Chapter 520

Just now, all cultivators had witnessed Chen Hang fighting alone against many.

Now that the dust had settled, even those who had secretly suspected it could not hide their astonishment; their faces betrayed shock, as if they had witnessed something utterly unbelievable.

In an instant, voices erupted across the Yingji River, chaotic and unceasing.

“Seven upper-grade Golden Cores, three supreme transcendent arts—yet he took them all in a single battle! Such prowess truly deserves the term ‘outstanding’!”

Qi Shang was momentarily pulled back to attention.

He shook his head slightly, grew solemn for a moment, set aside the matter of the Zhengxu Dao Court for now, and teased the gleeful Fu Can Ancestor beside him:

“But I have one question: Chen Hang is clearly from Yucheng in Dongzhou, not a disciple of your Tai Fu Palace—so why are you so delighted by his victory?”

Fu Can Ancestor shook his head and grinned:

“You don’t know—he was still an unknown wandering cultivator when I first knew him, and I’ve always regarded him as a favored junior.”

If he has a chance to win and claim the top spot, how could I not be pleased?”

“Win and claim the top spot?”

Qi Shang repeated the phrase, unperturbed.

“I dare not say whether this young man can win and claim the top, but I’ve caught a glimpse of the mystery behind that disciple of the Blood River.”

After a pause, Qi Shang’s voice suddenly sounded.

Fu Can Ancestor followed Qi Shang’s gaze and saw Lu Rong locked in fierce combat with the veteran Golden Cores Tang Xuan and Yin Jing Chang Qingjue within the Huanglao Sheji Map.

He had not even released his Blood Spirit Child, nor used any magic treasure—merely relying on his exquisitely refined Blood River transcendent arts, he effortlessly suppressed Tang and Chang.

The expression on Lu Rong’s face made it clear he treated this as mere amusement, utterly at ease.

Tang Xuan, a top disciple of the Jiuzhen Sect, had deployed his array map, harnessed the power of heaven and earth, and received aid from Chang Qingjue—yet still, Lu Rong held him firmly in check, leaving him no chance to turn the tide.

“What mystery does Lu Rong carry?”

Fu Can Ancestor scratched his head, puzzled.

“The mystery on him is the Garuda who calls himself Qigong, from the White Water.”

You know—I once clashed with Qigong by chance after I attained my Dao, and though I struck his left wing with my ‘Fist Within the Body,’ he also wounded my indestructible body.”

Qi Shang fixed his gaze on Lu Rong, a flash of bright light—clear as sulfur flame—flickering in his eyes:

“Thus, I understand the aura of that old Garuda better than most; I also suspect this Garuda is not his true form, but merely a deliberately severed avatar meant to deceive.”

His true body must be some ancient, surviving demon within the White Water…

Perhaps Yinxutuo, or Xie Shen, or Hou Yue—or even that famed Zengshangman!”

Fu Can Ancestor had already heard Qi Shang speak of this before.

It was precisely because his indestructible body had been wounded by Qigong, and his Dao Fruit damaged during his campaigns beyond heaven, that Qi Shang ultimately chose the secret method of Xiangjin Mountain—and came to the Abyss of Xudu Heaven to facilitate his cultivation.

As for Qigong…

“You mean Lu Rong once met that Qigong in the White Water and gained some advantage from him?” Fu Can Ancestor paused, then asked.

“It may not be an ordinary advantage—otherwise I wouldn’t feel this strongly.”

Qi Shang shook his head and said:

“Though I bear some grudge against Qigong, I have never underestimated his transcendent power.”

To be honest, I never expected Qigong would take notice of Lu Rong.”

At this Golden Core Assembly, he will be a major wildcard—rivaling Chen Hang!”

Fu Can Ancestor was slightly startled.

As Fu Can Ancestor stared intently at Lu Rong, frowning in silence, Qi Shang turned his gaze toward Dao Court Princess Ji Xiu, his eyes flickering with complex, indescribable emotion.

In ancient times, the Dao Court’s power was boundless—even celestial immortals and divine beings bowed before this colossal entity, daring not defy it.

Not to mention the mere act of casting the “Golden Chapters of the Earth’s Underworld”—a feat so terrifying it still instills dread in all great Dao lineages of the cosmos.

Not to mention the “Book of Natural Heaven,” which died in the womb when the Dao Court collapsed before it could be completed—

To this day, aside from a handful of old party elders, no one wishes to see the Dao Court revived; Qi Shang is among them.

Indeed, under overt and covert suppression, the Dao Court’s influence has steadily declined, long past its former glory.

Even the current Son of Heaven, Ji Huan, after several attempts, seemed to have lost heart, retreating into the inner palace for years, ignoring all external affairs.

But today…

“Ever since Yang Yin of Jiuzhen exploded through the Southern Heavenly Gate in a rage, the Eight Sects and Six Clans have grown utterly cold toward the Zhengxu Dao Court.”

