Chapter 195: Fang Yuan’s Reluctant Concession
Chapter 195: Fang Yuan’s Reluctant Concession
"That is a competition."
"You can be assured of your safety."
"There's no need for Seniors Nangong and Shangguan to be concerned about their lives."
"Yet, who can predict what might transpire in the uncharted world? Should you cross paths with a horrific demonic beast posing a threat to your lives, would Seniors Nangong and Shangguan merely remain idle?"
"Unquestionably, they would intervene to aid you. Consequently, the risk of exposure is considerably high!"
"Who can guarantee that the grand powerhouses of the Holy Land would not harbor sinister intentions! Furthermore, this demonic beast tide is under the control of the Nether Demon Clan. Who's to say if there isn't a potent Nether Demon surveying everything from the shadows?"
Jiang Chen let out a sigh of frustration, "In the event of exposure, they would be confronted with lethal threats. What do you have to safeguard them?"
"You!!"
"Of course, I wouldn't willingly thrust myself into peril!"
"Neither would I allow Seniors Nangong and Shangguan to be exposed!"
"Don't dare to belittle me!"
Fang Yuan's face turned a flushed shade, appearing affronted as he pointed at Jiang Chen, bellowing thunderously.
"This isn't about belittling you."
"Entering the battle isn't your most advantageous option."
"Were I in your shoes, I would choose to seclude myself, heal in tranquility, then progressively cultivate under the two seniors' mentorship."
Jiang Chen shook his head, stating, "With the presence of the two seniors, why worry about the impossibility of reaching a superior cultivation realm?"
"That's merely your viewpoint!!"
Fang Yuan gnashed his teeth, his fists clenched tightly, veins prominent.
His primary objective now was not to ascend to a more advanced cultivation realm, but to overpower Jiang Chen!
It was due to Jiang Chen that he had nearly lost everything.
He lost the respect of almost all the inhabitants of Purple Heaven Holy Land, he lost the woman who held the deepest place in his heart, Ji Ruxue, he lost triumph, dignity, self-assurance...
He detested Jiang Chen, yearning to shred him to pieces!
But how could seclusion and gradual cultivation lead to defeating Jiang Chen?
The assistance that Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning could provide him at this juncture was indeed finite; the advancement couldn't match Jiang Chen's!
He had to brave the unknown, to battle, to refine himself, to seek opportunities!
An opportunity that favored him, or Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning, could surpass the rewards of prolonged rigorous cultivation!
"Very well."
"Given that you're adamant about entering the fray, you may accompany me."
"I currently possess the prowess akin to one who has newly embarked on the path of comprehending the Dao. Should a peril arise that you can't manage, I can promptly step in."
With a sigh, Jiang Chen spoke resignedly, "This is my sole stipulation. If you consent to it, I will acquiesce to yours."
"Jiang Chen!!"
Fang Yuan trembled with rage from head to toe.
He sought to venture out, to sharpen his abilities, to seize opportunities.
If Jiang Chen accompanied him, would there be any point in honing his skills, and should an opportunity present itself, would there be any chance left for him?
Yet, at that moment.
"Fang Yuan."
"Jiang Chen's proposition does carry some merit."
"If you're insistent on going out to battle, then stay alongside Jiang Chen."
Shangguan Ning's voice chimed in.
"Correct."
Nangong Wan concurred.
They had been attentively following Jiang Chen's discourse all this while, and it was the safest choice for both Fang Yuan and themselves.
Fang Yuan's rigid determination to venture out and train had turned obstinate and self-focused.
"Senior Nangong! Senior Shangguan!"
Surprise made Fang Yuan blurt out in disbelief.
Hearing Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning align with Jiang Chen's sentiments felt like a betrayal from his own, stabbing him in the heart.
The psychological and physical pain rendered his mind numb and vacant, leaving him speechless.
The initial distrust Fang Yuan felt towards Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning only intensified!
"Fang Yuan!"
"Everything must prioritize safety."
"We cannot afford any mistakes. One erroneous step, and we stand to lose all!"
Nangong Wan's voice carried a frosty edge, reflecting her extreme displeasure with Fang Yuan's obstinacy.
"...Very well."
"I consent to accompany Jiang Chen..."
Fang Yuan trembled, and after a moment of internal strife, he had no option but to concede.
