Chapter 759: The Second Seal: To Unbind or Not?

"Master, I realize my mistake," Shang Hongchen lowered her head, daring not to look up.

Afraid of being scolded by her master, she was truly reckless this time; fortunately she survived the thunder tribulation, otherwise—

She might have been blasted to death by the thunder tribulation, but having passed it smoothly, Shang Hongchen was genuinely delighted.

She didn't want to experience that feeling of death again; back then she had already prepared her last words.

Fortunately, the Dragon Blood Pill's effect was powerful, and Chen Chuyang protected her; without a Formation's shielding and without the Dragon Blood Pill, relying on herself she would have collapsed long ago, let alone wait until now.

Shang Hongchen truly understood her mistake and dared not have a second chance; Tianlian Zhenren gazed at the bowed disciple, their heart filled with reproach and scolding, but they swallowed all the words before they could reach their lips.

"Don't take such risks again next time."

"I will remember, Master."

Tianlian Zhenren could not continue to reproach the disciple; she had just passed the thunder tribulation and needed no scolding.

"From now on, you must diligently cultivate your mind and not become anxious at the first sign of trouble."

"Yes, Master."

Shang Hongchen dared not say anything else, kept her head lowered, continuously acknowledging her fault.

Tianlian Zhenren gave two brief instructions, refraining from further rebuke, and told her to return and solidify her cultivation.

Having just completed the breakthrough to form the condensed pill, she needed to stabilize the inner pill, ensuring its firmness so her cultivation wouldn't slip.

This step is crucial; any shock could cause her cultivation to regress.

Shang Hongchen returned to seclude herself and fortify her inner self, while Tianlian Zhenren resumed his normal life.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Within the Great Qi Dynasty.

Qi Ruohua received the messages and slowly burned the slip of paper.

"Shang Hongxue and Shang Hongchen both succeeded in the tribulation; it seems the Shang Clan will rise alongside the Chen Clan."

"Indeed, Your Majesty, the relationship between the Shang Clan and the Chen Clan is closer than we imagined."

Jing Yuheng reported: "The Shang Clan and the Chen Clan have always been one, even back when they were in Longshe Cheng, moving forward and backward together."

"After the Shang Clan moved away, the Chen Clan and the Shang Clan not only remained united but grew even closer."

"Chen Chuyang is the close root of both families; should we also deepen ties with the Shang side?"

Qi Ruohua instructed: "Strengthen the connection, but also mind the limits."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After concluding the official discussion, Qi Ruohua stared at Jing Yuheng and asked, "Has Si Ma Song been found?"

Jing Yuheng's body trembled, and he gritted his teeth to report, "Reporting, Your Majesty, he has not been found yet."

"Is he dead? Or what?"

The only path before Si Ma Song is that one: to leave the Great Qi Dynasty.

In this world, aside from a few rare places, most cannot escape the Great Qi Dynasty's control.

Among them, the Heavenly Heart Sect is one, and the Monster Race territory is another.

The Monster Race territory is dangerous; Si Ma Song cannot enter, for anyone who does would be slain by the beasts inside.

The beasts there care not who you are; anyone who intrudes without permission is killed without mercy.

Thus, only one place remains.

"Your Majesty, the Heavenly Heart Sect's domain is all ours; Si Ma Song cannot enter the Heavenly Heart Sect."

"He may be hidden somewhere; give me more time, and I am sure I can locate him."

Jing Yuheng felt extremely uneasy.

Qi Ruohua lowered her head, stared at the kneeling Jing Yuheng, and raised her hand, saying: "Stand up. He's just a mere Si Ma Song, not worth a major conflict, but it's best to kill him, cut the weed at the root, to eliminate future trouble."

"Understood."

Jing Yuheng rose slowly, noting that Si Ma Song is too good at hiding, making him impossible to locate.

The world is vast; if one truly hides, it is very hard to be found.

