106: Chapter 106 Return to the Heavenly Sword Sect, Netherworld Ruins

The three sword techniques contained a massive amount of information and a profound Concept.

Ye Chen found it difficult to fully understand them all at once, but he knew this was an incredibly precious Legacy.

He hurriedly focused his mind to memorize them, carving the three Sword Intents deep into his mind.

"Thank you, Senior, for the grace of imparting these techniques!" Ye Chen bowed deeply once more.

"There is no need for such ceremony. From here on, take care of yourself. Within the Sect, you can temporarily rely on Elder Li Changqing, but do not trust him completely.

Murong Bai is deep and calculating with unclear motives; you must be on your guard against him.

Leng Ningshuang has a decent character and can be trusted to a limited extent.

As for that Bai Yu..."

Bai Chen paused, an inexplicable look flashing through his eyes.

"If he seeks you out, you may interact with him, but you must keep your guard up."

Ye Chen noted down each of Bai Chen's warnings.

Elder Li, Murong Bai, Leng Ningshuang, Bai Yu...

The images of these people became clearer in his heart, and he grew more alert.

"Senior, can this Disciple come here to find you again?"

Ye Chen asked.

To him, Bai Chen had shown the grace of saving his life, remolding him, imparting the Dao, and resolving his doubts.

Though the man's temperament was cold, he gave Ye Chen a rare sense of peace.

"If fate permits, we shall meet again."

Bai Chen said indifferently, waving his hand.

"Go now. After leaving the valley, a hundred miles to the east, there is a transport Formation that can return you to the Sect. You have been here for over two months; the situation in the outside world has surely changed."

Two months?

Ye Chen was startled; he hadn't expected his recovery to take so long.

He said no more and performed a solemn ceremony of three prostrations and nine kowtows toward Bai Chen.

Then he rose and packed his simple belongings.

He took one last look at the wooden hut in the snow valley that had given him new life and revealed the mystery of his birth.

And at that white-robed Senior who always remained expressionless yet stood as steady as a mountain.

He turned, pushed open the door, and stepped into the biting wind and snow.

The snow soon blurred his silhouette.

Inside the hut, Bai Chen remained seated by the table, the ice crystal pen in his hand unconsciously tapping on the animal skin scroll, leaving behind ink dots that looked like ice crystals.

He gazed in the direction where Ye Chen had disappeared, and a faint, complex, and unreadable expression finally surfaced on his wooden face.

"Ye Lingtian, Lin Suxin... your son has grown faster than I imagined, and he is more like you. However, this path will likely be even harder to walk than it was for his parents back then."

"A catastrophe is coming, and undercurrents have appeared; this pool of water is getting murkier after all. I hope this unexpected chess piece of mine can stir the clouds and bring some... variables."

He whispered to himself, his voice barely audible before it dissipated into the sound of the wind and snow outside.

...

Ye Chen braved the wind and snow, trudging through the snow valley in the direction Bai Chen had pointed out.

He circulated his True Essence to protect his body, his steps steady. His new right arm was full of power, and with the ice scar sword in hand, cold qi was contained within.

Two months of quiet recuperation and refinement had not only healed his injuries.

It had also calmed his Heart-Nature significantly, and his control over his power had become more proficient.

An hour later, he indeed found what he was looking for in a hidden mountain hollow on the eastern side of the snow valley.

He found an ancient transport Formation half-buried by ice and snow.

The Formation patterns were somewhat damaged, but the core was still intact.

Following the method Bai Chen had told him, he embedded several Spirit Stones and activated the Formation.

Light flared, and a spatial fluctuation rippled out.

Ye Chen took one last look at the vast snow valley before his figure vanished into the light.

In the next moment, he appeared on the outskirts of the Tianyun Mountain Range, in a remote forest where few people traveled.

This place was clearly no longer a bitter cold land like the Beiming Snow Valley; although it was still cold, there were signs of greenery, and the Spiritual Qi was much gentler.

