Chapter 514: Why Go This Far?

Below the steps of the Brocade Palace.

Chen Yan stood quietly, using the Martial Dao network to see clearly the immense changes that had occurred across the Five Clans within this short span of time.

Now, he had demonstrated the potential to break the Rules of Malice, and his own value had manifested.

Even if the Chen Clan wanted to target him, they could no longer do so openly.

A genius with a Will clearly superior to Chen Yan's, one who had changed history—even if the Five Clans were foolish, they could not allow the Chen Clan to continue targeting him.

Even so, the hidden dangers had not disappeared at all.

Chen Yan did not believe the Chen Clan would truly let go of their murderous intent toward him.

The potential dangers Chen Yan faced could only increase.

Furthermore, there was Lu Jianxia.

The other party already knew Chen Yan's true identity.

Chen Yan's expression was calm, yet various ideas were surfacing in his mind.

By observing the Will Martial Artists on the Martial Dao network, he collected all information.

He currently faced three dangers.

1. The Chen Clan's next plot against him.

2. He had displayed too much now; it was not certain that the other clans would not suspect his identity.

3. Lu Jianxia.

Lu Jianxia could be set aside for the moment; Chen Yan could perceive human emotions, and within the Rules of Malice, he had clearly sensed the other party's emotions, which were complex to the extreme.

As for the second point, Chen Yan needed to think carefully about the attitudes of the four prefectures—Chi, Lu, Yu, and Ji—toward him.

The Yu Lord naturally knew that Bing Yi was fake; with Chen Yan displaying so much now, the other party was likely hating Xia Hanzhou to death.

However, Xia Hanzhou was a good teammate; Chen Yan felt that relying on him to manipulate the Yu Lord was not a major problem.

The world bustles for profit; all things move for gain.

The Yu Lord was no fool and naturally wanted to obtain benefits from the Great Xia as well.

Just from what Chen Yan knew, four Will Martial Artists had already entered Yu Prefecture to conduct research on the Will Martial Dao.

And on the side of Yu Prefecture, seven native Will Martial Artists had already awakened.

The Yu Lord and Xia Hanzhou clearly had other dealings.

As long as the other party pretended not to know, it would clearly be better to wait until Chen Yan's identity erupted and push all the problems onto the Great Xia.

As for the three prefectures of Chi, Lu, and Ji, they were certainly suspicious as well.

After Chen Yan reached the peak of the Standing Realm and his Will grew stronger, even if Creation Realm martial artists entered the Will Martial Dao, Chen Yan could clearly feel what they were doing at that moment on the Martial Dao network.

The Lu Lord had previously sent a voice transmission to Lu Jianxia.

Chen Yan did not know exactly what the Lu Lord had transmitted, but from Lu Jianxia's attitude, Chen Yan could guess a few things.

The Lu Lord was not suspicious in the slightest, and had not even questioned Lu Jianxia.

This caused Chen Yan to fall into a long, deep contemplation.

Because it was too abnormal.

Even if the Lu Lord were foolish, at the very least, they should have asked their daughter if she had discovered any clues.

But the Lu Lord did not.

It was very likely that the Lu Lord had already guessed, but intended to continue playing out this act.

Moreover, the other party had not communicated with Xia Qi's side either.

Why?

Chen Yan guessed it had to do with the four elders imprisoned in Jin Prefecture.

The Lu Lord was only guessing; if Bing Yi were real, then the marriage alliance between the Lu and Yu prefectures would certainly proceed, which had advantages and no drawbacks.

If Bing Yi were Chen Yan, then he still had to continue the act.

Currently, Lu Prefecture had not suffered any major losses, and they could still directly extort the Xia Clan at a critical point.

Once the Lu Lord began to question and raise suspicions.

Then they would truly worry that the Xia Clan would fight to the death and simply slaughter the four Lu Clan elders still imprisoned in Jin Prefecture.

After all, the Xia Clan had always treated Chen Yan with the highest level of trust and favor.

Anyone could see the importance the Xia Clan placed on Chen Yan.

Of course, one could take a broader view.

These lords of the various prefectures, regardless of whether they truly suspected Bing Yi's identity.

Now that Bing Yi had reversed life and death and changed the Rules of Malice, it was a fact.

No matter what, they would not show hostility toward Bing Yi when they could not control him.

Why could they not control him?

Because this was Myriad Image Island.

Those of the Eighth Rank could not enter!

Furthermore, the restrictions in the Inner City were even greater; only those in the early stage of the Creation Realm could enter.

And Bing Yi, in the previous battle, had fought three alone and suppressed Chi Yuexi.

