Chapter 123

Su Chen inwardly smirked, but his expression remained unchanged. He set down his teacup, slightly lifted his gaze to the Chu family head, and spoke lightly: "Chu family head, your daughter's talent is outstanding, her musical skill exquisite—truly rare." His tone was neutral, giving nothing away of his true feelings.

The Chu family head acted as if he hadn't noticed, his smile growing broader, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes bunching up. He took Ling'er's hand, stepped forward, and said warmly: "Young Sect Master Su flatters me; my daughter has been exceptionally clever since childhood, and in the way of music she possesses a rare gift. If she could earn the favor of a hero like you, Young Sect Master Su, that would be her blessing." After saying that, he gave Ling'er a meaningful glance.

Ling'er understood at once, her cheeks faintly flushing like a budding flower about to bloom. She lightly stepped forward and came to Su Chen's side, speaking softly: "Young Master Su, I've heard that your journey to Heavenly Origin City has been fraught with danger, and I truly worry for you. If there's anything you need my help with, please just say the word." Her voice was soft and sweet, her eyes full of expectation, as if she were certain Su Chen would be moved by her tenderness.

Su Chen turned slightly, keeping his distance from Ling'er without changing his expression, his gaze sweeping over the night outside the window. He replied offhandedly: "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Ling'er, but I have my own plans. The situation in Heavenly Origin City is tangled and complex; as a young lady of noble birth, you'd best stay out of it." Every word conveyed aloofness.

Chu family head saw this, his smile froze slightly, yet he still would not give up, smoothing things over saying: "Young Sect Master Su Chen is joking, my Chu family also has some acquaintance with you; now that we are together in this tumultuous time, helping each other is only natural. Ling'er, though she is a daughter, also has some courage and insight; perhaps at a critical moment she could lend you a hand."

Su Chen's mouth curled into a faint arc, while his mind was plotting the layout after entering the city. The Chu father and daughter's calculations—how could he not see through them? They merely wanted to take advantage of his grudge with the Heavenly Profound Dao Sect to climb higher, even attempting to use such petty maiden's tricks to restrain him. But they did not know that Su Chen's purpose for this trip was clear; how could he be easily hindered by love affairs?

As he thought, the black cat silently approached and whispered a few words in his ear; Su Chen's eyes flashed with a gleam. It turned out their people had already ascertained the specific deployment of the six great clans and two great sects' forces in the city, as well as the key weaknesses in several killing formations. This information was far more valuable than the banquet before him.

Su Chen lifted his gaze to the Chu father and daughter, the perfunctory look in his eyes fading, replaced by a hint of coldness: "Chu family head, thank you for today's banquet. However, the situation outside the city is urgent; I, Su Chen, still have matters to attend to, so I will not linger." Having said that, he rose to leave.

Chu family head's face drained of color; he had thought it a sure thing, yet Su Chen proved so inflexible. He hurriedly rose to block him: "Young Sect Master Su Chen, the night is deep, and outside the city dangers abound; if you leave now and meet with mishap, how am I to answer to Miss Lin Jianran? Why not stay the night at my humble abode and decide tomorrow?"

Su Chen gave a cold laugh: "Chu family head, you worry too much; since I dared to come, I naturally have a way to retreat unscathed. As for Miss Lin Jianran, I will personally ensure her safety; no need for others to trouble themselves." Having said that, he led the black cat and others away from the Chu residence in swift strides.

Chu family head watched Su Chen's retreating back, his face alternating between pale and flushed. Ling'er bit her lower lip, eyes full of resentment and indignation, stamping her foot as she said: "Father, why is Su Chen so ungrateful? I have put my heart into this, yet he pays it no heed at all."

Chu family head let out a long sigh, his expression regaining some clarity: "Forget it, Su Chen is no ordinary opponent; this ploy of ours seems unworkable. However, given the situation in Gan Yuan City, we still need to plan early, lest we back the wrong side..."

Su Chen's party left the Chu residence, under cover of night moving stealthily toward their predetermined target. The ten killing formations at the city gate and the hundred thousand cultivators within the city—he already had countermeasures in mind. And this struggle among the various powers had only just begun; who would ultimately prevail remains unknown.

