251: Chapter 251 What a coincidence!

Su Chengyuan suddenly remembered something and stood up, scanning the others in the withered forest.

It was impossible for that Xuanyin Sect Elder not to pursue them; after all, the Formation within Ten Thousand Snakes Valley and the Disciples who had been stationed there for two years were clearly extremely important to the other party.

No one would let such a matter rest, let alone a Golden Core True Person.

However, so many days had passed and the other party still hadn't caught up to them, so they had likely pursued in the wrong direction, though he felt this possibility was high.

But before returning to the Prefecture City, Su Chengyuan decided to first get in touch with Fang Zhenhai.

They had spent ten days flying through the desolate mountains and wilderness, bypassing all towns along the way, so it seemed safe.

But looking at it from another perspective, by not passing through towns, it meant their intelligence along the route was cut off.

They had no idea how far the other party had pursued or if they had circled around in front of them from another direction.

After all, that was a Golden Core True Person whose speed was much faster than theirs, and it never hurt to be cautious.

Su Chengyuan pulled out a communication Jade Slip and injected spiritual power into it.

The communication range of the Jade Slip was limited; it couldn't reach Tianlan Province City directly from this position.

However, the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce had several outposts along the way, which relayed messages through communication imprints. A message could reach Fang Zhenhai's ears after jumping through two or three stations.

Before Su Chengyuan had come into contact with the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce, the chamber did not only do business in the Prefecture City and Qinghe Prefecture.

"President Fang, Li Shi, Zhao Shan, and I are already on our way back. This trip went quite smoothly.

Currently, the team is about a hundred miles outside Tongbao City, heading toward Tianlan Province. I estimate there are still about twenty days of travel left.

Help me arrange something: have the people at the chamber's outposts along the way keep an eye out for any Golden Core Cultivators from other provinces passing through. Inform me immediately if any are discovered."

It took time for the communication relay to connect. The nearest town outpost would receive the message first, then forward it to the next station, passing it along layer by layer.

(Those in the outposts would prepare two communication talismans and place them together, one connecting to Su Chengyuan and the other to the next outpost, effectively acting as a series connection.)

After Su Chengyuan finished speaking, he sat down cross-legged in the withered forest again and closed his eyes to wait.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the communication Jade Slip lit up.

Fang Zhenhai's voice came through: "Mr. Su, it's good that everyone is safe. I will instruct the outpost managers to keep a constant lookout for Golden Core Cultivators from other provinces. However, there is something I must tell you now."

"Alright, go ahead." Su Chengyuan frowned, unable to imagine what Fang Zhenhai would have to tell him.

"Young Master Su left the Prefecture City about ten days ago and headed toward Tongbao City, saying he was going to meet you."

Su Chengyuan's body didn't move, but his fingers holding the communication Jade Slip tightened slightly.

Fang Zhenhai continued: "The Young Master is traveling with a Senior at the Late Golden Core Stage and his Disciple.

Before he left, the Young Master said the purpose of this trip was first to scout the Heavenly Sun Sect's movements around Tongbao City, and second to act as backup for you.

I'm not sure exactly where they are now, but based on their travel speed, they should be nearing Tongbao City, or perhaps they've already entered it."

Su Chengyuan was stunned, his heart filled with both alarm and joy.

The alarm was because his son had actually reached Tongbao City, and the Xuanyin Sect Golden Core True Person he had offended might very well be visiting those cities along the way.

The joy was pure fatherly instinct; he had missed his son after being away for so long, so he was naturally happy to be able to see him now, and he could also hand over the things he had obtained on this trip.

Furthermore, his son had actually found a Late Golden Core Stage great Cultivator to travel with, which was quite unexpected.

So, without waiting for Fang Zhenhai to say anything more, he cut off the communication.

Li Shi, watching from the side, was bewildered and was about to ask what happened when Su Chengyuan pulled out another communication Jade Slip and injected spiritual power into it.

This Jade Slip was a dedicated communication talisman tool between father and son, which Su Cheng had left for him before leaving.

Tongbao City was only a hundred miles away, so they could connect.

The Jade Slip hummed for two breaths before connecting.

"Father?" Su Cheng's voice came from the Jade Slip.

