Chapter 525: Chen Bai

Suddenly, dark winds howled, and ghostly qi seethed with chilling intensity.

A crushing coldness poured down from the heavens, as if penetrating every crevice, sending shivers through all who felt it.

At the center, surrounded like stars circling the moon, stood only a handsome man of noble bearing and serene demeanor.

Chen Bai’s lips curled slightly in a smile, his face radiating calm confidence, as if the entire scene lay entirely under his control.

Beneath the dim sky, the jade hairpin binding his hair glowed with radiant brilliance, clear and translucent—though its function remained unknown, the faint but sharp killing intent emanating from it made Yin Ruohua straighten instantly.

“Chen Bai…”

Yin Ruohua’s pupils contracted slightly.

The former top disciple of Yuanchen, master of Qinluo Island, once granted his own ceremonial procession by Junyao—a famed Daoist artifact known throughout Dongzhou.

He was also a true heir of the Current Heaven Demon Sect, one of Chen Yushu’s most favored offspring, the successor to Zhuohuai Xiang, and another master of the Human Breeding Scripture!

Sensing Yin Ruohua’s gaze, Chen Bai lowered his eyes slightly, nodding with a faint smile.

Then he turned his gaze to Chen Hang, clapped his hands lightly, and assumed an expression of deep emotion.

“Brother, I heard you sought me. As you wished, here I am.”

With a slight turn of his head, the surrounding demons and ghosts, moments ago frenzied and hungry for flesh, froze rigidly, lowering their heads in submission, falling utterly still.

His voice carried a keen interest:

“Not Gu Yi? This time it’s Yin Ruohua of the Blood River Sect? It seems you, like me, are a man of passion.”

“Why not share a drink and chat of snow, moon, wind, and flowers? Perhaps I could teach you a few of Father’s old techniques—we’re born of the same root; why force each other with blades and axes?”

Chen Hang replied coolly:

“On the brink of death, is that all the nonsense you have to say?”

“On the brink of death? I beg to differ… Had you been at your peak, I would indeed have feared you somewhat—after all, who else could have destroyed Father’s divine descent body?”

Chen Bai looked down, his voice booming like thunder shaking the heavens:

“But now your primordial energy has not yet recovered—you’re far from your peak!”

“Seeing me here, you don’t flee—you insist on confronting me?”

At this, Chen Bai shook his head strangely, as if recalling something, and sneered:

“You and the Daozi—you people are all the same: arrogant, overconfident, stubbornly convinced you can order the world, knowing full well the path ahead is death, yet refusing to yield.”

“Yet all cosmic mechanisms, success and failure, rise and fall, cannot escape fate.”

“The void sometimes collapses; the sun and moon sometimes darken. Only by yielding to Heaven and responding to humanity can one avoid worldly calamities and ascend effortlessly.”

“To persist in what is clearly impossible—that is not wisdom, but folly!”

“How dare you speak of the Daozi before me?”

Chen Hang’s eyelids flickered, a clear killing intent flashing across his face.

“This is the truth I learned after years at Father’s side. To be honest, had the Daozi only halted the White Water Great Demon Spirit Curse Scripture, perhaps I would have stayed quietly in Yuanchen, content to be a mere Xuanmen true heir?”

“But alas, fate never bends to human will…”

Chen Bai shook his head regretfully—this, indeed, was sincere.

Originally, Chen Bai had rebelled against Yuanchen for two reasons.

First, he was tempted by the immense rewards Chen Yushu offered—after all, with the Human Breeding Scripture before him, few in the Nine Provinces and Four Seas could resist such allure.

Second, he feared that after Junyao’s passing, his many enemies within the sect would turn on him, leaving him without protection.

Thus he defected to Chen Yushu’s side, securing himself a powerful patron.

Though Chen Hang and Chen Bai now exchanged only words, neither moved to strike.

Yet a tense atmosphere spread through the scene, forcing others to remain still, silently on guard.

“It seems a battle is inevitable today…”

After a moment, Chen Bai sighed:

“But Chen Hang, my brother, since I know you harbor murderous intent toward me, why would I come to meet you today without preparation?”

Father once said: ‘The sage acts like thunder and wind—giving all his strength, not striking unless he must, but when he strikes, it is with the force of ten thousand thunderbolts!’

I have always kept this warning close to my heart.”

With that, Chen Bai shifted his gaze elsewhere:

“No need to hide anymore—Chen Hang is already suspicious of you. Concealing it further will only bind your hands in the coming battle.”

“Already suspicious?”

Yin Ruohua heard someone respond.

She turned to see Zhang Ping, who had been holding a hand seal and watching warily, suddenly burst into laughter, addressing Chen Bai:

“Chen Bai, you owe me a favor now. When we return to the sect, you must lend me the ‘Changchao Upper Cauldron’!”