Identifying his direction, Ye Chen deployed his movement technique and sped toward the mountain gate of the Tianyun Sword Sect.

In two months, many changes had indeed occurred in the outside world.

Along the way, he overheard fragments of conversation from passing Cultivators.

"Did you hear? That Ye Chen from the Tianyun Sword Sect's Inner Sect defeated Xiao Li on the Heavenly Punishment Platform, but he was heavily injured and went missing!"

"More than just defeated, they almost perished together! It's said he used some forbidden Move that even broke Golden Flame Peak's Heaven-Burning Great Handprint!"

"Xiao Li launched a sneak attack against the rules afterward and was seized by the Law Enforcement Hall, then locked in the Cold Prison! Golden Flame Peak really lost face this time!"

"No one knows if Ye Chen is alive or dead; some say he was rescued by a mysterious expert."

"Elder Wang He of Golden Flame Peak has been like a madman these past two months, searching everywhere for Ye Chen's whereabouts and constantly putting pressure on the Law Enforcement Hall."

"Elder Li of Danding Peak and the side of Zixia Peak also seem to be secretly inquiring about news of Ye Chen."

"Lately, there have been rumors that the activities of the 'Shadow Fiend' have become frequent again. I wonder if it's related to the matter of the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm..."

Ye Chen felt a slight chill in his heart; he had indeed become the center of a storm.

Golden Flame Peak refused to let it go, Elder Li and Leng Ningshuang were worried about him, and the 'Shadow Fiend' was still active.

He had to act carefully.

He did not return directly to the Inner Sect, but instead went to the edge of the Outer Sect area first.

Finding a secluded spot, he changed into ordinary gray robes.

He then slightly disguised his appearance and altered his temperament before blending into the crowd and walking toward the mountain gate.

When the gate Disciples checked his token, they saw his Inner Sect Disciple status and that his cultivation was at the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm.

Though they were surprised that he looked unfamiliar, the token was correct, so they let him through.

After successfully entering the Sect, Ye Chen did not immediately go to Danding Peak or Zixia Peak.

Instead, he first returned to his own Cave Residence Bing-9 on Ziyun Peak.

The Cave Residence's Restriction was intact; it seemed no one had broken in during these two months.

He opened the Restriction and checked carefully, breathing a sigh of relief once he confirmed everything was in order.

He sat cross-legged, but he did not immediately begin to Cultivate.

Instead, he quietly sorted through the massive amount of information he had learned over the past two months, especially today, regarding his background.

His parents' whereabouts were unknown, the powerful enemy 'Shadow Fiend', the overt and covert attacks within the Sect, and the future exploration of the Netherworld Ruins.

Image after image and clue after clue intertwined in his mind.

The pressure was as heavy as a mountain, but there was no fear in Ye Chen's heart; instead, there was a sense of determination and relief now that the dust had settled.

He knew where he came from, he had identified his enemies, and he saw his path forward clearly.

All that remained was to walk forward step by step, steadily, and become stronger.

Then, he would search, face his problems, and resolve them.

"Father, Mother, whether you are alive or dead, no matter where you are, I will definitely find you and make 'Shadow Fiend' pay the price!"

In Ye Chen's eyes, a cold light shone like stars, and his Battle Intent was as hard as iron.

He took out the ice scar sword and gently stroked the blade, feeling the newly born cold light and spatial intent within.

He then inspected his own body; in his Wheel Sea, the Chaos vortex rotated steadily, the Ice Lotus Imprint floated quietly, and the Dark Red Ember pulsed warmly.

"Next, I will first fully recover from my injuries and stabilize my cultivation. Then... it will be time to meet those who are 'concerned' about me."

He swallowed a Medicinal Pill and slowly closed his eyes, beginning his first meditation after returning to the Sect.

A storm might be about to sweep through again, with Ye Chen at its center.

And he was already prepared.

...

Ziyun Peak, Cave Residence Bing-9.

Ye Chen sat in the quiet room, his mind sinking into his Wheel Sea.

The Hunyuan One-Qi Art circulated at a steady pace.

