49: Healing and covert investigation

Inside Liu Qingfeng's cultivation room, the Spiritual Qi was dense, and it was quiet and peaceful.

Ye Chen sat cross-legged with his eyes slightly closed. The "Qingyuan Sword Foundation" slowly operated within his body, guiding the pure medicinal power left by Liu Qingfeng to repair his damaged Meridians and internal organs. Although he had narrowly survived the hasty clash with Elder Lie Huo thanks to the Nirvana Sword Intent, the aftershocks of the Linghai Realm power had still caused him significant internal injuries.

Wherever the spiritual power flowed, bursts of needle-like pain followed, a sign of damaged Meridians. His internal organs also throbbed with pain, and his qi and blood were unstable. However, Ye Chen remained calm. Under the state of Luminous Sword Heart, he could clearly "see" his injuries healing bit by bit under the nourishment of the medicinal power, even becoming more resilient.

"Linghai Realm... is indeed far beyond the Kaiyuan Realm." Ye Chen felt a sense of awe in his heart. If not for the unique nature of the Nirvana Sword Intent, which specifically countered condensed energy, and if not for Elder Liu's timely intervention, he would have had no chance of survival today. This further strengthened his determination to increase his strength as quickly as possible.

He separated a wisp of his mind and sank into his Sea of Consciousness. That wisp of Nirvana Sword Intent appeared somewhat dim after the previous outburst, but its essence remained undamaged. In fact, after being used to its limit, it had become slightly more refined. The "zhutian sword soul fragment" seed at the core remained silent, but the 4% activation progress served as a reminder of its difference from before.

"Does the zhutian sword soul fragment seem to accelerate its activation during a crisis?" Ye Chen thought reflectively. But this was ultimately an external force accompanied by great risk and could not be used as a regular method.

The top priority was to recover from his injuries as quickly as possible and find the person who had poisoned him!

Time passed quietly during his recovery. Three days later, with the precious Medicinal Pills provided by Liu Qingfeng and his own formidable recovery ability, Ye Chen's internal injuries were mostly healed. His cultivation had even improved as a blessing in disguise; he was now not far from the Kaiyuan Realm Sixth Level Middle Stage.

On this day, he finished his healing and opened his eyes. A divine light was contained within his pupils, and his aura was steady.

Liu Qingfeng seemed to sense something and appeared at the door of the quiet room, nodding slightly. "You've recovered well. It seems that Nirvana Sword Intent not only has peerless offensive power but also has a tempering effect on the Physical Body and Divine Soul."

"Thank you for the medicine and protection, Elder." Ye Chen stood up and bowed.

"No need for formalities." Liu Qingfeng waved his hand, his expression slightly solemn. "While you were injured these past few days, things outside have not been peaceful. That old fellow Lie Huo went to the Law Enforcement Hall, insisting that you practiced evil arts and harmed your fellow Disciples, demanding severe punishment. The Lin family is also secretly pushing things along."

Ye Chen's eyes turned slightly cold. "They certainly are impatient."

"Just a bunch of clowns." Liu Qingfeng's tone carried a hint of disdain. "The Principal has already looked into the matter and determined that Lie Huo attacked first and you acted in self-defense, so there is no fault. As for the claim of 'evil arts,' it is even more nonsensical. With me and several other Elders who value you around, they won't be able to stir up much trouble."

Ye Chen felt slightly relieved. With figures like the Principal of Tianfeng Academy and Liu Qingfeng on his side, the pressure on the surface would be much smaller. However, the methods used in the shadows would likely be even harder to guard against.

"However, you cannot let your guard down," Liu Qingfeng reminded him. "The Lin family will never let this go. The poisoning incident is proof of that. You must be extremely cautious in your daily life from now on. Within the academy, they might still have some scruples, but once you leave the academy..."

Ye Chen nodded. "I understand. Elder, I have some clues regarding the person who poisoned me." He informed Liu Qingfeng about the abnormality he found in the kettle that day and the lingering aura in the window crack, but he omitted the details of his attempt to reverse-sense the parent-child communication jade.

Upon hearing this, Liu Qingfeng's eyes sharpened. "To dare use such despicable means within the academy! I will investigate this matter secretly. Do you still remember that lingering aura?"

With a slight movement of his Divine Sense, Ye Chen simulated a wisp of that extremely faint, cold, and hidden aura characteristic and passed it to Liu Qingfeng.

Liu Qingfeng sensed it for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly. "This aura... the concealment skill is extremely high, carrying a professional coldness. It doesn't seem like something an ordinary Disciple in the academy could achieve. It's more like the style of assassin organizations such as the 'Shadow Fiends' or 'Blood Blade'."

Blood Blade again! The killing intent in Ye Chen's heart grew even stronger. The Lin family's methods were truly unscrupulous!

"Do not speak of this for now, lest we alert the enemy," Liu Qingfeng pondered. "I will arrange for people to conduct a secret investigation. Now that you are healed, will you continue to Cultivate in seclusion here, or..."

