Chapter 146: Big Brother Was Scared Silly

"You mean you want to become stronger?"

"Yes."

"It was Father who sent you here, right?"

"Chen Chusheng blinked, his gaze shifting to the side, his voice weakening as he said, 'No, I came of my own will; it has nothing to do with Father.'"

"How could I not be able to get stronger on my own? I'm your older brother, also Father's eldest son; as the eldest, I naturally ought to bear responsibility—I can't be weaker than you two; that would be embarrassing."

"Chen Chuyang didn't believe him for a second; it was obvious this older brother had been forced. He wouldn't willingly go up the mountain to get stronger—after being tricked by himself, he'd avoid Longshe Shan if he could; how could he just go up the mountain? There's definitely something fishy, especially since Father had just returned not long ago and he already went up the mountain—this is obvious."

"As for this older brother, Chen Chuyang had nothing to say; he cared about face, didn't want to be looked down on, mainly he didn't want to be tricked."

"Compared to Father, the older brother falls far short."

"He inherited none of his parents' traits, just like his younger sister; in this regard, the younger sister is even stronger than him."

"At least, the younger sister wouldn't say she daresn't go up the mountain, nor would she say she fears Chen Chuyang; the more this is the case, the more Chen Churan will act contrary, the more she will prove her own strength."

"Only inner strength is true strength, yet this older brother's heart is still not strong enough."

"Are you sure you want to get stronger? I have many ways to make you stronger; can you endure the pain?"

"Also, some of my methods are rather extreme and embarrassing; they might make you… unable to bear it, older brother—think it over before answering me."

"Chen Chuyang left him to the side, telling him to think it over properly and speak to him once he'd decided."

"His thoughts were all on Elder Xinran; that pot of medicinal liquid was mostly absorbed by her, and the sword qi on his body was also absorbed by the Hunyuan Bell, becoming part of the Hunyuan Bell."

"Drawing out the sword qi from Elder Xinran's body, I must say, her physique is indeed different; after one extraction of sword qi, plus some suppressive measures by Chen Chuyang, many sword qi still arose, just as terrifying as before, not much different from the previous extraction."

"As for quantity and quality, there's no doubt; inside the Hunyuan Bell, the sword qi carved many notches, each not shallow; fortunately the Hunyuan Bell is different—it is a spiritual artifact, capable of self-repair and able to withstand these sword qi cuts."

"Seeing that Elder Xinran's body had been mostly drained of sword qi, Chen Chuyang withdrew the Hunyuan Bell and began to absorb the qi within; part went to the Hunyuan Bell's absorption, sword qi and thunder being alike—each took half."

"But we can't give it all to the Hunyuan Bell; it can't temporarily absorb that much, so rather than waste it, we let Chen Chuyang absorb it."

"Golden Core accepts all who come; sword dao and thunder law are rapidly growing, and Chen Chuyang took the opportunity to sense the sword qi and thunder law."

"They are different, yet they share some similar aspects."

"Likewise, in comprehension, Chen Chuyang can grasp both at once, achieving dual focus."

"When Chen Chusheng looked at his brother again, he himself was already in contemplation, with no mind to attend to him."

"In the pot, Elder Xinran was seated conspicuously; Chen Chusheng recognized her and was first startled."

"Thinking he had misidentified her, after a few more glances he confirmed it was Elder Xinran, then he exclaimed in surprise, 'How could Elder Xinran be here?'"

"Is she also looking for Chuyang to raise his cultivation?"

"No way, Elder Xinran is an elder of the Spirit Sword Sect; her cultivation is far above his younger brother's—she couldn't possibly need his help."

"Then why is she here?"

"Could it be to heal an illness?"

"No, that's not right either—would the younger brother even know how to heal? Even if Elder Xinran were healing, she wouldn't need to seek out the younger brother; his younger brother merely knows some medicinal basics, enjoys researching spiritual herbs, likes conducting all sorts of experiments, enjoys using others as lab rats—how could he heal?"

"But Elder Xinran is right in the pot; that pot, he has sat in before, and he knows it all too well."

"Chen Chusheng grew more doubtful; he leaned in to observe the pot, watched for a moment, and just then Elder Xinran opened her eyes—those icy eyes fixed on him; at that instant, Chen Chusheng's hairs stood on end, he recoiled, staggered, and sat down on the ground."

"His eyes widened in shock, his body trembled; in that instant, a blade of sword qi nearly killed him."

"If it weren't for his quick reflexes, he might have…"

"Elder Xinran withdrew the sword qi, thus avoiding harming Chen Chusheng."

"She recognized the man before her—her disciple's older brother, and also Chen Chuyang's older brother."

"Elder Xinran nodded, rose, and went to wash up."

"Chen Chusheng sat on the ground for a long time, calming down for ages before he finally recovered."

"Huff huff huff."

"I was scared to death—I almost thought I was dead."

"Elder Xinran is way too scary—she… how could she be here?"

"Half an hour later."

"Elder Xinran returned again, gave Chen Chusheng another glance; Chen Chusheng felt as if struck by lightning, he didn't dare lift his head, lowered it, trembling like a quail, while Elder Xinran said nothing."

"Instead, she walked to the side, sat down, and sensed the changes in her body."

"Longshe Shan fell silent."

"Everyone was cultivating; only the older brother Chen Chusheng's breathing could be heard, very quiet."

"An hour later."

"Chen Chuyang and Elder Xinran opened their eyes in succession; Chen Chuyang absorbed all the sword qi and thunder, the golden core's light in his dantian grew brighter, his cultivation deepened once more."

"His comprehension of heart-sword dao and thunder law reached a higher level."

"Huh, older brother, why are you sitting on the ground? Are you uncomfortable?"

"Chen Chuyang, asking though he already knew, knew what had happened; he reached out and pulled his older brother up."

"Chen Chusheng dared not speak, stealing a glance at Elder Xinran, terrified to the extreme."

"Seeing Chen Chuyang awake, Elder Xinran bowed and said, 'I'll be going first.'"

"Elder, take your leave slowly."

"Elder Xinran also felt embarrassed, turned and departed."

"After she left, the older brother finally gasped heavily: 'Huff huff huff, I was scared to death, younger brother—how could she be here?'"

"What are you doing up on the mountain? That person is Elder Xinran of the Spirit Sword Sect, your younger sister's master; how does she know you? And I see she treats you with great respect."

"Chen Chusheng was very curious: why would the venerable Elder Xinran of the Spirit Sword Sect show such respect to the younger brother? It shouldn't be."

"Elder Xinran is indeed a high-ranking elder of immense power; her status and position are not something Chen Chuyang can access."

"Even if their father met such a person, he would have to bow and greet them respectfully."

In this world, strength is supreme, especially the elders of such great sects—strength and status go hand in hand; no family dares to disrespect them, and offending them even slightly often results in the extermination of the clan, which is commonplace.

Once you have dealings with such people, soaring to great heights is no longer a dream.

"Just like that; perhaps you think my younger brother is more handsome, and you've been charmed by me."

……

Chen Chusheng was left speechless.

He stayed silent for a long time, unable to say a word.