Coupled with the monstrous speed of progress Bing Yi had displayed.

It could be said that in the current Inner City, he, Bing Yi, was the king!

Conversely, the various clan geniuses like Ji Chuxi were the ones at a disadvantage.

Currently, the only one who posed a threat to Bing Yi was Chen Yunyou.

This Inner City of Myriad Image Island, a gathering place of malice and a place of deathly silence, was, however, Bing Yi's paradise.

Now, it is necessary to consider the first point.

Chen Yan's expression was calm, yet a trace of imperceptible coldness flashed through his deep eyes, his slender fingers subconsciously tapping lightly against his robe.

Fine, fragmented thunder mixed with frost flickered from between his fingers.

Chen Province.

Chen Province is the greatest enemy!

Moreover, Chen Yan did not believe the other party would abandon their plot against him, even though this place was the Brocade Palace.

There are two reasons.

First, the Chen Clan has completely torn off the mask with Bing Yi.

Second, the Chen Lord does not want to let Bing Yi enter the Brocade Palace.

For a long time after Chen Yunyou entered the Will Martial Dao, Chen Yan's will and physical body were separated, making it impossible to observe Chen Yunyou.

After his physical body and will reunited, Chen Yan saw from the Martial Dao veins that Chen Yunyou was constantly communicating with Chen Province.

The other party's attainments in 【Blood Domain Reversing World】 were constantly deepening, climbing the steps as if risking their life.

The attitude the other party had always displayed was that they must enter the Brocade Palace.

Chen Yi's corpse is in the Brocade Palace; this information may have long been mastered by the Chen Clan.

For these past thousand years, the Chen Clan has wanted to enter the Brocade Palace countless times, but they had no way.

Inside the Brocade Palace, there lies the ultimate secret.

This secret can only be obtained by the Chen Clan.

Perhaps, it is that light orb held in Chen Yi's hands when he died.

It could be a massive fortuitous encounter, or it could be the secret of Chen Province.

Back then, Chen Yi's plot to harm Xia Weimin was likely not Chen Yi's plan alone, but the overall scheme of the Chen Clan.

One person plotting and an entire province plotting are two different concepts.

In the former, Chen Yi is already dead, so even if the Xia Clan is furious, there is nothing they can do.

But if it is the latter, Chen Province is still around.

The current Chen Lord, Chen Sheng, is Chen Yi's younger brother.

Plotting to harm ten million people will incite the wrath of the world.

And the evidence may be on Chen Yi's body.

If the Chen Clan as a whole plotted to harm Xia Weimin and Ten Thousand Aspects Island.

Then this matter is huge.

The death of ten million people will incite the wrath of the world.

And at this time, Bing Yi is about to enter the Brocade Palace.

This poses a huge threat to Chen Yunyou, so thinking from the Chen Clan's perspective.

No matter what, Bing Yi must die.

And the more nervous the Chen Clan is, the more correct Chen Yan's guess is.

After analyzing it all, Chen Yan reached a conclusion.

What he needs to be careful of now is only Chen Yunyou and the means of Chen Province behind him.

In order to deal with these.

Chen Yan needs the help of an outsider.

Chen Yan stood within the pitch-black clouds and mist.

Nearby, a Lu Clan heaven-gifted genius flew over and bowed to Chen Yan with a smile:

"Brother Bing Yi, now that the lecture has ended, I have come to shut down all the communication base stations."

Lu Mingyuan.

Third in line of the first echelon of the Five Clans Ranking.

Previously tricked by Chen Yan into killing Chen Changyuan, only to have his body torn apart by Chen Yunyou and be forced out of Ten Thousand Aspects Island.

Unexpectedly, he has come again now.

The other party's attitude is much better than before.

After all, the current Bing Yi can suppress him in a fight.

"Brother Mingyuan." Chen Yan returned the salute, then immediately used the communication array disk:

"Xia, can you come over?"

As Chen Yan's voice fell, Lu Mingyuan revealed a meaningful smile.

However, after Chen Yan's voice fell, Chen Yan heard clear and cold breathing.

Lu Jianxia was speechless at this moment.

Her cheeks were as white as frost and snow, her skin delicate yet exuding a coldness that kept people at a distance.

She was almost angered to the point of laughter.

Bing Yi, no, Chen Yan actually had the nerve to call her.

Is this the Great Xia Divine General?

Is this the number one heaven-gifted genius in history?

Is this face made of city walls?

Lu Jianxia gritted her silver teeth; she had an urge to expose Bing Yi's identity immediately, but before she could speak, Chen Yan continued:

"What do you want?"