"I want to go back," Ye Chen said. Staying hidden at Elder Liu's place was not a long-term solution. He needed to return to his own environment to better lure the snake out of its hole and begin implementing his own plan.

Liu Qingfeng glanced at him, seemingly understanding his thoughts, and nodded. "Very well. But be careful in everything. If there is any abnormality, message me immediately."

"Yes."

Leaving Liu Qingfeng's residence, Ye Chen returned to Courtyard Ding-981. The courtyard remained the same, but there seemed to be a faint sense of tension lingering in the air.

He carefully checked every part of the courtyard and confirmed there were no new traps or surveillance before finally feeling a bit relieved. He first completely destroyed the poisoned kettle and then set up a few simple warning Restrictions.

Sitting in the quiet room, Ye Chen began to analyze the current situation.

On the surface, Elder Lie Huo and the Lin family were applying pressure through the Law Enforcement Hall. In the shadows, "Blood Blade" assassins were watching like hawks, ready to launch a fatal strike at any moment. As for himself, he needed to stand out in the Inner Court Assessment a month later and gain enough attention and resources to better deal with all of this.

"I must break through to the Kaiyuan Realm Late Stage as soon as possible and master the Nirvana Sword Intent. At the same time, I must find and deal with the poisonous snake in the dark!"

He took out a kaiyuan pill and was just about to swallow it to Cultivate when the courtyard door was lightly knocked.

Scanning with his Divine Sense, it was Uncle Fu outside the door.

"Young Master, you're back." After Uncle Fu entered, he immediately set up a soundproofing barrier and whispered, "I have found some information. Regarding the poisoning, although I can't be sure exactly who it was, I found that after the news of your 'seclusion for healing' spread, several people acted abnormally."

"Speak." Ye Chen's eyes narrowed.

"One is an Outer Court Disciple named Zhao Si, who is responsible for delivering miscellaneous items in this area. He is usually timid, but during those few days, he seemed restless and even secretly went to Liuyun City. The other is an Inner Court deacon disciple named Han Li, who is quite close to Lin Hong and has entered and exited Lin Batian's mansion in Liuyun City multiple times."

Zhao Si? Han Li?

Ye Chen noted these two names. Zhao Si might be the executor who was bribed or coerced, while Han Li was very likely an eye planted by the Lin faction within the academy, responsible for passing information and executing orders!

"Additionally," Uncle Fu continued, "regarding 'Blood Blade,' I found that they have indeed had unusual movements in Liuyun City recently. They seem to have taken on a mission with a very high reward, and the target is suspected to be... a Genius Cultivator below the Linghai Realm." As he finished, his voice trembled slightly, the implication being self-evident.

A cold light flashed in Ye Chen's eyes. The target range was narrowed, the reward was extremely high, and it targeted a Genius Cultivator... it was almost certain they were coming for him!

"There is one more thing," Uncle Fu lowered his voice. "Following your previous instructions, I secretly investigated Lin Batian's strongholds in Liuyun City. I found that besides his residence as the City Lord's Mansion instructor, he also has a secret villa in the west of the city. It is heavily guarded, and it seems that some people of unknown identity frequently enter and exit."

West City Villa! Ye Chen's heart stirred. This matched the general direction he had sensed through the parent-child communication jade!

"You've done well, Uncle Fu," Ye Chen praised. "Keep an eye on Han Li, that Zhao Si, and Lin Batian's West City Villa, but be sure to be careful. Safety first."

"I understand."

After seeing Uncle Fu off, a sharp look flashed in Ye Chen's eyes.

Han Li, Zhao Si, West City Villa... the clues were gradually becoming clear.

He did not act immediately but instead swallowed the kaiyuan pill and began to push with all his might toward the Kaiyuan Realm Sixth Level Middle Stage. Only with enough strength could he deal with the coming storm.

The Medicinal Pill dissolved, and the pure medicinal power surged into his limbs and bones like a flood. Ye Chen guided this power to continuously strike at the cultivation barrier.

The night passed in silence.

When the next morning arrived, a slight roar came from within Ye Chen's body, and the aura around him suddenly rose by a notch!

Kaiyuan Realm, Sixth Level Middle Stage!

It was a natural progression!

Feeling the even more surging power within his body, Ye Chen slowly opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing through them.

He walked into the courtyard, holding the qingfeng sword in his hand, and began to practice the "Silent Shadow Sword Art." The sword light flashed, carrying a faint hint of Nirvana intent, its trajectory even more mysterious and unpredictable.

After finishing his practice, he stood with his sword retracted, his gaze looking toward the direction of Liuyun City.

"It's time to take the initiative and strike."

He changed into ordinary green robes and restrained his aura. Like an ordinary Outer Court Disciple, he quietly left Tianfeng Academy and blended into the crowd heading toward Liuyun City.

This time, he was going to personally visit that West City Villa to see what Lin Batian was up to. Perhaps... he could even find more clues about the "Dark Hall"!

The roles of hunter and prey should perhaps be swapped.