Chapter 124: with translation of chapter title

The melee was about to erupt; Su Chen waved his long sword, sword qi crisscrossing, and wherever he passed, enemy cultivators dodged aside. Hei Mao moved like a ghost, weaving through the crowd to strike at vital points, leaving opponents defenseless. Ling Er also refused to be outdone; though her martial prowess was slightly inferior, she relied on her agile posture and mastery of music, using sound waves to disturb the enemy and greatly alleviating pressure on Su Chen and the others.

The originally wavering sect disciples, under Su Chen's encouragement, gradually came to their senses, realizing they were merely pawns in others' schemes in this conflict, and immediately turned against their former allies, fighting alongside Su Chen. Su Chen killed enemies while keeping an eye on the surroundings, steadily advancing toward the core of the Profound Heaven Dao Sect's stronghold.

Seeing the situation spiral out of control, Ye Xuan flew into a rage, personally leading his trusted disciples to charge out. As soon as he appeared, his powerful aura awed the entire field; a light wave of his folding fan unleashed a fierce spiritual power storm that swept across. "Su Chen, today is your death!" Ye Xuan roared.

Su Chen let out a cold laugh, fearlessly stepping forward: "Ye Xuan, do you think you can stop me with just yourself? You colluded with outsiders, plotting to harm me; today I will make you pay and rescue Yanran!" After speaking, Su Chen's spiritual power surged, colliding with Ye Xuan's, producing an earth-shaking rumble. The surrounding buildings trembled on the verge of collapse under this powerful force.

Ling Er watched the duel between Su Chen and Ye Xuan from the side, her heart filled with shock. Only now did she truly realize Su Chen's strength far exceeded her imagination. The Chu family head, hearing of the melee in the city, hurriedly arrived with the Chu family's guards. He knew clearly that if he did not declare his stance now, the Chu family would hardly find a foothold in Heavenly Origin City in the future.

As the battle continued, the contradictions within the six great clans and two major sects became increasingly evident. Some clans, to preserve their strength, began to withdraw troops quietly. Some sect disciples defected on the battlefield, joining Su Chen. Su Chen seized the opportunity, breaking through the Profound Heaven Dao Sect's layered defenses in the chaos, finally locating the secret chamber where Lin Jianran was imprisoned.

At the secret chamber's door, Su Chen blasted the door open with spiritual power and immediately saw the wan yet still beautiful Lin Jianran. "Yanran, I've come late." Su Chen stepped forward quickly, undoing the seal on Lin Jianran's body. Lin Jianran's eyes welled with tears as she softly said, "Su Chen, I knew you would come."

However, before the two could reminisce, Ye Xuan broke free from the entanglement and charged back. His eyes were crazed, vowing to put Su Chen to death: "You think you can escape? Not so easy!" Su Chen shielded Lin Jianran behind him and engaged Ye Xuan in a life-and-death battle.

Hei Mao, Ling Er, and the other allies, seeing this, rushed to provide support. With everyone working together, Ye Xuan gradually found himself overwhelmed, sustaining heavy injuries. Finally, Su Chen thrust his sword into Ye Xuan's chest, ending this grudge.

After the great battle, Heavenly Origin City lay in ruins. Su Chen's prestige soared from this battle, making him the new core of all factions. He reorganized Heavenly Origin City's order, resolving many conflicts, allowing the city to gradually regain vitality. The Chu family also, due to Ling Er's crucial decision, earned Su Chen's trust, enabling them to continue developing in the city.

Su Chen and Lin Jianran, after enduring trials, grew ever deeper in affection. They walked hand in hand along the streets of the rebuilt Heavenly Origin City, looking back on the past with myriad emotions.

Gentle sunlight fell upon the rebuilt Heavenly Origin City; the stone-paved road glowed with a warm sheen, and the newly planted trees along the streets had sprouted tender green buds, as if whispering of hope for rebirth. Su Chen and Lin Jianran walked side by side, occasionally pausing to gaze at the familiar yet unfamiliar shops along the street; the memory of that shocking night from before remained vivid.