“I haven’t yet truly secured my status as Zhuohuai Xiang’s successor—how could the ‘Changchao Upper Cauldron,’ with its temper, obey me?” Chen Bai shook his head.

“I’ll do my best.”

“Zhang Ping? You’ve already signed the magical pact—how dare you act like this? Aren’t you afraid of backlash?”

Yin Ruohua stiffened at first, but quickly suppressed her shock, speaking coldly.

“The Transference Scroll… it’s a secret artifact recorded in the Langhuan Secret Manual. Placed over a pact, it can deceive Heaven’s perception.”

“To prepare for today’s situation, Master Chen had already obtained one from Master Yuan back in the Current Heaven Demon Sect—what a brilliant plan!”

The voice that spoke softly was neither Zhang Ping nor Chen Bai.

It was Ling Shouming, who had appeared unseen above the clouds, wrapped in flame-light, gently tapping his fingers in admiration.

“As for the old grudges between Master Chen and Master Zhang, what do they matter before the greater tide?”

Ling Shouming murmured.

“Another one? Ling Shouming?”

Yin Ruohua’s face paled slightly.

…

…

Chen Bai, Ling Shouming, and Zhang Ping—

This alliance was far beyond her capacity to handle; even Zhang Ping alone could hold her at bay.

Not to mention the infamous Ling Shouming, or Chen Bai, even stronger, whose power even Yu Huangshang dared not underestimate!

In Yin Ruohua’s view, had Chen Hang been at his peak, he might not have needed her aid to handle this.

But misfortune never comes alone.

While Chen Hang’s primordial energy remained unhealed, Chen Bai arrived with Ling Shouming in perfect accord—and Zhang Ping, once allied, had betrayed them outright, worsening the situation.

Thus…

As Yin Ruohua silently reeled and Ling Shouming marveled at the subtlety of the Langhuan Secret Manual,

Chen Bai’s inner state was far from his calm exterior—he shook his head inwardly.

As Ling Shouming said, though he and Zhang Ping had once clashed, as Chen Yushu’s cultivation deepened, they had long since secretly reconciled.

Anticipating that Chen Hang might exploit this matter at the Dan Yuan Assembly, Chen Bai had already procured the “Transference Scroll” and reached an agreement with Zhang Ping.

The outcome unfolded exactly as he’d predicted: Chen Hang indeed sought to sway Zhang Ping.

But Chen Bai did not sacrifice the “Transference Scroll” merely to gain a mediocre ally like Zhang Ping.

His true plan was to have Zhang Ping strike from within during the height of battle, catching Chen Hang off-guard in a pincer attack!

Only then would he feel his scheme had truly succeeded—without wasted effort!

Yet the moment Chen Bai appeared, Chen Hang immediately grew suspicious of Zhang Ping, watching him warily.

To prevent Zhang Ping from being eliminated first, Chen Bai had no choice but to reveal the truth early.

“No wonder you’re called Yuanchen’s top duelist—your cunning and adaptability are rare among my enemies.”

“Yet only such a man deserves to be Father’s heavenly trial. If this were too easy, I’d suspect Chen Hang of hidden schemes…”

Chen Bai sighed inwardly, then, noticing the subtle gravity on Chen Hang’s face, felt a flicker of satisfaction.

The situation had unfolded precisely as a chain of events—none of it possible without Ling Shouming and Zhou Ying’s efforts.

Especially the latter’s Thousand-Mile Spirit Attachment technique, which had played a crucial role in coordinating everything.

Though Ling Shouming and Zhou Ying had their own agendas, had they not respected Chen Bai’s favor, they might never have helped.

“Pity Zhou Ying and Cen Ti are too cautious—they won’t show themselves until the outcome is sealed. But with Ling Shouming on our side, it’s enough!”

As this thought passed through Chen Bai’s mind, he turned to Chen Hang and goaded him:

“Chen Hang, this situation is beyond your reach while your magic power remains unhealed. I’ll grant you dignity—leave the scroll now, on your own.”

Ling Shouming nodded and added:

“I owe you thanks, Master Chen, for removing Wang Xiu, Xie Tan, and Sima Xiu—spared us future trouble. But since I was entrusted, I must intrude today.”

“You’ve already secured the Bronze Fish—you’re guaranteed a top-ten spot. Stepping down now won’t cost you anything.”

Chen Hang smiled faintly, sweeping his sleeve, replying calmly:

“Do you think you two alone are enough? If there are others, bring them all out.”

Ling Shouming frowned.

Chen Bai shook his head:

“Had I merely sought safety, I wouldn’t have needed to summon Master Ling for you, Chen Hang. Do you think I’m like Wang Xiu or Sima Xiu?”