Yet today, what agreement have these two sides reached to show signs of reconciliation?”

Qi Shang felt a chill, his inner alarm ringing loudly.

After a long silence, his thoughts shifting several times, and seeing Fu Can Ancestor’s gaze still fixed on Lu Rong, Qi Shang found it faintly amusing, shook his head, and turned his mind elsewhere.

The fact that the Eight Sects and Six Clans now seek reconciliation with the Dao Court is not good news for many great Dao lineages—especially Zhu Jing and Wu Liuli Heaven.

But for the Golden Core True Persons within the Huanglao Sheji Map, it may prove a stroke of fortune.

Under this political climate and prevailing tide—

This year’s Golden Core Champion will draw immense attention, and its significance will not be ordinary—it will attract the notice of those few old party elders!

To win the hearts of the Eight Sects and Six Clans, the Dao Court may well bestow upon the Golden Core Champion transcendent arts, wondrous treasures, and other favors to reward his achievements.

For any immortal True Person, to be noticed early by those old party elders, to be commended by the Dao Court—it is a heavenly blessing, beyond measure!

“It is said heroes shape their times, yet surely, do not heroes arise from the times themselves?”

Qi Shang sighed softly, musing:

“A man may harbor ambitions to reach the heavens, yet without fortune, he cannot find his way…”

In this age of fierce contention, among the Xudu Golden Cores, whoever claims this year’s Golden Core Champion has already taken a head start.

What a blessing this is—who will claim it?”

As Qi Shang sincerely mused and all cultivators harbored their own thoughts,

In the Yingji River as well, the Ninth Prince Ji Xiu and Yin Jun exchanged a glance, falling silent for a moment.

“Truly, meeting him surpasses hearing of him; having witnessed this, I now understand why my fifth brother holds this Chen True Person in such high regard.”

After a moment, Ji Xiu broke the silence, smiling:

“What do you think, Master?”

Yin Jun did not answer immediately; his gaze drifted to the pavilions outside—the Water-Land Celestial Palace, Yuan Zai Huan Clan, Lidu Sect, and the Floating Dao Field—pausing on each.

Only after a long while did Yin Jun nod slowly, thoughtful:

“He is truly a fine talent. In the Golden Core realm, I could never achieve what he has—no wonder that Tongxuan Dao Jun took him as a disciple. In my view, Chen Hang bears a touch of the style of that Fenggang Mountain Lord!”

Ji Xiu glanced at Yin Jun again, surprised:

“You hold Chen True Person in very high regard.”

The Fenggang Mountain Lord’s name was Wang Qizhen; he had once been the Dao Heir of a great lineage in Xuyan Heaven, and was personally recruited by Ji Huan before he ascended the throne—their ambitions aligned, so he entered the Dao Court’s service.

Like him, those who came from sects yet served the Dao Court—such as Bai Qiancheng and Chunyu Tan—were of similar origin; combined with Wang Qizhen’s extraordinary talent, he was among the foremost Dao leaders in all of Xuyan Heaven.

Thus, though the Zhengxu Dao Court was rife with factional strife, Wang Qizhen remained untouched under the protection of Bai Qiancheng and Chunyu Tan.

Ji Huan trusted Wang Qizhen completely, even gifting him Fenggang Mountain—a place of profound personal significance—as his Dao seat.

Had Wang Qizhen not suddenly perished in a calamity,

Everyone in Zhengxu Heaven believed that, given time, he would have ascended to the higher realms and become the next pillar of the Dao Court after Bai Qiancheng!

For Yin Jun to say Chen Hang resembles Wang Qizhen was not a slight—it was the highest praise.

“But speaking of it…”

Yin Jun suddenly shifted tone, fixing his gaze on Ji Xiu, earnestly:

“When a famed sword lies before you, not taking it only enriches others.”

After this battle, and his prior victories, before the eyes of all, whether or not he wins the Golden Core Champion, Chen Hang has already made his name known across the cosmos.”

If you wish to recruit him, you must act quickly—otherwise, not only will several families of the Dao Court seize him first, but even Huan Zuan and Xiong Yan from the Water-Land Celestial Palace may intervene.

Though the Zhengxu Dao Court is now ruled by the Ji clan, its myriad factions have never ceased to exist, embroiled in open and covert struggles.

Among them, the most powerful—the Yu, Si, and Xia clans—remain outwardly compliant but inwardly hostile, always scheming to reclaim the reins of governance and prevent the Son of Heaven’s throne from being monopolized by the Ji clan.

After all, they are all descendants of the ancient Son of Heaven.

In status, the Ji clan and the Yu, Si, and Xia clans are equal—no one is clearly superior.

Even though the Ji clan now holds dominance, given this history, those three clans naturally refuse to obey.