He absorbed the dense Spiritual Qi within the Cave Residence.

Combined with the residual medicinal power of the 'Cold Jade Muscle-Growing Ointment' and 'Ice Soul Spirit-Condensing Dew' in his body, he continued to nourish the last few subtle hidden injuries.

With two months of recuperation in the snow valley plus Bai Chen's Spirit Medicines, his injuries were ninety percent healed, with only a slight lingering pain deep within his Divine Soul.

It would take slow, painstaking effort to eliminate it, and the newly grown Meridians in his right arm also needed time to completely stabilize and adapt.

His cultivation was stable at the Early Stage of the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm.

However, the purity and condensation of his True Essence far exceeded those of the same level, and he was even faintly touching the threshold of the Middle Stage of the Fourth Level.

The Hunyuan True Essence flowed through his body, carrying an aura of inclusion and annihilation, as the freezing cold and blazing heat reached a delicate balance.

The ice scar sword lay across his knees, its blade a deep blue with faint silver patterns flowing over it, emitting a restrained sharpness.

Ye Chen was in no hurry to end his seclusion.

The outside world was turbulent; he needed to clear his thoughts and plan his next steps first.

The matter of his parents was like a giant boulder weighing on his heart.

The Netherworld Sect Ruins were an important clue to finding their whereabouts.

But the ruins were dangerous and coveted by the 'Shadow Fiend', so the next exploration would surely be fraught with peril. Improving his strength was the top priority.

"I need to continue comprehending the Hunyuan One-Qi Art. The three sword techniques taught by Senior Bai Chen have a profound Concept and need to be integrated into my own sword Dao as soon as possible. The Divine Soul attack of the 'Soul-Shocking Spike' cannot be neglected either. To raise my cultivation, resources are indispensable..."

Ye Chen calculated in his mind.

He was quite wealthy now; what he had gained from the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm and from killing Liu Yunfei, Liu Kun, and others, combined with the Medicinal Pills gifted by Bai Chen, was enough to support his cultivation for a while.

But if he wanted to improve faster, he might still need Sect contribution points and special resources.

"I need to make a trip to Elder Li's side, first to report that I am safe, and second to find out about the Sect's movements, especially the detailed arrangements for the Netherworld Ruins. I also need to contact Senior Sister Leng Ningshuang, Zhao Feng, and Duan Tianya. And then there's Bai Yu..."

Ye Chen thought of Bai Chen's warning and grew increasingly curious about this person.

Regarding Golden Flame Peak and Wang He...

A cold light flashed in Ye Chen's eyes.

This grudge was now a fight to the death; he could only meet whatever came his way.

Within the Sect, they wouldn't dare act openly, but he had to guard against schemes in the dark.

Clearing his thoughts, Ye Chen took a Medicinal Pill and began trying to comprehend "Silent Snowfall" taught by Bai Chen.

A Sword Intent phantom emerged in his Sea of Consciousness, silent and soundless, yet containing a piercing chill that froze life and returned everything to silence.

This had commonalities with his own "Nirvana" Sword Intent, but focused more on "stillness" and "concealment".

He tried to combine this Sword Intent with the defensive counter-attack sword Moves he had previously deduced based on Hunyuan True Essence.

Pursuing a Concept of "Hearing Thunder in the Silence".

Cultivation knows no time; another three days passed.

Ye Chen opened his eyes, a flicker of icy Sword Intent vanishing in them; the room temperature seemed to drop a few degrees.

His comprehension of "Silent Snowfall" had reached the entry level. It was time to go out.

He removed his disguise, changed into clean Inner Sect white robes, carried the ice scar sword on his back, removed the Immortal Cave Restriction, and pushed the door open.

...

On Ziyun Peak, mist swirled, and Spiritual Qi was abundant.

Occasionally, Disciples passed by on swords or on foot; seeing Ye Chen, most showed complex expressions of surprise, curiosity, and awe.

They watched from afar and whispered, but no one dared to approach and speak.