"Su Chen, do you still remember when I first arrived in Heavenly Origin City, full of hope to find an opportunity, yet I never expected to be dragged into these many conflicts—if not for you..." Lin Jianran slightly lifted her head, her eyes brimming with tenderness and gratitude. Su Chen gently took her hand, a smile touching his lips: "Yanran, there's no need for us to be so distant; having you on this arduous path gives me the will to strive."

Just then, Hei Mao hurried over from not far away, followed by several city officials. "Young Master, although the city's reconstruction has seen initial success, matters such as resource distribution and the transmission of cultivation techniques still require your decision," Hei Mao reported respectfully. Su Chen gave a slight nod, his expression regaining a hint of its former sternness, then turned to Lin Jianran with an apologetic tone: "Yanran, I must go attend to some affairs; I'll come find you later." Lin Jianran gave a faint smile: "Go ahead; I'll go help tend to the wounded—they have given much for Heavenly Origin City."

Su Chen followed Hei Mao to the council hall, where the various officials had already gathered, arguing heatedly over resource allocation. Upon seeing Su Chen enter, everyone fell silent at once, all eyes turning to him. Su Chen scanned the room, his voice deep: "Everyone, Heavenly Origin City's current state is not easily achieved; we all have contributed. Resource allocation must be fair and reasonable; we must not let personal greed ruin the greater good." Having said that, he proceeded in an orderly manner, allocating supplies according to each clan and sect's contribution, and establishing rules for the exchange of cultivation techniques to promote mutual growth among the city's cultivators. After listening, although there were occasional murmurs, they also knew Su Chen's decisions were just, and thus they departed, having received their orders.

After finishing the city's affairs, Su Chen thought of Lin Jianran and went to the place where the wounded were being treated. But he saw Lin Jianran carefully changing the dressing for a severely wounded cultivator; her technique was practiced, her eyes full of concern, and the surrounding wounded looked at her with gratitude. A warm feeling welled up in Su Chen's heart as he quietly approached. Lin Jianran seemed to sense him, turned back, saw Su Chen, and gave a gentle smile: "Have you finished your affairs?" Su Chen nodded, helping her tend to the wounded; for a moment, the room was filled with warmth.

A few days later, the Chu family sent an invitation, inviting Su Chen and Lin Jianran to a banquet. Su Chen understood that the Chu family's gesture aimed to further solidify their relationship, and he gladly accepted. At the banquet, the Chu family head rose and raised his cup: "Young Sect Master Su, this time Heavenly Origin City turned danger into safety and returned to peace, all thanks to your righteous resolve. My Chu family wishes henceforth to follow you, jointly protecting Heavenly Origin City's prosperity." Having said that, he drained his cup in one gulp. Su Chen also rose to return the toast: "Chu family head, you're too polite; past grudges are settled, and hand in hand we will surely elevate Heavenly Origin City to greater heights." At the feast, Ling Er appeared in splendid attire, less arrogant than before and more composed and dignified. She walked up to Su Chen and Lin Jianran, performing a graceful bow: "Young Master Su, Miss Lin, I have previously offended you many times; I hope you will forgive me. From now on, I will take you as my models, diligently cultivate, and serve Heavenly Origin City." Lin Jianran hurriedly helped her up, eyes full of pity: "Ling Er, what are you saying? That day in the melee you stepped forward; we are grateful beyond words."

After the banquet, Su Chen and Lin Jianran strolled back to their residence. The moonlight was like water, spilling onto their shoulders. Lin Jianran softly said: "Su Chen, looking at today's Heavenly Origin City, I feel as if I see many possibilities for the future; it's wonderful that we can be together here." Su Chen gently embraced her: "Indeed, past storms have been tempering; in the years to come, we will surely not disappoint this city's peace, nor our deep affection."