“My status as a true heir is far more secure than you imagine!”

No sooner had he spoken than the clouds above thundered violently. Chen Bai stepped forward, raised his palm, and unleashed a torrent of golden light crashing downward!

Ling Shouming drew a deep breath, summoning misty dark vapors to join Chen Bai’s assault, sealing off Chen Hang’s escape and forcing him into direct confrontation.

The two upper-grade Golden Core cultivators unleashed their magic power without reservation, instantly causing spiritual energy to surge violently, with continuous thunderous roars.

It was as if countless forces were trampling down, shattering the surrounding peaks and producing ear-splitting noise!

This was Chen Bai, seeing that Chen Hang’s magic power had not yet recovered, attempting to crush him with pure, unadorned magical force—there was no trick or subtlety involved.

If Chen Hang dared not respond and tried to retreat, Chen Bai would seize the initiative and gradually bring the rhythm of their duel under his own control.

Long before Chen Hang, Xiang Junyao, and others, he had earned the reputation of winning duels, a title tacitly acknowledged by all True Persons across the Nine Provinces.

It was none other than Chen Yushu!

In that glorious age, whether Qiao Yubi, Jia Rong, Ximen Han, or Wang Yi, Yuan Cangba, Shen Yuming, Chang Long, and others—

These current masters and sect leaders of the Eight Sects and Six Clans were all unable to match Chen Yushu’s prestige; beneath his radiant glory, they inevitably dimmed.

Since entering the Primordial Demon Sect, Chen Bai had been personally nurtured by Chen Yushu, taught countless profound arts, and to this day, Chen Bai boasted he had reached seven-tenths of Chen Yushu’s youthful cultivation.

Aside from those few, Chen Bai could sweep across the Nine Provinces’ Golden Core cultivators with few rivals!

In truth, besides his inside man Zhang Ping, Chen Bai had merely summoned Ling Shouming, a veteran Golden Core—partly because Zhou Ying’s spiritual reach could not extend so far to contact others, and partly because others were too indifferent to get involved.

But upon deeper reflection, it was also because Chen Bai was confident he could defeat Chen Hang, whose primordial energy had not yet recovered.

Summoning Ling Shouming was merely an added layer of assurance.

In an instant, the attacks launched by Chen Bai and Ling Shouming collided with Chen Hang’s magic power—yet it was as if striking a solid wall; the yellow light and smoke were repelled and shattered midair!

For a moment, Chen Hang did not dodge or retreat—he chose to meet force with force.

“He’s in this state—how dare he compete in raw magic power? How deep is the foundation of a first-rank Golden Core?”

Seeing this, Zhang Ping, who had been intercepted by Yin Ruohua, narrowed his eyes, memories of the Sandflow Mountain duel flashing through his mind, filled with astonishment.

Recalling how Chen Hang had released that technique resembling Yinming True Water, and how Chen Hang’s gaze had been inexplicable at the time, Zhang Ping grew uneasy—a cold chill crept up his spine.

But Zhang Ping had no time to warn them.

In fact, since Chen Bai first appeared, Zhang Ping had been pinned by a chilling sword intent—this was why he had remained silent all along.

Only after half a bell’s time did the three’s magic power clash finally pause, the noise ceasing.

He sensed Chen Hang had voluntarily withdrawn, no longer forcing the clash—clearly preserving his primordial energy.

Before Chen Bai could rejoice, a sword light, as if ready to cleave the heavens, shot forth; luckily, Chen Bai had already summoned his ghost demons in defense, avoiding direct strike.

But after the sharp sword light slashed back and forth, flesh and blood flew apart, leaving Chen Bai’s front completely exposed, with no barrier remaining.

“Rise!”

At this moment, there was no time to summon the remaining ghost demons for defense.

Chen Bai hastily activated his technique, and thick, murky light curtains surged from his shoulders.

Yet barely had they formed when the sword light pierced through them with a “puff”—as easily as cutting soft mud!

In the blink of an eye, the sword light flashed five times, and Chen Bai activated five techniques in succession.

But at the final moment, the sword light vanished without a trace.

In its place came a fist, like a celestial mountain descending!

Before the fist even landed, the surrounding void trembled heavily; immense air waves rolled outward, and the torrential blood qi nearly solidified, shaking the heavens with thunderous roars!

At this distance, even if he activated another technique, it would be too late.

Chen Bai’s gaze turned ruthless; he raised his right arm and met Chen Hang’s fist head-on.

BOOM!

The mountains shook, and grass and trees were flattened.

Amid the swirling, dense dust, Chen Bai was blasted hundreds of zhang away; he roared and forced his body to halt, finally stopping his flight.