Ding Ding Little Stone
Chapter 165: The Aura of Carnage from the Ancient Battlefield!
Compared to his previous ranking, this was a significant rise. The battle with Liu Changkong directly boosted him dozens of places, causing a minor sensation within Nangling Prefecture.
After all, only a little over half a month had passed.
Such rapid progress in such a short time made many people extremely interested in Chen Yuan, with some even betting on when he would enter the top 200.
This level was mostly occupied by those at the Heavenly Astral (Tiangang) martial level!
Many people predicted that Chen Yuan would achieve this in... one year!
This speed was undeniably fast, but some still believed in Chen Yuan's potential.
Almost none of the top 300 on the Potential Dragon List were Qi Gathering (Naqi) martial artists; they were all at the Solidifying Fiend (Ningsha) level or higher. Chen Yuan's ability to make the list with his Qi Gathering cultivation was quite remarkable.
Of course, where there was joy, there was also sorrow.
Bei Hai Sheng, Lin Bei Han, and Nie Qi Yun, among others, wore grim expressions upon hearing the news, especially Bei Hai Sheng, who harbored a deep-seated hatred for Chen Yuan due to the loss of his son.
He constantly sought revenge but had yet to find an opportunity.
Therefore, he planned to find one himself…
He couldn't allow Chen Yuan to continue growing, or he would never have his revenge.
Furthermore, with the potential Chen Yuan had displayed, he would undoubtedly receive strong support from the Sky Survey Department (Xuntian Si).
Indeed, upon returning that day, Tao Qingyuan, citing Chen Yuan's meritorious service in killing Liu Changkong, rewarded him with numerous cultivation resources, eliciting envy and jealousy.
Yet, no one dared to question it.
Anyone who wasn't a fool could see that Chen Yuan had relieved Tao Qingyuan's predicament that day, facing a powerful enemy alone, and Tao Qingyuan's appreciation for Chen Yuan was evident.
That battle was a great boon for Chen Yuan!
However, besides Chen Yuan, Gu Hao, the senior brother who stood against the Sky Survey Department's experts for his junior brother, also gained considerable fame. Well-wishers praised his loyalty and courage in the face of power.
He earned a great reputation!
The only loser might have been Liu Changkong.
Oh...
The court's authority was also somewhat diminished.
But not too much, as no actual fight had broken out that day, and the final result was still Chen Yuan's victory, making it a relatively satisfactory resolution.
Afterwards, Tao Qingyuan kept his word, immediately reporting the events of the day to the state capital, and the Gold Envoy (Jin Shi) pressured the Azure Cloud Sword Sect (Qingyun Jianpai) to pay a price.
But this event still affected Chen Yuan. At least regarding the court, Chen Yuan's previous desire to climb the ranks was no longer as strong.
He might as well become a bandit in the Jianghu!
But with his current level of cultivation, no major sect would accept him.
At best, demonic forces would use him as a blade…
Thinking about it, although the court was somewhat corrupt, it was still the best place for him for now.
Leaving the court was the most unwise decision, at least for now!
Before he had the strength to make a name for himself in the Jianghu, it was still safer to stay in the court.
Qingzhou state capital, the center of the state, one of the most important cities in the land, had powerhouses that were many times stronger than those in Nangling Prefecture.
There were four Manifestation (Dan Jing) experts alone, and tens of thousands of soldiers stationed there. Although the Azure Cloud Sword Sect was strong, it was still far behind the court.
Gu Hao was placed under house arrest for three months, Liu Changkong's name was removed from the Azure Cloud Sword Sect's genealogy, and they ceded some benefits to resolve the dispute.
The court wouldn't oppress them too harshly, lest it provoke some forces to unite against them.
Chen Yuan's name also spread beyond Nangling Prefecture for the first time, reaching Qingzhou City.
Facing the outside world's turmoil, Chen Yuan ignored it all. He spent these days cultivating diligently within the Sky Survey Department, solidifying his foundation, and also researching the location of the 'Crescent Moon Valley' (Yueya Gu), the opportunity revealed by the altar.
When he first sensed this location, Chen Yuan was happy, thinking that this Fiendish Yin Ground would be easy to find. But when he looked into it, he realized he was completely wrong.
There was no 'Crescent Moon Valley' within Nangling Prefecture at all!
He searched all the maps of Nangling Prefecture, including all its subordinate counties, but couldn't find the name. There were only a few dozen places called 'Valley.' Chen Yuan's mood was indescribable when he received this news.
Could it be that he couldn't find it?
No, Chen Yuan later thought, since the altar had guided him to the location, it certainly wasn't deliberately making it difficult.
So, Chen Yuan quickly realized that perhaps… the Crescent Moon Valley had been renamed!
It wasn't unreasonable for him to think this way. According to the information he had gathered, many hills and cities had been renamed since the founding of the Great Jin Dynasty.
Intended as, a new dynasty!
A new dynasty naturally couldn't use the names of the old lands.
Realizing this, Chen Yuan understood that to find Crescent Moon Valley, he first needed to find a map of the former Chu Dynasty.
Unfortunately, there was nothing like that within the entire Nangling Prefecture Sky Survey Department.
Tao Qingyuan might know, but Chen Yuan didn't want him to know, lest he suspect something.
It wasn't that he didn't trust him, but Chen Yuan instinctively held a trace of vigilance towards everyone.
During these days of Chen Yuan's recuperation, three of the Four Ghosts of Yunjiang (Yunjiang Si Gui) he had sent out returned. Zhao Bei Shan was taught the Qi Gathering cultivation method by Zhao Nan Shan, who had also taken him as a disciple.