After the battle on the Heavenly Punishment Platform, Ye Chen's name had already spread throughout the Inner Sect; his bravery and mystery made ordinary Disciples feel intimidated.

Ye Chen ignored this and walked straight toward Danding Peak.

Arriving at Danding Peak, before entering the Cold Mist Pavilion area, he met Zhou Tong.

"Junior Brother Ye! You... you're back?!"

Seeing Ye Chen, Zhou Tong was both surprised and delighted; he hurried forward and lowered his voice.

"Where have you been these past two months? Elder Li and the rest of us were worried sick! Golden Flame Peak has been searching for you like mad dogs, and that old fool Wang He came to Danding Peak several times demanding people, but the Elder blocked him!"

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Zhou. I had a chance encounter and went out to heal my injuries."

Ye Chen explained simply and asked, "Is the Elder here?"

"He is! He's been waiting for news of you! Quick, follow me!"

Zhou Tong quickly led Ye Chen toward Cold Mist Pavilion.

Entering the pavilion, the Earth Fire remained, and the fragrance of medicine filled the air.

Elder Li was standing before a Pill Furnace, seemingly deducing some Pill Formula; hearing footsteps, he turned around.

When he saw Ye Chen, intact, with a steady aura and even a slight improvement.

Undisguised joy and a hint of relief erupted in his eyes.

"Disciple Ye Chen greets the Elder. I have made you worry."

Ye Chen stepped forward and bowed.

"It's good that you're back! It's good that you're back!"

Elder Li took two steps forward, looking Ye Chen over carefully, lingering on his right arm and his eyes for a moment, then stroked his beard and smiled.

"Not only have your injuries fully healed, but your Cultivation has also improved, and your aura is steady. It seems this encounter was extraordinary. Was it that Fellow Daoist Bai Chen who saved you?"

"Indeed. Senior Bai saved my life, healed me, and taught me techniques."

Ye Chen did not hide it.

He knew that with Elder Li's discerning eyes, he would see the recovery was unusual.

And Bai Chen's appearance on the Heavenly Punishment Platform was an open secret.

"Bai Chen..."

A hint of reminiscence and gravity flashed in Elder Li's eyes.

"This person's background is mysterious, and his cultivation is unfathomable. He was brilliant back then but left abruptly. That he saved you is your good fortune. However, his nature is indifferent and his actions unpredictable; you must be careful in your dealings with him."

"I will keep that in mind."

Ye Chen nodded, then asked.

"Elder, during the two months I was away, in the Sect..."

Elder Li's expression turned serious; he waved his hand to set up a sound-isolating Restriction, signaled Ye Chen to sit, and said deeply.

"The Sect has been turbulent during your absence. Although you won the battle on the Heavenly Punishment Platform, you completely enraged Golden Flame Peak. That old ghost Wang He lost face, his closed-door Disciple Xiao Li was crippled and thrown into the Cold Prison, and Golden Flame Peak's reputation in the Inner Sect has plummeted."

"He has been mobilizing all forces, openly and secretly, to put you to death. In the Law Enforcement Hall, Deputy Hall Master Yan has handled things impartially and suppressed some of Wang He's excessive demands, but he has also faced considerable pressure. The Sect Master's attitude remains ambiguous, seemingly intending to use this to balance the power of the peaks."

Ye Chen listened quietly; this was all within his expectations.

"Furthermore, regarding the Hundred Herbs Secret Realm, especially the Netherworld Sect Ruins, it has caused a stir at the highest levels of the Sect."

Elder Li continued.

"The 'netherworld token' and map Jade Slip you brought out are of immense value. After discussing with several Grand Elders, the Sect Master has preliminarily decided that when the Secret Realm opens again in three years, an elite team will be organized to explore the core ruins of the Netherworld Sect."

"This has been classified as one of the Sect's top secrets. Participants will be selected from Core Disciples and the top elites of the Inner Sect. You, because you hold the netherworld token, have entered the outskirts, and... have a special background, have been internally designated as a mandatory participant."

As expected. Ye Chen understood.

