Lü Yuan was momentarily stunned, unsure of the riddle being exchanged between Chen Yuan and Tao Qingyuan. Could other Transcendent Realm warriors by Chen Yuan's side be of assistance?

That shouldn't be...

He was well-informed about Chen Yuan, knowing that he had practically no background and had only recently broken through. Where could he find Transcendent Realm experts to help?

After all, this was no small matter and was, overall, quite dangerous.

Simple enticement probably wouldn't work.

Seeing Lü Yuan's puzzled expression and Tao Qingyuan's seemingly understanding one, Chen Yuan smiled and revealed his chosen candidate: none other than the current leader of the Divine Firmament Hall, Wei Xin!

Chen Yuan had acquainted himself with the five major forces in Nanling Prefecture, and naturally, he wouldn't overlook the Divine Firmament Hall, the second-ranked power in Nanling Prefecture. However, Wei Xin was aging, and the Divine Firmament Hall lacked newly advanced Transcendent Realm cultivators, leading to a period of decline.

In recent years, they had further contracted their influence, appearing to be lying low.

Yet, despite the Divine Firmament Hall's lack of activity in recent years, few forces within Nanling Prefecture dared to underestimate them, simply because Wei Xin was still alive.

In his earlier years, he was ambitious and vibrant, breaking through to the Transcendent Realm at a young age and then advancing rapidly to the peak of the Transcendent Realm, reaching a level that vaguely rivaled the Golden Mountain Temple.

At the time, many believed that if Wei Xin could break through to the凝一(Ning Yi) Realm, he could surpass the Golden Mountain Temple and become the leader of the Nanling Jianghu, even expanding his influence to other prefectures.

Within the Qingzhou Region, he could even earn the title of a first-rate power.

Unfortunately, fate didn't comply with his wishes. Despite his previous extraordinary talent and strength, Wei Xin's cultivation stagnated at the peak of the Transcendent Realm, and he even suffered setbacks before the Golden Core (丹境, Dan Jing) barrier.

The injuries caused by the failed breakthrough also damaged Wei Xin's foundation, turning his hair white overnight.

After the news of his failed breakthrough spread, the Divine Firmament Hall became a target of public criticism, with many forces coveting the benefits it controlled. The most eager among them was the Dragon-Tiger Gate.

In recent years, they had repeatedly clashed with the Divine Firmament Hall, and for the most part, they had gained the upper hand.

Why?

Because Wei Xin hadn't made a move in years, focusing on recuperating from his injuries.

According to many people's expectations based on the failed breakthrough, Wei Xin had probably suffered a great loss of strength, and even his lifespan was somewhat overdrawn. He probably wouldn't last many more years.

This was also one of the reasons Chen Yuan was paying attention to him.

Previously, Chen Yuan's target hadn't been the Divine Firmament Hall because there was no animosity between them. Chen Yuan didn't want to provoke them unnecessarily. However, Tao Qingyuan's words just now made him think of Wei Xin again.

Even if his cultivation was damaged, he was still a genuine peak Transcendent Realm expert who had been qualified to challenge the Golden Core Realm. Such a person, even if not as strong as before, would definitely still have some trump cards up his sleeve.

This could be seen from Zhao Nanshan.

This was Chen Yuan's primary target and currently the most suitable candidate he could think of.

Of course, Chen Yuan had another, less suitable, option: the assassins of the Seven Kill Hall.

Why was it unsuitable?

Because Chen Yuan's identity was that of an official. When the time came, Tao Qingyuan and Lü Yuan would definitely take action together. If he found assassins from the Seven Kill Hall, wouldn't it be obvious to everyone that Chen Yuan was involved with demonic forces?

He had enough Yuan Crystals to hire one, but as he said before, it wasn't suitable!

Moreover, Chen Yuan didn't want to have too deep an entanglement with the Seven Kill Hall, lest he sink deeper and be caught by them.

"Wei Xin, are you confident in persuading him?"

Muttering the name 'Wei Xin' a few times, Tao Qingyuan frowned slightly.

With this person's strength, he was indeed suitable, but could they get him to come out?

Recently, Wei Xin hadn't made a single move. He had even appeared less and less frequently, which perhaps meant that he had reached his limit.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be so tolerant of the Dragon-Tiger Gate.

"The method is nothing more than coercion and inducement. Now that the Dragon-Tiger Gate and the Azure Flood Dragon Society have been destroyed, there are many benefits available. However, the government alone probably can't completely take them all.

We also can't support the Chang Le Gang too much, lest Shi Yunlong has other ideas. We must introduce another Jianghu force to create checks and balances. At that time, the entire Nanling Prefecture will be under your control, my lord."

Taking a sip of tea and looking at Lü Yuan and Tao Qingyuan, Chen Yuan continued:

"Moreover, we are wary of Fa Hai's breakthrough. Doesn't the Divine Firmament Hall also have concerns? As long as we use the right methods, I am very confident in pulling him onto our warship."

"Then this matter will be entrusted to you." Looking at the confident Chen Yuan, Tao Qingyuan's evaluation of him rose even higher, and he became even more satisfied.

"Lü will wait for your news."

Lü Yuan smiled and echoed.

Since Chen Yuan was willing to take the initiative to take on such a matter, they were happy to be idle. They entrusted the matter entirely to Chen Yuan. Through several events, it had become clear that Chen Yuan was not only skilled but also had many strategies and plans. He had the makings of a hero.

At least, looking at Chen Yuan's behavior and strong confidence, Tao Qingyuan was ashamed to admit his inferiority.

After finishing a pot of tea, the three of them divided the treasures of the Azure Flood Dragon Society. The Sky Patrol Department and the Military Preparation Army each took four shares, and the remaining two shares were given to Shi Yunlong.

