Chapter 1301: with translation of chapter title

Shang Hongchen was also very curious; the Bagua fire blazed, and she knew her sister well—seeing that smile, there was definitely something up.

The two women stared at her, but Shang Hongxue showed no anxiety or tension, simply fixing her gaze on Chen Chuyang.

Chen Chuyang gave his sister Chen Churan a strange look; to avoid revealing himself and not be able to tell her the bad news, he coughed and said, "Your master is doing well—eating well, drinking well, cultivating well—you don't need to worry."

"Really?" Chen Churan believed him—her second brother wouldn't deceive her—but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

His second brother's expression was equally odd, and she gazed at him, puzzled.

"Second brother, did something happen to my master?" she asked, her voice weak, her heart tightening.

Ming Jianzi's expression behind her grew stern, for the uncle's safety was at stake, and he couldn't help but worry.

Chen Chuyang waved his hand: "Enough, don't speculate—your master is fine. When your strength is sufficient, you'll naturally know once you reach Tianwai."

Chen Churan exhaled in relief; as long as her master was safe, everything else was minor.

"Second brother, do you think the two of us can go to Tianwai?"

Chen Chuyang's eyes fell on his sister; she had reached the first heaven of the True Person Realm, her cultivation breaking through swiftly, her bloodline beginning to stir, the Azure Dragon Bloodline gradually awakening, and he could still sense a faint Dragon Might on her—though not as strong as his elder brother Chen Chusheng's bloodline.

The awakening is slower, making her bloodline roughly half human and half Azure Dragon; for now, the human side predominates.

Her cultivation was advancing by leaps and bounds, and after a moment's thought Chen Chuyang said, "Your cultivation satisfies the minimum requirement, but in Tianwai you'd still be weak—are you certain you want to go there?"

Chen Churan turned and glanced at Ming Jianzi behind her.

Chen Churan went on, "Going to Tianwai together would still be perilous—Ming Jianzi's strength can't shield you, and a True Person Realm cultivator counts for nothing there. Given your talents, I don't recommend you go now; better to spend a few more years cultivating and aim to break through to the True Destiny Realm before heading to Tianwai."

"In the True Destiny Realm you'll have the power to protect yourself, allowing you to evade many dangers."

Chen Churan frowned. "The True Destiny Realm?"

"Quite right, sister. Your talent is steadily rising, and you've surely felt the shift in your bloodline—the Azure Dragon Bloodline awakening. As it progresses, your bloodline will awaken further, making cultivation far easier, and reaching the True Destiny Realm won't take many years."

"Ming Jianzi is no different—if he endures a few years, he can ensure his own safety, and going later won't be too late."

Whether you go early or late, the outcome will differ.

Chen Chuyang also didn't want them to go to Tianwai now; he naturally knew why his sister had come—she wanted to go to Tianwai for training. The Spirit Sword Sect could no longer satisfy the two of them, and they wished to go together to Tianwai for training.

They might even bring other Spirit Sword Sect members along, forming a group that would be comparatively safe.

Chen Churan thought for a moment, then nodded. "All right, since you've said all that, second brother, I'll follow your lead."

She would not believe anyone else's words—only her second brother's could she not ignore.

Chen Chuyang said satisfactorily, "Excellent—even a child can be taught."

"What's your take, Ming Jianzi?"

Ming Jianzi chuckled and replied, "I naturally have no issue."

He was in good spirits and also disagreed with Chen Churan rushing to Tianwai—it was far too perilous. The Spirit Sword Sect elders who had died were the proof: those who ventured to Tianwai suffered a death toll over ninety‑nine percent, the mortality rate was horrendous, and only a handful managed to cling to life.

No one knows how long they could last; if they went to Tianwai, the fate would likely be no better, yet they couldn't overcome Chen Churan's obstinacy—she was deeply concerned about Elder Xinran and wanted to go to Tianwai to find her master.

Unable to dissuade her, Ming Jianzi could only bring her to Longshe Shan, which brought about this situation.

Ming Jianzi was deeply grateful to Chen Chuyang; it was not for nothing that he had gone to such trouble bringing Chen Churan here.

Chen Chuyang naturally noticed this and waved a hand. "Sister, go chat with the sisters‑in‑law, get acquainted; I have something to discuss with Ming Jianzi."

"Oh." Chen Churan obviously didn't want to separate.

Shang Hongxue rose at once, grabbed Chen Churan's hand, and said, "Churan sister, come—we haven't talked in ages; let's catch up."

Then the four women gathered, and the atmosphere turned lively.

Chen Chuyang led Ming Jianzi into the room, switched on the formation, and made sure the sister outside couldn't overhear.

The formation filled the room, Ming Jianzi's taut nerves eased, he exhaled and said, "Thank you, second brother."

Chen Chuyang didn't mind the form of address and waved his hand. "Please have a seat."

He brewed a pot of Longshe Shan's spiritual tea—its grade is high, its effect excellent, and it's not available for purchase outside.

"Let's have tea."

"Thank you for the trouble, second brother." Ming Jianzi sat, raised his cup, and drank. His eyes brightened as he felt the Technique's vigor; after the tea, his Technique and true qi rose noticeably—on par with any pill, and without side effects.

"What are you thinking?" Chen Chuyang asked directly, noting the limited time and that they couldn't afford delay.

Ming Jianzi lowered his cup, gave a wry smile, and said, "I naturally do as Junior Sister Churan wishes—she wants what she wants. This time I had no choice, so I asked you to play the bad guy. Junior Sister Churan has always wanted to go to Tianwai; she's just broken through to the True Realm and can't wait to leave right away."

"I certainly disagree," he continued. "You know Junior Sister Churan's temperament—once she makes up her mind, it's hard to sway her. Only you can convince her; others' words fall on deaf ears."

"Thank goodness you stopped her; otherwise, if we actually made it to Tianwai, we'd be in grave danger."

Ming Jianzi said helplessly, "My view matches yours—keep cultivating. The world has changed greatly, and the spiritual qi of heaven and earth has grown richer. Some of your work has kept cultivation possible here; the True Realm is no longer suppressed and can continue to be progressed."

"I plan to break through to the True Destiny Realm before heading to Tianwai, for Tianwai is extremely dangerous. The Spirit Sword Sect elders who ventured to Tianwai number at least twenty or thirty, and only two or three survived—one of them being Elder Xinran."

"If we go to Tianwai, we'll likely just be marching to our deaths."

"Alas."

With that, he let out a deep sigh. The outlook for Tianwai is grim; the Spirit Sword Sect has long been scheming to reach Tianwai, but in recent years things have quieted down, and other factions are likewise keeping a low profile while they build their strength.

A True Person Realm cultivator is not enough for Tianwai, so these powers have temporarily put on hold any expeditions there.

There are two reasons. First, the strength problem: the elders who ventured to Tianwai suffered innumerable casualties, and the death rate is far too high.

Second, we cannot keep sending people through, or we risk revealing the transmission conduit.