Su Chengyuan's heart softened, but his voice remained firm as he spoke: "Cheng'er, are you in Tongbao City?"

"Yes, I came to gather news about the Heavenly Sun Sect. Senior Sun and Big Brother Zhou are here too, so we're in no rush to leave."

"You ran all this way by yourself..." Su Chengyuan swallowed the rest of his words; now was not the time for nagging.

He threw out the question he was most concerned about: "Is that Senior Sun you mentioned a Late Golden Core Stage Immortal Master?"

"Yes, Late Golden Core Stage," Su Cheng said softly.

Su Chengyuan let out a long breath upon hearing this, then immediately asked: "How is your relationship with this Senior? Can such a high-and-mighty great Cultivator truly be relied upon?"

"Don't worry, Father. Senior Sun and I are close friends," Su Cheng said with a smile.

After all, given how Sun Boyong had treated him—even though Su Cheng was only an Early Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator and the other party craved his 'Qi of Creation'—he hadn't coerced Su Cheng or even pried too deeply, only asking that Su Cheng repay the favor when he had the ability in the future.

Regarding the wanbao mirror, Sun Boyong had done him a favor. A Treasure Artifact was not something that could be obtained just by paying some Spirit Stones; the other party had come to Tianlan Province for the sake of Zhou Changgeng's Face.

Therefore, there was friendship, gratitude, and a debt of kindness between them; calling them close friends was not an exaggeration.

Although Su Cheng could have had someone from the Sect's Artifact Hall forge the wanbao mirror, he didn't want to expose too much within the Sect. He was already the center of attention; adding more miracles would be truly indefensible.

Hearing the words 'close friends,' Su Chengyuan's heart was instantly set at ease.

With such a Late Golden Core Stage great Cultivator who had a deep friendship with his son right there in Tongbao City, he finally told Su Cheng what had happened in Ten Thousand Snakes Valley.

"Cheng'er, this trip exceeded expectations. The investigation into the Exotic Fire I mentioned before has been settled."

"Ah, it's settled? Father, does an Exotic Fire really exist in Xuanhuo Territory?"

Su Cheng didn't know the situation yet and was just very surprised. He hadn't expected the news to be true, thinking his father was returning to inform him of this news so he could then handle it himself.

But he never expected Su Chengyuan's next words, which left Su Cheng astounded.

“Hehe, son, not only is there an Exotic Fire in Xuanhuo Territory, but I’ve also obtained it. It’s on me right now.”

“Ah??? Father, are you serious?”

“You brat, when have I ever joked with you? That Exotic Fire was right under the Ten Thousand Snakes Valley in Xuanhuo Territory. However, although I got the fire, the process... Xiao Cheng, it seems your old man has stirred up a big trouble for you."

"Are you alright? Where are Zhao Shan and Li Shi?"

"Don't worry, I'm fine, and everyone else is fine too." Su Chengyuan's tone carried a hint of pride. "Those Magical Artifacts, Talismans, and Medicinal Pills you prepared for me were of great use. I'll tell you the details later."

Su Cheng finally let out the breath he was holding and followed up with: "Father, what big trouble were you just talking about?"

Su Chengyuan gave a brief account of what had happened.

The guards at the bottom of Ten Thousand Snakes Valley, the fifteen Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Xuanyin Sect—one of the four great Nascent Soul Sects in Taining Province—the two major battles, and finally pulling up the roots and leaving no trace, taking the Exotic Fire, blowing up the valley entrance, and retreating in two separate groups...

"It was a close call, but we haven't been caught yet. However, I reckon that Xuanyin Sect Elder won't let it go and will definitely be searching for us everywhere during this time."

Su Cheng fell silent after listening on his end.

When he heard the words 'Xuanyin Sect Golden Core Elder,' the ink-colored figure he had encountered at the gates of Tongbao City a few days ago uncontrollably leaped into his mind.

The other party was a genuine Late Golden Core Stage Immortal Master and had also claimed to be a Xuanyin Sect Elder. This was truly too much of a coincidence.

(It's not too far-fetched, right? There was plenty of foreshadowing. A little spoiler: this matter will become quite complicated later on.)

(The update will be a bit later tomorrow, everyone. Wishing you all a happy May Day in advance. Rest well and have fun traveling.)