Chapter 276: Five Elements Essence

The talisman edict, personally crafted by Chen Runzi and Chen Yuanji, was not only the credential for entering the Yuluo Immortal Mansion but also a formidable magic treasure with extraordinary utility.

As long as one was of Chen Yuxu's bloodline,

barring any accidents,

all could obtain this treasure for self-protection.

Even those cultivating in the Innate Demon Sect, unless they had resolved to sever ties with the Immortal Mansion like Chen Ying, rarely had exceptions.

As for those holding the talisman edict, unless they deliberately concealed the edict's spiritual aura,

they could sense each other when in close proximity; this was also used to verify identities.

Yet, during the banquet just now, Chen Lü had deliberately attempted to probe, but failed to detect any aura of a talisman edict from Chen Hang.

Hearing this answer from Chen Chan now, he was truly taken aback, a sense of astonishment rising in his heart.

He composed himself and asked solemnly, "The two elder brothers—"

"The two elder brothers have their own calculations; you need not let your imagination run wild. Even Chen Juan of the Huang Ting Sect entered the Immortal Mansion to pay respects, yet did she cultivate in the Immortal Mansion for even half a day?"

Before Chen Lü could finish, Chen Chan interrupted him coldly, speaking directly:

"What about you? What exactly are you thinking? I know that because of your birth mother, you harbor deep hatred for Chen Yuxu. Now that you've finally met someone whose name appeared in the divination, if you don't build a connection now, when will you?"

"Sister, you really are one who never visits without a cause; I knew that your seeking me out this time must be to 'beg for favors'..."

Chen Lü raised an eyebrow and teased, but then asked sincerely for advice:

"However, in your view, what exactly should I do?"

"He has mastered Sword Escape."

"He is only at Purple Palace... He mastered Sword Escape at the Purple Palace realm?!"

Chen Lü was shocked upon hearing this. He stood up abruptly from his seat, his expression a mix of doubt and disbelief. It was only after a long while that he sat back down slowly and asked,

"But I heard that there are two from the Zhongyi Sword Sect, Shen Xingcui and Lu Tingyun, who also mastered Sword Escape at the Purple Palace realm, yet they are ranked sixth and seventh in the Purple Palace list. He, this Purple Palace eleventh..."

At this point, before Chen Chan could answer, Chen Lü stopped himself.

A flash of realization crossed his eyes, and he laughed at himself, shaking his head.

The Year-End Evaluation was held once a year.

If this ranking was issued before Chen Hang mastered Sword Escape, then it made sense.

However, thinking of this, Chen Lü recalled something.

Several dozen days ago, a few dissolute disciples of the Rouxuan Mansion, in order to celebrate his birthday, went to the Yuquan Immortal Market to purchase treasures, but were forced to retreat by a sword cultivator suspected to be from the Zhongyi Sword Sect while competing for the Purple-Bright Flowing Pearls.

They lost all face in front of everyone, ending up in a miserable state.

This incident caused quite a stir in the Yuquan Immortal Market, leading cultivators to speculate on the sword cultivator's identity.

Some guessed the Zhongyi Sword Sect, others speculated on hidden figures from the Eight Sects and Six Factions, or even those from beyond the heavens.

Even Chen Lü in the Rouxuan Mansion had heard the news.

Cultivators who have mastered the fourth realm of Sword Dao are not rare.

But those who can refine such means at the Purple Palace realm are few and far between!

Looking at it this way,

that sword cultivator who had a falling out with the Rouxuan Mansion disciples and was suspected to be from the Zhongyi Sword Sect

was likely Chen Hang, who was still drinking with him just moments ago...

In just a short moment, these thoughts flashed through Chen Lü's mind, as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun, leaving no more doubts. He laughed heartily at Chen Chan, saying,

"Thank you for the hint, Sister. If not for your words, I truly wouldn't have known how to offer this favor! Adding flowers to a brocade is of no use, but sending charcoal in snowy weather is a completely different matter!