Lu Jianxia's pair of silver eyes seemed to congeal into solid ice crystals, and she transmitted her voice:

"I want the Xia Clan to return the four elders."

Chen Yan's gaze was calm; he had already anticipated what Lu Jianxia would say a step ahead of time.

It was best if the other party was willing to exchange.

"Fine, I will do my best."

"Do your best?" Lu Jianxia's tone was cold to the extreme.

"I will," Chen Yan said.

"How can I believe your words? Are you truly trustworthy?"

Lu Jianxia continued to transmit his voice, his thin lips pressed together, the color so pale they were nearly bloodless, without a hint of softness in their curve.

Chen Yan did not know what to say for a moment.

Lu Jianxia cut the communication.

To the side, Lu Mingyuan raised his eyebrows and gave Chen Yan a thumbs-up:

"Impressive!"

He was truly impressed.

He had once thought that Princess Jianxia would grow old in solitude; the other party was too arrogant, appearing approachable but always remaining out of step with others.

That was Lu Jianxia.

But when it came to Bing Yi, it was completely different.

Above the steps of the Brocade Palace.

Chi Yuexi glanced down at Bing Yi below and said:

"Bing Yi, are you not going to get the Calamity Corpse Thousand Shadow Kill?"

Chi Yuexi stopped speaking after she finished.

She specifically wanted to anger Bing Yi to death.

Even now, her legs were still wrapped in bandages.

As her voice fell, Chen Yan looked over; Chen Yunyou had already ascended to the two hundred and seventy-fifth step.

The other party held a long spear, the tip of which bloomed with nine blood-colored othershore flowers, slowly ascending the steps in accordance with the gravity frequency of the Brocade Palace steps.

There were only eight steps left to the two hundred and eighty-third step where the fragment of the 【Calamity Corpse Thousand Shadow Kill】 was hovering.

Currently, Chen Yunyou's mastery of 【Blood Domain World-Reversing】 had not even reached the introductory level.

The Chen Clan had opened a research institute, using the records of Chen Yan's battle against the phantom of Xia Weimin to study for so long.

With so many people invested, it had only allowed Chen Yunyou to master it to this degree.

【Skill: 98/100】

Chen Yan looked at the Saint-Breaking Tree; the 【Skill】 Saint-Breaking Fruit, containing full skill energy, was about to ripen.

A single 【Skill】 Saint-Breaking Fruit now was equivalent to one thousand of the past.

Chen Yan's 【Blood Domain World-Reversing】 had already reached the Heart-Entry level.

One 【Skill】 Saint-Breaking Fruit was enough for Chen Yan to enter the Profound-Entry level.

If he were to enter the Profound-Entry level.

The combat power unleashed would be more than ten times that of the Heart-Entry level.

Introductory, Heart-Entry, Profound-Entry, Micro-Entry, Divine-Entry.

Chen Yan's expression was calm as he looked at Chi Yuexi and said:

"Chi Yuexi, I can take you into the Brocade Palace ahead of time."

As Chen Yan's voice fell, Chi Yuexi was stunned, and even Chen Yunyou and the others who were still ascending were taken aback.

"Are you sure?" Chi Yuexi frowned:

"How do you intend to take me in?"

It was not that Chi Yuexi did not believe him, but that Bing Yi was currently at the very bottom of the Brocade Palace steps due to the previous battle against the Malice Rule.

This was equivalent to starting the ascent all over again.

Not to mention that Chen Yunyou was only twenty-five steps away from the very top of the Brocade Palace.

Even she, Chi Yuexi, had reached the one hundred and thirty-fifth step, even after being knocked down the steps by Bing Yi earlier.

And Bing Yi had to start from zero.

How could he enter a step ahead of others?

Chen Yunyou's expression was somber as he looked at Chen Yan without speaking.

Chen Yan needed a witness and also needed a helper.

He was destined to enter the Brocade Palace and would have to face the targeting of the Chen Clan.

Chen Yan had originally intended to invite Lu Jianxia, but Lu Jianxia was still outside the Myriad Image Island and had made no moves, clearly not intending to enter.

Therefore, Chen Yan settled for the next best thing and found Chi Yuexi.

Chi Yuexi had the weakest strength; even if she harbored ulterior motives, Chen Yan could suppress her in advance.

If Chi Yuexi wouldn't do, he would find Lu Fukun or Lu Mingyuan.

He would start by looking among those with weaker strength.

If that really didn't work, he would just go without help.

Ji Chuxi was a threat; Chen Yan had battled the other party before, and the other party had not unleashed their true strength because they had to suppress the malice within their body.

"Bing Yi, what method do you have?" Chi Yuexi continued to speak.