Chen Yuan didn't get much benefit from the Azure Flood Dragon Society. Of course, there wasn't much that he valued.

He didn't lack cultivation methods or secret techniques. The amount of gold and silver treasures was too small to catch his eye. Only a few Yuan Crystals were divided equally among them. All in all, the Azure Flood Dragon Society was much more shabby than the Dragon-Tiger Gate. But this was also normal. The Dragon-Tiger Gate was a Jianghu sect with many years of inheritance.

The Azure Flood Dragon Society had only risen in the past few decades, and it had only gradually developed after Tang Qian broke through to the Transcendent Realm. In terms of foundation, it couldn't compare at all.

Even if they had some savings, Chen Yuan felt that hiring assassins from the Seven Kill Hall to assassinate him must have cost them a lot.

......

......

For several days in a row, the entire Nanling Prefecture was talking about what happened that day, about how mighty and powerful Chen Yuan was, how he tore Tang Qian apart, and how he destroyed the Azure Flood Dragon Society.

The Dragon-Tiger Gate and the Azure Flood Dragon Society were both destroyed in one day. This was extremely shocking news. Many forces had psychological shadows of Chen Yuan, thinking that he must be a bloodthirsty person.

But to everyone's surprise, Chen Yuan didn't make any moves after destroying the Azure Flood Dragon Society. He didn't show his face, no matter how the outside world discussed and speculated.

Gradually, after a few days, the heat began to subside.

But there were still many people discussing and speculating. Even years later, some people would talk about how terrifying Chen Yuan's emerging brilliance was after eating and drinking their fill.

While the outside world was talking a lot, Chen Yuan was cultivating in his mansion without moving a muscle. He had suffered some injuries that day and was quite exhausted. It took him two full days to return to his peak state.

After recovering, Chen Yuan gave three orders. First, he sent people to keep a close eye on the Golden Mountain Temple and investigate Fa Hai's matter. Second, he asked people to focus on the Divine Firmament Hall. Third, he sent people to see how Shi Yunlong's injuries were.

In just two days, the people he sent out returned to report one after another. Shi Yunlong's injuries were not light. His shoulder bone was broken, and he would need at least half a month to recover.

The Divine Firmament Hall was still calm. They didn't even show the slightest interest in the benefits left by the Dragon-Tiger Gate and the Azure Flood Dragon Society. Everything was the same as before.

And the most important news about Fa Hai of the Golden Mountain Temple was indeed as Tao Qingyuan said. In recent months, Fa Hai's seclusion time had become longer and longer, and the Golden Mountain Temple had begun to prepare formations in various places.

Chen Yuan felt that if he was not mistaken, the purpose of this formation should be to help Fa Hai form his Golden Core and gather the surrounding天地元气(tiandi yuanqi, heaven and earth essence).

This was a necessary preparation for many warriors before forming their Golden Core.

Forming a Martial Dao Heavenly Pill was not that easy. It required a large amount of天地元气(tiandi yuanqi, heaven and earth essence). A few dozen Yuan Crystals were definitely not enough. Unless it was a coincidence and they had to break through, they would mostly prepare in advance.

Tao Qingyuan's information was correct. Fa Hai was indeed about to start breaking through. Fortunately, the Golden Mountain Temple's preparation process was very slow, as if they were afraid of being noticed, and they had been very secretive.

Chen Yuan still had a little time.

In the following period, Chen Yuan began to rely on Yuan Crystals to cultivate. It had to be said that this was very helpful to him. The rich天地元气(tiandi yuanqi, heaven and earth essence) could help Chen Yuan quickly accumulate true essence.

Of course, this also consumed a lot. In just ten days or so, Chen Yuan had consumed one-third of the Yuan Crystals in his hand. It should be noted that this was the accumulation of the Dragon-Tiger Gate for many years.

There were not many people in the world who dared to exchange resources for time like this.

The reason he did this was not that he didn't cherish Yuan Crystals. On the contrary, Chen Yuan valued Yuan Crystals extremely after using them. He agreed with a saying: "No investment, no return."

Consuming a large number of Yuan Crystals, regardless of waste, was an investment that Chen Yuan made in himself. He knew very well that as long as he destroyed the Golden Mountain Temple, his current investment would be nothing.

The entire Nanling Prefecture knew that the Golden Mountain Temple was rich. Of course, Chen Yuan also understood this!

Attacking the Golden Mountain Temple was not only because of some previous grievances, but also because the Golden Mountain Temple was wealthy. Chen Yuan could obtain huge benefits from this.

This time there was no opportunity, but Chen Yuan felt that what he could gain might be more than what the opportunity guided him to.

If he had a large number of Yuan Crystals to cultivate, Chen Yuan would be confident in piling up his cultivation to the peak of the First Aperture in a short period of time. His strength would usher in a new surge!

Time passed quickly. When the news of the destruction of the Azure Flood Dragon Society and the Dragon-Tiger Gate in Nanling Prefecture gradually dissipated, a piece of news about Chen Yuan was once again spread from the Ascending Immortal Tower.

However, the shock caused by this time was not so great. Of course, it was definitely not small.

Because many people had expected this news when Chen Yuan fought Tang Qian alone. It was reasonable and expected.

That's right, this news was that Chen Yuan had made it into the top 50 of the Potential Dragon Ranking.

And it was not a bottom ranking. He was directly ranked 42nd on the Potential Dragon Ranking, even surpassing Gu Hao, the disciple of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect.

Chen Yuan's popularity instantly increased a lot.

Many people were too clear about what the top 50 ranking on the Potential Dragon Ranking meant.

At this step, Chen Yuan already had the potential for the Golden Core Realm.