Fortunately, Chen Hang has come to the East Sea this time; otherwise, figuring out how to climb up to this connection would have been a difficult task."

Although Chen Lü's status in the Rouxuan Mansion was noble, limited by his innate roots, his cultivation base was not profound. After achieving a fifth-grade Golden Core through a method that damaged his foundation, he could no longer progress.

Not to mention the difficulty of improving his cultivation.

Even if he were lucky enough to have a rare stroke of fortune to help him dissolve the barriers,

he would never be able to survive the nine Small Pure Yang Thunders during the breakthrough.

Because of this, Chen Lü had developed a habit of keeping servants and recruiting retainers, bestowing favors throughout the East Sea, and acting in the style of the Long Gong.

And the Chen Hang before him, regardless of which aspect, was an excellent target for bestowing favors!

For Chen Lü,

it was a business with ten thousand times the profit!

"I wonder what plans you have for later, Sister? Why not stay here for a few days, so that your younger brother can fulfill his duties as a host?"

Chen Lü asked earnestly.

"That would be fine. Since there are only a few days left until the Long Gong Dharma Assembly, I will stay here to guard him, and incidentally, sell him a favor."

Chen Chan pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement:

"However, recently that monk..."

"Rest assured! No matter how vast that mad monk's supernatural powers are, since we are now within the mountain gates of the Rouxuan Mansion, if he wants to snatch people, he must first try the Great Stability Subtle God-Slaying Array!"

At this moment, guessing Chen Chan's concerns, Chen Lü interrupted her with heroic spirit before she could finish:

"Although my Rouxuan Mansion cannot compare to the Eight Sects and Six Factions, it is still one of the top Immortal Sects in the East Sea! That mad monk was chased out of the Southern Gan Prefecture by the Blood River Sect in a panic; although he has magic power, he is not necessarily omnipotent!

Wanting to attack my Rouxuan Mansion's mountain gates to snatch disciples—this matter is truly too absurd!"

Chen Chan frowned slightly, looked at Chen Lü, and ultimately offered a reminder:

"One should not stand under a dangerous wall. I know you like to gallop and hunt, but for the next few days, stay within the sect and do not go out easily. Wait until the storm passes before having your fun."

Chen Lü agreed verbally, but in his heart, he smiled bitterly, unconvinced.

The disciples snatched by the mad monk were all outstanding figures, gifted and talented.

He had enough self-awareness not to think he was among them, worth the mad monk spending any effort on.

After chatting casually for a few more sentences, and after Chen Chan took her leave, the hall grew slightly cold.

Chen Lü stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the rising sun on the horizon.

The flames of the fire were blazing, and the morning clouds were like brocade, beautiful in every way.

After a long while of contemplation, he suddenly clapped his hands, and a series of clear bell sounds rang out from under the eaves.

Soon after, Zhao Hong Guanshi stepped quickly up the jade steps, entered the hall, and immediately knelt down, calling out "Master," his demeanor extremely respectful.

"When I was cultivating in the second layer of the Cave-Mystic realm, my wife specially asked my father-in-law to find me a few pieces of Innate Five Elements Essence...

Because of another matter earlier, I instructed you to prepare them in advance. Where are they now?"

Chen Lü waved his hand, signaling Zhao Hong Guanshi to rise, and without any pleasantries, asked straight to the point.

"They are in the storeroom, how could they be lost? It's just that the five elements are incomplete, lacking the fire and metal attributes."

Zhao Hong Guanshi smiled.

"I wonder how many types of Five Elements Essence he has gathered? If there are duplicates..."

Chen Lü pondered for a moment, then said:

"Forget it, just take them all out! As for how many are missing, let him choose for himself!"

Zhao Hong Guanshi was startled, and after weighing the matter for a long while, he said cautiously:

"Master, you intend to gift these items to that guest?"

"Naturally."

"But if these items are gone, it might be difficult to handle the matter with the Little Saint of Yunlang..." Zhao Hong Guanshi frowned.

(End of chapter)