Chapter 88: Chen Churan Beset on All Sides

"I know very well, so I still have to thank you; I'm much more relaxed now."

"Without your help, I might have been very sad."

Elder Xinran was extremely grateful to Chen Chuyang; she felt her body had become considerably stronger, and these Item's effect was excellent, truly a special Item prepared especially for her. Just this alone, Chen Chuyang could surpass many so‑called senior Pill Refiners.

She, who originally held no hope, once again felt hope, even a further step.

The Technique that troubled her was removed; as for what Chen Chuyang uses it for, that is not something Elder Xinran should worry about. Rather than waste that Technique, it would be better to let Chen Chuyang collect it, and she will not let Chen Chuyang work in vain.

"Here you go."

A seed emitting Technique, slightly charred as if burned; if one is inattentive, one might not realize it is a seed.

Chen Chuyang glanced at it, his eyes unable to look away, staring at this pitch‑black seed.

It is a seed, still full of life, capable of being cultivated.

With just one glance, Chen Chuyang deduced much; he reached out, took the seed, examined it closely, and was startled—this seed's grade was not low; the spirit medicine that nurtured it must be above fourth grade, likely fifth grade.

Such spirit medicine is hard to find; at least Chen Chuyang had never seen nor obtained any.

It has value but no market; only within some major Factions can such precious seeds be found.

"Is this for me?"

Elder Xinran nodded: "I heard Churan say you like farming, so you must like seeds. This is a Sword Lotus seed from the Spirit Sword Sect, a fifth‑grade spirit medicine; if cultivated well, it can Advancement to sixth grade."

"Once the Sword Lotus is fully cultivated, it can help you condense sword intent, thereby stepping onto the sword path."

This is one of the Sword Lotus's effects; just this effect alone is enough to give the Sword Lotus a lofty standing within the Spirit Sword Sect.

Even within the Spirit Sword Sect, few can obtain a Sword Lotus seed.

The Sword Lotus seed is also a fruit; Elder Xinran actually gave him such a treasure, exceeding by tenfold the total spirit medicines Chen Chuyang has used, even more.

Its value is too high.

"Then the kid won't decline," Chen Chuyang said bluntly; a fifth‑grade Sword Lotus seed—refusing even a second is disrespectful to it.

Longshe Shan needs such fine things; the Sword Lotus, once cultivated, the future of the Chen Clan will...

... be unimaginable.

"It was meant as a gift to you, take it," Elder Xinran laughed: "Besides condensing sword intent, the Sword Lotus can also alter one's physique, making it more in tune with the sword Dao."

"I originally kept this Sword Lotus seed for Churan; she no longer needs it, so it's yours."

His eyes showed even more indulgence.

This made Chen Churan, standing nearby, feel quite jealous.

Why does master look at the second brother with more indulgence than at her, handing such a treasure straight to the second brother?

Why does she no longer need it?

She wants to speak up but cannot, because the Sword Lotus seed has been taken away by the second brother.

"Churan's body no longer requires Sword Lotus transformation; her sword way also does not need the Sword Lotus."

"I believe with her talent, within ten years she will surely inherit my mantle."

"And you, Chen Chuyang, are you sure you won't return with me to the Spirit Sword Sect? This elder can guarantee that as long as you follow me back, no one in the Spirit Sword Sect can restrict you; you can do whatever you wish, and this elder will fully support you."

Chen Chuyang has so many virtues that just this alone can surpass everyone's standing in her heart.

Having such a talent by her side would make her body increasingly stronger, and in the future she could... go further.

Perhaps she could reach that realm.

Thinking of this, Elder Xinran's gaze toward Chen Chuyang grew fervent.

"Huh?"

Chen Chuyang smiled and shook his head: "No, I still prefer this place a bit more."

Chen Churan opened her mouth, wanting to answer on behalf of the second brother.

She truly felt very upset; the second brother refused again.

It was the first time her master so desperately coveted talent; the second brother's role, in master's eyes, surpassed hers.

From then on, the person the master cherished most was no longer herself.

"Second brother, why not agree? Master will surely nurture you well."

"In the future, you can also inherit master's mantle."

Elder Xinran echoed: "Yes, kid, as long as you agree, everything this elder has is yours."

Status, techniques, everything—Elder Xinran can give him all.

Compared to her future, Elder Xinran didn't care about those.

Chen Chuyang smiled and reached out: "Can it be given in advance?"

Elder Xinran: "???"

Chen Churan: "???"

At that moment, the two fell silent.

The scene was utterly silent.

Chen Chuyang laughed lightly, looking at the two, and said: "Ahem, if you insist on giving it in advance, I'm not unable to accept it; it'd be best to give more spirit medicine seeds and spirit stones."

"Little sister, you aren't short of spirit stones, right? How about giving them all to the second brother?"

Saying that, he reached out to take them.

I don't need you to give it; I'll take it myself.

Chen Churan stared dumbfounded as the second brother took her storage bag, which was her treasured bag containing everything.

"Second brother, give it back to me."

"No way, this is my storage bag, second sister."

"..."

When did my things become yours, and why didn't I know?

After some bargaining, Chen Churan paid all her spirit stones to get back her storage bag and the things inside.

After robbing someone, Chen Chuyang looked at Elder Xinran and rubbed his hands together.

Elder Xinran helplessly took out a few spirit stones and handed them to him.

"Master, you can't be fooled by him, he..."

Chen Churan looked at her Master, wondering if he really gave that much.

"Mid-grade spirit stones, there are quite a few."

"When did Master become so generous? Why didn't I know?"

"It's fine, just a few spirit stones; I have plenty. Keeping them here is useless, and your Second Brother needs them, so just give them to him."

Upon hearing Elder Xinran's words, Chen Churan was stunned.

She opened her mouth, stared at her Master, and remained dazed for a long time.

Back then, Master killed a Condensed Pill cultivator over a single mid-grade spirit stone.

And now, being so generous and giving away several of them—this is just… over the top.

Is this still my Master?

"When did she become so kind? When did she become such a local tyrant?"

Even as her disciple, a true inheritor, obtaining a single spirit stone from Master is extremely difficult—harder than reaching the heavens.

"Your Second Brother has it tough, Churan; you should also be understanding toward him."

"It's just a few spirit stones; consider it pocket money for your Second Brother."

Chen Churan: "???"

"Master, you didn't used to say that."

"Spirit stones are life; whoever touches my spirit stones must pay with their life."

"That was what Master told her back then, and Chen Churan still remembers it to this day."

"Why would you… go back on your word?"

"Master."

Elder Xinran raised a hand, cut her off, and said, "He is your brother; if you don't help him, who will?"

"From now on, you must work hard to earn spirit stones and properly help your Second Brother."

"He really has it hard."

Upon hearing that, Chen Chuyang's eyes lit up: "Exactly, little sis—back when I raised you with blood, sweat, and tears, you've grown up, and now it's time to repay me. I don't ask for much—just give me five hundred spirit stones each year."

"Five hundred?"

"Why don't you go rob?"

Chen Churan was furious.

This Second Brother is too shameless; my Master was just saying it casually, yet you actually took it seriously.