Chapter 63

In the Hou residence, even Longteng Hou himself was alarmed.

The alchemists in the Hou residence came forward one by one to examine the situation, including the high-ranking officials from the newly allied Danwang Garden, who also went up one by one to check on Long San's condition.

Wang Yuanzhu, as the most trusted alchemist of Longteng Hou, was also at a loss.

"Your Excellency, it's not simple. This poison entered through the pores, making it the king of poisons. I see... what is this?"

Wang Yuanzhu was trying to find excuses for his incompetence when he suddenly discovered a small strip of cloth inside Long San's clothing.

On the strip of cloth were four characters—using poison to counter poison.

Behind the strip of cloth, there were also a few tiny characters—let the strongest poison master of the Hou residence test this poison.

As Longteng Hou was about to touch the strip of cloth, Wang Yuanzhu quickly stopped him: "Lord Long, do not touch it, it might be poisonous."

Now, the entire Longteng Hou residence was on edge. Hearing Wang Yuanzhu's words, Longteng Hou also withdrew his hand, staring at the strip of cloth with a frightening expression.

"Your Excellency, this Long San was sent by you to pursue Jiang Chen. And this strip of cloth has some implications. Could it be that Long San actually fell into Jiang Chen's hands?" Wang Yuanzhu was now quite wary of Jiang Chen.

"Impossible! How old is Jiang Chen? In terms of cultivation, he is at most a high-stage True Qi realm. How could he injure Long San like this?" Long Zhaofeng shook his head.

"But it says here to use poison to counter poison. This clearly indicates that he suffered a loss and is seeking revenge for Jiang Feng's poisoning."

Long Zhaofeng still shook his head: "I have investigated the Jiang family's background very clearly. Neither Jiang Feng nor Jiang Chen has this capability. Long San is a True Qi master, and not just any True Qi master. I suspect that someone is secretly helping the Jiang family. And it is very likely that it is the Dongfang clan."

Now, the Jiang family and the royal Dongfang clan are very close. If the royal family secretly sent a strong person to help Jiang Chen, it is not impossible.

To say that Jiang Chen himself has the ability to harm Long San is fundamentally illogical.

"Old Wang, you talk so much, but can you cure Long San's poison or not?" Longteng Hou indeed placed great importance on Long San.

"I am skilled in alchemy, but I have no authority to speak about poisons. We can only wait for Master Zi to come out of seclusion, then there might be a glimmer of hope." Wang Yuanzhu said this, but in his heart, he knew that Long San would not survive until Master Zi came out of seclusion.

Moreover, this was already a case of poison attacking the heart. Even if Master Zi were to intervene, there might not be any hope. Furthermore, although Master Zi is strong in poisons, he might not be able to unravel the mystery of this poison in a short time and resolve it in time.

Long San was clearly at the end of his life.

"Jiang family!" Long Zhaofeng's eyes flashed with a terrifying light.

"Your Excellency, how should we deal with the few martial guests who brought Third Young Master back?" a core guard captain of the Hou residence asked.

"I don't want to hear any nonsense from the outside world." Long Zhaofeng said calmly.

"Yes." The guard captain nodded, understanding Long Zhaofeng's meaning. The Lord clearly did not want the matter of Long San to be widely spread.

Who can keep secrets best? Clearly, the dead.

...

Jiang Chen, who had returned to the capital, disguised himself and returned to the Jiang Han Hou residence. This round trip took exactly half a month.

The first mission was completed satisfactorily.

However, Jiang Chen did not rush to report. Instead, he first informed his father, Jiang Feng, about Long San's situation.

"Long San?" After listening, Jiang Feng's eyes showed disbelief, "Dust, are you saying that you used poison to cripple Long San?"

"More accurately, he is dead." Jiang Chen, in his previous life, was a master of alchemy in the various realms, and using poison was a piece of cake for him.

He sent Long San back with precise calculations.

There was absolutely no possibility of the other side being able to save him!

Jiang Chen was not a particularly vengeful person, but he was not one to be bullied either. The actions of the Longteng Hou residence against his father last time were just the first step in his counterattack. This was at most just paying them back a bit of interest. In the future, he would certainly pay back more principal!

The words on the small strip of cloth were also deliberately placed by Jiang Chen to warn the Longteng Hou residence.

As for those few martial guests, Jiang Chen would not let innocent people die. Those few were actually bandits who roamed the outskirts of the capital, openly acting as martial guests but secretly engaging in robbery and murder.

In short, they were a few evil bandits.

Jiang Chen sent them to the Longteng Hou residence, knowing that the Longteng Hou residence would certainly kill them to silence them.

"Dust, Long Zhaofeng is a vengeful and ruthless person. Long San is one of his most trusted confidants. His strength can definitely rank in the top five in the Longteng Hou residence. If this person is dead, Longteng Hou will certainly launch a more intense retaliation against you."

Jiang Feng's tone was serious. He no longer measured his son with conventional standards.