They will always find ways to interfere in any Ji clan proposal—Ji Xiu had anticipated this.

Yet Yin Jun specifically mentioned Huan Zuan and Xiong Yan of the Water-Land Celestial Palace…

Ji Xiu frowned slightly, turning his gaze toward the distant golden-robed man with a handsome beard and the eight-year-old child seated upon a dragon chariot.

At this moment, Yu Huangshang of the Primordial Demon Sect and Zhou Fu Jia of Zhongyi were clashing—though no Bronze Fish had emerged, the two had long been at odds, so a confrontation was inevitable.

Such a scene naturally drew outside attention—including that of Huan Zuan and Xiong Yan.

Sensing Ji Xiu’s gaze, both Huan Zuan and Xiong Yan turned to look back.

The former smiled without warmth.

The latter nodded amiably, even bowed with great respect—but his true intentions remained impossible to fathom.

“Chen True Person is from Yucheng—if the Dao Court were to recruit him, that would be understandable. But why did you bring up Huan Zuan and Xiong Yan?”

Ji Xiu, thoughtful, withdrew his gaze, then smiled:

“Master, you fear the Dao Court’s three clans and other factions will use marriage alliances to win Chen True Person over? After all, Huan and Xiong have done such things often.”

"Master Yin is concerned that the Three Houses of the Dao Court and other factions might seek to ally with True Person Chen through marriage alliances? After all, Lord Huan and Lord Xiong have frequently done such things in the past."

Yin Jun said solemnly:

Yin Jun said solemnly:

The highest form of recruiting talent lies in shared ideals and common purpose, as exemplified by the Lord of Fenggang Mountain and those few senior ministers.

As for marital alliances, though secondary, they still serve as a reasonable path.

Hearing this, Ji Xiu hesitated a moment, then let out a bitter smile:

“Though I am ordered by my fifth brother to recruit talent, such major matters are beyond my power—or even my fifth brother’s—to decide alone.

A common woman would hardly catch the eye of that Chen True Person.

But if we were to offer a noble lady of the Ji clan, or even my own sister, to him, this matter must first receive the Emperor’s approval—and furthermore…”

Ji Xiu recalled the scene several days prior in the Forty-Nine Lu Shou Palace, where Gu Yi and Wei Lingjiang had clashed; he shook his head inwardly, his gaze pausing briefly on Zhou Fujia and Yu Huangshang before settling on Chen Hang:

“Even a noble Ji lady may struggle to earn Chen Hang’s special attention…

And speaking of this, the Great Dan Yuan Assembly coincides precisely with the time when both sides seek reconciliation; even several veteran ministers have taken interest. In this age of fierce contention, hidden currents are rising.

The winner of this Dan Yuan Assembly will surely become the most coveted prize!”

…

…

Wind and smoke grew dim, heaven and earth pale and desolate.

Two days later, within the Emperor’s Imperial Map of the State, Chen Hang, feeling his vital energy had largely recovered, emerged from meditation and halted his cultivation.

“To drive him off is easy; to kill him is hard…”

Chen Hang slowly rose to his feet, surveying the shattered, fractured landscape below the clouds. Recalling the previous battle, he paused in thought, then sighed softly:

If this is the case, then to deal with Chen Bai without revealing the Taiyi Divine Thunder as a final trump card, the best course is to seek out that one.

Besides, he now possessed a Fire Bell Copper Fish on his person—he could afford to watch the struggle unfold with ease.

With this thought, Chen Hang made no hesitation; he shook his wide sleeves, and his body transformed into a blade of light, piercing the sky and vanishing in an instant.

Within the Emperor’s Imperial Map of the State, two more days passed swiftly.

On this day,

over a vast, boundless marsh,

Yin Ruohua retrieved the several magic treasures she had summoned, forcibly suppressing the restless anomaly surging within her chest and abdomen.

Her cheeks flushed crimson as blood, like ten thousand blooming peach blossoms, radiant and exquisite.

“Finally won. Le Di actually held back this trick—truly not easy to handle. Had I not prepared a protective measure in advance, I’d have suffered a heavy blow; even in victory, I’d have been severely wounded.

I wonder if I can keep this Copper Fish for three days? Better find my elder brother soon—he’s by my side, even against foes like Zhou Fujia or Chen Hang, I won’t fear…”

Yin Ruohua muttered softly.

As she reached out to claim the Fire Bell Copper Fish, a blade of light shot from afar, slicing through the misty azure sky as if in mere breaths it would reach her.

Yin Ruohua’s expression hardened; hundreds of crimson blood-ribbons erupted from behind her, charging forward defiantly.

When the blood-ribbons were shattered in a thunderous explosion, and she saw the figure emerging from the blade of light,

Yin Ruohua’s bright eyes narrowed sharply; she stepped back two paces, her jade complexion paling.

“How could it be you?!”

She cried out.