Chapter 556: Meeting Elder Xinran Again

"I know." Chen Chuyang replied lightly.

Tianlian Zhenren turned back in surprise, questioning: "Since you already know, why still help him?"

"The Yin Gui Sect is not like our Heavenly Heart Sect; once they rise, this world will be completely devoured by them, turning everything into ghosts."

"At that time, the world will be the world of ghost cultivators; we cultivators will have no foothold."

"Most ghost cultivators are psychologically twisted; they are mentally distorted, unscrupulous, and cooperating with them is undoubtedly like seeking skin from a tiger."

Chen Chuyang smiled and nodded: "They cannot possibly return."

"Nor can they possibly rise."

Tianlian Zhenren asked curiously: "Why?"

Chen Chuyang pointed at Longshe Shan, speaking with domineering aura: "Because I do not allow it."

Tianlian Zhenren's pupils widened, she was shocked.

Staring at Chen Chuyang, in that instant, the domineering aura emanating from this man left her speechless.

How simple a sentence, how simple a principle—since Chen Chuyang does not allow it, the Yin Gui Sect cannot rise, nor set foot even a step into the Great Qi Dynasty; as long as he is present, the Yin Gui Sect cannot stir up any waves.

"Wouldn't it be better to simply exterminate them? No need to guard against them, nor worry about their sneak attacks."

Tianlian Zhenren did not understand; the Yin Gui Sect is evil—who would constantly guard against tigers every day?

Kill them, and it's settled once and for all.

Chen Chuyang lowered his head and said: "I still need them."

"Whether it's the Heavenly Heart Sect, the Yin Gui Sect, or the Spirit Sword Sect and Monster Race, if any of them grows strong, it's bad for my Longshe Shan; only the current situation is best."

"The Yin Gui Sect is evil; isn't your Heavenly Heart Sect the same?"

"Could it be that your Heavenly Heart Sect does not eat people?"

These sects are all man-eating sects that don't spit out bones; the Yin Gui Sect is just a bit more obvious.

They do not disguise themselves; behind the scenes, the Heavenly Heart Sect has killed no fewer people than the Yin Gui Sect, and even more.

How many mortals have died at their hands, for their own selfish desires, not hesitating to slaughter cities—and it's not only those disciples of the Yin Gui Sect who do this.

Those major sects, each one will do this.

Moreover, the disciples of those great clans have no regard for mortals, nor for ordinary cultivators.

They are all the same; only some know how to conceal themselves, how to stand on the moral high ground, using that to disguise themselves.

Essentially, they are all the same.

"We are not the same." Tianlian Zhenren shook her head in denial.

"Not the same?" Chen Chuyang chuckled: "Only you are different; can you guarantee that the Heavenly Heart Sect truly is as you say, having done none of these things? Have you not indiscriminately slaughtered mortals?"

Tianlian Zhenren fell silent.

She no longer spoke.

Within the Heavenly Heart Sect, there indeed are not a few corrupt elements.

Those people, instead of being punished, are actually given important positions.

Only she is different, persistently adhering to her inner Dao.

Even her senior brother Tian Xin Dao Ren has an unknown number of lives on his hands.

"How come? Not speaking anymore?"

Tianlian Zhenren gritted her teeth: "Can you guarantee you haven't killed any mortals?"

Chen Chuyang laughed.

He laughed loudly.

"Hahaha."

His laughter was filled with mockery and contempt.

"I have never said I am a gentleman of virtue, nor that I am orthodox."

"Those who stand against me are my enemies; enemies should be met with thunderous means."

"And as for my friends, I naturally entertain them with fine wine and meat."

"And you, my friend—if you were not the master of Senior Sister Hongxue, you would already be dead."

Tianlian Zhenren lowered her head.

She remained silent in place.

She is able to live, thanks largely to this identity.

Chen Chuyang did not want to waste words with her; this woman still does not see clearly.

No, she is quite clear in her heart, yet she pretends to be muddled.

She constantly hypnotizes herself, self-deception.

"I..."

Tianlian Zhenren raised her head, wanting to rebut, but seeing Chen Chuyang's gaze, she could not speak.

She lowered her head, falling into endless silence.

Chen Chuyang did not continue speaking, nor did he provoke her.

Down the mountain, Elder Xinran swiftly flew up.

Landing beside Chen Chuyang, her first reaction upon meeting was a smile.

"We meet again, Chen Chuyang."

"Elder Xinran, weren't you supposed to return to the Spirit Sword Sect?"

Chen Chuyang asked with a smile, having guessed her purpose but not exposing it outright.

Elder Xinran smiled: "I encountered Yin Gui Zhenren down the mountain; he came for Tianlian Zhenren, right?"

Exactly, you also came for her?

Xinran Zhanglao shook their head: "No, I'm not interested in her."

I came for you.

Me? Chen Chuyang wondered, pointing at themselves, somewhat puzzled: "You wouldn't still want me to join the Spirit Sword Sect, would you?"

Xinran Zhanglao's smile was rich, they remained silent, and that smile explained everything.

You needn't say more; I won't go, and I won't leave Longshe Shan.

Xinran Zhanglao still wouldn't give up; after all this time, she still wouldn't let herself off.

The Spirit Sword Sect is not bad, but it's not the sect he wants to join.

As for the reason, Chen Chuyang made it clear earlier: he won't join any sect.

Hahaha, I know, this isn't because I'm afraid you'll change your mind. Xinran Zhanglao laughed: "It's rare to come down the mountain; naturally I'd come to visit you."

She casually tossed Chen Chuyang a sword technique.

There were also some broken swords; before they were damaged, they were all Spiritual Artifact grade.

After being broken, they lost their spirituality and could no longer be repaired.

Chen Chuyang accepted them all, without standing on ceremony.

This sword technique is something I've newly comprehended; take a look.

Okay.

Chen Chuyang began examining this nameless sword technique, using it in conjunction with the Heart Sword Dao.

Half an hour later.

Chen Chuyang made revisions, and after modifying several key points, he gave it back to Xinran Zhanglao.

Xinran Zhanglao looked at it, then practiced the sword according to the revised technique.

A graceful figure danced, the sword aura concealed within the blade, yet one could feel that oppressive pressure.

Tianlian Zhenren stared at Xinran Zhanglao, inwardly shocked beyond measure.

Indeed, Xinran Zhanglao has recovered her strength; her sword aura is now fully under her control.

This woman is a great enemy of the Heavenly Heart Sect.

After finishing the sword practice, Xinran Zhanglao exclaimed excitedly: "Indeed, you're still the best; just one look and you can spot what needs fixing."

Those broken Spiritual Artifacts are naturally for revenge; there aren't many other things in the Spirit Sword Sect, but there are plenty of swords.

These are merely her personal collection.

Hahaha, not bad—just a bit stronger than you.

Xinran Zhanglao gave Chen Chuyang a sideways glance.

She reached out.

"Chen Chuyang, help me check my sword aura; I always feel that after returning, it's not as docile as when I'm by your side."

Chen Chuyang frowned and reached out to investigate.

Huh?

The sword aura within Xinran Zhanglao's body again became restless, as if about to erupt.

Clearly he had healed it all; this shouldn't happen.

Why, then, is it still like this?

Releasing their hand, Chen Chuyang asked: "What did you do after you went back? Tell me Yi Yi Shi."