57: High-rise tremors

When Ye Chen regained consciousness, he found himself lying on a soft and comfortable bed. The air was filled with the elegant scent of sandalwood and pure Spiritual Qi, which brought a hint of relief to his Meridians, which had been sluggish from his severe injuries.

He looked around. It was a simple yet elegant room. Outside the window, clouds swirled, and the undulating mountains and buildings with flying eaves and arched roofs were vaguely visible—he was already inside Tianfeng Academy, and the Spiritual Qi here was far denser than the outside world; it must be the core area of the academy.

"You are awake." A gentle voice sounded from the side.

Ye Chen turned his head and saw Elder Liu Qingfeng sitting by the table, holding a cup of steaming clear tea, his eyes filled with concern and a hint of undisguised gravity.

"Elder Liu." Ye Chen struggled to sit up, but was stopped by Elder Liu with a look.

"Stay lying down. Your injuries are extremely severe, especially from forcibly bearing that unknown power, which caused damage to many Meridians, and your Dantian is nearly exhausted. If not for your solid Foundation and the Nirvana Sword Intent protecting your heart meridian, the consequences would have been unimaginable." Elder Liu put down the teacup, walked to the bed, and a gentle Spiritual Qi probed into Ye Chen's body again to carefully check his condition. "I have already used 'Spirit Nourishing Pill' and 'Hundred Herbs Rejuvenation Paste' to stabilize your injuries, but for a full recovery, you will still need rest and time."

"Thank you, Elder, for saving my life." Ye Chen said gratefully, then asked urgently, "What about Elder Mo…"

"Old Man Mo is fine. He has safely returned through a secret passage and handed the evidence to me and the Dean." Elder Liu's expression was grave. "The news and evidence you brought back are truly too shocking."

Just then, the door of the room was pushed open, and an invisible pressure spread out. Although it was deliberately restrained, it still made people feel awe. An old man dressed in a simple gray robe, with a refined face and eyes as deep as the starry sky, walked in slowly. He looked to be about the same age as Elder Liu, but his aura was like a deep abyss and a towering mountain, unfathomable.

"Dean." Liu Qingfeng nodded slightly.

Ye Chen was shocked. This was the Dean of Tianfeng Academy, Yun Canghai! A powerhouse who truly stood at the peak of Liuyun City and even the surrounding regions!

"Little guy, how do you feel?" Yun Canghai's voice was calm, carrying a power that soothed the heart. His gaze fell on Ye Chen, carrying scrutiny, and even more, a hint of admiration.

"Disciple Ye Chen greets the Dean. Thank you, Dean, and the Academy for saving me; this Disciple is already fine." Ye Chen replied quickly.

Yun Canghai nodded slightly: "No need for formalities. You have performed a great service for the Academy and Liuyun City. If you hadn't risked your life to sneak into the Lin family and bring back this heaven-shaking secret, we would still be kept in the dark, and the consequences would be unimaginable."

He walked to the table and sat down, and Elder Liu also sat back in his original seat. Both of their expressions became unusually serious.

"Ye Chen, tell us in detail again what you saw and heard in the Lin family's secret chamber, as well as what happened afterwards. Do not leave out any details." Yun Canghai said, his tone solemn.

Ye Chen steadied himself. From how he discovered the secret chamber, saw the animal skin map and the "Dark Hall Secret Records", to Lin Batian and the Black Robe Leader returning, being forced to fight, breaking out while heavily injured, to encountering Elder Mo at the Hundred Herbs Hall in the west of the city, being caught up by Lin Batian, and finally the ancient will in his body awakening and killing the powerful enemy... The whole process, except for the core secret of the "incomplete ancient sword" deep in his Soul, which he cleverly concealed, saying only that a sleeping ancient power in his body was triggered by the crisis, everything else was revealed without reservation.

Listening to Ye Chen's narration, even with Yun Canghai and Liu Qingfeng's state of mind, their expressions changed several times. When hearing that the "Demon Summoning Grand Array" was going to use the entire Liuyun City and Tianfeng Academy as sacrifices, a shocking light erupted in Yun Canghai's eyes; when hearing that Ye Chen had killed Lin Batian and the Black Robe Leader in a desperate situation, Liu Qingfeng couldn't help but clap his hands and shout in a low voice, "Good!"; and when Ye Chen described the majesty and power of that ancient will, both old men's eyes were filled with shock and inquiry.

