Chapter 17: Tomb of a fallen powerhouse
With a deep exhale, Xiao Chen felt relieved, knowing that his movements hadn't attracted any unwanted attention.
After deciding to postpone the opportunity to comprehend a fragment of the Dao, he called out his status panel in his mind. Immediately, a semi-transparent blue panel materialized in front of him.
[Name: Xiao Chen
Status: Inner disciple of the peerless Heaven Sword Sect
Cultivation: Mysterious Platform early stage (peak)
Affinity: Dao of Darkness (fragmented) and Dao of Light (fragmented)
- Passive effect: Positive Affinity for every three thousand Dao
Physique: Innate demonic and divine immortal physique
Cultivation techniques:Peerless Heaven Sword Code, Shadow Breezing Stride, Infernal Sword Technique, Exquisite Yang Essence Transmission.
Weapons and Equipment:
Sky Burning Fire Sword, Oracle Stone Locator (2/3), low-grade storage ring
Destiny value: 2550
Destiny villain value: 1450]
Xiao Chen couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as he surveyed the panel.
Despite being at the Mysterious Platform early stage, Xiao Chen's true combat prowess had already surpassed a major realm. With this newfound strength, he felt confident in his ability to defend himself in the lower realm.
As he contemplated his future ascent to the Dao Attainment realm, he envisioned a time when he would have no opponents in the Azure Jade Continent.
With this resolve in mind, Xiao Chen immediately returned to his cultivation, knowing that he would soon have to contend against Ji Rongmei in his upcoming plans.
After three full days of meditation, Xiao Chen awakened from his cultivation, greeted by the gentle rays of sunlight cascading onto his peerless face.
He cleansed his body and adorned himself in a black robe with silver strips, then made his way to the window of his room.
Gazing out at the nearby inn, indicated as Ye Fan's location by the Oracle Stone Locator, Xiao Chen's lips curved into an amused smile as he contemplated his next course of action. With determination in his step, he descended the stairs of the inn.
Meanwhile, Ye Fan, engrossed in his tea drinking, sensed a penetrating gaze fixed upon him.
He immediately turned his attention to the window where Xiao Chen had been, but upon finding it empty, he couldn't help but wonder if it was merely his paranoia or if someone was indeed watching him.
Ye Fan's doubts were put to rest when he witnessed Xiao Chen exiting the inn. Rather than following immediately, he opted to bide his time, waiting for the opportune moment before trailing behind Xiao Chen.
However, Ye Fan's caution proved to be in vain, as Xiao Chen was acutely aware of his presence the entire time.
Within the confines of the Jade Pendant, Ji Rongmei was stunned as she observed Xiao Chen.
He appeared significantly stronger than the last time she had seen him at the City Lord Mansion, leaving her both impressed and intrigued by his rapid progress.
As a powerhouse in the upper realm, Ji Rongmei possessed a keen perception that allowed her to detect subtle energies surrounding Xiao Chen—the Dao of Darkness and the Dao of Light seemed to orbit him like ethereal guardians.
She pondered her decision to follow Xiao Chen, unable to shake the feeling of uncertainty, realizing that he harbored many variables that eluded her understanding.
After a while, Ji Rongmei shook her head, reaffirming her resolve. Despite Xiao Chen's formidable appearance, she knew that if any unexpected events were to occur, she would immediately distance herself from Ye Fan.
At this point in the plot, their bond had yet to fully develop, and Xiao Chen's intrusion into the plot only fueled her disdain for Ye Fan.
Though Ji Rongmei's calculated and deceptive behavior seemed to contradict her pure and fiery personality, Xiao Chen understood the complexities at play.
Initially, she used Ye Fan as a means to get what she wanted, but under the manipulation of Heaven's will and Ye Fan's facade, she gradually let her guard down and began to develop genuine feelings.
Xiao Chen wandered for a while, strategically biding his time until he felt his pretense had reached its peak.
After making his way to the city gate, he exited Silver Sword City and took a few steps before seamlessly transitioning into his Shadow Breezing Steps technique, propelling himself forward at high speed.
Ye Fan, who had been trailing behind Xiao Chen, smirked as he observed Xiao Chen's actions.
"Do you think that after snatching my opportunity, you can escape so easily with this trick?" he jeered, his voice laced with scorn and disdain.
Meanwhile, Ji Rongmei, observing the unfolding events, simply labeled Ye Fan as an ignorant fool.
she suspected that Xiao Chen's cautions were deliberate but she couldn't find any concrete evidence to support her intuition.
The ancient treasure map pointed towards the Tomb of the powerhouse who met his demise while fusing with heavenly and earthly fire, located in the valley near the Crimson Mountain Ridge.
Xiao Chen cursed the coincidence orchestrated by Heaven's will, and deliberately maneuvered around Crimson Mountain Ridge, aiming to catch Ye Fan off guard.
After a prolonged journey, Xiao Chen finally came to a halt near a valley bathed in shades of crimson.
Ye Fan, who had been growing impatient, breathed a sigh of relief as he observed Xiao Chen's pause, sensing that they were nearing their destination.
As they entered the valley, Xiao Chen appeared to stride purposefully in a specific direction, seemingly following the instructions outlined in the treasure map.
Each step he took seemed deliberate as if guided by an unseen force leading him deeper into the heart of the valley, where the secrets of the ancient tomb awaited discovery.
Xiao Chen stood before a seemingly ordinary wall within the valley, its appearance giving no hint of the ancient secrets it concealed.
With determination in his eyes, he retrieved the tattered treasure map from the system space and began to unfold it before the wall.
As the aged parchment came into contact with the surface, a remarkable transformation occurred.
The tattered treasure map shimmered and shifted, its worn edges smoothing out and its faded markings rejuvenating into a radiant golden hue.
In an instant, the transformed map metamorphosed into a golden key, pulsating with an otherworldly energy.
Without hesitation, Xiao Chen inserted the golden key into the wall, its surface yielding to his touch as if recognizing the rightful bearer.
With a soft click, the wall began to part, revealing the hidden chamber beyond—a portal to the long-forgotten secrets of the ancient tomb.
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