CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 38: WELCOME, YOUNG SECT LEADER

"Surprised?"

Ji Chen stood holding his sword, smiling faintly at them, "It’s good to be surprised."

"Now, take this secret with you to hell."

"Buzz..."

The moment the sound fell, Ji Chen’s expression suddenly turned solemn, as if his entire aura had changed.

A terrifying Sword Momentum instantly enveloped the entire scene, sharp and staggering, causing Nie Yuan and the others to hold their breath.

"Kill!"

The cold voice emanated from Ji Chen’s mouth, and in the next instant, a purple sword flash flitted out. Ji Chen unhesitatingly displayed the Phantom Sword Technique.

The purple sword light was elusive, like a phantom in the dark night, and its speed was so fast that even Song An, who had Spirit Transformation Realm First Layer cultivation, could not react.

"Swish!"

And when that terrifying Sword Momentum gradually subsided, a shocking blood hole was already visible on the chests of Song An, Nie Yuan, and Lu Ren.

Their eyes were blank, looking incredulously at the sword mark on their chests, unaware when Ji Chen’s sword light had penetrated their bodies.

"Bang!"

The three died just like that, their life force drained, becoming mere corpses, falling to the ground.

"Whew!"

Ji Chen exhaled a long breath.

The enhanced strength the Cloud-Breaking Pill brought made him very satisfied.

Plus, with the nine Spirit Veins and the Cyan Emperor Sword in hand, a full-force strike could not be resisted by ordinary Spirit Transformation Realm figures.

This was also why he dared to confidently stay in place, waiting for Song An and the others to catch up.

"So poor?"

He put away the Cyan Emperor Sword, then took the Storage Bags from Song An and the others. Opening them, Ji Chen was somewhat disappointed.

Aside from a few Spirit Stones, all they found were two middle-level Yellow Tier Martial Techniques and some common Recovery Pills, mainly used to restore Spiritual Power.

These things were of no use to Ji Chen, but he still kept them.

Soon, after dealing with the corpses of Song An and the others, Ji Chen did not hesitate, leapt onto Ao Tian’s back, and continued heading back toward Lingyun Sect.

"The Grand Elder and Young Sect Leader were killed. Now, the Celestial Profound Sect might go crazy. But, hopefully, they won’t trace it back to me." Ji Chen spoke to himself.

After all, the Celestial Profound Sect is one of the three major sects within the Chu Kingdom’s territory, and their overall strength cannot be underestimated. If they really mobilize the entire sect’s power, it would be quite a trouble for Lingyun Sect.

Hopefully, before the matter is exposed, Lingyun Sect’s strength can quickly grow, at least to the point where it can truly rival the Celestial Profound Sect.

...

Time passed.

The following evening, the sunset filled the sky.

At this moment, at a specific square within Lingyun Sect, a large number of disciples had gathered.

Even the elders within the sect had all shown up.

At the forefront of the crowd, a middle-aged man stood with hands behind his back, looking into the distant sky. He was none other than Sect Leader Ji Xiaotian.

All of them had rather serious expressions, as if quietly waiting for someone.

"Swift!"

At a certain moment, when the red sun completely sank into the sea of clouds, an ultimate sound of breaking wind could be faintly heard, coming from afar to near.

Looking away, it was seen that there was a Flying Demon Beast speeding quickly toward Lingyun Sect.

This beast was none other than Ao Tian.

"Welcome, Young Sect Leader!"

Upon seeing Ji Chen on Ao Tian’s back, all the disciples waiting in the square couldn’t help but shout in unison.

By now, they had already received the news from Celestial Essence City.

The Young Sect Leader of Lingyun Sect, who was once a wastrel, had now become a Second Grade Alchemist.

This news was undoubtedly exhilarating.

At first, the disciples thought it was just a rumor, and later, they thought it was a different Ji Chen, not their Young Sect Leader.

But when the Alchemy Master Alliance sent a gift in person, they finally understood.

It wasn’t a mere rumor, nor someone with the same name.

The person who passed the assessment in Celestial Essence City and became a Second Grade Alchemist was indeed their Young Sect Leader, Ji Chen!

Until now, the disciples fully understood.

Why Ji Chen initially went to Celestial Essence City with Master Qin Lan and Elder Li Huayuan.

In fact, unbeknownst to them, their wastrel Young Sect Leader already possessed astonishing alchemical prowess.

"Welcome, Young Sect Leader’s return!"

The crowd was excited, their voices resounding, even startling Ji Chen.

He stood on Ao Tian’s back, somewhat dazed, looking at the crowd below, unable to help but ask, "What’s going on? Making such a big scene?"

Though he said so, he also knew that the news from Celestial Essence City had likely returned.

Indeed, for everyone at Lingyun Sect, it was no trivial matter.

Everyone knows what a nineteen-year-old Second Grade Alchemist means to a sect.

"Congratulations, Young Sect Leader, on becoming a Second Grade Alchemist!"

"Young Sect Leader is indeed no ordinary person. All those wastrel remarks were nonsense from others. I always knew you’re not typical; you’re destined to shine one day!"

When Ji Chen landed in the square, the crowd immediately gathered around, each appearing incredibly excited and chattering endlessly.

Even a female disciple spoke up, "Young Sect Leader, can I ask you to help with alchemy in the future? Let’s pretend the time you peeked at me bathing never happened."

"Don’t talk nonsense; how could I have peeked at you bathing?"

Ji Chen had a headache, looking at the tiger-backed and bear-waisted female disciple in front of him. He indeed had done many similar things in the past, but he was certain this person wasn’t in his memories!

Another female disciple, fairly attractive, shouted, "Young Sect Leader, Young Sect Leader, come peek at me every night at midnight beside the lakeshore..."

Ji Chen was thoroughly speechless.

He didn’t care much about what the other party said, but around him, many male disciples quietly memorized it.

"Everyone, please calm down,"

Finally, Ji Chen pressed both hands down, causing the scene to quiet down instantly. He looked seriously at everyone, "You should all know that I made a ten-year agreement with Liu Qingcheng to make Lingyun Sect’s strength surpass Purple Cloud Sect within ten years, which is why the Qi Gathering Pill came into play..."

"What? The Qi Gathering Pills the sect distributes to us every month are actually from the Young Sect Leader’s hands?" The crowd was shocked again.

"Starting next month, each of you can collect ten Qi Gathering Pills every month. Practice well, and strive to rapidly improve your cultivation," Ji Chen said.

Finally, under the enthusiastic watch of the crowd, he left the square with Ji Xiaotian and Fang Qingyao, returning to Drunken Ink Residence.