Si Ma Song is determined to evade them, which is easy as long as he does not expose himself or act; then he cannot be found.

Qi Ruohua also knew this and did not blame Jing Yuheng.

"What is that woman Zhuge Ruolan doing?"

"She has been in seclusion all along."

"I see."

The two exchanged questions and answers, each replying to the other's query.

Jing Yuheng dared not speak much, nor ask further.

In recent days, Your Majesty's mood seemed somewhat volatile.

At such times, one must keep distance from Your Majesty.

"Where is Chen Chuyang?"

Jing Yuheng replied, "He has stayed on Longshe Shan and has not descended the mountain since."

"I see."

Qi Ruohua's expression darkened slightly, and she said nothing more.

She crossed her arms and gazed into the distance.

Jing Yuheng knew that was the direction of Longshe Shan; in Your Majesty's eyes, it was that man.

However, Chen Chuyang is indeed impressive; winning Your Majesty's confidence is truly hard to achieve.

"Your Majesty, should we relocate to Longshe Shan?"

"No need."

Qi Ruohua raised her hand, rejecting this proposal.

Heavenly Heart Sect and the families in Wangdu are important, Jing Yuheng. You must speed up handling those disobedient families, and also keep an eye on the Heavenly Heart Sect side for Me; don't let them stir up trouble.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Some families in Wangdu, and also within the Great Qi Dynasty, those families that are close to the Heavenly Heart Sect, should also be cleaned up.

If they are not one of them, they are enemies; if they are enemies, they shall be killed without mercy.

Qi Ruohua will not be kind to them, nor will she speak of mercy toward them.

No survivors.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Jing Yuheng quickly withdrew, reaching outside the door, and broke into a sweat.

Your Majesty's dignity is becoming ever more terrifying.

Jing Yuheng exhaled, estimating that only Chen Chuyang could Protector Your Majesty.

From now on, her days will be even more difficult.

Ah.

Time always slips by unnoticed.

Half a month passed.

Within the Great Qi Dynasty, all was peaceful.

Longshe Cheng and Baihu Cheng's White Crane Town entered fervent construction; the Chen Clan and Shang Clan developed the two towns, and all resources within their jurisdiction belonged to them.

Other families were completely cleared out; anyone wishing to enter was rejected by the Chen Clan and Shang Clan.

Many resources were obtained by them; some resources of the Chen Clan were transported up Longshe Shan to be given to Chen Chuyang for Pill Refining.

The Shang Clan's materials were likewise exchanged for pills.

After the resources were delivered and they received the pills, people from both clans left happily.

With more resources, Little Qian had more opportunities to practice; many Hundred Herbs Pills were refined, and she became adept.

She began refining White Flower Pills, using earth fire and the Alchemy Furnace to refine pills, experimenting on herself.

Chen Chuyang walked out of the room with a batch of pills; he had refined plenty of Dragon Blood Pills and an upgraded version of the Dragon Blood Pill, most of the Dragon Blood Pills had been pre‑ordered, while the upgraded version was for his own use.

He also refined other pills; third‑ and fourth‑grade pills posed no difficulty for him.

Fifth‑grade pills, if he had free time, he could study a bit and then attempt to refine them.

Huh?

This little girl has touched a seal.

Chen Chuyang flickered, disappearing from the spot, then reappearing inside Shang Hongxue's room.

Within Shang Hongxue's body, a second seal appeared, as if it had been triggered.

The little girl panicked, never expecting she could trigger a seal.

Chen Chuyang placed his hand on her shoulder, Protector those seals.

Relax your body.

Hearing Chen Chuyang's voice, Shang Hongxue relaxed her whole body, yielding to his manipulation; the two were already familiar with each other, so naturally she offered no resistance.

After the burning of a stick of incense.

The second seal was Protector, and Shang Hongxue breathed a sigh of relief.

Chuyang older brother.

Opening her eyes, she immediately jumped up and clung to Chen Chuyang.