Chapter 758: The Black Goat's Scheme

After half an hour, the heavenly tribulation clouds in the sky dispersed.

Chen Chuyang's figure slowly descended, his aura unified as one, with no injury and not a trace on his body.

The heavenly tribulation within the clouds caused him no harm at all—this was absurd, this was terrifying.

Seeing Chen Chuyang's demeanor for the first time, Shang Hongchen felt her fear of the heavenly tribulation nearly collapse several times; without the Dragon Blood Pill's energy sustaining her and continually healing her wounds, she would have collapsed long ago.

Looking again at Chen Chuyang and then at herself, the comparison showed they were worlds apart.

Shang Hongchen's heart was struck again, leaving her completely dazed.

After a while, Shang Hongchen regained her senses; the residual energy of the Dragon Blood Pill continually repaired her body, restoring a breath of true qi. She barely stood up; in her dantian, the newly condensed inner elixir was somewhat illusory and not yet stable.

She needed to stabilize it before being considered truly settled in the Void Pill realm.

Trembling, she steadied her body, Shang Hongchen clasped her hands, bowed, and said: "Thank you for the pill, Chen Chuyang."

Although she was reluctant inside, she believed in repaying kindness, not taking it for granted.

She had previously been excessive toward Chen Chuyang; his coming to help and protect her was only for her sister Shang Hongxue's sake, which Shang Hongchen naturally knew; when it was time to thank him, even if unwilling, she would still thank him.

This was her gratitude, not her sister's.

Chen Chuyang was somewhat surprised; he had thought Shang Hongchen would leave directly, but this woman still understood propriety.

"It's nothing; I didn't do anything. You relied on your own strength to survive the tribulation. Congratulations, from now on you are a Condensed Pill expert."

The words "expert" from Chen Chuyang's mouth carried a hint of mockery, yet its mocking tone couldn't be discerned.

Shang Hongchen sensed Chen Chuyang's teasing and smiled.

"Compared to you, we're worlds apart."

Shang Hongchen raised her head, earnestly gazing at Chen Chuyang; at this moment, Chen Chuyang was…… extraordinary.

His body emanated a mysterious aura; his power was unfathomable.

Even after she condensed her pill, she could not see through Chen Chuyang's aura; probing with her spiritual sense felt like entering an endless sea, seeing nothing.

Shang Hongchen hastily withdrew her spiritual sense, daring not to probe again.

Chen Chuyang raised his eyebrows; this woman was restless, wanting to inspect his cultivation, but he forbade it—no one could examine his cultivation and strength.

Out of consideration for their affiliation, he didn't give Shang Hongchen a lesson; if it were anyone else, he would have destroyed that spiritual sense long ago.

"According to your talent, you'll soon catch up to me."

"No, no, no, worlds apart."

Shang Hongchen would never believe such talk; if she did, she'd be a true fool.

Regarding that, Chen Chuyang said nothing more, scanned the surroundings, and no one approached.

Nearby cultivators and demon beasts were smart, not daring to approach; the heavenly tribulation's pressure still lingered, not yet dissipated.

"Alright, we should head back now."

"Mm."

……

On Longshe Shan, Heishanyang turned over its body, the corners of its mouth turning up.

"Shang Hongchen this lass is truly adventurous; though she could advance steadily, she insists on courting death—if not for Chen Chuyang that brat protecting her, she might already be dead."

"This woman ultimately cannot compare to Shang Hongxue that lass; in temperament, talent, or disposition, she falls far short."

Heishanyang had observed everyone on Longshe Shan; each person was within its gaze.

Shang Hongchen, or Chen Qinger, or Shang Hongxue—each had been studied by it.

Moreover, the mother and daughter Xiao Qian'er down the mountain, Hu Yueer and her companions, and Tianlian Zhenren—Heishanyang stared at them all.

Among these women, it favored Shang Hongxue most, then Xiao Qian'er; that lass was a bit younger, her pill-refining talent was genuinely good, able to match one-third of Chen Chuyang's; given time to grow, she could keep pace with his steps in the future.

Next was Chen Qinger; that lass didn't show off, but actually had strong talent, gradually comprehending sword intent.

When she grasped sword intent, her talent would be revealed.

Shang Hongchen's talent might be slightly inferior to Tianlian Zhenren's; in disposition, she wasn't strong enough—could be said to be quite poor.

"Fortunately, this woman is Shang Hongxue's sister, sharing the same lineage."

"Perhaps……"

Chen Chuyang should also father offspring for the Chen Clan; the Chen Clan's lineage is not numerous, especially with Chen Chuyang's heaven-defying talent needing descendants to inherit it; Heishanyang also awaits that day, future, if possible……

It had planned everything; Chen Chuyang's descendants would surely receive some supernatural powers from it, so the child could inherit its entire cultivation method.

Shang Hongxue this lass is fine; she will certainly be the principal wife, and Shang Hongchen is also not bad, being quite suitable as a partner for bearing offspring.

Qi Ruohua that woman has been secured; Jing Yuheng and Zhuge Ruolan are still lacking, Chen Chuyang prefers Shang Hongxue, so he might not……

In this, it needs to help.

By a Strong One's side, naturally there are many women, one or two—that's the manifestation of incompetence.

"Tianlian Zhenren is not bad either; if Chen Chuyang that brat could win her over, that would naturally be best."

Best to take them all, increasing the odds of offspring.

Tianlian Zhenren noticed Heishanyang's gaze, brows furrowed.

"Strange; I feel this black sheep has its eye on me."

Tianlian Zhenren lowered her head, pondering what on her person might be worth Heishanyang's covetousness.

After thinking it over, there was nothing.

Even supernatural abilities, techniques, sword arts—Chen Chuyang had taken a share of each.

All over her body, basically no treasures remained; what exactly is Heishanyang scheming?

"Could it be that it wants me to betray the Heavenly Heart Sect?"

"Impossible; I cannot do this."

Impossible, I can't do this.

Other matters, she can compromise.

Only this point cannot be compromised.

「Om。」

Shang Hongchen and the others returned; Chen Chuyang immediately went back to his room to enter seclusion and digest the tribulation energy he had gained.

Shang Hongxue also gained some insight and went to cultivate.

The remaining Shang Hongchen and her master stayed together; the two faced each other, and after a moment, Tianlian Zhenren showed a smile: 「Congratulations, you have achieved Advancement to Golden Core。」

「Your long-held wish has come true。」

Shang Hongchen lowered her head and apologized: 「Master, sorry, this time the disciple was wrong。」

This time, she almost failed the tribulation; she knows she was wrong.

Being overly reckless and not heeding her master's words, she almost caused a great disaster.

Shang Hongchen dare not; next time, she definitely will not dare to do that.

「You know best—recklessly breaking through carries a high failure probability; this time, fortunately Chen Chuyang was present; if he had been in seclusion, you might…」

The consequences are unimaginable; Tianlian Zhenren does not want to lose such a disciple.