Simultaneously, in his heart, he perceived that Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning were now at least partially aligned with Jiang Chen's stance.
This realization kindled a profound sense of helplessness, solitude, and bewilderment in his heart.
[Ding! You have successfully undermined the impressions of Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning towards the protagonist, Fang Yuan, and effectively disturbed Fang Yuan's mental state. Fang Yuan's Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 400 points!]
[Ding! You have gained 800 Villain Value points!]
The system prompts resonated in his mind.
"Well."
"Fang Yuan, brace yourself for battle!"
Jiang Chen was inwardly elated, but on the exterior, he merely offered a slight nod to Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan remained quiet, drawing an upper-grade long spear for the Heavenly Origin realm from his storage artifact.
"Let's proceed!"
Jiang Chen tightened his grip on his right hand, and a top-grade long sword for the Inquiring Journey realm, the Peerless Sky Piercing Sword, materialized.
Shortly thereafter, he swiveled around, deactivated the formation, opened the door, and stepped outside.
Fang Yuan moved, trailing him.
"Honorable Holy Son!"
"Greetings to the Honorable Holy Son!"
"..."
As they traversed the Healing Hall, everyone they encountered along the way paid their respects to Jiang Chen.
Yet, they swiftly departed afterward, as the demonic beast tide had rekindled, making them immensely occupied.
Walking behind Jiang Chen, Fang Yuan witnessed these scenes, and a pang of sorrow swelled in his heart.
There was a time when he too basked in such prestige.
But now, even if he regained his title of a heavenly prodigy, he remained eclipsed by Jiang Chen's radiance.
Simultaneously, Jiang Chen's eyes scanned the vicinity, yet Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing were absent.
He promptly extended his divine sense, locating them in a distant hall.
There they were, diligently tending to those recently afflicted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi.
A wave of relief washed over Jiang Chen, and he quickly communicated his plan to depart with Fang Yuan.
He also urged them to stay within the safe confines of the Holy Land, refraining from venturing out to battle demonic beasts this time, and to persist with their current healing endeavors.
"Mount up!"
Having received affirmative replies from the girls, Jiang Chen waved his hand to release the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf, beckoning Fang Yuan.
A wave of irritation surged in Fang Yuan's heart, but he wordlessly climbed onto the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf.
In an instant, the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf transformed into a streak of light, slicing through the sky and soaring into the distance.
Simultaneously, the sky was a canvas of interwoven lights, creating a breathtaking tableau.
This stunning display symbolized that the Purple Heaven Holy Land was once again mobilizing all resources.
Countless cultivators were heading towards various battlefields to slay the demonic beasts and defend the Holy Land!
"Let's head to the nearest battlefield first."
Jiang Chen inquired casually, "Fang Yuan, what's your opinion?"
"I'd prefer somewhere more remote."
Fang Yuan maintained a stony expression, his tone disinterested.
There were too many people nearby.
What opportunity could there be? Even if one arose, it would be shared!
"That's fine."
"You decide."
Concealing his inner elation, Jiang Chen then produced a map.
The map pinpointed the locations where the demonic beast tides had erupted.
This map had been disseminated to all disciples by the Holy Land's Deacon Hall, promoting open and transparent information.
"Let's head here, to the Black Heavenly Plain."
Fang Yuan selected the Black Heavenly Plain as their destination.
"Very well."
Jiang Chen nodded, then prodded the Purple Orchid Meteor Leaf to soar towards their determined destination.
When he was setting up the layout earlier, Jiang Chen had traversed far and wide.
In almost every direction, there was a Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Marten that he had marked.
Close to the Black Heavenly Plain, there was also Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens tagged by Jiang Chen.
The Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens usually appeared in pairs, and in the case of the Black Heavenly Plain, there were two as well.
Both Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens were at the Late-stage Inquiring Journey realm!
Jiang Chen discreetly used the Misty Cloud Soul Tracking Secrets to confirm that the two Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens were still in their original location.
A subtle smile emerged at the corner of his mouth, almost imperceptible.
Before long, Jiang Chen arrived at the Black Heavenly Plain with Fang Yuan.
A note from AlphaWIA:
If you're enjoying my work, consider supporting me:
Patreon (Membership) /AlphaWIA]
Ko-fi (One time support & Membership (The chapters will be added soon)) /alphawia]