Su Chen and company, under the cover of night, moved like ghosts through the streets of Gan Yuan City. The black cat lowered his voice to report: "Young Master, according to reliable intelligence, although the six great clans and two great sects appear to have joined forces, their internal contradictions are profound. In order to contend for the distribution of benefits after dealing with the Heavenly Profound Dao Sect, they have long been engaged in open and covert struggle, each keeping their own secrets." Su Chen gave a slight nod, his eyes flashing with a light of penetrating insight, thinking to himself: This could be exploited.

Meanwhile, inside the Chu manor, the Chu family head sat in the hall with a grim face, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table; Ling'er beside him sobbed, wiping her tears, feeling wronged. The Chu family head glanced at her, impatiently saying: "Enough, stop crying! Su Chen is not someone we can easily manipulate; we must find another way." Upon hearing this, Ling'er gritted her teeth, held back her sobs, yet her eyes flashed with stubbornness and unwillingness; she secretly vowed to make Su Chen see her in a new light.

Su Chen's party quietly approached the city gate, using the night's concealment to hide in the darkness and observe the ten killing formations. The formation patterns flickered, spiritual power surged violently—clearly formidable. Su Chen's mouth curled into a confident arc as he softly told the black cat and others: "They look perilous, but are riddled with flaws. They were hastily erected, the formations' connections stiff; if we seize the right moment, we can break through in one go." Hearing this, everyone's spirits lifted; they gripped their weapons tightly, awaiting Su Chen's command.

And deep within Gan Yuan City, inside the temporary outpost of the Heavenly Profound Dao Sect, Ye Xuan listened to his subordinate's report, his face growing ever darker. "What? Su Chen has already entered the city? And the Chu family failed to detain him!" Ye Xuan slammed his palm on the table, stood up and paced, inwardly vexed. He had thought Su Chen would be held up at the Chu residence, buying him more time to deploy, yet he hadn't expected Su Chen to be so decisive and quick-witted. "Pass the order: strengthen the guard, especially at the place where Lin Jianran is imprisoned; make sure Su Chen cannot succeed."

On Su Chen's side, he had already spotted a weak point in the killing formation and was about to act when a sudden clamor arose. It turned out to be a patrol squad from the Wang family, one of the six great clans, passing by; Su Chen and his companions hastily held their breath and concealed themselves deeper. After the patrol moved off, Su Chen's eyes narrowed and he lowly shouted: "Attack!" In an instant, he led with his treasure, a blinding flash of light shooting straight toward the formation's breach; the black cat and others followed close behind, their spiritual light intertwining with the formation's, and for a moment the shouts of battle and clashes of treasure shattered the night's silence.

Other forces in the city noticed the commotion and sent people to investigate. Upon hearing the news, the Chu family head's heart jumped; he muttered to himself: "Su Chen really dares to charge straight in—what does he rely on?" Ling'er also widened her eyes; her curiosity about Su Chen grew stronger, even a hint of admiration, and despite her father's objections she insisted on following to see.

Su Chen and company, thanks to their exquisite coordination and understanding of the killing formation, actually tore open a gap and successfully entered the city. Yet as soon as they stepped inside, they encountered a blockade by disciples of the two great sects. Su Chen showed no fear, scanning his surroundings, he shouted loudly: "You lot, being used as pawns by Ye Xuan, truly think you can gain anything? The six great clans each harbor their own ulterior motives; you are merely sacrificial pawns!" Upon hearing this, those sect disciples exchanged glances, their weapons trembling slightly, evidently shaken.

Just as the situation reached a stalemate, Ling'er suddenly appeared, shouting loudly: "Young Master Su Chen is right—don't be kept in the dark, doing others' bidding as their bridal attire!" Everyone was stunned, not expecting Ling'er to show up then. Su Chen's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise, then he understood her intent: she sought to use this opportunity to secure a place for the Chu family amid the chaos. Su Chen secretly thought, this woman does have some courage and insight; for now he decided to cooperate with her to overcome the present predicament.

Thus, under Su Chen's leadership, the black cat, Ling'er, and the wavering sect disciples marched together toward the Heavenly Profound Dao Sect's outpost; a greater melee erupted in Gan Yuan City, and the fates of all parties were utterly rewritten that night.