This was both an opportunity and a huge test and risk.

"Wang He is also very concerned about this; Golden Flame Peak will surely fight for spots and likely plot against you within it. You must be mentally prepared."

Elder Li warned.

"These three years are crucial for improving your strength and consolidating your position. You must break through to the Middle Stage of the Wheel Sea Realm, or even the Late Stage, to be qualified to stand firm in the exploration and gain more importance and a voice among the Sect's high-level members."

"I understand. I will give it my all."

Ye Chen said solemnly.

"Mm. This is the 'red sun yin-resolving powder' you asked me to refine earlier. I have already given it to that Outer Sect girl; the cold poison in her body has been resolved, and she is currently recovering and is no longer in danger."

Elder Li took out a jade bottle.

"This contains the remainder of the 'red sun yin-resolving powder'. Its medicinal power is gentle and will be beneficial for consolidating your Cultivation and removing any lingering irritability from using forbidden Moves."

"Additionally, since you have recovered, your Sect contribution points and resource allocation will return to normal. Danding Peak will also give you appropriate preference. But remember, cultivation resources are ultimately external; the root lies in oneself."

"Thank you, Elder!"

Ye Chen took the jade bottle, his heart finally at ease regarding Lin Qingxue's situation.

Leaving Cold Mist Pavilion, Ye Chen did not immediately return to Ziyun Peak.

He diverted to Zixia Peak.

Leng Ningshuang was regulating her breath in her cultivation room.

Seeing Ye Chen's visit, a very faint ripple flashed across her cold face, and she stood up to signal Ye Chen to sit.

"Junior Brother Ye, have your injuries mostly healed?"

she asked, her voice cold but carrying concern.

"They are no longer an issue. Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister," Ye Chen said.

"I must also thank you for speaking up for justice on the Heavenly Punishment Platform that day."

"It was my duty." Leng Ningshuang shook her head, her gaze falling on Ye Chen, sensing him carefully, a hint of surprise crossing her eyes.

"You have recovered better than I imagined. Your aura is steady, and your Sword Intent is restrained. It seems you have gained quite a bit these past two months."

"It was just luck."

Ye Chen said, "Senior Sister, regarding the Netherworld Ruins..."

"Revered Master has already mentioned it to me."

Leng Ningshuang's expression turned grave.

"This matter is of great importance and extremely dangerous. 'Shadow Fiend' is determined to get the ruins, and there will surely be intense conflict then. We need to prepare early."

"In these three years, I will also enter secluded cultivation to charge toward the Dao Palace Realm. You must improve your strength as quickly as possible; at least... you need to have combat power rivaling an ordinary Core Disciple to have a slim chance of survival in the ruins."

"Dao Palace Realm!"

Ye Chen's heart shook slightly.

Leng Ningshuang was indeed a standout among Core Disciples, already starting to charge toward the Dao Palace.

After the Wheel Sea is the Dao Palace; that is another huge leap in life level, with a world of difference in strength.

"With Senior Sister's extraordinary talent, you will surely succeed," Ye Chen said sincerely.

"The difficulty of the Dao Palace is no small matter."

Leng Ningshuang was not conceited and instead said.

"You must be careful regarding the matter with Golden Flame Peak. Wang He is vindictive; with Xiao Li crippled, he will never let it go. Openly he won't dare do anything, but his secret methods are hard to guard against."

"Especially... during the two months you were away, there seemed to be some unusual interaction between Golden Flame Peak and 'Shadow Fiend'. The Law Enforcement Hall is investigating secretly, but there is no solid evidence yet. You must be extra vigilant."

"Golden Flame Peak and 'Shadow Fiend'?"

Ye Chen's eyes turned cold.

If that were true, Wang He deserved to die ten thousand deaths!

Colluding with the Evil Path and harming fellow Disciples—this was a great taboo of the Sect!

"I will be careful."

Ye Chen said deeply.

Leaving Zixia Peak, Ye Chen went to look for Zhao Feng and Duan Tianya.