"Right, one must always be cautious." Jiang Chen nodded, "However, we cannot hold back just because they will retaliate. I will cultivate for a few days and try to break through to the eighth pulse of True Qi, further enhancing my strength!"

In martial cultivation, relying solely on seclusion for cultivation can sometimes lead to a bottleneck.

Traveling and experiencing the world, however, often brings new insights and new experiences, which can trigger breakthroughs.

This time, after completing the mission, Jiang Chen's mental fortitude and experience were further enhanced. The knowledge and experiences gained from the outside world would be refined and absorbed, becoming a significant factor in promoting martial breakthroughs.

Three days later, Jiang Chen successfully broke through.

After breaking through, with the eighth pulse of True Qi, Jiang Chen clearly felt that his strength had been further enhanced.

After entering the high-stage True Qi realm, each increase in a pulse of True Qi would result in a more noticeable improvement in one's realm. Each step forward would feel like a greater leap.

With the breakthrough to the eighth pulse of True Qi, the martial techniques Jiang Chen practiced also became more interconnected, and he gained a deeper understanding of many profound principles.

Of course, the "Canghai Niliu Dao" was still at the second form. To reach the third form, he needed more enlightenment and new opportunities.

The "Kurong Divine Fist" was still at the third cycle of three withers and three flourishes, but Jiang Chen had gained a deeper understanding of the true meaning of this martial technique.

These insights and improvements would greatly enhance his combat effectiveness in actual battles.

On the way back to the capital, Jiang Chen encountered the first wave of ambush. Without even drawing his unnamed sword, he beheaded the opponent.

This was the martial true meaning hidden within, and the astonishing profundity of the "Canghai Niliu Dao."

Now, with the eighth pulse of True Qi, Jiang Chen was confident that even in a direct confrontation with Long San, he would not fear the opponent.

Whether using the "Canghai Niliu Dao" or the "Kurong Divine Fist," he was capable of directly confronting a True Qi master like Long San.

The breakthrough to the eighth pulse of True Qi brought obvious benefits to Jiang Chen.

The "Tianmu Divine Pupils" and "Shunfeng's Ear" both smoothly broke through to the fourth level, and the "Panshi Heart," which had been progressing slowly, also showed signs of loosening, with the potential to enter the third level.

Jiang Chen would never slack off in these three divine techniques. Not only were they very useful in actual combat, but they were also essential for cultivating the "Shuiyue Feidao."

Jiang Chen had basically mastered the initial movements of the "Shuiyue Feidao."

However, the power of the "Shuiyue Feidao" lay in its mysterious and unpredictable techniques. Currently, Jiang Chen had only practiced some basic movements.

The truly powerful techniques and profound principles were not even within his reach.

To cultivate the first form of the "Shuiyue Feidao," one must cultivate the "Tianmu Divine Pupils" and "Shunfeng's Ear" to the seventh level.

The "Panshi Heart" must be at least at the fourth level.

The most profound "Qi Qiao Tong Ling" must also be cultivated to the second level.

Currently, Jiang Chen was far from these four supporting divine techniques, especially the "Qi Qiao Tong Ling," which had not even started.

When assessing his own strength, Jiang Chen felt a sense of urgency.

"It seems that to gain the qualification to cultivate the techniques and profound principles of the 'Shuiyue Feidao,' I must cultivate these four supporting divine techniques to a certain level."

Although Jiang Chen felt a sense of urgency, he would not rush things.

In martial cultivation, steady progress is the right path.

The next day, Jiang Chen went to the Qianlong venue to submit his first mission.

"Jiang Chen, a first-class mission, to pursue and kill the rapist Lotus Picker in the Tianhu territory." A responsible person from the Qianlong venue began to verify.

"According to the test, this head is indeed that of the notorious Lotus Picker. This short sword and these personal items are all qualified proof."

The responsible person nodded and announced: "Jiang Chen, the first first-class mission is completed!"

With this announcement, Jiang Chen's first mission was considered completed.

"Jiang Chen, according to the rules, you need to complete two more first-class missions to enter the first-class rank. And the remaining two first-class missions are fixed."

These were old rules, and Jiang Chen had no objections. He casually took the second mission scroll and prepared to leave.

"Jiang Chen, wait a moment."

Jiang Chen did not need to turn around to know that Princess Gouyu had arrived.

In fact, as soon as he stepped into the Qianlong venue, his "Shunfeng's Ear" had already detected Princess Gouyu's unique breathing.

In the entire Qianlong venue, she was the only one with the True Qi of the ten pulses.

"Your Highness, what can I do for you?"

"Follow me." Princess Gouyu was a bit more reserved in public.

Following Princess Gouyu to a private room, her phoenix eyes showed a hint of surprise, "Jiang Chen, I heard that Long San had an incident!?"

"Is that so? What does it have to do with me? Who is Long San?" Jiang Chen asked a series of three counter-questions, feigning indifference.

"Ah!" Princess Gouyu was slightly disappointed. She really wanted Jiang Chen to take responsibility for it.

...