This person was Yuan Changfeng, the Third Prince of the Tianyuan Imperial Dynasty.

He was also the recognized number one among the younger generation of the Taichu Dao Academy!

Changfeng Senior Brother, in your opinion, what is the Dao?

Finally, someone brought the topic to him.

Everyone's gaze instantly focused on him, filled with curiosity and anticipation.

Yuan Changfeng heard this, smiled gently, his voice like a spring breeze, making people feel good.

What all Junior Brothers have said contains profound truths.

He slowly began, In my opinion, the Dao has no fixed form.

The Dao of the strong is to control heaven and earth, words becoming law; I am the Dao!

The Dao of the weak is to conform to destiny, to drift with the current; the Dao is me.

The path of the Dao lies in one's Heart-Nature; there is no right or wrong, no positive or negative.

His words were profound and abstruse.

Everyone listened, feeling somewhat lost, but upon careful consideration, they all felt greatly enlightened.

Senior Brother's insights are profound! Listening to your words for a moment is better than ten years of study!

Indeed! Changfeng Senior Brother's understanding of the Great Dao has long surpassed ours!

A chorus of flattery and admiration arose.

Yuan Changfeng's smile became even more gentle and humble; he waved his hand.

You flatter me, I merely parrot the wisdom of my predecessors and occasionally gain some insight.

The more humble he appeared, the deeper everyone's admiration for him became.

However, amidst this harmonious atmosphere.

Yuan Changfeng's brow twitched imperceptibly.

An urgent message, detectable only by him, from deep within his Bloodline, quietly arrived.

His face still held that calm smile, as he chatted and laughed with everyone.

But his Divine Thought had already sunk into the communication Jade Slip.

The Jade Slip was condensed from his Imperial Father, Yuan Canglan's, vital essence and would never be used unless it was a matter of utmost importance.

When he finished reading the information in the Jade Slip.

Even with his unperturbed Heart-Nature, a turbulent storm arose deep within his eyes.

Big Brother... is dead?

Killed by the Hongtian Saint Son, Jiang Chen, in front of countless Cultivators in the Eastern Region, outside the God Burial Valley?

Also fallen were three Saints, and a Dragon Clan Elder from the Myriad Demon Cave?

Even Imperial Father's will, upon descending, was forced back by the opponent's Guardian.

And that Jiang Chen even threatened him face-to-face, saying he would come to take Imperial Father's head?

One by one, each piece of information was like a bolt of Nine Heavens divine lightning, exploding in his mind!

Humiliation!

Unprecedented and profound humiliation!

Since its founding, when had his Tianyuan Divine Dynasty ever suffered such disgrace?

An extremely chilling killing intent, surged wildly from the depths of his heart.

It was almost impossible to suppress, threatening to burst forth from his body.

Jiang Chen!

Hongtian Holy Land!

He etched this name deeply into his mind.

However, his face still wore that gentle, spring-like smile, showing no hint of abnormality.

Let's end our discussion here today.

Yuan Changfeng slowly stood up and slightly cupped his hands to everyone.

I suddenly have an insight and need to return to my Immortal Cave for quiet cultivation. Junior Brothers, farewell.

Respectfully seeing off Changfeng Senior Brother!

No one dared to stop him; they all stood up and bowed, watching him transform into a streak of light and disappear into the depths of the sea of clouds.

It wasn't until Yuan Changfeng's figure had completely vanished that a Disciple couldn't help but exclaim.

Changfeng Senior Brother is truly a Heaven-Defying genius. This Heart-Nature, this demeanor, we are far from being able to compare!

Indeed! Compared to Changfeng Senior Brother, whether in Heart-Nature or pattern, we are far behind.

But how could anyone know.

What terrifying killing intent had already surged in the heart of the extraordinary Changfeng Senior Brother they spoke of...

Returning to Yuan Changfeng's independent Immortal Cave mountain.

Yuan Changfeng waved his hand, setting up dozens of Restrictions, completely sealing off the entire immortal mountain.

Boom!

The next moment, an extremely suppressed and terrifying aura erupted from his body!

The gentle and elegant smile on his face had long vanished without a trace, replaced by a chilling and ferocious expression.

Jiang! Chen!

He squeezed out these two words, one by one, through gritted teeth.

Crack!

A ten-thousand-year-old cold jade stone table beside him instantly became covered in cracks and turned into dust under his uncontrollable aura.

Anger?

Of course there was!

But more than that, it was a mixture of excitement and cruelty!

Yuan Haotian is dead?

Good riddance!

That fool, with only brute strength, reckless actions, arrogant and brainless, was simply unworthy of being the Crown Prince of the Tianyuan Divine Dynasty!

With his death, he, the Third Prince, would naturally become Yuan Canglan's best choice!

That foolish Big Brother, with his death, paved the last stretch of the road to the throne for himself.

He even provided a perfect excuse for him to establish his authority, win over people's hearts, and gather the Imperial Dynasty's Luck!

Jiang Chen, oh Jiang Chen...

A strange smile appeared on Yuan Changfeng's face.

You killed my useless Big Brother, you should have been my greatest benefactor.

It's just a pity, you shouldn't have, under any circumstances, brought such great humiliation upon the Tianyuan Imperial Dynasty.

This humiliation must be washed away with your blood!

He wasn't carried away by the news.

His brain was operating in an absolutely calm manner, frantically analyzing everything.

To be able to extinguish four Saints with a flick of a finger, that Guardian must be a Dao Integration Realm Great Power.

With this person's protection, it would be as difficult as ascending to heaven to kill Jiang Chen within the Hongtian Holy Land's territory.

A head-on confrontation was the most foolish approach.

He slowly closed his eyes, quickly deducing everything in his mind.

A moment later, he opened his eyes again.

His eyes had regained their clarity, but the killing intent deep within them had grown even stronger.

He took out another communication Jade Slip and imprinted a Divine Thought into it.

Revered Master, Disciple's Dao Heart has had an insight, and after the Ten Thousand Dao Tea Ceremony, I wish to enter the Taichu Dao Stele for a month of secluded cultivation and comprehension. I humbly request Revered Master's permission.

Then, Yuan Changfeng slowly raised his hand, looking at his own palm.

Jiang Chen...

Hongtian Saint Son...

If you don't die, my heart will not be at peace.

He clenched his hand, and the surrounding space actually showed subtle cracks.