"…That is how it happened. This Disciple was lucky to escape and was fortunate to be saved in time by Elder Liu." After Ye Chen finished speaking, he felt mentally exhausted again.

The room fell into a brief silence.

Yun Canghai and Liu Qingfeng looked at each other and saw the gravity and determination in each other's eyes.

"Dark Hall… It really is them making trouble behind the scenes!" Liu Qingfeng's voice was cold, carrying a biting Sword Intent, "These rats hiding in the shadows actually dare to plot such an unconscionable thing!"

Yun Canghai stood up slowly, walked to the window, and looked at the surging sea of clouds outside. He said in a deep voice: "'Demon Summoning Grand Array', Shadow Demon Lord… There are indeed sporadic records in ancient books; it is a remnant of a great catastrophe in the ancient era. If they really succeed in awakening the Demonic Lord, let alone Liuyun City, the entire Tianfeng Prefecture, and even wider territories, will face a catastrophe."

He turned around, his gaze like lightning: "Lin Batian's death is just the beginning. The Dark Hall has operated for many years, and its forces are intertwined; it is impossible that the Lin family is its only peripheral force. That 'Blood Blade' assassin organization is likely just the tip of the iceberg."

"Dean, how should we respond?" Liu Qingfeng asked.

"From this moment on, Tianfeng Academy enters the highest state of combat readiness!" Yun Canghai's tone was firm and decisive. "First, seal all entrances and exits of Liuyun City, allowing entry but not exit, strictly investigate all suspicious personnel, and fully eliminate the remaining Blood Blade and Dark Hall forces in the city."

"Second, you will personally lead the team, unite the elite Elders from the Law Enforcement Hall, Formation Hall, and Martial Skill Hall, and according to the map and information brought back by Ye Chen, immediately investigate and destroy all possible Formation nodes in Liuyun City and around the Academy! We must not let the 'Demon Summoning Grand Array' have any chance of being activated!"

"Third," he looked at Ye Chen, his eyes softening slightly, "Ye Chen has performed a great service this time, but he is also a target that the Dark Hall must kill. Before his injuries recover, let him stay in the 'Yunshen Villa' to rest; there are Restrictions I have set here, so it is safe. At the same time, open the third-floor access of the Academy's Scripture Pavilion, allowing him to choose one Spirit Rank High Grade Cultivation Technique and one Martial Skill. The necessary healing resources will be fully provided by the Academy. We must ensure he recovers as soon as possible, and even goes further!"

Liu Qingfeng heard this, a flash of surprise in his eyes, then nodded: "Such an arrangement is very good. Ye Chen damaged his Foundation this time and is in need of resources to make up for it. The Cultivation Technique and Martial Skill on the third floor of the Scripture Pavilion might help him turn a misfortune into a blessing."

Ye Chen was even more excited in his heart. Spirit Rank High Grade Cultivation Technique and Martial Skill! And unlimited resource supply from the Academy! Such treatment is probably only enjoyed by the Academy's most core True Disciples! This is not just a reward, but also the high hopes the Academy places on him.

"Thank you, Dean! This Disciple will certainly do his best to recover as soon as possible and contribute to guarding the Academy!" Ye Chen said solemnly.

Yun Canghai nodded and gave a final instruction: "Rest well. This matter is of great importance. Before we completely root out the nails of the Dark Hall, the news about the 'Demon Summoning Grand Array' and the Shadow Demon Lord must be kept strictly confidential to avoid causing panic and being exploited by the enemy."

"This Disciple understands."

Yun Canghai and Liu Qingfeng gave a few more instructions and then left in a hurry, obviously to arrange the upcoming thunderous actions.

The room returned to quiet. Ye Chen lay on the bed, feeling the pure Spiritual Qi and medicinal power lingering around his body, his heart surging with waves. A huge storm sweeping across the entire Liuyun City had already been triggered early because of him. And he was right at the center of this storm.

He clenched his fists, his eyes firm. He must become stronger as soon as possible! Only with strength can he protect everything he wants to protect in this upcoming chaotic situation!

He closed his eyes and began to actively guide the medicinal power and Spiritual Qi to accelerate the healing process. The Cultivation Technique of the "Myriad Realms Sword Canon" quietly operated, and deep in his Soul, the phantom of the incomplete ancient sword seemed to have become a bit more solid.