But if one didn't know, they might think they were brothers, as their names were indeed too similar.
As for the Spirit Conduit Cleansing Water that Chen Yuan had given to Zhao Nan Shan, it had no effect other than alleviating some injuries… Chen Yuan wasn't very surprised by this.
Because he had expected it. He could only help him find some better things in the future if he had the chance.
Wang Ping hadn't returned either. He had already entered the Blood Refining level, and with the elixirs that Chen Yuan had given him, he could quickly cultivate to Bone Forging.
He said that his current strength was too weak, and he would only be a burden if he went to Chen Yuan's side. He would come to Nangling Prefecture when he reached the Bone Forging level…
Chen Yuan couldn't help but think that this might take a long time. Perhaps by the time he came, his Bone Forging cultivation would also be a burden.
Chen Yuan didn't feel much emotional turmoil because Wang Ping didn't come. His most important task at the moment was to find the location of the Crescent Moon Valley. To this end, he decided to go to Dengxian Tower.
If the Sky Survey Department didn't have it, it didn't mean that this world-renowned intelligence organization wouldn't.
Ye Chenbai had made it clear that as long as Chen Yuan could afford the price, there would be almost no secrets hidden from him in this world, but that price was something that no one had been able to pay yet.
After settling the Three Ghosts of Yunjiang, Chen Yuan went to Dengxian Tower alone.
The Azure Flood Dragon Society's (Qing Jiao Hui) wanted poster for the Three Ghosts of Yunjiang was still up, and they had even increased the reward. For safety's sake, they had all changed their names and appearances. Unless someone was extremely familiar with them and saw them face-to-face, it would be almost impossible to recognize their true identities.
And their mission was to keep a close eye on the Bei Mansion!
Chen Yuan had never let his guard down against this old fellow.
......
......
"Patrol Envoy Chen's rise to the top 300 of the Potential Dragon List in such a short time has shocked many people."
Inside Dengxian Tower, Ye Chenbai poured a pot of good tea for Chen Yuan.
Of course, the tea was good, but it wasn't spirit tea.
That kind of thing was only allowed to be drunk by those who visited Dengxian Tower for the first time, in addition to their status and position.
"A tree that stands out in the forest will surely be felled by the wind. Chen hopes that your tower won't put me on the fire," Chen Yuan shook his head. If he could, Chen Yuan didn't really want to be famous.
It wouldn't be too late to become famous after he had strength.
As for now, it would only attract murderous intent from some people.
Moreover, Dengxian Tower was using his name without paying him a reputation damage fee.
Ye Chenbai smiled and didn't say much. It wasn't up to him. Besides, who in the world wouldn't want to make a name for themselves, except for the initial resistance?
The three Dengxian Lists were a great opportunity.
"What information does Patrol Envoy Chen want to buy this time?"
One doesn't visit the Three Treasures Hall without a purpose. Since Chen Yuan had come, it certainly wasn't for idle chat. He must have some purpose. Ye Chenbai didn't want to exchange pleasantries and went straight to the point.
"I want a map of Nangling Prefecture from the former Chu Dynasty. I wonder if Dengxian Tower has one?"
Chen Yuan asked calmly.
"A map of Nangling Prefecture?"
Ye Chenbai was slightly surprised, seemingly not expecting that the information Chen Yuan wanted was this.
"Doesn't Dengxian Tower have one?"
"Of course, we have one. I wonder what Patrol Envoy Chen needs it for? Of course, if you don't want to reveal it, that's fine too," Ye Chenbai said with a smile.
"There's nothing I can't reveal. It's just that when I was looking through the Sky Survey Department's archives, I accidentally discovered that some place names didn't match up, so I wanted to understand it more clearly."
"I see, haha… Patrol Envoy Chen has come to the right place. The detailed map of the former Chu Dynasty is now almost extinct except for the capital and some older sects."
"Patrol Envoy Chen can have it, for one hundred taels!"
Ye Chenbai extended a finger after realizing this.
It had to be said that this price was very expensive, as it was just a map. But thinking about it, this was a kind of exclusive business. Qingzhou City might have it, but it was too far away, and Chen Yuan didn't have any connections there, so it was much easier to spend some money.
One hundred taels of silver might have been a considerable sum for Chen Yuan before, but for the current Patrol Envoy Chen, one hundred taels of silver was nothing.
Once his official rank and status rose, it was too easy to get some money.
"Okay."
Chen Yuan placed a few silver ingots on the table.
Ye Chenbai pursed his lips, smiled, and put a piece of paper in the mouth of a decoration, as before. In less than a hundred breaths, someone presented a parchment map.
"Brother Chen, this is the territorial map of Nangling Prefecture from the former Chu Dynasty. Many places have indeed changed their names."
Chen Yuan nodded, took the parchment map, and slowly unfolded it. Many places had different names from the current ones. For example, Nangling City wasn't called Nangling City before, but Jiang City, probably named after its proximity to the Yunjiang River.
Chen Yuan's gaze quickly swept over it, and after a rough overview, his gaze settled on a place name, where 'Crescent Moon Valley' was written!
He compared it to the current Nangling map in his memory. The current name of Crescent Moon Valley was Black Wind Valley!
Located in a county under the jurisdiction of Nangling Prefecture, its reputation wasn't prominent, and there didn't seem to be any Black Wind swirling around. He hadn't expected that this was the Crescent Moon Valley he was looking for.
Perhaps seeing Chen Yuan's gaze fixed on it, Ye Chenbai thought for a moment and said:
"The reason why this place was renamed was because a great battle took place here during the former Chu Dynasty!"
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The Fiendish Qi of the ancient battlefield is coming!!!
Seeking monthly tickets.