Chen Yan, however, sensed something, his brows slightly furrowed, and he did not speak again.

Chi Yuexi pursed her red lips; was Bing Yi toying with her?

Forget it; whenever she conversed with Bing Yi, Chi Yuexi always felt as if her legs were still in excruciating pain.

Just to repair her legs, she had consumed a Sun-Radiance Grade D healing spiritual medicine.

A healing spiritual medicine of the same grade was worth dozens of times more than Qi-blood or body-tempering precious medicines.

Her legs hurt.

Damn it, she absolutely had to pay this back!

She turned around and continued to ascend the Brocade Palace.

"Brother Bing Yi, you really gave me a fright."

Lu Mingyuan laughed:

"I thought you were going to do something else that no one could have anticipated."

Lu Mingyuan chuckled sheepishly; just a moment ago, he had intended to ask Bing Yi to carry him.

But after glancing at Chen Yunyou, who was already on the two hundred and seventy-fifth step, he gave up.

Ji Chuxi and Lu Fukun had the same thought.

Lu Fukun even had the intention of giving up on the ascent.

He clearly could not keep up with Chen Yunyou.

On the other hand, he was a formation master, and cultivating 【Blood Domain Reversing World】 was useless for him.

Ascending the steps here was purely to temper one's own will.

Time passed slowly.

A green dress emerged from the pitch-black clouds and mist, with wisps of golden electric light flowing across its hem.

The woman's appearance was extremely beautiful, with a high-bridged nose, as if she were an immortal from a painting.

She appeared before Chen Yan just like that, her pair of silver eyes extremely cold.

"Don't forget what you promised."

Lu Jianxia spoke indifferently, naturally referring to the matter of releasing the four elders of the Lu clan.

Chen Yan nodded, pitch-black electric light flickering in his hand as a long spear materialized, and he swung it out.

Whoosh!

Blossoms of blood-colored othershore flowers bloomed in the pitch-black void, and the spear light descended, paving a path leading to the heights above.

Chi Yuexi and the others stared intently; even though they had already seen it, a look of amazement still surfaced in their hearts.

Bing Yi's comprehension ability was terrifying.

This was, after all, the introductory level of the Sun-Radiance Grade A spear art 【Blood Domain Reversing World】.

But immediately after, Chi Yuexi's eyes trembled.

If Bing Yi started by using 【Blood Domain Reversing World】, he would fundamentally be unable to reach the topmost step.

What was Bing Yi trying to do?

Lu Jianxia blinked her eyes and stepped onto the othershore flowers alongside Chen Yan.

Blood-red bloomed as flower after flower of othershore flowers intersected and flew across.

All the way until the one-hundredth step, the othershore flowers vanished.

Lu Jianxia remained silent, having no intention of making a move at all.

Yet, at this very moment.

Chen Yan slashed with his spear again!

Whoosh!

An incomparably brilliant blood-colored spear light, mixed with pitch-black thunder and pure white frost and snow, converged and intertwined.

Crimson petals scattered, transforming into rivers of blood leading directly to the high steps.

Chi Yuexi's body paused instantly:

"You... when did you reach the Heart-Entering stage?"

Ji Chuxi and Lu Fukun's expressions also changed constantly.

"You..." Lu Jianxia narrowed her eyes, pressing her lips tightly together, the surprise in the depths of her eyes suppressed with great effort, only to turn cold once more.

Heart-Entering level 【Blood Domain Reversing World】!

Was this the trump card Bing Yi was so confident in?

No.

He was Chen Yan!

Lu Jianxia's brows furrowed slightly, forming a shallow "chuan" character, her black hair swaying gently as it was reflected by the spear light.

A poor person who entered the Dao at seventeen, suppressed by noble families and plotted against by the five clans.

Yet he had walked step by step to this point.

Even now, if she were to say that Bing Yi was Chen Yan.

Only more people would refuse to believe it, and might even mock her.

Chen Yan's talent in the path of external refinement was already peerless; how could he possibly also cultivate Qi-blood?

They would even say that Chen Yan was inferior to Bing Yi.

Just as the people of the world previously did not believe he could reverse life and death, and did not believe he could overcome the malicious rules.

The other person...

The other person was right by her side.

This was the first person in history to be ranked as a Divine General at the age of seventeen.

Unprecedented and unrepeatable.

Lu Jianxia looked at Chen Yan once more, this time the silver eyes gazing for a long, long time, vermilion lips parting to speak, yet no sound emerged.

How, exactly, did the other party cultivate?

She could guess, and she had also seen it.

It was truly...

Bitter and painful.

But, why go to such lengths?

Why must you cultivate to such an extent?