389: Chapter 389 Demon Abyss Pavilion

Chen Xuan raised his hand and gave a wave, causing the corpses of the Yuling Valley group to fall like autumn leaves into the calm sea below; the surging waters quietly buried all traces of them.

Having finished this, he flipped himself back onto Bai Ze's broad back and lightly patted its neck. Understanding his intent, Bai Ze sped off toward the Flame Continent's Dao Seeking Sect with the two of them.

Gazing at the receding waters of the Huangji Prefecture, Qi Yue asked softly, "Sect Master, just who has the ability to manipulate the entire Yuling Valley like puppets in their palm?"

"It is currently unknown."

Chen Xuan looked toward the distant horizon. "However, this series of maneuvers is clearly aimed at our Dao Seeking Sect."

He began to replay the events of the Huangji Prefecture meeting in his mind. From the moment the people of the Medicine Hut informed him that the Dao Seeking Sect had ruined Yuling Valley's plans in the Rain God Continent, he had subconsciously assumed Yuling Valley would be their enemy.

If the provocations and the bet made by Yuling Valley during the struggle for the glazed lamp were all deliberate arrangements by that mastermind—then what was their true objective?

And what role did the Medicine Hut play in all this? Were they accomplices, or were they being used?

Chen Xuan turned to look back at the direction of the now-invisible Huangji Prefecture, thinking to himself: It seems there are quite a few old schemers in this region; the situation is far more complex than he had initially anticipated.

The next day!

Upon returning to the Sect, Qi Yue headed to the Rain God Continent without a moment's delay to gather intelligence.

Immediately after returning to the Sect, Qi Yue didn't stop for a second and set off directly for the Rain God Continent to scout for information. The Tianque Sect had once used the Demonic Beasts in the Demon Suppressing Tower to conduct many trades with the major powers of the Nine Provinces, making their information channels far more extensive than those of the Yin Shen Sect; hopefully, she would gain something this time.

Chen Xuan went alone to a pavilion on the Sect's back mountain. He sat quietly at a table, playing through a game of Go by himself to organize the current situation.

Every time his fingertips placed a piece on the board, a corresponding name of a person or place would surface on the piece's face, clearly outlining the various factions and their grievances.

In the Rain God Continent, the Dao Seeking Sect had offended many enemies: Number Eight, whose identity remained a mystery; the old schemer Number Four; those beasts from the Demon Race Continent; and perhaps the mysterious person behind Yuling Valley.

Number Eight likely didn't know his true identity yet, so there was no need for excessive worry for now. As for Number Four, there had been no movement lately; he wondered if he had truly been misled by him into running off to the Monster Beast Continent to pit his wits against the Yao Race.

Those beasts from the Demon Race Continent certainly knew it was the Dao Seeking Sect that had ruined their plans.

But if they wanted to threaten the Dao Seeking Sect, they would at least have to cross the barrier of the Rain God Continent first; in the short term, there shouldn't be too great a threat.

And as for the person behind Yuling Valley... "Revered Master, please have some tea!"

Chen Xuan picked up the teacup offered to him and took a shallow sip, his thoughts continuing to drift.

The goal of the person behind Yuling Valley should have been the Rain God Continent; perhaps it was precisely because the Dao Seeking Sect ruined their plans that they sent Yuling Valley to test their strength.

Chen Xuan pinched another piece and lightly placed it on the other side of the board.

Both the Tiangong Pavilion and the Medicine Hut were showing goodwill toward his Dao Seeking Sect.

Although he didn't yet know what they were plotting, it was clear that both sides' goals seemed to point toward that ancient book on the guixu immortal ferry boat—the book that could know all the affairs of the world.

Number Seven's goal was likely also this ancient book; there was a high probability that he was hidden within either the Tiangong Pavilion or the Medicine Hut.

Wait!

Chen Xuan suddenly snapped back to reality and looked to the side, only to see Shu Shichan standing prettily by the chess table at some unknown point. Her small hand rested lightly on the table's edge, and her head nodded slightly as she watched him. Her watery peach-blossom eyes blinked, and the light shifting in them was truly captivating.

When did this girl come over?

He had been too engrossed, and it was also because he was too familiar with the auras of his own Disciples.

He hadn't noticed his Disciple's approach at all.

"Instead of studying Medicinal Pills in Danyun Hall, what are you doing here with your Revered Master?"

Chen Xuan put down the piece in his hand and spoke calmly, "What, could it be you want to learn how to play Go?"

Shu Shichan shook her head, a mischievous and flattering smile spreading across her face. "Revered Master, the three tasks you gave your Disciple before, I've already completed them!"

"Oh? Tell me about it."

Chen Xuan raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that the tasks he had given her were three: first, to continue researching the refinement methods for saint-grade pills; second, to find a way to help those Half-Demons regain their human forms; and third, to investigate the background of that Little Girl under Number Four's command.

Shu Shichan didn't speak immediately; instead, she stood up and moved behind him to start massaging his shoulders and back. "Revered Master, before I speak, can your Disciple ask for a reward first?"

"What reward do you want?"

"It's about that... girl named Leng something. Your Disciple still has a great use for her; could Revered Master continue to leave her to my disposal?"

Chen Xuan nodded slightly, understanding in his heart. "So, she has already confessed everything about her Sect's power?"

Shu Shichan nodded vigorously, then pulled a neatly folded piece of paper from her sleeve and held it out with both hands to Chen Xuan.

"Revered Master, please look!"

Chen Xuan unfolded the paper, and his gaze quickly landed on a few words—Demon Abyss Pavilion, Yu Chen Celestial Venerable!

He had finally locked down the identity of that old schemer Number Four!

On the list from the Chaos Void Jade, the identities of only five people remained unknown.

Chen Xuan looked up at Shu Shichan and waved his hand, his tone casual. "As long as you leave her with her life, you may do with her as you please."

"Thank you, Revered Master!"

Shu Shichan beamed with joy and turned to leave.

"Wait!"

Chen Xuan suddenly called out to stop her. With a flash of spiritual light from his fingertip, an exquisite and delicate silver bell appeared in his palm.

The body of the bell was carved with intricate cloud patterns that shimmered with a faint silver light as they flowed. As the clapper swayed slightly, one could faintly hear a fine, clear humming sound.

"This is for you." Chen Xuan handed over the silver bell.

"A heaven-rank magic treasure!"

Shu Shichan's eyes lit up as she took the silver bell, and she immediately cheered, "Revered Master truly has a heaven-reaching cultivation base, unparalleled wisdom, brilliance, and care for his subordinates..."

As she spoke, she seemed to remember something and reached into her Storage Pouch to pull out a pile of gongs.

"No, no, I must let the entire Sect know of Revered Master's greatness."

Seeing her looking like she couldn't wait to announce it to the world, Chen Xuan's temple twitched slightly. He then reached out and pressed down on her head. "That won't be necessary. Go down and practice Alchemy properly; do not be lazy."

With her head held down, Shu Shichan nodded. Although she was a bit disappointed she couldn't bang the gongs in celebration, she was still very happy to have a heaven-rank magic treasure.

She left the back mountain with an extremely arrogant stride. Just as she stepped out of the pavilion, she even gave a leap, plucked a flat peach, and began munching on it.

After such a commotion, Chen Xuan lost his interest in continuing his Go study.

As long as one's cultivation Realm was high enough, any schemes would only be in vain.