196: Crisis

Early the next morning, as the first light of dawn broke through, Yuqian Lane was still immersed in the tranquility of light mist and cooking smoke.

Chen Linsheng changed into ordinary grey cloth martial arts attire, suppressed his aura to the Flood Dragon Tendon Realm, Initial Stage, and slightly altered his facial features before pushing the door open and heading out.

The courtyard gate closed silently behind him. Su Wan stood behind the window, watching him leave until his back disappeared around the corner of the lane, only then did she gently lower the bamboo curtain.

As he moved through the gradually awakening streets and alleys, Chen Linsheng's five senses were fully heightened.

The shouts of breakfast vendors, the creaking of water carriers' shoulder poles, the laughter of chasing children... all sorts of sounds intertwined into the familiar clamor of the marketplace.

However, beneath this clamor, the extraordinary perception brought by the embryonic form of his Tracking Divine Ability allowed him to capture several unusual gazes.

At a tea stall at the entrance of the lane, a man eating noodles with his head down slightly paused his fingers holding the chopsticks as Chen Linsheng passed by; on the second floor of the fabric store opposite, a gaze lingered briefly through the window screen; further away on a roof, a grey shadow seemed to flash past.

“They're watching me really closely.” Chen Linsheng's expression remained normal and his pace steady, but a chill gradually grew in his heart.

These watchers were covert and experienced; they were definitely not people an ordinary power could maintain.

The White Lotus Sect?

Certain families coveting the Legacy?

Or scouts from other factions within Army Breaker Manor?

There was no way to tell, but the hostility followed him like a shadow.

He didn't go straight to the Yang Wei Martial Arts Hall Branch. Instead, he circled the city twice, using the morning market crowds and complex alleys to skillfully shake off most of the tails like a swimming fish.

Confirming there were no more 'tails' behind him, he turned toward the west of the city and stepped into that familiar martial arts street district, filled with the scent of sweat and the sound of shouting.

The door lintel of the Yang Wei Martial Arts Hall Branch was as simple and heavy as ever, with the black-and-gold plaque shimmering with a deep luster in the morning light.

The gate-keeping Disciple recognized Chen Linsheng. After a moment of surprise, he respectfully led him inside and whispered, “Senior Brother Chen, the Hall Master and Instructor Zhao have been waiting in the main hall for a long time.”

Inside the main hall, sandalwood incense curled in the air.

Martial Arts Hall Master Zhao Xiong sat in the main seat, dressed in a brocade robe. He had a broad face and a square mouth, exuding natural authority. At this moment, he held a teacup, his gaze deep and serious.

Seated on the left below him was Master Zhao Zheng.

Compared to a few months ago, the signs of travel had not yet faded from Zhao Zheng, but his eyes were even brighter and his aura more profound and restrained. Clearly, his trip to the prefecture capital had also yielded gains. He looked at Chen Linsheng as he entered the hall, his eyes reflecting a mix of concern and scrutiny.

“Disciple Chen Linsheng pays respects to the Hall Master and Master.” Chen Linsheng stepped forward and bowed according to etiquette.

“No need for formalities, sit.” Zhao Xiong put down his teacup, his voice booming. “Linsheng, the stir you caused this time is truly not small. Although Jiuqu Prefecture is remote, news is not blocked. ‘Fentian Valley’, ‘Great Sun Burning Heaven Physique’, ‘Slaying White Lotus Cultists’... now your name is already well-known in the Jianghu circles of several northern border prefectures.”

Zhao Zheng was more direct. He stared at Chen Linsheng and said in a heavy voice, “Sheng'er, tell us about your experiences in the Secret Realm, picking only the important parts. Especially concerning that Great Sun Burning Heaven Physique and the matter of the White Lotus Sect—do not hide anything.”

Chen Linsheng sat down as told. Omitting unnecessary details, he briefly recounted the Secret Realm trials, the struggle between the three peaks, the starry sky illusion within the Inheritance Hall, the Mirror Battle, and the life-and-death struggle with the White Lotus Cult Heretic, Senior Brother Wei Jingtong.

Regarding his own cultivation Breakthrough, the transformation of his Hunyuan Qi and Blood, and the Fusion of the Great Sun True Flame, he did not go into detail, merely stating that he had benefited greatly and stabilized his Realm.

Even so, the hall fell into a brief silence.

Zhao Xiong's fingers unconsciously tapped the armrest, his eyes flickering. He was clearly processing the massive interests and risks represented by this information. The Legacy of an ancient body-tempering divine technique was enough to tempt any power, not to mention it involved the mysterious and unpredictable White Lotus Sect.

Zhao Zheng's brow was furrowed. When he heard that the White Lotus Sect had reappeared and was targeting Chen Linsheng, a cold light flashed in his eyes. “The White Lotus Sect's wicked intentions never die; their methods are sinister and strange. You killed an important figure of theirs; this grudge is now irreconcilable. When you travel in the future, you must be extremely vigilant, guarding not only against open attacks but also against hidden arrows and evil arts.” He paused, lowering his voice. “That Great Sun Burning Heaven Physique... can you control it? Are there any issues?”

Chen Linsheng understood his Master was worried that the technique itself had hidden dangers or required special conditions that would bring greater trouble. He respectfully said, “Master, please rest assured. Although this technique is a remnant, its Foundation is supremely Yang and upright, and it has a wonderful complementary effect with what I originally cultivated. My cultivation is currently proceeding smoothly without any abnormalities. As for the future... I will naturally explore cautiously.”

Zhao Zheng nodded slightly, his expression relaxing a bit. “It is good that you have a sense of proportion. Such an Opportunity is rare, so you must proceed step by step and not be overly ambitious or rash.”

At this point, Zhao Xiong coughed lightly and shifted the topic. “What was the attitude of Xiao Zhan from Army Breaker Manor toward you? I heard he once publicly tried to recruit you?”

“That is true.” Chen Linsheng nodded. “Captain Xiao is an upright man and helped me fight the White Lotus Sect in the Secret Realm. He invited me to join the inner court of Army Breaker Manor with the rank of an active Captain. Because I have unfinished personal matters and no intention of joining the military for now, I politely declined. Captain Xiao did not force it; instead, he gave me a token, stating that I could find him if I encountered difficulties.”

“Hmm...” Zhao Xiong stroked his short beard and mused, “Xiao Zhan has a high reputation among the younger generation of Army Breaker Manor, and his actions are quite methodical. His move was both out of appreciation for talent and perhaps an attempt to recruit new blood for Army Breaker Manor to counterbalance other internal factions. You were right to decline; getting involved in the internal strife of the military manor too early is not a wise move. However, since he left a gesture of goodwill, you should remember this favor; it might be useful in the future.”

His tone shifted, and his gaze became sharp. “But you must know that by refusing the recruitment of Army Breaker Manor's inner court, in the eyes of some people, it might mean you are not ‘one of them.’ And you possess a great treasure and have such strength at a young age... a tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. Army Breaker Manor is not a monolithic block either. While some appreciate you, others will naturally be wary of you, or even want to control you or... destroy you.”

While they were speaking, hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.

A martial arts hall deacon walked in quickly, holding an ancient and solemn-looking document sealed with red wax. His expression was respectful, tinged with a hint of nervousness.